Vizinity

A new beginning

2010-09-26T22:49:00.000+08:00

So many changes this year, I got married, got the confirmation on my BTO flat which will be ready in 3-4 years time, I got a new job, new challenges in a familiar environment.

And this year also marked the 10 or 11 years of vizinity.com, a some what persistent yet infrequent blog which I maintained. So it is time (finally) to make changes to this blog.

This will be my last post. Yes, my last post. or at least till i am ready to post again. In the mean time, friends, I will still be available on my facebook, and if you are not on it, you know where to add me.

I did it, finally.

2010-09-02T16:47:00.002+08:00

It is confirmed, I tendered my resignation to the company and I have been serving a flexible notice till end Sep. A significant turning point of my life as i have grown from a system adminstrator to a manager of indochina markets.

The days are long but the years are short. Looking back i see how i have changed, gained and losses too over these 10 years. The company provided abundance of opportunity for growth and now, it is time for me to look beyond current situation and reach out for new horizon.

Gonna start my new job on 1 Oct, which means no holiday for me at this transitional stage. this new job will still be a regional role with 75% of my time in Cambodia, the rest in Singapore.

Love to but can't expose the company yet but good to know that it is not liquor related, my liver is happy.

Wok Me: Stew Pork Legs [卤猪脚]

2010-06-09T11:25:00.000+08:00

This is my first time doing this dish in Singapore and there are many varations from the internet. I chose from a few recipes and gave them a little mix to match what i believe will be palatable to me. Turns out to be pretty good.

Serving size: 5-6

Ingredients:

pork leg (front), about 1 kg, chopped into sections
3 short Cinnamon sticks
1 star Anise
5 clove
4 tbsp rock sugar
8 slices of ginger
2 bulbs of garlic, do not remove skin
Salt
rark soya sauce
1 - 2 tbsp Sichuan peppercorn
dry chilli 3-4, depending on taste
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp chicken seasoning powder
1 tbsp of shaoxing chinese cooking wine

Method:

Boil the pork legs with 3 slices of ginger in hot water for about 5 mins, remove and throw pig legs into cold water immediate for another 5 mins, remove and set aside.
Add a bit oil in the wok and add in rock sugar, set on low heat till the sugar melt.
Add in pork legs, ginger and garlic into the wok and stir fry till the skin is brown, remove.
Add pork legs into the claypot, add dark soya sauce and water. Water level should be about 1/2 to 3/4 of all the meat.
Place star anise, cloves, ginger, garlic, sichuan peppercorn, dry chilli into a bag, tighten and place bag in the claypot. Add white vinegar, shaoxing chinese cooking wine, and chicken seasoning powder, bring it to boil.
Once boiled, turn to low heat and cook for 1hr
Add salt to taste and serve

Wok me: Potato Pork Ribs soup

2010-06-09T10:51:00.000+08:00

This is a very simple soup which i specially made for my little niece last Sunday as she simply loves soup! I usually do not publish the full details of the recipe (not because i don't share, but i'm lazy at details).. this time round, i am going to attempt.

Serving size 4-5 persons:

Ingredients:

500gram pork ribs
2 carrots, cut to cubes
3 small potatoes, cut to cubes
5 red dates
2 tbsp wolfberries (goji berry)
1 hardboiled egg, de-shelled
300 gram minced pork
Water
Salt

Marinate:

Oyster sauce
Soya sauce
Sugar
Cornflour
Egg white
Seasame seed oil
Shaoxing chinese cooking wine

Method:

Marinate mince pork with the marinate for at least 1 hour
Scald the pork ribs in hot water to remove the blood and other impurities, remove and set aside.
Place pork ribs, red dates and wolfberries in pot, add water and bring it to boil on high heat.
Add carrots, potatoes, red dates and wolfberries into the pot and set to low heat for 15 mins
Spoon the mince pork into ball shape and add to pot
Lastly, add the hardboiled egg for the little niece ;)
Once the meat balls float, add salt to taste and it is ready to serve

It is a simple to cook, sweet based soup that anyone can cook.

Wok me: Century egg and pork porridge [皮蛋瘦肉粥]

2010-05-30T10:05:00.000+08:00

Porridge is one of my favourite food to cook. It is easy to cook, healthy and at the same time i can practically throw in any form of ingredients into it like, overnight food.

This time round, since my sister and my niece is staying over, i decided to be a good uncle by cooking my little niece porridge. :)

I always start of with the soaking of rice for about 30 min to 1 hr so that the rice will breakup easily forming a more consistent texture later.

Next boil the rice with high heat till the rice expanded and start to 'crack' (about 10mins), then turn down to low heat and continue to boil for another 45min - 60 min. i use chicken stock cube to replace salt in the porridge. Previously i've used ikan bilis cube but the colour is not so appetitizing. Continue to stir the porridge at intervals till the texture you want then off the fire and leave it on the stove (covered) for another 15 min. Remember to add only hot water if the porridge in the cooking process becomes too thick.

Oh, you need to marinate the pork, i bought the standard grinded pork from NTUC and used about 100 grams, which is pretty sufficient for the three of us. Marinate with oyster sauce, soya sauce, sesame seed oil, cornflour, pepper and egg white

Depending how thick you like your pork to be, i always add the pork at about 10 min before i off the fire. Add in the 2 x diced century eggs just before you off the fire and i normally do not stir them in as it 'stain' the porridge.

Finally, to serve, throw in some chopped spring onions, fried shallots, dash of sesame seed oil and light soya sauce to your liking, and as you can see, i do not have any spring onion, but hey, that's home cooking. i deal with whatever i have.

Life of a corporate traveller #3 - Dont be hungry.

2010-05-18T05:20:00.000+08:00

if you are a glutton like me, buy supper after dinner. yes. simply because it is just safer, both going out on the streets possibily alone and losing your sleep.

sometimes when you are all alone in the hotel, food can be a great comforter as long as you are not doing it too often.

sometimes if the food can last, it can be breakfast, giving you more sleeping time in the morning.

chill.

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Life of a corporate traveller #2 - drying your laundry

2010-05-18T05:10:00.001+08:00

what to do when you don't have a heater in the room? you use any strong metal pole, in this case I use the shower pole: wrapped my clothes around it and just twist it. remember to change the way the clothes is wrapped aroun the pole to make sure you take off excess water as much as possible. this will help the drying process later.

luckily this time, in this hotel has a fan! so I learnt that clothes dry faster on hangers and in wardrobe ONLY provided you can create a circulating air flow like in the picture. I set the fan to blow at the bottom of the wardrobe, the wind will move out at the top, providing a constant flow which dry clothes faster if you have more than one set. trust me, this is better than having the fan blowing directly at it as this normally dries the clothes quite unevenly, with the area getting direct wind dries first. not good for overnight drying as you are not going to get up and change sides.

chilll

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Life of a corporate traveller #1 - washing your clothes

2010-05-18T04:58:00.002+08:00

life of a corporate traveller is my new series on vizinity which records a series of my life out here farming for a monthly pay checks.

I get a lot of envies about travelling opportunities as part of my work; part of the purpose of this series is to show you guys that it's not a bed of roses.

some background, I have been working outside Singapore for the most part of the last 4 years or so; most part of it in Vietnam and Cambodia.

anyway, first picture of the set. washing clothes in the shower, you wash your own clothes if you run out of it or the shitty hotel you stay in did not clean you room today. as to why in the shower? it saves time! you don't want to change to your new PJ and wetting them again anyway.

tip, always travel with a tiny bit of washing detergent especially if the hotel is not 3 stars and above. even if it is, it comes in handy when you clean your undies. yup, i don't throw undies to the washing system of the hotel, because I do not wish other peoples dried sperm to mixed with mine. or maybe that's just me.

Next picture, how to dry them in one night.

chill.

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Geylang cleanup leads to vice in heartland (MPs worry that these activities are moving to residential areas)

2010-05-05T13:39:00.000+08:00

Today's ST talks about vice.. look at the subject above, it did not mentioned anything about pimps or prostitutes, but we all know which vice they are talking about don't we? though i would relate more to the fatty food as more vicious then the prostitution.

Now the MPs are afraid that the aggressive cramp down on geylang and hourly rate hotels will lead to vices moving to residential areas.. err... no lor.. a bit stupid to think that any man would want to fuck prostitute in a place he lives, or even close to where he lives. i'm not buying milk you know?

well, i know i won't. what if the auntie whom watched me grew up sees me? "ah tiong ah, new girlfriend is it? wah, very beautiful hor.." or its not like one day on the way back home from from work.. i walk to the lift and hey.. a prostitute standing by the postboxes.. she says, 'qu4 ma1 qu4 ma1".. i go.. i'm tired, but hey its pay day.. cmon up to where i live, where my parents sleep next door.". that's not going to happen! if i wanna fuck.. i GO find one.. not fuck at the nearest 7/11 convenient store. that is not how fuck works.

