Kangaroo's Corner

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

2012-01-26T21:04:00.002+08:00

Synopsis: When a terrorist bombing destroys the Kremlin, the United States government initiates a black ops "ghost protocol" and disavows the entire Impossible Mission Force. Ethan Hunt and his team are to be blamed for the attack, but are allowed to escape as part of a plan to enable them to operate in the dark, outside of their agency. However, Hunt is warned that if any member of his team is captured during their mission, they will be charged as terrorists planning to incite global nuclear war. Ethan (Tom Cruise) is then forced to work with ex-IMF agent Brandt (Jeremy Renner), who knows more about Hunt and his past than even Hunt himself. [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

Great cars, great actions and great scenes filmed across 3 countries, need I say more? The film in itself certainly did not disappoint audiences with actions that made the impossible missions possible. It was certainly fun watching Tom Cruise scaling the 100+ storeys tower with bare hand and see his team members levitating and navigating across a maze of steaming hot pipes! The movie length was just nice and coupled with spectacular scenes from Moscow, Dubai and India, this movie is worth your money to pay for.

Rate: 7/10

Desperate undergrads pray to 'bell curve god'

2012-01-25T10:38:00.001+08:00

SINGAPORE - It seems desperate undergraduates at a local university are willing to do whatever it takes to help them in their exams - including giving offerings to the "Bell Curve God". The bell-curve refers to a grading method where students' grades are assigned based on the relative performance of their peers. A netizen, SanFran, found photos of a make-shift "shrine" installed in one hostel room, with offerings of biscuits, cup noodles and other snacks placed on it. The photos were taken during the year-end exam season. One picture even shows a sign hung up on the ceiling, that "cursed" whoever entered the room without a food offering for the "Bell Curve God". [Source: Edvantage: http://www.edvantage.com.sg/edvantage/schoops/831960/Desperate_students_pray_to_bell_curve_god_.html]

.
That just goes to show how desperate students are to get a good grade....lol

Sentosa Flower Festival 2012

2012-01-24T02:27:00.001+08:00

Given the grand advertising, but it truth, the flowers on exhibition was just ordinary, not really worth the effort to go and squeeze with people.

Notice that there are more Indians than Chinese at Sentosa today, what is Singapore coming to?

Wikipedia Withdrawl Symptom

2012-01-19T08:05:00.002+08:00

I need Wikipedia for information update! Please come online quickly!

Heroes of Might and Magic 6

2012-01-12T00:28:00.000+08:00

This really brings back memories of Heroes of Might and Magic 3, but somehow, when playing this version, it just does not seem as fun as Heroes 3. Although the developer tried to introduce more complex choices for the heroes abilities, but too much choices and the complexity of them just take some of the fun away. In addition, the game can only be played when their server is functioning, which more often than not, disappoint me.

School has just started, and this signals the start of another crazy 4 months. I just wish 30 Apr 2012 will come quickly.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows

2011-12-27T22:30:00.001+08:00

Synopsis: Guy Ritchie helms a new action-packed adventure in this sequel that follows the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.), and his long-time trusted associate, Dr. Watson (Jude Law). This time around, the duo take on their arch-nemesis, the criminal genius Moriarty (Jared Harris), with the help of Holmes' older brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry) and a fortune-teller called Sim (Noomi Rapace). [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

A brilliant masterpiece that fits actions, humor and suspense all together in a movie. I must admit, if not for Robert Downey Jr, no other actor will have the ability to pull what the movie demands of Sherlock Holmes off. I greatly enjoyed the whole 2 hour in the theatre. From laughing my heads off Holmes stupidity, to watching him battle enemies in intense close combat and gun fights, and not to mention too the interesting matrix style great escape from artillery shots. I highly recommend this movie for the coming holiday season!

Rate: 8/10

JB Premium Outlets

2011-12-22T00:11:00.003+08:00

Where the deals aren't that great

And greener pasture lies in the USA

Cedar Pointer

2011-12-21T08:06:00.000+08:00

After 4 years, what are the chances to meet again on a particular date (20-Dec-11), at a particular shop (GAP), at a particular place (JB Prenium Outlet) and at a particular country (Malaysia)? Really miss the days back at the point!!

New Year's Eve

2011-12-12T22:28:00.003+08:00

Synopsis: Following in the footsteps of 2010's "Valentine's Day", New Year's Eve is set in New York and features an ensemble cast whose characters' lives are intertwined over the course of the final day of the year. [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

At first glace, I really did not have high expectation for this movie. Seeing the movie title, my head has already dismiss it as "just another crappy movie making use of this festive occasion". However, unexpectedly, the movie turn out to be rather fine. Heart warming and touching were some of the words that I can use to describe it. Through a series of unrelated individual lives, it goes to show what people can do to make up to each other over the wrongs that they might have done, or to fulfill one's wishes before the year is over. Overall, quite a nice movie to watch as we celebrate the year's end.

