Yesterday while I was driving back home, I notice something interesting. As I was passing through the toll, one side of the toll is dry and sunny.
However, just as I entered and pass the toll bar, the sky is pouring heavily until I can hardly see the road in front.
This gives me the feeling like I am in the movie where I drive through a tunnel and a the end of the tunnel is another different world. Well, the nearest movie I can think off for now is the "Stardust", the only difference is that in the "Stardust" movie, they walk through a fence to see a different world while I pass through a toll bar for a change in the weather.
Interesting journey and wonderful weather pattern.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Great Saturday
Last Saturday was really an enjoyable day for me. It is unlike my routine Saturdays. Last Saturday, we broke our daily routine by doing shopping all afternoon and still manage to grab a good seat to catch an evening show of the "Harry Porter and the Half-Blood Prince".
It gave me the feeling as though we had started dating again. It had been long since we last watch any movies in the cinema. I nearly forgot how the cinema looks like. The movie was nice and its long. Almost 2.5 hours.
It was also our lucky day that day. After we decided to watch that movie at 1800, we were lining up at the queue. Then, out of curiosity, I just told my gf to wait in the line while I go and check out on the booking section if the person there will allow me to buy the tickets at it left only 15 minutes before the movie starts. Just trying my luck out, however, I got lucky, the counter guy was kind enough to sell me the tickets without queuing up.
Then, in the cinema, as usual there were so many advertisement, happens that one of the advertisement by bank advertising about using their credit card to buy movies ticket and no queuing required, happens that the cinema number shown on the advertisement was also cinema 5, same cinema as we were in for the movie. So I told my gf, the guy in the advertisement was me.
The day was perfect. My gf manage to get what she was looking for, we watched a movie where we both wanted to watch, timing for all the event was perfect.
Great Saturday...
It gave me the feeling as though we had started dating again. It had been long since we last watch any movies in the cinema. I nearly forgot how the cinema looks like. The movie was nice and its long. Almost 2.5 hours.
It was also our lucky day that day. After we decided to watch that movie at 1800, we were lining up at the queue. Then, out of curiosity, I just told my gf to wait in the line while I go and check out on the booking section if the person there will allow me to buy the tickets at it left only 15 minutes before the movie starts. Just trying my luck out, however, I got lucky, the counter guy was kind enough to sell me the tickets without queuing up.
Then, in the cinema, as usual there were so many advertisement, happens that one of the advertisement by bank advertising about using their credit card to buy movies ticket and no queuing required, happens that the cinema number shown on the advertisement was also cinema 5, same cinema as we were in for the movie. So I told my gf, the guy in the advertisement was me.
The day was perfect. My gf manage to get what she was looking for, we watched a movie where we both wanted to watch, timing for all the event was perfect.
Great Saturday...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Persistent Mom
My mom is a very persistent person. When she try a new recipe, she will just try and try until she gets it perfect and right.
There was once she was so into making "ang ku kuey", literally translate to red tortise, which is use for prayers, she had tried it so many times until she gets it right and now she can make near to perfect "ang ku kuey". Just in case anyone of you don't know what is "ang ku kuey" below is a typical picture of it.
She had attempted at least 3 times with changing the ingredient a few times until she gets it right.
There was once she tried to cook a type of Thai curry chicken, learning part of the recipe from my Aunt, she had experimented with it almost on weekly basis and she is still not getting it right. There must be some ingredient that my Aunt would have forgotten to tell her and hence, the curry tasted different.
Why I write this posting? It is because, when ever she experimented a new recipe, we will become her guinea pig. Just imagine eating not so Thai curry chicken every Sunday or try her disasterous 'ang ku kuey' so many times. At times, it turns out too hard, at times it turn out too soft, at times the 'ang ku kuey' don't even look like anything close to the picture above. Just balls of red dough covering the sweet yellow paste inside.
