Last day of the trip was a short one as we had to arrive at the airport at around 3plus. As usual had our breakfast at Ariston Hotel before proceeding to MBK centre for last minute shopping.
Leopard never changes its spot and my mum can never kick her shopping habits and never trust her when she say 'I'm gonna buy a good comfortable pair of shoes and I'll stop buying in the future'. It was boring shopping with her as she would step into any shops selling shoes and try on them no matter how ugly they look like and we can't walk away in case she got lost again. Fortunately she's satisfied after buying a pair of shoes and we went to shop a little bit more before going for lunch.
We found a Chinese restaurant and we ordered shark fin which some with free fried rice and a plate of fish floss with mango salad. The shark fin wasn't as good as that in the previous night but lunch was quite okay overall. It really doesn't much since we were still full from the heavy breakfast.Bought some Thai snacks and proceeded back to the hotel to check out and then to the airport. Check in was fairly brisk and easy but there wasn't much time for us to shop in the airport as well. Therefore just took a few photos in the airport and strolled to the boarding gate to board the plane. After two hours of smooth flight, it's home sweet home!!
Fish floss with Mango Salad
Had a heavy breakfast at Ariston Hotel before departing off for a packed schedule with a free and easy city tour. First stop of the city tour would be at the Erawan Shrine (four-face buddha) It's the first time I went back to the temple since it was vandalised and then restored, however the appearance and the atmosphere seems unchanged. Made 2 wishes over there, unfortunately they did not realised when I returned to Singapore. Better luck and more sincerity next time.
Four-face Buddha
Next stopped over at Chatucha weekend bazaar. It's really a place filled with creativity and opportunities especially in terms of their handicraft. Beads jewellery seems to be the 'in' thing there and the price is attractive that it will be fairly profitable to import. Take the beads I purchased at mybeadpoints.com for $3+/string for example, it's only 15-20 baht each. Manage to buy a couple of shirts that but as the weather got hot, we proceeded to somewhere air-conditioned.
Thai MRT Platform
Took the MRT to fortune centre. Their MRT system is rather similar in terms of design, but the difference is that we will not packed like sardine in their train cabin. Had a short walk at fortune centre (equivalent to Singapore's Sim Lim Square) before heading down to Siam Paragon. It's one of the high end and largest shopping centre. The first level is a food paradise where u can find food from all countries and with a giant size supermarket as well. The higher level will be selling branded apparels which is not cheap at all. Took a few hours to finish walking the mall and towards the evening, a drama occurred. Mum got lost. She had a phone with auto-roaming, but she do not know how to call us and her phone is in silent mode, so she does not know that we are calling her. She had the name card of the hotel but without any Thai baht with her. Therefore me and my dad combed the whole level 2 for almost half an hour but to no avail. Finally I heard an announcement paging for my dad but the volume was so low that I could not hear any details other than the name. Even with that, finding the correct information counter within such a big shopping center is a nightmare. Finally we managed to find my mum at the level 1 information counter. The 'reunion' was not a touching event, on the other hand my parents were cursing each other before my mum cried. Love is really hard to understand, I've seen how worried my dad was before that but why did they start scolding each other once they met up?
Me @ Siam Paragon
After a bad experience it's time for good food. Went back to Yaowarat for dinner again and sorry to animal lovers, it's shark fin time! Ordered a 500Baht portion of shark fin soup to share and on top of that ordered fish maw (again), kangkong (again) and chicken.
Shark Fin Soup. Nice!
The end of the dinner did not mark the end of the day. After the sumptous dinner we proceeded on to Suan Lum Night Bazaar to take a ride round the ferris wheel to view the Bangkok night scenery. 150baht for 3 rounds ride is quite affordable but the scenery from the top is not too fantastic though. Nothing interesting at the bazaar too therefore after a short walk we took a cab back to the hotel and it marks the end of an exciting day in Bangkok.
This would be a long blog I suppose, therefore had decided to split the post into 3 parts, one for each day in Bangkok. This is like the 10+ times I been to Bangkok but the last time I been there was Dec 2003, so I would say that Bangkok is both a familiar and an unfamiliar place to me.
The first time I took a budget airline and the last time I went to Bangkok such airlines doesn't even existed. For this trip we took Jetstar Asia. The seats were rather cramped and no Krisworld, no food and no radio but for a short journey this wasn't really important. The take off and the landing was smoother than expected though.
