Frances Yip 葉麗儀

I was at Chinatown Point this afternoon to catch a glimpse of Frances Yip.
She performed her famous track - Shanghai Beach (上海灘).
I was glad to be able to get an autograph from her.
She has one of the most beautiful voice and I enjoy listening to her english songs.
She will be holding a concert in Singapore Indoor Stadium tomorrow on Valentine's Day night.
Here's wishing Frances Yip to have a successful and wonderful concert night!



Singer : Frances Yip 叶丽仪/葉麗儀
Born : 1947 - Hong Kong
Released Albums : 80 albums (English, Mandarin, Cantonese)



My autographed Frances Yip Poster.



Song Title : If you go away - Frances Yip
YouTube Video Credit : zhanggr

Cherry Shrimps

This is my cherry shrimps tank.
I brought some additonal plants yesterday and re-do the landscaping.
There are approximately about 50-60 cherry shrimps inside.
I would give an estimate count of this little shrimps daily.
To check on them and if the count seems much lesser, something must be wrong with the water conditions, ph level...etc.
I had my entire tank of shrimps "Wipe Out" a few times too.
Sometimes, added new plants into the tank can be fatal too.
Now, whenever I buy new plants, I soaked them into another pail of de-chlorinated water for few hours or overnight, before introducing them into the tank.
Shrimps are also very sensitive to sudden water temp. and PH changes.
They like colder water.
I've tried Blue shrimps, Crystal shrimps, Tiger Shrimps, Green Shrimps, Bee Shrimps...
Sadly, all died!
These shrimps needs a chiller because they require a water temp at about 25°C.
My water temp is about 29-31°C.
So far, only cherry shrimps is able to survive in my environment as I do not have a chiller.





A young cherry shrimp. this cherry shrimp is only 1.5cm in length.

Cherry Shrimp on a moss ball.


Cherry Shrimp Data :
Scientific Name : Neocaridina denticulata Sinensis / Neocaridina Heteropoda
Max. Adult Size : 1.5 inch (4 cm)
Sex : Females slightly larger
Longevity : 1 - 2 years
Food : They may look small, but they do eat alot. Loves algae.
Sensitive : Copper, aquarium medications, ammonia
Water Temp : 25 to 27 degrees celcius
Ph Level : 6.2 to 7.0
Origin : Taiwan
Behaviour : Non-aggressive, very social
Housing : Strive better in planted tank. Not suitable to be kept with other fishes.
Breeding :
When the female is ready to lay the eggs, she will releases pheromones into the water to signal the male shrimp. The male shrimp will start to become agitated, swimming actively to search for the source of the pheromones. After mating, the female lays her eggs and affixes them to her swimmerettes.
Eggs can be seen developing in the female's overies.
Young hatches are very tiny, about 1mm in size. They usually spent your first few days hiding among plants and moss.



Feeding on sinking tablet food.
Feeding time is also good for doing a the shrimps count.


Shrimps are great acrobatics, very flexible body!




I've been keeping shrimps for about 2 years now and still enjoy looking at them.
They always seem busy. Leaping here and jumping there.
Looking for food and scraping for alage.
Rather active little ones.
I've noticed that they seemed to enjoy playing near the outlet of the water pump.
They'll swim near the water outlet and go with the flow of the water.
Let the flow bring them to another part of the tank and then they would swim back to the pump outlet, again..
This will go on and on for a few times, till they grew tired of it.
Cherry shrimps are more tolerance and hardy as compared to other shrimps.
It's also a joy when the shrimps breed and gave births.
The baby are so tiny and transparent, it's fun when I managed to spot them after almost sticking my face on the aquarium glass.
If anyone is interested in starting a shrimp keeping hobby, I would recommend to start with cherry shrimps.
They are very interesting and will keep you amused everytime you look at them.

A visit to the dentist

2 days ago, monday, I went to the dentist to have my toothache examine.
It was my upper left wisdom tooth.
There are good news and bad news.
Bad news is that my tooth is beyond repair...
Fillings can't be done as only less than half of the tooth is left.
Good news is that I don't have to pluck it immediately, which means I still have a choice...
But ultimately, it needs an extraction.
So, I said "Ok...do it today!"
Sounds brave huh?
But in the next one minute, when I was lying on the dental chair.
My hands started shaking.
It was embrassing, so I folded my arms.
But the experienced dentist noticed and asked if I was scared.
I replied "a little"...which I lied. I was very scared!
Never did I ever felt this way before.
I was never afraid of visiting dental and I had had my teeth extracted before.
Often visit the dentist for regular washing and fillings too.
But maybe, this time was different as it's my wisdom tooth.
Heard many awful stories about people extracting wisdom tooth.
To think that I've had 4 wisdom tooth, this fall into the list one of my biggest fears - Extracting Wisdom Tooth.
I was like worried for about 15 years and the day arrived!

