eastcoastlife

EastCoastLife /HP Printer Giveaway - PH

2009-11-28T12:32:00.002+08:00

PhotoHunt Theme - Technology

The HP TouchSmart 300 PC that I bought at "Nothing but HP for me" event was finally delivered to me. YEAH!

A few days later, I was asked to review the HP Photosmart Premium All-in-One C309g printer (SGD $369.00). I was told only EastCoastLife and another 2 bloggers from Singapore are selected for this review.

It’s been an enjoyable experience so far – the touch enabled screen is pretty fuss-free. My son, nieces, nephews and I have so much fun as we explore the creative uses of this printer. Gosh, technology is so amazing these days! I will post our artwork in future posts. :)

The printer usually goes missing from my study room as it is wireless. grrr..... I find it in the most unlikely place - the kitchen! My son has been creating some dishes for his restaurant and he's designing a new menu. I hope it will still be in workable condition when I return the printer to HP. :P

Amelia and her colleagues at Waggener Edstrom, the PR company who gave me this review opportunity, made me this lovely EastCoastLife scrapbook to show what the printer was capable of.

My very own EastCoastLife scrapbook!

EastCoastLife /HP Printer Giveaway

HP Photosmart Plus All-in-One with TouchSmart B209a

worth SG$269.00

This contest is open to Singapore residents only. One lucky winner will be announced on 4th December 2009 and I will personally deliver the printer to you.

Question : What does my son do?

Send in your answer with your name, NRIC (Identification number), address to my email :
eastcoastlife at gmail dot com

Good luck!

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First Commenter -

Hakka Food Fair - RT

2009-11-23T12:22:00.005+08:00

Nanyang Khek Community Guild is organizing a series of activities to celebrate its 80th anniversary. I attended its Hakka Food Fair on Sunday.

I was there at 11am and the venue was packed with people from the Hakka community and visitors from all over the island. All the food stalls were doing a roaring business, and several stalls had already sold out their food. The Food Fair was supposed to end at 3 pm but by 12 noon, most of the food was sold out!

Late comers were disappointed. There will be another Food Fair next year. Come early. :)

Hakka Thunder Tea

Traditional Hakka food like the Hakka Thunder Tea, Ginger Chicken Stew and Hakka Abacus dish are must-haves at this fair.

Don't expect thunder to strike when you eat this Thunder Tea. In Hakka 'Lui' means to grind (mix) while in Mandarin it means 'Thunder'. :P

I have yet to try this famous Hakka dish which is supposed to be good for my health and is recommended to be eaten on a regular basis.

Famous Hakka Abacus Seed Dish

How can you miss this popular dish if you want to get rich!? :P This traditional Hakka dish is eaten during festive celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival for prosperity. Nowadays it is easily available in certain parts of the island.Huat (Prosperity) every day!

Traditional Hakka Ginger Chicken Stew

I managed to grab the last bowl of this healthy Ginger Chicken Stew!! hehe..... I drank this traditional Hakka stew a long time ago, made by the Hakka mother-in-law of a cousin. She passed away and I have not tasted this dish until now.

This particular bowl of Ginger Chicken Stew was so strong that I was practically walking on air (drunk, mabot) after drinking it. Oh, and I was perspiring like crazy due to the abundant ginger in the stew. :P It was good for my health.

Many of these nutritious and tasty dishes sold at this food fair are specialties of the members and are not easily available on the market.

I bought the Hakka cookbook (recommended retail price S$16) published by Nanyang Khek Community Guild and some popular Hakka preserved dried vegetables and red mushrooms. I am going to learn how to cook some Hakka dishes. Yeah!

