10 truths about merger and acquisitions

'Two tigers cannot live on one mountain' - a Chinese proverb, which means there can only be one winner in a battle.

A truce, the Chinese say, merely delays the inevitable and what I am thinking is...someone ultimately has to be put in charge.

Here are 10 truths about merger and acquisitions digged out from a book on surviving M&A...

won't be long till I can testify the truth behind them all!

1. The truth of mergers: There are no mergers, only acquisitions
2. The truth of addition: 2 companies combined will not equal to the sum of their individual businesses
3. The truth of division: it's always Us vs. Them
4. The truth of politics: Political alignments, rather than business strategies, will drive all decisions
5. The truth of reconciliations: There are too many products, something has to go
6. The truth of attrition: Rightsizing is the first victory of all mergers
7. The truth of loyality: Old boys never die, they just network
8. The truth of trust: The root of trust is us, and you are them
9. The truth of fear: The primal instinct of fear will decide who will be ostracized
10. The truth of denial: The right way is our way

By Far The Most Nifty Feature

Attracted by its lavender colour, the latest SAMSUNG Anycall C3110H’s matte material gives it a softer look, easier grip and a prettier entry-price of HKD1,080 than its predecessor.

What comes with it though, is a nifty fake call feature that is...unheard of.

Pressing the bottom navigation 4 times will grant the user an incoming call which can also be pre-recorded with a custom message.

I wonder if this handset designer is constantly on the run. I mean, would you find that feature practical?

Better Late Than Never

NASA told us that our average temperature on earth today is between 13-14 degrees Celsius and when it reaches 16, our Earth will be virtually inhabitable. That D-day sounded terribly close doesn't it?

Here's another alarming fact. As of April 2009, the earth's total population is estimated to be around 6.77 billion. Hong Kong, though only represented by a tiny little dot on the world's atlas, consists of a thousandth of our planet's total population.

In other words, the inhabitants living in Hong Kong, are responsible for 1/1000 of the Carbon Dioxide produced by human beings on Earth and that gave us that amount of accountability for global warming.


Been observing trees in the territory over the weekend, witnessed many areas where we human kind has indeed destroyed the nature endlessly to an extent that I believe our planet Earth we are living in, is about to be terminated by our own hands, very soon.


Pleased to know that the Hong Kong Government has recently established a Register of Old and Valuable Trees to ensure that the trees in the territory can be well preserved and maintained. I supposed it is better late than never as trees truly are our heritage and precious natural resources.

To enquire about the Register or any tree recorded on it, you can call the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 852-2601 8962 or 852-2601 8892 during office hours, or contact the Department by fax at 852-2691 7264 or by email at lmarb@lcsd.gov.hk ( mailto:lmarb@lcsd.gov.hk ).

Apart from documenting on paper, I really hope they can act fast enough to make an impact.

Take That - Back For Good ?

Robbie Williams said he is ready to rejoin the 90's British boy band sensation Take That.

Take That would be following a well-trodden path if they get back together, after a surge of nostalgia comebacks including the Spice Girls, the Police, the Sex Pistols, Blur, Spandau Ballet and Led Zeppelin.

But then, who would be the lead singer? Robbie Williams or Gary Barlow?

Buying & Selling

M&A activity has ebbed in 2008 and its no surprise as history taught us recessionary environments tend to result in lower activity.

However, the phrase has been popping up quite actively in the news, in this month alone we have:

Mar 19: Cisco > Pure Digital Technologies (USD0.59B)
Mar 18: IBM > Sun (USD6.5B)
Mar 12: Roche > Genentech (USD46.8B)
Mar 9: Merck > Schering-Plough (USD41.1B)

Well...I can understand Counter-cyclical industries, such as healthcare might be able to see strength in M&A. As for the rest, does it mean they are distressed deals where sellers have no choice but to sell out?

Gaffer on Camera Body?

This is the weirdest I have heard lately on "mummifying" a camera body.

A friend's bro who's a pro photographer has spent days on a project, using yards and yards of Gaffer tapes - wrapping up lenses and also the body.


