Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, fo tiao qiang, or sometimes called Consummation of Happiness and Longevity is a variety of shark fin soup in Cantonese and Fujian cuisine. Since its creation during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912), the dish has been regarded as a Chinese delicacy known for its rich taste, usage of various high-quality ingredients numbering over 30 and special manner of cooking. The dish's name literally means "a Buddhist monk jumps over the wall", alluding to the dishes' ability to entice the vegetarian monks from their temples to partake in the meat-based dish. It is high in protein and calcium.
The soup or stew consists of many ingredients of non-vegetarian origin and requires one to two full days to prepare. A typical recipe requires many ingredients including quail eggs, bamboo shoots, scallops, sea cucumber, abalone, shark fin, chicken, Jinhua ham, pork tendon, ginseng, mushrooms, and taro. Some recipes require up to thirty main ingredients and twelve condiments. Use of shark fin, which is sometimes harvested by shark finning, and abalone, which is implicated in destructive fishing practices are controversial for both environmental and ethical reasons.
There are many stories on the origin of the dish. Among them, a common story is about a scholar traveling by foot during the Qing Dynasty. While he traveled with his friends, the scholar preserved all his food for the journey in a clay jar used for holding wine. Whenever he had a meal, he warmed up the jar with the ingredients over an open fire. Once they arrived in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, the scholar started cooking the dish. The smells spread over to a nearby Buddhist monastery where monks were meditating. Although monks are not allowed to eat meat, one of the monks who was tempted by the smell jumped over the wall to where the scholar gathered for cooking. A poet among the travelers said that even Buddha would jump the wall to eat the delicious dish.
(excerpted from Wikipaedia)
Incase some of you may attempt to cook this dish, you are forewarned that its a tedious process not only in getting all your dried ingredients ready but the cooking process also takes at least 2days. But some of you brave ones may attempt this feat rather than pay big bux to consume this dish...so click on this link to see the whole process.
Recipe:- http://chinesefood.about.com/library/blrecipe078.htm
Me....I'd rather save abit and let the experienced cooks prepare it for me!!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Restoran Sin Tian Kee, Banting
Went to Banting recently to try out this restaurant that boasts award winning dishes with reasonable price tags! I cant really remember the prices of the dishes here but trust me that they are good and costs probably half the prices they charge in any KL restaurant. As the distance from KL is not near(took an hour in weekday prior-to lunch hour) , when you do come here, you have to try their signature dishes and not just order the typical Chinese ones. Its also preferable to come in a bigger group so that you can try out more dishes!
Pics of the various award winning dishes are hung on the wall with pics of VIPS who have tried their dishes. Look at the ceiling fans which are painted in different colours. It may be kinda hot if you come for lunch as there is no air-conditioning.
One of their signature dishes that has won SEA cooking award is their crabmeat spring rolls. See the crab meat mix being stuffed into the popiah skins and thereafter will be deep fried.
The finished spring roll product with a sweet sour dipping sauce. Very delicious and must eat it when its hot!
Dong Po Rou (Sweet black sauce pork) was abit too sweet.
They serve the Dong Po Rou with man-tou.
Okay this is the dish you must try here!!Mini Monk jump over the Wall...their version of Buddha jump over the Wall!!LOL. This is the Restaurant's speciality and have won awards before! Dont play2. You should preferably pre-order this dish one day in advance and state whether you want the whole abalone(how big as well) or just a slice of it!
The soup that takes at least 2days to prepare contains abalone, fish maw, mushroom, dried scallop, sea cucumber, sharkfin, preserved chinese ham and a piece of chicken besides some herbs.
Quite big pieces of fish maw and sea cucumber!
Steamed shellfish
Sweet Sour Stir fried fish stomach.
Restoran Sin Tian Kee
26-28 Jalan Bunga Pekan 2, Kawasan 6
42700 Banting , selangor
Tel: 03-31877594/31815555
Chef : Mr Lau HP 0122080055
Pics of the various award winning dishes are hung on the wall with pics of VIPS who have tried their dishes. Look at the ceiling fans which are painted in different colours. It may be kinda hot if you come for lunch as there is no air-conditioning.
