Ej asked "where's daddy?" during lunch
Frances said: daddy's at work
He replied; "in the hospital". Frances asked him, what is daddy? He said "Adrian".
Frances: Daddy is a doctor
Then he said "NO! ADRIAAN!!!"
Our boy is so straight.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Singaporeans at Performances
My opinion of Singaporeans at performances has hit a new low.
Is it just me or have I been unable to attend a performance nowadays without picking on the good, bad and ugly present. Or rather bad, badder, ulgy.
So what have they done to get under my skin tonight at the Singapore Indoor Stadium? For a start,
Punctuality
The same old bug bear about Singaporeans. I am not sure why people pay good money for a performance they want to attend only to come 15-20 minutes into the show. Maybe they really have a valid reason, to top of their disrespectful behaviour, they sure make no effort to be inconspicuous when coming into the hall, standing in the aisle, cutting across the view of others to get to an usher and other such intrusive behaviour.
Disregard for Audience Behind
We attended a show for children. The Indoor stadium provided booster seats precisely to enable kids not to have their view blocked by taller adults. So we positioned EJ behind another child so he will not be blocked. And after a while, we noticed that most kids were all in the same column of seats precisely for this reason. 5 minutes into the show, the family in front of us decides to change the order of the universe and move their kid. Now we have a monster of a mother blocking EJ's view. To add insult to injury, she decides to keep holding her camera up to take photos of the show.
People who do not Understand the Meaning of NO RECORDING
There was a sign at the entrance that read, " No video and audio recording". The number of people recording the show was amazing. There was a lady 2 rows in front of us who was recording a video of every single song of the show. From my view point, there was always a 2 hands a camera in my field of view. That is really irritating! And a lady in row 2, must have watched the entire show through the view finder of her camera. Why can't the ushers and security do something about these 'rule breakers' even after informing them, I do not know. These people deserve to have their cameras confiscated or their clips deleted on the spot as a form of punishment. It is precisely because they get away scott free that they never learn.
Standing
I can understand if the kids get excited an stand...but a parent? before the end of the show during the last dance sequence, the mother in front of us (again) decided to stand to get a good video shot of the proceedings on stage. This was with her hands raised overhead for maximum elevation. Even after I tapped her and indicated for her to sit down, she sat with her hands still overhead. This lady is both so inconsiderate and so dense not to realise that my asking her to sit down is to get her not to block our view behind her.
I must say I really hate to attend a performance in Singapore. Try it once and it is not difficult to understand why.
Is it just me or have I been unable to attend a performance nowadays without picking on the good, bad and ugly present. Or rather bad, badder, ulgy.
So what have they done to get under my skin tonight at the Singapore Indoor Stadium? For a start,
Punctuality
The same old bug bear about Singaporeans. I am not sure why people pay good money for a performance they want to attend only to come 15-20 minutes into the show. Maybe they really have a valid reason, to top of their disrespectful behaviour, they sure make no effort to be inconspicuous when coming into the hall, standing in the aisle, cutting across the view of others to get to an usher and other such intrusive behaviour.
Disregard for Audience Behind
We attended a show for children. The Indoor stadium provided booster seats precisely to enable kids not to have their view blocked by taller adults. So we positioned EJ behind another child so he will not be blocked. And after a while, we noticed that most kids were all in the same column of seats precisely for this reason. 5 minutes into the show, the family in front of us decides to change the order of the universe and move their kid. Now we have a monster of a mother blocking EJ's view. To add insult to injury, she decides to keep holding her camera up to take photos of the show.
People who do not Understand the Meaning of NO RECORDING
There was a sign at the entrance that read, " No video and audio recording". The number of people recording the show was amazing. There was a lady 2 rows in front of us who was recording a video of every single song of the show. From my view point, there was always a 2 hands a camera in my field of view. That is really irritating! And a lady in row 2, must have watched the entire show through the view finder of her camera. Why can't the ushers and security do something about these 'rule breakers' even after informing them, I do not know. These people deserve to have their cameras confiscated or their clips deleted on the spot as a form of punishment. It is precisely because they get away scott free that they never learn.
