Starbucks Card Grand Launch Party

Starbucks fans, most of you would have know by now that the Starbucks card is finally here in Malaysia. Last week I went to the launching of Starbucks Card at The Curve. During the launching day, Starbucks there will be giving out free Starbucks Card that was preloaded with RM10 stored value to the first 100 customers that queue up for the card. I heard the queue started around 4 p.m. and they only starts to give out the card at 7.30 p.m. when the launch party is launched :p

Customers queuing up to get the free Starbucks Card. I didn't notice Michelle noticed me taking the picture :P I only found out that she posed for this picture when I was editing.

As for me, I don't have to queue up because I was invited as a blogger there. I got the preloaded Starbucks Card once I registered myself at the blogger registration counter :p At 7.30 p.m. sharp the party is launched and Starbucks cards were given out to the first 100 customers that queued up.

We were kept entertained with performances like dance, singing and fire show.

Didi, the 1st Runner-up of Malaysian Idol Season 1.

In between the performances there were lucky draw sessions, food and free flow of Starbucks coffee and tea, graffiti and Best Picture contest on going. Instead of shouting out the name, mobile number was dialed to seek the lucky draw winner. All will get Starbucks Christmas merchandise except for the grand prize which is a Starbucks Card preloaded with RM500 stored value, which is the maximum value one can top up the card.

I didn't win the lucky draw but I got one more Starbucks Card by answering a simple question of "What's the minimum value to top up the Starbucks Card?", which is RM20 of course. Yeah, I can has two Starbucks Card now. I will have to register my Starbucks Card in Starbucks.com.my so that I can have more privilege like getting a free Grande after purchasing 10 drinks using my Starbucks Card or get a free Grande when I purchase a Starbucks tumbler. Also, be sure to put in my birthday correctly because I will get a surprise birthday gift from Starbucks on my birthday. For more information about the other privilege of owning a Starbucks Card click here.

It's free, so I can't choose the card design.

Bumped into Tziaaa there. She's so tall with her high heels.

RED FM DJs, Mynn and Linora.

Prize giving time.

The couple gets the 1st prize for the Best Pose picture voted in Starbucks MY Facebook Page.

Lucky draw grand prize winner. Can't wait to use his Starbucks Card :P

There you go Starbucks fan. At last the Starbucks Card has reached our shore. On the side note, the Starbucks 2012 Planner is out now, make your way to Starbucks to get it. Oh, also, the Starbucks Card can only be use in all Starbucks in Malaysia, so don't go swipe your Starbucks Card when you are oversea :p

TIGER CELEBRATES THE 22nd RAJA MUDA INTERNATIONAL REGATTA IN STYLE

Last Thursday, I was invited to join a Tiger party celebrating all things sailing impending of the annual Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta. We were brought to the Royal Selangor Yatch Club in a coach from GAB Brewery for the party.

This is the 2nd time Tiger Beer sponsoring this annual sailing competition. This time around, Tiger also added a Tiger Challenge Trophy. What's special about Tiger Challenge Trophy is that, all IRC yachts regardless of their classes will compete for one distinctive trophy. The Tiger Challenge Trophy will be awarded to the IRC boat and skipper with the best offshore passage race performance, based on the lowest points score. The offshore passage races are run from throughout the Regatta passage; Port Klang to Pangkor, Pangkor to Penang and lastly, Penang to Langkawi, which is the last stop for the Regatta.

Sean Koh 郭进顺 (right), Marketing Manager of Tiger, presenting the Tiger International Challenge Cup to be awarded for the “Best Offshore Passage Race Performance” to Dato Alex Nah (left), Commodore of the Royal Selangor Yacht Club

This is the first time I've been to yatch club. Of course besides food there's also loads of Tiger Beer and Tiger Beer Crystal available to us all. Nothing like a having bottle of Tiger Crystal while the breeze from the sea is slowly blowing on my face.

Also on hand for the second year running is the arresting sight of Captain Shane Granger, owner and master of the Historic Sailing Vessel VEGA, which was docked during the event just off-shore. The magnificent vessel and crew is to transport press and public relations personnel and VEGA will be present during all races. Built in 1892-93, for over 100 years VEGA carried cargos of bricks, building stone, pig iron, and cement through some of the world’s roughest seas. Rugged enough for the North Sea and certified for Arctic trade, VEGA was famous for her strength and ability to carry loads other boats her size could not.

