More pictures drawn by my son

Christmas at Orchard

Every night, there are christmas performance along the hot spot in Orchard Road.


In front of C.K.Tang is one of the hot spot for performance.

Singapore attract people from all over the world to celebrate Christmas here. Our performers also were invited from all over the world, Indonesia, Philiphine, Taiwan, Hawaii, Spain, ...............................................etc,etc.

On Christmas Eve, about 8.30pm to 9pm, after I finished my purchase in Takashimaya, on my way to Orchard MRT, as the passage way between Wisma and the station is too narrow due to construction in progress, people coming and going altogether, it was so crowded that I was practically push forward to the MRT.

This year's Hari Raya Hazi was falled on 22 Dec 07, one of my friend who owned a shop in Lucky Plaza, said, they were unable to come to their shop because the traffic was jamed from Novena to Orchard. Festive session better take MRT than driving when you coming in Town in Singapore.

Happy Birthday, Uncle

Friday is my uncle's birthday. My uncle is a legend in his generation and he is also the Singapore proud. He is the immigrant from Hainan Island to Singapore when he was 10 years old. His father operating a coffee shop. When he earned enough money, he bought a boat to ferry goods from Singapore and Indonesia. I think that is his second fortune. He then invested in property estate in Katong area and 4 three stories building in Beach Road. He built his bungalow in a land used to house 72 families. This bungalow was just sold to Keppel to build condomium few years ago. He was the shipping agencies for other ship owners and set up offices in Taiwan. He built offices in Gudong Province ( He regret he did not built the offices in Hong Kong). He trade raw oil to China. I heard he has bought rubber plantation in Indonesia as well. When he decided to retire from the active businesses, he established his final baby - the seven stories Hotel without any bank financing, it is a debt free hotel. All his children work for him. He is a billant businessman. In his hey day, he was the honourable chairman in St John. His picture was published in the annual magazine for many years.

His advice to me is to be trifty. He said he able to accumulate wealth because he knows how to save. I remember his bungalow roof was leaking in the kitchen and one of the gaint room for many years when we visited him during Chinese New Years.

How many man can do so much in his life time? Answer is less than 1% of the population. He is the one belong to that group.

I respect my uncle, he is my idol. He is friendly and lead a simple life. He doesn't drink, smoke and gambling. He is a great looking man even he already in his 80. I hope he can live many more years, enjoy his fruits of hardwork. I believe it will because his father also live till 100 years old.

Cheers, uncle.

Money Money not enough

In Singapore, one particular business is booming all the time, that is gambling shop where you can buy 4D, Toto and Football betting. I don't have the habbit of betting, although I do hope to strike S$300K to S$500K. However, it will be a big fat dream because I don't invest money in it!

December till January are the months, the financial burden is intense. My girl is sec 3 next year, you know how much is her school text book cost? It works out to be S$245/-. To live in a decent place, we have to contribute conservency charges of S$61/month, property tax S$130/annum, PUB S$200/- average per month, TV licence S$110/annum, Telephone bill of S$85/month, School fee, pocket money for children,housing insurance, Housing installment plan etc etc........

Robbery in Singapore?

Today, our shop came a young lady from UK who works in New Zealand, she has travelled round the world for three consecutive years, and she is only 23! She is staying in Singapore for 2 days. Unfortunately, when she departed from Changi airport, and arrived at Desker Road in Little India, she wanted to go to Embassdor Hotel, she was robbed! The robbery snap her bag which contain S$2000/- and all her credit cards. She reported to the nearby police station, she was grateful to our police, because at the end of the session, the police gave her S$20/- to take a taxi to UK Embassy, so that her mother in UK can send some money to her, and she can collect it from the Embassy.

Singapore supposed to be a safe country, don't know since where, the robbery dare to robbed in the day light. She has travelled to 36 country, and the robbery happened in this "heavenly country"!! Could this robber a foreigner? I hope the police able to catch this robber in due course. Singapore police is very efficient, and Singapore Law is tough, hence, we pride ourself a safe country. We always advice the visitors, "Singapore is safe, you can walk outside at night, it is ok, it is safe even for girls!" I hope we no need to change our "common understanding".

Robbery, please get out of our country!!! Get lost!!

My son is an artist

My son love drawing cartoon. He has been drawing since he was 4 years old. He is eleven year old this year. Recently, he started to use the software, "Paint" to do his drawing on computer. He can sit there and draw for hours. Although some pictures are violence, but I can not denite that he draws very well.

The above 5 picture are his recent work on computer. I hope I won't do any things to kill his talent, and I am happy to see him keep drawing. I am proud of you, son.

Match Making

I am trying to be a match maker for two 38 years old boy and girl.

One evening, I met this 38 years old boy (I considered he is a boy since he is not married yet ), who I know superficially at Orchard MRT station, he was holding a book while he was waiting, he was heading home. This is the first time we chat because we are busy at work every time we met. You know what book he read, he was reading encyciopedia! He was a drop out form the university, science stream. He was staying with his mum in a 5 room point block. He has purchased a 3 room flat at S$185000, the flat was rented out at S$800/-, and he has left S$45000 not clear yet. He used to work and earn about S$3500/month, but it is hard work, so, he change his job, and he is earning less now, about S$2500/- month. He has to pay for maid he hire for his mother, and responsible for the PUB bill and telephone bill at home. I asked him, why don't you get married. He said he was scared because he has many friends who got married, out of 10 couple, 8 were separated or divorced. ( that really sound scarly) He has one childhood friend in courtship for 10 years, when they got married, 6 of the childhood friends joined together to present the couple with a S$1000/- sound system as blessing, you guess what? The marriage only last for 1 year. What a disapointed relationship!

My girl friend is a Malaysian girl, she works in a factory for 18 years, although she didn't even graduated from primary school, but she managed to earn her PR in Singapore. She has acquired the knownledge on hair cutting, facial, and make up. She lost faith in relationship, so she has an empty love life for the past years. She doesn't really like reading.

I am going to match make these 2 people. I am not sure the possibility of successfull rate, becasue this girl hate people who smoke, drink and gamble. I am not sure of the gambling, but I know this man do smoke and drink. He told me, his mother said to others, " If my son don't drink, he already purchase at least 2 private properties." I can imagine, what a waste! Any way, I advice her to be realistic, good man already snap by others, or rather most good man already someone's husband. Unless she want to be alone for the rest of her life?

If the time is right, if the God is blessing, any miracle can happen right. Any way, Singapore need busy body like me to give chance to these thiry something. Will see.

