Just Us!!

Yesterday I was looking through those photos I took when I was home couple weeks ago and came across this photo.

It's a photo of us siblings. For some reason I can't get my eyes off it and images of my childhood flash through my mind. My older sister is 6 years older than me and my brothers, one of them is 5 years older and the other one is one year older than me. While growing up I spent more time with the one who is closer to my age maybe because of the age gap. Older sister and brother left home when I entered high school. We are still very close to one another despite us living in different countries nowadays. I always believe that it's the blood that is flowing in our body that bonds us together.

We don't take photo that much together however I think we should start doing that more. This one was taken at Taman Safari at Puncak, Indonesia. I can tell you that even grown up can have so much fun at the Safari Park.

Schedule Overloading .. what do you do?

I think almost everyone of us at one time or another faces this issue -- schedule overloading. What do you do if you have schedule overloading and you still cannot say no to your boss or your peer? Maybe it is easier to say no to your peer, what about your boss? Someone who will be giving you a review during merit increase every year, do you say no to that person?

I have been reading on the topic of 'Time Management' lately and I would like to share the quote below:

" Learn to say no to your peers and boss.
Explain your key responsibilities, point out how taking on an unrelated task will jeopardize your goals, and offer a reasonable alternative. "

It is always easier said than done. I consider myself in the category label saying 'Yes' all the time. I think I should learn how to approach each situation in a more mature way and really learn to say no and stop caring about whether I will be penalize during my yearly review.

Friday Potluck

I can't even recall when is the last time I had a real potluck. However, this time I was just in time for the Friday's Potluck that was organized last Friday. If I did take an extra week of vacation then I won't be back for this.

It was really nice to see everyone again since I been away from town twice in less than one month time. Very gracious of Ann's family to provide their home for the gathering.

I remember that we used to have potluck quite often when I was back in Iowa. Probably as student we have more time on hand to cook than we do now. However, since it's potluck, I made a point to bring one dish of homemade food myself, because it means more to me, just didn't expect that my simple spring roll would get so much good rating :). Proud cook.


Here is what we have on the menu that night:

燒酒雞 by 阿娟
蓮子甜湯 by 阿娟
義大利麵 by 大師兄
牛腱等滷味 by 大師兄
炒時蔬 by 大師兄
鮪魚莎拉 by 大師兄
水果 by 美麗
Wines by Wei Liang and Mia
Blueberry Pie by Amy
Spring Roll by me

Bon appetite....

Transiting in Taiwan

Currently in transit and waiting for my connnecting flight, couple more hours before I can touch down to home. With more time on hand this transit, I walked around the airport and found the very cute waiting room, with Hello Kitty chair. Here you go, the cute waiting hall.

Off I go...

In couple more hours I will be on my way back to Malaysia. So, most likely I won't be updating this site for the next 2 weeks unless I'm bore to death (very unlikely, don't envy me too much) or internet bugs are biting too much (more likely) that I will have to go online.

If not I will be back online in 2 weeks time. Enjoy your long weekend wherever you plan on going and remember to drive safely if you are going to be on the road. Happy Labor Day, all.

Stanford University

Prior to visiting Stanford U, I always think that my school in the little town in Midwest has a very beautiful campus. I was so wrong, there are more beautiful campuses out there (world is bigger than I thought, bleh). Stanford U indeed does have a very beautiful campus, which is why on weekend you will see people taking wedding photograph there.

I have been wanting to post some pictures for some time now, after each of my trip there but never get to it. So, I'm not cutting myself anymore slack this time. Here are couple photos just for you.


Clock tower, a landmark you will see in most campuses

The main courtyard

They have a church in the campus with very nice painting on the wall, a very nice little church

Everywhere else on the campus looks really clean however, when I stand outside the entrance to the church, I looked up and saw this, spider web. Maybe people just don't look up as much (wink).

As for myself, I haven't look down as much. This time I saw this on the floor, they have the year people graduated engraved the floor. So, I can't help it, I need to take a picture with the year I graduated (i know, I'm no Stanford U alumni). It's just an excuse to take another picture.
All in all, it is a very nice place to go for a stroll if you have time or if you are in the area. Next time I go, I have to look for the big sign with Stanford U on it.