Well, I found out he's not alone.

I was able to dig out some supporting reasons online for such tedious project:

1. Prevent the peeling of paint on the camera body / lens
2. Protect the camera equipment from chipping caused by accidental knocks
3. Enhance grip
4. Make metallic parts easier to hold in cold weather
5. Conceal expensive equipment (e.g. L lenses with red rings / white bodies) from prying eyes and unwanted attention
6. Minimize usage marks on lens hoods

His reasoning revolves around adding a character and personality to the otherwise boring piece of equipment. And the biggest agenda out of all would have to be the ability to preserve the resale value of his equipment - keeping them in good cosmetic condition.

When asked when he will ever sell his equipments - never!

Photographers all have something in common - they possess a certain perspective, which explains why they can shoot objects from a different angle, don't you agree?

A Decrease in Myopia

Recently, I felt that my eye sight has deteriorated and so there I went for an eye check and my optician told me otherwise.

My Myopia has actually decreased compared to a year ago, which explained why I kept having a blurred vision with my current contact lenses on.

Though I was told these cases are rare, I was not heavily overwhelmed as if Santa bought me a big surprise. The improved in short-sightedness basically translated to:

1) not been reading as much
2) the imminent need to buy new sets of lenses
3) aging might have something to do with it

4 Years of U2 Hunger

"You don't know how beautiful you are".

It's been 4 darn years since How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, yeah...Vertigo in Apple iPod's commercials...

Where have you been guys?

Can't wait to load their latest No Line On The Horizon in my playlist.

Sexy Boots...Get On Your Boots... Let me in the sound...Let me in the sound, now!

Chopsticks for Kids?!

OK - I admit I am new to the kids' market...but guess how much this pair of chopsticks for kids just cost me?



I hope they are worthy like ivory and would really work magic.

"Chinese make easy?!" We'll see to that.

The Greek Prison Break Take 2

While I was watching Prison Break season 4 on tele, I saw breaking news from BBC that a massive manhunt is under way in Greece after a duo escaped from a top security prison by a helicopter - for the second time in three years.

Wow - Prison Break live in real action - honestly better than the drama I am watching!

Filet-O-Fish

The fish sandwich has always been my favorite McDonald food, second to fries. Not many noticed, but it has only got half a slice of cheddar cheese in it - and been for the case for as long as I could recall.

An interesting incidence happened during my patronage today and it evolved around an argument about the size of the cheese served in the sandwich.

A customer furiously rushed to the counter holding a filet-o-fish, demanding another one made for him. Then shortly after he was given the second sandwich, he once again, returned it to the counter and complained it only had half a slice of cheese in it. The manager explained to the man that it has always been the case but the man insisted otherwise.

To settle the dispute, the manager offered to make the customer a new one and apparently, the new one must have contained a whole piece of cheese in it as I heard no more complaint thereafter.

2 filet-o-fish sandwiches got thrown into the bin because of a selfish jerk who could not tell right from wrong. The man got what he wanted this time and there is no reasons why he would not ask for the same treatment next time.

I understand why life is so unfair, it is due to the fact that a minority few cannot uphold integrity.

The Forgotten Chewy Raisin Bars

When I was a kid, I used to eat a flat, raisin, baked snack that was about a foot long, about 3 inches wide, and maybe a 1/4 inch thick.

The snack (as seen here) wasn't actually a "cookie", more like a chewy raisin cracker that had been pressed very flat and baked.


I have been longing to have this forgotten raisin bar and not managed to find it anywhere in recent years, whereas it was fairly available in supermarkets about 10 years ago.

Anyone with me on this? No?



The other day, I finally found a close substitute from Bourbon Japan...close enough for me.

The Difference Between First Class & Coach

How To Moonwalk like MJ?

When will I made it there?

or shall I say, anywhere near, that looks like such?