Nanyang Khek Community Guild

20 Peck Seah Street Singapore 079312 TEL:62210605 62226590

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter -

客家美食节- 南洋客属总会创会80周年会庆活动

2009-11-23T11:09:00.081+08:00

Hakka Food Fair 客家美食节

客家美食节 - 本地历来规模最大的一个族群传统美食会 - 于11月22日假客总大厦外的柏城街举行。宏茂桥集选区国会议员蓝彬明医生应邀出席美食节。

除了七大会所与宗乡总会，各下属客属参加美食节，还特别邀请其他种族的人参加。16间客家菜馆和3家酒楼，为大家带来客家经典美食。另外还第一次呈现永定客家美食，特别从中国运来的“永定五大干”首次与会售卖，并且与制作好的客家菜谱一同出售，所有售卖的款项一并捐给慈善单位。

客家经典美食

客家干粮

本地三家客家菜餐馆东江、梅春和丘园，及家客属会馆负责提供多道美食，呈献各种美味可口的客家美食以及推荐从内陆直接进口的著名各地客家干粮等等供会员、嘉宾和民众品尝。

熙熙攘攘，热闹非凡 - 人山人海的柏城街

工委会把一些传统客家食谱编成精美《客家食谱》(S$16), 与会售卖。

随着社会的发展，生活环境的改变、语言传延不易，海外华人普遍面对原有族群文化和意识日渐薄弱的现象，因此发扬和传承族群优良传统文化一直是各地宗乡社团的重任。他们有责任也有义务负起弘扬各文化的任务, 促进华侨华人事业发展和文化素质的提高，争取华侨华人的正当权益和福利，鼓励华侨华人融入新加坡社会，提高其社会地位和经济实力，为新加坡的政治、经济、文化和社会发展作出卓越贡献。

祝贺南洋客属总会创会80周年纪念!

Yummy Birds - PH

2009-11-20T20:32:00.001+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Birds

Yummy roasts from Singapore!

One must-have activity for my foreign guests when they visit Singapore is to go Geylang (a red-light district) to visit my favourite chicken and duck stall. I'm referring to edible barbequed birds.

The Chinese refers to a hooker as 'Chicken' and a gigolo, 'Duck'. lol .... er.... some of the guys do request for the the other version. :P

I have never eaten a Bishop's Nose (chicken backside). It's too gruesome for me..... but the guys wiped out all the chicken backsides that night ewww......

Chef carving a Peking Duck

Another yummy way of serving a duck is the famous Peking Duck dish. The Peking Duck is traditionally carved in front of the diners. The thin, crispy skin is eaten with pancakes, spring onions, and sweet bean sauce. The remaining meat and bones may be made into a soup.

Bird Flu!? I just have to eat less birds......

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First Commenter -

How do you like your coffee, Sir? - WW

2009-11-17T14:33:00.002+08:00

I often have foreign guests visiting and I love to bring them to our local spots or eateries to experience the life on this tiny island.

Some of these friends must start the day with a cup of coffee (I'm not a coffee drinker and I cannot understand how these friends can be such coffee addicts). I brought them to try our beverages at local coffee stalls.

In Singapore, 'tea' is called 'teh' and 'coffee' as 'kopi'. They are found in kopitiams (coffee shops) and hawker centres, the humble kopi and teh are served in no-frills glasses or sometimes in porcelain cups and saucers. These traditional pick-me-ups cost from 60 cents to S$2.00. Much cheaper than the high class coffee joints.

the local coffee stall

At a traditional coffee stall, no sophisticated coffee machines and equipment are used to brew them.Our local method is to use a muslin bag where tea leaves and coffee powder are strained.

local beverages

Below are different ways to have your kopi and teh at a local coffee stall. Try them. :)

kopi/teh (coffee/tea with sugar and condensed milk);
kopi O/teh O (coffee/tea with sugar only);
kopi O kosong/teh O kosong (if you like it bitter);
kopi C/teh C (coffee/tea with sugar and evaporated milk);
kopi kosong/teh kosong (coffee/tea with milk, no sugar);
kopi peng/teh peng (coffee/tea with sugar, milk and ice, the younger crowd loves these);

teh C and teh peng plus a toasted slice of garlic bread... mmmm...

and the cappuccino-inspired kopicinno/tehcinno (milk at the bottom, coffee/tea in the centre, milky froth on top)

My love!

How do you like your coffee, Sir/Madam?

