Sotong Musings

Memories

2011-07-23T18:53:00.001+08:00

Just went through some of my much much earlier blogs posts ( not that there's many anyway) and found that some of my promised posts are not in there

Hence, I decided for my own austerity, to record them here in a order to safe guard these precious memories. Who knows what will happen to the Internet in the next 30-50 years and if my posts can still be read.

These posts are especially for my daughter Inez, who ais suckling right beside me at the moment. However, this blog is about me and my thoughts and so when maybe I leave this world, my daughter will be able to tell my grandkids how lame their ah kong is

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Commonwealth Dr,,Singapore

Revived Blog

2011-07-23T07:43:00.001+08:00

It's time again to revive this blog, although I don't think anyone reads this nonsense from me these days. Main reason why I'm doing this is to maximize the use of my IPad 2

That's right, Jiew Hee and I decided to burn the rest of my bonus on this thing. Well, we claim that it's if more for Inez as Jiew Hee claimed that there's a lot of apps targeted towards kids and infants.

The main reason why I don't blog at all is the hassle of logging on the com every time I feel like blogging but with the nifty iPad, alll I have to do is the click on the app and blog away. Anyway I will be starting another blog to record Inez's cute but ultimately embarrassing moments so I can use the blog to hold her hostage,ensuring her good behavior

Back to the Motherland

2009-12-19T21:59:00.000+08:00

Invasion of the Hives

2009-10-27T15:56:00.002+08:00

As my close friends have known, this Sotong has been sick for quite some time. No its not H1N1 or anything contagious, but rather Hives or what the doctors call em - Urticaria.

This problem has been pestering for the last 4 months.
have taken Herbal medicines and unknown preparations like Stir fried Chives (Hives?) with sesame oil and bathing with rice wine. But the itch still persists and I often end up being a monkey instead, scratching here and there.

Anyway, preparations for the Seafood union (Sotong and Jiew Hee) is going pretty well, except for some kinks with respects to the family side. Still waiting on the ballot results from HDB though, although at closing, there have been 253 applicants for the 10 units available.....

What!!! 1 in 25 chances of getting the ballot, provided that we get it earlier or the rest of the 252 applicants don't choose the one we want... Still beats striking the Toto though.

Weddings, Babies and Exits

2009-10-06T11:32:00.003+08:00

As, most of my ardent readers know (Meaning HQ you), I've proposed to Jiew Hee and finalizing on our wedding plans. How the proposal went can be read on Jiew Hee's blog, but I will post the play by play on a later blog, to remind ourselves 40 years later on how it actually went, assuming the world hasn't exploded or at least, this blog hasn't died went.

The month of September is surprisingly a productive months, meaning I know at least 4 new borns coming into this ~~tortured~~ wonderful world. Must have been a really rainy December we had last year 'wink wink'

Lastly, a lot of hoohah has been raised over the PRC who declared her partiotism while showing blue SG IC. From China's point of view, it is a very positive reinforcement on China development. However, as a Singaporean, I can't help but feel sad that SG is used as a stepping stones for so many, including Singaporeans.

Somehow, Singapore is not able to instill loyalty in its residents or citizens. I know many people who still return to their native country after accumulating their savings here is Singapore. Its not hard to imagine why, as ties of kin and kith is note easily broken nor childhood memories easily forgotten.

From reading the forums, Singaporeans are not really anti FTs but rather the lax ruling that Singapore govt has adopted to facilitate the ushering of the targeted 2 million PRs. I would think the plan and rationale behind the thought is solid, however, the execution is really bad. As per most government agencies, they are very focused on the figures and charts, but failed to take into consideration the aftermath. Its true that Singapore requires X amount of new blood to sustain Singapore's growth, but does that not mean that we need them to stay and not leave once their piggy bank is full.

Singapore government as been asking the citizens to accomodate these strangers into our shores, which I felt that we had been doing quite well, apart from some bias against Indians and PRCs.

I think i'll cut short here and continue later

Bo Liao Sotongus

2009-07-07T21:42:00.000+08:00

Being super ~~bo liao~~ energetic tonite, Jiew Hee and I are joining the used to be atas thing to surf net in cafes.

