Soup of the Dae

Lonely Christmas and New Year

2010-12-26T02:59:00.002+08:00

I have grown out of my twentyness (finally) at the age of 32. Thereafter, I spend every christmas day and new year's day alone, abroad or pigging at home.

I was no longer tempted by the numbskull thumpa thumpa, the clouds of fantasy, fountains of intoxication, fake pretty young things and the feeling of being out-of-control, out-of-this-world.

End of exploration? The fact is, I have not done with exploring myself. Every time I am this close of facing my inner demons, I choose to retreat with a big step of self denial. I know it will be futile to keep asking when will I be ready to move on to the next signigicant phase of my life. In fact I already know the answer. One will never be ready enough.

The elements of uncertainties often present itself as a big mental wall for many. I am not spared. Some might find it easy to break through but some will simply be retarded by this wall. I heard many have said, time ... time will be the key to unlock the door that remains so apparent yet being deliberately ignored for so long.

I think I have found the key but I lost my way and I couldnt find the door.

Life is always a bitch and it bites.

Fist bump and taichi slap

2010-12-21T11:01:00.000+08:00

I wanted to laugh so hard whenever someone greets me with a fist bump. (I remember my first fist bump experiene many moons ago. LOL . I deflected my collegue's first fist bump with my taichi slap!!! LOL. Not bad huh, natural instinct. I stiil find it so damn funny)

Who's your master of your fate, and who's the captain of your soul

2010-12-16T08:45:00.002+08:00

I was reading blog entries made by a mother narrating how she copes with the difficult times of her son fighting for his life in a near-death-car-accident.

There is no doubt that her son is a fighter. I believe the courage, perserverance and her faith motivates her son to get better.

The emotional roller coaster and the anxieties due to the uncertainties of her son's recovery, were beyond anyone's comprehension.

The rehab would be a long dejavu. Imagine, her sonny boy needs to relearn all basic living skills... swallowing, talking, walking.... etc.

For now, I believe she remains the captain of her sonny boy's soul and her faith is the master of her sonny boy's fate.

I sincerely wish the better for both mother and son.

Faith

2009-02-10T22:56:00.002+08:00

I think Everything is nothing, including faith.

Nothing itself is arbiturary. including this thought.

When mortals like us reached a consensus, nothing becomes everything.

And Everything is us.

L.K.P and H.L.T

2009-02-10T15:26:00.002+08:00

LKP = La Ko Pi
HLT = Hang Lo Ti

We adpoted this code for Tea break.

I think LKP and HLT are both very good name for a coffe shop!

Excuse me? Lu Si Mi Si Hock Kean Lang

2009-02-01T10:15:00.003+08:00

Every CNY, I look forward to catch up with my ex-councillor mates. Not so much on the little tips of parenting that they shared but the occasional thought provoking "why-s" that crystallised out of our conversation.

They were sharing about how to enrol their kids to Primary School. Good and Famous ones. While, this doesn't guarantee them that their kids will turn out to be successful in years to come, I agree that the environment and influences will grant them a good head start.

Alumni, Parent volunteering, location, Donation...... blah blah........ then, a father of three boys exclaimed that getting acquainted with one of the Huay-Guans....(a society/association formed by a particular dialect group) will give them an edge over others as some of these famous primary schools are affiliated with these huay guans.

Here comes the interesting questions...

A: "But if I am not HOCK KEIN, can I join as a member in that HUAY GUAN"

B: "Of coz not, u have to be a HOCK KEIN"

A: "Can I tell them that I am HOCKKEIN"

B: "But u are not. Your IC or BC has ya dialect group documented"

Souplad: " Can't you request to change your dialect group like you wanna change your religion"

B: "Can meh"

Souplad: " Why not"

A: "I don't think so. If your parents hockkein, you are hockkein. I think it is in the genes"

Souplad: " Har? I understand ethnic group and race cannot change coz this is how this system discriminate us, but dialect group ..... I don't think so lor"

A: "Dialect group is another means to further differentiate chinese"

Souplad: " But we are SINGAPOREAN CHINESE. Nobody (i am sure), calls u a SINGAPOREAN HOCKKEIN, SINGAPOREAN CANTONESE etc"

The conversation ceased... coz I think it's kinda getting heavy and our attention are distracted by the kids...

So WHY CAN'T WE CHANGE OUR DIALECT GROUP like WE CHANGE our beliefs....

Blessed with curses

2009-01-28T22:01:00.003+08:00

I do not like options but I am often blessed or cursed by them.

An annual gathering with my good old ex-colleagues-cum-friends vs a dinner thrown by my client.

I will definitely be at ease and enjoy the former. However, the latter seem to be an important dinner for me to network.

Hesitation

靠夭! 老虎被披着猪皮的羊吃了!

2009-01-27T03:37:00.000+08:00

靠夭! 老虎被披着猪皮的羊吃了!
靠夭!

我是无心的!

2009-01-27T03:09:00.003+08:00

东西那么重,

我看你拿不起来的!

哎呀! 拿不起来啦!

都跟你说了... 你是拿不起来的!

(O x O)

你脑部好吗?

2009-01-27T03:03:00.002+08:00

一百个大学生就有99个回答错误的小学算术题

一天有个年轻人来到王老板的店里买了一件礼物,这件礼物成本是18元,标价是21元.

结果是这个年轻人掏出100元要买这件礼物,王老板当时没有零钱,用那100元向街坊换了100元的零钱,找给年轻人79元.

但是街坊后来发现那100元是假钞,王老板无奈还了街坊100元.

王老板在这次交易中到底损失了多少钱??

靠夭!!

2009-01-26T18:09:00.000+08:00

Artist: ATUSHI KAGA

汤仔是个冤大頭. 靠夭!!

20K Equivalence

2009-01-26T17:24:00.003+08:00

Time is money.

What can I do or buy with 20K?

What can do I with 20K earth days left?

Despite being 35

2009-01-25T15:10:00.004+08:00

This year I will be turning 35.

Despite the self denial vigil that manifest in marathons, extreme sports, culinary episodes and music, I still have to accept the fact that my mental and physical dexterity is relatively engaged at a lower gear as compared to my twenty-ness.

Despite many have admonished that I should stop exploring and start to get important things done like starting a family coz they believe once a family is formed, it leaves them less time to ponder hence strengthening the immunity to distractions, I beg to differ.

Despite many friends come and go, I think I am still lucky to have friends who are willing to stick around and continue to harrass me with questions like "when am I getting married"

35. Yes, you are right. I am so very "authorise" to buy a "pigeon hole". I am really looking forward to it.

My last brew

2008-04-17T01:12:00.003+08:00

Brewing different flavors, texture and taste for almost 3 years.

I just wana say this is my last brew.

An intention to end with simple note.

Thank you and farewell.

Rap

2008-04-15T09:21:00.001+08:00

ROFL

mass dances, songs and great time spent in my junior college

2008-04-12T08:17:00.004+08:00

I was told that there will be a BIG reunion for all the student councilors this coming August.

I actually freaked out when I saw the list of student's council presidents .. it is already 34th batch this year!!!!

I was the 18th batch.... coincidentally, i was 18 then.

Ha ha, I am tempted to wear my junior college uniform again!

Here's the song dedicated to all my good old councilmates!

The young ones, darling were the young ones,

and the young ones should never afraid..

to live, love.. while the flame strong,

For we won't be the young ones very long.

how Subtle this song can get

My potential biggest birthday present

2008-04-10T18:44:00.003+08:00

Ka Ka Ka!

I passed my final driving theory test a couple of hours ago.

Booked the practical driving test on my birthday.

I think the driving license would be my best birthday gift then.

