Article Published! Yayy!

2 months ago, my principal approached me, and broached the idea of writing a paper for a little project that I'm doing with my students. Write papers? Hmn, I had not written anything academic for a long time. Long gone were the days where I sat for hours typing my assignments and working on my thesis.

I sat on the idea for some time before he gave me another nudge, and assuring me that he would help me. My principal himself is a very keen action researcher cum writer, and has contributed a steady stream of articles for local academic journals.

Well, with an experienced person to guide me, I'd have to be crazy to pass up the opportunity to learn. My principal sat down with me and discussed with me the outline of the paper. He provided me some reading materials. And he read my drafts and provided me suggestions. I sent it off to the editor, and it came back with more comments. My principal again took the time to go through the paper and advised me how I could amend the paper.

When I sent off the final draft, I received a note of thanks and a disclaimer that said that only selected articles would be published. I thought it was a little disheartening, and I did prepare myself for the eventuality should my article did not get published.

Yesterday evening, I received text messages from 2 Principals - one my own principal, the other a family friend - congratulating me on the publication of my article in Bicara Pendidik 2009. I'm really very happy.

I haven't seen the journal yet. I don't even know whether I will get a personal copy. But I do feel a deep sense of achievement. I couldn't have done it without my principal's guidance and advice, and I really want to say a big THANK YOU to him.

Dinner @ Dynasty Hotel

I had a dinner function at Dynasty Hotel last night. It is a Chinese-style sit-down banquet dinner. I think the food is pretty standard. Go to any hotel in Miri for a banquet, and more or less the same type of food will be served.

Before the meal began, I put together a dish of sliced red chillies and chopped garlic in light soy sauce. I was prepared to dip everything in this concoction.

Chillies and garlic dip

The starter was a Three Hot and Cold Combination. There were seasoned jellyfish, fried chicken, and a fishpaste-surimi-thingy in egg sauce. The three items tasted pretty all right.

Hot & Cold Combination

My serving

Next came the Braised Crab Meat Soup with Shredded Chicken. Crab? I did not see any crab in my soup, though I did chew on fine threads of chicken. The soup, to me, was more starch than substance.


Following the soup were the main dishes. The Steamed Sultan Fish with Tom Yam Paste preceded all the other meat dishes. I liked the fish. I thought the sauce was just right - sour and spicy. Best of all, it was piping hot as it was served on a steaming rack.

Steamed Fish

My serving

I liked the Deep Fried Crispy Chicken with Nestum and Mayonnaise Sauce. The chicken was really crispy, and yet the meat was tender. The sauce was slightly citrusy, with a slight squeeze of lemon juice in it.

Crispy Chicken

My serving

Next up is the Yam Basket with Mixed Vegetables and Cashew Nuts. By now, I was already quite full. Yet, I wanted to try the dish. The yam had a hint of 5-spice powder. I thought the vegetables were quite ordinary.

Yam basket

My serving

Crispy Roasted Duck came next. I think the duck was roasted and then deep-fried. Like the chicken, the duck was crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. The duck was served with a sweet chilli sauce.

Crispy Roasted Duck

My serving

The last dish of the main course was the Chinese Fried Rice. My friend commented that it was silly of them to serve rice so late into the meal. I thought it was to fill up those whose stomachs have yet to be full. But another friend mentioned that rice came the last as it was a symbol of abundance. Hmn. Profound. ;p

Fried Rice

I did not like the fried rice at all. I thought the rice was soggy, and it was quite tasteless. I left practically the whole bowl untouched. How wasteful.

Dessert, of course, was not to be forgotten. Tonight's desert was Chilled Longan with Sea Coconut. It was too sweet for my liking. I ate the longans, sea coconut and dices of jelly, and left the syrup behind.

Dessert

Well, I absolutely forbade anyone to touch the food before I snapped a shot. So to all my friends, thank you for putting up with my antics ;p.

An Inspiring Afternoon

Dr. Low Guat Tin speaking passionately about teaching

I had the privilege to listen to Dr. Low Guat Tin today, a renowned speaker from Singapore. Dr. Low Guat Tin is the Associate Professor of Policy and Leadership Studies at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. She flew in to Miri last night, and this afternoon, a talk was held for educators at a local venue.

