ADV: Canon "You Are My Inspiration" TVC

I was just browsing around YouTube and Facebook and saw this TV Commercial from Canon.  The theme was called "You Are My Inspiration", a 2 minute love story.  It has nice music, great shoots and an impressive way of expressing one's love.  Super love it!

Check the video out!

Sushi Tei すし亭 (寿司亭)

Sushi Tei すし亭 Logo

Sushi Tei (すし亭), the name so synonymous with the ideology of the Best Quality Sushi in town.  Sure it was definitely more expensive that other common sushi restaurants in Singapore, but since it came well recommended by my best pal, Wubing , I decided to give it one try while at Raffles City Shopping Center.  Upon arriving, was informed there is a 30 min minimal queue, and was asked to leave my number for them to call me when a table opens up; nonetheless, the availability opens up pretty quick within 10 min.  Not bad at all.

Appetizer Dish - Deep Fried 'Sotong' Tempura ($5.50)  (Score: 5 / 5)

 Comes highly recommended by Wubing, the dish that is supposedly to make you 'fly up to the nine heavens' (飞上九重天)， the squid tempura was ordered first and after trying it out... I must say, I'm definitely convinced, resisted the "flying effect", haha..  What makes this dish so wonderful was the good quality tempura batter, not too oily and crispy and the sotong was tender without being too chewy or mushy.

Grilled Scallops with Mayonnaise ($12/-) (Score: 3.5 / 5)

 Next up, is the Grilled Scallops with Mayonnaise in the picture above; presentation wise - it is not too bad as seen in the picture.  The taste however was abit too fishy for me, maybe not enough lemon juice.  It would have been about 4 out of 5, but the price for this dish is a bit too high and thus knock out another 0.5 score, totaling only 3.5  out of 5.

Assorted Sushi Platter ($18/-) (Score: 4.5 / 5)

Well, nothing much to rave about this Assorted Sushi Platter and my favorite sushi from this platter would be the top row sushi, covered with fish roe.  Nice and Tasty, it sure leaves me smacking my lips over and over again savoring the sweet taste lingering on in my mouth (齿甲留香，回味无穷).  Almost a full 5, but some of the sushi like the bean-curd skin sushi, just plain rice and the skin, that's definitely a disappointment; resulting in a 0.5 point knock off.  Price wise, I guess S$18 bucks for a smacking good assortment of sushi wasn't that unreasonable. =P

Dai Dai Roll with Salmon & Mango ($12/-) (Score: 4 / 5)

 Last dish to go is this Dai Dai Roll with Salmon & Mango at the price of S$12/-.  The presentation of the dish is very aesthetically pleasing and it didn't disappoint my taste expectation as well except for this greenish sauce (Wasabi base) that was drizzled over the roll.  The salmon definitely tasted fresh, the mango just the right ripeness.  I guess the Wasabi base sauce just didn't go down well with me as it seems to sting the sides of my tongue, which is kinda uncomfortable.  (Of well, maybe its only me as the common quote goes:"One Man's Food is Another's Poison." =P).  Anyway, overall I still give this dish a good 4 out of 5, so it is definitely worth a try!

Finally, washing down the meal with unlimited servings of chilled green tea just makes it all seemed so right!  However, the ambiance wasn't really too conducive for a romantic time but more suitable for gathering of friends as the seating arrangements are too close together.

My Overall Grading:

Ambiance = 3 out of 5. (As stated above)

Food = 4.5  out of  5. (As graded above)

Service = 4 out of 5. (Prompt service, but lack of warmth.)

Cost $ = 3.75 out of 5. (Well, two person at a gross of $50, it a bit on the high end!)

Return To Visit (RTV) = YES! (No doubt about it! Need to try out the other items!)

