Saturday, December 30, 2006

Company's NY Countdown

Initially, I wasn't planning to attend this event since I was the committee member. But my mom insisted that it's once a year event to "mark" the year end, I should just go and have fun. Thus, a week earlier, Loo Ing accompany me to Indian Street to purchase my attire. Of course, it was a short period of time to allow me actually scan thru the whole street but I'm okie with the purchase as I do not want to actually spend a big amount of money on it.

Was thinking to take a day leave to get myself ready for the event but somehow, a little voice inside me said otherwise. Since my attire is pretty easy to get into and I'm not into make-up, I am the only one that actually wore the Punjabi-suit to office during working hours. Most of my colleagues are quite amuzed when they saw me wearing it the whole day at work and somehow, I was in the mood for holidays and looking forward to the Bollywood night.

I was the 2nd earliest to arrive at the
Colonial Times at about 4.30pm but I do not really know why the committees are required to arrive 3 hours before the actual event kick-off. There isn't much to do other than putting up the backdrops and requesting the restaurant's staff to setup the tables & chairs accordingly. On my first impression to arrive, everything is so dull and ugly.


By 7pm, lights were dimmed and all the tables were lit with candles. Even the disco-ball were turning... and it's such a soothing ambience by then.

Overall, the night was kinda boring and I'm so tired. The music that the live-band sang was not really my type and not many people dance for the night either. Everyone were kind of laid-back, sitting & chatting away. Most of them left quite early as well. I left at about 1am which is the time that the restaurant allows us to have the last song.

Note: More pictures in Photo Gallery

Friday, December 22, 2006

^Tong Yuen^

For the Chinese calender and the Chinese tradision, today everyone will eat this special dessert "Tong Yuen" and it's everyone's birth day and I have my share bit to prepare my mini-marble size in pink & green. I even joke with my dad, we should roll out the amount of "tong yuen" according to our current age!! HAHAhaha... Imagine my dad had to eat over 50 balls.


A little about the history of this festival:-
The Winter Solstice Festival (pronounced "Dong Zhi" in Cantonese and roughly means "The coming of Winter") is celebrated when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest. It is the time when farmers and fishermen collect supplies and food in preparation for the coming winter.

The meaning behind this festival can be traced back to the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony. After this celebration there would be days with longer daylight hours and this symbolized positive energy flowing in.

In modern times, it is a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers is the making of Tong Yuen or balls of glutinuous rice. "Tong Yuen" are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Every one in the family receives at least one large "Tong Yuen" and several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl.

*Gingerman Shortbread*

Since, I'm selected to be in-charge of the "gift-exchange" section for my CG Christmas party. Thus, I come up with the "fortune cookies" aka "gingerman shortbread" where I could insect a small piece of paper that has the gift no.# written on it. Well, it was just the fun of slowly chewing the cookie and not bite the paper into pieces in order to pick up your gift.

No cookie says Christmas more than a gingerbread-man cookie. That's why it was so important for me to look for the gingerbread-man cookie cutter. Went to ask around 5 shops but failed to get the cookie cutter at such a short notice. Thus, I had to make my own cookie cutter from the "thick-paper". Today, I think I spend about an hour plus in the office during lunch-time getting it done.

All I need to make shortbread are butter, plain flour, rice flour and sugar. Very simple ingredients and quite easy to prepare. Just the kneading need extra strength. Glad that I had my brother to assist me to give me that extra strength and baking the cookies.

~ Gingerbread-man : Am I cute?? ~

~ Gingerbread-man & friends ~

~ Gingerbread-man : Freshly baked, I'm ready!! ~

~ Butterflies-Shortbread for my brother's friends ~

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Errands & Gifts

Left a few days till Christmas, I only had the spirit of shopping. Today, when I visited the shopping mall during lunch and after working hours, they had the Christmas songs on and I felt so jolly and merry just looking thru shelves of products. Happily singing along the Christmas songs, I spend looking thru my shopping list to buy the raw materials to prepare "macaroni salad" and "shortbread cookies" that I had in mind to prepare for my CG party.

