NewsFlashMedia

Mr Smart Luxury Wow Korean Fans

2012-02-25T21:00:00.003+08:00

Gc Watches’ Korean ambassador, actor Jang Hyuk aka Mr Smart Luxury during a Gc signing ceremony at two of Seoul’s biggest department stores, witnessed by more than 400 of his fans.

CLUB SCENE - Party @ Zouk Club KL

2012-02-24T23:52:00.001+08:00

Friday, March 2, 2012
BARSONIC
TWILIGHT ACTIONGIRL / THE SEXINVADERS

THE Sexinvaders started five years ago without any idea of a mission. They were just having fun. And that’s exactly what you get when they are on stage. Positive tensions characterise their dj sets. From wicked electro tunes via techno to house everything finds its place in the action.

Barcelona, Turin, Istanbul and Bangkok are on top of their tour plan. Even if they can’t show up in person, you can listen to their music played by others - Radio FM4 Vienna, Flux FM Berlin and BBC Radio1 London. Malente, Mr. Flash and Kissy Sell Out play the Berlin boys’ tracks on their sets.

In October 2011 they completed the 5 Years The Sexinvaders Tour successfully. Besides new releases in 2012 massive touring will appear on the agenda again. Even after five common years they did not lose their motivation and freshness.

It looks like 2012 is not going to be a year with a mission but a successful year for The Sexinvaders!

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM25 Ladies / RM35 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM351 / 5 paxs (At the door before 11pm)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +6 03 2171 2075 (Noon-6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

Friday, March 2, 2012
ZOUK
NASTY HYPE ft MR.NASTY & HypeEmBeats

NASTY HYPE marries two of Zouk KL’s most promising upstarts, MR NASTY & HypeEmBeats. The duo will be setting their sails for the Mainroom, armed with their high energy sets and unfailing crowd-pleasing anthems, dosed with a steady bassline that guarantees to rock the dance floor.

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM25 Ladies / RM35 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM351 / 5 paxs (At the door before 11pm)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +603 2171 2075 (Noon- 6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

Saturday, March 3, 2012
ZOUK
LOUD! Pres R3HAB
Supported by GOLDFISH & BLINK

RISING Dutch DJ and producer R3hab has established his name in the international dance scene in a short period of time. His producing skills and love for electronic music have made him one of the highest requested remixers in the dance scene today, remixing for Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Calvin Harris, Lil’ Wayne, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Sean Paul, Dada Life, Snoop Dogg, LMFAO and Bob Sinclar among others.

Then there are also R3hab's original productions that have moved dance floors around the world and more than frequently get listed in Beatport's charts. His most notable releases to date are Pump The Party produced with Ferruccio Salvo, The Bottle Song released on Wall Recordings and the much-anticipated Prutataaa, which is R3hab's first collaboration with Afrojack.

It came as no surprise that the multi-talented and promising R3hab quickly got signed by Afrojack to his Wall Recordings imprint and is quoted as being "one of its biggest talents".

R3hab has played at the most famous clubs around the world, in USA, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Morocco, France, Australia, England and the Caribbean.

www.facebook.com/r3habofficia
www.twitter.com/djr3hab
www.soundcloud.com/r3hab

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM45 Ladies / RM55 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM373 / 4 paxs (all night)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +6 03 2171 2075 (Noon-6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

BARSONIC
Saturday, March 3
OMFG! presents Guru-Guru & Mr Nasty

YOUR friendly neighborhood android Mr.Nasty & GuruGuru come out to play on every first Saturday of the month. The one and only KILLER NIGHT with the KILLER DRINKS PROMO! For good times and happy times. Accompanied with the biggest and freshest house tunes, BUY 1 GET 1 FREE on drinks ALL NIGHT LONG. OMFG! indeed.

Friday, March 9, 2012
ZOUK CLUB KL

DANNY Marquez held residency in some of the big clubs in Ibiza where he rocked thousands of clubbers week after week, establishing himself as one of the most important DJs on the island.

In 2004, Danny started weaving his talent into music production, successfully launching his own imprint, Bubble Soul Music. Through numerous hit records such as Mumba, Trust in yourself, God is Love and Afrocatalans, which became one of the biggest records of the summer 2004, Danny Marquez gained solid recognition in the international house circuit. He now spins in the best clubs around the world, in cities such as Singapore, Dubai, Ibiza, Miami and Seoul among many. Danny Marquez started as a Space Ibiza resident in summer 2011 playing at Space’s event Monday’s Calling.

Danny introduced a new imprint in 2011, F1rst Records. The maestro strives to use his music label as a platform to deliver cutting edge and progressive electronic dance music. This new project will also showcase his new “big room sound” and you can expect to see him near you in the very near future!

http://www.dannymarquez.com
http://twitter.com/djdannymarquez
http://www.facebook.com/djdannymarquez
http://www.youtube.com/dannymarqueztv
http://www.f1rstrecords.com

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM25 Ladies / RM35 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM351 / 5 paxs (At the door before 11pm)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +6 03 2171 2075 (Noon- 6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

Saturday, March 10, 2012
VELVET
CITIBANK presents F.A.B with DJ Ken & Pietro

IF you’re looking for something incredibly fabulous and bold to kickstart your weekends, F.A.B at Velvet Underground is just the night for you. Resident DJs Ken, MC Point Blanc and Pietro will be rock the dance floor with the best 90s, 00s and present pop tunage in town, from music greats such as B.O.B, Jay-Z, Nirvana, Shakira, UB40, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani and Vanilla Ice on Velvet Underground’s enormous DVJ PLASMA Screens. We bet you can¹t handle it!

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM38 Ladies / RM48 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM351 / 5 paxs (At the door before 11pm)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +603 2171 2075 (–Noon-6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

BARSONIC
Saturday, March 10
LAPSAP & Co ft an International Guest DJ

Stay tuned to www.zoukclub.com.my for updates!
The two boys, 5ft & Mr Puah, bring you regional and upcoming international DJs who share the same screwed up mentality as theirs.

Formed in 2007, LapSap has quickly gone from cult to scene, with his own style, fashion and sound. Taking the trash aesthetic that has spurred micro-club culture worldwide the pair wanted a name that, according to 5ft “looked good and reflected us and our culture as well’. So they called it LapSap, meaning ‘rubbish’ in Cantonese, cutting their ties with the old Nu-Rave tagged night, and laying the foundations for the anything goes filthy electro that has become its trademark sound.

* All contents courtesy of Zouk Club KL

Warm that Head in Style

2012-02-23T23:27:00.001+08:00

M. Ismail is one of NewsFlashMedia’s team members. Since late October 2011 she has been living in London and vacationing in France. She updates us here on the simple things about living abroad.

WINTER is almost over and soon Spring will be here to stay. Although it will still be a tad too cold for me, it is much better than a freezing winter. And so I do look forward to Spring although Autumn is my favourite season because of the colours it brings.

While waiting for Spring to bloom in, I am still wrapped up in layers of clothes, indoors and outdoors. Another Malaysian told me recently that despite the locals wearing lighter clothes once Spring is in she still wears hers. It will be sometime before we unacclimatised Malaysians get the hang of England’s cold weather. But this time round, my stay in England is far warmer than what I had experienced in Manchester in the 90s.

Gloves - now that's important for keeping warm in winter but is it time to rid of them now that Spring is in the air?

The winter may be at its tail’s end but there are still bouts of strong wind, the occasional rain and the biting cold despite the sun shining bright. But looking at weather conditions throughout the world it really appears to become more and more unpredictable these days, no matter in which part of the world you are in.

Your flannels, they keep you warm and fuzzy.

I will be glad when winter is over so I can get rid of my gloves and flannels, which are really important items to have in your wardrobe when you’re living in a cold county. But if there is one thing I love having with me no matter what the weather condition is, is my BUFF. This is actually a famous brand for a multifunctional headgear and I have a preference for it because BUFF uses microfiber fabric, which makes the headgear breathable. And they also have pieces made from fleece and merino wool, which are used in extreme cold conditions such as skiing. But there are many other brands available here. You just need to choose something that suits your needs and budget.

A good selection of multifunctional headgear to add to the warmth.

BUFF headgear is designed for wind protection and so it is suitable for outdoor activities like motorcycling or just roughing it out. Back home I used it to keep my hair in place and over here I used it mainly to keep my head and neck warm. There are many ways to wear this headgear – as a bandana, a beanie, cap, wristband and scarf. Those who use it when riding, use it as face mask or a helmet liner. In fact the female participants in reality show Survivor use BUFF’s headgear as tube tops.

My personal collection.

I am not sure if there are any BUFF stockists in Malaysia because I have not come across one. I get mine from Singapore. I noticed too that some Malaysian guys wear them as a fashion statement but similar headgears sold in Malaysia lack quality and designs. Mily&Cole is available in Malaysia and the designs aren’t bad. The only thing I don’t quite like about them is that they are not seamless and the fabric used is too thick for Malaysian weather.

Looking good on the guys...

...and trendy on the ladies.

Now the good news is I can easily get BUFF’s headgear in London. They are sold everywhere, even online so I can easily make purchases. The other good thing is they are fairly cheaper than getting them from Singapore, especially when they have the sales and clearance seasons.

If you are looking for BUFF’s or any other similar headgear, just Google and see the wide choices available online.

COURSES - RESTAURANT @HTC

2012-02-23T20:23:00.000+08:00

RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP SERIES
With HTC In Asia Sdn Bhd

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR OWN RESTAURANT
Dates: Mon, March 5 - Wed, March 7, 2012
Daily: 9am-5pm

THE food business attracts a lot of people because many of us think it is something we can embark upon without prior experience. Starting a restaurant is a business venture and it therefore needs a strategic business plan as well as knowledge of the business requirements and environment.

Our program provides would-be restaurateurs with a logical sequence to plan their restaurant from scratch and work out realistic budgets according to market prices. This program equips you with tools to evaluate your own projects. The Managing Your Restaurant workshop covers the critical aspects of running a restaurant such as operating procedures and food production management. You will learn about sales analysis, optimization of revenue, restaurant cost accounting, purchasing and inventory.

ABOUT THE TRAINER:
JEAN MICHEL FRAISSE has opened and operated numerous restaurants and catering businesses in France and Asia in a career spanning 33 years. A graduate of the Masters in Hospitality, Tourism and Spa Management course from the University of Toulouse in France, he has been providing consultancy services to the hospitality, tourism and food businesses in Asia for the past decade. In his home country, he was a chef de cuisine at age 20 and an executive chef when he was merely 23 years old. His company, HTC in Asia and The French Culinary School in Asia are committed to provide the highest quality training for hotels, resorts, restaurants and business entrepreneurs in Asia Pacific to arm their employees or individuals with the right skills.

COURSE FEE:
RM 3,000 per participant for a three-day workshop
RM 5,000 per participant for a six-day workshop

Course fee includes:
- Certificate
- Course manual
- Lunch / coffee & tea

VENUE:
The French Culinary School In Asia
HTC in Asia Sdn Bhd (Co. No. 634020-A)
8th Floor – Annexed Block, Menara IMC
No.8 Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

HOW TO GET THERE:
The building is next to Concorde Hotel, Kualka Lumpur. Please take car park lift to 8th floor.

ENQUIRIES:
Tel: +603 2026 9188
Fax: +603 2026 4188
Email: professional@htcinasia.com

Additional Details:
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BERHAD (HRDB):
Our programmes are 100% claimable under the Skim Bantuan Latihan (SBL) from the Human Resources Development Berhad. Please apply with the HRDB, with the following: http://www.hrdf.com.my/
Form PSMB/SBL/1/01, Course Content and Presenter’s Bio-data

* Your application, together with course fee must be forwarded to HTC in Asia Sdn. Bhd. at least five working days before course commencement. Kindly contact us for course content and trainer’s CV.

Inside Looking Out

2012-02-23T13:06:00.000+08:00

M. Ismail is one of NewsFlashMedia’s team members. Since late October 2011 she has been living in London and France. In this post she features images captured on her handphone while on one of her bus journeys in UK.
[London, 23Feb2012 @ 5:05am]

This is a photographic documentation of my bus journey from Finchley Central to The Sphires in High Barnet, passing through several residential areas and their High Street.

Shooting while seating in any public transportation can be tricky, not to mention uncomfortable. Being the person with the camera in hand, you can, without warning, be the subject of the other passengers’ discomfort – they don’t know when you will turn and take a shot of them instead of the view outside.

I put aside the idea of pulling out my bigger camera from my bag. Instead, I used my handphone. I still get those uneasy stares but I kept my handphone towards the window all the time and made it clear to whoever is watching that I have no particular interest to shoot photos of the passengers. I was only interested in the view outside, not inside.

These are just some of the images I captured while travelling on Bus 326 heading for The Sphires in High Barnet. The journey took more than half an hour through small, winding main roads, which clearly tested the bus driver’s patience.

I reached my destination in one piece and got home that same evening in one piece. A fun ride but nerve-wracking at some spots.

End of the journey :)

COURSES – PASTRIES @ HTC

2012-02-23T01:31:00.001+08:00

PROFESSIONAL PASTRY CERTIFICATE
Jointly awarded by Sucracor (France)
& The French Culinary School In Asia (Malaysia)
With French Master Pastry Chef
Jean-Francois Arnaud
- Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France Pâtisserie - M.O.F. -

CLASSICS REVISITED
Dates: Mon, Feb 27 - Wed, Feb 29, 2012

L’Art de la Pâtisserie Pastry Master Classes are designed to bring new techniques to the pastry industry in a hands-on setting. Classes are open to the pastry professional, culinary professional and food enthusiasts. Master Pastry Chef Jean-François Arnaud will be conducting the lessons and he will reveal to you the latest trends in pastry art and the finer points of baking and cake decoration to hone your skills to international level.

French patisserie, which is the result of precise and meticulous work, is an art that pleases the eyes and taste buds. Some creations, and even the French classics, are really not so difficult to make. The secret is time, patience and savoir-faire. Learn the techniques to whip up these French classics along with the different ways to display them.

Chef Jean-François will feature mascarpone millefeuille, strawberry tart, lemon tart, baba, sacher, galette, macarons, Saint Honoré, and more.

COURSE FEE:
RM 2,250 per participant for a three-day day workshop

VENUE
The French Culinary School In Asia
HTC in Asia Sdn Bhd (Co. No. 634020-A)
8th Floor – Annexed Block, Menara IMC
No.8 Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

HOW TO GET THERE:
The building is next to Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Please take car park lift to 8th floor.

