I ponder: Chaos and Riots

This is a short post.

I am reading this post online about law blogs relating to China market. Please check them out here. This blog is fantastic and very very informational comparing to what we get in Malaysia.

When i read this post about the effects of the global economy slowdown and its effect relating to doing business in China, i came across this:

"I'm just glad we are no longer in Thailand"

It chokes me and instantly makes me laugh! It is true, you know. All the sudden. Thinking back about a government and its people rioting all the time looking for something so intangible such as justice and fairness. Overthrowing the government. How many prime minister has Thailand change since last 2 years? I forgotten the numbers la, but i am pretty sure its more than 2 to 3.

Its political instability is very much of a concern. Thinking back as a normal person who wants to travel to Thailand for holiday, i might want to change my mind to other destinations.

Its true. Chaos, riots and wars in the world.

How do one really survive and live peacefully at this tormented times? Perhaps we need more positivity and people that really cares about the world.

What do you think?

2008 and 2009 Objectives

Looking back *serious tone* at 2008. 365 days has passed us again and what had happen? Its like superly fast when you are busy and having fun. Just feels like yesterday imagining and thinking back last year Xmas and New Year! And here we are, having winter again awaiting for snow this time around.

What have i done and what i have accomplished? Looking back at the objectives i have set for myself this year in 2008, I believe i have made some improvements and accomplishments.


1. No procrastination
2. Be physically fit
3. Be bad debt free
4. Buy 1 more property with + cashflow


Thinking about this.

What is my goal for my new 2009? My most important turning point in my life so far. The year before 30. I did thought of these goals for a while. I will write 5 goals that i want to achieve in 2009 (so far i have 3 to 4)

Worst Prediction Quotes in 2008

LMAO!

I really did when i read the following quotes.

1. "A very powerful and durable rally is in the works. But it may need another couple of days to lift off. Hold the fort and keep the faith!" -- Richard Band, editor, Profitable Investing Letter, Mar. 27, 2008

At the time of the prediction, the Dow Jones industrial average was at 12,300. By late December it was at 8,500.

2. AIG "could have huge gains in the second quarter." -- Bijan Moazami, analyst, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, May 9, 2008

AIG wound up losing $5 billion in that quarter and $25 billion in the next. It was taken over in September by the US government, which will spend or lend $150 billion to keep it afloat.

3. "I think this is a case where Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are fundamentally sound. They're not in danger of going under I think they are in good shape going forward." -- Barney Frank House Financial Services Committee chairman, July 14, 2008

Two months later, the government forced the mortgage giants into conservatorships and pledged to invest up to $100 billion in each.

4. "The market is in the process of correcting itself." - President George W. Bush, in a Mar. 14, 2008 speech

For the rest of the year, the market kept correcting and correcting and correcting.

5. "No! No! No! Bear Stearns is not in trouble." - Jim Cramer, CNBC commentator, Mar. 11, 2008

Five days later, JPMorgan Chase took over Bear Stearns with government help, nearly wiping out shareholders.

6. "Existing-Home Sales to Trend Up in 2008" - Headline of a National Association of Realtors press release, Dec. 9, 2007

On Dec. 23, 2008, the group said November sales were running at an annual rate of 4.5 million -- down 11% from a year earlier - in the worst housing slump since the Depression.

7. "I think you'll see (oil prices at) $150 a barrel by the end of the year" -- T. Boone Pickens, June 20, 2008

Oil was then around $135 a barrel. By late December it was below $40.

8. "I expect there will be some failures. I don't anticipate any serious problems of that sort among the large internationally active banks that make up a very substantial part of our banking system." -- Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, Feb. 28, 2008

In September, Washington Mutual became the largest financial institution in US history to fail. Citigroup needed an even bigger rescue in November.

9. "In today's regulatory environment, it's virtually impossible to violate rules." -- Bernard Madoff, money manager, Oct. 20, 2007

About a year later, Madoff -- who once headed the Nasdaq Stock Market -- told investigators he had cost his investors $50 billion in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

10. A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win, the title of a book by conservative commentator Shelby Steele, published on Dec. 4, 2007.

Mr. Steele, meet President-elect Barack Obama.

What do you think?!?!?!?!? Funny but true, right?

