Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Nice Chicken Rice, Chicken Hor Fun & Prawn Wanton.


Located somewhere at Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, (sorry mate, I am not familiar with the roads there, not able to provide exact location) this little shop called "Restoran Kar Heong" sells nice Ipoh Chicken Hor Fun and rice. I find them better than those found at PJ Section 10, Jalan Gasing.

Their pricing is good and friendly to the pocket, and the place is pleasant with acceptable cleanliness. Their staffing seems ok too, fairly helpful & friendly. Oh yes, you must try their Prawn Wanton too, another not to miss item at this shop.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Chicken Nuggets - McD vs KFC

I have been arguing with a friend on which Chicken Nuggets taste better, the ones from McD or the ones from KFC. I personally find the McD nuggets much better than the KFCs, also the McD comes with special sauces to go with it such as the BBQ sauce or the Sweet and Sour Sauce. More value for money.

Also McD nuggets comes in packages of 6pcs & 9pcs, whereas KFC comes in packages of 6pcs and 12 pcs (i think); So, this makes the McD more flexible in terms of combination into a certain number of pcs. The KFC 6 and 12 basically gives you combinations in multiples of 6 only, but McD would have more combinations using 6 & 9.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Shopping for a Confinement Lady

Shopping for a confinement lady is no easy tasks and my recent experience was a nightmare as these confinement ladies are really difficult to deal with.

Some expected us to confirm their service immediately via phone without even meeting them. Some asked us for a deposit before they are willing to meet up for an interview. Some will tell you that there is no point to have interview as it does not guarantee anything. And some during interview start to tell you what they are not willing to do and what is not covered in their service. And some even dare to ask for additional 2 x Ang Pow, one on the first day of work and 2nd when they complete their service. There were some who even specify how much they wanted in the Ang Pows. Some even demanded that they want to be in a personal room with a proper bed. But when asked about what they will be cooking for my wife, they just say “as usual lor” “normal lor” & “I don’t know how to say lor”. Some even come to interview with dirty fingernails.

I think they are destroying their own market because of their not so impressive attitude, no wonder there are now companies providing such confinement ladies where customer may opt to change them if they are not satisfied. Also, they are providing confinement houses where the mothers may live in, full service provided by a number of confinement ladies and caretakers. I trust this business has a bright future but they have to guarantee outstanding, quality & satisfactory service. They need to provide proper training on procedures for all their confinement ladies to follow.

These companies should start to employed foreign workers and provide good training to them on how to be a confinement lady. These foreign workers are normally young and more energetic, and therefore can do more than most of our local confinement ladies. WIth good training and reward package, I believe these foreign confinement ladies will do a better job than the local ones. Really, if our local confinement ladies continue to carry on with such attitude, I trust one day the market demand for them will become zero. Couples will opt for these new, younger, more energetic foreign confinement ladies.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Medical insurance above 70

The local medical benefits and insurance sucks big time. Most of the medical related insurances do not cover when a person is above 70 years old. As we do not have good public medical coverage provided by the country, we therefore rely on these private insurances. But their packages are really not impressive at all, simply put, they really SUCKS!

The Bank Negara BNM should really do something about this, set a regulation on these insurance companies to provide medical insurance that must cover until at least the age of 100.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Beach @ Kuantan - Teluk Chempedak


Just a few km away from Kuantan town/city (last I heard, Kuantan is in progress of getting their City status), you will find the Teluk Chempedak beach. Hyatt Hotel Kuantan is located here, fairly nice Hotel with an "OK" beach. Not bad for a quiet weekend off, spent at the beach.

The hotel rent is on the higher side but its worth it, with acceptable service, cleanliness and ambience. Nearby along the beach you can find arts and crafts shops, local restaurants, McD and KFC too. You can also go for the local massages and foot reflexology.

At the beach, you can get seasports such as water scooters, canoeing, windsufing, beach volleyball etc (but i think it is only on certain season of the year). There are swimming pools located along the beach at the hotel. Well, its not a real good place for seasports activities but hey theres a pub/disco at the Hotel. Another attraction is just outside the Hotel at the forest/jungle opposite the hotel where you will see lotsa monkeys at certain hours of the day. If you are thinking of feeding them food, my advice is don't, as they would rush at you and even possibly attack.

Another popular attraction is the Curry Laksa served at a shop near the Hotel. I think the shop is called "Hoi Yin". It is packed during the weekends, so be there early or be prepared to line up while you wait for seats.

