The BEST Chocolate Fondue!!

The best chocolate fondue in town:

Credits: Fondue set courtesy of Sri Kanda Perumal (thanks for the gift!) Beautifully cut and arranged fruits courtesy of Tan May Leeng Biscuits & breadsticks courtesy of Nah Mei Lee Chocolate fondue prepared by ME! ;) Venue: My home :)

a NON-recommendation =p

Went for dinner yesterday at Jarrod & Rawkins in One Utama (New Wing). And unfortunately I have nothing good to say about it.

Before I even go into how the food tasted and all... let me start with the service. The waiters were very blur and could not understand simple English, which is something you'll expect at a hawker centre or coffee shop but not at a place that serves at their prices (will go into that shortly). We were a group of 9 people and all our food came out with such long intervals between that we could not have our meal together. Even though some of us ordered the same thing, the first person got their meal, finished it before anyone else's meal came. The last person to get the meal was when everyone else had almost finished their meals. EVEN though the person that got the first one and the person that got the last one ordered the same thing!! Sausages & mash. How hard could that be to prepare???

Now on to the food. Their SIGNATURE dish is their sausages. It cost RM18++ and this is how it looks like:

Pathetic don't you think?? And on top of that each of our mash potatoes came cold. Yucks!!

Some of us ordered the steak (rm28++), fish & chips and pork chops (rm25++). They were dry and all were served as per the above picture, just replaced with whatever else ur having to replace the sausages. The taste was nothing to be shouted about, in actual fact I've tasted better steaks at some of those stalls which sell western food for like RM10 per set (and they even look better!!)

our feeling of the "purveyors of fine food & wine"

All in all, it was a totally unsatisfying meal. Will NEVER go back, even if someone wanted to pay for me!!

2008 is here....

The year has not started well for me :( 2nd day already kena food poisoning... and my "new year" has been filled with these: I know la i wanted to lose weight, but this is like the worse way to do it. Sigh. All I've been eating is porridge and plain white bread. I can't even stomach anything more *sob sob* First day of work, MC liow.... great impression to my boss. Sigh... now i'm back at work and all i can think of is "don't puke, don't puke, control control" All i wanna do is go homeeeeeeeeee :(

Freedom of speech, ever heard of it??

Its sad that at this day and age, there are still many people persecuted for speaking out loud, especially against injustice, immorral acts, wrongful conduct & etc...this of course is very evident in the recent rallies and the police stopping them with force and violence. Many are currently now using blogs and the internet to voice out their frusfrations and getting their voice out there to be heard. Now I have no such lofty aspirations with my blog, as I really don't think I have much "insights" to share especially about the political situation in Malaysia. However, I would like to talk about something much more closer to home. Previously, I had my blog on Friendster... and I blogged basically about anything happening in my life at the moment... now, I of course try to never name names nor step on anyone's toes with my blogging, however I did get some "advise" as to not to blog about certain aspects in my life or etc.... this "advise" was given as I'm a Christian, and therefore should be an example. Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure they had all the good intentions to advise me on that. However, due to their advise I felt very pressured whenever I wrote... I kept thinking, who will read this... whenever i post something, I would worry whether i would then later get a call. All in all, after a while, I got fed up of writing since I kept looking behind my back to see whether I would get any repercussion from my posting. The thing was, my post were nothing but just my views. Why I'm writing about it now is because I actually have a friend that's going through the same thing now. She has resorted to password protecting her post; which i feel is very sad... writings which she used to share with friends and family are now something she feels compelled to hide because it might not agree with other people's views. And she would get phone calls and emails lecturing her on her views and how she should not voice them out. I know that even writing about it now, many would think I'm actually advocating that Christian's are a pyscho lot that would want to "mum" their believers. Which is definitely not true.... God does not stop anyone from speaking their minds. In actual fact, the Bible clearly shows that Jesus went around, talking to people, advising people and telling truth, more than anything else in the three years before he was crucified. Yes, he did miracles. He healed people. But most of all, He talked, he ministered, and he stood up and pointed out what was wrong. He spoke out against injustice and immorality. He did not keep mum, even though many tried to get him to shut up. So now back to now, my friend is sharing her life, her struggles, what she thinks is right or wrong... and yet she feels that her opinions are not just not taken into consideration, but rather she's told to not share her opinions. Now, I might or might not agree with what she has said, or might say in the future, but who are we to judge what she says?? Who are we to stop her from having free speech? You might read this and misunderstand that being a Christian we are not allowed to voice out our fears, frusfrations, anger and etc. That is NOT true. Its not God that says we can't. Its people who try to play God that stops others from having opinions other that their own. It happens everywhere... it just so happens that right now I'm talking about being a Christian and facing it. Everyone does it or goes through it, regardless of religion or race. But what I'm standing for right now is that, being a Christian, we should not be the ones that stop people from having an opinion. Nor should we judge people for thinking and acting differently than from the norm or the accepted way which we think should be the way. Everyone is different, everyone has a right to their own opinions and there are different ways to express one self. We should not judge or dismiss a person's opinions just because they are different from ours. Freedom of speech ;) God bless and good night.

