Life and Living

Penang One Stop Home Improvement/Renovation Shops @ Juru

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Called me outdated about home improvement but perhaps not anymore. Last weekend, we spent the whole afternoon in Juru. To be more precise, window shopping at Pusat Perniagaan Juru Jaya. With the arrival of our new tenant, I guess it is time to revise the latest requirement especially a child friendly home.

Recommended by our friend's brother for bathroom solution, we initially thought of sourcing for some hardware materials from Sin Jin Da - the giant operator in this commercial block.

Sin Jin Da is a three-story shop lot, stands at the corner, easily notice if one is driving from south. Huge billboards by Rubine and suppliers cover almost every angle of its facade. Ground floor trades all kinds of quick fix for contractors or anyone who is working for home improvement e.g. pipe, valve, water tank, sink, wire, padlock, hob and hood. And first floor is their air-conditioned show room. Occupying about 2000-3000 sq ft (my estimate), this level features a wide spectrum of bathroom accessories such as water faucet in all kind of shapes and sizes. Towel rack of any length, soap dispenser, mirror, toilet bowl includes the kid's size, jacuzzi, drain cover, and the latest in trend is modular set of bathroom's wash basin integrated with cabinet. If you are looking for kitchen organizer such as dish rack, drainer rack, sliding rack/larder, they have them all as well apart from the hood and hob.

National Kidney Foundation and Evadis Cupcakes | 1001 Cupcakes In 1001 Hours

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:35:34 -0700

To the fans of cupcakes, this is a good news for you! Adorable and charming cupcakes are rolled out to reach you. This is the chance to eat and donate without messing up your own kitchen!

Co-organized by National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Penang Branch and Evadis Cupcakes in aid of the poor & needy dialysis patients, these cupcakes are made available to public through a charity project - '1001 Cupcakes In 1001 Hours'. Colorful topping and beautiful decoration of cupcakes are designed including cute animals, Christmas or Season's Greetings. Asides from cupcakes, you may also order the 5-inches Christmas Fondant Cake that each can serves 10-15 guests.

Explore Malaysian Festival | Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (Puasa) - Eid ul-Fitr

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0600

People say you would never know what you have until you loose it. Being away from Malaysia for a year provides me a chance to reflect on many things. One of them is to appreciate what I possess. My root, my homeland and MY celebrations!

Malaysia is indeed rich. Rich in culture and heritage. As a melting pot, Malaysians made of various backgrounds are allowed to retain their root, culture, heritage, value and faith. Unique, colorful and vibrant, we live together in harmony, respecting each other and that explains why Malaysians observe among the largest number of public holidays in a calendar year.

Mid Autumn Festival | Mooncakes - The Gift of Love by National Kidney Foundation

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0600

In the mood of celebrating Mid Autumn Festival on the coming 22 September 2010, let us share the joy of this auspicious day of with the needies. For folks who are going to purchase mooncakes for their family and relatives, please consider for 'Six Happiness Moon Cake' this year and obtain them from National Kidney Foundation (NKF) in Penang.

These mooncakes are specially made available to public through 'The Gift of Love' campaign organized by National Kidney Foundation. A box of 4 mooncakes is RM40 and the flavors are Osmanthus Longan Latus with Single Yolk, White Lotus Paste (Low Sugar), Pandan Lotus Paste and Green Tea Lotus with Lychee. While a lovely chest box that holds 2 pieces is RM25, made out of Osmanthus Longan Latus with Single Yolk and White Lotus Paste (Low Sugar).

Austin Zilker Park Hillside Theater | Annie - 2010 Summer Free Musical Show

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0600

On a hill slope overlooking an outdoor theater with home blankets on the green grass offers casual seating, this is the adventure of watching summer musical show at Zilker Park. Over 52 years, this is the Austin's tradition of presenting live musical show to the folks of Central Texas every summer!

This year, Zilker Theater Production presents you 'Annie'. Professional, fun and well-choreographed, Annie is a highly entertaining play by an energetic team. Began on last weekend 9 July, Annie runs through 14 August 2010, so plan your weekends and make sure you do not miss this brilliant piece!

