Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Brayan is out.
Ever since I lost contact to the secret society world I used to associate, there is really no one else i missed and wanted to meet except for one. His name is Brayan, or Buaya which i would usually call. We know each other since our army days all the way till we ORD and then to the world of vice and crime. We had gone thru many dramatic and adventures events which I cannot forget. But thats the passed and i do not want to talk about it here.
Like in the army, the ss world usually had their buddy pair system to look out for one another and i consider Buaya one of mine. If a fight broke out, we would usually paired up and make sure the other is ok. We also shared almost everything we can including underwear if neccessary (no joke). And the loftiest of our time was when he introduced me to horse racing, then, we won almost every weeks a couple thousands each. We party all night for a few months untill one day we discovered nobody can really make a living out of gambling. We lost all our winning and started to borrowed from loan shark. I remembered one day, we lost so much and couldn't make payment for the bookies and ah long. Crazy Buaya suggested the only way we could at that time was either to rob or drive all the way to the casino in Genting using our remaining thousand and risk it, it was do or die at that time and we choosed the latter. Immediatly, we took turn driving on the malaysia highway and i found myself in the miste of the cloud within 7-8 hours i guess. God gracious, although we did not win much, but we won enough to settle for the bookie and loan shark for that week. Everything happened so fast so furious.
There are still many old stories if i wanna recall. But today i am not here to look back my passed because i am already a happily married man with a daughter. But today is a day to rejoy, today is the day where my buddy realise from prison after 8 years of sentencing. Yes, we havent seen or talk to each other for 8 years. He just called me an hour ago informing me his freedom. I am so dame happy for him for i know the misery behind bars.
Anyway, I am looking forward to meet up with him very soon. Maybe with my family and his. To celebrate his liberty. Hopefully he will be like me and turn over a new leaf.
Like in the army, the ss world usually had their buddy pair system to look out for one another and i consider Buaya one of mine. If a fight broke out, we would usually paired up and make sure the other is ok. We also shared almost everything we can including underwear if neccessary (no joke). And the loftiest of our time was when he introduced me to horse racing, then, we won almost every weeks a couple thousands each. We party all night for a few months untill one day we discovered nobody can really make a living out of gambling. We lost all our winning and started to borrowed from loan shark. I remembered one day, we lost so much and couldn't make payment for the bookies and ah long. Crazy Buaya suggested the only way we could at that time was either to rob or drive all the way to the casino in Genting using our remaining thousand and risk it, it was do or die at that time and we choosed the latter. Immediatly, we took turn driving on the malaysia highway and i found myself in the miste of the cloud within 7-8 hours i guess. God gracious, although we did not win much, but we won enough to settle for the bookie and loan shark for that week. Everything happened so fast so furious.
There are still many old stories if i wanna recall. But today i am not here to look back my passed because i am already a happily married man with a daughter. But today is a day to rejoy, today is the day where my buddy realise from prison after 8 years of sentencing. Yes, we havent seen or talk to each other for 8 years. He just called me an hour ago informing me his freedom. I am so dame happy for him for i know the misery behind bars.
Anyway, I am looking forward to meet up with him very soon. Maybe with my family and his. To celebrate his liberty. Hopefully he will be like me and turn over a new leaf.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Kallang Leisure Park
Last Sunday my in-law called us to join them cycling at East Coast Park but was canceled when it suddenly rain. We ended up at Kallang Leisure Park and discovered it has change a lot since my last visit. It’s the first time my wife has been there though. Anyway, the location there may still seems isolated but the added shops are a far cry from its previous construction. There used to be a night club there which I used to go during my clubbing days, it’s no where to be seen now and most of the activities and shops are more family oriented presently. 
Images: Gracia saw this merry-go-round near the entrance and like usual, she was very excited about it.
Lina saw this donut shop and can't resist herself. She ended up buying two donuts, one for herself and the other one for me.
Note:Breast feeding is really energy consuming. your baby suck away all your fats and you get hungry very easily.
Image:Gracia looking at mummy's donut. What was she thinking.
