HEAVEN ON EARTH

Seafood Dinner

2010-11-20T06:28:00.000-08:00

This is like the longest time since i last post. Not sure if i am just plain lazy or plain busy. But i think i should start blogging more food.

Did have a seafood night tonight, which was excellent we almost finished up everything. there was like fish, crabs, prawns, mussels, oyster. You name it we had it...

It took me about 1.5 hours to prepare all these delicious food. But it was well worth it

Starcraft 2

2010-09-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Just recently bought starcraft 2 because my housemate Pep was playing, so most nights been trying out this new game.

Its abit like warcraft where you play online with friends or people.

So the past few weeks have been trying this new game.

Which is why i have not had time to blog .

Note to self : set time limit for games... This way you will not spend too much time on it

The Greens begin their anti-christian view

2010-09-20T08:20:00.001-07:00

Anglicans oppose euthanasia move

Barney Zwartz

September 21, 2010

LABOR and the Greens have shown a lack of integrity by moving on voluntary euthanasia straight after the election rather than before it, Melbourne Anglican Bishop Philip Huggins said yesterday.

Bishop Huggins has asked the national parliament of the Australian Anglican Church, now meeting in Melbourne, to affirm the sanctity of life as God's gift. The motion says: ''Our task is to protect, nurture and sustain life to the best of our ability.''

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He told The Age he was shocked at the report yesterday that Prime Minister Julia Gillard was backing a conscience vote to restore the power of the territories to allow euthanasia. The Howard government overturned a Northern Territory decision to allow it in 1997.

Bishop Huggins said: ''This was not a matter of pre-election debate. Would people have voted the same way if they knew a Labor government with the Greens would, as a near-first action, promote a conscience vote on euthanasia?

''There would be more integrity in foreshadowing this proposal before an election rather than immediately after. It should have been made plain during the election campaign. There should be a broad-based public debate.''

Greens leader Bob Brown tried to legalise euthanasia in 2007, but both main parties voted against his motion. In 2008 Senator Brown twice introduced a bill to restore territory rights over euthanasia, and the latest move is his third attempt with that bill.

Bishop Huggins said the motion, reaffirming the traditional Christian view, showed the Prime Minister and Parliament that the church would not be silent on this issue.

''We've all been close to people who have had a hard and difficult death,'' he said. ''We have watched and prayed in some anguished places, and can well understand why the idea of euthanasia attracts support.

''However, we also understand what a threshold we cross when our efforts are not focused on protecting life, and providing comfort and pain relief until life ends.''

His motion probably cannot be put to the synod until Thursday, but Bishop Huggins expects a resounding affirmation.

Sydney Archbishop Peter Jensen said he was immensely sympathetic to the motives driving the push for voluntary euthanasia, having watched his mother die. But those pushing for it were out of touch with the reality of human nature.

''It will be a very bad thing for Australian society to break down the key barriers which stand between us and a brutal world,'' Dr Jensen said.

The Victorian Greens said it was ''inevitable'' euthanasia laws would again be debated by State Parliament. Greens MP Colleen Hartland said she would press Attorney-General Rob Hulls to refer the issue to the Law Reform Commission, so the right to die laws could be dealt with by Parliament in the same way as the decriminalisation of abortion.

In 2008, a conscience vote of upper house MPs defeated a euthanasia private member's bill.

Margaret river

2010-08-30T04:39:00.001-07:00

The Margaret river tour this round with my brother was fantastic because we discovered a couple of really good wineries and get to eat Truffles.

If you are down at margaret river don't forget to go to brown hill estate, the wine is absolutely 1st class. Too bad we did not buy more.

The whites especially the chardonnay is something to die for. I reckon its better than Voyager Chard.

We also get to try the truffle tour which was really interesting. Too bad Christabelle could not go because no babies were allowed.

But please !!! Bear in mind manjumup is NOT near .... 2 hours drive... this is one mistake i will not make again.

Had to wake up at 6am to drive from Margaret river to Manjimup.

New house photos

2010-08-27T19:29:00.001-07:00

Updates !!

2010-08-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

Its been awhile since i blogged and I can only say its been a busy very weeks and a hair-raising one too. are

August will be a very busy month.

My brother is coming on the 19th Aug, I am cooking for church next week ( yes its been awhile since i get to cook for the Sunday crowd. - Some aunties have been asking me to cook so I will) , nmy is organising Master chef competition but I am not sure if i can make it. Then we have the house build to deal with as well as starting the food blog.

Yes ! My food blog will be out pretty soon. Took me awhile but it will be wholly devoted to one thing i love - FOOOOOD...

I will review restaurant, my brother will review wines and also i plan to put in some really creative and simple recipe

Cooking delicious food in 15-20 min... how about that !!! I sort of perfect the art while having to cook fresh lunch for my wife every day. And usually i wake around 6.30 and prepare the lunch by 6.50am and after a quick shower, out i go to work by 7.15am.

And yes the election is around the corner !!!

Gillard or abbott ? Who is the lesser of the 2 evil ? You decide.

Election around the corner.

2010-07-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

Australia election is around the corner and we are in the position to vote, or should i say my wife.

We have 2 choice Liberal or Labour. Well, I am not really a union supporter especially the CFMEU, with so many bully cases. I suppose we will need to looks closely at the policies and decide.

ETS ? ETS was the big turning for Labour and Mr Rudd. Is ETS good or bad ? While simply put ETS may seem good for Environment but costly for ordinary people because Bills will go up, the worst thing is we are the only country trying to implement that when the big polluters are not.

Personally rather then trying to trade COs with ETS. I would much prefer the government set budget to develop renewable energy. I heard scientist have now been able to use water and by hydrolysis create Hydrogen for combustion.

We should look to new clean source of energy rather then try to tax emission because this is counter productive. Incentive rather than penalties should be the rule of thumb

Interesting news

2010-07-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

The recent report of a person till 130 makes me wonder what it would be like to live forever. It makes me wonder if technology will one day be advance enough to the point that human can live forever.

I did a research online and found out that scientist are learning how to reset your cell so that you can live much longer.

I do think it will be interesting when mankind start exploring cell regrowth. Where just like a car you can replace any part of your baby that needs to be replace. Even the the though of half human half cyborg may not be a too far off.

But for now we can only wonder with amazement how a person could live until 130 years old.

Georgia claims it has world's oldest person, 130

By MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI (AP) – Jul 8, 2010

SACHIRE, Georgia — Authorities in the former Soviet republic of Georgia claim a woman from a remote mountain village turned 130 on Thursday, making her the oldest person on Earth.

Antisa Khvichava from western Georgia was born on July 8, 1880, said Georgiy Meurnishvili, spokesman for the civil registry at the Justice Ministry.

The woman, who lives with her 40-year-old grandson in an idyllic vine-covered country house in the mountains, retired from her job as a tea and corn picker in 1965, when she was 85, records say.

"I've always been healthy, and I've worked all my life — at home and at the farm," said Khvichava, in a bright dress and headscarf, her withering lips rejuvenated by shiny red lipstick. Sitting in the chair and holding her cane, Khvichava spoke quietly through an interpreter since she never went to school to learn Georgian and speaks only the local language, Mingrelian.

Her age couldn't immediately be independently verified. Her birth certificate was lost — one of the great number to have disappeared in the past century amid revolutions and a civil war which followed the collapse of the Russian Empire.

But Meurnishvili showed two Soviet-era documents that he says attest to her age. Scores of officials, neighbors, friends, and descendants backed up her claim as the world's top senior.

The Gerontology Research Group currently recognizes 114-year-old Eugenie Blanchard of Saint Barthelemy, France, as the world's oldest person. The organization is yet to examine Khvichava's claim.

Khvichava has a son, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and six great, great grandchidren.

Khvichava's 70-year-old son Mikhail apparently was born when his mother was 60. She said she also had two children from a previous marriage, but says they died of hunger during World War II.

Although Khvichava has difficulty walking and has stayed largely in bed during the past seven years, she makes a point of hobbling unaided to the outhouse on the other side of the yard, loathe to be a nuisance, Mikhail said.

Though her body has all but quit on her — her fingers cramped and deformed by age mean she can no longer maintain her love of knitting — relatives say her mind remains sharp.

"Grandma has a very clear mind and she hasn't lost an ability to think rationally," said Khvichava's granddaughter Shorena, who lives in a nearby village.

To mark the centurion's birthday, a string ensemble played folk music out on the lawn, while grandchildren offered traditional Mingrelian dishes like corn porridge and spiced chicken with herbs to all guests as the party.

Busy Busy Week

2010-07-16T06:46:00.001-07:00

Week flew by really quick and its already middle of July. I need to start putting up the latest photo of the house building.

Most of the bricks are up and tom we are going to see another kitchen builder to get a quote for our house.

I will definitely put up photos of Christabelle and the new house as well as get my new food blog up and running.

Tonight i am just planning to veg out and enjoy the quiet night.

Good Food and Wine show

2010-06-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Yes this is around the corner clashing together with Church Camp. Now here is the conundrum what should i do ?

Maybe i can go to the show in the afternoon when there is spare time. It would be good to go and look at wines all over perth. Would be nice to not drive but just enjoy all the wines at one place

The architect behind Singapore dies

2010-06-28T06:55:00.001-07:00

Its an interesting read, Mr Goh started everything in Singapore from finance to defence to education to Housing development. Everything we have today in Singapore was all down to this one man and of course Ong Sui Sen.

EULOGY BY MINISTER MENTOR LEE KUAN YEW AT THE

STATE FUNERAL SERVICE

FOR THE LATE DR GOH KENG SWEE

AT THE SINGAPORE CONFERENCE HALL, SUNDAY 23 MAY 2010

The Family of the late Dr Goh Keng Swee

Mr President

Ladies and Gentlemen

It was my good fortune to have strong men around me. Of all my Cabinet colleagues, it was Goh Keng Swee who made the greatest difference to the outcome for Singapore. He had a capacious mind and a strong character. When he held a contrary view, he would challenge my decisions and make me re-examine the premises on which they were made. As a result, we reached better decisions for Singapore. In the middle of a crisis, his analysis was always sharp, with an academic detachment and objectivity that reassured me. His robust approach to problems encouraged me to press on against seemingly impossible odds.

If ever there was a slow developer, it was Goh Keng Swee. He did not shine until he got to Raffles College where he was the best student of his year in economics. I first met him there when he was my economics tutor in 1940/41. He had a large Adam’s apple and a gruff voice as he mumbled his comments on the essays of the five students who appeared before him for tutorials. I did not then realise how sharp and clear a mind he had. We met again during the war when he was an impoverished government servant, paid in Japanese “banana notes”.

Our friendship developed when we met in London in 1949-1950 when he was studying at the London School of Economics on a scholarship. I was in London preparing for my Bar finals. We shared a common view that we could run Singapore and Malaya better than the British colonial officials. We became close friends. Together with Kenny Byrne, Toh Chin Chye and S Rajaratnam, we planned to build up a mass movement, to form a political party, win elections and take over from the colonialists. We were blissfully ignorant of the wide tentacles of the communist underground that gripped the Chinese educated world. By the time we discovered how ubiquitous the communists were in the Chinese schools and universities, clan associations, chambers of commerce, and old boys’ associations, they had their tentacles around us. Together we planned and got rid of the communists from the PAP, then beat them in the referendum in 1962 to join Malaysia and in the general elections in September 1963.

He was hopeless as a campaign orator, but a formidable analytical mind. His writings were crisp, elegant and forceful. After we had joined Malaysia, he stood up for our rights and fought to protect Singapore’s interests against the Federal Finance Ministry. After two years of constant friction and two race riots, in July 1965, he met with then Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and Minister for External Affairs Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman. I had asked him to negotiate a looser re-arrangement for Singapore but keep Singapore within the Federation. He decided that the best alternative was a clean break.

After Tun Razak and Dr Ismail agreed, Eddie Barker and I worked furiously to settle the terms of the separation. To avoid tipping off the British, the constitutional amendments had to be done with utmost secrecy and executed in three readings of the legislation in one session of the Malaysian Parliament. Hence on 9 August 1965, the Republic of Singapore became independent.

He was my trouble-shooter. I settled the political conditions so that his tough policies we together formulated could be executed. I gave him the toughest jobs in government: the Ministry of Finance from 1959 to 1965 when economic survival was crucial; Ministry of Defence in 1965 when all we had were two battalions of the Singapore Infantry Regiment, that then had more Malaysians than Singaporeans.

When the British announced withdrawal of their forces in 1967, I sent him back to the Ministry of Finance to deal with the loss of 20 percent of our GDP with the withdrawal of the British military spending. When that problem was resolved, he was back in 1970 as Minister for Defence. He mastered defence matters, read up the classics on strategy, Sun Tze, Clausewitz and Liddell Hart. He subscribed to military journals to know the latest in military weaponry. He sent me books and articles, sidelined and flagged, insisting that I must know enough to decide what I had to approve. I read them to have serious discussions with him on our options on arms purchases. He was, de facto, the armed forces chief of staff. He built up the SAF that we now have, an effective fighting force. He set up the Defence Science Organisation for R & D, and created several defence industries from scratch. The Singapore Technologies group now manufacture arms and ammunition and are into aerospace, electronics and computer systems.

After I merged Nanyang University with the University of Singapore in a joint campus, I appointed him Minister for Education. The dropout rate was high and many students left school illiterate. He had come across them as the “Hokkien soldiers” and instructed them in Hokkien. He re-organised schools into one national-type. We decided English was to be the language of instruction and of government; the mother tongue the second language.

In 1981, I asked him to take charge of the Monetary Authority of Singapore where our CPF and other reserves were managed. He set up the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, and built up the organisation to invest and manage our growing reserves worldwide. I became the Chairman.

Many enduring organisations, a sturdy SAF, an education ministry that keeps abreast with the times; the MAS and GIC; EDB and JTC were built by Hon Sui Sen and Keng Swee.

He wanted Singaporeans to appreciate the arts. He promoted the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Zoological Garden, the Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa, the Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden. He persuaded me to subsidise them for Singaporeans to have a feel for beauty and the arts.

He lived a simple and frugal life and managed Singapore’s assets in the same way, avoiding waste and maximising value for money. His prudence built up Singapore’s reserves.

Keng Swee and Rajaratnam helped me to select and ensure that we had a team of younger men who would take over the government without a drop in competence, drive or dynamism. We began the system of identifying talented people to bring them into government. In his last major speech in 1984 he reminded newcomers to the PAP to “regard the present condition of the Republic not as a pinnacle of achievement but as a base from which to scale new heights.”

He chose to retire in 1984.

Serena's Wedding

2010-06-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

Went to Kuching 2 weeks ago for Serena's wedding. Finally she is officially Pastor's Wife.

Its a title she has been praying for a long time.

I am happy she found someone in Kuching. Hopefully can go back again for her 1st baby's Birthday.

But i will stop flying budget. The airport is quite bad. Hot and stuffy. I thought it would be KLIA but it was not to be.

Julia Gillard the " pretend " prime minister of Australia

2010-06-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

It is truly a sad day for Australia politics, there was a coup d'etat in the Federal government early this morning, a bloodless coup but still a coup. I think this is for me an eye opener that you could actually overthrow a prime minister in his term.

