Rojak

Have the craving for rojak this evening. Hence after my dinner, I also bought the rojak takeaway. Rojak is our local salad. I normally ask the pineapple to be excluded in my rojak, because I don't like the taste of pineapple in rojak. Here's the recipe courtesy of Group Recipe

Kopi-C, anyone?

Was early this morning arriving at a client's place. So went to a Malay coffeeshop nearby for a drink first. Had my morning boost, a glass of Kopi-C (coffee with condensed milk). It's been a long time since I last have a cup of Kopi-C in the morning... ever since I got into this new job. Last time in my ex-office I would buy a cup of Kopi-C every morning before I reached office and had my sips while I check emails and settle down. I don't have such a luxury anymore. Nowadays climbing up the hill to my office is already a "demotivational" feat to me every morning, hence no mood to have my cuppa. Thus I have actually cut down on coffee these days ( I still have my black coffee made by mom every morning though...). It goes to show that habits can change, due to environment, people and mood! Or maybe sometimes, one does it subconsciously in order to forget the old life, the old routine, the people....

Blah blah day

Today was NOT a lucky day. Early in the morning turned up for an important meeting at potential client's place, only to find out the high level person was on medical leave (and we WEREN'T informed). So it was a wasted trip, to be rescheduled.

Late in the afternoon, was rushing to Jurong East to meet another client. The blur taxi driver missed the exit on the expressway and ended at Jurong West! So he made an U-turn back on the expressway. Then he made another wrong turn and I ended up in Clementi instead! He was very apologetic and said he would refund back a little amount back from the cab fare to me at the end of the trip. But the problem was, I was ALREADY late. I just wanted him to REACH the place asap. He was talking nonstop. When we finally reached the place, he took such a loooong time to calculate the final cab fare he wanted to charge me, and kept explaining and explaining, when I didn't even scold him. I just wanted to get out of the cab FAST.

Then it took me some time to find the client's office, as the whole industrial building was GIGANTIC. And I was given the wrong directions by 2 persons working inside the building. I ended walking one BIG round. And the session with client was not fantastic either, as she rattled on and on about her not-up-to-par employees. Gosh, it was a tiring day.

Met up with Buddy for dinner at Swensons in Airport T2. We tried the Crayfish Bee Hoon Soup. The steamed crayfish and bee hoon was in a very thick milky broth, sprinkled with Japanese mushrooms. And the soup base was very nice. I liked the very milky type of soup, the very lemak type. The Chicken Baked Rice was also nice with the tender fried breaded chicken baked over savory rice with cheese in white sauce. And both of us had our own favourite ice cream to end the meal. I was damn hungry ( I only had brunch) after the whole day's ordeal. I HOPE life gets better than TODAY.

The "shui" in Fengshui

Went to the Thomson area nurseries to rekki / browse for water features. There were huge landscape features, or mini statues, or Zen water features ... I prefer something simpler, as those were too elaborate and expensive. I just need a water feature with a specific size, with no need for complicated designs. So now I have to find where sells the size I want and if it is cost effective. Think I have found it. I have yet to order as it is out of stock. In the meantime I will search elsewhere, maybe I can get it even cheaper.

I saw one buddha sculpture (big enough to fill the empty wall in my living room) which was quite reasonably priced. Was very tempted, but I will put it off for now.

Under construction

I took some snap shots of this construction site. Looking at the workers busy at work, the huge machines, cranes, the trucks, the makeshift tent .... have to salute these workers, who come from faraway homeland, to earn a decent living, for their loved ones back home, risking physical dangers at work.

Beautiful couple

My earnest congratulations to this famous HK celebrities, Tony Leung and Carina Lau, for having finally tied the knot last week, after 19 years of being together. It's a mean feat being able to love each other and be with each other for so long, despite the ups and downs. Being finally able to and wanting and willing to commit to this union has a special meaning by itself. They got married in a Buddhist ceremony in the cool scenic beautiful country of Bhutan, where lamas and buddhists hail. Its a sacred land to be holding such an important event in one's life. Wishing them eternal bliss.

