Addictions

In this day and age, addictions are becoming part of our lives.  Addictions to drugs, steal, sex, chatting, games, and power have been overtaking our sane mind.

Few months back, while I was shopping at a mall in Sydney, I saw a lady dressed decently walking out from a hair care shop.  Few minutes later, 2 shopkeepers ran to her and block her from walking further.  I can't hear exactly what was the reason, however the lady tried to walk further but this time the 2 men was grabbing her arms.  Minutes later, a shopping mall lady guard holding the walkie talkie and appeared in front of them.  This time, the lady security guard asked the lady shopper to open up her bags.  Later they found she has took unpaid products from a shop.  She appeared to have been stealing.

The lady shopper dropped her bag and wanting to walk past the people who apprehended her.  This time, her face turn red and she was about to burst to tears.  In the end, the 2 men dragged her practically, while her legs was dragging on the floor begging to be released.

At that point I wonder why would she do it.  I suspect sometimes people are addicted to do what they knows are wrong.  Once they tried it they may thought they are invincible.  However, these addictions may not be cut off if they have not realized the harm they had done to themselves or others.  For now, I could only hope the lady would come to a realization, and able to break from this addiction.

Aging is ...

In my opinion aging is a "process of stripping our pride". 

Since we were young we were full of confidence and prideful.  We must always win or be right.  However, as we aged, we found slowly we are being stripped from these feelings.  Eventually, when we could not support ourselves, humiliation filled up our feelings.

I have been telling myself, probably it's good to have some humility at lives now.  To prepare myself to accept humiliation in the later part of my life.

Anger and regrets

My manager which I often has conflict with is moving to another role in next 2 days.  Many people which I shared my anger with asked if I would be happier.  To be honest, I am not sure if I would.  This conflict is only one of the challenges which I have in my current job.  However, when I look back, should I stop complaining about her now?  I think I should.

I often asked myself in the past, when can I stop talking about the conflicts I had with her.  Though I did not have the intention to hurt the manager, but by sharing with others, it's an act of non intentional damage.  I may not know what rumors other may create and indirectly hurt the person.  I never thought of this when I am in an angry mode.  I would like to try to make sense what I did was right or wrong, which trigger such treatment in the first place.  When I failed to find the logic which fits with my principle, I vent my anger and validate my own feelings.

Last week, I started to read about the principle of karma.  I put some interest in these teachings because I noticed the similarities in the Counseling course which I took.  In the teaching, it mentioned, in order to gain good deeds, you need to stop or limit doing the bad things.  These bad things could be intentional or unintentional actions.  In the past, I could not find a good reason to stop talking about her.  But now I do.  I believe in good deeds and stop causing too much ripple in other people's life.

These days, instead of harping on the things which had happened, I will shrugged off by saying, my former boss has a different way of managing the business.  Different people has different style, but I may not necessary click with that style.  I learned and I want to move on.

The tale of the 3 Bangkok tailors

During my trip to Bangkok, I have decided to make a few shirts. However, it's not the shirt which I can buy from a ready-to-wear shop. It's a shirt which I bought at Shanghai Tang few years ago, and I like it very much. It was the right size, right mandarin collar, and the right fitting. So I thought instead of paying a premium price, why not send it to a shop to copy it! After a few search in the internet and consulted the hotel concierge, I have narrowed down to 3 tailors which I will try. The story of the 3 tailors and the outcome are documented in the tales below.

Charlie's Design

It was the Westin hotel's concierge who recommendation. I have asked for a tailor that's reasonable and not hi-so (Thai expression for expensive)! Charlie's is tucked in Soi 16 of Sukhumvit Road, and it's situated very near to the famous ASOKE exchange. The Asok BTS and Sukhumvit Subway station intersected at this junction. Charlie's is run by a Indian family. I was greeted by Roger, a soft spoken Indian man who lives in Bangkok almost his entire life. I told him exactly what's my budget and showed him the design I want. He pointed to me the range of fabrics they kept in the shop, and of course it came with various prices and quality. The starting price was around 1000 baht for ok quality, medium quality range from 1200 to 1400 baht. The more expensive one are 1400 baht and above. I noticed, the collections of the fabric was not a lot especially when I was looking for medium priced plain color fabrics. They have more stripes fabric in many sizes. In the end I managed to get something I like and I was told I could collect the next day if I do not need any fitting but just copy the exact shirt I brought with me. The outcome was not bad. I was happy with the ok stitching, however, I was not too please with the material. I found it was soft to touch but when I wore it I felt a bit harsh. So make sure you place the fabric on your body or arms, to feel the material itself. For quick fix and no fuss tailoring, I think Charlie's did a good job.

