On Sabbatical, wef 21 July 2008

Regrets to inform that I, the owner and sole reviewer of The TRUIzM Way, will be decreasing my review sessions dramatically, as of immediate effect, due to a sudden entourage of required reading materials that I need to fulfill at this point in time.

Having said that, however, is not to imply that TRUIzM will be closed prematurely. Rather, TRUIzM will not be updated as regularly as previous.

My deepest regrets and apologies extended, I do still welcome comments, recommendations and suggestions.

Thank you.

A (Hoax and) Honor Lost for Norma Khouri

August 29, 2004
A Hoax and Honor Lost for Norma Khouri
By Ali Abunimah

Full story at http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/7966

Excerpts:-
“A sensational book that purported to tell the "true" story of the murder of a young Jordanian woman by her father because she dared to date a Christian man has been exposed as a fraud… This has been a hard road, as Rana Husseini, (an investigative journalist at the Jordan Times) explained by telephone from Amman: "I have always been accused of tarnishing Jordan's image, of washing dirty laundry in public. But I have always been very careful to explain that honor killing is not part of the Muslim religion ...." Husseini pointed out that the practice also occurs among Christian families.“

Honor Lost

HONOR LOST

Author: Norma Khouri

To: Ms Norma Khouri
Email: honourcrimes@lycos.com

My heart ached for your unfortunate loss and for your unfortunate circumstance whilst you were in back in your home country. It is ironical that one feels threatened in her very own motherland, when it should be the basis of security and the abode of deep belonging.

However, I have to admit, as I read HONOR LOST page to page, I am deeply disturbed and saddened at the way you have portrayed Islam - very akin to the portrayal by the Western media. Your (mis)interpretation of this otherwise beautiful and solid religion could be misled by your faith (Christianity) – perhaps, I could take that into account. But then again, for one who has lived side by side for most of your early adult life to Muslims, and one who is educated (that you are able to pen HL and worked on its eventual publication), it is very sad that you have written Chapter Seven the way it was.

The entire Chapter was mostly, if not all, on your (wrong) understanding of Islam – your interpretations of the beautiful verses in the Holy Koran were grossly distorted. From where you gather all these from, I wonder.

You insisted that a verse from the Holy Koran is the source of the rampant honor killings in your country. You stated that the word ‘scourge’ has been made to meant ‘kill’ by the ‘Arab men’. And thus, this explains how honor killings are made legal and tolerated in Jordan.

Further on, you stated how the religion controls one’s actions – I quote from your book – ‘it tells Muslims when and how to have sex and when and how to refrain from it, what to possess and what to give away, when to sleep and when to wake, when to speak and when to remain silent, what and how to east and to dress and how to seek knowledge.’

It disturbs me that while you criticized the religion; you have failed to go beyond these stated ‘controls’. Don’t you ask yourself, Why?

The sentence – ‘Since Mohammed’s followers took Mecca by force … Islam has been filled with wars and bloody battles’ is much distorted. Obviously, you have not made an attempt to study the history of this religion. I will not go into details, but I will leave you with this – are you aware that in all so-called ‘wars and bloody battles’, the Believers never outnumbered the enemy?

I may share your anguish as a woman trapped in old-aged customs and as one who has lost a very good sister (in your friend) but your lack of understanding, and your insolence by spreading the distorted truth about Islam have made me, and I’m sure many other Muslims as well, very indifferent to your cause.

The way I view it, the unfortunate circumstance that befalls upon the women in your country has got nothing to do with the religion – a fact that even you admit, that as a Christian woman there, you were also subjected to the same treatment. It is very apparent that customs and traditions, which are unique to each group, tribe, race or nation, are the real culprits.

While your book has kept me on my toes, for various reasons, I have to state that most parts of it are totally untrue, especially in your references to Islam.

Here I am, a Muslim woman, in another part of the world. I face none of what you have stated. With pride (and it’s my choice), I cover my hair and most parts of myself, when I venture out to work. Yes, I do work, earn my own money, and this is even on top of receiving shelter and protection from my husband. The house that I live in is in my name and I have a driving license.

