MY BIG FAT GREEK SENTOSARINI WEDDING! The Bakmie Part The Bride was all smiling then!The white knight has saved the damsel and now they are on the way...To BAKMIE!!!because our mini little venture of bakmie stall in IMM Jurong is so special to me and Eu-Tjin.We went there and treated the whole entourage with bakmie lunch..Here is my bro Dewit and hubby Gan... preparing our orders for 20 bakmie!here's Cat the bridesmaid taking the chilli!Here's everyone enjoying the pangsit goreng!And the happy Bakmie couple...Lolx..It was not only memorable but throroughly meaningful for the both of us.If you have been to our mommy's bakmie stall, thank you very very much!If you haven't, please take a peek : http://www.makanbakmie.blogspot.com/Til the next stop - ONE' 15 Sentosa! The Sales Girl who's scared of Sales Girl. What's in a name?Call them Relationship Managers, call them Account Managers, call me Land banking Consultant, call me Investment advisor.Admit it. We are sales people.Even if they sell shoes, jewellery, spa packages, IT solutions, investment products, insurance, houses. whatever. in sales means in sales.Is it weird for sales people to be scared of sales people?Maybe cause I cannot do hardsell, I don't and not allowed to by company anyway.But I am super scared of hardsellers.I am scared of two things:1. I become a sucker and sign up anyway... like my spa package! goodness, I was so scared to go for my last session cause I know the spa girl sure call me "sayang", give me those puppy eyes and persuade me into signing up again.2. I am scared that I turn up my wall and become super rude. Like how I got so annoyed and tell them off in the face. And then felt so awful afterwards cause I know they're just doing their job.So this is what happened to my Stanchart RM. I forgot my password to my account and I had to change some of my status like my name spelling and my citizenship.There I went to the Thomson branch. and GOSH! Aren't they overstaffed? totally no customer on a Monday lunch time! So many RMs walking about eating free money cause bo seng li mah.I then sat down with one of them VV, VV was nice and friendly, attended to my enquiries.And the she walked off for quite sometime to sort out the stuff. And I think she purposely took her time cause noone else in the bank anyway, must look like got do work ok?This is when the problem starts. There were so many brochures laid our at the table. All right in front of you with pretty pictures.... must be a trick.. grrr..So I started browsing one of them, which says 14%p.a... basket...she just timed it perfectly, that's when she returned, I think she been spying on me from the back, wait til I picked up one of the brochures and came back."Hi, can I explain to you more about that savings program? It's pretty high you know? 14% pa.. come let me explain to you""Er... "I really wanted to say: "Please lor.. dont bluff me!!! I know it's tied to an endowment plan, which is really for people who do not know how to save money regularly and invest them. The actual returns are only about 2-4% p.a I think and pls lor.. it's 25 yrs maturity. "Instead I said: " Actually my husband is waiting for me outside.. I really have no time now.."which is also true.She then went on," Really it shouldnt take long.."My hands got clammy, cause I am scared my horns started growing." ER.. no thanks, I know it's a Prudential thing.. maybe I just bring home the brochure first, by the way can you send me the password and everything?""Oh cannot.. it's not safe.. you have to collect it back here..then maybe I can explain then?""Oh really? " (BASKET! Since when is it not safe to send bank letters to your home! I know it was a trick for me to see her again...)I really wanted to say:".. Actually, don't waste your time, I know that the 14% p.a is not that true, coz u can only put in for one month, so effectively it's 1 plus% for the whole yr...seriously.. I am getting 15% p.a on my investment, without fail.. so... thanks...but no thanks.. ..".. I also wanted to add" Er.. sorry but I have really smart ex school mates and friend who design all these structured products and funds too.. and they will never buy them.. lolx. cause they know inside out they're crap.. but some do invest with me instead..."... which are all entirely true.But instead.. silly scaredycat me said "Err.. I really cant think of all these right now, I just want my new account etc first.. please just give me it. Maybe next time.""Ok then, how about you meet me here again next week..? When you get your details next week?"Aiks... I was like.. dang lah... I either have to come up with some excuse again or get irritated..or.. as Gan suggests, just be very honest with her.. and tell her all these products are not for me.. how I will never buy any investment that a bank sells. Bank's purely for loans and daily moneys. How they should be.I wonder if she's gonna shoot me with a machine gun next week.My hands are clammy again now.. Dang. I am gonna call the hotline to see if they can send the bloody new details to my home. So sillyLolx. 3 Sure Fire Ways to Rid off the Credit Card/ Insurance Girls Give them a break, wil ya? They're just doing their job..=)but oh well, when they call at the wrong time, I know they may get on your nerves.Instead of being rude and slamming down the phone like many other, why not make their day more interesting?(Was talking to Jac and the girls about this topic and hohoho... She has ideas)1. "Good Morning Miss Lee, my name is Maria, I am calling from RBS, we are hcalling to check if you have credit card from us yet?----"Oh don't worry, I have so many already. I am using one as a door stopper, one as a book mark. You think I need one more to scrap my armpit?Thank you!*click*2. "Hello Miss Lee, my name is Julia. I am calling from UOB Credit line.."-----" HA? HA? Hosiwalakewalramehgarajattii..oohhhrammrrmama..geeeyootibubusheshe.haha hahah..hoho..hihi."Thank you! *click*4. "Good Afternoon Miss Lee, my name is Jenny, calling on behalf of NTUC Income.."" Oh.. hi Jenny...=))"........-sound happy!"Hi Miss Lee..""Jenny,,.. what are you wearing??....(softly and cheekily)"Sorry?...(must be startled)"I said..What are you wearing now Jenny??""Hi Ma'am.. I think i call you back later.."...panic liao.." Oh no.. Jenny. I am free to talk now.. just tell me, what are you wearing?"...*click*Voila!Maybe they'll put you in a voluntary DO NOT CALL list. MY BIG FAT GREEK SENTOSARINI WEDDING!!!!! Part 1 DAYTIME Story Hi Guys!!!The big day came and went!!8th August 2009.. Let me tell you the story!It all starts with the morning. The preparations and of course the gate crashing!8.30 am it started. Yup we not the pantang type and we are such late wakers that the traditional 5 am wake-up blah blah blah just wouldnt work for us.Tara is THE make up expert! No doubt! She's gonna turn me into a pretty pretty princess!Girls busy busy.Check out my bridesmais. All such hot chiobus... I can't stop saying that I am so blardy blessed with the some of the best babes in the world to be my closest friends!They made sure I didn't need to lift a finger the last one week before the wedding. They were amazing!Love you babes!One last check.. lipstick? check.. eye lash check.. sunshine smile.. CHECK!I was so anxious by then.It was around 9.45 already and EU-TJIN IS RUNNING LATE!The Girls will make sure he is well punished later on...=)Violet will start with locking the gate! Muahahha..Meanwhile, Eu-tjin was getting ready...his brothers!WAAAAAAAAA... All looking so cool. Just hope they are man enough to endure the next 1 hour.This is the part the girls enjoy the most, cause we get to torture them.. ahem...I mean... giv them challenges.. such that they have to work hard to win the bride!I love this tradition!Lolx.First things first!!!!!!!!!!!!!WELCOME DRINKS!!!Oops!I don't think they liked the welcome drink!It was themed " The Moments Me and Gan will spend together"So --- Sour! Sweet! Bitter and SPicy!!!!!!!!!!Sour means lots of pomegranate and lime... waaaI don't know how head bartender CAT mixed the drinks.. but I saw wasabi lemon, chilli and bottles and bottles of alcohol in the kitchen!!!!!!!!!!This is exactly what Feng, our photographer said; " I've never seen so much alcohol so early on a wedding day!"More drinks for the boys...And I suppose Eutjin hated it too... ouchLolx..Next!Ouch!! I don't think the boys liked this one either!Sorry boys! Wax away!The girls made them guess quite a few riddles, questions about me and also to pick the right lipstick marks.. I suppose all quite standard huh?Well, they get it wrong.. DRINK!they get it right.. DRINK ALSO! But get water afterwards.How about licking the icecube til the key inside frees itself?Brilliant idea right? Would have been funny..However,Boys being boys, they cheated lah~ They grabbed the icecube and smashed it on the floor.My basket husband so gangster lah!My babes were so angry they were guarding the lock and don't let them use the key liao.Tsk tsk!After many more negotiations... like angpaos... sweet promises... and love poems..The girls finally let the Gan man get the bride!Hmmmm.... such pretty doorb*tches..(Tara Sandy and Cat)Meanwhile.. Gan whipped out his sword, battled all the monsters, charged to top of the tower for the damsel in the veil!*blush*Aye.. so happy to see the husband survived the morning..more importantly still decided to get married and not give up halfway. hahahha..The Proud Mom and the daughter and the Family! Hohoho!Check out this next pic!!Totally COOL la!Jac Me and Tara, coolest shot in the whole album.What's with the naturally blown hair all!Gan and his bride!And so we are SET!!!BABES CHECK!BOYS CHECK!GAN CHECK!BRIDE CHECK!DRESS CHECK!Tummies were grumbling by then!!BAKMIE HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SILLYCELLY's HEN NIGHT!! XOXO- EXPOSED You know that this is not really a Bride's nite but a nite for the girlfriends right?Right..Cause, seriously, who wants a 6-pecced, tanned, brownly toasted torso placed in front of you with whipped cream all over. With golden curly fur too.Hmm.. Let's see..Who wants to be welcomes with a bed of roses, balloons and hmm...some kinky pressies?I am!So pretty right? I love love my girlfriends!Who wants to be welcomed by girls dressed up like baddies with RED lipsticks, bringing edible wax and battery operated boyfriends as wedding gifts?To sweeten the deal, heaps of yummy finger food..Gotta cushion our stomach linings with fats before the alcohol wash it off.With them, come shots of Jagermeister and hyena shrieks. Who wants a pack of intoxicated vixens who are ready to sell you off to random strangers along Clarke Quay for some DARES???Would you want?WHO DOESNT WANT??Heh?I tell you what..Nothing....And I mean NOTHINGGGGGis WILDER...than a pack of charged up, hilarious, fun loving girlfriends of mine..trying to throw me a night I will never forget...And yes, it's supposed to be more memorable than the night I first met my husband..hur hur...So sorry.. because of integrity and reputation and stuff we need to live with..I can't show you all the photoes. Really.I can't.So just enjoy the ones that passed the censorship... =)Here's some of what happened in the hotel room at Swisotel Merchat Court... which GAN booked for me! (BLESS MY HUSBAND!)Girls, lipsticks, black dresses and heaps of fun!Pout pout pout..'First things first.We played the " I have NEver game".. have you played it before? Goodness, go google it !It's so fun when you want to sabo a particular person..Obviously the game induced some shocking revelations about the girlsfriends..But what's in the room stays in the room..Obviously, I lost many rounds. They were trying to get me sloshed silly.Then comes the surprises and games.The anxious bride...Ok... here is where I stop the photoes.. the girls have some surprises and they had more games that I really dont want to be seen participating, games that involved bananas ..rubbers...whipped cream and lipsticks...So, since I can't show, let's just stick to your imagination =p.. Nothing illegal dont worry, it was all tastefully done. Hmm.. more or less.NEXT! Clarke QUAY THERE WE STRUTTED!First shame was the DARE Cards! Oh Dear!!!Tsk Tsk.. Minee Mineee Myneee Mou..."GO UP TO A RANDOM GUY ON THE STREET, TELL HIM HE IS GORGEOUS AND GIVE HIM A DRINK!"Hur hur.. poor lad..I had to kiss him on the cheek and all he gets is mineral water. lolx Next Dare... Hmm!! Luckily they dont have the photo evidence where I did the:"FIND A SEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CROWD, STRADDLE IT FOR 5 SECONDS AND SCREAM YEEHA!"Muahaha...It was so silly!NEXT STOP! BELLY DANCING DARE!Me and the regular show stealer Jac, who else. XOXO Aye..I was scared I might make this dancer lose her job.. lolxNEXT!! NEXT!!PUMP ROOMPOP THE CHERRY!The Vixen Crew !!!What was the highlight of the night?I was so high I went on stage of Pump Room and hogged the mic for one song."Sweet Child of Mine" - Guns N RosesAnd I totally rocked the crowd!I have the silly clip of me on stage that I wanted to show, but I think, he hehe.. shy lah. plus I don't know how to upload a video file =(Anyway,...THE GAN BRIDE RAWKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! My Liddle ROM partay - 14 February 2009 This is long overdue, Coz on the 8th August 2009, we just got really really hitched with a wonderful banquet..But on 14th February earlier this year..It started with a centre piece....Beautiful luscious roses from Violet.And a pair of Rings...White gold, rounded and a diamond that signifies eternity..A set up by the pool, in the breeze..With gold cloths flying by and red rose petals adoring the white spreads..