3,000,000 views ! My humblest and deepest thanks to all

 

                                                         At Nami Island S. Korea. Dec 2010 

I am humbled, deeply grateful and appreciative for all the views my little blog has been having this 16 years since I started this writing adventure. If there is anything I am most grateful for, it is to my wonderful family, my wife and 2 sons who have helped me in this journey of growth and challenges as they coming along my way.

3,000,000 views is by no means a small number. I just hope and pray that the interest in this blog keeps up on this trajectory and I am trying new means to add interesting content to all that I post.

Carpe Diem. 

Chicken Dakalbi in Seoul

 

During our last family visit to Seoul, after our ski adventures at Daemyung resort, we had a couple of days and we had some fantastic meals. One such meal was this at Dakalbi street in Myeongdong area.

What is Dakalbi ? Well, it is a pan fried marinated diced chicken, with rice cakes, vegetables and the famous Korean chilli sauce Gochujang paste. There are lots of other condiments like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, some sugar and sesami oil. I think there were certain grades of the chilli sauce, and we chose the mildly spicy one.

The pan is huge, and they have various sizes, some for 1, 2 , 4 , 6 and 8. The server normally cooks the whole shebang in front of the guests, as in our case. 

The vegetables are : lettuce, some cabbage, capsicum, onion, spring onions and some perilla leaves. There are the usual side dishes like sweet radish, kimchi, and anchovies. 

The photo above shows my elder son Noel with my wife. 

After 5 days at the ski resort, eating from mess trays, and communicating with the wonderful YMCA staff, we were all ready to try authentic Korean food, and this post highlights what a fun meal it was for all of us. 

Since we were not too comfortable eating only rice cakes (tteok). the second serving was for frying with rice. Now, that went down pretty well :) 

So if you are ever in Myeongdong Street, do make a beeline for Dakalbi Street and give this touristy dish a try. Its something for the winter to warm the cockles of a skiier' s heart. 

Everest Training Kit

 

Its finally here ! In Singapore.

QRA's very own Everest Training Kit. 

An Oxygen Generator which sends low O2 through a mask and is used for 

- athletes 

- climbers

- people who want to improve their fitness 

People who want to do base camp trekking at Mt Everest without too much altitude sickness can invest in a system and it is portable, easy to use and install. 

Complete set includes 

1. Hypoxic Generator

2. Mask and Tube

Warranty : 1 year. 

Prices :  USD 2,200 CIF Singapore.

Interested ?  

Email : mark@qra.com.sg

            qrasales@qra.com.sg

Walk In Chamber - ETSP brand S Korea and installed with warranty by QRA International

 

Walk In Chamber (S Korea) ETSP Brand

Temp : - 40 C to 180 C

Humidity : (optional) 20 - 95% 

Size   : 3 m x 3 m x 3 m upwards.

Price : USD 80,000 +++ 

Contact : 

Email   :  mark@qra.com.sg

               qrasales@qra.com.sg

Website :  www.qra.com.sg

QRA Walk In Cold Room for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Industries 2026

 

Walk In Cold Room 

Temperature : 0 to 10 C

Control Accuracy : 0.1 C

In Room Temp Uniformity : +/- 3 C

Running Time : Continuous 24 hours daily 7 days a week 

QRA International Cold Room is considered one of the best in the region. We have supplied to top brand manufacturers in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand in the past with 0 recalls and many good reviews.Attractively priced, the walk in cold room can accomodate most budgets and we offer either a 12 month or 24 month warranty with on site service support in your country.

The lead time for each cold room (custom designed to meet your room dimensions) is 12 to 14 weeks upon PO and receipt of downpayment.

