Xantana -- Restaurant Review

I'm not much of a food critic, so this post i think is not so much of a review because you won't find any pictures of food here, I'm actually more interested in the deco of the restaurant. XD

This place is situated across the street from Hotel Grand Crystal. Don't know where is it? I also don't know how to explain.



If anyone is interested to come, please find a map, or contact me. Maybe I'll bring you to the restaurant for a meal, but its YOUR treat! muahahaha~

Check out some "exterior" shots....

Okay I know the shots are wierd.

Nevermind, I got some interior shots, REAL interior shots ;p


The interior is quite dark, unless you're here for a private chat or just hanging out. If you want to really have a meal, I recommend you take outside tables.

About the food:
Their specialty? Chicken chop and seafood tomyam.
Is it good? Yes.
Quantity: pretty much and satisfying.
Price? Reasonably CHEAP.
Will I go there again? Yes.
Rating: ★★★★☆

So...anyone hungry?

Attention Readers,

I have an announcement to make.

1st of all, I would like to apologize to those who've requested and whom I've promised to post certain blog topics since a long time ago (they're just blog posts,I know you all are very forgiving right?) *hehe~
Here's a list of topics which you'll see coming up soon:
Xantana -- restaurant review (requested by Daigor)
Verse of the Day -- album review (requested by Sakai Head)
Testimony -- God's speedy respond at church (requested by Sakai Head)
Visit to theological seminary (for Sakai Head or Daigor, don't remember who, maybe both)
Testimony -- by Jethro, my cousin (for Sakai Head)
Ken & Esther's wedding dinner photos (for SK, Sweet Ann and whoever is a sucker for pretty shots)
FWP Alor Star report (for Impactors [including out-of-town Impactors like Jane], Marcus and whoever are interested in knowing what amazing things God revealed in the event)

So there you have it people. Just to let you know that you don't have to worry, I remember what I have to blog about (you can thank me later XD)
Sit back and relax, get some lollipop and be patient, you'll be entertained soon ;) God bless!

ANNIE BUDDY? ANNIE WAN? NOE WAN? SUM BUDDY?

Guys..chill out a bit... this is hillarious..


Lee Sum Wan : Hello can I speak to Annie Wan?

Mr. Sori : Yes u could speak to me.

Lee Sum Wan : No! I want to speak to Annie Wan!

Mr. Sori : You are now talking to someone! Who is this?

Lee Sum Wan : I'm Sum Wan. And I need to talk to Annie Wan! It's urgent!

Mr. Sori : I know u are someone and u want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter about?

Lee Sum Wan : Well just tell my sister Annie Wan that our brother was involved in an accident. Noe Wan got injured and now Noe wan is being sent to the hospital. Right now Avery Wan is going to the hospital.

Mr. Sori : Look if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital from the accident that isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious but I don't have time for this!!!

Lee Sum Wan : You are rude. Who are you?

Mr. Sori : I'm Sori.

Lee Sum Wan : You should be sorry. Now give me your name!

Mr. Sori : I'm Sori!!

Lee Sum Wan : I don't like your tone of voice Mr. and I don't care, give me your name!

Mr. Sori : Look lady, I told you already I'm Sori! I'm Sori!! I'm SORI!!! You didn't even give me your name!

Lee Sum Wan : I told u before I'm Sum Wan! Sum Wan!!! You better be careful my father is Sum Buddy. And my uncle holds a very big position in the company. He is Noe Buddy!

HAHAHAHAHA! God bless all the SOMEBODIES and the NOBODIES in the world!

Oh!!! So THAT'S Globalisation!

Dear readers,

I'm just plain bored so that's why I'm posting random stuff. Please enjoy :)

Question:
What is the truest definition of Globalization?
Answer:
Princess Diana's death.

Question:
How come?