(Thanks to the creative friends we have!)The families and close friends were there.The bride was smiling and the groom looks totally calm (no cold feet whatsoever! =)..)..And the honourable JP, Mr Koh was on time. ..We were late though!Then there's this pair of nervous individuals. Eutjin and Marcelly.About to sell their lives away to each other..Totally speechless.Mr Koh asked :" Would you like to read your own vows?"Me and Gan looked at each other, :" Heh? What Vow?"Comical, I must say. Mr Koh shook his head and took out a list of standard vows."Why don't you pick one from here then". We just picked the shortest one and went for it..GAN !! NO VOW???Tsk...But that's Gan for me. Never really know what to say. Never really have the words. But I know he's ever so true to everything he does. At least I know he're true to me.It's not what he says anyway, it's what he does. Vows are vows. Our vows are simple and we express it every other time. I can't stop saying how lucky I am to have finally met Gan.Me and Gan giggled a little and say our "I do"s. It was over before I felt it start. Funny.I was a bit nervous, to be honest.It was like.. ok Marcelly, that's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!But seeing how sure Gan is, is really calming. Gan is so sure. Rock solid kind.Never once, he ever wonders if his bride shall be anyone else but me.I admit I probably falter more, at least in the mind. But I always run back fast enough.And so the ROM goes...SolemnHappy..Memorable.. with Daddy and Mommy..... ..With great friends.. More great friends....And more great friends..And the handsome boys..This was table that showed off our pre wed photoes.. having said that,,..it was taken in a little island called the "Angel island" off the coast of Jakarta.It was beautiful, I shall show some of them next time..Personal, simple, we were sorrounded by the closest of friends and families.and the bright sunny day signified a whole new beginning..THE DAY I OFFICIALLY BECAME MRS GAN EU TJIN!!!3 Cheers!!! Taiwanese Got A1 in Engrisshh Ah? Here's the much promised bit on making a joke out of Taiwanese..No offence but they really need help with their English!!If you go to China, Taiwan, Korea and I bet even Japan.You can walk around town and spot really hillarious English phrases, either mispelled, misused or totally abused.It's quite cool to feel that our Engrriisshh is so much better than theirs..Heck cares people say our Singlish ain't cool, at least we won't fail SATS..Like the Taiwanese..They have a roomful of chickens that gets fried.. yikes.. just sounds wrong to me..They really love confusing themselves...don't they?Why can't they simply call this place: The Little Chill-out Kiosk or something.. darn it.Oh.. poor ReebokWith road names like Song bo? and SOng Long? I think out Supermarket Sheng Shiong ain't so bad after all leh!Oh.. I know it's a bit blurry. But if you see and zoom properly... all the sandwiches all DO come with VEGERTABLE.Ok?Extra Vitamin R!Oh this is the best.. found at the fisherman's wharf/Lovers Bridge in Taipei..such a touristy place yet such lousy English translators...We wanna goo pee peee...soo.. I look for Ladies room..Ok.. I found LADY..fair enoughGAn looks for........Gentle????Hmm.. Now I am not so sure which one is mine. I am pretty sure I am quite gentle too.. If I didn't see wrongly, an old auntie just walked out of the GENTLE room.But wait til you get the 3rd choiceNah... My hands not capped.Really not easy finding the right place to pee pee in Taiwan.. eh?Please send some of our English teachers to Taiwan already. Viva La TaiPei - The Touristy bits You know how I am not a big fan of touristy places. It always feels like being conned, hence the famed tourist traps.However, better visit those significant places to mark your visit (sort of peeing around the territory), take photo and have proof that you've been there kinda thing.Silly I know, but don't tell me you don't do it.Having said all that, the tour was all paid for. Hehehe.. so me and Gan had better tagged along.So, what is really worth visiting in Taipei as a tourist?1. 101 Building:Once upon a time up (maybe til today), this is/was the tallest building in the world. But I think Dubai is building a taller one, and/or Shanghai is building another taller one. And I lost track.... But who cares, tall enough.This photo so screams: " I've been to Taipei". Bloody tourist me.No matter what people say, I still feel that Republic Plaza where I work is the tallest in the world. Sheesh. Takes forever to get to my office.Right in front of 101 that day, was a structure not quite as tall as 101, but 101 more times lovable.THE TIFFANY & CO Christmas TREE!!!!!!!!!!!"Santa baby... so hurrryyyy down the chimney tonight!!"What could be better than this tree? A whole tree of Girl's best friend. Gan was so scared to go near it, he was like :" I just don't like this treeee.., no sane man would" Such a grand arse my husband. =p2. The GRAND HOTELOldest, most famous, most ridiculously priced hotel in Taiwan????What else? Standard. I borrowed the toilet lor.. And on the way, take lots of pictures. Can't afford a night here, apparently more expensive than Raffles Hotel.Not sure if it's older but definitely a whole lot more cheena.Personally, I won't stay in this hotel even if I am willing to pay for it. I keep thinking of jumping Chinese ghosts........Anyway... still..Better go and take photo of this one when you go Taipei, later people say you no class..3. The Sun Moon Lake.Quite a distance away from Taipei. But it was quite beautiful. Especially if you live in Singapore and no chance to see a big lake like this.Don't bother paying and going on the boat, just stay one side and take photoes and relaxx.... the view is good enough. The boat is just a boat. And the island in the middle of the lake is optional. Not so special.Pretty breathtaking right?4. SOME TOuristy historical buildingAt first I thought it was a palace. Then I found out it's a memorial building that houses the tomb of falllen soldiers.Zzzz...That's what I thought at first.Until I saw the changing guard session at lunch time.Nothing so good about what they do.But some of the guards are quite droolworthy. You know what they say about guys in uniform right??=)So Thank Heavens for fit Taiwanese blokes. This place is now visit-worthy.Better take photo with one of the guard too!!!5. LOVERS BridgeLocated by the Fisherman's wharf. This place is only visit-worthy if you're going with your lover.Like me and my husband lover Gan.Else it's just damn lame to go the Lover's bridge. most of the shops were closed, tourists and locals were hard to spot. Not sure if it was because it was a weekday or a cold autumn day.The place has nothing much, almost like quite and quaint Santa Cruz, Monterey or Manly. Just a seaside set-up with lovers hiding and watching the sunset. But much quiter. Good to go there and zho bo or count birds.OK..That's it. Nothing else was good enough on my book.Didn't go to the marble mountain or tribal states.Go hiking in the Forests and stuffs. But seriously, it's ok. I'd skip.Maybe the nature lovers will love that.Nature doesn't like me very much.Gives me mosquito bites, pimples, rashes and a temper.I think the biggest entertainment I had in Taiwan was how they spell sooo many freaking English word wrongly. That or just using it in the wrong context.Up next is a compilation of that. No wonder, back in college, all the Taiwanese can't speak good English and Kenny always copied my homework. He even wrote dozens of love letters to me in Traditional Chinese. Trust me, he's not being romantic. He just can't write them in English.Many Many Taiwanese just has very terrible command of English. ( No offence, but I really find it so)But what to do??? The traditional Chinese writing have soooooooooooo many strokes that their brain got no memory space to remember another language liao..Stay tuned for the silliest English spellings/sentences ever...BTW!!!! Who has tried my mom's bakmie yet???? (http://www.makanbakmie.blogspot.com/)Give feedback leh.. email me or comment k... Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! Viva la Taipei - the Non Touristy Stuffs OKie DOkie... Now back to my Taiwan story again.. seems neverending eh????So what I mean by non-touristy stuff is:PLaces where the TAIWANESE go to. NOT where the TOURISTS go to..These are the places I love to go for whenever I travel.. It gives so much more feel and character of Taipei, from the local commoners' view. I loathe touristy sites... so unoriginal somewhat.You see, Taipei roads really not so pretty. Just like HongKong and Shanghai. Buildings are old, dusty, discoloured and they really no budget to repaint one.Wu fen Bu.. Supposedly cheapest best place to shop cause this is where all the stuff originates from. All parts of Taipei buys from here and sell in other chi-chi-er shops. Ok, I admit, some tourists were there too. But most Taiwanese come here to shop too. SO it's all good!Couldn't find much there for myself, cause they were selling winter stuff.Bought a scarf for 5 bux and I don't know where it is now.Bought some silly stockings - pink checkered and grey.. a bit unwearable.In All, Taipei shopping did not excite me at all.The loots are either from China or HK and the nicer ones are from Korea and they're expensive. Forget it, U.S is still the best place to shop in the whole wide world. Thank Heavens for Factory Outlets!!How about clubbing or pubbing???SUPPOSEDLY SUPER HAPPENING IN TAIWAN RIGHT?With girls going crazy drunk and being so openly available and exposed....So, we thought we'll check it out..My babe Vionne told me BARCODE is the latest in-thing. Trendy, upper classy and refined.Let's check it out!!OK ..I am no longer sure what she meant by BARCODE being the in-thing, but maybe we went on the wrong day..Totally empty, small and unhappening. ............. ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzIt was a weekday I know, but geeez..back home, Double O, Zouk and St James still have their snaking queues!The only good thing about pubbing in Taiwan so far is the supper.Dan Bing.... with floss.. yum yum yum.. can't get anywhere else but Taiwan. Best!If it comes with an accompanying chio bu like Vionne, even better.By the way, I know Vionne since I was a teeny pimply teenager, all of 15 yrs old, all the way in a little kampung in England. She was like my da jie. Still is.Another good thing about having your friends rooted at all corners of the world, is that they can take you to the best makans in the homezones!That was the best SHABU SHABU I have ever had in my whole life.The meat was so nice and tender, the soup so tasty, the prawn paste so springy and the spicey sauce sooooo fragrant... But so sorry la.. forgot the place name. If you really want to know, I'll call Vionne or Jojo K..The walkways along the downtown of Taipei at night was really nice too.This is not touristy ok. The tour guide never brought us here. ME and Gan found this walkway on the way to Barcode to meet Vionne. Pretty blue lightings. Made us feel so much more in love... heh hehQueueing for OA MEE SUA is another past time for Taiwanese also, I think. And the funniest thing is this: NO SEATING. Everyone stood up and eat and they were still buying.. They like it so much ah?As for me? Sorry lah, I don't like OA MEE SUA (Mee sua with oyster). Smelly la..AHA!!!Another famous past time for the Taiwanese!KARAOKE!!!!IT's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CHEAP to go for KTV there!Free buffet somemore!! Such a spread ! Can eat until you are 2 cup sizes bigger! We were there from 10 to like 4 pm plus, ate and drank, ate and drank and ordered many many cans of beer with suan mei (btw, it's nice! try it!).. and we prolly spent about 40 bux SGD only. OMG. I can have lunch and dinner here everyday all day long.Another cool thing. The KTV system there is so high tech that it can detect you voice. So, if you're singing along, it will switch to analog, if you're not singing, then the singer's voice will come out again!!!WAHAH!! Can lipsync liao!!!LAST BUT NOT LEAST...Gan's favourite past time in any city..Go for foot reflexology.Boring I know..But I feel so safe with Gan..Give him a choice of roomful of willing ladies in Orchard Towers or 2 hour with a good foot masseuse, after a day out.HE will so go for the second.This Reflexology Centre in Taipei XiMenDing comes with an extra bonus.A very cute girl. The lady owner's daughter. Very hyper, very cheery and I tell you she's gonna grow up to be a zai salesgirl one day.She kept calling Gan :"Shuai Ge!!! Shuai Ge! (handsome boy)"... all night long and took all the photoes with him, posing ever so cutely.Until Gan's head swell to a size that was almost too big to get through the door.We were sharing this story the next morning to my colleagues An and Ken about our great encounter with her.Gan was swelling with pride and joy.An was like:" HEH??? She also called me that!!!OMG! Tell you what, she called Gan that. OK I take it. She called me that. OK I take it. But she called Ken "Shua Ge" too!!! I think she doesn't mean it liao!!!"I think Gan looked a bit sad after that.So I reassured him that I still think he is the most handsome man in the whole world to me. Amazing Thing Happened Yesterday Yesterday 10 pm at night. Me and Gan were busy making wanton skin with our noodle machine at our new bakmie stall at IMM Jurong.When a young gentleman walked up to our stall and asked:"Can I meet the boss of this stall please? A Mr Marcelly?"I looked at Gan and I was confused."Ermm.. we own the stall. I am Marcelly and Mr Marcelly would be... my husband?"He then looked confused." I worked upstairs and I found a ring at the ATM downstairs and I was wondering if this is yours.Inside the ring, "Mr Marcelly - 14/02/09" was engraved nicely.He then told us his little journey of finding us.When he found the ring, he googled "Marcelly" and found my sillycelly blog.From my blog, he found out about www.makanbakmie.blogspot.com.From the bakmie blog, he found out that we just started a bakmie stall in IMM Jurong banquet.And there he was, handing us a shiny round little thing with diamond in the centre.IT WAS GAN's WEDDING BAND!!!GOSH! I tell you... how amazing is that?I must thank him again, this time pubicly, his name is Gui.Free bakmie on the house next time he visits us. Hopefully not with Gan's ring again cause he tends to misplace it sometimes.. Grrr........I am also glad for once, that my name is so google-able.Phew..Anyway,, thanks again Gui!! May all the good things come to you!Cheers! Taichung. Got anything there? Enough deep and complex write-ups.. let's have some brainless banter again.This time, about our Walton's company trip to Taiwan.First stop was Tai Chung..Hmm.. Best view in TaiChung??is seeing my husband's blur face for breakfast. Heh heh heh..No, I am just joking.One of the good things was a freaking private SPA in your own hotel room!!!Overlooking.. err.. dried grass and shrubs.. but trust me, at night, it was beautiful though!See.. the night view better... This was a hot spring hotel in TaiChung.. Freshfields.. up up in the hill.. some say the best hotel in TaiChung!!! Ah.. my boss really spoils us all the time..It has gorgeous view of TaiChung at night..though we all know we're not in TaiChung for the scenery right?This is my favourite babe Yan Ying. She is a heroine in my heart. One of the loveliest colleague around! Love her..Daylight view.. ehemm... ok lah.. like Singapore lorr..At night, it's a bit like HongKong..BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTThere's something else we can't find anywhere else in the world!!!Little huts with oh-biang lights..and totally underdressed, pubescent girls!!!PIN LANG MEI!Ahaa!!!!Let's call her up to the coach!See how swah-ku Singaporeans are? I bet she felt like some monkey in a zoo.. all cameras were whipped out.. and whohooo..I really wonder if she's freezing..And after all that effort,, we only bought one box.. coz seriously.. we all bought pin lang for the girls.. right??? the pin lang itself sucks.. I think beer plus ciggarette and if you're in Amsterdam some exotic leaves... sorted..But tooo bad no such thing as cigarette girls wearing bikinis..Everywhere we go... we only spot PIN LANG Mei..And seriously, I can't remember anything else I saw on TaiChung roads...Ok fine..Another attractice architecture, other than the pin lang huts..was the five cents restaurant.Very famous for its cave-like structures, stalactites and stalacmites.. stones.. water feature romantic lightings....ya di da.The building totally blew us away..It was amazing..But too bad.. the food there.. totally blew it ...and we started wishing we were in an ugly hawker centre wit the best char kway teow with chilli..Taiwan Cze Char.. SUCKS BIG TIME!Another wonderful thing happened in TaiChung..I got to meet up with old friends.. well more like old boyfriend's family and close friends.But they were still people I practically grew up with and saw me through my hardest days back in Oxford.They were the boys I shared house with and the boys I pushed supermarket carts loaded with luggage, TV, etc everytime we were kicked out of a rented home..Also the boys I got drunk with for the first few times..Also the boys whose guts I used to diss at a lot.Also the boys who made me who I am today..Great to see them all grown up now and all matured....Steve Wu has moved back to Taiwan, bringing his pet dog..who's all grown up too!!!Check it out!Bear VS pug???Yeee..IT's a bear!!!!No no...Actually, it'a Perrier mountain dog. His name is Dollar..yes... I saw that eye brow raising, stop it!It's the hugestmongoustest doggie I have ever seen in the whole world..Trust me I was flabbergasted too.On the contrary, Dollar is painfully shy and very jovial. He doesn't bark and he is scared of the pug, who's called Lai Fu.Dollar and Lai Fu... so you get the gist...Steve used to have a dog called MONEY.So, yeah.. I thought all Taiwanese like funky names... but he has gone totally material girl.ANYWAY..Ok lah.. more stories coming..Oh you know I am starting my bakmie stall for my mom soon. Very tiring you know the start-ups.You've heard of bakmie?? It's not wantan mee, it's not bak chor mee..It's actually Indonesian noodle.. recipe straight from my lovely mommy.. it's home made too. unlike other noodles which are OEM.Please visit: http://www.makanbakmie.blogspot.com/If it intrigues you, do come and give bakmie a try. If you like it, tell your friends =)Thanks guys! Does Money Disappear? We all know that the world is undergoing changes and new challenges.A friend of ours insisted that money has disappeared and people have all become poorer.I beg to differ.Money, like energy does not disappear. It just flows elsewhere.During recession, money changes hands and one man's loss is another man's win.For example. Mr X lost money in stock market, he bought Cosco stock at $5 and now it's less that $1. $4 is gone kaput into thin air.Did it really?The $5 physically has gone to the person who bought it from him, Mr Y, The money didn't go kaput, it flowed.Values disappearing is different from actually physical dollars disappearing.Dollars possibly disappear, only if say, you burn them in the incinerator or flush it down the toilet.If Mr Y took the $5 to the casino and lost it. Oh well, $5 has gone to the casino.If casino use $5 to pay tax, then it went back to govt.If govt used it to buy citi share at $5, then $5 has gone to Mr Z who cold it to him, regardless of the fact that the shares have gone down to $1.If Mr Z used $5 to buy a house and the house has gone down to being worth $3, well..the $5 has to Mr A who sold him the house. Regardless of current valuation.The $5 is still intact. It's under Mr A's pillow now.So, anyway.. what I am saying is, that money is still there, in fact more because they are printing new ones as time goes by.Question is if we can spot where it flows to.For example, billions of dollars stayed out of stock market since last year, well this bulk has now gone somewhere. maybe kept in cash, maybe to buy a house, maybe to pay for holidays. maybe to invest in alternative assets. .. Who knows?But definitely not kaput.For example, stock trading volumes are low these days, but fixed Deposits are fat.Interestingly, it is also business as usual where I work at Walton International.Have you seen our Celebratory Notice last Sunday?Walton may not provide investment options with the fastest, most exciting or highest returns, I personally still trade stocks and get stuck, but the key point is DIVERSIFY. Many people have a dire need to see the need for this. I feel I've spotted opportunity.But anyway, that's besides the point. I am not writing this to be about where I work.But about the people I work with.They are some of the most positive, driven people with the highest energy and awesome attitudes. Amazing.It's contagious and I really want to share this with as many people as possible.Success in everything is 70% mindset and 30% skillset. And I think everyone out there, wherever you are working, should apply the same attitude.Opportunity is abound and abundant! Wake up and smell the coffee!I feel that those with positive attitudes towards everything will have a much higher chance of making it this year.2009 is not an easy year. But it's a defining year, It's the year of golden opportunity!Those who can spot opportunities will win. Those who don't will not. Whatever it is, jobs, businesses or investments.So, cheer up, if you're not cheered. As long as your mind is positive, positive things will come to you.I wish everyone a really great year in 2009! I refuse to believe that all are sour.BECAUSE THAT IS NOT TRUE!I dislike the newspaper for always painting the worst of everything.For example: they only talk about how US has the highest amount of debt in the world.They forgot to mention that US also has the highest GDP revenue in the world! 