And if you have studied Islam deeper, and rightfully, you would know that the Prophet once said that Paradise is at the feet of a mother – who else, but a woman. In Islam, a woman has the highest rights and easiest ways to achieve entrance to Paradise.

If only you knew.

The TRUIzM
What do you call a book that seeks to reveal the truth, but at the same time, is full of untruths?

You Don't Know Jack

YOU DON’T KNOW JACK
Author: Erin McCarthy

Hardly into Chapter Two, I have already given up. Too much lust, and it comes from all directions. This may be the norm for my Western counteraprts but hey, I have my limitations and tolerance. A book like this, I cannot stomach. Chuck!

The TRUIzM

I was embarrassed just by reading the first few chapters. The heroine was so.. so.. ‘cheap’!

Running Away From Richard

RUNNING AWAY FROM RICHARD

Author: Chris Manby

It’s getting slightly better this time. Unfortunately, I got this book before the prequel ‘Lizzie’s Jordan Secret Life’. But no matter - the way the story flowed, I was able to follow up very nicely. But, really, after reading the sequel now, I have even less desire to read the prequel. Naturally.

Ok, that aside, this one here had a slow and sluggish start, but once Lizzie jumps ship and sets sail to Hollywood, that’s where the fun AND CHARADE begin. As with many of Ms Manby’s books, this one here has a happy (and convenient and predictable) ending, albeit with a tragic and dramatic start.

Regretfully, there are hardly any hidden plots or twists – it’s pretty straightforward and it failed to make me gasp or my jaw dropped to the ground. However, it is quite a comic – especially this character called Fat Joe – and the scenes set in Hollywood are pretty realistic, what with silicon boobs, transvestites and all.

In fact, I dare say, if this book is made into a movie, it would be a killer.

The TRUIzM

It’s getting there. Slowly, but hopefully surely.

Losing My Virginity

LOSING MY VIRGINITY
Author: Richard Branson

Hubs was the one who passed the book on to me – a paperback that is a good 3 inches thick. I drooled as I took in the thickness (I love endless stories) and I was definitely salivating when I found out that it was an autobiography – my favourite genre.

Richard Branson needs little introduction, of course. But what I did know about him, prior to reading this bare-all bio, was nowhere near to reality, if the book could be taken at each and every word’s value.

In a nutshell, I used to think that here was an eccentric man who was fearless in doing ANYTHING at all, so long as what he did would put the brand Virgin on the map. That much was true, as I learned in the book, but what I eventually discovered were the reasons why he did certain extreme antics and most importantly, the endless struggle and courageous fight that he and his team put up just to keep Virgin afloat.

Mr Branson painted himself as a fighter who would try anything at least once in his life, and appeared to be a very temperamental man, a gentleman who rarely lost his temper – much like Hubs, actually, in the later respect. And in this bio, he obviously did not try to hide any skeleton at all. It was a truly no-holds barred book, even when it came down to his personal and sexual life – yes, the title says it all, actually. Written in the first person, the bio is truly enjoyable, engaging and the thickness of it guarantees a good read for at least 1.5 weeks. Mr Branson is able to laugh at himself shamelessly, and in doing so, you just could not help but to like the man!

Once, during his attempt to get the prestigious Blue Ribbon back for Britain, he managed to get Esso to sponsor his trip. At a dinner with Esso, while giving a toast, he thanked them profusely and elaborately – and during all these while, mistakenly calling them BP (Esso’s rival) in his speech.

The only downside of this book was that there were too much of incomprehensible market and share talk – so much so that at times, I was lost along the way due to my zilch knowledge in the stock industry.

THE TRUIzM
Grab it when you next see it in the library. Until then, discard what you think you knew about Mr Branson. You ain’t seen (or read) nothing yet – till you devour this bio.

