Elevating Life to Constant Happiness & Peace of Mind!

Why I Deserve To Win a Samsung Galaxy Tab

2010-11-16T13:44:00.029+08:00

It is no coincidence that Samsung products are one of the favorite displays in my house. Trendy, fashionable, innovative and highly functional are what these Samsung products shared in common. They decorated my home sweet home as one of the modern and contemporary settings, just how I and my wife would like it to be.

My wife has a Samsung SGH-D900 while I'm using U700. We both loved its durability and functionality apart from being stylish, I just felt that it is time I get her a new phone as a present for our coming anniversary. What would be better if it comes directly from Samsung as a token of appreciation for all that she has done for me and our family? That will give her a very nice surprise for one that she's a strong influencer in bringing home Samsung products as our home features.

Her loyalty to Samsung brand reflects on her being a loyal wife and a faithful mother to our babies. It will be truly significant for her to get a Samsung surprise on our anniversary.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab will further enhance our family bonding through video conferencing while I'm away for work. I can smile to my baby, see my playful cat running around the house and my lovely wife keeping the domestic affairs in order. It's just the tonic I need to keep afresh from my work loads. My wife reads a lot, she can now leave the heavy books home while enjoying her cup of coffee at cafe and read from her favorite authors with eReading. She can stay connected and updated on facebook, msn with friends whenever she feels like it. She can point and shoot any interesting subjects at sight, that includes capturing our baby and pet cat in actions. Even video recording is simply effortless, the lovely images and videos can then be broadcasted wirelessly via Samsung AllShare DLNA technology to our Samsung HD LCD TV and monitor for HD quality viewing.

That's not all, the Samsung Galaxy Tab can now help us find our ways through remote destinations and around towns at ease. The Augmented Reality feature gives us greater confidence to explore the concrete jungles. It will be a dream come true for me if I can present this Samsung Galaxy Tab to her on our anniversary. This is my way to say thank you for her sacrifices and loyalty. What's more with a product that she trust, rely on for years that's synonymous with the same quality that she dedicated to our family? So, it is not why I deserve to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab. It is more for realizing a dream of a loyal woman to her family, just like what she did to Samsung brand.

Dear readers, HERE (http://www.flickr.com/groups/canondslr/discuss/72157625361834047/) are some interesting discussions I had with the flickr.com members. If you have something to say about Samsung Galaxy Tab, kindly share in your comments.

Toe Dancing...anyone?

2009-01-01T02:24:00.002+08:00

Guess who was toe dancing subconsciously while sleeping? Yes! It was me! My gf took this without my knowledge on one fine day :p

Easy sundays

2008-11-23T11:36:00.004+08:00

I like to read my usual morning newspaper with oldies gently broadcasting from the radio, allow me to unwind and relax with a little dwell on the past memories. The songs are mainly a mix from the very old before my time, my childhood to my teenage time. There was a song titled 'jing tian bu hui jia' where I remembered singing it when I was still a kiddo aged 4-5. The village I lived in was remote, there were not many houses around and there was a sundry shop a stone throw away. Villagers like to gather there for coffee and for passing time, I'd walk there without pant (just the way my parents saving up on washing as I pissed into my pants often) I used to get teasing always.

Some songs were of the time when I was in secondary school, each of these songs was hits during their times and nice to listen to. It's just a way I differentiate Sundays and other days, like my wife-to-be hearing it from her sleep knowing that I'm off from work. She'll be all smiles greeting me and yai yai as she wakes up.

Steamed Fish @ Chan Sow Lin Road

2008-09-10T21:50:00.005+08:00

Freshly steamed fish head drifting with aroma of fried garlic and soy sauce travel far and wide, this home based Chan Sow Lin Fish Head has been in brisk business for some time, never seemed to change from its setup though customers come in dove just like they used to many years ago. I and my darling went there for lunch to celebrate our encouraging results of decreasing cholesterol level. Our second visit since, the kampung ayam was equally nice except the fat that came along.

Wow! Happy Chinese New Year!

2008-01-25T00:51:00.000+08:00

It's happiness all round from a simple gesture, a red lantern was raised at my enclosed 'balcony' as my Chinese New Year decor. I have been pondering about how to make use of my abadoned ceiling light and while shopping at ikea earlier gave me the idea. I only had the fear of connecting the wires due to my encounter with wall lights last time. After some thoughts and looked at the small investment (RM10+ for a lantern and a paper made round 'moon' plus RM12 for cable) I took the courage to conquer my fear for uninstalling the ceiling light while installing the new year mood!

