Labour Day

Tomorrow is celebration of people who work for a living. Working for others instead of for yourself. It is a break from the drudery and earning money for your bosses. For all of us who work for living, let's take a break from work and do something for ourselves like laze around, eat, drink & be merry, meditate, or read a book.

Border has 25% coupons for the long weekend...

Hot Commodities - Air Cond

Seems like everyone is hot and feeling the heat. Air conditioners are hot commodities like now. Installation schedule now takes two weeks or more. The good thing about sales persons is they provide a lot of information and help us deduce our issue. All have expressed that it may not be the circuit board that the Carrier Man technician felt may be the problem. Faulty circuit boards do not short circuit the electrical current. It must be wirings or electric motors. I agree with the diagnosis. Tomorrow we will call electrician to come and check our wiring. Hopefully, he can help trace the fault.

Meanwhile we are all cramped camping out in a spare bedroom. Wish me luck...

It is Getting Serious

The swine flu fever is getting serious and upgrade to stage 4 in the WHO classification. This mean human-to-human transmission of the disease and the flu is killing adults between 20 to 40 years old. Is this the pandemic that is over due as experts have predicted? Or will mankind be able to contain this threat?

This is act of God and no idea when it will end. However, in Asia, we are prepared and ready to deal with this potent threat with the experience from SARS. Measures are activate now to minimise and contain this highly infectious and dangerous flu.

Pandemic Fears

The Swine Flu or H1N1 virus is causing stock market to come down. Airlines and tourism stocks are down drastically. The company that produce the vaccine is up 70%!!

B1 is doing a project on Pandemic and how to take the lessons learn to apply to our current global warming crisis. It seems like non too soon as a new pandemic is threatening. During dinner, B1 asks if it is H1N1 virus for the swine flu. He says millions died of H1N1 pandemic during the early 1900s.

This time swine flu starts in Mexico and now in US, Canada, Australia and NZ, countries dominated by Caucasians. Feng Shui Leun Liu Chuang.

Sleepless Night

Last night was horrible. I cannot have restful sleep. The fan was blowing at full blast. Actually, two fans! I slept naked... ok, maybe I exaggerate a little. Almost nude will be more accurate. It is a night of dreams and wondering why I can remember my dreams. The reason? My airconditioner broke. I have a Toshiba Inverter and it broke many times since I move in 5 years ago.
The piping were not installed properly and the whole development has the same issue. The developer is Far East and they did a shoddy job.

To fix this aircond problem requires extensive renovation as all the pipings are concealed. So we are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, a major cost or frequent breakdown. Sig.h...

Christians

The new executive committee members of Aware are Christians from the same church. This reminds me of many Christians I met when I was in school and out on the street minding my own business. Christians will come up and talk about me being a sinner and to accept Christ to be release from the everlasting fire when I die. They asked "what religion am I?" "Buddhist" I replied. "Buddha is a great man" they would say. "A truly great man but still a MAN! However, Jesus Christ is God".

Now, we have Josie Lau and her "mentor" telling AWARE President and ex-President that they were going into too many areas. Then, they were too focussed. They were wrong to promote gay and lesbianism... self-righteous Christians imposing their views on others!

Buddha's Middle Way. This is we must all practise.

Catfights at Aware

AWARE is a woman group to advance the interest of women. Now a new committee oust out the current leadership. They have an agenda. Agenda that is totally different from what Aware is doing. Why they do not form their own group and advance their own agenda? Why hijack an existing group. What is the point of having such a public dispute?

Powerful women are always there in society. The catfights are totally unnecessary. I feel very sorry for the ex-Aware committee members. They volunteered their time for a cause they believed in. A few powerful women no longer like the way AWARE was run. It is really shameful of them to do a takeover.

I hope the new exco or executive committee get voted out. What a humbug to say "I was the last woman standing".

Sore, So Sore

I am in pain. Rollerblading today, I tried to practise falling down properly and did not succeed. Instead, I have real falls. I overstretch my left thigh and my left buttock is painful sitting on a chair or climbing up the stair. Good thing I wore the protection for knees, elbows and wrists. Otherwise, my wrist would be in a bad shape too. I wonder when will I ever learn to roller blade properly. I wonder if I can master even the basic of all roller blading skills. I wonder how long will it be before I recover.

Pain is a constant reminder that I am getting too many sport injuries.

Is Junior College Tough?

B1, my eldest boy is in JC1. He spends all day in school and have plenty of homework. There are CCAs and visits to Primary Schools, homes, etc. There is hardly time to live. I do not know if other JC students have some much activities. School work itself is a challenge.

The educational system here is a pressure cooker.

Starting All Over Again

I tried to roller blade again today. I have forgotten how to roller blades. I know I did not master roller blading in the first place but I did fairly well before I stopped almost a year ago. Today, I am a total beginner. Wobbly, fearful, stiff movements are clear indicators. A young boy came over to give me some advice on how to rollerblade. He is trying to help but I was struggling to balance and not fall to pay too much attention.

Sigh! With all the chiropractic adjustments, my sense of balance has not really improved. My chiropractor told me during my initial assessment that my balance was not good and will improve under his treatment. Maybe I am just expecting a miracle...

Bottoming Out

Looks like signs of the economies bottoming out. China domestic economy is growing again. China's export's economy has not recovered yet. President Obama also pronounced the worst is over. However, it is a long road to recovery.

Looking at the current state, with all the bad news and bad numbers, life is still much better than before. The standard of living has improved over the years. It is hard we have to go to a lower standard of living. So we think our world is coming to an end. Successful entreprenuers and other successful people take knocks and falls and pick themselves up again.

Good times will be back again. After rain, weather will be fine.

Second Hand Books

Today I visit Bras Basah Complex. There are a few used books dealers left. It is lost the old charms. There are many old textbooks. So if you need outdated texts or old editions, they are available there. I guess if you are looking for out-of-print books, this may be a good place. Only problem is the books are not catalogued. So it all depends on luck.

Knowledge is increasing tremendously. I wonder how we can cope. I am reading this book, The Joy of NOT Working. The insight is many people are money rich. Not many are time rich. Time rich is a rare in this modern society. We do not have time to relax and do nothing. There must always be things to do and to accomplished. I am now learning the importance of time rich. Time rich is infinitely richer than money rich.

Money can buy many things. Actually, money can buy love (just go to a karoke lounge) or time (domestic help free up time for doing household chores). So money and time are interrelated.

Reading this book, I now opted for time rich rather than money rich. Of course I hope I do not have to worry about bills....

To see Used Books Stores in Boston, click here

Bird by Bird

Reading Bird by Bird again is bring in new understanding. I know many readers always says reading the same book again always bring in new perspective and more in-depth understanding. This is long time since I experience re-reading. There are many new books to read. Also the majority of my books are on management, leadership and training. So most time, I just refer specific sections as and when needed after I have read them.

Yes, writing is hard work and requires many editing. The emotional ride is no different from a roller coaster ride. Getting published is extremely challenging and by the way to earn a living as a writer will take about 4 published book before the money is comfortable. Bird by Bird brings in the harsh reality of living as a writer. I think the author is a single mom.

Searing Temperature

We must have hit record high in temperature. It is hot and humid. My potted plants are withering under the heat. I lost weight just sweating!

Still it is a good day. We had our chiropractice adjustments. Then the boys go for their extra classes aka tuition. We finished the day going to Courts Megastore in Tampines. There were loads of people but I do not see many buying. Maybe most have bought during the day. The Giant next door is incredibly busy. There is a long queue for carparks. Grocery shopping must be the favorite weekend pastime.

Runners Galore!

Seems like the new SengKang Gardens are attracting a lot of runners. I met a group at about 7pm. They have finished their run. The track is good training ground as it has uneven terrain. The air quality is not bad even though TPE is just right beside the garden. Parking is free and since it is recently opened, not too many cars. It is also popular with young couples strolling their babies in the strollers. Our government really put in a lot of efforts to maintain the garden city image.

