Life's story

Good Friday!

2009-04-10T14:16:00.001+08:00

Happy Good Friday!

Working today and planned to go to JB after work and surprise, surprise….. it is so jam at Woodland. I mean I have been checking the traffic thro internet since morning until now and the traffic seems to be jam packed!!

Well, just spend my day at Singapore, not much of choice isn’t it?

Rajoo the security guard

2009-04-09T19:21:00.002+08:00

Rajoo is one of the guard at our company and one thing that he is really good at is greeting and make sure all the customers feel welcome to our company.

Every day without fail he will greet me, be it in morning, lunch or evening hours. His opening phrase always be "beautiful day" and maybe that really cheer people up. He smiles most times and i can feel sincerity in his smile.

Well Rajoo, I am not suprised that your name was published in the newspaper and I wish you the best.....

Count yourself lucky to have a job

2009-04-09T19:14:00.002+08:00

Some of my colleagues are damn bastard..... not only they are lazy but they are good in office politicking.

Hey, if you have so much of time, why don't you just do your job?

Looking at the current economy situation, the staff should be grateful that still hold the job, but all they do is to grumble. They may feel that their boss and supervisors were not doing anything to reduce their workload...

Some threatened to resign but I think the management is holding them back. Maybe from this kind of threat, the staff can command a higher salary or promotion. Or they may wanted to teach the management a lesson, without giving enough thought to the consequences - to them and their families.

There are staff prefers lesser work, go on leave or call in sick during busy periods, and play "tai chi" game too. But have they thought about the consequences of not having enough work or customers?

How long can a company, no matter how big it is, last if there is not enough business? The workers may end up without jobs. Maybe right now the company can take it but how about in long run? And what happened next..... cost cutting? retrenchment?

Well, to all the employees out there ......please ....Count yourself lucky to have a job!!

rich and poor....

2009-04-09T19:12:00.000+08:00

Well, say what you like but I think the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer. Look at the amount of people that buying luxury cars now days…. I mean consumers are cash rich and they don’t have to take loan when they buy luxury cars.

On the other hand it is sad to know that the gap of the rich and poor people is getting bigger. People are struggling to make living. Worst still with the retrenchment, how are they going to support the family?

Today, $1 million mean nothing to rich people. Look at some payout bonus amounting to $24 million a year…what a year? And $1 million really mean nothing to them. But it’s mean so much for a poor people like me?

What the world have become to?

OMG....

2009-04-09T19:03:00.001+08:00

Oh my gosh... it's been so long since i updated the blog.

It's about time for me to actively update the blog despite the busy work otherwise this blog will become an white elephant.....

Akan datang with more news about my life.....

Happy Birthday to Apple...

2009-02-04T21:46:00.006+08:00

I was celebrating Apple's birthday on the 30th January 09 and that was her 27th birthday. Just a a simple celebration by having dinner at Billy Bomber and follow by cake at home.

I know that you are not that happy with the celebration as you are expecting some gathering with some friends, but I was too busy to organise a party for you. Maybe next year I will organise a good one for you.

Plus, with the rush to goes back to Seremban to visit my mum and siblings, things are a bit rush this year for me to made a full preparation for your birthday.

Well, happy birthday and wishes you a world of happiness.

The cake appears to be tasty but the taste sux.....

Ready, steady... go...

Making wishes........ maybe she hope that I earned more money to supports all her expenses....

yup, she the apple of my eye...

argggggg.......

and the present..... one red angpow for good health and good fortune that come together with a bunch of flower......

Happy birthday.... Apple

Can you afford to loose.......???????

2009-02-02T14:43:00.005+08:00

"God, it's killing me. I love this game, it means the world to me and it hurts when you lose. In the first moment, you are disappointed, you are shocked, you are sad. Then, all of a sudden, it overwhelms you. You can't just go in the locker room and take a cold shower, take it easy - you stuck there. It's tough"

This is the statement by Roger Federer after he loose the Australian Open Final (tennis) to Rafael Nadal. I agreed with his statement that after putting on so much of efforts in the game, it is very disappointing to loose it at the end. IO feel sad for his lost but at the same time, I think he is a bit emotional as the whole world is watching him crying.....

People may think that he is too emotional and too "kiasi" (Singaporean term for afraid to loose). I mean the paparazzi are good on doing their job by taking all the crying photos and the next thing you know, the whole whole is looking at the photos.

Roger Federer looks down at the court during his men's singles final match against Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne

He cries during the awarding ceremony, after he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal in the Men's singles final match...... but isn't he a too emotional on the lost??

Well, Roger, you are still young and have a long road ahead of you..... practice hard and I know you will win on the next round. Meanwhile, the whole world is still looking at the crying baby....

A380 landing in.... Taipei... cabin crews prepare for landing

2009-01-29T11:17:00.002+08:00

Taiwanese has been known to be trendy and most up to date in term of fashions and current trends be it in fashions, lifestyle, development etc.

I was surprised that they are so creative that they opened the “A380 In Flight Kitchen”, the restaurant is themed as the giant Airbus A380, and this has caused a bit of interest and curiosity worldwide.

The restaurant can fitted in 84 diners and diners are served by waitresses dressed as flight attendants and serve their food on plastic trays.

This unique restaurant has stirred the interest of Taiwanese who queue up to board with their boarding passes before the ‘flight’. They are welcomed aboard by the head steward before being show to their seats. The restaurant looks and functions just like an aircraft, and even though I have never step into this restaurant, I already feel that as if I am already in the airplane, by reading this article.

Taiwan has a history of interesting dining experiences but it is just too shame for me not to taste the great foods on the last trip when I was there. I didn’t really enjoy the foods there, despite seeing so many good foods in the SCV / Astro.

Maybe I should give myself a 2nd chance, and visit Taiwan again soon…..

Jamm.........

2009-01-24T15:02:00.002+08:00

Still jam at Woodland but not at 2nd link.... I wonder which route the bus will take? hopefully 2nd link......

Reunion Dinner

2009-01-24T14:47:00.001+08:00

It is important for me to be at home by tomorrow for reunion dinner. After all, my family is expecting me to be home and that made me even wanted to be t home earlier. Also, I believe it’s important to celebrate the good fortune we have that we’re still together as a family, that everyone is present to enjoy the dinner. Not like some other family, reunion dinner also a time for them to play mahjong all-nighter and drink as if tomorrow never come.

Also I am hoping to get more angpows as a symbol of good luck, and not as a pocket money. I needs more luck and good fortune this year, and hoping that Year of Ox will be a great year ahead for me.

Well, hopefully I can be home for Chinese New Year…..

Still in Spore

2009-01-24T14:36:00.002+08:00

Here I am still at Singapore as it is too jam to travel back to Malaysia. I mean look a the jam at the 2nd Link..... a lot of cars are travelling back to Malaysia for Chinese New Year....

And here I am, pathetically stuck in Singapore...

Even at 2pm, the traffic is still heavily flooded with cars..... how to go back with this jam?

And at Woodlands, the road traffic is equally bad....

Or maybe I should stay in Spore for CNY alone.... without my family....

Nope, no WAY.... I will brave thro the jam....... trust me.... and soon i be home .....

Voluntary work at Bukit Merah View dated 17th January 2009

2009-01-19T13:29:00.005+08:00

A voluntary work at Bukit Merah was definitely tiring but fun and rewarding. I mean I made some friends and at the same time contribute back to the society.....

Everyone were tired but our spirit were high as we saw alot of old folks that started to que before the foods distribution.

Everyone were busy packing, unload the goods from the lorry and coordinating the works. Some of the voluntaries are not that supportive and instead of helping, they are ordering people around. But thank goodness, within an hour, the bossy person disappeared and that where we are all happily work together as a team to distribute the goodies and foods to old folks.

In between, we managed to captured some photos, or it is me that forced them to pose, so that I can post in the blog......

Hmmm.... i didn't know that I am supposed to wear black, but thank goodness that I choose the right colour on that day.

Our hearts were at the fullest when we saw the big smiles from all the residents as they were receiving goods. No matter how tired and body aching, we all know that our efforts are not gone wasted.

Yeahh....... we made it.....

And no, we are not entitled anything from the voluntary work.

Maybe next year i will participate again should there be any chances......

Learning Hokkien... Courtesy of IKIA (IKEA)

2009-01-19T13:22:00.002+08:00

Mike and Yanti…. wedding bell..... getting married

2009-01-18T23:44:00.003+08:00

Everyone seems to get hitched. Both my best friends had gotten married and they already have kids. And among, us, only me still single and unwanted…

Good news…..Mike and Yanti is getting married soon on the blissful date of 7th February 2009. Congratulation to you both on this joyous moment! May the both of you have a blissful marriage in the future together as husband and wife and wish the both of you joy and happiness in the years to come.

I remembered how Yanti and Michael supported each another, despite all the hard times that they went through. There was a period, when both of them were unemployed but I witnessed the true love of this pair of lover, when they morally and financially supported each another. I think that was the greatest moment of life for both them as money is the root for all evil, where a couple can easily have an argument due to money. Congratulation for being a great couple that goes thro all the challenges together, two have become one now…..

They have invited me for their wedding ceremony at Jakarta, Indonesia, but I am truly sad that I will not be able to be there to share the joy of such a memorable day in your lives due to work.

Maybe I should plan for my marriage this year....... Nah, I just kidding there. My financial not strong yet and with the bad economy, who will know what will happen to our job. But then, neither I nor my girlfriend is getting any younger....... Hmmmmm...... Really have to look into this matter........

Congratulation again to Mike and Yanti….

And we call it Chinese New Year’s wind.

2009-01-18T23:22:00.002+08:00

Do you realised that it is very windy lately? The weather seems to be great, not too hot and neither too wet.

In an Asian country like Singapore, the average wind speed is around 15 to 20 kilometres per hour, but now it has reached the time of the year when that figure goes up to 30 to 40 kmh.

The reason for the strong wind is because of the North—east Monsoon . Thank goodness that the “Moderate” North—east Monsoon bring only windy conditions and not disaster like tsunami, floods, etc.

Between December to March, stronger winds over the South China Sea and parts of the region are caused when "occasional surges of cold air" head this way from northern China. The impact of the high pressure system is windy conditions across Singapore.

When I was young, I always experienced strong wind during the Chinese New Year festival and my parent always tell me the wind was from China, due to snowing there. Looking at above statement, I think whatever they told me before was true.

