Chinatown in London

One of my favourite places in London is Chinatown. It’s always buzzing with activities, the best place to get all the Asian products, particularly FOOD! In fact, just walking around and watching people is enough fascination for me. There are a lot of eating places, mainly China or Hong Kong cuisines. They do taste great but very different from Malaysian food.

Here are a few photos that I took on a recent visit there.

Busy Chinatown, London

In front of a roast pork shop

Roast duck shop

There are so many roast duck shops in Chinatown that it’s hard to know which one is really good unless you try every one. The roast ducks look so tempting. They are so well evenly roasted. They go best with just plain rice, a dish of stir fried green leafy vegetables and a small bowl of hot soup. Well, Steven says there is only one that he likes. I will post that when I next visit it.

Well, while Steven really loves the roast duck rice, I just love Korean food. You’ll read in my next blog. Definitely one of the things in life that make me smile is FOOD! While eating out is fun, I’m still learning to be a better cook.

Have you been to Chinatown, London? What is your experience there? Is there any particular shop or food there that you like? Do share and comment. You can subscribe to my RSS feed (orange button on top right) or through email if you like this article and would not wish to miss any future articles.

Thought of the day……

‘One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ‘

~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story

Dumb or Smart - Which One Are You?

Are You Really Dumb?

Have you ever been in situations where you just felt very uncomfortable and wish you could disappear into thin air because you felt like you were being made so dumb? Maybe you have been told by your employer, your department head, your parents, your spouse or even your own children that ‘You Are So Dumb!’ Maybe you have not been told but made to feel that way. For many of us, our heart would just drop immediately and the rest of the day a day of unconsolable misery.

Are You Really Smart?

Or have you been thinking that you are so smart while others are so dumb, that you are indispensable, that you are strong and powerful, that you are highly educated and that you can whip your tongue mercilessly at anyone?

Real Smartness Vs Real Dumbness

I believe that there’s a difference between Dumb Yet Smart and Smart Yet Dumb. We are really smart when our actions add value to ourselves and to others. We are really dumb when our actions devalue ourselves and others. I hope this video is humbling to some and uplifting to others. It’s one of my favourite videos. I would often watch it when I felt let down and being made to feel dumb. It never fail to make me laugh.

Let’s keep learning to be real smart in life and not be real dumb so that we can keep smiling.

Thought of the day…..
‘All too often arrogance accompanies strength, and we must never assume that justice is on the side of the strong. The use of power must always be accompanied by moral choice.’
Theodore Bikel

Stop Worrying. Hakuna Matata.

Are you one that is always anxious and worried? Are you one that’s addicted to your worries? I can safely say that 90% or higher of your worries never come true. But yet, why are people still worrying and worrying. Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but never get you anywhere.

Yes, the economy is bad, unemployment is on the increase, bank is not lending, house may be repossessed and graduates come out jobless. You have every good reason to worry. But by worrying, is it going to help?

I met a successful businessman recently. He told me,’Mary, when times are bad, it’s the best time to do something, maybe start a business. You stand a high chance to be successful because you can only go up and not go down.’ He said many people are too frightened to do anything. He was one who was made redundant in the previous recession. Instead of joining the crowd feeling depressed, helpless and hopeless, he started a small business. Today he is the director of 3 businesses. Well, there’s so much we can learn from this man………don’t fall into the trap of worrying but do something. Bad times can be opportunities for success.

So, stop worrying and do something. It’s time to learn something and dream a dream. Learn how to dream a dream and how to make your dream come true. Remember Hakuna Matata from ‘The Lion King’. If you are a constant worrier, maybe you should consider changing your name to Hakuna Matata which means ‘No Worries for the rest of your day’.

Watch the video here and be inspired not to worry.

Welcome your comments.

Thought of the day……

‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.‘

Aristotle

How To Make Your Dream Come True? (Part 2)

(Part 1 -  How to dream to achieve what you want?)

