Singapore Day 2 – Before PC Show 2008

My first day waking up in Singapore doesn’t seem to refreshing for me. I can feel the heat at starting 7AM morning. The weather there is quite worst compare in Brunei. You can’t really feel the wind coming. I couldn’t really sleep that time and so my mom decided bring us walk around in Simei.

 

Honestly, I don’t really understand the place either. My mom told us that we are going too walked at least seven minute to Tampines market to have breakfast over there. My mind stop for few second and question myself, weren’t we suppose already in Simei? Strange, so we continue to walk across the sky bridge to the parks on the other side. At the same time, I took some nice photos.

 

It says you get fine for S$1k if you ride on Sky Bridge.

 

 

Hmmm….seems like he doesn’t care at all.

 

 

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The park is really nice over there. If you happen to do morning exercise over there, you will find some nice fitness equipments over there and can be used it for free.

 

 

Love the place build.

 

 

That building is called Tampines Changkat Community Club. You can see it when you walk to the market place. Never been had a dared chance going inside before. ^^;;; I thought I can played basketball. LOL

 

 

Morning dogs training. The dogs behave rather well and follow their master instructions.

 

 

There! Tampines market place. The breakfast is cheap over there and I pay as low as S$1.30 for the foods and the drinks should be around $1.00. But the foods are very salty. According to the cooks over there, the customers love salty foods. O_O That was surprising.

 

 

After finished our breakfast, we head back home and prepared heading to PC show. Of course, we didn’t just head over there. We instead go to East Point to stock up our own mobile phone number from M1. In case, everyone got lost with each other’s while shopping. I really have to say the calling rate is damn cheap.

 

 

Then we go to the ground floor to get some lunch at Hanis Café’s and Bakery.

 

 

Nice chicken chops with potatoes and soup. Nice!

 

Singapore Day 2 –Total Spend at PC Show 2008

I already wrote about the PC Show in my last post. Here is the photo showing the items I brought from the event. You may as well question why this photo only showing very few items. This is because I have almost over spend my budget total $600.00! Not to mention it just only second day in Singapore I already pouring down so much. Let’s check the items purchase price over there below.

 

 

• Seagate 160GB FreeAgent Go! Portable with exclusive Gaskin at Harvey Norman Booth = S$119.00 (UP S$149.00)
• Corsair XMS2DHX 4GB DDR2 800 Memory Ram Kit (2x2GB) at Corbell Technology booth = S$145.00
• Shiro VT 2GB Built-in Black Media Player (Review soon) with free Shiro SP102 Multimedia Travel Speaker at Shiro (Carrefour) booth = S$139.00 (UP $229.00)
• Kingston SDHC Memory Card 4GB (Class 6) at Kingston (AAAsCom Solution Pte Ltd) Booth = S$32.00
• Iriver Volcano T7 USB 1GB MP3 Player at LE-MON Booth = S$69.00
• A.C.Ryan 2x AluBox eSATA and 1x eSATA with PCMCIA Card 2.5” Portable Case including 1x ProCables USB2.0 Cable - A Male / Mini5P Male 1.8m Cable at A.C.Ryan booth = S$87.00
• Total Spend = S$591.00

That’s was quite a crazy amount. Actually it should have been lower in the first place if I knew I am getting an iPod NANO birthday present from my sister-in-law. I wouldn’t have brought Shiro media player. Hai~~ Well, going to tried to sell it at Brudirect website (will be posted).

 

Anyone interested can call me 673-8767308. I am selling it same price I brought from Singapore and including Kingston Micro SD card 2G at S$16.00 used for Shiro Media Player. Of course proof of receipt will handle to you for Shiro one year warranty.

Singapore Day 2 – PC Show 2008

I have to thank the Singaporean guys informing me about the event at VR-Zone forum. The event started on the first day of June 12th (until 15^th) in Suntec City, which is the same day celebrating my Birthday. I got an Apple iPod Nano 8GB present from my sister-in-law. I can’t really believe I am going to own MP3 player for myself.