The chillness from the wind just reminded me so much on Chinese New Year. The togetherness of the family, the spring cleaning together, putting up the decorations, lighting up the fire cracker, having reunion dinner together etc. Dad has been passed away for 18 years, and Chinese New Year will always be the same to me as he was always in my heart and thought. Lately mum’s health has been deteriorating, and I really hope that she is getting better soon. She is 71 years old this year, and she has a fall, that made her bedridden for the time being.
A lot of times, I tried to act strong when people asked me on mum condition but, deep in my heart, I am concerned. Well, just pray for the best and hopefully she is recovering.

Well, let talk something happy, since the festival is around the corner. The current strong wind can be so relaxing sometimes. A walk at night or early in the morning was so refreshing especially with the wind blow and the beautiful scene with tree leave falling, with trees trunk waving, welcoming me at the park. Have walk at the park during these few days and you know what i mean.

I am looking forward for Chinese New Year, as this will be the great times, to catch up with my siblings and mum. May everyone have a great time during this festival.

Happy Chinese New Year 2009

2009-01-18T23:05:00.003+08:00

With Chinese New Year just less that 1 week, I am already feeling so excited. I am like a little child that so happy, happily waiting for the married couple to give me angpow. Actually the excitement is more on the shopping spree for my family. For example I got to shops for cookies, decorations, clothes, nian guo, etc. for the family.

Maybe it is the atmosphere at the Chinatown or the shopping mall has made me excited. Paint the whole town red, as the saying goes, but it is so true when you see so many red cny decorations at most of places. With the loud Chinese New Year’s song at the mall, what can I ask for right?

As I grew older, I am getting more tradition with the culture and tradition. Maybe I don’t hope to see the tradition fate with time as many youngsters now days are expose to the tradition and culture. Some don’t seem to be care on the festival and the only things that they are looking forward to are the hongbao and public holiday.

Call me “old tradition uncle” but my Chinese New Year have always been very red. Red lanterns, red packets, red clothes, red flowers, red decorations etc. All these are just symbols and believe, hoping that the year will bring lucks, joys, prosperous to me.

For me the preparations for the celebration will start as early as a month before the festival. Doing spring-cleaning of my house hoping to rid them of last year’s bad luck, displaying Chinese New Year decoration for represent the festival and arrival of spring, shopping for oranges to ensure a new beginning of good fortune and prosperity to the household in the coming year, etc.
I was too craze over the celebration that I was about to buy a pot of lime tree (kumquat tree). But, maybe the price really put me off, as a pot of kumquat easily cost at $38.00 for a small pot. Anyway, kumquat signifying wealth and abundant good fortune.

Happy Chinese new year everyone....... May the ox year bring abundance of happiness, joys, wealth and great health to you

Xmas 2008

2008-12-30T12:03:00.002+08:00

Christmas is about giving and sharing. After all, it is a festival that celebrated by most races. I remembered that I always looking forward to Christmas when I was young as that was the only time I can watch so many cartoon and show on Santa Claus.

In matter of fact Santa clause was and still is, as he delivered so many presents to children and needy people. Call me stupid, but I believe that there is a child in every adult. Maybe I have gone through some hard time and that why I valued the experiences. I have seen people live in poverty and I have undergone through it also.

And you know what; those experiences made me a stronger person and build up my personality. Friends had been telling me that I m stupid for being honest, but that the value that I valued and grow up with. Back to story, I m glad that my company is holding a charity event to help the needy. I may not be rich but at least this is the best that I can do. I was actually searching my kitchen cabinet and managed to find something to donate:

5liter of cooking oil, a can of kaya, a small bottle of sambal belacan, a packet of flour, one packet of sugar, some patotoes chip, .these are my favorite foods but, well, what the heck, I think the needy needs it more. So have you done your part?

Wishing everyone a merry and joyful Christmas

High blood pressure

2008-12-30T11:59:00.004+08:00

2008 ended not well for me. I am tight up at work and my mum is hospitalised and needs to go for surgery

Maybe that is life, we are encountering many challenges and whenever we plan for something, the outcome may not be happen as what we have planned.

And yesterday when I was at a clinic, for a normal check up, the doctor was saying that my blood pressure has gone up... maybe i am too stress with the things that happening around lately.

Hopefully things will get better soon...... life goes on ....

Well, may 2009 be a fruitful year ahead.....

High blood pressure

2008-12-30T11:59:00.000+08:00

Dino

2008-11-26T17:12:00.003+08:00

I know Dino Koh somewhere in 2006 where he came to me and told me that we wanted to become a preschool teacher. I was very sceptical and worried for him as he is a guy and working in pre-school setting is an disadvantage career to him.

No discrimination here, but being a guy teacher, there are alot of restrictions. For example, they can't shower the kids, hug the kids and be close to the kids. I mean, ask yourself, do you feel safe sending your daughter to a childcare that have guy teacher?

But Dino was very strong on his decision and after sharing his life experiences to me, somehow or rather I feel that he is sincere and wanted to go into this line. And there i was, applying subsidy for him, putting alot of good words for him, hoping that he can get the subsidy.

Lady luck was on his side, that he managed to get the subsidy and i was very happy for him. From that day onwards, no looking back for him. He really work hard to achieve whatever things he gotten today.

Dino, I am very proud of you.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Enclosed here is the story that published in newspaper:

Dino’s childhood was a sad one. He grew up with his grandmother in a one-room flat, supported by a financial assistance scheme, after his mother was diagnosed with mental illness and his father was deemed unfit to care for Dino because of the former’s low intellect.
His family was too poor to buy him storybooks, so Dino would read his textbooks over and over again, to the point that he could recite them.

Inspired by an ex-teacher, the N level holder tried his hand at several courses, from nursing to plumbing to accounting. He finally decided to take his O levels as a private candidate while serving his National Service. A good thing he did, as that allowed him to pursue a diploma in pre-school education, which he discovered to be his calling.

Still, he did not rest on his laurels. While working as a full-time pre-school teacher, he pursued an advanced diploma in pre-school education. He successfully completed the programme last year.

Today, Dino’s quest for knowledge continues — he is attending an online course in early childhood education. His advice to those like him? “Don’t be disheartened. There is nothing you cannot learn.”

Are you the pet?

2008-11-26T16:55:00.001+08:00

Are you the pet? My colleague asked me one fine day when we are tgossipping on the office politic.

“Yes” I answered. “that because I am treated like and animal” I added.

You see, in the corporate world, people like to curry favor with the boss, to the extent of being a dog. Other term that I can think off is apple polisher, suckers….. They are the two headed snake that will talk bad of the boss when the bosses not around, but act like an angel in front of the boss. That's one thing that pisses me off, although I could just close one eye and "hey it's none of my business." But then it really gets into you how low someone can actually stoop in order to gain favors, attention, promotion etc. Some colleagues can really sabotage your career for their own benefits. They lies, change story and tell all different type of stories to boss just to bring you down. Come on….. do you have to go that far? Everyone is making living. I really don’t wish to say this, but you will have

Guess that office politic happens everywhere & it lies with yourself to deal with it. Sometimes, when you are trying to be helpful and go all the way to help your colleague, all you gotten in return are back stabbing, gossips, bad attitude etc….. what have I done to deserve all these? People talk about teamwork and working together happily but I don’t see it. It’s all about “me” and “you” and NOT “WE”. What a fxxxxxx environment.

Some colleagues shout and show their tempers at every single damn thing & insist on having their way. They wanted to show their authority but when problem arise, they are the first one to run away. Better still to play taichi game “pushing all blames to other.

How to work with un-cooperative, un-productive people? Well, just too bad…..life goes on…..

Siowbai at couch

2008-11-25T21:29:00.003+08:00

This is what Michael does when I am not home.

He will disturb Siowbai when she was sleeping at couch, putting her lion king next to her, and take her picture.

Anyway, isn't she lovely and cute......

Good shot Mic!!

If only Shermaine is at Singapore ............

2008-11-25T21:20:00.003+08:00

If only Shermaine is at Singapore ............

She will be happy to know that Yanti will be getting marry soon.....

She has been asking many times when Mic and Yanti getting marry....

and now these two finally tying the knot............

Too bad Shermaine is not around, otherwise I can imagine the joy in her face....

ost probably she will ask Yanti to allow her to become a flower girl. Afterall, she is a very pretty girl....

Congratulation Yanti and Michael ................

The Big Day

2008-11-25T21:03:00.003+08:00

I can smell the love in the air.....

Yes...... it is the big day.....................

The day that two heart become one ........

The day that someone will loose its bachelor hood.....

The day that the bell wll ring ..............................................

The day everyone are happy for the couple .............................

The day that a couple say ......................................................................

I do................................. and ....................................................

........................... till death do us apart ..........................................................

Yes!!

Yeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssss....................................................................

Congratulation to Yanti and Michael ...........................

Lover in the air and its about time........................................

Wishing both you a blissful wedding .....................................................

Hong Kong Noodle

2008-10-29T13:03:00.004+08:00

If you are at Bangkok, don't forget to visit the Chinatown aka Yaowarat (in Thai language). Things are cheap there and I heard from the local that the most of the stuff from Chat tuchak are being brought from Chinatown in bulk and cheaper price. Then the seller sell it again at Chattuchak.

Well, me and Apple were lucky to enjoyed the wantonmee from Chinatown. It' was tasty and taste like Hong Kong wantonmee.

So if you happened to be at Bangkok, don't miss the great journey at Chinatown.

Movie day

2008-10-29T13:00:00.005+08:00

Watching movie at cinema at Bangkok is definitely cheap. I think per person only have to pay around $5 Sing dollar.

The cinema is equally comfortable and cosy compare to Singapore. I mean the reception was welcoming and spacious. The lady selling pop corn was pretty and the cinema is clean.

And the interesting thing is, before the movie commence, national anthem with the show cast of the King and Queen will run in a short period of time to tribute to the king and Queen. Everyone in the cinema are expected to rise - like singing our national anthem. Quite an experience there.....

Bird view ...

2008-10-29T12:54:00.004+08:00

just some photos taken from the hotel......

The city always jammed with car... too bad that you can't see it from the photos

This was take around 7.00am as the sun already shine like noon....

Not sure whether you can see the shops along the roadside.....

Some condominium at Bangkok

Bangkok is really a developed city..... seeing is believing.....

Morning breeze at Bangkok....

Another morning........

Bird view..........

I came, I see, and I will be back again....

Mark my word, I will be back..... BANGKOK......

Bad weather ......

