I have been in Singapore for about 5 years now and I guess there will be things that I will never get use to.
We had an internal contest for one of our new products and we wanted the staff to submit pictures of their sons or daughters. Today the winner was announced and picture and the name of the baby was mentioned. We have a pretty small office of around 40 people and I know everybody in the office, but I could not figure out who's baby this could be. The last name of the baby was "Lee" and we only have one Lee in the office and I know that he is not married and does not have any children. Did he submit a picture of his niece? I couldn't figure it out.
Than it hit me. Singapore brides does not take the name of their husbands. So this baby could be the child of any of the female staff's in the office. Wow, this makes it so difficult to figure out who the child belongs to. This concept is still so alien to me. So much so, I even asked a female coworker whether she thought it was weird to have different last names than her own son and daughter. Her reply was, "No, feels quite normal." I don't think that I will ever get use to this.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
MRT, the Weather and Heat
Two random thoughts completely unrelated.
Yesterday a coworker and I decided to take the MRT to AMK for lunch. I work in Bishan and AMK is only 1 stop away. I think to myself that I am really lucky to work right next to the MRT station. Times like yesterday makes me think that I should take advantage of my situation more. I eat at Bishan everyday, while there are so many places 1 to 2 MRT stations away that I could explore. In May, the Circle Line will open and Bishan happens to be an interchange station. I am pretty excited that I will be able to explore new places where I normally would never get a chance to go.
My second thought. Yesterday, when we were ready to return to work after lunch, I looked outside and saw that it had just rain while we were inside the building and it was still overcast. I stepped outside and a wave of heat hit me like a break wall. I really wondered to myself. In any other country in the world when it is wet and cloudly like this, it will be cold. Not only was it not cold, it was HOT. We walked back to the MRT and took the train back to Bishan. By the time, I got back to the office, I was wet. Not from the rain but from sweat.
Speaking of the heat. Simple Girl said something really funny to me last night. She asked if I have gotten hotter? No, she was not referring to looks but referring to my body temperature. I know that I do give off a lot of body heat. I think that's the reason that I can eat and stay skinny. I have a high metabolism and my body converts a lot of the energy into heat. She was just wondering when we first started dating, she can hold me for hours without being hot, now it's about 10 seconds. My reply to her? I told her that she does not love me at much.:)
Yesterday a coworker and I decided to take the MRT to AMK for lunch. I work in Bishan and AMK is only 1 stop away. I think to myself that I am really lucky to work right next to the MRT station. Times like yesterday makes me think that I should take advantage of my situation more. I eat at Bishan everyday, while there are so many places 1 to 2 MRT stations away that I could explore. In May, the Circle Line will open and Bishan happens to be an interchange station. I am pretty excited that I will be able to explore new places where I normally would never get a chance to go.
My second thought. Yesterday, when we were ready to return to work after lunch, I looked outside and saw that it had just rain while we were inside the building and it was still overcast. I stepped outside and a wave of heat hit me like a break wall. I really wondered to myself. In any other country in the world when it is wet and cloudly like this, it will be cold. Not only was it not cold, it was HOT. We walked back to the MRT and took the train back to Bishan. By the time, I got back to the office, I was wet. Not from the rain but from sweat.
Speaking of the heat. Simple Girl said something really funny to me last night. She asked if I have gotten hotter? No, she was not referring to looks but referring to my body temperature. I know that I do give off a lot of body heat. I think that's the reason that I can eat and stay skinny. I have a high metabolism and my body converts a lot of the energy into heat. She was just wondering when we first started dating, she can hold me for hours without being hot, now it's about 10 seconds. My reply to her? I told her that she does not love me at much.:)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Singapore Ministers
Today Singapore made some announcements about ministers that had actually answered some questions that I had. This is a bit complicated and so you may want to get a pen and paper to keep track.
So Lee Kaun Yew is the founding father of modern day Singapore and it's first Prime Minister. When he decided that he didn't want to be Prime Minister anymore, Goh Chok Tong became the Prime Minister and Lee Kuan Yew was given a title of Sr. Minister. So when Lew Kaun Yew's son, Lee Hsien Loong was ready to be Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong decided to resign. Hai. So now Lee Kaun Yew becomes the "Mentor" Minister, Goh Chok Tong becomes the Sr. Minister and Lee Hsien Loong became the Prime Minister.