Sharing Lessons 1

2008-04-09T17:49:00.002+08:00

This is an email forwarded to me by my ex ex boss. I shamelessly stole it and propagate this wisdom to my fellow collegues whenever and wherever appropriate.

It is sufficiently clear from Mr 's note that the draft did not even meet that minimal standard which resulted in the rejection. An emotionless attempt at defence using an e-mail can very quickly becomes misconstrued as arrogance and apathy in a volatile environment. Is it wise?

My dirty hands

2008-04-08T19:21:00.003+08:00

It was a rough two weeks and I was emotionally under the weather for quite a while.

I am really at my wit's end of trying to let all my 3 bros , especially my lil bro, understand the need to get organise and be responsible, strong and independent.

Bros, I promise, you will still get big time sh*t from me when u guys f**ked up.

Sorry, I simply do not know how to do hurl sh*t nicely.

(P.S. I love all three of you else I wouldn't bother to spend time getting my hands dirty.)

MSN blocker scam ALERT

2008-04-06T23:16:00.002+08:00

I was given a website ( www.blockcontrolled.org ) by my msn mate claiming this website can help to check who has blocked u in msn.

I was required to provide my msn username and password

I believe it is a scam coz it really sounded dodgy.

Here are some comments about this.

Errrr....

2008-04-04T20:28:00.002+08:00

Money is Cheap.

I have a mental block while trying to under this phrase.

U are who u are and probably not who u wanabe

2008-03-28T21:38:00.002+08:00

personality and career

answer honestly and be mindful that the answer should be what u are and NOT what u wannabe.

超級星光大道

2008-03-27T16:10:00.003+08:00

Outdated , my pals claimed.

Yeah, I do not watch much tv and I only get to know about this chinese singing competition a couple of days ago. FYI, this is already the third season!

Anyway, since I've got all the time I wanted, I managed to catch up.
Bril-LANT!!!
I can't help but to feel the superstars created back home are being dwarfed by these taiwanese singing giants.

The first season delivered a couple of singing talents. (Though I felt the male singers are way bit ..errrr too WEN ROU (gentle). But when they started to sing .. a ha! Their singing really potrays a dramatic powerful masculine grief!..

Not too pour cold water on them, my mum said .... they sang like their FARThER and MARTHER have died... aiks) . These are the couple of clips that i really enjoy.

楊宗緯--雨天

楊宗緯 - 聽說愛情回來過

楊宗緯-背叛

楊宗緯人質

蕭敬騰 - 世界唯一的你

蕭敬騰-背叛

蕭敬騰(1) vs 楊宗緯(2) (新不了情)

Youth and Tomato

2008-03-21T10:11:00.002+08:00

Recipe

Just tomatoes or industrial strength tomato puree/paste.

Tested

Clearing ya plates and mess. FYI

2008-03-21T09:59:00.003+08:00

One may think that prompt clearing of the mess and leftovers during a meal is an effort made by the resturant to serve you better.

Think again.

Behind the "Good service" intentions, they might conveniently made you lose track of how much u have eaten, as a result u might order much more and overeat henceforth.

See this experiment performed

It takes 3

2008-03-18T23:47:00.003+08:00

1. A goat peed at my leg.
2. Paper Cut
3. Bird pooed on my head

Still.. I pass my basic driving theory test.

Spare me that handshake, Gimme a Hug instead, mate

2008-03-16T08:16:00.002+08:00

Ken leee Tulibu dibu douchoo

2008-03-12T21:16:00.001+08:00

Ken leee Tulibu dibu douchoo..............

ROFL.

Wana laugh out loud? click here

Learning German

2008-03-11T17:17:00.000+08:00

Learning Good Cantonese

2008-03-11T17:08:00.001+08:00

Angmoh Speaking Singlish!

2008-03-11T16:59:00.000+08:00

Teochew...

2008-03-11T16:42:00.000+08:00

hahaha.. that teochew sinseh...

Parking Pontianak - Dim Sum Dollies

2008-03-11T16:22:00.002+08:00

This is really funny.

Who's Dick, Lee

2008-03-11T11:00:00.002+08:00

A very daring performance by Dick.

Warning: Contents may offend

David

2008-03-09T22:17:00.010+08:00

I dun mind losing my bet. (I chose Brooke Whites.)

Here are some earlier clips .. (ya.. am slowly becoming a youtube junkie)

The Last one is my Favourite!!!

Show me the money

2008-03-09T19:09:00.001+08:00

Perhaps this website can shed some light when it comes to negotiating your compensation package.

FYI

Genesis and Slavery

2008-03-07T17:52:00.001+08:00

I am surprised to know the genesis advocates barbaric acts like slavery.

Perhaps it is just an erroneous mortal intepretation of the bible in an attempt to retrospectively justify atrocities.

FYI

"Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers. He also said, 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japeth live in the tents of Shem and may Canaan be his slave'. Genesis 9:25-27:

Slavery was established by decree of Almighty God. It is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation - - Jefferson Davis

You are what you eat

2008-03-06T10:16:00.003+08:00

WARNING: This clip may offend!

There are many hilarious and interesting clips in this website --> The Truth about food.

Personally I can vouch for the results of the Ape Diet.

I am not Helium

2008-03-02T15:08:00.002+08:00

Familiarity. Too much of it will render me dull, inert and stagnant. I believe.

Change. It almost always happen when I suffer from a life-or-career-mental-block. I am excited and anxious about it.

I have made a big decision to tender my resignation last nov and I am glad that I walked away from all, this Feb.

Many have envied about me having the guts to quit without a job thereby able to have long extended vacation as well as sipping morning coffee nonchalantly in a coffeeshop while watching the cliche morning crowds doubling up to start their nine-to-five routine. Honestly, I can validate that quiting without a job breeds haunting anxieties.

In fact, the anxiety nucleates from the uncertainty of what is going to happen next when I made a decision to change. I knew I am anxious about uncertainty and I have decided to give myself a chance to see how I react to this intentionally-induced uncertainty that is now slowly creeping within. I hope I can learn fast and thereby getting use to cope with any uncertainties that might come uninvited in future though I have had a fair share of life-changing uncertainties some 10 years ago.

It is not surprising to my good old buddies that I tend to stay away from familarity. Familarity, stability and predictability are the typical inert states that many have sought and will continuously put in more effort to achieve this inertness.

However, I believe these inert state aggravates the inertia to move forward and most importantly, they are primary sources of boredom.

This current state of mind has confirmed me wanting to change, more than allowing myself to become an inert individual.

P.S. Borrowing from my high school chemistry, ground-state-matters are hardly exciting and have limited use unless they are escalated to their excited state.

Leap Year

2008-02-29T09:27:00.002+08:00

FYI

In the Gregorian calendar, the calendar used by most modern countries, the following three criteria determine which years will be leap years:

- Every year that is divisible by four is a leap year; of those years,
- if it can be divided by 100,
- it is NOT a leap year, unless the year is divisible by 400.

Then it is a leap year.

More info are available here

Now u know. = )

Prison Break - LIVE in Singapore

2008-02-28T14:54:00.002+08:00

A JI terrorist leader is still at large...

It is an obvious attempt made by the govt, asking the media to show a few passerbys saying they are still confident in Singapore Security, so as not to create PANIC .

I think the security chiefs and those who are directly responsible are now sweating like pigs.

Imagine a lame escaping from singapore remand prison?

I am dissappointed! I believe singaporeans have been too complacent, including me.

DETOX

2008-02-27T13:22:00.002+08:00

It was not a pretty sight on the First Day of my 10-day DETOX program. I never knew I am capable of holding so much crap ! No I am not Bullsh*ting.....

It was a massive delivery and it stinks much more than normal crap. No sh&t!.

