Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 4

Image from Locky's English Playground

Finally! I came, I saw, I ate.

It was quite a strange occasion because I didn't even intend to go to this restaurant that day, but then I only had 20 minutes and it was too little time for a proper dinner, and so, I gave it a go to meet my final (?) opponent.

Image from Locky's English Playground

The restaurant was small, and there were a lot of people, so I doubted for awhile that my food would not be arriving on time.

Image from Locky's English Playground

Looking around the cafe though gave me quite a comfort in terms of the taste and quality, since there are ads everywhere for their Hong Kong-style French toast.

Image from Locky's English Playground

With all the traditional Hong Kong milk tea making gears, my pre-dinner looked promising.

Image from Locky's English Playground

Not for long, the milk tea came, and no surprised there, it was smooth with lots of milk, which is the way I like it.

Image from Locky's English Playground

But the toast, came almost 5 minutes before I had to leave, and so the moments of enjoyment was much shortened, and chewing became devouring.

Image from Locky's English Playground

Despite the late-coming, the toast was gorgeous to look at, goldened with flakes of egg on the side, melty butter,

Image from Locky's English Playground

together with my favourite golden syrup, hm~~! Delectable!!

Then of course, the real challenge is what happens after the cut. Does it sag or does it reinflate?

Image from Locky's English Playground

It looked to me that it did sag at the edge, but the rest of the toast did not become flattened like that of Lok Tak Restaurant in North Point. It didn't feel as thick and full in the mouth as compared to the thin toast of Man Wah Restaurant, but it felt just nice.

I was eager to find out the secret...

Image from Locky's English Playground

Could this be the secret? A very light spread of peanut butter on just one side of the bread? Honestly speaking, peanut butter lovers will think this is unacceptable, but light spread on the bread means less weight on the bread from the knife and the peanut butter and thus the toast will not sink as much.

If you ask me to pick, I cannot choose between Man Wah Restaurant's and Kam Wah Cafe's Hong Kong-style French toast, they both are excellent in their own way, Man Wah's for its sponginess, Kam Wah's for its just-right in every aspect.

Why don't you give them a go and let me know what you think by leaving messages to me?

Scores:

Look:            ★★★★★ 5/5

Taste:            ★★★★★ 5/5

Smell:            ★★★★★ 5/5

Textures:       ★★★★★ 5/5

Temperature: ★★★★★ 5/5

Overall:         ★★★★★ 25/25

Vocabulary:
devour -- (vb) [T] to eat something eagerly and in large amounts so that nothing is left
delectable -- (adj) beautiful; giving great pleasure
sag -- (vb)[I] to drop down to a lower level in the middle
reinflate -- (vb)  [I or T] to cause to increase in size by filling with air again
flatten -- (vb) [I or T] to become level or cause something to become level
sponginess -- (n) [U] softness and ability to absorb or having already absorbed a lot of liquid, like a sponge



Resources:
Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 3 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2013/01/food-search-for-great-hong-kong-style_18.html

Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 2 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2013/01/food-search-for-great-hong-kong-style.html

Food: The Search For Great Hong Kong-style French Toast -- Part 1 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/12/food-search-for-great-french-toast-part.html

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/devour?q=devour+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/delectable?q=delectable+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/sag_1?q=sag
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/inflate_1?q=inflate
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/flatten_1?q=flatten+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/spongy?q=spongy

Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 5

Photosphere mode
Image from techmaish

Ho ho ho!!! It's time for some awesome apps once again! In the past 4 posts of Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend,  we have covered a number of great apps, yet apps just keep getting better, and the best of all 4 apps I want to share with you today, the first app is the best.

Android 4.2 Camera and Gallery
Just as you thought most on-phone camera apps have panorama mode which is cool enough, Google's Android 4.2 Jellybean on-phone camera app has pushed it to an even higher level with Photosphere! Watch the following video and you'll know.

Magnificient, isn't it? Do we need to upgrade to Android 4.2 to get this wicked camera app? You can, but not necessary, as long as you have rooted your phone, then you can simply download the APK and flash it with CWM Recovery or other Recovery system.

For Galaxy S3 (3G/LTE) and Note 2 (3G/LTE), download here
For Galaxy S2, download here
For other Android devices, try the one with S3 and Note 2 first.

I don't know about you, but I can't stop having fun with it!


LINE Brush

Image from Google Play

iPhone users have been enjoying this for awhile, and now it is finally the Android users turn. This lovely app cleverly provide the options for both photographers and artists, works like magic with an S Pen and satisfactorily with an index finger too!

