Meeting Minecraft Developer Jens Bergensten

It all started a year or so ago when my kids got really interested in this game called Minecraft. Not being a gamer myself, I've not showed much interest in it but all I hear from them is Minecraft and I always remember them mentioning the name Jeb.

Sunday night, at 8.30pm I tucked my kids in to bed and 10 minutes after, my daughter stomps in to my room looking as though she was suffering from an anxiety attack. She tried to tell me something but due to the fact she was over excited, all I heard come out of her mouth was..."mummy ... Jeb.... Singapore!!" I swear I thought my child was going nuts!

However, not just thinking she was nuts, I was mad at her because she was supposed to be in bed. Nevertheless, I finally managed to understand what she was trying to tell me..."Jeb the developer of Minecraft; the game they play, is here in Singapore."

After yelling at her to get back in bed, I got on twitter and followed this Jeb guy. I remember my kids talking to me about him and how they'd love to meet him one day....so why not meet him now since he's already on Singapore soil?

So like a stalker, I followed him on twitter and tweeted him about my kids and what great big fans there were. I did this not expecting a reply because you usually don't get replies from popular and famous people like this... although I have to admit I've had pretty good charms with celebrities. Haha.

True enough, not too long after, I heard the notification come in on my iPad. It was Jeb! He was keen on meeting my kids but told me he would try as he is here for his honeymoon. After a few tweets back and forth, he asked to meet at the lobby of Marina Bay Sands (where he and his wife was apparently staying at) on Tuesday ay 10.30am! Dammit! Lani will be having her Chinese Oral examinations then. Now if she wasn't having any exams on that day, I would have allowed her to skip class...

Anyway, I didn't want to seem pushy and neither did I want to let this opportunity of my kids meeting their hero slide...so I took the chance and tweeted him a few more times asking if it was possible to change the timing as my daughter was having her exams. He replied saying he will try his best as he was here for his honeymoon but will get back to me Tuesday morning.

Told my kids about this the next day and they were excited and hopeful.

Nevertheless, up till about 12pm today, I did not get a tweet confirming if my kids could meet him before he left Singapore today. I was going to tweet him to ask but before I could do that, he tweeted to give me a time and place to meet.

As busy as I was at the office, I managed to find some time to get some things ready for my kids' meeting with their hero. I got photos printed for Jeb to autograph it for them and a couple gifts and souvenirs for both Jeb and his wife. Then it was time for me to leave the office to go get my kids. I took half a day off as I know how important this is for my babies.

We got to the the airport, Terminal 3 by 5:45pm and waited at his flight check in counter. My mum spotted Jeb first and from the photos I had tweeted him of the kids, both he and his wife recognized us. Being the wonderful people they are, instead of heading to check in for their flight first, they actually walked up to my kids who were by the way really calm.

Jeb was soft spoken but really down to earth and seemed shy. His wife was a doll. They didn't rush the kids and spent time talking to them, taking photos, signing autographs and Jeb even recorded a video for my kids' YouTube channel.

The kids passed them the little gifts and they were thrilled. Jeb's wife asked for a picture and we said our goodbyes (not without thanking them for making two kids so happy).

I never was in to Minecraft as I am not a game person. But after this meeting, even if I don't play Minecraft, I'd still support my kids with their interest in it... obviously to a certain extent as school still comes first.

Thank you Jens Bergensten. I will be ever so grateful to you for making two kids in Singapore feel extra special!

Videos of the meeting

http://youtu.be/lm9UFZwwcmg

http://youtu.be/FI9Valfj2xs

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Most of what I know about Minecraft I’ve learned through watching my kids become totally immersed in that world. They spend half their time playing and the other half between watching video tutorials other players have made or making their own videos about Minecraft.

I used to think it was a total waste of time but Minecraft is a community actively learning and discovering from one another. I've also learned that in scripted games, everybody experiences the same thing — they’re all rescuing the same princess and what not, but in Minecraft, you use your imagination to create whatever you want. It might be a story or an interesting place where you can go and play. But whatever it is, it’s a reflection of you and your intention and your creativity.

My kids have definitely exercised much more creativity since playing Minecraft and their interesting in wanting to be graphic designers and computer programmers have grown immensely.

So who is the person behind this awesome game?

Jens Peder Bergensten, also known as Jeb is a Swedish video game designer. Since December 2010, he has worked for the game developer Mojang as a programmer and game designer. He then became the lead designer and lead developer of Minecraft, after Markus "Notch" Persson stepped down from the positions in December 2011.

