Happy Anniversary!

Lindy and I celebrated our first anniversary today. I was asked, so how has it been for me?

• I'm contented.
• Happier than I had been.
• I've learnt a lot, in particular patience and trust.
• I'm still spontaneous.
• I view my life differently.
• I'm seriously preparing for a real future.

We kept our celebration simple. Mainly, there's not much places we can go. Also, I can hardly eat anything now, as my heel heals. But she liked it. I enjoyed it.

This is what an anniversary is really about. Reminiscing the experience, celebrating the achievement, being thankful for what we have.

The Histopathology result

Went for a follow up check today. The dressing was changed, and I had an opportunity to see the actual damage to my heel.
(Pics in Flickr http://www.flickr.com/gp/65716454@N00/P87oCi ).

The result:
"The nodule is composed of a basaloid proliferation of cells extending from the overlying squamous epithelium. The cells distend the dermis as columns and broad trabeculae, and the tumour cells are smaller than the squamous cells of the epithelium, from which they originate. Cyst formation is seen focally within these proliferating cells. In areas, the fibrous stroma is richly vascular. There is no evidence of cytological atypia and mitoses are rare. The lesion is incompletely excised."

In English:
A benign skin tumour.

Dinner at Pizza Uno, USJ Taipan

I finally ventured out of the house, ever since discharged from the hospital. Family went to Taipan for dinner at Pizza Uno.

Guess what, I hopped from the car to the restaurant, about 5 shops away. Normally, the walk would had not mattered much to me, being newsstands, lottery shops and a mamak.

Today, it mattered a lot. First, I garnered lots of attention, this "disabled" guy hopping along the corridor, holding a walking staff (Not stick. Too small to support me). Then, everyone gave way, with a most pitying kind of look. Even the guy who was yapping on his mobile interrupted his conversation, to apologise and move away to give me an obstacle-free path.

So this is what being limb-challenged is like.

I arrived at the restaurant, amidst stares from the patron, and the staffs. Maybe it's because I was sweating profusely in the cooling, air-conditioned establishment. Maybe.

Anyway, dinner was good. The pics can be found in the FaceBook link above, and in Flickr.

Cheers!

Recents of Jack Daniel Yee

Hungry Ghost Festival

This is a little chinese origami, to be burnt as offering to mark the end of the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar.

In another word, the closing of Hell's gate, where the free-roaming "brothers and sisters" are to return to, after 30 days of semester break. Buddhists refer to it as Ullambana.

Uniquely, this is an ancestral worship tradition common to Asian, long before the introduction of Christ.

Besides burning offerings of Hell Money and worldly items, food were also offered. Some, to the extend of having dinner with extra seats and utensils set for the dear departed.

A scan of the get-well card that my office team gave me. Thanks girls.

Malaysia International Fireworks Competition 2007

http://www.mifc.com.my/test/mc/index.html

Check out this website. Thanks to Hsin Yee for letting me know.

For the avid photographers out there, grab your cameras - DSLR/Point & Shoot and head over to Putrajaya.

The website even gave some pointers/tips on taking fireworks shots.

Good luck!

Being challenged..

I'm starting to empathise with the people who were born limb-challenged, or at one point of their life, had lost the use of certain limbs.

Waking up this morning, I dreaded getting out of bed. I had to wrap the heel in plastic, avoid putting pressure of the heel, grab my towel, hopped to the bathroom for my shower.

Bathing was a real chore, with one leg propped up high. Pity my other leg, who's gotto support my full body weight (double the work). Finishing, it's another challenge to get out of the wet bathroom.

Changing is the next obstacle. I can't do it sitting, I can't do it standing. Ever tried to change your clothes while hopping around on one foot?

Next comes getting my gear (notebook, bag, phone) and myself down the stairs to the living room. Anyone who saw me would have had a good laugh. There I was, on my butt, notebook bag strapped in front of me, crutch in one hand, and I had to descend one step at a time, on my butt!

Once into the living room, comes the task of getting to the kitchen to prepare breakfast (I get cranky without my morning meal). Tsk.. tsk.. I wanna walk normal again.

As I'm sitting here, the thoughts wander to those who had to live their lifes like this everyday. Perhaps prudence made them choose a better environment, that is, if they could afford to. Who wouldn't want a single storey, disabled-friendly home, with ramps, things within reach and height.