Dr. Low believes that passion is the driving force for excellence in education. Passion will make us go the extra mile, and propel ourselves and our students to success. She is also convinced that teachers should motivate their students to enjoy what they are doing, and not to shame them into doing it.

Teachers should lift the students up, and then let go so that that the students can fly high. She said that we should help students see beyond this moment - to spur students on to higher things. She reiterated that everyone should have a vision in their lives.

Well, what did I learn from Dr. Low?
1) I should be thriving and not surviving.

2) I should celebrate my being and reward myself - I'm so going to get that Tag!

3) Have lots of fun and laughter in my work.

4) Take care of my S.E.L.F.
S = Spiritual
E = Emotional
L = Learning
F = Fitness

It was indeed great to listen to a person who has great authority in the education sector, and I really was uplifted by this experience. More talks like this should be organised for teachers.

Michael Jackson

Everyone knows Michael Jackson. Such is his fame, that everyone at every corner of the globe knows who he is, so aptly enthroned King of Pop.

Michael Jackson's death yesterday shocked the world. I was shocked too. I want to read more, but every news agency reports more or less the same facts. I guess all I can do is to wait.

The only album of Michael Jackson's that I own is "Bad". I bought the cassette when it was first released. I was still in my teens then, and he was such a cool superstar. He awed the world with his moonwalk and his anti-gravity lean, so it seemed imperative to have an album of his. Despite all this, Michael Jackson did have some hit songs which I like, such as Thriller, Beat it, Billie Jean, and Heal the World.

Afterwards, it became more interesting to read about him than to listen to his songs. I especially love to read the speculation about his physical appearance, which indeed changed drastically. Over the years, I read that he also got himself entangled in complicated court battles regarding child sexual abuse. The last piece of news I read about him was a few months ago, an article which detailed his financial troubles.

Anyway, Michael Jackson was only 50 years old, and the whole world probably did not expect his death yet. I had colleagues who walked around with disbelief this morning.

Death often catches people unaware, but for Michael Jackson, his music lives on forever.

R.I.P.

Making Rice Dumplings

The Rice Dumpling Festival may be over, but the spirit of making good rice dumplings still stays on.

Today, the school Lion Dance Club organised a rice dumpling competition for the students. It was really very interesting to see boys and girls of all ages trying their hands on wrapping rice dumplings.

The students brought the ingredients of their choice to make their rice dumplings. Some brought only bamboo leaves and seasoned rice. The more ambitious students brought mushrooms, peanuts, and salted egg yolk. Of course, no pork was allowed in school ;p.

Ingredients

It was really not easy to wrap rice dumplings. I also tried to wrap one, but I was greedy, and stuffed it to the max with ingredients and I couldn't angle the leaf properly into a triangular pyramid.

2 students demonstrating their skills

If not wrapped and tied properly, the rice dumpling will easily disintegrate.

A disintegrated dumpling

The boys, of course, did not have the same patience that the girls did. After a few trials, they got restless and wrapped rice dumplings in their own way!

A boy's handiwork

The boys' impatient dumplings

A group of boys made a dragon boat from an egg carton and egg shells. I thought it was pretty creative.

An unfinished egg carton dragonboat

The students finished wrapping their dumplings in no time, and were judged by the teachers.





Due to time constraint, the students had to steam their rice dumplings at home. A few of them promised to give me their dumplings first thing tomorrow morning. How sweet of them. Looks like my breakfast is taken care of tomorrow morning ;) .

I Covet a Tag

I need a new watch. The clasp on my current watch has gotten loose, and thus the watch always comes off. Last week, it dropped twice in front of the same colleague. At first she thought it was an accident, so she helped me pick up my watch. The second time it happened, she chuckled, amused that my watch kept dropping in front of her. I was rather embarrassed.

I need a new watch, and I want to buy a Tag.

I went into Hung Cheong Jewellery & Watch at Sarawak Plaza in Kuching with Aunt. I just wanted to browse around. But Aunt thought I was crazy to be wanting to buy such an expensive watch. I wanted to browse at the Hung Cheong branch at The Spring, but there were seldom any customers in the shop, and I was reluctant to go in, especially when I was not ready to buy.

