Thien Huong Food (Fish flavour instant porridge & Chicken flavour instant porridge)

Anyone of you remember the MCO (Movement control order) that started in March 18 2020? Well, I still remembered it vividly, after some rumours that the prime minister would announce lock down, almost everyone in my office were talking about stocking up on food items, I even overheard my big boss talking about buying meat and fish (so not fit with his image!), initially I was not fazed by that because I planned to go back to hometown and there's two grocery stores behind my house and 3 small supermarket within the radius of 1km. However, people kept talking about this, and during that time, Philippines already started lock down and the images of empty shelves filled the FB walls. My brother was in Philippines that time and he showed us the photos of the long queue in supermarket, anyway, finally I caved in after friends posted the crowd in supermarket and right after work, I went to the nearest 99 Speedmart to buy some food items. Another reason was there were rumours (again) that we might have to work during MCO. 

To my horror, even the normally quiet 99 Speedmart was full with customers queueing up. Well, queue is normal, but normally people only have 1 or 2 items on their hands. During that time, even the trolleys were used up. Well, normally not many people use trolley when buying in Speedmart. It's more like a grab and go store. Seeing this, I also fell into the panic buying frenzy. My target was dry food items, like instant noodles, oats and biscuits. 

However, my normal staples of instant noodle brands were out of stock. How can Maggi Mee be out of stock! Horror! Well, not just Maggi, even the normal sized Mee Sedaap and Indomie was nowhere to be seen. Finally, I bought the Jumbo sized Mee Sedaap! Portion too big though. Well, I felt that it's not enough, so finally I bought the instant porridge that I wouldn't touch normally. I have seen it on the shelves in 99 Speedmart for a long time, however, I didn't even have slight interest on it previously. But the empty racks caused me to think otherwise, I bought 2. I mentally calculated that all the food that I bought would be enough for 2 weeks. 

Anyway, on the day before the MCO started, up until 4.30pm, there's no news whether we were allowed to continue operation or not. So, I decided to go back home, during that time, I didn't know that to cross state, had to go police station to get permit. Anyway, after work, I drove home, actually it's just a 70km distance. After I reached home, boss sent messages asking all of us to come to work on alternate days, me and my teammates discussed and I decided to work on the next week. But before I had the chance to back to work, government imposed more rules, and my company is not allowed to operate. After it was allowed to operate, to make sure there's a social distancing and crowd control, only skeletal crews were allowed. So, I work from home for couple of weeks. It was difficult, my job nature requires me to be in front of the machine 50 to 60% of the time, and actually I just started work for less than 2 months then. Sitting in front of the computer from 8am to 5pm was a struggle for me. But I managed to finish all the compulsory online training classes that I couldn't find time to do during the normal working days. And I now remember that I still have more trainings that I haven't do after I back to work!

Well the instant porridge that I bought was left in the rack for a long time until recently. I worked late and have no energy to cook anything. For me, anything that involves pot and heat is considered cooking. So, I turned my eyes to the instant porridge. 

Thien Huong Chicken flavour instant porridge

I ate the chicken flavour instant porridge first. The grain and the flavouring were packed into a small plastic bag. I felt that the porridge is made of oat, not really sure, but it doesn't taste like rice. In my mind, I thought that porridge is made of rice, now only I knew that it could be made of any grains. Anyway, I couldn't taste even a hint of chicken, the whole bowl only has the smell of pepper. 

the grain before add hot water

Below is the appearance of the instant porridge after adding hot water for 5 minutes. The portion is not big, suitable for supper though.

Another late night work, and I ate the fish flavour instant porridge.

Thien Huong Fish flavour instant porridge

Well, from my memory, it tasted like the chicken flavour instant porridge with a hit of fishy smell. Hahaha!

Appearances after add hot water for 5 minutes (Thien Huong fish flavour instant porridge)

Conclusion, instant noodle and instant porridge are a different breed. Or maybe it's from Vietnam and I am not used to the taste and texture. I think if I am gonna to buy instant porridge in the future, I would check reviews first. In the mean time, I would stick with instant noodles, instant bihun, instant mee sua, instant ramen, instant udon, etc. There are so many flavours out there, by the way, I had Mee Sedaap Korean spicy soup lately, and it's very good!

