Best wanton mee (yet)?

Famous wanton mee along Tanjong Katong road.

Will be back for more! The coffee is good and fragrant too.

P/S: The chilli lives up to its name!

Wonderful double-date Sunday

Wonderful, wonderful Sunday! Double-date with jx and hw.

- Jack the Giant Slayer (lousy Isabelle, just a pretty face and nothing else. Obi-wan Kenobi saves the day!)
- Leisurely stroll into Resorts World Sentosa via Sentosa Boardwalk
- Fine dinner at Astons. Savoury: paparazzi of 2 of jx's colleagues lol
- After-dinner gai gai at RWS, touristy feel hehe. Singing along to Do-Re-Mi!
- Laughing at each other's antics
- Watched Crane Show (and 10 secs of fireworks), free-of-charge!
- Gong Cha, girlfriend's treat
- Home early, read newspapers. Liverpool 3-2 Tottenham!

Signing off with a takeaway from Dr. Ravi, courtesy of Covenant's Evan:

"To love, one must have both will, and emotions. Only then is one able to love."

""Love is about doing. When you said 'I do', it means you must do."

Tottenham 2 - Arsenal 1

I rued the line-up when it flashed on the screen.

Bale vs Jenkinson
Scott Parker/Dembele vs Ramsey
Anybody else vs Giroud

Man for man, Arsenal looked like they were at a losing end. And we're already discounting the advantage of the home side's 12th man. In what way is Ramsey (I nicknamed him lousy) better than Rosicky, a matured, proven international player, the little Mozart who influenced Arsenal into winning ways last season? The former loses possession cheaply, is useless down the wings, does not have any strong attributes and is of little impact in an Arsenal midfield. What justifies that he starts games more frequently than Rosicky? I have simply no clue (by the way lousy started because Diaby was injured).

The first 35 mins was surprisingly evenly matched, with Arsenal creating a few chances, only to be spurned by the ineffective and wasteful Giroud, and Bale in a more central role therefore making Jenkinson a more relieved man. I thought Jenkinson was a menace attacking down the right with his pace and crossing, and Mertesacker dealt with high balls and Adebayor pretty well. However, a lapse of concentration and miscommunication from Arsenal's backline resulted in 2 quick fire, identical goals that rocked Arsenal's stability. A defeat to long time bitter rivals loomed. The defeat could potentially spell calamity in Arsene's many years of strong foothold in North London - the race for 4th place would open up to 7 points (with 11 more games). Never has Monsieur Wenger finished below Tottenham.

On 51 mins, the under-credited Mertesacker brought the game back with a set piece goal. Arsenal fans were stoked. Tottenham seemed comfortable to play defence and hit on the break, and we kept on pushing, but Tottenham was well organised. Giroud was really anonymous at the front and when I saw Rosicky warming up, I thought the obvious choice was to either have Walcott spearhead the attack (and Rosicky down the right), or remove the non-influential Lousy. And here's why I think Wenger has blown his mind - off went Jenkinson. WHAT?! That move meant Lousy would slot into right back - DOUBLE WHAT?!?! Didn't I just iterate Lousy was lousy? How is he better at right back where his natural (albeit poor) position is central?! How is Lousy to cope with the blistering pace and sharp movements of the in-form Bale?!

To be fair, Lousy had a very good 1 on 1 chance with the keeper (assist from Rosicky) but he took too much time on the ball and if his shot hadn't hit Assou Ekoto, it would have been off target anyway. To be critical, there was once (1) Lousy had time down the right to cross into the box with Giroud threatening, and HE BLASTED IT SO BAD THE BALL WENT FOR A THROW-IN ON THE LEFT. (2) A counter attack from Tottenham released Siggurdson in space on the left edge of the box where Lousy should have tracked back. WENGER ARE YOU READING THIS? If I, only a football fan behind the tv screen, can spot all these mistakes from Lousy game after game, and you a keen eye for talent and potential I don't doubt, fail to penalize Lousy I ponder!!

Vermaelen was by his standards, poor. Wilshere and Carzorla were trying. Walcott was neutralized. With only seconds to go, Arsenal had the opportunity to level the game with the last kick of the game by Sczescny from deep. The ball pretty much summed up Arsenal's season. It was cleared off easily by Tott's defenders (3 white against 1 red). There was simply no desire to go for the ball. A lack of fighting spirit, lack of leadership on the pitch, a lack of competition for starting places I dare say, Arsenal probably does not deserve 4th place.

Tottenham fans were singing "Wenger, we want you to stay". It's high time for a change. 8 years without silverware and imminently, 9. Good bye, Professor.