Tml's on leave to attend jiew Hee Primary School friend ROM,so think will be staying up late today.

Anyway, yesterday met up with a credit card ~~addict~~ connosieur. The bugger knew every single unique benefit of approximately 15 credit cars that were shown to the panel.

Think tat's all for now, although I think I should be posting something tml while Jiew Hee is kooning. Mayb i take a photo of her slping face and post it up

Sick Sotong Dreaming of Dinosaurs

2009-07-04T05:31:00.005+08:00

Its been quite a lousy year for me so far.
Have used up more than half my MC allotment by July this year.

Its not that I'm chao kenging or want to tuang, but my body seems prone to infections all year round. Have been genuinely sick (although my family don't believe me).
This shows that doctor friend=easier mc=kengster, which I'm ~~one~~ not

Currently having another sore throat and coughing has been keeping me awake. More importantly, that's why I'm blogging so early in the morning as I'm remaining outside the bedrooms so I dun disturb Jiew Hee from sleeping.

Caught ICE AGE 3 DAWN OF THE DINOSAUR ~~big hoohah~~ 3D at the expense of extra $3.

The film was not bad, the characters, especially the babies were waay too cute and sure to have many merchandise coming out. The story plot was not bad, but its a rather "boy" film as Manny the Mammoth and friends went against the odds to save their friend Sid the giant sloth.

Many scenes involving the ~~psychopatic~~ obsessed Scrat and the ever present acorn and Sid's new family is sure to have the entire family doubling in laughter. However, as I watched the 3D film in Tampines GV, the whole experience was a mere so-so. Not really worth the extra $3. Futhermore, I felt my eyes were straining quite a bit at the end of the movie

All things said and done I give the movie 3.5/5 due to standard plot, ok action sequence but max cute factor.

HQ glamshot

2009-06-10T09:35:00.001+08:00

HQ glamshot, originally uploaded by newhik.

Sorry Mdm Ling but I couldn't resist trying my hand out at editing shots. I tarik a lot liao
Didn't spend too much time on it, but tried 2 free online editing sites, Picnik and FotoFlexer

Overall, both sites have some trouble connecting to either Facebook or Flickr where I stored my photos.
Picnik offers more choices, but one would have to upgrade (pay I guess) to use those features, wherelse Foto Flexer has less options have more access to them.

Tried the so called smart cut out options in both sites, but couldn't quite ge them to work propertly, I guess I have to fiddle with them more.

Finally, the saving of the photo for Picnik takes forever, no matter what time I tried. FotoFlexer again is slightly better, but i couldn't find the photo that was "saved" into my Flickr account

Sotong's retreat

2009-06-08T21:09:00.008+08:00

Has been another long long time since I last posted.

Nothing changed too much, my plans has gone down the drains and its back to the old drawing (scheming) board.

My place has turn out to be the lastest (cheapest) hanging out place for the gang.
having a pretty decent games collection

1. Monopoly and Risk,which has been with me since Primary School,
2. Saboteur and First Hand, which we used to play at games cafe
3. New (but second hand Wii), which i, ahem, has been acquiring new games for
4. My condo's Tennis and Swimming pool to burn off some of the decadent food we have been indulging lately, although I think we only manage to burn off the drinks and not the food calories.

Just passed HQ glam shot to her, please check her blog

That's all for now, hopefully I can decide whether to buy a new camera at the IT fair this weekend and turn this blog into a more picturesque one.

Niece Story 2

2009-04-21T17:14:00.002+08:00

Just another story to share about my niece.

Apparently, the Singaporean blood runs very true in her veins.
A few weeks ago, shhe told her mum, tha she's the Second Best Mum in the world.

That's right, a child of 6 years old is already starting to compare her mum to other peoples.
Where else in the world does the comparison behaviour is worse, other than Singapore.

Apparently the reason is that her best friend's mum treats her kid to McDonald's once a week, while my sister in law is a strict disciplinarian, who won't even allow her daughter to have candies on the odd days.

However, the "sensitive" daughter still patted on my sister in law's back, saying " No. 2 is still good, yar?"

