New Tires

I have to replace my tires as one of them has a screw penetrating through. The threads were worn thin as well. 4 tires cost $440. Alignment cost another $40. Then I add shock absorbers stiffeners for $160. The whole service cost almost $700 after adding GST. I hope the new tires last. It is costly to replace with rubber price keep reaching new high. The odometer now reads 42,000km. The new Dunlop tires are supposed to last 60,000 km. I hope they really do.

Excellent News But...

I am trying to think what have I done. I am busy. Busy but not accomplishing much. The good news I have today is we won new business worth half a million to six hundred thousands US annually. It is good news indeed! Yet, I did not jumped with joy or feel exhilarated.

I enjoys reading and learning. I am a perpetual student. Learning, developing and growing is a value I instill in my team at work.

The Happiness Hypothesis

I borrowed this audiobook from National Library. I am rather unhappy these days and is seeking ways to change my emotional state. I remember a conversation I had with a colleague in Toronto on a ride to a service call. He was very knowledgeable in a lot of the Eastern Philosophy and it surprises me that a white guy know so much about Eastern thoughts. So I asked how come he is so knowledgeable. He told me that he had a lot of unhappy times. So he read a lot of Western Philosophy trying to get answers and then he turns to Eastern Philosophy. He reads to find out why he is unhappy and how to fix his unhappiness.

I read a lot on Tao, Buddhism, Chuang Tzu, meditations, Zen and other esoteric subjects when I was young. Many a times, I wonder why am I born to suffer, study, work and then die. Lao Tzu and Tao De Jing is one of the best that make me feel happy with poems like Sitting, Sitting, the Grass grows Green. Mountains will be mountains and White Clouds will be white clouds.

Today, the Positive Psychology or professors come up with their own recipes for Happiness. I am just on disk 1 of The Happiness Hypothesis. The western way is to do research. The first "proven" way is volunteering. Volunteering is like taking Prozac according to the author. It get rid of depression. Unlike Prozac, the effect stops the moment you stop taking the drug, the effects of volunteering continues even after you have stop all the volunteer work.

Water Pump Replaced

The water pump in my pond finally gave up. It has been pumping 24/7 for almost 7 years. The rotator center was so worn out that it has become a slot rather than a round cylindrical hole. I had bought a pump wrongly before and it cost me $160 from the nursery in Thomson Road. I was a little reluctant to back there to get to be ripoff again. Luckily, my wife reminded me that about the nursery near my home. We went there and the selection was limited to one brand. So I decided to go to the aquarium to see if I can get a large silver arowana for $35. The aquarium has a whole range of pumps! I bought a pump for S$14, really inexpensive and it works when I installed it in my pond. I feel so accomplished to do practical work. The outcome is clear and concrete. Now my water is flowing again and it looks good, the water clears up and my fishes are swimming happily.

The only disappointment is there are no large arowanas. Only small ones and they are priced at $18 instead of $12 before. So I did not buy any.

Working with my hands feels good. I should do more handy work.

Chengmai

Channel News Asia has this program, Yours Truly, Asia. It protrays the different cities of the countries that the CNA journalists are based in. Right now, it is showing Chengmai, the northern city of Thailand. The food looks delicious and fabulous. I am thinking the city is probably cost a lot less to live in. It may be a good place to retire in. If it has good internet, medical facilities, maybe bookshop and safe and with good food couple with low cost of living, it will be a wonderful retirement village. May have to give up lots of modern conveniences and communication. Learning to communicate in Thai is non-negotiable. However, the upside is close to nature and a slow pace of life.

Mmmm. Early retirement, anyone?

Splashing Time

The kids in my neighbourhood are having a wonderful time at pool with the high temperature. They just loved the water and splashing each other and giggling. Running after one another is another game they play and screaming along for additional sound effects. I was taking short snatches of nap and could not sleep anymore after the girls come to the poolside.

It is real joy and fun for them and I am happy to see them enjoying themselves even though my peace was interrupted. I should learn more French so that I can understand what they are saying to each other.

