Seoul, Here I Come

Tomorrow is travel day to get to Seoul. Tension in Korea is high. Duty calls. I am going there for work and meet Customers. Hopefully, the tense situation do not escalate. North Korea is posturing and sabre rattling.

It is business as usual until something unexpected happens. I was in US when 9/11 hits. It was an adventure of a lifetime. All flights were grounded. Then when flights were available the security checks took three hours. So I hope I do not have to go through this kind of adventure again.

Sad

I am very sad to report the baby Philippines Glossy Starling has passed on the greater life. We tried and it still did not work out. I wonder if I should have left it to the mercy of the elements. Sigh....

Intelligence vs Resilience

Lee Wei Leng talks intelligence and how when her father, Lee Kuan Yew was in China, supremo Deng Hsiao Ping remarked to how well Singapore has done. He replied Singapore as only immigrants Chinese, China will be able to do more as she has intellectuals, mandarins, artists and a whole load of very intelligent people. However, our First Daughter begs to differ her opinion from her esteemed Father. She felt that resilience weighs more. Resilience is the toughness, the ability to bounce back in adversity. The early immigrants of Singapore have resilience and the toughness to deal with and weather difficult conditions and situations.

She modestly claims she is not intelligent. She is a scholar and a pediatrics neurologist. She is a high powered intellect. She is resilient as she suffers through some medical problems and maybe other obstacles that she has not publicise yet.

With both intelligence and resilience she has attained great heights in her career and life. I enjoys reading her columns as I can identify with her values. She has also lived in Toronto although as a student.

In some sense we do have common ground growing up in the same period(I was in sec 1 when she was in Pre-U), going to the same school and living in the same country oversea.

Philippines Glossy Starling

Searching for Chairs

We spend the day checking out on chairs. The chairs B1 and B2 used are no longer working well. It seems like boys wear down their chairs fairly quickly as this will be the third chair we are going to buy for them.

Maybe we should buy a higher quality chair. Kids are expensive to maintain. Good things last long time and therefore become cheaper when they last and last.

We may settle for V Hive after evaluating Ikea(not suitable), Herman Miller(too expensive) and Furniture Mall(made in China).

The price is reasonable and it is not fabric or synthetic leather.

Huge Crowd

This morning, we went to the Goddess of Mercy Temple in Queens Street. The crowd is just amazing. So we just pray from outside and then go off. With three boys, we are reluctant as it will be impossble to get in.

We also rescue a baby Philippine Starling on the road. This time, we hope we can save the bird. Now, at least we know what to feed it. I hope this baby will grow up strong and independent before we release it back. Otherwise it may become a road kill.

May Buddhe bless all of us on this Vesak.

A Developed Country that done Well

The financial crisis, the worldwide recession and all the economic woes that developed countries are facing, there is one country that is doing well. This country dollar has strengthen, the real estate prices are continuing to go up during the crisis and none of the banks require any bailout.

This country is Canada. The Prime Minister, Harper does not have a majority in the Parliment House either. I read all these in The Economist. Canada is the only developed country in the world that does not have a problem with budget deficit or requires to implement some drastic measures for the current crisis.

I am very happy to read. It is good to live in a well run country! Canada must be a good country to live in right now.

Reading Advantage

Books in India are a lot cheaper than anywhere I visited. Granted, I have not been to a lot of places less travelled. I noticed there are plenty of bookstores around. In the domestic airport in Mumbai, there were 3 bookstores inside the passenger gates. In the hotels, there is a bookstore. What surprises me is the price is still low in the hotel store.

With such an abundance and easily available coupled with low cost, it is no wonder India has a strong advantage in English language. There must be a big market for printed books as well. By the way, the quality of paper the books are printed on has improved as well. I still have a copy of a book on vocabulary bought in India many years ago. Actually it is with my brother-in-law now. He must have borrowed it from me in Canada.

Incredible India

Today, I am still recovering from my India trip. The tag line for India Tourist Promotion is Incredible India. I must say it is a good tagline. Incredible queues at the security check points(Kolkata). Boarding pass checked Incredible number of times - 6 times from getting into the holding point to the aircraft. Incredible wait for a cab in Bangalore - one hour 15 mins. Incredible answer - 15 mins to any questions. Incredibly Good Chinese food in Mumbai - yes it is REALLY good!

How far are we from your office - two mins. We arrived about 10 mins later - Indian Rubber Time rules. I must say the fresh lime soda tastes just as good as my first trip to India 24 years ago. Yep! Been there, done that.

