Cat Meal?

Popped by the Downtown East to join my sis-in-law's chalet. Nothing much to do so went walking and browsing at the newly renovated 'mini mall'. Not bad, for a small place. Loads of people actually!

Then, we came by the hawker place, where most of the muslim stalls are. Tucked nicely was this cat in the display shelve of the "Halal Ji Cha" stall...

Looking at it... I tot they had cat's meat on the menu... HAHAHA! Must be a nice and cost resting place.

Weeeee-see-kee

Pop by one of our Japanese colleagues' favorite Bar. Whisky Bar, to be precise. Anyhow, after a few rounds, Boss Kosho came by, obviously loose and high after 'god-knows' how many rounds. Mood was good, and he decided - OK, today good day. Very happy. Let u try some good whisky.
Whisked out a bottle from the very top shelf of his "800+ bottles" display counter. Popped opend a wooden box, that reads - Yamazaki 35 Years.


What the hell... Si mi lai eh, I thought to myself.
Boss Kosho says - This.. very special whisky. Only 200 bottles worldwide. I have 2 bottles. Now, you try..... OK, why not... Took a pack, had a sip... mmmm, very smooth and very sweet... very nice vanilla/woody taste.
Boss Kosho says - You know how much?
I said - No.
Boss Kosho says - About 600,000 Yen per bottle (S$ 8 Grand!!!!). Lucky day for you. On the house... wahahahahahah.....
I said - Domo Arigato.... The bloody pack retails about 500 bugs.....!!!
Anyhow - This is actually a nice place to go to. Coffee.Bar.K down at UE Square. Good recommendation for ambience and service!

Long Chia!

Wifey whacked into an old Mitsubishi Colt.... :-(

No more NCD, Insurance premuim will be loaded next year, No car to drive for a couple of days, plus S$200 excess.

Well, things happen. As long as wifey and daughter is ok, no big deal la... Just some money down the drain.

Stuck in HCM City, can't do anything... Just got to wait till I get back on Saturday to sort it out. Maybe re-spray colour la... Change to o-leng o-leng, or ang ang, lucky lucky ah... ha ha ha....

Shack Shack Shack!

Almost burned out. Last 1 month plus, having been doing about 4~5 trips average out of Singapore. Work is getting fine, but alas, Boss going back to Japan! Bit disappointed, cos 1 less smoking and drinking kaki. He is one hell of a guy, easy going and nice to get along with. Not the usual Japanese Expat you'd see. Ain't too much much pressure working for him. Still waiting to see what is planned after his departure.

Now, I am tasked to organise his farewell party........... Sharks! Zen it is, at United Square. Suits all Japanese people, doesn't really matter to the rest of the "International" colleagues we have in Singapore.

Happy 41st Birthday!

Yes, It's Singapore's 41st Birthday, as well as my wife's, though she is not that old... yet :-) Had a nice Birthday lunch with the family, before sending them to my in-laws' place where the kids gather together yearly to watch the fireworks display on the 40th floor in Toa Payoh. Guess, I have to miss it this year.

Sitting at Harry's Pub in Changi Airport T2 now, waiting for my flight to BKK, and watching the National Parade on the big screen here.....

It's been a long and hard way, for us to be where we are today. Remembered seeing somewhere along the performance, a big scroll saying...." Our Island of Opportunities". Perhaps, perhaps. No matter what, this is still home, so got to say I am still proud of my roots!

Strive on Singapore!!!!
......... Dedicated to my friend, Jewie.. Hee Hee... How dah?

Haze, Haze, Haze!

Arrived in Jakarta this morning, after an hours' delay on board. Some bloody guy checked in his luggage, but never made it on board. As usual, all bags unload, found the "Orphaned" luggage, and we were on our way.

On the way in to our Hotel, yuks... Haze at it again.... Hopefully, it stays here and not drift back home. I'll be outta here in 2 days.

Back to S'pore for National Day, and of course, mi wifey's birthday... but she's gonna blow, when she hears that I have to be in Bangkok the same night, after our dinner plans. Got an urgent meeting on Thursday morning.

Sigh... Talk about timing!

