Be Spontaneous!

Went to see "Happy Feet" the other day, and liked the show very much. The story line although appearing simple, but if you think carefully enough, there are lots of hidden messages in the show. It's not my intention to do a review of the show, as I don't think I would be able to do it justice. So much emotions in one show; joy, sadness, loneliness, adventure, fear, love, acceptance... the list could go on. Simply magic.

I liked the music, I liked the dancing, I liked the jokes made in the movie, I liked many things about the movie (especially the amigos!). Just go watch it for the sheer joy of it all!

One scene which really made an impact on me was when Mumble (the baby emperor penguin) tried to sing, and the class singing teacher referred him to another singing sensation penguin for special lessons. When Mumble was asked to be spontaneous and let out his joy through song, he tap danced his heart away ....... That to me, was simply breathtaking in all its innocence and sheer exuberance.

And don't you think the baby penguins are cute? :)

A dap of Sweet and a touch of Sour

Ever since that redeeming con, had continued cravings for sweet and sour, and finally satiated the hunger for good ones by going to Amcorp Mall for the Sweet and Sour dish. Was a choice between the “oink-oink” at Overseas Restaurant or the “bak-bak” at Sri Melaka, and finally decided on Sri Melaka. Both outlets do good sweet and sour dishes (by my standards at least – and yes, have been told I am quite particular about this dish!).

Giving in to gluttony, decided to go for the "medium" sized portion instead of the "small" portion, even knowing well that the servings at Sri Melaka are quite big. And yes, filled my tummy till I have some discomfort (oh, also had a veggie dish and a tau foo dish [small portions of course] - as well as eating my dessert of red ruby thingy before my main meal!).

So, here’s me dedicating a post to one of my favourite dishes of all time! I have tried making the dish before, but not up to my own “standard’ yet. Come to think of it, the last time I made this dish was at least 5 years back! I actually like to eat deep fried stuff, but don’t like to deep fry food myself – due to the smell of oil sticking on the clothes, etc.

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Extracts from: http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodasian.html#sweetandsour

Note 1: Sweet and sour pork (chicken, beef, shrimp, etc,), as most know it today, is a far cry from the traditional Chinese cuisine. It does, however, derive from classical combinations of the "five flavors." [Alex says - see? at least got some Chinese in the dish, no matter how "banana" the dish may be]. In China, sweet and sour sauce is not traditionally paired with pork. It is a seafood dip. Other pungent sauces, such as hoisen and bean paste, are more commonly used in pork cookery. It is also important to note that tomatoes (tomato paste/ketchup are typically used in American sweet and sour recipes) are not native to China. They are "New World" foods. "In China, vinegar is an important flavoring in dips, sauces (including sweet-and-sour sauce), dressings, and in cooking of all sorts. Sweet-and-sour sauce is common in a range of dishes, whereas other vinegar sauces and dips seem to be used especially with fish and other seafoods..."

Note 2: Since sweet, along with sour, salty, pungent, and bitter, is one of the "five flavors" of classical Chinese cooking, its use in cooking is commonplace but always with the intent of retaining a balance among the flavors. As a result, the amounts of sugar used are ordinarily quite small [Alex says - Cool! Not fattening then? :P]. Even sweet and sour dishes are apt to be a bit on the tart side, with sweet and sour sauce commonly served separately so that the discriminating diner may use it in appropriate amounts. There are, nevertheless, regional differences in use of sugar in cooking, as to counter the salty taste of soy sauce in red-cooked dishes.

Note 3: Some say that the sweet and sour flavour principle originated in Honan, though others see its origin elsewhere in China. Wherever the principle first developed, the sweet and sour sauce of Honan and the north, made simply by mixing vinegar and sugar without tomato sauce or fruit, is, in the eyes of the Cantonese, lacking in refinement... Traditionally the Cantonese did not like sweet and sour dishes very much, the main exception being fish. They, like other Chinese, are amused at the popularity among Westerners of pork and chicken prepared this way; in fact, some Cantonese are now rejecting sweet and sour pork "because it is so thoroughly linked with the barbarians'." [Alex says - and yes, so I have been told many times that it is not very "chinese" to eat sweet and sour pork or chicken, especially by my Hong Kong friends!].