The Soul of the Quran

THE SOUL OF THE QURAN
Author: Saniyasnain Khan

I first read this book way back in January 2007. And now even after re-reading it, I am still mesmerized by the splendor of the passages.

A very easy read, this book contains a range of beautiful prayers from the Holy Quran. The author has brilliantly and successfully captured the essence of the Holy Book by the careful selection of the surahs. The words are lyrical, beautiful, moving and very apt.

I’ve once blogged about this book in 2007. And the contents, to this day, remain to be true. Here’s the excerpt:-

“The selected verses are short, simple and I do not know, at the time I was reading it, I was moved by the contents. It was as if God was speaking to me, to be strong, to have faith, to be thankful and to forever bear Him in mind and soul in what I do. I read the book, cover to cover, in an hour and 45 minutes, in one seating. I was THAT mesmerized by what I read. It’s like as if God knows that I was going through a bad time and therefore led me to ‘discover’ the book sitting quietly on my shelf. The thing is, I have noticed the book many a times, but I was never moved to even take it out and flip it. I do not know why last Friday, 5th January 2007 I somehow glanced at the book spine, lifted my arm and very easily took it down. I browsed through while heading to the sofa in my living room and before I was sitting down, I was already reading Page 2. I do not know why but definitely God does..”

For full blog, go to:

http://dvahaven.spaces.live.com/?_c11_BlogPart_BlogPart=blogview&_c=BlogPart&partqs=amonth%3d1%26ayear%3d2007

THE TRUIzM

A must-have in every home library for the occasional perk-me-up sessions. Go to your nearest bookstore and begin the hunt. Also serves as a brilliant gift for that someone who needs spiritual motivation.

Second Prize

SECOND PRIZE
Author: Chris Manby

Finally, Ms Manby manages to please me with this one. Not too much though, regretfully, but definitely notches higher than Girl Meets Ape and Matchbreaker.

The plot here is very thin, and you could guess the epilogue as you prod on. Zero marks for the surprises category. The heroine, Lara Fenton, is pretty likeable, but at the same time, very gullible AND desperate. Sometimes, I find myself sympathizing with her and her sorry circumstances but at times, I wish I could just grab her shoulders and shake her till her eyes roll in her head and make her smell the coffee.

The story is straightforward and Ms Manby manages to inject humor where it should. The hilarity is not overdone and the dialogues are witty and the scenes appear real. Often, I found myself smiling or bursting in short spurts of laughter as I was reading it.

The TRUIzM
A good read, especially after the TND flop. This book also resurrects my first impression of Ms Manby’s ability as a writer.

The Nanny Diaries

THE NANNY DIARIES

Author: Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Hubs was the one who singled out this book to me while we were both browsing at a library. I took a peek at the synopsis and decided that taking care of a 4-year old would be something that I could relate to, and thus, something that I would enjoy reading.

Wrong.

I did not know that this book has spawned a movie, starring Scarlett Johansson, in 2007. But even if I did, it makes no difference.

It could be that I am not familiar with this nanny industry in the US, to be precise Manhattan. Going by the book, it appears to be a career, complete with a uniform and the usual stereotype – soft-spoken, dark-skinned and introvert players. However, it truly does not matter, because if the authors can pen a somewhat realistic background with an attached story, readers would be able to follow suit.

That – it did not happen in TND. I found the authors, former nannies themselves, rambling on and on blindly and even in the first chapter, the story was moving so fast, and detached, that I was unable to follow.

It was about Nan – even the name I was not sure, was it short for Nanny? Or really her name was Nan? – who part-timed as a nanny for the extra spending money while in school. Nan, however, was unfortunate to be working for the X family (oh please, surely X is not a family name?), who seemed to look upon (or down on) her as a family helper of sorts. Her charge, Grayer, appeared determined to make her life a living hell as well.

As a book, the story starts here and stops there and then picks itself again, and then stops abruptly. Even the termination of a former nanny was not being elaborated, so much so that I simply had no idea how Nan suddenly came into the picture. Mrs X first appeared as a likeable character, but she suddenly changed into a monster in the very next chapter. Characters in this book are so flawed; I did not know how was what or who was why.

