Not So Fast But It's Furious

It has been like ages ago since I went to the cinema to catch a movie. The last time I watched a movie at the cinema was with my dear in TGV Cinema and if my memory serves me well, we watched Bedtime Stories starring Adam Sandler. After a tiring day going to Qing Ming, my family decided to watch something that really kicks ass. Off we go to Gurney Plaza's GSC to catch...

Name: The Fast & Furious 4

Language: English

Date of release: 3rd April 2009 (USA)

Director: Justin Lin
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster

The story heads back the streets of Los Angeles where it all began, two men rejoin two women to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across L.A. and floor through the Mexican desert. When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Connor. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

What I can say about this movie is that it really picks up the missing pieces between Fast & Furious 2 and 3. The missing link whereby at the end of FF3 in which Dom appears and mentions Han was a brother of his were revealed here on FF4. The movie really catches up to expectation, lots of familiar faces if you still remember them from the past FF movies, although I heard a lot of negative comments by my friends where it lacks of races and fast cars zipping through the big screen. I have to concur with what they say. Comparing to the predecessors where you will see how a tuned car can really speed, this one does not. The reason why this sequel gets the "sitting on the fence" critics is because this movie tries to fill up the gap, the missing pieces here and there as well as trying to tie up a story plot into it.

It may sound confusing from my perspective but every penny that's being put to go to the cinema to watch this movie is a must for every hardcore car fan. For those who are not, you will still enjoy the sequel of this movie, just like reading a Harry Potter book; it's a movie you will definitely wanted to go for if you already watched the previous 3 FF movies. The reason why I say it's not so fast but it's furious is because it's indeed not so fast (where are all the tuned fast cars?) but it's furious (lots of action, keeps you awake throughout the movie). Even my mom who used to sleep at the movies managed to kept her eye lids wide open because of its blistering non stop action. Overall, this movie still packs the oomph, beautiful women, fast cars (lack of races though), the action and of course, the original stars of FF! Oh! For those who doesn't even know what the Fast and Furious sequels are all about, don't bother watching. You will not have a clue what this movie is all about if you don't watch it from the beginning of the FF series.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Qing Ming

Waking up early in the morning to go for Qing Ming (chinese All Souls Day) is a very tedious thing to achieve; especially you know that you will prefer to be in the your warm and comfy bed having sweet dreams; only to be kicked out of bed by your parents in the end. My grandfather used to tell me that every year, Qing Ming falls on 5th of April without fail. Qing Ming is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox). Families will head out early to the graveyard of our ancestors, to clear the overgrown weeds that engulf their grave and of course, to feast on the food that one family can bring to the graveyards for prayers.

Now I have seen bizzare cases where people will bring at least a few carts of roasted pig's to the graveyards (I don't mean 2 or 3, what I saw was almost a dozen roasted pig). You will see a huge family gathering, laughing away and eating merrily while their maids will do all the gravesweeping. These families will then burn fire-crackers, made a mess out of the graveyard with the left over food that they cannot chew and leave. Out of this, stray dogs, ants or birds will happily feasts upon it. You will only see this kind of scenario on the exact day of Qing Ming. Qing Ming is normally celebrated in between 10 days before the exact day or 10 days after the exact day.

What's in store for me this year is lots of weed and of course, soft muddy grounds as I climbed the hills of Kubang Semang. The poor ground conditions were due to the rainfall that has been taking place every evening for the past week. It's ideal to start the climb as early as possible, just before the sun starts to shine. As far I as I can count, my family has 5 graves to sweep on that day and we did start as early as possible. It was a tiring ordeal. By the time when we're done, it's almost 10a.m. The sun is searing hot and I know I am starting to feel de-hydrated. The day is not yet over as we made our way to Bukit Berapit Crematorium for another visit to the deceased closer to heart, my beloved grandparents.

As I sat quietly in the crematorium; gazing over the urns of my grandparents, I recalled every single moment of their passing which brought a tear to my eyes. I do miss them... it has been almost 7 years ever since they've moved on. I don't know what others see in Qing Ming festivities; but to me, it gives me the opportunity to think of the years that has passed ever since my first Ching Ming visit up till now. As we made our way home from a tiring day sweeping graves, mom said this to Cindy "At least his father will not be too worried. In the future when we are no longer around, at least they still know how to go and grave sweeping with their children." Me and my little brother sits quietly and wonder if our children will be happy to follow us to gravesweep in the future or perhaps the tradition ends with us when we leave this world?

** This posting has no pictures posted as I don't think a picturistic moment taken at the graveyards will be an entertaining thing to see. **

Saturday Night Out

Another weekend came and gone just like that. What can I really say about the weekends other than "It's another boring weekend!" Dang it! What am I suppose to do anyway other than the daily routine of cleaning up my own room, watch some TV, catch up with some sleep or perhaps indulge myself for hours building Gundams. If not, my entire weekend will go to bust as there's nothing for me to even write about. I led a boring, unattractive life... I need help to transform my weekends from sucking dull to interestingly attractive one.

Mom came back from Hong Kong on Saturday night along with my little brother and Cindy. They went for a shopping spree there and guess what? Cindy bought half a dozen pair of shoes and sandals for herself!!! The power of a woman shopping in Hong Kong! The buying power is really huge! **sweat** So after fetching them from the airport in the evening (Cathay Pacific flies from Hong Kong to Penang once a day only), time to go look for dinner. As it was pouring out there, we need to find somewhere that no one gets wet that easily. We resolved to having Chinese food for dinner at the Crystal Jade Restaurant, Crystal Point, Bayan Baru.

