5 Things to Do During Haze

Because Haze has been a bitch and there's no more outdoor activity for old man like me. There's only these much I can do.

Let Mr.Smith recommend you some To-Dos


1. Eat 

That's the good thing about eating. It is weather proof. Can be done anytime and anywhere. So indoor is fine. Picnics are for the crazy people in Singapore. Crazy air crazy weather. And good news is Domino's is now in Punggol. 30 mins delivery!! WOOOHOO!!!

2. Old Skool Movie Marathon 

There are so many good chick flicks movies out there that we didn't watch and it is really a very good time to catch up. Here's a list of shows that you should watch if you are gay romantic like me. I am not sure how you can get these shows online but I suggest you go DVD show and rent. I do not know what is utorrent.

1. Dirty Dancing
2. Crazy Stupid Love
3. Sleepless in seattle
4. 500 days of summer
5. Music and Lyrics
6. You've Got Mail
7. Kate & Leopold
8. Notting Hill
9. Love Actually
10. bHitch
11. He's not that into you
12. About Time
13. As good as it gets
14. Bucket List 
15. Jerry Magguire
16. Valentine's Day
17. Mean Girls
18. Sex and the City 
19. 27 Dresses
20. The Ugly Truth

3. M100

Not the biggest fan of Mike Chang to be honest but this exercise takes the cake. If you are complaining that the air is stopping you from working out. This one be the only workout you ever need.

4. Playstation 4 

You guys know how much I love my video games and how I am always addicted to NBA2Ks on my PS4 but "Until Dawn" is something really different. Not only is the graphics superb but the game play is something very refreshing. It is almost like watching movies with participation from you. Dying doesn't stop the game. You can actually aim to kill all of the characters and still complete the game.

5. Sex

Self explanatory. About time ya?

I mean of course there's a lot of other things to do like for example shop on taobao, read my dumb blog etc etc but I guess this 5 are my top activity to battle against the haze!! Unless you really wanna do you part you can also fight against it literally.

Image from SuperStore Singapore

Read More

The Greatest Comedy Bromance

I am a big sucker when it comes to movies like romance comedy or anything romantic although you probably can't tell or you might just jump to conclusion that I am a person who is into sci-fi etc. I don't blame you. I really don't look like the most romantic person on earth.

And you know what? The good news is that almost every show regardless of the genre of movie will have have a typical good looking male and female lead that will have some romantic attraction. So what is the problem here? The problem is that we do not get enough good comedy bros that can get us through parties. I am not saying Adam Sandler or Vince Vaughn kind of comedy but I am talking like weed head/air head bros kinda of bros.

So why do I love such shows? They are easy to watch, they are happy and don't you wish to have a "bro" like that where you guys can just be happy, no worries and do silly things together with no judgement?

Enough of intro, let's go into my 5 greatest comedy bromance and if you haven't watch these bros or these shows in action. GO DO IT!

Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott - Dude, Where's My Car (2001) 

It is a shame these two guys didn't make more movies like these together.  It was also kinda sad how people start to judge Ashton Kutcher after this show. I thought he was pretty good in shows like Butterfly effect or Jobs. And well SWS was all american pie shit, party animal and all. I guess they are too old now for a part 2.

Kal Penn and John Cho - Harold & Kumar Film Series (2004, 2008 and 2011) 

I would say these guys are pretty "indie" considering the fact that they ain't exactly big hollywood names. I love how their shows are so out of the world but yet leaves a very deep impression even after a long time. I also like how they uses their race as a minority in the states and make jokes about it as well. They had 3 movies together in the span of 7 years and Kal Penn actually had another movie "dude, where's the party" which I've yet to watch but probably should! And I totally wanna go to the white castle.

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter - Bill & Ted Film Series (1989 and 1991)

I watched this when I was a very young kid and think to myself, woah, these guys are the coolest. They have each other and they time travel. A time travel show, how cool is that? I would say this is one of those shows that most would have forgotten if not for news of them making a 3rd show in 2014. But to be honest I have no clue what happened or is going to happen to this project.

Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane - Ted Film Series (2012 and 2015) 

Not exactly a two man team but Ted the graphical bear is more human then anything. LEGALIZE TED! They might not be as high as the rest or they are supposed to be in the show but these thunder buddies shouldn't not be left out of this list!

Seth Rogen and James Franco - Multiple Movies (Still Active)

I believe there's no argument here if I say they are the biggest and best bromance currently. They have made so many interesting movies like the more recent, "The Interview", "This is the end" and even "Pineapple express". I like to watch their shows because they are very silly and it is always about Weed, parties, sex and crazy shit. It is so easy to watch and their shows make me really happy! I totally wanna be like them!

