SEASON GREETINGS

Hi there guys,

Nothing much. Just wanted to greet everyone MERRY CHRISTMAS & A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!

A new member

New year is just around the corner and that means a new family member will be joining the Liew’s. Yes, my latest creation and yes it is a baby boy too. Phew… no need to spend much on his clothing… This year and the next seems to be a good year cause it seems that a lot of people I know is pregnant. Tracy sister just gave born in November, so is my cousin, then another of my cousin in December. Then it comes to Tracy in January and then my friend in March and latest I knew of another friend in June. Isn’t that amazing?

Well anyway… as it is getting closer each day, the more troubled I am. Financially of coz… we’re talking about long time investment here… not born yet already used up a lot of $$$, then trust me, it’ll never stop… $ for this, $ for that!... but i think that’s the way of life.. then it comes to more responsibility.. imagine you have to feed, bath and even wipe the baby’s poo poo… an ugly scene but yet quite an experience… hee hee

Giving born to my 1st child already got us running around and I can’t imagine what the 2nd one will turn us into… full time slaves of them I presume… anyway, for those who are planning on conceiving a child, that’s great but be prepare… $$$$

Oh yes… I still had not figure out a name for my newborn yet… any suggestions?

Brand Builder Series II

Hi there ! Just to share some up coming event with you guys! If you are interested, please do let me know!

The Brand Builders Series is a quarterly learning and networking platform for Entrepreneurs, CEOs of companies, and serious Brand Builders. It features a prominent Malaysian brand personality as the Main Speaker plus a fast emerging brand personality as the Co-Speaker each time.

The 1st Brand Builders Series was held in May 2007 and the Main Speaker was Datuk Jimmy Choo and the Co-Speaker was Mr Lewre Lew. Response from the participants was overwhelmingly positive.

Now, for Brand Builders Series 2, we are delighted to have Dato' Sri Shazalli Ramly, CEO of Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad as our main speaker and also Mr Dixon Chew, Group Managing Director of Pensonic Holdings Bhd as the Co-Speaker. Both of the speakers will share with us their insights in marketing practices and techniques in building a brand.

Event : The Brand Builders Series # 2
Date : November 21, 2007
Time : 7.00 pm
Venue : Carcosa Seri Negara ~ The Marquee
Taman Tasik Perdana, Persiaran Mahameru, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Main Speaker : Dato’Sri Shazalli Ramly ~ CEO of Celcom (M) Berhad
Presenter : Mr.Dixon Chew ~ Managing Director of Pensonic
Price : Member RM288/ Non member RM388
International set dinner included.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Branding Association of Malaysia secretariat office.
Executive Secretary : Ms. Shally Gan
Contact (o) : 03-7880 7010

Back to nature

It was quite a trip. This time I went to Sekeping Serendah for a night stay with my usual bunch of friends. Oscar was there too. During the journey to the place, we passes by a few orang asli villages. There are kids running up and down, old folks sitting by the front yard of their wooden house. It is actually kind of hard to believe there villages like this coz the nearest town Rawang is just a few minutes away. Anyway, we drove by the long winding and narrow road and finally reach the destination. The place was actually like a jungle. Once we got down, we actually could not find our place to stay. It was all covered up by the bushes and tall trees. There’s a small river stream too. A friend of mine then found the house as it was just a few meters away from us. We had booked 2 houses. They called it the glass shed. Why? It is because most of the material use to build is mainly just glasses and steel. It was nice house. There’s a place for BBQ, a living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom were upstairs. There is no TV, no air condition and not even phone reception. Ahh… really back to nature.

After unloading all stuff, we head for the pool to refresh ourselves. It was all to ourselves as we are the only one in the whole escape. Oscar had a wonderful time in the pool as all the uncles and aunties are willingly to play with him. It was my 1st time swimming and relaxing myself in the thick forest. We could here birds chirping and bugs buzzing around. Later on we even played mahjong. At about 6.30pm, we ended our game and head back to our house. My friends have started to burn the charcoal. We’re having BBQ for dinner. I quickly went to have a bath to help out. Oh ya.. the bathrooms were open concept. No roof at all. You lift up your head and you’ll see all trees and the sky above. My 1st time taking a bath and doing my “business” in a situation like this. Lets just hope there isn’t any spy cams… hahaha..