Alas, all were fine after some efforts and I was very happy! Haha!

An early wish to all, Happy Chinese New Year! May the year of RAT brings you good health and prosperity!

p/s: The moon will raise to be surrounded by the stars once Chinese New Year is over.

Took A Breather in Hanoi

2007-07-30T00:06:00.000+08:00

Had a first view as day breaks dawn on board of Airasia heading to Hanoi last friday. It was a beautiful sight, making the early flight worhtwhile. This was my 4th Hanoi trip, and was far more meaningful then previous times where there were for work.

Moment before touching down in Hanoi, enjoying the view after a 3-hour flight from LCCT in KLIA.

Hanoi international airport, a size similar to Penang Bayan Lepas airport.

Symbolic vietnamese statue standing right in between the hustle and bustle of Hanoi town.

Standing guard with watchful eyes on the chaotic traffic, reminds me of one policeman who uses his baton to stop an on riding motorbiker at the throat, causing him to cholk profusely.

Main lake in Hanoi where foreigners taking a breather, soothing the nerve of busy traffic a stone throw away.

The tourists thronging the calm and serene green lung of Hanoi.

The entrance of a Chinese temple in the center of the park.

The Vietnamese masks, adding colours to the local culture.

These roadside stalls could be seen every corner of the town when the evening falls. This particular one had me and my friend whining as we were 'slaughtered' 3 times of the normal price.

We had a good lunch at this concept stall operating from a stand alone bungalow slightly outskirt of Hanoi town. This food court has variety food with the like of these birdies.

Take a closer look at these tiny birdies accompanied by a larger one, only the larger one I dare tasted. :)

The spring rolls were so tasty, wrapped with vermicelli, sour cucumber, edible leaves and roasted pork and dip with special sauce before eating.

The place where we lodged, a USD20 per nite and ideal location at the center of Old Quarter. Many other budget hotels alike in the surrounding though.

Hanoi beers anyone? The atmosphere in this pub is nice when evening falls.

The Hanoian traditional house where it looks very much a Chinese traditional house too, it has great influence of the Chinese culture.

These cages on the wall were very much like a setting of water colour painting.

Have a cuppa Hanoian coffee! It is a double decker with the top filled with coffee beans and hot water, as it drips down gradually into the cup.

The local friend, Thang who was running the whole day with us on our second day of visit in Old Quarter. Thks for his hospitality and the cordial reception.

With this faces of food enjoying expressions, we had a wonderful trip of 'eat, drink, play & enjoy' in Hanoi. Thks to my friend Martin who made the journey memorable.

Voices From The Soul

2007-04-05T09:07:00.000+08:00

Above the tower -- a lone, twice-sized moon.
On the cold river passing night-filled homes,
It scatters restless gold across the waves.
On mats, it shines richer than silken gauze.
Empty peaks, silence: among sparse stars,
Not yet flawed, it drifts. Pine and cinnamon
Spreading in my old garden . . . All light,
All ten thousand miles at once in its light.

Ching Ming

2007-03-26T20:29:00.000+08:00

It is the time of the year again I'll be going with my family members to pray for the departed ones. This has been our commitment over years to visit our family members who had laid to rest in peace. It is also our way to say hi to them and clearing up the bushes in their rest places. Most of the family members will be attending the prayer sessions to instill the tradition to young ones where are we coming from.

When I was small, we used to travel very far to carry out the tradition with very limited resources. I remember we used to wake up very early in the morning with baskets that contained boiled chicken and roasted pork as well as the pre-prepared prayer materials. And not forgetting the spades and umbrellas, coz those period during 'Ching Ming' certainly will rain. With all these up and running, the whole family will take buses to our destination 30km away. Then climbed 2 mountains to reach my brother's tomb stone. He passed away when I was a baby still, my mom will say this during the prayer time: Ah Kam, today is your big day. Come celebrate with your uncles & aunties (the departed ones), eat and get drunk. Then my brothers will tell us how the tradegy took his life. My mom and my uncle will then adjourned to 100km away to pray for my grand father. Sometimes we followed but not all my siblings going together.