A List of The World's Currencies

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provided ISO 4217 standard that define codes of three letter and relative three digits number for each currency. Here is a relative table. Out of these 163 currencies, how many of these have you come across? Code Num Currency State AED 784 United Arab Emirates dirham United Arab Emirates AFN 971 Afghani Afghanistan ALL 008 Lek Albania AMD 051 Armenian Dram Armenia ANG 532 Netherlands Antillian Guilder Netherlands Antilles AOA 973 Kwanza Angola ARS 032 Argentine Peso Argentina AUD 036 Australian Dollar Australia AWG 533 Aruban Guilder Aruba AZN 944 Azerbaijanian Manat Azerbaijan BAM 977 Convertible Marks Bosnia and Herzegovina BBD 052 Barbados Dollar Barbados BDT 050 Bangladeshi Taka Bangladesh BGN 975 Bulgarian Lev Bulgaria BHD 048 Bahraini Dinar Bahrain BIF 108 Burundian Franc Burundi BMD 060 Bermudian Dollar Bermuda BND 096 Brunei Dollar Brunei BOB 068 Boliviano Bolivia BRL 986 Brazilian Real Brazil BSD 044 Bahamian Dollar Bahamas BTN 064 Ngultrum Bhutan BWP 072 Pula Botswana BYR 974 Belarussian Ruble Belarus BZD 084 Belize Dollar Belize CAD 124 Canadian Dollar Canada CDF 976 Franc Congolais Democratic Republic of Congo CHF 756 Swiss Franc Switzerland, Liechtenstein CLP 152 Chilean Peso Chile CNY 156 Yuan Renminbi Mainland China COP 170 Colombian Peso Colombia CRC 188 Costa Rican Colon Costa Rica CUP 192 Cuban Peso Cuba CVE 132 Cape Verde Escudo Cape Verde CYP 196 Cyprus Pound Cyprus CZK 203 Czech Koruna Czech Republic DJF 262 Djibouti Franc Djibouti DKK 208 Danish Krone Denmark DOP 214 Dominican Peso Dominican Republic DZD 012 Algerian Dinar Algeria EEK 233 Kroon Estonia EGP 818 Egyptian Pound Egypt ERN 232 Nakfa Eritrea ETB 230 Ethiopian Birr Ethiopia EUR 978 Euro Eurozone FJD 242 Fiji Dollar Fiji FKP 238 Falkland Islands Pound Falkland Islands GBP 826 Pound Sterling United Kingdom GEL 981 Lari Georgia GHS 288 Cedi Ghana GIP 292 Gibraltar pound Gibraltar GMD 270 Dalasi Gambia GNF 324 Guinea Franc Guinea GTQ 320 Quetzal Guatemala GYD 328 Guyana Dollar Guyana HKD 344 Hong Kong Dollar Hong Kong HNL 340 Lempira Honduras HRK 191 Croatian Kuna Croatia HTG 332 Haiti Gourde Haiti HUF 348 Forint Hungary IDR 360 Rupiah Indonesia ILS 376 New Israeli Shekel Israel INR 356 Indian Rupee India IQD 368 Iraqi Dinar Iraq IRR 364 Iranian Rial Iran ISK 352 Iceland Krona Iceland JMD 388 Jamaican Dollar Jamaica JOD 400 Jordanian Dinar Jordan JPY 392 Japanese yen Japan KES 404 Kenyan Shilling Kenya KGS 417 Som Kyrgyzstan KHR 116 Riel Cambodia KMF 174 Comoro Franc Comoros KPW 408 North Korean Won North Korea KRW 410 South Korean Won South Korea KWD 414 Kuwaiti Dinar Kuwait KYD 136 Cayman Islands Dollar Cayman Islands KZT 398 Tenge