You should read this...

I think this article is very informative..

Recommended Read!..

Excuse me, are you an independent adviser?

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Keep learning..

My Mum secretly trying to tell me something?

You know how sometimes.. 

Parents tell their kids things so as not to offend their son/daughter-in-law?..

The more diplomatic ones will probably do it secretly in the absence of the in-laws...

So over the weekend.. 

While Wifey was away with her family on a short trip..

My Mum left me something in the room..

I think maybe she is trying to hint at something?

I came back home and found on the bed

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Young Parents Magazine

Mum says it's from my Sis who had extra copy...


--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- All in due time...

How do I know I am not Hip and Cool?

Two incidents were all it took to let me know I am not Hip and Cool.




Incident 1


Was having lunch with my colleagues.
They started talking excitedly about "Angry Bird" (Do you know what it is?).
Talking about High Scores and other iphone games and applications.


Me? All I could say was, "Oh... I don't really play games.."


The thing that highlighted to me that I am not hip and cool?
They were not some Juniors or new colleagues.




1 boss, 2 colleagues.. ALL older than me!







Incident 2 - Conversation of the Day with Wifey


Last week, a conversation with Wifey went like this...




Wifey: Baby.. The gals are asking me to go watch eclipse.


Me: Wah.. Suddenly all so educational?.. 
Eh.. Wasn't the eclipse like not too long ago.. So fast another eclipse?

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Wifey: Baby.. it's the Movie lah.. Movie!!!

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- I knew it alllllllllllllllll along.....

Conversation of the Day - Language in the Workplace

Recently I was reminded of a module I took back in Uni days..
Language in the Workplace. It is not so  much a English Language or Business writing module but more of a language and context.


The example I remembered very vividly the lecturer gave,
A "No" may not be a "No.


When a visitor pays a visit with gift in hand,


Visitor: Hi, Thanks for inviting me, here's a little gift.
Host: Oh it's not necessary... Don't need...
Visitor: Must.. Must...


Basically it's the "to-ing" and "fro-ing" and how a "No" is not really a "No"..




Why I got reminded of this?


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Me: 

Baby, this Sat Malacca trip, what time do you guys have to be there? Maybe I can give you guys a lift.

Wifey (Sounding apologetic and full of love and concern): 

Baby, it is very early you know.. Also you have to go office after that..

Me:

Ok.. So what time is it?

Wifey:

We have to be there by 7am.. It is very early right?...

*Pause*

Me:

*Doing the mental  calculation.. hmm.. 7am.. means I have to wake up 5 or 6am...blah blah blah*

Obviously the pause was too long for Wifey.. Coz the next instant.. Before I answered

Wifey:

Baby, I'm sure you can wake up, right? Thanks baby!

Where was the "to-ing" and "fro-ing"?

My lecturer was wrong.

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Of course I will! Enjoy!!

Suze Orman - Do you know her?

Do you know who is she?

Read about highlights of Suze Orman's Young, Fabulous and Broke?

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Money Money Money...

Any updates on City Harvest, Pastor Kong Hee or Sun Ho?

My previous entry on City Harvest - Latest Updates on City Harvest and Pastor Kong Hee? was one of my most read and searched blog entry in the past month. So some people have been asking me how come I am not blogging about the updates in the Newspapers with regards to Pastor Kong Hee's Plagarism or his wife Sun Ho's apparently lavish lifestyle.


Well, there was supposed to be a blog entry on them. But I've decided to heed my Wifey's advice and not post them. Though I feel I blogged with objectivity and definitely avoided making it a religion issue. 


After some thoughts, I think I concur with Wifey and should err on the side of caution in case I offend anybody unknowingly.


--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- *Zip*

Problems with In-Laws?!

I know some people have problems with their In-Laws...

But I can't take it anymore..

And I can't keep it to myself anymore..

What I have to go through...
It is just TOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!!....


It is SOOOOOOO embarrassing!!!!!...
What I have to endure....
I have to tell the whole world...


Another incident just happened.... JUST....


My Parents-in-law....
They are so...
They are just...
I don't even know how to describe it...
They are too.......

*****N---I---C---E*****

The incident that just happened?

They just came to my house to pass me (and my mum) Durians!!!!

Can you believe that?!

Knowing that I love eating durians so much!

Why did I say ME?
Coz Wifey doesn't eat durians (She doesn't know what she is missing!)


Lucky Me!


--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Blessed...

