The End of an Interesting Year for Singapore

The review of 2012 is indeed a year to remember.  It is busiest year for CPIB.  We have money corruption and sex corruption.  The City Harvest Church misappropriation of millions.  Then we have sex scandals of politicians like Yaw Shin Leong and Michael Palmer.  MRT breakdowns and disrupted the commuters royally.  The bus drivers from China strikes and 29 were sent back and the leaders go to jail.

51 men charged for having sex with underage prostitute and have to go to jail.  It is exciting times in the staid and sterile Singapore.

It is also a year of change for me, personally.  I learn happiness techniques and applied them.  Net result my happiness index went up.  B1 will ORD soon.  B2 broke up with his girl friend and started his blogshop and billard supplies business.  B3's Chinese improved with the right tuition.

We have a malicious neighbour who plot evil deeds against my maid.  We are Buddhists and believed they are incuring bad karma.  However, they are Christians and will continue the evil deeds as they believe their God, Jesus Christ died for all the wrongdoings they have done and will be doing. 

All good deeds will be to your own personal credits and all bad deeds also goes to your own personal credits.  Please do good and acquire more good merits.

May Buddha bless all of you and my family.

2013

I hope 2013 is a better year.  The stars are getting aligned.  The happiness level increasing.  3 gratitudes everyday helps a lot!  I am glad to learn techniques from TED and of course my favorites - books.

The world is changing fast and we have to cope with all the changes.  I am learning from Positive Psychology.  It is good to know more how we think and what we can do to improve our thinking.

I do not make new year's resolutions.  However, I do pray for safety for my family and peace on Earth.  New year give us a chance for new beginning.  We have hope and aspirations to make the new year a better year then before. 

I wish all my readers Happy New Year.  May the new year brings joy and happiness to you and your loved ones.

Tires Changed

Yesterday, we change our car tires as it is wearing thin.  Although there are plenty of good treads, the wife is concerned as we had slight skidding occurence before.  So we change to Yokohama brand, made-in-Philippines.  Yokohama has made-in-Japan and slightly more expensive.  Unfortunately, it is out-of-stock. 

We also decided to switch to 205/65 15.  The tire is slightly wider and bigger than my current 195/65 15.  Although 205 is more expensive, I wanted my car to have a higher clearance.  The profile is very low and sometimes the speed bumps hit the superstructure of the car.

So far I am quite happy with the tires.  The only complaint is it is slower to accelerate due to the greater resistance.  The ride is more comfortable as the wider tires are better cushion.

B2's Party

B2 invites some of his course mates over for party.  There were supposed to be 6 but only 4 turned up.  However, they had a ball of time.  They played cards games all afternoon.  They were chatting and laughing all the time.  I can hear that B2 is quite happy with this group of friends.  At about 6pm, they made bruschetta.  They seems to enjoy the food.  I am quite happy they have a chance to eat our food.  I think it is different but who knows.  Maybe they ate it before.

I am very happy to have guests over.  It is a chance for me to see if others like our food.  I love sharing our joys.

My Niece Accompany Me to the Cardiologist

My niece accompany me to see the cardiologist today.   She has been having trouble.  After the consultation, I realised the cardiologist basically says there is nothing he can do.  He proposes several Chinese medicine and eggs.  My niece has seen the top cardiologist in Singapore.  She is his wife and his teacher.   His wife is my classmate who is out on MC. 

So after the consultation, I told my niece to look for different specialist.  I don't think Cardiology will be able to solve her problem, although her symptons are manifested by heart palpitations, increased heart rate and blood pressure.

My wife thinks chiropractor may be able to help.  So we told her mum. 

Quiet Boxing Day

Last night, B1 left for Taiwan.  He arrived this afternoon as he took Cathay Pacific at very good price.  The flight leaves Singapore at 1am and have a 4 hours layover in Hong Kong.  After that, it is under 2 hours flight to Tapiei.  He has to wait till 3 pm to check in.  The hotel is in a quiet not far from busy thoroughfare.  So he think it is safe.  It is budget hotel through internet. So he does not really know what he is getting into until he arrived at the hotel.

We had lunch at New York New York in Ang Mo Kio Hub.  Just clam chowder soup in a bread loaf, cesar chicken pizza and fish and chips. 

It is a quiet Boxing Day for us.  B2 when to Tai Hwan for a project with his classmates.  Dinner was with B2 and B3.  We had mainly leftovers from yesterday's dinner.

B3 is coughing and coughing.  He has not seen the doctor yet.  The eldest girl of our family friend was coughing too.

Happy Wife!

