We’re Moving

Hello everybody. We decided it was time we took this blogging thing abit seriously, and so we have started a blog to write on something we are all passionate about – food~! The site is www.foodposition.com

I hope that you our dear readers may drop by and visit. Rather than only blogging about our personal stuff like the ones found here, we decided that maybe we can give back to the community by giving honest and practical opinions on the best places to eat….

So we at licensedslackers would like to thank you all, and we’re hoping to see you at foodposition. Ciao~!

Lunch @ Sun Wong

So I was having my lunch break on a Sat evening. An hour to go before the next session starts, and me and my friends just had to grab some food for our already hungry stomachs. Well, if you’re stuck in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, there’s not many places you can choose to go, especially when you don’t have a car (or rather, being too troublesome to drive).

Running out of choices as usual, we headed to Sun Wong. I suppose its an “in-thing” now to open a HK-based restaurant but I guess unless someone suggests a new place to try, we might as well be regulars at one place and get a discount ha-ha.

Here’s the place :

Its located in Jaya One, and is facing the UTAR university, same road as the Kopitiam at the corner. I must say however that this place is non-halal…. so I apologise you those of you who can;t consume pork.

Well once we’re inside, the wasn’t a problem on what to order. Being students, I guess you have to order something reasonably cheap. The prices here are like other similar themed outlets, with the main courses ranging from RM8.00 upwards. I would say the service here is okay, especially when I’ve had rather bad service from Wong Kok in SS2 (waiter never sees you) and Prince Cafe SS2 (waiter always brings the wrong order). The middle-aged lady there is especially sweet, so say hi to her for me if any of you guys ever visit the place.

A big eater like me would have to eat some rice naturally, so I ordered the “tsunami”. Its really the black pepper prok chop rice I’m ordering, but this place tends to drown the meat in gravy it feels like there’s a flood going on my plate. MunKeen and I just had a recent discussion which involves MunKeen’s cooking, and anybody would know that if you drown the meat with too much sauce, chances are the meat isn’t fresh or worse, tasty. Imho, the pork tastes ok, but it was rather tough. I guess I should have gone with the Fried Pork Chop with Shanghai-Style Veg Rice, a friend commented that it was rather tasty and the prok was sweet. Too bad I didnt manage to take a picture, they wouldnt let me….

Other choices would include as the one above – Fried Flat Noodle with Sliced Pork. I’m not that a fan of fried noodles, but this one is especially tasty though abit oily. In fact all the fried noodles here are abit oily, although its either me being a “healthy” picky-eater or they just use excessive amounts of oil to cook.

The one that looks tasty was the Pork Chop Burger Macau Style. Its just some sort of a side-dish, so it wouldnt serve as a main course – unless you’re a light eater that is. It tastes quite good, especially if like me, you’re sick of the burgers most fast food outlets are churning out these days.

But one thing I can never understand is nissin noodle. Why on earth would anyone eat maggi noodles? Unless you stay out of Malaysia, Nissin noodles is now synonymous with Maggi Noodles, both in terms of taste and texture. “Nissin” Noodles. Can anyone tell me what the name actually means? I bet its just a fancy name, one they use in recipe books for extremely ordinary everyday meals. Bleh… But apparently the Fried Nissin Noodle with Hot & Spicy Pork Dices here are quite good. I mean, it still looks like Maggi, but its cooked quite nicely and is very flavourful. I would recommend this if you’ve never tried Maggi before.

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All in all, its a not-bad place to try. If compared to the likes of Wong Kok, Prince or even Kim Gary, I’d give this a thumbs up. Why not give it a try?

On Playing Pool

I found out the other day that pool wasnt my forte after all. I meant I couldnt hit the damn ball without Wai Ho grinning away and Kenny slapping his forehead in exasperation. Sigh………….

Aw, c’mon maybe the game isnt for me. I can never understand (or have the patience) to actually calculate the angles of every ball I’m supposed to hit in. So what do I do? Just hit it!

I think it has something to do with my confidence though. I cant seem to stand people looking at me trying to learn something new. Okay, maybe not new per se, but its still something I’m not entirely good at, and what with a few people watching my “technique”, let’s just say it gives me the chills. Its like, hit the damn ball and get it over with!

