I stopped by and ordered a small cup (RM9.90) with roasted almonds and mango cubes. Overall, the yogurt is not that “frozen” compared to the ones I tried at Yogurberry. I mean, it melts very fast, and my froyo turns into yogurt drink in no time.

The service is good. You’ll be warmly greeted as you walked into the outlet. The enthusiastic staff will immediately entertain you. Well, the next time you go to OneJaya, do stop by at Hielo. It’s right near the front entrance, right next to Pizza Hut.

When I first came to Sarawak back in 2003 to pursue my study at the same university, I came on my own with a couple of friends without the company of my parents. Back then, air tickets were expensive (AirAsia was still in its infancy) and I used my own savings to actually buy the flight tickets to pursue my decision of going to Sarawak to study. Some of my friends were very skeptical (some of them still do) about Sarawak. They kept reminding me how remote the state was, how people in Sarawak were a bunch of uneducated natives who would eventually make my life difficult and how the lack of basic amenities would make me suffer. Turning a deaf ear to those words, I followed my heart and boarded my first ever flight to Kuching, Sarawak. Right from the minute I landed at Kuching International Airport, I smelled fresh air. A different kind of air that has been elusive in my homestate. I was also greeted by friendly people, and right from that moment, I got to see “new faces”. Faces of Bidayuh, Iban, Melanau and even Kayan who were so foreign to me. I was too used to the “three-race” mentality back in the Peninsular (Malaysia).

Years passed, and now it is my 8th year in Sarawak. I enjoyed every second of my stay here in Sarawak. The people, the surroundings and even the air of unity here. I do not mind renewing my “Visa” every year just to stay here, I do not mind if there are specific rules that limit a Peninsular citizen like me as I know clearly, they are all part of the agreement when Sarawak decided to join Malaysia. Sometimes, many fail to realise how big Sarawak is. The state is almost the same size as (if not bigger than) the Peninsular. Running the state itself is like running an autonomous country.

People tend to compare the food here and theirs back in the Peninsular, but I guess it is normal as we are used to the food that we grow up with. Talk to any Kelantanese, they will still be proud of their favourite nasi kerabu, talk to any Penangite, they will still be proud of their Penang Laksa or even Hokkien Mee, and similarly talk to any Sarawakian, they would also be proud of their Sarawak Laksa, Kolok Mee and Kueh Chap. I see no point of lamenting about how bad the food is, when I think each delicacy has its own lure and taste. It’s just a matter of “getting-used-to”, as how I fall in love with Sarawak Laksa and midin as well as Teh C Peng. The same with the language, the same with the difference of time (the Sun rises and sets slightly faster here, as in Sabah) and the same with coping with the diverse cultures here. We can make our voices heard but it would be pointless to boast how good we are and condemn how bad others are. After all, each state in Malaysia has its own uniqueness that we can all learn. It’s a matter of adaptation and not confrontation, like how we cope when we go overseas. We cannot impose our ideology upon the locals, we just need to learn to respect and adapt.

Occasionally, when I go back to my hometown in the Peninsular,  I often think how lucky Sarawakians are. At least life in Sarawak is still far more tranquil though I am not sure how long such situation will last. I am still proud of my homestate, the same way I am proud of being in Sarawak.

When in my homestate, I do as the people do. When in Sarawak, I do as the Sarawakians do (The good things of course).

I personally think it’s a good move by UNIMAS to make use of the billboards as it could save them a lot from printing banners. It is also a good way to promote the university’s events. The next time you’re in Kota Samarahan, make sure you watch out for the billboard.

I think this is the latest craze on Facebook. Many are playing The Sims Social now and yeah it can be really addicted especially to those Sims fans out there. While I am not really into the game, I do play it occasionally, when I’m bored of course. Here is a quick guide to those who just beginning to play the game on Facebook.

Earning Simoleons

There are several ways to earn simoleons in The Sims Social:

• You can earn simoleons by completing quests.
• You can earn quite a bit of cash by working at leveling up your skills. The higher your skill level, the more simoleons you will earn.
• If you work on your skills while in inspired mode you will earn additional bonus simoleons.
• You can also earn simoleons by performing tasks like gardening, fixing broken equipment, and by visiting your neighbors and performing tasks at their homes.
• You can also purchase simoleons using simcash.
• If you are really strapped for cash, you can sell items in your house. They will earn you a small percentage of the amount you spent on the item.

