6.9 Million People

It is going to be a crowd!  Right now, the infrastructure is creaking and groaning.  B3 taking train is always being squeezed out by the adult commuters.  We are only 5.5 million now.  It seems our Government is worshipping growth.  Economic growth is important for all of us to earn more and enjoy higher standard of living.  It will be a bigger rat race.

How about those who wants to opt out of the rat race?  Are we able to slow down if we are tired of the rat race?  Money chasing is what Singapore is focusing on.

I don't think it is a good idea to have such a big population.  Today, we keep losing all the open fields that were used for flying model planes.  While size matters, it can also be disastrous when things go wrong.  I hope the White Paper will result in a Great Debate and bring the projected population back to a realistic level.

Stories

Stories warm up our life.  I am listening to the The Beggar King and Search for Happiness.  A lot of stories are Jewish as the author is a Jew.  Telling story is an art.  To interest the listener, engage and teach.  I enjoys listening to the stories as the author, who is a professional storyteller weave tales and set the stage and intrigue the listener to hear the end of the story.

Stressed by Homework!

B3 is in Primary 6.  He is very upset by all the homework he has to do.  He has tuition homework, school homework, Chinese homework and practise, he has so much that he is crankly.  He keeps saying he will be up till 12am to finish up his homework.  He had tuition till 7 pm.  After dinner, mummy gave him moral support by keeping him company and helping him as and when required.  I made hot chocolate for him and he loved to dip Cream Cracker on the hot chocolate. 

My poor boy is stressed by the pressure of PSLE.  The workload is heavy and pressure intense.  Such is life in Singapore and the rest of Asia.

What will be will be.

In life a lot of things seems pre-destined.  So in the fantasy movies, it is "Your Destiny" for the protagonist, I always feels transported into the dream world where I have super powers to do good for the world.   This is good escape from the drudgery of our materialistic world where money is needed to do anything.  Where economic growth is the we are measured by and being bullied by schoolmates, colleagues or neighbours is common.

Sometimes, I am fatalistic and feel everything is fated.  Kind of like the butterfly lovers story.  Other times, I enjoys delving in a world of stories.  Most time, working is the best.  Making customers happy gives me the best satisfaction.

Happy Friend

I have a friend who is very happy-go-lucky.  He has no worries about anything.  He does not worry about his wife, his kids or his dog.  They are all healthy and well.  Obedient and listens to him 95% of the time.  The balance 5% his philosopy is looking at the cup 95% full.  What an optimist!  A happy man is a lucky man. 

I wish I am the happy-go-lucky man.  Inflation is up, income stagnating and medical escalating, transport woes, I worries about everyday life.  Life in the modern world where money is required for everything.  Having lots of money makes Singaporeans Happy.  Hence we are always working and working to make more money.  No time for kids.

New Clothes

My wife carry on the tradition her family has, new clothing for new year.  And B1's girlfriend had a coupon for 50% discount in Gap.  So put the two together and she brought B2 and B3 to buy clothing from Gap.  B2 did not like the style in Gap and go to Takashimaya instead to shop.  B1 and B3 got their new clothing from Gap.  As for me, I do not follow new year tradition.  I just wear the old worn out clothing as I enjoys comfort more and do not worry about other people's perception of me.

However, I am sure my wife will buy something for me to wear to visit her parents on New Year's Day.  I think the new clothing tradition no longer hold as dear before.  When we were in the third world status, all of us are poor and therefore rarely buy new clothing.  Today, we go shopping every weekend and will buy any new clothing on sales or caught our fancy.  So it is not so necessary to use new year as an excuse to buy.

Wholesale Market

The wholesale market is extremely busy.  Lots of bargain hunters and plenty of goodies.  We bought Japanese flower mushroom for my MIL, mother-in-law.  She does have a good daughter!  Two packs for MIL and one pack for us.  Then I bought 1 kg of Californian Pistachios and 1 kg of skinned peanuts.  We did not get the spicy prawn rolls or pork floss rolls.  Too many stuffs available and we do not know how to cook them.