The Jetstar Plane which took me to Bangkok
A short 2hrs journey to Bangkok and we safely arrived at the new Suvarnahumbi Airport. My first time at the new airport and the design was quite good I would say. Took a cab to Ariston Hotel but halfway the cab stopped at a petrol kiosk and we was told that the tire was punctured. Tough luck but we easily got into another cab and arrived at Ariston Hotel. On the trip bypassed many familiar places like Thong Lor where I used to stay and the same old Sukhuvit area which did not changed much throughout the years.
Me at Yaowarat
Upon reaching the hotel it was around dinnertime already, got a quick wash-up and off we go to the Yaowarat (Chinatown) for dinner. Had a sumptous seafood feast consisting of fish, bbq crab, fish maw, prawn cake, fried rice and Kangkong. Too hungry that I've forgotten to take photos of the food and only recalled after finishing the food. Went strolling a bit around the area and back to the hotel we go...
P.S. For more photos, please go to http://kiatihunk.multiply.com
Many of my StarHub colleague will know that I enjoy eating dark chocolate and the darker the better. Without a doubt, my favourite will be the Meiji 99% Cacao, though 86% Cacao works fine for me as well. I've intimidated many of my colleague before with the chocolate before, giving them a small piece to try but 10/10 occasion they will turn away with a disgusted look after taking a bite. I seriously think that nobody can understand why I would like to eat this type of food and in this post, I'll reveal the truth about the dark chocolate.
The Legendary Meiji 99% Cacao
First of all, I would like to say most of the time the chocolate do not taste bitter to me and I'm not playing tough by pretending to like dark chocolate. There's rational reasons and irrational reasons for me eating dark chocolate and I'll like to start with the rational reasons first. I believe the chocolate helps in my work. Some time of the day I'll just get too tired and just a small piece of the dark chocolate will keep me refreshed. It might be due to the sugar rush (if any), the caffeine or the bitterness, for that I'm not exactly sure. Also chocolate will be able to absorb the excess water in my mouth when I drink too much water and somehow improves my bad pronouciation. Finally, I can't really take milk chocolate especially those with high milk content. I can't stand the sweetness in the first place and sad to say I have sweet tooth and certain brand of sweet chocolate really hurts me.
Now it's time for the irrational reasons. I believed that chocolate will taste differently when your mood changes. When you are sad, the dark chocs dun actually taste so bitter and it's the only food that can match your emotions at that point of time. Probably the same reason why people drink alcohol when they are sad and dark chocolate makes you forget the bitterness in your heart by transferring it to your mouth. The most important reason for eating dark chocolate would still be my respect for chocolate. Chocolate is a food associated with love and friendship. I do eat normal chocolate still, if they are given by others and it makes me feel sweet. I would not want to bland the feeling sweet chocolate gives me. Therefore I chose to buy only dark chocolates for myself, in order to fully appreciate the sweetness of the chocolate given to me and make each chocolaty experience a special one.
One a side note, Watson's is having a promotion for Meiji 99% Cacao; it's selling at $2.95 (U.P $3.80) Go get it now!
Always thought I have split personalities - a lame side and a shy side. Facing different people I'll behave differently and act differently. Seeing is believing. Now I'm convinced I have split personalities.
Click here for proof
Labels: Movie Review
Yet another movie review? Gonna make this slightly different this time as found my previous reviews too artificial. Let this be a closer to heart review.
'300' represents the 300 spartans who fought along King Leonidas against the massive Persian army. Will they succeed? Go to the cinemas to find out and get back your every dollar worth. Visually it's one of the best around. 300 Spartans with better abs than me, half-naked women and LOTR style-large armies, what else can you expect?
It's not an all action no plot movie and is fairly inspirational as well. As you may have notice certain lines from the movies will appear on your friends' msn nick and you can see more guys training hard suddenly to get the abs as in the movies. On a serious note, '300' is inspirational to one's attitude to life. There's one part which sets deeply in my mind. It's the part where King Leonidas emphasise on being remembered. Many times in life we will have this 'give it a try' attitude and hope for the best outcome and even if the outcome is not in our favour, we are not too affected by it. This isn't exactly the best attitude. We should cherish every opportunity that we have like it's the last and even if we do not succeed, we will have to make sure someone remembers our effort. To sum it up, prepare for glory!
