Kuching DUN Official Opening

Phew... I can barely catch up with my schedule these days. Being away from Kuching for some future related endeavor, 800++ photos from my buddy's wedding pending to be filtered and tonnes of paperwork and simulation test at work, I felt physically and mentally drained. But thanks to some quality sleep last night, I was able recover.

Just wanna post something on the current (maybe not so current anymore) hoo-hah of Kuching city, the opening of the new DUN of Sarawak. This new landmark was officially open by the Agong on 27 July 2009. It was broadcasted live by the national TV stations. The opening of the prominent building also coincide with the Rulers Meeting which was held at non other than this new DUN building. Apparently there was also a Regatta which took place at the Sarawak River.



My photo buddy, Allen asked me to join him for photo shoot session of the firework display at night. We both thought the fireworks will start at around 7:30pm but to our dismay it didn't start till 10pm++. After waiting for more than 3 hours (we even joked we could catch a full Harry Potter movie and still be on time to catch the fireworks), our patience was paid off because we Kuchingites were treated to a rare HUGE 15 minutes display of fireworks. I will just let the photos do the talking here.


Boom...


Boom...


Pow...

And the aftermath after the display...

Wangan Midnight - The Movie

For those of you who are not familiar with this title, you can always refer to the ever reliable definition at Wikipedia.



The official website of Kodansha Comics has announced on last Saturday that a theatrical film based on Michiharu Kusunoki's Wangan Midnight street-racing manga will open in Japan this summer. Like the previous television anime and video features, Wangan Midnight the Movie will center on a young man named Akio who salvages "Devil Z," a custom-tuned Datsun Fairlady S30Z car with a supposedly cursed history. He saw his dream car at a local junkyard and instantly bought it from the junkyard owner. And soon enough, he finds that the car is unnaturally fast due to a tuned L28 engine, bored and stroked to 3.1 L and fitted with twin turbos. He also finds that the one of the car's previous owners shares his first and last name, and had died in a horrible crash on the Wangan. Every person who takes possession of the Z ends up spinning out of control and crashing, as if the car is rebelling against its driver. This gives the blue Z the nickname "The Devil Z".

So all you engine buffs and speed demons out there, be sure to catch this movie. It will officially be release on 12 September 2009, but I am not too sure if the movie will ever reach our shores on the big screen. If it doesn't, then it's really a shame, but at least we can pay a visit to the nearest DVD peddler. ;)

Check out the 1:58 minute trailer

Childhood Memories

I am sure many of you out there still remember and have played the Street Fighter game. It was the most popular game during my primary (or was it secondary) school years. Recently, I have got my hands on the latest Street Fighter IV game (on PC) and I must say, the graphics and articulation as evolved so much from the first version. Pitting Ryu against Chun-Li (the latest SF movie sucked big time) instantly brought back memories when I would play this game over and over till my mom shouted at the top of her voice asking me to STOP playing. Hahaha~~~


Hadouken~

Wedding - Tigger and Eeyore

18 July 2009 marks the official unification of my primary school classmate, "Tigger" Tan and "Eeyore" Gloria Ten (you guys should see the soft toy they attached in front of the wedding car, so cute, can?). Here's a photo of us bradas (and one sista) together with the lovely couple.



Congrats to the newly wed!

And I learned a new phrase during the tea ceremony which the elders said out loud without any hesitation.

"Lim ta ta, sei lampa" (in Hokkien or Teochew dialect)

Translation: Drink till the last drop, give birth to a Penis (Boy)

When Your Fate Is....

Recently, my sis just found out that she was posted to a place far far away from home, a land where students take boat rides to go to school... Kanowit.

Sigh, after struggling through all the public exams and sleepless nights during uni years to strive for the best possible results, and wham.... you get to know that you will posted to some ulu place. Was it a wrong decision made when she was deciding whether to continue her studies in Form 6 or to take up this scholarship to study to become a teacher? All I can do now for her as a Big Bro is to pray that she has the strength to survive through her 2 years (at least) there.

Everything happens for a reason. Be strong Sis!

Facebook Restaurant City Food Quiz Answers

Strictly for those who plays RC in FB.

The list below contain the answers for the food quiz you get everyday.

It is important to get it correct as food quizzes are one source of obtaining ingredients.