Image:This door was from a renovated shop at 2nd level, i took a shot because i thought the light coming out has a good contrast.There's nothing much else to share except the ice skating ring, which I think, originated there and is the longest standing pioneer in KLP. We then proceeded to level 3 and saw a gallery selling old fashion stuff and furniture, mostly materials from the 60s or 70s. I had some memories coming back when I go thru some of it collection.
Image: An old wooden piano i used to play too.
Image:This water bottle are usually used to store coffee, i remember seeing them beside the mahjong table whenever they played the game.
Image: This is a familar doll to me.
Image: These old basket made of cane are really tough.
Image: I think this clock is one of the popular and common sight in the 70s household.
Image:A model car in the 70s.
Image:A 70s advertisment, it seems that coca cola are already very popular long time ago.
Image:Should be some famous celebrities during my mother's era. Anyone know them?
By the time I took this picture, the owner of these properties seems to notice me and started to keep his eyes targeted at me. I supposed he don't like his precious collection to be of other possession for free, even if it's just images. There were actually more good stuffs further down the alley I wanted to take picture, but I was afraid the owner would come ask for my camera and request to delete all those I had already taken. So I decided not to risk it and made a U-turn before he could stop me.
Anyway, my mum will be going to China and Hong Kong till 6th of August. So I will take up her commitment helping to look after Gracia when she wasn’t around. During this period, I guess I wouldn’t have any free time posting entries.
Will resume and share my pictures and stories when my mother is back.
What has gangsterdad been up to lately?
Gangsterdad has been rather busy lately embarking on a new project. Paul's photohut. It's my first time witnessing how well gangsterdad had been coping with the jargons of the information technology world considering his non IT background. I am looking forward very much to see the end result and I wanna add, going through this journey and witnessing the changes n improvements day by day is far more worth than the end result I believe. Am keeping my fingers crossed and I wanna cheer gangsterdad on, excellent pictures my dear! Your pictures speaks so much of our family life. I will never exchange them for anything else in this world. Jia you ok!
"God has given u a talent, never loose it in life's routine"
Posted by Lina
"God has given u a talent, never loose it in life's routine"
Posted by Lina
Friday, July 18, 2008
Father and daughter
In my personal opinion, this is the best picture I have seen my husband in. He looks relax and confident in it. Several years ago, we were dating as a couple then we entered into marriage life. Life didnt change much for the both of us till then. Yes, we had our own home and life was basically just "you n me". A year plus ago, Gracia was born. Entering into parenthood was not an easy one. However, I am very proud to say my husband had done all things truly well till now though occasionally we still do things which annoy each other. In the recent years, his confidence has grown, his spirit is stronger, he's clear about what he wants in life and still having a zest for life! I would like to say, "thank you my dear" for pruning our home sweet home everyday. If life is a garden, I would say he's one of the best gardeners on earth. : )
Posted by Lina
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Changi Airport T3
Image:A building design that looks like orchid all over it.I wasn't working yesterday and brought my daughter to the airport for a stroll.But instead of driving there myself, we took the MRT this time. As usual, it's a opportunity for me to take photograph and i won't give it a missed. Here it goes.
On the way inside the MRT
Changi Trade mark behind.
Singapore Expo Railway Track
Mum's carrying Gracia while the train is coming
Playing with the water fountain
Escalator to the viewing hall
Gracia very excited seeing the plane taking off
Just enjoying the sky and the surronding building.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Deferred Gratification
I haven't been active on posting any entries lately, because I was busy exploring and experimenting with the layout and setting on my blog. You know, those HTML stuff really will make you go crazy. I had added in a few more gadgets and am happy about it but I am still pretty frustrated with how to add another column of sidebar on the left side of my main page. Anyway, today I just want to blog something I read from the Newpaper on Monday. Written by Dr Money or Larry Haverkamp, the title reads: PLAY ‘CRAZY MONEY’ GAME WITH KIDS. Dr Money wrote about how they teach their kids about money thru games. And he put it simple and focuses on a single concept: Deferred Gratification
It’s the ability to put off pleasure in order to accomplish something – like working, studying, saving money and even developing friendship. Kids learn more willingly when it’s fun and Dr Money has recommended a few “crazy money game” they play with their kids. All games combine lesson on deferring gratification.
