N.E.mation! 10 - Call For Entry

It is back! For the 10th year running, N.E.mation! 10 is back to entice all students aged 13-17 to participate!

It’s your turn to visit the renowned Animation Studios in the USA!
(Prior experience or knowledge in animation techniques is not required. Training will be provided.)

Visualize yourself with your team in this photo. N.E.mation! 9 Champion Team.

This year’s theme is Together We Keep Singapore Strong.
“At the start of the next 50 years, it is a good time to reflect on and reaffirm the strength, values and beliefs that have brought Singapore this far and, more importantly, the values that reside within each and every Singaporean to take Singapore forward. Together, we will continue to play our part to keep Singapore strong.”

An easy 3-steps to register.

Step 1: Form a team of 3-4 students from your school
Step 2: Register online at www.nemation.sg
Step 3: Submit your ideas on the theme “Together We Keep Singapore Strong” by 16 Aug 2015

Keep update by liking the official Facebook Page for N.E.mation! 10.

And do you know that each team can submit up to 3 stories? Now you know, so what are you waiting for?

N.E.mation! 10 – Call For Entry!

SG50 @ Conrad Centennial Singapore

Sponsored Review

Ever since we have made contact with Conrad Centennial Singapore, we have nothing less than “excellence” to say about the host we have received thus far. Invited back a second time (really an honor and pleasure), we were treated to the the launch of the hotel’s selection of mooncakes from the award-winning Chinese restaurant, Golden Peony.

 

Golden Peony Signature
Sweet Potato Mooncake in Crispy Filo Pastry 迷你酥皮金薯月饼
(crispy pastry with unsurpassable fillings of lightly whipped sweet potato, presented in a luxurious deep red faux leather box with subtle floral imprint)

 

Classic Favourites
Traditional Baked with White Lotus Paste 纯正白莲蓉月饼
Traditional Baked with Mixed Nuts 传统五仁月饼
Traditional Baked with Single Yolk in White Lotus Paste 单黄白莲蓉月饼
Traditional Baked with Double Yolk in White Lotus Paste 双黄白莲蓉月饼

 

Popular Mini Snowskin Delights
Green Tea with Melon Seeds 迷你冰皮绿茶瓜仁
Mango with Nata de Coco 迷你冰皮香芒椰果
White Lotus with Cookies and Cream Cheese 迷你冰皮白莲蓉乳酪曲奇饼
Chestnut with Red Bean 迷你冰皮马蹄红豆

 

 

Not only were we treated to unlimited mooncakes, we were privileged to watch the Dim Sum Chef at work, preparing the signature Sweet Potato Mooncake in Crispy Filo Pastry. Chef is from Hong Kong, so he was explaining all the steps in Cantonese and there was an interpreter for the guests. But personally I was very entertained by Chef’s humorous presentation and explanation.

From preparing the sweet potato to mixing the dough and finally demonstrating how to fill the stuffing, Chef made it looked easy but without his 20 over years of experience, we would not be able to have the same standard.

  

The key in making the Filo Pastry, is how you prepare the dough.

Ready to go!

 

Done!

 

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Oscar’s SG50 Buffet Dinner

Certainly not just the mooncakes are enough to tempt you for more. The amazing buffet dinner at Oscar’s presents SG50 in its patriotic red with the signature Homemade Waffles. Together with it comes the sumptuous spread of local delights such as Wok Fried Pepper and Chilli Crab, Crispy Fried Squid with Salted Egg and Oyster Omelette.

The special SG50 Lapis makes its debut at The Terrace to commemorate Singapore’s 50th birthday. Layered in red and white, this unique “Bandung” flavored cake is a true tribute to the nation.

 

Unique offerings from the buffet:

Salad Station – One of the largest Caesar salad station with a Parmesan drum bowl for tossing
Crustacean Station – Oscar’s famous Oyster bar, as well as an assortment of fresh seafood like Boston Lobster, Prawn, Sri Lanka Crab, Sushi and Sashimi
Carving Station – Daily variety of Roast Beef, Lamb, Pork or Fish
Live Station – Daily selection of one Asian and one Western dish cooked a la minute

 During this period, don’t miss out on the special promotion offered to celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. Simply quote “Ice Kacang” and you will be able to enjoy the fabulous buffet dinner at S$50++ per adult, S$25++ per child on Monday to Wednesday. Diners of 60 years and above enjoy 50% off regular price for Buffet Lunch or Dinner, except on eve and public holidays.

For my previous review on Oscar’s, you can click on this link. 

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To grab hold of Golden Peony mooncakes, you can head down to the following venues for their sales.
- Ngee Ann City, B2 Takashimaya Square, Aug 27 to Sep 27, 10am to 10pm
- TANGS VivoCity, Central Court Level 1, Sep 1 to Sep 27, 10am to 10pm
- Millenia Walk, North Galleria, Sep 7 to Sep 27, 11ma to 8pm

For enquiries, corporate orders or bulk purchase, please call +65 64327486/87 or 83222 9841. Alternatively, you can email sinci.fb@conradhotels.com

LEGO Rebuild Your Memories

Media Invite

With over 22,000 LEGO bricks, Nicholas Foo, a LEGO certified professional put together the amazing Singapore iconic Dragon Playground. It was done over 32 hours, painstakingly completed on 25 July 2015.

And Mr. Nicholas Foo adds the final touch after some 32 hours. Everyone was so excited and ready to see his ‘thumbs up’ sign.

It is finished!

The kids are always the blessed ones to have photos when everyone else can only yearn to be young again.

If you have not managed to see it or get a picture with this excellent creation, do drop by Raffles City Level 3 Atrium. It will only be on display till end of this month.

