Potato Salad

Potato Salad that I've made for the Christmas Party in Puchong. Made 2 bowls with different version. Made quite a mess in the kitchen though... I actually watched how to made it in YouTube. This guy is funny! I've added green peas and bacon to make it taste better.

Andrew's Trip to KL

Andrew came all the way from Kuching to KL to attend his Masters convocation. Good to meet him again. Too bad it was only a short two days trip. All the best to his future lar.

The World's Best Kept Auto Secret

I have been driving for over a decade. One would think I would have noticed the little secret on my dash that was staring me right in the face the whole time. I didn't and I bet you probably haven't either.

Quick question, what side of your car is your gas tank? If you are anything like me, you probably can't remember right away. My solution is to uncomfortably stick my head out the window, strain my neck and look. If you don't do this in your own car you definitely have done it in a borrowed or rental car.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to share with you my little secret so you will no longer look like Ace Ventura on your way to the gas station or put your neck at risk of uncomfort or injury.

If you look at your gas gauge, you will see a small icon of a gas pump. The handle of the gas pump will extend out on either the left or right side of the pump. If your tank is on the left, the handle will be on the left. If your tank is on the right, the handle will be on the right (see photo above). It is that simple

I don't know how you feel right now but when I found out this morning I felt cheated!

Why don't the dealers share such important information with car buyers? I don't understand why this isn't in the drivers ed manual? I don't get why any mechanic I have ever been too or know has even thought of mentioning this to me? The only possible explanation can be that all these people probably don't even know!

Go out and share the worlds best kept auto secret with your friends as this is information is way too important to be kept secret.

For those who accidentally swallowed plastics...

Digestion requires enzymes and mucin for hydrolysis of ingested foods into smaller components, e.g. amino acids, glucose, etc. before it can be absorbed and utilized. There are no intestinal tract enzymes to hydrolyze or break down plastic, therefore no digestion of this material can occur. Plastic will be excreted, in the feces, without any change.

Source: http://www.madsci.org

The Golden Age

In March, gold price is at 640USD/oz. It has steadily increased since then. Today, the price is at 801USD/oz. My gold savings has earn me an interest return of 9% in just 6 months!

To my understanding, gold market goes by simple theory. When economy is good, gold will depreciate. When economy is bad, it will appreciate. Of course, anything can happen. However, I still believe that gold price will continue to increase further till end of this year.

Louise's Birthday

Congrates to Louise. May she continues to walk closer to God.

Pre-UK trip

Sheffield here I come!!!

Can't believe I'm gonna see Ruth and company soon. So EXCITE!!! Praise the Lord!

My walk with God continues here: LiZhi's White Coffee Lounge

KFC Special

Nasi Lemak KFC???

To my surprise, they came up with the idea of having cucumber, sambal, rice and chicken soup as side dishes for their Ramadan set promotion.
Sambal was not bad, taste exactly what we had outside, but having it with the the raisin rice is odd.

They might come up with 'Roti KFC' soon... who knows!

Panda Eye Day 4

Ok, my 3^rd flight of the week, that sets my own record! This time around everything was smooth, and I was able to go back home early (5.20pm flight). Finally I can get some good rest. I had a quick nap in the evening, had some dinner, and then continue with my video editing. I have to finalize it in general format, or else they couldn't play it due to codec problem. Still, I am quite worried whether it is compatible to every PC. I burned the video into DVD and will pass them tomorrow.

Next day, I praise the Lord! They were able to play the video in good condition, and they are happy with it. What a relieve!

Next is to prepare my journey to UK.

The Grudge Spoof

Boo...

James Bond Spoof

My name is Bond, James Bond...

Bollywood Spoof

Say Shava Shava...

Panda Eye Day 3

I almost can't hear the alarm this morning, but managed to get up and go to work. I have to do some preparation for tomorrow's meeting at Singapore. Mean time, I got some feedback from the video, where they suggested to change and modify certain scenes. From then, I began adding subtitles and prepare some deleted scenes and credits. Well, they did give me a tight dateline which is the coming Thursday, where they will do their rehearsal and sort out the technical issues for the coming Annual Dinner on Saturday.

