Cousin and nephews :)

Was mucking around with my cousin & nephews :)

My cousin (Trist) from Cheras & my sis' 9-year -old son (Meng Kit) :)

Meng Kit's brother, Meng Jun - watching tv

Good quality Kiwi bread

Was having a lil' Consumer Price Index comparison talk with my friend Li Li who has been residing in Auckland since 8 years ago.
We're debating about the higher average income and higher taxes in New Zealand, the higher car prices in Malaysia (a Toyota Vios costs NZD$40k in Malaysia) , the cheaper dairy products in New Zealand (a NZD$3.99 tub of Yoplait yogurt costs NZD$11 (MYR21) in Malaysia)...
She lamented about the higher cost of bread in New Zealand, but I still think you get a better value for your money here in Auckland compared to Malaysia.
- Fresh and natural ingredients are used
- Kiwi bakers don't cheat or skimp on flour by adding more cancer-causing chemicals such as bread improver and bread softener
- The variety is just amazing!
You can find at least 50 types of bread in a typical supermarket

Fresh loaf of fragrant rye bread (bought from Countdown supermarket, Auckland City), NZD$3.50 (MYR7.50)

 

Signature Range Rye Bread 750g (Less than NZD$2.99)

Signature Range Mixed Grain Bread (I think it's less than NZD2.99) 

In Malaysia, a normal loaf of rye bread that you can get from Countdown will cost 3-5 times the NZ price at a gourmet bakery in a posh 5-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur (eg, Renaissance Hotel)
All supermarkets in Malaysia (except for Cold Storage) offer a limited choices of bread; white bread, wholemeal bread, burger buns... and unfortunately, most bread contain a hazardous level of cancer-causing preservatives (propionic acid), artificial flavouring, colouring, bread softener and bread improver. Awful!!!

In fact, the bread in Malaysia are so unhealthy that we had to resort to making homemade bread

Homemade brioche with fresh Iranian dates:) My Dad's favourite

These are photos of my sister’s eldest son when he was 3-yr-old:-). He’s very very fussy about food. I was delighted that he tried the homemade banana bread without any coaxing and so, decided to take snapshots of him eating em;-)

He's cute, aye?;)

Charred Cheese, Bacon and Herb Scone at Starbucks Coffee

Errm... I didn't know that Starbucks Coffee would be so severely affected by the recession that they would resort to serving charred scones to patrons in order to cut cost ;p

Beeeaauuutiful!!!

The Barista who served me this masterpiece either took advantage of my good nature... or just didn't have a single clue about what's non-edible...

I didn't kick up a fuss, but surely, she could have put herself in my position and questioned why I'd want to pay for that thing!

Baby pix:)

That's me when I was a chubby baby:)

The three statues between the vases are known as the "Fuk Luk Sau". Fuk Luk Sau statues are a common feature in Chinese homes. The statues of the three deities symbolise health, wealth and happiness. The 1st star Deity (Sau) carries a bottle of nectar and represents longevity. Fuk, the 2nd star deity, represents wealth and enhanced income. The 3rd star deity (Luk) represents the power of the high Government official and holds the Ru Yi or sceptre of office in his left hand.

Chinese Feng Shui practitioners believe that Fuk Luk Sau should be placed on a high side table in the dining room from where they are said to create "auspicious chi" for the entire household. At the office, Fuk Luk Sau can be placed behind you for strength and good fortune.

Me holding my favourite bird toy that Dad bought.

My two faithful companions