Fancy Gems

I remember I used to like to snack on these when I was a kid. This is one of the traditional biscuit snack in Singapore in the older days. The biscuit is bite-size button shape with the colourful hard icy sugar on top. It's a little too sweet the sugar top but it brings back memories when we used to snack on this when we were kids. Now my niece and nephew also like them. Khong Guan Biscuits has already made these in small packs. And they call them Fancy Gems. Hence the tradition continues....

Little India's stuff

Saw this Buddha wooden sculpture in Little India the other day and I liked them. Unfortunately each is made up of 3 separate pieces joined as one. Hence I would not want to buy that. Been looking for a similar size sculpture and I will wait till I find the one I really like. So many sights and interesting stuff in Little India. Unfortunately I was just passing by on an errand, hence no time to browse. Will go back one of these days.

Astons Specialities

One of my buddies bought me dinner at Astons Specialities in Katong tonight as we have not been there before. We heard the steak there is good, famous and at reasonable price. There is always a queue there. We waited for almost up to 30 minutes before we got a table. We said the food better be good, as we SELDOM queue for food in any restaurant.

As I don't take beef, my other friend ordered the Black Pepper Steak while buddy and I shared the Double Up Chicken and the Chargrill Salmon Fillet. Must say the portion is generous and the meat is so succulent, with or without the different types of sauce. I also had the mushroom (with lots of pepper) soup with garlic bread. It was a nice evening with nice dinner and chit chat with friends that matters.

My name is Triya

Today I added a new name to my current name. My new 2nd name is Triya (pronounced as 'tray-ah'). I got the help of a numerology specialist to help me. Mr B did not choose this name. Rather he helped me meditate and visualise upon this name. He told me to close my eyes, be calm and relax, and to think of a word, a name which I can associate with, or visualise a name which my friends would be calling me. I couldn't really relax or meditate at first, and thought hard what name would my friends call me or associate me with. At first I rattled off a few names that I quite like.... Tara, Ashley, Jade and even "Mong"! ("mong" is cantonese for "blur" and that is the nickname my buddies called me sometimes) !!!! Mr B calculated and didn't say anything, and continued on working on the numbers quietly.

Then, I closed my eyes and was silent for some time, and then suddenly the word "Maitreya" came into my mind! Maitreya is the coming Buddha, the future Buddha after Shakyamuni Buddha. I said "Maitreya". Mr B looked at me and said "the future buddha!" (more on Maitreya Buddha later). I told him I always like the name and would have wanted to name my daughter Treya next time. So he quickly did a calculation and said it's a suitable name but I must change the spelling a little, which was why it became "Triya". So coupled with my original name, and Triya, and my surname, my new numerology name with harmony is derived. Incidentally, Triya in Hindu means a brave young girl.

Mr B said with this full name, it means I will tend to be a natural leader, self-sufficient, and ambitious. I will head a department everywhere I go. I would be a good thinker and generally want to make my own decisions in life and are not afraid to take charge or manage a situation. I would be able to create my own path which I would be victorious and attractive to people. Also a good spouse will appear. I would be travelling alot soon. And I would be doing my own business soon. Everything he said is in line with my objectives and goal for the coming near future. So, my name is Triya.

So, who is Maitreya?

"Maitri" means loving kindness. Maitreya is a bodhisattva who is currently residing in Tuṣhita Heaven. Shakyamuni Buddha also lived here before he was born into the world. Maitreya will descend to the human realm to become the next coming Buddha. Maitreya's coming will occur 5000 years after the teachings of the Shakyamuni Buddha, the Dharma are no longer taught and are completely forgotten.

Maitreya's coming is characterized by a number of physical events. The oceans are predicted to decrease in size, allowing Maitreya to traverse them freely. The event will also allow the unveiling of the "true" dharma to the people, in turn allowing the construction of a new world. The coming also signifies the end of the middle time in which humans currently reside.

He has been expected for generations by all of the major religions. Christians know him as the Christ, and expect his imminent return. Jews await him as the Messiah; Hindus look for the coming of Krishna; Buddhists expect him as Maitreya Buddha; and Muslims anticipate the Imam Mahdi or Messiah.

Although the names are different, many believe that they all refer to the same individual: the World Teacher, whose personal name is Maitreya (pronounced my-tray-ah). Preferring to be known simply as the Teacher, Maitreya has not come as a religious leader, or to found a new religion, but as a teacher and guide for people of every religion and those of no religion. At this time of great political, economic and social crisis Maitreya will inspire humanity to see itself as one family, and humanity itself will make the required changes and create a saner and more just world for all.