Hair Extension

There is one new hair extension shop opened in Lucky Plaza by two China lady. Their main interest is to sell the extension hair. They also do the hair extension in the shop. Today, I chat with them, whether they teach, which I think they should, because if the hair extension is popular, their business will be booming.

Well, they do teach, you guess how much is the lesson..........S$680/-. They said they have to charge this fee, because all their customer charge at this rate. If they don't charge at this rate, they are consider undercut their customer, and their customers will be angry with them and don't buy stock from them. They have to keep the standard, so that they won't spoil the market.

I thought to let my girl learn the hair extension, but S$680/- ........ too much for me now, forget it.

My proposal

Few days ago, I saw my lady boss recommended one 2 way cake to a customer. She claimed that this series of cosmetics are all made from the natural ingredients, it can be used as a cosmetic and double up as a skin care product. She has oily skin, and she had tried many brand of powder, most products will block the pore, she could feel the uneven surface when she touched the face. This is the only product, after she put on the face, she can feel her smooth surface. She unintentionally disclosed that the supplier has special promotion now, ie if she buys 2 sets of products (16 items), the supplier will give away one set of sample Free of Charge for display. She said she doesn't want to spent thousand over dollars here to keep store.

Today, I gave her a proposal. I said why not I tried to find the money to buy the products, and I will share the profit with her at 70-30. I want to earn at least S$3000/- of profit before I transfer the right back to her. She did not quite agreed with my proposal, instead she offered why not we share the cost half-half and we share the profit half-half. Wow, better, I agreed.

I hope she won't change her mind and I hope that my first investment is a success.

You are boss, so what?

Last Saturday, my friend was kind enough to introduce me to a beauty salon at Far East Plaza to do Mani and Padi for a white lady.

This is the first time I came to the salon. When I entered the room, I naturally tried to look for my friend Susan, who is a masseur there. This is a small salon, there are four beds in a very tight space, with all the facial equipments around, you can imagine how clam this place is. Since everyone there were busy, there wasn't any introduction or orientation. But without any introduction, I immediately recognized who was the boss here.

The assistant was kind enough to take the pail of water for me, this woman said in an unpleasant voice, "Why you help her to take, let her take herself, so that next time she knows where to take the things. (How come she so sure I will come here the second time?)

Before I started to work on the customer, she asked how long have I been in Mani and Padi? I told her, honestly, one year. I can sense that she felt very doubtful of my skill because she told me be careful of what I do. (I think a novice will lost her confidence and become nerves when she speak!) I assured her that I worked on average of 3-4 customers a day. Then she asked me how long do I need to complete the job, I told her, frankly, about 2 hours. She immediately hurry me to finish the job as soon as possible. She claimed that this customer doing mani and padi almost every 2 weeks, so it should not take such a long time.(I felt like asking her to do the job herself!) The fact was, her nail doesn't look like those doing every 2 weeks, because the cuticles and the hard skin in the sole was very thick. Later Susan revealed to me that the manicurist that care for her every 2 weeks is a novice, she probably did not cut the cuticle properly. (You need experience to cut the cuticle properly!)

When I finished the job, the customer was very pleased with the work done. I told the boss she should collect S$20/- more because I have done the treatment for her sole, and the customer has agreed to pay. She looked surprised and asked the customer: "She said you agreed to pay S$70/- !" The customer knob the head and said yes, she said it worth every cent. The lady boss change her tone, I also want to ask her to remove the hard skin next time. (I am not sure I want to be of service to her!)

Then she asked me to hurry to clear my stuff and get out of the small room. While I was keeping my stuff, she raised her voice, "Get out now, I need the room!" (Eventually, I went off without keeping my microscope. What the hell?)

I am a freelance manicurist, it is good to have additional outlet to go. But this type of boss will spoil my happy mood. You think an unhappy person can do beautifull work? This is a service line, we ourself have to have good mood to produce the good work. I don't understand how come her business can be so good if she doesn't understand this. Anyway, luckily she is the first person I encounter so rude to the freelance worker. All other bosses are very kind to me so far.
Thanks God!

QIGONG

There was one article in The Straits Times 'Mindyourbody' dd 28 August 07 titled "Soothing arthritic pain with tai chi". I did not manage to read the article, but lately, I have come across a group of friends learning Qigong. We will discuss about Qigong later.

I saw an advertisement from Chinese Nature-Cure Institute at Far East Shopping Centre #03-06 Tel: 67383861/67345330 http://www.chinesenaturecure.com/ they teach Qigong -Meditation and Dao-Yin Qigong.

Qigong has many names because they are developed by difference teachers. Qigong is amazing but the church prohibit the member from learning Qigong, tai chi or meditation. I don't know the reason behind and may be I will find out more about it later.

Coincident?

I have left a stalk of old newspaper in the hall for more than a month. (I have kept the newspaper in the balcony for almost a year without realise it. I cleaned up the balcony, so I move them to the hall) I thought I wanted to go though one by one before I sell them to the karang guni. But then, I was busy, so the newspaper remain untouch on the floor. They are scattled around in my hall, my friend visited me last Sunday said my house a bit messy, my son told me even my tenants complaint our house is getting messy. I immediately told my son don't worry, I will be selling them to the Karang guni the next day.

This morning when I woke up, the rain poured at 10am. I thought today I am going to break my promise because Karang Guni probably won't turn up on rainy day.

After I settled my son's dinner at night, we sat down to watch C.S.I. together. I was sitting on the rocking chair, I thought I must well go though the newspaper since I was free now. I just picked any one and read. You know what? My friend Sungis's news was written in the newspaper that I am holding. I felt quite amused. I looked at the date, it was the 730 week's Friday Weekly for period 24/3/06 - 30/3/06. I don't remember where have I picked up the newspaper from? Because this date I was still in Taiwan.

The newspaper mentioned that Sungis past away on 7th March 2006 in Beijin, China, he was 43 years old.

When I worked in Sim Lim Square, Sungis had visited our shop a few times (he was the only classmate that visited the shop) and we have bumped into each other in Singapore at least twice considering I hardly bumped into any other classmate, we are quite fated to meet up. In fact, I have seen his wife in Orchard MRT just two months ago, I didn't call her because she was with a few other girls and I was wondering she must be working in Orchard Road. I didn't know he was no longer with us any more.

Sungis, we will never forget you! We will always remember you!

