goblock

Goblok means utterly idiotic in Javanese. One of those goblok moments.

Neck pain.

Having neck pain tonight now. Lying on the bed. Su is having flu and sore throat.

slim

Tuition

I am giving tuition now but i am feeling so sleepy.

I was reading my past posts when i realised there are many spelling errors. Yes, those posts were written by me but they were typed using my samsung galaxy s. No spell check and the keys are so small.
Psle is next week and i have students who are taking the exams. I wish them the best of luck.

slim

My Day

Its a tiring day. But I managed to get a few things settled. Firstly, I managed to send Su to school without blowing my top off. The rest of the day until now 3.30pm, was good. Simply because I could walked. Boy did I walked!

1. Sent Su to school.

2. Walk from car park to house.

3. Walk from house to car park.

4. Park the car at Tampines St 21, and walked to the restaurant to have breakfast with my daddy. Had Nasi Sambal Goreng.

5. Went with daddy to Toyomi service centre to collect vacuum cleaner. 

6. Went to Geylang Market and walked from car to chicken stall. Bought chickens, 3 of them actually all for $10.00. Bought minced chicken meat $2 worth and about 2kg of chicken wings. Left the fish to daddy.

7. Walked back to the car.

8. Went back to punggol and let Risa handle the market stuffs.

9. Went to Tampines and waited for daddy to get the death cert from his home. Waited at the car.

10. Parked the car at abacus building and walked to CPF building in Tampines. Informed CPF about the passing of my mother and they will do the necessary.

11. Walked to HDB branch office and waited to lodge a report about the demise of my mother. Waited for half an hour and gave up. 

12. Walked to Tampines One to have my daddy looked for non existent food centre and ended up buying a 4GB micro SD card for less than $19.00.

13. Drove to Simpang Bedok and had lunch with Tini and Wawa and Wawa's friend.

14. Dad went home with Tini and here I am.

15. Feet a little sore.

16. Oh before I make my way home, I went to Courts megamall and bought two packs of Selphy photo paper.

Adam's teacher called me and we clarified on certain matters relating to his trip to Hong Kong. Yup! He is going to Hong Kong. He is all grown up now! All 8 years of him. Sigh....

Nor Salman Mohd Sumantry 'Slim'

qathirah@yahoo.com.sg

Otw

On the way back. Cannot find my photo paper.

I did not know it could be so windy in the train.

It was drizzling abit on the way back to the station and apart from the spicy temptation emanating from all of them indian food stalls, my journey on the way back home has started.

slim

Train

I cannot believe it. I am on a train heading to mustafa. I am listening to mp3 on my galaxy s and this rocks.
Its not the train ride, its not the mp3s, its the fact that i am able to.

Its like, look ma, i am walking! This is awesome. Its not like i have not done this before but this time i am painless. Well, not really painless, my waist has expanded and the belt is itching my skin.

Its now 1.41pm and i have just reached buangkok. Since i left at 1.15, it takes.me half an hour to reach buangkok station. About the same time taken if i were to drive.

Scanning, scanning

Hmm, not many girls to look at. Lots if youngsters, poly age.

Ok  just passed hougang. Its 1.44pm.

Anyway, need to buy photo paper, photo album and a ladle if i can find it.

slim

Walk

I went for a walk today. It felt good. Twice in so many days! Walked with su and i think it was 1.2km one way.
It really felt good. Do not know if i had lose weight but i felt so energetic.
On another note, arsenal lost to sunderland yesterday. Whats up with that!

Slim

slim

Adam and Wawa

This was taken using the nex 5.

They have grown haven't they. Time sure flies. I was looking through the photo albums the other day and as usual, tears would follow laughter. I hope I will remember all the moments.

Anyway, that is Adam and Wawa striking a pose after cycling for a few rounds. I can see that they are very close. I hope they will be like that all through the years.

Slim

atuk and adam checking perut

My dad and my son.

Starfruits

Took this using the nex 5 and the 18-55mm kits lens that comes with it.

These are starfruits, testament to my dad's ability as a HDB gardener. These are grown in pots, in the common corridor of our HDB flat, actually his but that is just a technicality.

He does grow other plants such as jambu batu, chiku and kedondong. I don't know what their English names are.

He planted a lime tree in my common corridor just now. He bought satay, which we had for dinner and he accompanied my son and niece cycling. I managed to record some "atuk" moment.

He seemed to be coping with my mother's death reasonably well. He spoke about finding a job to occupy his time. He still sleeps with the lights on though.

Slim.

Tired

Just came back from having breakfast at kfc. This is as adam, su, irsyad and wan completed the posb kids run.

Going to yishun safra later. There is a timbaland warehouse sale. I hope its worth it.

slim

Bic of soda

I have just drank a glass of rose flavoured bic of soda. Su said that it should help with my gout pain.
I have pain in my right hand now and i won't be taking any painkillers.
Updates tomorrow then.

slim

Lunch

I am alone. Risa is fasting. Su is at work. Adam is in school and dad should be at jb doing his friday prayers.
I will be trying to pray standing up today. If i succeed, i can do my friday prayers again.

slim

Posb. Kids. Run.

Adam will be participating in the kids run thus Sunday. Suntec will be the accompanying adult. They have been running for the past two nights. Short distances nevertheless it should warm up their muscle memory.

slim

A day after

My mom had a successful burial. We had a tahlil session just now. I am still sad and I burst into tears suddenly. At Tampines now to spend the night.

Slim.

Mom-Ed

My mak has passed. Oh Allah, have mercy on her. Forgive her of all sins. Love her as she has love her children, protect her as she has protect her children. For you are the all knowing, all merciful and it's to you that I pray.

Amin.

Slim.

Sept 6 9.49am

Just had a talk with the cancer daughter. Told her that my mom dozes of almost immediately after taking morphine. She will review the dosage.

I could not take it yesterday night. I went and had coffee thinking it would help to keep me awake. Wishful thinking.

Went to the car and tried to sleep in the car. My finger tips began to tingle. Made up my mind and drove off home.

Mom is more alert now than yesterday night. Although she is not eating.
But fortunately, she has a new found liking to the liquid supplement that we have been trying to give her.

Cina was here earlier than me but has now left. She has a viewing to see to.
Slim.

5th September 9.54pm

I am now at nuh. With mak at the side. She seemed calmer now but I don't know if it's because of the medication. According to isyak, my cousin, she was given morphine.

She is still breathing through her mouth and I think she will be calm throughout the night. The nurses had turned her and I could distinctly heard that she said "ouch". One of the very few words that I could distinctly make out out of her recently.

A different set of nurses is taking care of the ward today. I don't know the staff nurse's name though.

Having a meeting with the radiotherapy doctors tomorrow at 8.30am. Dad does not want to be in any meeting and he said that whatever the doctors want to do with Mak, go ahead.

I am glad that he left for home today. Unlike yesterday when he slept in the car through the rain and all.

That just leaves me. What shall I do? It's only 10.01pm. I don't want to leave but I need something to do. I wish Su was here. At least I would have somebody to talk to. She wanted to join me later but I told her to stay at home, seeing how tired she was today.

Slim.

Update from cina 1234 5th sep 2011

"For lunch she took only 2 spoonfuls. Then ask me to go home and bring her clothes cuz she wants to go home. Now sleeping after i gave her some milk."

Ya Allah.

Slim.