Bergensten was born May 18, 1979 started programming his first games at age 11 using BASIC and Turbo Pascal.

Nevertheless, the one thing I regret not doing when we met Jeb at the airport was doing a short interview with him. But I really didn't want to take too much of his time....wanted my kids to enjoy it all and didn't want to hold both Jeb and his lovely wife Jenny back from getting ready for their long flight back to Sweden. Maybe next time or maybe an email or Skype interview...

Angels Living at Bedok South

Who believes in angels? 

I do. And I believe at least two angels live at Bedok South. You say I am crazy but let me tell you my story...

The last two months or so, my family and I were going through a rough patch. A scenario that would test the strength of any family. A scenario to test how we would support one another through these rough times and how strong we will be. It was definitely a trying time. There were a few occasions we snapped at one another and fought and almost to a point of giving up...but we continued to stick together and stood tall.

The waiting (for the outcome) was the worse. We didn't know what to expect...whether it'll be good news or bad news. But we prepared ourselves for the worse.

A few days before my dad headed up to Thailand to settle the issue, he went out for a little while in the afternoon and when he came home, he was exhausted and drenched in sweat. I asked him if he was alright and he told me the story about how he had bumped into this old lady on a wheelchair and she had lots of grocery bags with her. She had asked my father to assist in pushing her back to her block of flats. My father obliged not knowing how far it was. When he reached her block of flats, she thanked him and said he can go back now as she will wait by the lift for someone who had company and who could help lift her wheelchair to her house.

I find that strange. Maybe she didn't live there? Maybe she was an angel testing my father? That was still debatable until a week after when my mum came home and told me of another incident that happened to her...

My mum was waiting by the bus stop when a nicely dressed old lady came up to her and asked her for $2 because she wanted to buy a cold drink. For your information, there were many other people at the bus stop but this old lady decided to ask my mum! And since she didn't seem like she was poor or anything, why did she ask for money for a drink?

Again I am trying to put all the points together but it doesn't make any sense. And they always said that when an angel visit you, they will always ask for something to drink....

I guess everyone has their own beliefs and everyone is free to their own opinions. But I believe these two ladies were angels. They were sent here to test my parents. To see how they would react to helping them when my family needed help of our own. So what if my parents turned those two ladies away? Would luck not have been on our family's side then?

Who knows?

All I can say is that I believe they were angels and they were sent here to bless our family because I happy to say that things are somewhat settled and my family has been blessed. Through this, we have gotten tougher and we appreciate one another more.

No child should be more important than any other child

What I witnessed in the train on my way to the office this morning is something that really caught my eye and touched my heart. What I saw reminded me the purpose of being a parent and that the love for your child is endless. It has also made me realize how lucky I am to have two smart, healthy and beautiful kids.

This morning, in the train I saw this family of three. Father, mother and son. What made them stand out was the fact their son (about 14 or 15 years old) had down syndrome. Yes I know it's pretty common nowadays but there was something different about this family. The father was well dressed and wore a Rolex Submarine watch. The mother was neatly dressed and styled herself in nothing but branded from head to toe. Yet you knew there wasn't any airs about this family and their love for one another was so great you could feel it rub off on to you. Well it rubbed off on me at least ...

The way she stroked her sons face gently as she spoke to him... You could see the love in her eyes for her child and I am almost assured that to her, he is the most beautiful person in her whole world.

Moving on to the father... The way he held his son in his arms as his son rested his head on his chest, the way he held his wife close to the both of them as they travelled to their destination together... It's so hard to describe in words. But it touched my heart so deeply.

It is something like this that should make everyone know that 'no child should be more important than any other child.'

For instance, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William just had a baby and the whole world is making a fuss over it ... I question, "what's the big deal?". Yeh the child is a Prince and not just a Prince in fairy tales but in real life but so what? I'll excuse the British as they have a right to get excited and all as this baby could be their future King but why are the rest of the world making a fuss about it?

My son is also my Prince and my daughter my Princess. I am certain majority of you feel the same way about your kids too, right?

So I end this with my conclusion of "No child should be more important than any other child".

Agree? Well, everyone is welcome to their own opinions.

Happy Birthday Little Bro

My brother have made me crazy at times in my life but regardless I love him unconditionally and couldn't imagine not having him in my life. He was born and lives to annoy me, pick on me and drive me nuts but I love him to pieces. i always believe that a brother is for life unlike friends who will come and go. 