First Commenter - Jama

Keeping Chinese Opera Alive - PH

2009-11-14T01:52:00.001+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Music

Just like in most modern countries, Singapore's youngsters are more interested in modern music.With the decline of interest in Chinese opera, we need to think of ways to revive its popularity. How do we keep this traditional art alive?

I introduce my students to Chinese opera. We had a fun time trying opera makeup, face-painting and the costumes.

Chinese opera is a difficult art synthesizing music, drama, dancing and acrobatics. In Chinese Opera, the actor must convey the story through voice, movement, and gestures. Each character wears a distinctive and traditional costume and makeup that tells the audience about their status and personality. It takes years of practice and hard work to become a good opera performer.

I just love the elaborate costumes and headgear. :)

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First Commenter - Renny

SM Goh Chok Tong at Mountbatten Town Day 2009

2009-11-08T23:58:00.003+08:00

SM Goh showing off his football kicking skill.

There were lots of exciting events and activities for the residents of Mountbatten constituency as they celebrate its annual Town Day this Sunday morning.

Hosting MP Lim Biow Chuan welcomed guests-of-honour Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Mayor Matthias Yeo and the other 4 MPs of Marine Parade GRC with lion and dragon dances..

SM Goh with several MPs of Marine Parade GRC enjoying a skit.

Earlier SM Goh unveiled a plaque to officially open Kitchen@Katong. Executive Chef Eric Teo offered him a glass of ice cold Lemongrass Tea. .

These lucky kids had a game of table tennis with SM Goh.

Kids watching Grandpa Goh putting golf.

Our sporty SM Goh was very determined to score a bull's eye before calling it a day.

SM Goh is also a 'Grandma Killer'.

It took SM Goh more than 20 minutes each time to complete a 30m walk. Elderly ladies and several residents stopped him every now and then to speak to him or have a photo with him. :P

First Commenter - stanley

The Changi Chapel and Museum - PH

2009-11-07T11:49:00.004+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Veterans/Military

The Changi Chapel

On the day I went to The Changi Chapel and Museum, there was this burly overseas visitor sitting in the chapel alone, sobbing his heart out. I sat far away in a shady corner and waited. I did not have the heart to intrude on his private moment of grief. It was a good 40 minutes later that I got to take a good look of the chapel.

handwritten messages and dedications left by visitors

The Changi Museum commemorates the WWII Allied POWs who suffered horrific treatment during the Japanese Occupation.

Visitors can read about what happened during the war from its storyboard displays. It showcase quotes from POWs, locals and war veterans. These quotes tell us about their experiences in war and what life was like during the war.

On display were tools, materials and personal belongings of POWs and other artefacts related or used during World War II, donated by organizations, POWs and their families, as well as other visitors.

Within the POW camps, the soldiers had to fight against humiliating diseases, death and food shortage. The thought of seeing their loved ones again gave them the power to endure so much.... but sadly, many of them didn't make it in the end.

More than 3 years of history and tales of 50,000 civilians and soldiers are enclosed in the Changi Chapel and Museum. A detailed map on the Japanese expansion into Southeast Asia and also a remembrance wall that recognizes the various units that defended Singapore before the Fall is displayed.

light a candle in memory of those who sacrificed in a war

For the Prisoners-of-War (POWs) and their families, it is a site that allows for closure of the many emotional scars inflicted by the war years.

The Changi Chapel and Museum
1000, Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707
Opening Hours : 9:30am - 5:00pm daily.
Last admission is at 4.30pm (Including Sundays and Public Holidays)

The Changi Museum is open to the public and there is no admission charge.

No photography is allowed in the museum.

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First Commenter - Lina

Toys of Yester Years - RT/WW

2009-11-02T23:52:00.001+08:00

I was so excited to see these toys at a local museum. I had lots of fun playing with them when I was a kid. How many of these toys can you remember?

Although a toy like the ones above cost 5 cents or 10 cents 30 plus years ago, it was too expensive for the children who came from poor families....

