Ain't No Human

Ah Long ar Ah Long.

Forced imprisonment. Inhumane treatment. Such devilish idea you are capable of!

Do you think you are greater, and better, than God?!

You should not be considered human because you are the one not deserving to be treated like human.

You should not be walking on your feet because it befits you to be crawling on the floor.

You should not be eating rice like one of us because you can't digest rice.

You should not be smoking like my human friend because your being can't smoke.

You should not be cutting your hair because you needn't one.

You should not be wearing cloth like me because like zombie, cloth is meaningless.

You needn't walk beneath the light because your being don't have shadow.

You should not have surname because you smear the very good name of the families carry that surname.

When The Fat Lady Sings

Damn! What have I been missing! This is like the hottest clip in YouTube for the past 2 months. This is one ordinary person with extraordinary talent and everybody get shocked and applauded!

Noticed her confidence and how audience reacted unfavourably to her when she proclaimed "I am trying to be a professional singer! But I haven't got the chance" Even Simon Cowell rolled his eyes on that. The minute she sangs, the atmosphere changed and everyone was mesmerized with her voice and exploded with cheers at the end.

This is what I call an inspiring moment! Susan Boyle.

Her situation is very much similar with Paul Potts!

In Politician We Trust

Maybe I am being too idealistic and out of touch with reality. I always think that being a politician, your main objective, once being elected by Rakyat, is to serve the Rakyat and advancing the interest of the Country. I have a tendency to believe that politicians are noble and being respected by Rakyat because they are, and empowered so, to fulfill the expectations of the Rakyat. Such noble responsibility and such an important job. Rakyat is the master and politician is servant of the master and the objective shall be serviing the Rakyat and the Country. Simple right?

Silly me, that shows how far off I am from reality.

In reality, the notion of serving the Rakyat / Country is the mere cosmetic layer of ugly and selfish human behaviours that aim at nothing but squashing rival politicians and of course, make big big bucks through legal or illegal means, and in the process, betray the very good human values. I am sure you can immediately give me the names of politicians who we admire for bringing changes and respectable. But at the same time, give me the names of those politicians who you think should, well, go to hell. The bad ones outnumbered good ones right? No need to think far. Think in the very land of boleh-ness.

Times and times we witnessed our politicians making fool of themselves and bring shame to our Country domestically and internationally and STILL they are thick-faced enough to put forth illogical and / or obtuse reasons as if the Rakyat are so blind, foolish and gullible! I hate it when someone USE / SWEAR in the name of God. The fact is when you do that you are telling the world that you are worthless and unscrupulous that using God's name is the only way to add credibility to you. Such a shame to your family's name. On the other hand, that's blasphemy for me.

Anyway, having said all of the above, we, Rakyat deserve to be treated like a fool because we did not chose a party that treat us respectfully. Instead of voicing out our views / wishes through casting our votes, we switch on to Angeline Jolin news or shopping for new shoes or staying in house on election day because very hot - Can you believe it! That's not the worse, the worse is making self-serving statements like: I am not interest in politics la or I don't care about politics it does nothing to me.

Well, you are living in the world that is full of bullshit and unfairness because you allow it to happen. You are too ignorant and too lazy to open your eyes and take note of whatever that is happening around you. Politics has every impact on you and your life like it or not. Why do you think the Police service sucks? Why do you complain about public transport is not up to expectation? Why do you question yourself time and over again after paying your tax, the services have never been improved? Why do you think you are paying exorbitant toll fees daily? Why do you think your nephew, being a brilliant strike A student, did not get the scholarship he / she deserves? Why do you allow corruption to be a norm in Malaysia? Why do you complain Malaysia is no good to you when you don't even care to make your voice heard?

My one vote does not make any difference la. Yeah right, you are so indifferent you refuse to see that you can make changes even with your one vote.