Kazakhstan LAK 418 Kip Laos LBP 422 Lebanese Pound Lebanon LKR 144 Sri Lanka Rupee Sri Lanka LRD 430 Liberian Dollar Liberia LSL 426 Loti Lesotho LTL 440 Lithuanian Litas Lithuania LVL 428 Latvian Lats Latvia LYD 434 Libyan Dinar Libya MAD 504 Moroccan Dirham Morocco MDL 498 Moldovan Leu Moldova MGA 969 Malagasy Ariary Madagascar MKD 807 Denar Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia MMK 104 Kyat Myanmar MNT 496 Tugrik Mongolia MOP 446 Pataca Macau MRO 478 Ouguiya Mauritania MTL 470 Maltese Lira Malta MUR 480 Mauritius Rupee Mauritius MVR 462 Rufiyaa Maldives MWK 454 Kwacha Malawi MXN 484 Mexican Peso Mexico MYR 458 Malaysian Ringgit Malaysia MZN 943 Metical Mozambique NAD 516 Namibian Dollar Namibia NGN 566 Naira Nigeria NIO 558 Cordoba Oro Nicaragua NOK 578 Norwegian Krone Norway NPR 524 Nepalese Rupee Nepal NZD 554 New Zealand Dollar New Zealand OMR 512 Rial Omani Oman PAB 590 Balboa Panama PEN 604 Nuevo Sol Peru PGK 598 Kina Papua New Guinea PHP 608 Philippine Peso Philippines PKR 586 Pakistan Rupee Pakistan PLN 985 Zloty Poland PYG 600 Guarani Paraguay QAR 634 Qatari Rial Qatar RON 946 Romanian New Leu Romania RSD 941 Serbian Dinar Serbia RUB 643 Russian Ruble Russia RWF 646 Rwanda Franc Rwanda SAR 682 Saudi Riyal Saudi Arabia SBD 090 Solomon Islands Dollar Solomon Islands SCR 690 Seychelles Rupee Seychelles SDG 938 Sudanese Pound Sudan SEK 752 Swedish Krona Sweden SGD 702 Singapore Dollar Singapore SHP 654 Saint Helena Pound Saint Helena SKK 703 Slovak Koruna Slovakia SLL 694 Leone Sierra Leone SOS 706 Somali Shilling Somalia SRD 968 Surinam Dollar Suriname STD 678 Dobra Sao Tome SYP 760 Syrian Pound Syria SZL 748 Lilangeni Swaziland THB 764 Baht Thailand TJS 972 Somoni Tajikistan TMM 795 Manat Turkmenistan TND 788 Tunisian Dinar Tunisia TOP 776 Pa'anga Tonga TRY 949 New Turkish Lira Turkey TTD 780 Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Trinidad and Tobago TWD 901 New Taiwan Dollar Taiwan TZS 834 Tanzanian Shilling Tanzania UAH 980 Hryvnia Ukraine UGX 800 Uganda Shilling Uganda USD 840 US Dollar United States of America UYU 858 Peso Uruguayo Uruguay UZS 860 Uzbekistan Som Uzbekistan VEB 862 Venezuelan bolar Venezuela VND 704 Vietnamese dong Vietnam VUV 548 Vatu Vanuatu WST 882 Samoan Tala Samoa XAF 950 CFA Franc BEAC Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon XAG 961 Silver (one Troy ounce) XAU 959 Gold (one Troy ounce) XOF 952 CFA Franc BCEAO Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo XPD 964 Palladium (one Troy ounce) XPF 953 CFP franc French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna XPT 962 Platinum (one Troy ounce) YER 886 Yemeni Rial Yemen ZAR 710 South African Rand South Africa ZMK 894 Kwacha Zambia ZWD 716 Zimbabwe Dollar Zimbabwe

