heartwarming CGM

where else to be on Chap Goh Mei (aka Chinese's Valentine's day) other than at home with your loved ones? although the weather is freaking hot, it was a great lok lok session with the family...

 5th time and final time Lou Sang this CNY...

 big juicy prawns

crispy fu pei

 various balls and meats

 fave mushrooms

 mum's signature sour vege aka choy keok

The wise one says...

Today, we met an inspirational being, a true coffee maestro. With a humble looking shop, Mr. Lim Seng Peng runs the business of a homegrown coffee in Tanjung Sepat for more than 50 years. Not only is he passionate about coffee, Mr Lim is willing to share with us his 'theory of life'. 

From the mouth of the wise one, we must not only accept life with an open mind and heart, we must also work hard and not succumb to pressure. We can see that he lives humbly but happily, from the three ringgit shirt that he wears everyday, to the humble house he lives in. His 'factory/shop' does not have any modern equipment and every coffee bean/powder sold is the product of his hard work and labour.

I find this very inspirational but at the same time, find it hard to practice in our hectic daily lives. How can we not be pressured by the workload that we're thrown each day? How can we have an open mind when everything seems to go left when you want them to go right?

I have a long way to go to achieve the words of the wise one! But hopefully I will reach that state one day!

Empty

Staring at this empty page, I'm cracking my head on what to write here. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, nothing comes up. Wanted to post some food pictures, but I feel bored with another food post. Wanted to post about a trip last year but I feel lazy. Sigh....Another one more day of holiday tomorrow and it's back to shit-ey work...I wish everyday is a holiday and I just work when I feel like it. Which is ...never. But reality bites. No work=no money=no travel and no good food and no entertainment. Sigh....sigh ...sigh...
Well, anyhooo.....Happy Chap Goh Meh!!!
May my friends who are looking for some lurrrvvveee, find their dreams coming true this year. Open eyes big big...LoL...

Lou Sang 2012

It's the 3rd Lou Sang session this year and it's with a bunch of old friends. I'm very happy and grateful to be still in touch with the 'old kids' from school days....Hope to be doing this for many more years counting...

 ah mois

 half of the gang

 before

 after

small chopstix

Do you smell what the xxx is cooking??

As tradition has it (within my family that is), every second day of the Chinese New Year is our open house. Close relatives gather and have a feast (what's new during CNY)...My mum will wake up way early in the morning to cook and prepare all the dishes. I've been the little kitchen helper for many years. Mum still cannot trust me with the wok...So, what's cooking this year? Have a look...

Mushroom with chicken feet (this is a pic of the uncooked mushroom-end product, didnt manage to snap a pic!)

Guess what this is?

End product

Sui kow (which I made...:P)

Home made yee sang....

And few more dishes which I didnt manage to snap pics of...:(

It's very tiring by the end of the day but I do hope that this tradition will go on for many many more years to come. (And I hope my mum will let me handle the kitchen in the near future...hehehhe)..

Chap Goh Mei is just a few days away....Again, wishing everyone 'gong xi fa cai' and 'huatttt arrrr'.... 

Leehom - Wei Yi

I'm sure I've posted this before but I'm gonna post it again anyway just because it's the last day of the first month of the year. And just because I still love him with longer hair...LoL...This song brings back a lot of memories....

Discrimation?

I'm not sure how you feel when reading this but I definitely smells some discrimation here....

KOTA KINABALU: Some foreign women may be too pretty to work in a plantation at least that is what the Sabah Immigration Department thinks.
Its officers are taking a closer look at work pass applications from foreign women for jobs in the agricultural sector.
If the women are perceived to be too young or pretty to be working in plantations, their applications are given extra scrutiny and may even be turned down.
Department director Mohamed Mentek said the move was aimed at ensuring that foreign women allowed to work in plantations did not end up in any other job.
“We will request for a picture of the woman besides the photocopy of her passport. If this shows her to be too young or beautiful for menial work, then we will likely reject the application,” he said.
Mohamed said the department was keen to find out how some women who were allowed to work in the plantation sector ended up “doing something else in air-conditioned rooms instead”.
He said syndicates were likely to have been involved in arranging for foreign women to get work permits in the plantation sector, but end up at massage centres in towns.
Sourced from here.

