The 2048 Puzzle Guide (For those stuck below 5,000 points)

Been really addicted to the 2048 game since I came across it on Facebook and downloaded the app on my Iphone. With this app in my phone, waiting in line for seats at a restaurant sure got a lot easier as each game takes about half an hour or even more if you're really good at it. (It doesn't count if you keep losing)

I sucked at the game and learnt a few strategies along the way. Its a puzzle so it definitely needs some thinking and strategic planning.

Sheryl taught me to keep all the big numbers at the left side of the puzzle so I can never collapse the numbers to the right or it will mess up the big numbers I've placed on the left. That worked to a certain extent but it wasn't easy.

I decided to Google '2048 game strategy' and came across this article and it taught me the strategy to put all the numbers on the top row and only swipe left, right and up to collapse the numbers.

AND I MANAGED TO GET THE 2048 TILE!!!!

But I was super drowsy from my meds at 5am so I didn't feel the excitement despite being addicted to the game for 3 days.

Though I had help from the article, but I thought it was quite difficult to understand.

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So, here's my simple (non-foolproof) rules that you can follow, hopefully it helps.

RULE 1: Ensure Top Row is filled with numbers, 

This allows you to move left and right without messing your numbers.

Most of the time during the game, the top right corner would be empty, always make sure its filled, even if its a 2. But always try to eliminate the 2 by building it up. (or it's useless on the top row)

(After your top row is filled with numbers, say, '64, 32, 16, 8',  I usually concentrate on building up the right block on the second row. So directly above that row is an 8, I'll build the right block on 2nd row to become an 8, collapse it with the 8 above and swipe left till I get 128 on the top left hand corner.)

RULE 2: Build numbers from right to left in ascending order.

This allows you to easily join numbers together, leaving the largest number on the top left corner of the puzzle.

RULE 3:  Never swipe to your right if your top right corner isn't filled 

(Reinforcing Rule #1)

RULE 4**: NEVER SWIPE DOWN. Always swipe UP to collapse

This is to ensure that you dont have 2s/4s on your top row.

(BONUS) RULE 5: At times when you're stuck and you cant move left/right/up, QUICKLY (i really mean QUICKLY), swipe down and up again. 

Idk if this is cheating but you'll beat the new number from appearing on the top row. Instead, you've 2 new numbers appearing at the bottom! 

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Thats all I can put into words. The rest is up to you to think strategically and a little bit of luck.
I think thats what I like about the game, there's no definitive cheat to it. (I hope there isn't)

HAHAHA I sound like a nerd for doing this post but I'm very passionate about this game.
Onto achieving 4096 from now...


xx,
- A

Double Jons' Birthday Dinner!

Red Velvet Birthday Cake made by Menon's mom. 

Super yummy!

Had a birthday dinner at Peperoni's with the 2 Jons last night. They decided to celebrate together since their birthday is so just a few days apart. Though they were the birthday boys, they treated the 20+ of us to PIZZAS. Hehe it was definitely something I was looking forward to this week.

Had 4 slices of pizzas of different toppings super shiokkkk and took loads of pictures hehe.

 Though it isn't Rach's birthday, she's always getting bullied by the guys.

After dinner, the whole group splitted as some were heading over to Menon's for drinks and to club later. While the rest of us has no plans that night, we decided to drive down to MBS to chill and play flip poker by the river. Loser of every round gets 'stingray-ed' by the winner.

 Tyn lost the last round and got 'stingray-ed' by everyone once, and the guys gave no chances HAHA.

'Stingray' is to use the middle and index finger to smack the inner elbow. 

(i've no idea what that part of the body is called...)

Super painful when it is aimed correctly with a lot of force.

Hehe ended the night with a group shot.

Happy Birthday double Js, thanks for the meal :-*

xx,
- A

STAR DATE x Artistry x Pepperoni's x Sogurt

Artistry

17 Jalan Pinang

Was craving for a good cup of coffee though I promised myself to stay away from dairy products for today as I had a bad stomach the night before. But Sheryl had the car, so we drove to Arab Street from Far East just for some sweets and coffee.

Since Toby's, I haven't had a cup of gibraltar as many cafes don't have that on their menu. (Neither do I ask) so my usual 'Long Black' was changed to gibraltar just for today hehe :)

I've never been to Artistry despite having to walk past it for the past 3 times I've visited Symmetry, which is my favourite brunch place.

As a group of friends, we are quite dysfunctional and codependent.

We have an app that allows us to find each other's location anytime, we talk on the chat every day and night as long as we are apart, we consult each other before we buy/do something, Rach and Sheryl competes with Tyn and I on who is the better pair, and we insult and irritate the hell out of each other.

 Tyn just put her heavy lump of hair on top of Sheryl till her shades went out of place.

HAHAHAHA

We're almost 20, and we still sometimes act like a bunch of secondary school kids - noisy and couldn't be more oblivious to our surroundings. But we're treasuring every day left with Tynnie, before she leaves in August for 3 years... :'(

 I really don't know what I would do without any one of them. <3

After tea, we drove down to Turf City with the intention of eating at Pasar Bella Farmer's market. But ah we are broke as hell (after Rach's party...) so we drove out again and decided to eat at pepperoni's, which was pretty nearby as well.

Pepperoni's

Binjai Park

 Mushroom and Chicken Spaghetti

 Aglio Olio

(Tyn told me the 'g' is silent. Issit true or issit a 'gullible is not in the dictionary' prank again?)

