food in Hokkaido

even more pictures from Hokkaido! ;P

more pictures from Hokkaido

Hokkaido 9 - 16 May 2007

Yup,.. i've been away for over a week holidaying in Japan Hokkaido catching Cherry Blossom!! ;-)

It's the best holiday i ever had.. of course, my beloved wife Shini is with me and also the self-drive tour arrangement is just great!! Really must give thumbs up to Prime Travel.. The food is fantastic! i love Japs food even more now! The people are polite and the toilet is clean.. The street is safe.. The hotspring is really hot and err.. interestingly naked.. ;P

Wish we can go again in a few years time.. after saving enough $$ tat is.. ;-)

Here's some pictures to share..

Meditation - how to meditate?

i believe that there are many methods to meditation. The two i know and have been practicing were (i) object and (ii) non-conceptual meditation.

(i) Object meditation requires concentration on an object. An object can be a flower, a feeling, an idea, a representation of the Buddha or anything you wish to focus on.

(ii) Non-conceptual meditation focus directly on consciousness itself. It is pure awareness of things happening at the most present moment without passing any judgment. Just observing the very nature of thoughts that cross our mind.

The meaning of the word Meditation is familarisation with a new way of being.

Thru meditation we can develop calmness, patience, tolerance, understanding, kindness,.. many good virtues.. But meditation must be followed by actions.. applying newly acquired Buddha's knowledge & wisdom in our everyday life.. If great sessions of meditation doesnt translate into improvement of our whole being, then we need to re-examine our practice. Successful meditation brings us all the goodness as mentioned earlier eg. love, compassion, calmness, patience,.. Only after we are 'matured' and ready, can we then be ready to help others achieve likewise..

note: (a) above info is inspired & extracted from the book Happiness by Matthieu Ricard pg 260. (b) u need to clam your mind first for meditation. And to achieve that, breath in and exhale slowly with yr eyes lightly closed. Focus on yr breathing & nothing else. Return to yr centre. Back to your being. Be present. After a few more breathing or when you feel ready, proceed with the meditation proper..

What's franchising and licensing?

as part of my job i need to know about franchising and licensing.. in order to play the advisory role to my clients.. well, it's also good knowledge if i ever wanna run my own business..

what's franchising?
Today any business wanted to be called a franchise must comprises these 3 key elements:
(i) business/operation system (manual, guide, procedures,..),
(ii) brand (trademark, copyright, design,..),
(iii) royalty fee (upfront, annual, % of revenue,..)
otherwise also known as business format franchising.
example: MacDonald

what's licensing?
same as franchising except minus the business/operating system.
in the past (early days), it was known as product distribution franchising.
example: Coca-Cola bottling licensing

what's the difference between franchising and licensing?
as mentioned above, franchising includes imparting entire business model to the franchisee.
In addition, franchiser takes a more proactive role than licensing which is more passive. Being proactive means that the franchiser will be working much closely with the franchisee to ensure his success and making sure he is operating according to the operating manual. Licensor usually leaves the licensee alone as long as it doesnt breach any contract agreement.

What are the key items in a franchise?
There are 23 key items in a franchise that needs to be addressed or mentioned - with reference to the UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular).
1. Franchisor
2. Business experience
3. Litigation history
4. Bankruptcy
5. Initial franchise fee
6. Other fees
7. Initial investment
8. Business restrictions
9. Franchisee's obligations
10. Financing
11. Franchisor's obligations
12. Territory
13. Trademarks
14. Patents, copyrights & proprietary information
15. Participation
16. Product or service restrictions
17. Renewal, termination, transfers & dispute resolution
18. Celebrities
19. Earnings claims
20. Other units in the system
21. Financial statements
22. Agreements
23. Confirmation


visit http://www.flasingapore.org/ for more info..

Snowy

for the past few days my wife and i have been kept busy looking after Snowy.. a King Charles Spaniels breed. it's only 6 month old.

it belongs to Shini's colleague who happens to go overseas and my kind wife agreed to look after her for a few days.. but least did she know it's a tough job looking after a dog! especially a puppy!! ;-)

Nonetheless, think we survived! one more day to go.. so, here are some sweet memories for keeps minus all the hardships we had to endure.. heehee..

i will still think of having my own dog when i retire.. ;P

principles for relationships

Not too long ago i wrote about guiding principles for my work.. and i named it SWATS. Recently, i started thinking about developing some principles for my relationships. While my love life is still good, i think it can be better! Once in a while, we get into arguments and quarrels.. but i believe i could avoid those unnecessary unhappy moments if i had been conscious and mindful of my spoken words and actions.

