concluding 2009

sorry for rarely update recently due to got nothing to update besides my daily routine life.

with barely 8 more days before the end of 2009...what have I done for this whole year??

one answer for sure, waste lot of money to study in Singapore. made my mom worry about me all the time because I am far away from her. but will be seeing my beloved family next month due to cousin wedding in Singapore!!!

my life is more happening at the final quarter of the year due to internship. got more friends, more outing but all are healthy outing. no drinking or money wasting activities...still do spend some on food, movie and badminton. but thats it, nothing more than that.

until now I still have the same question like others who deadly wanted to ask me...how can I survive with 500 salary per month and rental already consumed 400. my answer to you is I dont know how either. some how I still be able to enter my third month of internship in one piece.

besides study and internship, I really didnt do much this year. maybe that is my 2009 objective. nearly accomplish with 3 more months to go and that bloody report.

watched biggest movie of 2009 at cinema. 2012 and Avatar. both made me couldn't sleep for hours after watching the movie. awesome and must watch!!!

it is time to make up my mind where should I go after graduate, but my mind is still blur at this moment. hopefully I will have a clearer view sooner rather than later.

what else happened to me in 2009?? most happening should be officially becoming an adult. but still not doing any adult alike thing. still like a student. (no wonder Geylang prostitutes dont even bother to come close to me) what I meant by adult thing is not finding prostitutes, but more matured life time decision or something like that.

am I lucky or what?? twice internship also very enjoyable experiences. although have some bad experiences but the good one can really overcome all the bad one. other than real life working experience, I still have to say this..I found another group of friends here in Singapore.

thank you very much for supporting, assist and guide me throughout these 3 months with another 3 months to go. I cannot survive without you guys and you guys really make my life more interesting and more happening. really glad to be able to work and learn from you all.

have I changed? I dont think so...still so lame and still being myself in front of everyone. started to lose control these few days, maybe is the new year coming syndrome. the party mode is on but cant really party due to working. but somehow still can find a way to enjoy it.

yes, I am an entertainer and I have my own audience. =)

2009, not a bad year after all besides those heart broken moment. Other than that, I will appreciate everything I have learned in year 2009. Definitely going to appreciate my mom's effort to support my further study in Singapore with my deepest heart. My mom is No. 1 mom in the world!!!!!!! and I miss her very much.

anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy 2010 to everyone. thanks for keeping my life updated through out these 2 years and still counting.

wish everyone best year ahead of you. =D

Edward Low signing off for 2009.

remaining holiday

this could be my last semester break because after internship, I will be 100% stepping into the working world. Internship is just to get myself ready for this new chapter of my life.

after spending time with friends, it is about spending some quality time with family. what is best to do it than on Mid Autumn Festival?

on this special day, we will be celebrating it at cousin Ellaine's house. It is a steamboat dinner, Mid Autumn Festival celebration and my brother, Edmund the fussy one's 23rd Birthday celebration.
there were only 9 of us but it was a great time! first time trying steamboat with Miso soup. of course it must accompanied with a can of cold beer!!!

we didnt finish up everything and we did not stop from there. after steamboat, we had ice lychee longan water, mango, cheese cake, moon cake and some fine hot chinese tea for dessert!

mango and tea, top right : colour changing tea pot

while not letting our stomach to take a break, we were watching White Chicks. very funny even re-watch it again.

Edmund's 23rd birthday celebration in advance

we all are too old for birthday song singing and stuff that we suppose to do on birthday, so we roughly sand the song and thats it! we were too full anyway.

throughout the whole side, Chun Hsiong cant stop playing with his star-back tortoise

meet "fei po" and "fei zai", I dont know which is which. But just heard from Ellaine that "fei po" pass away 2 days back. R.I.P. fei po...

after cheesecake, we had moon cake.

blueberry mooncake

we had lot of laugh that night and it is something I miss the most. because we seldom meet up. nothing beats family love. =)

Jocelyn was too full until she falls asleep.