Hawaiian x Mushroom + Chicken Pizza!

Headed over to Tyn's new work place after dinner, which was just a block away - Little Men. 

Didn't had much expectations of this little shop when she told us about it at first, but we thought everything was so pretty when we entered. Pricey too, of course.

They sell men's, women's and kids clothings. And I fell in love with all their sandals. Luvs it.

After disturbing her colleague and dragging her time to close the shop, we drove over to Sogurt for dessert. HEHE PUIKIAS4LYF.

Sogurt
617, Bukit Timah Road

 Very rude.

Hehe when Tyn left, all her songs started playing in the car. One of which was the #Selfie song that she just introduced us. Annoying song but so catchy.

Its getting lots of hate on youtube but people, don't take life so seriously sometimes can. 

We have different genres of music, if you hate it, type your favourite band or smthg in the search box and stay far away from such songs... Y POST SO MUCH H8??

The long awaited IJ Fiesta is tmrw! Can't wait to see everyone. GOOOOODNAI.

xx,

- A

#RACH20TH (PART II) - Surprise Party @ Raffles Town Club + Hatched!

After 2 Deg on Wednesday, we all lied to Rach that we are too broke to plan a birthday bash for her. So she didn't expect that we were gonna have big party for her.

Started planning for her birthday party with Tyn, Rey, Val, and Sheryl about a month before her birthday. Had a problem with the venue at first but Sheryl's friend suggested it to be held at RTC as he can help us get a good rate for it.

Informed the group of guys, nini club, her poly mates and even her parents about the party and they were all looking forward to drink, party and celebrate her 20th with her. :)

So on Friday night, Sheryl and her sis went to collect her customised stormtrooper cake! It had to be left in a cool room so S switched on her air con the whole night just for the cake.

On Saturday morning,  Sheryl and I woke up early to collect the balloons at friggin' WOODLANDS. Took a cab from Bishan with the cake on my lap and the air con blasting right at it. Was so worried the fondant might melt because the sun was scorching hawt.

 Filled the cab with balloons. The black balloons were in the boot.

Smartie Sherylie tied the cake this way so that it'll be easier for me to carry.

We conspired with her parents to send her to the club at about 4pm so that we have 2 hours to decorate the room. Failed to take any pictures of the room though it was huge!! ):

When she arrived, she was really surprised as she thought her dad was bringing her to meet his colleague to collect smthg. When she saw that I was standing at the entrance, she knew what was gonna happen. Or thats what she thought...

She thought we booked a bbq pit in the club or smthg, but never expected a room. Blindfolded her and led her up to the room where Sheryl, Tyn, Rey, Val, Jon and Charlene waited.

Went down for a swim after!

Went up to shower, and the rest took more photos without me while i made up ):
Lighting was really bad in the room to take photos as there weren't many lights... Thus the bad photo quality for most of the pics.

Rach was practically bullied by the guys the whole night HAHAHA

made use of the bathtub! :)

 Wee Kiat, Dawn and Jastine came by! Rach's polymates!

 Daniele, Dom, Josh, Menon, Jon and Ritchie!

 Siva! MT finally brought her bf to meet us! 

Steph came by as well! 

Everyone drank and was high at this point on... Except me, as usual.

Meatypork came as well hehehe

And it was finally time to surprise Rach with her birthday cake!
She was so happy.

Everyone couldn't stop touching the cake's texture cuz its smooth and firm. HAHAHAHA She was so irritated.

Photo taking time with the guests!

The guys just kept coming into every photo, it was super hilarious. We took 40 mins to take photos because most of the photos were destroyed by the guys. They just won't let Rach take pics with the others! Had a hard time deleting photos in my phone.

 First photo

 Steph's turn.

 Second photo, all run back to rach.

 Still hogging the cam...

 STILL don't wanna let go.

 Take with polymates, they run back into the shot. HAHAHAH they hardly even know them.

 Josh: 'better take photo with me or i cut your neck'

 Sheryl wanted a solo photo and the guys shouted, 'K AHHH SOLO PHOTO!!!!!' and all of them ran in.

 Poor Rach...

 Rey's turn for solo shot. They came in as well.

 FINALLY.

But poor rach couldn't stop laughing HAHAHA

  Nini club!!! Hehe full attendance!

After cake cutting, some idiots went to skinny dip in the pool past midnight HAHAHA. Honestly don't know how they did that when the water was so bloody cold.

Hehe that sums up Rach's main birthday party celebration. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we all haven't had such a huge party in a long while. Party ended at 2AM, way later than we expected everyone to stay and we were soooo exhausted and we were famished. Walked everyone out while some of us went to the nearest petrol kiosk and ate cup noodles by the side of the road.

It was a great night. <3

HATCHED
26 Evans Road

Headed out to Hatched the next morning for brunch after checking out!

 Cheese Fries with Sour Cream!

 Eggs Benedict with Corn Beef and baby potatoes 

We all didn't like the corn beef though.

 Farmer's Burger

 Poached eggs with Bacon

 Smoked Salmon with toast

Philly! Omellette with tons of sauteed onions, beef, and mushrooms!

 ....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACH!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed yourself as much as we did and here's to many many more birthdays to come. Glad to have been able to spend your 20th with you :)

WUV U SH0 MUCH!!!

xx,

-A