Mom is Candy Crush crazy

2012 - The year the world didn't end

All the hype about 20-12-2012 that the world would end - nope, unfortunately it didn't happen, many friends on fb were clearly disappointed haha. When they woke up to bright daylight, some hopelessly anticipated for US region's timezone. On of my friends hoped that if the end was really happening, at least allow her to finish her buffet first. LOL. Ok, so unlike what the movie 2012 depicted, the Aztec's were finally proven unfounded and here we are, 2 months into the new year.

A recap of my resolutions for 2012:

"

With no projection of major events, I think 2012 will be almost similar to 2011. Work will still be work. The Club will still be hanging out as usual. Here's hoping for 2012:

• New Zealand road-trip cum skydiving WOOHOO!!!
• Hong Kong with family in June (tentative)
• KL for cousin's wedding in Dec
• Squeeze in a Bangkok trip somewhere
• And a beachy place (Langkawi/Bali/Krabi/Boracay????!)
• Smooth-going at work, with fulfilment and enjoyment
• Stock prices to go UPPPPPPPP
• Minimal public transport breakdown
• Good health and wealth, haha
• A rose???

Personal goals:

• Join acapella society as a CCA 
• Further studies. Take GMAT? Ha
• Maintain Silver standard for IPPT
• Be more patient when explaining/communicating
• A more chiselled-look on my face -____- 

"


Pretty much fulfilling 2012, I think I accomplished most of the above.


January

Signed myself up for Class 4A vehicle licence. Attended only 5 lessons (about 10 hours?) of practical and went ahead with the TP test. Passed with flying colours. Yay! It's actually quite fun driving a long vehicle, gotta keep a close watch on the cornering and blind spots, and turning the steering wheel is quite a skill.


February

February arguably marks the most significant time of the year, being the day I found myself a very nice, understanding and patient girl. :):):) The rest of the year saw us spending many weekends together, going places, and having lotsa fun with my buddies watching footy, triple dates to Flowery Dome and such. Awesome moresome :D

The same day was also the official day I took over as Acting Mgr in charge of all 3 workshops. Tough times ahead. Very tough. I think real acting would have been easier. For a few months I was doing 2 positions at the same time, so effectively I had to act upon instructions that I passed down... then audit came and burnt my ass. Ha, really FML.

In mid Feb, it was my honour to be a 'brother' at my colleague's wedding. It's actually my first, and heng the gatecrash was considerably mild.

March - June

Gainfully employed. Spent loooooong hours at work, most of the time by myself facing the computer.


July

TRIP OF MY LIFETIME - Hobbiton, South Island, New Zealand.

I would love to show the world the pictures we took, but 1) every shot is an insanely beautiful one and 2) pictures don't do the scenery enough justice. So I'll just pick one group pic, taken at Lake Tekapo the prettiest lake of all, of us posing a 'roy'.

If you only have 14 days left, visit New Zealand, and die a happy person. Lol.


The loooooooong hours at work paid off finally, I was promoted to Mgr. However, the pay wasn't awesome, and the hours were still long and stressful. Incidents were taking place one after another like wild fire, not to our control. There was hardly a day of relief I could sit down and do emails/plan. Thankfully, an experienced Snr Mgr was roped in and my big boss coined his welcome "like Man U buying Van Persie". That's quite apt and funny haha.


September

I decided enough was enough of my daily life spent at work, I took leave and went on a short trip up north with my parents and girlfriend.

Love Cameron Highlands for the tranquil environment and greenery, it would be a heavenly pleasure to sip tea whilst looking out into the green hills neatly stacked with tea bushes, breathing cool fresh oxygen. Would try that the next time I go.

Also popped by Ipoh for a night and gorged ourselves with divine local food like ngah choy gai (bean sprouts chicken), salt baked chicken, assam laksa and prawn mee.


October

Surprised my girlfriend with front row seats at a musical, Avenue Q. I enjoyed the catchy songs and thought the cast did a brilliant job at acting out each character distinctively like the slut, the gay.


November

After all the envy at my peers going overseas for work (Germany, Paris, Tokyo, USA etc....), lucky me was selected to be in a Committee, and that allowed me to head to Macau, HK and Zhuhai for a few days. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it totally, that's what everyone says of overseas work trips, but the weather and the accomodation was fantastic! And to top it, I think I gained alot from the exposure and experience.


December

15th December, a surprise of my life! Girlfriend and buddies put together a really well-planned and loophole-less birthday surprise for me. I asked for A surprise, but I received much more than I wished for. Feel blessed to have them in my life. :)

Over Christmas period, my family and I headed to KL to attend my cousin's wedding.

