For ths 1st time, it was hot ! Some to keep the winter jacket and bring out just the wind-breaker.

I had 2 Shao Mais (@ 20 cents ) this morning. Other than having the same skin, it is rather different from Singapore's ...

* bigger.
* the filling is glutinous rice instead of meat.

It is nice though. Now I have an additional breakfast option.

The customer will visit from 1st to 13th Apr. I can to go to the Singapore Day after all :-)

You guys already knew I can't have the April home trip anymore, customer is visiting. Now I plan the home trip for 30/Apr-4/May, to coincide with Labour Day.


I'll be busy for the next 2 weeks (including weekends) when the customer is here. I wish it will end in time for me to go to the Singapore Day @ Shanghai Century Park on 16th Apr. I'll tell you guys about it if I go. I can expect Singapore food and celebrities there :-).


I went for my second haircut today.

Walk round the lake in Jin Qiao (Golden Bridge) Park today. Saw people fishing ...

Then, I went home to work on my laptop.

After that, I went to gym for the 1st time. I expect my muscles to ache for the next 2 days, which is good ...

Views of Pudong Xin Qu ...

I went to KFC again, for breakfast. Why ? It is the nearest place that serves coffee ! Chinese shops do not have coffee :-(  I had coffee, a chicken burger and a dough fritter for $2.50. Oh yes, and China Daily for 30 cents.

The Shanghai Science and Technology place ... I'll be there ...

Sunny and comfortable, and a long workday for me :-)

The good and the bad about taking a bath in winter ...
* The water is heated.
* The bath lotion is not.

The bad about my residential area ...
* Too old.
* Smoking in lifts, spitting in public.
* Too many pet dogs and their poo on grass.

The good about living & working in SH …
* Many challenges, many things to learn.
* Power-up my Chinese and Mandarin.
* Temporarily a 无车阶级上班族. Quite fun.
* Can watch live sports free-to-air.
   In Singapore, I would've to pay SCV or MIO.

My heart goes out to the people of Japan and Libya. Hang-in there, persevere, 疾风知劲草. Time changes things. It may even be 沧海桑田 … 阿.

Life depends on little decisions made at crossroads. This is the land of the dragon. I am glad that our homeland has done well in the past few years. It just needs to work on being more graceful; no littering, no spitting in public, no unruly behavior, more polite and courteous, etc.

In this Middle Kindom, I get to go behind-the-scenes to see how the technology company with the highest market-capitalization work to churn out the most popular electronics products in the world.

Let me tell you why I don't eat breakfast at 1st Restaurant anymore ...
* it is hard to describe but it is far from being a place you want to spend time, any more than necessary, in.
* the sunny-side-up is cold.
* the soya bean milk is "no big deal".
I just buy and take-away 2 meat baos (2 x 20 cents).

I visited Wen Feng Mall on the weekend. It reminded me of a smaller version of IMM, just a little ...

The rain will bring the temperature down to below 10 for the next 3~4 days :-(

Yahoo Singapore ... my daily dose of home news.

My favorite words is "Integrity". Now,I added another very important word, "Perseverence".

Some mornings & evenings are cold, somtimes it drizzles, some days are really windy ... However, today is almost perfect ...

I found out today that Healthway Shanghai charges $100 for consultation. That's 5 time more than in Singapore !  Are they ripping off expatriates and insurance companies ?

All England Badminton 2011

I was impressed by Lee Chong Wei's physique and skills when he demolished Chen Long in the semi-final. Therefore, I just have to see the final match-up between this Malaysian Natioanl Treasure and the China Super Lin (Lin Dan) ...

In Sunday night's final, I watch the 1st set "live" when Lee Chong Wei beat Lin Dan 21-17. Thereafter, I went to bed because I thought sleep is more important for a busy Monday ahead. Today morning, I found out that Lee Chong Wei has won the match and championship 21-17, 21-17 ...

