Lucky Luke!

I am envious.  It is so nice to live in another country that is 6 hours away.  My good friend and fellow blogger is now living in Japan with his in-laws.  He loves Japanese food and is now putting out the sights and natural beauty of Japan.  He does not life winter but it is really mild there.  If I have the chance, I can only go to Canada.  It is 26 hours and the winter is 6 month with a few episodes of -20 degress celcius!!  It is easy for him to travel back to Singapore whereas Canada is a long long flight and cost a lot more.  Boh Tong probably has free flights for his retirement benefits.  However, even if not free, the budget airlines are far more pocket friendly vs the long flights which no budget carriers are ready to touch.

Even now with B2 in Canada for school and mum is there, I also think very hard for visit.  It is exhausting travel to say the least.  So yes, the best long term visit is another country within Asia where flight time is reasonable.

B2 Homecoming

B2 has checked in to his flight in Tokyo.  He went there for short holiday before returning home.  He will be home this evening as he has a transit in Hong Kong airport. 

I think he misses his hawker food which he must have told his mummy.  I am glad we will be a full team again tonight.  He will spend his summer here and maybe take a couple of exchange courses in NTU.  His baby brother will have to go back to sharing room with him.

I met an old classmate who suffered a stroke and he seems to have recovered well.  I am very happy to see him in good shape.  This is the first time I met him since Sec 2!  He is now working in a Christian organisation.  He has 5 kids, 2 girls, a boy, girl and the last is another boy.  Baby boy is in Temasek IP program.  All his kids do not have tuition.  So the kids are doing extremely well indeed!  2nd girl is in NTU doing her PhD program in Biomedical  researching on superbugs.

First grandchild is coming along.  Always with the eldest being a girl becoming grandparents will be earlier than peers with boys.

Wonderful Bapsang Korean Resturant on Saturday

We brought B1 and B3 to Wonderful Bapsang.  This time we had the hotpot with beef and the fried chicken.  The free flow kimchi is change with steamed eggs, green vegetable(baby bok choy), a root vegetable that looked like ginseng but not and eggplants.  The kimchi are very good. I like the root vegetable, eggplant and the steamed eggs.  This time the bill is about $70 or $17.50 per head.  It is a weekend, so the price is much higher and also there are less people. 

Steamed rice is $2 per bowl which is quite dear.  Otherwise, I think it is pretty good value especially during weekday lunch.

Prices are up at Nanbantei

I decided to eat my favorite yakitori resturant again after long time.  I used to go very regularly.  After they changed their menu with much higher price, I had stopped patronising this resturant.  Today, I check their lunch menu and the old favorites are back albeit at much higher price.  The standard bento set is now $15.80 instead of $12.80 but at least it is back.  I guess many regulars may have stopped patronising with the new menu.  The problem is the standard bento set now do not have any dessert and also the shredded cabbage do not come with a slice of lemon either.  Not only price is up, the serving is less.

Wonderful Bapsang Korean Resturant in Suntec City

Wonderful Bapsang is beside DBS Bank in Suntec.  We were attracted by the kimchi for sales.  I have a weakness for cucumber and the cucumber kimchi looks delicious.  So I decided to check it out.  I am not hungry during lunchtime.  So I decided to try the lunch menu of ginseng chicken.  Half a chicken and soup with no sticky rice cost $10.80 plus tax come to $14.  Regular white rice comes with the soup.  Kimchi is free flow.  So I get to enjoy 5 different types - radish roots, chinese cabbage, fried tofu and cucumber.  It is pretty good deal.

Nanyang Seaview Aquarium is Closed

My favorite aquarium Nanyang Seaview is closed since April 2.  It is my favorite as the range of aquarium products is pretty good and it is only 3 mins drive from my home.  The moving notice states it is going be be in 8 Lor Chencharu but it is just a dilapilated building there.  So I have to go to Yishun Central to buy my fishing net.  Unfortunately, it did not have the large size type.  So I have to buy the smaller alternativ 10" which is too soft for fast violent scoops.

Hair Cut

My last haircut was before Chinese New Year.  It is more than a month and it is uncomfortable especially when I cycle with a cap on.  The trapped heat cause my head to sweat and my hair becomes unmanageable and smelly.  So I have to shampoo twice a day.

Yesterday, I went to my regular barber in AMK central.  Now I feel so much lighter.  The airflow through my hair is so nice and I feel light!

Specific Anaesthesia to my Nerve

This morning I was at Khoo Teck Puat to have anaesthesia injected directly into one of the nerves to see if it can stop the pain.  However, I was just suffering from numbness and not pain.  So the injection is not having it effect so far.

Have a wait for a few weeks to see my surgeon and see what else he recommends.

Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP

Yesterday, I went for my 2nd injection of my own platelets.  It was injected into my right knee and both side of my low back at L4 L5 region.  The PRP is supposed to help the muscle and ligaments heal.  After the first injection, I actually has less pain for my right knee but 2 days later, the pain is back and is more intense.  Today, after the 2nd injection, my right knee seems to improve but I get sporadic episodes of sharper pain.  However, it is no longer a continuous pain.  I hope the pain will reduce, if not I may have to go for mensicus cleanup.

Good Friday Morning

I am up at 5am.  It is a public holiday and no school yet I am up early.  My boy need to go to school for his PW or project work in late morning.  He was so tired last night that he fell asleep on the sofa and did not wake up to go to his bed.  He is still in his school uniform.

I think his social life is taking up much time.  The amount of texting and watching his and his friends photos, videos and messages dominates and I am a little worried he does not spend much time on his school work.

Seems like this is a common problem as the Deputy Principal and other school leaders talk about making the students drop CCA in J2 if their results is not up to par in J1's final common test.  B3 is quite engaged making new friends and trying out the CCAs he enjoys.  He is experiencing the time of his life.  I do not recall B1 being so enthusiastic in JC.  B1 did well as he was pretty focused on his work.

I had my morning coffee and breakfast at the poolside as I do not want to disturb B3.  It is nice we can go outside when the living room is occupied.

Now that the sky is bright, I am back in my home office just to blog.  It is going to be a beautiful day.

Happy Easter!!

Free Books

I am downloading free books to my Kindle or rather B2's Kindle.  It is fun to read fairy tales.  I feel like I am in Primary School again.  This time I am reading the Folk Tales from Japan. 

Although I have the Kindle for sometimes now that B2 is studying in Canada, I did not use it much.  I have asked him to buy Kobo Aura One.  It has bigger screen at 7.8" and has lighting and so can be read in the dark.  I am looking forward to more reading as it is quite convenient to bring around.

Still I like physical books.  The smell, the thickness and the feel of the paper.  It is something I loved so much growing up.

Red Cross Youth Charity Night 2018

B3 is in Street Dance CCA in school.  This is the first time he is learning dancing from a coach and for free!  Nowadays, the schools engaged CCA instructors who are specialised in their field of expertise unlike during my school days where a teacher takes on additional duties even though he or she is not trained for it.

Last night, the Street Dance group performed in the Red Cross Event.  Considering he is just a couple of months into this program, I am quite proud of his achievement! 

Chong Pang Nasi Lemak

Today is tiring.  We have to do special delivery for B1.  So we go to 5 different locations. From Sin Ming to final location of Woodlands.  It took us about 2 and half hours.  We finish just after quarter past 4 and go from Gambas Avenue to Yishun.  On the way, mummy thought of the famous Nasi Lemak that the boss' son lost millions of dollars in the local casino.  We reached there at 4:30pm.  The store is open and cooking but it is not ready for business.  It start selling at 5pm.  So we kill time by walking to the Northpoint Nasi Bryani shop and buy a takeaway. 

Then go to Gin Thye to buy authentic Teochew peanut candy.  We go back to wait and the nasi lemak store start serving at 5 on the dot!  There are a number of people waiting and the queue formed quickly.  The service is quite slow.  We have to wait for 10mins even though there are only 3 persons ahead of us.

