Gah, the runny nose has come back with a vengeance.

But getting out, and chiling at delish, doing some work is a wonderful way of - distraction.

I notice if I stay stationary, that blasted cold will get stuck in one nostril and I can't breathe properly.

To get rid of this cold, I shall - not have sofa therapy, as it makes me lethargic, but Im going to continue to - go about my normal scope of work.

That includes exercise!

 

Doncha just love being sick?

 

ps: Chamomile tea is quite decent @ Delish, it doesnt taste like cocroach tea, not like the ones Boh Tea usually provides...

 

-jade-

 

Today, our day started very late. woke up at 12 noon as we slept really late last night thanks to shopping overdrive at ximending and also, going gaga at Estlife, the biggest bookshop in Taiwan.

Had brunch/lunch at about 1.30pm, at the nearby dai pai dong. I realise the Taiwanese love to douse their food in tons of sauce, and also their vegetables are not "ching chai". its "too much sauce" chai.

Getting used to it, though I would have just blanched it, to preserve the goodness rather than adding everything else =)

 

Then off we trooped to the National Arts Museum, Taiwan. It's my first intro to Chinese art/artefacts. Went to the one in Shanghai, but because it was all in Chinese, couldnt really understand a thing. Thank God, we read lonely planet, and it said at 3pm,there was an English tour, so phew, we managed to arrive there on time! For us RM 16 (New Taiwan Dollar 160), the Chinese artefacts are amazing. I can imagine all this as being part of the imperial palace display. Before the Japanese invaded China, Chiang Kai Shek kinda "shipped" all the artefacts out of China. I'm not sure whether to call this " international smuggiling" or "preservation of national heritage",as you know, Taiwan is like a dissident cousin/relative of China when it comes to these things.

 

Our very "americanized" Taiwanese english speaking guide, brought us around to look at the various types of porcelain, water bowls, pots, from the Neolithic time, to the Qing and Ming dynasty. I really loved the Ming dynasty art collection. The vases are so beautiful, and absolutely vivid in colour. You know how the traditional chinese bowls, have a certain blue lining/piping to it? Well it mirrors the one during Ming dynasty! Also, I finally saw the "Cheng han" chicken cup, which a certain American writer based her entire book upon the history of the cup. Every layer of colour, is painted, layer by layer - in the kilns.

 

What I really liked also is the special exhibition on Zhong Shen, the emperor, of Manchurian descent, which ruled during a time of great prosperity. His collection of paintings on his bevvy of courtesans and concubines was breathtaking. So intricate, the beauty of Chinese women during that time. Also, the finger painting artist who made it big during Zhong Shen's time. Legend has it that he had to talent for painting with brushes, so instead - he became a renegade of sorts by finger painting! And mind you, it doesnt look like his work was finger painted. It looked amazing! Also, during the same period of existence, was a Jesuit missionary priest, who became a palace artist. He drew 100 horses/sterds i think =) Each horse had a different pose, and colour and character.

 

And finally, none other than the 2 signatuere pieces, which resonated "food". A jade green "bak choy" and a "tong po yuk" stone! So cool! The jade green "bak choy" jadeite with a locust attached to it, has a story behind it. It was a dowry that was given to a concubine when she entered the courts of the king, symbolising fertility. However, she never bore the son of the king, as her younger sister found favour with the king instead. Alas, the queen decided to kill the younger sister, and so the concubine left the courts of the king, very sad. Her second "going out of court" was when the Japanese invaded China, and the kingdom was dissolved. I hope i got that right.

 

Anyway, lots on chinese history today. Not sure what tomorrow brings. But it's been good =)

 

-jade-

 

Taiwan and Msia has the same timezone, so it's like 1.29 am in the morning right now. I thought I should do a quick post before i zonk out.

Today was suppposed to be rather leisurely, but man, we did so much in 1 day! Started off with a good, hot bowl of soup noodle at one of the little "dai pai dongs" along the Zhong Shan station.

Decent chinese fare for RM 8-10 per pax. Followed by a visit to Beigu, to look out for alternative accomodation, but well, I think I'm getting used to the idea of Taiwanmex. As long as its clean =) At least

I get to do my laundry, check email, and bath, sleep for just RM 30? per night =)

 

Off we went to Taiwan National University which was absolutely breathtaking. The university grounds are so...colonial, to some extent. Ivy leaves, and long corridors, looking out to lush foliage. I can imagine those Taiwanese dramas being filmed here. Apparently there are even more beautiful universities up in the mountains! So, Sheen and I took loads of pictures here. And there was a really nice lake here, which had a pagoda in the centre. Alas, the bridge has been "dismantled" because, too many suicides! People actually kill themselves here, due to stress in the 6 metre depth lake/pool. How.....sad?

 

Next, we went around the area, and had a great shopping experience. Bought like 2 pairs of shoes for only RM 30-39 each? I pay like RM 200 at the little boutiques in Bangsar for the same quality! And then we also went to Ximen, like the Japo inspired street of Taiwan. We chanced upon this shop at the end of one of the streets, and bought like our fair share of very comfortable, shweet looking clothes. Very east indies, loose but elegant clothing. RM 15- RM 39 only!

 

By then, my feet were like absolutely killing me! But still it was only 8pm, so we trooped to one of the biggest bookstores in Taiwan, called...Estelife? One of those names, at Cityhall. It was AMAZING! 5 floors, where 3 floors are dedicated to books - 90% in chinese, cooking, aromatherapy, alternative medicine, nature, health, science..u name it, they have it! What I really like is that they encourage local designers, so we could see a range of books, clothings and even Aesop counters mixed well within the spcacious vicinity of the bookstore. I love their cards section as well..lotsa pop up cards..

