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February 27 The Hanoi LegI was out "speed-touring" Hanoi today - The local guide brought us to many places of interest (we visited the world's oldest university, asia's largest ancient library & Hanoi's very own "Loch Ness" turtle mystery). I was helping my client to plan a mini "amazing race" for their team-building activity. Hanoi is a mix of Bali-Thai-Chinese. Rich cultural city with lots to shop and explore.      Click here to see more: http://picasaweb.google.com/wahbiang/VietnamTripFebMar2007 February 25 Goodbye Singapore, Hello VietnamAfter 7 days of feastings and reunions, I went through the same old ritual of bidding farewell to my loved ones. Last night, we have a "dramatic" night at Suntec. Lots of people turned up just for that one moment to say bye to me. Truly touched and happy to see them (especially my old pal Karen and Yifu). Of course, thanks Gareth for popping me all the way to "you-know-where" to get my phone and accessories. And a big thank you to Meijie for gathering all these sheeps. It is a tough job. It was a packed night. Came back home at 12:30am and started packing until 2:30am. Didn't really have a good sleep...I never like the eve of departure. My heart is always so heavy and sad. It is going to be another 3-4 months before we meet again.
Woke up late this morning. Had a quick shower and rushed to the airport. Feli, Elkan, Chups and mum-in-law sent me off to the airport. Elkan was excited this morning, yelling "Elkan goes Shanghai". We had a quick breakfast and Feli walked me to the departure gate. Mum and Chups stayed behind at the cafe to distract Elkan...so that he will not see my leaving and kick a fuss.    
I really hate sneaking off like that. I never have a chance to say goodbye properly with my son. That pains me a lot. Here am I, uploading this blog in my Hanoi hotel room. Just want to say it has been a great CNY for me. I miss you guys a lot.    February 24 A Tourist's PerspectiveThe feeling of homecoming is a very sweet one. I am unable to describe the kind of feeling everytime I step into the Arrival Hall at Changi Airport. It just feel so good - cos I know there are many loved ones waiting for me on the other side of the glass wall.
This is my happiest home trip. The last 8 days were superb. I spent a great deal of time with my family and friends - every day is a unique and meaningful one. Somehow this trip, I balanced my time very well - spending good quality time with my loved ones. House-visiting at Juli's and Sam's, durian-feasting with Kal and Meijie, sand-sun-&-sea with Tracy, river-dinning with Randy-Richard-Gang, soulsearching with Joanne, market-updates with Hovman & Francis and house-preview with Jimmy. (Oh yes, free gifts from Gareth).
Snapping around like a tourist, I roamed the city with lots of "wows and ooohs". There is always something new to see in Singapore. New sporty Comfort cabs, giantic ferris-wheel at Marina, new hypermart at Tampines (IKEA, Giant, Courts), water stadium at Marina etc. Did a couple of "firsts" with Bobo and Elkan. (boat ride, new monorail to Sentosa)   While traveling on the ECP, I took a picture of our Singapore skyline. For the 1st time, I started to realise how small we are. Our city-scape is growing but just not dynamic enough. Good thing we have the "durian landmark". To live up and fulfill our promise as one "uniquely state", I feel there are a lot more we can do to realise that vision. Come on, light up our skyline, put up more giantic plasma, create a future-state, show the world something new. What's there to fear, Singapore? We just got to catch up fast, I am tired of us being trend-followers.     Despite all these disappointments, we have a fertile land. A land of talents and opportunities. We have good system, trustworthly governments and down-to-earth labour force. We still have so much space to grow....we just need to add more life into these void. Bring more "wows and ooohs" back into our garden city. Yes, I have more faith in Singapore than before. Why? I saw weaknesses that can be translated into opportunities. We are still a notable dragon of Asia. February 21 Tracy's CNY at PhuketOur sweet fiery babe is off again - this time to Phuket! Man, I am just so proud of her. Can you imagine this - Tracy is one of the 2 certified divers we had in our clan. Guess who is the other one ~ it is Meijie! Haaaa.. unbelievable! Man, I must take diving one day. Let that be my 2007 resolution - with Tracy and Meijie help of course! (I think it is simply easy...cos' if bamboo and fats can float and sink, I think I qualify)   Check out those nipples! And slimmer Tracy in her wet suit! February 20 The BIG CNY Feasts!
February 15 Valentine in Hong Kong  Man, this is the most unusual Valentine Day ever.. Imagine me spending this romantic day in a glass box, overseeing Happy Valley Racecourse. I have never try horse betting before. It was pretty fun and simple - lots of reading (no wonder we often see punters reading those horse-betting manuals). No, I am not a master in horses - can't really "read" the conditions of the race horses when they walked past us. However, great beginner luck though: 5 wins out of 8 races. How much? Just enough for 1 HK40 hongbao for one of you.   February 11 A Letter from the Police
February 10 Tracy's Secret Fling at KrabiLovely beach, lovely elephants and lovely ang mohs. Our clan's most undisputed "SPG"* travelblog at Krabi! Enjoy (Click on her pix to see more images) or visit her blog)
  * Tracy in her Sarong Party Suit (see right)   Hock's 32nd Birthday  Our Mr Handsome IDA Hock celebrated his 32nd Birthday! Duliana's 4CsWanna to write a blog on our SuperCouple "Duju" or "Duliana" back in Dec but I can't lay my hands on their photos. I must say, they are the most celebrated couple in our clan. Winning "Couple of the Year" award and looking ever-so trendy, I would love to have a reality TV on them. Matchmade in internet, heart-warming proposal and achieving 4C (new Condo-style house, Car, Cat, Career!) in a month! Dun you just love them? (no pun).. Haa... let me list down their new Cs.
Condo, Car and Cat "Paris"   
New Career Duuk has found an excellent job after his army days and there are talks that Juliana may be posted up in Beijing/Shanghai early April (not confirm). It is going to be another exciting year for them and I am looking forward to hear from them this CNY. (Elkan too, he be getting his 1st Ang Bao from them!)
Couple's NicknamesIt is getting really trendy about combining names of couple. In Hollywood, we have "Bennifer" for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, "Bragelina" for you-know-who, "TomKat" for Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. (Note one thing in common, the man's name came before the woman's).
So, here is a list of our own couple nicknames:
Salusia (Sam + Lusia)
Jolicia (Joe + Felicia)
Ramanne (Ramesh + Joanne)
Garivy (Gareth + Ivy)
Manchunie (Mann Chuan + Ernie)
Duliana or Duju (Duuk + Juliana)
Yilian (Yifu + Lilian)
Jimerene (Jimmy + Serence)
Macy (man + Tracy)
Liobu (Lionnel + any "bu")
Kalinda (any "kang" + Kalinda)
Any more that I miss out?
February 05 My New Room-mates 
My new place is about 30 sqm bigger. I invited 8 new room-mates to share this space with me. 8 distinctive characters - and it is fun peeping into their lives. Can't tell if they are "bu" or "kang" but they are sure exciting to watch. Oh yes, strictly no sex. Moving HouseMy wife and me were moving house this weekend. No, I am not talking about the same house. In some strange coincidence, Feli and I were moving different houses (she is renting out our Singapore apartment and I was renting a new Shanghai apartment). So, at one end, I was giving someone rent and on the other end, Feli is collecting rent. Miss my 2 homes... there are so many fond memories there. Empty but still cozy home at Eunos   Packing my stuffs and saying bye to my lovely bedroom   Moving with shopping cart / My grand bedroom view   |
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