First Love

September 29, 2011 Leave a comment

There is a common saying that we will never forget our 1st love. It is true indeed. Yet, we often link our first love with our first boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife.

My first love is my dad and mum. It takes me many years later before I realised the depth of their love for me. Now, having a kid of my own, I see things very differently. I began to understand why my mum or late granny would like to call me day after day. I began to understand why simple dinner at home surpass the lavish holidays. Fatherhood does strange things to my life. It opens up my inner memory and shows me my childhood – those days I spent with my parents and those journeys we took as a family.

I have never thanked my dad for those daily rides to school and army camp. I have never thanked my mum for those words-of-wisdom she faithfully whispered to my ears day and night. There were so many things which my dad and mum did for me that nurtured me to the man I am today. My parents didn’t give me expensive toys or holidays but they gave the true gems of life – humanity, compassion, selflessness and love. These are precious gifts that passed from them to me and now to my son. I was given a kind and happy heart to lead my life. And now, a sensible and lovely boy who dotes on me.

Looking back our lives, there have been highs and lows, sad and happy moments. But I am always blessed by all their presence and love. Life can be unexpectedly short. It is the forgotten-yet-not-lost love inside our memory that lit up our hearts. My first love is never complicated or blind. They are my dad and mum. And I want to say “thank you very very much”.

(Enjoy these 2 touching commercials done by Ogilvy Thailand.)

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

The Storm and the Peace

September 29, 2011 Leave a comment

(Photo Taken: Typhoon Nesat, Central Hong Kong – Today is Hong Kong’s 1st typhoon off day in 3 years. The wind was really strong last night. At 3am, I was awaken by the broken glass outside my balcony. It was quite a mess! Fortunately…No work for now! I woke up at 8am to clean up the mess. Later at 8:45am, armed with my camera, I dashed out of my apartment to roam the streets with Harshad! Central Hong Kong is unusually calm and quiet on a Thursday morning. For one rare moment, the streets in the CBD are empty. It is such a joy to walk on the streets without anyone blocking your way. Buying breakfast is such a breeze too! No queue at my favorite 茶餐廳! I took an hour walk from my home to Central Pier, snapping the rare empty walkways of Hong Kong. A strange contrast indeed…in this world of storm and peace.)

Filed under Life in Hong Kong

Angry Birds Toy

September 25, 2011 Leave a comment

Stack, aim and fire! For just RMB35 (I got them in Shenzhen), you get to play Angry Birds in 3D real-life. Surprisingly, it is 10X more fun than the digital version. The catapult fires the birds up to 3m far!  The only hassle – you have to re-stack the building blocks and search for those missing plastic birds on the floor.

Filed under Cool Stuffs

The 100th Apple Store (outside USA) – Opens 24th Sept in Hong Kong

September 22, 2011 Leave a comment

(Photo taken yesterday and today: Revealing Apple’s 1st Flagship Store in Hong Kong, IFC – The big Apple Temptation is finally here – and just 10min-walk from my house! Opening 24th Sept, this will be Apple’s 100th store outside USA, its 6th store in China as Shanghai opens Apple’s 5th store on 23rd Sept. The 20,000 sqft HK store will be Asia’s cheapest venue for all Apple products due to the tax-free savings! Apple fans in Hong Kong are queuing outside the store right now! According to past traditions in Shanghai, Apple gives out special localised edition t-shirts and goodies to the first 5,000 customers on its opening day. Mmmm….Can’t resist the temptation of the Forbidden Fruit.)

Filed under Cool Stuffs, Life in Hong Kong

Shanghai Madman is Back!

September 22, 2011 Leave a comment

Warning: Mr Chay is extremely rough and violent with men. And super smooth and gentle with ladies + cars.

Filed under Life in Hong Kong, Wahbiang

My 129th Visitor – Joey!!! (Updated)

September 22, 2011 Leave a comment

It is no secret now…our favorite Golden Boy is now attached! To a very sweet, attractive and street-smart girl – Joey! She is certainly more chatty and interesting than my old bro! Both of them were in Hong Kong last weekend and I managed to spend some good time with them in Macau. Joey and Meijie were supposed to bungee off Macau Tower. Lucky Meijie, it was pouring that day. (3 months ago in Gold Coast, he managed to escape the roller-coaster ride.) Sigh…no drama for me to watch. Certainly, if Joey jumps, Meijie will jump too… Or maybe not. It will be good to catch his “you-know-what” expression on video!

