Lifestyle: Berjaya Times Square Chinese New Year Decorations

Happy Weekend Folks!

Today, ME & Kimmy had visited Berjaya Times Square for yet another edition of our shopping spree. This time, we did not buy anything from there but just to see the decorations in Berjaya Times Square. It was really packed with a lot of people who busy shopping to buy their nessesities for Chinese New Year. It was a 36 Degrees Celcius temperature back there and as I walked through the shops, I was sweating though.

The Decorations this year is called Shanghai Broadway with a beautiful decorated Red House situated in front of the stage. It was totally nice and amazing. In between the broadway, there were stalls selling Chinese New Year stuffs as well. You should visit Berjaya Times Square when you have a chance because of its decoration. Check out the photos on my blog and my Facebook too! Enjoy! :)

Food Hunt: Station Kopitiam, Berjaya Times Square KL

Hi All,

Welcome back to yet another edition of the food hunt. Today, we were doing some shopping and watching movie at Berjaya Times Square. It was a 30 - 35 degrees hot here in Berjaya Times Square due to the people congestion here. It was so packed with people until I really sweat and looks to tired and dull. Well, I hope that during the dinner time, I manage to smile a little bit while enjoying the food.

We were trying to search for the suitable restaurant to dine in and we finally we got one located the the 4th floor at Berjaya Times Square. Here, there are various restaurant to choose from and I let Kimmy to decide which restaurant we should go. Kimmy had chosen Station Kopitiam as our dining destination. We sat down and we have to wait for about 5 minutes before the waiter could serve us and that time it was so few customers in the restaurant. It was a very bad service too as we waive hands so many times but yet the waiter could not see us. Obviously the place is large and they should have stationed more waiter and waitress to serve us better. I was not amazed and felt so angry because it took us so long and I wanted to walk away too. But before I could do so, a waiter finally served us with the menu. The menu looks tempted with local delights and I've ordered Nasi Petai with Chicken and a glass of Watermelon. Kimmy meanwhile ordered Nasi Goreng Kampung and a glass of Honey Aloe Vera.


Let me tell you about the food that we've ordered. Bout my Nasi Petai with Chicken, it sucks big time. It was so tasteless and it was very hot too. I am a big fan of petai and I was not amazed by its cooking and as I eat the dish, I felt so hot and sweating too. The HOTness of the sambal covered all the taste of the petai chicken and obviously it was not nice at all. Wow! I was very dissapointed with this dish and wondering I should have ordered something else. DO NOT TRY out this dish when you are there as it sucks big time. Bout the watermelon juice, it was tasty but I just get conned by the menu. The menu stated that it was a big glass and it came just a small plastic cup only. Walao eh! I was so pissed off because I was not told about that also. It costs about RM4.90 for the watermelon juice. About Kimmy's Nasi Goreng Kampung, it was not nice rather. It was not tasty at all and there were not much ingredients in that Nasi Goreng Kampung. It was a dissapointed dish too as I've tried it too and I am giving you the same comments too. The Honey Aloe Vera was nice but the same comments as mine as she was conned too by the menu.

It totally spoiled out dinner mood tonight especially myself who were so disspaointed by the food there. Besides, after I came back, I was so hungry too and it ruins my day. It should be a nice day but it turned out to be a nightmare. I was sweating all the way today looking for some good food to cheer up myself but it turn otherwise. The price of this restaurant was very expensive not not worth at all. It came out RM27.00 for both of us and the food sucks big time. PLEASE DO NOT TRY out this restaurant at any cause as you will definately regret it! Service BAD, food BAD and what do you expect? Boooo............. MY RATING: 1/5 ; KIMMY RATING: 2/5

Address:

Lot 04-92 & 93, 4th Floor, Berjaya Times Square,
1, Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Telephone: 03-2141 8553

Business Hours: 11.00am - 10.00pm DAILY

Cinema Movie: Tooth Fairy

Release Date: 21 January 2010

Language: English

Running Time: 1 hour 43 minutes

Director: Michael Lembeck

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Stephen Merchant, Julie Andrews, Ryan Sheckler.

Synopsis:

Dwayne Johnson is "The Tooth Fairy," also known as Derek Thompson, a hard-charging minor league hockey player whose nickname comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids. When Derek discourages a youngster's hopes, he's sentenced to one week's hard labor as a real tooth fairy, complete with the requisite wings, magic wand. At first, Derek "can't handle the tooth" – bumbling and stumbling as he tries to furtively wing his way through strangers' homes... doing what tooth fairies do. But as Derek slowly adapts to his new position, he begins to rediscover his own forgotten dreams.

