tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70061126452499006872011-12-20T16:05:51.578+08:00The Spice of Life ~ Ooh La La!Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-5806207837247377922011-01-25T23:13:00.000+08:002011-01-25T23:13:35.850+08:00

The Black Magician Trilogy is a trilogy of fantasy books by renowned Australian author, Trudi Canavan. I have never heard of her until 3 years ago when I was browsing for a fantasy novel in Dymocks over in downtown Brisbane.  When it comes to novels, I tend to be very picky and would spend hours at a book store before I'm satisfied with one that I'd acquire.  I was very intrigued with the first

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-86232547915056482442011-01-16T22:51:00.000+08:002011-01-16T22:51:06.788+08:00

Last Thursday, I had lunch at Fullhouse Lifestyle Store and Cafe which is located at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur. It was my first time there courtesy of my very knowledgeable (in terms of food) colleague and what a pleasant surprise it was. Interesting Menu Outdoor Section The things I liked about the place include: Affordability - reasonably priced lunch sets Choices - the cutesy

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-25263239380977479122011-01-12T00:55:00.000+08:002011-01-12T00:55:41.826+08:00

Everyone has his or her own pet peeves. So do I, naturally.  I think I started developing them as soon as I could harness the powerful human emotion of annoyance.  My list of pet peeves has evolved over time - it has got longer. Currently, the list comprises the following acts that are capable of inducing immeasurable amounts of displeasure at any given time... Service without a smile - I'm

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-52561409052647723422011-01-08T14:50:00.003+08:002011-01-20T02:30:45.725+08:00

Today's posting comes courtesy of a random thought on having a good time during a night out without compromising on personal safety through the state of intoxication. Having personally experienced and observed both how a good time can be had as well as tragedy occurring during a night out with friends, I thought a timely reminder on the importance of self preservation instincts and techniques in

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-35476401091267632682011-01-07T23:16:00.001+08:002011-01-09T03:48:30.821+08:00

Imagine Knight and Day fused with The American. The perfect cinematography, thanks to stunning picturesque Venice. The perfect performance, thanks to the stellar cast comprising Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. The perfect story, thanks to the subtle twist at the end. The Tourist presents an intriguing plot intertwined with complex characters and subtle nuances of love and black humour.

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-13050081731625500642011-01-06T20:14:00.003+08:002011-01-09T03:48:49.443+08:00

It’s not often that I watch Mandarin drama series these days, particularly those from Mainland China or Taiwan. But the pull of the advertising on Astro Beyond, coupled with huge endorsements from my colleagues probably proved a little too much for me to resist. So off to Speedy I went to buy myself the HD edition of The Three Kingdoms, based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. My verdict?

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-17469648103634754242011-01-05T23:13:00.000+08:002011-01-08T12:35:54.796+08:00

It’s the start of a brand new year and 20 games have been played thus far, as we approach the half way mark of the 2010/ 2011 season of the Barclay’s Premier League. No thanks to the snow storm that has blighted a few rounds of matches (I advocate the introduction of a winter break, anyway), expect some congestion in fixtures for the coming months in addition to the hectic Christmas schedule

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-6661694586564913112011-01-04T11:05:00.003+08:002011-01-04T14:09:12.722+08:00

Today's posting has been inspired by events that occurred in the past and, hopefully, will provide an insight into seeking your ideal home. Whether you're looking to buy or to rent, your bachelor/ bachelorette pad or family house, the process of finding the ideal place to call home can be tedious and, at times, harrowing.  However, the end result will be very satisfying because you will finally

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-92154419976915906572011-01-03T20:11:00.006+08:002011-01-03T23:26:11.383+08:00

Today's posting contains contributions (in red font) from Laksa Diaries' guest writer who goes by the pseudonym of HHM (Heong Har Mui aka Village Girl). How quickly time flies, the third day of the New Year is already upon us. Normally I’d prepare a list of resolutions, which I’ve always done for the last decade or so. Funny thing is, they don’t always come true but yet I still keep on doing

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-75089101813401051882010-06-07T23:39:00.002+08:002011-01-05T23:55:42.124+08:00

The WC is back… 4 years on and the moment has arrived once more. World Cup fever hits the shores and millions of fans worldwide will be celebrating in joy come June 11 when the tournament kicks off amidst much fanfare in South Africa. Exactly one month later, fans would either be rejoicing or mourning, depending on how their respective teams had performed. I still remember the last WC, in

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-82861772125564986042010-01-06T00:25:00.003+08:002010-01-06T00:33:29.436+08:00

2010.It’s finally here.How time flies in the blink of an eye.So my long annual leave is over, and it’s back to the office again. Thus far the year has begun fairly diffidently, without the fan fare, fireworks and all the usual commotion… at least for me, anyway. I’ve had my fair share of that during Christmas so a wee bit of low-key self quality time was quite the refreshing respite that I

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-6427698461515707432009-11-22T15:05:00.003+08:002009-11-22T15:13:56.766+08:00

Just the other night while having dinner and drinks with friends, apart from catching up with each other, we indulged in a little discussion on money matters and the gender divide.Specifically, the theme was whether or not a man should pay for the woman every time. It sounds simple but in actual fact it isn’t because there are many facets or permutations to this question. I’m not an expert on

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-72850379544073658982009-11-12T23:17:00.003+08:002009-11-12T23:29:16.459+08:00

GPS is the abbreviation for Global Positioning System.In layman terms, it’s my life saver. When in foreign lands, there are 2 basic and important needs that one must fulfill, namely:1. Money – the ability to purchase essential items and then some.2. Contacts – including friends and people who are generally able to help when the need arises.However, in order to meet those 2 requirements, one