Chiropractor

B1 is limping, his left hip is strained and hurting. So we bring him to the chiropractor. Since we are going, the whole family did our spine adjustments. We are a big customer. Cost of chiropractice treatment is high. Health is priceless, so we just go for it and do not think about cost.

We had lunch at Modesto's. I like the seafood linguine. It is the only seafood dish I truly enjoys as the fresh ingredients and sour tomato sauce makes the seafood tangy, sweet with no fishy taste at all. I simply love it. It is nice to eat with the family as I can order the portion fit for 2 which cost $48. It comes with a complete flower crab.

B1 go to the movie with his girlfriend and B2 and B3 go home. B2 has to prepare for his
'O' level exams tomorrow. B3 pumps up his newly acquired floating bed. Meanwhile, my wife and I go to Sungei Kadut to look at kitchen cabinets.

B3 went to the pool to try out his new toy with his friends once we return home from viewing kitchen cabinets. He had a wonderful time playing with his friends.

Practical Grammar

Grammar is the most boring and dry subject. Yet Practical Grammar is interesting for me. I like it as the author puts it "There are more to life than getting your grammar right." This book is interesting as it start with 35 common grammatical errors and 35 grammatical errors made by advanced English users. It has plenty of useful example and explain the rules clearly. It is the first grammar book I find easy-to-read.

Happiness

I am reading books and watching video on Happiness. Somehow they are not making an impact when I am unhappy. I thought it is really working when I was in a good mood. Knowledge about happiness does not make one happy. It is the flow of good things happening to oneself. Still the books on Happiness continues to hit the bestseller list.

Exercise

I am glad I am exercising regularly. The stress level at work is at an extreme level. During dinner, I realised I may have health issues had I not exercise as much as I have recently. The weather is hot and it is good to sweat profusely. Help in losing weight albeit temporily. Weight regains once I rehydrate myself.

The PCN or park connector network is making progress. In a few months, it should be able to run to Punggol Marina. I talked with the supervisor of the contractor, Shincon. He says the stretch was supposed to be completed last July. Delays happened as contractors for other works has not completed their parts yet. Eventually, the PCN will connect up with Hougang. It mean I can cycle for at least half an hour one way. Then it will be a scenic way to get healthy and wise. The PCN is a fantastic cycling route where it is safe, no need to watch out for cars and no fumes!

Biomimicry

I just started on this book on biomimicry - learning from nature. It is a different take. This field is relatively new. Many physicists and engineers are learning from the natural world. Velcro is seeds that hooks onto clothing, cotton gin is from cat clawing and pulling out canary's feathers, submarines from fish bladders and many more.
I was browsing in Kinokuniya and the title caught my attention. I read the content and there is a section on business. Besides engineering solutions and product development, it also has business ecology. I just started on the book and will write more as I read further.

Grouch

B2 has been grouchy lately. He is temperamental and is rude, sarcastic and hurtful in his response to his parents. Totally disrespectful and hurting me and my wife. He is also nasty to his baby brother, B3 at times. We are at wits' ends. Is this a passing phase? Did his elder brother go through the same phase? Did we have bad karma to have our boy torturing us?

The up and down of having a teenage son can test and stretch our patience. It is also our hearts. I reminisce the time he is such an angel and so adorable. He was a jovial boy and very loving. We felt so wonderful having him in our lives. Now, he is in his terrible teens, it is painful. I hope he grows up and be back to his adorable self again.

The End of the World and Beautiful Weather

The weather is beautiful yesterday and this morning. The TV evangelist in US who predicted there will be a terrible earthquake and life on earth will come to an end is wrong. Well, he is wrong. The end of the world did not happen. The next date is Dec 21, 2012. It is a year and a half away. What is the chance of this date being as uneventful? Too many specific dates have been wrong. The future forecast is a probability and possibility. It is not an exact or precise or scientific. So I wonder why some people like to make a fool of themselves.

BBQ Chicken at AMK Ave 4

B2 has tuition in Eglingtion Square which is off Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, Street 11. There are two coffee shops. Recently, I tried the bbq chicken wings and it is very fragrant and tasty. So we have them for dinner tonight. I also ordered a bbq spring chicken. My boys enjoys meat like me and they like tonight dinner. We also have fried carrot cake and duck and salted veg soup. The chicken wings cost only $1.10 each and spring chicken $7. The meal is quite economical.