Showering with a stool to sit on, no stairs. My heart goes out all of your.

What's good and bad in the hospital

As the world embarks on the new economy, changes happen to the way people sell. Even hospitals sell, in particular the private ones.

My 2 nights stay at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre had opened by eyes to some very interesting revelations:

• They strive for hospitality. From the moment you enter the lobby, you'll feel as if you had just walked into a five star hotel.
• They treat you very well. The nurses and staffs smile a lot. They speak politely, they are kind. They are also quite attentive.
• They want you to stay as long as possible. Even if you feel fine, they'll insist that you stay on another night. "Stay, and relax". That's what they told me.
• They believe in learning by experience. I had so many student nurses come by to take my blood pressure, body temperature, heart beats. Not that I mind. :)
• They take your feelings seriously. They talk to you a lot, especially when you're enroute to the operation theater. Of course, you'll have to be conscious.
• If it's not an emergency, it can wait. Truly, the ER staffs were working very fast, even if it's to redress a wound.
• Discharge is not a nice thing. That's what I felt, when time comes to discharge. I had to wait from 7.00am to 12.00pm just to get discharged. C'mon, I know it's insurance money, but 5 hours to discharge???

Nonetheless, I'd still recommend SJMC. The professionalism of treating patients are there. The quality of service and food is commendable. The staffs are truly friendly, even at 3am in the morning. Of course, upon emergencies, ya.

Photos from the heel ops

A note of warning. The photographs are not meant for weak stomachs. Click only if you're not squeemish. Consider yourself forewarned.

http://www.flickr.com/gp/65716454@N00/A781j8

Fed, drugged, stabbed, sliced...

Checked into SJMC on Tuesday night. Good thing the pre-admission was done earlier. The insurance Company gave their Guarantee letter, and I was swiftly sent up to my bed, Ward 309-1.

The overnight was a formality, to allow for the insurance claim. Had I were to know the malady that I'm to face in time, I would had asked for a morning admission. More on that.

So I got into bed, with my Stuff and HWM August issues, a headset, plus Astro on TV. Fasting began. Needless to say, I cant sleep.
One, the bed is very uncomfortable, with it's PVC liners.
Two, I got a 2 bedded room and occupied it myself. The solitude is welcome. That is, until the nurse told me, it'll be occupied later tonight. She's expecting patients. :o

8:31pm, Day 1
Had my blood pressure taken. 120/70. I'm a healthy specimen. I watched both episodes of Prince and Me, all the Wah Lai Toi series, and finished my Stuff magazine.

11:30pm
Dozed off a couple of times, knew my eyes are tired, but the mind kept moving. Anxiety?

2:00am
Patient checked in. Young lad blacked out while riding his motorcycle, crashed, boom, bang. The nurse was right. Creepy...

6:05am, Day 2
Another reading taken. 120/80. I'm cool.

7:00am
I'm up, brushed my teeth, changed into the hospital gown (my butt's airy).

9:04am
BP 130/90. I was told the surgery's at 8.30am. Still waiting.

10:30am
The bed/trolley arrived. I'm placed on the bed, blanket over my arms, and wheeled to the Operation Theater on 6th floor.

11:30am
Given local anaesthesia. Darn needle hurts, as Doc poked around my heel.
More waiting.

12:00pm
Dr. Nathan finally arrived, got me under the lights. Darn, the OT is really cold. I'm shivering whilst lying there. I was chatting with the Anaesthesis, and hardly 5 minutes into the conversation, Dr Nathan said done.

12:30pm
Back in my room. Lunch time. Finally, food, after a 12 hours fast.

1:30pm
BP 130/90. I'm expecting to be discharged. But BP's climbing.

2:00pm
Dr Nathan made his rounds. He's not happy with the high BP. Refused to let me go, as he has to take responsibilities for my well being. I'm to stay another night. Bummer...

3:00pm
Dad dropped by. Nice to get a visitor, though I vehemently didn't want any.

5:30pm
Dinner. Steamed rice, curry chicken, steamed vegetables.... the usual healthy stuffs. I want McDonald's!

6.30pm
Dad and Mum came by. They know I'm pissed cos I didn't get discharged. Bored, frustrated, miserable. Oh, and I've not showered since I checked in.

So, I spent the night in the hospital again. Good thing, MayLi, HsinYee, Kum Hon were online. I got to chat with them till 10+, I think.

5:00am, Day 3
BP reading again. It dropped to 120/75. I'm elated.

7:00am
I'm up, raring to go. Cleaned,had breakfast, dressed.

10:30am
Dad arrived. Still no sign of discharge. He went out to the nurse station, and suddenly a flurry of activities. I had my dressings changed (by student nurses, 5 of them). Nice.... ding dong ding dong.

12:00pm
I'm reading to go. Waited an hour, no wheelchair arrived. Yesh, I decided to just go. Dad took the bag, I hopped to lobby.

Guess what, I met Poh Chin and Justin at the lobby. She was at work (PC, you look so sweet in the office attire).

1:00pm
Home sweet home. I showered, grabbed a bite, sat down in front of the notebook and cleared my emails.

2:00pm
Called Dad. Not good. The blood is seeping thru the dressing, and it's dripping on the floor. Dripping, like a faulty faucet. Damn, I'm losing blood fast.

2:30pm
Back to the ER. Blood pressure 160/95. Yeap, that's right. 160/95. I blinked, and blinked.

Dressing was changed, and I'm released with additional rest till the weekend.

DimSum Breakfast

Tony and May Li

Terence and Poh Chin

Hsin Yee and May Chean

Our little breakfast group, at Onn Kee, USJ 21 on Sunday morning recently. In part an excuse for a little getogether, and also to meet Tony, the mysterious lad who won over our little Ms. May Li.

Hey Tony, it's nice to finally meet you. Keep in touch!

Performance Delivery and Industrial Relations

Yeap, that's what I was up to last week.

Stuck 2 days in Palm Garden Resort, IOI to learn about Performance Delivery, and Managing Industrial Relations.

Pretty deep stuff. I'd say Industrial Relation is quite a sensitive subject.

Creepy...

I was driving round an industrial site, seeking a particular factory lot, said to be available for rental. Earlier, the owner had confirmed the lot is being used, but with no signage presently. It's on Road 24.

So I went, driving round and round. There's Road 12, which enters into Road 20, Road 21, Road 22, Road 23. That's the last road.

Hmmm... maybe it's further down Road 12. I went out again, drove down the road, and arrived at Road 31. Strange. What happened to Road 24 to Road 30?

Between Road 23 and Road 31, is a gentle hill, filled with chinese graves! (My hair's standing on end as I write this) This can't be true. It's 11.30am.

I backtracked. Searched again. Nope, Road 23 is the ring road. There's no 24 anywhere. Called the owner again to reconfirm. The phone rang, and rang, and rang. No answer.

That's it. I better scratch this site off the list. Sheesh...

Just..

Sitting in solitude by the window

Church by a Gay

What is happening?

Today's newpaper, and recent times had featured Pastor Oyoung Wen Feng, whom had openly announced his sexual orientation, whilst attempting to lead a flock.

Are we in the right frame of mind to accept or denounce his teachings? I've not heard his sermons. No... but I ask, is he converting the sheep's faith, or converting the sheep's preference?

Is he in actual fact providing an avenue for normal people with a traumatic difference in life from the general others? By normal here, I stress my acceptance of people with an inward preference, not transvestites.

Whilst gay men are no different from the straight, I'll readily swing a punch at any tranvestite/cross dresser who comes near me and growl a greeting in mini skirts.

I had a gay friend. Only, I didn't realise he was that, all thru the 3 years of friendship. I meant, he was a normal, happy guy, with decent manners, and never once did he potray a weakness that rendered him more female than anyone else.

Perhaps it is not right for 2 men to be married, if by marriage, it refers to sex. But for 2 men to cohabitat, assuming roles of parent, while behaving perfectly like men, what's the wrong in that?

Practically, it's more a Malaysian thing too, isn't it? We live in a subservient existence, fighting for all the wrong stuffs, teaming up against all the wrong people. Don't you realize?

Surgery coming up..

I was at SJMC earlier, to see Dr. Nathan, Orthopaedic.
He's confirmed that the growth on my heel is not serious, but agreed to excise it.

So, I'll be checking in end of this month, and it'll be gone overnight. nothing really too serious.
On the plus side, I'll be rid of this for good. I'm hoping this will be the only time I'm getting operated upon.

The Makan-Makan Fiesta @ Holiday Villa

Was back in Subang tonight for the Makan-Makan Fiesta @ Holiday Villa. At RM46++ per head, we get a buffet-styled dinner, at all five eateries in the Club.

The rule, simple. You can enter each restaurant only once, and if the tables are full, they reserved the right to turn you away to another restaurant, or you can queue outside, or stand and eat.

The unfortunate part, each restaurant's left to their own preparations and organising.

The Inn of Four Seasons was our first stop. They served good food, mixture of Chinese cooking and DimSum. Staffs were helpful, food plentiful and restocked often.

The Cibo featured pasta, beef, lamb. No cheese! Again, staffs were helpful, but the dishes didn't come up to mark.

Seki Tei Japanese restaurant fared the worst tonight. By the time we got into the restaurant, the buffet table's empty. The sashimi counter's manned by one miserable chap who's trying to serve cold cuts, temakis and fending off offensive guests for not getting food to eat. The teppanyaki's nothing to shout about. But hey! Anybody there? The buffet table's empty!

We had to grab food while waiting in line for a table. Imaging eating tempura while on your feet. That's my sister, cousin and mum.

Palm Terrace Coffee House cum Coriander Garden had the best selection. Perhaps due to their experienced team of buffet servers. The Captain got us tables quickly enough and the food is constantly restocked. They even had time to serve us water, utensils, and coffee individually, whereas the rest of the restaurants expect you to collect them from the buffet table. Unfortunately, the oysters not fresh enough.

Father's had his quota of meat for the week... :)

All in all, it's RM46++ moderately spent. It's not often you get access to various cuisine for that price, but it's definitely not cuisine of any standards I know.

It's Mine!

Yes! I've got it! The Canon Ixus 850 is now mine! (Sounds like an excerpt of what Voldemort would say..)

I bought my Canon Ixus 850 from the PC Fair in KL Convention Centre today.

The package:

Main unit, with 16Mb SD Card - RM1,270.00
Ixus leather case
30" Umbrella
Screen Protector
Metal Neck Strap (1')
1Gb SD Card (Upgraded to 2Gb with additional RM30.00)

All in all, I'd say I got ao good bargain. The list price is still RM1,499.00, and still not dropping. Can't say if it'll remain so after August.

Time to go charge up the battery and explore the camera.

Bhut Jolokia

This was featured in The Star, 1st August 2007, Page 38, World Section.

The Chilli Pepper is known as Bhut Jolokia, translated as the "ghost chilli" in the Indian tongue.

I quote the daily: "Anyone who has tried it, they say, could end up an apparition."

It has more than 1,000,000 Scoville units (the scientific measurement of a chilli's spiciness), and is officially in the Guiness World Records.

Across northeast India, various names are used, including "poison chilli", "king of chillis", "Naga chilli".

I've found a Scoville rating, on the types of chilli level that we've been taking. From the looks of it, if you're a person who starts gulping glasses of water when you take Tabasco, the Bhut Jolokia will definitely make a ghost of you. Hah!

Missing...

I know, I've been missing for awhile. That's the problem when I don't go back to Subang. Internet access is not readily available like I want it.

Celebrated Lindy's birthday last Sunday. It's her 26th. We went to a place called Raffles - nice menu, nice ambience, pathetic food.

The Lamb Chop's dry and hard. Seafood Platter is a plate of fried flour, small portion of seafood (and it's not fresh!). The Spaghetti Bolognaise is nothing to shout about. The merlot's weak. A disaster, but the best Melaka could offer in ambience I think. Sigh, I miss KL.

But she enjoyed the evening. It's something different. Besides, the Titus watch more than made up for it. She wanted it badly...

I've sent in another application. This time to a niche market player. Hopefully, it's good news. They were foreign managed, foreign owned, and earns foreign income. Best part, it's in Glenmarie... beauty.

Time to go home...

Interesting facts - Forwarded mails

Who wants to try these out and reply?

1. Chewing on gum while cutting onions can help a person stop producing tears.
2. Until babies are 6 months old, they can breathe and swallow at the same time.
3. Offered a new pen to write with, 97% of all people will write their own name.
4. Males mosquitoes are vegetarian. Only females bite.
5. The average person's field of vision encompasses a 200 degree wide angle.
6. To find out if a watermelon is ripe, knock it, and if it sounds hollow then it is ripe.
7. Babies' eyes do not produce tears until the baby is approximately six to eight weeks old.
8. It snowed in the Sahara Desert in February 1979.
9. Plants watered with warm water grow larger and more quickly than plants watered with cold water.
10. Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.
11. Grapes explode when you put them in the microwave.
12. The stars and colours you see when you rub your eyes are called phosphenes.
13. Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
14. Everyone's tongue print is different, like fingerprints.
15. Contrary to popular believe, a swallowed chewing gum doesn't stay in the gut. It will pass through the system and excreted.
16. At 40 centigrade, a person losses about 14.4 calories per hour by breathing.
17. There is a hotel in Sweden build entirely out of ice; it is rebuilt every year.
18. Cats, camels and giraffes are the only animals in the world that walk right foot, right foot, left foot, left foot, rather than right foot, left foot.
19. Onions help reduce cholesterol if eaten after a fatty meal.
20. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting.

Learn anything new? Read it with a pinch of salt. Do let me know if you were to test any of the theories above.

Frozen Throne marathon

I was hammering away on the DOTA Allstars Map, 6.3 AI+, on Sunday. One thing for certain, when it says AI+, it meant fight one-on-one-or-get-ur-arse-whupped! Cheng and I attempted to fight 4 Insane heroes. The outcome: We're insane.

Till now, I've yet to really find a Hero that I'm fully comfortable with. Each with their strengths, and much weaknesses too... guess it reflects the perfectionist in me... hehe..

But seriously, I think I demand a lot. From people that I interact with, from people that I employ, from people I cared about. Maybe that's why I get upset easily. Can't expect people to be of the same make and mould as I, can I? Am I speaking with an ego here?

No. I can't say I have one entirely too large for me. But yes, I do demand a lot. The good thing is, I've excluded the demands from a certain gene-pool. Spare them the expectations, and myself the heartache. Sacrificing for a Nation's growth... I'd do it too, for the land itself.

Inspiring Website, TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

I found an interesting website, much thanks to the idiot box link.
The site's called TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

Check it out. I saw an interesting video on Hydrogen powered vehicle, and the use of Hydrogen as a source of heat to cut.

Besides, you'll find other videos on various topics, ranging on technology, design, business, science, global issues, culture...

Wet wet Saturday..

Ahh.. another beautiful Saturday. Enough of warm weather, the torrential rain certainly did a really good job of cooling the air.

True, road's wet. Traffic's lousy. Parking's in the rain. But hey, it's nothing compared to a peaceful afternoon at Starbucks, in 1U, eh?

Lindy's gone shopping.. again. Oh well, better her than me at that. The raspberry frappe tea is good. Refreshing, not too sweet, a right tinge of berry to make it slightly sourish.. yummy.

So what's on the news today?
I heard that they caught the suspected robbers/rapists in the Johor case. Good news that.

Oh yeah, Chayo's new family member is home. I'll leave the introduction to him. But anyhow, here's a pic of the cute fella.

Not named yet. Any suggestions? Drop a note to Lvin's blog.

I'm looking at a young lass reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Seems she's about 1/10 thru. Wonder what's the outcome like? Can't wait to get hold of my copy later. Sigh, if only Jo will hurry up over with the receipt.

Odd, my hours online is certainly high enough for an average Joe, and yet I can't seem to catch anyone online. Must be a Saturday thing. Wonder where's everyone...

Another news on The Star Online. The couple who killed little Shearwey had been officially charged with murder. Bout time. What drives a person to kill an innocent child anyway? What did she do wrong to deserve such punishment? Couldn't there be other solutions to whatever it is they were dealing with?

Ah, forget the news. Too much sad stories...

Build up to Harry Potter's future

This is it!

After a long long wait, we'll finally get to know the end of Harry Potter (not his end. I was refering to the series).

Who's going to die?

Harry?

Ronald?

Lupin?

Hagrid?

Hermione?

The questions had been well debated. I've enjoyed the read on Beyond Hogwarts. Amazing theories... really.

Let's find out.

First hand encounter of Ambulance in action

I witnessed this yesterday evening. A case of our Ambulance in action, as well as well-meaning passersby, who stopped to crowd round the accident victim, depriving him of much-needed air supply.

Strangely, the accident was pretty minor in nature. The traffic backlog, was major. Much thanks to the helpful observers. Hope y'all strike the 3D like you hope!

25th Anniversary Coin

Commemorative coins, minted for the 25th Anniversary Independance of Malaysia. Face plate shows 1st Premier, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra declaring the Independance of Malaysia.

Wonder if we'll see a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin?

Mum's Surgery

Mum's minor surgery, to remove a lump from the underside of her thigh. Pictured above the before and after.

Doctor assured that the lump's not malignant, and nothing to be concerned about. Guess I can breathe a little easier, since I've got one too on my heel.

Green Earth!

Phew, the weather tonight really signifies an urgent need for us to start healing Mother Earth. The air's so stuffy, there's hardly any movements of air, let alone breeze of any kind. Needless to say, everyone's now nicely tucked in bed, in a air conditioned room. Which means every household is now releasing pockets of heated air into the atmosphere.

Mother Earth needs help. She needs to be cooled, as much as we do. Her icecaps are disappearing one by one, her sweats are pooling faster and faster each day, she's feeling all hot, stuffy and sweaty now. Like us, she longs for the day when she could bathe in cool icy water, and washes away all the dirt, grime, soot, trash and creepy crawly humans... guess what happens to us then?

Are we going to let her hit the Reset button? Are we going to let civilisation end, or like many of the futuristic movies, we mechanize Mother Earth to sustain more life, at the cost of hers?

Is our future made up of bright sunshine, lush green rolling hills, dews on leaves, birds chirping?

Or is it a dusty landscape, of cracked columns of dried mud, land so heated that it seems to sway in the distance, and piles, and piles, and piles of sun-scorched bones?

I don't want to live that long to witness that day. I want this to last. I'm doing my bit to help her. Smart waste disposal, less energy consumed, smile more, hate less...

What about you?

Happy Birthday, Sam

Hey friend.

5 whole years have passed us by, leaving us only sporadic glimpses into each other's lives. I've not celebrated your birthday with you these past years, knowing that we'll not meet in many ways.

Nonetheless, I still remember.

Happy Birthday to you.
May this day bring you more charms, joys, and wishes come true.
May you move forward fast and far, bringing you closer to your dreams.

Best wishes, from a friend.

Hospitals are so depressing..

I was visitting a friend at a hospital today. That place really depressed me. I was there for a short hour, and I've seen enough of patients shuffling around the ward, nurses scrambling around, rascal kiddies treating the wards like a playground... You get the picture.

This place is really depressing.

I'd say of the 12 storeys built up, you'll find one dedicated to births, and the rest in deaths.

Plus, a whole parking lot of Mercedes, BMWs (I saw a 6 Series there!), SUVs, Camrys...

And a 15 minutes ops plus observation will hit your pockets by almost RM1k! And it's not even overnight. And all they serve is a plain styrofoam cup of bland Milo.

This place is so depressing.

Gosh, next time wanna die, die elsewhere la.

Entering a hospital, it's like entering the living room of the Grim Reaper (or the Income Tax office, ready to squeeze every last cent out of the people there). All will to live goes out the window.

Local Fruit

This is a local fruit, known by different names. It’s mostly available only during the Durian season.
In the local dialect, it’s called Buah Binjai, or Buah Kemang. In the Hokkien dialect, it’s pronounced as “GuLamPa” (in reference to a bull’s bodypart).
The smaller fruit on the left is the sour variant, while the longer fruit is sweet.

One key identifier of this fruit is it’s pungent fragrant, much stronger than Durians, or Quini (variant of mango). Most of the time, people steer far away from it, as the scent could be quite overpowering. Needless to say, a delicacy that appeals to a niche group.

Baby Seafood Restaurant, Klang

Steamed fish on charcoal heated steel plate, Thai-Style

Bowl of Spicy Tom Yam soup, to be added to the fish dish continuously

Pandan leaf-wrapped chicken, Lemon Grass spice

Mantis prawn, fried in oats

Beef stock Pork Ribs (Marmite)

This restaurant is located along a main road, leading towards West Port, Klang. It can be reached by taking the PLUS Highway, exit at Bukit Raja, and enter the next toll booth towards West Port. Restaurant is located on left side of road, couple of doors away from a 7-11 Convenience Store.

Best landmark is the Batu Belah National School.

The chefs are Chinese of Thai origin, hence the unique chinese cooking style that orients towards Thai.

Dish on every table, the Fish on Charcoal Heated Steel Plate.
Mind you, they place a pot of burning coals on your table, with the partially cooked fish on a steel plate above. You keep adding the soup/stock, the fish keeps cooking, while you savour the spicy soup.

Invitation to participate in the Starbucks Azuki Contest

Thank you to Terence for the invite.

Happy Father's Day!

Daddy, Happy Father's Day to you.

We know celebrating means good food, good drinks.

Cheers!

The dishes that we had:

1. Pot of steamed seafood.
2. Stock from steamed seafood mixed with vegetables
3. Soft white tofu with eggs (simple, but really yummy)
4. Roasted milk lamb ribs
5. Braised Pork
6. Salt-baked Talapia

Office Security

Meet my new Office Security Guard.

Currently unnamed, since I've yet to figure out how to determine the gender. Anyway, poor fella's definitely lonely, as the partner floated this morning, and was flushed to the nearest sewage tank.

Condolences...

My sincere condolences, for the passing on of Collie, a very good natured friend and companion. He's had a good, fulfilling life; sheltered, loved, cared, fed...

It's unfortunate that he moved on due to Kidney Failure. That's a lesson learnt. Cut down on those KFCs!

Aaargh!

I really really am fed up with these people. What's wrong with a little pro-activeness? What's wrong with putting in efforts to go FIND OUT things that they are unsure of?

Does "I DON'T KNOW" mean I do not need to do anything about it?

Am I to spoon feed every single darn thing to them for work to get done? What're they here for then???

I know, I know, with great powers, comes great responsibility. Shit! I'm a Branch Manager, not Spiderman!

Sheesh.... what a lousy morning.

Breakfast at Starbucks...

Ahhh... a truly nice Sunday, all the time to myself, to rant, to rave, to while away without a care... almost.

Family's all out of town. JD's peacefully asleep, keeping a half open eye on the house. Lindy's lazing away at her mom's. All business taken care off.... finally, time to myself.


Now, what the topic of the day? I've just gotten myself a new pair of Hush Puppies with the $100 voucher I redeemed from my Citibank Card (got rid of the card too....). A shoe a year, that's not too bad. B'sides, it's more of a rare thing for me, to shop for clothes. (Come to think of it, that's quite a nerd in me...)

It's interesting to sit here and observe the crowd. By here, I meant Starbucks, Sunway. I like their name. It's dollars and stars. Sure attracts the right crowd. Oddly, at 11.00am, the patrons here are mostly families having a late breakfast, or individuals online, doing goodness knows what.

Crowd starts piling in.


Today's special, Azuki Frappucino. What's Azuki anyway? Sure sounds like an odd name for coffee beans.

Omigosh... 'cording to Wikipedia, Azuki (aka Adzuki or 小豆) is indeed a form of coffee bean common to East Asia and Himalaya. Azuki is a translation of the native Japanese name, meaning "small bean".

Duh! That's creative...


Anyone seen Pirates? I did.

Not too bad, though nothing impressive to make it memorable too. Perhaps the boxoffice was an influence of Kiera Knightley, Johnny Depp, and Chow Yun Fatt.


I was chatting with KH last night; topic veered to SLR cameras. I've had quite a few friends who uses a SLR to satisfy their creative needs, myself included. The difference, I grew up with a film unit, by Pentax. It was my dad's, and I believe it's referred to as the K series.

Seriously, anyone opting for a SLR, be it digital or otherwise, ought to consider carefully the uses and requirements first. Whilst there's no doubt that the unit carries a considerable optic range, good macro capabilities... there's also the all-time question of how much of the features are used by the casual photographer?

How many can truly say they experimented with the use of aperture and shutter speed? Do you know there's some very unique picture effects that can be achieved by manipulating these features? Try it. You'll realise a SLR can do wonders, which a compact can't. But You gotta learn to use it.

Me, I'm going back to basics. Thus you'll notice my intentions and research on the Canon Ixus series. Perhaps, when the day arrives that I do travel freely, freely as in clothes on my back, camera in my hand, I'll relook at a SLR.