Finally got my PSP White!!!

So Happy with my PSP White!!!

I dunno what overcame me as long ago, i always manage to resist the temption of buying one whenever my friends whip out one. But ever since i got so bored while taking trains to and fro school, i decided to buy one.

Initially i thought of purchasing a Nintendo DS Lite... but while i was at the game shop, looking at the games, i thought, maybe PSP would offer better games.

My first game was Finan Fantasy Crisis Core, bought it at a discount of $59. This game really brought back memories of my FF7 days. (must buy!)

I must say that the shop, Funz Center is a really nice, clean, honest and friendly shop, the guy who served me is really attentive and there are no extra charge or last min charges like those shops who does dishonest services (being reported in the newspaper). Its located at Ang Mo Kio, here is their website (http://www.funzcentre.com/).

I went back to the shop that sells the 4 leave clover and got myself this limited edition Walt Disney Dale. Hope the lucky charm will enable me to win my games in the PSP. These 4-leaf clover accessories are purchased from C3 Shop available at Parco Bugis Junction lvl 1 (near Ajisen) the other shop is at Plaza Singapura (if im not wrong).

NEW YORK NEW YORK!!!

After purchasing the PSP, it was dinner at New York New York! Im really impressed at the concept of using chic names and bright dual colour tone for the business concept. Looks clean and fresh.

Though first impression was impressive, i must say their menu items aint that much impressive. Their main dish consist of Chicken in Herbs sauce, in cheese, in Latino sauce. There isn't much of a variety to choose from e.g. chicken cutlet, chicken chop, lamb chop etc. Comparing with stores like Breeks and Cafe Cartel, they dun really stand out and there is no "WOW" factor dishes.

Day in the park!

Whenever i brought my dog Uno for a walk in the park, and we pass by those colonial houses along the way to Sembawang park, there is one particular house that has a few Schnauzer. They will all rush out when they hear Uno's Dog tags clinging sound. Today, theres only 1 that came out to greet Uno, can u see him?

While on the way back, i noticed that there was a lot of rippling in the water and saw this snake wading through the canal. it stopped for a while as a school of fish was swimming in the path, and its stance was like it was ready to strike anytime!

19 August 2008

4-Leaf Clover

Recently i've been to a pretty interesting shop that sells the lucky 4-leaf clover (aka Shamrock or irish Clover) in key chains, handphone straps, pendants etc.

What is it?

Popular Irish folklore tells of Lady Luck Growing the 4-leaf clover in the Garden of Eden.

One leaf is for FAITH... The second for HOPE...
The third for LOVE... And the fourth for LUCK!

In Irish tradition the shamrock or Three-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.

History of the four leaf clover:

The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old.

According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.
"The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits." Clover Science and Technology". N.L. Taylor, 1985.

Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing.

The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.
(source: http://www.fourleafclover.com/4fact.html)

They can be pretty expensive to buy and there is a chance that you will end up buying a fake if its too cheap to be true. I tried several attempts to find one clover leaf at the grass patch near my house and had no luck, all i could find was a 3 leaf clover. (maybe you can try your luck to find one)

I'll tell you how to identify a fake and a real 4-leaf clover later on, but first just to show you some of my purchase from the shop i mentioned.

Both of these are limited editions key chains that are from Walt Disney. i like the "Mickey Mouse" one particularly(because of the shape of the leaf) and these 2 really caught my eyes when i was browsing through the shop. I bought these 2 at an offer of buy 2 get 1 free.

I had this customised with a laser engraving at the back.

How to identify a real 4-leaf clover from a fake?

According to sources, there are about 3 - 4 species of plants that has 4 side leaf, and they are not the 4 leaf clover that is described above. These are actually Pepperwort or Water Clover (Marsilea Quadrifolia) or Oxalis (Oxalis deppei or Oxalis tetraphylla) plants that produce all four leaves.

One of the way to identify a true 4 leaf clover is that 3 leaf will be of the same size and 1 leaf will be particularly small. How true? Since clover leaf are normally 3 sided, the abnormal growth of an additional 4th side of the leaf often leaves it small. If you take a look at the "mickey mouse" key chain, you can see how exactly it is described.