ENQUIRIES:
Tel: +603 2026 9188
Fax: +603 2026 4188
Email: professional@htcinasia.com

Additional Details:
• Attention to Malaysian companies contributing to the HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BERHAD (HRDB) fund:

Our programmes are 100% claimable under the Skim Bantuan Latihan (SBL) from the Human Resources Development Berhad. Please apply with the HRDB, with the following: http://www.hrdf.com.my/
Form PSMB/SBL/1/01, Course Content and Presenter’s Bio-data

* Your application, together with course fee must be forwarded to HTC in Asia Sdn. Bhd. at least five working days before course commencement. Kindly contact us for course content and trainer’s CV.

Thirty-Four Warehouse SALE!!!

2012-02-23T00:33:00.001+08:00

CLUB SCENE - Party @ Zouk Club KL

2012-02-21T05:19:00.006+08:00

Date: Friday, 24 Feb, 2012
DJ MAG ASIA TOUR with TIMO GARCIA
Supported by Terence C

Venue: ZOUK CLUB (KL)
113 Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM35 Ladies / RM45 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM351 / 4 paxs (At the door before 11pm)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +603 2171 2075 (Noon-6pm) or +60163323191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

STRADDLING the fine line between underground darling and big room, big tune dance floor arsonist, Timo Garcia’s numerous releases on the circuit's biggest and best labels have been well documented as he currently sits pretty at #323 in the latest global Top 1000 DJ poll. (Aug 1, 2011).

In a world when DJs and producers are ten-a-penny and the hype machines peddle mediocrity as if it were something special, it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. As such, the currency de jour is consistency and recommendations.

Timo’s consistency in the studio has culminated in Wonderlust Bug; his acclaimed debut artiste album with some of the world’s biggest names like Sasha, Laurent Garnier, Timo Mass and M.A.N.D.Y. queuing up to recommend it.

Timo’s latest release on Sharam’s Yoshitoshi imprint recently graced the Beatport Top 10 Tech charts for over five months with many world class DJs citing it in their personal Top 10’s. Defected meanwhile featured it on their In The House Brazil ’11 compilation.

The year 2010 also saw the release of a double CD, littered with remixes from Timo’s album tracks by production heavyweights that include DJ Pierre, Onionz, Eric Kupper and James Harcourt. It is a testament to Timo’s calibre that such big names are ready to remix his work and is a pleasant shift from him doing the remixing. His deft touch can be heard on remixes of such luminaries as Leftfield, Justice, DJ Pierre, Louis Vega, Robert Owens, Coldcut, Danny Howells and Ian Brown. He is constantly on the lookout for ways to add his inimitable sound to wide-ranging projects including a 15-track ambient album under his new T Mo guise.

His infamy has spread among the label bosses who set the trends and create the future-heroes of our world. Yoshitoshi, OFF Recordings, Skint, Southern Fried, 303 Lovers, Nervous, Audio Therapy, Dieb Audio, Cr2 & Toolroom are just some of the world-famous imprints who have clamoured to get a piece of Timo’s brilliance. And his recent collaborations with Jerome Sydenham, X-Press 2 and DJ Pierre all see their global release in 2011 too.

It seems incredible that Timo still has time to deejay around the world as well as working behind the scenes engineering and mixing down many other artistes’ projects in his North London studio. Last summer saw him play the main stage at London’s biggest dance music festival South West Four as well as headlining festival stages from Brazil to India; but this is a man who has both a dedication and a love for his craft and this is something that he exudes, whether behind the decks or in the studio.

Timo Garcia at www.beatport.com/aritsts/timo+garcia

* All contents courtesy of Zouk Club KL

Michael Kors at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

2012-02-21T03:38:00.001+08:00

THRONGS of journalists and photographers made their way to the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to witness the stunning collections of nearly 100 designers of international fame.

The premier fashion event held every September and February at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park is ‘home’ to all who are the ‘eyes, ears and nose’ of the fashion industry. This is where they congregate to get first hand news on what to expect for the coming seasons.

Industry experts traveled from all corners of the world to stake a place among famous American designers. For two weeks, Lincoln Center’s four runway venues – the Theatre, Stage, Studio and Box turned into a fashion ‘battleground’ showcasing the latest and hottest designs.

Michael Kors who have a reputedly large fan base in Malaysia as proven with the opening of his first free-standing store late last year at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur showcased at the event held from Feb 9 to 16. Kors’ presented his Fall 2012 Runway Show on the second last day of the event, sharing the day’s limelight with 14 other known designers that included Anna Sui, Joanna Mastroianni and J. Mendel.

Kors’ collections featured His and Hers and colours bold, classy and chic. There were red and black and brown checks and stripes on blanket coats, skirts and ponchos as well as trousers. The evening wear were glam. The collection came in a mix of luxurious fabrics like tweed, mohair, knits, fur, leather, slipper satin and delicate lace.

Kors’ 3,500 sq ft duplex at Pavilion KL features a wide range of Michael Kors luxury collection. His move to grow the Michael Kors business throughout Malaysia and Singapore is such good news to his Malaysian fans. Michael Kors is making impressive efforts in expanding throughout Asia.

Who's Keeping Me Warm

2012-01-13T15:25:00.001+08:00

Testing the Aberdeen by just sitting out in the cold at Hyde Park.

You know after buying it, I stepped out the store and put it on. I felt warm but in it but I wasn’t sure it would work because compared to most winter jackets or coats it is very light and almost the usual padding seem to be non-existent. However, I took it home. There’s nothing to lose because over here when you purchase goods, you are given about 30 days to return for either a refund or an exchange.

The week that I bought the jacket England was heading towards a really cold winter with predicted heavy storms, strong gales and snow. The very next day I put the jacket to the test. I went out in the storm – the morning was grey, it was raining and the wind was strong. Just as I got to the town centre I was almost caught in a massive downpour. I did get wet though not drenched and hey presto, I was warm! The jacket works. On the weekend, I tested the jacket again. I took the tube to central London and again the weather was colder than usual. I stopped by the park to shoot a bit and again, hey presto, I was warm. So thumbs up for the jacket.

Xtremely light for a winter jacket - Merrell Women’s Aberdeen Winter Jacket.

When buying a winter jacket or coat bear in mind that thick need not necessarily equals warmth. It is the types of material used in making a garment that give our body the warmth. The Aberdeen Winter Jacket is made of Opti-Shell waterproof and breathable fabric. To keep the wearer warm, it uses Opti-Warm lightweight, low-bulk synthetic insulation with 100% polyester construction. The jacket is fully seam-sealed with a quilted hourglass liner in the back for extra cold comfort. It is designed to be waterproof and repels snow (yes, it dries up very fast despite being caught in the rain), and it is windproof and wind resistant (I feel warmer than in most winter coats that I have tried).

This casual yet fashionable enough jacket has been designed with maximum venting features through the use of full zip at front so the wearer can zip-up or zip-down depending on the degree of cold she is experiencing. If it gets too warm inside she can always unzip the zips placed at the underarms to allow some ventilation. Isn’t that smart?

When we are on the go, traveling light is a must. That means no bulky jackets and coats that would be cumbersome to store or lug along. The synthetic insulator used in the Aberdeen ensures the wearer stays warm even when it’s wet outside and you don’t overheat. The padded insulation is placed in the jacket’s key spots – the sleeves and the hood.

The zipped pocket on the sleeve.

The Aberdeen is designed for style as well as for everyday use. So when Autumn and Spring come, you can still use the jacket. In fact, it can take the weather conditions in the Peaks as well as the Lakes. And back home in Malaysia, if you’re an outdoor person who is thinking of going trekking and camping in the mountains, the jacket will serve the purpose well.

Ok, so I’ve made a good choice and I’m out of the winter cold for as long as I’m in my Aberdeen. So it looks like I need not worry should the snow coming. In fact, I will be looking forward to it. Now all I need is my leather glove.

Getting the Right Winter Coat

2012-01-11T14:39:00.002+08:00

M. Ismail is one of NewsFlashMedia’s team members. Since late October 2011 she has been living in London and will soon be continuing her vacation to France. In this post she hopes to help first timers abroad find the correct clothing to keep them warm as their body slowly climatised.

NEVER been to a cold country before? Not sure what kind of clothes to look for to protect you from the cold, the harsh winter, the strong gale? I will tell you where to go to get the right types of clothes to keep you warm without you thinking of dragging a hot water bottle strapped to your chest (that’s a joke, yes but it’s a common thought).

GO Outdoors, UK’s biggest outdoor store. They are all over UK so you can easily find one that’s closest to where you are. And why am I recommending this store? No, this is not a paid advertisement and neither was I given a free product so I can say great things about them. This is an honest opinion from someone who has benefitted from the store through a purchase made when winter sets in.

A GO Outdoors outlet store in UK.

I have to be here (London) for a few months and when I left home (Malaysia) everything was a mad rush. I forgot the most important thing to me when I’m traveling to a cold country – bring enough warm clothes because my body has almost zero tolerance to cold. If you can imagine me ‘suffering’ in an air-conditioned office you can imagine what the cold winter can do to me.

I had with me my leather jacket, my favorite woolen sweater and my classic trench coat, which someone said is ugly (thank-you) and several pairs of thermal underwear. I left behind my long wool blend top coat (which I think is ugly because of the colour) and wool scarves and leather gloves and a host of crucial things that would keep me warm. Ok, call me stupid if you like.

So when I got here I went shopping for a coat and I took a long time to find the right one because I didn’t think they were good enough to keep me warm. However, I finally found one that I like, paid half price (GBP75=RM378) for it during the crazy winter sale and wore it a few times. But I had to return it for a refund because although the coat is made of wool and is water repellant it didn’t do the job for me. It is heavily padded that I look like I was wobbling when I braved the wind and the cold. And the hood wasn’t comfortable as it restricted my neck movement and view.

GO Outdoors stocks many big brands.

To cut the long story short I landed in GO Outdoors. There were a lot of things going at discounted prices and there were a lot of good winter coats. I didn’t know what to get so I seek assistance and got some good advice on what to look out for in a winter coat. I found a lot of good ones but most did not fit my needs – I needed something that allows me to fight the cold, the rain, the wind and at the same time breathe underneath the layers of tops I’d be wearing. I needed something fashionable yet practical because I go around with my cameras all the time and a fancy coat would look silly on someone who is supposed to look rough and ready.

After searching for some time I finally found something off the discounted rack. It was a short brown coat with front zipper, and buttons, and a belt and two side pockets, one arm pocket, one inside pocket and zips placed at certain parts of the coat that I can unzip when it gets a bit stuffy inside WITHOUT peeling the layers off. Now isn’t that brilliant?

I paid for it and went home. Tomorrow I will write some more on how I tested the coat and how I rated it. While waiting for that, visit the store online. You will find a lot of stuffs you’d love to own.

Wintry Winter

2012-01-04T10:47:00.002+08:00

M. Ismail is one of NewsFlashMedia’s team members. Since late October 2011 she has been living in London and will soon be continuing her vacation to France. She shares with us some of her less boring and tedious experiences while abroad.

Since the last quarter of 2011, I have been in UK and I welcomed the eve of 2012 snuggled in bed wrapped in a warm blanket and sipping a mug of hot tea. The endless sleep continued right through to the next day, which was seriously a wet and soggy one. When I’m not sorting out my photo library or writing I plonk myself in front of the idiot box and laugh myself silly over The Big Bang Theory, which I think can easily topple How I Met Your Mother.

The cold winter air is beginning to bite and twice now MET Office (UK’s abbreviation for Meteorological Office) had warned of bad weather complete with thunderstorms and strong winds and the possibility of snow. Snow did fall the very next day following the first warning but nowhere in London; could have been in Scotland, I think. The second announcement came on the first day of the New Year where MET warned possible disruptions to public transportation in affected areas especially North West England when the heavy rain and strong winds hit.

Phonebox In The Snow by Graeme Weatherston

It was predicted that the strong winds were between 75 to 85 mph. And true enough the very next day it was reported that the crazy weather created havoc in certain parts of England. Wind speeds were in fact recorded to exceed 100mph. The strong winds triumphantly fell several huge oak trees in parts of England and there were several deaths. In Scotland people were warned to stay indoors for their own safety.

According to MET “Gales are the most common cause of damage and disruption in the UK”. And this whole ‘situation’ has made me read up a little bit more on preventions and precautions to be taken and put in place should such incidences occur. Well, I may be here only on a short visit but it is never a waste of time knowing how to handle a situation as disasters are known to strike without warning. And when it does, even the most prepared can lose to them.

Winter Crash by Damascus01

It is interesting too to read some of the dos and don’ts before, during and after a storm. Most of what was recommended by the respective departments can actually be adapted to different situations in different countries with different climates. With the rapid change in the weather worldwide, our home country Malaysia has also experience storms although less severe in comparison.

One of the tips given by MET is to make sure all heavy loose objects around the house be properly secured to prevent them from being ‘weapons’ that destroy our home during a storm. That sets me thinking how we Malaysians place ladders and garden furniture carelessly about around our home especially outdoors. Or perhaps if you like me, live in a high-rise and own an outdoor garden we should re-think the next step to take when we see signs of a storm coming. I will be e-mailing home soon to get someone to check my aluminium pot stands in the garden to ensure the bolts have not loosened over the months and that the potted plants aren’t tilting over the edge of the balcony walls threatening to fall four floors down and hurting someone during a storm. I will also need to remind them to remove the smaller hanging potted plants from their hooks and to bring them inside the house instead.

Sunlight by ninefinger

I am hoping that the winter winds will calm down a little. Hopefully everyone will get to enjoy themselves playing snowballs minus the trauma and the sad news when the lives of loved ones take an abrupt end and homes are damaged beyond recognition.

It has not been the loveliest of 2011 for some but the ending of the year still has many significance to each and every one of us. Hopefully 2012 is a more peaceful journey.

May 2012 ROCK!

2012-01-01T05:33:00.002+08:00

M. Ismail is one of NewsFlashMedia’s team members. Since late October 2011 she has been living in London and will soon be continuing her vacation to France. She shares with us some of her less boring and tedious experiences while abroad.

IN less than three hours I will be celebrating the arrival of 2012 with thousands of well-wishes who have gathered in Central London to celebrate. The only difference between us is the location. They are outdoors and I am indoors, warm and snug in the TV room. But it makes no real difference in terms of spirit – we all rejoice the ending of 2011 and the arrival of 2012.

Here’s us wishing everyone the same – Happy New Year.

Fireworks: clker

Twinkle Lights London’s Not So Bright

2011-12-25T13:47:00.001+08:00

THE Christmas lights displays in London aren’t as grand as I had imagined them to be. They pale in comparison to Singapore’s. To be honest, even Malaysia’s Christmas décor are way better.

The Christmas lights at Molton Street.

