Déli Lunch Today

Délifrance
2 Jurong East St 21
IMM Building
Singapore

Chicken mayonnaise croissant sandwich
with Twinings' English breakfast tea

Post-Christmas Lunch

Thai Express
930 Yishun Avenue 2
#02-55/56/57
Northpoint Shopping Centre
Singapore 769098
Green curry chicken set with fried breaded
appetizer and tapioca dessert
Tom yam set with fried beancurd appetizer and tapioca dessert

Christmas Lunch Today

Rendezvous Restaurant
(formerly at Rendezvous Hotel)
The Central #02-72/73,
6 Eu Tong Sen Street,
Singapore 059817
Nasi Padang Christmas lunch with korma chicken,
fried chicken, begedil fried potato and sayur lodeh

Christmas @ Orchard

Mandarin Orchard Singapore





Paragon

Lucky Plaza

Tangs

Hostile Work Environment

Ever since the department I worked in was dissolved after a hostile takeover by another, I have had a hard time adapting to the new top-down management style of my new boss.

Just yesterday, I had an intellectual argument with my new department head (stationed at another country) about the importance of the media when writing press releases and news feature story in an email copied to my new supervisor as well. After several to and fro email correspondences, I decided it should end, so I thanked her and signed off.

All I need now is calm in my heart, and I'm not asking for more. In a few days time, my current new supervisor will be leaving the organization and her position will be replaced by another. My prayer is that everything will turn out fine, but for now, it's wait and see.

Thrilling Ride at Disney World

The sign states ‘WARNING! Tower of Terror is a free-fall type attraction with sudden high-speed ascents and drops through darkness,’ but I did not heed the advice and went ahead with the ride. The consequence was a once in a lifetime experience—a scare of my life—even though to some people it may be fun. That was years ago when I visited the theme park at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.

The Tower of Terror is an attraction at the theme park, a thrill ride featuring a visit to a 199 feet tall fictional Hollywood Tower Hotel adapted from the television series ‘The Twilight Zone.’ Upon entering the elevator and going up to the 13th story, a free-fall drop sequence takes place in the dark—with all the guests in it! This drop sequence has changed over the years from one to two drops to a pre-programmed multiple drop sequence, and today randomized drops.

Pre-Christmas Sales

Pre-Christmas Sales @ Causeway Point

Asian Set Lunch

Just Acia
#B1-17 Dhoby Ghaut MRT station
Set lunch with free-flow drinks and ice-cream

Fried chicken with rice and miso soup

Teriyaki chicken with rice and miso soup

Happy Thanksgiving!

"in everything, give thanks"

Christmas Decor in the Office

Christmas Decorations @ My Office's Workdesk

Thai Delicacies

Thai Express
Northpoint Shopping Centre #02-55/56/57
Singapore

Prawn omelette with rice

Green chicken curry rice set
with seafood toast appetizer and tapioca with coconut milk topping

Crispy pancake with chicken and prawn appetizer

Red ruby with coconut ice cream dessert

Sweet gluttonous rice and fresh mango with coconut milk topping

Toilet Manners

Having seen the worst of human behaviors and the things within a flooded toilet bowl, it's only fitting that all office toilets should have the following sign ...


Here's another way of putting across the same message politely ...


This is found in a toilet of TheStrategy@IBP.

Train is Coming ...

Many people I know are getting very irritated by the constantly repeating chant at MRT station:

Train is coming … train is coming … start queuing! Love your ride!

Here’s a suggestion for a change of words:

Life is challenging … life is challenging … enjoy it! Love your life!

Narnia: Voyage of Dawn Treader

Release Date: December 10, 2010 (3D/2D theaters)
Studio: Fox Walden
Director: Michael Apted
Screenwriter: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Richard LaGravenese, Michael Petroni
Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter, Gary Sweet, Bruce Spence, Arthur Angel, Shane Rangi, Liam Neeson
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: Narnia.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: View here
Production Stills: View here

Plot Summary: This time around – Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb – find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world.

Joining forces once again with their royal friend Prince Caspian and the warrior mouse Reepicheep, they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond. On this bewitching voyage that will test their hearts and spirits, the trio will face magical Dufflepuds, sinister slave traders, roaring dragons and enchanted merfolk. Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan's Country – a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader – can save Narnia, and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate.

Breakfast @ Wendy's

Breakfast @ Wendy's
next to Northpoint
Yishun

Help Needed: Dogs and Cats Shelter

As some of you may have read in the papers, a kind lady by the name of Mdm Yap has spent 3 million dollars in the past 6 years to maintain the shelter by herself. However, due to the high expenses, she has been owing the landlord rental for a couple of months.

Another animal shelter, Mdm Wong's Shelter, is willing to take over Mdm Yap's Shelter to provide love for these animals. However, this is a long-term commitment that requires lots of manpower and financial assistance. The following is a rough breakdown of the monthly expenses:

Food: S$2,000
Manpower: S$2,000
Utilities: S$1,000
Rental: S$3,500-S$4,000
Medical: S$1,000*
Shampoo, misc, etc: S$500
Total: S$10,000-S$10,500

*Not including vet visits, hospitalisation fees

Mdm Wong's Shelter is currently facing financial difficulties as well with the possibility of closure if not enough funds are raised by end October 2010. This means some 30 dogs and 60 cats are facing the danger of being put to sleep, getting killed or abused.

A colleague of mine who has been a volunteer there for the past two Sundays, said some of the cats and dogs are strays while some of them are abandoned. Nevertheless, they are always very friendly and loving towards every volunteer. Some will jump up, grab her waist and look at her with loving eyes, and some will run and hide with fears in their eyes.

If you are interested to find out more, you can read the news and visit the following sites:

The Straits Times

Blog

Facebook

You can also email to mdmwongshelter@hotmail.com. Thank you for your support.

