Taking a break.. t get myself back again..

It has been a while since my last blog... There are so many things happened like H1N1 and Michael Jackson sudden pass away..
Me and my boss already in talking terms, only on work matters but we don't chat much like before..

I'm taking a break from blogging.. to get my career back on track again... (Still sniffing out for ship to jump)...

Feeling very "loser"...

I'm feeling very low.. Just don't know why.. After working so hard all these while.. and i still unable to save much $$.. me in my late 30ties.. I was wondering what have i been doing all these years.. or was it the living standard is getting even higher..? Or is it i'm too comfortable in the comfort zone (Job)... Maybe i should get a life..

Trip to Bottle Tree Park

On 6 Jun09, after work i went to Bottle Tree Park at Yishun (near Khatib MRT). This place is like a country side.. where families can have fun.. There are so many activities.. Long Kang Fishing, Prawn Fishing, Pond Fishing, Couple Swan Paddling, Pool Table, Table Soccer, Vegetable Farm, Paintball... etc... There is a seafood restaurant and a beer garden facing the main pond..

My daughter was so happy fishing for Long Kang (stream in Malay) fishes. For S$10, you will get a small fish tank & Net (all can be brought home). In the man-made pond there are Red Guppy, Ribbons, Swordtail, Pacu, Goldfish, Molly... and yesterday we are surprise to catch many baby Koi fishes... I was feel very sad for these fishes.. They have been spending their life running for their life while happy children stomping the pond trying to catch them.. I vow to bring them home and raise them well..

Since my daughter has been asking us to buy her a pet.. We let her keep these fishes as pet.. It is more meaningful as these fishes are caught by herself (with some help from my wife). It is an unforgettable experience for my child.. I have told my daughter to be responsible for the care and life of her pet fishes..

Then we head to Plaza Singapura to buy fish tank, filter, sands, ornaments etc... The shop keeper service was good.. He help us set up the whole aquarium...

Very low morale....

Still feeling very emo at work.. everyday.. Feel so sad.. Why am i like that...? I have tried to forgive her.. but each time i talk to her, she has been giving me the cold shoulder...

Or maybe that is all i could contribute to the company... Squeeze dry.. no more use liao... Maybe i was too loyal and got hurt so much.. is that the price for being too loyal... ??? Or is it time for me to move on and find another job with better prospect..

My boss now has been sitting in her room and still expecting sales from counter staffs.. and scold them for not getting sales.. End of the day, staffs cannot take t and resign.. then when the economy picks up.. new staffs are unable to cope because lack of product knowledge... so less sales...

At this point of time when the economy is bad.. The managers or seniors should be training the juniors on product knowledge.. and bosses should be going out to find business opportunities..So by the time the economy picks up.. Everyone is equips with skills and sales opportunities to do more sales...

This company is really lack of direction or maybe boss did not shared her direction with us...

Still disappointed with boss...

Well i still disappointed with my boss for her comment after so many days.. I'm a very forgiving person.. but somehow.. i could not shake her remarks out of my mind..

Maybe i'm too loyal to the company.. This is the company i have work the longest.. from Mar 2001 till now 2009.. WAH 8 years liao.. I started out as a Marketing Executive till my current position of Marketing Manager.. I have learn a lot during this 8 years.. Maybe that remarks of "Calculative" hurts my 8 years of commitment to this company..

For so many times i have been taking a step back to see what i have achieved in this company... Do i still have more to contribute or is there any more rooms to climb up to.. ? These have been bugging my mind everyday.. Sometimes i wanted to forgive my boss, but then .. i just could not do it...

I'm not being petty or what so ever you call it... I'm just very very hurt by my boss remarks... after i contribute so much to this company.. I have never been calculative with my boss before..

Disappointed with my boss's remarks..

On saturday 30 May09.. My boss came to work at 11.45am.. (we start work at 12pm).. Then she saw one of my colleague in one of the branch, light still not on (she just came in, and yet to switch on the lights). Then my boss ask my other colleague, why 12pm already, the lights still not on? (it is still 11.45am) then my other colleague reply that she just arrive..

Later my boss call everyone for a meeting and scold all for not switching the lights on when we came into the office.. She expected us to switch on all the lights when we step into the office. I told her that we do switch on the lights even before 12pm.. Then she keep arguing with me that we only switch on the lights at 12pm sharp.... OOh damn it.. which eyes of her saw that we never switch on the lights.. Then she said why we all so calculative.. and she even says we manager instruct the counter staffs to only switch on the lights at 12pm.. she even tell the junior not to listen to the managers..

Damn it .. FUCK.. I really got really really angry with her.. HOW could she says that we are calculative...?? We come to work usually 15mins to 20 mins before 12pm.. and we will switch on the computers, scan for virus, clean the phone and switch on the lights.. Now who is calculative??? She should be glad that we come to work earily to get everything prepare before 12pm... so that when customers step in at 12pm we are all ready to serve....

I was so angry that i never speak to her for a few days (except for work matters)...

Ouch!... I knock my head....

OOOuchhh...!! This morning i knock my head against the Bench Press Machine at the gym.. It was painful.. i keep rubbing it hard so as not to get and blood clog.. (Some say blood clog might cause brain turmoil)...

This knock wakes up my idea.. Hahaha... After that i don't feel so sleepy le.. hahaha... What a way to begin my morning with....

Singapore 1st confirm Swine Flu case..

Well Singapore has got its first confirm swine flu case... For the pass few weeks there are many customers who wanted to cancel their trip or postpone their trip to countries which has swine flu.. now Singapore confirm its first case le.. Those customers who are scared to travel to those effected countries.. please pack your bag and leave Singapore.. Hahaha..

Life are as usually for everyone.. even at other countries who are affected...

Roh Moo-Hyum Ex-Korea President Suicide

Mr Roh jump off a high cliff early on Saturday while hiking, trailed by a security guard, near his home in Bongha. In his death note wrote 'too many people are suffering because of me."
'What's left for me for the rest of my life is just to be a burden to others,' his note said. 'Don't be too sad. Aren't life and death both part of nature? Don't feel sorry. Don't blame anybody. It's destiny.' He asked to be cremated, a small gravestone erected near his home.

Well on the Buddhist point of view i will says his suicide will bring more pain and suffering to his love ones.. If he were to stay alive and fight his way to allegations that he accepted US$6 million (S$8.65 million) in bribes from a businessman when he was the president of the South Korea... He could have clear himself.. and go back to his own life..

He should not just give on his life.... By him commit suicide he only loses his body but his guilt and sufferings will bring to his next life.. Birth is a gift from your previous Karma and we should treasure and make the best of it..

The Metta Sutta Chanting MP3

Yesterday i download the Metta Sutta MP3.. Metta Sutta is the Buddha's word of Loving-Kindness...

