Dr Martinsen educates the public on "Deep-water Sedimentary Processes and Systems under the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Distinguished Lecture Program 2009-2010. Their purpose is to foster scientific research to advance the science of geology and to inspire high professional conduct.

Hence the AAPG Distinguished Lecture Series 2009-2010 was brought to Brunei for a presentation and it was sponsored by TOTAL E &P Borneo BV (TEPB) in collaboration with the Petroleum Geosciences Department, UBD. TEPB is committed towards sustainable development and knowledge-sharing. By encouraging discussion on specific technical issues such as lecture also acts as an informal training too. TEPB also sees this as means to foster relationship with academics and those interested in the oil and gas industry.

It was Dr Martinsen’s fourth of 11 international lectures. Among the audience were students and lecturers from the Petroleum Geosciences Department, TOTAL’s associates (including its new General Manager), government officers mostly from Petroleum Brunei & Petroleum Unit, and private sector including BSP. 

Dr. Ole Martinsen at UBD

Mr. Yves Grosjean, the new GM of TEPB (2nd from right) attended the lecture

Some of the audience who attended the lecture

David Miller of TEPB presenting book about Brunei to Dr. Martinsen

The launch of Next Element. When? It's tomorrow if you are interested to catch the new dance club in town (Fitness Zone, The Mall Gadong) and the launch will be at 2 pm. In the YouTube video, you will a few Next Element instructors (Kham, Dani and Caraul) and registration for students have been happening for the past week or so.

The dance classes will start on Monday 8th February, 2010 and you can start registering yourself at the new dance club in town.. There are quite a number of different classes to join and it's very defined and specific. So do check out their launch tomorrow at 2 pm at The Fitness Zone, The Mall. Do join their facebook Fanpage by clicking here or call 7190 484 for more info.

Toby turned 1. The birthday celebration was last weekend for Toby's birthday and man, he's soooooo cuteee!!!! Thanks Clyde and Rachel for the invitation last weekend and for your info, Rachel will be re-launching her Kreativgarten tomorrow (Sunday, 7th February) from 9am to 11am at Jaya Setia Square (Opposite end of the X-Ray near airport).

So what's the catch on the relaunch of Kreativgarten? Well, the first 25 families will get a gift pack and there will also be a launch promo where you can enjoy 10% off retail items and also $25 off all the Kindermusik courses.

Toby blew his first candle

And he got smooch from both loving parents

Look at those eyes :D

Toby wasn't afraid of me

Steph uploaded Toby's picture on Twitter

Clyde, Rachel and Irene

Witnessing the blowing candle ceremony

HRD Services' "Study in UK" Exhibition drew more than a thousand. It was a packed event few days ago when HRD Services hosted "Study in UK" Exhibition at the Grand Hall, The Empire Hotel where 30 universities from the UK to part. I would have to say that choice of venue is the best so far to accommodate the hundreds of students and parents flocking in and it was pretty organised because of the traffic flow.

I was also in search for some postgraduate courses for myself but still contemplating since I prefer to continue it down under. I found one or two prospectus that I like during the fair but I hope I can a similar one down under.

British Council has a successful study exhibition. Right after HRD Services organised their "Study in UK" exhibition, the British Council had their UK Education 2010 Exhibition which was held at Rizqun International Hotel. Again, it was solid packed from start to finish. Seminars were held as well to give more information to students. Also present was the British High Commissioner Rob Fenn who presented the lucky draw prize to the winner.

"Britain is proud of its universities but we don't take our Bruneian customers for granted. I hope every potential student visiting the fair will find what they are looking for and that by furthering their studies in the UK will be their passport to academic excellence and a prosperous future," said the British High Commissioner, who presented an iPod Touch to Umi Khairiyah Zamri, who pre-registered online for the exhibition.

British High Commissioner presenting prize to Umi (Taken from British Council FB)

Avatar sank the Titanic. Yes, peeps... Avatar has claimed the "King of the Box Office" as it outgrossed Titanic (US $600 million) as James Cameron latest flick has earned $606 million in North America alone and it has accumulated around $2.2 billion worldwide as compared to Titanic's 1.6 billion back in 1997/1998. And the great news is the money is still coming in.. So I have no idea where will Avatar end up in terms of box office receipts..

I believe Avatar will reach at least $680-$700 million in the North America alone because it still has the strong legs to do so and with the boost of the Oscar nominations (including Best Picture), this will give more run for Avatar. Did you know that it took Avatar 47 days to reach $600 million whereas Titanic needed 252 days to reach $600 million.

Then again, one can argue that the price admission was way different back in the Titanic era. Furthermore, most of the audience in North America caught it on 3D which is more expensive that the usual ticket price. So that will have more impact on the revenue generated for Avatar and hence, it's no surprise that it caught up with Titanic like peanuts.

Interestingly enough, in terms of admission of tickets, Titanic is still way ahead with 128 million ticket admission whereas Avatar, at this current stage, has 61 million ticket admission. So attendance wise Titanic is still the widely watched movie in our modern era. But let's not take credit away from Avatar because of its phenomenal success. Though I would have to say District 9 and Star Trek are better flicks overall for me in 2009 :)