ETA

Back in town.. just for a short stay

2010-01-22T12:42:00.003+08:00

Here, again, we are.
Small island with many things to "wow" for burmese.

Good to be, should I say, "home?", again.

Great to meet my old folks again, that's for sure...

Seeing my 'little she' having fun walking safe and clean everywhere, we feel good.

Have a lot of things to catch up for the past six months but I will save it for better time to say and show.

In short, we are doing just fine and "I WILL BE BACK" .....sooner or later....

Fan

2009-06-26T14:20:00.012+08:00

It's mine now and whose fan I am, for now..

May be, I will wear "KZ" one day....

what a day

2009-06-10T12:08:00.007+08:00

grooming in the moring

chit-chat with my business associates

having my lunch

reading in the afternoon

planting in the eveing

having sweety mess

then I hit the hay

RF, new king of the clay?

2009-06-08T17:51:00.003+08:00

French Open 2009

What else can I say!!!???

He played well, served well, chased the ball like a hell...

Three staight sets in the final.

I love this game! Especially when fan goes crazy like this...

Little She's visit to daddy's office

2009-06-03T10:49:00.002+08:00

Before daddy's farewell

A letter

2009-05-29T11:32:00.002+08:00

A letter.....
that approved my decision to change my career.
that shows me that I can officially stop doing what I am doing now and for the past 5 years.
that says when is the last day to leave all these things behind.
that I requested and decided for.

To be frank, yes, I am sad.

For what and to what extent, I do not know though.

Thanks but no

2009-05-27T10:07:00.001+08:00

"Wow!" Mr. Z exclaimed.
They do know that he is doing something good.

Mr. GM called him and asked him is there anything that he could do to make him stay. Smarty Mr. GM even offered him some flexibility for him to consider coming back.
Later Mr. RM spoke to him and offered him again to make him stay.

Well, that's really too much. Too much of recognition, kindness, caring and smartness.

But Mr. GM also mentioned that his decision might not be that bad after all. "Taking over family business and working for yourself don’t sound bad at all", he added.

This surely motivated Mr. Z because now he knows his effort has been recognized, by somehow, by somebody.
But his answer to them was,

"Thank you so much but I have to say no"

who were we

2009-05-26T11:36:00.003+08:00

Here is a sample of loan words found in Burmese:

suffering: (doʔkʰa), from Pāli dukkha
radio: (rèdìjò), from English "radio"
method: (səniʔ), from Mon
eggroll: (kɔ̀pja̰N]), from Hokkien 潤餅 (jūn-piáⁿ)
wife: (zəní), from Hindi jani
noodle: (kʰaʊʔ sʰwé), from Shan [kʰaw3 sʰen3]
foot (unit of measurement): (pè), from Portuguese pé
flag: (əlàN), from Arabic language علم ʕalam
storeroom: (godaʊN), from Malay gudang

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

People learning

2009-05-22T17:28:00.000+08:00

Apart learning from our teachers (in or outside of the classrooms), we learn from pioneers or each other (and thanks to pioneers or each other for that).
Some learn from experience.
Some learn from mistakes.
Some people remarkably learn by asking bounteous questions.
Some learn secretly.

It is ok. As you may have already known, I am not a keeper (my weakness?).
You do this today, and next day, he is doing it.
He saw you had this thing for good, next day you will see he is getting it.
Funniest of all, he is pretending like you have nothing to do with those acts.

Angry? Nope
Funny? Yap
Anything to say? Enjoy being my follower, fellow!

Z, the millionaire!

2009-05-20T10:04:00.002+08:00

I am not really into gambling.
But sometimes, I do gambling, just to have some trill and fun. During my Singaporehood life, I usually play ‘The Singapore Sweep’.

The first price is S$2,200,000 and no sharing. Pretty good, huh?

Draw date is somewhat unique, every first Wednesday of the month. It means to say that next drawing will be on 3rd June (first Wednesday of the month June).

What a coincidence, again! That’s my last day working in my current company, and that’s the day that I’m going to be a millionaire (I bought two tickets).
Inshallah…..

Roger Federer won!

2009-05-18T10:59:00.003+08:00

Oh yeah, he won. His first master title for 2009.

Sweet victory because he beat Nadal in the final, you know what I mean...

Or shall we call it "pregnancy luck?"

My time

2009-05-15T16:10:00.002+08:00

I used to be the one, who organized for farewell gifts, gathering lunch and dinner.

Of course, I felt sad when good people left us. But I did not anticipate that my time would come soon.

Well, now people are doing those memorable things to me.

I was invited for the first farewell lunch (my favourite Japanese food) and received first farewell gift today (not opened yet!).

So blessed. So thankful. I will miss you all. That’s for sure. But you all should be happy for me because I’m leaving for good, to take my responsibility as an only son.

God bless you all and cheers!

Where is the principle of reflection??!!

2009-05-14T10:04:00.000+08:00

I thought it was a sharing environment.
But I realized that it wasn’t.

My own wife blamed me on my passion to share my knowledge absolutely.
That’s not because she was a keeper but because she couldn’t take anymore of people taking advantage on me.

Are you gonna praise me by calling me humble?

Then let me share you one more thing.

According to my experience, it is not really good (worth) to be humble everywhere, especially, when you are telling people everything of you and they are not in return.

I am a deep believer on reflection in human being. Now it seems like I need to think twice.

Buffet dinner at Orchard Road, Singapore

2009-05-07T11:13:00.003+08:00

Had a Buffet dinner at Royal Plaza on Scotts.
Smallest sashimi cut and inappropriate service crew, but varieties of seafoods and multinational kitchens (not much to choose for though).

My suggestion: Go there only if you were invited. Otherwise, just cross the road and there you can have better at Hyatt Hotel.

World is sick, again!

2009-05-05T11:58:00.003+08:00

Swine Flu or H1N1 virus

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region (Figure 4). While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
Widespread human infection

Source: www.internationalsos.com

LOR tendered

2009-05-04T10:41:00.000+08:00

Phew… I did it…

Relief? Nope
Feeling? Good
Dignity? High
Gut feeling? Positive
Possibility of getting regret? Low
Morale? Moderate

*LOR = Letter Of Resignation

Playing water on one of the water festival days

2009-04-30T09:24:00.001+08:00

@ my grandma's place, Burma

Next move???

2009-04-28T13:39:00.001+08:00

Yes, I had decided to go ahead and take a chance. I believe it is for good.

However, to be frank, I have not clearly determined on my next move.
I see many needs and opportunities but I just can’t make up my mind on what to do first or next.

After living under someone’s decision (or I’d say, management’s decision) for a decade as a good employee, I am (more or less) having difficulty making my own prime decisions.

I see business theories and applied principles, SWOT and market trends. But I just can't imagine my next move, yet.

Again, thanks to good friends around me (especially my colleagues from my current job). They have been giving me many (many) suggestions and 'if-I-were-you' ideas.

Some are simply asking me what I am up to.

Since I'm still struggling to make my mind up on my next move, my answer to them is…
I will be good, pals. Coz I will do only good stuffs.

Wishing you all Merry, jolly, healthy, wealthy Burmese New Year, 1371!!!!

2009-04-17T09:48:00.002+08:00

Trying to get right 'pitch', 'rhythm', 'dynamics', 'timbre' and 'texture'

2009-04-06T09:54:00.008+08:00

shuuuuu wannabeesssss!

Quiet!

I'm trying to play a real music here.

p.s. a little help, please! Can't reach from one end to another.

I don't like what you like but it's ok

2009-04-03T15:13:00.005+08:00

One man's meat is another man’s poison.
I believe you have heard of this English idiom.

In short to its deep meaning, this means that one person can like something very much, but another can hate it.
Even though I am addicted to (good) foods and being well known for not choosy when it comes to food, there are certain foods that I still can’t like.

I have met many Westerners who hate (yeah, they do hate) durians, which most of Easterners find it so delicious with attractive smell (you know you like it, don’t ya?!)
When I discussed them about giving a try to a piece of durian, they claimed that the smell is too horrible for them to try.

Oh really?
Then what about your cheese!!??
To me, some of them are too smelly (unpleasantly) for me to take a bite.

