It’s already 150 years after On The Origin Of Species

This year marks the 150th years of the release of Charles Darwin’s On The Origin Of Species. I find it surprising until now that although many claimed that they believed in evolution or Darwinism, there wasn’t much ‘celebration’ for marking the 150th year of the release of the book. Why not many scientists or schools or universities make this a major event?

Strictly speaking, to put the book back to its original space as a science record observed and written by Charles Darwin himself, it was a record presented at its best with the best known knowledge and the best known equipment, or should I say, none then. Fortunate or unfortunate, observations are never able to tell the whole picture or the whole truth. Science is not a subject that relies solely on observations but the abilitiy to reproduce the same observation with the same conditions (ability to duplicate it), producing the same results.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t so for Charles’ case. He drew conclusions based on his observations (admire that researcher’s spirit) but without the equipment which have been invented over the last 150 years: from microscope to electron microscope etc, Charles didn’t realise that the conclusions he had made could gave such an impact to the world, creating controversy and misfortunes of wrongfully used by evil people to perform destruction of a race as a justification. In fact, in the information age, we learned one thing which is very important, information needs to be verified and with the best means we could.

With better means, we are able to gather more information and most importantly, more accurate information. The invention of microscope and later on the electron microscope open a whole new world to us into the micro-levels of biology that never people have seen before. With the knowledge of genetics and its mechanism, we were shocked too and finally realised that we are all being determined how we will look like, grow like etc… inside our genes. And though we share a lot the same in genes with what we supposed to evolve from, the tiny % differences have already decided we are going to be human and not animals.

Is evolution still a hypothesis or theory?

Yes, it is still a theory. Strictly by definition of science, anything that cannot be proven repetitively, is not science at all. To draw conclusion by observations is always a dangerous thing. Many issues in life happened because of mere observations, plus some assumptions, it can split a family, destroy a relationship, even countries go into battle.

However, to deny evolution is a science would mean, to some people, to accept creation as the alternative possibilities. Actually, to be fair, through observations, you can draw two conclusions: created or evolved. But to accept the possibilities of creation to some would mean to accept the existence of God and thus God’s authorities, rules, purposes etc.. that come along with it.

Thus, there are many who don’t believe in creation not because of non-scientific at all but because of the unacceptance of a higher character called God.

Evolution was  to some, a cool thing to believe in because, it means that you decide your own fate, where you want to go (evolve into). Including breaking the norms, hopefully not the rules, or even civil laws.

Believing in Creation is not non-scientific

When you look at a watch, electronic or mechanical, you could tell straight away that it was first being designed and then machined and then put together. Try doing this: put some gears, needles, screws, face dial etc and start shaking them inside a container. May be in gazillion years later, it will become a watch (serving the purpose)?

When a man die, he only turns into dust. We all know what human is made up of: mostly water which is hydrogen and oxygen, then follow by carbon, with some iron, cobalt, other various minerals. We can find the exact proportion and put all these ingredients together. But we can never create a human out of it.

Here leads to also another interesting thing: how is fossil being preserved?

Is fossils really millions of years old?

Many times when a fossil or a group of it was found, it was always mentioned that it was backdated to millions of years. Why? Well, the reason or sometimes could be the motive was because to support the theory of evolution. It took times for creatures to be evolved.

However, say if you live million years ago and you die one day. You were buried or may be even not. Could you believe that you had the chance to become fossils?

Scientists don’t explain in depth how come fossils can be preserved so well over million of years when we know that if we left a dead body unburied, it would decomposed very quickly and over years, not even the skeleton could be left intact.

Only possibility was a sudden event that trapped the dinosaurs, the eggs, the creatures and killed them instantly and thus preserved them until today. Well, you figure it out yourself.

