Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year 2011

Today is the last day of 2010 and I still not sure of what's my new year (2011) resolution ...........
What's yours?

One thing for sure I'd like to do in 2011 is to Reduce Stress espcially work related ones!
I shall not take my work too seriously.
So I may quit my job should I cant stand it anymore ..........

I think money is important but is not the most important, to me, health, family and happiness should be priority!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry X'mas 2010!

Time files and it's Xmas again!

As usual, RY and myself will be heading to Ipoh for the festive holiday tomorrow afternoon.
We cant start the journey early as we still gotta work half day.
We didnt take leave since it's simply not make sense to utilise 1 day of annual leave as company is giving half day off.
You may wonder why we dont just apply half day of annual leave?
Well, the company policy state that if you didnt come to work on X'mas leave, it's assumed that you're taking 1 full day off and 1 day of annual leave will be deducted from your annual leave entitlement.

Do you find this a petty policy which doesnt make sense?

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

My Love, Happy Birthday - 22 Dec 2010!

Tomorrow is RY's birthday and we've planned to go eat Tiong Bahru Bao and lunch he'll take me to Swensen for their 1-for-1 lunch deal which also comes with a free Firehouse ice-cream for the birthday boy.

I didnt buy him any gifts but I've told him what he'll get from me for his birthday.
Do you wanna make a guess?

Yep, I told him the land tour in NYC will be his belated birthday gift from me.
I'll research for good land tour and pay for both of us.
I think this is a practical gift to ensure no wastage due to buying unwanted and impractical things.

Dinner will be at my mum's place since it's Dong Zhi  冬至 Festival.
Yep, RY is a  冬至 baby.
Every year, mum will make dumpling for us.
Why dumpling during 冬至?

Here is the story of  冬至:

The Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; Pinyin: dōng zhì; "The Extreme of Winter") is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese as well as other East Asians during the dongzhi solar term. The traditional Chinese calendars divide a year into 24 solar terms (節氣). Dōngzhì (pīnyīn) or Tōji (rōmaji) (Chinese and Japanese: 冬至; Korean: 동지; Vietnamese: Đông chí; literally: "winter solstice") is the 22nd solar term. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 270° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 285°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 270°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around December 21 (December 22 East Asia time) and ends around January 5th.


The origins of this festival can be traced back to the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. The philosophical significance of this is symbolized by the I Ching hexagram fù (復, "returning"). Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of Tangyuan (湯圓, as pronounced in Cantonese; Mandarin Pinyin: Tāng Yuán) or balls of glutinuous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Every one in the family receives at least one large Tang Yuan and several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl.

In northern China, people typically eat dumplings on dongzhi. It is said to have originated from Zhang Zhongjing of Han Dynasty. On one cold winter day, he saw the poor suffering from chilblains on their ears. Feeling sympathetic, he ordered his apprentices to make dumplings with lamb and other ingredients, distributed them among the poor to keep them warm. Since the dumplings were shaped like ears, Zhang named it "qǜ hán jiāo ěr tāng" or dumpling soup that expels the cold. From then on it became a tradition passed down to eat dumplings on the day of dongzhi to keep the ears from getting chilblains.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

New York New York!

Yep, RY is going to New York on biz trip next Feb and he is bringing me along for holiday prior to his biz meeting commence.

I'm looking forward to this NY holiday.
The last San Franc trip has made me fall in love with USA!

Now I gotta start planning what to do in NY ......... weather should be cold then, ummn so gotta bring winter clothes ...........

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Meeting up my Old Friend!

Yesterday I didnt go to work as I was attending training in town.

My ex-secondary school classmate - MyL met me up for lunch as she was on leave.
I've known MyL since sec 1 and we still keep in touch every now and then but more recently as she's preparing her wedding in Feb'11.  So I'd give her my opinion on her gown, hand bouquet, make-up artist, photography etc ..........

It was nice meeting up old friends and brought back fond memories of days of being young and wild ........
She was the friend who brought me to pub and disco when I was 18 ........ and I remembered going to her place almost every saturday to dress up for the party and spent the night at her place since she stayed in town.  Oh I'd the permission from my parents to spend the night at her place as they knew her pretty well too!

MyL is a interior designer and studied in NAFA after GCE "O" Level while I chose the acadamic route to do JC then University.

She remembered my birthday and wanted to buy me dinner but I rejected and insisted paying as I know she had already spent a fortune in her wedding preparation.

I hope we can continue remain as friends till we grow old ............

Happy Birthday 11 Dec 2010

Today is my birthday ........

Last night we attended my company's function and arrived home at 11.59pm and RY sang me a Happy Birthday song when the clock ticked at 12 mid-night and also handed me a nicely wrapped gift.

Since last month, he had asked me what I want for my birthday and I told him that I want "nothing".

Do you wanna guess what he give me this year?
He wrapped the "item" in a flat box about the size of a A4 size paper and with a diameter of 1cm.

Initially I thought it was a ladies long wallet with key chain set or a jewellery set.
When I opened it up and was disappointed to see a note pad (a paper note book) but, wait ...... when I looked closer in between the pages, something shimmering & glittering fell off.
Yep, it was a Gold Bar!

RY told me that since he didnt know what to get for me, he decided to buy a piece of gold bar from the SG authorised Bank since it is also a form of investment.

This is indeed a very pratical gift which will appreciate in value!

I appreciate the thoughts and efforts he puts in.
He must've spent some time thinking of what to get and how to wrap this small piece of gold bar to surprise me!

This afternoon we'll go for a movie and then have a dinner in town.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Alkaline foods for conception

I recently read about natural food therapy to improve fertility.  In such therapy, women eats alkaline rather than acid foods.

In summary, the chemical processes during digestion have an ideal pH at which they are most efficient and the human body functions at a slightly alkaline pH between 7.0 and 8.0. The pH of blood is slightly alkaline and the body has many stores of alkalizing minerals to keep it that way.

Where do we get these minerals? Our food supplies our minerals (not including vitamin and mineral supplements). The total balance of minerals in a particular food is either acid or alkaline. A food is not classed as acid or alkaline by how it tastes. It has everything to do with the residue that remains once the food has been metabolized.

When food is metabolized to produce energy, a residue remains that is either acid, alkaline or neutral. It is important to note that although a food may taste acidic, it may leave an alkaline residue.

Alkaline-forming foods include vegetables, fruits, soybeans, almonds, most legumes, potatoes with skin, bananas, millet and buckwheat. Acid-forming foods include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, most grains and nuts, and peanuts. Neutral foods include fats and oils.

Many diseases and allergic reactions are associated with an over-acid condition of the body fluids. Symptoms such as pain and weakness may indicate that the alkaline reserves of the body are exhausted.

In addition, taking large amounts of Vitamin C especially as synthetic ascorbic acid increases the body’s acidity.

Attaining a healthy PH balance is essential for reproductive health. If cervical mucous becomes too acidic, it can become hostile to sperm and prevent implantation (sperm favor an alkaline existence). For an ideal PH balance, 70-80% of your diet should be from alkaline foods, while 20-30% can come from acidic foods. Saliva is alkaline, so remember to chew your foods well to create an internal environment conducive to fertility.


Highest Alkaline Forming Foods:
String beans, banana, dandelion greens, dates, figs, prunes, raisins and Swiss Chard.

High Alkaline Forming Foods:
Almonds, asparagus, avocado, fresh beans, beets, black-berries, carrot, cranberries, chives, endive, sour grapes, kale, dried peach, persimmon, plum, pomegranate, raspberries, rooibos tea and spinach.

Alkaline Forming Foods:
Agar, alfalfa, apple, fresh apricot, globe artichokes, bamboo shoots, snap beans, sprouted beans, most berries, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celery, cherries, chestnuts, chicory, coconut milk, collards, corn (when fresh), cucumbers, daikon, eggplant, escarole, garlic, ginger root, gooseberry, grapefruit, guava, horseradish (fresh and raw), kelp, kohlrabi, leek, lemon, lettuce, line, loganberry, mango, melons, raw, milk, m millet, acidophilus yogurt and whey.

Neutral Oils:
Almond, avocado, coconut, cottonseed, linseed (flaxseed), olive, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and walnut.

Highest Acid Forming Foods:
Alcohol, artichoke root, barley, bread, buckwheat, caffeine, coffee, corn (when processed and not fresh), custards, drugs, most flours, ginger preserves, honey, lentils, pate, oatmeal, peanuts rice, rye grain, soy bred, soy noodles, sorghum, spaghetti, and other pastas, sugar cane, raw beets tobacco, walnut, wheat.

Acid Forming Foods:
Dried beans, cashews, coconut, cranberry juice and concentrate, egg yolk, filberts, fruit jellies, (canned jams, sulfured, sugared, dried), grapes, pasteurized milk products, dry peas, pecans, Damson plums, tofu, fries and water chestnuts.

