Jeju (22-26 Nov) Nanjing (26-29 Nov)

Went to Jeju on a job assignment. Jeju is a scenic place. Not only that, it is a clean and safe place. We stayed at Shilla Hotel and apprently it is the best hotel in Jeju. The hotel has a very nice and cosy atmosphere.

You can see the great view surrounding Shilla Hotel !!

I'm impressed with the toilet bowl as the seat cover had heating function. I can only say that is a luxury to sit on a warm toilet cover in cold winter. Not only that, with a press of a button, it allows one's bottom to be washed. Finally, I get to try one of man's luxurious creation. Too bad there was no picture taken of it.



Some working photos to prove that I was really there working.... Haha. The event would not be a success without the banquet team from the Shilla Hotel. Round of applause to the hospitable team.

As the meetings were held on the morning half of the 2 days, Diane and me went to tour some places with the Doctors & Professors on the first day:

1) Visted the Jeongbang Waterfall which is Asia's only waterfall then flows into the sea. We also ate some shellfish freshly caught by the Jeju Women Divers.



2) Climb the Sungsan's sunrise peak which nearly cost me my life as it had been a while since I exercised. Decided to stop and admire the scenary as and when the few flight of steps tired me out (nobody knows that till now) ! The process of climbing should be as beautiful as when one reaches the top/goal, I reckon.

After conquering the mountain, Diane and myself decided to reward ourselves with pineapple ice-cream !! It is the most delicious ice-cream that I have tasted. Yummy .... =9 The thought of it makes me drool again.

After our event on Sunday, the team from Singapore together with Kuky (our partner in Korea)and Chris (Shilla Hotel's contact person) join us for our tour of Jeju.

1) Taken @ Daepo Seashore where the lava rock formation could be seen.

2) Drove along Halla Mountain and took picture at the 1100 metre mark en-route to Mystery Road. The mystery lies in this 0.5metre stretch of road - a car could go uphill even when the engine of a car had been switched off. Curious ? Haha .. care to guess the reason for such an amazing act ?

We also celebrated Diane's birthday. Chris bought her a slice of sweet potato cake which could not be found in Singapore. A slice of cake could feed up to 7 person !!! Imagine that.

Back Row (Left to Right):
Sam, Kelly, Melvin, Kuky

Front Row (Left to Right):
Me, Christopher, Diane

We left for Singapore from Jeju to Pudong Airport (Shanghai) on Monday. However, as I wasn't ready to head back to Singapore, called Geer How, my dive instructor, who is working in Nanjing to check whether Shanghai and Nanjing is far and if I could popped by to visit. After directions was given, the flight to Singapore was postponed and boarded the long distance bus to Nanjing. It was a 5 hrs journey!

Geer picked me up and we headed to his home. Gin, cooked dinner for us and it was delicious. Ahh.... finally some home-cooked meal and it was much appreciated. Gin was very hospitable and accompanied me while I shopped and sigh-see. As I didn't stayed for long, the only touristy place that I visited is the Presidental Palace aka Zhong Tong Fu, where the history of China and her rulers were mentioned.

One of the few things I must mentioned is the affordable prices of some must do activities :
1) Foot reflexology which cost RMB20 (S$4).
2) Hair washing which cost RMB10 (S$2). It is not solely just on hair washing alone (where the hair washing skill is so much better as compared to Singapore), but also include shoulder and back massage !!

On the last night before I head back to Singapore, Geer brought us to this oriental-theme restaurant, Da Pai Dang. It was so cool. There are performers playing the Er-hu and the food servers are dressed in the ancient oriental costume.

The whole trip was memorable. Jeju had a nice cool weather, clean and safe. It was such a scenic and relaxed island. Don't mind visiting again. The BBQ dinner that we had before we left Jeju was awesome, especially the pork which was superbly marinated. Nanjing was surprisingly vibrant. The foot massage and hair washing were indeed an experience. The whole Nanjing trip was definitely an adventure as the decision to go was made on impulse. It was nice catching up with Geer in Nanjing and thanks for hosting me.

Specially want to thank Kelly, who lend me her RMB so that I can make my way to Nanjing, to help me bring back my box of Jeju tangerine on top of her own box and making sure that I had safely reached Nanjing and had met up with my fren. Some photos seen are courtesy from Kelly too.

Also want to thank my sis, Jas who had helped to collect the box of tangerine from Kelly.