I must say CNY is the peak period for the wholesale center.  The lifts are so crowded with oldies shoppers.

Random Thoughts

I am up early this morning before 5am.  It is usual for go to the AMK Ave 10 market for tea.  I do not know why I have this habit.  Maybe just sitting at home in the dark with the computer or TV for company is not good enough.  I need to be surrounded by people.  As I observed the bustling scene of hawkers busy with their wares, it reminds me of when I was just returning from living in Canada.  It is both novel and familar since it is the only busy place when I cannot sleep due to jetlag.  I also noticed the life is so different from Canada.  No wet market!  In Canada, when I have jetlag, I will be wandering about in the house.  Home is big, so enough room to wander about.  It is also cold as we usually reduce the thermostat at night to save energy cost.  My first task is to boil water to make a cup of hot drink.   

At least one common thread is a HOT drink when I get up.  The wet market also reminds me I am home.  Home in Asia and Singapore.  Canada is also home for me, my secondary home.  Also I been to many countries, it is short visit.  In Canada, my kids were born and they go to school there.  We also go to the doctors when one of us is sick.  Gone to the hospital for treatments.  Do repair in where we live, cut grass, visit friends, have friends over, kids sleepover, all the tiny routines that make the place a home.

Returning home, I took out the book Good Strategy Bad Strategy.  The audio version is exactly the same as the written.  I have this thought!  Why intelligence does not equal wealth?  Why I learn so much and increase my capability, yet I am just a regular guy in the scheme of life.  How come I am not like say Osim's founder, Ron Sim or Breadtalk's founder, George Quek who become multimillionaire.  Why are they so rich?  How did they do it?  Is it pure luck?  Or is it their good karma from previous life?  I am sure I am not less intelligent or knowledge, why why why!

I remember one time during a meeting, a colleague of mine blurt out - I am sure I am no less intelligent than K, but this does not mean I can do what he does.  Our boss immediately laugh and said "I have never doubt your intelligence!  You have a Masters in Operations Research!"  Now I can't remember what was the context she said what she said.  Maybe she is putting forth a point that others in the company are implying they can do what I do in the company.  She is a good friend and supporter.

Fu Lu Shou

My boy has tuition in Fu Lu Shou tomorrow.  I shall go to the wholesale center to buy my CNY goodies.  The price is competitive.  It is a lot greener as there are no packaging to waste.  So it is a win-win situation.  I like the place to get my snacks.  I usually buy cashew nuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, bird nests and all the dried and preserved food. 

Buying at the wholesale center saves money except we have to buy in quantities.  It is like shopping in Costco in US or Canada.  The price is good but need to get big serving.  Sometime we cannot finish in time and the food will go to waste.  The other problem with quantity purchase is we tend to eat more.  So it is not good for the heart and waistline.

Reader's Digest

I read a copy of the latest issue of Reader's Digest.  Guess what?  It is about happiness.  Happiness is a hot topic.  Simple recommendation like spending on others will make you happier.  It does not matter the amount.  The research is done by giving two groups of people $5 and $20.  Within each group the subjects are randomly select to use the money to buy something for themselves or buy something for someone else.  Two hours later, they are survey for their happiness level.  The result show the group buying something for others is happier.  There is no statistical difference for those who had $5 and those who spent $20. 

It's so easy.  This is why I donate regularly.  It is a good booster of my happiness level although I did not know this fact until recently.  I was donating to acquire good merits...

Good Strategy Bad Strategy

As I listen to this book, I am inspired to read case study.  I actually paused writing and go to my library to look at the Strategy textbooks I have on the shelf.  I have two - Strategic Management by Mark C Baetz and Business Policy by Joseph Bower.  I looked through the content pages of Strategic Management and no it is not there.  Amazingly, the Crown Cork and Seal is one of the first cases in the text.  The case is as described in the book Good Strategy Bad Strategy.  After reading the case, I look at first page.  I signed the first page and put in the date I bought the book and price if there is no price tag.  I bought this textbook on  16 Sep 1997.  Amazingly, the book cost only $36.50.  It was very costly at the time I bought it.  Today, it looked like a really good buy!!! 

