Leave Out all the Rest

Is ten years a long time? Probably yes in today's contact. Many things can happen within the span of ten years. Many relationship can change. Many changes would have taken place.

Change may be difficult but, sometime, necessary. Positive change can also be known as improvement while, negative, regression. Change brought about stess but also hope for the better. Either way, it can be difficult due to having to expect the unexpected and facing uncertainties.

However, if change ever have to happen, to me  and

(Abstract from one of my favourite song from Linkin Park)

"... if you're asking me, I want you to know

When my time comes

Forget the wrong that I've done

Help me leave behind some

Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me

And when you're feeling empty

Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest

Leave out all the rest ..."

Has my time come? Maybe. I am feeling the lethagic but, at this point, I really don't know! The time will come for all to know ....succession first!

Picture of the Day - Standing Out & Outstanding

A Pink Car with "I Do" Licence Plate.

This car stood up in the crowd and caught my attention. A pink color automobile in itself will only attract people who like the color but it is usually rare that owners will use pink for their car, especially in Asia. However, with a licence plate of "I Do" and appropriate decor, the intent required this car to be outstanding to serve its purpose because it was meant to be special for the special couple on their special day. The car was supposed to stand out for other to admire, not itself, but its passengers so that they can be blessed. It just has to be outstanding to stand out.

Picture of the Day - View from the Top

Mountain climbing or going up a hill or even corporate ladder are feats that require physical fitness, mental endurance and knowledge. Going up there is not easy but the fulfillment and satisfaction of when reaching there is something that cannot be described or understand by another. The view from the top can be fansinating and spectecular in your own way. However, the path there can never easy. The experience can be painful at times. There may be sacrifices but there will usually be joy along the way. The experience and realization of the dream and, more importantly, the gut to dream are second to no other activities in life. The determination and ability to get there, to many people in today's world, can only be dream.

View from the Top, Koh NanYuan, Thailand

Picture of the Day - The Tranquility of a Central Business District

This picture turned out to be better than expected. The curve of the bridge soften the otherwise cold buildings along the heart of this business district. It was rare for the road of CBD to be empty and pavement not crowded. I was lucky to capture the moment of tranquility despite being a normal business day.

Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR

Food Glorious Food!

This trip to Hong Kong allowed me to revisit Gui Kee (my favourite Wanton Noodle stall off Carnavaro Road in Tsim Sha Tsui). A bowl of soup wanton noodle cost HK$19 and Wanton/Fish ball Combo was HK$25. I had been eating there for more than 10 years visiting them every time I went to Hong Kong.

My other favourite is Cafe de Coral, a Hong Kong style fast food with branches all across the islands. Cafe de Coral offered excellent pork chop rice, Honk Kong style milk tea, roast pork, hot pot and "Lao Ding" or Dry instant noodle. A meal would usually cost less than HK$40.

                   Fried Kway Tiao from wedding and Kowloon Hotel's Wanton Noodle

    

                           Gui Ji's Wanton Noodle (off Carnavaro Rd) & Mince Meat Rice with Oyster Egg at Tung Chung's Food Republic

Pork Chop Rice from Cafe de Coral Vegetatian Noodle & Snacks from Lantau Island

I also "Yam Cha" and had "Time Sum" on several occasions. I went to the resturant at Kwan Tung's APM building and another time at a resturant in Prince Edward. This seems to be a must-do thing when visiting Hong Kong. 

I also had lunch buffet at Kowloon hotel where they served decent wanton noodle, shark fins soup and a wide variety of choices Cantonese, Indian, Western and South Asian crusine.

Then there was tea-time at Lantau Island and Oyster egg for dinner at Food Republic in Tung Chung. My dinner set of minced pork rice with oyster egg cost around HK$40. I find it value-for-money and very tasty too. It was certainly relatively cheaper then the Food Republic in Singapore.

Hong Kong is not only a good destination for food but also good for pictures.

