SilkAir Cancels all Flight to Phiket...

The recent Thailand Political Protest has hit out of Bangkok.. to Phuket, Hatyai and Krabi.... Flights to these 3 Thailand Hot Tourist destinations has been affected.. Since Friday..

But many of our customers who book Bangkok tours has been calling us these few days to ask about Bangkok International Airport closure?? We were taken by surprise.. Till today, there is no New about Bangkok International Airport closure?? Why would Singaporeans just jump into conclusion that Bangkok International Airport is close?? When we ask these customers why they said that.. some reply would be, "People Said".. or "i saw the news that Thailand airport are closed" Thailand got so many international airports... Phuket, Hatyai and Krabi are some of them.. But never in the news state that Bangkok International Airport is close??

My Birthday Outing

29 Aug, My birthday... (same date as Michael Jackson.. Ouch...!)

After sending my daughter to school.. my and my wife head to Mc Donald for a hearty S$2 Breakfast.. While heading home.. the sky turning dark is drizzling.. The plan is we are suppose to go home and pack our swimming stuffs, pick up our child and head to the new Seng Kang swimming pool.. But the weather did us no favour... Plan change..

We leave for lunch at Compass Point.. before heading to the National Library.. My wife need to check out on some reference book at Lee Kong Chian Adult reference Dept... while i keep my child busy at the children corner.. After that we head to Bras Basah Complex.. Brought a Organise for my wife as her birthday present (3 Sep)...

Next we head to Swensen for "Earthquake"... My promise to my daughter for getting a Merit for her Grade 1 Piano Exam.. I ordered Giant Earthquake... I manage to help them finish.. The Banana Split, Sticky Chocolate favour were nice...

In the evening we head to @Central for dinner and manage to get a preview of the lantern festival along the Singapore River. Here are some Lantern along the Singapore River (Clarke Quay Area beside @Central, Nearest MRT Clarke Quay)

My Birth Chinese Zodiac "OX"

Floating Lantern by the Singapore River

"Journey to the West" Floating Lantern by the Singapore River

Cheapest Japanese Food in Singapore

Let me recommend the Cheapest Japanese Restaurant in Singapore

SUMO HOUSE
Location: Blk 710A Ang Mo Kio Ave 8#01-2633 Singapore
Telephone: (65) 6453-2489
Website: http://www.sumohouse.com/

Bento Set starts fr S$4.50,
Katsu Don Set fr S$2.50,
Side Dishes fr S$1.90
Free Flow Green Tea

Cheap Side Dishes from S$1.90

Fried Scallop S$1.90

Yakitori

Chicken Teriyaki Bento S$4.90

Fried Rice Bento S$4.90 (This is my favourite)

You may check out from this link below

http://www.yebber.com/review/sumo-house-ang-mo-kio-central/?jal_page=1

STTA Moving forward....

Photo taken from CNA...

After much controversy involving the removal of some officials.. STTA President Lee Bee Wah must have realised her poor handling on the Guo Ning's issue with media.. I believe she will be very careful on what to say in front of the media..

Yesterday i was chatting with my boss about this controversy.. and my boss told me that she don't think Lee Bee Wah mention about sacking of the Team Manager to the press.. And she said Lee Bee Wah as the president of STTA got the right to keep an eyes on these Chinese coaches.. (which to her own experience, Chinese are very lazy and love to skives).. My boss did not see the whole picture as neutral party, but to her own self belief.... I told my boss "But why did Lee Bee Wah have mention about having the officials responsible of the players loss and the end of the Team manager's services..?? She do not have to mention all these in the first place.. one leads to another.. and snow ball to a huge controversy.... "

i told my boss that Singapore got 4 coaches.. one was sick, one was guiding another player in a match and two where training for the big match... But my boss argue that there are 5 coaches.. i guess she mistake team manager Mr Antony Lee as one of the coach.

Anyway Ms Lee Bee Wah has made a fast recovery by saying she is willing to work with the head coach for London 2012 Olympic...

