To all Sabahans and to those who would like to know more about Sabahan local products, please visit the Food & Beverage Expo from December 18 to 21, 2008.
Vedablu will also run a booth. So swing by and visit us!
Venue location: Sabah Trade Center, Likas.
See you there!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Lets talk Gelato Flavours!
One of the things on my to do list today was to design some new flavour tags for my new ice cream flavours for Xmas and New Year. The two new flavours are Green Apple (milk base) and Red Wine Sorbet.
So as usual, 'google-ing' for ideas, and one website let to another and I came across this very nice website about Italian Gelato. The post was Italian Gelato Flavors Decoded. Check it out! Very informative as we have so many Italian flavours and we have many customers asking what are those flavours and others even dare not to order because they are afraid of pronouncing those flavours. I truly understand, because even all our staff are trained to pronounce each and every flavour name accurately.
Ice Cream flavours are endless and there are no limitation of ideas on what to create. There is only one limitation though being in Sabah, raw material! How are we going to source raw material for these new creations without going overboard on cost? Truth be told, we lose on some we make on some just to bring our customers the diversity of flavours.
So as usual, 'google-ing' for ideas, and one website let to another and I came across this very nice website about Italian Gelato. The post was Italian Gelato Flavors Decoded. Check it out! Very informative as we have so many Italian flavours and we have many customers asking what are those flavours and others even dare not to order because they are afraid of pronouncing those flavours. I truly understand, because even all our staff are trained to pronounce each and every flavour name accurately.
Ice Cream flavours are endless and there are no limitation of ideas on what to create. There is only one limitation though being in Sabah, raw material! How are we going to source raw material for these new creations without going overboard on cost? Truth be told, we lose on some we make on some just to bring our customers the diversity of flavours.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Quirky Tag!
I am so busy and not even supposed to be blogging here, but it is lunch time and I am so sleepy to be effective in doing work for the next half hour or so. I must fight this sleepiness, not easy after only about 4 hours sleep last night.
Becoming stressed out and was just dropping by to a few friend's blogs. I got a QUIRKY TAG from Melissa. Don't know how it works and how many quirky things I have to jot down, but will start and see how far I get.
Quirky things about me:
1. I am a chilli addict! The spicier the better. If I can I will put chilli in everything I eat. In soups,rice, porridge, noodles, pastas, pizzas, steaks, u name it. I think my spicy and hot tolerance is quite high and friends often wonder how I even taste the food past the chilli. See proof below:
Very spicy stir fry in Beijing
Look at how much chilli that was in that bowl!
2. I am quite an emotional person but also made strong after a few life changing experiences. I get hurt easily but also recover easily. Whats quirky is that, I have got this thinking where everything should be mind over matter and as soon as I decide to stop being emotional I build a wall and the problem cease to exist. So alot of people who do not know me well will regard me as cold and without emotion.
3. I am afraid and have a phobia of all kinds of insects no matter how small, especially cockroaches. In fact, I can sense a cockroach within a few meters radius from me.
4. I cannot whistle and no matter how hard I try whistling. So when people whistle I hum to the music.
5. I can never till now make a snapping noise when I snap my fingers.
6. I cannot eat outside alone.
7. Since I started to paint my toe nails when I was 17, I can't stand the sight of unpainted toe nails.
8. I don't like the idea of having to share a bed with another lady friend or even close relatives. When there are certain occasions which require me to share a bed, I will gladly relocate myself onto a sofa or the floor and give them the bed to themselves.
Thats all the quirkiness I can think of.
I now send this Quirky Tag to Jacq, Virgil & Ezoone!
Becoming stressed out and was just dropping by to a few friend's blogs. I got a QUIRKY TAG from Melissa. Don't know how it works and how many quirky things I have to jot down, but will start and see how far I get.
Quirky things about me:
1. I am a chilli addict! The spicier the better. If I can I will put chilli in everything I eat. In soups,rice, porridge, noodles, pastas, pizzas, steaks, u name it. I think my spicy and hot tolerance is quite high and friends often wonder how I even taste the food past the chilli. See proof below:
Very spicy stir fry in Beijing
Look at how much chilli that was in that bowl!
2. I am quite an emotional person but also made strong after a few life changing experiences. I get hurt easily but also recover easily. Whats quirky is that, I have got this thinking where everything should be mind over matter and as soon as I decide to stop being emotional I build a wall and the problem cease to exist. So alot of people who do not know me well will regard me as cold and without emotion.
3. I am afraid and have a phobia of all kinds of insects no matter how small, especially cockroaches. In fact, I can sense a cockroach within a few meters radius from me.
4. I cannot whistle and no matter how hard I try whistling. So when people whistle I hum to the music.
5. I can never till now make a snapping noise when I snap my fingers.
6. I cannot eat outside alone.
7. Since I started to paint my toe nails when I was 17, I can't stand the sight of unpainted toe nails.
8. I don't like the idea of having to share a bed with another lady friend or even close relatives. When there are certain occasions which require me to share a bed, I will gladly relocate myself onto a sofa or the floor and give them the bed to themselves.
Thats all the quirkiness I can think of.
I now send this Quirky Tag to Jacq, Virgil & Ezoone!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
'Tis the Season to be Jolly~
People who are not in the food & beverage line or the service line, will be rejoicing. People like me have some mixed feelings as we know that during the season to be jolly we are painstakingly making all the preparations to give our customers the best Christmas experience they can have!
In our ice cream business, the list of preparation goes on and on starting from decor planning, to development of new Christmas ice cream flavours, new dessert menu, new promotions, changed operations, staffing, etc.
Tomorrow I will be going into the factory to concoct a few new delicious flavours with the production team just for the Christmas and New Year. Then working with our pastry chef to try out some very nice dessert ideas we have. Can't reveal anything just yet.
Apart from that, the expansion continues, the new lot we have is being renovated to fit in a mock kiosk or parlour for better staff training and to increase storage for all the stock of raw materials we import from italy, packaging materials from kuala lumpur, etc.
Soon 6 weeks would have passed and then we would have to reflect on what we have done in 2008 and welcome the new year. However, that will be another story.
In our ice cream business, the list of preparation goes on and on starting from decor planning, to development of new Christmas ice cream flavours, new dessert menu, new promotions, changed operations, staffing, etc.
Tomorrow I will be going into the factory to concoct a few new delicious flavours with the production team just for the Christmas and New Year. Then working with our pastry chef to try out some very nice dessert ideas we have. Can't reveal anything just yet.
Apart from that, the expansion continues, the new lot we have is being renovated to fit in a mock kiosk or parlour for better staff training and to increase storage for all the stock of raw materials we import from italy, packaging materials from kuala lumpur, etc.
Soon 6 weeks would have passed and then we would have to reflect on what we have done in 2008 and welcome the new year. However, that will be another story.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Latest Scoop on Me.....
Haven't posted anything up lately. For a month actually! Been doing a lot of catching up since returning from my study trip in Denmark for 5 1/2 weeks, then was in China, then back in town but somehow, it just takes time to settle things that has been piling up for months. It takes time to get back in sync with life and work too! Alot of things can change in 2 months.
As hectic as it was in Denmark somehow I really enjoyed my time there and would return again anytime... and sometimes would still close my eyes and wish I could teleport myself out of here to be stress free for just 5 mins.
So Obama won!! Yeah!! I went to work late just to watch the final results of the votes and to see the future President of America make his speech. He will start his duties on January 20th 2009. So I will think of him, on my birthday =)
End of the year is approaching fast, and it will get busy a week from now when school holiday starts. I will be in Brunei for a couple of days next week, and then from there on, I expect it to be non stop working till after NEW YEAR next year. I am also fretting about the thought of going christmas shopping. I really am bad at shopping, and never can figure out what to get my family and close friends.
I leave u with 2 pictures from my trip to Denmark. Picture 1: Me, team mate Yvonne and our host father Paul at one of the entrances of the Carlsberg Museum in Copenhagen. Picture 2: Me and a very old Bible from 1686, yes that Bible is 322 years old!
As hectic as it was in Denmark somehow I really enjoyed my time there and would return again anytime... and sometimes would still close my eyes and wish I could teleport myself out of here to be stress free for just 5 mins.
So Obama won!! Yeah!! I went to work late just to watch the final results of the votes and to see the future President of America make his speech. He will start his duties on January 20th 2009. So I will think of him, on my birthday =)
End of the year is approaching fast, and it will get busy a week from now when school holiday starts. I will be in Brunei for a couple of days next week, and then from there on, I expect it to be non stop working till after NEW YEAR next year. I am also fretting about the thought of going christmas shopping. I really am bad at shopping, and never can figure out what to get my family and close friends.
I leave u with 2 pictures from my trip to Denmark. Picture 1: Me, team mate Yvonne and our host father Paul at one of the entrances of the Carlsberg Museum in Copenhagen. Picture 2: Me and a very old Bible from 1686, yes that Bible is 322 years old!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ice Cream Makes My Day
Been here for nearly 4 weeks in Copenhagen. Its funny, how I can crave ice cream when I just miss it for a day. These are 2 pictures of ice cream I ate in Copenhagen.
McDonald's McFlurry Berries DKK10.00 (RM7.00)
Paradis Ice Cream, Baileys & Chocolate Flavour, DKK22.00 (RM15.00)
I have eaten many other ice creams but did not take any photos unfortunately.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
First 2 weeks out of 5 weeks in Denmark
This is day number 14 in Denmark. Currently am on the Cruise Ship called the Crown of Scandinavia. We left Copenhagen on Friday evening, arrived Oslo, Norway this morning and had the day to roam around the city.
