Don't all of us look forward to returning to our own homes after a day's work, to enjoy the comfort and convenience that awaits us? One of these conveniences that I can imagine adding to my home is that of an easy to use music system. Who wants to go through the hassle of choosing music when we can have preset channels? I can picture myself kicking off my shoes, wearing on my slippers and dragging my feet to the living room where I look for devices to switch on some music.
Lifestyle Series III Home Entertainment System
Playing music is really as simple as ABC with the SoundTouch Wi-Fi music system. Brought to you by Atlas Sound & Vision together with Bose, this new Wi-Fi system allows music to be played wirelessly and effortlessly throughout the home. Unlike other Wi-Fi music systems, SoundTouch systems are simple, friendly and intuitive, letting you stream music in the easiest way available today, all at the touch of a button.
SoundTouch 30 Wi-Fi Music System
There are six preset channels available for instant listening. The alternative is that you can control everything from the gadget of your choice, be it a phone or a tablet. I find that really convenient and simple. No, I don't need countless remotes lying around and cracking my head over which controls work which system.
SoundTouch App
SoundTouch Controller
You can access many Internet radio stations from around the world, music services, and playlists from your personal library all at your fingertips. SoundTouch systems connect directly to the Internet, so there is no issue with searching for songs online.
On a side note, the system actually looks quite classy and if you are looking to decorate your home with an elegant looking piece of equipment, one that plays music, give SoundTouch some thought. After all, we know that the brand Bose is one that you can count on for quality. Sound wise, the quality of the sound produced is pretty impressive.
SoundTouch Portable Wi-Fi Music System
If you are looking for portable wireless music systems, choose your pick out of these two.
SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker & SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker (left to right)
I actually find the SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speakerreally good-looking in terms of the design. It looks like an alarm clock. One that is pretty slick and silver. Ok, personal preference but I like it and will probably get one if I am in need of a wireless speaker.
Before I write my review of the movie, I would like my readers to know that this post is not sponsored so anything you hear from me is 100% my opinion.
So here are some things you should know about the movie:
Directed by: TSUI Hark 徐克
Starring : Zhang Hanyu 张涵予, Lin Gengxin林更新, Tong Liya佟丽娅, Tony Leung Ka Fai梁家辉, Yu Nan余 男, Han Geng韩 庚
Brief Synopsis:
Adapted from the famous Chinese novel "Tracks in the Snowy Forest" set during the civil war era of 1946, when ruthless bandits occupied Northeastern China and threatened the lives of civilians...there. The most powerful bandit of all was Mountain Eagle (Tony LEUNG Ka-fai), with an impenetrable fortress up in Tiger Mountain and armed with strong artillery. Unit 203 of the Liberation Army, led by SHAO (LIN Gengxin), was crossing the Northeastern region when they encountered Eagle's men raiding a village. SHAO decided to stay and fight against Eagle. Headquarters sent a skilled investigator YANG (ZHANG Hanyu), who infiltrated Eagle's gang as an undercover. The duo was soon engaged in a battle of wits with the cold-blooded Eagle, deep inside the snowy forest.
Here is the trailer of the movie:
Ok, let me first start out with my thoughts after seeing the trailer.
There were some things I didn't really like but of course, there had to be some things which prompted me to want to watch the movie. Well, for me I didn't like the background of the story. The civil war, the setting being China, I will elaborate on why later. I still remember my response to Kenny's question before the movie began, when he asked me what I felt about the trailer. My reply was 'Let's just watch it.' I am the type of person who doesn't like to watch trailers and read up on movies if I want to watch them because I don't want to know everything about the movie before it even begins.
I like Chinese wuxia flicks and the thing about wuxia flicks is that there is a mix of action, wits and emotions to it and this movie seems to offer that, at least the first two.
When the movie commenced, I found myself lost. For a good reason too. The introduction of the movie began with a modern, present day life scenario and it was kind of like a flashback. When the actual event took place, people were shooting at each other and I didn't know who was from what faction. It was only later that I learned that there were two main factions, the Liberation Army and the Eagle gang. What took me a while to get used to was the accent and the choice of words. Taking place in China, you can imagine their use of Chinese and I had to make sense of the politics going on between the factions.