My wife has lots of compliments for her cooking.  She is over the tops.  The steamed sea bass is very good, like resturant standard.  The red beans is just right sweetness level and soft and gooey without adding corn starch.  My eldest sister loved the salt-baked chicken which I did as promised to my niece.  Everyone enjoys the dinner, I think. 

We had conversations.  My youngest sister leave first as she has to send her boy to camp.  Then my nieces as they have to work tomorrow.  After that, my eldest sister sending my mother to youngest sister's home.  We had a great time.

I forgot to take out the mango cake, so my boys, mummy and daddy enjoys the cake.  We all had 2nd helpings. 

Family Friends

My wife's long time classmate and friend is here today.  They came about 1pm.  We are very happy that all three kids came.  Two elder girls and the boy.  The eldest will go to dental school in Adelaide after Chinese New Year.  It is a five year program.  Tuition fees alone is $61K annually.  The total estimate cost is half a million.  The 2nd girl finished her "A" level and is waiting for results.  She is planning to go medicine.   If she manages to go NUS medical school or NTU then it is fine.  Otherwise, if she go oversea, it will be another sizeable expense for the Parents.  The boy will go secondary 1 next year.

We cooked spaghetti with minced beef, minced pork and chopped ham.  The boy ate very little but both girls finished their plate.  We are very happy to see the girls enjoyed our cooking.  The kids went home and the parents stayed for dinner.

We bought fish head curry and several dishes from Ocean in Toa Payoh Lorong 4.  We thought Ocean has closed since the original location in Lorong has changed and the food tasted below average.  We are happy to know the new location of Ocean.  I like the pork chop, otak and curry mutton.  The fishhead curry is very spicy.  We cooked steamed tofu top with crispy pork floss and boiled Hong Kong Kailan in oyster sauce.

After dinner, I cut mango and persimmons.  We also have cherry, seedless grape they brought as gift.  It is a good day.  My boys enjoyed the company as well.  We are very happy to have visitors.

Along the Travellator

We finished our grocery shopping and pushing our trolley with all our purchases.  Behind us was a middle age lady.  She saw a friend going up on the opposite directions and wave "hi" to her.  The friend of hers says she is tired as she had spent 3 days shopping.  Funny thing is I believe her.  This is what we do.  Work and shop, work and shop.  No other healthy activities.  This is why volunteers to help less fortunate are very few and they become heroes.

Today, a hero was featured in Sunday Times.  He sold his Mercedes and use a van instead to help fund shelter for ophans in Philippines.  It is a touching story and yes, he is my hero.

Tomorrow, we have friends over.  We will be cooking spagetti with mushrooms, minced beef and beef balls. My new next door neighbour have house warming tonight.

Festive Mood

The carols, the lights and the cool temperature give out a festive atmosphere, holiday moods for Christmas and New Year.  I am at home taking it easy.  I have to figure out what to cook for guests visiting over the next few days. 

We have our extended family coming over during Christmas.  Mum, my sisters and all my nieces and nephews.  I am happy to have a get together regularly.  I missed all these family events when I lived in Canada for several years.  Now it is good to have family traditions and making sure my kids know their cousins.  I grew my with aunts, uncles and cousins.  My kids have totally different environment.  More nuclear family and isolated and do not know their extended family well.  Now only on public holidays they get the opportunity to meet aunts, uncles and cousins.  I am glad to be the one to host everyone.  It is nice to see the family growing bigger and older. 

I always welcome my boys to invite their friends and only B2 would take up this offer.  B2 is a lot more sociable and less self conscious. I enjoys the kids around the house.  Gives me a chance to understand and know the company my boys keep.  My wife's good friend will bring her family to visit as well.  Hurray for Christmas and New Year.

Glutinous Rice Balls

My boys are saying everyone is eating riceballs with sweet peanut fillings tonight.  So I cook sweet peanut soup using the pressure cooker and add on the pre-made frozen rice balls from the supermarket. 

B2's project group for management studies was here and I gave them tang yuan.  They enjoys the sweet dessert.  The group was here to interview a practising manager.  They had prepared a set of questionaire and wrote the report after interviewing me.

The tang yuan symbolise returning and reunion with the kids.  So I am happy we had tang yuan as a family.

Complete Family at Dinner

I landed at 6:50pm.  Had to wait for my luggage as I have to check it in since I have a bottle of liquor which my friend gave me.  I do not carry liquid nor any sharp objects so that I do not need to check in my lugguage.  I believe in zooming in and out of airport. 

Anyway, when I reached home, all my boys are at home and even B1's girlfriend is in.  So we have dinner together.  After dinner, we enjoys the cookies I brought back from Taiwan.  B2 was bursting with stories in school.  I am glad to have good conversation for dinner and this makes me very happy.

