Katana Soundbar Review

I managed to get a used Creative Sound BlasterX Katana as a hand-me-down under monitor gaming speaker system. I have to say the immediate plus point is the form factor. It is great for my study room and for any city-dweller with a space constraint. The sleek sound bar is two 12-inch rulers long, 6cm high and 8cm deep, almost like putting a short baseball bat under the monitor. The sub-woofer is slightly taller than a 12-inch ruler, with a width shorter than my mobile phone and depth less than a 12-inch ruler. This combination allows me to tuck neatly and discreetly away a powerhouse 5.1 speaker system with a maximum output power of 125 watts that would give any unsuspecting computer user a blast of a surprise or a heart attack. 

For a work from home perspective, I confess the award-winning Katana is an overkill. But if you need to make excuses for yourself, the Katana does gaming, Spotify and Netflix audio pretty well, making a compelling case for work, learn, play and watch at home solutions, all rolled into one. While I am not a PS4 gamer, I had a great time down memory lane with Pac-Man when a friend hooked it up to a PS4 unit. For Netlflix, I was glued to my 28inch UHD monitor for a 24 hour Korean Drama marathon. The cinematic audio just clung me to the chair. Be warned, the Katana with good video resolution can be addictive and bad for your health when it comes to movie and drama binge-watching.

The Katana comes with aux-in, headphone, mic-in and USB-flash and computer connection, in case you are wondering what you can plug to. It also comes with Bluetooth connection too. There is a remote that comes with the Katana, in case you want to put some distance between yourself and the speaker, like bed and study table. 4 preset audio modes allow you to switch between, gaming, concert, cinema and the one mode you need without covering the speakers with blankets at night to avoid neighbours knocking angrily at your door - night mode. I know, it would be great to have a study or work mode to feel less guilty buying the Katana. And if you still want more out of the Katana, it comes with a Dolby Digital 5.1 channel decoder and 7.1-channel virtual surround sound. This is all made possible with the SB Axx1 audio processor, found in Creative's top audio and sound card products. You know you are in good hands when the authority on sound cards decides to put their mark in a speaker system. Now, if you still need more control, there is Sound Blaster Connect software for you to twiddle more via a PC for finer audio enjoyment. Somewhere in the Sound Blaster Connect is the Crystallizer function which improves vocals which means I get to hear my online meetings and video tutorials better. Yes, it does meet my work needs and boost productivity!

Well, the ultimate test for any audio product is in experiencing it and for me, the Katana passed the test with very high marks. Lucky me as it currently costs S$ 399 even at promotional price. But now that I have had an awesome experience, I know it will be a much appreciated present for my nephews and niece. What surprises me, for a product launched in 2016, it still does a splendid job compared with other sound bars in the market that cost double or triple the price. Good product designs, I guess do stand the test of time. I am proud of our Singapore company Creative!

Favorite Mooncake

 

What is the moon cake that you crave during mid-autumn festival? 

In Singapore, we are spoilt with wide variety of moon cakes to chose. Over the years, moon cakes has evolved from the classical ones with bean paste, 5 nuts or lotus paste filling. Bakers are cracking their brains  to create new moon cake flavors every year. Examples of modern fusion renditions of moon cake are truffle chocolate, lychee and charcoal beer! Some bakeries are also coming up moon cakes based on their specialty, like the Lapis moon cake. Many stores offer Mao Shan Wang durian snow skin moon cakes for the king of fruit worshippers too. This is a colorful, lucrative but very competitive market!

Personally, my true love lies in the spiral Taro moon cake! It is also known as thousand layer yam moon cake. I would chose the version with salted egg yolk which complements the thick creamy yam filling. The egg yolk is symbolic of the fullness of the moon, very apt for the mid-autumn festival.

Wishing you a happy mid-autumn festival!

Scam Statistics

The recent statistics from Singapore Police Force shows an increased in crime rate especially in the area of scams. These scammers are really working hard, casting the net wide to cheat people of their hard-earned money.

Even though my relationship status is stated as married, I still receive invitation from fake profiles at social media almost every other day. I just met up with an ex-colleague who is single. She showed me her Dating App account, each profile shows a few photos and bare information of the person. It is tough to assess if they are genuine in the Dating App.