Answer :
An English princess
with an Egyptian boyfriend
crashes in a French tunnel,
riding in a German car
with a Dutch engine,
driven by a Belgian
who was drunk on Scottish whisky,
(check the bottle before you
change the spelling),
followed closely by Italian Paparazzi,
on Japanese motorcycles,
treated by an American doctor,
using Brazilian medicines.
This is sent by a Canadian,
And forwarded to you by A Bulgarian
using American Bill Gates' technology,
and you're probably reading this on your computer,
that uses Taiwanese chips,
and a Korean monitor,
assembled by Bangladeshi workers
At a Singapore plant,
transported by Indian truck drivers,
hijacked by Indonesians,
unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen,
and trucked to you by Mexican illegals.... .

That, my friends, is Globalization !

Celina and Eshlyn conversation : Tension

Tension.

Eshlyn: Why?

There’s just so much stuff going on.

You’re talking about Impactors right? I thought things are better now?

Well…yeah. But there’s still many things bothering me.

Well the drama team conflict is slowly resolving, that’s a good thing. What did you got from this case?

I felt the relationship between some individual Impactors are shaken, including mine. It seems like most are pointing fingers at me.

But it’s not all your fault right? Almost everyone have a fault somehow, well I’m a bit confused too because I’m part of you anyway.

Haha… Yeah, but I still feel real bad. There’s something else that isn’t right with all these things happening. I just realized some time ago that the devil is trying to pull strings in our youth fellowship and break us down. This isn’t a usual thing as far as I can remember, it just happened quite recently between last year and this year.

Hm… Oh! I ‘v got something! The vision of the Great Banquet! Isn’t it an interchurch youth project? We’ve been talking about unity between churches and how important it is to be united.

Yeah, you’re right. That could be it! I heard a prophecy that the youth of FGC will be the ones rising up to lead the revival wave in the city of Alor Star. So that’s why the devil is targeting us?

That could precisely be the point. Though the dilemma may look like it’s a present issue, it can affect the future! This is serious! Breaking down the unity and good relationship between Impactors will so gonna have ugly consequences. No way this is happening! Could it be because the revival is delayed or we’re not chosen anymore or…or…

Shut up Eshlyn! Quit being so negative! What God plans we don’t know for sure, but His plans will definitely come to pass if we just trust in Him.

Ok ok. Maybe this could be a time of testing and shaping us. This is so depressing and hard. Celina, I wonder why it’s my turn to get depressed.

Be at peace, girl. God won’t allow that devil creep bully more than we can handle, but we still got to be careful by the way. For bigger plans or not, Impactors got to gear up for the War of the Eternal!

I’ve suddenly remembered a saying from the movie “Facing the Giants”, the coach said: WE LOSE, WE PRAISE HIM; WE WIN, WE PRAISE HIM.

I like that. God help us! I hope typing this will help explain more to others what’s happening.

Yeah, this approach is definitely easier than speaking face to face, especially discussing this with Impactors. *sigh~ Anyway, God help us.

Alright Eshlyn, thanks for being there for me, you’re a great company.

Don’t thank me, thank God!

So what....is your Flaw-List?

Ever heard people back stabbing you? Yes? Ever heard friends back stabbing you? Yes? Ever heard close friends back stabbing you? Yes? I got two words for you my friend..

SO WHAT?

Welcome to the realm of the ugly human nature. You agree? No? Let’s see if you agree with this statement: No one is perfect. Agree? Yes. So, you’ll have to agree that the human nature is real ugly.

Now, I’m not trying to be rude by saying “so what”, the point I want to make through that statement is that, if you’ve HAD or you ARE wallowing in self pity because of the ugly things people say about you, wake up and realize that you’re not the only one. Somehow somewhere there’ll be another person going through the same thing.
Angry? Yes. Sad? Yes. Disappointed? Yes
I’ve read a book called “By Searching” by Isobel Kuhn, the following was written when she was writing a letter to a friend about how she was accused of her bad qualities, and this was her friend’s reply:

“Isobel,” he wrote, “What surprised me the most of all was your attitude in this matter. You sound bitter and resentful. Why, if anyone had said to me, ‘Roy B. you are proud, disobedient and a troublemaker,’ I would answer: ‘Amen, brother! And even then you haven’t said the half of it!’ What good thing is there in any of us, anyway? We only have victory over these things as we bring them one by one to the Cross and ask our Lord to crucify it for us.”

