Inner Peace... Inner Peace

I swear that on some days this is how I feel ....................

And this is what I aspire to become 

Hell Yeah!! Keep on rocking!

Weekend Project - Standing Desk

I've recently been contemplating about the whole concept of working at a standing desk. 

In fact, for the past week or so, whenever I had to read documents at work, I would make myself stand near the filing cabinet or at the pantry to read. I have an awfully nice pantry at the work place with a fantastic view...the filing cabinet though has got the perfect height.

My endeavours have received its fair share of stares and quirky comments from my colleagues who were curious about why I didn't want to sit in a perfectly nice chair to do my work. The only time I was made to stand in the past was as punishment for not bringing my textbook or completing my homework in Primary school.

A few of them got it when I explained about the concept that humans aren't meant to be sitting on their asses 8 hours a day but I figure that most of them might have concluded that I have finally lost my mind and politely walked away. 

In my defence, I guess the whole concept of standing and working have not quite got on in Asia although I'm not closed to the idea that I might have been an annoying distraction shifting from foot to foot and ultimately looking like the floor supervisor lording over my minions.  (just kidding). 

At the end of my one week experiment, I found that I was able to focus much better when reading long boring legal documents and further research on the internet convinced me that I should persist on.  

After a bit more research last night, I finally decided to bite the bullet and convert my home's work table into a standing desk. The final push to this decision were some articles that suggested that I could "hack" my way into a relatively cheap solution of a standing desk before deciding if this was something that I wanted to commit myself to.  

After a couple of hours of hard work (and alot of perspiration on a hot Saturday afternoon), Jamie's version of the standing desk is completed. (aka: the poor man's standing desk)

Ta-Da!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jamie's version of the standing desk (the cheap way)

Everything that you see in the picture that was used to convert my current table to a standing desk was abducted from some corner of the house, mostly forgotten and collecting dust, but now playing an important part on my road towards healthy living. 

I must not forget to thank my mum for being extremely supportive after I explained my intentions to her. She firstly gave me permission to scavenge the house for materials which I could put together to achieve the appropriate height and also gave me suggestions on how to put everything together. (Thank you mum! You are the best). 

As a result, total investment cost for my standing desk: $0!

Hooray!! 

I found the following articles extremely helpful when making my final decision to work at a standing desk. Enjoy!

Gina Trapani's Reasons for switching to a standing desk:

http://smarterware.org/7102/how-and-why-i-switched-to-a-standing-desk

Kevin Michaluk's Reasons for switching to a standing desk:

http://crackberry.com/standing-desks

Gina Trapani's blog after working at a standing desk for a year:

http://lifehacker.com/standing-desk/

Some ideas to do a DIY standing desk:

http://www.officefitness.org/2012/05/diy-standing-desk-plans-ideas/

Adam Pash's view on the benefits of working at standing desk:

http://lifehacker.com/5840754/forget-the-standing-desk-you-just-need-to-move-regularly

Family Guy - Peter Griffin versus THE Chicken

OH MY GOD....IT WAS EXACTLY LIKE THAT!!!!

I suspect Peter Griffin and I are kindred spirits.....

The "AM I SICK" Checklist

THE "AM I SICK" CHECK LIST

1. Sore throat.....CHECKED
2. Cough.....CHECKED
3. Phlegm.... CHECKED
4. Sneezing Fits.....CHECKED
5. Running Nose....CHECKED
6. Headache.....CHECKED
7. FEVER....NOT YET

Guess I score pretty high on this test, huh!!!

I haven't been to the doctors yet. Was kinda hoping that the "off-the shelf" medication from Watsons will just do the trick but as I watch myself going from bad to worse, I guess I have no choice but to officially elevate my status from "I'M NOT SICK" denial stage to "OMG....DO YOU THINK I HAVE AVIAN FLU" hysterical panic stage.

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, as always, with nothing much better to do then sniffle, moan and groan, I decided to park myself on twitter to share my misery with the world. Just as I was kinda doing my thing....a friend shouted back: "A LOT OF PEOPLE FALLING SICK!!!" 

I don't know how to say this but I instantly felt kinda joyous. Let me do some internal soul searching for the sudden burst of joy. Hmmmmm.....Let's see......

For starters, for some strange obscure reason, it just felt good to have someone confirm that I am actually sick. I'm not sure why I needed anyone to tell me that but I guess I did feel a little relieved to hear it. I'm insane...I know.  And secondly, the always rather evil side of me was kinda happy to know that if I'm feeling this sick, there is definitely ONE OF YOU out there who is feeling as miserable as I am feeling. YAY!! We are the carriers.....now let's go out to infect MORE PEOPLE......hahahahaha...