Note 4: The French habit of serving everything drowned in sauses would repel a Chinese gourmet; he prefers to dip the food in sauce at will, thus keeping it crisp and controlling the amount of sauce per bite. Sweet and sour dishes are often served with the sweet and sour sauce on the side, and among sophistcated Cantonese this is especially typical. The method of drowning the meat in the sauce, but for Chinese restaurants outside the country, is a concession to undiscriminating tastes. Many dishes have their "official" dip sauce. In Cantonese food, examples would be chili and soy sauce for boiled prawns, and vinegar for fresh crab. In Teochiu food, vinegar and freshly crushed garlic for steamed goose, and a strange, fascinating sauce with a malt syrup base for certain types of fish balls.

So there! For those who know how to make good sweet and sour dishes, or know where are the good places to go for the dish, don’t forget to invite me over for lunch or dinner, ya! :P

Ooh, That Felt Sooo Good!

Came across this cartoon via email, and it tickled me to no end! :)

Being in my line of work, phone calls are a normal affair on a daily basis. Sometimes, when you speak to someone over the phone for so many times already, some "spark" needs to be generated to counter some monotony I guess. We do find ways to "kacau" each other, be it being sarcastic in a "friendly" manner, or sometimes as another friend would say, "Nyabek" that fella kau-kau.

There was this lady I recall, who is actually very nice and friendly, but well known in the financial market for being very tough and fierce (she was a bond trader - no more working in KL liao). Once when I called her to negotiate some deals, she seemed affronted that I quoted some levels which were not acceptable to her, and said:

She: "You want me to go over there and WHIP you is it!?!".
To which I replied, "Ooohh!, Whip me! Whip me! I LIKE!"

...which made her laughed out loud (actually, it sounded like a witch's cackle! and I told her so directly!) and broke the ice between us! Hahahaaa, that was a very funny moment. And looking at this cartoon, it suddenly brought back thoughts of her. I have lost contact with her already, and hope she's doing well wherever she is.

A Season of Love

Tis’ the season to be merry, spreading good cheer and joy. Even as you go around the malls, you would see a whole range of decorations filling the place; santas, reindeers, christmas trees, festive lights, and even caroling sessions have been going on for a while already. It’s easy to be absorbed by all the festive feel. Retail outlets are doing brisk business, offering promotions for the season, enticing one and all to shop for that special gift.

Yes, I have started my caroling sessions right at the beginning of December, and timely with the onset of Advent. It is interesting to note that to be really pedantic, some carols are not appropriate given the advent season, and neither are some of the more popularised carols. Yet, the appeal for such “catchy” tunes setting the feel good factor cannot be dismissed outright (to me anyway). If it lifts the spirit (sung well of course) and brings some cheer, then the intention to spread love is achieved no matter how superficial or how deep the feeling may go.

I cannot deny that I do certain caroling sessions for the extra pocket money, but at the root of it, the spreading of cheer and merriment, and of course, love is embedded in the thoughts as well. I have done a few none paying caroling sessions, especially to some of the old folks home. Every year, it makes me think what I have done during the year to spread the love and cheer, or is it only during Christmas season that I try to do so.

This brings back memories of college days, when the school devotes Tuesday afternoons every week to community service. Each student has a choice of various tasks to do to “give back” to the community. At that point in time, I enjoyed the various tasks I chose to do, but the real significance was lost to me. Only now, that I look back at that period of my life, it makes me question whether I am loving or caring enough, or have taken a laid back attitude.



Was putting up the christmas tree the other day, and looking at the various ornaments, it sorts of reminds oneself of what christmas means to each one of us. Typically, we see either an ornamental angel or a star above the christmas tree, but this year, I put a cross right at the pinnacle. Why? The celebration of christ’s birth is of course a joyous occasion, but it is his LOVE that he brings into the world by dying on the cross, and I thought it is a very apt reminder for the occasion, and as the “Bethlehem Judah” carol goes:

Bethlehem Judah, Long, long ago.
The star guided onwards, Angels cried,
“Behold! A Babe has been born there, Hear the virgin’s song:
‘Tis Jesus our saviour, Promised so long’.”

Angels were gathered, Shepherds all shared,
With Mary his mother, Jesus lying there.
Some kings came with treasure, All had come with love
For Him in the manger, Lord from above.

What can I give Him, Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man I would do my part;
Yet what can I give him? Give him my heart.

I see christmas as a time of giving, and the spreading of cheer. Believers and non believers alike can do their part to partake in the joy of the season. What it translates to me, is love. The love for ourselves, and the love for our neighbours. The joy is in the giving – I gave out some “goodie bags” earlier on, and got comments like “oh, I don’t have anything to give you”. And no, I do not expect anything back for my gift. It is in the giving and to see a smile on a person’s face, that is itself, a reciprocative gift on its own.