We bought 2 takeaways and one dine-in to share.  The rice has good coconut flavor!  The dishes for quite good.  The total cost is $14 for 3 sets.  Quite reasonable compared to the Punggol Nasi Lemak in Kovan.  The food also taste better.

Monday Morning!

I have not sit down at my workstation for a week!  I noticed my last blog entry was a week ago Sunday!!

It is the start of a brand new week.  Soon I have to send my boy to school.  Then I go fishing.  May have some errands to do.

I also need to consult a doctor on PRP.  PRP is platelet rich plasma.  I have check it out on the internet.  It could help in my healing my sciatica. Or at least reduce the pain.

Home made Yakitori

Last night, my eldest sister came to visit and I invited her for dinner.  I was preparing to cook yakitori.  Early in the morning, I bought a large naked neck chicken.  I deboned the chicken following the youtube video on 1 Michellin star yakitori resturant in San Francisco.  I am quite happy with the results.

I made quite big sticks and my meat pieces are in big chunks.  So it is harder to grill.  I also follow the Japanese way i.e. no seasoning, only salt during grilling.  When the chicken is about cooked, apply the teriyaki sauce.  I managed to reproduce the smoky chargrilled taste and it is so similar to those in a yakitori resturant rather than the Tori-Q which is very sweet and heavily flavored.

It is the first time I used the portable high heat torch to light the charcoal and while disengaging the torch from butane cannister, I burned my pinkie.  Now I am sporting a huge blister.  I will need to pay attention when dealing with high temperature metal devices.

Chong Boon Hawker Center

We had our dinner there. After reading Boh Tong's blog on the oyster omelette, I was cracking my head trying to figure out which stall as I do frequent this food center. after.  It was the carrot cake stall.  The price is pretty reasonable at $4 a plate.  The oysters are plump.  However, I prefer Ah Chuan's as it is more crispy.  Ah Chuan is in Toa Payoh and opens only after lunch hours.

We also had the bak kut the.  The soup is very peppery.  I like the braised pork leg.  It is quite nice.  We only ordered lean pork leg, vegetable and bean curd skins.  The total comes to $11.50 as we have only one rice.  The price in Chong Boon is pretty reasonable.

Quiet

My place is dead quiet save the whirling of the fan.  The sky is cloudy yet, some stars are visible directly overhead.  I am reminded of the clear sky in Reno.  The millions of stars dot the nightsky.  No wonder UFOs are usually sighted in US.  The horizon is not covered by tall buildings.  No clouds, so any moving lights can be easily spotted and video taped.

My throat is quite sore and I feel not so good.  My low back is giving pain.  I am up early.

Now I will wait for day break to send B3 to school. 

Down with Cough

First started with phlegm in the morning.  Then sore throat and now I am down with cough.  I am taking the medication and they makes me tired and sleepy.  With my low back pain, it is difficult to cough as pressure on the abdomen cause shooting pain.

I will need to seek treatment for my lumbar problem.

Fixing Up Additional Lights for B3's Study Table

We moved B3's study table to the visitor's balcony.  There is insufficient lights in that area.  We had spotlight and it is not bright enough for reading and writing.  So we have to figure a way to install additional lights.  This morning, we went to Philips in Toa Payoh to buy a 4ft strip LED light.  This is like a flourescent light but very light and low power consumption.  Cost on $17 and change.  We install the light right away.  It was not easy to fix the wiring as it is in a confined space up in the false ceiling. 

After many tries to connect the wires into a connector, I found a way to put both hands inside the false ceiling through the small opening that is used to put in the recessed light fixture.  What a relief it worked!  I am pretty proud of my handy work:)

Now the study area has bright light and B3 can study in a well lite environment.

Chinese New Year Day 2

It was mad rush to clean up the house during eve and also I got myself into a big project of changing the plunger for the toilet in my boy's room.  The water closet was leaking and I had to change the plunger.  I thought it is just take out the water tank and put in the new plunger.  Boy!, was I mistaken!  The metal that holds the tank to the toilet completely rusted.  It was almost impossible to remove. 

My wife went to Google this problem and the best recommendation is to saw off the part.  Sawing takes more than 2 hours.  The rust is stubborn, the tank is made of porcelain and I had spray the rust liberally with WD40.  First, WD40 is unable to work through the rust.  Then it made the porcelain extremely slippery and the rust is thick.  These combination made it very hard to work in a confine space.  Finally, I manage to remove the rust and fit in the new plunger. 

To add insult to injury, the leakage came back after 2 days.  So it maybe another part I have to replace.  Now the plumbing shop is closed until Feb 23.  So I will have to wait until then to get more parts.

Or I need to remove the tank and look at my installation.  I may have done something wrongly.

Stock Market Correction

Finally, the stock market no longer keeps going up.  The forecast on the stock market crash was on the video for so many years and stopped being produced about mid 2017.  The doom prophets had been proven wrong! 

All the doom prophets say there will be a crash and it will be the biggest ever seen.  But the stock market has been defying the forecast!  Now there is a correction which is 10% drop.  When will the crash happen?

Many people will be affected.  Many will gain.  So like elevators, stock market goes up and down.  The only problem is when it go down, it is so fast. 

Day 2 in JC1

B3 want to go to school early before the 7:30am official time.  I send him at 6:25am and we reached about 6:40am.  I thought the school was going to be empty and boy was I mistaken.  It looked empty but as I go to the Marymount entrance, plenty of students are going in. 

RI JC is a motivated group or maybe because they are taking MRT to school and it is better to be early as the crowd will be massive at the later time.  I can only speculate the reasons for being so early.  I know I was late many times as taking bus making bus skipping stops for overcrowding.

Day 1 for J1

Today is the first day of JC for JAE students.  JAE is joint admission exercise.  This is for "O" level students.  The IP or integrated program students started their J1 classes earlier as they do not have to worry about posting.  So now it is integration time for both "O" and IP students in JC.  They have orientation programs for a few days before the lectures starts.

There are lots of SCGS girls, one St. Margaret girl going to school after we drop B3 off.  We saw a boy in white with buttons on his shirt and long pant with his parents.  They are grinning happily as they go to into the school.  He must be from a ex-Chinese school maybe Chung Cheng.  I have no idea how the school uniforms looked in the different schools except for RGS, SCGS, St Margaret, St. Joseph and a few other brand schools.

It is nice the kids have a break after the grueling exams.  Now it is team building time before they get back to the grind again.

School Posting

B3 received his posting at 6:10am via sms.  This year, the cutoff points for RI is 5 higher than last year's 4 and before that 3.  It is now easier to go RI for JC.

The reason for this is there are less cohort and many JCs merged.  Luckily, B3 is in "O" level.  If he is in IP or Integrated Program, he will have to go Eunoia.  Cutoff points for Eunoia is 11 points.  The standard will be much lower than RI.

Sky Clear for Good Times!

I am so glad the sky clear up time to time.  So the total eclipse can be seen clearly before the cloud obscure it time and again.  I managed to take some pictures.  The pictures are taken with my cellphone camera.  It needs a stand to get stable picture.  Also the lens are not as good as a proper camera.

I am so glad to experience the lunar eclipse live and see it!  Most time, the clouds obsure these events in Singapore.  I tried to observe by naked eyes since young and the chance is usually low as our sky typically has cloud cover.

Lunar Eclipse 31 Jan 2018

Tonight is the Big Night for Lunar Eclipse!

I hope the sky is clear for tonight's lunar eclipse and blue moon.  It is a rare event to get a full lunar eclipse in Singapore.  Many times whenever we have solar or lunar eclipse, our heavy clouds spoils the rare event.  Since I was a kid reading science news in Straits Times, I have no chance of seeing the eclipses properly.  Recently, there was a solar eclipse which was not bad as the eclipse can be seen through the cloud.