2008-10-29T12:51:00.002+08:00

Whoooooaaa...... it's rained so much in Bangkok that it's flooded the road...... but it will not stop the people from going to work or setting up the store. Life goes on be it rain or shine.

People still need to survive and be it flood or no flood they still needs to set up the store. Some thing that I really admire the Thai people as they are really hardworking. Maybe it is the tough life that they have to undergoing or maybe they do not want to loose the opportunity to make money by selling stuffs to tourist....

Just how clean Bangkok is as the worker starts to work even it is still rains drizzly.... Welcome to Bangkok, the city of smile

Sweet .........

2008-10-29T12:49:00.008+08:00

Pic: Unhappy peddar as I was taking his picture

Everthings at Bangkok are so sweet... I mean the people were kind and courteous, the ladies are sweet and beautiful....... BUT

......

.......

...............

..................................the drinks are extremely so sweet... as if the sugar is free....

There are alot of stall selling drinks at the roadside with a cheap value. Some selling latte and cappuccino as well.

As for me, I just enjoyed a cup of ice coffee, minus the sweet sugar (in which you needs to tell the seller not to put the sugar)

If you happened to be at Bangkok, try it ok...

Pic: roadside stall selling teh and kopi.....

Hawker's food

2008-10-29T12:42:00.006+08:00

One thing that I enjoyed most at Bangkok is the food. Maybe because I like the hot and spicy foods.

Funny thing was that whenever I have the foods from food court or the hotel, I will definitely ended up with diarrhoea. Don't ask me why as I would like to find the reason too. Surprisingly, the hawker foods that sell at the roadside, seems not to give me any tummy upset.

I have to say that the roadside foods were great and the prices were cheap. Of course, it is very unsightly, with the roaches and rat running around, but hey, what the heck... As long as my tummy is ok with the foods, I am fine dining at the roadside.

Pic: Chef in action

Pic: Surrounding were not appetising, but the foods were....yummy

Pic: Chef only understand little English language and we have to use alot of sign language

Pic: Hard day at work.....Dare you to eat at the roadside... try it and you will know what I mean....

Back to Work...

2008-10-29T12:40:00.001+08:00

Back to reality after 4 days at Bangkok....

People has been telling me that Bangkok is not safe to go due to riot but everything seems to be okay there.

Update you all on the next blog...

Adios.....

Market

2008-10-08T14:51:00.001+08:00

Better save up as times are bad.... Asian stock markets fall; Tokyo drops almost 10 percent; Indonesia suspends trading; big drops elsewhere

Unemployment rate are expected to be up, price of staple foods are up but our salary remained.

Life goes on...... no matter how tough...

Guess who is putting on weight....

2008-10-08T14:47:00.002+08:00

Well, not only i am putting alot of weight but someone else as well.....

guess whooooooooooooooo...........

____

_____

_______

___________

Yeah, it is siowbai..... i can't even button her "ladybird" custome....

Fat girl.....

Collin - the baby whale

2008-08-26T11:59:00.002+08:00

Not sure whether you have read the news on the baby whale that was abandoned by her mother in waters north of Sydney. The baby whale seems to think the yacht in Pittwater is its mother and the boat owner heard the sucking sound on the bottom of the boat.

"It sounds like someone with a great vacuum cleaner trying to suck the bottom of the boat” according to the boat owner.

It is sad enough to realized that whale was abandoned by the mother but it is even more disheartening when I got to know that the baby whale was sick and hungry.

Well, maybe it is a good idea to put the baby whale on euthanase, after all it may end all the suffering in a peaceful way. The whale was seems to be thrashing around near a jetty below her home after it was given more than six injections.

This was then follows by the whale tied up and dragged across the bay at Bonnie Doon, to The Basin at Pittwater before it "actively started trying to get away".

It was a sad moment, but it went quietly to sleep. Spectators were saying that the calf has been quietly and humanely euthanised.

Well, a sad incident but life goes on………….

I want a break or holiday...........

2008-08-24T17:30:00.001+08:00

Argggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..........................

I want a break or holiday...........

Something short and sweet!!

Maybe Thailand ??

Argghhhh stress.........

Yesteryears ..........

2008-08-24T17:16:00.005+08:00

Popeye the Sailor Man......... one of my favourite cartoon at all times .......

do you still remember thunder cat? I always jealous of my friend owning the stupid sword toy...

How about owning the rubbers flag of different countries.... quite educational too as we learnt to recognise the flags

Some kind of cartoon which follows the Transformers concept...... i know a bit stupid, but hey those are the time.......

Need I say more??? The remake into a movie was simply fab!

I love this one! The Smurfs cartoon!

Tom & Jerry is still a fav on Saturday mornings

Sticker collection of our fav cartoons

In Malay, this is called 'guli' but in English its called 'marbles'

bubble-blowing

Good old-fashioned card games!

Mario Brothers Atari games! I never managed to win …

biscuits with icing on top
Bubble gum – the foe of all primary schools
Mini chocolate snacks
bubble gum which the wrapper has a temp tattoo behind – just wet it with some water, paste on your hand and the 'tattoo' is there…. Until the next time you wash your hand

Toy soldiers

Singapore Firework

2008-08-24T14:58:00.004+08:00

SINGAPORE FIREWORKS CELEBRATION was held on Friday, 22nd August to 23rd August @ Marina Bay Floating Platform.

Came across it while driving at the ECP as I saw alot of people was waiting with their camera along the road. While Phoebey was curious on it, she called Emma to confirm on it. She was indeed sad that she missed the first day but she vowed to witness the firework on the second day. That was how me and Apple was tagged along.

I have to admit taht the event was spectacular and breathtaking experience. It was so beautiful and it was so real that at a few moment, I was so carried away, feeling that I was at out of speace. Some of times, I also felt that I was attacked by the firework as the distane were so close.

Of course to add in the excitement, Korean music were played, and to stage amazing pyromusicals in Singapore’s night skies.

Well, an eye opener for me and Apple as both us were so excited. Come and witness it next year if you hae any chance.....

SINGAPORE FIREWORKS CELEBRATION was held on Friday, 22nd August to 23rd August @ Marina Bay Floating Platform.

Came across it while driving at the ECP as I saw alot of people was waiting with their camera along the road. While Phoebey was curious on it, she called Emma to confirm on it. She was indeed sad that she missed the first day but she vowed to witness the firework on the second day. That was how me and Apple was tagged along.

I have to admit taht the event was spectacular and breathtaking experience. It was so beautiful and it was so real that at a few moment, I was so carried away, feeling that I was at out of speace. Some of times, I also felt that I was attacked by the firework as the distane were so close.

Of course to add in the excitement, Korean music were played, and to stage amazing pyromusicals in Singapore’s night skies.

Well, an eye opener for me and Apple as both us were so excited. Come and witness it next year if you hae any chance.....

New look

2008-08-24T14:51:00.001+08:00

Maybe siowbai will look better in the new hairstyle.... what say you?

Which one do you prefer?

Beijing 2008

2008-08-15T16:45:00.006+08:00

I know everyone were excited with the grand opening of the Beijing Olympic 2008 and it is the fulfillment of a long held dream for everyone to witness the opening as the Games is more than just a sporting event. It is also an opportunity for countries around the world to gather to celebrate in the Olympic Movement.

I will be excited and moved by the "faster, higher, and stronger" spirit that come with competition, if I am there to witness it. People has been saving that China is ready for the Games and the people are warm, hospitable and eager to share their country with the rest of the world.

But somehow along the way, things may just get ugly……

Maybe they can't get to buy the ticket due to overwhelming reponses or...... maybe they feel that they can get a better view o top of the tree......

Well, one word to describe them...............

Poem by Bruce Lee

2008-08-15T11:54:00.005+08:00

Bruce lee was and American born Chinese and famous for Gungfu martial art. He was widely known as the most popular martial artist even up to today. I remembered watching his shown when I was around 7-8 years old, of him fighting with the Japanese and the American, in order to protect the Chinese. I have to admit that he was my hero during that time.

A visit to library lately, I gotten a chance to read thro a bit of his biography. Do you know that he was a philosopher, and he can write a good poem as well? One of my favourite poem is “Dying Sun”

Title: The Dying Sun

The dying sun lies sadly in the far horizon.

The autumn wind blows mercilessly;

The yellow leaves fall.

From the mountain peak,

Two streams parted unwillingly,

One to the West, one to the East.

The sun will rise again in the morning.

The leaves will be green again in spring.

But must we be like the mountain stream,

Never to meet again?

older but ..........

2008-08-14T23:40:00.002+08:00

Every year without fail, I will have this weird feeling. Maybe as I m getting older, birthday seems to be not a joyful day.

People said that as you grow older, you become wiser. Hitting the big 30 this year, I realized that there are not many things that I have achieved. I mean, my career sux, my bank account is pathetic low, I don’t own a car, the house as good as pay until I die, blah, blah, blah.

Of course, to make myself feel better, I have to thank god for a healthy life, that I have a roof on top of my head, great people around me, that I have a good brought up despite living in poverty.

So, is the birthday is such an awful day?

Well, I..... Still not sure. Maybe I got to learn to count my blessing.

Whatever it is, happy birthday to all Leos.

wanna an increasement ..... try harder

2008-08-12T21:39:00.002+08:00

One day an employee sends a letter to Her boss asking for an increase in her salary!!!

Dear Bo$$

In thi$ life, we all need $ome thing mo$t de$perately. I think you $hould be under$tanding of the need$ of u$ worker$ who have given $o much $upport including $weat and $ervice to your company.

I am $ure you will gue$$ what I mean and re$pond $oon.

Your$ $incerely,
lILY $hih
The next day, the employee received this letter of reply:

Dear llLY

I kNOw you have been working very hard. NOwadays, NOthing much has changed. You must have NOticed that our company is NOt doing NOticeably well as yet.

NOw the newspaper are saying the world`s leading ecoNOmists are NOt sure if the United States may go into aNOther recession. After the NOvember presidential elections things may turn bad.

I have NOthing more to add NOw. You kNOw what I mean.

Yours truly, Manager

Farewell Marcia

2008-08-10T17:50:00.002+08:00

Good bye my friend, Marcia Too, as you willbe leaving to Australia for good!

Good bye my friend, as there you are looking for a green pasture at the foreign land. I wishing you the best and may God bless you............

Good bye my friend, and take care. May you settling down soon in Australia and many best wishes for your new adventure.

Good bye and take care my friend, for you will be facing the world with David and may both of you have a great start in Australia.

Good bye my friend, and remember to keep in touch..............

Ways to improve your health.....