Since arriving in UK in late October, I’d been spending the weekends in Central London shopping as well as trying to catch the Christmas lights. Sadly, there wasn’t much to shout about although you can see some Christmas lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Molton Street.

Nearing Christmas, Oxford Street turned into a mini funland for the children.

I didn’t even bother shooting because the weather was just too cold and I preferred tucking both my hands in my pockets. When you are right smack there on Oxford Street where people are just busy shopping it isn’t such a brilliant idea to shoot. You almost always get knocked into. You don’t really tumble over but it is annoying when people just keep bumping into you.

Fancy checking this one out?

Well, London may not be among the 10 cities reputed to have the world’s best Christmas lights but that’s fine with me. I have often wondered when people will realize the amount of wastage in money and energy when they light up almost an entire city during the festive season. Surely there are better ways to spend all that money!

Crazy Christmas shopping at Hamleys.

Christmas appears way quieter here than back home in Malaysia. The idiot box doesn’t play a lot of Christmas-y tunes like in Malaysia. And there are no fireworks in the area I live. But I guess the bars were full last night.

Well, Merry Christmas everyone. And this will be the last festive celebration for the year. Six more days to the New Year and then comes the first festive celebration again – in February. Ready?

The Joy of Christmas

2011-12-25T03:37:00.002+08:00

Whimsical Christmas Tree card is by Tinneketin while the rest of the decor used are from clker.com

Wishing all our friends near and far a very Merry Christmas!!! If there is one gift that we can easily share the world over, across nations and thousands of miles apart from each other is the gift of love. Ours come in abundance.

May LOVE follow you wherever you go :)

My Man, Rene

2011-12-24T11:56:00.001+08:00

MY man Chris Rene has left X-Factor USA in third place tonight (viewing at 8pm London, Dec 24), just minutes after a teary footage of him overwhelmed by the well-wishes from family members and friends. Hundreds gathered at The Catalyst in his hometown Santa Cruz in a show of support of the young ‘homie’.

(Inset, left) is Renee onstage on the final countdown day.

Put aside his ‘drug taking’ history and sob-sob life story. I love this man firstly for his voice, the style in which he sings and his most humble character. No, I don’t like everything about him, especially the way he moves – you know, the slight bounce, the hand movements, tipping of his hat and all. These are all ‘influences’. But when you talk about character and behavior – Chris Rene has all that I like in an artiste. So shame on you Astro the young snob, perasan (vain) lil’ boy who thinks he is larger than life by not wanting to perform when he was voted out!

(From top, Renee in various moods) Renee overwhelmed by emotions, in anguish waiting for the result and sharing one good moment with his mentor L.A. Reid.

Rene winning third place wasn’t a surprise as it was very clear as to who the sure winner was on the night. But somewhere deep inside I wished either Rene or Josh Krajcik could have toppled Melanie Amaro. She has heck of a voice and stage presence but help me God when she opens her mouth to express her feelings.

Josh Krajcik came second, much to Nicole's delight.

There were several other contestants whom I think could do wonders to the entertainment industry but were voted out at such an early stage of the competition. Krajcik is the kind of artiste and voice I would love to listen to over and over again but Nicole has done such a tremendous job on him that she completely wiped out his natural singing abilities. Mid-way through the competition Krajcik sounded more like a commercial female act disguised in a man’s clothes! Leave him alone Nicole! He would have better chance if he was under the mentoring of L.A. Reid or even Simon Cowell.
Another act that I just adore, not for the talent but the look, is Rachel Crow, the chubby 13-year-old who wants her own bathroom. I think it’s true like one of the judges had said in one of the show’s segment – there could be a Rachel Crow doll soon. I will buy for my collector friend…

Both Simon and Amaro looking all jitters.

The face of a winner, swarmed by overexcited relatives. Hello...this is supposed to be an Amaro moment ok?

For the next season of X Factor USA, can someone tell both Paula and Nicole (especially) to suck it in when they sit on the judges’ panel? Stop whimpering about not being able to make decisions. That’s the very freaking reason you are there in the first place!

The judges celebrate!

2011-08-24T19:27:00.004+08:00

QAR left Nek Yong’s home in the early evening today to stay with his Great Grandmother whose house is about an hour’s drive out of Kuala Lumpur. Nek Yong has to be at work but that doesn’t mean Qar didn’t have his usual morning bath with Nek Yong. The only difference with today’s bath is that his mother bathed him instead. Nek Yong sat quietly by my daughter’s side and taught her how to bathe Qar.

Sleeping ...

My grandson will be away right until Eid, which is just a few days away. And Nek Yong will join him on Sunday afternoon as Great Grandmother wants new curtains for the hall. It’s a last minute shopping again for Nek Yong but having done this for the past years for my mom, it doesn’t upset Nek Yong anymore.

Sleeping some more..

At this very moment Nek Yong is still in the office, alone, waiting for the breaking of fast hour. It is much easier to just break fast in the office and then go home because the after-office traffic is really bad in the area where Nek Yong works. By the time Nek Yong finish her mug of hot coffee and a small bowl of fried rice, the traffic would have subsided.

PEACE sign from Qar?

Nek Yong has to go now Qar. Will write more in the next few days as I know there will be lots of things to write about with Eid festivities taking place.

Thinking of you, Qar and missing my cute grandson already.

With loving care – Nek Yong

Sunday Shopping With Qar

2011-08-23T10:40:00.002+08:00

NEK YONG’s mornings for now are specifically for Qar. I bathe and sun him before I leave for work and at the same time look after Qar’s mum, my eldest daughter.

Perhaps this week things will more or less go back to normal. Qar is getting easier to handle as he is growing up very fast and doesn’t look as fragile as the newborn that he was. Of course it’s been just past a week but in Nek Yong’s eyes, Qar is a ‘big boy’ already. He peed on Nek Yong twice while I towel-dried him after his morning bath. A few days ago, he pooped on his dad when he was cleaning him. Dad gave a loud scream when he was caught by surprise. Nek Yong thinks he has a lot more to learn about child-minding ;)

Dashing?

My daughter is regaining her health as well except for a few bumps and bruises. She is stronger after the delivery and is able to move about independently, thanks to the medication her gran made for her.

As promised to Qar on Saturday evening, the family took Qar to the nearby mall to shop for his Hari Raya clothes on Sunday morning. Not that Qar showed any emotions but the entire family thought he was extremely happy. You know how it is with grandmas and aunts. Their doting of their precious ones goes beyond logic.

There you go, fast asleep.

Nek Yong dressed Qar in his Sunday best – a smart-looking Onesies that an aunt gave to him as a birthday gift (Onesies is a shirt that snaps under the diaper to stay on). But before we could take one step out the door, Qar was asleep. So much for shopping.

With loving care - Nek Yong

My Cute Sleepy Head

2011-08-21T04:54:00.001+08:00

BABY Qar is fast asleep, along with the rest of the household except for Nek Yong. At the time of writing this, the time is 2:58 on Sunday morning.

Like every doting grandmother, Nek Yong does a quick check on Qar every hour or so, just in case his little cotton blanket got tangled in his face. Qar wriggles and stretches a lot and when he does his entire small frame gets all twisted and contorted and red. He makes the cutest sound ever when he does his little stretch. It is so adorable that it melts Nek Yong’s heart every time.

Twist and turn and wriggle and stretch but never awake - that's Qar for you.

Qar’s mum and dad are in the bedroom with him but they are fast asleep, trying to recover as much as possible from the maddening event of August 13. So Nek Yong plays Nanny to make sure both parents and child are in good care.

Yesterday, Qar got his very own passport and Nek Yong accompanied him and his parents to the nearby Immigration Office. Nicely wrapped in a bundle, Qar slept through everything, even when Nek Yong placed him in front of the photographer’s camera to get a passport sized photo of him.

At 5pm yesterday, when Nek Yong gave him his bath, his umbilical cord stump finally fell off. It was a big relief for Nek Yong as it was quite unnerving seeing it dangled around Qar’s navel every day. It was especially tough ‘handling’ it during bath time and sterilising it.

Sometimes when Qar ‘yelped’, Nek Yong got worried just in case he was in pain. Of course he wasn’t in pain because the umbilical cord doesn’t have pain-sensitive nerve fibres, according to medical advice. Many of us however think it does.

Perhaps when Nek Yong has the time, I will write a little about this in my post, just to reassure my daughter as she has not been able to Google much of late.

Just slightly a week old, Qar, fast asleep.

Qar has just passed a week old and is already looking like a big boy. He is beginning to smile a lot too. Nek Yong can’t get enough of looking at Qar and cuddling and giving him small kisses on those rosy cheeks of his. My two daughters have a good laugh whenever they see me doing these. They make fun of me, purposely thinking aloud as to where my tough, disciplinarian qualities have gone to since Qar arrived.

Well, laugh all you like, daughters. Tomorrow, I’m taking Qar shopping for his Hari Raya (Eid)’s clothes. So there …

With loving care – Nek Yong

Qar's 2nd Day With Nek Yong

2011-08-15T03:04:00.002+08:00

SLEEP eluded me the night after Qar's birth (Aug 13, 2011).

It was way past 3am on Sunday that I got to bed, sorting out things at home so I could be by my daughter’s and my grandson’s side again the next day.

That same Sunday, Nek Yong woke up at half past eight to the sound of an SMS bleeping on my hand phone. It was my daughter who just gave birth asking me to bring along a few more of Qar’s nappies, mittens and booties when next we visit.

By 11am my younger daughter and I were already heading for the hospital in her tiny twin-cam Kelisa, which runs like a blizzard. Before you knew it, we were at the hospital. Talk about safe driving in a matchbox.

The rules are very strict at the hospital – no visitors before visiting hours. Even grandmothers do not have privileges. But we were prepared to sit on the hot slabs outdoor again because the waiting area feels like a freezer with the air-conditioning turned down so low.

Nek Yong decided to take a chance. I walked up to the security guard at the entrance to my daughter’s ward and asked if I could go up to see my grandson. If looks could butcher one alive, the guard’s would. But somehow I managed to get in although it was only 15 minutes to Visitors’ Hours. Who cares? It’s nice to know as a ‘gran’ I do have privileges, given or forced.

I managed to snap some photos of Qar using my hand phone since the nurses watch over anyone who lugs in a camera outfit any bigger.

Qar giving Nek Yong the one-eye pirate look.

These are precious photos – Qar’s second day in this world. Nek Yong promise he will grow up a happy child.

With loving care – Nek Yong

My First Grandson, Grandchild - Qar

2011-08-14T03:20:00.000+08:00

NEK YONG officially became a granny at exactly 11.40pm last night. My first grandson was born after I had spent two hours sitting on the stone slabs by the entrance of the delivery ward of Putrajaya Hospital.

Clad in faded blue jeans, a simple white T and a black leather jacket, Nek Yong felt jubilant as I cradled my grandson in my arms. He still had traces of blood around his shoulders, wrapped in the hospital’s blue blanket, wide eyed and perhaps wondering who the grinning woman cradling him was. I didn’t care if my first grandson thinks I’m an alien lost on Planet Earth. I was just happy he finally arrived...after 14 hours and 10 minutes to be exact.

Qar (pronounced ‘Khorr’) is adorable. His eyes were wide opened despite only being born less than an hour before resting in my arms. Nek Yong heard his wail right across the labour room to the waiting area right out to the main entrance. That’s my grandson Qar - my first grandchild.

Qar...Nek Yong has to go to bed now. While your mother wrapped you in her arms, Nek Yong was travelling back to our home in Kuala Lumpur. In the next few days you will come home with us and sleep in the baby crib that Nek Yong has prepared for you.

There will be more stories of our adventures in the next few days and weeks and months and years but for now Nek Yong has to sleep so I can see you at the hospital again this afternoon.

As I walked to the car-park at the hospital I was already thinking about taking Qar shopping. Nek Yong will get some new clothes and Qar will get some books.

Life – it’s very sweet at the moment.

With loving care - Nek Yong

Short Take 12

2011-06-08T22:00:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by caseaplace (caseaplace)

You Speak Malay, No?

2011-06-07T13:30:00.000+08:00

I SPENT half of last Saturday in a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. It has been ages since I went there. Due to its declining popularity as KL’s top shopping mall I thought I might as well have my deserving hair wash at one of the little hair salons scattered in the area. Where my office is a simple hair wash for a long-haired female would cost nothing less than RM28 perhaps.

However, enjoying a hair wash doesn’t come cheap in KL, no matter the popularity of the building the studio is in. Everywhere I went the charge was at least RM30+ so I considered myself fortunate to find one that offered service at only RM24. That is a fair price for a hair scrub and scrunge-dry service, right?

Images: Parlour by Moini & Hair by doug26

So I took a seat and a young Chinese hairstylist came over. He had a full head of dyed hair with a fringe that was almost hiding his eyes. The only time I saw his squeaky little eyes was when he lifted his head a little to ask me a question.

If looks can kill his would and no, not because he is drop-dead gorgeous or a hunk but because he is just SO angry. I swear that if I had a tape measure with me and measured his pout it could have easily reached a mile! Why is he so ANGRY?

His entire mannerisms baffled me. There was no “hello”, “how are you”, “how can I help you”...nothing! Just silence and a pouty face! After placing some hand towels around my shoulders, he reached towards a bottle I had placed on the mirror stand and pressed on the lid so the contents of the bottle came gushing onto his palm. I let out a seriously surprised + annoyed exclamation. And he shot at me with a “SHAMPOO???” No duhhh! That was my mousse! What in the world is wrong with him? He didn’t ask what was in the bottle and then got angry when he realised he had mousse all over his hand when it was shampoo he wanted. Did I tell him I brought my own shampoo? Noooo...

I felt my ears went red with anger. I couldn’t believe what was happening and so I just stared at him as he shampooed my hair. Suddenly he decided to speak. He asked me in English if I’d like to blow dry my hair and roll them up. I said no, just scrunge-dry using the diffuser. But he couldn’t understand that I didn’t want my hair rolled and straightened out. Then he got mad again. And he repeated his question and I gave him the same answer. He gave me an annoyed look and just as I was about to swear profanities, his colleague told him what to do.

Image from clker.com

At this point I was thinking of knocking him senseless with my heavy leather handbag, or the bottle of mousse or even the hairdryer. When suddenly he said, “Are you Chinese?” I checked my skin – dark brown. My eyes – very Malay eyes, complete with double eyelid. My hair – wavy and dry and big (how many Chinese girls have big, wavy hair?).

I am a typical Malay with Indonesian, Dutch, Thai and Arab lineage and he asked if I was Chinese.

Strangely when I told him I am Malay his behaviour took a 180-degree turn. And then he asked if I can speak Malay. Can I speak Malay? Why? Do I sound like I’ve been eating too much French Fries when I speaketh English?