Had an overnight mahjong session with Weibiao and SM at Boon's place last night from 9pm all the way to 7am this morning. It was my first mahjong session this year and it has been months since I played mahjong. My luck was quite bad (or is it my skill?) and I ended up being the only loser donating $10 to each of them. Throughout the game I have been feeding everyone else and towards the end of the game I had run out of chips.
Had a short nap today till 2pm but today hasn't been a productive day at all. I'm just too tired to do anything and just could not fall asleep again after waking up. Therefore I conclude that mahjong is a counter-productivity activity as there's no net economic gain and on top of that useful man-hours are wasted during and after the mahjong session. If not for the mahjong session I could have went for a short jogging session and shed some fats instead of lazing on the bed, and Alex won't have to keep reminding me that I grew fat in MSN.
Still gotta go to work tomorrow and I hope that I can regain back my energy after tonight's good rest. Sleep, here I come...
Kind of getting rather emotional these days, having tears rolling in my eyes for no obvious reasons. Even when watching the variety show this morning when the celebriety failed to win the grand prize I felt sad for her and once again can feel my eyes getting watery. That was so unlike me in the past, where I would have deemed myself emotionless and not affected by any happy occasions or disasters at all.
Productivity seems to drop for me too. Failing to hit call stats more often, lower sales for auction and low on energy after work to do anything productive. Even writing this blog is becoming difficult for me, had break occasionally to sort my feelings. That's when I began to ask myself one question, 'When is the last time I did something for myself?'
Kind of hard to recall actually. I work and set up Nomadic Technology for money, studied hard for the society,during my army days definitely nothing is done for myself and even setting up this blog is to follow the current trend. The last time definitely went a long way back, which I suppose is taking up keyboard. It's really time that I should do something for myself again, which I supposingly have some ideas already. Somehow I feel that I have nothing to lose but yet at the same time do not find much things lacking. A dilemma indeed. Finally I suppose that this post is not getting anywhere, some things just cannot be explained by words and if you know it you know it and if you dun, you dun. Guess it's best to end this post here.
Toto Prize Table (Source: Singaporepools.com.sg) Prize Group Winning Numbers Matched Prize Amount 1 6 numbers 33% of prize pool 2 5 numbers plus the additional number 13% of prize pool 3 5 numbers 13% of prize pool 4 4 numbers plus the additional number 13% of prize pool 5 4 numbers $30 per winning combination 6 3 numbers plus the additional number $20 per winning combination Toto is a bit more complicated in terms of calculation as the prize money differs each week and the number of winners varies as well. To simplify the calculation, we will set the prize money as $650,000 and 1, 5, 200, 500 winners per group respectively. Therefore the hypothetical prize amount will be as follows: Prize Group 1: $650000 Prize Group 2: $51000 Prize Group 3: $1300 Prize Group 4: $500 Prize Group 5: $30 Prize Group 6: $20 For toto the total number combinations will be 8145060. Therefore, the amount of expected returns per $0.50 ordinary bet will be: 1/8145060 X $650000 (Grp 1) + 6 X 1/ 8145060 X $51000 (Grp 2) + 6C5 X 38 X 1/8145060 X $1300 X 6C4 X 38 X 1/8145060 X $500 + 6C4 X 38C2 X 1/8145060 X $30 + 6C3 X 38C2 X 1/8145060 X $20 = $0.2621 In summary, in the long run, for every $1 you bet, $0.476 will be donated to the less fortunate community. For a person who bet $1 each draw, i.e. 104 draws/yr, he will be donating $49.504 per year and for bigger bet amount, just multiply accordingly. Labels: X-gamble
What a boring night, really should have joined the Greenies for movies. So what if it's till late and tomorrow is a working day, it's the same for all Greenies. What was I thinking of.. Haiz.. Now alone in the room, looking at the $5 worth of toto donations (1 set did strike 3nos. though) given to Singapore Pools today, it gave the the urge to continue the X-Gamble series.