Anyway, life is going to be quite interesting in my end of the pool, but we'll see how its goes then.

DECISIONS ABOUND!!!

Very late Hello to 2009

2009-04-17T12:28:00.003+08:00

Its been almost 1y 2 m since I last post anything.
Has been too lazy to share anything on net, especially since no one's reading it.

My brain just started kicking back into its musing mode, so I expect to have more updates in the future.

And now, just some funny things to get off my chest, all thanks to my weird but cute niece.

Apparently, there's a wide gap in bringing up kids in Germany and Singapore.
My niece, on an occasion, remarked to her child care teacher that my brother had been very good on his last visit, neither did he try to drown or bite her.

Yes, she said drown n bite. Of course on hearing that, the teacher was alarmed and thought my niece was subjected to child abuse. My sister in law was asked to meet the teacher for I think, they would be reporting to the authorities if such incidents happened.

But of course the "biting and drowning" was more of playing on the part of my Brother.
My dad used to do much worse during our time.

As he was a "Kampung" boy, he taught us that in order to swim, you have to drink....drink pool/ocean water. He would just grab our leg from underneath (he's quite a good diver") and pull us into the water (think he watched too much Jaws liao back then).

That, I think was a good example of negative teaching, as compared to the positive teaching that is more lauded in current worldview of child upbringing. But one thing good for negative teaching, is that it will ensure you pick up things much much much faster, I would say. Dunno what the experts feel about that, but I guess I'll end off here

Pop in just to say something

2008-06-24T11:07:00.002+08:00

Been's so long since I've posted.

Anyway this update is more like a written reminder to myself.
Half way thru my 27th year alive and has been nagged many times that I shouldn't be living my life like the way I'm doing, nary a goal to achieve.

I know this is true but I just keep procrastinating about stuff that i should have done monkey years ago... Haiz....

Hence, within the next 1 month, I promised to either revamp this blog, learn more about bloggin or such. Hope I remember to see this and keep my promise

Musing on a Rainy Sunday

2008-03-02T12:30:00.003+08:00

Its a really lazy sunday today.

I'm blogging while sitting under the shelter, among the rain. Its one of the rare cool rain, which makes the entire day look gloomy.

However, if I was looking for the right feeling to tuang, this would be it.
Kinda reminds of Scotland, except its much warmer and less foggy, but the overall mood is there.

Anyway, the short lived rule of men in my family is coming to the end, my queen and the princess would be coming home today. Err, mayb that should be the Empress Dowager, and not the queen (which is already taken by my niece)

Quite sad really, keep stepping on the toes of Jiew Hee the past few weeks. Haiz.....
Hope I wil learn to be more sensitive, but I think, by then, I wouldn't be the bochuping sotong already.

Its been quite a bad week a work.
A project that was coming close to the end, had an abrupt hiccup.
Apparently, my supplier gave me the wrong thing to work with, and the client is now hopping mad.

Hopefully, the coming week, will be more promising.
haiz.......

Here's keeping my fingers crossed for next week's work

Clawing from the grave pt 1

2008-02-28T11:54:00.002+08:00

Its been more than 4 months since my last visit

Stopped posting due to the fact that Jiew Hee was back for her holidays, and the blog, no longer serves its purposes of documenting my "free" time.

Of cuz there had been many events and happenings throughout the missing months,
Luckily for me, the group ones has been dutifully recorded by our faithful photographer Heike and the *ahem* more private ones by Jiew Hee herself.

Of cuz by "private" i meant the grovelling n begging I had to do to appease the BLUR EMPRESS . (Luckily, she's back to Mel, so my chances of being inflicted bodily harm will be postponed till she comes back, n hoepfully, by then, she would have forgotten about the entire issue)

Of the more personal n current front, my mom n sis just went off to Japan to become icicles.
Thought they would have learnt their lesson, not to visit temperate countries during winter (AKA Germany at <0 degree C).

Have yet to hear from them for the past 2 days, so hopefully, their have not become frozen human popsicles.