Sunday went shopping with mom and brother. got a pair of new leather shoe, a wallet and a belt. did I tell you guys that I wore my previous leather shoe since form 2? it is time, so new shoe for new chapter of life!

at night yumcha with Kelvin and Yanjie. ever since William, Andrew, Win Datt and me studying overseas. the usual yumcha gang is becoming smaller and smaller. It was my second attempt to ask people out yum cha and only 2 turns out. first time only me and Yanjie. lol

Monday went to Sungei Wang support Kar Hui who is performing on stage for charity event organized by University Malaya. after that went "shopping" with Tania while waiting for Lee Keng to finish working. went yum cha at BRJ near Lee Keng and Yanjie's place. again 3 ekor only. but main purpose Lee Keng asked us out to yumcha is because she want her stuff from Singapore.

when I reach home, check mails. got 1 from college asking me to contact HR department of the hotel because my training pass is ready.

next day gave a call and they want me to go back as soon as possible. so, I went to buy my bus ticket before meeting up with Kenix at Midvalley. at that moment, I was kind of lost because it happen too fast. I need to go back on wednesday, thursday get my uniform and settle everything then friday start working. wow!!!

a pic with Kar Hui and Kenix.

me and Kenix just talk crap for hours while walking around Mid Valley and getting anything that I think I need to buy.

later that night yumcha with Sunway gang again because Jin is back to KL! na beh...he come back to KL, I go back to Singapore.

then I bit farewell to them and head home to pack my stuff. basically just throw everything back into my luggage.

there goes my holiday. tomorrow it will be a new chapter of my life. excited!!!

This post is boring because I lost my interest in blogging once again. grown up?? not really, just not in the mood to type a lot and didnt really get any nice pic throuhout all the activities I had during this holiday. When one person got no direction like me who dont know when will my holiday ends, this is what you get.

time to sleep, tomorrow is a brand new start! =D

sudden return

Thursday evening, got green light from college and hotel saying that I can go back to KL for a week or 2 until further notice regarding to my training pass.

Few days back, mom has been calling to ask me whether can go back for holiday or not but during that time I cant confirm anything. But since now, everything seems to be kind of settle down in Singapore. What else?? go home of course. I dont want to stay in my room online everyday until I get my training pass!!!

At first thinking of going back on Saturday, but my bro asked me to packed my things and go get a ticket the next day then go home!

I do not want to take the risk although holiday season is over. So, search through internet and get the Starmart's phone number. (my usual transportation between KL and Singapore, no flight for me yet)

got 11.30am bus because need to buy something for Lee Keng under heavy pressure since the day she left Singapore.

I told my brother about my arriving time and stuff, but told him not to tell my mom about it. Want to surprise her. haha

on my way home...its been awhile since I last saw huge empty land and scenery without buildings blocking.

I watched Street Fighter, the legend of Chun-Li on the bus. I feel like laughing although no doubt Kristin Kreuk is very hot but the moment she speaks Chinese, I just cant stop laughing. These Hollywood people is ruining our Asian culture character. Just find an Asian to act!!! Dont tell me in the whole wide world, there is no one Asian actress as hot as Kristin Kreuk!!!

anyway, I reach KL around 5.40pm because the bus went in Melacca. As I look at the sky, I knew I will be greeted with beautiful sunset when I reach home.

I am damn right!

but problem occur, they change the pad lock and I dont have the key for it. So I have to wait outside the house until they come back. All I can do is looking at the sun set at my beloved KL city.

brother is rushing back so I can be at home and give my mom a big surprise. but plan failed as my mom came back few minutes before he does.

when mom came back, she thought I was my brother. but after 2 seconds of confirmation, we hugged and I got "scolded" for not informing her about my return. then Edmund came back and both of us been called "sui zai" for several times until she settle down.

the feeling of home...just warm my heart

immediately the tired feeling is gone but got nothing to do that night, so just stay at home and relax.

nothing else I can ask for besides seeing my family are still as healthy as always.

KL is where I belong

relationship from parenting?

