tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72150444973704897242026-08-26T09:18:15.542+08:00expressions of thoughts on the past, present and the futurecalvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.comBlogger970125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-17261103472481196932021-03-15T15:04:00.012+08:002021-04-15T14:59:12.867+08:00

Ever since COVID-19 hit us hard in early 2020, there have been several changes in the passport renewal process for Malaysians who are residing in Singapore. I am sharing my experience here, for the benefits of my fellow Malaysians whose passports are expiring soon. [last update: 15 April 2021]Step 1: Get all your documents ready One of the pain points is getting the photo accepted when you

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-22025616477461788302016-05-31T00:21:00.001+08:002016-05-31T00:48:07.352+08:00

"If you are losing faith in human nature,  go out and watch a marathon" Kathrine Switzer women's marathoning pioneer They called it the Sundown Marathon, but I ran until the sunrise haha! And so, my craziness brought me to my forth full marathon - OSIM Sundown Marathon 2016. The thought of doing a full marathon has been kicking into myself for some time; sort of an

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0Singapore1.352083 103.819836000000010.8441055 103.174389 1.8600605 104.46528300000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-45375913010977506222016-01-03T17:44:00.002+08:002016-01-03T18:08:06.724+08:00

"It was different in the past. There was a lot of togetherness.  We can leave our house open and not worry about anything.  I come back often because it's peaceful here." Madam Samsiah Abdullah, 57 Pulau Ubin. This island sits just off the north-eastern corner of mainland Singapore with a size as big as 170 Esplanade Theatres (the two durian-shaped structures in

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-47816362567760371382015-06-18T12:22:00.000+08:002015-06-18T12:22:00.367+08:00

"Peace comes from within.   Do not seek it without." Gautama Buddha Beautiful flowers with messages for offerings. Vesak is regarded as the most significant day of the year in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated by Buddhist all over the world. The day commemorates the three momentous events in Buddha's life - his birth, enlightenment and achievement of Nirvana, and his

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-45414046517136838402015-06-15T16:00:00.000+08:002015-06-15T16:00:15.662+08:00

"In the cherry blossom's shade  there's no such thing as a stranger." Kobayashi Issa Kanda Guesthouse. In the past 4 years or so, I had participated actively as the tourism ambassador for Chiba prefecture. They gave us this title called the Chiba Kun Ambassador, and each year, there are about 20 foreign students and professionals who are selected to be the ambassador. Basically,

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-54103564863553670302015-06-13T18:11:00.000+08:002015-06-15T17:19:37.398+08:00

"It's never meant to be easy  when you're trying to be more than ordinary." Celebrating the Extraordinary The main venue for the SEA Games 2015 - the brand new Singapore National Stadium. My recent vivid memories about the SEA Games was the grandstand finish of 111 gold medals by Team Malaysia at the 21st edition in 2001, when Malaysia last played host, and also defending the

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-27081992805676176352015-06-09T17:57:00.003+08:002015-06-09T17:57:55.259+08:00

"Find the shortest, simplest way  between the earth, the hands, and the mouth" Lanza Del Vasto The Katsuura fishing port. Katsuura is located on the east coast of southern Chiba Prefecture in the approximate center of the Bōsō Peninsula. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is a short hop from Tokyo but felt a million miles away. The place was rustic:

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-39652827629848747172015-04-18T12:14:00.002+08:002015-04-18T12:14:46.339+08:00

"Bangkok, like Las Vegas,  sounds like a place where you make bad decisions."  Todd Phillips Bangkok has just been added to my list of places I have visited over the last weekend. For my deep love in travelling, it is quite intriguing that this is only the second South East Asia country I have visited after the red dot down south. It has been an exciting first time visit to the

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-16917549176533588712015-03-06T12:56:00.002+08:002015-03-06T12:56:18.744+08:00

"A diamond is just a piece of charcoal  that handled stress exceptionally well" My partner-in-crime for the outing. Port Weld. Heard of that name before? Sounds like a familiar name that you had come across from your history textbook, isn't it? Kuala Sepetang, as it is known today, had the first railway line in the Peninsula Malaysia, linking it to Taiping. The railway line,

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-2690682930875196612015-03-04T14:36:00.000+08:002015-03-04T14:40:56.155+08:00

"Family is where life begins and love never ends" First up, I'd like to wish all my readers and friends a very happy Lunar New Year! The celebration will officially end tomorrow, which is the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. So, you still have chance to do some last-minute ang pao collections from your relatives, neighbour, bosses, vegetable seller, roti man or

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-18943326841537661202015-02-28T15:01:00.000+08:002015-02-28T15:24:24.483+08:00

When a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries,  you don't just turn it off one day. Chinua Achebe Nigerian novelist, poet "Pai Thnee Kong" to celebrate the birthday of the Jade Emperor. Born into a mixed parentage with Chinese, Sinhalese and Thai blood, I am glad that I get to experience a diverse culture and tradition in my family. I spent my first seven

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-32325256542183203152015-01-30T23:41:00.001+08:002015-01-30T23:42:39.186+08:00

"There is no home as comfortable as your father's arms  and no bed as soft as your mother's lap."  Faraaz Kazi Lots of flights there from India, but no, I was from Haneda in Japan. Hello everyone! As you may noticed, I have changed the header of my blog, which I have used for n years. Mom actually commented on it recently, and asked me why I still used that header with my

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-55549928664875390792015-01-28T06:00:00.000+08:002015-01-28T06:00:03.175+08:00

