Champion forum trip to Australia Melbourne in 2015

A short 4 minutes video will wrap up the whole trip, read on if you want details....

Very lucky to be going to champion forum 2015 as a second time winner. Last year Champion forum was going to Japan Osaka and Koyto. This year sitting for DS platform had shrunk whatever it is, I applied my 80/20 rules, and most importantly, I achieved my 2nd milestone and that's all it matter.

This year we didn't extend our trip like last year, Australia is not a new place for me. As I had been there for 3 times already.

bid farewell by singapore colleague 

Reach reception at CF welcome tea function

We stayed in grand hyatt hotel in the heart of Melbourne city. Very grand hotel which otherwise I would not have book them myself if not that company had make a full expenses paid trip. Love that everyday we will be surprise with randomese gift place inside of our hotel room and I gonna say that this year gift I had love it so much compared to last year. That includes, crumpler backpack, sport wind breaker, water bottle and a Australia duffer bag. I loved the duffer bag the most.

First night we were invited to a buffet welcome dinner, and the spread and quality of the food is impressive, all protein was of most premiere quality. Take is lamb for example, the preparation and the cooking was top notch and I had taken like 6 piece medium well lamb and its so succulent juicy meat. No worries on beer cause in Australia, you get free flow of beer, wine and champagne everyday and every night.

In Australia, everyone gets their fair share of alcohol fix. My BFF joyce, soh ge and tan ge. I think I brought a culture to citibank. I like to call all people for ge and jie at the back. This is similar to the japanese culture where they name each other san at the back to imply politeness. This practice had went viral across the DS platform.

We spent first night practicing our dancing at the gym, we were not as excited to the dance compared to last year but we still want to put in effort in all our undertaking in Citibank. We are the Singapore faces and we will not want to put us to shame. That our ethic and commitment we have for our platform. The spirit of Champion I guess. 

Second day, we had a light schedule including, ice breaker amazing race, see penguin at Philip island plus of cause our dinner. First thing, we got scrambled into different country group to go around Melbourne city for amazing race. It sort of bring us to different point of interest in the city and we get to feel the city more. 

My amazing race group comprising of bankers from Indian, China and Australia. One of the attraction Hoister lane, I will share some photo later. Its a very unique lane that feature freelance graffiti art on the walls.

Also we were up to the Eureka sky deck on level 88. Highest in Melbourne and this is also the second time I visit it. First time is with Yan ru during our Bendigo attachment. 

After Philip island watch Penguin goes home after sunset, we had our dinner at a full course meal restaurant. 

At mid night we went to casino to try to upgrade my citigold account. Turn out I lost $200. I was hoping to win the $250k jackpot just by merely draw a royal flush in that night. Unfortunately that didn't happen. Haha. Andrew lost his wallet and CG assist by winning 3k that night and split the loot. Very nice for CG.

3rd day, we start by having our adrenaline activities at go kart. They are indoor with air con and their car is fast. You can drift when going into a corner. CG lead singapore team to number 2 in standing after the korean guy. Nice job.

The same night we had our gala dinner, the one that we get our award on stage and we have to dress up in very formal wear. Happy to be there. 

Let have a selfie with my director and he is very nice and forgiving to me. Although I will be leaving the company straight after the trip he was still enough to let me go for the trip. Furthermore he tried to kept me within the company by offering me a couple of position in progress despite I haven't reach my job rotation duration. 2 years by default. He say if I am interested to go insurance, I can be a insurance specialist or personal banker which can be promote to relationship manager within as short as 1 year. Really appreciate the effort from my director he even say that I can come back anytime if things get difficult outside. What more can i ask from my company. 

singapore DSF winners

Juliet aka Luan aka Lu'an

Have to special mention this lady, she always a inspirational lady since I know her last year CF. Her attitude to life is great. She had been a 4th time winner going 5th time I think. She has a sister who I believe also went for 5 to 6 time CF. She spend money on appeal like nobody business. I very trust on her view and recommendation on fashion item. Everytime we go shopping together I got cross sold instantly on the spot and I would not regret on the spending. Although very expensive but they are suitable and exquisite.

The blazer is the same one I wore last year, but last year I was in bow tie and this year I op in for the tie. Instantly you will almost think that its different suit from last year. I could have tailor 1 more set for around $500 but it will contradict with my capsule wardrobe concept. 

I put on weight as compare to last year. Although last year I had already put on more weight. Now is heavier. FML. It just spoilt the whole picture. 