John Gray said how we react in a relationship is deeply related to how our parents react or what we observed from our parents.

example, if dad and mom are lovely all the time. Son will know how to be loving to their partner and daughter will know how to react as well.

on the other way, if dad always at work and mom is the one who do everything at home, daughter will wants to find a man that can stay at home with her for most of the time. She will feel lack of security if her man not being able to be with her.

Mom who always in control to make sure everything in control, son will somehow felt annoyed if the partner slightly in control as well

and the list goes on...

true?? not true?? depends...

but after reading that chapter, I sit back and think...

I think about people around me, is that why my brother still dont have girlfriend because he is much more less aggresive than me and really dont know what to do. But he is good in communicating, as in real good until you need to ask him shut up to get few seconds of silent.

what about William? met his parents for many times. His parents are lovely couple as far as I can see. Is there where he get the knowledge and guideline from? Is what he saw since young gave him the courage to make a move to the girl he have feeling on? Not to mention, William have a happy family.

what about Chin Yi? Family with 6 or 7 siblings. Parents work early morning till afternoon and left them at home since young. They have to survive by themselves. Is that why she felt insecure all the time and lack of confident?? Is that why she always have this negative feelings because is deep inside her since young?

why do some can change partner few times a year, some will die die also stick with that person no matter how suck it is, some will just do as what they want and happy together all the me???
does all these happen cause they saw it, they experienced it and they feel it??

so, I look at myself and think...

I dont have an example to follow at home since I was a small kid because my dad was not around. All I can see is love from my mom to me and my brother. Where do I learn how to communicate with women? Who is the one who guide me? Who should be the one who teach me how to react, what to say, what to do, when to do, when to say and etc...

all I can think off is movies and tv shows...the typical fantasy happy ending with little bit of tragedy in between. The typical bump in the library, knocked down in the grocery store, accident brought two together, love on the first sight and so on...

never happen to me at all and seriously I am suck at approaching girl. I dont have the courage and confident to step forward and say "hey, how are you doing?" I dont even dare to look at girl the second when she look back, i will look away. =_="

I am typing this not because I am desperate or emo, just a self-reflection on what is going on. After reading that chapter, I realize that I am forming my own guidance on how to get into a relationship. I am doing my own way which I dont even know is right or wrong. Sometimes I will think, how the heck can I do what the hero did in that movie? No such thing will happen to me and I have to be realistic. But my mom only told me, dad wait for her at her work place and bring her drink "tong sui" every night. Thats how things start...

thats all I know, bring a girl out everyday and slowly she will fall for you. haha.

imagine if you bump into a girl on the street and all her groceries fall. Will she smile at you? or will she bitch scold you?? or will she take out her pepper spray immediately??? (does girls at our age buy groceries anyway??)

what about look at a girl for a very long time and then approach her when no one is around her?? Will she smile back at you or give you this "what the fuck do you want?" look?? or will she says "pervert" and walk away??

but it works in the movies....so what? is a movie anyway. Everything got planned nicely to make it work.

ah ma and me at Australia back in 2003

any thoughts from you guys? what do you think? Am I thinking too much?

ps: William and Chin Yi, hope it didnt offence you both.

best way to end a holiday...

after a crazy evening and night out, supposingly I should rest on Sunday, my last day in KL before going back to Singapore the very next day.

but great news for Malaysia fans was Man United will extend their stay in KL and will have second game against Malaysia XI on Monday due to Jakarta bombing. It was a tragedy that none of us want it to happen and sorry for fans in Indonesia.

the extended stay news was a good one for many fans including me who thought we can only see the team from far but not in person and also not getting any autograph. This is because the original schedule was after Saturday game, they will leave to Jakarta that night itself.

now, since they extend their Asia Tour in KL. Which means I still have a glimpse of hope to meet any of them.

as I said I slept at around 6am after a long tiring day, surprisingly without any alarm clock I still woke up around 10am. Barely had enough rest, I check online about the team schedule of the day and found out they will be going for a close door training in the morning. For the past few days, many fans were stalking the team in Mandarin Oriental, hotel they are staying in.

so, without a doubt, after a cup of Nescafe 3 in 1. I head to KL with my Inside United magazine and a marker pen and ofcourse, a little bit of hope...