Scribbles & Sketches

Since my niece was young, she loves to draw and make anything and everything. I have numerous drawings from her. This collection is just one of her little impromptu sketches done during the school hols. What's with the penguins?

Nian Gao

Today's lunch I had a plate of Shanghai fried nian gao in People's Park Hawker Center. It was cooked by a lady from China. Nian Gao are rice cakes, and cut into thin slices and stirred fried with cabbage and pork. Normally I liked this dish, but this one couldn't make it, the nian gao was too soft that it lost the chewy feel. It tasted like it was "melting". And in a hot stuffy place, each plate costs $6, was a little too expensive, I felt. I rather pay slightly more for the nice one served in Imperial Treasures Chinese Restaurant. Yummy.

I have a thing for gluttonous rice, and that's why I like these rice cakes. The Korean version of Nian Gao would be the Dduk Bokki which looked fiery red and kimchi spicy. I saw these selling in the streets of Seoul and people buy and eat on the spot. Yummy.

Our own version in Singapore is a totally different Nian Gao. Here the Nian Gao is sweet, and normally taken as a snack. During the Chinese New Year, we would buy this as they believe Nian Gao is supposed to bring good luck and progress when eaten during the new year. My mom would normally slice the Nian Gao into squarish pieces and fried it together with egg. The result is a sweet sticky snack which is a little crispy on the outside and very soft and sweet inside. Yummy.... I suddenly have the craving for this now.....

Spa-ring me

Today I met a client from the spa business in her office in Orchard Road. While waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for her, I snapped the wall mural at the reception area. This was the 3rd client this afternoon, and so far the previous earlier 2 clients were just pure talk. The 1st client was friendly but not the decision maker, boohoo. The 2nd client was so negative in her experience, she kept talking and talking and giving me her negative views, and 5 minutes into the meeting, I knew it was a goner, that client, I couldn't sniff any business opportunity for the immediate future. So by the time I was at this colourful office, I didn't had high hopes. Well, at least the young lady I met was enthusiastic and I think I have a chance soon. An acquaintance made. Any discount if I go for spa? Heh...

回家

I once discovered this singer, Shunzi, from this very MTV, many years ago. That night I switched on the TV in the middle of the night, and in all darkness, I watched this MTV by chance and this unfamiliar singer, singing this beautiful song, 回家, with her powerful vocals. The next day I searched the shops and asked for the CD. It was Shunzi's very first album, 順子 - 回家, which was just released. I was sold by the song and the voice. Tonight, feel the mood for this song, so here it goes.


This is another rendition by a new singer 蕭敬騰 with the same song. Hmm.. so good as well.

Treasure Resort @Sentosa

Today I met my client at one of the newer resorts in Sentosa Island, the Treasure Resort @Sentosa. It's been a while since I last went there (minus the time I went for an event in One 15 Marina, another club resort 3 months ago). I have not been there for pleasure for a long time. There were so many changes in the island. The Resort World is in huge construction at the huge site. There were so many developments in the island and getting there now is such a breeze, either you drive in by car or there is the 5-minute ride by the monorail to the main land. Long ago we need to take a 20 minutes ferry there or by cable car which takes even longer.

The Treasure Resort is located conveniently next to the monorail station, right besides the huge Merlion statue. While waiting for my client, I took a few pixs of the place. It was quite quiet in the weekdays, with only a few front desk officers around.

I remember when I was young, my aunt used to have a holiday chalet in the old Sentosa, where there were rows and rows of small apartments with only one bedroom. Once every year we would excitedly packed our bags for a 2 days stay at the chalet. It faces the golf course and near the very old Hotel ( I forgot the name). We used to swim there. There is a certain old charm about the old Sentosa. Somehow with the rapid developments, the place has changed drastically over the years, and there is no more trace of the old Sentosa, where I used to remember the fun times me and my sis had when we were kids. I remember bringing my godbro there too when he was a small boy.

