My requirement for accommodation is really basic.

• Clean toilets & bathrooms (can be shared type or within the room)
• Bed-bugs free please
• Safe environment
• Great location is a bonus

I went to Penang recently for a food trail and to find out more about the education system over there.

I’m so pleased to find this concept hotel chain which is paying for what you really need. For example, you can buy credits for usage of air con, hair dryer, wifi or rent towels or buy toiletries.

This hotel concept is what I call it the ‘minimalist’ accommodation. When I first chanced upon the website (www.tunehotels.com) in the beginning of the year, I knew I would stay there.

The cost is unbelievable affordable at RM84 (USD 26) for a 4 days 3 nights stay! It would have cost me lesser if not for the flight (thus room) changes. Note that the cost doesn’t include any add-ons. I didn’t buy any credits for air con as me and my partner have difficulty sleeping in air con rooms.The booking was also done 6 months in advance for us to enjoy such great deal.

So what did it come with? Everything we need!

• Ease of booking procedure
• Clean bathroom & toilet with hot & cold shower (the lovely thing is that you can be using the basin tap without affecting the temperature of the shower head)
• Comfortable bed & clean pillows
  
• Working ceiling fan (with controller for speed and even timer)
• Safe hotel with security and reception on 24 hours stand-by
• Safety deposit box in the room for travellers to place valuable items and documents
• Great housekeeping service daily
  
• 24 hours convenience store (I got my ointment for stomach discomfort there!)
• Availability of Internet for 30 minutes at the lobby (Great for last minute locating of places)
• Excellent location (which is within walking distance from the city central, many attractions and eating places)
• Environmental friendly practices (Energy saving technology is in place)

Tune Hotel isn’t for everyone who needs a typical hotel room with

• Room service
• Television
• Swimming Pool
• Breakfast (There wasn’t any breakfast option on Downtown Penang but for other locations, there is. Anyway, just walk 50 steps, you can get great food next door)
• Plenty of walking space (Every inch in Tune Hotel Penang is fully optimized)

Me and my partner were very pleased with the room and Tune Hotels have indeed lived up to its promise of ‘ 5 stars bed at 1 star prices’. I’m sure we will return to Tune Hotels for our future travel plans and recommend their hotels to our friends and relatives.

Just one suggestion for Tune Hotels, perhaps their staff should be more familiarized with some of the famous food and attraction highlights. We were checking with two of the staff on the location of Lorong Bangkok. They gave us the wrong location of being two blocks away. We realized our mistake when we checked with a local. (After 15 minutes of exploration)

If you’re looking for a hotel with minimalist concept plus great value, Tune Hotel (available in different parts of Malaysia, Indonesia & even London!) is definitely worth every cent.

Thank you, Tune!

Today, my student asked me ‘Are you still getting your BMW?’, ‘Which model do you like?’

Most likely not for the first question.

Series 3 or 5 for the second question.

I set myself a goal (in 2004) to get a BMW by 28 years.

My thinking changes especially this year: I become more curious of what I want verse what I need. I’m inspired to lead a minimalist (got this spelling correct, thanks to spell-check) lifestyle. I’m influenced by Leo Babauta of Zenhabits.net

So getting a vehicle seems something un-necessary to me at this stage due to the nature of my work, my movement.

I enjoy taking a bus ride (with seat of course), reading a book, watching the world goes by…

Sure, getting a car is measure of one’s success for most people. But it doesn’t apply for me. Success is enjoying the work you’re doing, have the time to slow down, have the freedom to choose, have the ability to give back.  That’s success to me; not measurable by physical possessions, number on bank account.

What’s success to you?

I enjoy quite considerable savings when I travel.

• I fly budget airline instead of SIA for flight less than 6 hours.
• I prefer staying in hostel instead of hotel to feel more bagpackers style. In fact, I like the fact that hostel has a common kitchen for you to prepare your foodstuff even though I hardly utilize it.
• I plan my travel plans at least 6 months in advance. I have the luxury of doing that as I’m self-employed so I’m in more control of my schedule.
• I travel during off-peak period. Thanks for my work, I can do that!
• I hardly buy souvenirs when I travel. But I do have the habit of collecting the flags (real size) of the countries I visit.
• Shopping for clothes and bags is usually not in my itinerary.
• I do my own booking online for flights, accommodation and even day tours, skipping the middleman fees.

All these helps me to see the world at a low cost.

It isn’t the amount I save that gives me the kick, the sensation but the fact that I get really good deals when I’m an early bird in terms of booking.

This July, I’m heading to Penang for a short trip. I booked the air tickets with JetStar in January and paid less than S$70 for 2 pax!

