WONDERFUL LUNCH AT TEA HOUSE IN PENANG

WARMLY WELCOME TO THIS GLOBAL TEA GLOBAL NETWORK BLOG

In my preceding article, you may be aware of my recent fruitful trip back to my home town in Penang. As a result, several articles were written especially on Dr Sun Yet Sen's museum.  I had to run up and down taking photos of those interesting places I visited and to blog out at the end of the day. At the same time, I also collected some reading materials on those tourist areas which I have visited to promote my hometown, which was left far behind for the last couple of decades. Now, it is the time for me to pay back to the state I belong to.

With so much activities, yet I did not feel tired. From my face, you may feel that I have lots of energy to carry out other activities I planned much earlier. I even wrote till 4.00 am at several places, like McDonald (Hamilton road) and Papa Rich (EGate) in Penang and follow up with several of my former classmates and some new friends while I was surfing the net at that place.

With such a hectic time, I still managed to steal some time out from my busy schedule for my lunch at my usual Chinese tea house at QingHuan Chinese Tea House. See the photos below and find out what I had for my lunch. The photos taken after I have taken one Tea Egg and one of the little buns out of three in a set that I had ordered. Then only I became aware that I can take the photos for my tea blog.

That's the reason you don't have a chance to see the entire food range  I had for my lunch. Before I forget, I must let you know that one thing you should not miss at this tea house is its signature dish of lotus rice, rich in content with mushroom, pork, sausage and etc. Really delicious and this is one of the best lotus rice I have tried. Here, can someone tells me where to get the best lotus rice in PJ, KL or Penang?

Hope you like the above photos. Please record down in your diary and pay the tea house a visit whenever you have opportunity to do so. You can be rest assured that you won't regret it.

You may see that the environment is so pleasant and I can even work through out my lunch because I can't resist with so many inspirations flooding my mind that I do not have enough hands to write down all of them. In fact, all those articles you have read the last few days are the products from there and this one as well.

This is totally unexpected from my initial thought when I began my venture in the blogging sphere. At that time, I must confess that I was so worried that I ran out of ideas to write articles continuously. But today, what you see is totally different.

That's all for this time and seeing you again,

James Oh

Skype me at james.oh18

LIFE IS LIKE TEA QUOTATION

WARM WELCOME TO THIS BLOG,
Firstly let me express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Parang Desai, one of my Face Book (FB) contacts, for allowing me to use his beautiful quotation, below, on his FB wall, to write the article to its effect:-


"Life is Like Making Tea - Boil Your Ego, Evaporate Your Worries, Dilute Your Sorrows, Filter Your Mistakes and Get a Taste of Happiness."


Before I proceed to give my view on it, may I hear some of your views. Do you think that this statement is true? or is it myth? Let us know your views and your arguments to support your views for both answers. Thanks for your feedback. If you disagree with both the answers, then do let us know your views too. Do not have to worry because there is no right answer to it. You have the liberty to voice out your view here.


To kick start the ball rolling, I write to tell you how it really caught my immediate attention. This is because, the author have expressed its value so precisely, which I can't find anything not to agree with him. As you are well aware, TEA has impacted me so much. It enriches my live so much that it drives me to share with you its value through this blog. The name of this blog was chosen after my long and serious thought so as to suggest its KEY message.


As such, I must say that TEA, in nutshell, removed all my negative feelings and bring out its ultimate goal, Happiness, to me. I believe it can do the same to you, as it did to me. Happiness is all about your choice as life is a choice. It solely depends on its beholder. Here, may I obtain your permission to elaborate the 5 feelings stated above.


1 FEELINGS


1.1 EGO


I rather classify ego as negative feeling because it blocks us from listening and learning from others no matter what. History has well demonstrated this crucial point that caused many MIGHTY persons to fall by their own destructive actions. By drinking tea, it boils your ego which removes all the barriers that enable you to think and listen relatively much better.