So I always wondered what happens after Lee Hsien Loong decides to step down. Would Lee Kuan Yew become the Sr. Mentor Minister, Goh Chok Tong become the Mentor Minister and Lee Hsien Loong becomes the Sr. Minister?
Confused? Well I told you get get a pen and paper so you could follow along.
Today, the question was answered.
They promoted Teo Chee Hean to be the Deputy Prime Minister and the current Deputy Prime Minister Professor S Jaykumar was promoted to Sr. Minister. Aha! So now we have two Sr. Ministers?
So when Lee Hsien Loong do step down, we will have Lee Kuan Yew as Mentor Minister, Goh Chok Tong, Lee Hsien Loong and Professor S Jaykumar as Sr. Ministers and Teo Chee Hean as the Prime Minister.
Wow! So Confused. It's like Lee's on 1st, Goh's on 2nd but now Lee's on 1st and 2nd and Goh and Jaykumar is on 2nd also. Wait, who's on 1st?
All I know is that the Prime Ministers office will be a crowded place, hope they have enough office space.
So Lee Kaun Yew is the founding father of modern day Singapore and it's first Prime Minister. When he decided that he didn't want to be Prime Minister anymore, Goh Chok Tong became the Prime Minister and Lee Kuan Yew was given a title of Sr. Minister. So when Lew Kaun Yew's son, Lee Hsien Loong was ready to be Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong decided to resign. Hai. So now Lee Kaun Yew becomes the "Mentor" Minister, Goh Chok Tong becomes the Sr. Minister and Lee Hsien Loong became the Prime Minister.
So I always wondered what happens after Lee Hsien Loong decides to step down. Would Lee Kuan Yew become the Sr. Mentor Minister, Goh Chok Tong become the Mentor Minister and Lee Hsien Loong becomes the Sr. Minister?
Confused? Well I told you get get a pen and paper so you could follow along.
Today, the question was answered.
They promoted Teo Chee Hean to be the Deputy Prime Minister and the current Deputy Prime Minister Professor S Jaykumar was promoted to Sr. Minister. Aha! So now we have two Sr. Ministers?
So when Lee Hsien Loong do step down, we will have Lee Kuan Yew as Mentor Minister, Goh Chok Tong, Lee Hsien Loong and Professor S Jaykumar as Sr. Ministers and Teo Chee Hean as the Prime Minister.
Wow! So Confused. It's like Lee's on 1st, Goh's on 2nd but now Lee's on 1st and 2nd and Goh and Jaykumar is on 2nd also. Wait, who's on 1st?
All I know is that the Prime Ministers office will be a crowded place, hope they have enough office space.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Blogging For My Sister
Posting this blog for my sister. She had a big crush on Andy Lau a few years back, maybe still do.
Yahoo news announced that she is going to get married to his girl friend of 24 years. I am sure my sister will be sad. Ironically, her name is Chu also. I have not looked a picture of her but looking at this picture my thoughts are "Andy is marrying her?"
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
SIngapore Business Awards
I was invited to go to the Singapore Business Awards a few weeks back. I sat on the invitation for a long time before I decided to go. On one hand, I think this was a great opportunity to do some networking with some VIP's but on the other hand, I know that I am terrible in these situations. This was a black tie affair and I thought this was a perfect opportunity to break out my tuxedo which I have not worn for about 8 years. Another doubt was about the tux. I had always meant to buy a vest but never got around to doing it. I only had a traditional cumberbun and after eight years, I was not sure if cumberbun's were out of style. I did do some searching on the Internet for a vest in Singapore but never could find one. I think Singapore is the most dressed down place in the world. So after some pestering by the DHL rep that invited me, I finally decided to go, after all they had an open bar and this was a chance where I can soak my liver in gin and tonic.
I got dressed and might I add that I looked pretty dapper. I decided to take a taxi there because I did plan to visit the bar and visit often and so I didn't want to drive. Unfortunately, I got there a bit early. I checked in and my worst fears were realized. I instantly regretted ever deciding to come. It was the pre-dinner cocktail hour and so there were just groups of people drinking and talking. I was like a fish out of water. I didn't know what to do. So I decided to leave the room and head for the lobby where I can just check my e-mail on my phone in anonymity. On the way out of the room, I saw the one person that I didn't want to see come in. Crap! It was the DHL rep that invited me. The reason that I didn't want to see her was that I had a vision of her hand holding me the whole night because I didn't know anybody. I didn't want to be anybodies charity case and so I wanted to stay away from her. She spotted me and asked if I was leaving. I said that I was just going to the restroom.
