Cai's World

Reasons to buy physical gold

2012-01-10T09:52:00.000+08:00

http://www.theundergroundinvestor.com/2011/12/did-bankers-deliberately-crash-mf-global-to-crash-gold-and-silver-prices/

Hardworking isn't everything

2012-01-10T00:24:00.000+08:00

HARDWORKING ENGINEER: "I'm depressed, just got retrenched"
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Written by 'hyom'
Monday, 02 January 2012 07:12

The following content was recently published on hyom's blog http://help-your-money.blogspot.com/ and is reproduced with permission.

2-depressed-engineer
Photo illustration by Sim Kih

A RECESSION IS when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. Depression has hit me. I have just been retrenched.

For many, retrenchment is not just economic depression. It is also emotional depression, self-worth depression and a humiliating depression.

For me, it is even more embarrassing because I have been known to bring work home and reject invitations to go out and play over the weekend. Perhaps some people are having their last laugh now at my expense.

A positive is that retrenchment leaves a person with plenty of time to think. Don't waste the experience. He needs to be brutally honest with himself.

In my case, I cannot honestly say it was mainly my fault. It was the free market at work, fair and square. I worked in the electronics industry in Singapore. Although electronic gadgets (iPhones, e-books, smartphones) are changing our lives for the better, fellow Singaporeans who work in the same industry will know that electronics has been on the decline for more than a decade.

The big companies (foreign MNCs) are moving out, there are no big local companies to take their place and the smaller companies which usually service the big ones are dying away. It is not just because of high labor cost. Our land (especially land), transport and energy costs also make us uncompetitive. These are infrastructural costs which the government can do their part to keep low, so our wages can have more room to move up without hitting our competitiveness.

If my company cannot grow, my immediate supervisor cannot be promoted. If he cannot be promoted, how can I be promoted? This time round, everyone lost his job, including my boss. One consolation was that I got a "diligent and honest worker" pat in my appraisal report before the retrenchment. Hopefully, this was not just a parting gift from the supervisor who just wanted to be nice.

I am tempted to lament on how unfair life is. However, this is useless to me and readers who could not care less until the same thing happens to them. Rather, it is more useful to think about practical measures to cope with retrenchment.

Coping by cutting

The first thing that comes to mind is to cut down on all unnecessary expenses. This refers to expenses incurred beyond keeping one alive. Eat the simplest, cheapest food. As long as it fills your stomach, it is good food. Try to eat at home. Don't eat out. The rental cost in Singapore is so high, why help pay for it by eating at expensive restaurants?

Entertainment expenses should be cut mercilessly. I do not subscribe to the theory that good things must come with a price. A lot of good things in life can be very cheap or even free of charge. A person can go to the library and borrow wonderful books free of charge. Get entertained and be educated free of charge. There are plenty of quality documentaries on Youtube. Again, one can get entertained and be educated free of charge. Use the spare time for learning at low or no cost.

There are certain expenses which must not be cut, however. This is one's allowance to one's parents and parents-in-law. The first response from parents is to ask their children to cut or stop their allowance upon learning of their children's retrenchment.

But I have never heard of parents who stop providing for their children when they (the parents) are out of a job. Therefore, why should children stop providing for their parents when they (the children) become jobless? People who stop giving their parents allowance are making a gross miscalculation. Their own children will do the same thing to them when they grow up.

Their children will not feel a pang of guilt because their own parents did the same thing to the latter's own parents. Setting a good example to the children is the most effective and least time-consuming way to educate them. Much better than spending so much time giving them tuition yourself and yelling at them. They either end up resenting you or hating the subject.
job-wanted1-1

The standard advice to retrenched citizens from government help bodies is to get retraining or some educational certificate to make your resume look good. While these people have good intentions, take their advice with a pinch of salt because you know your personal situation better than they.

Is your personality suitable for the type of job you are retraining for? Will employers be willing to hire you even after you have earned a certificate when they have certain discriminatory practices (against older workers and preferring to hiring their own kind)?

I am not willing to invest in higher education because education fees are too high and the investment returns do not look good. Too many people have higher education but are there enough jobs requiring such higher education? In fact, after spending a bomb for that piece of paper, a person may even get discriminated during job interviews because he is overqualified -- or the interviewer feels threatened.

Finding a job is not the only option. One can think about his personal strengths. Think about his hobbies. Can he turn them into useful products/services to sell to people? If he can successfully do this, he can be a very happy person instead of slaving for people whom he has been yearning to say "fuck off".

Quite a number of retrenched people will think of investing in the financial markets to make a living. On the surface, it looks like an easy way out. But psychology plays a very important role in successful investing. Retrenched people should be self-aware of their own weakened psychology as market participants.

And given the heightened volatility in the financial markets today, a weak psychology can lead to bad decisions because it is easier to be tricked by the high volatility to try to buy high and sell low. Investing is a fun game for me (on a part-time basis only) and I am reasonably good at controlling my losses in terrible times. But, I have to take my own advice and be self-aware of my new deficiency from now on.

Source: http://www.nextinsight.net/index.php/story-archive-mainmenu-60/916-2012/4753-engineer-qim-depressed-just-got-retrenched-in-decq

Reflections for Year 2011

2011-12-31T14:41:00.009+08:00

It had been very long time since my last entry. Therefore would like to make a conceited effort by blogging my last entry for the year and also for my old and new friends to know about me.

Warning this might be a long thread full of words.

Today marks the last day of 2011. This had been a very memorable year for me lots of work, fun and pain. 11th Nov is my birthday, so this birthday was particularly meaningful. 11-11-11 and also did many activities for the 1st time.

Alot of people might think my 1st achievements/activities are not significant, but they meant alot to me.

Major Achievements

1. My sister's graduation from University of London(UOL,Bachelor in Economics and Finance).

To study is difficult, to study when you are visually handicapped was more difficult, its even worse when you under the UOL. Most of my friends and cousins under UOL mentioned it was tough. 3 years was neither long nor short, but it was tough as my sis always lamented how hard study/assignment/exams were.

From my sister's opinion why is UOL difficult:

i) Heavy emphasis on syllabus
ii)Pure exams based, no projects, so tons of hardwork memorizing. Despite her handicapped , somehow she was given the gift of photographic memory.
iii)Exams questions are set based by staff in UK, London and the questions rarely repeat, thus studying past year papers not going to help much.

Nevertheless being more academically inclined, excelling in studies since young, my sister is always the role model for all and we are proud of her.

2. My graduation from SIM-University(UniSIM Bachelor in Infocommunications Technology).

It was also tough 2.5 years for me, having to juggle, work, family, study and friends. Burning some Friday evenings and Saturdays for some modules, some friends got classes even on Sunday evenings, thus I'm not too bad.

I still remembered vividly, when registering for the programme, telling myself this is not like secondary or poly where i can still play around. I need to tune my mindset to focus on my studies, set my determination and work hard. Nevertheless graduated satisfied with my hardwork.

I remembered doing a suicidal move by taking 27/30 credit units, this comprised of 6 modules in my first semester. Better than to suffer now than later !

In my previous job, where i had to travel quite frequently, I also brought my assignment overseas, working lonely in the hotel skipping dinner to save my meager overseas allowances.

Guys who envy me working overseas, a word of advice that traveling and working alone is emotional stressful.

i) No more rushing to Clementi MRT after work.
ii)No more attending boring class where key focus is during last hour.
iii) No more waiting for only bus 154 to Paya Lebar MRT
iv) No more having to wait the damn slow bus 70 at Paya Lebar MRT
v) No more dinners at 1130pm. (Last meal was lunch around 130pm)

I would like to thank my best friend Kai whom we suffered, endured, fought and finally graduated from the programme, 2.5ys was not easy.

Also congratulations to my other friends who also graduated this year. Kiat Loon, Wei Qiang, Hsien Joo who also gotten married this year with lovely wife April.

3. Upon graduation, the next thing to do is to take family photo in our graduation gown. Though i always take alot of photos of my friends, there are hardly any pictures of me and even less of our family. This is very meaningful to me though sister and I did not graduated from creme de la Universities, it is a tribute to my loving mother who dedicated, struggled and suffered so many years to ensure that her kids grow up well and healthy in our family.

It had been more than 10years since my father passed away, that was also how long she suffered, struggled, and mustered the strength to keep the family. I cannot repay with grandchildren yet(also dunno when ;p), so that picture will give you assurance and strength when you are weak.

4. Yes finally got my first credit card. (To some people no big deal, they immediately qualify on their first job). I applied solely based on my basic pay without factoring X months of bonuses and am proud of my hardwork. My next goal is to have an income where I cannot apply HDB. Still wondering why Citibank rejected me the $500 credit card when I was working and they approved the applications for my friends who are still schooling full-time.

Minor achievements not in any order.

5. First time attending my best buddy Jimmy and Jasmine's solemnization and getting involved with the preparation. Stressful yet fun. Congratulations to your marriage, looking forward to your customary wedding next year. Where for the first time I will be a real brother. Ya the guy having to wake up early, accompany the groom to fetch his wife, during which we need to suffer eating wasabi, chili ...

6. Picked up scuba diving.
Well in 2010 during my holiday in Bali i had first taste of scary yet exciting experience of diving for 15mins, it was a risk. After then i fell in love diving, enjoying the view and living a world on its own. Eventually Leroy mustered a few of us to pickup diving under the coach who was his supervisor. Though there was slip shod, finally one Friday evening we were on a 4-5h coach ride to Mersing, Malaysia and another close to 2h boat ride to Pulau Tioman. Luckily i do not have motion or sea sickness else the journey would be terrible. 3d2n and 5 dives, am now qualified to solo diving of up to 20m. May pursue further certification, but mind you scuba diving is an expensive sports and gears are expensive. A casual trip without rental of gears costs you SGD$500 onwards.

7. With the lack of soccer sessions, lost of interesting in cycling(yes lazy to send them for repairs) and single, I had a crazy idea of picking up Muay Thai(Thai Boxing). Initial purpose was to keep fit and have fun, thus managed to find a gym near my home. Classes were held in the evenings with free rental of gears. In the beginning was fun, slowly building the fitness and mentality, after 3 courses, 2x basic classes, 1 intermediate class, own set of gears and spending close to $1000, i decided to call it quits. Nevertheless I loved those sessions , felt good sweating out punching bags and your opponents, sparred with girls too. Some are really aggressive.

8. After few year hiatus of playing field soccer, no idea where it originated but we had a crazy idea to make a new set of jersey for our team and started organizing matches. The prior Muay Thai sessions really beefed my fitness and stamina. Usually i would in the team of reserves, but once I was called upon and opportunity and changed the tide of the game.

I scored my first ever field goal !!! Everyone knows how tiring is to play field soccer to be able to score a goal was an enormous event in my soccer playing years. Till now I had 3 goals, jokingly more than our strikers. Looking forward to next game, but i doubt fitness is there as no longer attending Muay Thai.

9. First time did not apply leave during my birthday. Normally I would apply leave on my birthday to escape work. But hey why different this year? I had such camaraderie working with my colleagues why evade. Coincidentally that day was also day when company celebrated birthday of staff born that month. So to say the whole company celebrated for me.

10. First time attending those high profile events. Our Chairman's daughter post wedding night at Marina Bay Sands. An eye opener to see the whos whos networking in event. Coupled at the event, was highlights of the customary wedding in India, a fashion show, product launch and charity show where our Chairman donated a huge sum of money to president's star charity. The recipient was our now ex-president Mr S.R. Nathan. This was the first time i saw him just 20m away from me. Dinner was also an experience for me Indian vegetarian. But we know what is our true purpose there.

11. Completed eating all the famous Lor Mee stalls in SG.

12. Organizing a surprise dinner for my mum's birthday with my relatives.

13. This was also the year of kite flying, no idea why the sudden craze.
A basic kite starts from $20 depending on the size but can go up to few hundreds with endless amount of modification. Like strips of LEDs lights which look stunning at night. Joined my friends for few session of kite flying. The joy is releasing the kite and seeing soar.

The agony is reeling the kite back especially if its like 100m away, my hand hurts.

14. First time going Hongkong and Macau.
HK dramas had been part and parcel of my life. Thus it was also my goal to visit this place. Dream came true after I decided to give myself a reward after my last papers. Unable to accommodate to everyone date, we managed to fly on August which was also summer in Hongkong. I tell you its hotter than SG.

I was tasked to plan the itinerary for this trip, mind you this was my first trip. Our main emphasis was sightseeing, food and shopping. First time taking Tiger airways at the budget terminal. Oh my budget terminal is damn budget. First day we reached Macau and checked into the the extravagance and opulence The Venetian. For such luxury the suites starts from $SGD300/night onwards.

St Paul Ruins, local snacks, gondola rides and casinos.
Lantau island, Lan Kwai Fang, The Peak, Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Disneyland and dazzling array of signature food. However the trip did not go as I expected.

But Hongkong is not a place where I will settle. Too stressful.

15. First time being a surety.

16. First time roped in to assist in wedding proposal.
Congratulations to the lovely couple Zhi Hao and Charlene. Your touching move had made everyone teared , me nearly.

17. Participated in the planning of the customary wedding. Now has abit of experience.

18. This was the year I had the most wedding invitations. Attended the wedding of 2 of my close friends. Jia Ming and Cindy. Hsien Joo and Cindy. Heartiest congratulations to them in starting the new chapter of their life together forever. Also to Han Keong and Serene, sorry could not attend your wedding.

19. Expanded my cuisine experiences.
French: Foie Gra, Duck Confit, Escargots
Spanish: Pallea (My favourite)
Italian: Parma ham (My favourite)

I want to try Mexican, Middle Eastern, South American food next year.

...

Will continue if I can still remember

How to check if NRIC is valid

2011-08-20T16:00:00.001+08:00

Check NRIC

Happen to find this website.