I made myself a point last time several years to not to listen to any of these bullshit told by these so-called consultant and analyst. They are mediocre at best. If what they say is true, why aren't they invest or put their life in it?

Ooooh, of course, its not their money. Not their risk. What worst could happen?

All these prediction. Nonsense and crap.

I believe the basics. Trust yourself with some information and knowledge or how things works. Go back to the fundamental. The world works that way. It is always about greed and joneses. Its how this things work.

I remembered this story to remind myself. My mom likes to save money in FD for that 4% p.a. and you know what happen the other day? I withdraw cash from ICBC account in China (same bank, different branch at different district) and i got charge 1% for just money withdrawal at ATM at the same bank. FUCK!

Just 1% for withdrawing $$$ at same bank? And my mom keep the $$$ to earn that 4% p.a. for a whole year?

Dun even mention about putting your funds and moneys into trust funds, mutual funds and unit trusts (of course, not all banks and financial institutions have these mess) but, do your broker or financial representative that invest your $$$ invest themselves too? Can they explain to you if they lost your precious money that you work so hard for???????

Just look at the Madoff mess in Wall Street. USD50 billion losts in a ponzi scheme. In Wall Street. Can you imagine the mess?

This really makes my last day of 2008 a hell lot better. How about you?

Shanghai: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

As continued from the previous posting.

What do we do after eating in Xinwang Char Chan Teng in Shanghai (btw, we normally have Xinwang for brunch or lunch on Sunday)? We go for COFFEE!!! Not much of special brew or special beans, but more of convenience sake.

Hence, either overpriced Starbucks or Coffeebean! This time around i am blogging about Coffeebean in Infinite Mall by Huai Hai Zhong Lu. I like this branch compared to Xintiandi due to its less crowded here and there is always spaces for you, smokers, comparing to XTD branch.

On that particular day, one particular Sunday, after our dear lunch, we just hang out at Coffeebean for a couple of hours, smoking and chilling out while reading some magazines, before proceeding to North Bus station to go back to ZJG.

We ordered Ice Latte and Ice Blended Chocolate. Apparently, Romeo loves the ice blended chocolate to bits! He even do not wanted to let go! Wahahahaha. Even finishes almost all the ice-blended by himself.

We normally tried to cut down on the pastries. Just there to enjoy that coffee. Smooooooooth! In addition, of course, we read magazines to catch up with the latest news, events, promotions, happenings and most important, discounts around Shanghai. For us to enjoy the 50% discount or some secret hidden gem restaurants in Shanghai.

We enjoy the moments so much! Wahahahahaha. Plus, a little camwhoring effort moment from me. I think i can make it into kinda of professional camwhore photographer. Wakuakuakua!

Why can't we have a Coffeebean in Zhangjiagang??!?!?!?!?!?!?

ps: I love coffee so so so much! And the nearest nicest coffee is made at my house kitchen!

Shanghai: Xinwang Char Chan Teng in Xmas 08

I have quite some time at Zhangjiagang for this weekend. Apart from coming back a couple of days ago for Xmas in Shanghai, i have been "lepak-ing" at home and in this lifeless place. To save up the money and to go workout at gym? Yeah. Need to relax and much needed rest once a while.

Typically, when we are in Shanghai. What do we do? I mean, apart and except from going shopping and clubbing at night. We eat of course, at the nice place and good Cantonese cuisine restaurant that serve nice delicious food! Not too expensive for Shanghai and Hongkong standard.

Xinwang Char Chan Teng that we normally go to is located in Infinite mall by Huaihai Zhong Lu and Pu An Lu. It is definitely one of the cantonese restaurant you must go for. Delicious! Located opposite Shanghai Times Square (shi tai guang chang) in Huai Hai Zhong Lu. Infinite mall is where, Babyface and California Fitness is located.

Back to the story. Look at the food! Delicious!

I love Xinwang restaurant due to several reasons actually and these reasons are actually shared and agreed with almost everyone.

1. Their roast pork, roast duck and BBQ pork rice is fantastic. Just as nice a those we ate in Malaysia if not better. Seriously!

2. Their rice set comes with 2 types of sauce depending of the type of meat you ordered. Roast duck with their famous plum sauce and nice black soy sauce, roast pork comes with mustard and sweet sauce.

