25 random things about me..hopefully...(as written in Facebook)

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

25 random things about me

1. I am multilingual-I speak English, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, French and I can understand Hokkien and Hakka.

2. I am sometimes obsessed with the color purple, not because I’m weird, but I just like it. Long background story.

3. I have 5 decks of Magic: The Gathering cards. I only started owning them since Upper 6.

4. I can wiggle my right ear, see? *wiggle*

5. I have the complete collection of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot (detective novel). I sometimes mimic his characteristics.

6. I like to observe people at times.

7. I went to my first and only play for now, “The Mousetrap”. I liked it so much, that I said “It was awesome” for more than 30 times. I now have a habit of doing that when I totally dig something. It was awesome! (34th time)

8. I am easily annoyed by certain repetitive behavior, repetitive behavior (did I just repeat myself?)

9. I can’t swim to save my life.

10. I love eating meat, especially pork. I learned from my aunt and mom how to make dishes that taste really nice ^.^

11. I can’t draw to save my life. Ironically, I have a good imagination. Pictures from my head just can’t get to my hands.

12. I learned to twirl a pen when I was 15.

13. I can’t dance to save my life, although I would love to learn how to waltz.

14. I love being complex. I enjoy reading the encyclopedia, the dictionary and other fact books. I have thought about trying to get into MENSA.

15. I wanted to be a hacker once. Failed.

16. I can’t make music to save my life. I have a basic in violin and guitar, but that’s just about it.

17. I am a highly curious person. I constantly need to find out how and why certain things tick.

18. I am hoping to win a Nobel prize, or maybe the Pulitzer prize, or maybe the PJK, whichever comes first and last.

19. I freak people out by thinking too far at times, way, way to far. Eg. I even thought about my future children, my house, my retirement, and yeah, even my demise.

20. I can’t sing to save my life. I am an advocate of free public singing. I believe totally in being able to sing wherever you are, whenever, just as long as you don’t disturb public peace. I feel weird singing into the mike and in karaoke.

21. I have a double standard with guys and ladies. Gents are supposed to take care of themselves, but ladies should be given a priority when there is a need. I still have close brotherhood though.

22. I am the jack of all trades, but master of none, for now. I am planning to master one skill at a time. Maybe i'll start with twirling a pen....

23. I am a hummingbird-person. That means I am neither a nocturnal being nor an early riser, but I suit my sleeping pattern according to the need.

24. I fell down from the first floor of my school once. I sprained my leg. I did that because a friend of mine threw my watch out to the windowed corridor. I removed the window panes and went out. I was struck by panic when I saw a prefect, and I jumped. I was only 9.

25. Nemo D. Gund, and Neo D Gundm, are anagrams of my name. I love anagrams. Oh, Enchanter is one of the 5 English word that has my full initials (ENCH) as the first 4 alphabets. Cool huh?

My descriptive article assignment

The wafting aroma of good food coupled with the busyness of the crowd often indicates an eatery’s quality in preparing a wholesome meal. One doesn’t have to look too far to gauge it. Since the dawn of time, human beings were in need of replenishment, more so delicious ones. It has not been a wonder then, that Penang has also become a destination for gastronomical adventures. Food lovers or foodie alike would search high and low for a new place to dine and be merry. Neither the rush hour traffic, nor the apparent remoteness of a place would deter them. However, foodies rely heavily on word of mouth, and now food blogs to give them the insight on which is the best place to eat. It is then a purpose of this article to explore some of the famous and lesser known places to eat in Penang. Be warned before you proceed, contents are known to cause drooling, hunger pangs and the excessive need to grab the nearest thing to munch on.

A central icon to the gastronomical delight of Penang has to be it’s assam laksa. Many talk and rave about it, but which is truly the best? There are some great local selections and opinion on to which tastes the best. One famous hotspot for assam laksa would indefinitely be the Air Itam market. Air Itam is located at the foot of the Kek Lok Si temple. The stall that sells this delicious dish only opens in the afternoon. Locals can picture the 2 stove stall that is overflowing with mint leaves, shredded vegetables, cucumber, onions and the thick aroma that wafts through the air. Located at the side of a shop near the road, the prawn sauce noodle dish is coupled with an icy cool cendol from the neighboring stall.