Acid Forming Fats:
Butter, cream, margarine and lard.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Nature giving way to modernisation

I was doing my usual morning exercise passing by the small garden near my house this morning.
I was rather shocked to see trees being chopped down to make way for the new MRT downtown line .........

I was kinda sad and went to touch the lifeless tree bark and branches ..........

The trees used to provide shades during the hot sunny weather for people living near the vincinity when we exercise, play or walked the dogs there.
Now, they just lie on the ground "lifelessly" ........

I hope upon the completion of the MRT downtown line, the govenment can consider planting the trees back.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Earwax is a Pain!

I was "partially deaf" on left ear for the past 2 weeks due to big lumps of earwax build up that blocked the ear canal.

Being partially deaf was really frustrating since I was not able to hear properly to detect danger while I crossed the road; not able to hear properly during work or in restaurant when my queue nos was called; not able to communicate will with friends/ clleagues during lunch since I can only hear my chewing sound and hardly able to hear them talk when I was eating ............. etc

For the 1st 3 days when the earwax build up erupted, I patiently waited for it to come out by its own.
On the 4th day, I went to the pharmacy to get a off the shelve earwax drip - Tropex and drip the solution into my left ear for > 1 weeks.

I waited with 9 days for the earwax to get soften and was hopeful that it'd flow out of its own.
But it didnt happen.
Yesterday, I finally gave up and went to a GP to get it fix!

The doc extracted a big lump from the outer ear and then flush out the balance lumps.Syringing method.
He made me lie on the bed, pulled the external ear up and back, and aiming the nozzle of the syringe slightly upwards and backwards so that the water flows as a cascade along the roof of the canal. The irrigation solution flows out of the canal along its floor, taking wax and debris with it. The solution used to irrigate the ear canal is usually warm water, normal saline,sodium bicarbonate solution, or a solution of water and vinegar to help prevent secondary infection.


He also checked my right ear and managed to extract a dried huge lump of earwax!
Both my ears are really clean now and I definitly can ear very clearly!

Dont under estimate how the earwax can wreck havock to your daily lives.
Care for your ear and remember to seek professional help if it blocks your ear canal and affect your hearing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earwax
Explanation on Earwax from Wikipedia:
Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a yellowish waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and many other mammals. It protects the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects and water.[1] Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal and impair hearing

Cerumen is produced in the outer third of the cartilaginous portion of the human ear canal. It is a mixture of viscous secretions from sebaceous glands and less-viscous ones from modified apocrine sweat glands.[2] The primary components of earwax are shed layers of skin, with 60% of the earwax consisting of keratin, 12–20% saturated and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, alcohols, squalene and 6–9% cholesterol.[3]


Fear, stress and anxiety result in increased production of earwax from the ceruminous glands

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

What are you doing this X'mas?

Yesterday RY told me he doesnt wanna repeat the same thing again this year, i.e. going back to Ipoh/ KL for the festive celebration.
So today he spent almost the whole day looking for tour which will depart during x'mas period.
Unfortunately, all tours departing during the said period were sold out!

Looks that we'll stay in SG for X'mas and New Year!
But I've a feeling that he may still go back Malaysia to spend X'mas which his parents.........

I shall update nearer to the date.........

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah

Tau Sar Piah means "bean paste filling biscuit" so the main ingredient is mung bean paste.

Along Balestier Road, you would find a whole stretch of shops specialising in this mung bean paste filling biscuit. I think at least 4 of them!

However the authentic one would be Loong Fatt as the history dated back to 1948, when the Hainan-born Mr. Li Fanlong established Loong Fatt at the present Balestier site.

Two flavors are available: sweet or salty. The sweet tau sar piah is marked by the sprinkling of sesame seeds on its crust.


A bite of this Loong Fatt tau sar piah would surprise you since the crust is soft and light.  This is due to the use of butter that create a smoother texture that is less dry.  The tau sar filling is also moist and creamy ......... yummy!

At the shop, you can see the bakers in action at the kitchen where new batches are freshly baked daily. Drinks are also sold here so you can sit down to enjoy your pastry with a cup of kopi or teh.



Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah

639 Balestier Road
Singapore 329922
(65) 6253 4584
Opening hours: 8am – 4:30pm (Closed on Sundays)


The original Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah is located at the extreme right end of Balestier Road by the junction of Thomson.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

How to Keep Your Employees Happy Without Raising Wages?

The old saying, “a happy employee is a productive employee” has been proven to be true time and time again. Looking at many of the most successful companies today, many of them have a wide variety of ways they keep there employees happy and working. While it’s true that raising wages will always make employees happy, there are several other things you can do to ensure their happiness. These things will also probably be significantly cheaper than an across-the-board wage hike.

1. Flexible Hours
Allowing employees to have some flexibility is a great way to keep them happy. If a employee asks to leave work early to pick up their child from school, letting them go, and having them make up the time later (if you so desire) is much more effective in terms of employee happiness.

2. Casual Fridays and Other Themes
No employee likes wearing a suit and tie every day, so allowing employees specific days of the week to “dress down,” is a great way to keep them happy.

3.  Coffee and Tea for Everyone
 It’s no secret that a little caffeine can do wonders in terms of motivating an employee. It’s often difficult to complete tasks if you are run-down, or otherwise simply very tired. Giving employees a high quality coffee-machine, with a variety of options (including tea, for those who don’t like coffee), is a wonderful decision.

4. Family Events
Employees like to take their families to work-related events. It’s a great way for them to build new relationships, and just have a good time outside of the traditional workplace

5. Company-wide Competitions
Competition is the mother of productivity. If you can come up with a great competition, with a great reward, you just might find that your employees really get into it.

6. Child Care Facilities
Sometimes things happen, and employees will need to bring their children to work. If you don’t have anything that could be used as a childcare facility, you risk unhappy employees who will be forced to jump through hoops in order to take care of their kids in difficult situations.

7. Nice Office Supplies
Employees need supplies to do their work. So having nice post-its, pens, and paper readily available is a must if you’re going to be keeping your employees smiling and working.

8. Parties
Some of the happiest employees are those who are celebrating a coworker’s birthday and eating some cake.
Get everyone in the workplace’s birthdays written down, then you might just see happier employees. The gesture will look great on you as a boss, and it will keep employees being social and happy.

9. Friendly IT personnel
There’s nothing more angering and frustrating then coming into work, only to find that your computer is malfunctioning which prevents you from doing your work. Having a friendly, well-staffed, IT department can do wonders for employee happiness.

10. Delicious Food
If the food is delicious and healthy, then employees will be much more well fed and therefore happier.

11. Decorations and Windows
There’s nothing more depressing than a dark office with very little windows and seemingly endless rows of cubicles.
Adding color to the workspace, paintings, and making sure that it is well lit with ample windows can do wonders in terms of employee morale.

12. Be Open to Suggestions
Being open to suggestions is one of the simplest and most-effective ways to keep employees happy. If employees feel that their opinion is valued, and if they see some of their suggestions implemented, then they will be much happier. The improvements could also turn out to be really great for your business.



Does your company do the above to keep you happy?
Mine doesnt and I dont think it'll change in the next 5 years unless there's a majoyr change of management.
But I know One company does and it's Google!

I just came back from a 2 days seminar organised by our corproate bank and Google happens to be the client of the same bank as mine.
It was a very engaging session since Google shared on the company implementation of the corporate card programme and the "focus on employee" global policy.
After Google's presentation, we were so impressed and wished that we can work in Google too!

Laptop computers affect mens fertility

New research published in the medial journal Fertility and Sterility (Nov 2010) reveals that laptop computers can roast a man’s testicles to the point where sperm production (and quality) starts to drop.


To conduct the study, researchers placed temperature sensors on the scrotums of 29 men, then asked those men to use laptop computers on their laps. It didn’t take long before scrotum temperatures rose to levels known to damage sperm production — just 10 to 15 minutes of computing time.

Testicles are supposed to stay cool. And I don’t mean “wow, that’s cool” but rather that they are supposed to remain a degree or two below body temperature in order to maximize sperm production. When the testes get too hot — even with as little as a one degree Centigrade rise in temperature — sperm production starts to fall. Using a laptop computer on your lap can cause temperatures to rise by 2.5 C in one hour, according to this research.


And the men in the study didn’t even notice the rise in temperature, by the way. Probably because they were too busy updating their Facebook pages with comments like, “Check it out, I’m actually getting paid to roast my nuts for the advancement of science!”

In the world of temperature-sensitive sperm production, 2.5 C is equivalent to a scrotum barbeque cook-off. And all it takes is a little laptop computing to send temperatures soaring

Surprisingly, even using a laptop cooling pad didn’t help, researchers reported. Scrotum temperatures still rose just the same.


