Few different names were given to such festival, such as the Rice Dumpling festival and Duan Wu Jie (in chinese). This festival is normally celebrated on every 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the chinese calendar, producing a chinese proverb which goes something like 'double fifth'. This year in 2009, the “Fifth of the Fifth” falls on May 28. Traditionally, the festival is a widely celebrated festival amongst the Chinese. Intentionally, they wanted to pay a respect to the famous chinese patriot and poet, namely Qu Yuan (pinyin: 屈原).

Caption: a sculpture of Qu Yuan

This is what I heard. The chinese would usually do two things on that day, that is (1) eating rice dumplings (chinese called that as zongzi) and (2)participating in dragon boat races. You may ask, why do chinese eat dumplings then? An extremely short history of this festival is that traditional chinese people would eat the rice dumplings on the dragon boat competition. The two activities were correlated to the day of death of Qu Yuan on the fifth of fifth.


Caption: rice dumpling with bamboo leaves (i)


Caption: rice dumpling with bamboo leaves (ii)

To celebrate this festival, my aunt has made some of the rice dumplings for us. It tastes brilliant. Okay, what is a rice dumpling? In summary, it is made of glutinous rice and stuffed with some fillings (such as chinese black mushroom, salted duck egg, drief shrimp, chestnuts, scallops, chinese barbeque pork etc.), and finally wrapped with bamboo leaves. I heard washing the bamboo leaves is extremely difficult, since the leaf emerge blades that may cut your finger? This is all i know :)


Caption: traditional rice dumpling with red bean filling


Caption: rice dumpling with pork

Anyway, Happy Rice Dumpling Festival to you!

One of my music friend, Ka Ka who has chosen singing as a part of her performance in one of her final project. She sang a variance of songs (English, Spanish, German etc.) and really amused me with her voice. I seriously do not believe she has such a great voice (very different from the way she speak to me in real life). When I first listen to her singing, i was not only impressed by her voice, instead, her willingness of expressing her talent infront of many audiences (and two of her instructors). You have performed really well!


Caption: a picture of Ka Ka in the recital room at Trentpark, UK

Well, if people who do enjoy listening to opera music, such as those work performed by Pavarotti (a very popular italian operatic tenor), then they will like Ka Ka's singing very much. Opera is quite different than normal singing since it is not really a type of singing, instead, a type of art with which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work that combines both musical notes and text. The text is also known as Libretto. Glad she allowed me to paste her copyright on this blog for the purpose of sharing it with my friends. Thank you!

She performed in 4 different music. The first music is in chinese, followed by three other music (in the second video) in different languages. Please enjoy!

Music one



Music two

Firstly, a big and warm congratulations to Cassey. She is one of my best friend since 2006, who is going to get married, very soon! I will not elaborate much of why is she getting married, but this marriage concerns the symbolic of double happiness (囍). Congrats again (I will ask her to capture more pictures for me on her wedding day).

I am leaving the country very soon, therefore, I would like to express this to all my friends: really missed all of you over here, missed the moment that we have spent together in Malaysia in the past 3 months. Thank you very much. I have the same vision, that is, to get myself back to the UK and continue with my studies (I only have approximately 6-8 months left till the submition of my thesis). Therefore, friends (and my mui-mui) who were working very hard for their studies, again, do spend more time for final exams. I am also looking forward to see you if you are going to the UK to further your studies.

Some friends have been messaging me on msn, asking me what have I been doing in the past few weeks. I do go out, but seldomly (usually for dinner or some special occasions). I have been busy reading student's coursework, and at the same, busy with my own writting. On the other hand, there are thing waiting for me to complete before leaving the country. Therefore, apologies to friends who have been asking me out lately. I am totally out of time (normally, I sleep around 5-7 AM) so if you need any help, just drop me a message on msn and I will reply.