Update at 11.54pm 4 sept 2010

Update.
Dialysis successful.
Drainage of lungs successful. Less liquid is seen at the lungs.
Blood test showed an increase in heart or blood enzymes. Indicative of heart problems. Further test will be done later at 5 am.
She can swallow. But need to feed her slowly and lift her bed higher. If not she might choke.

End.

Slim.

Sleeping

Mak seems to be sleeping. She is breathing through her mouth. She
looks like a goldfish out of water.

I don't really think she is sleeping. She just don't have the energy to move.

I love her so much.

When I was down with appendicitis, she visited me everyday. I was at
sigh then. She seemed to be the only person next to me although I know
many others came.

I remembered one question that she asked me and one which I did not
answer. She asked me if it was the other way around would I do the
same for her. I remembered not answering as I thought it was a silly
question. A no brainer. Of course I will be around. That's what I
thought then.

I was hardly around. When she would be in my ward the moment I woke
up, I would only be in hers the moment I woke up. And when she would
leave when I fell asleep, I would leave after I had my dinner. Yup
that's me. Stupid me.

But this is not about me. I don't really know as to how long Mak will
be around. I am afraid.

Slim.

My mother

A lot of people has been asking me about my mother. I really don't know how to answer them. I am really thankful that such well meaning questions are asked but it's painful to answer them. I mean, hey, she is dying. How much better can she be? She is getting worse and it is painful.

Anyway, I wrote almost daily updates on my blog.

Qathirah.blogspot.com

And to you guys, thank you for reminding me that I am not alone. Liverpool fans or not.

Slim.

Mouth

My mother seems to be unable to breathe using her nose. A chest x ray has been taken but the results are not out yet.

This is the third time I am at nuh in less than 24 hrs. It is tiring, but its not about me now is it?

It seems that Mak has difficulty in swallowing. As such her food and water tend to end up in her lungs.

She had gone for a dialysis just now. Dad and keling has left for home but dad is just a matter of a phone call away.

Su is with me. I love her so much.

Keling said that Mak won't last until
Cina solemnization ceremony. I think that's a bit cruel but this is not about her too.

Nurse suggested that there will be at least one of us to accompany Mak tonight. Does that sound omen like? Who cares? It's not about her too.

It's about Mak and Allah.

Slim.

Bed

At my mom's bedside now. I have just applied tiger balm on her stomach. She seemed to have labored breathing. I have already given her two doses of her salbutamol spray.

I came back to visit her at about 2 in the morning just now. She has been asking for dad every waking hour. Dad came too. After we gave her some milk, she fell asleep. That when we left and we has sahur at simpang bedok.

She is still asking for dad and I would like to think that dad is on the way. She is having difficulty breathing again.
Slim.

Blood transfusion

Update

I have given consent for mom to be infuse with a pint of blood. Her hemoglobin level is low. 

She may develop a fever and allergies. The cancer doctor knows about this. 

The radio therapist will come tomorrow morning to assess if she needs further scan. 

Slim. 

Medication for mom's asthma has been given thus can use contrast now. If confirm cancer has spread to the brain, doc may want to proceed with radiotherapy. 50% chances of controlling the spread.

Cancer spreading to the brain could be the reason for low bp, change in behaviour.

Slim.

Asthma

Medication for mom's asthma has been given thus can use contrast now. If confirm cancer has spread to the brain, doc may want to proceed with radiotherapy. 50% chances of controlling the spread.

Slim.

Scan

Brain scan without the use of asthma very suggestive that cancer has spread to the brain. Doc will discuss with radiotherapy to confirm. If radiotherapist cannot confirm a second scan will be done, this time with the use of contrast. Reason for not using contrast in the first scan is mom's asthma.

Slim.

Doc just called.

Doc just called. Successful dialysis yesterday for 3 1/2 hrs. Bp stable. Mak is awake, able to talk

Slim.

Doc

Had a very intense discussion with the ward doctor. She said only the renal doc can make the decision. We let loose our emotions. We were told that my mom's bp needed to be more than 100. But now that it had reached 100, we were told to wait for an hour. More than an hour has passed but nothing is done.

Finally she said that the renal has been informed and will be here shortly.

Slim.

Chemotherapy

Mak called. She just had chemotherapy. She is feeling vey weak. I am heading there now.
Slim.

Mak

This is Mak, bed fed dinner by my sister. Photo taken using my ipone 3g, so its a bit sucky. She was admitted yesterday. She is frowning as the iphone is taking such along time to snap the pics. Other than that she is in good spirits. Going to bring my Nex 5 there.

Kak June my second cousin called. She cried on the phone after hearing about mak. My mother is after all her only aunt left. Ah, the sadness. I hate it.

While we were at the hospital, I was laughing and laughing as though it was just one those visits. And I don't feel sad. I mean, there are the sadness all around me, but I think I should be sadder than how I am. Its hard to feel sad, when Mak seemed to be happier and angrier. I can't help laughing whenever I am there. And it is so inappropriate, that it beats me as to why I am there in the first place.

Mak at nuh

Breaking fast at nuh.

Mak is in nuh having fluids taken out of her lungs. She is in good spirits. We told her that if she was to be administered the good medicine, she has to eat. She finished a whole serving of the fish. Of course, credit must be given to keling as she patiently mash up the fish and firmly hand fed it to Mak.

Mak's mouth bled a little just now. Anyway, after the meal, some colour came back to her face.

My dad is worried as to where he should sleep later. As he will be alone, and he is afraid of the dark. I did invite him to sleep over at my place.

Slim.

2.44

It's 2.44 am. I have just spent more than an hour reading, at my mom's house. I drove back here as I could not sleep. So, instead of wandering about in the house, I ended up at my mom's place.

Dad was already asleep and mom seemed to be sleeping soundly. Although, in her condition, its impossible to tell.

Dad managed to compete the ramp outside the main gate. I hope he will not have any problems bringing mom out in her wheel chair tomorrow.

Lots of people came today.

I need to drive back home now. Feeling very tired and sleepy.

Slim.

Going back today

After sleeping over at my mom's place for two nights already, I am heading back to my home. It's not that I am looming forward to moving away from my mother, but I need a break from the sadness that I am feeling.

My mother seems happier today, although she has an asthma attack while we breaking fast. She is fine now.

Dad brought her out of her room to watch tv with us in the living room. She still has her wits with her. She made us laugh and my dad smiled and sniggered. I bet that made his day.

I am suppose to be on the way back now. But I am waiting for my little sis to come back home.

My darling wife, told me to stay put and not leave yet. I would have left if I was on my own.

Watching a Malay movie on Suria channel now. Don't know what the movie is all about though.

Slim.

Mom, supported.

According to my father and the doc, the cancer has spread throughout her body. 

Yesterday night, she woke up and called for me. So I had to drive to Tampines. Held her hand and well, it was very emotional. She said she did not want to die yet, she wanted to see my sister's wedding through. I told her, that all this negative thoughts are like prayers. She should think about positive thoughts, so those will be her prayers. She smiled.

We thought that it was her last moments. But thankfully it was not. She still could joke even in her condition, which I thought was quite encouraging. She said, not to switch off the lights. When I asked her why, she said, that my dad would not be able to sleep in the dark. (My dad is afraid of the dark). I laugh, she asked me why I am laughing. She said that my dad is afraid that something might come and take him away. She then used my hand as a support, turned to her side and fell asleep. 

Mom

Dad called me. Said that mom was looking for me. That was at 1.08 am.

