Wonder Full - The Light and Water Spectacular at MBS

My SBTP partner in crime decided that to meet up after the longest time. It has been almost half a year since we last spent time hanging out and talk about life and most of the meet ups will normally be at Orchard. This time round  I decided to go elsewhere, where both of us might enjoy, Marina Bay Sands. Poor boy have yet to visit the place since it opened. True enough he was thrilled to have gone to MBS for all the luxury boutiques lined up at MBS Shoppes.

Another reason I choose MBS was to check out the light show. It recently opened on 17th February 2011 and their time slots are on every Friday and Saturday at 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm, and Sundays at 8pm and 9.30pm. It can be viewed around the Marina Bay but it seems that the best view is at MBS itself. Before the show, the view from MBS wasn't that fantastic as viewed from elsewhere around the bay. There was a bare skyline around the Padang and City Hall area which is smacked in the middle of Raffles Place skyline and Suntec Skyline.

The bare view of City Hall skyline

Back to the light show, it's unlike Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights where participating skyline around the bay will tune it's lightings to the music of the show. At MBS, it's about projection on water mist, which could be badly disrupted by the wind where the screen medium can be highly distorted. Though the laser can be quite mesmerizing but the whole show is something like a number from the National Day Parade. I'm not too sure how receptive a tourist would feel about the show but I'm for sure didn't enjoyed it.

The distortion of projection medium

The fountain lighting and laser

The pyrotechnic of the show

A better projection medium and a clearer projection,
though it seems like those you'll see from NDP shows

My Birthday Wish

It seems like I'm such a thick skin guy to write about my birthday wish, isn't it. If you're able to make it come true, then I'm truly grateful. LOL... No one seems to know what I want(go check my satisfaction of irrelevant needs wishlist) but I'm not that of a thick skin.

I'm at halt for thinking what I want to get myself for my birthday. You read it right, what I want for myself. I must be nuts! Well, I've been doing it for 2 years now and I find it meaningful - to achieve something on my own to celebrate my life. Lame as it might sound but it brought a personal satisfaction.

I may not remember what I got myself for my 25th birthday but I was surely happy for what I got for my 26th. I was in Bangkok on my birthday and I found a Hugo Boss wallet from their boutique in the airport transit at 50% off. It was truly an extravagant purchase. Sadly I'm not using it now since I changed to Burberry that I got during my Japan trip.

And for my 27th birthday, I got myself an IPhone 3GS. I was using happily using Samsung Omnia. But I enjoyed the apps on my Ipod Touch that I needed the 3G capabilities for my Hong Kong trip. Hence, I've decided to change to IPhone. Also, I'm not sure if I should input whatever I spent during my HK birthday trip. I'll just keep that as my holiday expenses, not a personal birthday gift..

And in 3 months time, it'll be my birthday and I'm clueless on my gift. Also, I'm not sure if I'm able to go for a birthday getaway. I have a few plans in mind but seem to have a firm idea.

Birthday trip:
- Bali
- Hong Kong(again)

Gift:
- IPad
- 40" 3D Television with a Blu-ray player(my 32" is huge enough but it'll be more satisfying to have it bigger)

Ok summarized, the gift I get myself were on impulse. The things I have before are still in good condition, maybe I want something better as the age get older. I wonder what it'll be when then time draws near.

Ja Matta.

Watching the Neighbors Walk By

Finally managed to get a full weekend unlike other weekends where I'll spend a day in the office doing overtime. Felt great. So what's the first thing I did. I went to run some errands in the morning and ended the morning with my regular latte and a copy of the Straits Times. It was so packed inside the cafe that I sat outside facing the junction of Tampines Green and Tampines Park, my neighborhood.

Sitting at Starbucks alfresco is the best place to people-watch. My top favorite is at The old outdoor Parkway and Tampines. You'll see all sorts of life.

So sitting down overlooking the junction, I realized that there are lot of people living in my neighborhood. Duh! Fine maybe 25% of them are from other neighborhoods, making use of the plenty of white lots of the Tampines Green carpark or alighting passengers from the bus stop at Tampines Park. But amazing that majority are good looking and not The Phillips or non-SG.

I'm truly impressed, I'm living in a "Good Looking" neighborhood. LOL... It's either they look good or they dressed well. Could it be that's it's a neighborhood status because we're living across Tampines Mall, Century Square or Tampines 1. No wonder my siblings dressed up whenever we go out to Tampines Mall, which we considered our void-deck Mama shop.