Didn’t get my drift? I didn’t get the book either.

The TRUIzM

Oh sod it. Don’t even bother flipping through the pages.

The Places in Between

THE PLACES IN BETWEEN
Author: Rory Stewart

I grabbed this book barely an hour before I was due to embark on my own travelogue, or to be more precise, drivelogue – my trip from Johor to Trengganu on wheels, in late March 08.

I thought it would be the perfect companion (read: both on travels) in my foray across several states.

I was wrong. I was unable to read even a page during my 3-day drive. However, once I was back and have settled down to my normal routine, the book quickly became a constant companion.

My drivelogue is, obviously, nothing compared to Mr Stewart’s, a Scottish journalist – who WALKED across Afghanistan during the times when Taliban had just collapsed and whose journey took months, as it was part of an even longer route. He was adamant to follow in Babur’s (the first Emperor of Mughal India) steps in conquering the vast country on FOOT and while doing so, he successfully provides a travel narration that is engaging, witty and very much alive. His quirky writings enable you to see Afghanistan the way he saw it – sometimes, I swear, you could even smell the freshly-cooked naan and feel the scorching heat, and the biting cold.

It certainly helps that prior to TPIB, I have read a handful of stories that were set in Afghanistan. The places that Mr Stewart traveled to were so familiar, and I found that I could relate to the climate, the people and the culture.

TPIB reveals Mr Stewart’s love and deep respect for Afghanistan, and especially how he was very certain that he would somehow ended up ALIVE at the end of his trip, despite him being the very icon that the Afghans would love to hate.

I admire Mr Stewart’s ability in bringing to life a very huge country, with an equally colorful history and millions of shades in the characters that peopled this nation, via such powerful and invoking narration.

The TRUIzM
This book is not only a travelogue, nor a novelist’s blind banter on his travels. This is a book about the true people of the real Afghan – its beauty, its history and its progress, or lack of. Above all, it is also a testament on the bountiful hospitality of the Afghan people and of Mr Stewart’s courage and guts in conquering this beautiful realm.

The Matchbreaker

Oh! I've forgotten to mention one thing - Singapore is being mentioned in this book. I guess Ms Manby does know her geographics.

The Matchbreaker

THE MATCHBREAKER
Author: Chris Manby

You would have thought that I’d learn my lesson since my last foray with Ms Manby’s book, Girl Meets Ape. But no, I was adamant.

This time, it is not that painful, though TM is not as satisfying as READY OR NOT? The only reason I think this is because TM is being narrated in the first person’s perspective. I always find stories written in this manner much more fluid, real and personal.

Lindsey Parker is definitely not someone I would like to have as a friend. Extremely pampered and spoilt, to the extent that she almost ruins others’ lives unconsciously. She learns about life, respect, growing up and most essentially, about the importance of not sticking her nose where it should not be in the first place.

An amusing twist exists in this book, though I could recognize the slight bump early on – this, of course, takes away much of the surprise when all is finally revealed in the end.

However, there is an added drama almost at the very end, that made my jaw opened slightly bigger than usual.

The TRUIzM

My only conclusion is Ms Manby can really weave a darn book story, but only if she is feeling up to it. She continues to be hilarious – you will smile at certain scenes – but above all, TM does not provide the ‘high’ that I got from RON. Having said that. TM is notches better than GMA.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

Author: Khalid Hosseni

After a spellbinding tale in his first book, The Kite Runner, Mr Hosseni once more spins an ALMOST similarly delicious and engaging saga in A Thousand Splendid Suns. Delicious yes, but the aftertaste leaves a thousand unanswered questions.

Unlike TKR, which is written from a first person’s point of view, thus I found easier to be immersed in the character’s mind, ATSS is being told mainly from two women’s perspectives. Often, as the reader, I have had to switch gears in order to follow their train of thoughts.