New place to eat ....

There was a new restaurant that opened in my office building (Jaya33 for those who are blur), its an Italian restaurant. And its called d'Italiane Kitchen.

So yesterday for lunch my collegues and I went to try it out ;) Bottom are the pictures taken by my colleague.

We had three different types of pastas. Price range was from RM18++ for a plate of pasta. I had the carbonara... it was quite thick with lots of beef bacon and mushrooms. I could only finish half the plate cause it was quite the creamy and filing. The other pasta that I ordered for my colleague (he let me mah) was a fried spaghetti with prawns... dun remember the name leh =p But it was very nice =)

Didn't try other dishes since it was lunch and already i was so full. Will definitely go again and try the other stuff. They look good in the menu :) Oh and the environment was ok la, very minimalistic. White walls, ceiling and chairs too. Very white white. Makes the place feel very clean ;) But not like romantic or anything la.... maybe its different at night but in the afternoon it was very bright.

All in all, pasta wise it was nice :) Environment, so so. Will go again ;)

U know Christmas is here when....

U know Christmas is here when my living room floor is littered with gifts and wrappers and boxes and ribbons.... and me drowning under it =p Yes, I have started my Christmas shopping... i would say almost 90% complete. Trust me, I'm behind schedule, normally end of November, I'm done....kekeke....yes yes, my bf keeps telling everyone that I'm a pyscho. But sue me for not wanting to do last minute "grab anything" kind of Christmas shopping :) So, yesterday went and caught a movie... "Beowulf"... not exactly my kinda show la... only watched cos of the hoo-haa that can see Angelina Jolie naked....kakaka.... ok ok, no... i didn't even choose the show, Shaun did. Best part of the night was dinner at Sakae Sushi...kekeke. And The Curve is decorated so beautifully, so many people were taking pictures, made me want to take picture too, but no camera :( Anyhoo, we went shopping la for Christmas after the show :) But nearly ended up fighting =p To cut a long story short, we didn't agree on what present to buy for someone. So now comes my question..... Do we buy presents for the sake of buying anything, or do we buy presents by OUR own taste, OR do we buy what the "receiver" would want? I don't know about other people, but i really dun like getting ANOTHER candle for Christmas (hehe, don't take offense if u gave me a candle ok? I still love you for giving me anything ;) ) But I feel so bad for ....well, to be getting a present that ends up being something I would not actually have any use for, and yet I have to smile and say its great... like yes, i needed ANOTHER diary/planner which i will never use cos I have like 10 planners... not like there's gonna be 10 2008s =p I know I know, Christmas is about giving, not receiving. Its about God and his ultimate gift to us. I'm just saying, if you're gonna spend money on gifts, and you have NOOOOOOO idea wat the person would want or need or yearn for (most of the time, u can't afford the yearning ones anyway)... get them something useful, like a pair of socks, at least they can wear it ;) or Cookies - can eat! :) But bottomline, its about the receiver, not you or me ;)

To bend or not to bend?

I came across this quote and I found it so funny: "If God wanted us to bend over he'd put diamonds on the floor." - Joan Rivers Is that true?? Well, for someone as stubborn as I am I would say its true... I would like to think that God made me this way for a reason. To stand up for myself, for my beliefs, my my family and friends, for injustice, for truth... So yeah, I would "like" to think that I'm this way for a reason and you shouldn't bend over just for everything or anything. However, others can and might say that, u should bend over for others, God wants you to be humble and submit to authority,...etc...etc.... So which way goes? My opinion is strongly for the first... but I guess that the latter applies in some situations too... Its really something that needs a whole lot more thought and practice (depending on which side u stand). Not bending over works for me in some situations... but I'm not too stubborn to know that sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and say "pleaseeeeee" even to the most irritating and stupid people (will blog more on this). AND shaun will definitely attest to the fact that he gets his way alot by using his "PR" skills while i just bulldoze my way through... hehehe

Light & Easy

Today I will be posting something light & easy. And at the same time importing all my old blog postings. Its a cold and rainy morning...the best weather to stay in bed :) Unfortunately, have to go work :( So instead of working I shall blog and pick fights on Facebook ... hehe... The year is coming to an end... it seemed to have sailed past on fast forward and my birthday is looming. Sigh. I will be getting older... i'm not too sure about being any wiser . But I certainly feel old. At work I see all these young little lambs coming in from Uni, expecting the world to treat them well becos, heck for no good reason but because they exist la....kakaka... are they in for a rude awakening =p Anyhoo, back to me. Was looking at my new year's resolution from beginning of this year and I'm wondering whether in one month's time I can loose the 7kgs that I "resoluted" to lose....kekeke... I don't know why I even bothered to make the resolution since I love to eat so much =) I guess I could go to the gym more often... but its just so ....haiiiiiii.... boring =p Was suppose to go to the gym today... but yet again I have made excuses to no need to go :) This post started in the morning... and now its actually end of the day. My goodness how time flies. Its time to go home liow. Time to go home and eat...muakakakaka....

What's the hardest decision you've ever made?