Moonlight is weak and therefore once there is cloud cover, it will not be seen well.  I am hopeful as the eclipse will last for 3 hours tonight!

Working Late

B1 has been working late last week and yesterday.  So it is a surprise that he comes home at 8pm tonight.  He has been returning home close to midnight every night.  It is nice surprise for us that he is back in time to eat dinner with us. 

Life as a lawyer is tough.  The hours are long.  Most of his classmates work late as well.  The compensation is quite low.  So hopefully, they all get to earn more, much more in future.  Otherwise it is not a good profession to be in.

Enjoying the Front Yard

The temperature cools down in the evening at about 6pm.  So I make myself a cup of iced tea and sat at my front porch.  We have an outdoor table with 6 chairs.  It is nice to read and relax listening to the water sounds of the fountain.  The trees and plants are lush and green.  It is like living with nature.  My wife joins me but she started to talk about the shellac peeling off and started to clean it up.  She is such a perfectionist.  I just want to relax and do basically nothing or read.  So it became stressful.

I am like Dagwood Bumstead in the Blondie comic strip.  Plain lazy when it come to housekeeping and maintenance.  I just like my peace and relaxation rather than endless cleaning and keep the things in the house in tip top condition.

Anyway, we have to go for dinner and I am happy to have space to enjoy drinking iced tea alfresco.

Lucky Day!!

High tide is at about 5 pm.  I starts to cycle to Punggol seaside at 4.  The water is high and murky at the regular spot.  I throw my net and did not do a good job as the net did not spread out.  I was kicking myself mentally as the net lands on the water.  Then I saw a big fish jumps out.  I pull the net in and felt a little struggle.  I do not know yet but feels hopeful that I have caught fishes.  As I pull in the net, there it is a big Asian Seabass.  Another smaller Asian Seabass was also caught in the net.  I felt so lucky to catch a big fish in my first throw.  I put the big seabass in a plastic bag.  The small seabass goes into the bottle.

I feel very lucky!  After that I cycled to Punggol Point.  Again, my kakis are not there whenever I caught a big fish.  No matter, I showed my fish to 2 foreign cleaners whom I says hello to them everytime I met them.  The large seabass weighs more than 800 grams.  My wife put the fish into the freezer when I reached home.

The smaller seabass goes into the tank and it is still alive and swimming.  I also caught some mullets. It is feels good to be lucky!!

Tiny Houses

I have been watching Tiny House series on Youtube.  Tiny houses are usually shipping containers turned into a house.  There are also custom built house on wheels as well as just houses that is less than 300 sq ft.  The tiny houses are practical for small budgets or those "starter" homes.  The house will have to collect rainwater or put water in a container for use.  Toilet is compost toilet.  So have running water toilet if they are connected to the "grid".  Grid meaning water and electricity. Although grid is originally for electricity.

I love the concept of tiny house on wheels.  It mean I can travel around and live without paying for hotel.  I think it is also hard life as there is no running water for shower.  Some of the houses are self sufficient which mean it collects rainwater and use solar and battery for electric appliances.  It seems romantic idea although it will be quite hard as most of the video emphasize the views and outdoor space.  It will be easier in USA, Canada or Japan as the weather is friendlier to outdoor living.

Buying Plenty of Fruits

In Jalan Membina and in Jalan Bukit Ho Swee, the fruit shops with the same name attracts buyers who buy big quantities of fruits.  We were in Chinatown for char kway teow.  The price has gone up to $4 per plate instead of $3.  The queue is still as long. 

After lunch, we drop by the fruits shops.  We bought plenty!  We have young coconuts at $1.30 each, organic longan at $5/kg($6 elsewhere) and soursop at $10/kg instead of $15/kg.  The watermelon is at $3 each and D24 Durian is $8/kg.  Large Australian white peaches are at $2.50 each.  Unfortunately, there is no cut jackfruits which is at $5/kg instead of $6/kg in Yishun.  I have stopped buying fruits in Yishun.

I love my fruits!  They are health snacks.  Only problem is they do not keep weight down.  Only vegetable snacks can help in keeping weight at bay.

Cool Morning

The temperature is wonderfully cool the previous few days.  It is very enjoyable and comfortable temperature.  B1 commented our floor is cold at the level 1 when he open the glass door to let the air in.  I googled and found that the lowest temperature was in 14 Feb 1989 in Paya Lebar.  It must be really cool at that time!

It is nice to wake up in an aircond level type of environment in the open.  So I feel glad to open the door to let the coolness enter our home.  Then I boil water to make tea or coffee and do my other routines.  Many times, I just switch on the TV, this morning I try to write before B1 request I send him to the train station.  I find it relaxing to stay with the cool weather.

RI and Hwa Chong Open House

This morning, we went to the open house in RI.  The school now has astronomy club, runway(for aspiring model), modern dance and other CCA which were not available during our time.  I notice there is no drama or Raffles Players.  Maybe there is but I was moving too quickly to notice.

I left to send mummy to Toa Payoh for her class.  Then I just go home to fish.  Mummy went to Hwa Chong by train.  The station is Tan Kah Kee.  She has to climb up the hill.  Every visitor need to scan their IC.  So it is less welcoming than RI.  Also Hwa Chong is like fun fair.  There is no overall program.  RI is much better organised.  There is an orchestra, dancing on the circular stage, runway show.  So it is quite impressive or rather mum is more impressed by RI.  She noticed the girls from Nanyang i.e. Hwa Chong dance group are prettier and dance far better than those in RI.

"O" Level Results Today!

The "O" level results are released this afternoon.  We went to school and waits for the results.  The school did better than the last 4 years.  More students have 6 distinctions or better. There are 57 with 8 distinctions or more and 93 with 6 distinctions or more.  

B3 has 9 distinctions and was called to receive his results from the Principal.  It is a proud day for us. He has outperform his elder brothers and also the best performer on both sides of the family i.e. daddy's and mummy's.  We are quite relief after so many days of anxieties, worrying and preparing for the worst.

He has a raw score of 7 for L1R5.  He also pass his Higher Chinese which he received B4 and merit for his oral.  So with 4 points deduction, he has 3 points and therefore has a good chance with the 2 most popular school, Hwa Chong or Raffles Institution.

He has a classmate who scored only 6 points and the rest of his good friends scored the same as him.  One did not do as well with B3 for his English and D7 for Higher Chinese.  We feels sorry for him and his mother.  His parents have strong hope for his to go to Hwa Chong.  Now the chance is slim as he has 8 points minus 2 which mean 6 and the points for Hwa Chong is 4.  With the merger, the points may increased but it is still a big worry.  Sigh!  We feel sad for the parents and his classmate but have no idea how to console them.

My Japanese Ex-colleague

This morning, my ex-colleague wrote to me to say hello and ask about me.  I am happy to hear from him and ask about his family as well.  He is doing well but living in a different city from his wife and daughter.  Hopefully, he will get transferred back to Tokyo or Yokohama.  Then he can re-unite with his family as his girl like to stay in the same school when she goes to middle school or secondary school in Singapore terminology.

We worked together for 11 years and he got married while we were working together.  He also had his baby girl during our time together as a team.  So he became a married man, a father and family man while we were colleagues.

We had team building events, so had the chance to meet his wife and his two step children.  However, I did not get a chance to meet his daughter as we stop the team building events before she was born.

Food Poisoning in Bangkok

B1, B3, my wife and I went to Bangkok last Tuesday for holiday.  The first stop after landing and before checking in is Nara.  The lunch in Nara was very good.  It is far better than the one in Ion and great value.  It comes to about Baht 1,500 or approx. S$60.

We check into Holiday Inn where we redeemed our points for 4 nights.  It is wonderful to have free hotel stay coming to a total of 8 room nights.  It is B1 first trip to Thailand.  He missed a couple of times when we came previously.  So he is prepared to explore.  He went to the Dogs Cafe with B3 while mummy goes shopping in Jim Thompson.  Then they join mummy to shop in Patunum.  I on the other hand just wander about Central World and Siam Paragon.