The story is pretty predictable. And there’s hardly any hidden plot or intricate twist (as you would find in TKR). And when I was done with it, I did not find have the satisfying burp, as you would after a fine, delectable cuisine.

I’ve voiced out the many WHYs to Hubs, who has read the book, and even after discussing about it, albeit briefly, I am still unsatisfied. I felt the characters could have done what they eventually did much earlier in the story. And the near-conclusion – I have to ask – if it is being set during the Taliban era, I would imagine that it would not be so easy for a lone and poor woman with children in tow to move from one county to another.

Those apart, ATSS does not disappoint, especially in highlighting the restricted movement allowed for women during the Taliban era. I marvel at how Mr Hosseni, being a man, can be so sensitive and sympathetic to the plight of these unfortunate women. I will always remember the scene where one character has to endure a Caesarian surgery without any anesthesia (only hospitals for men were equipped with drugs and the proper medical instruments) – how she fought, how she struggled, and how she hang on before eventually letting the world hear the pain she was undergoing.

The TRUIzM
ATSS fails to move me as much as TKR, over which I cried oceans. However, I would still recommend this, as the engaging storyline, though predictable, is being weaved in a very intricate and beautiful manner. It is a waste not to devour it.

Girl Meets Ape

GIRL MEETS APE
Author: Chris Manby

You’ve heard me rant and rave about Chris Manby. You’ve heard me sing praises about that one particular first-book-first-love that I chanced upon. Eagerly, I added her name to my list of must-read books by chosen authors.

So what did I do? I dived in straight to the next book by Ms Manby that I saw on the shelf. And oh boy, what a ride it was. Downhill, I meant.

I do not know which book did Ms Manby write first – Girl Meets Ape or Ready or Not? My guess, and my hope, is that the she wrote the former. If this is the first book, then at least she is getting better.

What a major disappointment in GMA. Heroine Jennifer Niederhauser is a total let-down. Though she is academically bright, the way she is painted in the book does not reflect her modern upbringing. This story, while full of interesting anecdotes on wild life (read: apes, chimpanzees etc), fails miserably in comedy, surprises and ending. All three are lacking, though Ms Manby tries.

Comedy is scattered here and there, but the way the scenes are set up, the humor is very thin and obviously amateurish. Surprises there are none and the ending, why, even before I was halfway through the book, I had predicted the ending (very accurately).

The TRUIzM
I smiled? Nope. I laughed? Nope. I cried? Nah. Maybe a little – of joy, at finally having finished this painful story that tries very hard to humor but falls flat like a big sack of potatoes. I wouldn’t put this book on the shelf in my personal library.

Kite Runner The Movie

I may be biased when I do this review. Because I have read the book, and have cried oceans over it, and have had scenes from the book playing in my mind long after I am done reading, I have expected much more, if not on par, with the movie version. This hope is intensified by the favorable local review of the movie and the global acceptance.

I am, however, disappointed.

I have to be fair here – my disillusionment does not have anything to do with the actors, setting, direction, cinematography and all-film related matters. Rather, if you look at Kite Runner as the movie, it would fairly pass as a ‘good movie’. The actors do not disappoint (the aging of Baba-jan from a young to an aging, sick father is truly believable – ditto for Rahim Khan), the settings appear real (although shot in China), and the cinematography is excellent. I especially like the credits at the beginning of the movie. The artistic element, combined with such appropriate fonts, bring out the essence of the story and theme very well.

My disenchantment lies in the way the script has been modified to suit the length of a movie. Many crucial parts have been omitted, so much so that I, who have read the book, could not help but to compare the two versions. If the omissions were done subtly, perhaps I would not have noticed and may forgive. However, the omitted scenes were those that portray Amir’s many struggles and survival. These scenes are crucial as these reflected the development of Amir’s character.

I fail to empathize with Amir the Movie. Undoubtedly, I like Amir the Book better.

