Ushering the New Year with new trends (Part 2)

This is the second part of the post at: Ushering the New Year with new trends (Part 1) .Some updates on my monkey cup plant. The plant has sprouts of numerous baby cups since Chinese New Year.

Also, I have been waiting for the delivery of my lingzhi plant. This mushroom has also been turned into a Chinese New Year auspicious decorative plant because it is considered by the Chinese as the sacred fungus of immortality that has miraculous health benefits. It symbolizes good health and longevity. These mini, indoor plants, priced at RM38 each and available at nurseries are easy to care for. They just need a daily spray of water on the back surface of the mushroom.


It is scientifically proven that lingzhi or Ganoderma lucidum increases microcirculations of blood, has the effect of clearing radicals and improves the body immune system.

Sushi Dinner Buffet and More

One can expect more than a sushi buffet theme dinner at Iro Iro. This eatery offers more than just that with a steamboat buffet, eat-all-you-can BBQ grill, desserts, drinks and some local and international cuisines.

The sushi buffet lines serves Japanese noodles, pickles, salads, soups and a variety of sushi. Behind the sushi buffet lines, diners can find local favourite such as fried rice and international delights such as spaghetti bolognese and seafood pasta. Snacks for kids such as potato wedges and nuggets are also available.

Sushi, sushi.

Diners are requested to select two out of three types of soup base for the steamboat: clear chicken soup, tom yam or spicy Szechuan soup. They are served in a two-sectioned pot for the vegetables, seafood, meats, dumplings, noodles and eggs. To make the cooked ingredients more delectable, many sauces are also available to complement the taste.

Steamboat ingredients

Next, diners may also try the BBQ line where they can choose seafood and meats of their choice together with side selections such as mushrooms and aubergines.

The BBQ bar

The meal will not be complete and satisfying without servings of desserts such as cheese cakes, jellies, ice-creams, fruits and Chinese-styled desserts.

Plus points of visit:

• The dimly-lit restaurant creates a peaceful and lovely ambience for a quiet meal.
• Free flow of drinks of green tea, lemon tea, orange and blackcurrant juices.
• Friendly and polite waiters to fulfil your every dining whim and fancies.
• Your barbecued order are served directly to your table without having to wait.
• Priced at RM27 per adult diner with lower rate for kids.

Tip for diners at this restaurant: It is advisable for diners to arrive early at dinner time; around 6-ish or so as some of the popular food items will not be re-filled.

How to get there: This restaurant is located on the ground level of Ipoh Parade.

Grilled-chicken salad

Ingredients:
Chicken breast
Mixed garden greens

Marinate ingredients:
Paprika
Salt
Pepper
Garlic and onion powder
Nutmeg powder
A mixed of thyme, sage, marjoram and rosemary

Dressing:
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Mixed herbs
Black pepper
Salt to taste

Preparation steps:
1. Marinate chicken breast and set aside for 30 mins.
2. Grill or deep-fry chicken breast.
3. Cut chicken breast into strips.
4. Add chicken strips into mixed garden greens.
5. Toss with dressing and ready to serve.

This grilled-chicken salad is great to go with homemade chicken burger and minestrone soup.

King of hobbies, Hobby of kings

A recent visit to the local stamp exhibition held on 3-8 February brings back reminiscence of childhood's pastimes. Philately was one of them. Stamps from letters and purchases, exchanging with friends as well as 'plundering' from an uncle's stamp album contributed to my collection. Half the joy of this hobby was discovering stamps of odd shapes and sizes and of animals foreign to this part of region and half from showing friends the 'treasure troves' owned.

Held at the town hall, this exhibition not only put on displays of stamps of yesteryears (mint and used stamps) but also first day covers and miniature sheets, presentation packs, souvenir sheets, bank notes and coins, albums and catalogues, picture postcards and used telephone cards.


Stamp enthusiasts and advanced collectors have the opportunity to order rare stamps and complete their collections by ordering directly from various stamp traders participating at the exhibition or the Philately Bureau of Malaysia. They were also able to become members of the Philatelic Society of Malaysia and enjoy various benefits available.

Genesis~Creation of the World. In the beginning God created the heaven and earth. And the earth was without form, and void.