So play safe.. go geylang.. the 'lau jiao' and many websites recommended it anyway, so cannot be wrong, plus I can always say I'm going for "cha kway tiao" or "frog legs" or "you tiao" .. no risks see.. so .. i think the MPs need to really go on the ground, talk to the pimps and prostitutes and understand how the business goes, what the market wants and etc. start an association of sexual services to regulate all these activities or something. If you destroy a centralised area of operation, they just have move their shops elsewhere to do the business in order to avoid being caught. they not going to close shop and call it a day.

MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Christopher De Souza says "'A longer-term solution to the problem is to not allow budget hotels to operate on an hourly rate. I can assure you that there would be great resistance if any hourly rate hotel tried to open in my ward.'

Err.. since when budget hotels = brothel? this highly educated (i assumed) brain has such a backward and perverted view on budget hotels? people can only fuck in budget hotel meh? 5 stars hotel no prostitutes is it? wah lew eh.. or only poor people cannot fuck? those can pay full day rate or go 5-star hotel can fuck. i thought only my grandmother generation will have such an opinion. budget hotel is the problem? hourly rate is the problem?? c'mon, it is like saying that casino is the root to gambling problem. we cannot remove prostitution even by closing down all budget hotels. really. think harder.

And you also don't go around telling the hotels to ensure that no prostitutes will use their hotel for the activities.. i mean, how do they think that is even possible to enforce.. "err Ms, are you a 'social worker?'" .. "err Ms, do you know the mother's name of this man whom i'm not saying that you will have sex with as a prosititute?"..or "Ms, please help to sign this I-am-not-prostitute declaration form" .. c'mon.. at least they are getting a room! what transacted mutually between two mature adults and as long as they are not doing it in the park, lift, or children section in the library, i don't see anything wrong with it.

the fact that there are so many prosititutes here is simply because of the increase in demand.. its all economics. more lonely foreigners + horny locals = more demand in sexual services.. plus getting in and out of singapore is simple. mas selemat will tell you that. we opened the flood gates to welcome the growth of population, shouldn't we expect all these to grow in demand as well?

funny.

Yvonne dumpy had a great fall.

2010-05-03T09:36:00.001+08:00

Finally i am back to full time work day for this week after taking one week of half days to look after yvonne.

It has been a week and Yvonne is now regaining the ability to do simple chores like showering herself, using chopsticks and going to the toilet.. unaided. But she still walk with her right buttocks as the kneecap is best not to bend.

Luckily the pain went away, replaced by itchiness, which is part of recovery, that means itchy is good.

Seeing her speedy recovery, i can't help feeling a sense of accomplishment (hey, i took care of her ok!). No lar, more importantly is that nothing too serious happened.

So if everything is ok, she will be good to go (work) on Thursday/Friday, with a little walking difficulty that's all.

Happy.

Sunday brunch fish porridge

2010-05-02T17:14:00.001+08:00

fish porridge
Originally uploaded by viz

My favourite food for brunch on a lazy Sunday. something that is not so fattening and nutritious at the same time, fish porridge.

This is the first time i try cooking fish porridge in singapore and boy the weather is hot. just wanted to said that. but really the fish IS expensive around here considering we are surrounding by water. about 500gm of fish burnt $15.00 in my pocket before i can even start my stove. if not for the graving, i would go for pork porridge anytime. (i only need 300gm of fish, 4 serving)

Anyway, i soaked the rice for about 20-30mins before i left for marketing, in this way, i save time in cooking them as i can wash the rice by grinding and rubbing them when i come back. kinda therapetic seeing the rice breaking into small little bits.

Then the rice and water in the pot goes on the stove on high heat, bringing it to a boil. watch it if your fire is powerful as you do not want to end up washing the stove when the water overflow.

But during that time, i did all the other stuff like cutting up the spring onions, ginger, fish, chilli (for soya sauce, because i like it)

after slicing the fish, i seasoned it with salt, sugar, pepper, wheat flour, 'Shao Xin' wine and throw them into the fridge to let the intercourse between the mixture and the fish take place.

Back to the stove, the water is boiling and i turned the heat down to medium and start the 'tedious' process of stirring. I took about 40 mins to get my desired level of 'dissolvation' at the rice dissolving about 78.38% (not that i measure) into the water, forming a smooth congee with visible rice bits. If you like 100% dissolve like the cantonese congee, pls, stir more.

Then after 40 mins of stirring, i added in 1/3 cube of the ikan bilis season cube for taste (though i prefer salt as the porridge will retain its 'whiteness'), but seasoning cube is what they are, seasoning, so the porridge does taste better.

Now the fish. I turn up the heat again and as the congee is bubbling, I added in the sliced fish, stir them up a little then threw in the ginger slices, chopping spring onion, cover the pot and off the fire immediately. Then i leave it alone for 20-30mins so that the heat from the congee will cook the fish to the right texture.

The result is pretty much what i wanted though i would slice the fish thinner next time round. the last two sauces i added before i eat are some drips of soya sauce and sesame seed oil. :)

My niece

2009-12-19T17:39:00.001+08:00

My niece is pulling my lugguage. Haha. So comical.

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It works!!!

2009-12-19T12:39:00.001+08:00

Swee steady! It works!

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Let's see if this works.

2009-12-19T11:19:00.000+08:00

Finally, after one night of troubleshooting, I've managed to resolve the directory issue due to the change of server and now my blogs are visible. Yeah! Now blogging from iPhone. Woo!

iPhone yes!

2009-12-18T23:48:00.003+08:00

Finally got myself a iPhone 3GS. not extremely excited about it as i was alreasdy playing with iPod Touch for some time now. it is just a iPod Touch with Phone and a shorter battery life. the upside is that i can be surfing virtually anywhere anytime for as long as i'm in Singapore (God bless unlimited bandwidth). As for the iPod Touch, i wonder what i should do with it since i've already resetted it. any takers? it is not free.

Will be heading off to Vietnam for my holidays with Yvonne (not (entirely) for work). Central vietnam to be more exact. will be in the mountains, enjoying the cool and fresh air part of vietnam which my work do not really provide. First oversea trip with Yvonne! something for our photo wall moments. :)

I'm getting married

2009-12-03T18:37:00.004+08:00

it is hard to swallow, sometimes it may even seen surreal, yes, the wild man is settling down, with a girl of course. and well, for those who already heard this news, yes, you are my close friend. and yes, i should feel happy, am i happy? checking again, yes, i AM happy. married to someone whom i dated exactly 6 months today. i think i'm insanely happy.

that's about all the updates on Viz.

same old thoughts pending on whether this site should continue or should i just move on to facebook posting. i need an inspiration, a theme, a mission, i need to change the world! oh well, maybe not.

till then.

Down with fever

2009-08-07T20:51:00.004+08:00

Viz is down with fever.. in cambodia, where there is just too many things to do, but blessed as he is, it is the weekend.

Viz is down with fever.. alone in the cold hotel room.. but blessed as he is, business partner called and send panadol, water and water boiler.

Viz is down with fever.. under 2 layers of clothing, he feels blessed that he is not feeling worse than now and it is probably not H1N1 virus.

Viz is down with fever.. though uncomfortable.. he is blessed with room service, remote control TV and working water heater for shower.

a new life

2009-07-21T02:58:00.005+08:00

Trust can either be earned or given. Today, I learnt that trust can not only be given as a gift, it can also be given in an instant, quicker than making 3-in-1 coffee.

Giving trust liberates one's soul which is trapped in the shadow of the past, destroy the demon which casts doubts, and free the mind from indecisiveness. Trust is the currency for relationship growth, without it, we can't get anything fruitful from relationship.

chill.

2009-07-09T16:57:00.004+08:00

viz couldnt find a suitable title to this post, perhaps he shouldn't have started a post without knowing what to write. viz got a new notebook, a netbook from Acer, Aer Inspire One. 10.1" LCD married with red coat of paint on the cover and keyboard. one word, nice.

long gone are the posts for food as viz is no longer living in the old house but now rented a room in vietnam, the most important cooking is in the form of cup. but the interest in cooking still runs in the blood. given any opportunity, viz will definitely cook. perhaps in ros's new kitchen he wonders.

viz is on a confirmed flight to cambodia next monday till sat. the old viz will without fail run a back-to-back iternary to vietnam for another week. but the new viz.. will have to fill half his life with another person who is losing half her life so that both of them can be complete.

