Last few days I was in a KL hotel attending an Asia wide conference..and in a bid to spice up my presentation, I spent a few hours thrawling thru you tube to find funny videos.
I found this one...
And apparently after that dude did that on the show, it became a hit! Look at this!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sorry
It's been a while since I blogged.. and I have been getting many emails reprimanding me on why the sudden slowdown.. aiyo... normal la... busy.. but then again, that's not a good excuse...
Another reason why I have been holding back writing is because I guess the circle of folks reading this blog has indeed increased beyond my expectations. When I started writing this, I was quite a fed up consultant in a large consulting organisation (let's call it A).. so most of the folks reading my blog were folks from A.
Then when I moved, I went and joined organisation X. (haha.. you guys thought I would say "M", ya? Am I that predictable?). So then my circle of readers were both A and X.
Sometimes, when blogging, I may have said things that may have pissed off A, sometimes, X.. but more often than not, I have been careful of pissing off X, because they indeed pay my salary :)
And if you remember, there was a partner from A that invited me for talks to explore whether it made sense coming back to A. Honestly, I have restrained blogging that episode.. because I didn't want to send warning signals out to X.
But what the heck.. this is where I am. I think the thought of coming back has always been interesting. And I'll be quite honest, I do miss the work in A. Yeah yeah.. I bitched a lot abt the work, abt how clients treated us like crap.. but honestly, the work is interesting.
Where I am in X, yeah.. the work is interesting, but somehow, in my position doing a lot of virtual work, I find that at times, I need the face to face contact with clients, the thrill and excitement of pitting brains in a one on one discussion, the tense situation pitching something you know may not work in front of a client... haha... yeah.. I'm a sucker for pain..
So this thought has been lingering around for a while. And I think the partners in A sense this.. so they have been reaching out to me. Yeah.. I have had discussions.. serious discussions? So far, I think, things can only be described as "exploratory". I don't see it happening, honestly.
On one hand, I always thought the salary would be a stumbling block.. yeah.. I do enjoy a nice package in X, but I guess, I'm at a stage where a good career is probably something that needs more attention.
So, away with the salary.. what's the current issue? I think for me to come back, it needs to be a win win. When I left A, I felt that the firm marginalised kick ass executors like me. I still remember, project after project, bailing the firm out.. but when it comes to promotions, it's the guys who wine and dine the clients that get promoted.
And it's the same in X. Same thing.. so many projects have I executed, in fact, more in parallel compared with A, but it's the guys who just talk and talk that get all the glory. It's frustrating. I'm sometimes the brains behind a lot of ideas, but I have been in situations where my ideas get packaged into a nice ppt but somehow I don't ever get the recognition..
Anyway.. so back to the saga of "coming back to A". Like I said, it needs to be win win. Apparently the firm has now changed. I was told that they now value people like me who "execute". That's where the impasse is now... for me, the win win is for me to come back, I think it makes sense for me to come back at a certain level. I was a bit disappointed when I was told that even the firm A values executors, but to come back at a certain level, I would need to have demonstrated the art of selling. So what? Come back at the previous level where I left. Take a bet on selling a big project.. so this is where things are.. the art of selling.. does it make sense? And even if I did demonstrate it, all I want to do is to come back at a certain level, and just kick ass in projects. I don't really want to do any selling. I'm the best there is at what I do. And what I do isn't very nice (yeah.. I stole that line from a Wolverine comic - so sue me). This is why it looks unlikely of happening.
Does this all make sense? If it doesn't, it must be because of many weeks of not blogging. And I promise this won't happen too often any more :)
Another reason why I have been holding back writing is because I guess the circle of folks reading this blog has indeed increased beyond my expectations. When I started writing this, I was quite a fed up consultant in a large consulting organisation (let's call it A).. so most of the folks reading my blog were folks from A.
Then when I moved, I went and joined organisation X. (haha.. you guys thought I would say "M", ya? Am I that predictable?). So then my circle of readers were both A and X.
Sometimes, when blogging, I may have said things that may have pissed off A, sometimes, X.. but more often than not, I have been careful of pissing off X, because they indeed pay my salary :)
And if you remember, there was a partner from A that invited me for talks to explore whether it made sense coming back to A. Honestly, I have restrained blogging that episode.. because I didn't want to send warning signals out to X.
But what the heck.. this is where I am. I think the thought of coming back has always been interesting. And I'll be quite honest, I do miss the work in A. Yeah yeah.. I bitched a lot abt the work, abt how clients treated us like crap.. but honestly, the work is interesting.
