Bicycle Workshop @ Desa Parkcity

Sunday the 29th of March was the Resident’s Cycling Workshop organized by Desa Parkcity, and co-sponsored by imcyclist.com. Apparently, this marked the second Bicycle Workshop session ever held here. The workshop kicked start at 9.30am.

 

I only managed to arrive at the this workshop at 10.30am, immediately after my Sunday church service. Upon arrival, the dispersing early crowd deserted the arena. Only a few folks and couples were left at the workshop together with the staff. However, there was still an influx of participants, wanting to be involved in this NO licence, NO road tax fun! Above is a picture of one of the imcyclist.com staff.

 

Before entering the “circuit”, safety was to be ensured first! Seen above is a photo taken of Edwin (bicycle shop owner) gearing the cyclists up with necessary safety equipments. After that, they mounted the bikes and set off.

 

Ever wondered what a pinch of extreme sports would be like? This obstacle course was no easy job! No matter, this young one managed to complete it flawlessly after several attempts.

 

This 2 seater bicycle was made available to “experienced” cyclists. The requisites of being experience were just to sit back and listen to a 2 minute crash course on how to maneuver the bike!

 

 

It was very pleasing to see how this activity allowed family and friends get together and thicken their bonds. Above is a photo I find to be very memorable. It tends to reminisce our happy young times spent with our parents.

2009 Sem1 MOlympics @ Monash University (Sunway Campus)

On 25th February 2009 (Friday), Monash once again spiced up the mundane freshman’s orientation week with a whole lot of joy and fun via the MOlympics event. This Olympics sound-alike event provided an opportunity for the freshmen to mingle and get to know one another. Resembling the Olympics, MOlympics is also a competitive “fun-sports” events, where all participants will have to put their sportsmanship into play, in some real hilarious, silly and yet fun games! Above is a picture of the contestants, making their sportsmanship pledges prior to the launch of the event.

 

 

I was surprised by the amount of photographers present at this event. No matter, I was together with Christopher for the photo-shooting of this event. The new freshmen were each designated into a group colour, which signifies their respective faculty. Above is a picture of the red group, screaming “YEAH!”.

 

Prior to the commence of the MOlympics games, a little warm up and body stretching session was firstly held. That day, I noticed that in this semester, there were many more exchange students here at the Sunway Campus compared to the semesters before. Seen above is a picture of the business faculty students loosening their wrist joints!

 

The first game was the sponge race. The idea of the game is to keep the water absorbed in the sponge, clip it against your armpits and run to the pail to fill the water in. In midst of the starting point and the pail, the “sponge baton” has to be passed on to 3 other members. Above is a picture of my high school friend, Khai Hong who is new to Monash and is  present at this orientation event.

 

This is yet another shot taken during the sponge race. This match was contested between the engineering (orange) and the science (blue) faculties. I would say that this was my best shot of the day.

 

Next was the Frisbee game. I honestly have the faintest clue and idea how this game works and what are the winning criteria is.  All I know was that everyone had fun throwing and fetching the disk.

 

As the tuck of war games were in possession, cheering and claps were heard from afar. This was truly a team bonding game, as everyone held the rope and pulled it together in sequence.

 

Even when you fall, have faith that your team will be backing you up – That is what teamwork is! Above is a picture of the engineering faculty (yellow) during their match of tuck of war against the science faculty (red).

 

Lastly was the water war games. Everyone actually went berserk with their water guns, water balloons and water barrels. Splashes of water were followed by shrieky screams. This was the time which my camera had to get into hiding. Seen above is a picture of the girls, loading their guns with ammunitions.

 

After the games, the MOlympics event was over. Oh wait, this guy is still obsessive with his water gun. Time to go home guys!

Rakuzen Kitchen @ Waterfront, Desa Parkcity

Just a week ago, while my brother was still here in KL visiting, we played host to him for lunch at Rakuzen Kitchen at Waterfront of Desa Parkcity. The offerings here were abundant, and based on my standards, considered to be somewhat  pricy. Take for instance a single piece of Unagi Maki which would usually cost about RM2.50/pc at other chain sushi outlets (ie. Sushi King, Sakae Sushi), would cost RM5.00/pc  here at Rakuzen.

 

 

Probing into the pricing matter, I queried the restaurant manager and was told that the restaurant only imports meat produce of sushi fishes from reputable dealers of Taiwan and Japan. Unlike other chain sushi outlets here in Malaysia which bulk-buy these produce with very competitive prices from countries like China or Vietnam, the imported meats from Japan and Taiwan are bound to be much more fresh. I can’t say for sure whether I got psyched or not, but the sushi here did indeed taste very fresh, and the texture felt really good too. In fact, the wasabi served here at this restaurant is 100% natural, without any artificial flavorings. (I can be the best taster for proper wasabi as I am somehow allergic to artificial wasabi). Above is a picture of the Sashimi  (Sushi platter).

 

Above is a dish of the Maki Salmon and Maki Tuna, served with real tasty preserved gingers.

 

Also for appetizer, we ordered a dish of unsalted edamame (Green baby soy beans). I would believe that this was an overpriced dish, as I recall purchasing these beans for only RM5 for 500g of them. Unfortunately, this is how most sushi restaurants operate, in ripping off their customers.

 

Seen above is the Salt Grilled Saba Fish. This dish can be catered to a your personal preference of Salted Grilled or Sauteed Grilled. In my case, I requested it to be Salted Grilled, but requested them to stinge with the salt! This is a must try dish if you ever swing by Rakuzen. If you’re a fish fan (like me), you’ll ought to love it.

 

Above is a picture of the Cha Soba (buckwheat noodles) dish. Notice the black bowl with the pigeon egg on it? This dish is meant to be eaten by dumping all the spring onions, Japanese seaweed and the raw pigeon egg into the bowl which contains the soba dip; and then dunking the cold soba noodles into the dip.

 

Having the urge for some real good sushi? Check Rakuzen out!

PS: It would be probably 1.5 times the price of other chained sushi restaurants. But as they say, what you pay is what you get! Quality and serviceability is surely their style! 

Cupcake Charity Drive

The Hospitality and Tourism Management students of Sunway University College is organizing a Cupcake Charity Drive. Would you care to reach out to the young little timid, ignorant and yet naive hands? Help guide them true the unforeseen rocky path which lay ahead of their unwilled bewildered destinies.

Care to help in raising funds for the School of Acts located in Jinjang Utara, Kepong?

Below are more details regarding the drive:

Founded by: Pastor Jonathan

Established in 2000

Located in Jinjang Utara, Kepong

Objectives:

• Help put children back in school
• Raise funds for the building of long houses
• Pay monthly bills, school fees, food and other everyday expenses and necessities.

Come and join the Sunway University College students in a baking session where you will be able to learn and flaunt your cupcake baking and decoration skills! A variety of workshops, each having an individual theme will be held on different days. For more details, see below:

 

THEME	DATE	TIME
True Love	14th March 2009	1:00 PM
Flower Power	21st March 2009	1:00 PM
Healthy Lifestyle (carrots and Raisins)	28th March 2009	1:00 PM

 

A contribution of RM 30 will entitle you to ONE entry for one of the above listed Baking Sessions; while a generous RM 50 contribution will entitle you to TWO entries for TWO of the above listed Baking Sessions.

 

With you… the vision of the helpless young ones are made visible to hopes and dreams…