Book Reviews - Introducing Reading like Rabbits

I love reading.

I find nothing more enjoyable than sitting in a comfortable chair with a cup of coffee/tea in my hand and a good book.

This year alone I'm on my 44th book. For a year that has a total of 52 weeks that's almost a novel each week and considering the time that I took to study for my GMAT, read technology magazines, newspapers and so on, that would be almost 2-3 novels on some weeks. :D

One thing I can say about myself is that I'm not a picky reader. When I've decided to start on a book, I normally trudge on right till the end. Its almost like an obsessive compulsive disorder and it is extremely rare for me to put down a book when it is half-read (unless of course, I have misplaced the book or heaven forbid *gasps* it was really that bad!)

A reader like me would therefore need to do careful research before I even get started on any book. Sometimes it would be good enough that the book comes highly recommended by a trusted friend but most of the time I would have to rely on renown book lists or charts and even then these recommendations are then carefully scrutinized before I commit myself to plunge into the deep end (in a manner of speaking).

Despite all the books that I've read, I'm glad to say that I have not actually zeroed in on any particular genre of books and my interests remain broad and varied. However, with that said, I do find myself gravitating towards history (mainly tudor history), religion (or discussions about religion) and then for some light reading - thriller, supernatural or fantasy books.

Well, that basically sums up my general reading habits. For today, I would end this post with a rather good book review site which I've recently chanced upon.

It is cutely named:" Reading Like Rabbits". Enjoy!

*Updated:  FREE delivery worldwide ??!?! This really rocks!! At Book Depository*

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours!

Learning this song on my ukulele! Positively catchy...:D

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn, to win some or learn some

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing
We're just one big family
And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love love

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

And do ya want to scooch on over closer dear,
And I will nibble your ear

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see ya clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I'm saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm yours


Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
So please don't, please don't, please don't, there's
No need to complicate cause our time is short this
Oh this oh this oh this is our fate, I'm yours

Merry Christmas 2011!

These 2 clips were made more than 3 years ago but I watch them every now and then to remind myself that sometimes we can get too cynical and pass judgement on people far too easily.

Truly inspirational videos and if you haven't watched them before. Get those tissues ready! 

Britain's Got Talent, Susan Boyle (2009)
http://youtu.be/VSrAJsWvEIc

And another one by Paul Potts (2007)
http://youtu.be/FS9fi2U9A8o

Merry Christmas!!

(My apologies as embedding is not allowed for these 2 videos)

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!

AWESOME!!!! MJ totally rocks

Prisoners from Philippines do an MJ.....Freaking awesome!!!

Nasi Goreng - Room Service in Jakarta

I miss Malay food. It's about the only cuisine that you can't find easily in Taipei. The meal tasted as good as it looks!!! Room service in Sari Pan Pacific, Jakarta.

Wat Pho - Reclining Buddha

Let's take a break away from food, shall we?

I was in Bangkok about a month ago and did some sightseeing over the weekend.  We visited 3 temples and took lots of pictures. Here are the ones from Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์), or also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon (วัดพระเชตุพน)

Couple of interesting facts:
1) Famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses
2) Has the most number of Buddha images in Thailand.
2) Standing at 20 acres large, it is the largest Wat in Bangkok.
3) Built around 200 years ago (and thus it is is also technically the oldest)
4) Rebuilt by Rama I when the capital was moved to Bangkok.

Eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration,

The gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high.
(Designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana)

Feet are also engraved with mother of pearl decorations

Sole of feet shows 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha

Standard lunch/dinner in Hong Kong - Roasted Meat

I was staying on Queen's Road West over the weekend. It is on the west side of Hong Kong island which (I know this because Isa forced me to look at her precious map upon moving into her place) is a stone's throw away from Central (aka the hustle bustle of IFC mall, Lan Kwai Fong and so on).

Queen's Road West is famous for its many Teochew restaurants. When dusk falls, you will find many nice cars parked along the roads and the restaurants full of people. Day time, however, with banks, cafes and a small wet market nearby, you can also be guaranteed with lots of activities and things to see. 

Perpendicular to Queen's Road West is Possession Street. The name, I find rather amusing, is NOT a direct translation of the chinese name. The chinese name directly translated is, erm..... Water Hole street. I guess that's why they had to change the name??? But what I don't get is why call it Possession street? Is it because nearby there is a street full of funeral parlors? Haha, okay, not funny.

Within an hour of moving into Isa's place, I couldn't resist popping into one of the Hong Kong stalls selling roasted meat. (This is after I had a heavy late lunch and was at her place less than 2 hours later). The meal cost only 36 HKD and comes with a large bowl of salted vegetable soup. Totally enjoyable.

No wonder HK is known to be the land of eating and drinking.

Where I stayed over the weekend (west side of HK island)

Typical Hong Kong stall on Possession Street selling roast meats

Inside the stall - Many people getting take away

My lunch/dinner - Roast Pork, Char Siew, Roast Duck  plus a salted egg

Salted Vegetable Soup - On the house

Lunch at Yung Kee on the last day...

