Notes from Maleka.

Typing this from Equatorial lounge and thinking what is good for dinner.

Well, lunch was Aunty Lee's home cooked perenankan cuisine and I managed to catch a glimpse of the chef- aunty Lee herself.

We had quite a feast for four of us and 3 plates of rice wasn't enough for me. The food was yummy. Loved it!

So much other food to chomp on but too little time. Haven't had chicken rice ball, satay celup and ikan bakar. Hope to find them tonight.





.... hideKraM on the go ....

An alarm.

Yesterday morning When the alarm clock went off, guess who woke up first? It was Luca.

Sandy told me when the alarm clock rang, Luca immediately moved inside her womb. Time for breakfast I suppose.

I could imagine him stretching like how we often do after a good night's sleep and perhaps reluctant to move but annoyed by the sound of the ringing, he too had no choice.

Come on. Picture Luca stretching in mummy's tummy. Cite isn't it? Tiny little movements and an adorable yawn.




.... hideKraM on the go ....

C-strings any one?

Last week while walking at Isetan departmental store, I came across this funny looking hair band lookalike at the lingerie section.

Being an inquisitive fella, I walked closer to find out what that was. To my astonishment, underwear for ladies. It is called the C-string.

Hard and made from plastic, it is meant to work like any normal panty except that it is rigid and surely not soft. I doubt it is comfortable but who knows.

Might buy this as a gift for friends next time and I won't be surprised they'll wear it on their heads. Ha ha.


.... hideKraM on the go ....

Drums.

Last night I tried my hands on drumming. Frankly it hurt the palms.

Well, a little embarrassing but I needed an ang mo to show me Little Arab and of course the ropes to drumming. : p

.... hideKraM on the go ....

Phone booths

When was the last time you used a public phone?

I remember the days of pagers and phone booths. Lines would form with people returning calls from the pagers.

Frankly the invention of mobile phones was a damn good thing that happened to our generation. Well, my generation does not necessarily mean yours too but the invention brought us lots of convenience but sometimes pain too.

Bosses are just a few numbers away from you and when the phone rings, no choice but to answer.

Anyway, just writing some crap here while waiting for the ang mo to come down for a drink.







.... hideKraM on the go ....

Location:Choon Guan St,,Singapore

Left hand.

Many know me as left handed. Clever. Creative. Love arts. So is this true?

You decide.

Just couple of days back, a colleague told me how the world is made for right handers.

It set me thinking what has the world not given me because I am a left handed. Couldn't really think of any except for two insignificant 'issues'.

Want to guess what that is?

Well, if you are left handed like me you will surely agree with me.

Writing. Left handed freaks like myself often find that we are very careful when using a pen. We choose our pens carefully as we distant ourselves with ink that smudges easily. Reason? As we write, the pinkie (or is it spelt pinky?) rubs against the paper thus destroying the beauty words we pen seconds ago.

That was one reason. What was the other? Shucks. Am thinking hard as it slipped my mind.

Yes. I remember now. Left handed chaps often find themselves in trouble when seated next to right handed weirdos.

Can you remember the last time you sat next to me at a Chinese sit-in meal using chopsticks? Was it uncomfortable when I sat on your right?

Left handed fellas like me tend to rub elbows with right handed weirdos when eating. Friction you call it? No way!

So what has the world created for right handed people? I cannot think of any thing special.

Any clue right handed people? Share if you have any to contribute.

I wonder if Luca will be left handed like me.




.... hideKraM on the go ....

Location:Simei Street 1,,Singapore

17 weeks - counting down ...

Just having the thought of holding Luca in my arms brings me smiles. A wonderful thought and very sweet too.

 

I can imagine myself trying to wrap things up at the office and leaving for home daily on the dot just to cradle Luca boy. Is that how a father is?

 

For a fact, every hour of the day I just miss touching Sandy's tummy and talking to Luca. I always wonder if he is listening to our conversations and figuring out what on earth are we talking about.

 

The past few nights, Luca has been actively 'punching' and 'kicking' inside. I always get excited when I feel movements in the womb as I try to imagine his hands reaching out to mine and giving me a high 5.

 

Nice isn't it?

 

 

 

 

Tried to be nice.

Being the good guy sometimes just don't pay off.

Just two days back while having dessert with my in-laws, I realised how soft a person I am.

Well, we went to this ice cream place and occupied two tables when we only needed one. There were four of us and only two single scoops ordered.

A couple came along looking for seats thus I stood up and moved the table and placed it a side for them gesturing that they could take the table as we weren't using it.

So the man smiled and thanked me. He conveniently took two chairs away from our table without asking if the seats were occupied.

Well, there were only five chairs and they took two away leaving us with three chairs for four of us.

I was stunned because they should realise we didn't have enough chairs as I was obviously standing around them.

They couldn't care-less and started their own conversation and gazing into one another's eyes.

Seeing that they were enjoying their date, I could only watch them while standing another 10 minutes before leaving the place feeling a little stupid for being nice.




.... hideKraM on the go ....