My father passed away more than 20 years ago. He was one of the early bird to occupy the new piece of land just over the hill of our village. Later, my brother who was only a pc of tomb stone placed in out of the town was moved back to be not far way from my father. Where else my grand father was transferred back to my home town to be with my grandmom. Along the years, some of our family members or relative who had passed away were laid to rest not far away from my father. Thus, my mom will change her script a bit to invite them for a big celebration. Our family members swell from 10 to 20+, we will pray, clear up the surroundings and picnic there. Occassionaly, we will bring the left over firecrackers from CNY to rock the whole hill!

Ching Ming, in remembrance of the departed family members, we will carry on with the torch of the family and will bring good reputation to our family. And, this is the way we show our gratitude to our beloved ones.

Delightfully Delicious

2007-03-24T15:28:00.000+08:00

There is a nice porky eatery located in Jln Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur at a lorong on the left when you see the Public Bank on your right not far away from Sime Darby building.

This hawker stall is called Heng Fan Dim, just operated by the road side and recently added a shop lot a stone throw away. I came to know 'Heng' from a local newspaper's food review. Then I went try out and was pleasantly surprise by his tasty pork maw soup.

Last week I brought my friends there to have a real taste of its spicy pork maw soup. The taste was as good as it used to, pepper was right and the weather was perfect after a good shower. It also sells curry chicken and brown ginger chicken besides the porky stuff like vinegar pork and preserved vege pork. It was an enjoyable experience for all of us.

In fact, making the vinegar pork isn't very hard and you may try the recipe below at home:

Ingredients:
1) Pork Shank (depending on your serving, a pair is good for 5-8 persons)
2) Ginger - 1 pc
3) Brown Sugar - 2tbsp (or right serving)
4) Black Vinegar - 600ml
5) Sesami oil - 1tbsp

Method:
1. Blanch the pork shank in boiling water, removed and set aside.
2. Skinned ginger, crushed with chopper and set aside.
3. Preheat wok with sesame oil, place crushed ginger to stir-fry for 1 min.
4. Place the pork shank into wok and stir-fry till pork slightly brownised.
5. Transfer all to pot/ rice cooker, pour in the black vinegar.
6. Add in brown sugar and allow to boil for 30mins.
7. Transfer to serving plate and serve.

DNS Server Scare

2006-12-11T23:30:00.000+08:00

This Domain Name System of my internet service provider was really giving me headache the past few days. I was virtually out of touch with the world for 5 days. Something I really not able to adjust as internet is an integral part of my day-to-day life. It was a right decision made a month ago when I requested the services to be terminated.

The agony of constant interruptions of the connection really pissed me off and I wanted to switch to Streamyx. Thus, I went applied for TM net after the cancellation was made with my condo's service provider. However, the TMnet guy didn't come as promised and in the meantime my 'ex' service provider was still giving me the connection. So, I just enjoyed the free line for as long as before they could find out. Last wed evening my service came to an abrupt interruption. Cited the usual problem of cannot log on to DNS server. And it went on for another day. I thought my free internet days were over. Therefore I contacted TMnet, the whole system at TMnet was experiencing major outage and I was asked to leave a message. I hate to talk to machine so I didn't do that. Today was a holiday in Selangor and I called TM again, it was the machine again. I gave up and thinking that I will have to go direct to their counter. Then about 8 something just now when I on my notebook, bravo! I got it back! It's FREE again! :)

The only thing for me now is the FTP connection, where I upload files for my clients' websites; I couldn't do so due to this DNS setting. I need to seek help from professional but not my 'ex' service provider. Otherwise, I cannot run away from paying :-)

Sour, Bitter, Spicy and Sweet...at last?

2006-11-28T23:38:00.000+08:00

Alas! What a feeling! Putting all these ingredients into one preheated wok and add in the seasoning of sleepless nights and garnished with enormous pressure; it has got to be yummy! This is one hell of a project I have ever taken, by myself on the design, artwork, translation and new software to explore.

Sour - because of the under estimation of my part on artworks delivery had irked my partners and strained my relationship with my photographer. He was less tolerence with others which I didn't aware of previously. He must not put on the sour face too long as the book has finally sent out for printing :)

Bitter - the experience on dealing with new things had me banging my head. I was so short of knowledge on cooking ingredients, which I had to dig deep into books and search engines as well as wikipedia. There are really so much to learn in life. I learnt well, and now feel confident to write about cooking term.

Spicy - working on this new turf has given me opportunities. However, it comes with a risk. What if these books are not selling well? I think there's equal chances to do well as well. This excitement keeps me going.