I am Blaming It On Phiten

I was told wearing a Phiten Titanium necklace would be the perfect solution for my neck and shoulder pain, so I went to get one.

The necklace is enhanced with titanium which is a safe, allergy-free metal that realigns the bioelectric current in our body. Wearing it constantly claimed to increase our blood circulation and relax our muscles.

Honestly, as soon as I wore it, my stiff shoulders instantly felt better, so I have been wearing it for days - to work, during sports and even to a wedding banquet - which later proved to be a wrong move.

The increased blood circulation meant alcohol reached my head quicker...which also explained why I was down so soon that night with only a few glasses of red and managed to make an embarrassing fool of myself.

Phiten to be blamed.

Against All Odds

What do you say are the odds of finding a phone lying on the streets?

How about the odds of recovering your phone after you have lost it?

OK, how about the odds of finding a phone lying on the street and discovered it actually belonged to a friend you know!

My friend and I were leisurely walking on the promenade at lunch hour and while I was absorbing the ultra-violet rays, I came across something shiny on a bench and it was a phone lying unattended.

We looked around, there was no one and we sat on the bench, thinking what we should do with it. We decided to sit there for 5 minutes, hoping the owner would come back for it.

Whilst the wait, my friend did a quick search on the recently dial list in the phone and, I glanced a familiar name sat on top of that list.

"A friend of mine," I shouted.

I haven't met this friend of mine for ages and I have only managed to add her in my facebook 2 days ago. I was quite sure that has to be the friend I know, no mistake about it because the family name and the first name are both unique. It was no Joe Bloggs.

I called my friend up using that phone, told her I wasn't who she thought I was and explained how and where I came across the phone and wanted to connect to the owner etc etc.

The story goes...The phone actually belonged to my friend's sister - whom I also know and have lost touch for years. She came look for it a minute later and there we were - reunited by the most erie lost & found.

Such a coincidence and we were simply speechless. Perhaps it is time to buy the lottery - the both of us.

A Year In Review

The world in 2008 has been reeling from what claimed to be the worst economic crisis in 75 years. Alright...

According to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008, it is also a year dedicated to:

International Year of Planet Earth,
Year of Languages,
Year of The Potato,
Year of Sanitation and
Year of the Frog

Fair enough.

Despite of a painful sum of total asset vanished into vapour, the cruel fact has miraculously changed my valuation system from half empty to half full. I am continuously hopeful that opportunities still lie all around, which really is a self-realisation of no pain no gain - a blessing indeed.

It has never been clear since birth which direction in life is most promising for me, but in 2008 I found it incredibly difficult to choose and prioritise between the things to focus on. If I have to choose 1 thing, writing on my blog has somewhat seem to be a girl of my own heart.

Coincidentally, this post happens to be the 100th in 2008 on alampy. With over 3000 page views accumulated, that averages out to about 30 views per post. I never expect any reviews or comments on anything I wrote , but readers let me know that stuff I wrote are inspiring and they are becoming an alampy regular. For that, I will give myself a little pat on the back and thanks to those who encouraged me to write. Well done alampy!!


Lost about half a stone over the year compared to the peak, which was rather out of the blue. Guess I need to give credit to the weekly badminton regime and the guys who keep hitting me. Might find my way back into some tennis in 2009 and I have identified someone who will teach me R&B if I am feeling groovy. You see, I am lacking focus again!


It's been a year since my best friend departed this world and I have managed to keep my cool - Too cool in times, friends have even expressed concern whether that could be suicidal. I still question god on the "why" and therefore, not much luck plunging into Christianity as yet but well, who knows when he will come banging on my doorstep and I might just let him in one day.

Wedding bells are still yards and miles away - did not meet no billionaire on the cruise that's why. Will keep investing on the Lottery though, might prove to be a better return on my investment.

2009 is definitely going to be a year to focus on even fewer things, and I should really kick ass on those.

It is the year to pull my act together.

2009 To Arrive 1 Second Later

Wait a second.

The start of next year will be delayed by circumstances beyond everyone's control!

Time will stand still for one second on New Year's Eve because a "Leap Second" will be added to 2008 to let a lagging Earth catch up to super-accurate clocks.

So at precisely 23:59:60 at Greenwich on New Year's Eve, there will be a one-second void before the onset of midnight and the start of the New Year.

We'll have an extra second to celebrate the new year!

Bombay Sapphire

The most popular type of gin in the world, London Dry is what most people think of when they think of Gin. For me, brand names such as Beefeater, Gordon's would strike my mind first.

Not until Benson introduced me to Bombay Sapphire, I began to fall in love in the intensely smooth Gin & Tonic.


This beauty contains at least 10 botanicals infused into the spirit, with the lemon peel and almonds giving its unique aroma. Truly sensational for someone with a character to drink!

And oooh, look at the pretty bottle! Look no further - you are the one!

Till Death Do Us Part

After attending like the 5th weddings in 2008, last night shall literally be my last this year.