For all you healthy, beautiful people out there, see you soon huh!! 

MUAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!

Some things are not meant to be.....

Do you know about the typhoon that recently hit Philippines? Yup! Typhoon Nesat is continuing on its Asia tour and is now visiting Hong Kong! Hooray!!!

Anticipating crazy winds and heavy rain, Hong Kong government has raised a Signal 8 level warning which means that all offices and schools are CLOSED!!!

I should be happy but I'm NOT because I've been in the HK office since 6.30am AND even with a signal 8 typhoon, I expect that I will still get my butt into the office so....that's DEDICATION FOR YOU!! *clap clap clap*

Hell! I know I'm ranting but I'm so jealous of all those fortunate people who get to snuggle back into their comforters and listen to the howling winds from the comfort of their bed. I wish I can go back to bed now......but I guess some things are not meant to be. :(

Since there is always a bright side to everything in life, let me end the post on a positive note: I should get a pretty "spectacular" view of the typhoon from the office on the 32nd floor (AND I will try to forget that I'm temporarily trapped here)

I'm SO deprived!

Okay, back to work....

http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/tc2.htm

My Travel Posts have found a new home!

Hello! I apologize for the fact that I have been missing in action recently. Anyway, this is a short post to let you know that all my future travel posts will now be located at: http://twinkletravels.wordpress.com
(The link can also be accessed from the blog links section at the right under Jamie´s Travel Journal)

This blog site will still be updated from time to time with my other random ramblings not related to travel.

Have a nice day!

Pulau Ubin Trip 2010

One of the things I would like to do more in 2011 is to explore Singapore and her surrounding islands in greater detail. Yup, that would be one of my new year resolutions.

Its rather ironic that for someone who spends so much time travelling and touring foreign lands, I'm not one who can profess to know my own country well. A recent trip down to some heartland malls really blew my mind. What have I been missing?!? To put the icing on the cake or salt to my wounds, I recently went on a cycling trip to Pulau Ubin and totally enjoyed myself IMMENSELY. Yes,  you heard it....I loved it!!

Words cannot justify the great time I had. Neither can the photos taken from my Iphone 3GS. But here they are anyway:

 Changi Point Ferry Terminal - where you can take a bumboat to Pulau Ubin

Our ride - Cost 2.50SGD per person (and another 2 SGD for your bicycle). 12 to go!

Kampung house on stilts - You just don't see houses like that anymore

 Monkeys, on a shed, basking in the sunlight

Wild Pig!! It came right up to us (cuz there was someone feeding it!) I was totally thrilled!

Charming Tudo-style cottage built in 1930s by Chief Surveyor, Langdon Williams

We climbed the 22 meter high Jejawi Tower and took a nice stroll along the broadwalk around Chek Jawa where we saw mangroves, nipah palm (aka attah-chee), the seagrass lagoon and so on.  As many things as I saw, I'm pretty certain there were just as many things I missed! (Just one more reason to brave the sun and visit Pulau Ubin again!)

Fact: Did you know?

Pulau Ubin aka Granite Island is shaped like a boomerang and situated just off the northeastern corner of mainland Singapore. The 1020 hectare island was once a cluster of 5 smaller ones separated by tidal rivers, but the building of the bunds for prawn farming has since united these into a single island. To other islets, Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) and Pulau Sekudu (Frog Island), lie to its south.

Betcha didn't know that....I know I didn't!!!

Fireworks Display at 101

Notes: 6 minutes video and took over an hour to upload. Its a little shaky but I hope you like it. :D

Happy New Year 2011!!!

2011 really kicked off with a bang!! Superb dinner, fantastic company and a first-class fireworks display at a very special location..... What more could one ask for?!?  I'm indeed very blessed! I give thanks to the universe and the creator ... :D (Yes, I've read the SECRET!)

This year is a very special year for Taiwan as they celebrate their 100th year of independence. A crowd of 750,000 people gathered at Taipei city hall to watch a fantastic show of music and lights. Though I was a little tired and generally not a fan of crowded places, it was a really good experience for me.

Fireworks of dragon snaking up 101, 3D views of 100 shooting up in the air and alot more can only be understood when seen with your own eyes. As such, I intend to dutifully upload the 6 minute amateur video onto youtube to share it with you kind people. 

Well, as with all years, I won't bore you with my new year resolutions. But as a close friend says....may this be a year where we all manage to stick with our resolutions. Cheers!

Ingenious II - Another way of writing

Recap: 招 財 進 寶 - Let riches and treasures come in

These 4 words are just so popular for Chinese businesses. If you pay attention, you probably can find it hanging somewhere in a Chinese shop near you today!

