Wild Willows for Chinese New Year 2013

This morning we are delight to see leaves sprouting out from our Chinese New Year Wild Willows.. This is the first time i saw leaves growing from Wild Willows..

Punggol-East By Election Result..

Workers Party have won the Punggol-East by election yesterday.. Its a shocking to win with a huge margin..
Here is the result.

Ms Lee Li Lian (Workers Party): 16,038 votes
Dr Koh Poh Koon (People's Action Party): 12,856 votes
Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam (Reform Party): 353 votes

Mr Desmond Lim (Singapore Democratic Alliance): 168 votes

The unhappiness of the citizen is clearly shown in this by election and the government must work extra hard.. This is just a mid term report card.. the final report card will be the next General Election..  

I was joking with my friends that the result can interpreted like this

Workers Party - Should Be Better

People's Action Party - Can Be Better

Reform Party - Can't be any Better

Singapore Democratic Alliance - Better Luck Next Time

Punggol-East by-election cooling off day..

Yeah, finally today is the cooing off day for Punggol-East by-Election.. You guys must be wondering why i so happy about this day..

First its Friday..!! (who don' like Friday?)

Secondly, no more leaflets distribution.. For the pass 1 week, Punggol-East residences have been receiving parties leaflets of the 4 parties.. and every few steps someone is distributing leaflets.. many times you can see leaflets being litter on the floor and in the lifts (those throw in the lift de, got no guts).. Not to mention some went to the recycle bin.. Hey Punggol-East does have some civilized residence..

Thirdly, for that 1 week the four candidates took turns to greet us good morning at different LRT stations.. Sometimes stopping for a handshake can resulted in missing the LRT... Everyone is in the morning rush...  I am sure after today, no more such VIP treatment le, maybe the next general election ba..

Glad that everything are back to normal for today, till tomorrow by-election.. We never know our future in Punggol-East till the by-Election result...

Punggol_East By-Election Rally

Well these pics says it all.. I don't have to blog much.. Nah see for yourself..

CNY 2013 at Chinatown..

Last night i decided to take a break from by-election (did not attend PAP Rally)  and head for Chinatown..
Hmm.. this year the "Boxy Lanterns" looks weird loh.. Its creative but Chinese usually preferred round lanterns..

See all square square de.. funny hor..

 Shangdong Peanuts... Can free tasting de loh..

 Dragon year is coming to an end.. but he still make an appearance loh..

 Red Packets known as "Hong Bao".. Red Packets are filled with money and give out to children as a gesture to warding off evil..

 Nien Kao.. Sticky New Year Cake.. Because in Mandarin Nien Gao sounds like New Year Cake..

 Prosperity plants... Twisting Bamboo representing growth with a twist of fortune.. The baby mandarin orange plant, represent wealth..

 The Chinese word for pomelo sounds like "to have." means wishes will come true..

 More boxy lanterns...Boxy CNY 2013..

Wax duck and Chinese sausages.. In ancient China, during winter period people wax and preserved their meat...

Punggol-East By-Election, Will you vote for him?

Since the announcement of having a by-Election, the quiet township of Punggol-East have come into the limelight of Singapore political scene.. Many opposition parties and individual candidates starts eyeing this young SMC.. Independent candidate Zeng Guoyan, turned up on a three-wheeled motorcycle, wearing a Middle Eastern outfit to file his nomination paper just to realize that he is not qualify due to some previous encounters with the law. He then took off his headgear and wore a homemade paper vest that read: ‘You have done me a lot of injustice... there is no justice in the system... the law is blind.’ Will you vote for such candidate into the parliament?

Will you Vote for such candidate into the parliament?

Reform Party's candidate had vow "No More Broken Promises".. Well people might interpreted that Reform Party all along has been giving broken promises.. Knock. knock.. Parties have to be careful with their words, its politics out there... You might be giving the wrong massage that might back fired..

Well Punggol-East residence are a more educated lot and they should be smart enough to know who to vote for..

Punggol-East By-election

Last night i witness the Reform Party being interview by the press at Rivervale Plaza and then suddenly a man walked pass and said loudly "This one waste time one."... Hahaha.. well..

Both PAP & Workers Party are fielding good candidates.. and SDP has decided to pull out.. But still a 4 corner fight with Reform Party & SDA.. and now Punggol-East voters are just confuse as me..

A small quiet town, filled with young families has become the nation most talk about town..  and Punggol-East residence are voicing out their needs and problems.. More child care center, more eateries (especially Mulim eateries), better transport services, the mess of Rivervale Plaza etc... and the lists goes on...

I can't wait to attend rallies, so that i can decide better who to vote for.. Some says let the PAP complete all the mess in Rivervale Plaza or should the opposition given the chance the proved their worth??

Punggol-East by-Election on 26 Jan 2013

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced that the by-election in Punggol East would be held on 26 January, a Saturday. 

Nomination Day is set for next Wednesday, 16 January.

After much anticipation about the by-election, the date is finally announced. During the last year general election, i did not vote because i happened to be in overseas during that period. But this time i is another chance to vote again.. Well it is not all about the chance/right voting, its about who to vote.. Punggol-East are filled with more younger Singaporeans, we need someone who can understand and take care of our needs.. First is the Rivervale Plaza thingy.. I hope it can complete by due date.. and also more affordable eateries in Punggol-East area.. The very important, more childcare centers, there are lots of young parents and newly wed in Punggol-East.. Finally improvement on the LRT system, its too crowded during morning rush hours.. 

Well its sad to see Michael Palmer to resign in such a way.. During my stay in Punggol-East, i have cross path with him twice.. Once bummed into him while he is doing his pre-election walk-about, he came forward to shake my hand (well election walk-about mah, you know what  mean?). Second time, i cycle pass him in the morning at the park connector and was greeted a loud and lively "Good Morning" by him.. I return with a salute gesture.. and he gave a sunshine smile back..  Both times he leaves a friendly impression on me.. 

Well let see how this by-election goes..

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...