Empties August 2020

2020 is a very different year for me. Number one is I changed job after 11 years working in the same company, although I am still working in the same field. Number 2 is I moved from my parents' house because the new job is located at another state. A big changes for me.

The most obvious differences is no more prepared breakfast and dinner. Have to settle myself. In order to sleep enough and avoid waking up earlier, I actually trimmed down a lot on my skin care time. Previously, if good mood, I would apply toner, moisturizer, day cream and sun block, layer by layer, slowly because I knew that breakfast is prepared and what I needed to do was eat it. Nowadays, just toner and moisturizer and I am good to go. For night time skin care, normally also toner and moisturizer, if not so sleepy, will add night cream. I salute all those busy people that still manage to take good care of their skin, suddenly I remembered an old roommate that would wake up early to put on makeup if she slept too late the night before, I am totally opposite, I would never wake up early and would stay on the bed until the last minute. Hahaha!

Anyway, the photo above was taken on early August, I only finished few items only. Simplify the routine due to laziness also helps to save money. Planning to pay more home loan to help lessen the interest, my heart hurts when I see the interest rate.

Two body lotion finished. The already repurchased body lotion is the Nivea body lotion, I tried the "Rose & Argan Oil" of the Oil in lotion series, it is more good smelling than the blue bottle Nivea body lotion. Effectiveness wise, I think is the same. The second one is Asianic Rice Milk Hand & Body Lotion, well, I think it is too smelly because I don't really like the scent. It is too big to be used as hand cream as well (I normally keep one in office), I don't feel comfortable bringing a huge tube of non essential personal item to office. So, I actually took forever to finish this, actually it expired on early 2020.

For the toner, I think I will not repurchase the Chriszen Aloe & Rice Milk Facial Toner. It is far more viscous than I thought and it has a weird smell (For me la), actually I haven't finish it yet, but going to finish it soon. So, added this to the list. For the Simple Soothing Facial Toner (100% Alcohol Free), I think it's not bad. But how not bad don't know how to explain. It is quite affordable too, I think less than RM20 per bottle.

Next, Cosmoderm Vitamin E Cream 1000 I.U., I think it's my second tube. I normally use it on my neck area or as hand cream. It's quite oily in my opinion. The Naruko Rose & Aqua-in Super Hydrating moisturizer is a repurchase, my trusted moisturizer. Already finished bottles of this. Finally, the Mamonde Calming Hydro Sleeping Mask, well, it's just ok, I think it is too light and not moisturizing enough, using this didn't have any effect on my face. Maybe there are effects, but it is minuscule to be taken account. So, I think it is overly expensive for a mask like this. Not going to repurchase, I used it to finish it only!

Now I am waiting for big discount from Watsons to buy the next bottle of Naruko Moisturizer before I finished up another bottle. Hahaha. The end.

How to microwave frozen Bak Zhang (粽子)

I wrote this to share how to microwave frozen bak zhang because the first time I did this, the bak zhang became so "crispy" outside and so "hard" inside, totally unpalatable.

Earlier of this year, I changed job and moved to another state. No more home cooked dinner and breakfast for me on working days. For the dumpling festival / dragon boat festival (端午节) , my mom made some bak zhang and gave me a few of it so that if I didn't manage to get dinner (due to MCO, many restaurants closed earlier), I could at least eat the bak zhang, instead of the usual instant noodle.

Anyway, one day I worked late and it's almost 10pm, so I decided not to try my luck on going to the restaurant directly and getting turned down by them. I decided to microwave the bak zhang. Initially, I set timer to 3 minutes, however, after that, I poked the bak zhang and felt that it's still kind of hard. So I add another 3 minutes, still hard. Finally, I added another 2 minutes, silly me, after I peeled off the bamboo leaf, I could see that the surface of the bak zhang became so dry. I tried to eat it, but after eating the outermost thin layer which was crispy, the others was so hard, even my good teeth didn't manage to chew a chunk of it. Finally, I had Maggi mee as my dinner that night.

I shared my failure story with my family members, and my brother suggested that I put a glass of water when I microwave the bak zhang. Well, at home, mom would normally steam it, maybe it's the vapour that keep the bak zhang soft. So, my second attempt, a glass of water plus a frozen bak zhang inside the moicrowave oven. Initially, I still set 3 minutes, but when I touched the bak zhang after 3 minutes, I felt it's not hot enough, so I added another 2 minutes (not dare to put longer), when I touched it, it's warm and when I poked it with fork, it's not hard.

