Travelling & Living: Bangkok...or...Japan?

Masked Rider in Bangkok
Image from Locky's English Playground

There's something very Japan about Bangkok.

You may argue, Japanese culture is almost everywhere around the world and it's definitely more widespread than Chinese culture. True, Taiwan and Hong Kong, for example, both enjoy such cultural merger, but not quite as apparent as Bangkok does.

One Piece packet drinks
Image from Locky's English Playground

First, we don't get drinks with One Piece printed on the packet. Sure you may say there's probably Hello Kitty ones, but we are not talking about cuteness here, it's coolness!

Second, you don't get 1-to-1 ratio Ultraman and Masked Rider from mall to mall.

Third, shops are almost duplicates of what you get to see in Hokkaido or Tokyo too, although the staff still uses Thai as their main language of communication after the not-so-accurate "Irasshaimase!"

Hokkaido ice-cream cafe in Bangkok
Image from Locky's English Playground

Everything including the decor to atmosphere gives you that very Japan-like feeling, makes you want to go in and relax. I wonder how come they can make such amazing copies. Has to be funded by Japanese investors, right? I suppose so, because some massage and spa centres have only got Japanese words on their walls and no Thai or English. If they don't have enough business in Thailand, who will open shops like that?

Shibuya?
Image from Locky's English Playground

Fourth, architecture wise, what do you think about the Toyota showroom building as well as the line of Toyota cars in front of the building? I think that's highly fancy, nothing Thai at all!

Toyota Showroom
Image from Locky's English Playground

Let's not forget, there is always some oversized product that sticks out of the building to remind you what is the latest Japanese hip in town.

Care for an EOS-1DX? The guy standing next to the post wants one.
Image from Locky's English Playground

Fifth, is it just food and technology all the way? Nope, even apps have ads here. There are hugely enlarged LINE sticker signs in every large shopping mall I visited, there's no way you can miss it.

Me and James of Naver LINE
Image from Locky's English Playground

Even if you do miss them, your phone will get SMS to remind you that by adding the official account only available in Thailand, you will get Thailand-only LINE stickers. I've got a set from Singha the water/beer company, Vogue and Thai Airways.

LINE stickers from Thai Airways
Image from itallnews

And with this push in LINE stickers joint promotion, you can guess what messaging app the Thai use quite easily, can't you?

Thailand-only LINE stickers
Image from Locky's English Playground

Finally, believe it or not, I have even seen Japanese transvestites on the BTS! Can't get more Japanese than that!


Vocabulary:
duplicate -- (n) [C] something that is an exact copy of something else
decor -- (n) [S or U] the colour, style and arrangement of the objects in a room
transvestite -- (n) [C] a person, especially a man, who wears the clothes of the opposite sex, often for sexual pleasure




Resources:
Line Sticker การบินไทย " Line in the Air "@ iTAllNews.com
http://www.itallnews.com/all/line-sticker-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2-line-in-the-air-16-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A1-16-%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A4%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99-thai-airways-download-free/

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/duplicate_3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/decor?q=decor

Message: Locky's English Playground Back In Business

Image from web.colby.edu

Hi English Players,

I'm back from my honeymoon and I have tonnes of things to share, so do expect loads of sharing related to Bangkok and Phuket, the country and the culture.

Here we go!

Cheers,
Locky

Business Vocabulary: Types of Leaves

Paternity leave, anyone?
Image from askamum.co.uk

Chinese New Year is coming and some of you might have already applied for leaves in order to enjoy a long holiday.

But have you ever wondered what are the types of leaves available for application?

In fact, the types of leaves differ from country to country, company to company, so the list will be too long to list out, but here are some useful and interesting ones I came across in my little research.

Take for example, the types of leaves available to the staff working for the Hong Kong University,

1. Annual leave
2. Compassionate leave
3. Sick leave
4. Maternity leave
5. Paternity leave
6. Professional leave
7. Sabbatical leave
8. Long leave
9. Personal leave
10. Leave for jury service
11. Leave for Auxiliary Defence Services

Among these 11 types, paternity leave can be granted for up to 5 days, which is not bad, but compared with Sweden's 480 days shared between father and mother, er............

Yes, all these Hogwarts professors could apply for sabbatical leave too!
Image from gustavus.edu

Sabbatical leave is a kind of study or research leave for the professors who are entitled to one month leave every 6 months, cumulative!!