We ate lunch in MK and B3 came down with food poisioning.  He was vomiting and has diahorrea.  So he stopped eating and drinking from Thursday afternoon onwards.  He was in the hotel since then.  I kept him company as I am not a big fan of being a tourist.  My poor boy was totally dehydrated and in bed until Saturday afternoon when we have to check out and go to airport. B1 had fever on Saturday evening and diahorrea when we reach home.

So B3 and I have only 2 days of the holiday out of the 5 days we were in Bangkok.  I had dinner with a friend in Bangkok and we have much laughter talking about a 62 years old man interested in her.  She is single and available.  She does not understand Japanese culture and wonder why this man send her pictures of him drinking with his buddies in Japan and treat to dinner in Oriental Hotel Bangkok.
Maybe she pretends to be oblivious.  But we had much fun to speculate his intention.  I told her he is interested in going to bed with her as Japanese do not have the concept of love.  Getting married and being married is social responsibility, family ties and responsibilities.  Not romance or love.  So visiting geishas, prostitutes is normal and the wife can accept as long as he discharge his obligations and responsibilities as a husband and a father.

She was flabbergasted when she hear this.  I told her she is using her Singapore mindset to deal with him and it is totally out of sync.  It was funny and joyful for her to have men interested in her.  It is a great boost to her ego especially since this man is quite well off and in senior position.

Good Day for Parties

2 of my neighbours have parties.  The smell of the bbq meats perfumed the estate. I realise I am the one who usually makes the estate smells of bbq smoke.  The only difference is I am cooking for my family only.  The kids invited their schoolmates.  So they have plenty of fun at the pool.  I loved parties.  It is great to have friends or family over and just chill.

Great Deals in Metro

We went to Wisma for lunch and we needed to change some cash for our trip next week.  B1 want to make shirt for his workwear but mummy insist on ready-to-wear or make to measure locally.  So B1 relented and go with mummy to check out the shirts in Metro.  There they found office shirt going for $10/ piece.  The quality is quite good.  So B1 tried them and decided on 5 which will help in his wardrobe as he will be starting work after we are back from holiday.

I bought 2 shirts even though I really don't need anymore. 

The cool weather makes it nice to walkabout along Orchard Road and the mood is quite festive with the decorations.  I am relax about the new year.

B2 in Montreal

It is good that B2 went to explore another city during the yearend break.  He took viarail train to Montreal and then travel by subway to the city center.  His apartment is right downtown and cost only $35 per night.  What a great deal.  I am not sure if $35 is his portion only or to be shared with is friend.  I am glad he is exploring the country.  In fact, he goes much further than my wife and I on our tour trip there.

B2 in South Commons

I just called B2.  He is having Christmas dinner in a friend's home.  It is good that he has a family style meal during Christmas.  South Commons mall is near the Mississauga campus of U of T.  He is quite lucky to have White Christmas as it snowed the day before.

Best Weather

It is nice and breezy.  Best of the all the air is cool.  I wish we have this kind of weather all year round.  Otherwise, we should 4 seasons.  I love the seasons especially fall.  The world turns into a myriad of colours and then all the leaves fall out leaving only bare branches.  Only cone shape trees are left with their spiky green leaves which looked beautiful when the snow falls on them.

I am enjoying the cool breeze floating into my living room.  It is relaxing.

Progress in Programming

Now I am making more progress with Python Programming.  My B1 tells me to go to the video and also use the StackOverflow or Github.  I realised my mistake and slowly making more progress.

It is a hard road ahead as I am still unable to get some basics right.  However, it is getting more fun as I can get some programs to work.

Electric Toothbrush Repaired

Last week, I send my toothbrush for repair and was told to replace with a new toothbrush as it is usual for the battery to wear out after a couple of years.  So I paid $75 for the replacement brush and then found that it is the charger that is not working.  However, I had already dismantled the old toothbrush which mean it is totally destroyed.  I took the charger back last Friday and they repaired it back for free.

I hope it will last me for a few more years.  I loved this toothbrush and it has served me well.

Lai Heng Fried Kway Teow

Lai Heng is a better known fried kway teow.   I have not eaten it for long time.  I tried it for lunch today.  I find it is not as good as before.  Like the fried kway teow in Marine Parade, the standard has dropped.  The price is still reasonable at $2.50 and $3.00 per plate.  The cockles are basically uncooked and there is a generous sprinkling of sliced lup cheong or chinese sausage.

The best fried kway today is Outram FKT in Chinatown hawker center.

Man Man Unagi

I had unagi takeaway last Saturday from Tampopo in Ngee Ann City.  So B1 reminds me of the place where the unagi is freshly slaughtered and grilled.  I had told him when he first tells me about this place is that I tried in fresh unagi in Japan and it did not taste good even though it was quite expensive. 

Today, he brought me to Man Man and there is a long queue outside the resturant.  We had to wait for at least half an hour.  We got lucky and sat on the counter seats.  So I can see the grilling.  I did not notice until B1 points out to me the fish is still moving.  Then I saw the mouth gasping for air and the fins are still moving.  It is a little gross even though the fishes has been split and left in the basin for a few minutes before being skewered.  It is probably moving about for more than 10 mins after it body was split, backbone removed.  

The unagi tastes pretty good.  The problem is the price.  It cost $38 for one bowl of rice topped with unagi.  It is quite a nice experience.  I do not thiink I will go back.  I prefers the char siew from the famous char siew wanton mee on Keong Siak Street.

Breakfast at Intercontinental Hotel

A friend from Korea is in town and invited me to his hotel for breakfast.  I had French toast.  The salad, fruit juice and cut fruits are self service.  The fruit juice is quite good.  The breakfast is quite high standards although I think it is better in Seoul.  I stay in Intercontinental there most of the time.  I also like Chosun Westin which has huge stretch of tourist foodstalls and market across the road.  Intercontinental has the Kuan Yin temple and underground mall.  The underground mall is not as nice since the upgrading.  The bookshop is gone as well.  However, the resturants are still familiar such as Friday's, pho and Outbacks.  Plenty of coffee chains like Starbucks, Coffeebeans and Korean brands.

After breakfast, I went to the library to borrow books.  Library has also been renovated.  No more librarians sitting at the counter.  It is now converted to a event hall.  So library services are automated and it is not easy to see a walking librarian anymore.

Programming Frustrations

It is really not easy.  There are so many ways to do programming wrong.  The smallest mistake such as not having ":" or no tab in the line or extra tab.  These quite easy to fix as it is visible compared to "attribute error" which may have something to do with my software setup or my file not downloaded properly.

Then there is version difference.  Even the simplest command such as "print" tripped me.  For python 2, print does not need "()" but it is needed in Python 3.

Slowly, painfully slowly, I am making small progress.  The joys is discovering the mistakes I made or the setup tuning I need to do.

Last Day of Exams

Today is B1's last day of his Part B exams.  He went out with his friends after the papers.  I am so glad he is done for now.  He has been working hard studying for the exams.  He deserves a break!

B3 is learning wonderful stuff like genetic engineering in Biopolis.  He is doing experiments and pipetting bacteria, making agar to culture them.  He is quite excited learning how to do the experiments.  He learn to splice the DNA and using eletrophersis and centrifuge to separate the DNA strands and insert different DNA into the spliced DNA.  After which, he has to culture the bacteria and ensure they mulitply.  It is very interesting and advanced science.

B2 is also studying hard in Toronto.  He is doing well in essay questions but not good with multiple choice.  MCQ papers, he barely clears but essay papers are 23/25 and 28/30.  He is good in articulating his thoughts and understanding of the topic he is writing about.

