S̄wạs̄dīka, Wantan Noodles

Introducing Wanton Mee Hat Yai Version @ Lee Garden Hawker Centre @ 350 Baht
It was a magical combination. Delicious soft veggie noodles coupled with meaty deco. Unlike the Penang version, the wantan was not particular delicious but the meatball was awesome and the brown unknown food was incomparable. Scanty portion, which makes you crave for more!

4/5 star-rated

Review: O'slee Rosehip Complete Eye Cream

Oh-I-ain't-young-anymore-conscious, unavoidable addiction as a to Mark Zuckerberg's creation (Or not his?) and the shrinking cum darken of my charming eyes like many aging ladies have prompted me to become one of the preys of the skincare industry. I swear to myself that I can't wait till my fine lines are out. Thus, I have started my eye care regime with O'slee Roseship Eye Cream (RM59.90 for 15ml).

That's not my leg!! >.<

Review: Now that I have been using it for the past 3 months, I must say that the effect isn't obvious. However, it does manage to moisturize the areas surrounding my eyes and thus, NO FINE LINES!!!! At the same time, seeds do not grow and I do not feel oily after using this eye cream. My dark circles are yet to be reduced though I can see my eyes are instantly revitalized after each application (guess it is due to the ingredient of caffeine). But as I said, it is just not obvious! However, I did read from somewhere that this kind of eye cream is exactly what people of my age need.

Just like the sleeping mask, the scent is most favorable though it could be detriment to the skin. Another perk is that stop using the eye cream would not worsen my eyes condition.

Also, the price is affordable though not cheap.

Re-purchase: I guess the skincare industry still has much to offer as I am still a beginner. Of cause I wish to test out other eye creams as well. So, its a "No" for now!

Back to the Past: Penang Peranakan Mansion a.k.a Green House

The year of Rabbit 2011 marks the 24th year I live on the Pearl of Orient (old liao=.=). It has never appeared in my wildest dream that there is such a place. A complete recollection of the residence of affluent Babas and Nyonyas (which is the remnants of Chinese mixed Malays who do not profess Islam). A close resemblance to the old house in Macalister Road I spent most of my childhood (except that the antic furniture was not that ELABORATE.. probably my ancestors are poor Babas & Nyonyas). This is the Pinang Peranakan Mansion @ Church Street I found out lately.

Does this courtyard reminds you of any drama??
Yes, it has appeared in one of the local dramas.
That's Hui Liy, who hailed all da way from KL, just for this mansion. : )

This is a graduation words of wisdom to Phoey.

Diligence is the key to a successful career. And Thriftiness leads to prosperity. The way the Peranakan educated their descendants.

I was trying to sharpen my photography skills. Ke ke ke ke!!

Tok Panjang in the "Little Nyonya"series. There are two mirrors at each side of the room, and the master of the household (who sit @ the place where I sat) could have the entire view of the house. O ya, only family members dine on this table.

Equality is one thing you can't find in a Peranakan family then. The sophisticated room on the right belonged to a son (and the Gong was used to summon maids.. wow!!) and the simpler room on the left was owned by a daughter.

Playing "Zhi-ki" (Your poker today) ..
The amah in "Little Nyonya" also played this for pleasure.

Post-visit Remarks:

Pro: We absolutely enjoyed the entire tour. Every single moment. Feeling as though we have gone back to the end 19th century, we were enchanted by the tales behind every piece of chair and the expression of every person in the murals and photos. Whatsmore, the tour guide was so knowledgeable, meticulous and rather patient. (Ask for a guided tour, or else it would be like visiting Manchester Stadium without knowing what the heck is MU) And the location was strategic. Must-gos for its photography & historical values. We spent almost 2 hours there. LOLz

Cons: It cost us RM10!!! The promotion to the locals, especially Penangites, was extremely limited that my mom has never heard of it =.=. And they sort of forcefully persuaded us to buy Nyonya kuih-muih. Of cause, we didn't.

Laughing with Dusty: Hoo Hoo Haa Haa .. Yeah!!

Stressed out? Frustrated with credit card bills? Had a bad patch with your other half or fussy colleagues? All you have to do is to laugh out aloud. In other words, to undergo laughter therapy - to laugh for nothing. :-D

Dusty the laughter trainer & I
(O ya I din't gain any weight anyway ... its just a matter of angle! >.<)

Laughter therapy originates from Indian & its called laughing yoga (cool huh?) The benefit of laughing is borderless and I can only remember one which 10minutes of laughing is equivalent to dunno how many minutes of walking, and thus it is good to keep you in shape (Dusty's look speaks of this, as she's 50-year-old mom with a 20-year-old daughter) and chase away unanticipated ailment.

Some examples of laughter therapy I could recall include:
1) Fake laughing by mimicking the Hoo Hoo Haa Haa sound, cheating your brain to believe that you are happy, then you become happy : D

2) Laugh & breath at the same time. Your inhale must be shorter that exhale. You know, to get rid of the CO2, you are out of stress promptly!

3) Love your body! Every part of it!

4) Sawadika Ha Ha Ha ... Ha Ha Ha Ha Looo.... Yeah!!

5) Motion laughter - to attach movement with laughter. E.g. making a circle and co-operate to laugh together

6) Cry laughing ... woo woo wooo ha ha ha ha ... looking at your credit card bills and laugh your heart out (hmmmm..)

Kudos to Hospice Home Penang (Rumah Hospis ) for organizing such a superb session!!!
In addition to meeting tones of cheerful volunteers...

Post-therapy Remarks: I have emerged as a positively empowered person and was actually stress-free for couple of hours. However, it is not very practicable daily as mom & even my neighbours would have thought that I am nuts laughing out so kuat, regardless of how effective the therapy actually is... HAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAH... but it is very suitable as an energizer during group programmes

Indians are simply amazing!

Forgive me for sounding racist. Oppression and prejudice against women in India were way serious than in Malaysia then. But their spirit to go against all odds was nothing less than Malaysians. Much much more, as a matter of fact.

Don't forget to check this out!

But... I don't have enough cash

Firstly, the sales girl wasn't me..

Me: Can I pay this cardigan using credit/ debit card/ MEPS cash?

Sales Girl: Yes, with at least minimum RM50 purchase. (A stupid breakable rule)

Me: But... I don't have enough cash... and I really really adore this cardigan... please let me use la!!

Sales Girl: OK la, you can use

Me: :->

So, the next time you are on a spend-thrift & are short of cash & are too lazy to queue up for an ATM machine .. just use this trick..

Successful rate: unknown