For staff at the New Nouveau Brunswich of Canada, the staff enjoys

1. Bereavement leave 
2. Compassionate leave
3. Emergency leave
4. Family leave
5. Funeral leave
6. Jury and Witness
7. Medical/Dental appointments (included in ‘Emergency’ above)
8. Pallbearer leave 
9. Paternity leave
10. Volunteer leave
11. Voting

Bereavement leave (up to 5 days) and Funeral leave (up to 1 day) are separated and listed clearly. Basically, bereavement leave is for the death of

- husband/wife
- father/mother/stepfather/stepmother
- son/daughter (including stepson, stepdaughter)
- son-in-law/daughter-in-law
- brother/sister/stepsister/stepbrother
- grandmother/grandfather
- grandson/granddaughter
- father-in-law/mother-in-law
- brother-in-law/sister-in-law
- other persons living in the household of the employee

whereas the funeral leave is for the death of
- aunt
- uncle

A pall-bearer
Image from georgetwopointoh

There is also a pallbearer leave (up to 1/2 day) if one chooses help carry carry or officially escorting a coffin at a funeral.

Carer's leave
Image from fairwork.gov.au

In Australia, there are leaves as such

1. Paid personal / carer's leave
2. Unpaid carer's leave
3. Paid compassionate leave
4. Unpaid compassionate leave

Actually, the leaves are more or less the same as the usual personal or compassionate leaves but I quite like the term "carer's leave", because it gives me a feeling that as long as you care for someone you love, you get to apply for such leaves.



Vocabulary:
paternity leave -- (n) [U] a period of time that a father is legally allowed to be away from his job so that he can spend time with his new baby
sabbatical -- (n) [C or U] a period of time when college or university teachers are allowed to stop their usual work in order to study or travel, usually while continuing to be paid
cumulative -- (adj) increasing by one addition after another
bereavement -- (n) [C or U] the death of a close relation or friend
pallbearer -- (n) [C] a person who helps to carry a coffin at a funeral or who walks at the side of the people carrying it
escort -- (vb) [T] to go with someone or a vehicle especially to make certain that they arrive safely or that they leave a place



Resources:
Welcome to the Human Resource Section Homepage @ HKU
http://www.hr.hku.hk/benefits/leave.php#compassionate_leave

Paid Leave for Personal and Other Reasons @ New Nouveau Brunswick Canada
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/human_resources/about_us/policies_and_guidelines/leave_policies/paid_leave.html

Personal, carer's and compassionate leave - Leave @ Fair Work Ombudsman
http://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/personal-carers-and-compassionate-leave/pages/default.aspx

What is personal leave? definition and meaning @ Business Dictionary
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/personal-leave.html

Paternity Leave @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternity_leave

Sick leave @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sick_leave

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pa-ternity-leave
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/sabbatical?q=sabbatical+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/cumulative?q=cumulative
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bereavement?q=bereavement+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pallbearer?q=pallbearer+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/escort_1

News & Opinions: What Makes Beef Expensive?

Image from naij

Economics always fascinates me. Although I am not any good as a trader, I love to understand and learn more about the psychology behind all those changes in the world of money.

Take for example, The Standard reports the rise in price of China-imported beef per cattle. Some think that it is due to the Ng Fung Hong's monopoly, including the Hong Kong government, which might be true, because the lack of transparency in the price changes allows the company the absolute say about the price of beef.

Supposedly, adding competition to the monopoly will help the situation, since the pie remains the same size,  market shares of Ng Fung Hong should drop once competition enters the market and Ng Fung Hong will have to lower their prices to keep up with the competition. However, the assumption that the pie remains the same size is the big problem, because it will not.

People can tolerate but are not stupid. When the price of beef gets higher, people will buy less or switch to something else that is cheaper, the demand for beef will drop, making the pie smaller for all Ng Fung Hong and competitors.

Also, doing business is first about investment capital. Since Ng Fung Hong has the existing network that the two proposed competitors may not have, it is not going to be cheap to put up that challenge to the market leader. Who is willing to invest in a business that is shrinking?

Western Harbour Tunnel from 108th floor
Image from Locky's English Playground

If the market is shrinking, why is Ng Fung Hong still in the business? Well, having the absolute control over something means they enjoy the power of increasing and decreasing the price of beef. If the market shrinks, they can up the price, much like the Western Harbour Tunnel, less work, same gain, why not? But the time the market cannot take any more price increment, Ng Fung Hong can easily drop the price to release that explosive demand for long-missed taste of beef, thus continue to earn by the tonnes.

