Life is like licking honey off a thorn... God promises a safe landing - but not necessarily a calm passage...
Friday, March 31, 2006
A Simple Dish!
This is the shrimp-egg noodles fried with abalone sauce. Tasted nice in my mouth... something I have not tasted before so should be good I guess.
That's chicken with winter melon soup. Can't get bored with the soup. The only repeat dish I cooked is the soup. The rest like chicken, fish and prawns, NO WAY! I'll always find some new recipes... some from China.
Don't have to fly to China to get the recipes... use the modern technology of Internet connection!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
ABC of Friendship
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
What's For Lunch?
Oh... my home-cooked 'tian chi' or frog... fried with dried chillies..... Don't have to eat in restaurants anymore.....
A pot of 5 spice braised chicken... Nah.... I'm not worried about avian flu at all.... coz' I believe that if it's time to die than you'll die.... sit still and you'll still die when time comes.. Can you see the steam from the pot??!! It smells so nice.
In every meal there must be something green.... quote it from my mom... so this is what I cooked:
This is a plate of emperor's vegetables in oyster sauce.I'm very blessed to have delicious food on the table everyday. Shouldn't complain coz' compared to other people, I'm considered very fortunate.
Penang's Own Cyberjaya
Can you see this pile driver? It's moving up and down nonstop at the site where it used to be Sunshine Square's extra parking lots.
In a few years time, this will be Bayan Baru's Cyberjaya, the main technology hub where we have our own webhosting. If I'm not mistaken, the building is called Sun City. There will be a big swimming pool in the building itself for the office tenants. I wonder will they be swimming when they're too bored working? Hmmm... if me I think I will do that when the sun is scotching hot.
Directly opposite this pile driver is BB Coffee Shop. I was having a plate of chicken rice and I was enjoying it with a rhythmic jolt of the building. *Ugh* " I'm gonna have indigestion!"
I'm not going to eat there anymore. The whole building was shaking every single second. There are two pile drivers but they only switch on one. If both, I think Sunshine Square will crack into two.
Opposite to Pisa where there's a huge empty plot of land will have the biggest food & beverages and also shopping mall standing proudly on the land in a few years time. The land has been cleared and piling will begin soon. That gigantic place is called Piazza. Sounds French but I don't know where is it from.
Let me do a summary of where we can spend our hard earn money. I'll break them into a few categories.....
Departmental stores :
Sunshine Square ( Bayan Baru ) - I love the clothes there
Gama ( Jalan Datuk Keramat ) - I like the clothes there
Piazza ( Bayan Baru) - coming soon
Metrojaya - limited choice of clothes
Parkson Grand - a nice place to shop
Huge malls :
Queensbay Mall ( Pantai Jerjak ) - the longest in Penang coming soon
Gurney Plaza ( Gurney Drive ) - a high class place to hangout
Prangin Mall ( Jalan Lim Chwee Leong ) - teenagers hangout
Island Plaza ( Tanjung Tokong ) - a dead place by 8p.m.
Hypermarkets :
Giant ( Jalan Tengah ) - prices not that low
Tesco ( Glugur ) - prices all the time low
Makro ( Sungai Dua ) - suitable for people who buy in bulks
Well.... with so many places to splurge my money I wonder whether I will have enough to survive through the days. Hahahha..... I'm glad I'm staying in Penang and not from any 'ulu' and 'inactive' places.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
How We Fall
My point is, we are so occupied with how we look like. Does it really matter? The answer is yes, but don't go to the extend as in overdoing it. I've been to many restaurants where customers finish only half of what they ordered. Some are already full but can't do anything coz they ordered too much. That's a lot of waste. Go to any coffee shop's garbage bin, collect only the leftover I think we can feed a nation for the whole month.
Business. Everyone wants to succeed and earn big money. Some even stepped on their own friends or flesh and blood just to gain the post that will make them popular.
Here is what I'm going to say - in everything we do, if we put God first, no matter how difficult it is, we can sail through and we are going to be more successful than anybody else in this whole wide world. Simple - put God first! If we do not put God first, no matter how high we climb on the ladder of success, we come tumbling down one day.... sooner or later.
Like the store of Lucifer:
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Divine Interruptions
God's will comes to us in strange ways, often in the form of interruptions. Just when we think our duties are done for the day and we've settled in for a quiet evening at home, someone calls on the telephone or shows up on our doorstep asking for our time. "Are you busy?" they ask.
The best thing to do is to stop looking at these intrusions as interruptions. Instead, we should take them as opportunities that God is sending us to serve those in need—to listen well, to show love, to help them on their journey toward intimacy with God.