One of their signature dishes that has won SEA cooking award is their crabmeat spring rolls. See the crab meat mix being stuffed into the popiah skins and thereafter will be deep fried.
The finished spring roll product with a sweet sour dipping sauce. Very delicious and must eat it when its hot! 
Dong Po Rou (Sweet black sauce pork) was abit too sweet. 
They serve the Dong Po Rou with man-tou.
Okay this is the dish you must try here!!Mini Monk jump over the Wall...their version of Buddha jump over the Wall!!LOL. This is the Restaurant's speciality and have won awards before! Dont play2. You should preferably pre-order this dish one day in advance and state whether you want the whole abalone(how big as well) or just a slice of it!
The soup that takes at least 2days to prepare contains abalone, fish maw, mushroom, dried scallop, sea cucumber, sharkfin, preserved chinese ham and a piece of chicken besides some herbs. 
Quite big pieces of fish maw and sea cucumber! 
Steamed shellfish
Sweet Sour Stir fried fish stomach.Restoran Sin Tian Kee
26-28 Jalan Bunga Pekan 2, Kawasan 6
42700 Banting , selangor
Tel: 03-31877594/31815555
Chef : Mr Lau HP 0122080055
Last Day for Ramadhan Bazaar?
One month passes by so fast...today may be the last day to go to the Ramadhan Bazaar and buka puasa!!!LOL. Malaysians are one happy lot...Food-wise! Every chance we get, we EAT!!
So Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslims and Selamat Makan2 to others!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Loving Wife
A man breaks into a house to look for money and guns.
Inside, he finds couple in bed.
He orders the guy out of the bed and ties him to a chair.
While tying the homeowner's wife to the bed the convict gets on top of her, kisses her neck,
then gets up & goes into the bathroom.
While he's in there, the husband whispers over to his wife:
'Listen, this guy is an escaped convict. Look at his clothes!
He's probably spent a lot of time in jail and hasn't seen a woman in years.
I saw how he kissed your neck. If he wants sex, don't resist, don't complain...do what ever he tells you.
Satisfy him no matter how much he nauseates you.
This guy is obviously very dangerous.
If he gets angry, he'll kill us both.
Be strong, honey. I love you!'
His wife responds: 'He wasn't kissing my neck.
He was whispering in my ear.
He told me that he's gay, thinks you're cute, and asked if we had any Vaseline.
I told him it was in the bathroom.
Be strong honey. I love you too
Inside, he finds couple in bed.
He orders the guy out of the bed and ties him to a chair.
While tying the homeowner's wife to the bed the convict gets on top of her, kisses her neck,
then gets up & goes into the bathroom.
While he's in there, the husband whispers over to his wife:
'Listen, this guy is an escaped convict. Look at his clothes!
He's probably spent a lot of time in jail and hasn't seen a woman in years.
I saw how he kissed your neck. If he wants sex, don't resist, don't complain...do what ever he tells you.
Satisfy him no matter how much he nauseates you.
This guy is obviously very dangerous.
If he gets angry, he'll kill us both.
Be strong, honey. I love you!'
His wife responds: 'He wasn't kissing my neck.
He was whispering in my ear.
He told me that he's gay, thinks you're cute, and asked if we had any Vaseline.
I told him it was in the bathroom.
Be strong honey. I love you too
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sixth Happiness at Pandan Perdana Lake Club
My purpose of writing this post is just to forewarn, incase you do go to the above restaurant, please do not order any expensive dishes esp. the soon hock fish! We ordered based on the captain's recomendation and it really stank bad! When we complained, the captain just pretended she didnt hear us and we were still billed for it. Either the fish is at least a month old in the freezer or it was dead already before being taken out of the tank. My advice is just go for the RM8 dishes if you "HAVE" to patronize this place. Even those are really minute portions and nothing to shout about !!
Friday, September 11, 2009
New Word
“Altantuya”, a new word in Cambridge Learner's Dictionary!
new word in dictionary, dictionary-stack
Cambridge announced the publication of 3 dictionaries for Malaysian markets, recently.
