Fry Your Own Meal in a Restaurant?

Recently I discovered an interesting dining out concept, by a restaurant franchise called Pepper Lunch. Heard it has been around in Singapore for about a year, but this rather ignorant person here just found out a few days ago.

Ever toyed with the idea of frying your own meal in a posh restaurant? Food or ingredients for your meal is served raw and you just need to mix it up together. This will give you a better idea.



Sounds pretty fun isn't it? It kind of injected the fun element into it, and customers are in control of their salt intake, as customers get to add in their own soy sauce and the like. Besides, the hot plate keeps the food hot, which means, food will taste better. And pricing wise is quite ok as well.

Some might argue that the concept is pretty similar to Seoul Garden or even steamboat. The difference is that, you don't get oily all over and smell of your dinner after the meal is over.

Kudos to whoever thought of this concept. Hmm however, one thing which I'm still wondering is how the hot plate manage to keep the heat to ensure the ingredients are cooked and then slowly cool off after the frying to allow the customers to enjoy their meal in peace? Anyone out there knows how they did it?

Another World

For the past few days, I've been transported to another world, a world of truth and lies, gratefulness and revenge. Out of curiosity and to give myself a treat, I started watching this Hong Kong serial Revolving Doors of Vengeance.

I was hooked from the first episode, and I felt I've just been taken on a roller-coaster ride of life. Plot wise, I have to really salute the script writer, with the numerous unexpected twists and turns, plunges and highs, leaving me scratching my head figuring between the truth and lies.

Message wise, I would say, it has many messages to convey. To me, watching a serial or a movie, is something more than just pure entertainment. It is a chance for us to reflect back on our life and also serves as a reminder.

Initially, it was rather uneasy and uncomfortable watching the serial, as it focuses too much on the evil side of human. However, about halfway through, the good side of human, started to prevail, bringing back some warmth and consolation. Really admire the fighting spirit shown by one of the main actors and the benevolence of one of the main actresses.

However, I think, the most important message that it wants to convey is still, the good side of human, will always triumph over the evils. Traits like kindness, thankfulness, gratefulness, friendship, family, being filial, sincerity, perseverance, determination... are traits that are very important to us in life. Without them, the world will not be a good place to be.

Would like to share some points with everyone, be it a reminder, a lesson or be it a guide for us when we walk through this uncertain journey of life.

- Forgive and forget. Revenge, will only make both sides lose and hurt even more.
- Be thankful for what you have. Be grateful to kindness shown by others. People will remember kindness for life and it is the same for the bad things we do.
- Having one more friend, is better than having one more enemy.
- Everything happens for a reason...
- Cherish every moment you have...
- Sincerity and true love, moves people...
- Be focused on what you do. Perseverance, determination and persistence always wins.
- What goes around, comes around.

On a lighter note, one of the main actors is good looking! hehe won't tell which one :P and oh how I love the fashionable clothes the actresses wore! Too bad the weather here is too hot, will be sweating like a pig if we were to wear those boots and jackets :P can pick up some fashion tips as well ;)

Ahh.. and finally life can go back to normal.. been living in a different world until it felt surreal hahaha :P Beware of the serials addiction! :D

Welcome to the Quarter's Life Club!

Things been pretty happening lately, especially right after I joined the quarter life club. Some too privileged, that I do not have the privilege to post here.

From feeling like a celebrity with all the smses during my special day, to a mysterious story I'm working on, to a colleague who committed a very serious offence and was punished, a relative who passed away, to a brave girl who dared to take the challenge to wander off to a foreign land in search of her dreams... All in just a short one or two weeks' time.

Adding to the list, my secondary school classmate is getting married next month! oh so exciting. looking at her wedding pix, I realised, how we have entered a new phase in life, where more and more people around us would be getting hitched too. can't wait to attend her wedding lunch, gonna be a reunion of sorts. Ahh...

There are both ups and downs, both good and bad news, and my life has finally awaken from its deep slumber since about a year and a half ago. And I take that, as a good start to my journey through the next quarter. Cheers! :D

Angel and Devil Fight Over WishList

On this beautiful day, I felt like listing down the numerous things I want.

1. New handphone, Nokia N73 or Nokia 7390 or Dopod 808 perhaps. Poor 6-months-old O2 Xphone IIm went diving and drowned some time ago, sob sob.

2. New laptop, with DVD writer, generous space and memory. Light enough to bring to anywhere I want. Oh no, I'm so greedy, I want performance and mobility at the same time. Where to find.. hmm.. Dell Inspiron 9400 perhaps.. hehe. Poor old fragile laptop, has been so faithful for more than five years. Now a bit sot sot d.

3. New pair of spectacles. Those cool frameless ones haha. The present one is excellent when I want to pass off as a student.

4. Comfortable shoes. Where to find comfortable and yet stylish shoes that you do not mind wearing to walk one whole day? Ahh.. pretty hard to find I discovered. It is either style or comfort (such as those attention-grabbing croc shoes)

5. Ipod, haha! Can't run away from that. 80GB video and photo Ipod, should be able to keep those precious photos taken with my trigger-happy fingers. And for watching of those Hong Kong, Korean and Taiwanese serials while on the move or on long bus rides. Hmm.. a must-have the next time I go for my overseas holiday or trip.

