The More, the Merrier

Schick has introduced the Quattro razors. As its name suggests, these are 4-bladed razors.

Back in 1990s, Intel, the chip giant, told us that we needed more megahertz/gigahertz for our computer CPU. In 2000s, digital camera makers remind us that we need more megapixels in order to take professional-grade photos. Now, Schick is telling us, “Guys, you need more blades!”

I have been using 2-bladed Schick product, and haven’t understood why I need a 4-bladed razor. Anyway, Schick has discontinued the sale of 2-bladed cartridge, so I have to ‘upgrade’. Don’t be surprised if Schick comes out with ‘Penttro’ line of products in 2 or 3 years.

The mantra is SLOW

I met a Japanese guy in a guesthouse near Khaosan Road. He had been in Bangkok since before Christmas.

According to him, he worked very hard in Japan. When he was in Bangkok, he spent his days drinking and sleeping.

The Japanese traveler and I

I had just six days in Thailand. My journey was as follows:

• Day 1: Arrived at Bangkok. Spent the rest of the day at Khaosan.
• Day 2: Visited Erawan Shrine, Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Pho. Had traditional Thai massage at Khaosan in the evening.
• Day 3: Traveled to Damnoen Saduak.
• Day 4: Visited floating market in Damnoen Saduak. Returned to Bangkok in the afternoon and shopped at Suam Lum Night Bazaar.
• Day 5: Visited Wat Arun and Jim Thomson House. Again visited Suam Lum Night Bazaar.
• Day 6: Last minute shopping. Returned to Malaysia.

Compared to people who join package tour, I definitely had been to fewer places. I missed out Pattaya and crocodile farm, for example.

But I don’t regret. I am a working adult who study part-time. Like the Japanese guy in Khaosan, I had a hectic lifestyle. When I am on vacation, I just want to relax. I want to slow down…

Telephone Etiquette

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

I noticed that when Americans answered a call, they liked to immediately utter their own names. For example, the admin assistant of my division would say, “Ericsson, this is Michelle.” My boss would say something like, “Good morning, this is Sal. May I help you?”

This makes sense, and is better than simply saying “hello” as we usually do in this country. If the caller knows he or she is speaking to the right person, there is no need to ask, “May I speak to…”

By the time I returned to Malaysia, I had become somewhat Americanized. But guess what, Malaysians thought I was an ET! They laughed at me for answering call in such an 'unusual' way.

One day, when I was driving to the office, I received a call from an unknown number. Not wanting to be laughed at again, I just answered, "Hello." You know, the proverb says “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

To my surprise, I heard a lady purring, “Darling.” A thought flashed through my mind, “Do I have a secret admirer!??”

It turned out the lady had just dialed a wrong number. I wasn’t her darling after all. I was heart-broken…

Facebook

Facebook was the hottest website in 2007. It is the second largest social networking site, after MySpace, but the fastest growing one. According to the company’s fact sheet, Facebook boosts 63 million active users.

A couple of months ago, my MBA course mate sent a Facebook invitation to me. Reluctantly, I became a Facebook user. All this while, however, I am still asking the same question, “What can I do with Facebook?”

Facebook has many silly applications such as Poke, Pinch and Spank Me. It may be a fun to 'poke' a friend once or twice, but I am not going to do the same thing every week. Facebook also allows us to share our photos, and I am a shutterbug, but I can upload photos to my blog or Flickr too. If fact, I prefer to share photos on Blogger, where I can add a story.

As a blogger, I can be creative. Every post in my blog is the result of my creativity. As a Facebook user, I only do silly things like ‘poking’, ‘pinching’ and ‘spanking’.

In blogosphere, a blogger expresses his or her experience, interests and opinion on certain issues. In Facebook, it is much harder to know much about another user through his/her profile. In a sense, Facebook is great for connecting with your existing, real life friends, but possibly no so great for meeting new friends. Just a matter of fact, all my Facebook friends are people whom I personally know.