I did some e-mail checking and decided to go back into the room, but I went back this time with a plan. I went straight to the bar for a drink and damn, only wine and beer. No gin and tonic. I settle for a glass of red wine. The next part of my strategy was go straight for the snack table. I went there and just camped out. Was able to start a conversation with another guy who was guarding the snack table and a few conversations of people coming up to the table to get snacks, but after what seemed like an eternity, the doors to the banquet room opened and we could be seated. Of coarse my table was in the back corner. All the CEO's, Ministers, Ambassadors, and VIP's had the better tables. I was nobody.
I had time to chat with the two people that sat next to me. One was a CEO of his company and was a former managing director of DHL. He was a pretty interesting guy and for a while, i felt like I was on a job interview. He kept asking me interview questions. I think, I did make a pretty good connection with this guy.
So the night started. The key note address was giving by Singapore's Minister of Finance who was also the guest of honor. The 4 awards giving out was for the CEO of Charles and Keith Shoes, the CEO of Dairy Farms - A large supermarket consortium. the CEO of a property development firm and the CEO of Stamford Hotel Group. I thought all 4 of the winners gave great speeches and was very articulate. I enjoyed each one of their speeches. Towards the end, I changed my mind and I was really glad that I did decide to attend.
Simple Girl was already outside waiting for me. As soon as the event was over I called her and said that it was over. She said that she knows because all of the drivers for the VIP outside has started their cars and driving to the hotel to pick up their VIP's in their Mercedes and BMW's. I walked out to the street and jumped into my Toyota and had a quick get away.
All and all it was a pretty good night.
I got dressed and might I add that I looked pretty dapper. I decided to take a taxi there because I did plan to visit the bar and visit often and so I didn't want to drive. Unfortunately, I got there a bit early. I checked in and my worst fears were realized. I instantly regretted ever deciding to come. It was the pre-dinner cocktail hour and so there were just groups of people drinking and talking. I was like a fish out of water. I didn't know what to do. So I decided to leave the room and head for the lobby where I can just check my e-mail on my phone in anonymity. On the way out of the room, I saw the one person that I didn't want to see come in. Crap! It was the DHL rep that invited me. The reason that I didn't want to see her was that I had a vision of her hand holding me the whole night because I didn't know anybody. I didn't want to be anybodies charity case and so I wanted to stay away from her. She spotted me and asked if I was leaving. I said that I was just going to the restroom.
I did some e-mail checking and decided to go back into the room, but I went back this time with a plan. I went straight to the bar for a drink and damn, only wine and beer. No gin and tonic. I settle for a glass of red wine. The next part of my strategy was go straight for the snack table. I went there and just camped out. Was able to start a conversation with another guy who was guarding the snack table and a few conversations of people coming up to the table to get snacks, but after what seemed like an eternity, the doors to the banquet room opened and we could be seated. Of coarse my table was in the back corner. All the CEO's, Ministers, Ambassadors, and VIP's had the better tables. I was nobody.
I had time to chat with the two people that sat next to me. One was a CEO of his company and was a former managing director of DHL. He was a pretty interesting guy and for a while, i felt like I was on a job interview. He kept asking me interview questions. I think, I did make a pretty good connection with this guy.
So the night started. The key note address was giving by Singapore's Minister of Finance who was also the guest of honor. The 4 awards giving out was for the CEO of Charles and Keith Shoes, the CEO of Dairy Farms - A large supermarket consortium. the CEO of a property development firm and the CEO of Stamford Hotel Group. I thought all 4 of the winners gave great speeches and was very articulate. I enjoyed each one of their speeches. Towards the end, I changed my mind and I was really glad that I did decide to attend.
Simple Girl was already outside waiting for me. As soon as the event was over I called her and said that it was over. She said that she knows because all of the drivers for the VIP outside has started their cars and driving to the hotel to pick up their VIP's in their Mercedes and BMW's. I walked out to the street and jumped into my Toyota and had a quick get away.