There are many changes too. Campa Cola no longer exist. Warren Buffett's favorite drink kills it. Besides, Ambassador and Maruti, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and other major brands. I am lucky not to get "Bombay Belly" or food poisoning. Our hosts in 3 different cities all come on time. Major surprise and change in my previous experience. Two worked for multinationals and one is the business owner. The FDI has changed the behaviours of the Indians employees.

The roads has improved too and highways is wide. Drivers behaviours has not changed and honking is the way to get others to get out of their way.

Some things has changed and some don't. As my colleague, Tony in Canada said to me once about the company we worked in. The more it changed, the more it stays the same.

I reflect on China's development. My first trip to China was about 16 or 17 years ago. There were not many roads but the roads are in better condition yet similar to India today. Traffic jams was non-existent. Everyone travel by bicycles. Only taxis and military vehicles were on the road. Cars were used cars imported from other countries and rare. On the road, there were many men wearing military uniforms. I asked my colleague, Pascalis why the military is everywhere but they are not carrying arms. He explains that uniforms and laundry are free, so the people are wearing off work. Today, China has massive traffic jams and bicycles are not allowed in many parts of the city. There are good mass rapid system in all the major cities.

China is years ahead of India in economic development.

Horrors in India

There is a bomb scare in Mumbai and the passengers in KingFisher plane are held in a holding area while the bomb squad investigate in a anonymous tip.

Today, more than 160 passengers and crews are confirmed dead when an aircraft from Dubai landing in Mangalore airport overshoot the runway and burst in flames.

Everything in India is 15 mins away. We call for a cab and were told we have to wait. Half an hour later, I followup and was told that I only called for the cab 15mins ago. Tired of waiting, I asked the hotel staff how long more. It will be in 15 mins, the cab is in Old Airport road. It is very near but due to traffic... So I showed the concierge the time on my phone 6:09. At 6:35, I showed him the time and asked so this is your 15 mins and still no cab. The cab finally arrived at 7pm or one hour and fifteen minutes. This is why I love India so much.

My friend and ex-colleague, CH says he will be thinking of me when he leaves India for Manila. I am very lucky compared to him. He has to go India every month. Yes, I will be thinking of him often:))

Day Time Nightmares

I have an early morning flight from Kolkata to Bengalore. Getting up bright and early, yes it is bright at 5am is no issue as it is 7:30am Singapore time to go to the airport. The ride was pleasant as traffic is light and reaching the domestic airport, memories of my previous travel in India flood back. The airport is messy will be an understatement. There are long queues everywhere and people are jumping queues.

There are no signs to tell you which queues are for what. I joined on queue I asked a local what the queue is for and realised I need not queue at all. Actually, I learned to ask because I spent 30mins on a wrong queue in Mumbai domestic airport. After getting my boarding pass, we have to queue for security checks that is at least 50metres long and do not seem to move. I was all stressed up and panicking as my flight time, yes flight time and not boarding time is getting close and then pass. I was on the queue waiting for security check past the time my plane is supposed to leave. Luckily, may this is a typical day in Kolkata domestic airplane, the aircraft did not leave and wait for all the passenger to clear. My flight is delayed for half an hour.

Chaos and poor passenger flow and insufficent clearing checkpoints make it really fun to go through. I am glad I am going home tomorrow night.

Meeting an Old Friend and Ex-colleague

Airport transit and airplane is the an excellent place to meet my ex-colleagues. One the way to Mumbai, I met an ex-colleague whom I last seen maybe 17 years ago when he visited us in Canada. It is easy to count the years as B1 was a baby when we brought him to Niagara Falls. It is funny to meet him again rather than any other ex-colleagues as he is the only one who visited us. I have not met others yet.

I am very happy to see that he is doing well. Actually extremely well, a big shot in his company.

At work, our meeting went well as this is our first meeting with a global partner. They are interested to work with us. Of course the best part of the meeting is lunch. We have Chinese food in a resturant called Mainland China. It is quite unusual for my initial impression. Chinese food is excellent in Mumbai.

India, Here I Come

I have a big geography to look after including India and Pakistan. Business activities in these two South Asian countries are lukewarm. There are potentials and I am going there to explore and see if we can increase our business in the two giant economy in Greater Asia.

My last trip to India was probably two or three years ago. I used to go India frequently in another job. I guess the time is ripe for me to go again.