Throughout the night we enjoy the BBQ. We got lamb, chicken, fishes, cuttlefish etc etc. Drank beers and chatted the whole night. Then it rains but we continued to savour our food. As it was getting dark, all insects seem to be alive. Since it was raining, the insects came into our place for a shed. Mosquitoes were everywhere. Haha. The noises they make is quite amusing. Hee hee. We later on called it a night and hit the beds. The beds comes with the mosquitoes nets, so no worries.

Next day, woke up at 7++. Prepare breakfast while enjoying the nature. Then we went for a dip again in the pool and played mahjong again. Nothing much can be done there actually but to enjoy the nature. Checked out and went home. A trip to be remembered.

Quiting Smoking

Well well.. as of todate, it is already my 4th day without lighting up a stick of cigarette. Geng leh!! Well, it do have its so called "side effects" such as no motivation and kinda stress out. Does not feel right when you are free without a cigarette in your hand. What do you expect, I've been smoking for the past 10 years now. Now, everyday I go back... Tracy will ask the routine question "Have you been smoking today?" I replied "No" and she'll says "Good for you"....

Anyway, since its my 4th day, I came to realize that I don't have the urge like dying as what smokers quiting use to say. To me I think I smoke because I'm used to it. Its like a routine. How strange... But one thing for sure is that my appetite is better. Not that I eat much but more frequently. No wonder ppl says you'll get fat once you quit smoking.

Will I smoke again? Well... not at the meantime as I would like to see how far could I go. Social smoking is hard to say but will do my best. You guys out there don't influence me ok !!!

Now... do I get a present out of this guys?... hee hee... would sure like it in CASH !!!

Jimmy Choo

It was my great honour to meet up with Dato Prof. Jimmy Choo and learn from his success stories. For those who do not know him, he is the founder of the international shoe brand "Jimmy Choo" and he is a Malaysian. Just to mention a few of his clients are the late Princess Diana, Madonna, Beyonce, Naomi Campbell, Kylie Minogue, Elizabeth Hurley etc etc. How I wish my brand could be as famous as his.

errr...mmmm....

errrr.... nothing much...hee hee... I'm posting this just because Ban Twan ask me to post more wor... ask me to break his blog record??!??!...strange man he is... what to write wor... hahaha ... maybe i just post my great posture picture here along with him... hee hee

Merdeka Eve Dinner

It was the Merdeka Eve and since it is a holiday the next day, we decided to have a celebration dinner of our own. Yen Sin with his sweet wife Ping Ping and myself with my lovely wife Tracy. We went to Bon Ton Restaurant at Jalan Conlay. This restaurant serves nyonya cuisines. We went early cause we do not want to be stuck in a jam but to our surpirse, the traffic was smooth. I have earlier on made a reservation just to be on the safe side but came to know that the restaurant wasn't packed. The whole building is like a wooden barn and the interior is very nice. We were seated and then given the menu. The lists was not long, with just some starters, soups and main dish. There were also set dinner too. We ordered a jug of beer, 3 set dinners and 1 main dish. After our meal, we move over to the sofa area near the bar to continue our night. Later on, Kevin and Rachel gave me a call and I invited them to come over for drinks. At about 10.30pm, they arrived and we ordered more beers. The dinner was nice and we had a wonderful time together. At about 11.30pm, received another call. This time Butt called and we decided to head over to my house for 2nd round. Paid the bill of a total amount of RM370.00. At my house, we had red wine and some chips to go with. The party then ended at almost 3am.

Bar Area

Set Dinner

Dining Area

Kevin And Rachel

Lounge

A day in retail

Hai... what a boring day it is today. Two of my retail staff went MC and it means that I have to be in my retail shop the whole day. Not much patrons today, I wonder why. Even the streets have lesser people than usual. Usually I often stand in front of my shop having a cigarette while watching girls walk by. But it seems like today all the pretty gals went on protest not to show up. Hahaha. The whole day I just sat there reading newspapers. Then i decided to go online and write up some blog. Too free. Business nowadays are not so good. Most of the customers just walk in, stroll around the place and then went off. Even if they purchase goods also 1 - 2 items only. That makes me start to think how am I suppose to sustain the business if this goes on. Although my business main income is on wholesale but retail is the upfront money with better profit margins. Oh.. for those who don't know me, I sell chinese tea.