Tonight, I started wrapping the gifts and also assist to wrap my mom's gifts for her. Took me hours and she still have a few that she needs to wrap but running out of wrapping papers. So, I had to go get them tomorrow. Okie, I'm gonna go sleep now... way pass midnight... Zzz...

Monday, December 18, 2006

Ruin Holiday

Date: 15th December
Venue: Phoenix Hotel, S'pore
Woke up feeling nausea and headed into the toilet in a lighting and vomitted everything I had last night. Got back into bed and continue to sleep until 10am and headed out to get some bread at Centrepoint. Pogi was waiting for me as I took the access-card when I went out.

Feeling a little better, took a long walk to Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station thinking that we could get a free bus ride to Little India but only come to know that it's only for the weekends. So, we took the MRT station to Bugis as Pogi wanted to go Sim Lim Square to purchase electronic gadgets. 20 minutes in that place, I felt nausea again and I vomitted again. As I could feel that my blood pressure is reducing and I'm feeling dizzy, I took a cab back to the hotel while Pogi continue with his shopping.

The rest of the day was spend bed-ridden. Body-aching and fever and just feel lifeless. Everything I eat, will eventually ended in the toilet-bowl. By mid-night, I gave up in taking anything not even Panadol.

Date: 16th December
Venue: Aunt's place
I decided to call my aunt and tell her my condition and she adviced me to see a Doctor. So, I took a 15minutes MRT ride to her house and struggling to walk up-hill to her house from the MRT station. Was just in time to visit the clinic as I was the last patient allowed for the morning. Doctor Carol Lim adviced me to have an injection for speedy recovery and I was diagnosed to have "stomach flu" which is a contagious virus and not due to food-poisoning as we all thought earlier.

At night, I called mom and told her my condition and she told me that she is having the same symptom. And all this because of Little Samuel who bring us the "virus".

Date: 17th December
Venue: Aunt's place
On medication, there is nothing much can be done with my "holiday" but to sleep due to the drowsy pills. Slept the whole day and it rain the whole day too. Have not eat any meals for the last 2 days and I slowly had some food today. But I still do not have appetiate to consume much.

Date: 18th December
Venue: Home
Decided that I should head home and bought the earliest couch departing Singapore. My cousin brother dropped me off at Golden Mile Tower at 7am and he accompany me until the bus driver starts the engine. So much for a "bus-ride to Singapore and back"... Mom was laughing when I got back home and yes, I just can't wait to get home to be honest... Because I wanna get well and start eating again by Christmas, I had so many dinners @ parties to attend till New Year.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Crossing Border

As I had no plans to go anywhere this Christmas, I have decided to pay Singapore a visit for the 2nd time this year. Also, the very last minute I made plans with Pogi as he is in town for training.

This time, I decided to take the couch and I chose the Konsortium Express. Dad sacrificed his golfing this morning to drop me at the bus station at 9.40am. I board the bus at 10.15am and it departed sharply at 10.30am. I was quite delighted because the seats are in Christmas colours – green & red. But, was a little disappointed with the promise that its direct-route to Singapore from Klang but it turns out that it stopped at Shah Alam (Section 17), Kajang and Larkin.

The South-Highway from Kuala Lumpur to Johor is having a major highway expansion from 2-lanes to 3-lanes therefore currently; there is only 1-lane at most part of the highways. Come to think of it, it’s pretty sad that you pay the same amount of toll fees but the traffic is so slow. Due to this, my journey into Singapore took me extra few hours as its supposed to be.

Finally, I got into Singapore at about 6 plus and I reached Beach Road about half hour from Woodland Checkpoints. The bus let us down at Golden Mile Complex and to my much surprised, this complex are full with Thais shops, from wet market to dry market to supermarket. There are lots of Thai people and they are all speaking their mother tougue.