Reuters reported that Belkin International, Inc., makers of laptop computer cooling pads, “…did not wish to comment on the new findings.” (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS…)

No surprise there. This is dangerous territory for marketers. After all, there’s really no way to spin this story in a positive direction. Even if Belkin unleashed ads such as, “Feeling the heat? We keep your scrotum cool,” they would be hit with complaints about lewd marketing tactics.

It turns out the biggest determining factor of whether a laptop computer heats up your testicles is your leg position while computing. I’m not making this up: Researchers found the best position was to spread your legs wide while computing in order to dissipate heat and cool your man-crotch

Because men who can’t keep their junk cool are actually practicing a form of laptop birth control. Although the drop in sperm quality from laptop heat isn’t considered permanent, it’s technically a form of short-term sperm suppression. Sort of like soaking your sack in a hot tub for twenty minutes

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

女人我最大 Nu Ren Wo Zui Da

Ok, I admit that I'm rather slow in posting about 女人我最大 Nu Ren Wo Zui Da.
I've heard about this Taiwanese programme few years ago but only get to watch it when Channel U started showing 3 weeks ago ...... (now showing every Wed 9pm on Channel U).
This is a very informative programme that gives you quick tips on skin, hair and body care, as well as teach you useful make-up techniques.

Each week, 3 celebrities are invited to bare their face to the audience and the make-up gurus will perform the make-up on them right on the spot to fix their face/ look.

After watching the show, I'm so tempted to buy the products featured!

Found this website which can be useful to track the different products featured in the programme.
http://forums.cozycot.com/url/aHR0cDovL3BvcGJsb2cudHZicy5jb20udHcvQmxvZy93b21hbi8=

Monday, November 8, 2010

Deepavali 2010 in Ipoh

Last Fri 5 Nov was Deepavali holiday in SG & MY and RY and myself drove to Ipoh (instead of KL) to spend the long weekend with his family.

We left SG about 5.30am for Tuas 2nd link and was delighted to see no queue at SG custom but we were trapped in MY custom for > 1 hr before we got thru.

It was also heavy traffic on the hi-way and we only managed to arrive Ipoh about 2pm (usually it only took us 5 hrs to reach Ipoh).

Basically we just eat, sleep and watch TV in Ipoh to R&R whenever we go back .........

However I was surprised to meet 4 new golden retriever puppies since the neighobur's retrievers (Barney & Angel) just gave birth to the baby retrievers 5 months ago.
The owner was kind and friendly to allow me to play with the puppies, namely Gigi (eldest girl), Tommy (2nd boy), Danny (3rd boy) and Meimei (youngest girl).
They were really playful and left countless paw prints on my body!

I really enjoyed my stay in Ipoh since its carefree and simple life ............
I'll consider retire in Ipoh and get to eat all the good and tasty food there ......... yum yum yum ............

Do let me know if you're considering going to Ipoh and I shall recommend you few nice places to visit and tell you where to go for good food!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

IVF baby doesn't have father's DNA

This is a shocking news!
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20101103-245484.html

Thomson Fertility Center is such an establishd, expensive and renowed medical centre in SG and it's a shame that such boo boo can happen.
Obviously someone has made a terrible mistake!
So this incident proof that Expensive may not equate to Quality and Reliability!

I hope the couple keep the baby and raise him/ her up ........

Monday, November 1, 2010

Daiso - my favourite store!

I always enjoy going to Daiso to look at the fanciful stationery.tupper ware, Japanese cutlery, bento making gadgets, beauty and shower products and many others etc.

http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/english/

This evening, I went to Daiso as I was at my dentist for my follow-up visit.

It's amazing that they now sell hair colouring product (henna powder, mascara for covering grey hair).
I was also facinated to see that they've a good range of Christmas party costume head gear and I bought 3 for RY's sis' daughters.
I think they'll look really cute putting those cute "rein deer antler" look alike hair band.
The most amazing thing is, it only cost SGD2/= per piece! 

This Deepavali long weekend, we'll be going to KL and I shall present this cute Christmas head gear and Mongolian tibits to KL folks.

Oh do you know that Daiso has a USA online store?
Check it out here!
http://www.daisojapan.com/

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Happy Halloween 2010

Tonight I'm meeting my friend at clark quay for the Halloween gatherine.

Supposed to meet up at 7pm but as I gotta attend my nephew's birthday, I'll be meeting them late.

Looking forward to this fun night!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Lunch at Cafe de HK today!

This afternoon we went to Cafe de HK for lunch and we brought my mum along.

This time round we had the crispy freid noodle (seafood) with black bean source, braised mee hoon with slice pork and snow veg, seasoned mixed mushrom and supreme tou fu.

Mum was rather pleased with the food and we've enjoyed the meal very much.

Total cost for 3 adults was about SGD48 (no drinks ordered since water is served FOC).

Since opposite the restaurant is a traditional bakery selling tau sa piah, after lunch we crossed over to get some tau sa piah for the whole family.
I'm going to have the piah as my breakfast for tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Inner Mongolian in Oct 2010!

I was away for about a week touring Inner Mongolia!

It was freezing cold in the Mongolia grassland and the living condition is really horrible and am glad to be back home to civilisation!

Here are some pics to share!














Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Beauty of Yosemite!

Showing some of the pics taken during Jul 2010 San Francisco trip - Yosemite!




Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Dark Circles

I just realised the really dark circles under my eyes ......... I dont usually have such a dark ring until now ........
The long working hours just for a night is indeed potent!
I gotta put some eye mask during the weekend and hope that it'll help!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Age is really catching up!

Due to the annual book closing reporting, I stayed till 4am this morning to complete the report.
The due date for this report was actually yesterday afternoon (Monday) but due to the inefficiencies of the shared service centre in Manila, the book only get closed last night and I gotta stayed up to make up for their inefficiency.

This morning I still went to work at usual 8am, but at about 2pm, I was feeling really sleepy and gotta push myself to stay awake.
My eyelids are getting heavy now and will soon go zzzzzzzzzzz ..........
I've told RY that I'll skip dinner as I'd like to sleep really early today.

When I was younger, I'd no problem working long hours or staying up late partying for consecutive few days, and yet the next day I'd still looked radiant.
But now, I look so tired with puffy eyes just for not sleeping regularly for 1 night!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Another is leaving and it's the MD ........

The Managing Director who hired me will be going back to his home country end of the year in Dec since he'd like his kids to continue higher education there.

I've  a strong feeling that my life would be tougher with his departure since he has been supporting me alot in my work.
He's a strong beliver of "fairness" and would do his best to fight for your well being if he thinks it's the right thing to do.
His successor is a soft spoken guy whom I seriously dont think he'll be able to do much.
But I hope I'm wrong about the new guy ...............

Wish me good luck!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Inner Mongolia in Oct 2010

Next month RY and myself will be going to Inner Mongolia for a short holiday.
I'm looking forward to the trip to view the beautiful landscape and sample the roasted lamb there!

Inner Mongolia is a large region stretched across the northern edge of China. It has a relatively low population density the majority of which are Han Chinese. About 17% of the population is ethnic Mongolian. The region is officially an Autonomous Region for the Mongolian people within China. The east of Inner Mongolia consists of wide grass meadow lands, forests and mountains. The west of the region is made up of scorching hot dry deserts. Traditional Mongolian nomadic lifestyle can still be seen in the region and yurts (mongolian tents) are not an uncommon site in the wide spaces between the cities.


The main religion in the area practiced by the Mongol minority is Lamaist Buddhism, similar to that found in Tibet and the Republic of Mongolia. Lama temples are common throughout the region.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) (酒泉卫星发射中心) is in Inner Mongolia and is the site of most of China's rocket launches. It is in a remote area and not open to the public. (The city of Jiuquan lies over 100km away in the neighboring province of Gansu.)

Mongolian and Mandarin Chinese are the two official languages in the area. There are different dialects of both spoken throughout the region.

There are nine public airports in Inner Mongolia. Most only receive domestic flights so requiring foreign visitors to transfer at one of the major cities of China before reaching Inner Mongolia. There are international flights form Hohhot to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia run by MIAT Mongolian Airlines.

Traditional Mongolian food is found throughout Inner Mongolia. This is typically high in dairy produce such as milk, yoghurt and cheese. The traditional Mongolian milk tea is exceptionally good. Meats, especially lamb, form most meals. The meat is usually roasted with a coating of spices to give a strong distinctive flavour. Similar with many areas of China, the Hotpot is a popular style of cooking. Mongolian hotpot usually has a well flavoured soup but without the hot spices of central China.

http://www.chinahighlights.com/inner-mongolia/overview.htm

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Cafe de Hong Kong at Balestier

I've read about this Cafe de HK from some food blog and today I finally get to taste the food there.

http://www.cafedehongkong.com/
Cafe de Hong Kong
586 Balestier Road

(Near Thomson Road)
11.30 am to 3.00 pm

5.00 pm to 12.00 MN
MONDAY CLOSE EXCEPT PB - THEN THE NEXT DAY AFTER PB CLOSE


Apparently the owner, as well as the chefs of this restaurant are from Hong Kong.