Anyway, quite happy since 'someone special' will join me along the trip to the UK this time. Happy happy! :)


Caption: entrance of NZX

Anyway, it is weekend again. This time, my parents brought me somewhere I have not been to before. At first, they said: "Let's go to Niu Ze Xui". I was like "where the hell is that"? For your information, "Niu Ze Xui" (in chinese) represents "Cow Car Water" (in english), and that is the direct translation in English, lol. Later, some friends told me the english term for that place, that is the 'Bullock Cart Water' (pinyin: 牛车水). It was located somewhere near Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, in Malaysia.


Caption: inside NZX


Caption: somewhere in NZX


Caption: around NZX


Caption: entrance of mini market in NZX

The place looks great to me, like a mini town, except, most of the stores were closed (and some of it have closed down). The mini markets were great. There are lots of local products (all over Malaysia) for sale over here. *Thumbs up* Some foods can ONLY be found in different states in Malaysia. However, I saw them for sale in this mini market. I 'sneaked' in to the mini market with my phone camera, snapping every single picture that I could to post it over here. A little scary since there is this security tailing me for couple of minutes from my back. Guess he was thinking a thief in their shop? Lol. Sorry mate, TL is not a stealer, and not intended to be a stealer :D


Caption: in the mini market



While walking around, I saw one shop selling all sorts of Japanese foods. Yummy! That is, the little Tokyo. The next shop is a shop selling those artificial bonsai tree. It is a replica plant for any space and really perfect for any rooms!


Caption: little Tokyo


Caption: artificial bonsai tree

Spending twenty minutes wondering around that place, finding it nothing special. Somehow, what impressed me is that those Disney characters were placed at the middle of NZX. This is probably due to some on-going festivals? This reminds me of the moment when I first visited Disneyland in Paris, back in 1997.


Caption: Mickey and Minnie


Caption: donald duck


Caption: magical mickey



I heard this place was extremely popular back in 2008. What happened next? I do hope someone could tell me the story of this place, and why so little people were found over there now.


Caption: Location of NZX

I found a link on youtube. Someone actually captured a video of that place. Thanks to that person who captured this video, it looks so much clearer than those pictures that I have captured, giving a much clearer picture (I will remove this video from my blog if he think this is his copyright material). Well, I assume that was the grand opening day (look at the massive amount of human in sight) of this Bullock Cart Water in 2008? However, I think the amount of people have been reduced significantly compared to the time when we went.

Video: Grand Opening at Niu Ze Xui



Anyway, Ting-ting uploaded the two music in youtube (a video instead). I tried uploading them in personal host but it just won't work. The first is a song (Flower Don't Hurt) sang by Leo Ku and the second is a piece of music, entitled Claudine by Maksim. Complementary, she uploaded one more piece. An extremely nice one, to me :) It comes from a song sang by Leo Ku (name: 你生). Well, once again, thanks a lot to Ting-ting for spending much time on such wonderful piece of music.

Please enjoy!

Song one: Flower Don't Hurt



Song two: Claudine



Song three: Untitled by Leo Ku

Nothing! We seriously can't bring anything to UK anymore.

It is getting near to June again. This means everyone is getting ready to purchase every possible stuffs (i.e. foods) to be brought to the UK. Therefore, I think this post is fairly important as a reminder for people who plan to pay a visit to the UK especially for people who plan to (1) visit for the purpose of their son / daughter's convocation, or (2) for holiday purpose. I will leave this post on for few days so people who plan to travel to the UK may read. On the other hand, anyone who has not exchange their currency (GBP), please do so before it is too late. I am expecting the currency rate to increase up till GBP 1.00 = RM 6.00 in July.