Its utter nonsense that we should celebrate Gillard as a prime minister because the "people" did not voted for her. They voted for K Rudd. Yes I may be a liberal supporter but I still believe in moral integrity.

What Gillard and the union power brokers did are in my opinion immoral. We should never disrespect the leader the people have chosen. Gillard is NOT the prime minister the people choose, she is someone the union power broker chose. She screwed up the school scheme and was just as incompetent, examine her portfolio and think carefully. She said she would join AFL then to challenge K Rudd for the post, so i suppose she should keep her promise.

Yeah so a woman become a prime minister, but for all the WRONG reason. This is not the right way. If she can't keep her promise to join AFL so i suppose we should not trust her world for it. People always say we need be a man of our words. I guess this doesn't apply to woman.

I would not have mind if Gillard or the powers that be decide to overthrow K Rudd. But the proper and respectful way to do it is during the election period. That is why i suppose the Liberal, at least they have did not force out Howard even though they knew the polls were against him.

This is truly not the right way for Australia politics. If you want a strong government, it should be one with integrity and honesty, not one that has hidden agenda. I do not believe Gillard would make a good prime minister because she came to power because of union power-brokers with vested interest and i am sure whatever policies that she decides will have underlying interest to the powers that brought about the coup d'etat.

Choose your leaders wiser. Just because it may seem cool to vote for a Woman prime minister, this should not be your only reason.

Maybe we should vote an alternative party.

Just heard the news !!!

2010-06-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

CHC under probe regarding funds. This shows how important it is that as a church we need to not just follow the law but we as a church should set higher standards in financial accountability.

As church gets bigger, we have to show the world that Church leaders are setting a higher standard. Hopefully the CHC leaders will be proven innocent, if not it will bring a bad image to the Christian.

Using money to personal profit or treating Church money as a personal account is a recipe for disaster. First was Renci Organisation, then NKF, now CHC.

Article 2 makes a really good read. It explains the issue of check and balance, that most religious organization is not equipped to deal with.

Here below are articles that make interesting read.

Article 1 :

When business and religion mix ...

05:55 AM Jun 03, 2010

SINGAPORE - New Creation Church counts Rock Productions, Omega Tours and Travel, and BrightStar Child Development Centre among its six affiliates.

City Harvest Church has its City Harvest Community Services Association and the School of Theology. It also bought a stake this year in Suntec Singapore's convention centre for $310 million through a special-purpose investment holding company.

Mega churches such as these have become more than just religious organisations. They now have separate entities for their offshoots, both charitable and commercial.

There are no clear rules, however, on how religious organisations and charities should relate to commercial activities, save for a clear governance principle and what the law determines is taxable or not, said Associate Professor Ho Yew Kee from the National University of Singapore.

The corporate governance expert said one reason to separate operations is to ringfence the religious organisation from financial liabilities should something go wrong.

"Let's assume I conduct a catering business within the church. If there's a mass poisoning, I can be sued, and I can bankrupt the whole church.

"If I set up a company to do catering, if there's a financial disaster, only the company will go bankrupt," Assc Prof Ho said.

The business aspect of mega churches has intensified in recent years.

New Creation's Rock Productions is building an integrated hub in Buona Vista with mall developer CapitaMalls Asia. The project, announced in 2007, will cost almost $1 billion. The church claims 20,000 members.

In a 2008 press report, Mr Matthew Kang, one of Rock's directors, was quoted as saying: "When we receive tithes and offering, we have to do something with the money. We can't put it under the pillow."

He said property was a good hedge against inflation.

When City Harvest - which has 33,000 members - announced the Suntec stake in March to its congregation, it clarified that the investment was "specifically intended to hedge the church against its rental costs at the same convention centre, and dividends received will help to defray rental costs".

The investment is separate from other regular activities of the church. Its holding company does not have charitable status and is not entitled to any tax or other concessions.

On an individual level, City Harvest founder Reverend Kong Hee owns two companies - International Harvest and Skin Couture - with his wife Ho Yeow Sun.

At least two entities that are said to be now independent of the church - education provider City College and dance school cum social enterprise O School - were also founded by him, according to the biography on his website.

City Harvest did not respond to MediaCorp's queries yesterday about the financial checks and balances it has in place. New Creation also declined to comment when posed the same questions on Tuesday.

Seventeen City Harvest members including Rev Kong are being investigated by the Commercial Affairs Department and Commissioner of Charities for alleged misuse of funds.

Last night, the church's executive pastor Derek Dunn issued a statement to thank members for their "kind words of encouragement".

He said the church was unable to furnish members with updates as investigations are still underway.

But it is cooperating fully with the authorities, and operations continue as normal, save for the planned closure of its corporate office after an international conference last week.

Article 2 :

SINGAPORE : The commercial activities of City Harvest have generated interest recently. And experts said religious charities that go into business expose themselves to governance risks, including the lack of proper checks and balances.

For mega churches like City Harvest, a huge membership base means more funds - but also higher expenses. And they are not the only ones which have gone into business to raise revenue.

For example, at Mount Sophia, there are several plots of land belonging to Singapore's Presbyterian and Methodist churches. In 2002, the Methodist Church reportedly leased out land to a commercial developer for S$50 million.

Experts said that in the past, to be good stewards of their assets, some religious organisations may choose to invest their excess resources in fixed-deposit accounts.

But over time, due to low returns, these are not seen to be making the best out of their assets. But once these organisations move into bigger investments and commercial ventures, that is when more complicated governance issues may arise.

One pitfall is the lack of clear protocols for charities, as the law does not currently provide for this. Instead, the law only delineates what is taxable or not.

Charities in Singapore have to abide by a code of governance, but any company that is formed as an offshoot has to follow the Companies Act.

Associate Professor Ho Yew Kee, Vice-Dean, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, said: "Unfortunately, charities and religious charities sometimes are not endowed with the procedures, the mechanisms, the safeguards, because a lot of religious charities, the basic working relationship is that of trust, that of believing in a common faith."

He added: "Within a religious authority, you may have a very senior person that is a spiritual authority or spiritual figure, where the rest of the board basically give their consent to whatever he or she says. And this immediately can create check and balance problems."

Prof Ho said there are pragmatic reasons for setting up a separate legal entity to handle the business.

He said: "Let's assume if I conduct a catering business within the church - if there's a mass poisoning, I can be sued and I can bankrupt the whole church.

"If I set up a company to do catering, if there is a financial disaster, only the company will go bankrupt. I ring-fence, I at least protect the church from the financial liabilities."

17 individuals and companies connected to City Harvest Church are being investigated over possible misuse of funds.

The church, in its latest notice to members posted on its website, said that its corporate office will be closed "in line with our plan to give the management and staff rest after the hectic Asia Conference week".

The 5-day conference at the Singapore Expo ended over the weekend. The church added that it "has cooperated and will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities". Meanwhile, church activities will go on.

Abby & Brittany

2010-05-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

Thought i should put this up really interesting... can u imagine 2 heads to remember things, It amazing that each control one side of the body

Yummy Duck Dim Sum

2010-05-30T05:38:00.001-07:00

The name should be called Yucky Duck Dim Sum. I have been to Yummy duck a number of times for their Dinner, which was pretty decent grub. But this time i thought i should try their Dim Sum since they started doing it recently.

But their food was really crappy. The Chicken Feet we ordered had metal pieces in it possible from the metal scourer they used, then the sauce for the chicken feet tasted like rancid sauce with a weird after taste. I never touched it.

The Siew Mai, had sand particles in it and I wonder why. Its horrendous

Lastly the Porridge was plain like water, bland and tasteless.

Personally i could cook the porridge much better then their cook .

I dread going inside the kitchen, i wonder how the food was prepared, I will stick with Emma Seafood in Victoria when i want to eat Dim Sum .

Invite only Dinner

2010-05-30T03:27:00.000-07:00

Chicken Consomme

The appetizer

The Yorkshire pudding in the oven

Check out the food ~~

My white Chocolate Panna Cotta - served with Champagne Granita and Raspberry

Yesterday was another of those days, I was asked to do a dinner for some friends and I really enjoyed it. This time i was able to get the food out really on time. The dinner menu was really time consuming, it takes 2 days to prepare, but it was all worth it. I seldom do dessert so yesterday was quite a triumph for me to actually get it out

Appetizer -

1. Garlic Bread
2. Grilled Chrizo
3. Chicken Consomme

All served with Balsamic Reduction, Dukka and Olive and truffle oil

Mains

1. Grilled Wagyu Beef served with Yorkshire Puddings and Steamed Veg

Sauce : Beef Gravy Sauce and Mushroom Sauce

Dessert

1. White Chocolate Panna Cotta served with Champagne Granita and Rasberry

Christabelle First steps

2010-05-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

Here is Christabelle first steps

Cool videos of the moment

2010-05-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

Phillie Fans got tazered

Boy Gaga

So here is some news making video

Miley Cyrus new video...no mickey mouse.

CTB starting to walk

2010-05-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

I shall have to log it down cause today, CTB has started to walk unassisted. She is able to walk for at least 6-8 steps. Still tentative but a good progress. I will try to capture it on Video and post it.

I recently bought a book about monetizing the blog, i have started a second blog just all about food, so hopefully me and my brother can put our expertise to the test.

The food blog is still in construction but almost finished. The sample is available on the navigation bar

My Wife the Australian

2010-05-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

Just thought i should blog that My wife recently become an Australian Citizen. We had it at belmont, I initially thought there would be some nice refreshment. The last one i went to was at South Perth for one of my friend's ceremony.

I came prepared with an empty stomach and open heart, so was a little disappointed with the sausage rolls and puff pastories. It was not as grand as i thought. The one in South perth had aboriginal dance, as well as some really nice food, i remembered digging into Satay, Fried Chicken Wings, Fruit Tarts, Sandwich, etc.

I suppose we can see the class difference even the post code you live, the council has different budget.

Next time, i will be sure to register my citizenship in Nedland, who knows I might get like Oyster, Lobster and Wagyu beef.

Ceremony was not too bad, speaker did not talk too much, if not i might have fallen asleep. The guitarist did not even know the Australian Anthem that was funny. He was mumbling all the way.

I am trying to brainwash my wife to vote Liberal cause Labour is too Laborious, Ruddy is not too bad but i am not a union man so I will vote economy !! Viva Liberal

I will go read Ruddy's budget and give everyone a breakdown of what to expect. That would be fun.

Melbourne Trip

2010-05-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

Just came back from Melbourne been there since Monday, it was good that i stayed in Travel lodge hotel I could travel along the South Bank to really nice eateries.

First night i was there i dig out at The Meat and Wine company again. This time I ordered a ribeye, which was not too bad. But i still love my scotch fillet. Nothing beats scotch. I was so full i after the meal i could hardly move, it was kind of wierd as I was the only one eating there by myself.

I decided to visit the Crown the next night, had planned to eat at the Rockpool but I suddenly had craving for Chinese food, so in the end i just ate at the Food court.

Too bad i cannot stay longer, but I really do recommend the The Meat and Wine company

- Do try the Chips and the garlic bread
- Go for Scotch or Wagyu if you can.. no steak can fight it

Hendry's Buck Night Photo

2010-05-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hendry's Buck night was to say the least interesting. We went for paintball which by the way was fun but we were outgunned by younger and more mobile opponents.

We then proceeded to an Italian restaurant, whose name I will find out. I probably was too tired, but it was overall a good night.

I will get the paintball photos from Hendry

Iron Man 2 Comments

2010-05-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

Watched the Iron Man 2 on Friday night, it was a reasonable movie for a sequel. Most times the second sequel are movies which lack any substance this however did make a reasonable attempt. The thing about all the super hero movies is that Marvel has sort of tied up the Heros to the film known as the Avengers coming out in 2012.

Its now like more a mini-series of the origin of all the Avengers ( Shield). Next up will be Thor and Captain America movies . It will be really interesting to see Marvel combining the Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man all into a single movie. This will be a comic fan dream, as most movies focus on mainly one super hero.

If you have not watch the movie be sure to stay for the last scene, where they found Thor's hammer.

So for the uninitiated My friend kris told me the villian in the movie is apparently a combination of Whiplash, Blacklash and Crimson Dynamo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_%28comics%29

I hope this is correct, but i am sure Kris will correct me if i am wrong.

Other reviews

We’ve only just scratched the surface of blockbuster summer movies of 2009, yet a taste of things to come next year is already being shown to fans. New photos from the in-production set of Iron Man 2 have hit the internet. The film isn’t due in theatres until May 7, 2010, but already, fans are clamoring for a glimpse of what they can expect. Robert Downey, Jr. is back in the title role, as is Gwyneth Paltrow as his secretary, Pepper Potts. Although his cameo came at the end of the first Iron Man flick, Samuel L. Jackson’s role of Nick Fury has been expanded in the new film. New additions to the cast this time around include acclaimed actor Don Cheadle stepping into Terence Howard’s role of Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Scarlett Johanson as Black Widow, and Mickey Rourke as the film’s Russian villain, Whiplash.

So far, no photos of any snazzy new Iron Man suits have been leaked, however, the first photo of Mickey Rourke suited up in his gear as Iron Man villain, Whiplash, has been released!

The character is a combination of a Russian villain from the classic Marvel Iron Man comic known as “Crimson Dynamo” and another villain, Whiplash. As you can see, the Russian aspect of the character has been played up with Russian prison tattoos as part of the costume with a very minimal sort of body armor as part of Whiplash’s look. Additionally, it looks like he’s wearing orange prison inmate pants.
Get ready, because this just might be the “it” costume of 2010!
So far, no photos have been leaked of Scarlet Johansen in her Black Widow attire, however, Iron Man’s director, Jon Favreau said on his Twitter account: “Scarlett’s first day on set in the black Widow outfit. You’ve never heard a crew get so quiet so fast.”
Not even a mock-up of the costume sketches has been floating around, but if the comics themselves are an indicator of what Ms. Johanson may be wearing in the film, here’s what you could be looking at:

Til then, content yourself with both the classic Iron Man costume from the comics and the more metallic, streamlined look sported by Robert Downey Jr. from the first film. Additionally, check out how to make your own DIY Nick Fury costume that would make Samuel L. Jackson proud! (Hey, he should know! Sam the Man is a big comics fan, too!)

IRON MAN 2 FRIDAY

2010-05-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

Tom we are going to watch Iron Man 2 - whoever free can join but let me know 8.15pm.

Iron Man 2 (140mins)

With the world now aware of his dual life as Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military

Cast
Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Sam Rockwell, Paul Bettany and Don Cheadle.

Feedburner finally ! Works

2010-05-06T01:02:00.000-07:00

I have to do some test and play with the html for a a good few days but, finally i got it working. I am still an amateur but I can say its getting there.

Been planning to upgrade this blog for a while finally have the time to do it....

Next up... will be the food blog page that i will link to this..

Kevin Ruud and his theory

2010-05-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Below is a recent about Mr Ruddy's idea of a big joke. He screwed up the Insulation Scheme, tried to grab money from WA through the Hospital scheme and implement the ETS, now this has got to take the cake
the Super Tax would be good for the mining industry - If this was an april fool's day joke, It will be a good laugh.

My friend has one valid point, Mr Ruud is trying to get as much money as possible to pump up the government coffers due to his over indulgent spending.

Seriously, if we look carefully, Mr Ruud over zealous spending though have helped propped up our economy have also caused alot of grief to alot of people just look at the interest rate and the strong Aussie dollar.

