Could this be the future?

Many people have told me they are impressed by my Wifey's handicrafts.
The following list is just some of the things she has made

• Bag
• Skirt
• Stuff Toys
• Bird Cage for our Wedding Ang Pow Box......

Her latest creation?

Her DIY Owl Stuff Toy Family

She's really into sewing lately.. So passionate about it that making money is really not her primary motive...

The price she quotes for the OWLs in my logical mind is soooooo not worth it due to the time needed to make them. VERY time-consuming. However, she always feels that she just want to share her love of sewing and is happy that there are people who appreciate her creations.

So nice of her right?! I know haha...

Well who knows... Her hobby and passion could turn into a million-dollar business as well?.. Just like how a local entrepreneur was profiled in the Straits Times article Her hobby is now a million-dollar business

Then I can stay at home and eat Ginseng all day....

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Money Maker?

Pixar 20 years of Animation in Science Centre Singapore

Decided to get out of the house with wifey on Sunday...

Not much of a movie-couple..

So finally, after a few reminders by my wife..

We went to the Pixar 20 years of Animation Exhibition in Science Centre

Was shocked to know it started since 2 April!!

So for those who have not visited, catch it before 27 June 10am to 6pm!

Pixar Poster that Greeted us at the Carpark - Buzz Lightyear!

Woody

Entrance to Pixar 20 years of Animation

The moment we entered the door and before we even bought tickets..

Toys!!

The toys that caught our eyes the moment we entered the doors

Wifey loves Mr Potato

Me?.. I'm more of a Bag person!

   Ticket Prices:

Pixar Animation Exhibition only: $20

Pixar Animation Exhibition + Science Centre: $21

Pixar Animation Exhibition + Science Centre + 3D Pixar Movie: $24

Discounts available if you are Popluar Bookstore Card Holder or NTUC Union Card Holder

Showing Toy Story 2. Think there are other Pixar movies available like Toy Story 1 and UP

Pixar Animation Science Centre Tickets

Picture before we enter the exhibition

Pics with Monsters Inc.

Our Very own Look alike Contest

My Turn Now..

So who's the winner of the look-alike contest?? Haha...

 No photos to be taken in the exhibition..

Being the law-abiding Singaporeans..

No photos were taken..

Then it was time for the 3D Toy Story 2 movie...

This Way to 3D Toy Story 2

Tickets with the famous Lamp Stamps

3D Glasses

 The 3D movie was much clearer than the normal ones watched in the Cinemas.

I think to pay $21 per pax (after discount) with a movie thrown in 

+ entrance to Pixar Exhibition

+ entrance to Science Centre

=

Good Deal!!!

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Pixar should animate a running Ginseng!

Latest Updates on City Harvest and Pastor Kong Hee?

So what is the latest news with regards to the probe into City Harvest on the misuse of church funds with their Founder Pastor Kong Hee and 16 other church members assisting in investigations?

If you have not heard of it, where have you been? You can read about it on Yahoo - Pastor Kong Hee 'takes a break'

Some comments (and flaming) have been going around online. Some comments are reasonable and level-headed, while others are plain childish and insulting. I hope it does not become a "religion" thing. It is an investigation into whether there are misuse of funds and it happens to be a church.

I agree with some of the comments I have read online, even from churchgoers of City Harvest, let the authorities investigate. Let people ask questions.
If there are areas to be improved, do it and let the matter be put to rest once and for all.
So for people who are at the extreme ends:
A (personal insults and jumping to conclusions) or
B (die hard placard waving fans and ALSO jumping to conclusion)

CHILL!!

After reading an article in the Straits Times Friday, June 4 2010, I have a concern.

I am no expert in reading and interpreting the figures.
What is the effect of links between the church and companies owned by key people in the Management Committee? I can't tell

Is $8,296,977 paid for staff salaries and allowances justified? I don't know.

What stands out to me in the figures reported is the sum of $25,000 for Club Membership. (Tower Club, "which the church uses to host and entertain visiting foreign VIPs, guests and dignitaries")

Is that really necessary? As read on Yahoo - Pastor Kong Hee 'takes a break', City Harvest is a church with a 14,000 sq foot office in Suntec and their very own building in Jurong West which was built at a cost of $47 million. A building of $47 million and there is no decent place to host and entertain visiting foreign VIPs, guests and dignitaries? Sure be a good host but surely the amounts spent can be modest and not necessarily at Tower Club which "has been established as the nation's premier private business club" as listed on their website?

I am sure they have helped and touched the lives of many. But everything can be improved, isn't it?
There are no easy answers when it comes to money. Especially so when religious bodies come into the picture. I think they have greater responsibility to provide accountability and make sure funds are used in the best possible way.

