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I mentioned on Twitter and Facebook that I’ve just finished reading the book Bowl Like a Pro by David Ozio.

I picked up the book in the library. I was browsing through the sports section looking at books on chess, when I saw this book laying down at its side, calling to me.

At first, I didn’t want to borrow the book. I had seen some Star Wars novels in the fiction section that I wanted to borrow instead.

I also thought that I knew everything there was to know about bowling. After all, I started bowling when I was ten years old, guided by my parents who won many league trophies.

How wrong I was.

The Things I Didn’t Know

One of the thing that struck me was I didn’t have the fundamentals right.

For one, my approach was not right. I knew how to aim at the arrows, but I didn’t figure that my starting position would influence the path of the ball.

I didn’t know that I should let gravity and momentum do the work on my arm swing. I was muscling it, and the ball would go further left as I got tired.

I was concentrating too hard on getting a hook ball, not knowing that the hook ball is impossible to control if you don’t have your fundamentals right.

I found out how having your own bowling shoes and bowling balls can dramatically improve your score. The bowling alley balls do not make use of the latest bowling ball technology.

I found out how you can bowl a 190 game without a single strike, if you can convert all your spares.

Most of all, I found out that those unorthodox  bowling styles you watch on TV may not be the most suitable for you. The reason why those pros can pull it off, is they play more games in a week than we normal people can practice in a year.

I found out that the ‘mental’ game they keep talking about, does not just cover the psychological state of mind, but includes using your analysis and problem solving skills.

I also learned that you should practice with purpose, not just throwing the balls and hoping you will improve. I need to set goals to achieve and a strategy for improvement.

A Secret Affair

Honestly I’ve been a bit obsessed with bowling in the past week.

I’ve been watching YouTube videos of bowling matches, and watching coaching videos too.

I’ve been checking out bowling equipment websites.

I’ve even opened an account at BowlSK.com, a website that allows you to input your game scores and pin fall history for later analysis.

I can’t wait to go bowling again.

Sometimes I feel like I’m having an affair. Not to say I have any experience in having affairs, but you know what I mean.

I have to think of dates and times when my wife won’t notice I’m gone. Maybe I’ll go bowling at midnight. Maybe I’ll go on weekends when she’s having a nap.

I have to think of ways so that my extra expenses won’t affect our family budget.

I have to plan ahead, maybe taking a day off work just to find time to go bowling. I think I know how golfers feel.

I would bring her along, but she’s pregnant right now. Later I plan to teach Rachel to bowl as well.

My First Date

I’m hoping that I’ll be able to visit a bowling alley soon. Maybe this weekend I’ll go alone, and if my sister and her boyfriend are free next week, we might go for an 11pm game (they have happy hour, yahoo!).

Who knows where I’ll go from here.

After all, it’s almost been ten years since I’ve bowled regularly.

I may suck so bad, I’ll give up and forget the whole thing.

I may have a good experience and get hooked again.

I hope I don’t get a heart attack or something. That would really be embarrassing.

Technorati Tags: Bowling

I don’t know if any of you notice this about yourselves.

When you were a child, you virtually have unlimited energy. I watch my daughter Rachel and her cousins. They can play all day without feeling tired.

I think back to my childhood. Each morning I couldn’t wait to start playing, and I didn’t stop even when it was time to go to bed.

The days seemed to flash by without me realising. There was so much to do, so much to discover!

My aunties tell me that I used to jump all around, all day. They couldn’t keep me still. Now, Rachel is the same.

When I was a teenager, I was able to do so much within a single day. In the morning I would cycle a few km from Subang to USJ 13 to play basketball for two hours. Then I would cycle all the way back home.

Within the same day, I could meet up with friends for a game of badminton, and maybe bowl a couple of games. That very same night we could go out for a movie, and then I’d have the energy for computer games before I went to sleep.

When I started working, many of these activities stopped. At the most, I could do one activity a day. Maybe a jog before or after work, or maybe a quick swim.

There isn’t any energy left after a day at work.

When I started dating, physical exercise stopped altogether. My time was spent going out, watching movies, eating at restaurants. I started to look like a Biggest Loser Asia contestant (the ‘before’ version).

Now, I am fortunate if I can muster the energy to exercise even once a week. I go for a walk in the park with my girls and I’m exhausted. I go for a swim, and I have to nap a couple of hours to recover.

Don’t even ask me to think about cycling a few km. I dread the thought of even cycling up the SS18 hill slope.

