NATAS TRAVEL FAIR 17FEB - 1 MAR 2009...

On 27 Feb09, the first day of NATAS Travel Fair at Singapore Expo.. I was there to attend the opening ceremony.. There were lion dance to bless the whole event... Hope travel agency could make lots of sales during these 3 days... I was there at 10.30am and the public queue was already stretching from Hall 5 to Hall 6... By the time i finish my round with the individual tourism and overseas operators.. It was already 12pm.. and i was already carrying 3 big bags of brochure and information.. I usually will leave the Travel fair before it was open to public at 12pm.. When i was heading towards the taxi stand.. i can see the queue has already stretch till the Singapore Expo MRT... Visitor have to pay an entrance fee of $3 per entry..

Minister, Dr Vivien giving a speech..

SA Tour Booth

The China Tourism are promoting a lot on Jiu Zhai Guo, Hai Luo Guo, Tibet, Yunnan, Guangxi, Mt Emei.. etc... Also present at the Fair are cruises like Star Cruises and Royal Caribbean.. This year i was surprise to see Cambodia Tourism coming down from Cambodia to promote Siem Reap and Phnom Penh..

CTC Travel Booth

At the Thailand Tourism booth there are plenty of Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui Hoteliers..

Economy is hitting a slow down and there are still so many Singaporeans looking out for travel bargains.. If times are really bad, shouldn't Singaporeans keep their extra and prepared for the worst.. Travel is a luxury and not a necessity.. I have never expect such a Big turn out at the NATAS Travel Fair.....

But this year NATAS travel fair promo are really really cheap.. many airlines are slashing their fares.. hoping to fill up their flights with leisure passengers because business and corporate travellers are cutting down their overseas trips...

Magician performing at Taiwan Tourism Booth

The Taiwan Tourism is promoting a lots on Farm stay and Family Resort... There are Little bear Resort, Flying Cow Farm stay, Shangrila Farm Leisure Stay.. etc..

ASA giving away a car fro lucky draw...

NATAS Fair is coming soon

This year NATAS fair is from 27Feb till 1Mar 09.. at the Singapore Expo..

Well as usual, I'm always busy doing the NATAS promotional farelist.. SO many promotion from airlines because for the slow economy.. Many of the travel agencies are start selling the NATAS promo fare now.. and some of the big travel agency are doing their in-house travel fair prior to NATAS Fair... These few weekends we have experience a little increase in sales.. Hopefully this NATAS Fair could bring in more sales..

I will be attending the NATAS Opening Ceremony on 27Feb 09.. and hopefully to meet up some trade delegates and overseas operators...

Homemade Waraku style Pasta..

Last night i take the gamble to make Waraku style Pasta.. I was making Cabonara with what ever i had in my fridge.. (got to clear some stuffs).. and improvised on a few things.. I used SPAMS luncheon meat instead of bacon..

Pan fried the SPAMS in olive butter, then throw in the garlic...
then i add slice mushrooms...
pan fried till the SPAMS and garlics are golden brown...
then add in the cream white sauce...
If the sauce is too thick add in half cup of water..
stir to avoid your pen being burn below..
then the magic of Waraku... add in some dashi... and TA..! DAH..! Waraku style special sauce.... Then pour these sauce over to your A-la-dente Spaghetti..
and top it up with a raw egg...

Leave approved....

Yeah.. my leave have finally approved.. my Operation Manager willing to shift her off day so that i could apply for 15 Mar09 leave... And out of good will I'm going to lend her 2 Korean DVD drama (she loves Korean drama..)... That is what colleague should be.. trying to help each other..

Now my next task.. is to work on the BBQ Menu.. I'm still not sure what BBQ Menu i want.. I'm trying to do something different.. maybe some BBQ seafood, some burger (for children), cut down on the usual BBQ chicken wings.. Marinade with some special sauce (got to create something myself)....

Selfish colleague...

My boss has been urging us to clear our leave due to low season.. I was planning to take a day leave during March school holiday... then one of my colleague (Asst. Tour Manager) also want to clear her leave during that period, saying she is bring her mon and her niece to Bangkok.. Because her niece was also having school holiday... But so what.. my daughter is also having school holiday.. She decided to take on 17 Mar09 (tue) till 20 Mar09 (fri).. and i ask her if she could push backward or bring forward her leave so that i can take leave also... She said no.. and insist that that she only can take leave on that period.. Damn it.. If she is married with children, i Will give in to her.. but.. she is single and take leave because she wanted to accompany her mon and her niece to Bangkok.. So damn selfish.