Fun by the pool

It has been a long time since I used the swimming pool at home but it looks

pretty much like I need to do it more often because Sandy needs the exercise. Aqua therapy.

Bright Sunday afternoon and wonderful company. Mum joined in too to help babysit nephew Ian.

I wonder who will bathe him after this. Surely not me. ;)


.... hideKraM on the go ....

Location:Simei Rise,,Singapore

A dream I dreamt.

Last night I dreamt the life of a father.

I was in my late 30s and was preparing my boy for school. I can vaguely remember how the dream went but I enjoyed every bit of it.

It is something to look forward to. Children growing up and turning to adults but when they are all grown up you'll just want the clock to slow down so that you can spend more hours of your life with them.

Ironic isn't it? I bet my parents and godparents think it that way. If only time didn't fly so fast.

Frankly I do think that way. If only I didn't grow up that quickly but it is a journey we cannot avoid. It just has to happen for everyone on this planet. We grow old. Our children grow old and so will our family and parents.

It brings makes me tear to see how my grandparents age and soon we'll see our parents, godparents, favourite aunts and uncles age with wrinkles showing on their faces, greying hair between the little black ones left.

Growing old can be painful but it is important that as you grow older in age, your family partake the journey. To enjoy the happy times and treasure the meals together.

Am I also growing old in thinking that I need to mention such thoughts? Very much so because I want Luca to someday read what I have been thinking when he still hides in mummy's womb.

I now know how difficult is it to be a parent. The responsibility to provide the best for them and to make sure when they grow up they'll be able to fend themselves.

I now see the painstaking journey my dad and mum had to go through to see the three of us grow up. Never easy even as they are going to be grandparents soon. The worries and responsibilities remain the same because in their eyes we will always be children to them. Same goes for Luca next time thus there will be lots to worry about in time to come but let me take this journey with a great smile because Luca is a gift for me and gifts are always treasured forever.






.... hideKraM on the go ..

Location:Simei Rise,,Singapore

An angmo's gesture.

Basically I have never befriended an angmo that is as local as Daniel.

This Swiss chap speaks like a Singaporean with the 'las' and the 'lohs' and surely proficient with his Singlish sentence structure which allows him to order hawker food with no communication breakdown like many other expat friends face.



Interestingly he even offered to order my fish soup noodle.

I find it to be quite a feat because for me to order a meal at the hawker centre, I often need to mentally rehearse what I need to order.

It usually goes like this.

＂我想要一碗三块钱的虾面汤和一碗面线汤不要菜。＂

It may seem simple to many but difficult for me thus if ever I get you a wrong order, please don't shoot me.

On the contrary, put me in front of a top management executive and I wouldn't even be worried.

Weird isn't it?

Location:Simei Rise,Tampines,Singapore

iPhone Apps.

I never thought I would end up addicted to the Apps available for the iPhone. I kind of spent quite an amount

to get purchases from the store. Not much. Say about SG$15 but frankly I never thought it would be this addictive.

The developers sure know how to make a pile out of creating Apps. Maybe I am wrong with the figures but assuming there are about 25 million users of the iPhone, wouldn't the developers be receiving 25 million bucks if each App costs a buck. Simple arithmetic without factoring costs, overheads and licenses. Still quite a big profit margin.

Anyway, just thought I blogged some crap because I am only trying out my new App I purchased for $2.99.

Location:Pasir Ris Street 52,,Singapore

Delighted

It was sensational seeing Luca develop and taking shape. Fingers, legs and obviously the movement he was making inside mummy's womb.

It looked like he was dancing and playing on his own as the gynae did the ultrasound this morning. I again shed tears of joy as I saw my little precious gesturing what seemed like a greeting with hands held together. An early Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Sandy is also taking shape very well and is weighing about 64 kg now. The only trouble she has is itching at the tummy and maybe lots of gas that needs to be let out. Fart not. Burping more like it.

She is now on additional supplement. Iron and fiber pills for the lack of blood and constant constipation. She needs to intake more red meat as well as chomp more leafy veggies and fruit. Maybe a little more exercise.

We find ourselves sleeping more often and lazy to roam the streets. Lifestyle is changing and surely more changes will take place in months to come.

I am glad all this is happening and we are enjoying every step we are taking to become great friends to our son, Luca.

Mails ...

I believe most of us grew up during the penpal days where each week, we write to a penfriend with lots of hopes that they'll reply.

Things are different nowadays and I wonder if children do know that stamps exists. I am sure they do.

At the click of buttons, we get what we need in this technology crazy era and it irks me at times when people do respond so quickly. Don't get the wrong idea. I was referring more to work emails and not personal mails. It irks me even more when the email hits my inbox minutes before I knock off work but then again, we have some technology called Blackberry. Who came up with this name? Why name a machine some berry? We don't put berries in our pockets but this sure fits in well without it getting squashed.

I used to have penpals and wrote pretty often without getting responses on time. Sometimes a month or two later. I remember always having to check with my parents if I received any mails on a daily basis but usually nothing in my name but these days when I open up my mailbox, I dread opening the letters because they are nothing but bills after bills. Payments for credit cards, utilities etc.

