Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Sample Store - It's the real deal

Joined this website for the sake of "try" as I received the flyer in my mailbox. "Try" because it's hard to get "freebies" for free.

For Sample store, there are 2 categories:
1. Free delivery for sponsored samples. It's the real deal as I did get the sample after a long wait. BUT... there is a limited range of products to select in this category (max of 4 samples for 1 delivery)
2. "Pay your own delivery" for the samples. This is a fixed delivery cost @ $5.99 SGD for max of 4 selected samples. In this category, there are quite a long to choose from. For me, this is good because I can get to choose if I wanted to "try" out the products but don't want to buy the full size product.

So if you are keen, here is the link to the website:


Start getting your free samples now!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Chemfree Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Purpose: eliminate the need to clean the towel bowl
 
Outcome: If compared to my parent's place, I do think that it did seemed to be effective in minimizing the growth but not to the extend of 100% elimination

I still have to clean but the build up takes quite longer to be visible (around month?). There is a tactic to placing it. so maybe I didn't place it correctly hence not so effective?
 
Price: Bought @ SGD $11.99 per pc
 
Verdict: I think it's still a worthy purchase.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

SMART VACUUM - Auto-Vacuum Fresh Dome SV002 10L - Months later review

Follow up on my purchase for SMART VACUUM - Auto-Vacuum Fresh Dome SV002 10L which I got it last year.

Hm...

Usage: Depends. Battery was drained pretty quick when I was using it every day. The vacuuming will occur upon any air detected. Even when the initial vacuuming seems completed, the vacuum sound will still occur at times. Now I don't really use the function... because of the sound.

Sound: The constant sound that it gives out due to vacuuming the air inside can be irritating. At time I will just release the suction but not open it. But the good thing about the sound is it can serve as an alarm, especially is the plastic bag was caught in between the lid or if the lid is not covered properly. SO.. the vacuum sound will go on for eternity. That's when I have to go and check on it.

Now at my 4th time changed batteries, it is still working. Hopefully it will not drained so fast. So all in all, I still think it's a good investment because I don't need to be eating cold bread in the morning or have to spend time to toast/heat the bread.

Woah.. I last edited on 28th Jan 2014.

Meaning to say, this product lasted around one year. (Since it's now Mar 2015)

After using it for around a few months, I stopped using it because of the constant buzzing sound (the vacuuming).

Now it no longer works even after I changed the batteries. It become a regular container which take up my space more than being useful.


Taiwan Trip Day 1 - Part 2 - At Alishan (阿里山)










We started our journey back to where we came from. And yes, if cold wasn't enough, the rain definitely helps to add on to our Saturday's blues.


The walk down still bearable but definitely I won't encourage to walk during the night. With the rain, it could be quite difficult and/or tedious.

Finally reaching the main area. We are wet and cold and HUNGRY...? Okay, maybe just me, the big eater.

We head for our dinner (which was included in my package with lets-go alishan). Luckily, all the eateries were at the same location, hence, even if we are unsure, we can always go search there.

Because its so cold, steamboat for dinner = YES!

There were some dishes as well but I didn't took the picture.

After dinner, it was getting quite dark. We proceed to shop around for tea! And I manage to bought some @ 360 NT for 1 tin bottle, which is still in my kitchen cabinet. Hopefully I remember to drink it before it expires.

End of presents shopping, we went to 7-11 for snacks and drinks before proceeding to wait for the shuttle bus back to hotel. The wait for the bus was a long terrible wait. Without a phone to call the driver, we waited like eternity in the outdoor which was 13 degree Celsius and raining~~~

So when we finally got back to the hotel, it's heaven. (Did I mentioned that we finally get to bath because hot water was only available from 5pm/7pm (can't remember the actual time) till midnight)

So... we ended our 1st day at Alishan pretty early for our 4pm wake up call as we need to get to Zhu Shan @ 6.30am for the sunrise... 

