UntoldCityLife.com

Article written by AverageJoe

Since I don’t share my bathroom, it is easier to maintain the cleanliness. I do make an effort to keep it clean. For which I don’t understand because there are cockroaches loitering in my bathroom! Luckily I’m not afraid of this species ? but not until the stage I can live with them.

What I found amazing last night was there were bloody FOUR cockroaches in my bathroom at the same time! AND the most amazing part was 2 were having sex (I think I should be using the term mating for insects).

I was pretty sure they were mating.

Yea, I’m sure this time.

Too bad, they didn’t manage to finish their business. I needed to get rid of them.

Till death do us part.

They left in peace…

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Article written by AverageJoe

It has been a month or more since I last blogged.

Work has been crazy and I’m so tired… I can hardly find time to do anything now. Hmm… This ain’t healthy isn’t it. Got to do something. He He…

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Article written by AverageJoe

Well, some facts about Filipino are actually not quite true from my first article, Getaway - Part 1.

The correct version is, You know you’re Filipino IF
- You think Christmas season begins in September and ends in January.
- There are at least 50 people on your Christmas gift list.
- You always leave some room at the dining table for a couple of unexpected or uninvited guests.
- At parties, everyone fights to chop the leathery skin of a dead pig.
- You like sweet spaghetti.
- Your car horn can make different sounds.
- You know that no last minute maneuver on the road is considered preposterous.
- You are passionate about love as you are about religion.
- Your carry-on luggage requires a small fork lift.

Taken from You know you’re Filipino if…A Pinoy Primer.

During my stay in Philippines, I flew from Manila to Cebu and took a 2 hrs ferry ride to Bohol island.

What’s so special in Bohol that I had to travel so far all the way from Manila? Tadaa. A small animal named Tarsier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsier). They can be found in parts of the Philippines and parts of Indonesia. However, they used to be all over the South East Asian Islands. It has been estimated that there are between 5,000 and 10,000 left in the world.

Visited chocolate hills (I don’t get to eat or buy chocolate here).

It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers. They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, hence the name.

I also had a boat ride to Loboc River.

Visited museum.

And lastly, eaten a python alive

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Article written by AverageJoe

As you may aware, I went to Philippines for my year end trip before embark to a new project. It’s a local company and some folks actually pronounce it as “screw-me”. I shall not reveal more since I gave my project manager this blog’s URL. Otherwise, I’ll be “screwed”.

Thousand of people asked why I chose Philippines for my destination. Well, these are the reasons:-
1. Flight was free and btw, on business class.
2. Accommodation was free as well.

I have never been to Philippines so I guess it’s for the experience, truthfully.

I want to be able to agree when people share facts about PH.

Fact 1, the guys in PH pee by the road side (open air toilet if you define this as a toilet).

Fact 2, there were guards everywhere even in shopping malls (with big gun). They actually open and check your bag. Imagine I had to do this for bloody 20 times in a day because I went from mall to mall. Or even in the serviced apartment I stayed.

Fact 3, the kids in PH like kayaking.

Finally, Pinoy (Filipino) does their pedicure in the park.

To be continued…

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Article written by AverageJoe

Dear readers,

Our dear main author, Xiao Loong Zi is down with dengue fever.

He is currently hospitalized at Pantai Cheras. Check out his pathetic look… (too embarrass to pose for the camera).

He is also under drip for few days.

Kindly send your condolence get well wishes to him personally.

Disclaimer: Some of the information might not be correct so it’s better to ask him personally for more accurate information

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Article written by AverageJoe

I consider myself quite adventurous to try new things in life. Well, we live only once so heck it…

During my recent trip to Philippines, I tried the fear factor egg (embryo egg) which they call it Balut in Philippines.

World -famous Pateros eggs? I’m not sure of the meaning of Pateros so I google it. Pateros refers to the following place:
Pateros, Metro Manila, a municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Cool, so it is actually world-famous Manila eggs. Or, simple eggs-sotic

This is the look of the egg, nothing unusual right?

Wait till you crack it.

Nice isn’t it. Eat it with a packet of salt. Yummy yummy…

Ok, well. I didn’t finish it, just 2 bites. Hehe.

Try it the next time you are in Philippines.

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Article written by AverageJoe

Friend : Are you interested to join me for sky trekking?
Me : What the heck is that?
Friend : Join me then you ma know lor.
Me : Since I’m free on that weekend, count me in lor.

Adventure begins…

This is what I did there for close to 2 hrs.

Cool right? Sky trek is actually jungle trekking on top of the tree, so to speak.