What really impressed me though was the CG, especially since bullets and explosions aren't very common in Chinese movies. Can you imagine bullets or grenades being thrown and exploding in slow motion? I was told earlier that this was the director's specialty which explains why such scenes were really good.
Shao, the leader of the unit
This is the undercover infiltrating a gang kind of plot, so it is really about Yang's wits and how he survives in the gang.
Yang, he has the bandit kind of feel
I don't really have anything to comment about the plot, it's quite interesting how events fall in place and I don't want to spoil it for you. The only strange thing I felt was the timing of the attack on the fortress. While Yang was the one who told them when to attack the fortress, during their attack, his identity as an undercover was totally blown and he was unprepared to escape.
The 2nd chief of the bandits, the most devious looking one
The ending of the movie was quite playful I would say. The director suggested another ending for the evil villain which was in my opinion too dramatic. In fact, certain fight scenes were already bordering on exaggeration in some sense. After the attack ended, the audience was taken back to the modern, today setting. I actually think that this flashback technique was poorly used. I guess it was supposed to bring about a comical effect but it is too commonly used in Chinese dramas nowadays and rarely used well.
Overall, the movie is worth the watch if you enjoy wars that involve both action and wits. I certainly enjoyed it.
So we all know that the original story of the boy who cried wolf was that he eventually lost the trust of the villagers and when a real wolf appeared, he was eaten up or at least that's what I remembered of it.
Bringing you my version, Sam's version.
A long time after, in the 22nd century,
In the modern era where that boy lived, there were plenty of wolves and the wolf hunting business was the most profitable. There were all sorts of boys trying to spot wolves the fastest and they resorted to binoculars, satellite tracking, all forms of technology they could get their hands on, for the sake of earning the trust of the public. Their credibility was important. That was the only way they could get the villagers to hire them and earn a living. There were even those who used telescopes and other strange devices unheard of and there were still villagers willing to employ them.
The original boy who cried wolf survived the wolf's attack when it really struck. While his act of crying wolf was discovered, not everyone heard of this and call it strange but his reputation for crying wolf made him famous.
As much as there were people who disliked him, he found himself some supporters. As time went by, he upped his game and found himself a guard dog which he bragged about to the villagers and bought them over. Who didn't like dogs?
However with time, he faced a strong competitor. A girl who was well versed in the arts of tracking and hunting wolves. She was well liked by the housewives and fishermen and he hated her.
tvtropes.org
After weeks of observing her, he learned that she like him, cried wolf way too often and he decided to discredit her by revealing the truth to the public.
He did that and both of them found themselves arguing it out, gaining the attention of the villagers. Some stood on the boy's side, after all he had amassed himself a large number of supporters over the years and the girl's practices were indeed wrong There were those who stood on the girl's side, since they had never liked the boy and were prejudiced against him. The girl did have her reasons for crying wolf, as she had a family to feed, so they reasoned.
So I stop here for a moment. The story has to have an ending right? What do you think should be the ending?
Here's my ending:
Regardless of who was right and who was wrong, the whole village heard the dispute between the boy and the girl and their fame spread throughout the village. As was before (the same which happened to the boy), even though the girl's practices were condemned, she gained more followers over time, unlike what the boy planned. He, however, had achieved enough from this incident. He might not have discredited her but he had certainly gained all the attention he could have ever wanted and once again, has becomed the most popular boy in the wolf hunting business.
With the last day of the year approaching in less than 3 days, the question posed to you by friends is “How are you spending your countdown?”
Here is one of your best options if you are still uncertain. Be a part of the Marina Bay Singapore countdown.
1. Bask in a night of lights, camera and action.
By lights we mean 3D projection on buildings such as the Fullerton Hotel Singapore. Titled “Reflections of our Past, Present and Future”, it features a montage of sketches and graphics depicting scenes of Singapore’s history as well as present-day Singapore.
Be prepared to whip our your phone and take photographs or video of the projection as the three minute extended version of it plays every half hourly from 8.15pm to 11.15pm on New Year’s Eve and a final run at 11.55pm.