2008-08-05T12:36:00.009+08:00

Pick up a hobby.

Believe that people will like you for who you are.

Forgive and forget.

Eat plenty of vegetables.

Don't over indulge yourself.

Bathe regularly.

Read to exercise the brain.

Surround yourself with friends.

Get plenty of exercise.

Eat right.

Get outside in the sun every once in a while.

Always wear a seatbelt.

Control your drinking of alcoholic beverages.

Smile! It will make you feel better.

Brush twice a day!

Dress right for the weather.

Visit the dentist regularly.

Get plenty of rest.
Make sure your hair is dry before going outside.

My Guardian Angel

2008-08-04T12:55:00.004+08:00

The Guardians keep an watch on someone so precious, always there, vigilant in their safe keeping.

And siowbai have been my guardian angel.

Not only she guuards the house for me, but she will always sleep next to me at night to make sure I am safe and sound.

Even at the middle of the night, when i wake up to go to tiolet, she will follows as well.............

Despite sometimes, she barks non stop, she actually doing a great job in guarding the house and me, and not forgetting all the tenants.

Isn't she such as sweet darling angel....

Hungry Ghost Festival

2008-08-04T12:44:00.003+08:00

Hungry Ghost Festival falls on the 7th moon, 15th day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, fall on the 1st August 2008 when the gates of hell open and the dead walk among the living. Sopme of the pantang believes are : avoiding moving house, wedding plans are postpone till the eighth lunar month, and some even avoid going for a swim.

The Chinese Spirit world believed the dead and the living world are parallel which meant that spirits would have the same basic needs like food and clothing. In this spirit world, there also exists homeless and hungry souls perceived to be spiritual beggars who are driven by jealousy of the living which drives them to cause mischief in the living world. As such, you will see a lot of Chinese will burn the hell money and clothes, as well as offering foods to the ghost / spirit.

Well, what was so scary was that Siowbai have been barking uncontrollably all night long, until I was awaken by her. When I walked out to find out what is she barking at, I saw her kept barking at the window, as if someone was there. Maybe it was the wind that was so strong and caused the curtain to wave, and that why she was barking…. And guess what, it was 1.11am in the morning, what a unique timing………….spooky….

Maybe she was parking and chasing the spirit away to protect us at home. Aferall, Shihtzu dog also known as Buddha's dog. (please refer the attachment below)

Believe it or not, I believe it got something to do with the Ghost Festival.

Legends regarding the Shih Tzu abound. One says that Buddha traveled with a little dog fitting the description of a Shih Tzu. As the story goes, one day, several robbers came upon the Buddha with the intent of robbing and murdering him. The little dog changed into a ferocious lion and ran off the robbers, saving Buddha's life.

The lion then turned back into a fun-loving little dog, which the Buddha picked up and kissed. The white spot on the heads of many Shih Tzus supposedly marks the place where Buddha kissed his loyal friend.Many also believe that Fu Dogs, the guardians of Buddhist temples, are representations of the Shih Tzu.

stress

2008-07-31T21:28:00.002+08:00

I am filthy stress at work....

Maybe it is the changes of style of management or maybe it is just me.....

Maybe i should spread my wing and look around....

Or Maybe it is just the challenges arranged by the above, to test me....

Maybe............

durian season ....

2008-07-03T12:30:00.004+08:00

Yeah, durian season have arrived with the hot weather. In matter of fact, for this season, there seems to be excessive supply of durians and this have caused the price to be down. Good news to the durian lover but not for me as I am not that crazy over the durian.

Some customer likes to try the durian on the spot whenever they visits the durian stall. This is to ensure the freshness of the durian and this also give them the chance to taste the durian whether it is XO taste, bitter, sweet, etc

But have you seems a car full of durians? Well, i witnessed it and it was amazing....

I wonder what will happened to the car seat after all the durians have been unloaded? Will the leather seat "koyak" or torn by then??

Dare you to sit in this car with all these durians.......

Anyway, enjoy the season......

siowbai

2008-07-03T12:15:00.003+08:00

have a break.... have a joke...

2008-07-02T16:08:00.002+08:00

Best 'Out of Office' Automatic Replies

1. I am currently out at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position. I may be a little moody so be prepared.

2. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn't have received anything at all.

3. Sorry to have missed you, but I am at the doctor's having my brain removed so I can be promoted to our management team.

4. I will be unable to delete all the unread, worthless emails you send me until I return from vacation on 4/18. Please be patient, and your mail will be deleted in the order it was received.

5. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first 10 words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.

6. The e-mail server is unable to verify your server connection and is unable to deliver this message. Please restart your computer and try sending again. (The beauty of this is that when you return, you can see how many individuals did this over and over.)

7. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system. You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.

8. Hi, I'm thinking about what you've just sent me. Please wait by your PC for my response.

9. I've run away to join a different circus.

10. I will be out of the office for the next 2 weeks for medical reasons. When I return, please refer to me as ' Sharon ' instead of 'Steve'.

Restroom signs

2008-07-02T13:03:00.007+08:00

Restroom signs around the world People of earth are creative with their bathrooms

Behind the show...

2008-07-01T12:30:00.003+08:00

You need to hold the trigger to shoot someone or...?

Hmmm.... aero planes in the Trojan War?

Bows, arrows, ... and cellphones in the olden days?

Adidas head wear??

Old movie. New watch? Watch it out!

The Kampong Life and Monkeys

2008-06-18T12:17:00.011+08:00

I was at one of the Kampung at Kuantan.......

Pic: Monkey drinking young coconut water using a straw. But don’t be mistaken, these ‘beruk’ though trained can still be dangerous and as such children are advised to stay fr away from the animal.

Pic: Pak Ali rewards his monkey after all the hard work

Here I witnessed coconut-picking demonstrations by a trained monkey, and these monkeys are living in captivity being used for coconut farming.

The monkey is tamed and used to climb coconut trees to plug old coconuts (brown colour coconut). These are specially trained monkey can even distinguish green young coconut from the brownish old coconut, and they only plug the old ripe coconuts by twisting the stalk and letting the coconut falls to the ground. SMART monkey......

Most villagers and Pak Ali used to earn some money from the services of plugging the coconut. Sometimes as an exchange Pak ali will get a few ripe coconuts as payment but he did not mind, as he could sell those at the nearest town market.

I remembered back in my hometown, an old guy kept a monkey which he used it for plugging coconut for living. Sometimes, I think it was not so much the money he yearned for, as the monkey was more like a pet and companion to him. He was very proud to take it for a walk or even walking with the ‘beruk’ on his shoulders when walking around in the village.

Along the way at the Kuantan beach, I saw alot of wild monkeys.

Enclosing here are more photos taken:

Farewell part II

2008-06-16T13:11:00.006+08:00

Without Shermaine, the whole house seems to be quiet down a lot. Sometimes Michael likes to acts cute by mimicked Shermaine when he called me “uncle Cheah” or said "boring" whenever I were at home. I bet everyone miss Shermaine and Dora. No doubt she can be naughty sometime but she brought so many joys to us at home.

At the age of 4 years old, she is very good in talking and very sensible. I remembered on her last day at Tampines, she whispered to Dora that she going to miss us. She such a cute, adorable child. I can deny that I do miss her from time to time. Perhaps fate brought us together.

When Jeff and Dora brought her to view the room; I was reluctant to rent the room to them, worried that Shermaine will be nuisance to the other tenant. Somehow I changed my mind and Shermaine prove me wrong by bringing so much smiles n laughter to us.

Dora has been a great tenant. She cooked wonderful and tasty foods to us. Her spaghetti was the best as I never enjoy such a simple but yet a delicious meal. She has been a great guardian to Siowbai too. When Siowbai was a baby, she not only feed her, but also allowed Siowbai to sleep in her room. She showered her, and brought Siowbai a cute crab toy, which until today, Siowbai still like the toy.

Thank you Dora and Shermaine for everything. We all have a great time staying together as housemate, enjoying sour pickle mango and eating fruit salads. Thank you for everything

Chinese Acupuncture

2008-06-16T13:08:00.005+08:00

The power of acupuncture was indeed amazing. I have had a bad stiff shoulder since my early working days as I always talk over the phone with my right shoulder tilted up to supports the phone while both hand busy typing or doing other paper works. The pain was so bad that I went for scanning, massage, traditional Chinese medicine, professional consultation, but at the end the pain was still not recoverable. Even a simple exercise can ease the pain for a short period, maybe 30 minutes, but the pain will come back after that.

I remember the last trip when I seek for TCM, the doctor did ask me to go for acupuncture, but I was very skeptical over it. I mean, does the doctor qualified despite hanging all his and her qualification from China????

Come on, you and I know that they can buy the qualification from china. Plus, not sure whether the doctor handle all the equipments in safe manner, for example sterilizing the needles, whether they wear hand glove, whether they are recycling the needles instead of throwing it away. And most important is whether the doctor is from China. They are a bunch of bloody crook. I have heard so many horror stories about china people on how they lie just because they wanted to make some living.

Well, I have no choice but to force myself to go back to the TCM that I went last time. The clinic may look old , but at least I felt ease after knowing that the doctor is a local and the qualification was from Taiwan instead of china. The profile of customers was mostly old people and auntie. Maybe this clinic charged at a lower fee to them, after all they are the senior citizens. The clinic look a bit messy with carton of boxes lying around and the receptionist and medical assistants are all auntie. Even registration of names was recorded in exercise book.

But the most delightful moment was when the doctor treated me with so much of care and details. She is local, hearing from her accent, very bubbly, very details too. She can’t really speak English but upon knowing that I can’t speak mandarin, she tries to accommodate to me. She has a good sense of humor too, to ensure the patients not too stress up with the pain or disease.

Alright moment of truth, the acupuncture needle was poked on my stiffed neck... Wa la, the pain was not as bad as what I imagined. I am not sure how many needles were poked onto my back but my back and neck felt a bit relieve of pain during the whole process. Once all needles are in place poked at my back, the doctor use an electric circuit machine to circuit the back and neck areas that were in pain. The process was pain in beginning but after 10 minute, I felt good as the pain has slowly subdues. And the cost is only $39, so much cheaper compared to body massage. So for those that wanted to try the TCM, you are recommended to:

Nam Hua Acupuncture and Medical Hall, Blk 512, Tampines Central 1 #01-176

Turtle

2008-06-16T12:53:00.009+08:00

A visit a the turtle sanctuary was indeed very meaningful.