Standing
I can understand if the kids get excited an stand...but a parent? before the end of the show during the last dance sequence, the mother in front of us (again) decided to stand to get a good video shot of the proceedings on stage. This was with her hands raised overhead for maximum elevation. Even after I tapped her and indicated for her to sit down, she sat with her hands still overhead. This lady is both so inconsiderate and so dense not to realise that my asking her to sit down is to get her not to block our view behind her.
I must say I really hate to attend a performance in Singapore. Try it once and it is not difficult to understand why.
Friday, August 20, 2010
LOAC Day 2
Day 2
Woken up early to the sound of an alarm clock that was inadvertently set at the wrong time. So went for an early morning run at 0630hrs. It was light however at a much later time than I expected. The streets were empty and the air chilly. The terrain made the run more challenging than it should have, however, it was a good healthy start to the morning.
In the afternoon, we made an excursion to the town of Kandersteg. This was a small mountain ski resort a little more than half hour out of Spiez by train. The round trip costs 33 francs per person. The scenic route runs out of Spiez, making a total of 4 stops and there were 2 sections of tunnels, which on exiting, allowed us a view of the magnificent mountains of the Bernese Oberland. We did not have much time there however in the 3 over hours we had there, we took the Oeschinensee cable car. The cable car ride was short and costs 15 francs one way. We decided to walk the return leg of the journey. From the Berg station, it was another 20 minute hike along through meadows, alpine forests and all the way accompanied by views of the mountains and the sounds of the roaring river.
We were rewarded at the end of the hike when the end of the trail opened to the Oeschinensee surrounded by mountains and cliffs. The Oeschinensee is a spectacular deep, blue water mountain lake. The sky was blue and numerous waterfalls accentuated the already magnificent and rugged landscape. The water was cold and crisp and it stung your face even in the bright afternoon sun.
For the return journey to Kandersteg, we decided to walk down the road along the river through the Oeschiwald. The return walk took about an hour, along steep mountain gravel mountain trails with bridges criss crossing the roaring mountain stream a couple of times.
See this link for a detailed look at the route.
*work in progress*
Woken up early to the sound of an alarm clock that was inadvertently set at the wrong time. So went for an early morning run at 0630hrs. It was light however at a much later time than I expected. The streets were empty and the air chilly. The terrain made the run more challenging than it should have, however, it was a good healthy start to the morning.
In the afternoon, we made an excursion to the town of Kandersteg. This was a small mountain ski resort a little more than half hour out of Spiez by train. The round trip costs 33 francs per person. The scenic route runs out of Spiez, making a total of 4 stops and there were 2 sections of tunnels, which on exiting, allowed us a view of the magnificent mountains of the Bernese Oberland. We did not have much time there however in the 3 over hours we had there, we took the Oeschinensee cable car. The cable car ride was short and costs 15 francs one way. We decided to walk the return leg of the journey. From the Berg station, it was another 20 minute hike along through meadows, alpine forests and all the way accompanied by views of the mountains and the sounds of the roaring river.
We were rewarded at the end of the hike when the end of the trail opened to the Oeschinensee surrounded by mountains and cliffs. The Oeschinensee is a spectacular deep, blue water mountain lake. The sky was blue and numerous waterfalls accentuated the already magnificent and rugged landscape. The water was cold and crisp and it stung your face even in the bright afternoon sun.
For the return journey to Kandersteg, we decided to walk down the road along the river through the Oeschiwald. The return walk took about an hour, along steep mountain gravel mountain trails with bridges criss crossing the roaring mountain stream a couple of times.
See this link for a detailed look at the route.
*work in progress*
Thursday, August 19, 2010
LOAC @ Spiez, Switzerland
Day 1
Met my traveling partner Austia at Changi Airport terminal 3. We were on the flight SQ 346 direct to Zurich on an Airbus A380-800 aircraft. We managed to get a seat on the upper deck row 81D which as right at the end of the upper deck.