UP Again

Stock markets are up again. The rally is 6 weeks now. Hurray!! Meanwhile all the analysts are saying this mini bull is unsustainable and flogging bads news that it is just temporary blip and the market will go down again. Analysts have a herding mentality. They do not predict accurately. Only follow the trends. Right, they felt the trend should be down and therefore the rally is baffling them and talking down the market. That is they will keep saying it is not a sustainable rally until investors believe and start selling.

I like it when market is up. My portfolio which had gone under water is back at original value again.

Migrating Birds

The new SengKang Park right next to the Tampines Expressway (TPE) is attracting migratory birds in the man-made pond. There are fishes in the pond and tall grasses fringing the edge. So it must be bird-friendly and the birds are coming. So I must says the designer of the SengKang park did right. I am very happy to enjoy nature in a clean setting. I am sure the park will be popular.

Tadpoles

My pond in the front yard is full of tadpoles. This is the 2nd time we had tadpoles spawning. I believe the cycle started when B3, our baby boy caught tadpoles from the nearby field during the rainy seasons. He brought the tadpoles back to our pond and they survived to tiny toads and left their home. It seems like the toads have grown and some of them come back to spawn in the water they grew up with. It is like salmon returning to the source of river to spawn. There are probably more than 50 tadpoles in our pond right now.

B3 enjoys observing the tadpoles and playing with them. The boys from around the neighbourhood were excited to see the tadpoles too. I had some guppies recently and they have given birth to babies. So my pond is a small ecology system now. I think the water lilies helps the fry to survive.

It is very nice to have a small slice of nature in my home.

Stock Market is Going UP!

The stock markets of the world are going up. This is good news. Market usually go up six months before the real economy go up. I hope the bull ride is sustainable. I believe it is a good time to invest now.

China will continue to grow. The China funds are growing well although they are a little erratic. Citigroup went from US$1 to US$4 today. Very good news indeed. I wish I have bought Citigroup at US$1...

Female Chiropractor

My regular chiropractor is on vacation in Australia. He is there to maintain his licence to practise as well. I am adjusted by a female replacement chiropractor. She is quite gentle and relax my muscle before pushing my bone in place. I actually felt better. I am surprised as I am completely sold by my regular chiropractor on how good he is. Most men are quite egoistic. He has good techniques and good track record. I am glad to try out a different healing hands.

In fact, I actually felt better after the adjustments this time. It is a positive change...

Taiwan

Channel News Asia has a programme on Taiwan. It is on peach farm. The peach are large and lovely in pastel pink colour. There is an aroma according to the host. Farms in Taiwan is interesting.

I am entertaining the romantic notion of being a farm owner. It is hard work and I do not want to be a farmer. It will be great however to grow my own food. A city boy's dream.

A Home Maker

Reading my blog it is easy to tell I love food maybe more than the books I profess to love. I am also family-oriented. In many ways, I am a home maker except I do not really cook or wash clothing. I take care of the kids and make sure the home is in good condition. BBQ and entertained guests. It is good to be a home maker.

Borders has 25% for 4 items or more

Buy four books or dvds and get 25% off. If you are on the mailing list, you will get 30% off for 3 items and additional 10% for members. It is a fantastic deal. I am glad the Borders is getting competitive.

I love it!

Fabulous Durian Puffs

Good Friday! We went to this nonya resturant in Keppel Club. The food was traditional nonya food. The chap chye, the babi ponteh, the chicken curry and curry nanka was sumptious. I would give it 4 and half stars out of a possible 5. We had durian pentak, durian chendol and durian puffs. I must say the desserts are out of this world. Obviously my sweet tooth is tickled and taste buds in heaven. The resturant is in the third floor and open to public.

I would say this is excellent food and reasonable price at S$150 for 5. The name of the resturant is Penamakan.

Home Sweet Home

It is nice to be back home. The nights in hotel are not restful. I am nursing a headache. It may be the aircon or the chemicals. Maybe just a different bed. Am I glad to be back on my own bed.