So, after brainstorming within my brain.. here's the principles - LCU SWAP!
L.C.U.S.W.A.P. or LCU SWAP to help me remember stands for:

1. Listening. Most people has problem with active listening, genuine listening to what their partner says. must really learn to listen twice as much as speak. one method is the ability to repeat what the other person has just said. He/she will know u are really listening and they will appreciate greatly. In return, they will listen to u much more attentively.

2. Care & Concern. Must learn to show care & concern even though we do care for our love ones but we seldom show it or express in ways that make them feel it. i think a simple "i love you" or "i'm thinking about u and your well being" goes a long way. Words aside. U can also simply give your love ones hugs and kisses..

3. Understanding. First we seek to understand before we are understood. That said it all. Learn to put ourself into other people's shoes. Seek to understand their point of view. Only thru understanding is conflict resolve.

4. Sensitive. Be sensitive to your love ones' needs. Be observant. Be present. That way, u wont miss a beat.

5. Win-win. Always create a win-win situation for everyone including yourself. Nobody needs to loose. it's not a zero-sum game. Negotiate till everyone walks away happy.

6. Advisory. A consultative arrangement is better than an instructive one. whether u like or not, these days, with more & more ppl who are educated and more capable, no one is gonna sit there and wait for your instructions. So, in relationships as well, your spouse esp a wife wont be the quiet ever obedient one.. she will have a mind of her own. Therefore, it would be wise and correct to treat relationship on an advisory nature.. That said, it is situational too. Also depend on who's the ultimate decision maker. Exercise your own judgment.

7. Patience. A lot of times, we need to be patient with our love ones. Dont be rash. Impatience always create more problems.. Meditation is one of the best methods. Try the breathing method and keeping your mind focus on something of a higher purpose. It works!

Spiderman 3

Spiderman 3 is really the best movie i've watched this year to date! ;-)

The whole movie is well casted and the story really works for me! I really liked the way the movie explore the characters - their past and emotions.. even for the villains - there's a dark and good side in everyone.

i've learned a few lessons in this movie. First, this movie teaches me abt options - there's always a choice in life. It's whether we want to take control of our own life and make that decision. Second, very important, never, never be evil, never be revengeful! It doesnt pay off. Short-term wise, maybe u get that 'high' feeling. But in the end, u end up a lonely, sad and even more angry person. In the show, it demonstrate how Spiderman's get into more trouble after he tries to beat up and kill those evil people.. They keep coming back for revenge!

Finally, one small message that appears in the first two movies is missing in this third installment - Uncle Ben said "Remember, with great power. Comes with great responsibility". Like my wife said, "he has passed that.. now have moved on already.." I guess that's true. perhaps we should all move on.. to be a better man. ;-)

freakonomics

this book really opens up my mind!
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.
Mr Levitt is really a genuine in challenging conventional wisdom.

It reminds me of my younger days - i was innocent and believe easily what was said in the newspaper and all other media.. i've learned not to believe what i hear and see.. not even my heart, sometimes. ;P

Freakonomics makes me think, helps me think and certainly expand my mind.. from questions on which is more dangerous - guns or swimming pool, and from crimes to mothers.. Mr Levitt will definitely have fans but he will also have many critics. That's life i guess. In many ways, i can identify with all that. Coz i've been questioning things all my life. But he used a so-called economics approach to answering those questions.

Lastly, i used to think the subject of economics is only about the pure finance side of things that drives the economy.. On the contrary, it actually studies things that impact people's lives! And attempts to answer why..

From Wikipedia:
Economics is the study of how to satisfy unlimited wants with limited resources. It is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and the theory and management of the scarce goods, resources, and services.

