Ikea, Tampines.

Today is the official day which Ikea Tampines opens its doors.

...

And bloody hell, there are a lot of people.

Thankfully, the parking lots are pretty huge, and there are plenty of places to park, so parking isn't a problem.

After parking, you have to head to the first floor (note: no directions given), and join the insanely long queue to go into the show. The queue is due to the crowd control people ensuring that not too many people crowd into Ikea at the same time.

However, with my 1337 ninja skills, I stealthily blended into the crowd which was making their way into the store. The reason why I could exploit it was because the place where everyone was queuing was in a car park, and the guy will let people cross the road once he gets the signal to do so.

So, by shadow stepping into the crowd who is moving in, I avoided the insanely long queue, probably made up mostly of people coming by bus.

Once I entered Ikea, I took an escalator to the main show room. Once there, the first thing I noticed was the insanely huge eating area which looks like some kind of a canteen found in one of those new primary schools.

However, despite the huge canteen, the queue was so long, you couldn't see where it start.

Which means that it is not a very good idea to eat at the place.

Ikea Tampines itself is pretty big, as it has the entire building to itself. Following the style set by Ikea Alexandria, the show room is on the upper level, while the market place is on the lower level. The market place is the area where most of the things, such as light bulbs and whatever, are sold.

Without much to buy, I settled on buying a lamp for my room in Australia, and also a cheap pillow for my cat. My mom, on the other hand, stayed rooted in the plant section, ended up buying 2 pots of plant.

Trick question:

Who has to carry them? ._.

Oh well.

Lunch was at the snacks bar where hot dog is sold at $1 each, while a combo (ie, with a drink), goes for $1.70. I opted for a salmon sandwich ($3.50 was very reasonable for it's size and filling) and another hot dog.

As I left, people were still streaming into Ikea.

Looks like the launch is quite a huge success.

---

Seems like the latest food craze in town is the "Hong Kong Tea house/Restaurant".

So, it was of not much of a surprise when I saw one opening up in Whitesands, seeing plenty of similar stores opening up all over the place.

However, such stalls, only put the name "Hong Kong" to shame.

Firstly, is the speed. The thing Hong Kong restaurants pride themselves in is speed. Place an order, reply a quick SMS, and your food will most likely be on your table by the time your SMS is sent. Some orders take longer, but most orders arrive within 5 minutes (Some are insanely fast).

Sadly, the restaurants here don't have that idea. I ordered a cup of milk tea, and waited a full 10 minutes for it. In fact, only on inquiring about the status of my cup of tea was made and sent to me.

All is fine IF the food is good though.

However, the food taste pretty bad. My milk tea was way too watered down that time, and I've heard countless times from friends and family about how poor the food quality here is.

Seriously, if they can't even keep up in quality, they shouldn't call themselves "Hong Kong styled (whatever)", because it is deceiving. Moreover, people like me will have some sort of a standard made when they claim that they cook food the same was as they do back at home.

If they can't, then they shouldn't say it, because it just makes people like me walk away in disgust and never come back for a second try.

Digital Life, revisited.

Digital Life is the technology branch of the Straits Times newspaper which is published every Tuesday. It is basically a paper which tells you the latest in computer technology, and the latest buzz on the internet scene.

It is one of the papers which I do read quite religiously every week.

But at times, it does has its downside.

For example, one of its reporters wrongly claimed Defense of the Ancients All Stars (DOTA to everyone else) was created by blizzard.

Seriously. Just using wikipedia would have provided sufficient information on DOTA.

And now, this.

Firstly, there was this report on gamers these days. While the report itself was interesting, I was rather amused to see that Digital Life compared the popularity of games in a rather strange way.

The not-so-famous game (which I've not even heard of) used the number of people meeting together as an indicator, while a popular game (MapleStory, in this case), just picks up a figure which they pasted on their website (200,000).

