The Word "Mangkuk" & "Mangkuk Tingkat" Business

Last week I attended a seminar on online business. There was a sharing session by a very successful and creative venture in our community via online business. It was launched last June and really created a stir in the working world of adults, especially in KL and Selangor. Now it has spread all over Malaysia.

The idea of the business was mooted by a common guy turned philantrophist from Yayasan Nurul Hikmah - to help people to fish, and not by giving them the fish. It is to help single mothers.

This is what the business does:

1. Get application from single mothers (ibu tunggal/ibu tinggal) or wanna be housewives.


2. These mothers are to do their normal cooking at home, and if they feel like making extra money by cooking, they can cook extra portion for people to subscribe to their cooking.


3. But before they can start the business, they have to attend a course on cooking the right way and get certified by the Islamic Manufacturing Practices.


4. Once in a while, they will be audited (spot check done). Their kitchens have to be cleaned and no MSG to be added in their dishes. If found guilty, that's it - license to cook suspended.

What do they truly sell?

Food which is prepared at home, with the intention to serve the family, not for making profit. Somehow they believe that the intention in cooking will affect the quality of the food and ultimately, satisfy the eater with a different aura of fulfilment. Get the idea?

How to order?
Working men and women can place their order online, and the lunch will be delivered in tiffin carrier to your office and hence the name "mangkuk tingkat" originates.

Price
Order is for one month (block order) and the booking window is only 1 week before the month starts. For price range of RM4-6, you can get great deal of rice, 1 main dish and 1 vege dish. Very affordable and easy.

The fun part
Starting off his speech, the creative guy who created this business showed a slide on types of mangkuk tingkat - those were the 2 tiers, 3 tiers and 4 tiers. So he said:

"Makanlah kamu dari 2, 3 atau 4. Kalau tak mampu, maka 1 sahaja". Much to the delight of the audience.

The dishes are served in 4 tiers mangkuk tingkat, but only 3 tiers will be filled. The top tier is called "tingkat kasih" and it is supposed to remain empty (since it is up to the cook to put in something extra, like fruits for example).

I strongly recommend that you visit this very interesting business's website - http://www.mangkuktingkat.com/ to find out more and try it if the cook is available near your working place.

During the Q&A session, there was a senior citizen who commented that the guy should really consider to change the name of the business. Apparently, the word "mangkuk" is not a good word in the Japanese language. Yup, I did check with a Japanese speaking guy, it is a vulgar word.
But for us Malaysians, we use the word "mangkuk" to swear at people, without knowing what it means in other language. Have fun searching for the meaning!

There was also a question by a lady that goes like this,
"If let say the eater really like the cooking, and wish to get to know the cook in person, have there been cases where the eater fall in love with the cook?"
Yeah, she's damn worried to subscribe it for her hubby. Just in case.

The creator responded:
"The customers will never know the cook. The cook will always remain anonymous. But there are cases where the delighted customer send flowers to my office, to be passed on to the cook".

You see ladies, it is true. The way to get to a man's heart is thru his stomach. :P No matter how busy you are, try to squeeze sometime to do some simple cooking for the family.

Conclusion - Food that binds the stomach, binds the family.

Songs of the Week

1. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
2. Tercipta Untukku - Ungu
3. Kenangan Terindah - Samsons
4. Dibius Cinta - Melly Goeslow feat. Yusry KRU

When people are in love, they like to dedicate beautiful songs to their lover. It could be on the ground of the music, beat, but most of all, it's because of the lyrics. Sometimes we want to tell others how we feel, and the best way to tell that is via songs. Beautiful feelings via beautiful songs.

But what happen after they get married? Somehow this little gesture called "songs dedication" would die off naturally. Why? Is it wrong or weird that a person were to dedicate songs to the wife/husband? Somehow in our community, I guess it's just not natural to do it after the holy matrimony. Why? What's the root cause of all this?

