"Kaw Ong Yeah & Selamat Hari Raya"

Today's the day again: Kew Ong Yeah (Nine Emperor Gods), which means another year has passed! Streets are filled with temporary stalls dressed up with yellow cloth, selling vegetarian food for this nine day festival. The rain battered the streets mercilessly today, as it always does during this time of the year. I was stuck in a bad crawl from office. Parked the car somewhere far. Bad enough that my house is at the busiest junction in town, what with the festival now!

Walked patiently along the streets, looking for the superb vegetarian shop I tried last year. Some of the shops don't have many people, so shouldn't be. Where is it, where is it... Ah, this one is jam-packed with people. It's probably it. Okay, there's two huge pots of vegetable curry on each side of the table. Yup, this is definitely it! Last year, Kaw Ong Yeah also coincided with Hari Raya Puasa. Well, I will be going back to Melaka on Wednesday morning, so this year I gotta remember to ask, "Auntie, normal days where is your shop?" :P

Ok guys and gals, signing off, wishing you all "Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin". Take care and enjoy the holidays!

"Dark Knight Movie Masters (2)"

I didn't quite like the photos used for the first post for the Dark Knight Movie Masters figures. Here's an updated one, taken using the new camera!



"Why so serious?!"


Actually this is Batman from Batman Begins. The costume from Dark Knight is much more detailed. Time to hunt again...........

On another note, went to Toys R Us to use my RM50 voucher to get the Batmobile-split-into-Batpod vehicle. But damn... sold out :'(

"Chit-chat"

I've definitely been slacking on my blogging lately, obviously. Actually I have a lot of materials to write about. Lots of photos too. But it has been a tiring few weeks, today included. Let me share some thoughts in my mind of late, starting with what happened yesterday and today in office. I usually try to avoid talking about work-related stuff, prefering to share some more cheerful stories. Well, it's a wonder how this blog is always evolving...

Food is one of the main recurring topics here mainly because we all love food! You will also see me posting the occasional Star Wars stuff that came in. Nowadays not so often anymore because frankly, the store room is now packed like a sardine can! It's a bit hard to setup the 'studio' where I snap those pics :P I have a few items I would love to pose out, in particular the X-Wing. We'll see how we can rearrange stuff later!

You've seen me posting about the Life in Plantation series and of course the Epic Adventure. In terms of adventure, I had the most fun writing about the Kota Kinabalu Expedition coz it's just so darn nice! Oh, and the usual trips home, feasting with the family, meeting up with friends. Yeah, I originally saw this blog as a place for me to share stuff with my friends. So, if you are reading this, glad to see you're still on board. It actually started late 2006 when I was about to leave Modolala for real.

Yeah, in all, there were 3 times I wanted to leave. First was after 2 years, I wanted to do a Masters degree in Universiti Malaya. But it never took off. When I was busy submitting the application forms, Modo sent me to Plantation for the 1st time within a few days notice. That was some of the most turbulent times of Modo. I call it the Great Depression, coz the Fric treated me so badly, I don't know why. Underpaid. No promotion.

The Second Time was the closest ever. I got the job offer from AG. Was due to report to work within a month. Turned it down. That job promised me a really huge bonus and a massive pay (or could it be I was too badly underpaid??:P). I declined it at the end, making the hiring manager really mad. But when I got past the money offerings etc, I realized that I love my frens here in Modo too much. We're really like a family. Oookay... so I ended up moving to the Advanced Group. Okla, watever. Then came the Third Time.

Omg, I knew the Ninja was nuts, but he nearly drove me crazy! Working with him made my blood pressure shoot up, made me lose self-esteem, really made me give up! The pay wasn't an issue (you get past being underpaid after awhile), but this madman drove everyone up the walls! I was reading so many meditation books, Dzogchen, Zen; anything to made me sane again. That was when the wheel of fate turned again, bringing me to Plantation once more.