Don’t gimme cheesy smile!

At CONRAD hotel, Lunch Buffet.

Sweet Home Al(the) Buma

2009-04-01T11:41:00.003+08:00

Last post

Yes?
No?
Good?
Bad?
Should I?
Why not?
May be not!?

Of course nothing is for sure, if not, unpredictable.
Things can go right or wrong but the most important thing is your interest, I reckon.
If you think that you are doing right decision, there is a high tendency that things will go right because you are optimistic. This is the psychology, I guess.

Anyway, without losing dignity, we are shifting to Myanmar.

P.S. After much analyzing, some calculation, many sleepless nights and endless discussion with my wife, we managed to make such a firm decision. If anyone out there wants to have such decision, feel free to check with me for things that we went through.

Cheers, everyone!

Sharing good things (copy and paste)

2009-03-17T11:08:00.001+08:00

Zar, the man

2009-03-13T16:13:00.002+08:00

"Your marriage story is in the newspaper, Zar!"

WHAT?!
How could my wife revealed to reporters about us without telling me?! (It was the most romatic story of all time though)

Yes, one of my colleagues shocked me with this news in the toilet.
(yeah yeah we were doing our business, separately).

Changed my plan to prolong my toilet business and rushed to newspaper stand (beside the breakout area) to check out what my wife possibly revealed to national newspaper!

People taking coffee break in the breakout area were alerted by my panicky approach in flipping newspaper.

It wasn’t about me. I was about somebody else, "Zaw".
Then I further explained to them that usually the name "Zar" is for female and "Zaw" is a very common name for Burmese and so on.

Now they know the truth that “Zar” actually is a very feminine name.
Damn you, "Zaw"!

It is not easy...

2009-03-06T10:23:00.000+08:00

To get right information
To have enough resources to do what I want to do
To avoid meeting bull-shitting people
To have someone who has same interest
To have enough time
To make absolute decision

Now 6 (Found out on 27th Feb 2009)

2009-03-06T10:17:00.001+08:00

Now we all can see her perfect smile with six incisor teeth!

Calling business partners! Business Opportunity! Get rich in 90 days!

2009-02-24T12:09:00.003+08:00

Do you know that many people get rich during recession?
Yes, they really do. This is the fact.

We just need to know what to do when others are talking about deterioration.

You must have already known but let me share you on opportunities during recession.
Things are getting cheaper or available at affordable price.
Relatively slighter amount of competition.
Buyer has more power in negotiation.
Resources are more accessible and at cheaper cost.

Another truth is there is not always recession or booming. If you study the time and price relationship, the trend is always up and down.

Yes, we are now in recession. But it doesn’t mean that all the products are at low demand. For instance, cheaper or economic products are now in higher demand than booming time. Conversely, luxurious products are having hard time now.

Another fact is when market turns up, the first thing to go up is our daily products, in another words, necessity products. (In this concept, we should know “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs”). People are usually mistaken that luxurious products will price-up when market turns up.
It is not true.

So what we should do now is considering making investment or starting business related to those products immediately.
I am going to grap this opportunity and start a business in no time.

Total principle asset is US$100,000.
Each share is determined at US$5,000.
Holding 4 shares and above will entitle you to become a director of the company.
Quarterly meetings will be held at Singapore.
Directors are recommended to attend the meetings, when company's balance sheet will be provided and future decisions will be made during meetings.
Expected return is 18%-32%.

Interested parties can contact me for further progress.

p.s. Due to recession, less work. So boring and day dreaming. hahaha

Very 1st Birthday of Khinezar Ye Lwin

2009-02-19T10:03:00.002+08:00

Type….
Backspace backspace backspace………

Type…………….
Backspace backspace backspace………

Type….
Backspace backspace backspace………

Type…………….
Backspace backspace backspace………

Indeed, having problem articulating wishes.
For the past 45 minutes (on the way to the office), I have been thinking of the best wishes for her. I can’t find right words to match her.

We all know that she is perfect, physically and spiritually.
She is religious, smart, fast learner, beautiful, sweet, respectful, adorable and prominent (this can be easily seen when she is among her age of group).
As a matter of fact, she is the best thing ever happened to me, my wife and the whole family.
She is complete.
Nothing more to wish for, as far as I can see.

However, not to go against custom of human being, we have to wish something for her. Today is her very first birthday.

So we wish you;

Many happy returns of the day!
Happy Birthday!
May you get all the best of the best in life because you deserve!
And long live our LittleShe!

She was in her habitual good manner this morning when I sang a Happy Birthday song to her.

P.S. Again, thank you God for giving us one of your best Angels.

Second thought?

2009-02-16T11:29:00.005+08:00

Thinking of changing career lately?

This time of gloomy economy, seeing shocking news on retrenchments like everyday, various cutting costs and when bosses are trying to squeeze you hard, there is no better time to think of alternative career then now.

So I did.
And looking for two to three more persons to accompany me. If there is anyone out there looking for a fun job and doesn't mind entertaining enthusiastic crowd at nights, contact me.

Gong Xi Fa Cai, you might say

2009-02-03T19:49:00.001+08:00

What cha gonna do??

2009-01-28T16:40:00.001+08:00

Change.
That’s one of the actions that some of us afraid to attempt or take a chance. If we are too comfortable at where we are, we will hesitant to try something new even though we think it could be better.

Risk.
That’s another hell of a thing that most of us hate to gamble with it. But sometime it is unavoidable. Even in buying a very simple saving stock, expected return is usually high for higher risks stocks. Besides, nothing is certain so risk is everywhere. (I am not insurance sales person who is asking you to buy life insurance though)

So if these two come together, there is no doubt that we will have hard time making a decision.
In some way, I am having such kinda situation recently.

With what I am having now,
Comfortable? Yes.
Having fun? Uhhh yes, I guess.
Risk at this moment? Low.
Satisfied? NO.

After “Change”,
Comfortable? May be or may be not
Having fun? Surly will. (In good will)
Risk? Relatively high!
Satisfied? Maybe or maybe not.

Have seen people who failed from “Change”. There are friends who shared their stories of losing opportunity as they did not change.
Up to my discretion after all.

Play time

2009-01-26T18:28:00.001+08:00

Send me to Australian Open 2009. I'm ready. Can't you see!

Cooling down

2009-01-24T16:30:00.001+08:00

Too hot here. That's where I roll today

She made me sad

2009-01-21T11:20:00.002+08:00

She finally did that to make me sad.

I knew she looked happy when she saw me back home in the evening. But I didn’t realize that she was missing me all day long.
She came to me, hugged me, kissed me (more like sniffed me), wanted me to carry her and hinted me to bring her out (at least to downstairs).
She wouldn’t have her dinner unless I danced (don’t ask me more on this).

She still can’t call me daddy but her eyes call my name and I can always hear it from my eyes.

Today, she cried when she saw me leaving the house to my office in the morning. That sound, loud and sweet, held me back from stepping away from her. Her favourite person, her mom, had to pull her back so that I could leave her for 9 hours.
What an amazing bond that we have made in the past 11 months. Already extremely strong.

I wish I could bring her to my office and put her on my greedy desk (office desk) so that I wouldn’t miss anything (new things) that she does every day.

For the meantime, you hang on there, my girl.
Daddy is trying his best to spend more time with you or at least to give you all the best that you deserve.
And don’t cry, please…..

And Four already

2009-01-13T13:37:00.001+08:00

One more is coming out from the left down!

Found on 13th Feb 2009.

Grow, Little She, grow!

Now Three

2009-01-09T15:01:00.000+08:00

She harmed her great grandma, grandma, mom and dad by using her two white and sharp things.

Now they have to be more vigilant because she has one more of that kind at the right down in her mouth. (Noticed by grandma and mom on 9th Jan 2009)

Way to grow, Little She!

Two white things in her mouth

2009-01-03T15:21:00.002+08:00

When east meets west

2008-12-23T18:31:00.005+08:00

Little She seemed wondering. But soon they feel no different and play together.

At Santosa.