However, having said all that, I don't mind being her guinea pig. At least it will keep her occupied and keep her active. Good way for her to spend her time and if it was a good successful attempt, I have good food to eat.
Whenever we took her out for dinner and tried something new, e.g. japanese noodles - soba or udon, after a few mouthful, she will say "... I also know how to cook this at home what".. sounded like why you all spend the money to eat it outside whereas she can cook it at home for the fraction of the cost?
Therefore, when we go out for dinner, when we order something new, we (my brother, my sister-in-law and myself) will always tease her, see, you also know how to cook right. So eat more now and keep the taste in your mind so that you can cook it for us next time and we will end up having a good laugh.
Mom, keep up the curiousity and persistent and hopefully by the time we shifts to our new house later, we will have an oven to allow you to bake, instead of just steaming now and there will be more recipe for your to try out. Perhaps if you learn to make cheese cakes, marble cakes, over baked chicken, salt baked chicken, etc, I will be most happy to be your guinea pig.
There was once she was so into making "ang ku kuey", literally translate to red tortise, which is use for prayers, she had tried it so many times until she gets it right and now she can make near to perfect "ang ku kuey". Just in case anyone of you don't know what is "ang ku kuey" below is a typical picture of it.
She had attempted at least 3 times with changing the ingredient a few times until she gets it right.
There was once she tried to cook a type of Thai curry chicken, learning part of the recipe from my Aunt, she had experimented with it almost on weekly basis and she is still not getting it right. There must be some ingredient that my Aunt would have forgotten to tell her and hence, the curry tasted different.
Why I write this posting? It is because, when ever she experimented a new recipe, we will become her guinea pig. Just imagine eating not so Thai curry chicken every Sunday or try her disasterous 'ang ku kuey' so many times. At times, it turns out too hard, at times it turn out too soft, at times the 'ang ku kuey' don't even look like anything close to the picture above. Just balls of red dough covering the sweet yellow paste inside.
However, having said all that, I don't mind being her guinea pig. At least it will keep her occupied and keep her active. Good way for her to spend her time and if it was a good successful attempt, I have good food to eat.
Whenever we took her out for dinner and tried something new, e.g. japanese noodles - soba or udon, after a few mouthful, she will say "... I also know how to cook this at home what".. sounded like why you all spend the money to eat it outside whereas she can cook it at home for the fraction of the cost?
Therefore, when we go out for dinner, when we order something new, we (my brother, my sister-in-law and myself) will always tease her, see, you also know how to cook right. So eat more now and keep the taste in your mind so that you can cook it for us next time and we will end up having a good laugh.
Mom, keep up the curiousity and persistent and hopefully by the time we shifts to our new house later, we will have an oven to allow you to bake, instead of just steaming now and there will be more recipe for your to try out. Perhaps if you learn to make cheese cakes, marble cakes, over baked chicken, salt baked chicken, etc, I will be most happy to be your guinea pig.
Fully booked night
For this week, all the days after work is fully booked. Why I say that? Well, started from Monday, my futsal friends called, we played from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Then, on Tuesday, I joined my friend for a badminton game from 8pm to 10pm. Yesterday, which is Wednesday, normally it is futsal day, but yesterday I did not go for the futsal. Instead, I went to meet up with my friends for dinner as one of my friend is leaving back to the US and no one knows when will he be back here again.
Tonight, which is Thursday night, normally I am quite free. However, tonight I will be meeting my ex-housemate when I was in the UK. He is now working in our neighbouring country and he is back for a holiday and happens that he stays very near to my house. We will be catching up for the events that went by this year. Last met him is sometime before Chinese New Year early this year. In fact, we have a custom whereby normally one day before the Chinese New Year Eve, we, i.e. myself, this housemate and there is one more guy, the three of us will meet for a cuppa tea or meal.
Then, as usual, tomorrow night, I will be having dinner date with my lovely gf.