So, tell me, how is this a fair comparison? People who play MapleStory are mainly young teens (30 year olds play it. Yada yada.... but I believe the core is mostly teens.), while the other game is engineered more towards the older crowd, as it is a game which allows one to control his destiny instead of merely slashing mushrooms mindlessly.

Statistics used to back up a claim will make a claim sound all cool and stuff, but if such a unfair comparison is used, then it just makes the report look silly as it discredits the entire article.

However, besides this, there is a rather glaring error.

Every week, there is a section where readers write in on their computer problems and an IT expert would reply. Usually, I would pick up a tip or two from their replies, and sometimes even find solutions to a problem I merely close an eye to.

Usually, the IT expert would be a very good one.

Usually.

This week, I'm questioning the abilities of this... IT expert.

Reason?

Someone wrote in to say that his keyboard is showing pound signs when he pressed #, and getting a @ when he pressed ".

The pound sign by itself is a huge hint to the base of the problem.

A UK type keyboard. Windows, being as stupid as usual, is detecting the keyboard (We use US based ones here) to be one from the UK.

The solution itself is very simple. Start --> Control Panel --> Regional and Language options --> Languages --> Details. Get rid of the UK keyboard style, and put in something else (English (Singapore) is fine).

And whoa. Problem solved.

However, this is probably one "expert" who thinks that reformatting and system restoring would solve anything. The solution given is to change the keyboard or perform a system restore. Being a nice guy, he even included his webpage (http://sg.geocities.com/pangcanice) on the newspaper. Note that he also tossed it in for the next problem, which his recommendation was (surprise surprise), reformat.

The second one's solution could lie in being reformatted, but I believe winblows is acting up (as usual).

However, his answer to the first one leaves anyone who knows computers a bit (like me) into wondering if these guys are really the pros Digital Life says they are. Most of the time, they are, and probably, it isn't Digital Life's fault this time.

The "expert" is just one guy who didn't do enough research before writing his article.

Even though it is a side publications, some sort of a standard should be enforced.

After all, this is, a state newspaper.

Changes changes changes.

Times change.

People change.

Places change.

They change indeed.

Headed to Tampines early today to check some stuff before heading to a BBQ. On my list was to see if there's any major changes in the shopping malls while I was gone, and to see the PlayStation 3 for myself.

The Playstation 3 itself looks very sleek, but the $1600+ price tag is a serious put off.

Go Wii!

However, that isn't the only major change.

Perhaps, the most astonishing change was that E-Zone in Tampines Mall has After Burner Climax, one of my favorite games at the moment. I had always thought that E-Zone was a piece of crap, but to see that new game going for $1.50 a game (Everywhere else has it at $2), is a very nice surprise indeed.

However, nothing much really changed for the malls in Tampines, with the exception of Ikea opening up soon.

The biggest change is definitely Pasir Ris's WhiteSands. Still the same boring stuff, but it has a nicer look to it. It is no longer a trashy shopping center which looks just like every other shopping center in Pasir Ris, turning into the flagship that it should be.

Courts is gone though. How sad.

Still, it reflects the change of development for the East side, especially Pasir Ris and Tampines. Pasir Ris is the funny one, as Downtown East and Wet Wet Wild (or something) are somewhat failures in their own right. The latest project to build a major entertainment center would be interesting, as they will need to make it in a way which can make it the flagship center for the people in their teens (like me... ok fine, young adults -_-).

Still, it will be hard for it to really pull the crowds away from Bugis and Orchard Road.

The simple reason being the location.

Bugis/Orchard/Marina Square are in the town, so it's right in the middle for mostly everyone. Moreover, there will be something for everyone. Clubs, arcades, cinemas, shopping centers, eating places and so on. Everything can be found in one simple location.

Pasir Ris, on the other hand, is on the other end of the East-West line. Not exactly near for people staying in Boon Lay. Besides, you can't exactly build clubs here because Pasir Ris is also a housing estate.

However, despite this, it is nice to see the East being developed. To see Jurong Point being rather big compared to Tampines Mall, you do kinda envy those living in the west.

