A friend is like a good bra...

It's interesting that one of the most popular TV shows of all time is called "Friends."  I think it's because that's what we all want.  We all want people in our lives whom we love and who love us back.  People we can count on, people we can laugh with, people who appreciate us for who we are.  The theme song for that show says: "I'll be there for you" and that says so much!  We need to cherish our friends, both old and new, and pay attention to those relationships, and nurture them because they are important to us.

 -Lissa Coffey

Posterous or Tumblr? Introducing my new PhotoBlog

If you've noticed, there is a new addition to the right column of this blog, Snaps On The Go, which is my Photoblog. I have always been snapping photos on the go, whether it is on  people, food, the weather, or anything that capture my attention.  I was previously using Twitpic to upload my shots, as it auto posted to Twitter and auto-routed to the widget provided by Blogger which in turn posted photos to my blog here. It was working fine until a few weeks ago.  The widget just refused to appear anymore.

So I decided to explore other options, advanced applications like Posterous and Tumblr, which not only enables me to upload photos, they also let me post a blog entry, a quote or video link etc..I was considering and exploring between both Apps.  Finally Posterous won over Tumblr, by a small margin.

Below I have listed some comparisons of both Apps, which are of importance to me. BTW, I'm not tech savvy, so do not expect a complicated techie review here. This is just my end-user experience. ;D

1. Auto-posting

I want my photos to be auto-routed to Twitter as well as to the website. While Tumblr can only auto-post to   Twitter.....

Posterous is able to do auto posting to many applications like:

  Twitter    Flickr    Picasa    YouTube    Vimeo   Tumblr 

  Blogger   Wordpress    Xanga    and many more.... 

Posterous won, I need it this feature to auto post to my Twitter, Blogger, and even to Tumblr (if I want to simultaneously maintain both my Posterous and Tumblr pages!). 

2. Iphone Apps

As I want to upload photos from my iPhone whenever I like, both Posterous and Tumblr has iPhone Apps which makes it seamless and easy to use.  Tumblr seems more flexible as it allows you to post, besides photos, a quote, a video, a blog entry, on the go. Hence it categorises each post. 

On the other hand, Posterous in iPhone only allows posting of photos/videos. If you want to write a blog entry, you have to get on the web version of Posterous. I am ok just using this to upload photos as I am already using BlogPress (another iPhone App) to blog if I need to when I am outside.

3.  Web Interface

Similarly, Tumblr has a more friendly interface which is more idiot-proof....

Whereas Posterous, having more features, the interface may prove a little more challenging for the first time users. That said, Posterous' main advantage is you are able to post your entries via EMAIL and they will do the rest.

4. Visitor Hits

One reason why I prefer Posterous is it tracks your visitor page views of each photo entry, whereas for Tumblr, you need to install a third party application in order to do that (which seriously, why should I waste time?). Another plus point of Posterous is it uses Google Analytics which I can include my existing ID.

5. Widget

I wanted a widget to be installed in my blog here, to show the photos I have taken on the go.  I found Widgetbox which allows me to customise any widget of my choice. I wanted a vertical banner widgetbox to show all my photos I have taken on the spot to be shown in my blog as well.  Widgetbox allows me to customise my photo widget (whether it is from Tumblr or Posterous) and create the respective HTML codes for all the other platforms. So far so good, I hope this widget doesn't screw up too.  

There are many other little things which I did not mention here. For example, there are many available theme templates in Tumblr, while I wish Posterous gives me more choices (although it enables me to customise the look and feel of the given templates). 


Also there is an Import feature which I can transfer my entire blog from Blogger to Posterous in the future, if I so wish. It still doesn't work, by the way. Posterous only imported the first paragraph of all my entries.  Anyway, for now, since I am still going to stick to Blogger for this blog, I have settled on Posterous for the Photoblog. Thumbs up for Posterous.  

And here, I introduce you to my new Life of Lopsided 8 - PhotoBlog.  If you do not have time to read my entries here (the real deal), you can head off to my PhotoBlog at http://www.lol8.posterous.com  to view my photos and short entries. Rest assured, both the blog and photoblog will not have duplicate entries (90% of the time). I have chosen a minimalist theme template which has a simple and nice layout of my photos. 