Have fun there... nice place to just sit back, relax and enjoy a laid back lifestyle. Enjoy a book at the beach, or take a nice nap at the beach, you won't regret it. Or even get a broadband there and start blogging there! its cool.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Get your dates right!


Ever wonder where you can go to find a suitable date and time for your wedding, or baby’s preferred birth date & time; Or you are looking for a good date to do opening ceremony of your new business or a need a date to run a house warming party; Or on even bigger events such as start date for the construction of buildings and/or renovation works; all these requires proper planning and proper consultation to the respective masters in the selection of time and dates in order to have a good start or a smooth going in all matters. Well, I trust majority of the Chinese believes and follow such practices to certain extent.

But where do we go to when we need such consultations? Well, I came upon this Loh Tat Pit (Loh’s Iron Pen) that provides such services and they are packed full with customers when I was there. I had to wait 2 hours for my turn. Founded more than half a century ago, they are located at No 63-D, 1st Floor, Jalan Sultan 50000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2070-0917 and they are opened everyday except Fridays. Business hours: Mon-Thurs, Sat = 9am – 4pm, Sun = 9am – 12pm. They only have one premise, so do not be fooled if there are other premises that claim they are Loh Tat Pit. (It was written in their business card as so, and it seems like there are copycats around)

Some of the stuff you need to know before you visit them would be the birthdate, birthtime and name of the involved people/person for the consultation.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Fish Therapy

Ever wonder what fish therapy is suppose to be for? Well, it claims to be beneficial to the following:


  • Can completely get rid of skin smear and aging cortex
  • Can make your pores unobstructed to promote better blood circulation
  • To protect and beautify skin and clean skin-trash on body
  • To amuse people
  • To treat skin-illnesses and skin-scars
  • To release fatigue

Well, at least that's what such service providers claim to be capable of doing. I've tried it once and I find it unhygienic, and not to mention disgusting. Seriously, how would we know whose feet the fishes have been sucking on prior to your own? The previous customer could have some kind of skin disease or even dirty legs are enough to make us sick!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Home function? Looking for Caterer?

Not too long ago, I organized a function at my home and I rented canopy tent with tables and chairs for my guest. The RM300 package comes standard with 1 Canopy tent with 5 x 10 pax tables with 50 chairs. So, as I negotiated further they were willing to give me extra 10 chairs but no extra tables. Then, I made them an offer to take up the Canopy skirting option that would cost me extra RM200 (very expensive), but with the condition that they would give me extra 1 table with 10 more chairs. So by right, I should be getting total of 6 tables with 70 chairs.


On the day of installation, that was exactly what I got but the difference was they gave me 6 x 8 pax tables!!!!! which turn out to be 6 x 8 = 48 tabled seating! now this is bad, without the free 6th table, I would have gotten 5 x 10 = 50 tabled seating! (2 less). After checking out with the vendor, they said the canopy tent cannot fit 6 units of 10 pax tables. So after much argument, they finally settled @ giving me a few extra 4 pax square tables for free.

So be very careful when dealing with such vendors! But nonetheless, their service was good and their canopy was very nice and presentable. The tent skirting turned out to be worth it coz it make the whole place so much nicer!

In case, you may be looking for renting tables, chairs and canopy, heres their contact:
The Best Rental Service Sdn Bhd
No 37, Jalan 1/154,
Taman Bukit Anggerik Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur.
Mr Raymong Chun
0177374088
raymond@thebest.com.my
http://thebest.com.my

And yes, the food caterer for my function was damn good too! Lots of my guests that night took their contact for their own future home functions! They cook the food on site (at the roadside with their own equipments) an hour before the function starts; so the food is real fresh from the Wok! So heres the caterer contact:
Syarikat Lian Hong
26, Jalan Bunga Tanjung 9,
Taman Muda, Cheras,
56100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-4291-1953
Mrs Tan
0163121313

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Garouper and Seafood Fiesta!

Love to eat seafood and in particular the Garouper fish? I frequent this seafood restaurant in Section 13, Petaling Jaya in the state of Selangor called Cafe & Rest. Fresh Unique Seafood 23.

I go there for their fresh live swimming garouper fish (all kinds available including sea garouper, red garouper, loh-shu pan etc.) At times they have the "Loong-Tan" Fish too, Live! (I think its called Estuary Garouper). And of course, the best way to serve the fresh fish is STEAMed!

Now, apart from fish they have all kinds of seafood ranging from various types of live prawns and lobsters, crabs and shell fishes. Some I have never heard of! And they claim to serve Pork-Free food there.

