It Leaks!

After many rounds of considerations between Amway, NESH & Diamond; we have decided to go with Diamond Energy Water. The installation completed on Thursday afternoon. We got ourselves [own house warming gifts :-)]:-
1. outdoor master filter [DMF500S]
2. indoor water filter [G1500]
3. water dispenser [hot & warm]

We have heard many good stuff on Diamond, but our experience with Diamond tells us otherwise:-
1. It does not work!
The water dispenser just could not work. The warm water is not warm. Hot water is not hot nor warm. The support agent blamed it on the system "entered by wind". I think this is crappy.

The water dispenser suppose to be air-tie [or something like a vacuum], if the air got in there, this means the product is sub-standard. I would say poor QC.

2. Don't Bother to Call
No one will attend to your enquiry & complain. All you got is the machine that keeps on telling you to leave a message after the tone. I think the CRM probably learn the skills from government dept?

3. It Leaks!
Retna has been telling me that Diamond G1500 + water dispenser leak. We were not sure which was the one that caused the problem.

Anyway, called the hotline 1800882399. Experienced point no. 2.

Called the service agent. He came over & after insisting that there was nothing wrong with the system as it is a brand new system [off course it has to be new right?!]. We found that filter D actually leaks. By now, I am quite sure that Diamond G1500 should not claim anything on Japan technology or innovation at all.

Certainly it does not have any of Japanese standard.

4. Before Living Healthily, Be Prepared for Unnecessary Stress First
I suppose got to sacrifice some healthy cells before moving towards the healthy lifestyle.

We have been assured on getting these problems fixed on Monday. We will see.

The Time Of Year

The time of the year Dec, worries on whether having enough funds for the insurance premiums, medical health plans premiums, household expenses [newly moved], recovering from Christmas gifts expense..... the list goes on.

Not even thinking about having holiday yet, oh ya... We missed it for year end, kids will be going to school next week. Oh God, the school uniforms!

The top few things that are most memorable to me in 2007:-

1. Being Real Parents
We always thought being there for them means spending time with them. Obviously we were wrong. Despite being there, we should have also taught them how to handle things when we are not there for them.

2. Maid=Disaster
Maid departure from home was view as a disaster at first. Later it turn to blessing. We learn to love one another better than before. We also learn to take care for another. Ariel could actually wash the plates after his meal now!

3. Better To Let Go
After many months & years of struggling at work, we decided to let go most of our staff [I would comment on the work performance], we changed our direction & things become better, Hallelujah!

4. Change is Difficult But Necessary
Fitting children's schedule into ours require some sacrifice in our own time as well business. However, they are our future - we have to do it for them.

5. Staying Young, But Be Wise
I just tried to change my overall look. Had a hair cut, shaved & I have received comment that I look younger.

One of our client actually can't recognise me. :-)

6. Believe, Think Positive & Pray
A mountain can be moved [read it once in a Christian testimony about little praying for a mountain to be moved]. Met a feng shui master the other day . Ok, I was not looking for his advice but for a client's project. I remember one thing he said to me, think positive.

Al in all, I think 2007 has been a great year for us. Let share your 2007 experience in the comments.

Cheers.

Blessed Christmas

You could learn more about Christmas from Luke.

See you soon!

Running Computer

While participating on RunNat and working on Powerman recently, been in contact with many runners that are using Polar watch aka running computer. Have done the online research on the watch [especially for running category], the watched keep track on heart rate, running speed, as well as distance.

Found out that Fitness Concept & another fitness centre in Bangsar carried Polar range of products in Malaysia, but very pricey.

Anyway, I bought the Polar RS200sd directly from Polar regional principal in Singapore last month. Have been using it & I think it is a fantastic watch.

Pictures....

Overview of Polar RS200sd
[Did not have the foot pod; down stair, kind of dirty....:-)]

Letting one sees the distance as well as speed [KM/h]

Heart rate during the run

Hello Everyone

Would like to invite all of you that I have sent the blog invite, to begin the blog posting.

Let me know if you did not receive the invite.

Also, need you to send me your contact details so that I can start a network for us to keep in touch.

Thanks!

My Trip to Seri Manjung > Malakoff Powerman Malaysia 2007

Our company has been appointed to handle the public relations for Malakoff Powerman Malaysia 2007.

I was there since Thursday & came back on Sunday. Quite a lovely town - famous for Chinese seafood [Kampung Cina, of which I miss it, one person very hard to have seafood].