The coffeeshop next door has "bak kut teh" or pork ribs soup which is highly recommended. Price is higher and just as satisfying.

Pleasant Surprise

B1 was release today instead of tomorrow. We are glad he is back home. He keep worrying about how dark he look and his sweating is now in beads instead of moist layer. I told him not to worry as his skin has toughen due to suntan. I am quite tan myself. And when I sweat, it is little droplets just like condensation on the outer surface of a glass of ice-water.

I am so tired and sleepy. Work is a little exhausting these days. Goodnite zzzZZZZ

Hope

The change in the new cabinet is radical. Now there is a gimmer of hope that the government will have a little heart. It has been all intellectual and little regards for citizens left behind by the growth in economy. Grievances have been largely ignored in the interest of GDP growth and pro-business policy. Hard-headed Hard Truths is pretty strong medicine dished out by people who have multi-million salaries. I heard of a specific example of MP who give advice that is impractical for a relative. He need help to talk to the bank to stop interest payment for his credit card debts. The MP told him to get a higher paying job. Please note! It is told. He did not lift a finger to help him get a higher job. Dishing out advice rather than doing something. Then the MP continues... go to visit the bank during office hours. The relative responded he is not allowed to leave or take time off in his job. The MP think that the low level job his resident has is like his cabinet job - flexi-hour!

It is really really terrible to get insensitive MP who just give advices rather than help. I hope the change is positive. We shall see. I am skeptical as tigers do not change their stripes.

Some Are Quite Interesting

I asked an ex-colleague if she is still reading my blog. The usual excuse was the immediate reply...I am busy lately. However, she continues...some of my writings is interesting. Being a pessimistic person, my first thought is most of my writings are boring. After brooding over for a couple of minutes, I decided that she is nice to focus on the positive aspect of my blog.

I have been disciplined to make a daily entry unless I am travelling or in a country where blogging is not allowed e.g. China. Attracting a loyal and strong following will be fun and good for ego and maybe help me make more income with Adsense, I find that reading my past entries is a great way to tickle my memories of events and experience. So the blog is as much for myself and hopefully my future generation.

An ex-manager who is a single woman is very private and I always asked the same question every we are out for meals. What is your ideal Mr. Right? She would always refused to talk about her private life. Once, she is in a good mood and less guarded, she says the man must have humour and be able to make her laugh. I enjoys Mr. Brown's blog because it is funny and makes me laugh. I know my blog is not as well visited as it is not funny or interesting. But it is a personal memory bank for my experience and a way for me to leave behind a legacy.

Even this discourse on a remark pass by an ex-colleague is serious and factual. I do not have a funny bone.

Busy as A Bee!

The poor economy in US is killing us in Asia. We are pushed to make up for the poor sales in US. My business is really tiny in the scheme of things although we are growing well at 50% compound annual growth rate. At any rate, we are a big team, so we will continue to put in our best efforts for the company.

So I have lots and lots of work ahead. Just the meetings alone is a full time job. Then we have to execute. So like the airlines industry, we are going to have turbulence.

Productive Reading

I have been reading quite productively last few weeks. I managed to finish three books from cover to cover. Usually, I read multiple books at one time. Thrive is quite interesting as it is about happy places in the world which Singapore is included. The other book is Let Your Creativity Bloom by YKK, a Malaysian author and Friday with Philips in my earlier entry for this blog.

My boys do not seem to have as much love for reading like me. Maybe they are exposed to the new media especially internet where you can get short videos and short articles. So their attention span is short. B1 and B2 have read plenty of novels and B3 like non-fiction books. B3 enjoys books on science, ancient animals and how-to like Tell Me How. They do not gravitate to bookstores or library like me. A psychic once told me I was a librarian in one of my previous lives. I do not know about whether the psychic is real or just giving me some bullxxxx. It does makes sense. Everyone around me can see I am a bookworm.

