Jakarta Trip - Conclusion

I was back from Jakarta on Wed night, 1 day shorter than planned.

To change my flight, I needed to get it validated in MAS office in the town, and got to pay USd25! I almost thought I couldn't make it, coz my office is 1.5 hour away from MAS office, and my meeting schedule was back-to-back. Luckily someone willing to help me to get it done. Whew!

There are a few things worth noting here.

US Dollar
It is so strange that, all Indonesians don't accept USD note that is folded. Unfortunately all my USD are folded. Luckily someone lend me some USD. Really don't know the reason why.

Chili

Look at this. It is my snack box. In our meeting, we can never get hungry, coz food and snack is always provided. But look carefully...


In this snack box, there is a raw green chili-padi. At first, I thought it was dropped into my box accidentally. No! It is to be eaten raw like that, together with the curry puff! :P

Flood
There was no signs of flood anywhere. The aftermath also not seen. But on Tuesday, after a whole morning's rain, flood started to build up. Luckily rain stopped in the afternoon. Whew!

Traffic
I thought the traffic was about the same like KL downtown. But when I was on their so-called 'Highway', I know KL is much better. They highway at any time, is just like our Jalan Kuching at peak hour. Cars can only travel 60km/h at most. Highway only means no traffic lights.

Shopping
Lots of shopping malls, and lots of them are high-end like our KLCC. And there are also a lot of poor people selling stuff on the road, risking their lifes in between traffics (like Manila). It really shows the gap of rich & poor is so huge.

Well, in fact, this is not my first trip. But my last trip was just too short and in much hurry that I didn't have the chance to observe and see the city. I will still need to go there again. I'm just not sure whether I should stay in Crowne Plaza again, given my bad experience this time. Maybe I should go back to Mulia Hotel then...

Challenges of Advertising

Recently I've attended a Brand & Communication Workshop in KL. Learnt quite a lot about advertising and promotions.

Advertising is becoming more and more challenging. And of course, as a result, advertisers are getting more and more creative.

One of the very interesting advertising activity (or so called consumer-engaging-activity) that I've heard was from New Zealand Tourism.

As we all know, blog is a phenomenon getting more and more popular nowadays. Some famous bloggers has great influences on consumers/visitors. NZ Tourism wanted to get more China tourists. They engaged with a famour China blogger.

They invited this blogger to visit NZ for free, from air ticket to accommodations, all expenses paid.

What the blogger needed to do was just to blog about the trip. This was exactly what that blogger love doing.

Immediately, after he posted the detail about his trip, a lot of Chinese admired the place and number of visitors increased significantly!

Now, blog advertising is going into another new dimension... Envy that blogger. :P

My Dream Place

Since childhood, I've been dreaming to go to these 3 places: New Zealand, Egypt, and Rome.

I managed to visit New Zealand 2 years ago. The trip wasn't satisfactory, coz the trip wasn't the way that I wanted it to be. I won't consider my first dream fulfilled. I will definitely want to revisit the place in the future.

Egypt is really influenced by a comic I've read long time ago - The Nil's Daughter. It is an antient city with a lot of mystery. I know the weather can be unbearably hot, but I will still want to go. The only concern I have is the terrorist activities. I hope the things I want to see won't be destroyed before my visit!

As for Rome, again influenced by comics too. But then, I admire the place for its ancient ruins and historic background. Last year, there were discussions of having our business team meeting in Rome, and I was excited for a while. Of course, due to cost and budget issue, we didn't make it. Hope we can make it some other time!

Jakarta Trip - Finally

Ya, I'm in Jakarta now. Yesterday was sunny, I was happy, thing was much better than expected, things all looked normal.

This morning, just as I was leaving the hotel, my colleague called. It was flooded. Yes, it was raining in the morning, and immediately there are pockets of areas flooded.

Everywhere jammed.

But luckily the rain stopped in the afternoon. Anyway, I am cutting my trip shorter by a day. Will be going home sooner. Whew! I hope I can catch my flight on time!

Originally though I'd have to spend the Valentine's alone here. Now, with the latest development, I can at least be at home by midnight. Better than alone here, though I might be eating instant noodle for tomorrow's dinner. :)

Upcoming Trips

Looks like yesterday was my last day in the office until mid March!

From Monday onwards, I will be either traveling, away for meeting in downtown KL, or on leave/holiday!