Seri Majung is a new township where all government agencies offices are currently located, quite like a mini Shah Alam here, clean & organise. Heard from my media friends that the crime rate is rather low here. I went out for jogged every night after dinner, for about 3 - 4km [can't compare with the Powerman of which 10km, 64km & 11km].

People at Seri Majung & Sitiawan are also quite friendly.

However, one thing I remember the most is the foot reflexology and body massage by Chinese [from main land China]. I have always reserved from the Chinese [you know lah all the media reports about them]..... I really enjoyed it & in fact I was there everyday right after the assignment was over. Quite a good way to unwind. The name of the place is called Yat Sum, of which is the same row with Secret Recipe.

For internet connectivity in Lumut & Sitiawan area, you can probably get good reception at:-
1. Crystal Hotel [complimentary for hotel guests, but at selected area]
2. Secret Recipe [FOC, but with a drink]
3. Orient Star [must be a TM Net hotspot user]
4. MPM [found out from a media friend]

From the very first day while I was at the hotel, I began to miss home - my wife & kids..... & also the bed. I was having hard time to sleep as the bed was rather dirty [I don't think the house keeping change the bed sheet, they just tidy the room]....... The hot shower was cold etc.

But, the front desk Mr. Ong [I think the boss] service was rather good.

Will post pix on the race after.

Welcome Jer Ping!

Hey Jer Ping [Jeffrey],

Thks for your call & posting. Yes, I am pretty much awake that time. Got to wake the kids up for the school. Anyway, used to have a Indonesian helper, now without [will be applying for one soon].

Been a while that we heard from you. Congratulations on upgrading to parenthood this coming February 2008.

Glad to hear that you are doing well in US. Whenever I was in Desa Aman I constantly "bum" to your parents - mostly dinner. I think God's timing..... Your dad always tell me not to have dinner so late, as he & your mom were having supper.... :-)

See Khoon is pretty much is the driving force for all gathering that we had so far. I think coming Christmas & CNY would be busy for everyone. So most probably will do one after CNY.

The last gathering that we had we did a skype with Chooi Yoke. So, even if you can't make it, we could still meet you online.

Take care & God bless,
soo liang

Seri Manjung > Thur - Sun

I am in Seri Manjung for Malakoff Powerman 2007 from Thursday to Sunday.

Shots taken during the elite training.

Quite a nice & quiet town, a home for the Royal Malaysian Navy and pretty close to Lumut - of which can hop onto a ferry and leave to Pulau Pangkor.

It took about 1.5 hrs to reach the Bidor [132] toll exit & another 1 hr on the old road to reach Seri Manjung [about 100km].

Powerman Malaysia @ Seri Manjung is a duathlon sports of which involves 10KM run, 64KM bicycle & 11KM run. Quite a body challenge sports, I am sure some of us in the SMTM would be keen or already started with this duathlon.

Will post more when I have the time & online.

Cheers,
Soo Liang

6 Days Without Helper....

We are now into the sixth day without helper..... No one clean the house, wash the clothes, fold the clothes, watch the kids etc.

Anyway, Retna and I have been taking turns to wash + fold clothes & little bits of house cleaning.

Anyway, I am saying that we miss the helper, but just that how something like this could possibly "cripple" daily busy schedule.....

However, we have some suggestions of which I think it work out quite well at the moment.


House Cleaning
Engaged a cleaning service that could come in either once or twice a week. The price should be between RM50-RM60/visit. Look around the neighborhood, some would advertise such service.

Just to make sure you are there to brief the cleaner and also to sort of "watching" them while they clean the place - you know, the cleaner might decided to take a thing or two from the house.


Clothes Washing
If you are using washing machine, suggest to get the washing net - separate the clothes according to fabric types and also colours.

We use dryer as have not put up clothes hanger in our new place yet.


Clothes Folding
When we saw the mountain of clothes [mostly by the children] after 6 days, we thought it is like the end of teh world..... Anyway, thanks to YouTube, we found a simple clothing method. Check it out here & here.

Amazing huh?


Ironing
Only iron the clothes when we want to use them......

Feel free to share your advice here.

Your Contact

Would like to suggest to have your contact information to be sent to me, I will them compile them into either Excel or MS Outlook Contact files & later to be sent back to you.