Q: Agar is a gelatinous substance derived from what?
A: Seaweed

Q: Bechamel sauce is also known as...
A: White Sauce

Q: To blanch a vegetable, means to?
A: Boil and Cool off quickly

Q: Calamari is fried?
A: Squid

Q: What is a Calzone?
A: A turnover made of pizza dough

Q: In which restaurant would you typically find Calzone?
A: Italian

Q: Caviar is made from?
A: Fish Egg

Q: What kind of pizza is chicago style?
A: Deep dish

Q: Chilli is a?
A: Fruit

Q: Which of these chillies is the spiciest?
A: Naga jolokia pepper

Q: What is chinese gooseberry called in ancient time?
A: Kiwi

Q: What is chocolate bloom?
A: Cocoa fat or sugar

Q: The chuck is found where on the cow?
A: Front

Q: Which continent produces the most cocoa?
A: Africa

Q: What is coconut?
A: Fruit

Q: Q: A crepe is typical a ...?
A: Thinly cooked pancake

Q: Dim sum originated from which country?
A: China

Q: Dulce de leche is prepared by heating...?
A: Sweetened Milk

Q: Which sauce used in Egg Benedicts?
A: Hollandaise sauce

Q: Where did Feta Cheese come from?
A: Greece

Q: The flank is found where on the cow?
A: Mid

Q: Foie gras is food made from which part of an animal?
A: Liver

Q: In England, French Fries are called?
A: Chips

Q: To garnish a food means?
A: Add final touches

Q: Granny smith apples are?
A: Green

Q: Grapes grow on?
A: Vines

Q: The main ingredient in Guacamole is?
A: Avocado

Q: Where is the hamburger originaly from?
A: United states

Q: What is Hashi?
A: Chopsticks

Q: Honey comes from?
A: Bees

Q: What is the main ingredient in Hummus?
A: Chickpeas

Q: Kimchi is a Korean dish made of fermented?
A: Vegetables

Q: What is Ketchup made of?
A: Tomatoes

Q: Lard is the fat obtained from which animal?
A: Pig

Q: Naan Bread is served with... ?
A: Indian Food

Q: Natto, a traditional Japanese food, is made from fermented?
A: Soybeans

Q: New-York Style Pizzas are generally?
A: Thin crust

Q: The pizza originates from which country?
A: Italy

Q: To poach something means?
A: To cook in boiling water

Q: To Proof dough means to...
A: Allow it to rise

Q: Prunes are dried...?
A: Plums

Q: Raisins are dried...?
A: Grapes

Q: Ratatouille is?
A: A vegetarian dish

Q: The main ingredient of Ratatouille is?
A: Tomatoes

Q: To refresh vegetables is....?
A: To immerse in COLD water

Q: What is the color of Rhubarb?
A: Red

Q: The rump is found where on the cow?
A: Back

Q: What is Saffron?
A: Spice

Q: Sauerkraut is made from?
A: Fermented Cabbage

Q: To saute a dish, means to?
A: Fry quickly in hot pan

Q: The sirloin is found where on the cow?
A: Mid

Q: What is the most expensive spice in the world?
A: Saffron

Q: Which of the following spices is the most expensive??
A: Pure Vanilla

Q: Steak tartare is a meat dish made from raw?
A: Beef

Q: What is Stracchino?
A: a fresh cheese from Italy

Q: In which restaurant would you typically find sushi?
A: Japanese

Q: Where does taco orignate from?
A: Mexico

Q: In which restaurant would you typically find tacos?
A: Mexican

Q: In which restaurant would you typically find Tapas?
A: Spanish

Q: Tofu is made of .... ?
A: Soybean

Q: A tomato is a?
A: Fruit

Q: What color is Tuna meat?
A: Pink

Q: Where is Tuna from?
A: Salt Water

Q: The main ingredients in Tzatziki are?
A: Yoghurt and Cucumber

Q: Venison is the meat from what animal?
A: Deer

Q: What is the main ingredient of wasabi?
A: Horseradish

Source:
Restaurant City Tips and Guide

Woof

Saw this little girl carrying her pet poodle with an almost identical facial expression. Aren't they cute?

Mitsubishi Lancer Test Drive

Jimisar Autotrade Sdn Bhd. launched it's Mitsubishi 3S centre last weekend. Located at Lot 5364, Block 16, KCLD, Jalan Sherif Masahor (opposite Jalan Hup Kee), the new 3S showroom is one of the most prominent motor showrooms in Kuching.


A: Jimisar selling Honda cars
B: Jimisar selling Mitsubishi cars

Me and my sidekick, Allen went to visit this showroom. Partly I also wanted to test drive the not so new Mitsubishi Lancer.


Lancer 2.0GT

The impressive showroom features customer friendly facilities such as spacious showroom, customer lounge with free WiFi connection and Astro, discussion corner, fully equipped service center and dedicated delivery bay (which was still being painted when we were there last weekend), all designed for customer comfort and convenience.



