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...