Since RY and myself were not keen to have a big feast for lunch, we decided to try their Braised Mee Hoon with Sliced Pork and Snow Vegetables ($6.50) and Hor Fun with Beef in Black Bean Saurce ($6).
Both noodle dishes were very good and the portion per noodle dish is pretty small since the serving is meant for an adult.

We also tried the Hot Almond Paste ($3) and it was rather disappointing ......... (pls dont order it) .........

We'll definitely come back for the zhu chao to sample their famous crispy chicken, salted egg golden prawns, fish roe fried rice etc ..........

Should I continue to give when there doesnt seem to be any appreciation?

RY's younger sis has a very popular blog where she'd share about her daily lives of raising 3 young daughters.
I'd occassionally visit her blog to read about updates of herself and the 3 girls.

SIL's husband has an older sister who marries a rich Hong Konger and settles in HK with her family.
This HK SIL usually will buy gifts and pastry from HK and courier it over to them in KL.
Last year, this HK SIL paid for RY's sister's 2 older kids air fare to fly them to HK for Christmas.
So naturally, this HK SIL is RY's sis favourit SIL instead of me since I never buy expensive gifts to them.
Well, I do buy gifts but not of the similar price tag (air tix??).

If you go the her blog, you'll see her singing praises of this HK SIL and she even express her gratitude by calling her "the most generous SIL" as she had recently courier a box of HK biscuit over to KL.
But, you'll see that those gifts that I gave her or her child are hardly mentioned in her blog, also no appreciation of what I've given to them.

I'm not sure why I felt kinda hurt when I saw her recent posting calling the HK SIL "the most generous SIL" ......... I'm pretty sad ...........
For years, I've bought gifts for them from my heart using my own hard earn cash (no RY never pays for the gifts).
My thoughts and love is deemed to be too cheap and not worthly of her family???

Do you think its silly of me for feeling hurt?

So maybe from now onwards, I'll abstain from buying gifts for RY's SIL's family since she doesnt seem to be appreciative!
I think she only need ONE Generous SIL from HK to give them gifts!!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Unscrupulous Beauty Salon Operator

A new colleague - YC just joined us 3 weeks ago and I didnt get to talk to him until today when he sent some docs for my signature.

I found out that he was previously working for a renow local beauty house in SG as the supply chain executive incharge of their warehouse.

This is a famous beauty salon that has won "Superbrands" awards for several years and have a full range of in-house beauty & skin care products selling in their various salon outlets.

It was a horror to know that the skin care products marketed by them is bottled in their filthy warehouse with no proper hygeien care.
YC said that the warehouse store keepers would fill up the expensive and classy looking mini bottles using their bare hands.  These bottles are then delivered to the various salon outlets for sales.
Its so unhygenic that the worker themselves would not buy the product for their own use.

The worst is, this beauty house doesnt pay the salary of the worker on time and those who have left only managed to get their salary when they subsequently lodged complains with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
YC told me that he only got his last pay from them recently after he filed his complain with MOM.

Sorry, I cant tell you the exact name of this salon but I can only hint to you that it and has sponsored various TCS programme.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Clubbing in the Clouds?

My group of gal friends are discussing on the next venue for our next girls outing and we're brain storming on the possible "hip" place.

We've compiled a list of possible venue in "cloud nine" (i.e. roof top bar) which we've yet to agree on but I'd like to share here with all of you on our research list.

1. KU DE TA, Skypark at Marina Bay Sands Kude - Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave. Tel: +65 6688 8868
http://www.marinabaysands.com/Nightlife/Bars_and_Lounge/KU_D%C3%89_TA.aspx?cid=emembs07537&gclid=CNq10JzMmKQCFcdR6wodfzTOFg

2.  1-Altitude - OUB Building, 1 Raffles Place. Tel: +65 6688 7688
http://www.1-altitude.com/

3.  Lantern - The Fullerton Bay Hotel, 80 Collyer Quay Rd. Tel: +65 6597 5299
http://www.fullertonbayhotel.com/dining-en.html

4.  fabrika by Chivas 18 - Klapsons, The Boutique Hotel, 15 Hoe Chiang Rd. Tel: +65 6521 9029
http://www.fabrika.com.sg/

5.  Ying Yang - Club Hotel, 28 Ann Siang Rd. Tel: +65 6808 2188
http://theclub.com.sg/static/

Any suggestion where should we go?

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Personal Taste 个人取向 Every Sat 9.30PM on Channel U

My latest favourite Korean drama is screening on Channel U every Sat 9.30pm - Personal Taste 个人取向.

This is a very entertaining commedy and I find it very enjoyable to watch.
If you're home and nothing to do on Sat, you can tune into channel U at 9.30pm.

Story line:
Jeon Jin-ho (Lee Min-ho) is a very stylish young man with the perfect looks. He is a straight guy who pretends to be a gay in order to become a roommate to his female friend, Park Gae-In (Son Ye-Jin). His hobbies include organization and ironing, and he’s known for his stoic poker face. He’s a stickler for cleanliness, but he also has a talent for figuring out women’s feelings. Jeon Jin-ho then comes across Park Gae-in (Son Ye-Jin); a woman hurt by love and is now looking for a gay roommate/friend. Gae-in is very trusting even though she has a habit of being betrayed. However that doesn’t stop her from giving people the benefit of doubt and Jin Ho is no different. How will Gae-in react when she finds out that her gay roommate is not actually gay at all and that he has fallen for her?

Cast: Lee Min-ho, Son Ye-jin, Kim Ji-seok, Wang Ji-hye

http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/zh/tv/channel-u/programmes/personaltaste.aspx?cp-documentid=4292642
演员:

李敏镐 饰 全镇浩
孙艺珍 饰 朴凯茵
金基石 饰 韩昌烈
王智慧 饰 金仁希

孙艺珍饰演一名创出单身用家具品牌的年轻设计师朴凯茵。她经常会连发横冲直撞失误和事故,也因为固执地相信一个人而受到背叛和伤害,但她仍然是明快开朗的、拥有纯粹干净灵魂的女人。她结识了拥有卓越时尚感觉和洁癖的全镇浩,帮她找回被自己遗忘的女性魅力,并逐渐成长。

Casts:
Lee Min Ho as Quan Zhenhao
Sun Ye as Jin Pu Kaiying
Jin Jishi as Han Changlie
Huang Zhihui as Jin Renxi

Sun Yizhen plays the role of 'Pu Kaiying', a furniture designer in her mid twenties and is the only daughter of a well-respected professor in the construction industry. A trouble prone person who naively trusts people too easily and hence suffers heartaches but never loses her cool spirit. Fortunately, she befriends Quan Zhenhao, who helps her find her femininity and grows into a more sophisticated lady. .

Monday, September 13, 2010

DHEA could boost fertility?

DHEA is the hope for infertile women!

Read this link.
http://www.epigee.org/boost-ivf-with-dhea.html

A study performed by Israeli researchers has confirmed the results of a New York research team about the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone, the supplement known in layman's lingo as DHEA, on female infertility when used to treat women suffering from DOR (diminished ovarian reserves). The Israeli team hails from the Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv, Israel and is led by Adrian Shulman, MD, while the previous studies were performed by the scientists at New York City's Center for Human Reproduction (CHR).

While the Israeli study is small and includes only 33 participants, this work is the only random study on DHEA as a therapy for female factor infertility. Of the participants in this study, 17 were given the supplement while a second group of 16 women stood in as a control group. The results of the study confirmed that DHEA triples the success rate for women who conceive by in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Sunday, September 12, 2010

KL Trip during Hari Raya Holiday - 2010

Yep, we were at KL on 10 Sept since it's Hari Raya holiday on Fri to meet up PIL & family!

As PIL have to go back to Ipoh on Sat 11 Sept since BIL need to attend a friend's wedding dinner reception, we all decided to leave KL on Sat too.

As this is a last min decision to go KL, we rushed to Takashimaya on Thurs night to get mooncake.
We chose the Kia Hiang's mooncake since they're not so sweet and also able to mix and match the flavours (walnut, macadamia & yam) @ $40 with a FOC choco truffle cake. 

SIL's 2nd daughter (5 year old) is a vain pot.
I remembered the last trip we saw her using a mickey mouse plastic bag as a handbag to put her clips to bring to restuarant since she has no proper handbag.
After getting the mooncake, we proceeded to 4th floor of Taka shopping centre to get the Hello Kitty kiddy bags.
I bought 3 different design since SIL has 3 daughters.
The total cost of the 3 bags (with tibits packaged in the bag) was $62/=.
RY thinks this is too expensive just for the kiddy bag and dissuade me from buying, but out of love, I decided to buy for the children.