 

The trip from Simei to Suntec City took me at least 20 minutes to reach there. You will need to take the MRT to City Hall first about 10 minutes. Once you arrived there, you have to walk from the underground to Suntec City over there for another 10 minutes to reach there. It was quite a long walk. No worry, there are TONS of shops, cafes and restaurant on the underground. It just the matter of time how long you are going to spend there. Trouble really hit me that day. It was not a really a good idea bringing family and children to the PC Show. I can see my mom and sister-in-law so exhausted as they have to watch over my nephew. They keep on insist want to follow me even they are not interested on computers and gadgets stuffs. It was very quite painful unable to enjoy the event long.

 

 

After arriving there, you are probably going to expect lots of flyers going to be handed to you once enter to Suntec. The flyers I get almost like buying a car magazine and I was having quite a lot of hard time checking out the promotions. I did not think for second because I can see at least hundreds of people going in and out from the building very second grabbing and pulling their computer gadgets out from the PC Show. I thought I was in heaven of computer world.

 

Shopping Tips:

If you intend to go on Saturday and Sunday, you have to prepared yourself and expect huge holiday crowds. However the good thing is you can get a last minute better and lower promotions items last day of the PC Show. (Next PC Show 2009 will start from 11^th to 14^th June next year)

 

Before you go over there, make sure you check for more information about the preview promotions from the website first like Hardwarezone.com or VR-Zone forum.

 

Also once you received the flyers, check immediately which items you are going to plan to grab. Buying directly from the distributors also one of the best choice because you can get a very good purchase and free items from them.

 

Planning your budgets is very important and used cash instead of using credit cards. But my advice to you, try not to over spend. ^^;;

 

The most interesting news I also learned last week that the PC Show 2008, were able to attract to a close record number of 1.12 million visitors and generating $51.7 million in sales end on Sunday. You can Read more there. I was one of the million visitors over there and I was excited experience such a great events. I don’t even know what to buy at all. I was so confused and stunt by the entire promotion price over there. You can’t even get those crazy prices in Brunei at all, not even once forever. I said before in my previous post, Bitex is completely nothing comparing to PC Show and not to mentions 90% of those item are quality brand. 10% of those items are unknown China brand selling over there, which are same as our local PC shop currently selling it. I did not ask the warranty actually covers over there. But I’m not stupid enough getting those there. I would rather pour down my money on the proper quality brand and gets the official warranty instead.

 

Actually I was first at lost at 4^th floor until I found out that I should gone to 6^th floor instead. Anyway, I grab some photos when I was there. Check out the photos at my Google Picasa Album or the small 400x size slide show below.

 

Singapore Day 1 – Flying off

Sorry about my late post. I couldn’t really feel good after coming back from Singapore and missed so much the enjoyment lifestyle over there. Anyway, let’s talk about my first day. I have to say not a really my first good experience ride to the airport. My mom friend is really a dangerous driver and I feel like almost losing my life multiple times on the road in one hour first time. I do respect her good heart bringing us to the airport. But I wish no more for next time as I told my mom in the plane.

 

 

Nothing changes much looking at the Brunei airport. Feeling always quite disappointed seeing a boring same old place for more than 20 years. Although it was mentioning that new airport was plan for next few years. I really hope it will be a high looking class airport before I turn over 30. Well, as far I know, they will only start measuring the land next year.

 

 

Okay, I have to say I feel so weird and nervous. Eight years without taking any flight was a mistake all my life. Blame myself for such a money spender and poor. If I remember correctly, my ticket cost around B$290.00 during promotions before the fuel rise. It was a close call and taking my flight with Singapore airline was the best choice. Even I get an economy sits, you still got the chance watching movies and TV shows at your own seat at SQ182 (I forget the number). I don’t think RBA has such offer (Correct me if I am wrong). The seating space was small I have to admit.

 

It took at least one hour and forty – five minute flight from Brunei to Singapore, Changi airport. My sister-in-law and her sister were already waiting outside. I have to say it was my first time getting to know sister-in-law sister over there. It was a bit hard communicating with each as both our Chinese languages is totally quite different. Even my nephew won’t understand us if we don’t correct our Chinese.

 

 

We headed directly to MRT station taking the route to Simei. I was so excited. Really, because I never take a train before IN MY LIFE! Can’t believe eh? Well, I have to thank to my friend borrow me the ezlink prepaid card. I can’t believe it was so reliable and can be used on any transportation (not taxi) in Singapore without worrying. Of course, you have to make sure you top up the credit inside. The trip from Changi airport to Simei was about less than 10 minutes and headed straight to my brother apartment to rest.