reach Mandarin Oriental at around 11.30am, saw no body at the front entrance besides porters and few securities. So went to Cold Storage to buy some brunch then went back to hotel and eat while waiting. Met 2 guys who were on the same mission as me, but they both got Sir Bobby Charlton, who aparently walked out from hotel to KLCC nothing but a normal old man. Lucky for them, but 3 of us just wait outside hoping for the best.

at 12pm, the team's buses were in front of the hotel but no one was inside. We thought the buses came back without players. 1 hour later, my new friend told me Sir Bobby Charlton is at the hotel entrance. We didnt even know he is back, maybe from another entrance.

so I rush up and this is what I got.

Sir Bobby Charlton, the Man United's ambassador. Survivor of the Munich tragedy and also one of the Busby babe, one of the World Cup winner for England, most appearance player before Ryan Giggs broke his club record, still England all time top scorer with Michael Owen hoping to break that record after joining Man United. Legend of the legend standing just right beside me!!!

minutes later, Man United's CEO, David Gill came out from the hotel as well. He and Sir Bobby is going to somewhere else. Although not being in the club for long, but he did quite lot of good work for the club.

David Gill, the tall man who deals with all sought of matters within the club and players.

after 2 of them left the hotel, few of us decided to go into the hotel lobby because we heard the players were actually back in the hotel using another entrance. Roughly about 20 fans were in the lobby, but some really caught my attention. They are members of Man United Malaysia Supporter Club. Standing near them allowed me to get latest news about the team schedule but been told that the players got no other activities after training.

None of us give up, so we continue waiting at the lobby. Then the bus driver told us Sir Alex went to Singapore in the morning and will touch down by 2pm. So, he should be reaching back the hotel around 3 or 4 pm. A new hope for all of us!!!

I think Sir Alex went to Singapore to check why they dont allow chewing gum, if not Man United might have a friendly in Singapore to replace Jakarta's game. For your information, Sir Alex chew gum in every game, wonder which brand he likes the most.

Then one of the lobby staff told us not to wait at main entrance because they will be going in and out from the side entrance. After some convincing talk by him especially those fans that came early and waited at the side entrance, got player's autograph when they return from training. We all move to side entrance.

we saw no Sir Alex, but we saw Taufik Hidayat, Indonesia badminton ace.

he was in KL to watch Man United...good to play for country. whatever happen also no need to worry. But the funniest thing was this Malay girl got so excited but have nothing for him to sign on because everything she have is for Man United, she actually handed him Star newspaper. He raise his eye brow looking at the newspaper but still sign for her. One of the odd moment.

while waiting, we saw kit man Morgan Albert going for jogging but did not want anyone to interupt him. So we leave him alone. At that moment, we still wondering will Sir Alex drop by at the main entrance. It might be a trick by the hotel to remove the crowd from main entrance. Most of us walking up and down to check on both entries.

At one point, whenever we saw any 'ang mo', we will thought they are Man United's staff. Anyway, I saw ManUtd.com blogger Nick Coppack but did not stop him.

After 2 hours of waiting, at 4pm a black car with Man United's logo at the door stop at the side entrance. One fella shout, Sir Alex!!! Everyone rush out like hungry people go for free food. I saw Sir Alex'es face turn from calm to slightly shocked, because we were all waiting in the lobby. Outside was just too hot. Imagine you look at calm none moving water, suddenly a bunch of piranas came out.

The most decorated manager in the modern game, Man United's successful achievements for the past 20 decades were all because of him. Mastermind of the game!!!

At this point, I cant believe that yesterday I can only see him from far and today I was right beside him!!! Remember the quiz I set in Facebook about how well do you know me, one of my questions was person I want to meet the most is Sir Alex Ferguson. Just few months after setting the quiz, my dream came true!!!

When Sir Alex ready to go back to his room, we suddenly sang Glory Glory Man United to send him off. Then the climax going back down again...

I was there talking to some newly met Man United's fans...