You can follow me (STUMPBO) in Twitter, to get instant updates whenever I post my shots/blog entries. Happy photo-blogging to me. ;D

A Bodhisattva arrives

In those days when I just started and was new to Tibetan Buddhism, I did not just attend Dharma events from one centre. I attended many teachings, pujas and initiations given by quite a number of Rinpoches or masters from the 4 Traditions of Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug, who were visiting Singapore. Mostly the programs would be held in different centers or rented premises like Teochew Building and temples. That was the beginning of my Dharma path. I was fortunate to have met so many great masters and to have connected with them. I later began to attend regular teachings and pujas from Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC is an affiliate of FPMT) where my root guru is Lama Zopa Rinpoche as well as Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling (DPL is the direct collegiate affiliate of Gaden Shartse Monastery), where my other gurus are the late Lati Rinpoche and 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche. Both centres follow the Gelug tradition.

Among all the earlier visiting gurus of the other traditions, one who has touched me deeply is the revered H.E. Garchen Rinpoche.

This great lama-master has just landed in Singapore today. I was at the airport to welcome Garchen Rinpoche. Even though I follow the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, I always have a deep respect for Garchen Rinpoche who is a Drikung Kagyu lama. As Rinpoche is weak on his legs, he arrived in a wheelchair with his signature mani wheel. He looked to have aged from the last time I have seen him (which was about 2-3 years ago), and he has just had a cataract operation on his right eye.

Quite a number of his students were there to welcome him, many shedding tears. Rinpoche was blessing everyone who offered him the khata and also blessing everyone with his head and even hugs.  It was an emotional scene.

Garchen Rinpoche is among the few great masters whom I remember fondly of.  I had the good fortune of meeting him and receiving his teachings a few times previously when he visited Singapore. Even when he is giving teachings or meditating, or praying, he is always turning the mani wheel. Rinpoche is a very jovial and kind master who is always laughing and is very warm to everyone. I remember the first time when I met him, I was on the stage to receive his blessings, he was standing, he blessed my head with his, held my hands, and gave me a hearty hug with his wide smiles, as though I have known him for the longest time. I was surprised and really touched by this unassuming kind guru.  That is why whenever he visits Singapore, I will make it a point to see him.  The late H.E. Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche called Garchen Rinpoche the Buddha, already an enlightened living being.

Some background of Garchen Rinpoche.  He is a Drikung Kagyu lama who was Siddha Gar Chodingpa (heart disciple of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon, founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage). In another previous life, he was Mahasiddha Aryadeva, the lotus-born disciple of the great Nagarjuna. In the 7th century, he was known as Lonpo Gar, the minister of the Tibetan Dharma King Songsten Gampo.

Garchen Rinpoche was imprisoned for 20 years by China during the Cultural Revolution. Despite practicing secretly and enduring much hardship, Garchen Rinpoche is well known for attaining the profound insight and vast realizations of the wisdom mind, as well as for his great kindness.

I look forward to attending his teachings, initiations and pujas. Below is a touching movie clip of "For The Benefit Of All Beings" made on Rinpoche's extraordinary life story. Do watch the English version of the clip in Youtube as I was unable to embed it here.  Below is the mandarin version.

Are you green enough?

I read from Dasmond Koh's blog about his effort to promote a "Clean & Green" environment. Dasmond Koh is a local host/compere/Radio DJ.

Below is one of the clips Dasmond did from his interviews with some of our local celebrities that night. I like this one with Cynthia Koh and Bryan Wong.

I think it is a worthy cause because living in Singapore, we may not feel or see the urgent need to save the environment as we do not see how people and animals from other countries are suffering as a result of harm done to our natural habitat, the Earth. Definitely more can be done, and the first and foremost is to create the awareness.