Is this the government's way of resolving issues?

United Buddy Bears

Everytime we pass by Pavillion, I can't stop laughing. Dear would say they are 'tao hong' bears (aka "I'll put my hands up, don't shoot me, please!") because of their pose. Little did we know that they are the 143 life-sized United Buddy Bears, the first of its kind in South East Asia. They have a very important mission: "Promote living together in peace and harmony".

Drop by Pavillion and take a pose with your fave, they'll be here until 15th Feb only.

Food Review:Yuzu, Gardens (revisited)

I had the chance to organize a team outing recently. Was thinking of a place to eta in Gardens as dinner will be followed by bowling, thus it's more convenient to have eat in Gardens.
After much consideration, Yuzu was chosen again. I must say, their beef is still as good. Love the food there, but not the price. We got shocked when the bill came but it's paid by the boss, so it doesnt really matter.

Sunshine came for a while

Few days before New Year, our house has a visitor. This tame kitty just came from no where. He was very tame and likes to be cuddled. Everytime I open the back door, he will come running and leaped on my lap whenever I sit down. He was sunshine that brightens a gloomy day. Sadly, he's no more here. His owner came looking for him after a few days. The aunty said I am welcomed to visit her house to play with sunshine anytime.

I so wish that I can keep a pet again. A dog. A cat. But my parents and dear doesn't allow. I am too depressed if they pass away. I still remember vividly the time spent with Lucy. I miss her...:(

BBC's 50 Places to Visit Before You Die

Which Ones Have You Visited?

1 The Grand Canyon USA
2 Great Barrier Reef Australia
3 Florida USA
4 South Island New Zealand
5 Cape Town South Africa
6 Golden Temple India
7 Las Vegas USA
8 Sydney Australia
9 New York USA
10 Taj Mahal India
11 Canadian Rockies Canada
12 Uluru Australia
13 Chichen Itza Mexico
14 Machu Picchu Peru
15 Niagara Falls Canada / USA
16 Petra Jordan
17 The Pyramids Egypt
18 Venice Italy
19 Maldives Maldives
20 Great Wall China
21 Victoria Falls Zambia / Zimbabwe
22 Hong Kong Hong Kong
23 Yosemite National Park USA
24 Hawaii USA
25 Auckland New Zealand
26 Iguassu Falls Argentina / Brazil
27 Paris France
28 Alaska USA
29 Angkor Wat Cambodia
30 Himalayas Nepal / Tibet
31 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
32 Masai Mara Kenya
33 Galapagos Islands Ecuador
34 Luxor Egypt
35 Rome Italy
36 San Francisco USA
37 Barcelona Spain
38 Dubai Arab Emirates
39 Singapore Singapore
40 La Digue Seychelles
41 Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
42 Bangkok Thailand
43 Barbados Barbados
44 Iceland Iceland
45 Terracotta Army China
46 Zermatt Switzerland
47 Angel Falls Venezuela
48 Abu Simbel Egypt
49 Bali Indonesia
50 French Polynesia French Polynesia

Only 7 out of 50...:(

Happy Dragon New Year!!

Wishing all a Happy Dragon New Year. May the year ahead brings lots of joy, plenty of wealth and most important, abundance of health.

Give a little

It was my first time.
Donating blood that is....
I find it funny that they give you a cert after you donate. Why waste money printing it? Do you really need a cert to make you feel good in giving a little to the society?
I plan to do this every year. This is a way to give back.