Oh, 9 Sept was also our ROM anniversary so RY has bought a bouquet of Gerberra for me.
As I know that we wont be able to attend to the flowers since we'll be away, I decided to bring the flower with me to present it to MIL instead as her birthday gifts.

We left SG at about 5.30am onFri and managed to reach KL at about 10.30am.
We meet up the whole family for breakfast.
Then presented the gifts to the various recipients.

MIL was really happy receiving the fresh flowers and the kids went crazy when they saw the Hello Kitty bags with ti-bits.

Lunch was very nice fish head mee hoon ta pau from a restaurant nearby.

Dinner was steamboat at this restaurant that uses pork bone essence for the soup base.
Then we went to "Sweet Hut" for dessert - very lousy tong shui and I know we wont go back again!

After dinner, we went to BIL's place to stay for the night.

The next morning, we went to SIL place to pick PIL to go nearby eatery for breakfast.

After breakfast at about 10.30am, we drove off to SG and reach home about 4pm due to the heavy traffic and long queue at the Malaysia custom (at link).

I must say SG's custom is rather efficient since they opened up the lorry/ van lanes for our usage to ease the congestion.

I think our next trip to KL could be in Oct sinc RY's Kl condo tenant is moving out end of Sept and it's time to look for a new tenant soon ........

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Welcome, Volvy!

RY came to fetch me home from work this evening using the "new" car, i.e. Volvy.

It's dark blue in colour and has a beige interior.

It's kinda nice.

But I already start to miss my Xiao Bai Tu (White Bunny)...........

I still like White Bunny better since it's more spacious.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Have you heard of Pulau Dayang Bunting?

Today a Malay colleague told me about this legendary island in Langkawi, call Pulau Dayang Bunting, is believed to have the supernatural power to bless infertile women to be able to conceive.

My colleague said that her sister was married for 5 years and childless until she went to the island - Pulau Dayang Bunting, then she became preggy when she came back from the holiday.

Literally, the name of the island means "Island of the Pregnant Maiden". It has a touching and fairy-tale-like legend, making the island seems to be more mystical and amazing at the same time.


The story of this island began when a beautiful fairy princess – Mambang Sari and Mat Teja, a man who fell in love with the princess from the moment he saw her. Mat Teja met Mambang Sari at the lake and he was attracted by her beauty. Getting advices from a wise old man, Mat Teja finally managed to win the heart of Mambang Sari.

Living happily on earth, Mambang Sari bore Mat Teja a son. However, their happy moment did not last any longer as their baby died after a short while. Undergoing such a traumatic and tremendous pain, Mambang Sari decided to lay her child to rest in peace in the lake. At the same time, she blessed all the childless and infertile women to be conceivable after bathing themselves in the lake.
At a certain angle, you will be able to see the island, resembling a 6-to-7-month pregnant lady, lying on her back. Some people might take it as a coincidence or the act of nature, but it somehow creates an amazing linkage between the island and her name.

http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/destinations/item.asp?item=dayang_bunting

I'm rather tempted to give it a try, how about you?

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Bye, Xiao Bai Tu!

It is very expensive to own and drive a car in Singapore. Wary of the fact that uncontrolled growth in the number of vehicles will result in traffic jams (just like KL & BKK), the government has implemented a range of measures to manage car ownership and usage. These include the Certificate of Entitlement (COE), Vehicle Quota System (VQS), road taxes and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP). All motor vehicles must be registered with the Land Transport Authority (LTA).


The COE scheme has been one of the most controversial and hotly debated public policies ever implemented.
Anyone wishing to buy a car or motorcycle has to bid for a Certificate of Entitlement (COE). Each month, a certain number of COE's are released for bidding and if successful, the vehicle entitlement is valid for 10 years from the date of registration of the vehicle. 
Certain classes of vehicles like public buses, school buses and emergency vehicles are exempted from the scheme. 
COE's have become so expensive that it is cost prohibitive to own a car. The government wants the people to take public transport.


COE for 1 small car < 1.6L is curently about SGD30K and bigger car > 1600cc is > SGD40K.

RY has been thinkng of changing his > 3 year old Honda as the car is starting to give him problem (minor ones).
Well, it's part of the normal wear & tear issue.
So instead of buying a brand new one, he got a 2nd hand car as the COE price is deemed to be too much to stomach!

We'll be saying goodbye to our "Xiao Bai Tu" = "White Bunny" this coming Wed to welcome our new "Volvy".
(Note:  We give names to our cars, from the 1st green car = "Xiao Qing" (means Little Greenie), to 2nd blue car = "Bluey", then to the current white car = "Xiao Bai Tu" which means White Bunny and the next car shall be called "Volvy".)

Do you give names to your car?

Why get a car when COE is so expensive?

RY is in Sales & Marketing so Car is a necessity while it's optional to me as my job is desk bound.
We also need a car to bring us to KL & Ipoh to meet up with the relatives > 3 times a year.

Come next year when we move to our new house in town, we'll use the car less since we can walk or take Bus/ MRT to get to places wihin the city to avoid the hefty parking charges.

My Man is Busy Cleaning the House Now!

I wont deny that I hate to do housework and it's a blessing that my beloved Husband share the chores!

RY came to SG to study when he was rather young and was trained to be really independent in doing household chores.
Back in Ipoh, he doesnt need to lay a finger to do anything since he's a precious eldest son pampered by everybody .........

I'm glad to have a husband like him .........

I love you, RY!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Song update - Stand By Me 家人有约: 林玉婷 - 相信

This is a really old sone - 1998 TC8 Drama Theme Song = Stand By Me 家人有约 - 林玉婷 - 相信.
I still like it very much!

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=cCnHKCa3Fp0

http://www.channelfeeder.com/video/t1n62FqkIFI/林玉婷-相信.html

重温一首新加坡电视剧(1998年家人有约)的主题曲, 由(林玉婷)所主唱, 一部与家庭背景为主题的电视剧, 剧情感人肺腑也荣获许多奖项。 主演:黄碧仁曹国辉谢韶光潘淑钦。 我的冷漠或许让你黯然神伤对你沉默或许让你慌乱而不安其实我的内心是你看不见的慌而你又悄悄把爱植进我心房心中残留太多的伤模糊了爱的方向你能否让我勇敢让我再相信再相信爱和情不畏曾经伤心对爱一生怀疑让我再相信再相信爱和情让我可以为你再点亮我的心我的冷漠或许让你黯然神伤对你沉默或许让你慌乱而不安其实我的内心是你看不见的慌而你又悄悄把爱植进我心房心中残留太多的伤模糊了爱的方向你能否让我勇敢让我再相信再相信爱和情不畏曾经伤心对爱一生怀疑让我再相信再相信爱和情让我可以为你再点亮我的心让我再相信再相信爱和情不畏曾经伤心对爱一生怀疑让我再相信再相信爱和情让我可以为你再点亮我的心




林玉婷-相信(家人有约主题曲)


我的冷漠或许让你黯然神伤
对你沉默或许让你慌乱而不安
其实我的内心是你看不见的慌
而你又悄悄把爱植进我心房
心中残留太多的伤
模糊了爱的方向
你能否让我勇敢
让我再相信 再相信 爱和情
不为曾经伤心 对爱一生怀疑
让我再相信 再相信 爱和情
让我可以为你再点亮我的心

Song update - 伍家輝 雖然我願意

Long time never post about songs that I like.

I like this chinese song from the Malaysian singer 伍家辉.
This is a rather old song (2008) but I like it very much.
It is the theme song of 2008 TCS 8 Drama -变奏曲!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8TQfapB-nI&feature=related

伍家輝 雖然我願意 HIGH QUALITY MV (完整版) [With Lyrics]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyMAr6s-C-0&feature=related

伍家辉 - 虽然我愿意


请让我靠近你轻轻对你说
别让我每个夜为你受折磨
是多么不容易才默默放手

为了我就当作这次为了我
别让我因为你被回忆折磨
而空气凝结了我们的脸孔
我别无选择

就算我们之间有什么问题
依然想念着你
虽然被放弃
虽然我愿意

就算我们之间有什么难题
黑夜我还想着你
心碎人孤寂
虽然我愿意

再让我靠近你轻轻对你说
当我说我要你从此好好过
是真的否则我怎么肯放手

为了我就当作这次为了我
赐给我你现在幸福的笑容
别让恨冻结了我们的脸孔
请你做选择

就算我们之间有什么问题
依然想念着你
虽然被放弃
虽然我愿意

就算我们之间有什么难题
黑夜我还想着你
心碎人孤寂
虽然我愿意

心碎人孤寂
虽然我愿意
就算我们之间有什么问题
依然想念着你
虽然被放弃
虽然我愿意

就算我们之间有什么难题
黑夜我还想着你
心碎人孤寂
虽然我愿意
(心还想着你)

One has Given Up and who'll be next?

