Future does get better

After a year in Hong Kong, I keep on believing future does get better! As usual, a lot has happened in this one year - I have bought a number of lifeless yet fulfilling things, I have visited Taipei and Tokyo, my grandmother and grandfather passed away, and, I lost my direction in my career path because my vision is totally clouded by the management. I really love my job function, yet I hate the crap that comes "around" it. But, I guess that is the default side effects.

Anyway, I still hold this belief tight in my heart and brain! I am still fighting my way to find a brighter future - in this mess. I try not to dwell into my family's problems that much, I try not to be dragged down by this negative energy floating around in the office, I try not to be too clouded by short and sad vision. I am working on something now, which I think I really want to try out at least before I am too old for that! And, future does get better if this works out, or this opens my eyes further!



I love gadgets and technologies, and there is no secret in that. Last year my proud possession is Playstation 3. This year, I got my Macbook, Playstation Move, Playstation Soundbar, iPad (for my brother and parents - and they love it), and recently Samsung Galaxy Tab. And, I can say that 2010 proud possession of mine is the Tab! All these lifeless material stuff are actually milestones of my journey and my career.

I still have some dreams, and luckily for me, I still have a chance to fulfill those dreams, one by one. This year, I have the house renovated, and helped my brother a bit with his dreams, as well as the house. Owning a property is a dream come true, even though I am now actually a slave to that house. Now, another dream, will try to fulfill that in the coming two years! God bless everyone, and may 2011 brings prosper, health and wealth to everyone!

What an experience... in HK!

We all know there are a lot of telephone spams, especially in Hong Kong. I got a lot of phone calls from unknown person and unknown number asking me if I am interested in their services or products. Most of the time I would humor them to say "no, thank you" or "sorry I am not convenient to talk now" and hang up. But, this time is different. The lady on the phone said they want to give me a gift as gesture for taking part in one of their phone call surveys (which I did, it was about Hong Kong tax, just one question, what do you think about HK raising tax). So, after a number of confirmation, I have gone up to their "office", as shown in picture to "pick up the gift". Curiosity is also what driving me to visiting them.



Apparently, they wanted to sell me something (no surprise there!). It was some sort of VIP service for travelling, and their company is "EV". Basically, after bombarding me with information (sweet talks) about how much I would save from travelling by joining this so-called VIP club, it was already 2.5 hours! Finally, they revealed the cost of joining, by showing me two versions - normal price costs about 300k HKD, and "on-the-spot" price is 70k HKD, with a number of installment options. I said sorry I don't have that amount of cash, and then they asked me "so, how much do you think you would feel no pressure to pay for first installment and monthly?" Then, I know... time to go.

But, before they let me go, they actually let me draw a price, and I "won" this - two-person 8D7N free accommodation in any locations I pick. So, I have no idea this price is valid because I need to go there to find out, right? Interesting experience to be honest, waste of time, yes, but now I know how they sell stuff to people, well, to innocent people. By the way, their "office" has no sign of their company name, and when being asked about it, they said they just moved in few days ago. HA!

Back then, now and hopeful future!

After Games Convention 2006 in Leipzig (seems like it has been replaced by Gamescom in Cologne afterwards), and just visited Tokyo Game Show 2010 in Tokyo, I hope soon in the future I would visit E3 in Los Angeles.

A trip to Tokyo - a dream comes true!

Tokyo has been a place that I have always wanted to go since I have encountered Japanese comics, mangas, animes and games. Ever since I have become one of those geeky nerds who is very fond of dead electronic gadgets, I always wonder how Akihabara looks like. Finally, out of the blue - well, since work is going nowhere, life is just as usual, and I am still in debt for the rest of my life - so I have decided to go to Tokyo. Moreover, it coincided with the Tokyo Game Show 2010! Actually, I sort of "earn" this trip with my patience and effort - somehow the visa application was not as smooth as I expected it would be. In other words, this trip has become much more meaningful. Moreover, a best friend of mine is exploring Tokyo with me.

First day arrived at Ikebukuro Hotel Metropolitan. It was the beginning of a very fun trip! After checked in, walked around Ikebukuro, visited a number of shops including Yamada Labi, Sunshine City, etc. It was tiring, but fun.



