Something refreshing

I've always believed in the need to look forward to something refreshing in life.

Be it having a heartwarming dinner at the end of an exhausting day at work or attending a good friend's birthday celebration during the weekends. An excuse to do something else apart from the usual repetitive cycle that we as human beings go through daily.

I've previously written about the importance of reality check (The Star, 01/01/2012). The need to ocassionally refresh myself on what I've been doing all this while and what I want to do in the future. Do let me reiterate this further; "What I've been doing all this while" is a brief update of what needs to be done to continue on living my current lifestyle. On the other hand, "What I want to do in the future" is what I plan to improve on in terms of my wants, which could ultimately lead to satisfaction in terms of quality of life.

The choice between "need" and "want" can be philosophically confusing yet realistically similar.

For instance, I want that floral yellow shirt because it makes me look better but its more expensive. On the other hand, that basic white shirt over there is slightly cheaper. I still "need" to get a shirt because I have no shirt to wear otherwise (Realistically similar) but I "want" to get the yellow shirt because it makes me happier and it's unlike the other shirts I have (Philosophically confusing). I ended up foregoing a penny for my next meal and opted for the floral yellow shirt instead.


Another example is my penchant for good food. I thoroughly enjoy trying out new dishes and visiting restaurants that I've never been to. I am a firm believer that one cannot function well and sleep well if one has not dined well. Though it's always refreshing to try something new, I've been told to understand that the best food is still the one that I will always revisit.


Many would say that trying out something new ocassionally is somewhat synonymous to a list of New years resolution. I can't agree more that it is very much linked; but in my humble opinion, I would think that trying out something refreshing or something which I've not done in a long time would be adding on to the creme fraiche of my colorful memories.


This year I came up wth a list of New-Things-To-Do to fill up the gaps for at least the next 6 months.

January
Bogged down by the festive season, which also mean I did not do much besides collecting a minimal amount of disposable cash, I shall not dwell on the past and focus more on what I can do in the future.

A note to myself, I managed to sucessfully squirm through 2 new years resolution in the first month of the year, that is to cut down on the C and the S. (No intention to elaborate further)

February
Finally revisited Penang after being apart from the island for about 6-7 years.

Oh~ I've already registered for my Korean language classes. Ahn Yeong. Just for the fun of it and also because there is a possiblity of me travelling to Korea this year. The more motivation for me to learn a new language. Gamsahanidah.

March
If all's well end's well with my work, I plan to make a trip to Johor Premium Outlet to grab a rewarding Birthday gift for myself. =) By the way, I've never really visited Johor besides the usual pass-through on the way to Singapore.

April
Is the month for fools. After 3 months down the track of 2012, I'm going to sit down and revaluate my new years resolution and to continue my scoop in the stock market.

May
This is gonna be a month of havoc for work. I shall not squeeze myself too much on something too freshingly exciting. No plans yet but I'm pretty sure something will come my way by then.

June
I plan to travel to Korea this month, but will see how work and finances go by then.

So what are your plans for the next 6 months?

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The long awaited trip to Penang

Finally revisited Penang after being apart from the island for about 6-7 years.

The drive up north took about 5 hours. A reasonable duration since it was the first day of a 4 day break for all.

Almost broke into a scuffle with the receptionist upon checking in. Me and my friends opt to stay in this place called Red Inn Cabanna (Right next to Chocolate Boutique). First and foremost, there was no clear sign board whatsover leading to this place. Consequently, we were told that there was a mixed up with their system and Agoda.com. Apparently, the rooms that we booked for online, was not available though we've already paid for in advance. Managed to settle the issue at peace, checked in and grogilly departed in search of Penang delights.

Hunted down the infamous Char Koay Tiaw at Lorong Selamat, George Town. Also had otak-otak, assam laksa and fried oyster omelette. Way over priced and not that good after all.

It was a scorching afternoon, after a hearty first meal in Penang, we went for a bit of a good luck prayer in one of the temple since I was told by my friend that its a good day to pray for all things good.

Took a drive to Gurney Drive in the evening. I love this place to bits. It's just a different sight than  having the usual buildings and houses surrounding me everyday.

Oh~ Before I miss sharing my Fruit Rojak dish I had for dinner, here it is. Somewhat different from that of the KL ones. The sauce for this one is much thicker.

