B3 in "Musical"

Raffles Institution Street Dance has a muscial cum dance performance for tonight, tomorrow night and Sunday night.  B3 has been rehearsing and practicing hard.  I am exhausted waiting for him every night.  I have to go tonight to wait for him.

The good thing is 3 nights left.  He is enjoying himself doing performances.  I am so proud of him!

Whiteflies

My sweet potato plants are infested with white flies.  I sprayed with baking soda solution and it does not seems to work.  I sprayed vinegar and a lot of my leaves are dying.  I have to figure out a better solution.  So I may have to find glue or vaseline on a yellow surface. 

Best News Ever!

All the "Wild Boars" are extracted out of the cave and under medical observation.  The rescue team done great work!  It is a showcase of International cooperation.  So many countries and medical personnel with caving expertise.  As the last rescuer left the cave, the rescue part is over and now it is recovery for the boys.

This is great where everyone is saved.  Unfortunately, one diver died in this operation. 

Everyone involved is a big hero.

Waking Up Early in the Morning

It is only half past 3 when I wake up.  I could not sleep, so decide to blog.  It is the pain in the wound causing me to wake up.  Although it is not throbbing, it is enough to disturb me as it is quite uncomfortable. 

Remembering years ago when I first had my wisdom tooth taken out, the dentist gave 7 days MC.  Later, I think it became 4 days.  It is still a traumatic procedure although it is quite simple to remove as the roots are all fused together.  However, I believe the big gaping hole will take sometime to clog up well and for the gum to repair itself.

Wisdom Tooth Out!

Originally, I set my dental appointment for tomorrow.  B1 has his lunch appointment cancelled.  So I shift it to today.  The dentist want to X-ray first before he proceed.  Then go ahead to extract it out.  The root is fused together.  So it is easy job.  But it is so expensive as it is a wisdom tooth.

I am glad it is out and now need not worry about toothache.  The tooth was cracked and hence a steel band was put around it.  This cause food to be trapped and make it easy for this tooth to decay.  I am glad I took it out before it cause me problem.

Wisdom Tooth

My wisdom tooth had crack a few years ago.  I tried to get a crown but most of the dentists I consulted tell me to extract.  So I booked my appointment to take it out on Wed but now thinking I should take it out even earlier.  It is starting to be sensitive and I should removed it before it become infected or inflamed.

Beautiful Morning

It is past 7am, I am up to download The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Zander and her new book Pathway to Possibility.  I bought her latest book from Kino at $17.95 last October and now it is available for free.  I am glad to support the author.  I also find it is much easier to read with a physical book.  However, the e-reader has the advantage of convenience.  Now, I bring it along wherever I go and read snippets when I have spare time.

I can check out 309 books anytime.  No bulk, no taking one book and then another.  All available at the touch of my fingers!  However, it is no so easy to skim through the books which physical form is so much easier and give better impression of what the book is about.  Enough on books.

While I type, plenty of birds chirping and singing.  There at least 5 different types of birds I can differentiate.  Common mynahs, parrots and the others I do not know their names.   I enjoys the sounds of the birds, it is nature brought to me.  The greening by Nparks help bring more birds here.  When I first moved in more than 10 years ago, there are not so many types of birds, mostly common mynahs, sparrows and pigeons.  Now I can see doves, woodpecks, parrots and a big bird which may be a kite but I am not sure.

Then at Punggol Point, the bird watchers will photograph the Bee Eater.  Now, it is going to be different as the Bee Eater nesting site is developed by the Outward Bound School.

All My Boys are Out

It is a Saturday, and all my boys have programs.  Baby has CCA, B1 and B2 go out with their friends leaving me and my wife at home.  We are just passing time watching youtube, or reading and now blogging.

At least we are still having a lot of meals together.  Soon B2 will have to leave for Canada.  Then we will be missing one boy for a few months.

Meanwhile, my garden is doing well.  I need to find a way to clear the white spots. It is attacking my sweet potato leaves.  The pandans are growing well and B3 uses the fresh basil leaves to make his paste. 

$60 to Fix Leaking Mixer

We have a bathtub that we never use.  The hot water end leaks.  My wife notices and we have to get a plumber in to fix the leak as I have no idea how to dismantle the mixer.  When the plumber comes in to remove the mixer, it is actually quite simple.  Simple but not easy.  Need strength to push the cover and then a big spanner to loosen the nut.  He just replaced the washers and it is good as new.

