Summing up 2011

2011 has been an exciting year for me. I changed jobs though the new one is just 2 floors down from my ex-company. The environment and culture are totally different and the experience is brand new but challenging. I have also traveled (too) heavily and my job brought me to places such as India and Germany I have never thought I would go, not in 2011 at least.

Jan: To Kochang for the English camp
Feb: Taiwan this time covering Taichung and Tainan
March: Sanya, Hainan Island (and the familiar Hong Kong)
April: Hong Kong again
May: Kuala Lumpur
July: Shanghai - same city but I strengthened the friendship and bond with 2 persons and fell in love with the place a little better. Really hated it when I went in Sep 2007.
Aug: Sarawak. I like the home visit experience.
Sep: Chennai. Love India and the food!
Oct: Germany
Nov: supposed to go shopping in Bangkok but then came the flood and the frustrating encounter with the travel agency Focal. The trip will hopefully materialize next week, i.e Jan 2012. And yes, I met a princess here in Singapore.

My target destinations for 2012 include Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto) and Seattle+ Vancouver, and perhaps a short trip to Tainan. So if you're looking at these places, drop me a note:) Very little business travel which is so fine now. Met up with a friend this week and he said I looked radiant. The last time he saw me was in Shanghai in July and I looked really haggard!

With that, happy new year and may all our wishes come true!

Not seeing stars

I'm enjoying my afternoon here at l'etoile cafe located at Owen road (where the infamous kidnap case of 2 school boys happened some 20 years ago). Etoile means stars in French. The cafe is said to be inspired by a cafe in Nagoya, Japan after the owner stayed there for some years. I came this afternoon to avoid rowdy students who would hoard the seats for hours, according to reviews. No students, no stars either (I saw photos of Pierre png hanging out here etc, on blogs).

My first order was of course a skinny latte. Then came the cake which I asked the quite cute waiter to recommend. He suggested strawberry shortcake, brownies etc and I eventually went for blueberry cheesecake which was probably a leftover and he was slightly bemused. Anyway, nice cake if only the base crust was more...crusty.

Cosy ambience with ikea furniture which sets apart from the environment and now the drilling sound made by a nearby construction site which adds some noise to the quiet afternoon. Many blogs also recommended seats upstairs but i got sleepy the moment i went up and headed back to the first floor. No signs of Japanese influence except for some Japanese wording on the signage and songs.

Cafes like dome and orange thimble are my preferred choices. Overrated cafe but not a bad place to spend a lazy afternoon reading (reading bloomberg business week recommended by a colleague which is quite good) people watching (including at the waiter) and nice coffee!

Happy birthday, Mom!

It's 14 November - my mom's birthday. Besides wishing her the best of health, happiness, less nightmares and more sweet dreams, I hope that she

1. continues to pin her hopes on winning 4D every week and hits the jackpot this week, so that the whole family can retire together.

2. Nags less and stops telling me to go shower early; if I prefer to eat dinner first or shower first when I go home every day - cuz I usually will shower first.

3. Exercises more to stay fit rather than curling up in the sofa or lying in bed staring into space.

4. Forgets about the horrible memories she had with terrible people cuz all these are history. They translate into her nightmares which sometimes became ours.

5. Fulfills my wishful thinking that she cooks less fish and improves on her cooking.

Happy birthday!

换口味

I was a coffee addict. So one day, after i've moved out of my estate and later on, discovered that my favorite cafe was relocating, I was fairly upset. It was the place I spent most of my time chilling out, with or without loved ones. And so, I tried many means to find out where it has moved to.

A few years on, I got news that the cafe is closing down for good. To my surprise, it was just another piece of news - like the closing of xyz chicken rice stall (Of course, I was disappointed, devastated when I learned that McDull's McQuarters was gone when I went to hong kong earlier this year). In the last few years, I've slowly grown to love teh c kosong. And many say that the caffeine level in tea is higher than coffee!

Penetration of social media

The penetration of social media is getting deeper. Commuters of trains and buses are so engrossed watching videos or chatting on their phones, iPhones. More than once, I missed my stop cuz I was too busy talking to my friends online.

My mom recognizes the importance of apps and so, she asks me for the 4D winning numbers on my iPhone.

I was talking face-to-face to my sis last night she ignored me, typing away on her phone. I then whatsapp her and got an instant reply.

10 things I HATE about business travel

1) away from home - my mom's fish and of course mcdull and my bed.