2011-08-18T11:20:00.002+08:00

Singapore City Codes

Ang Mo Kio +65 645
Ayer Rajah +65 676
Bedok +65 644
City +65 653
Geylang +65 673
Jurong West, Tampines +65 678
North +65 635
Sembawang +65 675
Tampines +65 677

Source http://www.1areacodescountrycodes.com/international-country-codes-city-calling-code-singapore.htm

Do not seems accurate for me, as I am in Geylang but +65 634

FINALLY I AM A BACHELOR !!!

2011-06-27T16:50:00.002+08:00

Fruitful Saturday

2011-06-27T10:42:00.003+08:00

A day of many firsts.

1. First time see guy propose to girl. (Different from TV drama)

2. First time involved in a couple's wedding proposal event and playing a critical role.

3. First time see many girls touched and teared. (I also very touched)

4. First time drink milkshake in SG.

5. First time attending a social media event @ scape, and amazed by the power and influence of social media like Facebook, Google and Twitter.

6. First time listening the ABCs of running a F&B venture from a young boss cum chef cum salesman cum purchaser cum accountant cum marketing. (Now who wants to sponsor me SGD $100K?)

7. First time go top of Marina Barrage.

8. First time witnessing a marathon event.

9. First time fly kite at night and seeing other kites being entangled without owner realizing, till you see spiderweb form in the darkness.

10. First time meeting and enjoying the companion of 3 groups of my very dear friends in a day.

Group 1 1230 - 2215
Group 2 2215 - 23xx
Group 3 23xx - 03xx
--------------------

Looking forward to my graduation trip with a group of special friends. That would be another first.

2 short term goals, 1 achieved.

2011-06-10T23:40:00.003+08:00

I had set 2 short term goals, since started working.

Today i had received the parcel and completed one of them. The next goal would be known towards end of month.

Waiting anxiously !!!

I realised it had been so long since i last updated my blog.

2011-06-10T16:59:00.001+08:00

2011-06-10T16:58:00.001+08:00

http://moolahoooh.blogspot.com/2011/03/fake-talents-in-singapore.html?zx=609cd29b63792000

What happened if you met such a person

2010-11-10T22:00:00.000+08:00

Today i am trying to ask "HG" a simple question and will use an analogy to represent the conversation below.

Me: Had your lunch?

Expected answers, Yes, No, or I had XXX for lunch.

HG: I don't eat chicken rice for lunch.

I was thinking, does HG understand what was the question and what HG was answering?

Vomit blood !!!

So many secret societies in Singapore

2010-11-10T15:18:00.002+08:00

'21 (Dhee It)(Peh)'

Sio Kun Tong(Salakau) (369) (Chao)

18 Zhup Puey (Siao)(Sio Yi Ho)

'The 04 Gang' (Inactive)

Wah Kee (华记)
China Town 04

' 24 Ghee Hia Di(Dhee Xi)'

Ghee Hai Kim 义海金
Ghee Lian Hor 义龙虎
Ghee Leng Kiat 义龙杰
Ghee Sa Diu 义三舅 (139)
Patt Leong 八联
Sio Ang Kun(Tiong Bahru,Redhill)
Sio Lo Kuan (Jalan Deskar,Jalan Besar)
Kau Lak Kau (969)
Ghee Meng Tong 义盟堂
Ghee Hin Kongsi 义兴公司
Ghee Hock (Part of Ghee Hin Kongsi) 义福

'Kong Puey 08(Kong)'

'Independent gangs'

Sarajumbo (Indian Gang)
Veerasamy (Indian Gang)
Riyadi gang( Malay Gang)
Omega (Malay gang)
Seven stones(mix gang)(Inactive)(powerful)
Cinababi (cheena gang)
Nasibabi (malay gang) *Ondru Saernthu Paaduvom (indian gang)
Mata Siao(999)(very powerful)
no limit(tampines kia)kepala:ammar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_societies_in_Singapore

We are always behind time.

2010-10-26T23:14:00.000+08:00

During schooling times
   I value times after school !

During National Service
   I value the time when i book-out !

During work
           I value my weekends !

Haze please go away

2010-10-22T00:23:00.000+08:00

Haze haze go away
Come again another day
Little Yan Cai want to play

Logical explanation why the Banking and Finance Industry pay well

2010-10-20T22:59:00.001+08:00

I am an ex-engineer working in a bank as some calls it front office treasury role.

As for the question on why engineers are lowly paid compared to bankers, it all boils down how much money can you bring to the firm.

E.g. I used to work as R&D engineer, and I work together wih 10+ R&D engineers to innovate 1 product, and a assembly line with another set of product engineers, technicans and factory workers to produce the finished product. Besides of the huge human resources requirements, there are large capital expenditures e.g. machines, factories. The margin is low with high overheads (engineer pay is one major overhead).

In a bank on financial markets, there is product developement team called the quants, abt 3-4 people with phd in maths, who comes up with new structured products and risk management solutions, a desk of 3 traders who manage the risks, a few sales to push the product. There is a middle/back office settling the trades, etc. For a relative small operations, the pnl can be enormous at roughly 5% of volume, thus can be around USD25mio/yr. Divide the bounty between 5-10 FO staff, and you can see how much bonus they get.

http://forums.salary.sg/education-personal-growth/646-engineering-technology-careers-not-valued-singapore-high-cost-low-tech-4.html

What a weekend !!!

2010-10-10T21:45:00.000+08:00

Waited 2hs for dinner on Friday
Waited 1h for dinner on Saturday
ate seafood risotto
ate parma ham pizza Ma Ma Miaa
Visited Universal Studio Singapore and did not take any photos
first time experiencing fireworks upclose
explore a world of candies at Candilcious
drank an expensive and extremely sweet drink.
watching a movie about idiots
first visit to kite shop
bought my first kite, from a friend
watching my friend's new bought kite stuck on the tree in ECP.

The only impressive factor of Universal Studio Singapore is its fireworks, more beautiful than NDP period. The theme park is so small.

2010-10-10T21:37:00.001+08:00

What is new in iPhone 5

2010-09-28T16:08:00.002+08:00

Source:
http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/tech-fun/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/iphone51.png

Interesting

2010-09-28T16:07:00.000+08:00

Source: http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/tech-fun/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/addiction1.png

I thought Shell was the largest ?

2010-09-28T15:40:00.003+08:00

The offering has made Petrobras the third largest oil company in the world after US-based ExxonMobil and PetroChina.

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100928/tts-brazil-oil-stocks-company-petrobras-c1b2fc3.html

WTF !!!

2010-09-28T15:40:00.000+08:00

NEW YORK (AFP) - – Citigroup's top new banker, who defected from Swiss rival UBS AG earlier this month, could get a salary of up to 30 million dollars a year, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

Stephen Trauber, a banker specialized in the energy sector, has secured the lucrative three-year pay package, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100927/tts-us-banking-company-citi-salary-c1b2fc3.html

How much is the price for privacy and tranquility?

2010-09-27T13:46:00.001+08:00

USD$250, 000 for a week stay on 11 islands owned by world renowned magician "David Copperfield'".

Famous guests that stayed here as provided by David Copperfield.

- The famous guy in the IT industry
- The famous tv host in America.

Benefits taken from a SG organization

2010-09-26T01:54:00.000+08:00

1. Sick Leave without MC which is to recognise that for some illnesses, it is possible for officers to self-medicate and rest at home. Under this initiative, officers can apply for sick leave without MC up to 2 days per year. This will be counted towards the officer’s eligibility for sick leave under his Medical Leave benefits scheme

2. Telecommuting - Some officers may wish to work away from the office environment, so telecommuting arrangement is the best option

3. XXXXX is a personal development platform for all officers. We provide activities which covers areas of skill training, community development, sense of corporate belonging & personal mastery. It is also a platform to announce corporate initiatives

4. Staggered working hours - Reflecting our open culture, we allow our officers a choice in their reporting time (subject to supervisor’s agreement)

5. The Staff appreciation token for 5 years service was introduced in 2007 – XXX officers who work for 5 years in XXX are given $100 vouchers

6. Personal Development Fund – Officers can tap on the Personal Development Fund of $100 per year to apply for enrichment courses related to art, music, dance or sports, e.g. yoga, language courses, cookery lessons, etc.

On top of the initiatives above, you will also get to enjoy:
-
-
-
-
-
-
5 days of Child Sick Leave per child per year for Officers with children under 12 years old subject to a maximum of 15 Days' per year
6 days of child sick leave per year for officers with children under 7 years old
No-pay/full pay Leave for training awards
3 days of Examination Leave per subject for work-related courses up to a maximum of 14 days per year

Personality Quiz

2010-09-20T22:26:00.001+08:00

Link provided by my sister, the results are very accurate.

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

http://www.personalitypage.com/html/ISTJ.html

ISTJ

Guardian Portrait of the Inspector (ISTJ)

The one word that best describes Inspectors is superdependable. Whether at home or at work, Inspectors are extraordinarily persevering and dutiful, particularly when it comes to keeping an eye on the people and products they are responsible for. In their quiet way, Inspectors see to it that rules are followed, laws are respected, and standards are upheld.

Inspectors (as much as ten percent of the general population) are the true guardians of institutions. They are patient with their work and with the procedures within an institution, although not always with the unauthorized behavior of some people in that institution. Responsible to the core, Inspectors like it when people know their duties, follow the guidelines, and operate within the rules. For their part, Inspectors will see to it that goods are examined and schedules are kept, that resources will be up to standards and delivered when and where they are supposed to be. And they would prefer that everyone be this dependable. Inspectors can be hard-nosed about the need for following the rules in the workplace, and do not hesitate to report irregularities to the proper authorities. Because of this they are often misjudged as being hard-hearted, or as having ice in their veins, for people fail to see their good intentions and their vulnerability to criticism. Also, because Inspectors usually make their inspections without much flourish or fanfare, the dedication they bring to their work can go unnoticed and unappreciated.
Please Understand Me II -- The International Bestseller by David Keirsey, Ph.D. Click here to purchase at Amazon.com

While not as talkative as Supervisor Guardians [ESTJs], Inspectors are still highly sociable, and are likely to be involved in community service organizations, such as Sunday School, Little League, or Boy and Girl Scouting, that transmit traditional values to the young. Like all Guardians, Inspectors hold dear their family social ceremonies-weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries - although they tend to be shy if the occasion becomes too large or too public. Generally speaking, Inspectors are not comfortable with anything that gets too fancy. Their words tend to be plain and down-to-earth, not showy or high-flown; their clothes are often simple and conservative rather than of the latest fashion; and their home and work environments are usually neat, orderly, and traditional, rather than trendy or ostentatious. As for personal property, they usually choose standard items over models loaded with features, and they often try to find classics and antiques - Inspectors prefer the old-fashioned to the newfangled every time.

Queen Elizabeth II, Harry S. Truman, Warren Buffet, Queen Victoria, James K. Polk, and J.D. Rockefeller are examples of Inspector Guardians.

Source

ENVY

2010-09-16T13:33:00.002+08:00

We are seeing more and more University students driving to school. In particular, for 21-year-old student Dhiaa Al-Essa, he may have the headache of choosing which car to drive.

Son of a mega wealthy Saudi businessman, Dhiaa is the youngest person to own a collection of 30 supercar and luxury vehicles worth £4.5million at the young age of just 21. The collection includes five Ferraris, five Porsches, three Lamborghinis, two Rolls Royces and a McLaren Mercedes to name a few. But the list doesn't stop there. Next year the value of his collection will double when he takes delivery of a Koenigsegg Agera for his 22nd birthday and a Bugatti Veyron worth £1.6million.

He was supposed to collect a Ferrari 458 Italia, but it was one of the unlucky 458s that suffered in a warehouse fire at Heathrow Airport. Including customizations such as a Dolce and Gabbana interior, the 458 Italia was priced at £300,000.

Dhiaa is currently pursuing an engineering degree in his home town, Riyadh. His father’s empire extends into numerous businesses from real estate to stock markets. I believe Dhiaa has no lack of choice for ladies too. Oh, how I envy him…

Source

How am i feeling ...

2010-08-31T17:01:00.000+08:00

Extremely dissatisfied: 29.6%

Your score shows that you are extremely unhappy with your current life. Have you been through a tough time recently, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce? If so, this could explain your unhappiness. Otherwise, you might want to reassess your priorities in life. Are you being too harsh on yourself, always striving for maximum success yet often thinking that you're never good enough?

Yes, reaching life goals is important, but to be truly happy, you need to be at peace with yourself. It's important to set realistic goals: An office worker who is saving up to get a new TV will be more satisfied than a millionaire who wants to own a private jet, simply because the object of desire is achievable in the former case.

If you're not contented with your life, you'll never be happy. Try to have a more positive outlook on life, spend more time with your loved ones. It may also help to see a counsellor, a psychologist or a member of the clergy.

Happiness Quiz

Anybody wants to go North Korea jiak hong

2010-08-27T16:11:00.002+08:00

http://universaltravel.com.sg/NorthKorea_10DaysNorthKorea.php

Didn't know there is a North Korean Embassy in Singapore

2010-08-27T16:04:00.001+08:00

http://www.oikono.com/wordpress/?p=396}

We cannot live without Google.

2010-08-27T13:35:00.000+08:00

Killer interview question: Could you work as a developer if Google was banned in this bank?

26 August 2010

eFinancialCareers Singapore

A hiring manager asked a candidate this question during an interview for a C#/.NET developer role in a large international bank in Asia.

The question in full

Would you be able to work, code and deliver if I tell you that Google is banned in this organisation?

What the hiring manager thinks are the best and worst answers

Best: “No”
Worst: Saying “yes” and then not being able to answer the most basic object-oriented programming concepts.

Did the manager give the candidate the job?

I actually hired the candidate who answered no; that's for being truthful, and secondly he was pretty solid.

Source

Tasty Mee Siam, only second to my mum's cooking.

2010-08-25T15:37:00.004+08:00

Today was invited to join lunch with the sales team. Previously i told them my favorite food is mee siam and hard to find elsewhere. They had frequently visited a place for mee siam and wanted my review LOL.

The place is called The Royals Cafe near Siglap centre. As the place was rather small, the place is already packed. Inside you can see cakes and ice-cream on display. Other than that they also sell ala carte items like sandwiches, salads, nasi lemak, chicken chop ... , but i am here for the mee siam.