1) The game they play most is a deferred gratification exercise. It requires them to wait before taking their bite of food at dinner. It’s not easy when you’re hungry. A one min wait earns their kids 10 cents. Two min is worth 20 cents and three min gets 30 cents. They cut off at 3 min since the food gets cold.
2) A money game at the restaurants focuses on the highest mark-up item: Drinks.
Their kids have a choice of whether they want to order those irresistible soft drinks or just ask for a glass of plain water. If their kids is willing to resist the temptation and drink only plain water, they’ll get to split the amount of money the soft drink cost with their parent. For instant, if a glass of coke cost $2, they’ll get $1 each. But if they choose to order the coke, they get nothing. Ordering water can quench your thirst with no cost and no calories.
This game also teaches your kids of capitalism: That’s to share the profit.
Deals work best when there’s something in for everyone, including mum and dad.
3) The third game is inspired from watching news on TV. It showed Americans were paying cash for guns in Iraq. The scheme was a big success with a lot of weapons getting surrendered. So Dr money has their own scheme: Cash For Candy. They will buy back junk food their kids routinely get from friends and relative.
More Of Deferred Gratification
I’ll probably try all this games when my little Gracia grew up. What a good way to have fun and learn lesson. Thanks to Dr Money recommendation.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Understanding Child's Symptom.
Free Online Dictionary
Knowing how to recognize when your child is seriously sick and needs medical attention is important, both to get your child help when he needs it and to prevent unnecessary visits to the doctor or emergency room. I learnt this lesson and paid $80 without any medicines prescribe from the pediatrician. No I am not complaining, we are both first time parent and it is natural for us to get worried if we noticed anything unusual for our baby. But if we’re more informed and knowledgeable about the symptom occurring them, maybe we might have saved time, money and possibly the ordeal our daughter have to go thru letting her pediatrician examine her.
Most parents call their Pediatrician when their child has a fever, however, it is important to keep in mind that a fever is not the only sign of a serious illness. Whether or not your child has a fever, if he is very irritable, confused, lethargic (doesn't easily wake up), has difficulty breathing, has a rapid and weak pulse, is refusing to eat or drink, is still ill-appearing even after the fever is brought down , has a severe headache or other specific complaint (burning with urination, ear pain, if he is limping, etc.), or if he has a fever and it is persistent for more than 24 to 48 hours, then you should call your pediatrician or seek medical attention immediately.
Fever is not a disease, instead, it is a symptom that can accompany many childhood illnesses, especially infections. In general, you should call your pediatrician if your infant under three months of age has a rectal temperature at or above 100.4F or 38c. if your infant aged 3-6 months has a temperature above 38.3c, or if an infant above 6 months has a temperature above 39.5c.
For most older children, it is not so much the number, but rather how your child is acting that is concerning. If your older child is alert, active and playful, is not having difficulty breathing, and is eating and sleeping well, or if the temperature comes down quickly with home treatments (and he is feeling well), then you don't necessarily need to call your doctor immediately.
Unless your child are having other symptoms stated below:
Vomiting
Vomiting typically accompanies diarrhea as part of an acute gastroenteritis or stomach virus in kids. It is usually not concerning if your child has only vomited a few times, is keeping small amounts of fluids down, doesn't have significant abdominal pain and is not dehydrated.
You should seek medical attention for vomiting if your child is getting dehydrated (urinating less often, dry mouth, weight loss, etc.), is vomiting dark green bile (bilious vomiting is a sign of an intestinal obstruction), is a newborn or young infant with projectile vomiting (pyloric stenosis), or if he has a severe headache or abdominal pain. Vomiting is especially concerning if it begins after your child already has abdominal pain, which often happens in children with appendicitis.
Coughing
A cough and runny nose occur commonly in children with colds. If your child is otherwise feeling well, then you don't necessarily need to go to the doctor every time your child has a cold, even if he has a green runny nose. You should see the doctor if your child's cold symptoms continue to worsen after 3-5 days, if they aren't improving in 10-14 days, or if he has another specific complaint, such as ear pain or trouble breathing.
Trouble Breathing
While children often have a cough and sometimes a wheeze when they have a viral upper respiratory tract infection, if your child is having difficulty breathing, then you should call your doctor. You can usually recognize that your child is having trouble breathing if he is breathing fast and hard, if you can see his ribs moving in and out (retractions), or if it seems like he can't catch his breath.