I love attending wedding ceremonies, witnessing the newly wed, often my good friends, recite the divine wedding vows, promising into the unknown future "Till Death Do Us Part".

It takes zillion of courage.

I only knew the bride and not the groom in last night's wedding banquet. She is my soul mate's ex-boy friend's best friend's ex girl friend. It is quite unbelievable when both of us sat there last night and thought about it over fine wine, particularly when all our memory of the bride is associated with her ex, my ex, her ex...in other words, a prehistoric time dating back to over 2100 days ago!

Last night, we were being invited to witness her most courageous moment in her life - to share truthfulness to herself and be true to her partner; dare to say how she feels; dare to express what she thinks in front of all. Dare to promise to live, thrive and grow together, honouring her truth and finding the love within to share that truth, until death do them part.

The wedding signified the ending of a chapter - A chapter full of fond memories of the pre-historic days.

The wedding now invites us into a new chapter - A chapter filled with hopefully more joy and let come what may.

Quantum of Solace

Well, I did say my Christmas Movie ought to be Madagasca II, but I ended up going for Quantum of Solace instead.

I agree with you sis, all in all, Daniel Craig is million miles away from the likes of all other James Bonds. The outcome of the whole plot was more or less aligned with my expectation and just like the previous Casino Royale, this is more of an action-packed thriller than a Bond movie.

More than often, Daniel Craig comes across more as an assassin than a British secret agent; Can't recall many beautiful Bond girls, but compensated with lots of gorgeous scenery in Italy, Haiti and South America; And - worst of all, the lack of gadgets is impossible to associate it to anything related to a Bond movie!



Ok - It is when "Miss Fields" was found dead on the bed - did they attempt to tie the film to a Bond movie. The Goldfinger-style death scene is rather cool, but it doesn't really quite fit in, which is a shame.

The Perfect Career Match

Conducted a personality test to find out what sort of career suits me and the below claimed what ought to be perfect:

• Artist
• Historian
• Banker
• Novelist
• University Professor
• Photographer
• Vet
• Paralegal
• Graphic Designer
• Online Content Developer
• Webmaster
• Producer
• Managing Director
• Nutritionist
• Advertising
• Nursing

I don't quite see a fit anywhere. Can you?

Memory Triggers

Music and scent, two of the most evocative ways to bring my own emotion to the fore.

Scent in particular, is the most powerful memory trigger, not sure if you'd agree.

No kidding but I can still recall the smell of the first shower gel I used, can you?

It happened 2 decades ago in Singapore and I love the pleasant smell of it. I was too young to recognise the brand and after all these years, I was quite certain there was absolutely no way I could be able to search for it.

Recently, I bought a bottle of Neutrogena "Rainbath" and - instant playback of my first shower experience with that shower gel. How bizarre!!

Less dramatically speaking, I can also easily relate a particular smell to a particular person. Nail polish remover for instance, always remind me of my sis, who constantly uses it. Freshly mowed lawns can evoke images of my boarding school; scent of leather recalls a ride in a brand-new car; and only recently - I found kidney pies can remind me of a dear friend.

Many a thing can also trigger my good old memories, a snippet of a song, a movie, or a photo. I find scents are the most evoking of all and they can cause me to relive long ago times so vividly, nothing else exists apart from the same feeling I felt when that memory was born.

Farewell to Woolies

Got to bid farewell to some really pleasant memories from the old days.

Despite its American roots, the century old Woolworths managed, from the moment it arrived on U.K. shores, to assume a quintessentially British identity (Unlike McDonald's incongruous golden arches or GAP's preppy khakis).

"Woolies" has always been the seemingly perfect fit for British's High Streets. Sad enough, it is the next victim pulled down by the financial crisis massacre.

Well, can't blame the macro climate entirely for Woolworths' demise, because nowadays, who wants one-stop shop when there are so many well-stocked niche retailers out there and who wants cheap clothings that look cheap, when you can buy cheap clothing that don't?

Once upon a time, variety of its product range was a strength, it is now Woolworths' curse.