Half year review

2009-07-06T15:18:00.002+08:00

6 months have passed. Many things changed. I'm happily attached now, and yes, i broke the myth that i will die a happy bachelor. Guess God has a sense of humour, the good kind one i guess.

Career wise has not been very fruitful compared to the time that went into it. got myself investing in two new businesses which is sucking me dry, both financially and mentality. but signs shows that the businesses are gaining traction and i will just have to bite through this period. taking new portfilio keeps me in the job and have maintained my travel lifestyle, new challenges are exciting and i'm loving it.

Just got my medical report, the only good news perhaps is that the situation could be worse. my liver is failing due to excessive drinking, doctor has banned me from drinking, at least for the next 1 year and see if the liver will recover. guess i will have to stick to milk next time when i entertain guests.

last but not the least... i'm alive. i'm living my life full. i still have a job. I'm gaining wisdom (white hair!). My friends still talk about my farts and burps routines. Guess everything is good.

Shopping!

2009-06-07T15:54:00.003+08:00

nothing really beats shopping isn't it? got myself some byford boxers and tees, hush puppies socks and lots of music CDs.. 3 doors down, David Cook, Green Day, Daughtry, All Amercian Rejects, Depeche Mode and Shayne Ward. Very obvious what kind of mode i was in. The rest of essentials like shaving blades and Davidoff Menthol lights.. all these and i'm 100USD poorer.

3 days earlier in HCMC, i was touched oh so softly down my back by the middle-aged lady whom in her store i sat for some breakfast. I was hungry, i can't go. The lady told my driver when he was paying the bill that i am a "dep trai" (handsome man). OooOooKkkKk. that explains the touch and the constant weird smiles. cant say that i'm not flattered by that comment. (cmon guys, i'm not brad pitt, i could use a little of encourage from time to time). hahah. but in the end i think it is the discount which make me hoped that the lady could have touched me further down. hahah. yes, i'm a breakfast slut.

work done!

2009-06-02T10:08:00.002+08:00

over the weekends i did my unpacking and sprayed holy water at the four corners of my new room. the living condition is pleasant, not excellent, just pleasant but it is as comfortable as what a 4,000,000 VND a month rental could fetch. decent i say.

I am surprise that my body is still surviving from the constant beating of alcohol, tobacco and compounding all that with 4-5 hours of sleep. I take naps now, sometimes deliberately.

Will be in Vietnam till the end of this week before i start kicking some balls (to start them rolling) in Cambodia. I always prefer my weekends in Vietnam as it is still relatively vibrant with businesses still running. Market visits can be conducted pretty easily. Cambodia on the other hand, i will end up touching myself over and over again in the hotel room watching repeat telecast of friends 1000 times.

Did i mention that i will be out for the entire month of June? Yes, i just did. ok.

Moving house

2009-05-28T10:45:00.002+08:00

after two years of staying in the house in Vietnam, it is time to move. Little that it occur to me till now, soaked in my own perspiration, i loaded tons to shit around. from chin-up bar, boxing bag to the forgotten Thai baht and Thai music CDs.. it is judgment day for those impulsive purchases combined with complacency.

i gave away as many stuff as i could in the past few months, brought back to Singapore appliances like blender, slow cooker and lots of air-tight containers (i have a fetish for air-tight containers).. but all those miserable efforts still amount to the now 5 big cartons downstairs which will need an army to move.

the best is yet to come.. unpacking.

back in Singapore

2009-05-15T17:37:00.003+08:00

For those of you who do not know, i am spending more time in Singapore nowadays. 1 week of vietnam, 1 week of Cambodia and 2 weeks of Singapore, or at least that is the official planning for every month.

I'm not trying extremely hard to fit in back to Singapore lifestyle again, but sure miss the 3 storey house with a full size kitchen which i can cook in, and car with driver back in Vietnam.

I kept my lifestyle in Singapore rather simple, revolving only around work, family, friends, gym and party. Oh, seems to be the same as most of you out there.

I contemplate briefly on whether i should continue to blog about nothingness while continue to hover my existence on twitter, blip and facebook. seems to be one too many already. then again, this blog says much about my decision. perhaps what vizinity.com needs a rebranding exercise.

I was told to look for enrichment courses in Singapore to continue enriching myself, which i find it easy especially i have 2 weeks in Singapore every month. I don't think i will have time for my degree program.

So all is all. vizinity will be revamped when i have time on my hand.

Not high

2009-03-29T11:23:00.005+08:00

have not been high for weeks now; achievement.

sitting under the radiating diameter of the table lamp are my textbooks and notepads, subtle reminder that my next assignment quiz is coming up, and prepared i am so not. the train of determination did not stopped by for the whole of this week leaving me stranded on the platfrom, wondering when am i going to start studying.

perhaps i should start drinking again to catch that train.

Twitter

2009-03-22T19:08:00.002+08:00

I'm on twitter! add me with "vizinity".

so not funny at all

2009-03-08T20:05:00.002+08:00

lessons learned:

1) do not climb and jump of any gate when you are drunk.

2) check whether the gate is locked in the first place.

speeding bullet

2009-03-08T02:27:00.008+08:00

the alcohol in my blood is speeding, breaking record speed so that the pain can be numbed, but in vain that i realised, my emotion does not bleed, it spurts like erratic water fountain. like the little pea which can be felt under the layers of mattresses, the feeling of lost could not be shut off.

Pride will be the strength i can gather, rounding bits and pieces of them forming a protective shield warding me from further attacks while i search in time for the antidote, any antidote.

I'm blessed, always, comfort comes in many forms, like a snake changing its skin, the morning sun with its subtle warmth and perceived hope, my battled skin shall be cast aside.

the simple word love, spins head and threw my unbalanced but stable life with its version of tsunami. i hate the disruption more than the void that now needs to be filled up once again. or perhaps all is the same. i yet to know.

health tip: eat your vegetables during sex

2009-03-04T14:08:00.003+08:00

obsession of healthy living is a practical joke builds on the hypocrisy of man cheating themselves into something stylish.

we eat big mac meal even when we know it could cost us over 1000 calories but we eat it anyway, only to make ourselves feel better by ordering a coke light.

we eat lean boiled chicken breasts fillet with butter fat laden cream over them, only to make ourselves feel better by the green garnish occupying 1/1000 space on the plate.

for 10 hours a day, we rush ourselves through work and traffic, being rude to people around us, curse and swear just because it is a raining day, but we try to attain inner peace through our daily 50 min yoga class.

we eat everything our tongue wants and believe that 30 mins on the treadmill will transform us into magazine worthy creatures.

peanut size effort to conquer our mountainous ability of self denial. that is us.

in the middle of the night

2009-03-03T01:41:00.003+08:00

Seated in the cloud of mumbling smoke where the silence of the night creeps strange messages into your brain. saying what the fuck? the blare from my yellow lighter lit yet another stick. a step closer to hell. each draw of nicotine through my cracked up lips sends the antidote for dysfunctional emotions to my blood. quenching the lust to feel. deadly as it is, it heals.

Driving the car of life journey. what is my rear mirror showing? we live in city of temptations, drifting and weaving through traffic of sins with half the headlights working. the road is long, filled with jingles and illusions to salvation. bells of angels and bongs of devils. where are we heading? who is driving? what is real? is real even real anymore?

The screens stares at me so blatantly, only me and my own words looking at me. what my fingers create through the qwerty is refreshingly mysterious to my brain. have i written all these? my brain is asking. or is the smoke mumbling again...

What's cooking in Viz's kitchen

2009-01-28T10:24:00.002+08:00

This is a delayed posting with dishes i made in vietnam before i went cambodia.. first dish is stir-fried potato with pork and 'chai-sim'. my first attempt of my mum's creation. score pretty well with my unofficial food critic, moses. a very simple dish (and cheap dish to make.

the second dish is also a first attempt, salted-eggs with bittergourd. moses said, "cannot pass". haha. the salted-egg is too "loose" and not "sticking" on to the bittergourd. But well, i liked it. haha. though must say that it can be improved. :)

3rd dish.. 'kong bao chicken'.. got the recipe online and it worked out pretty well. Must thank ros for bringing me the dried-chilli from singapore. absolutely love it. hehe.

Its a New Year!

2009-01-28T09:25:00.002+08:00

Perhaps, this is the most fulfilling one in the way that i've visited more relatives than any of the previous years. interestingly, they all know that i'm working in vietnam... which i'm pretty sure i did not broadcast it. the usual, "when are you getting married?" which i waved off with, "I'm gay".. did work quite well. hahah.

this year's horoscope says that it will be a stressful year for me and that it will take a lot more hard work to harvest what is potential for me end of the year and next year... duh.. which year is not stressful? which year don't have to work hard? hahaha..

