How To : Protect Yourself Online

According to Google*, malware poses an increasing threat to Web surfers. The search giant carried out in-depth research on 4.5 million Web sites and found 1 in 10 Web pages can successfully launch a "drive-by-download"—such as a Trojan—onto a user's computer.

So what can you do to protect yourself, your privacy and your identity? Here are five tips that should have you surfing more securely:

1. Use strong passwords.
With everything requiring a password, from your email, to your facebook, to download accounts and bank accounts, it's easy to choose a simple password to make it easier to remember. Unfortunately, this leads to hackers finding it easy to bypass your passwords and gaining access to YOUR information. Make sure that it's protected by using a strong password :

• must contain at least 8 characters.
• contains a mix of letters, numbers, and special symbols.
• must not be a word in the dictionary.
• should never be any personal information such as a name or address.

2. Secure your browser.
Oftentimes, it's easy to just click OK to every pop up that comes along. "Remember your password?" Click OK. "Always trust content from this publisher?" Click OK again. What you may not know is that you may be clicking OK to a hacker to access your browser. Increase security in your browser by always reading the pop up messages and understanding before you click OK. Increase the security levels of your zones in the browser, by using the Security option under your browser options menu.

3. Keep a clean cache.
Every website you log into will populate a cookie on your browser. Cookies are little bits of text files that are stored in your cookie folder, which essentially logs your IP, activities, username and passwords. They are also used to prove authentication during a session. For instance, once you have logged into your bank Web site, a cookie is created and stored on your system. If an attacker acquired this cookie, it could then be used to impersonate you. To prevent this, do not surf other Web sites while still being logged into a bank—or any secure Web site for that matter. Be sure to log out of the bank site because this will usually delete the session cookie.

4. Beware of phishing.
Websites that are configured to look like the real thing - frequent websites that are targetted are bank websites, shopping online sites and even car retails. Anything that is connected to something that you transact with either your bank account or your credit card. When you log in unsuspectingly, your details will be captured and leads to identity theft. For more information on phishing attacks and how to report them, please visit Report Phishing provided by US-CERT Coordination Center.

5. Verify a secure website.
Make sure the website you enter your personal information on is secure. When a site is “secure,” the communication is encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). There are two ways to verify that the page utilizes SSL :

1. The first method is to look at the address bar to inspect the URL or Web page address. It should begin with “https” rather than “http.”
2. The other method is to look for the lock icon. Depending on your browser, this icon will be located in a different place. In Internet Explorer 6 and 7, the lock is on the bottom right hand corner of the window. In later versions of the browser the lock is by the URL as part of the address bar. By clicking on this icon, you will be able to view the SSL Certificate by a Certificate Authority.

Ultimately though, it is your responsibility to ensure that the website is secure before providing any information on it.

Food Review : OXO Queensbay

We walked into the newly opened OXO Cafelab (check it out at http://oxo.com.my/). The website was very attractive and we were very impressed when we walked in. The decor in the place is excellent - most of the dining area seating is on couches which looked very comfortable. We picked the couch on a raised dais near the entrance. Good impression so far.

The manager however was a different story. We were passed a set of "express set menu" - basically it is just a piece of paper with about 5 different sets ranging from RM11.90 - RM22.90. The set comes with soup, bread, a drink, dessert and ice cream. When we requested to look at the ala carte menu, he told us not to order it as it will "take a long time". Somehow he was very reluctant to let us see the ala carte menu - why?!? It doesn't hurt to check out the choices, does it?

Anyhow, we browsed through the menu. Prices are notably steep - the standard chicken chop that you can normally get outside for about RM7 is selling for more than twice the price (RM15.80++). When our friend arrived to join us at the table, we were scolded by the manager for not telling him that we had a party of 3 as they had to re-set the extra set of utensils on the table. And this was after we had informed the waiter that we had 3 people in our party. We're obviously ticked off by his attitude.