I found some benefits of donating blood. Not sure how valid they are though:


1. No doubt the first and foremost advantage of donating blood is the exalted feeling of saving someone's life. If we donate the little excess blood in our body, it could save someone's life without creating any problem for us. Instead it would help to alleviate some major health problems like heart diseases. 


2. Blood donation is an excellent way to get rid of excess iron accumulated in our body due to its overconsumption. Excess iron in the body can stimulate the formation of free radicals, which are responsible for causing damage to body cells and tissues. Free radicals are also associated with many diseases like heart diseases and cancer. 

3. Iron overloading is also thought to increase the risk of heart diseases. Besides, iron oxidizes cholesterol, which is harmful for the arteries. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by excess accumulation of iron in the tissues due to impropermetabolism. The disease can cause damage to many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases. So, donating blood on a regular basis would help you to regulate the level of iron in your body. Studies have shown that donating blood regularly can be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system and can reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially among young people.

4. Besides, blood donation also burns the extra calories and reduces your cholesterol level. After donating blood, the count of blood cells decreases in our body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. So, it stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system. 
(sourced from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-of-donating-blood.html)

Resolution failed!

One of my resolution is to post a blog entry daily but given the fact that I missed the last two days, so it's a failure! The hiatus is caused by the amount of work I am suppose to complete and also because I was down with flu the past two days. I'm almost 90% recovered and just went for a game of badminton. Feels nice to sweat it out. I wish I can say the same for my work. I hate doing reports!! Sigh, looks like I will have to work tonight to finish it off before I resume work next Thursday. :(

Official Video: Malaysia Airlines Missing You Flashmob at KLIA

Well, not bad at all...IMHO...but it's too well-rehearsed and not much participation from the crowd...

it'll be cool to have more flash mobs around town...:)

No more cutie

He's 3 and has gone to day care...

So no more cutie around the house. I used to rush back from work sometimes, just to play with him. :(

But honestly, if I am to look after him for a whole day, I think I will faint! :P Still not reach that stage of taking care a kid for a whole day. Play play a few hours can la...

F

Every year, my mum will make prawn crackers. This year is no exception. I didnt manage to help out as my mum made it on a weekday without waiting for me...-_-".
Anyway, my dad was helping to fill up the tins with fried prawn crackers. I am curious why all the tins have been labelled with an 'F'. There's no fish cracker this year, so it does not stand for 'fish'.
So I asked my dad, what is the 'F' for. He 'selamba-ly' replied 'F' for Fullhouse....-_-"". I find it so funny!!!! Every tin is full house ma...except one with half a tin of crackers as not enough to fill it up. Hahahahaha.....

五月天:一千個世紀

Was running this morning when this song played in my MP3. Even with my limited knowledge of Chinese, I know I want to use this song as one of my wedding's theme song. Particularly love the chorus....

啊啊 我要和你一起走過一千個世紀
每次誕生 我都要與你相遇
每次輪迴 都為你

I have a dream~~(or rather a nightmare!)

It was a beautiful day. I was at my dear's house, and his family invited some of the relatives and friends over for lunch. All was going well until the guests start arriving. To my horror, one of the family's friend is one of my ex-BF's family!! It was such an awkward scene. I somehow feels guilty. They've treated me very well in the past and when the relationship didn't work out, it was not a very pretty situation. Needless to say, I woke up in sweat! What a nightmare~~ or is it telling me something?

Lee Hom Concert Promo 2012

9th Jan @ Kenanga City.
Didn't attend this time round. Why? Working....nah, don't think that's a valid excuse! Anyway, sharing some photos from Homaniacs fanpage in FB.

 so cute! love the expression!

ok, this looks like he's scratching his backside and enjoying it! :P just joking!!!

And anyone going to his concert??