I drove to Tampines.
She told me to take care of my two sisters when she is gone. She said that she does not want to die yet. She wanted to be there when Tini gets married. I told her that every negative thoughts she had is like a prayer.

She held my hand, turn to the side and fell asleep.

Not before telling me not to switch off the lights cause dad is afraid of the dark. She still jokes.

Slim.

Envy

I always envy those who have plenty to write on their blog. I mean, blogging does take away a significant amount of time, right?

Anyway, I was on this website and I realise that there were some opportunities for me to showcase some of my pictures, namely my minolta 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 lens. So I took out the lens, fitted in on my 7D and went out of the house. Only to realise that my neighbour's door was open and looking through the gates, I saw Glynnis. She was there with her grandfather. They were there to take back the gas hose. Actually my neighbour has shifted out of his flat last weekend. The house is now pending for handover this Friday and I should be able to see who would be my new neighbour.

So there I was, my my camera et all, and there was Glynnis. A photo opportunity! So I did, I took some pictures of her with her grandfather. Half way, I stopped. I felt a tinge of sadness. I wonder if this would be the last time I see her. Yup, reality has a way of creeping up on you doesn't it.

Today is Adam's birthday. Bought Mad Jack's cakes for his classmates and his form teacher has a mini celebration for him in class. She whatsapp me some pictures and I am so happy that she did that. Su is in Harvard, Boston now, so I guess, this would be her second time missing his actual birthday. I bet she is devastated.

Anyway, there is a surprise waiting for him when he comes back, or if the deliverman is late, then he will be waiting for the surprise.

Slim

Rambutan

Rambutan! There were so many of them! And they were sweet! I could not remember which camera I took the pictures with though so pardon me just this time!

Had a heck of a time trying to get them off from the branch and onto the ground though. Had to use a long bamboo pole. It was not as easy as it looked! But the reward was worth it

By the time we left kampong, there were still so many left. One of the neighbour told us to climb and cut off the branches, but who would want to climb?

Just like the mangosteen, it was fresh!

Slim.

LadyBug

This was the first time I saw a real lady bug. Picture taken with a Nex 5, 18-55mm lens. I saw this lady bug as I was surveying the jungle that was once the kid's garden. I shudder to think as to what would happen to it the next time I go back. Judging from my mother-in-law time table, it should be after Hari Raya. That is at least two more months! Oh well, I hope by that time, my sunflower plant would have flowered.

My mom has started to undergo radio therapy. She looks so frail now. She has to go for ten session and today will ber fourth. I know she is trying to keep her spirits up, but I can't help but to feel so sorrow.

My neighbour above me came to our house the other day. She wanted to inform us that she is moving house. Her family and her, would be shifting to Holland V. According to her, she did not want to shift but her husband has been nagging for them to move. Nice lady. She told us that she is suffering from a relapse of her cancer. Great, another one.

Slim.

Garden

This was the state of the kids garden when we first arrive. It was overgrown with grass and weeds. Was I demoralized when I saw the state. Since we reached kampong around 5.50pm, there was little that we could do except to appreciate the situation. I appreciate it so much that I wanted to burn everything in it! But then I remembered the effort it took to plan those seeds.

Too bad non of my corn grew. A sunflower stalk could be seen growing though, and that made me smile, just a little, but I smile nonetheless. The next morning, me and Su bought a pair of shears and my mother in law, Su and I proceed to make the garden more er, presentable. We did a good job though. Picture taken with 18-55mm, Nex 5.

Slim

Kampong

Went back to kampong over the weekend. Just family, my mother in law, my nephew and I. Was hoping to see and savour the mangosteens that was last seen hanging from the mangosteen tree. Alas, almost all had fallen to the ground. The picture on the right, was taken with the 30mm macro 2.8 on the 7D.

Was very happy when I manage to taste the mangosteen that was just hanging from the tree branches just moment ago. It was sweet, cool and the juice would flow out of your mouth as you suck on it. I don't think that any pesticides were used though, so you could say that it was organic! Ha ha.

The rambutan was next!

Slim

Lotus Paste

I am so excited. I just got myself a new lens. Its the Sony 30mm 2.8 macro. It all plastic, thus its light. Its in APSC format so should be perfect for my NEX5 camera. The picture is of the top of my lotus bun and taken with my 7D! See! It even works with my 7D!

Look at that sliced almond! It cost me $280. Much cheaper than a used 100mm macro! Yup, brand new!

I saw an ad for this in clubsnap. The guy wanted to sell this for $250! Used! I mean, add $30 bucks more and you could get a brand new unit. Will be taking more shots with this lens soon. Seriously, with the 30mm in APSC, it is like 50mm in 135mm! This is the focal length which I have been missing! It focusses to 0.129m. Macro to 1:1! Amazing!

Its plastic though, even the mount is plastic!

Ok catch up with ya all!

Slim

I got a new toy.

I bought a new camera. I bought the nex 5 from Sony. The picture on the right is taken by it using the 16mm pancake lens. Its the view from my study room.

I have registered its warranty and I have upgraded the firmware. Seemed to be running fine. I bought it for SGD$1199. About $100 less than the RRP from Sony and other major shops. I chose the silver colour as it goes well with the two lenses. I am so excited.

I wanted to buy this camera ever since I have seen the commercial. Actually I have been aiming for a full frame dslr such as the alpha 850 or the 900. But it was just out of my budget. This was just right except for one thing. I already owned a compact, a panasonic lx1 and two dslrs. But when my wife asked if there was a compact she could take with her for her trip to NY, I jumped at the chance to sell her the nex 5 idea. It worked! I went out and bought it the very next day!

The panasonic just became too obsolete! Shoot anything with iso 200 or above and images became too grainy. The 5d, with lens is just too bulky. So, I think, the nex 5 fits the bill nicely.

I hope to bring it out soon and try it out. Seemed very inviting. Maybe I should visit sony center in wisma and see if I could get the lcd protector.

Oh by the way, my mom is getting worse. According to my father, she can't walk now. She should be undergoing physiotherapy now.

Will keep you posted.

Sarah's 7th Birthday

This is a picture of my family. It was taken yesterday using my Minolta 20mm 2.8 at 3.5, I think. Anyways, this was at Mad Jack, Whitesands Shopping Center.

Had a great time! Mom and Dad came, although they were aghast looking at the prices. But that did not stop them from trying out the steak and the salmon!

I had a triple deck chicken burger, named the Blue Mountain burger. Su had the Thai green curry with rice, Adam had the nasi lemak with fish fried in fish and chips batter, Risa and Sham had this very big leg of chicken. My sis had the fried mushroom, she is trying to be a vegetarian. My youngest sis had the...I can't remember while Sarah had the Penne pasta with cream sauce. Very not nice.

We then ended the dinner with the mad and rich chocolate cake. We then drove to Woodlands to spend the night in my mother-in-law's place.

I am at home now, watching the news. There are no games tonight so I think I will have a good night's rest. Its youth day by the way. Me and Su had planned to go JB or to check in this hotel in Johor. And also to drive back to Rembau. But my dad went fishing in Mersing. That would lave my mom alone. So I guess thats the reason as to why we did not leave the country. There is still the national day holiday coming this August.

Slim.

Nerf Gun

This is the nerf gun that I won in the competition. Well, I did not exactly won it, it was given to the top 30 finalist. I was 17th by the way. It is kind of cool, because it can fire two darts at the same time. Although the reloading action is similar to a shot gun, it is time consuming. The recoil is stronger than the other nerf guns that I have tried.