What happened in Perak recently should open you eye and for those uninitiated, think along this line. You were raped and injured. You dragged yourself to the nearest Police Station. Hoping to get the assistance from Mr Police who supposedly protecting the Rakyat. Instead the police officer scorned at you "Padan muka! Sebab engkau dilahir seorang perempuan!" What the fxxk! Okay, Police don't help me I go to judge. So you went. The judge told you "You should not seduce him! You started this and by right, I should throw you in jail!" Confused and extremely unhappy! What in the world is going on? The rapist don't get punishment but I, the victim, was being accused of starting the crime that I did not commit? Fine! If the judge is blind and can't help me, I go to Whatever Minister. Guess what he said? "Well, I am the one who instructed you to be raped!"

Unbelievable huh? It happened?! It happened right under your nose. What can you do about it? Do you want to live in such a world where what is immoral becomes moral and what is wrong becomes right? The law is in the hands of those in power and they do whatever they want. Sad but true.

I think Rakyat has to be united, wise, and be strong enough to say that I don't need rubbish politicians who hold the office but done nothing for me and my beloved Country. I have enough with empty and broken promises and I am master, you are servant. You should respect me and I don't need your bullshit.

Reading back what I have written so far in this post, I can't help but to think that my view may be too pessimistic or direct to some of you out there but that's because I care being a Malaysian. I care to live in a democratic country. I care to uphold good human values. I care to live in a country that promote unity among races and racial harmony. I care what other countries think about Malaysia. And I care to make a difference with my vote, in 3 or 4 years time to come. I care to say no to develish politicians.

It does not matter who you vote as long as you vote wisely and truly believe in the party that your vote to be in the power has the ability to change the Country and serve you better.

Vote! Vote out the politicians who are rubbish! Vote in the politicians who care to bring positive changes in our Country!

Jade Village Restaurant

Do you like dim sum?

I love dim sum so much but unfortunately, I don't find any good dim sum in Klang Valley. I find the dim sum places in Klang Valley to be over-priced and generally not up to my expectation. My favourite dim sum is Min Kok Restaurant in Seremban. It is on the top of my dim sum list. However, I am not talking about Ming Kok today.

About two months ago, I chanced upon this dim sum restaurant in Kota Damansara and totally like it. I run a search in google. Not much information about this place. Well, here you go.

Jade Village Restaurant is located... er... a bit hard to explain the address is here: 22A, Jalan PJU 5/11, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Your typical Chinese dim sum restaurant minus the uncles and aunties or older people chatting loudly and happily sipping the tea? I noticed, from the few visits, that most of the crowd are younger for reasons unknown to me. I find the dim sums here very good in taste and deserve recommendation.

Porridge. I like a small bowl of porridge to kick start the breakfast. Thick in texture and taste but not too watery.

I maybe wrong about this but when you want to know if a dim sum restaurant is using freshest ingredients and serious about providing good tasting / quality dim sums to its patrons, try its 'Har Kau' or prawn dumpling. I took a bite at Jade's 'Har Kau' and I have confident with the quality of dim sums. The prawn is fresh and a bit bouncy when biting it. If the 'Har Kau' can be that good which is expensive ingredient, the other dim sum can't be that bad. Well, this may not be logic to you but my experience of those years of eating dim sums has bee such.

Upon hearing someone ordered 'Long Har Kau' or lobster dumpling, it was like what! you have lobster in your dim sum! No time to waste, I immediately ordered one.

When it arrived, cheah! it wasn't lobster! It was a few prawns (three to four) wrapped and steamed together. Nope, I was not disappointed but very happy with the taste. How often do you get to munch three prawns in your mouth at one go! Yeah, that's right! If this is really a lobster, it would cost me dearly.

Egg tarts! I love it. It is not so sugary and it has egg taste.










'Ghi Cheong Fan' or rather sliced roasted pork in thin rice skin socked in light soya sauce. Am I right with this? Ha ha.

I did not taste it. Ah Chuin did so I guess it is good as long as she gets her sambal chili banyak banyak with it!













'Har Guin' or Prawn and minced pork fried in beancard skin. Yummy!










Well, you can't leave a dim sum place without trying its 'Char Siew Pau' or... er... how do I call this in English? Steamed roasted pork in a bun. Taste okay. A bit salty to my liking.

'Dai Zi Kau' or Steamed scallops dumpling and there are two scallops and one prawn in one dumpling. It's costs you RM4.00 for three dumplings - That's what I was charged.

I'll be back for more!

