Dear Diary,

So today I'm sitting at this hawker center bored out of my mind. As I was flipping my magazine, I couldn't help but think that I'm almost 37. Jesus Christ man. Almost fucking 40 and I have no career to speak of.

At this moment in thought, there was this article on the magazine about hypnosis. It's about self-hypnosis.

Self-hypnosis is which a person hypnotizes himself without the assistance of another person to serve as the hypnotics. Pros of hypnosis; Self-discipline, positive thinking, self assured, bad habits and a long lists of much more.

'I'm gonna to do it ' I thought, since there was simple instruction given. Just then there this middle age lady who order a drink and happen to sit besides me.

I cracked my neck and whispered to myself: "I try on her first" and then I slowly read the instruction on the magazine.

I looked up and we made eye contact just before drink arrives.

"I'm....sorry.." I said in a robotic tone, "but...I see you somewhere before."

She look confuse and reply, “Is it?”

And then I told her to close her eye and think.

I said, “Lose your eyes and try to empty your mind.” Oh ya..I was trying to hypnotic her now.

“Take slow, deep breaths. When you exhale, see the tension and negativity leaving in a dark cloud. As you inhale, see the air returning as a bright force filled with life and energy.” I told her in a mind tone.

“Appreciate the fact that you are now extremely relaxed” As I said this, I notice her her did exactly the way I ask her.

Feeling excited I added on,” Tell yourself that you are going to count down from 10. Picture each number in your mind in detail. After each number, you will feel yourself drifting further and further into your subconscious mind.”

“Take slow, deep breaths” I continue,...

“Appreciate the fact that you are now extremely relaxed.”

“You are now in a deeply impressionable state”

“When you are satisfied, say to yourself that the man sitting beside you is your brother.”

“Once you have ready, give yourself a few moments before opening your eyes”

Then she open her eyes and observe me. “My brother” was the first word she said.

Wow,...I thought to myself “Si buay powerful my hypnosis hor”

Slowly she took a booklet from her handbag and she continue, “In my church everybody are my brothers and sisters.”. She slip the booklet into my hand with a gentle smile, lean toward me and explain she insist that I should join her for church services this coming Sunday.

“Hallelujah” was the only word came out from my mouth.
I don't know to laugh or to cry.

Nevertheless I thank her for the invitation before I bid her goodbye.

http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/portal/site/STI/menuitem.c2aef3d65baca16abb31f610a06310a0/?vgnextoid=7532758920e39010VgnVCM1000000a35010aRCRD&vgnextfmt=vgnartid:c78f11aa1b42f010VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD:STForumArcDate:1164579556628

Please click and read above link first before continue. If not, probably you've like lost in the jungle in a maze of twisty little paths.

Quote:

Jason says: Singapore's public transport system pales in comparison with Hong Kong.

I say: Mr Jason, our government say it world class...then it world class. Our Goverment told us it first class, then it first class transport system we have here, lor.

Jason says: The MTR trains (HK) there are faster, arrive on time and are cleaner. Instructions are laid out clearly on overhead panels, right down to on which side the train door will open. Station signs are given clearly. In terms of public buses, Hong Kong has a super-efficient system which is entirely market-driven.

I say: Your is market driven but our are profit driven by SMRT, bus and taxi company.

Jason says: I have never had a problem getting a cab(HK) except during peak hours.

I say: Like I said, we're being profit driven. Make a cab call, pay additional $. Very easy.

Jason says: The Octopus card is used widely, from vending machines to supermarkets to Chinese fast-food outlets. Compare this with the situation in Singapore where vendors and service providers cannot agree on a common platform, making the payment system inefficient.

I say: Of course we cannot agreed lah. Every company here want to make money.

Jason says: Singapore has a fairly efficient public transport system, but I urge the Ministry of Transport, the Land Transport Authority and the Public Transport Council to spend some time in Hong Kong to understand and learn from its wonderful public transport system.

I say: Jason..err not that I want to laugh at you but our Minister don't take public transport. Our Ministry of Transport take car to work never public transportation. How to learn? Having said that, don't for a second you think our Minister knows nothing. His strongest attribute is fare hike.
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Things I Haven't Done

I haven’t died.