Here is the link..
http://www.buddhanet.net/filelib/mp3/6_chanting.mp3

Now i can listen to The Metta Sutta everyday from my Mobile Phone MP 3....

Company Cut Cost

Due to the financial downturn and Swine Flu.. Our company business also have been been hit.. To get 10 customers to enquire a day is consider lucky le... Everyone is bored and has been trying their best to do more bookings.. As usual, boss has been pressurising & nagging the counter because sales are bad.. But what to do? Every agency is affected by this financial downturn and Swine Flu... We only hope the world economy to recover and swine flu epidemic over...

The only solution is to cut cost.. by cutting Over Time (OT).. Now from Monday to Friday we are working from 12pm till 9pm.. Our meals allowance are being cut too.. :-(

Looking on the brighter side.. at least we still have not resolve into taking unpaid leave, pay cut or worst being retrench...

At the same time, me and my assist manager are trying to boost up the counter staffs product knowledge and to improve their English.. So that when the economy recovers, we will have a strong sales force to do battle with...

Lee Bee Wah , STTA & Lui Guodong SAGA...

I read about the saga of the STTA President and the former Singapore Table Tennis Head Coach..

This comes amid public debate over the association’s latest decision not to nominate former table tennis coach Liu Guodong for the Coach of the Year award.
Liu had led the Singapore women’s team to win a silver medal at last year’s Beijing Games, ending the republic’s 48-year Olympic medal drought.
Ms Lee said Liu’s integrity and professionalism was in question and this led to the decision not to nominate him for the award. The decision did not go down well with Liu, who is currently in China, and the public.

Following STTA’s refusal to nominate Liu for Coach of the Year honours and comments made by table tennis chief Lee Bee Wah (Also a MP) about Liu. Liu had returned to Singapore from China last Thursday to seek a meeting with his former employers. But unfortunately he only manage to meet the STTA’s honorary secretary Soon Min Sin and chief executive officer Chew Soo Sheng instead of Ms Lee Bee Wah..

If she is able to quote this comment on Liu.. she should stood out and face the public.. Come on Ms Lee Bee Wah.. You are a MP, a public figure.. Standout and face everyone.. How can you just make a comment and then keep quiet about it.. as if nothing happens.. Your comment does not means much to you but it does hurts someone.. As a MP you must always be mindful of your words and actions...

Here is the site for the petition to remove Ms Lee Bee Wah as STTA President..
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?lbh&1

Person with high IQ but no EQ is useless....

Fight at people's Park Centre Food Court...

Last Wednesday, there was a fight between the fruit stall owner and a customer.. This is what happen...

This old man went into the stall area (restricted to public) and wanted to order Ba Kut Teh... Then the drink stall owner told him that customers are prohibited inside this area.. and a heated argument starts between the fruit stall and this old man... and to my understanding... The fruit stall owner push this old man out of the restricted area and accuse this old man from trying to steal his money.. and i understand that the fruit stall owner had broke the old man "expensive" glasses.. And the old man call his grand teen children to help him. and one of his grand child slap the fruit stall owner.. they cause so much commotion till the security have to call in police.. 4 police came and took statement from both party.. This old man is a rich man and is going to sue this fruit stall owner..

From this incident.. the fruit stall owner can politely just tell the customer to move out of the restricted area, because it is not safe for him to be in the kitchen area.. He should have explain it to the old man.. instead of shoving him out of the area..

Budget Airline "do care"...

This passenger did not expect anything from the budget airline and were expecting a non-refund.. But was surprise that their appeal to fly on another date was approve.. and this passenger does really appreciate all the efforts put in by Jetstar Asia..

This shows that the more you demand and expect, the more disappointed you will be.. Sometime if you were lower down your expectation on others, you will get plenty of surprises.. :-)

Flying on budget airline can be a bliss too....

Budget Airline to provide water free, reasonable?

First they complaint about the service of the "no frill" budget airlines. Now they are asking for free drinking water from budget airline...

Singaporean... knock... knock... Wake up.. Do you really know what is Budget Airline?? For that
"$0.00" dollar fare, do you think the airline should give you drinking water? Don't tell me that foreign worker taking plane for the first time don't bring money? Who don't bring money when they travel? If you are thirsty on board the plane, you may buy a bottle of mineral water from the airline (S$3 for Tiger Airways & Jetstar Asia and RM4 (S$2) for Air Asia).. Jetstar Soft drink only cost S$2.. Let the airline earn your S$3 lah..

Usually the longest flight duration for budget airline are only 4hrs non stop (per sector).. I will usually buy something to eat onboard budget airline, just to keep myself busy..

Please.. please.. If budget airline provide every needs of the passengers, then they will be consider premium carrier...

Budget Airline = NO FRILL..

You only pay to get from point A to Point B.. You don't pay for service and comfort when you travel budget airline.. You should count yourself lucky if the air stewardess/steward smile at you... So please STOP all the demands, complaints and request..

Good Deal for Wine...

Saw this wine promo online.. Seems like a good deal... They even got a wine tasting session on 15 May09 & 16 may09...
Check it out their website: www.mywineshop.com.sg

Chicken Rice Shop...

Last night me, my wife and my daughter were hunting for dinner at Vivo City (basement).. The "Set B" $15.90 for 2 person Promotion by Chicken Rice Shop caught our attention.. It sounds good.. It includes: The Grilled Butter Chicken, Single Serves Chicken, 2 plate of Chicken Rice, 2 Pai Tee, Ipoh Bean Sprouts, Soup of the day and 2 cups of Ice Lemon Tea..

The Grilled Butter Chicken suppose to be the "star" of the menu... But it turn out to be the worst dish among all menu.. The chicken is season with herbs and grilled, then dress in spicy butter sauce with curry leaf.. The butter sauce with curry leaf is terrible, taste like fermented bean curd in chili sauce.. It does not even goes along with the grilled chicken.. Awful..

The rice and the bean sprouts are ok.. Chicken meat is a bit tough... Soup of the day, we got Sichuan Vegetable Soup... The only delicious item is Pai Tee...

My verdict: The traditional Hainanese Chicken Rice is still the best...

Budget Airline.. They are No Frill Airline

I read this article in Sunday Times on 10 May 09.. The Aviation Correspondent, Ms Karamjit Kuar wrote that Budget Airlines need to brush up in term of customer service, especially during a crisis. And they must show some flexibility when dealing ith complaints..

Once again.. Singaporean welcome budget airlines to give competition to those big brother so that fare have to come down.. And the whole travel market was stir up.. This is good.. But yet many Singaporean still does not know that Budget Airline is NO FRILLS.... You have to pay for your own meals, pay extra for check-in Luggage, pay for preferred seats and so on..

