I Hate Funerals

I can't say enough how much I hate funerals. I know no one likes it. But I HATE it with a Passion!

So, why do I dislike it that much that I have to repeat the word 'hate' twice? Everyone knows funerals are to honor the passing of loved one(s) and pray that he/her may be at peace where ever the after-life is. However, it messes me up on the inside and because of that, I'll have another million questions running through my head!

Emotions are stirred up, tears slowly creep up and the body reacts to the solemn music and atmosphere. I'll try to hold it in as much as I can, but each time it gets tougher to keep them all in one place without 'exploding'. Then comes questions about my own life - purpose, meaning, legacy, etc, as I hear the life stories of the deceased and reflect on them.

Another reason for my loathe towards funeral is seeing a good person being taken away. We could use one more person like that, but instead of having one more, we lost one. Yes, some people have told me that I can stand in as a "replacement" of the good guy, until another one shows up. But, I'm no good-guy quality as the deceased was. It was natural for the departed ones, but it'll take me a lot more than just wanting it. And comes the debate of doing the right thing versus doing things right.

Long story short, I really despise funeral.

I'm A Generalist; I want to be a Specialist!

For as long as I can remember, I've been able to do so many things that catches my attention. I've tried, tested and know how certain things work (whether it's sports, scholastic, professional work, or even niche hobbies). But I hadn't had a deep interest in any of them. Thus, I only do a good job, but nothing great beyond that.

I've been a data entry clerk, waiter at a hotel, event management crew, break-dancer, rare stamps and coins collector, surveyor, sports "coach", champion school actor, runner-up rifle champion, team lead, 5-star Uber driver, volunteer at charity events, sales executive and many more. I've also slept on the streets, petrol stations and shopping malls. Why you may ask. That's a very good question actually. I guess I wanted to find out what is it that drives me to go on. Sometimes I even asked what inspires them to see if it could give me an idea.

I'm a Generalist. I had this mindset the very moment I realized that I can do anything that I set my mind to it. I developed my own methods, after much reading and learning of the current process of how things are done - applied them to my studies, work and personal life. They've been very helpful so far. However, comes the issue of my short span of interest after which I know how they work and when I find out that it's not what I want. This has been ongoing for years and years. While others are getting more focused into one (or a few areas) in work and in life, I think I'm too diversified. I believe that the reason I'm like that, may most likely be my fear of failing and that I'm doing all of this as a mere gesture of ensuring I have any general skills I need for survival purpose. Well, I think it's about time to let go of some stuff, make a decision and take a leap of faith - to be a Specialist!

On my journey to be specialist, since I'm been working as a consultant (fitting many roles, depending on the projects assigned), I'm still figuring which exact field I'd like to specialize in. I've recently completed a training with a certification (not participation ones) along with it. In addition to that, more questions have popped up in my head over the years, and it's being more specific too. I guess with more work and life experience, you'd get a better idea of the things you want or don't want. I need to also ask more experts about it, to make sure I'm on the right track as well. This transition isn't going to be an easy one! Wish me luck!

Keeping my fingers crossed!

End of Q1 2017

Man, time flies so fast, and I just realized that almost a full quarter of 2017 has just passed by! No kidding!

Looking back on things, a few things happened, and I'm glad at least I achieved a few good moments =) I've been pretty busy working on my career and at the same time ensuring that I enjoy life too. I even started a few side "quests" and can't wait to see the results of that by end of the year!

However, the question that still lies around is "Will I be able to identify my purpose in life, and what motivates me?" I know, I know, it's a 2-in-1 question but I'm greedy like that.

Well, all the best to me in finding the answer that! I'll keep "fighting" on, in any way that I can.

17122016 Secret Garden Chinese Restaurant

Hello, hello, and this is coming from a very cozy and posh place, called the Secret Garden Chinese Restaurant PJ (家園私房菜). A group of us FoodInkers are called in to review their new and upcoming steamboat menu. They've been known for their Chinese cuisines with home-like environment, so it's a surprise to many that they'd infused steamboat into the upcoming menu.

