Fish Head Trail - F4 USJ

Just running out of ideas what to post here. Then, I thought why not start to write on the fish head makan trail, which I have been enjoying. Furthermore, just last week Dr Tan invited me for lunch at this place, but we changed the destination when I told him that I've been on numerous occasions.

The F4 Fish Head in USJ was introduced by my sis-in-law some years ago. When I first got here many, many years ago, I never imagine a restaurant here, hidden in the middle of an industrial area. But, another discovery is there's a Badminton Court here as well!Business is still good here, which proves an important point that when your food is at reasonable prices, you will have a good crowd and regulars are coming back!

So, what's good here? Been here many times, but I have not try everything in their Menu. The following are the few dishes that I have normally eaten with my family members, colleagues and friends

The dish on the left is is steamed fish head with ginger (keong yung).

Very yummy, I like this the best, and without fail will order this every time we eat here.

Here is another version of the steamed fish head, i.e. "cheong ching" or fermented soyabeans with little chilli. This is spicy, but a bit salty. I still prefer the "keong yung" style.

The dish on the left is quite nice too. It is one of the F4's signature dish - homemade tofu braised with angled loofah (si kua). The tofu is very smooth and the silky sauce adds sweetness to the vegetable.

This pork knuckle was something we ordered during the Chinese new year, as it has a meaning on "wang choi chau sau" or $$ luck is just around the corner!!


The other two dishes below are additional dishes that complement the overall dinner, depending on the number of people. You can try the hakka dish braised "kau yoke" and also the F4 specially made fried taufu.

For A Satisfying Work Life...

The journey of working life to me is much like preparing for a journey. If I know where I want to go, I will plan the best route to arrive there quickly and safely. My career is where I have spent most of my life, and there are uphill and downhill (less!!) journeys over the years. But, I have been lucky enough to find a career that suits me, fit my passion and of course utilises my skills.

Making a good career choice is tough but the decision depends on asking myself some questions - and of course - being honest about them. Today, marks a very important day as it has been exactly three months that I left MPOC - the place that I thought would retire at.

You see we may plan our career as such, but at some point in our lives, I feel that there are something which are already planned for you (fated, I mean).

As "Fate" provides me the opportunity, it also provides a platform for me to ask myself some questions very honestly:

1. Am I earning what I believe I deserve? - Yes
2. Am I satisfied with what I'm doing now? - Probably not, too little maybe.
3. What do I feel passionate about? -Doing my job perfectly well, with no regrets
4. Is there anything substantial stopping me from moving/advancing further? - Of course, my gratuity!
5. What could make me happier? - Doing something different with more responsibilities

So, with those honest answers, I follow the "Fate". And that leads me to where I am today.

The moral of the story...

There is no Right or Wrong route in a journey. Your friends may say that you have taken a wrong route. How wrong they are!

The journey is decided by us, whether it is a short or long route, who cares as long as the journey itself is a good experience, a memorable one and a journey that we enjoy. Remember, if we are 'tired' or 'lost', just stop at any "R&R" or ask for advice, and keep continue the JOURNEY.........

Defiant, Disrespectful and Rebellious Teen

I just came across an article about defiant teens – defined as children that have no respect for authority and mainly disrespect their parents. Defiant teens, angry teens and rebellious teens can affect the entire family.

How true! Well, this is timely and real, as I and my elder sister is facing such person. I am sure my sister will find herself wondering what she did to deserve such treatment from her only girl!

I have deep thoughts about what happened at home 2-3 weeks ago, and after letting the anger subsides, I became rational and thought we ought to save this ‘little girl’ lost in the jungle, and trying to wriggle her way out!

Before that, I want my sis to realise that she’s not the only one out there having to face such a situation. Many families are experiencing this and many are still wondering “why”

Stop the wondering – that’s the 1st step! It is sad that the little young girl is very confrontational, but who is not when they are in their teens. Teenage years are a crucial part of growing up. At this stage, they love to explore things and when they are not permitted to do what they wanted, they will rebel
I remember, I was….and at that time, I also felt the same way, but perhaps lesser degree.

Here are some points I think we need to ponder on ourselves:

Too Strict Rules

When under the stern control of older folks, she will resent and rebel. It would be best if she be given chance to take part in making the rules and agree to the consequences that go with it. Just keep an eagle eyes over her!

Unreasonable punishment

She may not be given the chance to speak out and explain her side, and feels unfair. .

She wants attention
She feels nobody cares about her; none care to compliment her. In this desperate situation, she would do something to catch the attention, including poking herself with those needles.

Peer Pressure
Actually, this is the one I’m most afraid of. She may felt out of place when she wouldn't do what others were doing. She wants to belong to a group of friends, and is often guided by whom she gets along.

