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!