Included in the Learner's edition are some of the new words approved by Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, one of which is "Altantuya".
However, sources said these books may be pulled off the shelves soon .
new word in dictionary, dictionary-stack
Cambridge announced the publication of 3 dictionaries for Malaysian markets, recently.
Included in the Learner's edition are some of the new words approved by Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, one of which is "Altantuya".
However, sources said these books may be pulled off the shelves soon .
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Peter Peppers
The world’s most offensive-looking plant
When I first saw its picture, I thought it’s just another photoshopped hoax, but digging deeper, I was surprised to discover that it’s a real plant, usually called the Peter Pepper, scientific name capsicum annuum var. annuum ‘Peter’.
It’s native to Louisiana and Texas.
It’s been called many other names, including Chilli Willy and Penis Chilli; and has been judged “Most Pornographic Pepper” by Organic Gardening Magazine.
Not surprising, since it looks like so:
Apparently it has always been grown more as an ornamental thing, rather than to be eaten, although it’s perfectly edible.
By the way, a farmer who specialises in growing them, says they can grow up to 18" long!
Sort of brings a tear to your eyes, doesn't it?
INFO : they are grown mostly around Ontario, Canada, the southern United States and in parts of Pakistan
Joke for the day..
A Moslem has died and has arrived in Heaven.
He is very excited as, all his life, he has longed to meet the Prophet Mohammed. Having arrived at the Gates of Heaven, he meets a man with a beard.
'Are you Mohammed?' he asks
'No, my son. I am Peter. Mohammed is higher up' as he points him to a ladder that rises into the clouds.
Delighted that Mohammed should be higher than Peter, he climbed the ladder in great strides he meets another bearded man.
Full of hope, he asks again, 'Are you Mohammed?'
'No, I am Moses. Mohammed is higher up still'
The poor man can hardly contain his delight and climbs and climbs, ever higher.
Once again, he meets a man with a beard, and repeats his question: 'Are you Mohammed?'
'No, I am Jesus. Mohammed is higher still'
Exhausted but with heart full of joy 'Mohammed higher than Jesus!!!', he continues to climb the ladder and, yet again, he meets a man with a beard.
'Are you Mohammed?' he gasps, as he is by now totally out of breath from all his climbing.
'No, my son. I am God. But you look exhausted. Would you like a Coffee?
'Oh, yes please, my Lord'
God looks behind him, claps his hands and calls out: 'Mohammed, two coffees...'
He is very excited as, all his life, he has longed to meet the Prophet Mohammed. Having arrived at the Gates of Heaven, he meets a man with a beard.
'Are you Mohammed?' he asks
'No, my son. I am Peter. Mohammed is higher up' as he points him to a ladder that rises into the clouds.
Delighted that Mohammed should be higher than Peter, he climbed the ladder in great strides he meets another bearded man.
Full of hope, he asks again, 'Are you Mohammed?'
'No, I am Moses. Mohammed is higher up still'
The poor man can hardly contain his delight and climbs and climbs, ever higher.
Once again, he meets a man with a beard, and repeats his question: 'Are you Mohammed?'
'No, I am Jesus. Mohammed is higher still'
Exhausted but with heart full of joy 'Mohammed higher than Jesus!!!', he continues to climb the ladder and, yet again, he meets a man with a beard.
'Are you Mohammed?' he gasps, as he is by now totally out of breath from all his climbing.
'No, my son. I am God. But you look exhausted. Would you like a Coffee?
'Oh, yes please, my Lord'
God looks behind him, claps his hands and calls out: 'Mohammed, two coffees...'
Kingmax UD02
I love the look of this new Kingmax USB flash drive which comes in 3 unique colours and can be worn as a pendant but isnt as small as the common USB which may get lost in my big handbag!!Furthermore it features waterproof, pressure resistance and temperature tolerance.
What say you??
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Aussie/Indian Joke
An Indian man goes to an Australian grocery store
An Indian man living in Australia visits Woolworths (a grocery store in Australia). He finds cat food at special prices. He picks up a dozen cans of cat food and goes to the check out counter.