We offer the following ; 

a) Consultation and Planned Layouts according to customer requirements.

b) Attractively priced cold rooms with excellent quality materials such as stainles steel SUS 

   304 interior and galvanised sheet steel exterior.

c) High quality component parts (Bitzer or DWM compressor, Schneider circuit breaker and    

    Danfoss filter drier are 3 examples)

d) Very low Global Warming Potential GWP refrigerant gas for compliance to Climate change 

     regulations in all global MNCs

e) Fast and prompt delivery to site and very good after sales service to all clients' satisfaction. 

f) On site stocking of spare parts for immediate repair and fast turn around of  equipment. 

g) Peace of mind that your equipment is in good hands for the next 10 - 15 years  with  extensive Preventive Maintenance Contracts provided QRA.  

                                                            QRA Walk In Cold Room 

                                                 High Quality with Affordability 

Price Range : USD 70,000 +++ 

Delivery      : FOB Singapore 

Lead Time   : 12 weeks - 14 weeks FOB Singapore 

Email enquiries : qra.com.sg

Website            : www.qra.com.sg 

Hoping to Ski just once or twice more

 

                                Our First Ski Camp organized by YMCA in 2007 

                              Location : Daemyung Ski Resort for 5 days 4 nights. 

I've skiied a total of 5 times in my life. The experience is one of total exhilaration and extreme terror the first few times. Later, it just became purely exhilaration on my part. I am pretty athletic by nature, having run numerous marathons in the last 25 odd years, trained and achieved some status in Shitoryu karate also in the last 23 years, swam competitively in my youth. I played squash competitively for University and competed in competitions for my swimming club.  

When I experienced putting on skis for the first time, I was awestruck, I was in my early 40s and I was dumbfounded how come, I had not tried this wonderful sport earlier in my life ?

       My wife and I were trained in skiing and the 2 boys were trained in showboarding. 

We went to 2 ski camps, both I believe at Daemyung ski resort in South Korea. The warmth of the Korean people will always stand out in my mind and the hospitality from the Koreans then was second to none. On each occasion, we made new friends and our boys both loved the camaderie made with their Korean counterparts. 

                                       In a ski cabin going up to the top 

Learning to ski, we had to master balance on moving thin pieces of plywood, we had to learn to turn and move our centre of gravity from left to right and make the S as we went down, first from the bunny slopes then from the intermediate slopes. To be able to stop, we had to learn to make the inverted 'V' and come to a perfect stop.

Not easy for someone in their 40s.

I am lad to have had the ski experience with my family and I really wish to be able to ski a couple more times in my lifetime. 

What is Accelerated Aging - a short video

 

QRA is the only company in Asia focussed exclusively on accelerated aging and shelf life tetsing for pharmaceutical and biomedical products.

For more information, please contact :

E : mark@qra.com.sg 

     qrasales@qra.com.sg

W : www.qra.com.sg 

for more information and details.

High Temperature Oven Incubator Series only from QRA

 

Temperature Range : +5 above ambient to 200 C 

Temp Fluctuation : +/- 1 C (steady state) 

Applications : Curing, Storage and Aging Tests. 

Industries :  Food grade products

                    Life Science products

                    Pharmaceutical products.

Price        : USD 3,000 ++  (depending on size). 

Contact   : Email : qrasales@qra.com.sg

                               mark@qra.com.sg 

3 Million Views by October - Thank you everybody.

                                       With my 2 sons in 2008 Daemyung Ski Resort 

The blog is approaching 3 million views most likely in October. What was once a side hobby of mine to curate bits of my life to read when I am old and incapacitated has morphed into something very different. A moving advertorial of the small company I manage and own while throwing in bits of events of my life, interests, and peeves. What had once been an online diary of my existence as well as a semi-memoir for me to delve when I do finally get to compiling that memoir is now read by almost 30 thousand people on a daily basis. It is quite unthinkable. 

It is truly a humbling experience to write only for myself. My views only reflect what this citizen in a tiny island experiences and there are literally hundreds of thousands of other people who have richer. and a more varied life.

So for those who bother or happen to chance and read what this young old man has to pen down, I say, thank you.

If you return back, I would say 'nice to see you virtually again' if not then 'au revoir'.