I found a really cool accommodation in Penang, Tune Hotel which offers an interesting concept of ‘paying for what you use’ . For a 3 nights stay, it costs me only about RM80! Unbelievable. The website is great, easy to use and the booking process is fast. Simply love it!

However, last week, I received an email  from JetStar, informing of change of flight schedule. I did read it in forum that budget airlines have this happening often but my previous experiences didn’t affect my plan much. This time, due to the flight change which I can’t accommodate, I made to travel a day earlier and be back a day earlier.

And because of this, I had to call JetStar. I wish they could offer email support.

I made a total of 3 calls, of which the waiting time was at least 23 minutes regardless if I call in the daytime or weird hours like 7am on Sunday. It was the same!

A friend on Facebook suggested that I on the loudspeaker on my mobile while I wait. It was really a great idea! I was washing up while waiting for a human voice during the 23 minutes of wait.

Another advice: ask all you need to ask in one phonecall!

I didn’t as the hotel didn’t response to my enquiry fast enough. Once flight schedule is confirmed, I need to make changes to Hotel too. Though the flight changes weren’t within my control, we have to pay for a standard fee of RM30 for cancellation of room on the last night. This standard fee is even higher than my per night stay. And this is in spite of my cancellation made 2 months in advance. I was rather upset that Tune Hotel wasn’t able to make an exception as flight changes aren’t within my control. Well, I do  understand that it wasn’t the hotel problem too but considering the fact that we’re making the changes 2 months in advance, they could at least consider on a case-by-case basis. I don’t have such issue from other hotels and hostels on changing arrival and departure dates previously as I always informed months in advance for any last minute changes due to flight.

So this is something I learnt on travelling on budget airline. Flight schedule may change and it may disrupt your original plan. We just have to act accordingly or maybe I will consider SIA for the airline in future.

Photo Credit: Debasis ~~

Finally I decided to head back to the optician shop at Jurong Place.

A Malay optician was there, she was the one who gave me my spectacles and contact lens. I told her my problem, she did a thorough check. In the process, I was impressed with her level of professionalism, the rapport built by addressing me by my name and also her superb memory that I went with my bf previously to collect the items.

Before all these, I was somewhat disgusted with the state of my contact lens. It was my first time at the optician shop and I was absolutely sure that it would be my last trip then.

I was bought over … by the way the optician reacted, her friendliness; she mixed English with terms in Chinese as well. That somewhat eases the dissatisfaction I had with the shop at first.

She patiently pacified and I left as a happier customer as she did what she can in her capacity to make a new pair of contact lens with a smaller size to solve my problem.

This incident taught me the importance of proper training each and every staff must have and their image and attitude represents the company.

They either make or break the company.

I was introduced to this simplicity author, Elaine St James by Leo Babauta of Zenhabits. Being a lazy person who doesn’t like to do cleaning up and organizing, being simple is the best way I think I should head.

I started with uncluttering in early Feb which was during the Chinese New Year spring cleaning period. I took the chance to ‘get rid’ of clothes that I didn’t wear for the last six months. It was a great feeling! Though I didn’t totally throw them away, I put off clothes I won’t be wearing back in the cupboard, sold a few running tees on eBay. My current wardrobe is simply a clothes rack in front of my desktop.

I notice a few changes in me after I take serious view of being uncluttered and simple:

• I reduce unnecessary buying to a larger extent. I didn’t want to add on to the items I already own. I buy things that I really need. I love technology items like laptop, ipod and even iphone. But I convinced myself that my current Fujistu Tablet is working fine so there isn’t a need to get a new laptop. The same applies for ipod and iphone. I just found out yesterdat that my old Zen mp3 player is working just as fine, so is my Nokia E71.

• I throw away (and recycle) things more readily instead of keeping them aside, thinking that ‘one fine day’ those items will be in use again.

As a result of these changes, I feel happier without having to be nagged at for my tardiness by my folks and sister. I can work more effectively with a less cluttered work area. I’m more at peace with myself since everything is in my control again.

I have to thank Zenhabits and Unclutterer for sharing the stories and benefits of simplifying and uncluttering.

I feel good!