Kowloon Hotel: A Picture I like

Christmas Hotpot

We went to Jpot @ Vivo City for our Christmas lunch this afternoon. They served hotpot. A traditional food mostly reserved for Chinese New Year. Hot pot for Christmas, replacing the traditional turkey and other "ang mo" food, was interesting for me. The food was served in nice portion of vegetables, meat, bean curd, seafood and rice with self-concocted gravy and toppings served. The joy was always in the company. Merry Christmas!

A Different Perspective

Depending on who you are, experience and what drive your thoughts, you will see these pictures differently from me or anyone else. You may see it as a half-filled glass or you may notice the finger print on the glass or half-empty glass or even see a converging world of activities.

The reflective index of light, glass and atmosphere are different resulting in different distortion and different views. Likewise, different people see things in different lights. Some sees hope while others may be despaired. Some felt fulfilling while other may feel the emptiness. Whatever you see and however you see, we live our life through our thoughts.

Days Out from Henderson Wave to Hort Park

The simple joy was the opportunity to be with nature. Strolling along Henderson Wave to Hort Park took around 2 1/2hrs walking through the wave and cage bridge. The other joy was the nice environment for "snapping". The constrasting colour of the tropical forest, the fragrant of fangipani, tranquility of water scrupture and the changing landscape brought about energy in the body and calmness in the mind.

Colours & Numbers

101011011100010111010010

1001001101311220101011010110

1010110101001000111010221220091100101010010111011011010

1010011101001011101011101010001001011001101011806200410101100010101101011101010100

1000101101101101000101000100100100101001000100280920031010110101000100001010100010101000101010101000010110100110010

1010010100100101110101000100100010DAY01010100101001010010100010100010100010101

10101THE1BEAUTY01OF01BINARY11&10COLOUR10100101001100010

The Way I See Singapore Flyer

A magnificient Structure and, most appropriate at its current location, serving its intent to be an icon for the country. The engineering feat may not be the first in the world but it is still a challenge building this structure on a reclaimed land in this tropical city of frequent rain and lightning.

(Pictures taken using iPhone cam)

Empire Kowloon Hotel

I stayed at Empire Kowloon Hotel, off Kimberly and Observatory Rd, for more than a week this time in Hong Kong. The hotel was located at the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) and within walking distance of TST MTR station and TST East station. TST has all that tourists would need clusters of pubs and resturants, 10 mins walk to TST East and Hong Hom Coliseum, 10 mins walk to Harbour City shopping mall along Canton Road and with 3 MTR station to the famous Mong Kok and Woman Street.

I was given an upgrade to Empire Plus, or business double room. The room was small with a queen size bed and less than 1 metre space around it. It was, however, clean with a decent toilet with shower. The staffs were quite friendly and helpful. The room also had a good panorama view of the canel separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

View from room

Recommendation (max 5 stars)

Comfort ***

Cleanliness ****

Value-for-money ****

Food (Breakfast) NA (There are always good breakfast at any "Cha Chan Tang"!!!)

Overall ***

Room

(Wall lights at lobby)              Lobby ->

Imagination and Drive Maketh a Successful Man

"Imagination is more important than Knowledge."

Albert Einstein

“Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.”

Sophia Loren

Ed's Airport Ranking

2009 Airport Ranking - Ed's Choice!

My top 10 airports visited in 2009. I did not travel as much as before and, thus, less comparision. This is purely my preference and the feeling when I was there.

1. Changi International Airport Terminal 2, Singapore (9/10)

2. Chek Lap Kok Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong (8.5/10)

3. Changi International Airport Terminal 3, Singapore (8/10)

4. Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (8/10)

5. Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam (7/10)

6. Koh Samui International Airport (6.5/10)

7. Suvarnavhumi International Airport, Bangkok (6.5/10)

8. Hanoi International Airport (5.5/10)

9. Penang Airport (5/10)

10. Jakarta International Airport (5/10)

Einstein's Quote of the Day

Einstein's Theory of Relationship

"Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed."