And during the 4 days promo period, they also set up a driving simulator for interested customers and their kids to hone their driving skills.

Ok, back to Lancer. The Mitsubishi Lancer that we get here in Malaysia is the CBU version, in other words it's directly imported from Japan. So the version that we have here is definitely same as the ones Japanese drive on their roads! Cool?

Actually the Lancer comes in two variation, the GLS version and the sportier GT version. According to the brochure and spec sheet, the only difference between the two variations are the GT comes with 18" alloy rims, black leather interior, "badder" spoiler.



I only got to test-drive the GLS version as the GT version is only for display purposes in the showroom.



But nonetheless I enjoyed myself throughout the brief but sweet test drive session (which only lasted 3 minutes). The sales officer who entertained us told me that due to some company policy, the pre-determined test drive route is between the BDC and Hui Sing Garden roundabouts. I was a little hesitant when I maneuvered out of the premise of the showroom, but once I got past the first roundabout... hahaha...the devil in me surfaced.

Down with the accelerator and going through the shift paddles were FUN! Well to say it's fun would be an understatement. Exhilarating is the more appropriate word. Before I knew it, I was up to 150km/h. Despite all that, I do feel that the car a little heavy overall and could improve on the handling. As I was busy driving, Allen who sat beside me snapped away with his 50D.


The cockpit


Plush ventilated leather seats which can hold any butts firmly


Polka dots

I would definitely prefer the GT version compared to the GLS version but the price difference between these 2 variants is a whopping RM8500. Well, the extras in the GT does not justify that extra money we have to pay to get it. So I think I will just settle for the GLS version (that is if I can afford to get one at all).

For the time being, I will just have to settle with this



Took this shot while I was in Ho Chi Minh City last year. I am sure this will be a real head-turner.

Featured (sorta) in KennySia.com

Guess what a shock I got when I read Kenny Sia's latest entry on "Keluar Sign FAIL"?



My previous post "Celebrity, Spotted" was sorta featured in Kenny's Short Talk.

I just wanna clarify myself here to Kenny. I didn't mean to do you any harm. It's just another post in blog. That evening me and my buddy were on our way to Taman Sahabat to shoot sunset and chun chun (means coincidentally in Hokkien dialect) we saw you jogging. So the natural thing to do with our camera gears in our hands, we snap pics of you. So cheers buddy!



p/s Jogging rocks!

Dodge Challenger Vapor

The stealth-black Air Force Challenger ‘Vapor’ features thumbprint access to the Lamborghini “scissor doors”, a custom Stealth body kit with Jet enhancements and a carbon fiber exterior trim.



The interior of the ‘Vapor’ is complete with aircraft style controls, a passenger side steering wheel and the most technologically-advanced computer system with internet access, GPS tracking and exterior proximity sensors.






Interior is intimidatingly CIA-ish

The ‘Vapor’ also comes with two custom flight helmets in line with the Air Force theme of the vehicle.


Rocket-launchers?

Will we see one on the roads here? Fat chance...

Touching Moments - MJ R.I.P.

Last night in LA, many attended the memorial service for the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The following clip I think is the most heart-touching moment of the entire service when MJ's own flesh and meat, Paris Jackson came up to the mic and addressed the crowd.



*holding back my tears*

Do I Have A Choice?

Being treated like this at work...



Now you tell me, how should I cope?

Gunplas Family Shot

Family of short but cute Gundams and Zakus (except the one in dark grey which is a HG version Zaku)

Miri Escapade - Part 2

Here's the continuation from Part 1.

Me and Cal went up Canada Hill where this old lady still stands



This is the first oil well in Miri with collaboration between PETRONAS and Royal Dutch SHELL.


Engraved facts


Upskirt?

One interesting thing I saw was the 4 workers, who looked almost real (except the fact that they were colorless), pushing underneath the 30 feet structure.


Pushing into the sunset


From another angle

I think the Miri City Council build this to tell a better story of how people back in the early 90's extracted crude oil.


"hee-haw...hee-haw"

Next to it, you can find this odd looking structure. I am not too sure what it's called but I remembered one of my friends told me it's a "nodding DONKEY" (thanks to B for the info)

Actually there's an interesting hiking trail which one of my friends have been asking me to try it for years. I see many enthusiasts flocking the area in the evening to conquer this mini challenge (B told me not to under estimate it, so I had to drop the mini). I didn't try it this time but fret not, I promise I will try it the next time when I come to settle down in visit Miri.


View of Miri town from Canada Hill

A Ray of Hope

I just wish that there's at least a ray of hope somewhere out there for me.

Please answer my prayers, oh God!