Another gathering place for fans of assam laksa is in Penang Road. Just a stone’s throw away from Chowrasta Market, the humble kopitiam shop boasts of a special family recipe in assam laksa. This version is slightly different as the spiciness is milder and the broth is thicker. Nevertheless, patrons can also have a bowl of cendol to complete the picture. After a satisfying meal, patrons can stroll in the Chowrasta market and sample some of its sweet and sour preserved food and fruits, particularly the ever-popular nutmeg.

A lesser known version of the Penang laksa is the Malay version. The smooth broth flows with coconut milk, spinach, cucumber, onions and a generous serving of fish meat, even with eggs added to the signature of Malay laksa. A perfect example of this would be a small stall, located almost in the heart of Georgetown, at Lorong Haji Sulaiman.

In continuation with the noodle frenzy, a must try would be the mee sotong at Esplanade. Esplanade is a famous area for events and festivals where the green blades of grass dance in the gentle breeze. Across the green field would be the food court, right next to Fort Cornwallis. The Fort Cornwallis is a historical fort left by the British Empire. With over 20 cannons and infrastructures like bunkers and holding cells, it is a big tourist attraction. It is right next to this tourist spot, lies the modest stall that sells mee sotong. It opens for lunch hours and customers from the nearby government buildings are known to flock to the vicinity. The springy tenderness of the noodle is made heavenly with the succulent taste of the squids. With smooth and mild gravy, it is a taste that is chopstick licking good!

For those who have a knack for eateries with a long line of history, one can check out a shop at Lorong Seratus Tahun. Although not as long as the name of the street suggests, the shop has more that 30 years of history, and even a branch in Puchong, Selangor to boost, doing what it does best, serving piping hot bowls of white curry noodles. Opened only for breakfast, your bowl of white curry noodles here will be served steaming hot, and the spiciness can be adjusted on your own. Customers are given a separate bowl of sambal to be added in. You can add as much as your palate desires.

Not to be outdone by this, a unique Nyonya-style curry noodle is moreover available, once again in Air Itam’s market. To the delight of many, this is the sole stall that sells the noodles in the whole Penang Island! Its second to none status is achieved by a fresh supply of ingredients, comprising of mint leaves, fish ball and also its healthy option of less coconut milk. A wonderful affair of its supple noodles, palate pleasing broth and fresh ingredients mingles to tickle the taste buds.

Dessert aficionados would not be disappointed with the bubur gandum in Little India. Little India, as it’s name suggests, is a street lined with shops trading Hindu articles of worship and other Indian necessities including saris, henna art and Bollywood movies. Smacked in this plethora of sights and sounds, lies a stall offering bubur gandum. The dessert is made with boiling porridge with wheat and other ingredients. Its sweet taste is akin to a bowl of red bean soup, albeit, a notch higher in satisfaction. Upon request, soft and fresh home-baked bread is provided for dipping. Nothing lesser than heaven for the sweet tooth.

Penang not only boasts of its cultural heritage, but also a fusion of international food. A restaurant in Mount Erskine would be an impeccable example of western cuisine. Located in Mount Erskine, Batu Ferringhi, the restaurant is known for a full house every night. It’s fame is such that many just remember the place by the location, rather than the restaurant’s name. Signature dishes, including grilled meats, are made unto perfection, with its juice and tenderness intact. The chef’s high standard ensures a stable amount of juicy, tender ribs, flawless grilling, and ultimate customer satisfaction.

