Saturday, August 9, 2025

Modu, Mandarin Gallery

This was the longest time I needed to queue for a meal, almost 3 hours. It's Modu at Mandarin Gallery. They are selling Korean ginseng chicken. The chicken meat was extremely tender however the soup was bland.

I really fancy the side dish. They were really flavourful.









Enemy in The Blanket

I didn't pay attention to how people in my life, especially in a professional environment, treated me. Until recently, I took note of this matter. I think due to my productivity, high expectations, and idealism, people don't like me.

I often said I would retire before 50, I expect my son to be a doctor, and I also want a 'rich' partner, etc., etc. People don't see it positively. Normally, people don't like others to be happy and successful.

I want to retire before 50 because my lifestyle is not fancy. I live my life normally by managing my expectations after retirement. I think hard about how to exit the rat race as soon as possible with a realistic budget and plan to generate resources when I am no longer working. So why are you jealous? Maybe you should start thinking about your exit strategy instead of opposing my plan.

I expect my son to be a doctor. What is wrong with that? Do you expect your kid to be a beggar, a jobless lazy person, or just do a low-paying, unintellectual job in the future? It's normal to wish for our children to perform well and not struggle in life during their adulthood. People just don't like others to be better than themselves. Believe it or not... they are. They may be your friends too.

I also want a 'rich' partner. Someone once challenged me: 'What do you bring to the table?' My definition of rich is having enough for life, a grateful mindset, and about the same financial abundance as me. So, if you have a daughter, would you wish her to have a struggling life with a guy because wanting a better life with a partner sounds wrong to you? If you hear about 'want,' why can't I have the liberty to say what I want? It's not my need. Assuming one person asked you, 'What car do you want?' Would you say that you want an old ugly car or a new comfortable sports car? Regardless of whether my income is sufficient to buy the car, is it wrong to want a cool car? Please reflect on yourself whether you are just jealous of what people want, and you are not even living their lives.

These people who oppose you may be within your close circle. You think they are on your side. But deep down, you never know whether they are genuinely happy for your happiness and success, or if they are just around you and feel unhappy if you are better than them.

Put attention to words, body language, small details they say and do. You will get an answer.

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Labuan Bajo, NTT, 27-30 March 2025

We impromptu bought the ticket for this trip on the day we knew it was on sale for $99. But eventually, we got it for $130ish per pax under Jetstar as this is a new route they opened this year.

We quickly settled our hotel and decided to get this Santorini look a like one for $100 per night.


Second day we engaged local travel to send us island hopping by speedboat.
1. Padar Island
2. Pink beach
3. Komodo Island
4. Snorkling at Manta Point. - which I didn't go and I just stayed on the boat.

Third day, we rented a car with a driver to go around the main island. We went to Bukit Silvia, Mirror Cave, and Puncak Waringin.

The food there was good. I like the moringa rice and crispy pork at La Moringa. My second favorite is Pondok Mai-Cenggo.
Overall it's value for money holiday. Total I spent below SGD $1K for the whole trip.


Saturday, January 11, 2025

Red shoes

 I added 2 pairs red shoes again to the family.




Friday, December 27, 2024

Louvin La Neuve, Belgium, 11 Dec 2024

I had been waiting this moment for a life time. Tintin has been always my favorite character. I had my first Tintin comic when I was in primary school. The comic was The Blue Lotus. I had complete collection of Tintin Comics. 

By visiting this museum, I understand the background of each Tintin adventure. It's amazing master piece of Herge. Herge apparently is not a name. But it is initial of the author. R.G. Remi Georges. 

I remember vividly every evening before sleep, I read one of my Tintin's collection and fell asleep. So each of Tintin's adventure book, I read at least 30x.










Brussels, Belgium, 9-10 Dec 2024

 













Antwerp, Belgium, 7-8 Dec 2024