The Manager becomes suspicious. He thinks that this guy > does not have a cat and will probably feed cat food to his kids. He asks the Indian to show him his cat before he could let him have the cat food. The Indian goes home and returns with a cat and is allowed to purchase the cat food.
The following week the Indian finds dog food at special prices. He picks up a dozen cans of dog food and goes to check out. The Manager becomes suspicious. He thinks that this guy cannot own both a cat and a dog and thinks that he will probably feed dog-food to his kids. He asks the Indian once again to show him the dog before he can let him have the dog food.
The Sardar goes home and returns with his dog. He is allowed to buy the dog food.
The following week the Indian goes to Woolworths with a bag. He asks the manager to put his hand in the bag. The Manager puts his hand in the bag, feels some thing soft and slimy and immediately takes it out.
He shouts at the Indian, "You idiot, what the F*** is that. Is it shit?"
The Indian calmly replies, Yes, and I want to buy toilet paper.
An Indian man living in Australia visits Woolworths (a grocery store in Australia). He finds cat food at special prices. He picks up a dozen cans of cat food and goes to the check out counter.
The Manager becomes suspicious. He thinks that this guy > does not have a cat and will probably feed cat food to his kids. He asks the Indian to show him his cat before he could let him have the cat food. The Indian goes home and returns with a cat and is allowed to purchase the cat food.
The following week the Indian finds dog food at special prices. He picks up a dozen cans of dog food and goes to check out. The Manager becomes suspicious. He thinks that this guy cannot own both a cat and a dog and thinks that he will probably feed dog-food to his kids. He asks the Indian once again to show him the dog before he can let him have the dog food.
The Sardar goes home and returns with his dog. He is allowed to buy the dog food.
The following week the Indian goes to Woolworths with a bag. He asks the manager to put his hand in the bag. The Manager puts his hand in the bag, feels some thing soft and slimy and immediately takes it out.
He shouts at the Indian, "You idiot, what the F*** is that. Is it shit?"
The Indian calmly replies, Yes, and I want to buy toilet paper.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Facebook and Internet Scams
Woman falls for Facebook scam
ST. LOUIS: A Missouri woman was tricked into wiring about US$4,000 (RM14,400) to someone in England after receiving faked messages from a friend on Facebook asking for help, police said.
Jayne Scherrman of Cape Girardeau wired the money through Western Union after receiving what she believed were several requests for help from her friend.
Police were notified about the scam on Aug 26. They believe someone took over the Facebook account of a Cape Girardeau County resident, Grace Parry, changed the password so she couldn’t access it and sent out messages saying she and her husband had been detained in London and needed money.
Read more here...http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/9/3/technology/20090903162746&sec=technology
I believe this type of scams is now prevalent as my cousin just last month suffered the same situation. In his case, his google gmail account was hacked and all his contacts in this contact list received emails asking for help similar to the above story. Fortunately most of his contacts including me, contacted him via phone/his wife first to confirm the email. I advised him to contact google and report the scam and he managed to freeze his account and subsequently reset the password.
So do be careful if you receive any emails from friends or loved ones and verify the case personally 1st. Otherwise you will lose your hard-earned cash to some deceitful scammers.
ST. LOUIS: A Missouri woman was tricked into wiring about US$4,000 (RM14,400) to someone in England after receiving faked messages from a friend on Facebook asking for help, police said.
Jayne Scherrman of Cape Girardeau wired the money through Western Union after receiving what she believed were several requests for help from her friend.
Police were notified about the scam on Aug 26. They believe someone took over the Facebook account of a Cape Girardeau County resident, Grace Parry, changed the password so she couldn’t access it and sent out messages saying she and her husband had been detained in London and needed money.
Read more here...http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/9/3/technology/20090903162746&sec=technology
I believe this type of scams is now prevalent as my cousin just last month suffered the same situation. In his case, his google gmail account was hacked and all his contacts in this contact list received emails asking for help similar to the above story. Fortunately most of his contacts including me, contacted him via phone/his wife first to confirm the email. I advised him to contact google and report the scam and he managed to freeze his account and subsequently reset the password.