Now I know why my water and heating bill has gone up.

Printing Photos

We had taken family pictures when B1 had his commencement.  He has a friend who is good with photography.  He brought all his lights, camera and fixtures.  We had our photos taken.  After that he gave us a file for all our photos.  We had paid him for his services.  Now, that is almost a year ago.  B1 will soon be called to the Bar.  We have not done anything even though we had intended to print the photos.

Today, we decided to print.  So The Wife check out the internet.  She has tried several photoshops and did not like the photos as they fade after a while.  I remembered my schoolmate who own a photo shop.  Actually, he owns a chain of shops.  So I went to his shop in City Square to print the photos.  He says he uses old technology and the colour will not fade for 100 years!

We went and he gave me 50% discount for those he prints himself i.e. using the machine in the shop.  For those he outsource, he gave me 20%.  The Wife is very happy with the results.

The pictures have vibrant colours and very sharp.  We also print on that is 24" by 36", the largest available.  That is our most expensive piece.  In total, we spent just over $100 for all our photos.  We are pleased to get a good deal and high quality pictures.

Visiting 2 Classmates

My Art classmate is working in Queensway Shopping Center.  Since I have to send my wife there for her work, I drop by to visit her.  The shop is at level 3.  It is a bookshop with toys and games.  So it is like a regular gift cum bookshop.  The theme is Christian and some business.

I am afraid of retail knowing the long hours.  Also it is time for me to take a break and "retire" properly.  She keep asking me to attend courses.  She loves the leadership course she is currently taking.  Her trainer has the same name as me and worked in a MNC.  He went for plenty of coaching and training during his career in American companies.  I went through similar programs as well.

She is very excited as she is now using the tools for leadership training.  The learning styles, communication styles developed by American psychologists.  I am very happy for her.  She is very encouraging.

We have a lot of similar experience!  Her son is a lawyer but now working in IT.  My son is just starting out as a lawyer.  Her son's girlfriend broke up with him and so did my boy's girlfriend.  Seems like boys' hearts are broken by girls.

I also visited my Baking classmates.  They have a shop in Alexandra Center.  The carpark there is free for 3 hours if you buy something at the shops.  I was there and a few old ladies were curious and I offered them the free samples!  I also tell them the benefits of the bread which has low GI and how it is very difficult to get these type of bread from regular breadshop - rye and sourdough.

My wife loves the Cranberry and Walnut bread.  So we bought one loaf for $12.  This time my classmates give us free Spinach Bread and a bottle of kueh bangkit!  My wife is embarassed and try to reject the free gifts.  I, only the other hand is very happy and says very loudly I will keep coming back!  I have no problem accepting free gift or samples as I have to give out plenty of samples for my work.

Latest Count... 209 Books

This morning, I continue to transfers the books I downloaded to my Kobo.  Now I have 209 books.  It is so much more convenient to read.  Also no need to borrow from the library and pay fines if you forget to return in time.

The only problem is picture books are not readily available in the internet.  Books like gardening or landscaping which I also like and get inspired in order to work on my garden.

E Books

E-books are available for free.  I bought a lot of books from Kinokuniya.  Now I hold most of my books in my personal library in my Kobo e-reader.  It is really nice to that it is so easy to carry around and read wherever and whenever.  Only problem is I do not get the thrill of the physical book, cracking the spine, smelling the paper and feeling the texture of the newsprint.

I have now about 150 books in my Kobo.  The reader is not bad in EPub format.  And really slow in PDF format.  So it takes getting used to especially changing the font size and shifting the page around in PDF and putting up with the screen blinking and then displaying which can take a couple of seconds.  A couple of seconds does not seems much but when compared to instanteous with the flip of a page or multiple pages, it is eternity.

Temples in CBD

There are 4 or 5 temples in Telok Ayer.  We went there to pray on Saturday afternoon.  This afternoon, we make another round trip offering our prayers to all the temples again.  We are lucky to strike 4D to defray the cost of the accident even though it is very minor.

Car Accident

I was involved in an accident on Friday evening.  I release my brake and my car moved forward and hit the other car while we are waiting to get out of the main road.  This guy drives a KIA.  Anyway, I thought we just report the accident since it is just a touch.  However, my brother-in-law suggested to do private settlement.  I tried with him this morning and he declined.  So I guess just let it be.