 

 

It was really unlucky for the first day as the new elevator was not yet ready at the time. The old can only take us to third floor and we have to carry it to fifth floor ourselves from stair. -_-;;; My mom travel bag is so heavy! After reaching there, preparing all the bed and get ourselves some rest before we headed out at 6PM. I have to say it was hot over there, which is worst than Brunei.

 

 

Once take off from home, we straight went to MRT station nearby East Point plaza, very close I have to say. We take our first trip to Tampines and shop over there, since it was Singapore great sales already started. Girls go for clothes, bags and bodyshop. For me, I go toys shop. ^^;;; I was really looking forward getting transformer and LEGO Exoforce. However, it seems like I was wrong and gave up in the end. I can’t believe no discounts were actually happen over there. My advice for you is, get your LEGO collection in Brunei as there are no price different at all. I only get a LEGO car for my cousin. I also check out the computer outlets over at Tampines plaza. You can find the Court and epicenter (selling Apple Mac) at third floor I think.

 

Shopping tips in Singapore: If you plan to buy any iPod or Mac laptop over there. You have to make sure to ask the Tax Free GST receipt from them or simply get discount directly from the GST tax and make sure you have your Passport with you to show them, just in case they don’t believe you.

A MUST for everyone, epiCenter was popular telling lie to its customers their receipt do not need any Tax Free GST receipt to claim your money at the airport. This was confirm by the Singapore customs and told us that many customers fell into their hand. My advice is to be very careful what you buy over there if you want to claim the GST before you going back. I know carrying your passport with you is not safe. But according to the customs, this is the best solutions to claim your GST money.

More information on Tax Free, visit Globalrefund.com for more information or you can check out the shopping tips at Visitsingapore.com.

 

 

After that, my sister-in-law brings us to the world top best restaurants known as Din Tai Fung for dinner. Damn, the food is so good and I could not forget the dumpling. The interesting part about this restaurant is they won’t accept any reservations. You have to wait in line for your turn. Also you can see them wearing an ear phone and also PDA devices were used for noting down the pending foods and new orders for the cooks. What a high tech restaurant.

 

 

Luckily, there were not much people waiting before six. I think we order quite a lot and ended up more than $200.00+. Yikes! O_O;;; No complained about the money we spend as long the foods is great. It was full house all the time over there after we finished. Sorry I didn’t take a good picture from there. The food is my first top priority.

 

 

It was surprising to see many of the employees and people are from the mainland. It’s like more than Indonesian and Indian working there. I’m not really sure how many were there. As far I know most of them studies in Singapore with the support from the family (some) working there to support their education according to my brother. Of course, some of them are married to Singaporean. Its normal these days, blame the local girls over there want six credits from men’s. HAHAHA!!! Did I mention you can see lots of mei mei over there too? Oh yeah, they are sexy and hang around there playing arcade games till the plaza close. You see, how enjoy their life everyday over there? It just matters of question how you are going to survive and afford spending over there. Foods and drink are not cheap. Not to mention our money is one to one at Singapore. Shit.

I’m Back from Spore!

I got back yesterday from Singapore. It was quite a hell a trip walking all day, non-stop shopping! Of course, I ain’t broke yet, at least. Not everything there was cheap especially the toys and some imported Japanese magazines. Mostly those discounted items are only selected and label with colors. I have to refrain so much spending my money on those stuffs. The only things I won’t hold back are purchasing PC hardware and accessories over at the PC Show 2008 on second days. The shitty happen is I couldn’t stop myself not buying and kept thinking about saving money in my pocket for another shopping spree.

 

PC Shows 2008 is a Heaven for me

That was my first greatest moment enjoying my time shopping over there. I never experience those crazy sells and seeing those people putting so much effort and time organize such great shows I ever seen. Not to mention their selling prices are so low and definitely must buy on my list. Bitex in Brunei is just nothing if you want to compare. I was lucky traveling to Singapore at the right time. But since I travel with my mom and sister, one day is NOT enough for me. My sister is fucking annoying pulling me away from the PC Show. If I travel alone over there, I would definitely spend at least one day continue walking around non-stop and carefully check out the promotions.

