www.natashayong.com

I created a profile on Goodreads today.

To my surprise, it's a great online tool to get me accountable for the stuff I read.

Goodreads is yet another social network site, but devoted to the art of reading. It allows you to find out more information about a book or author, easily place a tag , review and share comments with your friends, compare book ratings and connect with people who have similar interests.

What I really like about the site, is its cleanly designed Web 2.0 interface that allows you to feed into Facebook. To be honest, I'm pretty impressed with the whole setup.

Catch my reviews and reads on
http://www.goodreads.com/profile/natashayong

Okie, back to the books now...

I've been sharing this totally weird dream that I had last week. In the dream, I weighed 52kg!!! 52kg would probably mean I am overweight or extremely close to danger zone. I woke up from the dream thinking that I have to weigh myself.

It was kind of bizarre when I accounted the dream to Celeste while gobbling down a huge plate of cheesy Japanese styled pasta at Shokudo. She thought it was some practical joke or a scene coming out of sitcom. I went "Why"? And she replied, "I weigh 52kg"!?!?!

I decided to get myself a good digital weighing machine and while I was at it, I picked one that could also measure body fat and hydration percentage. With some SMART dollar points redemption, I only paid SGD$8.80 ;)

I took an initial reading after plugging in a 9V battery and besides the weight, which now reads 45.9kg; I realised I didn't understand what the other numbers meant. However, they have this nice meter bar that went across the display that indicates that I am 'lean'.

The body fat monitors work by sending a low-level electrical signal through the body from two footpads on the scales. The signal passes more quickly through muscle than fat due to its high water content. The monitor analyzes the readings from this signal with stored personal data (height, weight, gender, activity level). This information is converted to a body fat percentage within seconds.

The minimum percent of body fat considered safe for good health is 5 percent for males and 12 percent for females. The average adult body fat is closer to 15-18 percent for men and 22-25 percent for women.

Women need at least 10 to 12 percent body fat to maintain healthy bodily functions and continue having periods; men need at least 2 to 4 percent to maintain essential bodily functions.

Recommended Body Fat Levels for men and women:


If I am a serious cyclist - 15-20%, a serious tennis player - 16-24% or a serious swimmer - 14-24%.

Since I belong to the 'none of the above' group and my fat percentage fluctuated around 20 - 23%, I am assuming I am in the good healthy range.

For body hydration percentage, a good average is 60%.
I am hovering around the 50s, and it's no surprise I can have more fluid in my system.

According to numerous articles, it is good practice to regularly monitor your fat levels as this can indicate if any changes in lifestyle or diet affects your body fat percentage. The measurements are best taken on a fixed time regularly as body conditions changes throughout the day.

So officially, I am on a diet! I am about 1 - 1.5kg above my ideal weight.
No more aerated drinks! Looks like it's time to reactivate Wii Fit!

Well... nothing...
It is not every day that you meet people who have accomplished much in their field of specialisation. People who have been have commended by the community and their peers.

I would have been honoured to meet just one, but within a span of a few hours; I had the chance to meet an Olympian Foil Fencer, currently ranked no. 33 in the world and the other an internationally-renown specialist in the area of Reproductive Medicine.
Yeah... totally unrelated.

As part of a leadership series talk by the company, Prof Ng Soon-Chye from the National University of Singapore (NUS) was invited to give a talk on... well... leadership. Being a professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G), it was obvious the miss-match in speaker and audience. You can almost see brains of a bunch high-flying management staff trying to make sense of the co-relation between leadership in the point of view of IVF, Stem cell research and cloning!

Regardless, Prof Ng is a remarkable man in his field. He started his first in-vitro fertilization program in Singapore in 1982. The result was Asia 's first test-tube (IVF) baby, delivered in May 1983.

In 1989, he developed the first SUZI (sub-zona insemination) baby in the world. This was a revolutionary technique at that time, whereby weak sperm was injected directly under the shell (zona pellucida) of the egg, to enable fertilization. The baby born was the first in the World from a micro-injection technique. In 1993, he did the first ICSI baby in Asia . This is an extension of the SUZI technique, whereby the sperm is injected directly into the egg proper.

In addition, he has over 140 publications in internationally-referred journals through his career. He is currently a senior consultant in a private practice at Gleneagles Hospital.

During the talk which fused Prof Ng's interest in Wildlife Hornbill Conservation, there were a few notable quotes:

When asked if his brilliant brain is the result of Nature or Nuture,
"If you put an Einstein in the wrong environment, you might get a Hitler! I think it has to be both..."

When asked how he manages his time so effective,
"I don't manage my time well. If I managed it well, I would have exercised and wouldn't be so fat!"