So far, based on what I read, City Harvest has been open about their Financial Reports and they post it online. The key question is, is that enough?

Even after the investigations, whether or not any law is broken, can the system be improved?

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Ginseng for the well needed rest...

Phuket Patong Beach

What is a trip to Phuket.. A place with Beach Resorts and Spas without a photo at the Patong beach right?

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Question: Should we subscribe to AutoRoam and pay monthly fees just in case we need to make calls on a trip like this?
Find the answer on AutoRoam and Money Saving Tip.

Read about my other Blog Posts on my Phuket Trip

Phuket Bike Ride and Waterfall and my Love Bites! - Part 4

Phuket Dinner at Patong near Deevana Spa & Resort

Deevana Patong Spa and Resort - Phuket + My Conversation of the Day..

Gave away my FIRST time in Phuket

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Ginseng to cure sun burns?

Puzzling Comments

Have to repost this under a different title and delete the old post as Google thinks mine is really a sleazy site!

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http://ginsengtonic.blogspot.com/2009/11/young-professionals-convention-2009-smu.html

Do me a favor.. Click on the above link and read the blog entry again..

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Which part of the blog entry gives anybody the slightest of dirty thoughts?...

Is my picture sooooo sexy that it makes people's thoughts run wild??

(Ok.. Don't answer that.. and clean up the puke)

Do we look like we are up to no good on stage?

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Ok.. Why am I saying all these?

Take a look

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I have 60+ comments for the post...

All from different Jap Sites...

And the comments are still coming in!!!

Maybe I fail to see the "kinkiness" of the post?

Or perhaps... it's some kinky OL (Office Lady) thingy...

Or the alphabets SMU are initials for something?...

I wonder...

Let me know if you solve the mystery!

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Last count: 114 comments!

Phuket Bike Ride and Waterfall and my Love Bites! - Part 4

I know.. It's like dragging forever.. But I can only find time to upload a few pics and blog with it...
So here's part 4...

After I told my room mate I did not want to go for the normal shop, massage, relax by the pool or beach activities...
We decided to be more adventurous and rented a motorbike... (Read about my Bungy Jump experience at Gave away my FIRST time in Phuket)

Cost of renting a bike: $200baht (SGD$8.60) per 24 hours
Cost of petrol: $40baht (SGD$1.70) per alcohol bottle kind.. 1-2 bottles can last you abt 2days

As told to us by the locals, please note that if a traffic police is to stop you the following offences carry a fine.
No helmet: $300baht
No license on you: $500baht

Highly recommended form of transport if you can ride a motorbike or even just bicycle.

Some of the taxis or tuk-tuks(?) will try to charge $200baht for a single trip! It is pretty motorbike-friendly on the roads as motorbikes is a very common form of transport in Phuket. Many other tourists were seen riding as well. This is especially true if you move around the beach areas only. It gets scarier as you move further away from the beach areas as you start to share the road with lorries and buses. The scariest was when we rode all the way to Phuket Town. Many cars sharing the same space on narrow roads.

Locals are also SUPER friendly in helping to navigate. We had locals running up to us to offer help whenever we stopped to check the maps.... and no.. they weren't trying to sell anything!

Refueling before we set off

Started to rain shortly after we set off.. By the time we reached Patong Beach.. We were drenched..

 The next day.. Made our way to Phuket's Kathu Waterfall

The other waterfalls seem much nicer and bigger.. But we chose Kathu waterfall as it was much nearer..

After what seems like ENDLESS stairs.. We finally found what we were looking for...

Although there were no shops at Kathu Waterfall Selling any Souvenirs.

We both managed to walk away with One-of-its-kind Souvenirs!!!

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 Andrew with his "badges" from skidding

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And for me?... How can anybody leave Phuket without love bites from the locals?!..

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Read about my other Phuket Blog Entries for this trip:

Gave away my FIRST time in Phuket

Deevana Patong Spa and Resort - Phuket + My Conversation of the Day..

Phuket Dinner at Patong near Deevana Spa & Resort

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Ginseng cure for bites?

Phuket Dinner at Patong near Deevana Spa & Resort

Us on our way to dinner as a group...

We decided to go to a nearby place for dinner. Some of the managers ate at the place the night before and were impressed by the food and the price.

It was a short walk away from our Deevana Spa & Resort at Patong

The reasons why we were all tucking away and stuffing ourselves full...

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The highlights included...

Yummy Oysters with Garlic

Lobster.. Where we had one each...

The price of the dinner? About SGD$20/$30 per pax 

(Can't remember the exact figure as it was a treat from the managers)

Very value for money!

Check out my other blog entries on this Phuket Trip if you missed them..

Gave away my first time in Phuket

Deevana Patong Spa and Resort

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Any wonder I've gained so much weight?