The national song is playing now as it leaves the Oslo Harbour to return to Copenhagen. This 14 days has been full of activities from morning to night. It is tiring but yet fulfilling. So far I have learnt alot from my prearranged work vocation courtesy of the Rotary Clubs of Denmark.
I have stayed with 2 wonderful host families.
A picture of me on the ship yesterday at departure:
Sunrise at 6:30am this morning:
Picture of the full moon from the cruise ship (photo taken & courtesy of Chan Tzun Hei):
The national song is playing now as it leaves the Oslo Harbour to return to Copenhagen. This 14 days has been full of activities from morning to night. It is tiring but yet fulfilling. So far I have learnt alot from my prearranged work vocation courtesy of the Rotary Clubs of Denmark.
I have stayed with 2 wonderful host families.
A picture of me on the ship yesterday at departure:
Sunrise at 6:30am this morning:
Picture of the full moon from the cruise ship (photo taken & courtesy of Chan Tzun Hei):
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Packing for 5 weeks
I love travelling but absolutely hate the idea of packing especially for a long trip. It will be Autumn in Denmark. Pros, at least don't need to bring too many clothes because when you don't sweat, you could always re-wear your clothing. Especially jeans! The Cons is that, to counter the cold and wind, you would need to bring an outer jacket, a wind breaker, sweater, scarves, cardigans, etc. I had to dig my closet for my autumn/winter wear and had them dry cleaned.
I may be a girl but I hate the idea of travelling heavy and lugging around luggages. I can live on the minimal, and do find having minimal items on a trip rather refreshing. However, I got a feeling its something I cannot avoid for this trip as there will be many souveniers and brochures to carry, not to mention my Murut costume which will already be taking up a few KG's. After all its not a holiday. It is a work/study/culture exchange. Sigh...
I will be leaving on Friday and still haven't started sorting out what to pack. Am currently working out the list on all that I have to bring, so I do not forget anthing.
In addition to that, I haven't gotten all my work done to prepare for the time I am away. I guess no time shall be sufficient because there will always work to be done if I stay put here here. The time the plane takes off to Stockholm from KLIA, I think I will begin to relax.
This may be my last entry for the next couple of days, will try to blog more about my travels and shall try my very best to be the best ambassador for SABAH and Malaysia =)
I may be a girl but I hate the idea of travelling heavy and lugging around luggages. I can live on the minimal, and do find having minimal items on a trip rather refreshing. However, I got a feeling its something I cannot avoid for this trip as there will be many souveniers and brochures to carry, not to mention my Murut costume which will already be taking up a few KG's. After all its not a holiday. It is a work/study/culture exchange. Sigh...
I will be leaving on Friday and still haven't started sorting out what to pack. Am currently working out the list on all that I have to bring, so I do not forget anthing.
In addition to that, I haven't gotten all my work done to prepare for the time I am away. I guess no time shall be sufficient because there will always work to be done if I stay put here here. The time the plane takes off to Stockholm from KLIA, I think I will begin to relax.
This may be my last entry for the next couple of days, will try to blog more about my travels and shall try my very best to be the best ambassador for SABAH and Malaysia =)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Journey to opening of Vedablu Sandakan
With less then a week to the opening date of the Sandakan Vedablu franchised outlet, and awaiting completion of the renovation works, the anticipation grows. Those attending the opening and later be a regular patron will see the shop complete and in order, would not know realize the effort that some of my dedicate colleagues went through to get things in order for the opening. There has been alot of work going on in the background, items to order, compililation and alot of coordination with different suppliers. Today, the team working together, completed I would say 80% of the journey.
The other 20% would be the unloading of all the goods that we sent from Kota Kinabalu on a 15 tonne truck, unpacking, arrangement, testing of all the equipments that has been tested here and programming done, final training, with all things in going through the operation & service flow of the outlet, duplicating our operating systems in Sandakan, etc.
I will not be there for the last 20% of the journey, but I am happy to be part of the team that did the most hard work. The team is not huge but consists of a few dedicated people who I think are amazing because they really went the extra mile. Christina (FC), Joyce (The PA, 8 mths pregnant and active), Laura (Production manager cum everything else when Im gone for 6 weeks), Kazumi (Acct Exec), Jairyn (Production Supervisor), Mamek and Jo (Production Asst), and the team whill be going there without me :( Nanie (Pastry Chef) and Siti (Team Leader). I know that you all be feeling the reward and satisfaction after all the hard work because we all share the same dream and nobody knows better then ourselves. There were so many little details...even the most petty details needed handling and I am confident you all will do well.
Honestly, at times when I feel times are hard, I remember why we are doing this and look at your dedication and I am honoured to be associated with all of you. I don't think anyone else, inspite me documenting this here will know the 'difficulties' we all tackled.
Tomorrow there is still the hurdle of the productions. As we really only produce on the last minute to ensure freshness. Tomorrow is again production day (on a sunday) to finish certain flavours that will leave on the freezer truck on Monday.
Although I will be flying off to Denmark for my study exchange and will not be able to participate in the opening, I am very excited and anxious for our franchisee and Vedablu. Wish I could be there but I have faith in the few team members and it will be the greatest outlet opening to date.
Ice Cream Display Freezer (500KG) already on, now to maneuvour the ice cream showcase freezer, steady does it.
The other 20% would be the unloading of all the goods that we sent from Kota Kinabalu on a 15 tonne truck, unpacking, arrangement, testing of all the equipments that has been tested here and programming done, final training, with all things in going through the operation & service flow of the outlet, duplicating our operating systems in Sandakan, etc.
Part of the chinaware...
I will not be there for the last 20% of the journey, but I am happy to be part of the team that did the most hard work. The team is not huge but consists of a few dedicated people who I think are amazing because they really went the extra mile. Christina (FC), Joyce (The PA, 8 mths pregnant and active), Laura (Production manager cum everything else when Im gone for 6 weeks), Kazumi (Acct Exec), Jairyn (Production Supervisor), Mamek and Jo (Production Asst), and the team whill be going there without me :( Nanie (Pastry Chef) and Siti (Team Leader). I know that you all be feeling the reward and satisfaction after all the hard work because we all share the same dream and nobody knows better then ourselves. There were so many little details...even the most petty details needed handling and I am confident you all will do well.
Part of the Vedablu printed packaging materials to be sent
Honestly, at times when I feel times are hard, I remember why we are doing this and look at your dedication and I am honoured to be associated with all of you. I don't think anyone else, inspite me documenting this here will know the 'difficulties' we all tackled.
Professional transporters/movers required for professional transporting needs
Tomorrow there is still the hurdle of the productions. As we really only produce on the last minute to ensure freshness. Tomorrow is again production day (on a sunday) to finish certain flavours that will leave on the freezer truck on Monday.
Although I will be flying off to Denmark for my study exchange and will not be able to participate in the opening, I am very excited and anxious for our franchisee and Vedablu. Wish I could be there but I have faith in the few team members and it will be the greatest outlet opening to date.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Alone Time
Once in awhile, I feel this need to have alone time. In this alone time, I will spend time doing things for myself and probably for my own sanity. I think its important for us to love ourselves and spend time on ourselves before we can continue helping and being there for others. Too much giving takes a toll on you sometimes.
The things I do in my 'alone time':-
No matter what, or how alone I may want to be there is one thing I don't like to do alone.
The things I do in my 'alone time':-
- Take a long drive somewhere to clear my thoughts
- Have a long hot bath
- Watch movies at home or in the cinema
- Cook myself a good meal or bake a cake for my family
- Shopping in a supermarket or malls
- Personal grooming
No matter what, or how alone I may want to be there is one thing I don't like to do alone.
- Eat alone ( so I either don't eat or buy some food go somewhere to eat alone without people around)
I think most men will not have problems eating alone, but I know a few ladies as well who hate to eat alone.
When do I need alone time?
- When I am stressed out and need time to sort out problems
- When I need space or privacy to be emotional
- When I am just too too tired to even put on a smile or have a conversation
No matter how important the alone time is for me, there will always be a person or two who may be an exception that I always wish could be with me after awhile. They understand me well enough to know to be with me and make me feel better without me having to say anything. Some people just have a calming presence.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Vedablu Sandakan Opening August 31, 2008
Our Licensed/Franchised Outlet will be opening in Sandakan on Merdeka Day, August 31st. The two storey Vedablu Shop is located in Taman Utama IJM, beside Giant supermarket.
Enjoy the full range of Vedablu Premium Ice Cream products, fruit smoothies, specialty coffee, pastas, desserts and a selection of ice cream and gourmet cakes.
Sadly, I will not be there but our team from Kota Kinabalu will be there to celebrate this seventh opening of Vedablu outlet.
For Vedablu fans in Sandakan, look out for your local newspaper advertisements for cut out discount coupons and free scoop coupons for redemption!!
Enjoy the full range of Vedablu Premium Ice Cream products, fruit smoothies, specialty coffee, pastas, desserts and a selection of ice cream and gourmet cakes.
Sadly, I will not be there but our team from Kota Kinabalu will be there to celebrate this seventh opening of Vedablu outlet.
