All things Korean

While I was blogging last night, my wife was watching a Korean variety show which was in Korean dialogue. We sat in opposite direction of each other and I heard her giggling and laughing throughout the show. OMG! Don't tell me she understand Korean. Quietly inside my heart, I was amazed and excited. Curiosity kills the cat. I turned my head to take a peep at the TV screen and burst out laughing. Not because the show was funny but it came with English subtitle. No wonder. Well, without doubt I believe Margaret understand a number of Korean words and catch phrases after all these years of watching Korean dramas. Enjoy yourself.

Yesterday once more

Me and Margaret celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary.

'Are you sure you are going to keep your hair long?' asked my stylist. After which she turned to Margaret giving her an assuring smile (that it should be alright) as we left the salon. I tried a few times but it turn up unsatisfactory. I looked old, haggard and chubby. Somehow this time I got a gut feeling that it gonna looks good on me. So I went into the salon and told my stylist to tidy up my hair, that's all. Being a professional, she thinned and balance my 'mushroom' hair. Margaret commented that my face looks slimmer after the trimming. Of course, no more hippism look. A 'Saturday Night Fever' trendy image will do. It's yesterday once more. But you will never know. Age has catch up and so long as I am not happy with my progress, it's back to the salon to have a clean, short cut. Let's wait and see.

Vroom...............

The Formula 1 race is on. Sad to say, I am not excited and my interest is not there. But I am fascinated by those loud, noisy racing cars since young. Anyway, I am a proud Singaporean where they were all praise for the night race here. Rock on Singapore.

Dad's 5th Anniversary

He would like us to move on and not be crippled by his departure. Setting his heart at ease and knowing that we would be able to look after ourselves, he slept so peacefully. The loved one was no longer in life.
Looking back in memory, I am sorry to have disappointed him for he had high hope in me. Dad, I know you are smiling up there knowing that my years of hard work has reaped a little 'progress' in both my career and family. I will not forget my roots and shall remain humble. Thank you for your blessings.
Five years has passed and I can't totally digest the fact that you are in heaven. Peace abide with you. Om mani padme hum.

Counting sheep

Xiao Long Bao at its finest. I can only say it's sedap. Someone reminded me that I am not paid to do write up on these restaurants and their food. Should I write something not in their favour, they may sue me. Either way, I am on the losing side. Guess he is right. Thanks and no thanks.

Shit! I am having gastric after eating sour grapes. When I lie down, the gas keep pushing up to the throat. Usually it subside after a gastric pill. Problem is that I have to be at my office earlier tomorrow morning. Better start counting..... one sheep, two sheep, three sheep.........

Happy 26th Wedding Anniversary

Celebrated our 26th Wedding Anniversary with a dinner at Paradise Dynasty Ion Orchard, attended by Smily and Fyn. Time flies and the children are into their adulthood. Me and Margaret are the happiest people on earth should they graduate in a few years time. It's never easy to be parents especially when you have to be harsh and firm. No two families are alike and there were times where outside influence tried to disrupt our daily lives. So long as they don't serve the best interest of our family, these compelling negative advice would be dismissed no matter where they came from, even to the extent of hurting our loved ones.

It goes without saying that there will be more happy days ahead. Once again, I would like to thank my wife for standing by me all these years. Many times where I refused to give way or agree with what you said and done, I meant well. I love the woman I marry. Happy Anniversary!

Mid-Autumn Festival

'Tis the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow. May we stay forever young and be healthy always too. I wondered why everyone prayed to the moon during my younger days. Later I was told that the legendary Chang'e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality and the Jade Rabbit live there. But when the Americans landed on this big rock years back, they found nothing. It's either the Goddess and the Rabbit went into hidding or the Americans had landed somewhere else. Haha. Well, I understand lovers pray for togetherness on this day as symbolized by the roundness of the moon. Btw, it's also the birthday of the Earth God (t'u-ti kung).
P.S. Boys and girls, have fun with your lantern and enjoy your mooncake.

A flower in the rain

Is homosexual inborn or a preference? I do not know how this topic came about but somehow me, Margaret and Fyn were talking about it the other day. In my secondary school days, I came across a school mate who was so girlie. Definitely a girl trapped in a man's body. In that case, I am convinced it's inborn. Nowadays, gay and lesbian couples openly show their affections to each other. And their population is growing. Do they have a choice? Well, I could be wrong to conclude 80% of them chose to be so. In all honesty, there's nothing I can do should my children choose this path. For I am not a liberal, homosexual is never encouraged.