I wonder if this energy situation of mine is due to natural aging, or is it due to my diet and lifestyle?

Do any of you have similar experiences? Do I just need to exercise more?

Photo by John Seb

Technorati Tags: Energy, Fitness, Exercise

Looking Back

I started the year 2009 in a rather depressed mood.

I didn’t make any new year’s resolutions at all. Not to say that I have no desire to improve myself, but I felt a sense of hopelessness and disappointment with the world.

Despite my pessimism, the year started off quite well for me, career wise. As I look back on the year, there were many things I had to learn. My job became twice more challenging.

I’m not sure how to evaluate myself financially. We were still in the middle of a global recession in early 2009.

I was rather optimistic that the economy would improve by the end of the year, so I invested a significant percentage of my savings into the stock market. Thankfully, I got in at the right time.

Our family had a nice vacation in Melaka in May. We got a new Proton Persona SE to replace Poey Chin’s old Proton Saga.

Rachel celebrated her first birthday, and Poey Chin got pregnant.

This blog was neglected for pretty much the entire year. As a result I lost about 50% web income and about 90% of regular readership. I blame Facebook games. I also killed off my personal finance blog.

I am working hard to revive this blog, and I hope you dear readers of mine will enjoy my renewed efforts.

This year, I have failed in many areas of my personal life. I only have myself to blame.

Looking Forward

It looks like it is going to be another challenging year (which year isn’t!?).

The Major Event is going to be the birth of Baby 2.0. A teaser for you… we already have an idea of Baby 2.0’s gender and name. Stay tuned!

At work, things will soon be heating up. That’s all I can say for now.

I won’t make any new year’s resolutions for 2010, but I have set some goals for myself.

First, I have some financial goals to achieve. Mostly it involves saving a certain amount of money for retirement, education and buying our dream house. These financial goals actually extend to the next 20 years.

Second, I have set some health goals. I have given up trying to look good for others. I don’t care if I look fat. I don’t have anyone to impress. However, my body is showing signs of aging. I need to take better care of myself.

Just two goals for now. Other things will have to wait for 2011.

Best Wishes

We (myself, Poey Chin, Rachel and Baby 2.0) just want to wish you a Happy New Year.

May your plans be smooth and your resolutions come to pass.

Did you have a good 2009? How do you plan to spend 2010? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Photo by SubZeroConsciousness

Technorati Tags: 2009, 2010, New Year

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens is a fast, sharp and large aperture lens at an affordable cost. This is the perfect lens for beginner photographers. If you ever asked yourself what lens to buy for your Nikon DSLR, this is the answer for you.

Why I Bought This Nikon 35mm Prime Lens

I bought this lens for my Nikon D40 because I was feeling frustrated every time I took photos with my kit lens.

Photos were either blurred, out of focus, or used such high ISO settings that it ended up with a lot of grain and noise.

I’m sure it was mostly my fault, and I probably didn’t know how to use the right settings.

This is the perfect lens for beginner photographers. If you ever asked yourself what lens to buy for your Nikon DSLR, this is the answer for you.

I came across an online article about prime lenses. It certainly made sense. I was attracted to the idea of getting sharp images and fast shutter speed.

I researched some more, and found that Nikon had just released a prime lens early this year.

It was perfect.

Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G Features

The following are the main features of the prime lens (from the Nikon website):

1. DX-format, normal single-focal-length lens with 35mm focal length.
2. Large maximum aperture of f/1.8. A large aperture allows you to take photos with a shallow depth of field, which is great for portrait photography.
3. Silent Wave Motor for smooth, quiet auto focus. The auto focus is fast! The AF-S designation means that the lens is compatible with cameras without a built in auto focus motor, like my D40.
4. High-performance optical system with aspherical lens delivers superior reproduction capability. Does this enhance virility?
5. Compact, well-balanced design when attached to small SLRs.
6. Two focus modes available — M/A (manual-priority autofocus) and M (manual focus). I just love M/A because it allows you to adjust the auto-focus if you don’t like what the camera chooses.
7. Metal mount. I guess this means it is higher quality
8. Natural blur effect thanks to seven-blade rounded diaphragm. It is easy to get a good bokeh effect.

Price

The list price for this lens is RM899, but I got it for RM825. If you shop around, I’m sure you can even get it for less.

It comes with a lens pouch and a shallow (about an inch) lens hood.

Personal Experience

I’ve been telling everyone who would listen, that I have no regrets at all.