The next day, heading to Makuhari Messe for the Tokyo Game Show 2010. I was very excited. Well, it might sound very silly for a 33-year-old man to feel excited something childish, but it is certainly a dream comes true. My first reaction when I arrived at the spot was "damn, it was packed with human beings." Certainly! We have to queue up for about 1 hour before entering the exhibition. Once I got in, I think it worth it! Certainly a blast. So many people, so many games, and so many fun. Sadly, because of the huge attendants, I could only have the chance to play Lord of Arcana and Little Battler Experience on PSP and both games were fun! After the game show, we were deadly exhausted, but we still roamed around Ikebukuro.



Third day, Harajuku, Shibuya and then Shinjuku in one day! Went to whole lot of retail shops, which is just too tiring to type them all here!







Forth day, we went to Mori Art Museum. I am not so much an art person, but it was interesting because we could look down on Tokyo from above (I guess 50+ floor). And, what they are exhibiting is quite interesting too... Later on, we went to Akihabara. Akihabara is really filled with stuff that I love (and am puzzled with) - all sorts of electronics stuff, mangas, games, etc. Too bad, I don't know Japanese, and I have been telling myself to learn this language for a long time, yet I just do not have the urge to do so...



Last day, we went to Ginza and then back to Hong Kong! What does Ginza have? Well, a big Apple store, an interesting Sony Style shop, and some fashion retail shops that are not available in Hong Kong.

I was in Tokyo!

They say picture worth a thousand words! I was in Tokyo from 17 September till 21 September 2010. It was a great time. Only if I could speak Japanese, I would live there!

Proud

我家是一个小康之家。父母都希望自己的儿女成才。至今，我是唯一一个比较幸运能到国外学习工作。我很不喜欢我的亲戚，大部分都是一群内心污浊，希望自己好别人倒的混蛋，尤其是我家隔壁的一家。我真的觉得自己很幸运不用每一天对着他们，我家人就没有如此幸运了，每一天都被别人“单单打打”。还好，我的弟弟还很看得开。就是自己的父母没有办法，太容易受他们的言语影响。我弟弟的那一店铺真的经过了不少的风浪，“梦之园”(Facebook)才能在6月23号正式开张。我真的很开心。先不论到底生意好不好，但是万事起头难，至少现在我的弟弟不会整天好像无所事事的样子，终于能好像个成年人那样担起一点责任。我真希望那群混蛋能真正的shut the fuck up, and mind their own damn fucking business！

My family is just a normal family - not rich, not too poor. Till now, I am the only one who is blessed to be able to study and work outside Malaysia. I dislike my relatives, some of them are just a bunch of assholes especially the ones that live next door who like to belittle others in a hidden yet noticeable way. I honestly think I am lucky enough that I don't have to face their ass faces everyday, but my family is not that lucky. It is blessed that my brothers are optimistic enough to face those ass faces. However, my parents just sometimes can't take it that much and got influenced all the time. My brother's restaurant (co-owned by two of his other friends) has been facing a lot of difficulties and obstacles before open for business. Finally, on 23 June 2010, Dreams Shabu Shabu (Facebook). I am really happy. Set aside if the business is good or not, everything starts in hardship. At least now my brother doesn't seem to some punk who is jobless and directionless all the time. Finally he can really be man and take up some responsibility. I seriously hope those assholes and assfaces can shut the fuck up and mind their own damn fucking business!

7月17号，中国报为“梦之园”做了一个专访“為你實現夢想樂園”。评语还不错。我深信只要用心去做的话，没有事是做不成的。而且听老妈说老弟很用心，每一天都亲力亲为的煲汤，买材料，开门，等等。已经忙到瘦了一圈。听到他们说没有生意的时候，我会很担心。但是听到他们周末满座忙不过来的时候，我会很欣慰。另外一方面，我希望我的弟弟能帮我减轻一下我的财务问题。让我能有多一点钱让我好好安排我的未来。现在在香港不是说工作不开心，只是有时候真的压力太大了-无论是工作上还是生活上。真希望能有所改善。要有所改善也只能靠自己！说到底，I am proud of my brother!

