In Malacca, don't waste Satay sauce Ban Lee Siang Satay Celup aka Lok Lok! Don't ask how that satay sauce has been there or how many people have dipped their sticks of stuff into it cos we don't wanna know. It turned out to be pretty tasty and fun to eat. And not as nasty as it looks. Malacca night life very happening This karaoke place in Malacca offer "titbits" and has a "head charge" I am not sure if we should go there. Insing column: mrbrown and the toy department Latest weekly Insing column is "mrbrown and the toy department" Excerpt: The wife and I took our 6-year-old, Isaac, out to the city over the weekend. We rarely hang out near malls and the downtown area on weekends because we dislike the crowds but I needed to develop some black and white film (I know! Who still does that, right?) and there are only a few shops that do it. So I made it into a little adventure for the boy. I was secretly pleased to just have the son with me, partly because one kid is easier to handle, and secondly, it was a guy-bonding thing. Mommy came along because she wanted to do some shopping, so we hopped on the train to City Hall. Man, was it crowded. I hate to sound like a country bumpkin but where do all these people come from? Why is everyone going downtown all at once? To make things worse, it started to rain and by the time we bussed to our MRT station, water was flowing down the path to the station. This is where I learned a valuable kid lesson — boys have to be told NOT to walk or jump through water. (cont'd) CNNGo column: Dreading the school holidays? You're not alone Latest CNNGo.com "Say What? with mrbrown" column: Dreading the school holidays? You're not alone Excerpt: The school holidays are upon us again. For four weeks in June, kids get to go on vacations, play with friends, and drive their parents batty. And come mid-November, they get to do it all over again for six weeks. The school holiday season stresses many Singapore parents out. Shall we take the kids to a holiday? Or is it too expensive in these economic times of cautious optimism? Perhaps we should look into school elective programs? Say, swimming, or music appreciation, or 11th century European Medieval History for Seven-Year-Olds? But will that take up time meant for our kids to find themselves? Shall we sign them up for enrichment classes that strive to stimulate their hidden genius gene and turn them into little Einsteins? Or is that pushing them too hard? If the genius-level enrichment classes seem a bit ambitious, maybe aim lower, like Somewhat Clever? (cont'd) Insing column: mrbrown and the Iron Men Latest weekly Insing column is "mrbrown and the Iron Men" Excerpt: My friends are gloating over the fact that they have seen Ip Man 2, the sequel to the movie about kung fu master, Mr Ip Man (what do you call him? Mr Ip or Mr Man?). I was busy watching Iron Man 2, the other sequel about a man in a metal suit. In the first Ip Man, our hero, whom many know as the master who taught Bruce Lee, fought a Japanese opponent. This, of course, made the audiences in China thrilled because many are still angry at the Japanese for WWII. In the sequel, Ip Man fights a Western boxer. I don't know what the Westerner did to make Ip Man and the Chinese population mad at him beyond being a white guy who can fight well, but it sure made the audience happy to root for our hero once again. So Ip Man has fought a Japanese soldier in Part 1, an ang moh in Part 2 but who has he left to fight in Ip Man 3? An ang moh born in Japan? What other powers will score with a Chinese audience? I suggest moving the Ip Man franchise into the crossover world. Just like we had Alien and Predator, then Alien vs Predator (AVP), we can do Iron Man vs Ip Man. Millionaire in Iron Suit fights Kung Fu Man with Iron Fists! (cont'd) CNNGo column: The sun, the sea and the Singapore Navy Open House 2010 Latest CNNGo.com "Say What? with mrbrown" column: The sun, the sea and the Singapore Navy Open House 2010 Excerpt: I think I lost about 2kg in sweat and burned several thousand skin cells in the sun after my day at the Navy Open House. The Singapore Navy invited a few of us to a preview of their event at Changi Naval Base. The Open House takes place on the 22nd and 23rd of May 2010, and they are expecting 100,000 visitors over that weekend. I am thankful for being allowed to perspire with relatively fewer people. Needless to say, my biggest advice to all visitors is to put on sunblock, wear a cap and sunglasses, and dress lightly. Oh, and drink lots of water. (cont'd) Ride of Silence 2010: a video A touching video done by Singapore Bulldog Cyclists, for this year's Ride of Silence, a silent slow-paced ride in honour of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Some of our fallen comrades we remember this year: Ben Mok and Evelyn Toh. The Ride of Silence "Tonight we number many but ride as one In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons With helmets on tight and heads down low, We ride in