Alert alert!

Blog in critical condition!

Actually, it's been critical for quite some time...LOL...*slaps self for ignoring it*

This is year has one of the least blogging entries since I've started blogging. I blame it on work. But truth is, it's not all because of work. Laziness, lack of inspiration, laziness, occupied with personal stuff, laziness...

It started since 2004...8 long years! There's so much that has happened throughout all these years. I remembered I blogged most when I was at one of the lowest point of my life. It's an outlet for me. Eventhough I don't expressed much in my blog but each entry has a significant meaning back then.

Then life became busy and poor bloggie is eventually being ignored. I did make a resolution at one time to try to blog everyday, but as with most of my resolutions, it didn't work out...well, it did for the first few days/months...

I've actually contemplated to close down the blog but it still hold dear to my heart. *yes bloggie, I still love you*...Even if blogging is not the "thing" anymore. People are shifting to other trend like twitter, instagram, etc etc. I still find blogging the most convenient way to share thoughts and happenings.

So here I am, trying to reignite the spark. Hopefully, I don't give up half ...again...

My tummy is speaking to me....

I find it freakin' hilarious...

White or brown?

I was doing some groceries the other day. And eggs are definitely on my list (who can live without eggs?) :P
So, back in home country, most of our chicken eggs are brown unless those salted ones with white shell. I took half a dozen of eggs from the shelf and I opened the egg carton to make sure all of them are intact.
I'm a bit surprised to find them in white. I put it back and took another different brand. It's the same. I checked and checked twice to make sure those are chicken eggs.
So, out of curiosity, I googled it.

And here is what Mr Wikipedia says:
Egg shell color is caused by pigment deposition during egg formation in the oviduct and can vary according to species and breed, from the more common white or brown to pink or speckled blue-green. In general, chicken breeds with white ear lobes lay white eggs, whereas chickens with red ear lobes lay brown eggs. Although there is no significant link between shell color and nutritional value, there is often a cultural preference for one color over another.

Ooo...so that's the explanation. Silly me...

White eggs                  Brown eggs

天梯 opening theme song

It's been a while since I last got hooked on a TVB drama. The ending made me *sobs*.
And I like the theme song very much.

On a Sunday morning....

We had breakfast at Imbi market on a fine sunny Sunday morning...

It's my first time there and easily, the ever so lively and busy 'pasar pagi', become my favourite local breakfast place...

I'll let the pictures tell you what I meant...

(internal) Pork porridge

Popiah

Loh mai fan

Fried carrot cake

Big slab of butter + kaya toast

Lots more food to try. Not only locals but foreigners find this place interesting as I saw some 'mat sallehs' there. Sadly, I heard that the place is going to make way for the MRT construction. Hopefully they get relocated to a better place...

050513 PRU

I bet every Malaysian is somehow affected by the GE this time round.
It's really a different atmosphere from what I remembered from the previous times. GE3 packs more flavour, feels a lot more intense, has more 'interesting' things happening...and a lot more young voters! Bravo young generation! (however, thope you guys are not just doing it out of peer pressure and influence from others....)
It is really a pity to see violence on the street even before the polling ends. Come on people, be more civilized  What will happen after tonight, we'll soon find out.
I have to admit, I am not the most patriotic person around. If you ask me, I feel that every government, current or not, will have its flaw. But I do hope there will be a change this time round.
Whoever has more votes doesn't mean they're more popular/wiser. And vice versa. Hope that everyone will take it as a lesson learnt. Another 5 years to prove credibility and give the best for the people.
I do hope to see a better future for our next generation. I hate to see the city being colonized by foreigners. I went to Kotaraya area not long ago and seriously, I have never felt so unsafe and foreign in my own country!
To a better Malaysia!

Ostrich pillow...seriously?

I really LOL when I saw this....