My boss just called this morning, telling me that I need to go to US for another global team meeting. I really hope that it doesn't clash with my sister's wedding. This would be too unfair for me, if I am penalised for not able to attend.

Anyway, talking about US trip, it reminds me of my last NYC trip. I've just stumbled upon this New York real estate site that also offers short term New York furnished housing for those who do not want to stay in hotel (aka corporate housing).

They also have a very good NYC Neighborhood guide that travelers may find interesting and useful.

Had I found this site earlier, I wouldn't have spent so much time and effort trying to plan our last NYC trip!

Sponsor Post commissioned by Serr.biz

Ah Beng's Letter to Ah Lian

Just for a laugh, got this in an email:

Dear Ah Lian,

Thanks you for your letter. Wrong time no see you. How everything? For me, I am quiet find. You say in your letter your taukeh soh want you to chain your look? Somemore you must wear kick kok soo, hope you can wok properly. You know, Ah Kau Kia working in a soft where company now. Last week, he take I, Muthu & few of his friend to May Nonut to eat barger. After that he take we all go to kalah ok. Muthu sing and sing no stop until the sky bright.

Next week, my father mother going to sellerbread 20 years annie wear sari. My father mother going to give a fist to all the kampong people. So you must come with your hole family. I only hope one day we no need to write and send letter to you and to me. Better I e-meow you, you e-meow me. I will ketchup with you soon. And when you got time, please few free tocall me. Goo bye.....

Worm regard,

Ah Beng

Parking Car on Slopes (Updated)

I would like to apologise for making a mistake in the previous post.

Actually, there are a slight difference between parking on a slope with car facing upwards or downwards.

If your car is parked facing downwards, steer the wheel to go TOWARDS the curbs.

If you car is parked facing upwards, steer the wheel to go AWAY of the curbs (i.e. towards traffics).

This is because in the case of upward facing, if the car slides down (i.e. reverses), the front wheel will meet the curbs first and stop the car. It takes longer for the rear wheel to reach the curb without hiting into the car behind you. That's the reason for the difference. I've confirmed with the safety driving experts in my office. Sorry for the mistake in my previous post.

Magnetic Hotel Key Cards

There was a circulation lately, that the hotel key cards contain guests' personal information including credit card details. In that circulation, it asks all hotel guests not to return the key cards, and destroy it at home.

Recently my office also received this circulation. After the security department researched further, it is confirmed that it is a hoax. You may want to read the detail here.

However, as pointed out in the site, though all major hotels do not practise encoding these sensitive information on the hotel key cards as it is not necessary, the point to ponder is:

IT IS TECHNICALLY POSSIBLE TO DO SO

Therefore, to reduce the risk, if I am not staying in major hotels, I would destroy the keys at home. What about you?

Jakarta Trip

I am very worried of the scheduled Jakarta business trip. The flood is still very bad, and I've received warning of water bound deceases. Water is not even safe for brushing teeth.

But business still goes on, so my meeting is still on.

I have to make a call by today or latest tomorrow whether I am going there or not. After the last incident with my boss, I dare not to even show hesitants. Headache...

Desperately Seeking Love Online

In the latest issue of the Synovate's InFact story, I found something quite interesting.

Twenty nine percent of the French and 21 percent of Filipinos have used the internet to find love, but over one third of people who aren't online daters believe only "desperate people" use the internet to look for love, according to a recent global study by market research firm Synovate.

French ranked no.1 in the list does not surprise me. However, I find it quite amazing to see an Asian country ranked no.2 there!

These are the countries surveyed in the study: Brazil, France, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Romania and the United States.

Singapore ranks the lowest of all with only 4% ever used the internate to find love. I think this probably is an underclaim. My childhood friend actually found her Singaporean husband through the internet, and she is now living in Singapore. Her husband is quite a traditional guy, but still the Internet hit him, so I guess the rate could be a lot higher than the 4%.

In fact, there are some good quality and free online dating sites available. The features are as a good as any paid dating site yet it is really 100% free. No credit card is ever required. If you are one of those seeking love online, why don't you pay a visit there?

Change Cell Phone

My Nokia cell phone is already giving me problems lately. At first, the loud speaker is not loud enough. It is also not clear. I often have to put it very near to my ears to be able to hear the conversation and to ask the other parties to repeat. I need to use the loud speaker very often during extended teleconference, which can sometimes take up to 2 hours to complete. Without a good loud speaker, it is very difficult for me!

