Jobs (2013)

ABBEY: Before we watch Steve Jobs' biography in the silver screen, I was able to read about him in the book of Walter Isaacson. And I got excited when Wilma told me that we won a pair of tickets for Jobs' premier night. 

It was a good movie. My imagination while reading the book became a reality. Sometimes I would smile seeing Ashton Kutcher portray a serious guy. I'm always reminded of him as the owner of the Malibu beach house in Two and a Half men. But he did a good job in Jobs :) He got it; the way Steve talk and walk and even the unblinking stare when he deals with decisions for business. 

In the movie, they also show the reality-distortion field; where he would not be affected or be under any law (like when he parked in a lot for disabled). For him, it is a binary world; you are either a 1 or a zero, a perfect or "sh*t". Jobs was an excellent businessman and visionary. He made Apple rose again after he took over and reclaimed his own. But with all those successes, he lacked some of the traits that a person should have for his friends and family.

WILL: I am a big fan of Apple products as well as the brain behind this gigantic company. I really fell in love to its colorful Mac, actually when I on my 2nd year of college my sister asked me what personal computer I want for my bday, I told her Mac but her budget only that time is Php50k and the eye-candy Mac costs more than Php100k. So I just settled on Acer that time.

      My first Apple product was iPhone 3GS and from there, I saw the convenient truth in using Apple products and that thought was confirmed when I jumped to Samsung Note today.

      So lets go to the movie.. Ha! Obviously this is about Steven Jobs.. His life as a big part of Apple. This is really an interesting movie. 8/10. I hope more Steve Jobs will be coming up for the next generations, a man that will push someone to their limit, to their success..

      Thanks InSing for this free tix! 

  

BELVEDERE MIX (ft. Belvedere Pink Grapefruit) - 2nd Social Cocktail Soirée

ABBEY: I already said in our past blogs that I'm not a drinker; neither occasional nor habitual. I just don't like the after taste of it. But Belvedere Vodka somehow gave me a different view on liquors. We were invited at their 2nd Social Cocktail Party which was held at The Vault along Chinatown. 

The party is unique in a sense that you have to mingle to get your desired concoction. Every guest will be given a pink band which was assigned a particular ingredient of a drink. You must look for other ingredients of the drink of your choice. Once found you will go to the bar and they will mix it for you. Not only will have your vodka but also new acquaintances. Clever, right? 

Top 4 mixers and mixes were shown in a wide screen on the hall. The most favourite that night is the Pink Grapefruit Cosmo. And the females beat the males for the number of drinks made. The party was a sure fun.

WILL: First of all, thank you to Belvedere Mix not only for the tickets but for teaching me how to mingle with others in a party. When I go to club, I usually sit in a corner, watching the people around while sipping my drinks.

     I am fond of vodka and concoction drinks and before my drool drips, Abbey and I found another couple looking for 2 more people to get a drink! Pink Grapefruit Cosmo is a hot hot drink that night and I fell in love with it.

     As the sun came down, more and more people were getting along with each other. Sharing tables and seats, exchanging smiles and sometimes asking me and Abbey if we can go to the counter to try the other mix.

     Abbey is not a drinker but that night he finished 2 glasses. So now readers, you know how good this Belvedere Pink Grapefruit tastes! 

     Again, thanks Belvedere Vodka - Singapore and The Vault for making this pink party a success! 

The Soup Spoon at Suntec City (19th Branch)

ABBEY: I used to pass by The Soup Spoon when I go to office but didn't got the chance to dine in as I'm not a fan of soups. They opened their Suntec branch recently and Wilma won a 10 sgd voucher. We visited it on a Sunday afternoon. 

The chairs and tables have park-like designs and the ambiance got a homey feel. We ordered Lamb and pork sausage ragu in a bread bowl. I was not even aware that they serving in bread bowls :) Good to know that. We also got smoked ham and cheese sandwich. The bread is soft and fillings are flavorful and delicious. I got full after eating. 

One question though, is it ok to finish the bread-bowl also?

WILL: I am a fan of soups most specially the pumpkin, I even bought a book of soup recipes but.. OMG, I am not really good in cooking.. hehe..

      I joined and I won a $10 voucher for The Soup Spoon's 19th branch in Singapore, located at newly renovated and so awesome Suntec City Mall. 