Good news on the first day of work on the 3rd day of new year.. officially issued the certificate of shares holding for one of the company under our group. small shares, but i guess it comes across as a motivation for me.

this year outlook for me will be something like this:

- build up liquor marketing in vietnam and cambodia
- explore business opportunities in Laos
- manage retail and branding strategies for Osim

will be setting milestones for myself to achieve.. and last but not least, May this year of Ox be a fruitful year for everyone!

go slow

2008-12-31T16:52:00.003+08:00

why is it that when we need to drive very slow it is call "dead slow"?

isn't dead suppose to mean motionless? no movement at all?

i think we should call it "snail slow" or "snake slow" or "slug slow". these will make more sense.

just like how we call the post mail these days as "snail mail", we don't call them "dead mail" isn't it?

transportation in singapore

2008-12-31T10:43:00.003+08:00

being away from singapore made me appreciate singapore's transportation system.. well, the high cost helped too..

a trip on the cab two blocks down the street will cost you an arm and leg, sometimes budget airlines can even be cheaper.

perhaps they should have promotions like budget airlines.. "one way ticket to takashimaya for just 40cents!".. which is why i don't understand why my trip from AMK to Changi Airport cost more than then my air tickets. they might as well put planes on the roads.

talking about roads, its seems that no matter what you do, building more roads, more ERPS, COEs.. the moment you drive your car out of the carpark, you are in the jam. they always say that for the rich, time is money, but why the rich are using cars to move around at a slower pace wasting more time. MRT beats them almost everytime.

Maybe all of us should convert to riding a bicycle, its clean for the environment, it is good exercise, and you can get off the road at almost any time of your trip. and if there is any good looking chick cycling along side, you get to stalk her by looking at the tight ass from behind..

There are a lot of work to be done with the MRT, the compartments are getting smaller. in the part, the trains are only packed during the morning and evening peak hours, but now, they are packed EVERYTIME! and the authorities still say that the MRT is capable to manage the growing population. Who are they kidding, if I have to wait for 2 trains to pass me before getting into the train, then we are not ready for 6.5million people.

And i also don't understand why MRT allows bicycles inside the train? as if the train full of human asses is not enough we have to use the train to carry another form of transport. And why those buggers are bringing bicycles into the train? cant they just cycle the entire journey? they have wheels to start with.. man.. hahaha.

cheers!

my eyes...

2008-12-28T22:13:00.002+08:00

i wanted to type this post earlier but i couldn't as my vision could not allow me to do so.. i went for lasik, the first surgery of any sort in my life. a surgery which i thought will transform my way of life in more than one way.. and i was right.

having 24 years of my life wearing specs.. i woke up to a clear vision is almost a miracle in itself.. it is not the 'big changes' that makes the surgery worth it, but the small ones like.. not having fogging specs when alighting from aircon car, not needing to search for your specs in the wee hour of the night just to go toilet, no kissing of specs with a bi-specs girlfriend or boyfriend..

at this time of posting, i'm having about 85% of my vision back and i do not need to wear specs at all now..apart from words from the monitor still look blur.. the rest are ok. it is the after care that is a pain in the ass.. hahah.

Use people like wood

2008-12-12T12:39:00.002+08:00

"yong ren ru yong mu", this was told to me by a senior in Cambodia. yes, everyone is useful in their on way, if a person is teak, you must not use it as firewood, that will be a waste of its talents. Even the most insignficiant wood has it use.

IMO, corporate management is about leadership and not managing. when our staff are not performing, as leaders of the company, we need to ask if we have used the "wood" correctly. have we task the right wood to the wrong job?

Most managers mistakes in today's business is that they think they can manage a person. but the fact is, do you need to? we humans are born to be respond in achieving our needs. If we are hungry, we do not need any one to tell us to eat. if we are tired, we do not need any one to tell us that we need to sleep don't we? so, the same habit will apply, if we want to excel in our work, your natural ability will creates the processes and milestones to achieve it.

managing people is an impossible task, but instead, manage on results. everyone will achieve results through their own ways because the simple fact is that we are all different. There is no best way unless it is your way. and it is the process (ways) which you have adopted vs the outcome of your results create in itseld what we call, Performance.

too many managers are micro-managers who believe that they can control everything by controlling every detail process. Wrong. Do you realise that how often we want to hold on to something but will still lose it? How often you get want you want when you let it go? it is a fact of life. Which is why delication of job to the right person is so important to a manager; by doing that, you are managing the results NOT the people which is simpler and more effective as now all parties are looking at the same goal instead of having any party having to compromise which another party.

Today's life gave us an illusion that things can be controlled... but fact of life is that if we look carefully into everything we got, they are results of what we do not control.. your promotion.. can you control a promotion? No, we can only work hard to achieve what the company wants and the rest is up to your boss right? Your life partner? No, it can't work just because you want it, it has to be mutual right? Driving the car? No, you can drive it, turn it left and right, but that is because the car is allowing it to move isn't it, what can you do when it does not feel like working today?

so.. bottomline is .. save yourself some headache but manageing results and not people.. people are creative creatures which will find that many ways to skin any cat when given the opportunity.

(no animals have been harmed)

Finally it is here

2008-11-24T12:52:00.002+08:00

finally, after waiting for 1 freaking week, my box of WOW Lich King is in my hands now! *evil laugh*.

Baked Ribs again

2008-11-16T11:06:00.002+08:00

Oh yes, i did it again. but this time round with a slight difference in technique. I actually "steamed" the ribs in the oven by covering it with foil for about 2hr before remove it from the tray.

Then drained the juices from the tray, brush dark soya sauce and spread sweet and sour sauce over the ribs and baked for another 1hr to get that charred colour and slight tight texture.

i think this is by far the most successful ribs i've made. yeah!

what a face..

2008-11-14T08:06:00.002+08:00

this is a group picture of the TD gang during lawrence's birthday a few years back. how times fly.. i realised that when you get older, your group of friends' gathering gets smaller but your face gets bigger.. at least for me it is.

missed those days of mountain climbing, gyming and dragonboating. nowadays really can't find the motivation to do all those.

new phone

2008-11-13T12:20:00.002+08:00

got myself a new phone (because i lost my 2 weeks old new phone in a cambodia taxi.. !@#$%^)

new stuffs.

2008-11-13T12:08:00.003+08:00

I'm re-learning photoshop and picking up illustrator now. watch out for ugly graphics in this space.

very weird

2008-10-14T09:40:00.003+08:00

what do you do when you woke up at 7am and have a 8am flight to catch? my horoscope for the day read, "Somehow, you've got to avoid the temptation to worry too much over today's oddly stressful encounters. You're not seeing signs of anything to come -- it's all just random fluctuations."

What do you mean by random fluctutation?!?! but they got it right, yesterday was hell of a day. quite literally, i jumped out of the bed, absolutely no time for toilet and wash up.. i got myself dressed in speed of light and flew out of the house. my 3 levels of "protection" all failed, my mum forgotten to give me the morning call, the taxi driver felt asleep, and my alarm couldn't wake me up..

so anyway, got on the taxi and time read 7.06am.. i battled the usual CTE jam and switched to PIE which was relatively ok for the morning towards airport.. so, my second "oddly stressful encounter".. i got off at the wrong terminal. Silkair is in terminal 2, and at 7.25am, i was in terminal 1.. the taxi left and tell you, at that moment, i could really stabbed myself to death.. i sprinted like a fat ass.. towards the end of terminal 1 to catch the skytrain towards terminal 2.. some how the skytrain was not travelling as fast as before.

7.30am.. row 1 of terminal 2.. and the bloddy silkair check-in counter is row 11.. which is fucking at the end of terminal two, my adreneline could only carry me to row 4 and the rest was on pure air.. by the time i reached the counter.. 7.35am.. 25 min to flight.. totally shagged.. the counter couldn't issue me the air ticket as i was late for check in.. but after a few rounds with my not-so-pleasing spirit.. they let me in..

there was still no time to waste after the custom check.. i ran. walked.. ran .. walked..quite literally squeezing out my last ounce of muscle.. i can tell you.. i never felt this fucked for a long long time. and the day have barely started. luckily, the flight was ok.. but it is also when i realised that my watch has failed.. quite completely screwed i must say.

by the time i reached cambodia.. there was just no mood to work any more.. i've used up all my energy and spirit..

Yes, Still. Alive.

2008-09-21T19:41:00.003+08:00

Ros sent me an sms yesterday, "Testing testing, .... Still alive?" .. at least some friends bother to know. haha. my notebook was down for 3 days due to virus. and so i was on my usual weekend boredom trip, sitting in Andy's hair salon, flipping through my handphone's address book, hunting for names to be eliminated from my phone.