Sin Kian Choon Trading

The fruit shop that I was patronising and very impressed with in the past week is Sin Kian Choon.  I have taken a picture of the signboard which also give it address.

It will be a great place to visit if you have a party to impress.  Orange colored passionfruit, Japanese Premium Musk Melon, Fresh Cranberries, Fresh Blackcurrant, Beautiful Strawberries and regular fruits like R2E2 mangoes, Harum manis, longan ($3.50 vs $5 in Fairprice), jackfruit at $5/kg, watermelon $3 each.  It is fruit galore!!

Bukit Ho Swee Fruit Shop

I really like the fruit shop.  Not only the fruits are reasonable priced, there are exotic fruits.  B3 followed us this morning.  He loved it and bought blackberries, blackcurrent, white dragonfruit, tomatoes on a vines and was also keen to get more if not for the fact it was getting costly and we will be unable to finish.  Yes, I forgot!  Also Korean sweet strawberries.  I bought persimmons - Korean and Spanish, Japanese sweet potatoes from Vietnam and black organic raisins. There is also Japanese melons which until now I saw them in Meidiya only.

I am happy with the amount of fruits we have at home now.

Redhill Wet Market

My wife is taking classes beside Tiong Bahru mall.  So after dropping her off, I go to the Redhill hawker center.  The fishball noodle there is quite good.  It moved from Holland Drive market.  I also like the wet market.  There are some exotic vegetables sold there.  It is exotic to me as they sell different types from the supermarkets.

The prawn noodles is quite popular as well.  I like the fruits sold in that area.  It is quite competitive in price compared to Yishun.  For example, watermelon is $3 each, longans at $3.50/kg.  So it is a good place to stock up on fruits.

Beautiful Full Rainbow

Scary flashes of lightnings and followed by booming thunders this afternoon.  After the thundershower, there is a beautiful and complete rainbow.  I am so lucky to see it!  B1 was up at the roof garden with me as well.  B3 is sleeping as he just finishes his "O" level yesterday.

Foodie Market

We send our Epson printer for repair yesterday.  The service center is in Golden Agri building in Pasir Panjang.  We decided to go to Tiong Bahru for lunch.  It was very crowded with no parking.  The Loon Hainese Curry Rice has super long queue.  We went a couple of rounds including the multistorey carpark and decide to go to Foodie Market instead.

The meat in Foodie Market came be customised in thickness.  So I bought one slice of ribeye and one slice of striploin as they are the more value cut.  Each slice is just below $20 as I asked for one and half inch thick cut.

After grocery shopping, we went carpark hunting again and finally got lucky when a car just left but the carpark is near the porridge place.  So we ate porridge instead.  After lunch, I ta-pow curry rice for B1's lunch since the queue is more reasonable as it is almost 2pm.

In the evening, I bbq the striploin and use our meat thermometer until the core is about 140 degree Fahrenheit.  This will be medium heat.  The meat was tender and both B1 and B3 love it!  B2 is in Canada, so now I have to cook less.  I love having more to cook as it is fun to have variety. and the time taken is almost the same as cooking smaller portions.

Learning Zhichar!

My wife signed me up for Dry Heat Grill and Roasting Class.  She told me it is grilling steak.  However, when we attend class yesterday morning, it was not.  We feel cheated!  There are 4 types of cooking - Chinese, Thai, Malay and Western.  So we had a Chinese Chef teaching us yesterday.  We have to fry the fried rice and cut up some vegetables.  The chef do the charsiew and fry the green vegetables for us.  We have to eat up own fried rice.  It does not taste good.  The wok is hard to handle as it is heavy.  Then we have to flip the rice which only one or two managed to execute.  The fire is extremely strong.  We also learn tp deep fried chicken wings, squirrel fish mostly by observation. 

I am disappointed to go to class not to learn how to cook individually.  To add insult to injury, it is not what we thought we signed up for.

Learning Breadmaking

Today is day 2 of my bread making class.  My wife convinced me to joined her in this class.  Making bread is interesting.  However it is not so good business anymore due to heavy competition.   We have 14 other classmates totalling 16 in our class.  The dough is done by machine.  We get to measure as a group.  So if you are aggressive, you get to do a bit.  It is more learning by obsevation rather than doing.  So I am not so happy.  I rather we do less bread and do each bread myself.  Today, we get to bring back 5 different types of breads - sandwich, rye, country, somewhat and baguette.  The bread is quite nice but I love to do from start to finish instead of just forming the bread.

High Water

This morning I was at Punggol Point during high tide.  The water level is very high.  Tomorrow it will be higher as it will be the full moon and we have spring tide. It will be the next highest level at 3.0 metres.  The highest will be on Monday at 3.1 metres. 

The water is very dirty with oil slick on the surface and the hue is dark.  So no fishes are around.  It is tough when the water quality is bad.

By the way, on Thursday night at about 10pm an Indian man disappeared after going to the water to disentangle his fishing line.  He was drinking and decide to swim to the bouy nearby.  His girlfriend was purchasing something from 7 eleven and when she is back, she asked the kakis where is her boyfriend.  They had continued fishing and were disinterested until the girl friend started questioning.  They report to the Cisco police and there was a search with frogmen.  But he was not found.  Yesterday morning, SCDF ship was patrolling to search for the body.  So far no news in the net, so he must be still missing.

Tony Romas

B3 finished his papers at 10am.  After, we pick him up we continue our journey as B1 has an errand to run in Suntec at 11am.  So we go to Tony Romas for lunch.  We had the 4 types of ribs, deep fried shrimps, potatoes skins,  Tony sampler and a salad.  It is a wonderful meal.  My boys like the potato skins.  It is my favorite as well.  B3 likes them so much he had 3 while the rest of the family had one each.

I think the ribs and the potato skins are the best of all the dishes we ordered.  It is a nice party and I am glad we have both boys for lunch.

Phoon Huat 10% discount until October 31st

My wife loved Phoon Huat as she can buy her toys and ingredients to cook and bake.  Yesterday, after dropping B3 off for his exams, we stopover in Phoon Huat Toa Payoh.  We purchase some items and found that there is 10% discount storewide.  So, we brought B3 to get some of the stuff he likes as he enjoys cooking and baking.  He bought his favorites - marshmallows and jelly powder.  He just loved sweets.  Last night, he cooked the jelly and this morning toast the marsh mellow. 

My wife makes tiramisu after lunch.  It is quite enjoyable treat.

Quiet Morning

I woke up early at 3am.  It is very quiet.  Instead of just doing brain dead activity like watching TV or Youtube, I do some programming.  As the night get chased away and the sky turned lighter, the birds start to sing.  I can hear the parakeets squawking and the chirping of the small song birds.  It is quite nice to hear nature waking up.  I am glad my home has more wildlife.

iPhone - A Nightmare!!!

My wife just helped her father to get a new iPhone 8Plus.  He has a frustrating 2 days.  The new phone cannot work while his old i7 is locked out.  The problem with Apple is you need an "Apple ID".  So when you lost your ID or forgets or it is set up by someone else e.g. your son or daughter, you are at your kid's mercy.  Everyone is pointing a finger at everyone else.  Lots of discussions that gets nowhere.  My father-in-law is so frustrated he wanted to throw the new iPhone 8 away.

My wife is a staunch Apple fan.  Last night, after spending more than an hour with Apple call center and calling her siblings trying to figure a way to solve the problem, she finally admits Samsung may be a better choice.  This morning after spending 3 hours setting up the phone as a new phone, she very quickly go back to her Apple again.  It is impossible to learn the lesson.

Apple's security is so good that for an oldies, it is an impossible phone to navigate.  Every little things you want to do, you need to key in Apple ID and password.  It is a sophisticated machine but no designed for easy and simple usage.  There is no option which allow you to select an option to keep it simple.  This is why I am so sold on Android Phone.  You can select the different level of complexity and security you want.  In Apple, you are tied to their system which forces you to do it the Apple Way or the highway.  I decided not to be held hostage and go the Android Way.