In the evening, at our last fencing class, Nontapat Panchan from Thailand; an Olympian Foil Fencer in the recent Beijing Olympics took our class in replacement of Henry. We were in an Épée team competition.


Épée Duel with Benjamin. We had 2 very close games of 5-4 and 10-9, both of which he won

Toward the end of class, we requested to duel with Non. He was lightning fast!


Thai Foil Fencer Nontapat Panchan training for the Olympics in Koblenz

Now that classes have ended, we are welcomed to return for sparring sessions. Wednesdays and Saturdays for foil and Sundays for Épée.

The second (and probably last) installment of the Seinfeld-and-Gates commercials hit the screens last month. This time, 3x longer, 3x funnier! This time the incredibly rich duo try to connect on a “normal people” level and kind of fail utterly!


Watch the full length 4 min video where Jerry Seinfeld & Bill Gates meet the "New Family"!

And as much as I enjoyed the Shoe Circus episode, I really love this new ad. You can't help but draw co-relations between the Mac, the PC and the deemed hopeless, Vista OS! So many underlining messages... so ridiculously smart to me!

My pearly whites were showing at end when the two were eventually evicted after they were accused of stealing a tchotchke from Mexico. While pulling their rolling suitcases down a suburban street, Bill did this hilarious robot boot down, boot up act! I must say Gates is starting to appeal a lot more after his retirement.


At around the same time, Microsoft release a more conventional "I'm A PC" ad.

Microsoft decided to cann the Seinfeld-and-Gates commercials for THIS!?!? It's still a good ad... but less intelligent. There are not many memorable MS ads, this one will go down in history as one of them. And Deepak Chopra... not funny...

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

1 Corinthians 2:9

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”
Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 1-5

1. "Wachet auf," ruft uns die Stimme
Der Wächter sehr hoch auf der Zinne,
"Wach auf du Stadt Jerusalem!
Mitternacht heißt diese Stunde!"
Sie rufen uns mit hellem Munde:
"Wo seid ihr klugen Jungfrauen?
Wohlauf, der Bräutigam kommt,
Steht auf, die Lampen nehmt!
Halleluja!
Macht euch bereit zur Hochzeitsfreud;
Ihr müsset ihm entgegengehen!"

1. "Sleepers, wake!" the watch cry pealeth,
while slumber deep each eyelid sealeth:
Awake, Jerusalem, awake!
Midnight's solemn hour is tolling,
and seraph-notes are onward rolling;
They call on us our part to take.
Come forth, ye virgins wise:
the Bridegroom comes, arise!
Alleluia!
Each lamp be bright
with ready light
to grace the marriage feast tonight.

2. Zion hört die Wächter singen,
Das Herz tut ihr vor Freuden springen,
Sie wachet und steht eilend auf.
Ihr Freund kommt vom Himmel prächtig,
Von Gnaden stark, von Wahrheit mächtig;
Ihr Licht wird hell, ihr Stern geht auf.
Nun komm, du werte Kron,
Herr Jesu, Gottes Sohn!
Hosianna!
Wir folgen all zum Freudensaal
Und halten mit das Abendmahl.

2. Zion hears the voice that singeth
with sudden joy her glad heart springeth,
at once she wakes, she stands arrayed:
her Light is come, her Star ascending,
lo, girt with truth, with mercy blending,
her Bridegroom there, so long delayed.
All hail! God's glorious Son,
all hail! our joy and crown,
Alleluia!
The joyful call
we answer all,
and follow to the bridal hall.

3. Gloria sei dir gesungen
Mit Menschen- und mit Engelzungen,
Mit Harfen und mit Zimbeln schön.
Von zwölf Perlen sind die Tore
An deiner Stadt, wir stehn im Chore
Der Engel hoch um deinen Thron.
Kein Aug hat je gespürt,
Kein Ohr hat mehr gehört
Solche Freude.
Des jauchzen wir und singen dir
Das Halleluja für und für.

3. Praise to him who goes before us!
Let men and angels join in chorus,
let harp and cymbal add their sound.
Twelve the gates, a pearl each portal:
we haste to join the choir immortal
within the Holy City's bound.
Ear ne'er heard aught like this,
nor heart conceived such bliss.
Alleluia!
We raise the song,
we swell the throng,
to praise thee ages all along.

"En Garde" - Animated Short

"In a flat world, a fencers' spar gets out of hand."
A graduation film of 2005 at supinfocom in France. Made with Thomas Van Maele and Olivier Colchen.

This is what happens when you combine 2 of my most fav things together - 'Kill Bill' (the battle scene between 'The Bride' & Gogo Yubari) with Super Mario Bros. SFX! Fast blades followed by spurting blood can be disturbing even when backed up by cute Mario sounds.