"A lobster loves water, but not when he's being cooked in it" Senegalese proverb Camels decorates the lamp posts around the Onjuku town. Nestled in a sweeping bay, Onjuku is one of the best-known small towns on the Pacific coast of the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. The little town harbors a unique culture; in 1609 a Spanish galleon named the San Francisco ran ashore near

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-56578704057442610552015-01-25T21:24:00.000+08:002015-01-26T11:27:14.129+08:00

"Ten thousand blessings" the meaning  of the word "maiwai" Several maiwai (festive kimonos to celebrate a good catch) on display at Suzusen. The fishing industry has long flourished along the coast of Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. During the Edo period (1603 - 1868), the culture of "maiwai" (万祝), a term that refers to festive kimonos to celebrate a successful catch,

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-10626750256270494112014-09-30T19:30:00.000+08:002014-09-30T19:30:02.076+08:00

"When you look at Japanese traditional architecture,  you have to look at Japanese culture and its relationship with nature.  You can actually live in a harmonious, close contact with nature  - this very unique to Japan" Tadao Ando Japanese self-taught architect The shouka-no-machinami (商家の街並) or "merchants street" at Boso-no Mura. One hidden gem in Chiba

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-16926241534736039422014-09-26T20:00:00.000+08:002014-09-26T21:08:40.910+08:00

"Japanese eel is said to be  the most expensive fish in Japan" Froese and Pauly 2011 Golden-brown and spitting hot unagi fillet, served over rice as unaju, in square lacquer-look box. Unagi, or eel may sound like a foreign ingredient to most of us who are not familiar to Japanese cuisine. However, when unagi is served, it always looked like a typical fish fillet to me. To be

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-21797475185156072972014-09-23T10:30:00.002+08:002014-09-23T19:13:53.078+08:00

"There are only ten minutes in the life  of a pear when it is perfect to eat." Ralph Waldo Emerson American essayist, lecturer, and poet Pears plucking in Kamagaya city in Chiba prefecture. One thing I love about living in a seasonal country like Japan is the chance to enjoy different kinds of delicious fruits throughout the year. Autumn is often associated with fruits like

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-86797948685689275572014-09-15T11:12:00.003+08:002014-09-15T11:12:39.497+08:00

"Keep your face to the sunshine  and you cannot see the shadow.  It's what sunflowers do." Helen Keller "Live, laugh, love!" The arrival of summer is often associated with the much-loved himawari or sunflowers. Along with morning glory, sunflowers are the representative flower of this this season throughout Japan. You find them at schools, houses, roadsides, and of

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-72274964602130377122014-08-10T00:29:00.002+08:002014-08-10T00:55:36.260+08:00

"The most beautiful expressions  of the culinary art" Futomaki matsuri-zushi   Beautiful treats that are the result of over 100 years of culinary refinement. If you have heard of "futomaki matsuri-zushi", you are a real sushi connoisseur! The Chiba Kun Ambassadors recently was given a cooking class. Yes, being an ambassador for Chiba Kun is not limited to only introducing

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-67285761002620458042014-07-23T20:00:00.000+08:002014-07-23T20:00:05.512+08:00

"A great passion for  the splendid festival of floats." Sawara's Great Float Festival   The entrance to the Suigo Sawara Dashi Kaikan (Float Hall).   Sawara, a town of canal by the Toner River, is a vibrant community known for its summer and autumn festivals. The dynamism of these festivals can be experienced at "Dashi Kaikan", where 2 of the 24 floats are shown

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-42824258724534344292014-07-19T15:39:00.002+08:002014-07-19T15:39:57.345+08:00

"A deep respect for Japanese tradition" Chiyofuku of Sawara The entrance to Chiyofuku that welcomes diners into this classy restaurant. A simple sliding wooden door before we step into this restaurant. The opportunity to broaden my palate a bit is one of my favourite aspects when I travel to far-away places. It is during these times I get to try something that I could

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-33520252003370421842014-07-14T23:28:00.000+08:002014-07-19T15:42:14.788+08:00

"No, no, no. Never.  I have never fell into the water" reply from the lady on the "sappa-bune" boat The platforms for the boat rides along the 12 bridges in Kato-zu area. First, we get our tickets here. Sawara is a little town in the Katori district of Chiba prefecture, about 70 km northeast of Tokyo. A town full of old world charm, Sawara is often referred to as "

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-13003536153001013412014-07-12T14:23:00.000+08:002014-07-13T14:32:30.626+08:00

 I am dying for someone to go to my Dad to say,  "How does it feel to be Marina's Dad?" on question about her relationship with Dr. Mahathir Malay Asian Cuisine, a Malaysian restaurant which was opened early this year and recently officiated by Tun Abdullah. I first come to know about Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir through her bi-weekly column in The Star newspaper

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-22411307198958590472014-07-05T21:33:00.000+08:002014-07-05T21:33:07.384+08:00

"This garden boasts the largest collection  of iris in Asia" Suigō Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden  The entrance of Suigō Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden. During the early months of summer in June, it is the season of iris, a species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors

calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379561849465826024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7215044497370489724.post-52218137828588621812014-06-07T15:10:00.003+08:002014-06-07T15:10:47.771+08:00

"Lets spread Chibaism to the world!" Errr, well, that word is not exactly what you think lol! Chiba Prefecture began the "Ambassadors to Spread Chiba Prefecture's Charm to the World Together with CHI-BA+KUN" (abbreviated as "CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors") project in 2011. The CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors are exchange students and other foreign residents living in Chiba Prefecture, who use their

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