Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas 2008



Greetings Everybody!
Have an enjoyable holiday.
Cheers!

Merry Christmas 2008



Here's wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Hope that you all will have a very enjoyable holiday in this season.
Be all in good health and a Happy New Year ahead.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those reading my blog and gave me many great comments through these years.
Cheers!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

My Dong Zhi Dumplings



A few more minutes... it'll be Dong Zhi festival or Winter Solstice Festival (冬至), 21 December 2008.
To chinese people, when "Dong Zhi" arrive, it means you are one year older.
Dong Zhi is also a time for family to get together, something like a new year, a new beginnings.
Generally, people likes to cook this round glutinuous rice dumpling in this season because it symbolized "Reunion".
This dumplings is called Tang Yuan (湯圓).
I've like this Tang Yuan very much since young.
Maybe because I have a sweet tooth.
When I was small, I would always be the first to volunteer to help roll the dumplings.
But as I grow older (plus lazier), I've not been rolling dumplings for ten over years...
I prefer the traditional type of Tang Yuan, just plain rice dumpling in sweet soup.
Others might prefer to have peanuts, yam or sesame stuffing inside the dumpling.
The above photo is the Tang Yuan I've just cooked a while ago.
My friend's mum helped brought the readmix dough from a market for me.
Half is pink and the other dough is white in colour.
Added a few drops of water to the dough and started to roll them into little balls.
Also added some pandan leaves and brown sugar to the soup.
Cooked the soup for about 5 minutes.
Then slowly, I added the dumplings into the soup one after another...
About 10 minutes, when the dumplings floats, all is ready!
It's my first attempt at cooking it...hehe...
Happy!Happy!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Star Wars Twin Figures Pack

Updated Post on 10 December 2009

Star Wars action figures Twin Pack Collection and Twin action figures with comic books.
For Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menance Action Figures Twin Pack, please click here.

Princess Leia and R2D2
Theme : Princess Leia Collection
Make : Kenner
Year : 1997




Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker
Theme : Princess Leia Collection
Make : Kenner
Year : 1997




Princess Leia and Han Solo
Theme : Princess Leia Collection
Make : Kenner
Year : 1997




Obi Wan and Battle Droid
Them : Revenge of the Sith
Make : Hasbro
Year : 2005



Han Solo and R-3PO
Theme : Droid Factory, No. 3 of 6
Year : 2008
Need to collect all six boxes to complete a C-3PX.
Comes with a C-3PX Leg





Watto and R2-T0
Theme : Droid Factory, No. 5 of 6
Year : 2008
Need to collect all six boxes to complete a C-3PX.
Comes with a C-3PX head part.





Star Wars Action Figures - Twin Figures w/ Comics Books :

Boba Fett and IG-88
Theme : Shadows of the Empire
Make : Kenner
Year : 1996




Darth Vader and Rebel Officer
Theme : Comic Pack No. 1 w/ comic #1
Make ; Hasbro
Year : 2006





Luke Skywalker and R2D2
Theme : Comic Pack No. 6 w/ comic #4
Make ; Hasbro
Year : 2006




Clone Commando and Super Battle Droid
Theme : Comic Pack No. 16 w/ comic #22
Make ; Hasbro
Year : 2006




Post Additions on 10 December 2009 :

Princess Leia and Tobbi Data
Theme : Comic Pack No. 07 w/ comic #69
Make ; Hasbro
Year : 2008




Baron Ffl and Hobbie Klivian
Theme : Comic Pack No. 12 w/ comic #24 (X-Wing Rogue Squadron)
Make ; Hasbro
Year : 2007


Friday, December 12, 2008

World of Bakugan

Updated Post on 14 December 2008, 16 December 2008, 24 December 2008, 26 December 2008,14 May 2009, 16 May 2009, 13 August 2009, 14 December 2009



BAKUGAN Battle Brawlers
I was rather interested in these tiny little balls that'll pop up on a magnetic card.
Last month, when I was shopping at BHG at Bugis, I saw some kids playing in the departmental toy store.
There was a promotor there to explain to the kids or their parents about the gameplay.
So, out of curiosity, I went over to play...
I asked about the rules and how the points were calculated.
I'm still quite lost about the rules, even now... hehe...
Anyway, what caught my attention was the Bakugan that pops out when it lands on a card.
I was standing behind some kids crowding around the Bakugan battle arena board and one kid passed me a Bakugan.
I threw it...it went passed the card and failed to open up.
The kids giggles...
I tried again... oops, it went curve and again it didn't land on the card...
The kids giggles...
So the 3rd try, I gently, slowly, carefully roll the ball... tadaa...the Bakugan landed and opened up!
Wow, the kids smiled. They are so adorable!
I entered a World of Bakugans!