Then, just before my Manila trip, my Nokia cell phone's loud speaker suddenly turned up okay, but the handset speaker became very soft that I can hardly hear anything at all. As a temporary solution, I have to turn on the loud speaker, and tune down the volume, to be able to carry out conversation in public (I can't be carrying on conversation with loud speaker in public, isn't it?).

My employer is actually subsidising RM800 every 2 years for cell phone or accessory purchase. But mine is not due yet. Another 4 months to go. I just don't know how to use this phone for another 4 months.

I've decided to get a new one soon, and to claim it much later - my boss said okay anyway (after she borrowed mine once in Manila)!

I'm now stuck with the appropriate phone model to buy. Unlike in many other countries, Malaysia's carrier doesn't give free phones like Cingular, TMobile, etc. There are so many free Cingular phones available online. Some are completely free, some have to pay a small amount, and will be free after a mail-in rebate. I am really drooling on those offered packages.

I'm not sure what my budget can afford, but I'm contemplating to get a Sony Ericsson. My considerations are easy - clear and loud speaker, to be used in my telecons. :)

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Locked in KL International Airport

Since returning to work last year, nearly everything has some incidents.

In my last trip to Bangkok, when I flew back, something hillarious happened. After landed in KLIA, when all of us rushed up the escalator to the arrival floor, we found that we were trapped behind a locked door.

More and more people jammed up behind the door, and the escalator kept sending more people. The small room soon was packed with travelers. The escalator is one-way, so we couldn't go anywhere else.

Some passengers knocked the glass door, hopefully the passed by security guards could notice us. Well, they did, but they just nodded and walked away (??!!). As it was late at night, the airport was quite empty and quiet, no other people noticed us. Everyone was upset and angry.

Finally, a young boy, about 9 or 10 years, saw us while he was licking his ice cream. His jaw dropped, eye widely opened, and then started laughing - as if looking at a bunch of idiots in a zoo.
And the laugh somehow infected all of us. We started to find this funny and all laughing out loud. Ya, now we are the animals in a cage for you to watch and laugh. (isn't it better than angry feeling?)

Of course, finally the door was opened and we left the claustrophobic room. Well, an experience that we can talk about, not bad!

Manila Shopping Spree

Recently I really have no luck with my flights. In my immediate last trip to Beijing, I ended up landed in Shanghai. When I came back, due to bad weather and air traffic congestion, we waited an hour in the aircraft before it was allowed to take off. And yesterday, my flight took-off from Manila, an hour later it landed back to Manila, due to some problems with the aircraft.

Anyway, this trip to Manila is really a combination of business and shopping trip for me. I had 3 evenings and a morning to shop. The things are so cheap in Manila. Actually I bought all my stuff in Shoe Mart, Makati City. You should go there if you are in Manila.

The only reason I couldn't buy more is due to luggage space. As I need to transport my breastmilk home, half of my luggage is occupied by my cooler box (the blue one). I stuffed my computer bag and the rest of my luggage bag to the maximum. If I don't have to carry the blue cooler box, I'd definitely bought more. :P

These are the items I bought in ShoeMart. I spent RM440 in total. What have I bought?





5 packs of dried mangoes (1 pack for each family) - RM21. 2 hair bands - RM8. 4 pairs of shoes. Superman slippers for Ian - RM8.50. HotWheel sports shoes with light bottoms also for Ian - RM53. A pair of beaded sandals for MIL (originally for myself) - RM35. A pair of evening shoes for myself - RM70.


1 set Army clothes for Ian - RM27. This pair of jeans cost RM58, and the jacket RM70. In fact, all things that I bought for Ian are not cheap, but they are quite different from those in KL. I like this brand Dickies which cannot be found here.


For Isabel, I bought these dresses. The yellow one (Moose) is RM11, and the white one is RM21. I'm not sure whether they are cheap or expensive, but I'm quite sure that I won't have the time to shop for them in KL.

One thing for sure is, their books are extremely cheap. A Disney book costs around RM5. I bought 5 books for 27.50 in total (RM3.50 x 2; RM5 x 2; RM10.50 x 1). Back in KL, one book can easily cost me over RM30!