I just get to know that my Malaysian colleague, a close counter counter part in Malaysia, has just tendered his resignation and his last day will be end of September.

He has given up on the shared services and is moving on to a new environment.

I'm kinda sad that I'll be sort of alone now fighting the losing battle against the shared service team but on the hand, I'm happy for him that he has found a good job.
I'd like to wish him all the best in his new endeavour!

Who'll be the next to go?
Will it be me??

Sunday, August 29, 2010

New Doggie Friend

Yesterday morning I did my usual morning brisk walking.
As I passed by the landed estate, I saw this yellow Labrador Retriever obediently sitting next to the "owner" while the "owner" chatted with a friend.
In this instance, the "owner" is a domestic maid who does the dog walking duty on behalf of the real owner.

Being a animal lover, I went forward to pat the Labs with no hesitation but I was careful to 1st ascertain that this is a friendly dog before I go near him.
This is a big mature Labs but a friendly one.

The "owner" told me that the Lab's name is "Butter Cup" and is about 10 years old.
This Labs is indeed "buttery" since its a full grown male with great body mass and the pinky nose also sort of give way to it's age.

Do you know that yellow Labs are born with black nose and gradually turn pink as they age?

This morning, I saw Buttercup at the same vincinty and I wave to them to say "hello" from far.

I love dogs but prefer big dogs more then the small ones and should I be given an opportunity to keep one again (I'd a dog 7 years ago that we put to sleep due to old age and illness and she was 15 years old when we put her down), I hope it'd be a Labrador or breed of similar size .........

I'll share more on my ex-dog, her name is Popo ........... till now I still dream about her and misses her dearly ..........
I'd never regret adopted her ........ she was a fine dog who has seen me thru from childhood to adulthood ............ 15 years ..........
Oh, did I also inform that I also used to have cats - Meowly and Lily, a siamese and a persian chincilla?

I'll write about them in the next blog.
I miss all my pets dearly .........

Friday, August 27, 2010

D&C done a year ago .......

I didnt realised it's exactly a year ago that I did the last d&c until I browsed thru my old posts .........
I hope my 3 precious one rested in peace in heaven and managed to reincarnate as somebody's beloved child .......

Mummy love all of you dearly eventho you brought me with a relatively short term a happiness .........

This blog journal has served its purpose being a diary to remind myself of what I've done and gone thru .........
I'm glad I started this blog to help me remember.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Why Hurt your Own Child?

This headline "Teen confronts rapist father" caught my eyes!
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_571285.html
Dad preyed on her at night

The teenager said her father preyed on her mostly at night when the mother was working the night shift as a clinic assistant. He would enter the room where the three children were sleeping in and asked her to follow him into the living room where he raped her.
The sexual abuse came to light in April last year when the girl went back to the flat to collect some of her belongings and he is believed to have tried to unbutton her school uniform in an attempt to have sex with her. He did not succeed and later, she told her mother what happened at the flat and over the years.
The father, who has no lawyer, said he did not wish to cross-examine his daughter

This is really sad since a father actually hurt his own flesh & blood ........
How could one bring himself to do harm to his own child, he had repeatedly committ the crime for > 10 years?

He could've gone to Geylang for paid sexual service, yet he chose FOC sex by raping his own daughter!

This is an unforgiveable sin & crime and heavy penalty should be levied on this beast!
We've yet to hear the verdict.
A death sentence would be too lenient, in my opinion, he should be custrated, whipped >100 times and be put in prison for > 20 years.

Did he realise what kind of harm he has inflicted on his own child?
She trusted her daddy to love and care for her, yet he forced himself onto her!

The victim's mother must be very heart broken to know that her child was being violated by her hubby, the father of her kids ........ who turn out to be a terrible beast!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Manila Hostage Crisis

This is really scary!
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0823/philippines.html

A sacked Manila policeman had held 15 HK tourists hostage and had killed most of them.
The crisis just ended with the shoot out with the PH commandos.

This case really caught my eyes since I travel to Manila pretty often as the company's shared service centre is there.
I gotta be extra careful should I make another trip to Manila.

Penny Wise but Pound Foolish!

Remember I was sharing that I bought my health supplement from iherbs and I also reminded that GST will be levied for purchase > SGD400?

I just placed an order for my regular health supplements and was greedy to include the high value items to enjoy greater discount but really careful to keep the convertd cost within SGD400.

This afternoon when DHL delivered the parcel to my mum's place, they wanted to collect $39 for GST.
Mum called me and I clarified with DHL that the SG Custom has levied the charge based on their exchange rate.
I've merely exceeded the purchase cost by SGD11 and gotta pay GST on the whole purchase price.

This is a classic example of being penny wise but pound foolish.
If I didnt select high value items to try to enjoy the greater discount, I wouldn't have to pay the extra $39 bucks .........

Fortunately, this boo boo is not too costly to incur and I've certainly learn a lesson from it!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Marina Bay Sands

Yesterday was my 1st time to Marina Bay Sands (MBS).
We (RY and myself) went to MBS due to the Invesr Fair 2010 at MBS Convention Centre.

We've been driving along ECP admiring MBS from far and it's a different feeling when we were inside the building itself.

To avoid the traffic mess due to the possible road closure for the YOG (Youth Olympic Game) and the hefty parking cost, we've decided to catch public transport to get to MBS.

As the bus approach the MBS vicinity, the 1st impression we've was "Huge", the MBS is really huge since it houses casino, shopping mall, hotel, museum, theatre, restaruants etc.

You can read up more at MBS website.
http://www.marinabaysands.com/SpecialOffers/Special_Offers.aspx

After the Invest Fair visit, we walked around the shopping mall, which was not fully ready since many shops are still empty.
I personally checked out 3 shops, a HK based boutique, a French boutique and a local jewellery shop.
I think business must be very slow in MBS as the sales assistant were very hungry for sales when they saw me stepped inside.
Frankly speaking, I was rather "frightened" by their eagerness to push sales which resulted in me walking off without buying anything.

The q at the ground floor entrance to Sands SkyPark was pretty long.
It costs $20 for adult to go up to have a paranomic view of SG.
Would you pay $20 bucks to go up?

We took a walk via the Helix Bridge to Marina Sq for our dinner.
This is a really spectacular bridge and offers awesome view of SG skyline.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Helix_Bridge

As RY craved for a lamb stew, we had our dinner at Secret Recipe for the famous Irish lamb stew and chocolate banana cake for dinner.
http://www.secretrecipe.com.sg/foodmenu.asp
 
It was a nice "Par Thor" trip as it has been years since RY and myself take a bus to town.
It kinda brings back fond memories of our "days of being young" ..........
Same as before, we fell asleep on the bus journey back home but we didnt miss our stop as I was awake in time to woke RY up to get down the bus.

Happiness can be really simple!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Property Search Ended!

Last Sunday 15 Aug marked the end of our property search!
We've successfully closed the deal to buy a freehold condo close to Novena MRT but it'll only be ready in Q3/ Q4 next year.

The property search has been very interesting and fun as we get to see various property and show flat.

Now is the bank loan selection phase and my RY is busy analysing the bank packags curently in the market. 

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Malaysia Chinese School in KL

SIL & her husband have sent their 6 yr old daughter to a private chinese school in KL.
I didnt realise how tough their standard 1 is until I tuition my niece during the last KL trip since it's exam time now.
She has to sit for 7 papers - English language, Chinese language, Bahasa Malayu, Maths in English, Maths in  Chinese, Science in English and Science in Chinese.

The Chinese words are quite difficult for a 6 years old and I really pity the young girl as she has to learn so many words in order to understand the qn and answer.

I think for the next 10 years, she'll not have any childhood nor "teenagehood" since most of her free time will be spent in books mugging or attending tuitions.

I think the parents now are very kiah su so they send their kids to do lots of classess & cultivate interests and talents so that they've an advantage over the rest of the kids.

I'm not sure if I'll do the same like the kiah su parents to make my children attend multiple classess since it's too early to tell now since I've no baby yet............ 

Note: Kiah Su is hokkien word which means "afraid to lose".

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A year ago ...... I lost my baby ........

We celebrated FIL's birthday last Sun in KL and MIL told me about similar celebration we did last year in KL Shangrila hotel last year.
As I cant recall the celebration, MIL reminded that last year the same time, I was bleeding and they'd to send me to a hospital in KL to see a gynae.

It just strucked me that it was exactly a year ago, I'd been thru the ordeal of my great loss ..............

Very sad ....... very very sad ........ to recall the m/c ...........

Pls God, kindly grant me my wish to get preggy and deliver my beloved child successfully ...........
I wanna be Mummy!
I believe I can be a good Mother!!

Back from KL!

I was back from KL yesterday!