大学生刺杀教授

上星期一，新闻报导了一名22岁的大学生，快将毕业了，去见了他的教授后，不知道怎样的，发生了刺杀教授的事件。该学生也在事后发现倒毙在地上。据说有人曾经看见他在顶楼，目击者跑去找人帮忙的时候，回来发现他已经倒毙了。

24岁大学助理自杀

不到几天后，又报导了一名大学助理在大学员工宿舍里自杀，原因不详。

空军医生发现倒毙墨尔本某桥下

年约27的医生，生性活泼，是运动健将又是学有所长的，在去年擅自离开空军到墨尔本去，在几天前被人发现倒毙。他的死讯，家人和朋友都不能接受。似乎他的死，是非常难以想象的。是不是自杀，还有待证实。。。

发现某大学生尸体腐烂留下遗言

然后是一位在籍的大学生，因为发现自己患上了爱滋病后，决定自杀。死前告诉母亲要好好的照顾自己，留下遗书后悔自己追逐物质生活云云。。

自杀成了风气吗？

不到一个星期，我算了算，前后4宗自杀（或怀疑）被报导，在以前，我是很少看到这样的情形。我不禁的纳闷，我们这一代的年轻人，也成为草莓族了吗？

其实把又红又好吃的草莓，跟现在承担不了压力的年轻人挂钩起来，实在是有点冤枉。只因草莓是能看能吃却不能碰，一碰就会变坏。因此，把这个特性跟年轻人不能承担压力就成为对等的代号。

我很佩服那些敢自己拿掉自己生命的人。我在想，要这样做很不容易。因为，他必须要无视自己有亲人的关爱、友情的温暖；他要把自己的问题放大到世间上，再也没有比他遇到更难的事情。他必须要认为，自己其实是很尽力了，他其实是用尽了一切方法。但他认为，没有人能帮到他，也没有人遇到他的问题那样困难到无法提供任何的意见。因此，他的问题是全宇宙中最大的。是的，连那些在非洲挣扎求存的、那些在坍塌煤矿里等待救援的、那些被地震废墟压住、空气又快要断绝、连吃的都没有了；都不能相比。因此，他认为自己有足够的理由，可以亲手的把所赋予他的生命加以摧毁。

压力，这是一个连小学生都会说的词。因为压力，就有很多的理由要怎样怎样。。其实谁不会面对压力？小的时候有成长的压力、读书的时候有压力、体育竞赛有压力、考试有压力、然后升大学也有。。在狂欢庆祝自己毕业后，马山接踵而来的是职场的压力。。然后是找伴侣的压力、交际压力、结婚的压力、成家的压力、买房子的压力。。。。

当你用这样的眼光去看这个世界的时候，真的难怪有的人就会拿起勇气不要活下去。

压力是不能逃避，却是个祝福

其实压力是不能逃避的。有的人能够承担的更多，无怨无悔的，对他来说，压力是个成长的祝福。许多人不了解，同样的不幸，对一些人来说，是个压力。对其他的人来说，是个祝福。因为经历过，可以体恤别人，产生同理心。更进一步的，有的人甚至因此去发明改善、或者是去找寻解决的办法，让其他的人不用步自己的后步。因此，患上癌症痊愈后的小朋友，后来终于成为了医生。因为发现盲人无法读书，因此发明了凸点文字让盲人也能享受阅读。等等等等。。。我们享受许多的成果，是来自别人承担的压力下产生的。

自杀不能解决问题

很多人用自杀来解决问题。事实上，有一次我在置放先人骨灰的地方，看到一个很年轻的灵牌，前面贴了张小纸张。我很好奇的去看，原来是母亲的忏悔。母亲写的，都是满了后悔不好好关心他，不了解他面对的问题。。据我了解，好像是因为孩子不想参加某个课外活动，母亲似乎不能理解，孩子觉得没有人关心他，就自了算了。他才15岁。他还有个妹妹。。。我在想，他现在会不会后悔呢？留下的是老父母的一辈子内疚；留给自己妹妹的，不是有表率榜样的例子。。。令人不胜唏嘘。

我个人察觉到，很多的时候，想自杀的人都很封闭自己。他们往往只看到自己的问题，觉得自己就是宇宙的中心，旁人无法去接触他的内心世界。我不知道原因是什么，却觉得有个值得注意的：就是缺乏沟通或者沟通技巧。