And true enough, my neighbors dressed according to the Eastern/Western Singaporean classification. LOL... It's just an observation I had with my SB partners on differentiating people from different locations in Singapore. Go figure, majority of a certain area has proper dress code; matching colors and shoes, another may have all the brands but no dressing coordination. Even for some who don't even bother what they wear or what brand they owned, they dressed acceptably.

Well, it's just my observation. You should try it some time. Take an alone time and observe the world walks by. It's kind of a stress relieving activity.

Ja Matta!

You Are What Starbucks Beverage You Consume

I was intrigued by how a friend read out my personality by reading from our chat conversations. I felt that most are true but some prediction are not. Maybe it's just that we don't perceived ourselves to that behavior without noticing that very action. So I started reading books on reading personality through actions or behaviors. But I need an outlet to test my findings.

And that is where I found Starbucks. I've been with the company for a total of 8 years and served different kind of customers and drinks. And it seems like only Starbucks are open and freely encouraging customization to your drinks. Hence I found my outlet of test from all the experiences that I served before.

Based on the standard recipe for different sizes, the content of the drink will depict the personality. I can't conclude the implication of hot or iced drinks except to depend that on the weather profile. So I'll leave that out.

Let's start by an example of a friend who enjoys a grande 1/4 soy Americano. An Americano will depict that the person is unique or different because of the non-dairy content(most espresso beverages are served with milk). That will also conclude that the person is missing out something in life, even with an added milk. As for the content of soy milk, the person is either cautious or a hint of sophistication.

Moving on to another that takes a Quad Venti Caramel Machiato. You are quite a complex or glamorous person to be enjoying a Caramel Machiato. But you will be deemed a poser if you are to stir the beverage because you would be no different that a Caramel/Vanilla Latte. To top it off with additional espresso shots, you are trying to proof something or to achieve a goal, generally applying both. Logically adding espresso shot is to increase the caffeine consumption to continue working hard to work overtime or to stay awake to study, alas achieving an end goal. But the intensity also states the suffering that one gone through or currently going through.

I've met a customer who had Soy Green Tea Latte. She has that certain kind of sophistication in her and she is quite culturally inclined. She is a teacher and well liked by her approach in teaching. She is quite attached culturally in the sense of arts or relationship with others.

So how about drinking Frappuccinos? You are either a kid or generally safe. I'll bet that your initial first Starbucks beverage is a Frappuccino because it is the safest. You are not daring enough to venture out of comfort zone. There are many flavors to a Frappuccino that will depict the different personality but you are generally safe, not even daring if it is your regular drink.

And what about myself? What is my regular Starbucks Beverage? My drink is a Tall 4pump Vanilla Low Fat Latte. Another typical drink, a trend follower and an added pump of flavor that I yearn for more in what I have or life. By changing to Low Fat, it breaks the common bond by creating a different density i.e. more relax or easy going but probably be hurt or used by others (The remaining 2% fat).

So you are who you are by your regular Starbucks beverage. Each customization; from additional shot, the type of milk preferred,the number of syrup pumps and even the option of adding whipped cream will depict the type of person you are. Maybe, I'll write the significance of the recipe on my next entry, when I have the time. For now,

Ja Matta...

The Topic Continues

My cousin just got back from his job training in California for 7 months. Lucky him. From all his facebook updates and posts, it seems like he's having a ball of a time. That includes his shopping and toys escapades. I did asked him to get me just one thing, which did cost a lot but I would love to get it because it's not found locally.

Ghostbuster II giftset

And on top of that, he gave away some of his California possesions such as his TMNT Technodrome Scout vehicles and some loose yet complete Transformers: Rise of the Fallen short on space myself. Though he did mentioned if I'm able to sell them off, he would like some of the proceeds to cover back the expenses. I guess it's best that I'll pass him 75% of the earnings.

Anyway, it has been ages since we last met. We don't normally meet even for Hari Raya because either one of us will be working, and we no longer have an elderly to gather all the cousins since our grandmother passed away many years back. The only time we get to meet is during cousins wedding.

And that's where the topic began. Out of the four cousins of the same age (we used to call ourselves Ninja Turtles), the second eldest got married 1-2years back. The youngest is planning to get married in November this year, leaving his brother, the third turtle and myself in the bachelorhood. Though my third turtle cousin is already in an open relation and by looks of it, he is happy with it. Hence left me in the singlehood.