Cont to Day 2  <<     ||    >>  Read Day 1 Part 1

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Taiwan Trip Day 1 - Part 1 - Taoyuan (桃園) to Chiayi (嘉義) to Alishan (阿里山)










Depart from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 - 1.15am flight
Reach Taiwan, Taoyuan Airport (台灣桃園國際機場) - 5.55am

Touched down earlier than scheduled. It was too early that the shops selling the phone card for free data plan are not opened. Headed straight for the bus ticketing counter and got the tickets to Taoyuan HSR (台灣高鐵-桃園).

Although there are a few bus counters, they are for different buses. For non chinese readers, it would be better to ask and before you proceed to buy the tickets.

The ride to Taoyuan HSR was roughly 30mins (or less). At the HSR station, the counter staffs assist to help change my online booking since I reached 2 hours ahead from my pre-booked train. There were Mos Burger and 7-11 and I am sooooo happy just shopping at the 7-11. Because there were a WIDE variety of foods. From the oden to hot dog to onigiri to bento to sandwiches. Lots of choices.

The view outside Taoyuan HSR




After a 45 mins rest and breakfast from 7-11, it was time for my first HSR ride. 

Our seat number

Here come the train!

I opted for the business class for the space and the vacancy and I am glad I did. There were snacks and beverages given in the cabin and the wider space between seats gave me freedom and comfort as compared to my 4 hours plane flight. Very impressed with the time estimation (99.9% accuracy)
snacks and beverage served in HSR

An hour and 30 mins later, we reached Chiayi station (嘉義高鐵)  BUT it was another 1 hour+ of waiting for our driver for the ride to Alishan (阿里山).

We spent time at Starbucks while our driver arrived 10 mins before 11am.

I engaged the service from lets-go.alishan. Hence, my accommodation, transport and partial tour were all catered for. And luckily, they accepted visa payment as there were a 50% payment required while the remaining will be paid in cash to the coordinator on the day itself.

Our driver to Alishan acted as our partial tour guide too... Giving us information along our ride and stopping in between to let us have a short break, get some air, and also restroom breaks. The ride was 4 hours long but he was a good driver, hence none of us had any motion sickness.


A view of the tea plantation on our way up to Alishan. Alishan is well-known for their Alishan Wulong/Oolong Tea.

The map of Alishan

Once we reached Alishan, we found out that we have to transfer to another bus to reach our hotel. I was pretty upset with this arrangement because actually this hotel wasn't my original accommodation. If according to my original booking, it would have been Dafeng and it was at the location where we waited for the bus.

(Story goes like this... the coordinator called me a month before my Taiwan trip on the need to change hotel as Dafeng was going through renovation but when I reached the other hotel, they were also in the process of renovation works. A day prior to my trip, the service personnel informed me that my room for double bed was not available for 2 days straight which I accidentally overheard the hotel staffs saying that the hotel was booked only like 2 days before my arrival date?)

It was pretty cold when we reached Alishan despite it was around 12pm? There was a telco towards the right hand side (in the below picture) but as we reach Alishan on a Saturday, the place was not open for business, hence, only Wifi from our hotel.


The main location for food, transport and souvenirs

After waiting for quite some time for the hotel bus, we finally got to the hotel. In the end, I have to shifted room for my 2 days' stay because they don't have queen size bed for 2 days in a row.

The hotel itself is not very impressive. The hotel accommodation was priced at at $2600 NTD for twin room per night stay and the good part would be it is pretty near (3 mins) to the train station (chaoping) which is headed to the zhu shan station where you can get to see a very amazing sunrise (which... is not so for me... sigh...) but it is around 20 mins walk to the area where you can get food, transport, souvenirs etc.

Finally.. we reached the hotel around 1pm and took a short break before more walking down to the main area...

Misty day!


Sunday, September 22, 2013

SMART VACUUM - Auto-Vacuum Fresh Dome SV002 10L

Review on this product which I bought due to my interest in those vacuum capability items.

Item: SMART VACUUM - Auto-Vacuum Fresh Dome SV002 10L
Objective: Needed a container to keep my bread fresh

Price: $105 SGD (Cash and carry from NTUC @ JEM)
Period of usage till date: Now, it's almost 2 week of using,
Review: Not bad so far as there ain't any bugs/ants spotted. Bread remains fresh despite 3 days storage.