I reached a old friend.. let's call him 'Fu'. i remember him to be my best friend in primary school, we didn't really contact each other after primary school as we posted to different schools. fate brought us back during army time, which we met briefly in SISPEC.. in fact, i met another two primary school class mates in SISPEC days.. i wonder if there was any conspiracy.. anyway, then goes another few years of no contact, and about 3-4 years back, saw him in Shenton Way, and got him mobile number.. we promised to keep in touch, but that moment was how long the 'touch' went..

Anyway, Fu is the ONLY primary school friend i have on my mobile phone, and we have not seen/call each other since the 'keep in touch'.. so as i was saying, two things crosses my mind when i reaches his name.. how is he now? and should i delete his name?

i called.. yes, very thick face.. not like i'm selling insurance which then i have no choice.. and the fact that it is a trunk call.. makes it all so not worth it.. to call someone and start with, "Hello.. I'm your primary school friend, do you remember me?"... i just prayed that he dropped the number and horray i will delete the name.. since there is no apparent reason we would contact each other ever again. but No.. he answered.. sounds like him 20 years ago.. .(bloody shit.. so long liao)..

Conversation goes something like this:

Me: "may i speak to Fu?'

Fu: "er.. yes? speaking?" (i bet no one calls him by his old chinese name for a long long time)

Me: "i'm MC, your primary school friend.. do you remember me?" (i felt like a teenage boy here)

Fu: "err.. "

Me: "Ok, look.. i'm in vietnam now.. and i was flipping through my mobile number and your name came up, i was wondering if i should delete it or not.. so i called to see if you are still you.. we were in the same class in primary school.. then we met in SISPEC.. and i believe i got your mobile when we met a few years back in shenton way.. . you remember?

Fu: "er..r ohh ... yes .. yes.. i think i know who you are already.. wah.. you win lor..haha. very free har? in vietnam still call?"

the rest were some basic catch up on each other.. like he is getting married next few months.. scold me for not wanting to settle down.. and blah blah.. hahah.. so.. it turned out to be rather comical for both of us.. and we ended briefly (trunk call).. and promised to 'keep in touch' again.. and this time round.. i will make sure it goes to a coffee. two words, "happy ending". i continued to call a few more friends.. and got many interesting updates.. in fact a group of them were on a meet up and i said hi to all of them. haha.

I believe everyone of us stored hundreds of mobile number in our phone, just because we have every increasing phone memory. We networked thousands of friends on friendster and facebook, just because they are free and exciting. Believe it or not, few months back, i just became the 700th friend of a 19 year old girl.. can you believe it? 700th?? that is 6 new friends every month for 10 years from the age of 9! It will a nightmare if 10% of them start borrowing money from you isn't it? haha.

Yes, the world is getting smaller, we have means to facilitates our network.. but how many of us actually contact each other beyond what the technology can do for us? a friend is only a friend when you call and say hello, otherwise, it is just another set of digits stored in binary in your phone. Or another picture on the facebook.

Yes. technology like these are good nonetheless, but what are we as human being leveraging from it? What makes us think that technology can actually do the bonding for us? If so, where are we all going more apart instead? Yes, it might cost me a few bucks to call a friend who might not know me anymore.. but from another angle.. i profited from that few bucks regardless the outcome may be.. the bottomeline is.. the contact is made.

I still have fear of calling people.. sometimes, you just don't know what to say.. well.. i realised that you will never know because everyone is different. Just have to make that contact first and the rest actually take cares of itself. So don't be surprise if you get a call from me next time! Cheers!

Finally back to work.

2008-09-01T12:05:00.003+08:00

the weekend over singapore was great! caught "one night stand" comedy with Ros and Jx, an 'Ang Mo' stand-up comedy, very entertaining.. but it cost like $50 without free drinks.. ouch! More than 80% of the audience are ang mo, which makes us the singaporeans the minority.. the irony is that i felt more 'home' when in vietnam's pubs than in that pub that night.

Sunday was my little niece's birthday.. sometimes i wonder if the party was meant for the baby or the adults.. an one year old baby wouldn't know that people are celebrating her birthday till she look at the photos when she grew up anyway.. but well, everyone only has one time of 1 year old.. so.. celebrate it anyway.

carrie was showered with gifts she do not understand.. she chose a packet of pokka drink over my ang bao, and whine with impatience when grand parents from both side trying to decorate her with gold jewelleries... also my brother-in-law managed to came back for the occasion which i believe my sis will be very happy over. everything adds up to the picture of happy family..

now, in cambodia and the real work begins.. not that i'm not working when i'm back in singapore.. but real work picks up outside singapore according to what has been discussed in singapore.. so.. the month of sep will look something like this..

.. vietnam.. run anniversary promotion for the month of sep, detail planning for oct and nov promotion programs, prepare new outlet design and layout for approval, check on progress on new face, plan media launch for new face, increase sales.. reduce stock..

.. in cambodia.. run sep roadshow promotion, detail planning for oct roadshow, detail stock count on spare parts, defected products, demo products active products, move warehouse, start new office, implement new system, get money from debtors.. increase sales.. reduce stock.

Will have to finish all the list by next thursday before returning to singapore.. then stay over the weekend before going back to vietnam for another 2 weeks. i like to be busy with mission.

time to go part 2

2008-08-04T17:29:00.002+08:00

viz is sitting in his office chair.. rehearsing the fact that he will have to leave for Cambodia tomorrow.. perhaps is the family.. perhaps are the friends.. perhaps viz is tired.. he do not know.. but what he knows is that the usual excitement of leaving Singapore is not present this time..

this one week (re)connected viz with people and life which he has missed during his time outside.. however, he did not realised that having to leave everything again will be so disturbing.. this one week in viz's time felt like a wind.. feels good.. but cannot hold on..

Whenever viz is back.. things in his life change.. his niece can stand now.. his god-daughter can speak now.. friends getting into relationships.. friends getting out of relationships.. friends treading in relationships.. it almost seems that the only constant is viz himself.. still crude.. still crazy.. still stubborn.. still blogging.. but still incomplete.. with what? many..

viz knows that he had chosen a different path which he will probably have to face the challenges alone for a foreseeable future.. away from people who cared for him and people whom he cared. but he is glad that life has been kind on him.. he enjoys what he does.. living each day by each day.

time to go..

2008-08-04T09:21:00.002+08:00

after a long in singapore, i will be leaving for cambodia tomorrow.. many thanks to many friends whom have made my stopover here a very fulfilling one..

Money Not Enough II

2008-07-31T10:06:00.002+08:00

watch it. you will not regret.. Jack Neo outdone himself this time.. really. based on the political culture of singapore, jack neo focuses on love.. something which is very lacking.. its almost seems preachy, but its a good reminder of who we are, and what is really important in our lives. get ready tissues..

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-07-30T17:29:00.002+08:00

vietnamese curry chicken

chicken macaroni

braised pig's leg

steam crabs

my last weekend in vietnam was a feast! got moses over and he made two version of crabs, steamed and pepper while i did my braised pig's leg and cabbage rice. we messed up the kitchen but it was all worth it. :)

viz is back

2008-07-28T21:50:00.001+08:00

back in singapore.. a last minute thingy to attend a meeting.. should be here over the weekend. for bookings, please visit your nearest sistic outlet.

a post about nothing

2008-07-21T10:55:00.002+08:00

Ros was here over the weekend, and we spent time together doing things we used to do when we were both younger and 'wild' .. went my usual joint, Rio Saigon, for some drinks and live band.. did lots of shopping for food and cooking! So much so that Ros has to stay from eggs and crabstick for the next few weeks she said. haha. We tried movie marathon, but have to admit that we are not young already. haha.

good time pass fast.. and she left for singapore on sunday afternoon.. on a flight which is two hours delayed.. :P

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-07-21T10:29:00.006+08:00

3 Wang Dan!

Chicken congee

both are my first attempt yet again... always wanted to learn my maid's version of 3 wang dan and it turns out to be rather easy.. all you need are eggs... and the 'secret sauce' to be spread evenly on the top.. timely is important to ensure that you do not over steam the dish too dry..

chicken congee.. learnt a short cut how to accelerate the 'breaking up' of the rice grains.. getting it all starchy and 'congee'. threw in real chicken bones and dry scallops for flavour.. my driver ate it for lunch and dinner!

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-07-19T21:41:00.007+08:00

Braised chicken glizzard

my first attempt on braising.. and simply love it.. got a sense of satisfaction when ros and i tasted. heh. i always thought that it is difficult.. but in the end.. just with some simple ingredients the taste is simply amazing. the best part is that you can always reuse the stew by adding other meat.

