Eating Out – Mangrove View

I thought getting annual leave for 2 days was a time for relaxation but alas that’s not the case. I had just paid my insurance policy when I received a call for some urgent matter. All urgent matters was taken care and was relaxing with a friend, a late breakfast with a Twister (KFC dish) when a colleague reminded me of a lunch at a Mangrove view Seafood restaurant at Jalan Sulaman. to ‘celebrate’ their transfer to another unit. It was already 11.00 am and my twister was really yummy but since the lunch was about in an hour or so, I had to give my ¾ twister to my friend to finish it and i rushed myself for the lunch appointment.

In my opinion Seafood are best eaten during night time where you can take your time savoring delicious seafood. If you rush your food, like going back to you office, then you wouldn’t enjoy the taste of the food.

I remember one former premier once said; When you feel the food is really delicious and just enjoying the food, stop eating altogether.

Maybe if you don't stop eating, you tend to over eating and that's why some of us having big belly.


Live Prawn Mantis put inside plastic bottles individually to avoid fighting each other. Clams before they were cooked.

Clams cooked with Bird's eye chillies. Though it was cooked with lada padi but it was not really hot.

Red Talapia the non seafood also available at the restaurant.

Steamed red Talapia cooked with nyonya sauce. Cooked with perfection.

Steamed Prawns which was delicious but I ate only two for health reason. So sayang .....

Bobohizan Named Living Heritage Treasures

Sabah’s Losimin Majanil, 83, a priestess was named Friday as living heritage treasures for her contribution to arts and cultures announced by Malaysian Unity, Arts and Heritage Minister. There are 5 named as living heritage treasures around the country.

UNESCO defines living heritage treasures as people with the highest degree of skills and techniques in core aspects of cultural heritage. The priestess serves as a source of reference for the Kadazandusun community as what was reported.

The criteria of selecting the ‘Living Heritage Treasures’ was not mentioned in the report.

Bobohizan with Mobile phone?

Going Banana?

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

When you compare Banana to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around so maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"


PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!

We should be thankful that we have abundant and cheap Banana here in our country. Planting it around our houses is no problem cos it can be planted easily. There are many types of Banana and the most popular are the 'Pisang Kalabau' which can be fried, pisang raja, pisang emas, pisang barangan (my favourite) and many other types. As can be seen in the picture, the whole kampung folks can have bananas .... how amazing. Are we going Bananas!!

My Birthday

I was looking forward for my birthday dinner last Sunday when I come across a very interesting articles by a well known former politician regarding birthday celebrated by the Kadazan. How appropriate it was as I can add some arguments or opinion regarding the birthday celebration by my race.

The word he uses ‘MOMUGAH’ means shaving of hair on a head of a child when the child reaches the age between six months to a year. Momugah is the first of three traditional ceremonies in the lifespan of a Kadazan, wedding ceremony the second and lastly the final ceremony is the funeral. It was also said that Kadazan do not celebrate birthday and if they do, the birthday celebration is a western influence.

MOMUGAH is a literally forgotten word as it is seldom practiced now and I am sure many of us do not know the meaning. What we know now is the word birthday or hari jadi. The difference of the two must be the ceremony performed by shaving or cutting the hair of a child. The feasting and merry making is the same depending on the celebrant budget.

My birthday dinner was successful and I must thank my sister-in-law and nieces for table booking and selecting the best food especially the roasted duck which proved to be popular. Thank you also for the cheese cake, presents and most of all their presence. I will also take note for any coming birthday dinner to remind them beforehand not to bring any presents. It makes me feel old already … hahaha.

As of my previous posting, I was unable to post pictures of mouth watering dishes this time as we started late and we were all hungry. Soon after saying the grace everybody started savoring the dish including myself. I was able to snap only one dish which came late and one drink.

It makes me felt uncomfortable for not able to invite all families but we have time again next year. Coincidences of celebration was the result some was not invited.

Kadazan Tatana Kuala Penyu Marriage Ritual on My Birthday.