2) after a long day of meeting, business dinner usually follows. My evening (which is like 11pm-1am) is then spent on work. Wakeup call at 6.30am the next morning. I'd rather walk into office at 8.45am every day, flip newspapers and sip coffee.

3) nice cabin, nice seat on flight but environment is not conducive for ta-baoing things such as pillows and cutlery I like.

4) no wifi in hotel room, only a LAN cable which means I can't use my iPhone for YouTube and whatsapp which are of utmost importance. Another key app for me now is letv.

5) nice bathtub in hotel room but no time to soak myself in it.

6) no time for sightseeing.

7) flight time eats into personal time an sometimes gotta go back to work the same day.

8) Upsets my holiday plans or rather, don't know how to plan.

9) leftover foreign currencies in the drawer and I can only watch them depreciate. Hate the euro I changed at $2.4. Really tmd!

10) lack of beauty sleep and pimples popping out and spending money to salvage my face.

But of course there're also advantages such as avoiding 'red bombs' and my mom's daily lecture!

The pianist

I finally finished watching the movie 'The Pianist' on DVD. When it was showing on tv on a Sunday and only halfway through at midnight. It's a three-hour show about how a famous Polish Jew pianist survived WW2 under the Germans.

The most memorable scene is Germans soldiers entering a Jewish family's home during dinnertime and made everyone stand up to salute them. An old man on wheelchair obviously couldn't, so they lifted him and the wheelchair and threw him off the balcony.

And the coincidence that I'm now working for a German company and my German colleague suddenly talked about the war. The last time such coincidence occurred was during hari raya when I had wanted to ask why Muslims can't eat p***k and then my friend started talking all about it.

So back to Germans and WW2, my colleague said when he was a teenager and traveled around Europe, people weren't that welcoming, especially the Jews who were exterminated. The Germans have WW2 as part of their education. Students were showed videos of the atrocities. The nation was upset how others looked at them. The Japanese on the other hand, offered no apology to-date. But, do the new generations care? My favorite fashion brands include uniqlo and muji. When it comes to cartoon characters, however, it has to be made in hong kong - McDull. I plan to go Tokyo for Sakura after the radiation but that may be 20 years from now. The day hopefully will come now that most of the bees have disappeared.

Watches change with time

My dad was a watch lover so when I was young, he bought for me classic citizens, seiko - the kinetic type with a simple face and metallic strap. I was envious of my classmates' Mickey mouse and other fanciful watches.

Then I started buying colorful fun designs when I went to junior college. They might be cheap, but hip and I enjoyed the positive comments from my friends. When I started taking vacation jobs, I was even willing to spend on Swatch watches. Now my budget is only $60 and even then it's a little pricey to me.

Recently, my casio watch I bought some 4 years back for $37 (or was it $35?) during a sale, stopped working due to a flat battery. I was contemplating buying a new, good one but finally decided after some shopping/ market research that all I need was a time teller an this one has served me well. $6 and I got back a reliable and sturdy watch. Good things don't have to be expensive they just need to be reliable and practical.

I still have some of the old watches in my drawer, maybe I'll have them all repaired one day.

Beauty shopping guide

First the beautician will tell u how problematic your skin is.

Then they'll say how fantastic their products are and it's value for money.

I don't intend to spend any money today.

U r the only customer who gets this special deal.

How well they know your skin.

And it's always 'today is the last day of the promotion' as part of the great Singapore what I know started yesterday.

I told them I'm not in the mood to buy anything today and I have more than enough facial sessions.

I saved more than $2000 today n bought myself an unagi burger, fries n iced milk tea. The rest of the money will go (over the next 2 years) to more premium Origins products n the cheap My Beauty Diary masks. I like the red wine n southern France apricot ones best!

5 good entertainment iphone apps I downloaded

I've 5 entertainment I've downloaded in the last few months which I find myself using very often - on top of youtube, Facebook n linkedin (which really is more about planning for future career moves).

1) apple daily
It's my daily news bible to find out about latest news about 峰 峰's romance or just lustful relationship with 霜霜, to the death of Osama. All videos n animation no words no brains needed. Perfect!

2) super radio
Finally, access to Taiwanese radio channels like hit n KISS radio. The RTHK app for hk stations is just as good but more stable. I attribute the instability to the lousy Singtel network.





3) spot the difference apps
Can be fun n frustrating

4) david's harp
Really no brainer app but can play great music on the harp. How I found it was through a competition with a colleague who has an android phone and a guitar app, to find another instrument app which is just as good if not better.