So you see, Normally I don't have so many activities at weekdays night. For me a typical weekdays night, except on Wednesday and sometimes Thursday I will play some sports, and Friday dinner. Monday and Tuesday typically I am free and lazying around at home after work. So happens that this week, all the weekdays night is occupied with activities.
Well, time to punch my card and call it a day in the office too...
Then, on Tuesday, I joined my friend for a badminton game from 8pm to 10pm. Yesterday, which is Wednesday, normally it is futsal day, but yesterday I did not go for the futsal. Instead, I went to meet up with my friends for dinner as one of my friend is leaving back to the US and no one knows when will he be back here again.
Tonight, which is Thursday night, normally I am quite free. However, tonight I will be meeting my ex-housemate when I was in the UK. He is now working in our neighbouring country and he is back for a holiday and happens that he stays very near to my house. We will be catching up for the events that went by this year. Last met him is sometime before Chinese New Year early this year. In fact, we have a custom whereby normally one day before the Chinese New Year Eve, we, i.e. myself, this housemate and there is one more guy, the three of us will meet for a cuppa tea or meal.
Then, as usual, tomorrow night, I will be having dinner date with my lovely gf.
So you see, Normally I don't have so many activities at weekdays night. For me a typical weekdays night, except on Wednesday and sometimes Thursday I will play some sports, and Friday dinner. Monday and Tuesday typically I am free and lazying around at home after work. So happens that this week, all the weekdays night is occupied with activities.
Well, time to punch my card and call it a day in the office too...
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Mom's Birthday
Yesterday (9th August) is my Mom's Birthday. She did not want to celebrate it, hence, there is no grand dinner, no birthday cake, no birthday song etc.
Yesterday in fact was just simple packed lunches for lunch and dinner so that she need not to cook. My day started early yesterday. I drove to pick my gf from her house to go for the volunteer work. Half way thru the work, she suddenly felt uneasy and hence, we left the place half way thru.
After sending my gf home, I came back to my house and took my shower and went to the temple to pray as yesterday was so happen to be the Birthday of The Goddess of Mercy - "Kuan Yin". This is a very old temple, which the reconstruction had taken place for a few years now but was not 100% completed, maybe due to financial constrains. However, the main buildings and perimeter walls have been fully completed and the architecture of the main building is really good. The painting on the ceiling of the main building is impressive.
After the prayers, I drove my mom to try some new fast food with a joint newly opened near my new house. This fast food chain have good food but it is a bit more expensive then its competitor. But no worries, not that we have it everyday, never mind a few extra dollars. Just something new for my mom to try. And I knew my mom appreciated it when she can comment that the food of this fast food is tastier then its competitor.
Then, we rested at home by just lazying around the house and taking the Sunday afternoon naps, by the time we woke up its already 1900 and its dinner time. Here again, I told my mom not to cook and we went out to pack some food for dinner. So, both the meals she need not to exert her energy, just resting at home for her birthday.
Again, the usual me, I did not wish my Mom Happy Birthday yesterday as I know she did not want to celebrate it due to the passing of my dad less than a year ago. So, I just can wish her in my heart and may all her wishes comes true... Happy Birthday Mom!! Many Happy Returns and May You Have All the Health and Longevity.
Yesterday in fact was just simple packed lunches for lunch and dinner so that she need not to cook. My day started early yesterday. I drove to pick my gf from her house to go for the volunteer work. Half way thru the work, she suddenly felt uneasy and hence, we left the place half way thru.
After sending my gf home, I came back to my house and took my shower and went to the temple to pray as yesterday was so happen to be the Birthday of The Goddess of Mercy - "Kuan Yin". This is a very old temple, which the reconstruction had taken place for a few years now but was not 100% completed, maybe due to financial constrains. However, the main buildings and perimeter walls have been fully completed and the architecture of the main building is really good. The painting on the ceiling of the main building is impressive.