Where I am in X, yeah.. the work is interesting, but somehow, in my position doing a lot of virtual work, I find that at times, I need the face to face contact with clients, the thrill and excitement of pitting brains in a one on one discussion, the tense situation pitching something you know may not work in front of a client... haha... yeah.. I'm a sucker for pain..
So this thought has been lingering around for a while. And I think the partners in A sense this.. so they have been reaching out to me. Yeah.. I have had discussions.. serious discussions? So far, I think, things can only be described as "exploratory". I don't see it happening, honestly.
On one hand, I always thought the salary would be a stumbling block.. yeah.. I do enjoy a nice package in X, but I guess, I'm at a stage where a good career is probably something that needs more attention.
So, away with the salary.. what's the current issue? I think for me to come back, it needs to be a win win. When I left A, I felt that the firm marginalised kick ass executors like me. I still remember, project after project, bailing the firm out.. but when it comes to promotions, it's the guys who wine and dine the clients that get promoted.
And it's the same in X. Same thing.. so many projects have I executed, in fact, more in parallel compared with A, but it's the guys who just talk and talk that get all the glory. It's frustrating. I'm sometimes the brains behind a lot of ideas, but I have been in situations where my ideas get packaged into a nice ppt but somehow I don't ever get the recognition..
Anyway.. so back to the saga of "coming back to A". Like I said, it needs to be win win. Apparently the firm has now changed. I was told that they now value people like me who "execute". That's where the impasse is now... for me, the win win is for me to come back, I think it makes sense for me to come back at a certain level. I was a bit disappointed when I was told that even the firm A values executors, but to come back at a certain level, I would need to have demonstrated the art of selling. So what? Come back at the previous level where I left. Take a bet on selling a big project.. so this is where things are.. the art of selling.. does it make sense? And even if I did demonstrate it, all I want to do is to come back at a certain level, and just kick ass in projects. I don't really want to do any selling. I'm the best there is at what I do. And what I do isn't very nice (yeah.. I stole that line from a Wolverine comic - so sue me). This is why it looks unlikely of happening.
Does this all make sense? If it doesn't, it must be because of many weeks of not blogging. And I promise this won't happen too often any more :)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Malacca Food Guide
I am bringing this old post to the top as I have some visitors from Mexico!
I have been asked many times "where to eat cendol, where to eat satay celup, where's the best chicken rice ball" in Malacca that I have decided to put this guide up.
Firstly, when you're in Malacca, lets start with the Stadhuys as a landmark. This is a historical site that the Dutch left behind and besically it is a set of red buildings.
Immediately opposite the Stadhuys fountain, there is a cendol stall set in a mangosteen like structure. That fella has been there for years man! Good old traditional cendol. If you want more keng chow cendol with thick slabs of durian paste, you have to maken your way to Tan Kim Hock instead. Ask around. There's one Tan Kim Hock in Jalan Bendahara. You cannot miss it.
Now once you're at the Stadhuys or at the cendol stall, just up ahead is the Malacca River and there's a small bridge going across the river. Go across this river. You can see OCBC bank on your left, and a coffee shop on your right.
That coffee shop has the best chicken rice ball in Malacca. Don't get fooled with all thesae Famosa Chicken Rice stalls.. these are the very commercialised chains sprouting around. That corner shop is the best. Very hard to get a place to sit! Each sitting, whack lah 8-10 balls!
Now, after eating your chicken rice ball, it's time to head towards Jalan Bunga Raya. Head down that street that you turned into for the Chicken rice ball, and head a few metres until the end. Turn right.
After you turn right, you'll hit another small bridge. Go up and down. A few metres later, there's a fork in the road. Head left into Jalan Bunga Raya.
Now in this Jalan Bunga Raya, after you turn in, near the middle of the stretch of the road, on the right hand side, is a little lane shown below. This lane is well known for 2 things. In the afternoon, there are a few char siew farn shops there. Any one is good :)
Then at night, there is a guy frying wok chien there. This guy is the original guy's son. The original fella, he fry until his head oso senget man!
Now, I'm gonna take you to a different side of town. This is near the neighbourhood that I grew up. Ujong Pasir!
Start at the Hotel Equatorial very near the Stadhuys. Ask Around. It's very easy to get to.
From the Equatorial, head towards Ujong Pasir.
