January 4th, 2008

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to gooo.....

Figure of speech. Yes, I'm flying off on the 4th.
Come 5th January, it's Goooood Morning, Vietnam!

The task ahead is an uphill climb, daunting in many ways. I worry whether I'm ready for this challenge. And I believe it is right to fear, confident as I may be.

The initial period will be 6 months to a year. From there, we'll see if the situation is stable enough for my return. Otherwise, it's another year.

To friends visiting Ho Chi Minh, remember to drop me a note when coming by. I certainly welcome the intrusion and news from home.

Moving on, expect posts of life in Vietnam, first hand. Spring rolls, here I come!

A good phrase of this Century, by Malaysians

I received an email article, titled Morons in Parliament. An interesting read, on the intelligence of certain MPs in the causes that they pursue, to the point of being ludricous and ridicuolous.

Nonetheless, I'm leaving the article out of this area, being a non-political site. Racism - let's just say that the boundaries of patience in multi-racial, harmonious living is reaching it limit. In my line of duty, I've come to meet many ranks that confirm the Fact - Good for Nothing.

To share a good phrase from the email article:

"Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups"

Beware, ye of ignorance. Morons be they, danger they wrought.

Highland weekend again

Another weekend in Cameron Highlands.
This time, it's a 3 car marathon from Melaka to Cameron and back.
The journey took us into 6 states, over a span of 6 hours.
Melaka - Negeri 9 - Selangor - Wilayah - Perak - Pahang, and back again.

Found an interesting place for food there.
Water Cress Valley, serving charcoal steamboat and water cress herbal soup.






Quite a reasonable bargain, I'd say. They charge RM23 for the vat of soup, coals and a large basket of vegetables. The remaining ingredients are sold separately. We paid RM130 for 10 adults.

Do look out for it. It's along the main road, situated between Kea's Farm and Tringkap. That's the northern portion, where the road is headed towards Simpang Pulai.

Strangely, this trip was full of casualties. Of the 12 to go, 2 opted out, due to illness. Once we got there, 1 missed dinner due to fever. The next day, another is down with an upset tummy. This essentially resulted in a missed target - 72 cans of Carslberg, 6 bottles of red wine and 1 bottle of Chivas whiskey. We only managed 24 cans of beer and 5 bottles of wine. A let down....

Happy Birthday Kum Hon!

Happy Birthday to you..
Haaappy Birthday to youuuu..
Haaaaappy Birrrrthday to Kum Hoooonnn..
Haaaappy Birthday tooooo youuuuuuu....

Welcome to Club ThreeOh!

My first Vietnamese lesson

I just had my first Vietnamese lesson online (www.vietcourses.com)

The verdict:
I need help practising. The structure, the grammar, the pronounciation... It's like learning to read all over again!

Anyone keen to pick up a new language?

It's Official!

The cat's out of the bag, at last!
They made the official announcement of my secondment to Vietnam come January.
Following the announcement, plenty of advises came pouring in.

"Watch out for the Vietnam Rose.."
"Bring a motorcycle helmet.."
"Go try this food.."
"Marry a viet-lass eh.."

Gosh.
I mean, thank you. I appreciate the kindness, and the sharing.
Hey, I'm only going for 2 years.
I'm coming back.
I want to come back eventually.

Nonetheless, my sincere gratitude goes to all, and the kind words.
I'll deliver my best. And I'll be back.

Play a game, and help battle World Hunger

Please visit the weblink on FreeRice in the sidebar.

No registration is required.
All you need to do is to select the correct meaning of the word given.
For every correct answer, 10 grains of rice is donated to the United Nations World Food Program.

Help end world hunger today.
Best part, you need not sacrifice your daily meal, or money for it.

Family Do @ Cameron

Family Getogether at Cameron.

Me cousins

Master chef at work


" Can we eat yet?"

" We're hungry..."

"Aisyoh... what's taking so long?"

Ewwww....

Golden brown

Pork ribs, marinated by dad

Chefs wannabe, after being evicted for BBQing on the balcony

"Can I have one?"

Yummy...

Birthday girls

The punishment

That's me

Too tired after the walk

"Like my sexy pose?"

Awwww....

" Now this is what I call cruising"

" Phew, on the way home at last"

Without a doubt, JD enjoyed the trip the most!

Happy Birthday Hsin Yee!

To Hsin Yee,

Happy Birthday!
Many Happy Returns!
May Your Happy Wishes Come True!

And most importantly, Welcome to Club ThreeOh!

The Participants of the sumptuous dinner

Dad, Bo Le, Ah Bo, Mum

Nyam nyam, says Mum

Birthday boy

Ah Bo, Mum's cousin sister

Bo Le, Husband to mum's cousin sister

Cheng, 'I've had 2 glasses, another wouldn't hurt...'

Jo, Mmmmmm.....

The culprit fish that made our lips itch

Me, caught on pic trying to swallow the chinese tea..

Celebrate post-birthday @ Ah Yat Abalone Forum Restaurant

Father's 60th Birthday dinner, celebrated at Ah Yat Abalone Forum Restaurant, Section 14.

The Package, for 7

Our greeting at the table

Ah Yat

The braised Shark's Fin and dried seafood

Roasted suckling pig (Doesn't look like one)

Sliced bread to wrap the skin

What's left of the meat, after we're done with the skin

Signature dish - Steamed abalone with fish maw

The abalone (Made to look big)

Japanese sea cucumber with bamboo shoot

French Turbot Fish (made my lips itch after chewing on the fins)

Roasted duck

Fried rice wrapped in lotus leaf (the best I've tasted)

Vegetable dumpling

Made of chopped mushrooms, carrot, onions

Honey Dew sago for dessert

Food washed down with this (subtle fruity taste)

And this (musky wood scent, not to my liking)