All in a Day's Work

270505

After my Plastic Modelling Session with Jian Ming at Bernard's, I caught Madagascar with Weizhang and Yao Shun, who rushed down to Plaza Singapura after work, from the West. A rather upbeat and hilarious amimation, though do not expect too much of its plot and storyline. Madagascar is able to offer lame jokes as well as cool, cute and fun jokes - probably sufficient for just about anyone.

Theme / Relevance 16%
Content / Storyline 16%
Acting / Cast 18%
Sound / Special Effects 14%
Bonus / Pleasant Surprises 16%

Rating: 80%

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Star Wars: Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith

The most widely anticipated movie of the lot, meant to bridge the gap between the earlier prequels and the classic Episodes IV-VI. Yes, the Lightsaber duels are cool. Yes, the Darth Vadar is cool. But the bit on young Anakin being drawn over to the Dark Side was not convincing. It has a very simple... naive plot.

Theme / Relevance 12%
Content / Storyline 10%
Acting / Cast 8%
Sound / Special Effects 18%
Bonus / Pleasant Surprises 2%

Highly Anticipated, Thoroughly disappointing. 50%

290505

Having bought a combined Zoo-Jurong Bird Park Ticket at the Singapore Zoological Gardens with Jian Ming and Zi Rong last month, we were hard-pressed into finding a date suitable to expand it. Having finally found this very Sunday agreeable to all three of us, we wasted no time in meeting up for the trip. En route to Boon Lay, though, the sky turned a dismal dark grey, and I was hoping for the dark clouds to scatter by the time we reached Boon Lay. It turned out that Mother Nature had other plans for us; The downpour was heavier than anticipated (Kinda reminded me of my Fort Canning Experience), so we sought refuge within the safe confines of Jurong Point.

On the Jurong Bird Park

Penguin Parade - Penguins are some of the most adorable critters around, which explains why we went back for a second look during feeding time. The King Penguins are the thinkers of the lot. Instead of competing directly with the smaller-sized and more nimble penguins, they simply surrounded the keeper, with each such penguin able to consume, on average, 2 fat, juicy fish. The smaller penguins had to contend with bickering and fighting amongst themselves over several fish tossed randomly into the pool. A classic case of 'old birds taking to bullying the young birds'.

Flamingos - There was an entire pond full of these beautiful birds, giving the pond a pinkish tinge. To locate it, just search for the cafe which takes its name from these birds on the Guide Map provided at the entrance.

Man-made Waterfall - Standing at over 30 metres, it is the world's highest man-made waterfall and truly an impressive landmark, and one which is satisfying enough for those who have seen natural ones abroad. The Bird Park could probably look into improving the view by clearing some of the foliage around the waterfall for those who make the arduous trek to the higher viewing platforms.

Noctural Birds Gallery - One of the better galleries, thanks to its environment... Creature comforts, silly... Yup, the only Enclosure that was air-conditioned (Other than the penguins')

Staff not well trained/informed - One of the staff was bit aware of the make or origin of the Orchid brooch displayed in the shop, which was quite a turn off for me, as I was contemplating purchasing one as a gift.

Smell - Be warned: The stench of bird droppings at several exhibits might be so overpowering, it would simply put you off.

Stamp - The staff had disappeared by the time we walked out of the gate at 6pm, so we had to apply the stamp for our 'Uniquely Singapore Passport' ourselves. Sheesh...

Visitors Log Book - Many visitors, local and foreign alike, complained of the high entrance fees (S$14 for adults). I thought the variety of birds on exhibit was sufficient for a day-long visit.

In the evening, we dropped by SUNTEC City, which was hosting the World Book Fair (Until the 5th of June). Browsed through the Hall for around an hour before making our way home. I bought a book on Lee Kuan Yew's Parliamentary Speeches (From the past to the present). Probably be able to learn something on statesmanship from him. Heh...

300505

Went down to the World Book Fair again, a more thorough walkthrough this time round. There was a Chinese Chess set, complete with a Strategy manual (Very professionally produced and in a finely-crafted tome... okay, a nice box). Asking price? S$1,600.