In memory of my friend - Sungis

Two days ago, I have met a new friend who works in Mediacorp, I casually asked him wether he knows my friend "Sungis", the member of "Straw", as well as the founder of one of the established musical producer in Singapore. To my shocking, he said Sungis has passed away 2 years ago. What! I don't believe my ear! I have left Singapore for 2 and a half years, I have not been in touch with my former classmate, I have last seen him during the Chinese New Year gethering before I left for Taiwan. He has passed away in China during his business trip, he was 42 then. He left his young wife and only son. He died of heart attacked because he was too fat.

My memory of Sungis was he always smiling, happy, joyful, soft spoken, positive and steady. In today's standard, he has achieved every things in life, he has fine family, he has found his love one, he has a sucessful career, he has made his name in musical industry, he has friends, he has every things a man can dream of. The only regret is he could not see his son glowing into a fine young man.

I pray to God that all of us who survive will look after our health and have longitivity in life to see the fruit of our labour.

Price hike in Singapore

Since June this year, when the lease of those shops in Lucky Plaza are due for renewal, they will have a hefty increasement, ie from S$3000/- to S$5000, from S$4000/- to S$7000. Those shop belonged to the private owner will have moderate increasement from S$3000 to S$4000/- after much negotiation. Almost all food store raised their price, the Nasi Lemak from S$3/- to S$3.30/-, the fish noodle from S$3.50 to S$4/-, the Meesiam from S$2/- to S$2.50, even the desert from S$1.50 to S$1.80/-.

The society nowadays has full of greedy people, and mean organisation. I heard the landlord will tell the tanents take it or leave it. They rather leave the unit empty then lower the increments to the existing tanents. Hence, you see shops which operate for 6-8 years in the same trade either end their business, forget about the business altoghter or move to other place and start all over again.

Nowadays the small business is very hard to survey, it is not because there is no business, it is because the rental make the business seems impossible.

Today, I heard someone goosip, the food store at the ground floor of Penisular was raise from S$7000/- to S$13,000/-. The store are selling Malay food average S$3-S$4/- per dish, and the old lady has to ford out money every month, because the rental is too high. Although the food is good, but no one know how long can the old lady survives by fording out money every month.

In good old day, the bread cost S$0.50/- , now the same things will cost at least S$1.50/-. Why? Because the rental is high! The businessman has to pass the cost to the consumer, whereesle can they get the money from?

Some said it is an unavoidable situation, because today you get a nicer and better infrastructure, you enjoy cosy aircon, the shop has beautiful display that make the consumer easiler and confortable to shop. Yes, it is unavoidable, the fitter will stay, right! See, you go every corner, you will see This Fashion, Breadtalk, Mcdonld, KFC, Kopitian, Old Change kee.................. They have the right formular for business, they not only survive, they expand.

You want to be an entrepreneur, it is not impossible but it is very difficult. If you want to get a proper place before you start your business, there is no gurantee of success, because before you make money, you have to cover the overhead and the expenses. You have to have initiate capital outlay, the running cost and the cash flow.

Of course, if we compare ourself with some other countries, we will be grateful that their GST is 17%, our GST only 7%, their income tax is 40% while ours is 20 -t0 30%.....

Life is a challenge not only in Singapore, I think every where in this world. We human created the competition, whether you like it or not, we are all involved one way or another.

Energy Medicine

Lately I am reading this book called "Energy Medicine". It is written by Donna Eden and David Feinstein. It is an interesting book. The writers reveal the secret of energy healing. They also thought us the varies methods to energise our energy system.

It is available from Kinokuniya @S$24.10/-.

The 2 months events

Time flies, today is already 15 Nov 2007, I have not updated my blog for more than 2 months. I felt like I am a total stranger to the blog.

When I have the financial tension, I don't blog. Prior to and during my children's exam period, I also don't have the desire to blog. My girl just finished her retest on maths today, I feel a bit released now, so I thought I can start to blog again. The pressure we face everyday cannot be felt, cannot be measured, cannot be seen, but it is there.

Two months plus actually a lot of happening! The company that selling the water filter felt the pressure of the rental of the shop at People's Park, after the fail negotiation with the shop owner, they decided to terminate the lease and let the seven thousand dollors be forfeited. They will carry on their business through referal and servicing. Well, they will not have the burder of the monthly rental, telephone bill, car park fees. It is not easy to run business in Singapore! You need to have money to earn more money!

I came to know the news of termination of the lease only on 28 Aug 07, the lease will end in three days time, 31 Aug 07. You will think that I felt sad for the happening, frankly not really. I see the termination as grace from God. Let me explain this.

In mid Aug 07, I have received an invitation letter from our church to invite my daughter and I to attend the confirmation course. I wanted to go for the course, but I can not figure out how to attend the course, because the course is conducted every Saturday afternoon from 2.30 t0 4.30pm. I don't have any one to release me from the work, because I need to open the shop in the shopping mall every day and I am alone doing the job. I pray to God that help me to find a way to go for the course.

I will miss the course for the 4th time if I can't join this time. The first time I missed because the confirmation course was too near to the Baptism. The second and the third time I was away from home. The course suppose to start on 1st Sept 07. Now I no need to worry how I could join the confirmation course. God has made the perfect arrangement for me to join the confirmation course!

I must confess that when I received the invitation letter, I immediately thought my girl will not join the course. One day, I heard God said to me, "You always have this problem! You didn't ask her, how do you know she won't go?" I immediately realised my mistake, and I was shocked that my girl agreed to go for the confirmation course without second thought.

We went through the confirmation course, and finally we have our confirmation on 4 Nov 07.

Come back to my work, I went back to be a full time manicurist again in Sept 07. The salon also has changes. The salon's rental has been up additional S$1000/-, they split their partnership in
end Oct 07. It is a sour separation, too bad for the 4 years of partnership.

I had also taken up eyebrown embroidery art class. I love what I have learned. I hope the new skill will help me to earn additional income in future.

My boy scored quite well for his Chinese, but fail all the other subjects, science, maths, and English. He went on to Primary 4 next year. I wish he will improve further next year.

Is this a Internet Scam?

I have received a strange email. I don't know did they do it for fun or the letter was sent to wrong address. But I do reply her.

Greetings from Mrs. Lee,

After going through your profile through internet
i decided to contact you for friendship and assistace for distribution of my
inherentance.My name is Mrs. Lee; I am a dying woman who has decided to
donate what I have to you/ church. I am 59 years old and I was diagnosed for
cancer for about 2 years ago, immediately after the death of my husband, who has
left me everything he worked for. I have been touched by God to donate from what
I have inherited from my late husband to you/church for the good work of God,
rather than allow my relatives to use my husband hard earned funds ungodly.
Please pray that the good Lord forgive me my sins. I have asked God to forgive
me and I believe he has because He is a merciful God.