Anyway today is a beautiful day. I have closed another deal..... :P

Macritchie Reservoir

This was one of our many picnics to the parks when the kids were younger. When I say picnic, I meant a really huge picnic gathering of everyone, aunts, uncles, their families. We would be at one or two of the reservoirs, or Botanic Gardens. This was at Macritchie Reservoir. Wonderful fresh air, beautiful quiet surroundings, occasional monkeys, fishes and small insects. We would have a feast there, and after that, strolled and explored the place, or played ball, or just run about, rolling down the hill. The kids had such fun!

Pronto!

I am particularly attracted to Florence city in central Italy. Florence is famous for its rich history, its Gothic and Renaissance buildings, art galleries, and museums. Florence's art and architecture can compare to Rome. It's the city where Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael hail from.

Accademia Gallery is one of the best known museums in Florence, because it houses famous sculptures by Michelangelo, including the "David", "The four prisoners" and the "Pieta of Palestina". There are also many paintings collected by the Grand Duke Peter Leopold to help the young Florentine artists. I found a cafe and had home-made very rich and creamy ice cream in the midst of cool weather.

The Uffizi Gallery is another museum which contains masterpieces by Italian and foreign artists from the 13th to the 18th century, such as Cimabue, Giotto, Masaccio, Beato Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, Raphael, Caravaggio, along with Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Goya and many others. Modern day artists wannabes line the streets here, adding to the countless statues and art pieces and building architecture.

As I strolled along the streets and piazzas of Florence, I saw the oldest surviving bridge crossing the River Arno. The Ponte Vecchio ( Italian for Old Bridge) is a medieval bridge over the Arno River, noted for still having shops built along it, as was once common. Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. It is described as Europe's oldest wholly-stone, closed-spandel segmental arch bridge.

It's here that I breathed in the "air of art", any frayed and fraggled nerves were soothed as I took in the sights of an era gone by.

Relac lah

I like a cosy and relaxed mood in the evenings, after work or during the weekends, to just sit back, with my laptop on, blogging, check emails, surfing, and at the same time, watching korean dramas, sipping on my jolly shandy. This is in my living room, with just my night lamp on. I prefer it dark and cosy. I like it even better if it was raining very heavily, like tonight.

Jalan Sultan Prawn Noodles in Jalan Ayer

Today I had the very nice and famous prawn noodles again from the shop in Geylang Lorong 1 (Jalan Sultan Prawn Noodles). My sis and bro-in-law brought it as takeaway back home for our lunch, as the shop there during weekends are very crowded and very stuffy and hot. So having the prawn noodles at home was more relaxing and shiok.

Each bowl of prawn noodles starts from $4 all the way to $8 with jumbo prawns or with pork ribs. We had the $5 version, with lots of big prawns. The prawns were succulent and the pork ribs were tender and sweet. The soup base was fantastic. I eat prawn noodles for the soup actually. Read about the review in I Read I Shoot I Post blog. They are at 2, Jalan Ayer (Off Geylang Lor 1).

Rojukiss Skin Pore Tightening Source

I am trying out this product, Rojukiss skin pore tightening source, from Korea. It is supposed to tighten open pores on your face. Just squeeze a few drops from fountain pen filter and apply to face. Only into it 3rd day, the face feels taut and smooth. Let's see if the results are what they claimed to be in one month's time.

Product name: Rojukiss Pore Tightening Source

Volume: 30ml

Suggested skin type: All skin types

Specifications & Effects
Ingredient of Tannin extracted from a Willow and Witch Hazel helps to tighten the enlarged skin pores and make skin protection strong against dirt and residues. It also decreases in temperature of the skin pores naturally and makes the skin tighten efficiently. Allow natural bio ingredients to absorb completely and you feel the skin soothing and elastic as well.

Ingredients
Water, Beta-glucan, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Lecithin, Coceth-7 / PPG-1-PEG 9 lauryl glycol ether/PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil, DL-panthenol, Willowbark extract, Green tea extract, Salicylic acid, Phenonip, Anthemis Nobilis Flower extracts, Witchazel extract, Pinebark extract, Onion extract, Manuka honey extract, Carbomer, xanthan gum, Salicylic acid, Orange oil, 1,3-Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Ethanol

I will always love you

I am very touched by this beautiful touching video I saw off Ann's blog.

If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.

Bittersweet memories
That is all I'm taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you...you need.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of.
And I wish to you, joy and happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I, I will always love you.