Make way for tomatoes

I'm so excited to see those little round tomatoes growing on the tree after a month and a half taking care of it. Here is the proof:


Still wondering when it will turn red and becomes edible. Probably it will take another month. I really think I don't have a green thumb because this is the only plant that is bearing fruits out of all of those I planted. I'm not giving up though, as long as they don't die on me, I will try my best.

I planted some yellow cucumber couple days ago and it was growing nicely for now (more picture next time). However, it seems like there is something that is eating the sprouting leaves away. I'm so curious to find out what it is that I tempted to put a camcorder outside, but it seems like a silly idea since I won't be able to see since I don't have light at the garden. Hopefully it will turn out ok.

Next Station: Malaysia & Indonesia

Countdown: 3 days

I will be leaving for my yearly trip to go home to visit mom and dad. Although I go home every year (or once in 2 year, if I can't make it), I'm ever so excited about going home. No matter how far I'm away, deep down HOME to me is still back in the small town call Sitiawan. A place that give me warm and peace. As the saying goes, there is no place else like home and I agree.

This time I will be taking a short trip to Jakarta as well. Don't really know what to expect of Jakarta however, I do love the kueh lapis there. So, I guess I will have to judge after the trip.

Everyone of us would be home this time for mom's big 70 birthday, so this shall be a fun trip. So much catching up to do... ah, can't wait. Also can't wait to see this cutie at home.

My cutie pie nephew

Biking Around San Francisco

One of the sight that you will see everyday around the stretch of SF bay is bikers zig-zagging in the bike around town bicycles, with the black pouch hanging in front of the bike and a route map on the handle bar. Ever such a familiar sight. Is biking around SF really the best way to see SF?

So, when my friend asked me whether I wanna join him on a bike ride around SF, I'm just too excited. A big part of it is because I wanna say 'Yes, I did it', next time someone ask me whether I have bike around SF or not.

A must have group picture

Thus, on Saturday, I bike to Sunnyvale downtown Caltrain station to meet up with the gang, we took train all the way to SF. I was so surprised by the fact that the train was full (with mouth wide open) on a Saturday. At every stop, the Caltrain lady keep yelling for people not to board the train, a little annoying however can't really blame her since she is just doing her job. Never thought that so many people are really opting for public transportation these days.

We reached SF around 11.36 a.m., since it's Saturday, the farmer's market is open so we headed there for lunch. From there on we bike along the Embacacedero stretch, stopping along the way. It was definitely a very crowded Saturday. We bike all the way to the bottom of Golden Gate bridge. At first we decided to go all the way to Sausalito however, we think too great of ourselves. Most of us are tired by the time we reached the bottom of Golden Gate bridge. What do you do when you are tired? What else other than food and a place to rest (smirk on face), to ease the growling stomach and numb legs. It was a long ride to dinner. We went to Crab House at Pier 39 for some seafood. Something I have been craving for lately and I was a satisfied camper after dinner. The 'Crab Chowder' is just awesome, remember to try it next time you are there.

After dinner is time to go home. I reached home close to 10.30 p.m. What a day!!! The first time ever I bike for such a long period of time, the last time I remember biking for a long time (not even longer than this time) was at Anchorage, Alaska. I hit a new record this time. Today with my sore butt, I faintly remember I sweared after the Alaska bike ride not to do it again and somehow I forgot about it. Now back to the question, is that really the best way to see SF? Would I recommend it? Hmmm... other than a sore butt, I guess I would recommend it. It was a fun trip and I also get to exercise. If you know how to bike, try it out.

A lady's heaven @ Wu Fen Pu (五分埔), Taipei

... definitely a great place for any girls who want to do a little shopping while they are in Taipei. Don't get fool by just the look of this place, although it might seems a little rundown, it's definitely a gem. This place has almost the latest trend for those fashion forward and to make the place even sweeter, things here are sold at low prices so no big hole in your wallet after a shopping spree. The proof of their low price, you can see price tag of TWD 100 which is roughly USD 3. Furthermore, if your bargaining skills are good, then there are chances of you getting the good at even cheaper price tag. I do feel a little guilty for bargaining since the price is already so low. Heck, I did it anyway *grin*.