After walking around, I decide to head the opposite road of the building and enter a 7-eleven to ask them for direction to Orchard Boulevard. The shop owner exclaimed, “Oh… it’s very far from here, you had to take the Bas No.7 at North Bridge Road.” In the map, it looks kinda far, I think I walked like 15-20 minutes slowly to the nearest bus stop, waited for about 5 minutes and I hopped into the bus after paying 90 cents.

All the way in the bus, I took the map I printed from the website to refer and kept checking the buildings’ names. Somehow, my instinct asked me to get down at a stop after I sat in the bus for about 30 minutes (or it feels like that long). As the bus left, I saw the lighted-red-neon of the Hotel Phoenix’s name. Thank God.

I entered the hotel and tried to check-in on Pogi’s behalf but I failed to do so. Thus, I went lingering around nearby and Little John was just around the corner. I checked out the ladies department and the price is rather reasonable. About 8pm, I decided it’s time I get some food into my stomach before I get any gastric pain to ruin my holidays. Again, Singapore never stop to amaze me, Little John is actually in Specialist Shopping Center and I came out the other entrance, I’m standing right at Orchard Road.

Had my dinner at Emerald Orchard’s Food Court, I ordered Mee Pok Noodle but doesn’t taste good. But, I still forced myself to eat it because I do not wanna waste it. After that, I went back to the hotel’s lobby to wait for Pogi. As, I’m writing this, I’m also observing some good looking foreign guys who are walking in and out. Hehehe…

Monday, December 11, 2006

Finally Up

FINALLY, the Christmas tree is up...
It's been delayed for about 1 week because my dad refused to have it this year with his reason that its tedious to keep it later. Just thinking of his excuse kind of make me sad and lost all the Christmas mood. My brother insisted that we will be putting the tree up together but because he is so busy with church camp that I could not wait for his any longer.

Since today is a public holiday and I had nothing better to do. Being "home-alone" with dad golfing and mom went out for a facial, I decided to give both of them a surprise by having the tree up! Just to get me started, I put up my favourite N'SYNC : "Home for Christmas" and start taking out all the bits and pieces from the storeroom. Dusty and heavy, deep inside the storeroom... I was sweating away... but managed to pull out 4 big & small boxes.

I wanted to setup the tree at the french-windows so I need to rearrange the whole living room to make room for the 6 feet tree. I hope mom won't kill me with the new arrangement. The leg of the tree took me half an hour to setup because the screws & holes are not really matching and a little rusty. What to expect and complaint about since it's already more than 5 years old. Hehehe...
~The Naked Tree~

~Still Naked Leaves & Branches~ ~Peak of the Naked Tree~~It's Lighted~~With Ornaments & Bells~

My parents came home around the same time and my mom exclaimed, "Aiyoh... how you setup the big-tree all alone?" when she saw the christmas tree. But, she did not realise that the leather-sofas were being rearranged until my dad highlighted to him. Hahahaha...

All in all, I managed it for hours but I had the Christmas mood slowly creeping into my veins as I was singing along the songs and going round the tree, fixing the leaves & branches and the lightings.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

A Dab of Vain

Every year, without fail, I will reward myself with a Christmas present; simply just to pamper myself and look forward to the new year. Today, after looking at my colleague's new re-bonding hair. I was so eager to do it myself. Not like the whole year that I had not try doing it. Since beginning of this year, I had started growing my hair long again. And ever since it was shoulder length, I had visited 3 hair-salons that turned down my desire to strengthen my hair. Instead, I only managed a trim for every visit.

Surprised, that my visit to the home-salon finally promise a fruitful desire. After the hair rebonding, I was grinning happily and this spirit will live thru the whole month of Christmas season. This is the second time after so long that I am very satisfied with my hair. Looks like tonight, I'll had to sleep face down to maintain it for a while. A little vain, I took a few portrait pictures of myself but somehow, I did not dare to post it. Hehehe... *shy shy*


More of my blurry images: Shot1, Shot2, Shot3

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Girlie-Night

A few colleagues decided to have a girlie-night out after work. Probably when everyone already got their pay-cheque and it's the 1st day of the last month of the year. Guessed, we are all looking forward to some party-mood...One newly wedded-wife just couldn't want more of her personal time-out and another mother who had not been out for a jolly-time. The rest are just singles...

