Mori Japanese Restaurant, JB

I felt an urge to eat Japanese ramen yesterday on a cold, rainy night and thought this restaurant in Permas jaya, JB is a great place. FYI, there’s many Japanese restaurants in Jalan 10, Permas Jaya due to the presence of a small community of high and middle class Japanese workers, who goes to work at the nearby Pasir Gudang piers and industrial parks.

This one looks decent on the outside as well as not as crowded  compared to another one in Permas Jaya (can’t remember the name though),so we decided to give it a try.

As above, one of the ‘rooms’ in the restaurant – clean and the ambiance is quiet and relaxing. Well, it is just nice to end a Sunday night. 🙂

Here’s the appetizer, some sort of a fried fish meat. It’s nice when you dipped in the sweet and sour chili sauce.

As above, I had a nice refreshing cup of Japanese green tea with Miso Ramen. The bowl of ramen was a bit spicy and the soup ‘milky’, but it’s really nice to eat something hot on a cold night. Even my kid was helping himself with the ramen.

While I had noodles, my wife decided to have rice and ordered a salmon teriyaki bento. The helping is a lot  till I gotta helped her to finish it. The bento consists of a piece of the main salmon teriyaki, appetiser, salad, fried nuggets, agedashi tofu and miso soup.

Mori Restaurant is located at :- 108, Jalan Permas 10, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor.

Power of will

Here’s another great article from the Sunday Star’s paper which I would like to share…read on!

No doubt about it: where there’s a will, there’s a way.

(T. Selva, The Star’s Sunday Metro editor)

WILLPOWER is a self-discipline energy which every individual possesses. It is not something that is reserved for a few special people only.

To learn to invoke this inner power is vital because every person can improve his or her well-being when the energy is roused.

In self-improvement studies, the hidden strength is regarded as the success tool in all areas of life.

All of us have it and awakening it is important so that we are able to cope with the various challenges because our life is not a bed of roses nor it is full of thorns either.

The ups and downs we experience should be viewed as an art of living because our existence is a lifelong learning process.

We should face all challenges using our strong willpower and without giving up.

I have a high regard for people who have strong willpower, determination and the force to overcome all shortcomings and obstacles in life because they are successful in whatever they undertake.

Mesmerising: The charity performance Awakening showcases talents from the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe.

I am writing this because I was particularly moved and mesmerised last night after watching the charity performance Awakening, which showcased the talents of 27 Chinese performers from the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe in Kuala Lumpur.

Despite being deaf and dumb, the talented dancers had the power to evoke in each of us a deeper understanding of our lives and of the world around us.

They portrayed independence, enhanced our sense of self-worth, and provided an avenue for everyone to learn and develop creative talents and skills.

And, perhaps most importantly, the artistes made the audience at the Plenary Hall in the KL Convention Centre realise that nothing is impossible in life if you have the willpower.

The extraordinary troupe reflected both the capabilities of people with disabilities and the power of will to transcend all barriers in the quest to reach their full potential.

Two friends whom I had invited for the show turned down the invitation saying that the show would make them feel gloomy because they would not be able to handle seeing the handicapped performing.

I felt sad for them because they could have been inspired by the performances and not otherwise because the world-class dancers displayed their superb art just like able people, if not better.

How one perceives a handicapped person is a reflection of one’s own attitude towards them and this is unfair to the impaired people whom I think should be seen with ordinary eyes.

We should be sensitive and respect people who are disabled and also understand their feelings, culture, heritage, and the language unique to deaf people of the world.

The show was unique and dazzling both visually and musically and the Chinese artistes also challenged us to recognise outmoded stereotypes and destructive attitudes that too often hinder people with disabilities in the aim to reach their goals.

They left a lasting impression in the hearts of the spectators to understand and appreciate life and mankind’s diversity as well as the goals and values we share.

I strongly feel that there is a need to integrate the able with the disabled to create better understanding, love and compassion.

People with special needs should not feel imprisoned because of their disability.