KLCC Petronas Twin Tower

I took Ms Pany and Ah Chuin out for a ride around Kuala Lumpur City Centre on Thursday night, 21 May 2009.

We were passing by KLCC Twin Tower and distracted by its beauty and then decided to park our car and stay for a while. I rarely come to this part of town at night so I was totally captivated when I caught the view of KLCC Twin Tower. It looks very much 'different' at night. At day time, the place looks so, well, unattractive to me. The KLCC Twin Tower is magnificent and at its best look at night. Its grandeur illuminates every corner of the city.

Despite my half-baked photography skills, I took out Ms Pany and try the best I can to capture the beauty of KLCC. The photos shown here have been slightly enhanced with photo-editing software. I want it to be as close as possible to what I saw. But I am quite happy with Ms Pany anyway. She did well and did not disappoint me.

These photos are big in size. They have been re-sized so that the uploading can be less time-consuming and hassle-free. Click on photo to view in bigger size.

When you accidentally snap a photo without knowing it, what do you think you will get?

An imperfect photo as above. It looks as if the Tower is being electrified or in fire (Touchwood! Pui Pui Pui!). I was about to delete this photo but I hesitated. Beauty is in the eye of beholder. I think in a way, the photo is pretty and I should just keep it.

Do you like KLCC in its natural colour? Or a little warmer colour? Or icy blue?

Ms Pany's big round eye works wonderfully. At the maximum zoom, the photo quality is still superb!

Last but not least, I leave you with a panaromic view of KLCC.

Something to be proud of as a Malaysian, Don't you agree!

Tian Tian Seafood Restaurant

I try to blog in lesser words. I think some of you who have been reading know that I am, well, long-winded. Besides, I find it pointless to say things in detail when introducing an eating place. Rather then letting the words lead your imagination, the visual part is much more appealing. As for the taste, you have to try it personally and be a judge yourself.

I am working somewhere in Sunway and I know about Tian Tian Restaurant (Click name for address) from Ah Hung who made the recommendation to me. Since then, I have tried a few times and I have not been disappointed with their food.

The place is full of people during the dinner time and it opens for lunch as well.











This is one of my favourite dishes in Tian Tian. I do not know how to call it in English. It's pork in sauce that tastes like tomato and it wrapped in aluminium foil (baked / grilled) before serving.











Seafood XO Noodle is what this restaurant is famous for. I would not miss it every time I come to this place. It comes in thick soup. Add a little bit of vinegar, it is so good!











Brinjal and french bean stir-fried in black soya sauce. The adding of dried shrimps enhances the taste greatly. One dish you should not miss, seriously!











If my memory serves me right, this dish is called Nyoya Cuttlefish. Delicious!











You don't need my introduction on this, do you?











Homemade Seafood Tofu. Thumbs up!

This has to be the fastest post for me! I did it in less than half an hour.

This Ain't One-Night Affair, Ms Pany

It is crazy to buy love with money.

But I believe in buying your love with my money.
Don't you ever think this is a one-night affair.

It is obvious to me that you belong to nobody else but me.

I say it so firmly and I know this is our destiny.
The look of your body fascinates me.
The touch of your skin so tender and lovely.
Through your big round eye I see endless beauty of the world.
I convince a whole new world awaits you and me.
I can't believe you are so smart and talented.
It is like you know what I want and know what I think.
Having you around complete the void in me.
Our union is nothing but a true blessing.
God has mercy on me that's why you are send to me.
We are perfect for each other just you and me.
I hear people sing praises to you and they sing it loudly.
They long to touch you but there will be no approval from me.
Your other friends come to me and I can tell they are interested in me.

They throw their arms around me and they want me so badly.
They give me undivided attention but you are the only one that I want to be with.

I guess I am caged by your love I couldn't, and wouldn't break free.

Together, we will be writing our memory.

Page by page, chapter by chapter, book by book.

My oh my, the new love of my life: Ms Pany.

Ms Pany: Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7.

What? You think I am having an affair with someone else?

Statistics

We are or will be part of the statistics.

Like it or not, the ultimate statistics that you, me, and all the human in this world would be in one day is death statistics or some may term it more graciously: The Passing.