I ordered the mee siam set meal which costs $8.80, consisting of mee siam + coffee/tea/soft drinks and a cake valued below $2.20.

Impression of the mee siam, served in a big bowl with prawns? Now i know why this humble dish costs $4.90 alone. The sourness and spiciness of the gravy is just right. Also the gravy is abit thick with peanuts, elsewhere they don't put peanuts. The only disappointment was the tau gey put inside was not cooked or blanch slightly. I prefer the tau gey to cook longer so its doesn't has that raw taste.

Rating: 4.5/5. If the tau gey is less raw, it would score more.

Lastly was dessert, the American Carrot Cake, this is not your local chai tow kuay. The texture is different from normal cakes, less soft. Every mouthful, you can taste the slices of carrots and nuts, quite a funny yet nice taste. My colleague bought a cake back.

Hope to comeback more for the Mee Siam. Sorry dear readers no pictures.

Thanks Leslie, Siew Cheong, Andy and Thao for the recommendations.

The Royals Cafe
Upper East Coast Rd
19, Crescendo Bldg.
(beside Jalan Tua Kong)

Tel: 6445-6457

Open daily from 7.30am to 11 pm

Suspicious mail from Facebook

2010-08-25T15:21:00.002+08:00

Nice read

2010-08-25T11:36:00.002+08:00

A healthy metabolism will keep you in shape and raise your energy levels, both of which are essential to smart money management. By staying healthy, you'll save money on health care costs while maintaining your ability to earn a living. Your metabolism - more specifically, your metabolic rate - is how quickly your body is burning calories. So if you're trying to lose weight, raising your metabolic rate means you'll see results faster.

You don't need fancy diets or expensive gym memberships to raise your metabolic rate. Here are 17 simple things you can do today to jumpstart your body.

[In Pictures: 8 Painless Ways to Save Money.]

1. Fidget. Tap your foot, twirl a pen, chew sugar-free gum while at your desk. Fidgeting uses energy, and while you won't be shedding inches instantly, the mini-aerobics on a daily basis adds up - highly fidgety people may burn up to 500 calories more in a day.

Not done, why not say typing on the keyboard?

2. Stay properly hydrated. Studies have shown that when we are dehydrated, our systems slow down. That includes our metabolism. Aim for at least 8 cups of water a day. An easy way to keep track is to get a 32-oz (4 cups) water bottle, and drink two full bottles a day. If water is too boring for you, there are several natural ways to make water more flavorful.

Office very cold, drinking more water means going toilet often.

3. Avoid diet soda. Water is king when it comes to hydration, but many people find it boring and look for alternatives like diet soda. But just because it has 0 calories doesn't mean it's as good as water. The problem is that the chemical sweeteners used in diet sodas can increase food and fat cravings, which can make sticking to a structured diet and seeing results much harder.

Done

4. Drink cold drinks. Research subjects' metabolisms increased by a third in the 30-40 minutes after drinking a glass of water. The metabolic rate increase is due to your body warming up the liquid.

I read somewhere its bad drinking cold water after a meal especially if the dishes are oily.

5. Spice up your meals. Spicy foods speed up the metabolic process by 20 percent or more for up to half an hour after eating them. Adding a dash of red pepper flakes to stews, pasta sauces, and other dishes is an easy way to turn up the heat and increase the burn.

My mum don't cook Indian or Mexican dishes.

6. Eat a balanced diet that includes "negative calorie" foods. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables fill you up and take effort for the body to break down. Some vegetables (like celery) and other complex carbohydrates (like high fiber foods) even require more calories to break them down than they contain, making them "negative calorie" foods.

Done

7. Eat more protein. Studies have shown that the body uses twice the energy to break down foods containing protein as it does food that has a high carbohydrate or fat content. (See also: 10 Things to Do With Bargain Beef.)

Will try.

8. Eat fish to store less fat. Eating salmon, tuna, and other fish lowers the levels of leptin in your body. Leptin tells your body how to store calories, and high levels of it trigger fat storage. Eat more fish, lower your leptin levels, and your metabolism triggers your body to store less fat.

If only i am living in Japan and Norway than every meal is Salmon and Sashimi !!!

9. Eat enough calories over the course of the day. Crash diets don't work. If you take in fewer calories than your basal metabolic rate (NYSE: BMR - News) - that is, the amount of calories your body needs when you're completely inactive - then your metabolism will slow down as your body goes into survival mode. So make sure you eat enough to keep your metabolism from stalling.

Don't understand

10. Don't skip breakfast. Eating breakfast is a signal to your metabolism that it's time to start working. Skipping breakfast for the sake of eating less throughout the day is counter-productive; not only does it keep your body in rest mode, but it also makes you hungrier throughout the day.

Doing now and its valid!

11. Eat consistently throughout the day. Eating introduces food into your system, which puts your metabolism to work converting that food to energy it can use. So constant snacking keeps your metabolism elevated throughout the day.

... Hmmms must try

12. Plan ahead for meals and snacks. Eating smaller meals more frequently has the added benefit of keeping your energy level from spiking up or down, which helps you avoid hunger, stay more active, and avoid stress. Have a food plan for the whole day, so you're not tempted by the vending machine in the afternoon and have the energy to exercise after work.

Eat also must plan so troublesome. I just eat whats on the table.

13. Kick your workouts up a notch. When you're walking, wear a weight vest, or bring dumbbells and do curls along the way. Use fitness bands and other resistance gear to get your body to burn more energy in the same amount of time. Need to stay organized? Check out these 8 fitness and diet smart phone apps.

14. Focus on muscle at the gym. Building muscle will help you burn more calories even when you're not moving. While cardio exercise helps to burn fat, muscle building speeds up your metabolic rate for up to 2 hours after every 20-minute session. Better still: every pound of muscle in the body burns 35 calories per day rather than the 2 calories burned by a pound of fat.

15. Perk yourself up with some caffeine. Whether it's a cup of coffee in the morning or a cup of tea in the afternoon, a little bit of caffeine increases your metabolism in the short term. Just be aware that milk and sweeteners add calories, which can counter the metabolic benefits. Also beware of having too much caffeine, which may lead to energy crashes or fitful sleep. (See also: Cheapest Ways to Get Your Caffeine Fix.)

Don't drink coffee.

16. Dodge stress. Stress raises cortisol levels; cortisol is a hormone that can make you hungrier and slow down your metabolism.

Unavoidable when we are working.

17. Never underestimate the value of a good night's sleep. Like stress, though, lack of sleep can elevate levels of cortisol. If the risk of slowing your metabolism down isn't enough to motivate you to try for 8 hours of sleep, how about this -- when you sleep, your body produces a hormone that increases your metabolic rate.

Trying to get min 8hs of sleep.
Source: http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/17-Cheap-Ways-to-Jumpstart-usnews-651306142.html?x=0

Art of ordering lunch

2010-08-06T15:26:00.001+08:00

Visit the stall near the end of lunch/dinner time.

Sure, some of the dishes may be sold out, but there will also be plenty of other dishes still available. Since the stall owner can't keep the dishes until the next lunch/dinner time, it is in his interest to give away larger portions so that he won't need to deal with leftovers later.

Get your guy colleague to order for you.

This only applies to girls. Stall owners tend to give a smaller portion to girls compared to guys. However, they charge the same price for both. So it is more value for money for a guy to place the order on behalf of the girl so as to receive a larger portion.

Ask for 'more rice' instead of 'add rice'.

Most stall owners will interpret 'more rice' as a larger scoop of rice which will result in more rice. This is generally free. However, 'add rice' entails adding a second scoop of rice to the first, and this generally cost additional money.

Make sure the stall owner has space to serve.

In many mixed vege stalls, there are usually two or more people serving dishes as the same time. When you are ordering, make sure to order dishes that are near the person serving you so that he won't have to stretch over his co-worker to reach your dish. If he is stretching to reach your dish, he probably won't give you more than usual serving since it is that much of a hassle.

Order the meat first.

This is to create a good impression with the stall owner. By ordering the meat first, your are signaling to the stall owner that you will not be ordering the cheapest items on the menu. This puts the owner in a better mood, so he may give you a larger serving.

Order 1 dish at a time and wait until he finished serving.

Point to your first dish, then wait until the stall owner finish serving it before pointing to the next dish. Do not rush him. Often, the stall owner needs time to gauge the portion of food to serve. If you give him sufficient time, it is likely that he will give you a larger than standard portion. Hurrying him results in less than standard portions.

Pause in between ordering dishes.

Pretend to ponder in between dishes. This gives more time for the stall owner to serve your previous dish which likely will result in a larger portion. When he is finished and noticed that you are still pondering overyour next order, he may feel bored and add a few more slices of your previous dish while waiting for you to make your next choice.

Order the same dish twice.

Use this technique very sparingly. After order a dish, pretend to look distracted and point to the same dish again. The stall owner will likely tell you that he has already served that dish. However, occasionally, he may instinctively go through the motion of serving the dish again and make your portion slightly larger, all for the same price.

Order dishes that are about to run out.

It takes practice to estimate, but it is worth picking dishes that are left with about 1.5 to 2 portions. Chances are, that if there is only about 1.5 to 2 portions of the dish left, the stall owner will think 'what-the-heck' and just give you everything. The good is that you get extra servings, the bad is that sauces right at the bottom of the tray are very salty.

Order vege dishes that contain meat sauces.

Some vege dishes have some meat in it to bring out the additional flavour. But it is sold at the price of vege becos the meat is usually in small amounts and only present in the sauce. Tofu dishes are an example of such. By ordering such dishes, you are getting some serving of meat for the price of vege. Nice.

Do not order meat dishes that contain vegetables.

These dishes count as meat but is usual half served with vegetables. It is very not worthwhile, do not order it. An example is the stir fried venison with leek. Go for fully meat dishes instead.

Ask for curry sauce.

Many a time, when you ask for curry sauce, some other ingredients in the curry sauce will find its way onto your rice, such as small pieces of chicken or potato. Cabbage curry sauce will probably bring you some cabbages and longbeans. And it's free.

Ask for meat sauces.

As mentioned earlier, some sauces are cooked with minced meat. It is near impossible to separate the mince meat from the sauce. So if you ask for meat sauces, you will definitely receive some serving of meat with it. And it's free.

Become a regular customer.

Talk to the stall owner on occasions. With good rapport, the stall owner will recognize you as a regular customer and will naturally give you extra servings the next time you visit.

Source http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=410500001830&id=711507292

Blog of a triple CCIE

2010-08-05T14:33:00.000+08:00

http://brokenpipes.blogspot.com/2009/01/summary-of-my-journey.html

Chinese Apple hacker

2010-08-05T14:24:00.001+08:00

If tough love is the best way to fix the world's software, then Wu Shi may be one of the information security industry's unsung heroes.

Since 2007 the 35-year-old Shanghai-based researcher has found and reported more than 100 critical flaws in Web browsers like Internet Explorer, Safari and Chrome that could be used to hijack users' computers when they browse to an infected Web page. In the last year alone he's sold more than 50 of those flaws to vulnerability bounty projects like Zero Day Initiative and iDefense, organizations at Hewlett-Packard and VeriSign, respectively, that pay researchers for bug information and use the data in security products before passing it on to affected software vendors.

In Pictures: Red White And Blue In Red China

Hong Kong's 40 Richest

Best Business Apps For Android

Ten Socially Responsible Mobile Apps

Waterproofing Your Vacation

Those numbers represent more flaws reported to Zero Day Initiative and iDefense in a single year--and certainly more vulnerabilities in Web browsers--than practically any other researcher in the world. And more than half those flaws have been in Apple's Safari browser.

In one security update last month, for instance, Apple released 64 new patches for its iPhone operating system. Only six of those security problems had been identified by Apple's internal researchers. Twelve had been identified by researchers at Google. Fifteen had been identified by Wu.

"Perhaps Apple should hire Wu Shi to help them, since apparently he can find more than twice the bugs their whole security team can find," fellow security researcher Charlie Miller told Forbes at the time.

In instant messenger and e-mail conversations, Wu explains how he uses a method known as "fuzzing" to harvest those bugs. Fuzzing a browser involves entering a stream of tweaked files into the program to see which cause it to crash, and then analyzing those crash instances to see which would allow a hacker to insert code that would give him or her control of the browser.

Wu uses his own unique algorithm to generate those test files, and throws them at his own Apache Tomcat server, allowing him to test more samples at a higher frequency than the average researcher. Instead of merely switching single variables in a file, he says his method changes the entire sample, making as many changes as possible that still allow a browser to recognize the file as HTML. "My fuzzing framework focuses on the software's structure, not the details," Wu said.

Wu doesn't perform deep analysis on the bugs he finds, says Aaron Portnoy, a research manager at ZDI who has examined his findings. But Portnoy says the Chinese researcher's full-file fuzzing catches bugs that other approaches can't. "These files have complex hierarchies of related items. Instead of changing one of those items, he can change how the relationship tree works," says Portnoy. "A lot of people fuzz data. He fuzzes relationships."

Wu says he came up with his bug-finding breakthrough after a series of career disappointments. As China's stock market bubble swelled in 2006, his job at a small IT firm began to feel like a sinking ship. "I fell deeper and deeper into despair," Wu said. "On my salary, I couldn't even feed myself."

He left the IT firm and launched a startup based on peer-to-peer file sharing technology. But when a big customer refused to pay for a major project it had commissioned, his partner took another job and the company collapsed.

Wu began assembling a security consultancy and experimenting with fuzzing ideas he'd first had as a student at Fudan University years before. He found several Microsoft security flaws and reported them to the company directly before a friend told him about "vulnerability buying" programs like ZDI. "From that time on, I became a full-time bug hunter," he says.

The hunt has been fruitful. ZDI has paid Wu at least $5,000 for each of the 50 bugs it's bought from him, and iDefense has on occasion paid more than $10,000 for a single flaw. Wu won't say just how much those rewards have added up to, though some simple math shows they go well beyond a quarter of a million dollars--a tidy sum in China. ZDI has also awarded Wu "platinum status," a title that comes with a $20,000 bonus and a free trip to the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas.