For Vedablu fans in Sandakan, look out for your local newspaper advertisements for cut out discount coupons and free scoop coupons for redemption!!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Craving for Chocolate
Chocolate...who doesn't love chocolate. For the past week or so I have been craving for chocolate. I love chocolate, but never had I have this kind of craving before. Worse, I eat more chocolate and drink more hot chocolate just before bed time. I have been having at least half of bar of chocolate (those large bars) and at least 2 cups of hot cocoa. I do not know if its stress or just body telling me to stack up the sugars because it needs it. After a week, I am starting to worry about the calories. =(
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A Picture is worth a thousand words
Pictures are better then explanation or storytelling sometimes. While uploading some of my product pictures into photobucket, I thought that it would be a good idea to add a slideshow here. Somehow or rather the size is not right...hmm gotta figure out how to fix that another day.
I will have an early night tonight (if 1:36am is considered early. Good night~~
I will have an early night tonight (if 1:36am is considered early. Good night~~
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
More to 8/8/8 then Beijing Olympic 2008
This event is so great and amazing that for a time there I expected the sales to be lower on 8/8/8 and maybe didn't really mind. Today during my meeting and briefing with my team leaders for the outlets they commented, " Jie, ( they call me big sis, I prefer that to boss), 8/8/8 punyala kosong, sebelah kita biasa penuh itu Old Town White Coffee pun kosong oh". Translation : "Jie, it was so queit on 8/8/8 due to the olympics, even Old Town White Coffe was empty".
I missed the opening because I attended my friend, Ben Liew's wedding dinner. However, would not have missed it for the world. You two are a beautiful couple Ben and Lindsay. Gorgeous wedding photos (featuring the long house and rice paddy fields of Sabah) and beautiful families the both of you. Ben joked and thank us for coming, actually full attendance at the 55 tables, because he only had to fight against the biggest event in the whole wide world. Then he said he chose 8/8/8 not because of its meaning to be rich or prosperous but because, his parents wedding falls on 8/8 and because her parents wedding annivesary also was 8/8. This was very touching. Then the two extra huge cakes were brought out and their parents cut the cake. It was really a surprise for their parents. Then Lindsay's dad sang Bob Carlisle's 'Butterfly Kisses' to her. I nearly cried. Yes yes... I am an emotional person. But moreover, I always told my mum, I wanted my dad to sing that on my wedding day. The best things about weddings though is you really get to hang out with old friends again. This is a picture of us who attended.
So the wedding ends... I reach home just in time to see the torch being lighted up. Amazing! I think China out done themselves. KUDOS! The next morning I saw the repeated telecast on Astro. I was more awed. Nobody could possibly have done better. The numbers and the discipline they have was extraordinary. They have really raised the bar to an unparallel level.
Incorporating their traditions and trade into the show
Delicate details and beauty of all their costumes
Globe and faces of people of the world depicting unity through one event
End of ceremony with fireworks display seen here from the inside of the "birds nest" Olympic Stadium.
More Weddings to attend, in this month. I joke to my friends, why wanna get married in 8/8/8? Shouldn't we be focused on 9/9/9. I would prefer 9/9/9 because it would mean everlasting love or marriage instead of marriage properity in monetary terms. When I mentioned this to my cousin who was married on 7/7/7 last year she said " Hey girl, to get married in 9/9/9 you must already be proposed to, made church bookings, hotel bookings, etc." Errr... ok I don't think I will make it... Just a thought getting married on 10/10/10 sounds very techie.. 101010 programming language. Lets not lose sight here... important thing in a marriage is not only the date but importantly to marry someone you love and want to spend your whole life with, that someone who feels the same way too. When you have this, the date is far from secondary.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A Little Of Everything (ALOE)
I do this posts when I have not updated this blog for two reasons, ONE, not time to blog, TWO too many things happening in a day to possibly blog about. So basically its a snapshot or summary of whats been happening with me.
August 2, 2008 : The 2nd Sabah Bloggers Meet
We were one of the sponsors and I think earlier sponsors. Jacq, one of the organizing committee met up with me as early as in March I think.
I think half of the bloggers there were like hesitant to approach us at first, with some of them asking "Jual kah ni?" ("Are you selling these?"). So my two cute staff were explaining that we are sponsoring meaning its free. Then more and more bloggers started coming for the ice cream. At the end, I think there were a few who didn't get their ice creams. We are sorry. We supplied 160 scoops for free, and first come first serve. Then there was a lady blogger, who came over, and took a photo of me and my display freezer. Then she asked me, "There I took the photo, can I have my ice cream?" I found that a little awkward (not in a bad way)... there was no ice cream left, only the few which I kept for the organizing committee but I gave her one scoop. The reason why I felt awkward was that it made me feel that she was forced to in a way take a picture of me and Vedablu in order to get the ice cream. That made me feel funny... because after all we are sponsoring. Of course it would be great if you really took a photo and post them out in your blog. Anyhow, if you happened to stumble on this blog, I hope you enjoyed your ice cream =)
I must thank you for the nice comments all of you gave on Vedablu on the multiple sites of bloggers I visited when I googled Vedablu and Sabah Bloggers Gathering. For those who have always been customers of Vedablu, we are happy to be giving back to you through these sponsored events.
I must also thank my team for setting up for the event, because I was so busy on that particular day, attending to the trainings and meetings. I honestly was buggered that night. Was a super busy week for me. Was so so tired hence my lack of cheery mood and you can see from the picture above. It was nice to see this event a success, and its a brilliant idea to see how it brings bloggers together.
Will post more photos up as and when the designated photographer hands me the photos.
Training For New Sandakan Franchisee:
For the past 2 weeks the training for the new franchisee was being conducted. I think both of them have graduated marvelously. It was nice being with them. They will still be with us till the 19th this month. Vedablu, Sandakan is scheduled to be opened on August 31, 2008. The out is located near Giant and IJM. This Vedablu Shop will be the biggest so far, with Ground Floor, 1st Floor (available for event bookings) and an outside seating area.
New Menu for Vedablu Shops:
In the next couple of days we will be introducing a whole new range of pies, cakes, ice cream cake and Pasta at our City Mall Shop.
Pies:Chicken Pie, Coconut Pie, Peach Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Banana Pie.
Cakes: Tiramisu & Passion Fruit Mousse Cake
Ice Cream Cake: Gourmet Ice Cream Cake (Layers of Chocolate Nutty Praline, Chocolate Mouse and Ice Cream)
Pastas: Chicken Bolognaise, Beef Bolognaise, Pasta Arrabiata, Pasta Marinara and Chicken Alfredo.
Watch out for the promotions!
My Group Study Exchange to Denmark:
The travel itinerary has been tentatively confirmed. I would be leaving on the August 29th and will be returning on October 6, 2008. This is longer then expected. However, I think it will be a good trip and a good change to scenery. Am also happy because I get to share with hundreds and thousands of people in Denmark about Sabah and of course Malaysia. In the weeks there I will be living with a few host families and I look forward to this because as I was growing up, we often hosted study and cultural exchange students.
There will also be a week of time dedicated of visiting and perhaps working in my vocation. Which is the ice cream franchise!! =) I will bring back more knowledge of ice cream and make Vedablu Ice Cream better. As the time nears, I am so worried about leaving work behind but at the same time excited with the thought of having new experiences.
I shall be bringing my lap top and hopefully will find the time to blog and post pictures of my daily adventures in Denmark.
Thats all for now...
August 2, 2008 : The 2nd Sabah Bloggers Meet
We were one of the sponsors and I think earlier sponsors. Jacq, one of the organizing committee met up with me as early as in March I think.
I think half of the bloggers there were like hesitant to approach us at first, with some of them asking "Jual kah ni?" ("Are you selling these?"). So my two cute staff were explaining that we are sponsoring meaning its free. Then more and more bloggers started coming for the ice cream. At the end, I think there were a few who didn't get their ice creams. We are sorry. We supplied 160 scoops for free, and first come first serve. Then there was a lady blogger, who came over, and took a photo of me and my display freezer. Then she asked me, "There I took the photo, can I have my ice cream?" I found that a little awkward (not in a bad way)... there was no ice cream left, only the few which I kept for the organizing committee but I gave her one scoop. The reason why I felt awkward was that it made me feel that she was forced to in a way take a picture of me and Vedablu in order to get the ice cream. That made me feel funny... because after all we are sponsoring. Of course it would be great if you really took a photo and post them out in your blog. Anyhow, if you happened to stumble on this blog, I hope you enjoyed your ice cream =)
I must thank you for the nice comments all of you gave on Vedablu on the multiple sites of bloggers I visited when I googled Vedablu and Sabah Bloggers Gathering. For those who have always been customers of Vedablu, we are happy to be giving back to you through these sponsored events.
I must also thank my team for setting up for the event, because I was so busy on that particular day, attending to the trainings and meetings. I honestly was buggered that night. Was a super busy week for me. Was so so tired hence my lack of cheery mood and you can see from the picture above. It was nice to see this event a success, and its a brilliant idea to see how it brings bloggers together.
Will post more photos up as and when the designated photographer hands me the photos.
Training For New Sandakan Franchisee:
For the past 2 weeks the training for the new franchisee was being conducted. I think both of them have graduated marvelously. It was nice being with them. They will still be with us till the 19th this month. Vedablu, Sandakan is scheduled to be opened on August 31, 2008. The out is located near Giant and IJM. This Vedablu Shop will be the biggest so far, with Ground Floor, 1st Floor (available for event bookings) and an outside seating area.
New Menu for Vedablu Shops:
In the next couple of days we will be introducing a whole new range of pies, cakes, ice cream cake and Pasta at our City Mall Shop.
Pies:Chicken Pie, Coconut Pie, Peach Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Banana Pie.
