Singapore Families better off despite rise in price??

I came across this article in Straits Times on 27 Dec2012...

Report says that families in Singapore were better off despite rise in prices.. We the citizen of Singapore will know if we are better off despite rise in prices.. i am sure most will laugh out loud till falling off the chair.. Damn, is this a report to boost the morale of Singaporeans or is this to show the World that Singaporean still can spend despite rise in prices.. ?? What is the objective of this publishing this article during this period of time??

The person who wrote this report forgets that now is the end of the year, and this might affect many AWS and bonuses.. Wrong timing for such report.. There are still some Singaporean struggling to meet ends need.. and retailers will have a good reason to raise prices after this report.. Not to forget that CNY will be approaching..

Ungracious Singaporean

Last week as i was on my way to visit one of the corporate account, these was this very drama happen on board the bus..
Coming near to a bus stop, this young lady sitting near the entrance press the bell, whole seated.. and when the bus arrive at the bus stop, she just simply tap her ezlink card but did not alight. Happen that one old lady who was on board the bus saw what this young lady did and start to question her... "Why did you tap your ezlink card but did not alight?".. That lady ignore her and stand up.. That old lady took the seat and keep scolding "You are not honest, how can you tap your ezlink card but refuse to get off the bus", then this young lady shoot back "Old lady, i did not cheat, please mind your own business"..

Then feeling uneasy, this young lady went forward to the driver to complaint about that old lady.. Then this old lady came forward too and both ladies had an argument.. I heard this old lady was say "I was hoping that you will alight so that i can have your seat.." Then come to the next bus stop, this young lady alight and shouted at the old lady "You are an busybody old lady, very irritating.."

There is nothing the driver can do.. Everyone on board are shaking their head in the bus..

Did this lady accidentally tap her ezlink card to realised that this is not where she wants to alight.. and stay on to her seat.. till the next two bus stop away.. But old lady thought she was attempt cheating and expect this young lady to give her seat to her.. ???  

Winter Solstice...

Today is the Winter Solstice (DongZhi) - Celebrating beginning of the Winter period and time to eat Rice Balls known as "Tang Yuan" in Chinese..

Today is the day family will get together, to make "Tang Yuan" and eat together.. "Tang Yuan" is made of glutinous rice flour shaped into a ball and cooked in a sweet soup. 'Tang Yuan" symbolized Reunion..

 

KFC Survey on new product

This morning as i walk passed the KFC outlet in Jurong Point.. One of the staff approach me to do a simple survey to feedback their "new" product - the Fish Twister for Breakfast..

Well, i agree loh, got free food, why not.. anyway i am on my way looking for breakfast and this survey came at the right time.. The staff lead me into KFC, invite me to take a seat and look at the survey form while the kitchen prepare for me the 'New" Fish Twister..

Here is my feedback after a few bites,, i mean, i bite and comment at the same time..

 The packaging is ok for me.. standard for a wrap la.. then open up the packaging to find a hot wraps. Inside the wrap contains: Fish Fillet, Egg Omelette, Tomatoes Cubes and top up with Tartar Sauce...
The Fish Fillet is crips outside and soft on the inside, every bite of the fish with the egg omelette is satisfying.. But the generously spread tartar sauce does not goes well with the chopped tomatoes..

I do suggest to replace the egg omelette with hush brown for a more crunch and can compliment the tartar sauce. But i love the ideas of having fish for breakfast, light and can fill you with lots of DHA to your start a hectic day.

Anyway, THANKS KFC for the FREE BREAKFAST....

Christmas trees in Orchard Road 2012

Shared some nice Christmas trees of shopping malls in Orchard Road.. Ho ho ho ho ho...

 Plaza Singapura

 Paragon

 Walkway along CK Tangs

 CK Tangs

 Scotts Plaza

 Takashimaya

 Mandarin Orchard

 Orchard Road Lights Up...

 Centerpoint walkway...

 Centrepoint, drummer boys..

 Orchard Road Lights up 2012

More Xmas light up.

Here are some of the 313 Somerset's Xmas decoration pics.. Enjoy..
There are complaint about rats at 313 Somerset, but i dun see any...