Traits

• Traits allow you to further customize your sims as well as unlock new features and interactions. The traits that can be purchased at this time are as follows: Great Kisser, Insane, Ninja, Ogre, Slob, Steel Bladder, Neat, Super Mechanic, and Night Owl.
• You can purchase traits using life points, which are earned by completing quests, learning new skills, and increasing relationship levels.
• Each trait has five different upgrade levels. Each level unlocks something new. For example, level two of the Insane trait allows you talk to plants for socialization.
• At the beginning of the game you will only be able to purchase one trait. As you level up you will be able to unlock addition trait slots. You will need life points to unlock the new slots.
• Traits have different costs depending on what the trait is. First level traits can range in cost from 50 life points to 150 life points. They get progressively more expensive from there.

Skills

• There are numerous skills you can master in The Sims Social. Skills act as your profession, as there aren’t currently jobs in the game. You can be a writer, a musician, a chef, and/or an artist at this time.
• Each skill has an associated item for increasing that skill.
  • To learn to write you will need a computer
  • To learn to paint you will need an easel
  • To learn to cook you will need a microwave
  • To learn to compose music you will need a guitar
• Click on the skill items and select the related task (computer – write, easel – paint, etc.). Most items have other tasks that can be preformed as well, but only one will increase your skill level.
• This will open the skill window. It will show you how far you’ve progressed on the skill level, and how many more times you need to perform the skill to level it up. Click on the skill to add it to your action queue.
• Once you have leveled a skill up, you will need to unlock the next skill level to progress. This requires items that you will collect by performing various activities. Hover over the required item to see what activity you can get the item from.
• Once you have reached level 11 in a skill it will be time to upgrade your skill equipment. For example, if you max out your skills on the guitar you will need to purchase an electric keyboard to go any further. All skill items can be found in the shop.
• The higher you skill level is the more simoleons you will earn.

]]> http://lifemixx.com/the-sims-social-on-facebook-quick-guide-and-tips.html/feed 0 http://lifemixx.com/borneo-convention-centre-kuching-bcck-ramadhan-buffet-2011.html http://lifemixx.com/borneo-convention-centre-kuching-bcck-ramadhan-buffet-2011.html#comments Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:57:55 +0000 Chin http://lifemixx.com/?p=2577 If you’re wondering where to “buka puasa” after a tiring day, then bring along your friends and family to Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) for its Ramadhan Buffet 2011. The pricing is RM65 per head for adult and RM25 per head for children aged 5-12 years old.

The buffet featured wide-range of choices from kampong favourites to international delicacies. The price is reasonable and do consider placing a reservation before going.

When I read the news excerpt appeared on NST (as shown below), I was not that happy about it. What about the wives’ needs? Should there be an  Obedient Husbands’ Club that teach husbands to treat their wives nicely?

OWC international vice-president Dr Rohaya Mohamed said women often forget their “wifely duties”, including pleasuring their husbands in the bedroom.
“There is a perception in our society today that a wife’s duties include being a good cook, cleaner and mother, but there is less emphasis on sexual matters. We are here to change that perception. A man married to a woman who is as good or better than a prostitute in bed has no reason to stray,” she told reporters after the launch.

Marriage is not merely a ticket for sex. If all men want is sex, they can find it everywhere without the need to get married. Mutual respect and mutual love beyond confinement on sexual fulfillment are needed to sustain a healthy family institution.

Besides, even if you treat your husband like first-class prostitutes, that doesn’t guarantee he will not find other girls/women out there!

What do you think?

(google image – for decorative purpose only)

While there is no clear correlation between teachers’ physical attractiveness and teaching effectiveness or students’ learning engagement, some studies (e.g. Buck & Tiene, 1989; Chaikin et al., 2006) have suggested that teachers who are physically attractive (both male and female) are perceived as far more competent and able to motivate the students more than those who are not. Societal stereotypes are perhaps the main “culprits” in influencing the students’ way of thinking but I do feel teachers themselves tend to favour the “good-looking” students too.How many times did the “ugly” ones get called in the class? The prettier ones are also perceived as the cleverer ones, right? While we think students are favouring the “pretty or handsome teachers”, teachers (whether intentionally or unintentionally) are doing the same thing.