After the prayers, I drove my mom to try some new fast food with a joint newly opened near my new house. This fast food chain have good food but it is a bit more expensive then its competitor. But no worries, not that we have it everyday, never mind a few extra dollars. Just something new for my mom to try. And I knew my mom appreciated it when she can comment that the food of this fast food is tastier then its competitor.
Then, we rested at home by just lazying around the house and taking the Sunday afternoon naps, by the time we woke up its already 1900 and its dinner time. Here again, I told my mom not to cook and we went out to pack some food for dinner. So, both the meals she need not to exert her energy, just resting at home for her birthday.
Again, the usual me, I did not wish my Mom Happy Birthday yesterday as I know she did not want to celebrate it due to the passing of my dad less than a year ago. So, I just can wish her in my heart and may all her wishes comes true... Happy Birthday Mom!! Many Happy Returns and May You Have All the Health and Longevity.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Learning at work
There was a Chinese saying, "Life until old, learn until old". The first time I heard this saying, I truly appreciated this saying. And ironically, I heard this saying from a very senior (in terms of age) person in my old company.
Therefore, in work, I always seek new things to do. I will easily get bored and tired with repetitive stuffs. That is one reason I have been interested with project and design works from the very beginning of my career.
Some might say, project also repetitive work, but I can tell you, not one single project is the same. Thru my 10 years of working experiences in project, I have never came across 2 identical projects. Each project is unique in its given way. It can be the engineering application of it, it can be the economical point of view, it can me from efficiency point of view etc.
I have side track from what I have in mind for this posting. Back to the learning. I have been using a Computer Aided Design software since day 1 of my working life. All the while I was only able to do plans and 2D views. This is not due to the limitation of the software, it is due to the limitation of my know-how to use the software.
I was planning to design the new kitchen of our house, hence, I was busy drawing the plans of the house and front view of the kitchen from various angles. I was really keen to learn how to draw isometric drawings from the day I learned to use the software.Isometric drawings actually gives you an almost 3D view of the drawing.
I have seen my colleague did it and I am sure he knows how to do it well. So without hesitation, today I ask him how do do that drawing and he showed me some new command and there I was happily drawing away the Isometric drawings.
Now, the lesson learn here are 2 main ones. First, never be too shy to ask for guidance. I always have this philosophy in me that I rather become a stupid person for one time by never be shy to ask someone to teach me of the things I don't know, then becoming a stupid person for a lifetime by being shy to ask. There is a Malay saying to this that is translated to be "If you are shy to ask for direction, you will lost your way to your destination." Even Chinese have a saying that translate to, "Direction of the destination is always beside the mouth"
The second lesson is the saying, "Life until old, learn until old".
Therefore, in work, I always seek new things to do. I will easily get bored and tired with repetitive stuffs. That is one reason I have been interested with project and design works from the very beginning of my career.
Some might say, project also repetitive work, but I can tell you, not one single project is the same. Thru my 10 years of working experiences in project, I have never came across 2 identical projects. Each project is unique in its given way. It can be the engineering application of it, it can be the economical point of view, it can me from efficiency point of view etc.
I have side track from what I have in mind for this posting. Back to the learning. I have been using a Computer Aided Design software since day 1 of my working life. All the while I was only able to do plans and 2D views. This is not due to the limitation of the software, it is due to the limitation of my know-how to use the software.
I was planning to design the new kitchen of our house, hence, I was busy drawing the plans of the house and front view of the kitchen from various angles. I was really keen to learn how to draw isometric drawings from the day I learned to use the software.Isometric drawings actually gives you an almost 3D view of the drawing.
I have seen my colleague did it and I am sure he knows how to do it well. So without hesitation, today I ask him how do do that drawing and he showed me some new command and there I was happily drawing away the Isometric drawings.
