The Ultimate Review

Hey Everyone,

No we aren't talking large japanese fish, we're talking about probably the most popular bubble tea stores in Singapore. I still remember when the bubble tea fad hit Singapore shores. I was in my early teens and massive queus crowded the little stores and the wait was at least fifteen minutes long. Back then, sugary drinks like those were dreamy treats and I could never order one by myself without my mother scolding me for drinking unhealthily.

Then, all of a sudden, the fad dissapeared. People blamed bubble tea drinks for the weight gain and the drinks were viewed as junk food. Only in the last 2 years or so did the bubble tea fad start trickling in again, testing the waters and making room for popular stores like KOI and Gong Cha from Taiwan leaving more local stores like SweetTalk in the dust.

Personally, I've never tried Gong Cha despite it's popularity. Just like KOI, Gongcha always has a line but both offer different styles I reckon. Like I've said before, "It's a fake KOI, if it doesn't have a line." GongCha looks more Chinese, while KOI offers a cooler, more modern feel but both are said to be just as addicting.

 Lady Chef (www.ladyironchef.com) says:

 "To be honest, I couldn’t really taste the difference between Gong Cha and KOI. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but Gong Cha’s black pearls seem to be slightly smaller than KOI bubble tea’s. But if it comes down to the best bubble tea in Singapore, I’d probably choose KOI cafe over Gong Cha Bubble tea."

And that's true. I've given KOI's bubble tea a try and I have to say that it's good. I had the ice-cream milk tea and I think I understand that the addiction comes from the drink's sweetness. It's that particular sweetness to the tea that makes you smile. It also leaves a light and fresh sweet air in your mouth after you've swallowed everything. It's like the refreshing breath of something that mint leaves in your mouth after you gargle. Others have said that it might be some addicting substance added to the teas because they don't particular feel like they're going to get addicted but all of a sudden one fine afternoon, an idea that says "I want KOI" pops into their head. An idea that allows them to wait at least fifteen minutes standing in line for KOI's bubble tea.

 I reckon it's also the pearls. The pearls are much smaller than the pearls provided by local bubble tea stores like Sweet Talk. They're small, perfectly chewy and leave a slight sweet after-taste. Personally, I don't like the size of these pearls, I'd rather have something to bite than nibble into. Both stores allow you to choose the sweet level, eliminating fears even by the weight concious.

More quotes from KOI and GongCha lovers:

"I like my tea to be bitter without any sugar masking the real fragrance of the tea leaves so what I like most about both stores is that I can choose the level of sweetness for my tea (0%, 30%, 50% and so on)." http://www.myfoodsirens.wordpress.com

"I have tried Gong Cha's Alisan Tea and I do like the balanced salty and sweet flavours. However, the frothy milk cream added to the Oolong Tea
overpowered the fragrant tea... at the end of the day, I feel as though I'm simply drinking milk.  Koi's tapioca pearls are def more springy, chewy and flavourful. Plus there is a good balance between the milk and tea.  So Koi's OL wins hands down for me." - http://eatshopbemerry.livejournal.com

From some of you on Twitter when I asked "Is Gongcha the new KOI?":

@gerrinic: "actually I tried gongcha 1st and they're quite different :p gongcha has more herbal concoctions while koi is more milktea"

@junyingg: "NO! Gongcha is Koi's competitior. Personally I think Gongcha will fall. They are sprouting up, too many, too quickly."

Apparently for GongCha's most famous milk tea - there's a frothy layer milk that's actually cream. So first you take a sip of the cream, insert your straw and sip the tea and then you mix both. Perhaps it's the creativity of drinking this stuff that has made it so popular again, or the fact that you can finally choose how sweet your drink should be. Either way, I guess you have to try it youself to know for sure.

Peace,

Roseanne

Hey Everyone!

I visited Universal Studios not too long ago with a friend. I've been to many theme parks - that being 3 Disneylands - Hong Kong, LA and Tokyo and I have also been to Disneyworld in Orlando. I've also been to the other Universal Studios in LA at least 3 times as well. So, I may not be able to call myself a themepark goddess because I've only stuck to my favourites being Disneyland and Universal Studios but I think I know what makes a park stellar.

I remember my favourite game was Theme Park World. You'd have to unlock theme park world by collecting golden tickets and you would build rides and manage well, a theme park. It was an absolutley amazing game. I would say a good theme park would be able to transport you into a different world, is large enough and is thematic enough to do that and has a variety of rides to suit your needs. Thus, here's my review of Universal Studios Singapore.