You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I'll always, I'll always love you

Cufflinks

These days I am mostly in working shirts. So I got kind of interested in cufflinks. There are so many shapes and patterns and designs. So for a start, I bought this pair of cufflinks, square shape, and the design which looks like an "8" against black background. "8" is to prosper and to "huat", hence hopefully by wearing these at work, may I close sales everyday!

Here are some interesting cufflinks I found on the web.

In a day's work

Today I was in Tuas the whole afternoon. By the time I took a cab back, it was a loooooooong ride, as it was jammed all the way. So during the journey I snapped some of the countless factories and offices, huge lorries whizzing back, I saw many truck loads of workers on their way back, many cars returning home from work. Then when I was at Benjamin Sheares Bridge, it started to rain. The entire IR construction site with huge cranes were on wet grounds. When I finally reached my destination, I was really sleepy and tired. And it was the most expensive taxi ride I ever had - $42.50!!!^#!#^*$&%^*! ( I NEED A CAR!!!!)

Boy am I glad it's Friday again because then I can have my beauty sleep over the weekend. It has been a long week of visiting many places, I am gaining pace at work and doing fine. Thus I really need to rest. In fact last weekend, I was so glad my birthday fell on a Sunday. And this year it happened that my western birthdate and lunar birthdate fell on the same day (I hear it's once every 19 years that happens). Anyway having my birthday on Sunday was the best gift itself - because I can sleep late and didn't have to work!

My mindset

Up and on, Mickey!

Another interesting person I met today was taxi driver Mickey Woo. My first impression of him was .... he was a bit weird. When I told him my destination, he said he will go by Direction A because Direction B would be having traffic jam. I said ok no problem, but out of curiosity, I just asked oh why was Direction B jammed at that hour. He got a bit put off, and immediately turned towards Direction B and muttered "fine, for the sake of good service to you, I will go the direction you want". I tried to clear myself saying I DIDN'T MIND Direction A at all. It didn't go through to him.

Hence he successfully made me felt guilty, so I tried to hold small talk with him, but I didn't have to try too hard, actually. Because it was one-way direction all the way, that is, he was the one talking throughout. He was vivacious and a fast (non-stop) talker. I learnt he was a part time actor with the TV station in the 80s. He won some awards somewhere, he was from St Andrew's (same alma mater as my JC), he was a good rugby player (the Saints are known for rugby), we talked about our Saints motto "Up and On", and also he mentioned he got interviewed by reporters before etc....

He showed me a file with clippings of his moments of fame, articles and photos with celebrities. And just before I got off the cab, he shoved a photocopy piece of his New Paper article to me and even signed on it with his name and "St Andrews Old Boy, 9 July". Hmmm....

I guess each of us has our own way of expressing ourselves, and the outlet may be reminiscing about our past glory, our past achievements and pride. Nothing wrong with it, so long if you are happy, Mickey.

Hustle and bustle

Today in between meetings with potential clients, I had a cuppa at Starbucks. I deliberately chose that place which was away from the hustle and bustle of lunch time crowd. I had a Cafe Latte and Tiramisu cake, and while sipping my Latte, I went through some paperwork and mentally prepared what to say to different clients in the afternoon, jotting down notes in my red book and making phonecalls... and at the same time... daydream a little... had a breather.

I am back to those days of being by myself, one-man show (sales job what), out in the field. Yes in a way I missed this. In my previous job I had come to a stage of being too relaxed with a team to help me, mostly staying in the office having endless meetings with the boss. And I used to have lunch companion everyday (lunch nowadays is "tabao" ie. takeaways). Then, everyone, including ex-boss, was friendly and nice, short for the occasional people I met. Otherwise everything was fine and relaxed, and I had the company of confidante, Miss Piggy. But I had lost that fighting spark in my career - everything came to a standstill and I was not happy in the job (amidst some other unhappy issues). That was one of the reasons why I moved on.

Now all that is history. I am in a new job. I am back on my own, running outside, doing what I do best, seeing clients, interacting with new clients and chasing my own bottomline. I like running my own show, in control of the business, building its potential, with the intent of making myself rich, and ultimately carving my own niche of the business and finding my job satisfaction and motivation. So far, I am blessed that all the clients I got acquainted with are friendly, truly respectful and appreciative of me. Even my former clients are supportive. That explains why I have already hit my monthly quota on the 1st week of this month. At the end of my today's appointments with clients, I had closed some more deals.