Dad's 60th Birthday Celebration Dinner

Dad would be 60 this year on 1st June. We had dinner celebration on 3rd June instead cos on the 1st, Dad & Mum is holidaying in Halong Bay with Uncle Joe and Aunty Peng and moi is in Ho Chi Minh holidaying too.

We had dinner in Spring Court aka Yong Chun Yuan in Chinatown area. First time for me to have dinner in a private room. Dad spend a bit on dinner as he booked the place on his own and invited my elder sis's mother-in-law and sis-in-law for dinner.





We know he is happy and he don't mind spending. I think if I ever reach his state now, I would be happy. Healthy, able to travel and do his own activities, had a wife to take care of home, kids are all grown up, had 2 grand kids, earning his own keeps and had spending power. What more can a person at 60 want?

This year, though dad did specifically mentioned not to be buying him present, we still bought him a Swatch watch with a black rubberize wrist band so that he could wear it while doing sports such as blading.

I ordered a durian cake for him. I LIKE durian cake and I think he also like durian cake ... hehe ... One thing for sure, I know the kids love cakes. Bryan specially love the durian cake.

Eve of CNY 07 - Dinner

On the eve of CNY '07, we had dinner in Dong Hai @ Scotts Isetan. The clan present were :

1) Organizer - Yeo Family

Mastermind & Partner In Crime

Jasmine, Empress Dowager Wong, Moi

Womens' Power

2) Another Family Unit of Organizer (Sub-out)

3) Uncle Douglas, Aunty Theresa, Jake & Keefe

4) Aunty Peng, Uncle Joe, Thomas aka Xiang Xiang, Mei Mei

Uncle Joe's Mum attended but no photos taken.

5) Aunty Siok Keng ; Aunty Jean

Andriel, Zariel

6) Attended but no photos taken
- Aunty B & Uncle Casey

Steamboat Dinner

About 3 years ago, we stopped the tradition of having steamboat at home with Dad, Mum and Sister in front of the TV, during the Lunar New Year's Eve Dinner. Though many beg to differ, but having dinner in front of TV is not anti-social at all, cos we chatted still ... about the TV shows. =) Hehe ...

And Woo hoo ... Finally we had steamboat dinner at home, prepared mostly by moi. Thank God for instant herbal chicken stock, which I think is one of the most important "invention". Haha ... I sure was excited while preparing it and I hope everyone had fun while eating the dinner.

Well, at least my nephew, Bryan, is looking happy with the variety of food on the table. Nephew happy, aunty happy too.

Chinese New Year

This year, our house cleaning is not so taxing. Dad decided to paint and change some furniture so house cleaning started all the way from January or was it December ?

So what does CNY means after so many years ? When I was a kid, CNY means "ang pow" collection time or aka extra income time. Of cos there will be loads of goodies such as pineapple tarts, almond biscuits, egg rolls and bak kwa. As I grow older, CNY comes with responsibilities, such as cleaning up the house. This is the one and only time that I think "Wah Kao, how can a 5 room HDB be this bloody big !" Imagine, a THICK layer of dust accumulated underneath my bed for a year, momentos and cards accumulated throughout the years, etc.

However, CNY means different thing to me admist the responsibilities. It is a time where some families come together for a meal, especially if one of their own is in a land far away working. It is a time where people meet to catch up and update on the happenings in someone's life. It is a time where greetings and well wishes are generously shared. What a beautiful and meaningful festive season isn't it ...

Bryan's (Nephew) Birthday

Bryan's birthday is on 8 February and we celebrated on 11 Feb (Sun). It is also on the same day as Melvin Yuan !!! I asked Bryan what cake did he get on his actual birthday and whether he liked it ? He mentioned he prefer a cake in the shape of a power ranger. Anyway, I told him I got him a mango cake and he said he liked mango cake! Not sure if he really like, but he sure is a sweet talker.

Well, the kids always love birthday celebration and the cakes that comes with it. Oh, apparently, Joel, the younger brother of Bryan like .... BLACK Cake... which I think he meant choco cake. I got a video clip as proof (too bad blog don't support avi file). Gonna surprise him with a "gui ling gao" first, then will bring out a chocolate cake for him. Haha ...

We had dinner in Toa Payoh at Fortunate Restaurant. As we left the place, the kids were eyeing the kiddy rides and grandpa who dotes them to bits, bought them each a ride so they can go home satisfied and without regrets.