Sometimes, the person whom we hate most is the one who comes to our aid when we are in trouble. We might even have a soft spot in our heart for those whom we despise.
A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. —Luke 10:33
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
MarryBrown Fast Food Restaurant
That's in Bukit Jambul Complex... just opened few months back. I'm not going to give any good comments for this MarryBrown.
The chicken porridge tasted like the one at hawker stall... the thing is the one at hawker stall tastes better. Yucks! Don't like it. The value meal consists of a piece of chicken and a chicken burger. Fighting for business? A&W... KFC.... McDonald. Is this going to survive?
It's double cheese chicken burger. It tastes exactly like the fillet-o-fish in McD. The chicken burger does not have any resemblance of chicken burger. It's too soft like fish burger. Even the Fish Sandwich in KFC tasted harder. I wonder what type of fish does KFC use? Whale... coz the texture is not salmon, dory fillet or even shark.The texture of the mashed potatoes are not fine enough. The chicken is too salty. I prefer A&W or even KFC's hot & spicy. Will this fast food restaurant survive? Or will it disappear like A&W? Thank goodness A&W make a come back in Gurney Plaza and also at the ourdoor space in Prangin Mall.
The Best Dinner I Ever Had
This is in Teluk Kumbar on the way to Gertak Sanggul. It's situated by the beach. When I say by the beach, it's really by the beach.
The scenery is beautiful. There are children playing on the beach and at the far end there was a fisherman casting his net into the sea. It's good to go to this kinda place once in awhile to relax but staying in this place - I don't think I can survive.
I always have difficulty ordering food. I'm quite choosy and there are things that I don't like to eat. Those which I know how to cook also I won't order coz' I want to save money..... actually I'm just a stingy person.
I can't think what drinks I wanted. Iced-Milo is like what I get to drink everytime, tea - yucks! so set for this, my mom wanted it leh... not me. I can go without drinks. Mom complaint that the coconut was old ..... to hard... fighting with the coconut to dig out the flesh. The coconut water was cooling, though. Not much to say.
The waiter taking our order had a hard time pleasing my appetite. Whatever he mentioned, I said, "Don't want!" In the end, I set for this piece of pork. This piece of flabby pork is soaked with red bean tomato sauce. Those who are health freak will shun this dish. Looks quite mouth watering. So I took a small bite and .... oh wow! This is superb! Very very nice in deed. Forget about how much fat it contained. Just eat... you know... be grateful that there's food on the table.
Gung poe squid has kinda bored me since I know how to cook it. So decided to try this - salad mantis prawn. Its not mayonnaise covering the mantis prawn.... tasted more like salsa... and then like the pungent curry powder in my mouth.... and in the end after taking two pieces I don't like it anymore. I prefer the one I tried in Langkawi at Teo's Seafood Restaurant... thumb's up for that! But couldn't find it here.
Food and prawns will be pricey. I get to eat fish and prawns everyday. Crabs also pricey - RM35 for a kilo. So, no no for that. Aww..... my favourite paddy frog fried with dried chillies. But look at the dish.... such a small portion only. They overcooked the paddy frog and the flesh shrunk like crazy... only left the bones obviously. Not as tasty as other restaurants.
In every meal, there must be vegetables included. I don't eat many many types of vegetables except for this :
Look how little there is on the plate. I cooked more than that and didn't even cost as much. I can buy from the market thrice the portion and cost half of what they are charging. Again.... it's people's energy preparing this meal. So ought to pay them handsomely.
Do you think I'll be full eating these few dishes? The answer is absolutely not!! I don't care how much it costs anymore. Since I'm already there I wanted to eat until I'm half full at least.
Waiter! What else do you have which will be mouth watering for me?
That's pearl kepah. Quite big to my surprise. But there were only 8 on the plate. I ate 3 only. How to fill up my stomach arrr?
Waiter! Ehh..... change to waitress pula. I think that man got scared liao.... She's is better in introducing....
Deep-fried tau kua with abalone. I've never tasted abalone... I thought it's tasteless.... how should I know this is the best dish I've ever tasted for that night!!
Not half full yet... really and seriously don't know what to order liao....
Yeah.... that's me holding what I'm about to eat.... hahahah I'm not going to eat it raw lar....
Dip it with Thai chilli sauce and put it in your mouth! It's very crunchy and tasted like prawns. I don't really like it... but I bet if I didn't see the alive and kicking sea cockroach... I would have love it. Can't imagine the legs kicking as it entered my stomach. I wonder how the contestants in Fear Factor ate those slimy and raw creatures?!