We started with briefing session.

Followed by a little practice before the real show. Would not die if were to fall from here

Real show begins… The zig zag challenge

Flying fox… I enjoyed it. Look at my face. He He. (Still can show off)

This was really hard

Long bridge where it’s hard to balance when you are in the middle

The monkey jump

Stop for a little break. Civilised way of drinking water

Me, still standing after the adventure

There are actually more photos of the challenges but I’ll take forever to show it here. It was a nice adventure and I’ll definitely go again. Anyone?

For more information, you can visit their website at http://www.skytrex-adventure.com/content.html.

Prior booking is needed for this event.

Popularity: 53% [?]

Article written by AverageJoe

Another year has passed. It’s time to reflect and look what we have achieved in the past year. Do we look back at ourselves and measure how did we perform? We look at academic result back in school but how do we measure ourselves non-academically? Are we a better person as year goes by? I like to think I am and be a better person day by day. I believe we should treat people they way we want to be treated. So, be kind to people around you. A simple thank you is enough sometimes.

This year has been a good year for me. I kind of achieved the target I set for myself last year ? Well, I said kind of because there are one or two that I didn’t achieve :p

My last year resolutions:
1. Put on weight - failed miserably
2. Get one apartment for rental income - achieved
3. Earn more money - achieved via promotion
4. Sponsor partly for my mum’s car - achieved
5. To be based overseas for work assignment - failed but at least I get to travel to Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand for work
My New Year resolutions this coming year:

1. Put on weight (again)
2. Go to gym
3. Earn more money or cut down unnecessary spending
4. Travel to more countries
5. Be kind to people (as always)

What are your New Year’s resolutions this year?

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Article written by AverageJoe

Take a close look at this…

Yes, I’m featured in Personal Money magazine (me as backdrop too) or should I say my article is featured (by chance?). There are three more articles featured but I’m not going to highlight it here. This is the edited version of my article:

Koay, 28, has a positive outlook on the property and construction industry, given the recent announcement that contributors to the Employees Provident Fund will be allowed to use their savings to buy homes. This year, he wants to invest in property stocks and small-cap construction companies that are linked to the government. “I am looking at stocks that are strongly rated by analysts. I like companies like MRCB Bhd because it is one of the beneficiaries of the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Although its quarterly earnings fell below expectations, many research houses are still recommending a strong buy.” He is also keen on buying real estate to obtain rental income and is looking at acquiring condominium in a prime location either Penang or in Klang valley. He invests a small portion of his portfolio in unit trusts and practices dollar cost averaging by topping up every month. He sets aside some cash to apply for shares at initial public offerings.

They were actually asking for our opinion on 2008 outlook for Malaysia economy. Three questions asked were:

1. What is your investing sentiment for 2008. Are you optimism or more guarded? What are the main reasons for your sentiment?
2. What will you be investing in 2008. For example, if staying in equities - will you be looking to acquire more defensive type stocks or buying property or investing outside the country?
3. What other plans would you have for your investing portfolio (e.g. long term objectives or diversifications strategies)?

PS: Special thanks to Xiao Loong Zi for his ideas and being the editor for my article.

What do you think of this article? Do get a copy of January publication for more details.

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Article written by AverageJoe

I have so much to talk but never seem to have enough time to do so. Let’s start with this.

I was having lunch with the client’s senior manager and he was saying no one can understand the nature of our work. Timeline is crazy and you don’t follow 8 to 5pm office routine. There are times you have to stay up whole night to get the things done. I have to agree with him although I think there are worse jobs in the world. I need to compare to the worst to make me feel better.

I had been really busy for the past one month and I’m glad, it’s officially OVER. Not that I have resigned from my company but I have roll-off from my current project. It’s sad to leave because I have grown pretty close to my colleagues in this project.

We were supposed to have dinner last night but something came up last minute and I asked them to go ahead first. C sms-ed saying there were already there and asking whether I can make it? I didn’t reply until L called and I told him would be able to leave in another 10 minutes or so but I’ll rain cheque the dinner because it would take me another 30 minutes to get to the place. Anyway, L insisted and insisted although I turned it down so I gave in and went for the dinner.

Then T called when I was on the way. These guys were giving me unnecessary stress! I thought they have ordered and I’ll just finish the leftover food. Let me drive in peace and everyone just has to wait and look at me eating! Ok, cut the crap and I got to the restaurant 30 minutes later and guess what, they haven’t ordered anything yet! Oh gosh, that was really really nice and I feel terribly terribly bad. All in all, they waited one hour for me! I feel blessed for having them as my friends.

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