Generally, a very brief way of describing the game of Bakugan is that when 2 different players Bakugan lands on the same Gate card, the Battle begins.
Turn the card over and check the attribute (Dark-On, Aqua, Nova...etc) is the same as your Bakugan.
Add/deduct the point on the card to your Bakugan power.
The highest score player takes the card and Bakugan.
It's a good idea to label your name on your card, so that you can have the right card back after the game is over. To avoid any possible conflict!
Of course, there are much more rules about Bakugan Battle Brawlers game to make it much more interesting, like using the special, abilities cards...etc.
That, I will not go into details...(because... I also don't know! hehe....)

For example (see above photo):
A Nova Garrison (Red) 300G and a Aqua Shredder (Blue) 300 G,
both lands on the same Gate card.
In this instance,
A Nova Garrison gets to add +150 to 300G = 450G
A Aqua Shredder gets to add +10 to 300G = 310G
So the winner is Nova Garrison.

Attribute of Bakugan
There are six different attribute of Bakugan :
Luminoz - Grey
Dark On - Black
Nova - Red
Aqua - Blue
Subterra - Brown
Zephyros - Green

Card Types of Bakugan :
There are Normal Card, Command Card, Character Card, Ability Card and Special Card.

My Bakugan Collection :
There are many different types of Bakugan packaging in Singapore and it's quite confusing when I first started.
Different packaging also has different numbers of Gate cards.
Also, one important thing to take note is that there are 2 version.
One is by a local importer - Passion, which is a English verison.
Another one is the Korean verison.
Only the Bakugan brought from authorised dealers from Passion can participate in the Bakugan competitions.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers Carrier Case
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master

So far, I've noticed 3 different packaging for Bakugan Carrier Case in Singapore.
1) Empty Carrier Case - S$9.90
2) Carrier Case and 3 Bakugan - S$24.90
3) Carrier Case and 6 Bakugan - S$39.90 (Toys R Us)
For me, I brought the empty carrier case.
Would prefer to buy Bakugans with magnetic cards.

Note that this carrier case cannot fit the newer bigger sized Bakugan.
Case is able to hold 18 Bakugan and a few gate cards.
See the Aqua Bakugan in the below photo.
It's a slightly bigger sized Bakugan, so it cannot fit into this carrier case.


A Bakugan passport card given free with purchase of Bakugan.
Collect a total of 8 points to join in competition.
A Bakugan VCD (Learn to play) is given free at OG departmental stores for purchase of S$20.00. I'm not sure if this promotion is still valid now as I got this last week.


Mini Poster of Bakugan

Bakugan Battle Brawlers (Info as listed in the poster above)
Each bakugan has a different power level!

METEOR DRAGONID
Power : Jump : 1, Defense : 5, Spin : 5, Curve : 2, Straight : 3
DUAL HYDRA
Power : Jump : 1, Defense : 5, Spin : 2, Curve : 1, Straight : 5
TIGRESS
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 3, Spin : 3, Curve : 3, Straight : 5
PREDATOR
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 3, Spin : 4, Curve : 2, Straight : 3
GOLEM
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 5, Spin : 4, Curve : 3, Straight : 3
PHOENIX
Power : Jump : 5, Defense : 3, Spin : 2, Curve : 2, Straight : 4
DRAGONID
Power : Jump : 4, Defense : 2, Spin : 2, Curve : 1, Straight : 4
GARRISON
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 2, Spin : 5, Curve : 2, Straight : 4
SHREDDER
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 3, Spin : 4, Curve : 3, Straight : 3
LUCIFER
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 4, Spin : 1, Curve : 5, Straight : 2
SAURUS
Power : Jump : 1, Defense : 4, Spin : 3, Curve : 3, Straight : 4
JUGGERNAUTE
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 4, Spin : 3, Curve : 2, Straight : 3
RAPTOR
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 3, Spin : 4, Curve : 2, Straight : 4
SERPENT
Power : Jump : 4, Defense : 3, Spin : 2, Curve : 2, Straight : 4
SCORPION
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 5, Spin : 2, Curve : 2, Straight : 3
GRIFFON
Power : Jump : 4, Defense : 2, Spin : 2, Curve : 1, Straight : 4
CENTIPEDE
Power : Jump : 1, Defense : 5, Spin : 1, Curve : 2, Straight : 4
LASERMAN
Power : Jump : 2, Defense : 3, Spin : 1, Curve : 4, Straight : 4

DEKA BAKUGAN :
I call this the Giant Bakugan.
They look very nice on display.
These very big Bakugan is also able to pop open on the magnetic card.
Which makes it really COOL.