Gone were the days where greeting cards filled the post and again, thanks to the easily availability of e-cards but then again, I received none. I wonder why. Could it be me being unpopular or friends are just too lazy to even drop me a mail but instead send me forwarded short messages via the mobile phone because it is free.

Just look at how things change. Maybe many years later when Luca reach his school days, a new technology comes about. Greetings will be made using holography. ; )

Choices ..

In our daily lives, we have to make choices. Like it or not we need choices and have to make them. The only thing is whether or not we make the right ones most of the time.

Some choices can be important and some insignificant but we still have to make the choice anyway.

What are the usual factors that contribute to a decision being made? On what basis do we make them?

Could it be for personal gain, convenience or peer pressure?

We don't know when a decision is correctly made until the consequence or result of the decision surfaces.

For now, I have made most of the decisions right but some other times wrong. We celebrate when choices are made well and can only live on hoping things change for the better when we realised a decision made seems wrong.

Back from India

India is a very interesting place with catchy advertisements all over.

" Grave problems resurrected here ". A funeral parlour.

" Honk. OK ". No idea who started this tradition because from my hotel room, I hear the honks non-stop.

I was equipped with a camera all day and there are just so many things I would like to capture but I
just didn't dare to. I just didn't think it was right to do so as some of the things I wanted to capture
were not pretty things but the sad sight of India.

Many people learnt a lot about the poverty and plight of India through newspapers and most recently from
Slumdog Millionaire but it is just so different when you see it with your own eyes. Children sleeping on
the streets and family of seven make homes out of canvas sheets.

Children run around barefooted and young adults play cricket across the roads. Yes. They bowl and bat
across roads. This is where their passion is. Cricket.

This country has lots of potential to build its economy and possibly can be a super power if resources were
used in the right way. They have human capital, natural resources and frankly geographically well positioned
between the Eastern and Western world. I guess there are many internal and external factors which slows down the
growth of the country.

The traffic condition here is pretty much congested and with the addition of the world's cheapest car on
the roads here will likely cause more honks to sound out. Don't get me wrong. I am very supportive of the
gift for India - the Nano. It is true there are many families who ride a motorbike with three or even four
children doing balancing acts in the midst of heavy traffic. Utterly dangerous.

Had my share of taking the auto-rickshaw and it sure was hell lots of excitement for us all. We swerved in and out of traffic and squeezing between cars. Again I stress that should F1 not have rules, Force India will surely win the F1 title because no one can be as skilful as the Indians in terms of driving. Give me a car and I will have it knocked numerous times before reaching the destination and if lucky, losing only the side mirrors. : )

 

 

The resurrected Taj.

I can't believe I have to rewrite this blog all over because I failed to save it but instead clicked on the delete button. Shit!

Seated at the Sea Lounge of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower just across the Gateway of India, I come across a sense of familariy but some things have changed. Afterall it has been five years since I stepped foot into Mumbai.

As I stepped in front of the lobby, the brainwaves brought me back to scenes I saw about a year back. The Taj undersieged.

Television footages showed the Indian icon that played host to international politicians and celebrities alike was seen burning in flames from the roof of the old wing. It was very close to the room where I stayed.

The hotel was built by Jamsetji Tata, a gift he wanted so much to give local Indians as during British rules, Indians were not allowed into hotels built by British thus in anger, Jamsetji decided to build one himself.

The hotel's fascade remains somewhat unchanged in structure but what stunned me were the amount of guards and metal detectors in the area. It seemed like a fort on it's own.

I stepped into the lobby to find it filled with lots of guests and lots of chatter. Chatter from happy guests and not chatter from the walkie talkies of policemen like one year ago.

The hotel was attacked by a group of terrorists that made their way through the city firing at people and landing themselves in a few locations and The Taj was one of the unfortunate ones to be chosen as a target.

Before the police realised it was not a gang war but terrorism working at its hardest, many guests, staff and police were hurt and even killed. It was grim in the air.

It took many hours before the last terrorist was eliminated by the Indian SWAT team which took a long time to appear. Reason being that these guys are based in the capital Delhi.

At press conferences, Ratan condemned not only the attackers but the government for taking such a long time to react to the emergency situation. It was also sad to learn that the police weren't properly armed to fight the terrorists who had explosives and AK47s. The police only had WWII hand guns and batons.

Ratan found it hard to accept that India wasn't prepared for emergencies that were of this magnitude. Who would have thought that it was possible to ride a boat illegal into the country and launch a cowboy style attack. From footages, even the police feared the AK47s.

As I walked through the corridors of the hotel, I couldn't find evidence that a shootout took place. The entire place seemed to be refurbished. Even the painting that stood behind the reception hasn't changed or maybe it was restored or maybe the color scheme remained the same as before. I couldn't tell.

Enough of history. Am meeting the man shortly and let's see if I can get him to pose for the camera. He may appear in papers all the time but he is shy and reserved by nature.

Will head to his home shortly and hope his dogs will be friendly.

Mumbai Day 1.

Landed in Mumbai safely without turbulence. Thankfully.