Seriously what has been the hardest decision you've ever made? Would it be which Uni you went to? What job to do? Which girl or guy to marry? Which car to buy? Where's the best area to buy a house? Well, for me, my hardest decision has been to be a Christian. Yes, I can hear all the *gasping* and the sharp intake of breath, thinking this girl is being "blasphemous!!"... how can she say dat??!! Well, I'm saying it. Choosing to be a Christian is a decision that has been one of the hardest decisions that I've had to live up to. And I refuse to dress it up in pretty little pictures. Heck anyone that knows me well enough knows that I'm one of the most practical and cynical person. I could have argued with anyone until the sun came up on all things Christian. And yet, I'm a Christian. And alot of ppl still wonder why...haha. Its really not easy. Its really not all flowers, beautiful things and happy happy thoughts (that's probably why nobody thought I'll become a Christian... I'm not eaxctly ms. giggly & sweet =p ) And I am really sick of ppl who want to paint it as that. That's why I'm saying it. Choosing to be a Christian is just hard. Your life problems don't disappear overnight. You're still the same person in the same skin (and trust me, my skin sucks =p) What is hard about being a Christian? Loving people... all people... regardlessly and unconditionally (And please don't get me wrong, loving people doesn't mean smiling endlessly at everyone and "act" like you're suddenly their best friend). Turn the other cheek when you're wronged. Another one would be pleasing God. Being a witness of his love... so many =p So the natural question would be, then why are you a Christian?? Why choose something that is so hard? I know everyone has their own reason. But my reason was just that no one else on this planet will ever love me fully. Especially if they knew me for all my weakness, all my bad habits and temper, etc..etc... Not my parents, not my bf, not my grandparents (tho they come close..) ... Seriously no one. And at my lowest and at the point where I felt the loneliest and most "un-loved", i knew God loved me. That God is there, whether you acknowledge him or not, or believe in Him or not. He is just there. And that is the one thing about Christianity... its Love. Jesus died for us out of love. Love is at the base, the core...Its a relationship. And with all relationships, its hard. Its voluntary. It can't be forced. And God really really doesn't force us. Which makes it soooooooooooo easy to just not love him. To just act like He's not there. Do as we please. Kinda like when you're a teenager and you know your parents love you and would be damn disappointed that you skipped school, but yet you do it bcos you can. And even if you do get caught, they'll still love you. So heck, let's just have fun. So then of course there's always questions... and doubts and worries and wondering. Basically I believe in something/someone that I can't see (not like your parents which can cane you or smack you silly =p) That to everyone else, i can't hear, can't have a conversation with, can't touch... so that brings up the, how do u you know He really is there??...and does the God that I believe in really actually exist?? I can't answer it in a way that enables someone who's never experience it to be able to "experience" it with just my words. I'm sure many can give you the nicest, rosiest pictures of a relationship with God. Well, I can't. Really I don't hear an audible voice. No tangible thing to hold on to or a statue to bow or stare at... But sometimes at the most quiet times... staring just at a baby... you would know that God's hands were there. (heck, that baby didn't burst out of a rock la =p) I guess it would be easy if I just choose to not think about it. Blind faith. But God never asked for blind faith. He did ask for "Child like" faith, but not blind faith. He never said, don't ever ever ever question me. Just obey every rule!! No, He's not like that. He just lets you be. And its like... He's given you the free will to choose what you want to do. Down to even if you want to believe he exist or not. Sigh. And free reign over your own choices is one of the hardest things..... :( But because I believe He does exist. And He does give me comfort and He is always there regardless, its a choice that I have to keep to. Everyday I have to choose to be a "christian". As best as I can. And I worry everyday that one day I might choose the easy way out. To just ignore His existence. To be just like everyone else and lead my life as I please. But somehow inside me I know that would just make me feel even more empty and lost. So hard as it may be, I'd rather have a life with God's presence than to go about as I please feeling empty and lost.

No to FENG SHUI!!

These are my cactus. I have them on my window sill in my office. They are lovely plants to have. Resilient & tough as nails. I love my cactus cause it doesn't need much care to blossom. Now today a few things went wrong, and my colleagues tell me to get rid of my lovely cactus because its BAD feng shui. They've been telling me since day one to get rid of them for they will bring me bad luck. Its simply preposterous to blame it on the cactus. That the wind and the water and the watever is not in balance therefore things go wrong. Come on. Everything that went wrong was from human error. Not like the cactus called the printer and told them to print the thing wrong. Nor did they call the event organiser and told them not to send the forms to us. To blame everything that goes right or wrong based on the wind and water and blah blah blah (watever fengshui mumbo jumbo applies) its just man's way of saying "hey, it wasn't me, it was the cactus." Let me make my stand clear. I believe God made man. God made plants. God made the seas, the rivers, the mountains... basically everything. And no plant or fish or frog or turtle placed in whatsoever position or watsoever "great" timing changes God's plans for me. God makes the decisions, for He is my creator. To tell God that "I don't want to trust you for my future, I want to trust that I can use water, plants, animals to deal with my future..." is basically saying "God I don't need You BUT I'll rely on things You created..." I don't know about you, I think that sounds pretty stupid dun it?