Among little gestures to let the fire burning in a relationship is to dedicate songs to your partner. I strongly believe that by doing this, all the heartache, bad memories, regrets, could be lessned if not wiped out totally from one's heart.

My Alma Mater : Where Are Thou?

Kajang (Selangor)

• Kajang (加影), with a population of 189,400 (as of 2001) is a town in the state of Selangor, Malaysia (2.98° N, 101.77° E). It is located about 20 km south of Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur.
• The first settlement in Kajang was established in 1709. In 1807, Kajang was founded after the Klang War.
• Kajang is famous for its sate (alternate spelling satay), a form of skewered spiced barbequed meat. Informally, Kajang is known as the "Satay Town", and is famous among tourists and locals alike.
• Kajang was the district capital of Hulu Langat but the District Office has moved to Bangi, which is now under the Kajang Municipal Council.

One of my alma maters is situated in the town of Kajang, Selangor. Last 2 weeks, on my way back from KL, we had a stopped at the famous satay outlet "Sate Hj Samuri" in the heart of Kajang town. Realizing that I have not stepped on this town for a very long time (16 years you, the last time I went there was to pick up my SPM result slip in 1992), I figured why not give my alma mater a sweet brief visit.

But whaddaya know?? Kajang has CHANGED A LOT!!! I could not find the road leading to my alma mater. What used to be 2-lane roads are now hustling bustling hiways all over the place! Where on earth is my old high school?? Tried the junction with SAAS school as the landmark, we drove in only to find out it was a brand new primary school for a new taman. Asked for direction from the school security, but still, it was no where near our sight.

Since it was already late for our journey home, I decided to put my friends at ease and told them that it's better that we head home. Meanwhile, I SMS a few of my ol' high school friends and told them of this misadventure of mine in Kajang town. What I got were all bunch of "kutukans".

Oh well, next time I'd better visit http://www.wikimapia.com/ or google earth to find this alma mater of mine.

Link - http://www.smapkajang.net/ and http://www.alumni-smapk.com/

KL Midnight Rendezvous

View from KLCC ground zero after midnight. Apparently the lights would be switched off after 1200.

Dataran Merdeka from a very expensive camera meant for would be - professional photographer.

Dataran Merdeka from my very own SonyEricsson handset (it's the date and time that matter).

Once in a while, working adults need a break. What better break than to go for a fully paid seminar/course for a few days sent by company far away from your work place accompanied by colleagues who share the same longing and exhaustion. The key take away after every course attended - your activities accomplished after the course ends.

For this trip, we went for a spin in KL with a very experience ex-crime reporter who would know every nook and cranny of KL. Sup Doraisamy, Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa, Datuk Shahrizat's house, Datuk Rafidah Aziz's house, reformasi main ports, oh, Dr SMS's apartment too (Sheikh Muszafar the Astraunaut), the Bluff Hill and many more. Lorong Hj Taib would have been one of the stop points, but one of us could not take the pressure. You name it, he got the way to it. Thanks to his geographical expertise, we had an extraordinaire view of KL. Besides the places, he also shared the historical facts and major turning points for all the major places. No amount of tip could compensate for the inside information provided.

Free ride, free Starbucks, free tour, free education, free pictures. What more can you asked for?

Thanks to my friends who joined me in this mini adventure. May Allah bless you always.

Bukan???

Yesterday afternoon, I had a full stomach for lunch of Nasi Ayam Goreng Kicap, from a famous stall in PG. Unfortunately, I had to attend a meeting with 2 Koreans plus other managers right after that lunch. With full tummy, very convenient chair, air cond room and sweet monotonous voice of the Chief Korean, the tendency to fall for afternoon siesta was uncontrollable.

I was trying to focus several times and pay attention as best as I could, but the gravitational factor was very forceful on my eyelids. Alas, it's time the GM said "Anybody has any questions?". Since I initiated the meeting, I felt compelled to ask questions. Just any question.