Alot of travelling is done by my family this month, Jiew Hee flew off to Mel on the 23rd Feb(so sad....), my mum n sis off to Japan on the 25th Feb (Ooray!!!! MAN-RULES....at least till they come back) and finally, my sis in law and the devourer of mankind (AKA Miss Johanna Sim "Hanna not princess.....Hanna QUEEN.....) is coming mid -March.

Stay tuned for the mayhem and fracas that's going to visit my home. Till next time (hopefully not too long like the last one)

Sesame Street = Adult Programming (???)

2007-11-22T16:00:00.000+08:00

Just thought I put up this post before I forget.

According to news 2 days ago, the boxed set of Sesame Street DVD Vol. 1 and 2 has been tagged with "Adults Only" rating.

Excuse me, but who associates Sesame Street with "Adult Only" programming. Think the people must have been super paranoid or something. Thousands or not millions of children (yes, including me, I'm that old) have grown up with heart warming characters like Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, the Count and my all time favourite, Oscar the Grouch.

When I was watching the show then, or even the old reruns, never in a million years would I think the show was suggestive in any way. But, the powers that be, deemed that the content shown in Sesame Street was too suggestive.

Although I'm a self professed nutcase and conspiracy theorist, I could have never intepreted the following as such.

Bert N Ernie -->
Possible Gay Couple. What happened to bachelor pads. Must 2 guys living together be associated with homosexuality. In that case, in the army, where a dozen guys living in a same bunk, would mean we're having some gay orgies. Think the person who slaps the rating must be one of the followers of the insane Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church. But considering the Church was already sued for 11 million dollars, maybe this is one of their covert attempts to continue their "Holy Crusade"

Big Bird -->
Initally, his best friend Snuffleupagus (could never spell this without refering) was visible to him until 1985. His protestions was deemed creepy and unsettling. Personally, I know of children, who similarly had imaginary friends, and they too, see their friends as "real" people. I never thought they were weird or anything, but rather attribute this to an imaginative mind. I, for one, wouldn't mind my child to have a over creative mind, compared to a zombified one from watching too much tv.

Cookie Monster -->
Who can forget his famous lines "Cooookie,om nom nom nom" as he scarfs down his treasure, although most ends up "on" him rather than "in" him. Now, the dream role of every children him (being able to eat COOKIES!!! for all their meals) is seen too be an ADDICT!!!
I'm not sure about the children in America, but I never had the urge to munch on the cookies the beloved Blue Furred Monster did. If nothing, I rather blame the increase in obesities of young children to the coddling they get from their parents.

Other worries of the show includes,

1) A dream sequence involving cows singing about grass (possible reference too drug usage?)
2) Gordon (the kind man) who often invited young children to his place for milk and cookies.
Intepreted as possible paedophilic actions and lowering the children caution towards strange
men inviting them over

This, I'm afraid, shows how much the society had fallen. No longer are there any trust or goodwill in neighbourhoods. A simple show for children, had been intepreted to have hidden agendas.

But children, with their naivety, would have never thought of the "hidden" barbs in shows. They watch shows, just because its colorful, the music is catchy, and that it captures their attention.

Although I, for one, though Barney the Dinosaurs and the Teletubbies are annoying, I never really thought to associate them with anything, except driving my mind crazy with inane songs.

This turned out to be a longer post then I had intended to, but then again, all my rants are similarly long. Excuse me now, for I think Elmo is stalking me, gotta run now

Long Update pt. 2

2007-11-19T14:53:00.000+08:00

This was a bit later than I expected, since I had to go into Johor for my grandfather's birthday on Saturday. Dunno is it course I'm getting old (at 26), but my grandfather's place is becoming more and more desolute with each passing year. When i got down from the car, I even smelled a familiar scent of wet duck feathers, but it just turned out to be my aunt frying(?) some salted fish. But, it turned out that my grandfather also began some experiments on the optimal incubation temperature of chicken eggs. Of course its nothing scientific, but hopes it at least help him stave off some boredom.

Managed to get in touch with Jiew Hee, before I forgot about the pricing of all the stuff that she asked me. Managed to find Starburst in Candy Empire (Vivocity) and even Meidi-ya in Liang Court. So I guess this means that Jiew Hee have even less things to bring back, since the pricing is about the same after conversion. So, in case Heiki reads these post, then she will be able to find it, for I refused to reveal my findings during our last conversation.

