Time for Some Clarifications

Hello my dear subscribers

I am writing this especially for you because you have taken the time to actually subscribe to my blog and read it via email or feed readers. Really appreciate that.

As you know I do accept paid advertisements on my blog in the form of blog posts. This is in order to fund my paypal which will support some charity organizations of my choice. However, I do understand that some of you may not enjoy such postings, hence I do encourage you to follow me on twitter or facebook where I purely shared only my original blog posts and not those paid ones. 

Normally, I include the image of my full name below my original blog post. However for paid ones, I will not. In the future I may make put a remark in the title such as [PBP] which stands for Paid Blog Post or [GP] for Guest Post or [R] for Review, so you will know clearly what it is. Not sure if the advertiser will agree with such arrangement but we will see. :)

Thanks again for your understanding and support! :) This kind of message will pop by once in a while so new subscribers may be enlightened too.

Great day/evening ahead, everyone!

SEM and SEO

Search engine marketing (SEM), a term that was almost unheard of in the in the early 2000s, now it has become one of the crucial element for any websites (commercial or personal) to establish themselves in the online world. I used to know very little about it however even up to now, it's like an entire universe on its own and the mastery of it comes with time.To simplify, it is a type of internet marketing that involves the creation of awareness of websites by increasing their appearances through search engines. The better the optimization, the more prominent your websites will be shown in the search results. However this type marketing doesn't limit itself only to online tactics, SEM also reaches out to more eyeballs through offline advertising.

Recently another term has been introduced - local search engine optimization (local SEO) - which has the purpose of increasing visibility for businesses interested to be discovered through geographically related keywords. So, if you have a website that's targeted only to the city that you live in, you have to make sure the keywords that you use are very niche to your target market. 

Instead of doing everything on your own, there are local search optimization companies that specialize in creating such strategies.You can really save a lot of time from the trial and error of which keywords are the most optimized for your needs. However, they may not come cheaply either.

When it comes to my own blog, I did think of exploring into the world of SEO, however not only I have not really dabbled into it in details but also I have no idea what my niche will be. It's hard to label something that's not specific. Since I'm tend to blog only when the thunder of inspirations strikes, I guess I simply let nature takes its course. :) But I do believe I will be embarking on the SEO journey in the near future. It has always been something that I put off for quite sometimes. Procrastination really gets the best of us, sometimes. Hope it won't be for too long. :p

Buy a Pair, Give a Pair

I've been living with my eyeglasses for almost my entire life. The first time my parents discovered I really needed glasses, when I was 3 years old. I started to read book or watch TV with very close proximity. They knew then I needed a pair immediately. Since then, I've never lived without my glasses. Always surrounded by so many of them. There's always a spare one too lying around just in case I broke one somehow. If I could collect all the specs I've ever worn, I couldn't imagine what kind of mini tower would have been created. It was quite a pity that once it has of no usage, it was immediately being tossed away. Nothing much one can do about it with those old dorky frames and customized lenses.

However, one company had an idea and managed to at least make this industry more than pure consumerisms. They create a "Buy a Pair, Give a Pair" program - for every eyeglasses sold, a pair will be given out to people in need. Based on their research, approximately one billion people don't have access to affordable eyeglasses which may possibly increase their income by 20% or even assist students in seeing better in class. Love the idea that this company, Warby Parker, walked the extra miles in working together with experienced non-profit partners to ensure each sale will actually help someone in need.

Such awareness needs to be made known of. You may check out their Youtube Video on how this program really works. Keep it up, Warby Parker! It's always nice to know when companies are able to turn profit into an opportunity to give to the society.

Thank You, Singapore!

Happy birthday, Singapore! 

You are 47 this year and between you and me, we have been together for 14 years now. How time has passed. The first time I "saw" you, that was around 20 years ago (Gasp!), I was only a tourist who cramped into one hotel room with 7 others (4 adults, 4 kids - I was the kid, of course!). I remembered I already loved you lots then. I felt safe and amazed at everything I saw. Of course, I was still a tourist. But there's something about you that I love a lot, didn't know what then. Maybe your gigantic book stores. I was and still a nerd.