Wang's Cafe Plaza Singapura

I am passing time in the cafe at basement 2.  My Mrs like to shop at Spotlight.  She is inspired recent to learn moe about cloth, textile and the raw materials.  I on the other hand just enjoys sitting in a coffee hop and watch life go by.  Sometimes, I draw, sometimes, I read, many times I surf the net and occasionally, I write like right now.  Writing captures my current thoughts and observations.  Patrons come patrons go.  I m the only constant for the time I am there.  As I write, I fantasize I am a struggling writer who may become famous and the place will be visited by aspiring writers of future.  It is a nice fantasy...

Wonderful Day in Orchard

My wife has cooking class in Takashimaya.  Also Kino has 20% discount for members.  So we tried to spend some of the money B1 won for his book prize in IT Law.  We had a good time browsing the books and selecting some that we had intend to buy from Internet.  The books in internet are cheaper but at 20% discount the difference is not too great and we can choose a good copy and have our books immediately.  Nowadays, even at 20% Kinokuniya do not have a long queue anymore unlike before.  Most book lovers like me has gone to the internet to do our purchase.

We have a late dinner at about 8:30pm.  It is a good day for us.  When we are done, we buy yakitori with rice for B3 as he is studying at home for his "O" level. 

It is a good start for the weekend.

Fat Rabbit Fish

I caught a fat rabbit fish this morning and gave it to a fellow fisherman.  He is quite nice and will reel his line to let throw my net.  He says the fish is very "leng" in Cantonese or beautiful.  I am quite happy he likes it at the same time feel a tinge of regret thinking I should have brought it home to cook.  Anyway, we had a nice fish yesterday.  It was silver body with yellow fins.  I have no idea what kind of fish it was.  It was quite tasty.  If I continue to get big fishes, we can have fresh steamed fish everyday!

RI gets new Principal

In my cohort chatgroup, the hot topic is on the new RI Principal who is not an Old Boy.  This is my first reaction when I read the news.  In MOE, it is just skills and capabilities.  The school spirit is not important or considered as they do not know how.  So Principals are rotated every few years to give the Principal exposure to different school and broad management experience.

The school is just a place for assignments for the people they wished to develop.  My wife's Primary School was run by a Principal who was not a graduate for many years.  He is the one to make the school very coveted and popular as it produces lots of top students.  I feel Pei Chun Primary is no longer like before when Principal Tan was running it.  It has lost the spirit.  My boys all had a few years in Pei Chun.  B1 in P1 and we relocated to Canada but back when he was in P4.  B2 was in Pei Chun from P1 to P3 and B3 from P4 to P6.

During B1's P1 time, for the morning flag raising there will be a student reciting the poems for 15mins to gather the student to the Parade Square.  By the time when B2 is there, Principal Tan was retired.  Since then every few years, there is a new Principal.  The traditions and spirit is gone.

I remember Principal Tan told us the parents in one of the school event not to worry about our cars parked along the road outside the school.  He has spoken to the Police to let them know there is a school event and not to fine us.

Immediately after Principal Tan's retirement, the new Principal get the Police to ensure we do not wait along the road when we need to pick up our kids after school.  I was so upset by the new Principal.  The police advise us to park very far away.  The new Principal thinks he is taking care of the students which is the opposite. 

Anyway, back to RI.  I still think a Rafflesian will be lead in the school as he will be able to understand and upheld the Rafflesian Spirit.  Green black white, green black white, Raffles Raffles fight fight fight!  White black green, white black green, Raffles Raffles win win win!

Graduation Day for Sec 4s

Today is the last day of school for B3.  He is doing his "O" level exams in two weeks.  The school held a "graduation" exercise and gave them some gifts and invited the parents to join.  In the old days, there is no such thing.  We just finished the exams, go back to get our results and if you wish to go to another Pre-U or JC, you apply.  Otherwise, you are garanteed a place in Pre-U.  At the time, JCs were still quite new.  RI is the only 2 years Pre-U.  All other Pre-U is 3 years and JCs are 2 years.

We went to support our boys and we also met the mother of his good friend.  After that, we had some light refreshments and B1 comes to J8 to meet us.  We have our lunch in Din Tai Fung.  B1 was updating us on his interview.  He is actively looking for jobs and evaluating the options as he will join the workforce in 6 months.

Progress!

Finally, I made some progress with learning computer programming.  I decided to give up Vagrant and stick to Python.  I now can work with Geany and Scite editor and type the commands as spelled out in the books and the programs behave as they should i.e. I can get output.  Right, I am still at print lists e.g. Hello World and manipulating list such as deleting words in the list.  I feel so much better!

Down with Sore Throat

I am feeling weak and bones are aching at the joints.  I am also feeling feverish.  So I take it easy today and no fishing.  I just drink Berocca and taking Panadol.  It is great to just rest and relax.  To past time, we went to Toastbox and sit there for almost an hour waiting for B3 to finish school.  I wonder if I fall sick because I was caught in the rain and then continue to fish for almost 3 hours.  I am no longer like before.  I should not try to be tough it out like my younger days.

Lunch Time Fishing

High tide was lunch time.  I managed to catch 2 fairly big rabbit fishes.  The smaller one, I release.  I give both fishes to my fellow fisherman who is a regular.  He caught one too.  But both mine are larger than the one he caught by line.  I feel so proud.  He eats the fishes he caught.  I was totally sunburned!  This morning after sending B3 to school, I went to the hawker center and there I met a good friend.  She is having breakfast with her son before sending him to school.  The boy is same age as B3 and is doing his "O" level as well.  She noticed I am very dark.  She thought I have been golfing.  I told her it is fishing and cycling.    Too much sun can make a person tired and lethargic.  I have less sleep as well since I have get up early to go to school:)

YaYoi Resturant and Tuna Cutting in Liang Court

B3 has been working hard on school work in preparation for "O" level.  So we asked him what he like to eat for lunch.  He chose Liang Court for Japanese meal.  We reached there past noon and the carpark is full.  So we have to wait for someone to leave before getting a carpark space.  He surveyed all the different resturants and foodcourt stalls and decided on a new resturant just opposite Meida Supermarket, Yayoi.  The food is good and reasonable in price.  We order 3 sets and upgrade a soup to clam soup from the miso.  B3 says it is the best karaage he has tasted.  The tonkatsu was crispy outside and tender inside.  The gravy of the mixed set with egg is delicious!  The meal for 3 comes to $60.

So my good friend and fellow Rafflesian, Boh Tong, this is one resturant I highly recommend.  You should try it.

After our very pleasant meal, we pass time in Meida Supermarket.  We plan to buy grocery for steamboat.  While browsing, there is a huge Tuna on display.  The Tuna is 68kg which B3 gets a kick that it is even heavier than him.  The announcement on the PA mentioned that there will be a tuna cutting at 2pm.  So we delay our purchase for the show.  It is the first time for my wife and boy.  I had seen it in Tokyo when my Japanese colleague caught a huge tuna in his fishing trip and gave it to the resturant.  In return, the whole office have a sashimi dinner and I happened to be there on a working trip.  The cutting took a long time.  In Liang Court it took less than 15 mins.  The difference is in the resturant, the chef cuts the whole fish by himself.  In Liang Court, the cutting is removing the head, slicing the collar and cutting the main body into 4 pieces.  Then an army of cutters take over to slice the fish into smaller portion for sale.

We had a very pleasant afternoon!

Fishing with B1

B1 do not have any classes today.  So he goes fishing with me.  There were many fishes and caught a lot of mullets.  However, even though I had a few chance for rainbow rabbit fishes, I was unable to net them.  I did not throw far enough or it is too rocky and they managed to escape.  We release the bigger mullets and brought the rest home for the tank.  Our arowana has a big feast.  I am happy with a big mudskipper I caught yesterday.  It is quite active.

