MyDay: Little Sidney :)

Little Sidney

Yay...his sister second son...very cute baby
Yeah...we are on training program lol...jokinggg~
xOxO

Myday : My great great grandpa’s restaurant 品香茶樓 (Rumah Makan Irian)

My  family (from my mom’s family) runs a small antique restaurant since 1920 in a small town in North Sumatra called Binjai. Our family restaurant, 品香茶樓 (Pin Yin: Pin Xiang Cha Lou) or Rumah makan Irian, has now being managed by five generations and now being managed by my cousins (the eldest grandson) and my aunty. Our restaurant has been operating based on Cantonese traditions in-and-out. However, we have infused some of Peranakan touches in our menus.

Saw and witnessed different ages of Indonesia and become the oldest restaurant in Binjai makes Rm.Irian have lots of histories and memories inside and most importantly legacies of culinary and traditions.

 

One of its unique is that we are still using manual lifter (as seen on the pic beside). The kitchen is on ground level and dining place is one second stories so in order to save time, they use this cute manual lifter.

Some of Rm.Irian best signatures ( always and forever) and all review done by my cousin, Hari Quang, who manages the restaurant now. 

Irian Mie Cin

Mie Cin or you might have heard it as ‘I Fu Mie Goreng’. Well, let me tell you this: there is no such thing! I understand that some other restaurant and food vendors that try to imitate our I Fu Mie have certain difficulties in cooking their hard-as-rock noodles. Unlike our hand-made noodles, the noodles they use are usually factory-made. These noodles have different texture and taste.

I don’t know if the name ‘I Fu Mie Goreng’ came from the lack of creativity or in fact that the noodles are actually stir-fried like the general fried noodle. One thing for sure is, we honors tradition and we are using the name given by our ancestors. So let’s call Mie Cin as Mie Cin, not ‘I Fu Mie Goreng’.

Irian I Fu Mie

It is one of our specialties. I Fu Mie is a Cantonese cuisine, traditionally handmade in our restaurant. It is deep-fried crispy noodles with chicken and vegetable dressing.

Once heard a customer said,” to visit Binjai without eating I Fu Mie is like climbing a mountain and go back down without seeing the sunrise”. It’s a little hyperbolic, I guess, but I totally understand him. Where-else in this town or even in this province can you find the original I Fu Mie?

My Grandmother once told me that long time ago, the first generation chef in our restaurant made the noodle with the help of two pieces of big, fat bamboo. In order to use them properly, he would move in a certain way that made the chef looked as if he was dancing the Kuda Lumping. She said,” the noodles are so special that even seeing the making process can entertain one’s eyes.”

Irian Ang tho Mie

It looks like the shark’s fin soup. It is a creamy noodle-soup enriched with egg and crab’s meat.

Several years ago, a customer asked me why the noodle is called Ang Tho Mie. Where did the name come from? Ang Tho Mie means Red Plum Noodle. The noodle is cooked with chicken eggs nowadays, it used to be duck eggs. The yolk of the duck egg became a natural colorant, giving a reddish glow to the creamy liquid. When the noodle is served in a round bowl, it looks like a giant red plum.

Due to customers’ demand, we use chicken eggs now. They are said to possess less fat, calories and cholesterol compared to duck eggs. However, we are more than willing to serve it in original style when a customer order it.

Nasi goreng Irian (fried rice)

Looks like ordinary fried rice, but try it first and I am quite sure you will ask for more. Usually it cooks with lots lots of toppings, you can find crab meat inside, fish balls, eggs, chickens and chilli padi (but it doesn’t spicy at all).

Irian Cim kong

 

and still have more menus ( all the pics are in my other hdd and I forgot to bring it along with me right now…so more to come….)
PS. must try Irian fried chicken (super duper crispy), chicken wings cold plate en much more…

I grow up by its food lol…cause every CNY, our sa cap meh (Chinese new year reunion dinner), foods are all bought from here (and it never change and it become a habit to our family which I think it is a good thing and always craving for it ).

It makes me hungry now…and can someone da bao for me and delivery them to Singapore please….:P

Music : Wang Lee Hom newest album - Eighteen Types of Martial Arts (十八般武藝 - Shi Ba Ban Wu Yi)

It’s Lee Hom again…another new album after his “Heart Beat” album…Oh my gosh..time flies…and I’m waiting for his next concert in Singapore, absolutely must goooo…yeay…

Anyway…this new album , Eighteen Types of Martial Arts (十八般武藝 - Shi Ba Ban Wu Yi), is sold officially on last 14 July 2010 in Taipei. Haven’t got mine yet…maybe it is still a pre-order in here.  And have you guys check out his newest MV? a lovely MV, a very simple song, simple lyrics but a very good and deep meanings inside. 柴米油鹽醬醋茶 (Chai Mi You Yan Jiang Cu Cha - firewood, Rice, Oil, Salt, Paste, Vinegar, Tea ~ Daily Necessities) which he collaborated with Vivian Hsu to paint a picture of simple and ordinary happiness. As he believed that woman will know more about family than a man hehe…

As a superstar, Leehom absolutely have no time for his family and himself and sometimes he just feel regret. If you ask him how many times he had a family dinner at home in one year, it will be no more than five times.