Ambience and Park Size

Alright, I know. Comparing it to Universal Studios in LA wouldn't be fair. LA has tons more space. It was significantly smaller but I felt like the size was alright. It wasn't suffocatingly small and it was large enough to make myself believe that I was in another world which I think is most important. The music into the themepark was set right. One thing I didn't like about the park was that it had a large amount of area that was just photo stock meaning that it had a lot of useless landscape (mainly being Gotham) that really could have been converted into a ride. I love taking pictures but I don't have to have a whole area with closed fake doors and windows. But c'mon, what about the rides?

Here's a review of each of the rides at Universal Studios Singapore with the exception of a few rides as most were closed that day. Here's a question for you - why charge the same price when a quarter of the rides are closed? Universal Studios should have only opened the park when all rides were completed.

1. Hollywood

Anyway when you first enter the park, you'll be greeted by "Hollywood". You'll get to visit the stores and take pictures with Betty Boop or even Kung Fu Panda. It's a great picture taking opportunity. There's a show there called the Hollywood Theater but I'm more rides than shows so my friend and I gave that a miss.

2. Madagascar

I absolutely loved this section as I was transported into one of my all time favourite movies - Madagascar. The music was amazing and I really did feel like I was there with the characters from the show. There are two rides available in Madagascar - King Julien's Beach Party Go Round and "Premeiring in Madagascar". The latter wasn't open but apparently it's a river boat ride still in the making.

King Julien's Beach Party Go Round

This is the theme park's merry-go-round. I mean, I'm 20 years old, how much fun can I get from a Merry-Go-Round? Probably not much but still it was the first ride of the day and my excitement from visiting Universal Studios was still at an all time high. When you're happy, anything you go on becomes that much better.  I mean it's a merry-go-round, you get on an animal and  you sit there and have a good time, not much to say here.

2. Far Far Away

This is Shrek Town. Loved the ambience, music and the whole sha-bang. It was absolutely lovely being with Shrek in his hood. The buildings and makeup were great and the music was just like you were there. There were fantastic rides here as well.

Shrek 4-D Adventure™

This was probably the star of the show. 4D means that not only is the show 3D, you'll feel the wind, have your seats shake as if you are part of the film. You enter the hall where pinnocchio is stuck in a cage and you need to help them escape. With robots and animation, it really brings the characters alive. Once the introduction is done, you'll collect 3D glasses and be transported into the viewing hall with seats. These seats move and according to what the film is showing, say like a breath of wind, you will feel that wind. It was so funny because I remember one part, we were riding on a carriage and while we were riding, the seats shook up and down as if we were riding in real life. I couldn't stop laughing haha! I was laughing like a little baby being rocked by my mom or something, I thought my friend was laughing at the film but she was actually laughing at me! Brilliant Ride!

Enchanted Airways™
Premiering in Singapore

Enchanted Airways is the mini rollercoaster in Shrek. It's super fast and you're supposed to feel like you're riding on a dragon. I felt really sick after this ride actually. It was a mediocre ride, lots of sharp turns and drops but no loops which I'm actually totally fine with. If there was a loop, I would have probably thrown up. Not for the faint hearted for sure.

picture thanks to Aaron's Blog (I was too sick to take pictures)

Magic Potion Spin™
Premiering in Singapore

Magic Potion Spin™ is actually kind of hidden from most of the rides. It's in the Shrek Shop at the very back. You'll see a ferris wheel and at first I thought it was pure decoration but learned later that it was actually a mini ferris wheel. This ride wasn't too slow but it took way too long. By the end of the ferris wheel, were were wishing to get out of that thing. It kind of felt comical because we were stuck in such a small space for such a long time that we spent most of it laughing that we shouldn't have gone on in the first place. No wonder all the kids look like they're caged up in there! Because of the laughs, it was a great ride.

Donkey Live™
Premiering in Singapore

Donkey Live™ I didn't take because I didn't see it. But the description is as follows: Sing along with Shrek’s sidekick Donkey as he hosts this interactive ‘live’ show. Man, I would have loved to see Donkey, ask him a few questions myself.

3. Ancient Egypt

Visiting Ancient Egypt felt like I was being sent back to Egypt. Well, not like I'm from there. I love how in themeparks, you cross a certain area into another and bam shabang, it's like you're in another world again. Loves it! This was a great area to take pictures with half naked egyptian soldiers. Heh, blush. My all time favourite ride was right here.