Here is another way of writing which I took from a small shop in Danshui, Taipei. (This way of writing is kinda neater but I prefer the first one though.)

First post can be found here

Alice in Wonderland - 3D

Watched ¨Alice in Wonderland¨ in 3D last weekend. The ticket cost me NTD 430 (equivalent of SGD $19) which is actually double the price of a regular ticket but since they gave us such cool 3D glasses, deliver popcorns and other sinful tidbits to your seat and erm ...the movie was good... so I guess its an okay way to spend Saturday afternoon.

I love Johnny Depp in these weird characters, don´t you? He plays them so well!! I simply cannot imagine anyone else playing those roles as wonderfully as he did. Minor comment though....for a minute as Mad Hatter was swaggering on the table when he first met Alice, I thought I saw Captain Jack Sparrow in colorful makeup but hell....what is to be expected of crazy swagger-ness on those skinny legs anyway...Those legs are....


Okay, I digress......


I think my brother is into the Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum characters. Its true, they are quite funny....now Iḿ thinking of the letter M.....and so very entertaining.
As for me, though...(and yes, I DO have a favourite and its not the Mad Hatter) my fav character has got to be The Chesire Cat.

 As you probably know, Lewis Carroll published the Alice in Wonderland book in 1875. When I was in UK, a couple of months back, if I recall correctly , the tour guide told us that Lewis Carroll was sitting in his Oxford room and writing Alice in Wonderland one day when he noticed his neighbourś cat on the tree outside his window. The cat looked like he was grinning at him and thus, the story has it that this was what gave birth to the Cheshire cat character.

So the next question you will probably be asking is...why call it Cheshire right? I think it had to do with Cheshire cheese which was made to look like a grinning cat or something like that but I have such a faulty memory so go google it, if you are interested.

Anyway, the Cheshire cat in Tim Burton´s Alice in Wonderland is like neon blue instead of purple (which Iḿ used to). He only plays a small part in the movie as  compared to erm...Mad Hatter or Alice but then again, he has that trademark smile and the ability to poof in and out of tight situations. His signature is that his grin is normally the last to be seen before he totally vanishes!! 

The Cheshire cat is a little philosophical in the movie and definitely mischievous and he does quite like the Mad Hatter´s hat.

As they say....we are all mad here!!

Happy New Year 2010!!

In a blink of the eye, another year has come to pass. Goodbye 2009 and welcome 2010...I can't believe I'm saying this...but yes, today is Jan 1st 2010. Wowee!!

To welcome Jan 1st 2010, I had a rather quiet evening with my family and friends. The first part was filled with screaming kids so that was rather scary. I mean...I did end up with chocolate on my shirt and in my hair but yeah...I spent the rest of the evening chatting and nothing really crazy. Although I must say that I had a craving for MacDonalds at 3am in the morning and I was trying to convince my feather like friend that we should have breakfast and go watch the sun rise or something. Neither of which we did because we simply slept through the "crucial" moment. Ah...youth or rather the lack of it :)

December 31st (of every year) has always been my personal moment for self reflection. I'm such a simple person that it is ridiculous. Well, I get a pat on the back for the good things accomplished in the past year (aka goals that I've set for myself in the beginning of the year and attained) and then followed by a new list of challenges that I set up for the new year. I do take goal setting and follow up very seriously.

Well, firstly, I must say that its been a good year for me in 2009. Life didn't quite happen as I planned it and there were surprises aplenty through out the year. But I guess I have to thank my lucky stars, for some miraculous reason, I've survived without too many knocks and bruises. In fact, I would unabashedly say that I've reached most, if not all, my goals set for last year. So yes, I get that pat on the back and I'm pretty stoked and confident about meeting my targets for the new year.

No, I am not going to put my list up to bore you with but yes, its broken down to the same 3 categories: Career, Personal Goals and Relationships. This year the goals are just going to be bigger, meaner and more challenging to achieve.......... but YES I CAN DO IT!!

So HAPPY NEW YEAR and hope to provide further good news in Dec 31st 2010. Have a great day ahead.

Shanghai - Si chuan food

Had a short but "Food-full" trip to Shanghai last week. On the first night, we met up with some old friends to have dinner at "Pin Chuan". Its a sze chuan restaurant near "Wu Lu Mu Qi" road and as it was starting to get a little cold and we had craving for spicy food that night, it was simply the perfect choice. The food was good, service was great and with great company.....who is to complain?!?