I found this comprehensive list online, 172 ways to save the environment. The problem is, many of us already know HOW to save the earth, but we just do not conscientiously put in more effort in DOING so. We can remind ourselves, no matter how small our act is, when many people are doing it and it becomes a global effort, the impact and consequence do make a difference. Remember, our actions do have an impact on others, and more importantly, it ultimately comes back to us. I always love this quote by Edwin Hubble Chapin: "Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity". So we have to be mindful always of our own actions and consequences. 

Be green today.

Vintage kitchen

Saw a photo in a fashion blogger, Dottie's entry and thought the photos were fantastic. From Fischer's Fall 2010 Collection.

Fashion aside, I'm more attracted to the set location actually. LOL~!!! I can totally picture a friend of mine pottering around in this vintage kitchen, whipping up lots of yummies. The little things foodies do in the name of pleasure. ;D

My dream on relics

Wow I am so happy with the dream I had last night. Usually the dreams at dawn are the most vivid and maybe because it is closer to morning and waking time, I can remember them better than those dreams at night.  This morning, I woke up and sat on my bed to recite my daily prayers. After the prayers, however, I fell asleep again as I slept quite late last night. I had a dream.

I cannot remember the first part of the dream, only the second part. I was in a very big house, which seemed to be my house, because everyone was coming to me to ask something. The place was sparsely furnished. There were a few big rooms, and every room seemed preoccupied with some activity. I was in one big room which I could not figure was a bedroom or living room, as there was a big bed and a set of sofa seat as well as some cupboards in the room. My sis came into the room and we were talking about something related to my Grandma (I cannot recall what it is now).

Then, a Dharma friend, A, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wearing the traditional Tibetan lady costume (something like in this photo but minus all the elaborate accessories).  She was so ravishing and resplendent in that costume. She was whispering to me, telling me about something, which again I could not recall what. This is the 4th or 5th time I dreamt of her since last year. I don't know why I always dream of this Dharma friend.

Then after she left, I was inside my room sitting on the huge bed which was in orange-maroon bedsheets and blanket. Then just as suddenly, I noticed tiny white round pill-like seeds on the bed. I looked closer, and I knew it was relics! They kept appearing out of nowhere, tiny round shiny white-ivory relics, almost translucent, of varying sizes, kept manifesting on the bed, one by one. When I lifted the blanket, I saw more relics.   

I was so excited in the dream as I gasped in astonishment and delight at the same time. Just then, Jamie appeared and was inside my room. Jamie was another Dharma friend from Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling. I quickly showed her the white-ivory relics on the bed and she was smiling so brightly, full of happiness. As I picked up a few of the relics onto my palm, right before my eyes, they kept multiplying, like magic. Some relics that multiplied were round, some were shell-like. They were tiny. Jamie was laughing excitedly and delightfully, as we were both amazed at the miracle.

This is not the first time I have dreamed of relics. In April 2006,  I also had a similar dream in which relics kept multiplying on my palm. I was elated. Earlier a month before ,on March 2006, I was so fortunate and blessed to have been given a relic by Paltrul Rinpoche. During his 4 days of Amitabha Buddha puja, he emanated many many relics out of thin air. It was really amazing. One moment we were chanting prayers, the next moment many little relics appeared on the altar, on Rinpoche's throne seat as well as all around the floor where he prostrated. He is the authentic incarnation of Paltrul Rinpoche who was the author of the famed "Words of My Perfect Teacher" and also a manifestation of Shantideva. I witnessed and blogged about the miracle here.

Above photo was the relic given by Paltrul Rinpoche. I wonder if this time, dreaming of relics, was due to Lati Rinpoche's recent passing into Nirvana. He manifested many amazing relics after his cremation. 

 

According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, "Relics are Buddha's actions, benefiting sentient beings through the relics. By seeing the relics and showing devotion, one receives blessings. From the blessings, one receives realizations on the path to enlightenment. This is how the relics bring you to enlightenment. This is the reason why relics are considered very holy and precious. Relics are manifested and left behind due to the kindness of holy beings in order for us sentient beings to collect merit and purify obscurations".