Heres the address: Lot 9B-3, Jalan Kemajuan, Section 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya. Tel: 0307960-2088. Car Jockey service provided. Business hours: Mon - Sat -11.45am -2.30pm, 5.30pm - 10.30pm. Sun and Public Holidays: 10.00am - 3.00pm, 5.30pm - 10.30pm

The restaurant regularly provides special Set Menu for Lunch and Set Menu for Dinner.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

A revisit to a Siamese Buddhist Temple


I am a follower of the Buddhist Teaching and my desire for this teaching came during my time spent at this particular Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple located along Jalan Gasing, PJ, Selangor. I remember, there was this time in my life where I spent lots of afternoon and evening relaxing, resting and eventually meditating at the garden areas of this temple. I found peace, and I find it most mentally refreshing and mentally energizing.

I revisited this temple recently as I have not been there for quite some time (as I now normally visit another temple.) And the magic of the place for me is still present. It is ever so calm and nice. I am not preaching the teachings of Buddha here, just sharing a nice place that I have been to.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Lunch and Happy Hours at the Champs!


Heres a Bistro at Centre Point, Petaling Jaya, that serves some good local and western food. They are famous for their Prawn Mee (Har Mee @ Rm20.90), Ipoh Sar Hor Fun and also their Chicken Rice is nice. They have set lunch served from 12noon to 3pm. And after your meal, you can have some good alcoholic refreshment including beer, wine and even liquor.



CHAMPS's PLACE
Lot F10, Centre Point,
Lebuh Bandar Utama,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 603-772-5800
Fax: 603-7722-2808

Friday, April 16, 2010

Sua Teng Kia Lo Lai = Walked here from Hill Top

I was at this cafe in Kuantan recently and witnessed a situation between the cafe staff and this customer who brought in outside food and drinks. There were sign on the door that says no outside food and drinks allowed but yet the customer insist to have the outside food and drinks there, claiming that he is a customer there and that he did order other food and drinks there too. The staff explained that as it was a Halal certified cafe, they cannot allow any outside unverified food in the cafe, as it was against the Halal certification as well as the cafe's policy. I was not sure what actually happened in the end but the staff there was forced to serve this customer as they were not able to stop him.

I really think the customer was too much and failed to understand the risk and problem that the staff and the management of the cafe may get into. There are regulations where cafe and restaurant needs to adhere to but with such "Sua Teng" customers around, it will be difficult for the restaurant to maintain their premises within the approved standards. Just because they are spending money at the premise does not make them King at the premise.

If I was the owner, I would have kick this customer out of the premise,but then again that is bad for business. Or report him to the police for not adhering to the premise rules and regulations? will the police respond to such reports? or report to Jakim? but will Jakim send officers to stop such customers?

Shame on all these customers, lack of discipline, uncivilized and ill-mannered. kampung mari punya!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Monday, April 12, 2010

Good Foot Reflexology @ Batu Pahat

Looking for a good massage or foot reflexology therapy in Batu Pahat, Johor? Heres the one for you:

GQ Foot Reflexology Sdn Bhd
63, Jalan Setia Jaya Utama,
Taman Setia Jaya,
83000 Batu Pahat,
Johor.
Tel: 607-438-9889

Some of the services available as follow: Foot Reflexology, Cupping, Ear Candle, Foot Spa, Body Massage, Scrapping…

Business Hours: Mon- Fri (11 am – 10pm), Sat & Sun (10am – 10pm)

3 Little Tigers

Sunday, April 11, 2010

PAGE Malaysia!

Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) @ http://www.pagemalaysia.blogspot.com/

If you - Support the Policy of Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics in English, then support this PAGE!

Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE)

Faxing in Colour?

I recently received a fax and in it there was a sentence that says “The words in BLUE are the changes made on ...……” hmmm…. That really got me wondering if there are newer fax technologies in the market that faxes & prints in colour? (as my fax machine faxes, receives & prints only in Black & White, maybe I am a bit outdated. Print maybe, but faxing & receiving in colour?)

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Giving out personal details via the phone...

Recently my bank called me asking why did I want to cancel my credit card after I have cut and returned the card to one of the bank's branch. After telling them the reason on the phone, they proceeded saying that to make the cancellation official, they need me to give them my NRIC number. This is not right, I have no way of verifying them as officially calling from the bank. Especially it was them that called me. Banks and other organization should not be practicing such procedure via the phone. It is not right, Bank Negara Malaysia should do something about such practices.