Sweet - of course would be the success of the book! I'll be busy going around selling it as we have allocated 1,000 books to sell on our own while the 7,000 goes to main distributor. The distributor will flex their muscles in 3-4 days reaching out nationwide & Singapore too. However, they only will be making payment in April if the books are out before Dec 10. We need to get the 1,000 out on our own to make some cash to settle with suppliers.

p/s: the pdf files are giving me another hell here as I have problem embedding CMYK format. Maybe we'd have to fork out with money to get things done. Darn! My eMac doesn't come with that particular command button!

Chinese New Year Food Galore

2006-10-25T22:08:00.000+08:00

Counting down to first ever our own 'product launch'. Used to think of quite a number of product launches during my service with events management companies, what I want to do for our launch would probably join my partners to say a prayer :)

First Original CD Since...

2006-10-24T11:42:00.000+08:00

Lost count on when was my last time I did buy an original CD. There were a few times I thought of it when some of the good artistes produced impressive works. These include Victor Wong (Guang Liang), Gary Chao (Chao Ge), Penny Dai & other local artistes who made it big internationally. I'd like to support them and buy their CDs. My once idol was Faye Wong, I like her soft & tender mesmerizing voice.

This up and coming new HK artiste is Vincy, her voice resemblance that of Faye. Born in HK and migrated to Singapore and graduated in accounting, she first heard over the radio 3 months ago and her voice touched many including me. As she heat up her visits to M'sia last week, maximum exposures on the radio had shot up the sale of her album. I couldn't find it at CD Rama as it had sold out. Her album has many good songs, I recommend 'Go Ba' (Confess) as it has depth and soul.

Seeing Red

2006-10-15T04:36:00.000+08:00

Now the time I have to spend on the computer has tremendously increased. It really straining my eyes as my profession requires more and more time staring on the monitor. Mostly I'll have to work with Adobe illustrator and photoshop, now added in another cap in web designing too, the flash and dreamweaver. Thus, I had to shut down early to sleep last night. The tireness and draining of the eyes were unbearable. However, I was up early to see the monitor again. I had to, time is running out. I need to put the cook book together. We eyed on the launch early November, and I have to fight with time. We must hire an artist for our next issue, I really hoped so.

Cooking Up A Delicious Future

2006-09-27T12:38:00.000+08:00

The cook book is giving me, my partners (photographer & chef) the burning flame of hope to break it to the market early Nov. Targeting the predominantly Chinese homemakers between 25-45 of age, we give the book a warm feeling of home cook food with sumptuous delicacies of waxed meats to mouth watering cuisines. All are easy to prepare culinary from the period where most of them will start preparing for Chinese New Year and aims at giving them the concept behind some traditional practices, reviving the old and discovering the new...all in the book.

Deliberating the design of cover, inside pages and what to write and what not were very open amongst us. I was made to relayout many times and still not satisfactory, however, the suggestion of making our book look different has finally found a way. I can't wait to shoot the mood shot sometimes this week, whereby we'll show a warm atmosphere before a family getting ready to dine at home :)

Living A Life

2006-09-20T00:01:00.000+08:00

How long will one live? 60 yrs? 80 yrs? Or less or more? Depends on the person's life span, everyone has its path and fate. There are so many people living in this planet, we only know the world we're living in now; the past is something we won't know. Only through history we read and our own path which we went thru. We see, listen and experience the things we're going thru now within our own space; from the sources we obtained. The imagery of history could be spanned over our minds through movies, books, internet and make us ponder and wonder. And also make us humble, and feel small as the history definitely proved to be larger than our lives.

That's the reason we like to see movies, seeing actors and actresses playing different roles in accordance to the plots and scripts. We can only live once, but movies make us feel happy, sad, smile or cry according to the ups and downs of another person's life. It makes us forget about reality and escape to a different time zone and lead a diversed lifestyle.

Rural Folks vs Urbanites

2006-09-12T23:19:00.000+08:00

Living cost in the city now have reached a level where most of us will have to dig deep in our pockets to make day's end. The money we earned could well be vapourated in a jiffy by loans, insurance, utility, food, grocery and kids education. It's just ashame as we were made to burn fuels in traffic jamms, have loan interests increased in BLR, tolls rate hikes and other commodities inflated in many folds. Urbanites really are paying a hefty price to maintain day-to-day life in the city, plus increased crime rates.