When he found out I am Malay, speaks Malay, all his anti-social-ness disappeared into thin air. Suddenly he was all chatty. He asked if I’ve ever been to the mall before. He wanted to know my age. And if I were to ever need a treatment to consider him. Before I knew it he was revealing more about himself. How he has to handle more than 20 customers in a day on weekends, most of whom are his regulars. Then he said, “I’ve not even had a bite to eat since the studio opened this morning. I’m so hungry I can barely talk.”

My conclusion of his behaviour is: he thought I was a snobbish Chinese girl who refused to speak in my native tongue to a native boy! And my replies to him in English had annoyed him because he isn’t conversant in English and prefers to talk in Malay.

Goodness young man! Say so la! I can talk Melayu anytime. With the way he was all dressed up and his brunette mop of hair and swagger I thought he was more Western than Western itself! Adoi... Talk about assumptions.

Short Take 11

2011-06-06T13:48:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by c-louise (c-louise)

Crazy but GOOD!

2011-06-05T23:19:00.002+08:00

IT’S been a crazy month of May for NFM. Out of 31 days we only managed to post twice and that is really sad for us who have been trying to write every day for the rest of our lives ? However, it goes to show that not everything we plan in life will happen exactly as how we want them to be. This gives us the strength to believe that out of some weaknesses there is a hint of strength.

And talking about strength, all of us would like to thank our friends as well as readers who continue supporting us despite our MIA act the past few weeks. While friends who know of our site either sent messages to us on FB or SMS us on our mobiles, those who visit the sites from land afar continue providing our site a steady stream of visitors. What can we say but thank you?

Screaming Eye's - BIGDODADDY bigdodaddy

We did not plan on neglecting our site but some of us, at the last minute, were offered to partake in some big projects, which require 110% attention. And since the project has an urgent ring to it, we decided some things have to be sacrificed, although only for a while as we sort out a few things, whip people into shape and then take a breather and divide our attention between the project as well as our site. So hang on and don’t give up on us yet.

Despite our “disappearance”, a lot of good things have happened while we went “missing”. We’re hoping it stays that way all through the year as we believe 2012 will be a challenging year for many reasons.

We attended very few events the past 29 days and cancelled several lunch dates but made things up by trying out several food outlets and cafes in the Mont Kiara Solaris area. We promise we will run those very soon :0

And we promise Ms Sanity’s works will be up and running again as soon as she returns to homeland. The Daily Bitch has gone into early retirement and says he will post as soon as he gets sick of chilling out. Nek Yong is busy making preparations for the arrival of her grandchild. And the rest of the contributors are either busy baking or eating.

Let’s hope we will again gather in this “room” to share our story like when we first started. Till then, take care.

Short Take 10

2011-05-03T22:00:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by Biewoef (biewoef)

I'm Blessed

2011-05-02T22:15:00.000+08:00

IT is only the second day of May and already we’ve been plagued by several setbacks. But being the hardcore that we are giving up is the last thing on our mind.

Our posts have gone MIA for several days now due to a virus attack on our system. We are fixing the problem and our techies are hard at work so we hope none of our regular readers have given up on us?

URGHHH!!! You ugly mean virus!!!

Clipart: Worm - UTRESCU (utrescu)

It’s been a good rest for many in Malaysia due to the long “weekend”. Labour’s Day was on a Sunday, which makes Monday automatically a free-from-work day.

The shopping centres were jam-packed and that observation was merely at the neighbourhood malls. Wonder what it had been in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur itself?

Well, there are a lot of sales going on already and some branded boutiques are giving away impressive discounts. My credit card company has been sending me flyers, encouraging me to spend, spend, and spend! And no, I’m not tempted simply because the country’s annual grand sale is just around the corner. So my gang and I plan to splurge then.

Staying happy, that's life's No. 1 rule.

Clipart:Happy - ZINDYI (zindyi)

At this very moment we are experiencing rain. Gorgeous, cool evening after a terribly hot, hot, summer-ish day. Not that we have summer really. But the weather is changing so much, thanks to our own carelessness in protecting the environment!

Malaysia’s Monsoon season is between November and March and the dry season is between May and September. But look what’s happening today. It’s May and it’s pouring cats and dogs. April was a very wet month as well.

Besides the virus attack and a very hard fall I experienced in the toilet of my home two days ago that left bruises on my torso, everything else is reasonably going good (pray hard).

I bumped into a long-time friend in the mall today as I was making my way to my fitness class. She had her two kids with her. “Factory closed down already,” she said when I commented she already has a pair. The elder kid hugged and kissed me. That was really sweet and to think she doesn’t even know who I am as we’ve only met once, when she was less than a year old.

The funny bit about the meet was what my friend’s mother said: “She is always working. Always in front of the computer, writing. She might as well go for a full time job”.

I think my answer of “that’s what life is these days, aunty” didn’t go down well with her. She looked quite sullen after that. Maybe I should have lied and scolded my friend so the mother is happier that someone’s on her side? Hmm…have to think about that.

Every day I plan to achieve something, no matter how small.

Clipart: Alpiniste - ZINDYI (zindyi)

Oh. And I also “met” this “loony” character – a craft shop owner who dragged me into a conversation as I was browsing her merchandise and watching her make a scrap album for a customer.
I can’t believe my ears when she went on and on complaining about a difficult customer to me. While I can understand her frustration I think it is highly unprofessional for her to criticize her customer and to a total stranger too. At the end of the day she is running a business and no matter how wrong her customers are they will always be “right”.

I walked out of her shop as she continued complaining. I refused to be a part of it. I am determined to bury all negative vibes out of my life.

Note: We’ve been asked several times why our posts mix “we” and “I” all the time. Because we are sloppy writers ? No, actually when we say “we” that refers to NewsFlashMedia and the team. When we say “I” it refers to any of the team member who is writing the post ;)

SanTerri Cakes Like No Other

2011-04-27T23:50:00.000+08:00

I LOVE cakes but I’m fussy over the choice. Unlike a majority of Malaysians, I do not like my cakes loaded with sugar especially when it’s a creamed cake with an assortment of toppings, which I prefer to finish rather than place aside because they are too sweet to stomach.

If Malaysians are just learning to reduce their intake of sugar in this 21^st Century, I have been practising the less-sugar-is-better discipline way, way before the rest.

When the cupcake trend stormed Malaysia, I did not fall head over heals on them because I did not find one recipe that has the correct amount of sugar in both cake mixture as well as the butter icing.

Carrot Cake With Walnuts to go with Café Mezzo Mezzo.

When you enjoy a piece of cake, you want to savour every bite, every mouthful. If you can take continuous bites off a piece of cake without cringing at the sweetness then you have found the desired cake. I have found mine and not just in one type of cake but many. The place – SanTerri Cottage.

The SanTerri Cottage I frequent is the one in Bangsar Village II in Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur although there are several SanTerri Cottage outlets throughout the Klang Valley.

I have not been to most of them as the one in BVII is very convenient for me whenever my craving for tea-time-with-coffee-and-cake builds up.

SanTerri has a big selection of cakes on top of their other items like sandwiches and pastas. But I go there strictly for its cakes. I’ve tried some of them but have to keep returning to make sure I taste most of them as I’m very sure they will agree with my tastebud. My favourite, which I buy for my yearly birthday celebration is the Opera.

Every year it's the same cake for me - Opera from SanTerri Cottage.

I wouldn’t say a slice of cake is too highly priced here as several other cafes and restaurants adopt almost the same pricing if not higher.

The difference between SanTerri’s cakes and prices is that even IF you were to be charged more than the outlet’s RM6.50 for a piece of Carrot Cake With Walnut for example it would still be worth it because the cakes are delicious.

When I eat cakes I take coffee with them and its regular brew, which I called Flat White, is named Café Mezzo Mezzo, also at RM6.50 for a reasonable sized cup. SanTerri serves Illy coffee.

And do you know that Illy coffee is served in 140 countries in five continents in over 50,000 public venues? According to its official website http://www.illy.com/ more than six million cups of its espresso coffee is served throughout the world every single day.

I may not be a coffee expert but I love coffee and what’s in an Illy coffee for me? A rich coffee that’s full of flavour and a beautiful aroma. Team that with a SanTerri cake and it’s bliss for the rest of the day.

SANTERRI COTTAGE

Bangsar Village II

Upper Ground Floor – K2

Lot 43872.73.74 Bangsar Baru

59100 KUALA LUMPUR

Short Take 9

2011-04-27T23:41:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by Bizior (bizior)

Short Take 8

2011-04-26T23:47:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by that_guy_A (http://www.sxc.hu/profile/that_guy_A)

Eco-friendly With Sloggi

2011-04-26T23:36:00.002+08:00

Note from The Team: This is the third part of NFM’s post on Sloggi’s Love World 2011 collection. It got a bit delayed due to some unforeseen circumstances. Enjoy it nevertheless.

SLOGGI is a lingerie and undergarment company so what was it doing taking a group of media and several KL bloggers into the Tekala Recreational Forest in Hulu Langat recently?

If you were not there and heard or read about this trip you’d think it strange that Sloggi chose to hire a huge tour coach to bring these people into a jungle for a simple launch. Why didn’t they just host the event at some chic location in the city centre like they always do?

The answer is education! The world needs to be educated on the importance of protecting the environment. And since Sloggi’s Love World 2011 collection is eco-friendly it makes this launch concept very relevant.

The Herbal patch near the entrance of Tekala Recreational Forest.

Evelyn Foo, Triumph’s Head of Brand Management made it very clear that there wasn’t going to be any catwalk to showcase Sloggi’s Love World 2011.

Instead Evelyn talked about how we can help our forest, the environment, Earth by using eco-friendly undergarments. Sloggi’s Love World 2011 collection is made from Sensitive®Fabric, which is manufactured using eco-friendly processes.

Using eco-friendly undergarments however is only part of the learning process in appreciating our forests especially since they play an enormous role in determining our future environment. A short tour of the forest can bring us closer to its habitats, wildlife and eco-systems. The launch at the forest is in collaboration with local environmental NGO, TrEES (Treat Every Environment Special) as well as the State Forestry Department. As a team, they help conserve and protect Taman Warisan Negeri Selangor including the forest park’s habitats, wildlife and eco-systems.

Representatives fromTrEES, Selangor State Forestry Department and Sloggi.

Sloggi Malaysia’s collaboration with TrEES and SFD echoes the efforts made by Sloggi on the global front, where it has teamed up with SensitivEcoSystem® Project to partner with World Land Trust™.

SensitivEcoSystem® Project is the Italian manufacturer of Sensitive®Fabric while World Land Trust™ is a non-profit organisation that protects remote regions between Brazil, Paraguay and North East Argentina. Their aim is to save the threatened rainforest in the Yaboti Biosphere, home to unusual plants and animal species, which are at risk of extinction. With every one meter of sensitive®Fabric used in the Love World Collection, one sq meter of the rainforest in the Yaboti Bisosphere will be saved.

There's still a nice, cool, clean stream in the park.

“We have very few forests left,” Evelyn said. “And so we need to protect them so that the new generation can still enjoy what we have today,” she added.

Evelyn touched a little about Sloggi’s eco-friendly collection, started in 2009 highlighting Sloggi’s every day organic cotton wear. In 2010 Sloggi came out with a collection made from plastic bottles. And in 2011 it included three eco-friendly items out of the four in the collection.

“Our eco collection provides 100% comfort and it is safe on skin,” she said.

A worthy donation for a great cause.

Sloggi also pledged a donation of RM25,000 from profit sales of its Love World collection to TrEES. This fund will be used for the development of a new interactive digital programme that supports activities for youth under TrEES’ Taman Warisan Negeri Selangor (TWNS) environmental protection initiative called Communities for Conservation. The aim of the programme is to ensure TWNS remains protected so it can continue providing information of the park to the future generation who are our effective agents of change.

Perhaps by being in the forest and learning a thing or two about its habitats it will make us realise how every bit of contribution in whatever form can help protect the environment in the long run to benefit the new generations.

Short Take 7

2011-04-25T22:00:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by that_guy_A (that_guy_A)

Short Take 6

2011-04-24T21:12:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by Spekulator (hapekla)

Life's Little Mysteries

2011-04-24T21:01:00.001+08:00

LIFE can spring a lot of surprises. Most times the unexpected happens when you least expects it. I guess that explains why a lot of people, like me, do not like surprises. But when it is a good surprise, it is most welcomed!

Today I bumped into someone I have liaised with so many times before in the past 20 years but have never had the chance to meet in person. It was only when she handed me her cards that I realised my most recent phone conversations with her was about six months ago.

The warmth of a friend is akin to that you enjoy within the comforts of your home.

Image: Breakfast by HAPEKLA (hapekla)

Whenever I bumped into past acquaintances the way I did today, it makes me wonder if the world is actually smaller than we think it is. And how, one way or the other, people we have lost contact with can suddenly spring back into our life.

Just two days ago I met up with a girlfriend who I’ve not seen or communicated regularly with for about two years now. And as we enjoyed glass after glass of hot Barley drink we shared stories of our life that had been put on hold due to either distance or work demands.

But one thing remains consistent with these two friends. None of the warmth they exude in the past is lost, despite the years, which reflects what another close friend of mine often say: a true friend isn’t about constantly being in touch but being able to have a great time whenever we meet once in a blue moon.

Short Take 5

2011-04-22T20:17:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by VIXS (Vixs)

Short Take 4

2011-04-21T23:22:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by satty4u (satty4u)

Michael Kors Here To Stay

2011-04-20T23:29:00.000+08:00

MICHAEL KORS is all set to make its presence felt in Malaysia and Singapore when it opens its first free-standing store in both countries in August this year.

In Malaysia, the 3,500 sq ft duplex will be housed in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. It will carry ready-to-wear and accessories including fragrance from Michael Kors, KORS Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors.

In Singapore the Michael Kors store is scheduled to open in Scotts Square, which is one of the most prominent shopping destinations in downtown Singapore.

Ashvin Valiram, Executive Director of Valiram Group expressed the group’s excitement with the two openings. He said “the demand for luxury goods is growing in Southeast Asia and the region desires a new luxury brand that is glamorous and chic”.

Valiram is already making plans to open several more Michael Kors stores over the next five years.

Michael Kors, Inc announced the licensing agreement with Valiram Group on April 14 this year in New York.

Short Take 3

2011-04-20T22:19:00.000+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by Gokoroko (gokoroko)

Sloggi Goes to the Forest

2011-04-19T23:57:00.003+08:00

RIGHT at this moment I’m feeling that the biggest struggle in my life is getting up early in the morning.