当一个人有问题的时候，他觉得问题是冲他而来，因此他必须独自面对。如果要告诉别人的话，别人会怎样想？别人能理解吗？别人能接受吗？等等。。可是，就是把心里的话或烦恼讲出来，其实是面对问题的第一步。因为他其实不可能知道，说出去后别人会有怎样的反应，会产生什么效果。可是往往的，钻牛角尖的人，都会认为他已经知道别人会有怎样的反应，然后自己封闭自己内心，非常的有理由可以坚持自己的决定。

他没有勇气去面对其他的可能性：父母还是会爱你的、朋友还是会关心你的、虽然不一定有方法，可是有办法能面对（总是有人走过自己面对的路）。。。这些的可能，我们千万不能否定。因为当我们否定的时候，就是我们给自己宣布绝望的时候。

沟通似乎是个快要死亡的东西。因为电脑游戏、网络的一大堆信息，取代了我们最宝贵的＝时间。我们没有时间，我们觉得缺乏时间，我们觉得时间不够用。因此，压力也就产生了。更糟的是，它产生了一个恶性循环，它让我们感到压力，同时让我们认为没有时间去跟别人说，因此，这个循环把我们封闭起来，我们是情愿多用时间呆对电脑，却不能抽出时间跟三五个知己出来聊自己的问题。

科技虽然给我们方便，却剥夺了我们的许多技巧。科技的成长取代了我们年轻人的成长，因此，他们才成为草莓族。

Economic Tsunami

Yeap, it is here, no doubt about it. The economic tsunami is finally sending its waves after waves gloablly like sending chills to everyone. Investors loose faith in the market, the common people like me loose faith in the banking system. As one after another scandals unfold in the US business areana, all I can say is just simply the ugliest manifestations of human covetness. Experienced investors would believe in ponzi schemes pouring millions and millions of dollars; bankers taking risk in sub-prime and all these simply because of the reason for profits.

Enough is never enough. The economic system we are in constantly talks about more: more products, more buildings, more this and more that: businessmen, governments are all out to look for $. Banks want more returns of investments, bosses want returns of investments, etc etc.. so in the end, when something snap along this system, the whole system simply collapse.

So how are churches responding to this situation so far?

I could still recall until today, I was inside the hotel room of Bamboo Hotel in Suzhou China when 911 happened in front of me on the TV. I was on the phone talking to my colleague in US and he told me something serious just happened. My first thought when I was watching the the screen, I thought it was some kind of Hollywood special effect unti I heard the news reporter was crying “Oh my God!”.

I was shocked and dismayed. I was further shocked and dismayed when I received e-mails forwarded by someone which was being forwarded around probably many times and likely originated from the states. It was a christian or some christians, I recalled, claiming that this was God’s judgement blah blah blah..

In my heart I disagreed immediately. There were innoncent people there that got killed. Christians or non-christians. I couldn’t believe that some christians just like to claim everything under God’s name without understanding the context, and also understanding about suffering. (I wish we could learn more from the book of Job)

Now again, with this economic tusnami, I heard pastors were criticising the US system blah blah (true in a way) and this is God’s judgement too. I just feel that as christians, our callings are not to judge. We are called to love like Christ. A church, should be the manifestation of the presence of Christ on this earth. Wherever there is a church, Christ is (and must) be there.

So, I feel that the first thing first is not to judge, criticise and start acting as though God revealed that it was His judgement that resulted in this. I feel strongly about this is because I do not believe that God will execute His judgement without discrimination. Look at the dialogue between Abraham and God pertaining the forthcoming wrath of God on Sodom. Abraham said something about how he know God:

• “Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all deal justly ?” (Gen 18:25)

Here Abraham revealed what he knew about God. When God judges, He will not judge indiscriminately, treating the righteous and the wicked alike.

Christians or non-christians, we all suffer together in this tsunami!

And besides hearing all the criticism what are things that churches of Christ can do or are doing now?

The church is the body of Christ – let’s meet where the needs are, just as Jesus would do!

What would Jesus do if He walk on this earth today? WWJD in short. When we are in church, we put on a hat (not the deBono’s thinking hat) that we start to think like christian ought to be or do we? Many times our discussions and decisions are far cry from dispersing the love and grace of Jesus.

We thank God for giving us: beautiful houses, cash, and build nice chuch buildings. We call this glorifying God or God being glorified.  The church is now the centre of activities, where the money goes to.  But when Jesus walked on this earth 2000 years ago, he went to where the needs were: the widowers, the prostitutes, the sinners.