One surprising bit of information (at least for me) was that the largest novelty sex shop in Singapore was S.E.X. in the City. When I took my walk on Wed last week, I came across at least 4 outlets; Bugis, Chinatown, Orchard and Capitol Building. One humorous event was when a boy of 4-5 keeps asking his mother, who was shopping at a fashion shop opposite the Capitol Building outlet, the meaning of S.E.X. rather loudly and repetitively. I dunno if the mom should be proud if her son's mastering the alphabets or......

Long update pt. 1

2007-11-14T18:40:00.000+08:00

Ok, first thing first, I've quit and starting a new job next Monday.
Came down with a horrible flu, after my family shared germs over a pot of steamboat. Felt terrible for the past 3 weeks or so.

Worst thing was, i was so sick during my 1st year anniversary with Jiew Hee. Didn't even remember to tell her "I love her so much", partly cuz I was on medication was knocked out at 8 plus.
But my dear Jiew Hee still sent me some photos of her at the beach, with the words written in the sands. Kept the card n photos in our album so can show to our kids. LOL

Luckily for me, my ex company still gave me the backdated bonus for the 13th month. Otherwise, when my dear come back, sure dunno how to survive liao.

After nuahing/moping/rotting at home since Jiew Hee left for Australia. Went back to my old routine of wandering, but was I really out of shape.
Walked from Chinatown-->Bugis-->Orchard Road, my legs were already trembling after 4 hours. Used to be able to cover at least to Botanical Gardens and with less effect too.
But now, after a day of rest, my calf muscles still aching. Chia lat siah. Must go for reconditioning in preparation for dear dear's shopping trips liao.

Think that's all for now, but will update later if i cannot sleep. Seems this blog doubled it readers(YEAH!!!! thanks heiki for bringing the total readers too... 2!!!!)

Not going without a fight

2007-10-22T14:42:00.000+08:00

It's been 20 days since I last posted.
Still nothing much going on in my life worth mentioning.

Jew Hee's having her exams while trying to cope with a bad s/t (which is sorethroat, learned this abbreviation during my term as MOPA)
Poor thing.

Hence, as not to divert her attention during this critical time, I try to post some interesting things, so as to occupy her time later.

First thing, came upon this popular blog from a overworked mother of 6 at mom2my6pack.blogspot.com.

Maybe I should show the blog my mum, and made her count her blessings that we just made her clean after us. But I must really hand it to the Western moms, like my sister-in-law, for sticking to positive reinforcement of bringing up kids.

Even through the chaos their brood unleashed in their vicinity, they rarely lose their tempers to smack/slap/beat/cane the wayward child, of at least not where I can see them.

One living example is my niece, since she knows her mum is quite anti-violence. She knows her mummy will only tell her off, even if she burns the house down. However, my brother, being brought up with the gongfu rattan that my mum so expertly wields, is not as tolerant.

Although my brother is not as sadistic as my mom( hope she doesn't read this), he is prone to given my niece a slight smack on the wrist. But his poor devious, coniving, evil genius of a daughter, runs to her mommy and raps on the father.

Anyway, i digress from the topic. I'm sure that many parents (since the blog currently has already 1 million over hits since June 2007) are aware of it and even me, feels that I have it soooooo much easier than the author of the blog. It is a really good read, and helps to de-stress one. It is one of those "my life sucks, but not as bad as that" kinda of blog.

Kudos to the mothers in the world.
Now, I think I go and pray that my children would not be as bad, but then again, those stories would have make very good fodder to embarass your children with their potential spouses with those stories, like the ones my mom is repeating over and over again about us

4th post, don't think I can go on much further

2007-09-20T08:54:00.000+08:00

Its has been such a slow 2 weeks, that I've decided to post my views earlier.

Nothing much has happened, so much as to I'm too freakin bored.
My cousins finally met up. My long lost cousin shared her memories ( or rather nightmares) . Much too my surprise, she though she was the only victim of my uncle's tyranny, but cannot blame her too much la, she was still very young when she left that place.