Oh and the black tip darts, they whistle during flight.

The picture is taken using my tokina 28-70 atx pro 2.6-2.8. The guns are off limits to Adam as the new school term has started. It is a long weekend this weekend due to youth day being on a Sunday. I guess, both Adam and his cousin could not wait to mess around with the guns eh?

Slim.

I am legend

My noisemaker said, with all sincerity, that I am a Legend. Pleased but a bit shocked, I ask him why he called me a legend. He said only legends can win the nerf gun (or something like that) and that he is proud of me. How was that for a belated father's day present!

I entered in the nerf tournament at Plaza Singapura with my noisemaker. He scored 560 points and I scored 1260 points. As it was, I was in the top 30 so I was invited to attend the finals. I did, just for the fun of it. My noisemaker was so excited that he started to say things like "you can do it, Abah", "be strong" etc etc. I ended up being in the 17th position and in so doing I received a medal, and a double barrel nerf gun, which according to the nerf people, is not in the market yet.

The top four received cash prizes. Anyway this is my noisemaker's blog. He is in the nerf phase right now, and the good thing about it is, he has done lots of reading on the subject. In my book, any kind of reading is good reading. I love him so much!

Slim.

desaru 2010

This a collection of the pictures I took while I was in Desaru with family and friends. 16th-18th June 2010.

Slim.

Seedling

Took this picture using my 90mm Tamron macro SP. Not the newer (Di) type, whatever.

Took this while Adam was doing his assessment books. School going to reopen next week, so I figure that he should get started to be in for school.

The picture shows a seedling of a plant that Adam planted. I would think that it is a morning glory plant. Looks kind of sick though. I did not water the plants for a week as I was holidaying in Desaru. Oh well. Hope this one survive.

Slim.

Durian Belanda

Soursop. I love the taste of soursop. I use to frequent Serasi food court near Singapore botanical garden during my NIE days. The glass would be full of pulp and the juice would be so sweet. I missed those days.

The pictures, taken with my 35-70mm f4.0, are taken at Desaru Fruit Farm. What I was told would be to bring the food home and place it in the rice container. Then it will ripened and be fantastic. It'll take at least 24 hours though.

I just bought a pair of badminton racquets, both pink and costs me $200 altogether. Phew! I am now off to play a few strokes with Adam.

See you.

Slim

Durian

This is a part of the rm$26/kg durian. The total weight was 2kg. Phew! Expensive. We bought only one and shared among 10 people. Ha ha! It was very nice. Then we bought another for rm$6/kg. What can I say, no fight lah!

We bought this at Desaru fruit farm. We did not go into the farm however as it will cost us rm$18/adult and we are not allowed to pick the fruits off the trees. So, why bother?

But we did enjoy the fruits as we bought cut fruits such as jackfruits and longans. All in all, I'd say its the company that makes the durian taste best.

Slim.

Pancake

I took the picture using my new 35-70mm f4.0 (Thanks Joe). This shot was taken using available light with my KM 7d. That is Adam having pancake for breakfast.

This was in Pulai Desaru. I organised a trip for 6 other families and we spent some 2 nights there. There is a new hotel in Desaru. Its call lotus desaru. I'd recommended it over Pulai. Don't ask me why lest I get sued.

Anyway, we had a blast there. We had a seafood dinner on a floating restaurant and we provided a feast for the mosquitoes as well. After which, we went on a boat and went out looking for and at fireflies. Awesome. All in all, it was a very nice trip.

Slim.

35-70mm f4.0 macro

Its in my hands now. The 35-70mm macro f4.0. Not that its an exquisite lens but it is of an exquisite condition.

The picture on the right is a sample shot. Shot at f4.0. Sharp eh?

And as a bonus, I got a 70-210 f4.0 beercan! All in all they cost me $440.00. Will post more pics of it as I make more use of it.

Slim.

The kids garden

This is a picture of the kids garden. It was taken with my Konica Minota 7D with a 28mm 2.8.

The garden is right next to the house and you could view it through the many windows from the house. Currently it has potatoes, sunflower, chillies, and garlic growing. Oh, and don't forget the ants that are having a great time there too.

Adam and Irsyad helped to make the beds.They initially planted garlic, onions and potatoes but the potatoes and onions did not grow. So I replaced the onions with corn and planted sunflowers on the empty bed.

Slim.

Rubber plantation

The picture is taken at around 8 in the morning. It shows the rubber plantation which is just outside my kampung house's main gate.

I have been wanting to get this shot ever since I saw the place. As you can see, the plantation is huge. Sometimes, there will be a herd of cows or buffaloes grazing in it. That will be an interesting shot wouldn't it?

Anyway, this was taken with my Konica Minolta 7D with a Minolta 28mm 2.8. Taken at 5,6, I think. I bracketed with a few shots, and I think this is the best. No PP done.

Went to kampung thrice within the first 2 weeks of the June holidays. It's a long drive, about 4 hours or more, and it can get pretty dangerous. But the place is so peaceful. True, there are many things that needed to be done, but nobody rushes you. I planted about 4 seedlings when I went there last, two mango trees, a jackfruit tree, a longan tree, a curry leave tree, sunflowers and corn. Don't think I will be back there soon, but my mother-in-law will. Hope the plants will have grown.

My mother-in-law, sheesh, she is the most hardworking one. Non-stop working from dawn to dusk. My wife too. But then everybody was working at their own pace. So everybody was happy.

Su's aunt from Shah Alam came to visit and so did some of her other cool cousins. One of them is a performer.

Having a headache now.

Will post more pics, god willing.

Minolta 5d

The pic shows the Konica Minolta 5d with the 50mm 1.4 stuck on it. This camera belongs to Adam. I bought it for him, and the life of me, I can't understand why I reach out for this camera instead of my 7d.

I just love the ergonomics. Together with the short prime lens, it feels good! Anyway, the pic is taken using my KM 7D and a 28mm f2.8. The one thing that has kept from jumping ship to another system is the intensity of the colour of Minolta lenses. Something that even the newer Sony lenses seems to have missed.

I got the camera used from somebody who stayed in Jurong West. $500 bucks! Inclusive of a 18mm-70mm kits lens. At that time it was a steal. Now, its damn expensive since a brand new alpha dslr can be had for $800 bucks!

Slim.

35-70mm f4.0

Been using the minolta system for as long as I have been into photography. Stopped when my 600si broke, disintegrated is a better word for it and picked up a used 8000i when a friend needed his wedding to be taken.

Stopped shooting altogether when Minolta took a long time bringing out a digital slr.

Bought the 7d, battery grip, and the flash gun on the first day it was sold in Singapore. Bought it at Singapore Expo. Remembered it like it was yesterday. But the 6.1 MP does have its limitations.

So I am now aiming for Alpha 900.

For those not in the know, Konica bought over Minolta and Sony took over next. As a result, older Minolta lens like the all metal, all glass, no plastic, 28mm f2.8 lens I have stuck onto the body in the picture can still be fixed onto newer bodies like those made by Sony.

Saw an ad in clubsnap on the 35-70mm f4.0. Been wanting that lens for a long time. Primarily because of it compactness and its sharpness. You can read the review here. I hope it still is in good condition.

I think I will post up single photos in every one of my post from now onwards. How about that?

Slim.

My birthday

Yesterday was my 38th birthday. Although we did celebrate it in Rembau, Adam and Su and Risa prepared a birthday lunch consisting of pizzas, one with mushroom and one without. I am so touched. Adam chose a black wallet for me, although the credit card slots were very tight.

