Zodiac 2009 (Part 11 of 12 - Dog)

狗Dog Born in: 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006

Personality
Honest , faithful and possessing deep loyalty and responsibility. Can be magnanimous and prosperous, yet also guarded and defensive, never really relaxed despite outer calm. She has a glib tongue, practical and realistic. The Dog is also trustworthy and generous to people and has a deep sense of justice.

This maybe the most likable sign of all in the Chinese cycle. A person born in the year of the Dog is honest, intelligent and straightforward. He has a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice and fair play. A dog native is usually animated and attractive and will exude sex appeal. Generally amiable and unpretentious, he will know how to get along with others as he is not too demanding. The egalitarian dog likes to meet others halfway, is always willing to listen to reason and can be counted on to do his share.

For a friend, you must know that whenever you are in trouble, all you have to do is dial D-O-G. For no matter how much he or she complains, scolds, feign indifference, the Dog person cannot ignore a real call for help. At times, the dog protects the interests of others more avidly than his own. The Dog often sticks to his object of affection no matter how unworthy the person is. You don't find a dog leaving home just because he discovers that his master has the proverbial feet of clay. He makes allowances for such frailties and will probably stick it out thick or thin.

The Dog likes: Routine, Challenges, Friends, Presents, Travel, Food, Play and Nature
The Dog dislikes: Mistreatment, Fakes, Discomfort, Rudeness, Dishonesty, Hunger and Anger

Compatible Animals: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse

Your Luck In Year 2009
Overall Forecast
Many lucky stars favour you this year. Nonetheless there also appear dark forces at work to undermine your successes. Thus, walk your path with caution, mindfulness and wisdom. Keep to your business and avoid all sorts of gossiping. Never dabble with extra-marital affairs. Be on constant preparation for the uncertain,as it will be a tremendous challenge for you. Face it with a positive mindset.

A favourable year to acquire properties or to move house. Tame internal conflicts in anticipation of challenges due to clinching of business deals. Improve your relations with others. Beware of sexual and business plots against you.

Career
A very smooth and favourable year for career and work progress. Increase in business volume, coupled with your creativity and ingenuity, results in speedy advancement in career. Be mindful of your words and where teasing should be done with awareness of how the others will feel. Else you will be ostracized. Maintain a good relation with your superior.

Love
A very favourable affinity with the opposite gender can sparks romance. Singles should get to know each other better once they found a target. Couples blissfully enjoy each other’s company yet there are vile persons interfering. Avoid one night stand, as they will cause you much sorrow and trouble.

Wealth
Wealth star shines high and the vault opens with welcoming hand. There is investment gains and good wealth inflow. Grab the chance to purchase properties or to start a business. Be vigilant with regard to your finances and do not be greedy with gambling luck. Caution against robbers and thieves by keeping valuables out of sight. Secure your home well.

Health
Reduce intake of alcohol. A neutral health constitution requires adequate exercise. Caution against danger cause by lust; exercise your discretion. Take note of blood pressure and rheumatism problems. Keep yourself warm and do not climb high.

Others:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster

Coming Up Next:
Pig

(From Geomancy Hut)

Buy fake cigarettes... You Are Actually Sucking In Faeces

To all my dear friends who always buy contraband cigarettes (from dealers or Gey***g) just to save a few dollars, please STOP after reading this, as it is really GROSS!!!
----------------------------------------------
If you have smoked contraband cigarettes, chances are you have sucked in a whole lot of disgusting stuff, including human faeces.

Such cheap smokes, bought off peddlers, have been found to contain 'extra ingredients' which also include dead flies and insect eggs.

One in five contraband cigarettes is likely to be a fake, made with various materials other than tobacco, said trade investigators with the International Chamber of Commerce's Counterfeit Intelligence Bureau (CIB).

Much of it can be harmful.