All and all it was a pretty good night.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Operating On Half A Lung
I like to brag about my superior immune system. With exception to the 6 month period when I first came to Singapore (where I was constantly sick for 6 months straight), I only get sick about once every 2 to 3 years. Well, the past week was my once every two to three years. Overall, it was not that bad. I think the drugs was worse than the actually sickness. It really put me in a coma.
The worst part was the weight. I have a slight weight problem. For some unexplained reason, I lost 5 kilos in a span of 3 months. After a checkup, I was told that I was in great health and so for the past few months, I have been pigging out and lifting weights to try to put weight back on. After some really hard work, I finally but the 5 Kilos back on. Than 1 week of being sick, I stopped working out and I stopped eating and promptly lost 3 kilos. All that hard work down the drain.
Maybe I should just give up. If I eat less, I will save lot's of money.
The worst part was the weight. I have a slight weight problem. For some unexplained reason, I lost 5 kilos in a span of 3 months. After a checkup, I was told that I was in great health and so for the past few months, I have been pigging out and lifting weights to try to put weight back on. After some really hard work, I finally but the 5 Kilos back on. Than 1 week of being sick, I stopped working out and I stopped eating and promptly lost 3 kilos. All that hard work down the drain.
Maybe I should just give up. If I eat less, I will save lot's of money.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Jim Cramer vs Jon Stewart
I hesitate to put this on because I don't want this blog to be just constant repost of The Daily Show. However I really liked this clip. The rivalry between Jim Cramer who has a show on CNBC called Mad Money and Jon Stewart has gotten a lot of press in the US.
Part II
Part III
Part II
Part III
Buzz Report - The Death of the Newspaper
http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-50005466.html
Buzz Report is something that I follow on CNET of a weekly bases. I like it because it combines two of my favorite things. Technology and sarcasm. In this weeks episode, they had a debate on the death of the newspaper and to tell you the truth, I am really shocked that they did not cover two key points for the newspaper.
1. I take my newspaper to do my daily business each morning. I am sure that Simplegirl does not want me to take in a laptop which she may be using later. Maybe it is time for me to invest in a cheap netbook.
2. I pay about 300 sing a year for the Straight Times. If I would cut up the value of this 300? I would say only 100 goes into the information and the pleasure of reading that I get out of it. The other 200? Happy is paper trained and so she has to pee and poo on something.
Buzz Report is something that I follow on CNET of a weekly bases. I like it because it combines two of my favorite things. Technology and sarcasm. In this weeks episode, they had a debate on the death of the newspaper and to tell you the truth, I am really shocked that they did not cover two key points for the newspaper.
1. I take my newspaper to do my daily business each morning. I am sure that Simplegirl does not want me to take in a laptop which she may be using later. Maybe it is time for me to invest in a cheap netbook.
2. I pay about 300 sing a year for the Straight Times. If I would cut up the value of this 300? I would say only 100 goes into the information and the pleasure of reading that I get out of it. The other 200? Happy is paper trained and so she has to pee and poo on something.
I Don't Care How Comfortable They Are, You Look Like A Dumbass
I just came back from lunch at J8. Surprise, Surprise, I was on my way to the Taiwan stall in the basement for Oyster Me Sui when I noticed a women in front of me on the escalator. She was wearing a short black dress and Pink Crocks! She stopped at the polar store right at the bottom of the escalator while I proceeded to buy my Me Sui. However, I was so bothered by this site, all I could do was to think about taking a picture of this monstrosity. I placed my order and got my phone ready in the camera position so that I can share with you this horror. After, I placed my order, she was still there. I thought of how I could take a picture of her without anybody noticing. Than I thought to myself that I am too close to the bottom of the escalator and didn't want anybody think I was trying to capture something that I was not suppose to and so I chickened out. So I am sorry, I don't have a chance to share this atrocity with you.