Her very first 'white hard thing'

2008-12-22T10:44:00.001+08:00

“I have seen it on most of the same age girls. But how come my daughter does not have it till now”.
That was the thought that Mr. YL had been relentlessly thinking.

They were told that late growing is good for such “white hard thing”.
However, he could not help it but he felt something was not complete.

All those irritating thoughts were ended by one phone call from Mrs. YL on the day of 19th Dec 2008.
“Harbibi, harbibi, you know what your daughter has? She has tooth! Very cute and sharp. Right at the top.”

Hooray! He roared with thrill and happiness. He felt complete and content.

p.s. On 21st Dec 2008, they found another one. Now 'Little She' has teeth.

Exchange?

2008-12-17T14:39:00.001+08:00

I always crack a joke by saying “worth it coz we can’t do it” whenever I see a price tag of something that I really can’t do.
Now I am having afternoon thought on that meaning.

Since long before our time, “market” has been the place where people trade, and goods and services were exchanged.
We trade or exchange something, that we can do or we have, with something that we cannot do or we do not have or vice-versa.

Generally, most of us make money by working. Deep thinking, we exchange our knowledge with money. Then we go to the market and exchange our money with something that we need.
In this particular case, this “exchange” is like attraction-reflection speculation to me. We want to exchange things because we see or feel attraction and reflection.

In general, we are attracted by something that we do not have. New things are tend to be highly attractive. That is why we see many people can’t control their urge to get new things and do compulsive shopping.

But the question is “is it really worth it?”
There are millions and millions of things that we do not have, and millions and millions of things that we cannot do.

Is it really worth to exchange yours with those?
Think again!

Australia Trip

2008-12-17T11:24:00.017+08:00

That's how they say...
No worry, mate!

That's how she looks....

That's how she hides.....

That's how they named.....

That's what we saw.....(Buddhist centre)

A couple @ Caversham Wildlife Park

The Margaret River, Chocolate Company.
Samples... samples...

Shopping for local stuffs

On board the submarine

Inside the submarine (submarine tour).
Ladies thinking: I can't live in this thing....!!! No way!

Maritime Museum at Western Australia

Boy, that wasn't easy..to be a cowboy..
even a simple whip was too difficult

After having a big "Fish N' Chip",
a snap at the Fremantle fisherman harbour

zzzz "Koala" and zzzz a biggy Bear from Burma.
Both are endangered species

Under the full moon

2008-12-13T06:49:00.003+08:00

Playing Tennis under the big moon is something you will enjoy. Playmates: Jovi and Lito

Live to Eat - Japanese

2008-12-10T11:33:00.008+08:00

I have been falling for Japanese food since the day that I tasted it.
As a person who simply loves to eat fish, "sashimi" is a dish that I can't say 'no'.

When I was in "Tokyo", I was lucky enough to eat one of the best "sashimi" at one of the very exclusive clubs (thanks to "Kaisei" for their kind dinner).

And in Singapore, I have been hunting around for the best "sashimi". Finally, I was brought to this hidden place (I say hidden because it is not the place that you could possibly bump into) called, "Aoki" restaurant, by my Japanese friend. (Bill was taken care by "G")

Cozy but not beyond the Japanese decor.

I had "Chef's recommend" set menu and I realized why Chef recommended it. Because it was so good.

Chefs at work

Oh, yeah, this is the "Sashimi" that I'm talking about

"Dobim mushi" soup. Men, you must try this to know how good this soup is!

"Wasabi" root. So fresh. The taste is really different with those "wasabi" that you get from ready-made.

If you are a "fish" and "Japanese" person like me (and don't mind paying more to get the best), this is the restaurant that you should be wine, dine and sixty..!

Walking Angel

2008-12-06T13:29:00.004+08:00

She walked "Three" steps forward on 6th December 2008.

Posting from cell phone..

My dream gift for this holiday

2008-12-03T15:19:00.007+08:00

I had a dream.

In my dream, there was a chunky, cheerful and adorable guy, wearing thick and long red coat with a big smile on his face, asked me if I wanted anything for this holiday season (probably he mistakenly approached me).

Since freebies are always good, I wish for one small gift.

It is just a remote control.

To ask her to sit properly.....

To make her smile......

To stop her from messing up.....

To convince her to stop crying.....

Or second thought,

I think I should put that magic remote controller for aution online. I guess there are so many people out there willing to offer high price for it.

p.s. Just kidding, Little She

Flaming Waterfall on Friday

2008-12-02T13:45:00.005+08:00

It's been quite some time (if not ages) since the last time I went out for boozing.
What a family guy, you'd say. Ahem Ahem, yes, indeed.

Anyway, my old friend from beautiful Korea was in town last Friday so we brought him out for dinner. (Yes, it all started with a very decent dinner)

After the dinner, having known that he had a mid night flight to catch, we persuaded him for quick boozing.

We were at this place, called, Chijmes. Chose the best place (next to the fountain) and we had very exotic cocktails, including "Flaming Waterfall".
Oh yeah, that waterfall was amazing. Bartender personally came to us and prepared that special drink. Yes, it was flaming waterfall, I mean, it was flaming like waterfall when you were sucking from the bottom.

I can’t exactly explain how it looks like but it is kinda exceptionally exotic.
We had other drinks with chicky and confusing names. Each cocktail will cost you from S$16 to S$28.

Check out the names on the bill.
Rest assured that those were purely drinks (names).

p.s. Young, hope you did not board the wrong flight. And I think you may call me a "Korean" now.

Appreciated

2008-11-17T14:43:00.004+08:00

on her helping hand

Little She's trip to Burma/ Myanmar

2008-11-13T10:25:00.008+08:00

Waiting to onboard............... Standing in the sky

U Daw...................... Buddhist girl at the Shwedagon Pagoda

3 Lions

peaceful

Little She's donation................ Host is taking a lunch break

C'mon family! Please fan me and cover me when I'm taking a nap

Cruising (actually I was sleeping)

@Taung Gyi........................ Inn Lay Phoung Taw Oo

Oh yeah, that's traditionally yummy

Let's go back to Singapore

Meeting her doctor at 8 months

2008-11-11T09:49:00.004+08:00

Paediatrician, Dr. Lim Yit Jean: Can she sit firmly?
Mr. & Mrs. YL: Yes, yes, she can.
(As a matter of fact, she has been sitting no different like us)

Can she take tiny things with her hands?
Yes, she definitely can.
(She has been picking up tiny dust from the floor and trying to put it in her month)

Can she pull something to get herself up?
Oh yeah, she does it, all the time.
(She pulls anything to get herself up, let it go and standing straight without any support till she gets tired)

Does she make more sounds?
Yes, she does.
(ba, ma, da, glah, booobooo, duduu, dadar, ahh, ee, oh, ae, bababa, mumm mummm, a few to be named)

As usual, three comments were given by Dr. Lim;
- She is doing great
- Her height is above the average
- Her weight is above the average

Oh Little She, like daddy like daughter

In our country

2008-11-05T10:17:00.000+08:00

Mc Cain or Obama??
They wonder!
No big deal lah...
In our country
Amazing counting
One and only winning

I'm A OK

2008-11-03T17:13:00.003+08:00

Dan dan tan tan... dan dan tan tan... Dan dan tan tan... (phone ring)

He tried to pick up as fast as he could because he saw a very familiar line phone number, but his one and only artist friend had no patient. It stopped after three rings.
Not because of his FOC phone but because he really cared, he called his artist friend back.

He contentedly realized that his artist friend was concerned about his trip to Myanmar (because he sometimes teasingly wrote sincere politics jokes on his blog). To make his artist friend relief, he rest assured that his trip back to Myanmar was safe and sound (no question asked at the airport). In fact, he did not anticipate any problem.

Having a family to care and being a person who is completely besotted with his daughter, his posts always have several ambiguities. Besides, who would ever bother about what he wrote on his not-even-famous blog, anyway!

So, people, feel free to write anything, with or without any ground. But if you can, be anonymity if you are still holding our passport, just in case. hehehe

leaving to Australia

2008-10-24T00:02:00.002+08:00

@ Terminal 3

Incomplete

2008-10-21T16:46:00.001+08:00

Miss her so much.
I need her every day in my life. She is my recharger. She is my reason.
Miss her look. Simply longing for her touch.
She is pink. She is sweet.