After you have a dream, so what? Just continue to day dream about it? NO! If you do that you will never see your dream come true. It remains just a dream. DO SOMETHING! You have to start taking actions, one step at a time, consistently learning, working on it, evaluating it and executing it. To do that you have to take the following steps or commitments. These are the steps that I always take to make my dreams come true.

The Journey of a Dream can be Rocky, Challenging and Lonely

10 Important Steps to Make Your Dream Come True.

1. Be purpose driven
   Every little step that you take must be purpose driven . You must have your dream and goal very clearly in your mind, not wavering in any negative situations. You have to stay much focused even if no one supports you, even when you run short of money or even when people mock at you.
   
2. Stay passionate
   Be passionate in every action you execute. When the going gets tough, take it as a challenge. Never ever say the word ‘QUIT’. When you encounter a problem, seek earnestly to find a solution, not throwing tantrums.
   Read more

How To Dream To Achieve What You Want In Life? (Part 1)

(Part 2 - How to make your dream come true?)

Are you going through the usual ritual of just wishing and wishing and never get your wishes come through? You wish you have a better job, a nicer garden, better children, better spouse, bigger house, more money, and a whole long list of other wishes.

A Wishing Well?

Are you having a wishing well where you visit all the time, hoping and hoping that the wishing well will grant you your wishes? Well, well, well, is your wishing well just a well and a dry well? Like many, your wishing will forever remain just a well to entertain your fantasies. It’s time to stop wishing and start dreaming.

Dream well. Dream a good dream. Dream to achieve what you want in life, get out there, work hard on it and you will see your dream come true. A good dream in life is important. A good dream in life is one that you will make all efforts to work to its fulfillment and enjoy it. It is refreshing to your soul. I have seen many of my dreams come true and it’s greatly exciting. Here are the ways that I do it each time.

Here are 5 important ways to DREAM to ACHIEVE what you want in LIFE. :

1. Dream with a purpose and with courage
   Dreaming with a purpose and courage will give you a strong conviction to stay on course even if you are travelling on the journey alone. Don’t dream in a wishy-washy manner or expectating it not to come true. Know what you really want.
2. Dream according to your abilities and talents
   If you know your abilities and talents then you have a good basic foundation for your dream. If you love creative stuff, you can dream to become an interior decorator, an artist and so forth. Don’t dream to be a famous singer if you are tone deaf.
   
3. Dream according to your character and personality
   This is another good basic foundation for your dream. Don’t dream to become a pilot if you are afraid of heights. Don’t dream to have a happy family if you are lazy and hot tempered.  You will make everyone in your family suffer and frighten the life out of everyone.
4. Dream in steps.
   If you dream to become a famous pianist, you can’t become one over night. Dream to own a piano first, then dream to have the best piano teacher, then dream to get excellent results, then dream to perform on small occasions, then big events and so forth.
5. Dream with passion.
   Passion is like fire and it’s unstoppable. If you are passionate about your dream, no one can stop you. You will think about it all the time. It warms you up each time you think of it. You believe in all the possibilities and all the ways to make it come true.

Are you still just wishing today? Do you have a good dream? What do you want to achieve? Why not share and comment? In my next post I will write on ‘How to make your dream come true?’

Thought for the day…..

“You can achieve anything you want in life if you have the courage to dream it, the intelligence to make a realistic plan, and the will to see that plan through to the end

Sidney A. Friedman

Why Is Photography A Great Hobby?

Without photography, all our books and magazines will be so dull. Without photography, we won’t be able to understand the geography and culture of other countries and many other things. Photography is very important and powerful. As is always said, ‘A picture speaks a thousand words.’ So why not make photography your hobby as I think it’s a very fun and exciting hobby? Most of the time I only use a point-and-shoot digital camera because it is so small and convenient and doesn’t attract children’s attention.