We have to identify what are the needs at this time: be it brothers and sisters among us or strangers outside. It could be a job, even a part-time job; it could be just simply food on the table. I firmly believe, there are christians doing this quietly as the Lord commanded in their personal capacities. But what about as a church?

As we cry and jump and harp about going all out to save the lost souls, this is the time, this is the opportunity that God has given us: TO LOVE.

Church has all the resources, if not, pool together then!

If a church is too small a congregation, pool a few church together. Look inwardly, we find resources: brothers and sisters who are employers, running small businesses or big businesses; those who are in the human resource profession or recruitment agencies. Pool together, to identify and share any job openings.

Help brothers and sisters to write resume.

Help to counsel those who just loose their jobs. They need the encouragement and support.

Help to advice on how to manage finances at time like this.

Help them on their immediate bills, food on the table.

Help the children with parents totally lost their incomes.

And many many more!

I can only pray that let us not harden our hearts or worry about ourselves only. But to set eyes on those that have greater needs than us. The wise teaching of the Lord Jesus once again make a lot of sense: if you have 2 pieces of cloth, give 1 away. Be thankful if you have surplus. But use it to bless others.
Bless those that can’t repay you. For you are loaning to God almighty. Can you imagine how God is going to pay you back?

What is most significant about traditional lunar new year or Chinese new year?

Chinese new year is celebrated every year all over the world. For as long as there is Chinese people gather anywhere, they will celebrate Chinese new year (CNY for short) or lunar new year. No one can really back date when this tradition started but it is quite obvious as the history went back a long way, when the society then was very much agricultural base. And therefore, food is what it is all about. To celebrate the start of the new year after a very cold freezing cropless winter. A new hope, a new chapter to start to sow the first seed, to wish to have a great harvet at the end of the autumn.

Food therefore is something very significant and you can’t get away from when coming to celebrate CNY.

This year I was fortunate to have such ‘coincidence’ to happen to be in Taipei. Fortunate because I know Taipei is very much still keeping their tradtional even as she portrays herself as a cosmopolitan. There is this famous street called Dihua Street (迪化街） that about 1 month before the CNY, the whole street will be filling with streetside stalls that sell all kind of food just for celebrating CNY – treat your family and your visitors during CNY.

I am attaching some pictures here just to show you the varieties they are selling on the streetside: from dried food like dried octopus, mushrooms, to fancy candies like imported Jelly beans (the real stuff)!

Candies! candies!

Ah…barbecue pork..

It is still quite early in the day time to experience the crowd. Wait till you go there at night! I preferred to visit there during lunch time, not so congested yet.

Many of the street stall helpers are likely to be students working part time. As times are bad, many teenagers are willing to work part time to earn some wages.

Traditional candies, kind of like nougats, with many flavours too!

Hmm, yummy, all kind of flavoured dried squids. They are really delicious but watch out the calories and etc.. he he.

All kinds of dried seeds like melon seeds. You have to skillfully bite open the seed to eat the flesh inside. It comes with various flavours too!f

Traditional ‘biscuits’. Inside these have different kind of ingredients. Mostly are made from nuts or bean pastes.

去台北玩或者是出差，真的不要錯過淡水。不否認淡水在周末真的是很熱鬧，人群熙來攘往的，尤其在夏天，更是可以聞到一陣陣的汗味。哈！別怕，由于淡水就非常近海，海風吹拂的時候，都會聞到一陣陣的咸味。

去淡水很方便，搭台北的捷運就可以到。從捷運站走不到兩分鐘，就可以看到很多的游客進出的一條街道，就是公明街。你可以選擇一直走，街道兩邊都有商鋪；又或者選擇左邊，沿環河道路走，一邊是商鋪和小吃店，一邊是遼闊的河岸風景。

我喜歡走公明路，沿著許多商鋪走。不是因為我喜歡花錢買東西，雖然我不否認愛買東西，呵呵:p; 而是我發現，當我沿著這些商鋪走的時候，仿佛我是走進了一個時光隧道－我回去了淡忘已久的童年回憶。有些商鋪仍然賣那些我小時候的玩意儿和小糖果。