.... so we made our own toys with whatever we could find. What others considered junk, they were turned into toys that entertained us for hours each day. :D

Simple things like bottle caps provided hours of fun for the boys.

Tops for the boys and handmade skipping rope for the girls

We girls would string rubber bands to form a skipping rope. Zero point was my favourite game every day until I fell and broke my right arm playing it. I was ten. :P

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter - stanley

Launch of Katong CC Gourmet Club

2009-10-26T12:48:00.003+08:00

Singapore's Famous Chilli Crab

Katong CC Gourmet Club was officially launched by MP Lim Biow Chuan (Marine Parade GRC ) on 25th October. Its first event was held at Seafood International Market & Restaurant located at Playground@Big Splash.

Chef Pung teaching members how to select crabs

Chef Pung specially planned a Crab Feast for our inaugural launch. There were 9 dishes. For S$30 nett, members get to try some unique dishes and were given pointers on how to choose crabs by Chef Pung. He narated the origins of our famous Singapore dish, Chilli Crab.

MP Lim Biow Chuan with Chef Pung Lu Tin

Chef Pung Lu Tin is well-known in Singapore's culinary circle. He is a culinary consultant at the Singapore Culinary Institute, he spearheads efforts to develop Chinese cuisine. Despite his success, he is a simple and unassuming man, readily accepting feedback from diners. He enjoys creating new recipes and generously shares his culinary knowledge.

加东会所美食俱乐部 Katong CC Gourmet Club

{螃蟹飨宴}Exclusive Crab Menu

芙蓉蟹卷双鲜拼

Crab Meat Roll with Seafood Hors D’oeuvre

黄焖蟹肉羹

Braised Crab Meat with Golden Chicken Broth

特色三味红鲷鱼

）片斑肉蟹拿桑；松鱼炒；卷斑肉蟹酱莓蓝（

Chef’s Special Trio Taste Red Snapper

(Crab Meat Fish Roll with Blackcurrant Sauce; Fried Diced Fish with butter cheese sauce; Sauna Sliced Fish)

This Sauna Sliced Fish has a unique cooking method. Beer is poured onto the sliced fish which is then placed in the hot pot.The stones in the stone pot are heated to 400 degree Celsius.

蟹扒卢笋豆腐

Crispy Fried Beancurd Topped with Crabmeat Sauce

辣椒螃蟹炸曼头

Chilli Crab Served with Bun

咖哩螃蟹蒜面包

Thai Curry Crab Served with Garlic Bread

This Thai Curry Crab which has a rich, unsweetened curry base is so delicious with toasted bread! My favourite dish of the night.

大澳蟹肉海鲜米粉

Stewed Bee Hoon with Seafood and Crabmeat

杨枝玉露泰式双

Pomelo Mango Puree with Twins Thai Kueh Kueh

ECL and Chef Pung Lu Tin

First Commenter - yenjai

All Tied Up - PH

2009-10-23T23:08:00.001+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Tied

a worker making sure the dumplings are tied securely

A stone's throw from my house is a famous restaurant selling yummy glutinous rice dumplings. They are great for breakfast or as a snack any time of the day.

I like to watch the workers tie the wrapped rice dumplings every time I'm there. The girl in the photo has nimble fingers. She wraps and ties one dumpling within 15 seconds!

ingredients for cooking rice dumplings

Now that rice dumpling are easily available, I have stopped making my own. It is more economic to buy the rice dumplings than waste my precious time labouring in the kitchen.

arghhh..... those are my lame excuses, the skill of making sticky rice dumpling was passed from one generation to another. If my son doesn't learn it from me, this traditional skill may be lost one day.

ECL competing for the fastest rice dumpling maker

I once entered a rice dumpling making competition. I was no match for the other more experienced competitors. It was a fun event and we get to meet people in our neighbourhood.

A mini rice dumpling

Try a glutinous rice dumpling when you are in Singapore. They have savory or sweet fillings. I like both versions. :)

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First Commenter -

CSSP - Domestic Helper/Elderly Safety & Security Workshop - RT/WW

2009-10-20T16:19:00.002+08:00

An elderly resident learning fire-fighting

Due to safety and security reasons in my neighbourhood, I have initiated a Neighbourhood Watch Group together with my neighbours. We work together by keeping our eyes and ears open to signs of possible crime in our area so we can help to stop it before it starts.

