When Korean Girls Cry

Have you seen how Korean girls cry? Well you may not have seen them cry in real life, but I'm sure you've at least seen 1 (if not many) Korean girls cry through their drama series.

So, what's so special about their cry?

Well, I think they cry in style.
You see, Korean girls don't really cry. In fact, they only tear.

And they do it beautifully of course, first by getting their eyes all swelled up.
Then their teardrop slowly rolls down the cheek, while the girl stares straight right ahead, hardly blinking in between. So what we see is this
pretty big eyes all watery and moist...

And all the while she cries, she sits with an upright posture, giving that feeling of being in control yet very tender.

Now, that's what I call crying with style....
the Korean girls show that crying need not make girls look 'ugly'.
And so far, it seems that the Korean girls seem to pull this off best - for unlike other TV shows in the region, the Korean actresses hardly wail, weep, scream or rub their eyes with fingers, hands... or anything else to jeopardise their good looks.

But instead,
it's a cry with one's beautiful features still well highlighted, and if anything, just shows how much more beautiful they can be!

*This is just my take - based on watching Korean dramas. For the girls, you do not need to be offended if you don't cry like that haha. But, the next time you cry, try crying the Korean (drama) way - you might just get things your way - easier :)

*I also believe that the other drama series in the region can improve their ratings & quality, if they adopt some of these techniques by the Koreans... they after all brought that Korean wave!

Bao Bao Pan Mee

Pan mee, pan mee, and more pan mee. That's what I've noticed here in the Klang Valley. I used to think it's hokkien mee with KL, but now, I'm thinking that the king of noodles is the pan mee.

Anyway, that's not a bad thing - for really, the dry pan mee is really good here! While the soupy ban mian (pan mee) rules in Singapore, but nothing beats the super dry (chili) pan mee here in the Klang Valley!

So goes my search for the best pan mee in the Klang Valley... and the first stop: Aman Suria (Petaling Jaya).

To be honest, this wasn't my initial stop. I was told that Aman Suria had this very popular Cha Cha pan mee. And I had wanted to try - but alas, it closes early (9pm)... Alamak!

But just like the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens.
Walk a few doors down, and low & behold, there is another pan mee restaurant!

I was recommended the Special Dry Pan Mee - with the flat noodles. Now, I've tried a few pan mees in town to know what a pan mee should taste like -
smooth noodles & delicious ingredients that make you 'slurp'.

But somehow, this special pan mee don't seem to have that same effect, and I must admit I was a lil dissapointed.

But all is not lost here. A friend ordered the Garlic Pan Mee (thin noodles)... and when it came, it sure had that pan mee look. The ingredients were right - the dry chili, the ikan bilis (anchovies) & minced pork. And true enough,
this pan mee tasted good, just like what pan mee is meant to be!

With the Garlic Pan Mee (and I must repeat - the thin noodles) as the saviour, this restaurant sure is a good try if you are looking to chomp on some yummy noodles - even if it's after 9!

Btw, if you are a chili fan & always want to cook your own pan mee at home, you can take away their special sauce & dry chili... now, you too can cook some pan mee!

Don't Try. Seriously

Have you asked a question and heard a reply "Ok, I'll try".

Maybe I should ask how many times you've heard that statement... for it has been used so often, so much so that it becomes a standard reply to most questions that require one to think or make a commitment.

And the keyword here is commitment. I've read this in a book (A Different Chinese) that one giving such a statement is just
buying his/ her way out (ie in other words creating a back door)...
that no matter what, do or don't (or succeed or not) - he/ she has at least tried. Meaning, such people place less importance on the results...

In fact before I read that book, I must admit that that was also in my vocab... But not anymore. And this seems to be a positive effect.

So today, if I hear this statement, first, I'll smirk... then follow up with a question (well to people I think place an interests in me btw):
"Ok, seriously, don't try... is it a yes, or a no?" (btw this is asked nicely - sometimes with a smile).

Most would seem a lil startled when they first hear me making those words. Many are not used to making a decision or a commitment. And now, they have to.

Some I know opt for the easier way out and just say "No" - even though they actually can do the job/ task. Well, to me,
that's still better than a lukewarm response of "I'll try"
- which is a big maybe & big likelihood of disappointment in the end.

But I'm not complaining. Even though a NO may sound negative, but it actually gives a positive effect, allowing both parties to move on.

So, I do suggest anyone reading this to eliminate this 2 words from your vocab and see the difference it can make in your life & others :)


*The book A Different Chinese mentions that Malaysian Chinese seems inferior to other Chinese overseas because of their usage of the words "I'll try", which clearly indicates a lack of commitment.

Petaling Street Roast Duck!

"Do you like to eat duck? If you like, I'll bring you to one shop in Petaling Street...
all my friends love it!," so my friend says.


Well, ever since I've tried the duck in HK, I've been on a search for a good duck back home. So obviously, I was game!

"Remember, you've got to go early... cause it finishes fast!"

I didn't go there super early - but sometime around noon, and was relieved that the stall was still opened & the ducks still available!

And luckily too that the morning crowd at the ever busy Petaling Street was not too busy that day (well not yet maybe).

It's just a small stall, but one can know that this is the stall to buy from... with people just coming & going with packet-full of ducks! (they only serve take-away, no dine ins).

So, I've got my duck and it was time to find out - how good is this popular roasted duck of Petaling Street?

My friend who introduced mentions:
"it's meaty... that's why it's nice".

And from the look of my other friends who ate the duck, it showed that the duck was yummy (though they didn't comment much - busy eating i guess? haha).

On my side, I agree with my friend... it sure is one meaty duck, and that makes the big difference. It's definitely one of the better ducks here in the Klang Valley though I must admit that it still loses out to the HK duck I tried.

But still, I'll be back for more!