I was curious on the name so I did a little search online, here is a direct quote from this wiki:

Wufenpu (traditional Chinese: 五分埔; simplified Chinese: 五分埔; pinyin: Wǔfēnpǔ̄; Wade-Giles: Wu3-fen1-p'u3; Taiwanese: Gō͘-hun-po͘) is an area in the Hsinyi District of Taipei City, Taiwan. It locates at the foothill of “Sishoushan” (四獸山, “Mountains of the four beasts,”) and includes all five neighborhoods in Sec. 5 of ZhongXiao E. Rd., east to Songren Rd., and Zhongpo N. Rd. During the Chinese Qing Dynasty, is was the land of the “Malixikou” ( a Taiwanese aboriginal tribe.) In 1769, five families from Fuken Province, China bought this place from the Malixikou, that was how it got its name, (for “Wu-fen-pu” means “divide the land by five”). Most soil in this area was too poor to farm; in addition, there were mental hospitals and pig farms built in this place, and therefore it was thought to be the wasteland of the ignobility.

Wufenpu was mainly in the countryside until 13 years after World War II. In 1958, there was a typhoon that caused a major flood in Taiwan, called “the Flood of Aug. 7.” Taipei City was almost under water. To settle those veterans who were living in the back neighborhood of Taipei Train Station, Taiwan Province Government donated an area in Wufenpu, and the Ministry of National Defense helped to construct 1,200 one-and-a-half-story temporary homes for the veterans.

In 1960s, many people from FangYuan (芳苑, a town in Chang-Hua County, Central Taiwan) noticed that it was easier to make a living in Taipei and came to rent houses from the veterans. They used the first floor as a pret-a-porter (ready-made clothes) shop and the second story as their houses and the tailoring place. After a few years, the veterans all sold their houses to these inhabitants from FangYuan and many newcomers, and as of today Wufenpu is still a special pret-a-porter wholesale hub for clothes retailers in Taipei.

To get there you can either hail a cab to Wu Fen Pu or if you like the public transportation like me, you can take the subway to Houshanpi Station (后山埤站) and it is a short walk to reach there. If you are not sure which direction to get there once you get off the subway, just ask anyone on the street and you will get the information.

Too bad I didn't have more time, so just spend couple hours at this place, oh how I love to go back again, I heart this place.

Food Galores @ Night Markets

In the short span of time in Taiwan, I manage to visit the famous night market in each of the city. Night markets in Taiwan are famous for its small eats.

Tainan - Hua Yuan
Kaoshiung - Hsinshing instead of Liouho since it was not open
Keelung - Miaokou
Taipei - Shilin, Hwahsi Jie, Danshuei

There is always a famous dish for each of the city. For example in Tainan it is coffin cakes (棺材板), bread in the shape of a coffin which has been hollowed out and stuffed. Couple dishes that you can see in all those night markets are oyster omelette (蚵仔煎), chicken shawarma (沙威馬), stinky tofu (臭豆腐) and fish ball.

Basically a trip from the beginning to the end of the night market, you will have your dinner completed. Best of all you get to eat a variety of foods and it will not burn a hole in your pocket. One piece of advise though from my experience is to drink enough liquid if you are going on the night markets non-stop eating :) to avoid ulcer. Sharing my experience since at the end of my trip I had terrible ulcers and fell sick.

Aside from food, the shopping is also something not to be miss. There are lots of items sold there; for example, clothes, bags, shoes, trinkets, ironware, etc. There are also some games; customers can play the games by paying a few coins. One of the most common game I see is the mahjong game.

Out of those I went, Hwahsi Jie differ from all. In this night market you can see a lot of stores that sell snakes as local beliefs snakes are a healthy source of food. I walked past someone with a snake on his shoulder asking us to go in and try the food in the restaurant, urgh... I get goosebumps just from looking. In addition to the snake fever, there are also stores that provide massage services.