Inflight entertainment was reasonable. Watched the following movies
1. Ironman 2
2. Shrek: Happily Ever After
3. Clash of the Titans
4. Sprinkling of other documentaries
Total flight time was 12 hours and we arrived at 0730 hrs at Zurich airport. Customs clearance was fuss free and in typical swiss efficient fashion. we collected our baggage was out of the terminal in half and hour. The temperature was a chilly 15 degrees when we stepped out of the terminal building looking for the train station.
Our connecting train ride to Spiez was scheduled for 1100 hrs but we found out that the ticket we got online was from Zurich HB which was the main train station in Zurich city. We paid another 4 francs for the connecting ticket from the airport station to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HB). We then browsed around the terminal looking for good data SIM card deals. A prepaid SIM card form Swisscom costs an initial 20 francs. Data charges were 1 franc per MB capped at 5 francs per day. I opted not to buy the SIM card initially as I have yet to check out the internet arrangements and options at the accommodation. But seeing Austia happily surfing away on his iPad is making me reconsider my decision.
It stuck me that the cost of living here is extremely high with a McDonald breakfast costing me 11.10 francs for a Filet o Fish meal. My conservative budget of 20 francs per day has just been busted…but a lot.
We waited on platform 4, section C/D looking out for any signs of where seats 175 and 176 would be as the train pulled into the station. The train arrive right on schedule, really on the dot and they stay at the station for 3 minutes flat. They are extremely quiet and clean. Seating is assigned and there is a designated area at the end of each cabin for luggage.
In typical swiss fashion, our ride was waiting for us after we disembarked from the train at Spiez. We were brought to the Ausbildungszentrum or ABZ for short. This was a short 5 minute drive from the train station. We took as short walk to down to the water's edge of Lake Thun and round trip on steep slopes round to the train station and then back to the hotel was a pleasant 2 hour walk, including a couple of stops at the supermarket for groceries.
This brings the first day to a close. Eventful but tiring as I am still coping with the jet lag
Met my traveling partner Austia at Changi Airport terminal 3. We were on the flight SQ 346 direct to Zurich on an Airbus A380-800 aircraft. We managed to get a seat on the upper deck row 81D which as right at the end of the upper deck.
Inflight entertainment was reasonable. Watched the following movies
1. Ironman 2
2. Shrek: Happily Ever After
3. Clash of the Titans
4. Sprinkling of other documentaries
Total flight time was 12 hours and we arrived at 0730 hrs at Zurich airport. Customs clearance was fuss free and in typical swiss efficient fashion. we collected our baggage was out of the terminal in half and hour. The temperature was a chilly 15 degrees when we stepped out of the terminal building looking for the train station.
Our connecting train ride to Spiez was scheduled for 1100 hrs but we found out that the ticket we got online was from Zurich HB which was the main train station in Zurich city. We paid another 4 francs for the connecting ticket from the airport station to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HB). We then browsed around the terminal looking for good data SIM card deals. A prepaid SIM card form Swisscom costs an initial 20 francs. Data charges were 1 franc per MB capped at 5 francs per day. I opted not to buy the SIM card initially as I have yet to check out the internet arrangements and options at the accommodation. But seeing Austia happily surfing away on his iPad is making me reconsider my decision.
It stuck me that the cost of living here is extremely high with a McDonald breakfast costing me 11.10 francs for a Filet o Fish meal. My conservative budget of 20 francs per day has just been busted…but a lot.
We waited on platform 4, section C/D looking out for any signs of where seats 175 and 176 would be as the train pulled into the station. The train arrive right on schedule, really on the dot and they stay at the station for 3 minutes flat. They are extremely quiet and clean. Seating is assigned and there is a designated area at the end of each cabin for luggage.
In typical swiss fashion, our ride was waiting for us after we disembarked from the train at Spiez. We were brought to the Ausbildungszentrum or ABZ for short. This was a short 5 minute drive from the train station. We took as short walk to down to the water's edge of Lake Thun and round trip on steep slopes round to the train station and then back to the hotel was a pleasant 2 hour walk, including a couple of stops at the supermarket for groceries.