The Hungry Ghosts Festival （中元节）

Every year, between the months of August and September marks one of the biggest scale Chinese tradition observation in Singapore; it is commonly known as The Hungry Ghosts Festival (中元节) or to the European world, the Chinese version of Halloween except instead of just one day where the ghouls roam free, the Chinese version marks an entire lunar month during which the Taoism religion believes the "Gates of Hell (鬼门关)" are thrown open to allow these "good brothers & sisters (好兄弟姐妹)" or "ancestors' spirits (祖先)", who have endured 11 months of hunger and suffering to come up to the mortal realm for a month holiday of solid feasting of food offerings as well as collect "incenses and paper ingots (元宝蜡烛香)" offered by their descendants, so that they may "buy off / bribe" the hell guards for an easier time when they return back to hell.

Incenses and paper ingots (元宝蜡烛香) ~ courtesy of Jerome Wong

It is also during this specific month, where I recall my parents telling us from young what the taboos are, such as:

1.) Do NOT step on or near the burned pile of paper ingots as these represent their currency in the underworld (now, you wouldn't like it if someone steps on your money right?)

2.) Do NOT wander out too late as the 'ghouls' are out roaming the streets as Chinese believes that these ghouls comprises of people who once suffered 'unjust' deaths and are out looking for a living substitute so they may reincarnate).

3.) Do NOT turn your head around if you ever hear 'someone' calling your name.
4.) Do NOT move house (might risk inviting the 'ghouls' into your home).
5.) Do NOT get engaged or married (might risk getting married to a 'ghoul' partner)

Ghoul Couple (鬼夫妻) ~ Courtesy from Google

As a celebratory function manner to entertain these affectionately termed "good brothers & sisters (好兄弟姐妹)"; the Taoism temples or dialect associations will host large scale dinners on tented open fields especially around homeland areas or near their workplaces.  Often at these dinners, there will be an open auction for the dinner attendees to bid on 'lucky items' at ridiculous prices to bring home and naturally, these raised funds are either donated to charity organizations or as operations funds for the temples and associations.

A typical celebratory dinner setting. ~ Courtesy from Google

 Another common sight during the Hungry Ghosts Festival is the traditional Chinese Street Operas, where the performers wore heavy makeups and periodic costumes and acted out opera classics such as Mulian Rescue His Mom (木莲救母) - a filial story of how a son named Mulian stormed Hell to rescue his mother by offering to suffer the punishment on her behalf;

A scene from the play: Mulian Rescue His Mom (木莲救母)
~ Courtesy from Google

Another play one may get to see could be the famous Journey to the West (西游记) - the journey of the Tang Monk (唐僧) to the West to obtain scriptures accompanied by Monkey King Sun Wu Kong (孙悟空)，Piggy (猪八戒) and Sandy (沙僧).

A scene from the play: Journey to the West (西游记)
~ Courtesy from Google

A modern day variation to these street operas is the emergence of modern day Musical Stages or Getai (歌台).  Singers would wear outlandish clothing and belt out modern day songs or performers would do talk shows or comedy gags to entertain the modern day "good brothers & sisters".

Modern Day Getai (歌台) Performers.
~ Courtesy from Google

Now, a point that one must note when attending these performances be it the traditional Chinese Street Operas or modern day Getai is that you will notice always, the first two rows of seats by the front are always left vacant.  These are the VIP Seats (贵宾席) for the "good brothers & sisters (好兄弟姐妹)" and as such are not meant for the living, so remember always, NEVER EVER sit in those seats should you attend these performances!

Lastly, as the Hungry Ghosts Festival draws to a close, believers would prepare one last food, incenses and ingots offerings for the spirits to bring away as the Hell Guards (狱卒) under the command of the two famous Hell Generals, General Fan (范将军) & General Xie (谢将军); commonly known as Black and White Impermanence (黑白无常) will come into the mortal realm to gather the good brothers & sisters back to Hell as well as 'arrest' the deserters (those who refuses to return).

The Black & White Impermanence (黑白无常)
- representing also Peace & Stability (国泰民安) with Wealth & Prosperity （风调雨顺).
~ Courtesy from Google

PS: Images on this blog post are 'Googled' and publicly shared and I do not claim any ownership.

Futuristic News!

Can anyone spot what's wrong with the image below?


If ya spot it right, welcome to futuristic news by Straits Times.
Future 4D or Toto results anyone? Huat ah!!! =P