porridge in Paradigm Mall

dropped by Paradigm Mall a few months after it'd opened
didn't want to go any sooner considering construction dust, stuff and chemicals will still be heavy in the air ... parking in Paradigm is kinda sucky. So are entrance and egress routes.

Paradigm's TESCO carries more and better than some other branches
found a porridge vendor we liked ... tried the frog porridge, a favourite of ours
not bland, not too salty .. succulent and large legs ... not pricey.

... kinda dry though, wonder how they cooked the legs
yau char kwai are de rigeur for some ...

 before and after ... natch. methinks the porridge is cooked and/or kept hot in a different utensil and ladled into the claypots only when served - no burnt marks inside


came across this colourful piece of work as we left the mall ... prefer this over its
'relative' in mid-valley 

visit to Fishing Fever, SS2 last Saturday

been too long since i last popped into FF, SS2 .. feels like a better part of the year
Ann may not have the 2013 Revos or Calcutta D or Volatile rods
but lures, lines and other terminal tackle are in abundance with nice pricing to boot

these i like:
Expert Graphite Excellence ELS601M 1pc 6' spinning rod 10-16lb line for light jigging with Sharp Sensitivity ... nice split butt cork grip

Majorcraft Day's 6' 2" 1pc spinning rod DS62ML 5-10lb line .. am looking for a suitable 4-12lb-er but i guess this'll do :P
Fuji guides, EVA grip ... RM490 nett ... well worth it if i had the money .. Majorcraft rods in Malaysia usually come as 2-piece rods, from what i've seen.

while we were at mid-valley ...

tried this lamb dish at Aunt Nat's ... quite nice ... so was the price ...

Garden food court has good spaghetti selection, Korean food was so-so
Oasis food court has some nice variety ...
the Portuguese grilled fish, bitter gourd mee soup, mixed rice stall at the entrance are memorable .... 
the Portuguese grilled fish stall has quite a varied menu; take your pick of dory, tilapia, black pomfret, stingray, squid, shrimp, mackerel or scad with your veg of choice, be it petai, kangkung, bendi ... lunch hour queue can be daunting

Popeye's fried chicken over KFC and everything anyday .. hands down
sure miss Subway's breakfast strip and melt sandwiches ... and Cha-time ...!

Delicious has some nice dishes and the Thai style barramundi was absolutely lish, so's the green curry if the gang has anything to say about it ;) 
They have a nice selection of sandwiches, children's menu including a grazing menu :D
Ending the meal with any of their sinful choc confections is tops. 

good food, good company 
in this case, it really was good times, great taste ... def NOT Macs

let the food pix speak for themselves ... yummmmmm
a dinner to remember with mentors and family friends ... 

sweet young kale 

 

 claypot towfoo with mixed vegetables 

fried egg for the children ... jes' in case

house specialty: sweet/sour spare ribs ... sizeable 

the coup de grace ... a 3.8kg marbled goby ... picture doesn't do it justice

restaurant in Sea Park, PJ waited for us to arrive before prepping the fish 

and quite nicely done, too, considering its size and meatiness ... still moist and succulent without a hint of dryness that'd indicate the fish was oversteamed

before and after pix .. natch!
good thing we didn't go for the 5kg fish ... !

malaysia NEEDS charter schools ... ?

public/national type schools ... well, practically all of us agree on the quality and direction of national type schools
our current alternatives?
private schools (too expensive for the majority), chinese/tamil schools ... too limited, restricted in certain contexts, eh wot?

wot say charter schools?

Charter schools are public institutions, supported by public funds. However, they have greater freedom from state rules and regulations than traditional public schools. Charter schools are typically free to hire or fire personnel, design curriculum, and promote specific values. A charter school must negotiate a contract (charter), usually with a local school district or charter authorizer designated by the state. Each charter may vary, because each state has different education laws and each charter school is designed to be unique in focus or student clientele. However, all contracts describe school goals, how the school will be run, the amount of public money it will receive, and the degree of freedom it will be given.


LIKE

given the choice, I'd rather my money go towards good charter schools for our children anytime, anyday.

Landing net that floats on water and the Lexa

Yes folks, it floats ... !
Courtesy of EGO.
Their nets come in short, one-piece handles and longer, extendable versions.
Nifty piece of work and gear, this.
Choice of translucent rubber or black rubber netting including a mesh version that is wallet friendly but not as friendly to fish.
The main problem? It costs around RM240.
The 18-incher extends to 3-feet, which makes it versatile and convenient for most, whether one is on a yak or in a boat. One handed operation is possible should one choose to extend or shorten the handle.
I find the longer versions too pliant when fully extended; gives me the impression that big, heavy fish shouldn't be in the net when fully extended.
A worthwhile investment should one fish often or go out in a boat often. Handle screws off for easy and convenient keeping or stowing away.
Hope to get me hands on one soon. No more worries about my net sinking.

Daiwa's latest offering, the Lexa, looks sexy and alluring.
Gotta git me two of these :D
For a 100 series all aluminium baitcaster that weighs just a shade under 8oz with nice features that is expected to cost approximately RM400-500, it sure seems worth it.
The 300 series, weighing in at 11oz, is expected to cost around RM600, may be less.
Can't wait for the latest ABU Revo Inshore and their Volatile rods, looks scrumptious. Too bad the rods don't seem to come with K-guides.

AEON Jusco sucks BIG time

My input to AEON Japan. Leave us see if there be any proper follow up and action.
Certainly not worth it at all since the phone died within 18 moons.
Wither consumer rights in this land of ours?
Buying via interest-free instalments is much better; less hassle and miniscule administrative fee (compared with interest changed by establishments such as aeon or courts).

Dear Motoya Okada-san,

Bought a SONY mobilephone through AEON Credit, Equine Park branch in Serdang, Selangor in 2008. Made full payment via required number of post dated cheques at the same outlet. The AEON Credit staff banked in two cheques early in 2008, before the instalment due date, TWICE. This in turn caused a fine of RM100.00 imposed by the bank, TWICE. In addition, I had to borrow money from friends and rush to the bank. Your incompetent employees rebanked in the cheques late as a result of the cheques being returned. Account was paid up and closed in 2009. Your incompetent malaysian AEON Credit employees have the cheek and gall to harass me, via phone calls and text messages, including visits to the home during weekends, for late charges arising from their own incompetence.
I refrained from writing in 2008 after an AEON Credit employee assured me the matter would not be pursued after I'd faxed them my bank statement to show the bank charges imposed. Three years later after the account was closed, your incompetent malaysian employees are now harassing me for payment of late charges that arose through no fault of mine. This continues despite the AEON Credit collection department personnel, Sharina/Sherina, and customer service employee, Nita/Neeta, [sic] confirmed the facts of the case and assured me that the charges will be waived and that a letter to that effect will be mailed to me soon. Right now, another text message arrived from 012-8091587 informing of another home visit over the weekend to "discuss about payment matter". These are the numbers that sent text messages since this October alone: 014-7218911, 016-2112318, 016-3300221, 016-2111288, 016-3322328, 012-8091587.
Appreciate some proper professionalism instead of the ongoing mindless incompetence at work here.

Thank you.