Initially, we all planned for a karaoke section since I had not done this for a long time either. But it somehow finalise to a buffet dinner at Hartz Chicken Buffet and a drinking night at Bar@Cafe Flam.

The "All You Can Eat" American Buffet boast of their fried chicken. Cost about Rm17++, we were looking forward to a meal of unlimited serving and one word to sum everything - "Normal". Not planning to recommend to anyone nor planning to step that foot of mine in there again. Nevertheless, I had 5 crispy chicken wings, some coleslaw, some salads, 2 glasses of Sarsi, some cakes and lastly, 1 teaspoon of vanila ice cream. And, I was too full to continue to sit there and probably not eating chicken wing for a while too... *Burrpp*

We settled down at Cafe Flam after a short little stroll, got a bottle of Black Label as we are pretty too poor to get something better *chuckled* Seriously, I had never actually seen Liquor menu in my entire life before and just thinking of last night, felt a so embarrassed that I'm actually scanning thru it and looking at the 3 digits figure. My entire life, "drinks" were never an issue and never need me to decide/order either. Felt a little strange...

~ 3 of Us: Jolly & Spiked ~


I won't exactly said this is a nice place, probably I didn't quite feel it because my colleagues are just sitting down drinking and chatting away. After the 5th glass, I felt really blotted because the sitting really "kills". Yes again, I had always drink at bar-top & high-chair, so last night was kinda awkward and weird. I just cannot sit still.


~ Loveable & Bubbly: Juz' wanna have fun ~


Everyone has their own first time in everything... This morning, I have my share of "drunkness". I won't say it was the maximum limit but I knew I could not take in another gulp. But, I was challenged to drink 2 glasses "bottoms-up" one after the other. Since, we are all out to have a good time... this is an experience to step into a new comfort zone. A time, I felt the sense of emptiness inside of me... a chance to know my colleagues a level higher...

~ That warm cuddle ~

Thursday, November 30, 2006

^^ Warm vs Cold ^^

This is a very good article.
Not only about the warm water after
your meal, but about ladies and their heart attacks.

This makes sense....the Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with
their meals...not cold water...
maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!!

Nothing to lose, everything to gain...
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is
applicable to you. It is nice to have a cold drink after a meal.
However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just
consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and
be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line
the intestine.

Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer.
It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks:
Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going
to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a
heart attack.

Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful
and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive..
.

My thoughts: Hope this sharing somehow will remind you, your "habit" of drinking cold water after or during meals. Personally, I do not practise it. And another word of concern, I don't think it's meant to emphasize for "Women" only, but also to "Men". Love your body & your health especially the season of festive just around the corner.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

A Day Out @ the busy City

Rushing... was the word to start of my journey to the city. Left church shortly after 11am and took the Komuter train to KL Central... I would said, since it's a Sunday, public transport could be quite a "snail" in Malaysia. Reached KL Central about 12.15pm and I walked a distance to the Monorail to catch my ride to Imbi where I could get out to Berjaya Times Square. Of course, I was about 10 minutes late for the movie: Open Season 3D at IMAX, Jaime & Alan waited for me outside the theatre. We were very much in luck that we got the VIP seats vacant; right at the top & right at the middle.

Since, I don't usually make a habit to watch every new movie that came out, having to spend RM20 for a 3D cartoon movie is worth it. Nevertheless, I'm sure IMAX has a lot more room for improvement if to compare with Movieworld's (Gold Coast) theatre for 3D short-movie & documentary.

