Happy Ox Year

Wish all the readers,
Happy Ox Year!

New year new aspiration, hope your new year would be smooth sailing and peaceful.

Economy news dominate the news headline nowadays. The economy might get worse before it gets better. The impact of inflation hasn't really recede, now we have to brace ourselves for recession.

I went to foodcourt or shopping mall. I found that the prices didn't really come down. People are still selling at the old price. The rent is also at high level. We are paying more but expect to earn less as company business reduces. How ironic it can be! We are the sandwich generation. Do spend when necessary and when you can. Say no to the unreasonable food price!

Forget about the economy and celebrate the new year

The economy news dominate the news headline these few months. The economy slump is inevitable now and more surprise might be coming our way. How should one behave in this environment? The Chinese New Year is around the corner, and everyone is busy buying new year stuff.

At this juncture, just focus on the new year celebration and forget about the economy. Economy good or bad, we really have no control. Just make sure you work hard enough so your boss does not have reason to retrench you. For the rest, just leave it to god.

If you have spare time, maybe take this opportunity to do some short courses or reading. You never go wrong in knowing more.

Cycle along Bedok park connector

Fear not, I already enrolled in the coming Cycle Singapore 2009 on 22 Feb. I took part in the 40km competitive category, thanks to my colleague's persuasion. The day is approaching, and four of us haven't really start training! But, it is too late to back out already, since the money is already paid. The only way is to gear up and take on the challenge.

So, today I went to Sun plaza park to rent a bike for practise. This bike rental shop opened not long ago and the rate is $5 for two hours. Since I have cycled to Pasir Risk park the other time, this round I head towards Bedok reservoir direction. The park connector has connected all the park at east side.

Cycle through Tampines centre is not an easy task, I have to stop very often for the traffic light. It makes the experience a bit frustrating. But if you get pass it, the traffic lights would reduce.


After some effort, I am near the Safra Tampines already. The traffic light number start to decrease now. From here, it is less than 1km to Bedok reservoir. After reaching Bedok reservoir, I took a left turn to go East Coast park. It would be far, but I just want to test how far I can go.


The park is built along the river, soon you would reach the bridge over PIE. Stop for a while to look at the direction. Then, you have to push the bike over bridge.


River scene from the PIE bridge. The water looks green instead of blue.


Cycle along the river with wind, it is an enjoyable journey. However, it would take more time to reach East Coast park, I have to make the turn someway.


On my way back, I stop at Bedok reservoir to appreciate the scene.


The reservoir is beautiful. No wonder so many jogger enjoy jogging there.

It took me 1 hour 45min to be back and my whole body ache. I guess I need more practise. A rought estimate, with my current speed, I need 2 and half hours to complete the race.

San Lou Hor Fun at Hong Kong Street Chun Bo Kee 三捞河粉 香港街珍宝记

I really don't know how to write the translated name of the cze char stall, so I just use my version. But the Chinese name is called 香港街珍宝记. One of the stall inside a Tampines coffee shop. I have seen this stall name a couple of time at different places. I read on the web that the list of stall which use Hong Kong Street name is more or less related to the original Hong Kong Street Chun Kee. Hope the food is good.


A plate of San Lou Hor Fun I ordered. It has been quite sometime since I last ate San Lou. The taste is good, standard San Lou taste. The tou geh is generous and the fish is fresh. Hor Fun fried till just nice, coupled with the sauce. It makes a good plate of Hor Fun. Going for $5 one.

Movie Red Cliff 2

Just watched the movie Red Cliff part 2. Since I have watched the part 1 last year, there is no reason not to watch the part 2. After the disappointment for part 1 story, the part 2 more or less make up for it as expected.

In part 2. Sun Shang Xiang (孙尚香) became a spy at Cao cao camp. Xiao Qiao (小乔) went to Cao cao camp to drag the time. Kong Ming borrow arrow using boat (草船借箭). Burn the Cao cao linked ship (火烧连船). All these are classic scene in the story and now is alive on the big screen. Only one sentence - it is really good.

So, prepare to sit for 2 hours 20 min in the cinema to complete the Red Cliff experience.

Movie Ip Man

I went to watch Ip Man on Monday, otherwise soon it would be off the screen. True to my friend's comment, the movie is quite good.

The story is about Wing Chun master Ip Man and his life. He refrained from using kung fu to fight unnecessarily and when Japan rules China, he is willing to stand up to fight the Japan army.

Credit to the main actor, Donnie Yen. He really put in effort to learn Wing Chun and his strokes are fantastic. The movie is without special effect, but with a more down to earth story and great action. I think it is worth the money.

Crispy Chicken at Tampines Rasa 21

Today, I went to Rasa 21 food court at Tampines East to eat western food. The stall was featured in u weekly before, thus I decided to check it out whether it is good. Looking at the menu, they provide quite a number of choices compare to usual western food. The set also comes with two side dish of your choice. Nowadays, seems like many people want to copy the Aston's concept to have a selection of side dish. One special side dish is ah cha(I cannot see the sour & spicy ah cha would complement the food).

I ordered the Crispy Chicken set which is essentially fried chicken. For the side dish, my choices were coleslaw and corn cob. The set cost $6.50 (a bit expensive). The ordering process was a bit frustrating, the stall keeper seems not able to manage the order process properly, although there wasn't many people there. After paying for the set, I sit down and wait.

The speed was alright, it was served shortly.


Crispy Chicken at Rasa 21 presented nicely.

Presentation wise, it is ok, but the portion is too small. Imagine that you have to pay $6.50 for a small piece of fried chicken! The fried chicken taste good and crispy. Coleslaw was alright too. But the corn is a bit tasteless. Not sure where does the corn come from, I can't taste the sweetness in corn. Overall, it was a disappointing meal.

Dinner at Zen Cafe East Coast

Last night, went with friend for the new year eve dinner. The japan restaurant was full house. We ended up in this restaurant Zen Cafe Shindo Art. The light is a bit dark, the are into the fine dining concept i think. The music was soothing though.

If you opted for the set menu, it would set you back by at least $40. Maybe to those who enjoy fine dining, this is a decent price to pay plus they do have some interesting items on the menu. Not wanting to be too adventurous, I stay safe by ordering the main course only which is not too expensive.

After going through the menu, decided on this "Spicy Green Mango Chicken" which is recommended item.

The display is really nice as you can notice from the picture. Food quality not bad, although I won't say fantastic. The portion is smaller, given that they are really into fine dining concept. Maybe can bring your partner there for the ambiance and nicely displayed food.