Trip to Kota Tinggi

Last weekend, i went to Kota Tinggi with some friends. Have not been there for a very long time, since i was very young. Not much memory of that place except for the waterfall. It was a fun trip and we went to see fireflies, waterfall and enjoy nature.

We stayed at the Kota Rainforest Resort which is nestled beside a reserved tropical rainforest. The resort has 40 fully furnished, self contained, air conditioned one bedroom chalets, set in a quiet tropical location. It's simple and basic, no tv, no hairdryer, no amenities. But well, the place is suppose to take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. So that explains why. It also has a swimming pool which i went to have a dip in the water.

Our traditional styled chalets has been designed to capture the romance of the topics and the spendor of a bygone era. The unique handcrafted wooden design is a haven for discerning travelers who want to get back to basics. It appeals to the oversea visitor who is seeking a genuine tropical experience, personalised service and value for money. The serenity of the tropical surroundings blends well with its custom-made timber furniture.






I thought this is pretty creative. For the washroom, instead of the usual signs that say Male/Female, they use King/Queen instead.



Things u'll see during the hike aka nature walk. The weather was super hot. I understand that it was 36degree. No wonder i was starting to feel unwell due to the heat.





For the fireflies boat tour, it cruised along the kota tinggi river. Too bad ... can't take any pictures because it's super dark. All i can take is the back of the passengers. Everyone had to wear a life-jacket before boarding the boat for an hour tour. The fireflies, yeah ... it's a beautiful sight but to me, it's just shimmering curtain of lights. Very much like the lights which you see on Christmas tree. I've always wanted to see fireflies and yeap, finally ... i get to see it. Was it what i expected? Yeah .. kind of.



The Kota Tinggi Waterfall is 36 meters high, and is located at the base of the 634 meter high Gunung Muntahak mountain. Personally, i don't think it is fanatstic but it's a must see, must visit if it's the first time for you in Kota Tinggi. We enjoyed playing with the cool river water.

Farewell to May

Some of my colleagues and me threw a farewell dinner for May this evening at an Austrian restaurant called Wiener Kaffeehaus. The resturant was recommended by Chua whose pub, 'Breathless'is just next door. The ambience is quite cosy and casual and what i like is that the place is decorated with Viennese flavours. I was surprised to see my favourite piece of painting there. It's "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt. I have a similar piece (though less elaborate and colourful)which i bought in Australia many years back during my student days. I still have it hanging on the wall in my bedroom.

The Kiss (1908) is probably Gustav Klimt's most famous work. It evokes the timelessness,and union of selves that a kiss can engender. I remember it was my friend, Carrie who told me that this was a popular piece when she came down to Melbourne many years back.



The restaurant is set in an Art Nouveau style, serving authentic Austrian dishes. For coffee lovers, one of the highlight is that the coffee is roasted within the cafe. What's interesting is that your coffee will arrive on a silver platter accompanied by a small glass of water with a spoon over it.

So what did we order?

Caesar Salad


Chicken Wings - marinated in the Austrian style


Cordon Bleu
Thin slices of veal stuffed with cheese and ham and then sauteed to a golden color. It is served with buttered parsley potato and a small mixed salad.



Dienstag/Faschierte Laibchen in Semmel
Juicy beef burger with melted cheese, sauteed onion and potato wedges



Some beef stew dish which none of us can pronounce the name but it's actually quite tasty.



and many more mains, desserts and drinks.



Do check this out. Price is reasonable.

Wiener Kaffeehaus is @ 148 Neil Road. Open daily from 10am to 10pm.

A Fruitful Day

Am on leave today (off in-lieu)and ran many errands. It must have been one of the most fruitful day for me and feels abit like CNY visitation.

Went to visit Baby Damien & had lunch with Sharon followed by Cecilia's place to pick up some winter wear and see some of her europe pic. Thereafter, went out dinner with my family and went to meet Jan & Cheryl at their place before going over to Jo's place to pick up stuff.

Quite an accomplishment today as i went to 4 different homes and spend time with friends. Even during the festive season, i never had to do so many visitation.

What A Friday

I had too much things on my mind today. I reached home only to realise that i left my wallet and mobile in the office. Just so unlucky! Had to make my way back to the office to get my stuff. No choice .. i need my wallet and mobile as i will be going to Malaysia tomm and will be on leave on monday.

Think i've too tired too as i've been sleeping really late this week. Hope this doesn't happen to me again.

Moving On ....