Married Life 101 - Dinner for two (Real life lesson for married couples!)

Coming home to a home-cooked dinner by Wifey after a day’s work, not many things can beat that for feeling of bliss and love in married life. (I am so easy to please right?!) 


That is what you see in most movies and what you read in most relationship “how to” books and guides – Romantic Home-Cooked Dinner for two to spend some couple time together.  


That feeling of bliss and love in marriage was how I felt last week when I came home to the dinner prepared by my Wifey. Though not a romantic dinner, it was a sumptuous dinner cooked with love and effort.

Yummy Dinner

Wifey Looking Tired after cooking up the Dinner

Check out my Wifey's blog entry on this: How to improvise and cook a dinner for two under $12!

Ok… So far so good for Married Life 101 right? 

Spend some quality meal time together.

So what’s the Real-life lesson for married couples secret that you do not see in the movies or read about in relationship “how to” books?

An hour after enjoying our dinner… 

Here is what you will not see in Movies, on TVs or Relationships 101 Books…

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I was doing the laundry and hanging out 3 washing-machine loads of our laundry.

Wifey was washing the dishes, mopping the floor and cleaning the toilet (Turning into Super Woman like my mum soon. Read about it My Mum: The Super Woman in Disguise)

So much for Romantic Dinner and Together-time for couples eh…

That, my friends, is the reality of married life. 

Learn to love it.

I’m Loving it! =)

--Ginseng Tonic Maker – Dinner at home does not end with finishing the food! 

Career Choice - The Advantages of being a Researcher?

Nobody told me about the career of being a researcher.
Somebody should have told me the advantages of being a researcher as a career choice and you should be telling this to any kid you see.
Seriously, can you name a better career?


If unquoted sources and hearsay is to be believed, it is about convincing somebody (with the money, of course!) that a research needs to be done on a certain topic. Thereafter, there’ll be grants of money to begin the research. (I repeat UNQUOTED sources and HEARSAY.)


I think they need to begin a probe into the whole industry!


Take a look at the research findings below:

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Fat Women means slim hope of getting sex

Fat women = slim hope of getting s*e*x 

???!!!!!!?????!?!?!?!????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????!!!

Wow.. I’m shocked by the findings!..
All the while, I thought otherwise….

Yeah right…
(Note:I’ve got nothing against “weight-challenged” friends (damn.. I even think I’m slowing falling into this category!))

But... Seriously.. A research needs to be done on this??!!..



How much do these researchers get?
A million dollars in grants and $100,000 in income? 
Wild guesses.. DON’T quote me!



Did you know? I’m a researcher now.
And I charge CHEAP.

I will settle for 20% of the sums (wild guesses!) $200,000 grants and $20,000 payouts.


Only thing is, it comes in a package of 5 researches.
1) Beautiful women = more hope of getting s/e/x
2) Ugly men = slim hope of getting s*e*x
3) Rich men = more hope of getting s/e/x
4) Sexy women = more pick up lines directed at them
5) Handsome men = more hope of getting s*e*x
Any sponsors or any committees out there who can sponsor the studies?

Heck, I can even make it an immediate research study and give you the results the moment I receive the cheque!!!!


>>On a serious note about career, you can read about the following entry if you need the motivation and know that finding a dream career is possible.

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- More research needed on the benefits of Ginseng?

Life's Lessons from a World Cup Game - Diego Forlan

Lesson: Failure is an event, not the person.


In case you didn't know.... South Africa World Cup 2010

South Africa 0 - 3 Uruguay

The 2-goal hero? Diego Forlan

For those of you who have been watching soccer.. You will remember... That in 2002, Diego Forlan was at a wonderful club looking like this:

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Diego Forlan

I think hardly anybody will argue if his stay in Manchester United is considered a failure.

It took him 8 months to score his first goal for Man Utd. 

It is ok if you are a defender... bearable if you are a midfielder... TERRIBLE if you are a striker..

Most of us can remember watching in agony, some of the goal scoring opportunities he missed.. 

Swearing that "even my Grandmother" can score that!! (or its variations)

However, despite his poor goal scoring rate, he was still a firm fan favorite (scoring 2 goals against Liverpool to win the game certainly goes a long way).

The fans were in love with his never-give-up attitude. If you give your best, people can tell.

Lesson: Do your utmost best!

Before long, despite his efforts and the love shown by fans, he was sold. What a sad story right?