Next year I will not be there again. But what I bring out of citibank, I would want to excel in any future career and put what I have learnt in citi, the attitude and mentality to carry on pushing my boundary. I agree to them saying the best first job after your graduation should be in sales industry. When I was young I underestimate sales job. There is a stigma to sales person as we generally regard them as low educated and sneaky. But I learnt too late. First the potential income is higher. And when you work on sales, you almost becoming motivated as every sales belongs to yourself and your commission, unlike corporate job tends to make you shove off the responsibility on anything that you are working on. And in life you need to learn how to sell, how to promote and package a product. As in life, everyday you are selling yourself, convincing anyone or everyone to do what you want them to do. Learn to convince and confuse :)

last day we went to another to do shopping and they are very excited to get G star according to them some of the design cannot be brought in singapore and the price is generally a bit cheaper to singapore. Since luan said that the G star raw jean is very nice. I brought it. But fuck, the jean cost $270. Oh my fucking god. this is the most expensive jean I can afford. Probably can amount to the total of jean I buy in my life. So you will ask what so special about this jean, and according to luan. the special of the jean is that it can only be washed once every 2 year -_-''

Hoister lane is the street where people do graffiti and its sort of a very nice place in Melbourne, went there and take some picture.

the latest in pose

mickey moused my director

 The whole event end with our citi can dance. And I was already drunk when I was dancing on the stage. Drunk level is I already couldn't recollect how i make it to stage, because that I already lost. The person that is dancing on the stage behalf of me is my another half. My split personality brother who is carry my body whenever I am drunk.

The last night was an emotional one. Because I had too much to drink, I couldn't control my emotion. I cried that night in front of my tan ge soh ge and luan. But fear not. that the tear of the commemoration. It the thought that i couldn't be working side by side with them make me sad.

My capsule wardrobe for asian men on the planning

Capsule wardrobe is a concept to keep life simple and cheaper by limiting our wardrobe to a certain size. There is no hard rules on the number of clothes that consider a capsule wardrobe but Project 333 is the first to re introduce this concept to modern lifestyle in 2010. Her concept is 33 pieces for 3 months as they are off seasonal country. Some T shirt just couldn't pass of as winter wear. Hence this doesn't applies to asian country. Below is 2 sample of a capsule wardrobe for men and women respectively.

I am creating a version of capsule wardrobe with my own existing clothes now. Hopefully I just need not as much as 33 pieces (excluding garment and sport wear). For my nature of work which requires formal shirt and pant, I will be planning a tiny 7 formal work wardrobe separately. Its fun and a lot of benefit to keep a simple wardrobe. Less to think and buy and still able to wear your signature staple with confident.

To help us construct the wardrobe I shall share the definition of capsule in this context.

1. a collection of clothes and accessories that includes only items considered essential
2. a person’s basic collection of coordinating clothes that can be used to form the basis of outfits for all occasions
3. a set of clothing, normally around 24 items, which can be mixed and matched to create a wide variety of outfits.

Also I could like to state some rules to assist your wardrobe for construction

1. 33 items including clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes.
2. Not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewelry that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear, workout clothing and job related attires.
3. Choose your 33 items, box up the rest of your wardrobe, seal it with tape and put it out of sight.
4. Lastly 33 is not of any standard, feel free to adjust to your own liking.

For my planning stage its wise to break down them into categories before I go shopping in my own wardrobe. It also help to empty every single piece out of the closet and pick out your "must have", "maybe" and "never". Start from zero.

My list of break down for your reference (33 pieces). This capsule closet will be my off work, pleasure wardrobe. I will construct another job based corporate tiny wardrobe in the future to wear for my 7 days work rotation. 

8 shirts

7 pants and shorts

2 formal function

3 outer wear

5 shoes

6 accessories

2 jewel

You know about the quote often about "less for more", minimalism is the new "IN" thing. Furthermore a colorful wardrobe do not translate to colorful life anyway. 

So long never go out play after meet PL

This month march is the first time after 10 years after I ord from ADF and was called up for reservist. First In Camp Training after 10 years at age 32. We think we couldn't complete the 10 cycle. We will out post by the time we reach 40.

I was excited this time to go back to reservist as I am still working and drawing basic + comm, hence the time spend inside camp is free money cause they are going to compensate me back my average monthly salary. And I also happen to have an excuse letter to excuse myself from running jumping marching and IPPT. Hence we are being assigned as super sub, doing some light admin work. It will be a good chance for me to stay at bunk away from work and relax myself awhile.