I spent 3 hours at KFC (@ Chang Dao Rd) today from 10am to 1pm. It doesn't have the nice sofa like Starbuck's, but it still provided my morning fix.

6 hrs of Starbucks

Stayed in Starbucks (@ Xin Jin Qiao Rd) from 10am to 4pm. Nice coffee, sofa, environment, ...

The weather reached 15 deg C today. I finally could walk outside in only a t-shirt. I'll tell you when the weather reached 15, 20, 25, and finally 30 deg C.

Lots of work to complete on Moday. Therefore, I did some today ... tabulated the quantity of jigs and fixtures.

This week, the temperature in the day has exceeded 10 deg C. I can't wait for it to reach Singapore's wonderfully hot weather temperature.

I ate a satay on Monday night and upsetted my stomach. It became better only today.

Outside my apartment today, I took the picture of this "Machine" with my iPhone-3GS.

I drink these almost everyday ...
Breakfast : Soya Milk
Morning BREAK : coffee 3-in-1
Rest of Day : Water (lots of it)
Dinner : Soup
Supper : Milo

Isaac's 9th Birthday, 2011

I went out for a simple dinner of fried eggs and inions, and for a telephone cable for use in the office. Then, I rush back for Isaac's 9th Birthday.

Everyone was there. We took some pictures. It was great !

I’ve already been in Shanghai for a month. There have been ups and downs …

Yesterday’s haircut kept my hair short and neat. However, more than that, it has the sublime effect of signaling to me that normalcy has begun.

Naomi, thanks.

Thanks to Naomi, I can see you guys now. I feel so much better when I see you guys doing fine. Seeing the hamsters also brightened my day :-).

I just watched Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-1, live !  Now, my favorite Arsenal has a great chance at the League (EPL) title.

The weather has really turned better, except for the occasional wind and rain. Today, the rain brought gloom and my reluctance to go out any more than neccessary. I went for my neccessary haicut ($1.55).


It ended with me just going stretches, crunches, and pushups in the apartment.

I am thanking my family for sending the board and stones to me. It brought me great comfort.

This is a picture after 86 moves.

Things that I missed :-
* hot whether
* teh tarik
* butter toasts
* morning newspapers

I also surely missed the 200MHz HD 3D TV and the company of LL, Gab, Nao, & Zac.

Most restaurants here are not adequately heated, requiring patrons to dine with their winter jackets put on. This is something which I'm not used to.

After a long hiatus ...

I'm back from http://blog.sina.com.cn/lyinsh.

2011 New Year Wish

I wish for the answer to : How to get an un-ending supply of business leads ?

Can't wait to visit 4 fish-farms.

Wow !  ...

C-House

A Great Day !

Chilean Phoenix delivered 33.

Myopic Jeffrey & unabashed Peng Siong apologised.

Adoption of 10 golden rules.
Take your camera everywhere you go.
Use it any time – day and night.
Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it.
Try the shot from the hip.
Approach the objects of your lomographic desire as close as possible.
Don’t think (william firebrace).
Be fast.
You don’t have to know beforehand what you captured on film.
Afterwards either.
Don’t worry about any rules.

Sungei Buloh Wetland, Singapore

Egrets !

The Golden Web Weaver.

The Batik Golden Orb Weaver.

A Male piggybacking on the female.



Spirals

Mid-Autumn 2010, year of the Tiger.

十决

贪不得胜
入界宜缓
攻彼顾我
弃子争先
舍小就大
逢危须弃
慎勿轻速
动须相应
彼强自保
势孤取和

Scene from weekday breakfast

   Teddy, Henz, Kerrine, XiaoChun, were here before ...

Looking up from my Sunday afternoon papers.

Walking across Bugis Street ...

Amano Takashi's Nature Aquarium

Not his best but certainly his biggest.

20 minutes a day ...

钱是用来消灾的。
灾是拿来学习的。
学习是自我提升。
自我提升就不用再讲了。

LIFE GOES BACK TO NORMAL

Made the prudent decision today.