Went to the optician and spent some $700 on 5 pairs of spectacles. Wah! Really shopping.

Anyway, I am watching CSI season 6 on DVD. I like the show.

Rembau

You can view the pictures here, on my facebook pages.

We left for Rembau in the early hours of a Friday morning. I'd only gotten an hour of sleep and I was worried about the safety of this trip. Anyway, I preservered.

Left the house at 2.45am. Went to Woodlands and met up with my mother-in-law to transfer some of her stuff and while she drove her van to Choa Chu Kang to pick up Su's cousin and her family, I drove on towards Johor.

Upon clearing the very empty immigration and customs, we made our way to Rembau. Drove until 5.30am until I can't keep myself awake. Pull up to the nearest rest area, and we actually slept for an hour. Continued making our way to Rembau only to realise that the van was still quite a distance away.

But we managed to reach there safely.

Everybody helped out and the kenduri was a success. The birthday games were even more successful as everybody had fun. Adam's team lost by the way. We played captain's ball and several other party games. Can't wait for the pictures to be uploaded by Sara.

Oh my 5D died on me. So. right now, I'm waiting for the $ to come in from the completion of my sales and purchasers.

Slim.

Funny

Was thinking of blogging about what happened at kampung but somehow I came across the picture. Its funny as the word "pepek" refers to the female sexual organ, in my native language that is. I would think that it should be spelt as "bebek" instead as that would mean a bird. I got me laughing hysterically.

So for those non-my native language speakers- literally it states, vagina, intense smell.

Perfumed for closet and bath room.

Get rid of smell and last very long..

I guess its a matter of context.

Slim.

American Idol

I am watching American Idol series 10 right now. This is suppose to be the last season with Simon Cowell. Paula is in the middle of her speech. I thought that she would be singing.

It will be a short 2 and a half hours before I make my way to Woodlands and then to Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. I wished I could go to sleep but I can't. So I did half an hour of low, very low impact aerobics. I'm sweating and that should be good right?

Its going to be a long drive. I pray to Allah for safety. To and Fro and beyond.

Just checked that website. Its jammed up pretty tight for both causeways. Oh well, two more hours to go and it could be different.

It is Vesak day and to top it all, it is the start of the school holidays. Oh well, time to grin and bear it eh?

Slim.

My noisemaker is a star!

Yup, he enrolled himself in a talent show and came in third. He could have come in last for all I care, he is a champion in my book. I felt so silly trying to talk him out of the competition, remembering how I felt in such competitions. Yup, he did it. He should have won it though. He sang without the music, the silver prize winner sang with the music, but we can't hear her voice and the gold prize winner stuttered all the way!

Here are some pictures.

Hooray Adam! Way to go!

Got my 15inch mac book pro back! Without having to pay a single cent. They replaced the logic board. I got myself a new battery as the current one is dying and that cost me $230 thereabouts. I love mac! Now, what am I to do with my 13inch mac book pro. In the meantime, I have decided to let Risa use it.

Today is my first 2nd appointment with HDB. If everything goes well, I'm going to get my cheque today. Hooray!

Anyway, should be leaving for kampung tonight. Having a kenduri on Saturday. Wish me a safe drive to and back...

Taking the bus.

Finished early. Taking the bus no 74. Listening to the iPod. Wonder
how long will it be before I reach home?

Slim.

Exams

Today is Sunday the 23rd of May 2010. Its is 11.30 at night and I'm sleepy as hell. But tried as I might, I can't sleep. Maybe I'm stressed out by my first sociological paper tomorrow. I've never done sociology before and after flunking my first assignment, the first ever, I think that studying is really hard. Duh!

Just finished my English papers last Friday. Alot of hard work went into that paper. I mean I'd studied for more than 24 hours, before the paper. A couple of friends booked a study room hours before the exam. Personally, I think that that is a waste of time. How could anything be cramped inside your brain just before the exam. But I must admit, it does helped to soothe the nerve a bit; at least I know that there are at least 2 other person who sucks at this as I am. However, the paper came, and went and I can confidently say that it was er, a good paper. There was this lady, who at half past the hour we started, stood up and leave. I mean, isn't that a good thing?

I myself left about 20 minutes before the time was up. After which I waited for the other two friends who kindly gave me a lift back home. They were nice.

Let me see, what happened today?

Hmm, oh yeah, I woke up groggy today. Perhaps it was because I went to catch Robin Hood. This one starred Russel Crowe. Boy, did he make SAF snipers looked like bo bo shooters. Amazing actor he. The movie started at 12.50 am, we were there at 11.30pm. And it ended at 3.30am. Did I mentioned that we were there at 11.30pm?

So, once I did managed to walk in a straight line, I drove Adam to his swimming class. Su stayed with him while I went back to catch some more zzs.

After which, we went to Woodlands Civic Center. There we went to Tom and Stephanie looking for a pair of pants for Adam. Its a big store. We went there to get Adam's stuff to prepare for his entry into the world, and here we are again, when he is 8 years old. We did found a pair, but its under the adult section. I guess, we can skip looking at the kids section from now onwards. We bought T shirts at $29.90 a piece and we bought about ten of them. When you add them all up, well, it just does not make any sense, let alone dollars.

Anyway, we picked up my nephew, and we had lunch at Causeway Point's Banquet. I really like the Korean Food stall. The chicken bulgogi (I don't know how to pronounce it correctly, so I just pointed to the picture) combo with saba fish is very, very satisfying. From there, we headed to my in-law's place where we nearly turn it upside down playing nerf. There were 5 guns and lots of darts that we had to pick up after the major shoot out. Note: googles are a must when you are playing with people who are not that safety conscious.

We ended the day at Woodlands Mart, where we had our dinner at Forks and Spoons. The pasta is a must miss!!

So now I'm here, and its just past midnight. So good morning everybody. And may I express my condolence to the family of the late Dr Goh Keng Swee. He may be Singapore's founding father, but he is after all a father to some, a husband to one and the one who introduced national service.

Slim.

My little noisemaker is busy

Adam is involve in his school's official opening day. He will be performing as part as of the English Speech and Drama item. He is also one of the official Greendale Ambassadors.

I have just keyed in his English speech and drama schedule. He will be very busy with some of the practise schedule to end at 8.00pm.

This reminds me of the time when I was involve with my primary school official opening ceremony. I was a cadet scout and was chosen as one of the door openers of the guest of honour's car. It was quite funny as the guest of honour alighted from his car about three meters away from us. He got back in and positioned his car at the correct location and gave us the honour of opening his car.

Ha ha! That was funny.

I missed my school. Min Xin Primary. It has since closed down. The building is used by Jamiyah's Halfway House and the students population has been merged with the school next door. I can't remember its name though, some chinese name...

Slim.

going for tuition soon

I have been giving tuition since the beginning of this year. Very tiring. Money is good, that is if you are charging. Let me see, I have 8 students now and all of them are failing! I think, if it not because of my cheap rates, I'd be out of work!

Anyway, leaving for tuition soon.

Adam got back his results of his mock test. I don't know whats the objective of having a mock sa1, but his results were depressing. He scored 81 out of 100 for his math but could only manage a 73 for his english. He was so excited that he got 86 for his math, but soon cried after I told him that he won't be getting an ipad. The agreement was to score 85 and above for all three subjects.He cried and cried. I reached home and had a pep talk with him. I told him that he should be crying because he did not get the marks that he deserved, not because he won't be getting the ipad.