The idea of hundreds of critical security bugs in the hands of a mainland Chinese researcher might worry some in the wake of several widespread cyber espionage networks recently linked to China. The very public hacking of Google, Juniper, Intel, Yahoo and several other companies by cyberspies seemingly based in the country, for instance, used a flaw in Internet Explorer that could have been found with techniques similar to Wu's.

But Wu says that he has sold bugs only to those that "don't do evil" and report the bugs directly to software vendors. For some Internet Explorer bugs, he says he's had offers of 10 times ZDI's bounty from black-market buyers. But moral questions aside, Wu wants none of the risks that come with criminal associations.

Even so, the sheer numbers of vulnerabilities that Wu has found may be troubling, particularly in Apple's software. Wu says that he focuses on Apple's flaws because it's clear that the company hasn't. (Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

While Microsoft has been busy hardening its software against a decade of attacks--Wu cites threats like the Code Red worm that spread to hundreds of thousands of computers in 2001 and defaced websites with the phrase "Hacked By Chinese!"--Apple has enjoyed complacent years of being ignored by cybercriminals.

But Wu says that lull can't last. The rise of targeted attacks, for instance, has meant that Apple's smaller market share can no longer shield the company from dealing with security issues. "The iPhone and Mac OS are much easier to attack than Windows 7," he says. "I think in the future there will be a lot of attacks on Apple's software."

In other words, Apple's turn to be "hacked by Chinese" may come soon enough. And not all of them will be as charitable as Wu Shi.

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/forbes/20100720/ttc-what-this-chinese-hacker-could-teach-2aa1c1a.html

Peanuts pay job, but here's the interview.

2010-06-30T10:10:00.001+08:00

http://news.efinancialcareers.sg/Guest_ITEM/newsItemId-24501

His one month pay is more than my annual pay WTF

2010-06-29T18:14:00.001+08:00

Standard Chartered Plc was ordered by Singapore’s High Court to pay Fermin Aldabe for wrongful dismissal after the lender’s global senior risk manager said he would resign on his first day on the job.

The London-based bank must pay Aldabe at least S$40,333 ($29,384) including one month’s salary of S$27,500 and his wage from Nov. 17 to Nov. 30, 2008, Justice Steven Chong said in his judgment yesterday. Aldabe was fired after saying he’d resign when told he wouldn’t be paid for a two-week period before the start date stipulated in his offer letter.

More here

Results are out, pleased with my performance.

2010-06-29T14:13:00.003+08:00

After waiting for a month ...

Now waiting for another negotitations.

IT 心声

2010-06-21T14:22:00.000+08:00

Long hours

Long hours are a given in IT. Long hours in IT were an issue even before the economy tanked, causing more people to be laid off and the remaining staff forced to take on more responsibility. Some of the long hours are due to the nature of the work, but sometimes they’re due to the way you work. There are tons of sources out there that give good time management advice and teach you how to use your time more wisely. I’ve heard good things about Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.
Lack of respect

While the CIO may feel a lack of respect in the boardroom, IT staffers are often faced with it every day. Help desk personnel will occasionally get the appreciative end-user but many times they’ll be treated as though they invented the technology that is causing the end-user problems.

Network administrators are usually below the radar, only showing up when the system goes down. People rarely recognize the time the system is up. In other words, the more successful a net admin is at the job, the lower his or her profile.
No recognition

Probably the complaint I hear most often from TR members is that they don’t feel they are rewarded properly. In a bad economy, raises and promotions aren’t forthcoming. Even despite these factors, IT can be a thankless job. After all, you’re not out there doing the things that get attention like other departments (e.g., Sales gets the glory if they land a big account). Savvy bosses will constantly sing the praises of their staffers. It’s the best way to get the IT department on the radar.

But if they don’t, you need to do it yourself. Throughout the year you should log your wins and keep track of the metrics that show you’re doing your job. Take the highlights of this and include them in your yearly review. I understand self-promotion is hard for IT pros who just want to do their jobs and not worry about their images, but if you don’t, you’ll be hit by another stressor:
Politics

I don’t care who you are or where you work, you will encounter people who seem to work less, but have more political clout. It’s infuriating but it shows the power of marketing oneself.

Source

Let me teach you a new word today "ENVY"! You shall reply with WOAH! or OMG!

2010-06-14T13:40:00.006+08:00

More here http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gallery.php?member=THE_FORCE&folderid=2051

First time ever went shopping with mum, chose clothes which she liked and bought for her.

2010-06-08T22:32:00.000+08:00

Thank you Bandar and Amanda for organising a belated birthday celebration for my mum. Also thank you Jimmy, Xiang Xin and Jasmine for attending !!!

2010-05-08T21:31:00.002+08:00

Me on CNBC

2010-04-17T15:33:00.004+08:00

The video clip is part 1 out of 3 with our new owner, Dr B K Modi. View the video here

Negotiations had started, what would be the outcome ?

2010-04-08T22:19:00.000+08:00

Valentino Balboni, in my opnion the best job in the world !!!

2010-03-14T17:19:00.003+08:00

I want to go Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy to visit Lamborghini Nuova Automobili S.p.A.

Recently Starhub cable tv is showing the series "Mega Factories".

It had shown Ferrari and Porsche factories, but however after watching Lamborghini factory, Lamborghini is a brand that truly hand made sport cars.

Porsche had over 100++ stations with thousands of workers. Workers are responsible for fixing up the car at different station. The cars are moved on a conveyor belt to the next station. The episode on Ferrari i can't remember.

Lamborghini on the other hand had only 14 stations with less than 150 workers. Maybe due to having a smaller factory, work on another Lamborghini starts when one has ended production. The manufacturing of the engine and components are by machinery. But the mounting and installing of engine block, components are by hand. The staff interviewed takes pride and devote their soul when installing a Lamborghini.Each Lamborghini built is unique from another car and produced in limited quantities.

Valentino Balboni has the best job in the world !!!

From another cable show "Rides" on channel 72 Discovery turbo. This gentleman is the chief test driver for Lamborghini.

His job is to test drive each completed Lamborghinis before handing them over to customer.

More on Valentino Balboni http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentino_Balboni

To give tribute to the most faithful and hardworking test driver, Lamorghini produced the 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni. More info below.

http://www.insideline.com/lamborghini/gallardo/2010/2010-lamborghini-gallardo-lp550-2-valentino-balboni-first-drive.html

While my boss was shaking hands giving out angbao, I was shaking hand with my colleagues biding farewell.

2010-02-12T12:55:00.001+08:00

Wendy's but no big deal

2010-02-08T15:35:00.004+08:00

Last Saturday after my class, yes class on Saturday 9am -5pm, decided to try eating at Wendy's Restaurant to see whats so special.

Met Kai at Lau Pat Sat, then had dinner at Wendy's. The outlet was quite small compared to the other fast food restaurants with only 2 counters. Their specialty are beef burgers, but I don't take beef, so I ordered the ultimate grill chicken.

Tasted the burger, nothing special consisting of just grilled meat, lettuce and mayo sauce. Kai commented the beef was juicier compared to the rest.

So in my opinion if you are a beef lover give it a try, otherwise go Carl's Junior.

Coke is coke
Fries lose Macdonalds
Chicken meat rather dry but because using thigh meat taste still ok.

After dinner, we walked around Chinatown to get into the festive mood.

Childhood luxury taste that never changes

2010-02-08T14:55:00.007+08:00

Last Wednesday brought mum and sis to eat at Fatty Weng near our place.

Used to remember only get to eat here if only my dad strikes 4d! So in those days, when Singapore wasn't flooded with so many eateries, this was the best in the category.

Its a pity that the restaurant at Singapore Badminton Hall had closed down, not sure the reason but nevertheless, the original coffeeshop is still operating.

Chili Crab Do not be mistaken this is only 1 crab!

Fried garlic frog legs

Sambal Kangkong

Spare ribs King

Sweet and sour pork the best i ever tasted, try to believe !

Quality : 4.5/5 (I cannot give full as there's no such thing as perfect.)
Service : 4/5
Ambience : 3/5
Price : 4.5/5

All for less than $100 where to find !

Fatty Weng Restaurant
94 Guillemard Road
6345-2702

Change is imminent. New begining soon.

2010-01-26T23:49:00.001+08:00

Month of Japanese Cruisine !!!

2010-01-22T23:58:00.009+08:00

Sat 2nd Jan - Ishi Mura @ Paradiz Centre (Cheapest Japanese food in Orchard)

The dessert not from Ishi Mura, from Bugis.

Sat 9th Jan - Shabubu JB (Monthly appointment !!!)

Mon 11th Jan - Ma Maison @ Bugis (Japanese and French Fusion, place to bring loved ones)

Fri 15th Jan - Ishi Mura @ Paradiz Centre (Cheapest Japanese food in Orchard)

Sat 16th Jan - Himawari @ Mount Faber SAFRA Club (Best Japanese food I tasted !!!)

SAFRA Mount Faber 2 Telok Blangah Way #01-10 S(098803)
Tel: 62787778

Buffet nett price around $45/pax

The next closest competitor would be Kushinbo with its spider crabs !!!

As we bid farewell to turbulent and uncertainty 2009

2010-01-07T01:04:00.004+08:00

At Marina Barrage

boring holiday season zzz ...

2009-12-29T10:32:00.001+08:00

The 1 week cool off cum reflection period.

2009-12-23T23:48:00.001+08:00

Finally after a month of agony waiting, the verdict is ...

2009-12-22T01:13:00.004+08:00

Friday 18th Dec 09

After a month of waiting at 3pm the exam results are out. However I only managed to check the next day as I need to go to customer place to work. The next morning i login to UniSIM website and view my score.

Pass, I am impressed and satisfied with my efforts put in for my exam despite, busy work schedule and family. However the grades could be better. 1 more year to graduation

-------------------------------------------

Saturday 19th Dec 09

I went to the electronics fair @ Suntec to see if there were any good bargains, however none attracted me. Then its off to AMK HUB to catch movie. 2 chinese movies "1645 Bodyguard & Assassins and 1940 Feng Yun 2

Bodyguard and assassins was nice with many HK actors and the replica scene of old Shanghai.

Mark my words Feng Yun 2 is the worst movie i ever seen. Wind and Cloud both fighting for the past 30mins. I yawned a couple of times and nearly fell asleep.

A small reward for myself. Bought this game as the rating was high and animations were good.

Boy ! this is the best game I ever played. A combination of James Bond + Tomb Raider. Hero vs helicopter, tanks ... just buy and play no regrets !!!

Horoscope is so damn accurate, to be errie !!!

2009-12-15T23:00:00.000+08:00

Your Daily Horoscope: December 15, 2009
Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov 21 (Wrong Sign?)
Guard against becoming entangled in the lives of others today, Scorpio. It appears that there are things going on around you that are getting more complicated by the moment, and others want you involved. Even if conversation with another about their problems seems innocent and simple enough, things will get complicated for you almost as soon as you get involved. Today you need to be really careful about money matters. It is good to find something special, but social behavior will empty your pockets if you're not watching them. Advice from someone in management will be helpful to you.

Worse day ever

2009-12-15T22:48:00.000+08:00

I cannot sleep well

I feel so sick and confused

Somebody please guide me

People now had lost their sense of basic courtesy and outright rude

2009-12-07T14:43:00.002+08:00

Joke poly gathering yet only 1 turned up

Saturday met with Kai at Kallang and went Queensway to get my running shoes and bag, then went down HSA as I had an appointment to donate blood.
Reached HSA and surprised to see so many donors , think I will donate another time and walked to Chinatown as Kai wanted to get his facial wash.

We then headed to SLS to look around, checking out the prices as Kai is still building his rig. The ati 5870 graphics card had been snapped up by gamers on the market, due to its performance and price. I don think a $600++ graphics card is cheap. We inquired from many shops and this card was sold out.

Finally in one of the shop, we saw a guy snapped 2 cards off the counter. The shop allowed credit card payment with no charge too poisonous for Kai. Lastly we went to another shop and was quoted $30 lesser on cash terms. Off to the nearest ATM machine to withdraw money.

630pm

We were waiting for the rest of the guys at Bugis. Soon Leonard came , then we called Mr S and was informed not coming. Leonard called Mr PL and did not answer. Mr PL then smsed busy would call later. We had dinner at MOF and later went to Tornado @ Iluma to play lan game. On the way to Tornado, Mr PL called and say his car broke down and left his handphone inside the car. He only managed to contact us when the technician returned his phone, how irony !!! The systems at Tornado are not bad with headphones, make playing game very KPKB LOL ! We played L4D2 and had many hilarious moments.

On such was while escaping to safehouse, Leonard fell down and got lost. Kai and a public gamer were outside the safehouse. Being band of brothers, i braved zombies and went to rescued and escorted him back to safehouse. I not sure how did all the 3 of them got into the safehouse without letting me and having to be surrounded by zombies. I tried to open the door, but don't know which idiot closed the doors. The sight was damn hilarious. Our game lasted 2hs and left for home around 11pm.

I reached home and check my email and saw message from facebook. I login facebook and saw message by Mr PL

wrote
at 6:21pm on December 5th, 2009
paiseh. cant go liao. car spoil.

WHO THE FUCK CHECKS FACEBOOK WHEN WE ARE SUPPOSED TO MEET OUTSIDE AT 630PM

IF YOU GOT TIME TO MESSAGE IN FACEBOOK, DON'T YOU HAVE THE TIME TO SMS OR CALL PRIOR AND INFORM US !!!

PLEASE DON'T TAKE US FOR GRANTED !!!

Long weekends

2009-12-01T10:31:00.006+08:00

27th Nov, Friday

Since its holiday, off to eat breakfast outside. Think the previous night Channel U was showing Singaporean cuisines sold overseas like Beijing, London, US, Japan, Mumbai, Australia ...