 

I actually missed out a lot of great products. It was quite a waste I have to say. Traveling with family is not recommended if you are geeks. Hey, I am telling the truth here. Who really want its parent spoiled their fun? One more thing, everything is branded products and you get those warranties between one to 5 years. Do you know that memory ram or memory card are life time warranty in Singapore? HA! That’s why I never spend my money supporting the local shops selling you six month or one year warranty only. Some of them even lie to you that there is no warranty for Sony memory card In Brunei. How do you suppose to support the local markets if every shop follows such rules? Of course all happy buyers would rather spend online and travel to other places to buy it. Do you think Life time warranty for memory is useless? I beg the different.

 

MRT is the best saving transportation fee

Everybody say Singapore is a small country. But you still need transportation to travel around. Taking taxi is not always a good idea. When I first travel to Singapore back in year 2000, my mom and aunt would take taxi to go shopping and waste huge spending just for the fee. No one actually teach us how to used MRT back then. Now, my mom is using MRT everyday visiting many places as she stay in Singapore with my brother taking care of my nephew. I also learn how to use the MRT and study the route after I get there. The only problems are the place you visit, like Sim Lim Square. Luckily, you can look for the maps in every nearby MRT stations to find the locations easily.

 

Shopping is everywhere

Orchard road is not the only place for shopping. I went to many places using MRT and almost any location you stop by. You will find some large department store or plaza around there. For example like in Simei. There is an East Point fill with almost all your needs you might find over there. My advice, tried not to spend all at one places, especially in Orchard Road. There are many small shops might offer best discount price you will able to grab.

 

Singapore Great Sales is crazy

The discount prices are totally insane and you can see those branded clothes shelling off as low as $5.00 each to clear their old stocks. I think the worst one is Puma shops putting up 80% discount at Tampaines Mall ground floor. Many aunties and teenagers queue up buying bags, shirts and sport shoes. I wanted to get the shoes and the bag, but I’m not stupid waiting in lines for more than 20 minutes reaching the counter just for the shoes. I’m totally out from there.

 

I have to admit, not everything there was cheap. I never would think Gundam collections and the Japanese Gundam Magazines are so expensive over there. I have given up on it and order it online instead. Well Zoids are quite cheap and I got one for myself. Nice!

 

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Bunch of mei mei (girls). What? This is what men normally do, watching them and hand off them. HA! Damn, can’t believe so many pretty young girls over there. The most amaze me is, there are so many mainland Chinese working in Singapore. I was totally surprise after I hear them talking to customers. Many of them come there to studies and many of them work there. Of course, most of them are married to Singaporean like my brother.

 

I also can’t believe Playstation Portable (PSP) is quite a hit over them. You can see almost everyone carry with them everywhere, including the ladies! I don’t see much NDS around, I’m sure there are many people owing one for themselves. I already quit playing PSP, my only target are the PC and toys. ^^;;;

 

Anyway, I’m going to post up some photos and some popular place I visit in Singapore this few days.

Flying Off Tomorrow!

Before flying off from Brunei. I decided to update my post a little with some interesting stories I found on the website. I will be gone for one week and hope this will keep everyone company for a while especially the new visitors. finally a 8 years worth waiting for going vacation. ^^;;;

 

If you guys do go to Singapore for vacation this month, there is some pretty interesting fair going on in Suntec City. They will be holding PC Show 2008 coming on 12^th (My BD!) until 15^th June. Of course I will be damn being there. You can check out the latest preview offer shows up over there.

 

Another latest story about the Alien video capture in 2003 was not yet release to the public and news, who claims was REAL by Jeff Peckman. You can read the story over at Ghosttheory.com. You can also find another related UFO story actually filmed by the Mexican. Not entirely a UFO, but it shows an unidentified flying object going straight to the mountain. I don’t know if it was manmade. It is however damn looking real. Imagine if you suddenly saw this shit flying in front of you, I’m sure you will record it down with your hand phone or run away immediately

 

Here in my home. If you missed out my previous post today, you probably might want to check it out again, especially Malaysian. Everyone should check it out and help them shared their unity love music video to everyone in the world. The official website also offering music and MTV video download available for everyone FREE. Click here direct to the download section.