At some point, I really want to get myself a kick-ass 'Kill Bill' Poster to go with my 'Jason and the Argonauts' original movie poster signed by Ray Harryhausen.

On the side note, Celeste received an email this evening that we've apparently gotten tickets to the Halloween Bus Tour!!! To be more specific, the message read; " You are soo lucky! we got another bus, and now you have spots on our bus...". She'll be confirming that ALL of us got tickets before heading down to pick them up tomorrow! You GO GAL!

I've also gotten some Cosplay leads from both June and Dev on where I can lay my hands on the samurai sword. Wendy has also taken up the offer to be my partner in crime as Gogo Yubari! I'll just make sure I finish you off at the end. *Muaaaahhahaha*

It's spooky how time flies...we are now just about 2 more weeks till Halloween 2008! The festival for trick-or-treating, ghost tours, bonfires, costume parties, ghostly stories and horror movies!
The ghostly atmosphere is certainly thickening up.

Last year at ThePartyMan, FunkGuru and Maxxium Halloween Bus Tour where All Hell Broke Loose, I came as the Sexy Devil; slipped in a velvety black dress and red horns. It was one of the most effective costumes and as previously mentioned you can't go wrong with the horns! Considering an entire night of boozing, pub hopping, dancing, flash lights blowing into your eyes... being comfortable in a costume will determine how much you will enjoy the night. Guys will still wanna check you out cause you're in a sexy black no. and there's virtually no baggage like props to lug around. And the hair band horns put up the hair nicely so you can have a wild boogie time!

Bearing these considerations in mind, I was pretty certain I wanted to dress up as Uma Thurman's character, Beatrix Kiddo or better known as 'The Bride' in Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2'. It will be the classic Bruce Lee banana yellow jump suit with a samurai sword drenched with 'blood'! I'll stick to my black hair for the Asian Edition. I love the thought!


Uma Thurman as 'The Bride'

Either Celeste or Wendy should come as Gogo Yubari with her swinging metal ball - ultra evil! If no one takes up the offer, I'll go as Gogo myself next year!


Chiaki Kuriyama as Gogo Yubari

And you'd think that a costume like this will be fairly easy to put together. Yellow top and bottom with a black strip down the side; topped up with a samurai toy sword and I'd be good to go. Well... not really... When you're on the look out for yellow stuff... all you see is some other colour! Worst case scenario will be to stick black masking tape down the sides for the strips. I am having the hardest time finding the suitable weapon! Can't believe it is soooo hard!

While I'm still frustrated about not being able to put together my Beatrix Kiddo costume, Celeste discovered that the Halloween Bus Tour is FULLY BOOKED!!! Then again, why am I surprised after much raved reviews on last year's party. The organisers are trying to secure another bus and we've added our names to a WAITING LIST!!! Apparently, the list is quite long... we're all crossing our fingers! Wendy helped to source around for other ghostly parties around town. These are what I found as good alternatives:

Halloween Freeek Off 2008 at The Butter Factory
The Butter Factory is proud to present the Fashion Fashionista Halloween FREEEK OFF 2008

Halloween busts out again this year. Time for fashion freeeks to rock their gear
Who will you be this time around? A warrior, mutant, vicar or clown
Beasts, barbarians, bigwigs in boots. Transgender undressers in space-age suits
Sailor boys and Go Show Girls. Freeeekout Creatures dripping pearls
All hail the neon eon Napoleon. NuCleopatra & Karma Chameleon
So Cinderella, Barbarella come stay a while. Coz were doing a Freeek-Off, Butter style

For the main event, The Butter Factory has commissioned seven fashion design students to design a 14 Halloween outfits, with a budget of $300 per outfit provided by the club. Their final creations will be paraded in the main room during the night, in a special choreographed FREEEK OFF walk- where they out-freak, out-fashion and out-do each other on the runway.

At the stroke of midnight, expect a Michael Jackson 'Thriller' mass dance at The Butter Factory! Don't be left out! Be part of the Zombie squad and prepare yourself for the dance by learning from the videos.

FREEEK OFF will once more be an event of eccentricity and glamour in monstrous proportions.

Indecent Fairytale at The Forbidden City (IndoChine)
It's time for Cinderella to meet Dita Von Teese this Halloween as Plush, the IndoChine Group's original monthly concept party, does Indecent Fairytales on Friday 31 October 2008 at the Forbidden City from 11pm till late. With... Pukka Up's resident Ibiza DJ, Tim Fanucci, concocting a soundtrack that only your wildest fantasies are made of, this will be a dream party come true! Come dressed in theme and be rewarded with a complimentary Crown Lager or Chivas cocktail.