The problem was simple economics, we should allow the economy to cool down, with the rest of the world. And grow with the other economy. Now, we are so far ahead, its causing us all this problem with inflation and strong dollar. When government start to tamper with economy this is the end result. Many people often look at the short term but in the end.

We have a country in the red, strong inflation and interest rate ...

Well, hopefully we get a better government this next election.

Seriously ETS ??? Anyone who wants to pay more can do so... let the greens cough up the money. I for one... prefer low cost of living.

Below is a nice article ....

Bare knuckles out as Kevin Rudd faces miners

WHEN Kevin Rudd journeyed to Perth to meet half a dozen West Australian businessmen, he had no idea it would turn into a confrontation with 30 of the nation's most powerful executives, starting with boxing gloves and ending with a bare-knuckle brawl.

As the Prime Minister prepared to attend a pre-arranged dinner at the Perth headquarters of law firm Lavan Legal, mining industry executives scrambled for a chance to discuss the new 40 per cent resources super-profits tax. They included Fortescue Metals Group's Andrew Forrest, Rio Tinto Iron Ore's Sam Walsh, BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Ian Ashby, Atlas Iron's David Flanagan and Woodside Petroleum's Don Voelte.

To start the evening, Mr Forrest, a friend of the Prime Minister, presented him with a pair of boxing gloves labelled "Fair suck of the sauce bottle mate" but that's where the humour ended.

Mining executive after mining executive lined up to tell Mr Rudd they believed he had done "irretrievable harm" to Australia and would force them to invest overseas.

After the Prime Minister cited Norway's example of higher taxes on resources, mining chiefs were left sputtering about "a virtually socialist system" and challenging Mr Rudd as to whether this was the system he wanted.

Rio Tinto's Sam Walsh said that, as an Australian, it "irked" him to have to advise his company to look for investment overseas and at projects in Canada where it wouldn't face such high tax.

Given Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty yesterday was urging his colleagues in parliament in Ottawa to promote Canada in the face of Australia's new tax, Mr Walsh was prescient.

Mr Walsh even warned Mr Rudd that Rio couldn't guarantee current production levels under the new tax, let alone expansion to new projects.

In response to Mr Rudd's arguments about the pressures of a high dollar and the impact it was having on attracting foreign students to Australia, Atlas iron chief David Flanagan said 25,000 Australian shareholders - "mum and dad punters" - had had their investment in the iron ore industry halved and "could no longer afford to retire".

When Mr Rudd pointed out that the Australian goldmining industry had "survived" the introduction of a gold tax, executives responded by saying they would survive but not expand.

"We will survive but Brazil and our other sovereign competitors will be cheering because they will expand and we will not," one executive said.

An impassioned Mr Forrest told the Prime Minister that if this proposed tax had been in place in 2006, what is now a $15 billion Australian icon, Fortescue Metals Group, "would not exist".

Mr Rudd's use of the term "super tax" was also attacked. It was described as a fib since it was just another tax on profits and not one on super profits.

After what Mr Rudd described as a "robust" meeting, the next round was adjourned to Canberra next week where Queensland resources executives hope to get their chance to be heard.

Finally decided !!!

2010-04-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

After 1 week of searching, I have decided to go with this template. It will still need time to work out the kinks and get this runnning.. But yes i am excited. I can finally put up some nice stuff..

My categories will prob have

Food - Restaurant and food recipe, My Fav videos, General news and of course my baby girl CTB

Revamping my blog

2010-04-27T03:23:00.000-07:00

I talked about it for a long time, and since i have some spare time, I have decided to update my blog and split my blog between Food and Restaurant review, as well as daily rant and my baby girl CTB.

I hope to review more restaurants in the near future and recommend some good ones to people.
It might take some time so be patient.

Hippo Creek Restaurant

2010-04-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

( Christabelle drinking her 1kg milk)

Sunday we celebrated our friend Vivien and Kelly's birthday which we decided to eat at Hippo Creek.

And to say that we were all hungry was an understatement. We arrived at 6.30, which we were the earliest due to some mis-communication.

So we decided to be ambitious, and try the 1kg steak....now you will understand why Aussie's are so big size

This is Hunter's Asahghi ( i think that is how it was spelt) 500g go Rump steak flamed grilled with peri peri butter.

This was my 1kg Ribeye steak... ok, seriously it was huge !

This is 1kg of T-bone steak

The food was not bad, not out of the world nice, but, I love the mushroom sauce. Otherwise, its just your typical steak.

If you can finish 1kg of steak you can put your photo in the hall of fame in their restaurant. mmmmm..... give it a go

House delay again...

2010-04-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

20 cm .... thats it. 20 cm of deviation and we get this long dealy to sort it out. The draftman at Content living must be doing a slow and fine job.

Its already 2 weeks and still in final drafting. Man these draftees are so slow.

Its really a paradox of name.. " Content living " . Mmmm they are content about living i suppose.

So slow... i should keep calling and calling them until they get the plans finalise.

So hopefully I can post the photos soon

Adam Lambert memtor on American idol

2010-04-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

Oh yes !! its tom !! I am surprise they ask him to mentor. They must really think very highly of him. My dad actually thinks he is going to be as big as Michael Jackson.

He is actually the 1st idol alum to be asked back.. to mentor. no other super stars like david cook, kelly clarkson, carrie underwood, was asked. This must be something, and the funny thing he did not even win idol, while Kris got to only sing.

But i cannot blame them, Mr Simon the meanie even gave him a standing "O", somethign he never did in his past 9 seasons. So this week will really be a good weak.

Check out Voodoo

Christabelle's First birthday

2010-04-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

One year has past and she is finally one years old. The birthday was a really big affair with all the family members coming to celebrate for her. Grandparents, uncle, aunties and the whole big clan. The party held at the park was really nice, we got the elmo cakes from AJ cake shop and yes i made all the other food. Satay, grilled scotch, fried rice, soup, salad and sausages.

I am going to post some photos later.... as i am using the laptop which do not hold the photos.

You should see her toys... my goodness....

City harvest and New Creation in Same place

2010-03-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

I am flabbergasted. First New Creation build Bouna Vista Shopping centre with the church built in and now City Harvest have bought into Suntec Convention Centre.

The really funny thing two largest church in Singapore are worshipping at the same place at least in the next 2 years before New Creation move to Bouna Vista. Oh My !! I must start a business in Suntec soon. Sunday will be like crazy place.

Can u imagine. 40,000 people all congregating in Suntec on Sunday. WOoooooo

CHC’S NEW HOME: SUNTEC CONVENTION CENTRE

CHC’S NEW HOME: SUNTEC CONVENTION CENTRE

This is an article about CHC’s new church building that was printed in City News Weekly,
7 March 2010. CNW is a newspaper reporting news from a Christian perspective.

The news is out: City Harvest will be moving to its new premises at Suntec Singapore International Exhibition and Convention Centre by 2011.
By Theresa Tan

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNTEC SINGAPORE

This has probably been City Harvest Church’s best-kept secret in its 21-year-history. The exact location of the church’s new site has been a hot topic that has kept Christians within and outside the church guessing, since it was confirmed on Jan. 16 that a space had finally been procured after a five-year search.

Bound by a non-disclosure agreement, the management could not say a word until yesterday afternoon, at the first service of the weekend at the Jurong West church.

The revelation of Suntec Singapore International Exhibition and Convention Centre met with great excitement from the church congregation. This location would put all the services of the church under one roof.

“When we were looking for a property, there were three major considerations,” said senior pastor Kong Hee.

1.	Size. “It had to be as big as we can go in our small city-state with limited land. Suntec Convention Centre has a total usable area of more than 1 million sq ft—that is 20 times our Jurong West property and 10 times Expo Hall 8. Suntec has the size we need and can accommodate our traffic.”
2.	Location. “We wanted a place that was central and easy to get to by MRT and bus. CHC members come from all over the island. Suntec is centrally located with three major MRT stations nearby: City Hall MRT is a 10-minute walk; Esplanade MRT and Promenade MRT open this April and are even closer by.”
3.	Facilities. “A church is not just a main sanctuary and nothing else. Having extra facilities is critical to the operations of the church. We need areas for children, rooms for Bible study, car park space and eating places. Suntec Convention Centre has more than 30 meeting rooms, and we will have access to over 8,680 car park lots in the Suntec-Marina area. Between Suntec City and the Convention Centre, there are 283 stalls/restaurants for our members to eat at, and 622 retail stores for our members to shop in.”

Through this agreement, CHC becomes a co-owner of Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and has a share in the annual revenues of all its facilities. The two floors CHC will primarily use are the sixth and seventh floors and include the CHC Auditorium which is column-free and can accommodate up to 12,000 seats. Early plans for this space reveal a stadium-style layout with a sizeable play area for children, and 10 meeting rooms. “All our morning prayer meetings, seminars and conferences will be held here in the future,” explained Kong.

The other parts of the Convention Centre will be open to the public, and will continue to be rented by third parties for exhibitions, fairs and performances as is currently the case.

Tan Ye Peng, deputy senior pastor, explains to City News what co-ownership of Suntec Singapore means. “Last year, ARA Asset Management Limited announced that its ARA Harmony Fund had acquired the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Harmony Fund’s investors comprise Suntec REIT, which holds 20 percent, and a consortium that holds 80 percent. CHC has bought a significant stake into the consortium.”

City Harvest is looking to raise S$310 million, but this sum is not the value of the property, says Tan. “This amount consists of cost of shares; rental; renovation and equipment; professional building, management logistic and maintenance fees; refundable deposits and moving costs.”

One of the key considerations for this site is the business model that CHC can and will adopt for Suntec Singapore. “For Singapore Expo, we are in a lease-only business model. As such, what is being paid out does not have any returns or profit-sharing for CHC. The Board and the Building Committee discussed and concluded that with an ‘ownership-and-license’ business model, the rent we pay out will be recovered by CHC in the form of profits and dividends.”

“It’s perfect for our church,” says Tan. “This place has everything we need. It’s been around, it’s an established place. It has been the venue for some of the most important events that ever took place in Singapore, like the APEC CEO Summit last November, and the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meeting in 2006. This August it will be the venue for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. It’s got all the facilities, and it’s super convenient. There is no other place that allows us this space size in this part of Singapore.”

In the event that there are such key events on the same scale as the IMF-World Bank meetings, Tan says City Harvest will exercise flexibility and vacate the space for such clients. “We are now part-owners,” he explains. “It benefits us too.” Tan points out that although City Harvest will use the space for its services, the building is still a commercial entity, and technically not a “church building”. “The church will lease the space to use for our services,” explains Tan. “The difference is that we are also co-owners of this building.”

For Chew Eng Han, who was tasked in 2005 to be the key person on the ground to find out what was available, and to speak to consultants and banks, the success of this partnership with Suntec Singapore is a triumph. “I feel fulfilled,” he declares.

The search was far from an easy one. “It required a lot of wisdom,” says Chew. “We needed the right location, central yet big enough, yet it could not be too costly, and it had to earn income, too. At the time we were looking, between 2005 and 2008, construction costs were escalating. When the crash came, property prices came down, but finding a partner became a challenge.”

Suntec Singapore was negotiated at the right time, and agreed upon at the right price, says Chew.

“It’s the best location because it’s already in existence. Although it may have been around for a number of years, the building is continually being refurbished and in good shape. Since we are not buying a new plot of land, we don’t have the risk of escalating costs—building costs fluctuate. The space is great: it totals over 1 million square feet, the hall is big enough, there are more than 30 meeting rooms and we have access to the Gallery space, and also the 600-seat Theatre on weekends.”

“It’s an ideal location for City Harvest, really—but at a much lower price than its original cost.” Suntec Singapore was originally built for a price of S$650 million in the early 1990s.

The best news for the burgeoning congregation may be the fact that with the space already built and available, CHC targets to move in by the end of the first quarter of 2011, once its lease at the Singapore Expo expires.

CN PHOTO: MICHAEL CHAN

For some, the announcement brought tears of joy. For others, the location was a complete surprise (See box story: What The Members Say).

Kong’s wife, singer Sun Ho, flew back to celebrate the announcement together with the church. Moments after the announcement, she tells City News: “I’m standing in a historical moment when miracles have just happened. God has done it again. My heart is overwhelmed, because this is something in which not just Kong and I, but the whole church have sown, labored, prayed, believed and claimed for, for so long. This is the time, this is the moment—we sowed in tears, and now we are really reaping in joy. Above the location, my heart is just so full of gratitude that we are able to build this house for God, for His glory. I’m grateful I can be a part of it.”

The church will fund the S$310 million through freewill donations from churchgoers. The church building fund, Arise & Build, is into its fifth round, with a target of S$17.3 million. There are eight more Arise & Build campaigns planned.

Further information on the design and details of the Suntec Singapore location will be released in the coming weeks.

What The Members Say

“I live in the Northeast, so I’m very happy especially since the Circle Line is opening. Everybody knows where Suntec is. It’s a very exciting move for the church!”
Khoo Lili, banker, in her 30s

“I never thought it could be such an awesome place. It’s at the center of Singapore—Formula One, Youth Olympic Games are all held there.”
Jason Jiang, pre-enlistee, 18

“I didn’t expect it, I thought it would be Marina Barrage. It’s exciting for the usher ministry—but greater challenges will come because of the bigger crowd. We’ll need more ushers to rise up for leadership and more members to join usher ministry.”
Ng Yoong Tian, engineer and usher team leader, 27

“The location is great as it brings in revenue for the church without the opportunity time cost. It really is a God-given idea.”
Kenneth Lee, IT director, 40

“Very excited to see such a big place and looking forward to having more quality and longer fellowship with my cell group members.”
Ang Xin Yee, secondary school student, 13

“I came specially for Service 1 though I was supposed to go back to JB. I teared when I heard the news and I can’t wait to worship at our new location.”
Lin Yilan, retiree, 60

“Mind-blowing! Totally unexpected! I believe this is the start of greater things with God bringing us to the next level. It is truly an honor and privilege to be part of history in the making.”
Ee Jia Ying, NUS undergraduate, 21

“I think God is amazing. All these years we’ve been giving and we didn’t even know where it would be! Upon hearing the news, all I can say is that God is indeed faithful!”
Rachel Lim, AIA financial services consultant, 26

Four Seasons Restaurant

2010-03-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

Life group on Tuesday we had dinner at 4 season. They do have some nice food. Nothing Spectacular but good

They give free soup and fruits that is really wonderful as not many chinese restaurant do that.

The dishes we had

1. Peking Duck
2. Peking Pork rib
3. Sambal Veg
4. Vinegar Chicken
5. Claypot dish
6. Duck noodle
7. Roast Pork

the dishes had the usual Chinese charm. The roast pork was not as good as Good one, Sambal vegetable was on par with other restaurant. Peking duck well... not as good as the one in burswood.

Would you eat here ? Well I wont mind to come back again especially for Dim Sum and have a go

The cheapest way to save money

2010-03-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

So today, me and my colleague was discussing how to be really cheap even if you have money and how to get something for nothing. This wasto help people who are always on budget

So for those who are a little scrouge. Let me teach you how to save money

Now for food budget cheap

1. Subway breakfast - bacon and egg sandwich only $1.95

2. Soup and bread fan - Salvation army gives out free food for the poor in the city ( take out an old jean and shirt ) There you go free food

3.Lunch - Chilli restaurant $4.00 - $4.50

4. Dinner - Veg Buffet pay what you feel $2-5

5. Dinner - Look for citzenship ceremony. Visit the ceremony and get ( free food )

Total spend per day - Lowest Free - Max $8 for 3 meals.