Amazing! He was not afraid to season his words with salt even as he did not forget to speak with grace also.

Here’s a list about the flaws I have (I’m gonna be very honest here):
Proud Disobedient Troublemaker Disrespectful Rude Insensitive Impulsive Judgemental Lazy Irresponsible Critical Know-it-all Withholding Dishonest

Seriously, I’m dishonest, though I said “very honest” in my (). Any other flaw I left out? Care to point it out for me anyone? I would also want to ask for forgiveness from anyone I’ve offended.

All thanks to the Lord Jesus for His great love and forgiveness.

Meet Birthday Boy Ben! Boy Gone Bananas*

First of all I would like to apologize to Ben (if he'd ever found out) that I posted photos of him here. Reason? He told me not to post his photos in Facebook so I took the liberty to post them in Blogger! *evil chuckle~

Secondly, a very happy, blessed, wonderful, fun, awesome, merry, lovely, terrific, fantastic birthday to my little brother Ben! By the way, that's not his real name actually, that's just his nick name. Haha~ Ben, say "hi" to our viewers here.

Sorry folks, Ben settled for "peek-a-boo" instead.

For your info, he just turned 11. After having many feed backs on how cute he is, I've decided to post more pictures of him to entertain the "Ben fans".

Did I mention Ben is photogenic? Below are self snaps taken with my mom's cellphone:Oh, he has acting talent too, look here:

Monsieur or mademoiselle? You pick XD

Here's a very short video of him:

Weird? Let me explain, he was playing with my camera and he didn't realize that it was on "video mode"! Here's another "blur" video of him while cam-whoring:



Ben is so photogenic that I'm tempted to think that he has modeling talent!Okay okay! Enough of him! Guess I'll stop now or else I'll get this face from him:

God bless you Ben!

Snap! New Hairdo for New Year Anyone?

This is the day Celina 1st dyed her hair! Okay I'm not trying to show off here because I don't think its SO impressive, but just to satisfy your curiosity, here's some snaps :)

Now you see it, now you don't! Haha! I actually wanted to dye it bright orange (to match my personality) but too bad its not available at where I did my hair (they say its not common). Oh well, enjoy the shots and comment if you want (especially Sakai Head XD).

Chinese New Year here I come!

"10-inch Frying Pan" --Think Big!

Here's a story:

A guy went fishing at a lake and there was another another guy at the other side of the lake fishing also. When the other guy catches a big fish, he releases it back to the lake; but when he caught a small one, he keeps it. The first guy couldn't contain his curiosity as the other guy kept doing it so he went up and ask the guy why he's doing so.
First guy: Hey there, I couldn't help being curious, but I just wan to ask, why are you releasing big fishes back to the lake and keep small ones?
Other guy: Oh, that's because I only have a 10-inch frying pan.

C'mon man...See here, we sometimes are like the "other guy", when some thing big is thrown at us (lets say its a big dream) we often times think "10-inch frying pan": I'm not good enough...I'm just a young man...I don't have what it takes...I'm just a teacher...I'm not strong financially...

There was a woman named Deborah in the Bible, and she lives at a time when there are lots of evil(you can't walk down the street without being harassed or picked on). She decided to stand up and desires to make a change. And when she did, people began to follow after her to make a change. (Read Judges chapter4)

You see here, at the "Bible times" (lets just say the old times), women don't have the authority like modern women do have. Deborah here is a wife, n could be a MOTHER. When she dare stood up to make a difference in her people, God's favor make way for her by sending people to support her. She was a catalyst for change.

Points to remember:
*The favor of God will cause people to be good to you.
*God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Many years ago when there was the Great Depression, there's a this ordinary kid brought up by a simple family without any religion teaching whatsoever. In his class there's this other kid named Sam, who writes a bible verse on the class blackboard every day. The other kids always laughed at him because he's far-off, far-away (in other words, "chim").

One night when the kid was 17 years-old, he walked out a night club and suddenly he began to think about God and what's life about. He was so confused so he found and ask his classmate Sam (whom he laughed at) why is he suddenly thinking all that. Sam talked to him about Jesus Christ and brought him to church. At church, a call was made for people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but the guy was afraid. Sam said: "If you go, I'll go with you."

