TREASURE TROVE

The Challenge


The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the water close to
Japan has not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese
population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The
farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish. If
the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh. To solve this
problem, fish companies installed freezers on their boats. They would
catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to
go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the
difference between fresh and frozen fish. And they did not like the
taste of frozen fish.

The frozen fish brought a lower price. So, fishing companies installed
fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin
to fin. After a little thrashing around, they were tired, dull, and
lost their fresh-fish taste. The fishing industry faced an impending
crisis!
But today, they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan . How did they manage?
To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still
put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark.

The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move. The
challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh!

Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most
of the time tired and dull? Basically in our lives, sharks are new
challenges to keep us active. If you are steadily conquering
challenges, you are happy. Your challenges keep you energized. Don't
create success and revel in it in a state of inertia. You have the
resources, skills and abilities to make a difference. Put a shark in
your tank and see how far you can really go!

"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character" - Albert Einstein

Newcastle United vs. Manchester United Match

During my third year in Uni, I decided to join this society called LINKS which teaches us about first aider after consistent presuasion from Trinh.. It was pretty interesting thoughout all the meetings. I learnt a lot and had fun. :)

Towards Novermber, I got a last minute spot in the training court to become and first aider and I went for it just for fun and well, it will look good on my CV! After passing the first couse with flying colours, there were I think 3 more courses that I had to do but all in all, I spent about 5 and a half days to get all my qualifications to become a qualified first aider for St. John's Ambulance.

The courses were free so why not? But we didn't know there was at catch towards the end when we were told that we need to do a certain number of duties or else we would need to pay for the training courses.  So yeah, I was kind of cheated into doing this but to date, it was worth it!! :)

This is technically my first real duty! Manchester United vs. Newcastle United at St.James park Newcaslte Upon Tyne.

Warming up session

Before the match, looks quite empty eh?

Its starting with the players all lined up and ready to go.

In the middle of the match.. Now we are talking numbers!

Just after half time

I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of myself but then I will have more big matches to come.. Just went to the Arsenal match last Saturday and then there is the Chealsea match on the 4th April. :)

Its nice to be able to see all these big clubs playing but its so sad to see Newcastle United get trashed over and over again by these giants!! :(

Chinese New Year

This years Chinese New Year would be like all the other CNY dinner I had so far in Newcastle.. Lots and lots of Food!! :) This year, we had a slightly bigger group for the reunion dinner since we have a slightly bigger living room to gather in. 

Last year, we had about 5 people I think, this year, we had about 9 people.. so that is almost doubled the people, so we must double the celebration!! MORE FOOD!! :D

Carrot and Banana cake and decorated so amazingly pretty by Ally. :)

Luttece Parcel By Ally. 

Egg Fu Yong by Wira.

Sarawak Pepper Chicken by PheyFeng, Cecilia and Maha.

Mei Chai Kou Rou by me! :)

Soup with Fish/crab/sotong/tofu balls by Wira and me.

Steam Fish by Luke.

Butter and Curry leaves Prawn by Ally.

Sarawak Laksa by Me!

The Food..

Catholic Society Christmas Dinner

Christmas last year was quite a busy one since I had practically, 3 Christmas Dinners all scheduled on the same day!! But then I had already signed up for the Catholic Society Christmas Dinner which was held at Cafe Neon. 

This is one of my first ever events with the society and there aren't many people I know there besides Phey Feng, Mia and the priest, Fr Andrew. However, the company was great, everyone was so nice, the food was delicious and very filling as well. I have been to Cafe Neon once before with Wira and Ally so it wasn't something new for me but I didn't know why this time I was filled up to the brim literally.. :)

Our table, excuse my reddened face.. I had a bit of alcohol.. Phey Feng's worst!! haha :p

This was after the dinner, we headed back to the chaplaicy for some drink at the bar there. I didn't have any more alcohol, trust me! My face is not as red and Fengs!! :p

This was a funny picture.. hehe :)

21st Birthday

I celebrated my 21st birthday in Newcastle Away from Home. This is my second birthday away from home I think.. I can't remember how my 20th birthday went already.. Which can only mean one thing.. I'm getting OLD!! :( My memory is failing me already?? 

But yeah, this time we decided to try this new restaurant which is just opposite the Fenham field. Heard it has very nice food with very nice prices. The chef is from another well known Chinese restaurant in China town I think and to date, 23/3/09, has closed down already.. I know.. this is a very late post of my birthday... :P

Dragon I

Jane and Doreen

The housemates!

The Menu

From the look of all the food.. Seems like a pretty decent meal eh? It was actually quite very nice and the price was quite very nice as well! haha.. The only thing that was a bit 'disgraceful' was the 16 cubes of roasted belly pork for a massive 9 pounds I think it was! 

The Time Bomb!! :D

Cakeies!!! Thanks Ally and Trinh for the cakes! :D

Group Picture!! :D

Holy Island Trip

Towards the end of February, the Catholic Society of Newcastle University/Northumbria University, organised a weekend away to Holy Island. History tells that this was the first place the Vikings landed on when they reached the UK island. We were there for two nights and we stayed at this big house which as just beside the church, run by the nuns there. It was really a very cosy and nice house! 

The cool thing about Holy Island is that there is only access to the island when the tides are out. Meaning when the tides are in, the coast way that connect the island to the mainland is totally submerged under sea water!! How cool is that? Furthermore, the tides come in really fast so if you happen to get caught in the tides, u're basically fish food! That was one thing that I missed when I came on this trip, to watch the tides come in to cover the road! I shall plan another trip there just to see this! :)

Priory with the Castle at the background

Dinner when we first arrived was Pizza, I think we had 13 pizzas for 12 people and AMAZINGLY, we ate 12 of them! meaning, one pizza each! WOW, we must have been starving wolves! lol

After dinner, we headed off to the local pub to chill

Second day, visited the shop and had a taste of the local wine? The peach one was really really nice!

Then we headed off to the beach to have some games.. this was the rounders winning team.. :(

The second place.... 

Back home, we had a game of dominos! Classic game.. hehe

On the last day, we went to a garden and I found this!

Just for you Oswald! :)

I thought this was really nice.. 

Fudge anyone? Its Holy you know! lol :P

New Year 2009

This years New Year was quite eventful, I went down to Monument to have a glimps of the annual Glow Mobile event and later followed by musical fireworks!! The glow mobiles were not quite impressive since I have seen better and this was nothing special. But the Fireworks did make my day or lets say, my year!! It was simply brilliant!! 

I have not taken any clear pictures of both the mobiles nor the fireworks but I have taken videos of them which I am too lazy to upload! So, IF you really really want to see the coolness of them, go and check my facebook videos, the fireworks display should be there! 

Enjoy ya and Happy 2009!!! 

Love you all!! Muakxx