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My Comments: It was yet another outings for us on this lovely Sunday afternoon. But it turned out to be a nightmare as we visited Berjaya Times Square today for shopping and in the same time watching movie. Why is it a nightmare? This is because the shopping center is very packed with people and many people take this oppotunity to shopping for the incoming Chinese New Year. Well, while I was walking, I was sweating all the way too and looked very tired because of too many people with a minimum amount of fresh air. Well, once we reach there, I suggest to Kimmy to wait for the movie to start first before do some shopping. We have watched Tooth Fairy here at GSC Berjaya Times Square. This movie was a recommended movie for the whole family perhaps because it was very funny all the way from the start till the end. I was amazed by the jokes and the actor Dwayne Johnson was really funny either. Seriously, it also contains some touching scenes and some actions scenes all combined in this movie and definately this movie is a perfect movie to watch for the whole family. The storyline was pretty good also and you can actually guess what should happen for the whole movie. Of course, this movie is not a big budget movie and do not expect much from it and just treat this as a fun movie. Also, not forgetting this movie will not be a logic / real either because it contains a fairy tale story and just for entertainment purposes. Why not chill out a little bit while the Chinese New Year is coming by watching this movie? Enjoy yourself alright. :) MY RATING: 5/5 ; KIMMY RATING: 5/5

Festival: Happy Thaipusam

alexleow-kimmy.com would like to wish all Hindus a Happy Thaipusam. Enjoy yourself in this festival and remember to be extra careful on the road.

Thaipusam (Tamil: தைப்பூசம்) is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). It is also referred to as Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam in the Malayalam language. The word Thai-pusam is derived from the month name Thai and Pusam, which refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Murugan (also Subramaniam), the youngest son of god Shiva and his wife Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.

Skanda (or Murugan) was created during one of the battles between the Asuras and the Devas. At one point, the latter were defeated several times by the former. The Devas were unable to resist the onslaught of the Asura forces. In despair, they approached Shiva and entreated to give them an able leader under whose heroic leadership they might obtain victory over the Asuras. They surrendered themselves completely and prayed to Shiva. Shiva granted their request by creating the mighty warrior, Skanda, out of his own power or Achintya Shakti. He at once assumed leadership of the celestial forces, inspired them and defeated the Asura forces.

Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War.^[1] It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan.^[2] Generally, Hindus take a vow to offer a kavadi to idol for the purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For instance, if the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a kavadi to Him.

Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan. The kavadi-bearer observes celibacy and take only pure, Satvik food, once a day, while continuously thinking of God. On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common. The simplest kavadi is a semi circular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition, some have a small spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance. Other types of kavadi involve hooks stuck into the back and either pulled by another walking behind or being hung from a decorated bullock cart or more recently a tractor, with the point of incisions of the hooks varying the level of pain. The greater the pain the more god-earned merit.

The largest Thaipusam celebrations take place in Singapore, Mauritius and Malaysia. It is a public holidays in several states in Malaysia including Selangor, N.Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Johor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. The temple at Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur offen attracts over 1 million devotees and 10 of thousands of tourist. The procession to the caves starts at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur in the heart of the city and proceeds 15 kilometres to the cave, an 8-hour journey culminating in a flight of 272 steps to the top.

In Malaysia, although rare, scenes of people from different ethnic groups and faiths bearing "kavadi" can also be seen. Thaipusam is also increasingly being celebrated by ethnic Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia. Thaipusam is also celebrated at other cave temple site, the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh Perak and at the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple along Jalan Waterfall in Penang. Temple Secretary P. Palaiya Sri Subramaniar Temple in Gunung Cheroh reported that about 250,000 devotees participated in the festival in 2007, including 300 "kavadi" bearers, while 15,000 came with milk offerings.

Lifestyle: Windows 7

In this new technology world, we are moving into a more advance world and part of it Microsoft had come out with its latest and new Windows and it's being sold in the market for now. Introducing the new Windows 7, a new revolutionary Operating System introduced by Microsoft is yet another milestone for them as users able to experience the new operating system which is more user friendly, stable and many new features.

I am currently using the new Windows 7 Ultimate version that I've just installed in my newly bought Hard Disk 400GB and I've tried out the operating system. It was so cool and nice too. Besides, it's stable, user friendly and many new features inside this operating system and I can guarantee you that you will enjoy using it. Here are some new features of the Windows 7 that you can find in http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/. Among the new features including Jump Lists, Snap, Windows Taskbar, Performance Improvement & Remote Media Streaming and many more.