Please supply the following information:-
- your name
- your spouse name [sorry I think all of us including myself can't remember names so well]
- your kids name [DOB if you want us to send them a birthday gifts!]
- address
- tel, mobile
- e-mail
- occupation [optional]

Send it to:-
email tansooliang@gmail.com or
mobile 0126358443 or 0192378449

Thanks!

Finally It Happened.

After a great gathering last Saturday, our Indonesian helper has decided to run away.

Came to us as surprise as she freed herself from our children's room. That was one of the escape route we set for our children in the event of emergency. Never have known that she would have used it.

Now waiting for the cancellation.... agent is taking forever to do it, now got to start all over again.

Been looking around for the cleaning services. Got the costing - some are killing, but some are reasonable.

Anyway, praying hard for us to go through this time [perhaps a month long] - as work is pretty busy.

We Meet Again, This Time Bigger Group.....

Keeping in touch, its take effort.

The gathering organised by See Khooon truly a success - especially with the highest attendance besides the regular wedding reception. However, with 28 classmates coming; I think it would be one of the most memorable night that we all have.

Meeting Kin Shan, Kin Wei, Yin Yin, Chew Yen, Hong Chuen, Chun Chai, Mee Ling was a pleasant surprise as everyone is either grown in sizes [please forgive me, I have to say this] or becoming more like parents [in fact most of us do].

Past gatherings have been food, hi-and-bye. So this time we included the introduction of yourself into the gathering. It gives us more opportunity to know each other better, even to get to know our other half too.


Most of us would not have guess that Hoong Chuen has yet to marry or rather thought that he has married with kids....

Thanks Hong Chuen for introducing Carol to us.

I think from the introduction by everyone, we got to know each other better. Especially on the spouses, children & jobs.

If you are looking for great local food cruisine, you need Kin Wei who is now running the food business in Pudu Plaza.

For insurance needs, please remember to look for Chew Yen + husband.

For unit trust investment, Wai Fun is the right person you should be talking to. Furthermore, she mentioned that there is neither commission, nor misc service fee incured. Sounds good?

Talk about continue contributing in education (more like giving back to community, what a great job), both Lai Foong + Chee Leong are running the tuition services for quite time. If you in Cheras area and looking for tuition services for your children, look for them. Off course if you are not living in Cheras area (including me), Lai Foong's company is offering online tuition.

How good it is that couples that share the same interest. Chun Wai + spouse are both in ICT, consultancy + lecturing respectively.

Kin Shan + Kim Meng are among the best employees that every employers are looking for. They are among the longest serving personnel in international bank & credit house.

If you ever in trouble and need legal advice, please look for Wai Leong (Hoi Yen's spouse). Off course, you can still look for him for lunch & dinner. :-)

The largest market a perhaps the most lucrative industry that both See Khoon + Chooi Yoke are both in. Chinese herbs + bio-technology.

Mee Ling & Yin Yin are both in the most profitable banks in Malaysia, perhaps in this region.

For fashion advice, Sin Leong + spouse. Quite often I am still relating Sin Leong to well-known Singaporean singer, 'Ah Too'.

The top 5 richest Malaysian have at least 90% are builing their fortune from the property development & construction. So Ah Chou, when will you make it to the list?

Our deputy class monitor Pei Hong is now filled with maturity [but single]. So guys, wait no more. Just that make sure you are good in numbers, as she would need to audit you.

It is not something easy for all of us to keep in touch but at least we get to know each other by taking the interest to know one another better.

Thanks to Wai Leong for bringing the laptop over so that we have the chance to catch up with Chooi Yoke aka Jade. Know that keeping in touch requires effort.

Maybe the cost per head might caused dissapointment. However, with the time we have, I think we just find the session to be priceless.

Do you agree?

Anyway, pictures here.....

Run for the Nation > Church's Project

The 3-week training for the run is now over.

Full Gospel Assembly [FGA, our church] sports fellowship launched the programme - Run for the Nation [RunNat] about 2 months ago. RunNat requires runners running in a group of 3. The leader of the run will pray & 2 other runners will agree.

For this first RunNat, it covered Klang Valley of which was breaking into 4 regions, namely KL, Cheras, Subang & PJ. Each region consists of 8 teams, covering a radius of 160KM around Klang Valley. Each team will carry a set of prayer cards, of which acts as batons.

Our team [no. 7] covers 5km - from National Monument, Lake Garden, Bukit Aman all the way to Brickfields.