Revenge of the Mummy™

First off, I love this ride. Secondly, I rode it more than once and I totally would have taken it for a spin another five times if I could. After leaving your bags in a locker that will be situated near the entrace of the ride, you go in this really nice maze of egyptian things, like you're going deep into an Egyptian tomb. It's a spectacular ride and you can already tell while you're queing. The ride is very much like the Pirates of the Carribean ride at Disneyland. You sit in a cart and it's like an indoor rollercoaster as you turn here and turn there and then go backward, it's all very exciting, scarry and thrilling and dark. It's the best ride ever! While you're scared out of your pants, they'll take a picture of you. Great..

Treasure Hunters™
Premiering in Singapore

Treasure Hunters™ - Unless you are five, don't waste your time. A very slow ride and the only thing that will entertain you is the five year old kid in the drivers seat. Kid, you're not actually driving the car, I'm sorry to burst your bubble.

picture credits to thegroovini

4. The Lost World

It's time for Jurassic Park. Yes, again, very much like Jurassic Park. I wasn't pleased with the rides here so much though.

WaterWorld™

Witness death-defying stunts, awesome explosions and thrills at this sensational ‘live’ water show.

Yes, Water World is a show. It was action packed, fire, jet skis, explosions. I'm not very much of an action person so I mean you know. But, I'm sure a guy would like it and I'd imagine kids would be quite amazed. They so easily are. They have fiesty characters. One of them said to me, Look at all your makeup, and splashed water on me..that son of a b*** haha. Kidding, I'm not that mean. It was fine since I had a plastic poncho to save the day. It was good but my preference isn't action so I can't be one to judge.

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure™
Premiering in Singapore

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure™ - You sit on a round vessle and you are tossed and turned and churned. You will get wet. It's just like white water rafting, it's quite violent actually. I was soaked, no joke..and I hit my legs a few times. Ouch.

Canopy Flyer™
Premiering in Singapore

Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN (Reopening 21st Feb 2011)
Battlestar Galactica: CYLON (Reopening 21st Feb 2011)
Premiering in Singapore

Themed after the hit television show Battlestar Galactica™, the world’s tallest pair of dueling roller coasters will propel thrill-seekers on several inversions, a zero-g roll, a cobra roll, corkscrews, vertical loops and near collisions mere centimeters apart.

Accelerator™
Premiering in Singapore

Test your intergalactica stamina on this whirling twirling attraction.

6. New York

Here's most of the wasted space. You can explore New York, but there's just photo ops and no rides. There is one ride, or rather a show called:

Lights, Camera, Action™: Hosted By Steven Spielberg

It shows you how producers and film makers do light, sound and camera effects. In LA, this one is much better, they sit you down in a cart and drive you around the different studios and areas where they filmed movies like The Hulk. No such thing here. We were dissapointed and left early.

I give Universal Studios Singapore a 3.5/5 in theme park standards.

Love,

Roseanne

Hey Everyone!

So today I had my first meal experience at Kenny Rodgers. Kenny Rodgers Chicken was a familiar brand but I never tried it before in Singapore. During lunch, some co-workers and I frolicked to Suntec City to get a taste of what this place had to offer.

The restaurant was somewhat cosy. There were even book shelves and a place to cuddle and read them at the back of the restaurant but I have to say that the ambience didn't really speak Southern Food. It spoke cafe, fast food.  But of course I was pretty hungry so sitting down and ordering was top priority to me.

Price ranges were pretty high, from $14.00 singapore dollars to $40 for a slab of ribs and chicken. The variety wasn't amazing and an order was made by choosing a main meat dish and two side orders to go with your meal. The lunch special was a quarter chicken, two sides, and a drink for $14.50 not including GST (service/table tax). I reckon that is pretty pricy for the meal that you'll get.

I think the highlight of the meal was this free corn muffin they serve you before the meal. I have always been a fan of southern corn bread and corn meal so this was a welcome treat. The corn muffin was crispy at the edges probably from caramelisation occurring by a griddle pan and the insides were delciously soft and fluffy. It wasn't too sweet which is suitable for a corn meal based product and it had a slight salty after-taste. It was great.

However, the shiok for sure wasn't long lived when the actual meal came. The quarter chicken was a substantial size and my sides were heavy enough to make this meal filling.

Let's be honest.

The chicken was dry and powdery. The black pepper rotisserie flavour was there but the chicken was probably freeze dried and did not perform whatsoever in the taste department. In an effort to achieve a reasonable amount of flavour, I had to slather my chicken with the cheese from my macaroni and cheese and Heinz ketchup saved the day yet again. In my standards, the chicken was poor.

The chicken was not juicy nor was it mouthwatering. I was quite disappointed with what Kenny Rodgers should be known for.