We presented the gifts to MIL, PIL, SIL, BIL and kids on Sat and they liked them very much.
PIL, MIL, SIL and husband, as well as BIL each got a Polo Ralph Lauren polo t-shirt.
MIL also got a coach handbag, which she liked it very much.
The kids got a hairband each.
We've also bought almond, pistachio, chocolates and other healthy snacks for them.

As predicted in my previous post, we were "trapped" in the house and only managed to do an hr shopping in mid valley on Sunday .........
Oh my friends were not able to meet me up as they were outstationed, one in NZ and the other in London .........

As we'd opted to stay with RY's younger brother, every night after dinner, we'd take a 25 mins drive from SIL's house to sleep in his place and the next morning, we'd drive back to SIL's place to meet PIL.

So what did we eat in KL?
On Sat we arrived KL at about 11am, we had Ampang Yong Tau Foo for lunch and at night we just had zhu chao in the restaurant nearby.
On Sunday, we just had hawker food for breakfast and lunch was at Unique seafood restaurant, where we celebrated FIL's 67th birthday and at night BIL tah pau fish head mee hoon (with clay fish) for dinner.
The next morning, we drove off for SG early morning at 7am and arrived home at about 11am.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Packing up for KL!

I'm busy packing now (last min) for tomorrow's KL trip.

Most probably we'll depart early at about 5 or 6am to beat the traffic .........

I'm not bringing much things, just 3 sets of clothes and sleeping pyjamas.
But gotta decide what skin care product to bring ........

Hopefully it'll not be crowded at the custom!

I'll not log in for the next 2 days!

Happy National Day Holiday!!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

He Touches my Heart!

RY washes his car himself and he has never engaged anyone to do it for him.

It is not uncommon to see Indian men providing car cleaning service in the housing estate.

Yesterday after dinner at mum's place, we saw an Indian guy busy cleaning the cars in the car park.
We were wondering how much does it cost to engage his service.
So I suggested to RY, why not he pays him to clean his car, so that he can sit back and relax.

RY said: "No I wont pay him to wash my car, I wanna save as my money is for you to spend .........."

I was really happy when I heard him said that.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Lucky Girl!

No, not me, I mean Gigi Lai.

I saw the news about her delivery of a pair of twin girls and her rich hubby is giving her a yatch as gift!

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/xin/20100802/ten-612-gigi-lai-shed-tears-joy-3c1b9bc.html

I also want a rich husband so that I need not worry about no income when I stop work ........ dont think I can turn back the clock now since I've chosen RY as my life companion.

Single source of income is my biggest worry if I were to stop work.
Should we go ahead to commit in a new property, the housing loan servicing could be a big burden.

What if I quite without a job, end up not working for long time and get used to the lazy life style and decided not to work anymore.......... and what if RY doesnt love me anymore & decided to find a SYT (Sweet Young Thing) to give him a baby ......... what if ............. 

Am I too paranoid???

I know RY does love me and I believe he is true to me now but how about 5 or 10 years later when I gradually age and lost my youth & beauty, will he still love me?

I aways think that it's very important for a women to be financially independent.

I'll try my luck in lottery and hopefully I strike it big then I need not worry about $$$ ........... and I can quit in peace ...........

Monday, August 2, 2010

Beautiful Babies in San Franc!

I've been to a number of parks in San Franc and I saw many beautiful babies there.
I saw either young couples playing with their kids or mummies teasing the little ones in the park.

I'd enjoyed watching the babies but on the other hand it made me feel kinda sad as they reminded me of my childless status.

Where is my baby?
I'm still waiting patiently ............
I also wanna bring my children to the park in SG, San Franc, Japan, Europe etc.

Where do I get my health supplements?

I've been getting my health supplements online and I find this website http://www.iherb.com/default rather reliable.

The delivery is pretty on time.
For instance, if I were to place my order SG time Monday morning, I'd be able to get it by Thursday evening if I select DHL as the preferred delivery method.

Sometimes iHerb will organise special promotion on the delivery charges or product discounts.
So it's worth while checking their website regulary to catch the best deals.

I also find the listing of the product expiry date very useful as it helps me decide how many bottles of the same health supplement to order for safe consumption.

Another plus point is the timely status updates available for your delivery tracking.

iHerb also sells skin care which I've not tried yet.
I'd like to check out the anti-aging products in my next health supplements replenishment order.

But do note on SG's custom regulation since GST is payable for purchase amount > $400 and also certain products are prohibited.

Note:  I'm not being paid for this post.  I'm just putting down my honest recommendation & feedback.

No Hotel Stay in KL ............

This afternoon RY told me that we wont be staying in KL hotel, instead we'll be staying with his younger brother since he has a vacant rooms for us .........

Yep, I'm disappointed since I thought I can stay in Jalan Bukit Bintang and walk to my favourite shopping mall - Pavillion to do my shopping.

Look at the bright side, we can save $$ on lodgings and spend on food instead.
Deep inside I know that I wont get to go to Bt Bintang since traffic is a killer in town so RY wont drive me there ........... I also find it too challenging to manage the massive traffic if I were to drive there on my own.

Upon knowing RY's accomodation plan, I quickly contacted my Malaysian friends to meet them up this weekend in PJ for coffee since my shopping plan is sort of void.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

I'm just Putting Down My Own Thoughts!

This blog of mine is created to track my daily lives, thoughts and feeling about what happen to me or around me ..........

Basically it's my diary!

I hope this cyber diary can help me remember things that I've done, thoughts that I've come across and the emotion feelings I've felt at that point of time, as well as people who impact my lives ..........

Each experience, bad or good, is worth noting down since we'll learn from it and grow to be a stronger and wiser person.

It's also good to be able to share with others who think what I've penned down is useful to them.

Heading to KL this coming weekend!

Usually when there's a long weekend, RY would take the opportunity to drive to either Ipoh or KL.

This National Day weekend, we'll go to KL since his parents are staying with the younger sister.

RY's younger sis has 3 daughters - 7, 5 & 2 years old.
As the maid had just been sent back to Indonesia, she sorted help from MIL to help her with the chores and child caring.

Most probably we'll stay in a hotel in town since I dont like the idea of been trapped in the house the whole day .........then I might as well stay in SG!
I'd prefer to just visit them and meet for lunch or dinner .........
I hope RY agrees to my suggestion to stay in a hotel.

I enjoy shopping in KL since there's always something awaiting to be discovered.

I got 2 paris of cult brand jeans ("7 for all mankind" and "True Religion") at RM50 each.
No, they're not copies since they were bought in a well established shopping mall.
They were intially priced at RM600 but was not selling well, then months later, they were priced at RM200 then subsequently later at RM50 .........

We can get branded stuff at a fraction of the original price as long as we're patient and not fussy for the latest fashion/ design.

I must say the food in KL is also fantastic.

My BIL is in F&B biz so he'll usually bring us to nice restaurant (not necessary expensive) for good food.
Oh we usually take turn to pay for the dinner so we're not the "free rider"!

I wonder where he'll bring us this time?

This trip will be a gift distributing trip since we've bought gifts from USA for them.
I hope they like the Ralph Lauren t-shirts, Coach bag & some healthy snacks from USA.

Why house hunt now?

Today we went house hunting again .......

We saw an apt in the east with rather good sea view and had made the offer but is pending on the acceptance by the owner.

RY explained to me that despite the high ppty price now, he still thinks it's worth the while to get a new place now for our own stay as he feels we should move to a new environment to forget about the past ........
He wants me to have a good rest for my "early retirement" and dont think about the unhappiness ........

I know he means the 3 losses I had for the past 2 years ....... my 3 precious babies ........ as well as the recent failed IVF ..........
Till today I still think of my 3 poor precious ones and tears will just roll down  .........

Monday, July 26, 2010

House Hunting

Yep, we're doing house hunting now and I know it's not a wise thing to buy any property now but RY is in the mood to house hunt.

Yesterday, we saw a small landed property in Thomson and was rather tempted to commit.
The owner - a couple with 2 kids, are expecting another baby so they've decided to move to a bigger house.
They also have a pair of Siberian Husky and Chinchila.

The house is cosy and nice.
It gives a nice feeling with children and doggies running around.

I know RY is very keen to make the offer and I'm the stumbling block since I didnt agree with the purchase.
I may be out-of-job soon (I'm contemplating to leave my current job) and single source income is dangerous to support a $1+++M property committment.

RY wants to fulfil my dream of keeping a big dog in our house but our current apartment is too small to have such a big dog.

I've a feling that we may buy that house ..........

The thought of the loan committment freak me out ..........

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Mid-cycle Bleeding Again!

This is my 2nd mid-cycle bleeding ....... the spotting started yesterday and today there's still light flow .........
Oh my mens came on 9 July so today is CD17.

I'm not sure what's wrong but could be due to the trip to USA which may've stressed by body!