This Neighbourhood Watch Group provides a sense of security for neighbours and their families who leave their homes for any length of time. This programme also helps support police efforts in the community in tracking down criminals. We want to encourage strong community involvement because neighbourhoods that unite help to stop crime before it starts. Neighbours who join together can bring a feeling of peace and safety to situations that may otherwise threaten them.

I was invited to the above workshop organised by Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) on 18th October.

SCDF officers explaining how to use a fire extinguisher

In most households, domestic helpers are often left alone or are left with elderly/young children at home, while the employer goes to work in the day. It is therefore necessary to ensure that they are equipped with knowledge on areas such as crime prevention and the handling of emergency situations.

An SCDF teaching participants the kiss-of-life

Participants were taught skills in areas such as identifying of suspicious persons; types of possible crimes that may occur at home or in ther neighbourhood; and precautions against various crimes from happening. At the same time, we can assist to spread the knowledge acquired to people around us.

A participant learning first aid hands-on

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) taught participants skills via hands-on session in the area of first aid and fire-fighting. Every one got a chance to try their newly acquired skills with SCDF officers on hand to guide them.

The elderly and domestic helpers were the main particpants in this workshop. I hope to get more support of the respective government agencies to organise such educational activities for my members.

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter - lina

Deepavali Nite 2009 - PH

2009-10-16T17:53:00.002+08:00

MP Lim Biow Chuan performing his Bhangra dance

Deepavali Nite 2009 was held on 9th Oct at Katong Community Centre. Guest-of-honour, MP Lim Biow Chuan was given a colourful and boisterous welcome by a band of Bhangra performers.

Residents from all races came together for this event. This is the way Singapore has been - there is cohesion between races and our city is well known for its spirit of friendship.

Bhangra performers to welcome our guest of honour

This couple are residents of Mountbatten and they enjoyed the Indian cultural activities very much. The wife had her hand painted by a henna artist.

This young boy, aged about seven, did a stunning performance with his guitar.

MP Lim Biow Chuan joined participants on the dance floor, displaying his by now famous 'Travolta pose' from Saturday Night Fever.

Delicious Northern Indian cuisine

The food served was North Indian cuisine which consists of thick, tasty gravies. For some participants, it was their first time tasting North Indian food. The food was so yummy that most of the dishes were cleaned out.

Deepavali Nite was jointly organised by Amber NC, Tg Rhu NC, Meyer NC, Mountbatten IAEC and Katong CCMC.

Happy Deepavali!

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First Commenter - sgshort stories

Sarong - RT/WW

2009-10-12T17:43:00.003+08:00

I love the batik print of my sarong.

I bought sarongs for myself and hubby while shopping in a Malay shop. A sarong is about a yard wide and two-and-a-half yards long, and is usually wrapped around the waist.

The sarong is commonly worn by Malay people, but it can be a casual wear at home for men and women of all races and religions. For the men, it is worn as a kilt, and as a long skirt by the women.

Women's sarongs have flower motifs and are in brighter colors.

Men's sarongs are in plaid or checkered patterns.

The man's sarong is simple and less colourful.

Wearing a sarong is easy and convenient. No zip or button is required. It keeps your 'jewels' airy and cool too .... as you don't have to put on underwear. hehe.....

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter - Maurica

Don't Get Physical - PhotoHunt

2009-10-09T20:35:00.002+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Sports

Christopher teaching me how to handle a sword

I'm not good at sports. I prefer sports that requires little or no physical exertion or agility. I did try Historical European Swordsmanship. The sword is 2/3 of my height and weighed a ton!

Mind sports are not considered true sports ..... but they are much more fun.

Strategy Board Games

My passion these days!