Sam eventually became a minister and he wrote a book titled "I Touched One, He Touched Millions". On the cover of the book is a picture of him and the guy taken when they were 17. The guy also became a minister and is the father of Joel Osteen, the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, the biggest church in the United States!

We may not be able to touch MILLIONS of lives, but we could influence perhaps a dozen people at our work place, or even 1 friend. And perhaps that person you've influence could influence many others! Keep this in mind: I'm not everyone, but I AM ONE. I can't do everything, but I can do SOMETHING.

More points to remember:
*God will never put a dream in you without preparing you for it.
*God will never ask you to give something you don't have.

Conclusion, don't think that you only have a 10-inch frying pan, get a BIGGER PAN!!!

"The Triumph" -- Ron Clark Story

This is a seriously must-see movie! Impactors (Youth Fellowship) watched this movie on our Movie Time! on the 29th January. Its super cool and funny! Here's a short intro:

The Ron Clark Story follows the inspiring tale of an energetic, creative and idealistic young teacher who leaves his small North Carolina hometown to teach in a New York City public school. Through his passionate use of special rules for his classroom, highly innovative teaching techniques and an undying devotion to his students and helping them cope with their problems, Clark is able to make a remarkable difference in the lives of his students.

Though the students in the story are only aged 12, but they have many different tough backgrounds. Mr. Clark used many different creative, innovative, even CRAZY ways to teach his class. There's a part where he made a deal that he'll drink a small carton of milk every 15 seconds as long as the class kept quiet, and his tactic actually worked because the kids wanted to see him puke! (Eww~)

Here's a sneak-peek of what he did in History class.


Ron Clark also has an academy, called The Ron Clark Academy.
Overall, this is a really inspiring and non-the-less entertaining movie.

Gelato... "This ain't ice cream!"

This is a picture of Maxim's Cakes and Gelateria in Penang taken during Christmas season. Pretty colorful huh? Its situated right beside the Penang Baptist Bookstore. Don't know where? I don't know how to tell explain also..hehe..

Looks like ice cream right? In fact it isn't. Its called gelato, and what the differences? Read on:

Ice cream:
* 50-100% air churned into ingredient mix in making process (increases quantity)
* uses artificial flavoring
* creates "stuffy" effect if "over-eat" because of high air content

Gelato:
* 25% air churned into ingredient mix in making process
* uses more "real" ingredients (so has a more creamy/milky taste)
* doesn't create "stuffy" effect, more quality (makes quantity more worth it)

As a whole, gelato may not as yummy as ice-cream since it uses less artificial favoring, it provides healthier alternative for ice-cream lovers.
Conclusion, gelato vs ice cream = a healthier choice
Ice cream lovers, you can click here for more info.

God bless all ice cream lovers with good health! Hahaha!

Slot Machine Cake! -- Pretty Baker Mandy

I couldn't believe my eyes at first but this cake is super IMPRESSIVE!!! Its covered in chocolate and carefully hand-painted. According to our lovely baker, it took her 26hrs with the help of her friend to complete this cake. This cake is specially made for the biggest spender in Crown Casino. He wanted a slot machine cake (what a gambler).









Mandy here comes from my church and she is very talented and beautiful as you can see (I admired her as a little girl). She can dance and play music as well as cook real good stuff. By the way, she spent more than 100hrs on this Christmas masterpiece for The Royal Melbourne Show 2008.











This is my favorite picture of her and her guy:

Aint' it pretty? Okay okay..I'm getting a little sentimental here.. But come on now, don't you think its a cool shot?

Bless you Mandy!

Emo

Emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo emo...

Celina you crazy random person!

Man...Blogs are so good for this kind of thing.

ImPACToRS CNY/Vday -- "Prosperous L♡ve"

As you can see here in the poster, Impactors are having a Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day special, themed "Prosperous Love" (credits to Impactors president for the random yet hit-the-nail theme title!)