1.2 WORRIES


As we used to say worry will not add value to any issue. As such, why worry? If not check properly, your energy will be drained out unnecessarily. Alternatively, you should save this energy to search for its solution. Isn't it more logical for you to look for solutions and not worry about the issues? By drinking tea, it will evaporate your worries - So good as it says. Hope you too have this resultant feeling when you savour tea.


1.3 SORROWS

It is difficult to not feel sorrowful especially when something unfortunates happened. However, let us be mindful that we can't change history. For those, especially who know me long, are aware that I have suffered numerous bad incidents in the past and I made serious mistakes of feeling sorry for substantial long periods. It is very natural to have this feeling.

Let me share with you that it brought some bad experience for me. Not only bad for me, but the people surrounding me were also affected by this adverse impact as well. Now, these have moulded me to be forward looking and I keep moving forward. Therefore, I choose not to dwell with my past sorrows. So, by drinking tea it will dilute your sorrow. Have you experienced such feeling?


1.4 MISTAKES


Let TEA be your mentor to filter your mistakes. It is true that you can learn from your OWN mistakes. But, the question is why not learnt from others and moreover it is always better to realise it before you commit it. By drinking tea, it could keep you cool and calm. As such, you are likely to make better and wiser decisions on the issues because you would have better thoughts.


1.5 GOOD FEELING- HAPPINESS


For those who can get a taste of happiness from tea, please share with us how you achieve it. For me, the pure taste of tea coupled with its right ambience will give me the inner sensation - Happiness, which is far beyond words. Imagine when you have tea with like minded people, you will enjoy the beauty of nature and it will definitely give you the happiness you sought after.


Thanks and trust the above article is helpful to you. Please spread it to your contacts of friends so that they also enjoy its valuable benefits as described in the above quotation.


Look forward to seeing you again and your support is greatly appreciated.






James Oh

TEA IN MANDARIN CHARACTER

Very warm welcome to this LIFE ENRICHING BLOG,

I hope you too like the lovely photo, which I obtained it from one of persons, Jenny Yong of China, I engaged with through Facebook. I must thank her so much for her kindness of allowing me to display it in my blog for your viewing pleasure.


Tell me what you could see from the above photo. You may compare the wording from other images at the side bars of my blog. I am sure that the above photo conveys many meanings to you. For those who understand Mandarin, most likely recognise its meaning as it form the word, TEA, in Mandarin character. Now, you know the reason behind why I displayed the lovely photo of 'TEA" in this blog. Some of you may well aware that the conventional Chinese characters are in the form of pictorial form.

In this connection, may someone help me to explain how and why this word was first created in this manner? Then it may help you as to why the creator of the piece of art used two little white flowers at the top of the word? Why the roof, just below the two flowers, is in green? What pink and brown colours mean here?

By now, what I can say for sure that we need some imagination to figure out its true meaning. Please share with us what you see there. Do not worry because there is no right answer to it. Who dare to say you are wrong to interpret it in the way you see it. Just a clue for someone who has not see anything from it, what you need to do is stare at it for long and slowly and surely, the picture will then appear by itself.


To truly enjoy a good brew tea, you must be very patient for it. Just like seeing the above picture. At the end of the day, the tea must give you a pure, bitter and sweet taste. Its pureness must be preserved and you need the skill to brew it. If you have not, don't worry. Practice, practice and proactive will make you perfect. It is just like any trade.


With this lovely piece of art, I am pretty sure it will enrich our lives. Furthermore, how would you feel if you are being served with good quality of tea right now. And you have the time to savour it. If it is really your taste, then may I invite you to join us in this tea blogsphere. Let us work together to bring happiness and enriching life through tea to the people at large, so as to make our lives more meaningful. This is the basic function of having tea together. Only through sharing it, we can make it prospers.


Thanks and seeing you again.






James Oh

DARJEELING TEA

DARJEELING TEA

The Darjeeling tea, seen as photo below, is my wife's gift. Its original pack of three, Twinning pack with Classics English Breakfast Tea and Origins Darjeeling Tea, is very suitable to be used as a lovely gift. She received it from her friend who must had came out with such a gift after   deep thought, I believed. It was displayed in one of the cabinets and only caught my attention recently, after looking for something to write for my tea blog.