17 days without seeing her is already too much for me to bear it.

She cannot stay back in Myanmar.
I cannot let her go to Japan.

She must be with me. For my sake, she must be with me.
Love you so very much, Little She

She is getting old, before her time

2008-10-15T16:46:00.001+08:00

She is almost unrecognizable.
It seems like she was deserted. Age spots, pigment marks appear on her skin. Hairs were dropped due to the recent Act of God.

Last time I saw her was less than a year ago. But she is aging fast, before her time.

Who would believe if I say she was a beauty.
Yes, she was!

She was famous, beautiful, admired by many. She used to wear many accessories, most of which made us proud.

Now she wears disgraceful dress.
Her sunset beauty is now noisy with greedy screams. No make-up but dust on her face is a sign of lacking good shower. She has been forgotten or worse, abandoned.

Whom should I blame for this? Her parent? Her children?

But I love her.
I really do. I have full of memories with her.

I could not gloom her, neither pamper her but I did many little things to ease her pain.

Her name is "Yangon" aka "Rangoon".

Little She's first trip

2008-09-27T07:04:00.003+08:00

At the airport, waiting for Little She's first flight.

What's up with Little She?

2008-09-23T14:35:00.004+08:00

For the past seven months, their shopping category and daily activity have been drastically changed. From fashion boutiques to family corners, tasty foods to healthier foods, Burberry to Mothercare, TV games to infant toys, business news to mumcentre.

For Little She, who deserves the best-
To wear (with style);
Mothercare, Kiddy Palace, and anyplace (any country, till to date, Myanmar, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Saudi and Germany) that offers the cutest design (most important is the material. 100% cotton might be the most suitable for this hot island)

To drink and eat
Similac (to drink), Heinz (to eat)

To maintain good health (Paediatrician)
Dr Tan Mein Chuen
MB ChB (Leicester), MRCP (Paed)(UK), FAMS (Paed)
- At birth and first visit

Dr Lim Yit Jean
MBBS (S'pore), M Med (Paed)(S'pore), MRCP (UK), FAMS (Paed), FRCP (Edin)
- Follow up

For bathing and body care
Johnson’s, mothercare, Kiddy Palace

Others
-Sterilizer (Avent)
-Milk bottles (Avent and Pigeon)
-Toys (Kiddy Palace, Mothercare, and shops near Raffles Place)

and counting...

How long Little She has been with us

2008-09-19T16:22:00.001+08:00

Missing things

2008-09-17T15:08:00.003+08:00

Mr. YL just got a call from Mrs. YL. (2:38 p.m.)
With shivering voice, Mrs. YL said, “Harbibi, guess what our little girl said!?”
“SHE SAID PHAE PHAE (Daddy in Burmese)!!!!”

It was just yesterday night, they were watching "Friends TV Series" and laughing when Ross' showed his frustration act (in a funny way) because he missed his boy's firsts (first roll over, first laugh).
After laughing on Ross, Mr. YL murmured that he also missed couples of Little She's first because he was busy working at his greedy desk.

Now he missed again but this time, it is a very big miss.
This is the first time Little She called her daddy.
Sorry buddy.

This look.....always make my day. Simply irresistible, I'd say

2008-09-15T21:48:00.006+08:00

Sweet cake

2008-09-11T10:23:00.003+08:00

It is a cake. They called it a “Moon Cake”.
Pretty expensive, unnecessarily, I reckon.
Anyway, now is the moon cake season here.

Some take this opportunity in giving pricey “moon Cake” as a kinda lavish present.
Since it is not that cheap, there is almost something attached behind of such presents.

We can see many moon cakes floating and flowing around business offices.
Sweetness is there but the intention behind may not that decently sweet.

Being a tough player (once), Mr. YL received moon cakes. Looks nice, quite sweet, but in the end it is just another toy for her.

Thanks for coming back, Roger

2008-09-09T07:12:00.004+08:00

US open 2008. 7:10 am. Singapore local time

Greatest RF is now in Quarterfinals - US Open 2008

2008-09-03T11:30:00.003+08:00

Phewww....

"You always wish [for] three sets but honestly, those five-setters are pretty fun too," Federer twinkled afterwards.

Yeah yeah yeah, now you said so... but don't try it again, will ya!!!!

on the rock (posted by mobile phone)

2008-08-30T13:56:00.002+08:00

Another baby from another friend

2008-08-28T10:12:00.005+08:00

May be pure coincidence, but since the day that Mrs. YL was expecting, they had been seeing many pregnant women walking around.
After Little She came, they saw many newborns hanging around, coexistence, they presume.

Babies! Everywhere.
Not disturbed but surprised.
(Definitely not because of Singapore Baby Bonus package because only Singaporeans can enjoy its privileges. This must be the reason some of our friends transformed themselves into Singaporeans. But how come they do not have a child yet??)

Anyway, one day, Mr. YL received an email from one of his very childhood friends from US. Starting with very sweet words, there were attached pictures with name “BABY”.

When on earth he’s got a baby or got married!!!

After opening the attachment, oh yes, I have to divulge that he’s got a very beautiful baby, rather expensive, indeed.

Ladies (especially who are waiting for the right time and the right man with the right C) and Gentlemen (especially who is talking about “wa ru” “wa ru” day and night), this is Mr. Kyi Min’s baby (how come you’ve got a Japanese baby!)

p.s. He further kindly promise Mr. YL that he will be glad to chauffeur him, if Mr. YL pay him a visit. What a good friend!

19th Aug 2008

2008-08-20T09:48:00.003+08:00

6 months.
Yes, Little She has been with Mr. & Mrs. YL for 6 months. They’d say amazing 6 months. They went through unforgettable moments with Little She.
Since the day Little She came to them, their life has been changed into something different, a very thrilling lifestyle.

They witnessed Little She’s many firsts.
Her first appearance, her first look, her first move, her first cry, her first smile, her first sound, her first clown (laugh), her first thought, her first response, her first strength (turn over and sitting), her first words (believe it or not, she said following words so far, all in Burmese: “white”, “ok”, “hi”, “I’m gonna stay”, “Yes, I hear”, “hey daddy”), and the best is yet to come.

Some say, Little She looks like her mom, whereas, some say she looks like her dad. Some say she has fair complexion, others say she is pinky. Her doctor said she is tall. Some friends say she is big.

The truth is, to Mr. & Mrs. YL, Little She is the cutest child, whatever the colour of her skin is, short or tall, big or small.
At present, she is big and tall, fair and pinky, very pleasant looking and well-behaved girl. Mashaallah! (Wonderful! in Arabic)

Happy ½ year Birthday, Ms. KZ Y L

Riyadh - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2008-08-19T13:54:00.009+08:00

In very cozy living room/tea hosting room

Day Time

Night Time

Food

Beauty (Building). I stayed there.

Etihad Airline (See the difference?).

Seat has massage function. Cool huh?

New Kid on the Blog

2008-08-18T09:33:00.005+08:00

Message received from him like this:

"The baby has safely arrived at 1337 14th Aug. Both mommy and baby are doing fine after gruelling an hour long delivery. Thanks in advance for your well wishes."
(Later time was corrected to 11:37 p.m. He insisted that he was too nervous the time he sent the message. Understand)

With courtesy, we visited their place to join them in celebration.

Congratulation to happy mom and dad! And Welcome aboard, boy.

p.s. Name is very big.

Initiator

2008-08-13T14:40:00.001+08:00

Second time in a row, I saw the flaw in being an initiator.

First time was when my loving friends asked me many things about buying a small flat in SimCity country. Later I realized that they did not take much of my advice (No one buys a house in East). They just did the way as they wanted. It was quite fun sharing my collective knowledge with them though.

Now it is happening again.
One of my childhood friends, who is trying (by all means) to own a car in this small country, is asking me many things about having a first child.
Really, I don’t mind giving my best advises to them or sharing my experience with them. However, sometimes I have a little hesitant mood like “what if I give them wrong advice”.