Roughly about 1 hour later, while I was kind of waiting with blind hopes. Suddenly I saw 1 man walks in to the hotel in Man United's staff shirt. While others did not realise anything at all, I knew that the person is Man United's first team coach, Rene Meulensteen.

so I quickly approach him, others then only realise and starts surround the man without knowing who he is. Many of them rush from the other end and when they reach, they asked "eh, siapa ni a??" But some dont really care, just get the autograph and take photo with him first then only figure who is him.

But not in my case, I let him sign on the page with his comment about midfielders. He was the tactical coach before Mick Phelan been promoted to assistant manager. I got to know him after buying a dvd where he teach Man United's academy how to do skills. (I didnt manage to master any of them)

After this, was a series of trying to reach the players missions from few fans. Some tried to go up to other floors using elevator but got chase out by securities who stationed on each floor. The security was tight, so I didnt bother to waste my time going up.

I suppose to leave by 6pm but my new friend convince me to stay for another hour. So I continue waiting without anymore hopes because bene told the players will never come down or leave the hotel for the rest of the day. Saw Paddy Crerand and his MUTV staff walking in and out the hotel, but they are too busy to entertain us.

As I was about to leave the hotel at 7pm to join my family for dinner, I saw a man in blue shirt coming from the lobby. Again, I was the first to spot him and approach him.

He is none other than the legendary no. 7 of Man United. The Captain Marvel, the reason why David Beckham wore no. 7 during his Man United prime time. The person who Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Beckham looks up to during their childhood. Bryan Robson!!!

after getting 5 autograph in 7 hours of waiting, none from the players but from most important peoples in the team. I was satisfied with the effort I put in, the waiting was worth it!!! Its an additional for me after the game. I felt the price I paid for the match ticket was even more worth it. Never regret to spend 7 hours waiting in the hotel lobby.

then I went to Pandan Jaya to join my family for dinner. Brother treating us cause got new job.

beverages, bro's mocha chocolate, mom's passion fruit, aunt's ice lemon tea and my dragon fruit ice blended.

food we ordered..mix chop, spaghetti ala spice, baked fish with cheese, sweet sour pork chop and seasfood salad.

a very great way to end my holiday. Meeting people that I never dreamt of having the chance to meet and also having dinner with people I love the most.

bro, mama and aunt...

LOVE YOU ALL A LOT!!! Especially ah Ma!!! =D

so fishie-o...

Its May and its Labour Day!!!
Working class peoples having holiday and eventually students also have holiday. But no difference for me since I really got no class on friday.

Got a surprising sms from Denis, my eldest cousin bro who live in Singapore asking me to join him and his wife for dinner. I said surprising because he is kind of busy on his work and social life with clients and friends, so is kind of surprise after nearly 4 months of being in Singapore. Finally he have time to meet me.

The last time I met him, I think should be 3 or 4 years back???

Went to Great World City again, check the Japanese buffet entry few weeks back. The whole place was very crowded and every restaurant had a long queue due to public holiday.

This time is also for Japanese food again, but not buffet style. We waited for 10 minutes before getting our seats.

the place...

Ichiban Boshi located at ground floor in Great World City and its more like a sushi bar like Sushi King. But their specialty is fish!!! Beside dine in, they also sell pack by pack.

choosing sushi...

Due to public holiday, those impatient customers are willing to bring the whole sushi bar back home to enjoy. All of them are freshly prepared and actually there are more on the other side.

Besides sushi, they also sell other Japanese products like dressing, beverages and others...

things...

the restaurant...

the center piece...

As I said, their specialy is fish. The moment we got our seats, Denis went to order sashimi while me and Siew Huey looking at the menus.

We ordered green tea and a bottle of sake for both me and Denis.

sake glass and green tea cup.

cold sake...

But it was not col enough, more like a room temperature sake. So got a bowl of ice water to keep it chilled.

I cant really make up my mind and ended up order something I dont even know what is it. After awhile, the sashimi came.

fresh fish sashimi (not sure what fish is this...)