The final straw came when my friend spotted about 4-5 flies sitting on the bread that was placed on our table. As we had been browsing through the menu, we had not noticed that they were on it. Yucks! The place was really infested with flies! When we requested to change the bread, the manager informed us that it's normal because of the swamp nearby. Erks... does this mean all the food has been visited by the flies before?

That's what we decided that enough was enough and took a walk... out of that restaurant. When the quality improves to something beyond just the decor, we'll be back. Until then, it needs some serious upgrades in terms of customer service and cleanliness.

How To : Go Green In Your Home

Help Earth Day by going green in your home. Here's some eco-friendly steps to take :

1. Freshen The Air.
Go the natural way - throw away those synthetic air fresheners as they do release toxins that have been proven to contribute to headaches, depression, ear infections and diarrhoea. Instead, try using some baking soda to kill odours, a bouquet of flowers for natural scents or try a bunch of pandan leaves (cheap alternative) as it absorbs bad smells and gives out a more fresh smell.

2. BBQ On!
But make sure to use a gas-powered grill because natural gas burns cleaner and produces 45% less CO2 compared to coal. It is also more earth-friendly than charcoal and wood which produce soot that add to air pollution.

3. Mow The Lawn.
Don't throw away the grass clippings after you're done. The clippings will decompose in days and provide important nutrients in the soil for other plants. And good news to the gardeners, it will help stifle the growth of some types of weeds. It will also help earth worms breed which is good, as they aerate the soil and enrich it with their waste.

4. Save Water.
Instead of washing fruits and vege under a running tap, wash them in the sink or a basin half-filled with water. You save about 40 litres of water this way.

How To : Boost Your Health Through The Power Of Green Tea!

Green tea brings a lot of health benefits. To brew a top-notch cup of tea, pour boiling water into a cup and let it cool for around 2-3 minutes. Add the green tea into the water and let it steep for another 2-3 minutes. Don't oversteep it as the taste and goodness will be affected. Green tea is best enjoyed after a meal.

1. Prevents Cancer
Drinking green tea helps to prevent cancer. Green tea contains polyphenols, which block the growth of cancer cells. According to research, women with breast cancer who drink at least five cups a day, have tumors that spread slower and these women are less likely to have the cancer return. Green tea also reduces the risks for esophageal, gastric and skin cancer.

2. Protects Brain Cells
The previously mentioned antioxidant, polyphenol, when fed to mice induced with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, helped to protect brain cells from dying, as well as 'rescuing' already damaged neurons in the brain, a phenomenon called neurorescue or neurorestoration.

3. Burns More Calories
Use green tea properties to help you shed extra pounds. Studies show that people who drink green tea with caffeine burn calories faster. Studies showed that average fat oxidation rates were 17% higher after ingestion of Green Tea Extract than after ingestion of a placebo.

4. Lowers Cholesterol
Lower your cholesterol with green tea. It lowers the bad cholesterol and supports the good cholesterol. It also prevents blood clots from forming. This is important since blood clots are the major cause of heart attacks and strokes.

5. Protects Teeth
Protect your teeth with green tea. It destroys the bacteria that produces plaque.

How To : Free Up Your Living Space

Ever find yourself sinking deeper and deeper into a junk yard... and the junkyard is your home, or your office? Things just tend to pile up while we're not aware and one day, we look around and we're up to our necks. Here's some simple tips to get rid of the mess and free up your living space.

1. Remove those dusty old decorations.
Remove your decorations, dust them off, then put back only the ones that look the best. Collections of similar items look best all together, not scattered everywhere. Get rid of dusty fake plants, especially those above your kitchen cabinets. Fake plants can clutter your kitchen and cabinets often look best with nothing on top of them.

2. Organize those bits and pieces.
Small things all over the place clutter up the space and they tend to get lost as well. This includes keys, cell phones, rings, accessories, and remote controls among other things. Find a place to put them, and always keep them there. Combine the practicality of keeping them safe and out of sight with something decorative - like a nice handwoven basket or a cute ringholder box.