After enjoying five years working from my home office and waking up the next day at any hour I choose to, I have turned myself into a totally night owl. I sleep very late and I wake up late.

Sloggi team slogging it out.

But today, all that “habit” had to be shelved. I was going into the forest and if there’s one thing I can’t say no to it’s the forest.

And I’m glad I dragged myself out of bed this morning because I enjoyed every second of today - being under the sun, under the canopy of trees and their beautiful foliage and listening to the sounds of the riang-riang (cicada) and the many other insects and inhabitants of the forest that one can identify only if silence is observed while in the forest.

Haji Mangsor doing his bit as well during the tree-planting activity.

I would say Sloggi’s launch of its Love World campaign held at Tekala Recreational Forest in Hulu Langat, which I wrote about last night, was successful. Talking to the PR person I had the idea that she was initially nervous about hosting the event in the forest, despite the accuracy in the choice due to the theme and concept of the campaign.

Most of the media reps it seems do not want to attend due to the distance of the venue. An hour and a half of travelling out of KL is far? And it’s such a cool awareness event too. So give me a break all you ignorant couch potatoes.

This isn't the first time I've planted a tree and it's still fun.

I don’t know about the rest who came but I learnt a lot within that few hours as the personnel from the State Forestry Department, AG Shaffie AG Ahmadni and Haji Mangsor Mohd Yusoff fed us with a lot of information as they took us on a 30-minute trek into the forest.

At the end of the day’s programme the planned “launch gambit” was the planting of 10 young trees. And guess who were the ones planting the trees? Take a guess until I post more of Sloggi’s event tomorrow ;)

Short Take 2

2011-04-19T21:38:00.001+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by MOONHAN (moonhan)

Forest Tour to Support Earth Day

2011-04-18T23:33:00.001+08:00

TOMORROW should be a lovely day, provided it doesn’t rain as I'm heading to Sungai Tekala Recreational Forest for a Sloggi event in support of Earth Day and the lunch of Sloggi's recent campaign.

Sloggi’s launch of its 2011 Love World campaign is unique. Instead of just hosting the event in a venue in this concrete jungle (Kuala Lumpur), it takes participants right into the heart of the forest. Well, what better way to show our support to Mother Earth.

I’m all geared to go, to be in the midst of tall trees and their beautiful foliage. I love shooting trees and to date I already have quite a collection in my photo archive. This trip will be a memorable one, I’m sure.

This year, Sloggi partners with a local environmental NGO, TrEES and the Forestry Department of Selangor in its campaign focussing on rainforest conservation.

In its bid to create awareness among society at large on the importance of saving the environment Sloggi has lined up activities at this recreational forest, the third largest forest park in Peninsular Malaysia.

The Sungai Tekala Recreational Forest is in Taman Warisan Negeri Selangor in Hulu Langat. And I fell in love with it when I saw photos that the PR person took when she was in the area early this year.

We will be at the forest by 10am tomorrow and we will be taken on a short trail walk into the forest. Although the day starts at 8.30am at the pick-up point in Taman Jaya LRT Station in PJ (Petaling Jaya), the event proper is only for two hours. The journey itself will be about one and a half hour one way.

There will be a “launch gambit”, which I’m guessing will be something to do with planting a seedling maybe? Whatever it is, my track shoes and outdoor clothes are ready. Now to pack the cams.

Short Take 1

2011-04-18T22:35:00.001+08:00

Text by My Name Is Insanity

Image by MELWE (melwe)

100 Quotes and MORE!

2011-04-17T20:23:00.001+08:00

SEE this wonderful image of the Little Christmas Dragon by TTiger? Our team is feeling like it’s Christmas and that we should celebrate!

Why the joy? It’s because today we hit our 100th quote, which shows our hard work in keeping NewsFlashMedia (NFM) going every day has been a success.

We won’t lie that we missed seven days from the supposedly 107 days of quotes, counted from Jan 1 when we started right up until today. But 100 out of that total aren’t bad. And so our team deserves a pat on the back.

Since we started on Jan 1 this year we have worked hand-in-hand with the team that included friends who write for NFM for the fun of it, friends we know from work who are always extending us invitations and others who are interested in what NFM is all about.

Little Christmas Dragon – TTIGER
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ttiger

The contributions from interested writers have since dwindled due to everyone’s commitment to the demand of their full-time jobs. But we believe NFM is on solid ground now after four months and can churn up enough interesting material for our readers’ pleasure as well as ours.

Still, we welcome anyone to drop us their stories anytime they want to because we love sharing, even if it is a just a 200-word piece. Feel free to contact us at newsflashmedia@ymail.com.

Since we’ve caught your attention about our little success we take the opportunity to express our biggest and warmest thanks to all the photographers and artists who have allowed free use of their works in our many posts, starting from the quotes right up to our posts carrying different labels.

These websites have become our favourite sites as well and we hope to never forget to give the deserving credits to these people whose works we have used in the past and will continue to use in future posts. Without them our search for that appropriate photo or clipart to use as illustrations in our stories will be a huge feat!

And to all our friends and newfound friends and silent readers, NFM thank you and welcome you to become a part of the NFM family.

Keep that chin up!

Quote for Day 100

2011-04-17T11:30:00.000+08:00

Image: Little Men 5 - BENJOOSSEN

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/benjoossen

"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give."
- Eleanor Roosevelt -

What Weird Name? I'm Special

2011-04-16T23:19:00.000+08:00

I HAD a good chuckle as I read an article on Parenting on Yahoo Lifestyle. The writer commented on weird names parents give their newborn. Celebrities are top on the guilty list, aren’t they? But then, that’s because they are famous. Does anyone care if someone like you or me has weird names?

Some people made comments about naming her daughter Hero but I think Chef Jamie Oliver must have named his son after having had too much of something. Which sane parent would call his kid Buddy Bear? The poor kid will just have to do what David Bowie’s son, Zowie did – change his name the minute he has the chance to.

David Bowie gave his son the name Zowie but the kid changed his name when he became a man.

Image: HEARTONASTICK (Heartonastick )

But what’s written in the article is really true. Parents aren’t the best person to name their kids. First they get overly emotional about their newborn, than they start thinking too much about making that baby special. And what’s the one way to do that? Through the name. And poor us, the unborn who is oblivious to the outside world can’t tell them what we’d like our names to be, right?

Jamie Oliver named his kid Buddy Bear. Cute but really...

Image: SUZIE KATZ (Suzie Katz's Photostream)

Talking about weird names, they run in my family, all nine of us.

One of us has a name that sounds like a plant cell, the other has a name taken from a television brand, yet another has a name that sounded like a type of sauce and the list goes on. But guess how bad mine is? I have a first, second and third name on top of the strangely simple, short and practical surname. And my names when translated mean Miss Slice Disturb. Now how much more weird can a name be?

SHHHHSHHH!!! Please, please don't let anyone know my full name.

Image: It's A Secret - BIGDODADDY

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/bigdodaddy

I live all my schooling years hiding my first and last names because they are so embarrassing. The only reason I use my middle name is because I don’t want to walk the earth as “person with no name”.

I grew up, became wiser and thicker skinned and can now accept my name. In fact, it’s quite cool when I use the name as it was given to me, minus the translations of course.

Talk about weird names. I’ve live with them all my life and I’m not even an attention seeker.

Quote for Day 99

2011-04-16T22:27:00.000+08:00

Image: Love - DREAMERWOR

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/dreamerwor

"I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them."
- Anonymous -

http://www.lifesayingsquotes.com/time.php

Quote for Day 98

2011-04-15T21:59:00.000+08:00

Image: Bridge - MALILIN

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/malilin

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." - Harriet Beecher Stowe

http://www.lifesayingsquotes.com/time.php

Be Mindful of Our Children

2011-04-15T18:59:00.000+08:00

I WAS having late lunch today on my lanai when I saw my neighbour’s son, a very young boy, perched himself precariously on the beam of their 6th floor balcony’s wall.

Obviously unattended, the boy had climbed on the edge of the wall to reach out at some blooming flowers in a pot his parents had placed by the ledge.

When I saw this, my heart felt like it had crashed six floors down to the poolside for that was how high my neighbour’s unit is. I couldn’t shout at the kid as he wouldn’t be able to hear me. We live across to each other and “balcony to balcony” chit chats are impossible unless you use a loudspeaker.

Clipart: Humpty Dumpty 1 - LESLIE L. BROOKE
http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/FunDraw_dot_com

If an accident were to happen I wouldn’t even have time to call the security guards to warn the parents. So I stopped lunch and leaned against the railing of my French window and clapped my hands loudly so he could hear me. He was oblivious and kept stretching his body forward to reach for the flowers. When he knew he couldn’t reach the blooms I saw him lifted one leg up so he could stretch even further. I was just counting the seconds when I saw that.

My neighbour’s balcony has no extra railings or high wall to prevent a kid from falling down to the ground. The potted plants were placed on custom-made steel flower planter securely fitted against the beam of the 3 1/2ft wall.

Unlike my unit, my neighbour’s isn’t safe for young children. While my French window has a further 2 1/2ft extension at the front, thus preventing any kid from falling over should they try to attempt a Superman stunt, my neighbour’s has an immediate drop after the wall. The flower planter will not prevent a fall.

I was looking about to see if they were any adults around or the maid who I normally see watering the plants. But no one was in sight. Then I saw the kid’s mother and another woman busy talking away in a room just next to the balcony. Within minutes I saw the boy got down from the ledge and disappeared into their unit.

The boy is still alive. Yes, for now.

But it set me thinking – what is wrong with some parents?

Quote for Day 97

2011-04-14T19:22:00.001+08:00

Clipart: Dancing Penguins - MOINI

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/Moini

"When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance."
- Lee Ann Womack -

NKVE Chaos – Is Anyone hurt?

2011-04-14T17:57:00.000+08:00

I WENT online immediately after I finished two meetings this morning and afternoon and checked the latest development about my report on the truck that exploded on NKVE this morning.

So far I only found one brief report on thestar online. It reported that the truck was carrying flammable gum material, caught fire and exploded. There was no say if anyone died.

Cliparts: Architetto Tasto 9 (Question Mark) - ANONYMOUS & Ambulance - POINTAL

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/Anonymous

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/pointal

NFM had two readers who commented about our post, while one said he/she got stuck on NKVE for an hour the other actually heard what I heard as well – the initial explosion and then the “fireworks”. The second reader did mention that no one was hurt. So if you’re reading this, can you just let me know if the truck’s driver and attendant escaped?

During my morning meeting, one of the persons I met mentioned about being caught in the traffic madness as well. He was heading to KL from the airport. I of course needn’t ask how come. It’s just one of Malaysians’ bad habits – drop our speed to watch or take numbers. The cheek of it!

Truck Exploded on NKVE

2011-04-14T08:56:00.002+08:00

JUST IN!!!

A GIANT truck had exploded on the NKVE stretch leading towards Subang/Shah Alam area about an hour ago.

Notice the flames on the right of this picture. That's the truck razed to the ground.

I was watching the whole incident from the garden of my 4th floor condo unit, which faces the highway.

It was seriously eerie, just watching explosion after explosion coming from the truck. Huge balls of fire kept flaring upwards as everyone caught in the standstill watched in horror, fear and worry on the fate of whoever is trapped in the truck. Even I was dumbstruck and I was within safe distance as compared to the drivers making their way to work early in the morning.

Massive fire and smoke - a terrifying sight even from where I was watching.

By the time I rushed out to witness the accident from my garden the traffic police and people from Plus were already there to help control traffic flow.

It was obvious from where I was that the personnel were very concerned with everyone’s safety as the explosion and fire were massive and everyone was just too close for comfort.

See how close the rest of the motorists are from the accident spot.

As the fire razed from the truck and the explosions continued I could see thick clouds of smoke filled the sky. In one instance I imagined what would it be like had it been a tragedy of a greater volume.

My view was partly blocked by a huge tree outside the fence of the condo block where I live but even from that distance I could see a fire brigade nearby the burning truck.

Thank God the morning traffic was only starting to build up when the accident happened.

These shots were taken from a neighbour’s unit who said they saw water being hose down on the truck. But judging from the size of the flame I wouldn’t think it helped much as the fire was intense.

After about an hour the flames died down but if my vision wasn’t playing tricks on me the top half of the truck, or even more, would have vanished and razed to the ground.

The traffic is already moving after about an hour but slow and I guess motorists will just have to take it easy and breathe. Initially when all the commotion was taking place I could actually hear some impatient motorists honking away, oblivious as to what was happening ahead of them.

I was still in bed at about 6:45am when I heard a loud explosion, that of a truck with exploding tyres. It is such a common sound along the highway that I didn’t take any notice of it and decided to just go back to sleep.

Thick smoke fills the morning sky.

But my eyes won’t shut so I decided to shower only to hear sounds of massive fireworks going off continuously. Despite my closed windows and doors I could hear the sound so clearly. I thought who the heck is playing fireworks at this hour so I went out to the lanai and what I saw on the highway was just too shocking to digest.

A huge truck was up in flames and traffic had come to a standstill. The rest is just as I had narrated above. I pray the truckers survived.

Egg Hunting on Easter Day

2011-04-13T23:01:00.002+08:00

Looking for a reason to binge? How about on this coming Easter? Let’s go for an Easter High Tea at One World Hotel’s Cinnamon Coffee House for its Easter-Licious-Hi-Tea.

This is happening on April 24 from noon to 4.30pm and it’s meant for children as well as adults. All you need to do to join the kids is to pay RM65++ while children are charged RM33++.

If you are at the hi-tea and noticed the children aren’t getting all excited with the clown maybe you can jump in to the rescue. The more the merrier. There will be lots of games for the children, especially egg-hunting and painting. Well, it’s Easter isn’t it?

CINNAMON COFFEE HOUSE

One World Hotel

First Avenue

Bandar Utama City Centre

47800 PETALING JAYA

Selangor

Malaysia

Res: +6 03 7681 1157

Quote for Day 96

2011-04-13T22:28:00.000+08:00

Image: Pencil Pusher_NKZS

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/nkzs

"Happiness depends upon ourselves." - Aristotle

Tumi Partners With Urban Artist Crash

2011-04-12T23:14:00.000+08:00

WANT a work of art on a travel case? Check out the latest limited edition collection from Tumi, the premium lifestyle, accessories and travel brand.

Available in selected department stores worldwide, the Tumi Tag Limited Edition features the high-impact, graffiti-inspired work of urban artist John Crash Matos.

Art on travel cases.

The partnership between Tumi and Crash sees four new pieces for the brand’s ultra-modern Vapor line of travel cases. The interior of each bag will feature one of four working drawings created by the artist. Each piece will also include the unique edition number that authenticates the case as a distinct piece in the exclusive collection. There will be only 1,000 pieces of each style plus one-of-a-kind iPhone case.