      Asking Abbey for a date on this restaurant and on one Sunday afternoon, we go there for lunch. He ordered the Chef's special Lamb and Pork Sausage Ragu, I am in heaven! Tastes so great! 

      The Smoked Ham and Cheese taste differently to others maybe because of their bread. 

      I will definitely come back on any of their branches! Oh, guys, thanks for the voucher. :) 

Arthur Newman - Singapore Preview

ABBEY: Have you ever made major mistakes or regret things you've done and want to start anew? But here's the catch, you'll start from the point when you want the change. You'll not go back to square one but you will be given a new identity. That's when Arthur Newman was born. Wanting to escape his current life, he paid for his new self and began his journey not knowing where to go. 

With a stash of cash, he embarked on a road trip. And met her match, Mike, another person with dual identities. They had their share of misadventures, house-tripping and lust. And both also were being haunted by their past, and soon realized that they need to face it. Separating their ways, they went for rebirth of relationships.

WILL: Thanks to ELLE for their Facebook giveaway for the movie Arthur Newman.

      A man and woman wants to have new life. They want to leave behind all their past, their loved and their family. But as the truth slammed back to them for the lie they have done, they have no choice but to go back to their past.

     Not so nice movie but there are great things to ponder.

SpreadKindness.org - Free Kindness Cards

ABBEY: "Give and it will come back to you", "It is more blessed to give than to receive"; these are the teachings from the Bible. And as the ultimate gift that was given to us when God sent His only Son to die for our sins, we need to do our part. 

Wilma and I always look for ways to give back; be it to an acquaintance or to a stranger. Not that we want to boast but we have a sense of satisfaction when helping others. 

Spreadkindness.org has the same objective. They're doing act of kindness and hoping the recipient will pay it forward. Send them a mail thru their website and they will give you cards (size of name cards) to give to your recipients with suggestiosn on how to do a random act of kindness. 

It is uplifting to know that there are people and organization who still want to make the world a better place. Kindly join the cause :)

WILL: Do you feel so blessed and feel an extra happiness when you're giving to others some of your blessing? Do you want the people to know that you do this out of HIS abundant love unto you? If you are doing this random act of kindness, well congratulations to you! You're not alone in this run. If you are ready to spread kindness and you need some cards to encourage others to do same, SpreadKindness.org will be ready to help you on this. They are giving away some kindness cards for free and out of a good heart you can donate to them also. 

We can do this world a better place to live-in, our small ways will make a big impact to the recipient. Happy Spreading the Kindness!

Nana's Green Tea at Plaza Singapura

ABBEY: We got a 1 lunch voucher on Nana's cafe and we claimed it on their branch at Plaza Singapura. It was a Japanese restaurant and they promote green tea on their menu. They serve main menu like chicken and pork, crepes, desserts like ice cream and drinks. 

The voucher that we had is a set lunch; meaning food and drinks included at a price of 13.90sgd. The price for a main course is 12 to 15sgd and a drinks starts at 6sgd. So It was true treat for us :) 

I tried their Chicken Teriyaki Don matching with chocolate. The hot chocolate has a rough texture but it was delicious. I never thought green tea and chocolate will go along well. 

We left the place full and satisfied.

WILL: This one of the famous cafe in Japan and people of Singapore is very awesomely lucky to have it here. The newly renovated Plaza Singapura welcomed Nana's Green Tea  
      I am an avid fan of Japanese cuisine and I really love green tea. When Abbey won the giveaway from AiMakan, I am more delighted than him. Ha! 
      We really set a date to redeem the set lunch, we availed two sets of lunch which costs $13.90 and I ordered usual whenever dine in a Japanese restaurant, the Chicken Cutlet Curry Don partnered with Matcha Kuromitsu Latte. They also served it with the most tasty miso soup I had ever sipped. Excellent service also.
      I fell in love instantly to this restaurant. Obviously, we will be coming back for more. :) Thanks to AiMakan for the set lunch voucher!  

The Company You Keep Singapore Preview

ABBEY: It was a story of unsolved murder case caused by group so called "activists" (Weather Underground). A local reporter, Ben (Shia LaBeouf), who wants to have a big scoop of news dive in to get into the story deeper. 

One of the members were arrested (Sharon - Susan Sarandon) and an interview with her was the start of Ben's run. As he goes for his quest, he met Henry Osborne and truth comes in pieces from other people involved in the crime. 

