Wednesday, February 10, 2010

2010: Ursher In The Chinese New Year of The Tiger



The Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is celebrated on the 14 February 2010- the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. It is the time for much much festivity and merriment. It also mark the entrance of the Tiger- the third of the 12 animal signs.

A person born under the sign of the Tiger is highly confident but rather self-centered and will do anything to achieve his or her goal. Famous personalities born under the Tiger sign includes Marco Polo, Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Karl Marx.

You can watch a video about the twelve animals below. The Chinese Zodiac is a 12 year cycle symbolized by the 12 animals. Each animal has a different personality and characteristics that influence a person's personality, success, and happiness.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Give Me My Ballons, Please!


Everybody loves ballons. It's the most favorite game of them all. It doesn't matter whether it is round or oval, or any shape at all. Children just loves them.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Wax Apple, Seedless Guava and Ciku



Three popular Malaysian fruits that are favorites with travelers on the N-S expressway - wax apple, seedless guava and ciku:

Wax/Honey Apple (Syzgium samarangense)

Unlike the sweet-sour and smaller water apple (Jambu air) that comes from the villages, the better quality fruit that is usually sold in fresh markets or supermarkets is popularly known as "Jambu madu" or "honey apple". Jambu madu is sweeter and crunchier than the native water apple. It comes in many shapes, colors and sizes. Some are bell-shaped or conical, elongated or oval. It has a smooth texture, spongy, juicy and high in vitamin C. The skin is waxy and delicate and has a shiny light green to a rich red or crimson color.


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Guava (Psidium guajava)

The guava is usually yellowish or yellowish green when ripe. This tropical fruit has a pleasant crunchy texture and a sweet-sour taste. It can be eaten fresh or blended and served as a refreshing juice. Guava is a good natural source of vitamins C and A, and minerals such as iron, potassium and calcium. While the common guava fruit is packed with tiny hard seeds, these are almost seedless. And they cost more too.

Seedless guava

Guava seedless and with seeds

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Ciku (Achras sapota Linn.)

The ciku or sapodilla comes from Central America. The fruit is round or oval with a smooth brown skin when ripe. The flesh is deep brownish hue with fine texture. It has a distinct sweet flavor to complement any dessert serving. Ciku has high vitamin and mineral content.