New Blog Name

I wasn't happy with my recent changed new blog name, from tzeemeng.blogspot.com to espresso-break.blogspot.com. I don't have the "feel" about the name. Initially, I wanted the name "coffee-break" but it had been taken by somebody. In fact, I tried other favorite name searches but not available. I Google those blogsite but many are not active. It is kind of frustrated to see all these in-active blogsites occupying some wonderful name.

 

In Cantonese, it called "阻止地球转" !!  (literally translation is "stopping the earth turning", it means blocking others to use the good things)

 

Today, I decided to change my blog name again...

 

I called it colordotinlife.blogspot.com ... It makes up words - color dot in life.

 

For me, our life have many phases or moments, all these moments can be symbolized into little dots... some are happy dots, some are not so happy dots. Dots that have vibrant colors symbolize happiness, excitement etc but dots with darker one will be the opposite way. Whatever is it, let color our life with vibrant color dots as many as possible.

 

Journaling in this blog is like recording my life's moment ... I hope I can record some of the life "thingi" that give good memories.

 

One day, when my strength is fallen and grow old, I believe what I wrote in this blog  over a period of ling time, will become a treasure of life that give many memories ... Even when I am not there, my grand children also can come and find out a little bit of what their grandpa doing in life....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relax, think and refocus

Lately, I have made a number of mistake by sending out email with wrong date. What's wrong with me.... sometime it is kind of frustrated when an email sent out but be reminded by the fellow colleague about the error in date.

Malu-la!!

It is outright careless and is unacceptable for my level to make this kind of simple mistake.

I guess, I have to double, triple or quadruple check .... 

It is embarrassing !!!

Hai~

I think I need a cup of coffee to relax myself.

Sometime, working life is very hectic and stressful. We are rushing to complete our works. But along the way, we lost focus and make mistake. Somehow, we are not focusing in the right thing, or rather the important thing. We only focus in urgent matter but neglected the important matter.

So, I have to tell myself to relax, drink a cup of coffee and refocus on the right thing. We need to think first before we start doing ....

A good manager do the thing right

A good leader do the right thing ....

Relax .... think and refocus!!!

My Birthday Wish

Woo.. It is good to see google set up the google default page with a personalized Google word made up by birthday cakes and link to my google+ with birthday greeting. It has a personal touch and very "human" way that we are not dealing with just computer codes.

With the development of social network app, such as facebook and google+, we can reconnect back with many long lost friends now. It is great that we can communicate with them through the cyber world. We can share our life and photo with them. Occasion such as birthday, just a reminder has help us to remember greeting our friends.

At my facebook, I have been receiving many birthday greetings from my friends. I would like to thank all of them for their birthday blessing. They are really made my day.

I also would like to wish all those who wish me, a blessed days a head of you and many good returns in your life.

Many thanks ... 

Regards, Tzee Meng :)

Photowalk at Pudu Market

I have a group of friends who love photowalk, an activity for photography enthusiasts to walk around Kuala Lumpur to capture interesting scenes in town. They do it almost every Saturday. 

Whenever I have time, I will join them. Not just because I love photo shooting, but I enjoy their company. It's fun to have a group of friends to share same interesting stuff. We talk basically everything under the sun.

Normally, places for shooting are at Pudu, Chow Kit, Tiong Nam, Petaling Street, Bukit Bintang, Klang or Kampung Baru. Depending on the leader, normally the one that called the shot is Yeow Chin Liang, one of the leader who initial for all these walks.

In my recent photo walk at Pudu market, I really enjoy myself and took some photos to share with you here. Those photos were captured using Nikon FM, is film photography. I like using film camera because of the unique colors.

Yeow (yellow shirt) is the leader in most of the photowalk. I think is his charm that attract most people to join him.

When everyone arrived, we have breakfast first before we start our journey. This round, we went for dim sum as breakfast ... The dim sum shop is famous and looked at the crowd, won't get wrong to dine here as the crowd proof 好吃. (taste delicious)

Kelvin Ng is a big boss, but in photowalk, everyone is equal, all of us are same level. I really appreciate Kelvin who always take care of us, looked how good he was, he was taking some dim sum for everyone. He must be a good boss in his organisation... thank you Kelvin Ng.