silence, cautious and slow The wheels start spinning in the lead pack But tonight we ride and no one attacks The dark sunglasses cover our tears Remembering those we held so dear Tonight’s ride is to make others aware The road is there for all to share To those not with us or by our side, May God be your partner on your final ride" - Mugai Ngee Ann Polytechnic Graduation Fail Update 2: New copy uploaded by someone else. I linked to this new one! Update 1: The video has been removed, it seems. I wonder if there is another copy out there... Epic suay, man, the emcee. Comment of the week: "This wouldn't have happened if you appointed someone who isn't an Ah Beng to emcee for this event." Gosh, I Love Weddings Gosh, I Love Weddings Three weddings in a month was a little hectic but it was great to see my friends so happy. To the grooms and brides I have had the privilege of taking unofficial photos of, many blessings in your new journey together! And did I also mention how much I love black and white film too? It also helps to have such lovely subjects to make photos from, of course! Our Havaianas family Over the weekend, the wife dragged us to the Havaianas store at ION to pick out some flip flops for the family. It was also an excuse to take the Circle Line. So grandma, mommy, maid, me, and three kids all took the train to town. I got the glow-in-the-dark ones so that I can wear my glow-in-the-dark Threadless tees with them when I watch movies. Isaac picked out a blue robot pair, Joy wanted the yellow pair with straps (and we picked out an extra red pair with a sweet on it), and mommy got the gold pair with heels. We tried to get a pair for Faith but she toe-walks too much for flip flops to be practical. Now the next thing to teach the kids is how to walk in flip flops without the drag-drag-drag sound. Even the wife got a little scolding from me for dragging hers. I was brought up by a strict Dad and we were never allowed to walk like Ah Bengs even in slippers. Our Havaianas family Coolest cleaner at Changi Airport Those are pretty slick moves, no? Coolest cleaner at Changi Airport Those are pretty slick moves, no? Isaac and the fan One of the interesting quirks of having a 6-year-old son with an active imagination is that our appliances become his canvases. We still own the Ikea table lamp he drew on two years ago and it still makes us smile every time we turn it on. This time, the wife found the floor-standing electric fan we use in my study, in a new state. Isaac stuck the 3D glasses he found on my desk to the lid of the fan, drew and cut out a nose and mouth, and voila! Fan transformed to a robot. I have discovered eyes, noses and even tiny paper hands, attached to other things like my iMac and the Ikea baby chair too. And these discoveries are always a delight to find. The only problem is I keep running out of scotch tape when I need it. Isaac recently apologised to me for using up the last bit of a 3M roll. I didn't have the heart to scold him and just said, "Papa will buy some more, don't sweat it, dude." Isaac and the fan the mrbrown show: your mother's tongue Chinese very difficult to learn but we can make it easier with the right teacher! Class is on at mrbrownshow.com! the mrbrown show: your mother's tongue My mom's recipe book My kids were spotted playing with this worn and tattered book in the living room, before we realised it was my mother's old recipe book. She quickly grabbed it back from their grubby hands and said, "How did they find my little piece of history ah?" "You probably left it lying around lor," I said, knowing my mother's somewhat bochup ways. The book was "My Favourite Recipes" by former Methodist Girls' School (MGS) principal, Ellice Handy. My mother's edition is the 1952 one (I believe it is the first edition), and it contains all kinds of yummy Asian recipes. There are notes scribbled in pencil all over, some by my mother, some by my aunt (her older sis). Mom said when the book came out, all the MGS girls were "persuaded" to buy it for the school building fund because the proceeds would go to that. My mother and her sisters were unique in those days, in that her father believed that girls should get an education too. So they all attended MGS and subsequently, higher education. I am glad for this recipe book. Many of mom's great dishes came from this book. I am hoping she sends it for rebinding. The binding of the book is kind of falling apart and it would be a shame to see the book damaged any further. I also adore the drawings on the cover. There is a modern edition of this book, I believe. But this edition is a gem. My mom's recipe book Some sweet Dads for Life contest entries Update: This entry by Bella of Northlight School was also very touching. Read her mother's reply in the comments section too. I thought it would be nice to draw your attention to some touching entries written by kids about their fathers in the Dads for Life contest running now. The entries are dreadfully and refreshingly