Countdown 2008

Okay, the year has come to an end. Let us pray and hope that Year 2008 would be a better year for all of us.
Looking back, I started this blog in March 2007. Many were surprised and a few ridiculed my attempt and doubted I could last long. Hey, I survived! Credit must go to Fyn who helped me to set up this blog. Like what I said, BLOGGERS ROCK!
New Year resolution? No, I am not going to have one. Unable to achieve any since young. So, why bother? :)
I am one who go crazy and wild when things don't go my way. Just like the logo of Braun Soffel, and they called it 'crazy bull'. Give me some time, I will be back to my normal self. The same old Kevin NoGood. Since the year is going to be new, whatever bad happened will be forgotten. If need be, Forgiven.
Last but not least, let's end the year with a big bang!





GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!

Oh Shit !

My brother-in-law's family brought Anna out for dinner last night. Somehow, my children were invited. Fyn asked for money ($22 +++) X 2 to join them. As we had spent a substantial amount of money on the recent Thailand tour and Christmas shopping and with the lunar New Year approaching, I was not in favour of this unnecessary spending. Sad that Fyn couldn't take 'NO' for the answer. She worked out with her cousin Jeffery and attended the dinner with Smily. I do not wish to know who else attended and who foot their bill. All I hope is that she learn to be less stubborn and be more matured to be able to see the other side of the coin.

Arsenal lose the Premier League lead to Man U after a goalless draw with Portsmouth on Wednesday. A point difference seperated the 2 teams. The Gunners' strikeforce seems to be firing blank recently. Come on, go for the kill !!!

Celebrate good times......

Guess everyone is on the high. No doubt, Christmas is over. We still have the coming New Year to celebrate. Moreover, it's the last few days of school vacation for the kids. So....... let's..... PAR...TY!!! Come on, celebrate good times.
Me and Margaret were at the Bugis Village the other day. And guess what? We heard Chinese New Year songs coming out from a few shops. Huh? We couldn't believe our ears. Christmas was just nearing and we had the' gong xi jingles'. When we recovered from the shock, we realised that the Lunar New Year isn't far away. It falls on 7 Feb 2008, that is about one and a half month from now. Phew! I can't get enough of this festive season.

Merry X'mas 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS.
Thank you for all the best wishes through e-mail, sms and telephone calls. Cheers!

My Neighbourhood X'mas Party

It's the last weekend before Christmas. Everywhere we go is packed especially Orchard Road. Sales, sales, sales. And everyone is rushing to shop for last minute presents. The spirit of Christmas is giving. I felt it this morning when I received. I passed by the multi-function hall in my neighbourhood while on my way home after getting the newspaper. A lady approached and invited me to their Christmas celebrations there. Till now, I do not know who the organiser was. It should not be any grassroot organisation as there wasn't any indication. No ministerial speech. Children, elderly and a handful of handicap were also invited. Free buffet breakfast accompanied by Christmas songs. Though simple and plain, it was touching to know that the heartlanders were not forgotten during this festive season especially the lonely elderly. May the good Lord bless these thoughtful people who spread the true meaning of Christmas.

Celebrations in town


A new pair of shoes for myself

Selamat Hari Raya Haji

We would like to wish our Muslim friends "Selamat Hari Raya Haji"

As arranged by my mum, me and my 4th brother PK brought her to the Bedok Teochew Temple this morning. The temple was originally sited at Clarke Quay and relocated to Bedok 27 years ago. Anyway, we were there to enquire the procedures of how to return the 'Teochew Saint' to the temple. My mum is ageing and her movements are limited. She thought that since she was the one who invited the 'Saint' home 35 years ago, it's her duty to return.

In between the journey, I had a good chat with PK. In fact, it was a rare opportunity for us to be together. Gone are the days where we used to live a carefree life. Guess everyone is busy with work and family.

Finally. a Teochew saying for you:
The fox should not laugh at the cat, for its ass is just as crumple.

Clarke Quay

Me and my music part 2

Within you remain.......................


There can never be another Elton John................


Rock steady goes underground...................

Super Sunday

Lo and behold, Asia has picked Singapore's Hady Mirza as the first Asian Idol. Though his vocal is not as powerful as the other contestants, he won it with his stage presence and tremendous charisma. Understand this good looking Asia Best has not only melt the heart of the Indonesia minahs (girls) but across the region too. Now that he has conquered Asia, let's hope he could further himself to the international stage. Cheers!





Arsenal are back to the top of the Premiership. They beat Chelsea 1-0. Thanks to a goal by Captain William Gallas, a former Chelsea player. It was a rough match with 9 yellow cards shown. Arsene Wenger must be a happy man with this victory and the return of the 3 midfield generals too. Arsenal rawkkkkkk...........

Ouch! My knees hurt!

Last week, my knees hurt. I was in pain and tried applying various types of cream. But it didn't help. Well, I accepted that it's part and parcel of the ageing process. And they call it degeneration of the ligament.

Shopping with Margaret last weekend at Robinsons, I bought a pair of heel cushions for my shoes. No matter what, I believed it can help a little. Much to my surprise, my knees were healed after a few days of wearing it. No more pain.

Conclusion: It's not the knees but the shoes. High time for me to shop for a new pair. :)


You are never too young to rock!

