Busy Weekend

September 26th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

Singapore will host the first ever night time FORMULA ONE race this weekend. The race will also be run here for the next five years. Total cost for the event is projected at S$150 million with the Singapore Government picking up 60 per cent of the annual tab. Pair of tickets for the 3 day weekend is priced at S$996.

There will be 20 cars in the race. All the preparations are done, with major street in the down town area closed to local traffic. The excitement is building and the racing fans are ready for action.

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This weekend is also CONFUCIUS ‘ birthday. Kong Zi, as he is known to the Chinese was born more then 25 centuries ago in China. He is one of the best know thinker-philosopher, credited with promoting values such as respect for elders and reciprocity.

I will go to the temple, pay my respects by make fruit and paper offerings. Hopefully HE will bestow luck and mental acuity on Canada’s Youth Team at the upcoming Mind Game in Beijing.

Touch of Home

September 24th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

                    Polar Bear                                                         White Rhino

                   Flamingo                                                           Guanaco

Wild Africa

September 24th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

                     African Lion                                                    Giraffe

                         Zebra                                                                 Gnu

More from the Zoo

September 24th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

                   Elephant                                                              Sun Bear

                     Giant Tortoise                                                   Komodo Dragon

Friends from Australian Outback

September 24th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

                      Dinner time?                                                     Ostrich

                   Kangaroo                                                          Bird in hand is better then two in the bush

More Friends

September 24th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

      Babirusa                                                                               White Tiger

   Warthog                                                                                  Hamadryas Baboon

Talk to The Animals

September 24th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

Jeff and I had a wonderful time at the Singpore Zoo. Here are some of our friends.

        

  Tapir                                                                                 Nubian Ibex

A well played hand.

September 23rd, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

Nicolas Lecuyer and Kamel Fergani of the Canadian Open Team were in action on this hand played on BBO.

Dealer East. NS Vul. 

Nicolas (North) and Kamel (South) conducted a sensible auction to 3NT. The opening lead by West was the heart queen. Kamel ducked this and West continued heart jack to Declarer’s king. Kamel led the diamond two, four, nine and east won the 10. Five of club came back and Kamel played the ace. Played the diamond four, jack, queen, three. Diamond five, spade two, six and ace. West now cashed the club king and Kamel claimed nine well played tricks, well earned plus 400.

Reach For The Tops

September 20th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

“He who strays discovers new paths”  Nils Kjaer

Jeff and I are headed to Kuala Lumpur , the capital city of Malaysia. We are going with Jim (my brother) and Irene (my sister-in-law) for a few days. Jim is a good driver and there seems to be no speed limit for his car so I expect we will cover the 350 km journey in less then three hours.

Jimmy, Irene, Michael and Jeff.

Malaysia is a country with thirteen states and three federal territories covering 329,847 square kilometres. Of the 25 million residents, Malays form the majority of the population with sizable Chinese and Indian communities. Malay is the official language and everybody understand English.

Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producer of tin, natural rubber and palm oil. They also have a very large manufacturing base. The local currency is the Ringgit. One Canadian Dollar is worth 3.22 Ringgit.

The Petronas Twin Towers

One of the attractions in Kuala Lumpur is The Petronas Twin Towers. The iconic Towers stand an awe-inspiring 451.9 metres, has 88 floors in each tower making them the world’s tallest free-standing twin Towers. There is an unique sky bridge on the 41st floor that is open free of charge to visitors. There are only 1200 tickets given out each day so be prepare to line up early.

Jeff and I decided to explore the city on our own. First we took the MRT/train into down town, then had a ride on the Monorail high above the city streets. We ride it from one end of the line to the other. It is a good way to see the city. After lunch Jeff shopped while I enjoy my latte and people watched. In the afternoon we had a nice swim at the hotel’s roof top pool.

One week in to our trip, We are getting along famously.

Lost My Mind

September 19th, 2008  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

I do my best thinking while sleeping (In my dreams). However due to the 15 hours time change, my mind can not decide when to sleep! As the result, I have run in to the wall or the writer’s block.

Jeff’s solution on the jet lag is out pub hopping till 6am in the morning with his cousins, Jamus and Ming. Yes they serve beer till 6am here!