And they actually spoof Kayne West Bound 2. How cool is thattttt!

I mean besides the movies bros we have the Ted and Marshall, Joey and Chandler, Leonard and Sheldon but those are sitcoms and they are different. And of course we have other airhead comedies like these as well but they don't have a bro you see, like Will Ferrell in Anchorman, Jack Black and his whole Jack Black thing, The Hot Tub Time Machine guys or even Jump Street. But I just don't feel the whole Jonah and Channing team being one of my favourites. Maybe the girls will disagree but that's just me.

So here's my list of greatest comedy bromance!! Have a happy holiday and maybe you should watch some of these shows this holiday or weekend if you have no plans.

Which of these bros are your favourite?

Read More

Embrace Changes, Be Happy - #Changedestiny Movement

Do you believe in fate? Destiny? Are there something that you are supposed to be doing in life or is it true that everything has been planned for you and you are just going through motion?

I never ever liked that thought.

I do not wish to discuss anything regarding religion or the reason why we are here on the internet. We can choose to debate about this until the cow comes home with no answer but I simply do not like the idea that I am not in control. You can call me a control freak but I believe in being the master of myself.

Hi, I am Smith and I was an Engineer. 

Some of you might have heard this story one time too many but for most it always comes as a surprise when they hear it for the very 1st time. I hope I doesn't sound like I am stereotyping engineers but this is the sentiment I get every single time when I told people I was an Engineering student back in school.

Given how outgoing and my experience in events and the communication field, many would have jump into conclusion that I was a comm student or at least a "business student" back in the school days. I even got comments such as "you are too fun to be an engineering student". #TrueStory

So What Happened? 

Well, back in Secondary School/High School, I used to love programming and I thought the idea of creating something from nothing was like magic and amazing. I had my 1st computer and I was creating some mIRc Scripts, ICQ and Winamp skins and I thought being able to create things like this was really fun. How did the internet just allows upload and download? I have a million and one questions about life technology and I thought Engineering was the way to go. Moreover, I kept reading on the news about the whole dot com and how engineer could be earning big bucks.

I spent 6 months in an engineering company during my internship and I knew it was a mistake. I have no idea what I was doing and I don't even fit into the company culture. I dragged myself to work. I was sad.

I was kinda worried about changing my path because of the time and money I've invested to try to be an engineer. Lucky for me I had the 2 and a half yrs in army to think and make a decision. To add the cherry on top, I have very supportive parents and family that gave me the freedom to choose my own path and be who I want to be.

Of course, I am not advocating that we should keep changing things around us the very 1st moment we meet hardship or anything tough. I might not be a successful businessman (yet) but here's my 3 advice about embracing changes or at least make the best out of it.

Plan 

I have friends who are forever in between jobs not knowing what to do. And on the other hand, I have seen people who are stuck in the job that they have been complaining about for the longest time but still stuck there. Waiting for opportunity, waiting for bonus, waiting for bad economy to be over and waiting for death. I think the 1st step for all changes is a plan. Set a target, set a timeline, plan everything that needs the motion to go through and sticking to it.

Be Brave 

Many good people are too worried about changes. The only constant in life is change. Nothing in this world is constant. Uncertainty can be scary. Take the leap of faith and embrace on changes. Being in the comfort zone might be, well comfortable but the satisfaction of getting what you really wanted in life beats that in folds.

Be Tough 

I could have gotten a decent $1.8k starting pay as a diploma holder in an engineering job that requires me to work 5 days a week of 8 hrs a day but I did not. I wanted so much to be in the events/entertainment industry. My pay was $1.3k and I worked round the clock. I worked an average of 12hrs a day and 6.5 days a week. Setting up, tearing down, standing by on event site. It was tough, tiring and I was poor but I was happy because I know I was working towards to what I want.

No matter how sucky the change can be at the start - suck it up because there's a pot of gold waiting for you at the end of the rainbow. I am not saying it is easy, I am not saying that it will always work but I am saying we have to try, start somewhere and do it.

I hate to sound all preachy or teach you how to live your life but at the same time I hope this blog post comes as an encouragement to anyone who is feeling down in life or lost. Life ain't as short as how we perceive it to be but it ain't exactly very long either. We all try our best not to live in regrets. Believe in yourself, take the leap of faith, change your destiny and be truly happy.

If I haven't been the most convincing, here's another story -

Priscilla Shunmugam left her job as a lawyer to find her true calling to be a fashion designer speaking for the beauty of Asia, and she was proud and happy to have taken the step to change her destiny. What about you? What will you say to the ‘old you’? Watch Priscilla’s video here -



P.S. All views spoken belongs to me, video belongs to client/SKII, and your life belongs to you. Have Faith and make the change today.

