Recently i've been to a pretty interesting shop that sells the lucky 4-leaf clover (aka Shamrock or irish Clover) in key chains, handphone straps, pendants etc.
What is it?
Popular Irish folklore tells of Lady Luck Growing the 4-leaf clover in the Garden of Eden.
One leaf is for FAITH... The second for HOPE...
The third for LOVE... And the fourth for LUCK!
In Irish tradition the shamrock or Three-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.
History of the four leaf clover:
The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old.
According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.
"The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits." Clover Science and Technology". N.L. Taylor, 1985.
Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing.
The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.
(source: http://www.fourleafclover.com/4fact.html)
They can be pretty expensive to buy and there is a chance that you will end up buying a fake if its too cheap to be true. I tried several attempts to find one clover leaf at the grass patch near my house and had no luck, all i could find was a 3 leaf clover. (maybe you can try your luck to find one)
I'll tell you how to identify a fake and a real 4-leaf clover later on, but first just to show you some of my purchase from the shop i mentioned.
Both of these are limited editions key chains that are from Walt Disney. i like the "Mickey Mouse" one particularly(because of the shape of the leaf) and these 2 really caught my eyes when i was browsing through the shop. I bought these 2 at an offer of buy 2 get 1 free.
I had this customised with a laser engraving at the back.
How to identify a real 4-leaf clover from a fake?
According to sources, there are about 3 - 4 species of plants that has 4 side leaf, and they are not the 4 leaf clover that is described above. These are actually Pepperwort or Water Clover (Marsilea Quadrifolia) or Oxalis (Oxalis deppei or Oxalis tetraphylla) plants that produce all four leaves.
One of the way to identify a true 4 leaf clover is that 3 leaf will be of the same size and 1 leaf will be particularly small. How true? Since clover leaf are normally 3 sided, the abnormal growth of an additional 4th side of the leaf often leaves it small. If you take a look at the "mickey mouse" key chain, you can see how exactly it is described.
My key chain and the Winnie the pooh key chain doesn't have wat its described, is it a fake?
Im no expert when it comes to identifying 4 leaf clover. However, the leaf from the "Winnie the pooh" key chain is just too small to identify. While i did measure the "customised" key chain, it is indeed that 1 side of the leaf is shorter than the other 3 by 1mm
"Papaya Soup Pork Chop Noddles"
I have never heard or tried Papaya soup noodles before, so i decided to try it since when i saw it on the menu. I had thoughts of how "weird" or "disgusting" its going to be like when the dish arrives, but i was all wrong as it was indead very tastey and "healthy" (papaya as soup base should be healthy rite?). It taste just like those "fried fish soup noodle" that you can buy at the coffee shop, but this one is definitely better in quality and doesn't leave a salty and MSG after taste. The pork chop was wonderful as well.BLACK ANGUS STEAK HOUSE
I am a huge Steak fan and have tried many different restaurant for their steaks. Sadly, non left a deep impression that i could associate with serving "excellent quality steak". Well, i found one, though its 20 - 30% more than the others, i am sure you will find worth in every cent. Before coming to this restaurant, i would often order Sirlion(most often) with the exception, Fillet mignon, Tenderlion or T-Bone. The abover 3 cuts are very different, with Sirlion being very rough and gets overcooked when served on a hot plate. Fillet Mignon and Tenderlion are basically similar cuts, tender and very minimum fat are serve in a chunk (like a potatoe). T-bone on the other hand is very big but thin, good for BBQ but i feel it doesn't make good steak on a hot plate.
On the other hand, i seldom order the Prime rib off the menu as i often find it unappetizing and unappealing from the pictures in the menu. My idea of a perfect steak is one where it is crispy on the outside and tender rare on the inside.
Well, im so so wrong now. after trying out the Black Angus Prime Rib, Prime Rib cut and Rib eye cut has quickly taken over my favourite cuts.
This is their in-house special, the prime rib (stongly recommended by the waitress, had wanted to order the Filet Mignon). Roasted as a whole chunk and sliced off to serve. Really really tender, flavourful and tasty. I ordered medium-rare(this is the recommend doness for prime-rib) and was at first greeted with a raw and unappetising piece of steak. But ever since i placed the well-marbled slice in my mouth, i was taught the meaning "never judge a book by its cover". It was a felling of euphoria with every slice in my mouth as in the movie 'Ratatouille' where the judge was brought back to his childhood days, while mine was brought to a state of contentment that i never felt before. 
This is the fillet mignon that i mentioned, looks very very tasty rite? yes, indeed its crispy on the outside and tenderly rare on the inside.
All courses comes with a side, in which i ordered the whip potatoe and the Beef stew. You've got to try the whip potatoe yourself as words can describe it, while the Beef stew tells you that it isn't a recipie from the locals, its just so wonderful. And i think the beef stew lacks noodles as well. (watch the "Assasination of Jesse James by the cowardly Robert Ford")
Conclusion: Its really every cent well spend, every steak fan out there: you've got to try this steak house.
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