Oh, I'm so happy!! ;D

In Loving Memory - His Holiness Kyabje Lati Rinpoche ( 1922 - 2010 )

 HH Kyabje Lati Rinpoche (1922 - 2010 )

Below, I have compiled the list of my entries in this blog regarding Lati Rinpoche's passing into Nirvana. I will be removing the links from the right column of this blog.

12 April 2010 - Rinpoche Passes Away

13 April 2010 - In Clear Light Meditation

14 April 2010 - Rinpoche Out Of Thugdam

15 April 2010 - Ongoing Guru Pujas

16 April 2010 - Rinpoche's Holy Body Leaving Dharamsala

17 April 2010 - Rinpoche's Homecoming Back Mundgod

18 April 2010 - Preparing For Cremation

19 April 2010 - Paying Last Respects

19 April 2010 - Rinpoche's Fire Puja Ceremony (Cremation)

23 April 2010 - Discovering Rinpoche's Relics

24 April 2010 - Relics & Auspicious Signs

Lati Rinpoche, A Great Lama, The Perfect Guru

HH Dalai Lama's Prayer For The Quick Return of Lati Rinpoche

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank Lati Rinpoche for being a part of and touching our lives dearly,  for having benefited us, not just in this life but for our future lives as well. May all who has met Rinpoche, talked to him, heard about him, received teachings from him and may all who are connected to Lati Rinpoche be able to meet him in the future. May Rinpoche return to us swiftly. May all achieve realisations and may all be blessed by the Three Jewels always. May all be auspicious!  

Oishiiii-ne!

Many of us love Japanese food. The Japanese cuisine offers such a large variety of dishes, be it sashimi, okonomiyaki, teppanyaki, yakimono, agemono, donburi, menrui, shabu shabu,and even appetizers and desserts etc..

Whenever I visit a well known Japanese restaurant, it is a plus if it is not too crowded at an off peak timing. I prefer to dine in quiet than be in the midst of noisy crowds. This was at Marutama Restaurant where I met a client.

One of my favourites is Ramen. I like a good bowl of QQ noodles with an amazing hot thick broth. It is like our fascination with the old trusted instant noodles, but with a more sophisticated way of cooking the broth and more ingredients. Ramen soup is generally made from stock based on chicken or pork, which has been boiled for many hours or even 1-2 days. 

I love hard boiled eggs in my ramen, especially when done properly, where it is hard on the outside and the yolk has just set, which means it is still moist inside.  

One side dish the Marutama staff recommended me was the Grilled  Chashu, which turned out to be excellent (with a hint of 'burnt' taste), much better than the Chashu that came with the ramen.

Another Jap restaurant specialising in ramen has got to be Tampopo. This was the Shoyu Ramen with lots of ingredients, Chashu, seaweed, corn, menma (bamboo shoot), butter, egg. I didn't know that they added beansprouts !  If there is one thing I hate, is beansprouts in soup, any kind of soup. To me, beansprouts (or tau geh in Hokkien) spoil everything in soup because of its strong taste. Hence I did not finish the bowl of ramen. Should I have known, I would have instructed them not to add the beansprouts.

Most of the time, I would catch quick lunches with clients or friends during the weekdays. So usually we would pick an aircon place to dine, even if it is not in a restaurant. This was   in the basement of Liang Court, inside the Japanese Mediya Supermarket. There are different stations of Jap food selling Udon, Ramen, Curry Rice, Sushi etc.. and their prices were value for money yet maintaining the quality of food. I ordered the special set lunch - Rousu Katsu Bento & Mini Curry Kishimen set - which came in a katsu bento and a bowl of curry noodles (below). Besides the teriyaki sauce, they also came with the wasabi sauce which was so appetising and it went well with the pork katsu.

The Curry Kishimen was a small bowl of curry flat noodles as I was craving for Jap curry. It was not the QQ type, rather it was soft and slurplicious  and it went well with the curry. Ingredients used were simple - carrots, and 2 types of mushrooms.