Many of the Singaporeans does not know that most budget airlines call centre are NOT located in Singapore.. they are being out source and station in a different country.. (So no point going all the way down to the airport to make a complaint, they are only the ground handling agent not the airline employees) and their main budget airline mode of booking is via Internet.. Budget Airlines does charge a very hefty service fee for amendments and of course a total no refund.. Please lah.. How much the budget airline make out of your 99ct air ticket? They too need to make a living also... They already charge a super "Lelong" fare.. and what refund you want?? Whatever happen in the world (natural disasters, political unrest, flu epidemics etc...) are NOT all airlines fault also.. and carrier gave refund only out of good will..

A $2 bowl of noodle at a hawker centre is different from a $5 bowl of noodle at the restaurant.. Try complaining to the hawker, you will get a stern stare and if worst, you will get a tongue lashing "@*!#%@*".. But if you make a complaint to the restaurant captain, they will replace u with another fresh bowl of noodle..

To ALL BUDGET TRAVELLER:
You get what you pay.. Your got cheap ticket but of course no frill.. So no point complaint about the lack of service... If you expect service, please book a premier carrier so that it gave you some reason to "Bang Table" if the service is not up to your satisfaction...

Vesak Day 2009..

I was at the Kumudra Mediation Center at Chinatown on 9 May09 to celebrate Vesak Day.. Both my bosses and Mr Park the Korean Chef were there too.. Venerable Sayadaw U Eikdibala from Myanmar led everyone on prayers.. followed by the bathing of the little baby Prince Siddhārtha Gautama.. A symbol of inner purification, the tradition is said to assist with the purgation of sins.

Venerable Sayadaw U Eikdibala told us that in Myanmar and some other countries.. Their practice was to watered the Bodhi Tree... Bodhi Tree is where Siddhartha meditate and finally attain enlightenment to be come Buddha.. He told us that he will give a Dharma talk in the evening on why the practice of watering the Bodhi Tree instead of the baby Prince Siddhartha..

Anyway i did not attend the evening Dharma talk but my boss did.. Venerable Sayadaw wanted us to understand the meaning of watering the Bodhi Tree.. If not it is of no use if we only just practice but without the knowledge why we do that..

Compassion without wisdom is pointless.

Wisdom without compassion is useless.

So today i was so eager to find out the answer and my boss explain me, since she attended the Dharma talk by Venerable Sayadaw last night..

She explain to me..
Because baby Siddhartha Guatama was born as a prince and had not attend enlightenment yet.. So there is no significant to bathing the little baby prince.. We should water the Bodhi tree instead..

A universal message that,
'it is simple to wash away physical dirt but it is much more difficult to cleanse one's inner dirt of greed, anger and ignorance.'

Happy Vesak Day...

Mas Selamat was caught..

Taken from Straits Time site...
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_374015.html

Mas Selamat was caught by the Malaysia Police in Johor... Singapore being ashamed for letting Mas Selamat escape from detention... has been saying that because of the intelligent leads given by Singapore that Malaysia could capture him.. i mean of course we need to give info to Malaysia so that they can assist in capturing Mas Selamat... Without the lead or information.. which is going to assist Singapore to capture Mas Selamat??

Anyway.. Kudos to Malaysia Polis... Cheers....

Apple Pie..

Yesterday i try to make an apple pie.. the recipe was a flop, so i won't share the recipe here....
I went jogging around Punggol area yesterday morning.. and then head to NTUC at Rivervale Mall.. To my surprise.. the elevator up to NTUC supermarket is spoil.. and the lift is so pack with aunties (going to NTUC to buy groceries).. Well since i so drench with sweat.. i decide to take the smelly cargo lift up to NTUC..

First i could not find and ready made short crust pastry at the NTUC supermarket.. (I should have go to Cold Storage instead).. End up buying the frozen (ready to made) Puff Pastry.. I thinking maybe can use that to make Apple Turnover instead..

Then in the afternoon i was cooking the slices apples then i realise that there is no flour at home.. And i was so lazy to go down to buy, so thinking maybe i could go and buy the flour before i pick up my daughter from student care center.. By the time i went to buy the flour and pick up my daughter.. it was already about 6pm when i reach home.. Well too late.. so i have to make the Pizza, soup and salad for dinner first..

After finish cooking dinner i lost my momentum and did not put much effort into making that apple turnover.. or apple pie.. i really don't know because it did not turn out well....

It will be a shame for me to post the recipe here..

Arsenal Lost their Champion's League hope..

Arsenal lost 4-1 on aggregate to Manchester united.. Now Arsenal has lost their silver ware hope.. ManU knows how to disable the heart and brain of Arsenal team.. Fabregas was nowhere in action.. So Sad sad sad.. Van Persie lost his finishing touch... too bad bad bad...
But looking on the brighter side.. Once the youngster of Arsenal have matured.. They will be back to hunt all the silver wares...

Swine Flu.. Why Blame Others?

Taken from CNN:
(5 May09)The Mexican Embassy has expressed its objection to a decision by the Singapore government to impose temporary visa requirements for Mexico passport holders visiting the country. The embassy is also concerned with Singapore's quarantine requirement for people who have had a travel history to Mexico in the past seven days. It is urging the government to reconsider these measures.

(4May09)Mexican diplomats said about 70 of their countrymen had been placed under quarantine despite showing no signs of swine flu. Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa called the action "unjustified" and warned Mexicans against visiting China, while Ambassador Jorge Guajardo was refused access to 10 people held at Beijing Guomen Hotel.

Mexican should not start blaming other countries of implementing travel ban to Mexico or quarantine people arriving from Mexico. Especially in Asia like China, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.. We have been thought the period of SARS and we in Asia have the experience to deal with this. This is the correct way to deal with such epidemic.

Even WHO also back China's Quarantine measure
Chinese quarantine measures aimed at curbing the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) are in line with steps taken worldwide, the World Health Organisation's China representative said Monday.

Every country leaders have their right to protect their own country and to prevent the Swine Flu form entering their country. If to turn the situation around. What if Asia got Swine Flu and people from Asia still travelling to Mexico.? Do you think Mexican will still welcome them?

Mexican authority should be more responsible, understanding and cooperative with the rest of the world, instead of pointing finger at other countries for quarantine them. Now containing the swine flu is more important than anything else.

AWARE of Women's Power

(Taken from CNN)
SINGAPORE: The new executive committee (Exco) of Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) has been given a vote of no confidence, almost six hours after the extraordinary general meeting at Suntec City started.
The vote of no confidence was passed against the new Exco with 1414 votes to 761 votes.
Later, the motion to remove the new Exco from office was passed, and the motion to elect a new president was also passed.
Ms Josie Lau and her exco have stepped down.
Former president Dana Lam was elected as the new President.
The old guard of AWARE had tabled a vote of no confidence in the new Exco after the new Exco was voted in at an annual general meeting at the end of March amid much controversy.