Food review:Sweet Chatz

So, on days when I am lazy to write much, I will just post pictures of food! :P
Sweet Chatz is actually owned by TCRS Restaurants Sdn Bhd., the same company who owns The Chicken Rice shops chain. There are mixed reviews on Sweet Chatz but I personally thinks that their signature Durian Pancake is not bad at all. This time round, I ordered:
1. Chilled Pulut Hitam Paste with Durian

2. Nasi Kunyit with Curry Chicken

Love both dishes as they are flavourful and the portion is just nice for an afternoon snack!

I just don't understand

I just don't understand....
What Justin Bieber has to do with nail polish??? One Less Lonely Girl collection? Very misleading!

Shop till I drop

Every girl loves shopping. I might be a little shallow to say that but I am very sure that most people will agree. Personally, I love to shop. I do so very often few years back. I will just take a day off and wander around shopping malls.
However, the past year or so, I managed to curb this interest of mine. Few reasons -
1) Save money - I don't know why my taste got more and more expensive nowadays...:(
2) I got more than I can wear in my closet - everytime I want to buy something, I will always think of the less fortunate who desperate need new clothes
3) I got lazy :P - couple of hours walking in the shopping mall is so TIRING.
And then there is this thing about online shopping. I totally agree with Su on her thoughts about online shopping. It's just so easy to click click click and buy. But being the size I am now, there is no guarantee that the items will fit me nicely. I've return a few pieces and the courier charges are not so cheap! Some quality are not up to expectations as well.
I'm refraining from buying online but the clothes/shoes/bags all look so pretty in the pictures!!
CY has this policy - only buy something to replace another which is spoilt. I like this theory and is trying to adopt it.
With CNY around the corner, we have this tradition of buying new clothes. But is it really necessary? Honestly, I do not mind not wearing new clothes. But sigh, contradicting that, I just bought few new clothes last weekend. But then, that's because I need to utilise some vouchers which are expiring soon. LoL!
I went through my mum's closet the other day and some of her clothes from her younger days, fits me well. And it's the trend now for vintage clothes. Hence, I got more 'new' clothes to wear. Yay!

I am supposed to T.R.Y to blog daily but I think I am going to give weekends a rest. I am just too tired! How come weekends are more tiring than weekdays? Aren't I suppose to rest and get more sleep? -_-"

Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger ft. Christina Aguilera

since it's Friday, sharing something yummylicious aka adam's hot body! LoL....enjoy!

Kids say the darndest thing

The kid that my mum babysits intepret the pic this way -> one person slipped and fell in the bathroom, then another person shows no sympathy, and gave him a kick in the butt...-_-"

chik chak

I like taking photos but I can't get myself to learn all the camera jargons. Different types of lenses, setting apertures, ISO and all. I only know how to point and shoot.

A colleague once told me, photography is not all about talent. It' a number game. The more you practice, the more skilled you become. 

But still I would like to learn more!

I also realise that I like to take pictures of object more than of people. I find it hard to capture the moment that involves people. Does this mean that I am not a people person? :P 

urrrrgggghhhhh

I know it's not auspicious to start the year with complaints but I can't help it! The condition in KL Sentral is getting worse and worse everyday! To add on to my disgruntles from last year:
1. It's blardy flooded when it rains! And because of all the contruction going on, the buses have to move very close to the pedestrian walkway, causing splashes of water on it.
2. The lights are turned off before 7 am. It's still dark at that time making it feels unsafe to walk.
3. Narrower walkway for two way traffic causing inconvenience especially for the blind. It's tough to navigate as when I am rushing, I need to dodge people from the other direction! Not good at all....
4. The elevator is still not working. Not to say that I would use it, but I really pity those who are carrying heavy luggages.
5. Poor air ventilation. I think I inhaled a lot of fumes from the buses and taxis for the past few months. :(
6. The pedestrian crossing light turns too fast. Imagine old people/the blind crossing the road.
7. Bus drivers shouting, trying to lure passengers. Come on la, if we want to take your bus to LCCT, we could have just ask or read the big sign on the bus. Worse is when they call me ah moi!