If it is really proven that sexy female teachers or handsome male teachers can solve disciplinary problems, then perhaps the Ministry should devise a mechanism where physical attractiveness is considered during teachers recruitment. Of course, physical attractiveness itself is very subjective and I can foresee the same sexy teachers to be blamed when students misbehave in schools.

Really, teachers are role models and they are also “models” (the fashion kind). So, who says teaching is easy?

Happy  Belated Teacher’s Day to all teachers! You all are beautiful!

From a medic backgrond to a celebrity skin care guru.

What is Naruko stand for?

• N – NiuEr
• A – Avant-Garde
• R – Narcissism
• U – Nature
• K – Key to Beauty
• O – Internationally

I found out that the Naruko Basic hand cream come in a kit of three different formulas:

• Lavender (Light formula) – in the work place
• White moss (Rich fomula) – night repair
• and Rose (Sprakling formula) – outings

Three formulas.

The rose bling bling formula. Thanks, my friend.

Main Functional Properties

Different formulas are design to suits different needs in different occasions. The bottom 2 are the main ingredients in the Rose Sparkling formula that I got. Other ingredients are mainly to moisturize, restore moisture, anti-aging, repair and relax the hands (technical terms are in Mandarin, its hard to translate especially I’m not from the Chemistry background) perhaps you can check it out here.

PhytoFerulin – patented ingredient that enhances the skin’s natural self defense system with the use of high anti oxydant moisturizing ingredients. It incorporates the use of 11 plant extracts :

• Echinacea golden seal root – strengthens immune system
• Radix Glycyrrhiza / liquorice – remove toxins, whitening and brightening properties
• Calendula officinalis – antiseptic, anti inflammatory
• Ginkgo biloba – improves blood circulation
• Green tea – anti oxydant
• Camomile – soothing  and calming properties
• Circaea quadrisulcata – known also as Enchanter’s Nightshade – calming and strenghtens skin immunity
• Edelweiss – anti oxydant
• Artemisia vulgaris – mugwort or common wormwood – gives radiance to the skin
• Epilobium angustifolium – fireweed/great willow herb/ rosebay willowherb –anti oxydant

White fungi extract – enriched with Polysaccharide and moisturizing properties, that provides a more effective moisturizing effect than Hyaluronic acid alone.

My Experience

The feel - Yes, it is like what it clams to be! Besides moisturizing it smoothen the texture of my hands as well. On top it, the non-greasy formula makes my hands feel fresh, clean and moist.

The smell – The most pleasant and soft smell of rose scent eases me especially I’m stressed out. I sort of ‘addicted’ to such pleasing smell too. Sometimes I just use it as my ‘fragrance’ by just applying a small amount of cream on the arms and hands and it lasts for hours.

The sparkling/ bling bling effect - makes the skin texture looks more radiant and healthy especially under the sun or at night occasions. It lasts until it is wiped or washed away. Show you hands, it shines!

Before (pic above), After (pic at the bottom). Bling Bling and fairer too!!

Originally formulated from Germany, Bleamish Balm (or BB cream) is used by dermatologists to help laser surgery patients protect, soothe and refine highly sensitive skin while providing light coverage for post-laser scars, acne and other blemishes. Since BB cream has skin regeneration properties, it helps to maintain youthful skin as well. As such, BB cream, in this recent years, has been greatly celebrated by Asia as the cream of wonder which provides natural looking skin coverage while healing.

My Choice

I have tried this collection of BB cream for the pass two weeks. From my understanding, there are various collections of BB cream manufactured by Skin 79. The product does not state that it is either for oily or dry skin as they are suitable for all skin type, blemish prone, sensitive or dull looking skin. I chose this collection mainly because I have a rather dry skin and I prefer to have a resilient and moist look compared to only fresh and natural look. If you have oily skin  Hot Pink collection may be suitable for you as it has the sebum control effects.

Skin 79 Super Blemish Balm VIP Gold Collection

Main Properties

This Korean product has more than 10 ingredients in the bottle alone but provides you 10 functions that everyone else wanted. These are some of the main properties of the BB cream which give you a long wearing formula that even your skin tone, conceal imperfections, improves wrinkles and skin textures and offers a nuke-skin look that every one adores.  On top of that, it has sun screen protection properties, SPF 25PA ++ , the protection we needed most especially under the sun.

