Lunch @ Sum's Restaurant

When the rains get heavier, we decided to walk into a mall.

We found a restaurant with our surname ‘shen’ at the shopping mall at Nanjing Lu. Since it was raining outside, we decide to have lunch here.

Not sure how good the food is, we ordered the Shanghai version of ‘nien koh’ (glutinous rice) - Fried glutinous rice ; ‘Siew loong pau’ - the quintessential Shanghai cuisine; fried noodles, and ‘siew mai’. The siew mai is special because it contains glutinous rice instead of the usual meat.


Here are some photos:

Day 2 - A Rainy Day in Shanghai

When I woke up, it was a wet, wet day in Shanghai, as forecasted earlier. Our plan today is to go shopping at the famous Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road), and then later in the evening, we would be taking a train ride to Hangzhou.

We kept peeping out from the balcony at home to see if the rain has stopped. But it would not be, according to the weatherman.

So, with little choice, armed with our umbrellas and the little Kai Yan, we decided to go ahead. That's why, you can see us here with our umbrellas.

Can't take more photos, because of the rain, but manged to pose in front on the Nanjing Road landmark.

See the electronic board -- it is 372 days more to the World Expo 2010.

Taking a rest at one of the shops. It's quite tiring having to carry Kai Yan and to hold the umbrella. Of course, I took turns with my sister. Anyway, we managed!

Day 1 - A Walk Down The Bund

After a hearty meal, what more can we do than to take a leisure walk along The Bund - A strip of elegant buildings and mansions along the Huangpu River.











Walking along the Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen.




The Bund - Shanghai's waterfront promenade stretching for about 2 km along the Huangpu River is so scenic that one should not missed.

I enjoyed bracing the cool air enjoyed seeing the many activities, including aspiring singers belting their numbers along the river.


Also enjoyed the bright lights, and indeed happy having to stroll along this beautiful riverside promenade. Why can't we have this in KL??

Day 1 - Scrumptious Food

What we had for dinner tonight was not something we had earlier planned. The original restaurant that my sister had booked saw a long queue. After Chien Ming (my brother-in-law) met up with us at the restaurant, we were still waiting for our turn. God...we have waited more than half and hour or so.




So, CM decided that we must no longer wait and go to South Beauty instead.

Hmm, South Beauty does not suggest a makan place at all; more like selling clothers or cosmetics!


Hold on... the food was fantasically good and how I wish I could have more --- Sharon, forget about the weight and fat, for goodness sake!!




Here are a glimpse of what we had and how both of us were enjoying our dinner.



And of course, we had the little kids as entertainment.

Sharon 'babysits" Jing Ven before food arrives.

This dish below is chicken in spicy peanut sauce.


Yummy for me although Sharon keep reminding me of the soaking oil. Nevermindlah Sharon, otherwise our palm oil will be UNsold!!?






















Another interesting Hot & Spicy Pork Ribs (right).



















(Left) This is another unique dish (top) that I have never tasted elsewhere. Thin slices of pork to be wrapped with julliene vegetables, like our popiah.







Below (left) is Deep fried crispy mushroom.

The batter outside was cripsy and the mushroom inside was crunchy in texture. Thumbs up!!

Picture on top right are supposedly StuffedHot Green Peppers.
Unfortunately, after a few trys, I still could NOT found any that is reallllllly HOT !














And the finale of the nite was the steamed porcupine buns as dessert. So cute...to be eaten!












See how we are enjoying the food.....

Our Holiday Adventure in Shanghai - Day 1

Sharon decided to come along with me to Shanghai, despite the hint that I will be putting up at my sis modest apartment. Furthermore, travelling will of course with the kids! I think my sis is so bored in Shanghai so much so that she can't wait to see us at her home!!



Oops...Sharon actually travelled one-day earlier as she got her dates mixed up. So, I shall be meeting her at my sis apartment on 23 April 2009.




Upon touching down at Shanghai Pudong airport, I head towards Yanlord Garden, Pudong where I put up with my sister and of course spent some time with my little Kai yan.

This is shot was taken from the balcony of my sister’s apartment.


Very nice place to live in.

Our first place to visit was the Xinyang market (a.ka. Fake Market), which is situated inside the underground metro station. Here, I was fascinated by the number of things that they sell - Fake watches, bags, shirts, shoes, gifts, electronics, etc.

Of course, we have to bargain hard here - sometimes only to pay a third of their original asking price.

One vendor just gave in to my sister's bargain -- praised her, but implied she must be from Singapore!

I guess they may have encountered some "kedekut" Singaporean tourists before this.

Obviously, I had my share of fun to go along with what most people do when they come to this place -- fancy of making a tailor-made suit.

Here I can choose the design and fabric I fancy and get the tailors to make the suit according to my requirements.

Damn cheap -- Less than RM200 for a suit. Of course, I made just one - unsure of the quality. But after trying it out at home, I kinda like the pants. Will ask my sister's help to make a few more suits later.

After hours of shopping, our legs are failing us. That's when I discover that I have not eaten since last night's early dinner.

So, it is lunch time and to savour the Shanghai cuisine.

Off, we go to a nice mall (see photo on left) for lunch.

Look out for the next postings ---- what we had for dinner on Day 1!

A Short Break in Shanghai

I really miss my godson, Kai Yan. Don't know whether he will recognise me.
So, since I had so long leave before I report duty at PORAM, the first thing came to my mind was to make a trip to Shanghai. After a brief work-out on the budget, I finally set out to the airport on 22nd April night.


Here are some photos which my sis sent since she return to Shanghai last month.

No One Believe It? An April Fool Joke

Why are my dear colleagues so surprised or shocked? Why are my family members so shocked? My family members are persuading me not to leave.



I really feel very UNCOMFORTABLE in resigning becaus eof my loyalty to MPOC. Feeling uncomfortable because of the friendship that I have established over the years.





Frankly, I REALLY DO NOT HAVE these symptoms yet!


1. If it is Monday and I dread getting out of bed and dragging myself to work, then it is time to resign. On the contrary, I still get up very early and off to office by 7.00 AM.



2. If the job is boring and I'm day dreaming about where you I would like to work, then it is time to leave. No, I don't have time for that. Instead, I have to "day dream" on the captions for FORTUNE instead!


3. No reward for hard work. Definitely not the case. I must say that I'm very happy that the hard work has been handsomely paid off via bonus and increment.



4. Could it be the working ambience? Well, Maybe -- Pst..Pst actually I don't like my room after the renovation. Feng Shui no Good!






I feel stuck in a groove, actually. I'm beginning to feel the job has become monotonous!

I want change...I want to learn new things...I want to broaden my knowledge....I want to achieve something at least before I retire in 2019.......

My Journey in MPOC Ends ?

I thought I would never ever have to write any resignation letter, especially after 17 years 6 months 19 days with MPOC. But I just did last friday!

I've been trying to draft this resignation letter since last Tuesday - a day after I got the news.
On Monday, I was down with viral fever when I got the news. I wasn't too excited or happy as I was too sick to say anything. But, I gave my reply on Tueday --- to some, this was really a quick decision. Or was this thoroughly thought out? Was it wise? What prompted me?

Anyway, there's nothing to look back. A decision has been made and I have to continue my next path of the journey. My inner soul /heart was very strong and I had to listen to it!


It was quite painful, and somehow I got emotionally even before completing the 1st para of the letter. It took me quite a while to write this letter - this is something which is even more difficult than preparing the Progress Report. After all, I have not written one for such a looooooonnnngggg time !!!