Rate: 6.5/10

Puss In Boots

2011-12-06T23:27:00.001+08:00

Synopsis: "Puss in Boots", is a 3D animated adventure film produced by DreamWorks Animation, the makers of the "Shrek" series. Directed by Chris Miller ("Shrek the Third"), and produced by Guillermo del Toro ("Splice", "Blade II", "Pan's Labyrinth"), the feature stars Antonio Banderas as Puss and Salma Hayek as the love interest, Kitty. The film is based on and follows the character of "Puss in Boots" from "Shrek" and his adventures before his first appearance in 2004's "Shrek 2". The prequel's story centers on the swashbuckling cat and how he comes to meet Shrek and his friends, while introducing its colorful new characters. [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

This animated film is not as great as it seems. Though the maker tried to be creative, such as introducing cats dancing in a dance fight, but there are pockets of film here and there which I feel are quite empty. The film started off well, introducing Puss in Boots and tried to build up its life story. But the scenes with humpy dumpy and its revenge on Puss didn't quite gel with me. Overall, I do not recommend this film, especially to kids.

Rate: 5/10

05 Dec 2011

2011-12-05T22:34:00.001+08:00

Finally, they have started the load test and foundation pile bore. Think this will go on for about 2 months, given the bad weather recently. I hope they can start the Lego sooner.

Builder is Straits Construction, I wonder how is their reputation in the market?

Best Black Pepper Crab in SG

2011-12-05T22:31:00.001+08:00

Best Black Pepper crab ever tasted so far - From House of Seafood!

6th Year Anniversary

2011-12-05T01:23:00.001+08:00

Time flies and this is already the sixth year that this blog is alive. As we transit from study to working life, most of us will not have the time or energy to maintain our blog like what we used to do in school, eventually leading to the death of our friend's blogs. Well, coming to the new year, I hope this blog will not be joining the RIP list. I have also just embarked on a journey back to school again. I hope everything will goes well for the next 2 years. And... I think that is all for now:

Some Statistic:

Page Count: 43742 +3959

Year on Year increase: -394 -9.05%

Haha, readership has dropped from the day that we graduate from school. Working life really do keeps us busy and sap of energy....

You Are The Apple Of My Eye

2011-12-05T01:00:00.001+08:00

Synopsis: Ko-Teng (Zhendong Ke) has several close friends who had a crush on Shen Chia-Yi (Michelle Chen). Those friends of Ko's thus move in unison from Ching Cheng's junior high school straight into the senior high school division in pursuit of her. Naughty in nature, Ko is ordered by their homeroom teacher to sit in front of honour student Shen for her to keep close tabs on him. The two don't see eye to eye at first but Ko gradually falls for Shen, who is always pressuring him to study hard. On the other hand, Shen becomes impressed by the contrasting values Ko represented. Ko starts pursuing Shen but Shen remains hesitant. [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

A movie bringing back the memories of our past school days and the silly things that we are used to doing. I couldn't help but think that how fast time has flown by me. Secondary school, the best time of my study life just seems like yesterday, but in truth, 10+ years has already gone by. The movie itself is humorous, light hearted, though some of the scenes depicted in the movie are a bit extreme. I feel a bit sad that the ending didn't come out the way I thought, but well, that is how real life is. Good acting, good plot, a worthwhile movie to watch.

Rate: 8/10

SH 5000 - Basic Sciences for SHE

2011-11-30T23:05:00.001+08:00

One of my friend has said that Prof Foo is a funny chap, which I kind of agree, but when it comes to test or exam, I would rather refer him as the silent killer. Today exam paper was no exception. The paper was not really tough, but it was definitely time consuming to do, not to mention tricky too. One wrong step and it will have wasted you 20 minutes of your time. With only 150 minutes to spare, time must not be wasted. I managed to finish the paper on the dot, and I don't really know how to do 10 marks of 1 question, so I think that was lost. Confident of at least a B- but I think I can try for a B. Lets see next month result, to be released via .....SMS. What a way to start a day... hah

Expectation: B (Actual: B)

SH 5105 - Noise in the Occupational Environment

2011-11-27T10:05:00.001+08:00

1 down, 1 more to go. Now, I am not a noise noob! Haha, after this, the lecturer says we can become a noise monitoring officer, but at the current market cut-throat price, not worth it.

The paper was kind of easy, should be capable of at least getting a B, but I feel I should be able to try for a B+. We shall see at the end of December.