SMRT Driver refuse to work?? or its a strike??

Yesterday 100 SMRT drivers from China "Refuse to Work"? Or is it a "Strike"?

see link below:
http://news.insing.com/tabloid/bus-drivers-refuse-to-work/id-06663f00
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1239482/1/.html

What is the meaning of "Strike"? OK let me check the dictionary.. 

Definition of strike:  [no object] (of employees) refuse to work as a form of organized protest, typically in an attempt to obtain a particular concession or concessions from their employer: workers may strike over threatened job losses..

So "refuse to work" is = to a strike...  Let faced it...

Yes we do need foreign workers to fill this sector gap, how many Singaporean willing to be Bus Captain? (raise up your hands)..But by bring in foreign workers,, we faced another set of problems. Foreign workers does bring along their work culture and employee right from their own country of origin.. We can't blame them but we also can;t afford to let them to create social problem to our country.. 

These foreign workers compare their salary to their Malaysian colleague.. but have they consider their paper qualification, English language proficiency, more hard working then their Malaysian colleague? Do they know that high pay comes with more responsibility? Only they themselves know the answer.. I am sure SMRT have a better reason to give a better salary to the Malaysian... 

Morning Rush Hour..

Monday.. back to work.. This morning, in the crowded MRT train.. I heard a little girl crying to her mom, "I want to have a seat..."  My heart when soft like jelly when i hear that.. I would love to give up my seat to this little girl but can't see or spot this little girl.. :(   sad sad..

 

Kids now does not have a good and happy childhood.. They have to wake up so early even during school holiday to attend childcare, because both parents are working.. A few times i witness kids feeling restless or still falling asleep in the morning rush hour train.. 

X Mas Light up

The Christmas season is here again and from last Saturday, the whole stretch of Orchard Road has been light up and shopping mall dressing up with beautiful decorations. I love the feel of Christmas decorations, its homely and warm..

Sharing with everyone is the impressive decoration of Orchard Central. The ground floor of the mall is like a little village with stalls selling Christmas decoration..

Role Model MRT Stations

This Morning i was taking the circle line to Bishan. While boarding at the Serangoon station, i saw commuter queuing up in two rows on the side of the door, when the train door open, they let passenger alight before boarding. This good practice of the commuters make boarding and alighting a breeze. When i arrived at Bishan, the commuters did the same practice..

Why can't other station's commuters do the same? Applause to the commuters at Bishan MRT Station and Serangoon MRT Station. And yes, Applause to the staffs of these respective stations too..

Nah a pic from STOMP to prove.

Remember the Ferrari Accident?

Recently i have observed that some Singaporeans start to cross the road before the green man appear. Seems like most Singaporeans have forgot about the Ferrari beating the traffic light accident that kill the Taxi driver and its passenger.

It is always good to take a two seconds pulse when the green man appear, before crossing, cos you will never know when a car is beating the traffic light and that 2 seconds can really save your live. You can be in a rush but that 2 seconds does not make much different in your appointment but it can also changes your life.. This massage also goes to not only the pedestrians but the drivers out there...

Encountering a ghost in my dream

On Monday night i had an encounter with a ghost in my dream..
Here is my dream: I was having a holiday with my family (dunno which destination, hahaha), when checking into the hotel, we were given room on the same floor except for one room which is located on a different floor. Well my room is on the same floor with the rest of the family. We went up to the room and rest before gathering at the lobby for the tour.

I decide to go down to the lobby earlier so i left the room alone, after closing the door, i saw a human figure wearing a hood covering its face in the other far end of the corridor after the lift lobby. I didn't think much cos it might be another hotel guest. As i was walking towards the lift lobby, that figure also start moving towards the lift lobby. Nearer to the lift lobby, that figure came close towards me (i didn't see the face cos its covered by the hoot, and i dun want to see also) and walk through me, i feel a chill down my spine.. and for that few minutes i was standing freezing with fear..

 That figuring looks something like this from far but was wearing a hood.

Then i quickly went down to the lobby and later told my family about this..

OK then i WOKE UP.. End of the short short encounter with a ghost in my dream..Many people told me that a dream sometimes represent something like a message or wat.. But that feeling of a ghost walk through me is really... i dunno how to explain it.... Errie i suppose...