honest and candid. Go check out the entries and vote for your favourite entries. This more is from Izzy from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary): Dad you are my Dad for Life and i’m really happy when you joke and laugh with me. I love it when we are playing computer or cycling with the family in the park together. You help me learn a lot of information when i find a shell, plant or animal i don’t know about by telling me what it is and some information about it. You always help me with my emotional troubles. When i am feeling bad because things are not going well in school or with my friends i would tell you and you would always come up with an explanation or a solution to my problems. You always work so hard to give us a good life and usually stay at work until twelve or one o’clock, but you don’t complain and still try to find time to bring me out. If you snap at me sometimes i understand because you are working so hard and sometimes you cannot always smile... (read more from Izzy) This one is from Yani from Northlight School: You’re my Dad for life and I’m happiest when you are here for me. When I was a child, you always carried me. When i’m sick, cry or even laught you would always carry me. I’m the youngest child the most pampered one of all. You are the best dad in the world. You are funny, helpful and handsome too… you love me and sister very much. Even at times when we were a little bit playful, you won’t scold or beat us, you would just talk nicely. you were a loving husband and caring dad Until one day, you went missing. Since I was the youngest, I was not told anything... (read more from Yani) Some sweet Dads for Life contest entries Update: This entry by Bella of Northlight School was also very touching. Read her mother's reply in the comments section too. I thought it would be nice to draw your attention to some touching entries written by kids about their fathers in the Dads for Life contest running now. The entries are dreadfully and refreshingly honest and candid. Go check out the entries and vote for your favourite entries. This more is from Izzy from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary): Dad you are my Dad for Life and i’m really happy when you joke and laugh with me. I love it when we are playing computer or cycling with the family in the park together. You help me learn a lot of information when i find a shell, plant or animal i don’t know about by telling me what it is and some information about it. You always help me with my emotional troubles. When i am feeling bad because things are not going well in school or with my friends i would tell you and you would always come up with an explanation or a solution to my problems. You always work so hard to give us a good life and usually stay at work until twelve or one o’clock, but you don’t complain and still try to find time to bring me out. If you snap at me sometimes i understand because you are working so hard and sometimes you cannot always smile... (read more from Izzy) This one is from Yani from Northlight School: You’re my Dad for life and I’m happiest when you are here for me. When I was a child, you always carried me. When i’m sick, cry or even laught you would always carry me. I’m the youngest child the most pampered one of all. You are the best dad in the world. You are funny, helpful and handsome too… you love me and sister very much. Even at times when we were a little bit playful, you won’t scold or beat us, you would just talk nicely. you were a loving husband and caring dad Until one day, you went missing. Since I was the youngest, I was not told anything... (read more from Yani) New York Times: A Moment in Time My friend Jennie told me on Sunday night about the A Moment in Time project from NYT. You were supposed to take a photo at 1500h GMT, Sunday, 2nd May 2010 (11pm our time) and submit it to the pool to capture a moment in time. By collecting the photos, they hope to show a mosaic of the world at this moment. It was so popular a project their server crashed. So at 2250h, I grabbed my camera, jumped on my bicycle and biked as far as I could go before the 2300h timing, and snapped some shots. The one above was what I submitted in the end. You can see some of the early selections at the NYT Lens Blog. Here were some of the other shots I took. New York Times: A Moment in Time Insing column: mrbrown and the long talks Latest weekly Insing column is " mrbrown and the long talks" Excerpt: A few evenings ago, the family watched bits of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (a Steve Martin comedy) on TV, which ended with a baby born to the movie family. My youngest, Joy, aged 4 and a half, turned to ask me some life questions. "Papa, did you marry Mommy?" "Of course, Joy," I replied with firm conviction. I didn't exactly want her to think we had them all out of wedlock. "Did you make Mommy pregnant?" "Yes, dear. We made all three of you, starting with your Cheh-Cheh Faith." "Did you go to the