My Long Hiatus from Blogging

Yes, it has unfortunately been too long since I have been away from my blog. To my readers, thousands of apologies. Busy with work, church and lotsa other stuff.

So what have I been up to? Well, early in the year, I was in an exciting final round interview with UBS bank for their Wealth Management Associate Program. Of the 1500 applicants, the attrition rate was 98% going into the final round! We had to sit for an online numerical and IQ test. Then go down in person to UBS for another numerical test. Then we were shortlisted for interviews. In the final round, UBS would place you in a mansion they rented and like the reality TV series 'Big Brother' or 'Temptation Island' or etc, you will have to fight it out in some tests 'reality' situational tests with the other applicants that are divided into 5 groups of 8. To cut the story short, I did not make it but lived to tell the story to my grandchild. Congrats to M.C. who made it out of our group!

Speaking of grandchild, I do not have any as of yet, but a child, well, kiddo is on the way. Coming our way in September to be exact. Excited? Stressed? Anticipation? Nah! In all honesty, moi does not know what to expect but to prepare for many sleepless nights. Thankfully, The Wife has had a decent pregnancy thus far. The only thing she is concerned about is wanting to have a natural delivery versus being cut up like prime meat in the butcher shop. Pork chops, anyone?

Just came back from a 1 night trip to Batam. Harris Resort may not have 5-star facilities, but they more than adequately make up in service. Picture this: Friends and I are playing water polo (the easy version of course. No one treads in the water here as water reaches to our waists. Besides, we ain't no pros!) and some time in the middle of the game, the hotel has someone deliver a platter of fruits served on skewers for our 'Half Time' refreshment! At no cost and without us requesting for it! We were just stunned at this simple gesture of initiative and generosity.

Or how about when we were being ferried by bus back to the hotel. They got another minivan along so that all 30 of us could have adequate space and comfort after a heavy meal. And the ride was only 1 min!

My friends, go to Harris Resort in Batam and you will not go wrong. Look for Stylianos, the fun and well loved greek General Manager of this resort. Mind you, he speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia.

Another new thing in my life -- a new car! Yes, we have decided to get the Hyundai Avante and trade-in our Toyota Vios. With this new car, I am breaking new ground in my life:

1) I am choosing a Hyundai! Had bad experience with Hyundai before and my impression of it has never been great till I saw and tested the Avante.

2) I decided on a Silver coloured car. Groan! Don't remind me. In the past, I used to complain about how Singaporeans can be so dull with their car's choice of colour. Singaporeans tend to be very safe when it comes to making decisions...even for their car's colour. My Vios was orange and my Hyundai will sadly be silver, a nice shade though (am scrapping the bottom of the barrel here, people). But why silver?

Black is cool but makes the car look small. White is nice but will have tough time cleaning and maintaining it. Dark Violet is nice but too common. Mountain Blue reminds me of my heritage (Hainan Blue). Red looks just wrong on this car.

Ma'am, I would like Continental Silver for the colour of my car.

They deliberately placed the word 'Continental' in front of the 'Silver' so as to appease my choice. "It's not just ANY silver you are choosing. It's 'Continental Silver'!"

Pray tell me what does the word 'Continental' describe when it comes to colours? 'Dark Silver', I can understand. 'Light Silver', I kapish. Even 'Pearl White' is fine with me.

How does 'Continental' describe a colour?

Interestingly, as I took stock of the things I have purchased or intend to purchase, my list looks something like this:


Car - Was Toyota (Japanese); Now Hyundai (Korean)
Mobile phone - Was Motorola (US); Now Samsung (Korean)
TV - Was Toshiba (Japanese); Now Samsung (Korean)
Home Sound System - Was Philips (Netherlands); Now Samsung (Korean)
DVD Camera - Samsung (Korean)
Bluetooth Earpiece - Samsung (Korean)


In all honesty, I never realised how Korean we have been until I made this list. Something has happened while we were all sleeping in the past 5 years!

1 more interesting fact --- At Harris Resort Batam, we saw signs in English, Bahasa and Korean. Not Japanese but Korean. In fact, the resort brochure lists a Japanese restaurant on their premises. I went to check it out. The signage says 'Japanese Restaurant' all right...but the menu and food are all in Korean.

The Japanese are not going to be too pleased.