If you're wondering what's it about the Impactors Pizza Drama, here's an explanation:

"Pizza Drama"-- also now known as "Pizza Season 1" made its 1st appearance on Impactors/FGC Chinese Youth Talentime Contest '09. The Pizza Team started out here with only 5 members. They won 3rd place in the group category.

"Pizza Heart" -- also known as "Pizza Season 2" was performed on Christmas '09 after having requested because of the good feedbacks by fellow church members. By then, the Pizza Team grew into 11 members. We had plenty of laughs just as "Season 1" had (thanks to the pizza operator) and so the team imediately decided to come up again with "Season 3".


So, what do we do in this event? Besides celebrating CNY and Vday, we have stuff like praise and worship, games, food etc. plus a special message from Uncle Max. (Don't know who? Come see la~)

Boys and girls, young or old, Christians or non-christians, all are welcome to oin in this festive and love-filled event :)

Hope to see you there! God bless!

MYPG January Update 2010--by Yoshua

Dear all,

2010 is a year of expansion and strengthening of existing groups. We have some good news and developments.

1. Kota Bharu LYPG born- this makes it the 13th LYPG to be formed and the first for 2010. Praise the Lord!

2. The Prayer Volunteer Team Promo Video is out! To find out more, click on this link to see Isaac shoveling snow in London (http://www.youtube.com/msiaypg#p/a/u/0/YINNSARit70). Additional information abt PVT is now on the MYPG Blog also. : ) We look forward to hearing from you.

3. AFMC! For those of you who would want to know more about upcoming mission activities, we are attaching an upcoming Youth Conference brochure, called Asia Frontiers Mission Conference*

4. For those of you connected with a LYPG, remember to continue your efforts to pray for the FOUR ITEMS mentioned in the previous email. Let's keep pounding on the Doors of Hell for the souls of those who have been bound by the Law for too long. Let's proclaim FREEDOM to the captives. :)

* Asian Frontiers Missions Conference (AFMC) was birthed in the 1990s when several Asian Leaders met in Singapore to pray and seek the Lord on how to mobilize Asian Christian professionals to be involved in frontier missions. AFMC is held every three years. Thus far, two has been held in the Philippines, two in Thailand and the last one in 2007 was in Indonesia. Malaysia is organising and hosting the one this year.

Mini Work-out Playmates

Very "kiddy" title huh? Recently I've been doing some working out with the help of two kids. I would like to call them Ben and YC. How do they help? I play catch and "Ice & Water" with them. Erm...you know, running around chasing each other? It actually helps me sweat much faster than working out alone and mind you, 11 year-olds can run quite fast.
So meet my 2 playmates ;)
Aren't they cute? haha..
Here are candid shots of them resting.
I wonder if I'm looking forward to another work out session with them, it leaves me panting but its fun! God bless the little children! Haha!

My 1st Orchestra Practise in 2010--last Saturday

Its not as boring as i thought it would be, reason is because there are less than 10 people that showed up and majority are 1st violins.

Now why did I say "not as boring"?

A little info on how the string orchestra "status" works:
1st violins-- more "professional" (majority higher grades)
2nd & 3rd violins-- less "professional" (majority lower grades)

Wondering what about cello and double bass? They're not so much of my concern.

So...working in an amateur orchestra team (even though I'm in the Kedah Symphony Orchestra) is quite tiring. I dreaded the practices last year especially because the conductor had to focus more on the 2nd and 3rd violins, resulting a bored bunch of 1st violins texting, chatting, snoozing, dreaming......

PLUS, playing the violin long makes your shoulder and back ache.

Now why am I blogging this? Read on.

Mr. Lee (conductor): Playing music in an orchestra should be 1 tone, 1 music; and not playing individually. Lets say, you have Nescafe, Coffee Mate, and sugar, what will you get?
Student: Powder.
Mr. Lee: *blinks a bit~
Student: Because you haven't added water.
*Everyone laughs~
Mr. Lee: Okay, so lets say we added water, we get coffee right?
Student: We still can't get coffee if you add cold water, you'll get it if you put in hot water.

......We're talking about music okay. Not coffee.