 

From here I can hear the honks of cars of this vibrant city.

 

Upon arrival, Amit arranged for his security manager to meet me at the aerobridge and walked me through immigration and customs which enabled me to 'cut' queue. Thank you very much to Amit for his help on this and the many others that he has lined up for me in the next few days including providing me a sim card and a vehicle. Appreciate his hospitality much.

 

It is a pity that both Amit and Ashok aren't here if not things would have been lots of fun but I am sure I'll be coming back here again in the near future as it has been five years since I stepped foot on Indian soil. I didn't get to see the place last night as I arrived at around 10pm but might do some sightseeing this afternoon as per Amit's long list of 'things to do'.

 

You must be wondering what I had for dinner last night. Well, I managed to grab Mutton Bryani in the room. Yummy. I wonder whereelse can I find nice exotic Indian food. I just love spices but I always end up perspiring when I take things spicy.

 

Later this afternoon / evening, I will be visiting the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, the hotel that was hit by terrorists about a year ago. I miss the sze chuan restaurant which serves very nice strawberry dessert. I'll be meeting with another friend of mine there, Ratan Tata. The last time I met him was at the St Regis in Singapore about 3 months back where we spent a day out in the pool chatting and shopping at Ion. I guess he is now rather busy thus I appreciate him taking time off on a Sunday to meet up with me.

 

Off to breakfast now and let's see of they have the traditional Indian omelette.

 

 

--
http://hidekram.blogspot.com/

It's 2010!

Happy New Year!



This year's countdown was a little different as we clinked our glasses welcoming the year 2010 at midnight without alcohol. Well, times are different now. In our group there are two new mothers-to-be thus alcohol was not a good idea.

No wild drinking or weird games too. Only a round of blackjack that lasted about an hour. Lucky me managed to win a fifty dollar note. Yahoo.

Are we getting old? Very much so because by 11pm I was yawning away and feeling sleepy. Just last year Sandy and I were partying at Zouk. Times have changed.

I just wonder what countdown is with Baby Mark. Maybe just stay home and count sheep before midnight. Likely not because with the little one, all energy will be drained and falling asleep will be much easier and very much treasured.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The end of 2009 ...

The year went by very quickly. With ups and downs, tears and joy. Really.

 

2009 is quite a significant year for me as I finally managed to settle down in having my own love nest with Sandy. A great start for 2009. I also managed to catch my beloved X-Japan in concert in HK. Two big dreams came true then.

 

Just like any race, you don't take the lead all the time.

 

In the start of the second quarter, I decided to take the plunge and left GMAC which was a very bad choice I made. I lived to regret it even till now. Despite having a very much better salary package right now, I do miss the working environment in GMAC. I was stupid to leave but to feel better, we all work for the money isn't it? In mid-2009, I moved into advertising after leaving GMAC for a short period of time where I realised I couldn't make ends meet because it was tough industry but it's still a passion I still have but I won't be looking back anymore.

 

In late September, good news was bestowed upon me. We will be parents. : ) When the doctor told me Sandy's pregnant, my eyes welled up with tears and it all flowed when I called family to inform them. It were tears of joy. It was super!

 

During the same time, I was offered my current job and I felt really blessed to have all good things coming my way after suffering for a couple of months. Looking back, I guess I have to thank my lucky stars for helping me out on this one.

 

2009 passed by just like that, all in a wink.

 

I look forward to tonight's BBQ party with close friends and welcome 2010 with open arms as 2010 will again be another significant year for me as we will also welcome Baby Mark in the second quarter of the year. Things will change by then but I know it is going to be for the better.

 

Happy New Year everyone and may 2010 bring lots of happiness, laughter, joy, fun and great health for us all.

 

Cheers!

 

--
http://hidekram.blogspot.com/

Christmas ... gone.

The long weekend just swept by so quickly with family gatherings, friends' parties and some snooker.

 

As an adult, Christmas is likely just another day without having to report to work and responding to emails. Despite the numerous parties I attended, there wasn't really the Christmas feel. Maybe because I am not a Christian and don't attend church but it helps when parties I attend have some Christmas decorations around. It is also an excuse to consume alcohol. A little more alcohol than the usual 2 cans. : )

 

Back at work and aren't we glad it is going to be a short week but this time I won't get to enjoy a long weekend because I will be leaving for India on the second day of 2010. I am going to miss my bed again ( oops. I meant my wife).

 

What's the next holiday after the New Year? Lunar New Year!! That one is going to be another long weekend and I can't wait for that to come because I can then distribute red packets and eat lots of goodies. The first day of the holiday happens to fall on Valentine's Day and that coincides with Lance's birthday. I wonder if we can celebrate it for him this year as he will be busy handling two kids. Bet he'll gather more white hair growing from his scalp.

 

Enough about upcoming holidays. Back to work now.

Merry Christmas ...!

It is the time of the year for giving ,, and of course a good break away from work.

 

The weather isn't looking very good but it is not snowing. Never. Only heavy showers here in Singapore which causes massive traffic jams. Maybe if Santa visited, he'll be caught in one too. 