I am thankful and blessed for the family I had during the formative years. It's thanks to my dad that I now have a temper and can hold a grudge. Thanks to my mum, I can hold it inside when I have to...and thanks to my brother I know how to get even!! Haha.

My dearest brother, I may not be by your side celebrating your SPECIAL DAY with yoU, but I want you to know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you a wonderful birthday. I wish you all the happiness and success, love and health life has to offer you. I've always been proud of you and through everything I've never once given up hope because I know what happened in the past is all a learning journey.

Brother dear, our laughs have always been limitless and our memories are countless. You're not just my brother but my friend. Our friendship is endless. 

Happy birthday brother dearest. I miss you so very much.

Debra Debra Goes To Dunkin Donuts

** NOTE: this was honestly the hardest and most painful blog post I've ever done! But I did it to amuse my colleagues because we've all been really irritated by this one "C U Next Tuesday" (take the first alphabet from each word) and this is exactly how she does her blog posts. Very Singaporean bimbo who refers to herself as a third person. Idiot!

Ok hor. Debra is writing this blog post hor because it was inspired by a very bimbo-ish girl who thinks it's super cute to write her posts in this manner.

Anyway hor, Debra want to tell you about her trip to Dunkin Donuts at ION Orchard. Actually hor Debra has been waiting almost three weeks for her coffee powder to come in leh so since hor Debra was around the area, Debra decided to drop by to check lor if stock has come in or not?

Why Debra only buy coffee from Dunkin Donuts? Because hor, the coffee very nice one leh. Also because hor Debra atas mah and because Debra lived in America many years last time mah.

So Debra goes there and asked whether stock for her coffee have come in already or not. Wah lau eh, the Supervisor remembers Debra leh! Of course Debra feels so flattered lah.

Then hor, the Supervisor told Debra hor that she only had one bag of coffee but the expiry date was in two weeks leh so since she knows how much Debra needed the coffee, she was so nice and said she will give Debra a 50% discount. Of course Debra so happy lor.

Later she take the bag of coffee out and realize that it's already been open leh. She notice Debra's disappointed face so she tell Debra don't worry because she will give Debra the bag of coffee for free lor. Wah lau!!! Debra was super super excited and happy lor. Like that Debra save $18 leh. Shiok hor? Of course lah!

Not just that ok. Debra learned it was also National Donut Day lor so this nice Supervisor want to give Debra free donuts also leh. But pai seh lah so Debra tell her no need lah but also because hor, the flavour not so nice lah. That's why they giving it away free lah.

So anyway hor, Debra still bought half dozen donuts for her family lah because Debra loves her family a lot mah.

Like that Debra happy happy go home lor. So shiok right? Of course lah!

Family

My father is now on his way to Thailand. I am not a religious person but I pray for his safety and I pray he will be able to settle the issues with my brother. I really hope things will work out and that my brother will finally wake up and work his way in the right direction. Enough with the big dreams and big ego.

The last five days has been a nightmare for us. It was a trying time and a time we finally realize who actually has our backs (friends and family). A time we fought but still stuck together as a family to try and come up with a way to solve the current situation we were put in to.

Of course under the given situation and pressure, each one of us felt we were pressurized by the rest to put in more effort in trying to handle and fix the situation. In actual fact, we were all in it together because we are a family and that is what a family should do to protect one another.

Thursday, an old mutual friend of my brother's and I sent me this newspaper clipping with the incident on it and my brother's picture. Of course it was in Thai so I had to have someone translate it for me. Nothing really major was mentioned (thankfully) but it is this that makes me think otherwise.... Yes I know my bother has balls of steel and has that bad boy tendency but he probably was framed by enemies. I have a few suspects actually. But whatever it is, lets see...

Nevertheless, within three days, we managed to pull together the bail and now it's time to put more faith and prayers that this situation isn't so huge or that these corrupted people will accept the bail as they initially asked for and not raise the amount to anything higher than what we've already got.

Right now, there isn't much else we can do but wait....it's the waiting that I hate most!! What should we expect? Good news or bad news? The time right now just can't pass any quicker can it?

It's breaking my heart!! More so each time I look at his photo in the newspaper article. He's such a smart person and so very talented and creative...all wasted.

But on a different note, my BH sister in Malaysia has asked me to meet with her friend who is in Singapore. She had asked him to deliver my NKOTB surprise box to me for my early birthday present. I was excited all day and also spent the afternoon 'creating' some NKOTB surprises for her. I made her a tin piggy bank and a couple cups. I hope she likes it.