Have you spread enough Christmas cheer and love?

Me, myself, and I

From the various outings I have been to recently, I have been sadly(?) accused of being a “camwhore”. I would vehemently disagree, but what do you reckon?



One even said I take pictures for my future “Hokkien” cover CD, but seriously?! Like I speak Hokkien? :P

Tis’ the Season to be Merry and Costly

As I sit here listening to some financial talk,
My mind wanders and begin to walk.
To prevent my chair from designing to rock,
I decided so, my blog post some to chalk.

More food session as a friend kindly treated,
To Gen Jap at Legend, we went and greeted.
Tho’ lesser now to buffets I seek to be seated,
As wary of extended waist and stomach a bloated.



However, another merry gathering I certainly did have,
Of main meals and desserts which were selectively raved.
With colleagues, and pressies which we generously gave
For friendship and goodwill a way to pave.



A craving for chicken rice one day I did satisfy,
With black “kicap” to mix the rice by.
Seldom I see of others who do the same
Only one or two I can only but name.



To service a car I procrastinated to do,
Finally on Wednesday a whole day ensue.
To change “this and that” with other replacement too,
Being set back a hefty sum, I certainly did rue.



So “almost” broke I certainly am to drive,
Till the next pay cheque not too soon to arrive.
Thank goodness for cards I have to jive,
And to juggle other expenses in order to survive.

I'm lovin' it

Was at McD at KL Sentral yesterday evening for dinner to car pool with someone for a carolling rehearsal session somewhere around Brickfields. I ordered my usual "Chicken McNugget Medium Set - with extra Sweet and Sour Sauce, and Orange as a drink". Been a while since I had their pineapple pie, but they only served apple pie then. Don't know why though, but I bought it all the same. Anyway, I have usually prefered McD to KFC (but KFC's hot and spicy is good!).

As I was enjoying my meal, I noticed two foreign travellers clearing their trays after finishing, and it brought back memories that hey!, I used to do that (i.e. clear the tray and leftovers) after the meal when I was studying overseas. But, it seems to be a Malaysian "thing" to just eat and leave, and let the McD staff to clear the table. It is very rare to see Malaysians tidying up after going to a fast food outlet. Why do you think that is so? Why do we want people to "tidy after us" in this aspect, and is it ingrained in our system, that for other things we do, we let others "clear our rubbish" so to say? Why can't we "clear our own rubbish"?

As I was posing this question to my friend, she had a different perspective. She said that the McD staff are paid to "tidy up" after guests leave, and why should we make life easy for them? She also indicated that most are school holiday part timers and want to earn some pocket money. Why should we deprive them from gainful employment. I was like "Huh?! True also!", and have never even considered it from that angle.

But if I was in their shoes, don't I want an easier task to do? It's not a matter of being lazy, more a matter of having your customers or clients being more considerate. My friend indicated that from her work experience, having to deal with a lot of government staff's working mentality (and yes, I know I am generalising here - and not all are like that), she is disillussioned. I guessed that in a way, it is a form of "letting go" the frustration, and hence may unintentionally reciprocate in kind. :(

I don't know. I perceive it from a different perspective. I see that if all do at least one or two good deeds for a day, it may brighten up someone's day. That person you had inadvertantly smiled at, or assisted, or even helped cross the street, may be literally down in the dumps, but that single deed being freely given, may have made an impact, no matter how small, and may have cheered the person up in someway. Do you only look to "big" things people do for you and not consider those little things someone else may do for you? Have you treasured the little things others have done for you?

Actually, been meaning to blog about something related to this for a while already, but have been caught up with something or another. It's the little "love" which can be spread and many take for granted. Hands up please, those who seldom say "thank you" to your mothers? There are so many small things mothers do for us which we take for granted. One which comes to mind, was my mother peeling rambutans to chill in the fridge on her own self accord. Why? Because we like to eat the rambutans chilled, and so that we don't have to peel it ourselves. But what made this event "special" in a way? Well, she has previously undergone operations for arthritis in the hands, yet, she conveyed her love for us in a way she knew how, even though we told her not to peel the rambutans for us as we can do it ourselves. How often have you taken your mother or family members for granted?

And yes, when I left McD's after my meal, I cleared my tray, including my friend's.