 

Many things are lined up this long weekend. Lunch and dinner parties,  meet up with old friends and most importantly spending time with family. Isn't that the reason for Christmas? Getting extended families together to laugh and have fun.

 

If I were given a Christmas wish by Santa, I don't really know what to ask for. When I was younger, I used to hang my wish list on a Christmas tree and it is often for material gifts but now I can only hang it on my own neck, work hard for it and get the things I want. So back to what I would ask for from Santa if he ever existed, maybe more laughter, fun and joy in my every day life. It is not that I am getting anything less but at my age I don't know what else I can wish for because I know if I wanted a Ferrari or my own private jet or a district 9,10 house or apartment, I'll have to work doubly hard for it and how hard do I want to work for it? I won't compromise quality time with family and I don't have a golden spoon like many other peers of mine but I am very happy mine is already silver because I worked for what I own now (minus the gifts from family once in awhile) and I am proud of that. Very proud. 

 

Yes, I had my bad times this year in 2009 but it is only the bad times that allows me to treasure the better times I am having now. It helped me grow up and made me think differently about life, family relationships and friendships. It was indeed many lessons learnt through 2009 and I know this will not be the last lesson learnt for a man's journey is all about making mistakes, learning from it and picking the broken pieces up again.

 

So if Santa is listening, I wish for lots of laughter, fun and joy in my life. Not only for me but for my family.

 

Merry Christmas everyone ...

Christmas Shopping.

 

Orchard was a chaotic place over the weekend and thanks to Andy, I needed to make a trip to DFS where I had to tell off a cashier at the Origins counter for poor service.

Well, she was rude and customer unfriendly. It is very unlike me to voice out my unhappiness and commenting on service standards because I know noone is perfect but I don't know why but I blew up when the unfriendly person made it look like we would run away with the unpaid item and thus she rudely asked us to leave it at the counter if we wanted to pay. It is not a big thing but I just didn't like the way she sounded and thus I told her off.

 

Frankly, after that I felt a little bad for being harsh.

 

Dinner was at Brauhaus, an English pub look-alike. Why of all places an English pub right? Well, I was missing my cider and I banged hard on luck that they could feed my crave for any cider but unfortunately none. I had to settle for a German cloudy ale. The steak Sandy ordered was pretty good and reasonably priced but my mussels in beer was terrible. Lousy and I was again left disappointed. Maybe the best place for mussels is still Brussels Sprouts. Will take my dad there sometime and I am sure he'll enjoy it. 

So the festive season is round the corner and lots of people are doing their year-end shopping for presents and gifts. I have more or less completed mine except for maybe one or two persons which I have yet to purchase for. 

 

I am looking forward to 2010 as it is going to be an important year for me in terms of career progression and of course Baby Mark will join us in the second quarter of the year. Lots of changes definitely in terms of lifestyle, sleep and leisure but we'll just need to manage it properly as I believe we have all the resources required to manage the baby well. Believe it or not I actually mentioned it to Sandy that in June, we'll take a trip out to Japan with my brothers. Let's see if we'll do just that and evil enough to leave the baby behind to be looked after by grand Baya and grand Maya. : ) 

 

  

An Anniversary

December 17 is a special day for me.

In 2006, I surprised Sandy with a ring and most of my friends don't know this except for family because I proposed to her 3 years ago in a private function room, away from the crowd but in front of my parents, in-laws and godparents.

That was the official start of the journey of our lifetime minus the courting days.

Today she is expecting and we are all very excited. Yet another new journey for us.

Here I share the song Anniversary by Yoshiki written for Emperor Akihito of Japan.

Fatherhood

If you asked me whether or not I am excited to be a father, the answer is yes.

At the same time I do get weak in the knees just having the thought that I will be a father in half a year.

It can be a scary thought because things will change drastically. In terms of lifestyle, outings and even the simplest entertainment of watching a concert within my own four walls can be made difficult.

It is not easy to be a father let alone be a good one but I will try.

A friend dropped me a comment on my Facebook asking me to enjoy my freedom now before losing it. Is it that dreadful whereby my freedom is compromised? I don't know but frankly I have seen friends who make it look so easy and some who just get frustrated whenever the child cries. I wonder which one will I be.

I always brag about leaving the baby to cry out loud and not pay to much attention to him but I know I am not that sort who can really put two earphones into the ears and pretend that the baby is asleep soundly.

I don't know if I will take time to change his diapers, make him milk, feed him and burp him or will I just be a father who would play with him when he is in the best of moods and return him to the mother when he ends up wailing at the top of his voice.

I can't tell now but time can and that will all start happening in May 2010 where my little prince will join the family. Prince. Nice name. :)

Oh Boy .... : )

It's a boy …At least that is what the doctor confirmed but I don't trust these machines especially when the little cute fella in mummy's womb refuses to spread out the legs and show the genitals. Shy like daddy. : )

 

I have been back in Singapore for a week now and have had my fair share of local food. From Assam fish head, Belachan beans, Prawn noodles, Minced Pork noodles, Chicken rice, Rocky's pizza (not local but I love it), Lontong, Fried Carrot cake, Oyster egg, Hainanese pork chop, Steamboat at Yet Con and my favourite Beef Noodles at Ion Orchard. Quite a feast isn't it? Come on! Not all in one day but in a week.