Anyway, as an initiator in such cases, and the one who is talkative, and being a good friend to them, here I am, dudes. Feel free to check with me for buying a flat and having a child. FOC, some more (Singlish).

How do I look?

2008-08-07T14:20:00.002+08:00

Feeling good to be a guy from a sophisticated country

2008-08-01T10:45:00.004+08:00

It's never been easy to explain my origin to my business associates.

It usually goes this way...

Business Associate: "What? Myan Na Mar? Where is it? Are you from Middle East?"

Myanmar Guy: "Do you know Thailand?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do you know India?"

"Definitely."

"Myanmar, basically, is between these two countries. To be exact, it is bounded on the North and East by China, on the East by Laos, on the South-East by Thailand, on the South by the Andaman Sea, and on the West by the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, and India."

"Oh, I see. Very small country?"

"Not really! Myanmar has an area of 678,500 sq km (261,970 sq mi)."

"Oh, really. What is the name of the capital?"

"Nay Pyi Daw."

"Nway Pe Dar?"

"No! Nay Pyi Daw, meaning Kingdom Palace."

"Oh, serious? So it is ruled by the King?"

"No! We are heading towards peaceful Democracy."

"Oh, really? So you speak Thai?"

"No! We have our very own language. Burmese."

"Wait! I thought you said you were from Myanmar. Anything to do with Burma?"

"Burma is the old name. We changed it to Myanmar."

"Oh, I see. I know Ms. Aung San Su Kyi. Is she still under house****? And you all changed the name of Rangoon to Na Pi Doll?"

"Thanks to Ms. Aung San Su Kyi. You do know our country, huh? Yes, our government believes it is the best place to keep people like her, who owned the Nobel peace prize. No. We changed the name of Rangoon to Yangon and moved the capital to safer (I mean, better) place and named that place Nay Pyi Daw."

"Now I think I know where your country is. But I am sooooo confused about your country and customs."

"Thank you."

Oh... It is too good

2008-07-30T13:59:00.004+08:00

As I mentioned before, there really are people with hidden talents in this bloggers' world.

If you're lucky enough to happen to be a Burmese, you surely will admire this poem.

If you are not good enough and can't read Burmese, here is my poor paraphrase in Universal language;

String

Was merely short and concise message over the long distance call
But so much of meanings were hidden at the back after all

Cut words but I can feel myself holding it tight

She could measure the slackness of the string, I guess
In fact, it was tightened in the very simple way
Oh… she….

Owned by Mr. Tane, who wrote for Moe

Damn.... I stained (dirty) that beauty... Sorry Mr. T...

I was African?

2008-07-25T09:55:00.002+08:00

My colleague, originally from India, who has been transformed into Singaporean and married to a Chinese Lady, and has a very adorable Indian-Chinese mixed daughter, told me something in the very late evening of July 2nd.

“All of us were from Africa. And researchers have proved it.”

He vividly believed that humankind was originated from Africa.
He further threw a fact of recent discovery shows that there is a man in India with 99% anatomically same with Nelson Mandela from South Africa. Oh yeah, that fact is interesting.

So I decided to think. God, show me the light.

(God: Oh dear, he is doing it again!)

As a person, who strongly believes that we were monkeys, can believe theoretically that we were from Africa (It is where the most animals live, isn’t it?).

Our ancestors, knows as Australopithecines (commonly known as “ape men”), were from Africa? Sound’s ok to me. I am not a raciest and think it’s nothing wrong with being shiny black.

After doing some research, I noted that the first example of Australopithecus was founded in 1925 in a limestone cave near Taung, in South Africa, by the anthropologist Raymond Dart. He found the skull of a six year old creature with an apelike appearance but human characteristics. (Australopithecines were small, with long arms, prominent skulls and small brains and retained the ability to climb trees.) See I told you! We were monkeys!
Another one of the most famous finds was in Ethiopia’s Omo Vally in 1974. It was the skeleton, about 40% complete, of a young girl known to the outside world as Lucy and to Ethiopians as Dingnish (the wonderful or precious one)

Fair enough.

Now I can, at least with some facts, say comfortably that African apes were our ancestors. However, I still can’t content to say that those Africans (pretty black and big) travelled across the world to reach China and became Chinese (pretty white and not so big). So I pulled out more information from available sources and found something more interesting.

Australopithecus split into several different species. Some developed into robust while others were more lightly built.

There are two contradicting theories. The first one was “Out of Africa” model. It said Homo sapiens developed first in Africa and then spread around the world between 100 and 200,000 years ago, superseding all other hominid species. (May be they mated with white monkeys in China). If this is true, all modern people are ultimately of African descent.

The other theory, known as the “Multiregional” model, showed that Homo sapiens evolved simultaneously in different parts of the word from original Homo erectus settlers. May be this theory makes better sense. And I would like to add that due to different climates and foods availability, our size and colour changed. For instance, I have cousins (Burmese parents) brought up in Japan and States. Now they look more like Japanese and American. Must be the food, weather and dressing style.

Anyway, Out of Africa theorists say that most genetic variation in human populations is found in Africa, suggesting that humans evolved there for the longest period. And the bulk of scientists (and my colleague) support the “Out of Africa” hypothesis and believe that all humans share a common origin.

My conclusion is that we were relatives (at least in Asia) and we have learned how to walk upright. We float on the sea and fly in the sky. We control other animals and use them for our advantage. We can do many things that many animals cannot even imagine. So when are we going to stop? Some believes in limit while some look for beyond. I think we should slow down. We have more than what we actually need. Nature gives us enough but we are making it running out. If this is what we were meant to be, I have nothing more to say.

Nevertheless, this is not the implications of evolutionary theory. Just my simple afternoon thought.

God: I did not show him any light. Read at your risk.

"They were able to develop the technology of stone tools? They were the first ones to move out of trees and walk upright? And they were the first ones to explore? Crossing the seas and going out to Asia and Europe... and to me this is the greatest achievement that humanity has ever done." - George Abungu, of the National Museums of Kenya

Source: BBC (so blame them as well if you blame this writing)

Monday blues? Driving or planning to drive? Read this. Relieved or devastated?

2008-07-21T10:04:00.002+08:00

Quote//

So Mini-star Marlboro Tan thinks cutting petrol taxes and giving out fuel subsidies is not the answer to high fuel costs, and suggests we all make “lifestyle changes” instead. Maybe oil just isn’t ex enough for our multimillionaire politicians. But how will we know when oil is too bleddy expensive?

We suggest some signs to indicate when the price of oil is out of control:

1. When former DPM Tony Tan’s hair gets all dry and frizzy

2. When you have to send your kids to school using a very large catapult

3. When the char kway teow uncle tells you he has to slap on a $5 oil surcharge, or else he’ll fry your order in hot water

4. When you look at teenagers’ faces and wonder if you can squeeze enough out of them to fuel your car

5. When the petrol station uncles all start wearing tuxedos

6. When the camels in Saudi Arabia begin to sport gold teeth

7. When the competitors in the upcoming F1 all switch their sportscars to Perodua Kancils.

8. Most popular new TV show: Pimp My Bike

9. When people start converting their SUVs into mini-studio apartments

10. When Hollywood movies start replacing car chases with more conversation

11. When carpooling, people lom chiam pas to see who gets to steer, and who gets to push

12. When Paris Hilton has to take bus to go clubbing

13. When to be able to afford a litre of petrol, you have to sell your car

Unquote//

Classic comedy movie, if you know something about Middle East people

2008-07-15T12:47:00.003+08:00

That's called Daddy's timetable

2008-07-10T12:15:00.005+08:00

Weekdays:
A.M.
Babysit while your wife is preparing for breakfast. Play with her (daughter) for at least 5-10 minutes to build up family-bond before you leave for office. Kiss them (wife and daughter) and say see you tonight. Also don’t forget to say “I love you” to both.
Call as many times as you can from your office to home to let them know that you miss them. Also to check if they are doing fine. (In case you are too busy, make sure you call them during your lunch time at least)
Work hard and smart to make sure you can go home at 5:30.