    "Hello, come come .. let eat ... don't just play with your camera ...."

After our breakfast, we started our journey. We walked toward the direction of the famous Pudu market. But along the way, we shoot anything that come into our mind or attractive to us ...

Pudu market is one of the largest wet market in Kuala Lumpur. I think only Chow Kit wet market is larger than it. Many people came all to way to Pudu market to buy stuffs ... very crowded place.

"Peace with you" a boy sit on a bike and showing his peace sign. In Malaysia, most of the rakyat are peaceful people except a small group trouble makers who always use racist remarks to gain their political advancement. Shame on them.   

This store is quite funny, they built their store out from a telephone booth, I guess the phone might be spoiled, so they use part of it as table to hold their stuff ... this is not right, but in Malaysia, something like this is very common. We are long way to become a developed country, I think first we must change our mentality ... sad with this type of attitude, even longer way to reach.... sob sob !!

If you like fishes, this is the right place, you can easily get affordable fishes. I have checked out their prices of aquarium and accessories,  they are cheaper compare to the one that sell in shop.  You may find some good bargain here ... I felt like buying one whole set ... maybe one day....

I remember this lady as the above photo, she scolded me for taking her photo. Generally, people at the market are friendly and they don't mind us taking their photo provided we smile at them. But this one was really fear, I guess she is in bad mood ?? ... So we all ran away ..... hahahaha ....

Look at this, just a van, it turned into a store selling bags. The price of these bags ain't expensive but remember to negotiate for better price with them. 

Looked how friendly they are ... happy moment can be easily get when one is not proud or fearful ... I called this human interaction moment. If we managed to capture happy moment like this, we too will become happy ... life is simplicity, isn't it ?

I also love shooting buildings in Pudu too as they remained the charm of the olden days. I have "feel" when I looked at these buildings as compare to the newly developed one, no "feel" at all.

Photowalk can be a form of exercise because we walked miles and miles away ... it is a good form of exercise as we can sweat it out. "After a hard day work", we will continue yam cha to relax a bit.

After yam char, we continue our walk for a while, then lunch and we depart ... but for sure, this is not end here. We go back to develop our film and share our result of hard work later. Later part of the day, we upload our "catch" of the day in facebook to share with one another...

Time to "like" liao ... and we continue our chats in facebook.

Hahahaha....

The end.

Men's Camp - A Men Encounter Weekend

When some people saw this name - MEN's CAMP will immediately thought of something bad that related to sex thingi! Well it is quit true if you search in Google. But you are totally wrong to have this perception. In fact, you will surprise to know my wife has been forcing me for years to join the MEN's camp. She believe after I joined I will be a better husband or better father.

Well... is it true ?

And now, finally I am here in the SIBKL MEN's camp. It is a camp organised by the church solely for men. It is Men's Encounter Weekend. A place that men re-connect back with the mighty God and we are here to re-focus back on becoming an authentic man, authentic husband and an authentic father.

It is not easy to become a good father or a good husband. By just bringing money to the family's table is not sufficient. Many broken families started when man of the house chasing after materialist gain but neglected family bonding. Thus, we should spend more time with our family.

We macho man may looked strong outside but many times are weak inside. Especially when we face temptation of the world, many will fall for it and cause marriage failure. The camp hopes that we men can gather together to share our life story, to encourage each others. We are human being and for sure, we will face many up and down, difficulties in our work life, family life and even personal life. So, it is important to have a male buddy to help one and another, when one face life issues, at least we know someone to turn to. Off course, the fundamental of men relationship is based on trust and we are committed to keep it within the group.  

I am glad that Pastor Chris from DUMC is leading the men's camp. It is truly an awesome time with him. With his sharing and encouragement, I have learned so much from him. He is a Godly man that show us how to live as an authentic husband and father in his family. I believe he has inspired many of us.  

First night, Pastor Chris shared some tips for being a good father. He suggested we men should show our love by saying out. We're too shy of saying "I love You", especially in Chinese family, we don't do that. Our parent also never say it to us, it is something that "you know lah". Henceforth, we are embarrassing to say it to our wife and kids. Similarly the hugging culture, for us we don't feel comfortable. We don't have such habit. But somehow, I do believe it is importance. Both wife and kids are important part of our life, we men should be leading by example. Telling our wife and kids we love them and hug them ..... I believe family bonding will be improved by doing so.