I felt much lighter! The result of Day One Detox probably validates what Banana Booze's Bullsh*t claims

Today is the 3rd day of my 10-day DETOX program.

The results are almost immediate though I believe what I have lost are mainly water. I feel weak and I tend to sleep more (start to think I am hibernating) despite the frequent trips to purge.

The only activity that perks me up, ironically, is hitting the gym. I have been trying to customise a gym routine that I felt comfortable, achievable and sustainable.

I am still trying = ).

Lagi Penting Puteri (Very Important Princess)

2008-02-24T17:22:00.002+08:00

I see my life ends with Lagi Penting Puteri (Very Important Princess, VIP)

Lagi Penting Puteri wants to draw a tortise on Souplad's Tum Tum......

As expected all gals invented their rules and insist their rules rule.

weird ! she is weird!

btw little lamb has upgraded herself into VIP

GeTai Humor

2008-02-21T22:00:00.005+08:00

Heard from the Getai set up near my place. (Those who know Hokkein or Teochew will understand)

Angmoh master: Did u mop my floor?
Cleaner: Yes sir, floor very good very good
Angmoh master steps into the living room and slipped. Groaning in pain
Cleaner: Sir Sir u ok? floor very good very good.

( "Good" phonetically means slippery in teochew or hokkein)

CONGRATULATIONS SINGAPORE!!!

2008-02-21T19:05:00.004+08:00

I am a Singaporean.

I am proud to be a Singaporean.

Congratulations Singapore!!!

86 AGAIN!

2008-02-21T17:29:00.004+08:00

Passed my Basic Theory Evaluation this morning

Sat through two lessons of Advanced Theory Lessons. Plenty of tips given by one of the instructors during the lessons, though less than 10 percent came out in the Advanced Theory evaluation.

Both lessons are equally interesting. I believe once I started to drive I will understand the frustrations of most drivers have pertaining to PEDESTRAIN.

More videos to watch during these two lessons and I believe these visuals had done a splendid job in warning all the drivers-wannabe-and-gonnabe about the potential dangers. Although, I have opted to learn to drive Auto Car, I have to go through stuffs like sequence of operating brakes, accelerator and clutch.

I am glad that I opted for Auto Car.

Later in the afternoon, after finishing the advanced theory lessons I head straight to take the Final Theory Evaluation hoping I will pass it. As I have learnt my lesson yesterday when I failed my first attempt of the Basic Theory Evaluation (not test yet), I made a point to read through the advanced theory book at least 3 times last night!

It is a lot harder than I think especially to memorise (which I dont have to coz I am learning an Auto car) how to manovere the clutch, brakes and accelerator when we do gradual bends, sharp bends, upslope, down slope, overtaking... etc

How to remember so many ?

And *sigh* I failed on my first attempt to pass the Advanced theory evaluation. I scored 86 percent AGAIN!!!! (90 percent to pass)... Just need another 2 correct answers.

The following are some of the questions that I have overlooked when reading the book....

1. One is barred for taking any test for accumulating ______________demerit points . Answer is 13 not 12. Damn!

2. Child restrainers must be employed for Kids below ______meters.. I cannot remember

3When stopping what is the first thing u do.

4. What gear do we use if we are going downhill... lower gear, higher gear or neutral gear.... I read from the book is either gear 3 or 2 so u ask me how to choose wor.

5. Also there are a couple of scenerio questions that I am unsure.... say car A is attempting to turn overtake car C on a single lane-two way traffic, when inched out car A saw Car B approaching from opposite lane.....

What is the answer? Cannot find in book. Sigh... So i use switch to KIA SI common sense....
--> Of coz Car A must behave like tortise lar... give way to Car C and Car B..... Sekali Car B headon collision with Car A how... Also Car C is a freaking big lorry.

Correct or Not?
6... You enter flood water ... u should accelerate and ____________.. engage half clutch, switch to low gear, switch to high gear.

There are many more questions that u cannot find in the book. Which makes me think they will almost always fail folks at the first attempt .... *sour grapes*

FYI ( to those who are learning driving, )

U have to complete 2 mandatory Basic Theory lessons and 2 mandatory Advanced Theory lessons. U also have to PASS the Basic Theory EVALUATION and Final Theory EVALUATION 14 days before the Basic Theory test and Final theory test respectively, else u will have to be disqualified from the test and u have to wait for at least another 2 to 3 months to book the next test dates!!

So my advice is to finish all the lessons first. Take the evaluations well before the test.. there can be taken in any order.. no pre-requisiste. Take practice lessons before the evaluation to increase the probabily of passing.

Unlike me I chose to test my luck to try evaluation without practice...... failed at the first attempt for both evaluations. = (

Nevertheless, I promise u, little lamb that u will be the first passenger once I get my license. U might want to wear a helmet. hahaha

Thank you

2008-02-20T23:16:00.004+08:00

This is a thank you card drawn by a 5 year old sweetie pie, Morgan

Thanx Andrew for providing the narration.

ROFL.

Here's the what Morgan says ... ( Andrew, I seriously think this is what u added... not Morgan)

Morgan said "This is Samuel... he has black eyes..."

Morgan said "This is Samuel on top of hill... he is lost"

Morgan said"He climb up the hill this way.. he was tired"

Morgan said "This is a big hill in China....why did he climb it..."

Morgan said "He should have just gone down this way.

And Yes, I did lost my way in one of the mountains in Hong Kong .. See Post titled "HILANG"

Drink Driving -- Yuan Wang ah

2008-02-20T22:12:00.003+08:00

Took the first two basic theory lessons this afternoon.

Surprisingly the lessons turned out to be quite informative and fun because both instructors had good sense of humor to make the lesson less boring and yet informative.

Besides watching a couple of "live accidents" video captured by the traffic cameras, the instructors shared many true stories.

One piece of information that comes as a surprise to me!

One can be charged Under section 62... for drink driving even he is resting in the driver seat irregardless where he parked his car!

Reason given --> Intoxicated and resting in the driver seat consitutes to "attempting to drive"

I was thinking one can be very wronged especially in the following situation....

You are intoxicated but your friend is sober. Out of goodwill, u allow him or her to drive your car to his/her house first and leave you resting in car parked near his/her house (e.g. hdb carpark) till u are sober.

You can be charged for drink driving as u cannot prove beyond resonable doubts that u did not drive or attempt to drive under the influence of alcohol.

Nope, your friend cannot be the witness due to conflict of interest.

U can therefore kiss ya license goodbye then yell " YUAN WANG ah DA REN .. YUAN WANG ah"

I asked the instructor, what if one rest on the passenger seat?
Guess what is the answer.... It's ok!!!

Reason given, if the driver is resting in the driver seat, he is very near the steering wheel and he can reach to start the engine easily. That consitutes to "ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE" under the influence of alcohol!!!

on the other hand, if the drunk driver is resting in the passenger seat he is further away from the source where he can attempt to drive!!!

Here's the excerpt of section 62

Driving while under influence of drink or drugs. —(1) Any person who, when driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place —
(a) is unfit to drive in that he is under the influence of drink or of a drug or an intoxicating substance to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of such vehicle; or
(b) has so much alcohol in his body that the proportion of it in his breath or blood exceeds the prescribed limit,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine of not less than $3,000 and not more than $10,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months.

HUAT AH

2008-02-19T09:46:00.003+08:00

It is an annual event and my excollegues and I have been doing it for more than a decade.

Every year we always have plenty to laugh about. This year the highlight is a hilarious video of one of my ex collegue's son trying to "LION DANCE" that ended up like he is in trans or probably had too much ecstasy.

We had our dinner in a korean resturant located at Amara Hotel 2nd Level. Very good food! High recommended!