Bunny Out of Hell Gates?

Just dropped off my girl for her Piano class. Parked the car so that I can get a pack of teh tarik. Yeeeks! A bunny popped out of nowhere and into my side mirror. Almost rolled over it under my back tyre. WTF! Must be some kids letting their pet bunny run loose.

Got out of my car, trying to figure out what the heck is happening. Walked over to the left side back tyre.. Wow... Had the shock of my life! Tell me where this came from.. Some bloody animal abuser must be at it again..... Poor thing. How I wished the same was done to the ears of this evil-doer! Grab a quick picture and let it on his own....

Kings - If you ever read this post, tell me, is this one of the cousins of your "Security Guard Bunny"?

Golf Again, with a Big Bang!

Date & Time: 05 August 2006, on a beautiful Saturday morning
Venue: Daiman 18 Golf Club, JB
Location: Hole 16 (I think)
Cart Number: 44 (No wonder)

Incident:
Finished teeing off, wanting to drive on for our second shot, cos me and my bro both got a 1 on for this Par 3 hole. On a slope, released brake, stepped on accelerator.... shit, no power and cart started to roll back.
Stepped on brake, cart continues to roll. Stepped on brake harder, cart came to a slow halt, and still rolling down. WTF, both of us jumped out and pulled the bloody cart to prevent it from going over the pavement...... Funny siah! Recalling our position, we had a good laugh!
OK, Bro, hold on while I called the clubhouse.... Within 3 minutes, help came, in the form of another cart. Shifted everything from cart 44 to 76, and we moved on. Nothing happened!

Tee-off at last hole, bloody cart 76 started to jerk... Battery Flat.. KNN. Called clubhouse again and came another cart.....

The best part.... I was required to sign on the "insurance claim" form for cart 44.
Me: "Sign for what?"
Fat lady at clubhouse: "Formality sake, claim insurance"
Me: "Claim for what? No one injured, cart 44 was pulled back on track and driven back to clubhose"
Fat lady: "Oh, just for record"
Me: " Oh, OK"
Fat Lady: " IC Please. For photocopy"
Me: " No farking way. Gimme the damn form, I will fill in"
Fat Lady passed me the insurance form. Took a look. It says somewhere there "Claim for Gearbox"
I filled in some particulars and on the "Cause of Damage", I scribbled - NOTHING DAMAGED. NO INJURY AND CART WAS DRIVEN BACK TO CLUBHOUSE FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET!"

I just love this Game!

Memory Lane?

After couple of beer with boss, whom I have not met for over 3 weeks, at Fullerton Hotel, made my way to Marina Square for another session hosted by a sub-contractor. Took a slow walk, with the cool sea breeze blowing in my face, then I realised I was very near to the Merlion.
Hey, what the heck, it's been more than 15 years since I visited this place. Took a night shot with my N70... hey man, nolstagic isn't it?
Then the Durian appeared right in front of me... Ok la, another shot for all to savour!

Back to Routine

Well, back to office, re-cuperate, and planning another attack for customer visit. Most porbably Thailand. Project clarification still needs to be sorted out, sales booking is kind of falling back, so got to get back on my feet again! This is the start of 2nd Half of 2006.

Got to get it going, or my Bonus is going into the drain again! Gambatte!!

In the midst of these, still got to go kopi with our Field Service Manager, who seems to be having problems settling down in our company and getting along with Japanese Boss.... All I can say - Good Luck! I got my own problems to solve....

Last Day in Tokyo.

Hot Hot Hot! Balls burning and "Teh Kor" also "dum"! Weather suddenly surge from 28 Deg to 34 Deg. Humidity is almost 80%.
Wait a moment, cannot be leh. This is like Singapore, if not humidity level is higher... Well, maybe it's the mind. This is summer in Tokyo! Was told that it will get warmer in August. Reminds me of my first trip in Aug, 2004. Temperature rosed to record high at 40 Deg.
Luckily last day here. Gambatte! See you - Japan, hopefully soon!