I told her the safest route to meet singles is to attend group events ran by Singapore's Accredited Dating Agencies, which have the procedure to check all their customers marital status at Registry of Marriage. I am glad she took my suggestion and joined a dating event conducted by one of my student recently. Sincerely wish her success in her search for love!

Molecular Gastronomy Food Science Event

Gastronomic Discoveries

The Seletar Mall engaged an event company to create a brilliant molecular gastronomy food science event at their level one Atrium. It started from late July till National Day holiday. Parents from all over Singapore brought their children to attend this fun event.

Participants spend about S$ 30 each to attend the event. And get to learn and taste science in a fun way for free!

Due to the popularity of this innovative edutaining event, the response was overwhelming. Participants had to wait for 2-3 hours during peak hours on weekend.

To fill up the time while waiting in the queue, some smart participants equipped themselves with books and power banks for their mobile games. Most patiently waited for 2 hours to get into the Gastronomic Discoveries event hall. Amazing to see some kids have the good discipline to behave well in the long queue.

It is easy to understand why people willingly waited as this is so much more experiential, engaging and educational than queueing hours for famous Char Kway Teow! :D We could see from their expression participants greatly anticipate to join the event.

 

The whole event journey is about half an hour but it is worth every minute of it! We learn from the mad-scientists the knowledge behind the interesting dishes we tasted and got absorbed in the fun fascinating science lab setting!

1st Station: Xbox Game - Fruit Ninja Game (for children)

2nd Station: Transparent dishes - Raindrop Fruit Desserts & Ravioli

 

3rd Station: Fruit Froth

4th Station: Litmus Test &/ Helium Sweet

5th Station: Spherification

 

Last Station: Nitrogenius Lab making ice cream burrito with pretty fluffy candy floss.

We got a stamp on our card for every station we completed and received a spoon as a reward!
I could see that everyone left the event feeling happy and fulfilled!

The best part about attending this superb memorable fun experiential event? - It is suitable for curious folks of every age! As an event trainer, organizer and designer, I must say the team of the event company – Ooffle – had really set a high bar with this innovative family event!

Mee Hoon Kuay

Sheng Mian Dry version

Sheng Mian Soup version at $3 a bowl

 Mee Koon Kway Dry version at $3 a bowl

Seletar Sheng Mian, Mee Hoon Kuay (Soup/Dry)
I love the chewy noodles and sweet broth. Customers need to queue for about 10 minutes or more during weekday off peak time. Most of the older folks prefer the soup version. The teenagers usually chose the dry Bee Hoon Kway version.

Located at the famous Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Hawker center where the recent viral video of an elderly uncle being bullied by a young couple. Do expect a long queue during peak hours.

Address:
Lorong 8 Toa Payoh Hawker Center /Market
Block 210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh #01-05  Singapore 319210.

Opening Hours:
6.00am- 2.30pm. Closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Ambience: 7 out of 10.
Hawker center.

Cleanliness: 7 out of 10

Remarks: For those who are driving, park at public car park nearby.

ADA Cafe

ADA Cafe Singapore

ADA cafe is set up by Alzheimer's Disease Association, Singapore. It is one awesome cafe build with love! Located at the sparkling new Agape Village, the menu is very affordable! The friendly team here serves western food. Let's give them the love and support they need! :)

A fatherly waiter took this photo for me

Tasty Ebi Prawn Pesto Pasta

Cheerful air-conditioned cafe

Western set lunch that cost less than S$10!

Address: 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh #01-01 Agape Village Singapore 319 264.

Opening Hours:
Mondays-Fridays: 8.30am- 5.30pm
Saturdays: 8.30am- 2pm.

Ambience: 9 out of 10.
The ambience is quiet, bright and cozy. Suitable for business meetings.

Cleanliness: 10 out of 10

Remarks: For those who are driving, park at Agape Village.

Miyazaki steak

Takujo Fine Dining at Emporium Shokuhin

I have been to Emporium Shokuhin at Marina Square a few times, super like the variety of dinning styles to cater to our moods and needs. I especially enjoy the high quality fresh seafood. The crew are attentive, friendly and helpful! They have exclusive corners for dating couples who are dining. It is also a great place for family with kids, you get to enjoy our meal or groceries shopping while the kids watch TV or play with the toys at the indoor play area.