Controversy of STTA President

Ms Lee Bee Wah only 1 month on the hot seat of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) and her decision to sack the Table Tennis Team Manager could mean a make or break.. Since Singapore's sport is already beginning to taste success in our foreign talent scheme... and everything is on course for more medal in London Olympic in 2012..

The question is... Does Ms Lee Bee Wah have a better plan for Singapore Table Tennis, by sacking the team manager and the head coach?? Will she brings back a Gold Medal for London Olympic 2012?

Regarding the Gou Ning's match, she should have listen to the manager and head coach explanation before putting them responsible throught the media.. Next she had a meeting with all the players and the next day announce that the team manager is not needed... Now she is twisting her words saying that she is only mentioning about the manager end of contract and she do not want to get involve into this situation... Why must she mention about the end of contract for the team manager over the media?? She already got herself into this situation.. and she better face it.. because this will affect her reputation as a Member of Parliament

Every dream and sports is a team effort.. everyone plays a part including the players, coaches and the official.. It is not a wise move to listen to the players and ignore the coaches and officials.. No sportsmen or sportswomen could achieve result on their own...

Please read the links on what the netizen got to say..

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080824185604AAIkObX

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/08/ms-lee-bee-wah-a-new-broom-sweeps-indiscriminately/

Singapore Table Tennis Manager Sack!!

I read the news this morning, and was shock to see that the Table Tennis Team Manager was sack by the STTA... What is the Singapore Table Tennis Association new (one month old) President doing?.. Is she trying to break up what has been built up many years?? Is there an internal war between the managements and the coaches??

The Table Tennis Team Manager and coaches work hard to bring a medal back to Singapore.. but due to unforeseen circumstance, they neglected Gao Ning which lost to Croatia.. When u got 1 coach sick and left with 3 coaches... Will you concentrate on the Semi-Finals of the women individual with protential of wining another medal or will you concentrate on just a heats round??? 2 coaches were preparing 2 players individually for their Big rival - China... and another coach is guiding another player in a match.. then Gao Ning is left with no coach as the other coach is sick... Should the STTA be more understanding..? Or shoudl the olympic committe postpone the match till Singapore got a coach available??

SIN: Feng Tianwei VS CHN: Zhang Yining

I was watching the Beijing Olympic Table Tennis Individual Woman between our Singapore's Feng Tianwei and China (World No 1) Zhang Yining....

Looking at how Feng Tianwei made Zhang Yining sweat it out in a nail biting match.. Feng Tianwei learned very fast from their earlier women group final match.. She was playing in a very clever manner by breaking up the pace of Zhang Yining and also to make her commit own mistakes.. I can see the World No 1 seed, Zhang Yining is getting very very nervous and getting loads of pressure from the banner waving and cheering fans...

The result, 13-11, 12-14, 14-12, 12-10 and 13-11. Zhang Yining still won the match but this time she did not get to trash Singapore's player like a tin can.. Feng Tianwei did not let her do that by giving her a hard fight...

I should says Feng Tianwei will be a much better player than Li Jiawei if given her more exposures and experience.. She is play smartly and maintain cool head... Unlike Li Jiawei who always over assert herself (maybe she got more expectation from Singapore, thus more pressurise).... I salute Feng Tianwei of her bravery and guts... She has won me over as a Fan...

Let see if Li Jiawei could get over with Zhang Yining the next round... Singapore mentality should be "If can't win them, then give them a hard fight"...

Wife found a Job

My wife had found a job.. from her first and only interview.. She was very lucky as the HR dept told her that she was actually being shortlist with a newly graduate... My wife was chosen because she is able to take stress and .. her previous working experiences did really help.. Her only set back is, she has been out of the work force for so many years.. about 4 to 5 years...

I do have confident in her because she is a capable persona and learn things very fast... She is also able recognise any unprogressive practice, then recommend to improvisation in order to save cost and increase productivity... She is also very out spoken and friendly.. always strike a good workign relationship with her colleagues.. This company did make the right choice by employing her.....