I told my Mom I wanted to buy an expensive watch. In a bid to discourage me, she said I was so rough and careless that it would damage in no time. So, I told brother this afternoon how much I wanted to buy a Tag, and I'm just so glad he did not think I was a lunatic.

I still covet it so bad that I went to Swiss Time twice last week. The first time I was there, I thought I was invisible. I was ignored. Ok, I understood, the lady was busy entertaining a customer who was also trying a Tag. She sounded like a Chinese national to me. So, there I was browsing on my own before making my exit. On Sunday, I was there again with my friend. She was another one who thought I was crazy enough to be willing to spend so much on a watch.

On Sunday, the lady at the shop brought out some watches, and I got to try them on. I was hooked! The price? RM3,584. Too bad, the lady had this indifferent attitude, so I did not feel like buying from her. Swiss Time is the authorized dealer for Tag Heuer here. There is no competition at all. Either you buy it from them, or you can deprive yourself of the Tag.

You see, people like me did not buy expensive watches. My salary comes to less than RM4,000 a month. And I needed to pay off my loans, my rent, my insurance, my bills and what not. I need to eat, and I need pocket money. This month, another few hundred goes to renewing my car insurance. Air fares cost me at least RM2,000 a year. In addition, I need to save up for an occasional splurge - like a vacation. Heck, last month RM3,000 went to buying a netbook and a camera.

So why then did I want a Tag? Well, I'm no horologist. I just thought it looks good - sporty and elegant at the same time. I thought it suits young working people like myself ;p, not that I'm that young anymore.

This afternoon, I saw a copy of a comic book at a student's table. So I picked it up and browsed. Came along one boy, E*****, who's only in Form 1.

E : Teacher, I thought old people did not read comics.
Me : Me? Old? Am I that old, E*****.
E : *appeared hesitant and did not know what to say*
Me : I'm not that old, you know.
E : Average larrrrr .....

Ok, so I appeared old to my thirteen-year-old student, but that did not stop me from coveting my Tag. Since I do not want to buy it from the snob of a lady at the watch dealers' here, I'll just have to wait till my next trip to Kuching or KL.

Inspired by "Teach With Your Heart"

My principal said he was inspired by this book called, Teach With Your Heart : Lessons I Learned From The Freedom Writers, a memoir of Erin Gruwell. He suggested that my colleagues and I read it. He passed the book to me, and so I started reading it this morning during our reading period.

From the moment I started, I couldn't stop reading. Erin was an English teacher like I was. Erin has to be everyone's dream teacher. She set out to woo her students and engage them in their learning.

Now compared to Erin's students, my students had to be heaven-sent. Erin's students came from notorious neighbourhoods, and were put down all their lives. Erin made English lessons relevant for these students, helping them to relate to characters in To Kill A Mockingbird, and Catcher in the Rye to name a few.

Erin believed that everyone had a story to tell, and encouraged her students to tell their stories. It was really moving, to read how Erin helped her students to come to terms with who they were, by writing about themselves. It was a cathartic process for many of her students. Many of her students went on to universities and colleges, becoming the firsts in the families to pursue tertiary education.

I learned a few analogies from the book. I liked it when Erin said an essay should be like a miniskirt - long enough to cover it all, and short enough to keep everything interesting. When I told my students this, they were all amused.

The book was really touching, and some incidents moved me to tears. I liked in particular the part when Khari - a really a big tough boy up front, but who is just a vulnerable teenager inside - handed in his story to earn himself a trip to meet Steven Spielberg.

Erin and her students went on to achieve great things. They appeared in tv shows and won awards and had their stories published. But none more important than them graduating from school, knowing that they were worthy individuals who knew that they would make it in the real world.

Phew for JJH

(Pic source :http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/06/joo-ji-hoon-receives-his-sentencing/)

I marked 23 June in my calendar, as I knew that Ju Ji Hun would receive his sentence for using drugs on 2 occasions. I was quite anxious to know the verdict, and as I read the news over at Dramabeans, I could only sigh with relief. Ju Ji Hun got off with six months of jail with one year of probation, 120 hours of community service, and a penalty of 360,000 won. It was explained that he need not do jail time if he could guarantee good behaviour for a whole year. Phew!