Cakes: Tiramisu & Passion Fruit Mousse Cake
Ice Cream Cake: Gourmet Ice Cream Cake (Layers of Chocolate Nutty Praline, Chocolate Mouse and Ice Cream)
Pastas: Chicken Bolognaise, Beef Bolognaise, Pasta Arrabiata, Pasta Marinara and Chicken Alfredo.
Watch out for the promotions!
My Group Study Exchange to Denmark:
The travel itinerary has been tentatively confirmed. I would be leaving on the August 29th and will be returning on October 6, 2008. This is longer then expected. However, I think it will be a good trip and a good change to scenery. Am also happy because I get to share with hundreds and thousands of people in Denmark about Sabah and of course Malaysia. In the weeks there I will be living with a few host families and I look forward to this because as I was growing up, we often hosted study and cultural exchange students.
There will also be a week of time dedicated of visiting and perhaps working in my vocation. Which is the ice cream franchise!! =) I will bring back more knowledge of ice cream and make Vedablu Ice Cream better. As the time nears, I am so worried about leaving work behind but at the same time excited with the thought of having new experiences.
I shall be bringing my lap top and hopefully will find the time to blog and post pictures of my daily adventures in Denmark.
Thats all for now...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Increase of Annual Sales Threshold Applying Government Service Tax 5%
Our Malaysian Prime Minister made and official statement on June 4, 2008 regarding the restructuring of subsidies given by the goverment with regards to the recent oil price hikes.
One of the changes were the increase of the goverment sales tax (GST) threshhold for eateries located outside the hotels. According to the press release, this is to ensure that the Malaysian people do not feel burdened with paying the extra 5% of GST. Previously, eateries making a revenue of RM500,000/annum must charge and collect the 5% GST from their customers. Now, the revenue threshold has been increased to RM3,000,000. This was made effective July 1st, 2008.
When we were deciding, whether to temporarily eliminate the GST, we enquired for some information from the Jabatan Kastam (Customs Department). Their response was if we felt that we would not reach the RM3,000,000.00 then it was ok to stop collecting GST. Otherwise, there is no clear guideline indicating if we should stop collecting the GST or continue collecting GST. Anyhow, we decided to stop charging the GST to our consumers effective July 16, 2008 until we hit the new threshold of RM3,000,000.
So last time, one scoop of Vedablu Ice Cream would cost RM5.88 after 5% GST. Now one scoop will cost RM5.60. Saving the customers RM0.28 cents or with the rounding RM0.30.
So tips to consumers out there. As a consumer, especially when you eat out alot, check on your receipts. Just imagine if you spend RM300/mth on eating out a month, not paying the GST's would mean savings of RM15.00! Can buy additional 5.5 Liters of petrol for the month. Also as a consumer, if you doubt that any eatery you go to is making RM250,000 per month or RM3,000,000 per year. It is always your right to enquire. Because as long as they collect GST, they would have to pay this to the Jabatan Kastam at the end of the month.
One of the changes were the increase of the goverment sales tax (GST) threshhold for eateries located outside the hotels. According to the press release, this is to ensure that the Malaysian people do not feel burdened with paying the extra 5% of GST. Previously, eateries making a revenue of RM500,000/annum must charge and collect the 5% GST from their customers. Now, the revenue threshold has been increased to RM3,000,000. This was made effective July 1st, 2008.
When we were deciding, whether to temporarily eliminate the GST, we enquired for some information from the Jabatan Kastam (Customs Department). Their response was if we felt that we would not reach the RM3,000,000.00 then it was ok to stop collecting GST. Otherwise, there is no clear guideline indicating if we should stop collecting the GST or continue collecting GST. Anyhow, we decided to stop charging the GST to our consumers effective July 16, 2008 until we hit the new threshold of RM3,000,000.
So last time, one scoop of Vedablu Ice Cream would cost RM5.88 after 5% GST. Now one scoop will cost RM5.60. Saving the customers RM0.28 cents or with the rounding RM0.30.
So tips to consumers out there. As a consumer, especially when you eat out alot, check on your receipts. Just imagine if you spend RM300/mth on eating out a month, not paying the GST's would mean savings of RM15.00! Can buy additional 5.5 Liters of petrol for the month. Also as a consumer, if you doubt that any eatery you go to is making RM250,000 per month or RM3,000,000 per year. It is always your right to enquire. Because as long as they collect GST, they would have to pay this to the Jabatan Kastam at the end of the month.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
First Entry through ScribeFire Blog Editor 2.2.10
I just added this super add-on to my FireFox Browser. So just wanted to test the functions out. The cool thing about this is that you could actually manage and update few blogs from one blog editor.
Secondly, you could surf the web while composing your blog entry without having to switch tabs. The browser is split into half, top is the usual browser window, and below is the editor.
I also appreciated the fact that I could add flicker pictures and you tube files directly into my blog posts, insert special characters and even check live previews of my new blog entry.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Cheese made Locally in Sabah
I am a sucker for locally produced or homegrown products. Having the chance to study and live abroad there is a main difference between the mindset of our Malaysian consumers and consumers living in other western countries (I am saying the majority in general). Our Malaysian consumers has this mindset that locally produced products are less superior in quality, therefore they are more willing to pay triple the price for products that are imported because they feel it is more high quality.
Whereas, overseas, consumer picks up a products which are made in their own country.The are proud buying products which are manufactured in their own country. Not only that, they know that it would contain less preservative and would be fresher.
I have studied alot of our customer's comments and pattern. Most of them believe that our product should be cheap like other industrial or generic ice creams. Why? because they are made in Sabah. Sometimes forgetting we are selling premium ice cream, equivalent to Haagen Daz quality and we are half the price of Haagen Daz. Why can't it be lower? Well because to produce premium ice cream, we use premium ingredients, most of it which has to be imported because they cannot be found in Malaysia, otherwise those that can be found, we would use because they simply would be fresher. So we pass you the savings in our products and local consumers get to consume very fresh premium ice cream instead of those that has been sitting in shelves for months.
Even before I was a producer of ice cream, I have valued local manufactured products for its freshness. I am not saying all manufactured products are better then imported ones though. Even I am willing to pay for a few ringgit more if I felt that the products were better in quality.
Pardon me for the long story. Imagine how delighted I was when I was walking in Giant Citymall supermarket a few weeks ago and saw Cheese that was locally made! What an achievement I thought. This company Langkah Syabas Sdn Bhd is currently making cheese on a small scale at Kinarut, under the brand name 'Kinarut Beach'. Cheese like yoghurt goes through a fermentation process, therefore I can't say how much fresher it is from an imported one, but then it is a homegrown product and we should all support it.
I bought their Camembert cheese just to try it out to compare to the other imported brand, President cheese. It is not too bad actually, a little salty. I wonder if they are using Frisien Cow Milk or just regular. It would make a difference. My only comment is on their packaging. Their Camembert and Brie is okay but their Feta Cheese were not looking so food anymore on the shelf. Probably can't blame them, its probably due to the refrigeration problems at Giant. However their cheese displayed at Merdeka supermarket were better.
Their cheeses are priced about 40% lower compared to imported ones which is quite reasonable I would say similar to our ice cream products. Although made locally, cheeses like artisanal premium ice cream require a degree of attention and is labour intensive. So I would like to say Kudos to the first Cheese producer in Sabah and perhaps Malaysia. Hope to see other cheeses maybe in the future. Perhaps, cheddar, mascarpone, mozarella, ricotta or blue cheese? Mmmmmmm.... delicious.
We should support local products more, instead of bringing in branded imported products that is highly priced due to currency exchange and import duites, we should be encouraging export of our local brands by supporting first our local brands.
Whereas, overseas, consumer picks up a products which are made in their own country.The are proud buying products which are manufactured in their own country. Not only that, they know that it would contain less preservative and would be fresher.
I have studied alot of our customer's comments and pattern. Most of them believe that our product should be cheap like other industrial or generic ice creams. Why? because they are made in Sabah. Sometimes forgetting we are selling premium ice cream, equivalent to Haagen Daz quality and we are half the price of Haagen Daz. Why can't it be lower? Well because to produce premium ice cream, we use premium ingredients, most of it which has to be imported because they cannot be found in Malaysia, otherwise those that can be found, we would use because they simply would be fresher. So we pass you the savings in our products and local consumers get to consume very fresh premium ice cream instead of those that has been sitting in shelves for months.
Even before I was a producer of ice cream, I have valued local manufactured products for its freshness. I am not saying all manufactured products are better then imported ones though. Even I am willing to pay for a few ringgit more if I felt that the products were better in quality.
Pardon me for the long story. Imagine how delighted I was when I was walking in Giant Citymall supermarket a few weeks ago and saw Cheese that was locally made! What an achievement I thought. This company Langkah Syabas Sdn Bhd is currently making cheese on a small scale at Kinarut, under the brand name 'Kinarut Beach'. Cheese like yoghurt goes through a fermentation process, therefore I can't say how much fresher it is from an imported one, but then it is a homegrown product and we should all support it.
I bought their Camembert cheese just to try it out to compare to the other imported brand, President cheese. It is not too bad actually, a little salty. I wonder if they are using Frisien Cow Milk or just regular. It would make a difference. My only comment is on their packaging. Their Camembert and Brie is okay but their Feta Cheese were not looking so food anymore on the shelf. Probably can't blame them, its probably due to the refrigeration problems at Giant. However their cheese displayed at Merdeka supermarket were better.