In the midst of this heat, right in central Shimbashi Area (where my headoffice is located), near the train station, what do you do when you need to take a puff? Looked around, only signs of "No Smoking" - Smoke only in Designated Area.... Looked around, boh leh... Looked again... Whack! KNN, smoking area that looks like a bus-stop! Ok la.. fair enough, at least they give you a shelter over the head against the heat and rain. Fair lah! What the heck... Join in and enjoy....

Makan Time, Again!

Dinner was hosted in a nice "Japanese Meet Western" Restaurant in Shiodome area. Checked the menu... Horse Meat. Wow, Power Man!

Actually wanted to order, but then remembered I acutally tried it once. Meat was nice, but like chewing gum, and full of fats... bite and bite and bite, still remaining in my mouth a small ball of fat.. That's why I decided to pass.

My colleague then ordered their seasonal fish, called A-You. Came in sushi form. Wah piang... can u imagine, they actually strip down the whole fish, and flatten it out, like a bear or lion skin lying on a carpet? This fish was nicely laid on a well kneaded roll of sushi rice and cut into small sizes, including the head and tail.... Take a look!

Perhaps if we had ordered the horse meat, maybe the head also served along with the meat! Ha Ha

Break Time in Head Office

Summer's coming.... Most office in Tokyo are turning off their Air-con at this time of the year, so that gas emission is reduced to minimum and can have energy savings, yah right, at the expense of all office workers lor.

Then I realised that our heat endurance was way below these Japanese people. I was trying to keep up with the 27 +/- temperature and 70% humidity condition, while the Japanese people seems to be so comfortable. I really don't want to get my underwear wet, and my balls overheating, so made frequent trips to the smoking room (about 4M x 4M), where it was much cooler as the A/C and exhaust was turned on.

Cool way of disposal of cigarette butts? You decide.... Anyhow, I made some contribution today. Check it out!

Hitachi Express to Tokyo

Took the 10:02 am "Super Hitachi Express" from Hitachi Station, in Hitachi City to Tokyo. Yes, finally getting out! Really accurate, these Japanese train. Smack, 10:02, train stops right in front of station.

So, after some explanation from Boss, got the idea. We are on Car #1 (that's what he said. Seems more like carriage #, but what the heck!), Row 6, Seats A,B & C. Felt like looking for your seat on board a plane.

Ok, settled myself snugly in the nice thick cushion chair and started to look around. Then realised that this train actually got so-called "smoking car". Car #3 & #6 were designated smoking car. After a while, decided to go for a puff, so slowly made my way to Car #3, nearest to us.

The bloody moment the automatic door opened for Car #3, Shit! I thought I was on Genting Highlands... Smoke was as thick like as if the buggers here were doing a mid-day BBQ... Completely lost my urge... Yuks, I really wonder how these people in Car #3 can survive the hour and half journey, and the fact that most of them are commuting this way everyday!.... Bless them!

Tiffany in Japan!

This nice poster was standing at the entrance of the hotel in Hitachi City, the rest place I used for the past 6 nights. Never really took a good look at it cos too expensive to see the show. Cost you JPY 15,000 (About S$200) per head for an hour of entertainment. Seems like 2006.7.29 was the Grand Finale or something.

This morning, after checking out, and waiting for my boss and colleague, I took a second look at it. Then boss came....

Boss: "You saw the show?"
Me: "No, Too Expensive"
Boss: "You know what show is this?"
Me: "Cabaret?"
Boss: "Yes... but be careful"
Me: "Why?"
Boss: ... smiling... "Because all men, beautiful men"
Me: "What the $%^#!"
Boss: "Yes, like in Bangkok!"
Me: "Thanks, but no thanks"

What the heck. Right in the lobby of the hotel was a Chapel, yes, a real Chapel (small though) for Sunday Service. Directly above it, on 3 level, was this "Nice Cabaret Show"

Mmmmm...... God, upstairs Perhaps????

It's Raining Again!

It's raining again.... After arriving back at the hotel, dump my stuff and went to Lawson, the best shop I found so far in Hitachi City. God's answer to all my thirst and hunger!
- Just the convenience shop next to the hotel where I get all my breakfast, coffee, drinks and supper!

Next minute, it was raining.... What the hell. One moment, fog, then rain... Weather is so unpredictable.