I knew local and overseas fans sent petition letters to the judge on Ju Ji Hun's behalf, and I really admire their determination and loyalty to their favourite celebrity. I read a post in the Soompi forums that stated that there were at least 1070 petition letters from Japan, and 1103 from overseas. Aja! Aja! Fighting!!

The Little Nyonya

(Pic Source : http://qingling.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/thelittlenyonya-aft4eps/)

I went back to Kuching last holiday, and all my aunts were raving about the Singapore drama, The Little Nyonya 小娘惹. Now, my aunts were not ones who watched soppy dramas on television, but they were all buying the DVDs for collections' sake. Even Mom said it was a good show and she said she wanted to watch it again, if she had the opportunity. That was it. I wanted to find out for myself just how good The Little Nyonya is. Mom said the story was rather tragic. Aunt said she wanted to rewrite the ending. Hmn ... I guess I'm forewarned.

Since Saturday, I've watched only 3 episodes. I must say that the Peranakan culture was portrayed beautifully and authentically, from the food to the clothing to the architecture to the funiture to the eating utensils. I like the heroine, Juxiang, who was not only beautiful, but virtuous to the very core of her being. I also liked the maid Ah Tao, who was funny and fiercely loyal. The Japanese lad, Yamamoto Yousuke, seemed to be very kindly. The rest of the Huang family, and also the perverted Charlie Zhang, make you glad you did not have them for relatives.

Though it is just a story, I'm not sure if I can bear to watch the rest of the series, to see Juxiang at the mercy of her own family, and ill-treated at every turn. Sigh. So, I'll just watch this drama very slowly in my spare time.

Gawai Celebration 2009

The backdrop on the stage

The indigenous people of Sarawak or the Dayaks are so rich in diversity and culture, and today, we showcased the beautiful colours of the Dayaks at the school-level Gawai Celebration. It is a cultural event which is held every year, for the past 3 years.

Gawai or the Harvest Festival is celebrated exclusively in Sarawak by the indigenous people, to thank the Gods for a plentiful paddy harvest for the year. In Sarawak, Gawai is celebrated officially on 01 June every year.

This morning, lessons in the classroom were halted, and a different kind of learning took place. The whole school learned more about indigenous cultures of various ethnic groups in Sarawak. The students learned to be proud of their cultural identities. They learned to value similarities and appreciate differences. They learned to value each other. They learned to respect each other.

Students donned their costumes, representing the major ethnic groups of Sarawak, namely the Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, and Orang Ulu. The women's attire, some heavily beaded and sequinned, were really beautiful and striking. A full regalia is complete with elaborate headgear, and colourful beaded jewellery. The students did a fashion show of their costumes.

Students in their ethnic costumes

The school was entertained the traditional music and dances. I just love listening to the hypnotic rhythms of the tabuh, and of course, there's the melodious tunes played on the sape. I also love all varieties of the ngajat dances, the ladies ever so graceful, and the men portraying the fierce warriors their forefathers once were.

Other activities were sketches depicting the paddy planting process, and singing.

Decorations in ethnic motifs

More decorations

Today's lesson in indigenous culture is more powerful than any teaching and learning in the classroom. It taught us the value of being who we are.

Gayu guru gerai nyamai.

Lunches at the School Canteen

Because I worked till 5.00 p.m. for the past 2 days, I had lunch at my school canteen. I am thankful that this year, the canteen cooks food that is edible. Being in the school system for so long, I've had my share of nightmare canteens. I have even boycotted canteens before this - for taking advantage of the teachers and overcharging, and for selling stale food.

My canteen cooks at least a meat dish, and at least 2 types of vegetables a day. Yesterday's menu was chicken curry, stir-fried paku in belacan, and cangkuk manis and pumpkin lemak.

 Chicken curry

Today, the canteen served a fish in turmeric sauce, stir-fried spinach, and ulam with sambal.

Today's lunch

You see, teachers and students need to eat. We are in school for long hours, and because we cannot go out of the school compound, our only source of food is from the canteen. If the canteen operates well, we, teachers and students are happy. Because there is nothing more frustrating than to have money to spare, but with nothing to buy. I have lots of money. But there is nothing decent to eat at the canteen. How irritating it is.

So, anyone interested in bidding for next year's canteen tender?