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-11844976218209450542009-10-17T07:55:00.001+08:002009-10-17T07:57:28.684+08:00

In a few weeks’ time, I’ll be undergoing minor surgery to correct my knee ligament damage. Here’s how it happened…I love playing football and futsal. I’ve been playing the sport for years, ever since high school all the way through college, uni and my working life. I’ve had my fair share of injuries as well.I once tore my thigh muscle after having a run out for 30 mins during a footy friendly,

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-9635782933040695202009-10-12T22:02:00.000+08:002009-10-12T22:04:49.483+08:00

My parents have come over for a visit. They’ll be here for about 2 weeks, staying with me on and off while alternating with visits to other relatives in KL. It’s refreshing to live with them again, albeit for just a short while. They’re both retired and have been travelling a lot, going on tours overseas and basically just enjoying a relaxing life. Now that I no longer live with them, I

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-25405960648414165002009-10-09T17:00:00.001+08:002009-10-13T21:57:29.690+08:00

A couple of nights ago when I was out having drinks with a few friends, we indulged in a rather passionate discussion/ debate about men and relationships. I think it started when someone posed the question, ‘If you were married and, at the same time, met another woman who could fulfill your needs better than your wife, who would you choose?’ I found it to be a rather intriguing question.Anyway,

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-24100227940025637232009-10-04T23:38:00.000+08:002009-10-05T00:17:28.661+08:00

You know, many things have been written on the papers and spoken in public about how rampant DVD piracy is in Asia. Even the movie stars themselves have been campaigning against it, particularly in Hong Kong which involves huge rallies to bring people together to fight piracy. I think the entertainment industry have the right to voice out concerns over unethical practices that not only affect

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-31021463104959245862009-09-26T18:37:00.002+08:002009-09-26T18:40:53.665+08:00

I remember taking the bus to high school in my teens back in Kuching. In those days, the buses were a dark shade of blue, had no air-conditioning and the windows were permanently unadjustable for whatever reason. I never needed to blow dry my hair after showering in the morning because a 30 minute ride in the bus at full (maniacal) speed would’ve provided all the blow dry – and then some – I

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-12957650746614905402009-09-23T23:45:00.002+08:002009-09-23T23:51:02.125+08:00

One of the favourite pastimes in KL is karaoke.It’s such a huge thing here that you see Red Box and Neway at nearly every shopping mall. To top it all off, most of the neighbourhood/ suburban pubs (those outside KL city centre and other hip, posh areas) come equipped with a karaoke set and very loud speakers. The difference between these pubs and the franchised outlets is that the pub-goers

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-53686589812868462062009-09-20T21:32:00.003+08:002011-01-09T13:58:26.062+08:00

One of the things that I’m still having trouble adapting to is the local lingo here in good ol’ KL. Yes, the wonderfully complicated but highly stylized local version of Cantonese. I was brought up in a Hakka speaking family that was fanatical about Mandarin dramas, grew up in a Hokkien speaking town, and studied in an English/ BM speaking school. So Cantonese is not my usual lingua franca.

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-1411952295216578952009-09-19T11:07:00.003+08:002009-09-19T11:50:38.944+08:00

I’ve been in KL for 8 months now since I moved over in late January. The one thing I still can’t come to grips with is the traffic jam. I don’t see how anyone can ever get used to it…not when they’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry.The number of cars and motorcycles that come into KL every single morning of the work day is staggering. Joining people from all surrounding suburbs crawling

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-70189453428090485222009-09-18T21:02:00.005+08:002009-09-18T23:56:15.179+08:00

One of the things I’ve had to adjust to, being based in KL is the food. By this, I mean local fare and not international cuisines.You see, East Malaysians have different taste buds compared to West Malaysians. Generally speaking, Peninsular folks probably have a more demanding palate. They tend to like their food saltier than how we would cook it. Case in point, kolo mee versus wantan mee.

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-53747999820958430582009-09-12T20:04:00.000+08:002009-09-13T06:20:29.856+08:00

I’ll be moving in a couple of weeks’ time.I’ve been renting a unit in (inner) Ampang for the past 8 months. Although it’s a nicely furnished and renovated place, I found the environment not too conducive for my liking. Specifically, the massive traffic jam every single working day (particularly whenever it rains), the lack of non-halal food and non-existent watering holes. I love my pork and

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-48278388608722400442009-09-08T20:12:00.000+08:002009-09-09T04:17:13.936+08:00

I’ve been smoking for the past 10 years. Maybe slightly more than that but I can’t really recall when exactly I started doing it professionally full time.I started off with Dunhill Reds, which is one of the hardcore fags. After that, I switched to Marlboro Reds which is slightly easier to take but much more trendy than Dunhill Reds which is associated with oldies i.e. uncles and cabbies at

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-27428062025968945252009-09-07T23:32:00.000+08:002009-09-08T04:36:53.504+08:00

You know, I’ve been drinking for a long time.My first foray into drinking was some time back in the early 90s, when I was still in high school. It was after a game of tennis with a bunch of me mates and we were supposed to have a few rounds of drinks – as in lime juice, soya bean and the likes – but somehow someone suggested ordering a bottle of Tsingtao instead. Curiously, the shopkeeper didn’

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006112645249900687.post-66051411896372569072009-09-07T00:41:00.003+08:002009-09-07T00:47:09.124+08:00

After 5 years, 5 attempts and from 3 different locations, I've resumed blogging once more.It's been a long time coming...too long, perhaps but Laksa Diaries has been brought back to life on the blogosphere for the 2nd time.Hopefully this time it'll last a wee bit longer...Stay tuned for more.

Jeremy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12977128360594860107noreply@blogger.com0