My Birthday fall on 19th July but only once celebrated it with a round table dinner in a restaurant with family members. I was planning to celebrate it again today but unfortunately we went to Kuala Penyu for the wedding celebration on the bridegroom’s side. So the dinner will be tomorrow (Sunday) with twenty diners. I hope to post some pictures then.

*pic 1 - ritual preparation

It was my first experience to witness marriage ritual of the Kadazan (Tatana) since my niece is the first to get married to a Tatana guy. There was a marriage ritual performed and I participated in it. The ritual or tradition was about the process where family members from the groom and bride offered each other with drinks (alcoholic). The ritual started with the offering of drinks from the bride/Groom to their parents and vice-versa. The offering continues until the last of the groom/bride uncles/aunties and their siblings.

I observed it was a dare drinking in a good way. When offered with the drink and you decided to bottom up your drink, the other fellow should bottom up his drink also. How interesting to those who can take up the challenge.

The ritual ended with the sipping of a cup of tea and smoking of cigarette. By then the bond of relationship between the families have been established.

*Pic 2 - Offering of drinks from father in-law to Groom.


The only drawback I found about the rituals was the offering of the drinks to the groom and bride. Imagine if both family having large family members. It would be too much for the bride and groom to drink it all. Not to worry though cos it is not mandatory to finish it all, sipping a bit is good enough in this modern time. I think it was mandatory during olden days as this ritual was a taboo then if not followed.

Pic 3 - Drinking of the offering from the Groom.


I was also wondering why there was food on the table during the ritual but it was not eaten. Was it supposed to be taken after drinking the alcoholic drink? Can anyone from the crackpot friends who can enlighten me about it and give comments. It was really an experienced to witness such ritual and hopefully they (Tatana) will preserve the tradition for our future generation.

Pic 4 - The food.


It was only my observation about the rituals performed and explanation from around me at that time. Comments and correction or explanation about the ritual are most welcome.

*Pic 5 - The eager photographer

Smoking Teenagers and how I quit Smoking.

There is a growing concern that an increasing number of teenagers worldwide, mainly from the developing world, are getting addicted to smoking. A Global Youth Tobacco Survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute, the World Health Organization and the Canadian Public Health Association confirm that 14 % of world youth smoke, many even starting at the age of 10. There are 1.2 billion smokers worldwide of which half are expected to die prematurely from smoking related diseases.

Malaysians spend RM8.59 million on 33 million sticks of cigarettes daily, a Health Ministry survey revealed. Survey conducted in 2006 showed that youths aged 13-17 formed the bulk of smokers.

After reading the articles regarding smoking, I would like to share my experience of how I stopped smoking. It wasn’t a smooth sailing though with three relapses but eventually I managed to deal with it eventually. The latest relapsed was during the passing of a relative in early March 2008, where relatives and friends were always there to lure you with their successful tactic and antic to that sacred first single puff. With long nights, as the tradition want us to be wide awake for days, I crumbled and smoke again for the first time after years of quitting. I was at it for almost sixty days but with perseverance and the will to quit, I stopped with little sweat.

I am blessed that I can stop smoking but the most important is the timing of when you want to stop. Some people took sweets to stop but again health should not be compromise as taking sugar leads to other complication like diabetes. Foremost, it is the will power that eventually will fight the addiction.

In my case it was the timing and the will to succeed. I was having a high fever then coupled with continuous coughing and had not smoke for days. After the bout of fever, I stopped completely from smoking. After every relapses I used the same technique and every time I succeeded. My technique may not succeed to others but no harm in trying the same technique. If you are a smoker and in any time having a bout of flu, coughing and stopped smoking for a while, why not stopped smoking completely. You might be suprise that you 'll be able to kick the habit. Good luck to those want to try.

Congratulation to :

on your marriage which was solemnized at St Micheal Church, Penampang on the 11th July 2008.