Deka Bakugan - Aqua Shredder
Card Type : NIL
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Here is the verison 1.0 Bakugan, a bigger bakugan and a Deka Bakugan.
(Small, Big and Giant)



Deka Bakugan - A Dark On Juggernaut
Card Type : NIL
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Deka Bakugan - A Subterra Dragonoid
(Post Addition on 14 December 2008)
Card Type : NIL
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
A Dragonoid is my favourite Bakugan!
Having finally managed to get hold of this Deka Dragonoid today, I am very happy!
But one thing I am wondering is why Subterra attribute DEKA is Orange in colour but Brown colour in the normal Bakugan!



Deka Bakugan - A Dark On Saurus
(Post Addition on 24 December 2008)
Card Type : NIL
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Deka Bakugan - Aqua Dragonoid
(Post Addition on 24 December 2008)
Card Type : NIL
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Bakugan :
Meteor Dragonoid
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
This is the first Bakugan I've brought.
A korean packaging Bakugan.
The magnetic card is written in Korean.
For me, I would prefer to get the English verison, so I can read what's written on the card.
But you don't mind the card, there are still many COOL indivdual Bakugans to be found in the stores.

Dark On Meteor Dragonoid Bakugan


Aqua Starter Pack
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
This newer version of Bakugan is slightly bigger than the version 1.0 Bakugan.
These Bakugan cannot fit into the Bakugan carry case.
This sets consists of 3 Bakugans and 6 cards (3 magnetic and 3 ability card-without magnetic).
It's a little killjoy that the 3 abilty cards is just a normal card.

Aqua ... Bakugan (Name unknown)

Aqua ... Bakugan (Name Unknown)

Aqua Laserman Bakugan


DAN Nova Bakugan Set
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
3 Bakugan and 5 magnetic cards

Nova Serpent Bakugan

Nova Dragonoid Bakugan

Nova Saurus Bakugan


Aqua Predator
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
Includes 1 magnetic gate card.



Dark On Dual Hydra Bukagan
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
Includes 1 magnetic gate card.



Bakugan Nova vs Aqua Set Version 1.0
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
This box has 3 Nova and 3 Aqua Bakugan.
Total of 18 Magnetic Card (1 Special foil card, 6 Normal Card, 6 Character Card and 5 Command Card).
Also has a Bakugan shoot point sticker and a mini poster.

Nova Shredder Bakugan

Nova Lucifer Bakugan

Nova Garrison Bakugan


Aqua Shredder Bakugan

Aqua Lucifer Bakugan

Aqua Garrison Bakugan


Post Addition on 14 December 2008 :
Luminoz Tigress Bakugan
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
Includes 1 magnetic gate card.

I got a funny Bakugan card.
All attributes has...ZERO power!
Wonder is it of any use in the battle?
Under what circumstances can this card be used???



RUNO Luminoz Bakugan Set
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
3 Bakugan and 5 magnetic cards

Luminoz Juggernaut Bakugan

Luminoz Saurus Bakugan

Luminoz Griffon Bakugan


Post Additions on 16 December 2008 :
I've re-arranged this post.
Also added card type, make and year to the list.
The year of manufacturing is not shown on the packaging but if I'm not wrong, these Bakugan were released just a couple of months ago.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers Arena
Card Type : NIL
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008

I like this battle board.
Makes playing easier instead of having the bakugans roll all over the place!



Meteor Dragonoid
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008

Aqua Meteor Dragonoid


Meteor Dragonoid
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008

Nova Meteor Dragonoid


JULIE Subterra Bakugan Set
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
3 Bakugan and 5 magnetic cards

Subterra Centipde Bakugan

Subterra Scorpion Bakugan

Subterra Laserman Bakugan


Post Additions on 24 December 2008 :
It seems hard to get different types of Bakugan.
Most of the indivdual ones that I want were sold out!
Maybe it's because of Christmas and holidays too...
Anyway I was glad to find the Bakugan below and has thus completed 18 different types of Bakugan collection.
There are also some more new version and slightly bigger Bakugan.
That I didn't complete as I've only the Aqua type starter pack.

