Hong Kong Revisited - Thanks Ally & Jo

OK... sad & pathetic week aside, I revisit Hong Kong for the second time this month. This time around was for a business conference & seminar, The Infocomm Asia 2008. LG had a prominent booth this time around showcasing range of commercial LCD & Plasma panels & also the hotel interactive TV.

In between the working days I had, I managed to slot in some time to meet up some of my Malaysian friends who work in Hong Kong. Thanks to Ally & Josie for allocating their precious time to bring me around, had good food & plenty of pictures.



Moving around Hong Kong during November is a pleasure for its nice weather. Average of 16 degree Celcius, it's pretty cooling. Met up with Josie at the Causeway Bay exit C, went for great Shanghainese food and she brought me to Times Square. As Christmas is around the corner, most of the major malls in HKG are up with amazing decors. Pictures ahead.

















Had a great 2 hours or so with Josie who bought me some really expensive food stuff in one of the most expensive supermarket in HKG. Thanks Josie for the time.



And after that afternoon, met up with Ally in Tsim Sha Tsui, another Malaysian blogger friend who is working in HKG. We met up with another group of Malaysians who are her colleagues & former colleagues. Went for traditional HKG food which I will post it in another post in near future. And after that we walked around the Harbour City. It has one of the best Christmas decor I had ever seen. The locals mentioned that Christmas is more happening than Chinese New Year there. If you happen to visit HKG this coming month, the Harbour City & Times Square is a must. Pretty pictures ahead.





Ally & Josie - thanks a million for the lovely time in Hong Kong.

I miss you girls & I miss Hong Kong...

Shit

I do not smell like one but I am definitely feeling pretty shitty right now. By writing this piece, hopefully I will feel much better. At times, I am thinking - I can handle the corporate people, chalking million ringgit projects around Malaysia, whatever the hurdles & barriers, I will manage to pull myself through it.

I am thinking also - many times guys are regarded by the opposite sex that if they have money, they will think through their brain in between their legs. Many times we heard about girls got cheated, third party, et cetera. But look - I am a pure victim in love. So let's not be sexist and hurl accuses to only guys. To me, girls nowadays can be seriously scary. I met some really nice and I had bad experience with some too.

But I am glad, I walked out. I walked out before I indulge deeper and hurt further. Close friends who know about this relationship of mine, had persuaded me to hold on. I even had a conversation while I was in Hong Kong to hold on. I understand their good intention but my stubborness is the right thing to do after knowing or rather seeing what I fear most. Thanks to people who consoled me. Many times, my past relationship was her major concern. Now 2 months past since our complicated relationship status, I am very much single. Being together, there should not be any doubt on each other.

I am going to put my relationship priority aside from my life for a little while. I somehow rather accumulate phobia due to the unpleasant experience I had with this girl. It's scary.

Much better now that I vomitted out here. I was even warned by this girl before not to post anything about her in my blog. No worry, you will remain anonymous to many but congrats you found what you want in life, and glad that finally you are ready for some commitment. All the best to you and I shall get rid of my shitty feeling in me real fast.

Michael Song, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Love Song

Another hard battling day for me. From work to personal matters, I do hope I did managed it well though. Hmm... perhaps I would give myself 60% marks today on the way my EQ works. I did felt a bit jumpy at work but it all ended well.

Of late, I had been learning this new Chinese song, to add to my favorite karaoke titles when I go to Redbox or Neway. I am a non-Chinese educated and learning the song by hard way like many others I believe. And I had been googling for this song for quite a while and I am not able to find the romanized lyric. So here I am to share with readers who are in the same shoes as mine. Enjoy!

Love Song - Khalil Fong 方大同

wo xie le zhe shou ge
shi yi shou jian dan de　bu fu za ye bu nan chang de na yi zhong ge
zhe bu shi na zhong　zhi sheng xia na gang qin de ge
ye bu shi na zhong　bu neng zhi shi peng you de ge
zhe bu shi na zhong　liang ge ren de gu shi xie zai yi ben xiao shuo
na xiao shuo li you shei hui zai hua tian li fan le cuo
zhe jiu shi yi shou xie gei ni ting de yi ge

