My 125th Visitors – Richard and Chin

May 24, 2011 Leave a comment

Like my grand old daddy, Richard is possibly one of my warmest and coolest buddies. Always friendly, funny, chatty, positive, happy and full of pranks + advices, everyone loves Richard! I have been bugging him to visit me since the day I left Singapore – after 60 months and over 120 visitors, Richard and Chin finally made this trip! I was so thrilled and excited to have them with me. He is after all, my dear friend from my good old Katong days! (And I bought him a super big meat bun to fit his super big appetite!)

Filed under Life in Hong Kong

Another Sunday March

May 16, 2011 Leave a comment

(Photo Taken: Queen’s Road Central – This afternoon, the traffic police blocked an entire lane in Central. It has been 2 years since the fall of Lehman Brothers, these protestors are still fighting to get their money back from the banks. I can imagine their pain and losses. Just wonder if the banks are affected by their actions and attending to their pleas. I say, these protesters should carry photos of the salesmen who sold them the policies.)

Filed under Life in Hong Kong

Goodbye Aly

April 30, 2011 Leave a comment

Saying goodbye to Alice wasn’t easy. After all, she was our first hire and she has been with me thick and thin, through good times and bad. After spending 3 years in our team, Alice left last Thursday.

On her last day, Alice wore this black blouse – the same piece that she wore when we first met back in May 2008 (her interview) at Leighton Hotel. I was very very touched. It was a emotional goodbye for both of us. I was very moved by her parting words at the lift. We gave each other 2 tight hugs and exchange farewell tokens. (When she passed me the medal, I melted inside). It was difficult to say goodbye to someone you love and hate. She was the spice and pillar of our team and things won’t be the same without her. Alice played a crucial role in our team in the early days and that allows us to settle down quickly as one. Her contribution was well-known to many. Her spiciness precede her name (and terrorized a couple).

3 weeks ago, I promised to write her a good farewell note. And I wrote her my feelings on the same night. Like I said, this is not goodbye forever. And she left me a void that not many could fill. I am sure we will be happier friends outside the office. Thanks again for everything, my friend.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts, Life in Hong Kong

Windowless

April 27, 2011 Leave a comment

(Photo Taken: Causeway Bay, Hong Kong – A “windowless”, tall concrete building.)

Filed under Cool Stuffs, Life in Hong Kong

The House of Dancing Water (City of Dreams, Macao)

April 25, 2011 Leave a comment


A costly HKD 2 billion production! The House of Dancing Water is indeed the world’s newest and most spectacular and original extravaganza. A cast of 77 performers from 18 different countries, this show took 5 years to prepare and 2 years of rehearsals. Situated in the heart of the City of Dreams, the 2000-seat theater houses the world’s largest commercial pool (3.7m gallons of water, 160ft diameter and 16ft deep – about 5 Olympic-swimming-pool-size) with 258 automated water fountains. Sounds impressive? Wait till you watch the performance live in action!

The show is now in its 8th month (it was launched last August) and it is still incredibly running full-house. We have been hearing so much good reviews about this show that we decided to watch this during our Easter break. As expected, it was full-house and we have to book the tickets 3 weeks in advance. All the mid-range tickets were taken, leaving us no choice but to get the most-expensive tickets available.

At first, I was doubtful about the reviews and thought the HKD880 (ticket) +500 (return ferry) was a little too much to bear. But it was worth every dollar! (And I will certainly bring my son and wife to the show the next time they are in town!)

If you are done with circus and musicals, the House of Dancing Water promises you a show like no other. Breathtaking acts, stunning stage effects and beautiful settings, the director of the show choreographed every scene perfectly. Audience sit around a deep pool. The stage effects are beyond anything I have seen before. Fog engulf the theater, a 30ft tall ship rises up in the middle of the pool. The ship sinks and an oriental pavilion rises in its place. There is rain and snow.  In a blink, the deep pool disappears, dry land rises. The land cracks and steam hissing out of the holes on the floor. Motorcyclists doing daredevil stunts. Dancers flying in mid-air, performing breathtaking dives from as high as 15m tall. Take a magical 90min journey across space and time! A 100% must watch if you are in Macao! Enjoy the official Sammi’s MTV below.









Filed under Life in Hong Kong, Music

Bread Art

April 24, 2011 Leave a comment


(Photo Taken: “Sweet Delight Mona Lisa” at K11 Shopping Mall, Tsim Sha Tsui – Artist Maurice Bennett from New Zealand and 18 local students used 6,000 toasts to create this 5m x 5m mosaic art piece.)

Filed under Cool Stuffs, Life in Hong Kong

It is a small small “Lego” world!

April 22, 2011 1 Comment

LEGO is today’s the world’s 4th largest toy manufacturer. Founded by Ole Kirk Kristiansen in 1932, the company has created an iconic toy that lasted many generations. The Lego toys have been passed from my dad to me and now to my son. Just like us, LEGO is in its 3rd generation. Today, it is managed by the grandson of the founder. The name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. In Latin, Lego means “I assemble”.

All thanks to my wife who sent me a text message 1,600miles away, asking me to go to this free exhibition. “Around the World in Lego Cities” attracted thousands of shoppers and shutter-bugs like me! 17 iconic buildings (built using 3 million lego bricks), 2000 characters and a heritage wall. This is one of the most successful events ever held at City Plaza at Tai Koo Shing.

Filed under Cool Stuffs, Life in Hong Kong

Harshad Strip

April 22, 2011 Leave a comment

(Made by: iPhone App “Half Tone” – We created a mini comic strip prank on Harshad who didn’t know he was in the shot throughout. Nope, we didn’t watch that horrible 3D Sex and Zen movie. We went for the more innocent Little Red Riding Hood.)

Filed under Life in Hong Kong

Our Last Supper

April 22, 2011 Leave a comment


Saying goodbye on Easter’s Eve feels like having the “last supper” with my lovely team. Except it was high tea and no one will be crucified tomorrow. Today, we bid farewell to 4 fellows – Alice, Selina, Vince and Loretta. They have been the noise, the fun and the spice in our team. Thanks for all the good times and wishing them all the best for their next resurrections (new life).

Filed under Life in Hong Kong

Easter Pop Art

April 16, 2011 Leave a comment


(Photo Taken: Easter Pop Art Exhibition at Mirama Shopping Center, Hong Kong – Thousands of colourful plastic eggs were used to compose these vibrant pop art icons.)

Filed under Cool Stuffs, Life in Hong Kong

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