3 times the second biggest GDP. And if you calculate the Debt VS GDP ratio, US has the lowest ratio among all the other G7 countries at 35%, Japan has the highest with 170%Oh, well... but then again, bad news sell the papers..I met someone recently who claimed to be very religious and avid reader of famous faith books... but the only words coming out of her mouth are complaints about the government, ERP raising. inflation... blah blah.. I told her, that if she's not happy, why not move to Zimbabwe !! GOT NO ERP there wat!!! Alternatively, she can move to Jakarta, no ERP but got consistent MASSIVE JAM! Which one she wants? And please, bloody hell, dont want pay ERP, take the freaking MRT lah. In jakarta, you won't even have that option. It's time she wakes up and appreciates what blessing she has. What's the point of reading so much theory and yet don't know how to apply to real life?Coming back to the newspaper.. Geezz...I do read it everyday, but lucky I can sit on the fence all the time. Many many more over-sensationalised news which only bring fears and negativities to the public. Fears of retrenchments, fear of losing this, losing that. Luckily these days, they started sporting success stories of successful people too. Stories which are inspiring and motivating. Please do more!And now more than ever, WE NEED POSITIVE PEOPLE with POSITIVE mindsets and POSITIVE attitudes. it's TEAM WORK people! Or else we are going backwards.If you are already POSITIVE, this is a calling. Please inspire others to be POSITIVE just like you!In fact, this is the best year to earn as much as you can because govt is giving more tax rebates!!And if you can afford it, this is probably the best year to buy a new car and go travelling too..I see even more opportunities. See??I hope you guys do too! ALL THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Taiwan FOODIEEEEESSSSS HallooooooMrs Gan here!!! lolololxWOoohooooooooo.....I wanna comprain lehh....Taiwan food hor.. not really all good... only the snacks are delectable...Me and Eutjin went there for a company incentive trip last yr..... And we found their cze char absolutely rubbish!!!!Even Me myself on a totally drunken state can cook better!!!!!!!!It's bland, it's weird, it's plain and it stinks.. especially the veggies...like as if the chef steamed it under his armpit lidat..Here's presenting...Water soup!!!!Just put some yellow string mushrooms into boiled water and voila!How about..Boiled veggie with smelly soy sauce with no taste.....Yucks...But fret not....Instead of going for meals.. why not go snacks all day long???Like you can snack 6 times a day! Wouldnt that be even better??SOOOOOOOOOOOO many yummy snacks to look out in Taiwan!!! So, where do we start... so many night markets to go to!!!Of coz check out the most famous one la..Shihlin!!Crazy!People Mountain People Sea!!! Crowded like noone's business.. and left right centre.. all food!!!!!!!!Better starve yourself for a whole day before visiting,,.. or else you'll end up sucking your thumb...Heard of the famous -amous amous crispy chicken chop???OMG! Check out the queue!! This stall sells 100,000 pieces a day, or so I heard!..The queue like longer than Zouk's... Tsk Tsk... but it was worth it. I tell you! Crispy and uber addictive! Yummy soups!!! So many types..Cant even remember what this one was...but we had a feast.. check out the spread on the table..Everyone just potlucked everything together.Being the KS Singaporean, we all made sure we got to try each and every one that the night market had to offer!!!Ahha!! Coffin bread... heard before???Uncle will fry this thick toast bread til crispy, cut it open and filled it up with thick savoury white gravy and a meat of your choice..So what if it's called coffin bread, it's a definite MUST to TRY!Very Raw.. very PINK Sausages anyone???Not for me, thanks!Smelly Tofu, ok really quite smelly. I don't like... brr..Ham chi peng, Guo Tiao...Butterfly .. pillow??? Anyone??Ok this is something disturbing in the middle fo the food heaven.Little kids were taught how to torture poor little fishes.. by catching them with dissolvable nets ... Tsk Tsk.. can't they look for non-living thing as a toy???Anyhow.... that was Shihlin... but other than night markets.. there are countless food stalls along the roads.. you won't go hungry in Taiwan. That's for sure..Gan just loves Taiwan sausage! So do I.. especially when fried til sooo crispy..But what's better? Put the special sausage in the middle of another sausage made of glutinous rice and you get Taiwanese HOTDOG! Taiwanese Beef noodle.We went to this street that has many eateries selling only beef noodle. It is 5-10 mins walk from Xi Men Ding...But silly us forgot the name... Brrr...But anyway, the beef fell off the chopsticks.. So tender and totally degradable.. lol.. I know that's not the right word. But basically it's just soft that grammas and grampas can safely leave their dentures at home.Don't forget to drain all these good food with Taiwan's own brewed beer. Made in TaiChung:Taiwan Beer!Pretty smooth and light. I liked it coz its just so freaking cheap anyway!How about breakfast and supper places??? Where do we go for post-chionging feast? Dan Bing and Xiao Long Bao! Dan Bing plain!Dan Ping roll with floss!Yum yum...They're all so good.. You're gonna get so fat in Taiwan.. Most of the good stuff are fried and oily though.. but don't worry, at least you won't be eating lunches and dinners right??And sadly, we gained a few kgs in Taiwan, I think, Gan had a whale of time. HE alwayswas seen with some kind of food, anytime of the day..Oh well, as long as he comes and starts his squash and golf regime and go back to being a hunkydory again.My husband you know... Geez. I still can't believe we are actually married..!!! Ok ok.. I am uploading the ROM photoes... will blog about it ASAP!!!YaY!!! Walton DND FEB 2009 - Shangrila I know I know.. I am supposed to be blogging about my Taiwan trip with Walton last Dec..But Gan is taking forever to upload the photoes.. and I can't wait to show off my pics during my company's WALTON Annual Dinner N Dance !!!!!So here it is!!!7 Feb 2009 : 6.30 PM onwards, Theme and Dress Code: Party Like Da 80's!!!!!!!!!!!I am soooo blessed that I am working for a company that is facing absolutely no recession whatsoever, last year was a record breaking yr for us, returns year on year was surprisingly sterling too.. so far we still have an only-positive ROI track record.unlike many other financial institutions these days, sadly..Anyway, also, right now still recruiting.. especially sales consultants (again.. email me if you know anyone from financial sales line looking for a new advanture - only entrepreneurial chiongsters ! )... we are still busy day to day and plans to expand and grow are definitely evident!But best of all, ...they're still spending ever so lavishly to reward us Waltonians for a fantastic yr in 2008!!!!!.....The food in Shangrila was as good as the ballroom was luxurious... Man... I felt sooooo glam lah...Even though, most of us looked pretty trashy in our 80's get-ups..But it was worth every minute!!Before we left house.. must take one with mommy first!!LOL!!!! Here's the golden girl and Mat Rock Gan!Damn funny.. I tell you he doesn't have rugged rocker look one.. He still looks soooooo cutesy and innocent!Nicole, me and Mus... these are some of the people that make everyday at work so wonderfully enjoyable and meaningful!ZeeLeng, Nic, Joey "Boy George" and me... I think I need to start doing sit ups again.. it's horrifying!!!!!!!!!!!Oh yeah.. I got sabo-ed to go on stage... for best dressed.. seriously... other people were even more gua zang lor.. I think they sabo me ... Anyway, won a crown.. ok lah.. my prince was the Mario too!! He's from the 80's!! Remember????Ahhh,,,, The 80's boss!!! My boss is so happening right??? He's the one wearing silver wig.. lolx... 80's rocker!!We also had our own little Walton band, that needed a little help from the Pros.Here's Feli ( Team Mgr ) as the other singbird who's amazing by the way!, me and Vitt (our VP of Sales & Ops !!!!)..On the drum was Alvin from Marketing and Karen (Team Mgr) on keyboard..Cool or cool???We sang 6 songs from the 80's.. Blast from the past!!! Black Cat! I love Rock n Roll!Sweet Child of Mine! Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Raining Men (Raining Land!) and we ended with WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!! COZ Indeed WE ARE!!!!It was definitely a night to remember... absolutely looking forward to the next one in 2010 already!!!It brought many of us even closer together as one big family too.. especially through the road ahead.. where we indeed need to get stronger, get better and get out of this whole downturn even more powerful than ever..So much positive energy! It was exhilarating.. Such a welcome change from mixing with some of my friends and acquintances who are just a lot more negative about everything.... Brrr...One of my resolution this year is to spend more time with those with boundless of positive energy... you are bound to receive some of their powerful radiation, hence somehow, can't help but to feel wonderful too!!I am trying my best to be one of them too so that I can hopefully help people next time.Look at them!! Happy, smiley and oozing with only joyous vibes... These are some of my positive people!!That night, Gan also won $150 voucher.. lolx.. Too bad didn't win first price.. got $1,000 plus trip to HK...But it's OK!!!Happy New Year again everyone! Today last day to wish!!Don't let the stupid newspapers and negative stories here and there bog you down.. Recession so what???You define your own economy and you define your own success, this may be a defining year.. but fight on with all positivities else you may regret!!Especially during crisis, Opportunities are abound, you just have to be ready to spot and receive them.. are you???HUAT AH everyone!! Have an OX-picious year! Gonna get to the Chapel are we....Gonna get maarriiied We finally decided on a ROM date.I am how thoughtful. I help Gan pick Valentine's Day cause then it's just soo easy to remember (else he'll forget !!) ..=) It also saves him time, money and gifts =). Aside from convenience, well it is rather special to be married on the 14th of Feb... For ROM, we are just inviting close friends and relatives.. won't be more than a party of 30 ish.Violet told her mom that I was gonna get married in 3 weeks, her mom said :" So fast?? Is she pregnant?" ................Lolx.. NO I am not guys.Cat told her mom I was gonna get married in 3 weeks and her mom asked :" IS it the same guy?" ... Lolx.. I previously took different boyfriends to her parents' dinner nights...Anyway, so yes, finaly getting hitched I suppose, obviously my mom can't wait."Better go and marry already.. headache, you how old oredi? Live together so long oredi somemore, paktho paktho never marry.... cannot cannot! Go marry! Then at least I can relax liao...."---------The funny thing is that Gan and I have been fighting a big gigantic deal. As if some kind of a bad omen. Like those worse-than-ever ones. With flying oestrogens and tears and Korean drama spices.A whole mix of me having pent-up PMS, mental and emotional shits, and him not understanding us women's 'prerogatives again' (lolx, ok ok no such thing), and how girls are always talking too much and guys are never saying enough, and with all the hormones and bad 'chi' flying around, Alas!...the good logic, common sense and wisdom also FLED out the window, and that kind of stuff... It's just as if any small, tiny ridiculous issue can spark an atomic bomb between us.No no, it's really unfathomable at first. But I realised, it kinda start coming together in the end.But we've decided take these obstacles as a test. And prove that we can survive it and have that Happy ever after ending.. when we got it right in the end, it'd feel so much sweeter.I know.. I know.... real life ain't no fairy tale. There's a lot of fighting involved..fighting with yourself mostly, ..... your ego, your pride, your selfishness and your ignorance.It's just the most tiring thing to fight with yourself. Most times, I realised I wasn't fighting with Gan, I was fighting with myself, my ego and my foolishness.But past all the storms and smokey black clouds,... I know me and Gan shall see a bright sunny constellation of rays again.. We're gonna be Mr and Mrs Gan very very soon!I can't tell you how anxious, excited and at the same time, nervous I am. Gan has been away in Seremban for CNY, while I am here in Singapore with mommy, daddy and my baby brothers, these few days seem to be the longest days in my life.My days just seem so empty..And it made me realise that I just can't wait to be officially, rightfully, legally by his side every freaking day of the week...as his wife.This morning 5 am, Gan sent the sweetest International SMS :"Dear, I really want you to marry me. I know we've been arguing a lot, but I think it's