Puke'y

The topic for lunch the other day...how puke'y we were when young. LOL...
I am glad I found someone who has similar experience as me.
When I was young, I get motion sickness very easily. Well, actually, I still get motion sickness until now la. Some people say that it's all in the mind. But I have really tried to not think about it but maybe my mind is not that powerful.
I remember my first few days in primary school. Though a short distance away but once we were stuck in the jam (i was carpooling then). I know it's going to hit me already. The dizziness/nausea. Couldn't hold it back and I puke in the car, all over my school uniform. The aunty driver had no choice but to send me back home. And this goes into later years when I am taking the school bus. I always have plastic bags ready and will try not to move around so much onboard.
Even now, when I travel, I will pop one or two motion sickness pill. For me it helps tremendously. Yes, I get motion sick when travelling on planes as well (especially long haul ones). At times, I really wish to not have this 'problem'. I wish I can read more when stuck in jam or in moving LRT/trains.

Symptoms:
Dizziness, fatigue, and nausea
Cause (from WIKI):
In laymen terms, brain and eye does not agree. The brain senses movement, but the eyes doesn't. Brain thought it's hallucination and caused by poison. So as  a defense mechanism, brain will induce vomit to clear the supposed "poison".
Treatment:
1. Wear a device that block motion outside a moving vehicle. Honestly, not sure how this works.
2. Look into the horizon of the travel destination.
3. I find fresh cool air helps me a lot.
4. Chewing gum
5. Take medication - my best travel buddy. Can't fly without it.
6. Taking ginger ale (should try this next time)

So, when I am unusually quiet when in the car/train/plane, please don't talk to me. I might be fighting back the urge to puke....and it's not going to be a pretty sight/ smell if I do.

Happy birthday cheeky boy...

Happy birthday to little cheeky boy....Don't be mad at yee2x for always posting cheeky photos of you ok? Muakkkss...

 yee2x's fave cheeky look...

ooooo....is that my cake?

The weaker side...

For those of you who know me well, you will know that I am not someone who falls in the extrovert side of the chart. I can be friendly, but I am not someone who will be the life of a party. I am more of a listener. I like listening and asking questions but when you put me on the spot to talk about myself, I will be tongue-tied. And it happens even in a small group, let alone in front of a crowd. No matter how much I practiced  or how much I prepared, when it comes to presenting, my mind just goes blank. This is one of my biggest weakness.
I do envy people who can express themselves well. I look at the CEO, the managers and even some colleagues and secretly wished that I can talk like that. Throughout years of labor in the working world, it's no rocket science that those who speaks well, tends to go up the organisation chart faster. Don't get me wrong, I am not aiming to go up the ranks, I know I am not into management roles. But it does help tremendously if I can convey my thoughts well enough to make people respect me a little bit more. To make them to listen to my ideas and what I got to say and be persuaded by it.
So, I will try my best from now onward, to learn the art of communication. I plan to join toastmaster or take up personal training to improve myself. But I guess, most importantly, I need to start taking small steps daily.

PS: Having said that, it's so tiring to try to stay on top of the game.

Foodie's:Renoma Cafe Gallery

Hmm....let me see how to start with Renoma Cafe Gallery. There's so much hype about this place and it is blogged by many bloggers. Pictures posted and reviews are oh so good that I cannot resist the temptation.

So, as you might be aware, Renoma is a well known label in the fashion industry in Malaysia and Singapore. From menswear, leather bags and accessories, men's and ladies' shoes, inner wear.

Recently, Renoma ventured into the F&B business with the new opening of Renoma Cafe Gallery at KL, the first outside of Paris.

While the ambiance is nice with unique decorations and art pieces, the food is rather disappointing. Not sure if we made the wrong choices from the menu as most blogs gave a good review of it.

So, we had:

1) Air-dried Muscovy Duck 

House-cured Duck Breast with Salad Leaves, Heirloom Tomato, Soft Poached Egg, Ginger Flower Vinaigrette & Asta Peppercorn

Verdict: Too salty smoked duck, not tender and a bit rubbery. Sad looking salad leaves. Poached egg is good though.

