Hi Friends,
Today is the last day of 2009. The clock is ticking and we are getting closer to year 2010. What do you intend to do during the remaining hours of year 2009?
Spend it with friends or loved ones in a special place to countdown?
Spend it alone or with strangers?
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A 42" LCD tv in the Living Room
The tv rack and the 27" CRT tv were working fine for years. Since more and more LCD tv are available in the market and the prices becoming more attractive, J became very tempted to replace the tv. We hope the 27" tv will break down and at least, this gives us a valid reason to buy a new one as a replacement. But it did not happen.
During a grocery shopping trip to Giant in IMM, we walked past a furniture shop and saw a tv console that looked classy. After some negotiations, we got a discount and this new tv console was scheduled to be delivered to our home.
Prior to its arrival, we cleared so many unwanted things to welcome the new classy tv console eagerly.
The tv console sits nicely in the Living Room. The place meant for the tv was empty as the 27" tv was being put in the master-bedroom and the 14" tv used to be in the master-bedroom was transferred to the guest room.
This empty place did not take long before it was filled.
Since then, J "worked" very hard; not to earn any extra bucks but conducted his price and model survey on LCD tv.
He went to Best Denki in IMM and Harvey Norman in West Mall. He explored to AMK Hub but found that choices were quite limited. He went to Courts in Bukit Timah too.
The most trendy is LED tv which Samsung, LD and Phillip produce. This type of tv is energy saving (up to 40%) and slim. But only Samsung has 32" type and the rest are at least 42". I questioned the need to buy a 40" or even bigger tv. I worried about the electricity consumption. My current tv is only 27" and thus my choice would be a 32" type.
A LED tv does not come cheap. The Samsung 32" LED tv is easily close to 2k which is way beyond our budget. We concluded that LED tv is not for us at this moment. So we have to settle with a Full HD would do. This gives us plenty of choices.
After rounds of comparing, LG 32" LCD tv can go as low as $699 during a promotion. The salesmen advised that 32" tv was not that suitable in a living room. There were quite limited choices for 37" tv and the next available option would be at least 40".
In the end, we bought a 42" Panasonic LCD tv under cash and carry for $1099. I am unsure if it was a steal-buy. Just to continue my story, J and the saleman happily carried the big box of tv to the car. We were astonished to find that it could not go into the boot or even the back seat of the car. The delivery was not free and an additional fee to be paid for the delivery?
J suddenly had an idea; remove the box! Yes, the whole screen and the stand fit nicely into the boot of the car.
Now, with a new tv console and a new 42" LCD tv sitting on it, I think we are ready for the new year celebration.
During a grocery shopping trip to Giant in IMM, we walked past a furniture shop and saw a tv console that looked classy. After some negotiations, we got a discount and this new tv console was scheduled to be delivered to our home.
Prior to its arrival, we cleared so many unwanted things to welcome the new classy tv console eagerly.
The tv console sits nicely in the Living Room. The place meant for the tv was empty as the 27" tv was being put in the master-bedroom and the 14" tv used to be in the master-bedroom was transferred to the guest room.
This empty place did not take long before it was filled.
Since then, J "worked" very hard; not to earn any extra bucks but conducted his price and model survey on LCD tv.
He went to Best Denki in IMM and Harvey Norman in West Mall. He explored to AMK Hub but found that choices were quite limited. He went to Courts in Bukit Timah too.
The most trendy is LED tv which Samsung, LD and Phillip produce. This type of tv is energy saving (up to 40%) and slim. But only Samsung has 32" type and the rest are at least 42". I questioned the need to buy a 40" or even bigger tv. I worried about the electricity consumption. My current tv is only 27" and thus my choice would be a 32" type.
A LED tv does not come cheap. The Samsung 32" LED tv is easily close to 2k which is way beyond our budget. We concluded that LED tv is not for us at this moment. So we have to settle with a Full HD would do. This gives us plenty of choices.
After rounds of comparing, LG 32" LCD tv can go as low as $699 during a promotion. The salesmen advised that 32" tv was not that suitable in a living room. There were quite limited choices for 37" tv and the next available option would be at least 40".
In the end, we bought a 42" Panasonic LCD tv under cash and carry for $1099. I am unsure if it was a steal-buy. Just to continue my story, J and the saleman happily carried the big box of tv to the car. We were astonished to find that it could not go into the boot or even the back seat of the car. The delivery was not free and an additional fee to be paid for the delivery?
J suddenly had an idea; remove the box! Yes, the whole screen and the stand fit nicely into the boot of the car.
Now, with a new tv console and a new 42" LCD tv sitting on it, I think we are ready for the new year celebration.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
End of Year 2009
Just a couple of days more, year 2009 will go down in history.
