Just keeps coming

Met Py and Yw for dinner one day after work at Novena. Went to a japanese teppanyaki restaurant. Well, there wasn't only teppanyaki. We tried a teppanyaki set and a katsu set. I quite like the croquette..

Food's quite interesting. One of the appetizer was a sushi with a piece of redish orange piece of thing on top. Was wondering if it was carrot. After eating, I realized it was papaya on top and rice rolled around banana. Very interesting. Taste wasn't too bad either.

We only had one dessert from a set meal. Asked for 2 additional spoons so that 3 of us could share it. The waitress came back with 2 spoons, and 2 desserts too! She said it was complimentary. Haha... Free dessert!

Then we continued to chat while enjoying our dessert... A waiter came with 2 plates of soya sauce and empty plates which usually comes at the start of the meal. We were surprised and said it can't be ours.. He checked, said sorry and that it should be for another table. So we continued with dessert.. Next a waitress served 2 plates of garlic race We gave that surprised look, said it's not ours and burst out laughing.. Then main dishes came again and again... And it repeated for a few times... Had a good time laughing at how we could have gotten 2 free set meals at the rate it was coming...

Well well, anyone who wants free food, you could consider parking yourself in the restaurant. Maybe free food will come ur way too!

P.S. It's on the first floor. Near cotton on.

Myanmar vs China

Deep down, I was wondering.. Why is there a charity show for China and not for Myanmar? I know both countries deserve help, many deaths, many broken families... but why?

Was reading 'My Paper' today and I totally agreed with the headlines.

- China has $2 trillion in foreign exchange reserves
- It has enough funds to pump $18 billion into quake relief and reconstruction
- It donated $15 million to Myanmar cyclone victims.
- So why are people donating money to China, instead of Myanmar?

Is it because most of us are Chinese and we emphathize with our "own kind"?
Because the China incident has been publicized much more than Myanmar's in papers and on tv?
Because China is much more linked in business dealings, economic and political sectors?
Because people don't know whether most donations will reach Myanmar people? Well, I'm also not sure whether most of it will reach the China people either...

It's not that I'm anti this donation thing, but I just can't understand why the donation drive is so skewed towards China.

Myanmar is poorer, less resources, more deaths. Why why why?

25%

Just heard about this 25% theory from my colleague.

In a week, there's 24 x 7 = 168hrs.

If you start work at 8am, end at 5.30pm from mon to thurs and 5pm on fri, you work
8.5 x 4 + 8 = 42hrs excluding lunch hour.

And that makes it 25% of your time!!

So what? Well, it all depends on how much of your time you want to allocate to your life.. 25%? or more?

haiz...

Quite saddening few weeks...

First, it's the cyclone disaster in Myammar. Can't believe the death numbers. One day, I heard 20,000. A few days later, papers reported an estimate 100,000 people.

Now, it's the earthquake in China. Really heart breaking to hear about news like a collapsed school with estimated 900 students. 900 youths losing their lives, 900 pairs of parents upset...

Will Singapore be safe forever? *cross fingers*

Accessories?

Helping my cousin publicize her website that sells self-made jewellery...

If you're interested, go to http://www.exclusivecorner.blogspot.com/

3rd anniversary

3 years ago, on this very day, I gave up my freedom....

3 years ago, on this very day, I started my first job...

Some people are still at the very first company they joined. Some have job hopped many times.. For me, I'm still at my first company...

Throughout these 3 years, pple always asked 'When are you leaving?' or 'Are you going to stay there for long?' I have no idea... I guess I'm not unhappy now, so I don't see a reason for leaving...

Some people change job because they want to try different things, some people change because they don't like what they're doing. I can't say that I totally adore my job now. I just changed my portfolio a few months ago and I'm still trying to find my direction and how I can develop my strengths...

So we'll see how it goes from here onwards!

Happy mother's day to all mothers!!

Ho Chi Minh 2

Just thought I should write more about hcm, other than what I did... More feelings, more observations..

There are a hell lot of motorcycles! According to my first day tour guide, there are about 7 million residents excluding those from other places who travel to hcm. There are about 3+ million motorcycles.

On the first day, the air looked hazy.. Don't know whether the air is polluted by factories or too much traffic. The roads are super busy all the time. I was quite glad that I did not have asthma because I think I would have suffered from an attack after a few hours of walking. After it rained in the afternoon, the air felt so much fresher! So glad it rained...

If you do not hear a single honk, it's highly abnormal. Felt a little strange when I returned to Singapore. Every vehicle will honk at least once every 3 mins. Sometimes even continuously for every few seconds. Cars honk at any motorbikes that are vaguely in their way far far away. I'm not very sure if it means 'Get lost' or 'Hey, you're blocking my way' or 'I'm informing you that my car is coming close so you should move to a slower lane'.

Few traffic lights, and even fewer where every vehicle would stop at a red light. Just look at the oncoming vehicles, see a slot and cross. Doesn't matter even when there are bikes coming your way cause they'll avoid you. Cars and buses are a different thing. They'll honk and honk at you, so it's better to give way to them.

Quite a number of people without at least one limb. I guess it might be due to the vietnam war, from bombing, land mines, agent orange. Agent Orange refers to the time when US used chemicals during the Vietnam war. Vietnam soldiers and children born after that suffered from skin disease or born deformed. Went to War Remmants Museum to see pictures of victims and 2 jars of deformed foetuses.

Food's very healthy there. Whether it's noodles, spring roll or a pancake type with turnips wrapped inside, there's always vegetables. Lots. At most food stalls, there'll be a big plate of raw vegetables and mint leaves for one to be added to the food.