S'pore women table tennis - Silver medal

Congrats to our Singapore Table Tennis for clinging a Silver Medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic.. I'm so proud of them... !!!!!

On the street i keep hearing many people were saying.. that our "Table Tennis players are all from China".. "not born in Singapore de"... "nothing to be proud of"... I'm so sick of hearing such comment.. 4 years ago they don't win medals... a different things were sayign about them "They are not born in Singapore, so they will not win medals for us".. Singapore wasting $$ to buy foreign players"... I they win a Gold Medal against China?? What will China say about them? "Traitor!!"

Actually not only Singapore do that.. other countries like New Zealand etc... are getting China import for their Table Tennis... But Singapore manage to succeed in foreign import scheme... YEAH!!! Just like France's Soccer Team.. Zidane is not born in France... But France won the 2004 World Cup with Zidane as the main Hero... This is what happening to Singapore Table Tennis Team now....

In China there are so many good table tennis players.. all so potential to win medal as they start training.. Only the cream of the crops are able to make it to the national team as the competition for national squad are so great.. and what about those second best players... They have to venture out of China to so as to get a chance on the big stage... If Li jiawei were to remain in China.. do you think she will get a chance like this?

So these table tennis players are willing to fight for Singapore (As long as they don't just get the citizenship and then leave Singapore for elsewhere) .. and we should appreciate their efford in bringing Singapore sports to the World Stage...

Singapore Olympic Dream comes true...

Singapore Olympic table tennis women team has advance into another stage.. where silver is already in their pocket.. Now a GOLD Medal will be their next dream.... Will they bring back a GOLD Medal..?? Let hope, pray and mentally support them.. I'm very proud of them.. even thought they are not born in Singapore but they carry our flag high.. they really fight very hard for their adopted motherland.. They bring glory for Singapore...

LETS CHEER THEM ON....

Picture take from Yahoo News

Lost CHildhood.. Do children have a choice?

I was wondering is it the parents who are stressing their child with plenty of tuition and extra curriculum activities.. or is it the educational system and syllabus...

My child studying in Tots House Kindergarten 2 and is loaded with plenty of school homework everyday.. and were given difficult words for spelling.. words like submarine, aeroplane etc.. for mandarin spelling, words like 潜水艇 also including Han Yi Pin Yin etc.. She also have to study subtraction and addition for maths.. When i was in Kindergarten.. i only learnt ABC, 123 and simple words like he, she they, 爸爸，公公，你，我... etc.. I don't know about PAP kindergarten syllabus... the end result weaker student could not catch up and develop a fear in study.. and parents have to enroll their child for different enrichment course...

At this stage of life, these children only likes to play.. That is their childhood.. I only enroll my child in Piano Lesson, Phonic & maths class and Han Yi Pin Yin class... And many people are telling me that i'm stressing my child with so much activities.. Phonic class is for her to catch up in English and Han Yi Pin Yin is for her to catch up in her Mandarin.. Additional is the piano lesson... Unlike my friends who are more extreme. They enroll their child for 5 to 6 courses... till their children complaint.. "Dad why don't i have my own free time..?" Every weekend is fill with courses..

So who is more kiasu, the parent or the education system...??

Nothing much to blog about today..

Well today i got nothing much to blog about... Everything seems to be as usual to me.. My wife called me yesterday saying that a Australian Company ask her to go for interview on Thursday morning. Can see some progress in her job hunting.. She has stop working for so many years.. and it not easy to find job now.. wish her good luck..

Saving for old age

After my daughter got into the primary school of our choice.. and her Piano Grade 1 Exam result a merit.. now my wife is start look for job.. as usual my mum keep giving us false hope of looking after our child.. giving all sort of excuses.. on the other hand my wife is take her own sweet time searching for job.. choosing and picking at her own pace.. I start to nag her a bit.. she need to get a job fast before my mum change her mind..