The CIB report found that 'fake smokes can contain five times the level of cadmium, six times as much lead, 160 per cent more tar and 133 per cent more carbon monoxide'.

The report also found sand, wood and mould in fake cigarettes.

The more contraband cigarettes are sold in Singapore, the higher the chances of smokers inhaling dangerous materials.

Such cigarettes, said the CIB, were even more dangerous than the legal cancer-causing kind.

Street pedlars have been selling such contraband cigarettes in places such as Yew Tee and Geylang.

Why resort to mixing fake cigarettes with the contraband ones? To hedge against a loss in revenue from stepped-up raids by the authorities.

Said Mr Cecil Leong, international trade consultant for Customs consulting firm Bryan Cave International: 'Since a few years ago, it has been estimated that one out of five contraband cigarettes smoked here is a fake.'

Mr Leong, 38, advises foreign governments on issues like taxation. The effects of cigarette smuggling is one of his key areas.

He noted that contraband cigarettes could have captured half the market if not for tough enforcement by Singapore authorities.

About a fifth of the sticks sold here are estimated to be smuggled.

In Singapore, where between 1.8 and 2 billion sticks are sold annually, a 20 per cent loss in revenue to cigarette smugglers is substantial, said Mr Tony Toh, corporate affairs manager for Japan Tobacco International (Singapore).

Said Mr Toh: 'Five years ago, counterfeit cigarettes were the majority in the local black market.

'Today, fake cigarettes have been overtaken by those whose duties are unpaid. Rather than paying $5 for a fake, consumers prefer to pay the same amount for smuggled genuine, duty-unpaid cigarettes.

'Unfortunately, you don't always know what you're paying for. I have come across dried grass in fake cigarettes. They simply have no quality control.'

While they may look the same, fake smokes carry bigger health risks.

In 2007, the International Chamber of Commerce's Counterfeit Intelligence Bureau (CIB) reported that counterfeit smokes were more harmful than ordinary, legal cigarettes.

The good news is that Singapore Customs has not come across any illegal cigarettes with the SDPC (Singapore Duty-Paid Cigarette) marking.

Nonetheless, a spokesman said the Customs will monitor 'the situation closely and review enforcement tactics accordingly should the situation change'.

In the last four months, more than 2,500 buyers (of contraband cigarettes) have been booked and fined at least $500 a packet, said the spokesman.

To further paralyse counterfeit operations, cigarette companies like Philip Morris Singapore have a dedicated Brand Integrity Group.

Said its spokesman Ong Soo Chuan: 'The group develops specific strategies and actions against the production, transportation and distribution of smuggled and counterfeit products.'

Philip Morris frequently shares intelligence and its insights on the illicit trade situation with the authorities, added Mr Ong.

Singapore remains an attractive market for smugglers.

Added Mr Toh: 'Singapore is a small market but the high tax and high retail price of cigarettes allow syndicates to make a larger margin, particularly if they sell fakes.'

A 20-stick packet of contraband cigarettes costs about $5, while a premium packet sold by licensed retailers costs $11.60.

A common practice used to gauge the spread of contraband cigarettes involves 'empty pack' or 'litter' surveys, where empty cigarette packs are collected from public trash bins.

Said Mr Toh: 'From the samples gathered, tobacco companies are able to determine the numbers of fake, non-local genuine, and local genuine empty cigarette packs.'

Alternatively, Mr Leong said: 'You could tell them apart by doing a tobacco leaf analysis.'

To the untrained eye, it is difficult to spot a fake.

The New Paper on Sunday conducted a test with a pack of fake cigarettes and found that even those who work for the tobacco industry could not tell the difference.

They could not differentiate the fake from the original boxes of cigarettes we presented to them.

But the issue was quickly resolved when a UV scanner was used to pick out 'covert markers' on the genuine pack.

Added Mr Leong: 'Only if you're a long-time smoker (of a certain brand of cigarettes) would you be able to taste the difference.'