On 17 July 2010, China Press has done a piece on Dreams Shabu Shabu, titled "Utopia that fulfills your dreams". Not bad reviews. I truthfully think if you use your whole heart to do something, it will succeed gradually. I heard that my brother lose some weight because of the restaurant - he has to get up early to make the soup, buy those materials, open the restaurant, etc. When I heard their business are not so good on some days, I got worried. But, when I heard that they are busy like hell on the weekends, I am happy for them. On the other hand, I hope my brother could help me reduce my money burden a bit, so that I could really plan my future. Working in Hong Kong has its ups and downs. Sometimes, it can be very stressful, not only from work but also from daily life. I sure hope it could be better soon, and to better it, I have to do it myself. Anyway, I am proud of my brother!

臺灣美食

Taiwan

需要一個很簡單的break，所以決定到台北去逛逛。正好那裡有一個朋友，能夠充當我的guide。四天三夜的行程，還不錯。如果沒有感冒的話，會更好。騎著機車逛臺北市，一種不錯的經驗。
I needed a short break, so I have decided to take a break in Taipei. Luckily I have a good friend there who could be my guide. Four day three nights journey was certainly not bad at all. But, if I wasn't with the stupid cold, it would be so much better. Riding on the bike to roam around the Taipei city, certainly was an interesting experience.


第一天：臺北101和其周遭非常貴和豪華的商場。晚上到西門町。
First day: Went to Taipei 101 and those luxurious shopping malls around it. At night, went to Ximending.

第二天：到九份老街逛，一路上到了幾個我不知名的沙灘。然後到羅東夜市，再到宜蘭會一個朋友。
Second day: Went to Jiufen Street. On the way, went to several beaches, then headed to Luodong Market. Afterward, heading to Yilan to meet another friend.

第三天：先到中正紀念館。然後到故宮博物官。然後到士林夜市。晚上到了艋舺一逛。
Third day: First off to Chiang-kai-shek Memorial Hall and National Palace Museum. Then, heading to Shilin Market. At night, went to Mankah.

最後一天：到十三行博物館。然後到白沙灣海灘逗留一下。然後機場回香港。
Last day: Headed to Shisanhang Museum. Then off to Baishawan Beach. Afterward, heading to the airport to fly back to Hong Kong.

感謝我的朋友熱情的招待。回到香港繼續我的感冒！
Thanks to my friend's hospitality. And, now back in Hong Kong to recover from my stupid cold.

It has finally begun!

Hong Kong Buses

香港是一個壓力很大的地方，這是一個不爭的事實。四年前我們有“巴士阿叔”，這四年來，我們還有“巴士阿嬸”，“巴士毒仔”。香港真的是一個壓力很大的地方！



Hong Kong certainly is an extremely stressful place, this is an undeniable fact. Four years ago, we had "Bus Uncle", and within these four years we also have "Bus Auntie" and "Bus Poison Boy". Yes, Hong Kong is a very stressful place.

A freaking busy week!

Work is certainly piling up and is never ending, and the people at work certainly are bunch of... well, I wont finish this sentence. A visit from family and relatives certainly made the whole week busier (but definitely not worse). Six of them in total, and six of them are ladies, namely my mother, my sister, three of my aunts, and my cousin. And, seven of us are squeezed into this small apartment. Luckily the whole thing was not as bad as I imagined. They did get a good rest while they were here, so did I. I have to traveled back and forth to Shen Zhen for training while they were here from Monday till Wednesday. That didn't mean the work just stopped there. Once I got home still need to finish as much as I can. Believe me, people at work are not understanding. Being selfish is the only way to survive!


So, seven days they have stayed in Hong Kong. Where did they go? Plenty places I would say, mostly in Hong Kong. Shopping in most shopping malls is certainly must-do in Hong Kong (even for window shopping), such as Harbour City, Citygate Outlets, Festival Walk, Sogo, Time Square, IFC Mall etc. While I were in Shen Zhen, in addition to shop around in Ladies Market and Temple Street, they have been to Ocean Park and Disneyland (two of the many places in Hong Kong that I haven't been before).

On Thursday (I took a day off, thank God!) and Friday (another Thank-God public holiday of Hong Kong), I brought them to Macau, Lamma Island, and The Peak. Well, eventually they did buy a lot of stuff (and most of them are cookies such as Wife Cake). Anyway, it was a fruitful yet exhausting week, especially for myself. Tomorrow I have to travel to Shen Zhen again, and from Tuesday onwards, the hell will begin again, maybe even worse! Well, I did spend a lot in this week, but I do not regret spending... almost 10k!