Time to Book In Again

We spent the day doing the regular family stuff. Lunch at Carnivore, the Brazilian meat resturant. Then mall crawling until late afternoon. We have home cooked dinner and B1 was wishing he does not have to go back to camp. It is a short home break and he has to go back to the screaming and yelling i.e. scolded all the time. Well, this is army life. It is breaking psychological and individual identities and the making you listen and obey without questions or thinking. The good thing is he is in the 9 weeks program instead of 16 weeks. Being physical fit does help. The uniform today is so much easier to maintain. Still the rigour and toughness of being a soldier is hard for a modern city boy. This is national service and my boy is serving his country.

First Book-Out of Camp

B1 like many others recruits book out of their BMT or basic military camp today. He is so dark and happy to see us. I was not sure if it was him in the beginning. There are many girlfriends waiting for their boyfriends and I thought I may be smiling at the wrong army boy who is smiling at his girlfriend.

I only recognised him when he greeted "Daddy!". I gave him a hug and then mummy and his two brothers. He is so happy to see us. The wonder of army confinement. He is in a hurry to come home unlike some who ate at McDonald's. We are very happy to have him back. Mummy set up the washing machine to wash all his dirty laundry. He has only 20 hours before he returns to camp. All the laundry must be washed, dry and pack before he leave for camp tomorrow evening. It is just mad rush to get things done.

We are very happy to have B1 back home.

End of the Weekend

It is the end of the weekend. Tomorrow is a school day and B1 will get his first home coming late tomorrow night. I am at my computer writing my blog. As a country, we are undergoing change. MM and SM resigned after analysis of the voters results. PM will give his answer on Monday whether he accepts their resignation. He need time and watch the reactions of the media to take the next steps.

I look out of my door and it looked normal. Yet, emotionally there must be upheavals in PAP and the opposition parties. Fellow Singaporeans continue their life as usual. In the internet world, there are calls for other cabinet ministers to resign.

Meanwhile, the global economy is undergoing change and is unpredictable. Inflation is getting out of control. It is a challenging times ahead. What will 2012 brings?

Wonder

Sometimes, I wonder the meaning of life. Why are we here? Why do we have to face with so many problems and issues? Why colleagues are jeolous and do things to sabotage another colleague or make things difficult? Why? Why? Why?

When I am in this mood, I become preoccupied and my thoughts just keep spinning and spinning over the same few scenes. I need to learn to meditate like LKY and be mindful and present. Exercise is good but only for short time. Euphoria over and same thoughts surface.

I shall stop now and shower and go out for dinner. Food can be a distraction too.

SMU Tea Session

My wife and I attended the SMU tea session for Law faculty offerees. B1 is unable to attend as the army refused to let him off to attend the talk. Mrs Lee Suet Fern was the guest of honor. She is the Senior Director in Stamford Law. She specialises in Corporate Law and work on mergers and acquisitions. It is challenging and interesting work. The hours are long and sometimes 3 am in the morning and working on contracts. She makes being a lawyer sound fun. She is an awesome speaker, articulate and funny. Her views are sound and reasonable. I learned a lot from her.

Fridays with Philip Lee

I pick up this book on Monday at MPH when I was in KL. It is a series of articles published by Philip Lee in Streats, the now defunct free newspaper. I remember waiting early in the morning at Toa Payoh Central for the arrival of the papers every morning 8 or 9 years ago. It was very popular and I always enjoyed reading it. We were living in Oleander Towers then.

Philip Lee grew up in Penang and lived in England before settling down in Singapore. I enjoyed the articles as it is easy read and interesting. The content is local i.e. Singaporean issues and on wide ranging topics. It brought back memories for me. I finished reading the book in two days. Right now I am working through a Creativity book by YKK, a local Malaysian author. Malaysia does has a lot of talent. Pity many have left for greener pasture out of the country.

Random Thoughts

I have been thinking and reflecting, reflecting and thinking nowadays. I need to brood and brood. I need to go for a holiday and practise meditation to calm my busy mind. Most of my team members are going for holiday next week as Vesak day falls on Tuesday. Taking one day leave, we can have a stretch of 4 days. Enough to go for tour or oversea holiday.