In contrast, life in the rural especially those with rich plantation ownership i.e. rubber estates are really enjoying good life. The rubber prices were in 30yrs high with average RM6.50 per kg now (previously RM8.50/kg in June) though a bit volatile in the past two months. To planters, they get about RM2.60/kg now compares to RM1.50 one or two years ago. Just imagine on a good day, they can fetch 200kg on average. They can easily make RM5k a month for a relatively low living cost. No housing loan, no car loan, no traffic jam, no toll nothing. They spend about less than 8hrs in the plantation a day and the trees need to rest a day at least for better fetch.

I used to follow my mum to go all over the plantation to help with my siblings. She was an integrity worker and most of the owner would want her to work for them. She made RM7 a day and I remembered we set our footprints everywhere, she walked as far as 10km to tap and shouldered the latex back to processing plant. I dwelled on the past again :)

夜已深

2006-07-25T00:35:00.000+08:00

喜歡用夜已深留言給博客一族，我想那是因為夜晚令人感性吧！夜已深另一注解乃夜晚是屬於我的，深（森）乃本人也！

總覺得城市的夜不比鄉下的深，在城裡的夜晚即使是凌晨兩點也不覺得如何；可能是燈光太亮吧！在鄉下，惓意很快就來；寒意侵襲。週遭漆黑一片，深不見底！其實無論在那裡，夜晚總是感性和美麗的；又以沙哈拉的沙漠那一望無際的星空為最！

What is Life?

2006-06-27T01:03:00.000+08:00

What is the meaning of LIFE? All of us will have our own interpretation, no matter how different your version can be; it's just in the same circle. In my opinion, life is the continuation of mankind history. Being a Chinese, our ancestors created history in five thousand years ago. Through this thick and thin period, what we got were the wisdom of our ancestors for us to carry on.

We have very short life in the history of mankind, what is important in my opinion is that what kind of life learning wisdom can we pass down to our next generation. As long his contribution is significant, one would be very much appreciated if he/she lives only for a day. This goes to the Penang lad who dies of brain cancer but donated his organs that benefited so many people. To us and his family, he actually lives on with his generousity and will be remembered for a lifetime.

Do people have re-carnation? If the answer is yes, then we must observe our way of life as everything we do today has an impact of what we expect tomorrow. What comes around goes around and if you were to suffer this life, it must be that you did not do enough the last life. If you were not getting reciprocation in the things you do to others, probably you have not cleared your debts the life before.

Likewise, our love lives. If we were not successful in the relationship, it was because we were fated to end. Ironically, our lives have certainly looked like the path that you were taking now was set by godwill. So, just let him lead us to the natural course and less worried about it. If yours, it will be yours...

生命為何來？每個人都對生命有自己的看法，萬變不離其宗。我想，生命是人纇史的延續。五千年前，中華民族開拓其歷史於神州大地。經歷了歲月的洗禮，留給下一代的往往是生活的智慧以便人纇的生命延續。一生人能活多長？我想，生命貴於你留下什麼樣的精神給下一代，有那些智慧能讓你的子孫或別人吸收？真正有意義的，就活一天也足夠。有一年青人腦死，卻把身體器官全捐出助人。我想，他的生命因此獲的延續，不死精神永在。

人纇是否會輪回？若會，那一定有因果存在。今生若受苦，必定是前世不曾修道。今生的付出沒獲回報，那是前世欠下的。比如我的，你的愛情。眼前的沒成功，那是因為她和我有緣無份。一切是有其定律，唯順其自然方會柳暗花明又一村！

Cook Up Something Nice

2006-05-20T19:42:00.000+08:00

This plate of Bitter Gourd Stewed With Black Pepper Pork Ribs Entanglement was what I cooked up to. It has nothing to do with my bitter ending love but more for a culinary experience. It is something you can try cooking up to one day with these easy steps.
1. Ingredients: Bitter Gourd(1/2), Pork Ribs(1/2 plate) (Pre-marinated with corn flour and soy sauce),Garlic, Black Pepper and slices of Red Chili
2. Let the bitter gourd simmers till half-cooked follow by pork ribs
3. Put garlic and red chili in wok under small flames
4. Follow by both bitter gourd and pork ribs
5. Cook until the bitter gourd turns soft
6. Add in Black Pepper, salt, oyster sauce, black sauce, water and stew for
about 5 mins
7. Pour in corn flour water and continue stew for 1 min
8. Ready to serve