As usual, I have mixed feelings. What have I done or achieved in year 2009? What are the areas which I could have done better? What are the areas that I have overlooked or need improvement? What are my new targets or aims for year 2010?
Health conditions of some loved ones have not been great and thus I wish for better health for everybody. With a healthy body, a lot of things can be done efficiently and effectively.
Isa will be in Primary 5 and taking up Higher Chinese. I wish she can handle her studies well.
My career path has not been smooth-sailing. I am expecting that call from HOD to come once year 2010 starts. I wish I have the courage and wisdom to convince her or delay her decision to post me back to HQ.
As usual, I have mixed feelings. What have I done or achieved in year 2009? What are the areas which I could have done better? What are the areas that I have overlooked or need improvement? What are my new targets or aims for year 2010?
Health conditions of some loved ones have not been great and thus I wish for better health for everybody. With a healthy body, a lot of things can be done efficiently and effectively.
Isa will be in Primary 5 and taking up Higher Chinese. I wish she can handle her studies well.
My career path has not been smooth-sailing. I am expecting that call from HOD to come once year 2010 starts. I wish I have the courage and wisdom to convince her or delay her decision to post me back to HQ.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas 2009
In year 1996, Christmas was spent on moving house. J & I moved to our current flat. This year, we had something special again for Christmas. We did not move house but almost.
To accommodate a new tv console which will arrive on Boxing Day, J has to move the current tv rack to elsewhere. The only possible space would be the spare room. But the spare room was filled with books, empty boxes and plenty of other things. J finally hardened his heart to throw away plenty of books. Isa also busy clearing her book shelves. She dumped many soft toys too.
We realised over the past 13 years, we have accumulated so much rubbish. There were so many things which looked familiar yet seldom used. If there is something which you did not use for 2 years, chances are you can dump it. This is my so-called motto.
Today, we merely offloaded some things but with the arrival of a new tv console, we are almost back to square one; one in and one out.
The tv has been moved to the master bedroom. The little tv used to be in the master bedroom has been moved to the guest room. J will start hunting for a new tv.
OMG, J plans for a 32 inch or 37 inch tv to be put on the new tv console! Another new toy to arrive at my home!
To accommodate a new tv console which will arrive on Boxing Day, J has to move the current tv rack to elsewhere. The only possible space would be the spare room. But the spare room was filled with books, empty boxes and plenty of other things. J finally hardened his heart to throw away plenty of books. Isa also busy clearing her book shelves. She dumped many soft toys too.
We realised over the past 13 years, we have accumulated so much rubbish. There were so many things which looked familiar yet seldom used. If there is something which you did not use for 2 years, chances are you can dump it. This is my so-called motto.
Today, we merely offloaded some things but with the arrival of a new tv console, we are almost back to square one; one in and one out.
The tv has been moved to the master bedroom. The little tv used to be in the master bedroom has been moved to the guest room. J will start hunting for a new tv.
OMG, J plans for a 32 inch or 37 inch tv to be put on the new tv console! Another new toy to arrive at my home!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas to You
Back home, we have been trying hard to return to our normal routine. The weather was the greatest contrast; from a sub-zero environment in Japan to an average of 28 deg C at home.
There was a flurry of activities: we attended an official dinner hosted by Vietnam. Since J has been overseas often this year, we have missed such dinner hosted by Korea, Japan and other countries. At the dinner, we met again soem old familiar faces. The gentlemen had a great time networking ie catching up with each other, and the ladies had a fun time too.
There was a trip to Farmart located at Chua Chu Kang. Uncle William gave a very interesting tour on this farm. He was humourous in his presentation. Both adults and kids enjoyed very much. We were treated with quail eggs and fried quail too.
Then followed by a bbq dinner hosted by J's colleagues. Again, it was another gathering where there was plenty of food and drinks. I am sure to put on weight as I have been eating plenty of rice/noodles in Japan. With the festive season round the corner, more food especially meat was consumed.
Tonight is christmas eve. As usual, we will be having our christmas dinner at D's home. D told me her menu for the dinner; again more meat such as turkey, ham, sausages etc.
I wish I can find time to starve myself but it seems impossible during the last few days of year 2009.
There was a flurry of activities: we attended an official dinner hosted by Vietnam. Since J has been overseas often this year, we have missed such dinner hosted by Korea, Japan and other countries. At the dinner, we met again soem old familiar faces. The gentlemen had a great time networking ie catching up with each other, and the ladies had a fun time too.
There was a trip to Farmart located at Chua Chu Kang. Uncle William gave a very interesting tour on this farm. He was humourous in his presentation. Both adults and kids enjoyed very much. We were treated with quail eggs and fried quail too.