 
 

QRA Stability Chambers - Premium Quality at an Affordable Price

 

                                                       QRA Stability Chamber AH 1680 

                                                              Size : 16.8 m3 

                                 Large Size Chamber offering Temperature and 

                                                    Humidity Wide Range Control

QRA is proud to announce its 2 new stability chambers located on the west side of Singapore in the world's most recognized beverage company.  The chambers are designed and built speclally for research studies into the new flavours and fragrances which the company is coming up in the coming years and will hit the shelves after all the conclusions and tests plus certifications from health authorities like FDA etc are all approved and in order.

The chambers are almost 1 year in operation and there is 0 issues with them since we installed them. They run 24 / 7 365 days a year with practically 0 maintenance issues.

The interior of the chamber is made from SUS 304 stainless steel, and the exterior is from galvanised sheet steel powder coated with a pleasing beige color.

Performance Range 

Temperature : - 40 to +150 C

Humidity        :  15 to 95% RH 

Change Rate : 1.0 - 3.0 C / min (heating) no load

                         0.5 - 1.0 C ./ min (cooling) no load. 

The delivery is approximately 12 weeks upon Purchase Order and downpayment (usually 70%) and the price ranges vary from a low USD 20,000 +++ upwards.

For peace of mind, superior service support and high quality and highly reliable stability chambers, think QRA International. Your first source for all your QA equipment needs.

Look no further. 

The leader in Environmental Chambers worldwide is coming out. 

Singapore quality, reliability and commitment to perfection is in our brand. 

Website : www. qra.com.sg

Email    : qrasales@qra.com.sg

              mark@qra.com.sg  

Bench Top Chamber from QRA International

 

                                Presenting QRA International Bench Top Chamber 

Small in size but big in performance and reliability. That is QRA's bench top chamber for Laboratory use any where in the world.

Temp Range : -  30 C to + 150 C

Relative Humidity : 20 to 95% RH

Internal Dimensions : 200 mm x 200 mm x 200 mm (W x D x H)

Application Industries 

a) Food products

b) Biomedical

c) Pharmaceutical

Price Range : USD 15,000 ++ 

For more enquiries please email :

E : mark@qra.com.sg   (S E Asia)

     qrasales@qra.com.sg  (International). 

                          Small Batch Testing using QRA Bench Top Chamber 

Undergraduate days at NUS Engineering Faculty

 

                                 At the Engineering Faculty Canteen Year 1 NUS. 

                                                 Yours Truly and Loh Shien Lee 

The time has flown by. Truly, flown by. 43 years since we were young undergraduates full of spunk and derring do sitting at the Engineering Canteen at the bottom of the bock, (43 I believe).

The 1st year course was unrelenting to say the least. 9 subjects and we had to clear them all at one go. No second chances. By my recall there was 800 first year undergraduates, and only 600 made it to the second year. 25% knock out rate.

The attrition and cut off for promotion to the second year was BRUTAL. 

      From Left, Andrew Lee, Yours Truly, Loh Shien Lee, Long Han Wee and Sydney Lim 

I recall I was rather handicapped, as I did only 1 maths subject at Pre U level, hence the University math, taught by a Dr Gupta was way over my head, and I was floundering.

I was very lucky that I managed to grasp some semblance of the subject and managed to pull out a weak pass (an 'E') without having to go and do a 're' exam which many of my cohort were wont to do.

There were some really good professors (like a Prof Mendis) and some who were borderline weird (a certain Assoc. Prof Leong) 

All in all the first year of engineering for me, after 2 and a half years in the military was like moving to Heaven when the last few years were some sort of Hell. (I jest of course !).

Fortunately I managed to meet some school friends like Andrew Lee and Sydney Lim from St Andrews and we then had to march through 4 tough years of undergraduate study.

As I recall I was a very active undergraduate having 'found' my true calling as I had loved studying physics and math during my Pre University days and hence, decided that studying Engineering and graduating to be an engineer would be my goal in life.

Seize the Day.  

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy HBOT Chamber - Effective therapy for post exercise recovery - for home use.