I am in an unpleasant situation where the pressure is intense. No matter how well we do, it is not enough. Demand is excessive and unreasonable. What can I do? What should I do? Should I continue or should I go? What is the world did change in 2012? Will all this matter?

How should I lead my life if it is going to end soon? This question is supposed to help me lead a fulfilling life. I asked this question a hundred times and I still cannot get to the answer. Why? Why do I worry about day-to-day life? Worry about the bills, worry about the boys, worry about everything and nothing. It is not a good state to be in.

How can I achieve "flow" as defined by Mike Cziksenmihalyi? Why my work which was giving me meaning become nightmare? Plenty of questions and more questions. I am still searching for answers.

Short Trip

A quickie trip to KL to meet an important customer and present an award to them. I am very happy to get their support and they have help my team to be successful.

We lunched at Overseas Resturant and the Beijing Duck and Pork Belly char siew is simply fabulous. Overseas Resturant has recently opened a branch in Singapore. The price in Singapore is outrageous compared to KL but it is better than making the trip there to eat.

I am very sad to see George Yeo saying he will leave the political scene during his press conference. He is a good guy. It is unfortunate we lost an intelligent and capable man in the PAP where he can influence the party to more progressive views. If PAP continues her high handed and arrogant ways of neglecting the old and poor, it will be sad. I am sure there will be improvement with the votes swing.

Only in Singapore, you see all the Ah Mahs and Ah Gongs (grandmas and grandpas) clearing dishes and cleaning tables in foodcourts and hawker's centers or collecting empty cans and cardboards to sell for paltry cash to survive. Many visitors were shocked by the sights and some even write to Straits Times. I know PAP government is adverse to welfare society. Homemakers or housewives do not have income and when their husbands die, they will be left penniless and have to survive in an expensive global city.

Heatwave.

This is probably one of the largest mall in Malaysia. I like this mall because the Borders is big and MPH has broader selection too. The ACE hardware stall sells lots of gadgets. Plenty of F&B. Ahh! I am a mall rat.

On the taxi, the cab driver complains it is very hot and he is having a headache due to lack of water. I told him he should have a bottle in the car. He says he finished it. He was about to take a drink when the call come in for him to pick as there is a long queue in the airport. Temperature in KL probably reach record high. The heat reminds me of summer in New Delhi although not as bad. Still it hits hard whenever I step out of airconditioned environment - taxi or mall or hotel. I wonder if it is the proverbial story of frog in water brought slowly to a boil. Is human race slowly boiling itself to extinction? I am sure there will be survivors who can adapt to the new environment. After all, man does live in deserts.

The news report that Green energy business grow by 77% in China. I am glad to see steps are taken to reduce our usage of fossil fuels and carbon footprint. There may be hope for human kind.

One GRC and One SMC

The opposition despite strong showing and great support on the ground won only one GRC or Group Representation Constituency and one SMC or Single Member Constituency - a total of 6 members of parliament. The total share of votes to opposition is 40%, an increase of 6%. Big improvement.

Plenty of experts offered their views. Nicole Seah is the star "mei mei" or little sister. She is mature, articulate and handle the press extremely well. Her ideals on helping the poorer segment of the society is admirable and she has a huge following. In contrast, Tin Pei Ling of ruling did not well in presenting public image.

Best performer is Worker's Party who garner all 6 opposition seats in Parliament. It will be interesting as the next five years unfold. Will Worker's Party be able to continue its momentum? Will it be able to gain another GRC, East Coast perhaps since it won more than 45% votes?

The Night That Determines the FUTURE of Singapore

Election today and tonight the gnashing of teeth for many candidates as the votes get counted. It is really exciting. CNA is live at all the counting centers. Most of Singapore is up watching. For the first time, Singaporeans are engaged in politics. It is also the first many young voters and most get to votes. We used to get walkovers. This is a new dawn for Singapore.

Our government always exhorts that competition is healthy and good. It is quite competitive this time. So it is going to be an interesting night.

An Anonymous Reader Asked

I reproduced the comment below:

Hi. I read that you were living in Canada for 7 years before moving back to Singapore. Do you mind sharing the reason? Is it due to the high income tax in Canada? Many thanks...