Wing Bo Restaurant

2010-03-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

This week was one heck of a busy week. Monday we had the biggest storm in Perth for 50 years, so we decided to eat out instead of cooking at home. Our plan was to go to eat at Thai Essarn and what would you guess, the area was blackout.

So we did some drive along mayland and see what we could find and lo and behold. We found Wing Bo. They have some really nice dishes, their japanese beancurd was homemade, yum.

The rest of the dishes was not too bad too. We had Sambal Spinach and salt and pepper combination.

The portion was generous. And need i remind us all. They were in the Gold plate final for 6 years running. Not too bad

Wing Bo Chinese Restaurant
253 Guildford Rd
Maylands 6051

Adam Lambert Unplugged

2010-03-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

Here is some Adam lambert video, unplugged.

MAD WORLD UNPLUGGED

Fever unplugged

After watching this season idol, which is pretty much quite tame unlike last season. There were not many good singers this year and many times maybe because Adam set such high standards, the judges always use Adam as a benchmark when comparing the contestants. This week standout was Siobhan, who they compared with Adam.

Anyway enjoy the songs

Itsara Thai

2010-03-17T03:02:00.000-07:00

We went to this new thai restaurant in Nedlands for my birthday. Good food but truly expensive price to match. The ambience and place though was what you would expect.

The rice cost us $34 can u believe it for 5 people ... meaning $7 per person... How in the world can 5 people eat the cost of 25 KG of rice

Roaches, mice, dirt: half Perth restaurants will make you sick

2010-03-17T02:46:00.000-07:00

MORE than half the restaurants and food outlets in the City of Perth failed basic hygiene inspections last year.

And other councils across the state reported poor standards at hundreds of food outlets.

In the worst cases, restaurant workers were caught preparing food in kitchens infested with rats and mice, food was exposed to dust and "foul odours" and diners were expected to use filthy toilets without toilet paper.

One restaurant did not have hot water to clean dishes or for guests to wash their hands.

Health Department bosses - who described the breaches as inexcusable - said restaurants were also keeping food for up to a month when it had a 24-hour shelf life, putting Perth diners at risk of food poisoning.

WA's leading public health expert, Mike Daube, has called for restaurants that flout health regulations to be shut down.

Of the 700 registered food businesses in the city, 387 were issued with work orders from Perth City Council environmental health officers in the 2008-09 financial year.

Since September 2008, seven city food outlets have been prosecuted and fined a total of $63,500.

The Cloud 9 Karaoke Restaurant in East Perth was among the worst, with dead cockroaches found on a kitchen bench, and dirty walls, floors, cookers and food-handling equipment.

Inspectors said the toilets were filthy and the venue had no hot water.

Owners Eastern Legend International Group were fined $10,000 with $2301 costs in November last year.

The venue - under previous management - had been warned four times to clean up before it was prosecuted.

Eastern Legend is one of a host of companies named and shamed on a Department of Health website.

Perth City Council carries out the inspections quarterly and "health directions" are issued to premises found wanting.

Inspectors make follow-up visits to check the breaches have been rectified.

Perth City Council said it inspected 2303 food premises last financial year.

Health Department food-unit manager Stan Goodchild said he was concerned by the number of breaches, which could cause outbreaks of bacteria like salmonella and listeria.

"We've had incidents like restaurants pre-preparing toppings for food and keeping it for a month where it should have been kept for a day or two at maximum," he said.

"We've had issues where a product has been cooked and it has been a bit dry so to moisten it there has been raw material put back into the product."

Subiaco Council estimated that up to half its 250 outlets required second visits from health officers in 2008-09. The Town of Vincent said about 15 per cent of its 332 food businesses were either issued with improvement notices or were re-inspected after "unsatisfactory findings".

Joondalup Council said 72 of its 702 registered eateries failed inspections in the past two financial years and were ordered to take immediate action. .

Fremantle City Council issued eight work orders for non-compliance in 2008-09, without any prosecutions.

Prof Daube said if food outlets could not comply with basic hygiene rules they should not be in business.

"It is staggering that more than 150 years after WA's first regulations on public hygiene we are still allowing our health to be put at risk," he said.

"This is fundamental health protection.

"We need regular inspections, prompt remedial action and penalties for non-compliance that are tough enough to make food outlets sit up and take notice.

"I don't want to eat at a restaurant where people don't wash their hands, food may be contaminated, and nobody even clears away the dead cockroaches, and I suspect that most Perth residents feel the same."

Prof Daube said restaurants that continually broke hygiene rules should be forced to erect signs out the front listing their failings.

NAMED AND SHAMED PROSECUTIONS IN 2010

Japanese Kitchen, Spencer Village Food Hall, Thornlie.
Worst Breaches: Vermin on premises, failing to maintain clean and sanitary conditions. Fine: $5500
Miss Saigon, Spencer Village Food Hall, Thornlie.
Worst Breaches: Failing to protect food from vermin, dust, animals, offensive fumes and foul odours. Fine: $1200

Hong Kong Chinese Foods, Spencer Village
Food Hall, Thornlie.
Worst Breaches: Failure to protect food, eradicate vermin and to keep the business in a clean and sanitary condition.
Fine: $1500

Straits Cuisine, Spencer Village Food Hall, Thornlie.
Worst Breaches: Failure to protect food, eradicate vermin and to keep the business in a clean and sanitary condition. Fine: $1000

Ya Kwang, Spencer Village Food Hall, Thornlie.
Worst Breaches: Failure to protect food, eradicate vermin and to keep the business in a clean and sanitary condition. Fine: $7500

Dong Hiep Asian Grocery,
70 Marangaroo Drive, Marangaroo.
Worst Breaches: Six offences of failing to ensure food was stored at a safe temperature.
Fine: $3751

Hung Phat Oriental Foods, Shop E2, Koondoola Plaza Shopping Centre,
Koondoola.
Worst Breaches: 12 charges relating to
incorrect food labelling. Fine: $11,426

CNY dinner dishes

2010-03-06T09:23:00.001-08:00

Feed me please... !!!!

My daughter was hungry so i decided to do some nice dishes for some friends and family. Chinese new year was a reasonably quiet affair for us. Simple food to wet our taste bud. I decided to cook some dishes as requested by my friends. On offering for our CNY :

Singapore Chilli Crab

Three egg spinach with Abalone

Oat meal prawn

Grilled Beef with Thai Salad

Easy dishes... to do... but really nice to eat especially the chilli crab which i had to make the chilli from scratch

American Idol

2010-02-26T07:23:00.000-08:00

4 gone and 20 more to go... my current fav is Andrew Garcia and Most of the girl singers. The guys were abit lame this season.

I fast forward most of them as i could not bear watching them. People like Tim Urban and Alex Lambert look so out of place.

Toddrick well, there have been a number of negative media on him, he looks a little corky so probably will not support him .

To me, nothing beats season 8. I think Adam Lambert brought me back to music.

Cannot wait for next week. .. to see if any idol contestant will make me excited.

The Perfect Risotto

2010-02-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

Came across this while watching Heston's show In search of perfection. I cannot let this recipe get away and will be sure to perfect this in my next dinner menu. Will plan for a dinner special on Christbelle's birthday.

In this recipe, Heston uses grams for both solid and liquid measurements for pinpoint accuracy. To weigh liquids, any suitable container can be placed on digital scales and the scales reset to zero.

Ingredients:

For the basmati-infused chicken bouillon

8 organic free-range chicken legs or thighs, chopped
250g/8¾oz carrot, thinly sliced
250g/8¾oz onion, thinly sliced
125g/4½oz leek, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
5 whole peppercorns
1 bunch fresh parsley
100g/3½oz basmati rice

For the puffed rice

100g/3½oz basmati rice
500g/1lb 2oz water
1 packet saffron (about ½g)
500g/1lb 2oz grapeseed or groundnut oil
fine salt

For the velouté stock base

50g/1¾oz butter
250g/8¾oz button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
50g/1¾oz white wine
20g/¾oz Madeira wine
1kg/2¼lb reserved chicken bouillon

For the finished velouté stock

1kg/2¼lb reserved stock base
250g/8¾oz reserved basmati water
450g/16oz whipping cream
80g/2¾oz white wine
20g/¾oz shallot, thinly sliced
250g/8¾oz basmati rice

For the butter emulsion and toasted rice

200g/7oz onion, chopped
375g/13¼oz dry white wine
375g/13¼oz white wine vinegar
200g/7oz butter
50g/1¾oz Gli Aironi Carnaroli rice (or substitute another brand of carnaroli rice)
300g/10½oz butter, cubed and chilled

For the toasted rice tuiles

reserved toasted rice
190g/6¾oz whole milk
70g/2½oz double cream
egg whites (see step 5)
caster sugar (see step 5)
salt (see step 5)
reserved puffed rice

For the saffron butter

100g/3½oz butter, softened to room temperature
1 packet saffron (about ½g)

For the Horlicks and coffee salt cubes

10g/½oz freeze-dried coffee granules
250g/8¾oz fleur de sel
25g/1oz Horlicks powder
115g/4¼oz water

For the dried mushroom powder

100g/3½oz button mushrooms, cleaned

For the pandanus crème fraîche

100g/3½oz crème fraîche
10g/1oz pandanus leaves (available from Thai markets), washed and cut into 2cm/¾in strips

For the finished risotto

20g/¾oz butter
300g/10½oz Acquerello carnaroli rice (or substitute another brand of carnaroli rice)
100g/3½oz dry white wine
reserved chicken bouillon
80g/2¾oz reserved toasted rice butter
20g/¾oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated
reserved velouté stock
salt
reserved cubes frozen saffron butter
reserved pandanus crème fraîche
reserved mushroom powder
reserved salt cubes (about 12)
reserved toasted rice tuiles

Special equipment needed: 8-litre pressure cooker, oven thermometer, drum sieve, food processor, hand-held blender.

METHOD:

MAKING THE BASMATI-INFUSED CHICKEN BOUILLON
1. Place the chicken in a large pan and cover with cold water (about 2kg/4lb 6½oz). Bring to a simmer and immediately drain the water. Cool the chicken pieces under cold running water. This removes the blood and impurities from the bones and meat that would otherwise go into your final broth.
2. Place the chicken in an 8-litre pressure cooker and add enough water to cover (about 3kg/6lb 9¾oz). Put the lid on and place over a high heat. Bring to full pressure, then lower the heat and cook for one hour.
3. Allow the pressure cooker to cool, then remove lid and add all the remaining ingredients except the parsley and rice. Return to full pressure for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse the basmati rice under the cold tap until the water begins to run clear.
5. When the pressure cooker is still warm but not hot, add the parsley and allow to infuse for 30 minutes.
6. Strain the stock through a sieve into another pan. Add the rice and bring the stock up to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes, then strain through a sieve. Discard the rice.
7. Chill the stock in the fridge for later use in this recipe.

MAKING THE PUFFED RICE
1. Rinse the rice under the cold tap until the water runs clear.
2. Place the rice and water in a pan and bring to a simmer, stirring regularly. Simmer until the rice is thoroughly cooked but not mushy, approximately eight minutes. Strain through a sieve, reserving the water (for use in the velouté recipe) and the rice.
3. Preheat the oven to 60C/140F/Gas ¼. If you don't have a convection oven, set your oven to the lowest it will go. You may need to jam the door open and use an oven thermometer to get the temperature down to the required temperature.
4. Using a rubber spatula, toss the rice with the saffron in a bowl until the mixture is evenly pale yellow.
5. Spread the rice in a thin, single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and dry in the oven for 45 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature, breaking up any clumps that have dried together into individual grains.
7. Meanwhile, place the oil in a pan and heat to 190C/375F. Alongside it place a second pan, a mesh sieve, a tray lined with several layers of kitchen paper, and a container of salt.
8. Begin frying the rice in small batches. It should puff as soon as it hits the oil. If it sinks to the bottom and does not puff, it simply means that too much moisture has been driven off in the drying process.
9. Strain the oil through the sieve into the second pan, then turn all the puffed rice on to the lined tray. Sprinkle with salt. Repeat the process until all the rice has been fried.
10. Allow the puffed rice to cool completely, then cover and reserve for making the toasted rice tuiles.

MAKING THE VELOUTE STOCK BASE
1. Melt the butter in a pan wide enough to hold the mushrooms in a single layer. When the butter is foaming add the mushrooms and cook over a medium heat until they are evenly caramelised, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Add the wine and Madeira and reduce the liquid to a syrup.
3. Add the bouillon and heat until simmering. Simmer for one hour.
4. Pass the stock through a sieve and discard the mushrooms. Chill over ice and keep refrigerated or use immediately.

FINISHING THE VELOUTE STOCK
1. Place the stock, basmati water, cream, wine and shallot in a pan. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat and cook for 20 minutes.
2. During the simmering, rinse the rice under running water until all the starch has washed away and the water runs clear.
3. When the stock mixture has simmered for 20 minutes, add the rice and simmer for another ten minutes.
4. Strain and chill over ice. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

MAKING THE BUTTER EMULSION AND TOASTED RICE
1. Place the onion, wine and vinegar in a pan and cook over a high heat until the liquid has reduced.
2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a sauté pan and add the rice. Cook, stirring frequently, over a medium heat until the butter becomes dark brown and nutty and the rice is toasted golden-brown.
3. When the wine and vinegar have reduced to a thick syrup, begin to whisk in the chilled butter a few cubes at a time to keep the mixture emulsified. (This process is the same as for a beurre blanc type of sauce. You must maintain enough heat to melt the butter thoroughly, but not have it high enough to split the emulsion. You must also whisk constantly when making each addition of butter.)
4. Strain out the onion and discard it. Return the emulsified butter to the same pan.
5. Whisk in the brown butter and toasted rice until evenly incorporated. Allow this mixture to infuse off the heat for ten minutes.
6. Pass the butter emulsion through a sieve, reserving the rice for the tuiles. Chill the emulsion over ice, then store refrigerated until needed.

MAKING THE TOASTED RICE TUILES
1. Rinse the toasted rice under tepid water until all the butter has gone.
2. Place the cleaned rice, the milk and the cream in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook over a low heat until the rice is tender (about 12-14 minutes). Strain, reserving both the cooking liquid and the rice.
3. Purée the rice in a blender with about one-third of the cooking liquid until you have a smooth paste.
4. Pass this rice batter through a sieve (preferably a drum sieve) to separate the larger pieces.
5. Weigh the rice batter and fold in ten per cent of this weight in egg whites, 1.5 per cent of it in caster sugar, and one per cent of it in salt. Fold all the ingredients together until evenly mixed. The batter should be easily spreadable.
6. Preheat the oven to 140C/275F/Gas 1. While the oven is heating, cut out a plastic stencil no thicker than 3mm/1/8in in the shape of a tuile (a rounded rectangle about 11cm/4in long and 3cm/1in wide).
7. On a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or baking parchment, spread your batter inside the stencil until the surface is covered in tuile shapes. Sprinkle the puffed rice over each one. (The batter will yield more than the 12 tuiles needed for this recipe, but some may break, so it is best to make extra.)
8. Bake in the oven until golden-brown. Allow the tuiles to cool for a few minutes, then transfer with an offset spatula to a sheet of baking parchment and reserve.