So I asked him a question. But he misunderstood my question. By then, I was still dizzy. Then, out of nowhere I uttered "Bukan!". Surprisingly, he echoed my word "Bukan???". The others who were paying attention by then, really laughed out loud to this drama. The sound of others laughing made me realized - Oh My God!!!. I had uttered a Malay word to a Korean in a big meeting. Shame on me.

But I was expected to remain calm and trained to be professional at work. To cover up this unwanted drama to persist, I said "Well, at least you get to learn one Malay word for today. It means That's Not What I Meant". And so he smiled. End of drama.

What has gotten into me? This is exactly what happens to people who seldom use English in daily life. The results of not thinking, speaking and using English for a very long time. What a nice plot to make me realize this inadequacy. Very lucky me.

Resolution for the Day - try as much as possible to apply English in daily conversations - be it with friends, colleagues, kids, hubby, etc - which will indirectly force me to think in English. We must think in English in order to speak better English.

It's Almost Over

Aku faham benar perasaan Abby Abadi. Terpampang satu Malaya kisah rumahtangga dia dgn husband si Norman Hakim. Sebenarnya ini kisah biasa. Tapi sebab dia tu celebrity, kisahnya jadik muka depan banyak suratkhabar satu Malaya. Kesian...rahsia rumahtangga yg bukan lagi satu rahsia.

Semalam aku sempat baca Kosmo. Alkisah Abby telah membawa 20 orang wartawan ke lokasi penggambaran Gerak Khas utk bertemu dgn suaminya yg tgh shooting. Sampai situ, dia hulurkan satu borang utk suaminya sign. Biasalah, permohonan utk cerai secara fasakh. Apa itu cerai fasakh?

Cerai Fasakh (source - http://www.wao.org.my/)

You can apply for fasakh (dissolution of marriage by order from the Court) from your State Syariah Court if you can prove either one of these conditions:

1. Your husband has treated you cruelly (e.g. been violent to you either physically or mentally, associated with prostitutes, forced you into immoral behaviour, obstructed your religious obligations, mistreated your property or according to Syariah law treated you unequally compared to his other wife/wives);
2. Your husband has not maintained you for at least three months;
3. Your husband has been sent to prison for three years or more;
4. Your husband has left home and not been contactable for at least one year;
5. Your husband is impotent or has refused sexual intercourse after at least four months of marriage, or for at least one year;
6. Your husband has been insane for at least two years;
7. Your husband is suffering from leprosy, vitilago or a sexually transmitted disease;
8. Your consent to marriage was given by force, mistake or unsound mind; or
9. You have since marriage, has a mental disorder which renders you unfit for marriage.

Maybe dalam kes Abby, dia boleh apply based on Norman tak balik rumah for a few months. Apa jadik pada nafkah zahir dan batin? Hanya Allah yg tahu.

Tapi kenapa Abby seperti jadik pompuan giler? Kosmo report semalam Abby baru saja melahirkan anak ketiga sebulan 9 hari yg lepas. Sebab dia sgt stress, dia jadiklah macam tu. Ada orang berkata sinis "Dia tu tgh giler meroyan tu". Apa itu meroyan? Omputeh panggil "Postpartum Depression".

Postpartum Depression (source - http://www.forwoman.gov/)
Depression after childbirth is called postpartum depression. Hormonal changes may trigger symptoms of postpartum depression. When you are pregnant, levels of the female hormones estrogen (ESS-truh-jen) and progesterone (proh-JESS-tur-ohn) increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, hormone levels quickly return to normal. Researchers think the big change in hormone levels may lead to depression. This is much like the way smaller hormone changes can affect a woman’s moods before she gets her period.