My key chain and the Winnie the pooh key chain doesn't have wat its described, is it a fake?

Im no expert when it comes to identifying 4 leaf clover. However, the leaf from the "Winnie the pooh" key chain is just too small to identify. While i did measure the "customised" key chain, it is indeed that 1 side of the leaf is shorter than the other 3 by 1mm

"Papaya Soup Pork Chop Noddles"

I have never heard or tried Papaya soup noodles before, so i decided to try it since when i saw it on the menu. I had thoughts of how "weird" or "disgusting" its going to be like when the dish arrives, but i was all wrong as it was indead very tastey and "healthy" (papaya as soup base should be healthy rite?). It taste just like those "fried fish soup noodle" that you can buy at the coffee shop, but this one is definitely better in quality and doesn't leave a salty and MSG after taste. The pork chop was wonderful as well.

BLACK ANGUS STEAK HOUSE

I am a huge Steak fan and have tried many different restaurant for their steaks. Sadly, non left a deep impression that i could associate with serving "excellent quality steak". Well, i found one, though its 20 - 30% more than the others, i am sure you will find worth in every cent.

Before coming to this restaurant, i would often order Sirlion(most often) with the exception, Fillet mignon, Tenderlion or T-Bone. The abover 3 cuts are very different, with Sirlion being very rough and gets overcooked when served on a hot plate. Fillet Mignon and Tenderlion are basically similar cuts, tender and very minimum fat are serve in a chunk (like a potatoe). T-bone on the other hand is very big but thin, good for BBQ but i feel it doesn't make good steak on a hot plate.

On the other hand, i seldom order the Prime rib off the menu as i often find it unappetizing and unappealing from the pictures in the menu. My idea of a perfect steak is one where it is crispy on the outside and tender rare on the inside.

Well, im so so wrong now. after trying out the Black Angus Prime Rib, Prime Rib cut and Rib eye cut has quickly taken over my favourite cuts.

This is their in-house special, the prime rib (stongly recommended by the waitress, had wanted to order the Filet Mignon). Roasted as a whole chunk and sliced off to serve. Really really tender, flavourful and tasty. I ordered medium-rare(this is the recommend doness for prime-rib) and was at first greeted with a raw and unappetising piece of steak. But ever since i placed the well-marbled slice in my mouth, i was taught the meaning "never judge a book by its cover". It was a felling of euphoria with every slice in my mouth as in the movie 'Ratatouille' where the judge was brought back to his childhood days, while mine was brought to a state of contentment that i never felt before.

This is the fillet mignon that i mentioned, looks very very tasty rite? yes, indeed its crispy on the outside and tenderly rare on the inside.

All courses comes with a side, in which i ordered the whip potatoe and the Beef stew. You've got to try the whip potatoe yourself as words can describe it, while the Beef stew tells you that it isn't a recipie from the locals, its just so wonderful. And i think the beef stew lacks noodles as well. (watch the "Assasination of Jesse James by the cowardly Robert Ford")

Conclusion: Its really every cent well spend, every steak fan out there: you've got to try this steak house.

Thank and Praise God

ACCA exams results are due on the 18 of August 2008, and i've been nervous all morning anticipating the results:

F8 SGP Audit and Assurance: 69
F9 Financial Management: 55
P3 Business Analysis: 55

Thank God for granting me favourable results. Though not very high, but at least it allows me to proceed on to my last 4 papers in the December exams.

My Thoughts on the results:

F8 SGP Audit and Assurance -

As i've had nearly 2 years of experince working in the audit industry, it may seem easy and straight forward at first. But do not be fooled by it, A&A in theory is much more than meets the eye. Its not absoultely easy, but having hands on experince, it makes wats being taught easier to apprehend.

The paper in June has always been touted as being tougher than December exams as the examiners are fresh for a challenge for the new year, while in December they are preparing for Christmas and didn't have time to crack their brain for a tougher paper. How true? Very true though, as this F8 paper is as tough as it was expected to be, i must say im quite fortunate to get 69 marks as it is only upon exiting the examination hall that i realise i left out certain key points and made some silly errors.