P.M.
Check if they need anything so that you can make your shopping on the way back home.
Forget about all your weary, stressful and shitty work stuffs, and wear a pleasant smile when you get back home.
After kissing them both, carry your baby for at least 10-15 minutes before you do anything.
Have a quick shower, take over the duty of babysitting while your wife is preparing a dinner table.
Tell your baby what you did for the day (preferably in English). Your wife might be listening too.
After dinner, spend as much time as you could with both. Talk to them, laugh with them, and most important of all, listen to them. You all may watch TV together. But try not to talk about your work.
Discuss with your wife for next day schedule, plan with her for some due activity and etc.
If you still have enough strength, send your baby to sleep (you might need to carry her, sing songs with some dance moves and must have very good patient at this art work).
Once you baby is asleep, now is the time to spend romantically with your wife.
Don’t discuss about any bad thing before bed time. Say good night to both of them with kisses.

Weekend:
You will be responsible for grocery shopping, assisting your wife at houseworks, and you have to let your wife knows that daddy’s daycare is now officially open for the weekend. Oh yes, it is your responsibility to babysit her for all day long or whenever necessary.
Do much talking. You can discuss anything you want. If you like it, you may cook anything you want. Tell them many jokes. You could be a chef, a joker, the worst dancer, a simple husband and daddy on weekends.
You will learn from your weekend experience that it is not easy to be a housewife. Don’t forget to praise your wife for her good job.
One thing for sure is daddy usually does not have time to go out with others (playing tennis for 2 hours is ok though), work from home (not anymore), writing something on the blog on weekends.

Small tip: Change yours and your wife's mobiles to 3G. You will know how valuable advise this is later on!

IT - Cont..

2008-07-07T15:11:00.005+08:00

*phew*
A big relief sound broke the whole ice of the room. It was from my hip-hopper brother-in-law.
I also continued my breathing, which I did not do it for the last 5 minutes, when Roger Federer was trying to break Rafael Nadal in the second set.

We were just watching the Wimbledon 2008 men’s final.

As both of us were cheering for Roger Federer, last night result saddened us.

Rafael Nadal ended five-time champion Roger Federer’s dream of becoming King Federer VI at the centre court, with 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7 and 9-7.

With so much of anger (my harbibi never understand me why I am so angry for not-my-game), frustration and sadness, I hit the hay last night.

The News called it as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals of all time.
Rafael said, “He's still the number one, he’s still the best”.
Roger admitted, “Rafa is a deserving champion, he just played fantastic”.

My harbibi said, "It is just a game, no big deal, go to bed and have a good sleep!"

IT is .....

2008-07-03T09:54:00.005+08:00

Try to log out from office at 5:30 p.m. sharp to catch IT...

Some nights, could not get enough sleep (8 hours standard) because IT anchored me in front of my TV.

Sometimes, get angry. Sometimes happy, depends what is happening there..

It is Wimbledon 2008!!!!!

Go Roger!

Scary hospital bill

2008-07-01T11:45:00.004+08:00

It was not the first time it (hospital bill) stunned me. Neither was the second time.

First experience was in a few years back, when a naughty virus attacked my liver and made me stayed at the Changi General Hospital for almost 2 months.
Thanks to ‘not so generous but rather care’ company, I could stay comfortably at ‘A’ class (There is a standard everywhere in this world). However, as per company’s policy, unless at Raffles Hospital, we have to settle the bill first, then claim back from the company later.

Once in a week, hospital office staff came to my room (with a very big smile) and asked me to settle the weekly bill, after asking me how I was doing. Week after week, signing more and more bills, I was getting a little nervous, not because of my health but because of the numbers that I signed on the invoice.

Here, in this small island, most of the things are not cheap. Whatever you do, you almost need to pay for it. Your daily stuffs will dig your pocket (nowadays getting deeper). If you have to do something extra for your health, you’d better have deeper pocket or medical insurance covered or be employed by a caring company.
But of course, this small island gives you so many other alternatives. There are many other lower classes and places that you can go to enjoy government’s subsidy. Besides, if you are working or were working, you have been forced to save some amount of money monthly for your medical expenses.

In case you are assuming that you should do whatever it takes to treat your illness and medical related stuffs, followings are the numbers that you should be aware of.

If you are diagnosed with some minor illness (for instance, fever), it could cost you S$30 – S$40 (per visit to doctor)
If you need to have minor surgical treatment (same day discharge from the hospital), it could cost you S$3,000 – S$5,000.
Touch wood, if you have to admit to the hospital and would like to stay in a single room with some privacy, a single room will cost you about S$400 per day. I leave you to calculate the total cost.
If you are planning to welcome the arrival of your child at a good hospital, it could cost you S$4,500 – S$5,500.

So be healthy, chum.

MC and hospital bill

2008-06-24T15:40:00.003+08:00

I am on MC for two weeks.

Thanks to the Specialist doctor from Raffles Hospital for two weeks long MC but damn the hospital bill....

Guys!, Better don't get sick or buy 100% health insurance or ask you stingy boss/company to cover it fully.
Or else!!!!!!
Good luck to you and your loved ones....

Really, this is no joke....

Little She and her diary

2008-06-15T14:48:00.004+08:00

me and bhone bhone

My new sleeping posture

hehe... can I have one more, please?

Yo Yo! Like my attitude?! Totally awesome...

This ain't my dad and mom's bed. This is my super king size bed.

What did I do to deserve this????

Sales, the Devil

2008-06-10T11:28:00.005+08:00

If you are livin' in, so called, shopping paradise cities, you know this topic very well.
Living in this green, clean and small city with limited resources and things to do, shopping becomes the one that everyone may fall for.

From grocery shopping to luxury shopping, you will sooner or later run into this big sign, "SALES".
Yes, something is on "SALES", always.

With much better observation and practical thinking, Mrs. YL noticed that "Timberland" boutique in shopping mall near their place is always on SALES, all year long. (Yes, they even painted one wall with big "SALES" sign permanently. How nice!!!! )

Marketers claim different reasons.
Pre-holiday SALES,
Holiday SALES,
Post-Holiday SALES,
New Year SALES,
Midyear SALES,
Yearend SALES,
the Great Singapore Sales,
Moving out SALES,
Opening SALES,
Anniversary SALES,
and if they are running out of new name, they will simply announce “Crazy SALES” (I reckon, who is crazy in this case? Seller or buyer?)

Because of this devil sign 'SALES', we might end-up buying things more than we actually needs (familiar with this sign – buy 2 get 1 free?), throwing out the old but good staff because you bought the new one needlessly, applying for more credit cards, and could even worsen to some social problems if you are addicted to it.

Heard that shopping addiction is similar to other addictive behaviors and has some of the same characteristics as problem drinking (alcoholism), gambling and overeating addictions.
Besides, this demon sign ‘SALES’ is responsible for becoming shopaholics.
I found following quoted advice to prevent shopping binges from internet.

Quote//
· Pay for purchases by cash, check, debit card.
· Make a shopping list and only buy what is on the list.
· Destroy all credit cards except one to be used for emergency only.
· Avoid discount warehouses. Allocate only a certain amount of cash to be spent if you do visit one.
· "Window shop" only after stores have closed. If you do "look" during the day, leave your wallet at home.
· Avoid phoning in catalog orders and don't watch TV shopping channels.
· If you're traveling to visit friends or reltives, have your gifts wrapped and call the project finished; people tend to make more extraneous purchases when they shop outside their own communities.
· Take a walk or exercise when the urge to shop comes on.
Unquote//

As such, we must not fall for this devil sign..............

Lawrence: "Hey bro, Raoul is on sales! It's crazy here, man. 2 shirts for just $150!"
Mr. YL: "I am on my way! Oops! Damn!"

P.S. Mr. YL’s mom Madam Lwin is a shopping queen. Like mother, like son.

Blogging with bloggers

2008-06-06T14:30:00.003+08:00

Very interesting habit indeed. Being a very new-born in this field, I don't truly know the actual meaning of blogging.
But as far as I can feel it, it is like a habit to me. Or as I mentioned in my preliminary posts, we do it as a record. It can also be a window to show our hidden thirsts while we are busy doing something else (making money most of the time) at our greedy desks. To some generous bloggers, blogging is for them to create bigger network and share their knowledge like a pro bono.