They should not feel shy about what they are and they should feel confident and that their disability does not mean they are worth less than other people.

The truth is that everyone can reach high levels if they have the willpower to make a decision, take action, and handle and execute any task until it is accomplished, regardless of inner and outer resistance, discomfort or difficulties.

The will is so powerful that it has the ability to overcome laziness, temptations and negative habits, and to carry out actions, even if they require effort, are unpleasant and tedious or are contrary to one’s habits.

T. Selva, The Star’s Sunday Metro editor, says the handicapped should be seen as a reflection of life as to how fortunate we are.

Tips on tapping into your inner strength

• Play soothing music and calm yourself and stay away from noisy places and disturbing sounds.
• Distance yourself from anger, frustrations, negativity and things that upset you.
• When faced with difficult situations, remind yourself that tough times do not remain but tough people do.
• Maintain a positive attitude no matter how difficult the situation and remain focused and clear.

Source

Great fun down south – from The Sunday Star

Saw this article in last sunday’s star and thought it’s a good idea to share some of Johor’s attractions. Of all the places, my favourites are Desaru and the Sg.Renggit seafood. Enjoy reading….

The actual article can be found here

Johor has more than just the mystical Mount Ophir to offer. Plan your trip to include many adventurous and holiday spots in this southern state.

1. Endau-Rompin Johor National Park

This is the country’s second National Park and it comprises 50,000ha of rich flora and fauna, encompassing the watershed of the rivers of Endau and Rompin. Home to many species of birds, mammals, frogs, insects and many other wild animals, as well as varieties of orchids, herbs, medicinal plants and trees, it also boasts of having the largest surviving population of Sumatran rhinos still left in Peninsular Malaysia.

2. Pulau Tinggi

A heaven for divers and snorkelling enthusiasts, its name is derived from a high hill rising about 800m above sea level on the island. It is one of the many islands that are located in the east coast of Johor and was a stopover point for traders many centuries ago. Enjoy the pristine white beaches and jewel blue waters. Myths claim that the spirit of Hang Tuah, a legendary hero from Malacca, guards the island where he had once stopped at during his journeys.

3. Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque

One of the most beautiful mosques in the country, this house of worship is a historical landmark of Western neo-classical and Islamic architecture. It is located on a hill on Jalan Abu Bakar and overlooks the Straits of Tebrau. It is named after the late Sultan Abu Bakar, who laid the foundation in 1892. The building was completed at the turn of the century in 1900. It is now a protected heritage monument.

4. Laksa Johor

Coming to this southern state, it would be deemed as an incomplete holiday if one does not try its food. The Laksa Johor is again a dish that has had European influence. Spaghetti is used instead of wheat flour noodles and it has a delicious gravy that is thick with fish and eaten with fresh greens and herbs. Truly a culinary delight that must not be missed.

5. Beriani Gam

This is a favourite rice dish for weddings in the Klang Valley but in Johor, this is considered its state dish besides Laksa Johor. It is thoroughly popular in Batu Pahat, which is incidentally known as the Beriani Town. It is rice cooked with spices and ghee and a thick and spicy curry of either chicken, beef or mutton, which is cooked in a stainless steel vessel, separated by a muslin cloth and later covered with a dough and left to cook until the flavours are subtly absorbed by the rice. It is an adventure in itself and not to be missed, especially if one is in Johor.

6. Danga Bay

This is a weekend haunt that most tourists from Singapore and locals flock to for the numerous carnivals that are organised here. It is an integrated waterfront development comprising shopping malls, and retail, residential, food and beverage, financial and commercial, and recreational components situated at Johor Baru City, with many good restaurants for those wanting to spend a fun-filled and carefree weekend.

7. Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest

This recreational hideout is located at the foothills of Mount Lambak and boasts of a cool ambience that is just right for picnics, adventure-packed activities like mountain-climbing and a host of other activities that can be had here with the ample facilities available. The mountain is about

510m above sea level and accessible via footpaths and wooden bridges for a good trek uphill. It is about five kilometres from Kluang town.