If adding competition to the market may not help, why does the government not taking back the control? Ideally speaking, the government could. With money and power, there will always be someone smart enough to do the job well, but Hong Kong isn't Singapore, Hong Kong isn't a country by itself and so it doesn't have the absolute power to run businesses without going through much objection. There are existing unions and companies that would protest about the lack of freedom of trade, something that Hong Kong is proud of possessing and dare not to harm, thus the usual taking-no-action-is-an-action strategy is preferred.

Everything works in cycles, each interlocked with another. They are like high energy unstable particles that are constantly in the search for equilibrium, but reaching such equilibrium takes a very long time, so governments tend to use their more visible hands and add interventions to speed things up. However, government policies are often more political than fiscal, which is why ideas are not always translated into actions.



Vocabulary:
monopoly -- (n)  [C or S] (an organization or group which has) complete control of something, especially an area of business, so that others have no share
transparency -- (n) [U] the characteristic of being easy to see through
tolerate -- (vb)[T] to accept behaviour and beliefs which are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them
shrink -- (vb) [I or T] to become smaller, or to make something smaller
explosive -- (adj) describes an increase which is very large and quick 
objection -- (n) [C] when someone expresses or feels opposition to or dislike of something or someone
taking-no-action-is-an-action -- (adj) from saying "taking no action is an action", meaning not doing anything is actually a way of doing something
equilibrium -- (n) [S or U] slightly formal a state of balance

Resources:
Traders beef about new supply plan @ The Standard
http://thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=130770&sid=38887519&con_type=3&d_str=20130204&fc=1

Western Harbour Crossing tolls to go up @ SCMP
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1113918/western-harbour-crossing-tolls-go

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/monopoly?q=monopoly+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/transparency
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/tolerate_1?q=tolerating+#tolerate_1__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/shrink_1#shrink_1__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/explosive_3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/objection?q=objection+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/equilibrium?q=equilibrium+

Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 4

Image from Locky's English Playground

Finally! I came, I saw, I ate.

It was quite a strange occasion because I didn't even intend to go to this restaurant that day, but then I only had 20 minutes and it was too little time for a proper dinner, and so, I gave it a go to meet my final (?) opponent.

Image from Locky's English Playground

The restaurant was small, and there were a lot of people, so I doubted for awhile that my food would not be arriving on time.

Image from Locky's English Playground

Looking around the cafe though gave me quite a comfort in terms of the taste and quality, since there are ads everywhere for their Hong Kong-style French toast.

Image from Locky's English Playground

With all the traditional Hong Kong milk tea making gears, my pre-dinner looked promising.

Image from Locky's English Playground

Not for long, the milk tea came, and no surprised there, it was smooth with lots of milk, which is the way I like it.

Image from Locky's English Playground

But the toast, came almost 5 minutes before I had to leave, and so the moments of enjoyment was much shortened, and chewing became devouring.

Image from Locky's English Playground

Despite the late-coming, the toast was gorgeous to look at, goldened with flakes of egg on the side, melty butter,

Image from Locky's English Playground

together with my favourite golden syrup, hm~~! Delectable!!

Then of course, the real challenge is what happens after the cut. Does it sag or does it reinflate?

Image from Locky's English Playground

It looked to me that it did sag at the edge, but the rest of the toast did not become flattened like that of Lok Tak Restaurant in North Point. It didn't feel as thick and full in the mouth as compared to the thin toast of Man Wah Restaurant, but it felt just nice.

I was eager to find out the secret...

Image from Locky's English Playground

Could this be the secret? A very light spread of peanut butter on just one side of the bread? Honestly speaking, peanut butter lovers will think this is unacceptable, but light spread on the bread means less weight on the bread from the knife and the peanut butter and thus the toast will not sink as much.

If you ask me to pick, I cannot choose between Man Wah Restaurant's and Kam Wah Cafe's Hong Kong-style French toast, they both are excellent in their own way, Man Wah's for its sponginess, Kam Wah's for its just-right in every aspect.

Why don't you give them a go and let me know what you think by leaving messages to me?

