Please do not be too harsh or quick to judge me especially when all you know about me is my name. If you are interested and care enough to get to know me better, you might even come to like me. (smiles)

It's not a Mercedes but it's mine ... :-) "I work hard for my money, so hard for my money ...lalalalalalalal...lalalalalal....

The year 1998 : Father was very happy ... the family grew as more grandchildren were added. Someone said that as one grows older there is nothing more joyful than the sound of running and squealing kids. How right this observation is. Nothing would make Dad (not only mine, but all Dads) happier than to have his family close just as in the old days. He doesn't say it in so many words but his eyes speak volumes. Family is everything to Dad; all else is secondary...

We are a typical Chinese family. Father: the patriach, provider and protector, whose word is law. Mother influences father! The accompanying picture was taken some 20 years ago and the brood has since grown. Soon they will celebrate their 56th Wedding Anniversary. Their five children, 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren (plus one on the way) are planning a grand scale celebration for Kung-Kung and Por-Por. What joy there will be! Their marriage is exemplary and worthy of our emulation. Almost six decades have passed and they are as attached and devoted to each other today as they have been in their youth. I don't know of any couple who hold hands even in sleep, but Mum and Dad do...

Dad hasn't been well for awhile now. He's a fraction of the man he used to be and has lost much of the self confident and 'macho' image. He's frail, frighten and unsure of himself and it bothers me and breaks my heart sometimes when I see him in this state. The life he used to know --- ball room dancing, karaoke, yum-cha with his friends, wild boar hunting, food, travel, exotic cars, his dreams --- all gone. His days are now spent in recluse. Mom cares for him 24/7 and this has taken a toll on her. Still she relentlessly carries on. Sacrificial love for her man keeps her going. I asked Dad the other day if there's anything he needs in particular. Anything. He shook his head, but he did say this, "If you could come home more often to visit, sit by my side, talk with me, I'll be very happy. And even if we don't talk, it would be enough just to have you close to share the silence together." Oh, Dad...

When negative people hurl false accusations at and about you, do what my young friend did! She didn't dive under the bed for cover or wallow in self pity. Instead she went on stage... danced ... and stole the limelight. Yes, again. (Btw the young lady is only twelve!) There's no reason for her to feel guilty. Her fault lies in her being pretty, talented, kind, loving and having a big heart. Surely she cannot be punished for these appealing qualities that make her so popular. "Who ever hides one's light in a bushel which should be placed in the open to give brightness." It's inevitable that some persons will be envious and jealous of you and there's very little you can do about it. Forget about reforming them. They're not your responsibility. Leave them alone and do not spare another thought for these joy-killers and grace-robbers who do not add value to your life. Way to go, Princess!

I was touched by a young friend who gave her moving testimony recently on her faith in God. She said that unkind, jealous people had spread nasty rumours about her and even pretended to be nice to her so that they could get to know HER friends, (whoaa... I thought these were games that only adults play but children too are not exempted.) Certain friends had left her because they found some others who were smarter and better off than her. Naturally my young friend was very hurt but instead of getting mad, she chooses to forgive them. She reasons that God loves her and so she too must try to love these unkind 'friends.' God is King and she being God's child makes her a princess even if certain friends don't think she's cool! "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." High five, princess!

Experts say, "Do not lose sleep over what others think about you." Generally people are naturally more interested in themselves and don't give two hoots about you. Their interests come first. Additionally they have enough problems of their own to think of yours! Do not take sleep for granted. Try going without it for a few days--- weeks --- months and you'll regret letting others control your thoughts and emotions. Give thanks with a grateful heart for good sleep. It's a tremendous blessing.

I don't regret that it's over. I'm only glad it happened. Saying made popular by Leslie Cheung, Canto pop superstar: "Chann-keng-yoong-yau"

My son, the Petrol Head

BMW E36 with 1JZ, Is it A Good Idea?

Written by Brandon Chong

11^th of February 2012

Well, for some reason you might think is good. Logically you might think, why not, a German Common Sense married with Japanese Reliability, what a recipe for a superb machine.

Well, if you are talking about the Bimmer's 4 potter M43B18 from the 318i, no doubt, you will really feel the power and torque difference. But please for God sake if you are having a M50B25, M52B28 or higher, stick to the Bimmer's 6 potter. Trust me, is not worth the sacrifice for the horse power and torque gain from the 1JZ unless you really want a cheap thrill. I had my E36 318i M43B18 swap with a 1JZ-GTE TT auto and to be honest, is awesome. Immediately you feel the difference. From a lousy 0 to 100 KPH in around 13 seconds, is now reduced to around 8 seconds. That is for an auto 1JZ, is even faster if you have a manual.

To be honest, the Germans' has yet again overdone the capability of their machines. Even with a 2.5 liters 6 potter engine from a used to be 4 potter 1.8 liters engine from the 318i, the suspension and chassis is handling the power and weight well without any need for an upgrade. Of course, for better handling and performance, you need a better suspension system. But with the stocks, I've been having quite a lot of fun biting the corners thanks to the 3 series ultimate handling capability. With the normal stock 318i set up, you accidentally transformed a noisy front tyre crying in pain that works well as an alarm that simply warns you "if you hurt me more, I will kill you". And with the 2.5 liters twin turbo, the back likes to come out and play. Easily slaps the front back to where it supposed to be. Stuff like the brakes, the rear differential is coping with the extra punishment from the 1JZ pretty well.

After all these years of combine normal use and sometimes ‘heavy foot disorder’, the BMYotaE36JZ still serve me well. Apart from the thirsty 6 potters that drink as much as it farts, you barely see 450 KM with 65 liters of fuel. Small price to pay. Really? So far so good eh. Good.

Now, we have been talking about the good things about this idea. But there are some down side for this. Takes time but eventually you will notice. Apart from some amazing functions that you get with the stock 318i engine like the Sport, Economy and Manual mode selection, the KM per litre gauge, some or most of the BMW's dashboard warning and indicator lights and some minor minor things, are no longer to be used or seen. You will find that yes, you will, after paying the toll, make minced meat of most or I should say all of the other cars like Proton, Kia, Hyundai, Merc, and yes, even a Boxter. But once you have reached 165 kph, they will be closing up the gap behind you and the Merc or Boxter will cruise pass you probably while the driver reaching the back seats searching for her earrings or eating a pie at 180 kph. Thanks to the 1JZ's speed limiters. A simple bypass will fix the trick, but so far, I am happy with 165 kph. That’s the reason why I mention, keep your BMW M50's. Easily reach 200 kph.

But the real problem is not that. The real problem is the feel of the whole experience. Is hard to explain until eventually you feel the absence of the "Originalness" of a true Bimmer. You will eventually one day, drive into a BMW Service Center to replace some of the original parts, and with your half Asian wife, people will either like you or hate you. On the outside of your heart, yes, you are having fun and the thrill is awesome. You enjoy mincing others at the sets of lights, but deep inside your heart, you feel empty without the presence of the most important element of a true Ultimate Driving Machine.

Let’s put it this way, Imagine having a life time companion (BMW Stock Engine) that understands you (the car), rather than a thrilling one night stand with a super model (1JZ) and lost your life time companion.

Given a chance to choose again, I choose the Understanding Companion. But this time, will be a S50B30. Seriously, I don't mind getting another BMW E36. But this time, it will at least be a 325i or a 328i. The feeling of owning and driving a true original Bimmer is indescribable. Due to the most important element (The Heart) that has been replaced with a different element from a different origin and history. Owning half of a Bimmer doesn’t make you a true Bimmer owner. Heck, you are not even half way there to declare as a true Ultimate Driving Machine member.