Form 6, K.U.P.s and What Not

There is a big hoo-hah now about the promotion of Form 6 teachers - a supposed fast track in their teaching careers. I have colleagues who are appointed as Guru Akademik Tingkatan 6, and I myself am appointed Penolong Kanan Tingkatan 6.

What were the criteria of selection? Why did only 3 out of the many teachers teaching Form 6 in my school receive the promotion? What is in it for them now that they are promoted? What about non Form 6 teachers? They are veteran teachers, whom because are not teaching Form 6, are denied of the chance of promotion. It may seem rather unfair for them.

No doubt, all this is done to upgrade the status of the existing Form 6 to a level that is on par with Pre-University. In a presentation slideshow which I read, the lecture system was suggested. Teachers were going to be called lecturers. Heck, a dress code was even stipulated for the so-called "lecturers", and they were to wear blazers to reflect their new-found identity. Both the lecturers and students were to carry out researches. What kind of researches are they to do? Are the grades accounted for in STPM? Why isn't there news about curriculum review for the Form 6 then?

There are so many questions floating in my head now, and the worst thing is, no one can answer them. It serves only to shroud us, newly-appointed Form 6 teachers, in uncertainty.

Anyway, being in civil service for so many years, I am still very confused about matters related to perjawatan. At least today I know a bit more than I did yesterday. Graduate teachers are Guru Akademik Biasa in DG 41 hakiki. After 10 years, they are eligible for time-based promotion to the next scale, and are Guru Akademik Biasa DG 44 (K.U.P.). They can hold DG44 posts, for instance to become a Senior Assistant and such.

Say a DG 44 (K.U.P.) officer is appointed Senior Assistant at the school. Then comes along a DG 44 hakiki Senior Assistant. Then the DG 44 (K.U.P.) officer has to step down from being Senior Assistant, and revert to being just an ordinary teacher.

Form 6 appointments are as Guru Akademik Tingkatan 6 DG 44 hakiki. That means they cannot revert to Guru Akademik Biasa. For myself, my post is Penolong Kanan DG 44 hakiki. That means, it is a huge leap in the educational career path - from being a Guru Akademik Biasa DG41 hakiki to a Penolong Kanan DG 44 hakiki. Wow. It is only today that I understand the implication of this appointment.

I am not an ambitious sort of person. That is why I have never bothered about K.U.P.s and what not. No doubt I'm honoured by the recognition. But being penolong kanan does not really appeal to me. My passion is still teaching English in the classroom. Take that away from me, and I will lose all the joy of being a teacher.

First Day of Semester Two

Having sleeping and waking up late for the past 2 weeks, I have to now re-adjust myself to my usual working day routine. Last night I could not sleep till past midnight, and when my alarm rang at 5 a.m. this morning, I literally dragged myself out of bed. It is usually like this for the first few days. After that, it becomes easier to wake up at the crack of dawn. By 10 a.m. however, I was sleepy already! I had to massage my eyelids so that my eyes could keep open.

I spent most of the morning retracing and piecing together my work in the previous semester, so that I can take up from where I have left off. Two weeks of holidays have wiped out my memory completely. I could not even remember my personal timetable.

I also accepted the promotion to be the Senior Assistant for Form 6. I signed the form and had it sent off. I do not know where this will lead me to. But I am not going to pass up the chance to earn more $, as it is stated in the letter that I get extra allowance. I think for many educators like myself, we are always not sure about the details related to our service. Ask me how much is Elaun Memangku DG44, and I won't be able to answer you.

My principal approached me today and asked me to create a blog for the English Panel. He wanted to help the English teachers professionally by encouraging them to blog. In reality, not all English teachers are proficient in the language, and they do make embarrassing grammatical errors at times.

A few years back, I remember peeking into the teaching files of a trainee English teacher and was appalled at atrocious language used. She would have graduated now, and imagine what she would have been teaching our students? My principal, himself an English teacher, is keen in helping English teachers to be more engaged in the language, and he thinks that blogging can perhaps be one way to help the English teachers in the school.

I can already foresee many problems in getting the teachers to blog, though. No computer. No wi-fi. Don't know how to post. Problems signing in. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I mean, I've tried getting teachers to post on an educational forum before, and the excuses that they give me are so unbelievable.