Filming is not sports!? I'm hunting and chasing people all the time leh..... :P

三缺一？

How about a game of Mahjong? *ECL raises both hands*

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First Commenter - Lina

Up, Up and Away .... Rising Food Prices - RT/WW

2009-10-06T11:35:00.004+08:00

Tiny slice of abalone

Slowly but surely, the prices of food in Singapore is rising. And I'm amazed by the ingenuity of the hawkers.

I haven't been eating out much for months, but all within a week I was stunned by the huge increase in food prices.

I was charged a high price for a bowl of Abalone Noodles which has only one thin slice of abalone. How can they call it Abalone Noodles when there are more mushroom slices than abalone!? Feel so cheated.

Same price but serving bowl shrunk

The price of my usual bowl of Pork Porridge went from S$3 to S$3.50 and yet the serving size of the bowl shrunk. That's double increment.

Mini cockle and shrimp

I'm speechless. I take my hat off to this famous Laksa stall. How did they manage to find such mini-sized cockles and shrimp? They even halved the already tiny shrimp. Wow!

That's not all. One well-known stall which used to boil a good stock of pork and chicken bones for hours for their noodles have resorted to using bottled chicken powder. They save on gas and use less bones for the stock. They lose customers too.

It's back to home cooked food for me.

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter - Juliana

Words Escape Me - PhotoHunt

2009-10-02T13:18:00.003+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Words

Yippeee!! My first surgery........

Look! Look at the monitor! You punctured the wall of the intestine!!

.... and last for a colorectal cancer patient in an operating theatre. :(

Patient is ____________

Oops.

Now you know where ECL is operating? :D

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First Commenter - Miranda

Traditional Ice Lollies - WW

2009-09-30T12:58:00.001+08:00

Colourful homemade ice lollies

I was so excited to see these colourful ice lollies at a Family Day Fun and Food Fair.

When I was a kid, this traditional ice lolly was a rare treat for me. It used to cost 10 cents for one but today, it is selling at S$1! Gosh.

S$1 for an ice lolly

I was living in a subsidised flat with my family then. One enterprising neighbour had a fridge and she would make ice lollies to sell to the children in the neighbourhood. Her business was so good that she had to make 3 batches daily.

There were different flavours every day. I prefer red bean or sour sop or sour plum lollies. These days, the factory-produced ice lollies have a wider selection of flavours, but some tastes like coloured syrup. :P .

cold snack on a hot day!

I was very happy to have an ice lolly to snack on in those days but nowadays, if I offer to give kids a cold snack, they would prefer ice-cream. And they are not shy to ask for expensive, branded ones. One scoop of ice-cream for S$3.50! aiyoooh ..... I can buy a plate of chicken rice!

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter - Karen

Twisted ECL - PhotoHunt

2009-09-26T20:54:00.003+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Twisted

All twisted!

At last night's Singapore F1 Night Race, while the guys fixed their eyes on the F1 races, we bored ladies have to amuse ourselves telling twisted stories :

I was given this topic :