Eventually the puzzle was being solved and mystery was unravelled. 

WILL: Okay it is just a movie, but the film runs from a aggressive reporter that outwit the FBI intelligence. 

      I admit it, when I saw the movie trailer in cinemas I really want to see this, very persuasive. 

     Nick cleared his name and get back to his home with his lovely daughter. 6/10 not so exciting but you will think and ask a lot of "why?" 

     Thanks to Shaw Online for giving us a chance to see it first here in Singapore.   

The Croods

ABBEY: I didn't set my expectations high on this animated film. I thought it was like a Tarzan or Jungle Book plot. But I was wrong. I enjoyed watching it. 

It is a story of pre-historic people who managed to survive on difficult challenges they face everyday. Their motto is to settle in the cave once the "light" has gone out. They would hunt for food by stealing eggs of the animal and when they are finished its almost sundown. Their live became a ritual  and Eep is not happy about it. She knew there is something beyond what they believe. But her father, Grug, would insist that they stay on the cave at nightfall. At the cave Grug will share stories to his mother-in-law, Gran, wife, Ugga , son, Thunk and little daughter, Sandy. 

One night Eep couldn't sleep and she noticed that there's a "moving light" outside the cave. She went out and follow it. It was fire from a torch of Guy; a wanderer who is heading his way to the mountain to escape the incoming earthquake. She held () captive and brought him to her family; telling that he has the "sun". The catastrophe brought their cave to the ground so they decided to move with Guy. 

It was a fun adventure. I like the punchlines of Belt. Everything is new to the family as it was their first time moving out of their comfort zone which makes Grug worried. They managed to resolved their family conflicts and settle to a better place. 

Be sure to check how they do their family portrait :)

WILL: This is not a "Flintstone" movie, but this is portrayal of stone age. 

      The Croods is a family that life goes round and round, they fear on changes, frightened to try new things. But the changes should be faced and the said change is a "must". 

      This is a great movie specially for kids. Here you can learn how to handle new things that will come to your way. Father's love to his family showed blatantly in this film. 

      Thanks to InCinemas Singapore for the free preview passes! :) keep the good movies coming guys! Mwahhhz! 

Walt Disney Studios Singapore: Oz The Great and Powerful

ABBEY: Wilma always wanted to see a film about Wizard of Oz. From early movies created up to the famous broadway show Wicked, she saw them all.

She asked me if we can watch Oz: Great and Powerful in the big screen. She lost hope in winning a pair of tickets on Nuffnang and Facebook contests. I gladly said yes.

As in the title, it shows the story about the wizard. Oz was portrayed by James Franco. He is a magician in a circus and people really believe that he has powers. So a girl who has a disability and her family offered him money and ask him to make the girl walk. It was in the middle of his act. As he couldn't do it, the people called him a con-man and demanded to refund their payment. Oz also has the habit on hitting on all the girls including the woman of a circus weightlifter. With everyone trying to get a piece of him, he rode a hot air balloon to leave the place. Little did he know that the balloon is being sucked towards a tornado. This eventually became the gate to the land of Oz. 

He was amazed by the tall peaks, rushing waters of the falls, colorful trees and weird creatures. (Mila Kunis) saw Oz when he fell down from the sky. She told Oz that he is the wizard who will set free the people as on the prophecy. On their way to Emerald City, they met monkey with wings, ; it would be Oz's sidekick. Expect a lot of laugh from him. 

Mila introduced Oz to her sister (Rachel Weisz). Asked Oz that if he killed the "evil" witch Glinda (Michelle Williams) he can get all the riches of the treasury. The tables turned upside down when Oz knew the truth. And they prepared a battle between good and evil. You will be surprised how Oz became great and had the respect of the people of Oz (Thinkers, Quadlings, and Munchkins). Its a good movie; great for children.