Options to select your pen Image from Google Play

Options to adjust your effect Image from Google Play

There might be other apps on the internet that offer similar functions and effects, but few combines drawing, painting and retouching in one app!

Drawing on photos Image from Google Play

Great app! Well done, Naver! Two thumbs up!

LINE Tools

Image from Google Play

Tools apps there are plenty, but 14 in 1? I have only heard this back in the Game Boy days. So far, it consists of ...


★Measurement Tools
●Ruler, Protractor, Horizontal Gauge, Audio Level Monitor, Compass

★Time
●Stopwatch, Timer, Japanese Calendar

★Convenient Stuff
●Flashlight, Mirror, Magnifying Glass, Spaghetti Measurer

★Calculator
●Calculator, Japanese Year Converter

And as usual for all Naver LINE products, there is more to come!

Image from Google Play

Image from Google Play

Naver LINE is just such a great company! I'm in love with the company's creativity! These guys they really know what we need, you know?

How can anyone not be impressed with the Japanese?

WedMD for Android 

Image from Google Play

A generous American corporation since 1996 offering free and detailed information to everyone who owns this app, 

Trustworthy Information Image from Google Play

Select the body parts in concern Image from Google Play

Detailed information Image from Google Play

Medicine with pronunciation guide Image from Google Play

For House M.D. fan like myself, this is an marvellous app to learn tonnes about medicine while commuting. Also, when you do need advice, you'll always have some decent advice from this app.

That's all for now! But more apps to come very soon!

Vocabulary:
wicked -- (adj) informal excellent
commute -- (vb) [I] to make the same journey regularly between work and home 



Resources:

Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 4 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/07/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend.html

Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 3 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/06/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend_15.html


Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 2 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/06/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend.html 


Technology & News: Free Apps To Recommend Part 1 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2011/11/technology-news-free-apps-to-recommend.html

Samsung Galaxy S3 "Android 4.2 Camera" and Gallery with Photosphere @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG-CS9an5u4

LINE Brush @ Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.naver.linebrush.android

LINE Tools @ Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.naver.linetools

WedMD for Android @ Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.webmd.android

WedMD @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webmd

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/wicked_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/commute_1?q=commute

Technology: The Next Big Thing Has Come.. Again!!!!

Youm Flexible Display by Samsung
Image from The Verge

You're cheapening the thing by talking about it. -- Anthony Bourdain

This quote is so true when it is applied to the following videos.

But I'm sure they don't mind me cheapening them because they are still just prototypes.

Even though they are just prototypes, they are already looking real capable and functional. Still, that won't be the end of the story, because a bending device isn't so much of a push for people to buy their phones. Something has to be as ground-breaking as the "Designed for Humans" Galaxy S3 in order to actually generate the wows. 

With that said, we are already looking at the future of smartphones, phablets, tablets and even refrigerators and air-conditioners.

Vocabulary:

cheapen -- (vb) [T] disapproving to make someone or something seem less valuable or important so that people respect them less
prototype -- (n)[C] the first example of something, such as a machine or other industrial product, from which all later forms are developed

Resources:

Samsung Keynote @ CES 2013 - Youm Flexible Displays - Is it Galaxy V Display? @ YouTube

http://youtu.be/p3a9WrfzZOM?t=3m20s

First Look at Samsung's Youm flexible display tech @ YouTube
http://youtu.be/8SyKPULw73A

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/cheapen_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/prototype?q=prototypes#prototype__3

Message: Message To The World

Image from Locky's English Playground

Hello everybody! Great news! bb Sharky has decided to spread the message of shark conservation to the world by joining Facebook on the 25th Jan 2013! What a day to remember!

Now you can go to bb Sharky's Official Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/bbSharky, to get the latest news from bb Sharky as well as his latest portraits. Here's a free one he shares with you!

Image from Locky's English Playground

To show your support in bb Sharky's educational work, do visit the Facebook page, hit the "Like" button and share his page to your friends!


Resources:
bb Sharky's Official Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/bbSharky

Message: New bb Sharky Icon and Page Added @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2013/01/message-new-bb-sharky-icon-and-page.html

Animals: Doing My Part For The Sharks  @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2013/01/animals-doing-my-part-for-sharks.html

Message: New bb Sharky Icon and Page Added

Image from Locky's English Playground

Hello English Players, I have added a new bb Sharky icon to our update lists,

Image from Locky's English Playground

The purpose is to add a link for those of you who would like to do a little for the future of the sharks, the world and our children by educating the world through sharing bb Sharky around the internet.

