I was shopping around looking for an interesting story book for my nephew’s birthday, and came across one that says – Build Your Own ROBOX. It’s written and designed by Mark Rogalski.

I was attracted to the book, because the book itself doesn’t look like a book, it just look like a normal red box, however inside the box it contains other parts of the ROBOX (19 pieces), whereby the kids need to fix up themselves, in order for the ROBOX to take form which stands 16 inches tall. There are even stickers to personalize the ROBOX to their liking.

The box also contain a 32-page, fully illustrated story book, that tells the story of an unsatisfied young boy named Renny and his adventures with Rex, his ROBOX. It’s quite an interesting concept done up by the author himself, it allows the kids to believe that they can actually realize their dream one day…

I was popping by Orchard ION that day, while waiting for my cousin, I started strolling around Basement 4, where all the food are located, and happened to come across this shop called R Burger, which reminded me of MOS Burger too (Japanese kind of menu). However, the way this shop packaged the burgers is completely different, the are going for the healthy eating concept. How healthy? Read on…

I was first attracted by its menu, which stated a few different kinds of burgers, such as R Burger, Avocado Cheese Burger, Tofu Burger and etc. However the main thing that interest me is that the burger is using the Chinese-styled steamed bun, instead of the traditional bread bun, that comes with most burgers (i.e McDonalds). And according to them, all their burgers contain marine collagen, which claimed to be good for skin.

I don’t know what to choose, and decided to go for their default burger combo – R Burger, which contain Shiso leaves and pickled daikon topped with a juicy beef patty, a drink is also included. Japanese Shiso leaves are used to replace lettuces instead to give its unique flavour. The beef tasted quite normal to me, however I do like the pickled daikon and Shiso leaves, which kind of make the burger tasted differently, and quite tasty too.

I don’t know if the burger is really revolutionary, however I guess its definitely more healthy than most of the fast-food outlets, as its not so oily, the ingredients they used are of a healthier choice such as avocado and tofu. I guess probably most of the girls will really like this marine collagen concept.

I know this time will eventually come, once I got to manage my own financial stuff. It’s something that I’m not good with, especially when it comes to money, but I’ve got no choice now. I guess just need to spend every penny wisely. Therefore, following is the saving plan I have for 2010, hopefully can help to save up a bit, and sustain through one and a half more years of studies.

• No more new IT gadgets
• Try to keep each meal below 5 dollars, if possible below 3 dollars (just drink plain water)
• Try to reduce the chance of using transport (walk if possible)
• Switch off all electrical plugs when not using (especially when not at home)
• Drink more water to prevent from getting sick (save up medical bill)

What else do I miss out? Try to give me more suggestions if any.

Earth Hour is back again! Join the World by switching off your lights on the 27th of March 2010, on 8:30 pm. Earth Hour is basically a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future.

For the next 3 months if not more, I will be housed under this office space @ ITTO NTU, together with 2 other members, working intensely on our start-up project. Check out the photos below, which I have taken yesterday before we had our first meeting. You might noticed that the building is not so innovative after all, and looks kind of pre-war structure. But I do like the quiet ambience that its giving out, kind of seperated from the rest of NTU. Its not a bad place to get started.

About ITTO – The Innovation & Technology Transfer Office (ITTO) was established on 18 March 2000 to foster inovation and entrepreneurship and to facilitate the transfer of leading-edge technologies developed in the University to industry. ITTO evaluates, protects and commercialises the University’s technologies through either licensing or the formation of spin-off companies.

ITTO also manages the Innovation Centre, which provides space for technopreneurs to start up their companies. The Innovation Centre offers technopreneurs strategic proximity and ready access to state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories at NTU at nominal rent, as well as allows them to tap on the expertise of NTU faculty and research staff.

Located at the start of Orchard Road (at 4 Nassim Road), a 450m2, single-storey building known as ‘Japan Creative Centre’ is now officially open to the public. The main purpose of this centre is all about “Innovation and tradition”.

The Centre will showcase Japan’s “soft power,” such as pop-culture and traditional arts, such as their art, design, movie, fashion, architecture, tradition, food and etc.. The content of the Centre can be enjoyed not only by the Singaporeans but also by the people of other Southeast Asian countries.

In addition, you might be interested to know that, Mr. Toshiyuki Kita, a world-renown industrial designer and design producer, is in charge of the concept and design of the Centre as the Overall Project Producer of the JCC project.

For more details about the centre:
http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC/index.htm