Like King Coil advertisement, we spend one-third of our lives on the bed and yet we do not pay attention and get the best. Now IKEA has a bed with his and hers section. Seems like woman and man have different taste on the softness of the bed. I need a hard bed and she need a soft. So IKEA come up with a bed with different hardness level. It is a fantastic idea. I saw the advertisement. Must go to IKEA to check it out!

Talk

I conducted the talk. The facilitator told me he rarely see 10 in evaluation. I had 3 attendees giving 10. However, there is a couple who think I repeated my examples. It is hard to please all.

Dinner, The Social Glue

Dinner was at Chilli's, the American joint. Juggling by the crowd, economy in Malaysia has not impacted resturant business. The office team and I had good solid American food that is very rich and unhealthy. We had steak, hamburgers, lamb chop and deep fried chicken filets.

The conversation was relax and about family, part-time school and training. We had a lovely time sharing different experiences especially on family idiosyncasies. The sharing and just having conversations is a good social glue to learn more about each other and share a different face or role we all have. Work is a one of the many roles we each all play daily. In our team, our philosophy is we have a complete person at work not just an unit of labour or the role played.

The highlight of the dinner is a mature female colleague says that I am the most handsome guy in the office. My ego swell so much that I was floating on the ceiling! Actually, I know where I stand. There is a young good looking guy who is very fair and have Korean blood. He is "pretty" she says. Another female colleague totally agrees with "pretty" label.

Sigh! I wish I am really handsome. I have not got any indecent proposal yet...so the truth is out there.

How to Increase Sales

This will the topic of my talk to Small Medium Enterprise bosses group in KL on Wed. I enjoying giving talks, facilitating sharing of experience with managers and business owners. It is a hobby now and I hope I can launch a second career in lecturing or public speaking.

Changes due to Spinal Adjustments

My head feel "funny". It is hard to describe except I can feel some changes. I am having backaches now. This may be due to cycling after my adjustments. Or due to the adjustments themselves. While I loved to get my bones clicked, I am not sure if it is always an improvement. I am getting discomfort. This is like spring cleaning. In spring cleaning, the house get messy as the spring cleaning starts and get worse as the time go by. Midway, I guess the house will be at its messiest(if there is such a word). Slowly, the mess will clear up and at the end, the house will be much cleaner and organised that when we first started.

Right now I feel my body is getting worse as the adjustment go rather than better.

AJC Fund Raising Day

Today is Anderson Junior College fund raising day. The student reports bright and early er... I mean dark and early. B1 has to report to school by 6:30am. By the time we reach the school, groups of students are already out on the road with the AJC flags. The road run must be done early before the sun is out to prevent heatstroke.

I hope the funds are used to do more repair and maintenance. I understand the buildings are "falling apart" by the many blogs that students has written especially during the Joint Admission Exercise.

Chiropractor

I have my chiropractic adjustment today. I have plenty of "clicks" i.e. the vertebra in my spine have been shift by "aggressive" method. My atlas was also adjusted. Atlas is the first vertebrae. I do not understand the spine adjustments intimately but feels good when I get lot of my bone clicked/popped.

After the adjustment, I feel tired. I hope my CNS or central nervous improves with the adjustments. The whole course is quite expensive.

Extreme Toyota

Now I know why books on Toyota are in the shelf of Knowledge Management. The key emphasis of Toyota is not just lifetime employment, quality or cars. It is about training, sharing knowledge, continuous learning and development. This is the same philosophy my team has. We operate in similar mode. This is why I feel we are a Toyota team in an American company. We are a misfit.

Yesterday

I was busy helping B2 i.e. boy number 2 with his school project. We did it in one hour. It was quick job. We have to improvise. Today, he is the only one who managed finished a complete project. Only challenge is his teacher is not satisfied. So it is back to the drawing board.

Extreme Toyota

Extreme Toyota is written by 3 Japanese Professors in English. There are many books on Toyota and usually they are written by American. As I read the book on why and how Toyota is successful, I felt that my tiny team is operating in the same mode. Leader must gather information before deciding. The leader's role is to help the people on the floor to solve their own problems. I do not have the book with me now. I will elaborate more tomorrow...