From his baby nephew growing up to his friends getting married and starting families, these are things Leehom can only hear of, but not experience it himself. Others are busy towards advancing their lives, while he is busy working towards his dream. Year after year, there is always a new dream waiting for him to pursue. When his mother went to Taipei to visit him, all she could do was watch him working from behind. Hurrying here and there, Leehom forgot to pour his mother a cup of tea and could not settle down enough for a good meal with her. Sometimes when he worked, he didn't even spare her a glance from start to end. Even after he heard the door close, it wasn't until much later before he realized: she had already left.

Having dabbled as a movie director, Leehom placed even higher demands on the quality of the MV. Besides spending NT$2,000,000, hiring 30 staff members, renting professional movie cameras, and using 35mm film for shooting, he also personally demonstrated how to walk into place and speak the lines. In one kitchen scene, "Director Wang" personally went into battle and picked up the knife and saucepan, bringing out the rare sight of him at home.

In the year and a half since Leehom came out with an album, he has been pursuing his directing dream. Day and night, he planned for his self-directed and self-starred movie, "Love in Disguise." However, while he was working on every aspect of the movie, he could not disregard his duties as an Asian superstar. He had to promote his album overseas, make his Music-Man concert rounds, act in "Little Big Soldier," promote the movie, be the spokesperson for advertisements, and prepare for his new album. Bustling to and fro, there was no time for him to rest. Thus, he decided to used an ancient saying: "早晨開門七件事─柴米油鹽醬醋茶" (Roughly translates to: The seven things needed when opening the door in the morning - firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea) to describe his busy entertainment career and the feeling of his heart's longing to return to the ordinary.

Pursuing a dream requires paying a high price, but his family has supported him since the beginning. That kind of acceptance suddenly made him feel of twinge of guilt. On a morning when he was trying to relax himself, despite his mind still working away searching for inspiration for an album, he saw the quiet and lonely kitchen of his own home. There was a stove that had only been used to boil water and never used oil, salt, rice, vinegar, sauces... He wrote down this song starting from the thirst of his heart. He knows that there are many people like him, pursuing their dreams, forever running without stop. He knows that the world is already flowing quickly -- no one can calm down their hearts to listen to a simple story.

As a result, he wanted, even more, to use a simple title song to share happiness -- to give you a warm embrace. With its simple warm melody, the song, flavored with an erhu accompanying the guitar, brings the feeling of an ancient place hidden in a remote area -- a simple yet meaningful taste of ordinary happiness. Through this song, he wants to tell everyone that he is like everyone else, working hard to live, working hard to find his own happiness, working hard as a person pursing his dream. There might be tears and separations in the process, but he has always believe that everyone will find their place. He wishes to tell everyone that to pursue a dream in life is very important, but you should also cherish the people around you. And, more importantly, happiness is not far away, it's right in front of you as long as you know how to treasure it.
Simple happiness hides in every drop of daily life waiting for you to taste.
The pre-order version of the album comes with a "Home Love" molded key, bearing Leehom's signature, of your choosing.This key is made from a real key mold. Leehom hopes that when you meet the right person in your life, you can give this key to the other. It represents a family, a room, and a heart wishing for another to come open. And, together, make the promise of happiness.

Sources: leehom-cn.com, UDN, Sony Music, YesAsia,officialwangleehom@youtube

(Is it mean that Leehom did it by himself :P)

Lyrics : Chinese, translation and pin yin ~ enjoy:D
小時候 你想要什麽
Xiao shi hou ni xiang yao shen me
When you were young, what did you want

我要一臺大大藍色的飛機
Wo yao yi tai da da lan se de fei ji
I wanted a large blue airplane

帶我環遊世界
Dai wo huan you shi jie
To take me around the world

到地球每一個角落
Dai di qiu mei yi ge jiao luo
To every corner of the earth

在藍天白雲中穿梭
Zai lan tian bai yun zhong chuan suo
Going back and forth among the white clouds in the blue sky

而長大以後 我想要什麽
Er zhang da yi hou wo xiang yao shen me
And after I grew up, what did I want

我要一臺小小紅色答錄機
Wo yao yi tai xiao xiao hong se dai lu ji
I wanted a tiny red answering machine

和你一起錄下
He ni yi qi lu xia
To record together with you

喂 我們現在不在家
Wei wo men xian zai bu zai jia
Hello, we are not home right now
藍色變成紅色因為你
Lan se bian cheng hong se yin wei ni
The blue turned into red because of you

**
柴米油鹽醬醋茶
Chai mi you yan jiang cu cha
Firewood, rice, oil, salt, paste, vinegar, tea

一點一滴都是幸福在發芽
Yi dian di dou shi xing fu zai fa ya
Every single drop is happiness sprouting
月兒彎彎愛的傻
Yue er wan wan ai de sha
The crescent moon shines over love's foolishness

有了你什麽都不差
You le ni shen me dou bu cha
I lack nothing when I have you

Back to *
Back to **
給你快樂無論白天黑夜
Gei ni kuai le wu lun bai tian hei ye
Providing you with happiness whether it's day or night