I like this book.  Good Strategy is not about goals or some mumbo jumbo.  What the author describes about what typical company says is their strategy is so true like my previous company.  It is a $16 billion in sales.  It is so true about all the things this company says and do.  The author professor sounds like he is describing my previous company.  It is so funny.  But hey, it is still around and kicking.  So while the professor is right, there is really nothing anyone can do about.

Dark and Gloomy at 7

It is 7am and what a dreary morning.  Dark clouds and rain.  Weather is cool and I am up doing blogging.  I am glad my scheduled call is cancelled.  It is holiday in US. 

It is reflection time.  I am glad to be seeking happiness nowaday.  Count 3 blessings at the end of everyday.  Do a good turn for others - relatives or strangers.  My happiness therapy includes cooking and eating.  I just need to exercise a lot more to get rid of the calories.  Meditate for calmness and joy. 

10 mins of reflections chase away the gloom and bring joys of life.   Help the less fortunate to acquire good merits.  Many paths to happiness...

Chili's

Since Chili's is back in Singapore, it is my 3rd time there.  I had the meal with my Aussie boss when it was quite new.  I tried to eat with my family when it was new but unsuccessful as the queue was long.  We delay for a couple of weeks and then was successful.  My three boys enjoy the healthy American fare.

Tonight, I had dinner with an ex-colleague.  The food is still good.  I loved the Pulled Pork sandwich.  It was yummy!  We had two types of ribs - original and sweet bbq recommend by our hostess.  It is the original which still tastes supreme with the tangy bbq sauce.  I loved the Wings over Buffalo as well.

The dinner is great and best of all, I did not over-eat.  Even though I drank a lot of lemonade, my total weight is still lower than last night.

Lazy Sunday

Thank God for Sundays.  It is a time for God to rest and for us to rest as well.  It is nice to laze around.  I woke up to pee and saw a message that makes me unable to go back to sleep.  So I get up to fire up my computer and get to work.  I had it done and send it off.

Now that I have no more worries, I just laze around trying to kill time with TED and movies.  It is just plain doing brain dead stuff.  Sometimes it is good to relax.  Working all the time whether it is income producing or doing chores or reading to learn mean mind and body is always in a state of productive work.  The joy of idleness is something to be savoured.

Chinese New Year Goodies

The goodies are stacked high on the shelves.  The red colours are everywhere.  I love the CNY goodies.  It is sweet, hi-cal and very heaty!  So many a time, my teeth give me problem during or just before Chinese New Year.

I love the kueh bangkit, loveletters and sugee cookies.  It is also the time where I buy the bak kwa or bbq sliced sweetmeat.  It is busy time of the year for the retailers and I believed the cash registers are ringing and ringing.

I had a free can of New Moon Abalone from Shell petrol station(cost 1800points).  I am trying out Korean canned abalone as well.  My weight will go up and it may be time to exercise more than usual.

Pen Cai

I try to make my own Pen Cai using frozen abalone, fishmaws and shark fins.  The soup base is also frozen type.  I thought it was regular but my wife like it and opine that it is better than the pen cai we bought last year.    I am not a connoisseur of soup although I enjoyed the shark fins a lot!  I know it is bad to eat sharkfins.   But this is once a year.  I am glad to try out super premium soup.  It warms my soup beside tasting good.

I will make a more complete pen cai for reunion dinner with chicken wings, vegetables and dried scallops.  I will just go to the one on display in Takashimaya Basement and copy the Pen Cai I bought last year.

The Story of Success

I took out my physical copy of The Social Animal by David Brooks and the subtitle reads The Story of Success.  It is the same as Outlier by Malcolm Gladwell.   The two books are both interesting read but the approach is so different.  Gladwell uses different examples to illustrate his points.  Brooks use the life of a couple going through their lifecycle. 

Both are talented writers and have engaging style.  I enjoying reading both books.

