<p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="b5c" border="0" alt="b5c" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/The-Best-Way-To-Describe-This-Elections-_1600/b5c.png" width="497" height="652" /></p>

<p>Dear Papa,</p> <p>&#160; Here I am writing to you again. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/IMG_2629.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; You left us 8 years ago, after a brave but painful fight with cancer. Here I am, remembering you once again. </p> <p>&#160; Yes, I still remember how it felt like 8.5 years ago, when you sat us down in our living room after a visit to the clinic, and told us the doctor had found cancer cells metastasised to your lungs. </p> <p>&#160; You didn't know how you got them. You didn't know how long you've had it. All you knew was that the doctors gave you 6 months to live.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/IMG_4981.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p> Some call it the calm before the storm. The lull before the tsunami. The feeling of unease because something big was gonna hit very hard very soon.</p> <p>&#160; We didn't know what to expect. We didn't know how to handle your illness. All I knew back then was that a major chapter in my life was about to end. </p> <p>&#160; Something was about to change. I must get a dose of manhood. I must grow up real fast. Whether I like it or not, that was what I must do.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/DSC_0891.jpg" width="550" height="366" /></p> <p>&#160; And that's the reason I started this blog - to document the changes that I was going through that particular phase of my life.</p> <p>&#160; Eight years since then, things have been falling into place more or less like a routine. Found some success in blogs. Started my business. Found a girl. Things has more or less become very... predictable.</p> <p>&#160; Until now.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/IMG_7845.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; Papa, that feeling of unease is coming to me again. </p> <p>&#160; I'm in the process of starting a new business concept. So far, things has been exactly smooth-sailing. If anything, the project has been continuously delayed by contractors and impracticalities in design. </p> <p>&#160; I'm feeling uneasy because although I'm optimistic about my project, I do wonder if others share my optimism. </p> <p>&#160; How I wish you were here to guide me!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/DSC_0197.jpg" width="550" height="366" /></p> <p>&#160; Two, I am very, very happy in my relationship with Ming. And I understand eventually I must settle down and start a family. At the same time, I know being in a relationship is so different than having to provide and care for a family. </p> <p>&#160; How different will things be when I eventually settle down? Truthfully, I don't know. I just hope I have the ability to be a good husband and father, just like you are to me. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/IMG_7834.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; The Elections is tomorrow. </p> <p>&#160; Although I think the current administration is doing a decent job thus far, the response from the ground is overwhelmingly pro-Opposition. It is almost as if the only people left supporting the Najib are those related to the candidates, rural folks or Bangladeshis.</p> <p>&#160; The Opposition-led rallies night after night have been crazily massive. If these sentiments were to translate into votes, I think we'll be seeing something quite unprecedented in history. Never thought I would be seeing a two-party system ever happening in Malaysia in my lifetime, but after tomorrow, who knows?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/IMG_7839.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; I can only hope that whoever leads our country tomorrow is able to restore our confidence in the education system, so we can happily send my children to school here, and stay as a family in Kuching. Last thing we want is to see our family unit split apart again because of the lack of opportunities here - like the way it had split ours.</p> <p>&#160; What they say is true. Tomorrow, we'll be voting not for ourselves, but for our future generations. </p> <p>&#160; Papa, all your life, all you ever wanted is a better future for us. How I wish you were here to see change happening right in front of our eyes.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/188fa8882f85_CCA6/IMG_5033.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; I miss you, Papa.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>Love from your youngest son,</p> <p>Kenny</p>

<p>I wrote this entry more than a year ago: <a href="http://www.kennysia.com/archives/2011/08/dont-go-to-univ.php" target="_blank">&quot;Don't Go To University For The Sake Of It&quot;</a>.</p> <p><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/aac61e303318_22F0/Weights-6.jpg" /></p> <p>Till today, I still get feedback from students who agree with my piece, show my blog to their parents, and then make me kena abuse from their parents because they think what I wrote was too controversial.</p> <p>Of course lah, I wasn't saying don't go to University and just lepak lepak scratch your balls do nothing.</p> <p>I was simply saying that if you haven't found your passion, don't spend too much time and money on higher education. </p> <p>Rather than spending 3 years in University doing engineering, another 3 years doing Masters, then after 6 years realizing that wasn't what you love to do for the rest of your life... why not just spend more time discovering where your passion lies in the first place?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="3096036_700b_v2" border="0" alt="3096036_700b_v2" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/3096036_700b_v2.jpg" width="548" height="1346" /></p> <p>I wanna write this piece as a follow up to that blog entry.</p> <p>Some students say, after finishing SPM, they still have no idea where their love lies. To that I say, start doing research lah!</p> <p>Most Gen Y-er are clueless about what they expect out of a job. A good way to learn how to marry your career with your passion is to start reading up on anecdotes written by those who have already done it. The <a href="http://mystarjob.com/careerguide/" target="_blank">myStarjob.com Career Guide</a> (available both online and in print every Saturday) is a good place to start.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fullscreen capture 17012013 124423 PM" border="0" alt="Fullscreen capture 17012013 124423 PM" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/Fullscreen-capture-17012013-124423-PM.jpg" width="545" height="408" /></p> <p>I feel every student, out there gotta be doing this as early as possible. Find out as much and as early as possible about what your future job might entail, because what you imagine your job to be and what it actually is might be very different. </p> <p>Don't say you want to study to become an Oil &amp; Gas Engineer because of you &quot;heard&quot; people say the money is good, then later regret when you discover you don't actually wanna live on an oil rig with seagulls as friends! </p> <p>But hey, if taking a helicopter to work everyday sounds exciting to you, then by all means - chase your dreams!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/do-what-you-love-1.jpg" width="550" height="412" /></p> <p>Once you got a target career to work towards (even vaguely), start educating yourself. Not just in terms of completing your assignments and University degree, but also by attending seminars, workshops and talks by industry leaders. </p> <p>From my experience, many industry people are very frank with students about the realities of the working world. I don't mind walking to a seminar full of fresh college graduates and tell them straight that they can't go into a job interview, expect to get a senior management position and a fat pay cheque that comes with it!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/Fullscreen-capture-17012013-13548-PM.jpg" width="550" height="414" /></p> <p>Next, start applying for your dream job!</p> <p>I get tons of application from graduates every we advertise for it. One thing I always enjoy doing is reading resumes written by those who put an extra effort onto it. </p> <p>Nowadays, pretty much the only acceptable way to apply for a job is via the Internet. And please, don't just send a one-line e-mail with an attachment of your resume. Always write a cover letter.</p> <p>Here's how not to write a cover letter:</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/graphic_design_resumejpeg1.gif" width="550" height="714" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>And this is one of the best, perfectly-blunt and brutally-honest cover letters I have seen:</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/cbe007f1-eb25-46b8-b459-2608d2ea0e70_1-summerinternshipcover-1.jpg" width="634" height="465" /></p> <p>Gotta love an honest job applicant sometimes.</p> <p>Nowadays, you can even send in VIDEOS instead of your cover letter. <a href="http://mystarjob.com/careerguide/" target="_blank">myStarjob.com</a> called it a <em>Visume.</em></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/Fullscreen-capture-17012013-12653-PM.jpg" width="412" height="550" /></p> <p>I love it. </p> <p>It's so much more enjoyable to watch videos of potential candidates than to read boring resumes that almost all sounds the same!</p> <p>When you upload your resume to <a href="MyStarJob.com" target="_blank">MyStarJob.com</a>, you have the option of uploading a video of yourself too so your potential employer have a chance to see how you're really like. Perfect for those applying for positions like model, actor or Old Town Kopitiam waiters who like to pretend customers don't exist.</p> <p><iframe height="309" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o8GT1J7Rq6M" frameborder="0" width="550" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>But there’s more! From now until mid-March, you stand a chance to win a weekly prize worth RM100 if you do the following: </p> <ol> <li>Register as a <a href="http://mystarjob.com/contests/car/">myStarjob</a>.com member (registered members can proceed to Step 3). </li> <li>Upload your resume (Word or PDF format). </li> <li>Answer 1 question correctly. </li> <li>Click submit! </li> </ol> <p>If you're lucky, you might even with the overall grand prize – <a href="http://mystarjob.com/contests/car/"><b>an awesome car</b></a>!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/403ab9d264af_1189/mocks_03-01.jpg" width="366" height="1049" /></p> <p>Not bad eh?</p> <p>So once you got your dream job, you too can join the rest of us working crowd and get stuck in a traffic jam every morning to work!</p>

<p>Because I haven't updated for a while, here's a picture of a cat.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4650" border="0" alt="IMG_4650" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/Its-My-Blog-And-I-Can-Cry-If-I-Want-To_26DD/IMG_4650.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>In other news, life and work has been challenging. Extremely challenging. But what else is new?</p> <p>Odd thing is, I actually relish the workaholic life quite a bit. Must be a sign of maturity. </p> <p>I am, after all, 30.</p>