Luckily, this second attempt works. I was so happy when I peeled off the bamboo leaf and saw the normal bak zhang. The taste and texture was normal too, I think due to the presence of moisture, it hydrated the bak zhang and I got to have bak zhang as dinner.

Enjoy the bak zhang everyone!

Big Bad Wolf December 2019

Well, I didn't go to the Big Bad Wolf book sales for the pass one or two years because my book buddy and I were busy and we have tonnes of unread books. However, she resigned on the middle of this year and we felt that we could use this Big Bad Wolf as a chance to meet up. So, same like previous years, I took half day leave on the first day of the sales to go to this sales.

We parked at The Mines Shopping Mall and went to the MIECC after having lunch. Me and my buddy were very surprised that we couldn't see anyone at all lugging bags of books in The Mines Shopping Mall. I remembered previously when we ate lunch in The Mines, we could see a lot of people with the Big Bad Wolf plastic bags. I think everybody else already bought enough books to last a lifetime from previous sales. 

Me and my buddy separated after entering the sales and promised to meet again after one and a half hour. Initially, I took a basket, then I felt that it's not not convenient, so I returned the basket and took a trolley (like the one used in supermarket) instead. But after awhile, I felt that I won't be needing that, so I pushed the trolley back to the original place. 

At the local publisher corner, I saw a lot of academic books, no wonder no one was there when I was browsing at the area. It is not as interesting as novels. I think most were excesses from the university publisher, there were even books on how to write thesis. A very dull subject. But it will be useful for the final year university student.

There were many translated books also. I didn't see it on previous sales. Maybe I didn't pass by the area previously. This area was also quite deserted.

The most popular and happening area would the children's section. The parents (maybe some were businessmen) were so enthusiastic, buying loads of books. Most of the people in the area has a trolley full of books.

Looking at the books were quite fun too, I would buy if I have a child.

I didn't have access to this educational children's books when I was young. It was very expensive and my parents would not be able to afford that. I remembered that some of my friends, they had the ladybird series when they were young. I only started to learn ABC after I attended kindergarten, no preschool learning or anything else. My earliest memory on learning was right before I went to the kindergarten, my late grandfather thought me to write my own name in Chinese. I only went to the kindergarten for one year and then directly started primary school. Nowadays, parents send their children to kindergarten as early as 3 years old, so early. But some of my friends said that they were afraid that their children would be left behind if they started school too late. Well, this book sales helped parents to save a little with the affordable price.

There was a small corner of Chinese books too. Didn't find any interesting titles.

There were many other unusual titles too. Interested to look at, but no desire to buy and keep at home.

I found many classic titles too. Example below, Madame Bovary. I read this book when I was in secondary school, it was available in the school library and it is a Malay translated version. I couldn't understand why Madame Bovary wanted to have affairs and destroyed her own life. Too complicated for a form 2 student. I read a lot of books when I was in secondary school, no computer that time and free time was spent reading. I read "Tulang-tulang Berserakan" then, I couldn't believe that I actual finished reading that book, I couldn't even finish 5 pages of "1984" now. I still remember that "Bukit Kepong" was a struggle, it was a much more difficult read than "Tulang-tulang Berserakan", but since it was the exam requirement for Malay literature classes, I finally got an abridged version of it and only remembered the important points. But another novel for Malay literature was very easy to read, I forgot the name, but I still remember the story.

There were many box sets also, like "Harry Potter series", "Paulo Coelho", etc. I only wanted "The Alchemist", but I couldn't find the single book, only available in sets. I also couldn't find Terry Pratchett, I bought many Terry Pratchett's books from Big Bad Wolf previously. So finally I got myself three books only. The least books that I have bought from Big Bad Wolf sales.

I bought "Paper towns" from John Green, "ok" from Allan Metcalf and "The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks". Haven't started to read yet,  but I think I will enjoy all these books. Apart from the books, I also enjoyed meeting up with a good friend. 