This remind me of the news reporter in Spongebob.

soft shell crab sushi

steam cod fish with soy sauce.

hot plate beef with something on it...

tuna sashimi

deep fried pork with salad. (dont worry, eat pork wont get influenza A H1N1)

All these ordered by Denis and Siew Huey and the one I order shocked all of us when it was served on the table.

the super set...

not just that, it actually has 2 layers.

whole set consist of a bowl of rice, tempura deeping sauce, ginger, miso soup, pan fried fish, medium well salmon, fish tempura, soft shell crab, cawamushi and taufu. (I didnt finish the rice though)

Told you their specialty is fish. Almost every dish have fish and mine have 3 types of fish.

Its great to finally meet up with them again ever since their wedding back to 2005. Miss the chance to meet them on 2 CNY due to training in Penang and study in Singapore while they went back to KL.

Had great talk with them, chit chat about life, opinion about food in Singapore, future life, family...etc etc. Nothing beats the family bond, well unless someone really screw it up. Hope to see them again cause cousin Edwind will be back to KL from Canada and will drop by in Singapore first.

It was really a great evening with both of them. Thanks!!!
well, dont have any pic of them. Maybe in future will take some pic with them.

tradition or go green?

Last Sunday, I woke up at 7am after yumcha section with friends until 4am. Slept for less than 3 hours and have to wake up early in the morning to harm the ozone layer, digging a bigger hole on Mother Earth's skin...

We gather around and burn houses

then we also burn cars...


some even burn computers...

well, it is a 3 weekend activities where people burn whatever they want to and WWF will never take action about it...

yes you are right, its Ching Ming time...time to pay respect to our ancestors by sacrifising our planet Earth. I missed past 2 years due to training and something on...modern people I guess, dont think it will last long though.

First stop we went to Guong Dung Yi San to pay respect to my dad and grandma.

Dont think I am an ass who dont care about my dad for the past 2 years ok? All I think is all these 1 year once thing is nonsense, just like Valentine's Days or Mother's Day where we have to do some special thing for the special one on this special day. Get what I mean??

But I go along with family this year because I came back from Singapore and just feel like doing it.

Its like a market below the pagoda.

Selling ice cream and cold drinks as early as 8am is nothing wrong for these days due to hot weather.

part of the polluted KL...

ingredients to destroy Mother Earth...

luckily my family already simplifies it, still burn but only a small amount. Can't stop them, it is a tradition.

From here we can see the contrast and determine whether this will last long or not..

while the older generations are suffocating...

the younger generations relaxing outside with fresher air...

this explain why can I get this pic... XD ( I am the younger generations what..)

this is the only place you need to rush and get the spot, if not you have to line up and wait. Now a days more and more people prefer to be burned rather than burried. They are actually building second pagoda behind the old one...this shows the demand for it is higher now.

After that, its time to do some proper exercises and some hiking...

got this before reaching our next stop to pay respect to my great great grand father.

family activities~~ clearing and cleaning the place.

We found yam and snails at the 'backyard' of great great grandfather's 'house'

Other than snails, ants...we also found big earth worms.

HUGE EARTH WORM!!!! (there few of them around us...)

We also been told that he was an engineer. We actually ask all the same questions every year for those that we are not so sure. Just wanted to find out some family histories that we will forget like the history we learned in school. Every year will ask again and again...

Then we went to his brother's 'house' deep inside...

a small one due to world war...

Then we went for hiking to my grandfather's 'house' as well as great grand parent's place...

busy uncles aunties behind with stone cousin and bro...

like this pic alot...cool eh??

when we are paying respect to my great grand parents, some malay tv drama shooting crew came to record some scenes...

and most of them wore black under the hot sun...sooooooooooo 'clever'

the sky treat us well that day, not really hot throughout the whole process and its kind of cloudy at the end then it started to rain when we were at our last spot.

thanks SKY!!!

maybe this is the last time for me...who knows?? few cousins and aunties already missed it for many years due work and studies. So I might be the next...oh wait, I already did for past 2 years. haha.

just wondering, should we stop this or not?? As Chinese, we create lot of pollutions due to our believe and tradition. hmmmmm....