3. Paper paper everywhere.
As much as our workplaces are trying to go all electronic, there's always still paper documents and memos hanging around. And at home, those advertising leaflets and brochures arrive by the ton. Not to mention all those bills coming in! Make sure you have a way to sort out those mails and brochures. Have a recycling box where you can toss the unwanted paper away and give those to the newspaper man when he comes to collect them for recycling.

4. Get rid of those old clothes.
Most people advocate the one-year rule, which is if you haven't worn it in a year, chances are that you won't. So get rid of those clothes and donate it for a worthy cause. There are many homes and shelters that are eager for good clothes. Take some time off to bring those clothes there.

Happy living! :)

How To : Mosquito Control Technique

I ran across this tip in a forwarded email. With so much dengue going around, I believe this tip will help us. I am trying it out and will update what is the outcome!

"Here's a tip that was given at a recent gardening forum.

Put some water in a white dinner plate and add a couple drops of Lemon Fresh Joy / Harimau Kuat Lemon liquid dish. Set the dish on your porch,patio, picnic table, park bench, or other outdoor area. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white plate colour, or what.

BUT .. mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead shortly after drinking the Lemon Fresh Joy/water mixture, and usually within about 10 feet of the plate.

TRY IT--- it works just superb! It may seem trivial, but it may also help to control mosquitoes around your home. Pass this on to anyone who likes sitting out in the evening, or when they're having a cook out."

How To : Detect A Stroke

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S - Ask the individual to SMILE.

T - Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)

R - Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

S - Ask the person to STICK OUT HIS/HER TONGUE. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

It is better to be safe than to be sorry.....

Food Review : Zi Wei Yuan Steamboat

This steamboat place is located in Butterworth, Jalan Raja Uda to be more specific. We had heard that this place was a very popular steamboat destination as the soup is boiled with yam. Pretty unique. When we arrived, the place was pretty packed.

The choices that was given were not a lot, and the choices are not scaled down to the number of people eating. Even if you come alone, you will need to order a standard plate which will easily cost you from RM4 - RM20, depending on the dish. For example, a plate of vege will cost you RM4, whereas a plate of scallops will cost you RM20. It would have been better if you can order a dish for 1 person, or 2 persons depending on your table party. Else, ordering a few dishes will easily cost you over RM100 and the amount is too much for 1 person to consume.

The soup was quite salty, it doesn't taste like anything special. Just that you will be able to see chunks of yam floating around. Also, probably I've been spoiled by all those steamboat buffets and huge amounts of food. Limiting oneself to a few choices does make the steamboat feel less grand.


The interesting thing is that the restaurant uses charcoal, so there were bits and pieces of ashes flying around and sometimes into the soup as well. Yuck. Not to mention that the sides of the steamboat tend to get black and flake into the soup. Double yuck.


Give me normal buffet steamboats that are cheaper and cleaner!

How To : Top 10 Tips To Get Ahead At Work

Whether you're vying for a promotion or just want to make a good impression, here are 10 ways to show you're dream team material:

1. Know the mission.
Align yourself with your boss' and company's goals and values. Make your boss' priorities your priorities.

2. Understand how you'll be evaluated.
Know precisely which skills, behaviors and accomplishments you will be judged on and rewarded. Focus on them like a laser.

3. Be dependable.
Do what you say you're going to do. Better yet, under-promise and over-deliver.

4. Project positive energy.
Don't be the one to whine or criticize the boss or company direction. Be a motivator: the person everyone wants to be around.

5. Make your boss look good.
Finish your work on time and with a high level of professionalism. Bring your boss ideas that will help him and the department and offer to take charge and implement them.

6. Own up.
Take responsibility for your mistakes by focusing on what you've learned rather than what you've done wrong. For example, "I think this project could have been better if we'd gotten the group's buy-in early on," or "Next time I would talk more with the end-users up-front..."

7. Be organized.
Plan your next day before you leave work. Rank your tasks by urgency and importance and make a point of doing at least the top two items on your list.