WILL: Big fan of Wizards of Oz?, here! here! 
      We are members of Nuffnang Singapore, and they alerted us to blog about this movie and win for ourselves a pair of movie passes. I waited... waited until 5pm last 7th of March but no email for Abbey about winnings, since I am great great fan, I can't wait for another day to watch the film. So we decided to go to JCube and bought a pair of tickets. 
      My smile is from ear to ear when I finally took a look on the passes. I watched intensely and laugh so hard on every moves of the very adorable Oz. I am so happy to be the of people in Singapore to see the film on its first day of showing. A very recommendable movie for everyone. 
     On our way home, as I check mails, I saw the Nuffnang congratulatory mail. Haha. We decided to see it again. Sorry friends for being so selfish. I just really love this movie. One monday we hit VivoCity mall to watch it for the second time at Golden Village. ;)  

Cocoa B DIY White Chocolate

ABBEY: One random day Wilma asked what chocolate would I want as a gift. I replied "Any type, any toppings would do". 

She joined a contest to create your own chocolate. She told me she even put a message on the bar. She was excited to see it delivered to our mailbox. It was covered with a bubble wrap then a silver-colored wrapper with cushion. What a way to protect the precious delight. It was a white chocolate bar topped with almond, macadamia nuts and floss. There's a message "I love you" which is also edible. 

Its not too sweet, just enough to enjoy it and appreciate as this was done by my wife :)

WILL: The most beautiful thing that you can give as a gift to your loved ones is not a box load of ready made commodity in a market, but was things that done by your own hands. 
      Time really pushes all our creativeness on edges, and so am I. Haha. Went to Vivo... while walking, while checking each store, there is no great idea that popped-up right before my eyes. I went home, frustrated. Nada! No gift for my Abbey for hearts' day. 
     Checking every facebook fanpage that posts their products for Valentines, I came with Cocoa B that was holding a giveaway that time.  With great passion and love for my husband, I poured my emotion while creating my own chocolate. 

Here is my entry:

I roamed around VivoCity last night and got home almost 9pm with empty hands. Nowhere to find, nowhere to go, no great gift idea for my husband on heart's day.

Until this morning I read a message in facebook about Cocoa B, bulb of imagination lit and swore when I got home, I wil be creating my OWN chocolate flavor and design.

So here it is, white chocolate (symbolizes my pure love unto him), nuts (how nutty I am when I am with my hubby), I Love You Plaque (three words combined to be a powerful sentence), & Chicken Floss (his favorite).

I will never know this when I read iisjong.blogspot.com.

Hoping to win this, by the power summoned by LOVE! ;)

     Upon checking the facebook when we came back here in Singapore, I saw that I won the contest. As I cannot hide my gladness, I asked my husband to see my entry to this contest. After he read it, he squeezed me tight. 
     The day came, chocolate was delivered by the postman, we unwrap, we took photo, we ate and our amazement can see through in our eyes when we took every bite on that whitey chocolate. Very delicious indeed when powdered with floss. 
     Thanks Cocoa B. please visit their website and surprise your loved ones with it. 

Eatzi Gourmet Restaurant

ABBEY: We got another round of vouchers from our bank. Before heading to our archery session we had out lunch at Eatzi Gourmet in Safra Country Club. Eatzi Gourmet is one of the diner chains of JP Pepperdine. I got their October promo of N.Z. strip loin steak at less than 20sgd. Top it with 5sgd more and you've got soup of the day, dessert and hot drink. 

The steak come with baked potato topped with sour cream, and vegetable side dish. The taste is great. My jaw got tired as I chew the big steak. The dessert os a slice of crumble pie. Small as it is but the flavor will have a big  burst in your mouth. We ended the lunch with coffee and tea. The place is homey and light.

WILL: Weekend and you want to go out and looking somewhere to eat your lunch or dinner without the buzzing business of crowded place? Why not go here at Safra Yishun Country Club, here located is the Eatzi Gourmet.

      From Punggol we just took bus and got there for only 40 mins. As we entered the building, a lovely receptionist smiled us and told Abbey to just let the green footprints lead our way to the restaurant. We followed and gladly reached this relaxing and family oriented place.

      As we sat down, they gave us menu and Abbey went for steak, and for me was Norwegian Salmon Smothered. The baked salmon when hits the sauce is a really clicked tandem. It costs $18.50 and we topped up $4.80 to have a soup, dessert and hot drinks.

      Oh my, I cannot finish the salmon because I really squeezed in my stomach all the mashed potato. I had only two spoons of the lovely crumb pie and the half cup of the tea. Gosh, my tummy is so full.

      Citibank really rocks! We have this opportunity to taste the foods from Eatzi Gourmet because of the points-system of their credit cards.