This month I finally get to hang out with co worker. So long never get together with my colleague already. Last minute went JB thru second link. First time I taking this route to JB.

Finally going to 303. (Pun intended) It actually is a authentic chinese therapy massage as vs the Thai massage they are more pressured focus more on pressure point. The auntie step me to clark my bone is no april fool joke. Along my spine she clark almost 4 times from upper back till the lower back. Each clark is like unlocking the century secret being there for century left unlocked. The accumulation of tireness, accumulation of 10 years of standing at road show. The stress and all unlock at the clark. One and for all you are brought to near death experience. You went thru hell and came back alive. Reborn, refresher orb and rejuvienized.  

* clark mean the bone sound when she step on top of you

It is also one of a time when I fulfil my childhood dream. To eat at Red star restaurant at Chin Swee Road. There is always childhood restriction on finance where your parent just doesn't want to bring you to eat at certain restaurant although now it is very reachable by your own standard. Just this one at where I am staying 20 years ago, was so unreachable by me. Now finally have the opportunity to eat with angel. Thinking back the Angel I know during primary school and exactly at the place. How ironic.

I mean for dim sum, they really serve good stuff. That explain why they are still here after so many years. From the crowd I guess they are still getting a nice profit from doing their usual business 20 years ago. The setting, the furniture and renovation are so yesteryear. They still have auntie pushing the trolly around for you to order the buns, har gao and siew mai etc. The chair that almost give way but that the nostalgia feeling that you can't experience anywhere else. Definitely coming back one more time. 

Angel is just the only 1 out of 120 dso whom is a girl which her own car. Manual somemore, sport series somemore, swap engine somemore. Where to find this kind of person still. Yea. with us. Test drive Subaru Impreza 

The crazy shit just spend her whole day at electronic fair with me lala around and she brought herself redmi 3 just for a spare phone. We took a selfie on her Miui UI which applied skin filter on default, very convenient right. 

After PL bring back the authentic salted egg croissant from JB. I am addicted to it. When around to hunt for this. Don't mention the new launch cheap skate knock off from bread talk. The filling is like china salted egg wannabe. The paragon orchard one is more authentic and closer to the JB one.

Met up my BFF from cg for lunch at Paragon. Last met up with her was so long ago. Didn't have the chance to meet her after CF. This year CF is 2 weeks later. Finger cross to me even make it to the trip due to some personal reason. Will disclose the full inform soon. Stay tuned Bros

Anyway since I have no time to split the post I might as well squeeze in another event.

 Went to 36 with my BFF from DSO. and i just learnt from blanka that BFF can cuddle lai and cuddle qu de (pun intended). BFF can give Hermes bracelet one. BFF is? I am so confused. Anyway had been away from drinking places for at least 1/2 year. So committed to PL, now after so long get to taste my long lost beer. OMG thats heavenly.

Finally I did it, after best of my 3 years

On April fool, but don't mean to fool anyone. And everyone know I am not fooling. Rumours being flying around. And yes. Its confirmed. One of the saddest, one of the most reluctant and one that is the most appropriate. Will update a super long on this. At month end.

Brought to you by Nescafe

My econ plan for home improvement

Like i said before. I need to periodally purchase big expenditure very alternate month. Sometime it can be a overseatrip, a iMac, some random luxurious item, a car, an iphone/ipad, a PS4 so on and so forth. That set me off my saving plan a fair bit. And they are trash item that can only to used infrequently and some even not been used yet. It hard for me to save hence i need regular saving plans. 

But this month i spent another 3k on bulk purchase but i felt money well spend. I am upgrading my home to econ friendly. I need to replace home applicances to energy efficient and hence giving me long term cost saving. 

My monthly utlilities bill for 2 person is around $200 which is quite a lot. We were seldom at home excepted after 7pm. Electrical bill shouldnt amount to so much. I reackon my 25 years old aircon might be the culprit. I had a 55" plasma TV, obselete technology already and everytime we watch tv i just emit a lot of heat. Must get those replaced. 

Went for the 40" philip at gain city roadshow. For $499. It is HD digital ready. 4 star on energy efficency.

Installed a ceiling fan to fight the heat and due to I decided to go for system 2 instead of having aircon in the living room. The diff price for system 3 is around 1k. Don't want to spend on air con that i will unlikely use. 

