2017-02 Favorite Songs by Postcard Senders

In this month, my favorite song is "My Dear You" by Winnie Hsin. The song is so meaningful.

Winnie Hsin is a Taiwanese singer. She is best known for her crystal clear soprano voice- Wikipedia

Adriane from France likes the song of “Chelsea Smile” from Bring Me the Horizon. She told me that she got a tattoo with this song. For me, I not really like this rock song. For me, it sounds quite noise.

Bring Me the Horizon (MBTH) are a British rock band from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Formed in 2004, the group currently consists of vocalist Oliver Sykes, guitarist Lee Malia, bassist Matt Kean, drummer Matt Nicholls and keyboardist Jordan Fish- Wikipedia

Saskia from Gouda likes the song of “Shape of You” from Ed Sheeran.

Edward Christopher “Ed” Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk- Wikipedia

Nathan from USA likes the song of “All of Me” from John Legend because it’s fun to play on his ukulele.

John Roger Stephens known professionally as John Legend is an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He has won 10 Grammy Awards, 1 Golden Globe Award and 1 Academy Award- Wikipedia

Anne from Denmark likes the song of “The English Ladye and the Knight” by Loreena McKennitt because this song made she claim down and feel better.

Loreena Isabel Irene McKennitt is a Canadian musician, composer, harpist, accordionist and pianist who writes, records and performs world music with Celtic and Middle Eastern themes- Wikipedia

Daniel from Denmark likes the song of “Waiting…” and “Little Hell” from City and Colour. The songs mean a lot to him because difficult and hurting love is a part of his life and always come back.

Dallas Michael John Albert Green is a Candian singer-songwriter who records under the alias City and Colour. The name City and Colour comes from his own name: Dallas, a city and Green, a colour. His reasoning for the name was that he felt queasy “putting the album out under the name Dallas Green”- Wikipedia

Tenja from Denmark likes the song of “The World is Ugly” from My Chemical Romance. The reason is the band gives she hope since 2002. Their lyrics are so deep and they hit you right in the feels. This song especially the line, “Cause the world is ugly, but you’re beautiful to me” is her favorite.

My Chemical Romance (MCR) was an American rock band from New Jersey active from 2001 to 2013- Wikipedia

Kaoru from Taiwan likes the song of “如果你是我的传说” from Andy Lau. In English, the translation of song name will be “If you are my legend”.

Andy Lau Tak-wah is a Hong Kong actor, singer and film producer- Wikipedia

Chinese New Year Card 2017

[2015] [2016]

It was quite surprised to receive Chinese New Year card from my friend, Y.Sze.  The card is so special because at the cover has rooster bookmark. Beside card, she included a Taiwan postcard which she would like to send to me during her Taiwan trip. As she forgot my address so lastly did not send from Taiwan.

This is Maxicard which designed by my postcard friend, Jacky with Chinese New Year stamp.  He is so talent in art.

This is Zentangle of Rooster and it is very beautiful with black and white lines. It sent by W.Mun.

This is Chinese New Year handmade postcard which done by Daphne.  This year is Rooster Year so she put some Rooster idioms on the postcard with some washi tape and stickers, so creative.

This is also handmade postcard which done by S.Fen during her Japan trip. In Japan really has many stamping for you to DIY especially Rooster stamping in this year.

This year, I also received postcard from Dragon812715. On the back of postcard have 2 stamps (monkey and rooster) with beautiful stamp mark.

I saw many people are using washi tape to decorate a girl, it is beautiful. This was my first time to receive Chinese words in washi tape postcard. It is difficult to do it and Sylvain done it perfectly.

Xin Yu hand draws a Rooster cute couple postcard to me. If looks properly, you will the small different between this couple.

Y.Chuin sent her handmade little chick to me with the name of “奇Ji” (Miracle).  It is so cute!

Sherry sent her handmade origami to me.  The hen is so beautiful and it’s look like it’s from Japan. Haha..

C.Ee sent me her handmade card to me. At some part of the card has 3D effect and it is cute! Beside card, she also sent me some angpows.

I was so appreciate to receive so many Chinese New Year wishes from friends although most of us knew each other through online.

2017-02 & 2017-03 Favorite Postcards Received

My Postcrossing ranking for February & March 2017 as below:-

On 62^nd most postcards sent from Malaysia

On 61^st (Feb) 58^th (Mar) longest distance sent from Malaysia

My Matriculation friend sent me this postcard. Sadly that she did not write anything on the postcard as she posted via post express.

Shu Fen sent me this Macau stamp mark postcard which I just knew that post office in Macau has stamp mark.

The Chibi Maruko postcard is super cute! In Hong Kong has a Chibi Maruko shop *Wink*

I was so surprised to receive Japan postcard from Twilight Man which I knew from blog. At the back of postcard has Sapporo stamp mark which is so cute!

I never had been to India before, when looks at this postcard, the hotel in India seems grand like palace. It is The Royal Placa in New Delhi.

This Christmas postcard is so big with polar bear shape is cute.

For those who like sewing sure will like this rooster postcard. This postcard seems like a guideline.