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EXCEPT

Now he looks like this

Diego Forlan

Because he went on to win the

Pichichi Trophy - The top-scorer award for Spanish League

European Golden Shoe - The top-scorer award for WHOLE of Europe's Top Divisions

Which shows that

Lesson: Even if you fail in one place (or chosen area), you can still succeed in another place (or chosen area).

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- That's why I love sports.. Life's lessons in 90minutes.

Secret Admirer in Office

While back in office working one evening, I felt something under my desk.
There was a paperbag left below my table.
Puzzled and wondering what it was, I bent down and picked up the paperbag.

There was a gift inside.
Who could it be from?!
Could it be true?..
*Gasp*... A secret admirer in office?!?!
 It's a cute little gift. A DIY gift.

Secret Admirer DIY Gift 1

Secret Admirer DIY Gift 2

Maybe, somebody DIYed something for me?!

Doesn't the person know that I'm a married man?!?!

Nonetheless, it's a good boost for the ego...

And then finally... 

I found a note...

From the secret admirer...

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Secret Admirer DIY Gift Note

It was a gift for my Wifey!!!! (*Sighz* Don't even have a chance to boost my ego...)


A secret admirer of MY Wifey from My Office, passing a gift to My Wifey through ME?!?! 


It doesn't even say who it is from!!!...

After much investigation (phobia from the Abalone incident), the gift is from a certain Teo....

Someone who I work closely with..

Someone who I consider a close friend..

Someone who is getting married soon!!!

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It is from a certain Ms Teo>> My Wifey says Thanks!!

Well.... luckily... life is not as dramatic as Mediacorp's Drama Serials...

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Next time give Ginseng as gift lah!!

Could this be the future? Part 2

As a follow up to the
Could this be the future entry where a Passion was turned into a Million-dollar business 

My Wifey is having soooooo much fun that she can't help but create more DIY Owls

I should run a sweat shop and make my Wifey work non-stop *Evil Laughter*.....

Why?

Coz that could be the ticket to joining the Millionaire Club in Singapore

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- I'm sure a Million bucks will work as well as Ginseng Tonic!

The A-Team Movie Review by ME!

Watched the The A-Team on Saturday with Mich and my In-Laws.
As most of you should know, I'm not much of a movie person. How often do you see me blog about movies?
This was not a movie that I would have wanted to watch given a choice. There aren't that many movies that fall into the category.
However, my In-laws and my Wifey wanted to watch and of course, being the nice Hubby and Son-in-Law that I am (*ahem*), I agreed =)

Went to meet them after some work in office and we headed off for dinner first.
We had our dinner in Ang Mo Kio. Read about my Wifey's blog about our dinner at Peppery Western Cuisine  Not very convenient if you don't drive. I loved my Salmon but my Wifey hated her spaghetti. So there, 2 EXTREME reviews.

Ok, back to The A-Team movie.
I'm glad I watched it!
It is surprisingly good. Perhaps it is because my expectations were low?
For a action movie, it has many hilarious scenes.
You get your action and comedy, all-in-one.
Only negative thing? The last scenes where the settings started crumbling down, that's too unreal even for a Hollywood movie.

Overall, I think you should watch it.

Ginseng Tonic Maker - 4 out of 5

Married Life 101 - How to understand women? (Conversation of the Day)

I am going to put on record, what every man should know..

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E-V-E-R

take what a woman says at face value.... 

Proof??!!

One fine day, after wifey used my phone...

Wifey: Baby.. you see, my phone's wallpaper is a picture of you.. and your phone's wallpaper is not a picture of me!

Me: Not like it's a picture of another girl.. It's a picture of Buddha for goodness... Haha.. Ok ok.. I'll change now....

Wifey: It's ok lah, it doesn't matter.

I Changed the Wallpaper

I-M-M-E-D-I-A-T-E-L-Y

Why?

In case you read or got the message wrongly...

What my wifey said was...

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Wifey: You Change.... Or You Die!!!!!!

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- I think Ginseng increases my Psychic powers!

Could this be the future?

Many people have told me they are impressed by my Wifey's handicrafts.
The following list is just some of the things she has made

• Bag
• Skirt
• Stuff Toys
• Bird Cage for our Wedding Ang Pow Box......

Her latest creation?

Her DIY Owl Stuff Toy Family

She's really into sewing lately.. So passionate about it that making money is really not her primary motive...

The price she quotes for the OWLs in my logical mind is soooooo not worth it due to the time needed to make them. VERY time-consuming. However, she always feels that she just want to share her love of sewing and is happy that there are people who appreciate her creations.

