Friday, December 7, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
China-made pork products taken off the shelves
MADE-IN-CHINA canned pork products have practically vanished from shop shelves here.
Supermarkets are down to their last few cans of China-made luncheon meat, stewed pig trotters and minced pork.
'What you see is what's left,' said an NTUC FairPrice spokesman, adding that its warehouse was 'completely dry'.
Other supermarket chains like Giant and Cold Storage reported the same shortage. All said that they were having trouble replenishing the stocks.
Distributors The Straits Times spoke to said the problem started in August, when the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) rejected and destroyed a consignment of canned pork products from two food processing plants in China.
It had found traces of Nitrofurans, a banned antibiotic, which are fed to pigs to treat illnesses.
The AVA suspended all imports from these two factories, which produced the two most popular brands here, Maling and Gulong.
An AVA spokesman said on Wednesday: 'Even though the levels of antibiotic found were very low, we believe in taking no chances. Food safety is of paramount importance.'
He added that previous imports of these brands and products from other brands had passed safety checks: this means that consumers do not have to throw out any cans they may have stored in the larder.
China has had a wave of bad press recently over food scares. Excessive antibiotic or pesticide residues have previously led to bans in Europe and Japan on shrimp, honey and other products.
Distributors of canned pork here say that they have not been able to import the other lesser known brands from the six factories that are still in AVA's good books.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
8 Lies of a Mother
I was born as a son of a poor family.
Even for eating, we often got lack of food.
Whenever the time for eating, mother often gave me her portion of rice.
While she was removing her rice into my bowl, she would say
"Eat this rice, son. I'm not hungry". - That was Mother's First Lie

2. When I was getting to grow up,
the persevering mother gave her spare time for fishing in a river near our house,
she hoped that from the fishes she got,
she could gave me a little bit nutritious food for my growth.
After fishing, she would cook the fishes to be a fresh fish soup, which raised my appetite.
While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat the rest meat of fish,
which was still on the bone of the fish I ate.
My heart was touched when I saw it.
I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her.
But she immediately refused it and said
"Eat this fish, son. I don't really like fish." - That was Mother's Second Lie.

3. Then, when I was in Junior High School,
to fund my study,
mother went to an economic enterprise to
bring some used-matches boxes that would be stuck in.
It gave her some money for covering our needs.
As the winter came, I woke up from my sleep and
looked at my mother who was still awoke,
supported by a little candlelight and within her erseverance
she continued the work of sticking some used-matches box.
I said, "Mother, go to sleep, it's late, tomorrow morning you still have to go for work. "
Mother smiled and said
"Go to sleep, dear. I'm not tired." - That was Mother's Third Lie.

4. At the time of final term,
mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me.
While the daytime was coming and the heat of the sun was starting to shine,
the strong and persevering mother waited for me
under the heat of the sun's shine for several hours.
As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished,
mother immediately welcomed me and
poured me a glass of tea that she had prepared before in a cold bottle.
The very thick tea was not as thick as my mother's love,
which was much thicker.
Seeing my mother covering with perspiration,
I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too.
Mother said
"Drink, son. I'm not thirsty!". - That was Mother's Fourth Lie.

5. After the death of my father because of illness,
my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent.
By held on her former job,
she had to fund our needs alone.
Our family's life was more complicated.
No days without sufferance.
Seeing our family's condition that was getting worse,
there was a nice uncle who lived near my house came to help us,
either in a big problem and a small problem.
Our other neighbors who lived next to us saw that our family's life was so unfortunate,
they often advised my mother to marry again.
But mother, who was stubborn, didn't care to their advice, she said
"I don't need love." - That was Mother's Fifth Lie.

6. After I had finished my study and then got a job,
it was the time for my old mother to retire.
But she didn't want to;
she was sincere to go to the marketplace every morning,
just to sell some vegetable for fulfilling her needs.
I, who worked in the other city,
often sent her some money to help her in fulfilling her needs,
but she was stubborn for not accepting the money.
She even sent the money back to me. She said
"I have enough money." - That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

7.After graduated from Bachelor Degree,
I then continued my study to Master Degree.
I took the degree, which was funded by a company through a scholarship program,
from a famous University in America.
I finally worked in the company.
Within a quite high salary,
I intended to take my mother to enjoy her life in America.
But my lovely mother didn't want to bother her son,
she said to me
"I'm not used to." - That was Mother's Seventh Lie.

8. After entering her old age, mother got a flank cancer and had to be hospitalized.
I, who lived in miles away and across the ocean,
directly went home to visit my dearest mother. She lie down in weakness on her bed after having an operation.
Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me in deep yearn.
She tried to spread her smile on her face;
even it looked so stiff because of the disease she held out.
It was clear enough to see how the disease broke my mother's body,
thus she looked so weak and thin.
I stared at my mother within tears flowing on my face.
My heart was hurt, so hurt, seeing my mother on that condition.
But mother, with her strength, said
"Don't cry, my dear. I'm not in pain." - That was Mother's Eight Lie.