just one of those things. I rather argue now and get to know you much better, than later on. I love you dear!"The smile on my face lasts til now.xoxo Happy 'Niu' Yr to Everyone!! Dear Valued Friends,The Outgoing year has been an interesting and enlightening year for many of us.Not-so-easy moments may have crept at times, however wisdom and experience sprouts.We'd like to share our Great Joy at Walton Int'l Group, as we managed to secure Tremendous Growth and Results last year, despite the various catastrophies. We are proud to maintain our 30-yr long track record of delivering Only Positive Returns year after year. We see the incoming 2009 as another year where opportunities abound and we are looking forward to another Great Adventure! Most Importantly, we'd like to wish you and your family Overflow of Joy, Good Health and Prosperity This New Year!Fondest Regards,Marcelly Suhali, MissSenior Team Manager, Land Bankinghttp://www.waltoninternational.com/ ...PS: If you know anyone who's looking for a career in alternative investments consultancy / sales (consumer and institutional) / managemenet trainee, let me know, my team is recruiting. Financial/banking/ RM /sales background will be preferred. Only Sporean/PR. .Email me CV for pre-interview selection: marcely.suhali@waltoninternational.com.sg .Thanks Guys! Hope it helps. Hepi New Year.. And Happy 'Niu' Year.. You know ah.. I deserve real spanking..I've been bumming around and not doing much eversince end Dec.I moved house last Dec to a jungle resort. lolx. Well, at least it feels like it, trees all around and it's damn windy. I love it! Gan loves it! Everyone loves it!And eversince I started living with my boys, .... which comprise of fiancee and brothers.... I have been nagging around the house like a mother.. until the real mother hen came back to Singapore to take her throne.But most importantly, other than waking up for work and makan-ing....I stay awake for DOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!You ask DiDa, she's like some crazed loony on drugs.. everynight 10 pm,Both of us will start unsheathing our handphone and type profusely:"DOTA BABE?? NOW??"Gone are the days, we go clubbing and drinking... Nopee...nothing beats a good DOTA session...pls google DOTA if you don't know DOTA, sigh....So...we play DOTA on Garena almost everynight, between 6 to 10 of us each night.I may be a noob, but one with passion, perseverance and very bad co-ordination and motor skills.Do you DOTA? Welcome to Taiwan!!!! Actually, Gan is really superb.Me and Gan had a company incentive trip in Dec 2008 from 12-17th and we were headed for Taiwan. So we and the Walton's AHK division flew again for the umpttenth time this year.. yet for another overseas holiday trip, paid for by my boss, who is the bestest in the world.. Yipeee!!!However....Taiwan is where Kenny's from (Kenny's my first boyfriend, we were tog for 6 yrs), and I was supposed to meet Kenny's brothers and mom when we got to Tai Chung.Really just to catch up, and out of graciousness and I kinda miss them too, anyway, Kenny himself is in Shanghai not Tai Chung.But Gan was as usual, totally cool about it, in fact we all hung out together and had a great time! Gan is the coolest.So, anyway.. besides Gan, Taiwan is pretty great too..I have many stories to tell..But first.. I need to categorise the stories again, ( for the sake of being organised and systemised, lol)...So.... First up - Foods of Taiwanthen - Sight seeing in Taiwanthen - Friends in Taiwanand last but not least - Ncturnal & other happening activities (like shopping) in Taiwan.I think Taipei/Taichung.., like Jakarta, Bangkok or Hong Kong.... ain't no Paris...The lakes ain't no Danube, the main shopping street aint no Champs de-Elysee, the beach ain't no Malibu and the mountains ain't no Alps..But they do make up for it in other ways.The snacks are worth queueing for, the culture is modern, yet laid back and down-to-earth and the people are wonderful!!They are very very fun, friendly, playful and the guys are damn cute!!!They all look like Jay Chou and Van! Same hair and style and all...However, the girls are damn made up, with cantilevered eye lashes that touch the sky and eyes smokey black like panda, but *shrugs*.. guys like..*Zzzzz....ZZzzzAnyhow, gotta upload the pics then.. till then. The Poor Poor Kids in the Mad Mad World. These days.. when do the kids get to be kids????I had a few recent conversation with Singaporean parents and parents-to-be and ohh.. the stress.!! The stress!!!Not too long ago, a boy from ACS jumped off this window to his doom, just to make a point. Did you read about it in the paper???What's the point? His parents and teachers do not let him pursue his noble dreams of exploring his arty side. The athlete wanted to switch his ECA to drama and was frowned upon. So he diecided to show th world how to make a point. a totally Wrong one, but a point nonetheless.What's wrong with people nowadays?My friend's barely 2 yr old son was pressured into a class that teaches him how to read.WTF? he is 2 yr old for God's sake. Let him be a baby for once.But what to do, it's crazy society isn't it?"Is you kid going to this fantastic school for kids? My son is reading ABC already and he's only one and a half!""My daughter is 2 yr old and she can count to ten and back! What can yours do?Fyuck fyuck fyuck...!These parents are crazy. Really, me and Gan vowed to let our kids have a simple life being kids..When else do you get to be one anyway?The moment the poor kid sits on the primary school seat, that's it. The rat race has begun.Which I think, is horribly ultra damaging. Look at what people have become nowadays.Loonies I tell you.Edgy, stressed up young individuals , who are so scared of letting down their parents, scared to be the "not so academic or not so achiever kid" talked about during their parent's bloody parties where they exchange "opinions" and "peer pressures".Pressure on winning the award of best parenting is it? Ohh.. certainly.. so it's about the parents. isn't it??? It's never about the kids anyway!Oh, of course it has be measured by the number of medals and certificates and awards and club memberships and scholarships and blah blah..What happened to simple old FUNDAMENTAL qualities?Like Integrity.Creativity.Identity...Whatever happened to Wisdom.I am sorry to say, but I think the quality that most Singaporeans is wisdom.I am a Singaporean now so I am not being critical for the sake of being critical.I just really feel so.The parents are putting their kids as a bloody trophy.Fyucking stressful to be a trophy. I tell you.I am not saying those medals and awards are not important, No no!! .. I had my fair share too, It's good to chase after a dream too.. it was good and constructive! But not once, my parents went :" How come yours only silver?? My neighbour kids got 2 golds!!"NEVER.Whatever I achieved. They were happy, appreciative and forever encouraging.So back to me and Gan.If anyone asked us next time :" Have your 2 yr old gone to special pre-pre-school yet? My super smarty pants baby boy can do sommersaults while reading the newspaper!!! Can yours?"We'll go :" Sod off, will ya? My baby is happily drawing sunset with tomate ketchup and chilli sauce, while he sits on his toilet bowl.. Thank you! We are contented and happy!!" They were after something! I forgot to mention one little thing..Right after I took my oath at the ICA and declared myself being super faithful to the Republic of Singapore blah blah...The Commissioner said to me :" Welcome to Singapore"Before I managed to smile, she passed me a book. "Do read this book when you have time".In the car back to office, I opened it up.the book said : " HOTA "ORGANT TRANSPLANT INSTRUCTIONS AND MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Barely a day of becoming Singaporean and they want my organs already!Lol.hey.. no no.. don't get me wrong. I am all for it man! Back in my student days, I've already signed up with a UK institution who can be contacted to take my healthy organs upon my death.I just thought ... isn't it a bit too abrupt to be giving me that book on the first day I become singaporean?? Especially if it's the only book to read..???Hmm....Okie..Thanks? =) NORTH KOREA.. yikes.. or what? Very much overdue....Here's my story on visiting the border on what supposedly is one of the scariest countries in the world with probably one of the most fyucked up gahmens (if dicKtatorship counts), where the farmers are skinny as hell and food tastes like shyit..They are either "contented" with what "simple" life they get or they are in the torture camp for not liking what they get...which would you be if you were born in North Korea? PREDICAMENT?GEEZZ..Anyway, this border is called DMZ- De-militarized Zone, which means it's under UN supervision and not under any country's military supervision.It's just one plus hour coach drive from SeoulHere's the 3 D Map of the border. Korea is convenienttly divided into 2 parts by a river.. convenient hor??? So after the war breaks out, half is north half is South..Can see right? This is the best shot I can get of North Korea shores with my lousy 5 Mega pixels camera and meagre skills. I think what you want to see is the people,, not the land.. I heard they're skinny and sad and so sheltered and totally physcho-ed and they have no idea that the outside world is so capable of any beautiful things..This is the bridge that connects the two. There's a story behind this bridge too.The late Hyundai CEO who just passed on (suicide if I am not wrong), was from North Korea.He escaped the bloody place and became super super rich in the South.He wanted to pay back his dues to his late parents who were farmers so he sent thousands of cows over to help the farms. For this purpose, they built this bridge and he became the first guy who crossed the border publicly in his Hyundai cars and thousands of cows of course.So noble right?But that North Korea gahmen ah! Damnn basket.South Koreans felt so much pity towards them that they started donating rice to the North.But alas, the gahmen in the North will take this rice and sell to Japan.. then take the money to build nuclear bombs.Aimed towards who?South lor.. How ironic right? Eh.. your people got nothing to eat until so skinny then you got money to build nuclear bomb to take over the world? I think he never do his math right also..and his people no food so weak, den how to fight others also.. where's your wisdom tooth Mr Kims!?Many love messages were left on this bridge gate. Many familes were separated because of the division of the Korea lands and many have not been able to meet one another.Recently at this peace bridge, many families managed to meet up but only for a mere 15 mins, after that they were chased back to their poor lands.Reasons probably being abstaining them for conspiring for an escape or getting information.. or maybe letting them know how beautiful life can be at the South or anywhere else in the world for that matters.They probably think that the world is only as big as North Korea and a tiny bit of South Korea. They probably don't know that Singapore exist or Britney Spears.. They don't know who the hell is super-dishy-shaggable Chace Crawford from Gossip Girl too.. Sigh...or even Enrigue Iglesias who is my mom's dream boat!...The aunties in North Korea SO POOR THING!!!!They probably think that Kim Jong Il is the most handsome man they've ever seen in their life. SHITES!!Ok better not say so muich, the bugger may have passed on by now.Here's some stone emblems at the bridge. This place is a very touristy spot.Check out the touristy Walton babes...Many monuments were put up to honour who died while fighting the Korea wars.Here are some miniature houses laid out at the fore shores of North Korea, just across the river.Very under developed of course, most of their lands are just farms and poor little government housing blocks. Many South Koreans ventured into their lands for business though. But very smart. They give the North Koreans very redundant, no value-add, out-going projects... like building a walkman.. or home phones.. or portable big big