Their cheeses are priced about 40% lower compared to imported ones which is quite reasonable I would say similar to our ice cream products. Although made locally, cheeses like artisanal premium ice cream require a degree of attention and is labour intensive. So I would like to say Kudos to the first Cheese producer in Sabah and perhaps Malaysia. Hope to see other cheeses maybe in the future. Perhaps, cheddar, mascarpone, mozarella, ricotta or blue cheese? Mmmmmmm.... delicious.
We should support local products more, instead of bringing in branded imported products that is highly priced due to currency exchange and import duites, we should be encouraging export of our local brands by supporting first our local brands.
A Little of Everything (ALOE)
What am I up to, currently burning the midnight oil again...
Things are getting more and more hectic and busy with the daily running and operations of Vedablu Ice Cream. Seems like I have been doing multiple jobs, it gets too many that I have to remind myself to focus on finishing a particular task to not get overwhelmed and over stressed with the load of work.
My calendar for the following week would be training for new Sandakan licensee, tomorrow finalizing of the SOP's for the new recipes and products that we will be introducing to you, some internal meetings to attend, and some external meetings & issues to manage and attend to, the 2nd Sabahan Bloggers Meet (click to see the list of bloggers attending) that Vedablu would be sponsoring on Saturday and also our first GSE Study Meeting to Denmark organized by Rotary International.
I am excited about the 5 week trip (31 Aug to 5 Oct) to Denmark, because of few reasons, I get to go off for 5 weeks to gain more insights from the best city to live in the world, also nominated happiest place to live in. Its good to broaden the mind sometimes elsewhere and not to think about just the work I do daily. At the same time, I can share stories on Sabah to another developing nation while learning about them. Denmark, one of the Scandinavian countries is also a very beautiful place.
I am starting to feel nervous though as the time approaches, because I have very little time to prepare for the time I will be absent from the business. Have got to secure, organize and delegate responsibilities for events that will be happening in September and October. At the same time there are presentations, gifts and cultural dances that we need to prepare for our trip to Denmark. This is the first time I am doing a cultural study exchange myself, however we always had cultural exchange students from Korea, Japan and America staying with us to few months to a year while we were growing up. My parents thought that it was good to have us experience cultures of others.
I hope that there will be time on the trip to continually update the readers of this blog on what I have learnt and seen daily. Still thinking to bring or not to bring my laptop.
Things are getting more and more hectic and busy with the daily running and operations of Vedablu Ice Cream. Seems like I have been doing multiple jobs, it gets too many that I have to remind myself to focus on finishing a particular task to not get overwhelmed and over stressed with the load of work.
My calendar for the following week would be training for new Sandakan licensee, tomorrow finalizing of the SOP's for the new recipes and products that we will be introducing to you, some internal meetings to attend, and some external meetings & issues to manage and attend to, the 2nd Sabahan Bloggers Meet (click to see the list of bloggers attending) that Vedablu would be sponsoring on Saturday and also our first GSE Study Meeting to Denmark organized by Rotary International.
I am excited about the 5 week trip (31 Aug to 5 Oct) to Denmark, because of few reasons, I get to go off for 5 weeks to gain more insights from the best city to live in the world, also nominated happiest place to live in. Its good to broaden the mind sometimes elsewhere and not to think about just the work I do daily. At the same time, I can share stories on Sabah to another developing nation while learning about them. Denmark, one of the Scandinavian countries is also a very beautiful place.
I am starting to feel nervous though as the time approaches, because I have very little time to prepare for the time I will be absent from the business. Have got to secure, organize and delegate responsibilities for events that will be happening in September and October. At the same time there are presentations, gifts and cultural dances that we need to prepare for our trip to Denmark. This is the first time I am doing a cultural study exchange myself, however we always had cultural exchange students from Korea, Japan and America staying with us to few months to a year while we were growing up. My parents thought that it was good to have us experience cultures of others.
I hope that there will be time on the trip to continually update the readers of this blog on what I have learnt and seen daily. Still thinking to bring or not to bring my laptop.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Shame In Denial
I read this article posted on the New Sabah Times today called Serious Migrant Problem and thought that I'd share them here. Not only for its insightful content but because of the writer's comment on 'Shame in Denial' at the end of the article.
And I quote:
It is humans nature to let ego/pride get into the way most of the time of not admitting wrongs, and denying mistakes done. Refusing to admit is one thing but what is worse, refusing to learn from mistakes done in the past and re-doing them again, repeating history again just to deny mistakes done in the past. I see alot of this everyday and it is saddening. The writer's quote is really clearly and brilliantly stated.
Referring back to the topic of discussion in the article, I was reminded of stories of a few friends who visited Kuching for the Rain Forest Music Festival 2008 few weeks ago. I asked them "How is Kuching compared to Kota Kinabalu?" Their reply were all the same. That Kota Kinabalu was a more 'happening' place, but Kuching city is 'cleaner'. Out of curiosity I asked them, "Cleaner? How?". They explained cleaner not only meaning streets are clean and rubbish free but they felt save walking the streets. Being in the Borneo Island, we share similar borders with Indonesia, yet they have no immigrant problems. There is are no 'street kids or adults' and crime rates are believed to be lower because they have lower immigrant or 'economic migrant' problems. Apart from that Kuching is also cleaner because the city is well developed and well cared for.
Reading the article and recalling my friends' story had me pondering for awhile. How can we be so different? I am sure that all Sabahans are wishing that Kota Kinabalu & Sabah will not only be a more 'happening' place with 'happening' people, but also a cleaner place in every aspect.
And I quote:
There is no shame or loss of sovereignty in admitting wrongs and attempting to redress them. There is every shame and imminent loss of sovereignty in perpetuating the wrongs and denying them.
It is humans nature to let ego/pride get into the way most of the time of not admitting wrongs, and denying mistakes done. Refusing to admit is one thing but what is worse, refusing to learn from mistakes done in the past and re-doing them again, repeating history again just to deny mistakes done in the past. I see alot of this everyday and it is saddening. The writer's quote is really clearly and brilliantly stated.
Referring back to the topic of discussion in the article, I was reminded of stories of a few friends who visited Kuching for the Rain Forest Music Festival 2008 few weeks ago. I asked them "How is Kuching compared to Kota Kinabalu?" Their reply were all the same. That Kota Kinabalu was a more 'happening' place, but Kuching city is 'cleaner'. Out of curiosity I asked them, "Cleaner? How?". They explained cleaner not only meaning streets are clean and rubbish free but they felt save walking the streets. Being in the Borneo Island, we share similar borders with Indonesia, yet they have no immigrant problems. There is are no 'street kids or adults' and crime rates are believed to be lower because they have lower immigrant or 'economic migrant' problems. Apart from that Kuching is also cleaner because the city is well developed and well cared for.
Reading the article and recalling my friends' story had me pondering for awhile. How can we be so different? I am sure that all Sabahans are wishing that Kota Kinabalu & Sabah will not only be a more 'happening' place with 'happening' people, but also a cleaner place in every aspect.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tyre Change Story
Finally, I decided to commit some time after much pestering from a certain someone to change my car tyres. Since I got my car, never changed them and the time has come for me to change all four. I have already clocked 57,000km, but compared to other cars, my tyres are worn out but I must say that its not so bad. I notice the tread wearing out faster in KK, whereas most of the mileage I clocked in KL, did not do much harm to my tyres. We have to improve roads in Kota Kinabalu.
Gulp, gulp, as I waited for the tyre to be changed and alignment to be done. I went to the familiar tyre shop that all my family cars are sent to and also because the owners are good friends. They recommended me to use Pirelli tyres.
My original were Conti 195/65/R15. So I replaced them with the exact specs. My new tyres are now Pirelli P7 195/65/R15 I just agreed to them because I felt that they knew what was best and I always have this notion that pay slightly extra for quality goods, they last longer. Plus, I didn't think they would slaughter me.
Little did I know, the little extra was alot extra. RM300 per tyre~~~ yikes! Steep! Later after paying the total bill of RM1250.00 (sob... sob...)The floor manager told me about about the increase in tyre prices. July 1st 2008, tyre prices increased 10% for private vehicles and 18% for trucks. Yikes!! I should have changed them earlier.
I drove away with a few mental notes on the lesson learnt today. No. 1 Do not procrastinate. No. 2 Spend some time to do some research. I could have saved RM120 if I changed them before the price hike and I could have gone for a cheaper brand like YokoHama or GoodYear.
Upside of having spent around RM30 -RM50/per tyre more then necessary is that, the drive feel is distinctively superb. The drive felt more well balanced,solid but comfortable. I am not an expert but there is a difference. Plus,they are the recommended tyres for my car make and model.
More spending to come on my car. Also time to change my brake pad and major service. That is why cars are a huge liability.
The RM625 car rebate doesn't hurt in situations like this.
Gulp, gulp, as I waited for the tyre to be changed and alignment to be done. I went to the familiar tyre shop that all my family cars are sent to and also because the owners are good friends. They recommended me to use Pirelli tyres.
My original were Conti 195/65/R15. So I replaced them with the exact specs. My new tyres are now Pirelli P7 195/65/R15 I just agreed to them because I felt that they knew what was best and I always have this notion that pay slightly extra for quality goods, they last longer. Plus, I didn't think they would slaughter me. Little did I know, the little extra was alot extra. RM300 per tyre~~~ yikes! Steep! Later after paying the total bill of RM1250.00 (sob... sob...)The floor manager told me about about the increase in tyre prices. July 1st 2008, tyre prices increased 10% for private vehicles and 18% for trucks. Yikes!! I should have changed them earlier.