No worry, this is not a post that intends to be thought-provoking or insightful on heavy subject such as death. I just want to share with you about this movie that I watched over a recent weekend and it is called 'Statistics' and this is one that worth recommendation.

Despite the recommendation, let me tell you in advance that this is not a movie review. I merely present to you what my thoughts are about this movie and if you do have an opportunity, don't miss this movie. This is not your typical or average Hollywood movie that promised A-class actor / actress or backed by multi-million production budget. This is not a typical movie that sends you screaming with the ghostly images, or the romantic story that leaves you mushy and sloppy over love, or none-stop actions that stimulate (or confuse, sometimes) your senses. This movie tells you coldly about life and how it is being disregarded by everyone of us every passing minute. It tells you life as it is: Unfair, obnoxious, pity, down-and-out and all the negetivity about life but we are to remember that this is a life worth fighting and living for.

So imagine that you are having a really bad day: A heated argument with your boss, or an ugly divorce, or a druggy son or anything that makes you feel absolutely miserable with your life and you would rather sleep your days over then to be up and aware. Well, there is always something that is worth living for or wake up to but you refuse to see it.

I won't be revealing much about the storyline. It is not a complicated story and this much I can tell you:

Life was totally unfair to him and pushed him to the point of explosion and that's what happened to an enraged Deejay who was called in by his boss despite the fact that he was sleep deprived due to a a fire broke out a night before destroyed everything he owns except for his car, wife, and two kids. He tried to get a day off from his boss to sort things out but his request was coldly rejected by his boss. So with his dejected mood, he dragged himself to the studio, went on air and he started to count statistics (rapes, murders, suicides, etc) to his audience in a very direct and unstoppable way: He questioned God / faith, he questioned human ignorance, he questioned inhuman actions, he questioned everything as if nothing is good in this world just like what we would do (normally) when bad things befall us: We think this world is just hopeless.

As portraits through out the movie, the life of us and others around us are fragile and deserve more appreciations. Death comes in many forms and can be just wildly unexpected. Imagine one of your good friends are being killed one day by just walking to his car and some teenager punks think it is cool to whack him from behind with a baseball bat in a moving car just to earn the respect from his peer 'Look, dudes! I can totally do that too and don't you ever mess with me!" One life perished because of one's vanity. How sad but very true. It is happening every day and somewhere in the world every passing minute.

The deaths in this movie are not the kind of death that comes with old age, graceful and painless passing. Their lives were snatched away disrespectfully, against their wish / will, and they all died of unworthy cause. One question that popped in my mind was: These individuals deserves some respect.

While watching the movie, I had flashbacks of road accident that I had encountered in my life thus fur and I have always been consistent in my reactions: I will drive past the scene without slowing down (If I know assistance is there) and I will never peek at the victim. Why such reactions from me? Because out of respect. If you are the victim or when you are at your dying breath, do you want strangers who have absolutely no help to your situation whatsoever to look at you? They are not mourning your death but they are merely onlooker. Of course, I did not mean to say that all those slow down to watch are doing it out of disrespect of the victim. That's just the way I give my respect to the victim.

Reading back what I have written so far made me realized that it is not so upbeat. The movie suggests to us one way to go through the saddest / darkest times are to look at what we have and find / remember that there are always good and wonderful things about life too.

Death is always a tragic thing to us and it is our wisdom that carries us through the saddest point in our life and there is no life unworthy of living. We are the lucky bunch for no being the statistics of 911, Tsunami, suicide bombers and etc. Be grateful everyday.

I See Light

There will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Ugly Monkey Business

It started with a fuzzy, shoddy image in my head that we are living in a very backward, lawless, and barbaric time when the words such as moral, integrity, and ethic were not even perceived in the mind of our very ancestor: Homo Sapiens. I put down the newspaper in my hand and then I feel heavy with the eyes.

Then I had this little dream in my mind that went like this: I was in a Zoo and I was truly enjoying myself watching the animals: The different species of birds, white tigers, lions, pandas, snakes, etc. I strolled slowly and reached a big cage with a big group of monkeys locking up in the cage and my appearance sent them go berserk and that shocked me greatly. I looked around and then I realized that I am the only visitor in the Zoo.