Love Song　yi zhi xiang xie yi shou
Love Song　ni gei le wo yi shou
Love Song　na DJ hui bo fang
zhe ye xue hui shang bang
bu guo wo zhi xiang xie chu yi shou
Love Song　yi zhi xiang xie yi shou
Love Song　ni gei le wo yi shou
ni jiu xiang na xia tian de liang feng
chui guo wo de mian kong　qing xiang fei
zai wo xin di　ni jiu shi wo di yi (yeah) xiang shuo ai ni

wo xie le zhe shou ge
shi yi shou jian dan ge　bu fu za ye bu nan chang de na yi zhong ge
zhe bu shi na zhong　tong hua li hui yu jian de ge
ye bu shi na zhong　zhen zhen qie qie ai wo de ge
zhe bu shi na zhong　liang ge ren de gu shi xie zai yi ben xiao shuo
na xiao shuo li you shei pei ta kan liu xing zai jiang luo
zhe jiu shi yi shou xie gei ni ting de yi ge

Love Song　yi zhi xiang xie yi shou
Love Song　ni gei le wo yi shou
Love Song　na DJ hui bo fang
zhe ye xue hui shang bang
bu guo wo zhi xiang xie chu yi shou
Love Song　yi zhi xiang xie yi shou
Love Song　ni gei le wo yi shou
ni jiu xiang na xia tian de liang feng
chui guo wo de mian kong　qing xiang fei
zai wo xin di　ni jiu shi wo di yi　xiang shuo ai ni

ru guo ni shi yi fu hua
ni hui shi zui zhen gui de yi fu hua
ru guo na hua jia shi fan gao de hua
you he gui ren qian lai you qian hua　ge ge xiang ni qiu jia
fan gao ta shuo　ni men dou gai hui jia

you huo zhe ni shi Melody jiu shi zui dong ting
suo you de ren du hui gen a ni qi chang
jiu suan zai ye wan　ni de xing tai liang
rang wo wang le yue liang dai biao wo de (love....)

Love Song　ni gei le wo yi shou
Love Song　naDJ hui bo fang
zhe ye xue hui shang bang
bu guo wo zhi xiang xie chu yi shou
Love Song　yi zhi xiang xie yi shou
Love Song　ni gei le wo yi shou
ni jiu xiang na xia tian de liang feng
chui guo wo de　qing xiang fei
zai wo xin di　ni jiu shi wo di yi

Lovely isn't it?

Forgive Me

Ever since I am back from my trip, I seems to be facing depression. A lot had been done during my absence here. Shocking internal movement in the company I am working at. Works piling up like nobody's business. More rigid and strict protocol to abide. No more flexibility in business.

So much changes. So little time for me to cope. Wish I can spend more time here on my blog. I got dozens of photos taken in Hong Kong to upload. Tons of traveling tips to share with you guys. But I cannot seem to find time & motivation due to many other reasons (mostly work wise).

I managed to squeeze a bit of time to put up this post. And I will be attending an appointment with my customer at 830PM later. Life sucks here!

May God Bless this poor soul...

HKG: 100,000 Jobs On The Line

I read over an article over the Hong Kong newspaper which I think it will be a good share to all. Below article is courtesy of The Standard, Benjamin Scent reporting.


Almost 100,000 more Hongkongers are in line to lose their jobs, with unemployment set to spike in the fourth quarter, economists predict.

The worrying news comes even though the government said yesterday the unemployment rate rose only slightly to a lower-than-expected 3.5% for the August-to-October period.

KPMG, one of the "Big Four" global accounting firms, added to the misery yesterday by laying off about 100 staff from its Hong Kong office, a source told The Standard.

Economists now estimate that up to 154,500 people, or 4.2% of the workforce, may be without a job by the end of the year, up from 131,800 at the end of October. As many as 220,700 people, or 6% of workers, from a wide range of sectors will be without paychecks by the time unemployment peaks some time next year, they predict.

Hong Kong has not seen unemployment levels that high since early 2005. "Things will get worse rather quickly in coming months," Bank of East Asia chief economist Paul Tang said.

Still, the situation is not predicted to be as gloomy as the 2003 SARS crisis when unemployment surged to 8.6%.

The government said unemployment rose to 3.5% for the August-to-October period, up from 3.4% in the July-to-September period. The figure was lower than the 3.6% median forecast of eight economists surveyed by Reuters.

Total employment actually increased by 3,600 during the period, while the numbe of unemployed people fell by 2,200.

"In the coming quarters we are going to have a much deeper recession," Hang Seng Bank senior economist Irina said.

Secretary of Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung said yesterday the government expects 100 public works projects to come on steam in the next nine months, which will create 40,000 jobs for the construction sector.

"We will leave no stone unturned to promote employment on all fronts," Cheung said.