8. Be punctual.
Arriving for work or meetings on time (even early) shows you're enthusiastic, dependable and able to manage your life effectively.

9. Be resourceful.
Don't run to the boss with every question you have or setback you encounter. Think things through first. If you must report a problem to the boss, develop possible solutions to present.

10. Broaden your horizons.
Take advantage of company-sponsored training courses and volunteer for projects in areas outside your everyday expertise.

Happy working!

Food Review : Miss Saigon, E-Gate Penang

I've been craving for some tasty Vietnamese noodle soup, so I was excited to go try Miss Saigon - the Vietnamese cuisine shop at E-Gate. It was opened mid last year but I only had the chance to go recently.

Miss Saigon was pretty deserted when we went by, so we spent a few minutes debating whether to actually go in and try. The style of the restaurant was quite inviting though with soft lighting and interesting decor.. we ended up giving in to my craving. They even have the traditional coffee makers for sale (check out the stash at the back of the counter).


Of course, once we have stepped into the shop, what else could I order but the traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup? The pho was going for RM14.80, we felt it was pretty pricey for the dishes. However, the taste was pretty authentic and tasty, else it would have truly been a waste of money! The presentation was nice too, and the restaurant was not stingy with their vegetables.

Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

We tried another dish as well - too bad I've forgotten the name. It is chicken wrapped in the traditional leaves and served together with fragrant rice. Looks delicious and presentation was great, but the taste.. not so nice.

Unknown dish

Our rating :
Food : Go for the traditional soup dishes and the Vietnamese rolls (range from RM7-9) is not bad too.
Food presentation : If only it tastes as good as it looks!
Ambience : Very quiet and cosy.
Service : So-so. The lady who served us (believe she was the owner) was not very friendly and was casually attired in t-shirt and pants, the sight quite spoiled the environment!

Altogether, this restaurant was not that bad, just that it's quite highly priced for normal food. Only go for this if you're having those cravings like me and can't find another Vietnamese shop nearby.

Chinese New Year Break!

What else would be a better excuse for a break from blogging than the 15-day Chinese New Year? :) Having days to eat and visit relatives, friends and even those people that you have no idea that you were related to.....

Of course, no Chinese New Year would be complete without my auntie's most famous Lam Mee. Yum! I look forward to eating this every year... It is definitely the best, and of course that would be my most unbiased opinion.... LOL!

Loaded with prawns, vegetables, mushrooms, eggs and crab meat... it is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach! The secret soup makes everything come together and it tastes the best when mixed with ultra-hot sambal.

The Ultimate CNY Dish

And of course, a closer look at the ingredients....!

YUM!

How To : 5 Top Tips To Keep Happy At Work

1. Choose To Be Happy At Work.
It's a choice... it's YOUR choice. Think positively about your work. You can choose to be happy at work.

2. Do Something You Love Every Day.
Find something that you enjoy doing every day in your current job. Look at your strengths, skills and interest. Capitalize on your strengths and focus on the things that you can control and influence.

3. Make Only Commitments That You Can Keep.
Understand your capability and assess your ability to complete a requested commitment. Don't volunteer if you don't have time, else you will wallow in the swamp of unkept promises. Fulfilling those commitments will reinforce your sense of accomplishment.

4. Make Friends And Have Buddies.
Enjoying moments and liking your colleagues will help you have a more meaningful work experience. Take time to get to know your colleagues and build networks. In turn, they can provide you with support, resources, news and sharing.

5. If All Fails, Job Searching Will Make You Smile!!!

Food Review : Sisters Char Keoy Teow

One of the famous char keoy teow spots in Penang, the Sisters Char Keoy Teow is located along Macalister Road. It's tucked away in an unassuming corner of the road. Sisters started off with 2 sisters (hence the name!) as the pioneers and now the stall has been inherited by one of their son. Besides the famous char keoy teow, they also have jawa mee, wantan mee and an assortment of kuihs.