The Cherating Turtle Sanctuary is precisely what the name suggests – a protected area for sea-turtles that carries out research into turtle hatching, and also educates the public about these majestic creatures of the sea. Its primary objective is turtle conservation and increasing public awareness of turtles and their plight.

I was surprised that the organiser was asking for RM50 for every turtle that they paid to release the turtle to the sea. I thought they are just money sucker as many of the Singaporean actually paying that amount just to have the fun to release the turtle. Some busy taking pictures of the turtle while some children that dare not to hold the turtle, drop the poor turtle a few times.

But I realised that I made a wrong assumption as actually the organiser have heart of gold by donating the money back to the sanctuary to funds the sanctuary on daily expenses towards protecting the endangered turtle. Such a meaning thing to do. I have to said that I was wrong to judge the book by it's cover.

Soon the public that have paid for the RM 50 per turtle gathered at the seaside to release the turtle. Its was a touching moment to see the turtle struggle hard to release itself from the grasp of human.

To some extend, it may be very dangerous for these baby turtle to be release at the sea during day time as they will be expose themselves to the predators.

When the female turtles lay their eggs in nests they create in the sand, the volunteers will then dig up the eggs and re-bury the eggs somewhere safe from predators. After about 45 to 60 days, the eggs hatch. Without help, only about 1 in every 1,000 baby turtles will survive to adulthood because most are caught by predators before they make it back to the safety of the ocean. However, turtle repatriation volunteers keep the babies safe until it is time to set them free to head for the ocean (at night when predators are less active).

But I just can't figure out why they allow the turtle releasing on daytime???

Anyway this is the photo taken when my colleague feel so gross over such an adorable turtle. Oh womennnnnnn.............

Kuantan

2008-06-16T12:39:00.010+08:00

Guess what......

I was joining my company for the driveaway and this round we will embark on a journey to Kuantan, Malaysia.

I got to admit that it was a long ride but at least I got a chance to drive Lexus Es300 to Kuantan. It' was a big cc car (3000cc) but surprisingly the car was easy to drive and manoeuvre. In between my fellow colleagues took turn to drive as everyone was so excited to drive the car.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort and at one lok the Hotel doesn't look so classy but don't be fool by the look of the Hotl. The great thing was that we can enjoy the beautiful view of the beach from the hotel.

Pic: beautiful view of the beach from Hotel

Pic: The view from the hotel room

I was lucky that the hotel room was next to the pool and I can see the beautiful scenic beach from the room. Life was so relaxing and peaceful.

Pic: another angle of the Hotel

Pic: the Hotel is so near to the beach. Thanks goodness no Tsunami otherwise......

Pic: Peaceful beach

Pic: Kuantan is a place of attraction with so many visitors

Driveaway

2008-06-16T12:11:00.012+08:00

Just some photos taken from the Kuantan's trip. Will updates my trip on my next blog......... meanwhile enjoy the blog.

Pic: Beautiful beach

Pic: endau Rompin.... another destination

Pic: the beach is full of monkeys

Pic: Beautiful beach at Kuantan

Pic: turtle releasing

Pic: Hawaiian Night at the beach

Pic: The proud owner of the monkey. He was depending on his monkey to plug coconut for his living.

Pic: Kampung Life

Pic: Having fun at the pub, somehow or rather we drank alot of Vodka.... the night is still young

Farewell

2008-06-16T12:06:00.009+08:00

Pic: Shermaine with Auntie Yanti

Last day for Dora and Shermaine was on Tuesday, 27th may 2008. It was a sad day for everyone, for every starting point of friendship, there will be time when we will part away.

Pic: Charlie Angel: Yanti, Dora and Apple

Pic: Siowbai have been very lucky to have Dora as her surrogate mummy. Dora always take care of her.

Shermaine kissed Yanti and Elaine for she will be leaving Singapore to Philippine. I gave her a hug, and I know that we; Apple, me, Yanti, Michael and Elaine, going to miss her a lot. Well, may god bless Dora and Shermaine. May we meet again when you at Singapore 2 years later and if I happened to be at Philippine, I will definitely find you.

Pic: group picture

Pic: isn't she lovely

Pic: with Michael and Shermaine's grandmum

Pic: Farewell Dinner: Steamboat

hello and how are you?

2008-06-11T22:31:00.002+08:00

Hmmm... my apology for the silence for quite some times.

In matter of fact I have been busy lately with the work and I am now considering of looking at another job. I mean, I can't see future in my current job. It is too desk ound job as well and maybe I am more suitable for the sales and marketing job, just like my previous job.

Well, beggar can't be busy as the job market is not that fantastics, bit nevertheless, I am not giving up hope. I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel and all starts end well.

Will keep you all updates on my current life story too. Just hang on there.....

Ge Ge, I miss you.

2008-05-24T14:57:00.005+08:00

Former NKF chairman Richard Yong misses the dog he left behind when he fled Singapore
Ge Ge, I miss you.

The shih-tzu which belonged to former National Kidney Foundation (NKF) chairman Richard Yong has since been adopted by someone else.

Now, Yong, who was a fugitive from the law but has come back, hopes to contact Ge Ge's owner so he can say hello to his former pet.

He told The Sunday Times: 'Now that I'm out of prison, I really want to know where Ge Ge is. She was very close to me and my wife.'

Yong, 66, fled with his wife last May when he was declared a bankrupt for failing to pay nearly $1 million to NKF after losing a civil suit.

He was caught by Hong Kong police on July 4 last year and sent back.

He was sentenced to 15 months' jail in September. Due to good behaviour, he was released and has been placed on the Home Detention scheme since Jan 10 this year.

He is currently employed in the office of a Chinese restaurant.
Apart from cash, a car and property which he left behind when he fled, Ge Ge was found in his Cavenagh Gardens apartment, looked after by a maid.

About a month after Yong fled, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) went to the flat to pick up the dog. This was after the Filipino maid said she wanted to return home.
SPCA spokesman Deirdre Moss declined to reveal where the dog is now. 'All I can say is that it has already been adopted,' she said last week.

When contacted, an amiable Yong insisted that he never meant to abandon his dog of five years.
'When we left, we asked the maid to look after Ge Ge because we will be back,' he said.

He added he would dearly love to see Ge Ge, whose name means princess in Mandarin.
He said: 'If her current owners are good to her, it wouldn't be fair to ask for her back now.'
When asked whether he loved his dog, he replied: 'Of course I do.'

It's a cruel world

2008-05-24T14:19:00.012+08:00

Well, this is a story on how the stray dog population getting lesser in China.

First these Cina people catch the dog and transport them to the slaughter house.

Poor dog are being captured...............

You may look at the rest of the self explained photos

words of wisdom

2008-05-23T18:55:00.001+08:00

For those of us who have too much to GRUMBLE, please think again.

..
.......
...........

I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED. FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPO! T I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR. FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE. AND FINALLY,

FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL AND BLOGGING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME. Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

some joke

2008-05-23T18:53:00.000+08:00

In Singapore, living in Highly Dangerous Buildings (HDB), most people have already got used to Paying and Paying(PAP). Not only do you pay, you Pay Until Bankrupt (PUB). If that's not enough, somebody still Purposely Wants to Dig (PWD) more from you.

So what more can you do when you are in the Money Only Environment (MOE)? With the current Mad Accounting System (MAS), you are forced to Pay the Sum Ahead (PSA), which left some people Permanently Owe Some Banks (POSB) and live on Loan Techniques Always (LTA) system.

When you are sick, you might be able to use your Cash Prior to Funeral (CPF) fund, if you happen to be admitted to the Money Operating Hospital(MOH) one time. If you are out of luck you may meet doctors who Never Use Heart (NUH) to treat you and you will be Sure to Give up Hope (SGH).

To help ease the traffic, motorist have to pay Cash On Expressway (COE). If that doesn't help, they can always Eternally Raise Prices (ERP) on the roads. If you don't own a car, you can always make a Mad Rush to Train (MRT) OR get squashed in a bus, Side By Side (SBS).

Lastly, under all these pressure, there are not many places we can relax, not even the good old place we used to go because it has become. So Expensive and Nothing To See Actually (SENTOSA)!

Hawkers seen mixing melted plastic with goreng pisang

2008-05-20T12:48:00.002+08:00

If you are the deep fried snack / food lover, then you should read this blog.

Believe it or not, this have come to the attention of the media and public that some hawkers in Johor Baru are literally cooking popular snacks such as goreng pisang and keledek with melted plastic, creating a health scare.

Even deep fried chicken are not being spared as well whereby some hawkers had been seen adding plastic straws and bottles into boiling oil before frying their snacks.

The snacks would then remain crispy for several hours. Factory worker Rauf Hamdan, 24, was cited by the newspaper as one of the 'witnesses'.

Mr Rauf said he saw a goreng pisang seller in Johor Baru throw a plastic bottle into boiling oil.
"When I asked the hawker about it, he just said matter-of-factly that his customers had not complained of any health hazards from eating his goreng pisang."

"He also said this 'recipe' was now popular among many hawkers like him."
Plastic bottles are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which can cause various forms of cancer and birth deformities if ingested.

Another witness said via email that his uncle had allegedly seen a goreng pisang seller adding plastic drinking straws into hot oil in Perlis.

According another e-mail, a hawker in Cameron Highlands allegedly melted a five-litre empty cooking oil bottle in boiling oil by stirring it in, New Straits Times reported.
Similar accounts are spreading among blogs.

"Penny-wise, pound-foolish"

2008-05-05T23:47:00.001+08:00

"Penny-wise, pound-foolish" is to be cautious (wise) with small amounts of money but wasteful (foolish) with larger amounts.

Indeed it is a good proverb to described ABC. ABC is very; very good in controlling all the small matter that involves small cost.

When it come to giving out discount and gift, especially if the buyer is someone he knew, then he will give it away, as if tomorrow never come. Well, even though I and ABC can’t get along, I still have to face him everyday.

Unless, I decided to leave, but why should I give up because of this nasty person, right? Well, may tomorrow be a better day...

Company Trip.....

2008-05-05T23:40:00.002+08:00

Everyone going to chiangmai except me and some colleagues. In order to be entitled for chiangmai trip, staff must be confirmed by end of December 2007.

Too bad for me, as my confirmation was in February 2008. I was hoping that I can go for the trip, but I have to accept the company rule on this matter.

Oh well, what the heck, I better start saving now for the trip. Better depend on myself instead of others

My superior ......my manager.........