In 1998, fate has brought us together again. I was supposed to go to Taiwan but since you are nearer, I came here instead. Within 1 month, nobody thought I was an Indonesian anymore. Then I realized what made me love you more, it's the uniquely Singlish of yours. Believe it or not, it helped me with my conversational English. I picked up fast. I blended in fast. I turned into an Ah Beng overnight and loving it. I don't know why people despise it, it's fun, it has character and it's unique. I don't care what people say, I love the way you talk, Singapore. 

Since it's your birthday today, I would like to express my gratitude for the great 14 years I've had with you:

1. Thank you for keeping me safe. For a girl who just escaped from a riot and witnessed the windows of her house being stoned to pieces, you are heaven. I know I can count on you and never take you for granted because I have lived in a situation when you didn't even know when they were going to invade your house or not.
2. Thank you for having all these awesome food at the most convenient places - everywhere. I used to think I am going to miss the food from my country, a lot. I still think they are the best and tastiest food and I wouldn't be able to get it in Singapore. Sure, some of them still don't exist here but guess what, throughout the year you've impressed me. Look at the choices you have given me when it comes to food. I don't miss the food from my country as much anymore because when I miss them, I just go to Lucky Plaza and I will be a really happy girl. You also have tons of choices which I wouldn't even dream of trying unless I am in those countries - Russian, Turkish, Moroccan, Filipino, etc. How lucky I am to be here! 
3. Thank you for the convenience with your awesome public transportations. I always feel "disabled" everytime I go back to my country because I always have to depend on others (as I don't drive -_-") to commute. But here, I just hop on to the bus, MRT and taxi. They have air-cons!!!!!!! They are clean and comfortable and I can do it all on my own!
4. Thank you for the options in learning. For a curious monkey like me, I have been so fortunate to be exposed in so many interesting things in terms of learning and one of the best learning experience I've ever had is taking up French. I need one whole post to give thanks to that but that's about it for now. My life has changed the day I enrolled myself to one of the best school ever. I wonder what I will be learning next. Your options are pretty limitless.
5. Lastly (though I have many more but I'll just stop here for now cause I need to go somewhere haha), thank you for the trees. I know most of them were grown on purpose but still - thank you. You are a country who really loves its tree so much that they have regular haircuts which make them look stunning. With the presence of the trees around me, I met great creatures like the squirrels, butterflies and my favourite of all - the birds. You know how much I love those birds! I chase them! Muahaha!

You are awesome, Singapore. You have your flaws, of course, who don't, but overall, I think you have done an awesome job. Keep being great. Keep doing what people think you can't. 

Happy birthday, once again. I hope you'll have a great celebration tonight!

Love ya!!!!

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Always doing what you are told, doesn't mean you will succeed in life. - Jiro Ono

Image courtesy of http://jhfirefestival.org/

 

Just watched one of the incredible documentary about Jiro Ono, the world's greatest sushi chef. Who would have thought that this 85yo man, who was abandoned since he was 9yo, will turn out to be one of the best in his field. His passion for sushi and spirit of "kaizen" (continuous improvement), not only made him one of the most unique 3-star Michelin chef with only 10 seats in his restaurant but also convinced majority of the cinema goers to crave for sushi after that. I was one of the victim.

The title 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' is not merely words put together but literally Jiro does dream about sushi. When he receives inspirations through his dreams, he will wake up to make sure he doesn't lose it. He loves perfecting his sushi which many critics already thought his craft is perfection.

What I admire the most about him are the following:

Passion

No doubt he's passionate and in love with what he is doing. The only time he has his holiday will be when there is an emergency and national holidays. He would rather be in his restaurant than anywhere else in the world. I doubt he has any travel plans to see the world because the world of sushi is simply inexhaustible to him. That's when you know you love something so much that you don't need other type of distractions in life anymore, because you've already arrived.

Sense of Humour

Apparently he used to be quite a prankster at school. He still carries his sense of humour behind the serious facade he puts on while at work. You can see it appearing sometimes in the movie. Subtle, but it's there. Truly, a man who's still young at heart.