I haven’t gone to US and Japan.

I haven’t cleaned my van quite a while.

I haven’t buy any new CD’s in a few months.

I haven’t been to Orchard road in six months.

I haven’t given up on my creativity, it will peek through again shortly I’m sure.

I haven’t been early for work in over four months.

I haven’t even thought of my 2 weeks leave.

I haven’t bought any new shoes in over nine months.

I haven’t forgotten any of you.

I haven’t gotten over my guilt of not visiting any of you lately.

I haven’t forgotten that this Christmas is making me remember what life is all about.

I haven’t scuba diving.

I haven't been to church in 5 years.

I haven't purchased a lottery ticket in a year.

I haven't quit smoking yet.
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Telemarketers crack me up.

They're so scripted and trained, so stuck in their routine and so closely monitored, that anything you say even slightly off-putting will completely screw them up.

For example, I recently received a call from a credit card company who said the following:

“Bah....bah....bah....and a loan up to five times your monthly salary with a low interest." said the lady.

"Actually, I'm very well off and I don't need any loan" I said.

Only a chainsaw could have cut through the awkwardness of the next three seconds.

"Thank you for your time sir." was the last words I heard from her.

Which reminds me of another incident. Someone called and wanted me to sign up for unknown company for insurance plan. Initially I thought, what the heck only SGD10 a month (cover for accident) after her continuously persistence.

Me: Ok.....sign me up.

Lady: Let me have your house address. I ask my courier guy pass you the form and then you sign just return the form back to him.

Me: By courier service? No need to meet up and some explanation on the plan?

Lady: No need. Fast and convenience, right?

Me: Wow, you're very professional (trying to be sarcastic)

Lady: Oh yes....we are.

(**Sigh** obviously this lady not from insurance but telemarketer for them)

Sensing this is not right and also this company I never hear before prior this call so I decided back out. Well the thing is, she kept calling back. As much as three times a day even I tell her I'm not free.

So eventually I decided to mess with her.

Telemarketer: Could you please confirm your house address.

Me: I'm going to cut your head off.

Telemarketer: Um...yes, sir...but I need your house address to send you the contract.

Me: I'm going to cut your head off.

Telemarketer: Okay, is this Mr. How?

Me: Mr How doesn't live here anymore.

Telemarketer: Do you know where I can find him?

Me: No. I cut his head off.

Telemarketer: Thank you for your time sir.
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Have you ever said at a point when you needed a job badly “I'll take any job I can get"?

When you’re unemployed, there’s a certain point you reach called “I’ll take any job I can get.” Well, almost any job.



During my school holiday of 1987 my friends and I worked in this factory situated in Jurong. I remember took bus from my house to there was like 1.5 hours alone.

How hard could that be working in a factory after all, I'm young and strong.

Wrong! In fact this job is the hardest, toughest I ever work in my entire life.

Had to leave my house at 5:00pm (doing night shift), reached Jurong 6:30pm and then took a feeder bus to the factory finally landed at the site at 6:50pm.

Start work at 7:00pm.

I remember we had to tie some tins together and it came freaking non-stop. Because this factory produce tins and if we were to stop the whole machine will get jam. I had to stand and move my arms non-stop until 12:00am.

Break for snack, work resumed at 12:30am to 7:00am.

Cruised back home took about 9:00am and whole thing start all over again. I worked for 2 weeks there and was paid a meager of SGD378/-.

19 years on, I'm still trying to figure out why do I work in that shit hole for bloody 2 weeks. I should have abandoned the job the moment I step into the forsake place.

I was waiting for Ah Lam and I saw this mini flea market along club street.



It also known as poor man shopping.

You would find people from all walks of life browsed around for good stuff and hanging around there, from the young to the old, from locals to tourists. Armed with a nose for good bargains, these people knew how to sniff out the gems from the garbage.



Then there was this stall trying to make a buck from the few audio visual items on display. There was a second-hand 17" TV set and video recorder among others.

Among the mish-mash of stuff I rummaged from the peddlers at here, I found something "interesting" that they sell.

Give you some examples.
See picture below.


(See the picture place on the tree?)

Why would one buy picture of someone he don't even know?
Buy already and hang inside your house?
I don't quite understand.