 

Frankly, I covered most of the local variety now and have only cravings for crabs, stingray, salted vegetable and duck soup, bak kut teh and some Japanese meal. Never will I get sick of Japanese meals just like I never get sick of X-Japan.

 

Sleeping on my own bed has been ecstatic and especially so when the music coming out from the sound system is heavenly.

 

I have been trying to make it a habit that Sandy sleeps with some light classical music in the background as I was told this would help the baby develop better. Anyone can comment on this? I can imagine baby Mark conducting the orchestra with his little fingers. No. Not middle fingers!

 

We have to come up with the baby's name soon and this is going to be a tough one for us. We'll start off with the English name and after that sort out the Chinese characters when he pops out from mummy's womb.

 

All excited. Very excited.

Back in Singapore

Now you know why my previous blog entry titles never tallied in number and that's because I would like to keep the date of my return a big secret. Thanks to the company for sending me back earlier.

Well, it was a huge surprise for family and friends alike. Sandy cried out tears of joy when she saw me just like the day she cried when I departed Singapore. I too cried out in joy but only in the heart as my plane landed safely on the tarmac of Changi Airport.

It is nice to be back home and I really enjoyed the feel of my bed, my pillow and even the toilet bowl. Unfortunately, I have not yet accustomed to the change in timezone. The body clock is sensitive to such as it took me almost 1 over week to sort it out when I first arrived in Bristol but I guess I'll be back to normal in no time.

The weather in Singapore is lovely and it isn't too hot. Just nice cool weather and of course with the help of air conditioning in the car and at home too. Without the a/c life is going to be miserable.

I will try to blog as often as possible and update you on the progress of my work and the baby too. : )

Visit once in awhile but don't do so daily as I don't want you disappointed. I was also wondering if I should carry on blogging about the food I eat here in Singapore. What do you think?

Bristol Day 18

It is the weekend and TGIF!! Finally ......

Had a wonderful time tonight with dinner at a new place with a fire place. Is it called a fireplace? No idea if that is correct but it sure keep me not warm but hot. I had to take off my jacket and fleece and yet still find it hot.

Dinner was a 10oz rare steak that wasn't very fantastic. I still miss the Sunday roast. I wonder where I can get it around soon but never mind I enjoyed the company in the later part of the night at Adrian's pub.

This is going to be interesting and definitely worrying for my parents. I was practically hanging out ( well not hanging out but they were in the pub) with a group of guys who were on cannabis. It is sort of legal here and nothing much happens if one gets caught but of course me being a good person, I turned down the offer and walked away but not before asking permission to take a photo of the 'stuff'.

They told me they got happy smoking marijuana and it was very normal to be doing so in the UK. Interesting that they were both drinking and having cannabis at the same time. It must be double high isn't it?

I had a lot to drink tonight as Adrian treated me to a pint or two. I had 4 pints of rough cider and one Guinness. My head is spinning now but no choice as I decided to lend Angela my camera for the weekend. Boxing isn't anything big for me to take photos of. Right Adrian?

Met up with lots of familiar faces at the pub. We had Graham, Scott, Paul, Jodie and many others whom I cannot remember their names. Oh yes, Dylan too.

Can you see Adrian having a cereal for supper? We had a little clowning around with Boxing and Chinese kungfu. Well, I was like a freaking chicken trying to act like Bruce and his style. Funny isn't it? No. I wasn't high on cannabis but maybe intoxicated with alcohol.

I will meet Adrian tomorrow morning and then mid afternoon to make my long trip out to some exciting fun. Surely it is going to be exciting but don't worry because I am in good hands.

Looks like back home there are plans to have wanton, assam fish for dinner on Sunday. Wow. I can't wait to swallow them soon. And sure it is soon.

Lunch was filet-o-fish and some festive cheese pie.

Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue

A very meaningful song especially for me now. The feeling of going home is just so near and I just get all excited thinking about it. So many days away from home has made me really homesick. I will say months away rather than days.

The video is interesting and has a hidden message but I don't think you guys can understand it or catch it in the video.

See any similarity in Motley Crue and X-Japan? Wild I guess.

Enjoy the video and see if you catch the special code in the video. Interestingly if you hear it hard enough and focus your thoughts while watching, you'll know what the song is about. But if you don't, never mind as I took a long time to really understand and find the meaning to it.

It took me 16 years ... and thanks to Hanwen for buying me Motley's cassette tape at my 14th birthday.


