Thursday, April 14, 2005

A $20 Bill Story

this story was from one of those chain mails, but I find this very motivational and inspirational.

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A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "What is this piece of paper & is it worth any thing ?"

"It is a $20 bill, encashable in international & national markets for it's quoted value ?" replied one of the many participants who raised their hands.

He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up using both his hands till it became a bundle of wrinkled paper.

He then unfolded it again and making an unsuccessful attempt to keep it straight he asked,

"Would you still be able to negotiate it for it's quoted value?"

" Yes !!" was the echoing reply from the participants.

"Well," he said, "Looks like I haven't done enough ! What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, which was now all crumpled, dirty, defaced & not easy to recognise from a distance.

"Now will some one like to trade it for its quoted value?" Many hands went in the air.

"I think this piece of currency is still holding its quoted value" replied a participant in a slightly unsure voice.

"This bill can still fetch goods worth 20 Dollars" said the other participants. Every one agreed.

"My friends, there is a very valuable lesson in this exercise that we are just through with. It may have appeared to some of you, that I was able to deshape, deface, mutilate & alter the $20 bill during the process as the effects were quite visible".

"However, No matter what I did to this piece of paper, you still upheld its negotiability because you were sure in your mind that my actions did not actually decrease its value. It was still a currency note worth $20".

"Many times in our lives, we feel like as if we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and/or the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. It may also appear to onlookers as if it has really happened to certain extent. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, please remember you never lose your "Value"."

Values that you cherish are indeed devoid of worldly disturbance & always are your saviour.

Authentic American Treat - Flamin' J

Come to think about it, there isn't really any food that is specialized from America, except the burger, fries and soda. But think again, not just anyone that can do a good burger, a sandwich, and fry the potatoes correctly.

So last night, Mark and I decided that we should go rounding a little around Taipan area to find out what's good for dinner there. After rounding a little we discover this cosy place called Flamin' J. The friendly manager there came greeting, and say try it, if we don't like it, and they will not take our $$.




We first shared a Seafood chowder (RM8.50). It is kind large in portion, and come with a full size garlic bread. The soup is loaded with loads of shredded fish pieces, so thick that I thought can be used as a filling for a fish pie. The taste is heaven!

Mark then had a beef sandwich, in American size (cannot remember the name), while I had a burger named big Bertha (American size, RM11.80). The sandwich came with some home fried crispy potato chips, and a small bowl of mushroom sauce. The sandwich itself is loaded with thinly sliced, almost well-done beef slices.

My burger patties was great nonetheless, 200g of minced meat guaranteed with no binders (flour or stuffs that used to hold meat together). And the pattie was said to be fully homemade, at their factory in Puchong. It taste very well marinated, with a hint of wine or so. For the fries that came with it, they used a real russet potatoes to it.

One thing I like about the food there is that, they are not salty. So you can try it there the next time when u want to eat a good all american meal.


Note on 22/4/05

Jason Choong, the director of Flamin'J actually wrote to me today! He did a search about the restaurant and that was how he got directed to the blog. What a big surprise. Thank you for your good word too. I will surely come by once in a while. :-)

There is writing about Flamin'J too at USJ website.

http://www.usj.com.my/LifeStyle/details.php3?table=LifeStyle&ID=435&Category=Eating%20Out

And he was featured in the Metro Section, The Star too.

http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2005/1/9967987.html

Monday, April 04, 2005

Song of The Day

Des yuex qui font baiser les miens
Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche
Voila le portrait sans retouche
De l' homme auquel j' appartiens
Je vois la vie en rose

Des nuits d' amour plus finir
Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place
Le ennuis, le chagrins trepassent
Heureux, Heureux a en mourir

(Edith Piaf / La Vie En Rose)

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Translation:

His lips kissed on my eyes
Smile glided pass his lips
This is the first impression of him
This man, I belong to him
When he held me into his arms
I see the rose-colored life

The night of love never ends
Happiness then replaced the long nights
Troubles and sorrow disappear
Happiness, happiness till death do us apart

Saturday, April 02, 2005

Chin Ming Prayer - What to burn???

Every year Chin Ming prayer, Chinese people will buy paper made goods and burn for their deceased love one, in hope to provide those pass away have an easier life down there (you should know down where).

Below are some of the stuffs that SinChew Jit Poh (http://www.sinchew-i.com) highlighted for this year prayer.

This one is very common. My grandma already burn this when my grandfather just died. Now people proceed to remote control air-cond.

Can't seemed to get that fashion you want for you love ones? Buy the material and let them make whatever they want.
Shoes - They look better than what I have now (my lousy slipper)
Teapot set
For those that were very techie - Paper make Pentium Centrino laptop
Is strange why they would want to burn gas cylinder to down there, since hell is always deemed burning hot.
Shortest way to make oneself look cool - PDA, Sunglasses, Digicam, Travel passport
Sniff - for the deceased young children
Some passed away without teeth, replace with thisCamcorder anyone?
Guiness Stout, Mahjong, Ciggy - Mostly are for those elderly
For those that can't afford the real abalone and shark fin during their life time

Overheard at Ching Beng Prayer

At the grandfather's grave, relatives gathered for a annual prayer. While burning the paper offering:

Grandma: Let me find a stick to lift these stacks of papers so they can burn better.

Small Uncle: *fumble fumble fumble* behind one grave and brought a plank of wood.
Small Uncle: *dig dig dig* around the burning pile.

Grandma: No! No! No! Don't dig like that, nanti the US Dollar inside all get smashed up, then grandfather cant use the torn money down there.

*Everyone shrugged*

Elder Uncle: But down there also got hell bank, just ask grandfather to change the spoilt one there lah.