Rebel

He mentioned he was asked to give a talk in school. He was really perplexed on what advice he should give. He was a rebel. But he couldn't ask the kids to be a rebel and not to study, that may create chaos in the school. Look at his own path, even though he used to be one who doesn't pay attention in class, he has changed and become a successful man in his own field.

Truly a league of his own and I really wonder how do the min SGD500 sushis taste like. You can really be assured that whatever you will be eating on that plate have been thought through with 100% passion, dedication and sheer hard work accompanied with the finest and most suitable ingredients one can ever think of. Every single piece of the sushi is served à la minute.


When will he retire? He said, when his customers find him too hideous to be in the restaurant or if he goes senile. Truly a remarkable man who's still living among us. Catch the show if you have the chance. Watching it in big screen, will make you salivate more. You have been warned. :)

Even at my age, in my work... I haven't reached perfection.- Jiro Ono

Singapore Hidden Gem - Mdm. Saripah (The Artist Along Orchard Road)

Recently, I have been meeting many earthly angels in the form of "strangers" from all sort of places - hawker center, on the bus, in a cab, in a restaurant, etc. The "chosen" place this time, at the bus stop along Orchard Road. There is no coincidence, I really believe by now, I was "guided" to be at that bus stop at that perfect timing. Now, I know why.

I walked closer to the bus stop, to check how the route was going to be after a newly appointed "concierge" of mine has assisted me with the bus selections. I passed a lady bending down, seemed to be selecting some bookmarks from a Makcik (a Malay term which means aunty) in her tudung (a type of scarf worn around the head by the Muslim ladies). 

"Looks interesting.", I thought to myself. I approached the Makcik after checking out the route and told her I would be interested to see more of the bookmarks. $2 each, I could buy some and give to my friends.

"Sit down here. You can choose." - she asked me to sit by her side. I obliged.

"Makcik, you painted all these ah?" - choosing ... choosing ... so many of them.

"Yah lah. What to do? Can't find job. I draw faces too. See, I take photo of people, the next day, you can collect the painting." 

"Wow. Nice leh, Makcik! Talented siah!"

"No lah. Making a living only. Are you a teacher?"

"No lah, Makcik. Why teacher?"

"Cause normally, teachers support my work. I used to sell at Arab Street. But someone stole my hand phone, and you see, I am using tongkat (walking stick), injured my leg. Difficult to walk."

"Alamak! So terrible these people!"

"Yah lor ... horrible lah these people. They know I can't run. So, I jadi (become) victim lah."

"So now, Orchard Road okay?"

"Okay lah. Still have to be careful. You don't know siapa baik, siapa jahat (who is good, who is bad)?"

"Iya, Makcik. Harus hati-hati (Must be careful). Today you are not drawing cartoon?"

"No have. I lagi puasa (am fasting). No strength. So, I just sit down here and sell."

"Oh ya! Sebentar lagi sudah mau buka puasa ya (In a while more, you can break fast, right)?"

"Yes. Mosque is just behind. Very convenient."

Done selecting. "Makcik, I want these 5." 

"Thank you so much. You buy 5, I give you one more free lah."

"No need lah!"

"Need! Take one more!"

I obliged - "Thank you, Makcik!"

"Thank you. You are so kind. Blessed your heart." She put her palm on my heart when she said that and asked,"What's your religion?"

"I believe in all, Makcik. Greedy lah!"

"Haha."

"My bus here liao. You take care Makcik!" I gave her a big hug and waved goodbye. (Good training, BFF, seems like this hugging thing is catching on me pretty well now.)

Mdm. Saripah, not sure if I have spelled her name correctly. Easily above 50 years old. Creating something out of nothing and trying her best to make a living. A woman of faith who still chooses to fast despite her physical and working condition. Truly admirable.

I wish I could do more. I really wish, I could.

Thank you for showing me how the $10 spent in supporting your creativity, has given me the indescribable feeling of fulfillment to my soul. 

Sharing one of the quote Mdm. Saripah wrote on one of the bookmark, my favourite:

"The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water; 

but to walk on the earth." 

Indeed, I walked and what a privilege to have met you, Makcik.