3. Their curry beef set rice is like very very delicious, given the standard in Shanghai food at decent price. The beef is just tender and nicely cooked. The curry is not too oily nor too powdery taste.

4. Their nissin noodle set is like 100x times better than any char chan teng i've ever visited. Seriously. Even Romeo ate the noodle till he finishes, which is huge portion.

5. Their food portion is bigger than any normal char chan teng food franchise in Malaysia. Well, not everything. But big by my standard, or perhaps smaller than Chilli's food?

6. Their Fujian fried rice is particularly delicious served with mussels, squid and seafood, which is again different from other fujian fried rice, i've tasted.

7. Their breakfast and evening tea time set meals are like superly cheap by Shanghai standard. RMB 22 for a nissin noodle set that comes with an omelette toast set and a glass of Hongkong ice tea. Gawd! Where to find?!?!?!?!?!?

8. Their restaurant is not smelly! This is particularly important for us, due to the fact the there are a lot of smokers in the restaurants and those cooking oil smell you will experience in winter. Particularly in some smokey restaurants and by the time you finish your food, you smells like a roasted pork yourself. Or smelly tofu.

9. Xinwang opens from 10am to 5am in the morning. Basically, you can drop in the restaurants fro brunch, lunch, tea time, dinner, supper, after-club food session and anytime in between. Seriously.

10. It is always full and there is always a waiting lists for this restaurant. Perhaps everyone share the same taste as us, picky and delicious. And so far, we have yet to be disappointed by Xinwang yet. Given its price and food quality.

And of course, the usual camwhoring pictures and moments! I just like winter so much! Feels so cool! Wakakakaka. Plus, one of the biggest Xmas tree decorations in front of Times Square!

Wait for my next post on what we normally do after Xinwang brunch.

Coffee la! What else?

Champ De Ble: 5 Star French Food in ZJG

Seriously, Zhangjiagang is seriously serious lack of any decent proper entertainment for the exception of a few food places such as Italian, French and hot pot! Of course, this lifeless place have a bar street that looks very dodge by Mel's standard and a disco name SOS where everyone just shakes their head with "lala" songs.

Anyway, back to the story. This post is my 2nd post, i think for the only decent French food restaurant in town name Champ De Ble. The last time we was there was like a couple of weeks back and it is actually wonderful and nice. The ambience of the restaurant is rather good and the service of staff is friendly as well. Even Romeo is like a regular kid there with all the waitress knows him inside out. Given that he runs around messing with all the waitress and the restaurant, no wonder all knows him so well.

This time around, we went on Friday night and i personally ordered a bottle of French red wine for my taste bud. I did go and choose the it myself and taking risk of finding one that fits my budget and my taste. I like it strong, a little sweet and smooth. At the end, i manage to get a RMB180 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon. It taste almost to what i wanted.

We did order some dishes for ourselves as well. A tuna pizza, thin crust, ala French style?, a carbonara spaghetti and a roast pork French style. We were served with a slice of nice pumpkin pie for each of us and a basket of garlic bread as well.




At the end, we could not have finish all the food and as normal chinese would do, we take away the remaining pizza! Wahahaha! Typical Malaysian. Why waste?

The bill comes to less than RMB400 that excludes any taxes, which is normal for China restaurants. I would rate this Champ De Ble restaurant in Zhangjiagang, one of the best restaurant in town (given the price, of course).

5 star restaurant!

p.s: I am so grossed of pasta right now. Any kind of pasta, in fact. And i am going off diet and of pasta for 1 month, at least. Feeling so cheesy now!

Taikang Lu: Glismatten

Gosh! I am extremly extremly feeling very hungry now! Due to the lack of choices here in ZJG. >_<

But, no fear, i am going to Taikang Lu, the french concession road area in Luwan district that i am going to explore in a matter of time. Need to move on from the normal Huaihai Lu area for some extra new refreshments.

Until i come across this restaurant by the name of Glismatten. Not too sure what are their speciality but with a cheap price and a review of 5 star service by some customers, i think why not?

Check out their website here http://glismatten.spaces.live.com/

God! They have their own spaces.live blog as their food blog! Hahahaha! Talking about connectivity! I believe this restaurant should be of a nice hanging out restaurant rather than posh posh cafe like Bonito that we had just went on Xmas Day.

Gawd! I have to stop looking at food!