My impression of the night market is very similar to the 'Pasar Malam' we have in Malaysia except that goods sold in the night market in Taiwan especially clothing are more fashion forward and dirt cheap.

Taiwan - Touch Your Heart

Before we took off, we plan for a round the island tour of Taiwan although it seems to be rushing it since we were only there for a week.

Initial Plan:
TaoYuan (arriving) -> Tainan -> Kaoshiung -> Hualian - > Taipei -> TaoYuan (leaving)

However, due to the Phoenix Typhoon hitting Taiwan, we had to change our plan since it's impossible to travel to Hualian in that weather condition. Everyday when we turn on the news, you will hear news about so and so place being flooded due to rain from the typhoon in Hualian.

Actual Plan:
TaoYuan (arriving) -> Tainan -> Kaoshiung -> Taipei -> Keelung - > Taipei -> TaoYuan (leaving)

I was a little disappointed since I really want to visit the Taroko Gorge National Park in Hualian as Alishan National Park was not in our original trip planning already. I'm not so much into city besides shopping and eating, so I need a break to spend time with nature during any trip. All right, all right, I might be the weirdo, however I think we should see both sides of a country :P.

Our trip this time mainly comprises of national treasure architectures, temples, night market, couple famous tourist place, shopping and eating. There are still other places that I would like to visit in Taiwan. So, my conclusion is I would have to go back and visit this country again some other time :).

Nevertheless, it's a memorable trip since I get to experience a typhoon, had a toe nail taken out as a results from a incident during the trip, had a terrible ulcer and flu a couple days into the trip, lost my GPS charger and mount, and phone chargers.

08082008 -- One World One Dream

This is a date that every Chinese should be very proud of since it is the first time China ever host the Olympic Games, a moment in history, something to tell for many more generations to come.

I was fortunate enough that this time during my one day stop over in Hong Kong, there was an opening ceremony of some sort for the Olympic Games. They have the 'Fuwa' mascots for people to take picture with them. I will post some later after I sort out those photos. Save me a trip to China although I think the ambiance in China would be something not to be miss as well.

As we all know, the number '8' is an auspicious number for Chinese and I had a funny episode at work today because of today's date. A co-worker of mine came by and asked me whether I am getting married today or not since he said today is 08082008 and being that I'm a Chinese. With that the rumor started to spread around office that I am be getting married today. Every now and then another co-worker would walked up and asked me whether I'm truly getting married today, some would even say it's something to toast for. Ah... it's so embarrassing. I guess being the only single person in a team with all married people, I'm kinda asking for it :P, all those non-stop teasing.

There you go, I had a memorable 08082008 as well.

Next station: Hong Kong and Taiwan

Countdown : 1 day
I will be on vacation to Hong Kong and Taiwan this time.
I will be traveling on Cathay Pacific, that is why Hong Kong is part of this trip although it seems to be rushing it for I will only be in Hong Kong for 1 day. The main point of this vacation is really Taiwan.

I have always wanted to visit Taiwan ever since I started watching Taiwanese TV programs and dramas. It seems to be a very attractive country especially with varieties of food they have in the country. I can't wait to try them all :). I hope I would have enough time to fit everything into 7 days although I seriously doubt I can, I just have to try. We plan to travel around the island, however there are forecast of typhoon might hit during our visit. Still hope that it will not happen. Taiwan, here I come.

Germination process

There is a patch of land on the side of the house which is left empty. Since everyone is talking about organic food, I thought maybe I can grow my own vegetables and fruit as well. It is still a little ironic to me because I'm working in a high tech world and at the same time now I'm thinking about growing my own vegetables.

I have decided to start from the very beginning, seed. I saw the lady's finger or better known as okra here in US and brussel sprout seed while browsing through the shop so I have decided to try them. Being a gardening dummy, after surfing the internet, I learned a new word, germination. I have decided to give it a try instead of just planting the seed out of the package. After a couple days, miracle happens, it actually works. I am expecting that I would have to at least try it multiple times before I succeed, that is why it's a miracle :). Here is what they look like now in the pot.


This is sunflower, I love them since I think they bring a smile to my face so I have decided to grow some at my house to brighten any dull day.