Sex is not the answer. Sex is the question. "Yes" is the answer.

~~~~@~~~~

ECL's twisted answer :

Hubby : Sex?

ECL : Yes!!!

Before a medical checkup, I have to fill in a questionaire.

The good-looking, young male doctor asked me without lifting his head, "Sex?"

ECL (can't believe her good luck!) : Yes!!!

aiyahhh...... twisted minds! This young doctor is not sex starved, blind nor bold. He was asking if I'm still having an active sex life. :P

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First Commenter -Marzie

Asia's 1st Life-sized Bread Race Car! - RT/WW

2009-09-22T13:39:00.002+08:00

Executive Chef Abraham Tan (Royal Plaza On Scotts) and his team used 14 litres of water, 15 kg of yeast, 2 kg of salt and 10.8 litres of food varnish to create Asia's first life-sized Bread Race Car!

A competition was held to guess the weight of flour used. The answer will be announced at the end of September.

This bread race car is more than 4.24 m long, 1.78 m wide and 1.03 m high.

The life-sized race car wheel is created out of a variety of breads: Squid ink Focaccia Bread, Soya Milk bread, Laugen bread and Ciabatta.

Chef Abraham Tan used the following types of bread to create this life-sized bread race car :

1. Honey Milk Bread         12. Squid ink Focaccia Bread
2. Potato Bread                 13. Soya Milk bread
3. Milano Grain                  14. Laugen bread
4. Curry Roll                      15. Ciabatta bread
5. 9 Coreals Roll                16. Dark Sour Rye Bread
6. Hard roll                        17. Sesame Kaiser Roll
7. Onion Roll                     18. Rustico Baguette
8. Farmer Bread                19. Wholemeal Baguette
9. Country Bread               20. French Baguette
10. Chinese Bun                21. Focaccia Bun
11. Soft Bun                      22. Swiss Farmer Bread

Asia's 1st Life-sized Bread Race Car will be on displayed at Royal Plaza On Scotts lobby until 27 September 2009.

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter - Liza

Dara Turns Lives Upside-down - PhotoHunt

2009-09-18T15:54:00.004+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Upside-down

I was invited to a private screening of the movie, DARAH (Indonesian title which means Blood. It's International Title is Macabre) at Goodwood Park Hotel's former Thumper Bar.

I thought I had gone to the wrong venue when I entered and saw this......

Huh!?

Gosh! It was an old, deserted building. There was this horrible musty smell throughout the room and it stuck onto my clothes and hair after that.

An eerie place to hold a horror movie preview. We were half-expecting killers to appear. Before the movie commenced, we were ~~ordered~~
advised not to cover our eyes; to scream our hearts out and enjoy the movie. In case anyone wants to walk out, all the doors have been locked. *pretends to tremble*

hehe.......

Eric Khoo addressing his guests before the movie.

We sat in pitch darkness. I dared not used flash for my camera in case the organisers got provoke and turn on me. I think I was the only one who dared to take pictures. *gulp*

******************* ooooo OOO ooooo ******************

Darah tells the story of a group of friends who are lured to a deserted country house when they stop to help a young woman Maya (Imelda Therinne) who claims to have been robbed.

The mother Dara (Shareefa Daanish) insists they stay for dinner. It turns their lives upside-down! They are drugged and woke to find themselves tied up. Horrified, they witnessed the slaughtering of their friends... one by one.

It is a bloodbath! What I saw was so horrendous and sickening! Limbs and necks are broken; bodies are decapitated, stabbed, shot, burnt, chainsawed! It's blood, blood and more blood.... everywhere!

Eric Khoo, one of the Executive Producers for Darah, told me it is categorised M18. I think there will be some censored scenes in the cinema version. What I saw was too gory! :P

I'm awestricken with Indonesian actress Shareefa Daanish who plays the indestructible mother. She sent shivers down my spine when she screamed "Bring me their heads!" and brandished a chainsaw at the beautiful heroine Ladya (Julie Estelle). Yes, they cast beautiful people in a horror movie. Another eye-candy is actor Arifin Putra who plays the creepy and equally indestructible son Adam.

Darah has been creating rave reviews and praises in Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival 2009 where Shareefa Daanish won Best Actress for her portrayal as the sick Dara. *applause*

Darah will hit the cinemas on 8th October 2009.

Let the slaying begins!

A Gorylah Pictures, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures (Singapore)/Merah Prod., Guerilla Visual Movement, Nation Pictures (Indonesia) production. Produced by the Mo Brothers. Executive producers, Eric Khoo, Mike Wiluan, Charles Teo, Daniel Yun. Directed, written by the Mo Brothers (Timo Tjahjanto, Kimo Stamboel).