<p><b>ADV: The Year 2020 According to PEMANDU</b></p> <p>Now, let's get the obvious out of the day.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image001.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>This blog entry is sponsored and paid for by PEMANDU, the Performance Management And Delivery Unit, an agency under the Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia. Although sponsored and tagged with an "ADV", all opinion expressed in this entry is of my own.</p> <p>I recognize some people who read this blog may be supportive of the government of the day, and some may support the opposition. Let me just say that this blog entry endorses neither. This entry is simply a collection of thoughts of what Malaysia was like before, what direction our country is moving into and what our country will become in the year 2020.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image002.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>As citizens of Malaysia, we sometimes can be very critical of our own country. Yes, we love the food, the shopping, the culture and the low costs of living in Malaysia. But the biggest gripe in our country by far, is our <strong>low income</strong>. </p> <p>I know this first-hand.</p> <p>7 years ago, when I moved back from Perth to Kuching, I took a HUGE salary pay cut of up to 70%. In fact, my salary was so low, I was earning salary lower than a bus driver from China working in Singapore. </p> <p><iframe height="309" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DQu6G0HXLdU" frameborder="0" width="550" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>It didn't used to be like this before.</p> <p>Between the 1960s and 80s, Malaysia was a strong developing country on par with countries like Singapore and Japan.</p> <p>My late father often told me the story of Singapore rise to prominence. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image003.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>30 years ago, Singapore was just a fishing village no richer than Malaysia. Now, they are leaps and bounds ahead of us in income, to the point that Singapore now has the most number of millionaires per capita and the third richest country in the world.</p> <p>Meanwhile, an IT Manager in Kuching is earning less than a fresh graduate in Australia.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image004.jpg" width="554" height="369" /></p> <p>How did we slip so bad? I think you know, I know. </p> <p>But is it too late to make amends? Is it too late to become a high-income nation? Is it too late for Malaysia achieve developed country status by year 2020 as Mahathir envisioned?</p> <p>Well, PEMANDU didn't seem to think so. Which is why the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) is envisioned.</p> <p>Yes, we hear about the ETP a lot. But what exactly is ETP?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image005.jpg" width="304" height="209" /></p> <p>Simply put, it is a series of projects initiated by PEMANDU that are designed to create jobs, improve quality of life and raise the overall income of Malaysian citizens.</p> <p>Some projects are well-publicized, and we knew about them already.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image006.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>The Klang Valley MRT.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image007.jpg" width="554" height="350" /></p> <p>The Iskandar Johor region, together with its EduCity, LegoLand and Pinewood Iskandar Studios development.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image008.jpg" width="554" height="394" /></p> <p>Building of pedestrian friendly footpaths throughout KL City.</p> <p>Some other projects, we either don't know a lot about, or are still work in progress. </p> <p>Such as...</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image009.gif" width="396" height="389" /></p> <p>Improving the regional distribution network for Malaysia's electronics industry.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image010.jpg" width="554" height="369" /></p> <p>Phasing out the incandescent bulbs in place for LED.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image011.jpg" width="554" height="337" /></p> <p>The building of a high speed railway linking Penang and KL to Singapore in 90 minutes.</p> <p>And of course, there are many, many more such projects being carried out right now as part of the ETP.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image012.jpg" width="554" height="251" /></p> <p>Like it or not, our lives will be impacted by these projects. The way we live, work and play will all change.</p> <p>So, what are we gonna be like in Year 2020?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image013.jpg" width="554" height="416" /></p> <p>To answer that question, the team behind PEMANDU created an online personality test, so we can experience for ourselves what things would be like in the future.</p> <p>For example, if I own a house in the future.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image014.jpg" width="554" height="269" /></p> <p>And I fill it up with an air-conditioning, an energy-efficient fridge and a hybrid car.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image015.jpg" width="554" height="312" /></p> <p>I would be scoring some good rebates and be exempted from paying import duty on my hybrid car. </p> <p>Or, if I need to get around KL.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image016.jpg" width="554" height="340" /></p> <p>I can save money and avoid the traffic jams by taking the trains.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image017.jpg" width="554" height="326" /></p> <p>Even the heavily polluted Klang River will be transformed into a vibrant waterfront.</p> <p>At the end of the test, I'm told I'm an <em><b>&quot;Early Burt&quot;.</b></em></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/a485c3705f34_DCFF/clip_image018.jpg" width="554" height="437" /></p> <p>I find this most amusing. Possible career paths: <em><b>Famous viral video blogger.</b></em></p> <p>Watch out, PSY.</p> <p>Wanna know your results? Try out for yourselves at <a href="http://etp.pemandu.gov.my/citizen2020"><em><b>www.etp.pemandu.gov.my/citizen2020</b></em></a></p>

<p>What is the purpose of a business?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/IMG_4132.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Some may say the purpose of a business is to make money.</p> <p>That is true, but if the one and only whole purpose of a company is to make more money and get rich quick, then whoever's running the company won't be happy for very long.</p> <p>The purpose of a company must more than just profit. The purpose of a company gotta be to be to inject meaningful colours into the lives of their customers. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/IMG_0596.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>When a customer says thank you and leaves with a smile on her face, that, to me, is the true measure of how successful a company is.</p> <p>It is sad to say though, in this day and age where half the things are done online and the other half are done interacting with a machine, many old-fashioned things companies enjoy - such as watching a customer walk out the door with a smile on her face - are getting rarer and rarer.</p> <p>One good example is the banking industry.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/IMG_5835.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>During my grandfather's era, paying his suppliers meant going to the bank, fill up a form, queue up behind shitloads of people, then wait 30 minutes for his turn to speak to a bank officer just to access his own money. </p> <p>At least in this case, the bank officer gets to see how satisfied my grandfather was with their service.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/IMG_5836.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>During my father's era, it changed with the arrival of ATMs. Instead of queuing up to speak to a human, my father would instead punch in a few buttons on the machines outside the bank to transfer money to his suppliers. </p> <p>At least in this case, the bank officer can still walk out and see how satisfied my father was with their service.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/IMG_5838.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Then our era came, along with the Internet, the iPhones and the Galaxy Tabs. Now, we don't even have to go to the bank to use an ATM. </p> <p>Even if, say, we want to send money to our loved ones living halfway around the globe, it is possible to do so with a few clicks of the mouse button (or a few swipes of the finger on the iPad) while sitting in our homes half-naked in our underwear.</p> <p>We have certainly come a long way in embracing technology. But poor bank officers... this time they really have no chance to see whether or not their customers are happy or not. Worst, the customers have no chance to say thank you to the bank officers or how much they appreciate their services.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/Fullscreen-capture-6122012-40142-AM.jpg" width="391" height="552" /></p> <p>Having said that, I still can't live without online banking. I can recall more than one occasions that Maybank2U saved me a great deal of time and money, especially when I'm overseas and forgot to settle my credit card or phone bill on time.</p> <p>Although we use this services all the time, we never really thought about saying thank you to the people behind them: <em>The Maybank Team.</em> </p> <p>And as I mentioned earlier, if the purpose of a company is not beyond profit-making, then whoever's running the company won't be happy for long.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/IMG_4638.jpg" width="550" height="412" /></p> <p>There are heaps of people like me out there that Maybank would like to hear from. Specifically, they wanna know: <em>&quot;How Has Maybank2U Saved You?&quot;</em></p> <p>Here's the catch: they want it in the form of a Maybank advertisement. </p> <p>Starring you.</p> <p>The pic below says it all.</p> <p><em><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/banner_m2ustar.jpg" width="520" height="385" /></em></p> <p>It is simpler than it sounds.</p> <p>Go to <a href="http://www.maybank2u.com/savemem2u" target="_blank"><strong>www.maybank2u.com/savemem2u</strong></a>, upload a photo of your face, write a true story in 80 characters how Maybank2U has save your life, then click to create your very own Maybank ad, starring... yourself!</p> <p>They give you 15 Facebook credits upon submission of your first entry. </p> <p>If you win, they give you RM5,000 cash. </p> <p>Or RM3,000 second prize. Or RM1,000 third prize.</p> <p>If you're a blogger, they give you an Asus Nexus 7 Tablet on top of those cash prize.</p> <p>Sounds good huh?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fullscreen capture 6122012 50730 AM" border="0" alt="Fullscreen capture 6122012 50730 AM" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/ac9f90ebdcb9_1C70/Fullscreen-capture-6122012-50730-AM.jpg" width="550" height="401" /></p> <p>Then <a href="http://www.maybank2u.com/savemem2u" target="_blank">go send in your ad loh</a>!</p>