I drove away with a few mental notes on the lesson learnt today. No. 1 Do not procrastinate. No. 2 Spend some time to do some research. I could have saved RM120 if I changed them before the price hike and I could have gone for a cheaper brand like YokoHama or GoodYear.
Upside of having spent around RM30 -RM50/per tyre more then necessary is that, the drive feel is distinctively superb. The drive felt more well balanced,solid but comfortable. I am not an expert but there is a difference. Plus,they are the recommended tyres for my car make and model.
More spending to come on my car. Also time to change my brake pad and major service. That is why cars are a huge liability.
The RM625 car rebate doesn't hurt in situations like this.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Inspiring Thoughts
I added an application called the Kiss Fortune (I think...) on Facebook some time ago that delivers inspiring messages daily, only that I seldom check on them. These words are simple but very wise and meaningful.
These are two of my favourite inspiring messages:-
I believe if we are more positive, eliminating all negative vibrations, good will come if we desire it and believe in it.
Words spoken out of anger can be damaging because it can never be taken back and often exaggerated. Harsh words heard by a listener moreover a loved one are often hard to be forgotten or forgiven.
These are two of my favourite inspiring messages:-
"Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more, talk less,say more, love more, and all good things will be yours. Be aware of what your actions and their effects on others, demonstrating concern for another can go a long way"
I believe if we are more positive, eliminating all negative vibrations, good will come if we desire it and believe in it.
"Be patient in one moment of anger - escape a hundred days of sorrow. Passion is good, but withhold quick judgement and fiery words until you can see the entire picture. You may be pleasantly surprised"
Words spoken out of anger can be damaging because it can never be taken back and often exaggerated. Harsh words heard by a listener moreover a loved one are often hard to be forgotten or forgiven.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
*New Flavour* Peanut Ice Cream coming your way!
Im letting the cat out of the bag even before the official release in our outlets and the official website. We are thinking of a more interesting name then just Peanut beacause although its Peanut Ice Cream we added strips of chocolate pieces inside and also roasted crushed peanuts.
For those peanut lovers out there, this could be your next favourite flavour. For me, it reminds me of eating a bar of Snickers, only without snickers sticking to the roof of my mouth and my teeth. There is the taste of smooth creamy peanut butter with pieces of chocolate bits and crunchy nuts to munch on. During the tasting I ate 2 scoops, more then it was required for the tasting. This new flavour should be out soon...
Also, because we get alot of customer requests to develop more local fruit flavours like Yam, Nangka, Chempedak and Papaya. All these flavours are also pending release and final approval =)
Maybe we should call the Peanut Ice Cream, Chunky Peanuts! Or... Nuts for Peanuts!Just a thought....
Saturday, July 5, 2008
My Favourite Things (Part 1)
Inspired by Oprah's favourite things but with a little twist, my favourites just not limited to THINGS.
Stir Fried Mixed Mushrooms with Oyster Sauce and Chillies
Top 3 Fav food items:
1) Vedablu Premium Ice cream (naturally..HaHa)
2) Wo tiek (pan fried dumplings)
3) Mushroom (any kind of mushrooms, I love them cooked in anyway)
My favourite everyday watch
Top 3 Fav items (Things I never leave home every morning without):
1) My Lap Top
2) My Watch
3) My Cross Necklace
Wollongong Harbour, overlooking parts of the town
Top 3 Fav places:
1) Wollongong, Australia
2) My Apartment, Puchong
3) Any island with white sandy beaches and clear blue waters
Hiking along Waikato River, New Zealand
Top 3 Fav past times:
1) Reading
2) Computer Games (currently hooked on Texas Holdem Poker and The Sims 2)
3) Road trips, discovering new places
Stir Fried Mixed Mushrooms with Oyster Sauce and Chillies
Top 3 Fav food items:
1) Vedablu Premium Ice cream (naturally..HaHa)
2) Wo tiek (pan fried dumplings)
3) Mushroom (any kind of mushrooms, I love them cooked in anyway)
My favourite everyday watch
Top 3 Fav items (Things I never leave home every morning without):
1) My Lap Top
2) My Watch
3) My Cross Necklace
Wollongong Harbour, overlooking parts of the town
Top 3 Fav places:
1) Wollongong, Australia
2) My Apartment, Puchong
3) Any island with white sandy beaches and clear blue waters
Hiking along Waikato River, New Zealand
Top 3 Fav past times:
1) Reading
2) Computer Games (currently hooked on Texas Holdem Poker and The Sims 2)
3) Road trips, discovering new places
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Petrol Kiosk Strike
At about 2:30pm today, I was returning to the office from KK town, I noticed a buildup of traffic. As I drove I realized that the jam was caused by the long queues to the petrol kiosks. Immediately I thought that this was due to a price hike in petrol again. However, I recalled reading a press release on the PM's website, saying that the government would not hike prices for year 2008 after considering the rakyat's response to the recent petrol price hike. RM1.90 to RM2.70 is bad enough, if the government persisted to increase the prices as first planned to RM4.00, I can't imagine what the people of Malaysia would do.
After hurdling the long queues that were about 1KM long which caused pretty bad jams even not at rush hour, I finally arrived my office. I received a call from my mum telling me to pump petrol because there was going to be a three day strike where all petrol kiosks will close for business. My colleagues then further explained that the petrol kiosks were losing money with every liter sold resulting is operating losses. I do not know how true these stories are because I have not checked the real reasons behind the strike. So is this strike a rumour or truth? We shall wait and see.
In the mean time, I received a sms from Maxis stating "(The Star) Officials from Shell Malaysia and Sabah Petroleum Dealers Association stressed that there is no truth to the rumours of petrol kiosks closing for 3 days". Then at 6 pm, someone forwarded me a sms from an angry driver (very angry I presume) saying "Petrol strike start 26th 8am till 4pm. Today is rumour. Pls forward bcoz many tailingong made the traffic jam". This sms really made me laugh. Sorry for the rudeness or inappropriateness of the translations of language. Translation of 'tailingong' directly from the hakka dialect to english is ‘big **** (male private part) crazy’. Roughly what they meant to say was 'foolish people'.
Although I do not like the idea of strikes or demonstrations I feel that it comes to a time when something more physically obvious (not like punching or hurting someone) should be done to show the government the people’s dissatisfaction. I think most people are angry that the government implemented the oil hikes without putting much thought about the long term. We see day in and day out the stories in our newspapers about the plight of lower income families. Trust me, there are families who are much worse off then those who shared their stories in the papers.
From business point of view, raw material costs has risen to an average of 40%. Business owners find it difficult to increase prices because then it will too expensive for the customers. On the other hand, there is pressure for salary increases. For instances, for sales people, without higher transportation allowances, how could they perform their jobs effectively? After adding the increase in raw material costs and other operation costs, nothing is left actually. The huge daily hurdle is now just to sustain and hope for the best because no business wants to run to see just losses month after month. Business closes down, there will be retrenchment, unemployment rate goes up, economy slows down as spending decreases, increase in non performing loans, etc.
I personally would like to see what strategies the government has in place to counter the many problems that the Malaysian economy will see in the next coming months. This is just the beginning of something more grave to come if nothing is done to rectify situation.
By the time I finished this blog entry, I got a call telling me that there is no more jam and no more strike. The issues behind the strike threat were discussed and resolved. Well… so much for all the hype. I just am thankful I did not line up for petrol for few hours this afternoon. I would have ended up wasting more petrol.
After hurdling the long queues that were about 1KM long which caused pretty bad jams even not at rush hour, I finally arrived my office. I received a call from my mum telling me to pump petrol because there was going to be a three day strike where all petrol kiosks will close for business. My colleagues then further explained that the petrol kiosks were losing money with every liter sold resulting is operating losses. I do not know how true these stories are because I have not checked the real reasons behind the strike. So is this strike a rumour or truth? We shall wait and see.
In the mean time, I received a sms from Maxis stating "(The Star) Officials from Shell Malaysia and Sabah Petroleum Dealers Association stressed that there is no truth to the rumours of petrol kiosks closing for 3 days". Then at 6 pm, someone forwarded me a sms from an angry driver (very angry I presume) saying "Petrol strike start 26th 8am till 4pm. Today is rumour. Pls forward bcoz many tailingong made the traffic jam". This sms really made me laugh. Sorry for the rudeness or inappropriateness of the translations of language. Translation of 'tailingong' directly from the hakka dialect to english is ‘big **** (male private part) crazy’. Roughly what they meant to say was 'foolish people'.
Although I do not like the idea of strikes or demonstrations I feel that it comes to a time when something more physically obvious (not like punching or hurting someone) should be done to show the government the people’s dissatisfaction. I think most people are angry that the government implemented the oil hikes without putting much thought about the long term. We see day in and day out the stories in our newspapers about the plight of lower income families. Trust me, there are families who are much worse off then those who shared their stories in the papers.
From business point of view, raw material costs has risen to an average of 40%. Business owners find it difficult to increase prices because then it will too expensive for the customers. On the other hand, there is pressure for salary increases. For instances, for sales people, without higher transportation allowances, how could they perform their jobs effectively? After adding the increase in raw material costs and other operation costs, nothing is left actually. The huge daily hurdle is now just to sustain and hope for the best because no business wants to run to see just losses month after month. Business closes down, there will be retrenchment, unemployment rate goes up, economy slows down as spending decreases, increase in non performing loans, etc.
I personally would like to see what strategies the government has in place to counter the many problems that the Malaysian economy will see in the next coming months. This is just the beginning of something more grave to come if nothing is done to rectify situation.