So nice of her right?! I know haha...

Well who knows... Her hobby and passion could turn into a million-dollar business as well?.. Just like how a local entrepreneur was profiled in the Straits Times article Her hobby is now a million-dollar business

Then I can stay at home and eat Ginseng all day....

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Money Maker?

Pixar 20 years of Animation in Science Centre Singapore

Decided to get out of the house with wifey on Sunday...

Not much of a movie-couple..

So finally, after a few reminders by my wife..

We went to the Pixar 20 years of Animation Exhibition in Science Centre

Was shocked to know it started since 2 April!!

So for those who have not visited, catch it before 27 June 10am to 6pm!

Pixar Poster that Greeted us at the Carpark - Buzz Lightyear!

Woody

Entrance to Pixar 20 years of Animation

The moment we entered the door and before we even bought tickets..

Toys!!

The toys that caught our eyes the moment we entered the doors

Wifey loves Mr Potato

Me?.. I'm more of a Bag person!

   Ticket Prices:

Pixar Animation Exhibition only: $20

Pixar Animation Exhibition + Science Centre: $21

Pixar Animation Exhibition + Science Centre + 3D Pixar Movie: $24

Discounts available if you are Popluar Bookstore Card Holder or NTUC Union Card Holder

Showing Toy Story 2. Think there are other Pixar movies available like Toy Story 1 and UP

Pixar Animation Science Centre Tickets

Picture before we enter the exhibition

Pics with Monsters Inc.

Our Very own Look alike Contest

My Turn Now..

So who's the winner of the look-alike contest?? Haha...

 No photos to be taken in the exhibition..

Being the law-abiding Singaporeans..

No photos were taken..

Then it was time for the 3D Toy Story 2 movie...

This Way to 3D Toy Story 2

Tickets with the famous Lamp Stamps

3D Glasses

 The 3D movie was much clearer than the normal ones watched in the Cinemas.

I think to pay $21 per pax (after discount) with a movie thrown in 

+ entrance to Pixar Exhibition

+ entrance to Science Centre

=

Good Deal!!!

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Pixar should animate a running Ginseng!

Latest Updates on City Harvest and Pastor Kong Hee?

So what is the latest news with regards to the probe into City Harvest on the misuse of church funds with their Founder Pastor Kong Hee and 16 other church members assisting in investigations?

If you have not heard of it, where have you been? You can read about it on Yahoo - Pastor Kong Hee 'takes a break'

Some comments (and flaming) have been going around online. Some comments are reasonable and level-headed, while others are plain childish and insulting. I hope it does not become a "religion" thing. It is an investigation into whether there are misuse of funds and it happens to be a church.

I agree with some of the comments I have read online, even from churchgoers of City Harvest, let the authorities investigate. Let people ask questions.
If there are areas to be improved, do it and let the matter be put to rest once and for all.
So for people who are at the extreme ends:
A (personal insults and jumping to conclusions) or
B (die hard placard waving fans and ALSO jumping to conclusion)

CHILL!!

After reading an article in the Straits Times Friday, June 4 2010, I have a concern.

I am no expert in reading and interpreting the figures.
What is the effect of links between the church and companies owned by key people in the Management Committee? I can't tell

Is $8,296,977 paid for staff salaries and allowances justified? I don't know.

What stands out to me in the figures reported is the sum of $25,000 for Club Membership. (Tower Club, "which the church uses to host and entertain visiting foreign VIPs, guests and dignitaries")

Is that really necessary? As read on Yahoo - Pastor Kong Hee 'takes a break', City Harvest is a church with a 14,000 sq foot office in Suntec and their very own building in Jurong West which was built at a cost of $47 million. A building of $47 million and there is no decent place to host and entertain visiting foreign VIPs, guests and dignitaries? Sure be a good host but surely the amounts spent can be modest and not necessarily at Tower Club which "has been established as the nation's premier private business club" as listed on their website?

I am sure they have helped and touched the lives of many. But everything can be improved, isn't it?
There are no easy answers when it comes to money. Especially so when religious bodies come into the picture. I think they have greater responsibility to provide accountability and make sure funds are used in the best possible way.

So far, based on what I read, City Harvest has been open about their Financial Reports and they post it online. The key question is, is that enough?

Even after the investigations, whether or not any law is broken, can the system be improved?

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Ginseng for the well needed rest...