But hey, go east side!

---

Speaking of time, there is this interesting debate on using nuclear power as a cheap energy.

And why not? It's cheap, it's clean.

However, as usual, there is a downside to it.

Namely, Terrorism is easily the biggest concern. If the wrong people get their hands onto it, the world is pretty much screwed.

However, nuclear power is something which is bound to happen sooner or later. Let's face it, we are running out of fuel. Fuel prices are increasing, and everyone is talking about using cooking oil to fuel the cars (which is possible).

Sooner or later, every country will be powered by nuclear power. There's no way to avoid that.

However, has anyone thought of what to do with the nuclear waste?

Storing the nuclear atoms themselves are challenging at the very least.

Getting rid of them will be harder.

In order for the spent fuel to be completely safe, the US Environmental Agency Standards states that 10,000 years must pass.

Ten.

Thousand.

Years.

So what the hell.

Unless technology is that advanced to send the nuclear waste to the sun, nuclear energy is basically another fuel thing all over again.

"Leave this shit for the next generation to take care of"

Unfortunately, we happen to be the generation where fuel is becoming troublesome. Sooner or later, some poor generation will be the ones who need to take care of our shit due to the nuclear waste we produce now.

Solutions?

Solar power. Rofl.

Seriously.

However, if there is a way for the Nuclear waste to decay faster, then it would be very much feasible.

If not, it is just about as clean as fuel is right now.

---

Hmm....

In words of Chaos...

"Still can't let go, eh?"

Rofl.

No, I can't. I don't know why, but she is somewhat that special to me.

The only girl who can mess up my plans. Seriously.

One of a kind.

And strangely, I'm getting a little tired of being single. At times, I wonder if I should start getting committed again.

At times.

However...

It will definitely not be the girl I taught how to ride a bike. -_-

People people everywhere.....

It's so nice to go back to civilization.

Seriously.

All the people....

All the crowds...

All the noise...

Wonderful.

Village has some cheap steaks, all the ace combat stuff.

Next on my list: Clubbing.

Thank god we didn't go yesterday night, ne? XD

---

You would think that holidays = lots of time.

But strangely, holidays means a lack of time.

All the shows to watch. All the games to play.

All the things to do.

Strangely, it feels like you have a bit more time when there is school.

And strangely, it is true.

Even if you have lots of stuff to do when you're studying, you will someone find a way to make time for fun.

But when the holidays are here, you've too much time for fun. And, one seldom spends a mere 2 hours playing, no?

Which is why, you easily spend 6 hours outside, watching movies and whatever.

Time, is precious.

Yet, it is never enough when, on paper, you should have the most of it.

---

Song of (whatever) changed to Prelude -We are not alone- piano version.

Practise practise.

Differences when taking buses

Courtesy.

Back in Aussie, I remember when the first time I got off the bus, my friend said thanks to the bus driver. On seeing my weird look, she explained that it is normal, if not customary, to thank the driver when you alight.

So, it was somewhat a practice while I was in Aussie.

Hence, I was a little surprised when no one thanked the bus driver when I took a bus the other day.

But then, I recall, that this is Singapore.

People rushing into the trains while the other side attempts to push their way out. Stand still for too long, and the train slams shut in your face.

Not that it really matters. 15 minutes tops per train beats waiting 30-40 minutes a train.

However, because it is 30-40 minutes a train, the drivers are usually much kinder in Aussie. As they will blow their whistle before they leave, should the driver on the front/back not blow theirs, the train will not move. I recall a time when a friend of mine was frantically attempting to take down my handphone number (9 numbers). It was all thanks to the train driver waiting till he got it before blowing the whistle, was he able to catch the train.

Still, 30-40 minutes a train/bus is ridiculous. That is one thing I love about Singapore. The nice bus schedule, where if you miss one bus, it's alright, catch the next one which brings you to another station.