In Singapore if you are earning SGD2K ++ salary alone.. it is only just nice to survive with a comfortable 3 meals a day and the basic necessity like child school fee, telephone bill, electricity bill, water bill and gas bill... not enough extra for saving.. In 30 years down, i will be 65 years old... a poor old man.. living on very little CPF (Majority of the CPF are being used up for housing loan with HDB.. )

We got no choice but both spouse need to work.. so that we can have enough saving when we retire.. Thus we have to balance family and work life...

Burrittos with NDP

8 Aug 08 is the Beijing Olympic 2008 and 9 Aug 08 is the Singapore national Day...
Everyone will glue their eyes at the TV for the spectacular National Day Parade (NDP).. Some with ticket will watch live in Marina Bay and those without ticket will hand around the Esplanade area and Merlion area for a glimpse of the aerial display and fireworks.. As for me.. since i can't get the NDP ticket, then i will watch from the comfort of my home...

First i saw a few Tortillas in the fridge.. and decide whip up a nice meal of Burritos.. So went to cold storage to buy the ingredients.. Enjoying burritos while watching NDP08....

adding some lettuce to the tortilla

add in some burritos chicken, tomatoes and cheese (Mozzarella and Cheddar)

season with salsa sauce and mayonnaise

roll it up and "Ta Dah" Burrito...

Special creation from my daughter...

Another Good News...

This morning my wife pass me a letter.. It was the result of my Daughter's Grade 1 Piano ABRSM Exam.. As usual.. my wife don't dare to open it.. I open it up neatly. with a letter opener.. pull out the result slip.. and i saw a certificate attached to it.. and i break the news to my wife that our daughter has pass her Grade 1 piano exam with merits... We were so happy..

Well now my child is better than me. she got at least a grade 1.. and i got none.... when i was younger my family were too poor to let me learn piano.. i was interested in music when i was in secondary school.. as i join the school military band.. so i got my band mate to teach me how to play piano.. and the rest is self taught...

Balloting for primary school place

Well this morning, i'm getting very excited.. cos today i need to go to CHIJ to see the ballot result of my child primary 1 place....

On phrase 2C for CHIJ (Lady of Nativity).. There are 43 pupils registered and only left 22 vacancy.. 43 of them are staying within 1 km to 2 km from the school... Those who stay within 1 km from the school are automatically enlisted..

My wife was so excited and my daughter wanted to come along too.. she wanted to get involved because she said "i'm the one studying, so it concern me so i want to go".. we reach the school at about 8am.. the ballot starts at 8.30am.. So we went to the school canteen to take our breakfast.. just to pass sometime... at 8.30am the principle of CHIJ address all the parents and the ballots begins.. all parents are so nervous.. including my wife.. I did my prayers many days ahead and confident that Buddha will be by our side... CHIJ is a Catholic school.. and i leave it to Buddha to decide for my daughter.. and also need some fate + some luck.... The first was called... not my child's name.. well then the second name called was my daughter's name.... YES! we were so relieve.. so happy...

A day before my daughter had told all her Kindergarten 2 classmate that she confirm going to CHIJ.. and today she is not surprise with the result.. she just wants to recce the school.. and i told her not to wander around....

Well one worry down.. and now my wife has to get herself a job...

2 more new staffs

We welcome 2 more new staffs.. One from Malaysia and another from China... The new China staff is homesick yesterday.. she was weeping.. but hope she will get use to life in Singapore.. She never left her home to go aboard before and just arrive from China yesterday...

And the Malaysian new staff went back to Malaysia after 1 day of work because his grandmother pass away..

After working with 3 staffs from China (excluding the new staff), my mind set about them has change.. They are all very intelligent and smart.. and get along well with the rest of the Malaysian and Singaporean staffs.. One of the girl was hard working and responsible and the China guy was full of humorous jokes.. and keeps the office lively with his nonsense... we call him "Bing Ma Yong" Terracotta in Chinese cos he is from Xi an...

