My new baby

I didn't go through the 9 months or any laborious delivery but I think it is almost similar experience.

After 3 long months of agony and waiting after waiting, the Bimmer is finally here.

I will give it all the TLC it needs and spend time to understand it.

Anyway, it does feel like a new exciting toy!

Almost 360 Panoramic View overlooking Sentosa. Taken from sky ride. Thanks to Robert for piecing the shots together.

Thanks to Robert, he helped me to piece the shots together to form a panoramic view of Sentosa.

Bali Escapde 2010....sunsets

One of the sunset scenes at Canggu Beach, Bali. Although I did use picasa to touch up the picture, but nevertheless, the Canon S90 was superb to capture the 'basics' beauty for me to enhance with technology.

World's most crooked road

Yet again, another people shot. It's because Robert asked me to... Hope I did him justice! Or Lombard road for the same matter.

I love eggs benedict.

Doesn't this just make you drool?:) Credits to me for the delicious shot but with compliments from Robert's Canon EOS 550D.

Budding photographer

At the last GMS in SF, I helped myself to my colleague's Canon EOS 550D. Here are some of the shots I took. Needless to say, most of it related to food, would be my handy work:)

Bali Dreams

It was a good trip.  A much anticipated one, albeit it started off badly for me. Left my passport in the office, bringing the wrong type of rupiah currency and having so much work left unfinished... but I guess if you have to go, you have to go.

What I liked most about the trip was probably the villa. It was a great idea to rent one for the 4 days we were there since we had a group of 7 people. The location of the villa was a tad 'far out' as it was about a 25-30mins drive to the more happening places like Kuta, Seminyak areas where pubs, shopping and crowds were a plenty. But the enjoyment was that the whole place was for ourselves and that we could eat, drink, swim and chill in the same place, any time, any way we want it, was really cool.

Oh, and not to forget the chauffeur who was available to bring us into the 'city'.

The outdoors activities were also not too bad, although I had serious 'butt' issues after the cycling exercise. Guess my ass needs extra padding the next time I ever try to do it again.

I definitely hope we get to do this again.... together.

My Big 5 for 2010 - cont'd

Five things that need to happen by the end of this year for you to feel its been your best year yet.

It's harder than I thought but here goes. In no particular order....

*Finish 10KM in Dec within 55mins or less and complete at least one 5KM run in 25mins

*Help others - find time for volunteer work and/or do something for others

*Research on a topic and post my findings on my blog at least once a quarter

*Identify my personal values and develop a mission statement for life

And one more to go.... any suggestions?

My Big 5 for 2010

Five things that need to happen by the end of this year for you to feel its been your best year yet.

It's harder than I thought but here goes. In no particular order....

*Finish 10KM in Dec within 55mins or less and complete at least one 5KM run in 25mins

*Help others - find time for volunteer work and/or do something for others

*Research on a topic and post my findings on my blog at least once a quarter

I haven't quite figured out what my last two should be... but hopefully in the next month or so, I'd be greatly inspired by something or someone to pen down my big 5 for 2010.

Wish me luck!

Resorts World Sentosa Singapore

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Au Dieu 2009 in Hong Kong... I Love Hong Kong

Having been to Hong Kong quite a few times for work, it's been a long while since I've gone back for R&R.

It's great to have good company and to have our 2010 new year countdown in foreign land.

Our HK expert, Ms Chew, was really great in arranging the itinerary. From the way it was planned and the way she maneuvered the group around, one would have thought she's lived there for years.

The trip affirmed my love for the shopping and food in Hong Kong. Highlight of the trip was that I got to taste very delicious food (but still no chance to try private kitchen) and did do some shopping especially at my beloved all-time favourite Flower Garden Market (although, I wish I had a bigger luggage and more cash). I managed to get my boots, but wish we had more time to do shopping at Island Beverly and Nu Front where they had nice shoes and clothes.

Also, we managed to get ourselves up to The Peak for the countdown as we watched the fire works on the HK island side. We got up there 'early' at around 11pm and not long after, the guards stopped people from going up to the roof area. Thus, we were the lucky few who managed to get a spot on higher grounds. The fire works was nice and different from what we've seen in Singapore. But ever since I had experienced fire works in South Bank, Brisbane in 2005 where they were so close I could feel the heat and went on forever, everything else seems to somewhat pale in comparison.

I also got to meet Adrian's lovely children. It's such a small world that his wife, Roslyn, is a colleague of my friend and I've also met and got to know Roslyn from an event before. All the 'aunties' will surely miss their kids.

