Outing-Miyun(密云）

Saturday, evening, I flew back from Tokyo.
Sunday morning, I was out, to Miyun, about 2 hours driving with my colleagues, suppose to be a team building, but since 2 colleagues could not make it, hence it was changed to friendly outing.
Nice place, green, and since it was cloudy (it rained later in the afternoon), the air was extremely fresh(I am monitoring the air quality everyday, since my arrival in Beijing city).
The final destination is to reach this place called Yunfengshan（云峰山），and here, it is full of historical temples, more than 1000 years old, and the park is extremely beautiful. Coincidentally, there is also a Taiwanese Hakka restaurant here, and we had our vegetarian Hakka food. I would not say the best, but quite nice and tasty.
Take a look at some of the pictures for your proper comprehension.











The Hakka Restaurant


I like this type of picked fruit, and I bought a 2 bottles of it, and also two bottles of honey, which I think is also very good (not enough time to take any pictures).



One of the oldest temple, more than 1000 years old.




Choong, Beijing

Wesak Day

Among all the holidays in Malaysian, how could I missed out in sending this posting? Gomen nasai.
I am glad that I managed to finish reading this book written by Karen Armstrong- Buddha. It is a good book, and well explained about Gotama Buddha, and a detailed description on Nibbana. I like this book, and managed to finish this just before Wesak day celebration.
If those of my friends, esp. Buddhists, please get a copy of this book and read it, to make you understand more about Buddhism.







Thanks.

Choong, Beijing

In Tokyo-Updated (31 May 2010

Well, I am about to check out soon from hotel. In Tokyo Metropolitan hotel, and it is next to Tokyo Station. This morning, I went for my jogging, around the Imperial Palace, and I made one whole round, jogging without any stop. Weather is quite nice and cooling, so, it was good to jog around. OK for now, and I am getting ready to airport. Oh yeah, I will share with you a type of Swiss role I have taken, the macha Swiss role, which costs JY 950, but it super delicious. The brand name is Arinco, and u can get this opposite Daimaru in Tokyo Station.



For this green-tea swiss role, you have to keep this cold, between 1-10 degree C, and the best is when it is cold. I brought this back to hotel room, and with the matcha latte (from a local cafe, though I still prefer from Starbucks), and gosh, the swiss role tasted fantastic. The smell, hard to describe here, but full of those green tea aroma. And the cream, the mouth feel is incredible. Tasted like ice-cream, yet not greasy. fantastic buy, but too big for me to consume all, and brought this to be shared with Goh and other friends later, in a German bar.

And met up with Goh later at Simbashi, and the cake did not taste that good anymore, as the dry ice the shop has provided earlier, has fully melted, nevertheless, still taste acceptable.
During this outing, the whole group of people are of Chinese origin. Two ladies from China (one from SHanghai, the other one from Shenyang), the guy is from S'pore and Goh and myself, of course from the same country...


Picture of us dining out at a German bar, with German beer, next to Simbashi station.

And because Goh came late, and I was quite hungry already, hence, need to find something to eat, while waiting but could not be too far away from the station, hence the economical noodles...



The noodle on cost around JY 350, but not something I wanted initially. I wanted the the one with tempura prawns, but since I need to buy the meal from a ticket machine and not knowing how to cancel the order, and took my money, I have to order this vegetable tempura type (others are too big portion and too much for my consumption). Anyway, it tasted good.....!

Have a nice weekend.

Choong, Tokyo

I Like This Photo

This was taken during my last trip to Seoul, and visited a temple, a Buddhist temple, in Kangnam area. This coincided with Wesak Day or Buddha's Birthday, hence you see a lot of lanterns hanging around the temple vicinity. Please take a look, I like this picture a lot, the background is very nice and like in a dreamland.....


Choong, Beijing.

Dr. Goh Keng Swee

Just read about his passing away. Only read something about him before, and how much he has contributed to what S'pore has today.
An article copied from Din Merican's blogsite.

Dr. Goh Keng Swee died recently after leading a life full of achievements for Singapore. Often regarded as the father of Jurong, Dr. Goh is a man of integrity with an awesome intellect. He was also a marvellous Singaporean.

The following quotation reflects the qualities of this selfless man, ever so humble and simple.

“Because I think my effectiveness depends on whether I can make a contribution in terms of analysing a problem and telling them that these are the priorities or that is the way of doing it, or whatever. If they accept it, and they find me useful, okay, I carry on. If after some time they say, ‘Look, what you are saying is absolute rubbish,’ then you just hang up your gloves and call it a day.” – Dr Goh Keng Swee (1982)

Lychee Or Strawberry?

Got a taste of this 'big' lychee, looks like rambutan size or big strawberries. Understood from friend, this comes from Hainan island, and is airfreighted. RMB 38/Kg.
It is tasty, delicious, sweet, and yummy, the best lychee I have tried so far. Normally, I do not lychee that much cause I am worried of the level of pesticides they used. But for this, the risk is worth taking, ehmmmmmmm.


Choong, Beijing

theglamorousjerry.blogspot.com

http://theglamorousjerry.blogspot.com

Please follow the link, for this second blogsite, happy reading........
And a nice weekend.


Choong, Beijing

MaafKan Diriku

I think this song is from the 80s, when I was in secondary school. It was sung by Ms. Elaine Kang, and ok, finally I found the MTV from Youtube, and will paste this song here.
It is also one of my all time favorites. If you understand Malay language, listen carefully. Nice and meaningful.