After dinner, we headed to Hyatt on the Bund and also a pub called "Tara" and I admit that I had one cocktail too many to drink but..hehe...let's say its all well and done.

So due to the awful lighting at the pubs, I will "spare" you the gorgeous view from the top of Hyatt at VIE, or the dim glow of "Tara" (before I rather unglamerously fell asleep for 30 mins.)But anyway...here is some rather innocent looking, yummilicous pictures of our dinner at Pin Chuan. Perfect - A total of 5 out of 5 Chillis from me.

Cold Dish - Kou Shui Ji (Direct translation - Mouth Watering Chicken)

A must try! We ordered 3 servings that night!

Non spicy French Beans Dish

(One of the 2 non spicy dish we had that night)

Spicy Mushroom

I forgot the name so I won't be inventive here but it was very good. Another must try.

La Zi Ji - Spicy Fried Chicken

(A little oily and there were spices that numb the senses but it was delicious)

Shui Zu Yu - Water boiled Fish

(but it was more like oil boiled fish with vermicelli).

Don't be mistaken by my awful description. It was gorgeous)

Broccoli dish with Seafood

This dish is like the play safe dish. Nothing spectacular but broccolis are good for you so order it!

There was this other dish which is very special and since pictures paint a thousand words and I'm admittedly a little tired of blogging now I'll see if I can post a video of it later.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ding Tai Feng for lunch

Yup! This is what I had for lunch on Friday with my colleagues. Ding Tai Feng in Taiwan is the absolute place to be for steamed dumplings (and probably anywhere else)!! The restaurant has opened up chains in Shanghai, Singapore and probably other countries but, in my honest opinion, can't ever beat the country of origin.... Taiwan!

The business is so good here that you can't make a phone reservation. If you want to eat good food, you have to stand in line like everyone else. The place is teaming with tourists and locals alike and the waitresses are specially selected for their looks, attitude and ability to speak multiple language fluently. Needless to say, they are paid top dollars too!

Ding Tai Feng on Zhong Xiao East road

So popular that they have even got their own souvenir shop!!

Nothing to do with DTF. Just dessert in the office at 4 pm

Yes, I do think that the culture in Taiwan is to eat, eat, eat...non stop!!

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Prawns Galore.....

There is a really famous restaurant near my place. I like to call it "The Prawn Place" because that is what they are famous for...prawns prawns prawns. Oh yeah...they have crabs, fish and some other seafood but their main dishes are prawns, prawns prawns. (Hehe, yeah, I think you get the point).

The restaurant is called "Golden Shore" (in chinese) and they are so popular that another one opened just right across the street called "Yellow Gold Shore". Its quite confusing but actually there is nothing much to worry about because both places serve the same quality of food. At least, I can't tell the difference!

"Golden Shore" (which is the original) is housed in a solitary building which looks like it is made out of bamboo while the "Yellow Golden Shore" building is housed in a typical gray concrete building. So in terms of ambience, the "Golden Shore" earns top marks from me which also explains why they are still the more popular of the two.

Address at: Kee Lung Road Section 1 (right next to Sung Shan High School)

Here comes the pictures:

Prawns in Lemon Sauce (This has got to be my favourite)

Prawns in Hot Sour Sauce

Prawns in..."San Bei" sauce

Chicken & Mushroom soup

Veggies are good for you!

Guava Juice (Perfect drink for the perfect meal)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dessert at Haagen Daz

No dinner would be complete without dessert!!(Geez, we've been eating so much these few days, its time for the gym tomorrow)

Anyway, our first choice was to go to Cold Stone for ice cream but for some reason that place was so packed that we had to settle for Haagen Daz. Our consolation prize - a tiny view of the Miramar Ferris wheel on the 5th floor (I think)

At Haagen Daz, we almost always go for Summer Berries which is a 6-scoop ice cream galore on biscuit and tiny slices of strawberries! (picture below). The store had a limited selection of ice cream flavors so we had to order 2 scoops of Rum & Raisin. Not that we were complaining since it is, in my opinion, one of the better flavours from Haagen Daz.

As we were tucking in, we had a funny "arguement" on who was going to eat the whip cream on the biscuit (no one wanted it!!). It was so funny, I wish I could have recorded it down. Ahhh, I love desserts at Haagen Daz, it always makes me happy.

Summer Berries at NTD 350

First cup of coffee for the day at 7.30pm

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Movie Week & Korean BBQ for dinner

Having not watched a movie for almost a month, this week is supposed to be movie week for me.

This week, I've watched 2012, Ninja Assassin and Christmas Carol (in 3d). My conclusion is: All 3 good movies, by my standards.