A 3 month Rehabilitation Period. Slowly, all the damning words and accusations began to dissolve. It was now a journey of self-rediscovery. The wounds began to heal. Peace. I went there with a feeling called No Heart. It basically means you don't give a shit anymore about anything. Anything they ask you to do, you're like, screw you la, I just do the minimum to get past another day.

I am not ashamed to admit that I cried on the plane. Flying alone in that long journey was heartbreaking. Some more No Heart. Crushing despair. Many thoughts crossed my mind. I recalled vividly the lunch sessions with my ATG mates who were in the same boat, how we used to bash Ninja for 2 hours while having lunch by this seaside place (they serve some darn good fish curry!), enjoying the seabreeze. I realized how much I took for granted these little things.

I also recalled hearing the tear-chocked voice of Gf when she called me after I went into the boarding station. I have been reading and practicing a lot of meditation, but life's greatest teachers are not books, but living life itself. I found it extremely hard to meditate on the plane. I constantly broke down, the mind refusing to quiet down. It didn't like this sad feeling.

But working with the US guys eventually brought back some feeling of joy, wonder and freedom! The rehabilitation worked out very well. I was back! Fren2 could feel it too. We were all bashed so badly by Ninja. When he came over to Plantation, he saw that I was different. Alive! But rehabilitation will end anyhow. It's how to deal with the Ninja in real life that is the true test. Oh ya, I was going to talk about office today. Gosh, so I'm so long winded! Okla, nvm, we'll chat next time! :P

"Apple iPod Shuffle"

One of Modolala's benefits for introducing people in is...


ta-da! They give you a free iPod shuffle! For my case, it was for introducing our legendary Mr Supplier :D

Wow, never had an iPod before. Looks very tiny, eh. This one has a 1GB memory and comes with the earpiece and a usb-charger.


Loaded a few songs inside; sounds pretty crisp and clear! Ok, anyone interested to join Modolala? :P

"Star Wars Millenium Falcon and AT-TE in detail!"

Finally found time to take more pics of these two monster vehicles (hurray, today's a holiday!)

Starting with AT-TE. Recently really like this vehicle a lot coz it appeared and played a huge role in the Clone Wars movie :D


Have to take in the living room coz the old 'studio' already stuffed with so many things!

Fits 4 clone drivers
The back portion opens up, fits more troopers!


Supposedly the AT-TE can fit 20 troopers

One more in front, Commander Fox gets the best view!

Next up is the amazingly huge Falcon!

The top opens up...

"It's not wise to upset a Wookie"
"I have a new strategy R2, let the Wookie win"

Let the Force flow through you...

Lovey dovey in the cockpit..

"Wait, wait!"
"Hurry up, golden rod, you're gonna be a permanent resident!"

Rescuing Luke in Bespin

"There's no one onboard sir"
"Hmm... I sense a presence. One I have not felt since--"

"The Dark Knight Movie Masters!"

I always wanted to have a Batman figure since younger days. I remember gawking at the Batman figures displayed nicely in Madam King's (if you still remember there is such a place in Melaka). There's even one with snap-on armour that can turn Bruce Wayne to Batman. Cool. But, no luck then!

Recently, The Dark Knight was screened and man, did it rock! The movie was so deliciously dark, with Heath Ledger redefining the Joker into one of the most unpredictable villains ever. "Do you know how I got these scars?"

Ok, the movie is nice and all, but it also gave me a chance to get hold of Batman! The Dark Knight figures are produced by Mattel, and there's a few series to choose from. Some are targetted at kids, some at collectors. The Movie Masters series is for collectors, with figures about 6 inches and detailed paint and sculpt!


Batman (from Batman Begins) and The Joker!!

Batman is pretty easy to find (any Toys R Us should have it). But the Joker is categorized as VHTF - VERY HARD TO FIND! I managed to luck out on the last one during a casual walk in QB's TRU! Hooray~~!


Batman, all serious and Christian Bale-ish!