Panda Eye Day 2

I went to Singapore Science Park to meet my customer, just to find that they want to start an urgent meeting. The original purpose of my visit is to do some correlation testing. The meeting starts at 2pm and ends 4pm (thank God I didn't fell asleep!). We tried to rush the test but the machine seems out of order for a moment after a few tests. I had no choice but to postpone the testing to the coming Wednesday. I managed to catch the last flight that day, which was 9.20pm. Thinking I would reach home smoothly, but NO! During the flight there was a 20minute delay due to bad weather in KLIA, the plane cannot land until the cloud is calm. I finally reached home at 12 midnight...

Zzzz....

Panda Eye Day 1

I came back to KL from penang after the merdeka holiday. I took a late 1030pm AirAsia flight. Looking at their website, the On Time Performance is 80%. Well, that day, I was the unlucky20%. The flight delayed twice, from 1030pm to 1130pm, then 1250am.

I reached the LCCT terminal around 2am, hoping to catch a cab back to Puchong. To my surprise, there's already more then 50ppl queing in front of the taxi counter. The reason? Taxi frequency was slow... and I don't think I'll be able to catch one before sunrise. I have no choice but to call Ruth's sis to fetch me at the airport. Ya, thank God for her help.

By the time I reached home is already 4.30am... I have to wake up next morning at 7.30am to catch the 1035am flight to singapore, business trip of course...

Dato Fernandes, please buy more planes... so that 'Everyone Can Fly On-Time'...

Pressured but Excited???

I went back early after work and took a nap before having my dinner. I wasn't having enough sleep lately as I have a tight dateline on the video editing. Half way during my nap, my phone rang. I was reluctant to pick it up because I am in a middle of a good sleep. I managed to get hold of my phone but it was disconnected. The call is a private number. Immediately I guess, should it be Rolls-Royce, the company who interviewed me 2 weeks ago, called me for a second interview? I went back to my sleep again, thinking it might just be my imagination...

After taking my dinner, I went back to work on my video editing. I worked until 1.30am and had finally completed 1 out of 3 videos. I then recall on the private number that rang me this evening. I then checked my Yahoo email. To my surprise, they actually offered me for a second interview. I can't believe it! Thank God!

I continue to read on... 'the date they would like to see you is Thursday 30th August'...WHAT??? thats 1 week from today! I haven't apply for my VISA yet... and there is no statement saying that the flight and accommodation expenses will be paid. To add into it, I have a dateline on the 3 videos... and how am I going to apply leave while my boss is in vacation?

All these questions has clouded my mind for a while... I am pressured but in the same time felt excited. I sent an email to them, asking whether it is possible to arrange for another week, and whether the expenses will be paid or not.

Yeah my heart almost pumped out even until now. I can't sleep well all night, thinking of how miraculous God is. I don't feel that I deserve this, but He provides. Whether is His will or not, I will happily submit everything to Him.

Standby... Rolling... Action!!!

I was working on my video editing these few days and slept quite late. Theres a lot to be done then expected... it is certainly pressurizing me as the dateline is in 1 and a half weeks time. However, i did find challenging and interesting working on this project. The video will not be perfect but hopefully my 'customers' do not mind some small glitches and cheesy effects.

The video has 3 parts, each with his own individual story and spoof. Each lasted 15 to 20 minutes. Yup, that means a total of around 1 hour including credits, not to forget the deleted scenes. I haven't got the time to realized that it was so long! Guess I will have to work extra OT on this one before the dateline. Thank God my boss has gone vacation and I can go back early everyday.

In the mean time I was looking for some sound effect and video clips to include it into the videos. It took me some time to do so due to slow internet connection speed. I even have to rip some effects from my dvd collections.