I will be going in for an operation in the next 2 weeks from now. I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $2,500,000 (two million five hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the lord, and also to help the motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows.At the moment I cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact that my husband's relatives are around me and my health status.

I have adjusted my WILL and my lawyer is aware I have changed my
will you and he will arrange the transfer of the funds from my account to you. I
wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly, and please use
the funds well and always extend the good work to others. I have contacted my
legal consultant and tell him that I have WILLED ($2,500,000.00) to you and I
have also notified him that I am WILLING that amount to you for a specific and
good work.

I know I don÷Ö know you but I have been directed to do this. Thanks
and God bless. I will directive you further after hearing from you. NB: I will
appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is
accomplished as I don't want anything that will jeopardize my last wish. And
Also I will be contacting with you by email as I don't want my husband relation
or anybody to know because they are always around me. Reply me through this my
most private email : (xxxxxx@xxxx.com.hk)

Regards, Lee (Mrs.)

I wrote back some how.

I don't know who are you. Since you are going for operation in 2 weeks time, I am sure the doctor see that the operation can help you improve your
condition, and help to save your life, so he suggested to you to go through this operation.

You will get well. 59 years old is not too old. Our Primeminister said the average people can live till 85 years old or more now.

You will alive if you want to live and has the desire to live. God will help those who want to live and has strong desire to live.

Since financial is not a problem to you, why not you buy our Piwater Energized Filtration System. Piwater might able to save your life and improve your health conditions.

God will be with you and may you find peace with God.

The Miracle Usage of Medicated Oil

I thought Medicated Oil only means for headache, mosquito bite, nausea, muscle pain and ants bite, but I am wrong.

Did you notice some stains on the plastic cover (thermoplastic) is very hard to remove? If you wash it, it will not be removed, but you will scratch it and left watermark there. You can try this method: take the tissue paper, and put some medicated oil on it and use it to rub the affected areas. You will see amazing results. I have seen the result, like brand new, no more stain, absolutely look like brand new, very surprising results. Amazing....

Do you want to run a mobile book store?

Next to our shop is a mobile book store. The boss is a PR from China, he married to a Singaporean wife. They sell mainly Chinese books from Mainland China. This boss employs 4 women whom main duty are accompany their children study in Singapore. Their operating hour is from 10am to 9.30pm (11.5 hours/day). They are paid hour rate, IE S$4/hour. They work almost every day, hence, they have average S$46/day or S$1380/month. It is enough to cover their living hood in Singapore. I think they are happy with the arrangement, hence, they are staying in the job for more than 1 year. People's Park Centre is the most stable outlet. The other 3-4 outlets, are mostly short term like 7-14 days at one place, White Sand, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payah.........they will move around from time to time. Their books usually priced between S$10- S$18/-.

Some time, when I bored, I like to talk to them. They are all decent women who really want their children to have a bright future.

Some times, they ask me to watch out their stores so that they can go toilet or buy food. You will be surprised, there are books lover who doesn't want to pay for the book, but they want to own the book! There was one incident, there were a few customers browsing the books at the same time, the storekeeper particularly took note of one book because that book was high price, which cost about S$46/-. After she attended one customer at one end, when she return, the expensive book was gone, but the guy who just now browsing the book was still standing there, did not move away. This storekeeper screamed what happen to the missing book, that guy pretended he was innocent and he did not know any things. The storekeeper has no choice, she informed the boss accordingly. They were arranged to watch the video recording in the security office from People's Park Centre. What actually happen was revealed. This guy who pretended to be innocent was not innocent at all, he had a company. This guy used newspaper as cover up by putting the newspaper on top of the book they wanted. When the storekeeper was busy, he quickly passed the book in the newspaper to his friend who stood next to him. He would stay and not move away. The next day, the lady went to see the guy who was working at one of the shop here and told him, "We have seen the VCD recording, and you are the culprit. We just want our book money back! otherwise, we will report to the police." In such situation, the evident was vivid, that guy has a great chance to became a jail bird. Without second thought, he paid the amounts accordingly. Out of curiosity, I asked what is the title of the stolen book. She could not tell the actual title, she said it is about Christianity. What the hell?

I think this boss is running a profitable operation because he has done the following things right.
1) His account is clear and updated every day. This is an important but boring task that most people ignore. He insisted his staff report to him all the items sold every night after the store closed. The informations included the title, the ISBN reference no and the price sold through SMS using hand phone despite they already recorded.

2) They always has new books arrival.

3) One of the most important factor, the boss wife never ever interfere their business. Nobody know much about the wife. A lot of small enterprise, the boss's wife usually like to bossy around. A lot people thinking of changing their job not because they are not happy with the job itself, but they are not happy with the human relationship in the job environment. His workforce is stable.

Got the ideas already? Good luck.

Can you help me to extend my stay here?

Today, a stranger from China came in to our shop. He thought I came from China as well. This is his first visit to Singapore. He came with a group of friends. They got traveling visa for one month from Singapore immigration. He said he would like to extend his visa for a few more months, so that he can survey how to set up a business in Singapore. I told him he can check with agent whom business is to help them relocate here. He said he afraid these people might be a swinger, take the money but can never deliver the promise. He showed me a name card, he has talked to the agency, they demand S$5000-S$6000/-, and promise able to settle his wife and child here. I asked him, how old is your child? He said the younger one is 3 year old and the older one already working. Both are boys.

I asked, "What business you want to do in Singapore?" He said he want to sell "Ginseng" to Singapore. I said, "Did you bring any sample with you?" Apparently he didn't. He actually already tried to offer to some of the Chinese Herb Shop in Singapore. But they only agreed to pay about 50% of the market price, some even offer 40%. He said he can sell that kind of offer price in China. So, he thought must well I open a shop in Singapore and earn all the profit. I think he has the vision of becoming a millionaire soon in Singapore if he can sell the mountain full of "Ginseng" to Singapore.

I did not mean to discourage him. I said, "Singapore is a capitalise country, if you have money and you want to earn more money from Singapore is possible. But if you don't have money, and you want to make money from here, it is not easy." "You see our this tiny little shop cost almost S$4K every month, hasn't included electricity bill, telephone bill, Internet line, and the salary........ it is not easy to set up a shop here." I said, "Why not you try to find a job in Singapore..........but you don't have any skill and education, you don't have much option here. I saw Singapore lately recruits Chinese workers here as cleaner, last time, I only see cleaner from Bangladesh, and Sri-Lanka. But, now they recruits Chinese, you can try. I warn you, the salary won't be high, but you have a lot of spare time after work so that you can survey the market here."