After 2 injection and about 15 minutes later, my gums started to feel numb.
My dentist came into the room.
By now, I've become more calm and my hands aren't shaking already.
He started pulling my tooth...
Arrggguuuugghhh... it was very painful.
So I raised my hand and stopped the dentist.
100 times worse pain than my toothache.
At the moment, I really regret the extraction.
I could well live with my toothache, I thought.
Then the dentist gave me another injection.
He said he was only shaking the teeth earlier.
I just nodded.
Inside, I was thinking, Shaking only... already so pain.
I'll probably faint from the extraction then!
About 2 minutes later, he started to extract my wisdom tooth.
My heart started to beat faster...
But this time, it's was ok.
The pain was bearable and before I knew it, my wisdom tooth was out.
He said, "Ok, can rinse your mouth."
Those were like magical words.
Finally it's OVER!
A visit to the dentist wasn't what I imagined to be so terrifying after all.
To think I was only in the dental room for less than half an hour but had fear it for 15 years.
As compared, my mind fear is more toturing.

Happy Lunar New Year

Wishing all a Happy Lunar New Year 2009.
This year is the year of the OX.
I was at Chinatown just now and done up a post on my another blog.
Please click here if you'll like to visit.!

Lunar New Year Chinatown 2009

I was at Chinatown a few hours ago.
Last minute decision, so I didn't bring my camera.
The pictures you see here were taken using my handphone camera.
Went there to see if there's anything for this year lunar new year and also have my favourite chicken rice for dinner.
I find that this year, there are lesser stalls and so are the people.
Probably due to this bad economy downturn.
But it is still a nice place to visit during the lunar new year.
I noticed that the vendors this year like to say :
"Free sample, come try... don't walk so fast, come try..."
The "don't walk so fast" sentence got my attention!
Then I started to notice, business seems quite a challenge this year.
Most people are just walking, looking around..empty handed.
Not much purchasing this year, I guessed.
Tomorrow it will be the last day, on the eve of lunar new year.
There will be a TV live celebration there with countdown to the coming year.
Afterwhich, more people are expected to go there after midnight.
Stall vendors would try to sell off everything, then packed up, and clear out by early morning.

Lots of stalls are now selling Taiwan products like mochi, candies, soft jelly...etc.
As compared to last year, this year's price is probably about 20%-40% cheaper.






Typical look of Chinese new year decorating stalls.


Chinese calligraphy writtings.
You can request this man to write auspicious chinese characters words at different prices.
Many believe that sticking this red paper on the house doors, walls...etc is auspicious during the new year.


I would like to wish you all who are visiting my blog a very HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!
May all be in good health and have a smooth ride in the OX year 2009!
Gong Xi Fa Cai! 恭喜发财

Trexi We All Speak Football

Trexi Coca Cola We All Speak Football 2006 series
Released Date : May 2006
These Trexi does not have a name. Only the designer name is listed.
Each also comes with a removable Coca Cola bottle like the Better Tomorrow Trexi series.
This series does not come in a blind box.
What you see on the box art is what you get inside.
Each has a specific indivdual designed box.

Designer : Danny Chan, Winson Ma, Touma


Touma Trexi is quite special.
The box has a detachable paper cap which can be fix to the Trexi.


Designer : Jim Koch, Mori Chack, Darren Gan



Designers : Eleven 18, Huck Gee, Kei Sawada



Designers : Jeremyville, Rolito, Ultraman

This Ultraman design Trexi has a very nice backpack.
It's of my favourites Trexi in this series.