Went to Mois Club during midnight albeit feeling pretty worned out. Music was awesome but crowd wasn't so. Also, I probably felt a tad bit outta place since my usual party crowd wasn't with me. Hopped off to bed barely an hour after.

After a good nights sleep, we head off to Balik Pulau in search of something utterly-Penang. Spotted a proud peacock along the hills up to Bukit Genting Hills where we had our Thai lunch and foot massage.

This place had the oddest decor which unconciously made me think of being in a fun fair. Like those with Chuckie and clowns jumping out from behind the bushes.

Apart from that, the view from Bukit Genting Hills was amazing.

Time for lunch!

 

Friends wanted to go for foot massage thereafter in one of the huts along the hills but there was so many mini huts along the hills, we did not know which was the one where massages was being done. Ended up climbing up and down the steps for quite a fair bit.

Shortly after about 90 minutes of stomach resting, we went on to our next food-stop. Assam Laksa at Balik Pulau. One is Lemak Assam Laksa and the other Assam Laksa. One is sweeter than the other. Also had this funny-tasting nutmeg with sour plum drink, which I kinda like.



Went to Queensbay mall to chill after that then heading back to a friend's place for a short chat before heading to a local supermarket to pick up some Tau Sar Piah, a must buy local product from Penang, before heading off for our third meal in 6 hours.

I love Oa Chien! Fried Oyster Omelette. We dished-this almost every single meal in Penang.

We departed Penang at about 7pm. Took approximately 3 hours to reach KL, a huge pat on the back for the designated driver.

So, this was it, the start of my many trips away from town, filled with plenty of food and camaraderie, how it's suppose to be. =)

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Fiction: Of table manners and being Anti Social

I developed a sudden like towards writing in a mix of fiction and non fiction. Who would've known that it's so amusing to create fictional characters out of the blue. =)

"Why are you being so anti-social?" Mum said, giving me a warning look and in a stern voice.

I reluctantly and sluggishly tore my eyes away from my iphone screen and looked around the table.

It is the new years eve of Chinese New Year, the day where me and my close family members gather together to have our reunion dinner. Like most city folk, who lives in a fast pace environment and never seem to have time and diligence to cook a full course Chinese feast, I had my reunion dinner in a bustling restaurant.

Sitting directly in front of me is my 16 year old cousin. He was frantically tapping away on his new ipad 2 and had this awfully intense look on his face. For someone who is very much caught up in the "Angry Birds fever", I would assume that he's not about to lose his concentration anytime soon. For a moment there, I thought he was about to start punching his ipad screen.

Next to him sat my 40-plus, but still going young, aunty. With her chic red new hair-do, she would've easily passed off as someone who just turned 30. At that point of time, her face was frowning as she was having difficulties navigating through the applications that she downloaded recently on her new andriod. She gave up after numerous tries before turning to my cousin. "Eh, how to log in to facebook ah?", she asked. My aunt seemed to relaxed a little after that.

Two seats away from me sat my grandfather. At that moment, I caught him squinting intently at his mobile phone, obviously trying to make out the very small alphabets on his phone screen. Eye sight does deteriorate with age despite the technology advances in mobile phones. I wouldn't be surprise to see him take out his magnifying glass and eventually aiming it at his phone soon.

One would've never thought that technology advances would take its toll even on a dinner table and on an important occasion like the reunion dinner. But one also would've never thought that a simple device like a phone was able to bridge the gap between the old and the young.

It was a fairly amusing sight to see all 3 of my family members, seated not far apart from each other, so different in age but so quietly engrossed in their gadgets and yet still managed to temporarily step out from virtual reality and consequently blending back to normal table conversations at ease. 

I admit that being part of Generation Y, I'm sucked into the realm of technology advances and peer pressure. I am one of those who need to stay connected at all times and suffice to say, a normal phone would not do me good anymore. That said, Generation X and even the baby boomers are following suit, slowly realizing the benefits of technology, although still in the mode of discovery.

While having lunch with my colleagues the other day, I noticed that at one point in time, all 8 of us present at the table were all busily tapping away on our smart phones, to only become conscious of as the chit-chatter abruptly came to a halt thereafter. I am not trying to be anti-social nor was I trying to break a notion of awkward silence, rather I was unconsciously utilizing my "paramount tool of distraction" by taking a break of silence.