<p>29 things I did when I was 29.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>1.</strong> Received 5 stalks of roses.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_4936.jpg" width="411" height="550" /></p> <p>Then got blindfolded, bundled into my own apartment and had the most romantic 29th birthday dinner intricately planned by my girlfriend. :)</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>2. </strong>Began my adventure fleshing out my bare apartment.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_5583.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Buying an apartment is only part of the cost. A huge part of the expenses is fleshing it out with bits and pieces of furniture.</p> <p>I'm proud to say that the first piece of &quot;furniture&quot; I got was actually a super-comfy large-sized bean bag sponsored by <a href="http://www.doofindustries.com/" target="_blank">Doof</a>!</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>3. </strong>Won an award for Best Micro-Blog at the Nuffnang Blog Awards 2011.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_5517.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p><em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/kennysia" target="_blank"><strong>twitter.com/kennysia</strong></a></em> - So much love in 140 characters or less.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>4. </strong>Started my Invisalign treatment with <a href="http://www.mydentist.com.my" target="_blank">MyDentist.com.my</a> to straighten my teeth. Last time my teeth looked like this.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_5665.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>And now my teeth looks like this!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5789" border="0" alt="IMG_5789" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_5789.jpg" width="550" height="412" /></p> <p>Still got about half a year left to go, though.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>5. </strong>Gave a kiss to this pale ass dummy. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_8096.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Thank goodness I got a First Aid certificate from the Red Crescent in return.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>6. </strong>Spent Valentine's Day with my girlfriend at the upmost luxurious beach resort I have ever stayed at in my whole life.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_0366.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>It's called <a href="http://www.sripanwa.com" target="_blank">Sri Panwa</a>, and it's located at Cape Panwa in Phuket, Thailand. </p> <p>To call it a hotel or a resort would be an insult. Sri Panwa is a village and a Hollywood celebrity favourite - Jeremy Renner and Gordon Ramsay all stayed here before. Room rates normally go for USD2,000 a night, but if you buy it through <a href="http://www.theluxenomad.com" target="_blank"><strong>Luxe Nomad</strong></a>, the rates can go to as low as RM800 a night.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>7.</strong> Won the top prize at an entrepreneur development challenge organized by MillionaireAsia magazine.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_6216.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The prize was a RM20,000 Lalique trophy and 2 directors box tickets at Liverpool Football Club's stadium. But the real prize I got was some extremely valuable advice from my mentor Marcus Luer of <a href="http://www.totalsportsasia.com" target="_blank">Total Sports Asia</a>.</p> <p>When I put his advice into practice, it really enabled my company Level Up Fitness to grow.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>8. </strong>Made a wish and released a floating lantern into the air.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_2631.jpg" width="550" height="412" /></p> <p>Thank you, <a href="http://www.kennysia.com/archives/2012/07/club-med-phuket.php" target="_blank">Club Med Phuket</a>!</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>9. </strong>Saw the Taj Mahal.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3595" border="0" alt="IMG_3595" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_3595.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Seeing Taj Mahal means I have successfully visited half of the New 7 Wonders of the World.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>10.</strong> Witnessed the cremations at the holy Ganges River of India.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_4296.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Varanasi is a pain to get to, but it is one the most unique and unusual sightings in the world. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_4131.jpg" width="413" height="550" /></p> <p>I spent only half a day there. No, it's not the cleanest cities in the world, but the experience was so much more worth it than the crowds at the Taj Mahal in Agra.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>11. </strong>Slept in an overnight train in India.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_4388-001.jpg" width="550" height="412" /></p> <p>Despite so many horror stories I hear about trains in India, my experience was nothing like it at all. Although it was rather cramped, the train was extremely clean and I felt safe the whole way through. </p> <p>The local middle-class Indians were quite surprised to see a Chinese face amongst the crowd and attempted to have conversation with me despite the language barrier.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4373" border="0" alt="IMG_4373" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_4373.jpg" width="413" height="550" /></p> <p>Unfortunately, I smelled like coconut oil for the next 24 hours.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>12. </strong>Had my first volunteer travel experience.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/DSC_0328.jpg" width="550" height="366" /></p> <p>With my dentists Dr Melissa and Dr Foo, we participated in <a href="http://www.kennysia.com/archives/2012/04/operation-smile.php" target="_blank">Operation Smile: Vietnam</a>. </p> <p>Volunteer Travel is so different but so spiritually fulfilling from all my other travel experiences. We went up to central Vietnam and even travelled to Vinh Long, a tiny village deep in interiors of the Mekong Delta just to give dental treatment to the local kids. There really is no better way to experience a foreign land's local culture and not just spend money and buy souvenirs, but also give back to the local community.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>13. </strong>Suffered from frequent bouts of excruciating stomach pains. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_8116.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Went for an ultrasound scan and discovered I have stones in my gallbladder. The pain persisted for the next 3 months, but I changed my diet to mostly vegetables and water. Eventually the pain stopped (but I think the gallstone is still inside there.)</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>14. </strong>Facing increasing competition in my business!</p> <p>Before I started Level Up Fitness 3 years ago, there wasn't much options when it comes to gyms in Kuching. Suddenly, 3 years after I started business, everyone and their doggie wants to run a gym.</p> <p>Someone told me that to have competition in the business is to have validation that the industry I chose to be in was right. If there were no competition and I was the only player in there, it could only mean that nobody have faith in the industry. </p> <p>Oh well, bring it on.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>15. </strong>Became an American Council of Exercise Certified Personal Trainer.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_8296.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Then trained some of my gym members to run their first half-marathon!</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>16. </strong>In Sri Lanka, climbed a sacred Buddhist / Christian / Hindu / Muslim mountain called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Pada_(Sri_Lanka)" target="_blank">Adam's Peak.</a></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_1787.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Got a local dog as our guide who followed us from the foot of the mountain all the way up then all the way down. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_1794.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Cute!</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>17. </strong>Rode an elephant for the first time.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_2264.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Got splashed.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>18. </strong>Stuck my head out of a moving train.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_0855.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>There's a inexplicable feeling of childlike-glee when you are able to stick your head out a moving train.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_0902.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I realised I have done a lot of train journeys this year - in India, Sri Lanka, Japan and China. </p> <p>Nothing comes close to the experience travelling 9 hours by train from Colombo on the west coast of Sri Lanka, to the town of Ella in the mountainous interior. The smiles on the faces of the locals, the ability to access little towns untouched from mass tourism - it all adds flavour to the travel experience.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>19. </strong>Stuck religiously to my marathon training routine, even throughout all my travels.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/With-the-local-kids-at-a-small-Indian-village-off-the-beaten-track-from-the-Taj-Mahal-Agra.jpg" width="550" height="412" /></p> <p>I packed my running shoes whenever I go. Some of my training runs took me off the beaten tracks. My running shoes have brought me to places I would never have gone myself and meet people I would never have met otherwise. My most memorable run was through a poor tiny Indian village hidden from the riches of the Taj Mahal. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_8436.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>My girlfriend never understood why I enjoyed running in foreign lands so much until I took her for a run through a tea plantation in Sri Lanka. </p> <p>Halfway through our run, she was tickled with glee as half of dozen of curious village kids followed her behind, all screaming &quot;HELLO! HELLO!&quot; </p> <p>I say, don't be afraid to get off the beaten track when you travel. The enrichment of the soul far outweighs the fear of getting lost or getting mobbed.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>20. </strong>In Sri Lanka, rode the most crowded local bus I have ever boarded in my life! </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_8412.jpg" width="413" height="550" /></p> <p>I was literally hanging off the side of the sardine-packed bus with one foot in the bus, another inches off the moving road.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>21. </strong>Signed the papers to open two more outlets of Level Up Fitness!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/DSC_5646.jpg" width="550" height="414" /></p> <p>After three years, it's time to expand the business.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>22.</strong> Definitely my biggest source of pride this year.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_3127.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Ran my sixth full 42km marathon. This time I did it in Gold Coast, Australia and achieved my new personal best of <strong>5 hours 28 mins</strong>!</p> <p>That's like a full one hour off the first time I did my marathon. My 4 months of religious marathon training has definitely paid off.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>23. </strong>Dived the Great Barrier Reef.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_3303.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>24.</strong> Lost my Australian Permanent Residency.</p> <p><img src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_7866.jpg" /></p> <p>:(</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>25. </strong>Did an authentic Japanese homestay at a place called Hirayu Onsen, high up in the Japanese Alps. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_4897.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Using Google Translate, I managed to make my reservation with the homeowner and completed the stay without being able to speak a word of Japanese. </p> <p>And what a lovely experience it was! We ate the yummiest pieces of Wagyu Beef (called Hida Beef), bathed in an outdoor <em>onsen</em>, and even took the home owner's dog out for a walk. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_4936_3.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Highly recommended!</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>26. </strong>Went hiking in a place high up in the Japanese mountains called <em>Kamikochi</em>. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_5174.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Saw the most beautiful autumn colours in the nature.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>27. </strong>Became a calendar model.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_0172.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Unfortunately it's not for Men's Health, but for the Sarawak SPCA to raise funds for an animal shelter.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>28. </strong>Survived one week in China without getting cheated from the locals.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_5753.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Considered an achievement because everytime I travel to China, I get cheated by everyone from taxi drivers to market merchants to money changers.</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>29.</strong> Lost 12kg of weight!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_5798.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>No secrets. No shortcuts. Just blood, sweat, tears and no fried food.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/f787aa9818b9_2551/IMG_1177.jpg" width="550" height="414" /></p> <p>Today, I turned 30 years old.</p>

<p>This was me in February 2012.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1084" border="0" alt="IMG_1084" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/I-Think-I-Lost-Weight_B48D/IMG_1084.jpg" width="552" height="734" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>This was me last month.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2013/I-Think-I-Lost-Weight_B48D/5D2_0779.jpg" width="550" height="825" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>Hmmm... I think I lost a <em>tiny little bit</em> of weight there.</p><P></P>

<p>You know your sister who lives in the US has completed the transformation from Kuching girl to suburban housewife when she excitingly sends you messages like this:</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/IMG_0893.png" width="554" height="374" /></p> <p>Har? What Black Friday? What Cyber Monday? Sounds terrible! I thought Black Friday is when Jesus got crucified. I don’t get it and it doesn’t sound very exciting leh.</p> <p>But then, my sister did mention there’s a “Sale” happening, so I read forth.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/Thanksgiving-Sales---kennysiagmail.com---Gmail---Google-Chrome-19112012-92638-AM.jpg" width="570" height="313" /></p> <p>So apparently, people living in America have got it good. Over here, we only have the “Malaysia Year-End Sale” too look forward to. Other times, it’s just the typical “1Malaysia Sale” where you get only RM1 off a RM50 product.</p> <p>But over there in America, they have deals like these.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/img1.jpg" width="554" height="499" /></p> <p>iPad 2 for RM1,200! 32” LCD TV for RM450! HP Laptop for less than RM850! WHAT, CAN I KNOW MORE PLEASE?</p> <p>Suddenly, the term “Black Friday” don’t sound so depressing anymore!</p> <p>Now, you may wonder what a sale happening in America has anything to do with us. As good as the deal looks, we are all the way here and the sale they have are all the way there. For us to enjoy steals like these: one, we actually have to go in store to buy these things; and two, even if we were to fly to the USA, there is still no guarantee we are able to fight the queues and mall crowds to get these deals.</p> <p>Now, this where Cyber Monday comes in!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/3784b622a393303e242ee362346875b1.jpg" width="504" height="285" /></p> <p>The Monday after Black Friday is known as “Cyber Monday”, also known as the online-equivalent to Black Friday. </p> <p>Why fight the crowds when you can shop online from the convenience of your arm chair, right? With most retailers giving free shipping throughout the entire USA, it's a no-brainer really.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/image1.jpg" width="570" height="709" /></p> <p>This year, Cyber Monday falls on the 26 November. Exactly what deals are available is still under wraps. Usually, retailers won’t release any details after Black Friday is over. For a sneak preview though, check out <a href="http://www.thecybermonday.com">www.thecybermonday.com</a><em></em></p> <p>One thing for sure though, if last year’s deals were any indication – it’s gonna be big. In 2011, these were the most popular grabs on Cyber Monday.</p> <p>On Amazon.com - <img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/167-624-thickbox.jpg" width="550" height="335" /></p> <ul> <li>Sony Cybershot DSC-HX5V 10.2 MP Digital Camera for $199, instead of $349. </li> </ul> <p><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/Microsoft_Xbox_360__Slim__250GB.jpg" width="550" height="411" /></p> <ul> <li>Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle for $199, instead of $299. </li> </ul> <p><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/monster-diddybeats-in-ear-kopfhoerer-weiss-klinke-inkl.-transportcase_z1.jpg" width="550" height="414" /></p> <ul> <li>Monster Diddybeats Headphones for $59.99, instead of $149. </li> </ul> <p>On BestBuy.com - <img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/itunes.jpg" width="550" height="550" /></p> <ul> <li>$50 iTunes Gift Card for $40. That’s like buying more money with less money. </li> </ul> <p>On Toysrus.com -</p> <p><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/071c2edc7d6d1fb4613b2186274b39c6.jpg" width="300" height="300" /></p> <ul> <li>20% off all Justin Bieber dolls. (Does not come with batteries nor male reproductive organs.) </li> </ul> <p>Speaking for myself, I can get these deals easy because I have a sister who lives in the USA. All I gotta do is get them to ship to my sister’s address in Texas, then have her send those stuff to me. It’s good to have a sister living in the USA.</p> <p>But uhhh... how does this matter to everyone else in Malaysia?</p> <p>Unfortunately, I cannot share my lovely sister with you (although if you can bribe me with very delicious cakes, I am open to negotiations – call me maybe). </p> <p>What I can share with you though, is a service called <em>“<a href="http://www.borderlinx.com/visa-mymaybank" target="_blank">Borderlinx Maybank</a>”.</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.borderlinx.com/visa-mymaybank" target="_blank"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/create_a_us_or_uk_shipping_address.jpg" width="550" height="349" /></a></p> <p>When you register with <em><a href="http://www.borderlinx.com/visa-mymaybank" target="_blank">Borderlinx Maybank</a></em>, you get your own personal local shipping addresses in the US and UK. </p> <p>With a US and UK address, you can shop at US or UK websites and have their items sent to there. From there, <em><a href="http://www.borderlinx.com/visa-mymaybank" target="_blank">Borderlinx Maybank</a></em> will forward the packages to you in Malaysia using DHL.</p> <p><iframe height="309" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G72UyQhjVoc" frameborder="0" width="550" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>To calculate costs, the website comes with an online <em>Total Cost Calculator. </em>Input the product’s size and weight, it is also possible to estimate the shipping, tax and duty costs before the goods arrive. They keep things really transparent, so you can be sure there no surprises there. </p> <p>In other words, it’s exactly like having a sister living in the US.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/DSC_1075.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>This year, the dates for Black Friday is 23 November and Cyber Monday is 26 November. </p> <p>Remember, the time in America is roughly 12 hours behind us, so do your research this weekend, register at <em><a href="http://www.borderlinx.com/visa-mymaybank" target="_blank">Borderlinx Maybank</a></em>, and then get clicking this coming Monday around 10pm.</p> <p><a href="http://www.borderlinx.com/visa-mymaybank" target="_blank"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV-Thanksgiving_882F/shop_like_a_local.jpg" width="550" height="349" /></a></p> <p>You can thank me later. (Hint: My birthday is next Tuesday)</p>