A week of football defeats

Arsenal suffered their 1st Premier League defeat last weekend. They played without their midfield generals, Fabregas. Hleb and Flamini, who were injured. Guess Wenger will play an under-strength team in tonight's match against Steaua Bucharest. Come this weekend, Arsenal take on Chelsea at home and while Liverpool play Manchester United. Very interesting, indeed!
Thailand defeated Singapore 3-0 in the SEA Games 2007 football semi-finals last night. The Thais deserved the win for they played beautiful football. As a Singaporean, I could only admire them. Singapore will play Vietnam for the 3rd placing. Good luck!
The monsoon season is here. Pray that there will be no flood and landslide. Meantime, keep warm and stay healthy.

Jingle balls?

Christmas is just 2 weeks away. Me, Margaret and Fyn brought my mother-in-law to OG Dept. Store (Chinatown) to shop as they are giving a 20% discount storewide. She picked a conventional, matured lady grey blouse with a little pink and white stripes on it. Me and Fyn were of the same opinion that she would look older than her age should she put on it. Fyn proposed clothings similar to Island Shop. Finally, she gave it up when she found a few causal smart looking 'Potato' blouses. She tried at the Changing Room and looked fashionable and much younger. Though in her early 70s, she said red is not appropriate for her age. She chose 2, one purple and the other green. We took a train home after dinner. When it stopped at Orchard Station, a matured lady who looked much older than her boarded the train. She was wearing a bright red blouse. My mum-in-law was at a loss of word. Guess that was an eye-opener and liberated her mind.

Understand that my father-in-law is suffering from gastric ulcer. For the past few days, he has been popping in pills. Margaret and I bought a bottle of Manuka Honey UMF+10 for him to try. Hopefully, it works and relieve the pain.

As for my mum, we bought her a Braun Buffel leather wallet. Hope she like it. Recently, she has been down. Her Indonesian maid told her that she prefers to look after children. Mum decided to let her leave. Luckily, she managed to get a new Burmese maid to replace her on the same day. Life goes on.....

1st Colour Photo

Fm L to R: Patrick, Jessie, Francis and me

Probably one of our 1st coloured photographs. It was taken in March 1973 at Block 7 Margaret Drive. The developing at that time cost about 80 cents per piece. So cheena pok, right? Haha! Those were the days....

It's the time of the year for travelling again. Allow me to wish the following:
Tony Koh 10 Dec 2007 Vietnam
SC Ng 10 Dec 2007 Gold Coast Australia
Lee Hoon 15 Dec 2007 Vietnam
Have a safe and enjoyable trip!

More Bangkok tour photos

A coffee cafe on the outskirt of Bangkok


Fyn wearing a Indo-Chinese hat.


Sure, it's a hot, hot day.

Lighter side of the tour

Fyn's daily breakfast

The sadder side of the tour

These kids should be enjoying their childhood instead of hawking.


The original train (Death Raiklway) on display at the museum.


Mm....that's all folks!

Bangkok/Kanchanaburi/River Kwai/Ayutthaya Day 4, 5 and 6

25 Nov 2007. The highlight of the day was the visit to the Royal Summer Palace Mongkol Borpot at Bang Pa-in. In fact, we were told that the Queen just visited the palace the previous evening. It's a fascinating Palace with eastern and western style buildings and well maintained gardens.





After the Palace tour visit, we travelled back to Bangkok for lunch. We were brought to 2 places next. The first was where they were promoting Thai gem stones and the other, Thai honey. On our journey back to our hotel, the guide brought us to the ever popular 4 Face Buddha site. In between, we managed to sneak into a McDonald's outlet to grab.... Pork Burgers!



26 Nov 2007 and 27 Nov 2007. The 5th and 6th Day were free and easy. Needless to say, it's Shopping, Shopping, Shopping! We shopped at Siam Paragon, Central World Plaza, MBT, Suan Lam Night Bazaar and many others. Finally on 27 Nov 2007,we boarded our plane at 7.45pm and arrived at Changi Airport at 11.20 pm.

Bangkok/Kanchanaburi/River Kwai/Ayutthaya Day 3

Ayutthaya

24 Nov 2007. Today, we visited Ayutthaya, the former capital of ancient Siam from 1350 to 1767. Our first destination of the day was Don Chedi, a historical monument. It commemorates a former king who lead his army and defeated the Burmese.


From left to right: Don Chedi : Me, a hawker?




Thailand is basically a Buddhist country. There are tens of thousand Buddhist temples there. This morning, we visited 2 temples, Wat Pa Lelai and Wat Phra Non. Before I left for Bangkok, my mom handed me some Bahts left behind by my late father. With her blessing, I donated this small amount to Wat Pa Lelai.

Wat Pa Lelai




In the afternoon, we were brought to the star attraction of the tour. The Magnificent Ruins of Ayutthaya. The Burmese once captured it and ruled there. Before long, the Thais drove them out. The Burmese destroyed whatever they could. Instead of reconstructing it, the Thais shifted their Capital to Bangkok.







Loy Krathong
It was our first time celebrating Loy Krathong. Me and Fynn bought a flower float each. We dined at a restaurant besides a river. After dinner, we lighted the float. made a wish and released it. It was quite fun and hopefully our wishes come true.