Financial Secretary John Tsang said that under the current circumstances it is hard for Hong Kong companies to avoid layoffs. He added he believes the unemployment rate will probably rise further in the near term.

DBS Bank (Hong Kong) senior investment strategist Daniel Chan said the trend in the labor market is "quite worrisome."

Chan added, "The unemployment rate may start to increase sharply later. If you look at the export orders, the outlook is very bad."

Chan said the poor performance of Hong Kong's banking sector will have a spillover effect on small & medium sized enterprises. The pain will also spread beyond the trade and finance sectors into tourism and consumption-related sectors, which will see high-end hotels and pricey restaurants take a hit, he explained.

"Only the fast-food industry can have a good performance," Chan said.

Citi economist Joe Lo said fears about job security will continue to keep consumers & home buyers cautious in spending and home purchase decisions.

Meanwhile, KPMG is laying off 100 staff, sources said.

Just last month, KPMG International deputy chairman John Harrison said the firm did not plan to change its hiring plan because of the financial tsunami.


So thinking of finding a job in Hong Kong? Not the right timing though. Sigh...

Holiday Aftermath

Upon returning back from Hong Kong,

• I have depression
• I have 200 emails to reply to
• I have works & papers piling up on my desk
• I am having a headache right now
• I have no time to do a proper blog post
• I have mental block
• I am wondering why am I born here and I feel disgusted about my own country
• I am not use to driving anymore
• I have tired eyes
• blah...
• blah... blah...
• blah... blah... blah...

But the good news is that, I'm flying to Hong Kong again tomorrow at 9AM

:)

Talking About Change

Change - it can be revolution or evolution. Malaysia? I am currently in Hong Kong, there are so many reasons that this country I felt safe & happy with. Malaysia? When back home, some still arguing whether the PM can be a Malay or a non-Malay, US had shown us the way. Does it really matter what color are you? What ethnic are you? Who care? As long as you are capable, I do not even care if you are orang asli. Like the China former president said in a Chinese proverb,

"... no matter if it is a black cat or a white cat, the cat that can catch a mouse is a good cat..."

After the political tsunami on 8th March 2008, we heard of Sept 16th, it did triggered my hope about this country, and after it fails, now we heard of rumor this December. Dead boring with Malaysian politic circus.

Even Taiwan shocked us with the arrestment of former President last night while we are famous of arresting somebody big accusing him backfucking (yet to be proven though). Deep shit!

Hong Kong Continues - Tips

I am still compiling all the pictures taken in Disneyland and Ngong Ping 360. Allow me some time and I will share with you guys my experience.

Today I will like to share with you some important tips when you travel around HK. One most important card you must have is the Octopus Card. Just go to any MTR station, enquire within and purchase the card for HKD150 with HKD100 pre-loaded in it. HKD50 as deposit which will then be refunded if the card is return. The card is a must when travelling with MTR, public buses & taxi. It also works like a prepaid card where most of the chain outlets like 7-11 allow you to deduct the credit when you are doing the purchasing.



The MTR line is very convenient and my advice is not to take taxi in HK. It's killing. Even Hongkie who works here adviced the same. Always go for MTR or mini-buses, tram or the double-deck. Taxi is a no-no.



Other tips you might want to keep in mind is when taking the automatic escalator, please keep right if you are not walking thru the escalator. People in Hong Kong walks like super fast, even on the escalator too, so be considerate and keep right always.

Unlike many other countries we go, the power plug point in HK is the same as Malaysia so multi-adaptor is not needed here.

When travelling out, and you feel like buying bottled water, my advice - always bring your own bottle from the hotel or the place you stay because bottled water here is blardy expensive. If you really thirsty and in need of some liquid, go for Coke Zero or Sprite Zero, it's Zero calories & fat all together, just like water and the best part of it, it is priced the same as bottled water. And do not shop for drinks in 7-11, always head for the nearest supermarkets as you will get a better bargain. Even for beers and other alcoholic drinks. 7-11 only caters for those midnight cowboys.





And sometimes I heard a lot of complaints from friends that travelled to HK about the price of food here. Well, there are also good place to dine at affordable price. Do not expect Malaysian mamak price here but if you are on a tight budget, stay away from restaurants inside the shopping malls or hotels. Two highly recommended local food chainstores from myself to all are Coral De Cafe (Tai Kar Lok in Cantonese) & Tsui Wah restaurants. The former got really attractive package meal offer (main + soup + drinks) and the latter is much like char chan teng. And these are Chinese fast food outlets they called it. And about the origin of Kimgary & Wong Kok - these are solely creation of Malaysian - lousy so called Hongkie food. You can find none here in HK. And oh ya, some restaurants here in Hong Kong do offer discount up to 20% after their off peak period, let say around 9PM, so do check out those leaflets & posters on the restaurant.