Certain factors may increase your risk of depression during and after pregnancy:
1. a personal history of depression or another mental illness
2. a family history of depression or another mental illness
3. a lack of support from family and friends
4. anxiety or negative feelings about the pregnancy
5. problems with a previous pregnancy or birth
6. marriage or money problems
7. stressful life events
8. young age
9. substance abuse

Women who are depressed during pregnancy have a greater risk of depression after giving birth.

Tapi semalam, permohonan Abby di mahkamah ditolak kerana kemukakan dokumen yg tidak lengkap. Dia tak bawak segala dokumen yg dulu dia pernah cerai dan rujuk semula dlm masa seminggu tahun 2006. Dia jugak kena korek balik carik sijil nikah yg ori. Dia perlukan kerjasama suaminya utk sediakan semua dokumen tu. Barulah hajat dia akan tercapai.

Tapi apa reaksi Norman? Dia kata "Saya masih sayangkan keluarga saya. Byk hati yg saya perlu jaga". Tapi hati siapa yg dia jaga sesangat tu? Menurut Abby, Norman selalu puji girlfren dia di depan Abby, dgn kata2 seperti "Memey bagus, Memey ini, Memey itu". Eh, pantang orang pompuan tau, suami puji pompuan lain depan isteri. Tambahan lagik kalau girlfren. Jadik, hati siapakah yg Norman jaga sangat2 tu?

Bolehkah rumahtangga mereka diselamatkan? Ini satu ujian yg maha hebat utk kedua-duanya. Byk hikmah dan pengajaran dlm kisah ini. Bottomline, kembali pada agama kita. Apa Islam kata mengenai perkahwinan. Di situ segala persoalan akan terjawab.

Marilah kita doakan mereka kembali bersatu jika tidak mahu arasy bergegar buat kesekian kalinya. AMIN.

Fun Time at The Peak

I last visited Genting theme park in 1989. I was wondering what had changed since then and had been toying with the idea to visit it again with the kids. And then....something surprising happened. I got an SMS from Mr X - "Feel like taking the kids somewhere - Genting or Sunway Lagoon" - taaadaaa "in sync" concept in motion. Hey, it happens to me too.

Goin' up. Huda was a little cautious. What's this thing I'm in?

Husna and Huda on the Rodeo Ride. Husna enjoyed it very much, rode it 2 times. Huda was scared to death. Her scared face on the top of the ride revealed - "Oh no! Someone get me down right NOW!". But at least she didn't cry. The other girl in pink pants poured her heart out like crazy.

On the caterpillar train ride. It really moved like a caterpillar. Price you have to pay to get a bird's eye view of the overall theme park (indoor and outdoor). Hmmmm...why so slow...

Where to next? Even the outdoor theme park couldn't be covered in a day.

View from inside the giant ferris wheel.

Fun time with Ayah. Sure Ayah was enjoying himself too. Among those rides which we could never think of riding at this age in our time.

Jumbo ride - Husna with cousin Daniel.

It's getting cool after 5pm, the fog started to emerge. Hmmm...why is it chilling up here?

Dinasourland - a little bit of history of those animals favored by the kids.

Another view from the dead-slow caterpillar train ride.

Why does it have to be unfair? I want to ride it all...

Boat ride - Husna with cousin Daniel - He was struggling to maintain course with the help of a shortlegged partner.

Finally, time to rest. It was raining cats and dogs at 6 pm. Luckily we were on our way down already. Maybe we go again when all of you kids have exceeded the minimum height :)

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Fuel cost JB-KL-JB = RM200

Toll Charges = RM84

Trip to Genting = Courtesy of sister Rubiah

Genting Skyway Cable Car = RM10 per head

Entrance Fee (Outdoor Only) = RM38 (per Adult), RM28 (per Kid)

Ice Cream at the top = RM5 per cone

Nasi Goreng = RM7 per plate

Canned Drink = RM4 per can

Muffins = RM5 per piece

Cupcake = RM5 per piece

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SMS inviting for the trip

Spending time together

Laugh and had fun together

=

Priceless

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For more information - www.genting.com.my