In the tradition of Halloween, I'll still wanna pick up a scary movie for the weekend to scare myself silly!

And to be one with the spirit - here's a crazy punch bowl drink with a freaky twist.
I should just change it to Wendy's kick-ass cognac sangria.

As much as I am enjoying all the sword fighting action at fencing, a certain part of me want to start swinging the golf club again. I'd love to take up intermediate golfing lessons and hit the greens a little more... but cash to squander is not on my side these days. I'm still putting furniture into the room and the budget has already gone through the roof. Golfing (especially in SG) remain a rich man's sport.

The next best thing to do is pick up a copy of EA Sports' 'Tiger Woods PGA 07'. I managed to source a 2nd hand (virtually new) copy at only SGD$15. The title may be released last year, but reviews have stated that the 08' release didn't have that many break throughs. 'Tiger Woods PGA 07' for the Wii was also the 1st release of the series using the motion sensor Wiimote Control, bringing the game play to a whole new level. For me, I'm just happy to get some swing back into my life!


'Tiger Woods PGA 07' video review

And just for laughs; the so called glitch on 'Tiger Woods 08', where Tiger takes a shot standing on water? Well now you can see it for real! EA, in response to the viral video, created an official 'Tiger Woods PGA 09' trailer called Walk on Water! LOL!


Check out Tiger in action. He is that good!

More pictures in fencing, showcasing the high intensity blend of both combat and ballet.


Foil Round Robin Competition (Sarah Vs. myself on the right)


Foil Round Robin Competition (Jovin Vs. myself on the right). See how the blades bend upon impact. Fortunately for women, there is plastic chest protector underneath the jacket


Foil Round Robin Competition (Anson Vs. myself on the right)


Epee Practice (Siew Peng Vs. myself on the right)

Unlike in Foil, there is no requirement for the plastron (the silver chest vest) in Épée. Historically, Foil reflects what it truly was like in a duel, attacking at the chest parts to KILL. Épée on the other hand, scores a point when hit anywhere on the body. It is a better reflection of the duel as a sport, where a cut is sufficient to determine a win.


Epee Practice (Siew Peng Vs. myself on the right)

In Épée, there is no concept of 'Right of Way'. As such, the game is all about 'who hits first'!

Apart from all the violent fighting (as some may call it), here are other benefits to the sport-

Physical: Keeps fit
- Improve coordination of both hands and legs
- Enhance balance and poise

Mental: Stimulates competitive spirit and determination to win
- Develops focus and concentration skills
- Challenges you to be calm and quick-witted under pressure
- Overcome adversaries with intelligence

Next week - Épée Round Robin Finals Friendly Competition.

As far as sword fighting encounters go... I can only state my swash battling experiences in 'The Legends Of Zelda' as Link :) As cool as fencing may appear... I've never really been drawn to swords nor guns... nor any sort of weapons. *Peace*

If not for John's continual persuasion, I'd never have taken up a 8 week Introduction to Fencing program at Blade Club. I figured that I needed the exercise anyway... and a historically deep sport, dating all the way back to the Renaissance period (as far back as the 12th century) must be good. As I picked up the fine art of fencing which many associates to a chess game, I began to appreciate the sport for its mental and physical challenge.

The Blade Club is a fun school tucked away at a shop-house type 3 storey building along Bukit Timah Road. Apparently the house belongs to the grandfather of the instructor, Henry! The ground floor area is used for fencing practices, but what I love best is the attic where we will find Hendry's ROCK BAND setup! Complete for the PS3 with the drum kit, lead guitar, bass guitar and a mic for the singer! Go figure what after class entertainment might be like!!!

Back to fencing...

The objective of fencing is simple: for one fencer to hit another without being hit first. Its application however is more complex, scientific and artistic. It is not to inflict an injury but to demonstrate an ability to outmaneuver and hit an opponent.

In modern day fencing, 3 types of weapons are used - Foil, Épée and Sabre. For our beginners lessons; both Foil and Épée are used.

Foil and Sabre are governed by right of way rules, according to which the fencer who is the first to initiate an attack (by straightening the arm) receives right of waya and thus will gain a point if the target is hit.
Due to the speed of the game, it takes a skilled eye to referee such a game.

Épée is a whole lot easier; a point is awarded as long as there is a valid light.


In the finals of the Round Robin Class Competition. Sarah (on the left) against myself in a match to 15 points. The final score stands at 15-4, as I emerge the overall winner!