Based on the book written by Thomas Meehan, Annie is an award winning Broadway musical. Reproduced with permission, it takes the center stage on Zilker Hillside Theater this summer and draws huge crowd as early as 6 pm.

14 February 2010 | The Battle of Chinese New Year Vs. Valentine Day

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:50:56 -0700

Hello Everyone! Time flies. Today, we are welcoming the second month of 2010 - February. Last month in January, I loaded tonnes of wilderness stories from Big Bend National Park (Texas, USA) adventure. This month, let me steer our focus to be more in tune with what is going to happen in February, particularly the celebrations.

Around the globe, people are going to celebrate 14 February as Valentine's Day. For year 2010, this date is also the first day of Spring Festival or Lunar New Year. Big occasion which is observed as a major public holiday in the region with large Chinese ethnic population like China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. However in different countries, the same festival is perhaps called in different manner. For instance, Vietnamase celebrate it as Tết Nguyên Đán (or commonly refer as Tết), Koreans call it as 'Seollal' and Mongolians usually refer as 'Tsagaan Sar'. South East Asian Chinese that includes Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian or Thai also celebrated in elaborate manner and this auspicious day is well-known as Chinese New Year. The bottom line, all of them prepare for the same celebration. Custom or tradition does not differ much.

Luggage or Traveling Baggage | Repair Service in Penang

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:09:26 -0600

Every time when one is about to travel, then the luggage or traveling baggage in the store room will have a chance to see the light again! Somehow after a few inspections, you or I may find, there is something wrong with the luggage carrier. At times, we were in hurry at the airport without releasing the roller was broken or the handle was damaged until we reached home. Otherwise, we could file a report at the respective airlines counter to claim for baggage compensation due to improper handling (for check-in luggage).

Nevertheless, if you are thinking of getting a brand new luggage bag, spare the thought of burning a hole in your pocket. Always consider how to reuse and recycle the existing carriers we have had to reduce our carbon print.

Malaysian Passport Renewal Kiosk (KiPPas) in Penang | Simple and Fast

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:12:21 -0600

I recently found out that Penang Immigration Department in George Town is equipped with a passport renewal kiosk. Only one machine available so far. Holding an abbreviation - KiPPas or stated in Malaysian Language as 'Kios Pembaharuan Pasport' (literally translated as Passport Renewal Kiosk), the kiosk stationed at Penang Immigration Department (George Town branch) operates from 7:30am until 3:45pm on working days.

KiPPas offers an option for Malaysians to renew their passport and this service is eligible for Malaysian citizens of above 18 years old that fulfill the following requirement:
1. With the chip embedded Malaysia International Passport.
2. With Mykad identification.
3. Mykad photocopy on an A4 paper with front and behind images on same page.
4. Two (2) pieces of passport size photographs (this is rather strict, please follow the immigration guideline diligently e.g. showing both ear lobes, with dark clothes, blue background etc. The safest way is just taking the shot at Immigration Department!)
5. Cash - RM300 for 32 pages passport and RM600 for 64 pages passport. By the way, the kiosk only accepts RM50 or RM100 notes.

Chinese Cultural Celebration of Summer Solstice | Duanwu or Dragon Boat Festival

Wed, 27 May 2009 16:24:14 -0600

It is the time of the year again that we are celebrating ‘Dragon Boat Festival’. Fall on 5th day of the fifth month in Lunar calendar every year, 28 May 2009 is the real celebration day for this year! Some of us may recognize this festival when local folks started selling and eating rice dumplings or ‘zongzi’. Obviously, this event is a true association with ‘Dragon Boat’ Festival but what is more that most of us may not know?

Times | Warehouse Books Clearance Sale, Discount and Promotion in Penang

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:48:03 -0600

Good news to share!

If reading is your hobby and you love books, hurry to Island Plaza in Penang to enjoy the happening Times Warehouse Books Clearance Sale. The discounts are ranging from 30% up to 90%. This book sale starts from 10 April until 19 April 2009, located at the highest level in Island Plaza along Jalan Tanjung Tokong.

I was happy to get the collection of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholics series at 30% discount from the original price. What a great bargain! There is nowhere else I could get this price!