The theme for that week was "Hainanese Chicken Rice". The host Mark Lee had a shock with the way the Australian chef prepared his fusion chicken rice. The restaurant which they showed in Beijing and Mumbai, I did tried there but not chicken rice.

My mum wanted to eat porridge and the stall at Maxwell is her favourite this is good as i can fulfil my chicken rice addiction.

We reached Maxwell around 11pm no chance to eat the porridge. The queue has already reached till the opposite end. Then I queued for 15mins for the chicken rice. In the queue was tourists from Hong Kong, Caucasians and Japanese, think this stall world-renowed.

While queueing i saw a familiar face, Makansutra's Host Seetoh. Apparently he was doing an interview with a few Caucasians.

Pics of Chicken Rice on facebook

-----------------------------

28th Nov, Saturday

Second trip to JB this month, but this time not for groceries. Kai need to buy Windows 7 as though it was made in Singapore, Malaysia is selling much cheaper how contradicting.

Met up with Kai at Kallang MRT then went Queen Street to take bus in. Surprisingly the traffic was smooth all the way to JB. Unlike when I went in with Jimmy and co jammed like f**K !

The new JB Kastam is very well designed, like an airport terminal. The only thing I don't like is the complex is designed like a maze unlike the old complex where you just walk straight

Soon reached the familiar sight City Square and we went to Jap Restaurant Kinarashi to have lunch. After lunch we headed to Landmark, their local Sim Lim Square to look for the Windows 7. Due to holidays, the complex is like a ghost town with only a few shops were open. Luckily we managed to find the intended store and bought the Windows 7.

Then we head back to City Square to walk around and kpkb. Soon we had early dinner at the back alley of the shophouses. One side is selling Muslim their end is selling Chinese food. Eating there brings a very nostalgic atmosphere. Think you can no longer find such eating places in SG.

After dinner headed back SG then walked around Bugis before going home.

Pics on Facebook

Long post

2009-11-22T16:31:00.003+08:00

19th Nov Thursday

After 4mths of evening lessons every thursdays, it boils down till today. My last exams for ICT203 and ICT205 subjects on Object-Oriented Design. Kai had warned me prior that this module is not easy.

Only when I went to my exam hall that i understood what he said. When i am doing my paper the questions set had no relevance to my tutorials, assignment and past years paper which I revised.

THE PAPERS WERE SO DAMN DIFFICULT !!!
Please let me pass.

------------------------------

20th Nov Friday

It had been a long time since i brought my mother and sister out to eat. Today brought them to eat dim sum at a old and famous establishment in Singapore. Red Star Restaurant @ Chin Swee Road

The decor still looks the same with the nostalgic feel. To order your food, staff with different trolleys would move from table to table informing customers what they had inside the trolley. Then the staff would remove from their trolley and indicate on your table list. Whereby this list would be used to make your final payment.

I assumed it was buffet and ordered alot of food. Overall the quality and standard of food is good. My favourite dish is a cold dish consisting of seasoned jelly fish with chilled pork. The texture of the pork is fantastic !!!

After brunch we walked around chinatown before heading home.

-------------------------------

21st Nov Saturday JB TIME !!!

I met with Xiang Xin around 3pm at his house. Then we went the nearby Mac as he had not have his lunch. Soon Jimmy came and fetch us and gf before heading to Woodlands.

Yesterday's traffic jam was terrible with the weekend crowd and rain. We only managed to reached Jusco @ 630pm and the first thing to do is go toilet. Then we went to buy tickets for Planet 51. I told them the trailer was funny and we bought the 11pm show.

Next it time for our , opps mine objective LOL.
Shopping groceries. I bought alot of stuff most of which are tidbits and snacks. After loading the groceries in his car, we were off to have dinner at the Sha Bu Sha Bu restaurant. This is the second time I visited and third time for Jimmy and Jasmine.

The staff intitally got us a very cosy place, which Xiang xin mentioned like KTV. Though it was a crescent shaped sofa, it still felt squeezy. Then we requested another place near the window where its more comfortable. I told them sit here is like we were animals in the zoo. Shoppers were walking past the window and looking at us eating.

A pity they do not had the Sukiyaki broth which they mentioned not popular with the customers. That broth is very sweet. As usual we would order the softshell crab sushi and another sushi which I could not remember. However the standard seems to has dropped. Soon our Sha Bu Sha Bu came with 3 bowls of rice. We ordered the same Seafood and Meat combinations. Only difference is that both Xiang Xin and mine had beef replaced.

We finished our dinner close to 11pm and left to catch our show. We were still not the last customers. The show in my opinion not too bad as I loved to watch animations and I needed a good laugh after under stress for so long. Then we headed home.

Thank you guys for the dinner treat !!!

Jimmy so when go in again LOL

"Welcome to the Quarter Century Singles Club Yan Cai"

2009-11-11T21:39:00.005+08:00

25 years ago I was born into this World.

So much

- excitement
- anger
- happiness
- sadness ...

for the past 25 years.

My birthday wishes this year were same as last year.

My Birthday wishes
1) My mum got good health
2) Sister can see
3) Pay rise
4) Find girlfriend

Last year on this very day I donated blood for the first time and find it to be very meaningful to able to save lives.

However this year I am not feeling well, so i would postponed the donation later.

Thanks again Bandar for celebrating my birthday and this year together with his loving wife Amanda. I am so touched that both of you took time of your busy schedule to celebrate this special day.

Last year birthday blog

Might be last post

2009-07-03T23:14:00.003+08:00

Dear all viewers,

Due to my busy work and lack interesting stuff to blog, most of the pictures taken would be posted on my facebook account.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=518194964&ref=nf

Best Crab Beehoon Soup !!!

2009-04-21T14:04:00.007+08:00

Thursday, Eve of Good Friday

Champion the sports shop is having a warehouse sale. Their office is located near our office. So during lunch we went to take alook for bargains. The basement carpark had been converter to a warehouse displaying the items for sale. On sale we shoes, shorts, jerseys, socks, soccer ball , golf clubs ...

In the end got this Adidas tee which suits as a cycling jersey, but its labeled for tennis. It costs only $25 after sharing another purchase with my colleague, 2 for $50.

Friday, Good Friday.

Went with my mom to have breakfast and didn't realised the gathering was at 1pm. I presumed the gathering was at night, and had to rush home and change before meeting them at Marina Square.

Reached Marina Square and saw some familiar faces and unfamiliar faces. I was the only 1 from my class, but always hang out with them together. Most of them are still pursuing full-time studies. Good to see everyone is doing fine.

Sunday,

Managed to find time to pray my father at Brighthill Temple. Surprisingly there was not much crowd in the noon, due to the early rain. Then we decided to go my grandma house to look at my uncle's puppy.

Meimei, 4 month old female shih tzu looking fierce, but actually very silly.

Do not mistaken it as a floor rug and step on her.

Reached my grandma house nobody was in, but saw the puppy greeting. The dog is so well-behaved and didn't barked at us, my uncle and grandma were in their room. The puppy is a 4month old shih tzu named MeiMei (chinese for pretty). It looks intelligently, cuddly yet silly. I like to cover his eyes with his fur, and look more like siao gao (crazy dog). We had alot of fun playing with Meimei and had to leave for dinner.

As the next day I was flying to Mumbai decided to give my family a good meal. Since last year I had not given them a treat yet. After Kiat Loon's strong recommendations, we being crab fanatics headed to Nomin Seafood to try the heavenly crab bee hoon soup. Previously i brought kiat loon and his sister to another outlet near Simei ITE. After trying many stalls, they recommended me to Nomin at Kovan which is definitely better.

Reached Nomin Seafood, though it was dinner time, there were not much crowd. Guess the economy is really bad. Placed the order and the lady boss asked me to take 2 crabs for the soup and give me a good price. I said ok!

Numerous accolades on the wall.

First order, mum was craving for coconut, so ordered 3 young coconut. The flesh is so hard to scoop and my hands ached.

Large tray of bee hoon, veggies and pork lard. Bee hoon and crab stock is free flow !!! Other places charge you for additional.

Before adding this shot of Martel liquor, the soup already tasted heavenly !!!

Dish of frog legs, not very nice.

The star, claypot with 2 crabs HEAVENLY TASTE MUST TRY !!!

Dish of butter prawns not nice

GPGT Martell Crab Bee Hoon Soup.

The damage. The 2 crabs are special price !!! Else it would costs minimum
$3.20 per 100gm
Assuming 2 crabs at 2kg = $64.

I strongly recommend this place for cheap, delicious and good service.

Bartley Secondary gathering 9 years later

2009-04-21T12:02:00.005+08:00

Good Friday lunch at Marina Square's MOF.

Stomach wasn't feeling well so had desert. Macha ice-cream, azuki red beans with muah chee. Yummy.

As everyone had appointment after lunch most of them left. I walked around Suntec. Managed to find a money-changer with good rates to exchange to India Rupees for my trip the following Monday. Then went Carrefour to see what things to buy. Got my favourite sushi and some honey glazed pork ribs.

OMG WTF

2009-04-09T21:26:00.001+08:00

Bugatti Veyron in Singapore!
sgCarMart.com were on the road this afternoon when we spotted the uber rare, uber exotic Veyron.

08 Apr 2009 Local News Viewed : 5,444 times

sgCarMart.com spotted this Bugatti Veyron in Singapore this afternoon along Bukit Batok Road. The limited-edition supercar, which sells for close to 1 million pounds (about S$2.2 million), was seen being transported on a flat-bed truck.

It is not known where the car was headed to, or if it has been bought by anyone in Singapore.

The Bugatti Veyron is limited to only 300 units worldwide, and has a 1001 PS, 8.0-litre W16 engine with quad turbochargers. Zero-to-hundred takes just a heart-stopping 2.46 seconds, while 0-400 km/h takes only 50 seconds. The supercar has a top speed of 407 km/h.

Source http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/article.php?AID=2034

Mumbai dah India

2009-04-09T21:12:00.001+08:00

4th April Saturday Ex-NOC steamboat gathering

2009-04-06T00:48:00.004+08:00

Friday sms and invited me to join for dinner with the rest of the ex-colleagues, though it was alittle impromptu, I agreed as I was free.

Saturday meet the guys at the steamboat above AMK this fashion. Already present was John and Rovin. Later David and Weng Fai came. Weng Fai staying the nearest was the last to come. It's good to see everyone looking well.
- Rovin charmisatic looking and successful
- David degree graduate and converted to perm staff
- Weng Fai looking on healthier
- John kinda of very stressed as compared to I last seen him on new year.

We chat alot over dinner, reminiscing the old times.

As the dinner is cheap weekends $15 + free flow drinks, I cannot complain much, but too few variety. However this place still attracts a crowd.

After dinner, David had to buy dinner for his GF so he went back home.

We finally decided to go play LAN game Left 4 Dead (L4D), and headed to Katong on Rovin's Swift Sport. His car is a little beast, guess he got zhng engine but nv reveal LOL. Well he got carbon fiber hood and spoiler, told us the next upgrade would be rims. The car is very small and the rear is tight compared to Hyundai Coupe i sat in.

Soon we reached Katong and parked at Katong SC. Then we headed to HIGH to play game. The placed had changed quite a bit since I last visited, no more free viewing of soccer. They now had a DIY membership application system. As Weng Fai and my member had expired, had to renew it for $10, but comes with a drink worth $4 of our choice and gaming up to $4. We wanted to play L4D and was informed by the staff the L4D server is having problem and may not be able to play.

We found our seats and try login. Indeed there were problems with the game even via LAN. Finally after much troubleshooting and pure luck, we are able to play L4D together.We left the place ard 2++ after playing L4D for more than 4hs sick !!! Then Rovin sent us back and I was first to reach home.

Thank you Rovin for organizing this dinner for us to meetup and thank you for the ride home !!!

AT ex-colleague steamboat dinner

2009-04-06T00:33:00.003+08:00

27th March, Friday we had steamboat dinner at Marina Square Yuki Yaki.

Present (Upul, his gf, Ee, Gopi, Janice, her bf, Raymond, his wife and me)

Pictures provided by Raymond

It had been 8 years already

2009-04-02T19:45:00.004+08:00

I did a search on my name and found my first website and first blog.

Time flies it had already been 8 years.

Today marks the 8th anniversary
We miss you,
I miss you,
I am so tired,
But i cannot give up,
Don't worry about us.
I will never give up
We will never give up

Never attend my birthdays anymore

Never attend my graduations anymore

Never see me enlist

Never see me Ord

Never see me get a girlfriend

Never see me get a wife

Never see me start working, where he can finally retire and relax.

Never get to see his grandchildren maybe.

Fast, rich, babe-magnet Singaporeans

2009-03-28T17:23:00.000+08:00

Fast, rich, babe-magnet Singaporeans

Rendez vous en France

2009-03-28T17:22:00.001+08:00

Coming soon !

1 down 3 more to go !!

2009-03-28T14:15:00.004+08:00

As usual busy with work, everyday earliest slept at 1am.

Wednesday
After work met up with Kai to take 61 to school. Finally the bus came but then the rear doors could not be closed, therefore unsafe for travelling so everyone had to alight. Die sure super late. Then i asked kai which MRT sttaions got ore buses to school. Then he recalled 74 at Dover. I then looked at the bus directory and only saw bus 196 plying to Dover Road.

We then took bus 196 not knowing where its route. Then soon the bus went up to AYE Tuas, i say this bus goanna terminate Jurong liaoz no need to attend class le. Soon we reached Dover road but no sight of the mrt station. Finally the bus terminated at Clementi interchange.

It was already 730 when we reached SIM. Along our way coincidentally met our ex-poly mates Daniel, Guo Jiu and Zi xian doing their project. Though we were late still went for dinner, most of the stalls are closed except for the noodle stall. By the time we reached class it was already 8pm++, another 15 mins break already.

Thursday
I was about to leave for classes already when everyone was complain that the office network was crawling. I checked the router and did not find anything suspicious. My colleague required my help and only left office 15mins later. Reached school and lesson was on C++. Today lesson is a killer I do not understand what the lecturer was talking about. The university system is so fantastic that they can cramp 4-5 chapters in a 3h lesson. Jimmy then called asking whether wanna meet Kiat Loon for supper on Friday, I agreed. Reached home already 11, had a short dinner and continued doing my assignment which was due on Friday noon.