PhotoHunt

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First commenter - oceanskies

HP Ignites ENVY - Nothing but HP for me event

2009-09-16T13:48:00.012+08:00

Mr See Chin Teik, Senior Vice President, Personal Systems Group, HP Asia Pacific & Japan unveiling HP Envy

HP invited journalists from the region to its grand "Nothing but HP for me" event at Amara Sanctuary in Sentosa on 15th September 2009. As one of the 'more prolific bloggers' in Singapore, I was one of the privilege few invited to this media event which showcased HP's latest upcoming netbooks, notebooks and desktops.

HP Raises Envy in Thin & Light Computing

HP unveiled not one... not two ..... but a mind-boggling line-up of thin and light notebook PCs!

HP's partnership with fashion designer Vivienne Tam is brilliant and a huge success. I love her awesome designs. HP’s latest collaboration is with world–renowned Dutch industrial designer, Tord Boontje.

The Limited Edition HP Mini by Studio Tord Boontje is a breakthrough in design innovation. It comes with the world’s first three-dimensional PC surface technology – HP Imprint 3D.

Ms Chua Hwee Koon, Vice President, Mobile Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP Asia Pacific & Japan holding Boontje’s design

HP Imprint 3D brings great detail and unique depth to Boontje’s design of flora and endangered animals. Extending the design experience beyond the surface, this model also comes with 15 wallpapers, customized Stardock MyColors™ desktop theme and custom screen saver all designed by Boontje. - HP press release

For readers who ask me what a media event for a new product launch is like, the ones (top brand names) I attended are usually grand and elaborate. The venues they select are either unique or exclusive. I mingle with the professionals from the media industry and some are from other countries. I get to rub shoulders with the company's top management. :P

There would be a sumptious buffet spread or a sit-down dinner, and free flow of beverages including beer, wines, champagne.

HP provided transport for me to and from this event right up to my door-step. VIP treatment.... and I'm only a mommy blogger.

Oh.... invited guests get door gifts and a discount on the company's new products. :)

'Nothing but HP for me' media event

HP made me an offer I cannot resist. I bought a HP PC (I would love to have the mini notebook offer as well *wink wink* ) ...... to be revealed in October 2009. :P

More photos of this event in my FaceBook.

First Commenter - yenjai

Ramly Burgers - RT/WW

2009-09-15T01:48:00.001+08:00

This is one burger that I look forward to eating at the annual Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar. It's Ramly burger!!. .

This year, this stall's Ramly burgers are the best!

Besides adding curry powder and mayonaise sauce to their burgers, there is this brown sauce. I wonder what sauce is that?
*takes a huge bite*

Wordless Wednesday

First Commenter -day-dreamer

Execution by Electric Chair - PhotoHunt

2009-09-11T22:08:00.001+08:00

PhotoHunt theme : Electric

The Electric Chair

I love to bring my students to Singapore Science Centre because of its interactive exhibits. One exhibit that provides the children the most fun and unforgetable experience is this Electric Chair.

But it is neither fun nor interesting for the criminals who were sent to the electric chair. :(

Harold Brown invented the electric chair. On 6th August 1890, the electric execution of the first man was William Kemmler of Buffalo, New York. He was guilty of butchering his mistress with an axe.

As a group of doctors and reporters watched this historic occasion, Kemmler was jolted for 17 seconds. It failed to kill him. He was unconscious but still breathing.

Embarrassed prison officials electrocuted him again for 70 seconds. As the electrodes seared his head and arms,Kemmler thrashed and convulsed. The room was filled with the smell of burning flesh. Some witnesses fainted, while others fled the room. The killing took 8 minutes.

Yikes. That's a painful way to die. :(

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Yummy Eats at Kampong Glam Bazaar - WW

2009-09-10T15:09:00.005+08:00

More yummy food found at Kampong Glam Bazaar. :)

I love Nasi Bryani but I discover a new dish - Bee Hoon Bryani! I ordered one packet for takeaway and it was very delicious! I'm going back for more!

Colourful traditional Malay kueh-kueh (cakes). 3 for S$1. I just love these cakes. The green bean cakes (front, right) are my favourite. Can someone give me the recipe for it?

Prawn vadai - it's an Indian snack which my hubby loves.

Durian and Kaya Rolls (S$13 for 2 rolls) from the famous Rich and Good Cake Shop. I prefer the Kaya Roll. 24 Kandahar Road Tel : 6294 3324

*looks at increasing wasitline in dismay*