Cost Competitive Books

The price of books in India is really competitive.  The quality is not bad too.  This trip I bought 5 books.  Mostly, Econmist series as B1 is quite interested in this series.  He like British books.  I am now reading more British books as well.  My mind is quite slanted towards American ways as I read mostly books by American authors.  It is good to get different perspective reading authors from other country.  The cultural differences give me a different take.  I did not like British books since young as I found them dry and boring.  American books have the reader in mind and easier to read.

Equilibrium

According to the Happiness show now on every Saturday on Channel News Asia, we tends to stay in equilibrium.  Winning a million dollar, we will be ecstastic for a few weeks and then our emotion will be back to normal.  If we are hit with a negative event, we will be sad or depressed for a couple of weeks and then our emotions will revert back to normal. 

It is natural to be in a more or less neutral state although some of us are naturally optimistic and therefore happier and others are pessmistic and less happy.  Most of us are... hmm! just balanced.   To make ourselves happier, we just need to review our 3 gratitudes for the day before we go to bed.

Nowadays, I can get into a happier mood by thinking and thanking for all the good things I have.

The Social Animal

The format of this book is different.  It is on social psychology and use fictional and composite life of a family in American to explain and illustrate the latest research findings.  I had read the book halfway and now continuing with the audio version.  The family is half Mexican half Chinese and from working poor moving up the social ladder through education and hard work.  The cultural heritage of the two different ethnic groups are highlighted and articulated.  Being a Chinese I can identify with what the author says about the Chinese culture.  As the life of the family unfolds, different research papers and books are cited.  So it is quite scientific in a story form.  I can't wait to finish this book!

Fantastic Job - Open Net!

The Open net team did a fabulous job for us.  They manage to install the fibre cable using our existing conceal cabling conduit.  It was not easy and took time to figure out.  Finally, we had to allow them to knock open our concrete wall to access to the conduit.  The push cable went through to the other side of the conduit.  So our Open net was install without any external conduit.  My wife is most pleased with the results.

So we treated the 3 Indian workers to mutton nasi bryani from Cafeela.  It was good of them to try and finally make it happen.  It is also because my wife has high expectations and worked with them to make sure they have the support to make this happen.

Stress! Short Temper

It is is stressful day today.  We were at each other throats as we were both busy at work.  Then open-net is here to lay the cable and fix our termination point.  When busy, it is easy to fly off the handle at any interruption.  I was hot temper.  Luckily, at dinner time we both cool down and life is back to normal.  I am sorry to be such short fuse today.  Today will be a better day I am sure.

Weight Gain

My weight was down after living in India for a week.  Although I enjoyed Indian food, I ate only two meals a day.  I skip dinner since my lunch is usually late and it is the same as dinner time with the 2 and half hour time difference.  I also wished I explored the resturants near my hotel earlier.  There were quite a few Chinese resturants.  Chinese food in Mumbai was quite nice.  I should have tried the Chinese food in New Delhi.  I only found the resturants after my last lunch in India when I walk about to explore.  The weather warms up a little making it easier to walk outside.

Now that I am back, I am eating healthily causing my weight to go up.  I exercise more as well but I guess I did not spend all my extra calories input.

Pursuit of Happiness

Even January issue of Asian's Reader Digest featured Happiness.  Happiness is a pastime many pursue beside me.  The key suggestion of 3 gratitudes everyday is mention.  Consumer of Happiness must create Happiness.  I like this concept of making others happy.  It is interesting that Singaporeans in a strange land like IGI Airport is still very unfriendly.  Maybe they are travelling in group and feels unnecessary to return a smile.  However, I am not impressed.   For me, I always smile at people first.  Many do return my smiles, ang moh and Malays are warmer than Singaporean Chinese.  Singaporean Chinese seems suspicious and unfriendly.  They make it downright clear we are strangers to each other and prefer it that way.

I do says hello to some regulars in the PCN.  They are usually the older men.  Maybe older men feels they have nothing to lose to greet or return greetings of strangers.  For me, being friendly to each other is a way to increase our happiness.