<p><iframe height="309" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lUY9paZ9DY4" frameborder="0" width="550" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> This is my hometown.

<p>How the heck do I end up reviewing earphones?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4067.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>As it turns out, fate has its own funny way figuring into my life.</p> <p>First things first - let's put it all out there. I am probably not the best qualified person to review audio products. </p> <p>I am not an audiophile. I am not a musician. The only thing I am is an average person who believes that music plays a very, very big part of my life. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_1517.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>There are two things that I do more than the average person on the streets. </p> <p>First, I travel a lot. </p> <p>Friends tell me that I treat the Airbus like a bus. When you're stuck in a confined space for at least 2 hours each way, pretty much the only entertainment option you're stuck with is your iPhone and the music that comes out through it.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_9644.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Secondly, I do a lot of fitness stuff. </p> <p>Weights, cardio, running, cycling, marathons. When you're pounding the pavement every second day, one hour at a time, the quality of music being pumped into your ears plays a very important role in determining whether you're gonna hit that personal best or not.</p> <p>So with my qualifications out of the way, let's get onto how I ended up with this unit.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/100_0092.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Many, many years ago, when I got my first iPod, I was dissatisfied with the standard earphones that came with the music player. I bought my first high-end earphones - the SHURE E3C - that serves me pretty well for several years, but costs me something pretty close to the RM1,000 mark.</p> <p>The SHURE came to its death when I decapitated it one day after I accidentally <em>kiap</em> it between my doors. Saddened at my loss, I went to my trusted earphone supplier <em><a href="http://jaben.com.my" target="_blank">Jaben</a></em>, who introduced me to their hottest seller at the time - the <em><a href="http://www.klipsch.com/image-s4-black-in-ear-headphones" target="_blank">Klipsch Image S4</a></em>.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_3974.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Despite costing only RM359, I was amazed that the Klipsch S4 performs on par with many high-end pairs costing many times as much. </p> <p>And so begun my love story with all things Klipsch. Instantly, I was converted into a happy customer, taking them around the world with me, including the entire 42km course of my Seoul International Marathon last year.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/113513094.jpg" width="332" height="500" /></p> <p>The only thing that sucked about the Klipsch Image S4 was its flimsy little cable that seem to tangle way too easily.</p> <p>A little over a year after I bought them, my music starts to break when those cables finally gave up on me. Thankfully, the Klipsch S4 came with an exceptional TWO YEAR warranty.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_3986.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I took them back to Jaben in Singapore, who then re-directed me to Klipsch's regional distributor <a href="http://tcacoustic.com.sg" target="_blank"><em>Tat Chuan Acoustics</em></a> at The Adelphi building<em>. </em>And that was when I was introduced to their ridiculously superb warranty policy.</p> <p>Rather than repairing my existing earphones as most would assume, <em>Tat Chuan</em> offered to replace my <em>Klipsch</em> earphones with a completely brand new boxed unit! </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_3995.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I took the opportunity to upgrade to a Klipsch Reference S4i, which I still love and use until today. But really, <em>Tat Chuan's</em> replacement policy was THAT simple! No questions asked, and I was in and out literally in mere minutes.</p> <p>Fast forward to last week. </p> <p>Not knowing that I am already an existing Klipsch customer, <em>Tat Chuan</em> e-mailed me out of the blue to ask if I would like to review their newly released earphones.</p> <p>At this point, even if they were to ask me to dance around naked with Klipsch earphones wrapped around my body, I would gladly do so.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_3979.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Much to the relief of humanity at large, their request was much milder than that.</p> <p>I was given review units of their first ceramic earphones - the <em>Klipsch Image X7i, </em>as well as the new <em>Rugged </em>version of their best-selling <em>Klipsch Image S4i </em>for a test drive.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_3982.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The <em>Klipsch Image S4i Rugged</em> looks as if it was built exactly for my kinda lifestyle.</p> <p>With a weather-proof design and rubberised coating from the gold-plated plug all the way to the those oval eartips, this set of earphones look as if they're ready for a boxing match. </p> <p>The reinforced cables is a welcome improvement over the original. Apart from being more durable, they are also less likely to tangle up. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4069.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Although not necessary, the <em>S4i Rugged</em> comes with an oversized 3-button inline remote control for easy control of the iPhone or iPod during exercise. Some may find this a convenience, although I'm sure there will be others who find it a weighty annoyance. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4071.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The tiny little hole behind is the multi-directional microphone - useful for answering phone calls from your mom asking if you're coming home for dinner while you're halfway gasping for air.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4073.jpg" width="550" height="414" /></p> <p>Though not made for the swimming pool, the S4i Rugged is touted to withstand extreme outdoor activities. Sweaty ear canals popping those ear buds out during exercise should be the least of your concerns. </p> <p>In any case, the S4i Rugged comes bundled with 4 different sized buds to suit all kinds of ears from humans and Yoda. </p> <p>As usual, noise-isolation is excellent. Not a single baby cry was heard on my flight from Singapore to Kuching.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4068.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Elsewhere, the original Klipsch Image S4's aluminium tin can carrying case is now replaced with a nylon zipper case. </p> <p>I would have preferred it came with a carabineer hook, but that's of tiny concern. At least the earphones come now with a choice of red, yellow, orange or blue instead of just black or white.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_3983.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Sound quality-wise, there are no surprises. The S4i Rugged sounds exactly the same as the original S4. They are after all, made using the same internal organs. </p> <p>For users of el-cheapo earphones, the sound quality is gonna be immediately noticeable when you switch to using a Klipsch S4i. The extra ruggedness is just a bonus for the active ones among us. </p> <p>Though some may find the sound on the low-end a bit too emphasized, runners would definitely appreciate the S4i's punchy bass response when matching their running pace to the music's bpm.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4075.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>At the premium end of the spectrum, is the Klipsch Image X7i - the company's first ceramic earphones. </p> <p>Price-wise, the X7i are cost nearly twice as much as the S4i Rugged and are designed to compete directly against SHURE and Beats by Dr Dre's premium end of the price spectrum.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4085.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Honestly speaking, when I tried out the X7i at the <em>Tat Chuan</em> showroom, I was a tad unimpressed. Playing from my iPhone, <em>Coldplay </em>sounded a little &quot;broken&quot;&#160; and the ear buds kept falling out of my ear canals annoyingly. </p> <p>I thought they couldn't justify charging that much for what they say is a premium set of earphones, but I took the review unit back home for a spin anyway.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4083.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>If anything, the X7i certainly possess that air of sophistication. When knocked against each other, the ceramic cans produce a satisfying &quot;click&quot;. Laser-etched logo its sleek surface completes its sexy look. </p> <p>The 3-button in-line remote feels a little lighter here. Flat cables reminded me somewhat of Dr Dre earphones, but otherwise proves to be sufficiently durable and tangle-free.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4088.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The box came with a soft-carrying case, clip, airplane adapter and FIVE differently sized ear tips.</p> <p>That's convenient. I simply swapped out the default ear tips on the X7i with a pair of double-flanged ones that fit me, press play on Sebastian Ingrosso's <em>Lose My Mind</em> and WHOA MOMMA!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_3553.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>It was like being transported from my desk chair to a live concert. Without the screaming fans. And the jostling. And the sweat. And the body odour.</p> <p>Every deep bass, every crisp treble was reproduced perfectly. The music sounded unbelievably life-like and AMAZING. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4078.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>How did something that sounded so bad in the showroom turned out so mindblowingly awesome on my computer?</p> <p>My guess is that the X7i is so good at picking up tiny musical details that if the music source I played was crap, that crap became multiplied many folds through the X7i. That was exactly the case with the MP3s on my iPhone.</p> <p>When playing lossless music on my computer and listening through the Klipsch X7i, the music was so real I literally had goosebumps on my skin. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Klipsch-Earphone-Reviews-For-The-Average_C4BD/IMG_4092.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Available now, the Klipsch Image S4i Rugged and X7i costs RM469 and RM829 respectively!</p>