Well as the saying goes, never offend any women, their tongue lashing words could kill.. Singapore just experience the fights of the ladies and feel the power of ladies united.. The old guards have done what they are suppose to do to bring AWARE back into where they are suppose to be.. I feel that the former new Exco, lead by Ms Josie Lau have learn their lesson. No matter whatever you do, always remember the basics of management - RESPECT... Without respect you can never manage..

Overseas Holiday put on hold..

Well ManU got one goal advantage against Arsenal for Champion's League.. Arsenal mist turn the table over if they wants a silver ware..

This June school holiday i have decided not to take an overseas holiday. The reason is the fast growing Swine Flu.. We still don't know which country will be next to be infected with that swine flu.. So better don't take that risk.. My wife still wants to go for an holiday.. maybe somewhere near or domestic. I try check on cruises and they are all fully booked..

I will still take a few days leave, to keep my daughter company during her school holiday..

Champion's League Semi Final

Arsenal vs Manchester United.. tonight for the Champion's League Semi Final.. I'm hopping for Arsenal to beat Manchester United.. Arsenal must try to bring in at least 1 silver ware this season.. Last year the finish the season without any silver ware.. So sad.. Of course the current youngster of Arsenal is very promising.. Give them another 2 more years to mature into a great great team..

As an Arsenal fan, i feel bad because i was more into Formula 1 news then EPL news.. But i still support Arsenal.. I like their beautiful attacking football.. many teams plays to win.. but Arsenal not only plays to win but they display an entertaining performance by scoring amazing goals..

Katsu Don Reciepe

Here is my version of Katsu Don... Knowing that most people are worried about eating pork because of the swine flu.. Chicken can be another alternative

Serves 3
200g Lean Pork (slice thinly)
1 tsp Corn Flour (for marinating)
2 tsp Corn Flour (for sauce)
Some Corn Flour (enough for coating)
Some Bread Crumbs (enough for coating)
2 eggs
Vegetable or grape seed Oil
3 tbsp high grade premium Soya Sauce (1 tbsp for marinade and 2 tbsp for for sauce)
1 tbsp Dashi
Cooked Japanese rice
1 tbsp of Japanese Vinegar
Dried Seaweeds and sliced zucchini (to garnish)
Mayonnaise (for dressing)

Slice the lean pork thinly.. then use the kitchen knife (sharp edge side) and carefully pound the pork (this is to make it more tender, but please don't mince it). Then Marinade the pork with corn flour and soya sauce. Leave it aside.

Heat the oil (high heat) in a frying pan. Prepare the corn flour, eggs (beaten) and bread crumbs onto 3 plate. Turn the heat to medium. Slowly coat the pork into the corn flour, follow by the eggs and then finally the bread crumbs.. Make sure they are all fully coated.

Then slowly put the coated pork into the hot oil. Always remember to flip the pork 2 times on both side after you put it into the hot oil, this is to prevent the bread crumb coating from sicking into the frying pan. The let it fried till golden brown.. Take out the crispy pork chop and let to drain on a plate layered with disposable kitchen towel.


For the sauce. Add the corn flour into half cup of warm water. Stir till corn flour is dissolve. Then boil half cup of water in a sauce pan. Once the water is boiling add in the Dashi and soya sauce (to taste). The slowly pour in the corn flour mixture.. and turn down the heat.. slowly heat it till the sauce is thick.

Add the vinegar to the cooked rice and mix well. Then divide the rice into 3 deep bowl. Drizzle some sauce into the rice. Then chop the Pork Chop in slices and place on top of the rice. Dress the pork chop with mayonnaise. Garnish with dried seaweeds and Zucchini.

You may also garnish with some steam carrot and broccoli (that is Yoshinoya Bowl)

Enjoy you meal.. It goes well with a bowl of Miso Soup and some prickles...

Mediacorp Star Awards 2009

On Sunday night, i was enjoying eating my sushi while watching the Mediacorp Star Awards.. The is the local Channel 8 (Mandarin Channel) annual award.. It suppose to be very glam.. but i don't bother much, after all it is the actors and actress who are more concern.. It is their career..

Anyway, Christopher Lee outlook gave me a shock.. He was trying to do the Korean Hunk actor look.. But he end up like a "cave man"... too bushy, he should highlight his hair a bit to tone down the thickness of his long hair.. Hahaha..

I was not surprise when Joanne Peh won the Best Actress award.. Because her role in the "Little Nonya" was not easy, because the character have many ups and down, ending as an insane.. but she acted very well... Many people expect Jeantte Ow to win it.. But because her role is too easy.. (She just play goody thought out the show)..

I was thinking why not Mediacorp combine their star awards for all channel.. like Channel 8, Channel Suria, Channel 8, Channel U and Channel Vasathsam.... Must give other channel artist a chance to be on same level as Channel 8...

Drop by at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple..

This morning after lunch at the Chinatown Hawker centre... i drop by at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple... I made my prayer... and then saw the little Buddha statue at the center of a fountain.. It is for Buddhist to perform bathing the little Buddha.. I made a small donation and bath the little Buddha...

A symbol of inner purification, the tradition is said to assist with the purgation of sins. A universal message that, it's simple to wash away physical dirt but it is much more difficult to cleanse one's inner dirt of greed, anger and ignorance.

Music - part of my life...

i always regards music as part of my life.. since i join the school military band in my secondary.. I have learnt to appreciate and develop a passion on music.. I do play some musical instruments (like saxophone, keyboard and piano), Not very good in it, but just an average player.. I learnt to play saxophone because i love that instrument.. sounds sexy and it has got style... For piano and keyboard, I self taught... The sound of the piano is pure and it can bring me into a wonderful world of dreamland and make believe.. and keyboard gives me another version of what acoustic piano could not.. My favourite piano player is David Nevue....

Playing musical instrument, let me release my stress.. and inspire me a lot by bring me to another world.. (And of course i don't like anyone to disturb me while i'm playing music)...Music gives me hope and makes me feel confident...

Now everyday on my way to work i will listen to rock songs... or some fast pop songs.. this fast and lively pace music will charge me up in the morning.. then after work i will listen to some easy sentimental song or classical music.. and if i am feeling emo (sad) i will listen to the "Imperial March" by John Williams.. "imperial March" (Darth Vader entrance music) also gave me confident and hope.. It gave me the moral to pick myself up....

Thus music is part of my life.... it inspire me...

Alarm Clock did not activate.. Damn..

This morning the alarm clock did not ring.. and by the time i woke up.. it was already 6.40am.. The school bus attendant called and i told her, we will send my child to school our self.. Lucky today my wife was on leave.. She was hopping to sleep a bit later today.. but unfortunately because the alarm clock is down she has to send my daughter to school.. .. ..

Me still not having enough sleep.. waking up 6am in the morning and sleep at 11.30pm in the evening.. so everyday i only manage 6.5 hours of sleep... gosh.. i have to do that for the next 6 years...