I may be wrong, though. After all, I haven’t spent much time on Facebook. Perhaps they are some hidden treasures which I have yet to discover.

Related post:
Facebook - the Next Google?

Jim Thompson House

Malaysians who have been to Cameron Highlands probably have heard of the Jim Thompson’s Trails, but who is Jim Thompson?

Jim Thompson was an architect-turn-entrepreneur who settled in Thailand after World War II and almost single-handedly revived Thai silk industry. In 1967, when Jim Thompson was holidaying in Cameron Highlands, he disappeared without trace. His home in Bangkok has since been turned into a museum.

Attention shoppers:

On the ground of Jim Thompson House is a store selling exquisite silk products!

More information on:

The Jim Thompson House

Camellia

自从阅读了金庸的《天龙八部》后，总以为山茶花非常漂亮。农历新年期间在金马伦高原看到了山茶花，却是有点失望

After reading a novel which romanticized camellia, I always thought this flower was very beautiful. During the recent Chinese New Year, I went to Cameron Highlands. There, I saw camellia, but was a little bit disappointed

Happy Valentine's Day

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Bangkok is a shopper’s heaven, and if you like aesthetic stuffs, you should pay Suan Lum Night Bazaar a visit.

According to Nima Chandler, an American who manages the well-known Nancy Chandler's Map of Bangkok, the bazaar is one of Bangkok's top five tourist attractions. Last year, it was reported that Suam Lum Night Bazaar would be closed for re-development. Fortunately, nothing has happened (yet).

Entrance to Suan Lum Night Bazaar…

Doi Tung café, named after a mountain in Northern Thailand which produces coffee beans...

Furniture and other household items on display. Beautiful, right?

Wat Arun

Wat Arun, named after the Indian deity of dawn, Aruna, is located on the West bank of Chao Phraya River. Its 86-meter Khmer-style prang towers above the river to form one of the most breathtaking and famous landmarks in Bangkok.

Wat Arun as seen from the East bank of Chao Phraya River...

Wat Arun is also known as the Temple of the Dawn, but it really should be renamed the Temple of Sunset. Sunset over Chao Phraya, with Wat Arun on the foreground, has inspired countless of artists and photographers – including me…

Facebook – the next Google?

If I search for “Wat Doi Suthep” on www.google.com, Google could deduce that I may be going to Chiang Mai. It will then insert a text ad for hotel information in the Rose of the North. This is a concept known as target marketing.

Advertising on Facebook works in the same way, but possibly with higher precision. When we join the social networking site, we disclose our personal information such as the country/state/city we live, college attended, workplace, activities and interests. Facebook will then display advertisements that could catch our attention. Here are what I see when I log onto Facebook…

Pretty amazing, huh? And I can bet that if I enter “traveling” in the “interests” field of my profile, I will see advertisements of airlines and hotels.

Some time ago Facebook even intended to notify a user’s friends when he or she made a purchase online. Fortunately, protest from the users forced CEO Mark Zuckerberg to shelf his plan. Just imagine you subscribe Penthouse online and all your friends know about it

Advice to all Facebook users:

Do not disclose too much of your personal data. Your privacy could be at RISK!

AirAsia’s No Outside Food/Drinks Policy

AirAsia has a "no outside food and drinks" policy.

Apparently, AirAsia is imitating restaurants. If you walk into a restaurant but consume foods and beverages you brought from outside, the restaurant will lose revenue.

But AirAsia is not a restaurant. Why should it enforce the "no outside food and drinks" policy on the passengers? We have already paid the air fare!

And I believe, if I purchase a bottle of mineral water after airport screening point for consumption on board, I haven't breached the aviation regulation…

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Q: Can I take an empty water bottle and fill it up at the airport?

A: Yes, you can take an empty bottle, and fill it up once you have been through security screening. Please note that you will not be able fill up your bottle prior to the security screening point. You will still be able to purchase ready filled containers of water after passing through the security screening process.

Source: Flysmart FAQ

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