Empties 2H19

2020 is coming soon and Malaysia is not yet a developed country as envisioned by Tun M years ago. I still remember I was still very young when I first heard about this Wawasan 2020, I was very impressed by Tun M speeches and I couldn't imagine how it would be in 2020 then, I was just in primary or lower secondary school that time, what I remembered was that Tun M didn't need notes and he just continued his speech in English and Malay without stopping. I was so young then, it was so impressing and I did believe that Malaysia will become a great developed country by 2020. Now, I feel tired with the current political state of Malaysia. So negative. We all need to work together to make Malaysia a better place. 

Anyway, enough ranting. Time for empties. This is a record for myself.

1. Nivea Vanilla & Almond Oil Infused Body Lotion
As usual, Nivea didn't disappoint me, it is affordable and it works to combat dry skin. However, the smell takes sometimes to get used to. 

2. Clinelle Purifying Toner (Purify, Soothe & Protect)

I don't normally change my moisturizer, but I do change my toner a lot. This is my first Clinelle product. The smell is quite refreshing and non sticky. I tried to spray directly on my face and it was disastrous, my face until neck was all wet, so finally I spray it on cotton pad before apply on face. Overall, a so so product, not so cheap compared to other toners. Can buy if in deep discount.

3. Naruko Rose & Aqua-In Super Hydrating Moisturizer 
This is my staple moisturizer. Well, it is not so expensive and I feel that it is quite good, so, repurchase again and again.

4. Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream
Well, I don't like the smell, but it not not oily and quite moisturizing, so have to bear with the smell for first few days. After that, one would get immune with the smell. This cream is full of the Hyaluronic Acid, so I think Hyaluronic Acid smells like this cream. Plus, I bought another Dr Morita High Purity Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Facial Cream, both have identical smell. But in my opinion, the Dr Morita's smells better. Hahaha. I don't understand though on the packaging, it is only a 50g cream, but the bottle and box is so big compared to the actual volume.

5. L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh Hydration + Antiox Active Night Mask-In Jelly
If the box for Hada Labo Hydrating Cream is big, then this L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh  Night Mask-In Jelly is huge. The volumn is only 50ml, but the box is so much bigger than the bottle. I have to admit that when I was deciding which nigh mask to buy, the big box gave me an illusion that it is cheaper per volume. I didn't notice the actual volume is only 50ml. I just guessed from the box size. Anyway, this is not a bad night mask but I still think Naruko night mask is the best.

6. Special Biomedical Repair Cream 
My second bottle and it didn't solve my chin acne problem like the first one. I think that before I stopped using, there must be around half bottle left, but when I opened yesterday night, only a thin layer left. Anyway, time to throw.

7. Nivea Creme
Very cheap, affordable and versatile cream. Haven't buy a new one, but planning to get one soon.

8. Loshi Moisture Skin Cream - Horse Oil 
A very moisturizing cream. So rich until can use on body, I applied this on my feet to avoid crack feet. So unbelievable, 220g and I finished it.

9. Sukin Hydrating Day Cream with Rose Hip Oil (120ml)
This is quite cheap considering that it is a huge 120ml bottle cream. But the box is smaller than the L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh  Night Mask-In Jelly, Hahaha. I have no luck with the Sukin night cream, but this day cream is not so bad, it has a pleasant smell, quite moisturizing. But I think I will not repurchase.

10. L'oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Aging + Firming Aqua Milky Toner
I applied this after the Clinelle toner. I feel that actually this step can be skipped. But since I already bought this, have to finish it up. It is heavier than the Clinelle toner, but not as heavy as the normal moisturizer, cannot be used as moisturizer on its own.

11. Botaneco Garden Organic Chia Seed & Honey Hand Cream
A Guardian Pharmacy house brand. The hand cream from this Botaneco Garden range is really quite good. Initially I thought that this Honey Hand Cream would be too sweet, but no, it is not smelly and non sticky, easy to absorb. I put this in the office, whenever I felt that my hands were dry, I applied this hand cream. And one day, I lost the cap, and it didn't dry up. After one month I think, the cream texture is still the same. A very good hand cream. Now waiting to finish current stock, most likely will repurchase, unless Botaneco Garden comes out with new flavour, then maybe I will change. Hahaha.

Happy new year everyone! May 2020 bring you happiness, peace and prosperity. (sounds like Chinese new year wishes!)