Gordon Ramsay's Hot Chocolate Fondant

This hot desert look delicious.. when you break the the fondant, the hot chocolate will flows out.. Yummy... Saw Gordon Ramsay make hot chocolate fondant on "the F Word"... i want to give this recipe a try..

Hot Chocolate Fondant

Serves 2
50g unsalted butter, plus extra to grease
2tbsp coca powder, to dust
50g good-quality bitter chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa in pieces)
1 free-range egg
1 free-range egg yolk
60g caster sugar
50g plain flour

Heat the oven to 160DegC/Gas3. Butter two large ramekins, about 7.5cm in diameter, then dust liberally with cocoa.

Slowly melt the chocolate and butter in a small bowl set over a pan of hot water, then take off the heat and stir until smooth. Leave to cool for 10 mins.

Using an electric whisk, whisk the whole egg, egg yolk and sugar together until pale and thick, then incorporate the chocolate mixture.

Shift the flour over the mixture and gently fold in, using a large metal spoon. Divide between the ramekins and bake for 12mins.

Turn the chocolate fondants out on to warmed plate and serve immediately.

Cost cutting measure

Being worried.... My wife's company is asking them to take unpaid leave or cut down on their work week. Either work half day week.... or 3 days week... And of course pay cut too... This is a cost cutting measure to try to retain their staffs a long as they could afford..

Last few months.. all the contract staffs has been retrenched.. and this thus worries so many of them.. My wife wish she is one of them being retrench.. but i told her don;t be foolish, because jobs are hard to find.. I advise her to hang on as long as possible until she finds another job.. For the time being, i suggest her to take the 3 days work week.. so that she can have time with our child and also take the available time to look for another job...

Frankly speaking, i prefer her to work in this company because there are many potential and stability.. (I rather keep mum on the industry my wife is working and the company name, she don't feel comfortable me to reveal it).. but company politics is something i can't even bear.. Terrible...

Pasta with Bacon and peas

Another Reciepe from Gordon Ramsay... Taken from his book...

Pasta with Bacon and Peas

Serves 4 - 6
200g Dried Fusilli Pasta
Sea salt and Pepper
3tbsp Olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
100g bacon Lardons
300ml Double Cream
100g Frozen Peas
1 - 2 tbsp Chopped flat-leaf Parsley
1 - 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan

Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water with 1 tbsp olive oil for 7 - 10 mins until al dente (cooked but firm to the bite). Drain and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch. Return to the pan and set aside.

Heat the remaining olive oil in a deep saute pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry, stirring, for2 - 3 mins, then add the bacon and fry until crisp. Add the cream and let bubble until reduce by half.

Add the peas, bring back to a simmer and cook for 2 mins. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the pasta to the sauce and heat through, stirring, for 1-2 mins. Scatter with parsley and Parmesan, and serve in warm pasta bowl.

Another simple and yet delicious dish by Gordon Ramsay.... Happy cooking..

Growing up..

Yesterday i took a bus on my way home from Ang Mo Kio... one row infront my seat was two lower secondary school boy.. They were both chatting.. then one of them was tell his friend "Another 4 more years and you will be 18 years old, that mean you can do that kind of thing le loh. Can have girlfriend and can invite her to your house and do that kind of thing." His friend feel a bit shy because that boy spoke so loud that everyone in the bus turn their head.. Then the boy whisper into his friend's ear... and they both grin...

Well two 14 years old boys already looking forward to 18 years old and start planning how to invite girls home.. Hahaha... A sign of growing up or a red alert for lack of sex education in school?

Broccoli Soup

As i mention on my previous blog.. I am sharing some of the simple and easy recipe from Gordon Ramsay.. Here is the recipe for Broccoli Soup... Smooth and tasty.. these pictures are taken from the book...

Broccoli Soup with green pea
Serves4
1kg Broccoli
Sea Salt & Pepper
4 Slices soft goat's cheese
50g Flaked almonds
Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Drizzle

Cut the broccoli into florets. Bring 800ml salted water to the boil in a pan, add the broccoli and simmer for about 4 minutes until tender but still bright green. Drain, reserving the liquid.

Whiz the broccoli in a blender, with enough of the liquid to half the goblet, to give velvety texture.

Reheat the soup in the pan: adjust the seasoning. Put the goat's cheese slices, to one side. Top with the nuts, grind over some pepper and drizzle with olive oil to serve.

Easy to make right?

Gordon Ramsay Cook Book..

I just borrow this cook book by Gordon Ramsey from the library.. Gordon Ramsay is a 14 Michellin Stars rating celebrity chef... I have yet to read it.. The BIG word "Easy" caught my eyes, while i was browsing around for cook book. I will share some of the simple receipts from this book.. after i have read it.. let see how this 14 Michellin stars chef made his cooking easy and impressive..

Spare the rod, i won't..

On Wednesday, my daughter did not go to school, because their school having Sports day for upper primary class.. So i ask my mom to bring her to my brother's place so that she can play with her cousin.

That night she was very defiant.. Refuse to go to bed.. and keep making lots of noise.. Ask her to change to her Pyjamas and she just refuse.. it was 10.30pm.. and she has to wake up at 6am in the next morning... My wife tried to coax her to get change and sleep.. but she is still very energetic.. at 11pm.. i had enough.. i cane her.. One swift stroke into her thighs... and she begin to cry.. My soft hearted wife just can't bear her crying and start to hug her.. and even scold me for caning her..

Oh my.. here i trying to disciple my daughter and there my wife pampering.. My daughter then take advantage to my wife softness and said she do not want to go to student care centre.. Then my wife will keep accusing me for insist her to go back to work force, thus she don't have time for our child.. If my wife were to stop working to take care of our daughter.. then our daughter will be very dependant on her.. I prefer my daughter to be independent (since she is a single child), cos her generation will be more tougher then ours...

the next day, my daughter call from school at 7.30am.. saying she got sore throat and tummy pain.. (There goes her excuse again).. I told her to continue her class and will bring her to see doctor after school.. Afternoon, i fetched her from student care centre and she was playing happily with her friends. then i ask her, does she wants to see a doctor now.. and she reply.. "Dad I'm fine already, no need doctor"... See what i mean....

Are S'porean Customer Arrogant or What?

Last week.. my colleague from China encounter a Singaporean customer (Chinese) who insist of speaking English to her.. My colleague from China trying her very best to speak English to this customer.. From the day she work her.. she has improve her English a lot compare to other colleague from China.. She is not afraid of others laughing or teasing her for her poor English.. She always miss pronounce and my colleagues always said she speak french English.. Example "It is", she will say "It Zii".. But she always try her best to learn English...