Sao Bing, Youtiao and Tou Nai

This morning my ex-colleague and friend brought to me eat the famous place for soya milk, oven-baked (like tandoor) sao bing and youtiao.  The queue is quite long and the place is quite popular.  The soya milk is thick and flavourful.  Not too sweet.  The youtiao and fried omelette is stuffed into the sao bing.  Sao bing just layered wheat bread.  The meal is quite filling.  I guess Taiwanese really like the sao bing. 

It is interesting to immerse in the local culture.  I enjoyed the conversation and the "kopitiam" style place.  It is original and authentic.  My friend is very warm and nice to wake up early to bring me for local breakfast. 

After breakfast and dealing my work emails, I was feeling bored and thought I will go to the mall to kill time but the shops open only at 11am.  So I decided to write and then get ready to check out and get to the airport.

Frankly, I am quite at home in Taiwan as plenty of mandarin and hokkien are spoken.  I grew up speaking on hokkien, so this is really comfortable like going back to "lao jia" old hometown.

Beef Noodle

I decided to try the street food for dinner.  I had beef noodles, lightly pickled cucumber, beef tripe, braised tofu and "vegetarian chicken.  The soup is delectable.  The sauce on all the side dishes is too salty.  Overall, it is quite a satisfying meal.  There are so many snacks to try.  I wish I have a bigger stomach and not worry about gaining weight. 

Finishing up my dinner on a sweet note, I had tea and cookies in Crown Bakery.  The food culture is like home during the good old days.  It is chaotic  and messy.  Seats are make-shift and plenty of variants as the vendors vie for attention and differentiation.  I love to see groups big and small and individuals eating their meals.  I have this love affair with food.  Hence my inability to reduce my waistline.

Warm Taipeians

I asked for directions and help twice.  Both times, I must say I had good experience.  The person is not familiar themselves but will whip up their cellphone and get the directions and showed me the way.  I was in the MRT and then the young woman did the same thing with her cellphone and tell me which line to go to and the end station.  An elderly woman who was right besides tells me to get on the taxi.  There are plenty and it is easier...dah, dah, dah...  I told her I want to take train just to make sure I am in the right direction.

I must says folks in Taipei are warm and helpful.  I do not know if Singaporeans in general will treat tourists the same way.  I do know I always help when I know.  Actually, come to think of it, most Singaporeans do help out.  I asked occasionally on location of "famous" hawker centers in my hunt for food and usually the locals are very helpful in pointing the way.

I am beginning to fall in love with Taipei.

Taipei

The weather is cool and nice in Taipei.  I landed and head straight to work.  I enjoy tea with my prospect.  He gave me a pack of tea.  This gentleman gave me tea every time I meets him.  The meeting went well.  He is interested to sell our products.  I am happy to gain his confidence and trust.

I went to Eslite bookstore after dinner.  This great bookstore has many floors and includes ancillary business like educational toys, cafe and modern design novelties.  I like the section on scientific models like Stirling Engines, radiometers and long range listening device.  The prices are high.  So although I desire the models, they are too expensive for me.

Travelling Salesman

I am beginning to feel like a travelling salesman of yore days.  I am going to Taipei for business.  I bring along samples, sample packs and catalogs.  The proverbial salesman always carry a bag with all the presentation and information about the products he is selling.  Wherever and whenever I go, I always carry the tools of my trade.

I have to make calls on customers and potential customers.  Explained the benefits of my products and service and entice my customers to buy more or prospect(potential customer) to buy. 

A salesman has a lonely job.  He travels alone.  He is social animal, he is warm and make friends easily.  He has integrity and win trust from people.  He is ambitious and driven.  He will want to do more and sell more. 

There are two types of salesmen - the farmer and the hunter.  The farmer grow his sales by taking good care of his customers.  The hunter look for big projects and close them.  To be successful, a good salesman must have skills and temperament to be a farmer and hunter.

Walkaton

There is a walkaton going on.  There are groups of people walking with harversack on the PCN.  They all have carry a little posters that says Walk 10km-50km-100km.  So of the walkers looked tired and worn out.  Others are talking vivaciously and animated.  It is good that people are keeping fit and active.  Walking 100km must take a few days!

I am slowly recovering from my cough.  Although, I still cough, it is more controllable.   I am glad the medicine are taking it effects.  The side effects are not too bad.  I felt sleepy and tired.  Good thing it is a weekend and naps are fine! 

I am going to Taipei on Monday.  It been a while since I was there.  I love the Taiwanese food and a friend promised to bring me to a "famous" place for breakfast.  The Elite bookstore is a complete building.  I wish Elite carry more English books.