Then followed by a bbq dinner hosted by J's colleagues. Again, it was another gathering where there was plenty of food and drinks. I am sure to put on weight as I have been eating plenty of rice/noodles in Japan. With the festive season round the corner, more food especially meat was consumed.
Tonight is christmas eve. As usual, we will be having our christmas dinner at D's home. D told me her menu for the dinner; again more meat such as turkey, ham, sausages etc.
I wish I can find time to starve myself but it seems impossible during the last few days of year 2009.
Conclusion : Japan Trip
I must blog some of my feelings after this trip.
The feeling is always pleasant to meet old friends after a break of about 8 years. Seeing the kids have grown up, I feel sad because I am growing up. Well, this is part and parcel of life. We all know death is confirmed once birth happened.
J suggested that he did not want to go back to the same places as we did in year 2001. However, we still returned to 2 places ie Ito's home and Asakusa Sensoji. Maybe for my next trip, I will drop Asakusa Sensoji.
The short path from Kokuya to Snow Monkey Park was memorable. J agreed with me on this part. We walked in a path with tall trees on both sides. Some parts of the path were covered by snow. The 3 of us have to hold hands to prevent any accidental falling. There was not a single bird chirping or other people. We walked and unsure if we were on the right track. What if the wild boar charged at us? What if we were attacked by some animals? What if we fell and no help was available? Plenty of "what if" which we did not seriously consider at that time.
While travelling from Shin Osaka to Shin Yokohama on the Hikari train, I asked the train crew when I would be able to see Fuji-san. He replied at 10.15am. True enough, slightly after 10am, we saw Fuji-san ahead and at 10.15am, it was right in the middle of the window of the train. We did not manage to get good shots as the train was travelling very fast.
The trip to Kawaguchiko was also memorable. Seeing snow-capped Mt Fuji at different angles and different times of the day also created a deep impression. At times, the peak was covered by clouds. At other times, the sky was so clear and blue, we saw smoke pluming out from the peak. The water in Lake Kawaguchiko was calm but maybe we were not at the right place, we did not see the reflection of Mt Fuji on the lake. We wish we have more time at this place because it was so different from home. No noisy traffic, no hordes of people, the feeling was so refreshing and relaxing.
Finally I saw the famous snow monkeys bathing in their own onsen in JIGOKUDANI-YAENKOEN instead from the webcam at
http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm
I have been viewing the above website since my Japan trip has been confirmed. I know it is silly to go all the way from home to see monkeys bathing. But this trip was coupled with a luxurious stay in Kokuya. Thanks to Zeno from Kokuya and Patricia from home, without their advice and suggestion, my family would not have such a memorable moment in Shibu Onsen.
The feeling is always pleasant to meet old friends after a break of about 8 years. Seeing the kids have grown up, I feel sad because I am growing up. Well, this is part and parcel of life. We all know death is confirmed once birth happened.
J suggested that he did not want to go back to the same places as we did in year 2001. However, we still returned to 2 places ie Ito's home and Asakusa Sensoji. Maybe for my next trip, I will drop Asakusa Sensoji.
The short path from Kokuya to Snow Monkey Park was memorable. J agreed with me on this part. We walked in a path with tall trees on both sides. Some parts of the path were covered by snow. The 3 of us have to hold hands to prevent any accidental falling. There was not a single bird chirping or other people. We walked and unsure if we were on the right track. What if the wild boar charged at us? What if we were attacked by some animals? What if we fell and no help was available? Plenty of "what if" which we did not seriously consider at that time.
While travelling from Shin Osaka to Shin Yokohama on the Hikari train, I asked the train crew when I would be able to see Fuji-san. He replied at 10.15am. True enough, slightly after 10am, we saw Fuji-san ahead and at 10.15am, it was right in the middle of the window of the train. We did not manage to get good shots as the train was travelling very fast.
The trip to Kawaguchiko was also memorable. Seeing snow-capped Mt Fuji at different angles and different times of the day also created a deep impression. At times, the peak was covered by clouds. At other times, the sky was so clear and blue, we saw smoke pluming out from the peak. The water in Lake Kawaguchiko was calm but maybe we were not at the right place, we did not see the reflection of Mt Fuji on the lake. We wish we have more time at this place because it was so different from home. No noisy traffic, no hordes of people, the feeling was so refreshing and relaxing.
Finally I saw the famous snow monkeys bathing in their own onsen in JIGOKUDANI-YAENKOEN instead from the webcam at
http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm
I have been viewing the above website since my Japan trip has been confirmed. I know it is silly to go all the way from home to see monkeys bathing. But this trip was coupled with a luxurious stay in Kokuya. Thanks to Zeno from Kokuya and Patricia from home, without their advice and suggestion, my family would not have such a memorable moment in Shibu Onsen.
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