Saturday - day off!

Have had rough couple of weeks - people from up there are not that supportive, and just making it worse, people from the same level are having the same bad time, and people from below just as clueless as I am. And, I have to conduct tons of work-related interviews, which is challenging my physiques and mental. So, I thought weekend would be a good time to relax, but actually it is a good time to sit down, think and manage some urgent work. That's my life for this month: weekdays - gym, work, home; and, weekends - gym, home, work! This Saturday (yesterday) I took a "day off". After gym, I went down to TST to have some meal with friends and well, roam around to do some window shopping. I need to buy a small luggage for business trip.


I love this new luggage. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but I just don't give a damn anymore. I need to reward myself something good. It is American Tourister, which was acquired by Astrum International, which also made Samsonite luggage. So, in other words, it is quite a branded luggage. It is four-wheel, which is what I always want. And, the size and weight are just perfect! Love it!

I went to Pho Vietnamese Restaurant (越色牛肉粉餐廳) for a Vietnamese dinner. I am not very familiar with Vietnamese meal, but this one wasn't so bad. I have had a green curry fried rice, which is very spicy in a very enjoyable way (i.e., not too spicy that you can't feel your tongue). I think I will come back to this restaurant again next time. Not a bad location. I can just troll around in TST, then catch a meal here next time. The price is reasonable - I mean you can't ask for a cheap meal in Hong Kong. After the meal, I just went straight home with my lovely luggage.

Before get back to work, I just decided to watch a movie. I wasn't expecting much from this movie, namely Little Big Soldier (大兵小将) starring Jacky Chan and Li-Hom Wong. It is not a bad movie, good acting, good scenery, great dialog, cool fighting (not those cyber futuristic fighting), and well, quite meaningful. It is about a very little pip-squeak or nobody who has a very simple dream, which was somehow destroyed by a big ambitious dream of a very important to-be-king, and they both somehow have met and need to journey together for some reasons. The ending is sad, but well-done. It certainly has brought up the message war brings sadness. I enjoyed the movie, at the very least.

So, today, just plain work, with some grocery shopping in between. Now, tomorrow, a beginning of another busy like hell week!

好久

哇！好久没有在这里写些什么的。原因很简单。要不就是没劲，要不就是没梗。反正这两个理由都是缘于工作太忙，引致人太累，不想再干些其它的，只想什么也不干，就这样让自己的脑袋和精神在周末好好的recharge一下。这一个月里到底发生了什么？太多了。在工作，坦白说太多问题太多挑战。问题可以解决，挑战可以接受，可惜的是琐碎政治的事情太多太多了。在大公司里干活难免会有政治，但是有些时候我回想政治也是因为愚蠢自私的人所造成的。也不多说了。写写自己喜欢的事好了。

Wow, it has been a while since I last wrote something here. Simple reasons, either I didn't have any stamina nor any idea what to write. Anyway, these two reasons are caused by busy work, which causing exhaustion mentally and physically. So, in the weekends, I normally don't want to do anything (yet I have to do some work). At work, there are plenty challenges and problems. Well, I welcome challenges, and problems can be solved in time. However, the politics are the part that I dislike about the job. Too much. Anyway, lets write something that I enjoy here instead.

书籍 Books 我很爱看书，但是很可笑的是，我更喜欢在火车里看书。所以我很怀念在荷兰的日子，因为经常搭火车的关系，所以看的书也很多。到了香港，我也看书，但是相对的少了很多。有一点觉得很对不起自己。最近有两本书必须得看的，"The Next Big Thing: Spotting and Forecasting Consumer Trends for Profit"和 "Billions: Selling to the New Chinese Consumer"。也是为了工作，但还好书的内容不会太闷!
I love books, very much. I love reading books in the train, that's why I miss my time in The Netherlands where I got a lot of chances to ride the train. However, in Hong Kong, the time I spend on books is apparently reduced a lot. I feel a bit guilty about that. I have to finish these two books, namely "The Next Big Thing: Spotting and Forecasting Consumer Trends for Profit" and "Billions: Selling to the New Chinese Consumer", because of work. Luckily, they are not boring.