Today is a happy day for me.  We had lunch and dinner with all our three boys.  They are talking among themselves and as well as with me.  I really enjoys their company. 

Finally Kino has the 20% Discount

Kinokuniya used to run 20% Sales discount for the month of December.  With Page One and Borders closed, the discount is running for only 10 days.  Less competition equals higher price.  It is a pity.  I loved it when the book scene was competitive.  Prices are friendlier and choices are more. 

I bought two books.  One on recognising talent and the other is Economist series on Resilence.  I love my books.  It is fun to accumulate and read my books at leisure even though most are on business.

Expensive Doctor Visit

I was waken up by my cough this morning.  I was spitting out blood instead of phlegm.  My incessant coughing has tore my throat skin and causing it to bleeds.  So I decided to look for Codipront, the drug that stop my cough previously.  It was not available in Guardian.  So I have to go to the doctor to get it.  I called the clinic which my wife send my to son as the waiting time is short.  Now I understand why.  The treatment cost me $194!!!  I was shocked!  I am not going back.  I had Codipront, antibiotics, Telfast D, Fusicort and Tussli lozenges.  Medical care is scarily expensive.  As I am going to need more medical care and have less income, the prospect is daunting.

Life in a Village

I wonder how it is like to live a simple life in a village.  Watching the TV programs about Chinese villagers who go to the factories in the cities to work.  They all missed the simple life but most do not wished to go back.  Off all the interviewees, only one woman returned to the village.  The village life is simple.  Just doing simple chores and talking to friends and neighbours.  Life would be boring, very boring.  It is enticing to embrace a simple way of life, yet I know when I am on holiday, I am bored to tears as I am not the adventurous nor touristy type.  I just stay in the hotel to watch tv or walk around the surrounding area.  I rarely venture out by taxi or trains.

So I know I want a simple life in a village or do I really want a simple life in a village?  I can't grow my own vegetables well.  I will starve to death if I have to live off the land.  Yet, at times, I am weary of the hustle and bustle of city life.  I know I cannot live without going to Kinokuniya regularly.  I need my cafe fix and resturant fix and window shopping fix and just plain plenty of street food fix.  I think I am addicted to city life.  I wish I can the best of both world.

I think a big country like Thailand can offer the both.  Bangkok has everything a big city offers.  The country is quite competitive in cost.  It will be a fabulous place to retire.  I am envious of people living in a big country.  There is a choice of rat race or opting out and be a slow tortoise.  In Singapore, there is no other choice.  Only one lifestyle with a govt exhorting us to work harder all the time.

Bad Shape

I am feeling drained.  The cough and sore throat is exhausting me especially since I feel feverish most of the time.  I went to get some lozenges from the pharmacy.  I also bought Clarityne for my mum.  My mum has an insect bite that become an angry sore and the bitten point is quite a large hole about 7 mm in diameter.  She is suffering from itch.  I had suggested zytec but it did not work for her.  So I get Clarityne for her to try.  So far, it is still not working.  I wonder why her skin is so sensitive.

Pellucidar

I finished the book Pellucidar!  It is an interesting story.  I like the imaginative picture of the different tribes of wild savages.  How the protagonist become the Emperor of Pellucidar. David Innis managed to tame wild beast and make it a pet like a dog even though the wild beast is a natural killer of human.  Through the help of science and technology by his partner from the outer world, they manage to have power over all the savages. 

David also united the different tribes and command a huge army to fight against the reptiles who terrorise human and make them slaves and eat them for food.  I am now reading the Princess of Mars which is now in a movie form John Carter.

Sore Throat

I am feeling tired and sleepy and suffering from sore throat.  I wonder cycling in the rain cause me to catch this flu-like symptons.  Now I have coughs and I worry about coughs as they can take long time to recover. 

We had dim sum for lunch in Roland Resturant, Marine Parade.  The dim sum is not bad but not fantastic either.  The total cost $113 for six.  The food in Nan Bei resturant in Takashimaya is better.  The only problem is Nan Bei like to keep reminding ua that we have to get out by certain time. 

In the afternoon, my wife cook up the mushrooms which mum brought from Canada and gave to us.  We used the Staub pot and actually the results are quite good.  The wife thinks the quality of mushroom is average.

B1 has to book in the camp early tonight by 8 pm.  So I can go to bed early tonight.  It is good to get more rest with sore throat and general unwell feelings.

