Friday, December 31, 2010

Countdown 2011



The last day of 2010. Me and Margaret would welcome the New Year in the comfort of our home. Out with the old, in with the new. New Year, new beginnings, new starts, new hopes and sweet surprises. May we leave things that didn't bring us joy behind and ring the New Year with good things in mind.The world grows a year older. Let's hope we'll have a beautiful and wonderful 2011 with perfect health and lasting prosperity. Cheers!

P.S. We would like to wish our Japanese friends 'kinga shinnen'.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

2011 or CNY?



3 more days to New Year 2011. Understand from the News that people in the streets are more busy preparing for the Lunar New Year than the above mentioned. Whatever, we should celebrate what come first. Well, the buzz at Orchard Road will be shifted to Chinatown in a few days time.
The fish maw price has gone up by 20 to 30 %. Need I say more about the other CNY food delicacies such as abalone, shark fin, etc. Economy is doing well, so is everyone's income. Naturally inflation follows.
Okay, okay.... let's not get confused. No gongxi gongxi jingles yet. We should sing Aung Lang Syne instead. Thank you for the good times in 2010. Till then........

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Buzzing year-end



It's Boxing Day and the last weekend of the year. We had lunch with our makan kakis after a 2 months lapse. The crazy weather makes me sick. I was feeling unwell in the evening. So is Margaret.... headache. On the other hand, I feel good after a long weekend break. Returning to work tomorrow and looking forward to the New Year 2011 next weekend. Well, I will probably cut my hair in the middle of next month to welcome the Year of the Rabbit next February. Meantime, Happy holidays everyone. Cheers!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

X'mas 2010



The most wonderful time of the year is here. Christains and non-Christain alike celebrate this festive season. Christmas has become a Singapore festival rather than a religious one. My wife is a born Catholic and though I don't belong to her community, participating in her celebration is a part of my life. When my work is more relax, I would help her to shop for Christmas presents. During our younger days, we would have a Christmas tree decorated and lighted up at home too.
So long as she does not live beyond devotion, I am comfortable. Vice versa. May we have many more years of togetherness. Once again, Merry Christmas to all. God bless.

X'mas celebration @ Orchard Road







Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Dongzhi Festival



Wishing all Chinese 'Happy Winter Dongzhi Festival'.

It's time of the year to eat tong yuen again. The Chinese believe we are a year older after eating them. The rice gluton holding the balls together symbolized family togetherness.

Evening Edition
I have said many times before that this blog is not meant to be offensive. It's a bit harsh at times and I have already hold my punch. I gave up hope and decided not to be bothered or stressed by them be it at home or work. Everyone is responsible for their own action. Do not blame me when something goes wrong. I will carry on living my life happily and wish to remain cheerful for this X'mas and the coming New Year. Life is short, let's move on.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Negative



I am blowing hot and cold nowadays. My mood changes often especially at my workplace. Maybe the good fengshui has changed as we had shifted our office to the basement. Definitely more than six feet underground. There's yin all the way without yang. Negative, negative, negative. No wonder my Master gave me a medal without mentioning anything. Body language tells.
Will it affect our whole department? I won't know. My colleague and I felt betrayed by management drastic action to disadvantage us. I refuse to elaborate. Well, it may be a blessing in disguise that something good may surface out of this mess. The innocents will receive good blessings from above. Like what I always say, sometimes you win sometimes you lose. We have to learn to take it easy and let fate takes its place. Que sera sera.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Looking back 2010



One of the rare weekends where I can have both Saturday and Sunday off. We had our final overnight works of the year last night. What a year to end with so many surprises, excitements and happiness in-between. A very tiring year especially the last 6 months. Any disappointment? Guess not. My only regret is I couldn't bring my family for a vacation. Margaret is lucky to have joined her company organised trips to Hong Kong and Hokkaido. As for the children, they are doing okay in their studies. Fyn will most probably going to New Orleans (US) for her Uni Exchange Programme in the 2nd half of next year.
Just got in touch with my sister Jessie the other day. Understand that she is on a church mission to Thailand from 22 Dec 2010 to 29 Dec 2010. ( Hopefully I didn't get the country wrong ) Bon voyage and God bless!
Visited Roger last week and good to see him smiling and cheerful. Me and Margaret went to Redhill Hawker Centre after work to get him Hor Fun and Cheng Tng for his dinner. Hor Fun was what he requested. He ain't heavy, he's my brother. Time permits, we hope to visit him more often.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Lightning



They say lightning don't strike twice at the same place. Bullshit. This colleague of mine won the 4D 1st and 3rd prize consecutively within a week. Lady luck is smiling at him. I am not disclosing the amount he won. The feeling of going down to Singapore Pools to collect the prizes is................ need I say more. May his winning streak continues. Huat ah!!!