radios... you know.. things that we bought like decade ago.. which are pretty much obsolete now.. This is to make sure that the North Koreans remain backward and donkey-like.Else, maybe give them some cheap-labour work for sewing or handicrafts or making that traditional Korean costume, win - win situation mah.. South needs cheap labour, North needs work.Other than this, hardly any friendliness exist between the two countries.North Korean GangGhem Mountain openned for South Korean tourists to visit recently. But an old lady got shot there not too long ago so I think people stopped taking their chances up there too.Tsk.. seriously, can't someone wake their idea up or what...This story so sombre I don't like!To end on a better note. Let's see a hiao chio bu posed on the train that supposed to run from South to North Korea.. but the railway got bombed liao.. so it's now just some antic lying around for bored tourists to take advantage of.An yeong ha seyo!!!!Next up --- Taiwan! $150 will solve my identity crisis I may have mentioned this story before.My name is Marcelly Suhali. It really is. with two L.I have been born with it and have grown up and into an adult with it.2 yrs ago, I got my blue Singapore IC.They wrote : Marcely Suhali.I comprain!!!I was upset of losing an L. It's like Raymond becoming Ramon, like Barry becoming Bary.It was life- threateningly upsetting... trust me.. if you lose an alphabet in your first name, will you be very happy?? So, I went on an adventure to find my lost L.Apparently, silly, cock-eyed, government clarks in Indonesia couldn't type people's names very well. So, they missed out an L and my passport said Marcely. I realised it's not possible to convince ICA to change my name unless I change the one in the passport first. And the only way to change the spelling in the passport is to prove it with my birth certificate...I'll show em'!!So, I took my lawful birth certificate and checked...It said:Marcely Suhali.DARN IT!!!Sigh... I've been statutorily conned all my life.So that was 2 yrs ago.. I still managed to limbo between Marcelly and Marcely on my different credit cards, emails and name card. Basically, a serious identity crisis.Recently, I renounced my Indonesian citizenship, gained my Singapore citizenship, and went to the lawyers to get the documents done.The clark asked : " You wanna change your name??? We can do a Deed Poll for you, $150 only.."Me: " Change my name ah??? To what?"She: " Anything you want lah.. You want put middle name, Chinese name, maiden name.. anything..all same $150.."Me: "Ermm" I thought of my lost 'L'...so I had an idea.." How about just add an L"She: " Huh?? Just add an 'L'.. Aiyoh.. are you sure just add an L? you can put any extra name one, Christian name, middle name...??"Me: "Waitt ahh... I call mom.."Me: "Mommiiii! I gonna do deed poll.. Add one L for $150. What do you think ah?"Mom: " Do lah.. you always complained you lost one L"Me: " Hmm.... $150 for just one L lor.."Mom: " Why? You think bo hoa is it??? Then add 3 Ls lor!! Cheaper for each L"Me: "Heh Heh.... Dont want.. ok mommiii.. thank you.."(ps: bo hoa - not worth the $) So I got mine done... Now I am legally Marcelly Suhali!!! YAY!I think the $150 is worth every penny. I got my identity back.The only other sad thing nowadays, is whenever authorities look at my deed poll,as I told them I've change my name, ...More often than not, while looking at the deed poll intently, this is what they say, with a sincerely confused face:"What's the diff ah?.."Bbrrrr....Say hi to Marcelly!! First Ever Walton Journey Event @ Suntec Convention Centre Good Day!In the spirit of educating the public further on land banking,Walton International Group presents you the Walton Journey Exhibition @ Suntec!Walton is setting up this 4 Senses exhibition to create an informative yet interesting learning experience about land banking to specially invited guests on the 22nd Nov - Saturday!This open-house event will also be open to public on the Tuesday and Wednesday of 25th and 26th November.Walton International Group will be showcasing :- Research & Acquisition Strategies- Track record- Studies on WHY North America & Are we affected?- HOW do we manage to continue to deliver amidst the current financial crisis.You will also be able to experience a 4 senses ( see, hear, smell and taste) connection to the top growing North American cities Walton embarks into, with the help of multi media platforms and regional cuisine.Attached is the e-invite.Exhibition is open from 10 am to 10 pm, there will be a short introductory talk every hourly. Take note that these are all just informative/educational events.This event is by invite only.However, I have some VIP Passes available.So pick the date and hour best suited for you & let me know if you'd like to drop by,I will then check if I can reserve for you.Email me to RSVP: marcely.suhali@waltoninternational.com.sgAttached below is the invite. Is China going mad or just madder? We people of the earth should have been very used by now... about news that goes around and make the newspaper best selling of the day again...Ranging to the many things in the last decade... from SARS.. plagues.. then this thinsg about Mad Cow.. Then there was the disastrous flu that the chickens and the birds may cause you.Thanks to the selifish businessmen and institutions in China who don't have even what little is left of human integrity... made their watered down milk seem more proteinous with the help of that substance called melamine..It is normally is what I eat my lunch on!!For goodness sake, my plates and cups are made of melamine.. I just can't imagine that thing in my colon ! I am staying away from anything food made in China, thank you very much. I may go for made in China bargains for other stuff, like maybe shoes, clothes and other dispensables..but not food! No kidding.. I don't like to have plates and cups for breakfast. And come to think of it.. I used to eat so much of their rabbit sweets... !!But what's worst is that they put melamine in babies' milk? Are they super fyucked up or what? Fyucking INHUMAN can???!!! At least get the adults some kidney problem is not as bad as giving babies some serious health problem.. all that babies can drink is milk!! How can they??I still can't believe this. It's damn disgusting.. gross...evil..Food is no kidding ..cannot play play one ok...and they are for sure damn creative lah!I can't imagine what else will they or can they put in any of the other foods..How about rubber in their la mian?.. make it more chewy.. then turn your tummy into tyres..Rat meat in their wantans? Ieuww.. but I heard it's true you know! Back in China, no more rats on the streets...Formalin in their frozen foods? Ieuwww.. that's for dead bodies..Saw dusts in spices?They can even manufacture fake eggs.. what can they not do?Ok.. I just spoilt your appetite.. but no kidding..If they can put plates into milk.. can't imagine what else the Chinese can put in their foods.. freaking crazy, irresponsible people..I may be wrong.. but a country..(deemed booming or not), if it's run by heartless people with no integrity.. it's not gonna go anywhere else but down the drain.Boo double Boo! xxx SEOUL II..Rating the Cultural activities..including Cultural Clubing so, previously.. I've rated the foodssss and shoppingss in Seoul..Apparently, there are other things to accomplishh.. as a tourist..So.. here's my BIG effort to try and be a good tourist.. exploring the more cultural side..Frankly speaking, I don't know what you mean by cultural heritage or sightseeing lah, it's a humongous yawn to me.. Sorry, doesn't mean I am not cultured you know (like yoghurt lidat).Just not daytime culture lah.. clubbing also a culture what..But, let me give you the definition of culture: (dictionary.com):the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group: the youth culture; the age culture,..So that includes the junk and underground culture too!!Speaking of package tour culture, it is sooooooo the auntie uncle type of packaged tours, Goodness me,... non-stop con jobs.. ginseng, cordyceps, lingzhi, ornaments, amethyst.. non-stop friggin hardselling shops who overcharges... I don't want to come out of the bus.. HELP!This is why I swear I wont go on arranged tours anymore if I can help it. That kind of trip is for the elderlies who dont know where to go lah.. Young people should go free n easy , take the lonely planet and tour the world! Freedom will indeed taste like the first rain after draught..But this time, Bo pian... we were already in a big tour group, paid for by boss.. so cannot comprain.... Thankfully, my colleagues were bunch of really fun fellas. Made it sooo much easier.We even had DISCO KARAOKE (full with disco lights, stereo system and LCD screen) BUS session where I rocked the bus in a frenzy with my rendition of ABBA's Dancing Queen.. before the bus jambraked and sent me flying to the bus floor with a broken... spirit..That was not very cultured I know, but it was the Soh Ju, not me.For daytime touristing, our bus (there's 3 of them) had to endure places which were BIG YAWNS like.. the cordyceps, amethysts and ginseng houses.. geez.z... all the hardsellers. with ridiculous prices. So sad to think that I am sent all the way to Seoul to spend grand on all these dried roots and shrivelled boner - looking roots. I bought some anyway.The blue house (presidential house) also cannot make it, but we skipped this option.. We went straight to Dong Dae Mun. Muahahaha!!Sorry, we don't care where your president lives.. you understand or not? I just want the freaking soh ju and see some cute Korean actors liek Hyun Bin..Sorry, but I think taking photo with Hyun Bin is worth so much more than taking photo with the bloody blue houses, museums, statues and whatnots.. boring. boring.But The Palace???Hmmm..Let me just visit my old home. I was a queen in previous life you know.If you can't prove that wrong, it'd still stand true....=pThe Palace was huge and beautiful.. but after the novelty wears off. I was dreading for shopping spots already.. and eventhough they have differences from the palaces in China that I've visited, they have much resemblance and I was bored quickly.What's more cultured and famous in Korea if not for this set of 6 pecs and kissable pair of lips.Rain is the biggest culture in Korea.. for the females of all ages..!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEXGOD culture!Muah muah muahhhhhhhhhhhhhhSo I just had to be cultured enough to capture this one.Boys and Girls, This is good culture. Sexy and bold.We are taught to be go-getter with fighting spirits, innit?See all the cultured ladies from Singap0ore?.. Love the Korean traiditional gown.. but seriously!!unsexy..totally can't see my curves.Perfect for preggers...Aiyoi..This is a model femme fatale.. very cultured and maybe famous soon.. Some say prettier than Da Zhang Jing at the back ground.