I'll be honest and say here that I've not heard been here, let alone tried their food yet. So, I'm pretty excited to see what will be served! I like the name of their restaurant, and when I got to know the reason behind their concept, I was more thrilled to get a taste of their food!

Secret Garden is located in Sea Park, PJ, but it's not exactly very visible (hence like a secret garden) if you're just driving around the area. Also, Secret Garden is themed in such a way, that when you walk into the place, it feels like coming home ("HOME SWEET HOME!") and it gives you a soft sense of security when you're in the place. The interior of the place is by far one of the most amazing I've seen to date - there's live plants, wow-ing wall paintings, feng shui, lots of space (something you don't see often today), and it's not just the traditional round tables, but also the long ones (which are for large groups of 10 or so).

 The panoramic interior view of the restaurant

The unique long table

The live plants and charcoal walls

The Secret Garden mural

Isn't it gorgeous?!

A feng shui setup with lots of woods and water running around

The display of the seafood that you can have!

Their signature dish - Signature Taiwanese Style Braised "Dong Po" Pork Belly

RM38 small, RM66 large

I was immediately in love with this at first bite!

They melt in your mouth! (Yes, read it twice please!)

Close up shot

Provided were some sauces and condiments to make our own style of sauces

We were shown some varieties, but I'm just sticking to soy sauce, lime and some chopped garlics

Then, we had the Steamed Free Range Duckweed Fed Chicken with Homemade Sauce
Have you tasted chicken which was raised for more than 120 days?
The meat is more tender and taste better than the normal ones.
Most importantly it's huge! =D

Note: This must be eaten when served warm, and if it is cooled down (no, it can't be reheated), the skin and meat will be chewy. For those that always "feed the camera" first, please pay attention to this, and don't say I didn't warn ya.

Pork slice! with some food decor 

(not the Santa and Snowman will not be part of your menu, LOL)

Some ingredients for the steamboat, brought to you by the fabulous mermaid

But the pork-slice-wrapped doll and this mermaid capture many people's attention!

Secret Garden Imperial Chicken Broth

(I'll put below the price and packages available for CNY menu)

Premium Wild Forest Truffle and Mushrooms Broth

(I'll put below the price and packages available for CNY menu)

We have tobiko squid balls, truffle balls, pork balls with mushrooms, fish slice, handmade fish paste, handmade prawn paste, seafood dumplings, chives pork dumplings

We were also enlightened by the Chef whom demonstrated to us how the handmade pork balls are made.

He made it look so easy, and everyone was like "I think I can do this too"

Video of Chef making the pork balls

And we were given a try to make our own pork balls!

Behold, my very own pork balls!!

(Don't cheekily smile there, I know what you're thinking!)

They also serve Yee Sang but of course, it's only available for the CNY package.

CNY STEAMBOAT Package 1

Price:

• 6 pax = RM388
• 10 pax = RM688 

Appetizers:

• Yee Sang with Salmon
• Taiwanese Deep-Fried Crispy Salted Chicken

Broth:

• Secret Garden Imperial Chicken Broth

Hot Pot Ingredients:

• Seafood Platter: Tiger Prawn, White Clam, Fish Maw, Scallop
• Sliced Pork Neck
• Sliced Beef / Sliced Lamb
• Handmade Pork Balls with Mushroom
• Handmade Tobiko Squid Balls
• SG Seafood Dumpling “Kao Zi” and Chives Pork Dumpling “Kao Zi”
• Handmade Fish Paste
• Mix Vegetables and Mushrooms Platter
• White Bean Curd
• Fu Chuk Skin (Bean Curd Skin)
• Udon Noodle

Dessert:

• Herbal Jelly with Wild Honey

CNY STEAMBOAT Package 2

Price:

• 6 pax = RM888
• 10 pax = RM1688

Appetizers:

• Yee Sang with Jelly Fish and Salmon
• Taiwanese Deep-Fried Cripsy Salted Chicken and Fried Sotong

Broth:

