Why Food ?

Last Sunday, the 17th of January 2010, a clique of ladies who are responsible for the Environment and Arts Decor for the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (COLA) gathered together for their customary annual dinner at Clare Ouilet's house. They of course invited their BETTER halves to attend to help finish the food......and before that to carry the food......and before that to taste the food for saltiness, sweetness, texture, flavour....so that when it is laid out on the dining table, it is perfect. The men were also there to act as sounding boards for their discussions, and comic relief.


Please allow me to digress a little. Why is it that when humans get together to celebrate or discuss something, there always has to be food? This brings to mind the meetings of people in charge of institutions, Government included. There always is food at the end of each assembly. I am convinced that the getting together is an excuse to eat. Anyway, I have no complaints. I just wondered.

The spread of food that night was fit to grace the banquet table of an Emperor or Monarch.

I could write about each dish using exotic adjectives to describe them but I shall refrain from doing so and let pictures do the talking.





Agnes' Honey Roasted Ham.










Judy's Mango Pudding with Passion Fruit Jelly.









Judy's Scallops sprinkled with Bacon










Clare's Baked Shitake Mushrooms and Salsa on Garlic Bread

James and Susie's Turkey.....The Gravy was exquisite.

Clare's Salmon Pate....The men began the assault with Rice

Bisquites but they had no chance once the ladies discovered how good this was.

Agnes' Brownies.

Clare's Spiced Chickpeas, Parsnips and Kumara

Margaret's Roast Beef.

Clare's Black Bean Vegetable Pilaf

There were a few more dishes not featured but they were just as tantalising. Special mention must be made for Margaret's dessert... The Tiramisu ! By the time people realised that a photo had not been taken it was all gone ! My attempt at getting a second helping was met with great laughter and shouts of "Mana u lagi ! Ho lang chiak liao lo ! Loo aneh ban eh !"

The evening, as usual was very enjoyable. The conversation covered a variety of topics including eccentric behaviours of people we know which stimulated much laughter. Of course we had help from 2 bottles of French Wine by courtesy of Gaston Ouilet.

I think once a year is too long to wait for these sort of sharing. They say that 2012 will see the end of the world as it is so maybe we should try for 4 times i.e. every quarter.

There's a New Kid in Town

Yes, I am back ! This Blog is revived, resurrected, born again. Why have I been silent for so long ? Where have I been ? Nobody's asking. These are just "fillers" to overcome writer's block which I am acutely afflicted with. Apart from the block, I was away because I was having so much fun with facebook....yes, facebook. Yup, that and I was getting lazy. Anyway, let's get back to that later. I am here right now because I am excited about a "New Kid in Town".

By now most will have heard of a new restaurant opened at Gadong. See picture of the Signboard :-

The Rooster's Crow / Restoran Kokokan Ayam is owned by an enterprising young chef, Mr. Young Ted Wee and his partner Mr. Ong Jin Huat. Kokokan is situated at No: 12, Block B, Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong which is across the road from The Centerpoint Hotel and opposite La Mee at the adjacent block C.

When I went there this morning I was greeted by Ted Wee's father, Mr. Andrew Young who obviously lent his business know-how and experience in the setting up of the place. I had already tasted Ted Wee's signature dish, Fried Kway Tiao before so I was not there as a new customer testing the waters. I was actually there because I knew I was in for a treat to one of the best Fried Kway Tiao in Brunei. This is my first blog since April 2009 so I shall not bore you with details. Go there and try the Kway Tiao for yourself. You will not regret it.

I was pleasantly awed by the decor of the place and even more so when Andrew told me that they did not engage any Professional Interior Designer to help them. The colors are exquisitely blended. Maybe it is intended to psychologically produce this feeling but I felt warmly welcome in the ambience of it all. The booth seats, which are notoriously uncomfortable ELSEWHERE, are surprisingly very ergonomically designed. My bad back did not present any problems here. I put away the Fried Kway Tiao ala Ted Wee in 10 minutes flat. Then I had to wait for a friend who was accustomed to being late ALWAYS but I was unusually calm and collected. It must have been the seat.

Whilst waiting, the gluton in me emerged. The second specialty of Ted Wee is the Chicken Rice so I ordered one to the amazement of the waitress who gave me a quizical astonished look. In body language she was saying "Wah , this Uncle must be really hungry !" As she wrote the order down she asked "Only one more Uncle ?" I said "Yes, unless it's on the house !" Another shocked look ! I shall not describe the Chicken Rice except that Thien Thien can now be said to be very "last decade". Again, go and try it for yourself.