• Gold,Caviar and Swiss Almond Oil - provide nutrient and resilient for skin
• Arbutin – helps whitening skin
• Madecassoside –  Improves texture
• Adenosine - improves wrinkles and skin elasticity
• Hadatamo – provides moisture to the skin
• Kava, Purslane extracts- relax skin
• Osmopur (sunflower, rice grain,ivy, and green tea extracts) – protects skin
• Q10 – prevents amateur aging
• Aloe vera – provides smoothen and soften skin texture
• Pytho Complex – locks skin moisture

My Experience

My first try, totally, I am amazed and satisfied. It gave me an immediate visible results that never over done from the look to the feel.

The Look

• naturally fair with radiant look right after some patting (to allow the cream to ‘melt’/fully absorb into the skin)
• glowy skin texture and matted
• gives a well moist and healthy look yet non-greasy
• fine lines gone
• pores tighten
• scars, pimples and freckles less visible

The Feeling

• skin feeling clean, moisturized and cushioned
• non-gresy, moist and fresh
• smooth and fine
• feels like no need to have any basic skin care application before applying it as it has just done what is needed

The before (pic above) and after (pic at the bottom) application. The cream has a smooth texture that allows easy spreading/application.

So far only one downside that I could identify. It gets my T zone a bit oily in the middle of the day or under the sun for more than 2 hours. However, the advantage is that, I don’t need to worry about my skin tone, it still stay even and fair unlike most of the makeup products,  it smears after sweating. My solution to that, patting some loose powder on the oily area or just merely spreading or patting the area with the fingers.

Tips

• For dry skin type, apply the basic skin care product before use. This maximize the outcome. For oily skin, minimized the usage of basic skin care product to control excessive oils.
• Apply another thin layer of BB cream on the areas that you need a better coverage such as the under eyes, nose, or T-zone.

Long Term Effects

Since I have been using the product for about 2 weeks, improvements are hardly judge in this early stage, perhaps you may share your experience with me here and I shall up date on this in the future.

Many of my friends told me Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken taste finger licking good but why we do not have it here in Kuching?

A Brief Intro On Nando’s

Nando’s is a franchise dining restaurant opened in more than 34 countries on 5 continents around the world. It has long came to Malaysia but sadly it is only available in the peninsula at the moment.  Nando’s is originated from the South Africa with a Portuguese/Mozambican theme. It is specialized chicken dishes especially its ever famous flame-grilled Peri-Peri chicken with lemon, herbs or mild, hot and extra hot Peri Peri marinates.

Range of sauces/ketchups manufactured by Nando's are available in each table in the restaurant. There are Peri Peri Garlic, Tomato, Mild and Hot sauces. Ask for the extra hot sauce if you dare to take up the challenge. For people who like strong and hot flavored grills like me, I chose the Garlic and Extra Hot Peri Peri sauces. You can purchase the sauce if you like it!

How You Order

From the menu, choose the type of food you like, either the Peri Peri Chicken, chicken wing, burger, salad or pita etc. For Chicken dishes, they offered quarter, half and whole chickens.

Then, decide the baste to your own taste depend on the level of spiciness that you are dare to venture. Refer to their Peri-O-Meter (Nando's level of spiciness measurement)- the lemon and herb (less spicy), mild, hot and extra hot.

My Return Visit to Nando’s After A Long Long Time

We only dare to try dishes with mild level of spiciness ..haha... the 1/4 flame-grilled chicken which has been marinated for 24 hours plus the sauce, thumbs up, same goes to my grilled chicken breast burger.

We enjoyed our beverages, the cappuccino with sprinkled chocolate powder and blended mango that topped with whipped cream.

I like its go green ideas too. All food are freshly prepared with no additives, flavorants nor added MSG and preservative, never deep fried and trimmed of excess fat. It is suitable for those who are health conscious. No plastic bags for any take aways.  Should I say it promotes a healthy lifestyle and a greener planet!

Overall Ratings

Taste: 3.5/5
Pricing: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Environment: 4/5
Cleanliness: 4/5