This poor engineer who worked 24 hours overtime yesterday felt betrayed and cheated when the management told him that he could claim 12 hrs of OT at most. That's daylight robbery and he has to accept it reluctantly. I wonder why these decent, honest and hardworking people are always bullied by the management everchanging policies. Are they really God? Sigh............... ces't la vie.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Crocodile rocks



Gosh! I don't believe my bravery. My friends invited me to Old Airport Road Market for a meal. Guess what they ordered? Fried bean sprouts with crocodile liver, crocodile meat double boiled soup and sweet & spicy crocodile fin with vegetable. I am not an exotic food lover and the thought of eating it................ I nearly threw out when I tasted the liver. Damn bloody horrible. As for the meat and soup, it was okay. The most expensive dish was the fin which was soft and tender. It's kind of weird after the meal. Will I try it again? It's a NO NO but when I checked the benefits of consuming it from the Web pages, I may consider. Let me share what I found. The benefits are:
a) Low in fat and cholesterol and high in protein b) Improves Metabolism c) Improves Blood Circulation d) Strengthening Immune System e) Relieving Asthma f) Relieving Arthritis g) Relieving Cough h) To Reduce Diabetic Level
Will you try it? Cheers to good health. Haha....

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Topping up ceremony



What the hell am I busy at? Life at work is back to normal with 2 more overnight works to complete our shopping centre structure. Topping up ceremony will be on 24 Dec 2010. Ho, ho, ho!!! Christmas comes early for my colleague. He is leaving for the Philippines on the 16 Dec 2010 and will be back on 27 Dec 2010. Bon voyage!
Thank goodness that Fyn stays put in Singapore. Recent bombing at Mumbai killed quite a number of people and I understand that includes a few backpack tourists. Anyway, I am going to celebrate Christmas with Margaret before continuing the Phase 2 hotel project at work. Dare not think of Chinese New Year 2011 but to enjoy this relaxing moment I have. :)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Fully booked



We wanted to tour Vietnam both North and South but it's all fully booked for this month. I am more relax in my work during this festive season and to my surprise, so are the others. Alternatively, we were looking at Winter Zhangjiajie China and on second thought it's not favorable. It's too cold and the mountain scenery may not be as visible. However, the season short daylight discourage us too. So, that leave us to .......... celebrate Christmas and New Year 2011 in Singapore. Home sweet home.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A thoughtless child



Sucks! Do not tell us things we don't like to hear. You are damn bloody irritating. No doubt you have reached your legal age to decide for yourself, that does not mean you can fly.
Imagine your child chiding you for not supporting her activity which goes against your wish. Year after year this nuisance repeats itself especially on study break. It's a nightmare when Fyn told us she is going to backpack in Mumbai. Worst, she is going with someone she hardly knew. Guess life is too comfortable and I agree with my friend that I should stop giving extra monthly expenditure. Me and Margaret will not give or loan her money if she insist to go. For the record, she goes without our blessing. A thoughtless child. Sad.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Blood, Sweat and Tears



The good times may soon be over for us. We have been receiving lousy news from the management recently. Of course no one is happy especially when our income are disrupted. It's sort of a 'take it or leave it' attitude and we have to obediently accept the unfortunate adjustment. Grrr.... life goes on.
We are still thankful for the past months' good fortunes. Believe me, it's no easy meat to work 24 hours a day. This marathon requires stamina, physical strength and fitness. Many a times our bodies ache badly and cry for mercy. Me and my colleague stubbornly refused to surrender. Do not envy us when we are rewarded. We paid for it with our blood, sweat and tears.
Praise the One above and may we have many more years of good health and fortune to come. HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!!!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Silly question



One more lonely night (for me)..... and Margaret shall return from her trip. That's fast for it seems like last night that I sent her to the airport. Sincerely hope that she enjoys herself in Hokkaido. A friend was casually asking me if I seek ladies companionship during this period. With a serious look, I replied that I called all my 'boyfriends'. Huh??? He couldn't believe his ears. It was not until I told him I was joking, he sighed a relief. Definitely I don't fancy my own gender. So that's a snappy answer to a silly question.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Surprise, surprise, surprise!!!