Designers : Huang Tzu Chiao, Furi Furi



Designers : Yonia Airene, Devilrobots, Sam Fout



Designers : LAB., Tim Tsui, Koa



Designers : DGPH, Erwin Weber, Tracy Tubera



Designers : Jon Burgerman, MCA



Checklist of Coca Cola - We all speak Football 2006
Total : 25
Danny Chan / HongKong
Darren Gan / Singapore
Devil Robots / Japan
DGPH / Argentina
Eleven 18 / Malaysia
Erwin Weber / Netherlands
Furi Furi / Japan
Huang Tzu Chiao / Taiwan
Huck Gee / USA
Jeremyville / Australia
Jim Koch / USA
Jon Burgeraaah / UK
Kei Sawada / Japan
KOA / France
LAB. / Singapore
MCA / USA
Mori Chack / Japan
Rolito / France
Sam Fout / USA
Tim Tsui / Hong Kong
Touma / Japan
Tracy Tubera / USA
Ultraman / Hong Kong
Winson Ma / Hong Kong
Yonia Airene / Singapore

For other Trexi in Series, Designers Series and Coca Cola Better Tomorrow Trexi, please click on my blog sidebar link under Vinyl Toys.
If anyone has blogs or infos about Trexi, please feel free to drop in a comment and give me the link. Thanks!

Trexi Designers

Updated Post on 11 February 2009

These Trexi has their own unique packaging and what you see is what you get.
Most of the Trexi here does not come in blind assortment unless otherwise stated.

Master Q 45th Anniversary Trexi Boxset
Released Date : June 2008
Designer : Old Master Q
Left to Right : Mr Qin, Big Potato, Lao Fu Zi, Chin and Miss Chen


Lao Fu Zi comics was the very first comics I read when I was a kid.
I still enjoy reading them now.



Andox Trexi
Released Date : July 2007
Designer : Andy Lau (Concept), Danny Chan, Ultraman / Hong Kong
Size : 1.5" Trexi
There is also a 10" Trexi Andox version.




Butt Bear Trexi
Released Date : January 2006
Designer : Darren Gan
These butt bears are quite cute.
They actually comes with a little writting card that hangs out like a keychain, it's removable.
Each Butt Bear Trexi has a different wordings at the head.
Butt Bear Pink - I... LOVE... YOU.
Butt Bear Blue - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Butt Bear Red - I LOVE YOU TOO!
Butt Bear Yellow - THINKING OF YOU...



Boner Xmas Freeze
Released Date : December 2005
Designer : Darren Gan / Singapore
Limited to 1,000 pcs
This is my favourite among all Darren Gan designed Trexi.



Mickey Huang Trexi
Released Date : September 2006
Designer : Mickey Huang Tzu Chiao 黃子佼 / Taiwan



Motug White
Released Date : July 2005
Designer : Motug, NYC Lase / USA
A San Diego Comic-Con 2005 Exclusive (SDCC 2005)
Motug = Monsters of the UndaGround.
This Trexi comes in a "blind pack".
There are 2 version, one white and one black.
Black one is more rare, diffcult to get.



Grandpa and Grandma - Brothersfree Boxset
Released Date : September 2005
Designer : Brothersfree - Kenny Wong / Hong Kong
Special limited edition of 999.



Chinese New Year Trexi and Chinese New Year Gold Trexi
Released Date : 2006
Designer : Darren Gan / Singapore



Valentine's Day Trexi
Released Date : February 2006
Designer : Darren Gan / Singapore
Valentine's Day Purple Cupid, Valentine's Day Blue, Valentine's Day Pink and Valentine's Day Red Cupid
For the Purple and Red Cupid Valentine's Trexi ONLY. The box packaging is the "SAME".
So is either one of the 2 colour you get in a blind box.



Touma Knuckle Bear (Waver)
Released Date : September 2006
Designer : Touma / Japan



Touma - We all speak football
Released Date : May 2006
Designer : Touma / Japan
Size : 10"


10" and 3" Touma Trexi
The 3" Trexi is able to fit into the inner head compartment of a 10" Trexi.

3" Touma Trexi



Post Additions on 11 February 2009 :
TRIUMVIR V-3 Sour Punch
Released Date : September 2006
Designer : Vaness Wu 吴建豪 / Taiwan



ODM Tim Yap
Released Date : July 2006
Designer : (For ODM)



ODM Scribbles
Released Date : October 2006
Designer : (For ODM)



Cold Day in Hell
Released Date : March 2006
Designer : Joe Ledbetter / USA
This is another of my favourite Trexi from Joe Ledbetter.
I find his designs very COOL!