I don't see anything wrong with being partially engaged in one's own gadget as long as it doesn't look like there is total withdrawal from table manners altogether. In a casual environment, there is no strict obligation to only eat whilst on the dinner table rather, it relies on preference and company.

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Of the Pre-CNY blues

What have I been doing for the past year? Seriously.

Today is the last day of the Rabbit year before we usher in the year of the Dragon. A year alleged and proclaimed by Zodiac and Feng shui masters as a "Better" year for the Rabbits. For those unfamiliar with the chinese lunar calender, in layman terms, there are 12 cycles divided into zodiac signs with names of animals. Unlike typical Western zodiac, which changes from month-to-month; in the Chinese calendar, each year represents 1 Chinese zodiac. I'm an Aries born in the year of the Rabbit.

Not that I'm overly superticious on Culturism and Chinese sayings and not to mention zodiac signs per se, but like every other biased human being, I only accept and hear good things about what beholds me this year and discard the negative ones.

I don't live in denial; I just want to have a optimistic outlook in life, what's wrong with that?

So, back to my initial statement; Chinese New Year is like a Post-new-year Blues kinda experience for me. Yet again, I go through the cycle where I reminisce a bit about what I've done in the past year and also kind-of ponder upon how my new years resolution has been fairing me thus far.

Enough said, lets not dwell upon the past that much and move on to the much more exciting life ahead.

I have yet to share anything on how I ushered in 2012. I was with my friends at #TheUsual (Gosh, I'm starting to enjoy hashtags). Besides the one time where I actually got to #TheUsual by 9.45pm, this is the second earliest time ever that I arrived, at 10am. Gung Ho much.

I like Blue dresses =)

I also need to blast and announce my new-found Addition. The best drink evah! Gongcha Wintermelon tea with herbal jelly. My addiction is happening almost every single day. Tried to get rid of the craving by buying the next similar alternative, canned wintermelon drink from supermarkets because its cheaper, but heck, it taste different! Really! I think they put drugs in Gongcha or something.

Lovin' my new Nicole Richie inspired necklace.

I truly enjoy the pleasure and joy that food brings me. Had loads of food indulgences throught the beggining of the month. At times I wonder what I can replace my "reward-sessions" with. If food miraculously become a want and no longer a need. Like in year 3000 where human beings rely on supplements and pills to survive. God Bless us all.

Pictures I managed to capture of my food escapades for the past 2 weeks.

KTZ, ss2

Kluang Station, IPC

My all time fav dessert, Macadamia Cheesecake Sundae at Ben's, KLCC



My Steak Sanwich at Tony Romas, e@Curve

& Dim Sum & Lou Sang, Jaya Palace

Seafood Tempura at Taiwan Shilin and Street Snacks, Sunway Pyramid

Of Steaks and ribs at Morganfield, Pavillion

From pictures, It really does looked like I have been doing nothing much with my life rather than eat and drink? Well, truth is, no white collared person really like sharing too many pictures about work due not only to the "its-boring" factor, but also because of "its private and confidential" issue.

Totally unrelated, I'm contemplating on changing my blog header. The same blog header has been sitting up there for 3 years already I reckon. Was thinking of switching to something more Chic perhaps.

Also totally unrelated, my hair roots are growing awfully quick and I'm in dire need of a retouch. Was thinking of doing a DIY this time round. Did my previous Shiseido hair-do at this place called A-Saloon in Farenheit 88. Turned out looking like Ash brown (No I'm not talking about a celebrity), but after just mere weeks, it developed into a orangy-tone,. Hm...Just a brief recap.....

Prior to that, I did a round of DIY session using Bigen Hair color, which was discontinued in the last quarter of 2011. #IAlmostDied. Why? Now, I will never be able to find a color which suits me ever again *Cries and throw remote control on the wall* =.=". Am in the midst of considering Liese, in tones of Ash Brown or Milk Tea Brown. I can always try out like 10 different tones and start balding and end up wearing a wig for the rest of my life or something. But, I seriously don't think I will die. Wtf.

The End.

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