Pals

I had lunch with Chia Choon Yong this afternoon. We invited our mutual friend Rajkumar along. Chia gave me treats the last 2 times we gathered and it's only honourable to return his kind gesture this time. As he is stationed in Shanghai, he comes back to Singapore 3 to 4 times a year. I could see the sadness in his eyes when he said his wife complained about his absence and his year old son could not recognise him. Life goes on and I hope to see him in May 2009.

I got a surpirse when my former college mate Aju V Narwani found me and wrote in to say hello in my Facebook web page. The last time we met was at Fast East Shopping Centre a few years back. I believe he has gone back to LA America. The beauty of it is...... I managed to trace my the other long lost mate Ganesan Sinnadurai thru his page. Yes, imagine.... it's been 30 years. This chap migrated to Hollywood city, Florida in the 1980s and should be an American citizen by now. Well, it's always nice to hear from them and hope we'll get to meet some time in the near future. The power of Facebook !

Ganesan Sinnadurai

The celebration continues....

It's always nice to gather with family members for this joyous occasion. As usual, it seems that my brothers and sister are doing okay. Pray that we are happy and healthy as we age. Time flies and most of the children, oops! I mean my nephews and neices, are in their 20s. Selina, my eldest neice, started to distribute ang pows this year. The first in her generation to do so. Need I elaborate? She got married last year lah.

As for my in-laws, Joseph and Anna are the happy-go-lucky type. Not forgetting Joseph's 80th birthday party next month will be celebrated at a 6-stars restaurant in Johore Bahru. I understand there will be about 700 guests. Smily's cousins, The Toa Payoh Gang, are doing fine too. Most of them are receiving their higher education. With each year they are growing taller. How I dislike them to be taller than me......haha.....just a joke.

Chinese New Year 2009

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone,
Gong Xi Gong Xi with hope of a better tomorrow and good health and lots of happy 'huat ahhh...' May the strength and perseverance bestow upon all throughout the year. Cheers!






Smily and Fyn celebrating Chinese New Year 2009 with my mother

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A small gambling session at my mom's place.

Reunion dinner 2009

My mother is into her advance age and it's inconvenient for her to travel. So we decided to welcome Spring and had the Reunion Dinner 2009 at her place. We ordered the 9 course dinner from Ban Seng Restaurant. In fact, we had booked our regular Tai Seng Restauarant for this evening a few months back. As it's a last minute change and at the same time they do not cater take-away, we had no choice but to cancel the booking and compensate them a little. Whatever, we just hope that my mother is comfortable and happy with this arrangement. With all the children and grandchildren celebrating with her, I am sure she is.

Spring cleaning

OMG! Just managed to find time to start my spring cleaning today. I must admit that I am ageing too. I was totally exhausted after cleaning my balcony. It was stained with bird droppings. Every morning, these birds would gather at my balcony. I was told that birds coming to your place would bring you luck. That's the reason why I let them be. Of course, I would not feed them. Or else........ I can't imagine those shit flooding my balcony. LOL. Btw, I have completed cleaning my living and dining rooms too. As for the rest, I will continue tomorrow.


Forgotten the words?

Busy

Early pay day especially for this month. Yes, the money went into my bank account book yesterday. Thank you very much. I had my hair trimmed this morning. Margaret reminded me that I have not got a new shirt yet. Gosh! Time is precious. There are a lot of errands for me to run. I need help.....

Happy Pongal 2009

Happy Pongal to our Indian friends. I understand that Pongal is the harvest festival of South India and celebrated on 14 January every year. It is celebrated for 4 days. On the first day (Jan 13) , old clothes and materials are thrown away or fired, marking the begining of a new life. On the 2nd day, Pongal day, fresh milk is boiled till it overflow. Thus symbolising abundance. The 3rd day is meant to thanks to the cows and baffaloes, as they are used to plough the land. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic.
I have an Indian trade foreman who received Pongal greeting cards from India sent by his wife and children. He was filled with so much joy upon receiving them. A simple man with no great expectation. A simple gift from his loved ones meant a world to him. Thank you my dear friend for reminding me that joy could be derived everyday's small little thing.

Spoken too soon

I have spoken too soon. My department needs to operate on the 24 Jan 2009 and 28 Jan 2009. I am sure the company will compensate those on duty. As for me, I may need to opt out on the 28 Jan 2009 for reason best kept to myself. Apparently, there are offices which close for a week. I do not envy them. Why? The staff are forced to clear their annual leave for the extra few days. It sucks!

It's spring cleaning time. But I am practically busy working everyday except Sunday. Really wish I could find the time to clean up especially the rooms' air-con. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh! No matter what, the house will be tidy and clean to welcome the Niu Year. Any volunteer? Haha...

On the way to Chinese 'Niu Year'

Chinese 'Niu Year' is about 2 weeks away. I believe everyone is counting the days to it. Even for the non-Chinese, it's going to be a super long holiday. My office will be closed from 24 Jan 2009 to 28 Jan 2009. The auspicious day for me to go back to work will be on 30 Jan 2009. Should I apply for a day off on 29 Jan 2009? I guess not. Why? It's not a good omen to take a day leave on the 1st day of work too. Very complicating right? Well, just follow the flow and everything will be in place. Whatever written or predicted is just a general guide. It's okay to read and believe a little but not completely. Huat ahh!!!!!!!!!!!! Huh???? Chinese New Year already meh?

We would like to thank Patrick for helping us to buy fresh fishes from Pontain Johore. I could not recall when was the last time he went there. Long time man. Anyway, it's timely for this coming Ox-picious New Year.

Company function

It's a formal company function in welcoming the deputy CEO from France. At the same time, long service awards were presented to those loyal employees. Dressing code : with tie. OMG! I can't remember when was the last time I wore a tie. I left my office slightly earlier today and came home to have a shower. The butt of the joke was when I finished wearing my tie, my long sleeve shirt was crumpled. Since it was an evening occasion, I was hoping no one take notice.
My working attire has always.... uh...... a polo shirt or a tee shirt and jeans. At times I would wear a short sleeve shirt. Guess my colleagues were not used to see me in this formal attire this evening. At least, Margaret said I look good. It matters. LOL.

Back to work and school

The festive holidays are over. It's back to work and for those youngsters, back to school. Those who didn't do well last year, jia you! Yes.... you can do much better should you put a little more effort.
Year 2009 is going to be tough. Companies' perfomance is going to be weak and expect further retrenchment in the first few months of the year, the government warned. Scary, very scary. But I like this New Year greeting from a friend. It goes like this 'Wishing you and loved ones a wonderful new year, and may we overcome all the challenges of 2009 with large doses of good health , wit and strength!' Thank you for this encouraging greeting. We shall overcome.

Happy New Year 2009

Kevin Ng wishes everyone a wonderful New Year.