Ok back to this customer.. After she has done with her enquiry, this customer turn to my Malaysian colleague and said "Your company should employ more bilingual staffs, who can speak English." and my colleague just smile at her (try not to offend this customer).. After the customer left, we were all so furious at her remarks.. How can she say such a thing? She should be ashamed of herself.. Being a Singaporean Chinese she refuse to speak mandarin and insist of speaking English... Whereas i salute my Chinese colleague, she try her best to learnt to speak English despite her poor English without complaint..

Are Singaporean begin arrogant? Trying to make foreigner who don't speak English look silly.. I usually will speak Mandarin to service staffs who are from China.. knowing their English is very poor.. This way they can serve me better...

It is not a matter of mastering one's language.. it is one's attitude..

Bangkok Anti-Government Protest has ended..

Just read The Bangkok Post website.. Good news.. The Red T-Shirt has decided to end their anti-government protest.. They are clearing the street..

Anyway today is the Thai New Year.. (Loy Krathong) Water festival... I believe all the protesters must be going home to celebrate their new year.. Next will be the water battle... Thais celebrate their new year by splashing water on each other.. to cleanse off bad luck and refresh for the beginning of the new year...

Now bangkok State of Emergency... Damn it..

Today Bangkok was place under State of Emergency... Nobody is suppose to be on the street... Before that our operator got a insider news.. and inform all our customer to get to the airport via taxi.. before the announcement of emergency...

And today is Sunday.. a customer departing for Bangkok call us.. And ask us what is he going to do.. We really go no answer for him, as the airline are close on Sunday....

damn it.....

Pattaya State of Energency. Here it goes again...

Just read from CNN news that Bangkok has impose a state of emergency in Pattaya.. Pattaya a venue for ASEAN Summit and because the Pro Democracy protesters (red t-shirt) stomp the meeting venue.. Thailand's Prime Minister have to declare a state of emergency in Pattaya...

Well... when i read this news.. i was like, ooh dear, NOT again.. Tomorrow there will have lots of customer who book Bangkok / Pattaya tour to start calling us for refund.. or change departure date.. We are going to get busy and become the punching bag for those tongue lashing customers again... Already had a hell a of time being scolding by so many customers during the late November 2008, Bangkok airport closure..(it is not our fault)..... :-(

Customer complaint hotel charge her for day use...

Today a customer stomp into our agency with a hotel bill and wanted to complaint. This customer just came back from Bangkok few days ago. and now wanted to complaint that hotel (Centrepoint Petchburi15) charge her extra while she checks out... If she refuse to pay the charges (about 3000 baht), hotel refuse to let her go to her room to collect her luggage... She also demand that we refund her the amount she paid to the hotel....

Our Bangkok side already inform us that, this customer went shopping and did not check out of the hotel till 4pm.. Hotel check out time is 12pm.. The hotel staffs tried to contact this customer but unable to find them, as they are out of the hotel, doing shopping... When they finally check out in the late afternoon, the hotel charge them extra... Centrepoint Petchburi 15 has a good security feature.. once if the customer do no check out by 12pm.. their room door card will not be unable to access after that.. so no choice this customer have to pay up so that the hotel can reprogram the card for them to access their room.

I told this customer that, the hotel reserved the right to charge extra if customer did not check out on time.. (most hotel will charge 1 more night rates) and this is between the customer and the hotel.. (since she check out late).. She keep telling me that she is a regular traveller and has also been leading groups overseas.. Then she bloody well know what is the standard check out time... If she think it is unreasonable, she can seek to talk to the hotel while in Bangkok... and not till return to Singapore and start screaming at us and demand for a refund.. She

used the room she has to pay.. The hotel main business is to sell their room.. of course hotel does not tolerate guest who overstay and resulting them unable to get ready the room for the next guest.. or and in worst case unable to sell the room..

F1 fans in Singapore... Not much..

Since i got the news that Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix ticket will be on sale from 20 Apr09.. Me and my best friend Albert has been going around gathering friends to buy the 3 day walk-about pass and join us for this very exciting event at Marina Bay in Sep09.

But unfortunately.. most of our friends are not into Formula 1 and they just simply not interested in it... .. and those who are.. but they are not very die hard fans that will buy the tickets to watch it live at Marina Bay.. Some said they prefer to watch on TV, and some say because of the bad economy, they are unable to afford the $168... for 3 days walk-about pass...

For me and Albert, regardless of how hard the economy is.. we will still go ahead to purchase the 3day walk-about ticket... For those who are not been to last year race, they don't even know what are they missing.. The excitement and the atmosphere are great, especially the race day..

Malaysia Grand Prix has less no of spectator that last year, due to the world financial woes... Many of the foreigners are not coming to Asia to watch the race.. Because they have to factor in their air ticket, F1 ticket, accommodation and meals.. It night be cheaper to watch in their own home ground... And in Singapore, Formula 1 is still new to the Singaporean.. There are still many who don't even know about this motor racing sports comparing to the English Premier League (Soccer). Uncles would rather bet on Soccer matches that Formula 1 races.. Because they don't have the knowledge for motor sports..

Minus those aunties... and those ladies who are not interested in motor sports.. also minus those soccer betting uncles.. and minus those geeks who only into computer games... and with a Singapore driver or team to cheer on with... I think there are not much local Formula 1 fans in Singapore..

Messa, Hamilton, Alonso, Button, Piquet, Rosberg, Kimi, Webber, Kubica.. and company.. you will not be driving alone in Singapore Marina Bay street circuit... Cos me and Albert will be there to cheer you on... VVRROOOOMMMM....................

Weird Dream..

Last night i had a weird dream.. It goes like that..

In my dream.. i was working in a mega home electrical appliances store... The because the store air-conditioning is spoil.. my boss ordered a few set of new air-condition and i was place in-charge to make sure the contractor did a proper job to install them..

While busy checking the contractor... i saw the socket of one of the display set goes into sparks.. follow by small flame of fire.. the quickly inform they supervisor in charge of that department.. Quickly he grab a fire extinguisher and try to fight the fire.. the fire spread very fast.. I shouted for everyone in the store to get out of the store. For those who got trap in the store, i instruct then to get into the room behind and close the door...

Someone manage to call the SCDF (fire dept.).. They arrive in a few minutes time.. I approach one of the fireman to inform him that there are a few people taking cover behind the room.. and he assured me that he will rescue them...

The RIIIINNNNNGGG!!! the alarm clock, wakes me up from the dream... It was 6am.. in the morning time for me to get my daughter ready for school..

Chong Qing Steamboat..

Last night, we went out for Chong Qing Steamboat dinner at Chinatown area.. We tried the Tom Yam and Pork Bone Soup combination... The tom yam soup was sweet and super spicy.. not very sour ... we ask the waitress to add some chicken soup to reduce the spiciness.. and the pork bone soup was slightly spicy too.. too much pepper... My daughter don't enjoy any of the soup because they are too spicy for her..