Now, as you make your way on Jalan Ujong Pasir, there are 3 great food shops all beside each other on the left.
First up is the Newton Food Place. This has a variety of food items. You name it, it has it. Satay Chelup, Satay, BBQ chicken wings, noodles.. everything lah! The satay chelup there is great!
Next to it is OUB. Not the bank, but another food court. Like Newton, this has a variety of items too. Notable try outs here are
- the hey keow
- the ee pheng (this is the prawn or fish balls and fritters). The guy here is exceptional. Must eat early! By 8pm the fella habis oready!
- the mee siam! mm mmm
- the fried Indo Mie
Lastly, next to OUB is this place called Perakanan Place. Newly renovated, this has the best nonya laksa down south. Previously, this place looked like the dumps - delapilated building etc.. but still the laksa was the best. You can also buy nonya kueh there. Great stuff. Also, there is thong sui like ang tau chui. All sorts of great food in these 3 places!
Now that we have finished at these 3 places, wanna have some nyonya food? Ponteh Chicken? Ikan Masak Asam? Top Hats? Lemme show you the inner depths of Ujong Pasir!
Head straight down the road after OUB.. there's a fork on the road, turn left into Jalan Bukit Senjuang.
Now head down Jalan Bukit Senjuang and keep your eyes peeled to the right. There's a small lane BEFORE the traffic lights. That lane is Lorong Bukit Senjuang. Turn right into that lane.
When you're on Lorong Bukit Senjuang, follow that winding road, then turn left at the end. You are now back at Jalan Ujong Pasir
Drive along Jalan Ujong Pasir till almost reaching Jalan Padang Temu. On your left is a row of shophouses and first up is Aunty Lee's - a nice baba nonya restaurant.
Opposite Aunty Lee's, you can see diagonally a lane where busses go in (sometimes the Malacca Town Bus Service goes in there). In the mornings, there's a guy with a cleft lip frying kick ass chai tau kueh there. Best chai tau kueh down south and some say KL!
After eating all that nonya food and chai tau kueh, lets try something different.
Head in the opposite direction on Jalan Ujong Pasir. Go straight right till the end, and you will see a fork on the road. Turn left into Jalan Melaka Raya
After turning left into Jalan Melaka Raya, keep right. There's another fork on the road. Turn right.
Once you are on this road, head straight for say abt 600ms, keep your eyes peeled to the right. You will see this Yong Peng Fish Ball shop. This guy makes his own fish ball and it's like the Chow Sing Chee movie: God of Kitchen with the pissing beef ball. Once you bite into this fish ball, it explodes out port pieces inside! Steam! The laksa there is also good.
Now for my last cool Malacca food item, let me take you to find pineapple tarts! This is a little tricky.
Start at the Stadhuys. Go up that little bridge crossing Malacca River with the Chicken Rice Ball shop on the right. This time, turn left.
Follow the road until you see Jalan Hang Lekir on your right. Turn into that road.
It's a short road that will bring you to the main Jonker Walk Road. Now Jalan Hang Lekir is like Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong or Bangsar with a lot of pubs at nite. At the end of Jalan Hang Lekir, with the Geographer's cafe at your right, turn right.
Go on this main road and quickly turn left on Jalan Hang Lekiu. Then immediately left again. Go straight and you will go past the famous Cheng Hoon Teng temple.
A few metres away from the temple, on the left, is a home made pineapple tarts shop. It's great!
I have been asked many times "where to eat cendol, where to eat satay celup, where's the best chicken rice ball" in Malacca that I have decided to put this guide up.
Firstly, when you're in Malacca, lets start with the Stadhuys as a landmark. This is a historical site that the Dutch left behind and besically it is a set of red buildings.
Immediately opposite the Stadhuys fountain, there is a cendol stall set in a mangosteen like structure. That fella has been there for years man! Good old traditional cendol. If you want more keng chow cendol with thick slabs of durian paste, you have to maken your way to Tan Kim Hock instead. Ask around. There's one Tan Kim Hock in Jalan Bendahara. You cannot miss it.
Now once you're at the Stadhuys or at the cendol stall, just up ahead is the Malacca River and there's a small bridge going across the river. Go across this river. You can see OCBC bank on your left, and a coffee shop on your right.
That coffee shop has the best chicken rice ball in Malacca. Don't get fooled with all thesae Famosa Chicken Rice stalls.. these are the very commercialised chains sprouting around. That corner shop is the best. Very hard to get a place to sit! Each sitting, whack lah 8-10 balls!