So it seems that although I am not crazy over the sport - I am actually quite good at it. I have a sense of the sword with swift movements. Behind the mask, my fighting spirit takes over! When you're holding a sword - you fight to win! It's the total opposite of an afternoon swim with a tan or the feeling of breeze in my face when I cycle.

Physically, it's a great work out sport. And to be very honest, I'd rather be doing this then some body combat workout at the gym. But as of now, I can't see fencing pass being a competitive sport. Guess I will miss flèches, lunges and perrys when I finish lessons at the end of the month...

The government's vision to ensure that every household in Singapore will be at least 15 mins (drive) away from any MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station.

Our MRT route map will potentially look from this:

Current MRT Route Map

To this:

Future MRT Route Map

For a small country like ours, this connectivity via the railway backbone will launch us up to the status of one of 'most accessible cities'. No doubt exciting, it got me thinking about a conversation with Ian and Dennis a couple of weeks back about technology, our fast paced advancements and those that are finding it hard to catch up. Both mentally and monetarily.

From our initial 2 major interchange stations (City Hall & Raffles) and then another with Dolby Ghuat for the NEL; we might potentially have up to 8 stations just within the CBD area itself!

Certainly, compared to London or Tokyo; this layout is a walk in the park. Still, I'm concerned about the learning curve for our aging population.

On a side thought, I wonder if the increase convenience will continue to deter me from buying a car?!?! We shall see how strong the force is...

Singapore's MRT Guide to Home Prices

It was a nice mid-week public holiday break in celebration of Hari Raya. Over the weekend, Celeste and myself decided to take the free day to do something a little out of the ordinary - BAKE COOKIES!

Just in case, you still don't already know... I have a certain 'passion' for cooking. However, I never had many chances to bake; simply cause the previously owned oven was used more as a storage box rather then an actual working kitchen appliance! Baking always felt like a 'borrowed affair' as I had to make a trip somewhere else to use someone's oven.


Teka HI-735

It wasn't until recently that I got my very own Teka HI-735 Oven! It's a stainless steel 56 liters German beauty. With 9 multifunction cooking settings and turbo and a whooping price tag of around SGD$1,200.

Psychologically, I think the physical beauty and solid make of the oven unknowingly makes one love the experience of using it. Again, I sense my own shallowness!

Teka HI-735 Oven Specs

The cookie recipe for the day was 'Best Big, Fat, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie' with added walnuts suggested by Celeste. It was a perfect addition. It gave the cookies a choc-nut taste which went together heavenly.

According to Celeste, cookies are one of the simplest to bake. Perhaps cause people ain't too particular about a 'perfect' cookie. My aim is to make cookies in the standard of Mrs Field's; firm and crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. After this baking experience, I beg to differ that the 'perfect' cookie is NOT EASY to consistently make.


INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* 1 egg
* 1 egg yolk
* 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Servings Per Recipe: 18
Amount Per Serving

* Calories: 285
* Total Fat: 14g
* Cholesterol: 44mg
* Sodium: 112mg
* Total Carbs: 40g
* Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
* Protein: 2.8g

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Roast Walnut for 5mins.
Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.


2. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.


3. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended.
This picture reminds me of how totally sinful cookies are... totally sinful!


4. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended.


5. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts by hand using a spoon.


6.Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart. (This makes what we call the 'giganormous' cookies. Towards the end, we used a 1 teaspoon size for a smaller bite size cookie)


7. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted.


8. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
These are the 'giganormous' cookies baked at 165 degrees C for 21 mins.
Oven door was opened numerous times, cookie base not dry and firm.


The second batch of cookies at 165 degrees C for 17 mins. Dough was carefully molded into perfect round balls which produced a nice circular shape. Cookies had a tint darker brown, firm base, overall slightly dry texture.


3rd batch of cookies at 165 degrees C for 15 mins and 170 degrees C for 2 mins. Was the most desirable batch. However, cookie crust can afford to be a little crunchier.


Who looks more greedy? Celeste waiting for the cookies by the oven or Moi with the 'giganormous' cookies tray?

Half way through our baking session, my uncle and aunties dropped by unexpectedly for a visit. They instantly became our guinea pigs and provided valuable comments on improvements. Still they gave us a thumbs up for good taste and effort. Let's just say, the cookies were 'almost Mrs Fields'!

We thought of healthier replacements for some of the ingredients. Freshly squeezed orange juice to replace vanilla essence, reduced white sugar and dark chocolate. It's ironic - I've never had a sweet tooth. Our next Baking Day might be Rum & Raisins Cookies. I searched the alcohol cabinet but couldn't find any. I can already imagine raisins soaked in rum, bursting with rich alcohol flavour! Someone get me duty free rum!