Wordless Wednesday: Malaysia Breakfast 2

'Wordless Wednesday: Postcard' is recording all the postcards that I had bought from time to time for exchange purpose.

Malaysia is a multi-races country (3 main races are Malay, Chinese and India) therefore the choices of breakfast are many. All of them are so delicious.

福建虾面是马来西亚槟城代表性的美食，是一道利用虾壳及辣椒熬煮的赤红辛辣汤底，再配上黄面条，米粉，虾和蕹菜等而成的面食料理，在马来西亚及新加坡各地的华人茶餐厅或美食中心都可寻其踪迹。福建虾面的汤底充满虾的鲜味及辣椒等香料的香味，在马来西亚华人中广受欢迎。唯有槟城称之为[福建面]，其他州属都将这种面食称为[虾面]。

叻沙是一道源于南洋的面食料理，拥有非常多不同的种类，族群和地方对于叻沙的做法和味道也有极大差异，咖喱叻沙 则被The Huffington Post评选为死前必尝的世界十大美食之一。是由马来人，华人，娘惹等不同文化混合的美食，最大的特色是使用加了椰奶的咖喱汤头，味道较为浓郁。其配料多使用鸡肉丝，血蚶，豆芽，虾子，鸡蛋等。在华人社区的咖喱叻沙会加入猪血。猪皮，烧肉，叉烧等。

板面是马来西亚华人社区最常见的面食料理之一，一般在在茶餐室，美食中心，巴刹或路边摊都可见其踪迹。这道面食的最大特色是小贩现点现做，切好的面条用开水烫熟后，淋上猪大骨高汤并在面条上摆放肉燥，市耳丝，薯仔菜，炸江鱼仔，青葱等，再上菜给顾客。板面为传统的客家面食之一，早期称为“刀麻切”。在客家话中，“刀麻”意味大刀，早期厨师都是用玻璃空瓶将面团碾平，再用大刀将面团切成条状，在客家人聚集的彭亨州内的各城镇与新村是一道非常常见的面食。

炒粿条是潮州人的小吃，更是马来西亚槟城潮州人的代表性美食。在马来半岛各处的茶餐室，美食中心或路边摊都可找其踪迹，其做法与广东府人的干炒河基本雷同。加入蛋，血蚶，豆芽，腊肠，虾子，黑酱油，炒得色深味浓。在马来半岛的赤热气候中，食物保存不易，加上移居槟城的潮汕人士改变口味，利用家乡惯有的食材，再加上黑酱油及辣椒酱，炒出具有槟城特色的炒粿条。

云吞面又称馄饨面，细蓉，大蓉是老广的传统特色小吃，最早源于广州，属于奥菜系。一般以云吞面拌面，分为汤面与捞面。云吞面是一种在中国十分普遍的食品。以煮熟的云吞和竹升面加入大地鱼，虾皮，瑶柱，火腿熬成的汤底即成。一般来说，云吞面由三个部分组成，第一部分是汤底，这是最重要的，其次才是竹升面与云吞，评价一碗云吞面的好坏就是根据这三方面进行的。

印度炒面是道味道非常特别的面食。由于这道面食是出自印裔回教徒（又称嘛嘛档炒面）。印度炒面特别之处在于它的调味料中，加入了番茄酱和辣椒酱，吃起来酸酸甜甜，有点类似淋上番茄酱的意大利面。一般印度炒面，材料有马铃薯，炸豆干，豆芽，鸡蛋等，多是蔬菜。若没有酸柑汁，可以柠檬汁取代。

亚参叻沙是马来西亚槟城的代表性美食，该道料理在2011年也被美国有线电视新闻网路选为全球50大美食中的第七名。亚参叻沙是用甘榜鱼或马鲛鱼熬出来，略带酸味的浓汤，在熬制的过程中，加入姜花，南姜，香茅，红葱头，辣椒，叻沙叶(Daun Kesum) ，巴拉盏，罗望子和亚参果片等。接下来将濑粉烫熟，放置在碗内，再加上已切成丝或 碎片的凤梨，洋葱，篙苣，姜花，辣椒等材料，再淋上熬好的汤底，享用时，倒入约一汤匙的虾膏进行搅拌。

客家面又称“大埔面”是马来西亚客家社区的代表性面食之一，源自于中国广东省梅州市大埔县。由于马来西亚的年轻华人对于大埔少有概念，因此有些业者把“大埔面”改写成“客家面”以招揽更多的生意。久而久之，“客家面”这名词已取代“大埔面”，成为马来西亚华人对这道面食的称呼。客家面因少放碱水的因素，所以颜色偏白，其制作过程与竹升面相似，以面粉和鸡蛋作为材料，在和面过程中取竹竿反复骑压在面团，让面条产生筋性，以带有弹牙的口感。

鸡丝河粉是一道远自于马来西亚霹雳怡保市的一道传统`华人美食，是由中国广东省沙河镇的沙河粉所演变而成。怡保早期以盛产锡矿为名，因此吸引大量来自广东和客家的移民前来开采锡矿，因为思乡情怀之下，他们开始制作源自广东沙河镇的河粉。这些广东移民挑起扁担，在市区内开始卖起用老母鸡汤熬制，加上鸡丝的鸡丝河粉。

Denda Stamp with Postmark

In last year, Uncle Benjamin who is stamp collector asked me to help him do a favor. His friend from Macau will send letters to me. When I receive the letter, I need paste the denda stamp or penalty stamp on the envelope and get the postmark from post office. The purpose is his friend collect postmark for all states in Malaysia and I am helping him for Labuan postmark.