<p>I’ve always wondered how the word <em>“hospitality”</em> come about.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2681.jpg" width="554" height="416" /></p> <p><em></em></p> <p>The word <em>“hospitality”</em> is clearly derived from the word <em>“hospital”</em>, yet for some reason it is the hotel industry that seems to use that word more than hospitals. </p> <p>When you think of the word <em>“hospitality”</em>, you think of a night at a nice intimate luxury hotel, where your every whims and fancy are being taken care of. </p> <p>We’re talking soft comfortable beds with high thread counts, breakfast in bed, powerful hot showers, and a little space for privacy when you need it.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2670.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>But when you think of the word <em>“hospitals”</em>, more often than not it is the complete opposite loh!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/Pic66.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>You think of stressful doctors in white jackets, crowded patient wards, family members sleeping on the floor, overworked nurses in scrubs. </p> <p>You think of tears, fear, pain.</p> <p>And death.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/100_3570.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Isn’t it ironic that two words that sounded so similar can conjure up such completely different images in our heads?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/image.png" width="433" height="570" /></p> <p>Which is why when I received the media invitation to attend the sleepover at Parkway Group’s new Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Novena, Singapore, honestly I had similar doubts in my mind. <img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2796.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Having spent many cold and lonely nights at the hospital with my father in his final days, spending a night over at a hospital is no where near the top of the list of things I look forward to.</p> <p>‘Cos seriously, how nice can a spending a night at a hospital possibly be?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2867.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>This is the same question Dr Lee Hong Huei, CEO of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital asked himself when he embarked on this grand project to design this new hospital.</p> <p>What can a hospital do to make going to the hospital, not really like <em>going to the hospital? </em>And the first thing he did was throw out the conventional rule book on hospital designs, and start from absolute scratch. </p> <p>It begins with a few questions.</p> <p>What if hospitals are designed like hotels?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2793.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>What if hospital food actually tastes good?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2837.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>What if long queues in hospitals can be made a thing of the past?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2684.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>What if we can heal people without hurting the Earth?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2774.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>After 23 months of construction, Singapore’s first private hospital in more than 30 years opened on the 1st July 2012.</p> <p>Just how closely does Parkway’s newest hospital resemble a hotel?</p> <p>As I found out, it starts right at the lobby. </p> <p><a href="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2794.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2794_thumb.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></a></p> <p>No glassed up counter. No plastic waiting chairs. </p> <p>Just a clean reception counter with a front desk receptionist ready to point me to the right direction.</p> <p>Suddenly, staying overnight in a hospital doesn’t sound so bad.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2791.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>But it gets better.</p> <p>None of the staff we met while we're there were wearing those stereotypical white coats. They figured psychologically, some patients may have a fear of hospital for that reason. So as part of their uniform, staff at Mount Elizabeth Novena actually required to wear<em> business suits.</em></p> <p><em><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2735.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></em></p> <p>I was escorted to my room on the 11th floor of the hospital where a line of nurses was there ready to greet me. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2686.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>My room was a Deluxe Room. As is all the case with all the patient rooms throughout this hospital, it has a single bed in there – which means I did not have to share the room with anybody.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/Deluxe-Room.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>From the design, it’s difficult to tell that I was actually in a hospital. The only thing that reminded me I was in a hospital, was the bed with lots of buttons on them. </p> <p>Even then, the bed linen was one with a high thread count, and really, really comfortable to sleep in!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2699.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>I made a mental note to play with the hospital bed later.</p> <p>Right from the bed, I can look out through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The windows cleverly positioned to let plenty of natural light to come through.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2717.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>There’s a sofa, convertible into a sofa bed in case patients have loved ones who would like to stay over to take care of them. Right under the sofa are 2 HUGE drawers which the nurses say are <em>“very useful for putting away your shopping bags”</em></p> <p>Well, we’re in Singapore after all!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2713.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Then there’s the TV – which is not just any ordinary TV but a SMART TV.</p> <p>Apart from the usual 361 TV channels (dunno how many TV channels Singapore has now), the TV is also where the patient can surf the web, browse through Facebook and Twitter...</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2725.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Or even playing Angry Birds. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2789.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>‘cos nothing says<em> “Get Well Soon”</em> better than smashing a bunch of feathers into the wall.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2710.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>There’s a minibar with complimentary healthy drinks, ie. no beer.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2718.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Finally, there’s a bathroom, which is unlike any hospital bathrooms I have ever seen before.</p> <p>Dr Lee said that majority of falls in hospitals resulted from patients going to the bathroom. As part of the safety features that prevent falls, all rooms are designed such that patients take the fewest steps possible from the bed to the bathroom.</p> <p>And what a kickass bathroom it is.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2723.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>We’re talking powerful overhead showers, amenities from luxury UK brand ABAHNA and my personal favourite - a Japanese-style electronic toilet seat that heats your butt up when you sit on it and spray water to your butthole when you’re done making your chocolate cake!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2760.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>As if that wasn’t impressive enough, check this out.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2720.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>The controls for the electronic toilet seat...</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2721.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>... can be taken out!</p> <p>HOLY REMOTE CONTROL TOILET SEAT SPRAYER, BATMAN!</p> <p>What purpose it serves, I have absolutely no idea. The only possible reason I could think of is when you wanna prank on an unsuspecting friend sitting on the toilet bowl.</p> <p>SURPRISE BUTT SPRAY!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2780.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>I later found out that the Deluxe Room I was in was just one of the 4 types of patient rooms available at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2750.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Top of the line are the ultra-exclusive 3 Regal Suites truly fit for a King. </p> <p>Royalty do fall sick too, and when they do, they normally go to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore to receive treatment.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2754.jpg" width="417" height="554" /></p> <p>Each suites comes with it’s own pantry, dining area,&#160; living room, 2 separate bedrooms, full butler service and of course - a cool price tag of S$12,888 a night!</p> <p>Even if you get a heart attack when you receive your bill, don’t worry!</p> <p>The doctors at Mt Elizabeth all very good one.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2757.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Suddenly, the term <em>“getting hospitalized”</em> don’t sound so bad anymore.</p> <p>After leaving my bags where I’ll be spending the night, we were ushered out for a tour of the hospital facilities. When we visited, the hospital has yet to open up to the public, so we can actually wander throughout the hallways.</p> <p>Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital boasts many medical advancements – some of which are the first of its kind in Singapore or Asia.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2766.jpg" width="554" height="418" /></p> <p>Everything, from the service hallways hidden from the public, to therapeutic lavender scents, to the multitude of paperless check-in counters located throughout different sections of the hospitals, are designed for complete patient privacy and to reduce waiting time to as little as possible.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2831.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>The Accidents &amp; Emergency Department opens 24 hours and is equipped with everything from a standard day ward to a full-featured ICU room.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2832.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Mentally-ill ICU patient not included.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3559" border="0" alt="IMG_3559" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_3559.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Operating theatres are all equipped with shadow-free LED light required by surgeons to carry out procedures to surgical precision.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/Hybrid-Theatre.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Mount Elizabeth Novena is the first private hospital in Singapore to utilize a hybrid operating theatre. </p> <p>With traditional operating theatres, if a surgeon performs a minimally-invasive keyhole surgery on a patient’s hear, had something gone complicated, the doctor had to unhook everything and move him to another operating theatre to do an open heart surgery. </p> <p>There’s lots of valuable time lost in this transition, which in a medical situation could mean lost lives. </p> <p>In this hybrid operating theatre, everything can be done at the same place.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2818.jpg" width="417" height="554" /></p> <p>The CT Scan rooms have soothing pictures mounted on the ceilings to calm patients.</p> <p>I actually told Mount Elizabeth Novena that if I were the patient lying down on the machine, looking up at picture makes it seem like I was being buried alive... </p> <p>Well, they promised me they would change the picture eventually.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2824.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>The pride and joy of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital is Asia’s first Biograph mMR.</p> <p>The mMR combines Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in a single machine.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2828.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>Anyone who had undergone MRI or PET procedures before knows how scary entering a tunnel can be. The experience not only screws with your head, harmful radiation from multiple sessions could potentially screw up the body.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2825.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>The mMR gives a complete picture in just one scan, reducing examination time and any harm it may cause on your body.</p> <p>Thoughtful.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2732.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>By now, everyone in the media contingent was mighty impressed. By the time we were ushered to the hospital’s cafeteria for dinner, any pre-conception about the palatability of hospital food are gone. </p> <p>Yes, even hospital food – the bane of all overnight hospital patients - are carefully thought out. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2855.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>As conversations flow that evening with doctors and the CEO, plates of <em>Omega-3 Salmon Salad with Citrus Caviar</em> and <em>Steamed Hong Kong Style “Jade Cod”</em>, came out to entertain our tummies.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2846.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>If it weren’t for the cafeteria style seating, I would have sworn we were dining in a gourmet restaurant.</p> <p>I retired to my room that evening with a full stomach and a happy smile on my face.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2870.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></p> <p>But of course... since I’m staying in a patient ward and not a hotel room, I could not resist the temptation playing with my hospital bed.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2877.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>This is Kenny sleeping.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2892.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Kenny sleeping high.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2880.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Kenny sitting low.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2879.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Kenny Sia cannot decide whether to sleep or sit.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2889.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Kenny squashed up by the bed.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2884.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Kenny on an incline.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2887.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Kenny on a decline.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/ADV_12064/IMG_2832_3.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Kenny gone crazy in ICU liaw.</p>

<p><em>“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on all Malaysians to support Datuk Lee Chong Wei in his efforts to lift the first Olympics gold medal for the country.</em></p> <p><em>As a show of support, his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor will be flying to London on Saturday night.”</em></p> <p><em><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="success-kid-meme-template" border="0" alt="success-kid-meme-template" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/Success-Rosmah_10431/success-kid-meme-template.jpg" width="557" height="556" /></em></p> <p>Sometimes I wish I was Najib’s wife too.</p>