饮食 Food 说实在，对吃我是没有什么要求的。也因为这天赋的无所谓，我在哪里都能很适应（就好像在荷兰过了6年一样）。在香港，周五或周末的时候，我会有时候和朋友或同事吃吃饭。最近吃过的两家不错的餐厅，Backenheim Cafe & Backery和Applegreen。都是西餐，但味道很不错。尤其是Applegreen。只是Applegreen略贵了一点。


Honestly, I don't have any strict requirements on food. Perhaps because of this gifted "not-care" manner, I can be very adaptive to any sort of living environment, just like how I did spending 6 years in The Netherlands. In Hong Kong, on Friday or weekend I normally will go out dining with some friends. And, since I came back from Malaysia, Backenheim Cafe & Backery and Applegreen are two restaurants that I have been. Western food, not bad at all, especially Applegreen. However, Applegreen is a bit pricey.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010

Nice pictures! Taken by Freddie on top of and nearby the Victoria Peak. Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful and prosperous 2010!

忙忙忙

很久没有在这里留言了。原因真的很简单。真的太忙了。周末的时候就完全不想干什么。这一个月里，发生了不少事情了。工作，不能算顺心顺意，也不能算四面埋伏。反正敌人是制造了，反正得罪了一些人，也只能怪自己撑不了气。开心的是好朋友来访了。首先是Jimmy的到来。可惜的是自己病了一个星期，不能很尽心尽意的带他到处跑跑。现在是Frederick的来访。还好，也不需要太多的时间和精力来招待他。反正是老朋友了，就能够自己照顾自己了。我又到了大屿山一趟了。接下来的几个月里，会有更多的挑战，其实还是蛮累人的。希望这一年里，我能够获得更多。


It has been a while I left any message here. Simple reason: too busy. In the weekends, I just don't feel like doing anything. In this month, a lot has happened. At work, I won't say it is smooth, but I won't say it is very tough. Anyhow, I have already made some enemies, and upset several people. Nothing I can do about that now. I can only blame myself for not able to accept it as it is. However, some close friends' visits made it easier. First of all, Jimmy has come from Singapore, and unfortunately I was ill for a week. I couldn't really entertain him. Now, Frederick is here. Well, we are old friends now, so I don't need to spend much time to take care of him. He can easily get around by himself. I went to Lantao Island again yesterday. The following few months will just become more challenging. I must say the politics can be quite tiring. I just hope in this one year, I can learn more than I can.

i-Thai and C-Jade (谢谢Vivian, Ryan和Claire)

昨天Vivian同志到上海来公干。托她的福，我们到沙田新城市广场的I-Thai吃了一顿非常丰盛的晚餐 -- 一只咖喱螃蟹已经够杀了！吃得真的很饱。过后就和她到处逛逛购物。然后，另外两位上海同事到了（Ryan和Claire）。我们又陪他们到悦翠小厨看他们进餐。反正我也吃了一碗绿豆沙。反正是一个非常奢侈温饱的星期天。


Yesterday, Vivian came to Shanghai for business trip. So, thanks to her, we went to Shatin New Town Plaza I-Thai had a very full and heavy dinner -- one curry crab was certainly more than enough. Very full. Afterward, we walked around, shopped a bit. Then, two of my Shanghai colleagues, Ryan and Claire have arrived. So we went with them to C-Jade Kitchen. I didn't have anything except a bowl of green bean soup. Anyway, it was a very full Sunday!

A day out in TST, again

是的，我又到尖沙嘴一趟了。也许是因为在那里住了1个月的原因，所以开始对那里熟悉一点。而且我也想到海港城里的索尼专卖店看看。天气也不错。结果我也只是走马看花，没有买什么（幸好！）。


Yes, I went down to Tsim Sa Tsui again. Probably because I have stayed in TST for about 1 month before moving here, that's why I am a bit familiar with the surroundings there. In fact, I like to go to Harbour City to check out the Sony shop. It was a nice weather, and I didn't buy anything (luckily!).