I've done some reseach on mid-cycle bleeding and found this quite clear in the explanations.

http://www.targetwoman.com/articles/mid-cycle-bleeding.html

Spotting or bleeding is very common among menstruating women; almost all women report of a spotting incident during some point in their cycle. Bleeding or spotting could occur just after the full bleeding period or just before a full bleeding period is expected, or in between the cycle. Many a time's bleeding or spotting in between cycles is considered as a normal phenomenon. But it could also be an important indication to some major or small problem with the uterus. Check out the ramifications of mid cycle bleeding. What is mid cycle spotting ?


What is mid cycle bleeding?
Mid cycle bleeding can be defined as bleeding from the cervix, perineum or vagina that is severe and occurring between anticipated periods. It is also referred to as acute bleeding, bleeding between periods, intermenstrual bleeding or vaginal bleeding between periods.

Mid cycle bleeding usually happens 10-16 days after the last menstruation period. The bleeding is usually very little and can last from 12 to 72 hours. If the bleeding is heavy during this time, you must contact your physician for more information on the same.

Mid cycle bleeding happens in almost 30% of the women and is thought of as normal. A sudden increase and fall in the estrogen level during the ovulation period weakens the endometrium thus causing the bleeding. This is considered normal and the patients are usually given estrogen supplements. The most common cause for mid cycle bleeding in a healthy woman is attributed to the change in estrogen levels in the body. Mid cycle bleeding can also occur in women who have some other problems and in such cases the bleeding is a little too heavy when compared. There are two types of mid cycle bleeding:

Intermenstrual bleeding: Bleeding between two periods.

Metrorrhagia: Irregular bleeding that does not follow a pattern, heavy bleeding is termed as menorrhagia and heavy bleeding during this phase is termed as menometrorrhagia.

Possible causes for mid cycle bleeding
- Hormonal changes in the body
- Low thyroid levels in the body
- Miscarriage
- Intra uterine devices (IUD)
- Starting or stopping oral contraceptives
- Starting or stopping estrogen supplements
- GYN procedures like cervical cauterization or CONE biopsy
- Few types of drugs
- Vaginal infection or injury to the vagina
- Stress

Women experiencing mid cycle bleeding are advised to rest during this period. If some other major problem is causing the bleeding then the physician advices on an appropriate treatment.

Mid cycle spotting?
A small quantity of blood that is passed and is adequate enough to spot your toilet tissue is referred to as spotting. A very small amount of blood is passed out through the vagina, this blood spot can be seen only if the vagina is wiped with a piece of tissue. This spotting does not stain the panty and the mucus is usually pinkish, rusty brown or bright red in color.

Mid cycle spotting occurs ten to fourteen days prior to the commencement of the next cycle and is considered to be normal. Mid cycle spotting is considered to occur during ovulation period and is a normal phenomenon, it is in fact considered as a potential fertility indication. As mid cycle spotting occurs right during the ovulation period it helps in calculating the peak period of fertility. Ovulatory spotting as mid cycle spotting is called helps in determining the exact ovulation period in a woman and in turn helps planning pregnancy.

Possible causes for mid cycle spotting
- When the egg bursts through the follicle bleeding occurs and this blood shows up as spotting.
- During ovulation period, the estrogen level in the body rises and thus forces the uterus to shed a lining which shows up as spotting.
- Certain medications affect menstrual cycles and cause mid cycle spotting.
- Vaginal or cervical infection.
- Any intra uterine devices (IUD) can cause mid cycle spotting.
- Low thyroid functions.
- Severe health problems such as cancer can lead to this condition.
- Birth control pills.
- Uterine fibroids or polyps can also cause mid cycle spotting.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Jet lag?

I'm glad that I didnt have any jet lag when I came back from San Franc.

Before I arrived SG, I've already planned on the "anti-jet lag" strategy and apparently it worked.

Our flight arrived SG on last Sunday noon so when I got home, I kept myself busy unpacking the luggage and had a shower to keep the sleepy bugs away.

I managed to keep myself awake till 5.15pm before I threw in the towel to go to bed to zzzzzzzz.
RY went to bed at 4pm and I left him a message to tell him not to wake me up for dinner as I planned to zzzz till the next morning.

So I slept till the next day 3am to relieve myself from the full bladder and I went back to sleep at 4am and woke up at 6+am to prepare to work.
In total I've in total 12 hours of sleep!

Then on Mon to Wed night, I went to bed about 9pm and had about 9 hrs of sleep daily.

Thanks to the good & sufficient sleeps, I managed to stay awake at work!

The "anti-jet lag" strategy is very simple, basically just need to ensure quality and unbroken sleep during night time!
Back in my frequent Europe biz trip days, I applied this strategy and it always work pretty well.

So next time should you travel to a different time zone, you can follow the same!

Lost 1Kg!

Hurray!
This morning I checked my weight and saw the needle of the weighing scale move towards left ...... yep, I'm 49Kg now!
I was at work last Monday and my colleagues commented that I've lost some weight and I didnt believe them until this morning.


I guess the long walks in San Franc had helped me lost some weight despite the large food intake ........
But I wonder how long I can maintain at 49Kg??
Maybe after few weeks of chicken rice, char kway tiao, fried carrot cake etc, the needle may move towards the right .........

But I do hope that it'll continue to move towards left ......... I just want an additional Kg less (am I too greedy?) ..........
I gotta restict my carbo intake and need to do my regular exercise!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

What've I been doing in San Franc for the past few days? (Part 3 - End)

Day 8: 15 July Thurs - Presidio, Pacific Height, SFMOMA & Shopping in Macy's

I've decided to take it really easy on Thursday and do what I feel like doing.
So I took MUNI 30 to Lyon St to Museum of Fine Arts and then take a walk of the Presidio Park (the portion near to Lombard St).

Then took a stroll at Cow Hollow & Union St.

After a short walk around the vincity of Cow Hollow, I got on MUNI 45 to SFMOMA (San Fran Museum of Modern Arts).
I saw some renow paintings.
There was a FOC open air concert near to SFMOMA.
The atmosphere was nice and comfy .......

After all the arts admirations, I went to Macy's to help a friend to get her Coach bag which was not available in Gilroy.

I've selected few items for myself and when I was about to make payment, the sales staff informed that there would be a special One Day Sale in Macy's the next day - Friday, so she suggested that I reserved the items and come back the next day to pay for them.

I got back to hotel at about 9pm to pack the luggage as we gotta check out on Friday night to catch Sat 1am flight back to SG.

The packing was tiring and only complete at 12 mid-night.

Day 9: 16 July Fri - Winery Tour, Santa Cruise & Shopping in Macy's

RY's boss was kind enough to invite me to tag along with them to their team building activity - Winery Tour and Santa Cruise.

The drive to the winery venue was 2 hours and we did some team building games there and had lunch there too.

After the team building, we proceeded to Santa Cruise for some Roller Coster rides and walk along the beach.

We managed to get back to SF before 7pm.

So we quickly rushed to do last min shopping in Macy's to pick up the reserved items.
I also picked up additional bag, so we only get to eat dinner at 8.30pm.
By the time we got back to hotel was 9.15pm and we quickly shower and pack-up to check-out from the hotel by 10.30pm.

Day 10: 17 July Sat - Plane

On the plane on our way flying home.

Day 11: 18 July Sun - Home Sweet Home

Well we arrived SG about 11.45am today and we reached home about 1.30pm.
I unpacked my luggage and RY did partial laundry and he's zzzz now\, while I'm sitting in the living home typing this blog.
I'm avoiding the nap now so that I can sleep better tonight to recover from the jet lag as tomorrow is a working day!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

What've I been doing in San Franc for the past few days? (Part 2)

Day 7: 14 July - Civic Center, Golden Gate Park & Shopping

This morning I took a stroll to Civic Centre and City Hall.
I happened to walk to the local Pasar Malam in Civic Centre area.
It was interesting as there were fresh products (flowers, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, vegs, seafood & live chicken etc) on sale by the road side.

Yes, "live chickens" were on sale at the open air market which according to a "animal activist" (I guess he's from PETA), it is illegal in San Franc since the chickens were not housed in a proper cage (to ensure faces not contaminate the live stock) and water not given etc.

I've spent quite some time outside/inside the City Hall admiring the structure of this old building.

Next I took MUNI 6 to Haight street to get to Buena Vista Park and then took a stroll along Haight street to enjoy the "liberal" feel of the city.

I just kept walking towards Golden Gate Park to enjoy the fresh air and greens in the park.
Had my picnic lunch at the Flower Conservatory then walk to Japanese Garden.

After the nature appreciation, I took MUNI 5 to Market St to q up for the Cable Car ride to Fisherman Wharf.
Then took the cable car back in the reverse direction to Market St.

RY's colleague had given him a shopping list to complete (baby anti-diaper rash cream & American brand of toiletries which we cant get in SG etc.
So I did some shopping in Walgreens.

To continue.