Home Sweet Home

You Know I'm A Dreamer
But My Heart's Of Gold
I Had To Run Away High
So I Wouldn't Come Home Low

Just When Things Went Right
It Doesn't Mean They Were
Always Wrong
Just Take This Song And You'll
Never Feel
Left All Alone

Take Me To Your Heart
Feel Me In Your Bones
Just One More Night
And I'm Comin' Off This
Long & Winding Road

I'm On My Way
Well, I'm On My Way
Home Sweet Home
Tonight Tonight
I'm On My Way
I'm On My Way
Home Sweet Home

You Know That I Seem
To Make Romantic Dreams
Up In Lights, Fallin' Off
The Silver Screen

My Hearts Like An Open Book
For The Whole World To Read
Sometimes Nothing-
Keeps Me Together
At The Seams

I'm On My Way
Well, I'm On My Way
Home Sweet Home
Tonight Tonight
I'm On My Way
Just Set Me Free
Home Sweet Home

Bristol Day 19

Finally it is Friday tomorrow and I have never been so excited about a weekend before since I came to Bristol. I wonder why. Funny isn't it?

The weather tonight has been cold and I think I might need to buy another set of winter clothing because what I have now won't be able to last through mid December. Terrible isn't it? If only I could have steamboat, it'll warm me up lots.

Since steamboat is not available, what else can keep you warm? Lamb ribs. I had lamb ribs at Beefeater this evening and a pumpkin soup. Not too bad but surely not the best dish I have tried in Bristol. Frankly, I wonder which one can I consider the best meal I had. Let me recap and reveal it in another blog entry.

Angela had some pasta and crumble apple pie with ice cream. She seemed to enjoy it but the cheese in the pasta sure was filling because she couldn't finish the meal.

Lunch was fish and chips with Angela and Pina. Well, more than fish and chips because we ordered a battered sausage and a faggot. A faggot is some sort of mixed minced meat which didn't taste that fantastic. It was salty. The fish and chips weren't anything special too. Not traditional because it was owned, runned and cooked by Iranian. Everyone can make fish & chips thus it no longer is an English meal. Same goes for Japanese food in Bristol as most Japanese restaurants I know do not have a single Japanese chef. Talk about globalization at it's fullest.

After dinner I took some time to do some shopping again and got quite a bit of stuff. It is afterall the Christmas season and the mood for shopping was surely around thus I bought some things.Only some so please don't think I got you something because I likely didn't. :)

Headed to Adrian's pub after dinner and had a cider. I told him if only I could bring some cider home for family to try, it'll be great and he told me he'll pack them in a soft drink bottle for me so I can take some home. Should I accept the offer? Well, let's see what happens three weeks later.

Yahoo. The weekend is in reach and again I can't wait for this weekend.

Bristol Day 20

The real countdown begins. :) Exciting isn't it?

Well, just got back from dinner at 11pm and it is really late given it is a work day tomorrow.

Headed to Masa with Angela tonight for Tepanyaki. I consider myself heading back to familiar territory when I head there because I some what know most of the people there. At least by face but tonight we managed to exchange some email addresses etc. Angela and I ordered a simple tepanyaki menu, some Kirin beer and ended the meal with a complimentary plate of homemade peanut ice cream. No kidding. It was very nice and I wouldn't mind paying for such dessert.

My Italian colleague prepared some home-made dessert for our team and the tiramisu look-alike was definitely yummy. We call it Pinamisu - named after Pina. Mix the words up and another meaning comes alive.

This morning I walked out to the laundry to collect my clothes and wanted to deposit some dirty clothes for laundry but the chap wasn't open. I hope he hasn't run away with my clothes because that is going to be quite a loss for me. 7 pieces of clothing can help lessen the load but not worth it.

Again I count my days before I can sleep on my own bed. I just hope the air-con is cold enough so that I can enjoy my sleep back home. I miss the TV programs, the music I can listen to (versus watching Youtube) and the food I can savour. How many more days? I very often lose count. Still too many numbers but maybe not. I don't know.

Christmas is round the corner and I can see lots of people shopping here in Bristol. I too did start on my shopping but am controlling a bit because I didn't want to risk running an overweight luggage.

This Saturday I will be going for a date and then attending a boxing party at Adrian's place with a partner. I won'r reveal who this partner is but take a look at the photos and you can start guessing. :) I have to be in a suit and tie because it is a formal event. Adrian has made a booking for the hotel because it is going to be a little faraway and I won't make it back to the apartment on Saturday night thus Skype can only take place on Saturday when Sandy is in Desaru enjoying.

I will then take time to travel on Sunday along the countryside with Adrian and visit cider farms etc. I was told that the phone network isn't very good in that area thus do not get worried if you can't reach me on the phone. I will reach you when I return home by blog but I promise to try to call whenever possible.

So Beatrice is going away for a vacation to Macau for her birthday. I wonder if she'll win enough money to buy us all presents. :)

Off to sleep now as it is 1130 pm and in 15 minutes I will wake my darling wife up. Can't wait to do that in person by planting a kiss on her cheeks to say 'I love you'.

共同渡過 - Leslie Cheung

Sharing another song that I like from Leslie. Yet another meaningful song about the support of family and loved ones helping one another walk through difficult times.

I am very blessed to have a family that takes good care of me in every way. From the time I took my first steps and fell, family has been there for me. I know whenever I fall, someone will be there to break the fall so that it wouldn't hurt that bad.