Read More

Hi, my name is Smith and I am a Super Hero.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

That seems to be one of the favourite questions we get when we were kids and this question is one of the classics that are still being used over and over in today's classroom context.

What was your dream when you were younger? Did it change along the way? Did you manage to be who you wanted to be?

What are some of the typical answers you get from kids?

Teacher?
Soldier?
Police?
Fireman?
Pilot?
Lawyer?
Soccer player?

Cough* soldier.. Cough*

Me?

I always wanted to own a candy provision shop because you have food and drinks and all you do is count money and chat with the neighbourhood aunties. Or at least so I thought as a kid.

Over the years, things changed. I wanted to be a teacher, I wanted to be a celebrity, I wanted to be a superhero and I wanted to be an events person (what was I thinking?). I think I'm one of the few lucky person that managed to cross out some of my "dream jobs".

Anyway I was very lucky that I was given a chance to be at a school today to share about my work to 8 classes of kids. What do I do? I am a man of many hats and I guess it is almost impossible for kids to really get what I do. Of course I choose to be interesting and share with them how cool it is to be a  Superhero "social media marketer".

In a nutshell, "I write things on the internet helping people to promote and sell their things."

To be honest, I was really impressed by how knowledgable some kids are!

Thumbs Up Man!

I think schools these days are damn cool to have such programs. Not sure how many were paying attention or even get what I was trying to said but I truly hope I did inspire some (or at least 1 out of 200 over kids) kids with an alternate career options besides police or soldiers.

And I was too very entertained that a kid told me he want to sell Prata when he grow up. Kids! That's so freaking cute right! haha.

Okay, until next time. meanwhile, let Mr.Smith brings you to the candy shop!

Read More

8 Family Services AXA Smart Family Provides.

"AXA? You mean A - X - A?"
"Nope, AXA is a name and A-X-A is an abbreviation!"

I am sure we are all very familiar with this radio ad by now and this has to be one of my favourite radio ads ever. I mean till date we have people arguing how to pronounce brands like Agnes B, Louis Vuitton and many others. So why not listen to it from the horse mouth right?

A-X-A? That's not my name! 

So the other day I was telling my friend that I am going to an "AXA" event and her immediate reply was ,

"Hur? Si bei (Damn) Boring leh. Launch of insurance program. I mean how cool can that be right?"

So how cool was that?

IT WAS THIS COOL! Image Credit: AXA Insurance Singapore

Not only were there jokes, entertainment and celebrities, there were DRINKS! Drinks not like your coffee and tea but Alcohol drinks! BOOMZ! WHY nobody told me daddy(to-be) and mummy bloggers go to such awesome parties. LIKE PARTY TIME!!! (But later I found out it's not always like that. So I guess I have to thanks AXA for this!)

And regarding celebrities, I get to see some of my favourite TV personalities up close! Like Jaime Teo and most amazingly Jacelyn Tay!

Image from @Jacelyn_Tay Instagram. SHE IS FLAWLESS! LIKE TIME HAS NO EFFECT ON HER! OMG OMG OMG!

Been awhile since I last saw her anywhere and I thought she looked like this when I was a kid and now I am a dad to be and she is still hot like this!

Anyway I digress...

AXA SMART FAMILY

If you ain't a person who are very good in policy like most of the population, AXA Smart family is not just any other insurance plan that insured you and your kid(s) and compensate you with MONEY when situation raises BUT also there for you in terms of service.

They are the FIRST EVER PERSONAL ACCIDENT PLAN TO OFFER 8 FAMILY SERVICES ON TOP OF FINANCIAL COVERAGE!!! Sounds damn pretty awesome if you ask me.

The 8 services includes - 

Child Guardian - Arranging and paying to fetch your children to and from school.

Home Nursing – Arranging and paying for a nurse to attend to your follow up treatments or therapy at home.

Everybody's favourite nurse. No, don't worry, not him. I mean her. Him. Okay..

Consultation with a Therapist – Making appointments and payment for your therapy or rehabilitation services.

Doctor's Home Visits – Arranging and paying for a doctor’s visit for your follow up treatments.

Home Modification – Arranging and paying for modification to your home to accommodate your disability.

Now he feels useful

Transportation for Medical Appointments – Arranging and paying for transportation (i.e. taxi service) to the hospital/clinics for follow up treatments.

Housekeeping & Meal Services – Arranging and paying for professional house cleaning and meal services.

House keeping helpers give very good advices too.