I guess that is what life is ...... you win some, you lose some.

Crocs "R" Us

I am quite a supporter of Crocs, although not exactly a true blue fan. Because they are comfy, slip-resistant, anti-microbial and odor resistant. It's waterproof, it won't go out of shape and they look fashionable.

I've got 3 pairs. My family member each has at least a pair too.

Flip Flops (Athens series) in charcoal/cotton colour

Mary Janes (Mary Jane series) in army green colour

Wedges (Sassari series) in chocolate/gold colour

His dues

My 6 year-old nephew always gets himself into so many pranks and big trouble that we had to punish him. And to think of what punishment to impose on him can be quite tricky sometimes. This is one of those times when I ran out of ideas, so I told him to write 50 times "I am sorry, yee yee" (yee yee means aunt, and he calls me that).

Just last week, we found him having his bath a tad too long. After he went home, when I got into the bathroom, I found all the bottles of shampoo and shower foam were on the floor and my washing detergent has spilled all over. I suspected he might have been playing with water and bubbles, which explains why he was always in the bathroom for at least half an hour. When I called him to ask him, he denied it all the way. It was only late that night, when sis "forced" it out of him that he finally admitted. Although he apologised the next day he saw me, I told him that does not mean that he would not be punished. I told him he will be punished for telling lies and also for playing bubbles with soap. How he is going to be punished.... I am still thinking about it.... aaargghh...any suggestions?

YES!!!!

It's only 7 July and I have hit my sales quota for this month! YES!!

A friend in need is a friend indeed?

1. When a friend takes the trouble all the way from somewhere else/in the midst of work, to bring you a cardigan/jacket because you are freezing, are you not touched?

2. When a friend sms you to show concern or just to say "hi" every now and then, do you find it such a bother that you don't even reply?

3. When a friend took the trouble to find/search painstakingly for a gift you need, do you snap at your friend and say "stop being so nice"?

4. When a friend buys you breakfast every now and then, did you think it's "too much"?

5. When a friend invites you to a concert, do you behave uneasy, or do you treat it as "no choice but go"? Did you/would you enjoy the concert?

6. When a friend buys flowers for you on a special occasion, do you say "thank you" or did you even notice the flowers?

7. When a friend makes efforts to make up after a tiff, do you patch up and carry on with life or do you say "we can never have the same friendship anymore"?

8. When a friend spent the last penny on you, would you be touched or did you know your friend is in dire straits in the first place?

9. When a friend calls you to share a gift for another friend, do you answer that phone call/s at all?

10. When a friend doesn't like the company you are keeping and nags/complains to you, do you throw your friend out of your life?

11. When a friend fights for you at work, do you appreciate or will you snap and say "told you not to!" ?

12. When you don't like the nasty words a friend used, do you hide yourself away and don't even bother to explain your behaviour?

13. When a friend notices your every likes and dislikes, do you resent your friend for that?

14. When a friend calls because you are sick, do you ask "why did you have to call?"

15. When a friend is sharing with you something personal, do you say "what's the point of repeating and repeating?"

16. When you know your friend is unhappy because of you, do you bother to ask why?

17. When you have forgiven a friend, would you have intentionally blocked your friend in MSN and everywhere else?

18. When a friend remembers every single detail of happy/bad times, do you forget all of that in a flash?

Are YOU the friend or are you the one who treats YOUR friend this way?

Soul expression

Pretty perfect makan

I went to the temple to pray today on my birthday. Then my birthday lunch - Tajimaya @Vivocity - it's japanese charcoal grilled Yakiniku. This restaurant was highly recommended by one of my buddies, she apparently dined at the same place 4 times 5 days in a row! We tried our hands on grilling the salmon, premium beef, squid, pork collar, mushroom and even sweet potato... in addition to our Cha Soba and Tempura Udon. And the garlic rice was nice and fragrant. All the meat grills were a hit (although I didnt touch the beef at all). The even more clear winner was the very sweet and soft sweet potatos.

We followed with dessert nearby at Awfully Chocolate... had the whole pint. Awfully rich and nice, awfully pretty perfect meal.