Suddenly, for some reasons unknown to me, the monkeys mutated and they became stronger. They got strong arms and grew bigger than me. This was happening so fast. The steel bar of the cage was easily bended and one by one the monkeys walked out from the cage and like a stone I froze watching what had just happened right in front of me and forgot to run. In no time, I was surrounded by monkeys.

Too late, I got no way to escape and they outnumbered me. That's it! That is the end of my day because they looked like they want to kill me for some reason. They each have an angry and utterly ugly face and if I may, I would go to the extend to say that they look like demons from hell! There and then I saw one of the monkeys hobbled slowly towards me. Apparently the smallest one in the group and it has an undeveloped leg because it limped as it inched closer. It stopped at a distance that I can see its face clearly. It has a human-like face.

I was thinking to myself where have I seen this face before? A face of middle-aged woman. The shoulder-length hair, round and ungrateful face. Frown expression as if she is not happy with anything and everything. She looks like the woman who single-handedly overturned the State Government of Per......

Just there and then. She demanded in human voice "Give me the microphone!"

I puzzled or rather I was startled at her demand and where the hell do I find a microphone for her? I don't have one with me now. Nevertheless, I uttered a response. "What do you mean? I don't have one. Let me go".

She growled a little and with a smirk in her face she went "I know you know me. I have been the victim for so long when I was in in human form like you but I was treated like a worthless worm by human! I was sidelined, I was ostricized, singled out, and I was in pain... very much in pain... that's when I decided to betray human!" At this point, she shed tears and her voice choked and her face showed anguish? Anguish or acting I can't see clearly from where I stand.

Then this big tall monkey with big belly white hair slowly emerged from the background and hugged her from behind. "It is okay now. You are one of us now and I would be your guiding light. Worship me and I shall elevate you. Remember our deal." It smiled an evil grin. I shuddered.

At this juncture, another monkey with round spectacles and obviously much darker hair all over its body appeared from the back of big tall monkey. It looked at me fiercely and I can tell it ready to make a jump on me make me kill.

I panicked. I don't want to die but I am confused now because I did not do anything wrong. I should not be the one that they are after: I queued up, I paid the entrance fees and I did not feed. I followed rules and regulations and am I deserved to be killed because of that? This could be the case of mistaken identity. I calmed myself a little and I uttered "What is wrong cannot be right and what is right cannot be wrong. The Almighty God know!" I don't know what I said but I said it.

Immediately these monkeys gave me the sharpest gaze even known to the monkey kind. They growled crazily and together took one step closer on me!

Shit! I said the wrong thing! Stupid me! It happens all the times to me. Quick, think about something else to pacify them!

This crippled monkey shouted back at me "I can topple the whole Zoo when I want to. You can't keep us monkey in the cage anymore! GIVE ME THE MICROPHONE! NOW OR NEVER!!!"

"Yeah! Right! You have your God to answer to. Right! You don't have to answer to human being of your behaviours! Right! It does not matter how they think and act on you. Errr, right, God will be with you and blessing you all the way through!" Damn! The more I say, the more honest the answer! That's obviously not something you say to appease. The thing about me is that I tend to say directly what is on my mind when I feel tensed! Obviously, I did not think I have calmed them.

"Stupid human, KILL YOU NOW!" The crippled monkey surged forward faster and faster. The rest follows closely behind. It jumped into the air and howled. "I am your nightmare human! Remember me I used to have a human name too I am HeeeeeeeeZeeeeeeeF.........!"

In the time of crisis, I reacted the way I best know how: I remembered I defended myself and I fought with my fists firmly and wildly and... and... and... then I jolted up, opened my eyes and gasped for air! God, it was a dream! I just had a bad dream that's all.

I looked at the newspaper that I held in my hand and suddenly I realized: Despicable ways of Power Struggle in Perak.

I just have this to say: Don't glorify your misdeeds! Don't try to patronize Rakyat Jelita like me! Don't try to rationalize your illegal, despicable acts, and don't fill us with twisted facts! We are not blind and we can see what is wrong and what is right. You are digging your own graveyard and your doomsday is near.