<p>Today marks 3 months since I last experienced a painful gallstone attack.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/My-Gallbladder_63F/IMG_7863.jpg" width="554" height="416" /></p> <p>Not only did my adherence to a healthy eating keep my gallstone attacks under control, I lost a whopping 11kg in the process.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/My-Gallbladder_63F/IMG_7921.jpg" width="554" height="418" /></p> <p>When I first found out that I had gallstones in my system, every single doctor I met asked me to cut out my gallbladder. They said my gallbladder is a not an important organ and I could live without it. </p> <p>If I don’t cut it out, I’m gonna continue getting gallstone attacks for the rest of my life. </p> <p>I may not be the most religious person in the world, but I figured if I don’t need my gallbladder to survive, I wouldn’t have been born with it.</p> <p>Maybe I should name my gallbladder <em>Gotye</em>.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/My-Gallbladder_63F/gallbladder.jpg" width="570" height="465" /></p> <p>Now you’re just a gallstone that I used to know!</p>

<p>The first time I stepped into a Club Med was Phuket in 2006.</p> <p><a href="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2718.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2718_thumb.jpg" width="554" height="417" /></a></p> <p>Back then, I was a young 24-year-old - poor and travelling solo. Due to budgetary constraints, I remembered staying at one of Karon Beach’s many cheap guesthouses surrounded by monstrous high-end luxury resorts. </p> <p>The largest of these resorts sits right smack on the Karon beach front. I remembered sneaking in past security - just to see how other holidaymakers spent their time. One peek, and immediately knew that it was something different. </p> <p>It was unlike anything I have ever seen before. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/DSC04795.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I saw resort staff not only just serving guests – but dancing, playing, drinking together with them. I saw hotel guests wear identical wristbands, as if they all belong to the same tribe, from the same village. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2005.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Most significantly, I saw everyone looked so, so happy. </p> <p>Happiness. Genuine, unadulterated, pure happiness. Such an elusive concept really. But isn't that what we all seek when we're on holidays?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2016.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>There I stood, wide-eyed and stunned by the realization that I was in some kind of a tropical utopia... before a big burly security guard tapped me on my shoulder and chased me away.</p> <p>Since that incident, I vowed that one day, I would return to Phuket to experience for myself what it's like to stay in Club Med Phuket.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2506.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Fast forward to February 2012, I received an e-mail from Club Med’s office Malaysia. Club Med Phuket had undergone a revamp and was set to unveil its new looks. For the inauguration, they’re inviting media from all over the world to experience it for themselves.</p> <p>Nothing, except the birth of my first born, would make me miss that opportunity.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2804.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I arrived at Club Med Phuket early. The rest of the Malaysian team was delayed 'cos their flight can't land due to heavy rain, so I took the opportunity to explore the extensive resort ground - legally this time!</p> <p>I was pleasantly surprised. Since I last came to Phuket, Club Med has undergone extensive aesthetic improvements in many areas.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2142.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>From the moment I stepped into the lobby, I was welcomed by antiquated Zen statues, bright Jim Thompson silk cushions and other contemporary Thai elements in their comfortable lobby area. </p> <p>In an instant, I was transported from the busy Phuket streets into a place of relaxation and indulgence.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/_DSC8260.jpg" width="550" height="366" /></p> <p>Good job to Club Med for ditching those ubiquitous sleepy dark wooden panels in favour of a more airy and colourful vibe.</p> <p>I love the juxtaposition between darkness and light, raw and sophistication, eastern and western. I later learnt that this design concepts is repeated many times throughout the 61-acre resort.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2027.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Adjacent to the lobby is the main lounge, completely re-designed from ground-up. Gone are the crampy little bar on the side against the wall. </p> <p>In its place is a HUGE island bar, fashioned into a purple mythical swan-like bird in Thai folklore called the <em>Hong</em>. At night, the clever lighting effect makes it look as if the <em>Hong</em> bird is floating in the air.</p> <p>The lounge is the centrepiece of the resort, overlooking the pool on one side, and the circus trapeze on the other. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2439.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Food at Club Med is always an international gourmet experience. Over 90 new Asian-inspired dishes are introduced along with a new dinner buffet, many of them cooked and plated expertly in front of my eyes. </p> <p>Now, not only are we spoilt for choice when it comes to food, we too have a choice as to which pavilions to enjoy our meals.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2054.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Club Med did well by partitioning the main dining area into five distinct pavilions - each evoking one of five human senses -<em> Tastes, Fragrances, Music, Colors</em> and <em>Material. </em>These themes are developed into order to follow the Thai art of living.</p> <p>The <em>Fragrances </em>pavilion, would feature deco inspired by droplets of essential oil on sticks, for example - while the <em>Music </em>pavilion would feature lamps and tables fashioned after traditional Thai bells and cymbals respectively.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2859.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Parents with small children would be happy to chuck their kids at Club Med Phuket's dedicated <em>Kid's Palace</em>. This is where children as young as 4 months to 17 years can have access to facilities and activities specially arranged for. </p> <p>Extra big kids NOT ALLOWED!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2862.jpg" width="550" height="413" /> <br /></p> <p>The <em>Kid's Palace </em>is humungous! Bigger than any other kids club in any other resorts I can remember. They even have super shallow swimming pools for them little babies. </p> <p>Kids would love it here. I can't say for sure, 'cos I don't have kids!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2114.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I'm more of a holiday spa person. When I go on holidays, I make an extra effort to check out their resort spa. </p> <p>The Club Med Spa in Phuket is operated by luxury French brand Payot. Set in a Zen garden, the revamped Club Med Spa features 12 treatment rooms, 2 Turkish baths and a relaxing Jacuzzi.&#160; </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2129.jpg" width="413" height="550" /></p> <p>It's all very nice, and very romantic. They even have private yoga lessons for those who want an extra level of wellness.</p> <p>Unlike the rest of the resort though, spa treatments are not included in the all-inclusive formula of Club Med. I mean, if massages are free, I'm gonna tie myself to them massage beds 24 freakin' hours a day!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2071.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>By now, I have waited a good 6 hours already and the Malaysian team still have yet to arrive!</p> <p>Good thing my bedroom was ready. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2006.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Admittedly, Club Med don't usually pay much attention to their bedrooms below the Honeymoon Suite level, but I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and spacious my Deluxe Room is. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2007.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Plush pillows, soft linens, full minibar and a TV. Why would anyone watch TV in Club Med anyway when there's so much to do outside?</p> <p>I had the opportunity to glimpse at their Honeymoon Suite.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2099.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>It's obviously a lot bigger. Comes with its own bathtub, four-poster bed, coffee machine, fruit basket and a bottle of Moet. So while the standard rooms are sufficient, those who opt for an extra level of indulgence have a choice too.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2012.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The Malaysian team finally made their grand arrival at 8:30pm - a four hour delay!</p> <p>By then I had already explored almost every corner of the newly renovated Club Med Phuket resort on my own. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2237.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>This is Ji-San, our assigned Gentle Officer (G.O.) from Club Med Malaysia. I kept teasing her that she's not a real G.O. because all Club Med G.O.s I know are sunshine and happy and can sing and dance, and Ji-San... can do all those, but not very often!</p> <p>Anyway, Ji-San assured me that if what I had seen so far was impressive, the next 3 days of my stay at Club Med Phuket is gonna blow my socks off.</p> <p>Well, I can say for sure that I was not disappointed. My socks were blown eight ways to China.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Club-Med-Phuket_3323/IMG_2688.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I will write about those 3 amazing days in Club Med Phuket, next!</p>

<p>If you have a choice, where would you choose to live?</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/Swimming-Pool.jpg" width="500" height="750" /></p> <p>For me, 3 things define my ideals of a dream home.</p> <p>First, location is everything. My home should be close to where I live, work and play. No point living in a nice place if you gotta spend 1.5 hours commuting to work each day</p> <p>Second, it should be easy to maintain. In practice, this means living in a condominium. Unless I am a Datuk who can afford 5 gardeners and 2 maids to clean up around my bungalow, I reckon it is generally more practical to have a shared pool of staff to help take care of common facilities like gardens, corridors and concierge.</p> <p>Third, it should conform to my lifestyle and standards. The design and decor of the place should be reflective to who I am as a person. A lot of people's houses are over-populated with their father's collection of Chinese traditional arts and calligraphy. Personally, I'm more of a fan of dwellings that incorporate contemporary motifs and eco technology into their design.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/Concierge.jpg" width="550" height="367" /></p> <p>One of the most impressive condominiums in Klang Valley right now is <strong><a href="http://www.kenholdings.com.my" target="_blank">KEN Bangsar</a></strong>, located at the very top of Bangsar Hill. This residential highrise is developed by KEN Holdings, the award-winning developer of such other properties as KEN Damansara 1, KEN Damansara 2, KEN Damansara 3 and KENnySia.com</p> <p>Oh wait, not the last one.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/Ken-Bangsar-1.jpg" width="500" height="750" /></p> <p>Here are a few reasons why KEN Bangsar will blow your socks off:</p> <p>It is the highest residential unit within the Klang Valley, the hilltop location of KEN Bangsar gave it commanding view of the surroundings yet still within close proximity to Bangsar Shopping Centre and Sprint and Damansara highways.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/IMG_9019.jpg" width="550" height="367" /></p> <p>The 15-storey freehold luxury residential highrise consists of 76 apartment units and 4 triple-storey penthouses. Each comes with a built-up area from 2,000 to 2,600sq ft, with the price between RM900 to a cool RM1,300 per square feet! </p> <p>While the price tag may seem expensive compared to other properties within the vicinity, the difference is in the details. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/Double-Volume-Lounge.jpg" width="550" height="367" /></p> <p>Personally, I have had bad experiences buying so-called &quot;luxury properties&quot; from developers, only to learn that their so-called definition of &quot;luxury&quot; meant cheap furniture, fittings and gym equipment imported from China.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/kenbangsar_0644.jpg" width="550" height="367" /></p> <p>With KEN Bangsar, the developer - under the guidance of their energetic Executive Director <strong><a href="http://www.twitter.com/SAMCS10" target="_blank">Sam Tan</a></strong>, have taken great pains to ensure &quot;luxury&quot; meant not just standard luxury, but <em>OVER-THE-TOP</em> LUXURY. </p> <p>For example, the entrance to the building is through a double volume lounge for a sense of space, the fitness equipment are of commercial high-end gym quality and the sanitary wares are top-notch Dornbracht fittings from Germany, some costing over RM8,000 a piece! </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/Penthouse-Living.jpg" width="550" height="825" /></p> <p>Then there's those gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows with low-E bulletproof laminated glass to reduce heat and exquisite marble flooring laid throughout each residential unit.</p> <p>It is no surprise then that in 2009, KEN Bangsar won Singapore's Buiding &amp; Construction Authority's Green Mark Gold Plus Award. In 2011, they further cemented (pardon the pun) their position in the Malaysian real estate when they won the prestigious FIABCI-Malaysia Property Award – Sustainable Development Category.</p> <p><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aWva-gYuKJ0" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Those awards are truly well-deserved, because what made KEN Bangsar stood out from the rest is how they took the lead and incorporated so many eco-friendly designs into the building.</p> <p>Building wastages are recycled and reused as decoration. Energy-efficient motion-sensing lights adorn the car park and staircases. Finally, there's a rainwater harvesting tank irrigating the landscape throughout the grounds.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/CHEEL-System.jpg" width="500" height="750" /></p> <p>By far, the most innovative feature of KEN Bangsar is how Executive Director Sam Tan designed the double volume lobby to be light and airy without the need for air-conditioning. </p> <p>Sam created a system that harvests cool condensates from the management office’s air conditioner then routed it to an evaporative 2-storey high waterfall inside the lobby to cool it. Meanwhile, the hot air from the air-conditioning compressors is also harvested to provide hot water for the common toilets. </p> <p>Heck, they even have a fancy name for it called <em>&quot;CHEEL&quot;</em>, something KEN Bangsar are innovative enough to come up with. But can't deny it's very smart lah.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/thestar.jpg" width="550" height="429" /></p> <p>Even with such high prices, the units in KEN Bangsar are already 85% sold. </p> <p>So unless you have deep pockets to snap up the remaining units, you may wanna bug Sam Tan on his <a href="http://www.twitter.com/SamCS10" target="_blank"><strong>Twitter</strong></a> to see if he can work out a good deal with you.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/kr_a1065.jpg" width="550" height="367" /></p> <p>A good alternative is to look into KEN Rimba's new township in Shah Alam called LEGIAN as well as their soon-to-be-launched project called JIMBARAN. </p> <p>Coincidentally, these will be Malaysia's first ever Green townships. Information available at <a href="http://www.kenholdings.com.my" target="_blank">kenholdings.com.my</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KEN.Greenbook" target="_blank">facebook.com/KEN.Greenbook</a></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/fe0d6182c93b_7C03/Swimming-Pool-2.jpg" width="550" height="367" /></p> <p align="left">Luxurious, yet high-tech and sophisticated - now that's a definition of a dream house. </p>