5) blogspace
This is very important cuz to me blogging is an entertainment. And this is the app I used to post this blog.

My first vote

Like many Singaporeans, I cast my first vote in the general election today! We went to the polling station early in the morning. My mom was amazed with how nice Farrer Park precint has become (though there's still only one bus serving that area.

Voting was a breeze. I already knew where to put the cross and after watching the Bryan Wong and Pierre Png commercials on tv, i thought i knew what to do. However, when i got my card and the 2 second right to vote, i was a little lost with whagt to do and was worried I marked in the wrong box. So excited that i now have already forgotten how it looked like.

To celebrate our newfound rights, we continued walking to Tekka market for breakfast, and took pictures with campiagn posters along the way - this is one of the things i always when i travel and come across local elections. My mum is a diehard PAP fan plus she hates gthe 'teochew woman' and so refused to take a photo even with the WP posters.

On thursday, I went with my colleague to the final WP rally to 'kay poh' what they have to say and take it as an eye-opener and be entertained if the points were not valid. The turnout was phenomenal but phenomenal really is an understatement. People were That was also my first time attending a rally. cheering, shouting and responding to almost everything the candidates said on stage. There, i saw how charismatic Pritam Singh is. He can easily be the future leader of WP to make the local political scene vibrant. There should be more talented choices in the opposition parties.

I like how the election will culminate with the results (show) tonight. It's like watching the American Idols but this time, I play a part too. As for now, it's over to city square mall for a nice meal for the energy to stay up tonight to catch the election results. Maybe i should buy some titbits too!

Which way to lean?

I'm so glad to experience one of the most exciting times in Singapore - the general election! After so many years, it's no more Tanjong Pagar GRC, no more walkover! And the opposition party contesting this ward is the hammer party, one of the more worthy opponents. We finally have a choice!

So many firsts for me! I saw for the first time, our minister MP standing outside of the mrt station early in the morning on nomination day, though he looked a bit awkward. He dropped by twice this week, which beat the total number of times i saw him in the last 5 years.

After a long wait, the hammer candidate came last evening. The guy knocking on our door looked decent enough and before we could react, this samsui woman looking lady appeared (i found out earlier from the party's website that she's 35. There was total silence from the opposition contestants except for the posters hanging on lamp posts with some on the ground, so i took the initiative to find out about them). She introduced herself as the opposition candidate. My mom went up to say hello in mandarin but she replied in Teochew and continued in the dialect to this old lady who was pissed. My mom was offended to be taken for the older generation (though she really is) which speaks nothing but dialects, and the most shocked to learn about her age.

From their newsletter, however, it is apparent that the party has a clear object (which is always easier for the underdog). With a fat campaigning budget, the incumbent's newsletter has many more pages, and is full of colorful pictures & slogans, but all i can see is they will carry on the status quo. Maybe they have done such a fantastic job, there's no room for further improvement. There's no personal address to residents.

It's indeed a difficult choice.

On a separate note, with McDull's good height and calibre, he can easily fit into the shoes of at least 2 ministers in the near future when he receives his pink IC. He speaks Cantonese and only Cantonese which doesn't seem to matter since the majority of Singaporean Chinese can speak the dialect too, plus HK dramas are so popular here. He prefers to remain as an FT for now, but may opt for PR which gives him almost all of the same rights.

Visiting McDull's Gar Heung

Had the chance to travel via and to HK twice within about a month after I started work more than a month ago. Part of the fun was to fly business class. I tried both the SQ and Cathay business class and trust me, CX is no match for SQ though I used to like the airline a lot esp for travel to HK. The food (the cakes are horrible), service and even the seat (which was manual recline) were a disappointment. The saving grace was the kiwi coconut juice. No wonder it’s much cheaper! Whatever it is, I’d rather have a better pay than good flight.

SQ


CX


But no matter what food and drinks were available on flight, nothing beats the local fare.

And don't think there’s no horrible food in HK! Visit Pancakes sthg sthg (don’t rmbr name, just the horrible food, or something like Pancaks story....a horror story) and it will totally change your impression of that! They have the weirdest pizza – soft shell crab with curry and some unknown stuff. The half thin-thick crust or may be bread adds on to the weirdness. But really it was catching up with friends that mattered. And thankfully, they were with me for a memorial meal.

The good old things:

Tai cheong egg tarts

公和 in 深水埗 (hometown of McDull) – it had been so many years since I ate their beancurd! The tofu and tau pok are also fantastic! We saw so many Singaporeans there!