The good thing about this accident is I bought 4D and the other car number popped up 3rd prize.  2nd prize is the same numbers but in different order.  I bought iBet and won a little bit of money.  I hope it is enough to compensate for the increased in my insurance premium.

Instruction Set of Quirkbot

I am stumped by the challenge of understanding the instruction set.  Going by trial and errors is taking lots of time and progressing slowly if any at all.  I am trying out varying instruction so that I can do running lights but so far no joy.  There is no time delay or trigger in the instruction set.  So I am still trying out to work out what instruction I can use.  Man, this is a huge challenge!

Fans of Boh Tong

My blogger friend is in Japan.  He has been updating his blogs regularly and has interesting stories about his adventure in Japan.

He talks about his daily life and the nice delicious and reasonably priced food.  He also gives glimpse of healthcare system which is important for everyone wherever you are.

This link to his blog is at the top of my fun places to go on the right column of this blog.

Quirkbot

I went for an introductory class in Quirkbot last evening.  It is interesting and challenging although it is designed for kids above 8.  I guess I am a new kid above 8:)

The Quirkbot keep hanging in my system.  I have to reset my computer as well.  So it is not so easy to use with my Windows laptop.  I am also trying to figure out the instruction set.  It is not intuitive for me anymore.  I will spend more time figuring it out and make some projects.  Right now, I am still trying to figure out how to make the lights go around and it is not easy!!

New Life

I am reading Boh Tong's blog.  He is now 3 months old in Japan and beginning to like living there.  I completely understand the feeling.  Initially, it is strange and everything is quite different even though it is nice.  There is this discomfort over the newness.  Over time, life gets into a routine and there are new hobby e.g. vegetable gardening(tomatoes), walks that is very comfortable...no sweats!, work on the house, etc, etc.  Then it is a real pleasure to experience different lifestyle.

I remember I had a hard time adjusting to life in Canada the first time.  The cold is frigid and goes straight into the bones.  Then the long days and enjoyable walks in the evening which is still very bright as the sun sets at 8 pm or later.  The neighbours or their kids will always say hi as it is their custom.  We can always talk to the kids we met during our walkabout and they will answer.  Whereas here, the kids look at you suspiciously or if it is a girl, she will hurry away or scream for her parents.

When we went back the 2nd time, it is so much easier.  We know the system and just ease into the life there easily.  Buy our car, get the insurance, go for weekend trips, fishing, farmer's markets, Home Depot or Canadian to maintain our home...  It is quite comfortable.

The only problem living in Toronto is snow storm and having to go to office.  If we ever go back now, this will not be an issue as I will not be working.

It will be nice to live there during summer and fall and escape back to Singapore in winter.  The only problem is airfare is so much more expensive than anywhere in Asia.

3 Weeks!!!

I have not been blogging for 3 weeks.  My blogger friend, Boh Tong has been checking on me.  I am no so conscientious in updating my blog as I stopped working and no longer needs to be in my home office everyday.

What have I been doing the last 3 weeks.  Well, first as you know my kim bak lor or Asian Seabass was kept in the freezer as the pump was leaking electricity.  I changed all the wiring which takes me two days as it did not work every time I re-wire.  So, I thought I have to buy a new pump.  This pump is expensive as it is integrated with a large filter.  So I googled and one guy experienced the same issue.  He changed to a new pump and the issue did not go away.  Since he is an electrical engineer, he did some research and found a solution.  Earth the water.  So I did as he suggested and hey presto! it works!. 

Since I no longer have to feed my Asian Seabass, I stopped cycling as well.  However, my garden needs maintenance.  I have to clear my plants.  I also acquired a banana plant from my physiotherapist.  The banana plant is growing.  So I am happy.

Since B2 brought back the Kobo ereader, I have downloaded lots of books for free.  I am reading a lot.  It is my old hobby.  I reduced my TV time a lot as well due to reading.  Unfortunately, I still watch Youtube a lot on my phone.

We had friends over for dinner one evening.  I spend two or three days preparing and cooking.  I cooked ranch beans and baked chicken.

It is mango season and they are cheap and plentiful.  I prepares dried mangoes for the family.  It is hard to keep up as the mangoes rarely last more than 2 days.

Today, I started cycling and fishing again.  So I will be back to exercising more regularly.