My new system 2 , 4 star rating from Mitsubishi. With ion distribution. But i smoke in room hence i think i don't get to enjoy the benefit. 

Leveled up my aquarium. I really enjoy watching the shrimp swimming around. I might build a better tank in the future when i buy my new house. Although i have no find my wife yet. 

Staycation at hotel Changi cove

I believe this hotel is only 4 yrs old and relatively new, i book it as it adv as 4 star going for $140 sgd per night (after discount) which is quite worth it. However i think they are not worth 4 stars as adv. hard to access room from lobby, lack of smoking point and not fridge in the room. My shower got no hot water although later they had water back online. Good thing is we went off perk, very little people hence quite quiet which we are looking for when going for staycation. 

Whats special is that the room will be complimentary nespresso coffee and a bean bag to snuggle. They also have a guest loft where u get free flow of espresso machine and board games to play. But still i hate they didnt include fridge in their room. 

Another highlight is that they allow us to draw arts on their wall. Let me vent out some creative juice inside the hotel. 

A lot of tree and jungle green around the hotel but lack in swimming pool and smoking point. The whole hotel only have 1 smoking point at the lobby which i have to travel 3 mins from the room to the smoking point. Enough on the hotel. 

Sat morning i surprise her by picking her up after her yoga and when to changi village to have lunch. She wasnt aware about the staycation that i had planed. Suddenly she had the urge to go toilet and i told her the public toilet was too dirty and i would bring her to somewhere cleaner and with aircon. Driving to Changi cove, the hotel doesn't look like one. It do looks more like a country club which she used the toilet while i secretly checked in. Unfortunately, the checking in took so long and she caught me checking in already. Killed the surprise. 

The rest of the afternoon and evening we just laze around watching cable and movie on my ipad. There are itnerary and we suppose to visit a musemum and changi boardwalk however i was really really lazy. But the boardwalk had stunning view at sun set. Could love to go there one more time to enjoy the senceria. 

These are some of the images from evening boardwalk. Would really want ti be there sometime again to take picture myself. 

At night we went to Changi village to dabao walking will take ard 8mins, driving take 2 minutes but hard to find parking on weekend. 

Our dinner cost me around $60. Oh my god. I am so broke. 

I can cook so can you

Gordon ramsay is a inspiration to me and i had been watching his hell kitchen, kitchen nightmare and masterchef. This new year is a stay home for thru 1st day till 4th day. Took 2 days MC after 2nd of chinese new year to "regroup" myself. For the highlight is I started cooking. What put me off cooking so long is because its damn expensive if you do not cook often. 

Invited some friends over to try my home cook meal, 酸菜鱼，洋葱蛋，炒香菇，老干妈辣椒虾 and 酱油鸡翅。simple, delicious and favorful. I had got positive reciew that i cook better than some mums and maids. 

Endosement for my good food. I am going to elevate to western cusine soon. Going to explore steak and some western spices in near future. 

For the simpliest. I tried salad. They are easy to do but they do cost me hand and leg. I didnt know veg can be so expensive they have the organic version which is like double the price. 

My prepare my own salad lunch box with canned sardine as my protein and french source as dressing. First attempt and the source is too acidic to my liking. So i try again with home made salad dressing. 

Fresh greens with nice japanese cucumber and red chilli. 

Pan fry my own crutons with bread crumbs and garlic infused olive oil. 

Its good seasoned with ground pepper, parsley and home made mustard lemon dressing. Better this time round. 

I tried simple western receipt with garlic prawn. They are one of the easiest to cook. 

Using excessively on garlic and it make me have a bad gas day. Fart like crazy. I went to read up about gasing problem from over indult in garlic. 

Raw garlic is difficult to break down at the stomach and went the garlic got pass down to the large instestine, the bacteria broke down the garlic and release methane and a by product and usual accompanied with foul pungent smell. I know its disgusting reading in conjunction with food post. Haha

I also make some french toast. This time i nailed it. 10 years ago i tried cooking for someone using just eggs and bread. Didnt turn out right. Now i got it with eggs, milk and brown sugar for the sweet after taste. They are just great. Just need some maple syrup and they can pass of as restruant quanity. 

Some honorable mention of my mums cooking thru this new year. 

PL sneak out her mum home cook meal for me during lunar new year. Loved the prawns. 

Knowing to cook is certainly a plus point on so many different level. Cooking for some one you love and feed them to a full meal is nothing less of a sweet things to do. It will be a rewarding endevours :)