Caption: black and medium-sized hairpin


Caption: safety pin (medium-sized)

You may feel a little surprise of why are those two materials (black hairpin and safety pin) posted in this post. In fact, this is a reminder for people who plan to visit their son/daughter/friends who are graduating. Due to the differences in size for the graduation hood (which I have observed different graduates having the same problem every year by year), I strongly recommend you to bring some black hairpin (for the hood) and safety pin along (for the gown). The hairpin need to be black in colour, to match the colour of the hood. They can be handy during the graduation ceremony :D

Please also make sure to keep them in your big lugguage (NOT in hand luggage). The reason for not keeping in your hand luggage is that sharp objects are strictly prohibited.


Caption: Home office in UK

The home office in the UK (website address: HERE) has been very strict on foods to be brought into the UK since December 2008. They strongly believe that certain foods may carry different disease which could devastate their environment and agricultural. Therefore, please ensure to NOT bring any prohibitted foods into the UK. The home office in the UK strongly stress on their slogan: "Do not break the law, check the rules before you travel".


Caption: foods the home office stresses at

I am making this post relatively simple to understand by splitting information into different paragraphs.

According to the home office in the UK, any people travelling from / within the European countries may bring any foods into the UK, as long as the food is free from disease (you need some proof for that I assume). This rules apply to sending / receiving your items through postal. However, if you are travelling OUTSIDE the European countries, then DO NOT bring any prohibited foods stating in the below. The reason is that the immigration officers in the UK will take these away and destroy them and no further action will be taken. If you are bringing more than you are allowed, they will seize the whole amount. They included: "Bringing in goods that are banned is illegal, and there are heavy penalties for smuggling. If you fail to declare any items that are not permitted, you could face severe delays, and prosecution".

European countries include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus*, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (including Madeira), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK. The home office accept these countries as a part of the EU (Andorra, Canary Islands, The Channel Islands, The Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland). Although Gibraltar is part of the EU, it is outside the Community customs territory so is therefore treated as a NON-EU country. The home office in UK include this statement: "Though the whole of Cyprus is part of the EU, goods from any
area of Cyprus not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus are treated as non–European imports".

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Meat products: any fresh, cooked or dried meat such as beef, lamb, pork or chicken and such products as patties, curries, ham, biltong, pot noodles which contain meat, meatballs, meat pickles, cured or cooked sausage, pate and meat paste. Live snails, dead snails still in their shells and water snails are also
not permitted.

Dairy products: fresh, dried or concentrated milk, cream, butter, ghee, mithai, cheese and products containing fresh cream. Maggie mee and 3 in 1 drinks (i.e. milo, nescafe, ovaltene etc.) are strongly RESTRICTED.

Fish Products: fresh, dried, cooked, cured and smoked fish and fish products, such as canned tuna, fish sauces, prawns, shrimps, squid, lobster, crab and crayfish.

Bivalve products: oysters (including oyster sauce) mussels, clams, cockles, scallops, whelks and winkles.

Egg products: omelette, mayonnaise and dried eggs.

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Caption: No prohibition of foods to people who travel from the European countries

1. Travelling from the European countries
1. There are no restrictions on meat and dairy products.

2. There are no restriction on animal products (i.e. fish, bivalves such as oyster, mussels and clams), honey and egg.

-------------------------

2. Travelling from other countries (besides European countries)
1. If you are travelling from other countries than Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland (you are allowed a combined weight of up to 10kg per person), then you should NOT bring any meat and dairy products into the UK.

a. If you travel from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland
1. You are allowed up to 10kg combined weight per person.

2. You are allowed up to 20kg combined weight per person of fish and fish products (including dead bivalves) or the weight of one fish whichever weight is highest (except caviar of sturgeon species where you are only allowed 125gms per person).
Fish can be dried, cooked, cured, smoked or fresh but fresh fish is only allowed if it is gutted.

3. If you are travelling from the Faroe Islands or Iceland, there is no weight restriction per person.

4. You are allowed up to 10kg combined weight per person of other animal products.

5. you are allowed up to 10kg combined weight per person of special foods of powdered infant milk, infant food, pet foods and special foods required for medical reasons provided that:
a. The product does not require refrigeration before consumption.
b. It is a product in commercially branded packaging.
c. The packaging is unbroken unless in current use.