Crash grew up in the South Bronx and started his career in at when he was 13 years old, spray-painting subway trains and dilapidated buildings. In 1978 he took his art to canvas and had his first one-man show in 1981. His work ranges from canvasses to installation murals. His works can be seen at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and those maintained by private collectors worldwide.

Quote for Day 95

2011-04-12T11:23:00.000+08:00

Image: Gota - tiano69

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/tiano69

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."

- Mary Anne Radmacher

www.Daily-Inspiration-Quotes.com

Quote for Day 94

2011-04-11T22:14:00.000+08:00

Image: It Is Finished - VINNY PRIME

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/VinnyPrime

"As we value our happiness, let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have."

Got Appetite for Burgers?

2011-04-11T21:47:00.001+08:00

DO you have the appetite for anything and everything burger? If you can finish two whole burgers at one seating then you should take part in Tony Roma’s Burger Eating Competition during the duration of its Wagyu Beef Burger Promotion from April 11 to June 5. You could be the winner of the RM2,000 cash prize.

To participate you need to buy at least one Tony Roma’s Wagyu Beef Burger and attach the receipt to the application form as proof.

There will be four qualifying rounds – April 23, April 30, May 7 and May 14 to be held at Tony Roma’s Yap Kwan Seng. Each round is limited to only 20 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The top five winners from each qualifying round will proceed to the final round to be held at Tony Roma’s 1 Mont’ Kiara Shopping Mall on May 20 to compete for the Grand Prize.

There are six Tony Roma’s outlets in the Klang Valley – Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, e@Curve, The Gardens Mid Valley, Pavilion KL, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng and 1 Mont’ Kiara Shopping Mall.

Quote for Day 93

2011-04-10T18:00:00.000+08:00

Image: Miracle - PEPO

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/pepo

"An apology might help, but you can change your life without one." - Robin Quivers

http://www.imag-e-nation.com/sorry_verses_poems_quotes.htm

Back to School for Ibrahim Ali

2011-04-10T12:31:00.002+08:00

I NEED to apologise to all my intelligent readers for having to run this post first thing on a beautiful Sunday. But I need to ask a question that actually needs no answer: Do we really need another dumb ass politician who equates “wife-ly duties” to satisfying “husbands’ sexual needs”, “husbands’ arousal at seeing something sexually tempting”, “wives dropping everything to satisfy a husband’s demands” and then uses religion to back his daft statements?

Ibrahim Ali's brainless comment as reported in The Daily Chilli. Bravo old man. You can't get any more daft than this.

The Daily Chilli

If all husbands are like him it is no wonder women prefer being left alone.

But the saddest part of it all is how oblivious Ibrahim Ali is on the impact of his empty-can statement to his wife who has over the years bore him children, how he openly humiliates and belittles her by saying what he said. Can his children and his grandchildren walk in the open without wishing no one knows them or their surname?

Excerpts of what the independent lawmaker said as quoted in The Daily Chilli. Are you sure you are a lawmaker Ibrahim?

The report in MalaysiaKini. Aren't you proud Ibrahim to be in the MCP Club?

MalaysiaKini

We may be living in the 21st Century but many of Malaysia’s Malay politicians are still living in Stone-age.

The next time any of you demented Malay politicians want to justify your sexual urges please stand tall by just admitting your weaknesses without using the Quran as your shield.

This is specially dedicated to Ibrahim Ali. The next time you open your mouth, please check your brain compartment first!

Men like Ibrahim Ali only tarnish the purity of religion, any religion.

Quote for Day 92

2011-04-09T21:52:00.000+08:00

Image: Gertude the Pug 2 - MRMAG00

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/mrmag00

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words
left unsaid and for deeds left undone."

Harriet Beecher Stowe, Little Foxes, 1865

http://www.imag-e-nation.com/sorry_verses_poems_quotes.htm

Final goodbye!

2011-04-08T22:11:00.000+08:00

PIA TOSCANO is finally out of American Idol! And I’m glad the judges have used up their Wild Card because I can’t stand another day listening to Pia’s boring ballads, no matter how strong her voice is.

Viewers were shocked with her elimination. So were the judges who let out a swear word or two but to viewers who feel she’s just playing it safe by singing ballad after ballad, it is good riddance.

Pia was voted out on Thursday night after her rendition of an Ike & Tina Turner song, taking the judges’ advice undoubtedly. Swear all you want judges but I’m glad the road is open for other more unique talents.

There’s no argument on how good she is. Like the judges have said a thousand times before: she just doesn’t miss a note. But, not missing a note does not mean every one will like her voice. If the voice is good but it can only do boring ballads – hello, goodbye.

(From Top, Left) Casey, James, Ousted Thia, Lovely Lauren, Bye Bye Pia and Closed-Eyes Stefano.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevegarfield/

Some viewers might be pointing a finger at the judges for suggesting she does something else besides ballads and when she did she got kicked out. My very point - she can’t sing anything else but … and probably this made people think – she isn’t that special after all.

But don’t worry Pia. With that voice and good looks you’re bound to become a recording artiste anyway. So let’s give the space on American Idol to unique talents like Jacob Lusk, Casey Abrams and Paul McDonald. If you noticed, these guys always get the crowd’s attention, no matter what they sing because there’s uniqueness in each of their voices.

I love Stefano Langone and his closed eyes but he is inconsistent. One day he feels his music, the next he doesn’t. I think Lauren Alaina is talented, cute and cheeky and wouldn’t mind if she wins or leave at an earlier stage (yes, she will get a recording deal as well anyway). Scotty McCreery – you rock with country and that’s where you belong. You can leave early too and still get a record deal. Haley Reinhart, you're good too but I think you will soon leave too. And what have I to say about James Durbin? No way. You’re too much like Adam Lambert but several notches down. If there’s going to be two “Lambert”s I only want the original please. Sorry.

Quote for Day 91

2011-04-08T20:54:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Al Old Man - CYBERGEDEON

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/cybergedeon

Text: http://www.imag-e-nation.com/pages/humorous-birthday-wishes.html

Switch To Recyclable Batteries

2011-04-07T23:01:00.000+08:00

THE content of this post was actually written on the second day of April but I forgot about having written it until I found it tonight stored in my stock pile.

On the night I wrote it I was actually searching for some Triple A batteries so I could play some interviews I just did. I didn't have any Triple As and that was when I remembered about this battery charger I got as a door gift from an Energizer event.

The event took place more than a month ago and since then the battery charger has been dumped into my black "CABLE" bag that hung on the left side of my office chair.

This is the mini battery charger. See how neat the USB cable is coil round in its own slot?

Yes, I am guilty of using a lot of alkaline batteries in my life - for my camera's flashlight, my torchlights, my recorders. You name a gadget and I will have a reason for using alkaline batteries.

At the end of every month you can see loads of "dead" batteries chucked into paper bags to be sent for recycling. So I hope you believe me when I say my guilt runs deep.

I know I should have used rechargeable batteries but I've had conflicting opinions about the use. Some say using rechargeable batteries for the cameras for example can damage parts. Some say not.

Besides, I got put off using rechargeable because two sets of the rechargeable batteries (plus the chargers of course) I bought only lasted less than a year. I'm not sure if it's the brand but they sure aren't cheap. So I thought if I'm gonna spend that much money I want to know it's for something worthwhile.

Call me stupid but this is new to me - battery chargers that use a USB port :).

Now, this battery charger I got as a door gift charges using a USB port. And that makes this charger handy as you can now charge your batteries anywhere without hvaing to look for an electrical point.

Okay, I have a feeling a lot of people are grinning when I describe this charger. I don't think this is a new technology. There must be other battery chargers that work this way as well. But still, I'm fascinated because I'm daft when it comes to stuff like this. And so I find it a real cool idea.

Where my finger is pointing is the "extension plate".

The other great thing about this charger is that you can charge two types of battery sizes - an AA and a triple A (AAA). All you do when you want to recharge the AA batteries is to flip this tiny piece of "extension plate" (don't ask me what's the exact name 'cos for the life of me I don 't know) to fit either sizes.

Cool? I think it is, even if I found out very, very late.

I will soon get the much-needed rechargeable batteries. They are more cost-effective anyway.

Quote for Day 90

2011-04-07T22:05:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Dance Toon - AUNGKARNS

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/aungkarns

Quote for Day 89

2011-04-07T00:00:00.000+08:00

Quote for Day 88

2011-04-05T23:22:00.000+08:00

Quote: http://www.imag-e-nation.com/

Clipart: Facepalm - RONES (http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/rones)

Wagyu Beef Burgers At Tony Roma's

2011-04-04T22:38:00.001+08:00

Story & Photos by DR SALT & MADAM PEPPER

Ever since we relocated to Malaysia, the occasional craving for that American diner classic – the burger – has had us scouring different parts of the Klang Valley in search of an offering that satisfies the tummy, pleases the palate, and tantalizes the taste buds to the point of craving for more.

While we have not made a fully extensive tour of what there is to offer, rediscovering the burger scene in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya has been a, well, tasty experience.

First, came the visits to the fast food joints. Then came the exploration of food stalls. A number of times, we ate at some decent diners though it was at an upcoming burger showcase that returns to the Klang Valley for the second time, that we discovered what taking a humble American classic to the next level is all about.

This food review was conducted at TonyRoma's outlet at The Curve.

The family restaurant chain TonyRoma's is bringing back its popular Wagyu beef burgers in a promotion starting April 11 and ending on June 5. This promotion will feature the return of three Wagyu burgers and the introduction of two new ones, as well as two weight- and health-friendly salads.

TonyRoma's is also offering its milkshakes, in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavours, at half price with any purchase of the Wagyu beef burgers

The meat is flown in from Australia and with a higher marbling ratio than American prime beef, a higher ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fats as well as an abundance of Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, this turns out to be not only a tastier, but a healthier option as well.

We had a sneak peek of what to expect at a dinner recently. Two new burgers have been added to the menu – a move meant to further tempt diners, who have helped to make it so popular that it is said to have added a neat 10% to revenue.

When there is no such promotion under way, TonyRoma's patrons have asked for the regular burgers to be substituted with Wagyu beef so many times that the chain is considering adding a permanent option that allows diners to swap their burger meat for Wagyu, with a slight price mark-up.

We have split the review into two versions – his and hers – to showcase our individual opinions (which don't coincide often!) and to demonstrate the difference between an Eastern palate (hers) and an American approach (his).

TonyRoma's Fiery Cajun Burger.

MADAM PEPPER:
Dinner started with a commendable basket of fried mushrooms.

The Grilled Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Salad (RM29.90) came next. Crispy chopped greens, zucchini, carrots, and juicy roasted red peppers with a creamy vinaigrette dressing was a refresher, crunchy to the bite and juicy to the taste.

I would have preferred a little more charring to the grilled chicken and roasted red peppers. Warmer salads, with a little protein, always add more character to the garden variety combination of lettuce-tomato-cucumber, and this was no different.

When burgers came to the table, being the dyed-in-the-wool spice lover that I am, I zeroed in on the Fiery Cajun Burger (RM34.90) first. This was my first taste of what Wagyu in a burger tasted like – tender, and undeniably juicy. It came with Cajun-seasoned fried onions, a slice of cheddar cheese and a sprinkling of Cajun spices.

TonyRoma's Steakhouse Burger.

Being no stranger to Louisiana-style cooking, I expected more heat in the spice, more tongue-burning in the seasoning. A clever balance between the heat of the spice and the natural juiciness of the Wagyu, heralded this an easy palate-pleaser.

Next up, the new Steakhouse Burger (RM37.90) with a 7oz patty – the standard Wagyu burger size, we are told – came topped with medium-cut beef bacon and sprinkled with crushed rosemary on top. A little cup of steak sauce – which I ignored – came with a large serving of French fries.

It was the RM36.90 Wild Mushroom Havarti Burger that took home the proverbial trophy.

Slathered with freshly fried mushrooms, this one didn't grab the tastebuds with heat or herbs like the previous two. It was a mild burger, but with the nutty flavor and smooth texture of the mushrooms and the understated-ness of Danish Havarti cheese.

TonyRoma's Grilled Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Salad.

DR. SALT:
Being an American I am highly critical when it comes to hamburgers. In my country, they're considered among the few menu items that truly set one restaurant apart from another. Many restaurants have “signature” burgers, with any number of topping combinations you can imagine.

The Wagyu beef is nothing short of amazing. This smooth, juicy, succulent beef has a flavor that is not overpowering. I was surprised by the use of Havarti cheese to top three of the burgers, while the other two were topped with the common classic for burger-fare; cheddar.

TonyRoma's Wild Mushroom Havarti Burger.

Both burgers I sampled were laden with generous amounts of rich, smooth, slightly buttery Havarti cheese that complimented the texture and flavor of the meat in an entirely unexpected but very satisfying way.

About the only things I would change if I were serving these delectable burgers to friends would be the sauce that accompanied the Steakhouse Burger. It seemed more suited as a topping for potatoes than a classic, tangy steak sauce and perhaps a bit more char to the outsides of the patties themselves as I love the taste of grilled meat.

Quote for Day 87

2011-04-04T20:50:00.000+08:00

Image: Scan Your Face_michi2004 (http://www.sxc.hu/profile/michi2004)

Clipart: House Silhouette - JOSUEMB (http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/josuemb) &

Wedding Icon - NICUBUNU (http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/nicubunu)

"Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who would want to live in an institution?" - Henry Louis (H. L.) Mencken

Quote for Day 86

2011-04-03T21:20:00.000+08:00

Clipart: DeSamba 1 - GOUNIS VN

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/gounis_VN

"I'm pretty, what's your problem?!" - Anonymous

Quote for Day 85

2011-04-02T22:00:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Pig - JOHNNY AUTOMATIC

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/johnny_automatic

"Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy." - Cynthia Nelms

How To Deal With A Heaty Laptop

2011-04-01T13:00:00.001+08:00

HAVE you ever had your laptop and computer suddenly crashing on you when you're in the midst of working?

Okay laugh at me if you will.

I have an old laptop. The first was a Fujitsu, the second an Acer and yes, it's time for an upgrade (if only money grows on trees).

But while I wait for money to drop from heaven I will bear with my lappy's tantrums.

Every now and then it will suddenly shutdown, go totally blank and whoosh, it's dead.

When it happened a few times it got me worried. No, not that Acer will die on me but that it will take with it all my work stored in its C drive.

Please don't ask me the dreaded "why don't you store them in your hard drives" line. I do. I have six hard drives. My problem is not being disciplined enough to housekeep regularly.