Low light of the trip was that since we took Jetstar, we had luggage weight limitation. That really got us worried towards end of trip. Luckily I managed to quite comfortably stay within limits, but that was also because my initial idea was just to splurge on my religion - food.

The other one was poor planning to The Peak for the count down. As we had steamboat dinner prior and temperature reporting at 15 deg cel, we dressed quite 'thinly' and forgot that when you get up there, it gets windier and colder. Needless to say, we froze our butts off and I felt slightly sick after that (and had to skip supper/dessert with the group and head back alone for an early night). Also, since we decided to do our countdown there, we went to 7-11 to get our own booze near LKF area (I think it was LKF) and it was hectic and packed. Guess everyone else had similar idea.

All in all, it was a good trip. I wish we didn't have to come back but it's a good start to what we all hope will be a great year for all.

Some more on Hoi An

More on Hoi An

Hot for Hoi An

We are back! Boy, much to update about this hot trip. Firstly, it was a tad short. Probably my fault for not checking out the flights as we had wasted about 2hrs taking this flight as it had a connection to stopover at Siem Reap.

Direct flights to Danang is available and is about 2hrs plus. Secondly, I can't ride a bike. It was just overwhelming for me, but I love being a pillion rider as long as someone is willing to take my load. It was super fun but I'm sure it'd be much more fun if I had and could ride the bike myself. The feeling of wind blowing your hair and face plus Hoi An is 'deserted' enough to ride quite safely and almost recklessly, it was fun, fun, fun! At first, I had to hold on to Sim but gradually, I mustered up the courage to just hang myself via the back of the bike without having to hold on to my dear life by wrapping my hands on Sim's f(l)abulous shoulders. We wanted to extend our bike rental for the last day but unfortunately, we couldn't come to terms with the prices the store was charging us so we opted to return the bikes and travel by taxi. Taxi wasn't cheap - we paid about VND350,000 (USD20) for a 30mins plus ride from Hoi An to the bustling Danang.

I wish there was more time so I can laze by the beach. It was great that we chose an off peak season as practically the hotel, beach and restaurants were like 'exclusively' ours for the 3 days we were there. But that means, I don't have much people to watch, which is typically what I like to do on the beach - bum oggling as I call it. Nevertheless, we had fun pretending the 'island' was reserved privately for us.

If we had more time, we could explore more places in Hoi An but that would mean poor Sim would have to take me along as his piggyback rider. He must have missed out the joy of riding dangerously by himself if I weren't pillion.

Thirdly, the food was quite a disappointment. Didn't have anything that excited our palates too much. The water spinach cooked in garlic was just about the highlight for the trip. Duh. Even the pho was good to great and not even excellent or maybe we had our expectations set up too high?

Fourth, we figure this area is going to be quite a hot tourism place in about a year's time. When we were there, so many constructions were going on by 'branded' hotels such as Le Meridien, Hyatt etc. Most of the establishment were local branded ones but gradually, you see the foreign forces coming in. This oughta tell you something. We found out that it costs about USD95,000 to own one's personal (retirement) pad in Hoi An. Not a bad idea if you think about it - provided it doesn't become overly commercialized like your Phukets and what nots. We joked around we should consider buying and investing in real estates here... Probably Hoi An is the next retirement paradise? The pace and lifestyle is easy and laid back. It is great if you have dough in the bank and looking for simple and peaceful life.

All in all, it was fun for me. Might have missed out some details here and there but can't wait for next group trip with the rest.

Personal QBR... 3/4 point review

How the year of the OX is turning out for me thus far:

Jan: It was a good start as I went to Seoul for shopping with friends. Spent more than my usual as the girls had fun with my 'makeover'. Best part for me was the food of course... I miss the sam gye tang. I think I'm still the slob that I am but as Mdm Coco Chanel had said - "..it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny". Point taken though may not be fully adopted at all times.

Feb: Missed that 'exciting' Phuket trip and a bunch of stuff that made me think a lot about issues I've never quite thought about and how I have been treating me, myself and I. Health and possibly 'life and living it' took an exceptionally important focus that I hope will continue to be key point for many more years to come.

Mar: House Arrest and keeping sanity; I'm a home person but being couped up at home 24/7 is no joke. I wonder how Ms Aung San Suu Kyi survived... but then again, maybe she is living in a big house that has a big garden and backyard for her to wonder around?