Friday
It was around mid-day when Jiejie asked how about tonight? I say what thing tonight? She replied meeting our ex-colleague Ee for dinner. This week we were so busy that i clean forgotten. Everyone was able to make it, while I still remembered I had to meet Jimmy and KL for supper. I also then agreed. After work took train to Marina Square where we would be having our buffet dinner.

As usual Friday nights everywhere also long queue. We were told to be on waiting list for 1h. At the same time Marina Square was having a fashion. The female Caucasians models were very tall, even with out heels at min 1.8m

Soon its our turn for dinner. We had buffet dinner at Yuki Yaki. Attendees were Gopi, EE, Upul his gf, Raymond, his wife, Janice, her bf and I. Though there wasn't much variety the standard of the food was not bad. We had a total of 9 people so had to be separated into 2 tables. Two things good about this Yuki Yaki restaurant

1) We had both Tom Yum and Chicken soup base, when we asked for refill tom yum for tom yum chicken for chicken. Compared to those china steamboat at Beach road, any soup base they also top-up with chicken stock.

2) The soup, food and their marinates does not contain MSG. Why because after eating I don;t feel thirsty. Thumbs up for this restaurnat to have healthy buffet.

We left the place around 1030, but we are not the last. Another eye opener for many of my foreign colleagues to try different food especially seafood and wasabi. The total bill was ard $25/pax still acceptable.

After bidding them farewell at City Hall mrt, headed to Tanah Merah to meet Jimmy. Jim had his convocation today and was having dinner with his family at East Coast. There we drove to opposite Selegie to meetup with Kiat Loon, Xinhua, Yong Xin and Mei Yee to chill out. We went to one of the cafe, to drink. The area is separated into 3 regions. Outside is open air, inside tall tables and stool and at the rear a cosy place for people to chill and sing KTV. As the rear was full, we were seated in the middle. We started to play some cards and started to get bored. Interestingly there was an electronic dart system. The tip of the darts is made of plastic ad the board is like normal except it has an lcd display showing which player and the scores. Each game is 10 rounds. Yong Xin is very good at dart throwing, think after work come here and vent her anger on the dart LOL! Our last game I won hehe.

After that we left, and Jimmy sent me home.

Congratulations to Jimmy officially being a University Graduate, don't spend so much zhng your car LOL !

It had been 1 year, i wonder how's she doing

2009-03-22T00:10:00.002+08:00

I was about to set the alarm for my soccer session tomorrow, when i saw on my phone calendar "LWQ A Anniversary

It had been 1 year, i wonder how's she doing, i miss her captivating smile.

Time flies though tomorrow is 1year, we stopped talking around June 08, due to some events. My last sms to her was Dec wishing her birthday. Till now no news about her.

I wish her all the best and good health

Signed
lonely

Busy busy tired tired

2009-03-21T22:59:00.001+08:00

Work and assignments

Heart-warming customer

2009-03-19T20:54:00.004+08:00

This whole week practically tied at customer location, working very hard to bring up the service. Finally yesterday, we managed to bring bulk of the system working within 2 days and they are very excited to use the service.

Today went to office first and my colleague told me customer TW would like to invite us to have lunch together. I told Ray so touched and suprising. Practically TW had been a very nice lady to work with, been very understandng and accomadating. Due to this project we caused her to be the last to leave the office but she always smiling. I hope all customers can be like her to make work less formal and stressful, yet meeting the objectives!

We had lunch with TW, her colleague J from India and M from Canada who is handling all the IT issues in the branches office. The company is a Canadian company. M specially flown in from Canada to supervise the whole implementation and is very impressed with our work as we completed the job in 2 days as compared to the same implementation for their HQ in Canada which took 2 weeks.

For lunch they treated us having North Indian cruisine. For the serving I would say the lunch is expensive. $9.50 for a naan, some rice, fish masala/ tandoori chicken and veggies (ladyfingers and potatoes). Lunch was not too bad, the smell of herbs not too strong and was rather sian of eating the local fare everyday.

Tomorrow need to go back again, hope its fast.

Vote for my friend.

2009-03-19T20:47:00.003+08:00

http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=65663

M3

Coincidence

2009-03-17T21:09:00.003+08:00

Just now went to buy dinner, so coincidental to see my ex-polymates Daniel and Zi Xian having dinner there. Its good to seem them doing well and thank you Dan for giving me a ride home.

Back to reality byebye Taiwan ...

2009-02-25T16:08:00.003+08:00

Pictures

Videos

TAIWAN HERE I COME !!!

2009-02-04T09:46:00.002+08:00

WTF !!!

2009-01-29T15:08:00.002+08:00

Quote from Kai: Why am I learning Internet Security from them, when their security is compromised ?

GONG XI FA CAI HAPPY NIU YEAR !!!

2009-01-29T11:42:00.006+08:00

CNY Eve

Morning is busy cooking and preparations for praying. Then its cleaning, washing, wiping and repeating again.

We had steamboat for dinner while watching CNY programmes on the tv.

When the clock strikes 12, its time to usher in the year of the OX. That night my sis broke record slept at 430 while i slept at 5.

Chu Yi

My cousins and aunties came over.

Xuan Xuan and Chong Chong playing my toy cars, Which was handed over by their father.
Yang Yang enjoying his 3rd cup of Coca Cola. I think Coke should find him to be their endorsement LOL.
GONG XI FA CAI, drink Coke to be handsome like me !!!
Chong Chong very surprised
Before going to my grandma's place.
My income for the day, yet to open them. Only know my ah ma gave me 2 gold pieces LOL

Chu Er

Nothing much, stayed at home and watch tv.

Chu San

Back to work. Reached office and 11am still nobody. I saw Raymond on MSN and asked why nobody. He told me today off !!! Then i left office and meet my mum and sis at SGH for her pre-admission tests.

Left SGH around 3pm, so damn hungry.
We went Chinatown to eat Yu Sheng.

The owner appeared on the Ch8 tv programme. "Quan Neng Qiao Ma Ma" but the stall is called Zhen Jie, but she looked at most early 30s.

2 type of fish Xi Dao Yu and Salmon

Xiao Dao Yu (S) $16 (B)$24
Salmon (s) $22 (B)$30

After our late lunch went back home.

Pre- CNY

2009-01-23T22:54:00.008+08:00

Thursday 21st Jan 09

My finance manager spoke to us individual with regards to bonus. The bonus comprises of Company's performance and Individual's performance. Damn my bonus halved as it's prorated for half a year. Late noon, Boss gave us oranges and ang pow, our wish for CNY is for company to soar higher !!!
First ang pow collected ! My Sri Lankan colleague ask me what to do with the oranges and paper. I told him eat the oranges and check for money inside the paper. If there is money give me, else you keep the paper.

After work met Kai as he still yet to shop for CNY clothes. We headed for Marina Square. We were hungry, so went for dinner first. The recession was so badly hit that MS was so quiet and some restaurants had no patrons, pity!!

We decided on Carl's Junior as I had yet to try. Every time come MS with Jim and XX is Cafe Cartel. The burgers are expensive, the cheapest with drinks and fries costs around $8. Kai ordered portobello mushroom combo while I just order bacon and chicken sandwich only.
Look at the size of my burger in comparison with Kai's fist humongous !!! The burger taste good not too salty with just enough mayo sauce.

While refilling his drink, Kai spotted some special and unique sauces.
Some Mexican sauce cold and tasteless. Abit like Prego's pasta sauce The green chili like stuff just like zi char green chili but mexican style. Cold, sour and alittle hot.

Here comes the test, Kai took another yellow pepper/chili like stuff and dared me to ate it. I nibbled it bit by bit, it was more hot than the previous green but managable. Kai did a kamikaze move and ate the whole stuff in 1 shot. The next moment he was crying and finished half a cup of coke LOL!!!

Kai challenged me to eat another piece and finished it 1 shot. I was silly and took up the challenge. The next thing i know my tongue was burning.
Kai after the kamikaze move

My rating of the hottest stuff i ever eaten
1) Ma La Steamboat 5/5 absolute madness. I only dip my chopstick into the soup and taste it and I knew thats enough
2) Level 4 spicy chicken wings near Seletar camp. The wings are tasteless but the moment you ate it, it attacks your lips forever. Drinking 1 jug of water is not enough to subside the effects. The aftermath you look like an african. There are a total of 10 levels for you to try.
3) This yellow pepper/chili stuff eaten 1 shot, but that's stupid

After doing stupid stuffs at Carl's Junior, we walked around MS, Suntec before heading home.

Friday 22nd Jan

Took leave today to help out with CNY cleaning.

Morning let my mum nagged as woke up late and she worried nothing left to buy. We had breakfast and bought some veggies, meat, oranges and stuff for praying.

Clean the altar and my room today, extremely tired.

But its all worth it.

25岁以下男人必读

2009-01-22T12:06:00.000+08:00

http://www.5time.cn/show/2685.html

1. 男人是社会的主体，不管你信或不信。所以男人应该有种责任感。
　　　　　　
　　2. 25岁之前，请记得，爱情通常是假的，或者不是你所想象的那样纯洁和永远。如果你过了25岁，那么你应该懂得这个道理。　　
　　　　
　　3. 吃饭7成饱最舒服。对待女友最多也请你保持在7成。
　　　　　　
　　4. 30岁之前请爱惜自己的身体，前30年你找病，后30年病找你。如果你过了30岁，你自然也会懂得这个道理。　　
　　　　
　　5. 事业远比爱情重要。如果说事业都不能永恒，那么爱情只能算是昙花一现。　　
　　　　
　　6. 不要轻易接受追求你的女孩。女追男隔层纱。如果你很容易就陷进去，你会发现你会错过很多东西，失去很多东西。　　
　　　　
　　7. 请你相信，能用钱解决的问题，都不是问题。如果你认为钱索王道，有钱有女人，没钱没女人，那么。女人不是问题。　　
　　　　
　　8 . 请永远积极向上。每个男人都有他可爱的地方，但是不可爱的地方只有不积极面对生活。　　
　　　　
　　9. 不要连续2次让同一个女人伤害。好马不吃回头草，是有他道理的。如果认真考虑过该分手，那么请不要做任何舍不得的行动。　　
　　　　
　　10. 如果你和你前女友能做朋友，那么你要问自己：为什么？如果分手后还是朋友，那么只有2个可能:。你们当初都只是玩玩而已，没付出彼此最真的感情。或者：必定有个人是在默默的付出无怨无悔！　　
　　　　
　　11. 永远不要太相信女人在恋爱时的甜言蜜语。都说女人爱听甜言蜜语，其实，男人更喜欢。　　
　　　　
　　12. 请不要为自己的相貌或者身高过分担心和自卑。人是动物，但是区别于动物。先天条件并不是阻挡你好好生活的借口。人的心灵远胜于相貌，请相信这点。如果有人以相貌取人，那么你也没必要太在意。因为他从某种意义来讲，只是只动物。你会跟动物怄气吗？　　
　　　　
　　13. 失恋时，只有2种可能，要么你爱她她不爱你，或者相反。那么，当你爱的人不再爱你，或者从来没爱过你时。你没有遗憾，因为你失去的只是一个不爱你的人。　　
　　　　
　　14. 请不要欺骗善良的女孩。这个世界上，善良的女孩太少。　　
　　　　
　　15. 不能偏激的认为金钱万能，至少，金钱治不好艾滋病。　　
　　　　
　　16. 请一定要有自信。你就是一道风景，没必要在别人风景里面仰视。　　
　　　　
　　17. 受到再大的打击，只要生命还在，请相信每天的太阳都是新的。　　
　　　　
　　18. 爱情永远不可能是天平。你想在爱情里幸福就要舍得伤心。　　
　　　　
　　19. 如果你喜欢一个认为别人应该对她好的mm，请尽早放弃。没有人是应该对一个人好的。如果她不明白这个道理，也就是她根本不懂得珍惜。　　
　　　　
　　20. 不要因为寂寞而找gf，寂寞男人请要学会品味寂寞。请记住：即使寂寞，远方黑暗的夜空下，一定有人和你一样，寂寞的人不同，仰望的星空却是唯一。　　
　　　　
　　21. 任何事没有永远。也别问怎样才能永远。生活有很多无奈。请尽量充实自己，充实生活。请善待生活。

Birthday analysis in Chinese

2009-01-22T11:39:00.003+08:00

http://www.211w.com/birthday

Mine

11月11日神秘者

11月11日出生的人谜团般难以了解，他们的外表经常呈现出一种生气勃勃、甚至欢乐的感觉，使旁人误以为他们的真实本性也是如此，事实上他们的性格却是猛烈、矛盾不安且神秘晦涩。由于擅长控制周遭环境，所以凡是对他们具有重要性的人、实质物体或活动，他们都强烈地想要占有。他们与阴沉为伍反倒增添了他们的幽默感，并且赋予他们一种喜感（和大多数好的喜剧片所具备的要素一样）。此外，这天出生的人天生是恋家顾家的人，是家庭的捍卫者及供应者，喜欢将自己放在家庭聚会或郊游休闲的中心位置。一般而言，他们相当有组织的才华，能够帮助所属的任何事业机构或社会团体推动系统化的工作。

11月11日出生的人全身上下皆散发着一种性感魅力，也很懂得如何利用这项致使的吸引力。不过，负面影响却是容易迷上同样具有独特吸引力的人。他们男女两性的人格特质通常都平衡得很好，所以他们的朋友也是男女各半，相当均衡。即使如此，这一天出生的男性还是得小心防备大男人主义倾向，而女性则应该避免过于领带他人或过于专制。

这一天出生的人擅长使用极具诱惑力的说服方法去阐述自己的意见。他们凭着直沉就能知道如何达到目的，有时候还会运用软硬兼施、攻守互见的策略来加强效果。同样地，他们也能够暂时压抑住自己的活动力，耐心地静观其变。不幸的是，当面临急需做成决策的状况时，耐心等待对今天出生的人来说可能就是一项拖延耽误。另外，他们也非常容易陷入深思之中，因而导致行为懒散、情绪低落。