My Answer:
I actually lived in Canada twice for a total of 7 years. Immigrating and living in a foreign country is very difficult in the beginning. There are lots of adjustments. Going over there as a student and then finding a job is different. It is nice to live in a country with four seasons and different lifestyle and culture. Canada is a great country and a good place to live and raise kids. It is a little backward relative to Singapore in material things. But family life, friends and lots of recreation more than make up for all the "toys" and designer clothing.

High income tax and consumption tax is one reason to leave. Long and bitter winter is the other commonly cited reason. Another reason is career advancement. The key reason I move back to Singapore is my wife wanted to return home to be closer to her family.

Lions Roared at Yio Chu Kang Stadium

Latest excitement in town - rallies, political rallies. The crowd in YCK Stadium is incredible. We decide to visit the hottest rally in town, The Worker's Party Rally. The enthusiatic crowd was immense. As we walk to the stadium, everyone else was streaming to the stadium as well. It is a night to remember. The Worker's Party is getting lots of support and generate huge following. Saturday is the D-day. May the Force be with you.

The roar is loud, very loud. Now we wait for the action.

The Heat is On

It is hard to think of what to write! My friends told me not to write about work. It is too boring. I always enjoys working but these days, it is just stress and more stress. Turning to the hottest topic the last few days...the election fever and the temp is rising. There are so many humorous pictures and video clips. All very creative! So I wonder how Singaporeans get the reputation of poor creative ability and low innovation drive.

The lighter side of Singapore politics is really fun and enjoyable. Now every 5 years, we get to tickle and laugh at ourselves and the political figures. The staid Singapore let her hair down.

Enlistment

B1 enlisted yesterday. He was in trepidation as he heard stories from his classmates and colleagues on the Basic Military Training experience. I know it is tough and there is a lot of psychological pressures and breaking down of individuality during the training. The training basically tear away your identity and make you obey orders. This is why everyone is made to sleep together in a room, shave their heads and shower is a communal bathroom where you have nothing to hide from your fellow "soldiers".

Aftering suffering together as a group, there will be bonding and the men can operate as a team. Blind obedient is required so that you can order them to kill the "enemy". The tagline for army is "Where boys become MEN". I guess boys don't kill, MEN will to defend their country.

Running Shoes

B2, my middle son need a new pair of running shoes as his old pair have worn out. Queensway Shopping Center is the place for sport shoes. There are so many types of running shoes that it is becoming confusing.

Mum asked him to chose "value" choice. He pick a pair costing $107. I found it looked very reasonable and cool. Then I looked at the brand. It is ASIC with Gel technology. So I think it is good value for an expensive brand. Queensway is the place to get newly obsolete product where price will drop dramatically. Maybe I am wrong. $107 is not that good a deal.

Just Another Day

It is just routine activities for today. I ate Guilinguo or Tortise shell jelly to help soothe my sore throat. My wife who is a Cantonese this is wonder drug. It helps for a short while and the effects wear off.

Dinner was at Yio Chu Kang Stadium so that our boys can experience the election rally. I was too exhausted and leave after the second speaker, Kenneth Jeyaratnam. Kenneth's accent is like JB's. Like father like son.

In the Dead of the Night...

Chomp Chomp is alive and full of young adults roaming about and drinking designer coffee. I was quite tired and sleepy after taking two tablets for sore throat but unable to sleep. My mind is spinning away over work issues. So I decided to get up and go for a spin in my energy saving and environmentally-friendly Prius.

The Indian Muslim roti prata coffee shop is crowded and full. Good thing as I was thinking of drinking my favorite beverage, teh halia. Teh halia would have kept me awake for hours. I roam about people watching and exploring which shops are still open. There are plenty. Finally, I decided to try Cold Storage to see if I can get Lucoade, which is a glucose based drink by SmithKline Beecham. Lucoade helps in rebuilding strength, getting rid of tiredness and recovery from flu. However, the 24 hours Cold Storage does not have any and I settle for Vitamin Jelly instead.

So well past midnight, Chomp Chomp is alive. I noticed a few unsavory characters lurking around as well. Singapore is a safe place and I do not feel threaten at all.