We ordered the medium plate of char keoy teow, it was a pretty small plate when it arrived. But there were 2 big prawns in the plate and the overall taste was wonderful! There was a bit of crabmeat at the top which it was originally famous for. For RM4, it was a pretty satisfying meal. Ditch that overrated and overpriced char keoy teow from Lorong Selamat and head over to Sisters. :)

Ultra delicious Char Keoy Teow

We also ordered the Jawa Mee and it is supposedly the original Jawa Mee in Penang (not sure how true is this claim). It was a bit pricey for a normal Jawa Mee at RM3.50. Anyhow, it made for good eating too. A good experience in one of the oldest coffee shops in Penang!

Just go for the char keoy teow. :)

Product Review : New Anglia Shandy Apple Flavour

So I've been a long time fan of shandy, especially Anglia Shandy. I even have a stack of playing cards embossed with the Anglia Shandy logo that I remember playing with during my childhood days. :)

So it was with great anticipation when I read in the Star newspaper article about a new Anglia Shandy flavour being launched in Malaysia. Called the Anglia Apple, it promised a fresh tangy taste to the lemonade beer.

A brand new twist on the old Shandy

We bought a couple of cans to try it out. And boy! I would definitely not recommend this drink to anyone. The taste of the shandy was totally overwhelmed by the fake apple-ish flavour. It came in with a bang.... but it sure does fizzle out.

Moral of the story : Stay loyal to the original Anglia Shandy - I'm buying a whole crate of them for Chinese New Year!

Food Review : Kenny Roger's Roasters, Queensbay

It's always a struggle thinking of what to eat in Queensbay Mall, Penang. Anyhow, we decided to head to Kenny Roger's on the basement level, despite some bad reviews that we've heard about the place.

It was pretty quiet in the restaurant, with just another table taken up by a couple. We hesitated but then decided to take the plunge and go ahead to order. We chose the 1/4 black pepper chicken with 3 sides and muffin for RM17.90++. We chose the mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and fresh fruit salad for our sides. You get to choose from 3 different flavours of muffin as well - banana, vanilla or chocolate. We asked for extra black pepper sauce which made the meal extra spicy and yummy.

Slurpilicious!

So, the story ends with a happy ending... fortunately! :)

How To : Make White Fungus Tong Sui

The white fungus tong sui is good for those with cough and those that need more "cooling" drinks for the body. It is suitable to drink after a spicy or fried meal.

Ingredients :
1. White Fungus (Peh Bok Nee)
2. Lotus Seeds (Leng Chi)
3. Pai Her
4. Dried longan (Ngeng Ngeng)
5. Rock sugar
6. Pandan leaves

The Ingredients

Steps :
1. Wash and soak the lotus seeds and white fungus in water for about an hour to get it soft. Remove the green shoot inside the lotus seeds as it will make the drink bitter. Remove any hard parts from the white fungus as well.
2. Wash the other ingredients and throw everything into the pot to boil. Make sure not to soak the dried longan in the water for too long as it will lose its sweetness.
3. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat to low and let it simmer for about half an hour.
4. Remove from fire and serve warm or cold.

The result

Travel Review : Gua Tempurung, Perak

Head for the hills!! Ok, so it's a cave in this case - Gua Tempurung. Located in Perak near Gopeng, the largest limestone cave in West Malaysia is easily accessible off the North-South highway using the Gopeng interchange.

We took a day trip to Gua Tempurung after hearing a lot of good reviews of the place. Upon arrival, we checked out the available tours there. There were 4 different types of tours. If you are aiming for the Grand Tour, make sure to arrive early as the last entry for this particular tour is at 11am.

As it had been raining the previous night as well as having some light drizzle in the morning, the wet tours were closed as the water level was too high and therefore considered dangerous. We settled for the Top Of The World tour instead.