Crab

My family had a sumptuous dinner last night. We were invited by our family friend, Kent Yeo to dine at his newly opened 'The Crab Village Seafood Restaurant' @ Simpang Bedok. It started with fish maw soup, followed by fried kai lan with scallop, coffee pork, etc. Saving the best for last, it's Crab.............. crab tang hoon and salted egg crab. Thank you so much for the generosity. Though the dining place is a little small, the food were good. We will not hesitate to return any time soon. Once again, congratulation!

There's an estate breakfast party this morning. Understand that there are going to develop a child care centre at one of our blocks void deck. Most of the residents are unhappy that they were not consulted. Anyway, they are not in favour of it too. So, this party is a sort of confrontation with the Mayor. Btw, I need to return to office today and thereby giving the occasion a miss.

What to blog?

No news is good news. I am running out of topic to write that is to say I have no complain. Alternatively, it can be interpreted as no one has irritated me or I have overcome those irritants. OMG! That itself is a topic already. LOL.
No no no...... I am not going to write the above mentioned. Recently I learnt a new Chinese phase that goes like this 'Old cow eat fresh grass'. Those 'kay-poh' news were referring to the local elderly celebrity marrying his young assistant. So long as they are happy, who cares? Their big age gap is non of our business either.
Back to reality, I would prefer my children's spouse to be of their age. But you can never be sure of which 'one' they finally settle down with. Like what I said, I believe in FATE. As for me, I ain't too old to rock and roll but too young to die.

Lifestyle

I was put to shame by a 87 years old man. Despite his advance age, he put in an effort t0 swim and cycle daily to keep fit. I am referring to the other idol of mine, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. A wise man who encourages those of age to eat less in order to stay healthy. Gosh, I am just living the opposite. Got to put stop to all my unhealthy lifestyle before it's too late.

What's up?

Both my children are stressed out with their studies and project work. It's not as easy as what I thought. A lot of effort and hardwork are required as observed. Keep it up! The rewards will come at the end of the day.

Gonna be a 'born again bachelor' in November, you bet! Most probably Margaret will be away for a week. Anyway, it's only September now. Will tell you more when the time comes.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Wishing our Muslim friends 'Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri'.

Evening update :
Started the day having breakfast meal at McDonald with Margaret in the morning. Nothing special except that we hardly had the opportunity to have breakfast together nowadays. Even on public holidays, I was either working on the eve or on the day itself. For today, I also had the luxury to attend the Art exhibition 'Good Morning, Yesterday' at Ion Orchard at noon while my wife joined her colleagues for the Hari Raya celebration. It's been a long, long time since I last felt so relax and got to enjoy a holiday. Guess my work had taken a toll out of me for the past 9 months. We were reunited at 3pm and continued to shop and dine till this evening. P.S. It's nice to see Jared and Celine at the Mooncake Bazaar @ Takashimaya.

End of Lunar 7th month

The final hours of the Hungry Ghost Festival 2010. I would prefer to have it as Happy Ghost Festival. Okay.... everyone is busy bidding them farewell. Come 12 o' clock, it's the Lunar 8th month. Meantime, Halloween awaits. It's the 'ang mo' turn to celebrate. Have fun!

Black Night Joe

Joe Lim came into my dream last night. I was totally unaware of this childhood friend passing on . He died of throat cancer four years ago. It saddens me that we were not in touch during his last days on earth. Tell you a secret. We bought a 50 cents Toto ticket and won $30 when we were in Secondary 2. That was the initial stage where Toto was introduced in Singapore.
I gave him the nickname 'Black Night Joe' for his hell riding. Cool man. As a 6 footer, he was a good goalkeeper. Have you seen a man wearing size 13 boots? There was once where we were voted as the tallest and shortest man of the night in a contest at a lounge. Gosh! Those were the days.
From our reunion last night, I am happy that he is well in heaven. Thanks for the memories. Joe. Peace be with you.

9th Thai Festival

There wasn't anything new except that they brought in a 'tut-tut' for visitors to take photographs. This 9th Thai Festival is held at the Royal Thai Embassy, Orchard Road from the 2-6 September 2010. As usual, you can have a taste of Thai cuisine, jewelries, spa cream, clothings etc. The moment I stepped onto the embassy ground, I felt I was in Bangkok. What me and Margaret enjoyed most was the 'head, neck and shoulder' massage which cost $10 for a 15 minutes session. In fact our sessions lasted 20 minutes instead. It's rather refreshing and relax. Check it out!

September 2010

What do we have in September? Let's see...... Hari Raya Puasa, Mid Autumn Festival, Singapore Grand Prix, Me and Margaret 26th Wedding Anniversary. For the Hindus, the Elephant God birthday falls on 11 September too.

'Yin-yang eyes' won another $500 from the 4D lottery again. There is no stopping for this damn bloody lucky fellow. He requested me to assist him in another small thanksgiving praying session tomorrow evening. It's alright for me so long as he is happy. Can he make it three in a row? Good luck my dear colleague.