Then i ask my boss if i could take a day leave during school holiday? And she say "yes".. Then i took the 15mar09 (Sun) because I was officially off on Monday and my Asst Marketing Manager is off on Wed, The Operation Manager took leave on every Thu and that Asst. Tour Manager was official off on Fri.. I'm not suppose to crash with any of them when i take leave.. So which date can i take leave?? So i submit my leave for Fri.. My boss refuse to approve saying it crashes with the Asst. Tour Manager.. But if i take on Tue.. then 2 days i won't be in.. and my boss don't allowed that and even makes me feel as if i was very demanding..

Luckily the next day, my boss spoke to the Operation Manager and she is ok if i took leave on Thu and she change her to Fri... But that really defeat the purpose.. because my wife work till 12.30pm on Fri and my daughter finish school at 1.30pm.. so we can go out as a family in the afternoon...

Anyway.. i was so angry with this Asst. Tour Manager.. who refuse to give in.. No choice my wife have to book the chalet on 15 Mar09 (Sun) till 17 Mar09 (Tue)... On Sunday, both the Operation Manager and her Asst Manager are off.. so it crash again.. i understand that the Asst. Operation Manager only see her child in Malaysia only once a week on Sunday.. and i will feel bad to make it so inconvenient for her. so decide to approach the Operation Manager.. She is ok to come back to work on that particular Sunday, but now have to see what my boss says...

After so much explanation.. just because one Single unmarried selfish lady insist of take leave during school holiday period.. she indirectly causes so much inconvenient to so many parties (especially those married colleague of mine who have children)...

Child's Anxiety... She is not the only one...

This morning i spoke to a parent of a primary 2 student who is taking the same school bus together with my daughter.... This parent was telling me that his daughter has been crying and complaint of stomach pain during her Primary 1 period.. It was like on and off and on and off, for a year.. and was rated a cry baby by the school bus attendant... He have to take urgent leave many times when his child keeps on crying and getting stomach pain in school... Thus he was seeing the mirror of his daughter from my daughter's anxiety now..

He was telling me this is due to anxiety and it takes a long time for the child to get used to Primary school life.. Most of the children go through this and my daughter is not the only one... He told me to take things easy as this is a normal transition period for a child's life..

Sometimes it is good to chat with other parents and learn from their experience.. So we will know what to expect for our child.. But of course i will not resolved into comparing my daughter to other children, like academic wise etc (this is what normally auntie does).. This will put not only pressure for me but for my daughter also..

Hot Hot weather in Singapore...

OOh goosh... It was really hot and dry in Singapore since Jan09.. This period was suppose to be the wet season (monsoon period)... Every where u can see grass and trees drying up.. but the winds helps to cool down a little.. Recently there has been a few vegetation fires because of the dry spell... and because of the bush fires.. the whole Singapore becomes hazy...
Yeasterday morning before i start my cycling.. I drank 2 glasses of water and sweat starts dripping...

Now is the not the right time to take the Singapore flyers.. You won't get to see the skyscape of Singapore..

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery.

For me Valentine's Day is a day where everyone can express our love for everyone... A day where we realised how people who are closed to us are so important.. and a day to show our appreciation.. Of course we can't wait till valentine's day to do that... Such Valentine's Day spirit should be apply to daily life..

I remembered, during my teens.. i was staying at my aunty place.. She is my god mum and instead of mother's day, I took Valentine's Day as a good opportunities to show my appreciation and love to my aunty...

In Singapore, i see Valentines' Day being used commercially to increase business... You can't buy true love... Love is worth everything and so expensive that you can't buy with money....

On leave for 2 days (Thu & Fri)

I have been on leave for 2 days (Thu & Fri).. So Friday morning i went cycling and the in the afternoon i did some touch up on my paintings.... I like to draw with pastel.. and here are some of my paintings.... I love to draw orchids and landscape.. and my favourite artist is Vincent Van Gough.. You can see from my paintings that i have big influence from Van Gough.. but i use pastel instead of oil..

Farmhouse

Orchid

Golden Rock in Myanmar


Orchid in Pot

Yesterday morning.. I went cycling.. then after that head straight to Seng Kang Swimming Pool for a swim.. After that i cycle home.. Feel energetic yesterday after a good workout..

Afternoon go pick up my wife from work, had lunch with her.. then go to student care centre to pick up my daughter.. and head home.. then after 15 mins rest.. we go to Downtown East at Pasir Ris.. Had a great fun playing and chasing my daughter around at the Kids Explorer.. Well i don't know where i got my energy from..? Then we have a very good buffet dinner at Sakura.. After pushing myself so much physically for the whole day.. I had a good night sleep last night...

Me planning to to cycling to Monday (16Feb) and head to the gym at Seng Kang sports center.. after Chinese new Year, i have been putting so much weight, so have to work extra hard the shed the extra..