Scores:

Look:            ★★★★★ 5/5

Taste:            ★★★★★ 5/5

Smell:            ★★★★★ 5/5

Textures:       ★★★★★ 5/5

Temperature: ★★★★★ 5/5

Overall:         ★★★★★ 25/25

Vocabulary:
devour -- (vb) [T] to eat something eagerly and in large amounts so that nothing is left
delectable -- (adj) beautiful; giving great pleasure
sag -- (vb)[I] to drop down to a lower level in the middle
reinflate -- (vb)  [I or T] to cause to increase in size by filling with air again
flatten -- (vb) [I or T] to become level or cause something to become level
sponginess -- (n) [U] softness and ability to absorb or having already absorbed a lot of liquid, like a sponge



Resources:
Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 3 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2013/01/food-search-for-great-hong-kong-style_18.html

Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 2 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2013/01/food-search-for-great-hong-kong-style.html

Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 1 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/12/food-search-for-great-french-toast-part.html

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/devour?q=devour+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/delectable?q=delectable+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/sag_1?q=sag
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/inflate_1?q=inflate
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/flatten_1?q=flatten+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/spongy?q=spongy

Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 5

Photosphere mode
Image from techmaish

Ho ho ho!!! It's time for some awesome apps once again! In the past 4 posts of Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend,  we have covered a number of great apps, yet apps just keep getting better, and the best of all 4 apps I want to share with you today, the first app is the best.

Android 4.2 Camera and Gallery
Just as you thought most on-phone camera apps have panorama mode which is cool enough, Google's Android 4.2 Jellybean on-phone camera app has pushed it to an even higher level with Photosphere! Watch the following video and you'll know.

Magnificient, isn't it? Do we need to upgrade to Android 4.2 to get this wicked camera app? You can, but not necessary, as long as you have rooted your phone, then you can simply download the APK and flash it with CWM Recovery or other Recovery system.

For Galaxy S3 (3G/LTE) and Note 2 (3G/LTE), download here
For Galaxy S2, download here
For other Android devices, try the one with S3 and Note 2 first.

I don't know about you, but I can't stop having fun with it!


LINE Brush

Image from Google Play

iPhone users have been enjoying this for awhile, and now it is finally the Android users turn. This lovely app cleverly provide the options for both photographers and artists, works like magic with an S Pen and satisfactorily with an index finger too!

Options to select your pen Image from Google Play

Options to adjust your effect Image from Google Play

There might be other apps on the internet that offer similar functions and effects, but few combines drawing, painting and retouching in one app!

Drawing on photos Image from Google Play

Great app! Well done, Naver! Two thumbs up!

LINE Tools

Image from Google Play

Tools apps there are plenty, but 14 in 1? I have only heard this back in the Game Boy days. So far, it consists of ...


★Measurement Tools
●Ruler, Protractor, Horizontal Gauge, Audio Level Monitor, Compass

★Time
●Stopwatch, Timer, Japanese Calendar

★Convenient Stuff
●Flashlight, Mirror, Magnifying Glass, Spaghetti Measurer

★Calculator
●Calculator, Japanese Year Converter

And as usual for all Naver LINE products, there is more to come!

Image from Google Play

Image from Google Play

Naver LINE is just such a great company! I'm in love with the company's creativity! These guys they really know what we need, you know?

How can anyone not be impressed with the Japanese?

WedMD for Android 

Image from Google Play

A generous American corporation since 1996 offering free and detailed information to everyone who owns this app, 

Trustworthy Information Image from Google Play

Select the body parts in concern Image from Google Play

Detailed information Image from Google Play

Medicine with pronunciation guide Image from Google Play

For House M.D. fan like myself, this is an marvellous app to learn tonnes about medicine while commuting. Also, when you do need advice, you'll always have some decent advice from this app.

That's all for now! But more apps to come very soon!

Vocabulary:
wicked -- (adj) informal excellent
commute -- (vb) [I] to make the same journey regularly between work and home 



Resources:

Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 4 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/07/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend.html

Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 3 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/06/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend_15.html


Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 2 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/06/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend.html 


Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 1 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2011/11/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend.html

Samsung Galaxy S3 "Android 4.2 Camera" and Gallery with Photosphere @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG-CS9an5u4

LINE Brush @ Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.naver.linebrush.android

LINE Tools @ Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.naver.linetools

WedMD for Android @ Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.webmd.android

WedMD @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webmd

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/wicked_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/commute_1?q=commute