We love the dumplings there are Beef Dumplings, Pork Dumplings and Mutton Dumplings.. The sliced beef are nice too.. goes well with the spicy tom yam soup.. We enjoy the crab very much.. and the prawns are fresh.. The buffet spread of the fresh items are a lot.. there are sliced fish, squid, mutton slice, pork slice, chicken slice fillet, mussel, chicken feet, pork liver, mushroom, corn, instant noodle, egg, hot dog, Chinese sausage, green vegetables.. etc... The cook food section are full of Chong Qing local side dishes.. which are spicy too.. But the bun and other fried food are nice...

The place was so hot like sauna... my wife just unable to bear with the heat. of so many hotpot... Even my ice cold beer is not chilled after a few minutes.. After all i can't rate on this dinner.. because i don't think Chonng Qing dishes are to my taste...

So Tired...

Have been waking up at 6am since my kid start primary one.. For four months.. i have been feeling the fatigue... Can't get enough sleep.. when you have to wake up at 6am in the morning and get to sleep at the earliest 11pm.. (most of the time i feel asleep at 11.30pm or 12am).. Most of the night i have been waking up after 1 to 2 hours of sleep.. Just don't know why, maybe i was too tired mentally and physically..

I also believe most parents in Singapore also wake up that early to prepare their children to school.. but i was a bit different, i wake up early like other parents but because i work retail hour and my job usually finish at 9pm, so i sleep late... By the time i reach home it was 10pm.. then take my shower and had a little catch up with my wife.. and the next thing i know was 11pm - 1130pm..

Every week i only look forward to weekends.. (Sat and Sun).. and i could sleep a bit later till 8am.. because i still got to work during weekends (remember i work retail hour).. Sometime because of my lack of sleep.. i do make some silly mistake at work...

Earth Day on 28 Mar 09

On 28 Mar09, Earth Day.. everyone around the world switch off the light for 1 hrs to let our Mother Earth rest... Well Mother Earth deserves a good rest.. But 1 hour is not enough.. Mother Earth has been suffering 360 days a year.. and only manage to get an hour rest.. The advance of technology and industrial had made our Mother Earth suffer a lot.. Her Ozone layer has already got a hole.. and now facing a global warming..

Look at what we have done... Since human roam the earth.. They never gave earth a chance to rest, but further stress it and slowly destroying it..

In Singapore here.. many people participate Earth Day by also switching off the light s for 1 hour.. at 8.30pm.. then at the Esplanade. many people light up candle during that 1 hour of darkness.. but they forget that the carbon soot from the burning candle is bad for the earth... Haha.. Well done Singaporean for the wrong cause.. The power station around the world still working hard burning coal or oil during this 1 hour.. Looking at the big picture.. darkness fall during night time.. are we able to survive at night just like animals..? I don't think so.. after all humans are already getting used to lighting up in the night.. No matter how much we do ... We humans can only help reduce the damage..

Brawn did a 1-2 wins in Melbourne

Brawn Formula 1 Team had a brilliant start if the 2009 Formula 1 season with a 1-2 wins at Melbourne.. Jenson Button won the Melbourne Grand Prix whereas teammate Rubens Barrichello finish second... And Jarno Trulli took the third place with Toyota.. (finally a good result from the Japanese team..)

Well this year Formula 1 season will be very different.. There is a new force to strike the nerve of McLaren and Ferrari team.. The underdogs are giving a good fight for the Championship.. This will be an exciting season..

Hiring "Phantom Worker" .. Director gets jail..

SINGAPORE: A restaurant director, who admitted to employing 'phantom workers' to increase his foreign worker entitlement, has been sentenced to six months' jail. Sulaiman Abdullah, also known as Tommy Goh Beng Hock, of Restu Muslim Seafood Restaurant, had earlier pleaded guilty to misleading the Manpower Ministry.

He had made CPF contributions for five Singaporeans who were not in his employment. Four were ex-workers, while another had never worked for his company. This enabled him to apply for ten foreign worker work permits.

In mitigation, Sulaiman said he tried hard to recruit Singaporeans and also hired former drug offenders. He even provided accommodation and food for some of his workers. However, District Judge Shaifuddin Saruwan said a deterrent sentence was handed down to reflect the serious nature of the offence. He also took into consideration that Sulaiman was a first-time offender and had pleaded guilty.
- CNA/so

I read the above new from Straits Times.. and i really feel sorry for this employer.. Me in the service industry and i could understand employing a Singaporean permanent staffs for thus service industry is not easy.. As most of the Singaporean are getting higher education qualification, they do not want to work long hours and during weekends.. Not to mention the low pay...

If employer were to pay $2,000 a month fix salary to a Singaporean permanent staff just to be a waiter/waitress.. The running cost will be high and finally will charge the consumer more... Thus will be less competitive.. In order to stay competitive, employers rather employ foreigners and send them for training.. (By the way employing Singaporean doesn't mean their service are better).. There are foreigners who are very passion in service and more customer orientated...

Currently Singaporean government is playing the ball as more and more Singaporean are being retrench.. and need to compete for jobs with foreigners.. Thus these Singaporean says they are ready to do any job, even customer service, where they have to work shift, burn their weekends and getting a low pay... Just to keep themselves alive during this economic downturn period...

But i can assure you that, once the economy pick up, these Singaporean will eventually leave this service industry, whip out their certificate and go for a higher pay job...

Singaporean are very practical about surviving, because they are very so call "Kiasu"...

Singapore Formula 1 GP Ticket release in April..

Yeah.. the moment all the F1 fans are waiting for.. the release of the Singapore SingTel Formula 1 Grand Prix..

The sales of the tickets will be phrase in to two.. And there will be early bird rates...

PART 1

Tickets for Turn 1 Grandstand, Turn 2 Grandstand, Pit Grandstand, Padang Grandstand, Connaught Grandstand, Stamford Grandstand and Esplanade Waterfront Grandstand will be on sale from 9 to 19 Apr 2009 at the http://www.singaporegp.sg/ticket/general_ticket.php or SISTIC Box Office (Singapore Indoor Stadium)

From 20 April 2009 tickets will be avaliable at SISTIC and SingPost Outlets...

PART 2

Tickets for Bay Grandstand, 3Days Walk-About-Pass, 1Day Walk-About-Pass (Fri, Sat or Sun) will be on sale from 20 April 2009 at the http://www.singaporegp.sg/ticket/general_ticket.php, SISTIC and SingPost Outlets...

Limited 1Day Walk-About-Pass for early bird rates are avaliable via SingTel Roadshow from 10 Apr 09 till 19 Apr 09...

Me and Albert (my best friend, who joined my last year at the Grand Prix) are confirm getting the 3 days walk-about-pass... And we are current trying to get more friends to join in.. The more kakis the more fun it will be..

F1 Driver Championship back to point system...

"If, for any reason, the Formula One teams do not now agree with the new system, its implementation will be deferred until 2010," FIA said in a statement.

