Picture taken from http://pinterest.com/

2010 flew by too quickly and we should really take time to reflect what has happened over the past 1 year. I came across this "article" on the internet and thought that it would be quite apt to blog about it during this time of the year.

The Paradox Of Our Time

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER ...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Dr. Bob Moorehead is former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church.
He retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post. The essay appeared in 'Words Aptly Spoken,' Dr. Moorehead's 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts.

People who want to get rich fall into the trap of temptation & foolish, harmful desires that plunge us into ruin. If you make wealth the goal of your life, you'll soon be addicted to the phrase "just a little more".

Work Trips

I was in Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei the past 2 weeks. Seriously, going on back-to-back work trips is more tiring / taxing than I had imagined it to be!

Ho Chi Minh City
(30.11.10 - 03.12.10)

This was what I chose for my in-flight meal.

Bad choice because I could not eat the hash brown (potato is full of carbs) and the egg wasn't to my liking. So I ended up only taking the sausage.

-_-

My colleagues and I stayed at InterContinental Asiana Saigon this time! And it is alot nicer than the hotel we stayed previously.

The room came with free WIFI so I could Skype with Luffs and Maggie Jie / Mum every night.

The main purpose of this trip was to attend a port opening ceremony and also to meet up with some of our Vietnamese customers.

The ceremony was held on the second day and it was really an eye-opener for me!

Taipei
(05.12.10 - 07.12.10)

All SQ flights to Taipei were full that week and the only available flight was on Sunday 1.00 am (I reached Taipei at 5.30 am and it was obviously too early for check in).

The weather was chilling unlike Singapore and was not too cold.

As usual, it was Sheraton Taipei Hotel. By the way, do you know that all hotel rooms in Taiwan are non-smoking? Hehehe!

Loots for Day 1

Loots for Day 2

The Hi-Chew sweets cost only cost SGD 2 per pack which means SGD 0.40 per tube!

What's in the box?
(Scroll down further to see the answer!)

The box was delivered to the hotel, together with the below in a paper bag!

Time to head back to sunny Singapore!

Ice-cream after a meal - Yummy!

And this photo is for you, Juu.

This was only a 3-days-2-nights trip but I came back with a big luggage and a box!

And now... The box was actually packed with 12 boxes of 太阳饼!

Uncle's Birthday Dinner

Uncle's birthday dinner was held at Spice Peranakan and we were very privileged to have Joshua to cook for us.

I was in charge of picking the food that night and I hope everyone was happy with my choices.

Bakwan Kepiting

Ngo Hiang

Tofu Tempra

Babi Ponteh

Udang Nanas

Chap Chye

Ayam Buah Keluak

Ikan Goreng

Pan-Fried BBQ Sotong With Lady's Fingers

Har Cheong Gai

What's a brithday without a cake?!!!

:)

And lastly 2 group photos to end this lengthy post!