Filed under Life in Hong Kong, Wahbiang

A Sonny Goodbye

September 14, 2011 1 Comment


This visit, Elkan surprised me with his level of maturity and sensibility. There are 2 sides of Elkan – He always got himself in some stupid mischief (like pouring sand on my face when I am suntanning or damaging things around him). On the other hand, Elkan displayed an amazing level of sensibility and love for his loved ones. Acting like our little protector, he is always looking out for his mum and dad. If I walked a little too fast in front of Felicia, Elkan will pull me back and ask me to wait for her. And whenever he can’t find me, he will be worried if I have left him (for Hong Kong) without saying farewell. Elkan keeps an “internal timer” in his mind – always reminding himself of my remaining hours or days in Singapore before I fly off again. When I was in his age (7-year-old), I have never cherish family ties to such depth. From Elkan, I have learn to spend more time with my own dad and mum too.

Last night, Elkan accompanied me till 1am. And he woke up “fresh and ready” at 5am this morning to see me off.  His usual sleeping hours are from 10pm to 8am. I told him it will be too tiring for him to wake up so early as he has a long day ahead (at school). He said “it is okay lah, I am not tired. You are my dad. I must send you off to the airport. Also later, mummy will be alone after you left. I can accompany her back mah”.

After the happy send-off at the gate, Felicia wept briefly at the train station. Elkan saw her sadness and comforted her in his comical tone “Ai yah, why sad sad? Okay lah, I sayang you okay. Tonight, I will tuck you to bed and give you a hug. Okay?” Aww… he is like a mini Joe …. He is, undoubtedly, our emotional support pillar, our little sunshine. A purity that comes from within. Elkan is always there for both of us at the right time, at the right place. And I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful child.

Filed under Family, Life in Singapore

“Moonbread” Dinner

September 13, 2011 Leave a comment


Last night, we had our mini ‘Moonbread Reunion Dinner” with our Hong Kong Clan (Hongfei, Sherry, Ethan, Danielle) at Clark Quay, Singapore. Unknown to all, yesterday was also our 11th Wedding Anniversary. Felicia and I registered our wedding on 12th Sept 2000 (In 2000, 12th Sept also coincide with the 15th of the Eight Lunar Month – Mid Autumn Festival).

Filed under Life in Singapore

My Water Boy

September 13, 2011 Leave a comment


(Video Taken: Fun wet moments with Elkan, Bintan Indonesia)

Filed under Family, Life in Singapore, Travel

Soulless “Songs of the Sea” at Sentosa

September 10, 2011 1 Comment

My parents and my wife were huge fans of the old Musical Fountain and “Monkey Kiki” at Sentosa. It was grand, magical and powerful. Best of all, it was free for all to watch. Even after watching the old show so many times and many years later, we were still deeply mesmerized by its magic.

Last evening, my sister treated the whole family to the new “Musical Fountain”. We were all very excited. My parents, aunt & uncle were expecting another magical night. Unfortunately, the new show was a letdown and we left in disappointment.

Contrary to what the website said, Songs of the Sea fails to deliver “a mesmerizing show” with a live cast of boring and distracting performers who can’t lip-synced and synchronize with the dance steps and beats , out-dated visual effects, lasers and pyrotechnics! Poor storyline, too much talking in-between acts, awful eerie kelong huts settings, choppy music scene and unbelievable cheesy scripts, the 45-min Songs of the Sea fails to bring back the magic of the old Musical Fountain. It was flat (and disjointed) from the beginning to the end. The performers tried hard to get the audience to clap and participate – it was an appalling effort. The finale song “I did it” is pathetic – an anti-climax. (No wonder it drew such weak applause from the audience!). There is simply no connection between the performers and the screen behind. Unlike in the previous Musical Fountain, there was one star character and his animated sidekick “Kiki”. There was a surprise moment when the human character disappeared into the letter “O” and found himself in the magical world of special effects. Songs were upbeat and catchy.

Sorry Sentosa, this is certainly not worth SGD15 or even SGD10 to watch. In my opinion, it loses its claim as a “World Class Show”. This show is perfect for young kids but it fails to impress the adults. Especially for those who fell in love with the old grand Musical Fountain, there is nothing in this show that brings back the emotional-connection. I expected more with this new entry fee but what I got was worse than before. The creative and music director needs to know that he cannot conceal poor music and drama with water jets, flame bursts, lasers and pyrotechnics. It is bad in my view – it seems to me that the show producer wants a bit of everything. And no…the multiracial songs at the beginning don’t connect at all! I wonder if the tourists understand them. Skin-deep beauty doesn’t last long. It is the simple pure substance that connects the minds and touches the hearts.

Time to change the scripts and the scores. Rejuvenate the old charm and magic of our favorite Sentosa Musical Fountain. Bring back the soul and a good story. Don’t kid the audience with these “blings” and “bangs”! Leave the fireworks for the National Day Parade.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts, Life in Singapore, Music

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