By the way, I have just learnt when we do the "Lou Yu Shang", besides tossing the Yu shang and saying auspicious words, other parties need to respond "SHOU DAO (mandarin) or XIU DIO (hokkein), SAO DOU (cantonese).. depending on dialect " to signify we have received whatever u say during the tossing!!! haha. no wonder I have not received anything I or we have said for the last decade.

Nevertheless, I always have the penchant to embarrass everyone by shouting very loudly "HUAT AH" during the YU SHANG ritual!

Attention seeking

2008-02-18T22:59:00.002+08:00

Bank Officer: Good morning, how may i help u?
Souplad: My brother would like to open an eSaver account.
Bank Officer: What is your relationship with him?
Souplad (giving disbelieving look, my bro also looked blur): He is my Brother. Ya he is my brother.
Bank Officer: Ok. How may I address u.
Souplad: Mr Yang.
Bank Officer: Mr Yang, is this going to be a Joint or individual account?
Souplad: My brother is opening the account, So I believe it's gonnabe individual, right bro?

.........after a couple of minutes of typing

Bank Officer asking my bro: What is ya last name?
Souplad's bro: YANG
Bank Officer asking souplad: What is ya last name?
Souplad: We are brothers, so I am YANG also
Bank Officer: Oh sorry. So is this is gonnabe an individual account?

Really peng-sang..... "yes its an individual account.. and why u are asking my last name.!!!! "

WAH LAU EH.... WAKE UP LAH bank officer.

Of coz Souplad did not reply that way. Souplad is still a gentleman

Valentine's Day -- I really hate it

2008-02-15T00:38:00.003+08:00

Reasons why I do not like Valentine's Day

- You really do not need such a day to be good to ya partner

- Makes merchants elated that you were "slaughter big time" by them

- Bad food (Was told by a works-in-a-well-know-restuarant-chef-friend that food prepared in such haste and demand, are rarely optimum and surely does not taste good)

- if you really cannot afford a private dining environment, then forget about dining out, place will be constipated with couples.

- Carrying bouquets really make guys look stupid and make gals look ridiculous during Valentines' day.

I would rather channel my efforts in getting my valentine a good dinner on any day except on V day, or try to get whatever she wants within my capability anytime anywhere except Valentines' day. Sorry............ I cannot pluck the moon and stars.

Needless to say, Little lamb and I had bad dinner, bad drinks tonite and we were simply amused by the end of the day where we think PAI TI KONG ( a chinese colloqial event where folks will get ass loads of food to offer to the heavenly king. Usually performed by Hokkeins) is probably a more interesting thing to do.

Sorry Little Lamb, I simply hate handing out big bouquet on V day.

Let's go explore some other places, I promise we will enjoy much much better!!

...........

2008-02-13T15:06:00.009+08:00

Got these pics from some chained mails. Dramatised by the mail, it was claimed that this dog knowing that its friend was injured, was trying to move it to the side of the road.

Staying by its friend, it was crying & howling. Barked at anyone who tries to get near.

Good Bye Ah Meng

2008-02-10T18:34:00.000+08:00

You have had left many fond memories.

Good Bye, Ah Meng

Hong Kong and Macau pics and stories

2008-02-08T20:08:00.000+08:00

Lazy to post the pics here. Go to my facebook. Yang Tiong Hock

Hong Kong and Macau -- shoestring Logistics

2008-02-08T18:32:00.000+08:00

Travelling to Hong Kong and Macau is easy. Let just say a score of 8.5 from a scale of 10 with 10 being the easiest.

Splendid MTR (analogus to MRT in Singapore). A seasoned backpacker (I was being branded by Banana Booze, sacarstically) like me find it hard to lost his way in HK (excluding rural areas. yeah I lost my way in the mountains, will write more abt this).

Cabs are ready available though the traffic is really a killer in downtown kowloon and central. The cab fares are relatively cheaper than Singapore. There are no surcharges and ERPs. (If u have big lugguages, u will need to pay HKD15 more, i.e. abt SGD3)

I was told by many that flying to Macau then to Hong Kong is a cheaper option. I have validated that it is slightly cheaper but I will not go for this option in the future as there is too much hassle.

It takes abt 3 hrs and 40 mins to fly to Macau and abt same amount time to Hong Kong. From Macau to HongKong abt 1 hour (Depending on weather condition where the sea can get rough and u wonder if are in a ferry or doing a roller coaster)

So if u decided to add Macau in your iternary, I would suggest this arrangement.

Fly in Macau, spend a couple of days in Macau. Take ferry to Hong Kong . Finally Fly back from Hong Kong OR Vice Versa

SGD160 (SIN to MAC) via Tiger Airways
+ SGD70 (TAX)
+ SGD1.50*
+ 30 SGD (MAC to HK or Kowloon)***
+ 20 SGD **
+ SGD220(HK to SIN) via Jet Star
+ SGD70(TAX) = SGD 571.50

*(Bus number AP1 --> MAC airport to Ferry Terminal. MOP3.60 + MOP3 (lugguage) = MOP 6.60. MOP is almost equivalent to HKD. u can use HKD in Macau but not vice versa)
** (Via MTR, interchange stations to Airport Express include (Hong Kong HKD100, Kowloon HKD90 and Tsing Yee HKD 60)
*** Ferry tickets: To Kowloon (Via First Ferry or Turbojet China-HK ferry terminal nearest MTR Sheung Wan station) HKD 148. (Depending if u wana risk, the travel agency beside the ticketing office will release some cheaper tickets from the previous ferry timing. Remember u still have to clear customs, Gate will close 15 mins before ferry timing)
****Prices of the airfares fluctuate and is definitely going to cost more during festive seasons like CNY.

That's the average cost.

Add another 20 to 25% if u choose cabs over buses and MTRs. I would advise against taking cabs in HK as u might have a good chance in running into constipated trafffic.

As u can see the only fares u can skimp is the airfare as it varies, depending on the time and the period of the year)

This trip I manage to a return tkt to Macau at abt SGD 320 ( including taxes) + SGD 100 (trains, buses, ferries and cabs)

The rule of thumb still stays.... always plan ahead if u wana to travel on a shoestring budget

Murphies and Miracles

2008-02-04T22:00:00.000+08:00

Madman rushing

Lift going the non-intended direction, Traffic Jam, misinformed ferry timing, bad weather, delayed ferry timing, long taxi queues, grossly overcharged, rejected by airline counter, unsuccessful attempts to act KE LIAN.

Murphies...

->1230 Diamond Hill MTR
->1248 Mong Kok MTR
->1300 Check out Dragon Hostel
->1306 Miraculously a cab stop in front of me just at the rite time! MIRACLE ONE
->1315 Still at the same stop, coz it takes that long to make a U turn.
->1330 Reached China-hongkong terminal, thanx to F1 Cab driver.
->1335 Realise the next ferry is 1430hrs. Almost wanted 2 give up & stay another nite in HK.
->1340 "O Moon Leong tim (Macau 2 o'clock)". MIRACLE TWO
->1400 Board Ferry
->1415 Announcement of bad weather and potential ferry delay
->1505 Alight Ferry
->1508 At the back of a Q to clear customs
->1509 Another counter opens and I am suddently the second in the new Q. MIRACLE THREE
->1510 Out of the terminal and looking for Cab.
->1512 "200 dola no wait no wait"
->1513 Bargain failed and got out of the terminal
->1514 200 dola no wait. come come. Persistant bogus cab driver
->1515 Told bogus cab driver my flight is 1550. We fled. Yes I have to lug my luggauge.
->1516 Sped. Another F1 cab driver.
->1523 Reach Macau Airport. MIRACLE FOUR
->1525 Rejected by Airline counter. Failed attempt to act KE LIAN
->1530 Lugguage Ah Sok pointed me to another counter.
->1535 Waiting for approval and souplad praying damn hard
->1548 Sucess. Fled to the custom and gate MIRACLE FIVE
( I think I manage to clock within 3 minutes)
->1540 Board the plane.