 

Anyway, gonna troop off to bed. I am hogging the FOC internet, so better let someone else use it.

 

Nitey ntie!

 

-jade-

 

its's amazingly good weather, sunny but breezy. not damp. its ok to wear a shirt, and then put on your jumper and go out.

so, all good. was expecting uber cold weather, but according to local sources, this winter has been pretty easy on everyone.

so off we trooped to ..err, i can't remember which stop on the MTR, but we ended up on an island call BALI.

BA, which means eight and LI, err i can't remember what LI is.

 

Sheen, her bro and I went for cycling around the island, which was super scenic. With the wind blowing on your face, and dangerously maneuvering your way, past crowds, kids and old people,

was quite an experience. I chose a "pink" bike. Rather gay, but it was shweet. Had to relearn the entire biking process. Been a long time since I cycled, so little did i know, i have to adjust gear everytime i go up or down a slope. But it was all good =) Pretty smooth ride after awhile.

 

What amazes me is the vast choices of street food around. Spring onions have never tasted so good, with a pancake like biscuit, and yam ice cream and chinese parsley? Come on! Weid comb, but it works well with sweetened candied groundnuts and thin crepe. "chow to fu", which is smelly tofu, another common street fare, besides  jumbo sized sausages, red, juicy and spililng with oil. Also, very cholestrol laden, quail eggs. I like how the lady, breaks, each egg so delicately in cupcake like molds (very tiny moulds), and she just flips them over once its been cooked, complete with a sprinkle of pepper and some MSG (i would have liked it without).

 

Shin Lin or Shi Lin night market is definitely a must visit, I mean..come on. I got 2 long sleeve, tops for RM 10 each? And like those frilly, silky shirts. RM 50? And those Zara like drapes, cardigans. RM 30? RM 19? It's amazing pricing! Cheaper than HK and comparable and cheaper than Thailand. The only thing is, you can't try on the clothes. and most of the clothes are winter wear right now. Sheen brought me to this "Tokyo" brand, which sold really, nice, wooly cardigan tops from RM 15! And really pretty lacy tops, so japo.

 

Anyway, was a good day =) We're off to..maybe the museum tomorrow?

 

nite nite!

 

-jade-

 

Mr A and I decided to pay them a visit, since they've only been opened for 2 weeks. Better warm the seats before others do!

And so, we had 6 dishes, with the help of Mr A's dad as well...And I will list them out accordingly, very organised manner.

1) Oxtail soup: The oxtail came off quite nicely from the bone, but i thought it tasted too overladen with MSG. Mr A's lips turned "angelina jolie" like.

2) Walnut bacon salad: I liked this one! They used a different kinda sauce, like char siew sauce of sorts. Balsamic vinegar, with sugar, and caramelised...bacon was crispy and nice, coupled with cherry tomatoes. A tad too sweet, but worth trying. It's like Chinese fusion.

3) Pork Ribs: Well, i thought this was average only. pork ribs tasted more like it was boiled than it was roasted. i liked the mash potato though, it was the PURE kind, not those u get from powdered potato formulae.

4) Pork Sausages sauteed with onions and chilli padi: this was actually pretty good, i like how the infuse the chilli padi with it, and the onions, though i thought the dish was a tad too oily. 

5) Cheesed Pork Burger: I liked this, it was very yummy. Eating pork burger gives a diff feel, super juicy and it melted perfectly with the cheese.though i felt the servings of fries and colesslaw could be more generous 

6) Roasted Pork Pasta - a signature dish, i thought the pastas was quite tasty, with lotsa pepper. 

All in all, RM 130 for 6 dishes full of pork, and meat.

It's quite ok pricing, for lotsa meat. As I was really full, I sampled here and there, with Mr A giving more of his commentary on the food as above (I am just the mere secretary!)

It;'s worth a visit, and oh, their pricing for ham and meat, is really competitive compared to village grocers, cold storage and mercatos.

ambience wise, it's simple, and i like how they play up the red colour of their logo. though, i hear that renovations are expected, so a more spick and span place will be up and coming soon.

For more info: www.themeatexperts.com

-jade-

he's a keeper. nope, i'm not sharing...

Wow, Lilian took some photos with her compact camera, lumix i think and its just as good as the canon SLR that I have =)

yeah, nowadays, ALL CAMERAS are born almost equal..just the price tag is different...

more photos of our 2d/1n stay at tanarimba, janda baik (www.tanarimba.com.my)

what an amazing time we had..

oh, im a bit narcisstic by selecting photos with ME inside. she has got a whole load stashed up in Picasa, but im not telling ya where it is =)

 

-jade-

 

 

 

i love this photo taken by lilian of the girls from cg =)

we look like imps, with the hoodies on. ain't we such coool imps...

totally!

 

-jade-

 

 

as my dear neigbours party to the sound of such happening music, its amazing that i don't call the police..

such a racket, no robbers will be close by tonight with this amount of noise.

i am so tired after today, running off to pklang, and driving in a maze of traffic, running off to another meeting, and following up with work after that.

its amazing how many things there are to do..

 

but little by little, and i shoud be there

i will probably leverage on the ingenius idea of outsourced help...

oh God, give me strength for these 2 weeks..

 

and then, to INFIINITY AND BEYOND =)

taipei and HK here i come

 

nites

 

-jade-