• Premium Wild Forest Truffle and Mushrooms Broth

Hot Pot Ingredients:

• Seafood Platter: Abalone Clam, Tiger Prawn, Geoduck, Sliced Snapper, White Clam, Fish Maw, Sea Cucumber
• Sliced Japan Sendai Beef
• Sliced Iberico
• Handmade Black Truffle Balls
• Handmade Squid Balls
• Handmade Pork Balls with Mushroom
• SG Seafood Dumpling “Kao Zi” and Chives Pork Dumpling “Kao Zi”
• Handmade Fish Paste
• Handmade Prawn Paste
• Mix Vegetables and Mushrooms Platter
• Homemade Organic Black Bean Curd
• Fu Chuk Skin (Bean Curd Skin)
• Taiwanese Bamboo Charcoal Ramen and Taiwanese Spinach Ramen

Dessert:

• Chinese New Year Special Dessert

Location:

Secret Garden 家园私房菜

7 & 9 Jalan SS 23/15,

47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Operation Hours:

Mon - Sun :

11.30am-3.00pm

6.00pm-11.00pm

Contact:

03-7887 6999

Note: This place is mostly packed on normal days, so I'd reckon you quick reserve a table with them if you're thinking of having a CNY meal there.

10122016 Friendsmily Steamboat House

It's been a long while since I went to a steamboat house, and was grateful to be invited by FoodInk to Friendsmily Steamboat House (FSH) to try out some of their menu!

First, a little background on the place. While it's recently opened (Nov '15), the main business is actually from Kingfisher Seafood Mart (KSM) who has been in the business of selling fresh and frozen seafood. You can actually buy the seafood from KSM and have FSH cook it for you. How cool is that?! However, there'll be surcharge if you require them to steam is a specific manner (you'll find out more when you're there!)

Not sure if there was a label error, but I kinda thought this was snails

Up close shot

This is one mean crab, I tried to get closer, and it reacted to me (like all the time!)

Thank goodness its pincers were tied up, else I'd be needing 911, lol

the prawns are super active!

Here's a short video of them.

Something's caught their attention?

Surcharge for steaming the seafood.

This is what I mentioned earlier.

Had a good tour around the KSM, and I must say the prices here are very good compared to the local supermarkets! I'm definitely interested in coming back to get some stuff, especially the scallops and seafood tofu! After the tour, went back to FSH to find that lots of food prepared!

CHECK IT OUT!! We've got all the good stuff yo!

Don't think I'll need to spell out the items on the table.

Take a look for yourself!

Close up shots

This here is the Wintermelon Pot.

Honestly while this looks absolutely stunning, I didn't think it's practical at all.

We had a tough time to cook the ingredients and to scoop them up.

But was it any good? It's darn AWESOME!

Love the taste!

If it wasn't any hassle, I'd reckon this is hands-down-you-must-try!

In case you're wondering what's on the other pot,

it's the 1/2 Plain Soup and 1/2 Sweet Corn Tomato Drumstick Pot
They're nice and tasty, but I'd still prefer the soup in the Wintermelon pot

Camera "eat" first.

Many of the FoodInkers were busy capturing the food

I figured I might as well so something too!

Seafood Pan Besar (Talapia)

This is one heck of a meal!

You get mussles, scallops, prawns, abalone slices, sotong, clams, and of course the talapia fish too!

You can check out the prices below and for more info.

They've even got some menu packages which includes Yong Tau Fu !

Sweet deals!

Close up shots

Capture of the menu listing for you! =)

Another shot of the Wintermelon Pot with lots of food in it!

Even caught a video for you!

If you're into fresh seafood, then there's a good recommendation for you! You can get some grocery shopping done, and optionally eat them immediately after purchase! Hahaha.

Location:

Friendsmily Steamboat House

No.7-1 & 9-1,

Jalan Damai Perdana 6/1B,

Bandar Damai Perdana, 56000 Cheras

Contact: 03-91079374

Note: Kingfisher Seafood Mart, is just below it. 

Don't miss the chance to check them out too while you're there!