So do be careful if you receive any emails from friends or loved ones and verify the case personally 1st. Otherwise you will lose your hard-earned cash to some deceitful scammers.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Andy Lau is Married...others as well!!
It looks like triple congrats are in order with 2 pop heavenly kings and a pop princess all admitting publicly(at last!!) that they had gotten married in Las Vegas.
Andy Lau and Carol Chu married in June 2008
Leon Lai and Gaile Lok married on March 9, 2008
Miriam Yeung and Gary Ting registered theirs on August 11,2009
Andy Lau and Carol Chu married in June 2008
Leon Lai and Gaile Lok married on March 9, 2008
Miriam Yeung and Gary Ting registered theirs on August 11,2009
Nokia's new smartphones
HELSINKI: Nokia, the world's leading mobile phone maker, unveiled on Wednesday three new smartphones as the Finnish firm tries to claw back market share from Apple's popular iPhone and RiM's Blackberry.
The three new Nokia phones, two of which feature touch screens, are scheduled to be in stores during the fourth quarter of 2009 as Nokia increasingly focuses on applications and services.
With Nokia flooding the smartphones market....dare we hope that smartphones will be cheaper in future??? Personally...i hope so as i dont mind upgrading to one if the cost is around RM1k?? lol
The new Nokia N97 mini will have a touch display and will feature the Lifecasting with Ovi application, enabling users to update their account on the Facebook social networking site with their cell phone.
The Nokia X6 and X3 will update the Finnish company's music phone selection.
The three new Nokia phones, two of which feature touch screens, are scheduled to be in stores during the fourth quarter of 2009 as Nokia increasingly focuses on applications and services.
With Nokia flooding the smartphones market....dare we hope that smartphones will be cheaper in future??? Personally...i hope so as i dont mind upgrading to one if the cost is around RM1k?? lol
The new Nokia N97 mini will have a touch display and will feature the Lifecasting with Ovi application, enabling users to update their account on the Facebook social networking site with their cell phone.
The Nokia X6 and X3 will update the Finnish company's music phone selection.
Well rounded US model wins applause
The appearance in Glamour magazine of a model who fills more of the page than fashion's usual rake-thin stars is getting big cheers from US women. Yes this is how real women look like....and those fashion mags should feature more articles on how to dress real women and still look as good as fashion models!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
BANGKOK GEMS SCAM- BEWARE!!
A friend just came back from Bangkok and related an incident whereby their whole group bought orange sapphires and other gems that was supposedly available only once a month/year or on the King's birthday. Well becos i never heard of an orange sapphire, i googled and came across this link ...
http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in-bangkok/yindee-lapidary-co.-ltd-2.html
I realised my friend had been scammed and this scam has been going on for the past 1-2years(??) after reading this blog. The scenario is the same and many Malaysians, Singaporeans and other tourists have fallen for this scam which is kinda elaborate and well thought out!!In a nutshell, this is what happens...
1. Meets a lady/man in front of central world/any shopping mall on a sunday at 10am who starts paying homage to a statue of Rama V. Tells you once a month, the shops are opened only at 11am. Suggest you go to Lucky Temple and be blessed instead of hanging around till 11am.
2. While contemplating going or not, another English speaking man who says he is the manager at world trade centre, comes up and tells you that you will be blessed if you go to the Lucky Temple which is only open once a month to public.
3. Gets you a Tuk-Tuk costing 20/30 Baht
4. Meets another well dressed/suited guy in Lucky Temple
5. Telling you the 'unbelievable miracle' of buddha's heart (Orange Sapphire). Gives you examples of the "miracles". Like he mentioned about his mom having an illness where her bone on her leg is crooked and is limbed, and after his wife gave her some drinks with 'Buddha's heart', she was able to stand up and walk miraculously 8 years ago. He even mentioned about the 3 surviving victims at the AirAsia aircrash at Krabi where the 3 surviving victims carryied the 'Buddha's Heart'.