This is brussel sprout, or miniature cabbage.


This is the okra, I still remember I used my brother used to grow them in our backyard when I was little.

I will have to transfer them to the patch of land. Preparing the land now and trying to see what else I can grow. Time to go gardening shopping now for other seed since I'm succeed this time.

Fig time

Remember the fig tree that I mentioned in my previous post? Previously I said I'm not sure how to tell if a fig is ripe or not. Now I think I know.

Last Wednesday, while checking on garden, I saw a bunch of half eaten figs on the ground, oh what a mess. I guess the fig is ripe and those squirrels are the first one to taste it. By looking at what they left behind as an example, I poke around on the tree and pick some before it is all gone. My first time eating fresh fig. I didn't expect that it will be that sweet. What a surprise.


Actually this is ripe enough to be consume.


This one is getting there too.


These are those I picked, however I think they are a little too ripe. Maybe I should have try to pick them a couple days earlier. Trying to beat the squirrel to those fruits are a little tough, just hope there will be plenty for them and us.

Hot Dog Bun

It is a long weekend and everyone is probably at their vacation destination enjoying themselves. As for me, this year I need to work this long weekend so no holidays for me. Oh well, at least I would not have to work Christmas I hope.

Since I'm staying home, I thought maybe I will do some baking. I found a bread baking book that I bought a couple years ago yesterday night while unpacking. After flipping through, I have decided to start with the easiest of all, a dinner roll. Since dinner roll can be a little plain, I have decided to make a hot dog bun out of it. To be on the somewhat healthy side, I decided to go with wheat flour. After 15 minutes of kneading this is what it looks like while I leave the yeast to do their work.



After 90 minutes, this is the end results of the hot dog bun I'm making. Not really what you get from the chinese bakery store, however I think it is close enough although comment I got from my first customer is that the bun is not puffy enough :). I blame it on the yeast being lazy and not doing their work.



I would not give up, hopefully the next time I try it, the results would be a better one.

Happy Independance Day

I'm not traveling this year for this long weekend and no BBQ for me as well. I went shopping today to get things for the house and also did some yard work. There are so much cleaning to do in the yard before it it presentable to people. Not the best July 4th I would say.

At first we were thinking to go up to San Francisco for the fireworks show at the pier, however it was a little too late to drive up there. So we decided to try out luck at the Cupertino fireworks show. The show started before we even got there so we would have to pull over on the road side to watch it. Not the best spot ever so I didn't capture good enough pictures. For those who didn't even catch a glimpse at all, here you go.





This is the best I can do for capturing the pictures from inside the car.
Happy Independance Day, y'all.

Taking it slow

It had been some time since I last take it slow, stay at home and do some baking. Maybe one of the reason is because, whenever I bake, we can never finish it since there are only two of us at home. Since I plan to stay home and just relax, and I saw the banana in my kitchen that is going to be bad soon. So I thought maybe I can whip up some muffin for breakfast tomorrow. So here you go, after 30 minutes, we have hot muffin off the oven and just in time for afternoon tea as well.



We have moved in for 3 weeks now and haven't gone over to our neighbors to say and introduce ourselves yet. While having dinner yesterday, our neighbors on the right of our house came knocking on our door with some fresh nectarines, how sweet of her. We even forgot our manners and didn't ask her to come in. Well, the house is not really ready for visitor yet so hopefully she will pardon our manners for the meantime. Maybe next time I can bake for them :), to get to know the neighbors more.

I think I will try to do more baking whenever I have the time. So, who wanna come visit me?

喜讯

今天因为有开会所以一早到了公司。
也因为这样所以在线上遇到了二哥。
他一句的说 “I’m going to be another baby father” 。
惊讶的我， 但是也觉得好开心。
家里又要有个新成员了。
我又要成为姑姑了。
明年的三月，家里有会有哭啼声了。
小小的哥哥将要有竞争了。
不知道会是男孩还是女孩宝宝。
真开心。
喜讯拥有能让人心情愉快的魔力。
我好希望从家里传来的消息永远都是喜讯。
希望宝宝健康的在妈妈的肚子成长。