('Some' includes her mother and boyfriend)Still not cultured enough??I even learnt how to make kimchi!This bloody thing is more cultured than yogurt!! The fermented stuff has digestive bacteria!Thsi is the SOOOO-sour-SOOOOo-smelly-you-wanna-slap-somebody appetizer.I'm sorry but I don't like kimchi. No matter how much the WHO (World Health Organisation) boasts about its advantages to one's health. No thanks. I 'd rather smell my own arm pit. Kimchi stinks and it's only good when fried in a pancake.But how popular is kimchi in Korea? The Koreans eat it like how we drink water!!!!!!No wonder the girls there are so slim... Eat already sure rocket out soon enough.Well, in Korea, a girl is only suitable to be married off if she can make kimchi. Because I think it's almost all they eat. So, I learnt lah... just in case RAIN or HYUN BIN wants to marry me!.If you think Singapore heartlands have ugly skylines, filled with nothing but uniform blocks of uniteresting apartments called H. D .B.. Take a look at Seoul's..Sama sama..Also like HDB.s .. I see where we get inspiration from huh? So, dont complain next time k.Seoul has casinos *yawn*... nothing new..But I am fascinated by the toilet.. Call me suakuTo start with, the seats are warm.. And it has control station!Water pressure adjustment, temperature, front and rear cleaning.. DRYER and ahh.. lift the seat for me.. I am lazy to use my hand. I also realised Mulia Hotel in Jakarta uses this for their suites.. Nice.. We should all have this kind of toilet seat at home.I can then read my novels/Business Times/play sudoko/pierce pimples while sitting on it.Now for night time culture....1. JJ CLUB @HYATTA must check out, lovely band from Canada and the place to be seen at.2. ITAEWONItaewon is where the US soldiers loiter and the expats 'hang out'.Or so the tourist guide magazine said. I thought it'd be cool since so many people talk about it.Alas...'expats' included many vagabond - looking people, stranded/ on-mission soldiers and navy seals in full body uniform (which really scare the shit outta me)and also many many Middle Easterns and Afro-Americans.I really don't want to and never meant to be a racist. But a group of them, all male with full bling hardwares, loud words, puffing and galavanting around places like this.. also scare the shit outta me..so, who's not scared here?The hookers.Itaewon is littered by them. Business is good. Lonely soldiers, junkies, drug dealers and the gangster/gangster wannabes..plus lost tourists..and cikopeks..After we learnt this, we run fast fast to find a cab.. and go to a simpler place.. where the UNI kids hang out..Young boys yummy and safe.3. HONGDETo Hongde we go!!(We reach there about 45 mins later) after getting lost in Seoul.. finding the hongde..There were so many uni in the area and all sounded freaking the same to us..Hyong de.. Hyunde.. Hyungde.. Hyundaii or something laaa... but thankfully we reached after the long long expensive taxi ride..Check out this KTV house!!Full length glass windows... for everyone to see your ACT. Steady bom pipi I like. Should we have one in Singapore??Anyway,,, we went to a local club after that, we finally sat down, ordered drinks at cheap student price and I was trying to warm up some grooves and moves...I then looked around ...Oh my freakingudness... I've never felt SO OLD in a longgggggggggg time..Everyone there seemed to just come out of their mother's wombs..Probably 17-19 yr olds.. still rosy and springy.. some pimply and shyThey were friendly overall and well.. I really wished I was 17 all over again.. Damn it!Some boys were oogling at me. It felt illicit straight away.. I couldn't enjoy myself until my 3rd drink. Maybe by then I somehow shed 10 yrs of my age .. It was heaven while it lasted.. worth every crocodile tear afterwards..So those were all Korean culture to me!!I have a special coverage on my visit to the North Korean border...Stay tuned.. The Shopping and Eating in Seoul I thought I had enough of travelling.When I scrolled down my blog.. it may well have become a travelling blog!Geez.. but what to do, I just came back from South Korea and I have to blog it again.It was a team building trip with Walton, took 5 days and we had some memorable times!So I've split the report into different categories.Here's the shopping bit..Korea is supposedly a haven for shoppers.. what do I have to say?Like Singapore tourists can't miss Orchard Road.Tourists in Seoul can't miss DongDaeMun.Long stretch of road.. nothing but shops..ready to eat up your money! Ready?but apparently, DongDaeMun is not the only place to go. It may be the most famous and most trendy.But is is also the most over priced. And that's a big no no for me. I must buy things of good value.You're supposed to bargain here...but minding my horrible Korean and they're horrible English. Not a good match.We also went to this place whose name I forgot totally..But wherever I go.. I see cosmetic shops!!.. apparently there are hundreds and hundreds of cosmetic brands in Korea.. i wonder if many they OEM one. then re-brand only. Chey..My colleagues ..Here's YY, me and Dora!And below, here's Myong Dong.. We skipped visiting some boring president blue house and village houses to come here instead...Also for shopping.. What else would Singaporeans do anyway? shop lor!! I think the tour guide damn confused liao! Seems like this group not interested to see Korea at all.. we just wanted to shop everywhere we go!In Myongdong, the best buy I had was a pair of purple, assymetric havaianas slippers for 10 bucks. Cheap hor? We were pleasantly surprised.Shopping areas in Seouls are aplenty, they are all massive junction with many individual shops who are each trendsetters in their own right. Interesting walk.But seriously speaking, I don't really like shopping in Korea unless it's for cosmetic and beauty products.Which is exactly what I splurged my money on. I went to FaceShop, Skinfood, Tony Moly and spent almost 500 bucks but I think I have stocked up enough powders, masks, sunblocks, eye shadows and nail polish for the next 1 year!Tadaaaaa................. even if there's a nuclear war next time and I am locked in my house for a year, I can still look pretty everyday! Yay!For clothes and bags/shoes.. Cheap ones that you can find are made in China. Therefore they possess horrible quality and they would probably be cheaper if you had gone to Shen zhen to buy it in the first place.Korean own products are of much better quality.. but it's freaking expensive.US$100 for a pair of Korean made shoes.... with some brand you've never heard of?Would you buy?? Pretty unique designs I must say, but I can personally live with the pretty $30 bux Charles and Keith I can find in Singapore.With US$100, I'd go to SAKS and buy a pair of Stuart Weitzman on sale or an Aldo pair full priced. Geez.. Korean stuff areoverpriced... I understand labour ain't cheap there. But I wont pay that much for a pair of "unheard of brand", Korean shoes.Same goes with their supposedly pret-a-porter and haute couture fashion. A bit too fanciful sometimes.. ala Korean drama... but some are worth considering if you have extra cash. Still.. I really missed the factory outlets in States, where I can get a pair of sexy Kenneth Cole heels for US$29.99, BCBG dress for US $39.99 and Kate Spade bag for under US$200. Ain't that great shopping? Maybe if you're into underground labels or niche styles, you can come here.If you like glamour and believe paying for good quality brand, I think you'd like the US factory outlets. They're amazing.Korea can't beat US for shopping. Sorry. Not for me at least.But at least they sure can beat U.S in terms of eating!You will get fat in Korea!!!Here's the Seoul Makan Guide by SillyCelly!Ja jyang myun! Or the Korean version of ZaJiang Mian!I am a big fan! I don't know about you but eversince I have been watching the numerous Korean dramas, I love Jajyang Myun!! so far, can't find a good one in Singapore.But the instant one they sell in Cold Storage ain't so bad! Topoki!!!! Rice Cake or nian gao in Chinese. My korean friends took me to this street which only sells topoki! They told me that the tourists would never about this place because it's a very local place where the locals go and the tour guides get no commission. The topoki here is cooked in one big hot pot, mixed with noodles, egg and many other stuff too! Yummm!! Topoki is in my top 5 definitely! Must try! This is in an area called SHIN DAN DONG! Or something like that. Very close liao. Here is the very Topoki street! That's all they sell there. Topoki! Very crowded like Joo Chiat. while eating them, don't forget to order your sohju (rice wine)..Sohju is a BIG must try!!! Especially the more expensive one with ginseng in it!Drank in shots, smooth and neat, not much bloatedness but geez.. gets you drunk in a jiffy!!! Saves time! And the best part if.. it's so freaking cheap.. Like 2-4 bucks a bottle. And that should be enough to get you pretty happy. Samgyaetang! Or Ginseng chicken soup! Put some sohju in it before you slurp the soup up. Best eaten during winter. With the Ginseng in it, the guys will have the modjo to start romping up like rabbits afterwards, to keep warm too I suppose.Oh, anything that can make a lady happy, definitely made it to my top 5! We had some Japanese breakfast at the Renaissane Hotel we stayed at. Not exactly Korean but mang.. the Japanese food here is better than the one in Singapore! DongDaemun street snacks? I am sure you've heard of them?This one in my hand can't be more sinful. Battered and deep fried sausage with cut french fries sticking all over it like a porcupine. Looked interesting enough for me to buy.After the novelty wear off... it wasn't that nice anymore.It was oily and I immediately felt fat. Duck Steam boat!!Rather unheard of heh?? But it was interesting !! The soup was good and the condiments that came with it were refreshing.I like it anyway, different and yet satisfying! Almost made it top 5.. Chicken Fried rice! Hmm.. fry it yourself and pay the same price hahaha..Well, a bit like a big pot of centralised, pepper-lunch meal.You gotta make sure everyone likes your concoction. Maybe that's why I wasn't allowed to cook. Not happy. Didn't make it to my top 5. Me and Mrs Kim! She and Mr kim are old family friends, really lovely! Korean BBQ!!!!!! Of course!!! You can't have miss it. though I am tryong very hard to become a vegetarian. Korean BBQ would be one of the best reason to un-become one once in a while.Their pork is especially good, if you eat pork. else, the beef ain't so bad either.The Koreans eat their BBQed meat with a cut of garlic and fresh lettuce.because the lettuce is always fresh and raw, that's why they only use organic vegetables, they can't afford to be eating pesticides raw, right? If got pesticides in the non-organic veggie, at least cook it first yo!Anyway, reallyy good feast..and you see the chimney in the middle? Supposed to suck up the smell. But no use lah.. Still so so so so smelly afterwards. I think it's a typical Korean smell.. one sniff and everyone around you will know.. "You went to eat bulgogi har???"Definitely in top 5! hmm.. Bibimbap!! Pretty famous and they even serve it in almost every Korean Airlines flight.Steamed rice which you're supposed to mix with many many different types of ingredients and condiments, including the smelly kimchi.Well, after the novelty wears off, all the fun in the mixing and stirring, this dish is not my cup of tea. Some people may like, but not me. Oh did I mention? I can't stand Kimchi, I really can't. Unless fried with rice or made into soup. or more of, I can't stand eating cold food. But mind you, Koreans eat lots of cold food too, especially their tau geh soup.. cold cold one and damn plain.. like water plus taugeh.. so weird.However, bibimbap didnt make it to my top 5. Dunno why it's so famous. It's ike Rojak rice. The taste also very rojak lah. 8 Colour palate. Apparently some traditional chi chi Korean food. Not my type either. It's a DIY spring roll where you can choose your own fillings and dip into the two different types of sauce.I don't like chi chi anyway. Nope. The chi chi food comes with this really silly Korean traditional dance show.I probably would like the show if I were 50 yrs old and bored to death.Someone who's so used to drolling over Britney's sexy hip grinds and J Timberlake's popping and locking.. I think the traditional dance was a big yawn, so sorry. I am not cultured hor? Well, I am bloody hell not yoghurt..OKK Let's round up the score..THE TOP 5 MUST TRY food in South Korea...(duh.. gotta be South right? not sure North Korea got even enough food to serve tourists)Ok.. here they are........#5 - Korean BBQ!!! Bulgogi etc etc! (it's pushed to #5.. cause you need to take a shower all over again after you eat it. else you smell like ..very oily bakwa.. euww!)#4 - Ja jyang Myun!! - If you watch Korean drama, you'd understand.# 3- SamGyaeTang!! - One for the ladies!#2- Topoki!!!!!!!! - and the number one delicacy.........#1- the one and only!! Soh ju!!!!! I brought like 4 bottles back and I still have one more in my fridge for very very special occasion!!I know I know.. Sohju is not exactly food but damn.. you gotta at least try the one with ginseng lah..Without Sohju.. none of the dishes above would be complete!Signing out, I'd like to sleep now and think of Topoki and sohju! Anhyong Haseyo!! If I were a starlet.. This is how I would look...if I had a movie debut that made it to Hollywood box office and we had a press conference for the lovely paparazzi ..If I were famous...Miss Marcelly Suhali..