Happy Birthday, Your Holiness!

Wishing a happy birthday to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama too. May he stays healthy always and in this lifetime may those who has the good karma to know him, see him or hear him come into the path of the Dharma, and thus may all become enlightened Buddhas. Om mani padme hum!

La la la

Received from friends.

Birthday wishes - the best gets better

My birthday wishes:

1. Go on a long trip to a country I have never been before, be it Tibet, Nepal, India, Japan etc.. That somewhere is where I can capture breathtaking pictures of the place, people and feelings.

2. I wish for my family to be blissfully happy and healthy. May we have enough to feed ourselves, enough love for each other and enough time for each other. And also my friends, may their families be always happy as well and free from obstacles. May we always be there for one another.

3. I pray that I will have the good fortune and karma to meet His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the incarnation of Chenrezig - Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin, in this lifetime (as we share the same birthday). I pray I will have compassion to those we are less fortunate and to have the opportunity to practise the Dharma daily.

4. My resolution is to find good paying jobs for those unfortunate, deprived workers with starving families in their homeland. I would like to befriend those more unfortunate, the poor and the unhappy, and to help them by providing them a better place for survival and to live in.

5. A materialistic wish is to own a car - the Toyota Rush SUV. This will help in my job, as I need to travel around and also to fetch my loved ones around. As well as to be able to explore the other parts of Singapore like never before.

6. I wish for my life to be more colourful, to pick up pace, for me to venture to unchartered territories which I have never been challenged before. May I be able to be more risk taking, to develop a business which I can call my own one day, and be successful in it till my retirement.

7. May I have the luxury of being able to have a massage and spa and facial every week, to relieve my tired muscles and bones, to stay healthy always with bursting good energy.

8. I will get a dog one day - a golden retriever or labrador - with someone who share the same love for dogs.

9. Money we can't do without to accomplish most of the above. I wish for the ability and endurance and good luck to start building my wealth and retaining it for a long time to come. I pray that the bad luck and hurt of the past year have vanished by now/soon, as I pick up the pieces, and move on bravely. As someone told me "I know you were the one more hurt deeply by friends, but don't worry, sweetheart, you will be alright. If they are your true friends, they will come back to you. Those who hurt you will know the truth and will know they are in the wrong, as you are always the giver to those you love. One step at a time, sweetheart, you will be fine."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

First step

Beginnings are sometimes foggy.

The path is not always clear.

The end of one begets another.
To begin, put one foot in front of the other.

Your foot knows where to land,

The one that moves forward first.

Forget about the best foot.
Just put it out there.

Stop traffic if you have to.

Go home if that is where it leads you.

Go back to work if that is where your foot falls.
You don't have to go anywhere

Just rest.

After you step, take another.

Forget about the weather.

Step.

Step again.

By: Robin Heerens Lysne

劉耕宏-彩虹天堂

6,000 steps of real love

An incredible love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world. It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century. The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple's home for the last 50 years.

Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin. In a twist worthy of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children. At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality.

In the beginning, life was harsh as they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives. Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, 'Are you regretful? Liu always replied, 'As long as we are industrious, life will improve.' In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, 'My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother's convenience, although she doesn't go down the mountain that much.'

The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away. 'You promised me you'll take care of me, you'll always be with me until the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?' Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband's black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.

In 2006, their story became one of the top 10 love stories from China , collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.

Stickgal is alone again

My favourite country, Switzerland

Switzerland has got to be my most favourite country. The air was totally fresh, and the place is very very very clean, with clean drinkable water from the tap (having been "conditioned" with Singapore clean standards, it was an eye opener to find another worthy country with the same cleaniness and more). In comparison, Switzerland is very different compared to the other European countries. I liked, not just Mt Titlis and the skiing, but more of the cottages at the bottom of the snowy Swiss Alps and the lakes. In the town was Lucerne, with its quaint hotels and the beautiful landscape. I remember strolling along the streets, lanes, shopping, observing the people, the buildings, the shops, the little stuff on display, and yes the famous Swiss watches. We strolled along the Wooden Chapel Bridge and went on the night cruise on the Swiss lake. The standard of living there is very high. I remember having a Big Mac meal at McDonalds there costs around S$13. It's cheaper to buy a sandwich at the supermart!