Topping up Cepas Card

I saw something funny when i was at Novena MRT. I had some problem with my Ezlink card and approached the control station for help. Pasted on the control station service counter's window, there is this notice...

For Topping up Cepas Card

Give us your Cepas Card

not 

the Whole Wallet

I was amused and ask the staff at the control station, why place such notice? The friendly staffs told me that, it happen many many times before so they have no choice but to place this notice.. There are some customes who give them the whole wallet even argue with the staff when told to just give Cepas card not the whole wallet..

Imagine when ask by the traffic police for your driving license, pass him the whole wallet.. see the reaction of the traffic police.. or when you go to the bank, pass the whole wallet to the teller and say, i want to withdraw $50... When ask for the bill in a restaurant, you pass the whole wallet to the waiter, you see what happen when they return you the wallet.. ??

Well its common sense to pass someone the particular document one required and not the whole wallet or bag..

Circle line DOWN on Eve of Hari Raya Haji

Not again, not again.. I was once again caught in the MRT disrupts, this time on board the Circleline.. I was heading home for a meeting when i board the Circleline from one-north station at about 10.15pm.. I was in the first carriage  things looking fine and i was listening to some motivational talk on my mobile phone's Mp3.. Before the train arrive at Farrer Road Station, half of the lights in the train went off.. Everybody just stare at each other.. well the train still moving.. when it arrived at Farrer Road station, the doors open and was halt for about 15mins, Announcement were made, but only say this train will stop here for a while due to some technical problems, but many commuters were still waiting for the train to resume..

After 20 minutes of wait, i decided to get out of the station hopping to find other alternate route home, yes i was tired after a whole day.. At this point only a handful of passengers walk out, many still prefer to wait in the train.. As i was head towards the gate gantry, i saw a small crowd, crowding the control station asking for refund . Well refund was made on the spot to passengers, i got my 70cents refund.. Then got out of the station and look for alternative..

Finally i discovered bus 165, which goes to Hougang Interchange. At this time many people starts to crowd that bus stop.. When 165 arrived so passenger trying to squeeze onto the bus and i heard the lady bus driver asking "Why there is such a huge crowd during this hour at this bus stop?" and i told her it is due to MRT down.. Yeah it was the eve of Hari Raya Harji.. Upon arriving at Hougang Interchange, i took the North East MRT to Sengkang, where i bum into a friend. By the time i reached home it was 15mins pass midnight..

Saw the news this morning on the paper and realize that the MRT disruption last night is due to power failure. Well that explain why half the lights went of in the train before the halting at Farrer Road Station.

MediaCorp Artist at Compass Point

Well Well Well, has been quite sometime since my last post..

Well last week i was at Compass Point, saw a huge crowd at the ground floor, curious i went up to the 3rd floor to catch a glimps..

Here are the pics of what i saw, are u able to pick out the MediaCorp Artists from the crowd??

That Chen Han Wei

 Who is that lady in Blue Skirt??

 Is that Li Peng in blue? See who is in Bunny Ears..?

Hey that must be Bryan Wong.. Is that Lady in White Top Joanne Peh??

Malaysia Cup 2012

Singapore may be out if the Malaysia Cup 2012 Final.. but i would like to give a huge applause to the LionsXII team for their good fighting spirit. Able to reach the Semi-Final of the Malaysia Cup is not an easy task for a team that had withdraw from the Malaysia Cup since their last win in 1994.

Many fans out there are still passionate about the Malaysia Cup especially the older fans that following them since the 70s. I still remember attending the then Malaysia League matches during my school days with my school friends and my soccer kakis.. We cheer, jeer and were having fun doing the then "Kallang Roar".. That trademark "Kallang Roar" really intimidate the away teams playing at our National Stadium.

Losing by penalty kick off does not mean LionXII is not capable of winning, it is just that the 90mins game have to end in either way.. :)  CHEER on for the LIONSXII  !!!

Some Changes....