6. Mentions about Malaysian Poh Kong daughter-in-law and even Maybank's top management personnel(shows you the call card) to further brain-wash you. Also mentions that big shots in luxury cars who go to the temple to pray as early as 6am in the morning.
7. Telling us it is the last day of sale in Yindee Lapidary co. Ltd for 30% discount and you can get your own "lucky gem" there.
8. Yes, finally practically the whole group(maybe 10 out of 14 of them) bought jewellery of around few thousand RM each. Other jewellery shops like Blue Dragon Export etc are also involved in this scam.
9. In short, you have just been scammed by an elaborate network that involves at least 3people who are well dressed and speak English and the tuk-tuk drivers are also involved.
If you are a victim, and you are still in Bangkok, you can go to Bangkok Tower at New Petchburi Road to seek assistance from the tourist police division. The resolution process at the tourist police division is very quick and hassle-free. If you have paid by credit card, try and see if you can get it voided. Definitely if it had costed you more than RM2K, it may be worthwhile to go back to Bangkok via Airasia and get a refund by making a police report. The gem you bought is most likely a piece of coloured glass.
After googling somemore, looks like Thailand is on track to becoming the Land of Scams not Land of Smiles which is a pity. So next time you are in Thailand, do beware of the next Thai that comes up to you on the street with a smile and telling you how lucky you are....!!
http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in-bangkok/yindee-lapidary-co.-ltd-2.html
I realised my friend had been scammed and this scam has been going on for the past 1-2years(??) after reading this blog. The scenario is the same and many Malaysians, Singaporeans and other tourists have fallen for this scam which is kinda elaborate and well thought out!!In a nutshell, this is what happens...
1. Meets a lady/man in front of central world/any shopping mall on a sunday at 10am who starts paying homage to a statue of Rama V. Tells you once a month, the shops are opened only at 11am. Suggest you go to Lucky Temple and be blessed instead of hanging around till 11am.
2. While contemplating going or not, another English speaking man who says he is the manager at world trade centre, comes up and tells you that you will be blessed if you go to the Lucky Temple which is only open once a month to public.
3. Gets you a Tuk-Tuk costing 20/30 Baht
4. Meets another well dressed/suited guy in Lucky Temple
5. Telling you the 'unbelievable miracle' of buddha's heart (Orange Sapphire). Gives you examples of the "miracles". Like he mentioned about his mom having an illness where her bone on her leg is crooked and is limbed, and after his wife gave her some drinks with 'Buddha's heart', she was able to stand up and walk miraculously 8 years ago. He even mentioned about the 3 surviving victims at the AirAsia aircrash at Krabi where the 3 surviving victims carryied the 'Buddha's Heart'.
6. Mentions about Malaysian Poh Kong daughter-in-law and even Maybank's top management personnel(shows you the call card) to further brain-wash you. Also mentions that big shots in luxury cars who go to the temple to pray as early as 6am in the morning.
7. Telling us it is the last day of sale in Yindee Lapidary co. Ltd for 30% discount and you can get your own "lucky gem" there.
8. Yes, finally practically the whole group(maybe 10 out of 14 of them) bought jewellery of around few thousand RM each. Other jewellery shops like Blue Dragon Export etc are also involved in this scam.
9. In short, you have just been scammed by an elaborate network that involves at least 3people who are well dressed and speak English and the tuk-tuk drivers are also involved.
If you are a victim, and you are still in Bangkok, you can go to Bangkok Tower at New Petchburi Road to seek assistance from the tourist police division. The resolution process at the tourist police division is very quick and hassle-free. If you have paid by credit card, try and see if you can get it voided. Definitely if it had costed you more than RM2K, it may be worthwhile to go back to Bangkok via Airasia and get a refund by making a police report. The gem you bought is most likely a piece of coloured glass.
After googling somemore, looks like Thailand is on track to becoming the Land of Scams not Land of Smiles which is a pity. So next time you are in Thailand, do beware of the next Thai that comes up to you on the street with a smile and telling you how lucky you are....!!
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