Visual signs on a fake packet of cigarettes may include loosely-packed tobacco, poor packaging and dull printing.

The best indication of a fake? Just like fake branded handbags, if the cigarettes are too cheap, they are likely to be fakes.

(Original story from asiaone)

Careless Father

OMFG, this father is so careless to leave his daughter on his motorcycle alone! Not sure if this is in Malaysia or Indonesia....

Parents, please do not attempt this with your motorcycle!

Singapore Politicians Are The Highest Paid In The World

Do you know?

PM Lee Hsien Loong earns SGD$4.5million annually.

That is:
- 6 TIMES MORE than Barack Obama
- 9 TIMES MORE than Britain's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown
- 12 TIMES MORE than Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd

(Please correct me if I am wrong because I cannot guarantee the above statistics are 100% accurate)

5 Minutes Management Course

Read this from a circulated email and thought this is really interesting to share with everyone.

This is the second time I read this so I am sure some of you might have already read this before somewhere.

Valuable lessons, so no harm reading a few more times!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour.

Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'

'It was Bob the next door neighbour,' she replies.

'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'

Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift.

She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.

After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story:

If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'

'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world..'

Puff! She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'

Puff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.

The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'

Moral of the story:

Always let your boss have the first say.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesson 4:

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesson 5:

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough str ength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:

Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesson 6:

A little bird was flying south for the winter.. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:

(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend..

(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

(Source unkonwn, if you are the source, please contact me to credit you.)

Peach Garden @ OCBC Centre

One of my staff, Irene treated me to lunch at Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant that day.

Its on the 33rd floor of the OCBC Centre at Chulia Street and I must say the decor of the restaurant is sleek and fine. What better place to have lunch than Peach Garden when you can have a good view of the CBD while eating your "Xiao Long Bao"?

There are many window seats available but its only available upon request during booking, and its not guaranted due to demand.

Our menu was pre-printed since we had booked the set lunch menu in advance. Our set is SGD$58+++ per person.
(Click to enlarge)

Sweet chilli

Nice cold appetiser - beancurb, peanuts, ikan bilis and long beans

Of course I cannot have a decent chinese meal without my chilli padi in soya sauce.

Crysanthemun Tea (excluded from the set lunch)

Deep Fried Bean Curb Box stuffed with Wild Mushroom accompanied with Sliced Roast Duck.

The roast duck here is really good, two slices were really not enough for me.


Sauteed Prawns in Asparagus in XO Sauce.

The prawns were nicely seasoned with the XO Sauce and chilli and the asparagus were heavenly. I never knew asparagus taste so good until this dish came along.

Pan Fried Venison with Fresh Button Mushroom

The Venison taste was too strong for me, I didn't really enjoy this dish, I think beef could have been a better choice as an alternative.

Fried Rice with Shrimps and Anchovies.

Pretty normal, like any Tze Char stalls.

Chilled Jelly Royale with Julienne of Coconut.

A very big name for this dessert but it simply is just some jelly and coconut in some sweet syrub soup, a tad too sweet.

I forgot to take picture of the Sharks Fin but it isn't too good anyway so the picture can be missed.

Overall, the meal was so-so and seriously not worth $58+++ per person as the serving was small (suitable for small eaters).

Would only recommend this place if you want to discuss business since they have a magnificent view of the CBD area and very conducive for discussion, but for friend's gathering, stick to your Crystal Jade. Similar, if not better food, with lower prices.

Still prefer Imperial Herbal and Sinchi TCafe at Vivocity for Chinese cuisine!

Lucky there was this cute little boy to entertain us, to divert our attention from their slow service. The interval between each dish was approximately 10mins.

Go only if you are a small-eater and have a lot of cash to spare.

St James Peppermint Park with Samantha and Estee

Met up Samantha and Estee for Curry Fish Head at Station Kitchen, followed by a couple of drinks at Peppermint Park. After a while, we got bored, and proceeded to Firefly. Was a great night out!