Well, that said, it was sure great to see colleagues again. I think everyone came back more energised and refreshed to begin the new semester. There were plenty to catch up with too, whenever there was some spare time. Some brought tales of their travels, others came bearing gifts and souvenirs. A colleague brought tamarind or asam jawa all the way back from Terengganu. I am embarrassed to say that it's my first encounter with this fruit. I mean I've eaten it candied, and I know of it as an ingredient for cooking, but it's the first time I've eaten it from the shell. The pulp is tangy and sweet at the same time, so I quite liked it.

Tamarind

Tamarind pulp


Tamarind seeds

As for my students, I thought they looked quite anxious, and maybe somewhat wilted (it's REALLY hot in the classroom at noon!!). I was returning examination scripts today, I could see the anxiety written in their faces. English certainly isn't their best subject.

And before you know it, the last bell rang, and it was time to head for home. Anyway, all in all, this first day of the new semester was less painful than I thought it would be.

Oh yes, and many people admired my Eee PC ;p.

Prawn Omelette (蝦仁煎)

One popular Chinese dish is oyster omelette (蚵仔煎), which is easily available at any Chinese eateries.

In my household, we often eat prawn omelette (蝦仁煎) instead of oyster omelette. In Teochew, we call it hay luak (蝦煎). My late maternal grandmother used to babysit me when I was a child, and I vaguely remember her making prawn omelette for me. Now, mom cooks it for us. Both my brother and I love it.

For the batter, Mom mixes tapioca flour with water. Then she cooks the batter in a non-stick pan with prawns, spring onions, and beaten eggs. The ingredients give off a fragrant aroma as they cook.

Prawns, eggs and spring onions in the pan

Once one side of the omelette is cooked, Mom flips it over to cook the other side. Mom dishes out the omelette when it turns golden brown in colour.

Prawn omelette

The omelette is fragrant, starchy and gooey, but the edges are crispy, and the prawns are sweet.

A close-up shot

Prawn omelette is dipped in fish sauce with a dash of pepper before eating.

Fish sauce and a dash of pepper

I don't think prawn omelette is sold anywhere here in Kuching, or even in Miri. At least I haven't come across before.

Lunch at Hoi Tin Lou (海天楼)

海天楼 or Hoi Tin Lou Restaurant is located at Pannovel Commercial Centre, Jalan Mendu. It cannot be seen from the main road as it faces the residential area.

Hoi Tin Lou used to be at Grand Continental Hotel, Kuching. It relocated only very recently as its lease at its previous location expired. Back when they were there, they did not serve pork. But at their new establishment, pork is included in the menu.

Hoi Tin Lou opens on weekdays for lunch from 10.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. On weekends, it opens at 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. It opens for dinner at 5.00 p.m. daily.

Dad, Mom and I decided to go there for lunch yesterday. We went before 12.00 p.m., and the place was quite empty. There were only 2 tables of diners.

While waiting for our orders, we munched on a platter of braised peanuts. I thought the peanuts were soft and were quite tasty. Mom thought the taste of aniseed and 5-spice powder was a tad too strong.

Braised peanuts

We ordered the Spinach Noodles (菠菜面) with Seafood. As its name indicated, spinach noodles are used in this dish in place of the normal noodles. A dark coloured sauce is poured over the noodles, and the platter is topped with fresh fish slices, cuttlefish and prawns. There were stems of bok choy on the side too. The noodles were springy, and the sauce was really delicious. All of us liked the noodles very much.

Spinach Noodles

My serving of Spinach Noodles

Dad wanted to try the Honeyed Prawns (蜜汁虾). The prawns were battered and deep-fried, and then tossed with chunks of honey dew melon in a honey and mayonnaise sauce. Mom and I found the sauce too sweet. The restaurant was quite generous with the prawns, though.

Honeyed Prawns

I wanted to try the Braised Pork Belly with Mui Choy (酶菜猪肉), but I was disappointed. No doubt the meat was chunky, but it I found that this dish was too soupy. I also felt that they flavour of the mui choy 酶菜 did not really infuse the meat.

Braised Pork Belly with Mui Choy

Mom wanted to try the Stewed Beancurd with Assorted Meat. This beancurd dish came in a claypot, and like the other dishes, the restaurant was generous with the ingredients. There were snow peas, baby corn, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, chicken, and deep-fried egg beancurd in the claypot. If you asked me, I think the name of the dish should be Claypot Beancurd with Assorted Vegetables ;p.