Another major difference will be the roads. Much wider and brighter here in Singapore. Roads in Australia are really tight, and some streets are missing street lamps, making it very difficult to drive at night.

Even then, sometimes, the lion seems to be missing. LoL.

What to do when you first get back home...

....

Run errands.

-_-

Seriously. After mere months, my brother and dad combined to destroy my computer, so I took the whole of yesterday to fix it. The RAM burnt out, so I had to get out to replace it.

And since I'm the most insanely free person around, I am always asked to head out and buy stuff from the supermarkets.

Oh well. What a great way to start the holidays. Rofl.

---

Defeating the bush fires in Indonesia one section at a time.

When I read that, I thought they're going to have huge vacuum cleaners to suck in the air to filter it. O_o

But strangely, it isn't. They are educating the farmers to stop burning and stuff. Providing bulldozers and blah blah blah.

If it would work, it would have been done a long time ago, yes?

Perhaps, the solution is not to allow the farmers to clear the forests, but to get government people to clear them at specific times. Makes the world easier to live in, and probably, no bush fires too.

But then again.....

I think the haze will come and go for a few years to come. This year is just bad, but the haze itself won't disappear. It'll still linger, but perhaps at a reduced rate.

When it becomes really bad again, then you'll see people screaming, and something really useful being done.

And the likes.

Home

Finally.

XD

4/4

Brain dumping 2 ftl.

And you would think that with no exams, the schedule would be a little nicer for me.

How nice if it was to be true. XD

Friday night = Party till 2 am. And I just got back home after heading to Surfer's Paradise. Great place, lots of things to see (The beach was beautiful), great arcade.

And... poor starbucks service and crazy people.

There was two hotels facing each other, and with the racket they were making, you would think that they are from rival teams or something. Just imagine Manchester United on One side, and Chelsea on the other side. It's roughly that insane.

Thankfully, we left before anyone tossed anything (themselves included) down onto the streets.

Then it is karaoke till 2:30am.

Hell, I am tired ;_;

And I'm still heading to Brisbane tomorrow.

Oh well. Fun fun.

Text messaging style could be coming to your exams near you.

Really.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061111/D8LAR4380.html

3/4

Brain dumping ftl.

That was ridiculous -_-.

Anyway...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmtgnEXjvvI

Lan Jie, I wonder if your lecturers are that interesting.

2/4

Now that the ones that make sense are done....

Time for the annoyingly difficult ones. -_-

Anyway, song changed to Beautiful Day by Sakibara Yui, my favourite singer atm. I just cannot get that song out of my head.

And oh, it's the ending theme for Otome wa Onee-sama Koishiteru. A fairly interesting anime which should be renamed as "strawberry panic 2"

1/4

Pacing around nervously, you anxiously peer through your notes one last time, hoping that some form of inspritation will suddenly appear in front of your face.

"ACCT One One Zero One. Sirnames Siu to Z, you may enter the room now", the voice of a (obviously) seasoned supervisor sounded out across the room, something which you are looking forward to, but is also dreading.

The exams,

Have begun.

So yeah, Accounting today. Pretty fun, at least. The questions were annoying as hell as they tossed in GST, which the practise questions for the tutorials didn't have, and hence, is just annoying to do as you have to do a bit more calculations than usual.

All else said, it's a pretty... alright paper, I guess. I could pass, but I never liked saying that "I've wonderfully worked on this paper", because it will come back to haunt you later.

But what interests me, is the online forum after the exam.

"OMG exam sucked!!!!!! yeah i heard students last sem chucked a stink! we should too!!!! pretty intensive exam exam especially for a "1 st yr course" !! fingers crossed we dont have to sit through that hell again... chrio"

ph33r. Seems like almost no human being managed to finish the exam or something along those lines. Another uproar is that it is too difficult, something which I agree because I did have a bit of problems with a one of the six questions which I just found annoying.

Tricky.

Hope for moderation! Woo hoo.

I wonder why I still care any more.

Really, I do.