Im quite relief that i cleared this paper though.

F9 Financial Management -

This paper is a killer for a start, if you thought this paper is all about NPV, WACC, CAPAM and calculations calculations and more calculations, think again. Its approximately 55% theory and 45% calculations. The problem is, there is a formular sheet given. As with all exams, if there is formular sheet, it will be a tough calculation part required from you.

i was stunned during the examination as i literally left question 2 (25 marks) out with only a few calculations here and there to score measly marks (question 2 was about Merger & Acquisition and market capitalisation which i wasn't taught!). I was not really prepared for those theory questions as i went all out for calculations and formulars, and those theory questions really left me breaking out in cold sweat. On the calculations part, i had to be very meticulous and very focus for any chance to pass. Thank God i did not forget those important areas.

55 marks was just like yesterday's match between Manchester Utd vs Newcaslte Utd, hard fought and well deserved as i really studied very hard for this paper, though i was a little dissapointed not to gain something like a 70+ for this paper as i initially aimed for. The moment i opened the paper i knew it wasn't going to be an easy 3 hrs paper.

P3 Business Analysis -

This paper is really syllabus intensive with loads of things you got to learn. Apart from thanking God, i must really thank my friend Christine (her revision notes), her lecturer Andy Tan(for giving her the lecture notes) and not forgetting Mr. Dominic (my actual P3 Lecturer who taught me the e-marketing 6 I) for all their contribution. Studying for this exam was really a painful experince that is not easy to forget, so many tools to use and memorise and so many topics to revise.

The paper question 1 was easy (as in straight forward), but the 2 out of 3 questions were not! It is really divine interventaion and help that i got a 55 marks for this exam. i wasn't really expecting anything from this paper. During the exam, i just wrote whatever i thought of an kept writting on. Guessed that helps.



Overall, i went into the exam full of confidence especially for F9, but did not get the results that i desired. Now its the final run in with 4 papers in December 2008, this shall be the boaster to set me up for the final run in(sounds like olmypics hor).

Pray for me!

What are your scores against the Zombies?

http://www.newsandentertainment.com/zFzombiequiz.html

Go on take the test and see how you will come out of the test.

Ever since we placed the sofa near the windows, Uno has been sitting on it very frequently and watching the world pass him everyday. Maybe he is thinking of his hometown in USA or maybe where his mum and dad are...

Jokes for the day!

Age Cruise

A man and his wife, now in their 60`s, were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to them and said that because they had been such a devoted couple she would grant each of them a very special wish. The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband. Whoosh! Immediately she had airline/cruise tickets in her hands. The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger... Whoosh...immediately he turned ninety!!!

Big Balls

A tourist is in Spain, and goes to a fancy restaurant for dinner. As he looks around, he notices a diner being served a beautifully garnished dish with two gigantic meatballs in the middle. When the waiter asks him for his order, the man asks him about the meatball dish. The waiter explains that the meatballs are bull's testicles, and when the bull loses the bullfight, the bull is brought to the restaurant, and this beautiful dish is made. The diner tells the waiter that he wants the bulls testicles for dinner, but the waiter tells him that only one bull a day is brought to the restaurant, but he can have it tommorrow. The diner agrees. The next day the diner goes to the restaurant, and orders the testicle dish. When his food is brought out, he notices that the meatballs are extremely small. He mentions this to the waiter, and the waiter replies, ''Well sir you have to understand, sometimes the bull wins''.

Wife who wants to be 6 again

A man asked his wife what she'd like for her birthday. "I'd love to be six again," she replied.On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, got up, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms andthen took her off to the local theme park.What a day! He put her on every ride in the park: the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was.Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. Right away, they journeyed to a McDonald's where her loving husband ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate shake.Then it was off to a movie to see the latest blockbuster, a hot-dog, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M M's. What a fabulous adventure!Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his precious wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well, dear, what was it like being six again?"Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed."You idiot, I meant my dress size!"

The moral of the story:Even when a man is listening, he's gonna get it wrong