The MTV is one of the challenging part. I have to filter off the original soundtrack, replace the recorded sound from one of the actors, then match up with the lips.

Another challenging part is to add background effects by removing the green backgrounds behind it while retaining the actors, like what Hollywood used to do now. This is the first time I have ever done this. The effect is cheesy but by adding some lightings and glows it will look pretty awesome.

Since we wont be re-shooting anymore, imagination and creativity will have to play an important role. Its just amazing how much this software can offer, and I hope it can push my editing skills to the limit, or shall I say, pushing the software to it's limit.

It reminds me of what I did 3 years ago in Sheffield. It brings out memory of the good old days. I thank God for this opportunity and I look forward to make another church video someday.

The Future of Mobile Phones

I recently signed up for the Digi Edge service which allows user to go online using their mobile phone. I have been using my Nokia N73 for sometime now but only for phone calls and camera. To my amaze, it is more than a mobile phone. It is a smart phone, and it utilized Symbian Operating System, which is programmable. Combined with its capability to connect to the web, it opens up a new world of information technology.

Ever heard of the 'Go' factor? Instead of bringing your laptop to 'hot spots' to surf the net, now you can surf anytime, anywhere, as long as there is a mobile coverage. One advantage of mobile phone is that it fits to your palm, and surfing can be done using only one hand. When I am standing inside a monorail in tight space, I can hold to the pole in one hand, and utilize my mobile phone on the other. It can't be done on a laptop!

Lately, web developers like Yahoo! & Google have been launching softwares for mobile phones, allowing users to download and use it for free! With it, you can check you email, upload photos, read the latest news, find maps and so on, with a user friendly interface, specially design for mobile phones.

With software like Flckr integrated into your OS, you can upload your photos to the web instantly. If uploading it not your type, there's even an option to email your photos to the intended recipients. Yes, email instantly, without even logging into Yahoo or Google, by using the smtp service. If I see something I like, I can take a picture, give some comments, then post it on my blog, on the Go!

Other third party software like the Windows live messenger also come in handy. Instead of sending sms, you chat online with friends without any delay. Its fun, and its cool !

I heard some of my friends saying that mobile phone screens are too small to be able to enjoy these services. For me, it is a thumbs up. Surfing the web on mobile phone is the best and most effective way to send & retrieve information. As surfing on mobile requires less kb, the internet page shows up faster then on a normal pc. Need bigger screen? Just plug your mobile onto the pc, and you will be able connect to the internet. Yes, it acts as a modem as well !

The future is bright. Imagine the era of internet phones calls and internet messaging. With internet monthly fees becoming cheaper, speed become faster and smart phones become more common, we will be able to enjoy all the calls and services without even worried about telephone bills. This will be a new trend in the next 5 to 10 years. I guess I am ahead of time. Die, laptop,
die!!!

The Remote Agenda

Oh no! Its 7.45am, and I am almost late for work! I had such a good nap due to the rainy weather. I quickly prepared everything, went down stairs, locked the door, then proceed to my car. Then I realized, my car remote is OUT OF BATTERY!!! I looked at the sky, then my watch, then the sky again...Since I have no idea how to start my car manually, I said it to God, ''May be I should take a rest today...''

Ruth drove me to a car shop to change my remote battery. I went back home and try it but it wont work. Since I got time ( 我有的是时间 in strong Cantonese accent）, I figured out the mechanism and finally started my car manually. The car shop owner told me before that after changing the battery you will need to set the program in order for it to work. So I drove my car to the shop again.

The shop owner told me that it will cost me RM80 to set the program. I asked him why does it cost so much to do so, is it because it is very technical? He replied: ' No.' Can it be cheaper? I asked again. He said: RM50 then. Before I even agreed with him, he inserted the car key, press the two buttons on the remote together, waited for 1 second, then pull out the car key. Then he said, 'boss, its programmed liao...'