Oh well. It was me who cried. I was so disappointed with his marks. Looks like I have to buck him up!

13 inches

It is twelve noon. I should be studying, but since I woke up at 11, I guess I can backtime it an hour or so.

Bought myself a 13 inch mac book pro. Cost me $1788. It's one of those "I need it only to discover that I don't after I bought it" kind of thing. Anyway, the story goes like this.

Once upon a time, when it was a day for reckoning for this one person, he discovered that his 15 inch mac book pro died on him.

"Oh no! What should I do?" he panicked! "My offering to the god of assignment is due in a few hours!"

Knowing that he had backed up his entire computer into his time machine, he frantically went to his mac mini only to realise that he could only enter mac mini's backup if he went into the time machine. He desperately needed the sound file which was in the 15 inch mac book pro.

In desperation, this handsome man called one of his best buddies. This best buddy, who bought the same make and model of apple a few hours before he did, some two and a half years ago, told him that similar thing happened to his mac book pro. But he got it fixed for free as they were under a recall program.

So, both of them gather at the temple of IT stuff at Funan and sent the mac book to be serviced. Lo and behold, the gods of IT stuff and Mac, decided to have the laptop fixed for free. But the knowledge comes at a price. The laptop can only be collected in 3 working days.

"Thats mad!" Thats unfair! Take me! Leave me mac alone!" I cried, silently.

Again, the gods were merciful. This buddy of his had another buddy who knew another buddy that runs the temple of multi media, where for there were many macs to be had for some sacrificial plastic of credit.

"The gods of buddies must be with me..." I said with tears swelling in my left eye.

So there, with the aid of the gods of buddies and his several messengers, I manage to scoop a 13 inch mac book pro, without gst and it comes with a keyboard protector free! Rushed home, I plugged the 13 inch mbp and have the time machine do its work.

It worked! All of my data, application and settings were transferred into my 13inch mbp within 2 hours. "Wah!"

However, the gods of mac were laughing at me when I realised that I could access the file without the use of my mbp. All I needed to do was to click on the side bar instead of entering the time machine. Damn! All that was needed was knowledge and not anxiety. I have wasted 1788 worth of plastic credit and in a few days time, the god of plastic would be knocking in my letter box for my redemption. Sheesh!

But here I am, punching the black keys on the keyboard of my new 13 inch mbp. Not bad, although I could lose the keyboard protector.

Those who are interested to get into Mac heaven (there is no mac hell, thats McDonalds),

click here.

Me radio

Just dowloaded me radio. Fantastic. Allows me to listen to class 95
using my iPhone. The best thing is, it can work in the background. So
here I am, listening to michael buble, through my
iPhone which is connected to my small philips computer speakers. It
works!

Slim.

s90.

In my previous post, I wrote about me bike. Actually, I was saving the moolah to buy me a compact camera. The models that came to my mind was the canon g11 and the canon s90. A friend of mine, who is a professional photographer, insisted that I look at a canon dslr. I wasn't in the mood for a dslr as I, er have 2 myself. The problem with my panny lx1 is that the pictures are a bit too grainy for my liking.

Anyway, I took Adam's KM 5D to a table tennis session and I shot some er, shots. I'd say, give up on buying the compact and stick with what I have. The pictures on top justified my decision. And when I told my friend about the decision I made in buying a bike instead of a camera, he agrees, saying a bike keeps me fit, that is, if I use it. You bet I will!

For those interested in getting a new compact, I personally like the S90 and I like this site.

Bye.

Trek

Just got myself a new bicycle. It's blue, got the word trek on it and
it cost me a bit under $500. Bought it at treknology off yio chu kang
road.
Nice people there. The staff actually let you try the bikes before you
buy and they will recommend the bikes according to sizes. Mine is 17.5
to 19 inches. Finally settled for a blue trek 3 series with the size
18 inches printed on its frame
Although the shop is small, it has quite a diverse range of bikes.
They stock mostly trek and gary fisher bikes and the most espensive I
saw was a road bike that cost around $4k. Sheesh.
So they recommened mr a couple of bikes, not the pricier ones though
but the most logical. I like that in a sales person.
Went for a spin with it in the afternoon with Adam and Su. Headed
towards spc petrol kiosk, and bought some curry puffs. Adam's rear
tire went flat as I was about to inflate it and he had to cycle it
back. Poor he.
Now, am resting after cycling around the estate. Very, very, very
refreshing. Bike need some more tuning as I am still not comfortable
with the angle of the handle bars.
Actually, I fell. I fell when I tried to move off after getting out of
the elevators. Fell on my side, and I think I must have bounced!
So my new aim to wear out the tyres by the end of the month.
I have only cycled for only ten minutes, hoping to be at least 15
tomorrow.
Bye!

Slim.

Airport express

Just bought me an airport express. Awesome! The damn things actually
works!
Now I am listening to music in my room streaming from my mac mini in
the living room. Simply awesome. Plug the damn thing in, open airport
utility in the mac mini, answer three question and that's it!
And the best thing is, I can control the output, where the music is,
how loud it is from my iPhone! Super cool.
Cost me $140 from sgl marketing. A shop on the second floor in sim lim
square. $8 bucks less than if I were to buy it online or at epicenter.
Can't wait for the ipad to be officially available in Singapore. Can't
wait.

Slim.

time capsule ... and more

I did it! I got my TC to work with my external drive! All I needed to do was to reformat the hard drive. Not just any reformatting but I need to reformat to FAT 32. Not bad. I figure that out all by myself.

Anyway, I am listening to itunes on my home entertainment system. Not bad eh? I manage to do that when my mac mini arrived! Yup, ladies and gentlemen. I'm a proud owner of a new mac mini.

I connected the mac mini to my 32 inch lcd tv using a mini display port-hdmi adapter. After which I connected a HDMI cable to it and the other end to my TV. As for audio, I spent some $14 on a cable that plug into the headphone jack, after which I connected the other end to my amp. Its a L R RCA plug at the other end.

The mac mini connected to my wireless network seamlessly! And at full strength at that!

Next, I connected my wireless mouse and keyboard and I am set to go.

So, here I am typing this entry from the comfort of my living room. I am so in love with the simplicity.

Had a new tutee today. P6. Sheesh, time goes by fast with this one.

Had manage to record an interview with Yudi today. Not bad. I hope it'll be enough. Going to start transcribing soon. Tuition tomorrow morning, afternoon and sending Adam to ngaji class at night.

Good night! Love you darling.

time capsule

I have bought myself a time capsule. Its one of those that is a wireless n router, 1 TB hard drive and can become a hub for a printing as well. In short, it functions as well as my 5 year old wireless router and my 1 TB seagate external hardrive.

Setting up to have internet access for my mac book pro, Adam's toshiba and Su's macbook was as easy as pie. Something went wrong with my acer as it could not connect with the router. Still trying and since Risa used it for facebooking, she finally realised that she is an addict to that farmville game.

The manual said that I could connect a hard drive to the time capsule, but maybe its me, I just could not. I wish I had as many neighbours who are proficient in Mac as Windows. After I connected the hard drive, I just could not access it. It was very dissappointing as I missed class to set this up.

I have yet to see if the printer can print through the network. But my initial objectives are met, namely to back up my mac, and su's. Its taking a long time, since its through wireless and its the initial back up.

I back up Adam's on the 1TB external hard drive.