Clipart: Laptop - ANTOINE & Bubble - IMPROUIX

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/Antoine

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/lmproulx

Anyway, there are three reasons that I know that can cause this problem.

1. Your laptop is worn out and it needs a break and when you don't give it the much-deserved break it gets angry. That's called OVERHEATING. Then it shuts down, many times over until you get the message.

2. Some parts inside your laptop are broken. You know, like us, having a heart failure.

3. Imagine yourself without a good scrub under the shower for months on end. What do you smell like? Yes, unexplainable. The same goes for your laptop. Dust is accumulating at the bottom of its (pardon the language) booty.

I think my laptop is saying it needs more love.

Clipart: Walking Laptop - CHOVYNZ

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/chovynz

So what do you do when either of these three happened?

1. Cool it down. Talk to your laptop and say you will get those cooling fans meant for laptops as soon as you can get to the digital mall. Buy one, place it under your laptop and let it fan off all the excess heat.

2. When a laptop is not so angry and heaty, then probably fewer parts will be damaged. If it is a serious case, only a computer doctor knows the answer. Please visit one.

3. If money is tight and you're feeling adventurous get the right size of screwdrivers and open up the bottom of your laptop. Yes, thank you for asking - remove all plugs from any electrical points please. I do not want to be responsible for anyone's death but mine own.

When you've removed the bottom cover successfully (please note if the cover refuse to budge don't start getting nasty at it and start tugging. It will cost you even more money. If the covers won't budge it just means you missed out on some screws. Please use your glasses so you can see better where these screws are) check if there is any dust collected anywhere among the tiny tiny parts. If there is dust you WILL see them.

This is how the bottom of your laptop looks like. Brush out the dust and use a blower to clean.

Get some clean brushes of different sizes that can help you dust off efficiently. Carefully dust the area until you think you have removed what's not supposed to be there (a word of caution: do not be a lazy @#$ and use a vacuum cleaner thinking it will do a better job. You might not have any parts left by the time you are done).

Once all the brushing is done replace the cover and screws. Voila, that would have fixed the problem.

But just in case it doesn't, start digging your piggy bank. A new laptop may well be the answer. And while you're getting a new laptop, see if you can get a "Buy 1 Free 1" deal. You know who the free piece is for (wink, wink).

Quote for Day 84

2011-04-01T10:23:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Cartoon Kids - LEOGG

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/leogg

"Love your children. You can lose them at anytime." - A Mother

Quote for Day 83

2011-03-31T23:30:00.001+08:00

Image: Turkish Goodbye - KIRSCHE222

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/kirsche222

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

When diarrhoea Is My First Name

2011-03-31T15:16:00.001+08:00

STEAMING hot soup, that’s what I just had for lunch. Hopefully it will help get rid of this crazy flu I’ve been having for three days now, a chain reaction from diarrhoea, which I caught last Sunday night while travelling in Indonesia.

A bowl of homecooked soup is just the thing for my condition.

(RIGHT) Image: steaming Hot Soup - KWINTON

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/kwinton

The minute I reached home I hit the toilet and returned every two minutes that it made me thought if that was going to be my permanent bed until I recovered. I’ve not changed my shorts as many times as I did on Monday. Every piece was scattered outside the bathroom door as I was too weak for housekeeping.

When your tummy is doing a roller-coaster like mine did misplaced jokes are not taken kindly so I was extremely sore when someone commented that unless I suck it in I will have to do my business in the bushes along the way to the airport. Excuse me friend, I did see little shop-houses and Surau (Muslim prayer house that’s smaller in size to that of a mosque) along the way. A kind word would be most appreciated and helpful at times of trouble such as this. If one day this person suffers the same fate while I happened to be around, I will hand her a plastic bag - a tiny one!

This is how I was and still is feeling.

Image: Amzing Photo. Girl And Dresses - AFRICAN FI

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/african_fi

Once home, a lot of pre-arranged work-related activities and assignments had to be cancelled. All phone calls and SMS-es were ignored but there will always be some thick-skinned people out there who just can’t give someone breathing space.

To ask me if I had received some work e-mail while I’m purging and trying hard to control muscle spasms in my tummy is really very thoughtful. To repeatedly call me on my handphone despite knowing I was ill is a clear indication of arrogance. And to SMS me just to ask me to pick up the phone is … duhhh … stupid!

Let me spell it out. When someone is suffering from diarrhoea all one wants to do is to hold on to one’s @!$# so that you don’t shit on your bed. And when one suffers from diarrhoea for two days straight the stomach becomes empty and all that comes out from the sore @!$# is fluid. So give me a break and let me sleep so I can recover quickly.

I've been curled up in bed for days.

Image: The Room - TRUBLUEBOY

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/trublueboy

Now that “bad things” are out my chest life will soon be back to normal.

Today I managed to check my mail, do this post because NFM had gone to a full stop because some techie FORGOT my instructions to post, re-arranged food reviews, discuss coverage for one talented baker, and finish all the pending stories that needed to be sent out.

I've been living on pills to get up and running again.

If you’re a real friend please do like my buddies Farrell and Craig would do, leave a message that says something like: Rest well. Call if you need anything. We're just around the corner.

You know what this line says? It says they care enough to be there should I need them but they won’t be in my face in case I need the space (to rest).

Now, time for that medication and sleep. Hopefully I can be at the food review tonight, which I have cancelled once before for a different reason.

Image: Hand Holding Pills - KADRIP55

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/kadrip55

Quote for Day 82

2011-03-25T18:33:00.001+08:00

Cliparts: Fly or Bee - CMLIU / Swatter - BNIELSEN

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/cmliu
http://www.openclipart.org/detail/33853

"I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop

Quote for Day 81

2011-03-24T21:19:00.000+08:00

Clipart: We Can Do It - MOHAMED IBRAHIM

http://www.clker.com/profile-9.html

"A woman is like a tea bag; it's only when she's in hot water that you realize how strong she is." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Have A Hair Makeover

2011-03-23T23:52:00.001+08:00

A MAJORITY of us women are vain, aren’t we? I would like to be excluded from this group but I can’t help but agree that no matter how down-to-earth a woman is there will always be that bit of vanity in her.

It's stunning how two different photos at different ages and hairstyles can change your entite look.

I do not spend a lot of money on beauty products or fuss over my hair too much except for the occasional trim and perm. But am I surprised over the many survey reports on women and their ever-changing hairstyles? Nope. It’s a reality. Women go busts just to get their hair done.

Same person at different ages sporting the same hairstyle but of different tints.

Try the different hairstyles in different lengths and different hair colours to give you an idea of what you'd prefer.

My sis goes to her regular salon every month for “hair-care day” – wash, trim, colour, treatment and the list goes on. And so do many other girlfriends who go to great lengths to make their crowning glory, glorious.

Although these women splurge huge amounts to beautify their crown it doesn’t mean they don’t feel the pinch in their purses. A colleague used to complain that she blew RM350 every time she goes for re-bonding (straightening of the hair). And yet she continues, month-in and out although her naturally wavy black hair is really stunning.

Different types of perm hairstyles worn long can give different effects to your face.

Colouring and tinting the hair, doing extensions, perm – these all cost money and big amounts too but we never stop from this must-have indulgence.

Well, as they say, if you have the cash to burn by all means. Unfortunately for me, I do not have that amount to waste and so my visits to the hairstylist will be kept to a minimal.

I kinda like these three hairstyles although they make me look a little bit too feminine.

When it comes to my hair I’m a lot more practical than most women. I’ve kept my perm hairstyle for years now as it works best for me. The only thing I do is to either have it shorter or longer.

If there's one thing my friends can't imagine me in is a straight hair - YAWNNN!!! The first style is Tyra's of course.

To keep my expenses on my “whatever-little-there-is-beauty-regime” to a minimum, I would first go online and check out some makeover software to try out the different hairstyles that suit my face. I feel this is better than changing my hairstyle and paying a bomb only to hate it an hour after everything’s done.

I can't imagine these are "me". PS Forget about the body. It isn't mine. That's the celeb's :)

One of the sites I frequent is www.realbeauty.com which offers Hair and Make-up makeovers. There are various other stuffs in there that would be of interest and benefits to female readers but I will just concentrate on the hair in this post.

Damn!!! If I look like this I don't need the chat lines anymore???

It’s easy to do the hair makeover as there are clear instructions. All you need to do is upload a close-up shot of yourself looking straight-on. This photo will be used as your “template” where hairstyles from different celebrities are fitted on your “face”. It’s like wearing your face a wig.

IF I can ever be this beautiful then I will re-think about spending more money on my hair!

So check out the different hairstyles I tried. They are not all accurate although some are. But at least you have a rough idea on what you’d like with a particular hairstyle that you intend to have.

HAVE FUN!!! There are lots more hairstyles on that site. Try them before you run to your hairstylist though ;)

Quote for Day 80

2011-03-23T19:04:00.000+08:00

"Small changes can make a world of difference" - Charles & Keith on Earth Hour, March 26

Earth Hour at Charles & Keith

2011-03-22T22:39:00.000+08:00

Get ready, guys. March 26 is coming and you know the significance of the day.

It’s Earth Hour and Charles & Keith West Malaysia is calling for a show of support from all concerned Malaysians.

On this date, all Charles & Keith stores in West Malaysia will observe partial darkness for an hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

All non-essential lights will go off in its show of support towards this global movement in creating awareness of climate change.

If you are in any of Charles & Keith outlets – 1Utama, Empire, Fahrenheit88, MidValley, Pavilion, Sunway Pyramid and Gurney Plaza Penang, you stand a chance of getting the brand’s customised environmental friendly candles with your purchase. However, these candles will only be given out to the first 50 customers at each outlet.

Be at any Charles & Keith outlet on March 26 to join in its Earth Hour partial darkness moment.

Netizens will also get to participate as the official Charles & Keith website, CharlesKeith.com and its social media sites will also go on a “darker shade” at that hour to spread the message of energy conservation.

A message from Charles & Keith – “Join the worldwide initiative against global warming before it is too late; make the switch and go beyond the precious hour”.

Quote for Day 79

2011-03-22T21:42:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Crystal Globe - SQBACK

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/sqback

"If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to do, do it. Want to change the world? There's nothing to it"

- WILLY WONKA from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -

Quote for Day 78

2011-03-21T23:59:00.000+08:00

Image: Despair - CATALINA77

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/catalina77

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then give up. No use being a damned fool about it" - W. C. Field

Quote for Day 77

2011-03-20T15:55:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Opinion Page of Newspaper - QUIL

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/quil

"It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous" - Robert Benchley

Quote for Day 76

2011-03-19T23:28:00.001+08:00

Clipart: E.T. Hand-HEILAND STARK / Magic Wand-JHNRI4 /

Rana01-Architetto-Franc-03r & Rana03-Architetto-Franc03r-ANONYMOUS

Cartoon Frog-ROLAND81 / AL Hands Up-CYBERGEDEON

http://www.openclipart.org/

"I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally" - W. C. FIELDS

My Second Daughter

2011-03-18T23:58:00.003+08:00

IT has been some time since Nek Yong last wrote a post in NFM. It’s the weather. It’s making my bones go clickety clack day and night.

But this evening, my bones are giving me a break. They seem to be on best behaviour. So I’m taking a few minutes to rush off a post to NFM.

Nek Yong has written several posts in the past and they are mostly about the brat of the house – the elder daughter. Tonight’s post is on the younger daughter, who came home from work today extraordinarily early.

Usually, she doesn’t finish work till after 9pm or the early hours of the morning because of the nature of her job. The minute she steps into the office by 10am she would be in-front of her computer till it is time to close for the day, whatever time that may be.

When the doorbell rang Nek Yong ran out to see who it was. Expecting a guest, I was surprised to find her instead. As is expected of a mother, I started fussing over her, shooting panicky questions: “Are you ok?”, “What’s wrong?”, “You ill again?”

She had that wicked grin. It was pretty obvious she was enjoying watching me panic, as always.

Nek Yong worries about this daughter a lot. Not because she is not capable of looking after herself. She is, on the contrary, a very independent woman. The issue with her is that she often gets sudden bouts of dizziness. And when she does, it can get real bad. Like the whole house will just spin and she starts vomiting and going pale as death.

We’ve been to the doctors for thorough check-ups and every time we come home with a negative – she’s not ill, which is positive news, really.

Nek Yong’s biggest scare happened when this daughter was about 12 years old. Remember that time when Malaysia was experiencing the haze? That was such a traumatic period for both of us.

Clipart: Mom & Child - ARTFAVOR

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/ArtFavor

The baby of the house who is always behaving more like the big sis was badly affected by the haze. Even when she wore the mask to school and whenever she was outdoors, the haze hit her hard.

At odd hours of the day she would choke so badly that it appeared someone was strangling the life out of her. There were times when I had to take emergency leaves or rushed home from the office, speeding like a mad bullet on the highway to get to her for fear that that one choke would be the last I saw of her.

The haze gave her excessive phlegm in her chest and despite the regular checks at the doctors and the medications given it took very long to clear. The choking was always aggravated at night, probably because of the cold.

One of the worse things about the infection she got from the haze was that there wasn’t any warning when it attacked. When the phlegm thickened in the chest she would just suddenly choke and she would turn blue all of a sudden.

Can you imagine a mum’s fear when suddenly in the middle of the night while we were both asleep you just suddenly hear a gasping voice trying to call out to you for help? And when I got up I’d see her struggling from bed, grabbing anything and everything she could hold on to as she fought hard to reach me, who happened to be just nearby.

Nek Yong was then a struggling single mother fighting hard to raise her two girls well. And I feel most blessed that I now see them as career ladies with a mind of their own.

My girls, they are my life. The very thought of me going through this life without them kills me instantaneously. If God were to make anyone ill, let it be me, not them. That’s Nek Yong’s constant prayer.

And yes, we got through those obstacles, those difficult most trying moments. And looking at her now as she sat at the dinner table making fun of my obsession with a sparkling clean house, it brought me tears inside knowing God has been kind to me and has allowed my girl to still be around when I’m almost turning into a grandma.

To my girls who are my pillars of strength, I hope I am a great mum, if not the best ;)

With loving care - Nek Yong

Quote for Day 75

2011-03-18T19:05:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Kite - MACHHOVKA

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/Machovka

"Telling the truth to people who misunderstand you is generally promoting a falsehood, isn't it?" - Anonymous

Tame Leopard Shot Dead!

2011-03-18T01:55:00.000+08:00

I CAME across this news early this morning and got terribly upset that an innocent animal had been shot dead simply because his “animal instincts” got the better of it!

The news was featured on Yahoo! News, my regular source of information on what goes on around the world: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/38/20110317/twl-tame-leapoard-kills-tv-crew-member-6ae0455.html

The leopard, known for its “gentle nature” was often used by the German television company for various filming sessions. Crew members have in the past experienced close contact with the leopard without getting into any harm as the animal is said to be “docile”.