Anyhow, last night here in Hitachi City. Tomorrow, will be catching the 10.06 am "Super Hitachi Express" to Tokyo, for the 2 hour ride.

I wonder... what will happen to this City, or Hitachi City, if one day, just one day, Hitachi decides to call it a day......

"High Life in Japan?"

Let's start off with the Taxi Service. Bloody old Toyota Crown, gear stick on the steering wheel, zooming you here and there and then costing you an arm and leg. These are the taxis, which are waiting at the Office lobby to take us to our dinner place. One thing about these taxis - They are ALWAYS (at least 95% ) on time!

Had dinner with some Japanese colleague, at a steak house. That's right, fancy coming out this far to eat western food in Japan. Resturant name is Belguim-Kan, or "White Ear Ant(z)". Call it co-incidence or what. Just found out the Japanese name for Ant. "A Ri” - written as あり. Mmmmm.. maybe a good time to translate Antz to ありつ！


Start off with a light course, then the best part.... soup! Nice little glass bowl presented by nice Japanese waitress, white creamy soup.... Ok lah, tot what the heck, enough for me to rince my mouth before main couse can already... Dig in with my "very abused" spoon, whack! Ice Cold Soup! Wake up straight away boy..... Funny way of serving soup. New Age Western Course?


Next Main course... at least something nice to savour. Japanese beef IS Japanese beef after all. No matter how they cook it, it is just so tender, almost like melting in your mouth.. OK, la! 9/10 for a nice steak.



Finally dessert! Cheese Cake with Strawberry ice cream, finishing off with a nice cup of Gourment Coffee.... And a bloody bill of about S$200 per pax! Lucky I aint't paying for it! Sometimes, I really wonder how much rich the average Japanese make in a month...

Giant Puppy... On a Foggy Night.

It was raining today in Hitachi, whole bloody day. Came back after dinner and saw a lady walking her dog outside the hotel. At first thought I saw a white lion statue or something, but bloody hell, this was a giantic dog. Even bigger that a normal golden retriever. (I know cos my neighbour has a fully grown retreiver)

So, I walkde over and with my broken Japanese, I asked her if I could "Sashin" with the dog, aiming my N70 so that she can understand. Dai-jo-bu... Ok Desu! Snap, and this was what I got. Forgot what the breed was, but anyway, really nice furry dog.

Then, wanted to take a last look at the dog, I realised that fog has set in... This was taken from the lobby entrance of Hotel Nikko. Thought I only see this in movie. Actually quite cool taken from my N70 using night mode.

So, it's another day gone and going back to hotel after a nice sushi dinner and some cool beer. taxi was expensive, costing us JPY 2,300 (abt S$30) for a mere 10 minutes ride.

Smoking in Japan

Talking about one of the highest smoking population in the world being Japan.... New rules man... In central Tokyo, walking and smoking is an offence. Violaters get fined... yes! And talk about Singapore being a Fine City. Perhaps the world is starting to follow our footsteps.

This is one of those standing ash-trays, found scattered a corner at most main traffic junctions. You can huff and puff for all you want, and without getting fined!

Conquered Nihon Course! Ganbatte!

Finally get to tee-off in Japan. Yeah! Really different standard. Buggies are spick and span, courses very well maintained and of course really nice weather. Mountain top, 23 Deg, little foggy.. What else can I ask for.
This is the view from the clubhouse!

Proof of my "Tour of Takasuzu".












However, playing here is more stressed than anywhere I have played before. Imagine on a long Par 5, you got 1 flight on the putting green, 1 flight on fairway waiting and another flight waiting at the back to Tee Off...

But it is at this place that I got my lowest score in my 1.5 years of golfing... What can I say!

Another funny thing! Shower room got no shower cubicles... Only rows of taps and shower hoses and stools all lined up. Which means you can only wash your hair sitting down... Then, after shower, all the uncles, grandfathers and brudders will jump into the hot pool. I mean really HOT pool. Dick also shrink.

Anyway, total damage = Yen 10,000 (S$ 140/=), including a nice Japanese Lunch! Will definitely try again, if opportunity arises! Ganbatte!