After using the new Windows 7 Ultimate Version (where you can find other version such as Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Enterprise, Starter), I am really impressed by its design and the new implementation of the Windows where you can experience the technology being used in Windows 7. The price itself is pretty expensive to purchase a genuine copy but it's still a worth bet purchasing it because it's a very reliable operating system so far. Windows Starter is about (RM180), Windows Home Basic (RM250), Windows Home Premium (RM350), Windows Professional (RM450) Windows Ultimate (RM650) (Price are estimation price only and for reference purposes only). I would not touch too much on the explaination of the Windows 7 as you need to browse the web link provided above and then you will understand more. Just install it and experience the beautiful operating system that had being developed and have fun! MY RATING: 5/5

Lifestyle: Decorations at 1 Utama for Chinese New Year

I am back again and Happy Weekend to all of you! Of course, this week onwards, all malls in the Klang Valley will be equipped with the Chinese New Year decorations which will makes your shopping experience more richer and enjoy the great feel of it. This week, I have visited 1 Utama Shopping Complex and this year theme for them is the properity cat. Well, we don't have much time shopping on that day because we arrived at 1 Utama a bit late and just manage to sneak around to see the decorations only. If you are a photographer who loves taking photos, remember to come over to 1 Utama Shopping Complex here where you can take brilliant photos and the fascinating view of the Chinese New Year Decorations. I have taken some too. Check it out and Happy Shopping! :)

World News: Ethiopian plane crashes off Beirut, 90 feared dead

BEIRUT, Jan 25 – All 90 people aboard an Ethiopian Airlines plane were feared dead after it plunged into the Mediterranean, minutes after taking off from Beirut in a thunderstorm on Monday. Flight ET409, a Boeing 737-800, heading for Addis Ababa, disappeared off the radar some five minutes after taking off at 2.37am (0037 GMT). The Lebanese army said the plane had broken up in the air before plummeting into rough seas. Witnesses described the impact as a “flash that lit up the whole sea” and a “ball of fire”.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said he did not think the plane had been brought down deliberately, emphasising “a sabotage attack is unlikely”. Defence Minister Elias el-Murr also said there was no evidence of a terrorist attack and that weather was “in principle” to blame for the crash. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Girma Wake said he had spoken with Lebanese authorities who had no word of survivors. Eighty-three passengers and seven crew were on the flight, Lebanese Transport Minister Ghazi al-Aridi said at the airport.

Twenty-four bodies, including those of two toddlers, have so far been recovered. At least six bodies were of Ethiopian origin, officials said. Some of the bodies were so unrecognisable from the impact of the crash that DNA testing would be needed to identify them. The remains of mangled aircraft seats and luggage washed up on the shore south of Beirut where the airport’s main runway is located. Lebanese army patrol boats, helicopters and divers searched an area off Na’ameh, 10km south of the capital. Fifty-four of those on board were Lebanese, 22 were Ethiopian, two were British and there were also Canadian, Russian, French, Iraqi, Syrian, and Turkish nationals. Marla Pietton, wife of the French ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton, was on the plane, the French embassy said.

The Lebanese government declared a day of mourning. Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri visited the airport to meet distraught relatives waiting for news of survivors, some of whom were angry that the plane was allowed to take off in bad weather. “They should have delayed the flight for an hour or two to protect the passengers. There had been strong lightning bolts and we hear that lighting strikes at planes especially during take offs,” a relative of one of the passengers told a local television station. The military spokesman for UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, Colonel Diego Fulco, said two ships from its maritime task force were at the crash site and a third was on its way. Two UN helicopters were also at the scene, he said. A Cypriot police helicopter and another from the British military stationed in Cyprus were also involved in the search.

According to one source, residents on the coast saw a “ball of fire” crashing off Na’ameh. State-owned Ethiopian Airlines has positioned itself as a major player in international air traffic in Africa and has recently expanded its Asian network. It has regular flights to Lebanon, catering for business clients and the hundreds of Ethiopians who work there as domestic helpers. Lebanese aviation sources said some of the passengers had been en route to Angola. Last Friday the airline announced an order for 10 of Boeing’s Next-Generation 737-800s for a total price of US$767 million (RM2.6 billion). The last major incident involving Ethiopian Airlines was in November 1996 when 125 of the 175 passengers and crew died after a hijacked Boeing 767 crashed into the sea off the Comoros Islands. The crash is the fifth incident involving the loss of a Boeing 737-800, according to the Flight Safety Foundation. — Reuters

Food Hunt: Sakae Sushi, 1 Utama (Part 2)

Hello folks,

Welcome back to yet another edition of the food hunt and this time, ME & Kimmy had visited Sakae Sushi in 1 Utama yet again to try out their sushi again. This is after we watch movie at GSC 1 Utama and we have decided to come over here to enjoy our sushi meal.

Once we sat down, we were served immedietely and we were also told that there were no more salmon because it's sold out. For me, it's okay because I not coming here to just try put their salmon but other stuffs. We ordered 8 plates of sushi and a plate of Chicken Katsu Don. For Temaki, I've ordered California Temaki while Kimmy ordered Unagi Temaki.