I have seen many blogs, which are worth reading every word of it, have full of thoughtful thoughts, and have gifted arts. Very healthy posts. I have also admired many well educated bloggers sharing their positive views and experiences over their blogs in a very gentleman way. At the same time, I always enjoy reading blogs, which have very much sense of humours.

Sadly, some bloggers are blogging to discriminate others' views. He may write against others' prevailing views, in some cases, in a very harsh way. Pretty disgusting to read it. To me, their blogs are like one of the pretentious blogs. His writings are lack of pretension but full of pretext. I suppose, he needs to write with a more subtle approach. Unless, he takes perverse pleasure in writing such posts.

I and my neighbours

2008-06-02T12:03:00.007+08:00

My friend talked about neighbour.
So I think about neighbour.
Neighbour means:
1. a person who lives near or next to another
2. a person, thing, or country near or next to another

As a human, we can’t live alone. We live with our family, friends and of course, neighbours. Therefore, you can see how important the neighbour is. It is, in fact, you would deal with or see them almost every day.
This obviously shows that having a good neighbour means a lot.

I was born at a place where it was surrounded by five neighbours.
Two tan-skinned neighbours, who are living back of our home, are quiet but always sneaking into our home.
The fat, white and big neighbour, with we share most of our border, is always trying to get freebies from our home by praising my old guard for all the stupid things that he does.

A yellow-skinned neighbour, who stays in front of our home, thinks our family is obsolete. He even tells others about us, even without checking the truths. He, by himself, thinks he has a right to be a mouthpiece of our family matters.
The last neighbour seems no interest in us at all.

A little far from our home ground, yet not so far, we have an old friend. Long before our time, he used to copycat some of our achievements. He lives in very tiny dwarf-house. He is very talkative and he thinks he can play his “SimCity” game everywhere. He thinks he knows more than everyone in everything. He used to hang-out with our old and stupid guard, but one time he called him dumb. He acted like a bridge between our potential business partners and us. But later he changed his idea and swayed his action to something else.

Anyway, one day, our rice-cooker was broken down accidently. Being so suspicious of anything, our old and stupid guard did not want to call technician from outside to repair. This news was spread around our neighbourhood.

Two tan-skinned neighbours tried to give some suggestions but they were not so good enough in such case.

Before our fat, white and big neighbour did anything; his house was hit by a shaky accident so he was busy with his own problem.

A yellow-skinned neighbour visited our kitchen, looked at our spoiled rice-cooker, chit-chat with our old guard in our newly renovated living room, had couple of meals together with him and left our home. He later told other neighbours that we were ok.

SimCity game player, as usual, made comments, which have two meanings. He wanted to make face so he informed technicians from much bigger neighbourhood. At the same time, he seemed worried that we could get much opportunity in getting closer to his business network. Thus he made comment that people should respect our old and stupid guard’s idea.

It has been always interesting to live among them.

A little helping hand

2008-05-30T16:46:00.006+08:00

Nothing much but just wanted to share their hunger.

It happened to be one of the most memorable days.

Appreciated by;

Lito A said...
Z, I saw the pictures and my eyes just welled up with tears. It became personal. I didn't expect our small contribution could mean so much especially to those in need. There are so many who need help. Did everyone get something? And even if they did, how long will it last? I'm not sure if we are doing enough. I really sympathize with those afflicted as I have seen the same kind of suffering in my country. Perhaps we can do more.

Weena said...
This is great. how many people benefited from this, is it rice you bought

Norlela said...
I am glad that we manage to help no matter how small the amount is. Thanks for everything.

j y said...
Your family and yourself are just awesome people. You guys have the biggest heart! May God bless you all and the people in Myanmar.
Samy said...
Thanks for your great efforts to relieve some of the pains that effected many people in Myanmar...

Masuda said...
I was deeply moved with what you have done. Hope that people in your country can get back to their normal lives as soon as possible.

YW said...
you n your family are very kind soul, wat we contribute is very tiny only....god bless u n family!

Melvin said...
I cherish your brave move to help the typhoon damage relief in your country. As a matter fact, half of my family is also from Myanmar. We also sent in assistance we could. I hope people there can come back from the natural disaster in the short future. God Bless Them.

Dunia said...
Well done.... you make us proud. And I must say, I am very very touched.Thank you very much and hopefully the People of Myanmar will tide over this adversity with God's Blessings.

Sharing news: Saudi Gazette - Myanmar’s neglect doesn’t mean Saudis shouldn’t participate

2008-05-30T11:57:00.002+08:00

Quote//
Myanmar’s neglect doesn’t mean Saudis shouldn’t participate
Sabria S. Jawhar
IT’s not often that I devote an entire column to a single reader’s specific concern. But Paul Lin’s plea to do something for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta touched my heart and moved me.Lin is the general manager for a construction company in Riyadh who keeps up his Islamic studies in his spare time. A Canadian, he doesn’t speak Arabic, so his efforts to encourage Saudis to send more aid to Myanmar have been less than successful.

I don’t know if anybody noticed, but although the devastation from the massive earthquake in China has taken more than 60,000 lives, the result of the cyclone that hit Myanmar has probably left twice that number dead. The Chinese government’s reaction to the crisis is remarkable and should be a lesson for all governments that quick response to natural disasters means saving more lives. I can’t think of a better example of the humaneness of the international cooperation and of the civilians who risked lives to save victims from the rubble or recover the dead.

The same can’t be said for the government in Myanmar. Their behavior in refusing aid from the international community is criminal. There is no other word for it.
But Lin points out that there have been breakthroughs in opening the doors to foreign aid in recent days, but apathy and neglect continue to take lives.One problem is that little has been done to organize relief efforts in Saudi Arabia when the moment arrives that aid in the form of supplies and manpower will be permitted to enter Myanmar.Lin wrote to me that he is “restricted from doing what I would normally do if I am in Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, and elsewhere. I have approached so many people (Saudi friends) to do something. I asked to speak to the students at the Maktab Islamiah after our classes (before or after our Asr prayer) hoping that we could start a fund-raising campaign. I was told it was not permitted to organize such an activity. I have tried in vain to contact the Saudi Red Crescent.”

Remember the Saudi government’s speedy reaction to the 2004 tsunami disaster that claimed more than 350,000 lives? And the terrible 2005 Kashmir earthquake that left nearly 75,000 dead? Saudis and our neighbors rushed to organize fund-raising campaigns. Aid in the form of food and temporary shelter, along with manpower, was rushed to those areas. But curiously today, the desire to help the victims in Myanmar is virtually absent in comparison to our previous efforts. Certainly, the Myanmar government is partially responsible, yet there is nothing to prevent us from providing help through Myanmar’s Asian neighbors who are not only poised to provide the supplies but are collecting the goods and organizing the delivery as I write this now.

Despite the meanness of the Myanmar government, Saudi Arabia can announce what it intends to do and what needs to be done as the world awaits permission to enter their country. Let’s remember that natural disasters know no politics. It’s not a government issue. It’s not East versus West. It is not a time to strategize power between two governments. Earthquakes and cyclones make no distinction between rich and poor or government officials and farmers.

By extending aid, the people of Myanmar, especially the younger generation, will remember us with fondness and gratitude. That’s why it’s vital for NGOs to play a proactive role in securing help to the devastated country. Our aid will build bridges and create the foundation for a strong and lasting relationship.

The children of Myanmar will grow up recognizing that Saudi Arabia is a country of compassion. That, perhaps, more than anything else, will create stability and peace.If Saudis can find a way to help the victims of the China earthquake, then they can evince the same care and interest in dealing with the indifference and insensitivity of the Myanmar government. Myanmar is slowly coming around to international pressure, yet we seem to have forgotten their plight. Simply because the Myanmar government is apathetic to its own people doesn’t mean we walk away from our human responsibilities.–
Unquote//

What she did on her 3 months B'day (19th May 2008)

2008-05-25T21:23:00.003+08:00

Post Cyclone Nargis

2008-05-23T16:35:00.004+08:00

I donated ….
He donated ….
They donated …..
This group donated …..
That group donated ……
I helped ….
She helped …..
We helped ……..
They helped ……….