Just as I expected, we are now the laughing stock and subject of mockery as the undemocratic event in Perak unfolded in the newspapers around the world.

Hing Ket Grill House

Lamb chop has never tasted so GREAT to me! It is so Good with the capital G! and I am talking about Hing Ket's grilled lamb chop!
Exclamation mark three times. Huh, that's means very good.

Before Hing Ket, I don't particularly enjoy lamb chop or anything cooks with lamb. I mean yes, I eat lamb chop a few times before but I wasn't impressed at all. Everything about lamb is just average to me. That changed after I tried Hing Ket's grilled lamb chop and who would have though that I become so fond of it?

I was introduced to Hing Ket of Kampung Jawa because it serves grilled crab that is big, fresh, tasty, and at the cheaper price. I am a bit skeptical about the grilled crab thingy. I remember of a time I eat grilled grab at a famous Ikan Bakar in Malacca so many years ago and how I hate it because it was hard to eat the crab as the meat was dried and stuck to the shell and all that because of the grilling or over grilling. Needless to say, I just wasn't enjoyed it.

When I sat down in Hing Ket for the first time, I was not convinced when I know that we were going to have grilled lamb and crab but hey, since there was recommendation well, just go with it. The rest is history because I have been coming back to Hing Ket a few times now. By the way, have to thank Ah Grace for the introduction to Hing Ket!

I was planning a celebration recently and I had been raving about Hing Ket for a few weeks as if I own the business and successfully got Ah Chong drooling and fancying about the food just by mere description. One of the evenings after much touturing Ah Chong, three of us (Me, Ah Chuin) jumped into a car and headed towards Kampung Jawa.

Click here for direction. Click here for a blog's review about the place.

Three hungry ghosts awaiting eagerly for the food to be served.
I mean me, Ah Chuin and Ah Chong.















2 pieces of lamb chop per hungry ghost so there were 6 pieces of delicious lamb chop for 3 hungry ghosts! Grilled to perfection. Slightly charred. The meat was tender and juicy... should I say juicy? I mean the meat was not dried like when you over-grilled it so when you chew it you chew it like chewy gum and you would not be able to swallow it. In fact, it was the lamb fat that is juicy and I can't believe I love it! The raw smell of lamb was not in the taste at all. That's for me makes the lamb chop so lovable and edible. I can have the 3 pieces of lamb chop in a row! By the way, each lamb chop costs you RM7.50 if you want to know.












You have got to try it with the mint sauce. Well, not that mint sauce is necessary because the grilled lamb is as good eating it as it is. Personally, I just like to have it with mint sauce.
















There were other dishes. This one here is oyster with fried eggs mixed with starch. No bad at all. At least the oyster was a bit larger and when you chew it, you could really taste the oyster from the starch.











Fried noodle with mantis prawn. Nice taste! You should try this out.












This one right here is the otak-otak and overall, the dish is okay but honestly not to my liking.















We waited a long while for the crabs to be served and usually it takes longer time to cook the crabs I don't know why. The crab was prepared in simple way as if there is no preparation at all. Usually, when you dine in restaurant, the body and pincer of the crab would be chopped up and cracked open nicely for you so that you could easily remove the shell to get to the meat but this is not the case here in Hing Ket. No cracking whatsoever. The crabs grill as they are. Take a look at the photo!











Well-cooked crabs. Aren't they pretty in orange!. Look at the lovely colour!










The crab right here is 600gm I think (About there) so it is slightly larger than the normal size crab that we have in the restaurant. Anyway, it costs about RM28.00 to RM30,00 per crab. I got news that sometime you can have crab as big it costs you RM50! Imagine the size.











Do remember to make advance booking via telephone a day before for big crab or else you would be disappointed or be satisfied with normal size crab.















It wasn't difficult to remove the shell however, if you are not into intestine, it is a bit of work for you to remove those inedible stuff.











Imagine if this is a female crab, this shell would be filled with crab roe with bright orange colour. Forget about butter or salty egg or pepper or any other way of cooking the crab, the best testing crab has to be the one which is cooked simply and freshly without losing its original taste.











Got this one for free, so to speak.