Missing the China Trip could've been worst.

Blessings

TODAY IS A DAY OF BLESSINGS BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORST.
NO HARDSHIP, NO REWARD.
OK, 塞翁失马，焉知非福. RECOVER, PERSEVERE, HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.
MY HEROES HAVE PATIENCE. I'M PROUD OF THEM.

House in Australia ...

Skyrocking property prices.

Things That I Like To Do

Make models of zoos and war machines.
Create habitats and sustainable ecosystems (eg aquarium).

The Dark-Knight visits Summerdale.

Laemthong

A beautiful apartment in Amazing Thailand.

A view of the pool from the balcony.

The picture of the room was lost.

Take A Break ...

After a couple of busy days, I shall not have guilt in taking a break.

The Cichlids are ushering in a prosperous Lunar New Year !

Cheers !

上海浦东, 金藏路

I spent most of the last 2 weeks, since the Wednesday of 6th January, in 上海浦东, 金藏路.

My apartment was beautiful but very cold. I either stayed under the blanket or under the warm-air-blowing aircon (I pushed the sofa under the aircon). In fact, the office was much warmer and comfortable :-)

Another grouse about the apartment was the same breakfast every morning.

I’ve been to many other cold countries. In those places, it is warm once we step into any building, the whole building is heated. There in Shanghai, in any building, the lobby was cold, the corridor was cold, and the toilet was cold. It was amazing.

On the 2nd night, I stocked up on the ammunition required to last through the winter : Instant noodles, Instant coffee, Vit-C, Oranges, Throat lozenges, Lip-balm. Was my survival kit complete ?

Over the weekend, I visited 家乐福(金桥) and 莱佛士广场. I couldn’t catch any movie because 和平电影院 was full-house with Avatar fans. 莱佛士广场 and 和平电影院 are in 浦西, rather far. I took a taxi there and the Metro back.

I also visited an English pub called Jam twice. We drank and played pool, table-soccer, dices, …

My basic entertainment was still 围棋. 弈城 and TOM’s client servers both couldn’t work on my laptop. I was forced to play on Yahoo Go until I realized that KGS worked !

It started to get even colder on Sunday, with drizzles and mist. On Monday, it snowed ! On Tuesday, the wind cut to the bone. I felt the wind could blow through solid walls. I missed home and the warm sunshine beside the pool.

Most of the restaurants there were either 湘菜 or 川菜. I didn’t mind their spiciness but their taste was not really to my liking. I rather eat in roadside-shops. Normally, I try to eat less for dinner but I couldn’t afford to do it back there, else I’ll freeze-over.

Anyway, overall, it was another great experience !

I'll not irritate Naomi anymore ...

I'll not irritate Naomi anymore ...

INTEGRITY

I like this word.

求新

新的开始，常常快乐，美意延年。

Beautiful Angels

Beautiful Angels

She is Awesome !

She is Awesome : A* in English, A* in Chinese, A* in Mathematics, A in Science, Distinction in Higher Chinese.
Zac Rules, Gab Rocks.

7 Deadly Sins

Know the 7 Deadly Sins :-
1. Pride : Excessive love of self.
2. Envy : Hating others for what they have.
3. Wrath : Inappropriate feelings of hatred.
4. Greed : Wanting more than what one needs.
5. Sloth : Wastefulness of time.
6. Gluttony : Over-consumption or waste of food.
7. Lust : Unlawful sexual desire.

next family outing ...

Looking forward to visit this Restaurant in the next family outing.

Kukup Fishing Village

We will be going to this chalet in Kukup. It may not look like an exciting place but I think we can create "fun" there. If not, we still have the Virgo Cruise to look forward to :-)

Expensive and glamorous holidays to Paris or London ? I've been there. No guarantee of "fun".

Lihyenn irritates them ...

Gab rocks. He has determined what he wants, which includes computer games.

Nao is awesome. She knows what has to be done and doesn't need anyone to bug her about it.