I have 7 good reasons reasons to say so:

1. You can take photos anywhere and everywhere you go.
   All you need is a digital camera. You can take as many as you like, select and edit before printing them. You may even choose not to print them. You can pour a lot of creativity into that.
2. A picture speaks a thousand words.
   It’s always easier, more interesting and more effective to show people the photos than to go into great length to explain.
3. Photos create good topics for conversations.
   It is very easy to start a conversation from just one picture. It helps communication and builds relationships.
4. Photography is unique according to your personality and style.
   Different people are attracted to different things and different style. It makes their photos very unique.
5. Photography doesn’t cost a lot.
   All you need is a camera to start off with. You don’t have to buy a highly professional, costly camera with all its many functions when you don’t even know how to use them. Just be happy with a simple one. As your photography skill improves, you can always buy a better one.
   
6. You can make money out of your photos.
   There are a lot of avenues for you to sell your photos - shops, online, magazines, businesses etc. How cool is it to earn money from your hobby.
7. You will do your family or friends proud.
   By being a good photographer, you’ll definitely be greatly appreciated especially during weddings, birthdays and parties. Your greatest excitement is to take photos of your own children from birth and all through the times as they grow up.

I am still learning to improve my photography skills.  Photography is just one of my latest dream. It’s always so wonderful to dream and see my dream come true. I learn by looking at great photos to get inspirations. I’ll keep learning and keep smiling. A few of my photos to share here.

Chopped but Beautiful

Winter scene, Aberdeen

Attractive baby

Do you love photography? What type of pictures do you usually take? What type of camera do you use? Do you attend phtography course? Do share your thoughts and comments.

Thought for the day……

“Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”

Orison Swett Marden

Eat And Live Healthy To Raise Healthy Children

Increasing Number of ‘Couch Potatoes’ Children

It is reported that half of British children are couch potatoes who spend hours in front of the television and computer. To add to the dismal picture, they eat a lot of junk food, fast foods and ready meals, Experts have warned that 90% of children could be overweight or obese by 2050. With it comes along a whole host of diseases and sicknesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks, cancer and so forth.

Take charge and take responsibility

Don’t wait for the government to do something. Take responsibility and do something. Don’t surrender your life to others. Health is within your control. Parents need to pay careful attention to raise healthy children. Develop good eating and lifestyle habits. Parents need to eat and live healthy first in order to raise healthy children.

What are you feeding your children?

Are you feeding them sweet cereals in the morning for breakfast, greasy sandwiches and sweet desserts for lunch, ready meals for dinner, feeding them medicine when they are sick? Then you wonder why they are moody or hyperactive, have short attention span, cannot concentrate and giving problems in school. Very often, it’s due to their diet.

8 simple things you as a parent must do to raise healthy children

Here are 8 simple ways that you, as a parent, can do to eat healthy in order to raise healthy children. That’s what I practice and it works. When you give your children healthy food, it gives them good energy, help them to be alert and concentrate well and no more medications that don’t solve the problem but only serve to poison their bodies.

1. Have healthy snacks in your home
   The best is to make yourself. Store bought snacks are always loaded with bad oils, sugar and other preservatives and additives. You can have fun with your children as you train them to make their own snacks. Children love cooking.
   Read more

Asian Diet For Better Health And A Slimmer You

Most Asians Are Generally Slim

Coming from Malaysia, an Asian country, where we don’t see many overweight people around, I was just shocked when I landed in UK more than 6 years ago to see a lot of big-sized people. Screaming ambulance is a frequent occurrence. I was told that most of it is a heart attack or stroke case.

There’s constant reports of increasing obesity in this nation which is causing much concern to the government. It is reported that adults are overweight, children are overweight and even pets are overweight. We don’t see that many in Asia. Asians are generally slimmer and healthier. However in recent years we find an increase in overweight Asians due to the increase of fast food chains.

Overweight and Obesity is on sharp increase in the West

Figures suggest 90 percent of Western children could be overweight or obese by 2050. That’s worrying. Since coming here, I found that it was not too difficult to understand why. It’s the food and the lifestyle. These are just my findings based on the majority of Asians. I have 8 good reasons here.

Reasons Asians are slimmer and healthier

1. Asians do not drink milk by the gallons.
   They drink a lot of lemon/lime drink, barley drink, soya drink, Chinese tea, and a few others. Osteoporosis is not common.
   Read more