Kokokan will definitely capture a particular niche in the eateries market. That niche is the level in between the traditional Coffeeshop and Food Court clientelle and that of the up-market 5 star establishments. A pleasant, clean, well decorated and, most importantly, Value -For- Money place to enjoy a meal. Mark my words.

Garbage Enzyme

The name sounds like a Supervillain in a Superhero comic book or TV series. I, for one, thought so when I saw the article in an e-mail from a friend. It turned out to be something really good which, if everyone does his/her part, could contribute to improving the environment.....well at least prevent more depletion of the ozone.

Being very much handicapped in the realm of science I shall refrain from explaining the details and instead guide you to a most interesting Blogger's site from which you will be able to get links to more sites for more information....that is if this article interests you at all. Here it is :-


http://www.fh2o.kuchingkayak.com/2008/07/04/garbage-to-save-the-world-on-garbage-enzyme/


and this one :


http://www.free2consult.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65


I hope you will find this useful.


Since my last update I have travelled to Singapore, Kota Kinabalu and Miri. Yes, in spite of the H1N1 crisis. I am aware that it is a foolhardy thing to do and some people would even label it selfish. When you expose yourself unnecessarily you run the risk of bringing back the virus to spread it amongst your close friends and relatives who are in constant contact with you. Having said that, I have to state that my excursions were neccessary and I stayed away from crowded places and practised the highest standards of hygiene. So far no one, touch wood, has been infected and I am fine.


I was going to relate some stories of the travels but this time I am going to let the maxim "A picture is worth a thousand words" do the talking.













This is where I go to for a night of Aromatic Coffee and good Jazz music in Singapore ! Their Brownies are fantastic as well.













The IR Hotel and Casino looming above the skyline across the marina in Singapore. Expected to be ready end of this year! Durty Nelly's at Marina Square is the place to go for great Pies and Ales.







This is at the Best Western Cafe at the Grand Palace Hotel in Miri. I didnt take a photo of the actual Rib Eye Steak I had because I forgot that I had my Camera with me until I had finished the exquisite dish. May I add that it was V.F.M. If you dont know what that is, shame on you. It is Value For Money !!!







A cool classy Cat. Reminds me of a friend of mine who is always well groomed and dressed immaculately.






Some senior guy we met at the Boardwalk along the Waterfront of Kota Kinabalu. He said he was there to watch the Sunset, the Moonrise and then the Moonset and the Sunrise beyond the beautiful Sutera Harbour. The Tsunami predicted to happen that day did not !




To sign off here's another link to an "Ultimate Wedding Dance."

http://www.parkwayreststop.com/archives/2937



Cheers !

Christian the Lion Cub

A long lost friend from Vancouver, B.C., Canada sent me a video clip which I found to be extremely touching. It also got me wondering why when friends, separated for a long time, say years and years, finally meet, the joy and excitement over the reunion will not be as intense as what is shown in the clip.

The message in the video is so powerful that I do not need to write further. I only hope that the owners and makers of the video do not attach any copyright restiction for it's use. Afterall it has obviously been circulated over the internet to all corners of the globe.

If a Lion can remember and exhibit such joy on meeting his old friends so can we !

Michael Jackson

The sky tonight will be brighter by two! That was what I wrote in twitter and facebook this morning on hearing the news about MJ and Farrah Fawcett. Think of the stars in the Galaxies that brighten our nights, inspire our imagination, sometimes give us hope and then you will understand what I mean.

In memory of MJ here's a link to a particular YouTube clip in which he is featured singing one of his greatest hits and my favourite :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msqfQpoFTYk

And for Farrah :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfAJvIuJb-8

RIP Michael and Farrah, with your creator.

High Tea

The worst thing a Blogger can do is to leave his/her Blog without update for almost a month. Even the most faithful of followers would not have the patience to sign in everyday just to be greeted by a blank page for so long. I plead guilty and apologise for the neglect.



Even though this is not a professional Blog and it is done only for fun to satisfy an inclination to write and share tall tales, humour and, once in a while, some serious experiences, there is still the responsibilty to keep it updated regularly for the sake of those kind enough to show interest in the site. Therefore, I shall not shun this responsibility from today onwards.


I owe it to the readers to explain why the Blog has been dormant. Half a dozen reasons spring to mind but they are liable to be shot down as excuses so I shall not even try. Let's just blame it on procrastination and tardiness.



Now that I've got the monkey off my back I am ready to roll.

What do most people do on a lazy sunny Sunday afternoon ? Play golf, watch TV, go for a ride in the country, tend the garden, bring the kids to the beach or go to the cinema and watch the latest Box Ofice movie ? Me, I do all of the above (not at the same time) as well as stuff my face with food.