Subterra Phoenix
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
Hee Hee... I actually mix up this Phoenix with Dragonoid.
I had wanted to get a Subteraa Dragonoid.
How blur! But it's ok because I quite like this little one!
The brown colour is slightly darker than the Julie's Subterra Bakugans.
I find it much nicer.



Luminoz Dragonoid
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Zephyros Dragonoid
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Nova Golem
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Shun Zephyros Bakugan Set
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008
3 Bakugan and 5 magnetic cards

Zephyros Lucifer

Zephyros Raptor

Zephyros Phoenix


Post Additions on 26 December 2008 :
Subterra Dragonoid
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Dark On Dragonoid
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Aqua Dragonoid
Card Type : Korean
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2008



Post Additions 14 May 2009:
Bakugan Metal Box
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Year : 2009
I've always like metal boxes like these since I was a kid.
Especially those metal lunch boxes... I would often carry one of those in my early school days.
Aha...thoese were the fun days...lol!
Enough of my dreaming... back to this item!
This Bakugan metal box is very nice looking, with Dan and his friends.
It can be open on both sides.
Each side can hold 9 bakugan and some cards.
Hold the bigger size bakugan (not the Deka).
But one thing to note is that sometimes the bakugan would stick on the metal and opened up inside the box!



Deka Nova Dragonoid
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
This Deka Bakugan comes with a card but it does not have a small stand like the previous versions.
I'm very glad to have finally found this Nova Dragonoid after about 5 months of search.



Post Additions on 16 May 2009
Deka Zephyros Dragonoid
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
It's good to see many Deku Bakugan coming to stores in Singapore.
But I've not yet spotted any Dark-On Deka Dragonoid or Luminoz Deka Dragonoid.
I wonder if there's any?



Post Additions on 13 August 2009 :
Bakugan has released it's Season 2 series named "VESTORIA".
So far, I've only spotted three different types in Singapore.
They are "Bakugan Special Attack", "Bakugan Trap" and "Bakugan Booster Pack Extension Plus".
This time, the bakugan has got more interesting and it's no longer only in a round marble lookalike form.
Especially the Bakugan trap that has taken many different forms and it looks rather nice.

Here the three different types of typical back carded.




Bakugan Wallet
Got this as a free gift at Toys R Us for purchasing of Bakugan.


Bakugan Season 2 - Vestoria
Year : 2009
Card Type : English
Make : Sega Toys / Spin Master
Card : 1 Ability & 1 Metal Gate Card

Bakugan Booster Pack Extension Plus
Neo - Dragonoid



Bakugan Booster Pack Extension Plus
Neo - Percival



Booster Pack Extension Plus -
Dark On Wilda



Bakugan Booster Pack Extension Plus
Aqua Comic Ingram



Bakugan Booster Pack Extension Plus
Neo - Pyro Dragonoid



Bakugan Booster Pack Extension Plus
Neo - Brontes



Bakugan Special Attack
Aqua Preyas II



Bakugan Special Attack
Nova Spin Dragonoid



Bakugan Trap
Aqua Baliton




Bakugan Trap
Dark On Metalfencer




Bakugan Trap
Luminoz Carlsnaut
This is one of my favourite in the Bakugan Series 2 release.
Very well designed!




Bakugan Trap
Nova Zoack




Bakugan Trap
Dark On Tripod Epsilon




Post Additions on 14 December 2009 :

BAKUGAN SEASON 3
This new series has a lot of very new variety and special colours attribution.
I brought it at OG on last Saturday and was told by the sale person that it has just arrive on that day!
There's also a promotion going on now, buy a starter set and get a Bakugan tin box free.
So far, I've seen OG and Takashimaya stores promoting on this.
One thing I really hope is that the Bakugans can have names on the packaging.
Since they can come up with such fanstastic designs on new Bakugans, surely can have names for it.
It will be easier for collectors when it comes to collecting too.

Baku Crystal - Starter Set
Year : 2009


Saw this item too but didn't buy.
The Bakugans can be combined to form a large Dragonoid!


Not sure if I even placed this one correctly...confusing!


This is a nice one!




Bakugan Frost - Starter Set
Year : 2009