Stewed Beancurd with Assorted Meat

Just out of curiosity, I ordered the Phoenix Claws (凤爪). I did not like it, as I found the sauce too watery. I also preferred my Phoenix Claws a bit sweeter. Mom thought the taste of the spices were too overpowering. Just for your information, Hoi Tin Lou serves Dim Sum too, though the variety is quite limited. They do have the usual Siew Mai and Radish Cake.

Phoenix Claws

The bill came to RM59.00 only. What a bargain! I recommend this unassuming restaurant, if you are looking for good food with a bargain.

Hartz Chicken Buffet

Aunt and I went shopping yesterday. After a while, Aunt wanted to go to Hartz Chicken Buffet at Sarawak Plaza for a late lunch. She had not eaten there for at least 2 years, she said. Well, I told her I had not eaten at Hartz Chicken Buffet since secondary school! And that's like more than a decade ago.

Hartz Chicken Buffet has been at Sarawak Plaza for a long time already. When I was young, my parents would bring us for a treat once in a while.

The signboard outside the restaurant stated RM17.70 per adult. When we paid, the cashier charged us RM15.00 each. I was surprised at the discount, but the cashier did not even bother to explain. Aunt said when I was charged less, I should just shut up ;p. Anyway, we later found out that 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. was designated Happy Hour and therefore we were given a discount.

I found it quite amusing that the docket was attached to a piece of paper that stated the policies of the restaurant. Here is a summary of what was stated :
1) Cannot tapau
2) Cannot eat outside food in the restaurant
3) Cannot take home the utensils
4) 2 hours limit only

Dine with Rules

Well, what was there to eat?

There were free re-fills of soft drinks, as well as coffee and tea. There was fried chicken, roasted chicken, deep-fried chicken livers and gizzards, deep-fried sweet potato and potato crisps, and onion rings. Aunt asked for deep-fried fish slices, but they had run out of those.

Next to the fried foods, there were bread rolls, and some bread pudding. I wanted to take a bread roll, but found it hard and cold. So I did not bother.

One counter held a tray of mashed potato with 2 types of sauces to choose from. I chose the white sauce over the brown sauce, and I think I made the wrong choice. The white sauce tasted like milk, and it did not complement the mash at all.

2 pieces of fried chicken, some onion rings, and mashed potato in white sauce

At the same counter was steamed rice and some cooked dishes, such as oyster chicken, stir-fried brinjal, stir-fried angled gourd, a turnip casserole, and a sweet-and-sour tofu dish. I did not eat any of those, while aunt tried a little bit of each. She liked the brinjal but did not care for the others.

Two types of soup were served yesterday. One was the clear pumpkin and potato soup, which Aunt tried. She quite liked it. I ate the sweetcorn chicken soup, which is a creamy soup with diced roasted chicken and sweetcorn kernels. I liked the fact that the soup was hot.

Clear Pumpkin and Potato Soup

Creamy Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup

At the salad bar, there were an assortment of vegetables like capsicum, carrot, celery, and cucumber sticks, tomato wedges, and lettuce leaves. Two types of dressing were offered – the Italian and the French dressing. There was a pasta salad and a coleslaw too, which I liked. The pasta salad looks pleasant to the eye, with sweetcorn kernels, diced green capsicum, diced tomatoes, and beans.

Pasta Salad

Coleslaw

There were also fruits such as watermelon, pineapple and honey dew. Sad to say, the vegetables and fruits did not look very fresh, and thus not so appetising. Aunt waited for a refill, and managed to get some freshly cut watermelon slices. She said they were quite sweet.

Watermelon slices

For desserts, soft serve ice-cream was available. The flavour of the day was strawberry. Beside the ice-cream machine were cakes and cookies. The cakes looked quite dry and the cookies did not look good enough to tempt me to try them.

Well, I think the restaurant is now quite run-down, and the lightings do not enhance the interior at all. I can't say that there's anything to shout about the food, which I think is pretty ordinary. However, if you're in for an economical all-you-can eat meal, Hartz Chicken Buffet is the place for you.