8. Tanjung Pengelih

This is a popular entry point among visitors from Singapore, especially those who come for seafood at Rengit River. It also has historical significance as on a hill behind the Immigration and Customs checkpoint here stands a historical relic that once served as the British Operation Centre during World War II. This site was said to house an underground hospital, barracks, tunnels, communications post, naval guns, anti-aircraft installation, command post, and artillery post. The old pillboxes are still visible on the ground here.

9. Shopping

Ceramics, pottery, tableware, porcelain crafts and many more decorative and household products are items that can be bought at reasonable prices in Ayer Itam Claytan Factory. It is located in Batu Pahat, on the way to Ayer Itam, and is a popular stop for its tableware that often depicts beautiful English designs. Further north, Tangkak is the textile town where many factories produce good fabrics here while imported materials are also sold at substantially lower prices than other places in the country.

10. Desaru

This is a beautiful and most popular beach in the state to visit. All 25km of white, sandy beach and lush tropical greenery make up Desaru. Located 98km north-east of Johor Baru, Desaru is also known as the “Village of Casuarinas”. It is a good destination for family vacations as it offers a variety of activities for the whole family including swimming, fishing, snorkelling, canoeing, horse riding, jungle trekking, go-carting, golfing and windsurfing.

Tea Garden at JB

One of the latest attractions in JB are the newly opened shops in Taman Sutera at Skudai. Besides the mega mall in Sutera Mall which housed Carrefour, there are lots of makan places being mushrooming at that area. One of the places which I recommended is Tea Garden. it’s actually another one of those modern kopitiams in JB, which offered great hainanese coffee and toasts. Anyway, they have more to offer on their menu, western dishes, chinese food and those cooked food with rice. The place is usually crowded, even on weekdays and you may have to park your car further up and walk.

My wife had this delicious fish and chips. The fish is deep-fried with cereals, where once you bite on it, it’s crispy and you can taste the fragrance of fried cereals.

I had this dry kuay teow noodles with beef in ginger gravy. The noodles are soft and though it’s slightly salty, it’s quite nice. Anyway, the portion is a bit too small, as you can see compare to others but it’s good enough for me as dinner.

And, a Teh-C (tea in fresh milk) to come along with the food.

Tea garden is located at 53,55, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama 81300 Skudai, Jb.

What a week!phew……

It’s been a week since I rushed down from my working place in Singapore to JB after receiving a call from my wife that my 3 year old son was hospitalised due to dehydration. He was sicked for a few days and complained of stomach pains, vomitting, diarhoea and fever. Though he got better and no longer have fever after seeing two doctors earlier, his gastric flu suddenly turn worst last wednesday and he just throw out whatever he ate or drink. It was actually quite dangerous as the paediatrian urgently wanted him to be admitted and put on a drip.

It was an anxious journey for me 7 days ago while travelling back to JB and later straight to the hospital. Panic and worry thoughts kept haunting me non-stop and fearing something worst may happened. Luckily, I learnt some breathing exercise lately and that helps me to calm down, and focus my attention by talking to the cab driver, amid the palpitations I felt.

It was depressing to see that he has to endure the painful poke to his little hand for the drip which my wife told me he was screaming when the medical staffs did that. Well, it’s also sad to hear him said he’s not feeling well and having stomach pains in mandarin, with no appetite to eat.

Thank God everything’s went well in the end and he was back with energy on the 3rd day of his stayed in the hospital. A lot of prayers already poured on him from my parents, my aunt and of course, myself. Really thank God for that. He was shouting and talking loud in his usual manner and finally, doc gave us the nod for discharged, after 3 days and 2 nights stayed in the hospital.

Considering that we are only being parents for just 3 years, this was really our first big challenge and I’m sure there’s lots of challenges awaiting my wife and me…. 😉 Now, I know how hard our parents and aunts/uncles had gone by!