I'm happy with what I have right now. I would still love to get married and have kids. But I don't feel it's time. I have yet to achieve my dreams, to explore and experience New York City. That was the promise I made with my mum. Once I conquered New York, she can bring in all the suitors. Apparently there are two in line, one from mum and the other from dad.

And now, with the new employment benefits where the company will sponsor their employees to continue study without a bond, my mum persuaded me to continue study. That became my 2011 resolution, hence marriage will be delayed further.

But it seems like the second turtle spoilt the market. He got married during his undergrad years and both husband and wife are happily married. They are now in Japan for an exchange program where the wife took 3 months leave to accompany him and cook for him (He grew skinnier in just a month period). How sweet. So if he can do it, why not me? But my mum is still supportive. She believe in chasing the dream. She already have two grandkids, so I'm not badly pressured. Now I just have to settle with all the aunties. I'm so gonna get it.

There are about 3 relatives getting married this year. The question will never end.

TGIF not really

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!!!

But it didn't really end well. I had a great time at work because it's Friday. Meaning, last day of the week and a shorter hour because I'm out for 2 hours for Friday prayers. Awesome! I was looking forward to end the day because I had plans.

BUT IT'S NOT HAPPENING!!!

Like last week on New Year eve, I had 6 plans. 6 PLANS!!! First 2 didn't happen, so proceeded to the third option which was bringing my cousin from Malaysia out around Singapore and go for the Marina Bay Countdown. But he didn't turn up at home and made other plans with my other cousins without any courtesy of informing me. I HAD 3 OTHER FREAKING PLANS AWAITING BUT NO!!! HE HAS TO MAKE PLANS WITH OTHERS. So I got lazy and didn't go for any other plans. TGIF not really.

And a week passed, original plan was an invitation by a friend to catch a theater production, The Rocky Horror Show. I've been yearning to go for a theater works but am not keen in Rocky Horror. I didn't really like the movie to begin with. And my god brother will kill me because he's dying to catch that show. Hence being a nice god brother, I gave my seat up to him.

And so I made other plans, to catch a movie with the Bulas. Days passed and nothing from them. So I didn't bother. So I ended up at Starbucks reading a book. And when I thought of coming home for dinner, my family was about to go out after dinner.

WHAT!!! THEY HAD DINNER WITHOUT ME!!!

Bummer. And now, here I am, typing this letters into words into sentences into paragraphs into a blog.

Ja Matta!!!

Christmas

It's Christmas, and the family is celebrating it for the second time. This time to let the kids(nephew, niece and cousins (whom never quite celebrated to know the significances)) experience what Christmas is like, culturally and not religiously. It's great that Singapore is culturally diverse but still conservative in some other ways. Coming from a Muslim family, it's great that my family opened up to other celebrations. We did celebrate Chinese New Year while my late grandmother was still around(it doesn't really feel like a true CNY celebration but we made it a point to visit her), Christmas once before and I do occasional Deepavali at Kavitha's(my friend) place. Thecelebrations are just meant for a family gathering since it's a holiday. We'll feast and do exchanges whenever possible.

I've been with Starbucks for 8 years and gotten myself influenced by the Christmas celebration. Christmas period meant high sales, SB open house, great gifts and bonus. On top of that, it's shopping galore. All shops will be having sale. Even for a Muslim country like Malaysia, they have to incorporate Malaysia Year End Sale during Christmas because it's the highest revenue period, period.

Since it's Ilyas and Yanni's first Christmas, we're trying to go all out for them. We got a mini Christmas tree, presents and even a Christmas Turkey.

Check out the Our Little Family Dinner on Christmas Day.

And since I've been giving presents for past couple of years, I still do have to give again this year. At least I got my returns too...

Check it out...

I got my Christmas wish this year.
It came as it is, not wrap. Soooo not Christmas-y

They just know I LOVED the brand.
Not wrapped but boxed.
Still not Christmas-y enough.

A little something from my sister
And it's wrapped, now it fell like Christmas

 And what I gave,

Seems like a bit too much from Porter

So yeah. It's great celebrating other celebrations. Do it with an open heart and understand the implications of the holidays. It's a great exposure. Hopefully, the kids had a great time.

Ja Matta