Dehydration
Children most commonly get dehydrated when they have diarrhea and vomiting, from ongoing losses of fluid, but it is also possible to get dehydrated if your child just isn't drinking well. The first sign of dehydration is that your child will urinate less frequently (your child should be urinating every six to eight hours). Other signs include a dry mouth, not having tears when crying, sunken eyes, and decreased activity or increased irritability.
Knowing how to recognize when your child is seriously sick and needs medical attention is important, both to get your child help when he needs it and to prevent unnecessary visits to the doctor or emergency room. I learnt this lesson and paid $80 without any medicines prescribe from the pediatrician. No I am not complaining, we are both first time parent and it is natural for us to get worried if we noticed anything unusual for our baby. But if we’re more informed and knowledgeable about the symptom occurring them, maybe we might have saved time, money and possibly the ordeal our daughter have to go thru letting her pediatrician examine her.
Most parents call their Pediatrician when their child has a fever, however, it is important to keep in mind that a fever is not the only sign of a serious illness. Whether or not your child has a fever, if he is very irritable, confused, lethargic (doesn't easily wake up), has difficulty breathing, has a rapid and weak pulse, is refusing to eat or drink, is still ill-appearing even after the fever is brought down , has a severe headache or other specific complaint (burning with urination, ear pain, if he is limping, etc.), or if he has a fever and it is persistent for more than 24 to 48 hours, then you should call your pediatrician or seek medical attention immediately.
Fever is not a disease, instead, it is a symptom that can accompany many childhood illnesses, especially infections. In general, you should call your pediatrician if your infant under three months of age has a rectal temperature at or above 100.4F or 38c. if your infant aged 3-6 months has a temperature above 38.3c, or if an infant above 6 months has a temperature above 39.5c.
For most older children, it is not so much the number, but rather how your child is acting that is concerning. If your older child is alert, active and playful, is not having difficulty breathing, and is eating and sleeping well, or if the temperature comes down quickly with home treatments (and he is feeling well), then you don't necessarily need to call your doctor immediately.
Unless your child are having other symptoms stated below:
Vomiting
Vomiting typically accompanies diarrhea as part of an acute gastroenteritis or stomach virus in kids. It is usually not concerning if your child has only vomited a few times, is keeping small amounts of fluids down, doesn't have significant abdominal pain and is not dehydrated.
You should seek medical attention for vomiting if your child is getting dehydrated (urinating less often, dry mouth, weight loss, etc.), is vomiting dark green bile (bilious vomiting is a sign of an intestinal obstruction), is a newborn or young infant with projectile vomiting (pyloric stenosis), or if he has a severe headache or abdominal pain. Vomiting is especially concerning if it begins after your child already has abdominal pain, which often happens in children with appendicitis.
Coughing
A cough and runny nose occur commonly in children with colds. If your child is otherwise feeling well, then you don't necessarily need to go to the doctor every time your child has a cold, even if he has a green runny nose. You should see the doctor if your child's cold symptoms continue to worsen after 3-5 days, if they aren't improving in 10-14 days, or if he has another specific complaint, such as ear pain or trouble breathing.
Trouble Breathing
While children often have a cough and sometimes a wheeze when they have a viral upper respiratory tract infection, if your child is having difficulty breathing, then you should call your doctor. You can usually recognize that your child is having trouble breathing if he is breathing fast and hard, if you can see his ribs moving in and out (retractions), or if it seems like he can't catch his breath.
Dehydration
Children most commonly get dehydrated when they have diarrhea and vomiting, from ongoing losses of fluid, but it is also possible to get dehydrated if your child just isn't drinking well. The first sign of dehydration is that your child will urinate less frequently (your child should be urinating every six to eight hours). Other signs include a dry mouth, not having tears when crying, sunken eyes, and decreased activity or increased irritability.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Gracia Is Sick
Our dear Gracia is still sick, making it the 3rd day for her fever. She also had some diarrhoea and vomited twice yesterday. We already took her to see Simon (her pediatrician) and she’s now on medication (PAXIMOL). We still do not know the exact cause for her fever, but if her temperature doesn’t drop to normal by tomorrow, we’ll probably bring her to do a urine test Simon suggested, to rule out urine infection. Hopefully she’s just having a cold or growing teeth fever and recover soon.