MIRACLES!

HOU DOR CHEY the 2 F1-cab-drivers (1 real and 1 bogus) and LUGGAGE-AH-SOK

Felt like I am taking part in AMAZING RACE.

I am safely back home.

I sincerely hope they strike lottery big time and be healthy.

P.S. all timings are accurate to the nearest 2 minutes.

Lantau and Tung chung

2008-02-01T17:29:00.000+08:00

not really a good time to pay a visit to the Po Lin Monastery aka the BIG buddha this time of the year.

Visibility is really bad and the weather is freezing cold.

Luckily, the fog cleared in the afternoon and I am able to take several clearer pictures.. On the whole, No good for pictures .. no blue sky. On the hand, monochrome pictures might appear to be good.

Forget abt taking the cable car. Literally u are surrounded by clouds, ain't gonna see anything but clouds.

Bus 23 from Tung Chung will bring u to Lantau for just a fraction of the cable car fee.. 16 HKD if u are using Octopus. Cable cars... single trip will be 58 and return tkts is 88.

Tung chung has an ass-kicking shopping mall, dominantly infested by many "factory outlets"..... do not be fooled by the signboards... look carefully at those which says FACTORY OUTLETS like NIKE.. others omitted the word FACTORY coz they are not selling those cheapo stuffs that u might want to have.

The pacific coffee in Tung Chung is a very ideal resting corner. Very good services. Perhaps i am lucky that no one seems to be interested in using the internet and therefore i shamelessly hogged it for a good 30 mins.

will write more... as for pics.. will do that later when I am back in town

Nunneries, monasteries and Temples

2008-02-01T09:58:00.000+08:00

Chi Lin Nunnery and the nearby Lotus garden --> must go!

heading towards Lantau island today. the infamous Big Buddha.

cheers for more to come and be free

HILANG

2008-02-01T09:46:00.000+08:00

Got really scared when I lost my way in the Lion Rock Nature Trail in Mui Kong Kuk.

Alone. Dark. Cold.

It was abt 645pm. Missed the point of descend. Luckily I remember there is an emergency kiosk when I walked past the trail.

Made my way back and prayed it work. PANIC button pressed literally.

So 20 mins later, I have summoned a team of 2 police cars, 1 ambulance and 2 fire engines. 3 Ah shueys, 4 firemen , 2 paramedics and a monkey which happen to be there sitting near me.

Damn Siah suay.

the 20 mins wait seemed to be the longest waiting time though I had a monkey and a dog keeping me company during my wait.

Mount KK climbing and Sugei Padas water rafting

2008-01-28T12:15:00.001+08:00

to be told....

compiling photos and stories .........

Heath Ledger dies at 28

2008-01-28T12:09:00.000+08:00

Tragedy elaborated

FYI

Snowing in Shanghai

2008-01-21T16:44:00.000+08:00

I was told that it's snowing in shanghai.

Reminds me of an early sunday morning in Shanghai where I witnessed the apartment I stayed was covered with snow. ->http://soupofthedae.blogspot.com/2006/02/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow.html

I missed the visuals not the chills...

What is the market value?

2008-01-21T15:20:00.000+08:00

Regional role has its benefit.

Yeah. When it comes to "fund raising". The regional net cast is definitely gonnabe really wide. Well.. not forgeting the corporate folks.

It is interesting to hear folks, whether or not they are management or non management folks, asking what is the "market value" , the same question asked when it comes to giving wedding ang paos.

Well................they will always have a reason "Coz I don't want to spoil the market mah...."

Anyway, I am very grateful to all the uncles, aunties and farangs who contributed.

Any amount given is ok, even if it is just 1RM.

*********************************************

Now I am very anxious about the Mount KK climb.

Final Regional days

2008-01-21T13:56:00.000+08:00

Whether or not it is lip service, or some management pep talks or the HR manager is simply very tied up in her work, I have yet to receive the acceptance letter.

"Don't go lar, have u spoken to your boss?"

She has repeated this for at least half a dozen times.. Sometimes I wonder if she meant what she says, or it is just a better way to tell me, I have no time for u now.

Anyway she is a very nice lady, very nice to me, on personal grounds albeit she is well known among the managers to be very shrewd and very iron fist.

In fact, I carried and conducted myself well in front of the senior management and I think I am well received by the group of "Elders" that consist the finance, HR, Admin. Logistics and various department heads.

The only thing i hate to hear from them is " YOU ARE TOO YOUNG"... sometimes added comments like " YOU NEED TO BE POLISHED SOME MORE"..... and recently "YOU ARE TOO AGGRESSIVE AND AMBITIOUS TO CLIMB THE CORPORATE LADDER"

Haiz.. sometimes it is just so hard to respond to this group of "Elders" as what they say is not true lar.

Well, at least I have made consistent efforts to maintain the bridges.

Frankly, they are good folks when it comes non work-related matters. Perhaps I think I should start looking for sugar aunties and uncles now....

No need to fill in the malaysian embark/disembark form

2008-01-21T10:33:00.000+08:00

Just got to know this morning when travelling to work in JB via tuas second link.

There is no need to fill up the malaysian embark/disembark form commonly known as the WHITE CARD.

Glad to know that. Another step towards using less paper.

I wonder if there are any official notice?

Controlled chaos and chaotic control

2008-01-20T21:22:00.000+08:00

Its my first time attending a 5 year old sweetie's birthday party.

Shock.

The function room is overloaded with kids screaming and helpless parents taming them (in vain)

Controlled chaos.

That's what my boss says.

I begged to differ.

Chaotic control

Its my boss daughter's 5 year old birthday party.

I had a good time taking pictures though..

Especially those close up.

KK

2008-01-20T21:14:00.000+08:00

Souplad: Mee, I am going KK tommorrow

Souplad's Mum: Go KK for what? Who's baby?

Souplad: ??? No lar KK is a mountain. I am climbing mountain

Souplad's Mum: KK got mountain to climb?

Souplad: No lar. KK is in malaysia not the KK in singapore

Souplad's Mum: Go climb what mountain. Jiak Ba Kar Eng. (Hokkein: Eat full and having lotsa free time). Help me to do spring cleaning if you have so much energy. You better be careful.

Yeah that's souplad's Mum.

Souplad's modesty outraged

2008-01-20T20:35:00.000+08:00

Pump Room. Clarke Quay. --> http://www.pumproomasia.com/

Music.. hmm pretty odd mix of old school (70's), cliche bon jovi, funk, rock, house and techno. I could not figure out what genre ..oh yes...ROJAK

Life band "jive talkin'" . the best performer has to be the big mama-drag-queen.

Crowd was spontaneous. Littered by considerable number of SPGs looking for big guns and deep farang pockets. The farangs... of coz was roving for free or cheap or not so cheap thrills.

"play that funky music white boy, play that funky music rite...."

The dancing virus remains potent in Souplad. Yeah. As usual, souplad is focused to have great fun. Fun = Boogie woogie for at least a good 4 hours. Totally ignored the 4 corporate guests I had. But I pretty sure the SPGs will keep the white boys in our group busy. The only lady in the group. Well.......she was really really in her full party mood after I made her down two cosmos and one LIT.

All our modesty are outraged.

Torn underwear, flinging bras, g-s and thongs. I wished

Only blue blacks on my butt. The crowd is crazy. The lady guest largi seow, kept smacking souplad's Karcheng. Seow char bo.

Mount Ophir Mount Dato and Leeeeeches!!!