The tour turned out to be pretty informative as we slowly walked along the pathway. The rest of the group had gone ahead so the tour guide stayed with us instead and gave us some tidbits of information. We were shown the various landmarks formed by the stalagmites and stalactites of the cave - the Cat, the Old Man, the Jellyfish were among them.

I call it - THE BULL.

As a last note, remember to bring along a complete change of clothes if you want to go for the wet tours. Sport shoes and a torchlight are mandatory. Most importantly, bring your waterproof bags around to protect your electronic items (handphones, car keys, etc) as you may get submerged completely in the water at certain points.

Food Review : McDonald's Cheeseburger

With food prices still being on the rise despite decreasing petrol prices, one can only wonder where to get a good and reasonable meal. Well, for sure, it would not be at McDonald's.

We ordered a large McValue meal and a cheeseburger a la carte. The cheeseburger alone cost us RM4.20 with the 5% government tax. Just check out how "huge" it is in comparison to the drink. :) Definitely not food that you can eat to fill up your stomach. Sure enough, we felt hungry again after 2 hours. Guess our tummies didn't need the regular 4-hour schedule to process that food.

It is not the first time I've felt that McDonald's just isn't worth the money (check out my previous post). Guess I'm going to be avoiding McDonald's for a while now. At least until the portions get bigger, or the prices get smaller. Both of which may never happen... but I can always hope.

Food Review : Victoria Station, Penang

Ahhh... what did Penangites eat for upscale Western food before TGIF and Chili's landed in Penang? Where else but Victoria Station, that restaurant famous for its train theme and confusing train schedules? (Has anyone else looked at those schedules and tried to make sense of it?)

Just to refresh those good-ole-days' memories, we headed back to Victoria Station for lunch. They had a fresh flower on our table, which felt like a class above Chili's and TGIF. We ended up ordering one of my usuals, the Fisherman's Platter which boasts of an array of seafood -scallops, prawns, fish and squid. And of course accompanied by the salad and fat fries on the side. The dish would not be complete without tartar sauce to dip all those fried seafood! The dish cost about RM27.90++ which I think is pretty reasonable for the choices of seafood that I got.

Cholesterol-inducing Fisherman's Platter

We got a plate of Baked Salmon as well, which came with baked potato (one of my favs!) and corn. Don't forget to ask for more of the potato fillings when they come around. The portion was quite big for the price (RM34.90++) and delicious too.

Baked Salmon, yum!

It was a good walk down memory lane. Personally, I'd still keep this place on my list of to-go places.

How To : Make Fried Rice Chinese-Style

Fancy eating in for a change instead of always going out to eat but don't have enough ingredients to make a whole 3-course meal? Why not try a simple dish like fried rice which is simple and easy to make?

Ingredients for 2 people :
1. Cooked rice (tip : cooked rice left overnight is best for this as the moisture has dried up)
2. 1 Carrot, diced into small cubes
3. Long beans, about 4 or 5 strands and/or chinese cabbage
4. 2 eggs
5. Diced chicken bits (optional)
6. Dark/Thick soya sauce
7. Chopped shallots and garlic

Instructions :
1. Pour some cooking oil into a heated wok.
2. Once the oil is hot, throw in the shallots and garlic and stir them until they are mildly cooked.
3. Throw in the chicken (if you have) together with the carrots and long beans.
4. Stir fry the ingredients until they start getting cooked. Add salt to taste.
5. Now add in the rice and mix well, adding the dark soya sauce for the colouring.
6. Create a well in the middle of the wok and break the eggs into the well.
7. Cover the eggs with the rice and mix well.
8. Once everything is cooked, it is ready to serve.

Home-style Chinese Fried Rice

Food Review : Ryoma Japanese Restaurant

Located along Jalan Tanjung Tokong, Ryoma is housed in an old refurnished bungalow and boasts of an authentic in-house Japanese chief chef. Incidentally, the website seems quite outdated compared to the actual menu provided at the restaurant. Make sure to flip through all the pages of the "real" menu if you go there - it has some hilarious captions in addition to the pictures of the food there.