The photos that I’ve taken are really beautiful, and it renews my amateur interest in photography.

I just love how it is so easy to take photos with this lens.

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens allows me to take clear indoor photos without flash. The images can be captured with a faster shutter speed meaning less blurring. The camera can use lower ISO settings, which results in less noise.

Prime lenses do not zoom, so that means I have to walk around and reposition myself quite a bit when taking photos (but that’s ok).

I find myself free to concentrate on composing the photos, rather than worrying about the technical details.

Summary

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens is one of the best-value prime lenses for Nikon DX digital SLR cameras.

I love how easy it is to create wonderful portrait photographs.

This lens is a good buy for those of us with entry-level DSLR, because it does not cost too much compared to other lenses.

It may not be suitable for those of you with higher end, full frame cameras. I think you need to get 50mm prime lens instead.

Discussion

Would you get a prime lens? Why or why not?

Do you have an experience to share?

Do you have any photography tips for an amateur like me?

I would love to hear from you in the comments!

Technorati Tags: Nikon, Nikkor, Lens, 35mm, f/1.8, Review, Photography

This is the thrilling conclusion to last week’s post about us getting some lottery tickets as door gifts at a dinner.

Here are the four lottery tickets.

See if you can tell me what’s going on.

Anyway, last night I checked out the results, and…

The same scenario repeated four times, for each of the tickets.

I guess my plan of world durian domination will have to wait for another day haha.

It seemed like I wouldn’t be able to enjoy any tang yuan this year.

This sweet delight is normally eaten during the winter solstice celebration.

I couldn’t attend any family dinners, and I had no idea this celebration was coming.

Earlier tonight, Poey Chin went to Sook Fong’s house for dinner (while I was at office having enjoying a Christmas party), and brought home some.

I enjoyed the big ones most, because there were crushed peanuts inside. I couldn’t finish the whole bowl.

While I was taking photos of the bowl of tang yuan, Poey Chin put this on baby Rachel.

She looks like a little milk maid.

“Christmas is a time, Christmas is a time, Christmas is a time, to love…”

Last Friday we sang Christmas songs during CG. Strange how some songs can really bring you into a Christmas kind of mood.

As we sang the song again, I closed my eyes. And then I was brought back.

I looked around me and I was standing in a house porch, red brick tiles on the floor and slanted white iron grills on the fence. It was raining, and I was holding a candle with a pink makeshift candle holder made of cardboard.

I look around me and see people from my past. People who were friends. People I miss. I think I was stressed about candle wax dripping more than anything else.

I don’t remember the songs we sang, but I remember a church uncle playing the guitar. And the food.

I closed my eyes again, and I opened them again in our old church in Taipan. I see many more friends.

I look down and I can see the black baggy pants I liked to wear when I was a teenager.

We were practicing as a choir, and as usual some of us were making things difficult for the conductor.

I remember looking at a few people (I won’t mention any names here) and my heart skipped a beat in joy.

Those were carefree years, but years full of regret. I should have, I could have, I didn’t…

It was time to go, but I didn’t want to leave. No, please let me stay a while longer. I want to experience this closeness, these happy moments.

I whispered a final goodbye, “I’m sorry… it was not worth giving all this up, for something that did not last. I’m sorry…”

In the next moment I am at the Kota Kemuning church. There were Christmas trees and park benches in the church hall. The lights were off, with the only source of light coming from tree lights and candles.

It was the most beautiful Christmas service I have ever been in, and I think I will never again experience something so unique and beautiful.

We had the service sitting on benches, it felt like we were in a park instead of in church.

I was laughing hard because we watched a video of our past performace as circus performing sheperds (don’t ask… I hope nobody will YouTube it).

I remember feeling peaceful. This was the place that healed me. The place and the people there, gave me a new life.

I open my eyes again as the song ends, and I look at Poey Chin and Rachel.

This is another chance for me. This is the time to cherish the moment, before it’s too late. Don’t look back ten years from now and regret again.

.

.

.

I wish all my dear readers a Blessed Christmas.

Blessed because you have good things in life. Blessed because you have a reason to live.

Blessed with no regrets.

Photo By: by Ali Taylor

Technorati Tags: Christmas, Memories, Regret

I attended a birthday celebration dinner for my wife’s aunty in SS2 last night.

At the end of the evening, the hosts gave each of us a little red packet with a lottery ticket inside.

On the green lottery ticket from Da Ma Cai, there was a series of 7 numbers with an extra jackpot number. There was a photo of a Proton Persona on the side stub.