Tea culture in Malaysia are still not so famous yet. Only those elderly people drinks and appreciates chinese tea. As for those youngsters, it is either coffee or alcohol. They are willing to pay RM10 - RM20 for a drink. But when it comes to chinese tea, even RM5 also say expensive. All the while, people have the impression that China products are cheap and not worth it. Not to blame them as I sometimes also have not much faith in China made goods. Research says that tea is the 3rd best health beverage. But still people opt for coffee which carries more unhealthy elements. Come on lar you guys out there, go drink alcohol, coffee and also chinese tea lar. Now that's fair, like me. I like them all.. hee hee.

I think I should do something about this. Need a way to promote chinese tea in Malaysia. Maybe a chinese tea cafe will do the trick with a blast of advertisements. But the risk involve is on the high side. Needed to plan in much more detail. Support chinese tea, support me... hahahaha.

"Health in a cup"

Drink and Drunk

It was those time where we scratch our head and think of the future again. Day by day, times flew by and now I’m in my thirties. Another child of mine will be born soon. That means more trouble and responsibilities. With Oscar around, we’ll get tired often due to his hyper active characteristic. Now with an incoming, I dare not even think of it. Haha. Anyway, I got my lovely wife to share the burden with me. When I talk about Tracy, I often think to myself what a lucky guy I am. She is a good wife and mother. Ya, she sometimes do nag about me smoking and drinking too much but it is all for my own good sake. But we guys have the usual excuses of our own, we are under stress and needed to release tension. These arguments do happens so no worries. Haha.

Anyway, back to myself. Needed much more financial stability. Nowadays, everything has to do with $$$$. Day by day, my wife and I work the shit out of us and still we don’t have much savings. But one thing very strange is that we can save money for travel and entertainment everytime. Hahaha. I think most of you guys agree on this. Maybe we should cut down on entertainment and travel less. No more beers. I wonder how would life be? Anyway, we must sacrifice one or another.I remembered the days where we purchase a jug of beer shared by 5-6 people and we still get drunk. Now even a bottle of whisky won’t do the trick anymore. Come to think of it, we really drank our way till today. See the pictures below:-

This is what we have gone through in the past... there is a lot more...some are even XXX... so dare not post here...hee hee....So guys, Matta Fair is just around the corner, where are we going to for our next trip? Hee hee.

"Snacks"

Well, from the past trips to Cambodia and Thailand, we have saviour some local "snacks". Some are good some aren't. Do have the guts to taste it?

Yes... that is a frog second from left... Ah Pao ate it but it do not taste good. (Thailand)

This is a duck embrio. Feel kinda beast when we are trying it. But it taste just like egg but with a little soft bone though. (Cambodia)

Ah.. the best snacks. Crickets and tarantulas. Taste just like having chips. A must try. (Cambodia)

Ah Pao ate it all and loves it very much. You wanna know who this Ah Pao is? Request in the comment area and I'll post this freak image. Hahaha.

For more info and images of Cambodia, go to my friend blog at vtecklah.blogspot.com

A day trip...

After my trip to Thailand, my wife, Tracy then ask to go for a one day trip vacation with her family. Well, I thought to myself I should as she did not go with me on the previous trip. So off she plan and we agreed on going to Berjaya Hills, formerly known as Bukit Tinggi. Started the journey early at 9.30am. Met up with Tracy mom and sister at the Karak Toll plaza. Journey took us about 40 minutes. Our 1st stop was the Rabbit Park at Berjaya Hills. Paid RM3 for an adult and none for children below 3 years. My son Oscar and his cousin, Ying Ying had a great time playing with the rabbits. Chasing them and even holding them too. Brave huh… Was afraid of them getting bitten. There were donkeys and deers too in the area. Very smelly indeed but it dun seems to effect the kids. Hahaha. Then we went to the ‘famous’ French Village known as Clomar Tropicale. Nothing have change actually since I last visited except for a cover charge of RM16 per adult. Kinda expensive though. Not much people patronizing this place. But anyway, we had a stroll in the village, took some pictures and had a drink. The drinks are pretty expensive too. RM8.00 for a juice with mostly just ice cubes in it. Then that’s it, off to our next destination. Off we go to the Japanese Village. 1st time there myself so I was pretty excited. It was situated in a forest and we had to walk for about 10 minutes before reaching the tea houses. The walk up was refreshing. There is a pond with plenty of Koi fishes in it. The kids enjoy watching those fishes. It was very relaxing indeed. Upon reaching the tea house, we realize we need to pay RM20 for entering it and sample some tea. We did not enter though. Walk around in the forest enjoying the fresh air. It was already 1.30pm and we decided to head down for lunch. Lunch was nice. Had some fried noodles and durians too. After lunch, we head home and had a nap. Oscar had a great day and Tracy had a tiring day.