But talking about balls, it does take alot of it (balls) to put my weakness here. Maybe I’m tring to fulfill my quota. Then again, this could help. Anybody would care to teach me instead?

On Fitness Centres

Received a call yesterday Tuesday. It seems I was introduced to FitnessFirst by Rachel, my ex-schoolmate when I was in Form6. Apparently I was invited for a half-hour tour, and I am also entitled to a free 1week visiting pass.

What started out as a curious walk down to the centre in Taipan ended up becoming some sort of embarassing and irritating nightmare. I walked in the front door (packed with people btw) and I was whisked to a corner where a representative came over and did a survey on me. Like immediately after knowing my name.

My initial thought was: What is this? I thought it was just a tour and to advertise the place, and I’m not even interested in joining. So I humoured her. And thats where she started to annoy me -

• What is you fitness goal?
  • None
• How can that be? Everyone has one. Either to gain or lose weight.
  • To be….healthy?
• Healthy is a very general thing. You can be healthy but you might not have good stamina.
  • But I dont have one! I’m not even here to join!

After a long time arguing over my fitness goal, she proceeded to various other questions (Which area of my body I’m most concerned with?) of which even though it was probably for fun, did make me feel defensive. “Being thin runs in the family! And I have already been working out….”

She then took me for a tour, but by then I’ve already lost my interest. Actually earlier in the afternoon I did stop by during lunch break to enquire about a certain class I’m interested in. Turns out they dont have it. And when Siti (the rep) gave me a running account of what the gym has to offer, I could only pretended to look interested.

After that, she proceeded to measure my weight and height. Next stop: my body fat percentage. Athough I expected to be in the healthy range (I am), she told me what I lack and what must be done to put on abit of weight. Like I dont know. After all, I’ve been reading Men’s Health recently, much to PhuanSoon’s dismay.

Finally she kept persuading me to join, which I steadfastly refused. I tried to look like I’d really think about it before signing up (thiking its easier to run away) but she even came to the point of excusing herself for a minute, seeing her boss, and coming back to me offering me a cheaper rate; thinking I cant afford the monthly rate.

Was able to ditch her when she left again to get my pass, since it was already late. Been there for more than an hour and I couldnt take it. Lesson learnt? Nothing comes for free……

On Parking

Was walking down to the Commisioner of Oath’s office when I came upon two police officers talking to each other. I’m sorry if any of you despise eavesdroppers but….they were in the way! So of course I heard snatches of their conversation and it was kinda funny too.

Translated:

Policeman #1: Put more parking spaces la… They’re only clever at giving summonses

Policeman #2 laughs in response.

I presume this was directed at the MPSJ officers (that of our local council) who in fact seem to be everywhere nowadays to punish those traffic offenders (read: make more money). Now I dont know if you find this worth noticing: That both authorities work for the government, yet it doesnt take an outsider to disagree with what they are doing.

C’mon, in Taipan parking is crazy. Come during the lunch time, and its havoc. Not to  mention the traffic near the banks, where its sure to be congested. Imagine having to spend an hour looking for a legal place to park, and then standing in line for another hour at the bank to do your transactions. And dont forget the parking rates. Bloody expensive I might add.

And these two police officers agree too. Maybe we should all just join the police force because I’m sure they can park anywhere? Or the MPSJ of course…But I wont guarantee I wont throw something at you………

On Un-Professionalism

Today’s Tuesday. A day like any other perhaps, except for the fact that my mood started to go downhill when I tried to made an enquiry on my student bill. It is the case where your problems seemed to them so minor that you’re more of a nuisance than anything else.

I called the CEE office, thats Centre for Extensive Education for short. This is where they handle student affairs, mainly for the part-time students. As for billing enquiries, this was entirely up to the finance dept so I proceded to dial the number given to me. I was greeted somewhat by a staff whose name I cant recall. She wasnt of much help, but what really got on my nerves was that she treated me like some sort of kid. I handled myself professionally, and she was pretty shocked when I’m not as she expected – a full-time student. That is, I may not exactly be some inexperienced student asking some stupid question, but a working adult who simply wants a satisfactory answer on a certain discrepancy on my bill. When she figured she couldnt handle the conversation anymore, she proceded to override all my questions by repeating the same “university procedure” lines and talking when I’m talking.