Last but not least, nasi kandar is an iconic famous food in Penang. An affordable but modest eatery would be Restoran Jaya, beside the 8 PAGI convenience store in Minden. Famous for it’s nasi daun pisang, a fresh serving of honey glazed chicken and goat milk is enough to melt your palate away. Not to mention also its steamy santan rice, and a variety of other side dishes to choose from. With such an option, dinner is never the same again.

There can be no end to fine eateries and dishes that please the stomach. Food has not just become a necessity, at times, it is even a luxury. An apt question before the next saliva-drooling, hunger-inducing food search is, do you eat to live, or do you live to eat?

*Thanks to the lynx for the information and matt, juliet, and gary for proofreading this..^.^v

Mistakes

At times in our lives, we make mistakes. Rather, I made a mistake. I had taken things for granted, and I did not appreciate that which I have. Worse yet, I was for once, inconsiderate. The machinery was set into motion, and the result was catastrophic. I could not believe what I had done, but then, the damage was there already.

J'ai perdu un ami aujourd'hui. Il a été très mauvaise. It was my mistake

What can I do now? I will leave it for the person to decide. But I have set in my mind, that I need to change, and never once more lose a friend.

Thank you.

Whose side are you on?

Of First Importance

Siding with God

Posted: 07 Feb 2009 11:11 PM PST

“The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian: when a non-Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with his sin. When a Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with God, against himself.”

- Mark Dever, The 2009 Desiring God Conference for Pastors

A reminder

Today, I am reminded of something. I am reminded of my own futility at times, trying to prove to others my worth in this world. But then again, I am sure God has better plans for me.

Of First Importance

Nothing to prove

Posted: 31 Jan 2009 01:16 PM CST

“You don’t have anything to prove to us or the world. The work is finished at Calvary, and that work has unlimited meaning and value. Keep your focus there.”

- C. John Miller

Wake Up call !!

It takes a mean punch to be a wake-up call for me. Now, I realized I had slipped into complacency, playing along the game 0f Life. It slowed me down. It made me slothful. And NO, I am NOT blaming LIFE.
It's time I took a different route.
It's time that the change I was so dreadful of facing, should now be taken.
It's time that I took the challenges that will hone my craft, that will perfect my skills.
It's time that I remove that lazy bone from my body, and put on a Li-Ion battery pack (or maybe a Hybrid?)
It's time for me to drop that complacency, inaction, passiveness and pride. And take up the humility and the zest for Life.
It's high time that the show will take a different twist. The plot thickens.....

The thought so far...

Well, dear all, there has been a lot of happenings so far. And yet, I had little time to jot all of these down. One for sure, this year will be a year of change (to quote from Obama) As sad as it may seem to be, those friends close to me will also undergo change. I may not get to see them as often nowadays, but they are still dear to my heart. I have also been working on a few things, trying to balance my studies and activities, not to mention trying to get to No. 1 on my Word Challenge ranking. Esther currently holds that place.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, really. However, as I was saying that it is a year of change, (contrary to the meaning of the Year of the Ox) even my families Chinese New Year celebration is different.

Usually, year after year, we would be going up to my grandma's place in Rawang, early in the morning. We would have a vegetarian meal (since grannie is a Buddhist) and then spend time until the afternoon. Then we would go back home to nap. Shortly after that, we would prepare to go back to Rawang for a scrumptious feast. Not to mention that we would also have reunion dinner at grannie's the night before.

This year, we had brunch at home, a simple meal of fish and pork for prosperity ;) Then, we went over to Aunt Elaine's place, for almost the rest of the day. Th house was full of activity, and I did get to mingle around a little bit. I just don't know why, I was quite a blunder when it comes to social activities like this, as friendly as I can be. Well, I guessed my self-worth is somehow tied to this :) We had lunch (again!) and then dinner. And we made our way back.

The ang pow collections until now are very good ;) but I'm gonna save it for another day.

Oh, I am doing some research on DSLR cameras. I may not be getting one soon, but it's good to plan, ain't it? So, for those who can help me with my research, do drop me comments. Looking for an entry-level model.

Anyways, thanks and have a prosperous New Year!