hospital?" she continued. "Why of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," I smiled. "Then how come I did not see you in the photos?" (cont'd) Insing column: mrbrown and the long talks Latest weekly Insing column is " mrbrown and the long talks" Excerpt: A few evenings ago, the family watched bits of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (a Steve Martin comedy) on TV, which ended with a baby born to the movie family. My youngest, Joy, aged 4 and a half, turned to ask me some life questions. "Papa, did you marry Mommy?" "Of course, Joy," I replied with firm conviction. I didn't exactly want her to think we had them all out of wedlock. "Did you make Mommy pregnant?" "Yes, dear. We made all three of you, starting with your Cheh-Cheh Faith." "Did you go to the hospital?" she continued. "Why of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," I smiled. "Then how come I did not see you in the photos?" (cont'd) CNNGo column: Questions abound with President Nathan's literary debut Latest CNNGo.com "Say What? with mrbrown" column: Questions abound with President Nathan's literary debut Excerpt: I love books. I used to sell them, as a bookseller in one of the largest bookstores in Singapore. I remember the fuss when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs came out. It was like a new Bible was being released. I recall being told you would never see a paperback version of the two volumes. Only hardcover will be sold (in case you were still waiting for it). And the books must never find their way to the Bargain books section. Not that they would anyway. The memoirs sold like Jalan Kayu pratas, flying off the shelf like hot cakes. Another senior person has since released his book too. President SR Nathan published his first book, entitled "Why Am I Here?" This, of course, sent Singaporeans into a nationwide collective giggle. You see, many Singaporeans don't think the President does very much and the title just screamed irony. Responses ranged from, "I also want to know why he is here!" to "He needs to justify his existence?" to "Our President so free to write book, ah? (cont'd) CNNGo column: Questions abound with President Nathan's literary debut Latest CNNGo.com "Say What? with mrbrown" column: Questions abound with President Nathan's literary debut Excerpt: I love books. I used to sell them, as a bookseller in one of the largest bookstores in Singapore. I remember the fuss when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs came out. It was like a new Bible was being released. I recall being told you would never see a paperback version of the two volumes. Only hardcover will be sold (in case you were still waiting for it). And the books must never find their way to the Bargain books section. Not that they would anyway. The memoirs sold like Jalan Kayu pratas, flying off the shelf like hot cakes. Another senior person has since released his book too. President SR Nathan published his first book, entitled "Why Am I Here?" This, of course, sent Singaporeans into a nationwide collective giggle. You see, many Singaporeans don't think the President does very much and the title just screamed irony. Responses ranged from, "I also want to know why he is here!" to "He needs to justify his existence?" to "Our President so free to write book, ah? (cont'd) Insing column: mrbrown and the new 30 Latest weekly Insing column is " mrbrown and the new 30" Excerpt: We were at a Bob Fitts concert just recently. Bob Fitts is a Christian singer who was very popular during our time. When I say, ‘our time’, I mean the Eighties. I am not saying he is not popular now but even he is aware of the demographics of his fan base when he asked the audience above the age of 40 to give a big shout, then those below 40. I looked at my wife after giving my big yell to being above 40 and said "Why you never shout ah?" She gave me a sheepish grin. To be fair, nobody believes she is that age even. She is blessed with kiddie looks. When she was in Secondary 4, some Primary 3 boys hit on her and when she told them she was way older than them, they declared "No way! You are at most... Primary 6!" (cont'd) Insing column: mrbrown and the new 30 Latest weekly Insing column is " mrbrown and the new 30" Excerpt: We were at a Bob Fitts concert just recently. Bob Fitts is a Christian singer who was very popular during our time. When I say, ‘our time’, I mean the Eighties. I am not saying he is not popular now but even he is aware of the demographics of his fan base when he asked the audience above the age of 40 to give a big shout, then those below 40. I looked at my wife after giving my big yell to being above 40 and said "Why you never shout ah?" She gave me a sheepish grin. To be fair, nobody believes she is that age even. She is blessed with kiddie looks. When she was in Secondary 4, some Primary 3 boys hit on her and when she told them she was way older than them, they declared "No way! You are at most... Primary 6!" (cont'd)