The word 'economics' is from the Greek for οἶκος (oikos: house) and νόμος (nomos: custom or law), hence "rules of the house(hold)."

recharging my Buddhism faith

today is both a happy and sad day for me.. morning had a little quarrel with my wife and noon attended a SOKA event. Sometimes i wondered when i will really be 'enlightened' and be able to handle all problems in life.. sometimes i feel i do sometimes not. It's a long and difficult journey to develop true wisdom and compassion for all beings. however, the journey must go on!

The SOKA event comprises some dance segment plus more importantly the testimonies of some of the members.. they shared their life stories - how they suffered and struggled thru their darkness days of their life. It recharged me upon hearing their testimonies. i feel that i could achieve more if i continue the journey under the guidance of Buddhism.

So, i shall work hard.. beginning with increase in my meditation practise. ;-)

Below, are some encouraging words from the event - in the form of a small homemade card gift..

"Life is a process of ongoing challenge. Those who lead lives of
boundless challenge realize boundless growth.
In a time of tumultuous change, what people needs most
is the vitality to challenge their circumstances
and the wisdom to open the treasure-house of knowledge
and to ceaselessly strive to create new value."

Tumultuous means conflict of emotions.

wii wii

i was never a fan of the gaming console.. like PS2, PS3, X-Box,.. clicking on the joy stick or controller seemed boring to me.. But with the new Nintendo Wii it changes my opinion about gaming console!! ;-)

Wii is really fun to play! Thanks to its motion detection tat allows me to swing, punch, throw and more.. The person who invent tat motion detection device must be honoured!!

Now,.. less talk more play!! i gonna play my Wii now!! but let me go wee wee first! ;P

are u in control?

almost a daily affair, we complaint about this, we complaint about that.. sometimes, in fact most of the time, i feel tired of complaining.. but the problems are still there.. and i feel helpless.. making me unhappy.. So, is there hope? is there a way out?

Unconsciously, i seem to have the answer. Only i need to practise what already i know..

To overcome these situations, you simply need to ask a few questions and you have answer them honestly. First, ask yourself if you have control of the situation and the outcome. If the answer is yes, then it's easy. Focus on solving the problem! But in most cases, we dont have control. That's why we are feeling so frustrated!! Next, ask yourself if u have influence over the person who has control. If yes, then do it!! Otherwise, if u totally have no control or influence, then u just have to accept whatever that comes to u - good or bad. That's life. Face it with courage! If u really hate it, move on! Change place. Change job. Change friends. Change partner. Change yourself!! Take action!

in most cases, if u take the first actions, things start to happen..

Lastly, take heart that in life most things are not within our control. That's why it's important to recognise our own limitations as well as of others.

an empty life

"An empty life is a happy life"
- Kenneth Woo

Many may not realize that an empty life
is actually a happy life.
In order to appreciate this,
one must understand what emptiness is.
Emptiness is not nothingless.
Coz nothingless means non-existent.
Emptiness is not non-existent.
Either is it totally in existent.
It is both depending very much
of your perception.
Just think of a glass half full with water.
Some see it as half full while others see a half empty glass.
And one must understand that everything u see
are dependent of other entities.
You are not one but connected to this world.
Thus, there's no real self.
Just an illusion in your mind.
Everything is a reflection of your mind.
What your mind thinks may not be real
though it seems real to you at that moment.
Furthermore, nothing is static.
Everything is in motion - changes.
Since there's no real you or a self,
and everything changes,
it is therefore, empty to begin with.
Trying to fill this emptiness only brings pain
coz emptiness as it is -
is only an universal law of nature.
Happy life only begins with this understanding.