Similarly we should do it to our parent too, I do remember the time when I hug my mum, I believe she enjoy my hug, but I regretted of doing not enough for her. But now, she rested in peace, I do not have any chance to do it.

Pastor encouraged us as father must always give positive affirmation to our kids. We should not be a "dis-charger" but rather be a "charger", our kids need our encouragement, they will excel in life if positive affirmation is given to them in their early life, these are some words that Pastor encouraged us to say to our kids:-

• I love you
• I am proud of you
• you are good in what you do

In camp, we watched a movie - The Courageous. It talked about life of 4 police officers and their families. It was an awesome movie that I do encourage you to watch. This movie has inspire me in many ways ...

• It is not okay to be a "just Okay Father"
• We must spend time with our kids, they will grow up, if you lost the Golden Time with them, it may be too late.
• God will provide no matter how difficult the situation is
• Dignity is important, no matter how bad is the situation, don't cheat. God will be pleased of what you do.

The movie demonstrated the right way to become a good father. I truly enjoy it. Like what Pastor Chris said, we men must spend time with our kids one to one in private session, no matter how busy we are. The kids will treasure the time with you. You no longer just their father, you can be their friends too.

A successful men always has a successful women in life. When men talked about their wives, we always laugh it out but inside, sometime full of unhappiness.... I guess this is  苦中作乐. I am glad that some brothers have shared their life stories to us and encourage us. They have talked about their relationship with their spouse and how they overcome critical issues in life. They are so encouraging.

By the way, Pastor said, we men should always give compliment to our wife about their beauty ... and always remember for the wedding dinner. No doubt it is small matter in the eye of men, but it is "huge" in the eyes of wives.

hahahaha ....

Last but not least, Pastor shared about "intentional living". Have you wonder how people said when you die ? What will they say about you ? He advise us to write what will people said in our funeral ? What will my wife say about me ? What will my kids say about me ? Intentional living is to draft out what you expect them to say. If we want them to say you are a kind person, then we better live up to the expectation of a kind person. If we want wife say we are a lovely and responsible husband, then we must live up to the expectation. If we want our kids to honor us as a good father, a role model, then, we must live up to their expectation. It is not easy. It is Intentional living.  

Pastor Chris said something impacted me, he said "The Future is Now"

Yes ... the future is now, what you want in the future, is what you do now.

I am glad that I have enroll in this 3 days 1 night men's camp, I am not only learned so much but I am very encouraging. Now, I have a group of men that can support one another. Just a short 3 days 2 nights, God has changed my perspective in life.

Thank you father God. Amen.

Buildings in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia. As a developing country, the city has many contrast view where you can still see old and new buildings together. These old buildings in Kuala Lumpur is the heritage and it carries the historical value. During my photowalk around KL, I like to capture those old buildings or landscapes that attracted to me.

If you love these photos, Kuala Lumpur is a place for your visit ... you will enjoy our warm hospitality of Malaysian.

My Recent Books

This morning, visited the Popular Book Fair 2013 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC). The place was so crowded with thousand over visitors. It shown that Malaysian generally are book lovers and this is a good sign as people wants to improve themselves. To cope in this competitive world, what better to read more books to upgrade ourselves, isn't?.

I bought two books, one is called "I Move Your Cheese" by Deepak Malhotra and another book is "The Carrot Principle" by Andrian Gostick and Chester Elton.

I started reading "I moved Your Cheese", it is a translation version in Mandarin, I should look for the English version, but I guess is too late. 

Just a glance, the book is talking about 3 mice that trapped in a maze that controlled by someone else. Many mice worked so hard looking for their cheese but often, the cheese always been moved. They're living by a set of rules governed by someone. Life isn't that way ? 

Me too is like living in a trapped world controlled by someone else. In life, we are continue looking for cheese, but often enough, we need to submit to the rules which dictated by others, sometime, we get a bigger piece and be happy, but sometime, we get a smaller piece or even nothing. 

life is like a big maze, everyone is subject to certain rules, whether you like it or not, life goes on? 

I am very keen to start reading this book. I believe it will inspire my life. Let start reading ......