我還記得童年喜歡吹的泡泡，大概要花新幣5分吧（那是70年代了），就有一支小管和一支吹管。把小管里的紅色液体（應該是橡膠做的吧？）擠出，用吹管的一端把粘糊糊的液体卷起，然后在吹管的另外一端吹，就能吹出一個像气球的泡泡。它很容易破，但是，懂得玩的人會知道怎樣去補救，把破洞的地方捏一捏，就把洞粘起來。我也學會怎樣在泡泡弄個“ 啵”一聲，搞個小洞口，繼續的給泡泡吹大。當然，這個泡泡是不會持久的。記得小的時候，破了就赶快在吹多一個。

當我看到一家商店有賣的時候，我發出了會心的微笑，我想起自己童年的光景：吹泡泡，吃5分的糖果。我買了一些糖果和玩意儿回去，讓孩子跟我分享，在沒有變形金剛的日子、沒有HELLO KITTY，那些包裝精美的各种玩具的日子；爸爸是如何快樂的渡過童年。

當然有的商鋪還是以游客為主的，小吃店也不少。最不能錯過的，應該是要吃阿給。為什么叫阿給？參考這個鏈接就知道了。呵呵，現在的微基小百科，真的很方便：
阿給

阿給很好吃，是油炸的豆腐里面加了粉絲（廣東人叫冬粉）。由于粉絲很會吸湯汁，當你一口咬阿給的時候，豆腐的皮酥、豆腐里的粉絲的韌性（QQ的感覺）和吸飽的湯汁，真的是很令人回味的一道小吃。

淡水的美在那里？在熙攘的人群走動中，我們走到環河路那里，沿河邊有許多的小吃店和咖啡館。在海風吹拂（河是靠近海岸）下，在輕送爵士音樂的咖啡館里品嘗咖啡，在黃昏的夕陽照射下，可是別有一番情景。當然，如果是晴朗無云的天空，黃昏可是仍然刺眼的。呵呵。

我喜歡的淡水，是因為它有一种寬容。各种商店、各种美食并存。在許多游客的商店間，我們可以找到一些老鋪，這對我這個新加坡人來說，是一种欣喜。它沒有被旅游觀光而排斥，我覺得這樣是很有性格的。我更喜歡的淡水是，在周末的時候，靠近捷運那里有各种攤位，喜歡發揮創意的人，都可以在那里來展示自己的創意。我找到不少惊喜：用吸管做成的各种昆虫、一個老外吹排笛子pan flute發出悠揚歡樂的樂曲。

淡水是個令我不斷駐足，不想跟其他游客一樣赶場的一個景點。

冰糖葫蘆，真的很可口，甜中帶酸。味道特別。

沿公明路那里走，兩邊都是商鋪，各种廣告牌，各种顏色，雜亂無章中，又仿佛是一种抽象的彩繪。第一次的感覺是眼花繚亂，不過，慢慢的走，就會發現很多有趣的商鋪、小吃、小玩意儿。

点水楼与我

大家都知道台湾的 顶泰丰把小笼包一个这样简单的小吃，铸造成为一个美食神话。这不是乱盖的，事实上在1993年1月的美国纽约时报NEW YORK TIMES评选它为世界十大美食餐馆，或者说，你应该要去品尝不可的世界十大之一。

顶泰丰我是去过了好几家，台北的，上海的，新加坡的。可以这样说，它们的品质管控导入到中央厨房生产的结果是，几乎到那里吃，都可以看到18褶的小笼包，口感、味道都有一定的水平。

就在我以为台湾只有顶泰丰的小笼包的时候，我出差常住在台北的亚都丽致饭店（位于台北民权东路）那里的服务生告诉我其实它们对面就有一家小笼包馆很好吃，叫点水楼点水楼 。