My house was filled with lots of fun and laughter yesterday evening with lots of familiar faces and voices that filled the air. It doesn't seem too long ago when everyone was gathered at my place to celebrate Christmas together. It was just last year.



It was an unforgettable nite of celebration as 3 cgs competed against eachother with their cooking skills. The food was really good and impressive. I love the appetiser which Joel's group did and the lovely sangria which Cecilia mixed. It was the most elaborate 'home-cooked' aka 'restuarant standard' buffet spread which i ever had. The memories were still so vivid in my mind. But at a blink of an eye, 10 months have passed.

These 10 months have seen many things happening. The most obvious is the baby boom which the unit had. We have so many cute and lovable babies now.



Little Ms Charlotte in her pretty purple dress


Hey! Check it out ... i look really cool rite? (photo from Jeff's photo album)


Mr Sean Yong becoming more and more handsome looking each day


Mabel with Jadyn





Last Christmas, i still remember Edna who tried to join all the aunties and uncles in carolling but it ended up being Siren-Night for her, rather than Silent-Nite. We all had a good laugh when she went around saying ee-orrr ee-orrr ee-orrr. It was quite hillarious but that added the festive cheer. I remember Jo & Dorcas were also heavily pregnant at that time. Oh ..It was also the first time when Jimmy brought his girlfriend over too. It was an unforgettable nite of fun!

Last nite was like what Alvin said, a nite of celebration for many things. We celebrated Cheryl Q & Doris's birthday, the birth of an additional cg to be led by Jan & Cheryl (aka restructuring) and yours truly transferring to WAM Media cg.

What's a party without food rite? A real spread. I think it's more than a ten course dinner.





Shepherd Pie made by me.


Curry In A Bread aka Jin Zhen Tou by Nic & Jo


Otah by Tze Hau & Huizhen


Fruit Salad prepared by Soo Guan & Karen


Home-made sushi by David & Lee


Ngor Hiang by Dave & Lisan


Salad prepared by Jan & Cheryl


Combo Dish by Alan & Chayanid


Roast chicken by Auntie Fionna


Gyoza by Alvin & Cheryl


Filippino-Style Chicken made by Elgar


Fried Mee Hoon & Kueh Pie Tee by Jeff & Doris. Thanks to Doris who prepared it even though she was unwell that day.




Donuts by Mabel


That's alot of food right? I think so too. Like what Elgar said, it's to remember what we ate, who cooked what and just in case anyone gets stomach upset, we've got the evidence. Just jokking. But so far, so good. Nothing happened. The food was delicious.

What's birthday without birthday cakes rite? Lynette ordered 2 very nice cakes. One is from 7th Manna and the other from Tiramisutra. My personal favourite is the one from Tiramisutra.

The birthday gals - Doris & Cheryl


Cake from 7th Manna


This is from Tiramisutra






Was it an easy or tough decision for me? Well .. a combination! Tough at times because all my pals and friends whom we have been together for a long time are all in the unit. It's a great family to me. But on the otherhand, it would seem to be an easy one sometimes for obvious reasons. But one thing for sure, it was something which i had thought it through & prayed about it over a period of time. Seeking God for his directions and hearing from him, gee ... besides faith, it calls for lots of patience. Not easy but when u hear from him and know that it's the right thing and way, it's all worth the wait.

I remember just last week, i told a friend that i felt as if i was getting married .. moving on to a new family. No kiddin. Yeah .. i'll probably find time to come back to visit my 'family' and 'siblings' whenever i can. Ha ha!

As mentioned, thanks to all for being part of my life and really, family members to me. When i first told Mab that i have finally made my decision to change group, i told her that i am going to miss the babies alot. And she went ... only the babies? How about the rest of the people. Yes! I'll definedly miss everyone too. The familiar voices, faces, encouragement, prayers, support, makan sessions and ... jokes too.

There's lots of precious memories which are really dear to me but well, the memories will not end here. We'll create many more beautiful memories down the road, especially when we are all walking along the same route. One unforgettable memory is definedly the failed surprise birthday party which we had for our Ms Chery Q. That was totally hillarious.

And well like what some of u said, hopefully in the very near future, i'll make a home-coming soon (back to family group). That would be a bigger party i suppose? Ha ha!

To:
David & Lisan
A very special couple and friend that means alot to me. Miss the many coffee sessions that we had in the past and wish we could have that more often. But i suppose it's really not the quantity but quality that counts.