World Animal Day - Oct 10, 2010

Volunteers needed for this Sunday's World Animal Day event.

Event Name: PAWS AT THE BEACH
Where: East Coast Park, Area D1 – Dalbergia Green
Date: 10 October (Sunday)
Time: 10.30am-6pm
Buses: 16, 31, 36, 55, 76, 135, 155, 196 and 853 to Marine Parade Road
Service 401 to East Coast Park Service Road available on Sunday.
Parking: Car Park D1

For ore information, click here.

Webinar

First time I attended a webinar (web-based seminar) yesterday (9-10pm Singapore time; 9-10am USA EDT time).

I get to look at what's presented onscreen, hear the presenter's voice, ask questions and speak out. Interesting and interactive.

High Class Chicken Rice Lunch Today

Chicken Rice

Chatterbox
Mandarin Orchard
Singapore

Western Lunch Today

Fish and Chips

Viva Vox Cafe
3A International Business Park #01-10
Icon @ IBP, Singapore

HappY Mid-Autumn Festival!

Wishing All a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! (",)

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen

Release Date: September 23, 2010
Studio: Media Asia
Director: Andrew Lau
Screenwriter: Andrew Lau, Gordon Chan
Starring: Donnie Yen, Anthony Wong, Huang Bo, Shu Qi
Genre: Martial Arts
MPAA Rating: Not Available

Plot Summary: In 1920s China, the nation is divided by in-fighting as Japan becomes the most powerful force in Asia, taking over Northern Shanghai. In this city torn by international conflict, local nightclub "Casablanca" becomes a hotbed of spies, English officials, mobsters, and the Japanese military- all looking to gain control of the country, with little regard for its citizens.

Into this den of intrigue enters Chen Zhen (Donnie Yen), who has returned to China after fighting alongside the Allied forces in Europe, bringing some dark secrets from his past along with him. During the day, he's known as "Ku" and appears to be just another wealthy playboy. But at night, he takes to the street as a masked warrior, determined to subvert the Japanese invasion while becoming entangled with the sultry Kiki (Played by Shu Qi), who has a dangerous secret of her own. When his past catches up to him, Zhen is faced with near impossible odds- but his skills are formidable, and he's up to the challenge.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Release Date: September 24, 2010
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Screenwriter: Oliver Stone, Allan Loeb
Starring: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Frank Langella, Carey Mulligan, Susan Sarandon, Vanessa Ferlito, Charlie Sheen
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for brief strong language and thematic elements)
Official Website: WallStreetMoneyNeverSleeps.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: View here
Production Stills: View here

Plot Summary: Shia LaBeouf stars with Michael Douglas, who'll reprise his Gordon Gekko role. Langella will play Lewis Zabel, an old-time broker who mentors LaBeouf's character, a young Wall Street broker.

When Gekko comes out of prison, he essentially has to redefine himself, redefine his character, he's looking for that second chance.

LaBeouf portrays Jake Moore, who is the fiancé of Gekko's daughter, played by Carey Mulligan; Josh Brolin as the head of an investment bank; and Susan Sarandon as Jake's mother. Charlie Sheen who played the central role of Bud Fox, a young trader, in the original, will make a cameo in the sequel.

Dim Sum Lunch Today

Got to taste one of the best dim sum I've ever eaten today.

Old Hong Kong Kitchen
10 Sinaran Drive #02-80
Square 2 @ Novena
Singapore 307506
Web: oldhongkong.com.sg

Fragrant Rose Tea

Chee Cheong Fun with Prawns

Fried Beancurd Roll with Shrimps

Steamed Sponge Cake

Hard Rock Cafe

I am an ardent collector of Hard Rock Cafe merchandize around the world—watches, key chains, t-shirts—but not in my own country!


Passed by HRC @ Orchard today.

Friends Club Upcoming Event (Sep 8, 2010)

More information ...

Fee or Free?

It used to be said a job is no longer a job if we are doing what we like doing. Hypothetically, this also means when what we like doing becomes a job, it is no longer a pleasure doing what we like doing.

Life as a writer is very much the same. I used to write for leisure on topics of my own interest, and I enjoyed every minute and second while I was doing it. However, when the day came for me to make a living out of what I like best, writing became more of a pressure than pleasure. Deadlines now come as part and parcel of life and rushing is a norm. Inspiration and creative thinking no longer come easy as before, and hard work seems always the order of the day. All these often boil down to one question—am I writing for free or for a fee? When I write for a fee, expectations are always tagged with the price, and this is seldom fun. When I write for free, it is usually done with pleasure and there is no pressure.

Many, like me, enjoy writing for pleasure. Pleasure alone however is not enough to keep me and my family living happily ever after. In the real world, if I hope to survive, I need to be paid for what I write. What I write however is not up to me to decide, and depends on the demand required by the respective publications. If a publication wants me to write on topics such as lifestyle, like what’s hot what’s not, nightlife favorite spots, latest in the fashion and entertainment world, I’ll just have to go along and mix around with the people famed for such lifestyles, whether I like it or not.

Life as a writer is not all a bed of roses. It is also not all just about doing what we like best because every rose has its thorns. In order for me to make a living, it matters whether I am writing for free or for a fee. If I wish to survive, I will have to go with what’s in demand, what make news and what people want to read. I am no saint though I very much want to live my life free from the entanglements of this world. Eventually, however, the question remains the same. In what way can I survive? Should I follow the instructions of my editor and write what’s in demand—which bears consequences of mixing with the wrong crowd—or do I keep myself clean and lost credibility in the industry?

If you are in my position and you are a writer working for a publisher, which path would you take? Would you maintain your dignity to stay clear from mixing around with the wrong company or would you simply do what is demanded of the job and leave the rest to taking a step at a time?