2008-05-05T23:39:00.000+08:00

Put it this way, I m very lucky to have a great superior. He is a great mentor with big heart. Because he is short tempered, a lot of staff marked him as a tough person to work along. But if you know him well, he is a nice person to work with. He will patiently explain the whole work process and always give example along the way to make things easier for me.

Maybe we shared the same value and moral, and that why we clicked along well. I just can’t believe it, despite 30 years olds gap, we can clicked well. May I look upon him as a fatherly figure, something that I may lack off, as dad passed away when I was 15years old? Maybe it the fate that bring us together to work as a team. There maybe some occasions that we may clash with idea but we will try to work things out. I am very fortunate to have him as my manager.

Corporate Life

2008-05-05T23:17:00.001+08:00

What can I say about my job...?

Hmm....

Sometimes I feel that the job is so demanding. With the amount of work loads and stress, sometimes I feel like giving up.

One of my cheerful colleagues told me to loosen up, but it is easy to say than to do it. How I wish that I can be so carefree and stress free?

No doubt there are other fringe benefits, but sometimes with the office politic and arrowing, corporate life can be cruel.

You can see how staffs betray their own colleague just because of their own gain. People back stabbing each another without considering the consequence. People willingly to give up their own dignity, moral and values just to chase the material value.

Yup, you may say that every where is the same but hey if you never venture out, you will never know.

Candid camera with Chermaine

2008-05-04T23:01:00.006+08:00

Picture: with Apple

Dinner and Dance

2008-05-04T22:52:00.008+08:00

Being a committee member for the sport and recreation club - SRC (for my company) is indeed not an easy task to hold. When we hold a D&D, we need to come up with so many plans and ideas.

On top of that, all meetings for dnd will last for 3 hours. As a result, I need to bring back some works to home, in order to complete it.

And on the actual day, I was busy with registration for VIPs, and it was interesting to see how friendly some VIPs were, and there were some are snobbish as well. Because of the registration, I experienced the kiasu Singaporean. Some were 1.5hours late and despite out of goodwill we let them go in, they demanded for lucky draw.

Even though with the explanation that the lucky draw has has closed and out of goodwill, we allow them to go in, they still behave badly and not accepting the fact. What the fxxk man. Your father owns the company is it?

Anyway back to story, the D&D went on smoothly. Committee members running around ensuring the whole night event went on smoothly. Despite some screw up, eg the wine have some residue, late registration by kiasu attendees, committee dress mix up, etc; I am glad that everything went on smooth.

Now guess what character I am in?

The Making of ghost Show

2008-05-04T22:38:00.008+08:00

Some of the scenes taking at Ghost Scene

1st scene of Demi Moore look blanky while waitng for Patrick Swayze (that is me)

2nd scene of us dancing happily when meeting each another

some members trying to be funny in the act......

3rd scene is where we have to hold each another hand and wash the car happily. Here we are being directed by the film director.

During the scene, I was so shy and embrassed, maybe not use to filming......

Oh what the heck, just hold her hand, washing the blooding car and let Apple whack me upside down when she see this photo....

Apa macam,.... got potential to become best actor or not huh???

Separated at Birth?

2008-05-04T22:31:00.008+08:00

Guess which character that I dressed in for the D&D? Some say:

I look like James Dean....... muah hahahahaha

But the true fact is that I am in Grease.....

Did you manage to guess it correctly?

Dora and Shermaine leaving us....

2008-05-04T22:28:00.004+08:00

Well, we going to miss her when she is away to Philippines

Her laughter bring joy to us.....

Isn't she just so adorable even though she is making monkey faces?????

Fried Chicken

2008-05-04T22:21:00.007+08:00

I can’t believe it when I hear the news few days ago……….
Pic: Chef Dora and Chef Yanti in action

Dora was saying that she wanted to go back to Philippine. From her tone and expression, I know that she wanted to stay in Singapore, but due to her husband request, she have no choice to abide it. Shermaine seems to be happy when she learned that she will be going back to her hometown. I can see her happy expression on her face when we talk about her departure to Philippine. Can’t blame her as a small growing up kid, she also wish to go thro a happy kampong childhood that are free like a bird and carefree.
Pic: Shermaine with her toy

Perhaps we have been staying together for one and a half year and we can get along better. With Yanti, Michael, Dora and Shermaine, we use to sit down together, enjoying a simple meal and chit chat. Maybe we have been treating everyone with respect and that why we enjoy our companionship.
Pic: Michael surfing net while waiting for his chicken wing

When I broke the news to apple that Dora and shermaine will be leaving Singapore by end of May for good, she was shocked. She adored shermaine a lot but what can she do if the family is moving. All that apple can do right now is to fulfill her promises that she has made to shermaine, for example buying her ice cream, bring her to park and play firework at night etc. W

ell, may Dora have a great time at Philippine and god will that we may be meeting again in future, maybe in Philippine.

Pic: Nasi Lemak.... Dora don't forget our nasi lemak session again ya

Pic: Yummy Chicken wing from Indonesia, made by Chef Yanti

Pic: Siow bai will miss you all

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

2008-05-04T22:18:00.002+08:00

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining.

No matter how stresses and not happy I am in my current job, I know that thing will get better if I stay positive. Of course saying is easy, but hey, just does our part in our work.

Lately I felt so down due to stress at work. When my direct my manager went on 2 weeks leave, I was arrowed by all the top management and some mean colleagues. Well, take it or leave it, this is the working world.

Currently a lot of politicking, back stabbing, mishandling of fund, mishandling of funds in the company. Who am I to stop it when the top is not doing anything about it? How can I highlight to higher management when the management themselves ignoring it?

Maybe thing will get better; I hope as every dark cloud, there is a silver lining

X....again

2008-03-12T21:49:00.001+08:00

Just another bad day, with some encounters with X. Just hope that I wont see X that often.

A sight of him just makes me so sick. During conversation, he is damned dominant over the whole conversation. His bloody body expression, the way he talks, gosh.... Make me wanted to puke. During the conversation, he also picks on other people weakness.

What kind of guy he is? Doesn’t he have heart that cares for other people or am I too soft in heart? Am I too emotional handling thing? Am I wrong when I try to fight the right for people around me? Or am I really need to do soul searching?

X has become nastier lately. Even people around him hated him so much. He is such a pain in the ass, as he back stabs; playing political game, tell lies, instructing people around etc. But what surprised me is that he gained so much confident from imperial superior. I mean, can’t the imperial know what kind of person X is?

People around me are nice and concern for me. They told me to build a good rapport with the imperial. But it is just not me too suddenly to be close or blowing trumpet to the imperial? Can the imperial differentiate the truth and the lies, the good and the bad, the black and white? Maybe I should learn to be more political? Well life goes on....

Selamat

2008-03-08T17:46:00.004+08:00

I think by now everyone has heard of this joke but I still wanted to share this joke with everyone. Here is the best lame joke on Mas Selamat:

Yanti: Did you hear that Mas Selamat is in Malaysia?
Me: Really?! I thought he is still in Singapore, as I heard from the news?
Yanti: No lah! He's in Malaysia!Me: How you know?
Yanti: When you reaches the Immigration at Malaysia, you will see a banner showing --> Selamat Datang ke Malaysia
(Translation: Selamat Came to Malaysia)

Tuk Tuk

2008-03-08T17:41:00.008+08:00

Last day at Bangkok was indeed a sad day as I was leaving the city of smile soon. I mean the people are nice, except the tuk tuk and taxi driver that try their very best to charge us (ketuk us) at the premium rate.

A short trip that lesser than 1.5km can easily cost $6 to $10, but if you are good in bargaining, well, you may get it at $4 to $6.

Even though the amount looks small, but in a day, we may need to travel up to 6 trips. Bangkok is filled with cars, causing a bad pollution. We have no choice but to take tuk tuk as alot of cab drivers charged at a higher rate due to jam.

I think for my next trip, I may choose a hotel that near to the sky train. At least I don’t spend so much on the traveling cost.

Dog

2008-03-08T17:40:00.003+08:00

Looking at this dog at Bangkok, suddenly I miss siowbai so much. I wonder how she is doing.

Whether she misses me as much I miss her?

diarrhoe

2008-03-08T17:20:00.015+08:00

Some beautiful photos taken at the 43rd Floor of the Hotel.....

Morning in B angkok, the City of Smile

Baiyoke Suite is the hotel that I stayed. But the is Baiyoke Sky Hotel that is next to Baiyoke Suite.

Bless the morning fro heaven

Bangkok.... the city that never sleep.

What a trip, man!

My Bangkok trip was so wasted when I was down with diarrhea and Apple was down with fever. Maybe it was the food? Maybe the drinks? Maybe it is the weather? Whatever it is, the diarrhea indeed spoils my holiday.

We wasted one full day lying at bed, feeling lousy and sick. We supposed to go to Chatuchak, the weekend market that sell all range of goods and services.

Sorry to my poor siowbai, that I couldn’t get her a new dress due to diarrhea. We decided not to waste any more times, as we have rested a day and that we have spend and came all the way. The bad thing was that I was not fully recovered and every one to two hours, I needed to go to toilet to do my business.

What a lousy trip! Not only feeling lousy, I also lost my appetite to enjoy all the great foods. I can only see Apple chewing her tender steak and enjoying her wanton mee, while my stomach growling in pain, indicating to tell me to go to toilet.

Beautiful Thai Girl and Food

2008-03-08T17:20:00.014+08:00

Anyone dare to try the hawker food? I dare…………. And eat like king at Bangkok and that could be the reason why I was ended up with diarrhea.

But just look at these yummy, delicious foods? Don’t you feel hungry by looking at these foods?

Prices are cheap but it comes with another price - whether your stomach can take it or not?

Well, I can’t say that my diarrhea, was from these foods, but hey, who know right? Most of the Thais eat spicy and sour foods. Maybe this is a reason that the ladies are so slim and beautiful.

Sometime, I m too confused whether they are guy or lady. Hmm... You tell me if you happen to go to Thailand!

What friend is for?

2008-02-25T22:31:00.003+08:00

http://www.gocomics.com/gingermeggs/2008/02/24/?uc_full_date=&campid=0&

What friend is for?

I m not sure about you, but I do come across a mean guy that pretend to be good and nice to me, but at the end he backstabbed me. Funny how this comic demonstrated a good scenario of what I has gone through.

Look at people around us, even though they claimed to be our friend or brother, but yet they are the most vicious enemy. I encountered a colleague that wanted power and authority in the organization. Despite not posing as a threat, he still tries to get rid of me by back stabbing, playing politic and blowing his own trumpet in front of big bosses.