Enjoyed watching the video clip of the projection? Nothing beats watching it live for yourself, so grab your friends and family and head down to Marina Bay on the 30th.
2. Themed Lighting on Selected Buildings
If you think that you will enjoy the 3D projection on the Fullerton Hotel, 5 buildings in Marina Bay will also feature a synchronized themed lighting in our national colours.
The Ocean Financial Centre, OCBC Centre, Maybank Tower, One Raffles Place and Millenia Tower will be lit in red and white and feature the number ‘50’, lasting 5 minutes every half hourly from 8pm to 11.30pm.
3. Lighted Wishing Spheres
Do you observe red and white spheres floating in the Bay? Wonder what they are for? No, they are not just part of the decoration. For the first time, 5,000 red spheres have been added to the usual white spheres to form a giant number ‘50’ in the Bay. They are wishing spheres because they carry more than 600,000 wishes from members of the public.
4. Fireworks with Music
Photo Credit: Darren Soh
The firework display this time round will last 8 minutes and this display is specially choreographed to a score composed by local talents Julian Wong and Riduan Zalani. Think fireworks with music, like a music video. A segment of the Music will feature 400 drummers performing ‘live’ at the lower boardwalk in front of the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza.
5. Events and More Events for Everyone
A map of the activities around the Bay:
Celebrate December will include a range of activities including music performances, craft workshops and other activities for all ages. Entry is free.
Drumgaia feature drum performances as part of the firework display.
Marina Waterfront Bazaar offers a shopping experience for the public and there will be tidbits and drinks available for sale.
Celebrate with the World 2015 is a ticketed concert that features local artistes and both international and local DJs. There will be a carnival zone with games for families.
Celebrate SG50 features superstars and celebrities such as Stefanie Sun, Kit Chan and Dick Lee and an outdoor party with DJ Tinc.
Does the traditional Chinese food you know of bore you? Perhaps the best dishes are still those cooked by your grandparents. While this may be so, give them a treat this Chinese New Year and let the chefs at award-winning Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant cook up a storm for all of you.
At Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, you will step in hungry and leave with a satisfied, full tummy. While the food may be traditional, the ingredients used are of high quality and the flavor of the various dishes will not disappoint you.
So when you think of Chinese New Year, the first thing that comes to mind is the Yu Sheng. Look at the design of the Yu Sheng. It says 2015 and even shows a goat, if you are fast to observe.Have fun tossing Yu Sheng as a family and enjoy a time of family bonding.
We, as Chinese, love soups.It’s not all about the ingredients but most importantly, it is about the way the soup is brewed. Good soups usually take many hours to brew and with one sip you can tell how flavorful it is. That is the case for the Double-Boiled Supreme Bird’s Nest in Whole Chicken. The thing about this soup is that it doesn't consist of your shark fin soup which all older generations rave about but at the same time, I am certain they will have nothing but compliments. It is so good that if my grandma was there to taste it, I am sure she will agree with me.
One special dish that was offered at this restaurant was the Wan Hao Deluxe Abalaone Pen Cai. Before this, I knew not about the existence of this dish but it has its origins in China and Chinese New Year would not be what it is if this dish was not prepared during the festive season.
It includes 3-head fresh abalone, conpoy, sea cucumber, fish maw, dried oyster, mushroom, live prawn, roasted pork belly with yam, roasted duck, chinese cabbage, sea moss, fried bean curd sheet, mustard green and radish. Yes, that’s a lot of ingredients and seafood lovers will definitely enjoy this dish. We had a great time indulging in this dish and were pretty much full after this.
Perhaps I should mention that I have a lot of complaints about Chinese restaurants simply because I am a picky eater. I don't eat spicy food, can't stand the smell of fish and due to a drug allergy, I can't take herbal food. So I must say that the food served at Wan Hao was overall rather pleasing to my taste buds and I didn't face any of these issues. Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is the place you should head to if you are looking for a restaurant which serves tasty Chinese food that appeals to family members of all ages.
Visit www.singaporemarriott.com/CNY for more information.