Been thinking up of taking up my study of philosophy and digital photgraphy again. Went to the library to pick up books on the topics. Too bad my digital camera doesn't appear to be very useful, for it lacked many functions that were mentioned. I guess I just have to practice editing the photos, that is until i can lay my hands on a new one. Maybe during the IT fair ba.

Was wondering whether I should put up my opinions on philosophy here on this blog, or start a new one. I guess bloggin would be like taking notes, helping me to sort out what I have read and digest.

Heck, I really wonder why I'm still putting any posts, since I think this site will forever be visited only by myself and my Jew Hee. LOL

That's all for now, and maybe for forever. Let's see how things progress and will this blog die a boring death.

The 3rd post, how long will it last

2007-09-08T10:09:00.000+08:00

Its again almost 2 weeks since i last posted

Finally finished one week of work, after 3 weeks of wearing uniform.

As any combat medic will ascertained, the worst part of going back for reservist is the chalking up another mark for our railway track (aka IV sites)

Going back camp brings back many fond memories. Especially with a group as large as ours, its makes for interesting cquaintances. Medics from Tengah Airbase, seemed to do quite well in later life, many of them in managerial positions, and we even count doctors and lawyers among our midst.

Sadly, I'm counted one of the least succesful medic, but I'm still young and can work hard.

Another thing is I'm missing my Jew Hee greatly. Luckily we got skype and can do free video calls, otherwise, I'm sure to waste away one. Glad to see she got used to Melbourne liao. She's already planning for my trip over there next July. Although I prefer her to concentrate on her studies, but I guess she could use something to help her defray her stress from studying.

Another interesting development is that we, or rather my cousin Louise, managed to find our long lost cousin. My mother is so glad to know that she's doing very well, being a associate at a commercial law firm.

Hope we can finally meet up with my cousin, because we missed her terribly, and felt so bad that things turned so sour

So that's all for my past 2 weeks worth of information. Just wondering when is the 4th post coming?

Finally, the second post

2007-08-24T18:03:00.000+08:00

Its been 2 weeks since my last post, never thought I actually able to come this far.

Its been a somewhat busy 2 weeks. Not because I'm on reservists now, but rather the fact that my niece has come over for a short stay.

Its has always been a frazzled battle to contain the almost 4 year old. My poor father just gave up after one day at the zoo. He took 3 days off to bring my niece around, but he surrendered after the first day.

My entire family had a lot of problems communicating with her. My niece only speaks german and a hint of finnish. Luckily for the poor girl, we only constrained ourselves to talk to her in english only. But she's also versed in a smattering of hokkien, since my father teased her with phrases like "chia peh peh, hiao poh and sam pat chia bor" ok ok, the sam pat char bor was from me la, but she knows how to fight back using those phrases liao.

Thankfully, the battle is almost over, since my sister-in-law and my niece is returning to Germany next Monday. We would definitely miss the chaos that was running loose in my house. But, we would also gladly take back the peace and quiet the house has always been

Bourne Trumps Bond

2007-08-10T15:07:00.000+08:00

For the first post of my blog, it is going to be movies- spy thrillers to be exact
While the more patriotics Singapore citizens in Singapore (and possibly the rest of the world), stayed at home to catch the National Day Parade, I went to the sneak previews of Bourne Ultimatum.

It was a very well paced show, without any let up in the action. The slower times in the movie were only more built up in the action. This series in my opinion, was a lot better than the later Bond Films I watched. Maybe for the Bond series, it became too drawn out.

For Mr Double O7, it became very predictable. And given his "I'm too suave for this action" it lacked a certain grittiness in the movie.

Wherelse in the last instalment of the Bourne Ultimatum, the more realistic approach was utilised, for there were still times where the all round training of Jason Bourne failed him, due to external influences. Furthermore, the battle between Bourne and the other assets were very entertaining.

Anyway, this rounds up my first attempt on blogging. My next post would most probably be my own brush with death when my niece comes to Singapore tommorrow. "SOMEONE QUICK HIDE THE FOOD!!!"