However, while on location at Namibia recently, the animal somehow went on the aggressive on the day of the shoot and attacked one of the crew members.

Immediately after the attack the leopard was shot DEAD! Can you believe that?

This is an animal that was supposed to be left in the wild and if there is anyone who should be taking precautions, no matter how gentle the animal is said to be, it should be the television crew!

The news reported on http://uk.news.yahoo.com/

How can anyone take for granted that a wild animal such as the leopard can easily be controlled? Safety measures should have been taken into serious considerations and the crew should have been prepared for any untoward accidents that could take place. Wouldn’t a gun loaded with tranquilisers be a better option?

Why KILL the animal when it is very clear that it is us humans who miscalculated. The leopard is a wild beast. No matter how much it is tamed it will always have its killer instincts buried deep inside. And, on a bad day, anything can happen.

They used the leopard to serve their purpose, the least they could do was to take extreme care of the animal and its unpredictable instincts.

An accurate shot is all it takes to snuff the animal’s life out but isn’t that going beyond cruelty?

While I pity the victim I pity the animal more because it didn’t have a choice. We humans put him there!

Curvy Beauties Go With Flow

2011-03-17T22:41:00.003+08:00

ON March 15 I ran an announcement on the opening of Flow, the latest boutique owned by the Valiram Group catering to full-figured women.

If you’ve Googled you might have come across several other Flow brands abroad, which I don’t think are in any way associated to Flow in Kuala Lumpur.

The launch of this new fashion label was a grand affair, held at Teeque Brassiere in Lot 10, Kuala Lumpur.

There were several full-figured women at the event, anxious and excited to discover the brand’s Spring Summer 2011 collection.

The brand has this tagline “You got curves?” Provocative? Maybe but what attracts me more is the idea of bringing more trendy stuffs for our more voluptuous girlfriends. And all these while I thought only skinny women have problems looking for the right fit.

The boutique opened on Tuesday, March 15. I’ve not been there but would love to check it out. Looking at the selections featured on launch day I bet Joanne Kam and several other sexy lady friends of mine would love to get a few pieces from the brand.

A collection of contemporary, casual, career and evening wear are available at the boutique and the collections do not stop there. Accessories come in all sorts of designs and styles so the boutique is basically a complete fashion house. I'm not sure if footwear is already in the collection but if they are not let’s see whether they will in the future.

This season’s collection carries the themes Urban Resort and Concrete Jungle. So there’s a combination of nice muted tones to go along with the bright colours.

There’s already a possibility that Flow will penetrate markets outside of Malaysia and the brand is already planning its second and third boutiques. Well, let’s see how it rates in popularity with its first.

And it already has a website but last I checked, a few hours ago, it’s not up and running yet. So for now, do enjoy the images posted her. If you like it then go shopping at the boutique this weekend.

Flow is at Lot 135B, First Floor, Suria KLCC.

Quote for Day 74

2011-03-17T20:19:00.000+08:00

Clipart: Comic Characters-Rolled - NICUBUNU

http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/nicubunu

"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" - Groucho Marx

Quote for Day 73

2011-03-16T17:49:00.001+08:00

Image: Mask - janosik0
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/janosik0

"Life has many faces. This is mine" - Anon

New-Age Pets Have Rights

2011-03-15T21:12:00.001+08:00

Image: Parrot-BUGDOG
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/bugdog

I WAS on the lanai of my condo unit at late afternoon yesterday when I heard the sounds of a bird that sounded like a macaw. I've never seen the bird but it wasn’t the first time I've heard it. That macaw, or whatever bird it is and whoever it belongs to, sure can talk and it has been the cause of several complaints.

The residents aren't happy that the management has not taken action against residents who keep pets in their condo units. That goes for cats and dogs and whatever else have you. But is this ruling really practical in this time and age based on today's cost of living?

With the exorbitant price of landed properties many city dwellers are turning to hi-rise living. And although we understand this "no pets allowed" ruling practised in hi-rise dwellings (apartments and condominiums) it is not necessarily a practical thing.

Hey, I have a right to be here!

Image: Guinea Pig-ISTALRI
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Istalri

Although we hear, see and read many animal abuse cases there are still a big number of people who are animal lovers. And being animal lovers we can't help having a pet or two in our midst.

I know many friends who live in hi-rise buildings keep pets, mainly cats and dogs. But due to this ruling, many hide their pets, away from nosy neighbours who might report them to the building management.

Is it fair that these owners have to resort to "lying" for the sake of their pets' safety or risk the possibility of their pets being "removed"? A colleague at work asked me this question once: What do you think of the "no pets allowed" ruling for hi-rise dwellers?

Hey man, buzz off! I'm having a lazy day today.

Image: Shar pei-FRENCENZ
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/frencenz

My answer is it isn't fair and the ruling needs to be scrapped. If a ruling is to be introduced and enforced then it has to come with a lot of commonsense and practicality as well. There is no point in having a system if the system works only for some and not everybody.

I will not discourage residents from complaining if something is amiss, such as a dog that barks incessantly throughout the day and sometimes at nights (but babies do that as well), the sound of a pet bird suddenly breaking the peaceful silence mid-day (rowdy youngsters having fun at the swimming pools are known to do that often), the constant meowing of Tom cats during the mating season (I know men who are pissed drunk make twice that noise)...and the list goes on.

I'd love to taste a city life than just eatin' grass.

Image: Rabbit 1-HOTTABOX
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/hottabox

Someone used to glare at me whenever I said this. She asked me if I understand the concept of condo-living. Oh yes I do because I have been a hi-rise dweller for more than 15 years now.

Although I have never kept any pets in my condo unit I do know that if I were to then I would want to have the freedom to be seen with my pets at any time and anywhere within the premises. And I believe that the worse condo dwellers are the residents, not the pets.

Let’s face it. A majority of hi-rise dwellers are so uncivilised they don’t even know how to keep clean. Ever seen a soiled sanitary pad on your balcony? Well, that came from someone’s toilet upstairs and I sure know it’s not some pets throwing them out the window.

Here, read my mind!

Image: A Cat 3 - OLKAPRILL
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/olkaprill

How about cigarette and cigar butts? You think someone’s pet birds, dogs, cats, rabbits or iguana smoke?

We should not take the “no pets allowed” ruling in hi-rise dwellings so literally because at the end of the day it’s about how the owners take care of their pets. Do you know that I once had a beautiful Tom cat I raised since he was three-days old who did his business in the toilet bowl? In fact he is smarter at using the toilet bowl than any human can.

Pets RULE!!!

Image: Molly-JEFF DUTTON
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/jeffdutton

So to all you pet-less people, complain if you must but please do so because the animal is being abused by the owners, or because the animal is a rare specie that shouldn't be turned into a household pet, or if animal owners allow their pets to drop their poop indiscriminately and you're afraid to ruin your expensive shoes, or that their cats or dogs pee on your car tyres, or that their dogs smother your kids with their wet tongues. Other than these, please leave the pets alone.

And pet owners it may be good for you to know that a well-trained pet wins the adoration of many. And that a well-trained, well-loved pet can be more civilised than humans.

But as far as I’m concerned, I’d rather listen to the macaws than an annoying neighbour shouting murder to their kids over the slightest thing. And believe me. If you are a seasoned hi-rise dweller like me you will know why I appreciate the animals rather than the humans.

Quote for Day 72

2011-03-15T18:50:00.001+08:00

Image: Lonely Place - EPER AGI

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/EperAgi

"Fear not when love's light has dimmed. Tomorrow promises many things and there will be many more seats to fill" - Anon

Go with the Flow

2011-03-15T11:44:00.001+08:00

Hi all...

Check this out. Flow boutique, which stocks clothes for bigger sized women is officially opened for business today. If you wear a size above 20 or 22 you might want to have a look at the selections avaible at its outlet at Suria KLCC. NFM will be featuring a post on this newly launched brand anytime soon. Enjoy your shopping!!!

Quote for Day 71

2011-03-14T19:26:00.000+08:00

Images:

Hands 4_BROKENARTS (http://www.broken-arts.com)

Kissing Horses 1_SUE R B (http://www.sxc.hu/profile/sue_r_b)

How To Sit On A Chair

2011-03-13T18:25:00.001+08:00


Image: Sitting - KATAQACI http://www.sxc.hu/profile/katagaci

WHY do Malaysians fold their legs when seating on chairs? I said Malaysians because I'm not sure if other Asians do this.

Most foreigners find our habit hilarious. Our seating style has created a lot of interests among many. Time and again it becomes the subject of discussions in many magazines and newspapers.

The habit of bringing our legs up when we sit on a chair comes so naturally that we don't even bat an eye doing it.

Some of us sit cross-legged on a chair, some prop ourselves comfortably in a chair with both legs folded under our body while many of us love bringing one leg up and propping it against our chest while the other feet is left dangling.

So why do we sit this way although we know it is bad manners to do what we do, especially at the dinner table?

A chair is just that - a chair so learn how to sit on it right.

Image: KARSTENKNEESE

http://www.flickr.com/photos/karstenkneese/

A friend of mine used to say that if we do not know how to sit with both legs on the floor then we shouldn't be seating on chairs.

I'm a lot more flexible. I think it's fine IF we are within the comfort of our home but it should be avoided if we are in public places. We might get away with it at a casual cafe where we are just lazing about but to do it in a restaurant is not acceptable.

Until today, no matter how furnished my house is, I still prop my legs up when seating on a chair, not just at the dinner table but my office chair as well.

I know it's bad for the back because my physio told me this many times over but I still do it. This is one bad habit that gives me so much comfort!

The correct way to sit on a chair - with both legs on the ground.

Image: Wedding Ready - REUBEN4EVA

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/reuben4eva

Whenever I go home to my Mum's, I see the same thing. Mum sits cross-legged on the chair. And my sisters, highly educated souls they are, sit with one leg propped against their chest.

Everyone does it so in our eyes it's normal but not to a third person looking in.

In another post I will tell you about the lifestyle in a kampung (village) and how my aunts used to roll out the mengkuang mat (screw-pines mat) because there is no such thing as a chair. Well, at least in those days there aren't.

Quote for Day 70

2011-03-13T13:50:00.002+08:00

Image: S. Lorenzo Lion 1 - QUITARQUO

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/guitargoa

"Even the mighty lion cries" - Anon

Bleak Days For Tsunami-hit Japan

2011-03-12T23:53:00.000+08:00

IT was going to be another beautiful weekend despite the crazy inconsistent weather bringing too much sun one day and a stormy day the next. And we complain, rain or shine until news hit us on Friday – the tsunami is back, raging in Japan, killing hundreds.

Hearts dropped, tears welled and fears set in – what next? Who is safe? Families, friends, colleagues, pets … they could be anywhere, in the massive wreckage washing through cities and Japan's farmlands.

Is it really TGIF?

Credit: STRAFPGetty Images

From this Saturday onwards, everything is bleak, especially for those in Japan although almost the entire world is actually affected. No country is occupied by just one nation. All nationalities are there – working, studying, visiting.

There are tears the world over. Some may never come home ever again. Some who are alive will suffer such dark bitter days with the memories of the year’s worst horror.

It was ironic that a day before the disaster my girlfriend who came round to my place was telling me about her mum’s and sisters’ plans to visit Japan anytime soon for their nephew’s graduation.

And on Friday she was posting in FB of how relieved she was after getting to connect with him via YM.

“Thank God my nephew in Saitama is safe n sound. Was a bit worried tho' when I couldn't reach him thru his mobile coz I know he's been travelling to other cities in Japan the last few days n what a great relief when I finally did get hold of him on YM...”

Credit: TORU YAMANAKAAFPGetty Images

Her friend also wrote on her FB wall of her cousin’s situation in Tokyo, trapped in her children’s’ school, with her kids and unable to contact the husband. The kids were freezing as they had left their coats in class as they were rushing out for safety.

Another friend expressed her feeling of helplessness as she watched the live footage of the tsunami.

“Helplessness as I listened & watched Taro-san as he calmly tells me how he doesn't know where his in-laws are, unable to comfort his wife who's upset, not sure if he's able to do anything now. All I could say then is my prayers are with him, his family & his country.”

Image: STRAFPGetty Images

Perhaps what another friend wrote on her FB wall would send the message home: “Maybe we should start realising that we are blessed each day of our lives, maybe we should start thanking Him more often for everything that we have, maybe some of us just realised how lucky we are ...but honestly, do we need a catastrophe to wake us up? I don't think so.”

Quote for Day 69

2011-03-12T19:14:00.000+08:00

Image: Underwater Bubbles - ARTIFOX

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/artifox

"Life as you know it, can be gone by the most gentle and conforming force of nature" - TOMMY CURL

Quote for Day 68

2011-03-11T14:58:00.001+08:00

Image: Hello My Friend - ATOSTES

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/atostes

We do not need an intelligent mind that speaks, but a patient heart that listens! - TTS

Claypot Dishes At One World Hotel

2011-03-10T22:52:00.002+08:00

Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant is the signature Chinese restaurant of one World Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Known for its beautiful interior of silver leaf ceilings and ebony doors complete with artefacts of wine jars complementing the décor, the words Zuan Yuan means “a treasure trove of gems”.

Diners can savour many Cantonese specialties at this restaurant, man by skilled cooks and chefs.

Freshly cooked Claypot dish at Zuan Yuan restaurant.

Zuan Yuan’s specials include its 8-course set menus, which are favourites for those hosting big gatherings such as family reunions or company dinners or just about any occasion.

If you delight in dim sum then come for lunch where you will find various types of dim sum made available daily.

Your dining experience will be incomplete without indulging in the restaurant’s extensive list of Chinese teas. Get the wait staff to assist you should the selections be a little overwhelming for you.

This month, Zuan Yuan is promoting Claypot dishes specially created by Chef Michael Chew.

Cooking in clay pots gives food a fuller taste since the slow-cook method allows the ingredients to blend well before the dish is removed from the stove.

The thickness of the claypot also keeps food warm for a longer time as compared to using other types of cooking ware.

The various tempting claypot creations are served during lunch and dinner.

ZUAN YUAN CHINESE RESTAURANT
One World Hotel
First Avenue
Bandar Utama City Centre
Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Malaysia
Tel: +6 03 7681 1111

Res: +603 7681 1159
Lunch: Noon-2.30pm
Dinner: 6.30pm-10.30pm

Quote for Day 67

2011-03-10T21:43:00.000+08:00

Image: The End - OMIR ONIA

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/OmirOnia

A lot of memory is on the table - Designer (Travel&Living)