I had one of the most pleasant Sunday Afternoon at Gaston's and Clare's home at Jalan Subok last Sunday. The lovely ladies of the "Arts and Environment Group" from the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption had organised a High Tea to follow their quarterly meeting. Because it was also to say farewell to one member who was leaving Brunei, spouses were also invited. As always, the array of food was incredibly sumptious !

Whilst the ladies were chattering away discussing the agenda, I sat with the men at the other end of the sitting room talking about everything, from the goings on in Iran to the geographical contours of the ridges and hills of Jalan Subok. Then I heard a noise which rose above the voices in conversation. It was the rumbling of an empty stomach and I was 100% certain it came from the ladies' section. As if that was the cue the Chairlady abruptly brought the meeting to an end and said "O.K. let's eat !" In the middle of grace, I heard the stomach rumble again and this time discovered that it was mine.

I headed straight for the Briyani Rice which I drowned in the gravy from the Chicken Masala. I put the whole thing away in about 30 seconds and went back for a second helping and this time I supplemented it with the exquisitely Roasted Chicken (Perfectly done by Susie). Compliments were being paid to Margaret who had prepared the Briyani and Chicken Masala. Someone even said that the curry tasted so authentically Indian that Margaret could qualify as one. Indian or not, it was delicious.

After the curry, with the stomach rumbling now very much reduced, I sampled the Prawn Mee. I am at a loss for words here. The soup was better than any that I have tried in Brunei including the Prawn House Restaurant at Traders' Inn Hotel. Clare, start a Prawn Mee business and I will be your first customer.

Then there were the various assortment of desserts from Judith's Chocolate Coated Eclairs to Catherine's multi colored Jello. There were Cheesecake, Pan -cakes and a couple of Nonya Kuehs, all excellently done by the other ladies. There was some alcohol in the form of Bristol Cream Irish Coffee which Lia brought. After a couple of sips faces started blushing and the ladies were fired up. They ended the afternoon Line Dancing to Rock and Roll music. The men were too full to rock.

I wish every Sunday can be like this.

Tattoos !!!

Kate Von D ...does that name ring a bell ? And I dont mean just riiinnnng.... riiinnng. I mean bell as in DING DONG...DING DONG ! Yes ! That's Kate Von Drachenberg of L.A. Ink. fame. I'm not sure whether that should be Inc. or Ink. Let's go with Ink. If you are into tattoos that's who you should research. You must have seen L.A. Ink. on Star TV. Well the story goes that she has left L.A. Ink and started a parlour of her own. Now she has written and published a book, an autobiography which is making it's way up the Best Sellers' list.

So what is it that motivates a person to go under the needle just to have art "branded" into his/her skin ? I wont have space here to explain the when, how, why and where it all started besides I have not done the necessary research. I can only offer my two cents worth. Nowadays it is considered "cool" to have a tattoo because many celebrities have it. David Beckham and Robbie Williams are two of the most famous people with equally famous tattoos. The Hip Hop and Gangsta Rappers are credited with starting the craze. The idea is actually stolen from tribes in East Asia. The natives of Sarawak, Malaysia wear tattoos as a symbol of manhood. The more you have and the more intricate they are, the more you are feared and honoured. Why ? The pain you have to undergo while having the needles dipped in dye knocked into your skin over a couples of hours is testament enough to show how tough you are. The natives of the South Seas, New Zealand comes immediately to mind, even have tattoos on their tongues. That is part of the reason why the Aussies always lose to them in Rugby. When the Kiwis All Blacks stick their Tattooed tongues out, the Aussies are ready to give up. Then there is the Japanese Yakuza who adopted the same psychology...scare your enemies with tattoos !

In the 21st Century the Tattoo has become high fashion. A cute little tattoo in the right place can enhance a woman's sex appeal by leaps and bounds. Dont take my word for it. Ask Madonna, Beyonce, Paris Hilton and the many other Pop Stars, Movie Stars and Fashion Divas. Kate Von D is the Queen of them all.

So ladies, YM and friends, if you are reading this, what are you waiting for ?
And just for reading my Blog here's a treat :-

And here's the link to her book's website :-

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9780061684388

I am sorry I shall not be able to tell you where in Brunei you can go have a tattoo safely administered. If you find one please let me know. I want to have one done also. Maybe one that says "Lights on but no one's home !" My son Aaron has a snarling, Black Leopard showing fangs, on his left shoulder.

Till next time....Happy Tattooing !