Sichuan soup

first attempt too.. on a budget so no meat just bones to brew the soup. and since ros is here over this weekend.. everything is without pork.. and it tasted great as well.

vivian's birthday countdown in Rio Saigon

2008-07-15T11:32:00.003+08:00

I got lucky!

Andy got lucky!

Vivian got lucky! :P

the gin gang!

Vivian and Jessie dropped by HCMC for a short tour and also to celebrate her birthday.. we blew over 2 bottles of johnny walker that night.. and totally enjoyed ourselves.. lots of drinks and kisses exchanged..

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-07-14T23:54:00.003+08:00

Everything for 13 hungry people..

ok, i got crazy.. there are just too many people and too much work.. from ribs to soups. all my best cooking are in there. haha.

breaking record

2008-07-10T21:15:00.002+08:00

i broke record today. before 8pm.. i'm home. no drinks no late nights no girls. i'm home. looking at the freaking computer wondering if i just did the right choice.

i flipped through the stacks of DVDs on my desk.. all new, untouched, in wraps.. comtemplating should i watch them now or should i go for WOW. choices choices choices. if i'm not home, i will need to face this.. the answer will be just.. drinks. haha

maybe i should do just both since i have two computer screens here. heh.

Don't mess with the do.

2008-07-07T14:28:00.003+08:00

i told Andy (my stylist).. i like to shock myself a bit.. next thing i know, i sat on that chair for the next 5hrs.. from bleaching to highlighting and finally dye.. i even have to eat my dinner while i was being painted. but it turns out pretty well, I like the 2 tone color effect and the flexibility of changing the tones with gel or even water alone.. but my hair too so much damage in a day.. its not responding to my conditioner.. argh.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-07-07T14:09:00.002+08:00

Chicken heart with sliced ginger

my second attempt on this after consulting my maid on the recipe.. turns out to be rather tasty! chicken heart is pretty chewy.. giving it a very good mouth sensation. very simple dish.. some hua-tiao, oyster sauce, onions and ginger. that is it.

I love my job sometimes..

2008-06-30T14:18:00.004+08:00

It was a heretic two days event over the weekends.. but there is time for fun too.

life is...

2008-06-29T01:13:00.003+08:00

this weekend is a weekend of non-cooking :(

my gala event which spreads over the weekend is keeping my occupied. very occupied. learnt many lessons in business and also spread some money to understand the hard truth of the business world.

this morning press conference was a disaster, at least to my personal standard; a lesson which i've learnt, never ever let someone type your speech for you. nonetheless, it went on smoothly thanks to the emcee cum translator.

weeks ahead will be free from major events in vietnam but its time where cambodia will get my attention. and that is going to be more hell than this gala event.

looks like it will be August before i can hit home.

Buying a motorbike

2008-06-26T13:33:00.002+08:00

Viz is seriously contemplating on buying a motorbike here in vietnam.

viz..

2008-06-24T09:56:00.000+08:00

want to sleep.. .z..zzzz zz

Do it with one leg

2008-06-23T15:07:00.002+08:00

there are boastful people around us all the time.. everyone of us will know at least one person who can't stop starting a sentence with the letter, 'I'. They make you look stupid by saying, 'Oh, c'mon, you meant you don't know how to do it? I know that when i'm two years old!'. They just keep going and going on what their worst suffering as though your life is a bed of roses.. they just keep talking about how they have to kill a million people to be where they are today. They just can't wait to show you their battle scars.

And no matter what you say or do, these people just do not get the point that the conversation is not about them..

Try this next time at the end of their pride infested speech.. "Oh.. I can do that with one leg"..

"You know it too me only 5 days to get to the top of mount everest?"
R: "ya.. i can do that with one leg"

"You know i run 5 blocks and 70 flight of staircase to catch the thief"
R: "ya.. i can do that with one leg"

p.s. : don't anyone of you use that on me (i know i'm boastful.. hehe).. i promise you if you do, i will shut you up in the most uncomfortable position with just one leg.

chat log: Ros and Me

2008-06-23T14:58:00.002+08:00

Vincent Ng says:
cmon ros. u know i love all of u with all my heart.

Vincent Ng says:
cold cold heart. .

Vincent Ng says:
u guys bring the warm in me when i'm down..

Vincent Ng says:
gives me pleasure when i fart.

Vincent Ng says:
those look on the faces. .

Rostinah says:
idiot

Vincent Ng says:
the way u guys glasp for air

Vincent Ng says:
u have no idea what those meant to me..

Vincent Ng says:
haha

Govt doesn't make money from ERP

2008-06-23T14:02:00.002+08:00

I only have one thing to say.. "Go fuck yourself!".

Collecting 70 million from the INCREASE and 'losing' 110 million from road tax.. even thinking with my kneecap i also know that 70 million is only based on the fucking incremental figure.. what about all these while ERP collected? and the going-to-be income of total 65 gantries? you think singaporeans stupid is it? And saying that you also have to pay the ERP charges doesn't make you more Singaporean.. more with-the-people.. because it is our money which pay for your ERP idiot!

(ok, maybe more than one thing to say.. )

Jogger lost in MacRitchie Reservoir for 18 hours

2008-06-23T13:23:00.004+08:00

how screw up do you have to be in order to be lost in MacRitchie reservoir? and for 18 hrs? THAT, to me, is a major idiot at work..

a few fallen trees and that it? cmon, there ought to be a more exciting story than this? maybe say, he took a pee off the main track, while he was drowning the pee with his whistle.. he looked up and he saw a unicorn.. the mythical horny horse, yes, a glowing white skin, red eyes and a pair of feathery wings spanning 2m each side.. the creature seems to be peeing too he reckoned; one of the hind legs is up towards a tree.

bewildered by the extraordinary sight.. he reached into his pocket for his carmera phone, hoping to take a picture of it.. so with one hand on his still peeing dick head.. the other hand armed with the phone.. he aimed at the creature.. but at this point.. the creature looked up! it's privacy was invaded by a human, which for 1000 of years, no one has ever the creature, less when it was peeing.

blinded by shame which translated into anger.. the creature gave a thunderous roar and blazed towards him.. only half way through.. he struggled to pull his pants up as the unicorn is closing in.. he could see that the eyes are turning into fire and seems to burn right through him.. so.. he ran.. he pull.. lost a shoes back there.. he ran.. he fell.. got up.. pull his pants.. he ran faster.. he does not know where the fuck he is running to, but he just ran like his life depends on it.. deeper deeper into the woods..

he is not sure how long he ran.. but by now.. he is wet. from the half done pee and own perspiration.. he is tired.. slowed down.. now.. his deep and distorted breathes are the only persistence he can hear ringing in the woods.. his heartbeat forming the bass to his panting.. he wondered.. 'where is the creature?'.. he turned his head slowly, using the corner of his eyes.. he surveyed, now the dark forest.. its gone!.. longer there.. as mysterious as it appears.. now its gone. leaving him lost.. it felt like a dream.. was that unicorn real? he might never find out again..

see? isnt this better? what the fuck such news needed to be published on the ST? its monday for god sake.. put something news worthy!

two wrong smses

2008-06-23T11:57:00.002+08:00

what are the chances that you received 2 smses which are not intended for you almost immediately between each other and from 2 different persons??

i'm going to buy 4D.

army guys

2008-06-23T10:48:00.003+08:00

i don't know if anyone of you have any experience with a regular officer in the arms forces.. no one conversation goes without mentioned what happen in the camp.. its always like..

"hey, you guys heard about the new phone with 10 megapix camera.. so cool!!"

"my job is classified and the security of the camp is one of the strictest in singapore.. "

they also like to mention their superior ranks, names and their abbreviated appointments like we should know them like that..

"you know my CO Major Teo LJ, the head of G6 mindef .. sibeh crazy one."

And of course, everyone's 'time' in army is the worst or all worsts...

"aiya, your survival course is nothing lar.. during my time.. we have to do it on one leg.."

:)

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-22T17:21:00.003+08:00

Fish fillet

today's fish is fresh (it is fresh every time) :P . can't get off with yesterdays receipe of the frying powder, so decided to get it on the fishes today. turn out to be ok, i might have did a drop of liquor too much in the mix though. haha. but apart from that, it is fairly crispy.. really feel like buying a deep fryer now. haha.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-22T17:14:00.004+08:00

Chinese Herbal - Anti-cough

my first attempt with NTUC pack of chinese herbs! managed to use a standard pack for 4 servings and expanding it for 5-6 pax. just add more pork/chicken bones for taste. noticed something that the longer you brew it, the sweeter the taste gets.. should have got the dried mandarin out earlier i think. i need not put in the whole chicken, but instead, drumsticks, that is more appealing. Oh, must must must remove the skin of the chicken to prevent the soup to get too oily.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-22T17:03:00.003+08:00

Mixed cabbage rice

really do not know the name for this, but recipe is again from my mum. heh. first time doing it, and it is a disaster! too watery! couldn't get the amount of water right, though the taste is not affected too badly. edible!

a little trouble doing this dish because you have to cook the ingredients first, then add in the washed rice, stir-fry and transfer again to rice cooker. that is where i screwed up.