After checking my luggage into the Hotel Express station, we took a cab to the famous Yung Kee restuarant which was about 10 mins away by taxi. Had to wait for about 20 minutes for our seats (which isn't long by Hong Kong standards). Service was great, food was fantastic. (Usually food is fantastic and service is not so great...) I'm not complaining but I didn't manage to eat the pigeon dish (my craving) so I guess I will need to visit Hong Kong again soon.

Almost missed my flight as we were having so much fun but anyway it was totally worth it.

Thanks Isa, I had a great time!!

Address: 32-40 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong

  Famous Yung Kee Restaurant (Near Lan Kwai Fong)

Appetizer - Century Egg with Ginger (Very extremely popular)

Kok Poh - Blending of 2 types of tea

Goose Wings
(My Grandpa's favourite - Yes, we are Teo Chew)

Veggies - Xiao Bai Chai

3 Types of Roasted Meat - Goose,, Suckling Pig and Char Siew

Close Up -
Since this is what everyone goes to the restaurant for

Closer...
Doesn't it make your mouth water?

(This shot is especially for BP) 

View from my hotel window

I love the idea that I can see the mountain from my window. Feels like my living room in Taipei...

Just in front of the mountain is the Hong Kong Jockey club. They have horse races every Wed and Friday. :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

In the spirit of National Day......

Monster Rabbit

Monster Rabbit taken at Danshui, Taipei. Don't tell me that you are not impressed. I don't believe you...:D

Supper in Hong Kong

Day One in Hong Kong and I couldn't resist going out for supper with Isa. Met her at IFC and we walked over to one of the cafes at Jubilee Street. I've been to Hong Kong so many times before but I have to admit that every single time I'm here, it feels quite exciting as the city is just soooo "ALIVE!!". Love the food and love the hustle bustle!!! (Disclaimer: I'm not as excited as some people I know about being in Hong Kong, aka THE Hong Kong crazies, who rave about Hong Kong almost as if its the best place in the world. My excitement is very much moderate in comparison. :P)

Taken from the window in the cafe.

You can see the reflection of the cafe's lights from the glass. I was totally lazy to stand up and take a proper picture but I had a damn good view of some superbly nice cars parked next to that shoddy looking building. Porsche, BMWs and the likes....Really nice cars with damn interesting license plates. I remember once I saw a license plate on a car that was "2 FAST" . Hehe....Rich people....I thought it was hilarious!

Okay, now to the food.....

Pork Bun with condensed milk

Dish Number 1: Wanted something sweet and was conflicted between getting Buo Luo Bao (Pineapple bun with a slab of button) and this Pork bun with condensed milk. Both are equally sinful. I know!! In the end, I decided to try "something new" and ordered the latter. I didn't exactly know why it was called Pork bun. There was nothing porkish about it I commented..... Isa suggested that it was probably baked using pork lard or something. Ewwwwww...... Disgusting as it sounds (I mean Isa's theory), it was super yummelicious. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. 

"Swiss" style chicken wings

Dish Number 2: This dish is introduced as "Swiss" styled chicken wings. Swiss style chicken wings??? Come on! The chicken wings were cooked in dark soy sauce. Exactly like the type that you can get in Singapore. Its very very chinese style, I mean, do they even have dark soy sauce in Switzerland??? Even though  I knew it would have been better if I removed the chicken skin, I admit that it was not really what happened in the end. I ate everything ....but the bones...(almost wanted to chomp down the bones though. ) 

Dumpling in soup

THE only healthy choice: This is Isa's clubbing comfort food (and definitely the most healthy dish I've had since I got here). She tells me that she goes to the cafe's 24 hour branch for supper after clubbing and almost always orders this dish. It was quite wholesome....I think it had spinach fillings or something like that.

Note: Some pictures were taken with the TZ-10's food mode. Isa swears that it is all about choosing the right mode which makes all the difference. To be honest, I have always used the camera's Intelligent mode and just let the software decide. After staring hard at the picture, I still couldn't tell that much of a difference but anyway, I have never been one who is perceptive about such things so oh well....she is probably right.  :D 

The Wave Song - Damn funny man!!!

Days and days of porridge

Just had my wisdom tooth extracted. Was on the dentist chair for about 40 mins and after 3 painful jabs (very long needles) and 1190 dollars poorer, was destined to suffer for the next 5 days in pain.

My cheek swelled up to the size of a fish ball and in jest I christened myself "half a chipmunk." In truth, the days that I had fevers were absolutely horrid.

With tender loving care from the family, I had "baby food" prepared and cooled for my meals everyday. My mum even painstakingly cut up my noodles till microscopic sizes.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful but after days and days of porridge and chopped up noodles, I find myself wishing for fried chicken or something totally sinful. (my ben n jerry ice cream don't count)



The only porridge I can bear eating for 5 days is porridge with lotsa love. So glad to be home!!

Sweets in 7-11 (Taipei)

I'm such a sucker for packaging and Taipei (like Japan) is just soooo good at it. Its like nothing to them, its like breathing. As a result, a trip to the convenience store is like letting me loose in Disney land. So many things to see and buy, just due to the packaging alone!!!

Just look at that!!! Traditional sweets in a postal box packaging with the yellow tape just like back in the old days. Miniature size!!!! Darn it!