Suggestion: Advised to use the big size battery rather than the AA battery with adapter. The suction seems to be more powerful when using the big size battery based on the suction sound. The first day I used AA battery and due to the below (detailed in the "some challenges faced) encountered, the second day the battery was totally drained. After changing to the big size battery, I don't need to change the battery till date.

Some challenges faced: Initially, it seemed that the suction is never completed because the suction keep going on every 15 mins interval. Tried to clean the silicon surface, but still same thing happened. It was after 2 days of trial and error that we realized because we never pressed the cover for 10 secs when we activated the suction. Now finally used to how it works and it's amazing.


Thursday, September 12, 2013

My dreams

Why does tiredness come to find me?

It ripped me of my joy... it ripped me of my happiness...

It makes me feel so tired... It makes me feel so sad...

I've learned that not holding on is a better choice, and I have since found relief

It is sad that everything has to come to this.

People said that everyone has their own plan to make

So I am making my own plans.

For a brief moment in time, my dream came true..

But now I know it's time to let it go.

My dreams...

How can you be so near yet so far away?

My pain... it would be hard to get through..

But who could handle pain easily?

My dreams...

There is no reason to push the blame at others

For I am the one to make the decision

my dreams are gone....











Sunday, August 11, 2013

Foodie Times Gelato Gelateria Italia from qoo10

Another hobby of mine~ Buying stuffs online..! Bought this e-ticket via qoo10 and it's a good offer if you are into gelato. The one shortcoming is the need to print out the hardcopy voucher.


What: Gelato from Gelateria Italia.

Choice: Except for the Durian flavor, free to choose any flavor (free flow toppings of chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and rainbow rice but it's difficult to take cos the gelato is quite a lot and not much room for the topping)

Size:
The smallest is Piccolo Cup - Choose only 1 flavor (Just nice for 1 person)
The biggest cup is 255g Cup - Choose 3 flavors (Good for sharing, too big portion for 1 to finish as I tried it and really it's a LOT!

Where to buy: Qoo10.sg
When to buy: Time sale! Lowest price I bought is $1.99 for Piccolo Cup and $3.95 for 255g cup

What to note:
1. The expiry date (Previously was 2 months whereas the last one I bought is till end of 31st Aug 2013)
2. Location. Although there are 7 stores in Singapore, this voucher can only be redeemed from 5 stores.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

My coding

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)

'If Target.Column = 1 Or Target.Column = 2 Then

'if index don't exists, then pass in the last row index with last column index)


summary_row = Sheet1.Cells(Rows.Count, "a").End(xlUp).row
index_row = Sheet2.Cells(Rows.Count, "a").End(xlUp).row
lastCol = Sheet2.Cells(1, Columns.Count).End(xlToLeft).Column


i = indexCell(Target.row, summary_row, index_row)
MsgBox (i)
MsgBox (summary_row)
If i <> summary_row Then
MsgBox (i)
MsgBox (Target.row)
    Call FillCells(i, Target.row, lastCol)
Else
    Call FillCells(summary_row + 1, index_row, lastCol)
End If

'if index exists, then pass in pass in the existed row index with last column index)
'Call FillCells(existrow, lastCol)

'End If


End Sub

Public Function indexCell(ByVal selected_row As Integer, ByVal summary_lastrow As Integer, ByVal index_lastrow As Integer) As Integer

Dim j As Integer

    j = summary_lastrow
 
    For i = 1 To summary_lastrow
        If Sheet1.Cells(i, 1).Value = Sheet2.Cells(selected_row, 1).Value Then
            j = i
        End If
    Next i
     
    indexCell = j
 
End Function
Sub FillCells(ByVal summary_row As Integer, ByVal index_row As Integer, ByVal col As Integer)

   'this portion is to cater to insert new row.
 