This has happened to me often from all kinds of organization, and I normally "Kia Su" and not willing to give out my personal details via the phone.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Malacca - Malaysia's Historical City - a World Heritage Site

Malacca is now labelled a World Heritage site, and all Malaysians should be proud of this event. And we (especially the local authorities in Malacca) should do our very best in maintaining the site as well as making it a good site for tourist worldwide. We hope both the state government as well as the federal government would allocate sufficient yearly funds for the development and the maintenance of this site as a historical and heritage site.

I was there not too long ago, heres some view of Malacca! Hope you enjoy it.



















Thursday, April 8, 2010

Chinese food - Some Good Roast Pork and Roast Spare Rib

Lately, I had frequent this place at 1 Utama called iCanton for their Roast Pork as well as their Roast Ribs. I find them damn good and tasty! Their noodle (for wanton noodle) is also one of the best I have tried. Go try it and tell me if you agree with me.

Only problem is the price is a bit on the high side. Hope they would reduce their price one day! I would say the food quality is good, but value for money is moderate. But it is quite packed during the weekends.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

I had a Dream!

I had a dream recently. Me and my family moved into a big bungalow, and we were having a tea-time party at the new bungalow, with mostly relatives as our guest. They were mostly seated at the big garden in my dream. My real life renovator Mr. X was my dream renovator too for the new bungalow.

As the party went on, I wanted to show off my supposingly high tech advance water sprinkler system. And as I turn it on, the damn system splashes out water all over the garden and got all the guest wet, and laughing and everyone seems to be having a great time. I was laughing at them and was practically rolling on the floor laughing (ROTFL) or laughing my ass off (LMAO).

Then, as the dream went on, evening came and it was time for my family to do some prayers at home. We did a session of bhuddist chanting of the "Ta Pei Zhou" (The Great Compassionate mantra). And leading the chanting session was none other than my renovator Mr. X. (Seriously, I have no idea if he can do chanting in real life). Anyway, my baby was there too in the chanting session.

It was a nice dream while it lasted. I wonder if it is a sign of better things to come for me. How I wish it will be true. Some says if you believe enough, then it will be true. hmm..... I must start investing more in the Big Sweep lottery.... I have a good feeling about this.

No Outside Food & Beverages


The No Outside Food & Beverage signs are often practiced at most F&B outlets, but most F&B businesses does not really enforce it as it is really against any business sense to reject your customers. The only exception would be those outlet that carries Halal certification, and they have to reject any customers bringing in non-halal food or items into their premises. Other than that if they reject their customers from bringing in their foreign food into the premises, they are likely to lose such a customer forever. And especially if the customer is a regular customer but yet their staff were not aware of them being a regular. Bad judgement by their staff would have cause big damage to the business.

So, unless it is some clear abuse of the notice, most businesses and premises would not reject their customers from doing so. But customers should practice fairness too, as afterall, it is business. You wouldn't want others to abuse your business or your company too.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Home Made Preserved Sour Plum



One of my favourite junk to eat - the one & only "Asam Boi" or Preserved Sour Plum or "Xuan Mei". There are lotsa of varieties of this Sour Plum in the world, some are sour based, some are more towards the salty taste. Doesn't matter which one, I love them all!

Recently, I tasted a homemade preserved sour plum from China, and they were real good! Sourish + Sweetish! Yum Yum! I love Sour Plum!

Those Free Accidental Disability Insurance mailers

Those FREE Accident and Disability insurance coverage that came with your credit card account, are they for real? or theres some hidden terms and condition that I do not know of?

I receive these kinds of mailers all the time, asking me to fill up the form for the free coverage, and that it is a promotion with the Credit Card bank. I wonder if theres any gimmick / trick behind such a package. Anyone?

All these years, I have never ever submitted any of these form for the free coverage. Recently, I received one again and was wondering if I may be missing out on some real good deal all these years! So, if anyone has tried this, care to share with us if theres any terms and condition that we are not aware of?

Monday, April 5, 2010

Self-Help - Not Charity

After my father passed away (not too long ago), I continued on one of his effort in assisting the needy by buying festival and greeting cards from the Mouth & Foot Painting Artists Sdn Bhd (MFPA).

I found out that MFPA is not a charity house, it is a company fully owned by seriously disabled members of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. This Association was formed in 1956 and they have been producing cards and calendars from paintings made by the disabled. (52 years)

Interested to purchase their arts? They may be contacted at the following:

Mouth & Foot Painting Artists Sdn Bhd
Lot 327, 2nd Floor, Ampang Park Shoppin Centre,
Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.