He replied, his group of friends who are visiting Singapore together with him, all have the desire to find a job in Singapore. He wants to be a businessman, and bring his wife and children to settle down in Singapore, and his wife is doing Amway in China, she can do Amay in Singapore. I said,"If you want to bring "Ginseng to Singapore, you better check is there any requirement of import licence? When the stocks arrived, is it necessary to send to certain authority eg Primary Productivity Board for checking? Any taxation to bring in such item" "You must do a lot of checking and homework before you come here." I suggest to him,"If you really have goods stuff, you no need to think of Singapore market only, you can sell to other country as well. It is easier for you to start at under develop country than here." But, Singapore is such a organised, efficient and safe country to stay that people from all over the world are flying in. I know he prefers to stay in Singapore than going elsewhere.

He said, "May be you can also help me!" I don't see this as business opportunity, I smell trouble, frankly. He was fined 8000 china money(equivalent to S$400/-) when he landed in Singapore Airport because he brought in 2 packs of cigarette (12 pcs/pack) from China. He didn't know he can't bring cigarette with unpaid tax to Singapore. He said despite his plead, the custom is very firm with him, either pay the fined or deport from Singapore and go back to China straight away. He finally chose to pay the fine and stay in Singapore. He said he brought the cigarette on behalf of his friend in China. In order to save the S$800/- he walked from Great world area to People's Park Centre!

Finally, I direct him the way to our Immigration Dept at Lavender Street to check the possibility of extension his visit to Singapore.

Greenfarm in Taiwan

Today I installed skype at my work place. I am happy to see one of my old friend from Taiwan is on the line. I have not been contacted them since last Aug 2006. I plug the ear phone and say hello to my old friend.

He is a creative business man. His father in law has a piece of land in Chu Thong. His father in law has been farming organic vegetable for 7-8 years. Last year, he suggested to them since he already a experts in farming, why not he just become a teacher and make the land available for people living in the city to come here during the weekend and become a farmer themselves and grow their own organic vegetables. It will provide a great recreation activities for the urban family, and his father in law can gradually retired from the hard work.

His father in law accepted the suggestion, so they rent out the land to people who are interested to grow their own organic vegetables. They divided the land to 200 ploy, people interested has to rent minimum 6 months. This place is about one hour drive from city. Children can cycling around, picnic and babecue. They can temperary leave the urban life and go to the nature.

If you are visiting Taiwan and you are interested to experience the farm life, you could try this place. Their website is : http://www.greenfarm.com.tw/

Here got rubbish bin you don't throw?

The tortoises swim through the canal. The big size one lead the way, and the small size one follow very closely.

The next day, I found the big size tortoise is alone wonder in the canal, no sigh of its partner. What happen to its partner, the faithful follower?

This afternoon when I passed by the canal in Kambangan, I saw two tortoises swimming across the canal. They look like couple. The big size one in front lead the way, the small size one just follow to swim very closely, without delay. This canal is an interesting canal, when the water is clear, you can find fishes, different spies of birds and tortoises.

When I finished taken the picture of the tortoise, I noticed some one throw a handful of tissues into the canal. I turned my head and saw an India woman behind me. I shake my head and kept walking. When I passed by a rubbish bin, I turned my head again and told the woman, "Here got rubbish bin you don't throw? You want to throw inside!!" (I pointed the canal) She kept quiet and did not say anything. I believed next time she will be more aware when she wants to throw somethings.

No doubt there are some rubbishes inside the canal, doesn't mean that we can throw things inside there and make it worse right!

Finally I have a router

I have wanting a router for a long time, but I don't have a reason to use it since we only have one workable desktop computer at home.

Since nowadays the new tenants will all need Internet line, this wireless things become a must have item now.

Last Sunday I started to source for router. I started from ebay. "Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Routers with Speed Booster - 4 ports switch up to 35% performance enhanced wireless-G Access Point" attracted my attention. I thought anything with Booster give better performance. The buy now price is S$135.90, plus postage fee of S$15.90 from Malaysia to Singapore, the total cost work out to S$151.80. But I also notice WRT 300N and 350N series, I wonder what are the difference, because the price are S$200-S$260 range. Do I need a higher end router for a 5 room flat? I think I should ask some expert. But I am lazy to go to Sim Lin Square, so I checked the Linksys website, I made two calls to the local authorized dealer, both tell me that today is Sunday, they were not working. I thought Challenger Computer Superstore should be able to help me. I note down two outlets telephone no - Funan and Simei. I made the call t0 Funan outlet first. The boy that picked up the phone promised me he will get some one to return my call the same day. I waited for almost 1 hour, no one call back, so I called Simei instead. The receptionist put me to the person in charge, Krist, a India boy.

I asked about the price of WRT54GS's price, it cost S$111/-, but they don't have stock, unless I come down to make an deposit, then he can indent for me. I asked the difference of G and N, he asked me to visit his store, so that he can explain clearly to me.

Since the store closed at 9.30pm, I reached there around 9pm. First he explained to me since I am using Starhub's premium plan which run up 12,000kbps, the booster is no use for me. ( I forgot what is the reason now!) WRT54G is Ok( better , because it cost S$88/-). He said outlet like Starbucks are using WRT54G. But he strongly recommended another model WRT150N which cost S$175/- to me.

WRT150N series is 3X the rangemark and 9X the speedmark compare to WRT54G series. Krist explained it is better to buy 150N because he is confident it will cover every corner of my house, while the G series might drop the connection because the walls in our house. Furthermore, Challenger only accept return goods if the machine is faulty, they will not able to exchange because it is not compatible or suitable.

I afraid the future complain from my tenants, and the hassle of possible dispute with Challenger in future. I brought the WRT150N series. Then, Krist again asked me to sign up as Challenger member, it cost S$30/-. I said, this is the first time I come to Challenger to buy things, I don't think I have so much things to buy. Well, if I am the member, I only need to pay S$165/- for the WRT150N, the saving is S$10/-. If for 2 years period, I did not save more than S$50/-, the challenger will refund the S$30/- to me. I asked what happen if I only save S$49/- will you refund the money, he said yes, they will.

After I brought the router, I called back at least twice to check with them the installation which I have encountered problem, they have the customer service people there to answer my questions directly. By Tuesday night, my wireless network has been done. Thanks to the Challenger Krist and the customer service.

Tuesday afternoon, I received the call back from the Funan Centre, I told them "You are two days late, I have bought it already."

I wish one day myself, my daughter and my son all have a computer to ourself because we already have networking.