Ingredients are pork (can be replace with other meat), mushrooms (those dry types, more 'fragrant'), some carrots and lots of cabbage (because that is the main taste), some garlic and onions. Seasonings i've used are, soya sauce, dark sauce, and salt.

i believe (not tested) that the amount of water should be just covering the top of the rice stack. will have to try again.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-21T15:11:00.003+08:00

Calamari!

Yes! this is a totally new experience.. i'm pissed at Bwerkz charging obscene prices for their calamari (actually all restaurants over charged their calamari).. some deep fried powder, add pepper, chicken seasoning powder, salt, corn flour, eggs and sugar, beat all of them into a thick mixture and just dip and fry. and you can practical dip and fry almost anything.. well, i dumped in hot dogs too.

the difficult part if the temperature and timing of frying. my best results comes from medium fire deep fry first then raise to high heat for the golden finish. :)

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-21T15:04:00.003+08:00

Carrot soup with cuttle fish

A recipe i 'stole' from mum during my previous trip back home. Dried cuttle-fish with pork bones, radish and carrots. very simple and the only seasoning you need is salt. and oh, i add the red dates for colour. heh. taste pretty good..

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-21T14:55:00.004+08:00

Sichuan veg with pork

this is another hahal potential dish which the pork can be replaced by chicken. pretty easy dish with just sichuan veg, meat, some garlic and chopped chilli if you like it spicy. some oyster sauce, sugar and thicken the dish just before serving.

a poem to share..

2008-06-20T11:44:00.003+08:00

Do your max

2008-06-18T02:49:00.003+08:00

what i have learnt today...

"when you think that you have reached your maximum ability, you still can do 30% more.. "

Life is about continuing renewing ourselves to stay ahead in no matter what we do. Life is a race, you either die and stop or you run faster than everyone else. No two way about it.

2.5 years ago, when my boss asked me why i want to take up a new role in the company.. my answer was to find how far i can go, what is my limit.

Today, by the help of many friends and support from my family, i am still on that quest, which brings me to realise that there is no 'real' limit of oneself, the limit is only an arbitrary 'ceiling' which you fall, and then learn how to pick up and move ahead to the next breaking limit.

what a trip?!

2008-06-15T18:35:00.002+08:00

this trip back to Singapore was a brief one, but nonetheless the most fulfilling till now. i managed to meet up with most friend dearest to me, spent two weekends with my family, playing with my little niece, she is growing strong and naughty. caught countless of movies.. or at least it felt like countless.. 3 movies in a day, countless, accompanied by ros, priceless..

got to 'celebrate' law's birthday if that can be called celebration, more like a simple gathering, reminding how long we have been friends already, and how much things can be simple yet the presence is sincerely felt, presents don't even need wrapping any more. (ros will not agree to this, mlm)

Last friday, my company organised a small gathering and the main attraction is WINES! (at least for me).. i had loads of it and managed to stay sober through law's gathering.. there is a new colleague (female, which otherwise wouldn't worth this mention).. slim but contoured.. tall .. sweet smile and short school girl hair.. i thought she would be around 23-24 years old, but man, i was reminded how time can be cruel.. she's only 19!! wah! when i first joined the company, i was only 23 and i'm the youngest.. now.. sigh.. haha.

managed to get to the PC show at suntec after like brushing through bushes of people, i think the entire singapore population is there. and if the government is not kidding about the 6.5 million population, i will walk with a chainsaw when the time comes. amazingly i managed to buy nothing, yes, you heard me, me.. bought.. NOTHING. i am broke that's why, i was there to help my IT idiot colleague to choose a laptop and to shoulder rub any willing breasts which comes in my way, men and women alike. beggars can't be choosers.

i will be leaving for vietnam this coming wednesday and it should be for about 1.5-2 mths trip with in between flights to cambodia and perhaps macau for a leisure trip with some friends.. just for some getaway. friends who might want to drop by vietnam/cambodia, feel free to contact me ahead of your schedule.. i need to arrange for personal evacuation. :P

everyone is asking me to get a girlfriend... my grandmum, my mum.. i am dead sure that if i don't do it soon, i will be labelled gay very soon (not that i have a problem with that) but i am just not ready. not because of the past relationship (serious) and i promised myself to devote building my career and die die mst finish my final module for the degree course. women.. i have not met one whom will give me the "wah!" feeling.. most of them could only manage to give me the "wooh" feeling.. till then, i will prefer non-exclusive relationships.

chill.

The day before cambodia

2008-06-08T20:38:00.000+08:00

This trip back home has been a very satisfying trip i must say. Dinner with vivian who has always been supportive.. dinner at roy and shirley place, with my god-daughter, amazing time which money cannot buy.. it has been a long time since we drink and talk like that, and oh, roy's mum makes delicious ba-chang.

Then comes the dinner with ros, which is an exhausting one.. and finally, last night with the gin gang and i finally caught a movie on big screen.. Kung-Fu panda.. love that show, full of humour, and the typical old style kung-fu story.

tomorrow, i'm departing for cambodia and have to be at the airport by 6.30am.. man.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-05T10:11:00.003+08:00

Black bean long bean + chicken meat

Another hahal potential food for Ros. i 'cheated' a little this time by not going through the whole process of making the blackbean sauce mix, i bought Lee Kum Kee, Black Bean Sauce.. very tasty as well. very simple dish.. just some garlic, then the chicken goes into the work.. with the black bean sauce, when 70% ready, add the long beans (which were previously boil with water), stire-fry and serve.

Back in Singapore

2008-06-04T23:44:00.003+08:00

Back in Singapore and will spend the next few days in office and meeting up with friends. Unknowingly, i have been away for nearly two months i think, did not count, everything was just a flashing blur.

Met up with vivian for dinner with shifted from Changi Airport because she couldn't make it and we ended up in the food court in AMK hub. it has been months since we met and we chatted candidly about our lives in two different countries.

She also indicated that i'm too 'free' to start a anti-government site.. haha. my reply was simple, i did not insult anyone, but merely stating what i like and do not like about MY country.

Anyway, Singapore Boleh is not about going against the government, rather it is a channel for my socio-political expression to be a alternative means of information to anyone.

She warned me to be careful and watch what i write, otherwise i will get into trouble. So typically accountant.. very safe. hahah.

The climate of fear in Singapore is real, very real, no one want to be associated with such risks which will put them into a situation where they will lose everything tangible. It is not just a risk which normal people can cope with, at least not in Singapore yet due to the unbalance and strong-hand method in 'fixing' alternative views (views which are not LKY/PAP)

I'm not sure how 'deep' i want to get myself involved.. but for now, it is morally and blogging support. :)

for those friends who know me, it is not unexpected that i will do this..

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-06-02T10:54:00.003+08:00

Sweet and sour fish..

i know i did this before, but this time was a better version, tastier, and more colourful! and Ros has been complaining about not having Halal food.. so this dish has the potential of being halal..

Back again..

2008-05-30T10:04:00.000+08:00

i can't believe it. the diarrhea is back! !@#$%!!

Viz will be back..

2008-05-28T11:38:00.000+08:00

It is official. Viz will be back in Singapore from 4th June - 9th June. Please sms your booking asap. :) (charges may be applicable for sms by mobile operator)

Back to high..

2008-05-27T10:04:00.003+08:00

Finally my diarrhea stops, an enduring 1 week of almost 'camping' in the toilet. So, it is back to the drinking days! Drowned in 2 bottles of Gin last night..

Now, i'm hanging with the hang-over in my office, with Jay Chou singing for me in the background, somehow he sings with a hang-over-tune too. haha.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-26T12:20:00.006+08:00

Stir-fry Cabbage

Just in case you guys thought that i'm a carnivore, every meal is not complete without vegetables. A very simple dish. But just be careful on the chopping up of cabbage as the 'thicker' parts need to be chopped finer than the more 'leafy' parts to ensure they can be equally cooked when you cook stir-fry them together.

Alternatively is to of course add them at different intervals with the thicker ones going in first. The carrots are also suppose to be cut into similar 'pattern' to ensure the food is not 'disturbing' to the tongue when put inside the mouth. Added mushrooms for the chewiness.

the only taste mix i used are garlic and oyster sauce.. very simple but taste great. In fact, everyone like this more than the ribs.. not sure if i'm entirely glad with that.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-26T12:11:00.004+08:00

Bai-Ku soup.