Scratching the photo revealed four further mysterious digits.

The drawing date is 27 December 2009. Someone please explain to me what this all means!

Anyway, while I don’t understand the rules and the mechanics of it… having a lottery ticket opens up a well of curiosity and emotions within me.

While I’m under no illusion of striking any lottery (the chances of that happening are so small), I did pause to wonder what I would do with my winnings.

I’m not going to share my spending fantasies with you all today. Anything I would say is going to be controversial anyway.

Let’s just say it involves durians. Lots of durians.

Instead, I want to talk about the feelings I got.

First, there was greed. The only thing that filled my mind was the dollar sign and the word “million”. I started to ponder if it was worth “investing” to buy a few more lottery tickets.

Next, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation. I wonder if we would be the “lucky” ones? Will our numbers match up? Again, it leads back to greed when I felt like buying more.

Then there is a sense of jealousy. I started to think of how to divide my winnings. Should I share with friends? How much to share with family? It’s all mine, mine, MINE!

I started to justify my plan of “investing” in lottery tickets, forgetting that there are a million losers for each winner.

Please don’t take this post as an attack against lottery tickets.

It was a delight to receive them as a gift.

I’m just sharing with you my (naive) feelings, as someone who has never bought a lottery ticket before.

So stay tuned, we shall await the lottery draw this Saturday!

Update: Lottery results are out!

Photo by Sanja Gjenero

Technorati Tags: Lottery, Chinese

We have less than 2 weeks before we celebrate the new year.

This holiday season is a perfect time for us to reflect on the year that has passed, and to plan for the next year.

Today I just want to share with you some tips to ensure that you finish your financial year well.

1. Have You Made Use of Tax Relief?

If you pay income tax, there are certain categories of purchases that can be used to offset your taxable income.

Some examples are medical exam (RM500), books and magazines (RM1000), computer (RM3000), sports equipment (RM300).

Perhaps something to keep in mind when purchasing Christmas presents.

You can quickly deposit money into your child’s SSPN education savings account and get tax relief up to RM3000.

Read here for the complete list of tax relief.

You can also deduct taxable income in the form of donations. Read here for a list of the types of organisations you can donate to.

2. Have you Cancelled Your Credit Cards?

The government is planning to tax RM50 for each credit card (still debating in parliament).

There are suggestions that the government should tax per card holder, but I see this as a good opportunity to get rid of unwanted credit cards.

Read my guide on how to cancel your credit card.

3. Used up your coupons, points or cash vouchers?

Now would be a good time to look through all those coupons, vouchers and gift vouchers you have lying around in your drawers.

Do you have any loyalty card points that will expire at the end of the year?

Take advantage of some of these offers before they are gone for good.

4. Reflect and Plan

Take some time to reflect back on the year. What financial mistakes did you make? What were the things you learned?

Compared to the previous year, have you become richer or poorer?

What would you do differently next year? How can you improve?

Conclusion

I hope you have a great holiday season with your loved ones.

I will not be taking any breaks from blogging, so continue visiting for fresh blog posts.

You can also subscribe to receive my posts by email if that is more convenient for you.

Do you have any tips to add to this list? Discuss in the comments below.

Photo by: Flavio Takemoto

Technorati Tags: Money, Financial, Tax, Year End

It’s crazy now that I look at it from the outside.

There were these few Facebook games that got me hooked, specifically the wildly successful Country Story, Pet Society and Crazy Planet by Playfish Games.

At first, I was just playing for fun. You know, trying to do fun things. Silly things.

Then the competitive side of me started to take over.

I wanted to climb the rankings. I wanted to be first.

Little by little, day by day, I spent more time on Facebook playing these games.

I would pore over the online forums to read strategy guides. I logged in every day to make sure I watered my plants, fed my pets or got my metals.

I would sneak out of bed to harvest crops.

You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to get the gold betting trophy. I still shiver when I think about it.

I even started playing with Poey Chin’s Facebook account.

From 15 minutes a day, I started spending 2 to 3 hours a day on these games.

The quality of this blog suffered.

I quit playing the games a few weeks ago. One day I just woke up and didn’t have the urge to play any more.

I’m sure you noticed that I’ve even been more talkative on my blog lately.

So, no more. No more addictive Facebook games for me.

(As I write this, Playfish has just released a new poker game. Sooo tempted!)

What will I do with my free time? Maybe I’ll get an iPod touch to play games.