By the time I finished this blog entry, I got a call telling me that there is no more jam and no more strike. The issues behind the strike threat were discussed and resolved. Well… so much for all the hype. I just am thankful I did not line up for petrol for few hours this afternoon. I would have ended up wasting more petrol.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Lets Celebrate Harvest Festival with Tapai
Harvest Festival is coming up! We have something old and familiar to celebrate this Harvest Festival with you at Vedablu. Presenting... Tapai Ice Cream (Rice Wine Ice Cream) and Tapai Cake (Rice Wine Cake). We call this the Fiesta Delight.
We had this last year for Harvest Festival. Our brilliant Production Manager, Laura actually came up with the idea when we were thinking of what could we introduce in our outlets. We were brainstorming and when asked outloud what could we do for Harvest Festival, it was synonymous. "Tapai!" Some customers may like it and some customers may not. Tapai or Rice Wine is unique tasting and normally more loved by the locals. For the adventurous, alcohol lovers, and tapai lovers this is a must try. I don't like drinking Tapai but I love eating the Tapai cake, so I have been having these daily since Monday! The cold tapai ice cream mixed with the tapai cake is so yummy. Having one now infact...and took a picture of it few seconds ago so I can upload it here.
HAPPY HARVEST FESTIVAL IN ADVANCE!
We had this last year for Harvest Festival. Our brilliant Production Manager, Laura actually came up with the idea when we were thinking of what could we introduce in our outlets. We were brainstorming and when asked outloud what could we do for Harvest Festival, it was synonymous. "Tapai!" Some customers may like it and some customers may not. Tapai or Rice Wine is unique tasting and normally more loved by the locals. For the adventurous, alcohol lovers, and tapai lovers this is a must try. I don't like drinking Tapai but I love eating the Tapai cake, so I have been having these daily since Monday! The cold tapai ice cream mixed with the tapai cake is so yummy. Having one now infact...and took a picture of it few seconds ago so I can upload it here.
HAPPY HARVEST FESTIVAL IN ADVANCE!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A little of everything ! (ALOE)
I have been trying to recuperate for the past few days. Catching up on sleep, trying not to stress out at the same time, thinking, I can't sleep now 'coz I have lots of unsettled things to do. I keep listing them down in my daily planner. Sadly I never can finish them. Then I tell myself to breathe...
So many things happen in a day for me. I wish I could like state every little detail here so this blog will really be about my journey. Because I've missed many of my chances of writing the little 'beautiful' details that always happen. Would like to share some of the little joys that happen daily in my life.
Like this quick snapshot I took on my flight to Tawau several months back that I meant to post up but never did. Glorious clear sight of Mount Kinabalu. We were passing over the mountain so fast, barely had time to adjust the camera settings. I just snapped.
Then, in last few weeks back, I taught my staff to be more diligent in our ice cream pan display decorations. I believe we first feast with our eyes then our mouths. Although pan re-decorations can only be done during the not so busy times. On weekends,for the busier outlets, not practical to be doing re-decorations all the time, because staff are too busy serving customers to even have the time to re-decorate the ice cream pans.
On one particular day I walked into the City Mall Vedablu outlet and was happy with what I saw. Beautiful ice cream pan decorations =)Little things like this make my day.
Today I dedicated my day to cleaning the clutter on my desk. The picture is only half the clutter I had on my desk. I think seeing the clutter on my desk and not having the time to clear them adds to the negative energy I am feeling. Seeing my desk clean and my room tidy now really does lower down my stress and anxiety levels. Haha. Psychology...
Another task which I have been trying to get done is to get online to purchase a new laptop, taking advantage of the 12 months 0% interest. Plus, after reluctantly having to pay extra income tax this year, I have given myself a justification to get myself a brand new lap top so that for YA2008 I can claim the extra RM3000 deduction. I think I have an emotional attachment to my current lap top. Its the very heavy 15.4" Travelmate 430. Bought it back in 2003. Its nearly 5 years old now. Didn't realize it was that old. Well its Pentium 4. Only that the graphics card can't play the latest games. I upgraded the Ram to 768MB. However, this laptop is falling to pieces slowly. Half of the letters on the keyboards are gone, the bluetooth receiver is kaput, the internal wifi receiver is spoilt (so I am using a wifi card inserted to the PCI bus), the batteries are dead (no more in production), and the direct receiver for the Network Cable is spoilt. The funny thing is that after a year not being able to connect to the internet from my my lap top in my home (because I don't have a wireless router) I remembered I had this external ethernet PCI card which had that network cable receiver. My old lap top before this one, had no network cable receiver and I have to purchase this external ethernet PCI card in Australia. So I ran up to my room, rummaged through my old box and found it! This really made my day. Now I can go online in my home without a wireless router!Amazing stuff... was sharing my excitement this story over MSN Messenger to a friend and he said I was so 'sot' or silly. Little things really make me happy. High time today anyways as I was not in a good mood today. Feel sick actually.
Anyway, I have thought alot of what lap top to get and after being a loyal user of Acer notebooks, I shall make my switch to the Dell XPS lap top. Wanted to get the one with the gaming specs but alas, pulling myself out of dream land and putting myself into the right frame of mine, I decided to go with what a lap top should be for me now at this point of time in my life. Lightweight and good performance.Wanted to get the XPS1530, and was reminded by my friend that will not be any different from my current lap top. It will still be heavy. So, I am settling for the XPS1330, with a processor speed upgrade and a graphic card upgrade. I must at least be able to play the games I wanna play on this new machine. Dell does not give option to upgrade the machine to a graphics card higher then the Nvidea GEForce 8400M for this model. Why...?? To solve the problem of playing my games (if I ever find the time to play) on a small screen, I will plug the new machine to a existing LCD screen. Sad thing was, Dell was having this RM300 rebate for purchases RM4000 above. I missed the boat! Darn... so today after contemplating, I will wait for another week to purchase this new machine. They have rebates every month or so. RM300... could buy me a spa package~~ Very kiasu but its not that I need the machine immediately.
Ok... I will continue part 2 of 'a little of everything'(ALOE) another day. Too long read for a blog entry if I post too many little things in one entry.
For now, good night!
So many things happen in a day for me. I wish I could like state every little detail here so this blog will really be about my journey. Because I've missed many of my chances of writing the little 'beautiful' details that always happen. Would like to share some of the little joys that happen daily in my life.
Like this quick snapshot I took on my flight to Tawau several months back that I meant to post up but never did. Glorious clear sight of Mount Kinabalu. We were passing over the mountain so fast, barely had time to adjust the camera settings. I just snapped. Then, in last few weeks back, I taught my staff to be more diligent in our ice cream pan display decorations. I believe we first feast with our eyes then our mouths. Although pan re-decorations can only be done during the not so busy times. On weekends,for the busier outlets, not practical to be doing re-decorations all the time, because staff are too busy serving customers to even have the time to re-decorate the ice cream pans.
On one particular day I walked into the City Mall Vedablu outlet and was happy with what I saw. Beautiful ice cream pan decorations =)Little things like this make my day. 
Today I dedicated my day to cleaning the clutter on my desk. The picture is only half the clutter I had on my desk. I think seeing the clutter on my desk and not having the time to clear them adds to the negative energy I am feeling. Seeing my desk clean and my room tidy now really does lower down my stress and anxiety levels. Haha. Psychology... Another task which I have been trying to get done is to get online to purchase a new laptop, taking advantage of the 12 months 0% interest. Plus, after reluctantly having to pay extra income tax this year, I have given myself a justification to get myself a brand new lap top so that for YA2008 I can claim the extra RM3000 deduction. I think I have an emotional attachment to my current lap top. Its the very heavy 15.4" Travelmate 430. Bought it back in 2003. Its nearly 5 years old now. Didn't realize it was that old. Well its Pentium 4. Only that the graphics card can't play the latest games. I upgraded the Ram to 768MB. However, this laptop is falling to pieces slowly. Half of the letters on the keyboards are gone, the bluetooth receiver is kaput, the internal wifi receiver is spoilt (so I am using a wifi card inserted to the PCI bus), the batteries are dead (no more in production), and the direct receiver for the Network Cable is spoilt. The funny thing is that after a year not being able to connect to the internet from my my lap top in my home (because I don't have a wireless router) I remembered I had this external ethernet PCI card which had that network cable receiver. My old lap top before this one, had no network cable receiver and I have to purchase this external ethernet PCI card in Australia. So I ran up to my room, rummaged through my old box and found it! This really made my day. Now I can go online in my home without a wireless router!Amazing stuff... was sharing my excitement this story over MSN Messenger to a friend and he said I was so 'sot' or silly. Little things really make me happy. High time today anyways as I was not in a good mood today. Feel sick actually.
Anyway, I have thought alot of what lap top to get and after being a loyal user of Acer notebooks, I shall make my switch to the Dell XPS lap top. Wanted to get the one with the gaming specs but alas, pulling myself out of dream land and putting myself into the right frame of mine, I decided to go with what a lap top should be for me now at this point of time in my life. Lightweight and good performance.Wanted to get the XPS1530, and was reminded by my friend that will not be any different from my current lap top. It will still be heavy. So, I am settling for the XPS1330, with a processor speed upgrade and a graphic card upgrade. I must at least be able to play the games I wanna play on this new machine. Dell does not give option to upgrade the machine to a graphics card higher then the Nvidea GEForce 8400M for this model. Why...?? To solve the problem of playing my games (if I ever find the time to play) on a small screen, I will plug the new machine to a existing LCD screen. Sad thing was, Dell was having this RM300 rebate for purchases RM4000 above. I missed the boat! Darn... so today after contemplating, I will wait for another week to purchase this new machine. They have rebates every month or so. RM300... could buy me a spa package~~ Very kiasu but its not that I need the machine immediately. Ok... I will continue part 2 of 'a little of everything'(ALOE) another day. Too long read for a blog entry if I post too many little things in one entry.