2) French Onion Soup Gratinée

Caramelized Cream Gold & Red Onion with Beef Bouillon, Red Burgundy Wine, Toasted Brioche & Melted Gruyère Cheese

Verdict: Wine? What wine? Not much onion taste and too watery.

3) Hokkaido Scallop Pasta

Pan-seared Sea Scallop, White Wine Vongole Style, Avruga Caviar, Malaysian Clam, Italian Parsley & Basil Oil

Verdict: Best item on the table. Fresh scallop, tasty pasta but not enough ingredients.

4) Croque Madame

Classic Grilled Sandwich with Gruyère Cheese, Black Truffle Egg Béchamel, Air-dried Duck Breast, Turkey Ham & Beef Pastrami

Verdict:Just disappointing...

And we had two bottles of Evian which costed RM38...@@...most expensive plain water I've drank.

"Don't Stop Me Now" - Darren Criss

Good samaritan

It's Good Friday and I've met a good Samaritan.
I was in MV on a Friday lunch. And if one has experienced it, one would know that the parking is normally all FULL at that hour. So, we were circling the parking lot for almost 20 mins. From afar, we saw a girl coming out from the entrance/exit to the mall thus we slowed down in hope that she's parking somewhere near and we'll be able to take her lot. She saw us, and pointed to us where her car was parked. It was on the other lane and our hope went down the drain as we know by the time we turn to the other row, there will be cars waiting for the spot.
And indeed, when I turn into the next row, cars are waiting for her spot. And what touched my heart is she was standing in front of her car and she waited for us. She waved and asked us to take her spot. I asked my sis to go down to thank her. I am really touched by her action. It's nothing much but it's not something we can experience everyday.
The world needs more people like this kind girl. Thanks so much!

going insane

When things are not going well, I find solace in...

music in general...

Lee Hom particularly can cheer me up instantly...

Foodie's:Marutama Ramen

Finally, I got to try the much hyped about ramen in KL a couple of months ago.
Definitely live up to its expectation.
The broth is oh-so rich and tasty. No doubt about that but the downside is, you will feel full after a few bites.
I love the pork belly and I love the fried garlic that can be eaten on its own.
And most of all, I love the Ajitsuke Tamago (seasoned egg) with the runny yolk that goes so perfectly with the ramen.
I recommend sharing though...too heavy for me to finish a bowl on my own.

Reunion dinner

Reunion dinner is my favourite during the festive season of the Chinese New Year. I love the quiet moment spent with my family.

This year, I had a reunion lunch and two reunion dinners. As much as my tummy is screaming 'no more food please!', I enjoyed every bits of it.

Arrowhead with pork

Prawns in tomato sauce

Lo hon chai

Siew yok

Steamed kampung chicken

Pork belly soup

Dip sauce for the chicken

Looking at the pictures, I miss mum's cooking!

As cold as it gets

Eventhough it's freezing cold, I hope it snows....

Warms my heart

My mum has taken care of many kids and to see them grow up year by year just warms my heart. Some we only see once a year but nonetheless, I am sure they'll remember my parents when they're much older...

Oh...BTW, Happy Chinese New Year!!

Kelly Clarkson - Dark Side

I've been posting too many MVs on this blog. But heck, it's my blog and I do what I want. :P

Foodie's:Jake's Charbroil

I have a love and hate relationship when it comes to steak. I love it tender, medium rare, perfectly charred on the outside but pinkish red on the inside. It should be most delicious enough to be eaten on it's own without any sauce. Otherwise, I hate eating steak that is as chewy as rubber. Or too bland that it needs lots of sauce to go with it.
It's quite hard to find any affordable steak cooked to perfection but I am pretty satisfied with the one at Jake's Charbroil. Sadly, not too impressed with the other dishes, except the nachos.

freakin' expensive sauteed mushroom when i can do 10x better

yums...nothing to complain about it...

chicken with mushroom and garlic sauce...nothing to shout about

wickedly addictive nachos...