It's the first time after more than a decade the extended family gathered at the same place at the same time, and we cousins truly enjoyed the time together... the shopping, food, dressing up and taking photos, the self-made music videos... Haha.

________________________________________________

Personal goals:

• Join acapella society as a CCA                  

ACTUAL - I went for a trial session with Singapore Acapella Society. I passed the audition and joined them for one practice. However, I was quite put off by the fact that I can't read tou gay (musical notes), the genre of songs and the rigidity of the choir. I was looking for something more casual and expressive... such as pop songs, snapping of fingers, singing in harmony. Hmm. Still, I'll take my goal as accomplished.

• Further studies. Take GMAT? Ha

ACTUAL - Failed to accomplish. Anyway, decided I don't have the energy/time/commitment to do part time studies. Case closed.

• Maintain Silver standard for IPPT

ACTUAL - YIPPIE!

• Be more patient when explaining/communicating

ACTUAL - Maybe.

• A more chiselled-look on my face -____- 

ACTUAL  - Picture for your own judgement:

HAHAHA, it's actually the camera angle. My face has stubbornly refused to revert to the pre-2009 state and I have accepted the cruel fate. However, girlfriend taught me a daily routine that firms up the face... hmm and I think it does work to some extent! At least, close friends and cousins have passed the comment. So am still doing it diligently now :P

_____________________________________________________________


Expected exciting events for 2013!

• Tokyo with buddies in April
• Taiwan trip with family in June 
• Mt Ophir in August (?)
• Short trip with girlfriend??
• ........
• ........... HUH, NOTHING LIAO?!?!? :(

I believe one should always seek self-improvement. Resolutions for myself:

• Increase my monthly financial input
• Read a book? (LOL prease, don't kid myself)
• Maintain Silver for IPPT (though I also got Silver last year, I consider an improvement because it is not easy to maintain the same standard with age! True story.)
• Donate blood twice
• Paint
• I also want to pick up a new skill.

AND I THINK IF I HUAT THE $10M TOTO TOMORROW.... it'd be an entirely different year :D

Wishing you a healthy and properous 2013!


__________________

Author's note: Finally done with the review! phewwwwwwww.

Happy CNY!

Happy CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

It's my favourite time of the year!

On facebook many friends commented that the 4-consecutive days holiday has gone by in a flash. Hmm. Yes, indeed. It's made worse by the fact that I have been down with cough, sore throat and flu over the past 5-6 days. Though it hasn't largely affected my appetite, my blocked nose discounted the taste, fragrance and aroma of the CNY dishes that I adore much.

Do you believe in zodiac forecasts? Hmm. I'm not a firm believer but what I've observed is that my luck at gambling has turned for the better! Or at least by my standards, I don't find myself losing as I always do. Haha. Hope to sustain this (though I don't gamble much, just the occasional leisure mahjong).


In line with the CNY celebration, strongly recommending this short but touching local production "The Reunion Dinner 回家過年" revolving around the traditional reunion dinner... I love it not only because of the cinematic and directing, but also because of the values one can easily link and be attached to - the family. The bonds and the love within the family are priceless and yet not everlasting, at the same time it is what all of us holds dear but so often takes for granted.

Another personal take-home message from the film is that it is not money that drives happiness... much less career (the males are barber and delivery man, as depicted in the film)... whereas it is intrinsic contentment - spending time with people whom you love, simply depicted by a father and son standing at the corridor gazing out, sharing a beer.

Was having a casual conversation with the former head of HR (Asia-Pac) of a globally renowned MNC... asked her what was the reason she left her job. Her reply was a good 15 minute biblography but her answer drives home my above point too. Unspoken-of politics, spending obscene hours at work, missing out on important events of your loved ones, insecurity and lack of inner fulfillment... sometimes, money does not equate to happiness. The question is: What do you value most?

______________________________________________


It's mid February. In a blinkling of an eye. Oh my goodness. Truth be told, I'm not yet started on my 2012 review, let alone setting resolutions/plans/goals for 2013. I will be doing it (soon). Well I'm kinda a happy-go-lucky person, motivated by short term goals and looking forward to events. Here's what I'm expecting to keep myself going:

March: Dinner and Dance!
April: Tokyo with buddies
June: Taiwan with family (still in discussions...)
July: Bonus payout, hahaha.
August: Mt. Ophir?? Hmm...

And I think this year's gonna pass by really quickly too...

Review of 2012....

OKAY OKAY I know, it's belated already! Been very busy!

Hehehee wells, just to buy some time - my first ever time touching snow: