Redang Island - Part 1

White sandy beaches, crystal clear blue sea, brilliant underwater world... that abound with marvelous marine fishes, turtles and coral reefs that ensure great snorkelling and scuba-diving.

Sounds cool! And that's Redang Island, one of the islands located off Kuala Trengganu Malaysia.

Redang archipelago comprises 9 islands (Lima Island, Paku Besar Island, Paku Kecil Island, Kerengga Besar Island, Kerengga Kecil Island, Ekor Tebu Island, Ling Island, Pinang Island and the main Redang Island)

This is going to be my next holiday destination and it's happening soon! Yes! I'm looking forward to the nice beach view, white sand, sea breeze, marine fishes, corals but not the hot sun though. Sorry Mr Sunny.

I've heard so much of this place, since 1989! Yes, I'm finally going to pay this place a visit. After 20 years!

The 5th day of the 5th month in the Chinese calendar is...

I didn't realize that today is The Dumpling Festival until someone mentioned about dumplings!

Yes, wow! How time flies. Blink your eyes and time just pass you by? One of the reasons you shouldn't blink your eyes so much, if you do not want to grow old so soon?

Well anyway I will try to get some dumplings today if possible. The best dumpling I heard is in Jalan Pudu but I'm not sure which part. There's one good one in Petaling Street KL, a stall mend by an auntie somewhere along Hong Leong Bank. So many types of dumplings, cantonese, hokkien, hakka, hainan, teochew, small, medium, big and the super big! So spoilt for choice!

But I still think that my grandma make the best dumpling in the world! Too bad she's cross over to the other world, now my grandpa should get to savour her speciality. Lucky him!

And for those who celebrate this festival, Happy Dumpling Festival! Enjoy your dumplings!

Malaysia Got Talent!

Zee Avi formerly known as Koko Kaina.

Many might not know her yet but she is one talented girl that I got to know recently. And why do I feature her here? Because...she's a Malaysian!

Born in Miri, moved to KL, gone to London and now in US. This girl is a songwriter, guitarist and singer. Talented? You bet! The rest of her story, I took it from wikipedia. Read on...

Avi originally posted a video of her first song on YouTube because one of her friends had missed her first performance in Kuala Lumpur, so she created a video on YouTube for him to watch. He convinced Avi to leave the video up, and soon she received positive feedback, which inspired her to put more videos on YouTube. After she was featured YouTube, she attracted the attention of Brushfire Records, with which she would join. Her song "No Christmas For Me" is featured on Brushfire Records's 2008 Christmas album This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday. Her single "Bitter Heart" was first to become available on the US iTunes store, and her full self-titled debut album was released on May 19, 2009. On the day of her album's release, YouTube featured her on the front page in Spotlight: Music Tuesday. She is currently touring the United States.



Want more? Click here.

I think she's really talented and I hope that she'll make it in this not so kind entertainment world! Even if she doesn't, I hope she'll enjoy what she likes and just make the best out of it.

This is what I called "Malaysia Got Talent"!

Yes! It's Kris!

Kris vs Adam

Yes! It's Kris Allen! The winner of the 2009 American Idol.

Wooo...isn't he awesome! Handsome, talented, young, famous (now)...this world is so unfair!
But what the heck, he deserves it! Congratulations! Stay cool!

Adam, is great too! In fact all the contestants who made it through the audition are great! Well done!

How to avoid Swine Flu?

Swine flu is spreading at an alarming rate? Don't take it lightly? This is WHO's warning to us.

I guessed this is something that's bound to happen when human is the transmitter of the disease! One way to contain this virus would be to stop all human from traveling for a period of time which I think is impossible! Or develop a cure? Or come up with a vaccine quick!

While waiting for any of the above to happen, we must as well try to stay healthy, build up our immune system and hope that we don't meet any of the transmitters.

Meanwhile here is something to lighten you up a bit, I hope?

To avoid it...
Eat right!

Make sure you get your daily dose of fruit and veggies.



Take your vitamins and bump up your vitamin C.



Get plenty of exercise because it builds your immune system.



Walk for at least an hour a day,

go for a swim,


take the stairs instead of the lift, etc.


Wash your hands often.
If you can't, keep a bottle of antibacterial stuff around.


Get lots of fresh air.
Open doors & windows whenever possible.



Try to eliminate as much stress from your life as you can.



Get plenty of rest.

OR

Take the doctor's approach.
Think about it...
When you go for a flu jab, what do they do first?

They clean your arm with alcohol...

Why?

Because Alcohol KILLS GERMS.
So...


I walk to the pub. (exercise)

I put lime in my vodka...(fruit)

Celery in my Bloody Mary (veggies)

Drink outdoors on the patio..(fresh air)

Tell rude jokes and laugh.....(eliminate stress)

Then I pass out. (rest)


The way I see it...


If you keep your alcohol levels up,
flu germs can't get you!

As my grandmother always said,
'A shot in the glass
is better than one in the arse!'

Live Well -
Laugh Often -
Love Much!

(source : unknown but I got this email from my friend, Derek.)

Is there chicken in chicken biscuits?

Is there chicken in chicken biscuits? Or pork in chee cheong fun?

There's no Jalan Ipoh in Ipoh, Jalan Kampar is in KL? And Old Klang Road is not in Klang?

Okay, what has all these got to do with what I'm about to tell you? Because today I made Cordon Bleu Chicken. And it does not have Cordon Bleu in it!

The main ingredients for this dish is chicken meat, ham and cheese. NO Cordon Bleu Cognac brandy! Wonder why? So I google as usual and I found out this could be the reason.

The word 'Cordon Bleu' is a French term, literally translated as 'blue ribbon', that originally referred to an award for culinary excellence given to women cooks! The term can now apply to any superior cook (yes, men too), and also to this dish (chicken, ham and Swiss cheese slices, breaded and sauteed). This yummy version adds paprika and a creamy white wine sauce worthy of its own blue ribbon. Two blue ribbon tastes in wedded bliss -- Chicken Cordon Bleu II!"

Got it? Oh well, who cares? All I want is to finish off the left over cheese in my fridge before they expire. It took my 2 hours and the result is....

Free Lunch?

Have anyone told you this before? "There's no such thing as free lunch?"
Well, who say so? Someone bought me lunch!

Okay, I had lunch with two of the nicest people I know. Two gentlemen whom I've known for ages. Yes, since I was in my teens! Decades ago!

No, no, they are not my uncles! They were my bosses. Yes, how cool - to have a meal with your ex-bosses together. We were working in....? Guess? Canon of course!
It has been quite a while since we lost touch. Thanks to the smart invention of computer and internet service that we finally found each other again.

We ate at this place called Goon Wah, located somewhere off Jalan Kuchai Lama. Famous for their XO fish head noodle, stir-fry loh su fan, braised pork with yam and some others which I cannot remember. (If you want to know their exact location, call me. I can take you there?)

What a sumptuous, simple yet extraordinary meal! We had the 3 dishes above and we cannot even finish it! What a waste! Sorry I didn't take a photo this time, maybe the next time? If there is one? More to come I hope?

Thanks Andrew, thanks Stanley! Can we do this more often? I know I'm being greedy but who doesn't want....free lunch?

Too tired...

I'm just too tired to think of what's going to become of Perak.

What's going on there? Situation changes again and again and again.... Why don't the Sultan just dissolve the state government and run an election? Let the people make the decision? Isn't this what democratic is all about?

Don't think it's wise to waste so much time and energy on all these squabbles. Waiting for the court's decision? Your people had waited long enough. From one court to another? Everything is so uncertain, everyone is so confuse.

I think all MPs are using their time and energy trying to run over their oppositions! Nothing else better to do? Your people are suffering now, why not use all your time and energy to put an end to your people's sufferings? Since the March election last year, what have you done for your people? Please stop arguing and start working!

And please do not try comparing yourself with people like Gandhi, Mandela, King, etc. You are not them, you will never be! If you want to be like them, do something! For your people! Don't just say it! Do it!

Sigh...let's put an end to all these once and for all! When????

I love you!

Perak, the state where I was born.

.

My hometown, where I took my first step, my first word,
my first school, my first friend,
my first bowl of ngah choy kai rice!

I love you, Perak.

Look what happened to you now.

Your name, tarnished. By those whom you trusted.
I'm sadden.

Your ground soiled. By those whom you provide shelter to.
I'm hurt.

Your people betrayed. By those who said one but did two?
I'm confused.

Rules not followed, laws not upheld,
unspoken words, unexpressed feelings?

The government - the people? The Sultan - the Raja Muda?
State government - Federal government?
Zambry - Nizar?
Siva - Ganes?
BN - PKR?

Now what?

I'm more confused.

Is this a dream or a nightmare?

Wake up? Soon?

I still love you!

Perak!