For now, if you click the icon, it will simply take you to the post in which bb Sharky was born. In the near future, I will be adding more and more bb Sharky cartoons logos, so by clicking the bb Sharky icon you will be able to access the latest bb Sharky updates. I am thinking about starting a fan page for bb Sharky as well but that will depend on my availability.

So, do check out this new bb Sharky icon often and I will also update you guys with new message posts once there is any updates. I'm really excited to see more good looking bb Sharky's faces!

I'll be posting another bb Sharky logo tonight, stay tuned!

Language & Opinions: Neat Top 10s from Listverse

Image from Listverse

Last year's May, I first come across Listverse and I liked it! Yesterday, I was reading Listverse's Top 10s and found some pretty interesting ones I would like to share.

First of all, since I am an English teacher and this is the English Playground, we'll start with 10 Quirky But Cool Uses of English. 

In the article, the author talked about Garden Path Sentences, Syntactic Ambiguity, Paraprosdokians, Generonyms, auto-antonyms, and synonyms, Headlinese, Malapropisms, Parataxis, Semantic Nonsense, Lexical Ambiguity and Deixis.

If you ask me, I will definitely add my favourite Portmanteau into it because it is so much fun! Oh well, I am not the author of that article.

Among all 10 Uses of English, I like Paraprosdokians, because it allows the speakers to show his superiority and creativity in his language.

XDA Elite Recognized Developer Adam Outler once said,

"Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows"

Of course, he is not the first person to say it, but it was the first time I heard it, which is an amazingly witty line as in fact "failure is not an option" originally means there is no room for failure, and a success is a must. But after adding the later part, "it comes bundled with Windows", then the meaning changes to say that the Windows OS always fails and there is no escape from it as long as you use it.

The Julius Caesar example of Parataxis is cool,

"I came, I saw, I conquered"

Reminds me of the lyrics of Ludacris' Get Back, ending song for my favourite movie, Tropic Thunder,

"I came, I saw, I hit him right there in the jaw"

On another Top 10 list, Top 10 Ideas That Are Saving The World, I like the ideas of Bamboo Tumbleweed That Clears Landmines and Solar Bottle Bulb the most.

Bamboo Tumbleweed That Clears Landmines
Image from Listverse

Sweeping mines with a plunger ball, how cool is that?

Solar Bottle Bulb
Image from Listverse

Also, I never knew that light can be "captured" using a plastic bottle and some bleach. The sunlight cannot be stored and it really depends on the weather of every day, but it is better than having none at all. Simple science at work benefiting hundreds.

Image from totesmax

Lastly for not least, Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Pornography, truly enlightening is the fact that pornography was invented by the Victorians, never knew that they were so opened. 70% of the hotel profits from room service came from pornographic movies is another shock, then the room service staff must also be meeting porn stars 7 times out of 10 calls. What I do know is that the porn industry helped Blu-ray disc beat HD-DVD, the fluffer job, sex crimes are low in Japan, but how about some stats from other countries like the U.S. as well?

Vocabulary:
quirky -- (adj) unusual in an attractive and interesting way
failure is not an option -- there is no room for failure, and a success is a must
plunger -- (n) 

Image from visualdictionaryonline

fluffer -- (n) [C] a person employed by film studios to “arouse” the male participants prior to filming scenes



Resources:
Movie & Event: Short Circuit 2 & Happy 25th, 'Short Circuit!' @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2011/05/movie-event-short-circuit-2-happy-25th.html

Vocabulary: Do You Wordplay? -- Portmanteau @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2012/12/vocabulary-do-you-wordplay-portmanteau.html

Movie: Tropic Thunder (For Advanced level) @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2009/03/movie-tropic-thunder-for-advanced-level.html

10 Quirky But Cool Uses of English @ Listverse
http://listverse.com/2012/12/22/10-quirky-but-cool-uses-of-english/

Ludacris - Get Back (MTV Version) @ YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37aG0c23Gx4

Top 10 Ideas That Are Saving The World @ Listverse
http://listverse.com/2012/12/20/top-10-ideas-that-are-saving-the-world/

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Pornography  @ Listverse
http://listverse.com/2009/02/04/top-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-pornography/

Bringing light to the poor, one liter at a time @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9fpolCvM-8

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/quirky?q=quirky