握緊雙手就算刮風下雨
Wo jin shuang shou jiu suan gua feng xia yu
Grasping both hands tightly even if it's windy and rainy

我就是要你
Wo jiu shi yao ni
I just want you

要你待在我身邊
Yao ni dai zai wo shen bian
Want you to stay by my side

保護你直到永遠
Bao hu ni zhi dao yong yuan
Protecting you eternally

Back to **
月兒彎彎愛的傻
Yue er wan wan ai de sha
The crescent moon shines over love's foolishness

沒有一個理由
Mei you yi ge li you
There is no reason

活的那麽復雜
Huo de name fu za
To live so complicated

有了你什麽都不差
You le ni shen me dou bu cha

I lack nothing when I have you

Source

                                                        “家人是我生命中最宝贵的财富”

Sharing : A-worth-to-watch short videos

"How one generation loves, the next generation learns."

Synopsis:

Follow the journey of a young boy, as he sees first hand the importance of respecting, honoring, and loving his parents, through the best and the worst of times. The latest installment of National Family Council's Family campaign, Filial Piety: Father & Son revolves around the ups and downs of a three-generation household, with the heart and soul of the campaign captured by the line, "How one generation loves, the next generation learns."

“Father”

Synopsis:

The story portrays a father's love for his daughter...Family Singapore MCYS Youth Commercial

A-worth-to-watch short videos…I think they are all awesome, touching so if you feel a little bit dry on your eyes…watch these videos (recommended :P),anyway…enjoy it and express your love to your beloved one before it’s too late :)…but better late than never…so do it now…

Family quarrels have a total bitterness unmatched by others. Yet it sometimes happens that they also have a kind of tang, a pleasantness beneath the unpleasantness, based on the tacit understanding that this is not for keeps; that any limb you climb out on will still be there later for you to climb back
-- Mignon McLaughlin

I think people that have a brother or sister don't realize how lucky they are. Sure, they fight a lot, but to know that there's always somebody there, somebody that's family -- Trey Parker

This quote is just so real…lucky me, have all of them brothers and sisters and of course beloved papa n mama ooppss i forget my doggy maggie hehe :D….love and miss u all lots…

Chinese Festival : Zongzi (粽子)

Another year has passed and here we are again, it’s Zong Zi( 粽子) time. Zongzi Zong zi is made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, then you need to boil it for hours. Usually zong zi is traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival (Duan Wu).

Actually zong zi is one of many traditional Chinese foods that are intended to honor either the Gods or divine persons in history. This meant to honor Qu Yuan (340-278 BC), a famous Chinese poet from the kingdom of Chu who lived during the Warring States period.

Qu Yuan was a famous poet who was also concerned about the fate of his government. Unfortunately his stature aroused the jealousy of the king, who banished him to a remote area. The poet despaired of the government and its policies. When the state's capital was captured by enemies, he committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River (on May 5th according to the Chinese lunar calendar). The Chinese people felt this loss deeply, as he was a much beloved poet. Local folk searched for him in the river, meanwhile dropping dumplings of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves into the river in order to keep the fishes from attacking Qu Yuan's body.

Since that time, it has been customary on this day to enjoy Zong Zi dumplings as a memorial to the patriotic poet.

Making zong zi need some hand skill as well, because if you didn’t tie it well, the filling will drop out while you boil them. Besides that, patience is a must as well haha…because you need to boil them for at least 5 hours (that’s what we do at home). I always love to see how my mom wrap them one by one…she have that skill and she did it very well and very fast. I tried it before but failed >.<

Months before this festival, mom always buy duck eggs and soak them in damp salted charcoal to make them become salted duck egg (mom only use the egg yolk).
Mom’s zong zi recipes and wrap skill are passed down through families. That’s why the most delicious zong zi for our family are always zong zi from my grandma and my mom. (Really going to miss my grandma’s zong zi. We don’t have any chance to taste her zong zi anymore – my grandma just passed away last month T^T)

For us, glutinous rice must be lightly precooked by stir frying them with dark and light sauce first to make it tastier and mouth-watery looked.

The filling used in mom’s zong zi :

- mung beans, chinese barbeque pork, chinese sausage, salted duck eggs,dried shrimp, chinese black mushrooms and chili-padi.

Being far away from home, luckily it is very convenient to buy zong zi nowadays. However homemade zong zi by mom is the best (home sweet home). Anyway I got two zong zi from my boss’s wife and she is Chinese Indonesia and her zong zi’s taste is quite similar as my hometown’s taste. She gave all of us two zong zi for each person (she is a very good cook and kind, because she love to share her foods with us haha…btw thanks a lot:), one is traditional one (like mom’s zong zi) and the other one is nyonya zong zi (haven’t taste this one, going to eat it on 16 this Wed :P~ to merries zong zi’s festival hehehe)

Going to post the nyonya ‘s dumpling before I ate that hehe:P

Dottie Angel

Love the handicraft … all of them are awesome and this is just like my dream house wanna-be…

- A big window which allow sun bright in -

Click here for more Dottie’s pictures