Male Cabin Crews

I am not sure and I did not dare to ask... on the way to India, I noticed a male cabin crew's behaviour make me feel like he may be a homosexual.  I have forgotten about this observation as I was busy at work the moment I landed.  What interesting is on the way back, I was also serve by a male cabin crew that makes me suspicious.

I will need my good friend Boh Tong to shed some light on if there are a number of male crews with different sexual orientation.  There are only 12 crews onboard and probably on 4 or 5 are males.  So if there is one, it means 20% of the male crews...scary!!!

Early by Indian Time

I was up at 4:30 am Indian time.  Turned on the tv as usual for company and just do the channel flipping until I decided to get up and fire up my computer.  The good thing it is the last leg and I just need to get to the airport and home sweet home.

Reflecting my reading, I am wondering if it is time to look for a eBook.  Recently, I check in Popular Bookstore and no more eBook reader on display.  I guess the sales must be terrible.  I also do not see people reading using the eBook reader in the aircraft.  I used to see them especially Americans bring their eBook readers.  Now, it is the pulp version.  Real books!  I like the real things too:)

Last Night!

Finally, I am going home.  I am glad to log my last entry in India.  The cold and isolation of the hotel prevent me from walking about except for today.  I did walk out for about an hour.  It is so dusty and dry.  Men peed out in the open, the fields have wild boars family foraging for food.   Near my hotel is a hub for resturants.  The ubiquitous McDonald and actually quite a few Chinese resturants.  So Chinese food must be popular here.

India culture is slowing changing but some things don't change.  Promises made but not delivered is quite common.  But punctuality is now common.  Indians come on time and no more Indian Rubber Time. 

Significant Progress in New Delhi

The clear and obvious signs of economic progress....Traffic jams!  It is bad traffic everywhere in New Delhi where it took hours to get from one place to another.  We were making customer's calls and going from one location to another takes at least an hour and a half.  The distance is short but time to get from place to place is just horrendous by car.  Metro is running.  Although I do not know the frequency or reach, it looked like a good option.

The weather is warming up.  It is nicer today.

Gurgaon

I am now in the city which PM Lee Hsien Loong just visited a few weeks ago.  The weather is freezing cold.  I have chance to explore the city.  From what I heard, it is modern and busy.  Next few days I will be experiencing this city.  The hotel has high security.  The cars are checked before entering and bags x-rayed.  The food is quite good. 

During breakfast, there are quite a few ang mohs and another Singaporean man.  It is easy to recognise a fellow Singaporean from his mannerism and dressing.  I have to go and prepare for my meeting...

Groggy

I am feeling groggy now.  I was up early to take a flight.   Landed and head straight to work and now check in to my room.  I have showered and need to go to dreamland.  I shall write more tomorrow...

Imperial Treasure

The Wife has craving for dim sum from Imperial Treasure.  It is easy to get the craving.  She met a friend who told her that they have tried dim sum everywhere in Singapore(they lived in US and was located in Sin for a couple of years) and after they tried Imperial Treasure, they stopped trying out anymore and just go to Imperial Treasure.  Because she heard this, she just must go to Imperial to eat again.

I love the stewed beef innards which is available only on weekends.  We had the regular siew mai, pan fried buns, egg tarts, steamed rice rolls with prawns, szechuan pig stomach and spring rolls. The kaofu was not as good as Din Tai Fung.  The place is extremely busy and we went early to get a table.  After brunch, we pass time doing window shopping at Kinokuniya and Prologue.  B3 bought mould maker from Art Friends and some stuff from Daiso.

Freshly Roasted Roast Duck

After I send B3 for his tuition in the afternoon, I had to figure out what to do for dinner as B1's girlfriend is coming over.  Since I am on the way back through McDonald in the AMK Park, I detoured to buy roast meat for dinner.  There were a few roast ducks hanging up on the display rack.  The Hong Kong proprietor was chopping up soya sauce chicken.   There was half a chicken left and I ordered takeaway.  The price is ok at $10 for half.  The roast duck is $36 for one and $18.50 for half.  After my chicken was chopped and packed, the proprietor split one of the roast duck into two and strong steam emitted out from it.  Looks fresh!  So I asked if the ducks were just out of the oven and the owner says "Yes!  You can see for yourself!"