MAKING THE SAFFRON BUTTER
1. Place the softened butter in a mixing bowl.
2. Put the saffron in a small bowl or ramekin with one teaspoon of hot water.
3. Pour the saffron infusion into the butter and mix well.
4. Place a piece of cling film over a small chopping board about 30cm/12in long. Spread the butter over the film with an offset spatula to a thickness of 5mm/¼in. Cover with cling film and refrigerate until completely set.
5. Once the butter has hardened, unwrap and cut into 5mm/¼in cubes. Place them in the freezer until you're ready to serve.

MAKING THE HORLICKS AND COFFEE SALT CUBES
1. Preheat the oven to 100C/212F/Gas ½.
2. Using a food processor or mortar and pestle, grind the coffee into a fine powder.
3. Add the salt and Horlicks and grind together again.
4. Heat the water in a pan over a low heat and add a quarter of the salt mixture, stirring to dissolve.
5. Remove the pan from the hob and stir in the remaining salt mixture. Pour into a 10 x 12cm/4 x 5in loaf tin and place in the oven until the liquid has evaporated and the salt mixture is crisp (about one hour).
6. Break the salt into small cubes (about 5mm/¼in squares) and reserve.

MAKING THE DRIED MUSHROOM POWDER
1. Preheat the oven to its lowest setting (around 60/140F/Gas ½ if possible).
2. Boil a pan of water. Place the mushrooms in a bowl and cover them with the boiling water. Strain immediately and discard the water.
3. Plunge the mushrooms into a bowl of iced water, then drain again.
4. Thinly slice the mushrooms with a mandoline or sharp knife.
5. Arrange the mushroom slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Place in the oven and allow the mushrooms to dry thoroughly until they are crisp (about two hours).
7. Grind the dried mushrooms to a powder in a food processor, then pass through a sieve to yield a fine powder. Discard any large pieces.
8. Store the powder in an airtight container until needed.

MAKING THE PANDANUS CREME FRAICHE
1. Place the crème fraîche and pandanus in a small pan and heat, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes.
2. Using a hand-held blender, whisk the mixture to release more of the flavour and to give a pale green colouring.
3. Press the mixture through a sieve, discarding any bits of pandanus left behind.
4. Cover and store the crème fraîche in the fridge until needed.

FINISHING THE RISOTTO
1. Place the butter in a saucepan and melt over a medium-high heat.
2. Add the rice and toast over a medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon (3-4 minutes). Although it is essential that the rice is toasted thoroughly, take care not to overbrown or scorch it at this stage.
3. Add the wine to deglaze the rice, then reduce the liquid until it has almost completely evaporated.
4. Add a ladleful (250g/9oz) of the hot bouillon to the rice and simmer, stirring regularly but not constantly.
5. When the liquid has reduced by half, add another 250g/9oz ladleful of the bouillon and stir in, preventing any grains from sticking to the bottom. Continue adding the bouillon a ladleful at a time, when the previous batch has just about disappeared.
6. At this point you must start adding smaller quantities of bouillon and stirring more regularly. As the liquid is absorbed, taste the rice and add more bouillon as necessary. You're aiming for an al dente texture. The grains of rice should have a resistance in the centre but no chalkiness. This process takes approximately 20 minutes.
7. For the final stages keep the consistency quite loose as you work to finish the risotto. The grains should be cooked through but not soft or mushy. Keep in mind that the risotto will continue to cook after being taken off the heat.
8. Add 60g/2¼oz of the toasted rice butter and all the cheese, stirring quickly.
9. Cover the pan with cling film and allow to rest off the heat for five minutes.
10. Meanwhile, heat the reserved velouté stock to a simmer.
11. Remove the cling film from the risotto, then stir and add salt as necessary.
12. Divide the risotto between six warmed plates. Slap the bottom of the plates with one hand while holding firmly with the other to make the risotto spread out evenly.
13. Dot the risotto with pieces of the frozen saffron butter.
14. Using a teaspoon kept in a container of warm water, scoop up some crème fraîche and place in the centre of the risotto. Dip the teaspoon back into the warm water between each scoop.
15. Using a hand-held blender, add the remaining toasted rice butter to the velouté, frothing the mixture as you incorporate it.
16. Pour the velouté out into warm cappuccino cups and spoon the foam out over the top. Sprinkle the top of the foam with a dusting of the mushroom powder.
17. Place the salt cubes on the side for each person to add to their taste (the velouté has not been seasoned to this point).
18. Place two of the tuiles at the side of each cup.
19. Serve the velouté and risotto together at the table.

New year Dinner 3

2010-02-21T05:02:00.001-08:00

I thought i should write this down in case i forget the recipe as it was really nice dish.

Stewed Pork with Fried Tofu.

I did this a little different, I marinated the pork in soy sauce, rice wine and deep fry it. to get the crispy texture. Then I heated up the pot and put in half a bulb of garlic. After some light frying, I add in the pork and the marinate left over. I pour in some soy sauce, sugar, sweet sauce, rice wine to get the sauce at a level it can stew the beef.

this is a thai beef salad with a twist.

I used the same Som Tum style but grilled the beef with Lab Naamtok Spice.

American Idol is on again

2010-02-16T06:29:00.001-08:00

Yes !! Finally something to come back home to on weekday nights. Currently the hottest singer is Andrew Garcia. He sounds a bit like Danny Gokey but I think more talented, it helps too that he is a musician and has already a huge youtube following.

He has a alot of videos online, where he has done concerts for amateur. Another singer caught my eye too, this girl called Cathy Nguyen which she does a number of duet with Andrew. Her voice is not too bad, i won't say she has a powerful voice or the best female singer i have heard, but probably as an Asian, she is not too bad. Her voice does not make me tingle like Aiza.

So here are the 3 videos which i think are pretty good quality. Hope you like it

Perth best of the best

2010-02-07T05:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of the 2009 winner of perth restaurant. I wont judge the Western Restaurant but I think, many times when the Australians pick the best asian restaurant, they are often too westernised for the asian taste bud. My theory is simple, if you see more westerners eating at the restarant, then its not really worth it to go. I went to tey the food at Melbourne supposedly famed Thai restaurant and it was just too westerised.

But since we are here in Perth, we should see what Perth has got to offer...

Asian Cuisine Winner
Ha-Lu - Never tried... but may think of going

Finalists
Hayashi, Applecross
Satsuki
Nine Fine Food
Chatters Caf? and Restaurant, Midland

Thai Cuisine
Winner
Nahm Thai - this is a new restaurant

Finalists
Dusit Thai - Dusit is not bad... they have some nice dishes... they have some really nice thai dishes
Sala Thai, Claremont - very standard actually, went there once and never again
Thai Corner - Went there a number of times, it pretty standard as well, but for some really
Saowanee's Place - They have some very nice dishes.. this would be a nice place to eat

Chinese Restaurant

Winner
Aquarium - Expensive... and so so just nice ambience

Finalists
Yu - Been there once, its was reasonably good, ate their set menu.. which was lovely

Grand Palace - I must try this, have never been there before. It must be really expensive
Golden Century - Ate here once and it was nice, they have nice seafood.

Pluto Strike is pure nonsense

2010-01-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

This week big business news is about the 1000 plus workers who went on strike in Karratha. I think these workers are bunch of ungrateful people who are just plain lazy. News reports have stated that locals in Karatha are very UNSYMPHATETIC to their decision to go on strike. Obviously these workers are getting too big for their own head.

Let put it this way, their strike was all about the new motelling system, which is to say the least trival. Its not like they are not getting good accomodations. Now in case people who have never been to Karratha don't know. Let me just spell out what these people are getting.

Accomodation - They get self-contained units, with cable TV, rooms made up regularly. Full Buffet canteen- when i say Buffet i really mean buffet, their spread is even more then Burswood restaurant.

Money - And in case anyone is in doubt, the money they get are close to obscene, lets just say 100K would be your minimum. With all the allowances, you would not believe the amount they get. They work in harsh conditions but the money you make up there is unbeliveable

So I keep thinking, are these workers there for a holiday or there to work ?? If you are there to work, what is the problem with motelling ? They can put their stuff in storage provided by the company. What is the problem with carrying a little weight ? They should just be thankful they have such a good job.

My suggestion - everyone who joins the strike should be BLACKLISTED and not be employed back, get other workers who are more grateful just to have a decent job. This is what happens when UNION gets too big for their boot. If workers are not happy they can not work, just get someone else to fill their shoe, trust me there are many others who will gladly fill their shoes.

I think to get a better balance any political party should not be linked with the UNION, because this will only set australia back another decade.

NEWS

The West Australian ©

An illegal two-day strike on Woodside's Pluto project has sparked an investigation by the Australian building and construction regulatory body, which could result in almost 2000 gas workers who downed tools yesterday being hit with fines of up to $22,000 each.

The investigation by the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner came after Woodside said it was unwilling to budge on the cause of the dispute, a new housing system known as "motelling" that would see fly-in, fly-out workers at the company's Gap Ridge Village forced to check into a different donga for each rostered work cycle instead of permanent accommodation.

It is planned to bring the new system into operation this month.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA chief executive James Pearson said the strike was against the law and he urged workers to end industrial action. He said it sent a negative message to potential investors.

But the defiant Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union yesterday would not rule out the possibility of more industrial action if the dispute was not resolved by the time workers were due to return to work tomorrow.

CFMEU assistant secretary Joe McDonald, who also spoke on behalf of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, said other unions were considering action and Woodside had better take worker demands seriously.

"People will be evicted on a monthly basis," Mr McDonald said. "This dispute is about people being able to maintain their living accommodation. If you work on Pluto for 12 months, you will spend 10 months in a donga.

"These people want to personalise these rooms and turn them into their homes. I think they already pay a big price for being away from home."

Mr McDonald said most of the workers, who voted unanimously to strike at a meeting in Karratha on Monday, were on a non-union agreement and had no choice but to strike illegally.

A Woodside spokesman said the company was disappointed by the illegal action but there were still about 1600 workers on site and production continued. He said the current accommodation arrangement saw about a quarter of the dongas left vacant at any given time and the new system would create more jobs because it would allow the company to house more workers.

"We're open to discussing the grievances of people who reside at the facility but the change in accommodation arrangements is required to increase the opportunity for more people to work on this project, and that won't be changing," he said.

It was too early to speculate whether Woodside would take legal action against the workers.

Melbourne trip and Photo

2010-01-25T17:32:00.001-08:00

News around the world

2010-01-24T05:54:00.001-08:00

Old news...

I was amazed when I read an old news.. that Pastor Prince of New Creation have a salary of 500K and most top pastors get 100K in singapore. That is not too shabby for a pastor, now i really want to go full-time. Good pay, I used to think Pastor's and full-time leaders are poorly paid.. I was gravely mistaken...

In saying, as long as the church is not too over stretched. I suppose its still fine. Apparently New Creation have a turnover of 54 million. so 500K is less than 2% of its turnover.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/world/21685-singapore-church-leader-paid-s500000-

Singapore church leader paid S$500,000

MARCH 30 – The New Creation Church in Singapore, which made headlines for raising $19 million on one Sunday last month for its upcoming multi-million dollar building, pays good money to its staff, too.

The independent church paid one employee between $500,001 and $550,000 in its last financial year, checks by The Straits Times showed.

The church did not confirm if the amount went to its leader, Senior Pastor Joseph Prince, but told The Straits Times that its policy is to “recognise and reward key contributors to the church and Senior Pastor Prince is the main pillar of our church’s growth and revenue”.

Its honorary secretary, Deacon Matthew Kang, added: “Senior Pastor Prince is the key man responsible for bringing in about 95 per cent of our church’s income. I must concede that he has enriched the church and not the other way round.

“Above all, through Senior Pastor Prince’s ministry, many people have experienced the grace and love of our Lord Jesus for themselves and seen how their lives have been transformed and marriages restored.”

The salary disclosure was contained in the church’s last financial year’s annual report submitted to the Commissioner of Charities. It stated the compensation given to its top three key management staff.

One person earned between $500,001 and $550,000, while two others were paid between $150,001 and $200,000. No names were given.

The church had an income of $55.4 million in its last financial year. Over 95 per cent came from tithes and offerings from members. It has over 18,000 members who worship at the Rock Auditorium at Suntec City.

Deacon Kang told The Straits Times last week that Prince had asked to go on a “no-pay scheme” in 2006 but was turned down by the church’s council. He made the same request over a month ago but the council has yet to give him a reply.

The New Creation Church is one of Singapore’s fastest growing churches.

Its business arm, Rock Productions, is partnering property giant CapitaLand to build a close to $1 billion lifestyle hub in Buona Vista.

In an update to members yesterday, Deacon Kang said Prince had given $563,360 to the building project.

For the first time, religious groups now have to follow a set of guidelines, called the Code of Governance for Charities and Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs), to ensure they are properly run.

Religious groups like churches and temples, make up about half of the close to 2,000 charities here.

Unlike IPCs, which are allowed to collect tax-exempt donations and have to make public how fully they have adhered to the Code from April 1, religious groups do not have to do so. However, they are encouraged to make such information public.

In 2007, the Commissioner did a governance review of seven religious groups here with annual incomes of over $10 million each. The Straits Times asked all seven, including New Creation, about the salaries of the key officers. Only Trinity Christian Centre and Campus Crusade disclosed the information.

The Trinity Christian Centre, which holds services in Adam Road and Paya Lebar, paid two directors below $150,000 each in 2007.

They are its Senior Pastor Dominic Yeo and resident apostle Dr Naomi Dowdy. The church employs 112 staff and had an income of $17.4 million in 2007.

Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ paid its three top executives – Reverend Chan Chong Hiok, Dr Ho Chiao Ek and Reverend Lam Kok Hiang – below $100,000 each in its last financial year. The group, which provides Christian counselling, training and Christian publications, collected $11 million in “local donations” then.

It pegs its basic salaries to social workers’ pay, which is between $2,000 and $2,700 for a fresh graduate, as stated on the National Council of Social Service’s website.

Leslie Chiang, its director for corporate communications and IT, said: “We use this benchmark as the nature of our work is very similar to what an average social worker is doing – serving the needs of a community.” – The Straits Times

New News ...

Battle of Talk show host... Conan vs. Jay Leno.

This week was the best week to catch Conan and Jay battling it out on their talkshow. Conan is leaving NBC because NBC wanted to take his time slot and give it to Leno who failed in prime time slot.

The battle was hilarious. if you happen to catch it on youtube, this is a gem..

Conan official sign off friday 22nd Jan. 2010... NBC paid him and his staff 45 Million

Watch the SAGA.. really good...

Meat and Wine Co - Melbourne

2010-01-24T05:37:00.001-08:00

December 09

After recommendations from Keith and Caroline, we decided to give this place a go. Apparently they serve really good steak.

Well I am not surprised after looking at the menu, they were selling their own grain-fed prime beef as well as Wagyu beef. As i was in melbourne for a nice holiday, i thought why not. Lets enjoy.