And another tips - to visit museums in Hong Kong - choose Wednesday - because Wednesday they do not charge entrance fees. This only applicable to museums run by the government.

Hope the above help to those who plan to visit Hong Kong soon.

Cheers!

Shopping In Hong Kong - Citygate Outlets

When comes to shopping in Hong Kong, one must not miss this - The Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung. This is the only shopping arcade that housed most of the major brands outlets. The meaning of Outlet here - you can buy off season stuff or certain latest product at a very good bargain. My Malaysian friend who I met up 2 days ago, told me that the Citygate Outlets really worthwhile to shop, you can get stuff 50% compare to Central.

How to get there? By MTR - take the Orange line, last station Tung Chung. From Hong Kong International Airport - take shuttle bus S56.

Following below I will include some of the brands that can be found here.



I bought a pair of shoes in K-Swiss. It's unique and not easily available back in Malaysia. There's also Sony Outlet that sell some gadgets.







There's Puma, Adidas & Nike Outlets here. Imagine you can buy Nike shoes at HKD200. Adidas & Nike T-Shirts at less than HKD100. So who says shopping in Hong Kong is expensive? You must go to the right place.



Bodyshop - Shower Gel less than HKD30. I did not check much items though but dirt cheap!



Then there's Timberland Outlet. When you visit here, you felt blardy cheated back in Malaysia. And Esprit Outlet here the price are cheaper than you shop in FOS in Malaysia. There's more like Benetton, Armani Exchange, Burberry, Polo Ralph Lauren, etc.













And ladies, there is this too... kekekeke...



Thinking bout migrating? Think Hong Kong!

Hong Kong - Ayam Back!

Updating live from Tung Chung, Hong Kong...

Yes, I am back in Hong Kong again. My second time this year. For the coming 2 weeks I will be residing here at my sister's place. Thanks to AirAsia, I am able to make this holiday happened together with my family.

The trip was pre-planned 3 months earlier. This trip I am accompanied by my parents and my younger brother. We arrived at Hong Kong last night at about 8PM and had light dinner on board. AirAsia had since change their menu. We all had Pak Nasser Nasi Lemak combo meal, RM12 with drinks.


This is how it looks like in the menu. The Pak Nasser Nasi Lemak


This is the real set. Taste ain't bad though

Sis picked us up at the Terminal One Immigration Area, Hong Kong International Airport. She had the privilege to access to various part of the airport as her job is associated with the airport.

From the airport, we took shuttle bus S56 to my sis apartment at Tung Chung. We reached our destination in about 15 minutes. Freshen up and sis brought us for dinner at the Citygate Outlet. Great dinner. Saliva drooling pictures ahead.













And this is my sis in the picture below.



That's about it all peeps. A tiring day for me today, shall update on my activities today later. Stay tune!

I Heart Hong Kong!!!

Thank You

I wanna take this opportunity to thank all those who made my 30th birthday a memorable one. It was one of the best birthday ever.

There are far too many people to thank so I am not able to list them down all here. My colleagues, my personal friends, all my ex-girlfriends, schoolmates, college mates, blog readers, other fellow bloggers and wishes I got from Facebook. The list can just go on & on. Thanks people, I love you all.

And to my MD who also my boss, thanks for the wishes. Appreciate it, never in my life the top person of a company walked to my desk and wished me. And what surprise me is that he reads my blog and imagine a Korean boss.

I am currently in Hong Kong now holidaying with my family. I will find time to blog and to post nice pictures as much as I can. It's Autumn in HK now, great weather, great food.

Take care peeps and thanks once again.

Love,
Mike aka mikemmery

Early Birthday Celebration

Simple celebration with the people close to my heart (18 full pints of GUINNESS® & 4 jugs of beer). Thanks to Roy, Molly, Rim, Chong, Albert, Meow Yean, Nicole, Sheryl, Shirley, Mandy & Aaris.

I'll let the pictures do the talking as I am still intoxicated with GUINNESS®, mental block now...











And thanks to the singer who sang for my birthday that night, thanks a million Vanessa!



Happy Birthday to ME!