Urut

My dad sprained his ankle about a week ago. Being a stubborn person, he wants it to be treated the traditional way. I am nothing against the traditional 'urut' or massage but often wonder how effective is it. I accompanied him a few times to this shop in Pudu Pasar. The exterior of the shop is plainly decorated with a few wooden chairs for customers and a counter for payment. There are old wooden cabinets and on it are jars among jars of traditional medicine.

When it was my dad's turn, we were brought to a room. The 'doctor' rubs the chinese medicinal massage oil on my dad's ankle. I thought he is going to use a lot of pressure and strength but he said that is not the correct way. Instead he uses a big handheld spot light which emits heat and points it at the injured spot. I am still a bit skeptical but then my dad can walk again after two treatments.

Bottle of own made traditional massage medicine

Anyone who knows my dad, knows how he cannot be house-bounded. He must go to the market every morning and he must take his walks, either morning or evening. I can feel that it's a torture for him to sit all day at home. When I went to the market with my mum, many people asked about my dad because they missed his jokes and humour.

During this period also, I felt the pressure to really take good care of my parents. I admit that I took them for granted. Small details like knowing what pills they take daily, paying attention when they mentioned that they feel pain anywhere, and even my mum's cracked heel problem, are all very important. 

So, another resolution this year is to spend more time with my parents. I hope they'll stay healthy and happy always.

Happy New Year!!!

2012...the year that's suppose to be the end of the world, if you believed it anyway. For me, it's not the end until it really happens. It's just another prophecy.
Well, what I can foresee, 2012 will be another exciting year *wink*. So many plans and so many timelines to meet. But as the saying goes, we can only plan so much.
To kick start this new year, I am going to set another long list of resolutions. Long list of realistic and achievable resolutions. And this time (hmmm...same with many other times), I will T.R.Y to stick to it.
So, yesterday morning's 'char kuey teow' will be my last for many months to come as the first resolution on my list is to LOSE WEIGHT. You'll be surprise if I tell you that I have to lose 10kg to be in my ideal weight according to BMI *gasp*.

NO MORE FATTY FOOD!

Enough talk, I better put on my jogging shoes and run all those 'char kuey teow' off.
Have a good year ahead everyone!!! And remember, if you feel like you'r e in shitty situation, there are many more people out there in deeper shitty situation. So, count your blessings!

Smarter flyer, I am

Smarter flyer, I am.

How many of us actually pay attention to the air steward/stewardess (unless they're pretty and handsome) when they do the safety briefing? How many of us will actually know how to operate the aircraft door in case of emergency and the cabin crew is not available? How many of us actually know how it feels like being in pitch dark environment filled with smoke?

I had the privilege of experiencing this today through the MAS smart flyer safety training. It was well worth spending the whole day at the MAS training academy.

The day started with a couple of hours of classroom training where we were briefed on all the safety precautions on board. We were then ushered to a room where we got the chance to perform CPR. Do you know the 5 basic steps of CPR? Just remember DR ABC.
D- Danger : make sure that you and victim are not near any danger
R- Respond : call and tap on shoulders of victim - if there is no respond, immediately call for help
A- Airway : Tilt chin back, push forehead, check for breathing
B- Breathing : Pinch nose, maintain head tilt, give two full breath
C- Circulation : Place one heel of hand in the middle of the chest, lock hands and give 30 check compressions

After CPR, we head down to the 'smoke' house. This is where we got the chance to extinguish fire. Two very important things to remember - aim at the base of the fire and do not hold the gas cylinder as you risk getting your hands frozen. After the 'hot' session, we then have to find our way out through pitch black and smoke.

The most interesting and fun part is jumping out of the aircraft. Yes, with the inflatable slide of course. We were taught on how to open the door in case of emergency. And then jumping out. It was really scary looking down the slide but after a couple of times, it is fun! Well, of course, you do not want to be in a real situation where you have to actually do the slide.