Now, the lesson learn here are 2 main ones. First, never be too shy to ask for guidance. I always have this philosophy in me that I rather become a stupid person for one time by never be shy to ask someone to teach me of the things I don't know, then becoming a stupid person for a lifetime by being shy to ask. There is a Malay saying to this that is translated to be "If you are shy to ask for direction, you will lost your way to your destination." Even Chinese have a saying that translate to, "Direction of the destination is always beside the mouth"
The second lesson is the saying, "Life until old, learn until old".
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Volunteer Work
Last Sunday, I went to an Outreach volunteer work near where I stay. Actually, I am not suppose to attend for this work as I only participate on 3rd Sundays with this branch.
The outreach utilize a Church area to organise their services. Again, basic medical and dental care are provided with 2 medical doctors and 2 dentist came to extend their services.
However, since this service is provided via a makeshift mobile setup, everything is down to the very basic. The dental chair is the common "lazy man" chair. However, the other setup e.g. vacuum, drilling with water jet etc are the custom build mobile unit type.
The setup is so basic that at times, the light provided is not bright enough that dental assistant have to hold a torch light to shine into the mouth of the patient.
However, one this that I am really impressed is that they never neglect hygiene factor. Everything single equipment are properly washed, sterilized and packed. This is one thing that is crucial as any contaminated tools / equipment will lead to serious negative consequences. Hence, it was not taken lightly.
The event started as early at 0730 and when I arrived, there were so many volunteers already in action already. By 0800, the morning briefing starts and it was adjourn for simple breakfast. Buns, fried noodles, vegetarian curry and some coffee.
Then patient started coming as soon as 0900 and the whole activity went until like 1000 and no more new patient waiting on queue. All the volunteers there were just sitting around and chit-chatting as there is nothing much to do.
Then, by about 11am, the doctors decided to leave since he had waited half and hour and no patient came along. So, we started cleaning the place and packed up everything. By 1230, the lorry came along to take everything away and the place were left as we came in this morning. There is even a group of volunteers sweeping and mopping the floor.
Well, its kinda nice to spend half a day a week to extend your arm to help those in need. Everyone there are all on volunteer basis, hence, you can see everyone there work with a wide smile on their face.
We took our lunch pack and headed home and by about 1245, I am home and taking my shower already. This weekend is the volunteer work in the other branch that me and my gf use to go, it should be another day of fun at the same time helping others.
The outreach utilize a Church area to organise their services. Again, basic medical and dental care are provided with 2 medical doctors and 2 dentist came to extend their services.
However, since this service is provided via a makeshift mobile setup, everything is down to the very basic. The dental chair is the common "lazy man" chair. However, the other setup e.g. vacuum, drilling with water jet etc are the custom build mobile unit type.
The setup is so basic that at times, the light provided is not bright enough that dental assistant have to hold a torch light to shine into the mouth of the patient.
However, one this that I am really impressed is that they never neglect hygiene factor. Everything single equipment are properly washed, sterilized and packed. This is one thing that is crucial as any contaminated tools / equipment will lead to serious negative consequences. Hence, it was not taken lightly.
The event started as early at 0730 and when I arrived, there were so many volunteers already in action already. By 0800, the morning briefing starts and it was adjourn for simple breakfast. Buns, fried noodles, vegetarian curry and some coffee.
Then patient started coming as soon as 0900 and the whole activity went until like 1000 and no more new patient waiting on queue. All the volunteers there were just sitting around and chit-chatting as there is nothing much to do.
Then, by about 11am, the doctors decided to leave since he had waited half and hour and no patient came along. So, we started cleaning the place and packed up everything. By 1230, the lorry came along to take everything away and the place were left as we came in this morning. There is even a group of volunteers sweeping and mopping the floor.
Well, its kinda nice to spend half a day a week to extend your arm to help those in need. Everyone there are all on volunteer basis, hence, you can see everyone there work with a wide smile on their face.
We took our lunch pack and headed home and by about 1245, I am home and taking my shower already. This weekend is the volunteer work in the other branch that me and my gf use to go, it should be another day of fun at the same time helping others.
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