 Thanks for the quotes. You know how much I love quotes, don't you? :)

 

PS. If I have spelled her name wrongly and any of you know the correct way of spelling it, please let me know. I will rectify it. I know she has a cartoonist nickname too. I forgot what it was. Her initial is "AL" in all her drawings.

Do support her if you pass by her. She seems to be hovering around Knightsbridge (After Paragon) and The Heeren. Merci.

My First Guest Blogging Experience with The Local Nose

I have one of the best news today.

The Local Nose (TLN), a Singapore-based wine recommendation website, wine locator, and consumer wine information hub; was generous and open-hearted enough to invite me as one of their guest blogger.

Honestly, I was very nervous when the organizer, Lucia, approached me. I don't think I am good enough since I am not a wine expert at all and yet I am supposed to contribute to a wine site. 

However, the encouragement given by TLN was priceless. They simply asked me to be who I am, observe with my own child-like eyes (ehem) and write about my experience about anything that is related to wine. That got me very excited and so, voila ... my very first article for TLN - When Rojak Met Riesling.

The article was written after one of our private wine tasting event where we tried to pair up local food, in this case - Rojak, with a few bottles of wine. Like a match-making agency, we will then give a verdict on which wine was the best fit with the Rojak. To each its own though. Nobody was right or wrong. Everyone is and always entitled to their own opinion; as wine tasting is indeed a very personal and subjective experience.

Appreciate your kind support to have a look at my very first "live" baby and feel free to give comments and FB like it. :) Merci beaucoup!

How Would You Know It Will be the Last? (A Dedication to My Mentor - Dennis Ng)

I lost an admirable friend and a great mentor today. I'm still in shocked as I'm typing this because 2 deaths of the people I knew around the same time, playing Cashflow game in 2001-2003, simply not amusing any more.

How would you know, really, that the last time you saw that person, would really be the LAST time?

You wouldn't know ...

I didn't too.

Monday, 25 June 2012 - we had a gathering at Park Mall where Dennis Ng, my financial mentor whom I personally saw his progress from zero to financially free, was giving (who would have known) a last lecture. As eerily as this might have sound, I felt very off when I saw him. He loved to do this to people who come early to any talks of his, he opened up the floor by welcoming any questions. At that point of time, I felt like asking him - are you okay, Dennis? You look so skinny. Is everything okay? But I refrained myself from doing so. Not going to put him on a spotlight like that but I texted a few of my friends about this.

At the end of the talk, he did reveal that he's struggling with his health. My heart was so crunched. This guy, who's struggling with his health and yet he's still doing what he does passionately - sharing the message of financial literacy. I was and still kinda not the type of person who gives people hugs. My BFF is training me though, asking me to hug few of my close friends. I summed up the courage before I left the room, I asked Dennis - Can I give you a hug? I did. I tried so hard to hold back my tears. Now I know why I was compelled to do what I did then. I followed my heart and never look back and I glad I did it because now, no more chance.

He reassured me then - I'm fine, don't worry. I'm fine.

He was not fine. He is gone now.

How would you know, my friends, that the person you see now in front of you, will be the last time you see them? How would you know that whatever you strongly believe in really don't matter when death comes knocking at the door?

You wouldn't know.
You really wouldn't know.

The best advice he has ever given to me is to acquire self knowledge and honestly express yourself at its best. People can teach you anything but ultimately, you will come out with your own knowledge - your unique way of fishing instead of being given the fish. His legacy is simply by reassuring people how ordinary and average he was and yet through believing 100%, he achieved what he couldn't even imagine would be possible.

Thank you, Dennis for your life. I am really honoured and so privileged to know you. To walk those paths with you carrying our Cashflow board game to people's houses for free. You helped me when I was just a student to attend those investing seminars. Most importantly, after all these years, you never forget me and acknowledged our experiences in any of your talks as if I was one of the witness of your journey, which I was. You were my real life proof of possibility. I saw your journey and you were who you said you were. Hope your legacy will continue. You will be so truly missed by me.

RIP.



PS. For some of his teachings and interviews, can be found in this youtube link.