It is nice to get something and feel good about the catch.  Best to release some back as well.

Curry Hor Fun

I accompanied my wife to Suntec as she has an errand to run.  So while waiting for her, I went around the mall to check the resturants and food courts.  Plenty choices.  I was hoping to go to my favorite Tony Romas.  The only problem is last order is 2:30pm and my wife is done at about 3:15pm.  So I settle for Kopitiam's Ipoh Hor Fun.  It offers something different, curry hor fun.  The food is fine.  I will not go for it again.  The pork chop looks fresh and appetitizing.  However, the oil use to deep fry it is stale.  So it is not good.

While I was killing time, I met an ex-colleague.  We had a short conversation.  She is not so nice to talk as she only want information from me but is very secretive about herself or her son.  So it is hi and goodbye encounter.

Retail is not doing well in Suntec.  Many shops are gone.  Mostly resturants or food outlets are in business.  We no longer need to buy new stuff from shops.  Internet shopping is much more convenient and prices are way better.  Also we can buy used stuff from other people through Carousell.

Punggol Sea

The strange chemical smell in Punggol pervades the beaches for a week now.  The water bottle which I used to bring the fishes I caught home smell of kerosene.  The news in Malaysia reported fire at a chemical plant.  I suspect it may be a aviation fuel discharge to the sea during the fire.  The pollution in Punggol is high.  The water turned black on a regular basis and when the water is black, there will be no fishes.  If there is heavy rain up North, the water and beaches will be strewn with plastic containers of all kinds - pails, bottles, etc.  Together will tree branches, planks and drum will make a huge flotsam.  I have see mattresses and armchairs as well.

I love the sea and it is quite depressing to see the poor conditions it becomes.

Mid Autumn Festival in Ci Yuan

We decided to go Ci Yuan for dinner.  The carpark is quite easy to get a lot.  However, tonight we were in for a surprise!  We arrive about 7pm and the open hall is full of people.  There is a festival on!  The carpark was full and I decided not to be picky and took a lot that just vacated by another car even though it is a long walk to the lift lobby.  Indeed, I made the right choice.  All the lots were occupied and some cars are waiting.  When we go up, we see that an orchestra going.  It is a band from a Primary School.  The music is popular kind i.e. the type I can appreciate.  So we have an enjoyable meal.

After the band, there are a couple of singers and then a sketch.  We did not stay for the sketch and left for home.

Free Audiobooks

There is a good range of free audiobooks in Gutenburg where free books can be downloaded.  The books are classics or those whose copyrights have expired.  If you are interested in old books read to you while driving go visit Gutenburg.org.

Programming is Tough

As a student, I love programming.  Now, when I try my hands with programming, it is so tough.  I am too impatient and refuse to do the hard work of learning step by step.  So I need to learn to work on the basics and then can learn some programming.  Also it is so much easier to watch Youtube than to spend time figuring out how to get the programs to work. 

The good thing is nowadays there are plenty of program examples in the net and just copy and paste and hey presto!  the programs run.  It is too easy and therefore harder to think and figure how to write programs.

Backache

My low back pain is not improving.  I need to do the exercises to help reduce the pain.  Taking pills alone does not help.  I feel funny whenever I do not feel the pain.  It is not normal as I expect pain all the time.

I have no idea why I do not have the discipline to exercise consistently.  I even know the type of exercise or stretching that works.  So I just need to work them into my routine just like going fishing.

B1 Finally Caught his Fish!

B1 has been fishing with his friends.  He goes to Punggol, then to Bishan pond but has not caught anything even though his friends did get a fish or two.  They goes to fishing pond in Pasir Ris and out of 3, two caught one each the first time.  His rod broke and he goes to Joe's to buy a new rod and reel.  He spent almost $100.  On Wed, with his new rod, reel and line, he caught an Asian Seabass.  It is monster of a fish!  It weighs more than 1.3kg and 50 cm long!! 

He was so happy finally he caught a fish.  Mummy cleaned it up yesterday which is how we get the measurements.  We were very happy for him as well.

Coincident!

It is quite interesting sometimes when coincidence happens.  I get to know Boh Tong and get his help to learn about blogging.  We keep in touch through our blogs.  Many years later, BT start writing about meeting his old schoolmates and I found we are from the same school.  I was also interested in the story of his teacher who lives in Canada.  I lived there myself for a few years.  A year or two ago, a classmate of mine asked me if I want to join the chat group.  He is my Urologist and took out my kidney stone.  I joined and it bring back lots of memories.  I enjoys the daily chats from everyone.  Some more active than others.  I only contribute occasionally by forwarding some interesting videos.

Now BT shares that his classmate is my Principal's son.  I heard he has 2 sons and both are doing extremely well.  My Principal died of cancer around 7 or 8 years after we left school.  He lived a private house which is worth millions today.  His widow died more recently.  All these info come from the chat group.

It is quite interesting that we share a common thread and found out many years later after we know each other.

Pistachio Grill

My RI classmates recommended to check out this resturant in our group chat.  So for lunch on Wed we just drop by.  The place was empty.  I decided to do what was recommended by my classmate and ask for beef and mutton not in the menu.  The beef rib is not in the menu and cost $60.  Seems a bit pricey for a rib.  Since B1 is with us, we have 3 persons it is ok to try.  We also ordered a salad.  The salad is quite small and the dressing is unique.  It is very tasty.

The beef rib is so so good.  It comes with basmati rice.  We enjoyed our meal so much and rave about it when we pick up B3 from school.  We asked him when is he available to have lunch with us.  He says Friday as his exams finishes at 11:30am.

Come Friday, we went there for lunch and the place was fully booked.  We were shocked and disappointed that B3 may not have a chance to taste the food.  Luckily, a table for 4 is available and we were ushered to sit and they set up the table for us.  Our 2nd disappointment came next when we try to order the beef rib.  It was sold out!  The chef came out to talk to us and recommended we take the mixed grill and lamb shank.  We also order pita and brinjal dip.  The lamb shank was excellent.  There is a sauce as well.  So mummy loved it so much.  Her mother's birthday is coming up.  So she check with the chef if he can make vegetarian food.  The chef told us he was vegetarian for 17 years.

So we booked a table for Sunday for 7 to have lunch celebration.  This is the first time we have eaten at a resturant 3 times in a week!!

The food is fabulous and no service charge.  We did not order drink, so our meal is about $25 per head.  It is very good value indeed!  If you enter the carpark after 12pm, it is free if you leave before 2pm.  It was free for me on Wed but I have to pay $1.60 on Friday as I enter the carpark 10 to noon.

Physiotherapy at KTPH

For my backache, I decided to go KTPH for physio.  This way, I can go to Chong Pang and buy fruits.  The jackfruit is one of the best deal in town.  I also like the food there.  My favorite braised is always a long queue, so I do not eat the duck there.  However, there is a new stall and it seems quite good but not well patronise as the original stall is so popular.

I also like KTPH physio for the therapist from Ireland.  Unfortunately, they are all gone.  One was a tall beautiful girl who massage for my wife.  When it is my turn...sigh!

Another the food and fruits are the main attraction.  I bought 4 mangoes for $8 and one kilo of jackfruit for $6.  So we get our fruit fix:)

Fishing is a Matter of Luck

I went to cast my net during high tide.  Spent an hour not getting anything.  Finally, I decided to go back to the same spot and see if I can catch the mudskippers.  I missed them a couple of times as they managed to run very fast.  Finally, I managed to cast my net and got them inside.  Unfortunately, the holes are too big and both escaped.  So I decided to cast into the muddy water again.  I had tried several time with no joy.  This final throw I caught 4 rabbitfishes.  It is so cool and exciting.  I tried to put the 4 in the tank but they are not doing well.  So I took them out and put them in the freezer.