PO Box 12431, 50778 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 603-2161-8860, 603-2161-8502
Fax: 603-2162-1504

Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Duck King from Indonesia!

The Duck King located at Jaya One serves HongKong Dim Sum, Noodles, Porridge and varieties of Chinese Cusisine. One warning , do not try to take their menu away, it will cost you RM1,500.00 as it is written on the menu that the menu cost RM1,500.00.

How was the food compare to their pricing? I would say fair. It was good, well, at least for whatever I had tried. But I have yet to try their Duck dishes, as their name suggest, it should be good (better be). They have Live Garoupa too, and it was acceptable. For those of you who have been there when they first started, please go again, because they claimed that they have improved and improvised to the local taste. Apparently, they said when they first started, most customers were not used to the taste that was very Indonesian. (as the restaurant originated from Indonesia)

Their address and contact:

8-G, Block M, Jaya One,
No 72-A, Jalan Universiti,
46200 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.

Tel: 603-7957-9819
Fax: 603-7957-9809
Email: ducking@streamyx.com

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Christmas mood or Laziness?

Normally, every Christmas I am in the mood for holidays and often I find myself difficult getting to work for the month of December. This December is no different and especially I have not been working for the past 3-4 months. What the heck, since I have not been working for so long, I might as well not work for this December too, make it 5 months without working. I always have this song in my mind every time I feel lazy to work, its by B-52 called "Dead Beat Club". The song says "Get A Job! Huh? What for?". I love that song! I also recall very often, I would take one whole month leave for December just to hibernate or rot at home.

Am I lazy? I don't think so because I know when I work, I really work extremely hard. I always explain to my wife that I am a "Project person", I work extremely hard and efficient; and often successful when it comes to getting a project done. But because I hate daily routine tasks or jobs, I often procastinate and that makes me look lazy.

So, Decemeber is the month of holiday mood, but is it due to Christmas? Well, I would say partly, but mostly its because its the end of the year and people tend to wind down and relax during these times of the year. Christmas is just another good excuse for people to justify their laziness during December. So shopping for Christmas gift becomes a great excuse to occupy ourselevs with something not related to work and to break away from work. (without feeling guilty) It is also an often used excuse by drinkers for having big drinking sessions. And why not, the spirit of Christmas is suppose to be happy and to be giving!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! HoHoHo!

Good Food at Batu Pahat - Home Cook Style

This is a highy recommended place for dinner, if you happen to be in Batu Pahat, Johor. You must try their bitter gourd spare ribs & their steam white pomfret! You will not regret it, the fish is fresh and taste wonderful!

RESTORAN CHOR KEE
49-4, Jalan Pegawai, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: 07-434-6955
(Behind Police Station)

Friday, April 2, 2010

3R vs 4R vs 5R

I have noticed that for photo prints, it is best to stick to 4R because it offers the best viewing experience from a photo album. It is not too small like the 3R, but not too big, where at one glance at normal distance where one would normally hold a photo album from their eyesight, one can see the whole photo with ease. A 5R photo would only be fit for table photo frames and not for photo albums.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Ladies, you have got a new competition - the BPL!

According to this Barclays 2008 Global Fan Report, it shows that interest in Barclays Premier League football has never been higher - 81% of fans highlighted football as their most regular topic of conversation, ahead of relationships, family and the economy. Whilst 49%, said that football was the most important thing in their lives ahead of everything, even family and partners.

So, assuming that majority of the football fans are male, then the ladies would have new competition in winning over their man, the Barclays Premier League will be their challenge & rivals. I wonder if my wife would be feeling the pressure and competition from BPL too? I doubt so, because I would never put BPL ahead of my wife.

MANCHESTER UNITED - The World Champions!

While the other Big 4 are still struggling fighting for the BPL title, Manchester United went on to set another milestone in their history for others to chase. United are now the undisputable WORLD CHAMPIONS, after beating Liga de Quito 0-1 in Final of FIFA Club World Cup in Yokohama, Japan.



Manchester United are the first British club to get this honour, not even the legendary Liverpool has won this title that gives one the rights to be called the WORLD's greatest. With this title under their belts, Manchester United now officially out beats and out class Liverpool in terms of being the greatest and having the greatest titles record. Bye Bye Liverpool, Bye Bye Arsenal, Bye Bye Chelsea. We are the WORLD CHAMPIONS.



Manchester United are the World Champions and the World's Greatest. And United will enjoy having the greatest silverware of all for this season.

What a Christmas for United, The Best Christmas ever for me! Glory Glory Man United! And the Reds Goes Marching On!