As duck is my favorite bird, I decided to buy one complete bird.  I told him not to chop it up as I intend to cut it up myself.  My boys like it when I cut it up the duck without any bones.  I used the bones to make soup.   B1 keeps saying how good this duck tastes.  It is one of the best he ate.

I really enjoys my family enjoying the fruits of my labour even though I was not the one who cooked the roast duck, I did spent an hour painstaking cutting it up as it was very hot and juicy.

Now I know where to get the duck my boys loved.

My French Neighbours

My French neighbours kids are very active.  This morning, they went out cycling as a group for two hours.  After they returned, they head straight to the pool to swim.  It is like biathon.  I wish my boys are half as active as they are.  My boys are interested in using the computer all the time and not active at all.  The French kids are playing, socialising and interacting.  My boys interact more with machines.  This is not so healthy both physically and socially.

I wished Singapore kids lead a healthier lifestyle instead of books and computers only.

Cough Cough Please Go Away

I was having a breakfast meeting with my customer from Korea in Coffee Beans at Forum.  I keep coughing that he is worried about me.  He is a good friend and introduce me to his golfing friend as a business partner.  I am happy that my customer treat me as a partner.  I always treat my customers as partner and always look for win-win ways to resolve business issues.

My cough is very persistent.  The antibiotics and cough suppressants are finished and still the cough is on.  Sigh.  Dry cough is hard to get rid off.

I hope I can recover as soon as possible.  Next week, I will be travelling and it may worsen my cough.

Brain Rules

Although I have bought this book hardcover some time ago, I only read the summary.  Now I have the audio version, I listened as I exercise.  Exercise is the first rule for the brain.  Exercise increases the blood flow and research proof that this is the most critical requirement to improve brain performance.  Stress management and control is next.

I am glad to note I do both!

Buzzing Airport

B1's flight lands close to midnight in Terminal One.  We went there to pick him up.  The airport is buzzing with people.  It is so crowded and full of people.  We were early and look for F&B(food and beverage joints) to pass time.  Starbucks are very popular and so is the traditional style coffeeshop.  I had laksa and teh-C.  Customers keeping coming and going.  So the business is good.  Looking at the tourist arrival and number of Singaporeans travelling, the lifestyles has changed.

The first time I took an airplane was when I am 24 years old.  My kids are flying since they were born.  Now, B1 flew on his own with the money he earns from temp job in DBS and army allowance.  During my time, I could not afford to fly on my army allowance.  The cost of travel i.e. ground and airfare cost so much more than what I earn and save.  Today, the airfare has come down substantially.  Plenty of low cost hotel as well.  Yes, during my time it is only the YMCA.  Other low cost hotels or rooms are in seedy places.

Today, the kids have plenty of exposure and experience.  Life is so different and so competitive.  The world is evolving and changing.

First Day of 2013

Today is the first day of a brand new year.  It is a Public Holiday.  So everyone is taking it easy.  B3 is starting his P6 and prepared his school bag and all the homework he had to do.  I start the day with a ride to PCN and B2 runs to keep his fitness level up. 

We brought mum to eat curry fishhead in Ocean Curry FishHead in Toa Payoh Lorong 4.  The black pepper chicken is quite tough.  Pork chops are fine, I did not get to try the curry vegetable which my wife says it is good.  The deep fried fish in soya sauce is quite tough but tasted okay.  First mum goes out lunch with us since she landed early December.  We will have to bring her to Hillman Resturant next time.

In the late afternoon, B2 accompany me to cycle.  B3 sat on the passenger seat of our hybrid bike.  The PCN is incredibly crowded.   It looked like a popular place for everyone to exercise or take walks with their kids.

Later, I will have to go to airport to pick up B1.  He is back from holiday in Taiwan.