I have always thought that Crocs are the ugliest thing ever to walk the face of this Earth. I was so glad to hear that there is a group of 1.4 million strong on Facebook that share my opinion. I don't sign up to be a fan of many things on Facebook but this was something that I had to sign up for. I am also glad to see that it was just a fad and the company sales is falling
Friday, March 13, 2009
Poll In Singapore Finds 4 In 10 Undergrads Sexually Abused
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090312/tap-988-poll-finds-4-10-female-undergrad-231650b.html
The link is to a story that finds 4 in 10 Singaporean undergrads are sexually abused on public transport. Wow! I am shocked. Sounds like we are in Japan.
Wait! Breaking News! This just in. "6 in 10 Singaporean undergrads considered ugly."
The link is to a story that finds 4 in 10 Singaporean undergrads are sexually abused on public transport. Wow! I am shocked. Sounds like we are in Japan.
Wait! Breaking News! This just in. "6 in 10 Singaporean undergrads considered ugly."
Pet Projects
Jon Stewart is also one of the funniest man alive. He is even more sarcastic than I am.
I am so glad that my hard earned tax dollars are being spent on pig fart reasearch.
I am so glad that my hard earned tax dollars are being spent on pig fart reasearch.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I Have Joined The World Of HD
Today plasma and LCD TV's are no big deal. However, do you feel the same as I do? You go to the retail outlet and the pictures that they are showing on the screen all amazing. The colors are bright, sharp and vivid. You amazed by this picture and you fork out 2000 dollars of you hard earned money and take home this amazing machine. Once you get home and connect it, the pictures are so so at best.
Well, what's going on. Unfortunately, Singapore is still stuck in the stone age. To get these amazing video's, you need 3 things, HD Content, HD Set top box and a HD TV. If you fail in anyone of these 3 than you are stuck with plain Jane.
For the past two years when I go back to the US to my sisters house, I have been seeing all of the HD channels and content that the US has. It is pretty amazing. Most of the channels now offer HD.
To be fair to Singapore, Starhub did offer HD service about a year ago. However, you had to pay 300 dollars for a HD box and on top of it had to pay 8 dollars a month to get only 3 HD channels, National Geo, Discovery Channel and The History Channel. However, Starhub just announced a HD Hubstation. This a set top box with a built in hard drive or DVR. On top of that, the rental is only 15 dollars. So since the normal box is 5 dollars, the difference is only 10 dollars a month. With this new deal I bit. I ponied up the 10 dollars plus the 8 dollars a month for the channels and last night, for the 1st time in my life, I am enjoying HD channels at home. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Well, what's going on. Unfortunately, Singapore is still stuck in the stone age. To get these amazing video's, you need 3 things, HD Content, HD Set top box and a HD TV. If you fail in anyone of these 3 than you are stuck with plain Jane.
For the past two years when I go back to the US to my sisters house, I have been seeing all of the HD channels and content that the US has. It is pretty amazing. Most of the channels now offer HD.
To be fair to Singapore, Starhub did offer HD service about a year ago. However, you had to pay 300 dollars for a HD box and on top of it had to pay 8 dollars a month to get only 3 HD channels, National Geo, Discovery Channel and The History Channel. However, Starhub just announced a HD Hubstation. This a set top box with a built in hard drive or DVR. On top of that, the rental is only 15 dollars. So since the normal box is 5 dollars, the difference is only 10 dollars a month. With this new deal I bit. I ponied up the 10 dollars plus the 8 dollars a month for the channels and last night, for the 1st time in my life, I am enjoying HD channels at home. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Pru Critical Illness Coverage
I tried to look for the English Version but could only find the Chinese Version.
For those of you who don't understand Chinese, I will use my superior Chinese skills to translate. This commercial states that with Pru coverage, unlike other insurance policies where they only cover you once for critical illness, this policy will cover you up to 3 times.
Holy Cow! Who is lucky enough to get 3 critical illnesses. Actually, I am not even sure if this term "Critical Illness" is a Singapore thing. I have come to realize that Singaporeans are BIG on insurance. So here are a list of the critical insurances.