Recess Phobia - Much more confident

I bring her to see another doctor and it is confirm that her stomach pain is due to stomach flu and doctor gave her some medicine.. Then i also bring her to the temple to pray.. and the Buddhist priest have gave her some blessing and also teach her how to chant "Namo Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa".. This chanting will give her more confident during recces time... She promise the Buddhist priest to chat every morning and every night and even before meal time..

My daughter's teacher has consult the school counsellor and told my wife that she will keep my daughter company out side the school hall instead of the canteen area.. Thus my daughter will be the first in the whole school to assemble in the school hall.. I still prepared some light snack and a pack of Milo or soya milk for her..

So far so good.. This arrangement has been for 3 days.. and everything is going smoothly.. now my daughter says she not so afraid of recess time..

I really appreciate her form teacher for using her own rest time during recess to keep my daughter company..

Job Credit....

Our government has introduced "Jobs Credit Scheme" in the Singapore Budget 2009 to encourage businesses to preserve jobs in the downturn. Businesses will receive a cash grant based on the CPF contributions they have made for their existing employees. It provides a significant incentive for businesses to retain existing workers, and where their business warrants, to employ new ones. With this scheme the government hope employers will refrain from using retrenchment but to keep it as a last resort.

How Job Credit works
The Jobs Credit is calculated based on 12% of the first $2,500 of the derived wage cost for each eligible employee on the employer's CPF payroll. This means the employer will receive up to $900 per employee for each payment (12% x $2,500 x 3 months).

I personally feel that this scheme will only be able to help some of the companies.. But there are some companies who still have to resort to retrenchment.. Demand is going down and thus some industries who usually depends on manpower will have to resort to retrenchment. Like in the construction companies.. What are the employers going to do with a load of foreign workers when there are not much projects to circulate?

But lets hope this scheme can work.. and save as many jobs as possible....

Singapore Flyer Night Experience..

Last night me, my wife and my daughter went to ride the Singapore flyer.. I was so exciting to see the world largest Ferris wheel slowly rotating into the beautiful skyline of Singapore.. The feeling on top of Singapore's skyline is wonderful.. But Singapore night city scene is not as vibrant as those in New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo.. etc.... Our city night scene lack of colourful neon lights.. and billboard.. But the uniqueness of Singapore night view is the warm spotlights highlighting the buildings and landmarks...

Everyone in the capsule were busy taking photos.. Here are some of the night view i took from the Singapore flyer... Not very good quality photos..

This photo (above) was taken from website.. The rest was taken by using my LG KU990 Viewty..

Singapore City Skyline...

The capsule behind our capsule was empty... Inside the cabin was dark.. so that visitors could have a better view inside...

Conrad Hotel and Suntec City

A clip on the Singapore flyer

Travel Agent's Advertisement....

These few days when i check on the travel and tours advertisement in the straits time newspaper.. i came across some of the travel agencies are advertising their taxes in this way.. they advertise all the tour fare and on top they just print "taxes fr$150 - $670".. I called up NATAS and enquiry about that.. and NATAS told me that these travel agencies did not follow the Advertising Authority's standard guideline.. I then gave a call to the advertising authority and was told the travel agency has a guideline to advertise.. these travel agents are not following the guidelines and they are investigation into it..

Taxes from $300 - $690.. how would consumers know how must the tax for the destination they wanted to book.. ? Confusing for consumers...

Obama Looks alike..

I came across this on the web.. This guy looks like the 44th USA President, Mr Barack Obama.. He is an Indonesian journalist from Jakarta.. But taking a closer look comparing both of them.. this looks alike Obama guys is too skinny and more tanned than the real Obama...

Recess Phobia...

Monday, 02 Feb 09... As i was doing housework.. i got a call from my daughter's school saying she is complaining of stomach pain.. then her school's staff told me that they already put some medical oil on her tummy.. I spoke to my daughter and then told her to go back to class once she feel better...

Then at 10.30am i received another call from the school... This time was her form teacher who called and told me that my daughter vomited during recess time.. Her form teacher was accompany her during recess time hoping to ease her fear.. but my daughter vomited after that.. Then i told her form teacher that i will bring her to see doctor...

I rush my way down to her school... Then at the School General Office, one of the staff told me that my daughter has been complaining stomach pain very frequent.. especially before school start and before recess time.. I brought my child to our family clinic.. There i told the doctor the 2 possibility for her stomach pain.. 1. She might have a virus infection, 2. It might be psychology problem.. The doctor examine her and then told me that she is physically fine.. she is not sick at all.. the main problem might be because she is still not adapting to primary school life and her sleeping patters has change... She used to sleep at 11pm and woke up at 8am.. but not she sleep at 10pm and woke up at 6am..

Then in the evening we brought her to Temple for prayers, and lucky the priest was there to give her blessing and also teach her how to recite simple "Kwan Shi Yin" mantra.. She is suppose to recite every morning and evening.. and also before meals time..

Hope to see her gradually improve...