就11月11日出生的人而言，他们部分的问题有时似乎是出自于他们内在与外在间的交战和冲突。亲朋好友们或许会瞪着大眼，不了解为何像如此天资聪颖的人，到头来竟滥用或漠视他们的才能、积极的进取心及事业，而落得一路下滑的地步。这一天出生的人原本是可以大展鸿图的，但最后往往变得默默无闻，最主要是因为潜藏的恐惧感以及一种对安定的强烈渴求。有鉴于此，他们必须培养自己的意志力及构筑未来蓝图的目标感，来推动自己往前迈进。长期间温无方向的探索必然只会造成挫折感，以及饱受压抑、如火山般的怒气，让他们随时都可能当着最挚爱的人面前爆发。不过，一旦这些11月11日出生的人真正地痛下决心后，他们也能够自行处理所有一时的失败和灰心气馁，而他们的火爆脾气也很少会再度发作。

幸运数字和守护星
11月11日出生的人会受到数字2（1+1=2）和月亮的影响。受数字2影响的人通常作为共事者及拱档比担任领导者来得合适。在月亮的影响下，他们丰富的想像力与温文儒雅的特质更形突出，同时冥王星和火星（分别为天蝎座的主宰行星及共同主宰行星）两者的结合亦增添了一种强势的力量。然而不变的是，这些性质相同的行星只会使得11月11日出生者所具有的火爆脾气与潜是的控制欲望有增无减。数字11则主导了朝物质发展的路线（就今天出生者来说，由于冥王星的影响而着重在性欲方面），以及显示出一种对各式各样的相似物可能产生的兴趣，如巧合性、成对物、对称图形、映像等等。

健康
11月11日出生的人相当注重物质生活的享受，并且常常过分沉迷于性欲之中。虽然他们在任何纵情享乐的时刻，都有可能觉察到自己不当的行为，但他们偶尔还是会太投入自己及家庭的娱乐玩闹之中。此外，因为他们很容易受到别人的影响而动摇，所以必须切记不要过度想念桥师或是某些最新的治疗方法与药物。可以获得充足活动量的运动是他们的最佳选择，譬如：有氧运动、跳舞、跑步和体操，不过属于竞赛性质的活动可能就得多加三思了。由于咖啡、酒和各种刺激物似乎是这一天出生者无法抗拒的诱惑，因此抑制对它们的渴望将是件极为重要的事。

建议
有时不妨暂时忘却自己的欲望。学习无条件地付出，但绝不做被人踢来踢去的玩物。尽量表现出自己的才华，以免徒留遗憾嗟叹。撷取你所需要的东西，但命中无时则不应求。

名人
中国京剧名伶梅兰芳，创立梅派，名下传人无数。

莎拉伯恩哈特（Sarah Bernhardt）法国戏剧演员、导演，有"女神莎拉"的美誉，以优美的容貌、出色的演技和嗓音成为历史上著名的舞台剧演员，也被誉为当代最伟大的演员。

美国爵士乐先驱吉莱斯皮（Dizzie Gillespie），也是小号手、作曲家、乐队指挥，与萨克斯管演奏家帕克合作，开创一种名为"比波普"的音乐，一反摇摆乐的风格，寓和谐于不和谐之中，并采取多种节奏。

匈牙利作曲家李斯特（Franz Listzt），也是钢琴演奏巨匠，以技艺高超、风格华丽的钢琴演奏驰名，退休后成为重要的钢琴教师代表作为《但西丁交响曲》、《浮士德交响曲》、《匈牙利狂想》等。

俄裔美籍小担家史而德（Alexander Schneider），也是"布达佩斯四重奏乐团"成员、马可波罗音乐节管弦乐团指挥。

以色列总理内塔尼雅胡（Benjamin Netanyahu）。

塔罗牌

大秘仪塔罗牌的第22张是"愚者"STUPID ??? 。图案是一个人快活地站在悬崖边。有的解释是他十分愚蠢，STUPID AGAIN ??? 缺乏理性判断的能力；有的则指出他极端崇尚精神层面，不在乎现实。总括来说就是凭直觉行事、没有拒绝和抵抗的能力；同时，民代表了愚蠢、冲动和虚无。不过他们之中较成熟的，则会从生命的历练中学取经验，然后成为自己理想中的人。

静思语

魔幻和问卜带有潜藏的危险，而它们其实与真正的灵性无关。

优点
魅力、迷人、刺激。I boring guy and not charismatic leh !!

缺点
分裂、不平衡、支配欲。eh ... ???

how bad is your temper according to your horoscope

2009-01-22T10:31:00.001+08:00

Found on the net

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Nothing seems to ruffle you more than a lack of discipline, disloyalty
and decorum. But Arians are also known to go into a rage very easily when
challenged. Those of you who have been on the receiving end of the
Aries temper know that if not calmed down they can even get violent. But one
thing is certain if the opponent remains calm and does not react to
their outburst, Arians cool down very fast. They are also the first to
apologise, which makes them easier to forgive.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

You are generally quiet and have control over your emotions. It is
difficult to predict what will upset you, so when you do lose your
cool, people don't know how to react. Your temper is like that of a raging
bull, and anyone trying to pacify you will be the first one to get a verbal
bashing. You generally get upset when you are concerned or when people
accuse you of doing something wrong. You also hate being reminded
about mistakes you've made in the past. You also have the potential to be
terribly vindictive if rubbed the wrong way.

GEMINI MAY 21 - June 29

You are recognised by your cheerful disposition and your jovial nature
is easily susceptible to anger. In fact, you are the best person to have
around when there is an ugly scene at a party you can bring the warring
factions together quite diplomatically. But when you lose cool, you
yell and scream and will not listen to reason. You must have the last word
in a wordy duel. Your capacity to argue aggressively is matched only by
your seductive charm.

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 21

Considering how charming, caring and kind you are, you dislike
unpleasant scenes, much less creating one yourself. You have great tolerance and
rarely get provoked into losing your temper. If someone is
unreasonable or trying to create trouble, you are more likely to walk away quietly.
But that does not mean you do not have a temper. When angry, in your
effort to control your emotions, you tremble, your hands get sweaty and sometimes
you fumble for words. Tears roll down your eyes easily and the opponent is
touched by your innocence and will seek an apology immediately.

LEO JULY 22 - AUGUST 21

If anyone has total control over their emotions, it is you. But then , you can be described as stiff, cold and uncaring. You are known to lack spontaneity but you really don't care about opinions. You don't like to create scenes and will never accept invitations to a party where you suspect the presence of an unruly lot. But your very presence seems challenging to some and they take vicarious pleasure in your disquiet.
When angry you can use critical language. A dressingdown can humiliate your opponent, causing a strain between both of you forever.

VIRGO AUGUST 22 - SEPTEMBER 21

Most of you are gentle and have full control over your emotions but those of you given to temper tantrums can certainly get violent. When see things with rage, you yell and shout and tend to break things lying close at hand. You can even harm yourself by banging your hands on a glass top table
or wall. You should never get into any argument, for you are a sore loser. You feel that others are trying to persecute you and don't quite respect your opinions. When hurt, you can also hold grudges forever.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22 - OCTOBER 22

Did someone say that you are the charmers of the zodiac? Well, it's true. Few have ever seen you ruffled or angry. You are very conscious of your image, and you believe that anger distorts your face and personality.
You also think you are above things like anger. But wait before you get into self-congratulatory mood. Your family or those very close to you know you better. You have an unmatched temper amongst all the zodiac signs, and what makes it worse is your capacity to justify it.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21

Of course you don't lose your cool. But your very demeanour (manner) projects hauhtiness (arrogance, pride), pride and grand disdain (disregard) for lesser mortals (human). Others are often found saying that anger sits on your nose and you are raring to give your piece mind to the first person who try to be funny with you. You are selective in the choice of your friends, and have a low tolerance for the superflous (extra) types.
Your tongue-lashing (attack) is generally in a soft hissing tone for when you scream, your voice tends to get shrill and loud and you do hate drawing attention to yourself! When upset, you are angrier with yourself for having shown weakness, for the last thing that Scorpio wants to show is being out of control.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 20

You are insensible and generally have no complete control over your emotions. You do get angry quickly and others marvel at your anger levels even when provoked. Actually, you get tongue-tied when angry and you
will remove your anger waiting for the other person to calm down. Then you
will reason with your opponent and convince the other person in a very
gentle manner that the whole thing was just his mistake. You're also likely
to totally sever ties with someone when you're upset with them.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 - JANUARY 19

Few will believe that a hardcore practical and materialistic person
like you is capable of sensitivity and genuine emotions. You project a hard
exterior but are actually very sensitive, a trait you successfully hide
from others. You can see thing with anger but will not betray your
feelings. But then, there are times that even you cannot control your
temper. Under such circumstances you can shout and scream, more with
frustration at the situation than with anger at any particular person.
Your outbursts can shock others and can make them feel guilty too.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18

You are noble and kind and dislike losing control over yur emotions.
It is very rare for you to get angry. You are also the pacifier in
situations that involve arguments. It is always your endeavour to be perfect and
socially correct in your behaviour and attitude, but if misunderstood
and slighted you can give in to an angry outburst. You will shout and
scream and then walk out from the scene. You cannot easily forget the
situation and will be bitter about it for a long time.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20

The only thing that can be said about you dreamers is that you appear
even more attractive when angry. You are very sensitive to others'
feelings, so you rarely hurt them. But when others tend to hurt you, then things
take a nasty turn. You will yell and use harsh words and feel inclined to
shake everything and everyone up. Your creative imagination is at its best
when angry, and you tend to get pretty dramatic. When upset, you refuse to
listen to reason and wish to be left alone. But once you calm down ,
you repent your tantrums and seek forgiveness. SO nobody can be upset with
you for too long.

-------------------------------------------------------

Mine

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21

Of course you don't lose your cool. But your very demeanour (manner) projects hauhtiness (arrogance, pride), pride and grand disdain (disregard) for lesser mortals (human). Others are often found saying that anger sits on your nose and you are raring to give your piece mind to the first person who try to be funny with you. You are selective in the choice of your friends, and have a low tolerance for the superflous (extra) types.
Your tongue-lashing (attack) is generally in a soft hissing tone for when you scream, your voice tends to get shrill and loud and you do hate drawing attention to yourself! When upset, you are angrier with yourself for having shown weakness, for the last thing that Scorpio wants to show is being out of control.

True wor !!!

E-fortune telling, suprisingly quite accurate !!!

2009-01-21T16:12:00.002+08:00

http://www.khngai.com/chinese/fortune/index.php?

Mine

生日 : 甲子年十月十九日
时辰 : 子时
生肖 : 鼠
骨重 : 4.1两

运程
此命推来是不同
为人能干异凡庸
中年还有逍遥福
不比前时运未通

Can anybody help me interpret ??

Red Cliff 2 and hor lan

2009-01-21T12:34:00.008+08:00

Jimmy called to eat dinner and watch Red Cliff 2.

Met Jimmy, Wilson and XX at PS.

We had dinner at Cathy basement the Indulge Restaurant. There served a mixed of fusion cruisine and won many culinary awards. The $13.80++ Lobster Pasta attracted us !!!

Gold ingot holder for toothpicks, salt and pepper.
Wilson's order beef and pasta.
XX's lobster pasta.
XX posing with the lobster.
Wilson and XX.
Jimmy's order beef and fried rice. Good for hungry people!!

My order, their signature dish Chicken is special herb and vinegar sauce. That black sauce looks like chocolate but its a very appetizing taste. All of them loved this dish.

After dinner went to watch Red Cliff. Got lousy seats 4th row from front extreme left. I had to slant my body to watch the show. The show is very nice with all the action-packed scenes.

After show they suggested to go somewhere chillout. I suggested and guided Jimmy to Dempsey. Reached there and surprisingly Dempsey is so quiet. There were hardly anybody. Then we decided to go Holland Village.Indeed we were Hor Lan !!! Lost our way need to consult the map. After much hor lan managed to reach Holland V and suprisingly also very quiet. We then had supper at Breko and back home again hor lan.

3137 Gathering and Dinner

2009-01-21T12:31:00.002+08:00

It had been a long while since the guys in army had a gathering.

Nelson organized a dinner for us at Bugis.

I thought i couldn't make it, as might need to remigrate the servers in our office. Luckily rescheduled to Monday.

I reached Bugis and waited for nearly 1h before noticed some familiar faces. The guys were late trying to find a car park. So much inconvenience for paying such a big liability. As we were in a big group, its difficult to find an eating place without reservation.

Then we decided to eat at Fish & Co.

Giant seafood platter with pizzas.
Group photo from left: Eric, Wilson, Jimmy, Me, Benson, Nelson, Jasper, Chee KeongNot inside, Rui Ming

After dinner went to TCC beside to drink something.

Thanks Nelson for taking effort to organize this gathering. Hope we can have another soon !

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (2009) Release Date: 26th June 2009

2009-01-12T13:06:00.001+08:00

Source :http://sg.movies.yahoo.com/Transformers:+Revenge+Of+The+Fallen/movie/14874/photos/

http://www.transformersmovie.com/

First completed game after my desktop went dead

2009-01-12T12:51:00.003+08:00

Managed to complete MGS4 on the easiest difficulty.

The ending scene so long !!!

Replaying at normal difficulty struggling like mad !

Company dinner at Sakura International Clementi Woods

2009-01-12T11:29:00.009+08:00

Last Friday had company dinner at Sakura @ Clementi Woods.

The place was rather hard to find though its on a hill top.

Didn't tried Japanese food as I don't want a stomachache.

Mostly local fare.
Noodles, potato balls, braised duck , mushroom and sweet and sour fish.
Mango prawns, baby octopus, some seaweed and mixed vegetables.
Shark fin soup not bad just abit thick.
Durian with waffle never eat the waffle.
Me and Upul
Raymond, Yannian and Zhu Yong.
Chiou, Koon Teck and Ismail

Disappointing Buffet dinner at Hotel Rendezvous !!!