Team 7 is Victor Chua, Allan Charm & me. We were at the starting point since 7:45am. Team 6 [from KLCC] arrived & passed us the baton at about 9:32am.

We were backing up the earlier team on the praying for Parliament, then moved on to Lake Garden. Passing by places like Bukit Aman, Bird Park, National Mosque, Islamic Arts of Museum was truly a breeze as the path was covered with thick trees. When we moved into National Museum, the highway was already busy with lots of cars. So running and breathing in the car ekzos surrounding you was not exactly easy.

Anyway, we pursued.

When reaching Brickfields, we prayed for revival in this place, releasing of God's power in abolishing prostitutions, protecting the blinds and asking God to let YMCA to restore its original purpose.


Quite a good experience, thank God that I managed to finish the run.

Just got up from a nap, see you guys tonight!

More Wii

Honestly, Nintendo Wii's attraction has gone beyond just kids.

Even myself also thinking of leaving office ASAP to get to play the Wii.

On the left is one my favorite game - tennis.

The way to play it is quite simple, just forehand & backhand. Once you have seasoned with the swing, you could then learn some ace shot.

Playing this tennis, reminds me of the days playing tennis with See Khoon, or rather partnered with him.

Baseball is good to practice swing, furthermore got to play it virtually, as never have any chance to play the real one.

You got to control the pitching, screw ball, slow, going left or right etc.....


Bowling is quite easy to play.

Just that need to know when to release the button or releasing the ball. Quite few times of strike & double strike.

So, great game to practice the rusty arms.

Golf is also fun as never have a chance to play the real one.

Moving Forward? Beware

Saw this in AWSJ this morning & I think it should be interest to most of you who are driving Toyota.

Did you read about this?

Virtual Choice?

Jade has suggested to have the meeting live - since she could not join us [away in Australia].

Any suggestion on the mode of virtual meet?

I think all of them supports video.

So, please cast your vote @ the poll.

Do You Wii?

Both Retna and I are not fan of video games.

However, we could not resist anymore with Nintendo Wii - launched in Sep 14, 06. Ok, we are not the fastest in new technology adopting, what more if it is on video games.

We have thinking about our boys birthday present, we think it should be something that fits their needs [that they will enjoy it] & if we could, we want it to be able to benefit everyone at home. That's how Wii idea came about.

The chronological order of Nintendo findings & acquisition:-

1. Searching online for advantages & core differences between Wii, Xbox & PS2/3
2. Found online traders in LowYat.net & MyPDACafe & made contact
3. Struggling between Japanese & US version > language & price difference
4. Once decided on US version, struggled on modded set or original
5. Decided on orginal set - mainly for warranty
6. Negotiated for pricing with dealers of Wii in Sg Wang, Low Yat, Pertama Kompleks, Cheras etc
7. Found it at Odeon [opposite Pertama Kompleks] & done deal!
8. Only 1 original game [Wii Sports]; still playing with it & still love it!

Some of you might already have Wii at home, just want to share the excitement of Wii by our 2 boys…..

Playing Wii, you could possibly sacrificed & willing to be topless…..

The excitement never stops!

Better not to stand to anyone who is playing Wii. You might get 'hurt'…..

Due to limitation of original games in Malaysia or rather expensive as compare to pirated game, we might either have to shop online or travel to Singapore for games.

All right, see you guys soon!

tan soo liang

陈思量

SMTM Kawan-Kawan Makan ~ Sat, Oct 20

Hi,

Received the menu from IZZI restaurant, Jalan Sultan Ismail.

For RM30 nett, this is what we will get:-

Appetizer

Garlic Bread

Caesar Salad

Soup Of The Day

Main Course

Spaghetti Carbonara

Margherita Pizza

Mie Goreng

Cambodian Chicken

Steam White Rice

Crackers

Beverages

Bottomless Beverages (Soft Drinks & Ice Lemon Tea)

Dessert

Brownies

Chocolate Profiterols

Prices Are Nett, Inclusive Of 5% Government Tax

Will negotiate with IZZI for us to use the IZZI 2 which is on the 1st floor.

So, what do you guys think?

I proposed the following programme:-

7:00pm
Arrival

7:15pm
Introduction
either See Khoon or Soo Liang

7:30pm
Dinner

8:00pm
Updates from Respective SMTM Classmates
[pls introduce your spouse/BF/GF & family members]

9:00pm
Makan + Desert

10:00pm
Ends

More Qiang's Catwalk > Malay Mail

Hi, more on Qiang's catwalk. This time in Malay Mail.