The other book that I bought is called "The Carrot Principle". This book is specially written for Manager to learn about managing people. The most challenging task as a Manager in an organization is dealing with people. Yes, people is most complex beings with difference competency and attitudes. How to inspire and lead your people? I am still learning ... somehow clueless ... despite the fact I have many years of experiences as a Manager.

Hai ..

Yes, time to get help.

The Carrot Principle sounds interesting. I believe it will help me to accelerate the people's performance in my organization ... let see ..... but first, I must complete the book.

Do you notice something funny with these two books ?

Life is somehow strange ....

Ironically, the two books are contradictory in nature ... one telling me as a mouse to look for way out from a maze. But another book is telling me how to be a good maze master to keep my mice in order and to performance their works.

Lols ...

hahahaha...

Can't wait to start !!

Sashimi + Wasabi, I die to eat food

Sashimi + Wasabi + Light soya sauce = heavenly and yummy = my favorite Japanese food. 

The salmon is soft and smooth, when it's dipping into soya sauce + wasabi, it gave not only great taste of fresh fish, and the effect of wasabi producing a vapour that stimulate our nasal passage from our mouths, walah!! ... the next moment is tears coming out ....

The sensation feeling made you feel like eating again and again ....

A food for truly enjoyment! For sashimi lovers would agreed with me!

Today, is my elder son, Andrew Yap's Birthday, he is craving for Japanese Food, so I brought him to a nearby Japanese restaurant called RakunZen. RakunZen is a famous restaurant chains selling quality Japanese food, the quality of the food is good and highly recommended by many. But the price is not cheap, but "ah yah" never mind la ... is my son birthday mah!!

The sashimi salmon is our family favorite, we ordered one set and we all share together.

I ordered the stirred fried beef with rice .. Japanese rice is soft and sticky, the rice is called sushi rice which looks shorter and rounder than local rices, it has sticky texture and I love it very much. 

The beef sliced into very thin slices and stirred fried with soya sauce. Surprisingly I tasted a bit of buttery or cheesy favor, I guessed they have added some butter into their cooking. 

Yummy...

Everyone enjoying their food. I couldn't took all the food photos. Due to the dim lighting and was using a handphone camera, made me even more difficult to get a clear shot. The dim lighting spoil the photo with noises. But, anyway, I think is sufficient-la, just seeing some of the above photos, is good enough to make your saliva dripping liao .. LOLs..

Hahahaha!~~

Well, this meal definitely is not a cheap meal, but so long everyone enjoy, it is worth spending for the family.

"Family comes first mah", no one will challenge this statement, right?

Hahaha...

Selamat Hari Raya to My Friends

Wow.. another two more days is the public holidays in Malaysia. It is Hari Raya Puasa holidays, an auspicious festive season for Malay celebrating the end of their Ramadhan month (fasting month).

In Malaysia, we are entitled for two off days and since it's fall on Thursday, everyone has longer holidays starting from Thursday until Sunday. A total 4 days off...

Usually when I have longer holidays, I will plan for family trip. However,  in this type of major festive seasons  ... everyone from outstation will balik kampung (back to home town). Hence, the highway is predicted traffic jamj all the way and I don't want to get strangle in such a nightmare. So, I don't have any travelling plan in this holidays.

Well, overseas trip is not possible as my financial is still in recovery since my last trip to Hong Kong ... hahaha...

Ah yah ... long holidays like this, no holiday meh? What to do ah?

Anyway, wishing all my Malay Friends a Selamat Hari Raya Aidifitri.

karkysyok.blogspot.com is my blog also but I decided to cancel it and stick to one blog :)

Exercise vs Food

5 minutes ago, I just had 8 pieces of biscuit spread with peanut butter... yummy.

But is at 10.57 pm, shouldn't it called supper ?

But but ... just biscuit mah ... no big deal lah ... correct ?

Sometime I tapau porridge or some heavier meals .... this is nothing lah, this not consider supper, just snack mah ... just for munchy abit mah ...

Hahahaha ... 

This is my self-talk to justify why I took biscuit before sleep. 

It is a known fact by everyone that having food before sleep is not healthy because this is an effective way to help you gaining weight.

Well, food craving can kill a man .... 