With me, he still can call me 'brother' but behind my back.... Well, I m not sure how many knifes that has been stabbed to me. Hopefully I’ m not getting rid by him.

Temple

2008-02-25T13:02:00.005+08:00

Photos taken at Seng Kong or Centipede Temple in Jalan Temiang, nearby my home.

The display of the centipede at the stone, and devotees believed that should a person see a real centipede at the Temple, he will be blessed with good fortune.

Not an easy task to walk up hill. Try it and you know what I mean.............

My Kampong

2008-02-25T12:51:00.007+08:00

This is my home, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. I was at the hill, when this picture was taken.

Believe it or not, I am staying in one of the house there.

Isn't it lovely....... my home is still surrounded by flora and fauna......

And I used to stay nearby this mountain....... ahhhhhh...... how i miss the old home.

And this is the river that still flowing strong despite so many years. I used to catched fishes in this river, and jump in for a fun swim. This river left some good memories for me, where me and my siblings always go into the river after school without our parent's knowledge.

But once our busybody neighbour inform our parent about our fun at the river, we always get canned from our parent. But hey, looking back, i still cherished this river, for all the memories for my childhood.

This is the river, that I showered my dogs, throw rubbish (opppsss.... maybe I should write that I throw rubbish at the river, ahem), the river that provided so much of fun for my childhood.

This house reminded me so much of my old house. The land was spacious for us to run around, to rear chicken or even do some simple gardening.

This is my home - Seremban.

CNY at office

2008-02-23T18:28:00.006+08:00

Some photos taken during the CNY at the office.

Everyone say "cheese"

Everyone seems to be so happy....... but in reality...... for me to know and for you to find out. .....

Everyone put two oranges and an angpow at their desk, hoping that the lion will go to the desk to perform some dances and ritual at the desk. This is in hope, that the lion will bring a luck and wealth for 2008. And the above photo, shows that the lion was performing the ritual at my desk.

and the lion "cracked" the oranges..... hmmmmmm.... interesting... and where my angpow gone to?

And for lunch...... yee sang with abalone. To be frank that was my first time eating yee sang with abalone.

Gong Xi Fatt Chai to everyone.

My Valentine

2008-02-23T18:23:00.005+08:00

Happy Valentine day. It’s a day when lover celebrate their love... Some people will... Some will spend hundred over for a pathetic bouquet of flower, while some will spend a lot for dinner.

For me today is a special day for apple and me to declare our love again after so many years together. And the bad thing is that I was not sure what to get for her. The things that she always wanted are so expensive. If I get her something that is cheap and not up the expectation, I will eventually get from her.

I am lucky that this year Valentine, she requested me to let her swipe my credit card for her facial product (The Faceshop). I mean I will be so happy if she spends on something more useful instead on the flowers or the expensive dinner. This is the only time where the florist and the restaurant mark up their prices as they know that couple will still spend on these items.

One small bouquet of flower can easily cost a guy $88. What a EXPENSIVE PRICE. And the thrill for the lady to receive the flower is only for 1-2 hours, after which the flower may be ended in dustbin. Haiz…. Money is hard to earn you know. But having say that, girl will be always girl, as they always expected flowers to be send to them on the Vday.

Forget about the long que at the restaurant, and the high prices that charged. Not forgetting that the services may be low as well, as the staffs are busy with the incoming crowds.

But a pleasant surprised when we met Michael and Yanti at Tampines, with Yanti holding a beautiful boutique of flowers. She was very happy, smiling all the way as Michael gave her the flowers. Look at them man. Oh please, don’t be mushy in Tampines Mall, as there are a lot of people there…..hahahhahaha

Cheng Ho Cruise

2008-02-23T18:13:00.009+08:00

Gong Xi Fatt Chai!!

Ok, ok I know Chinese New Year is over, bu I still need to keep my blog on going.

My apology for the late blogging despite the event has over for quite some time, but lately, my work is killing and I hardly have time to write the blog.

Anyway, my company held a Cheng Ho cruise for the staff and the customer on the 18th and 19th and February 2008. Basically, the ship is an exact replica of a famous IMPERIAL VESSEL of the Ming Dynasty, that boarded by Cheng Ho, during his quest to Singapore.

The journey begins at Marina Bay at 7.oopm and the sailing route offers an entirely different view of Singapore one from out at sea.

It was a good experience with some Chinese New Year song played along the whole journey, foods and drinks were spreads for us and there are god of prosperous walking around, giving us the Mandarin Oranges and chocolate.

Plus, the ship managed to travel to Sentosa on time for the firework display. Sorry my hand phone didn't capture a good views, and as such, I didn't put it in this blog.

The whole trip was fun, but I think we are staying too long on board until some of the customers and staff started to have sea sick and vomited all the foods that they eaten.

Maybe you should try it too and share the experience with me?

It's a pampered life.......

2008-02-10T21:42:00.000+08:00

Owning a dog is like owning a baby. Take into the following consideration before you take in a dog as a pet:

Food, Vaccines, Vet Bills, Treats, Chew Bones, Bowls, Collars, Leash, Vitamins, Flea Control, Heartworm, Shampoo, Grooming, Dental Care, Stain Cleaner, Waste Disposal, Deworming

But having a dog is such joy, as these little angel can brighten up your day. They are loyal, always beside you even when you are sleeping and a sight of them can make all my worries gone away.

Whenever I am at the shopping mall, I have the tendency to goes to the pet shop. Looking at those cute animals really make me wanted to own all of them. Plus, I also needs to shop for more toys and grocery for siowbai.

But of course all the nice things in the pet shop come with a pricey price tag. There's a nice mattress-lined basket for it to sleep in, some toys to keep it amused when you are too busy to play with it, bones and shoes made of leather for it to exercise its jaws so it would spare your $250 leather shoes.

Sometimes I am pondering whether am I adopting a baby or buying an animal?

And to keep the dog healthy and happy, there is quite a bit of shopping to do, you have to get them canned meat in different flavours and sauces, and vitamin-filled biscuits, which are almost good enough for human consumption. Sometimes, I do feed siowbai Panadol if I think that she is not feeling well. Cross finger, so far she is still kicking despite popping a few pills.

Cute little doggies' dresses are expensive as these dresses come in jacket and cap, blouses and skirts and ribbons?

Not forgetting the shampoo, fur brushes and a hair dryer (if you don’t want to share yours with it), and a nail clipper and file.

And when it come to month end, I have to send Siowbai over to the grooming shop which will do the work for you. Pet Safari is where I normally drop off my little angel for a nice shower and rubdown; have its fur trimmed, as we human beings have our hair trimmed and coiffed. And the bill....... well, put it this way, even my professional hair trimming doesn't cost that much.

I think it is worth it to spend so much on Siowbai, afterall she is good company for me. She earned my affection by being loyal, obedient and brave. T

here are endless stories about dogs trekking hundred of miles to return home, dogs guarding the graves of their owners for years, and dogs sniffing out drugs, criminals and surviving victims buried under debris. Dogs also pull sledges and lead blind people. They are our best friends not for no reason.

All these experiences are PRICELESS!!

Rat Year

2008-02-10T21:27:00.000+08:00

Just some recipes to usher Rat Year by cooking RAT...... yes RAT MEAT

In Tu Son - Vietnam, a small village sitting near the banks of the Red River, rat hunter Ngo Minh Tam reckons "99%" of the people regularly dine on rat meat, an estimate local street vendor Nguyen Thi Le supports. "I've sold two kilos [almost 4.5 pounds] in the past quarter hour," she boasts, displaying a large metal bowl of skinned and cleaned bodies.

Not a cheap meal at all, for those that think it is a dirt cheap dish. Rat grilled with lemon grass or roasted in garlic for around 60,000 Vietnamese dong, or $4, a serving. (Rat may taste like chicken, but with a tiny rat drumstick between your fingers, it's hard to pretend it really is.)

Rats have been a delicacy in Vietnam's rural areas for centuries, with recipes dating back 150 years. For a long time, however, this country's big city folk were generally less enthusiastic, often associating the animals more with garbage-digging vermin than mouth-watering entrees.

Rat's meat are meaty and low in fat. The animals are trapped, then put to death by drowning to ensure they are presentable for a dining platter. The bodies are boiled in water to make it easier to peel off their skin, and then their noses and legs are chopped off.

Have a great Rat Year ahead ........

GROUND RAT MEAT AND CHILI

Ingredients: Two field rats, chopped into quarters Two chopped cloves of garlic Half cup of lemon leaves Half a cup of dried chili peppers Quarter cup of fish sauce A dash of salt
• Mash up the chili peppers and add fish sauce to moisten the mixture. Then added the chopped garlic.
• Place the lemon leaves in a bowl of water to soak.
• Heat a frying pan over an open flame and add vegetable oil. Then add the chili pepper mixture. When sizzling, add the rat meat. Stir vigorously until cooked, and then add the lemon leaves. Simmer for five minutes, adding water as necessary to keep it moist.
• Serve with steamed rice.

RAT STEAMED WITH LEMON LEAVES

Ingredients: Two cleaned and gutted rats, chopped into quarters A small bundle of lemongrass Half a cup of fish sauce One small onion
• Place the rat meat in a bamboo steamer. Place the steamer in a saucepan of boiling water. Add the lemongrass and onion, then brush the rat with fish sauce.
• Steam for approximately 20 minutes, or until the rat meat cooks thoroughly.
• Serve with steamed rice and spring onions.

RAT STIR SAUTEED WITH SPRING ONION AND HERBS

Ingredients: 2 cups fragrant khotweed Several spring onions Quarter cup of fish sauce Two cleaned and gutted rats, chopped into chunks Half cup of vegetable oil Fresh basil
• Mix the rat chunks in a bowl with fragrant khotweed and spring onions. Add the fish sauce. Let stand for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to sink into the rat meat.
• Then, gently heat the vegetable oil over low heat and add the mixture, slowly stirring. Cook for ten minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve with steamed rice or rice noodles. Garnish with fresh basil.

my valentine....

2008-02-10T16:00:00.000+08:00

Chinese New Year is that time of the year again, — a time when people like me, in their 30s and single, start getting the jitters.

During this festival, I was surrounded by nieces and nephews, whom may be eagerly looking forward to getting the red packet from me, but sorry folk, you will only get it when I get legally married.

I bet they must be cursing me, for I am still single and available. Not sure whether, it is a good thing, ut at least I can save money from giving out money and gain pocket money from receiving angpow.