I change the back ground look again.. well this one not so busy looking..  ;)

I have add the link of 'Mywineblog" to nourish loft.. "mywineblog" all about wine review and wine pairing. As a wine lovers myself, i have been seeking and enjoying the experience in pair wines with our local Asian dishes.. Now who say wines are for Western dishes only?? Read 'mywineblog' to find out more..

Mid Autumn Festival 2012

Chinese Mid Autumn Festival is also known as Lantern Festival to the kids and Mooncake Festival to  those mooncake lovers.. Whatever you may call it.. But there is always a beginning of how Mid Autumn Festival comes about. 

Long time ago in China, (ok i summary my story short, less loh soh) farmers worshiped the Earth God when they sowed the seeds in spring and thanks the Earth God for blessing them with good harvest during autumn.. The rice harvesting period always falls during the 15th day of 8th month, from then on the autumn offering ritual is known Mid Autumn Festival..

Of course there is a legend about "Chang Er" the Moon Fairy Lady.. There was once in China (too), there is this ruthless King that fall in love to this beautiful lady (Chang Er). Anyway this lady hate this King and burned incense and wax candle to offer the moon on every full moon (dunno why she do that, the moon can't get rid of the King too?) On one of the full moon night, the King gave her three "Forever Living" pills (hey not that present day Forever Living hor), fearing the King will have one pill to himself, she finished all the three pills and fly to the moon.. 

So that is how mooncake is created?? NO! Chang Er don't know how to make mooncake de...

During the Ming Revolution, massages were hide in the mooncakes by the Mings to overthrown the Mongolian rule.. Another method of hiding the message was printed in the surface of mooncakes as a simple puzzle or mosaic. To read the encrypted message, each of the four mooncakes packaged together must be cut into four parts each. The 16 pieces of mooncake, must then be pieced together in such a fashion that the secret messages can be read. The pieces of mooncake are then eaten to destroy the message.. (Hey i would love to be the one that eat the massages)..

 Lanterns at Chinatown MRT

 Modern electrical bulb lantern..

 Mooncakes on sales.. Lotus Paste, double yolk, Single yolk and so much choice..

 Mould to make mooncake..

 Traditional Lanterns.. i learn to make one from my primary sch teacher before.. :)

 Traditional Lanterns

 I used to have one of those during my kidz dayz...

 Lanterns on sales...

 Lanterns decorating Chinatown..

Eu Tong Seah Rd being blanket with colourful lanterns... What a sight...!!

Singapore F1 Grand Prix Race Day...

23Sep12 is the most exciting day for all Singapore F1 fans.. SINGAPORE CONFIRMED HOSTING F1 GRAND PRIX FOR ANOTHER 5 MORE YEARS !!! Its a celebration today!!!

There is no room for the slightest mistake on this enclosed Marina Bay street night circuit... This year race is very exciting.. the best out of the 5 years, so far.. Hamilton's Mclaren slow to a halt half way thru the race due to gear problem, Schumacher slam his Mercedes onto a Toro Rosso because of faulty breaks.. Then Senna and Messa had a heart stopping moment during a overtaking maneuver.. While Messa is overtaking Senna, Senna pushes Messa close to the wall.. Then there are plenty of overtaking from Mark Webber..

After the checkered flag, Katy Perry ignited the Padang with her "Hot & Cold" "Firework" concert.. Its awesome..!!

 F1 fans relaxing and enjoying the Drivers Parade on Big screen.

 Enjoying the Happy Hour with some snacks and drinks..

 Watching the Drivers Parade on the huge screen

 Picnic scene at the Padang.. Uniquely Singapore!! F1 Fans layz back and enjoy the atmosphere...

 Noel Gallaghers Concert at Padang.. I felt that he is missing the oommph from his Oasis days..

 The Proclaimers.. "I will walk 5 Thousand miles.." They did better than Noel Gallaghers.. The crowds are moving and dancing to the Irish folk-pop tunes..

 Williams in action.. in soft tyres..

 Caterham in action...

 Mclaren in action... in super soft tyres..

 That is Messa in action... "Click, Click" cameras clicking away..

 Toro Rosso in action..

Fireworks by the Marina Bay after the race..

 More fireworks.. So much to celebrate... Singapore confirmed hosting F1 for another 5 more years...

 Katy Perry condcert.. all the fans goes wild..