Days In Thailand

Ah...just back from our neighboring country Thailand and what a journey it was. But still, the trip to Cambodia is still the best. Was at Thailand for a week with a bunch of great friends. The same bunch always but this time without my wife Tracy. She was 4 months pregnant so we do not want to risk it. Anyway, the journey begins.....

18th July 2007, took airasia flight to Bangkok and within 2 hours, sawasdeekap...touch down... at the terminal, we wanted to take a bus to Khaosan Road where we have made accommodation earlier on but somehow we found out that taking a taxi meter is much cheaper. How strange is that. Reach the location and my gosh, not a bad place. The entire stretch of the road is pack with people from all countries. Plenty of stalls selling from t-shirts, accessories and even tattoos.

We then checked into our budget hotel and it was a clean room for me. The air-conditioned room has 3 single beds, a TV, a fridge and a bathroom. The room costs about 1080 baht (approximately RM108) per night. I’m sharing room with Butt and Ah Pao coz we’re the single ones. After throwing our baggage down, we head for our 1st meal in Bangkok. Food was so so to me but the beers are much cheaper compare to Malaysia. Even cigarettes are cheaper too. Now, that’s life to me… hahaha..

Lunch done and it’s shopping time. I’m actually not a shopper myself but I enjoyed it as there is much to see and bargain for. Oh yes, there’s plenty of massage parlors too ranging from 100 baht to 250 baht. Walk up and down the road and then sat down for some beers. Times flew by quickly as it was already 6pm. Went back to the hotel for a bath as the others went for massage. Later in the night we went to China Town for dinner. KP a friend of mine mentioned that the seafood is cheap here. We settle at a restaurant and order some oysters, shark fins soup and bird nest. The food was ok but we could hardly find the shark fins. The dinner costs us 1600 baht. We then walk along the Chinatown street and could only see restaurants selling the same food.

We then took off to Patpong, an area famous for its night market and of coz the A-Go-Go pole dancing girls. Now, beware as these ppl will try to persuade and even pull you into the pubs. We did not patronize any of them but I still manage to get a peek inside. Dozens of bikini gals dancing on the tables. Ah… if I were single….. just joking. We then head back to Khaosan Road and settle in a pub for beer. At 2am in the morning and the place is still pack with people. Especially those who is offering their services. Mostly they are lady boys, if you know what I mean. One of them did attack on Ah Pao. But right after he/she found out that we’re from Malaysia, it back off and search for another. I wonder why. End of the 1st day. 19th July 2007. Woke up, took breakfast and off we go touring the city. We went to the Grand palace and was trick by a man saying that shorts are not allowed to enter before 1am. He offered some trips along the famous Chaopraya River for sightseeing and we took it. Hop onto a boat and the tour begins. We saw houses, temples, houses and temples….. for an full long hour.. oh no… we’re cheated. Anyway, we then head to the palace again and then we saw the sign “do not trust strangers that offer boat trips”… too late for us now. But one thing for sure is that no short is allowed in the temple. But no worries, we could borrow long pants with a deposit. After all that we head back to Khaosan again for lunch and more shopping. Oh... Pei Zhi, Kp's girlfriend got lost. Woman sometimes gets too concerntrated in shopping. Kp at that time is more pissed than worried. hahaha. Luckily she is able to find her way back to the hotel. We went for massage too. The thai massage was great. They stretches you like there is no tomorrow. Oh yeah.. its fun though. Right after dinner, we pack our stuff to board a bus to a jeti and then a boat to Koh Samui. The journey on the bus starts at 9pm and took almost 9 hours to reach the pier/jeti. Could not sleep all night. Then we board a speed boat and that’s another 5 hours. Finally we arrive Koh Samui. 20th July 2007, 12pm, we quickly went to look for our stay… went to a few but to no avail.. its either too noisy, too dirty or not worth it.. Then we check into a resort at Chaweng Road . Though it was pricey but the rooms are okie with a private beach front. But mainly is the hunger that took over us. Walk along the stretch of Chaweng Road and decided on an Indian restaurant. The funny thing is, we all took the Thai menu and none Indian cuisine. Hahaha.. After the long and hectic journey there, we decided to fly to our next destination which is Phuket. So Butt, Pao and myself went to an internet shop and book the tickets. We even booked the accommodation in Phuket too. Then we stroll along the road and realize there is a lot of a branded boutique. So much for bargaining huh. After all that, we changed and off we go to the beach. Beach was nice with some pretty faces and bodies. Hee hee.. Dinner we had McDonalds. Then kaboom…it started to rains… that goes the nite. We bought some beers and went back to our rooms to drink.