Zac rules. He loves to read and play.

Lihyenn sometimes irritates them by talking about "work", but he can't help it, can't controlling that urge ... His consolation is that LL concurs with him about it most of the time.

An English-lesson for the Weiqi fraternity of Singapore ...

You can't "win" somebody. You can only win a game by beating/defeating somebody.

When you take a picture, you use the camera. When you take a photograph, you use your hand ? Anyway, "take a photograph", though acceptable in modern English, is incorrect in traditional English.

birthday present from the person I love

Expertise in these things will enhance our social life :-
- Swimming, Cycling, In-Line Skating, Piano, Guitar & Singing.
I hope Naomi will be good in Guitar.

By the way, this is the birthday present from the person I love :-
Ideal for my iPhone-3GS ...

The Secret Of Success

If you have a good head/brain, you'll realise that you need 2 ingredients to achieve success.

The 1st is self-confidence. Find something that you can do well in and spare no effort to do well in it. When you can do well in something, you naturally feels that you can do well in anything.

The 2nd is motivation. Start with the end in mind and you're already half-way there.

All the best.

My Childhood Hobby

Breeding Bettas ...

An Epic Battle

In the eyes of the kyu-level players, it was an epic battle. It took place over the internet between me, Lihyenn (White), and Zhangyiaoo (Black). If not for our many amateurish moves and mistakes caused by scarce thinking time, I would've called it our masterpiece.

It was professional-looking until B7. Black should've played a retreat at Q-6 or a pinch at L-3.

I was happy that Black played B21, a slow move. I was not sure whether my W22 was a good move. I guess I was worried that it would become difficult to infiltrate Black's right side if it raised its head at P-7. B23 should've approached the corner at F-17, the wider side.

W28 tried a Korean favorite although I did not know the follow-up variations. I just wanted to apply pressure on Black and remain in a sente position.

I thought my block with W32 was quite big. In retrospect, I should've played I-3 instead. It would've been a totally different game if I've done that. My W32 was worse ...and I felt sick to the core after playing those moves.

W40 couldn't let the black stones connect. B41 also didn't want to let the white stones connect.

W42 attacks. W54 tried to connect. When B55 attacks, White couldn't retaliate because it had to connect first, allowing B58 to form a moyo on the lower-right. W60 had no choice but to infiltrate it (只此一手).

The infiltration was quite successful but White was lagging in territory. It had to capture the black dragon if it wanted to win.

W72 found an opportune time to attack again. Were the scattering of white stones in the lower-left quadrant safe ? Making 2 eyes should not be a problem. White continued to attack with W100. W104 and W124 tried to cripple the black dragon. Was W134 necessary ? Shouldn't I've just played at C-9 ?

Was B157 a ko ? Oops, The black dragon lived with B165. I tried to get a consolation by chopping-off the dragon's tail with W170. However, this could've been a suicidal move because my own white dragon on the right could've been slaughtered.

B173 overlooked the chance to kill my white dragon at O-9, giving me the opportunity to save it with W174. However, White was still seriously lagging in territory.

B177's gote gave me the break I needed, another chance to win. This time, I've to target the total annihilation of the black group at the top. After W22, the black group was annihilated. Nevertheless, White was still lagging by 16 points. It was 官子功夫 thereafter. I must try to maintain sente all the way.

I must be wary of B203. Black should've played O-2 instead of B207. By not doing so, it allowed me to maintain the sente to play W208 and W210 which were what I was aiming for. It was huge ! B255 was a poor 官子 move.

I was able to close-out this battle with a win of 5.25 points ... albeit with the help of a couple of Black's mistakes.

my purpose in life

2007 World Youth Go Championship
1st Game - Singapore vs USA

A child of mine asked me what my purpose in life is. This question caught me by surprise. I thought about it for awhile and said : "to help all of you to succeed". He was satisfied with my answer.

I forgot to add “ … even if it means being naggy and unpopular.”.