Apr: Gathering at my house to celebrate my 'release' - it was quite fun but unfortunately we had to end the night early as my place had a curfew to adhere. Did my 5km JP Morgan Run for second year running - which I'd shamelessly say I am yet again the most unfit person I know where even men older, fatter and 'balder' outran me effortlessly. I was panting like mad and barely made it to the finishing line. I know I've never been a long distance runner before but this was quite outrageous.  Set myself to 'correct' this blip in following months by training... resulting in me setting myself up for this objective by signing up for Standard Chartered 10km. Crazy but true. Went to Bangkok for eating and shopping with parents which was quite fun and I hope next year, we can do something with brother in tow. Went to HK for meeting and met our new dynamic CMO. 

May: My favourite month because I was in New York. I love the place; it has its quirks and is all messy and chaotic and all, but it does have its magic. Wish I could have spent more time there and if only H1N1 wasn't so prevalent, probably could have gone to Queens, Brooklyn and so many other areas of the great city. Well, I brought something extra when I came back and once again, I found myself under House Arrest. The whole H1N1 experience was painful - I'd tell anyone you won't die from the virus but you'd probably die from being couped up in isolation first before the virus gets to you. 

Jun: NY withdrawal - I miss the place. Found out CK was a closet moonwalker and that he was also a Kevin Kern fan. I enjoy irritating him and I think he secretly enjoys being irritated too.

Jul: Night at the museum (not the movie but the real gig) - one of the most interesting event I've ever been to and thank organizers for putting up such a nice idea. This is also the month where I start putting goals for 5km run, which eventually extended to 10km. Dreaming of more getaways as I suddenly crave for more holidays...

Aug: Got my Nike+iPod and started looking at distance running like Bay Run 6km and RunNUS 5km to sign up. Eventually booked myself for 10km which was something I didn't plan for... kinda fell into it, thanks to people like Daniel, Sim, Beni, Andrew, Sri.... all culprits in making me swallow more than I can bite :P But it really pushed me to train myself up and thankfully with support from my boss too :)

Sep: This is the month where we head off to Hoi An getaway with colleagues. I hope it'd be fun as most of the CEOs (chief entertainment officers) are not coming. Planning for a gathering with colleagues-in-crime at somebody's house and hopefully it'd be just as fun as the Apr one. Hope everyone who comes will have a good time. I'm going Seoul again, but for work purpose although I have planned for some personal R&R as the week I'm there would be my birthday week - I usually take PTO on my birthday but not this year :) I'd be by myself but I've always been great at self-entertaining so I think I'd do fine exploring on my own as usual.

For the next and final three months, I can't really point down what else would be in stored for me but I hope it'd something colourful and exciting.

Where's this? 0702

Home to 24 emperors, it has 8,000 rooms and was built by over 1 million labourers over a 14-years period. Guess where this is?

Night at the museum

Want to do something different on a Friday night that'd be fun yet 'healthy' and educational? Check out the Night Festival at the National Museum of Singapore happening 10-11Jul.

So instead of my usual coach potato Friday exercise, I ended up with sore feet. Pity I wore the wrong pair of shoes, otherwise would have stayed longer and explored further within the vincinity where the festivity was held. So much was happening and roads were blocked. I hope they continue this and hold it more often and longer period as it made Singapore looked much more interesting and fun with various acts, movies and exhibitions all happening at the same time.

The acts were happening at National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, The Peranakan Museum, The Substation, Singapore Management University Campus Green, Stamford Green & Stamford Road.

It was like an open house or a POC demo of sorts. All the more interesting that it was held at night when the air is much cooler... and great for night owls.

I am tempted to go back again tonight.... any other takers?

Addiction and misery

Ok, for no (real) apparent reasons, I suddenly miss New York. I don't really know why actually. Why am I feeling this pang? There's a slight achy feeling overwhelming me all of a sudden while I was reminiscing the lovely pictures of the city that never sleeps in my album (the one that's NOT in FB... ha! bet you didn't think I keep stuff private and under my bed...). Kinda like a mother missing her favourite child who's in a faraway land for studies and won't be back for some years. Wait, how would I know what a mother feels like... Ok, let's try this scenario instead - someone missing the companionship of her childhood friend whom she's not gotten in a touch for a long time. Right, this sounds closer to home for me.

Either I'm feeling this way 'cos I'm feeling the itch to travel (and be on the road) again. Or, I'm just getting old and useless... and bored. Or, I'm addicted to travelling (or in this case, to put it more specifically, looking for another chance to go on another holiday, yet again). Is it New York that I really miss, or is it something else?

Pass me the tv controller, I gotta get my mind off this!