THE TRUIzM
You will enjoy this if you have not read the book. However, if you watch it first, and find that you like it, wait till you read the book. You will be overjoyed. Don't forget to read my review (go to older post) if you have not.

Tending Roses

Author: Lisa Wingate

If Ms Wingate’s sole intention of penning this is to make us ‘stop and smell the roses’; I’d say she has succeeded.

Kate Bowman has a task no one can possibly envy – to cajole 89-year old Grandma Rose to move out of her Missouri farm to a nursing home. Although almost senile and has, on several occasions, unwittingly almost set the half-century old house on fire, Grandma Rose is a strong and stubborn character, who through her own handwritten daily dairy, has been telling Kate more about life than Kate would possibly imagine or learn from anyone else.

Kate herself does not come to the farm with no baggage. On maternity leave with an infant who has a chronic disease and a husband who is struggling with a new business, Kate is often exasperated by the emotional and financial problems. Throughout her stay at the farm and through her interactions with Grandma Rose, she is forced to re-evaluate her life and priorities.

This book is a wake-up call of sorts to me. As with Kate, I begin to rethink of my life and my priorities and if I am really doing justice to those whom I claimed I love. I especially like this from the book: ‘Maybe you should start wanting less.’

I think if we live by that mantra, we can be much happier than we are now.

Kate’s financial problem is something that we all struggle with everyday, and in that aspect, I can sympathize with her and her frustrations.

However, the flow of the book is quite slow – while characters develop fast, the pace is sluggish. Perhaps, it has to do with the setting – an old sleepy farm town in Missouri. Yawn.

The TRUIzM
A slow-moving book with characters AND issues that you can easily identify with. To read only if you have a huge amount of patience.

Ready or Not?

Author: Chris Manby

What a read. I was anxious to know the end, hurriedly devouring page after page, but as I came to the epilogue, I was very sorry that I had reached there. I wished it had continued.

Chris Manby has a gem in this book. The synopsis almost fooled me – about an ex-boyfriend coming into the live of Heidi Savage, an about-to-be wife (to someone else). I’d thought it would be one of those soppy stories where the girl would suddenly find that her true happiness lies in her ex, and not in the fiancé, and that the story would revolve mostly about her, her character development and her ultimate discovery.

But oh boy, was I wrong! There are many other characters who add the juicy bits and intricate twists. Kara, Heidi’s best friend, a single mother of a six-month old baby, comes in with her funny antics and her own discovery too. And so does Mrs Savage (Heidi’s mother). All these, and many more, does not do justice to the very brief synopsis that you find at the back of the cover.

This book is more about girl-meets-boy kind of love story – it also touches on the fears of every woman about to approach or thinking of approaching motherhood - the uncertainty of not being an adequate and able mother, the fear of being fat, the fear of breastfeeding and NOT.

Above all, Ms Manby manages to talk about this (and more, including Heidi’s experience in witnessing a birth video as she stands in as Kara’s partner) via Heidi’s feisty and witty character. The story is full of twists and plots, the dialogues are hilarious and real, the feelings appropriate and since Ms Manby is writing in first-person, I was able to follow Heidi’s train of thoughts.

The best part of this book is that I was kept to my toes till to the very end, as Heidi reveals something that I would never have expected, as it is in the very last pages of the book.

Oh boy. What a ride.

The TRUIzM

I smiled. I laughed. I cried. If you are a mother, or going to be a mother (or father), you have to read this. It addresses issues mostly associated with having children and family, finding eternal love and feeling silly lucky. As for me, I am on a hunt for more of Chris Manby’s treasures.

It's About Your Husband

Author: Lauren Lipton

This is an outrageously humorous story, about a very simple and kind-hearted Californian who is out to conquer New York. Out of love and out of job, Iris Hedge sets out to find life AND employment in bustling New York City, only to find that the city has many tricks up on its sleeve for her.

Her infant and accidental debut as a spy is hilarious and oh-so-impossible, but then again, you’d forgive her because she is so darn naïve and cute and lucky to have found friends in people like Simon and the Rubicon Lady and Vicky.