On the last day, I couldn't resist the temptation to buy these: a huge piggy bank (RM 5.40) and a helicopter (RM 5.40) for Ian. They are just so cheap. I felt very bad for Isabel, coz almost all the things I bought are not for her, so I bought a bath duck for her (RM7).


Puzzles are extremely cheap too. This box of Little Mermaid puzzle is less than RM8. The rest ranging from RM2 to RM5. Seriously, I've never seen RM2 puzzle set in Malaysia with such good quality!

Ah! I also found these name stickers (RM0.70 each). I have been writing on Ian's bag and stuff with permanent marker. With these name stickers it would make it easier for us. I've never seen this in KL yet, have you? I bought 2 'Ian' and 2 'Isabel'. Luckily I named Isabel this way and not 'Isabelle' or 'Isabela', coz the name stickers have 'Isabel' and not other variations. :)

I'm quite pleased with my 'harvest'. Well, actually not all of them are cheap. Some (especially Ian's clothes) cannot be found here, I'm willing to pay for them. And some (like hair bands), I just don't have the time to buy in KL.

Next time, I'll be able to buy more, if I don't have to transport so much of EBM home.

Barcelona

Lately I re-read SanMao's (三毛) novel - Story of Sahara (撒哈拉的故事). She is one of the authors that I like, and the Story of Sahara is the book that I particularly love, mainly because all the stories are happy ones. Those are the days that she just got married with Jose. Books written after Jose died are quite gloomy. Well, I guess her soul has followed Jose... very tragic.

Anyway, when I re-read her books, it made me feel like traveling to the Spain. A lot of her stories with Jose were written around that country. I think Jose is a Spannish (can't be sure coz I always skip this kind of detail when I read. :p).

Though I feel like visiting the Spain, Barcelona doesn't seem to be a safe place to me. I've heard of pick-pockets, robberies, etc. Well, these could be just rumours, but the names are not quite good though.

And hotels are not cheap too. My colleague went there for the last Olympic games with her family. I've heard that some of the games could be seen from the hotels in Barcelona. Not sure how true it is? Well, this colleague is rich, so I won't look out for the same. If I go, I would go in budget type, maybe backpack?

Tony Roma's Famous For Ribs

I'm in Manila now. After meeting ended, I shopped for some toys for my kids. When I was done, I went into the Tony Roma's Famous for Ribs restaurant for dinner. This place was recommended by my boss.

I ordered its original ribs and a glass of green mango shake. In Manila, I only drink green mango shake fo all my meals. This is a very good local delicacy one must not miss. Wherever you go, you must drink it. This drink is always made of fresh and real green mangoes. It is sweet and sour, very refreshing, with all the real mango fibres. Hmm... yummy!

As for my food... I regret for not ordering the regular size (I ordered only half-ribs). It is just so good that once I started I couldn't stop or even slow down. I am usually a slow eater, but not on this ribs!

Before I ate, I wasn't convinced that it is nice. I still had some doubts when I placed my order. How can ribs be nice and chewable when it is grilled? That was what I thought. Usually MIL needs to simmer ribs for at least 2 hours to soften it. Grill? That is really questionable.

When I cut the first piece, before it was put into my mouth I knew I was wrong already! It was so soft, juicy and easily detachable from the bones. I could handle it easily with fork and spoon (though later I found out they actually encourage you to eat with hands!).

The marinate was extremely good. It was full of aroma with a little spicy. When I finished, then only I was keen to eat the side dishes. When I was eating my side dishes, I missed the ribs so much that I went back to the bones and digged out a tiny piece --> put it in my mouth last, to end my dinner!

I don't think it has any outlet in KL. I checked out their franchise website, Malaysia is not listed. I guess it is due to halal issue, coz it is pork ribs! :D

Aneroxia Changes Fashion World

How do you measure beauty? Must it always be thin and skinny like those models? Is it okay for models to be fat or fleshy? Would you still find it attractive?

The beauty measures now, based on those showcase models, are 'impossible to reach for most people' and 'can contribute to serious health disorders' such as aneroxia. Recent studies estimate that more than 100,000 Spanish women are anorexic and that up to half a million Spaniards suffer from various food-related disorders.

After a recent storm over the number of young women suffering from aneroxia, leading Spanish fashion houses including Inditex and flagship brand Zara agreed an unprecedented move to draw up a beauty "canon" including harmonising dress sizes.