Simple yet so profound that most people still repeat the same mistake. Friction will also happen if change only happen to one of the party. It is usually such as catch thirty-three situation - change, partial change or no change will bring trouble.

Things around Me

10 Things Revolving Around Me

1. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXPuzn5vRWU&feature=related
2. Twitter: Penning down thoughts in 140 characters
3. Cannon Powershot A85: Capturing my perspectives
4. Facebook: Sharing thoughts and pictures.
5. iPhone: Many applications provided convenience of access to structure my time.
6. Write: Putting my thoughts in a structured way on paper.
7. Newspapers, Magazines and Books: Kept me occupied and provding me with new perspectives
8. Walk: Long brisk walking kept me fresh
9. Whisky: My form of enjoyment
10. Work: Putting my mind into action


********______*******______*******______******________*******

A Special Dedication: "Be Back Soon"

Abstract from Oliver Twist musical .... and dedication to my special one... 
*********************************************
You can go,

But be back soon
You can go,
But while you're working.

This place, I'm pacing round...
Until you're home, ...Safe and sound

Fare thee well,
But be back soon
Who can tell where danger's lurking?

Do not forget this tune
Be back soon.

.................
Cheerio, but be back soon.

I dunno, somehow I'll miss you
I love you, that why I
Say, "Cheerio"...
Not goodbye.

Don't be gone long
Be back soon.
Give me one long,

Last look...
Bless you.
Remember our old tune...
Be back soon!

**********************************

Hong Kong

I arrived in Hong Kong yesterday. The weather was around 18 deg C when I landed at the Chap Lap Kok Airport. Sunny but with nice breeze. I was in Hong Kong but, surprising for the first time in 10 years, I was not excited to be here. I used to be very excited whenever I come to this city that never sleeps. I would usually have many plans and friends that I would want to catch up.

This time, the excitment was not there. I checked into the hotel, had my lunch and then set up my laptop and started working for the next 4 hours. I could not feel the buzz ...sigh!

Twitter

Twitter or microblogging, probably the most popular social networking tool in 2009, had me documenting most of my thoughts relating to sustainability, green, photovoltiac, sales & marketing, sports (mainly in EPL and F1) and, of course, spending considerable amount my new found free time. It allows one to publish his thoughts using 140 characters. Then my account was hacked and I got locked out! That was for the last 2 weeks.

Now I am back tweeting ....

Ed is Back ...

I had been away for few reasons:

1. I went to complete my MBA
2. Lots of work related travel
3. I forgot my password

Actually, they were all excuses. Bottomline was that I was just too lazy.

2009 was quite an eventful year till date. The year started with the global financial crisis. Thanks to the helpful deeds from the (Lehman) Brothers who did their best to help the US folks own a roof over their head by selling their debt to people around the world. Unfortunately, someone woke up and realised that the rule of the game had to be changed sending shivers down the spine of people around the world causing all of them to withdraw investment from the markets weaken financially systems globally. The dominoes soon hit consumers driving confidence level to all time low impacting retail industry driving manufacturers to produce less and reducing work force to cut cost and result in less purchase. Then governments step in with creative programs to stimulate spending and stop job lost.

Then came initiatives to save the environment. Everything suddenly turns clean, green and sustainable. Jobs created were related to green. Every projects and every buildings used solar panels, green materials and were energy neutral. Then there were talks about Smartgrid and Microgrid to transmit power from generation to home. The biggest difference from the traditional transmission grid is that the new grid incorporated communication and control to determine when, where, who and what amount of power will be delivered. Of couse, there is also a why no power?

Work was very much focused on ASEAN travelling mostly to places like KL, Penang, Hanoi, HCM, Jakarta and Bangkok and, tomorrow, will have to Hong Kong - one of my favourite city in Asia.

There will be more update on twitter, my new project (Techforum2010), emerging technology trends, forthcoming trip to Malaysia and Manila. So I'm back!