You probably can read that I am not too excited about going to India. I look forward to going to places like Penang, Manila, KL or Bangkok where I loved the food. North Asia like China, Korea and Japan is okay but foodwise is not my favourite. I enjoys the food there no doubt. But I cannot them them every day.

I loved the tandoori and naan. So I am going to enjoy some authentic mouthwatering Indian meals next week.

A Good Day

Saturday is the usual rush from one tuition to another. Starting from 8am, we have non-stop tuition until 3pm. Actually, there is another tuition from 3pm to 5 pm. B1 has to come home by himself. Coming home, B2 and B3 went cycling to the SengKang Gardens with me.

There were a group of young adults 3 men and 2 women fishing below the flyover. One managed to catch a fish. After taking photo, he release it back. I like this catch and release philosophy this group has.

Our neighbour gave us a pleasant surprise! She brought over two dishes - Lo Han Zhai (mixed vegetables) and Stewed Mushrooms with Fishmaw and Sea Cucumber. We had steamed fish and teochew braised duck. The dinner was delicious. The best ingredients was our boys' behaviour. We had good conversations with no bickering nor stressful dialogues between them.

After dinner, my boys were watching the YouTube and laughing together. I am so happy to have a simple peaceful day.

Today is good...no it is an awesome day!

Safe Night Cycling in near future

The river near my home is dammed and now a reservoir. The water is level is very low and dirty. Along the monsoon drain, contruction work is going on. A pedestrian cum bicycling path made of high quality black tar and granite chips. Street lights lined the whole path. It will be lit up at night. So it will be safe to cycle at night, free of cars, traffic lights and watching out for obstacles.

Hmmm! I love the prospect and looking forward to the completion of the path. It will be nice when the water level rise higher and cleaner.

Yes, PUB is right! The reservoir is full of garbage every time it rains.

Exciting Change in The Curve

I have not stayed in The Curve for maybe a year now. The changes are amazing. Many new resturants and Kopitiams - Station, Oldtown, Uncle Lim and Kluang. I must come again and try some of the new resturants. Laksa smells heavenly.

Borders has also revamp and shift the shells around. It is like walking around a new mall. I know I am kind of pathetic to be excited about malls. This is mall crawling is my hobby. It is good exercise to do window shopping. I wish I can eat without gaining weight. I will be in 7th heaven.

Win!

My fellow blogger, Boh Tong visited the casino and won! However, he promised not to go again. He also watched the stock market. It mean he must be investing too. I do not know love SQ ticker. I am going to sit at the sideline for a while to wait out the roller coaster ride. This is good for blood pressure:)

Manila - a year later

Makati's Gloretta is upgrading. There are 4 Glorettas and a new one is built called aptly Gloretta 5 and is separate for the other 4. Meanwhile Gloretta 4 has been demolished and will be rebuild. National Bookstore has relocated to Gloretta 5. Power Books in Green Belt has also upgraded. The malls is extemely crowded and busy. My colleague observed that people are poor but happy. In Japan, people seems unhappy all the time as the economy is bad.

My opinion is people are happy when they see improvement and income gain. People are unhappy when their incomes is reduced or diminished. Japan has gone through a period where asset values steadily diminish or deflation in economic terminology.

Another important factor is disposition. Japanese are serious and Philippinos have sunny and happy-go-lucky disposition. So they are a happier lot. Life is also more lay back.

Manila is vibrant and traffic clogging up the road and commence is roaring. The malls are busy busy busy. I like it!

Queensway Mall

This old mall has some unique stuff. It has more sport shoes shops than anywhere else in Singapore. The Original Katong laksa is there and ran by the mother. The son, I understand is in Roxy, Katong. The Original Katong Laksa is still my all-time favorite laksa.

In the roller blade store on the third floor, there is a new scooter which is powered by stepping motion. Printshop, name tag makers, school uniform and custom tailors make up the rest. This is the place for unique services

This grand dame is more than 40 years old now. Do drop by and check it out.

My Dream House

I have a dream. I always want to retire in a remote village(okay, maybe not so remote) where the weather is cool and easily accessible to airport, city and bookshops. Internet and healthcare availability is non-negotiable.