Bye bye pick'n' mix!
Bye bye 2.99 CDs!

Where Is Our Safest Bet?

The Bank - prone to bankruptcy...










Or the Police Station where law-beholders break the laws?

A Mobile Phone for Kids

I always wonder why such a device came so soon in the market.

Finally - a mobile phone that is simple enough to let kids aged 6+ (or 60+) talk on the phone on a restricted basis. The number of incoming messages and calls can be limited by parental settings on the phone.

In addition to the call and hangup buttons, there are keys to cycle through the phone book and two dedicated keys for "mommy" and "daddy".


A limited 1,000 sets are now available in Hong Kong for HKD1,280. Not bad for an emergency contact phone for your little ones.....or for kids aged 60+ like my parents perhaps!

My 2008 X'mas Movie: Madagascar 2

Surprise Surprise!

I have been keeping a secret for a while and that secret cannot be revealed until yesterday.

The plot was to give my mom a surprise visit this weekend in Shanghai and celebrate her birthday weekend together.

Parents have been in Shanghai for a few weeks as father was there to get his whole set of teeth fixed. Since then, I have been working with Amy alone on this plot for weeks, making sure the pair of them would stay until this weekend and most vitally, ensure they are at home when I turn up at the door yesterday. How Amy did that, I am not too sure, but the passcode I had shout at the main entrance gate upon arrival was "Delivery, open the door please".

After 3 weeks of planning, there I stood in front of them at the door step, the "delivery" successfully brought forth a really pleasant surprise to mom and dad! I have always suspected the clever them would have smelt something fishy prior to my arrival, but obviously from their reactions, it proved that our disguise was all too perfect.

I am sure everyone loves nice surprises every now and then. I got upgraded to business class for some unknown reasons on my flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai yesterday - Pity it was only a 2-hour journey.

By the time I had my entree of abalone, enjoyed the shark fin soup (from a proper bowl made of nice China), mushroom sautee tenderloin, fruit platter, Haggan Daz ice cream, plus 2 cups of coffee, the plane was ready to land. I didn't even have the time to test out all the functions of the chair I was sitting on!!

Anyhow, we started the birthday weekend celebration by having what else but the seasonal hairy crabs at home. We will go out for some shopping in town today, eat out at night and head to a safari zoo tomorrow. Let's hope the weather will not surprise us with rain!

Unprecedented Presidents

We have the first African U.S. President elected last week with Chicagoans jammed the streets to watch the 44th U.S. President addressed the nation for the first time.

Today we have the history's first former Taiwanese head of state to go to prison with the allerged charges on Money-laundering, bribes and embezzlement.

This world we're living in - is unprecedentedly dishevelled...I think.

"I Have A Dream"

16th Century: The Atlantic Slave Trade began and prevailed

200 years later...

1863: Abraham Lincoln promised freedom for slaves and slavery abolished in Amercian Civil War

100 years later...

1963: Martin Luther King delivered his "I have a Dream" speech

45 years later...

2008: A list of Black Celebs straight from my head:

50 Cents, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Bobby Brown,
Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy,
Justin Timberlake, Kenye West, Mariah Carey,
Mike Tyson, Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton,
R Kelly, Seal, Snoop Dogg, Thierry Henry,
Usher, Whitney Houston......


and how can I not add - the new kid on the block - The first African-Amercian President Barack Obama.

Looks like King's dream is coming true!

Dream on guys! Dream on!

The Craze In Oktoberfest

Just for Laughs

The Quebecers love producing prank don't they?

First we have the comedy "Just For Laughs"- second to Mr. Beans' series as one of my must-watch in-flight entertainments.

With just 2 days before the U.S. Presidential election - we have Palin who took a prank call from a fake Sarkozy!!

"Ohhh, have we been pranked?" The Incompetent Palin asks. "And what radio station is this?"

Check this out - it's absolutely hilarious!

Wordle

This site is quite fun to play with - powered by Java.

Here are supposedly the most commonly used words in my blog.

Who would have thought I used the word 'Healthy" that many times? Most Weird!