In addition to the launch of the extremely exclusive mini builds, LEGO has also launched LEGO SG50 Mega MiniFigures. With only 50 pieces available, these Mega MiniFigures are extremely coveted. Spend a minimum of S$100 on LEGO toys in a single receipt from 5-31 Aug 2015 at participating outlets*, and you stand a chance to receive a LEGO SG50 Mega MiniFigure.

LEGO SG50 Mega MiniFigure
- limited edition to commemorate SG50, and there are only 50 pieces available
- the ‘mega’ size, stands at 31cm tall
- back of the minifigures comes with a unique serial number and birthday message to celebrate SG50

*Participating Outlets
- All LEGO Certified Stores in Singapore
- Toys’R’US
- LEGO Mono Brand Stores
- Departmental Stores and selected toy stores

On display were also the creation of Singaporeans based on how they see and remember Singapore. This aims to bring to life the fond memories of Singaporeans by tapping into nostalgia.
#LEGORebuildSG

Aquarium in the Mall

SBS Double-Decker Bus

Sir Stamford Raffles

Fire Cracker & Lion Dance

The Mama Shop

Childhood Barber Memories with Dad

Nostalgic Chinatown Street Scene

Bukit Timah KTM Railway Station

For the Star Wars fans, you won’t want to miss this!

Death Star Final Duel

Wookiee Gunship

The Ghost

Imperial Assault Carrier

We stayed back for a while and managed to catch a photo opportunity with the LEGO Land Police Officer.

Thanks LEGO Singapore for the chance to be part of this media invite.

N.E.mation! 9 - One Week Selection

N.E.mation! has glorious moved into its 9th year, organized by Nexus to youths to express their thoughts on Total Defence. With more than 11,500 students already participated in this digital animation competition, I was totally thrilled to be part of the One-Week Selection event, held at Nanyang Polytechnic during the September school holidays. This One-Week Selection is basically a period where the Top 100 teams who participated in N.E.mation! 9, who were selected based on their submitted entries in the prior Call for Entry Phase, would be coached by the trainers and pitched to a panel of judges to land one of the coveted spots on N.E.mation! 9 Top 10 Teams. This means 90 teams will be eliminated during this One-Week Selection while the Top 10 Teams would get the chance to turn their stories into a 1-minute animation during the November school holidays.

Since 1994, this was the first time I set foot in a Polytechnic again. NYP is really a huge place and the students are really blessed to be studying there.

Found my way to Block M to hear 7 teams of Secondary students pitch their entries to the judges.

Jurong Secondary School

Look at the amount of work/words put into the pitching. I am sincerely touched by the effort given by these students. Whether they win or not, no one can take it away from them, the effort and heart that was poured in.

The advice from the judges are invaluable as the students took in every single word attentively. Seriously some of the ideas presented were superb, delivery can be improved on, but the creativity was impressive.

CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School

 

I realized that if the judges like the idea, they will generally spend a bit more time trying to understand from the students about the presentation.

Kent Ridge Secondary School

The passion of the students trying hard to convince the judges that their pitch is worth of Top 10 selection has to be applauded. Reminded me of my own poly days.

CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School

The girls from CHIJ St Nicholas immediately made an impact with the idea of doing a mash-up of a few NDP songs for their pitch. Kudos to the girl who took the responsibility of playing the guitar. She was even asked to replay for the judges so that they can link the pictures to the songs. Stress!

Raffles Institution

Who says RI boys are just good in studies. These guys were hilarious when presenting their ideas. They even danced, omg!

Commonwealth Secondary School

Totally loved the “theme” of “SAF Never Sleeps”, using the idea of a clock face to portray the importance of SAF to provide protection and stability to the nation and people.

Jurong Secondary School

To all the students who made it to Top 10 or not, just continue to “Believe”. The future is bright for all of you!

Who caught the judges’ eyes? Who made it to be the Top 10 Teams?

After close to 2 hours of deliberation and discussion, probably some arguments as well, it is time to reveal the Top 10 Teams.

 

The students were joined by their school teachers, friends and families who were all there to show their support.

Some words of encouragement from the organizer representative, SLTC George Goh (Nexus).

One final cheer from the Top 22 Teams before the results were released. Through the one week of hardwork and learning, these students from various schools have all became closer and no longer just competitors but also friends who have shared the same learning space and vision.

The time everyone have been waiting for. Several teams were called out at times, and only 1 or 2 teams will stay on to be the Top 10 Teams. The atmosphere was just electrifying with anticipation and nervousness.

It was just a bunch of nerves waiting for the announcement.

And the winners were announced. One of my personal favorites, Commonwealth Secondary School (wasd) was selected!

Usually the winners were just shocked that they were selected. Must have been a very close fight.

With some happy, some will be sad. But this year, the organizers produced a memorial badge to encourage the remaining 12 teams that did not make it further. A nice touch when the leaving teams were presented their participation badges by their team instructors.

Winners crying because of joy and also to see some of their friends’ path on N.E.mation! 9 coming to an end.

So here are the Top 10 Teams.

1. Acrylics from Raffles Instituition
2. AlphaCrescent from Crescent Girls’ School
3. Believed Beliefs from CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School
4. Chunky Monkeys from Singapore Chinese Girls’ School
5. Elemonators from CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School
6. HigherThanYou from Cedar Girls’ Secondary School
7. IDK from Raffles Girls School (Secondary)
8. JJKN59 from Kent Ridge Secondary School
9. Millennium Dragons from CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School
10. wasd from Commonwealth Secondary School

Congrats to all 10 teams! We look forward to your work in November!