This tea reminded me of my online tea group of friends and I decided to blog it out to kick start of Darjeeling tea and English tea. I believe some of them will take this opportunity to share this tea or experience before I give them a try.

I urge all parties to make use of this platform to have a meaningful dialog. Perhaps we can also have deeper knowledge of Eastern and Western Tea, their differences in term of taste, aroma, their respective preparation and etc..in respect of these two teas.

I was made to understand that this tea is also known as Black tea among tea connoisseurs and it is increasingly gaining popularity. Raised and cultivated in the healthiest environment of the Himalayas, the young leaves are thought to have excellent health benefits from its rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. I will share with you its taste once I have tried out. For those who have tasted this tea, please share with us some of your experience. We definitely love to hear from you.

From my understanding this tea is naturally processed. The fresh leaves are carefully handpicked and immediately left to dry; this gives its taste much like of freshly picked leaves. It contains only a small amount of caffeine making it suitable for people with high blood pressure and heart ailments.

The tea is cultivated in the cold mountains of India; they are basically handpicked, air dried, steamed and rolled tightly almost immediately. Once these leaves are completely air dried, it will then be steamed or fired at around 80 degree Celcuis for 2-3 minutes. The leaves can be steeped 3 times, but each steeping thereafter needs a longer period of time. Be mindful not to let the concoction to boil or overheat because it will cause the taste to turn bitter.

Hope you find this article useful and please do not hesitate to put forward your view in this regard. Thanks and have a fulfilling weekend.

 

James Oh

Skype me at james.oh18

GREEN TEA, JAPENESE

VERY WARM WELCOME TO THIS LIFE ENRICHING BLOG,


Recently I have just tried out the Japanese Green Tea, in Tea bag form, from the hotel I stayed during my boot-camp. I took 2 of the Tea bags for One-Cup; Net weight of 0.2g; New family teabag as shown in the photo below.










I found the OSK Japanese Green Tea which is slightly less than RM15.00 for 50 bags is fairly good in taste and value for the money spent. I was made to understand that you could get it from the major market chains such as Jusco, Carrefour and Cold Storage.


I then recalled my very first experience of the Japanese Green tea, given as a gift from a the late local Professor Yap Han Heng after his return from Japan. I had worked for him under several renowned institutions such as WHO and Sumitomo Chemical Ltd., though less than a year. I felt indebted to him as he is the person, apart from my sister who encouraged me to pursue my study in Form Six. We kept in touch for a number of years after I graduated with my first professional degree locally in 1987, until he passed away last few years ago. It turned out to be a horribly bitter experience for me at that time. I instantly vomited out immediately after my very first sip. I thereafter poured away the remaining tea, which was nearly almost a full glass of green tea. Such a waste, yet it gave me an unforgettable experience.


Below please find a copy of the testimony he had given to me after I met him at the University during my studying when he was there to give a talk on his area of expertise.


However, this powder teabag form of Japanese green tea today gives me a very pleasant taste and I truly enjoyed it. The smell is just like a sort of 'greenish-fishy'. Tell us more how you find its aroma and taste? What is the best quality of Japanese Green Tea that you had tasted? I must admit I know very little about it? Can someone tell me the difference between Chinese, Korean and Japanese green tea.Thanks and look forward to hearing from you soon,



James Oh






Skype me at james.oh18

TEA BLEND WELL WITH COMIC

Hi, folks,


Hope you guys were not get shock when I blogged on a political cartoonist, Mr. Zunar. You may click at the title of this article to make access to it. I never intend to offend anyone, but if there is any offence taken, I apologise for it.


Today, I like to share with you my purpose of doing so. First, I believe it blends well with tea. It can be used as our conversation topic, just like what is commonly happening in Malaysia's tea and coffee outlets. It is also another way of enhancing lives especially for those who have that passion.