I am not sure how many days for the letters from Macau to my place. After few weeks, I received 2 red envelopes while 12 normal envelopes sent from Macau, not yet receive.

In January 2017, Uncle told me that his friend will resend the 12 envelopes to me because it seems lost because until January, I still did not receive it.

After few days his friend sent out the envelopes, on the same time I received the 12 envelopes. Wah, it seems like take around 1 month to reach. Therefore Uncle asked me stamped the envelopes first while the on the way envelopes send back to him when receive.

After paste all the denda stamps at house, I took all the envelopes to post office for stamping at next morning. I asked the staff to help me stamping but he stamped on the letters, not on the denda stamp. I told Uncle about it and he asked me to stamp again on the stamp.

I planned go to post office at next day but Uncle told me that post office wont stamp it at tomorrow because on a letter cannot has 2 dates. Therefore during lunch time, I went to post office. At first, I quite scared to go there again because in the morning, the staff seems unhappy and luckily in the afternoon is a girl. Finally it done!

Above is story for envelopes, now is story for postcard. Uncle did not want to get the postmark by send out the postcard from here. Therefore I need take the postcard to stamp on it. The post office staff did not stamp on the stamp.

When went for 2^nd time, I request for it. Staff told me that if they stamp on the stamp and the postcard did not send. Staff scared that the sender will compliant with post office that stamped postcard did not send out.

This task seems easy but when does but it’s not easy at all. I do received Rooster Maxicards as an appreciation from Macau.

Hand Drawing Rooster & Poem Postcards 2016

Same as year 2015, I joined postcard design competition from Malaysia Stamp Club in year 2016. The themes are Rooster Year and 3^rd Anniversary of Malaysia Stamp Club.

This is my hand drawing of Rooster Year postcard.

I want to try something special therefore I write a poem about 3^rd Anniversary of Malaysia Stamp Club.

I sent my hand drawing (scan) and poem postcards to Ronald (person in charge).  When came to the day to open voting for all postcards which been submitted, I found out that my poem postcard was missing therefore I asked Ronald.

He thought that my poem postcard is an explanation therefore he did not put online for voting. After heard my explanation, finally he put my poem postcard for voting. Same as before, I did not win for the contest because it has many drawing experts. I just join for fun!

Unexpected was all the participants can get a stamp as a prize. I got 2 stamps as prizes because I submitted 2 postcards. 

Vietnam Maps & Travel Notes

[Itinerary]

MAP

In this post, I just posted the map which I used during my trip. I cannot find a complete map which has everything that I want therefore I need to refer to many pieces of maps so that will not get lost. Haha.. All the maps I get are from internet, brochure and Google Map. I even draw it out :P

District 1

District 3

District 5 (Chinatown)

During travel, it’s important to recognize some landmark near with your hotel. From Cititel Boutique Ben Thanh Hotel to Pham Ngu Lao Street can see AB Tower.  On the way back to hotel from Ben Thanh Market, when I saw AB Tower (building is unique) , I can estimate that I am not far from hotel and at the right way back to hotel.

TRAVEL NOTES

Seems like 5 days 4 nights in Ho Chi Minh are no enough because it still have many places to explore.

Shopping

Taka Plaza

Vincom Center Shopping Mall

Dong Khoi Street: Ombo (shop for bag)

Le Thanh Ton Street: Japan Street

Le Cong Kieu Street: Antique Street

Ton That Thiep Street: Creative/Cute shop  (near Saigon Center)

Parks

Ho Con Rua or Turtle Lake

23/9 Park

Food & Drinks

Highlands Coffee

Ben Thanh Market- Be Che drinks

Pho 2000

Restaurant Bep Me In

Quanngon 138 Restaurant

Nha Hang Ngon

Quan Nem: only 2 dishes

Chill Skybar in AB Tower

Entertainment & Others

Golden Dragon Water Puppet  Theater (near with Independent Palace)

Dam Sen Water Park

Jade Emperor Pagoda

3A Alternative Art Area

Fine Arts Museum

Fito Museum (Museums of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine & Pharmacy)

Ao Dai Museum (Ao Dai is traditional dress of Vietnam)

Suoi Tien Amusement Park

Southern Women Museum (District 3)

Saigon Zoo

Tan Dinh: Vietnam Pink Church (Nha tho Giao xu Tan Sinh)

Tour

Vung Tau (by bus or ferry): Christ of Vung Tau (Giant Jesus)

Mekong Delta Tour

Chinatown

Binh Tay Market (Cho Binh Tay)

Thien Hau Temple

Quan Am Pagoda (Ao Ca Chua On Lang)