Monday, November 12, 2007
jumong ost-shi jian ba kei wang le
My 7-year old is trying to learn to sing this son. Yap, he watch Jumong with us. All 81 episodes and he's especially interested in all the fighting scene. Is that healthy? LOL!!!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Jokes to Brighten a Tiring Day
这一家人有六个儿子。
一郎,二郎,三郎,四郎,五郎和六郎。
请问谁最受欢迎? <br>
答案:五郎。
因为每个人来时都问:“wu lang (五郎) di bo ?? (highlight to see answer)

姓马和姓牛在谈恋爱。。。
姓马的说:我爱你!
姓牛的说:我也爱你。。
姓马的说:那我可以吻你吗?
姓牛的说:不可以。。。
姓马的说:这为什么??
姓牛羞涩的说:因为牛头不对马嘴嘛。。。

警察在海边抓到一个偷补龙虾的男子, 准备依法予以罚款惩戒…
男子:「你说啥?我犯什么法?这两只龙虾是我的宠物,我是带牠们出来散步!」
警察:「懒的听你在胡说!」
男子:「真的啦,大人!牠们超爱冲到海里游泳的,只要我一吹口哨,就会游回来!」
警察:「这我倒要瞧瞧了~」
于是男子把手上两只龙虾抛到海浪里…
警察:「好,我看你怎么把你的宠物龙虾叫回来。」
男子:「啊?龙虾?什么龙虾?」
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
“养儿防老”的心酸案例
● 刘从炎
《联合早报·交流站》刊登有关“养儿防老”的文章,令我感触颇深。 其实这时代应该是“养女防老”。
我们家唯一的孩子大学将毕业时,有一天对我们说,他深知父母疼爱他,结婚后会同父母同住,陪伴父母终老,以报答父母的养育之恩。
结婚后,他同妻子买了最靠近岳父、岳母的组屋。于是,岳父母每天都到他们的家,晚上才回家睡觉。
我们偶尔上门看儿子,他犹豫了一阵之后才开门; 进去后,他的岳父母非常不悦, 态度恶劣,但我们还是始终以礼相待。
儿子偶尔来电问候两句, 偶尔偷偷跑回来看望父母,便匆匆离去。
当我们因迎来第一个孙子而老怀欣慰时, 儿子来电说,他的妻子叫我们以后都不可以去他们的家, 只有当我们俩生日,一家人在外用餐, 他们才会带孩子给我们看。
虽然儿子认为我们有探望儿孙的权利, 但他的妻子坚持不允许。 最后我提出,我们两老每月一次在走廊上探望儿孙, 不进屋里,但她还是坚持不肯。 她不要我们妨碍他们的生活。
最后,儿子向我们表白,不是他不孝, 而是他的妻子、岳父和岳母蛮不讲理。
每当剧烈争吵之后,他的妻子一哭, 他也会哭起来。 他说他不愿意毁去他的家,所以只好妥协, 请求我们体谅他。
听了儿子的心声,我们的心很痛, 我们了解他的无奈。
仔细考虑,我们两老已六十多岁, 健康又不好,还能活几年? 但儿子的人生路还漫长, 而且现在年轻人组织家庭不容易, 残酷的现实要他作出抉择, 我们只好默默接受。
但是,为什么会有人如此自私、残忍, 把伤害两个老人不当一回事!
从此,我常泪眼朦胧,夜不能眠, 在被窝里偷偷哭泣;更不敢外出, 以免看到人家的儿孙时,想起自己的情况。
This is my view:
Although this is only 1 side of the story, I strongly feel that no matter what, one should not prevent one spouse from visiting their parents. We have NO RIGHT to make such demands.
I have to agree that every family has their own set of problem. Something must have happened to make the family so separated. Something had caused the relationship to deterioted to such state. But ... if the son is truly filial, he shouldn't let the situation progress to this state.
The son - He should have stand firm on his belief. He is too weak. No back-bones. He can't be called a man. He's worst than an animal. I feel that he's using the wife as an excuse. If he truly loves his parents, will he let his wife treats his parents like that?
The daughter-in-law - Regardless of what happened between her and her in-law, she has NO RIGHT to prevent her husband to see/visit his own parents. No right at all.The world is round. Whatever goes around comes around. 人在做, 天在看。Retribution. Beware of Retribution.
Today, Radio 1003 DJ Wen Hong read this on the radio.
《当我老了》
——写给孩子的一封信
当我老了,不再是原来的我。