Secondly, it adds humour to our conversation as this artist is great and is able to turn the current issues into a laughing stock and crafting a fortune for him, while defending the country he loves. He is not only brave, but also dare to voice out for the public interest. This is a very healthy attitude and need to be encouraged.

At times, it is a noble act and we need to give him due respect to express his views freely as provided in the constitution in this country, especially those matters that are of great interest to the public.

Another interesting point to note in regard to enjoying this comic while we savor our team is that this book is handy and we can just flick through it. It is so rich in content and you can be assured to grasp its key message without much thinking. I have read through more than one time and find it so lively and entertaining. At least, I can laugh it out, from the portion of taxes I have to bear, if it is really true.

And last but not least I urge the government to reconsider their decision and lift the ban on this comic. To me, it may not be deem as a threat to the nation. In fact, the government should encourage this free flow of expression so as to act a check and balance to the executive arm in any democratic country, so to speak. I strongly believe we are not going to go Myanmar's way of administration of their affairs, which we also joined other nations to condemn their acts.



James Oh






Skype me at james.oh18

CARTOONIST,MALAYSIA’S BEST POLITICAL- ZUNAR

Very happy day to you,



Last night, I read the comic, 'EVEN MY PEN HAS A STAND' - a collection by Zunar, which I rarely did so. I found this comic very much different and it gave me lots of kick and I truly enjoy reading every page of it. In short, it really gives me lots of excitement and enjoyment. Every piece is so cleverly crafted to convey its heavy message, with his own view as a cartoonist and not as an illustrator. The cartoon is so lively and sensible - really can shake a Mighty one, without asserting any physical force. This is a real master piece and I read it over and over again. It is worth more than RM 25, I spent for the book with his personal autography. See the photo below:-












I can sense that he has a great passion for his work and decided to check his background. After reading through his profile, I realised that he is a man who truly knows what he wants, and brave enough to pay for whatsoever costs to achieve his mission. A man with great leadership quality that I really salute, Mr Zunar, you made us very proud of you. Thereafter, I realise that the philosophy he strongly uphold that made him outshine from the rest, so outstanding. I found him so fascinating that "his cartoons are not drawn by brush, but by brain". I said so because he has done his research well and able to portray the true message which is consistent to his conscious mind and soul. He is a man of principle that earns his readers' hearts.






Every piece is from his heart, so lively and touching every heart of his readers. He truly deserves the praise that is the driving force for me to write this post, to show my appreciation to his significant contribution to this art. While writing this article, my heart is gaining momentum and had convinced me to promote this healthy art to enrich our lives, the same I have done for my tea art blog at http://teaartblogspot.com.






Another interesting point about him is that his clear responsible conscience and his desire to be a patriot to his country makes him - A Real National Hero in my eyes, much more than a cartoonist. He may look as one-sided criticising the existing ruling party, but one thing I do agree with him is that in a country that is facing a moral crisis like Malaysia, criticising is not an agenda but a responsibility in line with the saying " The higher level of patriotism is to tell the truth in front of an unjust ruler."






In May 2011, the Cartoonist Rights Network International, announced him as the recipient for the award of 'Courage in Editiorial Cartooning' for the year. Big congratulation and well done. Zunar, we are proud of you for being a true Fighter.






Here, we at this blog also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the American cartoonists who organised a charity dinner "The 23rd Cartoons and Cocktails" on October 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington for my fellow Malaysian who was lock-up under the Sedition Act 1948. Special thanks to Mr. Mark Fiore, the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner for editorial cartoons, who promoted Zunar's cartoon books in the event.






As such, we urge more people to step forward to extend your support to promote and cultivate this art. Let this art to be created freely and without much interference from the ruling party of any government. We should not be afraid and bow to any force should we stand right with our conscience. We can't conceal any wrong especially in the today's technological world.






Therefore, we at this blog, urge all artists to forge a united force to create a higher level of success for this industry. Let us be honest to ourselves, who will care if we don't. Let this industry prospers and let us not bow to any unhealthy pressures.










To our greater success,














James Oh