Another factor that impresses me about this place is it is owned by a Singaporean who supports local first, 90% of his work force are made up of Singaporeans. It goes to show that Singapore has talents! And these gems will only grow brighter the longer they stay with you.

Today I had a lunch appointment at Takujo Fine Dining. I ordered the A5 Miyazaki wagyu steak set instead Sashimi. Turn out to be one of the best steak I ever had! Juicy, tender and well-seared, topped with pepper sauce. My taste bud on cloud 10! I will be back! Real soon!!!


Takujo Fine Dining

Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard #01-18 Marina Square Singapore 039594
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm

Creamy rich tea ice-cream, flambe.

Recommends:

1. A5 Miyazaki wagyu steak set - choice of potato salad or rice. Lunch set at only $38.

2. Rice Tea Ice-cream - creamy and crusty on top!


Ambience: 10 out of 10.
The ambience is quiet and delightful. Suitable for business meetings and dating.

Cleanliness: 10 out of 10


Remarks: For those who are driving, park at the red zone, as it is fastest way to get to Emporium Shokuhin.

Lala Hokkien Mee

Kim Keat Hokkien Mee 金吉炒福建面

Hearty comfort food with a touching testimony. This creative twist of Hokkien Mee gave the chef— who was an ex-convict, a new lease of life! 

Address: 92 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, 310092.

Opening Hours: 11:30am to 9.30pm, closed on Tuesdays.

Normal Hokkien noodles without Opeh leaf is $3 or $ 5.

Recommends:

1. Hokkien Mee with Lala in Opeh leaf is $8 onwards.

2. Hokkien Mee in Claypot with deep fried Roasted Pork is $10 or more. A pot of $10 is just nice for 2 person to share — Love the chunks of roast pork and chewy clams.


Ambience: 6 out of 10

Cleanliness: 8 out of 10


Remarks:

My hubby and I waited 45mins for the Claypot Lala Hokkien Mee on a Sunday night. Best to visit this place on a weekday.

The ice-lemon tea in this coffee shop is one of the best I had.Must try!
Multi-storey car park is conveniently located next to this popular coffee shop.

Sunset Marriage

Morning Interview at 958 radio station on
Parental Matchmaking & latest marriage statistic in Singapore.

I was invited for an interview on 95.8 Mandarin radio station on the topic of marriage among the Singapore elderly. Based on the recent Singapore statistics, we see double the number of marriages in people aged 60 and above compared to a decade ago.

Statistics from WHO ranked Singapore number 4 in terms of life expectancy. Most Singaporeans lived beyond 82 years old. As Singaporean singles are living longer, what better way to lead their lives in the silver age than by developing a deeper relationship with someone that they like? Greater awareness on the benefits of emotional health also motivates singles in 60s to find a life partner.

During the interview, the DJ asked if having offspring is the key motivation for my Parental matchmaking participants. From the interactions with the parents that I met in my Parental Matchmaking sessions, surprisingly, their first concern is finding their single adult children a companion; I have not heard any parents mention about getting grandchildren. These parents found happiness in their marriage and sincerely hoped their kids would be able to find love, find someone to take care of them and settle down— just like themselves.

I am very heartened these parents and silver newly-weds see the importance of love and companionship. They didn’t give up searching despite their age. I encourage the silver singles to continue enlarge their social circle so as to meet someone suitable, caring and trustworthy.

We are conducting an event for singles age 35 and above on 15th December 2015. We welcome singles of this age range to join us! Our participants are Singaporeans, Permanent residents and Employment Pass holders. Please click here to find out more!

 

Happy Birthday Singapore

After running singles events in Singapore for the last 10 years, I was given the opportunity to run singles events in Malaysia and Indonesia this year. I get to meet many wonderful eligible Malaysian and Indonesian singles who had stayed in Singapore for education or work before. One consistent thing they always say— Oh! You from Singapore? Singapore is VERY GOOD!!! 

I feel proud that my country is highly commendable by others and I am genuinely thankful to be part of it! :) 

On Singapore's 50th National Day celebration, I pray that Singapore continue to thrive with peace and prosperity for another 50 years and more! May our leaders be blessed with wisdom plus favor with Singaporeans and other nations. And every Singaporeans enjoy safety, health, wealth and happiness!!!

Caught a glimpse of Golden Jubilee parade while
conducting a Kayaking event for the singles in Singapore.