Love you both!

Zodiac 2009 (Part 10 of 12 - Rooster)

This happens to be my personal zodiac.

Words in blue means its accurate for me, in my opinion.

Looks like a generally pretty good year for me ahead!

------------------------------------------------------------

雞Rooster Born in: 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005

Personality
Dramatic but a reputable person who works systematically. Hardworking, resourceful, talented and confident. Vivacious and popular socially, but may have a tendency to brag insensitively. Outspoken and loves to attract attention. Always take good care of their family and can handle money well.

The Rooster, or Chicken as he is called, is the Don Quixote of the Chinese cycle. The dauntless hero who must look to the earth to survive, he is the most misunderstood and eccentric of all the signs. outwardly, he is the epitome of self-assurance and aggression, but at heart he could be conservative and old-fashioned.

The Rooster-born, especially the men, will be attractive, even dashingly handsome. The princely fowl is radiant and proud of his fine feathers and has an impressive carriage. You don't find any roosters slouching; they strut about with dignity. Even the shyest member of the Rooster family will cut a neat, trim figure and maintain a special bearing wherever he goes.

There are two distinct type of Roosters. The rapid-firing, extremely talkative ones and the deadly solemn observer types with the X-ray vision. both are equally hard to deal with. The Rooster has many outstanding qualities to crow about. He is sharp, neat, precise, organized, decisive, upright, alert, and most direct. He can also be critical to the point of brutality. Don't ever ask him his frank, candid opinion--you may never recover from his comments.

He loves to argue and debate, showing how knowledgeable and smart he is, some- times with little regard of the feelings of others. But when his feathers are ruffled in return, he is insufferable. He isn't cut out to be a diplomat. Situations regarding tact, delicacy and discretion will cramp his style. His way is to go about trying to convert everyone to his way of thinking with a missionary zeal. He shines when he is the center of attraction.

Tremendously imposing as a personality, he could well pursue any career that exposes him to the public eye.

The Rooster likes: Hard works, Fresh Air, Neat but Casual, Challenges, Nature and Control.
The Rooster dislikes: Laziness, Weakness, Technology, Illness, Practical Jokes and politics.

Compatible Animals: Dragon, Snake, Ox

Your Luck In Year 2009
Overall Forecast
Wealth vault opens widely, which provides you with great wealth luck. Nonetheless, be wary of potential lawsuits and conflicts. You feel energetic and ready to seize opportunities to strike hard. Perform to your best so that you can gain your superior’s good evaluation and trust.

Those doing business can hope for predictable results and can push forward for expansions. Students with diligence can also excel among others. Take note of home safety. Do not speed. Purchase properties if possible.

Career
An auspicious situation coupled with streaks of danger. Have caution amid the good fortune. There is ideal progress for your career and work luck. Business deals and relation with others are sweet; a good harvest of reputation and money. Working persons enjoy abundant flow of productive creative juices, leading to great performance and promotion chances or overseas assignments. Female born in 1945 should not miss the boat. -> I am looking forward to all these!

Love
Roosters are very faithful when it comes to romance. But there is no breakthrough in romance luck this year because of severe mood and emotional disturbance. Thus, be more tolerant and affectionate to your companion. Pave a path of common goal and future. Married couples could go for a rejuvenating vacation.

Wealth
A terrific wealth and colourful year. But it is accompanied by streaks of danger too. Thus, it is clear that ill-gotten wealth has to be avoided. Caution against deceit by vile persons as well as any causes of potential lawsuits. Guard your great flow of regular income and windfall luck from thieves and robbers. Invest wisely.

Health
Rooster has always been very mindful of their health concerns. But do not be complacent when it comes to home safety. Even when the body is strong and energetic, it can succumb to fatigue from overdrive. So take adequate rest and exercise.

Others:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey

Coming Up Next:
Dog

(From Geomancy Hut)