Now, this place charged a little bit too high compared to Good Friend Seafood Restaurant in Teluk Kumbar also. I prefer Good Friend coz' I get 10% discount... and the food there is tastier and they give more... not so little leh.... that night I didn't even feel that I've eaten a lot. No matter what.... the food is okay and I really love the tau kua. Those few dishes cost me less than RM80.
AL... have you been there? If not, next time when you're back for good we can go. Annie went to Good Friend before... so next time maybe we can go together. Thai Seafood Restaurant along Gurney Drive wasn't bad either. The venison (deer meat) is fantastic. Cheese lobster in Victoria Station... superb!
I think I'm both of the above' statement!
Friday, March 17, 2006
An Act of Selflessness
Well, I'm not having it lar of course. That bacteria will cause ulcer in the stomach and also inflamation. Your stomach wall will be thinner than usual and you're prone to get gastric pain once too often. This can only be stopped by eating three types of antibiotics and also multiple tests to view your stomach through endoscopy. That is by inserting a tube with camera through your throat all the way down the oesophagus and *pop* in the stomach.
I met somebody whom I've not seen for sometime. I do really miss her and her name is Justine Wong. I'm so glad to see her and she's quite free over there. Just making some rounds with other seniors there. Heard that there were many deadly diseases patients like AIDS and cancer. Some have undiagnosed diseases so after they are dead send the body for forensic department to ascertain the cause of death. How sad life is over there.
I really thank God I'm not involved with that stupid man who migth carry the HIV virus in his body. And he's also a drug abuser. I really thank God I'm out of it. God really is a great God.
I wanted to do something more useful with my body. So since I'm already at the hospital and there's a campaign out in the open, I signed up as:
Well, I think this is the least that I could do. Anyway if I die outside of the hospital, they are not going to dig out any of my organs cause they may be lack of oxygen. Therefore, they will only take the cornea. But since I have astigmatism and my cornea isn't perfect I think they are not going to take anything from me. No harm joining though. At least, I can do something for the needy.
Today as I was travelling along the road behind USM, I stopped at the traffic light. Nothing happened. I went to take a U-turn for less than 5 minutes, a car which stopped at the same spot that I did was wrecked up beyond recognition. I shudder at the thought that it could be me if I was late 5 minutes.
God has been very merciful to me. He is so patient eventhough I'm not an obedient child to Him. Today itself He has shown me what He could do within minutes and seconds. He is wonderful beyond comprehension.
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. —1 John 1:7
Sufficient is the blood of Christ
To cleanse us from all sin,
But daily we must claim its power
To keep us pure within. —D. De Haan
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The Promise Of Peace
We should cherish our life as we are born healthy and externally perfect!
We continually hear reports of tragedies around the globe. And we may be troubled by personal problems and crises. We long for and pray for peace.
A psalm of David
Friday, March 10, 2006
The Good That Pain Can Do
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. —Psalm 119:71
Far from being an obstacle to our spiritual growth, pain can be the instrument of it—if we're trained by it. It can push us closer to God and deeper into His Word. It is a means by which He graciously shapes us to be like His Son, gradually giving us the compassion, contentment, tranquility, and courage we long and pray for. Without pain, we wouldn't be all that God wants us to be. His strength shines brightest through human weakness.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
Straightening My Priorities....
Why am I so weak to fall into tempatations? I just want a normal life. Nothing more than that. Am I so useless and worthless? I can't even find the right path... No! I've to straighten my priorities.... but do I have the will to do that? I can't even find the strength to breathe.
These are the things that I wanted to do, Lord, please bless me....
I will build up an empire of businesses....
I will not lose to anyone but I'll march forward towards my goal to be a millionaire before the age 30 to help the church and get more people to know the Lord.
I want to be who I want to be.
I do not want to be humiliated by anyone.
I resent those who has humiliated me. I resent my wrong steps. I resent playing with fire. I'm the one who got burnt in the end. I was torched up like a wild bush! Where am I going to put my face? Where am I going to hide? Do I really want to hide myself?
Lord, if I could just turn the clock around, I wouldn't want to make the same mistake anymore. I don't even want to be in this situation at all. Lord, I need you to carry me through this calamity that has struck me hard. I can't walk alone. I might lost my way and fall.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Choosing A Life Partner....
Since we know your level of intelligence, we have to find out 'bout our future partner's level of intelligence.
Questions to ask your future mother-in-law and to be answered truthfully:
- Did your son have problem citing the alphabets when he was young?
- How old did he start talking?
- Did he cry a lot at night?
- Did he talk non-stop or he used to be a shy and timid boy?
- Had he ever make noise when asked to go to the kindergarten?
- Did he wet the bed when he was supposed to be potty-trained?
Questions to ask your future spouse:
- How did you fare in your UPSR?