So, we ordered a Wagyu Beef as well as their premium aged beef. I had to try it. I must say Not too shabby... of course having eaten Wagyu a number of times, i took their premium beef the best they could offer to this mouth of mine.

The only thing i was really upset about.. I got only 4 pieces of fries... what the !!!

I mean fries are so cheap, but apparently though my potatoe is supposedly a good one too.

Their Garlic bread was really really nice.. this you need to try... I also really like the beef and the dessert , chocolate mud cake with chocolate oozing out from the centre and ice cream is a fail safe combination ..

All in all... I would receomment this place if you want to go to melbourne... and decided to go to this place it would set you back $150 in total for 2 person.. if you really want to enjoy... of course if you are being stingy... you could order one steak and share and order some cheap dishes. This will set you back about $80-$100 in total for 2 person.

Taste Paradise - Excellent Dim Sum

2010-01-24T05:14:00.001-08:00

If there was ever a Dim Sum place you must try in Singapore then Taste Paradise is the one. I must say i have been to many Dim Sum place, but this one beats the rest hand's down. The dishes were to die for, if you are a food junkie.

Situated in ION shopping centre, the current " in-fashion" place to be. The restaurant boast elegant decoration and have rooms name after China's Emperor. Taste Paradise was not known for its Dim Sum, and even my brother and Dad who eats out alot have never actually tried their Dim Sum.

But one Sunday morning, while reading the newspaper, I came across one food critic who was also very impressed with Taste Paradise and voted it one of the "it" place to go. Never one to take a food critic's comment, i decided to review it myself.

And I was impressed. Here are some must eat dishes

The glutinous chicken rice is really really delicious. Most places the rice are abit dry but this one is really really moist. When i break the rice, the gravy from the inside oozed out and covered the rice.

Steamed bun. I cannot recall what it was... so it must be forgettable...

The glutinous rice roll was smooth and soft. Another one that hits the spot

This was bee hoon in egg white sauce. Really declious too. Most of my family love this dish, simple clean and elegant.

XO carrot cake - Another of their speciality. This one was not too bad, different from a normal carrot cake. Its not at my heavenly rating but it was close

Congee with century egg and leaned pork - Now, this porridge is the exact creamy porridge i get when i went to Hong Kong, the porridge is so smooth it just glides down your throat. Delicious

3 meat combo, this i must say mmmmm... crisp skin succulent meat.. you get the picture.

Overall if you every drop by Singapore. taste Paradise is the one to be .

Forest Leong's Dinner

2010-01-16T17:17:00.003-08:00

This trip to Singapore reaped some great rewards in terms of great eating out places. My uncle booked a private dinner with Forest Leong. She is the wife of Sam Leong the Singapore celebrity chef.

Forest is also a trained chef and apparently a French trained, but tonight we decided to try her thai food to see if it measures up.

I must say i was firstly impressed with her place. Below is some photos

Sam and Bill Clinton

The dinner party

My cousin... nice house too i must add.. very neat

Dinner setting

Our dinner started off with typical thai snack and Lemon grass drink .. taste nice. Something i would add to my book

Our first dish

This is an interesting starter - coconut, ginger, peanut, onion, chilli on a lettuce leave.

Tom Yum Gung not too bad, but not spicy enough for me. My uncle ask her to cook mild.. what a waste. Would like something to hot blow my mouth

Lemon grass chicken - This was nice would try this .. abit like Gai yang but was more moist

This 2 were my least favourite - not a fan of green curry but my Cousin love this. Fish was ok

This was more chinese though - Oyster mushroom and chinese veg.

I love this desert - Coconut and pumpkin, with black rice pudding.. that was delicious. I must try this one day. I am sure i can perfect this.

Overall the dinner was a good experience. And something i would do again but this time i would like to try french food.

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, i have been a bit lazy as I am still trying to get over all the holidays. I probably need a holiday from a holiday. The first week was tiring trying to start the work engine. Now with enough sleep and abit fresher. I think i will start my new year resolution

1. Loss Weight
2. Settle my CPA
3. Re-do my blog : Planning to put more dishes and make more a foodie's blog... lets see how it goes.

Melbourne Trip 18th-25th Dec

2009-12-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

What a busy december period, never felt more busy with work and holiday all pack in one month. We are now in Melbourne doing things I never had an opportunity to do when i was here the last time.

Thing we did

1. Visited Melbourne Zoo
2. Visited Victorira Market
3. Went to crown Casino ( No gambling though --- will prob loss too much money)
4. Watch Avatar in Crown
5. Visited some country town - Lakes Entrance, Angelsea, Airey's Inlet.
6. Drove along Ocean Reef Road

Today we are going to Yarra Valley to visit some winery. That is going to be good.

We tried 2 restanrant

1. The Meat and Wine Co
2. Paladdarr Thai Issarn
( Will give some review soon )

Went to Chadstone last night.. 24 hours shopping... was there till past mignight. Something Perth never got

Will put up pictures soon

Thai Trip

2009-12-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

Best thai trip ever, got to stay at Centara Resort, feels like a las vegas hotel. Beautiful and what a veiw from my room.

View from my room of the hotel pool area

Why u wake me up ?

Adam Lambert trying too hard to entertain

2009-11-23T04:14:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching Adam Lambert's performance, and I wasn't really entertain. Rather than letting his voice do the talking, he tried too hard to shock the people to accept his performance.
I have no doubt he had a great voice but the over the top gyrating and suggestive dancing is so distracting from the singing.

Adam needs to remember, that it is the public that buys the album, if the public is turned away and album sales drop so does his chance of making it in the music industry. He mentioned that he was a singer, entertainer and businessman, while a wise business person would not want to alienate the majority of the population, because they are the one that will support and buy the album.

Maybe the fame got the better of him and he lost track of what endeared him to people. Hopefully he will learn from this.

Good luck to him...

Adam Lambert Album out soon

2009-11-18T05:25:00.001-08:00

I have decided to dedicate this week to Adam Lambert and see if i can convert some of my friends.
I must admit Adam have some pretty amazing songs which he sang during idol. His current new album is available for listen on http://www.ilike.com/artist/Adam+Lambert/.

I must say for a 1st album done in 2 months, the compilation is not too shabby. It does have a song for almost everyone. The album has alot of 70s and 80s feel, it reminds me of Ace of Base, Depeche Mode, with the electronic sound. I like the songs but I do wish that he could show case his voice more. Those songs he choose during idol was so spot on.

I wish his next album, he would do something different, so that people across different genre can enjoy his voice. I hope he does a rock album, a jazz album, a pop album, maybe even an opera.

But you only have ot listen to the selection and his rendition to understand why he is so unique.

If i Can't have you - Adam's Version so different...

If I Can't Have You (American Idol Studio Version) by Adam Lambert

My FAV in his album so far ... hahah... all of his songs...

Awaiting for the new album

2009-11-17T02:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, another week and the New Adam Lambert album will be out in store.

I was looking at one of his performance and decided to make a comparison for this song called feeling Good. I think each singer did a pretty awesome Job, Adam had a bit more grunt in the song though.

This is Nina Simone a Jazz singer as well...

This one is from Michael Buble ... not bad.. very Jazz...

This is by MUSE - Adam's Fav group

Here is one by Adam Lambert..

Sometimes its good when so many artist sing the same song so you can get a good feel of the song.

WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T TAKE MEN SHOPPING

2009-11-15T03:23:00.000-08:00

WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T TAKE MEN SHOPPING

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target.
Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring
and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my
wife is like most women - she loves to browse.

Yesterday my dear wife received the following
letter from the local Target.

Dear Mrs.Hudson

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion
in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been
forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints
against your husband, Mr. J.Hudson are listed below and are
documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15:
Took 24 boxes of condoms and
randomly put them in other
people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2:

Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at
5-minute intervals.

3. July 7:

He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor
leading to the women's
restroom.

4. July 19:

Walked up to an employee and told her
in an official voice, 'Code 3 in
Housewares. Get on it right
away? This caused the employee to leave her
assigned station
and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in
turn
resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose
time and costing the company money.

5. August 4:

Went to the Service Desk and
tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layby.

6. August 14:

Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign
to a carpeted area.

7. August 15:

Set up a tent in the camping department and told the
children shoppers
he'd invite them in if they would bring
pillows and blankets from the
bedding department to which
twenty children
obliged.

9. September 4:

Looked right into the security camera and
used it as a mirror while he
picked his nose.

10. September 10:

While handling guns in
the hunting department, he asked the clerk where
the antidepressants were.

11. October 3:

Darted around the store
suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission
Impossible' theme.

12. October 6

In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look'
by using different sizes of funnels.

And
last, but not least:

15. October 23

Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited
awhile, then yelled very
loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet
paper in here!!!

One of the clerks passed out.

My friends

2009-11-14T04:59:00.001-08:00

Patrick Ng... THE MAN..

Vic the "Old Man" - Celebrating his 40th Birthday

No candles.. on cake... too many cant fit on cake... so decided to just go out for dinner

My new dishes

2009-11-14T02:16:00.001-08:00

I was in an experimental mood one night as Bird was also having her exam, so i decided to try something new.

First i did a soup - Preserved Veg with Sliced fish

Honey Baked Char Siew

XO Spinach with Sliced Chicken

My fav was still the Char Siew. I think i can do this again.. nice...

Capriz Review

2009-11-14T01:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a restaurant, that is really intresting. It is a Vietnamese owned Italian restaurant. We were figuring out what to eat before CG and stumbled upon this quaint little take away near Galleria.

And my guess was right, they have asian style Pizza, so i decided to try the Thai chilli chicken pizza, when the pizza came, it was crispy and with an interesting chinese feel to it. The fish and chips were also nice, the batter was crispy and the chips were salted just right for my taste bud

It was worth the try.

Next round i will try it again .

Campaigning for Late Night in Perth

2009-11-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

It is with regret that i learned that Perth is 10 years behind the eastern states. My friend told me that Perth was like what Melbourne was when his parents was in School. When he first moved over from Melbourne he had a rude cultural shock.

Now apparently, Melbourne had shops that opens 24 hours and on weekends. In fact the 1st week he came to perth, he went to Innaloo on a sunday thinking it was open, but to his horror. Shops are closed.

I think as perth population grow it is about time we start to take abit more initiative to get rid of the sleepy town image. I know many perth older folks hate the daylight savings and late nights. But isn't this about choice, democracy dictates that People should be given the right to choose.

Look if some people don't like late nights, by all means stay at home, why penalize others for wanting more cash or those who enjoy late night shopping. Isn't democracy about choice.

Let people choose, late night only works if people do think it is good.

I will start a campaign to help Colin Barnett to get the Late night going... no more restricted shopping hours.

LIBERATE PERTH

The Climb... by Miley Cyrus

2009-11-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

It is interesting to see that so many guy singers.. will make a cover of this song... here are the original and some of my fav

Mr Guy Sabestian.... doing his thing...

Ahmir... doing his thing.. Good voice.

Stan from Australian Idol

Even Kelly Clarkson did a jam session... with her friend

The original by Miley

An acapella version by Ahmir

Which is your fav ?????

A lesson from Man U defeat

2009-11-09T07:24:00.000-08:00

As i sat there, trying to keep my eyes open to watch Man u play Chelsea. I came to one poignant conclusion, this is not Man U's year.

We might not like it but one thing that cannot be denied, Cristiano Ronaldo brought another class to Man U team. Even though we had Rooney, Berbatov and Giggs. Everyone paled in comparison to Ronaldo. He alone carried the team the past 2 seasons, the gulf in class become more painfully clear, we need someone special.

So, this interesting question came to my mind, are leaders made or born ? Books keep telling us that Leader's are made not born. But then if that is true then why not every footballer end up the same standard even when they go through the same training.

I think Skill is something that we can learn but, some people just have the natural born leadership quality that when combined with the skills they acquire will make them really stand out.

Just in every organisation it is the same, some just have it some just don't.... each person will have a peak. But i do admit each of us will have something that we are destined for and are gifted in, if we find that I am sure we will excel in it..

My office on Melbourne Cup day

2009-11-07T16:39:00.001-08:00

I call him "Ghandi" - He is Vegan... only eats Veg

The girls on Melbourne Cup with their weird hats

The winner of the most crazy hat

This is "big voice" she is the voice of the Company

Crazy night of japanese food

2009-11-06T17:51:00.000-08:00

a

We had to do sushi for Sat's Hope Family day. So after badminton, a group of us went to my place to do the sushi. We were obviously starving after one night of exercise. So I decided to make some Japanese food to eat. Chong yee will scream once he knows what we eat at 10.30pm at night..

Our supper menu

1. Soft-shell crab sushi roll - with Mayo, Mustard and Avocardo

2. Grilled Teriyaki Beef - I had sliced Sirlon and also... WAGYU beef... mmmmm

3. Rocket Salad with Walnut, Blue cheese, sliced pears and Balsamic Dressing

4 Miso soup

so that was a crazy supper... my friend love the grilled beef and my homemade teriyaki sauce..

yum yum

Spinach with 3 egg recipe

2009-11-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

This dish is one of my wife favourite dish and also my parents, so i normally do this dish when they are over here. It is really a simple dish to do.

The main ingredients are

1. 1 bunch -Spinach more if you like...
2. 3 pieces of garlic or more if you like ( dont chop) but remove the white outer skin
3. Normal egg
4. Century egg - chopped
5. Salted egg
6. Chicken stock - can use chicken cube or canned soup
8 Fish sauce
9. Fried shallots
10 - Cornflour and with water

The trick to making sure this dish taste nice is to make sure the Spinach is cooked properly as spinach has this sandy taste, which some people do not like. Of course make sure the veg is washed.

Cooking method

1. Heat the wok with some oil

2. Put in the garlic ( make sure its not too hot.. if not the garlic will burn.) - The aim is to get the garlic taste into the oil with out burning the garlic

- The restaurant method... would then require you to take out the garlic once its abit brown...
- Then heat the wok up till its there you can see some smoke from the wok

3 Throw the spinach into the hot wok and start frying... also put in some fish sauce and the garlic pieces. Allow the spinach to wilt a little before pouring in the chicken stock.

** How much stock to use is personal preference i think.. i like mine abit towards the soupy side... as i like to drink the soup.. after.

4. But i will allow the veg to simmer with the stock for at least 2 min... ( if you like it thicker add abit of cornflour- but u can leave it as it is... too... i like more like soup ** also check the soup... and season to taste... using either chicken cube or fish sauce...

The egg sequence is also impt... so that you get the same texture as the restaurant

5 I put in the salted egg.. first and break it into the soup... and allow the veg to absorb the salted egg taste

6. Then i put in the chopped century egg

7. Lastly i break the normal egg into the wok stir it in ... I leave it on for only another 20 sec after that and shut the fire and allow the heat to cook the egg..

To garnish... some places use Fried shallot

This dish is simple to make, its about timing and mostly the seasoning. Its hard to get wrong.

Michael Bublé - "Haven't Met You Yet"

2009-11-05T15:02:00.001-08:00

This is also fast becoming my fav song... nice catchy tune...

I am prob in a music blog craze at the moment... dont mind me...

Lady Gaga - Fever

2009-11-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

I need to blog this just in case i lost the link... this is the same Fever on Adam Lambert album. This is Lady Gaga demo for Adam... this will be a great hit.