2008-01-14T09:53:00.000+08:00

It was a pity that Mount Ophir is closed to all trekkers due a couple of unfortunate incidents that happened in May last year where some singaporean campers were killed by fallen trees.

We only get to know when we reach Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir).

This climb was meant to be a "preparatory" for the KK climb next week.

In the end we did our training in Mount Dato.

It was punishing climb.

btw we realise that leeches are very nasty little creatures. they are everywhere and they can appear in places that u least expected.

Ironically, the leeches made the trip quite interesting as everyone panic when they found leeches clinging on them. Panic = hopping frantically all around yelling "LEEEEECCHHES"

Very funny.

Medicated Oil ( Feng You ) is a good to dislodge leeches. useless to hop around

Souplad's cupboard

2008-01-05T12:04:00.001+08:00

Putting things into perspective....

I am slightly as tall as my cupboard

I think I weigh half as much as my cupboard

My shoulder are half the width of my cupboard

My arms are as long as the width of door of my cupboard

My eye is as big as the key stud of my cupboard

Gym and Drive.

2008-01-04T12:56:00.000+08:00

I wanted to start getting my life and muscles back. (Yes, I had muscles. Everyone has muscles duh)

Friendly neighbourhood Gym..... here I come.

^$%^%#$%%^*^. I noticed the notice pasted outside the community club " Our Gym will be closed from 10/12/07 to 10/01/08"
..........................................................

I wanted to be the man controlling the wheels of an enclosed metal box that moves and halts at the command of my right foot....

%$#$^%$^%$& . Registration will take more than 2 hours and the next test date for the basic driving theory test will be Mar 08.

.........................................................

Went to see a doctor to eradicate the stubborn cough that I have been having since NYE.

After going through the "open-your-mouth-stick-out-your-tongue-breath-in-breath-out" doctor cliches, I seek permission to step onto the assumingly damn accurate weighing scale.

Yes......... I always think doctors have the most accurate weighing scale!!! Nothing beats the weighing scale in clinics and hospitals...... no fancies, no bullshit.

83.2kg

The potbellied doctor asked ... so what is ya weight.... 72kg?

83.2kg.

The potbellied doctor " you must lose weight at least 20 kg"

I am this close in beating up the doctor. Especially punching at his super big pot belly.

Nabeh...Is today Friday the thirteen?

NinBeh go sleep and treat this as a nightmare.

Wahpiangz.... buay tahan.

Irony of time

2008-01-04T12:45:00.000+08:00

It is so hard.

So hard to cope with mornings and afternoons without working.

I have tried using Warbooks, MSN chats and many many Breve lattes to fill in the gaps of many mornings and afternoons....

Uneasiness starts to kick in.

I am this close to tell my boss I am going to cancel my one month worth of annual leave and get back to work......

On one hand I can redeem these unclaimed annual leaves with cash on the other hand I do not have to think twice of what to fill my mornings and afternoons.

Stupid.

I thought I will be enjoying the abundance of time whilst my fellow aquaintances are coping with endless emails and ridiculous decisions made by management MFs.

I should be relaxed.

So much time and slightly more money.

duh

It must be the wrong configurations.. bad timing i think.

Coffee

2008-01-03T00:24:00.000+08:00

Latest Addiction

Grande Hazelnut Breve Extra hot Latte.

A must try!

(note: additional 0.50 for hazelnut syrup and additional 0.80 for breve preparation)

Pussy irony

2008-01-01T19:49:00.000+08:00

Who kidding who. (looking carefully at the bottom of the tree)

What a pussy irony.

Biru Biru..Oiishi

2008-01-01T19:44:00.001+08:00

Miseducation

2008-01-01T19:35:00.001+08:00

Guess what is it?

2008-01-01T19:34:00.001+08:00

Hint : Not a hairband... ......Up ya kinkiness a few notches, will ya?

answer ---> https://www.cstringdirect.com/

Constipated

2008-01-01T19:16:00.000+08:00

Down with fever and feeling constipated and bloated. Damn it what a way to start my 2008.

I wonder anyone would know how to perform C-section on my anus.

On a second thought, I think a combo of Christmas Blend and Prune juice should be able to induce a massive delivery.

Wooooo.....Woooo...Woooo Bruce Lee forever!!!

2008-01-01T19:14:00.000+08:00

2 girls one cup

2008-01-01T18:48:00.000+08:00

Are u man enough to see "2 girls one cup"

Trust me, it takes plenty of guts to see.... because u will puke ya guts out.

i couldnt take it after watching it the first 3 seconds.

Crap... literally

if u are still thinking abt challenges that u will be facing in 2008, why not give this a try http://www.2girls1cup.com/

Happy 2008

2008-01-01T16:59:00.000+08:00

the party came early and we had fun at dragonfly.

A big thank to Miss-JB-diehard (though she has not gone back for quite time already) and Banana Booze for organising this party.

Thanks Choo for letting me try that Cuban cigar, though I think I am a sucker to inhale.
I had a very very sore throat after that nite.

Little lamb looks gorgeous that nite and ahem .. she looks even more sexy in the pictures.

I am happy.

Here's my wish to all readers and buddies. (Don't worry it's porn free.)

http://www.rga.com/holiday07/index.html?cardID=e55f605b-6068-4042-875b-36d0fcf9f84b

and an encouragement to those who are thinking to shed that few extra pounds in 2008

http://www.rga.com/holiday07/index.html?cardID=da00bd63-9a9b-4b14-8e5f-2dc57774a0d6

another cheap lunch humor

2007-12-28T11:59:00.001+08:00

A City cop was on his horse waiting to cross the street when a little girl on her new shiny bike stopped beside him. "Nice bike," the cop said "did Santa bring it to you?" "Yep," the little girl said, "he sure did!"

The cop looked the bike over and handed the girl a $5 ticket for a safety violation. The cop said, "Next year tell Santa to put a reflector light on the back of it."

The young girl looked up at the cop and said, "Nice horse you got there sir, did Santa bring it to you?" "Yes, he sure did," chuckled the cop.

The little girl looked up at the cop and said, "Next year tell Santa the dick goes underneath the horse, not on top."

*******************************************************************************
all lunch humor.........compliments from some facebookers that I cannot remember or rather know who they are...

Festive of giving and sharing rite .. ...ho ho ho

cheap lunch humor

2007-12-28T11:56:00.000+08:00

A man dies and goes straight to Hell.

The devil greets him and immediately makes him face a big decision: "You may choose which room you wish to enter. Whichever room you choose, the person in that room will switch with you. They'll finally go to heaven after years of waiting and you'll take over until somebody switches with you. So go on, pick a room."

The devil leads him to the first room where someone is tied to a wall and is being whipped over and over again.

In the second room is a man strapped to a table being subjected to Chinese water torture.

Finally, in the third room is a man sitting in a chair while being pleasured by a beautiful woman."I choose this room!" the man says.

"Very well," the devil says. He walks up to the woman and taps her on the shoulder."You can go now. I've found you're replacement."

Complicated Sex and Wits

2007-12-28T11:34:00.000+08:00

Venus to Mars in bed: "You’re just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man.” and “Can’t you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?”

Ain't getting any sex tonite

Mars to Venus in Tiffany's: "You’re just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman.” and “Why can’t you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?”

Ain't getting any sex either.

As much as souplad validates sex is as important as oxygen, he also hates to validate the fact that there is way to go for him to understand why sex is made so complicated.

P.S. Souplad is narrating a story that he heard. Souplad is not Mars.

Beer, good company and a little bittersour note.

2007-12-26T16:30:00.000+08:00

The cliche "how's life" and "how have u been" started in orchard with lotsa peripherals about nutrition and a most unfortunate and in-your-face realisation of a 7K lunch.

