Off to US Tomorrow

We'll be leaving tomorrow morning. Luggage are about 80% packed. Itinerary is finalized. Hotels and flights booked.

We're landing in New York first, then onwards to Omaha (in the state of Nebraska). After that, we'll be going to Princeton University to visit Wah Guan, my brother-in-law.

Our main objective of going to US this year is to attend Warren Buffet's Birkshire Hathaway shareholder's meeting. Its an annual event and everytime when we read Warren Buffet's letter to the shareholders, it seems that this event is so full of excitment, buzz and fun. There are roadshows and exhibits of his various companies holdings, a full day of Q&A with the world's richest man. Last year, he invited a table tennis world champion to play with the shareholders as part of the meeting highlights. This year, he's inviting a world chess champion. Too bad, WF (the ex-NUS champion) told me, he's not going to 'malu' himself by playing with such an expert. Oh, and overseas visitors get a special privilege of meeting Warren Buffet personally after the conference.

Not that I am a fan of Warren Buffet. But WF admires him a lot. It dates back from his NS days, I think. He has got so many of his books and he remembers quotes said by him. Amazing... when he can't remember anything I said. Mr Buffet must be a big deal.

For me, I just feel excited about meething this famous, rich yet humble guy. Yeah, he's humble alright. He's been staying in the same house since the day he married! He donates half of his money to Bill & Melinda Gates' charity organization. He drives the same old car until it was auctioned off for charity last year. Nope, it wasn't a posh and speedy car like Ferrari or similar. Just some American made car. He is one guy who don't need so much money, don't spend so much money but earns so much money until he becomes the world richest man. Interesting? He must have be so amazing that people are willing to pay over $100,000 to have lunch with him. I have to meet this person. I will share more when I come back.

Stay tune...

Some Updates

Yes, I've been MIA again!! I'm down with flu since last week. I think I had too much baking and I was baking those puff pastry at more than 200 degrees. Breathing in those hot air and tasting those still-hot-from-the-oven pastry gave me sore throat. Then Zhi's runny nose past on to me. And I still went to gym last friday with all these symptoms. Eventually everything just came on together.

You asked me why so crazy about baking> Well, the reason is I was trying to finish up my flour and other baking ingredients before I leave for my US trip next Tuesday (29th April). I didn't want to leave those baking supplies to be kept in the cupboard for too long and to find little bugs inside the flour when I come back two weeks later (10th May). So instead of wasting it, I decided to bake.

So now, with a sore throat and a blocked nose, I am banned from baking by WF. He told me not to get over crazy about these supplies. But I just thought that since we need to eat breakfast and food prices had been going up especially wheat and rice related products, I might as well bake. See... trying to save money on food items, end up spending money on medications!

But with the Ah-Q mentality, I thought its better to be sick now then when I'm in US. That'll make the trip so unenjoyable!

Ok, other "events" happening in my otherwise boring life: We're moving to a new place. Finally! After more than a year of searching and viewing so many projects. We're going to settle in Pebble Bay in June. More updates on this.

Third "busy bee business", I'm quickly finalizing our US trip itinerary. And now I left those packing to be done. I'm getting so excited about this trip. More details on this before I depart.

Okie dokie... Its back to work for me. School's reopen and I'm back to teaching and grading the poly students. So no time to gossip... its back to grading the students work! Ciao...

Like Father Like Son (and Daughter too!)

I chanced upon these two pictures while sorting out my digital photos. And I was like,"Wah... almost like their Papa!"

Take a look:


Father & Daughter savouring a candy at the National Skin Centre


Zhi the future boss?

Ok ok.. maybe in terms of physical appearance, the kids may not look like WF. But I have to say, in terms of behaviour and the postures they adopt, they sure have their Papa's styles.

Look at how Ning's and WF's shape of the lips and cheeks while savouring the sweet.

And look at how Zhi sat, EXACTLY like how WF seats when he lies back on the same chair! No kidding.

Zhi's 1st Dip in the Pool

I think some time in early March we got Zhi into the pool for the first time. For Ning, we bring her for swim (or rather play in the pool) almost every week. She loves playing in the pool and we thought why not include DiDi in as well.

He took the water really well. Too bad, I didn't bring the video, otherwise you'll see him splashing the water vigorously with his 2 hands, drinking down big gulps of water and furiously wiping water off his face whenever his JieJie spray the water gun at him.

Knowing that he took the water well, we decided to bring him to Wild Wild Wet at Downtown East one week before he hits one. There is a section where the water is only 0.3m deep and I think Zhi is the only person crawling in the water and enjoying himself, oblivious that he's blocking people's path most of the time. And again, I didn't bring my camera!!!

Well, all is not lost, I did take a few shots before he went for his first dip.

Zhi is 1 Year Old!

Last Saturday, 29 March, Zhi turns 1 year old. We didn't organize any birthday parties for him. Like Ning's past two birthdays, his was also a family affair where both our parents and siblings were invited for a dinner/lunch.

I don't really like the idea of throwing birthday parties for kids that young. Firstly, they won't know nor understand the meaning of birthdays and parties until probably they're 3 years old. Secondly, most of the food we eat at the parties they can't eat anyway. Third, since they don't have any friends of their own to invite, we'll end up inviting our friends and relatives for the party. All these adds up to become OUR party instead of theirs.

Ok, back to Zhi's birthday, we invitied both our parents and sibling for lunch. Prior to the lunch appointment, we all went to take a ride on the Singapore Flyer. After which we adjourned to Seafood Paradise Restaurant located on the 1st level of the Flyer building for a meal.

Of course, Zhi doesn't understand what is happening and where he is. But for Ning, she was happily shouting "Ferries Wheel" all the way from home till the ride. Happily singing, jumping and dancing in the capsule. She did enjoy herself and also eating the cake. I think she's the most excited person around when the cake is out. Luckily, she knows its Didi's birthday, not hers.

Talk about the cake, same as Ning's 1st birthday cake, I made one for Zhi too. This time, its chocolate sponge with blueberry pie filling. I had wanted to do a bear design for him but somehow after creaming the icing twice, it is still too thing a consistency for me to pipe a nice brown bear for him. Eventually, I just did a "1" and 4 stars for him. He won't know the difference lah... Most importantly, the cake is edible.

Now Ning is telling me she wants a square cake with yellow and purple colour. And she's pretty consistent about this request except for the colours. Will see how in July.