 

Not enough? Okay. How about visiting Weird Asia News? I think probably most of you might hear this blog. They are very popular in bringing the best of weird, strange, funny, odd, and just plain crazy news and stories from the lands of the Far East. This is where I got the chance watching the folks visiting North Korea. In case you missed my previous post about The Vice Guide to North Korean. I'm really confident that many of you want to know how the place is actually like over there. Damn good time to check it out.

 

I also know that not many of you are gamers. I decided to talk about Warhammer 40K today. I am fan of 40K when I first played the RTS games released by Relic. This time they are bringing Dawn of War 2 next year. You can read the interview and story at IGN. I am looking forward getting my hand on it. Hopefully my new PC should be ready. ^^

 

Want to get a free anti-virus? I’m not talking about AVG or Avast here. I mean one year free Kaspersky Internet Security and can be installed up to three PC or laptop. Check out Raymond.CC website on how to applied, while it still available hot! No worry, there is contest going on his blog and he will be giving 30 free license to his subscriber. Visit his website for further instructions.

 

Alright, that's all! Be back on next Wednesday!!! WEEEEEEEEEeeee....

Here In My Home

Malaysian Artistes For Unity. Found this on Youtube. A promo about an anti-racism national unity song and music video. Everyone should check it out and help them sharing their unity love music video to everyone in the world. The official website also offering music and MTV video download available for everyone FREE. Click here direct to the download section. You can also help them to promote their project, same download page below with some banners. They should make a 120x120 banner, since that's the only available slot I got.

 

Trust me, the song is pretty good. It's worth watching now below. Spread the words.

 

Flying Soon and My First Comic Character Reveal

Yup, tomorrow is my last day and still I haven’t prepared my clothes to wear over there. I am so nervous. I wonder is it because of eight years stuck in Brunei for too long. ^^;;; Anyway, I have to be honestly saying that getting Singapore notes in Kuala Belait is so damn hard. If you don’t need it, it always pops up in your hand. Almost everyone wanted to trade it off and afraid you can’t used in the supermarket if the note torn a little. The banks don’t keep them or even putting up for exchange if someone needs it, even the Singapore bank known as UOB doesn’t have any single Singapore notes, interesting. Luckily, my friends were good enough to help me find and kept the notes for me. They saved my day.

 

Got my credit card also register in HSBC before I travel and I still looking for small locker for my travel bag. Argg… I think I focus more on the PC accessories and checking out the price list. Hehehe… I should be alright controlling my budget over there. >_>;;;

 

Ok, let’s put that aside for now, until I get back. My comic first character was actually half finished few days ago and I am still trying to improve it. But in the end, it leads me to nowhere and decided to roll out animal’s version. That’s right, animals. I proceed to my next characters which I plan to intro next time, especially the naughtiest one. I roughly had the look of the characters in mind, it just the problem how it going to turn out in my own hands in Photoshop. This is pretty hard.

 

Alright, for now, the first character name is….Okay, I got no name for him yet. However, he is a little phoenix and first sample design. I am going to do some shape up on him again.

 

New Plan for June’08

Simply can’t believe it already June yesterday. Next week, I will travel to Singapore to celebrate my second trip and upcoming personal special day. ^^ Somehow, I have to save as much as I can for now and tried to settle my previous month credit card debt. Damn, I could hold myself buying Deviant Art plushie doll. >_>;; Well, as long the US dollar exchange is still good at the moment, you simply can’t refuse getting it. The DeviantWEAR t-shirt is very beautiful also and I going to get some once I’m back from vacation.

 

Ok, back to my new plan I am going to talk about. I was once addict learning how to do designs and art create from 3DS MAX. Right now, I’m going back on track and reviewing my previous work and see if any improvement can be remade. There is still a lot of learning I need take as I have stopped using Photoshop quite a while except doing my photos. I also plan on creating my own comic based on my daily life, real life experience and happening. Not sure how I going to draw myself and other lead characters. But I hope I can solve that sooner, as I already had in mind right now. All my worked will all goes to DA and some to my social networks. Hope everything turns out good and another plan is on the way. Yes, making my own t-shirt design that nobody owned it and can’t find in the market. I always wanted to do this very long time. Maybe ‘lazy’ was the main issue on my life.

 

My posting have been slow lately. Not really sure why, probably I on to diet and exercise making me feel sleepy so early. Only games can make me awake.