Too Much Sun

I am feeling tired and have a hard time cycling back home after fishing at Punggol Point.  I was fishing from 3:30pm onwards.  It may be the sun and I felt dehydrated even though I have my water bottle and drink up frequently.   It is nice to fish when the water is clear.  I missed the rabbitfish as they ran away when they saw me.

Too much of a good thing can be bad.  So I should not stay in the sun for too long.

Zatoichi TV series

It is nice to wake up late i.e. 7am.  I simply make my morning coffee and oatmeal.  Then watch Zatoichi show.  It is nice to revisit the show that was very hot when I was a kid.  I remember everyone rushing to the community TV and all the other kids will be shouting "Shintaro, Shintaro".  The TV series is on Youtube and I think it is broadcast in Honolulu.  I loved watching the shows over and over again.  It is Horatio Alger type of story.  Very simple.  Zatoichi is a blind masseur who is fast with his sword.  He is a gifted gambler and fighter.  So he fights the local bosses who bullied the farmers, cheats on gamblers or ill treat prostitutes.  He always kills his opponents in a quick flash.  Even well trained Samurai fell in a single stroke.  After killing all the bad guys, he will leave.

While it is very idealistic and violent i.e. fighting violent with superior killing skills, he always fight for the weak and oppressed.  So, I just enjoys the fantasy of a world where a superior man can right the wrongs that are inflicted on the villagers or a group of people.

RabbitFish

My Fish is Still Alive and Well

On Wednesday, I caught the fish in the picture below.  It is still alive and swimming.  This fish is edible.  I have no idea what it is.  I am happy it is doing well in the tank.  It is spotted and looked like a discus.

Nice to Catch Bigger Fish

I caught a bigger fish today and brought it home.  It did well and after a while recover and start eating in the tank.  It seems to eat the algae and is a bottom feeder.  At first the smaller fishes were quite alarmed.  They keep jumping out of the water every time the big fish move.  After a while, they realised the big fish is not going to eat them, they calm down.

I am happy that this fish survived the trip home and adjusted to it new environment.  I do not know how long it will live as there may not be enough food in the tank.

Missed by 1 Gram!

When I first weighs the fish I caught last Friday, it read 633 grams.  Then my wife put in a tray and the weighing scale reads 634.  The first 2 barramundi I caught, I bought the both weights and the stable 2nd weight came up 2nd prize albeit not in sequence with 2 in front instead of 0 that I bought.

So this time, I buy the stable weight and added 1 in front for 1 fish and also 3 in front for 3rd barramundi I caught.  The 4D result in first prize below:

Lucky Friday!

This morning, I caught a Seabass again!  I did not have a good start actually.  My first throw of my cast net, it caught on a clothes hanger and a thick wire half buried in the mud.  So the net was tear as I try to pull it out.  I threw the clothes hanger and wire to the garbage area.  Then I throw again and no fishes.  I noticed the fishes were escaping once they found the holes.

So I decided to go to Punggol Point to check out.  There, I saw a big fish right beside the 2nd pillar in the water.  The water is quite clear.  I quietly took out the cast net again and set it while squatting in order not to alarm the fish.  Since it is right beside the pillar, it will not be easy as the net can get caught by the barnacles on the side.

I aim my throw and cast my net.  The fish tried to swim away but luckily it swam right into the net.  I am so lucky this morning.

The fish is bigger than the first two I caught!  This one weighs 634 grams.  It looked fatter as well.

My Pet Mudskippers

Fishing is more Thrilling now

I now look forward to getting big fish even though the chance is low.  It is quite fun to go back to the same place to cast my net.  There is a hole I have to patch as some of the fishes I caught escaped.

Today, I caught a mudskipper.  So I have 2 mudskippers in my tank.  The first mudskipper survive more than a week.  I am now hoping I can keep them as pets.  They are quite hard to keep alive.  I have a floating platform which B3 bought for his terrapins.  The mudskipper survives much longer with it as it can now rest out of the water.

2nd Prize Saturday 4D

I was feeling lucky to catch the 2 big fishes on Friday morning.  Since the weight is 968grams,  I decided to try my luck with 4D.  I bought 0968 as the weight is only 3 digits.  I also bought iBet.

The 2nd prize on Saturday is 2986.  If I have guess 2 fishes weighing 968 i.e. 2968, I would have strike 2nd prize in iBet!  Only $43 but still very shiok.  Alas, I now can hope the number 968 will pop up this evening.

Barramundi, I Caught:)

Barramundi aka Asian Seabass

I have been casting net in Punggol for a year now.  The reason to use cast net is many times there are no small fishes along the beach and I go home empty handed.  I bought a 7 feet cast net and it helps me have higher chance of catching fishes that are bigger.  Sometimes, too many fishes and I have to spend much time to disentangle them.  I throw most of them back to the sea as my arowana cannot eat so much at one go and the fishes will die and cause bad smells.  Sometimes, I caught fairly large mullets about 4 to 6 ins long.  I release them as the arowana is not able to swallow this size.

Yesterday morning at about 8am, I cast the net at a place which usually has small size mullets.  I caught two Barramundi together they weigh 968grams.  The fishes are also known as Asian Seabass or kim bak law in Hokkien.  It is such an exhilarating experience.  This is the first time I can bring the fishes I caught home as food.  I had baby shrimps before.

So many times, the fishermen at Punggol asked me what I do with the small fishes I caught.  They know it is impossible to eat them.  I always have the same response - live seafood for my arowana.

My wife clean up the fishes this evening.  Maybe tomorrow we can steam them up for dinner.

Sky Clearer but no luck with Shooting Stars

The sky is pretty clear tonight.  Some high clouds but stars are visible.  I look out for shooting stars for about 15 mins but no luck.  I remember seeing shooting stars once.  I just search my blog and that was in Aug 2012.  I can still remember the incident vividly.  I woke up early and then open the level 3 door and then saw the shooting star.  It is only a couple of seconds.  So I was very lucky indeed!

Cloudy Sky

It  is 4:30am, I woke up to check if the sky is clear so that I might be able to see the shooting stars.  Unfortunately, the sky is cloudy and the moon is up at 3/4.   Disappointed as the condition is not good, I decided to blog about it.

The weather is quite cool and nice with slight drizzle.  B2 is up and is off to medic duty for a run.  He just went off as the run starts at 6am.

Blazing Heat in the Afternoon

The thermometer rising in the afternoon.  There was good respite from the thunder shower yesterday.  Now my plants need watering 3 to 4 times a day.  My next door next finally has a new tenant after 8 months.  Not so bad.  But another neighbour house has been empty for more than 2 years.

Since today is a school holiday, the pool has some kids playing.  It is fun for them but they will get sunburned.

Cutting the Grass in Roof Garden

This morning, I am motivated to cut the grass and clear up the wild plants growing in my roof garden.  The job took 2 hours.  I am sweating profusely and my right hand shakes when I am holding my drinking bottle to drink.  It is quite satisfying to get physical work done.

Braces Out!

Finally, B2's braces will be taken out this morning.  He is going to Canada to study soon.  So the final bit has to be rushed and he bit his lips and cheeks a number of times in the beginning of the year as the orthodontic tighten more than usual.  This changes his bite causing the accidents and ulcers.

Now it will be uncomfortable at night where he has to wear his retainers.  We will not be able to monitor him as he will be living out.

Heatwave in Vancouver

I am listening the CBC Vancouver this morning.  CBC is Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  There is going to be a heatwave and there will be temporary shelter for homeless to get away from the heat.  There may be a forest fire as well.  Vancouver City is getting hazy from smoke.  I wonder why the city can shelter homeless for a few hours but will not shelter them in a more permanent basis.

Vancouver is a beautiful city right beside the Pacific Ocean.  The weather is quite mild relative to Toronto.  It rains a lot and loads of rich Chinese are living there driving up the property prices.  I enjoys my visit there.