Fuel saving gimmick?

A gadget that can save us on our car fuel bills, improve the overall performance of our old wheels, and on top of that is environmentally friendly.............sounds like the Holy Grail to us.

Edwin, our erstwhile CCTV contractor/installer, has switched jobs and came knocking on our door whilst he was doing his 'rounds' in my neighbourhood.

He pitched his sales talk 'bout his gadget, a supposedly local invention with a patent (didn't bother to check it though), and because we're one of his old time customers we would get the thing at rock-bottom price, inclusive installation. He would install it instantly without asking for money and let us try it out for a while before we hand over our cash. And if we were not content with the results he'd uninstall the appliance, no questions asked.

Wow, hard to resist these T&C's, so we let him and his partner tinker with our car. It's a device which is attached to the fuel pump, drawing its power from the electrical grid of our car. Installation was done before I could blink my eyes and since a few weeks we've been driving around with this installed gadget.

Results? Strange....strange....adopting a normal driving style as before, our fuel consumption is slightly higher than normal (wasn't it supposed to be the opposite?), the hoarse engine noise is still loudly audible, but to be fair....gear changes are bit smoother though.

It's a bit too early to tell....it could turn out to be a fata morgana or it really might be a marvellous invention. Will keep you informed.

A personal touch

Chinese New Year around the corner.....

And it's an age-old tradition amongst Chinese to give eachother hampers, angpows (little red packets with money) to eachother to wish one well for the coming year.

Great was our surprise that some students (3 sisters) of ours approached us with a box of mandarins and a pack of dried, roasted meat (a local delicacy). Not only that, on the box was printed their respective names and a wishing well message.

So touching......:) Such gestures make our life as teachers much more meaningful than a big, fat bonus at the end of the year

Aunty Lily's home business

Aunty Lily moved into our house about a month ago...(long story) and ofcourse she brought along her 'home business' along the way too. Should say 'businesses' as it involves full-time nanny services (inclusive picking/dropping up kids from home and school) and catering (inclusive home-delivery).

Have to admit that it's a wholesome change from the 'tranquil' environment into a 'lively' living quarter down here. Not that we mind it, on the contrary.....toddlers running around the house are an enjoyable sight to behold, a baby and another baby on the horizon are a joy (no matter whether it is our very own or someone else's). And on top of all that, we don't need to cook ourselves (although I must say that I quite like cooking myself, but barely have ample time to dish out a gourmet meal).......meaning everyday 'fresh' food on the table (which also results in a bigger waistline, duh).

Some people might find it an intrusion on their 'private' space....a whole gaggle of people moving in, but have to readily admit that we don't see it this way. After all, my wife has been brought up by this very Aunty Lily when she was born (Aunty Lily was a teenager back then in the oldies).....and our very own little girl was also brought up by Aunty Lily herself. Meaning that we are quite 'close' to her. Lol, it's like a continuous cycle of life.

The only gripes that we might have, is the fact that all the money Lily generates is pitiful compared to what the 'outside market' demands. Ofcourse she doesn't lose money over it, that would be very stupid if she did lose money over it, but somehow when we add all the numbers up, we get a feeling that she is not rewarded the full '100%'.

Costs of living have risen up, here, there and everywhere and yes, it's not a given to have a smooth-running, successful home-run enterprise during these 'harsher' times, but it does not also mean that one has to run a business at cut-throat prices. People who are knowledgable of the current market prices are more than happy to give Aunty Lily some potential business (no wonder at the prices that she commands). But if this affects her 'personal well-being'....then there is definitely something not right.

In the meantime we all congregate together here as one 'big, happy family'. We sure do hope that she sees the 'light' one day and realizes that for all what it's worth.....one has to look after themselves.....nothing comes for 'free' in this world, sadly but true.

Introduction to our business

Most of you are already aware that we are in the tuition business, but I also gather that most of you have never seen our humble tuition centre.......well here above find a few pictures to give you an idea of where we earn our money.

It's October now, and end-of-year exams are fully underway........meaning kids are more hyperactive than usual, parents are worried and tutors are stressed too deliver good results.....Well, we all live in a target-driven world nowadays and teachers are not exempt from this trend. Kids get good results? We are praised ....... kids score badly?!? Off to the nearest competitor they go........simple as that.

In this ever-changing era, we are holding our options open for the near future....change of location? expansion? ...... change of times, everyone has to adapt to new realities and so do we.........will keep you informed!!!