Doesn't quite look like Heath Ledger, but still disturbingly sick with the face paint and scar!

There's also a Scarecrow Movie Master, but... not so interested in that! The one item that I'm waiting for is the Batmobile-split-into-bike that goes for RM209.90! Umm, wait for what..? Clearance sales! :P

"Babylon A.D."

Out of nowhere, went to catch this movie on Wed. Well, Michelle Yeoh was in it (and Wall.E was at 9pm :-S )



Surprise surprise, I find myself glued to the screen for *almost* the whole of the 1.5 hours. The post-apocalyptic setting, Vin Diesel's cool character, the suspense of unravelling the mystery of the plot all make for a pretty engaging movie. The only downside is that ending is very confusing (I still don't really get what happened) and almost anti-climatic. But hey, at least 95% of the journey was interesting!

Recommended? Sure, go on a movie day, it's just 6 bucks!

"Merdeka in Melaka!"

Last minute decided to go back to Melaka for Merdeka. And you know that means stuffing ourselves silly with lots of food!

Immediately that night we went to Yean San Mini Restaurant in Bemban for wildlife!

"sui yee", vege

claypot tauhu, more vege

"sei kiok seh", fish

"tin kai"

The restaurant at night, which is about 40 minutes from Melaka town. Although eating wildlife sounds weird, actually most of it tastes like chicken. We used to come here long time ago, so it's really nice to be back, but we can sure do without the looong wait!

After that, time to meet up with the gang @ More cafe...

Catch up some stories, play tai-tee, and pose for the new camera!

Early next morning was the next assignment: yong taufu @ Bkt Beruang

Tried one of the new drink: teh with gula melaka. It's nice, but ended up tasting more like cendol! Ah, and Melaka's yong taufu, with all the glorious red chilli paste. Hurray! :D

Barely few hours later, we had lunch @ Aunty Lee's Nyonya Restaurant, yeah, the family's favourite place ;)

unbeatable sambal kangkung, chicken with limau purut (drooling)

fish with cili garam, tauhu tauchoo (drooling uncontrollably)

Cencaluk omelette and to wrap things up, authentic Cendol! Slurppp..............

I had a short break in between, so I took the time to go for another of my fav activities:

catching a sunset!

After having so much food, gave the stomach a rest for dinner. And shortly then, went out again to Jonker Walk, hang out with the gang again :D

gosh, so old dy, still doing silly poses! :P

We chatted till late night and by then, the streets were quieter. Just nice for a superb shot:


Next morning, mum decided to go for a food adventure in Jasin! There's this legendary wantan mee there, complete with the fable that they make their own mee, their own fishball, etc. And here it is:

was it really good? worth the 45 minutes travel??

Holy crap, it's one of the best wantan mees I've ever had. EVER. Although it's not common to have fishball in wantan mee, I must say they deserve to be here based purely on the freshness of the fishball and the aromatic soup accompanying it. And the noodles, one bite and you know it's really hand made. Truly legendary!

Here's how the shop look like. Yeah, doesn't even have proper place to sit!

And the surrounding town. Although I'm Malaccan, I doubt I've been here before this! :P

Oh, I also brought back the gifts for the family and a whole bunch of chocolates!

And we also celebrated mum's birthday at night with this nice little ice cream cake... just like when we were younger :)

Oh no, next morning was the last day :'( That afternoon have to go back... but not before one more makan2 session: this time, Jasmine's Deli, just beside Aunty Lee's.

The shop is opened by Aunty Lee's daughter, and we had Nyonya Laksa (sedap gila) and Nasi Lemak (awesome, maybe missing some kangkung though) there. It's fairly cheap and they serve in generous amounts. Highly recommended!

Ok, that's it. Went back to Penang, work the next day, got new Star Wars (1 case!), work work work, performance review, work work work, income tax issue, work work work..... you know the drill!

Man, so happy tomorrow is Saturday!