Getting her to take her medicine most probably is a stressful thing for all of us, especially Gracia herself. We’re like tormenting her every time she refused to cooperate, and we felt heart pain each time we have to use force on her after trying countless unsuccessful coaxing.
Gracia, daddy and mummy love you a lot and we only want you to recover soon regardless how hard it’s going to be for us. We hope you can understand.
Getting her to take her medicine most probably is a stressful thing for all of us, especially Gracia herself. We’re like tormenting her every time she refused to cooperate, and we felt heart pain each time we have to use force on her after trying countless unsuccessful coaxing.
Gracia, daddy and mummy love you a lot and we only want you to recover soon regardless how hard it’s going to be for us. We hope you can understand.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Inauspicious?
Well, I am not a pantang person in nature(pantang means superstitious in malay), but last week I can't help but to accept and believe there is a certain degrees of inauspicious on that particular day. Was it a astrology crash on my birth date or was it because of that mirror? You see, we just bought a mirror from Ikea the day before, and it collapse when I placed it improperly against our desk. Fortunately it did not break into pieces, but still we got a fright from that thunderstorm sound when it felt. Despite the mirror toughness, the glue that stick in between the frame seems powerless enough to hold any longer. So we change a new one from Ikea and the rest is history. Now lets go back to what happen after that unexpected day.
The first thing I got that next morning was an unwanted call from my boss to do some additional job, after which, thru out the whole day, everything seems unfortunate, miserable and hapless. I'll just cut short the minor issues and talk about the most disastrous encounter of that day. It seems to me that all the other road user are either asking me to knock them down or they'll bump me back if I do not. After avoiding a couple collisions, a SBS bus driver finally smashed onto my side, splitting my van's left signal and headlight. That's bad enough for me to leave my van for repair at least 3 to 4 days.
Inauspicious because of the mirror blunder? Astrology or Zodiac Influences?
Or was it just mere coincident of all the infelicitous events in one day?
You decide.
The first thing I got that next morning was an unwanted call from my boss to do some additional job, after which, thru out the whole day, everything seems unfortunate, miserable and hapless. I'll just cut short the minor issues and talk about the most disastrous encounter of that day. It seems to me that all the other road user are either asking me to knock them down or they'll bump me back if I do not. After avoiding a couple collisions, a SBS bus driver finally smashed onto my side, splitting my van's left signal and headlight. That's bad enough for me to leave my van for repair at least 3 to 4 days.
Inauspicious because of the mirror blunder? Astrology or Zodiac Influences?
Or was it just mere coincident of all the infelicitous events in one day?
You decide.
Sausage Spaghetti
Yummy!
Another food experiment from my wife. 7/10 points this time, don't know why I still prefer the first spaghetti she cooked (Ham Spaghetti). Perhaps I was too hungry that time or maybe it was really so delicious I still remember it till now. I suggest she try cooking the same Ham Spaghetti again when I am not too hungry and see if it still tastes the same. Nevertheless, this sausage spaghetti still beat the previous one, which I only give 5.5 point.
However, even if she cooked something which I can only give 1 point. I still like to eat it. Because every time I eat something she cooked, regardless how delicious or not it is, I am already felt pamper, spoil and fulfill.
So cook more often and try more new stuff my dear. Most importantly, enjoy your cooking.
Another food experiment from my wife. 7/10 points this time, don't know why I still prefer the first spaghetti she cooked (Ham Spaghetti). Perhaps I was too hungry that time or maybe it was really so delicious I still remember it till now. I suggest she try cooking the same Ham Spaghetti again when I am not too hungry and see if it still tastes the same. Nevertheless, this sausage spaghetti still beat the previous one, which I only give 5.5 point.
However, even if she cooked something which I can only give 1 point. I still like to eat it. Because every time I eat something she cooked, regardless how delicious or not it is, I am already felt pamper, spoil and fulfill.
So cook more often and try more new stuff my dear. Most importantly, enjoy your cooking.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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