21st July 2007, woke up early and check out. We then check into a budget hotel called the Mody Dick guesthouse as it was much cheaper. A lot pubs down the road. We then went for a snorkeling trip we had earlier made. Hop onto the boat and drop ourselves into the ocean. The water isn’t clear and the corals are not up to our expectation. We then head to the beach for kayaking. Well at least kayaking was fun. We did flip over and luckily we did not bring our cameras with us. Lunch was provided and it was actually not bad. We enjoyed the food. After that, we played and sun tanned on the beach. At 2pm, time to head back. The rest of the day was usual, walking here and there. After dinner, we had a drink below our budget hotel. Now… this area suddenly lights up with gals everywhere. Each pub had girls standing in front of the entrance asking passerby to enter. Music was loud. We played pool, chit chat, drink and gals watching. After all that we bought some drinks again and drank in our rooms. Oh yes, Vteck, another friend got drunk after a drink. He says that the drink might be spiked. Come on lar. He must have gone out while we're drinking in the room. Anyway, the music was veryloud, but I slept through it. Woke up at 5.30am and the party is still going on. Unbelievable.

22nd July 2007, check out and went to Koh Samui airport to head for Phuket. The airport was nice actually, the restrooms are air-conditioned but not the waiting and lobby area. How strange. Board the flight and within an hour we’re at Phuket airport. Since we had made rooms booking earlier on, we save much time. Now this is the best and most worth it stays of ours. Nice place with plenty of lush greenery and a swimming pool. Rooms were great. It’s called the K-Hotel. Check in and off we go touring the area. Oh yes, the area is called Patong Beach and the famous road is called Bangla Road. Tuk tuk was everywhere so no worries on transport. We walk to the beach and the scenery was nice. One thing is that Phuket has more Asian tourist then the other 2 stops we made. More shopping can be done here. There is also plenty of massage parlors here too. But the price is a bit higher compare to Bangkok. There are a lot of local people promoting the Muay Thay or so called the Thai Boxing. Wanted to go but after knowing the price, I gave up. It cost at least 1000 baht per ticket. Later in the night, it rains till late. We slept. 23rd July 2007, last day of the trip. We bought souveniers and relax ourselves the whole day. Went for massage too. Grab a couple of beers, went for a dip in the swimming pool.. what a life… since it was the last day, we decided to have a great dinner… we went to a fine dining restaurant for western food. Ordered some cocktails and enjoyed the nite till…kaboom… it rains again... not letting it interfere with our last night, we had a stroll under the rain.. hahaha… head back to the hotel and drank Shoju brought by a friend of mine Stella. Drank all and wanted more. Went to 7-11 to get more beers. Now the night is getting busy. A lot of ppl along the streets. Head back to hotel and drink more beers. After all those drinking, we went for a stroll on the famous Bangla road where it houses all pubs. Whoa… pretty faces here and there and yes…. there is also a lot of lady boys… at about 3am, we head back to catch some sleep. 24th July 2007, woke up unwillingly but it is the last few hours in Thailand. Pack our stuffs and off we go to the airport. Reach LCCT at 3.45pm.

Well.. There goes our trip in Thailand. Overall it was good but mainly on shopping, nite life, beers and sun. I prefer Khaosan road and then Phuket more to Koh Samui. We did not go to any tourist attraction this time. Maybe one day we’ll head back….

Next trip? Myammar? Vietnam? Bali?