Trivial But True

About Me

I am not keen on the same kind of retail outlets in most Australian shopping centres (we need variety and uniqueness!); individuals not communciating when they can - and should; global warming;  racists who dare not speak their mind but operate behind our backs; baggy jeans; people asking how are you but do not really want to know; the FOX News channel; sex tourists;  people without compassion; politicians who benefit themselves more than the voters who put them in the first place; vehicle drivers who belch exhaust and think they are cool; sludge snow; haughty persons; working too hard for nothing; hairy backs; loud mouthed women and men with attitude; cheap perfume (you can smell it!); individuals who take credit for things they did not do; double standards; plastic Christmas trees; people who stab you in the back (okay, not literally, and actually much worse); people who take you for granted; being singled out for extra security checks just for being an East Asian male, when I have not broached any thing required; team leaders who exclude you from celebrations and only include you for problems; restaurant owners who have three sesions an evening and restrict your dining time at the table; not being able to window shop after hours; and people who make a show of forgetting that you have treated them well.

and I love:
lying on my back and take in the view of clouds rolling by on a big blue canvas sky; looking at swimming goldfish; discovering budlings springing out of the moist soil; making the most out of a challenge; reading a book on a dark and stormy night; cooking with whatever I have in the kitchen while the rain pours outside; the blue of the ocean and sky; chatting with mates; discovering new places; re-arranging things; once in a while, being caught in a time warp with nothing planned; watering plants, wherever they are; celebrating festivals; surprising someone special, and more; getting out of the comfort zone and testing unnatural limits; sharing, doing and giving something without expecting anything in return; giving my time and resources to make someone happy or grow, when I do not need to: special individuals who do not say much but whom you know love you in the only way they can, under the circumstances; meeting pro-active leaders and operators, whether on an airflight or with a innovative acting guy or woman in retail anywhere; talking with individuals with experience (aka elderly people); talking with individuals who have fresh-eyed perspectives (aka youngsters); taking the less travelled road; spending time with family; being drawn into laughter by humorous mates; eating Mum's home cooked food; house parties; and getting things done.

Straits Chinese Curry

My Wine List for the Holidays

Thank You For The Music

The start of the Millennium is but a distant memory. The commencement of 2009 is more recent, but as we approach the second decade of the 21st century, here are some of the individuals who have energised me in such positive ways on my life’s journey this past year, mentioned in no particular order:


Mum – Madam Foo Gaik Hwa

Mr Dylan Smith

Uncle Jimmy Foo and Aunty Winnie

First Cousins Mu Lan and Susan Chan

Second Cousin Roy Lim

The Campbell Family of Woonoona, NSW

Mdm Roma and Mr Peter Karak

Niece Adelyn Yong

Aunty Foo Gaik Keow

Ms Lim Bee Keok

Mr Yap Boo Ann

Ms Lillian Ong

Mrs Janice Tinham

Mrs Charmaine Wan and her daughters Ashleigh and Caitlin

Mr Lim Yew Ting and family

Mrs Rosanne Humble

Ms Tan Mui Na

Mr Pete Cusack

Uncle Hong Beng and family

Mr Richard Bennison

Mr Robert Sim

Ms Joyce Cheam

Mr David Mason

Mr Dane and Mr Nathan

Mrs Nicky Bishop

Mr Andrew Mulligan

and more

Easy Sydney Sunday - 20 December 2009

Start with brunch at Spice I Am, a modest Thai cafe providing food with a kick at the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Sydney CBD.

Here is a lime flavoured twist with grounded peanuts over the Hong Kong egg noodles served with char siew pork cuts and garnished with fresh herbs.  It may be best complimented by a cool iced longan-flavoured drink.

Chill out and hot up at Swiss Bakerz in Darlinghurst - brioche and latte, with posters of Swiss inspiration and a friendly face at the front.

Eel (unagi) dinner serving at On Ramen in Sydney's Chinatown, a narrowly spaced ramen bar with but with flexible combinations in meal choices

Slurping hot Japanese noodles to wind up or start the last Sunday evening before Christmas.