Last session is the swimming drill. We learnt how to inflate the life jacket, how to stay warm in a group in the water and how to attract attention when rescuer are near.

It was a very good training (with our pretty and ever so funny trainers) but of course, I hope I will not be in the situation where I have to apply what I have learnt. After all, they say flying is the safest mode of transportation. :P

2011

DECEMBER. My favourite month of the year.

Christmas songs playing, malls decorated elaborately for the occasion, people going on long leave, school holidays, which means less jam during peak hours. 

How time flies! I felt like it was only yesterday that I stepped into year 2011. It has been a fruitful and exciting year. I am feeling melancholic eventhough there's still a month left of this year.

It's still early in the month of December but I feel like writing about what a great year it has been. Blogging doesn't come easy nowadays. Maybe it's the lack of time or it's just plain lazy.

2011 - I travelled a lot this year. On and off to Melbourne, to some cuti-cuti Malaysia locations and to New Zealand (twice!) which I had the best holiday there, so far. Sad to say, the excitement of travelling alone is not there anymore. The adventurous me is dying! :( I still love travelling and exploring new places, just that I crave companionship.

Workwise, it has been a challenging year. Completed a project life cycle! yay! Nothing to feel excited about actually. It's a never ending learning process. Ups and downs, feeling motivated at times and feeling so low at another, I feel like giving up. Well, new year, new projects, new challenges. Hopefully, I will survive another year. 

On a personal note, big plans in store for next year. And I don't even know if I am ready for it, honestly. It's just a very mixed up feeling that I can't explain. I just let nature takes it's course...

PRELUDE

愛是永恆- 張學友

It's a little too early but can't help it!

:P

Gloom

As I sat at the waterfront, enjoying a freshly baked bagel, I can't help but feeling lonely. As joggers and people walked pass with their dogs (cute dogs alert!), I am secretly hoping that I have someone beside me to share the view.
I am washed up with emotions these few days. Maybe because of the too much 'me' time. I've been over thinking. I don't know what's wrong with me. I should be excited about being in a new place, exploring it. I still enjoy it but I wish that I can share it.
I've been wandering around the city and walking for 4 hours non stop at one point, soaking in the culture and enjoying the breeze, well strong wind to be exact. It's always a passion of mine to explore and I used to love doing it alone but it's not the case anymore now.
Well, maybe age is really catching up.

Enjoy your weekend everyone....

Real deal

I'm not sure if it's the aircond in the cinema or it's the great ending to the movie that gave me goosebumps. But I would recommend and give 2 thumbs up for it.
To be honest, I watched it because of Hugh Jackman. But Dakota Goyo steals the show (but Hugh is still yummylicious). Dakota plays Hugh's son in the movie. Initially, I thought that it'll be only another movie with machines and technology but I was wrong. The movie touches the heart and almost made me cry at certain scenes.

I'm not going to spoil the movie any further. Go watch it!

Nasi Lemak 3.0

I've always like nasi lemak. I know I know...it's fattening but it's not too much to eat it at least once a month, right?
My mum can cook a kick-ass nasi lemak. I still remember when I was a very young kid, she used to open a stall selling nasi lemak but unfortunately, it was not successful because she didn't apply for a license, thus, always have to be on the 'run'.
Last weekend, I managed to coax my mum to teach me how to make her kick-ass nasi lemak.
My mum is a firm believer that making it the traditional way - no using the ready made chilli boh and no blender. So, I have to manually grind everything *muscle sore*...

 This is the first time I heard of buah keras (candlenut). It's suppose to make your sambal thicker.

I'm not going to do a step by step (come to my house and I'll teach you!). And this is the finished product! It was hard work but worth all the effort.

Not bad for a first timer, right? (of course with mum's supervision, nothing can go wrong).

Il Divo - Amazing Grace

Saw a friend posting this in FB. My favourite gospel. Just so beautiful.