To simplify more, I bought the book ‘Simplify Your Life’ by Elaine St James. She shared 100 ways to slow down and enjoy the things that really matter. I totally enjoy the book despite the first section on ‘Simplifying your Household’. I realize that there are quite a handful ways which I have been practicing like:

• Cancel your magazine subscriptions
• Re-think your use of your cell phone
• Build a simple wardrobe
• Get out of debt (I’m glad that I have been using my credit card the correct way all these while)
• Get rid of all but one or two of your credit cards. (I actively use only my HSBC card and I have a Citibank supplementary card seldom use)
• Live on half of what you earn and save the other half
• Reduce your needs for goods and services
• Work where you live or live where you work
• Do what you really want to do
• Work less and enjoy it more
• Include your family in your work life (I get my dad to help me to deposit cheques)
• Make water your drink of choice (I still drink my isotonic 100 Plus after my run)
• Do one thing at a time
• Just say no
• Get rid of your cars (I rethink about my plan to own a BMW)
• Stop making the bed! (I love this)
• Kick off your high heels – and keep them off (Luckily I’m tall so I don’t need high heels)
• Take off your plastic nails and throw out the nail polish (I always keep my nails short, no nail polish as I do bite my nails at times)

I’m going to do what I have read to practice on these:

• Do nothing
• If it’s not working, stop doing it
• Just be yourself
• Get up an hour earlier
• Be in bed by nine one night a week
• Take time to watch sunrise
• Spend one day a month in solitude

Do you live a simple life too? Or are you too busy to appreciate what’s around you? I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment.

Photo Credit: RonAlmog

Here’s one up for grabs for now:

You would be interested to read the reviews at Amazon here.

Reason for sale: Completed the book.

Kinokuniya selling $27.29

My price: $19 (inclusive of normal local postage , SG)

Item strictly by postage. Add $2.60 for registered mail.

Contact me if you’re interested.

I won this item in a blog contest. Thought I would put this into good use but after much consideration, I decided to stick to my yearly planner (given by our insurance agent). Simple and good!

So I have decided to sell this Moleskine Colour a Month Daily Planner in 12 notebooks. The proceed shall be donated to Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Start price: $18
Close on Jan 11, 11pm

Just email me or leave your contacts in the comments section with your offer price.

Thanks.

PS: Read more details about this planner here.

It was totally not in my expectation when the synopsis said ‘there was something wrong with Ester’ My guess was she was possessed or perhaps some monster in disguise.

Never will I imagine a less than 10 years old kid swinging a hammer at a nun, it was disturbing!

Ester was the main character who was being adopted from the orphanage by the couple, Kate & John. She portrayed the character really well, so was her fine art in concealing her true identity,

I shall not spoil the fun here. To read the synopsis, please click here.

I quite like the suspense in this movie and would recommend anyone who is looking for some thrillers should definitely consider watching ‘ Orphan’ .

Please be forewarned this movie is not suitable for young children.

Finally, we decide that this purchase has to be made this period. We bought our Mono laser printer, Fuji Xerox P3124 from Sitex 2009.

Let me share with you, the pre-purchase and the 2 tips I got from one of the sales promoters at the show.

Before the show, I google for ‘tips for buying a laser printer’ and found this ebay page to be rather useful and simple for me (a non-geek) to understand.

Our main purpose of getting a laser printer is to be more cost-effective as we do print up an average of 100 pages (black & white) of documents weekly. We have been doing that using inkjet printers. Not only is the cost of cartridge high, the printing speed is rather slow too.

I do not like the idea of using 3rd party ink (though much cheaper) as previous experience with one hasn’t been pleasant. It seemed to have jammed up the flow of ink and it was a hassle setting up.

So having the main objective of getting a valued Mono laser printer is what we set out to Sitex with. Going to such fairs, one must have a very clear aim else you would be overwhelmed by the number of products and services available.

We asked for Samsung, Epson, Brother, Canon and Fuji Xerox Mono laser printers.

1. One of the most important aspect for us is the cost and capacity of the toner. It is this consumable that accounts for the bulk of the printing cost. Please do note that for some laser printers, the drum (separate from the toner) needs to be changed too but it is usually after the usage of 5 toners so if you are a high volume user, cost of the drum should be factored into your consideration.
2. Find out the type of the toner which comes together with your printer. Never assume a full toner is given. For some laser printers,50% – 75% toner is given. Some call it the developer or starter toner kit. This is usually not communicated to buyer.

Other than these 2 factors you should consider, you would definitely want to look into the warranty period, speed of printing, quality of printout and unique features.

Are there any tips or must know that you would like to share for buying a laser printer? I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment.

These are the list of items I bought from Qisahn:
(I have a very good experience at Qisahn; read my testimonial here)

• English WII (It has a korean manual)
• Rock Band 2 Special Edition
• Extra set of  Wii Remote Controller & Wii Nunchuck Controller
• WII Sports (pre-owned)

The total amount was about $660. This was the reward I promise myself as I achieve a business target.

It was fun playing the drums and guitar. I’m still relatively new and is still currently playing at the easy level.

Since my ‘holidays’ are going to commence, I would have more time to explore Rock Band 2 and WII Sports.

I have also bought Super Paper Mario preowned game at a great deal from a game forum! but is a little frustrated as I have not been able to move on to the next level!

If you are playing this game, I would appreciate some tips!