My aunt, a masseuse is here, giving my wife a massage. She brought her granddaughter. Its very endearing to see Adam and her playing together. Always wanted a second child. Been trying for the past 8 years. I am grateful for Adam, don't get me wrong. But I think, god willing, it'll be nice to have another.

Adam does not think so. The other day, while it was just the two of us in the car, I told him what I think being the eldest entails. The responsibilities of being not just the eldest but what is meant to be the eldest son. He replied, with quite a contented voice, "but I am not the oldest!"

He really does not like to have younger kids around, especially in his room. He has this fear, which unfortunately came through many times, that toddlers would just "destroy" his room.

In many respects, I can empathise with him. But learn he must. God willing, he will.

Ukelele

News 5 showed a report on this instrument. It seemed to be easier to learn than a guitar. I am wondering if I should get one. I am having problem learning a guitar, no thanks to my fat fingers. Maybe this will work?

I am also thinking about putting Adam through a guitar course. He is interested in it. But I wonder as to who or where should I send him. Anybody has any pointers?

Slim.

Reuters cameraman shot dead

Your friend thought you might be interested in the following story
from The Straits Times:

You can read it up by clicking on http://is.gd/bnIrU

Slim.

Football

It's me again, watching the Liverpool and birmingham. Su is attempting
to clear some of her markings.
Anyway, just how much does those football players are earning? Must be
more than mine.
Just bought a philips bd3000 blue Ray player. It's the second one I
bought. Cost me $229 this time around. The first one was $20 dearer.
Wow! Liverpool just scored in the first minute of the second half.
Amazing goal.
Anyway, I would recommend the unit to anybody. For one, it comes with
it's own hdmi table. The Sony one that I bought did not and it cost me
$40 bucks for a hdmi cable.
Secondly, the philips one plays DVDs from various region while the
Sony does not play my region 1s.
So that's what makes me bought the philips. And not to mention that
the philips start up much faster.

Slim.

Tbb

Am at the new box bistro. It has been taken over by a company call
sisibon. Formerly taken care of by jack's place, we were smitten by
it's fish and chips.
I ordered turkey carbonara, su ordered gado-gado and Adam ordered kids
size fish and chips.
Just one word: weloveit!!
Aside from the portion which we think were a bit too small, the taste,
the love can be felt not just our tongues but by our other senses.
As Adam said, this is the best. Personally I feel that the coleslaw is
out of the world.

Tbb is at courts, tampines.

Slim.

Julia Child

I have just watched the movie starring Meryl Streep. Although it is an honest movie, a believable movie, it is a bit dry. However, I know understand why French cuisine is desired by so many.

It has been a long time since I last wrote. The movie has rekindled my desire to blog again. But unlike the movie, I do not have a goal in writing this blog. I do not have a dead line and whether or not I do meet the deadline is irrelevant.

Oh well, maybe I should write about my experience as a property agent. Maybe that will stir me up for a bit.

Me,

Propnex.

The little noisemaker returns to school.

Soon it will be the first day of school again. Adam is all ready for it. Like a veteran that came back from a war, victorious, he has made up his mind as to how he will be starting the day. He has packed his bag, whitened his shoes, and tested out his new set of uniforms. I hope nothing goes wrong for him tomorrow but a couple of sneezes before he finally fell asleep is bothering me. To state the truth, I am worried for him. It will be a new class, with some new classmates and I'm sure a new form teacher. A period of adjustment, although may be short, is needed.

It was a packed last two days of the holidays for us.

On Saturday, we went to Unisim to pay my school fees. That took us way past lunch time. After which we went on a duck tour. It was a unique experience I must say, being able to be on the water and on land without changing vehicle.

Next we attempted to watch avatar 3d only to find out that it was being shown in 2d. So, we decided to drive all the way to Singapore Discovery Centre where we managed to catch the show for only $7 a ticket. Not a bad movie I do say so. Worth every cent.

On Sunday, which was a couple of hours ago, we went to a wedding. After which we went to Ikea, where we bought 30 glass jars. Those jars are meant for Su's program in her school. We then went back home. Adam did a mock up tv with a marlin in it and proceed to "watch the show". It was very creative of him. I wish I'd share his enthusiasm a bit more.

So it now 1.04am.The roads are quiet and I'm beginning to wonder as to what the future hold for me, my family and my little noisemaker.

Ya Allah, with your grace, let me be strong, to face the day and the trials that you have set for me for you are the all knowing and and the all forgiving. Amin.

Slim

At mega bites

At mega bites having lunch. Going for the duck tour later. Excited.
But knee is so painful. Still. Adam is doing his first journal and he
is excited about it. I am such a happy person.

Slim.

Win 7

Its 5.51 am. I have installed Win 7. Or basically, Win 7 has installed it by itself. Looks a bit different from Vista. But seems to still have the same feel as Vista. Oh well, maybe its because I chose to do an upgrade instead of a clean install.

Hope the time spent is worth it....

Slim

What a powerful day!

Its not easy having all your wishes come true in less than a day. Its a wonderful feeling but it sure takes some out of you.

Today, my family and I, including Risa, decided to go to Johor. It was meant to be a quick in and out, doing my usual stuff.

Well, my usual stuff would mean, having lunch in Johor, fill up my tank with petrol and then make my way back again. That would mean I would be back home, sleeping, by 3 pm.

What I wanted to do, and this is since the longest time, is to buy Windows 7, bring my family out for whole day out in Johor, just us and me buying a local line so that I could surf the net on my many trips north.

Well, what do you know! I did it.

I pick Su at the National Library where she was having a meeting. After which, I picked Adam and Risa from my in-laws in Woodlands. It was a synch going through Singapore customs but traffic was snarling on the causeway. We spent about 30 minutes before we went into Malaysia.

Risa wanted to meet her fiance at Angsana. So I dropped her off to tell her to call me once she bought a Malaysian line. Or else, there would be no means of communications.

After dropping her off, Su suggested that we go to Jalan Padi Emas which she remembered had the most wonderful sweet potato filled epok-epok. We drove there and it took us less than 5 minutes! How wonderful!

I had briyani with curry chicken while Su had briyani with fried chicken. Adam ordered rojak keling but it took its own sweet time to end up on our table. He nibbled on some wonderfully prepared goreng pisang while waiting. My briyani was good, but nothing compared to the briyani I had in Penang. Su said her chicken was "power!". I liked Adam's rojak keling but he does not seem to like it though. Maybe, drinking a big glass of iced Milo somehow would dampened your appetite si?

I had iced Nescafe and Su had iced lime drink. Both were "power!". Rich and refreshing at the same time, but not overpowering. Just what my mother would have ordered.

We finished up by ordering another two cups of iced water.

Mydin, a departmental store was only twenty meters away. We went in not knowing what to expect. Adam, though were looking for a baseball bat that he could take to on our trip to Penang. We ended up buying a carrom board, the smaller version and Adam bought a snorkeling set. He looked so cute with it on.

After which, we went to Bukit Indah and there, I bought two copies of Win 7 Basic. They costs me some $RM279 each. I think it is $S150 each here in Singapore.

And then I bought myself a maxxis hotlink prepaid account. It was a snap, only to realise that they weren't the cheapest!

Adam could not find his baseball set in Daiso and that got him upset. Not in a "throwing a tantrum" kind of way but a sad kind od way.

Risa called and said that she is done with the measuring. She wanted to tailor a suit for her wedding. Feeling great that all is coming together nicely, we headed back to Angsana.