L.R.C.

My daughter studies in Manjusri Secondary School. The school start at 7.30am. If you late for 1st time, you got warning, 2nd time you will be sent for L.R.C. after school. L.R.C. is Learning Reflection Class, it is the nicer name for Retention class. One L.R.C. is about 1 and a half hours.

1 st time : 1 L.R.C.

2 nd time : 2 L.R.C. (2 days)

3rd time : 3 L.R.C. (3 days) etc

Until 8 times or so, the school will stop you from attending the class lessons. The student will be sent to the discipline hall to face the wall. Of course, they are kinder than this, they will let the student do self study in the hall. No lesson for the day. The problem is the hall is humid and hot. My girl said it is like "left there to rot".

My girl was once prevented to attend class, hence, later she rather skip the school than going for the L.R.C. I heard that almost the whole school was havig L.R.C. at least once.

Some school, the teacher will ask the student to write 300 times, "I will not be late, I will be punctual for school" some things like that.

Of course, there are school will not purnish the student by coming to school late.

I personally don't like the implementation of L.R.C. in the way of multiplication 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X.

Can't the school just make it simple by if you are late, you go for one and a half L.R.C. and that it.
It is definitely not a good way to prevent student from coming to school late, end up the student rather to skip school then to be late.

Rental

Last week, I saw Ms Chan's advertisement. She pasted the advertisement inside the lift, I decided to give her a call. I have been advertised myself but I only received call from couple, no lady tenants come to me.

The first viewer were couple from Philippines. The boy is working in SIA Engineering Div, the lady is working as accounts executive in Katong Shopping Centre's area, they can afford to pay S$650/month with air con and Internet line.

Other viewers include one China lady from Pico Art, one Philippines lady from DHL, and two Chinese accounting students. All want air con accept the two Chinese girls.

After much consideration, I take in the two Chinese Students.

This is not the first time we take in the Chinese girls. So coincidentally, all my previous tenants were accounting students study in Aljunied campus. They normally study for a while, will change school to the one nearby Dhoby Ghaut. Most of them after graduated from the school, will look for a job in Singapore and work for a while. They are hardworking students. Some of them will work as they study so that they have some extra pocket money. The most popular job is being a tuition teacher for Chinese subject, and delivery leaflet to the letter box or distribute the paper around MRT station. They love to cook simple meal themselves. Most of them don't like to eat our hawker food. They normally focus on the study and did not associate with boy-girl relationship during the study. Since we are all Chinese, we are able to get along quite well with most of them.

Sweet advice

TODAY'S INSPIRATION!HOW TO STAY YOUNG ... ...

1. Throw out non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight, and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with her/him !

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is our self. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love, that you love them - at every opportunity. And if you don't send this to at least four people - who cares? But do share this with someone.

Hi, stranger

People's Park Centre is considered an old shopping mall in Singapore. Ever since ChinaTown MRT station was built just next to it, this mall was given its second life again. 1/4 of the mall are travel agencies. The luggage shops and the money changer's business are booming here.

Our shop are third unit apart from the main entrance, at the junction of the main hall. People like to stop by at our shop and ask me for directions. The most popular place people asked are "where is the 4D shop?", the second most popular place here is "Golden Dragon accessories shop", the third question is "this place is People's Park Complex or People's Park Centre?"

I have been there for 40 days by today. One day, one lady came to me and show me the crystal bracelet she had just bought for S$288/- and asked my opinions whether it is nice? She told me after she had gone through the divorce, her life is down. She bought this crystal for blessing her good luck. She bought it because she has just sold away one gold chain for S$1100/-, so she took out S$288 to exchange for this bracelet. She also wore a "Fu" and a seven"chi", combine together, they sound like "Fu Chi". She feels very good about it.

Another old lady came to me and ask me to let her rest for a while. She was a lady closed to 70 years old. She come here to practice her Cantonese WyYang. She played the tape for me and asked my opinions whether her voice is nice. Actually, she sound like 30 in the tape. Then, she told me her second son had a girl friend just jerk him. All because his boy never care much about the girl feeling. In one incident, he bought his subordinate and her baby girl for a ice cream session (he inform his girl friend for it), another time, when he was traveling to China, in front of his girl friend, he told the subordinate he is going to buy a genus Prata handbag for her, then, he turned to his girl friend and tease her that he is going to buy a imitation Prata handbag for her. I am sure there were many more occasions that "break" the girl friend's heart. She said she tried to talk to the girl and talk her around. Her son also talk to the girl for hours and for months, apology to her, and send her flowers, but she was still considering because she said she had no confident. Although her son is not that good looking, but he is a good boy, and he is rich. If he marry, his father is going to help him to buy a condo or apartment. She said she felt like scolding the girl, " don't hand yourself up to sell" " You are not young anymore, girl after 30, you think every times has one good man like my son waiting for you!" She asked me at least three times, "do you think they have chance for reconciliation?" I wish I am a witch able to see the future for them and give her a solution. Nowadays, I believed some times when you lose now might be a gain or blessing later. Follow your heart, may be there are some things better are waiting for you after all the problems.

Hi stranger, I hope you find peace after talking to me.

Dress Code

Yesterday, the discipline head called me at 8.30am to complain that my girl refused to corporate by removing the stitches of the dress, so that the dress can extend another inch. I talked to my girl, she was complaining that she was discriminated because in this school, there are other girls dress also very short, they also never catch them. Why only her? "Because they are short, and I am tall..." I think what she meant is short people wear short skirt, you don't feel much, but a tall person wear short skirt, it is obvious, because they have long leg. I pasted the message to the discipline head. She said, "Just like a theft was caught by the police, you can not ask the police, why you did not go to catch other people, but me!" She continue,"we have set certain rules and regulations, and we expect our pupils to obey it." " We don't allow you do what you like!............"
As a parent, frankly I was more concern what in the hell she wasn't allow to be in the class to learn her lesson, but stuck at this discipline hall! Furthermore, I felt humiliated if I was asked to remove the stitches immediately. She said, the form teacher has already gave a lot of warning, but nothing he can do. Finally, I requested the displine head to allow the girl go back to the class for lesson, and I will do the unstitching at home when she back home.

I almost forgotten my promise to the head. I almost went to sleep without doing that. I got up from my bed to look for that dress. I think my girl tried to hind it so that I will not do it. I found it some how. In fact, I think my girl will be just as sweet even the dress is 1" longer. Why waste the energy to fight with the authority? When you are not in your uniform, you can put on you hot pant, when you are in school just comply their rule, what's wrong.