Aunties and uncles starts to ask question : "So, when are you getting marry?" To add on, they even try to relate that their youngest daughter / son who is much younger than me, have already married.

Pressure on me isn't it?

I think I should be proactive and turn the gun on those who keep bugging me about hongbaos, flowers and marriage. I will tell them that, yes, I am still single and the only way that they are getting any hongbaos from me is when they successfully get me off the shelf.

Somehow, I felt that my partner and I are not ready. I mean look at the standard of living nowdays. A small humble HDB can easily cost at $300K, before adding in the renovation fee. A simple wedding reception at a restaurant will cost at $600 per table, and a photo album for the big day can easily cost at $3000.

Marry is about two lovers tied a special knot and become one and it is difficult that sometimes, one of them just wanted a simple wedding but another partner may wanted a grant wedding ceremony.

Having say that, where the hell can i get all these money for just a wedding ceremony? How about other costs eg. buying house, grocery, medical, school fee for children etc?

Well, sorry to all the people that has been asking angpow from me, it seems like you got to wait for a while before I can give out the angpow.

CNY Titbits can leave you a tad fat

2008-02-10T15:49:00.001+08:00

In terms of sugar content, eating four Mandarin oranges is equivalent to eating a plate of rice.

Wow and that is so fattening as i have been eating Mandarin Oranges non stop. As far as I am concern, I always thought that eating fruits is always the healtier choice.

Even one orange has sugar content equivalent to a slice of bread,

Orange alert: Experts warn that Mandarin oranges have high sugar content and should be eaten sparingly. maybe because it is easily absorbed and causes a huge spike in the glucose levels.

Oranges aren’t the only problem for diabetics. Yee sang too, which is taken with a sweet syrup, should be eaten sparingly.

hmmm... if i am eating all these foods I can easily gained 2kg to 3kg by over-indulging during the festival.

Another word, if you don't want to gain weight, don't eat:

- lap cheong, trotters, pork slices layered with fat or rich curries.
- fried food eg prawn cracker, CNY goodies
- beer, which translates into 14gm of sugar.

- nian gau (kuih bakul)
- peanuts - have high fat content.

Now, what is the meaning of the festival if I can't enjoy all these foods??

PETRONAS CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008 AD

2008-02-10T15:43:00.001+08:00

PETRONAS CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008 AD REUNION DINNER.PLEASE GO HOME FOR REUNION DINNER, IF YOU CAN.

I am not sure how to upload the youtube, but you can go to this website to watch the ads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqDdhloTLM4

Every year without fail, Petronas will produces a meaningful advertisement and this year is quite an interesting ads.

The scene shows seven-year-old Tan Tiam Hock staring blankly at his classmates, unable to proceed when his art teacher asks the class to draw a reunion dinner scene.

Later, we see him waving goodbye to his friends and happily running off. But, when all alone, his cheery little face crumples.

Wong: The visualiser scripted ‘Nobody’s Child’ based on his own experience of losing his mother last year.An Indian woman later picks him up from the bus stop and they return “home” to an orphanage.

It becomes obvious to the viewer that Tiam Hock was not able to draw a reunion scene because he had never had one.

Titled “Nobody’s Child”, Petronas' Chinese New Year advertisement carries the tagline, “Please be home for the reunion dinner, if you can.”

Reunion Dinner

2008-02-10T15:28:00.000+08:00

Everyone including the non Chinese know the importance of the reunion dinner on the eve of CNY and that why most company let the staff to go off on half a day basis on the eve of CNY.

For me, I have a great reunion dinner at home despite in recent years, most family would like to have it in restaurants.

Maybe it is the joy to be with my family and siblings to shop and cook together. Maybe it is the togetherness that I longed for. Maybe I just like to have a happy atmosphere where everyone is catching up with their life while cooking.

Even if the extended families have been extended or shrink up, the tradition of reunion dinner is a must to have. Seven of eight dishes will be served, and they included chicken, pork, fish, veggies, soup, and dessert. Each dish was accompanied with auspicious name eg. The fish represent the gold, prawn represents joys and laughter and so fourth. Mostly my sisters are doing the cooking and I must give credits to them, as they are a good cook. All foods are very tasty.

I remembered how excited I was before CNY, where I was shopping for CNY goodies at Chinatown. Plus, when I spoke to my younger sister on CNY preparation, she was sharing the same sentiments as she can’t sleep as she was thinking on the CNY preparation.

As time goes by, I am fears that this custom will lost with the new generation, or even within our family member. This is because we are gathered together as our mom is still around and everyone got to go back. But in future, if mum is not around, the bond may not be that strong. Or maybe those live in city may succumb to convenience and comfort and find it trouble some to travel back to hometown.

Reunion dinner also stressed on the values of filial piety, and hopefully more Chinese are placing priority on this custom.

CNY 2008

2008-02-10T14:53:00.000+08:00

I know it is too late for me to write this blog, but what the heck, better be late than never.

This year will be a Rat Year, a year that I am not looking forward as my horoscope is clashes with the Tai Sui (one of the god for 2008). Another word, my luck will not be that good for 2008.

A walk at Chinatown before the festival, was indeed tiring but fun. People are flocking at Chinatown to buy the CNy's goodies. Not just tourist will go terem but the local also head to Chinatown to do their shopping and to soak up the vibrant of the atmosphere.

For me, every year without fail I will make a few trips to Chinatown to buy the CNY goodies. I can't deny that the prices are affordable and there are wide range of selection of the goodies, compared to Malaysia. Most of my siblings are impressed with the decorations that I brought from Chinatown Singapore.

At the same time being a way from hometown and family, Chinatown is the place where I can relax and soak into the festival mood. with the CNY music blasting loud, decorations around the place, and goodies, it's always remind me of my family and hometown. There were noise, light, smell at every paart of Chinatown.

Whenever I see waxed duck, it's always remind me of the old CNy that we celebrated when I was at 7-8 year old. Time was bad, money was tight, but we enjoy the festival in the moderate way. Barbecued sweet meat and the cookies, reminded me those great old time when our siblings shared the food together. We have gone thro alot of up and down and that make us stronger.

Haaaaaa....... how I miss them despite just seeing them during the CNy before i headed back to Singapore.

Looking forward for another gathering with them.

CNY resolution

2008-01-27T19:51:00.000+08:00

I have a resolution for CNY. To reduce my weight by at least 2kg before CNY. Abit unrealistic, but will try my best. When my ex-boss saw me during last week company function, she commented that i put on alot of weight, in which, i strongly agreed with her. Even people around me commented the same thing. Only people like Dora, Michael and Yanti said that i m not fat, but it just too difficult to accept the statement as the facts are, i did put on weight and people started to comment on it. Haiz.... So sad. Anyway, thanks for the compliment, but i still will increase the rental.... Hahahaha

work ... work ....

2008-01-27T19:49:00.000+08:00

With the new portfolio of work that i will be taking over, i was and still worried whether i can cope with it. Today, my colleague was so kind and patiently go through the whole process with me. Even though i don't really understand it, but i can feel that she was damn patience with me. Not easy to guide a stupid person like me, you know. After all, i don't have experience in the new task. Let hope that everything goes on smooth for me. Wish me the best!

Mr. X

2008-01-23T22:21:00.000+08:00

I met X today and he was my ex colleague and i always feel that he likes to brag. He is damn irritating and annoying. On top of that x is a back stabber. I have not sure how many parangs and knife stabbed at my back.

There are a few occasion he bragged how he scarified himself for the company, how he heped me aong the way. Oh... Please, it is all based on my own skill, eq and interpersonal skill to copes with my job.

Recently i heard rumours that he may be having some problems in his job and i wishes him the best. It never come as a surprised that he quit his job as he is just a lousy staff that like to angkat the boss, so that he can promoted. He bad mouthed other people that he hated in front of big boss so that he can get ride of the person.

Sometimes, i feel that it is so stupid of my boss to buy the story. He also damn so bossy to instruct people to do things for him, a damn liar that will lies for his own benefits. I remembered that i was the one that mentored him, coached him, guided him when he faced problems but backstabbing in return that i get from him. I wishes him the best.

Happy New Year 2008

2008-01-23T22:10:00.000+08:00

New year has ended donkey months ago and yet I still have not posted this blog on my New Year celebration.

Anyway, here it's goes:

New year celebration ended very quiet as me and apple decided not to go out to Marina Bay to watch the firework. This because the place will pack with people and people pushing each another, walking touching shoulder to shoulder. No doubt the wait for new year countdown was rewarded by sighting 8 minutes of firework, I always feel that as time goes by, new year countdown is no longer in my dictionary.

To cut story short, i was at home with apple, Dora and Shermaine, watching TV for the countdown. Shermaine was excited, waiting impatiently for the show but she was too tired by the time the clock stroked 12pm. Just a quiet wishes among all of us and we went to sleep after that. But strangely, the next morning, I saw some doves, first thing in the morning, when i went for a short walk. I know it was a good sign as doves symbolised peace and love. I am quite a pantang person, and having see some doves indicating some good sign. May 2008 be a great and fruitful year ahead for me.

A walk at HDB estate

Dove ..... a good sign for 2008

Reunion on CNY

2008-01-23T22:01:00.000+08:00

What is CNY mean to you?

For me it is a time to relax and get together with my family members. Coming from a big family, I am always looking forward to see my siblings. I missed them sometimes, especially as we are getting older, we will not know what will happen to us.

Chinese New Year also mean that I needs to spend more money to buy for the CNY’s goodies, drinks, decorations, foods for the big family member and etc. Of course the advantage is that being single, I will receive a lot of angpows from my siblings. Shameful, I know that at my age I am still taking the angpow, but hey this is the tradition isn’t it?

Staying up on the eve of Chinese New Year and leave the light on through out the whole night also mean to bring longevity to parents. But most time we ended either helping my mum to pack the angpow or having a good chit chats with my siblings, while enjoying a few good glasses of wine.

Call me old fashion, tradition or conservative, but I am still wearing red colour shirt and underwear on the CNY. I guess the tradition helps define our culture and racial identity, and observing these beliefs and values, make me more Chinese. I guess, after all it is the tradition that passed down from generation to generation.

Reunion dinner is important as it is a great time for us to sit down and catching up with our lives while have our lavish dinner. I don’t mind if we do not have a lavish dinner, but it is the sibling hood, the togetherness that make me longing for reunion dinner.

Well, having say that, I better don’t eat so much as every year without fail, I will put on some weight after CNY.

Enjoy this meaning festival and may Rat Year be a great year ahead for everyone.