The Lost Symbol

Finally, I have conquered the 509 pages Lost Symbol.

The general whole idea of this book is telling that your mind is the most powerful and potent 'tool' you can ever imagine of, and the all mighty essence or the Creator, is always existed within us all the time, waiting for us to discover -- our mind itself.

The plot of the story is quite similar with other Dan Brown's book such as the Angels and Demon and Da Vinci's Code with a lots of surprises and twists. Dan Brown's favourite plot splitting such as two parts of the story is actually going on simultaneously by splitting the flow the story into a bi-chapters flow. Some parts of the book I don't clearly understand what is trying to imply.

Nevertheless it is a good book to read, and ponder on. But, be ware of its addiction.

=)

-N.

Side Stop

"After spending up to 15 hours a week in various Starbucks over the past few years, Simon said he witnessed very few spontaneous discussions or interactions."

Hmm, certainly Mr Simon has not visited the Starbucks in 32 Square in Malaysia, it was packed with noisy chatters and grouping by merging several small tables especially on weekends.

"Customers line up for lattes for any number of reasons: to treat themselves; to carry a status symbol; to support coffee growers in underdeveloped nations; to relax in a safe haven; or to taste a bit of comfort far away from home, he writes."

I do agree with about treating myself with a Starbucks, but never thought it as symbol of status, has some doubts on the supporting growers. As one of my friend mentioned, "You will never know whether the company has exploited the poor growers in the 3rd world country." Safe haven? Probably just to escape the tropical heat and the heat pollution in the city, as well as escaping the smoke puffers.

"It takes more to help third-world coffee bean growers than buying a fair-trade espresso, he said."

Yup, at least they are putting on the effort, this statement is only valid if you've done substantial contribution towards the 3rd world coffee growers.

Full article, here.

-N.

Oriental Chinese Cuisine

Last Sunday, I had a mini-reunion dinner with my relatives and family @

The restaurant that usually packed with newly weds --> Oriental Pavilion.

The Appetizer: Prawn Salad & Deep-Fried House Beancurd (the beancurd which taste like fish ball)

Deluxe Monk Jump Over The Wall (yummy soup! but the waiter took the bowl away before I could savior till the last drop)

BBQ Whole Suckling Pig with Butterfly Buns (crunchy skin, I think its taste better than the duck's skin from Duck King)

Braised ‘Soon Hock’ with Yam

& Beancurd Skin in Clay Pot (too much bones on the fish)

Stir Fried Assorted Vegetable with Cuttle Fish

Secret Recipe Cake

There are another 4 more dishes are not captured (due to over mouth watering filtering), hence it is left to the imagination of the readers.

• Deep-Fried Piglet Meat with Salt & Pepper
• Braised Egg Noodle Village Style
•  Chilled Aloe-Vera
•  Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Black Sesame Paste
• 
  

Many thanks to my cousin who treated us there, I do enjoy the dishes very much especially the veggies (which both my uncle and aunt happily pass them to me =P) and Happy Birthday!

Stay healthy and happy always! =P

-N.

PSP Update

In this technological era, you've always encounter the word of 'update', friends will often asked you:

"have you updated to Windows Vista/7?"
"have you update your phone's firmware?"
"are you using the new CS4 now?"
"are playing the latest  ?"
"do know X and Y are breaking up?"

Anyways, let's focus on PSP Update, that I had done last month, its a big jump on the firmware version that is from 3.XX to 5.50, though I didn't managed to update till 6.00 which is the current release.

Full roll of the pix:

PSP's Version of BSOD

Language Selector

Traditional Theme

New Theme

Overall, I like the new theme very much just too bad the additional color options are for PSP-2000 and above (the newer generations of PSP) which can't be supported under my very original (PSP-1000). *sighs* But definitely, will find way to improve.

Another add-on which I hardly use is the PlayStation Store, I don't think I might going to purchase anything from there.. (tsk. Tsk.)

till then. until i've update to firmware 6.

=)

-N.

Senjyu Sushi

It has been a hectic week, either I will spending much time in front munching a bunch of e-commerce facts or researching tax policy in the complicated business environment.

All thanks to the booster which my sister treated me last week, or else I'm unsure of my endurance of keeping the consistency of studying till today.

This is my first time to visit this restaurant to have sushi, initially, that was the only menu me and my sister is going to order.

Salmon Palate

Salmon Palate in a top view

Hungry Me

Lots of photo shots are missed as I was too hungry to absorb the nutrients as well as the carbohydrate from the sushi to recharge my body's energy. Yum Yum.

Thank goodness the Raya Holidays are on before my final piece of exam to be conducted.

Hurray!

-N.