On the other thought, if it is sin for the girl to dress shorter dress (not near to knee cap), then, why let all girls put on their PE shorts, they still show their long leg right. Why don't the school insist that all girls has to wear long pants for the PE lesson. A bit conflicting, right.

Frankly, nowadays, I give a lot of liberty to my girl. I let her buy her own clothes. She knows what she want, she observes the trend and style for her age group. I think she has good taste, at least better than me. I am glad she is independent and know her staff herself.

Robots.txt

Yesterday, I were spending the whole afternoon to check with this robot.txt which block my sitemap from working.

Under robot.txt analysis, it shown:
user-agent :*
Disallow:/search
sitemap:
http://sisterjj.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?orderby=updated

I posted the problem to Google help. I got the reply from the expert refer me to their blog.
http://betabloggerfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/07/blogger-introduces-new-features.html

Actually, the robots.txt file is present, you cannot edit it.

Thank you guy. Otherwise, I don't know I have died how many brain cells.

Indain police find 30 bags of baby body parts in dry well

The Straits Times extracted a news from Bhubaneswar (India)on 24 July 07.

"Thirty plastic bags stuffed with the body parts of female foetuses and newly born babies have been found in a dry well near a private clinic in the east Indian State of Orissa. Police suspect the body parts - mainly skulls and bones - were dumped in the well shortly after birth or abortion at the clinic. Dispite laws banning sex determination tests, the killing of female foetuses is still common in India, where the preference for sons runs deep. Boys are traditionally preferred to girls as breadwinners and because families have to pay huge dowries to marry off daughters."

The myths are true for China and India.

My maids

I have employed 3 maids from 1992 to 2000 respectively, two from Philippines and one from Indonesian. We have 2 years contract with each of them. I got them from the same maid agency. This maid agency has been established for 27 years. If the owner has problems with the maid, they usually return the maid back to the agency for counseling, discipline, retraining, transferring, arrangement to send back home, and provide temperory shelter for maid. I remembered I ever saw the agents discipline the maids by asking them to stand on the stool for hours as punishment. Until some one took the video of the scene and report it to the news, and the story were revealed in the news with the police intervention, then they stop using their methods.

I was lucky to have the first maid turned out to be very good and helpful for me. She graduated from nursing, 28 years old, very sweet lady. I have to work 5 days week, and doing a part time degree course which occupy 2 night and one weekend of my times. I was very busy then. This maid would read from the cook book and prepare the porridge for my girl who turns 3 months old. She will dress her up nicely. I bought the ‘ABC’ poster and stick it to the wall; she would help me to teach the girl. When her contract was due, I have sent my girl to the child care, hence, I thought, I would stop her service.

Since she was nice to us, and she wanted to continue to work in Singapore. I help her up by posting a classified advertisement under transfer maid. When the potential employer called, I let her went for the interview. Eventually, she managed to work with another family in Singapore. Since, she was too shy to ask any things from the new family, end up I have to pay S$300/- for the paper work for maid transfer. On top of that I let her fly home for holiday before she come back to start work with the new family.

In 1996, after my son was born, I invited her back to work for me. She was very much attached to her present family then, and turns down my request, instead she introduced her friend to me but I have turned down.

When I have the 2nd maid, we were running a computer parts retail business, my life was busy, because I have a disorganized husband who will sleep at 4am and woke up at 4pm in the afternoon. He would arrive at the shop at 6pm and started to order people around to work. He would drive everybody crazy. He would make everybody worked till 11pm-12pm. He would buy suppers for every body after work. Then he would stay on for his feast till 3am. He did not trust the maid to stay at home alone with the kids, so he insisted to bring her to the shop, so that she can help out in the shop as well.

It was my set back to have this maid! She was a pretender and hippocras. She has stolen my Malaysian coins without my notice. She lied to me that she has sent my girl to the nearby PAP kindergarden, she actually only brought the five year girl down stair of our flat and asked her to walk to school by herself! She abused my girl and my boy by using the cup as her weapon. She knocked their head from behind when they were off guard. The worst thing was I trusted her than I trusted my girl. She never cooks a decent meal for us, because we were too busy to eat at home. We were eating out most of the time. My boy only ate MacDonald and my girl ate chicken rice with Soya beans. She fed him with ice coca cola, no wonder my son was born healthy and become a sick boy when he was two and a half years old!

After she worked for one year, I noticed that she was getting fatter. She has a big backside. I asked her,” You put on weight? She replied me,” when I become fat, I looked like my father.” When she need to send money home, I let her off for few hours to run her arrant. She would go off at 11pm noon time and returned home around 5.30pm to 6pm. She would put on her lipstick. I thought for humanity, it was alright for her to meet up with her friends, chat a little and relax a little.

One day, she was helping out in the shop as usual. She came to me and said she was sick. I saw her look very pale. I told her to rest for a day, and asked her to go home herself. She offered me to bring my son along. I said, “When you are sick, you can’t even look after yourself, you want to look after him! It is ok, I will look after him myself today.

At night, we were home at almost 2am in the morning, no light was on, and nobody home. Where was she? I was puzzled. When I open the door, I saw a small tiny note on the floor. It was written by the neighborhood police, the note said, “you maid has entered KK hospital, she had a baby girl.” I was shocked. After I have confirmed the ward and bed no of this stupid woman, the first one I called to was my mother in law. I decided to have a good rest and would see into the problem the next day. I can’t undo any things right!

The next day, when I saw her in the hospital, I felt like giving her a slap. In Singapore, the employer has to ensure the maid's well being, we are like their legal guardian. If they ran away from home, or pregnant, we will be fined up to S$5000/- for their mistake. Furthermore, I was expecting my third child, I would be due next month, now, with all these happening, and I would be in big trouble. Who was going to care for my baby, and who was going to care for my sick mother. It upset all my plan and arrangements.

What’s wrong with this woman? Where she got the baby? Who she got it from? When was it happened? How it was happened? How come nobody detected her pregnancy? How was she going to handle it? She said she had a boy friend in Philippines. She had two children at home. How was she going to manage the mess?

Frankly, I was released when I know that this baby is not from my husband! She said the father of the baby girl was working at the same building as our shop. When I went there, the shop was closed; we can’t find any one there. I can’t do any things………bustard!

I called the maid agency to ask them to handle the case. I asked them to provide her and the baby the temperory shelter. And she would be exported to her home town as soon as possible. Again due to humanity, we have to wait till one month later, after the baby was given the first injection before she was fixed to take a plane.

