The Chicken Rice Shop

As we all know that food is an essential part of our life and as time goes by, the standard of this very basic necessity improved as well. Here, I would like to share with you guys a meal offered by "The Chicken Rice Shop". It's the Chinese New Year (CNY) promotion meal. Check this out...


We had this sometime in the beginning of February. Well since it was still CNY so we tried the promotion meal for two. I've to congratulate "The Chicken Rice Shop" for having such auspicious names for their dishes. We had Fortune Phoenix Chicken which was chicken drumstick in tomato sos, longevity soup which was "Bak Kut Teh" where they replace the pork with chicken and some other great dishes. Wait I need not say more, we just let the pictures do the talking ok.

Clockwise : Green baby Pak Choy (Siu Pak Choy)in Oyster Sos, Kerabu manggo, Sunwhite chicken rice, Pai tee, Asam fish and in the center : longevity soup.

Yummy

Moment before we feast.

Of all the dishes, I particularly love the "Fortune Phoenix Chicken". The juicy chicken can really melt in your mouth.

Fortune Phoenix Chicken

Why is it that I suddenly have the urge to sink my teeth into this succulent piece of meat. Haih... I guess the next trip to "The Chicken Rice Shop" will be very near Haha. For your information "The Chicken Rice Shop" in Kuala Terengganu is located in Giant Hypermarket Kuala Terengganu. You really don't know what you are missing here if you have never tried this... Well enjoy reading this.

Viva Presentation

Finally I've passed my viva presentation with minor corrections. It's really a HUGE relief for me after living in trepidation for weeks.

I received the notification letter on the 5th February mentioning that my viva date was set on the 18th February. Had mix feeling. On one hand praying that the day will never come, hoping that the flight taken by the external examiner was delayed indefinitely; on the other hand wishing to end the misery asap. The experience is unforgettable, NEVER each day passed through without me worrying about the viva. Some would say it's living hell, the feeling is just like a death row prisoner waiting for the death sentence.


I'm not exaggerating, but this is the cold hard fact where I've the first hand experience. It's simply a moment of 'live' and 'death', at which you are just standing in between a thin line that separate between success and failure. Take one step in front, you are awarded with an honorable degree, take one step behind, you have to back to square one. In short, this is the moment of affirmation for all the hard works you have done for the past 2 years.

Was trembling throughout the viva presentation, but luckily all the examiners were kind enough to me. None of the questions were too tricky to answer, but there was a particular question which left me in a lure. It's like a tug of war as the external examiner was trying hard to define his question, but I wonder did I really answer the question which is in his mind. Eventhough there's flaw in the presentation, but I've managed to pull through. Thank GOD for that. The whole session lasted for an hour (from 10.15am to 11.15am). Once they announced the result, I felt my body lost a tonne, I was drifting in the air breezing through cloud 9, the join was simply inexpressible by mere words.


Finally, it officially ended a very long journey of my master degree with a beautiful full stop.

In Memory of Shorty

Last year, seeing a weak kitten died in our arms was heartbroken. Was thinking it would not be that hurt if we did not witness his last breath...

2 days back, experienced another cat's (Shorty) death. He's found lying dead in front of our neighbor's house. Heart was broken, it'd never get any easier even though you've gone through this over and over again... Cried our eyes out, felt extremely sorry for not being at his side during his final journal. The pain and soreness is much more to bear.


It is awfully heartache when you know they have gone forever and will never come back to you no matter how much you miss them and how much you wish to see them even just for one eye.

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Shorty, how I miss you. Everything started about 2 years ago when we first met you. Then you are still a young cat but due to your warm nature we quickly became friends. You never fail us. You are always there for us no matter what. You never fail to come each time we call out for you. You are always there to cheer us up when ever we are down. You are the first to greet us when we reach home. How I hate it when you suddenly jump up my laps. And now how I adore those moments. How I miss seeing you around the house to play and walk with us. How I miss those moment when you would call out for us to open the door for you at night. How we miss those moment when you call out trying to save the young cat from on top of the roof. Mere words could not explain the pain I our heart when I first saw you lying motionlessly in our neighbor front porch. How I keep telling myself that is not my Shorty. NOOOOO that is not him!!!!! I try to put up a brave front when She cried. But now I realized you are really gone from our lives. Now we can only keep you in our heart. I really can’t help it when I look back at those photos we took of you sleeping in our room. Tears just start to flow. I guess you have taken up a great position deep in my heart which even I didn’t know of. Shorty I guess this is goodbye then. May you rest in peace and you will NEVER be forgotten…..

Clip taken from http://www.indigo.org/

Lunar Eclipse on Chap Goh Meh

Hi guys, tonight we'll be able to witness the eclipse of the moon which falls between 8.38pm to 12.38am in Malaysia. It's a rare occasion as Malaysia will be able to witness both the eclipse of sun and moon. The solar eclipse was visible in Malaysia during the first day of Chinese New Year, but we were unable to see it as it was raining during that time at our places. And today, we will not miss the chance to see this lunar eclipse.

The lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes through the Earth's shadow.


For your information, today's eclipse is penumbra eclipse where there is hardly any noticeable darkening on the surface on the moon. These are some of the photos we took in front of our house from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Actually you can't really tell the difference if there's any eclipse. But what a beautiful moon we have here tonight. Anyway happy Chap Goh Meh to all.

Lunar eclipse on the 9th February 2009 (Kuala Terengganu)

"Chap goh meh" (年十五) the last day of CNY and also known as the Chinese Valentine day （元宵节）, where in the olden days maidens were only allowed go out with their lovers. As for today, girls will normally throw oranges into the sea or lake. This is largely observed especially in Penang, it is to hope that they will be able to find a good husband.

Tanjung Bunga in Penang

So here, we take the opportunity to wish all the couples out there Happy Chinese Valentine day, do enjoy this rare occasion (lunar eclipse) with your loved ones.

Chinese New Year

Hi guys, 2 more days to officially end this Chinese New Year celebration. After a "long" break during this CNY, now it's time for us to start blogging again..

Had a great holidays to spend some quality time with family considering the fact that most of our time are not spent at our hometowns. It's been 6 years staying in Kuala Terengganu. Never dreamed that we'd be staying here for such a long time in such a place where you can hardly find any sort of entertainments. It will normally be a dead town when the clock strikes 10. Kind of spooky at times..

Meet the dead town

Digress. Back to the CNY celebration.

Love the feeling of reuniting with all the family members when it's so hard to make it after the children have started studying or working in other states. It may be nothing for those who are lucky enough to have home-cooked dishes everyday, but for me, I truly appreciate every single time with my loved ones. Packing house, decorating garden, preparing dishes were somehow enjoying when you know you're not doing it alone. I used to ABHOR household duties, especially when it is 'commanded' by mum. Would start cursing and drag the heavy ass up to work with hatred. This bad attitute was carried for years until I moved out from the house. Realized that no one has the responsibility to look after oneself especially when it comes to houseworks. This is where initiative and awareness of obligations take place. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, I'm growing unwittingly, though it's slower as compared to others in my age group I'm happy with it.

As usual, this CNY was enriched by LED decorative lights, fireworks, firecrackers, and lion dance.


The extra activity we did this year was movie watching. Watched 3 movies during the CNY (2 were with the family).

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans


The story line was ok, kind of violent and bloody in some scenes though.

All's well that Ends well II


Comedy. So so story line. Recommended source of entertainment to kill your time if you want a good laugh.

Red Cliff II



Historical-based. Worth-watching if you do not expect the authenticity of the story.