2012 was quite a long movie which was "over in a flash". I've read about the different views regarding the Mayan calender and therefore the movie was particularly engaging for me. It was at parts emotional and I dare say that I heard more than a few people sniffing throughout the movie.....I admit that I'm a tad bit cold blooded as I did not shed a tear. Hehe!

Next up: Ninja Assassin. A movie I would probably not pay money to watch. :-P Except for the fact that I admit that I've been sorely mistaken for it was a good movie and therefore Kudos to Rain who seem to have perfected his English over night. I would say he is not an entirely good looking bloke but he has got a perfect body to make up for it. Droooool!!!

Last but not least: Christmas carol in 3D. I really enjoyed it particularly the dialogue between Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present (Does anybody think that the Ghost of Christmas Past - which looks alot like what I think Santa Claus would look like - laughed too much?) Anyway, I had my 6 year old cousin tell me that the moral of the story is not to be grouchy and that she thought the movie was quite scary. I can totally understand why - for some reason there were certain parts of the movie that made me feel like jumping out of my seat and it didn't help that the movie was in 3D and it felt like the spirits could touch me via my supersonic 3D glasses....Keke.

Okay, enough about my movies....now for some pictures! And yes, I'm going to bombard your senses with MORE food pictures. I have NO IDEA why I keep posting food pictures nowadays. Its like I'm most inclined to whip out my handy Iphone to snap a couple of pictures just as I'm waiting for my food to be served.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the Korean BBQ we had this evening at B1 of Miramar, Taipei.

The set dinner for 2 persons cost only about TWD 580 and I must say that we found the quality of food very satisfying. Definitely would recommend it if you ever have craving for Korean BBQ in Taipei.

Charcoal grill surronded by korean appetizers

Korean Steamboat (next to Charcoal grill)

Comes with Bim Bim Bak for 2! I love burnt rice...

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Xi Men Ting on a Saturday night

Went to Xi men ting - a popular place in Taipei frequented by the young, hip and happening (and also the not so happening..hehe). Anyway, I digress because I want to say that is was totally ROCKING!! Erm...Very the boomz!! Haha. :-)

Taken from train entrance

Another view (check out the crowd)

Famous Ah Zong Mian Xian

Really....yummy!!

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Brunch at Diners

Had brunch at Diners (Dunhua South Road. No. 6 on Lane 103) and I'm telling you that the place was packed!!! Despite having made reservations, we had to stand outside in the cold for about 15 minutes and, when we were finally seated, was kindly asked to limit our meal time to 90 minutes.

Service was rather good though and the food was great. We were starving by the time we got our breakfast so pictures (below) taken somewhat 20 secs after the food was delivered showed obvious signs of tampering/poking around. I count my lucky stars that I wasn't shred to pieces by D & bf who good-naturedly put down their forks and *gulp* knifes to let me take some pictures before doing serious damages to our pancakes and toast.

The price for the meal was quite all right for the size and the quality (organic eggs!) so I guess I would definitely visit Diners again soon!! Yummy!

Breakfast Set with Toast

Pancake breakfast set (original)

Pancake breakfast set with banana and chocolate syrup

Blue Man Group Megastar World Tour

Went to the Blue Man Group Megastar World Tour performance at Taipei Arena last night and really had a great time. The Taiwanese are really a fun-loving bunch of people and with just a little warming up, they were all set to have a great time at the get-go. Sandwiched amongst the crowd, I couldn't help but be brought into the mood as well.

The Blue Man Group, which features 3 bald and mute men covered in blue paint and dressed in black has become a global franchise amd I especially love them in their Intel advertisements. (Watch below) They are in town as part of the 2009 Deaflympic's Art Program and they were originally going to perform for only 5 shows but they held an extra performance on Thursday afternoon, donating all ticket sales to the Red Cross for the victims of Typhoon Morakot. Blue men with heart. Awwww...

The gist of the blue man program last night is their strive to become rock stars by following a purchased on television "step by step" user manual which includes hilarious instructions on how to gyrate their hips and lip-sync. With their innocent and curious by nature persona, they were able to draw laughter and screams as they engaged the audiences with "rock-inspired" actions. The audience were also treated to high tech laser light shows and a great many pieces of nice soothing "hilarious" songs played by a supporting group of band members (dressed in white) and accompanied by the blue men's specially designed percussion instruments which include PVC pipes, drums that spit out paint and an old grand piano that's flipped on its side with the mallets exposed and struck like a bass dram.



I totally enjoyed myself and would recommend it to anyone who has a chance to watch this show. Tickets were sold between NT$400 to NT$4,000 in Taiwan.

Blue Man's Group Official Site