Shall not be too greedy. Hehe, actually having the first 3 items would make me feel on top of the world already. Three out of five are tech stuffs. ooh, quite becoming a tech geek. NAh, can't help it, especially for this generation which literally grew up with technology.

Procrastinate... procrastinate... Actually, the present laptop can still use lah. (oh so Singlish). Just tolerate a bit lor when it becomes sot sot.

Hmm.. as for the phone, a kind friend lend me his old phone, which another nice and lovable soul traded his with mine until I get a new one. So, still can use lah.

And for the spectacles, what's wrong looking like a student? It is a respectable title, you know! :P

As for the shoes, hmm.. just tolerate a bit lah, put some plaster. Maybe walk less. Or just wear long pants to cover it up haha! :P

Ipod?? Nah.. just a want, not a need. Wait till I really need one. Not at the moment. So that can wait. :)

In the end, hoho, I don't need them at the moment. Maybe in the future, but not now. So that can wait. Ahh.. but I won't mind having it as a present! :D

A Greater Peace of Mind with a Token

Online banking has just become more interesting, with banks introducing additional security layer to protect customers.

But greater security comes with a price. You need to carry the thing around with you.

I learnt of this security feature which Maybank Singapore just introduced, scheduled to kick off only Jan next year. So I'm among the early white mice that are going to experience this new security feature.

The bank is going to phase out the current Internet Banking Code that the customers need to get through their Dial-Link service, or in other words, phone banking.

I was so curious about what this token is, when the lady at the counter kept saying that the bank is going to issue a security token for online banking purposes.

Initially I thought it was some paper or card or something. To my slightly amused shock, the token actually appeared to be something physical you can hold and press to get the information you need.

Hmm pretty interesting, have to experiment it out. Apparently, it can last for 7 years before you need a replacement. Also, according to the lady at the counter, this feature has been used by other banks too. Yet to find out which are the other banks also using this security feature.

With this additional security feature, I guess regular internet bankers or the more net-savvy generation are going to love it. Save you all the hassle of going to the bank, you can do all your banking needs from the comfort of your home and with the peace of mind that your crucial information is safe, why not?

I guess you will need to head down to one of the bank branches to discover this little token or shall I say this little surprise.

Not going to divulge too much here, in case I spoil all the fun for you.

However, if you are so persistent and want to really know more, head down here. www.maybank2u.com.sg/2fa

Have fun discovering! ;)

Passion and Motivation - What's the link?

Had a good game of table tennis yesterday, experiencing the same exhilaration when you smash the ball over the net and the opponent couldn't receive it. Which reminds me, how long have I not played it.

It's been at least two years, ever since I graduated. Really miss those days in the hall. You could play table tennnis to your heart's content, pitting your skills against better players and pick up tips and trick here and there.

When it comes to other types of sports, there might be bigger inertia to drag myself up from the bed early morning to go for a game. But when it comes to table tennis, it was natural motivation, which had me awake early morning and making my way to the sports complex.

Just the thought of being able to play my favourite sport, made me excited and I just can't wait for the next time I get to play it again.

Which brought me to this thought. When you have a passion for something, you do not need strong motivation to do it. Why? Because you are already naturally motivated. You already have this desire in you to do it, thus doesn't need a lot of outside factor to get you moving.

If, this principle is applied in our life, if you want to be successful, be passionate about being successful. If you want to be rich, be passionate about being rich. If you want to be slim, be passionate about being slim. If you want to be healthy, be passionate about being healthy. Logical isn't it?

Once you are passionate about what you do, you will naturally do well in it. Even if nobody is paying you anything, you will still do it. Because you like doing it. Simple equation, isn't it?

Moral of the story: Do something you are passionate about. You will find you need less push factor from outside, because you already have a natural pull factor towards your passion. Like what this book said, "Do something you are passionate about, money that comes by, is just a by-product."

Things I'm Grateful For

I'm grateful that I have a loving family, who cares, understands and loves me very much. My family, my parents, sister and brother, are all healthy and well.

I'm grateful that I have someone special who loves me very much too. Someone who cares and understands me, someone to share my dreams with.

I'm grateful that I have a good career awaiting me, in a good company, with good colleagues and bosses.

I'm grateful that the job I have, enables me to enrich my knowledge of the world.

I'm grateful that I have a cosy little room to call my own, a space I could do whatever I want, a place I love to be in. I'm grateful that, the landlady is a nice lady despite her usual nags and I love the location which is right smack in the central.

I'm grateful that I have some friends whom I truly cherish, friends who accepts me as I am. Friends who takes the effort to keep in touch, friends who sticks by you, no matter what. Friends who takes the trouble to understand you, who believes in you, who doesn't just leave and disappear, when trouble appears.

I realised that, friends who doesn't know you, who doesn't understands you, are the ones who hurt you most, with their words and actions. They doesn't take the trouble to understand you, they doesn't accept you, as who you are. They shy away when they sense trouble. They never take the effort to keep in touch, they never care.

In life, you only need a few gems, to walk through life together. Others are just there for a reason. They will leave when they have accomplished their mission. Whatever the reason is, whatever the mission is, time will heal wounds. But the scar will always remain.

So the lesson to learn: Never say hurting words or do hurting things to others, which you would not want done to you.

Just like the message that this year's Petronas Deepavali advertisement wants to convey. Those who have not seen it yet, catch it here

Never do unto others what will bring pain when done to you. What goes around, comes around.