Luckily ....... hehehehe


Today, I am finally did what I plan, for the last two weeks, the swimming trunk was in my car and I just couldn't find time to go for a swim. I am rather lazy lah. I think I am a good swimmer because when I was young, without fail, every Friday, I traveled all the way from Kepong to downtown KL, Chin Hoo Swimming Club with my friends. I used to swim many laps without stop and I am proud of my performance .....

But, to my horror, today, I am struggling to complete my 10 laps ... I were very tired and my body is not in my usual form... All because I have omitted swimming for years ... I think many years liao ... age also catching up loh!!

Hai~

I just can't take it ...

Oh ... I am referring to my belly fat ....

I hope by having some more swimming exercises for at least one or twice per week, I think I can get rid some belly fat ... 

Start dreaming my flat belly .... better still, got 6 packs there ... Lols!!~~

Hahaha ....

问天无语 Ask Sky Speechless!!

You must be wondering what kind of theme I used .... Ask Sky Speechless!!?

问天无语 - This is a direct translation word to word from a Chinese proverb. It means when you're encounter something that is no clue, unfortunate incidents ... even you're asking the one up there, also no answer too.

Yes ... I encounter something unpleasant today, early in the morning, when I went out to pick up my car, I saw the horrible sight of my car, both of my right hand doors were full of scratches, drawing of curve lines on it  ....

In this world, they are many mad people around, I really don't understand why...

Why? Why? Why?

Why is such type of crazy people around to vandalize people's property. It is sadden to see all these. Some more, I believe the person who did it is someone who has stayed in the same residential condominium with me.

Did I stepped on people shoe ?

Did I make someone so angry that to do such thing ?

Maybe some incidents related to residential matters in last year ? Well, I never regret for standing firm for what is right when I deal with some residential problem. But it is almost a years plus now already ... Could it be that ?

Maybe a revenge !!

Bible says "Love your Enemy"

Hai ... ~~ it is tough although you know it is the right way.

Let pray for the person, so that one day he will feel regret for what he did.

Free and Easy Photowalk

On a normal Saturday, outing for photo shooting with some photography buddies near Jalan Bukit Bintang area.

Looking at the World through a square window in a camera will give you a different prospective on how you look at life. It is a self challenge for myself to compose a photo in a right composition with a meaning inside. It is not just your camera setting like shutter speed, aperture setting ....  It is just how you capture the moment.... someone said is a decisive moment.

I definite will feel happier when capture a nice photo. 

Like the photo below, I felt happy when this two men sharing his moment of happiness to me when I took their photo ... life is beautiful because of beautiful people :)

Simple, isn't it?

This i called Syok sendiri lah...

Lunch Alone

I used to go out for lunch alone. My boss always advise me to go out lunch with my colleagues to build relationship. Kind of true also because that is the time we can mingle around with staff and get to know one and another. Lunch time is the best time to have informal communication, ka-poh here and there ….

But somehow, I still prefer to have lunch alone … simply because to relax and do something I like.

I believe when time to work, I work, time to rest, I rest. time to eat, I eat … I prefer checking my phone messages and "fbing" for a while when I have time for myself. It is not right to do it during office hours (although some time do happen that curi-curi do lah) … hahaha … LOLs. Have a good quality lunch time with "myself" is important, I found it more relaxing and distressing,  and I have better concentration toward work after a good rest.

Having lunch alone also need skill, you must walk a bit far and don't go to those restaurant that other staff will patronize often. Goto less favorite place, better with air conditioning. Lesser people and you have one solid hour by yourself. Sound okay, isn't it?

So, today, I am thinking to out for lunch alone again … emmm… wonder what to eat now ?

I think Au Lam Mee is a good choice … the one at oug... the shop sell one of the best beef stew noodle. . The beef was cooked into very soft texture and almost melt in the month.  The white radish was perfectly cooked. They are so generous gave me 3 big pieces.  The beef stew dish matches well with the mince meat dry noodle...

I decided to pampering myself with some nice food on a rainy afternoon.

My friends. .. come look for me. I buy you lunch.

Cheer

Note :

Ka-poh - Busy Body

Au Lam - Beef Stew

curi-curi - quietly do something without people notice (it also mean stealing)