Hello! My ex-primary classmate recieved a surprise call from me last evening. It must have been almost 25 years since we last see each other. Good news for the unattached. Vincent Eio is still a bachelor. He declined my invitation for dinner for he had to go to the airport to fetch his mother. Well, there is always another day.
Now for the opposite. I unexpectedly recieved a belated birthday greeting from a childhood friend 10 days after my celebration. Still I am grateful. It's the thought that counts. Moreover, it's better late than never. Thank you so much.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Haji greetings



Selamat Hari Raya Haji to our Muslim friends

It's a good break for me. Pretty tired and my body aches. I can't deny that age is catching up. Margaret is in Hokkaido enjoying the winter season. She deserves this break too. Meantime, everybody keeps warm and stay healthy during this monsoon period. Take care.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Office X'mas decoration



Like a typical kiasu Singaporean, I started decorating my desk for the coming X'mas. My only fear or worry is....... our project is behind schedule and I shouldn't be putting all these up so early....... or else....................... haha........ Okay, let's get to the point. My BOSS may not be happy. Anyway, what is done cannot be undone. However 13th month bonus next month is compulsary, so what is there to worry. But it's definitely crazy to put up Chinese New Year decorations now. Needless to say, you are challenging your Boss to sack you. LOL.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Roses are red...



Twinkle twinkle little star
You should know what you are
Once you know what you are
Mental hospital is not too far.

Roses are red; Voilets are blue
Monkeys like you should be kept in zoo.
Don't feel so angry you will find me there too
Not in cage but laughing at you.

God saw me hungry, he created pizza
He saw me thirsty, he created Pepsi
He saw me in the dark, he created light
He saw me without problems, he created YOU.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Con job



Knock knock, who is that? 'Uncle, we are selling ice cream. Buy from us so that we can finish selling and go home earlier,' replied the two teenage girls at my doorstep. Okay, okay... how much is that? It's $17.50 per box and $32 for two. OMG! It's simply too expensive. I have no choice but to disappoint them. They gave me that sorrowful look. Great act but case closed.

Case 2 : A close friend asking for Christmas present. When told that I am not a Christian and what present should I recieve from her instead, she changed her topic. Maybe my luck isn't good that I met quite a few undesirable friends recently. Thankfully I am able to read their minds, thus avoiding being conned.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Deploy else where



The Phase 1 structure works in my project is completing soon and Phase 2 would follow. We gonna miss quite a number of friends here for they are not involve in the second phase. History repeats itself whenever a project is completed. Sad that they will be deployed else where. Our project team remains behind and we wish them well. Thank you for the wonderful time together. Till we meet again..... adieus!!!!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Thank You Very much



I am overwhelmed by the warm and sincere birthday greetings and it's still flowing in. To all my dear friends, buddies and loved ones, Thank You Very Much!
An old fashioned guy like me who is protective of my birthdate, has finally allow it to be published on the Facebook. Greetings not only comes from there but sms and telephone calls too. It's nice to be thought of by you lovely people.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife for the lovely dinner and my children for the birthday present.
God bless you all.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Anya 1 month old celebration



Hush...... Anya is sleeping. It's her one month old celebration with a buffet lunch at Lion City Hotel. Isn't she lovely? Wonderful. She melt the heart of those carrying her. Both paternal and maternal grandmothers proudly showing off their latest precious addition to their guest. Tell me who doesn't? Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Beautiful November



With all the Christmas decorations at the shopping centres, I could feel the year-end festive holidays are near. OMG! We are only into the 1st week of November. Talking about that, it's me and Fyn's birthday month. Besides, Margaret will be in Hokaido Japan on the 3rd week of this month. Another 'bachelor week' for me. LOL.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change - Confucius

Friday, November 5, 2010

Hair affair


Wishing our Hindu friends 'Happy Deepavali'.

I am feeling good seeing my hair growing longer each day. Most probably I will keep it till Christmas. As compared to my younger days, it goes without saying that my youth is no longer there. Still, I awaits my hair to cover my ears and my back grow to collar length. Like what I said, hippism is out of question. Definitely no shoulder length hair. The only setback at this moment is ....... I am using more shampoo nowadays. Btw, whatever I am doing is crazy but fun. So long as it is not offensive or sinful, why bother? It's cool to keep long hair again.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Wazzup?



Why are they celebrating my birthday this weekend? No, it's my grand-niece one month old celebration. Thanks for the invitation. Our family will be there to share your joy.
Finally, it's back to normal. My office desk-top was not able to access into the internet for the past week. Don't ask me why for I am a computer illiterate. Since it's been restored, I gonna be happy and carry on blogging.
It's All Souls' Day on the 2 Nov 2010. Me and Margaret are paying our respect to her late grandmother at the Holy Trinity Church @ Tampines tomorrow. May peace be with her.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Let the party begins



It's my off day. Morning breakfast with Margaret at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 Market. Yes, patronised the popular Teochew Baos and bought newspaper recommended Soon Kueh for tea break later. I didn't know there are so many good stuff here till my immediate superior showed me the way. What a discovery!
The day has finally arrived after weeks of planning. A celebration into adulthood. 'Happy 21st birthday to our dearest daughter, Fyn. Hope you and your friends enjoy this memerable evening.' Pop the champaign!