<p>I am living with a 12 millimetre gallstone in my body.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_7921.jpg" width="550" height="414" /></p> <p>2 months ago, I was in Singapore to sit for my Personal Trainer examination. After my exam, I was pretty pumped since I can finally take a break after 3 days and nights of intensive studying such a difficult exam.</p> <p>Night came and I decided to go out for some drinks with friends. A couple of beers, cocktails and tequila shots later, I retired back to my hotel at 2am hoping to get a well deserved sleep.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_1317.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Didn't happen.</p> <p>For some reason, I started to develop pain in my stomach. It started out as some mild cramping inside, but soon afterwards it grew more and more intense until I was ready to rip my intestines out through my mouth. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_0280.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>I spent a good one hour curled up in a foetal position writhing in pain. </p> <p>In the end, I couldn't take it anymore.</p> <p>Went to 7-Eleven, bought some Tiger Balm and spread them all over my stomach like it was some jam and I was some bread. </p> <p>Didn't help.</p> <p>Went back to 7-Eleven, bought some Actal thinking I'm suffering from gastritis. </p> <p>Didn't help whatsoever.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7792" border="0" alt="IMG_7792" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_7792.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>By then it was already 3:30am. I hadn't had a wink of sleep and there was no sign of the pain going away. In this situation, I realised I had one choice only: calling up my travel insurance company, and find out where the nearest hospital is.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_7793.jpg" width="413" height="550" /></p> <p>My insurance company directed me to the emergency department at a Raffles Hospital near Bugis. In true Singaporean efficiency, a doctor showed up within minutes, tap on my stomach a little bit before giving me a painkiller injection which quickly took the pain away. I was relieved.</p> <p>The pain is gone but my medical bill came up to SGD180!!!!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7856" border="0" alt="IMG_7856" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_7856.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>KNNCCB. I would have killed myself if it weren't for my travel insurance.</p> <p>The worst thing is, that was only Episode One. Since then, I had another 6 gallstone attack episodes. The episodes come one after another, like Star Wars Episode I, Episode II, Episode III.</p> <p>What I hate the most is that for some friggin WEIRD reason, these attacks would occur past midnight and almost always after I had ingested either alcohol or oily food for dinner. </p> <p>Each time I suffer an attack, I have to get someone to rush me to the hospital to get a shot of tramadol. The next morning I'd turn up to work like zombies. At one point, I sported at least 6 injection marks all over my arms. People must think I'm a drug addict.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_7865.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>To stop all these, my doctor said I must go through a surgery to remove my gallbladder. He said the gallbladder is not an essential organ and I can live without it. </p> <p>Now, I don't like the sound of that. Why the heck should I remove my internal organ just because of a little stone? Some more if the gallbladder has no essential function, why is it that all of us are born with it?</p> <p>It's not like you can compare gallbladders to something useless like pubic hair. </p> <p><em>"OH, my gallbladder has no important function. Let's just take it out for fun! Weeeee!"</em></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_8191.jpg" width="550" height="412" /></p> <p>Still, I was baffled why I was in this condition.</p> <p>From what I know, gallstones are only the concern of obese middle-aged pregnant women, not me!</p> <p>Here I am living a pretty healthy lifestyle, exercising 5 days a week, eating 5 small meals a day. Although I occasionally go <em>omnomnoming</em> on sinful food, it's nothing more than a curry rice here or an alcoholic beverage there.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_1321.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>With my gallstone attack being triggered by alcohol and oily food, I realise the only way to manage this is to completely stop eating those bad food and replacing them with more fruits and vegetables.</p> <p>Essentially, that means I have to undergo intensive detox, overhaul my diet and get into the habit of eating clean.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_8153.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Well, of course that is easier said than done.</p> <p>It is said that everyone needs 21 days to form a new habit. The first 21 days is always the most difficult and the easiest time to relapse and fall off the bandwagon. </p> <p>Frankly speaking, it would do everyone good if we can all hold ourselves accountable.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_2650.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The help I had came in the form of an iPhone app I use called the Great Eastern <em>"21 Days"</em> app.</p> <p>The premise of the app is pretty simple.</p> <p>Write down what I set out to achieve. Make myself accountable to either myself or my loved ones. Then tell the whole wide world what I am gonna do. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_2652.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>If that ain't enough, the app will notify me at regular intervals to stick some carrots and celery up my mouth. </p> <p>I even dedicated a small fridge to my office, just so I don't give into craving and dive to the curry restaurant next door to my gym.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_2643.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>And guess what?</p> <p>Since I installed that app, I began including so much more apples and salad into my diet. Within a month, I lost my craving for beer and curry and shed 3kg off my waist.</p> <p>Best of all? I stopped having gallstone attacks. NONE AT ALL IN THE PAST MONTH!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_2642.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The <em>21 Days</em> app can be downloaded from<strong><em> <a href="http://livegreat.greateasternlife.com" target="_blank">livegreat.greateasternlife.com</a></em></strong></p> <p>On the same website as well as on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreatEasternLifeAssurance" target="_blank"><strong>Great Eastern's Facebook page</strong></a>, there are a wealth of health tips, details about the <em>"Live Great"</em> card which entitles the holder privileged benefits to over 700 participating partner establishments across Southeast Asia, as well as a myriad of other wellness tools.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_2651.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The Live Great programme is all part of Great Eastern's bold change in direction, declaring themselves not just a life insurance company anymore, but a LIFE company. </p> <p>Even I myself admit that I find information on the site extremely useful, especially in my line of work as a fitness centre operator. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/IMG_2655.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p><em>Wellness Profiling Lite</em> is a questionnaire on well-being for the masses (some companies charge a lot of money to do this for corporate staff!). </p> <p><em>Daily Caloric Needs </em>calculator (mine is 2600 calories) is great to estimate how much calorie is needed for weight loss. </p> <p>Then there's something called <em>Smoking Tracker</em>, which should serve as a wake-up call for all the smokers out there.</p> <p><a href="http://livegreat.greateasternlife.com" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/It-Takes-21-Days-To-Make-A-Habit_14985/Fullscreen-capture-862012-51846-PM.jpg" width="554" height="294" /></a></p> <p>I like it how it says, <strong>"YOU HAVE SMOKED AN EQUIVALENT OF 25 TIMES THE WEIGHT OF AN AVERAGE LUNG."</strong></p> <p>Hey, if that ain't a good enough reason to quit smoking, I don't know what is.</p>