But of course there are always a black sheep among the white sheep... 1 of them, was only interest in having fun then concentrate on her work.. After work she will go out till wee hours.. and was unable to concentrate on her work the next day... She got a warning from the employment agency and my boss... but it seem like she will never change.... She can wear the same clothes for 2 days and with the same hair-do for 3 days.. never bath.. and stinky.. (thought i already got rid of the teenage typhoon boy at home and now there is one at work) ** Faint....

Her hair-do not fit for work.. she will style her hair as if she is going for nightlife... She told us that those Singaporean guys who goes for China girl mistress is call "Hou Zi" Monkey in Mandarin... And we ask her if she is aware that Singaporean name those China girl mistress "Xiao Long Nui" little dragon girl.. and she say "Yes, she knows"... Hope she don't create any trouble, if not my boss will sure ask her to leave...

New Piano Teacher

Well i have manage to find a new piano teacher for my daughter... Finally my worried is over.. This new piano teach is actually my wife's secondary sch mate sister... i had considered her teaching my child after we took her out of Christophori one & half years ago.. but we because this teacher do not make home visit...

But now after my child grade 1 exam (which i doubt she will do badly).. i don't have confident on her ex-piano teacher.. My daughter can't even sight-read well and her tempo was terrible...

I have made know to this new piano teacher yesterday, on my child weakness... this time i will personally oversee my child piano progress.. My wife did a good job in , but because she was a bit 'Kiasu' wanting my child to complete grade 8 by Sec 4, before O level.. Anyway my child is only 5 years old.. and she still ample time to move up the grades.. I would prefer her to have a good and strong beginner foundation.. before she could move up to higher grade at ease.. Although she already took her Grade 1 exam.. i still instruct her new piano teacher to start all over again from Grade 1 again.. Then we shall see her grade 1 exam result before we plan for the next step... We will let her take grade 1 theory exam next year..

Me and my wife do have some musical background, because we both were from the same sec school military band.. and were playing the same musical instrument, saxophone.. Of course i'm her senior.. and that is how we felt in love with each other...

Another Teochew Delicacy

Went to Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre for lunch... Had Pig Leg Jelly, Shark Meat and Pork Stew... This is another Teochew delicacy.. The pork stew is so tender and it gave a rich favour in your mouth, the rib bones are so soft and crunchy... Shark meat is so white and nice.. Not overcooked... (well at least the poor shark do not have to suffer without fins).. The shark meat is nothing compare to cod fish.. but it goes well with the chili sauce.. The best is the pig leg jelly... It is a cold dish.. the jelly part is not too soft and not too stiff.. just right.. and one bite you can taste the pig leg wrap inside the jelly.. Not too salty and not too sweet.. just right... and it goes well with the sweet sauce and coriander..

When i was a child, my father ever brought the pig leg jelly and shark meat home for dinner.. Tucking into this delicacy, brings back the fond memories of my childhood..

Many old folk was staring at me while i'm enjoying my lunch.. cos only elderly patronise this stall.. It cost me $10.50 for this meal.. but i could not resist myself when i see this stall...

This is the stall

Pork stew
Shark Meat (white) & Pig Leg Jelly served with ice
My complete meal..

Teenage Typhoon Boy... End of Nightmare

My nightmare with the Teenage Typhoon boy is over soon... My wife's nephew will be going back to his grandmother home this Saturday...

Look at the photos below.. this is the kind of shock i got in every morning... strain clothes (including underwear) all over the room, drawer half open, desk was in a big mess.. every morning i almost faint when i see this.. i was wondering is there a typhoon or storm happen last night?? His room was so stink.. that nobody.. not even my wife dare to go in and clean up his room...

He always complaints he don't have enough clothes to wear... Of course he don't have enough clothes because his room is so messy he cannot find clean clothes to wear... he got 2 pairs of socks and we brought him 3 more new pairs of socks, but somehow... still left 2 pairs.. don't know what happen to the other 3 pairs..