Alzheimer's Disease / Severe Dementia
Angioplasty & Other Invasive Treatment For Coronary Artery/ (Progressive Scleroderma)
Aplastic Anaemia
Bacterial Meningitis
Benign Brain Tumour
Blindness (Loss of Sight)
Coma
Coronary Artery By-Pass Surgery
Deafness (Loss of Hearing)
End Stage Liver Failure
End Stage Lung Disease
Fulminant Hepatitis
Heart Attack
Heart Valve Surgery
HIV Due to Blood Transfusion and Occupationally Acquired HIV
Kidney Failure
Loss of Speech
Major Burns
Major Cancers
Major Head Trauma
Major Organ / Bone Marrow Transplant
Motor Neurone Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Paralysis (Loss of Use of Limbs)
Parkinson's Disease
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Stroke
Surgery to Aorta
Terminal Illness
So if you should be so unlucky to first get Cancer and go into a full remission. Than get into a car accident and get into a coma and than come out of it. Than be so unlucky enough to get an heart attack, you would be covered. Wow! what a relief.
Which also brings up another question. If you get into a car accident and as the result of that accident, you get into a coma, get paralyzed and from the operation get aides from the blood transfusion. Would this count as 3 critical illness or just one?
Random News
I have been out of the office for off site meetings for the most of last week and so I didn't get a chance to blog much. There was not much major news other than that the economy SUCKS!
There were some small news that can out last week that I didn't get a chance to comment on.
1. In the Papers, last week, it noted that 750 cab drivers in Singapore will reach the mandatory retirement age of 73 within the next 2 years. Holy Crap! You mean there is 750 taxi drivers above 70 in Singapore? Time to get off the roads. I don't mean to disrespect the elderly but being a Singapore Taxi driver is not the best profession for the elderly. Each Singapore Taxi driver rents their taxi and are charged per day(24hrs) So to maximise the revenue, they will work a 12 hour shift and than sub lease the taxi to another driver for the 2nd 12 hours. I can't count the number of times when I have been in taxi's in Singapore where I can tell that the driver is dozing off.
2. Manchester United Goal Keeper used an Ipod during a game. Now why is this news? This is only new because the guy used an Ipod. The NFL have been watching game tape and taking pictures of the game for years. Actually I thought it was quite innovative. The game ended up in penalty kicks and the goalie, reviewed the video of a game when their opponents last was in a penalty kick situation.
3. Note funny but been noticing a lot of Singaporean related deaths lately. Singaporean Dr. that went AWOL in Australia was found dead. An Indonesia student stabbed his teacher and jumped off the building. A Chinese Teachers aid hung himself and today some guy was found dead at Ritz Carlton. At least he died in class. A Malaysian Women died after falling off a building. Co-workers interviewed were quite surprised because they described her as "cheerful" Which I thought was a funny comment because they are assuming that cheerful people can't be murdered?
4. A Singaporean Girl falls 4 storeys onto concrete and lives. Later that day, she received a call from Rubbermaid asking her to be their spoke person.
5. Ryan Air is now considering charging for the use of their toilets. I wonder how long that will last. What currency will they be using? The British Pound? What if you don't have the right change? Will they be adding change machines? I have a new business plan. I am going to sell Adult Diapers at all Ryan Air Terminals.
There were some small news that can out last week that I didn't get a chance to comment on.
1. In the Papers, last week, it noted that 750 cab drivers in Singapore will reach the mandatory retirement age of 73 within the next 2 years. Holy Crap! You mean there is 750 taxi drivers above 70 in Singapore? Time to get off the roads. I don't mean to disrespect the elderly but being a Singapore Taxi driver is not the best profession for the elderly. Each Singapore Taxi driver rents their taxi and are charged per day(24hrs) So to maximise the revenue, they will work a 12 hour shift and than sub lease the taxi to another driver for the 2nd 12 hours. I can't count the number of times when I have been in taxi's in Singapore where I can tell that the driver is dozing off.
2. Manchester United Goal Keeper used an Ipod during a game. Now why is this news? This is only new because the guy used an Ipod. The NFL have been watching game tape and taking pictures of the game for years. Actually I thought it was quite innovative. The game ended up in penalty kicks and the goalie, reviewed the video of a game when their opponents last was in a penalty kick situation.
3. Note funny but been noticing a lot of Singaporean related deaths lately. Singaporean Dr. that went AWOL in Australia was found dead. An Indonesia student stabbed his teacher and jumped off the building. A Chinese Teachers aid hung himself and today some guy was found dead at Ritz Carlton. At least he died in class. A Malaysian Women died after falling off a building. Co-workers interviewed were quite surprised because they described her as "cheerful" Which I thought was a funny comment because they are assuming that cheerful people can't be murdered?