Kappy's Restaurant

2009-11-05T07:26:00.000-08:00

Kappy's italian restaurant

home | main menu | set menu | take out menu | location

location

120 Swan street, Guildford WA 6055

Phone- (08) 6278 2882

From the City via great eastern highway:
travel to guildford approx 13 km from city then turn right at James street(traffic lights) then turn Left at meadow street (over railway line) then right at roundabout, kappy's is now only 20 meters on your left.

From City via guildford road:
travel to guildford approx 13 km from city then turn Left at meadow street (over railway line)then right at roundabout, kappy's is now only 20 meters on your left.

From Hills or Midland via great eastern highway:
travel towards guildford grammar school on swan street and follow through the roundabout. kappy's is on your right.

Recently for the past 1 month, me and my wife have been sampling all the restaurant in guildford town near swan valley and we are please to announce our favourite food place. This was our latest sampling and by the best and fastest service.

The atmosphere was really pleasant, feels like a family restaurant. The service was quick. We got our food in 10 min, which by any standard was fast.

My seafood fettuccine...the flavour was there, you could taste the sea in the pasta sauce, sometimes when you go to some "Crappy" Restaurant, the pasta sauce is so blend... this one was nice. Thick and not runny

Rocket salad with blue cheese - Somehow my wife love this dish.. so... I am making this for her when i cook western.. again. easy to do.. Rockets, Pears, Walnut, Blue cheese, balsamic vinegar.

This was nice Spaghetti and steak.. the steak was really tender, prob a steak tenderloin.... nicely seasoned with a dash of oregano..

The desert - Crepe with Banana, rum and burnt sugar served with a side of ice cream

My wife at the restaurant.. and my baby... sleeping ... again

So if you have entertainment book.. this is one place i can recommend you go an try... I have try also L'tac and Padbury.. both were on par but not as good as Kappy's restaurant.

I will post some review on them soon....

PS.... need to try the burger at the Station stand... it is always full every night... that burger must be good.....

Awiaiting my fav album

2009-11-05T02:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is right Adam Lambert, Lady GAGA even Susan Boyle will be releasing their album on or around 23 Nov

Here is the snippets for adam's album.. pretty impressive...

Ok... told my wife this can be my birthday present... I will go buy Bon Jovi... myself.. mmmmmmm....

2010 - A year of marriage

2009-11-04T06:05:00.001-08:00

Just booking my calender for next year.. and man... have i got so many wedding to attend to.

My last count was 4 in the first 6 months... I would be broke man... better start saving more money now.

Well... I suppose, we all need to go through it someday..

So people remember to save up.. in case... you have no money...

Next yr OC is in Gold Coast.. would be nice to go.. but we will see... money is tight.. so will think more about it.

We weren't born to follow

2009-11-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

Bon Jovi - We Weren't Born To Follow

Sonshine was playing this in the morning on my way to work. I must say i have always love Bon Jovi. They were one of my first fav rock band. I had most of their albums and some songs are really classic.

Here is their latest single called We weren't born to follow.

Great lyrics...

We Weren't Born To Follow lyrics

This one goes out to the man who minds the miracles
This one goes out the ones in need
This one goes out the sinner and the cynical
This ain't about no apology
This road was paved by the hopeless and the hungry
This road was paved by the winds of change
Walking beside the guilty and the innocent
How will you raise your hand when the call your name?

Yea, Yea, Yea,
We Weren’t born to follow
Come on and get up off your knees
When life is a bitter pill to swallow
You gotta hold on to what you believe
Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow
And that’s a saints and sinners pleas
We weren’t born to follow
You gotta stand up for what you believe
Let me hear you say
Yea, Yea, Yea, ooooohhh,, Yea

This ones about anyone who does it differently
This ones about the one who doesn’t sit and spits
This ain’t about our living in a fantasy
This ain’t about giving up or giving in

Yea, Yea, Yea,
We Weren’t born to follow
Come on and get up off your knees
When life is a bitter pill to swallow
You gotta hold on to what you believe
Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow
And that’s a saints and sinners pleas
We weren’t born to follow
You gotta stand up for what you believe
Let me hear you say
Yea, Yea, Yea, ooooohhh,, Yea

Let me hear you say
Yea, Yea, Yea, oooohhhhh, Yea

“Guitar”

Yea, Yea, Yea,
We Weren’t born to follow
Come on and get up off your knees
When life is a bitter pill to swallow
You gotta hold on to what you believe
Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow
And that’s a saints and sinners pleas
We weren’t born to follow
You gotta stand up for what you believe
Let me hear you say
Yea, Yea, Yea, ooooohhh,, Yea

No Pun intended ... hahaha...

Life is full of Drama

2009-11-02T04:19:00.000-08:00

Life never sits still. One day you have to do this and the next something else crop up. The new build is much harder than i expected, I have to do the retaining wall which is an additional cost. But this if not done, then there won't be a house. So now i have to throw in 20K plus to do the retaining wall.

So far everything is according to budget and i managed to save on some areas which was good.

Recently there was also some side drama happening, which i won't elaborate but all i can say is in life we have to make is a choice. We cannot choose to just do things, we need to always wait on God and think carefully on our decision.

For me Choice is about making sure, you dont burn out, about not just following orders. There is no perfect person in this world therefore there is no perfect advice. Regardless of status or age, it is always important that we know what we do and also making sure that it is the right thing to do.

So what is my choice... ? For now it is to learn new things and enjoy my time.

Best of the worst singing

2009-10-31T16:45:00.000-07:00

For your entertainment....

Fine Dining dinner

2009-10-30T18:41:00.001-07:00

Waiting for the food

Wagyu and Sirlon

Yileen's first taste of Wagyu

Potatoe and Salad

Last night, it was was another fine food and wine night. The house was a little small to accomodate more people, but when i have my new house i can do it properly.

The day's menu include

Entree

Sourdough Garlic Bread
Seafood Chowder

Mains

Mango Salad with Rockets
Curry Mashed potatoe
Seared Wagyu and Sirlon served with Wasbi / garlic butter and Soy sauce

Dessert

Vanilla Ice-cream
Cheese Platter

I think most people were bloating at the stomach after that. But all i can say is i may have converted a few Wagyu doubters. We tried the 2 different cut of beef and everyone agreed you can taste the difference between Wagyu and a Sirlon.

I think... once u had Wagyu nothing taste as close. Scotgch Fillet will be close.

The Seafood chowder was something new i tried, normally i use poatoe but this time i use double cream and no potatoe to give the thick creamy texture. Seems everyone love the soup. I made extrra and everyone had seconds...

For $30 i think that is a steal... next fine dining .... is up for booking...

Thinking of doing Saffron Smoked Salmon with Garlic Butter Sauce served with a side of Cous Cous.

Christabelle's Photo

2009-10-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

Happy

Latest .... yesterday's Dinner party

Not happy

The sailor look

A snapshot of Miss Christabelle.... sometimes cranky sometimes happy... beginning to behave like a girl... hahaha.... mood swings... and all.

The mark of a leader

2009-10-25T00:43:00.000-07:00

In every place and in every season, God often brings forth great leaders that makes a difference in our life. I can say in my Christian walk, there are a number of leaders that help shaped my christian walk and I truly believe that in this leaders I have learned some value truth that help me understand what makes a truly great leader.

The first person is Ps Jeff, one great thing about Ps Jeff is he is a genuine person. I have had the opportunity to work with him when he first went full time. It helps he has the same sense of humor as me. Really funny person but someone who is real. The one thing i have learned from him is that you must mean what you say and say what you mean. He is a no-nonsense leader who is gracious enough to allow feedback and also humble enough to accpe his shortcoming. It is not often you meet people who can be funny yet serious for God.

The seond person who shaped alot of my thinking is Ps Kong Hee. Never had a chance to work with him as we are from different church but i never cease to be inspired by his teachings. Insightful and a real man of God. What stood out for me was his willing to live by his teaching. Today he is a volunteer pastor who never take a salary from the church .

The third person is Ps Wayne Coderio, a very annointed preacher who taught me that leadership is servanthood and that we as leaders must always remain humble and that we need to be real

Here are some phases that really spoke to me : :

1. A great leader is one who is geniune and real not one who puts on a front
2. A great leader is humble and willing to accept feedback
3. A great leader will always build great leader.

But most importantly, a truly great leader will always inspires others with his life.

Being Christlike is more than a word

2009-10-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

What is right and what is wrong ? Sometimes some area are so grey that its hard to tell. As a christian, i always believe that the Bible is above anybody, rules, regulation and customs.

Because ultimately it is us who stand before God to answer for our action. I believe God put leader there to guide us but not to rule over us. Leaders are only as good as their life. Not because of title or for any other reason. Therefore it is imperative that we use our own conviction to determine our action.

The truth is leaders can also be wrong and leaders can also stray. Ihave come across leaders who taught me things which i thought were a little suspect and true enough they ultimate fell from God. There when in doubt consult the bible, consult many people, get different opinion, then make your own decision

The bible had one case, where some people say they follow Paul, while some say they follow apollo, but in truth we should all follow Jesus.

There are many things in the world that is not truly black nor truly white. But a little common sense, a little wisdom and a little prayer will hopefully give us the correct decision we need to make.

So being christlike sometimes takes more than simply follow orders.

Prisoner dance !! Wow

2009-10-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

Now who say Philippino can only sing.... Edwin and Edith will be proud... How on earth you get hard core criminals in Philippines to do this... they must love music..

Bye Bye old house

2009-10-17T06:59:00.001-07:00

Yes the old dame is no more. It had been a good run but this old house was build in the 70's so its was time to put it out of misery. It was not bad as a house but it prob has run its course. I went there to see and the land look so different and flat.

Now have to get council approval to do the retaining wall so that I can get the build under way. But i would expect some delay over the build due to the wall issue.

Lets hope we can get it sorted our soon

Aussie Dollar is now in Crazy territory

2009-10-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

Yes today it is official, Aussie dollar is going crazy, I never thought that Aussie would be this strong. Today we hit a 14month's high. 5 -8 months back Singapore Dollar was 1 : 1 now its 1.27.

Aussie may even go above parity with USD.. So now Aussie dollar is the world benchmark currency... Sad about US>.. with all their corporate failings and debt.

In fact i think this Aussie dollar inflation might do us more harm than good, because now export will be expensive and imports cheap.. so guess what. More China made products and those from Asia countries and who suffers ? Well Australia.

I don't know how long this will run, but lets just hope the other country start to pick up too.

Below is the report

Aussie dollar heads for parity as RBA chief agrees it could hit $US1.10

Michael Stutchbury, Economics editor | October 16, 2009
Article from: The Australian

THE Australian dollar appears headed towards parity with the US dollar after Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens agreed the economy's strength could drive it "way up" to $US1.10.

The dollar jumped after Mr Stevens also suggested that the Reserve Bank would not be "too timid" in further increasing the official interest rate, breaking through US92c to reach 14-month highs.

His comments startled foreign exchange market analysts and encouraged money markets to bet that the Reserve would lift its cash rate from 3.25 per cent to at least 3.75 per cent before Christmas and keep lifting next year.

"I tend to agree with him," the Commonwealth Bank's chief currency strategist, Richard Grace, said of Mr Stevens's Aussie dollar bullishness.

But while Mr Stevens suggested the dollar's rise was the result of Australia's economic vigour, Wayne Swan warned that it would hurt farmers and other export industries.

"I do understand some people will do it really tough as a consequence of a higher dollar," the Treasurer said.

Since October 2, just before the Reserve Bank lifted its 3 per cent "emergency" cash rate, the dollar has gained nearly 7 per cent, from US86c to US92.11c in European trading last night.

The dollar's rise could further increase the tension between the Reserve Bank's rate rise move and the Rudd government's rejection of calls to unwind its budget stimulus more quickly.

In theory, an expansionary budget policy pushes up an economy's exchange rate.

The Reserve Bank is not intervening in foreign exchange markets to dampen the currency's ascent, which is akin to a policy tightening that mostly hits exporters and businesses that compete against imports. But it also contains inflation by making imports cheaper.

The Australian sharemarket rose again yesterday on the back of improved investor confidence in the Australian and global economies, with the All Ordinaries index gaining 28.5 points or 0.59 per cent to hit a one-year high.

Mr Stevens was asked at a breakfast function in Perth whether the Reserve Bank had any tools to prevent speculators driving the Australian dollar to $US1.10.

Mr Stevens replied that, rather than speculators, there usually was a rational reason for big exchange rate movements.

"You could do a scenario where the exchange rate goes way up," he said.

"We've got one of the better-performing economies in the world. Even at very low interest rates, we still have a positive differential and we're a country where the people here are, I think, reasonably confident about the future and foreigners are fairly confident about our future, and it's not entirely surprising that they're a bit keen on the currency."

Mr Stevens suggested that this could change if economic recoveries in other countries surprised on the upside.

"But you could do a scenario of the one you suggest and, in that world, perhaps inflation is lower, but the reason the exchange rate is up there is probably that there are some very strong growth dynamics and trade dynamics at work here."

The Australian dollar has not traded at parity with the US dollar since the local currency floated in late 1983, but appeared headed towards this level before the global crisis hit.

With its economy still sick and US official interest rates at zero, the US dollar is falling against most other currencies.

But it is falling harder against the Australian dollar after the Reserve Bank last week became the first in a G20 country to lift official interest rates since the global financial crisis hit just over a year ago.

This means the Australian dollar is rising against most other currencies, such as the British pound, which is being talked down by the Bank of England to cushion its economic downturn.

From only 37p a year ago, the Australian dollar now buys 57p.

The Commonwealth Bank's Mr Grace forecast that the dollar will reach US93c by the end of this year and US98c by the middle of next year.

He said it was possible the dollar could rise to more than $US1 because of an "almost perfect environment" for the Australian currency.

Firstly, Australia's economy was outperforming other developed economies and financial markets had yet to fully price in the coming rate rises.

Secondly, the global economy was starting to revive, helping lift commodity prices and hence Australia's export prospects.

Thirdly, the US Federal Reserve had signalled that it would keep its zero official interest rate "for an extended period", which was driving investors out of $US-denominated assets and into higher-yield currencies such as the Australian dollar.

"This is an environment in which the Aussie dollar could hit $US1.10," Mr Grace said.

Michael Jackson Final Song and Adam's first

2009-10-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

This is MJ's final song, i had an opportunity to see him perform live once and it was an unforgetable experience. I can say he is a truly extraordinary singer regardless of the press about him.

You cannot deny his voice is truly unique and one of a kind. The only other person that can come close would be Adam lambert, when he sand Black or White cannot wait for his song to come out.

Here is also a video about his new soundtrack for the movie 2012.

Some rants....

2009-10-12T05:59:00.001-07:00

This couple of weeks besides my usual work, house building project I was also busy playing some games. One being Mafia wars and Restaurant city... Its not too bad... getting a hang of it... must say this is one time i ever see my wife also play games like me...Will try to get into my texas poker... if i got time.

Anyway, caught up with alot of my friends. I think in recent times, there are more people joining the "Alumni Club". Well, lets just say I am not too surprise but I think time will only tell. Its important that people go to where they can be fully released.

I think with so many issues being brought out recently I come to realize there is no perfect organisation and that we should always be humble to learn from others. How fast should all christian run ? Personally, from my experience, God's work is endless and there will always be people to reach out.