Expectation: B+ (Actual: A)

In Time

2011-11-06T12:40:00.001+08:00

Synopsis: In the not-too-distant future, the ageing gene has been switched off. To avoid overpopulation, time has become the currency and the way people pay for luxuries and necessities. The rich can live forever, while the rest try to negotiate for their immortality. A poor young man is accused of murder when he inherits a fortune of time from a dead upper class man, though too late to help his mother from dying. He ends up on the run from a corrupt police force known as 'time keepers'. [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

Strangely, Justin Timberlake seems to spring up everywhere in movies recently. Anyway, imagine a world where people stops aging at 25, and time has been used as a form of currency instead. Poor people works from day to day just to keep on living, while rich people can live on indefinitely. For a person to be immortal, many poor people has to die for him. Scary thought. A unique, interesting storyline, not draggy and I recommend it if you want a taste of something different. I kind of like the anti-aging part, looking the way you are at 25 forever, but to keep chasing time to live? Scary, I simply have no time!

Rate: 7/10

Friends with Benefits

2011-11-05T00:30:00.000+08:00

Synopsis: Young female head-hunter Jamie (Mila Kunis) in New York convinces potential recruit Dylan (Justin Timberlake) to leave his job in San Francisco behind and take up a new one in the Big Apple. Despite an attraction to each other, both realise they're everything they've been running from in a relationship and decide to become friends with benefits. It's the perfect arrangement until both finally realise there's no such thing as no strings attached. [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

Interesting concept but the idea is not new. A few movies have already been made around the concept. However, it is still great to see Justin Timberlake on screen. I know he can sing but act? I guess this is a breakthrough for him. Well, if you have nothing to do for the weekend, you can try to catch this movie to pass your time.

Rate: 6/10

Irritating bug

2011-10-31T23:25:00.002+08:00

Seriously, just 1 mosquito a night to visit you at 3-5am, for 5 nights out of 7 days, is simply no joke. Must be the recent rainy weather. NEA, can you do something about it!!!

Korean Day 8

2011-10-30T12:49:00.004+08:00

Last day of our trip involves visiting tourist spots around Seoul. First stop is the Vietnam war military display, where the artillery, planes and even missiles are available for tourists to take pictures.

A bullet ridden battleship. Cool!

Next stop is a visit to one of the herbal shop, where the pills they are selling has the ability to cleanse one's liver. Imagine a demonstration: Get a bottle of coca-cola, put in the grounded pills powder, shake it for a few minutes and be amazed that all the coke coloured ingredients, including caffeine, all sink to the bottom of the bottle, leaving only clear water on top! Scary.....

Next stop is a visit to a jewel making shop, where their speciality is purple gem.

Last minute shopping before the return flight in the evening

Stopping by a Belgian waffle shop for some ice-cream waffles

Korean version of mixed rice for lunch

Our trip coincides with a 10,000 members strong tour from China. We are seeing and hearing Chinese everywhere we goes.. Sian...

A Korean ancient court procession at the airport

Korean Day 7

2011-10-27T01:38:00.000+08:00

After waking up early for our breakfast at the Yong Pyong Resort, *mds* and I had to endure another 3 hours bus ride back to Seoul. On the way, we stopped by a Ginseng Chicken Restaurant for our lunch.

Not exactly appetizing by its looks, but surprisingly, it taste nice!

After lunch was some cosmetic lessons at one of the center followed by shopping for facial products, where essentially, everything is about 1/3 the price in Singapore.

After we are done with the shopping, next stop is the ice gallery, where we have some ice sculpturing lesson, followed by a visit to the basement ice house where ice sculptures are on display.

For our dinner, we have our meals in one of Chinese restaurant, but unfortunately, the food isn't very nice...

After dinner, we proceed to watch the JUMP show, which is quite funny

A quite innovative idea to water the trees, maybe Nparks can learn a thing or two from the Koreans

Korean Day 6 part 2

2011-10-22T13:03:00.000+08:00

After Seoraksan National Park, it is time for some spa action next. First time into spa facility, I didn't really expect that the temperature of the water in the spa is actually around 42C. I really feel that I am cooked alive in the water.

Met up with *mds* and we proceed to check out other facilities in the center. We tried out some water slides, the experience were not that bad. One interesting slide, if I recalled correctly, is the tsunami. You plunged into a giant bowl and get roll up and down almost 300 degree so as to let you have a taste of what tsunami is like.

After spa, its lunch time! Our skin are really smooth after the spa.

Next destination is the Yong Pyong Gondola.

Riding it up 1400m to the top of Mount Balwang

Reaching the dragon peak!

Unfortunately, because out timing coincides with storm clouds rolling in, the temperature plunge to like 3 degree? Freezing cold!!!

Ski facilities used in winter

Garden at the peak

Because of the storm clouds, we cannot see the other mountain peaks. Sad...

A hut in the fog

Dinner time. Vegetarian meal again... ^.^!

Some pool action after dinner

And the night view of Yong Pyong Resort