Consultation with a Psychologist – Making appointments and payment on your behalf for psychologist consultations. 

Now you can talk to real people and it is on AXA.

Of course you will ask me how and when can such services kick in. Just like any insurance, there will be an evaluation process and also threshold in order for such coverage to kick in and me being NOT an insurance consultant might not be the best person to explain this to you. If you are interested you should talk to one of the friendly consultant at AXA!

And here's an interesting infographics!

Sorry for the small text. 

And of course there are other important things to note like annual premiums ya dar ya dar which I don't think I wanna put you to sleep with for now since I am really not good at explaining this.

Updated on 22 Sept -



Good people at AXA made this very interesting video! But aiya. never invite me. LOL.

If you are interested you can also read more about the campaign here. LINK

So for more information on AXA Singapore and AXA SmartFamily, please visit www.axa.com.sg. 

Final Words - 

Read More

My Budget Hong Kong Trip in Numbers.

1st of all I would like to thank skyscanner for sending me to Hong Kong! This is NOT a sponsored trip. I won a single two way ticket to Hong Kong via a Instagram contest. That's all. Rest of the meals, hotels and even air ticket for my wife was paid by ourselves. (This disclaimer is getting a bit tiring but no choice.)

As per my BKK Trip, I am just gonna share my trip in numbers because I am not a fan of travelogues and I hope I did not miss out any details that you are interested in. 

This is not my first visit to Hong Kong and I did not go to touristy places which might be the reason why my trip is even more budget than budget babe. 

  

0 is the number of 

things I was allowed to buy at Ladies Street. Because my wife says everything is cheaper on Taobao which is true. #HappyWifeHappyLife

1 is the number of 

"Shake Shake Noodles" I ate (4HKD per ingredient. Add as much as you like)

Egg Tart I ate (10 HKD)

Polo Bun I ate (Don't remember sia)

Ji Dan Zai I ate (I think it was like 15 or 20 HKD)

Street Side Shark Fins I ate (Which I believe there's no real fins) (Also don't remember. below 20HKD)


2 is the number of 

Smelly Tou Fu I ate (18HKD Each)

Grilled Sotong I ate (18HKD Each)

friends I bump into in Hong Kong ( AndyStorm! BELLO! and my expat friend Joy!!)

3 is the number of

Fried Pig Intestine I ate (12 HKD per sticks)

#NoMakeUP

friends I went to Hong Kong with

nights I spent at my Hotel - Silka Seaview, previously known as Dorsett Seaview

times I've been to Hong Kong

4 is the number of 

days I spent in Hong Kong

5.45 is the number of 

1 SGD to HKD Exchange rate I got from City Square Mall

7 is the number of 

actually it the time. 7 freaking am is the time I see hooker along the street looking for business at temple street already.

9 is the number of 

incense sticks we each used at Wong Tai Sin Temple! (Free "tourist" attraction")

13 is the number of 

because 4 by 3 is nicer then odd 13. teehee

MTR Stations we went

16 is the number of 

HK post I uploaded on my IG

21 is the number of 

HKD I spent on Porn Mag. It's not nice. I just bought it because I can. I left it in the hotel.

32 is the number of 

HKD we spent for each set of breakfast at the famous Australia dairy company

75 is the number of

HKD I paid for a pint of beer

78 is the number of 

HKD I paid for a superb kebab at Lan Kwan Fong (Another free tourist place that is a must go. People watching is fun!)

90 is the number of

HKD I paid for 2 pax for airport transfer. Basically it is a train from airport to city. Tickets purchased at the airport. Take 1 stop from airport to chin yi and switch train to go to Yau Ma Tei where my hotel was.

118 is the number of

HKD I paid for Data Sim Card at Airport. It gives you 8GB of data for 5 days! brand is 1010

179 is the number of

pictures I've shot and uploaded onto FB

281 is the number of

SGD I paid for my wife's 2 way air ticket on united economy. Not the cheapest because of the short notice period. Use SkyScanner to get best rate already!

300 is the number of

HKD I paid for 2 octopus card (Their EZ link card) with 100 HKD value and 50 HKD deposit each. Can be purchased at any MTR Station after transfer from Airport Transfer.

368.29 is the number of

SGD I paid for my hotel room which is located between Jordan station and Yau Ma Tei

472 is the number of

photos I've taken using my DSLR for this trip

1302 is the number of 

my room at Silka Seaview

3887 is the number of

Total HKD we spent in 4 days

9999 is the number of 

KG I think I put on after the trip.

835658123791527 is the number of 

Epic High 5 Miss.

times i heard mint, colin and yongwei collectively complained about Hong Kongers being angry and rude.