WE LIVE IN SINGAPURA the MTV version

SEVEN BASIC HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

HABIT	HABIT DESCRIPTION	FULL DESCRIPTION
ONE	BE PROACTIVE (Principles of Personal Vision)	* You are the programmer, not the program * You are the product of your choice and your decisions, not your conditions or conditioning * Acting based on your values rather than re-acting based on emotion or circumstances
TWO	BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND (Principles of Personal Leadership)	* You are the programmer, write the program * You are the architect of your life, draw up the blue print (your values, mission and goals) * All things are created twice --- first mentally, then physically * Avoid costly waste of time and effort on things that are not in harmony with your goals and missions in life
THREE	PUT FIRST THING FIRST (Principles of Personal Management)	* Organize and conduct your life around your mission, values and goals * Plan your time and energy to accomplish what really matters most to you * Think through each important role in your life * Select long-term and weekly goals to achieve success in each role
FOUR	THINK WIN/WIN (Principles of Interpersonal Leadership)	* When your life is centered on your personal mission and anchored to your values, your security will come within * Win/Win thinking begins with a commitment to explore all options until a mutually satisfactory solution is reached or to make no deal at all
FIVE	SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, AND THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD (Principles of Communication)	* The key to effective communication is to seek first to understand the other person --- to step out of your own autobiography and to deeply, authentically understand another person's frame of reference before attempt to share your own * Diagnose before you prescribe * Listen to understand rather than to reply * Find ways, based on the other person's frame of reference, to communicate your own ideas most effectively
SIX	SYNERGIZE (Principles of Creative Cooperation)	* Synergy results from valuing differences, from bringing different perspectives together in the spirit of mutual respect * People then feel free to seek the best possible alternative, often a "third alternative" that is better than either of the original proposals
SEVEN	SHARPEN THE SAW (Principles of Renewal)	* Cultivating this habit means having balanced, systematic program for self-renewal in each of the basic human dimensions --- physical, spiritual, mental and social/emotional * We are the instrument of our own performance, and failure to maintain the instrument leads to lessened effectiveness in performance in every other area of life

Based on 7th Habits of Highly Effective People book, Stephen R. Covey.

© 2001, VIRTUAL PALACE. All rights reserved. And for the latest eight habit, click here..

first thing first

Stephen Convey taught us in rule no 3 "First thing first". It is the principle of personal management.. where u organise and conduct your life with a mission, a set of values and goals. Time mgmt is especially important here. However, what brings me to this subject is the focus on what really matters most to you.

We live a life full of distraction.. constantly being influenced by what the media and others say.. without sufficient time alone to really ask ourselves what we really want. In fact, some of us are even too afraid to ask themselves this question - perhaps due to fear that we cant achieve it.. due to lack of self-confidence?

Buddha had a similar explanation to First Thing First. Extracted from the book Happiness by Matthieu Ricard.
It reminds us of the Buddha story of someone being hit by an arrow. Imagine you are being struck by an arrow! U wont be asking questions such as who hit u with an arrow, what material the arrow is made of, or if there's poison on the arrow.. U would probably be thinking how quickly and safely u can remove the arrow to save your precious little life!! rite? ;-)

So, First Thing First do have a few ways of looking at it but essentially it makes u think about all those important aspects of life.

progressive

these days i observed that i have been using the word 'Progressive' quite often.. ;-)

perhaps, that's life.. perhaps, that's how things should be.. things should improve.. there should always be enhancement, improvement, progress.. Life will be boring if everything stays the same day in day out..

perhaps, that's why we shouldnt be a perfectionist. coz things will never be perfect.. will never be able to achieve perfection the first time round.. therefore, we need continual improvement.. continuous improvement will be a stretch and almost impossible to achieve.. but continual improvement fit nicely..

in a nutshell, we should be aware of how nature works.. and works within the boundaries of nature, and naturally, progressively works towards our goal! ;-)

the concept of self

recently, i started reading the book Happiness by Matthieu Ricard.. still reading though..

But, there're a couple of para are so well written that i would love to share here..

"Buddhism therefore concludes that the self is just a name we give to a continuum, just as we name a river the Ganges or the Mississippi. Such a continuum certainly exists, but only as a convention based upon the interdependence of the consciousness, the body, and the environment. It is entirely without autonomous existence." ~ page 90.

"This is how we reify the self and the world. The self is not nonexistent- as we are constantly reminded by experience - but it exists as a concept.. in that sense that Buddhism says that self has no autonomy or permanence, that it is like a mirage. Seen from afar, the mirage of a lake seems real, but we would have a hard time wringing any water out of it. Things are neither as they appear to exist nor are they entirely nonexistent. Like an illusion, they appear without having any ultimate reality." ~ page 93.

Reify means: to regard or treat as if it had a concrete or material existence

mooncake cupcakes

This is an interesting cupcakes - coz it's inspired by the mooncake! ;-)

See the yoke? it's actually made of red beans.. From the feedback, we realised that the cake skin is a little too sweet though the red beans yoke is just nice!