My favourite porridge – 生记in上环.

New Finds (introduced to me by Jace):
Pork chop noodl/eice at tai pai dong on Stanley St, Central

Hokkaido milk factory (?) on 8.F of a building on Wellington St, Central. Saw it in Causeway Bay too.

Was trying to snap a picture of a golden retriever at Causeway Bay and came across a crowd. I curiously raised my camera to take a shot and found that it was 余文乐. Actually the security officer is better looking. I prefer杜文泽whom i saw at this fantastic vegetarian restaurant at the mid levels!


And how can a HK story (SG's as well) be complete without China men and women. Saw this pair of legs in front of me in the mtr station. She waswearing large shades like a superstar. From her unique fashion sense, i could guess her roots and she affirmed that the moment she and the da shen next to her, probably her ma ma, opened their mouth. On my last evening there, i moved out of the hotel to Jace's place and we were shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui with my trolley luggage like many dozens of China folks there. The main difference was, i was at H&M while they were queuing outside the branded shops (with cash) across the road.

In love with Taiwan (not part of China)

Had a good break in Taiwan before I started work. It was February but already getting warm. The first few days in Taichung, however, were freezing somewhere bewteen 10 to 15 deg celsius! I had been to Taipei but this time I managed to cover Taichung and Tainan as well!

Starting with the hotel, these are 2 hotels I like very much. My criteria weare location, location and location.
富春大饭店， 台中 - My friend die die refused to stay here after seeing the photos, but after a long journey from Singapore, this hotel or motel right across the Taichung rail station is the best choice! And so dirt cheap! SGD$14/pax/night! I had more money for shopping! The noise throughout the night and old furishing are not for the weak kearted. My friend was freaked out by the crack in the wall in the bathroom, sound of footsteps and running tap….as if something from the third space was with us the 4 nights we stayed there. But I didn't see much of an issue.

明日大饭店，台北 – I supposed we got the biggest room at some NT$1800 which was about SGD33/pax/night. Under 5 mins from 西门町station. Look out for the entrance into the building in which the hotel occupies 3 floors. There’s a foot massage station and manicure station downstairs when you turn into the building. Rooms are clean, spacious and cosy. Book way in advance and through phone only and ask for a room on the newly renovated 7F.


Tried new food this time – 红油抄手(basically chili oil on wonton) and 肉丸 (bak wan) from the famous 丁山肉丸 in Taichung. Honestly, they were so-so and didn't captivate me though they are Taichhung's specialty dishes.


A must-go must-try is this historical Japanese restaurant 美观园in 西门町. The sashimi was fresh and other food were equally good!


The night markets I highly recommend are:
逢甲夜市in Taichung – try the 大肠包小肠but beware of this pasta in bun thing. Long Q but yucky food. The pork cutlet is a must-try cuz even the gourmet 蔡澜 was there (on leisure) when we were queuing up.



师大夜市in Taipei – lots of cheap food in restaurants and street market. Shopping is great too.
We concluded that markets near schools are always of a higher standard cuz they need to keep their discerning customers.


Another unique place to go is Wulai. What's more satisfying than a hot spring bath in winter! The Wulai train ride is a must! Sun moon lake was different experience too.

I saw cherry blossoms first time in my life (even Wudang was fascinated!) but no sight of the white japanese sakura which could be found only on yang ming shan (mountain). The steep cable car ride was so fun even a doggy was there!



To immerse yourself in some culture, go on a FOC historical journey with Chiang Kai Shek at the Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall in Taipei. The photos were what i saw only in history textbooks! I enjoyed it more than the Gu Gong museum which has admission charges.


A short but interesting stretch of restaurants which are cheap but worth a walk, 敦南is about 10-15 mins from the flagship 24 hours 诚品bookstore.

For a relaxing breakfast and good coffee, this is the place to go - Feng Da cafe in ximending. But I suggest trying the local breakfast by the roadside too.


Am definitely going back… maybe hualien, kenting etc! Taiwan is so fun and the people are so friendly! Bubble tea cheap n nice! I like this from 50. And the shopping need I say, is the BEST! The red jacket I was wearing was only around SGD15! Only problem is i can't wash it that often cuz the (fake) fur won't be furry anymore and the drycleaning fee can be more substantial than the jacket itself.


I LOVE the oolong milk tea with small pearls and streaks (fen tiao).