4. A Singaporean Girl falls 4 storeys onto concrete and lives. Later that day, she received a call from Rubbermaid asking her to be their spoke person.
5. Ryan Air is now considering charging for the use of their toilets. I wonder how long that will last. What currency will they be using? The British Pound? What if you don't have the right change? Will they be adding change machines? I have a new business plan. I am going to sell Adult Diapers at all Ryan Air Terminals.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Do As a Singaporean Would Do.
SGalf made a funny comment which brings up an interesting topic.(I had to get Simple Girl to translate)
I don't see the numbers but if you were to ask me what's the number one source of income for the Singapore Government, I would say 4D or Toto.
So what is 4D or Toto? For those of you in California, Toto is like the California Super Loto and 4D is like the Daily Fantasy 5.
My feeling is that this is the national obsession.
Get a new car? Use the car plate numbers to buy 4D
Have a new baby? Use the weight, time and date of birth to buy 4D
Buy a new house? Use the unit number to buy 4D
Saw a celebrity get caught cheating in a hotel room? Find out the room number and buy 4D
Have something good happen to you? Buy 4D
Have something bad happen to you? Buy 4D
In Tiong Bahru, I always see a line out the door of people lining up to buy 4D. I look at these people see that most of them are elderly and they are probably spending a lot of their pension on lottery. I also know that gambling is in the Chinese blood and that if the government doesn't do it than it will be underground. Even now, I know that they have illegal lottery.
The top prize for 4D, I think is 4 to 5,000 and the top price for Toto is around 600,000 sing. I am not saying that this is not a lot of money but it do bore me because the top price for the Daily 5 is 100,000USD and the top price for the Super Loto is 6 Million.
For those of you in Singapore that is interested, today's Mega Million prize is 212 Million USD. www.calottery.com. Of coarse, the 213 million prize is paid over 25 years and if you want the cash option, which means everything up front, it is only a measly 137 Million. Oh you get tax on that too and so as a Singaporean, your tax would be 33% and so you can only take home 90 Million USD. Which is 137 million Sing. A rip off huh?
The good thing about Singapore is that they don't tax Toto or 4D winnings.
I don't see the numbers but if you were to ask me what's the number one source of income for the Singapore Government, I would say 4D or Toto.
So what is 4D or Toto? For those of you in California, Toto is like the California Super Loto and 4D is like the Daily Fantasy 5.
My feeling is that this is the national obsession.
Get a new car? Use the car plate numbers to buy 4D
Have a new baby? Use the weight, time and date of birth to buy 4D
Buy a new house? Use the unit number to buy 4D
Saw a celebrity get caught cheating in a hotel room? Find out the room number and buy 4D
Have something good happen to you? Buy 4D
Have something bad happen to you? Buy 4D
In Tiong Bahru, I always see a line out the door of people lining up to buy 4D. I look at these people see that most of them are elderly and they are probably spending a lot of their pension on lottery. I also know that gambling is in the Chinese blood and that if the government doesn't do it than it will be underground. Even now, I know that they have illegal lottery.
The top prize for 4D, I think is 4 to 5,000 and the top price for Toto is around 600,000 sing. I am not saying that this is not a lot of money but it do bore me because the top price for the Daily 5 is 100,000USD and the top price for the Super Loto is 6 Million.
For those of you in Singapore that is interested, today's Mega Million prize is 212 Million USD. www.calottery.com. Of coarse, the 213 million prize is paid over 25 years and if you want the cash option, which means everything up front, it is only a measly 137 Million. Oh you get tax on that too and so as a Singaporean, your tax would be 33% and so you can only take home 90 Million USD. Which is 137 million Sing. A rip off huh?
The good thing about Singapore is that they don't tax Toto or 4D winnings.
Merlion Hit By Lightning
Singapore's national symbol is the Merlion, the head of a lion and the body of a fish.
We have been having big thurder storms for the past couple of days and On Saturday, a lightning bolt hit the head of the Merlion at Marina Bay. You don't have to be Chinese to see this as a bad omen. That was my initial reaction. When I saw that the head was damaged, than I thought that it may be a bad omen for the head of Singapore. While I have heard a friend say that it was a positive thing. The Merion was able to defend Singapore.
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