Vega

Best of all, I get to go onboard Vega to have a tour of this 120 year old sailing vessel. The wood finishing is really of high quality. We get to go down into the cabin too. While it's not very big inside, all the things that needed is available like kitchen, bedroom, and washroom.

It's nice to hear the stories told by Captain Shane Granger. About how Vega sailed to an isolated island that don't even have the basic medical kits for maternity. So, Captain Shane will bring back the necessity on the next trip to the isolated island.

Captain Shane telling us his sailing stories.

Of course, the most fun of all is that I get to mingle with my fellow blogger friends.

Jessica that I didn't see for a long time and pretty Samantha K.

Huai Bin finding out more about Vega and the stories.

Marcky

Joshua Law, Spinzer and Botakai were there too but I didn't get to take picture with them. Maybe it's because I was busy taking picture of Samantha wtf.

It was a fun night with friends and booze of course. Too bad we have to depart back to GAB so early because the coach came to fetch us back at about 9.30 p.m. Well, all the best to the 22nd Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta. Smooth sailing all!

Compass.

For more information please visit Tiger Beer Malaysia.

那些年，我們一起追的女孩 You Are The Apple Of My Eye

I watched 那些年，我們一起追的女孩 (You Are The Apple Of My Eye) on Wednesday. I thought it's already screening for a few weeks, then only I knew that the premiere date is on 10th November 2011. The screening I watched is a sneak preview session. The movie is based on the novel by the current popular author 九把刀 Giddens. The book which is actually based on the real life story of the author himself when he was in high school, college and then working life.

The film kind of reminds me of Ice Kacang Puppy Love by Ah Niu. The difference is that it's based on high school and college life in Taiwan and the jokes in the movie is kind of 18SX (like masturbating in the class) hence the rating for Malaysian screening is 18PL. Sorry for those of you that is not 18 and above yet.

The jokes are very original and funny and the way the director (Giddens) placed the camera is very captive. There are some scenes in the nature and street of Taiwan that just too beautiful to describe with words.

The acting of the casts doesn't seems like acting at all because they were so natural. Especially the lead actor and actress. 28 year old 陈妍希 Michelle Chen gave a very good performance of portraying 17 year old 沈佳宜 (the love interest of Giddens when he was in high school). She was nominated for the Best Leading Actress in 第48届金马奖 the 48th Taiwan Golden Horse Awards. Hope she wins, I love her performance in this movie. She's now very popular now after this movie broke Taiwan local blockbuster with a sales of NT$110 million and still going.

New comer 柯震东 Chen-Tung, Ko also did very well in his portrayal of the younger Giddens. He was nominated for Best New Performer in 第48届金马奖 the 48th Taiwan Golden Horse Awards.

Apparently the fans found the picture of the real 沈佳宜 . No wonder Giddens fell in love with her when they were young.

The real 沈佳宜本人.

This movie is funny and touching. There's love, family and most important of all, friendship. It also makes me so absorb into the movie that I laugh and almost cried with the characters. There were also a few scenes the the audiences in the cinema clapped, one very rare thing to see in Malaysian cinema. Nice to know that Giddens was nominated for Best New Director and the movie theme song "那些年" was nominated for Best Original Film Song.

陈妍希成为新的宅男女神 Michelle Chen has now become the newest Otaku Goddess in Taiwan.

This movie is a must watch of fans of Giddens of course. Those that was born in the 70s and 80s. Can understand Mandarin. Even if you can't understand Mandarin, you can read the subtitle. Basically it's a movie that everyone will have a feeling for. So, if you are over 18 year old, then make your way to the cinema and watch it. Under 18, then wait for the DVD to comes out :P

Rating: 10/10

P.S. Remember to stay until the credits end for a secret scene. It's worth the wait.

P.P.S. I nearly teared when I saw "好 在一起". T_T You'll know what I mean when you watch this movie.

P.P.P.S. I will go and watch this movie for a second time, who wants to join me?