A stroll down u-think-your-grandfather-owned orchard, a brief appreciation of those FUGLY christmas floats and a threat to pull Beerbrat's lack-of-one-button cargoes.

The Christmas moods was up a few notches when the 7K-lunch-banker, beer brat and I chased a dozen wings and wedges with several pints of asahi-s and Leffe's in ICE COLD beer with intermittent background of broken notes erupting "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "You give love a bad name" by a group of crazy farangs at No 5.

No climax yet. We agreed. Christmas Nite cannot end at 7pm.

Adjourned to Newton's circus.

Met 7K-lunch-banker's friend. To be exact a Until-further-notice-Rolex-bound friend.

Meet up was barely spiced with Stingray, 40 satays and a handful baby squids. We flushed all these down with more bottles of LAO HOR (Tiger, in hokkein) and still we are not happy and not stupid enough to embarrass each other with silly remarks.

Adjourned to Clarke Quay.

After several rounds of indecisiveness... we ended in Brewerkz. I had my fav Golden Ale. Yes, I felt very happy that I had my Golden Ale.

No shit. Very happy.

Had a couple rounds of polite pools and a few warm photoshots with the 7K-lunch-banker and the nite is punctuated by a bittersour note on my way back home.

a little bitter and sour after hearing the update that SHE is getting married. Yes .....it had to come from Beer brat.

A drama that was created at work and NV that wreck and screw up souplad.

However, the fleeting thought was very quickly replaced by images of little lamb. How I wish I can cuddle little lamb.

Christmas. A festival of giving.

Forsaken and Forgiven.

The chapter has finally closed.

******************************************************************************
Beer Brat, he is Hock C____.

I think.

Send my regards to her if you still can talk to her.

Simple formula

2007-12-26T16:27:00.000+08:00

214 + little lamb + Souplad - any unforseen circumstances = until further notice

Purpose Driven Driving

2007-12-24T19:50:00.000+08:00

So this is christmas, and what have you done?

or rather what are you going to do for the rest for the 6 days before 2007 ends.

I m going to get that driving license.

I feel so handicap without knowing how to drive. This morning. Especially. So useless. All boys and Man need to know how to drive.

Damn it.

I AM GOING TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!!

multiracial morning

2007-12-20T08:05:00.000+08:00

i rise to a great multiracial sunshine.

not irritated by the prayers by our muslims friends, the ceremonial "dong dong chiang" by our taoist friends and finally the "amazing grace" played by our christian friends.

Yes all at the same time initially....

There are two funerals held at the voiddeck of my block (side by side). A taoist family and A Christian family. And because today is Haji, our muslims friends are reciting their prayers in a wudhu? in the voiddeck of the opposite block

I think there is a unspoken understanding, respect and tolerance among them.

Anyway, the muslim prayers reminded about the book "Kite runner" that I have read. It is by far a story that I can still remember after months of reading. A very good read. I think Little lamb will like it.

Now I understand what does this verse "lâ ilâha illâ allâh" means. It is always recited many many times during muslims prayers.... it means "there is no god but Allâh... ".

Reynolds Number and Sanitary Pads

2007-12-16T08:24:00.001+08:00

Reynolds Number, Sanitary Pads and Kopi C Kosong.

Which two belongs to the same group?

It seems to read like those typical test-your-IQ-to-prove-you-ain't-that-smart questions. Think about it or read on..............

Miss branded-bag-fanatic, Mr Angmo Alibaba and I decided to meet and catch up with each other as Miss branded-bag-fanatic and I had not seen Mr Angmo Alibaba for many many months.

We updated each other with some cliche events that happened in the past few months and we congratulated Mr Angmo Alibaba on his recent promotion to Senior Chemical Engineer.

We had steak in Holland Village Hog's Breath and as usual, we were asked what kinda sauce we would like to have on our steak. Miss branded-bag-fanatic who thinks the waiter is cute, mischievously points at the menu, "sauce that's like home made by mum"

Looking briefty at the waiter who is now very embarrased by her question, she quickly followed up with another question while looking at us "But who's mum, my mum doesn't cook"

Decided to play along, souplad said "Mine either, if its from my mum, forget about it"

AngMo Alibaba said "No mum here, that's why we eat out".

We cracked up at our silly remarks leaving the waiter blushed and hurried off to get our dinner fixed .

Angmo Alibaba claimed that he has lotsa freetime now as his gf will be outatown for quite sometime and he is looking for new interest.

"why not tutor Miss branded-bags-fanatic" souplad uttered.

"What? He doesn't even know Reynold's number for Laminar flow and turbulent flow" Miss branded-bags-fanatic

"Alamak, senior chemical engineer leh" souplad.

I think Angmo Alibaba must be thinking " Bloodly hell, berlanjah you guys dinner and now kena suan...."

Anyway albeit the bad steak, we had good laughs and chats as we adjourned to Wala Wala.

It was 2 am when i received an SMS that says " <2000> 4000 turbulent.. too much redbull and bored" its damn obvious who sent this SMS.

********************************************************************************

Despite late nites, I woke up pretty early and that I was greeted with great sunshine.

Saw Miss YY in MSN and we decided to catch up in CCK Yakun. A good 4 or 5 years I think since that last time we met when I gave my super-underutilised-Unit Operations textbook to her. We chatted and updated each other about whats has happened over the past 4 to 5 years.

We came to a topic when we asked why are we doing stuffs that are not related to what we studied in college.

Miss YY claim that she had a friend that had a job that I couldn't possibly guessed after graduating as a rookie chemical engineer.

Doing research work on sanitary pads and tampons. It left me flabbergasted for a good 30 seconds.

We tried to think the link between Chemical Engineering and Sanitary pads/tampons. We concluded they are very related.

Yeah... the subject that all chemical engineers took at the final year M.T.O Mass Transfer Operation... (I shan't elaborate further)

We laughed and laughed. As usual, Souplad, being infamous for his rude and loud guffaws drew unwanted attention.

later in the nite, I caught up with my buddies over two games of mahjong and mercilessly set them back for a good 70 bucks ( if only I raised the stake but kind souplad couldn't bear to see their lil ones go hungry without milk powder for god-knows-how-many weeks. = ) )

Looking forward to punctuate my sunday with nice warm commas and exclamation .

Little lamb is picking me up for Bah Kut Teh in Pelangi. Yeah!!!

I felt so blessed and grateful.

*********************************************************************************
Still dunno which two belongs to the same group?

Reynolds Number, Sanitary Pads and Kopi C Kosong....

Read the post again or ask a chemical engineer.

Kingdom

2007-12-02T18:23:00.000+08:00

go watch it.

At last, a movie that I find not as bad as those recommended by banana booze

He made the right choice. A good one.

albeit bad movie recommendations, I still love his great personality, not forgetting the hilarious bickering with Miss JB die hard (sorry folks... I really find it farni.. no worries.. I think I will get a fair share of it in the future)

now we are planning a trip to vietnam. wonder what's brewing

BB ...what are u waiting for?...MAI4 TU2 LIAO4... book the tickets ..... wait for durian to drop is it?

Little Lamb

2007-12-02T18:20:00.000+08:00

I love spending time with little lamb.

The more I love to spend time with little lamb, the more I tried not to.

I think I need a bug fix between my ears.

Meet ups

2007-12-02T18:12:00.000+08:00

It is a blue-moon affair. A four-some.

My college classmates.

One of them I have not met her after we graduate. 5 years I think.

Strangely, I felt strange. Wrong configuration I guess.

I still love my friends, just the way they are and behave.