Now, after eating your chicken rice ball, it's time to head towards Jalan Bunga Raya. Head down that street that you turned into for the Chicken rice ball, and head a few metres until the end. Turn right.
After you turn right, you'll hit another small bridge. Go up and down. A few metres later, there's a fork in the road. Head left into Jalan Bunga Raya.
Now in this Jalan Bunga Raya, after you turn in, near the middle of the stretch of the road, on the right hand side, is a little lane shown below. This lane is well known for 2 things. In the afternoon, there are a few char siew farn shops there. Any one is good :)
Then at night, there is a guy frying wok chien there. This guy is the original guy's son. The original fella, he fry until his head oso senget man!
Now, I'm gonna take you to a different side of town. This is near the neighbourhood that I grew up. Ujong Pasir!
Start at the Hotel Equatorial very near the Stadhuys. Ask Around. It's very easy to get to.
From the Equatorial, head towards Ujong Pasir.
Now, as you make your way on Jalan Ujong Pasir, there are 3 great food shops all beside each other on the left.
First up is the Newton Food Place. This has a variety of food items. You name it, it has it. Satay Chelup, Satay, BBQ chicken wings, noodles.. everything lah! The satay chelup there is great!
Next to it is OUB. Not the bank, but another food court. Like Newton, this has a variety of items too. Notable try outs here are
- the hey keow
- the ee pheng (this is the prawn or fish balls and fritters). The guy here is exceptional. Must eat early! By 8pm the fella habis oready!
- the mee siam! mm mmm
- the fried Indo Mie
Lastly, next to OUB is this place called Perakanan Place. Newly renovated, this has the best nonya laksa down south. Previously, this place looked like the dumps - delapilated building etc.. but still the laksa was the best. You can also buy nonya kueh there. Great stuff. Also, there is thong sui like ang tau chui. All sorts of great food in these 3 places!
Now that we have finished at these 3 places, wanna have some nyonya food? Ponteh Chicken? Ikan Masak Asam? Top Hats? Lemme show you the inner depths of Ujong Pasir!
Head straight down the road after OUB.. there's a fork on the road, turn left into Jalan Bukit Senjuang.
Now head down Jalan Bukit Senjuang and keep your eyes peeled to the right. There's a small lane BEFORE the traffic lights. That lane is Lorong Bukit Senjuang. Turn right into that lane.
When you're on Lorong Bukit Senjuang, follow that winding road, then turn left at the end. You are now back at Jalan Ujong Pasir
Drive along Jalan Ujong Pasir till almost reaching Jalan Padang Temu. On your left is a row of shophouses and first up is Aunty Lee's - a nice baba nonya restaurant.
Opposite Aunty Lee's, you can see diagonally a lane where busses go in (sometimes the Malacca Town Bus Service goes in there). In the mornings, there's a guy with a cleft lip frying kick ass chai tau kueh there. Best chai tau kueh down south and some say KL!
After eating all that nonya food and chai tau kueh, lets try something different.
Head in the opposite direction on Jalan Ujong Pasir. Go straight right till the end, and you will see a fork on the road. Turn left into Jalan Melaka Raya
After turning left into Jalan Melaka Raya, keep right. There's another fork on the road. Turn right.
Once you are on this road, head straight for say abt 600ms, keep your eyes peeled to the right. You will see this Yong Peng Fish Ball shop. This guy makes his own fish ball and it's like the Chow Sing Chee movie: God of Kitchen with the pissing beef ball. Once you bite into this fish ball, it explodes out port pieces inside! Steam! The laksa there is also good.
Now for my last cool Malacca food item, let me take you to find pineapple tarts! This is a little tricky.
Start at the Stadhuys. Go up that little bridge crossing Malacca River with the Chicken Rice Ball shop on the right. This time, turn left.
Follow the road until you see Jalan Hang Lekir on your right. Turn into that road.
It's a short road that will bring you to the main Jonker Walk Road. Now Jalan Hang Lekir is like Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong or Bangsar with a lot of pubs at nite. At the end of Jalan Hang Lekir, with the Geographer's cafe at your right, turn right.
Go on this main road and quickly turn left on Jalan Hang Lekiu. Then immediately left again. Go straight and you will go past the famous Cheng Hoon Teng temple.
A few metres away from the temple, on the left, is a home made pineapple tarts shop. It's great!
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