The sides were only satisfactory. Coming from an American culture, I know my Mac and Cheese. I've eaten all types and I've cooked it quite a few times in my lifetime. This is not Mac and Cheese. This is watered down Mac and Cheese with a very sparing amount of cheese, more flour and more milk, that does not justify Mac and Cheese. I'm quite angry because Mac and Cheese is one of my favourite dishes. It's like a fake Gucci bag.

The potato salad had a slight plastic after-taste and I did not finish my sides.

Overall, I would probably give Kenny Rodgers Singapore at Suntec City, a 2/5. They need to improve the taste and look into fresher ingredients with a revised recipie for the Mac and Cheese. The only notable product is the corn muffin, but even that is substitutable. A poor first impression.

Love,

Roseanne

Hey Everyone!

When we all think about donating blood when we haven't donated blood before, we are sure to be thinking some gory process, a tube and probably an unpleasant experience. Litte do we know that it's exactly the opposite. I can't lie, the first time I donated my blood, I was scared but knowing that a pint can save three lives, I eliminated my fears and went straight for the kill.

This experience I'll be blogging about is my second time at the BloodBank and I want to eliminate those fears because really, there's nothing to be scared about. I'll walk you through the process at the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in Singapore and I hope it inspires you to take a trip there. I'll leave their opening times after the post so you'll know when they are open.

Step 1: Collecting Forms from the Reception Area

When you arrive at the Bloodbank at Outram, simply go to the main counter and collect the forms from the nice lady at the table, she'll direct you to the form filling area so that you can fill in you details before you officially register. The counter looks like this:

Step 2: Fill that Form!

The forms will include brochures about the procedure and the fact that you're saving people's lives and a questionairre and survey. It's important because it lets the bloodbank know about you including your sexual history to prevent sexually transmitted diseases from the process. It's crucial that you read every single line and fill in the answers appropriately. This isn't a whatever survey.

Here's a closer look at the forms:

Step 3: Register + Medical Screening by a Doctor

Once you have completed the forms, you return the forms to the counter. The lady will call your name when she reaches your form and ask you a series of questions and breif you about the procedure and then fill in your details like where you are from and stuff onto the computer to register you. She'll ask you to sit down until she calls your name again when the doctor is ready to medically screen you.

During medical screening, you'll be directed to a small room where a doctor will measure your blood pressure and weigh you. You will not be able to donate blood if you are underweight so eat up! Haha. She'll brief you on the questionnaire and go over it again - the same form you filled out earlier. When everything is in check, she'll sit you down again until you transfer to the blood test area.

Step 4: The Blood Test

Don't worry, it doesn't really hurt. They just prick your finger, collect a drop and test it for iron and perhaps its "cleanliness". If the nurse there gives you the green light, you're allowed to be transferred to the blood collection hall.

Step 5: The Blood Donation:

Unfortunately, I couldn't take pictures while I was donating blood so this is all you can get although I shall give a review on how it felt. You're probably most concerned with that anyway.

The nurse greets you and directs you to really, a first class seat. No joke. This is the kind of seat you'll find on First Class SIngapore Airlines, and really that's saying something. It's even the same color. they'll then lay a comfy blanket over you and you're surrounded by lots of people seated and donating blood in the same way.

They'll then give you a squishy toy so that your viens are more visible when you squeeze, it adds more pressure so that the process becomes quicker. They'll disinfect the area, inject you with pain killer, and then after a while they will insert the tubing and needle. All in a very little prick that lasts for less than half a second seriously. It's not painful at all. Then in no time, your blood will be collected in a bag cradled in a machine that keeps the liquid moving so it doesn't settle.

While you're donating blood, it doesn't feel like anything, it feels like you aren't donating blood at all. You're just staring straight at everyone else doing the same thing but nothing beats that sense of accomplishment with helping someone who needs your blood to actually live. It's a very rewarding 15 minutes of your time and totally worth it. Yes, it only takes that long, and shorter if you're good at donating blood.

Once the job is done, they'll remove the needle and then clean the area before taking a bright colored bandage to wrap it up. Yes, these are the actual seats you lay on while you donate blood at the Bloodbank at Outram. I told you!

Hello,

You probably know me from http://roseannebeauty.onsugar.com. I'm the makeup guru you see posting pictures of herself without makeup only to put it back on again. I love beauty beyond what is necessary but I also love food, life, and all things unique and interesting. Sometimes I feel like I can't update other topics on a beauty blog so I'm going to let it out here instead.

I like reviewing things. I find the most fun in saying what I feel about a product, place, service or food. Most of all, I love expressing myself so really, it's a two in one deal.

Love,
Roseanne