-------------------------


Caption: restricted foods to be brought into the UK (other countries)

b. If you travel from other countries (i.e. Malaysia, China etc.)
1. You are not allowed to bring in any meat or dairy products to the UK.

2. You may bring in a limited quantity of other animal products, such as fish, bivalves, honey and eggs.

3. You are allowed up to 2kg combined weight per person of other animal products (ie other than meat, dairy and fish products) such as honey, eggs and egg products, snail meat and live bivalves.

4. You are allowed up to 2kg combined weight per person of powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods required for medical reasons provided that:
a. The product does not require refrigeration before consumption.
b. It is a product in commercially branded packaging.
c. The packaging is unbroken unless in current use.

5. You are also allowed up to 2kg of pet food made from animal products required for medical reasons subject to the same conditions above.

6. You are restricted on bringing fruits, vegetables, seeds and bulbs into the UK. Some plants, soil and other plant products (including potatoes) may not be brought to the UK unless you have obtained the relevant official certificate or licence.

-------------------------

There are other items, such as alcohol, tobacco and perfume which are restricted if you are travelling from certain countries, and some items, such as unlicensed drugs and weapons, which are banned completely.

I have always been wondering about a flying car since childhood. Flying car? Huh? How? I went out with a few friends the other day, and we did mentioned sports cars etc., and a friend goes like "imagine a flying Supra in the sky would damn cool". But, hey, it sounded really cool if that do exist. In the meantime, I recalled reading some articles back in year 2004, when some researcher specify their future production, which focuses on flying cars (I think they use similar approach as those aeroplanes).


Caption: prototype model of the first helicopter-liked (PALV) flying motorcycle

This is the vision strived by the technological area by many experts since 1918, a new symbol of flight. In fact, I have read about this, a couples of months ago, a company which have some plans in manufacturing the PALV (Personal Air and Land Vehicle Company). They even sketched a model (though it look more like a helicopter than a flying motorcycle to me), which catches my attention to continue reading more and more articles of such research into flying cars. If you look in-depth to the picture in the above, you will see this motorcycle with a helicopter wing well-hidden on the top of the car roof.

In year 2008, the first flying car has deliberately pronounced (in the world) to be ready for departing. Four years ago (in 2005), a company (called Terrafugia, company website: click HERE) founded in Massachusetts (US) by a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Aeronautics and Astronautics graduates has built a foundation for flying car has finally be ready for take off in February 2009 (first experiment conducted). There is a short discussion held at the US, discussing by different experts in this area that they are not sure if this piece of work is up to the Wright brothers (the first two persons who developed flying machines, i.e. aeroplane) but is definitely similar to their approach.


Caption: N302TF flying car (i)


Caption: N302TF flying car (ii)

The flying cars are currently at the phase of testing, and should be ready for sale in the next few years (some people suggest in 2015) with the price tag from USD $ 148, 000 onwards. Initially, the flying car was pronounced to be sold at the price of USD $ 1.0 Million but due to the massive production of similar sky cars, Terrafugia indicate to lower the price of the car to USD $ 60, 000 (I heard you can reserve one of these cars for yourself now when you make 5% payment as deposit to them). However, the chief operating officer working in Terrafugia said they are not going to have a flying car at least for a while since this is considered as a roadable aircraft, which will need to pass through different consideration stages by the govenment in the US. Two major issues concerning to this car are: (1) Currently, in the U.S., they does not has the infrastructure to support vehicles that both fly in the air and travel on surface roads regularly, and (2) The sky filled with small planes piloted by people who do not have pilot's licenses and could promote to some serious problem in the future.