So the key to saving money for me is that I kept visiting "touristy" area that are free. Places that I've seen and heard on TV that I can kinda feel local culture without spending much money.

For example:

Goldfish market to look at pets
Wong Tai Sin to look for god
Temple Street to look at hookers, street singers and fortune tellers
Poland Street to look at local street
Wan Zai to look at clubs and strippers
Causeway Bay to look for Chen Hao Nan
Lan Kwai Fong to look for "喜爱夜蒲“
Sham Shui Po to look for "Law Ba"

So my trip was very driven by the HK Dramas that I've watched and I do like countries like this that is pretty fast paced where people dashes around and always requesting decision making very quickly but I guess this is just their lifestyle that I embrace on. I guess as long as you know that and don't take it personally and it will be okay?

I didn't even set out for this trip to be a budget trip but I guess it just turned out this way. And as you can see I really didn't do much shopping besides a few small gift for friends.

Hong Kong has always been and always will be like a 2nd home for me.

So do you love hong kong?

Read More

5 Reasons Why I Can't Be A Politician

With Singapore's General Erection Election around the corner, there's really nothing else we talk about besides politics. I try my best not to read or share any articles or get affected but I just can't help but being pulled into it. I was telling a few friends about how silly some of these things were said, not by general public but by the candidates and even ministers themselves.

Image from Mothership.sg. Our Sim Ann and her probably GE Best Hashtag - #ChutPattern

What makes a good politician? Who should be voted in? Should it be someone who knows the ground well? Should it be someone charismatic? Should it be someone who is very good at policies? 

As you see, this pic also from mothership. I googled him and got it there. He is very good in policies I heard. 

So some of my friends were telling me things like if I ever become MP they definitely vote for me. Not because they support me but partly because they are kinda sad about the choy-gers they get or lack of. 

I have no idea how good he is in policies or how awesome he is on ground but... 

 So some of my friends were saying that I should also go be a politician in time to come but I really feel that this whole politician shit really ain't for me and here's why! 

1. Google 

Because internet is forever and people will dig shit out about me and I really ain't the number one role model. The NTUC Wedding guys, The Unicorn Blogger dude, The StreetDeal Victim, The Masturbating Guy in the local r(A) show - Rubber, The Sex Blogger, The Cyber Bully on that Channel 8 show. etc etc. Really. And if we are looking at 4-5yrs down the road, I am not sure what other random things I would be remembered for. 

2. SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS! (Everybody!!)

I don't see any MPs doing this in club and I am not giving up that privilege. 

3. Too Much MudSlinging 

I always thought politics was a gentlemen's game where your action speaks louder than words. I always thought you just need to do your job well or at least tell people what you are good at instead of mudslinging people and bringing people down but apparently it doesn't seems like that. People seems to be fine with it and people just accept this as a norm for politics. Really not my style. I will make you look stupid in front of others but I will never call you out and tell people that you are stupid.

4. Bad Liar 

Some of you might just laugh at this and feel like this point itself is a lie and I do not blame you. The truth is I scheme a lot when it comes to playing game etc. but I am not the best person when it comes to bargaining. I am not one of those that lie through my teeth about certain things that I know is not right or know that it is already a fair deal for both of us. I always try to get the best win-win bargain but that is not how politics work. The only best way to win is "I win- I win" in politics. 

5. I really don't care (enough)

A lot of people thinks that many politicians did it for the money but the truth is most of these scholars can earn a lot more in big companies like Semcorp, Keppel Bay etc and these MP and Minister pay really ain't a lot more compared to that. To top that, everyone knows your pay as compared to when you work in a private company. I believe (i am not sure how true) they do not get to go to the market in flip flops and old t-shirt because they are public figures, they give up their right to be walking about in shopping malls like a normal person, even eating ork lauk and posting onto Instagram can get misquoted. 

They give up family time and have to attend events on weekdays evening or even weekends just to be guest of honour for some event they don't even care. Carry babies that they do not like, smile on pictures for people they do not know and pretend to accept every gift the public give them and only to throw it away discreetly at the end of the day. I don't even think they feel like a human at the end of the day. They fight so much to do things for the people (assuming they mean it) and all they get in the end is losing their life/privacy and getting quoted all day long and worst, to be made into a meme. I really don't see how I care enough for other Singaporeans to be doing this under appreciated job.  Maybe I do care about some issues or things happening but really not enough to give up so much in return for this job. 

This goes out to all the heroes fighting for votes now. Good luck and all the best. Yes, to Roy and HHH too. 

Happy Hunger Game! 

Read More