For now, good night!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Vedablu @ Tawau
Vedablu Tawau: Sitting area Outside
I touched down in Tawau last Saturday at 10am and went straight to the outlet. Alot of things to be done, local tawau staff to train, food materials to prepare, etc. There was only 3 days to the opening. On Monday morning, my team from KK arrived.That night we worked till 1:30am. The next morning we woke up at 6am, to go to the outlet for the opening. Opening was at 10am and customers started pouring in. It was non-stop from there till 11:30pm. We went home at 12:30am. I just collapsed on my bed out of exhaustion but it was worth every effort we put in. There was alot of good feedback although there were few hiccups. I guess as all openings are and staff are new. However, the product I can proudly say speaks for itself.
Nanie (Vedablu Pastry Chef) & George (Vedablu Outlet Supervisor)
Vedablu Tawau: Inside sofa sitting area, minutes before opening
Vedablu Tawau: Counter area and display freezer, minutes before opening
Vedablu Tawau: Up and running...full house
The outlet I must say was tastefully done. It was more beautiful because of the flowers that were sent to our franchisee. I couldn't resist taking some photos of them.
Vedablu Menu with Tulips and Roses in the background
Lilies and Roses. There were two huge flower arrangements like this and many other flower arrangements.
Vedablu Signage at the Front
Lee (owner operator of Vedablu Tawau) briefing me on the layout plans of the Vedablu outlet few months back.
On 20th May 2008, Vedablu has officially now opened in Tawau. Although tiring but seeing passion turn into reality is always fulfilling. Vedablu is thankful to have good partners, friends and commited staff like George and Nanie(who is still there working round the clock in Tawau as part of our commitment to help our franchisee start on the right foot).
More stories and adventures to follow. For now, thank you for the support to those that came (even from KK) and customers who are loyal fans of Vedablu ice cream and products.
Cheers!!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Spreading East of Sabah - Part 2
Opening a food and beverage outlet is no easy task.From the first drawings, to design & construction, ordering of cutleries and food equipments, food preparation training to serving training and opening doors to our customers. Alot of coordination is required between our staffs, suppliers, contractors, etc. The tawau outlet will be our sixth outlet and belongs to our first licensee/franchisee. The journey towards the opening 6th Vedablu Outlet has been an exciting one for me. Tiring but I know we have done well and delivered all we have promised. This being our first franchised outlet we work extra hard to ensure our partners will do as well and better still if they do better. There is no one side win in any successful business out there. It should always be a win win situation.
Vedablu Shop in Tawau, located along Jalan Chong Thien Vun, will have its soft opening on the 20th May 2008 (Tuesday). Those in Tawau please come and support us. In our KK outlets we have many Tawau customers, but now our Tawau customers can enjoy Vedablu in Tawau.
I will upload pictures of the opening and the outlet soon. In the mean time go to our official website to obtain more information on our products and promotions.
I will be in Tawau from the 17th to 22nd May 2008. See you there! ;)
Vedablu Shop in Tawau, located along Jalan Chong Thien Vun, will have its soft opening on the 20th May 2008 (Tuesday). Those in Tawau please come and support us. In our KK outlets we have many Tawau customers, but now our Tawau customers can enjoy Vedablu in Tawau.
I will upload pictures of the opening and the outlet soon. In the mean time go to our official website to obtain more information on our products and promotions.
I will be in Tawau from the 17th to 22nd May 2008. See you there! ;)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Spreading East of Sabah
The past few days and the next couple of days moving forward to the month of May has been hectic and will be even more hectic. If all goes as planned on May 2nd, 2008 our first licensee will have their soft launch of their Vedablu Shop in Tawau. The few of us are working hard now and am sure our efforts will pay off. The renovations are still on going but from the drawings and artist impression we approved, it looks really good.
Looking back, this month it will be 1 year and 6 months since our first outlet that opened in Palm Square, Kota Kinabalu. It has now come to five outlets and the new Tawau outlet. I will post an entry about the opening in Tawau in the week to come.
Looking back, this month it will be 1 year and 6 months since our first outlet that opened in Palm Square, Kota Kinabalu. It has now come to five outlets and the new Tawau outlet. I will post an entry about the opening in Tawau in the week to come.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Zero Calorie Calorie Premium Ice Cream
Now, who wouldn't want to induldge themselves in really good ice cream without having to worry about calories?
Standing behind our Ice Cream Display Counters sometimes, I always get this common question. "How come Vedablu doesn't make zero calorie ice cream?" "I'm diabetic, what can I take?".
Let me address these questions here. No. 1 Our tagline is "fresh and natural". No. 2 I could easily produce zero calorie ice cream and put it out in the market tomorrow but I prefer not to do it because we want to honour our No. 1 rule (fresh and natural).
How to make zero calorie ice cream? Easy, replace current cane sugar in ice cream with artificial sugars. Why do Vedablu 'stubbornly' do not do this? Simply because the artificial sugars currently available in the market are aspartame or sucralose. A good web link to the side effects of these artificial sweeteners can be found here.So there it is, on one hand we can have zero calorie product but risk all the side effects mentioned. I have got some views saying that, it is the consumer who decides about their health, if they want to take aspartame, just make the product they want and give it to them. However to me, it just doesn't seem right.
Nevertheless, that does not mean that I will stop at my quest in introducing Vedablu Ice Cream with Zero Calories. Just recently, doing some research, I found an interesting sugar alternative which is all natural. It comes from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant. It is funny that I never heard about this natural sugar replacement until a friend of mine mentioned about it. Then I further heard that this plant was planted vastly in Indonesia. This natural sugar alternative which originates from Paraguay has been apparently used for centuries with no known side effects. Infact it even has some additional health benefits. Read about the company in Malaysia mass manufacturing stevia here. I was so excited that I decided to blog about it here. Although I am not diabetic or on a low carbs diet, I know how hard it is to resist something sweet sometimes.
Stevia plant-Wikipedia
I shall continue to do further research on Stevia and do some product developments using this natural sugar alternative. If using Stevia in its natural state does not affect the quality and tastes of our products, who knows? Soon we shall introduce to you a few new sugar free ice cream and sorbet flavours.
Standing behind our Ice Cream Display Counters sometimes, I always get this common question. "How come Vedablu doesn't make zero calorie ice cream?" "I'm diabetic, what can I take?".
Let me address these questions here. No. 1 Our tagline is "fresh and natural". No. 2 I could easily produce zero calorie ice cream and put it out in the market tomorrow but I prefer not to do it because we want to honour our No. 1 rule (fresh and natural).
How to make zero calorie ice cream? Easy, replace current cane sugar in ice cream with artificial sugars. Why do Vedablu 'stubbornly' do not do this? Simply because the artificial sugars currently available in the market are aspartame or sucralose. A good web link to the side effects of these artificial sweeteners can be found here.So there it is, on one hand we can have zero calorie product but risk all the side effects mentioned. I have got some views saying that, it is the consumer who decides about their health, if they want to take aspartame, just make the product they want and give it to them. However to me, it just doesn't seem right.
Nevertheless, that does not mean that I will stop at my quest in introducing Vedablu Ice Cream with Zero Calories. Just recently, doing some research, I found an interesting sugar alternative which is all natural. It comes from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant. It is funny that I never heard about this natural sugar replacement until a friend of mine mentioned about it. Then I further heard that this plant was planted vastly in Indonesia. This natural sugar alternative which originates from Paraguay has been apparently used for centuries with no known side effects. Infact it even has some additional health benefits. Read about the company in Malaysia mass manufacturing stevia here. I was so excited that I decided to blog about it here. Although I am not diabetic or on a low carbs diet, I know how hard it is to resist something sweet sometimes.
Stevia plant-WikipediaI shall continue to do further research on Stevia and do some product developments using this natural sugar alternative. If using Stevia in its natural state does not affect the quality and tastes of our products, who knows? Soon we shall introduce to you a few new sugar free ice cream and sorbet flavours.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008!
Finally, after the long festive seasons I can come back to my office and do some clearing up. Also to finally update this blog of which I swear to update more often. Work has been crazy, but of course our sales for the Month of December speaks for itself. I would like to thank all our Vedablu customers especially those loyal fans for the continued support. We certainly try our very best to bring you only the freshest and delicious tasting ice cream in town.
To all the wonderful and so hard working staff at Vedablu, thank you for your passion and commitment to grow with us.
There is so much to say if I reflect on 2007. In Business we have achieved so much. Since Vedablu begun with its first kiosk in October 2006, we have now grown to 5 outlets in 2007. 2007 also saw us joining all the events and festivals in Kota Kinabalu as part of our marketing and branding awareness campaign. As quoted by a few people "You are everywhere!" and "We thought of going to Vedablu but Vedablu came to us!". It was not easy, but we as a team at Vedablu, we achieved more then we ever dreamed of. In 2008 our aim is to continue keeping our customers happy by continually improving and increasing our product lines. If all goes well, you will see Vedablu at 1 Borneo by March 2008 and at the new KKIA terminal upon completion. Perhaps we will also spread our wings to Kuala Lumpur by the third quarter. 2008 will be an exciting year for us...and we are proud to say we are a SABAHAN based company. Go SABAH!
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