The closest imitation to my mum's cooking (i actually called and blackmailed her to steal the receipe.. hehe. no lar. she was more than willing to pass on to me). All the bones used for the soup are throughly washed to get rid of the blood which will otherwise "stain" the supposedly clear soup.

Big bones and sweet corn are boiled for about 30 mins before the rest like carrots and ribs are added, which then continue to boil for like 1-2hrs and before serving, add in the fish balls if you want. I also added some chicken bones for a sharper taste. I think mum will be proud of this imitation product. haha.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-26T12:05:00.005+08:00

Bitter gourd with Chicken meat.

Bought Lee Kum Kee-Black Bean sauce and just to have try it. So instead of pork, i used chicken meat this time, and it tasted just as good. but it will be good to note that the bitter gourd should go into the wok before the chicken as it takes longer for it to get soft than the chicken getting cooked. The sauce is a bit overwhelming here and the mushrooms adds a little chew to the dish.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-26T11:41:00.005+08:00

Honey Garlic Spare-Ribs

2 hrs of baking and a quick stir-fry with sweet sauce. Amazing aroma though the meat was a bit dry as i do not have a extra pan for water to increase humidity in the oven. Nonetheless, a satisfying first attempt. the marinating mix is complex which includes, honey, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, soya sauce, coconut brown sugar, pepper, freshly chopped garlic and etc, leaving in the fridge for 1 day before baking.

Weekends...

2008-05-23T11:47:00.004+08:00

The weekend is finally around the corner, but the week long diarrhea has washed the colour off Viz.. constantly tired due the loss of fluid.. drinking gallons of water have not helped. The medicine is not helping too. He felt that he can just collapse at any moment.

Work is still work. Viz is still at work. His boss will be arriving following Monday, and hopefully Viz prayed that the watery business will be over...

This Saturday, unlike other Saturday, Viz will have to work early in the morning through the afternoon.. that means no chance for Viz's cooking except on Sunday. Viz is searching the internet for interesting recipes.

Any special orders?

Procrastination

2008-05-23T11:35:00.002+08:00

this is cool..

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-19T20:07:00.004+08:00

Spare-ribs bitter gourd soup

You gonna love this, pork big bones boil for hours with, spare-ribs, carrots and chicken bones and skin (the favour is simply fantastic, but a bit oily though). Only place in the bitter gourd just before your about to serve. Oh, the fish balls are optional.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-19T18:14:00.005+08:00

Spare Ribs with Bitter gourd

Pork ribs stir fried in black bean paste (similar to the tofu version, only sweeter).. requires careful stew to ensure that the meat gets fully cooked. Bitter gourd is a great addition to this dish as the strong sauce mellowed the bitterness in the bitter gourds making an easy dish even for those who dislike bitter gourd.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-19T11:37:00.007+08:00

Black Bean Tofu with Minced Pork

Smooth Japanese tofu lightly stew with black bean paste stir-fried with minced pork, ending with spring onions as garnish.

A very easy dish but the preparation of the black beans paste (together with shallot, chilli, garlic) requires washing and pounding.. one can buy those ready mix in supermarket nowadays.

What's Cooking in Viz's Kitchen?

2008-05-19T10:37:00.004+08:00

Sweet and Sour fish

fresh fillet purchased in the same day morning was cut, deep fried and then stir fried with fresh tomatoes, pineapples, onions. Coat with a layer of sweet sour tomato sauce + pasta sauce gives great favor.

He is down..

2008-05-16T13:46:00.002+08:00

Finally, the body couldn't take no more; Shivering in room temperature, he might have caught a cold, and the diarrhea for two days did not leave him as he wished. And new to the "pain-list" his bones are tingling with aching sensation, he could not focus on conversation because the head is too heavy and the eye are on "Screensaver" mode, and he is constantly thirsty.

Viz is back home, waiting for the fish porridge to be done and before popping two panadols for the day. Tonight, will be one of those rare nights which Viz do not drink..

The pain is still there

2008-05-14T10:00:00.002+08:00

Viz body is still screaming from the residue of body combat, he is not enjoying the pain exactly but today he knows he has to continue the routine, torturing his body till it wants more.

Mid-week and the weekends look tempting, Viz is already planning what to cook over the weekends. 'Bah Ku Tay? Lemon Chicken? Tom Yum Soup?', Viz thought deliciously.

The background is stomping with Dance tracks in Viz's attempt to break the sleepy spells. it works, but the adverse effect that it distracts him from doing real work.

Monday!

2008-05-12T09:44:00.002+08:00

Once again, it is Monday, and Viz is pissed at a senior, Stan, for undermining Viz's workload and always assuming that Stan himself always got the worst shit of them all. 'Oh, your job is easy, previously i have to handle this and this, and no support.. blah blah blah'. Viz has heard these 'justifications' a thousand and one times and today, being a Monday, Viz do not have the patient to just sit there like shooting ducks especially when Viz is not even complain about this own job to start with.

'Well Stan, you think wrong, my job is now what was previously yours and has since evolved when you gave up 8 months ago.' and Viz was short of saying,

'Hey loser, since the time you left 8 mths ago, the number of outlets has grown by 150% and the products lines by 300% with the addition of Cambodia as a new market also under my pissing umbrella. So if you still think that whatever you did or do now is always more difficult that others, then the problem is not the job, its you! and oh ya, my job also include answering phone calls from your wife in Singapore who is tracking you down like an escape convict.'

Of course, that would means the end of the relationship, and Viz managed to just keep quiet after Stan got the point from the first sentence.

in the gym

2008-05-11T17:33:00.002+08:00

Viz found himself in a place once so familar, but now so distant. he used to dressed in tight dri-fit nike singlet with nike shorts complete with nike gloves.. clashing iron plates with the rythm of the techno beat.

Now, the same techno beat, a different country, the same equipments, a different Viz; dressed in cotton OSIM T-shirt, Army black shorts, Mizuno tracks shoes (new!) and the same stinky nike gloves, Viz is no longer pumping iron, but the iron plates trying to squeez those fats out. yes, 20 kg of fat is what was laden after 2 years of outstation. Viz wonders how long will it be before he regain some form of 'form'.

Viz has been working out for 1.5hrs and the body combat class is about to start. Body combat, Viz favourite class of all time, it is powerful, action and full of pumping breasts.. yes, Viz would respond with a hairy belly of fats.

Busy busy busy

2008-05-06T11:41:00.003+08:00

Viz was in a good mood yesterday, today's mood meter is still pretty sustainable. He is rushing through all the stuff before he depart for Cambodia to face yet another round of knots for the next 3 days.

Looking at the scraps on his table, Viz wonder the 'war' is ever gonna end. Viz is still trapped in the development of more than 5 stores all happening at the same time. This would inevitably the most demanding time for Viz since taking up this job.

How to stay alive is at the top of Viz priorities now.

Yawnzzz...

2008-05-05T10:00:00.002+08:00

Viz yawned as he entered into his cell yet another week has began. but today felt different for him, strange sense of energy and vibe ready to work despite the fatigue body trying to recover from a week of drinking.

The previous week passed pretty fast and tomorrow Viz will be heading to Cambodia for 3 days to tie some knots and to release some knots, before returning to HCMC for the rest of the month.

It is May now, '4 freaking months have passed' he confirming the obvious fact. Long 4 months of 2008 for Viz as he weathered the tons of work which is still adding on. He is still breaking limits which he thought would have left him dead by now.

'A new week, a new start!' he exclaimed to himself just to feel motivated a little more than this.

double strike

2008-05-03T13:12:00.002+08:00

Viz loves knife, he just got one, japanese knife, adding on to his previous two knives, this one is primarily used for slicing meat, and yes, its slices meat so cleanly that viz didn't realised that a small slice of his index finger was mixed with what now-marinated pork. blood and pain were not even immediately obvious, viz believes that this blood vessels were in shock, 'oh.. Ohh.. Ohh!!!, damn! we are cut, blood bros... OOozzzeee!!'.

But what makes Viz day is that during cooking his weekend dose of fish.. one drop, just one drop of hot oil from the wok spilled directly on the cut wound.. the pain was like having his balls deep fried, only its on that little index finger. 'I should have kept the plaster on', he cursed..

Anyway, Viz like to cook, so much so that he cook for friends on weekends now. he thought of shooting down all the dishes he made over the weekends and post it online. 'But that means i will have to buy a digital viewcam, one with the latest technology, 1000x zoom lens, anti-heat and vibration and what nots', he wondered if such an 'investment' will have attract readership.. perhaps, Viz just wanted a viewcam that's all.. he is not sure, but he knows that there is only one way to find out.