I will subsequently post 'some' specification of the flying car here:

1. Performance:
Cruise: 100 kts (115 mph) Takeoff over 50' obstacle: 1700'
Rotate: 70 kts (80 mph) Fuel burn: 5 gph
Stall: 45 kts (51 mph) Fuel tank: 20 gallons
Range: 400nm (460 mi) Useful Load: 430 lbs
On road: 30 mpg, highway speeds Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)

2. Dimensions:
Folded: 6’ 9” Tall: 80” Wide: 18’ 9” long
Airplane: 6’ 3” tall 19’ 2” Long Wingspan: 27’ 6”
Cockpit: 51” at the shoulder

3. Convenience
a. Front wheel drive on the ground
b. Automotive-style entry and exit
c. Two place, side by side
d. Automated electromechanical folding wing
e. No trailer or hangar needed
f. Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs
g. SafetyDrive in case of inclement weather
h. Proven 100 hp Rotax 912S engine
i. Full Vehicle parachute available
j. Modern glass avionics
k. Automotive crash safety features

Many experts have produced their very first prototype of a flying car. However, the design of the cars are not really attractive, isn't it? :) Anyway, a different flying car manufacturer called Moller (website address: HERE) has developed their first skycar. I am sure most of you have heard of this famous person called Henry Ford. He is not only the founder of the Ford Motor company but has encouraged many car companies (i.e. Moller) to start building flying space-machine with his slogan: "Mark my word: A combination airplane and motorcar is coming. You may smile. But it will come" since 1940. Surprisingly, that really happened in 2008.


Caption: skycar

The Skycar is a car which was completely operated by computer and completely guided by the GPS systems. The purpose is to ensure safety in general public (probably to avoid unecessary accidents). In the case of accidents, they will have the ABS system (airbags and perhaps releasing parachutes immediately when the car crashes). However, one drawback from this car is that it only able to get you as far as 500 miles every single trip. I strongly agree that the car would have some regeneration power for the next 500 miles attempt (if not, they should do something to enhance the capability of such machine in the near future). The speed is to reach 120 miles / per hour in flight. This vehicle was produced since 2006, but the development is expanding due to different circumstances: such as to increase the fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.


Caption: Moller's Skycar (M400)

Moller's latest production (design) is the Skycar called M400. It is designed to take off and land vertically, like a Harrier Jet, in small spaces. It can reach to a maximum speeds of 400 mph (equal to 644 kph), but will cruise at around 350 mph (equal to 563 kph), and it has a range of 900 miles (1449 km). Gasoline, diesel, alcohol, kerosene and propane can be used to fuel the Skycar, and its fuel mileage will be comparable to a medium-sized car that we find on road, getting 20 miles (32.2 km) to the gallon. Similar to the Terrafugia's flying car, the initial cost of a Skycar should be USD $1.0 million, but once it begins to have a mass production, the price should slim down as low as $60,000. This car has 4 seats and 2 different engines to sustain the flight appopriately. The engine has 720 horsepower, which makes this car a very powerful one.

In my personal view of expectation from the flying car, that is this machine would provide substantial profits to certain people, i.e. folding the wings out and could simply take off in a busy street (although it sounded a little unusual when everyone doing the same thing). It certainly will help to save much time! Of course, similarly to the Terrafugia's production, they have to get through the two major issues concerning to flying cars in the world today (mentioned in the above).

Ting-ting send me few more songs that she has played recently. The school is closing soon due to the end of the semester (summer break). Plus, she is leaving back to her hometown soon. If so, no one is going to play for me anymore :( I think I should work harder to make her stay longer in the UK for this purpose :)Anyway, I received two songs from her today. The first is a song (Flower Don't Hurt) sang by Leo Ku and the second is a piece of music, entitled Claudine (she did not specify the composer though). Once again, thanks a lot to Ting-ting for such wonderful piece of music.

Please enjoy!

(Please be patience to load the songs since it may take you a few minutes to load the song. Only start listening to the songs when the play button occur).

Song one: Flower Don't Hurt



Song two: Claudine