Website : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlies-Design-Fashion-House-Bangkok/100565453367694 Address : 25/3 Sukhumvit Soi 16, Opposite Foodland, Bangkok, Thailand

Nickermann's

Next stop I went over to Nickermann's which is located at Landmark building not far from Nana BTS station. The shop is located at the lower ground of the lower building. I read in the internet, there were many happy return customers. However, sometimes you never know who posted those comments, so why not try out myself instead of relying on someone else? I walked around the fabrics area and dotting my eye on the collections they have. It wasn't a big collections but they have what I need. Plain and colored fabrics without any fuss on patterns or stripes. A lady which I suspected non Thai, but from India approached me and asked me what's my budget like. I told them around 1000 baht. They showed me all the fabrics which cost at 1200 baht. I touched it and I found the material was smoother and thicker compare to Charlie's. Immediately I found what I need. I ordered 2 shirts from themI , however, I need a special buttons. For additional request on buttons, I need to pay 200baht more plus there is a chance they won't able to find it. Then I went on with the design and they claimed they have done it, however, again, they do not have the button I needed. They only stock simple buttons, no fuss as well. They told me next time, I can bring my own button to replace them. Anyway, the next day the shirt was done and I checked on the stitches. It was not bad on the stitches, but the cut at Charlie's are better especially on my collar. Overall, it was a non noticeable cut. I am still happy with the outcome. In addition, the shop keep your record, if you need to order from overseas. All you need to do is to quote your record number and they will deliver to you.

Website : http://nickermanns.net
Address : 138 Sukhumvit Road, Landmark Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.

Narin Couture

I learnt about Nari couture from the CNN Go website. It was listed as one of the respectable tailor in town. In another word, it's going to be 'hi-so'. I told myself, why not if the quality is impeccable? I also learnt the tailor came from a highly respected design school in London. I thought ok I shall surprise myself at Narin and I walked into the shop on a busy weekend. The shop was classy looking with a big collection of fabrics. Also, I noticed this is the only Thai-Chinese tailor that I have encountered. The other was mainly Thai-Indian tailors. He spoke in good English and I was told a minimum order of 3 shirts per order. Each shirt will cost at 2250 bath each. This is almost double the price at the earlier 2 shops. However, if it's good, why not!!?? I walked around the shop and I also noticed they have their very own tailors making the shirt. It appeared that the tailor can monitor these people's end products or while making them. I told myself, quality assurance must be very important at Narin. When I was ready to make my order, I was told it will take one week to make them. Nothing more nothing less! This was because they have too many orders and they could not fit the date I want. However, if I like, they can ship to me directly to my home address after making them. To my disapointment, I did not make any this trip. Although the tailor speaking with some 'air' in the tone, but I do believe he is very professional. He is the only tailor I noticed that dressed neatly like a businessman when dealing with his customers. Oh well, next time I will try again.

Website : http://www.narin-couture.com/home.html
Address : 180 Sukhumvit road, Klongtoey, Bangkok (next to Bangkok Bank and near Nana station)

Well done Datuk Lee Chong Wei

Thank you Datuk Lee, although we did not win a gold, however, thank you for the spirit to win! The games was very exciting and you have given your best! Malaysia Boleh!

Good deed and business

I went for a quick lunch today at my favorite food court. However instead of buying from my usual Korean/Japanese shop which sells sushi and teriyaki don, I went and tried another Japanese fast food stalls which served Tempura don. After buying my tempura don, I walked passed the quiet Korean/Japanese shop. The lady owner who usually doesn't smile, peeped at me (from the corner of my eye) then she walked back to the kitchen. After my meal, I thought probably I will buy a take away from my usual shop. I ordered seafood dumplings from her then I stood next to the display boxes of sushi and spring rolls near the cashier counter. After a few minutes while she was cooking, she walked towards me and asked me to sit down. I told her it's ok because I have been sitting down whole day. Then she said, but you are "blocking" my stalls! Then I walked further away from the shop. I was thinking to myself, first of all, there was nobody buying from her, and this order was really unnecessary for me. I did it out of good deeds, and I wasn't entirely blocking the whole shop, I was basically standing near the counter. I told myself, probably we shouldn't be executing good deeds when unnecessary. At the end of the day business is more important. I love money!

To forgive or not to forgive

Few weeks ago,I read in a local newspaper where an elderly man was selling some charity souvenirs near a tourist attractions. Later the newspaper took his picture and exposed him as the formerly child pedophile. He has served his jail time when he was younger. However, the way the newspaper painted him was like he is still a dangerous man, and how can he be selling souvenirs for charity company. The writer demand such people need to be verified before another saga is being made. I was reading and at the same time shaking my head in disbelief. Is this how unforgivable a human can be. So what do you want him to do instead? He has paid what he had done in the past, now he's trying to make a living. Are we assuming he will attack again? He is doing business on a broad daylight street, not on a quiet alley. What the possibilities it will go wrong? Even if kids wants to buy something from him, the possibility an adult will accompany them and pay for the item. In my opinion I just feel it's unfair. I think the way it was written was to determine he's not be seen anywhere and hopefully he will disappear silently. Out of sight out of mind, but in reality, it's does not work that way!