Designed by Neil Waldman, sheetlet of 24x29c stamps issued by Palau as a tribute to the Earth Summit held in Rio in June 1992.

Dogs, dogs, breeds of dogs.From top to bottom (clockwise): German Shepherd, Irish Setter, Schipperke, Whippet and Pomeranian.

Released for the 7th World Congress of the Kennel Clubs in Bermuda on 12 November 1992, six popular breeds were highlighted: German Shepherd (25c), Irish Setter (35c), Whippet (60c), Border Terrier (75c), Pomeranian (85c) and Schipperke ($1).

Superman: Man of Steel

Described as more powerful than a locomotive, Superman was born in Toronto, Canada in 1938. Appeared in the Canada Post on 2 October 1995, this collection was designed by Louis Fishaul. Together with Superman, four other comic book superheroes were featured: Nelvana of the Northern Lights, Johnny Canuck, Captain Canuck and Fleur de Lys.

A Garden of Lanterns

Chinese New Year has never been more interesting with an exhibition of lanterns at the Tambun Kwan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple in Ipoh. The 20-day event, which was organised by the temple began on the 21st January 2009 just before the Lunar new year began. The lanterns featured were gigantic characters of Chinese deities, zodiac animals and based on Chinese literary themes. Named as the Tambun Kwan Yin Giant Lantern Expo 2009, visitors might also take the opportunity to join a karaoke singing contest and lucky draw as well as witnessing a talented painter at work. The colourful lanterns and the beautifully lit atmosphere had certainly made the long journey (at the edge of town) worthwhile for shutterbugs and children alike.

The attractive grand gate

Rows of red lanterns leading to the entrance

The 8-metre tall giant lantern

Lanterns of the 12 zodiac animals:(From R to L) Mickey, Tigger, Bugs Bunny, Draco, Viper, Shadowfax, Billy, Aboo, Chicken Little, Lassie and Babe welcoming The Ox.

Under the sea

Serene storks

In the garden



Flower power!

Talented artist at work: A painting of Kwan Yin

Handicrafts corner

Beautifully-lit tree

Legend has it, Kwan Yin was a princess and a daughter of a cruel king. She was punished harshly by her father for disobeying his wishes to marry a suitor of his choice as she was more concerned with the sufferings of her people. Ironically, she tried to save his life when he fell ill. She made a sacrifice for his healing to God. God was touched and turned the king into an ox and her into the Goddess of Mercy to watch over the sufferings of the world. To avoid her father of being slaughtered, she requested her people not to eat beef. Perhaps that is the reason behind why Buddhists do not take beef till this day.

Kwan Yin (Goddess of Mercy)

The story started where there was a boy who lived with his mother. He was a woodcutter. Although his mother sent lunch to him daily, he treated her badly. One day as he was taking a break, he saw a mother bird feeding her chicks in a nest up a tree. As he observed this, he realised that his mother actually loved and cared for him very much that she brought food to him everyday without fail. From that moment, he decided to appreciate her more. So the next day when his mother came to bring him lunch, he ran to greet his mother with all the happiness in his heart. When she saw him running towards her, she thought that he was going to beat her again and so she ran. Unfortunately, she tripped over a stone and fell to her death. After his mother's passing, he was in an unkempt state as he cried daily without a care for himself. Seeing this, God took pity on him for his filial piety and made him into God of Wealth. One of the stories my mother would tell me in my childhood days.

Sometimes, you will see a statue of him in this state in the temples, with dishevelled clothes and hair and a tear-stained face holding a fan. I have seen him.

The God of Wealth

The legend of the Journey to the West is a very popular Chinese folklore and has been depicted in various versions through books and in movies. It tells of a tale of a Buddhist monk assigned to a task by Kwan Yin to acquire a certain Buddhist scripture in India. Together on this journey were his protectors, the Monkey God, a pig and a sand demon. They have agreed to protect him on this perilous journey for the atonement of their past sins. They also acted as his disciples as the monk would guide them when they gave in to their sinful desires or save their skins when troubles arose from their mischievious pranks. There were many dangers along the way such as the spider demon, the white-boned demon, the buffalo- king demon and the iron-fan princess, just to name the infamous ones. They were waiting to devour the monk as the flesh of monks is believed to be most sweet, tender and succulent.

Journey to the West: Let us through!