Met up with Risa and finally at 6.00pm we made our way home!

We reached Woodlands at around 7.30pm and ate the lemang that we bought in Angsana. "Power!"

Its now 11.07 pm. Adam fell asleep on Su's lap, who is asleep herself. I've a pot of camomile tea waiting for me outside 'Thanks Risa!". I've just completed making the recovery discs of Adam's Toshiba laptop and would be installing the Win 7. Like I said. This day is full of "power!".

Missing you.

Again, another just in case I forget note...
Su is coming back on a late flight. She said she will land in Changi at 10.45pm. I would give her an hour after that to be home free. Anyways, I think Adam called her just now and she returned his call. What Adam said, understates how he feels about her not home.
He said, "maybe mom wants to tell me that she is at the airport already I think."

Kuih Raya

I know that Hari Raya 2009 has long past but I'm inspired by weekh blog. The picture in this post is shot using the Tamron 90mm macro with my Konican Minolta 7d. I like the colours that come off the image.
A bit about the picture. It is taken using available light in my kitchen. Those hands belong to my mother in-law. The green thing? It tastes delicious once it's done in the oven. It's called makmur.

An article regarding water in Singapore.

http://greensingapore.com/Singlenews.aspx?DirID=87&rec_code=410187

Forget bottled water, tap water as good as it gets

WATER is a common but very precious asset. Without water, human beings cannot survive. Without water, the planet's ecosystem, which sustains life, will be destroyed. Without water, there will be no agriculture and no industry. Without water, life on planet Earth will perish.

We regard the right of a person to safe and affordable water as a basic human right. It is a great shame that, at the beginning of the 21st century, about one billion out of six billion people do not enjoy this right. In Asia, about 700 million people do not have access to safe and affordable water.

In Singapore, all citizens have access to clean water at an affordable price. The water from our taps is safe to drink. In spite of this fact, many Singaporeans still boil their water. In recent years, partly because of our growing affluence and partly because of the influence of the West, Singaporeans are drinking more and more bottled water. In 2007, Singaporeans spent $98.3 million on bottled water, an increase of 80 per cent over 10 years. We observe that some of our ministries and universities serve bottled water instead of tap water. In many restaurants, the waiters pressure their customers to order bottled water.

We want to start a campaign to persuade Singaporeans to drink tap water instead of bottled water, whenever possible. The following are our reasons.

First, it is a waste of your money. Bottled water is more expensive than petrol. For one bottle of water you buy off the shelf (at 50 cents), you can get 850 bottles off the tap (at $1.17 per cubic metre).

Second, the tap water is as safe as bottled water. In Singapore, the water in our taps is safe to drink and subjected to daily checks. Health-wise, there is no difference between drinking tap water and bottled water. On the contrary, tests in the United States have shown that sometimes harmful chemicals, such as bisphenol-A (BPA), can leach from bottled water. Other tests in the US have shown that expensive bottled water is no better than tap water.

Third, bottled water uses energy unnecessarily. To make water bottles, you need polyethylene terephthalate or PET, a derivative of crude oil. In the US, 1.5 million barrels of oil are used each year just to make bottles for the water industry. This is enough oil to power 100,000 cars for a year.

Fourth, bottled water is bad for the environment. In Singapore, most of the bottles are not recycled but incinerated. This uses energy and produces carbon dioxide, adding to our carbon emission. Some bottled water travels great distances to Singapore. We are importing bottled water from as far away as France, Italy, Fiji and Serbia. Transport consumes energy and produces carbon dioxide. This is another reason bottled water is not a friend of the environment.

Fifth, you should drink tap water because it is the right thing to do. We can understand the need to drink bottled water in places where the tap water is unsafe to drink.

In Singapore, there is no good reason to drink bottled water. It costs you more, but it does not make you healthier. It is unfriendly to the environment.

By all means boil your water if that makes you feel better, but please do not buy or serve bottled water if you can help it. If a waiter asks you, 'still water or bubbly water', you should politely say you prefer PUB water.

We think the Government should lead by example.

We therefore urge the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to write to all ministries, statutory boards, agencies, Temasek-linked companies and educational institutions to consider stopping the practice of serving bottled water.

Professor Tommy Koh is the chairman of the Governing Council of the Asia Pacific Water Forum and chairman of the 2008 and 2009 Water Leaders Summits in Singapore.

Leong Ching is a PhD student at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

This is a revised version of an article appearing in the PUB publication Pure this month.

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The right of a person to safe and affordable water is a basic human right. It is a great shame that, at the beginning of the 21st century, about one billion out of six billion people do not enjoy this right. In Asia, about 700 million people do not have access to safe and affordable water.

Water

A friend of mine was trying to sell me the idea that the filtration
system he is selling give cleaner water than the tap water. If this
was in another country, I would so be the very interested, but I live
in Singapore.
Anyway, by using a magnifying like in the shape of a periscope, devise, he showed me a canister of
tap water, which I saw some floating particles. Then he showed me
another canister of water which has been filtered
Sure enough, no floating particles. And then the sales pitch.
"As you can see, Singapore water is not clean. This devise is our top
selling product."
Then my response.
"Are you saying we are drinking dirty water?"
"Not dirty, just less clean."
"What would happen to me if I continue to drink the tap water."
"You'll be sick. In the long run."
"How long is long?"
"Maybe 10 to 20 years."
"So are you saying that I won't be sick if I drink water from your
filtration system?"
"Er, that depends. For example, what you eat or drink when you are out
of the house."
"So there are other factors that contribute being sick lah.."
"Yes"
"So you are saying that there is no guarantee that I won't be sick if
I drink water from your filtration system."
".."
I wanted to dwell more on the other claims but I sense that he sensed that I can see
through his claims.
But the fact that still bothers me is his claim that bottled water is
better than Singapore's tap water

I beg
To differ.

Slim.

Resourcefullness

Just in case I forget, I better write what happened less than an hour
ago.
Today is wawa's sports day. As it is, we had planned to go to the
stadium to lend her our support. When I woke up this morning, I knew
that i am going to be unwell. So, after lunch I called my darling
sister to pick Adam and Risa up and I am feeling very drowsy. The
resolution of that conversation resulted in us agreeing that she will
pick Adam and Risa up at 2.15 pm of which I highlighted to Adam and
risa. So there I was, lying in bed trying to shake off the effect of
the cold and the drowsiness of the cold medicine.
Only to be told at 2.45pm that sis can't pick Adam and Risa up because
my lovable parents need to use the car. I then told her that I will
send adam and Risa.
I then dozed off again.
It was 3.15pm when Adam literally had his face in mine as he woke me
up. He seemed pretty upset that I seemed to have overslept in sending
him to the stadium.
After a very quick washing up, I told him about the effect of the
medication that I have taken and we rushed to the car heading towards
the stadium.
It was during the ride that Adam told me what had happened.
He was worried that my sister has not pick him up. He called his
grandfather and asked for her number. He then proceed to call my
sister who explained what has transpired between her and me.
Honestly, I would not think a 7 year old boy would have the
resourcefullness to call his grandfather for his aunt's number so that
he could find out what happened to his aunt without anybody telling
him to.
Anyway, I've sent him to the stadium while I am here at my mom's car
park typing out this note.
I am so grateful that he is here, being always part of my life.

Slim.

Name cards

Oh boy, forgot to insert into the last post. I have receive my name cards. The picture on it made me look angry. Oh well, first time for everything...