2009-01-08T11:52:00.005+08:00

After much delays and nagging finally managed to use the voucher I bought to eat buffet.

Met Kai at Redhill Mrt and we had a selection of Fairmont, Carlton and Hotel Rendezvous. Initially wanted to try Fairmont, though the address was Bras Basah it was beside Raffles City. We passed by Carlton but saw nobody. In the end decided at Rendezvous.

There were some people eating there so we presumed it would be good but we were wrong !

Other than, oysters, mussels, salmon, and durian desserts there are not much to eat.
Dinner buffet $42/pax very expensive
Oysters, mussels, salmon, some white fish, baby octopus and kim chee.
Jelly fish in sweet and sour sauce.
Limited variety of sushi. Lousy standard, the rice got no vinegar smell and hard.

Desserts worth dying for !!!
Rich and creamy durian cake !!!
This small shot of Durian Pengat" smells and tastes better than the cake. No wonder its served in such small serving.

After dinner went to Plaza Sing to walk around and happened to see our polymate Leonard. He had changed alot since i last seen him. Seems like Australia is a very relaxed place.

Busy year end

2009-01-08T10:29:00.013+08:00

For work

Had been alternating between office and schools. School as your customer is the worst. Pay you so little, extremely demanding, want everything, the best and the impossible !!!

Xmas eve

Had a wonderful xmas cum bbq at Kiat loon house

Xmas day

Relax at home

Boxing Day

Work while most of my colleagues on leave

New Year Eve

Never go out/ any countdowns. Such events are not my cup of tea, squeezing with people. I would prefer hang with group of close friends doing simple things. In the end also never watch countdown on TV. Played MGS4 bought earlier. A must buy for PS3 fans !!! Faster buy PS3 then we can play game together , play online is FREEEEE !!!

New Year Day

John, Boyin and I attended my ex-colleague Amin's wedding. Its my first time attending a malay wedding. Met John and Boyin at Tampines interchange before headed to his place.

We reached the place and there was a crowd. The pity was as we just came he left back his home. So the 3 of us sat at one corner having lunch and talking, gossiping and complaining about work. Lunch was Nasi Briyani, Mee siam and some desserts buffet style. After around 1h with Amin not in sight, we decided to leave and left our angpows with his mother.

Then we went to Century Sqaure to watch IP MAN !!! Only left with front second row seats, no choice. Damn its one of the best kung fu show after Huo Yuan Jia and Ong Bak !!! You see how fast Donnie Yen punches the Japanese General, lighting speed. The show is not all violence, the first part is very funny when Donnie Yen and Master Liao having a duel at home. His son cycled on his tricycle to tell his Dad to stop fighting else everything in the house would be broken. Everyone in the cinema laughed till their stomach hurts

After movie, bid the guys farewell as was heading for BBQ with Kai's friend at East Coast Park. Met Kai as he cycled there. We were the first to reached the BBQ site, where is the organizers? Soon Hong Jing, his gf, Zhao Hong, his gf, Zhi Qiang and another girl Xiao Feng came. It was a small scale and healthy BBQ. First time i ate such dry satay. Only the chicken wings are worth mentioning, however most of the wings are charred.

Most of the food are finished except for otahs. Then they decided to play a game, the loser would have to finish the otahs. We played zhong ji mi ma. There were 8 players with 12 big otahs. The game seemed to be predestined. Xiao Feng, Kai and Zhi Qiang throughout the game did not eat any otahs. Out of the 12 otahs, I ate 3. The otah was big, spicy and salty had difficulty to even finish 1.

That night could feel MSG attack, i felt so thirsty and kept drinking water. The taste still lingered till the next day.

2nd Jan Fri

After work was having my dinner when XX called me. He told me was with Jimmy and wanted to come out to watch movie. I say ok and met them at Plaza Sing's Cafe Cartel. As usual, talk cock, gossip and complaining. There was not much shows to watch as Ong Bak 2 not out. In the ended bought tickets forBedtim stories The show was hilarious with Adam Sandler being a cock !!! Can i have the cherry red ferrari for FREEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then we called Kelvin and Garrad out for supper but they were busy. Then we headed to HK Cafe at Katong to have supper. Damn there was no customer an the service was damn slow !!! Reached home at 4++

3rd Jan Saturday

The next day felt so tired and woke up at 230pm. I was supposed to help Joyce settle her computer which I fixed for her. Kiat loon came to pick me up while headed to Joyce's office with Xin Hua and his mother. Joyce's office is located near Ubi and was rather big compared to my current office. Damn the new Kingston RAMS i bought were faulty couldn't believe it !!! In the end installed Vista for her sis and now running on 1GB of memory.

When with Kiat Loon and Joyce's worker to help with their project. We were supposed to fix the banner for CK Department store at Chinatown. Damn the police had closed the roads leading to Chinatown due to the lighting ceremony tonight bad news for us!!! We had to carry the banners and ladders across the crowd as the police had also blocked the access to overhead bridge. With the increasing crowd, work for us was more difficult luckily managed to settle it. Then we headed back to his home before going out with dinner.

They were deciding what to eat for dinner and mentioned about crabs. Then my itchy mouth mentioned to eat the crab been hoon my cousin brought me previously That taste of the heavenly soup can never be forgotten. Off we headed for dinner with Kiat Loon, Xin Hua, Joyce and her colleague Denny.

Surprisingly there was no crowd and managed to find a place. Joyce ordered:

Si Ji Dou
KL Hokkien Mee
Fried Chicken mid-joints
Some fried prawns VERY NICE
1 Crab Bee Hoon Soup add soup and Bee Hoon

This time the soup did not taste that heavenly and rich. It tasted more diluted apologizes to Joyce. After dinner went back home. Then Kiat Loon asked me wanted to meet Chong Kai who came back from Australia since Xmas. Arranged to meet at Siglap the HK Cafe. I asked Kiat Loon if I can drive his car , he agreed.

Another nerve-wrecking experience cos this car is much bigger than Avante but auto so not much worries. First time drove on expressway and hit my personal highest 80km/h, we came out bedok, PIE. Then gave up as I was unable to judge a 3-point turn need to hand-over to the lao jiao.

Reached the cafe and soon Chong Kai and Yong Xin reached. Chong Kai seemed to be doing well and would be going back Australia during March, wow such a long break ! Talk cock, gossip and complain till around 1++ then headed back home.

Thank you Joyce for the dinner !!!

4th Jan

Soccer at CCHS. Met Jeremy and gang around 11am and was informed that the school had changed the security guard and we were unable to enter to play ball. After much discussion they decided to play at Cage from 1-3pm , 2hs for $90 instead of $180. Then we headed to Kallang Mac for breakfast and talk about soccer. Around 1230 left for Cage. We had a total of 9 players so its 4 V 5. A real taste of skills, stamina and endurance. For those who played at Cage before you know how tiring it is, even worse with an unbalanced team.

Left the gang at 3pm and cycled home waiting for Jimmy and XX to come over my place to play PS3. Sadly XX swam too much last night and could not come. Jimmy came over played soccer had dinner together before leaving as he had to send his brother back to came.

Jimmy thank you for coming !!!

Dinner at Shoukudo @ Raffles City

2009-01-07T10:50:00.006+08:00

The Saturday after Christmas meet Jimmy and Xiang Xin at Marina Square.

As usual walking around, but XX and I managed to get a shirt at very cheap deal.

Then they suggested dinner at Shoukudou @ Raffles City.

They told me its like Marche but Japanese style. The area is quite big and many people were queuing. They had gates to allowed only patrons to enter and leave. Before entering you are given a card for you to order your food.

Inside there are various stalls selling different food. So if you want any food, just pass the counter your card and you can collect your food after 10mins.

As it had been raining for days and the weather is cold, I decided to order the pork shabu shabu. OMG from the picture it looks nice, but when i tasted the soup it tastes like water !!! I wonder how they prepared the soup ?
Ordered my favourite baby octopus, it states $2.50 per bowl and I was hoping the chef would gave me more servings.
Jimmy ordered a pizza for us to try another disappointment, the pizza was tasteless !!!
Jimmy ordered pasta, OMG another tasteless dish !!!
XX's order rather interesting those are not noodles but sliced potatoes then fried. Don't taste good also.
The most flavourful or salty dish

Overall Comment
Ambience: Like food court 3/5
Pricing: Like food court 3/5
Quality: WORST JAPANESE OUTLET I EVER EATEN 2/5

Don't come here and waste money !!!

Xmas and CNY presents

2008-12-31T10:06:00.006+08:00

Shirt bought from BODS @ Marina Square very good deal buy 2 at 50% an additional 15%. Original costs $80 I paid $33 LOL !!!
White shirt bought from Celio @ Paragon, luckily Jimmy friend working there got staff discount.
Metal Gear Solid 4 GAME OF THE YEAR 2008, how can don't buy !!! Gamescore got 20% off, bought it at $64 org $79

Trade in my old pair of jeans still need to pay $109.

HP for my sis no contract.

Heart warming card

2008-12-31T10:02:00.003+08:00

The only Xmas card I ever received. Thank you Bandar for what you had did for me and my family. Its my family blessing to know you as a "brother".

Xmas eve party at Kiat Loon' house

2008-12-31T09:50:00.007+08:00

BBQ and pajamas themed party

Very beautiful Xmas tree.
Dao dao dressed for the party.
Sleepers for tonight
Kiat loon with the pic of his dog.

Sleeping beauties !
Dao dao trying to act cute but very difficult, try putting braces LOL

Me and Kiat Loon acting cute.

There is only 2 deers not 3.
More sleeping beauties !
Xinhua and Kiat Loon
TT and Kiat Loon

With sleeping beauties you need Prince Charming LOL. 5 Princes tobe exact.

Then we had our xmas gift exchange and I got the best prize.

Timberland bag. Thak you Hsien Joo.

Thank you Kiat Loon and family for organizing this great party with the great food. Damn I gained 1kg overnight

Revealed the power of black !

2008-12-31T09:30:00.007+08:00

Black PS3 80 GB for a special price at AMKHUB FUNZ
Around 6kg, had difficulty removing from the box nearly dropped it.
My first game which is second hand PES 2008 Didn't know PES 2009 was the latest.
The black beast
The wireless dual shock controller.
My setup

Something black is coming this Christmas

2008-12-25T23:34:00.004+08:00

Coming soon.

World class transport

2008-12-25T23:32:00.001+08:00

I can't believe the bus i took broke down twice in the same day!!!!!.

Morning, bus driver told us to get down as air-con spoil

Night, engine spoil

Long weekened and Makan !!!

2008-12-13T00:30:00.010+08:00

Last Saturday could not wake up in the wee morning to join Kai to cycle into JB. Then in the noon Jimmy called to meet. I went Parkway to cut hair and shopped for some groceries.

330pm met Kai and XX at Redhill MRT. XX gave me my belated birthday present. Thank you XX, so want me to wear and let you see? LOL !!! There we walked to Hyundai showroom and spent quite a while there and also test drive. Then we took a bus to Orchard.

Walked around then had dinner at Manhattan Fish Market as I yet to eaten there before. Man the queue was so long !!! Despite the long wait, i would like to commend for the excellent service by their staff. While we were queuing, the staff served us soft drinks comforting our anxiety. Been eaten at so many places, i yet to see such service. I would definitely eat at Manhattan more often.

Soon its our turn and was led to our seats. I took a look and menu and decided to order seafood platter for 3, as i was craving for that. XX ordered a soup and tea. While Jim and I decided to try their promotion drink.
Strawberry shake very sweet !!!
Green tea and mint shake. Mint taste over-whelmed the green tea.
Its here seafood platter for 3 : Prawns, Calamari, Fish, mushrooms, mussels, garlic rice and fries. Really worth it, the fish is fresh and sweet. Only complain the prawns not fresh. Do remember to ask them for the sour chili.

After dinner walked around as Jim wanna buy tie for work. Then XX took the NEL home, while as usual Jim accompanied me back taking bus 7. But this may no longer be the same ...
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The next day no soccer again, sianz ... I wanted to visit my cousin but was informed he bringing his family to go swimming. Then he msn me whether we would like to have dinner tonight. I replied ok. So all of us just laze around till 530pm where we prepared to leave for dinner.

Soon my cousin came and fetch us for dinner. I suggested to eat crabs as my mum and sister loved crabs. Then he recommended a stall famous for its crab dishes.
We were seated infront overlooking the counter where the dishes are delivered from the kitchen. A rare sight to see so many crab shells decorated by satisfied customers.
Their menu showing their specialty dishes. Since here is famous for crabs, order the 2 crab dishes inside. Crab Beehoon Soup and Salty Egg Crabs.
Yang Yang helping himself with the peanuts.

Little princess Xuan Xuan enjoying her lollipop.

Sorry before I could whipped out my camera, the food is gone
What we ordered:
Fried Eggs
Spare Ribs King very nice
Frog Legs (Sis special order) very nice
Steamed tofu with pork and chai por light taste and nice
Salty egg Crabs very unique and nice
Chili Crabs killer when eaten with the fried mantous
Crab Beehoon Soup read below
This plain looking Crab Beehoon soup looked harmless. But when you drink the soup, I tell you the taste is heavenly with all the crab essence inside the broth. YOU MUST TRY IT!!!

Click here for more reviews Please be there before 630pm else you can carry on waiting !
Big Eater Seafood 大食家海鲜
34 Jalan Pari Burong
Picardy Gardens

Tel: 6245 7268
(Near ITE EAST CAMPUS)
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The next day was public holiday. I asked my mum whether she wanted to visit my auntie. She said ok but wanted to buy something first. We went to Balestier to buy roast duck and my favourite tau sar piah. Then we headed for my auntie's home. There chatted, watched tv and ate the roast duck. The duck is roasted rather unique as it looked more like white chicken towards yellow rather than the usual red or brown colour. The owner gave us a fat duck and we really enjoyed snacking the meat. I love the sour chili.