It's a Saturday and for many including my dad it's a 4-D day. I've done a brief calculation years before on the expected returns on 4-D and found it rather low therefore was not interested in 4-D. Since today is a free day, have done the re-calculation again and share it with those who intended to start or quit 4D. Ordinary, System and 4-D Roll Prize Table (source: Singaporepools.com.sg) Prize Category No. of Prizes Big Bet $1 Small Bet $1 First 1 $2,000 $3,000 Second 1 $1,000 $2,000 Third 1 $490 $800 Starter 10 $250 each NIL Consolation 10 $60 each NIL For 4-D the total combinations will be 10000, therefore the expected amount of returns for every $1 of big bet will be: 1/10000 X $2000 (1st prize) + 1/10000 X $1000 (2nd prize) + 1/10000 X $490(3rd Prize) + 10/10000 X $250 (Starter) + 10/10000 X $60 (Consolation) = $0.659 On the other hand for $1 of small bet, expected returns will be 1/10000 X $3000 (1st prize) + 1/10000 X $2000 (2nd prize) + 1/10000 X $800 (3rd Prize) = $0.58 Labels: X-gamble
My sis's wedding was on 4th Mar but the dinner was on 5th Mar. This time round I would not feature too much on my sis and bro-in-law, but instead on my family. It's a big day for my Sis and my family is proud of that. Appearance would be the best way to tell.
I shall start from myself, being selfish a bit. Do not think I look so good before and first time wearing a suit. Not too expensive in total, shirt was recycled from my concert, the pants was the only pair I have for years and only the suit was bought in Malaysia few months ago for S$70. Was a bit embarrassed that day as my mum was telling every relative I looked like Bae Yong Jun.
Really like this photo, my parents looked really loving in this photo. If only if my father could learn to smile to the cameras.
Saw my grandpa for 20years and this is the first time I saw him in a suit and tie, can tell that he should be quite charming when he was young.
Today is a big day for my Sister as it's her wedding day. Not extremely emotional today as she has already been staying with her husband since last June. Nevertheless still happy for her that she's now officially married to the one she love. Not a bad day for me too, had a mini fortune from the ang pows from opening the car door, serving mee sua and tea.
With the relatives
With the 'brothers' and 'jie mei'
All the best in the future!
Yet another fast month had passed, afterall February consists of only 28days, therefore it's only right that it will pass faster. Here's the highlight of February.
Joined Green Team at the start of the month. Initially felt quite bad about the change but as I changed my answering pattern and mindset I'm more or less used to the job. As more new and lively colleagues joined our team it's really not a bad place to work in.
Valentines' Day is yet another normal day for me. A day where I go to work, eat and sleep as usual. After n years of spending valentines alone I really have no much feeling for that day anymore.
X-Gamble surprisingly and sucessfully completed early February. A string of wins turned the account from red to black and I kept my promise to quit. Would not regret the decision as after qutting I had much more time to follow my other dreams.
Labels: X-gamble
The 10million Ang Pow Draw is out, here is the winning numbers:05 06 16 17 28 35
Additional no: 142 lucky winners for the first prize, meaning each of them will have 5million prize money. Too bad I'm not one of them. Here I am, as supportive of the less fortunate community in Singapore, donating $80 to the less fortunate through Singapore Pools. Probably made a wrong choice to buy at Paradiz, the $50 I invested is really not worth it as the strike rate is pathetic there, I nearly got into channel U news. Saw them outside interviewing some old folks outside the outlet quickly got in through the other entrance. Once I step out of the outlet the reporters went in to interview. Considering that there's no queue and I appeared to be one of the very few buying toto, the chance of me getting interviewed is real high. That draws this year's toto angpow draw to an end. See you next year.
Labels: X-gamble
Tomorrow will be a big day for me, a day which can potentially change my whole life. A' Level results? Not my concern. It's the 10million toto ang pow draw tomorrow.
This is the second ang pow draw I participated in, the last time was the Mooncake Festival 10 Million draw last year. Now with a bigger budget, I'm keen to strike. I've set aside $80 budget for the draw this time round. Not that I'm rich or a gambler, afterall this $80 is part of my winnings of soccer bets which I made specially for this draw, so it's not considered money out of my own pocket. Had invested $20 and $10 yesterday and today respectively at 2 outlets at Paya Lebar, gonna invest the remaining $50 tomorrow at Paradiz.
Usually the prize money will be divided by about 10 people, so each person can get around 1 mil. What can I do with 1 mil? Actually in Singapore 1 mil is not really a lot, if I had 1 mil, this is how I will spend it:
500k - repay housing loans
100k - buy a car and maintainence
100k - savings
100k - expend Nomadic Technology
50k - education expense
50k - family tour
See it's actually quite easy to spend 1 million. It's still better than nothing I suppose. Huat Ah!!