The 12-point package of measures, or beauty "charter" -- drawn up with the health ministry -- includes a stipulation that shop windows display sizes of 38 minimum (size 10 in Britain, eight in the United States) and that size-46 apparel be placed in easy view in stores under the generic label "large sizes."

Hopefully with these fashion developments, it will eventually drive the society do measure beauty differently and healthily.

In fact, if you check out old Chinese drawings, those beauties were painted rather plump. If you read the story of the Four Tang Dynasty Beauties (唐朝四大美人), the Madam Yang-Gui-Fei is always described to be chubby (朱颜玉润). She was among the most beautiful women those days!

I believe those days the standards are different. If these skinny models were to be sent back to the ancient China, they would probably be regarded as ugly!

Also, in some African countries, men only like fat women. Thin women are considered not healthy and cannot produce good offsprings. See, living in the same century, we also have different standards. :)

Read the news in Yahoo!

Avatar

I've always envy other bloggers or forum'ers have very nice avatar. I really don't know where they get theirs, and I often worry about copyright issues and dare not to use those that I like.

Anyway, I found a site that offers Dress Up Games and the end results can be used for my avatar.

I've decided to get this one for myself as my (main) parenting blog comes in a butterfly theme. For this one, I used a fair base (body), a red hair, red dress (so I can look more energertic) and a pair of red wings. Not bad huh?


Some other examples of final results you can end up getting, if you choose a different dress and hairstyle, without the wings:

And some can come with background (which I don't quite need):

There are quite a few other features they offer, but you have to be a premium member (USD2 per month). Unfortunately I am very stingy, so I'd just settle with what I have now. Well, I think mine is not bad, right? With a little more time to finetune it, I will be very happy with it soon. :P

The other features include creating animated avatar and more choices for fashion etc. Though I quite like the animated one, I will settle with this fairy first.

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Parking Car on Slopes

NOTE: THERE IS A MISTAKE IN THIS TIPS, PLEASE VISIT HERE FOR AN UPDATE. THANKS.

I'm sure you've learnt about this from your driving instructor before you got your driving license.

This post serves as refresher to you, just in case you don't park on slopes often.

When you park your vehicle on slopes, whether your car is facing upward or downward, remember to steer your wheels to face towards the curb. This is to prevent your vehicle from rolling into traffics, if it does slide down.

Though this is a general knowledge and/or being taught by driving instructors, I always see vehicles (especially huge trucks) parked on slopes with their wheels/tyres straight or facing traffics.

I live in a city with a lot of slopes, and have encountered several cases where trucks run into parked vehicles and toward the traffics. Note: these trucks were without drivers, i.e. (supposingly) parked. One of my relative narrowly escaped being killed by one. In that same case, at least 7 vehicles smashed by that truck.

Is Your Computer Protected

When you drive, you use a seat belt to protect yourself from hitting into the dashboard in an accident.

When you ride a bike, you use a helmet to protect your head, and you use knee guard to protect your knees.

When you do mountain climbing, you use a rope to protect yourself from falling off the cliffs.

When you are on your computer, do you use anything to protect your computer from virus attacks? Do you check whether it is still updated and capable of protecting your computer from the ever-renewing and ever-changing virus threats?

If not, it is probably time to protech it with antivirus softwares. Why not visit the Norton Help & Support Forums to get help and get updated?

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Goddess of Mercy

Goddess of Mercy, Guanyinma, is now available online. If you have any problems, just visit guanyinma.com. Print out the 'fu' (spells), burn and drink the ashes with water, whatever problems will go away...

Well, the above is just a joke. But please watch the video below, very funny! I think it is extracted from a Singaporean TV series.



Translated Transcripts
Woman: Goddess of Mercy, please give me some advice. I have a son studying in a university in USA. He is sitting an exam tomorrow. Goddess of Mercy please help him to pass the exam.

Man 1: Alright, Goddess of Mercy said, take these 3 'fu's (spells) home, burn and drink them will do.

Man 2: Go to the back and get some 'flower water' to bath at home.

Woman: Let him drink (the ashes)? He is in USA now, how to let him drink? Even courier also can't make it ontime...

Man 1: Don't worry, don't worry! Now very advance already. Do you know what is computer?

Woman: Computer? Ah, ah, ah!

Man 1: You ask your son to visit this website, www.guanyinma.com. Ask him to print out the 'fu' (spell) number 3 and 8, burn and drink the ashes with water, also acceptable. You may go home now.