This is the 2 person HBOT premium chamber which QRA can provide to home owners who want a bit of luxury in their lives. The price range starts from USD 50,000 (S$ 65,000) for full sleek designed system, with low noise (45 dB) and 220 V single phase, 50 or 60 Hz operation.

Superior chamber 2 person HBOT chamber price : USD 40,000 (S$ 52, 000)

including shipment and installation 

Delivery time : 6 - 8 weeks upon payment. 

Key data 

Pressure inside cabin : 1.5 ATA (or 1.5 bar gauge)

Flow Rate : 10 L / min

O2 inside chamber : 25% or less

O2 provided to nasal canula or mask : 93% +/- 3 %

Interior Volume : 6.33 m3

Total Gross Weight : 3050 kg

Total Power : 2350 W

Cabin Material : SPCC Carbon Steel

Manufacturer accorded ISO 13485 medical manufacturing certificate. 

Interior Cabin Dimensions : 1990 mm W x 1880 mm D x 1720 mm H

Exterior Cabin Dimensions : 2620 mm W x 2050 mm D x 1880 mm H

Side Cabinet Dimensions   : 450 mm W x 1060 mm D x 1880 mm H

  

  

                                                         Pressure Safety Valves x 3  

Safety Features 

Automatic touch screen on off button

Automatic safety valve x 3 (see picture above)

Manual Pressure Relief valve

Emergency Manual Stop Switch 

                                                                     Rigid Frame Chamber 

Creature Comforts 

High Definition TV 

Intelligent Air Conditioner

Leather Reclining Sofa Seats x 2

Viewing window on side of cabin and on door

Inner Display Controller

Intercom System

3 color adjustable ambient lighting

Aviation door with large viewing window

Oxygen flow meter with humidifier bottle

Cabin Pressure Range : 10 kPA - 50 kPa

                                        Cabin / Chamber frame secured by bolts

For more information and quotations, please email :

a) qrasales@qra.com.sg

b) mark@qra.com.sg

We will be having our showroom setup very soon in Singapore by end September 2026. 

We are offering HBOT equipment and services by September 2026.

I am proud and happy to announce that by September 2026, my company QRA International will be offering hyperbaric or HBOT Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy services to the public.   

The chamber below will be set up at our commercial location in Bukit Batok and we will offer introductory prices to all interested parties. 

Pressure : up to 1.5 ATA

O2 level : 95-96% (with mask)

O2 level in chamber : 24-25%

Therapy sessions (1 hour) : SGD 60 

For scheduling of appointments, please email to 

E :  qrasales@qra.com.sg

We are also looking for agents (6 maximum) to market and sell the QRA soft skin hyperbaric chamber to the South East Asian market. All interested parties please write in with your resume to the following emails. (No calls please)  

For representation of QRA HBOT chambers, please email to :

E : mark@qra.com.sg  

Shortlisted candidates will be notified in due course.

Athletic Chamber for Athlete VO2 max enhanceent. - 2nd post of 2

 

Athletic Chamber for VO2 max enhancement

 

       For more information, please visit 

       www.qra.com.sg

  E : mark@qra.com.sg

       evalyn@qra.com.sg

       reypereira@qra.com.sg

 

I am prediabetic. Time to change my eating habits forever.

 

                                                       June 1974 at Trafalgar Square 

My recent blood test was (thankfully) quite a relief and while there were no results which was concerningly high (or low),  my blood glucose level falls in the prediabetic range. I have resolved to change my diet - bit by bit - first for the first 30 days and then hopefully it builds into a habit.

From what I have read, the prefrontal cortex of the brain does the analytical and logical thinking while the basal ganglia does the repetitive (automatic mode) work of the mundane.

I am fully cognizant that I need to do the following so there will be some changes to my diet and lifestyle.