As mom and the rest are selecting dishes for dinner, I've managed to do a few picture snapping of naughty little Marcus (my nephew). He loves to make faces when being asked to do so. My very naughty little nephew indeed. Hehe!

What we had for dinner... ahem! Let me introduce you to the claypot Tofu with mixed vegetable.

Steamed fish in claypot seasoned with soya sauce (recommended by sister, I can't really taste the significance between a normal steam fish and this one).

Stir fried Bak Choy with garlic.

My personal favourite, sweet and sour pork!

Mom suggested that we order dessert after dinner and so we did! First off, chinese style pancake.

Red bean soup with dumpling.

Peanut soup with dumpling.

While mom ordered Suet Kap with a dash of ginseng roots.

Overall this place serves rather good chinese food compared to Goh Teo Kee around Sungai Nibong area. Other than Domino's Pizza, Sri Wan Thai Restaurant, Chef & Brew; this cuts the cake if you are looking for something nice to dine with family around Bayan Baru area. I'm giving this place a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Some dishes are pricey but for the money you pay for the air-conditioned restaurant environment, you can't complain. Good services and the food serves up without long wait or delays.

Malaysian Politics On The Lighter Note

I've found something on youtube back a few months ago something that could cause laughter to the locals if they heard this song. With fresh by-elections happening next Tuesday (7th April 2009), its great to put something up about the local politics once in a while.

Malaysia 2008 elections really brought a new zest of life to the country. The main stream Malaysian government party, the Barisan National, which consists of major parties like UMNO, MIC, MCA and a few other smaller parties were rocked to its foundation when they took a heavy beating, losing at least 6 out of the 14 states. From this itself, a lot of MIC and MCA party figureheads lost their seats to the opposition which resulting humilation to themselves as they always thought that their seats are safe and the society are happy with what they have done for them.

Malaysian politics were not being spared as well from getting the public caning, turning it into a joke (which is still acceptable or else, those who made fun of it would have been under the ISA-Internal Security Act; already). Here it is... the video.

Do try to sing along as I find it entertaining and it's really funny. Haha! I've managed to copy down the lyrics as well.

China man, who become Ali Baba man;
With UMNO man, who get bumi putra plan;
The work the Indian man;
He sub illegal immigrant;
And everybody's happy.

So the China man, from the opposition;
Take over government, and cause the frustration;
And now the UMNO man, With the contract in hand;
He turn around, to Ali Baba and said,"What lah! Man how can this happen, tell me."

Why MCA?
How can you loose your seat now
Why MCA???
You know election has come;
You should have pay more up front;
Now we all bang balls, opposition has won.

So Chai, So Now, So How;
So Why MCA?
So Chai, So Now, So How;
So Why MCA?
Last time its Mao Tah Teng, With Ong Ka Ting;
Now all got open tender how to Kao Tim?

So Chai, So Now, So How
So Bye MCA!
So Chai, So Now, So How
You Lie MCA!
You say that transparency, will lead to bankruptcy;
Chinese got straight hair, how much straighter can we be?

We are the ones who started HALAL money;
We are the trusted nominated proxies;
Say you we change policies;
Tell people don't see the KERIS;
Let Ali Baba do his business and his deals.

So Chai, So Now, that's how you Lie MCA!
So Chai, So Now, if not you Die MCA!
So Chai, So Now, so that is Why MCA!
So Chai, So Now, you have to Cry MCA!

So Chai, So Now, that's how you Lie MCA!
So Chai, So Now, if not youDie MCA!
So Chai, So Now, so that is Why MCA!
So Chai, So Now, you have toTry MCA!

Staying In On Rainy Days

It's the monsoon months again where rain do came crashing to earth more frequent these days. As you know that during these rainy days you will want to avoid going out because of the massive jams that can be created because of sudden floods or perhaps because of the unsafe condition of the roads, I've decided to stay in.

As you can see on the picture which was taken at the balcony, you could see from a distance that heavy rain is coming, accompanied by strong gusty winds. So... what would I do when I stayed home after work during the rainy evenings then? I guess the word "BEING LAZY" suits me best because I had became extremely tired of going out to look for dinner. Having to go out looking for dinner every single night is a tiring ordeal. By being that lazy, I had to go and look in the cabinet what's there to eat. Look what I found.

A can of Campbell's Chunky, Hearty & Filling Roast Chicken & Vegetable soup! Sounds a bit too long for a name. My first experience with this can of soup came when I was in the United States for my work back in 2005. Back then, these babies are packed in microwavable plastic containers where all you need to do is to pop it into the microwave; give it 2 minutes of reheat; and it's good to eat. And what's being sold here in Malaysia (you can get this deliciously yummy soup at Cold Storage) are a bit different, perhaps it needs to be packed and sold in cans rather than plastic containers. What surprises me the most is this... it's made in Australia! I've never seen this soup in Australia when I was studying, probably I've missed out on it.

So what's packed in this little can of soup?

What I did is to pull out a pot, and empty the can of soup into the pot. Fill up at least 1/4 cup of the can with warm water (now you won't want to use tap water because this soup is pre-cooked, so it's best to use cooked water) and mix it into the soup. Turn on the fire on the cooking stove, remember to let it boil on low fire, we are not deep frying so we don't need a high volume of fire on the stove. Make sure to stir while boiling to get an even taste of the soup that's mixed with water. Top it off with some ground pepper once it's done and Voila!! A bowl hot soup on a rainy day.

Now don't be surprised what's really in store once you scooped the soup. You get chunks of meat with potato, carrots, celery and peas! Trust me, it's worth the wallet.

Capping it off with some bread spreading with butter, and with my trusty I-pod filled with unwatched movies, now that's a pretty good rainy night in.