Cooking with Staub Cast Iron Oval Pot

10% Takashimaya sales is just over.  A friend of my wife says that her best investment was a Staub cookware.  So we bought a Staub to try.  There is an existing 30% discount and 10% additional makes it more attractive to try out this cookware.  We actually bought a duck from Fairprice and bring to Takashimaya to put into the pot for fit test.  We had measured the length of the duck and felt that if we cut the neck and tail off, 29 cm will fit comfortably.  The duck is usually about 30 cm.  However, length is just one parameter and it could be risky.  The pot is very expensive and therefore trying out with an actual item to cook in it is best. 

Good thing we did.  The sales person keeps recommending 29 cm as it is the most popular.  We were quite sway by the persuasion as the biggest volume seller must be the right size.  We could trim our birds to fit. Price-wise, it is the most attractive. However, when we use the actual duck, 31 cm just fit.  There is no room to turn the bird.  We decided on a 33 cm instead even though the price difference is S$150.  The maiden dish using the Staub was braised duck the day we brought home the cookware.  The duck tasted good!

This afternoon, I cooked braised short rib using the recipe in the youtube.  My boys loved it.  I am happy to cook using Staub.  It is traditional cookware modernise by latest technology using enamel coating on the base.  I can cook using Staub on a induction cooker.  I am looking forward to use the pot more often especially when we have family gatherings.

Complete!

It is good that B1 is back from camp early.  So we have dinner together as complete family.  This week he has been out and B2 also missed a couple of dinners.  We only have B3 with us.  As the 3 Bs grow, we are slowly losing them.  Sometimes, they go out with friends or activities.  With army, there is no choice.  Next will be university.  Then, they get married.

My family is growing up fast.  Soon, I may become what Americans call "empty nestor".

Physics Con't

It is interesting to learn about rainbow and how to look for rainbow or produce your own rainbows.   The Professor of Physics from Netherland working in MIT is talk so much about rainbows and optics that I started to skip the tracks to go faster.  Yes, interesting but long winded.  I am glad to cycle slowly and learn as I go.  So it is rewarding and therapeutic.

Physics

I am listening to a MIT professor teaching Physics.  It quite interesting.  It is supposed to be very little maths but sometimes he does introduce the equation which can be complicated.  It interesting to learn the history of how physics developed.  I put in on the car stereo and B3 enjoys listening to it as well.  It is popular Physics or physics for layman.  I am expanding and renewing my scientific knowledge.

More Stories from Edgar Rice Burrough

I thoroughly enjoyed Tarzan of the Apes and At the Earth's Core.  So I borrowed the sequels from National Library today.  I did not know the movie John Carter is actually a story wrote by Edgar Burrough, Princess of Mars.  I am looking forward to listening to the story and compare to the movie.  I will be "reading" Pellucidar, the sequel to At the Earth's Core while cycling.  So it is really a good way to exercise and enjoy my book.

First Time

Today is the first time I ordered fish beehoon for my lunch.  I am definitely a non-eater of fish!  My closest to eating fish is fishballs and fishcakes!!!  I thought I will at least make an attempt to eat fish and consume less meat.  I know this is not going to last.  I dislike the fishy smell and taste of the bowl of noodle.  Nonetheless, I finished it up.  Maybe I will learn not to hate fish with a passion even though I am likely never to love it.  To be responsible for my own health and well being, I will need to shift my diet to a more healthy form. 

I doubt I will ever shift away completely from char siew, roast pork belly, roast duck, chicken rice, etc, etc.

Mum Comes to Town

Mother lands on Changi Airport at 1pm today.  She is looking well and is a lot more mobile than before her total knee replacement.  She gave us a large bag of potato chips.  The bag contains 260 grams instead of 180 grams for those sold in Singapore.

I bought Honey with Raw Pearl as she previously requested.  Also gave her some bird nests.  She says not to buy expensive stuff for her.  Anyway, she is quite bright and happy to come home.   She will be here until past Chinese New Year.  My sisters must be happy to have her in Singapore.

My baby sister is worried about my elder sister.  She is having bone aches. I know she is not well.  I think she is worried that she may be in more serious problem.  My baby sister is always worried about mortality since her breast cancer.  So I know what she is thinking about.

Home Grown Kang Kong Dish

Tonight's dinner, we have extra guests.  My sister-in-law's family is here.  The two cousins are happy to come over here to play.  They just had been to a birthday party.  We treat my brother-in-law and sister-in-law with barbeque pork fillets, baby back ribs, pork chops and stir fried home-grown kangkong.  Yes, we harvested my hydroponic experiment.  It tasted like the regular kangkong from market.  I am happy with the outcome.

We gossis until 11pm when they have to send their maid to the airport.  The maid is returning to Philippines for home leave.