Vegetables - eat more (1/2 plate)                 Carbohydrates - restrict (1/4 plate)

> Broccoli                                                      > brown rice

> Cauliflower                                                 > whole grain noodles             

> Mushrooms                                                > sweet potato

> Cucumber

> Tomato

> Steel cut oats

Protein (1/4 to 1/2 plate)

> Chicken without skin

 > Fish (steamed, grilled or fried)

> Tofu

> Eggs

> Unsweetened yoghurt

> Beans, lentils, chickpeas

 Fruits - eat more whole fruits but selectively

> apples 

> oranges

> berries

> papaya

Avoid as much as possible

> alcohol

> processed meats

> ham

> sausages

> bacon

> chips (crisps and chips)

> fast food

For a start, every 3 days, the third day will be my off day, so Wed and Sat.  will be my off days, and the rest I will try to adopt this diet. 

6 Sept 2026 164th Saint Andrew's Alumni Dinner

 

  One Family Unbroken 

Yesterday was the 164th Saint Andrew's Alumni Dinner. Held at the school hall in St Andrew's Village, our 10 cohort members made merry with a lot of old stories and catching up with the many friends from different cohorts of graduands.

This year's dinner was no different from the previous ones, with quizzes, fund raising events and speeches. One display stood out, the yo - yo presentation by a young Saint - he was phenomenal.

This display exemplified what being a Saint or an old boy means to me. The school provides us with Godly values of truth, honesty, and the development of young men and women to their fullest potential. The school is not only about producing young people with academic excellence or sporting excellence. The school values and celebrates diversity in their hobbies and encourages them to give of their best and be the best versions of themselves.

Melvyn Ang 

My takeaway each year is the same. We may reach great heights in our business and corporate lives, but at the end of the day, we give our due respect to our school, the principal, heads of department and teachers who in one way or the other helped us catalyse, initiate and nurture our fledgling lives into who we become. For many of us, the 12 years (in my case), formed much of my character and I am grateful to Saint Andrew's for the opportunity. 

                                                              Peter Tan (Perth Based Saint) 

                                                                   Up and On ! 

Skyhelix Sentosa - Nice Views at 80 m above ground.

 

A couple of days ago, an associate of ours came to Singapore and I had the pleasure of showing him around a little part of Singapore. As a first time visitor, I took to Sentosa via the Cable Car and we tried the SkyHelix. 

This was the first time for me and it was rather a scary experience sitting some 80m above a high point in the island, with only a seat belt for safety. So what you see behind us is the actual skyline of the port of Singapore. No glass, no netting, nothing. 

We had bought the SGD 50 (each) ticket which entitled us to the glass booth premium cable cars and another 2 rides, a free ride up the Skyhelix and another ride to and from Palawan beach on the Western part of Sentosa.

For all new visitors, this SkyHelix is a must try. Just for the novelty of sitting at 80 m with your feet dangling into nothingness. 

I may be considered too old for the roller coaster rides (55 is the age limit I believe) but I can still try Base Camp Everest trekking and a few more skiing sessions in the near future.

Transport Ministry - some suggestions for improvement

 

A long trailer transporter at AYE yesterday afternoon. 

As a dedicated taxpayer for both personal and road tax, I am disappointed at the frequent road works in practically many roads and expressways in Singapore taking place in the last 3 years. 

True, we need to develop the island in terms of building new infrastructure, buildings, flats, MRT lines and so on. However, the use of all these heavy vehicles on our roads is very irritating.Not to mention, that there are severe injuries or even death if any vehicle or motorcycle gets hit. It will be a nasty sight.

In Europe, in Germany for example, the heavy vehicles are only allowed on the expressways after midnight and till 5.59 am in the morning.

Here are a few suggestions for our LTA folks to consider :

a) Only allow heavy vehicles (those above say 1 tons and not transporting workers) on the expressways on the expressways from 12.01 am to 5.59 am.

b) Allow ample distance ahead of the vehicles doing road works so that cars and other vehicles can change lanes. Sometimes, these workers put traffic cones up as close at 20 meters from the oncoming vehicles. Very frustrating.

c) For goodness sake, monitor the traffic situation for a few weeks before agreeing use of the lane for road or cable improvements. Then, only allow the actual works to be carried out at NON PEAK HOURS.

This will at least lessen the frustrations of commuters going to work in very congested roads all over the island.

Carpe Diem.