   
        Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 1).Value = Sheet2.Cells(index_row, 1).Value
     
        If Sheet2.Cells(index_row, 2).Value = "Priority 1" Then
           Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 2).Value = "1"
        ElseIf Sheet2.Cells(index_row, 2).Value = "Priority 2" Then
           Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 2).Value = "2"
        ElseIf Sheet2.Cells(index_row, 2).Value = "Priority 3" Then
           Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 2).Value = "3"
        End If
       
        For i = 1 To col
        'MsgBox (Sheet2.Cells(1, i).Value)
            If Sheet2.Cells(1, i).Value = "first count" Then
                Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 3).Value = Sheet2.Cells(index_row, i).Value
                MsgBox (Sheet2.Cells(index_row, i).Value)
            End If
        Next i
     
         For i = 1 To col
        'MsgBox (Sheet2.Cells(1, i).Value)
            If Sheet2.Cells(1, i).Value = "last count" Then
                Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 4).Value = Sheet2.Cells(index_row, i).Value
            End If
        Next i
     
        If (Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 4).Value <> "") Or (Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 3).Value <> "") Then
        a = Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 3).Value
        b = Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 4).Value
        'c = (b - a) / a
            Sheet1.Cells(summary_row, 6).Value = FormatPercent(((a - b) / a), 2)
        End If
 
    'Cell(row, column)
 

End Sub










Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I welcome myself back to blogging~

The last post was dated 2011! OMG. It's been SOOOO long since I updated anything. It's scary how times pass so fast.

I am back here again.

Welcome myself! haha

objective for coming back
1. Post more on food
2. talk more on drama/songs
3. keep myself going at making accessories, hopefully can attract people to buy from me and make a decent living online.
4. Keep myself entertain! LOL

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cafe Epicurious - Mixed Review

Brunch lovers? Then you should go Cafe Epicurious.

If you google the name, you will know where to find it.There are two places where you will find them in Singapore and I would recommend the branch at The Quayside.

My first visit was to The Quayside branch and the location quite out of the way for me(Well, since public transport is my only mode of transport).

The bridge that leads to Cafe Epicurious.


But! It is a trip worthwhile. 

As the food was too tempting for me, I forgot to take photo and only got these two pictures to post.

Egg Benedict (Poach Eggs) with sides of your choice and fruits. 

Pancakes with Strawberry and Banana

I had the poach eggs (not the egg benedict) which was done nicely and they manage to make the flower shape... amazing! 

Everything is nice and I got no complaint other than the portion served. (I admit. I am a big eater!) Hence, I ordered more, which is the pancake. The pancake reminds me of MacDonald pancake, light and furry. 

-----------------
With great satisfaction and a lazybone mindset, I explored the branch at Railway Mall  (since it is much nearer to me but still out of the way). 

This time round, I remembered to take pictures and here you go!

Breakfast Burrito




The (disappointing) Poach Eggs 

This is what I had (again) and it's sad that the poach egg varies with different chef and I missed the Quayside's poach eggs. 


Scrambled Eggs


Portion wise is slightly more than the Quayside and so were the spices and condiments used.

Different people has different opinion on taste... do try both branches and see which one suits you better..

Friday, September 30, 2011

Korean Drama 49 Days

Synopsis:
Shin Ji Hyun was enjoying absolute bliss as she was about to marry her fiancé, Kang Min Ho, but her perfect life is shattered when she gets into a car accident that leaves her in a coma. She is given a second chance at life by a reaper, but it comes with a condition: she has to find three people (except her family) who would cry genuine tears for her. In order to do this, she borrows the body of Yi Kyung, a part-time employee at a convenience store for 49 days.- Source: Drama wiki

Starring:
Lee Yo Won as Song Yi Kyung
Nam Gyu Ri as Shin Ji Hyun
Kim Yoo Bin as young Ji Hyun
Jo Hyun Jae as Han Kang
Bae Soo Bin as Kang Min Ho
Jung Il Woo as Scheduler / Song Yi Soo
Seo Ji Hye as Shin In Jung
Extended Cast
Choi Jung Woo as Shin Il Shik (Ji Hyun's father)\
Yoo Ji In as Ji Hyun's mother
Bae Geu Rin as Park Seo Woo
Son Byung Ho as Oh Hae Won
Moon Hee Kyung as Bang Hwa Joon
Kang Sung Min as No Kyung Bin\
Yoon Bong Gil (윤봉길) as Cha Jin Young
Kim Ho Chang as Ki Joon Hee
Jin Ye Sol as Ma Soon Jung
Lee Jong Park (이종박) as Go Mi Jin
Ban Hyo Jung as sunbae Scheduler (cameo)
Kim Hyung Bum as another 49-days-traveller (cameo, ep 15)
Jung Da Hye (정다혜) (cameo) 