Yah.. wrong configuration ... mustbe

Dip

2007-12-02T17:43:00.000+08:00

I have came across this book at least half a dozen times and I have also shamlessly read or browse at least 3 times without buying it.

I have to say whatever this book is trying to say is something that I think everyone is aware or at least been through the same situation.

It will probably gave some folks some reassurance that it is ok to quit from a current obligation by giving some examples of cul-de-sacs or cliff

It will also probably gave an imaginary tight slap asking one to wake up his/her idea for being such a baby to complain about the "dips" in their current obligation.

It also reminded me of the term "Hot Hot chicken shit" that was mentioned by Miss JB Diehard when I say I am quiting from some interest or from a current obligation.

Winners quit fast. and knowing what and when to quit is critical.... . The book is trying to advocate.

I like that.

I have decided to quit from my regional role as I believe its a cul-de-sac.

I have just quit from doing the marathon today (I sick ma.. really..)
I have also quit from thinking I will buy this book.

Shameless Souplad.

S POP vs XINYAO. Another Singapore Brand Like Old Chang Kee?

2007-11-26T20:39:00.000+08:00

An attempt to brand singapore music. Can S really POP?

Anyway I love those XINYAOs.

Found myself singing along. Every single one.

Old? Haha.

DENG MIAO HUA, JIANG HU, SHUI CAO SAN CHONG CHANG, WU QI XIAN, LI FEI HUI.

I am buying that CD.

Heading down the memory lane.

new PC

2007-09-24T21:05:00.000+08:00

i've got my new mini PC installed.

A happy man, i am.

Lazy Devil

2007-07-15T16:34:00.000+08:00

Hot and Bored Sunday.

Read Melancholic Merriment's Blog and took this test.

enslaved? Try me. ; )

You are The Devil

Materiality. Material Force. Material temptation; sometimes obsession

The Devil is often a great card for business success; hard work and ambition.

Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the major arcana, the Devil is not really "Satan" at all, but Pan the half-goat nature god and/or Dionysius. These are gods of pleasure and abandon, of wild behavior and unbridled desires. This is a card about ambitions; it is also synonymous with temptation and addiction. On the flip side, however, the card can be a warning to someone who is too restrained, someone who never allows themselves to get passionate or messy or wild - or ambitious. This, too, is a form of enslavement. As a person, the Devil can stand for a man of money or erotic power, aggressive, controlling, or just persuasive. This is not to say a bad man, but certainly a powerful man who is hard to resist. The important thing is to remember that any chain is freely worn. In most cases, you are enslaved only because you allow it.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Starting a new blog

2007-06-26T23:04:00.000+08:00

I am contemplating to start a blog about my work.

An avenue to share experiences pertaining to specific fields of validation.

Stay Tune

Bad humor and Wet thoughts

2007-06-26T22:46:00.000+08:00

This evening, in the pantry.....

Miss LK: oooh, this detergent is good. My cup is so clean that I can see my face.

SL: So does dat scare the daylights out of you?

I am going to have a hard time with my documents checking in the document center.

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Some time last week, the overcast sky mercilessly leaks.

We ran towards the car,

Miss C : What am I gonna do, I'm so wet...so wet..how. Tsk Tsk.... Are you wet? You want tissue ? See....so wet.

Trust me. I behave myself during the journey back from lunch. She's driving, by the way.

Swim against all the odds

2007-06-01T10:58:00.000+08:00

Here's a newspaper article that somehow help . Decided to type it out and share

"Most of my teenage years were spent in a swimming pool training to become an inter-national swimmer. But I never manage d to achieve my ambition.

Over and over again I would lose races by fractions of seconds and I never got the selection call-up. At that time, I knew the obvious, logical reasons why I didn't make it -- I wasn't tall enough, my hands and feet weren't big enough and , of course I didn't have the natural talent!

I retired from competitive swimming at the tender age of 19 and became a coach instead. But it wasn't until my late 20s that I realise that the reasons that I used to explain my own failure were the same as the swimmers I was coaching to explain why they didn't succeed.

Almost 10 years after I retired from swimming, I understood that I had just been making excuses for my failure.

I can see now that I had everything I needed to succeed except perhaps the most vital aspect -- self-belief. That lack of self-belief was what caused me to think negatively and expect to fail.

NEGATIVE THINKING
Once you expect to fail, you will tend to choose the actions that take you towards failure. That is the way your brain works. If you do not change your negative thought processes, you will end up getting just what you expected in the first place -- failure. The only way I could justify my constant lack of success was to give other people reasons -- or excuses -- why I failed.

When I studied sports psychology, I discovered the connection between performance and self-belief. When your self-belief is low, your performance will reflect it and your will underachieve. If you can raised your self-belief, you will start t o expect success and will therefore take the actions that lead to success.

The voices in your head question your skills, remind you of your recent failures and constantly focus your minds on what other people might think if you do not perform to your ability. Those voices help you to find excuses for your poor performance. This is true of everything you do in life, not just in sports.

The most difficult thing in this whole cycle is knowing when you suffer from low self-belief. Others can usually tell by watching or listening to you perform but you often don't realise it yourself until it is too late and your are already on the path towards failure.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK
When you make excuses, it shows that you are struggling with your self-belief. Next time you five someone a reason for something your could not do or did not succeed at, ask yourself: Is this really a reason or is it just an excuse? You need to be totally honest with yourself and examine if your are making excuses rather than providing truly valid reasons. If it is the former your self-belief needs fixing.

When I was 35, one of the athletes I was coaching suggested that I should start practising what I preach: "If you think that good self-belief is what we need in order t o succeed, t hen why don't you prove it to all of us? Get back in the water yourself and start swimming again."

Well, I did accept the challenge and, to cut a long story short, I'm swimming faster today at 52 than I did in my teenage years and I'm breaking national masters records.

I am training a lot less than I was back then, but I believe in myself a whole lot more and that's what is making the difference to my performance.

I now find it easier to take on challenges with a positive outlook. If I feel like I'm starting to make excuses about my performance, I work on my self-belief until I feel I can cope again.

So don't spend your energy looking for reasons why you can't cope but work on your self-belief -- it always lead to success.

Contributed by John Shackleton, a sports coach turned motivational speaker who uses the principles and psychology behind top athletic performance for equality outstanding results i n the business world.

Happy Vesak Day

2007-05-31T11:22:00.000+08:00

pondering what am I going to do while heading back to my little habitat last evening......

a buzz to my good old buddy and I get to know that she is volunteering for an Vesak Day event (the prostrating ceremony... SAN BU YI KOU BAI, take-three-steps-and-prostrate ceremony) near BG.

Rush back, clean up and m out within 10 mins, heading towards BG.

Yeah... it has been a spontaneous decision to take part. ( I have always been like that... doesn't like to plan but enjoy doing things at the eleventh hour)

Though, the prostrating ceremony lasted barely for 2 hours, ... it has been quite an experience for me.

Trying hard to concentrate amidst the heat, humidity, pain on both of my knees (yes I am stupid to wear berms instead of pants), soreness on both of my thighness, ill smells, ...... all kinda distractions ....

the feeling is almost analogous to the marathon I took part last year.... ...the inner voice "come on when is it going to end.... give up lar....." mindf**king me .......

distractions, negative thoughts......(Kylie's "can't get you out of my head")

the reciting of the scriptures (I am sorry I simply have no idea what is it all about, kinda guess its sounded like Amitabha shakyamuni....... I terribly sorry, I am a lousy Buddhist) does help to get the mindf**king distractions out of my head...

I enjoy the journey ...the process.. . coz it really calms the beast within ...

So I ended the evening with two bruised knees, two sore thighs, two beautiful lotus lanterns, one tamed beast and a happy soul.

Happy Vesak Day to all my friends. May you be blessed with happiness and compassion.