This brings the first day to a close. Eventful but tiring as I am still coping with the jet lag
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Solar Power
Just had the most unexpected conversation yesterday about the use of solar power in Singapore, with the most unlikely of all persons. The owner of the battery shop decided he wanted to chat with me about solar panels and the works when all I intended to do was to buy a battery charger for the car.
It turned out to be a rather interesting chat and it has piqued my interest in the possibility of experimenting with this 'green' technology.
Instead of investing huge sums of money, the rough idea is to experiment first to discover the possibilities and practicalities before moving on and investing more heavily in it. I am not quite sure how much it will translate to in cost savings, however, one must realised that this is a mindset and commitment to go 'green' rather than to achieve monetary rewards.
The whole idea is still at the planning stage. So we will see how this pans out.
In the meantime, a site to tell you more about hooking your place to the sun
http://www.freesunpower.com/
It turned out to be a rather interesting chat and it has piqued my interest in the possibility of experimenting with this 'green' technology.
Instead of investing huge sums of money, the rough idea is to experiment first to discover the possibilities and practicalities before moving on and investing more heavily in it. I am not quite sure how much it will translate to in cost savings, however, one must realised that this is a mindset and commitment to go 'green' rather than to achieve monetary rewards.
The whole idea is still at the planning stage. So we will see how this pans out.
In the meantime, a site to tell you more about hooking your place to the sun
http://www.freesunpower.com/
Friday, June 18, 2010
Cameron Highlands 11-16 June 2010: Facts and Figures
For those with a fetish for statistics (namely me)
Start: 11 June 2010 0530 hrs
End: 16 June 2010 2345 hrs
Total distance: 1288km
Accomodation:
Cameron Highlands: Casa del la Rosa
3 nights, Room 308, 2nd floor
265 RM / night, total 768 RM
KL: One World Hotel
2 nights, Room 2111
total 690 RM
Diesel
1.7 RM/L
Total diesel cost: 268 RM
Total diesel: 158L
Touch N Go
Cost of Card: 10 RM
Total Top up: 220RM
Start: 11 June 2010 0530 hrs
End: 16 June 2010 2345 hrs
Total distance: 1288km
Accomodation:
Cameron Highlands: Casa del la Rosa
3 nights, Room 308, 2nd floor
265 RM / night, total 768 RM
KL: One World Hotel
2 nights, Room 2111
total 690 RM
Diesel
1.7 RM/L
Total diesel cost: 268 RM
Total diesel: 158L
Touch N Go
Cost of Card: 10 RM
Total Top up: 220RM
Cameron Road Trip 11-16 June 2010
This started off as a simple idea. Landies with kids will make better travel mates. And so we rounded up Tim/Yvette and Jack/Eng Chin for a short easy trip to Cameron. This is with the assumption that we will all be more understanding of needs like: diaper change, feedings stops, toilet breaks etc.
We meet up at Tuas Drive West at 0530 hrs, just outside the entrance to Raffles Marina. Crossing over via the lorry lane was hassle free this time and soon we were on our way after an obligatory last minute stop at the Gelang Patah.
One new encounter was the need to purchase a Touch 'n' Go card from the first toll booth. While I did not like the idea of a stored value card, not knowing when it will be replaced or expire, it turned out to be quite a useful item as it did smooth out the journey, cutting down on the time wasted at toll booths.
The drive up was generally uneventful. The only real excitement occurred during our run up Cameron via the old road from Tapah. At one bend, before reaching the Lata Iskandar waterfall, we caught a glimpse of a while pick up tip over the end of the cliff and disappear from sight. We stopped to assist only to find the pick up at least 20m down a steep ravine. However, the 2 passengers were fortunately uninjured.
We stayed at the Casa del la Rosa, someway between Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Rooms were clean and adequate with a nice but small garden at the rear for a nice morning stroll the next day.
The 2 days were spent exploring the myriad of sights available on Cameron. However, due to the weekend and school holidays, we spent some time on the roads fighting traffic, usually against our favour. However, the best 2 activities was the visit to the Sungai Palas Tea Centre where we spent a lazy afternoon sipping tea and allowing the kids to play together. The views of the surrounding slopes of the tea garden was gorgeous.