Then there is,



Like used old batteries.
Who on earth would someone buy batteries that already used?

Like used tub of facial wash.
Tell me this is not real.

Like used charger.
The mobile phone dun even in production anymore.

Like used Kong Guan biscuit tin.
Buy for what? Keep coin meh?

Like spoil held held game-boy, used telephone wire, used perfume, used cup and etc. So why would someone buy those items that I listed is truly beyond me.
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Been a week since we have brought the oven and it's time to try it out. I'm sitting here at 4:30 pm looking at mum polishing her skill in baking cookies and trying to cook a roast chicken and pork for dinner without burning it.


(Everybody use eyes power to help mum)



Just pop in some flour, butter, sugar and some eggs.
Easy or I think it was. Hahaha



Verdict: Cookies - 3 stars (Mum long time never bake cookies to be fair)

Now the roost chicken.

The trick to this tender, succulent roast chicken is the seasonings under the skin and finishing with a delicious sauce from the pan juices. (As if I'm a expert).

Getting any two good cooks (mum and sister) to agree on how to actually roast the chicken is another story, however. Do you use high-temperature, fast roasting? Or should you take it low and slow? Baste? Yes? No?

We start with an initial blast of heat, followed by roasting at a moderate temperature. We do pay careful attention to the first and last steps of the process


(Below is the potatoes)


(Forgot to add....we tried roast pork as well.)

We season the bird to make it even more flavorful, and we always like to go one step further than just plain roast chicken by transforming the flavorful pan juices into a simple but delicious sauce.


(It may look odd but I assure you, it is juicy and delicious)


(The roost pork turn out not as we expected)



Verdict: Roast chicken – 5 stars
Verdict: Roast pork – 3 stars (First time trying to roast)
Verdict: Potatoes – 5 stars (Was seasonings for a flavor boost)

Next week, we'll baking cake, stay tune
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Today is my nephew sixth birthday. I am astonished at the fact that Josiah will be primary one next year.

Gosh, primary one....oh how time flies.

It’s like, I still remember the times when he was born.......when the time he was introduced his ‘chuet-chuet’ (pacifier).

Me and my niece.



My nephew “fighting' with my bro in law.




Josiah: This is my fave Uncle Nick



After dinner, relax time.



Birthday boy.




Can't wait to take pictures of him in his primary one uniform.
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After my completing my mission (attending my ship), I went to Katong for lunch. Value for money and delicious steak. More information is here. While enjoying my prime ribeye steak extra cut, Stephanie called and she's in Parkway parade.


There's she was..doing her hair)


(Cannot hide from me)

The hairstylist recommend Stephanie to cut China doll hairstyle. My hair needs some housekeeping as well so I decided trim here too.


(Already cut half way through)

So what is the finishing product look like?


(Wau lau.....Ah Beng's look. Si buay punk)


(Wau Lau.....China doll's look. Si buay cute)

Dinner: Teochew Porridge

I used to think this was the most disgusting thing in the world, especially when it was served bland rice porridge with nasty sides. But when I first tasted it years ago., it changed my opinion completely.


(Behind me is the Teochew stall)


(A China doll eating teochew mui)

After dinner, this China doll wants to go shopping to match her China's look. OK, I got no problem with that.




(She can indulge herself)


(You should look at her intense excitement)


(China doll tells me...."Time files when it come to shopping")

I suspected something.
Shopping is Stephanie's hobby.
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Went to have fish head steam boat dinner with Bear and Ah Lam. This place is located somewhere near SGH. According to the world of Ah Lam, this place is famous.



(As you can see Bear almost drenched in sweat, By the time he finished his food so much so that, it feel like standing under a waterfall.)


(Damage: SGD40.00 including prawns and vegetable)

Next stop went to Vivo City.

With more than 1 million sq ft of lettable space, VivoCity will be the largest multi-experiential retail and lifestyle destination in Singapore.


(First thing upon reaching there, Bear strike a pose)

Walk around, nothing interesting to take until......


(Inside U2 store)

So when Ah Lam was tying his shoe lace, I put a coat over his shoulder.




He looked like Hui Man-Keung in the serial, “The Bund”
Very smart.
hahaha
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