- How did you fare in your PMR?
- How did you fare in your SPM?
- What course did you take in you tertiary education?
- If didn't study in uni, why? If no money then acceptable!
- Did you encounter problems understanding and applying the mathematical formulae and the scientific terms?
- Did you have difficulty understanding the Malay passage?
- Did you read a lot of books? If yes, how many per week?
- Are you good in electrical stuff?
- Good in computer games?
- Were you an introvert and extrovert when you were in the secondary school?
- Did you have problem speaking up for yourself?
- Did you remember facts from History and Geography?
Lastly, I would like you to follow me to get your medical checkup. Just in case, he has AIDS or any other sexually transmitted diseases. And also let's take an IQ test.
With all these, we do not need to worry that we might get a rotten child. But of course, the rest will be in God's hands.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
A Cooling Experience...
I happen to drive along when I found this shop. Curiousity kills the cat...I'm not killed coz' I'm not a cat. So I stopped by...
The shop is at Jalan Gurdwara. Used to be Bricklynn Road if I'm not mistaken. Actually my purpose is to stopped by the at the shop next door selling plastic then happen to smell the 'aromatic' fish smell that I'm so used to in the market. Then as I was sitting on the chair waiting to be served, I complaint to my utmost surprise, too loudly in fact," VERY HOT!! CANNOT TAHAN LIAO!
Then the boss' son invited me over to this place...
It's next door... and this photo is
taken inside the freezing room.
It must be negative degree Celsius as it took me less than two minutes to shiver non-stop.
Guy : Eh, why shiver? I thought just now you complain very hot?
Me : That was just now. This is now! So--oo-oo cc-old!
Guy : Want to buy anything from the freezer? Just take.. I'll give you special rate!
Me : Hahaaha... really? Can take anything? Cool...
There are sooo many types of imported seafood.
Dory fillet...
Shrimps without shells....
Crab meat....
Mussels...
Cockles...
Frog legs.....
So many types of fish....
I can deep fry the dory fillet and dip with mayonnaise. My mouth is watering at the thought of that.
Frog legs... I don't have to go to restaurants anymore. I can have my own stir-fry frog legs with dried chillies.
Crab meat.... can be used when frying noodles or even fried rice. But I never succeed in frying delicious rice. Just not good in cooking simple dishes.. I guess!
Other types of fish... bake... steam... sweet and sour, hot and sour, cheesy baked fish... oh I have so many ideas in what to do with all those fish meat!
I was there yesterday.
So today the dory fillet is already on the table ready to be served....
How to prepare such a delicious dish...
Marinade with sugar, pepper, five spice powder and egg.
Let it stand for at least half-an-hour.
Coat with bread crumbs.
Make sure oil is hot enough for deep frying.
Then when it turns golden brown, put on a plate with kitchen towel to soak the oil.
Spread mayonnaise on it.
Oh! It's just simply delicious... *yum*.. *yum*
Try it out for those who love to cook.
This is G-O-O-D!
In four cities across the world, four people die violently and mysteriously. The dead share a single crucial link: each was connected to an all-powerful environmental think tank. Two of the victims' widows - accomplished artist Diane Stevens and international supermodel Kelly Harris - may hold the key to their husbands' demise. Terrified for their lives, suspicious of each other, and armed only with their own wits and guile, they must join forces in a nightmare cycle of hunt-and-kill. At stake is the shattering truth about the tragedies that robbed them of the men they loved... and about an awesome conspiracy whose ultimate target is as big as the earth and as close as the air we breathe.
This is a must read book.... I have always like books written by Sidney Sheldon! Full of suspense... once you start you'll never stop until you finish!
My addiction....
Cigarette?
Not at all.....
Drugs?
I don't even take Paracetamol....
Sex?
Not really....
I am a shop-a-holic!
Last Sunday I had nothing much to do... So off I went to Sunshine Square... My favourite departmental store. Within an hour, I spent a whooping RM400 on clothes. No discount... Never mind as long I like it, then BUY!
A long sleeves shirt to wear on a not-so-hot day. I wonder when huh? Then an orange shirt since I never own an orange shirt. I just love Mickey... Feels like I'm only 12 years old. I don't wanna grow any older la....
Hehehe.... I'm so happy... Two extra new jeans... Latest design from Mickey and Co. And then another pair of long pants. Just love them very much..
Then again... Now the weather is extremely hot so I think I'll keep those three for some time before I open ceremony wearing them. I'll just wear these for the time being....
Hayoo.... Price of petrol shot up again... All prices also increase. Looks like I have to cut down on my shopping spree... Have to wait until when there's 80% discount... I wonder when will it come? *sniff*.. *sniff*