So yes, I finally collected the box and went straight home to open it up! I was like a hyper kid at Christmas. So many surprises! I felt blessed.

Inside the box:

1. NKOTB Deluxe Box Set
2. A signed NKOTB “10” CD – YES it’s signed biatches!!
3. A signed NKOTB photo – YES again it’s signed!!
4. Jordan Knight’s “Ah F*ck Yeah” bracelet
5. Forever 21 NKOTB Edition Shirt 6. Photos of NKOTB when they were signing the CD!


Thank you Thong Yeen Fuan (Sarynna). We’ve only briefly met in Jakarta at the NKOTBSB concert and have been in touch via Social Media channels but you’re the sister I never had. Thank you for these surprises. I am ever so grateful.

YouTube FanFest

Look who is all grown up now?
Here we are sitting Starbucks Coffee at Marina Square waiting for our daughter who is attending the YouTube FanFest event at Ritz Carlton Hotel. I'm a mom with ants in her pants right now....how can you blame me? My 10-year-old daughter is at the event with her friends and here we are waiting to pick her up. I've got my phone ringer on its loudest setting and it's right beside me for when Lani calls. One day it will be time to let go but just not today...

"Ryan Higa" - before yesterday, I didn't know who the hell he was. A short introduction from my daughter and not only did I learn that he's a famous YouTuber, I've also learned that he's my daughter's idol! Not a bad looking guy. American Japanese decent. What I don't understand is how he got famous in 2006 when he posted his first video?? I honestly think his videos are no brainer and it's actually dumb but whatever tickles their fancy.

Being the cool mum I was, I tried to do my mischief in hopes I could get her to meet this guy Ryan Higa. I started by asking everyone I knew in the events industry and emailed to everyone connected to this event or this guy. I even followed this guy on Twitter, subscribed to his YouTube channel and LIKED him on Facebook!! This isn't the end to the extent I will go to so my daughter could have a dream fulfilled. I tracked his flight and the time he'd arrive and which hotel he was putting up at. Sent over a souvenir gift with a note, left a message to his room but still no luck... So as disappointed as I am, I know I've tried (to say the least).

I just hope she is having a great time and learning a few things or two. Her interest is there thus why we didn't want to stop her from attending this event. But she's here on the condition that she will have to blog about her whole experience. I mean why not start a blog since she's already got her own YouTube channel and Facebook Group and not to mention her own server for gaming.

Well it's time for us to make our way back to Ritz Carlton to wait for her to come out. I really hope she's had a great time. I hope almost as much as I did a year ago at the NKOTB concerts.

So sitting here, outside the ballroom where the YouTube FanFest is taking place, we hear screams from the girls chanting "Ryan".... I looked up and I see him walk past this small group of his adoring fans without stopping for a brief moment to say 'hi' or just making some eye contact. Wow!

Maybe my expectations are too high comparing him to NKOTB or Engelbert Humperdinck or the few other celebrities we've met and even come to know on a personal level. But then again, this guy is just a YouTube sensation, a joker in most eyes whereas NKOTB and Engelbert are true celebrities who has been in the industry for a long long time...long before this joker was even in diapers!

I'm not sour about the fact that he's not gotten back to me about my request to meet my daughter for a photo but from what I can tell, this guy is a snob. I saw it with my own eyes and I guess I can say from 'my experience' dealing with 'him' and other real celebrities.

Of course I am not telling my daughter what a dick I think he is. That's up to her to find out for herself but all I know is that as a mom, I've done my best to get her to meet her idol but he just doesn't seem to appreciate any of his fans.

Lets see how far this joker goes? One thing for sure, he'll probably never get a USD8,000 ad placed in the Billboard magazine or any other magazine, dedicated to him from his fans around the world. NKOTB got that and deserve every bit of it! Because they treat their fans like family and treat them with love and respect.

I mean really.... Big names like Engelbert have emailed us back and called us, NKOTB have emailed and sent me messages via Twitter, I've been in touch with the band members of groups till they passed on, etc. So is it so difficult for this joker to stop and shake a few hands?

One day my daughter will be old enough to understand that. One day my daughter may even be a bigger name than him and when he asks to meet her, I hope she declines! LOL. After all, he is one of many popular YouTubers in the US whereas my daughter is now the only youngest female magician in Singapore. Anything is possible.

And look who is all tuckered out after having all that fun.