Friday 31 January 2014

Happy Chinese New Year!


Years: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954 and 1942.

Fortune: Good for those born under this year.

Luck: To counteract bad luck donate blood.

Lucky numbers: 7,3,2

Love: Easy come easy go

More detailed information

Thursday 30 January 2014

Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis

Glimmer I just wanted something new to read, and this book is certainly engaging and original.  The two main characters who suffer from amnesia struggle to find out what is behind the idyllic town where they live .

 In Summer Falls everything seems to go smoothly and when people have the slightest problem they simply pass out (heatnaps the author calls it) and forget about everything.

I found this idea horrible and delightful at the same time. Wouldn't our lives be a bowl of cherries that way? They wouldn't be real  or meaningful at all but they would  be like a Disney film with a happy ending no matter what.

I hadn't read the blurb before starting the book so I didn't have any expectations about what the book was going to be like . There are ghosts ,magic  and romance but the novel also addresses some tough issues. There was a part so hard to read that  I was completely unaware I was holding my breath until it was over.After that I don't know why I expected a very unhappy ending but fortunately I was wrong and love was finally able to negotiate all the  hurdles the leading characters face.

So if you are looking for something different this may be the book for you .

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Udon Noodles & Fun : Noodle Bar in Spain

A Noodle Bar in Spain? That has nothing to do with the traditional cuisine of the country, however, it is a welcome change from local food.



The franchise Udon Noodles & Fun has so far eight restaurants in the country:Barcelona, Sant Cugat,Sabadell, Madrid,Bilbao, Mataró, Terrasa and in Barajas Airport Terminal 1.

According to the website the venues are designed following the principles of Feng Shui . It seemed quite minimalist to me. There were comfortable stools to sit but no room to leave your belongings when the restaurant was full (specially after a shopping spree) and no separate tables, which may be fun sometimes.I  certainly missed the fact that it was impossible to see the kitchen f, I like seeing the cooks work in this type of restaurants.

            

 The food was good  and it looked delicious  but if you are used to real Asian taste you may find it a bit  too European.If you have never had Asian food and are reluctant to try it this may be the place for you to taste it for the first time.The service was fast since  it was early and the restaurant was almost empty and the quality of the meal was all right. You can order food from your computer or your phone (there is an app you can download from  the website) and take it away or have it delivered.


The menu includes  some starters, udon, yakisoba, soba, rice noodles, rice  and ramen, a few desserts and several types of tea.

Asparagus and tofu tempura


Duck and apple gyoza


Rice noodles with shrip,vegetables,egg and chicken

Seafood ramen

Ginger cheesecake



You can have a midday menu for around 10 €.

 By Foodie


Labels Against Women: Pantene Advertisement

I love this advertisement , it shows in a beautiful way the way things are more many women.The song is Mad World one of my favourite songs of Tears for Fears  which is sung by Jasmine Thompson.

Friday 24 January 2014

Khoo kongsi in Penang's Heritage Trail in Malaysia

Khoo Kongsi represents the opulence and prosperity of the Khoo clan . Built betwwen 1894 and 1906, it is one of the most ornate clan temples outside mainland China.

By TA
















Monday 20 January 2014

Where to shop in Bangkok , Thailand :Terminal 21 Shopping Centre

If you are a fan of shopping centres Terminal 21 is a must, it is not the biggest in Bangkok or the one with the best bargains but the design of the building is state-of-the-art and the originality and the beauty of each floor makes it unique.The facade is impressive, specially at night.

 


 


The shopping mall is designed just like it was an airport terminal building and each floor is a destination :  The Caribbean, Rome, Paris, Tokyo,London , Istanbul and San Francisco + Hollywood. Everything, including the restrooms ,  is decorated to remind the visitor of the name of the floor.

Besides it is really easy to get there by both BTS and MRT. There is a wide variety of restaurants to chose from and many shops .

The Caribbean is on the lower ground floor and it boast an amazing lighthouse.





Rome is on the ground floor  and there is even a fountain and several statues.
















Paris is on the mezzanine floor ,the street lamps are just like the ones  in the city .















Tokyo is on the first floor, the lanterns are delightful.


























London is on the second floor, I only missed some fish & chips.













  
Istanbul is on the third floor with colourful lamps.













San Francisco is on the fourth  floor and The Golden Gate as well.You can also enjoy Pier 21Food Terminal here.














Los Angeles & Hollywood are on the last floors.

There are several phone shops on these floors and  I honestly don't know why I have NO pictures ,I guess I was exahusted and that certainly gives me an excuse ( like if I needed one) to go back and find out what happened to "my missing floors"