Oh, and the book dispenses advises too. Want to get rid of blisters (when you wear new shoes)? Apply anti-perspirant to feet. Alleged to work. Also teaches you to mix gloss and something else to create peachy cheeks.

The TRUIzM

If you are in need of a perk-up, or want to explore a ground that requires less thinking and demands more laughter, this is the book for you.

For more tips and info, go to http://www.laurenlipton.com

What’s In A Name

Article title: What’s In A Name

Where: Recruitment, Straits Times (R56), dated 05 January 2007
Contributor: Tom Greenwood, Sustainable Brand Strategy

This is one article worth reading (and clipping & keeping, as I do) about branding. It’s pretty short, simple and the writer manages to summarize the important elements of branding in a brief and comprehensive style.

Sad though the picture that is used for the article is not quite appropriate – I almost skip the article altogether, till my eyes fell on the ‘branding’ text in one of the paragraphs.

THE TRUIzM
I’m a branding fanatic, so I’ll definitely keep a space for this in my scrapbook!

Sedap Noodles @ Clementi

SEDAP NOODLE
Blk 449, Clementi Ave 3
(nearest MRT station is Clementi MRT Station).

If you are craving for noodles that are chewy and spongy, and to be served along with gurgling soup that is brimming with fresh fish balls (one plain and one stuffed), one crabstick, a bull-eye’s egg and a very generous helping of minced beef (I’m drooling already!) – oh, I have to mention that the soup is actually a mini hot pot, so your soup remains hot till you slurp the last drop – the place to satisfy your craving is at the address above.

I would usually order mine with chili and will tuck into my hot pot with additional raw chilies (I eat chili as you would suck on a sweet). This combination, with the noodles (usually, I’d order kway teow) and the steaming soup, will leave me – at the end of the meal – leaning back and feeling oh-so-contented.

The stall also serves other dishes like fish ball soup, minced chicken noodle and the assorted noodle dishes. But the highlight would definitely be the hot pot!

.: THE TRUIzM
At $3.50 per bowl of noodle/pot, it is crazy to pass by Clementi without trying it! If you manage to locate the stall, you would see some clippings that this stall has been reviewed favorably in the local Malay paper.

Unfortunately, I could not locate any pictures for this entry.

The Ugly Truth about Small Business

Full title:
The Ugly Truth about Small Business
(50 Never-Saw-It-Coming Things That Can
Go Wrong... and What You Can Do about it.)
Author: Ruth King

What I like about this book is that there are many lessons to learn from and many experiences to read about. This book is segregated into two parts – Part One and Two.

Part One is a collection of the featured entrepreneurs’ stories (none of which I am familiar with). At the end of each related experience, the highlights are listed down and there’s a handy ‘what I learned’ list – very akin to an executive summary in a listed format. In addition, there’s even a segment called ‘applying the lessons to your business’ – so that new entrepreneurs do not make the same mistakes as these old-hands did. The listings are correlated to the story prior to it, thus you can easily make your references. And since most, if not all, stories are short; you learn more at a faster rate and are able to do your referencing more rapidly.

Part Two of this book is extremely handy. It summarizes perfectly and clearly what entrepreneurs can do about the things that may go wrong. My favorite is Chapter 5 – Greatest Myths of Owning a Business. Those who want to venture into business should read this first and smell the coffee!

However, due to the abruptness of each experience related in Part One, I was unable to empathize much with each character/subject. I was not able to follow their passion, their flow of thoughts and often, not understand why they did certain things in a certain way. Perhaps, not enough background (family, support etc.) is given to each one, so much so that I could not comprehend their outlook in life/business at times. Furthermore, I was not thoroughly familiar with the industries featured, thus was not able to ‘appreciate the lessons’.

.: The TRUIzM
An excellent book for those who are into quick learning and have less patience in reading. I did had a hard time ‘getting into gear’ when I was reading Part One, for the reasons mentioned above.