We have tried before the sushi and overall it was nice but still I prefer Sushi King because Sakae Sushi's rice is not as fresh and tasty than Sushi King. Let's talk about the Chicken Katsu Don. It was tasty and nice. The rice was hot and it was surrounded by the Japanese sweet sauce which makes this dishes delicious of its aromas. Overall, the bill came is about RM50.85 (including tax) and the food is reasonable though. If you have a chance, go and try out the Chicken Katsu Don as it was nice. Remember to try out other dishes too. MY RATING: 5/5 ; KIMMY RATING: 5/5

Address:


G212, Ground Floor,

1, Lebuh Bandar Utama,

Bandar Utama City Center, Bandar Utama,

47800 Petaling Jaya



Telephone: 03-7726 6428

Daily: 11.00am - 9.30pm

Cinema Movie: The Spy Next Door

Release Date: 15 January 2010

Language: English

Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Director: Brian Levant

Cast: Amber Valletta, Billy Ray Cyrus, George Lopez, Jackie Chan, Lucas Till.

Synopsis:

While babysitting his neighbor's children, a mild-mannered man (Jackie Chan) winds up having to fight off secret agents after one of the kids inadvertently downloads a secret code.

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My Comments: It was yet another outings for me today and ME & Kimmy had decided to go for yet another blockbuster movie of the year 2010 as Jackie Chan stars in this movie. We reach 1 Utama at about 4.00pm and immediately go and collect our tickets because we are afraid of the huge crowd who throng the cinemas to catch their movies of their choice. Well, without wasting any more time, let's go straight to the comments. This movie is a family based movie with fun packed action too. Jackie Chan's whose cast this time merely on the babysitting was pretty good too. The movie was very boring in the first 30 minutes until it gets alive thereafter. It was fun and filled with laughter and fighting after the 30 minutes right till the end with Jackie Chan stars as the limelight for this movie. Overall, it was a simple movie to understand as it's not complicated. Even the children will understand this movie well too. If you love Jackie Chan stunts and some kind of a family based movie, this movie is just suitable for you and I would say don't expect something different or surprise from Jackie Chan as this movie are no special than any other of his movies. Enjoy the show! :) MY RATING: 4.5 / 5 ; KIMMY: 4 / 5

Food Hunt: Janwa Thai Restaurant, Bandar Manjarala

Welcome back again for yet edition of the Sawadee Kap! food edition and this time ME and Kimmy had decided to try out for yet another Thai Restaurant located at Bandar Manjarala in Kepong. Introducing Janwa Thai Restaurant where the decoration inside the restaurant was amazing and it does have the Thai feel too. What about the food? Let's go straight to the comments.

Once we sat down, the waiter immedietely brought us the menu although there were a lot of people that time, the waiters are still very efficient and good in service. Clap Clap for them! :) We look at the menu and we found out that there were a lot of varieties of Thai food can be found in this restaurant. Mostly were not ala-carte dishes where you need to order a rice and the dishes to dine. While looking at the menu, it was so tempting and finally ME & Kimmy had come out with a list of what we should try out for the first time. We have ordered Tom Yam Seafood (Small) (RM15.00), Chicken with mixed vegetables & cashew nuts (Small) (RM15.00) & Paku Vegetables (Small) (RM8.00) served with 2 glasses of Chinese Tea. The portion of overall dishes was big although we ordered a small portion (for 2 persons only).

It was a very cheap indeed although you can see the price is expensive but I can guarantee you with the portion of the food are big. The food was totally amazing too. The most tempting dishes of all time is the Tom Yam Seafood with serves together with Squid, Prawns, Mushrooms and Fish too. It was so delicious and great! Me & Kimmy love this dish so much. The Chicken with mixed vegetables & cashew nuts was good too. The chicken was pretty soft and the cashew nuts was tasty too. Finally the Paku Vegetables was nice too. If you ordered this 3 dishes with you (if dine in 2 persons), you will have a great time having your dinner there. Overall, the price is not expensive with the portion and quality of the food as the bill came and it's RM41.00.

I would totally recommend you to this restaurant if you are a big fan of Thai Food. It serves one of the best Thai food I've tried so far around Kepong and I would say this restaurant rocks big time. Just come on over and give it a try and I can guarantee you that you won't regret it. You can also try its wrapped chicken, white tom yam soup, green curry chicken, fried tofu and many other dishes which I believe are nice too after I've tried the 3 dishes that we've ordered. Jom Jom Makan! :) MY RATING: 5/5 ; KIMMY RATING : 5/5

*Food rating is based on the food we've ordered and not overall food.


Address:

No.99G, Jalan 5/62A,

Bandar Manjarala, Kepong

52200 Kuala Lumpur

Telephone: 03-62765658

Business Hours: 10.30am - 10.30pm