Some vietnamese were quite friendly, like the one who taught us how to eat the noodles with meat. An auntie who gave an encouraging smile when we tried the duck egg and the guy who taught us how we should make a hole at the shell and what sauce to eat with. But of course, there are vietnamese who try to extort money from you. It's non stop of bargaining at Ben Thamh market. Prices can be cut till about 50%. I find it very tiring to buy everything through bargaining. I like to look and look before buying, but asking price there means that they'll start bargaining. Also the cyclo drivers who try to trick your money with bad pronunciation of 'fifteen' vs 'fifty'

And for my hotel, in some way I'm quite grateful that there's no lift. After I returned, climbing one or two storeys? No sweat man..

Kids

So happy! Heard that 2 of my friends are pregnant liao... Wah, next time got little girls and boys calling me auntie. Little babies crying during gatherings... Oh my....

After watching my uncle-in-law's funeral, I think that I would like to have kids if I get married next time. Perhaps for selfish reasons, but it's really quite a lonely sight when you only have your partner to deal with everything at your funeral. Your partner has no kids to help or get support from, only siblings. But looking at us now, how many siblings do we have to rely on?

Meme

Name 3 schools you went to?
South View Primary Sch, RGS, RJC

Name 3 things in your wallet?
Driving license, credit cards, cash

Name 3 things you always wear?
Top, bottom, underwear

Name 3 things you normally do when you are stressed?
Watch tv, breathe, talk/sms

Name 3 favourite songs right now?
月牙湾, 屋顶，只对你说

Name 3 places you go on a daily basis?
Home, office, park downstairs

Name 3 favorite fruits?
Softened pears, juicy oranges, seedless grapes

Name 3 things you are addicted to?
Sms, internet, tv

Name 3 career choices:
Cafe owner, average office worker, baker

Name 3 goals in 2008:
Save more money, find time to bake/cook, exercise more

Name 3 plans for tomorrow:
Return to work after holiday, check mail, avoid monday blues

Three things that scare you?
Horror shows, cockroaches, hearing people dying

Three everyday essentials?
Sleep, food, water

Three things you are wearing right now?
T-shirt, shorts, hair rubber band

Three of your favourite bands or musical artists?
Lin Junjie, Zhang Shaohan, FIR

Three things you want in a relationship?
Care, time, heart

Two Truths and a Lie (in no particular order)?
I want to have 2 kids, I want to change handphone, I need a new camera

Three Physical Things about the Opposite Sex that Appeal to You?
Eyes, chest, lips

Three Places You Want to go on Vacation?
Venice, Hokkaido, Macau

Three things you want to do before you die?
Hug everyone I love, visit at least 20 countries, see snowfall

Three people I would like to see take this quiz?
Anyone who hasn't done this

Ho Chi Minh

I'm back from HCM... Thought it was hot and sweaty there, but it's the same back here.. HOT!!!

Anyway, I was there for 6 days. Stayed at Bi Saigon Hotel in the Pham Ngu Lao area, recommended by friend Supposedly the backpackers' area but I chose a medium range. Took a average room for 3 nights (33USD/night) and upgraded to the best room with an outdoor jacuzzi at the balcony for 2 night (55USD/night). I have to say that the jacuzzi's worth it, especially after walking non stop from morning to night...

Warning: The hotel has no lift!!! Ground floor is the cafe. Next is room 01. I stayed at rm 51 and 41, i.e. climbed 6 or 5 storeys everyday...




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Just some general sightseeing in the city area. Riding on a cyclo (Bicycle-like with seat in front), Post office, Notre Dame and me in my tailor-made ao dai!




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Took a day tour to Mekong River (Cai Be & Vinh Long) to look at the floating market. Most of the time, we were on the river cruise. Bought a vietnamese hat to hide from the sum...

Top right: Remember watching tv that some of the boats have eyes in front, just like the first photo. The boats will look like big fish in the river so that the other fish will move away and escape unhurt from the moving boat.
Top left: How to tell what the boat is selling? Look at the top of the pole. There's a watermelon hanging there, so it's a boat selling watermelon!






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Half day tour to Cuchi Tunnels.
Top left: Bobby traps used in the past
Top right: Super mini tunnel entrance

Bottom: Us entering an enlarged tunnel for visitors. Enlarged, but short me had to walk with my back bent down on the time. Think I was only in there for 5 mins with almost total darkness, but I term it as the "worst 5 mins of my life".




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Now, the best part is food! I've never had a non-delicious meal in HCM. Just some examples here...

Left: We barged into a food shop along the street without much idea of what we're ordering. So this came. A plate of noodles, a bowl of meat in some stock and a basket of vegetables. In the end, a waiter came to demonstrate how to eat it. Put a bit of noodles in a small bowl, add some stock and meat and eat. Very nice...
Right: Before our day tours, we'd always buy this bread with fillings. Only 80 cents!



Seafood at a big food stall in the night market outside Ben Thamh. Think this is the only stall we went more than once in our entire trip. Prawns in coconut ($6.50), snails with lemon grass ($2.50), lala ($3), spring roll ($3).





3rd night, we mustered courage to eat at a roadside stall near our hotel. Sitting on mini stools and a small table, we ordered a few dishes. Some of which is a carrot cake-alike ($1) and bamboo clams ($3).



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For more photos, pls go to http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=4ovrkxj.8h60fo3f&x=0&y=rqk6ne&localeid=en_US

Warning: If you're easily disgusted, do not go beyond this point.

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At the roadside stall, we observed a local eating this with a 'delicious' look. We decided to be brave and try. It's a duck egg with a half formed duckling inside.. Well, it tastes like egg and steamed black chicken. The meat is very soft, most bones can be eaten cause they're very tiny and soft. Quite nice actually, once you cross that psychological barrier. By the way, this can be found everywhere in vietnam...