I know not many people are as fortunate as me thus like the lyrics to the song, even if I have to live my life again, I will want to be witht the same family members around me. They have shown me all the support, care and love I can ever get and walking in difficult times, the support is priceless.

I believe family at home loves this song too.

Bristol Day 21

21 days to go and it sure seems long. Days are crawling by.

I didn't sleep well last night because I think I strained my back while sneezing. Ouch. It now hurts when I sneeze or cough. Arghh... need a massage. I heard there are pretty good masseuse at the back of my apartment. Should visit them this weekend to get a good rub. :)

It is Tuesday and I can't wait for the weekend so that I will be able to Skype with Sandy but then again, she is heading to Desaru for a day trip. Enjoying herself without me but it is good that she heads out for some fresher air. Maybe not. The air there might now be polluted.

I read that it has been raining cats and dogs in Singapore over the weekend but it has changed again. The weather is hot hot hot. I wonder if it is true but I am sure the weather is surely friendlier in Singapore than in the UK. See. Am turning English. Can't stop talking about the weather.

Am tuned in to Ugly Betty now as there isn't any nice movies to catch nowadays. Oh. They are showing Lethal Weapon 4 starring Jet Li. I kind of thought this was shown last week. Why are they showing again? Sigh.

I had KFC for lunch today and a 2 piece meal cost about 6 pounds. It's weird because they don't serve whipped potato here. Only fries but they too have pop corn chicken. According to my Italian colleague,KFC doesn't exist in Italy. I guess pizza hut might not be there too because every house is likely a pizza outlet. Haha.

Dinner was at Dynasty with Angela and family. We chose to go Chinese because Thomas and Chelsea will be heading to Milan tomorrow for a week's vacation, leaving Angela alone but she will join them for a trip to Scotland and leaving me alone. Or maybe not. :) So we ordered sweet and sour pork, bean sprouts with salted fish, roast duck and prawn omelette. It was a good meal but didn't come cheap. 60 pounds in all. No drinks as I am alcohol free at least for today but I am determined not to drink starting Friday.

I can't believe I am already planning my weekend so soon. Just thinking of it makes me smile. I will visit the casino, do some shopping and see what's good for lunch. Dinner has been planned and will tell you more about it on Sunday. Let's give you a hint. I will need to dress up in a suit for this dinner. I have a date.:) Hopefully no change to the appointment if not I'll be very disappointed. Very.

I spoke to Sandy today. Well,I do so everyday anyway and have spent 180 pounds just on phone calls now. Can't put in the receipts for calls. Darn! I kind of asked her to make sure she'll head down to Baya's place for dinner as the family misses her. Actually not true. It's just that I want her to join in family activities like mahjong. She wants many tons soup. Or maybe one ton soup. Ok. Wanton soup. Chefs reading this? How about making some stingray too? But don't. Wait for me to return before doing that. Maybe the chefs should practice the steam chicken one more time before I head home to eat the best one ever made. Patty chicken. :) Salivating here. But if the chefs can whip up some nice dish this weekend it will be good because my darling wife hasn't been eating well recently. No appetite. Sigh.

Let's hope Sandy can start eating lots again. When I see her I want to make sure the tummy is bigger. :)

Bristol Day 22

The weather turned cold today and the forecast is that at 3am tomorrow morning it could be as low as -3 degrees. I don't think I am prepared for such temperature. I only have a fleece and a not very thick wind breaker. I certainly hope it will not rain because that is going to be worst.

I really wonder why people would ever want to migrate to this place. It doesn't have the best weather. Doesn't have the best transport system. Doesn't have the best retails opening hours and surely doesn't have the best Chinese food.

Don't blame me because I miss home and I am Chinese thus Chinese food is the best. Well, then again I think the food I miss isn't exactly Chinese food. It is the food of Singapore. BBQ sambal stingray without sambal, ice kachang, Hokkien Mee and Bak Kut Teh. These aren't Chinese food. They didn't originate from China. These are the food I truly miss. See, we Singaporeans do have an identity with food because we are Uniquely Singapore. :)

Work was hectic today and I started early and ended late. Another couple of weeks to go and hopefully things will be different back home. I can be my own little king in my own little castle. Nice ya?

If you asked me what I would miss in Bristol, I frankly don't know. The friends I made outside work? Adrian, Pang, Mimi and some other faces that I so often see at the pub and casino. And I don't know their names but they have shown hospitality by talking to me and getting to know me and sharing their stories.

Lunch was at White Hart, an English pub just behind the office where I had fish & chips and no beer because I had to return to work after lunch.

Dinner was Thai food at Yum Yum Thai and I was a little unusual because I ordered the same old Green Curry. I usually try new stuff but I just didn't bother because I don't fancy Thai food unless taken in Thailand or Golden Mile. Nevertheless, the green curry Was nice but again the price isn't worth it for a Green Curry. In Singapore, I could order three Green Curry and a Thai Iced Tea. Here they replace iced tea with Singha. Haha.

So I thought I could go alcohol free again but I had to stop over at Adrian's pub for a Cider because I know I'll miss the different types of beer here.