第一次进去的感觉，没有象顶泰丰那样的喧哗和挤迫的感觉，却有古朴的的味道，空间也满大。让人可以在舒适的环境下品茗美食和茶点。记得有一回，应该是2007年的时候吧，他们推出了张爱玲筵，感觉是很特别的。我除了喜欢他们的小笼包外，也喜欢他们的江浙的菜肴。记得有一回，我点了个东坡肉，真的是油而不腻，那种口感，给我留下了深刻的印象。（嘿嘿，至少吃了也没有犯罪的感觉）而且，据了解，他们去年还获得了台北美食评定为4星级的餐馆的荣衔，真的是实至名归。

2009年1月17日目睹失火

1月16日，我抵达台北，又是下榻于亚都饭店。本来也是有打算呼朋引伴的计划到自己心仪的美食地点去吃，也考虑了要到点水楼去。由于友人是在周末才会有空，只好等他们确认了才约在那里吃。

没想到的是，隔天17日早晨，当我在饭店餐厅享用了早餐后回到房里，正打算好好的办点工的时候，却听到了不停的消防车的响声还有救援车的响声。开始我不以为意，以为是路过而已。可是，后来我发现，我的房间里开始有烧焦的味道，我就慌了，赶紧出门外看，也没有发现什么浓浓的黑烟。

回到房里，到窗外一看，赫然发现对街停了很多的消防车、救援车。还有浓浓的黑烟，不住的从某个地方往上冒。那时候，台北还是凉快的，寒流刚过去，太阳也算温和的。我带了我的索尼爱立信手机下楼，结果给我派到了这一幕：

我身旁的亚都同事告诉我，原来是点水楼失火了！我吓了一跳，就快要过年了，怎会呢？八卦的问他们，果然消息灵通的说，原来点水楼本来是在装修的，预计是要过年前再开业。坦白说，台湾这个非常时期，大众还是消费在吃为主，尤其过年，更是许多餐馆靠过年的各种筵席来抬高收入。

没想到点水楼的民权店居然被祝融光顾了，满街的黑烟散布，搞到我都很难呼吸。脚下一紧赶紧回房去，心里叹息不知道什么时候，他们能开业，让我再品尝美食。

Haiyatt Hotel Dongguan -A nice hotel to recommend in Dongguan China

This is probably my first post on writing about a few hotels that I frequently stay while travelling for business. I feel that I should share that so that some of you might find it helpful to understand the quality and services of the hotel.

This Hotel sounded like Hyatt when I first told by my supply partner. They clarified with me that it is actually Haiyatt. My first thought was, “wait a minute, do you mean they even copy the name to mislead people?”. By then they show me the Chinese name: 海悦饭店that I realised it was pronounced slightly different and the Chinese name didn’t suggest similarity of the famous Hyatt(凯悦）.

I have been to this hotel a couple of times over the years. When I travel to Dongguan, I like to pick this hotel because although it is a China local 5-star rated hotel, it is quite well run and managed comparing to other Chinal local hotels.

Let me explain why:

1. Non-smoking floor -

Not many local hotels in China bother to allocate non-smoking floor. As most local hotels in China entertain at least 70% local business or casual travellers (my observation during morning breakfast) and most Chinese in China smoke (yeap, I really don’t like it), most hotel don’t really commit to cater for non-smokers. Even if they have a local 5-star rating, you might want to find out more if you don’t want to ‘live among smokers’ especially when you are allergic to  the cigarettes. And I had also bad experience even in hotels run by international chain that they admit smokers in non-smoking rooms and fume the whole floor with their puffs and that really drive me mad to complain to the front desk.

Smokers said I had the freedom to smoke. But I said, I should have the freedom not to breath in what you breath out, go do it somewhere else!

I find Haiyatt having dedicated non-smoking floor and maintain it quite well without any cigarette smell. Of course, can’t gurantee when during peak season like the notorious Guangzhou Trade fair (twice a year).

2. International standard buffet breakfast-

Not many 5-star hotel in China really served the full international breakfast buffet. You can tell by looking at the choice of cheese they put on the platter. Some of the hotel just couldn’t afford to put more than 1 choice like the cheddar cheese. Not in Haiyatt. I love their varieties displayed on the platter. Their streaky beacon is really streaky too although a bit oily. Well, the ham was generously cut, not like some hotel that cut as thin like a piece of paper, fall short of seeing through when put under the light. And the ham is not the typical local made ham (can tell by the colour and the amount of fats on it). English tea serve with decent taste ( some hotel put 2 bags of Lipton tea and make a pot out of it, no taste at all!) Not to mention the varieties of salad, fruits and cereals. They really assure you a nice breakfast for a good start of the day.