Check out the following para extracted.... :-p

Gathering > Tentatively Sat, Oct 20, 07

Thanks See Khoon for initiating & coordinating the upcoming gathering on Saturday, October 20, 2007 from 8pm onwards.

At first was thinking of having it at our house..... With 50pax, I suggest to have it at another place or perhaps someone house that could cater for 50 pax.

I have checked with IZZI as a possible venue. I know going to Jln Sultan Ismail on Saturday night could be a nightmare. So, I have checked with IZZI Damansara Utama for availability. Pending the menu & costing from IZZI.

Will keep posting.

Something to Share

Something to share.

This article came out on February 19 this year. Utusan Malaysia approached us on having this interview done as not that many article on mixed marriage being featured. So, we agreed.

Some facts have been left out & some being added into the article [not by us].

Ariel in Sin Chew for Cat Walk

Ha ha, Ariel's cat walk was featured in Sin Chew.

Can you recognise him?

Thanks for All Postings & Comments

Have been & will be very busy until end of August, beginning & mid of Sep.

Just got a short time of breath to update this site.

Really looking forward to Sep 18 - 21. A short break in Langkawi.....

Do keep the comments coming!

Newly Updated, Hot from Oven!

Thanks to Rina again for the 'sejarah' picture.

Alamak, what's our form teacher name huh?

Class Pictures

Thanks Rina for taking the trouble to scan the pictures.

Let's see them according to time line....

Take a 20 second quiz to name everyone in the picture.

How many of us are married, have kids or remain single?

Eight years after form 5. I think See Khoon still look pretty much the same.

Group picture taken during Rina's wedding reception.

振强 1st Cat Walk

Got a call from Cilla & Associates [talent agency] last Friday to have Ariel Tan [振强] ready for his first ever cat walk. It was for a media preview of Parkson's laest fashion collection.

The fittings were done on Saturday.

Anyway, some of pictures taken during the cat walk about few hours ago.

Not too sure with the names of models, but familiar faces in the fashion photo shoots, magazine covers etc.

Glad that Ariel could stand still for photograph....

He certainly enjoyed himself!

The female model [apology for not knowing her name] is very good with children.

For the closing....

Hope that this has been a good start for him to venture into something different. Or, perhaps just an experience for him.

Please join me to update & maintain this site

Blogspot allows multiple users to maintain & update the blog site. So, I would like to invite all of you to contribute.

Let me know if you could do it, so will send the invite to you.

Some of the content of which I think should be uploaded here:-

SMTM
Class group pictures
School activities pictures
Individual pictures [better still then & now]
Our teachers [e.g. En. Soffian deodorant...., Pn Hamidah skipping sistem pembiakan.....]

Us
Update on ourselves [job, career, business, family etc]
Getting married?
Our family [letting our children to know parents classmates & children]

Any suggestion?

Get together for Jerica @ IZZI

Hi Jerica, welcome again to the stressful Kuala Lumpur. Never mind lah, only for 2 weeks. After that can enjoy the wonderful breeze again in New Zealand. By the way, regards to hubby too.

Credit to See Khoon for organising & calling everyone for this get together.

This get together was held in IZZI, Jalan Sultan Ismail.

The place was noisy & crowded; anyway we had a great time there.

Just like what Jade commented eating Asian food or rather local food in an Italian restaurant. Pizza tasted good too.

Pictures taken during the get together:-

[for higher resolution, please download it from Flickr]
[from left to right] Jin, Jade, Jerica, See Khoon & wife [apology, pls let me know her name before we meet again next], Kelly, Ming, Mun Hoe, Rina, Foo Seng

[for higher resolution, please download it from Flickr]

[from left to right] Jin, Jade, Jerica, See Khoon & wife [apology, pls let me know her name before we meet again next], Kelly, Ming, Soo Liang, Mun Hoe, Rina, Foo Seng

We started about 8pm & adjourned at about 11pm. The short 3 hours should not be enough for all of us to catch up [let's blame the noise in IZZI]. Most of you have suggested to meet again some time soon.

Elijah, there will no other kid around other than Ariel [his brother], presented his drawing to SMTM

I suppose to call for get together that suits everyone schedule is going to tough. Tentatively, I suggest to have the get together in end September. Please share what you think.

Jerica, don't worry. We will post all the pictures & updates here. Perhaps video too.