Church growth is important but never at the expense of our own spiritual growth.

One of my uncle who is a missionary told me one thing..when we serve the Lord. Never never try to run ahead of God. Allow God to lead and we follow, this way we never burn out. We are all different and therefore grow at different rate and enjoy different ministry.

One of the reason our organisation such a big setback recently was because we were always pushing people to the limit and sometimes when they are stretched beyond their capacity they break and cracks appear.

I promise to learn from this.. and will make sure my christian will finish well... Its important that I run at the pace i feel led by the Lord and not because of any peer pressure.

Our last farewell

2009-10-12T05:43:00.001-07:00

Our back porch we saw so many parties and BBQ

Our living room all gutted...

This was how the house used to be before i put in the door. It was an outside toilet.

Victor's old mobile home... he grew up in the blue caravan.. and all his earthly possessions used to be stored in it

The salvage lorry... they took everything...

The old has truly gone and the new has come. I must admit i have been lazy this couple of weeks due to the hassle of settling my new house. We had our pre-start last week and now I can truly say its a new beginning.

This house has served me well for the last few years... happy and sad memories... Christabelle was born in this house. HOpefully when she grows up she will get to see this blog...

We had so many guest in our house.. since i bought it... the list just goes on ..

People who had stayed in this house.

1. Alan Lim
2. Kris bather
3. Victor Stewart
4. Edmond Ho
5. Duan Wei
6. Bird
7. Pep

Feels like a refugee camp.. hahah... but i suppose that is where friendships were forged... Now to a new beginning and to a 6 bedroom house... and yes... the house is alredy fully booked

1. Pep and Bird
2. Me and Esther
3. Boy and his wife
4. Jane ( Cousin)
5. Jeremy ( Cousin )

Of course it will not be free... so everyone must help me with the mortgage and share the bills. $ $ Accountant thinking.. if they all chip in I can reduce the mortgage pretty fast.. still thinking how to charge... Still deep in thought but... we shall see..

One auntie told me that more toilet means higher council rate... cause they got to clean more poo...

I shall post some old photos from the parties we had at our home...

Current Fav Artist

2009-10-04T04:12:00.000-07:00

Yes thought i blog my current favourite singers.... here is my Top fav singers

1. Jay Chou
2. Adam Lambert
3. Kelly Clarkson
4. Aiza Seguerra
5. Michael Wong

This are the few singers I will definitely buy their album when it is released.

Adam lambert album is coming up this NOv 24 and i hope it will be available in Aust too.. cannot wait for the album. This guy can really sing.

My baby however loves Aiza's song... she will keep quiet everytime i play her songs... which is good for me

Perth Royal Show

2009-10-03T07:39:00.001-07:00

This year we took another trip to the Perth royal show, i must say it was quite fund seeing that we refrain from spending money on winning those huge teddy bears. You always want the bear but when you bring it home, it sits on your selves and in 5 months goes into a box...

So this year I decided Food, Showbags and rides thats the way to go. They have a manchester united showbag. NO LIVERPOOL hahah... that was a good indication what the royal perth show thought of liverpool.

Anyway I believe someone was a Man U supporter. That is why they have such wonderful showbag

The fireworks is spectacular as usual and of course, the rides were great too. I sat the X-treme force. Really good... scary next year will remember to try it again Bird and Esther chicken out cause it was too high.

Peking Duck Recipe

2009-09-30T03:39:00.001-07:00

Peking Duck Recipe

Ingredients :

2.5 kg

40 pieces

1/2

Coating

1 tablespoon

1 teaspoon

1/2 teaspoon

Sauce

2 tablespoons

1 tablespoon

Duck

Chinese pancake (refer recipe)

Spring onions (scallions)

Cucumber, sliced

Red chilies

Malt sugar, honey or molasses

Cornflour

Vinegar

Hoisin sauce

Peanut butter

Sesame oil

Chinese yellow wine

Method :

Clean the duck, removing and discarding any excess fat in the cavity.
Tie a piece of string around its neck. Pat dry.
Bring 25 cups of water to the boil and turn off the heat.
Put the duck into the water and turn it backwards and forwards for about 1 minute. Remove.
Bring the water to the boil again and repeat the previous step.
Do this twice more (total four times).
Hang the duck in a cool, draughty place for about 5 hours.
Mix the coating ingredients with 10 tablespoons hot water and brush the duck all over with the mixture.
Hang to dry for a further 4 hours and apply a second layer of coating.
Pre-heat the oven to 450^oF / 230^oC.
Put a roasting pan in the oven with a wire rack in it, making sure that there is a space of about 5 cm between the rack and the pan base.
Place the duck on the rack, breast side up, and roast for 8 minutes.
Turn the duck over using a towel, not a fork, and roast for a further 8 minutes.
Reduce the temperature to 350^oF / 180^oC and turn the duck breast side up again.
Roast for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 250^oF / 120^oC and roast for 10 minutes.
Increase the heat again to 450^oF / 230^oC and roast the duck for about 10 minutes.
At this point you have to watch carefully to make sure the skin of the duck does not burn.
Turn off the heat once the skin has turned a rich deep red.
While the duck is roasting, prepare the Chinese pancakes. Refer to the Chinese pancakes recipe.
Cut the spring onions into 5 cm lengths, shred the tip of each piece and put it in iced water for 10 minutes. Cut the cucumber into similar lengths.
Decorate each piece with a red chili ring.
Blend together the sauce ingredients over a low heat.
Carve off the skin on the back of the duck.
Hold the knife horizontally and carve the skin and meat from the breast and legs, cutting at an angle of 15^o.
Arrange the skin and meat on a large plate and serve it with pancakes and cucumber, spring onions and the sauce.

Note : Diners help themselves. They place one pancake flat on a plate, put a piece of duck in the center, dip a spring onion (scallion) in the sauce and put it on top of the duck, wrap it up and eat it. The contrast of textures and taste is delicious.

Margaret River Trip

2009-09-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

This past 5 days have been a great time spending with my family at margaret river. We did more things then what i had expected and most were pretty fun. I particularly enjoyed the Marron and Trout farm where we went fishing for our dinner.

This is a must try, it was hard trying to fish for the first time but we managed to caught 2 trout. It was beautiful to say the least.

We also did a big wine tour my favourite would be Picardy at Pemberton, a very interesting blend of Shiraz.

Also it was christabelle first time to the SPA but the photo is on the other computer so have to upload later.

I think next round if I go to the south must visit Manimup Wine and Truffle company and the Marron Farm. That would be in my tour list.

The Ideal plan

Wineries to visit

1. Grayln Estate
2. Sandalford
3. Cullen
4. Woodland
5. Voyager
6. Leeuwin
7. Vase Felix

Things to do

1. Eat Scones at Berry Farm
2. Go caving at Nigili Cave but get the adventure tour
3. Try the lighthouse tour
4. Fishing at Pemberton Trout farm
5. Go to Manjimup Truffle farm for their Truffle hunt
6. Climb the Treetop at Pemberton
7. Busselton Jetty

Places to eat

1. Voyager Estate
2. Settler's Tavern - Wagyu Burger
4. Simmos Ice Cream
5. Trout Farm
6. Goose Restaurant

An interesting read on Singapore religion issue

2009-09-06T09:20:00.001-07:00

Singapore's prime minister warned Sunday in his National Day speech that "aggressive preaching" by religious groups and attempts to convert others threaten the tiny city-state's stability.

Lee Hsien Loong, a Buddhist by birth, said his education at the island's Catholic High School was an example of how different religions can coexist peacefully.

"The most visceral and dangerous fault line (in Singapore) is race and religion," Lee said.

Singapore's majority Buddhist Chinese, Malay Muslims and Indian Hindus have largely avoided conflict since race riots between Chinese and Malays left about 40 dead in the 1960s.

People pray to a diety at a hindu temple in Singapore on May 26, 2009. (Getty)

"Christians can't expect this to be a Christian society," he said. "Muslims can't expect this to be a Muslim society, ditto with the Buddhists, the Hindus and the other groups."

In the most recent census in 2000, 43 percent of Singaporeans said they were Buddhist, 15 percent Muslim, 15 percent Christian, 8.5 percent Taoist and 4 percent Hindu.

Lee cited the case of a Christian couple who were jailed earlier this year for distributing religious pamphlets deemed offensive to adherents to other faiths, and he condemned those who try to convert ailing hospital patients "who don't want to be converted."

"You push your religion on others, you cause nuisance and offense," he said.

He also singled out a group from an evangelical Christian church who briefly took control of a women's association in April and said they opposed what they claimed was the association's advocacy of homosexuality. They were voted out soon after.

"This was an attempt by a religiously motivated group to enter civil space, take over an INGO they don't approve of and impose their agenda," Lee said. "This risked a broader spillover into relations between different religions."

He said the government must remain secular because Singapore's authority and laws "don't come from a sacred book." Lee's People's Action Party has ruled Singapore since independence 50 years ago.

"We have to keep religion separate from politics," he said.

Lee said Singapore's prosperity depends on people respecting the beliefs of others.

"We all have to adopt 'Live and let live' as our principle."

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090817/tap-as-singapore-religion-832f4ab.html

New blog up soon

2009-09-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Yes i have been tinkering around abit and have been trying some other blogs, wanted to do a blog specifically for food to keep my recipe.

Recently have been practicing how to do char siew. Let me colleague try it, she gave some to her family and they say its better than the restaurant they eat... wow !! that is a compliment !!!

I should seriously start compiling all my ad-hoc recipe i just happen to dream up... so that i would not forget...

When my brother comes next week, will plan with him to start a food and wine blog especially for those who likes to eat...

When music really soothes you

2009-08-31T04:20:00.001-07:00

There is a saying Music soothes the savage beast and this cannot be more true. Everytime, i need something to boost me up, bring into a reflective mood or just keep me sane. Music has always been my friends. Some songs are so powerful that you can play it the whole day and it just have this effect on you.

During my trip to Singapore, I recently found a wonderful CD called Aiza Seguerra. Her voice is absolutely divine, her CD was one that just pop up. I was shopping in City Hall and overheard one of the shops playing the CD. And that was it. I bought all her CD and its the best investment so far during our trip.

If you like nice cover songs, I absolutely recommend this to all my friends.

Seafood in Bangkok

2009-08-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law took us to a coastal seafood restaurant to have a seafood meal. we ordered

Tom Yum Prawns, Fish, Baked Prawns, Crab fried rice, Crab Som Tum, Shell fish with fried Chilli, Fish cake, beer and desert

And guess what it cost less than $100.... to say it is cheap is an understatement. The food was nice, there was a lot of lady boys there though which were serving us. Maybe its the rural area but, i do not understand why boys wants to be girl.

Overall you know food is not too bad. A lot of locals and celeb in thailand goes there to eat. Hopefully if anyone is going to thailand, i can pass you the address.

We also met some of Hope friends.... and both were from different "camps" if you get my drift. Well at least we could set the difference aside and enjoy a nice meal ... will post the food here too... next round.

Bought heaps of DVDs chinese ones... which is good... keeps me occupied for now.

Christabelle's first roll-over

2009-08-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

This trip is the many first for Christabelle, this is her first international trip, her first visit to Thailand and 1st taste of a successful roll. Her 1st seat on the plane.. and her 1st drink !!

Her Barcardi !!!

Her roll came yesterday ---19 Aug 2009....

Blogging to remember just in case next time she marry ... she needs the info

Chrsitabelle's 1st international trip

2009-08-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

Our baby girl's first interntional trip at 4 months she is travelling to Singapore and Thailand. She is made in Australia so she has an Australian Passport. Here are the photos of her trip... Our parents had a big feast which i will show... later

Queing up at the Perth Airport - 12 midnight... she is almost dying of tiredness

At the Singapore airport.... I am seeing double vision - 6am in the morning

Her 1st trip to the ION shopping centre in singapore

Her touch down in Thailand bangkok airport... the mask... maurader... haha... she is cute

Early in the morning 18th Aug... she went to breakfast with Parents... at Holiday Inn

OH MY GOD...! Bruce Lee AMAZING !!

2009-08-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking for sometime now to learn Jeet Kune do and this next 6 months, i will start my intensive physical trainign to get back into shape. But what an amazing skill Bruce Lee has... I can truly say he is a once in a life time legend. They will never be or never will be anyone like him

My friend told me Bruce Lee brother will come out for the first time to tell the real movie story and make it into a movie. Also they have released never before seen videos of Bruce Lee.

Here are 2 amazing videos which you got to see to believe.. Bruce playing Ping Pong with Nunchko and lighting matchstick.

Enjoy... So if anyone is interested we can all go for some Kung-fu classes

Quick DVD updates

2009-08-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Been watching a number of new releases lately. Here are my recommendation

A couple of movies were a surprise hit with me

1. Wedding Daze - Good comedy.
2. Confession of a shopaholic - Not too bad, I think it was done in Chinese before by Sammi Cheng. This is the English version

Watchmen - This movie is abit like Sin City style kind of movie, so if you dont like Sin city then this movie is not for you. But I do like the theme of the movie though. Its always fascinating wondering about the moral theme of Necessary Evil. I learned that in University, but to see it in practice ... it would be interesting.

" Kill a million to save a billion "

One country that did this really well is Singapore. Our ex prime minister Lee was ruthless in dealing with the communist party and those who set to destablise Singapore. But in the same time he makes sure the people in Singapore are well taken care of. If singapore had gone down the British path, I do not think Singapore will be where we are. Maybe we will be like Fiji, havng to fight coup after coup.

I recently read with great amusement of the British law, they are so into human rights that they would give welfare to Islamic militant who preach hate message on the country that feed them. Its like biting the hands that feeds you. I do think Britian has to make do with Human rights ideology and take a leaf out of Prime Minister Lee. Maybe if they watch the movie Watchmen, they will understand that sometimes Human rights is universally applicable.

I think.. that is what makes Watchmen such an interesting show to watch. I am fascinate by the theme the movie was a little dark i must add. But a very ineresting theme.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

2009-08-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

First time i saw the movie, i cannot catch heads or tail. It was long and no big fight scenes, spend 2 hours plus and all i saw was the death of Dumbledore. I think it came with a lot of hype but many of us were really let down in the movie.

I do think though the only way to see this movie is like a sort of prequel to the final episode. Its abit like Lord of the ring. The good stuff only happens right at the end. So unless you have read Deathly hallows, alot of the movie scenes only makes sense in the last episode.

So do yourself a favour by reading Deathly hallows so you can understand the movie a little better.

Survey online

2009-07-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

OK, been trying to earn some extra cash doing online survey that is why i had little time to do post.

Unfortunately its not as lucrative as i expect. The surveys at the moment only pay 2 AUD,
apparently if you do it regularly, you will get the higher paid survey.

I have yet to get any $10 survey but will wait for it. I got a $7 one but i did not qualify

Well here goes my money making scheme up in smokes.

Unless someone knows a good paid survey site.

Please let me know. I signed up to virtually everyone of them.

I can tell you which are scam sites.

jimmydeal.. that is one of them.. NEVER SIGN with THEM they are bogus, they want you to sign up mobile phone so they can sign you up to premium SMS.

Fatcat rewards also... is another one of those sites so far the best ones are ... won't say now... cause have not received money from them yet... will keep everyone posted.