FOTA had proposed changing the scoring structure to a 12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1 points format from the existing 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 but the FIA's world motor sport council rejected that.

So the Championship is back to the current point system.. Regardless of which system they use.. As i have mention before in my previous blog.. Fans are hungry for more actions.. more overtaking and more thrill.....

VRRROOOOOOMMM.....

NE MRT Breakdown or was it an Exercise?

On sat morning at 8.45am.. i left my home to take the LRT to Sengkang Station then transfer to the NorthEast line MRT to Chinatown MRT.. When i arrive at the Sengkang MRT station, a train just left.. Well since it is the so call one of the world’s first fully automatic underground heavy rail systems. So better don't take the risk of rushing into the train while the door is closing.. So i wait for the next train, while i play with my PSP.. Then the train arrive... I board.. then came the announcement that this train will halt for a few mins.. Well these are quite common during peak hour... So everyone sit patiently, after 10 mins later then train start to moved toward Buangkok Station.. Once arrive at Buangkok station, same announcement was mad.. and was halt for about 15 mins.. Then it continue it's journey to Hougang Station,. and again the same announcement.. after 10 mins of halting at Hougang Station.. another announcement was made for all passengers to alight and wait for the next train... By then it was already 9.40pm.. i don;t have time to wait for the next train as i'm working at 10am.. So i got out of the station and try to get cab.. and to my surprise the taxi stand was full of stranded passengers and everyone was calling for cab.. so no choice.. I called my colleague to inform that i'm stranded due to MRT failure and took bus 147 to work..

On the way, at one of the bus stop at Serangoon MRT, i could see huge crowd.. waiting for bus and cab.. and many people try to squeeze into the bus.. Then another stop at the bus stop at Potong Pasir Station, i saw ambulance and fire engine from SCDF.. Many SCDF personals were rushing in and out of the station.. and the bus stop was crowded with stranded passengers.. OOh my this time i was really late for work... I reach my work place at 11am... Ooooh my, i was suspecting sometime is happening at Potong Pasir MRT, either the train breakdown or what...

Then in the evening, the news report that SCDF is holding an emergency exercise at MRT stations along the to be open circle line.. Till now i don't know is it because the train breakdown or fire at Potong Pasir station or because of the Emergency Exercise by the SCDF... But the SCDF Emergency Exercise is at the to be open Circle line.. Not NorthEast Line...

SBS Transit should make it very very clear to the public.. Is it a breakdown or a real exercise...??

F1 Driver not in favour of the new ruling..

Many of the Formula 1 drivers are not in favour of the new driver championship ruling..

"It should happen that a team and their drivers are rewarded for their performance over the whole year, not who won the most races." said Hamilton..

"I cannot see how it makes sense to eventually have a world champion who has less points than the driver coming in second, even though I think it is a good move to try to strengthen the winner's position." said former 7 World Champion Driver, Schumacher...

Webber was more positive: "If a driver was second, he'll be even more keen to pass the guy in front because the rewards for winning are so much greater than before. I can see why they're trying to do it like that, so there could be some guys who might not sit in so much and start going for wins, especially when it's down to two or three guys."

Well some might think this ruling is good and some might think it is not.. Let me tell all the F1 drivers out there.. Paying fans wants more action.. If a driver could only win a championship by maybe a point different.. there will be great competition.. if a driver was in a 12 points lead.. or 9 points lead.. he will just sit back a relax, knowing he will eventually win..... But what if the driver got already 12 wins out of 20 races.. Do you think he will relax and drive with leisure, enjoying the beautiful night scene of Singapore skyline? I would say he would..

Fans don't pay to see drivers and teams idling.. Fans wants race, fierce race and more more action.. We want to see overtaking, circuit drama and excitement..... Driver pushing their cars to the limit.. and showing their driving skill... Team manager out wit each other tactic...

New F1 Team... Brawn Mercedes

This year Formula 1 season will start without Honda... but will have a new team.. "BRAWN"... Ross Brawn (former Ferrari Engineer) has brought over Team Honda and retain both experience driver (Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello).....

Brawn using the Mercedes engine.. has surprise McLaren Mercedes.. by recording the quickest time among all F1 rival teams... And with the new driver championship ruling, Brawn Mercedes team will be a force to recon with... I can't wait to see how they perform...

Wins to decide F1 Championship...

This year 2009 Formula 1 season drivers' championship title will be awarded to the driver who wins the most races, and not based on points.... If two or more drivers finish the season with the same number of winning races.. then the driver with the most points will win.. The points being based on the current 10, 8, 6 etc. system.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has welcomed the new rules. He said: "If I need a gold medal to win the championship, I will overtake. It's just not on that someone can win the championship without winning a race." "If you're in the lead and I'm second, I wouldn't want to risk falling off the circuit or doing something stupid to get two points."

I think this system is fair.. especially for the 2008 season case where Messa won more race then Hamilton but lost the championship because of points... A good driver should be winning races instead of depending other drivers to drop points or relying on teammate to win... Now Messa and Hamilton have to overtake each other to win.. instead of lying low to grab a point or two and hope of the other driver to retire...

This year will be a more exciting year for Formula 1 Grand Prix... And i'm looking forward to the Singapore Night race again.....

Chalet BBQ Menu...

My Chalet BBQ at Downtown East Resort was a great success.. Everyone loves it.. and gave me the thumbs up at the end of BBQ...

Here are the Menu:

Grill Rosemary Baby Potatoes

Grill Asparagus and Shitake Mushroom in Italian Dress

Grill Sweet Potatoes

Grill Butter Corn
BBQ Rosemary Chicken Wings

BBQ Pork Chop (Compliment from my Wife)

BBQ Shrimp Marinate in Oregano and Lemon Juice

Grill Calamari in Oregano and Lemon Juice or Samba Balachan

Grill Sting Ray in Lime and Samba Balachan

BBQ Prawn and Pineapple Kebab

BBQ Chicken Kebab, Shitake Mushroom with Green Pepper

Satay & Otah (Compliment from my brother)

Pizzas (Compliment from my Aunty)

Wow look at my list of menu.. I didn't know so much on the menu till i list them down... The challenging part was to make Vegetarian BBQ for my mom..

The BBQ Chicken Wings, Satay, Grill Prawn...

My colourful Kebab, This is the first time i make this chicken Kebab.. add in so much herbs.. like cumin seed, lime juice, Paprika powder, Chili Powder, Yogurt....

The calamari and stingray with samba balachan wrap in foil, chicken wings, otah and satay...

Nice char kebab, look delicious...

My mom's vegetarian platters of Grill Asparagus, Grill Mushroom and rosemary baby Potatoes.. I had to cook these before i cook the rest of the meaty items.. I love the asparagus.. It was so simple to marinate.. Just add Italian salad dressing together with the asparagus into a zip lock bag, salt and pepper to taste and let it marinate for 1 hour..