(actually.. just singing at Cokro & Linge's wedding - Sep '08)But in reality... this is how I look everyday..savouring the moments.. as a face on the street who loves to blog her daily scrambles in life....(Bel & Me @ Sentosa luge)C'est la vie! My 17th Birthday Party If you hadn't known better, I throw awesome parties.. well at least I'd like to think so lah..And so far my friends obliged.Every year for the last ten years, I celebrated my 17th Birthday once, in May.This year was no exception.As I have moved up in my career path and have been earning a comfy 5 figure monthly, I decided to throw a slightly more chi chi party this year.This year's Birthday was at the gorgeous, legendary Raffles Hotel. Thanks to Gan's Feed@Raffles card, we got a good deal for one of their lovely suites. We had Spizza, salads, Phi Phi's tiramisu (www.tiramisucaravan.com) and we had dozens of bottles of hard liquor.The party was meant to chi chi and classy.The room spelled romance, every inch of it.It was a pity Gan had to get knocked off by 11 pm. Thanks to overflow of alcohol. What a waste of a raunchy poster bed.Here's the party area aka the living room..I had to dress chi chi. I had to act chi chi.. I had to smile chi chi.It was like being constipated for a good cause...like wearing a stifling girdle to look orderly and nice. chi chi is effortful but pretty. To me.Chi chi is actually crap. Anyway, the theme is chi chi. Let's play along.Here's the big bed...I had to lie down chi chi..(however, that bed ended up as me and Jac's trampoline after a few drinks).Me- Shil-SuyinHere are the babes in sephia mode.. how nostalgic..how chi chi.Very classy indeed (this was before alcohol)Here's the golden couple..before alcohol.. stil chi chiAnd here are more babes.. a tad less chi chi.. more us.The beloved dudes... can't really do chi chi anyway..this is as good as it gets. =)Here're the brother love.Here's the man love..and the flushed Birthday girl.. I suppose this was after a few drinks.. look at how happy people can get. Me losing the chi chi modjo.. or I forgot it!And here are the drunken babes.. (or more like..just the 3 of us drunk.. Cat me and Jac -frontline)... screw chi chi!And of course, here's the birthday wish..I realised after sometime, that chi chi just doesnt do it for us.People were getting rather bored.We are a crass, zestful bunch and we just had to be messy, letting loose and breaking rules...So, we started to break a bit of rules... shoes off, hair down.. and we drank like a fish.Can imagine how the conversations turned. A bit more vulgarities, more expressive hand signs, More dancing, more jumping..more life.The closest babes... Jac, Cat and Violet, stayed put after 1 pm and we adjourned elsewhere.We crossed the street to Insomnia, got absolutely shit-faced and acted like crazy hyenas til 5 am..and that was the most memorable bit. I even remember that I had to nurse a severe neck ache for a few days after that day. (we were doing the head-spinning/banging moves at the mini rock concert... juvenile I know.. sue me!) Alas, Gan had collapsed at 11 pm that night and he missed almost everything else!! I was soooo mad. But the poor bloke was vomitting til the next morning. I really need to ban him from reckless drinking. I think Gan was, by default, the most chi chi that night. Anyhow, Happy belated Birthday again to me! Here's to many more good years!The celebration ended with massive hangovers and an expensive suite looking like a bombed Iraqi city. I was quite worried I had to pay damages.... luckily no expensive vase broken or expensive rug burnt. This was the morning after....I was a zombie! We had a good night though, lots of fun and little sleep. And lastly, the gift from the butlers... a Raffles hotel mug.It was a lovely gesture really. But actually we tipped them more than enough to buy us 5 mugs.. Nonetheless, it was definitely a five-star treatment, world class service and a lovely experience.. But screw chi chi-ness. I think I'd stick to pure good fun next time, til we need to get botox jobs. Bull or Bear, Boom or Crash, Question: Are the fundamentals still growing? Good Day Everyone! If you are one who ventures into the various speculative markets,the following write-up that my team did may be food for thought.Contrary to many people's understanding,despite Market conditions for the past decades,be it Bull Market or Bear Market,be it housing boom or housing crash,US GDP and US population actually still continue to grow! This is not the first 'recessionary' period we face. There has been so many in the past decades, let's look at the statistics on fundamental growths throughout these periods.US GDP goes up during Bull market run! US GDP still goes up during Bear market!!Any relation then? Naught US population has been increasing steadily the past decades. And US is forecasted to continue so. unlike Europe and Japan.This shows something consistent about the "real" fundamental growth in US. Evidently, market performance is not an accurate reflection of the economy but more a game of market sentiments.In this gloomy situation, perhaps we should take some time reviewing our investment strategy. After all, isn't the top priority to continuously add value to our portfolios, regardless of market situation?If the bear market is likely going to give you zero to negative returns in the next 3-4 years to hold out, it may be a good idea to look at other options as a diversification and to hedge against inflation. You may want to consider an option that has all the following characteristics: 1) Hedge against Inflation - unleveraged hard assets.2) Capital Preservation3) Low to zero correlation to speculative market4) Manageable timeline 4-6 yrs5) Returns based on methodical processes and Fundamentals - Value Add process , e.g- expertise, experience and track record in urban planning, etc- Fundamental growth trends , e.g -sustainable, long term GDP and Population growthLand is one asset class that fits these criterias. "With sustainable GDP and Population Growth trend, various developments (residential/commercial) will continue to occur. Developable prime lands being limited in supply, will always be in demand.Land banking with the experienced experts may be one of viable options which delivers, even during uncertain times like now" Walton International Group is the ONLY known land banking company with a solid track record of 29 yrs. Walton also works closely with various financial institutions in Europe, North America, Japan and Asia to educate more people on this unique opportunity.*Our most recently updated audited track record of 29 yrs stands at an average of 23.55% p.a If you'd like more information about the risk, returns, securities and opportunities of land banking with Walton, please email me at marcely.suhali@waltoninternational.com.sg##Please take note that the graphs and writings above are private property. I would appreciate if you don't copy and misuse it elsewhere. Texan Lands - Sun, Oil, Mulah and the Cowboys.. I think my previous entry's angst may make me seem like a sexist. But you gotta admit.I hear many more chi ko stories than happy auntie stories.Sorry guys, it is still a double standard world. haha..Nevertheless, I need to finish off my stories in Uncle Sam's land.I finished the trip in Texas. Well, it's a cowboy land you may say.It is also home to most of the oil giants - Exxon, Caltex, Chevron..Also home to numerous other Fortune 500 companies. Like MEMC and P&G..But best of all, home to the live band capital of the world - Austin. Our first stop was Dallas, better known for its sitcom, Dallas is the financial hub in Texas, it has since merged with FortWorth to be a megapolitan, namely Dallas-Fort Worth, no price for guessing correctly. Megapolitan is the new term for mega cities, move aside metropolis!We stayed at Sheraton 5 mins walk from The Galleria shopping centre. Huge. So we ended up there almost every day, between the aisles SAKS fifth Avenue, A&F and Forever 21 which is btw freaking cheap there. But in between shopping, we manage to squeeze time to do some work.We visited several land developments in Dallas Fort Worth.This particular one, I have a stake in it too! Me and my colleagues - in front of Brookside 2 project- half hour from DFW downtown.Likely planned for mixed use - residential/commercial, it shall return me 100% profit the next 4 yrs.Check out the highways in Dallas though. 12 storeys high!! And still expanding.But the better part of Texas,...is the food!!!TEXMEX baby!! Good food, good crowd. Good stuff!Good Times! That spicy looking chicken wings? Really good!We went for TexMex and we were adorned by the most premium tequilas in the house.If you think that good tequilas are yellow, you think wrong..It's the Silver one that rocks the boat.Smooth as silk and lethal as hell.Definitely got me very happy after just 2 shots.After dinner, we went to W Hotel for its roof top bar.Bird's eye view, here I come..Dallas downtown baby! The view from the top..A bit blur hahaAnd here's on the palate, complete with strawberry and champagne and Belvedere RedBull, courtesy of Walton US counterpart. Thank you!So that marked the end of a very long night. I think after Ghost Bar I blacked out..When I woke up it was glaring morning, with me and a ghastly looking face.I had to carry my hangover accross the counties as we drove the bus down to Austin and San Marcos..Brrr.. here starts the bus journey again.. Welcome to Austin! Brrrrr.. the houses in Austin are nice, comfy and huge thoughWe are in Austin to look at a few more land projects that Walton's planning team is doing.Here's the busy junction at San Marcos, lucky no jam.. unlike Singapore where everyday, sure must have at least one accident along one of the expressways one. If don't have, it's like miracle.Cabella's & HEB! Nice big department stores.. I realise all the commercial ad residential projects in States take up so much land.. You see how much car park space for just one store...I think from cashier to my car I can do a marathon liao.Because they build sideways..But I think good for us la..prime land is limited in supply yet in demand.. So you do the math/econs.Here's a 5 star hotel development minutes away from Walton's project - Martindale. Walton is expanding the Martindale community near San Marcos by at least two folds.Apparently this area is quite hot, niece of a client of mine, lives in this area and she herself is developing hotels around San Marcos. Lots of visitors, tourists and internal immigrants.But the best part is yet to come! Just 5 mins from Martindale.. SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The Prime Outlet at San Marcos is voted the #3 best shopping place in the world. I couldn't agree more!!I spent from 3 pm to 9 pm, swiping cards and had a little panic moment when I had to call Mr Gan to extend my credit card limit because of emergency!My last stop was the VS outlet.. I think my boss was calling me on the phone at 9pm as I almost missed the bus.. But I couldn't leave!!! $10 for 5 VS knickers.. who's not buying???Men just don't get it! Our Austin nights are the most cultured. Rainy blurry night, road side quessadillas and boutique blues bar laced the long dandy stretch of 6th Street.Very talented musicians are everywhere in Austin, this is the live band capital of the world. Kelly Clarkson is Texan, you know that right? =)We went to Nuno's along 6th Street and this band is more talented than 5 best bands in Singapore put together.Utterly creative, out of the box, harmonious and very hilariously entertaining.I even bought their CD of Original Songs!It was the most original thing I bought in US. It's playing in my car now. Very sexy, Very blues, very Texas.I told Gan that one day, I'd like to live in Austin. Get my alcohol and blues fix down 6th street everyday and go for Quessadillas for supper.My hats off to the cowboys!