请理解我,对我有一点耐心。
当我把菜汤洒到自己的衣服上时,
当我忘记怎样系鞋带时,
请想一想当初我是如何手把手地教你。
当我一遍又一遍地重复你早已听腻的话语,
请耐心地听我说,不要打断我。
你从小的时候,我不得不重复那个讲过千百遍的故事,
直到你进入梦乡。
当我需要你帮我洗澡时,请不要责备我。
还记得小时候我千方百计哄你洗澡的情形吗?
当我对新科技和新事物不知所措时,请不要嘲笑我。
想一想当初我怎样耐心地回答你的每一个“为什么”。
当我由于双脚疲劳而无法行走时,
请伸出你年轻有力的手搀扶我。
就像你小时候学习走路时,我扶你那样。
当我忽然忘记我们谈话的主题,请给我一些时间让我回想。
其实对我来说,谈论什么并不重要,
只要你能在一旁听我说,我就很满足。
当你看着老去的我,请不要悲伤。
理解我,支持我,就像你刚开始
学习如何生活时我对你那样。
当初我引导你走上人生的路,
如今请陪我走完最后的路。
给我你的爱和耐心,我会报以感激的微笑。
这微笑中凝结着我对你无限的爱。
文章择选自墨西哥《数字家庭》2004年11月号
This is really sad. Have we progress to a state where we need to be reminded to be filial, to love our parents? Really Sad.
Here's the english version. A Parent's Wish.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
What's Your Decision?
女友经常会问:我和你老妈同时掉在了水里先救谁呢 ? 让我们来看看古人是怎么做的...
孟子: 从小死了老爸,老妈拉扯我不容易,为了让我健康成长,又搬了三次的家,给我吃好的穿好的为得就是让我有 出息。老妈和老婆落水当然先救老妈了,万恶淫为首,百善孝为先嘛!老婆死了我可以再找一个,老妈死了可不能再 找一个,再找一个那就是後妈了。听说後妈没几个好的。
——————「世上只有妈妈好,没妈的孩子像根草。老妈,我来救你了」。扑通一声孟子跳下 了水。
周幽王: 老婆和老妈落水了当然得先救老婆了。想当年俺为了逗亲爱的褒姒笑一笑,连江山都不要了,连自己的小命都 不要了,何况是老妈?再说这死老太婆在立太子的时侯老是偏向俺弟弟,害得俺差点都没当成太子。
————「情深深雨蒙蒙,我对你的爱很深,褒姒我来救你了。」周幽王扑通一声跳进了水里。
刘备: 兄弟如手足,老婆如衣服,衣服破尚可补,手足断安可续?只要俺二弟和三弟没掉水里就行了,其它人俺可不 管他。
—————「老婆,老妈。你们死的好惨呀!」刘备一头栽在河边上嚎嚎大哭起来。
曹操: 宁叫我负天下人,休叫天下人负我。管它是老婆还是老妈了,只要不是我掉水里就行了。
—————「轻轻的我走了,正如我轻轻的来,我挥一挥手,不带走一片云彩。」曹操哼著诗提著剑慢慢的走 远了。
屈原: 这个世界太黑暗了,这个国家太腐败了,活著也没啥意思,不如都死了乾净,沧浪之水清兮,可以濯吾缨,沧 浪之水浊兮,可以濯吾足。投身于河水中倒是一个挺好的归宿。
--------「现在的一片天,是肮脏的一片天,星星在文明的天空里再也看不见老婆,老妈,我和你们一起死」屈原一边唱著 一边跳进了水里。
庄子: 生又何欢,死又何哀?其始而本无生;非徒无生也,而本无形;非徒无形也。 老妈和老婆死了就死好了,不过是从有形的元气状态回到了无形的元气状态,有啥好伤心的呢?救他们干啥呢 ?谁都不救啦!
—————「对面的女孩看过来,看过来,看过来。」庄子分开著双腿像簸箕一样坐著,手中拿著一个瓦缶, 边敲边唱,看著老婆和老妈慢慢地淹没在水中,满脸快快乐乐的样子。
和砷: 老婆和老妈落水就落水吧,反正我爱的是钱,钱就是我的老婆,钱就是我的亲妈。 我说老婆和老妈呀,你们就不能穿差一点的衣服再掉到河里呀,可惜了你们头上的那些金钗手饰 呀!
-----------「有啥你别有病,没啥你别没钱。」和呻一边看著他老婆和老妈慢慢地沉下去一边叹息著。
王勃: 手心手背都是肉,老婆是自己最爱的人,老妈是自己最亲的人,怎么办呢?不管它,先跳下去,看看离谁最近 就先救谁吧。
王勃扑通一声跳了下去。
---------「不好,我忘了自己不会游泳了。」王勃咕噜噜地喝了几口水,也慢慢地沉了下去。一代才子王勃就是因为此事溺 水而死的。
孙悟空: 俺是从石头缝里蹦出来的,没有老妈。所以不存在老妈落水的问题;俺是个和尚,没有老婆。所以不存在老婆 落水的问题。
不存在老妈落水的问题,也不存在老婆落水的问题,就更不会存在老妈和老婆同时落水的问题。 这白痴的问题也不知道是哪个猪头想出来的,简直比俺师弟猪八戒还蠢
Monday, October 8, 2007
Just 3 Words
Price: SGD 2099.00
Price: SGD 1349.00
EOS 400D Kit II (EFS 17-85 f/4 - 5.6)
Price: SGD 1999.00
Information can be found here.
Or should I go for a Sony?

DSLR-A100
DT18-200mm F3.5-6.3
with a one-lens combo that does it all - zoom from 18 to 200mm.
Price: SGD$1,898
More information can be found HERE.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
阿幼朵 - 太阳鼓 (Sun Drum)
Bought a few CD from China Singers. Don't know their name. But love the way they sing in Chinese. Clear and Sharp.
Ching, what do you think of this one?