Choong, Beijing

News From Me

Dear dear, I have not been updating for too long, close to 10 days. One reason is busy, another reason is availability of internet service to access my blog (again, because of firewall issue), hence I cannot write as and when I want it.
Presently in Shanghai, and will be going to Japan next week I suppose. And looking forward to Malaysia soon, dad's 1st year memorial service soon (arhhhhh, so fast, and dad had left this world close to one year. I hope I can find some time to write about this later, next month, just to recall a bit of him).

Too many things to write, but no time to come out with separate article for topics I want to write.
first, Happy mothers' day to all mothers la, Nancy, Mary, Joyce, Ivy, Poh Jen, Mrs. Tan.

And then, seeing how our politics backhome, then on Sibu election, and then the global financial crisis all around. WHo can imagine these two strong economies, USA and EU have this type of problem and now starting to tighten their belts now, and exchange rate drops like nobody business for now.
Oh dear, what happens to the world now.

By the way, in Shanghai now, and expo mood is every where. for a while I though I was in S'pore, because there were many greens, plants and flowers everywhere. Nice, but too crowded.


Choong, Shanghai.

Ah Mei's Concert In TAIPEI

One of the most fantastic concert, it took more than 3.5 hours in total.
You know, she did not even miss out any single word from her lyrics as the big screen facing audiences were showing the lyric for each song, hence you can check her out any time. I do not see any time at all, as I have been monitoring this.
And her stage performance is superb.

It all comes with a price:
1) Saturday morning flew there, ticket cost more than RMB 3800
2) Taxi- Two ways, TWD- 1900
3) Shopping again, though minimal
4) Concert ticket, may be around TWD 2400.

Important point is, I was very much entertained and happy.


Choong

Hello Again.....

I have not been posting too many articles, one thing is being too busy, too many travelings, the second and I think most important reason is because of not having accessibility to blogspot.com from home, I think due to some firewall issue.

Ok, some pictures to say again......from Kamihira-San and Fumi-San's visit.

Flowers, May Day, Friends

Spring will be ending soon, as Spring in Beijing is rather short, though I wish it could be longer. Last few days, it is close to 30 degree Celcius, and today, because it rains, it is cooler now.
As I went out with my friend, Kamahira-San (already known each other close to 12 years) who was visiting the last two days with his wife, Fumi-San, I managed to snap some pictures, of course, flowers and would like to share with you guys. Actually, have not been writing for quite sometime, since I cannot access blogsite from home, hence I have to find the time when I am in office (through company server) or out of the country, only then I would be able to do that. To cut it short, here are some photos to share. Enjoy...................














Choong, Beijing

Penang-Another First???

As a Penangite, I am free to know and hear this, though I am not sure what will be spoken in this corner, and whether Penangites would be using this platform fully to serve the interest of Penang and helping Penang to improve further. But that is a wish and when this opportunity is given, we should be thankful.


I copied this article from Malaysia Today, hope this is fine, in case it is not, I will delete this. But I think it is worthwhile to share with friends reading my blogsite.

The Speakers’ Corner fulfills the aspirations of empowering the people by encouraging citizens to exercise their constitutional rights under Article 10 (1)(a) of the Federal Constitution of freedom of speech and expression and Article 10 (1)(b) where all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably.

1. I wish to thank all of you for being here to witness the historic launching ceremony of the first Speakers’ Corner in Malaysia today. This auspicious day marks an important history in George Town’s colorful chapter of political change since March 2008 where the Speakers’ Corner represents the platform of democracy for all Malaysians, the aspirations to enjoy the right to freedom of expression and the hopes of all Malaysians for a civil society.

2. With the Speakers’ Corner, the rakyat will have the opportunity to express their views and opinions freely whilst ensuring that their rights are being protected. Speakers’ Corner should be an avenue to allow the citizens and individuals to have gatherings and candle vigil peaceful demonstrations, press conference, various other forms of peaceful and artistic forms of expression and to demonstrate their citizens’ rights.

3. It is time for Penang to show the rest of Malaysia that the thrust of participatory democracy is alive and well in this state and it embraces the value of freedom and human rights. Let’s not consider the Speakers’ Corner as just another platform like Hyde Park in London but an important milestone for democracy and free speech in Penang and Malaysia.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

4. Penang PR’s people-centric state government is based on 3E’s of Empowering the people, Enriching the rakyat and Enabling the people. The Speakers’ Corner fulfills the aspirations of empowering the people by encouraging citizens to exercise their constitutional rights under Article 10 (1)(a) of the Federal Constitution of freedom of speech and expression and Article 10 (1)(b) where all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably.

5. Penang State Government entrust the citizens of Penang will make use of this Speakers’ Corner responsibly to demonstrate their views, exercise their rights by giving them the voice to speak. They should be mindful that the police can take action because the police have said that they are unable to provide any legal immunity from prosecution. I wish to urge the police to exercise judicious discretion and allow views to be freely expressed.

6. The Speakers’ Corner may result in unfair criticisms, including of the state government. I believe that we are all mature enough to listen to different views and allow people the freedom to express them freely. We hope this will give us the most important freedom of all, which is the freedom from fear.

7. I have always said that a good government must do three things: listen to the people, do the people’s work and give hope to the people. The Speakers’ Corner serves as a catalyst to the growing spirit of democracy throughout Penang and the willingness of the state government to listen to the people to be a good government.

8. As Voltaire was reputed to have said on free speech, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. Last but not least, I wish to thank the Police, the Local Authority and the NGOs that have worked together to establish a Speakers’ Corner in George Town.

LIM GUAN ENG