After lunch, we got to try the Chiffon Cheese Cake from Tampopo  Deli which was at the basement, near the Mediya Supermarket. It was heavenly, the fluffy cake, baked faintly with cheese (I do not like too much of strong cheese flavour unless it is the American cheesecake), and the fresh cream was not that sweet. A perfect combination, the perfect cake for tea. They have got others like the Matcha Chiffon Cake and Coffee Chiffon Cake too as well as their popular Cream Puffs.

Yet another time, I was at Azabu Sabo with a friend. We just had dessert. This Japanese dessert - Warabi Mochi Ala Mode - was the right combination of what I like - green tea ice cream with red bean paste, the sticky sweet chewy mochi, and the sourish appetizing strawberries with fresh cream.

On and off, when I passed by some Japanese fair, I would be excitedly looking at the food stuff or snacks which are on offer. Even if I do not buy, I would still spend some time gawking at the oishiiii intricate food and their packaging. I chanced upon Haato gelato this time. Although I love their best Matcha Gelato as well as the Black Sesame Gelato, however, that day I was craving for some chocolate. I chose Royal Chocolate flavour instead. I just love plain and simple yet creamy chocolate. Created from traditional recipes from Japan, Haato is one of the first gelato counters in Singapore to offer gelato that is free from artificial colouring and preservatives.

Oi-shiiiiii~~!!!

In the kitchen....

It has become a habit to show what I've been cooking in the kitchen every other week. I don't cook everyday but when I need to, it is usually for family and closed ones. I like to  try whipping up some new dishes sometimes and it is a good chance for me to let my loved ones be my guinea pigs try them. I prefer dishes that requires no fuss and easy to cook. Most times, however, the dishes I cook are the underated home-cooked dishes which mom or grandma to cooks for us.  While I go on a vegetarian diet on different periods, I do still prepare some dishes which my family like, even if I don't eat them.

These are Minced Pork Patties. I've tried making different variations of pork patties. The trick to having tender patties, I feel, is to marinate the minced pork beforehand. I used sesame oil, light soya sauce, little seasoning powder, chopped onions, little oyster sauce, pepper, cornflour, one beaten egg. If you want a more crunchy taste, add in chopped water chestnuts. After marinating them for at least 2 hours or more, you just need to fry it on the wok with hot oil. To garnish, just throw on some chopped spring onions on top. The family loves it.

- Stir fry vegetables with chinese mushrooms and roast pork (siew yoke)

- Sesame black soya sauce pork

- Stir fry Szechuan veggies with mushrooms, pork and fried beancurd cubes.

- Bak Kut Teh (aromatic peppery soup with pork ribs and chinese herbs)

- Steamed Cod Fish 

- Steamed Eggs (3 Types - chicken eggs, salted eggs, century eggs) 

- Braised Pork and fried beancurd

- Stir fry Lettuce with carrots and ham slices

This is an Indian vegetarian dish - Aloo Mutter. I usually order this dish if I'm having Naan in an Indian  restaurant. I do not know how to prepare the spices et al. I normally buy pre-cooked Aloo Mutter sauce. I just add on steamed potatoes, beans and chopped onions and stir fry them with the sauce. It never goes wrong and it satisfies my on and off craving for this dish. 

The little unmistaken reincarnate boy

Posted via web from Life of Lopsided 8 

Geshe Tenzin Zopa posted this photo of little 6 year old reincarnate high lama, Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche, who was discovered in 2006. Little Rinpoche was seen here playing with and saying prayers for the 5 white rabbits and 1 black rabbit. He has displayed a very compassionate kindness towards animals since he was even younger.

In his former life, Phuntsok Rinpoche is none other than the highly revered Geshe Lama Konchog, the Great Mahasiddha who was a modern day Milarepa. When Geshe-la passed away in 2002, there were many relics which manifested and which kept multiplying. On the tongue there was a visible self-arising Tara image and the heart continued to decrease in size, at the same time producing red relics and one tooth was taking the form of a counter-clockwise conch shell.

According to Lama Lhundrup, the multiplying of relics which are the holy body of the yogi is an indication of the strength of Geshe Lama Konchog’s realizations.