Lisan: My very first friend in Hope whom i met on christmas eve 2007. Hey .. to think of it, this means that we have known eachother for 10 years in 1.5mths time. Wow! Amazing as to how time flies. Really treasure this friendship that we have.

Dave: Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers all these years.

You guys have been a great pillar of support for me especially in my journey with God.

Alvin & Cheryl
First of all, thanks for opening up your home for cg. You have certainly made ýour home' óur home'. Thanks for all your love, care and support for everyone in the group. And especially to Alvin, there are many tough times for u but yet, you were always there for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. U guys have really set an example to me as to what it means to serve, and be ready to serve at all times.

Cheryl: As mentioned on sat, you have really set a good example to all of us ladies as to what it is to be a leader, a friend, a wife and a mother. Good Job! Well Done! And hey Alvin, you're a really lucky guy.

Alvin: Thanks for all your support and sacrifices. I'll never forget the time when you rushed back to Singapore from KL for cg. U just put your luggage down and led discussion. Wow .. really appreciate it.

Jan & Cheryl
Cheryl: A very special and unique person who has played a very important role in my life. She may be quiet and seems to be in her own world at times but when she speaks, her words of wisdom and advice weighs alot. We may not meet or talk to each other as much as before but i know that you are always there for me. Any time, any day and despite the distance even. You've imparted great spiritual knowledge and guidance to me and has helped me moved on to a higher spiritual journey with God each day. Also thank you for helping me understand, explore and cope with my spritual battles and discover more about God. And yes, i really enjoyed all the seminars which i went with Jan and u. Learnt alot and yeah, i should make it an attempt to check out the dates and start attending it again.

Jan: My heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the tremendous support and guidance especially when MJ was in a critical condition. If not for u (and of course God and everyone else), i am not sure if Mabel and MJ would have taken the step to accept the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives at that time. Thanks for your continued prayers, encouragement and helping us cope with the situation. Thanks for holding our hands through the crisis.

Nic & Jo
A couple whom i would really love to have the opportunity to work or serve together again in greater capacity.

Nic: Always enjoyed listening to what you say (perhaps it has something to do with your ex-profession in the media line and what you were trained in). Very clear and precise illustrations and explantaions be it in God's word or even jokes? Ha ha. Thanks for always lending your help and support. Appreciate it! I know there may be many times when the world seems to weigh a ton on u but what really impresses me is the dependence which you have on God. Always trusting and telling yourself to hear from God for directions and decision-making.

Jo: My 'school-friend' whom i never met in school before. Ha ha! Did i tell you that i tried to search for your photo in the school diary when Lisan mentioned that we were from the same school. I flipped through the pages countless times only to realise that you were not in the photo because you were absent during class photo-taking day. Ha ha! Someone whom u can count on. A very dependable and supportive person. U take baby steps at times in terms of spiritual responsibilities but you also ensure that u do it at your best at each level. I love your creativity and enjoyed especially the times when you chaired the sessions. It was really fun and unique. And yes, i really love the very creative handmade Xmas gifts which u gave. Very precious! And yes .. like what Jan told you before, i love to see u in your motherly role too.

To be continued!

Butter Factory

Yeah ... the name is really interesting rite?

No no! It's not a factory that literally produces butter but well, The Butter Factory is chic crib for lovers of hip-hop. I was there this afternoon to check out the place as a possible venue for my company's Xmas party in Decemeber. And just like what i expected, not a single 'butter' was in sight. But i was joking with my colleagues that we can possibly consider giving away butter as door gifts though. Just kidding!

Located along Robertson Quay (just a stone’s throw from Gallery Hotel), the medium-sized club spins an expansive range of hip-hop sounds, from the choicest old-school hip-hop and R&B classics to global anthems. Opened in March this year, the 1,220 sq m floor space is split into a main dance hall and a chill-out Art Bar that plays a mixture of indie, electro and house.

The Art Bar



The interior décor is quite cool. The dance floor looks like a swimming pool with details like a diving board, steel railings and mosaic tiles to resemble water. And the walls are engulfed by character-based illustrations.

Can't really see clearly as it's abit dark inside.



In actuality, the club is part of a ‘Design Warriors’ project and provides its space as an art gallery for local and foreign graphic designers, artists, illustrators and cartoonists. This place is quite cool and i just love the funky cartoons everywhere in this club.












Too bad i'm not going to use this venue as it is not easy to find, especially if you are not familiar with Robertson Quay. I think most of my guests will be lost and half the time, calling us for directions.

As for the name 'Butter Factory', well, i guess it means being well-liked and smooth (just like butter).