Mid-Levels

我想去了gym后，我不想呆在家里，所以决定出去走走。而且在路上还可以听Dan Brown的audiobook （话说回来，还真是一个路上“看书”的好方法）。结果到了香港岛的半山区闲逛。原因很简单，我没有来过这个地方。7点左右还到了一家新加坡参观“Shiok”吃了它的nasi lemak。价钱不菲，不过算了，久久一次。然后回去的时候发现原来从香港站可以搭东涌线到荔景可以转荃湾线到葵芳好要近很多！怎样都会比搭荃湾线到中环站近多了。


After gym, I didn't want to stay in. So, I have decided to go out roaming around a bit. In fact, I could listen to Dan Brown's audiobook on the road (in fact, it is really a great way to "read" on the road). Eventually, I went to Hong Kong island Mid-Levels. Simple reason, I have never been here before. Then around 7-ish, I went to Shiok, which is a Singaporean restaurant to have a very expensive nasi lemak. Well, I figured once in a while it is OK to spend a bit of money. Afterwards I came home. I realized that get on Dong Chung line from Hong Kong station going to Kwai Fong (interchange at Lai King for Tsuen Wan line) is much nearer than taking the Tsuen Wan line from Central station.

深圳之旅

春明来香港。我们决定在周六的时候到深圳一行。从葵涌搭地铁到罗湖大约需要1小时吧，说远不远，说近不近。然后从罗湖站过关到深圳还是挺快的，比我想象中快和顺很多。

SM came to Hong Kong. We decided to go to Shen Zhen on last Saturday. From Kwai Chung to Luo Hu Station via MTR I guess took about 1 hour. It wasn't far neither near. Then, from Luo Hu Station past the custom to Shen Zhen city, it was so smooth that out of my expectation.



我们首先明香海鲜酒家吃了一顿很丰盛的午餐。真的很丰盛。春明点了一只大龙虾，然后还有虾，又有鸭，还有蚝。最令人注目的是哪一只大龙虾。基本上是生吃的。端上桌是还是活生生的，你可以看到它的眼睛在转动，而且脚还在拨动。还好，很快的我们叫服务员拿它的头去做粥。吃得很饱！

First of all, we went to Ming Xiang restaurant to have lunch. SM ordered a big lobster, shrimbs, duck, and big oysters (I think). The most impressive thing was the lobster. It was still alive (sort of) even though it was "de-meat". You can still see its eyes and legs moving. We quickly ordered the waiter to cook the head with some poridge. Then, we could enjoy the meat, raw (like Japanese sashimi). It was very nice! And, I was very full!


午餐后，我们到了赛格电脑城走了一趟。这是一座超大的电子城，卖的东西应有尽有。过后，我们到了一家按摩院享受了将近三个小时的脚和背按摩。离开深圳前，我们到罗湖商业城买了几个包包之类的东西。大约9点左右，我们就打道回到香港葵涌！好累也很丰富！

After lunch we went to Sai Ge electronic and computer mall for some laptop bags. It was really big building full of electronic and computer stuff of all kinds. Afterwards we went to a spa center enjoy about 3-hour of foot and back massages. Before leaving Shen Zhen, we went to Luo Hu Mall to buy some bags-related stuff. Around 9-ish, we left Shen Zhen. It was a tiring yet quite interesting one-day trip.

Goodbye soon for now, TST

不知不觉已经在尖沙嘴弥敦道住了有一个月了。别说Shama的apartment是多么“好”（每一次我一进入这一个apartment我的鼻子就敏感起来），尖沙嘴真的是一个非常热闹的地方。有一些同事朋友告诉我，尖沙嘴是一个非常方便的地方--一上街就能找到你想要找的东西，比如说吃的，喝的，买的，玩的，等等。但是，我觉得这个地方还是暂时住可以，长住会有问题的，至少对我而言。好啦，下星期开始我会搬到葵涌去了，真的是settle down了。


Time flies, I have stayed on Nathan Road of TST for almost a month now. Let's not talk about how "great" the apartment is (every time when I enter the apartment, my nose allergy is triggered), TST is certainly a very happening area. Colleagues and friends told me that TST is a very convenient place. They are right, it is -- you can find whatever you want when you are on the street -- place or things to eat or drink, things you want to buy, etc. However, I seriously think it is OK to temporarily stay in this area, to stay long term, I would think for me it would become a problem. Next week, I will move to Kwai Chung, finally really settle down.