Sigh ... reminds me of the times when dad would bring 3 of us to the market in Lor 8 to ride those battery operated motor vehicles, as mum would clean up the house after feeding us dinner. I guess the 3 of us would remember that till we gone senile. It was fun and guess dad dotes us to bits too.

The Year of The Pig

I met a family when I went to Bintan alone and the mother of the 2 kids, Jessica, gave me this pig for Christmas '06. She is so sweet right. I mean we met on the trip and still kept in contact once in a while, but I didn't expect her to get me anything.

The year of the Pig also means my dad is 60 this year. Wow, and he doesn't look like his age. Anyway, this year will do a 60 "Da Shou" and treat him to a good meal. Hopefully I'll have a job then.

Well, few things that I want to accomplish this year (not in any order of preference) :

1) To meet up my few dear friends for meals or drinks at least once a month.

2) To get a job (preferably overseas).

3) To do more exercise and live a healthier life.

4) Get a hobby (& that does not include eating and sleeping).

5) To do a trip to either Korea, HK or Taiwan.

6) To be more involve in Church.

7) To be joyful and peaceful and know that everything is in God's hands.

8) Spend time with Him and read His Words.

Well, u can call that my New Year resolutions for 2007. The last 3 resolution is something which I wanna do and will have to really try cos in the midst of "busy-ness", I tend to lose focus.

Our Dwelling Place

Read this and remembered some friends who are overseas and serves as a reminder for me if I ever get to work overseas ...

Mainly, a reminder that where we are is only temporal. How very often that in the midst of this rat race, this journey on Earth, that we forget this place is not our final destination.

We are on a journey to a perfect place, so let us not get distracted and lose our way ... Let's remind one another ... so friend, remind me lest I forget.


January 4, 2007
Our Dwelling Place
Genesis 12:1-8

By faith Abraham obeyed . . . . And he went out, not knowing where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8

When Abraham was 75 years old, God called him to leave the land of his father. And so, advanced in years, he departed for the land of Canaan. He was rootless, homeless, "not knowing where he was going" (Heb. 11:8). That was the story of Abraham’s life.

Age brings change and uncertainty. It means transition from a familiar past to an uncertain future. It can mean movement from a family home to a smaller place, to a daughter’s home, to a retirement village, to a nursing home—the "final resort." Like Abraham, some of us make our way from one location to another, always traveling and not knowing where we’re going.

Yet we can be at home in any dwelling, for our safekeeping lies not in the place where we live but in God Himself. We can dwell "in the secret place of the Most High" and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps. 91:1). There, in His presence, under His wings, we find refuge (v.4). The eternal God becomes our dwelling place (v.9).

Though our dwelling place here on earth may be uncertain, God will be our companion and friend until our traveling days are over and we reach our heart’s true home—heaven. Until that day, let’s shed the light of God’s lovingkindness on other travelers. —David H. Roper—David H. Roper-->

Someday my earthly house will fall—I cannot tell how soon ’twill be; But this I know—my All in AllHas now a place in heaven for me. —Crosby

For the Christian, heaven is spelled H-O-M-E.

"Spring Cleaning" for 2007

Come to think of it, we have lived in our J.S. Home for about 21 years. Cool ain't it and I don't think there is anywhere else in Singapore that I want to move to. The place I'm staying is in the middle of where my friends are staying. Not to mention 5 mins drive from PIE and 7 mins drive from CTE, 12 mins drive from Suntec and 15 mins drive from Orchard.

Furniture of 21 years old, tends to be in some breaking down condition. The sofa had holes already ever since Septemeber last year, and I'm guessing the dateline for the new sofa will be before 18 February, Chinese New Year. Good sofa is hard to find thus mum had already sewn up the holes and of cos small ones are still popping out.

The faithful cabinet which we realised recently holds lotsa stuffs. From records to turntable to liquor to coca-colas to manuals to tools and many more.

After removing the cabinet, the floor was stained with the accumulated dust of 21 years. It was not an easy feat to remove it. After much scrubbing with the help of some super duper stain removal liquid, the floor was clean again.

As Chinese New Year 2007 is coming soon, Dad has started on home improvement and guess this is part of spring cleaning, such as fresh coat of paint and new furniture. I guess it is time for me to take stock and do some "spring cleaning" spiritually, physically, emotionally and personally.

2007 will be an important year for me. Am facing a major crossroad and still waiting at the junction not knowing which direction to go in my career wise. But what I do know is that God is with me and has always been with me, just that this time ... the knowing is not just head knowledge but the heart acknowledge.