3. A choice Chinese Dim-sum restaurant

Although I may not like the smokers smoking freely, I do have a choice to have breakfast in the Chinese restaurant. I tried once and it was remarkable. The Chinese tea served come with a selectable varieties: 铁观音、香片、普洱. They give you a piece of menu that you can pick your own choice of dim-sum. Once you pick them and give it to the waiter, they will steam them to your orders and serve it warm on the plate. I can only say that they have very good standard of Dim-sum and flavour too!

4. Nice and neat bedroom

Haiyatt Dongguan has 2 buildings combined together. I like the one right ontop of the main lobby. The rooms are nicely done up with Zen touch. It comes with LCD TV, no longer the typical Philips or Sharp CRT TV. It also comes with JVC mini-hifi that can play DVD. One thing I like is that they even provide a few music CD for relaxations.

5. Firm bed and selectable pillows

I am very particular about the bed and pillow each time I stay in a hotel. As I am going to spend 1/3 of my time lying on it, I cannot believe that some hotels really couldn’t invest or pay attention to such important details. I have seen hotels put one king size ontop of 2 singles support below. So, at right at the centre, you can see a hum. With prolong usage, you find that the bed is acutally like a moutain with the peak at the centre. Ouch! How to sleep on such a bed? I also find hotels don’t turn over the bed, you can find over time, it has formed a certain contour on it. Sags. Worst of all, a 5-star hotel only provide 1 choice of pillow! When i need a harder ones, I was told to use my own creativity – fix your own problem, sorry can’t help here.

Not in Haiyatt, for a local hotel like Haiyatt, I am glad that they do provide harder pillows. Their bed is firmed too. Nothing more important than a comfortable rest.

Lastly, my recent trip there was caught by a surprise. Their Italian restaurant was having a Truffle promotion and I was served free with a truffle appetizer. Here is a picture to share. I am telling you, with a buffet dinner at RMB 200+, I find it quite worth it. No qualms at all!

And here is the link to the hotel:

Haiyatt Hotel>

He is a kind soul – an airport encounter with a kind person

I am not sure about you but i had an encounter this morning at the airport that I will not forget easily.

It was early in the morning around past 6 when I arrived at the Singapore Changi airport. I was supposed to be on my way for a 2 week business trip. After checked in, I went inside the terminal 3 which has a large shopping area. I love to shop and would want to buy something for my suppliers just to express appreciation. Nothing big, just the Singapore famous Bak Guah (BBQ pork).

Finally I felt a little urge, its time to go to the toilet. I went to the toilet close to gate 9 where I supposed to board the plane to Guangzhou. You see, every time I travel, I bring along with me a waist pouch with my passport, wallet etc inside it. I find this very convenient. However, I hardly and I think this is the first time I went to the toilet in the airport for ‘big business” (you know what that means). I had to take out my waist pouch, put it on top of the flat area right behind the toilet bowl.

After I did my business, I walked out, took my luggage, washed my hand and went outside Gate 9, sat down to read for a while. It was still early and the gate wasn’t open yet.

Suddenly I had this weird feelings crawling over my body, I had a shocked that I felt I was jumping from my seat. I realised that the waist pouch wasn’t with me! OH MY GOD!

I was really panic, I dropped my book into my bag and push the cart to the toilets with few times my bag dropped from my cart on to the floor. When I dashed into the toilet, I found the man who took over my toilet room was standing there looking at me.

I think he is an Indian. In his white long sleeve and brown pants, I asked him “have you seen my pouch? I left inside the toilet.” And he grinned a little and said, “I am waiting for you to return because there was someone inside there right now. I want to make sure that he didn’t take your pouch away. Now that you are here, I shall move on.”

I didn’t know how to express my gratitude but holding his hand with my both hands just thanking him.

I thank God for running into a kind soul. May God bless him!

Tested to set up an online shop using the plug-in. Had to add a new “page” to do that on the blog without cluttering the main blogpages. It is very easy to do it.