<p>I’m typing this blog entry right now on my brand new HP Folio 13!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0809.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Ever since my 2-year-old laptop went wonky on me, I have been looking out for a replacement. </p> <p>I am not the easiest person to buy a laptop for. Considering I spend 50% of my waking hours in front of a computer, I have a very specific and stringent set of requirements on what my laptop should be. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0344.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>My reasons:</p> <p>1. Because I treat the Airbus like a bus, my laptop should be slim, light and easy to carry. Anything heavier than a large bottle of mineral water is too heavy.</p> <p>2. A flight from Kuching to KL takes 2 hours, train/taxi/bus from the airport to the city takes another 1 hour. My laptop must have enough battery juice to last that journey and more.</p> <p>3. I take lots of photos with my digital camera. At the very least, my laptop should have an SD Card reader.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0814.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>With a set of requirements like that, 80% of the laptops on the market has already failed the Kenny Sia test.</p> <p>Despite me liking most Apple products like the iPhones and iPod nanos, I have never hopped on the iPad bandwagon. iPads can never do the stuff laptops can. </p> <p>Lucky for me, a new breed of laptops has recently hit the market.</p> <p>The buzzword in the laptop market these days is “Ultrabook”. These are a new generation of laptop that are slim, light, fast and equipped with a battery life that lasts forever. </p> <p>Think Macbook Air, except that it runs on Windows and sells for half the price tag. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_8283.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Although a slew of Ultrabooks have been hitting the market for a while now, for various reasons not many of them appeal to me. </p> <p>A lot of manufacturers seem to have misinterpreted the term “minimalistic” as “barebone”, so much so that many of them chose to leave out basic features like Ethernet ports and SD Card readers just so they can claim to have a lighter weight. If not, then they try to cut the prices by fitting their ultrabooks out with &quot;hybrid drives&quot; rather than the faster and justifiably more expensive solid-state hard drives.</p> <p>I was very disappointed, until I came across the HP Folio 13.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0629.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The HP Folio 13 was recently launched in South East Asia across major cities in a series of roadshows held in conjunction with <em>Mythbusters</em> – the popular science experiment show from Discovery Channel. </p> <p>The entire set up of the roadshow is like a science fair.</p> <p>Upon entry, I was given a card with 8 popular myths. The idea is to go around to the different booths at the roadshow, perform or observe the experiment and decide whether these are myths or facts.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0627.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>See if you can guess whether the above are myths or facts?</p> <p>To jazz up the entertainment factor, they even got Soo Kui Jien to host some of the games. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0694.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Haven't seen this guy since Malaysian Idol!</p> <p>There's also a HP Folio 13 locked inside a perspex box where people can attempt to unlock by guessing the digits to the combination lock. </p> <p>Winners get to win a Beats by Dr Dre earphones.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0674.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Losers get to unleash their frustrations on the lock with brute force.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0686.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Along with other popular myths such as “is yawning contagious?”, the new Ultrabook from HP chooses to challenge the myth that laptops must all be hot, heavy, insecure and lasts no longer than a typical 8-hour working day.</p> <p>For the more technologically-inclined readers, here are the facts.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0800.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>The HP Folio 13 is equipped with Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB DDR3 memory and a 128GB SSD hard drive. External ports include 2 USB ports - one of which is the superfast USB 3.0, a HDMI (instead of VGA) port and thank goodness it also has a SD card slot and a full-sized Gigabit Ethernet port!</p> <p>Like most Ultrabooks, it is superlight, weighing only at 1.54kg. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0670.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Lightweight does not mean filmsy. In this case<em> (haha, geddit? case?)</em>, the chassis is durable with a brushed aluminium finish inside and out in a stylish steel gray. Definitely aesthetically-pleasing!</p> <p>Rather than using cheap plastic, the underside of the laptop is covered with a layer of non-slip rubberized material. It is very well-thought out!</p> <p>Even at its’ thickest point, the HP Folio 13 is only 18mm fat. That's less than the diameter of our 20 sen coin!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0634.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Battery life is rated at 9.5 hours (although in reality it’s more like 6 hours). </p> <p>With specs like that, I reckon it's more enough to serve even the most-demanding frequent travellers. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0656.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Other <em>cool</em> features that only the HP Folio 13 has includes proprietary CoolSense technology to keep the palm rests on the laptop cool. By rethinking the materials, venting and placement of components, using the HP Folio 13 is no longer a hot and sweaty affair. </p> <p>That, together with its responsive keyboards and multi-touch enabled touchpad (meaning you can scroll using two fingers) makes using the HP Folio 13 a truly enjoyable experience.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0811.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Speaking of keyboards, the backlighting on the keyboard is another awesome feature I like. It definitely helps when I have to use my laptop in the dark. Never know when’s the next time I might be on an overnight train sharing a cabin with 3 strangers. </p> <p>Then there's the useful Instant-On technology. Waking up the laptop from sleep only takes less than 2 seconds, made possible by it's generous 128GB solid state drive.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0817.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Of course, not everything about the HP Folio 13 may be perfect. There are only few annoying things, many of which can be easily avoided with a bit of effort on my side.</p> <p>Firstly, the size of the 128GB solid state drive may not be enough for those who love to store loads of unnecessary MP3, photos, videos <strike>and porn</strike> on the laptop. From my experiences, it is enough for me since I work mainly with words and documents, but I do find it necessary to purchase an external hard drive.</p> <p>Secondly, with space on hard drive being such premium, it's baffling how the laptop gets installed with so much junkware and games that most of us will never use. I spent a better half of the day just uninstalling all the trial software and WildTangent games.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/HP-Folio-13_13F5F/IMG_0683.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>Conclusion? I still love it! </p> <p>I use the HP Folio 13 now for my day-to-day businesses, bringing it along with me for my frequently travels and quite honestly, I cannot function properly without it. Measuring 18mm thick and 1.56kg with a battery life of up to 9.5 hours, the HP Folio 13 is without a doubt, it is one of the better ultrabooks available on the market right now with all the right ingredients to suit the business-savvy, travel-weary, iPad-hating demographic.</p> <p>But hey, don't take my word for it. </p> <p>Read the reviews of the HP Folio 13 on other sites such as <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399370,00.asp" target="_blank">PC Mag</a>, <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/01/hp-folio-13-review/" target="_blank">Engadget</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com.my/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;ved=0CFUQFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Freviews.cnet.com%2Flaptops%2Fhp-folio-13%2F4505-3121_7-35096620.html&amp;ei=4gq8T567B4SrrAfA9YW1DQ&amp;usg=AFQjCNG8301n83IMdz0rWd0Bu7JbGPUQQw" target="_blank">CNET</a> and draw your own conclusions. :)</p> <p><iframe height="309" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7SBd7OrDMEg" frameborder="0" width="550" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>If not, just click on the video above and I'll review it out loud for you loh.</p>

<p>Dear Papa,</p> <p>&#160; How are you doing up there? </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_0724.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; Today is the seventh year since the day you left us. Time does fly, doesn’t it? I remember you telling us that our time on Earth is like going overseas for a holiday. We may have lots of fun while we’re here, but we all have to go home eventually. </p> <p>&#160; That’s a nice analogy papa. I guess the big difference is that when we come home from for holidays, we can always go for another one next week. When we leave Earth, we cannot go back even if we wanted to, isn’t it? </p> <p>&#160; Unless you are “Ironman” Tony Stark lah. </p> <p>&#160; Aiya, but it’s true some things are not meant to last forever. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_7866.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; Last week, I had my Australian permanent residency revoked by the Australian Immigration. They said I did not manage to stay there for even 2 weeks in the past 5 years, so why should I keep my permanent residency? I was given a chance to appeal, but I don't think my chances are high.</p> <p>&#160; I felt like it was such a loss. I remember how much effort you went through in 1996 to get that PR. I wanted to keep it, partly because the Australian PR was one of the few things you left for us, and partly because I thought it might be useful for the education of my children in the future. </p> <p>&#160; The Malaysian education system is so hopeless now. Can you believe they just reverted the teaching of Maths and Science in English back to Malay? Such a joke isn’t it? While the rest of the world is moving forward, our education system just flip-flops like that. </p> <p>&#160; At least mom is happy. Now that she knows I no longer have my Australian PR, at least she is certain that one of her children will be by her side.</p> <p>&#160; There is nothing to worry about me here, Papa. Things at work are getting more hectic, but manageable. Things with Ming are going really well too. She is very supportive in everything that I do and I am very lucky to have her.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_1742.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; Did you know, Papa?! I recently won an award for my business!</p> <p>&#160; Ever since you left, the thing I worried the most is who to turn to for business advice when I need them.</p> <p>&#160; Recently, I joined a contest called the Enterprise Development Challenge, organized by a magazine in Singapore. They paired start-up entrepreneurs like myself with veteran businessmen as mentors. Over the course of 6 weeks we worked together to improve several aspects of our respective businesses. </p> <p>&#160; Some of the other young entrepreneurs are like CEOs of big hotel chains and famous websites!</p> <p>&#160; My mentor is a charismatic sports marketing agent called Marcus Luer, who heads a company called TotalSportsAsia. He is so passionate and knowledgeable. I learnt so much from him and have so much fun applying the things I learnt into my running of Level Up Fitness. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_1767.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; Against much formidable contestants, I surprised when I was named the winner! I may have won a couple of awards for my blog, but this is the first time I won an award as an entrepreneur. I am so happy!</p> <p>&#160; Even the prizes are quite amazing, like Director's Box tickets to Liverpool Anfield and a trophy worth RM20,000. But none of those are as valuable as the knowledge I gained from my mentor over those 6 weeks. </p> <p>&#160; Is he a guardian angel you sent to watch over me!? Haha!</p> <p>&#160; If you are capable of sending guardian angels, Papa, I think I may need another one really soon.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_7921.jpg" width="550" height="414" /></p> <p>&#160; As much as I have been taking care of my health by exercising and eating right, I went to the doctor recently and discovered I have stones in my gallbladder measuring up to 1cm. How the stones get in there, I have no idea. I swear I haven't been swallowing rocks for fun!</p> <p>&#160; Anyway, doctor advised me to remove my gallbladder to reduce complications, but I'm having second thoughts about that. I noticed if I don't drink alcohol or eat curry during the day, I won't get stomach pains at night. Since I can live without alcohol and curry, I'll just stop doing those.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_7922.jpg" width="550" height="413" /></p> <p>&#160; The doctor also found a lesion in my liver measuring up to 2cm. I have no idea how it get there. I'm gonna do a CT scan next Tuesday to find out.</p> <p>&#160; Please watch over me from up there?</p> <p>&#160; Anyway, I better stop here. It's getting late and I have a 6am flight to catch to KK tomorrow. </p> <p>&#160; Papa, remember when I was really young, you like to call me from overseas? You always like to ask me if I missed you. I never answered you back then, because I was always too shy to answer it in front of Mom. </p> <p>&#160; <img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Its-Been-Seven-Years_AFFA/IMG_0725.jpg" width="413" height="550" /></p> <p>&#160; I know it's too late to answer this now, but yes Papa - I miss you very, very much.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>Lots of love from your youngest son,</p> <p>Kenny. </p>

<p>For the first time in Malaysia's history, the Minister of Women's Affairs is a man.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="najizat" border="0" alt="najizat" src="http://www.kennysia.com/images/2011/Najib-Is-Now-Womens-Minister_580/najizat.jpg" width="365" height="550" /></p> <p>Obviously in Malaysia, it's not okay for a non-Malay to be Prime Minister, but is perfectly fine for a man to become the Women's Minister.</p>