I was furious of course. Believe me, when you’ve been in the working world for so long, you’d be shocked too when seemingly another “adult” cant conduct a proper conversation when you’re merely trying to ask something.

If that was bad, what happened next was worse. I called the office again later and talked to the “Head of the Finance Dept”. This Mr Tham was no better than his staff and proceded in the same manner to be very unprofessional in handling student enquiries. As a matter of fact, at the end of the conversation, he was starting to get rude. Now, is this is the way the “Director of Finance Dept” of UTAR handles himself in front of other people?

This might seem like me firing an irate letter; instead of writing to them, I blog here. This is sad mainly because these people treat others with no respect at all. Even more so because the majority of the people who liaise with them are students, and to them are to be frowned upon. This is sick mainly because on no account should others be “looked down” on. I wonder what else has the “real-world” got to offer that I have not seen?

On Friends

Friends, they come and go. It was Monday night, the first day of New Year- and I was bored. So before life starts being routine again on Wednesday, I thought I’d call my friends out just to hang out.

Of course then we realised that another of our usual member of our “circle of friends” (do read PS’s post on the concept on friendship) is probably not going to be with us anymore. Its just regrettable actually, that people seem to drift in and out of your life.

In this world, do we have friends only to cling to each other together, and then forget them when we no longer need them? I think thats sad, when we start to grow older and lose the true meaning of friendship. The kind we used to have when we were little kids in school and your best friend shares snacks with you, lends you his eraser, plays games with you, and hangs in there when you’re in trouble. Now, as so-called adults, our friends are those who probably hang out after work with you, sometimes just a casual lunch, and…..thats it. Think about it.

Do any of you still keep in touch with old friends? Even if a new 2007 doesnt mean much to you, maybe you’d like to start. Who knows, your life could just be more worthwhile?

Just for appreciation

So its New Year’s eve. And if my post is up here, means I’m stuck at home. Dont ask why, but that probably means I have so much bad luck that my life is practically going to hell in a streetcar.

Yet today is also the day that I found a friend. A friend who showed me the difference between sympathy and care. A friend who differentiates between right and wrong, good from bad. A friend who was there even when certain principles got in the way. A friend who I never knew had so much in common with me.

I’d just like to thank Soo Imm here, not for any reason but to express my gratitude. You’re something the world cant do without. Cheers.

Have you any friend that you’re thankful for? For in fact I do, and maybe one day I’ll share with you more….

On eating your main course…

Had this rather amusing discussion with my friends the other day. We were having dinner at KFC, and although I was having salad (for health, dont tell me why it isnt worth it) MK and PS were having the snack and dinner plates.

When I saw what PS was doing with his um, chicken, I asked him: Is that the way you eat it? Then I looked over at MK’s plate, oh….okaay. Now before I divulge anything, I would like to make a survey out of this.

If you’re main course comes with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, fries and chicken; how would you proceed to finish them? As in, do you eat them in order? And if so, which one from first to last? Or do you eat them all in one go? Do share your eating habits with us. It would make for something useful. Hehheh

Between Keeping Fit and Looking Stupid

My bro came down with a fever today. Though its not a problem to me that I’ve to take care of him, it only means that I have to postphone my “exercise-day”. This “exercise-day”, as you would have it, simply is the day where I spend about an hour and a half doing exercises. Sounds silly?

Now since my high-school years I’ve never been a guy with much mass. Ever since I’ve started working, I’ve taken the initiative to looking good and keeping fit. Also mainly from the fear of growing old and having a pot belly in front of me.

 To you “outsiders” this might mean silly, stupid even. It might to me if I was standing in your shoes. I remember when I was in Form 6 and my classmate Sim would always show off his “hard-earned” muscles. Oooh Aaahh…. And he would always do chinups on our classroom door, much to our amazement and amusement of it.

But now it seems less funny and more, well true to me (besides the free show of course). Who wouldnt want to look good? Yet, it does seem weird when I go to the bookstore and head over to the health section. Heck, I sometimes read the Men’s Health mag. PS says it’ll look gay if he hang around there somemore. Well, I’ll get my revenge. In the sense that if we have to go topless, at least I wont look….plain? Go figure.