Source - Dramawiki

My review:
What caught my eyes to watch this drama was the title itself, 49 days. Because for my belief, it is said that when a person passed away, their soul will come back to make the last visit of their loved ones on the 49th day after they passed away. Thus, I was curious about whether is this 49 days linked to ghost/spirits and indeed, it is somehow linked.

However, don't expect to see anything scary or gross because it is slightly towards the love, family and friends type of relationship plot. Spoiler ahead: Don't expect a happy ending... Sometimes things are meant to be that way. At the end, it felt like a journey ended for the next to begin.

At the end of the show, it's really *thumbsup* for Lee Yo Won's superb acting! Portraying 2 person  character of lively self (when possessed by Nam Gyu Ri) and the emotionless self of her original character in the show, I wonder how she did it. Maybe it is combination of her lively self in Surgeon Bong Dal Hee (SBS, 2007) and the emotional-less self in Bad Love (KBS2, 2007), but to do that in a show, that's impressive!


Saturday, September 24, 2011

Foodie Times Boomerang @ Robertson Quay

Brunch time! The very first brunch visit with my friends. A search from the web display this place as one of the brunch location but I am not recommending to this place to those who do not have big appetite.

The presentation of the food looks excellent.




3 Eggs (comes with 4 triangle slices of thick toast)

(The fillings: Shaved Leg Ham, Mushrooms, Tomato) (SGD $14) 
You can choose 3 fillings from the list below (any additional filling is an addition of $1)
 • shaved leg ham • smoked salmon • spicy Italian sausage• salami • baby spinach • Spanish onion• tomato • mushroom • cheddar • jalapeño • capers • Kalamata olives •

The egg omelete was well cooked. 
But personal preference would be towards the type of egg omelete texture, something similar to McDonald's Big Breakfast.

For those who dislike buttered toast, rest assure as the toast they served doesn't do so. They provided the butter for you to decide how much butter you want, or if you decide to have it plain. However, the toast overpowered my big appetite that I was almost toward drinking a mouthful of plain water for every bit after the 2nd slice.

Seriously, I made a bad choice combining mushroom and tomato. It seems to have this weird taste which confused my taste bud, thinking that something tasted fishy. Turns out that mushroom with tomato is a no-no unless you like the combination of their taste.


Additional sides - sauteed potato (SGD $3?/$5?)
A very filling side dish which I regretted ordering since I couldn't even finish the toast. A very compact bite was all I can remember because I was too full from the toast.

Ice Mocha  (SGD $6)
It's been a long time since I drink ice coffee and since almost everyone ordered this, so I went along. See that bottom layer, it's chocolate. A mild sweet beverage.



If you are not a coffee lover, here is the ice tea. ($6)



This is the Steak and Eggs ($24/$25?)

(Apologies for my bad photo taking skills)


The Ashes ($22)
This is very worth it if you compared what is consists of for brunch. Almost everything that you would want to order are within... From the toast (which is at the right hand side top corner), to the harshbrown, bacon, sausage, omelete etc etc


As it was noon time, my friend opted for the Wagyu Burger (SGD $25)

A bite off the Wagyu Burger

Hm.. This should be Chicken Parmigiano?? ($25)

It's nice and it reminds me of Lasagna.

Potato Wedges (SGD $10) that remains crispy on the outside and yet soft within even after being left untouched for a period of time BUT we are just too FULL...

Boomarang is located at:
60 Robertson Quay, #01-15 The Quayside
Singapore 238252 (next to The Gallery Hotel)
Tel: +65 6738 1077
Operating Hours: 7 am to 3 am (Mon - Sun)


Source: www.boomarang.com.sg