Now I think if I can build my own custom house, I may be able to retire here in Singapore. My dream house will be eco-friendly with solar heater, solar panels and windmill for power and water collection system for rain water. There should be a lap pool and a vegetable garden. No, I will not rear my own food. Meat still have to come from the supermarkets. There should be a bedroom each for my boys and the rooms must be big enough to accomodate their wives. A spare bedroom for my mum if she visit from Canada. There must be a roof garden so that we reflect less heat out. I am thinking my current location has plenty of such advantage as it is remote and cheap by Singapore real estate standards. However, it is missing the green elements. So I may have to look for somewhere in Neo Tiew Road where there are plenty of farms. There my dream may have a chance to become a reality.

Unstable Market

The stock market is in a turmoil. The Greece debt problem is the "main" cause for the sellout. I cannot see the link. However, we decide to sell some of our stocks and sit tight for a while to wait out the turbulence. We lost all the gains we made. The good thing is we did not lose too much. Such is the challenge of investing. All the positive economic news and great earnings did not help with the stock price. Mass panic is causing the price to drop.

The change is swift and strong. I am glad I have a strong stomach to withstand the churn. Still it is not fun. I hope the market stablise as they may affect real economy is the stock market is weak.

Election Fever

Britain is going for election tomorrow and Philippines is electing their President on Monday. I hope everything go well and my trip to Manila will be uneventful. Politics can be unstable and violence do erupts.

As usual, I am looking forward to the food there. It is our reward for all the hard work my colleague and I will be putting in. Usually, we have Japanese lunch and Western dinner.

Fever just reminds me. The thermometer is rising. It is extremely warm during the day and the sun is strong, so strong that my sport shoes take only a few hours to dry instead of days after getting wet.

I wonder how much is due to global warming and how much due to the buildup in Singapore. Whatever the reason, we are lucky to have airconditioning everywhere we go.

Stock Market Down and Down

After a two weeks run, stock market is going down. I wonder why European financial situation can have such drastic effect on our stocks. All the companies reporting today results today have strong postive gain. Hyflux earnings 24% up, OCBC earning is 24% up as well. SATS have great earning growth. Meanwhile all the stock price go down.

Stock market is irrational. Should we short the market?

Mad Science

This book is a record of science experiments pioneers. Many interesting experiments conjure and thought out by psychologists, scientists and mad scientists.

Some are utterly disgusting like eating the spit and vomit of cholera victims to test the theory cholera was contagious. One scientist after knowing two baby girls were reared by wolves in the wild want to test it out. However no parents are willing to let their baby be foster out to the wild. He does the opposite and try to rear a wild animal like a human baby. So he convinced his wife and concieve a child. They then brought in a chimpanzee and give it exactly the same treatment as their baby boy. At the age where other American kids know 150 words, their son only know 50. The psychologist terminated the experiment a few months later. The outcome of the experiment was instead of the wild animal becoming more human, their baby was learning more to be like a wild animal!!!

This book is interesting reading. I am enjoying the lighter side. This is from Borders in Penang.

Stress of Modern Life

Penang is a place where life noticeable slow down. Our life today is full of stress from the time we are born. From before we start school, we have enrichment programs like piano, ballet dancing, art, gymnastics, phonics, Shichida, abacus, and more. Then it is studying hard to make it to the gifted program. After that it is PSLE so that we can go to the top schools(branding is important, you know). Then it is "O" level for some and "A" levels for all. Then we have to study in the University to secure a future. Along the way, many drop out, fell out or lost their way.

We then compete for jobs and when we have a job, we have to compete for survival and promotion. We need money to survive and live. So we cannot opt out and stay jobless or rather incomeless.

Generating income can be stressful. We have to work and work to keep many stakeholders happy - Customers, Boss, Staff and Peer basically everyone we have contact with. I wonder how life is like to opt out of the rat race and be a monk. Spend my time meditating and praying. That will be the day!

Good Morning, Singapore

It is dark and early morning. The hooting of the pet bird is loud and noisy. EEEeeOOOOooo, EEEEeeOOOOooo. I wonder why the bird owner like this kind of bird. It is noise and not singing or music. At 6:40am the sky is turning to white and blue.

More and more bird chirping can be heard. Life is stirring as the day breaks and progress. I am enjoying the peace and quiet and writing.

Today is Labour Day. Japan has their golden week next week. China has three days off. Singapore? Well, we need to be more productive. So we have to work. I have plenty of work since business recovered.

Family is very important. Someone forward an email on a speech by CEO of Coca Cola. Work is a rubber ball,Family, Health, Friends and Spirit are glass balls. Rubber ball when drops, bounces back. Glass balls will get irrevocably nicked, cracked or even shattered. They will never be the same. We must strive to keep the balls in the air and not let it drop.