What??? You call this programming??? and you are charging me RM50 for that? He then said that if you go any car shop they will charge you more. Man, this is pathetic! This kind of service doesn't even cost a dollar! 'I am not happy with it, and you are no different from a Conman', I told him. He told me again that it is reasonable, and said that if you think I am a Conman, go ask other car shop. I went into my car and drove away. He didn't follow me. I think he feels guilty too.

Moral of the story? Don't ever trust a 20+ year old man who smokes and dyes his hair... 2nd, pressing 2 buttons for 1 second is not called programming, and 3rd, learn not to rely on remote itself.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Makan Makan Makan! This is what CNY is all about! Hahaha... We have non stop feast after feast day and night like never before.

Check out what we had in Penang...

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lizhitan/CNY2007

Wish everyone a Blessed Chinese New Year!!!

Cameron Highlands Trip

It was the year 2006, and 3 more days before year 2007. This is the time where most of the 'kaishains' like me, try to clear out as much annual leaves as possible. We took a trip to one of Malaysia's 'coolest' mountain, the Cameron Highlands. Although not as excited as last year (this is the second trip), it was still fun and relaxing.

This year, we took another route up the hill. Instead of exiting Tapah and following the road sign, we exit at Simpang Pulai. Why? Because we learned from the past experience: DO NOT take the Tapah way! The roads are narrow, curvy, and bumpy. Most of the time, you will be risking you lives overtaking lorries and buses that will get in your way. What's more? Your passengers will complain about motion sickness, even though you are the best driver in the world.

The Simpang Pulai exit is 30 min after the Tapah exit. If you are coming down from Penang, then you save that 30 min. The roads will definitely treat you car better.

Half way near Tringkap, we started to feel the breeze in our surroundings. The temperature is around 20 to 30 degrees, it was a refreshing moment going back to mother nature, what God has created for mankind.

On the way, we stopped by a local veg shop. We understand that it will be much cheaper if we go to the hill tops, but who cares? It is still 10 times cheaper and fresher than our friend Tesco.

After we took our lunch in a nearby coffee shop, it took us another 30minutes or so to reach Tanah Rata, where the apartment is situated. We unloaded everything, check for our next destination, and off we go!

Berry Berry Good! Raju Style...

The strawberry farm is near Brinchang, called Raju Strawberry. They make good Strawberry Ice Creams and other Strawberry related products. They have this kind of white powder that will enhance the strawberry taste, and we are addicted to it.

Tea and Scone (pic) is one of my favourite. It doesn't come cheap though. May be they thought Scones are high class pastries. In UK, I can get 20 scones for a pound in nearby supermarket...

Strawberry Ice Cream - RM 5
Strawberry Milk Shake - RM 6
Tea and Scones -RM 9
Strawberries per pack - RM 5
White powder - Priceless

Marketing your way - Brinchang Market

This is the famous wet market that everyone is talking about. Located on top of the hill, this is where you can find almost everything Cameron Highlands has to offer. Food, Vege, Honey, Fruits, Tea, etc...


Food for thought :

Laksa - we thought it was nothing special, but when we ordered a bowl, we cannot get enough of it. Imagine having a bowl of Ramen in Japan during winter. This is another intriguing experience.

Jagung - Whether it is steamed, bakar or raw, it always taste good. They called it 'pebble corns'. Sweet, juicy and tasty, I recommend eating it raw if you want to quench you thirst.

Strawberry Fondue - Strawberries covered with chocolate, RM2 for a stick of 3. Nothing special, just eye-candy.

We then proceed to our next destination, the Bala's Chalet. Located between Brinchang and Tanah Rata, at first we thought it was a Tea Valley, but we were wrong. This is one of the oldest colonial buildings in the highlands. At the backyard there is an English Garden which is very well preserved and furnished. For visitors who are looking for a good place to relax and enjoy, this is it.

This concludes our journey. It was actually good and enjoyable. All the while the weather was good and traffic was pretty smooth. I will probably revisit in the next couple of years.

We went back to the apartment, have a good rest, then went down the hill next day, back to KL. Whew!