Must be very nice, dear!

After entertaining ourselves with the captions, we decided to get down to the real business of ordering our food. The prices were quite steep if you compare it to "fast-food" Japanese restaurants like Sushi King or Sakae Sushi. The service was quite good however, we were given a private room and served with ladies fingers as an appetizer, free of charge!

We finally settled on the Ryoma Gozen bento set - the main attraction being the 4 blocks of raw salmon and one deep-fried salmon. It also comes with teriyaki chicken, vege tempura and salad. Since we chose the set, it also came with a bowl of rice, miso soup and chawanmushi. The price for this was RM48++. It was quite worth it to order the set. Ordering the dishes individually would have cost us much more as the chawanmushi cost RM10 if ordered ala carte style.

Ryoma Gozen

We also ordered the kake ramen for RM16++ (I tried to change the ramen noodles to udon instead but it would cost us RM6 charge for changing noodles, so no way!). The amount of food was just nice for the both of us and the green tea comes free of charge as well. The ambience of the restaurant is really nice especially when it starts to get dark. Remember to take a walk around the restaurant outside after dinner - it's a good way to exercise as well as enjoy the lights and scenery outside.

Walking it off around Ryoma

Product Review : St Ives Apricot Scrub (Invigorating)

The St Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub has been around for years. The product promises to reveal vibrant, visibly healthy skin and also making your skin look softer and smoother. I got it for less than RM20, alternatively you can also wait for special promos to get it at a cheaper price.


Technique :
1. I usually wash with a cleanser before using a scrub. Probably it's cos I have the paranoia that I'll scrub all the dirt into my skin if I did not clean it beforehand. :)
2. Once the face is cleansed, squeeze out about an inch of the scrub into the palm of the hand.
3. Apply all over the face and scrub using the palm for a more even effect. Do not scrub too hard or you'll end up doing more harm than good.
4. Leave on face for about 1 minute and then rinse thoroughly.

The result :
The face does feel a lot smoother, probably because of the graininess of the scrub - it has a very sandy feel to it when you first use it. Overall, it does feel like you're just scrubbing your face with sand from the beach. Therefore I don't recommend using the scrub daily as it will be pretty harsh on your skin. However, it's pretty refreshing and no negative reactions from using the scrub. I can definitely use this scrub in conjunction with my face mask from Simple.

Food Review : Bravo Italiana, I-Avenue Penang

We went for lunch at the somewhat newly opened Bravo Italiana at I-Avenue Bayan Lepas. The set lunches start from RM16.90++, which consists of their homemade soup, a main meal, drinks (choose from tea, coffee or iced lemon tea) and ice-cream for dessert. It comes with complimentary garlic bread, which was freshly done and warm from the oven.

We ordered the Black Pepper Chicken set lunch, which was the RM16.90++ set. The soup arrived first - it was homemade broccoli soup. Pretty tasty! The black pepper chicken was average - just the normal sauce over the fried chicken. It came with the usual sides of mixed vege and fries.

Black Pepper Chicken

We also ordered the Spaghetti Carbonara, which was nicely presented and delicious as well. Usually I tend to avoid creamy sauces because it does not taste good once the dish gets cold, leaving me with a mildly nauseated feeling. However, the spaghetti here was pretty good.

Spaghetti Cabonara

The Spaghetti Al Capitano was excellent - tomato based sauce and seafood. What could be better? The seafood was nicely cooked and did not have the "stale" smell that comes from old seafood. Make it a point to order this dish!

Spaghetti Al Capitano

Lastly, we ordered the tiramisu for dessert. The price was a bit offputting at first at RM12.80. We were wondering whether it would be nice enough to merit that price. However, it did not disappoint as this is really something that is a must-try!! It was creamy and had a pretty strong alcohol flavour to savour.

The delicious creamy tiramisu

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place as the price is not that expensive and the food is excellent.

Happy New Year 2009!

Little words are needed. Have a blessed 2009 ahead!