30 Nov 2008 No Comments
D and I really enjoyed ourselves last Friday evening. The atmosphere in Belga Queen is cozy yet sophisticated. The service was fast and friendly. No haughty waiter like you would expect in a restaurant of this caliber. The dishes were beautifully presented and really delicious. A little on the pricey side but the experience is worth every dollar.
Much recommended. And don’t forget to check out the bathrooms.
28 Nov 2008 No Comments
in Health
I have an upcoming appointment with the dentist. Here’s what I read when doing some research and preparation:
Belgium’s health care service is considered one of the best in Europe with the standards of practice and patient care extremely high and the country’s doctors and dentists enjoying excellent reputations. The cost of dentistry in Belgium compared to other European countries is low, making the country a very attractive destination for dental tourism. High quality cosmetic procedures are particularly popular. Language is not a problem for dentists in Belgium as most are fluent in English as well as French. (source: http://www.revahealth.com)
This won’t be my first medical appointment in Belgium. But it will be the first time I’m equiped with Belgian insurance. Time to see how that fantastic healthcare system works.
27 Nov 2008 No Comments
I’m not into musicals but I don’t get put off by them. Sound of Music is an amazingly beautiful story and Chicago was rather entertaining. One of these days, I would love to go to a Broadway show. It’s on my list of things to do before I die. 
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is as bloody as you can get from a movie musical, though not revoltingly so. It bears all the hallmark signs of a Tim Burton’s production. Johnny Depp and Bonham Carter made the already dark and sinuous story even more so dramatic, horrifying and believable.
There’s no proof an event like this has happened in real life. Though I won’t be surprised that it did. While the story of The Demon Barber remains a fiction, Jack The Ripper was a real horror.
26 Nov 2008 No Comments
in Health, Simply Green
Since reaching my mid 30s and having an immobile design job, I have been challenged by weight gains in the past 5 years. My main diet challenge was my ability to eat a lot. God helps us when I get the PacMan munchies!
I wasn’t alone in this. My Zappos co-workers lament about serious weight gains. Oh yeah, free lunches, snacks, sodas, plus a desk job do come with a catch. What do you expect?!
Anyway, I’ve been deviating from what I wanted to write. I came across another great article at zenhabits.net again! The following is the important points of the article:
So here where it comes back to me…
Irene: There’s one thing we can all do, or not do.
John: What?
Irene: Buy less grocery. Less food, save money, one diet trap out of the way.
John: Irene, you are a genius.
Irene: I know.
24 Nov 2008 No Comments
According to a college roommate, I can make hot milk tea like a proper Hong Kong street vendor. My concoction was so good that it reminded her of home. 
My homemade milk tea is probably healthier and less sweet than the popular commercial version:
Hong Kong-style milk tea is made of a mix of several types of black tea (the proportion of which is usually a “commercial secret” for famous milk tea vendors), evaporated milk, and sugar, the last of which is added by the customers themselves unless in the case of take-away. The common advertising catchphrase for milk tea in Hong Kong is “Ceylon black tea with Holland Black & White evaporated milk”.
Malaysia has its own version of the milk tea known fondly as Teh Tarik. Again, this is a British influence as mentioned in the Wikipedia entry regarding Hong Kong Style Milk Tea.
23 Nov 2008 No Comments
I am known for being able to sleep quickly and peacefully. But lately I have been dreaming quite a lot. This leaves me tired and a bit anxious during the day. I am not having nightmares but just recurring dreams of being unprepared for a Math test???
I had similar dreams in my late teens. But that was then… That was when the over-achiever in me thought that I did not prepare well for my school exams. My brain was just doing play backs. I am way over that now and exams have not worried me a bit since going back to college the second time.
Wonder what is happening? I cannot think of anything that is bothering me right now. This is the most relaxed time in all my life.
22 Nov 2008 No Comments
in Happenings
Fantastic! I live in a city deemed to be the 3rd most authentic historic destination in the world by National Geographic…
The survey, ranking categories and results will be featured in the December edition of National Geographic magazine. Let me just note that this is one of the few magazines I subscribed to for years when I live in Malaysia. My few links to the world besides the internet.
Here’s an article mentioning the nomination. I found this on a British site. I will update if I find a better link.
21 Nov 2008 No Comments
in Health
Good and simple suggestions for braving the tough times:
Here’s the full article if interested…
20 Nov 2008 No Comments
in Health
WooHoo! I lose 6Kg since Jan 3rd. Not a lot… but quite significant for a petite person like me. The Wii Fitness has helped me achieve this. Because of the program, I was made more aware of my weight fluctuations, exercise regularly and keep track of what I eat.
I do have to admit that I’m terribly bored with the Wii Exercises. I now do only 5 to 10 minutes of hula hoop or jogging and call it quits for the day. As replacement, I take longer walks in the city and do my weekly work out when I help out around the new house.
The Wii has served and will still serve its purpose. I still use it daily when I can. It is hard for me to break a routine. And why would I if this can only be beneficial…
Cheers to me for losing 6Kg!
19 Nov 2008 No Comments
I am disturbed that I wasn’t really disturbed by this disturbing movie… 
A Stanley Kubrick’s production of 1971, A Clockwork Orange was a movie adaptation from a novel by Anthony Burgess. It tells the story of a young man who commits crimes of violence without remorse. He was eventually captured and sentenced to jail. Thinking that he found a loop hole in the justice system, he subjected himself to an experimental criminal ‘reconditioning’ program.
I have to say that Malcolm McDowell was the perfect actor for the role. This man can really do crazy and cruel. He did it again in Caligula, 8 years later.
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