Journey of Ah Boy

it takes a bowl of curry mee

Ipoh Ah Boy — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:26:41 +0000

I have to admit I am darn homesick since I left ”Tanah Melayu” a year ago.

Not that I miss the escalating crime rate in KL or the current Bollywood influence political scene but its “unhealthy” food. And I am talking about food like charcoal-black and lard laden hokkien noodle to the fish head bi hoon at Jalan Ikan Emas, and not forgetting Jalan Imbi’s bak kut teh.

Recently I came across a cafe at Tampines area and it is called “old Malaya” and what looked promising on the wall menu was its “KL curry” mee. Wasting no time, I ordered a bowl and I paired it with “Ipoh” white coffee.

The curry mee, kinda soothed my yearning heart with it’s generous amount of spices and cholesterol laden “santan”. The white coffee failed miserably though and there’s not even the slightest hint of “Ipoh” at all.

I have never thought that a bowl of curry mee could cured me of home sickness but it did.

Curry mee cured me

am i doing it right?

Ipoh Ah Boy — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:51:46 +0000

I have always wanted to be a dad and I strive my best to be a good one. There are many who say that I am doing it the wrong way, that I am spoiling my daughter silly.

Am I doing it right? I don’t have the answer honestly. The older I get, I strongly feel there is no right or wrong way of doing things as long as you know what you are doing. At the end of the day, result matters. If you have given your best, why subscribe to the notion of what is right or even wrong?

We have a chance at life and why not play it the fun way?

if sky is clear..you will see forever

Ipoh Ah Boy — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:28:49 +0000

If sky is clear, you will see forever. That’s the tagline for Ion Sky, newly opened observation “deck” for public visits.

It’s 55 storey high and it’s the highest point in Orchard area. Admission is SGD16 per person and it’s free if you were to dine at its restaurant (but you do need to make advance booking, which is like 2 weeks prior)

It was quite alright as we had the whole place to ourselves (it has to do with the SGD16, I reckon). It was a clear day and I looked for forever and I think I saw straits of Johor. If you ask me, I would however prefer Hong Kong’s Victoria peak on any clear day.

Still, we saw forever on that very day.

Minnie mouse spotted

where to now?

Ipoh Ah Boy — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:46:02 +0000

I am at a cross road now, trying to make sense or maybe trying to convince myself to keep blogging. I know I have not been at it for the longest while and not as frequent as I would like it to be.

The past couple of months have been really draining for all, shrouding my sense of sanity. I am glad now that I pressed on and let go, allowing matters to realign themselves and desired result manifested, much to my delight.

I kept saying that once this episode is over, I will start to blog. Again.

I will blog again. Just bear with me.

Maybe I am making excuses but there’s much to plan ahead when it comes to Celeste’s education. I promised myself not to exert pressure on her but of course, as a parent I would want Celeste to be equipped, knowledge wise.

Just bear with me.

reunion dinner

Ipoh Ah Boy — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:09:25 +0000

I have lost count of the last time I had reunion dinner with my parents, during Chinese New Year.

For old folks, it is the tradition of family togetherness, chit chatting, catching up with each other, or even taking a bite of my favourite drumstick, and sadly I have been missing dinners, due to work commitments. Yes, I do get an earful but still, job has to be done.

For Chinese, reunion dinner MUST have the followings – chicken, duck, fish, black moss, soup, chicken, prawns, pork, sea cucumber (yummy) and MORE chicken. MUST have leh, if not, it is not reunion dinner.

This year, due to work commitment (again, yes again), I have to work and being wanting to beat the crowd, Shin (sil) decided to go Italian, instead of chinese.

We went to the best Italian restaurant there is, OTTO ristorante at Red dot building, Tanjong Pagar.

Carment summed it best- the best sirloin she ever had. The juiciest and most tender slab of tenderloin in her history of existence. Don’t believe me? Take a look at Celeste’s expression

mmm...it is just so tender

a new chapter

Ipoh Ah Boy — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:43:58 +0000

Miracles do happen. And when it happens, do embrace with an open arm.

All that I know is, miracle happened! And today I soaked myself in celebrative mood.

And I thanked you, higher being. I have no complaint whatsoever.

it’s contagious

Ipoh Ah Boy — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:32:32 +0000

I have never really understand what’s the big fuss about it, until I got one in my palm and started to navigate and played the free downloaded games. Many hours of playing, I have to admit without shame.

Yeah, it’s the Iphone 4 I am talking about. I am not those really into latest gadgets; give me a Nokia phone and I will be smiling away. Or so I thought.

Now, ever since I first played “angry birds” where I have to catapult angry birds to destroy those proud-faced pigs, I am hooked, forever. I find myself, now frequently sneaked Carment’s Iphone into the bedroom and I will be catapulting angry birds with all seriousness!

Wait..mommy is still playing..

Now is my turn, Celeste said to mommy

pony ride

Ipoh Ah Boy — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:42:23 +0000

I love animals but never really get near to a pony before.

Celeste has never really show her love for animals until last Christmas, where she had her first pony ride. And it was at the Capella; it organizes activities for kids to free parents from babysitting for the next hour or so.

We were a bit apprehensive as we did not know how was Celeste going to react when she rides a pony. Is she going to freak out? It turned out that she grabbed the very first opportunity and quickly mounted herself on the back of the pony. And she started to gallop away, with the assistance of a trainer.

It was her first ride and she enjoyed herself immensely. And I bet it is not going to be her last.

the mexican fisherman and the harvard guy

Ipoh Ah Boy — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:58:46 +0000

I came across this rather interesting story recently(unknown author) and I would like to share it with you, hoping all of us learned something from this story. Enjoy the read.

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”

The American then asked him why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican replied that he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?” asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich; you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what, senor?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.

first day of the year

Ipoh Ah Boy — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 06:43:45 +0000

Yesterday was the first day of 2011 and do you remember what you did?

Do you remember what you ate and with whom? What time you woke up?

New Year used to be laced with new resolutions (old even) where we vowed to make good of our resolutions with much vigour and enthusiasm but sadly, never really come round to make good.

Since I was not working, new resolutions took a back seat and we went out to enjoy ourselves silly. To end the first day of the year, we watch a local move, “the ghosts must be crazy” and laughed to our hearts content (but of course, Celeste asked me to cover her eyes numerous times )

Waiting for our ride to Orchard hotel

my first bowl of katong laksa

first karaoke for the year