The maid agency told me this was the first case in their entire business life. It never happened before! See, how lucky was I! After one month, the lady boss of the agency let her own maid accompany this woman and her baby home. They afraid the woman would dump the baby and washed her down from the toilet bowl! Before they reached home, this woman decided to give up the baby. The maid who accompany her home arranged to let her own mother to adapt the baby, so that my maid can going home like nothing happen before!

Over my side, I have to write to Ministry of Man Power to explain the happening. I was not allowed to have any maid until the matters clear. I was totally exhausted by the time until I was given permission to get another new maid.

For three months before the new maid was approved, I have to take care of my sick mother, my two young kids, aged five and three respectively, the business and the stupid man as well. I was totally exhausted.

My in laws have helped me for one month after my baby was born. The next two months I was in hell. I was so tired, one day I almost drop my baby on the floor when I carried him.

This third maid was the strong recommendation from the agency; probably they thought she was capable. She was a transfer maid. She complained that her ex employer, the old man like to harass her.

Her duties were looking after my mother who suffered from demanious, my five year old girl and my three year old son. Soon, I noticed that she actually has a Chinese boyfriend from Sarba who worked as a contractor in Singapore. I remember she had a daughter at home, she hate her husband because she had an affair with her best friend.

Well, I did not stop her association with the man. I thought as long as she was able to look after my family, I can tolerate that, after all, she is a human right! They always take my children out with them. I was so busy making the end needs, I have no time to really care for every things. When her contract ended, she chose to go to Batam instead of going back to her home town which was at the remote area in the island. Batam was much closed to Singapore, only about 30 mins away by ferry. She must be moving there, so that her boyfriend can look her up easily.

After I give her all the money which cost about S$5500/- for her 2 years work (she chose not to collect the money monthly, so that she could get it in one lump sum). She left my house. My mother has already past away then. My children and I all decided we are not getting any more maids to our family.

I started to do the house work all by myself. When I doing the rearrangement for my collection of wines, V.O.S.P, X.O, you know what have I found out? All my expensive X.O and wines, as long as those unopened one were all gone! The left over were already opened, used or worthless.

These were my experience with maids. If we got choice, no maid is preferred, really.

New games site

My daughter recently introduce 2 game sites to her brother. My son is very excited about the new sites, he said the games are fun. You can try if you have children from 6 years olf to 15 years old.

http://www.crazymonkeygames.com
http://www.armorgames.com

Instant Porridge

When my children not feeling well, I usually cook porridge for them. The starch like porridge seems to have a special healing power. Their body heat will almost drop to normal instantly when they finish the porridge. My method are as follow.

1) Steam the rice
2) Put the rice into the boiling water
3) Add about 4 pcs of dry oyster to enhance the sweetness of the porridge
4) Add the ikan bily or the fresh cut fish into the water
5) You may put some peanuts from the can
6) Add some sesame oil and light source when it is almost ready
7) Add pepper when it is ready to serve

But when my children are well, they would prefer the instant porridge from Maggi. In fact, it is easier for me to prepare from the instant porridge. I just need to boil it with water, add one stir egg and sesame oil. Add pepper when it is ready to serve. It cost S$1/-per packet. It is convenient for a busy mother like me.

Stop shaking your head!!! If you think you have a better idea, share with me your recipe please. P...l...e...a...s...e!!!

My breadfast, lunch, dinner, snack2

Mee Siam - Malay food prepared by Chinese at Maxwell Market. S$2/bowl.

Laksa - Hot and spicy

Flied noodle in black source - delicious.

Happy birthday to you?

Some one don't know who celerbrate their birthday party at the void desk of Blk 114 Kambangan on 2nd Aug 07. They don't clean up the place after celerbration. They little all over the place and don't even bother to throw the cake box away.

See, cake all over the place. The next day, this place was cleaned up as usual. Frankly these small group of residents here need to be educated.

Singapore would be a dirty place to live, if not because our government bring in the foreign workers to clean up the rubbishes in our neighbourhood. I believed all Singaporeans agreed on this point.

Black colour

Some people think black is elegant, nice and classic but I noticed that some older people here hate black, especially people wear top and bottom all black. When I was young, my mother prohibited me from wearing black, until I was 35 years old, I still follow the rule of not wearing black. In my closet, you can't find a single black. I also thought black is not suitable for me because my skin colour tone is brownish.

After I have baptise with Christ, I told myself not to believe black associate with bad luck like what the old people think. I started to wear black. It is very convenience, you no need to worry about stain. I felt very comfortable wearing them.

Then, few years ago, there was one old lady from the old age home scolded me when I showed the staff there the demonstration of a system. She was very unhappy. She scolded in her own language, but I knew she referred to my black dress.

Few days ago, there was an old man chatting with me in front of the shop. He said this is a good system, if the people realised the difference, people will buy. Then, he pointed that I should not wear the black here. Well, he did not elaborate further. Since he is an elderly man who just out from hospital treating his blockage in urine system. I believed he associated black with dead. Black is a deadly colour.

OK, I will change, because this is the second time I heard the comments. They must have meaning in it. If I wear black, I will wear a colour jacket outside.

My breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack

After returning to Singapore since Aug 2006 till now, barely one year, my weight has escalated faster than rocket, partly due to nice food here, partly due to eating dinner at very late night, just before I go to bed.


Fish soup noodle

Nasi loma - originated from Malay food. It was sold at S$0.50/packet thirty years ago, and it is wrapped in banana leave. This one is the modified version from Chinese, selling at S$1.90/-.

"Yang chou" fried rice. S$4/-

"Chu chong fun" usually people here take it as breakfast. Nowadays, you can eat it as snack any time.

The Indian Roja, for 4 items cost S$4.60/-. The gravy has to be hot.

Chicken Rice at People's Park Centre, cost S$2.50/-

3 types of vegetable with rice, cost S$2.50/-

My home cook "Yong Tau Wu" with one packet of instant noodle, cost S$1.35/- if you eat at hawker stall, minimum 7 items, some charge S$0.50/- for the noodle, some give noodle free, it will cost S$3.50-S$4.00/-.

The duck rice cost S$3/- at hawker store next to People's Park Complex. Most stall sell for S$4/-

The fish ball noodle soup, cost S$3/-.

The dumpling soup with noodle, cost S$3/-.

My friend bought for me this sesame for desert. Sesame is said to good for the hair. Hair won't turn grey if eat it regularly.

My all time favourite - the king of the fruits. Lately may be because of the bad weather, it a bit costly. Like this one cost S$5/pce. I could get this type of durian at S$10/- for 3 pcs last time.