Can I make a suggestion to do something right now? I should stop “boycotting” her. Whether she is remorseful or not, I think she’s making an effort to made up. We must try to give her advice instead of being too hard on her. We must give considerations for some mistakes and give her chance to do the right thing with proper guidance.

No point putting the blames. No point nagging or scolding, because if these methods are ineffective, such flare would not have risen.

But, if we are kind enough to open up communication, kind and understanding in dealing with teens, I think we have taken a step to mould a young teenager into a good person.

Why not, try giving a room of her own and have some confidence on her to be a responsible young lady. Give a chance to decorate her room so that she’s proud to show to her friends?

Should we all take this FIRST effort…..PLEASSSSSSEEEE

A Sad Moment

At about 3.30 am this morning, I received an SMS that my 2nd uncle has passed on. Though I was sad, my Buddhist mind leads me to think that he has good karma to passed on this way. I just can't bear to see him entering the next phase of suffering in the days ahead like any other cancer patients.

When I visited him at the UKM Hospital on 5 July, I was prepared to see a very sick man just like someone I knew (see this blog http://ce5nt.blogspot.com/). But, fortunately, he looks fine and in my mind, I knew it was his karma and all the good deeds that he may have done when he's capable.

I really admire this self-made man. He has worked very hard all his life, and whatever fortune he has accumulated, it was all from his sheer hard long hours and much sweat. The kids should be very proud of him and indebted because he made sure that they have good education, a very comfortable house to live in, and any other dreams that any kids would dream off.

But, in April last year, the nice world seemed to have "crumble" down for the family when he discovered he had lung cancer. But in October 2008, he looks just fine when he came to my parents house during my father's birthday celebration.  I had the opportunity to just snap two photos of him, which I believe are the last two I have.

Like any C patients, he had to go thru the usual path, but more painful would definitely his immediate family members, particularly his wife. 

Such episode in anyone's life always send a strong message to me. It was urge me to look at another perspective of life, when I'm down.  "Always treasure our life and live it the fullest". Whatever small quarrels we had, whatever misunderstanding we had, whatever discontentment we had, we have to let them go....There's a lot of people who wanted to live their lives happily, but they didn't have the chance to do so.

So, I must appreciate all my family members whenever I have them. I must appreciate my journey of life, and live every moments of the path...

May he Rest in Peace...

May all suffering ends...

And May we ALL be well and happy

Journey to Rawang in Search of Black Tilapia

We finally set foot to Rawang in search of the Lan Che (sis Lan) Steamed Black Tilapia. So much has been publicised and we finally why not give it a try.


So, leaving SJ at about 4 something, we cruise along the NKVE and exit Rawang Tol. After tol, at T-junction, turn right, and following the road straight ahead. We have to pass Lafarge, APMC, and after Sek Men Taman Garing (something like that) on the left, we have to look out for the trafic light up the slope (on Left). Just following the road ahead, one has to pass by Shell, Petronas and BHP on the left. The restoran is just opposite of BHP.


Here are some photos that explain our food hunt in Rawang. Not bad for RM 149 for 9 pax. Dinner comprise of 5 steamed tilapia, 1 kung po cuttlefish, 1 vegetable, 1 deep fried prawn and 1 chicken ball (koo loh yook).













Now you see how the fish is GONE !!!





And how clean other plates are!!

Day 4 - ZhouZhuang Water Village

Sharon pointed out to me that we must not miss Zhouzhuang since we are already in Shanghai.

Zhouzhuang which is situated between Shanghai and Suzhou and only an hour drive from Shanghai, is actually a nice ancient water village, with many old houses with unique courtyards, canals and boats.

These houses are linked with pathways and arch fateways which present quite a unique view, which you can see as appended below.

If I'm not mistaken, these beautiful structures can be traced way back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties (if I'm wrong, can someone please correct this! --- I'm lousy @ history!!!)

The trip to zhouZhuang would not be complete without the mention of FOOD..

We had some simple local delicacies as pictured below. But one thing worth mentioning here is the cute little fish that resemble the priceless fugo fish. Of course, it is not fugo; it is known as barbel fish.

Its liver is so yummy.... Sharon dislike it though!

I also noticed some spelling blunder in their menu. See if you can spot them!

Day 3 - Exploring Hangzhou's Natural Beauty

The Alluring Beautiful West Lake (Xi Hu)

An old Chinese saying : "There is heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below."




This lake and its surrounding is a GIANT scale traditional Chinese garden.

The panorama is just so pleasing. Like Sharon rightly put it - It would be wonderful without the crowd!










The area around the lake was full of people, but the scene of wooden boat against the hazy pagoda and mountain, the willow trees swaying and the refreshing breeze really dazzled me.
























Well, we didn't have time to explore the rest of the West Lake, including the Leifengta (The Lei Fang Pagoda) and the shrine to remember the hero General Yuefei. But this may be a good excuse to come back again, next year, perhaps??