This leader and that leader of this/that countries offer their hands. Some leaders are already in Burma.

While our brothers and sisters from foreign mothers doing something good for our survivors, it will be an absolute shame if we do not do any good.

Someone was under pressure to do something. Or else (is it a crime against humanity?).

People need more helps, but they said strings attached.
p.s. We have been hearing this “string” thingy for many years.

What the heck is that?!!!

Am I voting? Cont. cont. cont (On the road! Till we die?)

2008-05-20T10:28:00.003+08:00

After nationwide voted, state media said, so far, over 90% voted “YES” (Note: About 27 million of the country’s 57 million people are eligible to vote).

Does it mean that voters overwhelmingly approved of a military-backed draft constitution (Slogan: Road map to democracy)? Very interesting indeed.

P.S. I thought I was the only one who voted “YES” but one thing I missed to remember was everyone has a family. And we all are gun-phobia.
And human error (of course not intentionally, I wish) could happen during counting of the votes.

Another Storm

2008-05-15T11:00:00.002+08:00

"Quoted"
Another new storm is reported heading towards Myanmar's cyclone-devastated delta 11 hrs ago and the inadequate relief efforts could lead to a second wave of catastrope.
"Unquoted"

May God have Mercy....

Cyclone Nargis hit us - Cont.

2008-05-14T11:13:00.003+08:00

In case;
you are too busy but feel like donating something, here is the way;

We can not change the weather. It is an Act of God. But if we want, we can make a change.

You are just a click away to make a change.

Cyclone Nargis hit us - Cont.

2008-05-13T17:26:00.004+08:00

Back from a week-long trip.
As being one and only Burmese in the whole company, almost everyone expected Mr. YL to update them what is going on in Burma (post cyclone news). The truth was Mr. YL knew nothing much more than what the news mentioned.

For the past whole week, he was in Saudi, having 41 degree Celsius heat, busy with meetings, having hard time reaching his family on phone, heartrending watching death tolls and cyclone victims facing disease and starvation.

He was offered some amount of personal donations kindly by his colleagues. But they all have concern. They heard something (Mr. YL did not tell them anything. He has a family, remember?) and had concern that the money they donate may not arrive to the victims. They thought Burmese regime may tax (cut) on the donation money. Mr. YL laughed at them and told them that only stupid and boorish government would do such thing.
He further told them that his regime people are not egocentric people (aren't they?).

Other colleagues of him heard different rumour. They heard that international helpers were stopped by authority to go into the country to do some volunteer works.
Frustrated Mr. YL shouted, "C'mon! People! They are not ruthless! They value the humanity".

We already have logistical bottlenecks, poor infrastructure, and many restrictions to meet everywhere(to make sure everything’s in order, Mr. YL reckon).

He was saying himself, "We'd better don't have stupid people to prevent this disaster from becoming even more serious".

Happy Mother's Day (11th May 2008)

2008-05-11T19:58:00.006+08:00

It is a day honoring mothers.

For this time of tragedy at Burma, I could say nothing more but only wish that;

May all mothers from Burma shall not worry for foods and shelters today. Because they have children to care for.

To mothers from Burma: We all are doing what we can to share your pain.

To mothers from all around the world: Please kindly give your hand to show mother-to-mother love.

To All God's children: If you can, please show your love to mothers from Burma too. Because they have very slim chance to aware that today is Mother's Day.

Today, I did not send any flowers and gifts to my mom.
Instead, I urged my mom to let me buy foods to another mother who needs it more desperately.

Cyclone Nargis hit us - cont.

2008-05-09T18:14:00.004+08:00

Many groups and countries are doing whatever things that they can.

We can not change the weather.
That's for sure. It is an act of God.

But we do can make a change, if we want.

Cyclone Nargis hit us

2008-05-05T01:08:00.005+08:00

Source: www.redcross.org.sg

How Annoying!!!!

2008-05-04T12:22:00.007+08:00

This time, not messages but news.

It was almost on the cover page. It said how much "Burmese" are happy to be here, to get better life, to feed his family, to earn more.... (News also said that most Burmese here are holding employment passes or work permits. And many are coming as maids)

C'mon! People! Please be careful with what you are saying!!!!

Don't you get it!!???

When you mentioned that you earned only 60 bucks in your country and saying you are now earning about S$3200 here, don't you think this could mislead to something?
Besides, your saying was not complete. What about cheaper living cost? And other factors?

We all know that pay in our motherland is sucks. But it doesn't mean that you have to tell others (repeat: others), who are not your parents, neither your life-saver.

After all, you will be the one who is going to complain about high living cost here and might want to ask for salary increase from your empolyee soon to cope with the increasing living cost.

Guess what! If I'd be your employer and reading this newspaper, I'd tell you to take what I am paying now (with a little "f" word) or go back to your country and work for 60 bucks.

You can depreciate yourself but don't depreciate everyone as a whole. Unless you were hoping to get "Asylum" from somewhere and had nothing valuable left at the place where you were born.

You should be wise enough to know when someone questioned you about your country, you were answering for your country. Not for yourself!!

It is an absolute shame to see such idocy people like this answering on news!

Am I voting? Cont. cont.

2008-05-02T09:39:00.003+08:00

Yes, I did it.

I voted "YES". I swear! (I have a family, remember?)

So if you ever see any (repeat: any) single yes, it was me.

If you don't see any cunning result, how bizarre!!!!!!!

Am I voting? - Cont.

2008-04-28T11:40:00.003+08:00

Messages, Messages, Messages….

Flying and going around like everyone’s business and no one’s responsibility.

"I did NO".
"He did NO".
"My wife did NO".
"You must say NO. This is your chance".
(Sounds like I have the whole responsibility of this result)

Over-concerned people said,
"Be careful! Someone is watching you. And do not forget that you have a family"
(Oh yeah! That warning is quite scary!)

My insightful thought was asking me something annoyingly.
"Who is going to count!!!!????

Anyway,

like I mentioned before

I will do what I believe, even if it doesn't matter.

With grandma & visiting Uncle Hip-Hopper (HK)

2008-04-24T13:56:00.002+08:00

Am I voting?

2008-04-23T11:32:00.008+08:00

Someone asked me this morning if I am voting.

Yes, I am.
Even if it doesn't matter.

Reasons:
It is an opportunity. Not a threat (I suppose)
I am still Burmese. And I do care about my country.
To repeat our voice. (Last time we did the same in 1990).
I believe in "kindness" and "dignity".
I believe in giving second chance to wrong-doing people.
We have hope.
Last but not least, I think they had enough.

However, if two times fooled, shame on us.

In case you are wondering
Voting is a method for a group such as a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion — often following discussions, debates or election campaigns.

Process of voting
Most forms of democracy discern the will of the people by a common voting procedure:
Individual voter registration and qualification,
Opening the Election for a set time period,
Registration of voters at established voting locations,
Distribution of ballots with preset candidates, issues, and choices (including the write-in option in some cases),
Selection of preferred choices (often in secret, called a secret ballot),
Secure collection of ballots for unbiased counting, and
Proclamation of the will of the voters as the will of the people for their government.

Reasons for voting
In a democracy, voting commonly implies election, i.e. a way for an electorate to select among candidates for office. In politics voting is the method by which the electorate of a democracy appoints representatives in its government.
A vote, is an individual's act of voting, by which he or she express support or preference for a certain motion (e.g. a proposed resolution), a certain candidate, or a certain selection of candidates. A secret ballot, the standard way to protect voters' political privacy, generally takes place at a polling station.

Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Earth Day (22nd April 2008)

2008-04-22T11:45:00.007+08:00

Pretending as one of the self-pro-claimed tree-huggers, I claim, save the Earth!
Earth is sick, sick of us.
We have done many harm to her.
We forgot her feeling. We forgot that she needs to survive like us.
Now she is sick and her sickness seems affecting us.
Let us do something to cure her, or inspire your family and friends to make a difference.
Remember, we have only one earth.
Your child has to pay high price if you don't save her now.

Earth, I wish you a speedy recovery!