All crackpot friends would agree that the suit worn by the groom during his wedding celebration was unique in the sense that not many bridegroom will wear during their wedding day. It is also commendable on the part of the bridegroom to wear his official formal attire as his high regard and respect of his chosen profession. The groom was wearing the police official formal attire.

The sacrement of holy mantrimony in progress by the celebrant Rev Father Julius J. Sading.

The happily newly wedded couple with families and friends during photo session. The official protographer was the bride's brother and cousin. They were really good, although they do it on part time basis, especialy family wedding etc. Any crackpot friends who intend to look for protographer can contact the blog owner.

First round cutting the cake using plastic knife ... sudah potong pun ... now miohon cake. The kadazan tradition suppose to use rice for the exchange of food between the couple but since time changes and way of life changes, we use cake instead. Ok what!

Getting ready to receive guests at Putra Ballroom, Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu. I stopped them for a photo session before they went to the main entrance.

Two beautiful ladies waiting for guests to sign the guest book.

The usherettes team having a great time showing guest to their seat although it's free seating. Actually they really did a good job ..... takut nanti meeting post mortem kena bantai oleh pengerusi ... strict tau itu pengerusi.

The bride and groom entering the main ballroom with applause from the guests.

2nd round cake cutting ... What so funny ? ... maybe they spoil the cake. The groom used his long sword to cut the cake. The sword has a blunt blade and made of steel or a mixture of some iron.

Yamseng ....

1st toast - For the groom & bride to be happily married, in whatever situation, to love forever and blessed with children.

2nd toast - To the parents that they will support, lead and guide them to start a new family together and to look after their grandchildren.

3rd toast - To thank the guest for attending the reception and also the red packets.

The toast was not the actual text but just some humor by the writer.

Sumazau time where sumazau participants were forced to drink segelas .... aramai tii.

Some of the family members .... not dancing?

Candid shot ...... the bride in red dress.

The singers .....

The dancers .....

Congratulation and best wishes from the blog owner.

Humor Break - Local Cartoon (Grab from D. Express)

Message : Make sure children speak their mother tongue.

Points to Ponder

Here's another inspiring stories of one of the many emails that i received everyday to be shared with all crackpot friends. Let us ponder the message that the story relates and share with others.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.' There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.' If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone who passes on.Do not keep this letter.Just forward it to your friends to whom you wish blessings.

With my best wishes to crackpot friends.

Do you know Milkfish or Ikan Terubuk?

Milkfish, scientificially known as Chanos Chanos, Bangus in the Phillipines while in Indonesia it's ikan Baulu. This fish is important in India, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, particularly the Phillipines.

It is delicious fish but with one problem- it has a million bones as it has about 180 inter-muscular spines.

However, it is fortunate that the bones are in bundles, so one does not have to deal with them individually. Farms in the Phillipines and Indonesia are among the countries producing thousand metric tonnes of Milkfish. Milkfish can be eaten in many ways, like smoked boneless Bangus and dry salted boneless Bangus.

Ikan Terubuk Masin - Sarawak

I don't know whether Milkfish and ikan Terubuk are the same but what i know both have a million bones and processed and eaten in the same manner i.e smoked and grilled or fried.

I was introduced to this ikan masin Terubuk by a friend from Sarawak last year. We had a course in KL, when this friend called me whether i want ikan masin Terubuk. As i never tried it before, i agreed. Imagine the trouble my friend in wrapping the fish and bringing to KL before i could bring it to Sabah.

It’s a kind of salted fish but they are not dried as our usual salted fish but fresh looking fish (wet). I don’t know if they have any special ingredient, but from the look of it, the way they process the fish is quite simple. The ‘interior’ of the fish is cleaned, then they just put loads of salt on the inside and outside of the fish.

The taste of the fish is actually quite nice, not as salty as normal salted fish, and it still preserve the texture of a normal fish. I was informed by my friend not to remove the scales but to fry it until crispy, true to his word, the scales was crispy. So next time all crackpot friends visit Kuching, try eating ikan Terubuk.