We also had the fortune of visiting Jack's uncle's farm. This was a non-tourist visit to a farm, involving a short route of travel of narrow steep tracks to a couple of vegetable plots high above the main tourist route. We were thrilled by the off-road experience and also pleasantly surprised with the opportunity to pick and eat ripe tomatoes and strawberries right off the vine. It was an unforgettable experience especially for the kids. I am glad we shared the same philosophy that our singaporean children need to be exposed to the outdoors and other experiences far from the urban landscape. The drizzle made the experience so much more surreal. Jack's uncle was very generous and offered us vegetables from his plot. With the landies loaded with vegetables and pots of plants, we headed down the wet slippery slopes back to Brinchang.
Will follow on with another post on trip facts and figures
We meet up at Tuas Drive West at 0530 hrs, just outside the entrance to Raffles Marina. Crossing over via the lorry lane was hassle free this time and soon we were on our way after an obligatory last minute stop at the Gelang Patah.
One new encounter was the need to purchase a Touch 'n' Go card from the first toll booth. While I did not like the idea of a stored value card, not knowing when it will be replaced or expire, it turned out to be quite a useful item as it did smooth out the journey, cutting down on the time wasted at toll booths.
The drive up was generally uneventful. The only real excitement occurred during our run up Cameron via the old road from Tapah. At one bend, before reaching the Lata Iskandar waterfall, we caught a glimpse of a while pick up tip over the end of the cliff and disappear from sight. We stopped to assist only to find the pick up at least 20m down a steep ravine. However, the 2 passengers were fortunately uninjured.
We stayed at the Casa del la Rosa, someway between Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Rooms were clean and adequate with a nice but small garden at the rear for a nice morning stroll the next day.
The 2 days were spent exploring the myriad of sights available on Cameron. However, due to the weekend and school holidays, we spent some time on the roads fighting traffic, usually against our favour. However, the best 2 activities was the visit to the Sungai Palas Tea Centre where we spent a lazy afternoon sipping tea and allowing the kids to play together. The views of the surrounding slopes of the tea garden was gorgeous.
We also had the fortune of visiting Jack's uncle's farm. This was a non-tourist visit to a farm, involving a short route of travel of narrow steep tracks to a couple of vegetable plots high above the main tourist route. We were thrilled by the off-road experience and also pleasantly surprised with the opportunity to pick and eat ripe tomatoes and strawberries right off the vine. It was an unforgettable experience especially for the kids. I am glad we shared the same philosophy that our singaporean children need to be exposed to the outdoors and other experiences far from the urban landscape. The drizzle made the experience so much more surreal. Jack's uncle was very generous and offered us vegetables from his plot. With the landies loaded with vegetables and pots of plants, we headed down the wet slippery slopes back to Brinchang.
Will follow on with another post on trip facts and figures
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Touched from the Past
It never ceases to amaze me about how events in your life, sometimes do not appear as mere coincidences. Rather everything does happen for a reason.
Something special happened yesterday. Someone left a comment on my post "Holy Darkness" which was posted in 2007. Follow the link to see the comment left for that post. I am glad my decision to share this particular piece of music has just made a slight difference to the people who have heard it on my blog.
I only pray that what I do, may continue to positively influence or affect the people around me. I pray. Pray with me.
Something special happened yesterday. Someone left a comment on my post "Holy Darkness" which was posted in 2007. Follow the link to see the comment left for that post. I am glad my decision to share this particular piece of music has just made a slight difference to the people who have heard it on my blog.
I only pray that what I do, may continue to positively influence or affect the people around me. I pray. Pray with me.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Taken the Plunge
I must be crazy.
But then again, I know I always have been... but my blog title says otherwise.
Its official. I will be attempting 84 km at the Adidas Sundown Marathon 2010 scheduled for 29 May 2010.
Will I succeed. I do not know but I will sure try to ensure I do not fail at this task. Check out details at the site below.
www.sundownmarathon.com
Now... should I run for a cause...
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