Happily seated with the huge-3D glasses and holding my hotdog, took me a while to adjust to the new-environment of a brown grizzly bear name Boog & a single-antler deer name Elliot. As I find it a little dark the settings because of the glasses, I had to peep under the glasses a few times to find my way to munch my hotdog hungrily. That's when I realised that the glasses has lots of scratches. Hhhmm...

Synopsis: Open Season
My comment: I'm interested at the 3D effect that got me to watch it in the first place. In terms of the storyline, it's simple and not much of a catch. No cute cartoon characters that will leave me drooling or wanting to give them a squeeze or a hug. Boog is too large to hug and Elliot is just too skinny. Hahaha... This cartoon movie is actually the opposite of Over the Hedge. The animals here are supposed to go back to the "wilderness" while Over the Hedge; they are curious about the "city". Overall, it's entertaining enough to keep me awake since the other two fell asleep.

After the movie, we linger around at Berjaya Times Square as I have nothing plan for the day and not into much of the "shopping" mood. Watching a few kids learning how to roller-blades while Jaime figuring out whether to get a shoe or not. Basically, we were quite aimless about where we should be... I wonder was it that I was being the "lamp-post" or we just do not know what to do till dinner time?

We adjourned to Starhill to check out the Korean food that Alan was considering for dinner. He parked at Berjaya KL Plaza... as quoted by Jaime, "One Berjaya to another Berjaya". *Chuckled* We walked slowly from this building to another and when we got to the Korean restaurant, our eye balls just sorta-of popped out at the price. Not that we are not prepared for the price of Korean food.

As Starhill has very nice ambience at every each corner, we settled down for a drink. I was feeling a little hungry but as it's the odd hours, I don't usually take a meal just to satisfied the hunger. Thus, I ordered myself a chocolate banana smoothie while Alan had a beer and Jaime had strawberry smoothie. Oopppss... I was too hungry to remember to get a picture of our drinks. Hehehe... Alan did a good job to entertain us with his riddles and I won a 10 dollar note for a "cautious-mind" game, which I paid off for my drink. Not bad eh... I was asking Alan, "why not a 50 dollar note?" Hahaha... As we had plenty of time to spare, I was thinking of getting an unique beer but after scanning thru, I don't find anything special... so, smoothie should be sufficient.

Jaime was planning to go check out Lot 10 if there is anything worth buying or window-shop but it starts to drizzle when we were walking thru along the side-walks. This kind of weather, I just want to slouch on a big-soft couch, listening to light music and see the sky turn from blue to dark grey...

I think at about 5plus, all of us are tired of just walking aimlessly, we decide to leave KL and head to Bangsar for Korean restaurant: Bon Ga. And since its Sunday, there is a "pasar malam" too at Bangsar. Yyeeehhh... its been a while since I visited one and here, its kinda huge and sells all kinds of things... even fresh flowers and its going superb-cheap. Just RM4 for a dozen of roses!!!

It was very pleasant to be walking thru rows of stalls looking at food, flowers, vegetables, things... etc. I have no idea why but I enjoyed even I had to walk on heels. I think a little drizzle somehow makes the weather just simply nice... At one stall, the strawberries attracted my attention and just next to it, there are fresh mushrooms. I love 'em. But, I still called my dad to check if the price is reasonable; half a kilo of fresh mushrooms for RM4. He said it's fine and I bought it happily.

As the drizzle got a little heavier, we went into the nearest shop that sells DVDs & VCDs. Jaime got 1 season of
F.R.I.E.N.D.S and I was tempted to get Will & Grace but did not. Maybe, after I checked with Jaime if their DVD quality is good and then, I will get them. Just for my collection and whenever I need a "laugh" to fix my bad-day.

About 6plus, we got into Bon Ga and we are the first customer for the night. First impression of the decor was not too bad, but I find it more "chinese" than "korean". And if the waiter could at least greet us with the "welcoming korean greetings" that would very much start up the atmosphere. But no "Ahn nyeong ha se yo" to be heard. After looking thru the Menu, I ordered 'Bibim-Bap' (mixed-rice). Alan ordered the same. Jaime ordered Kimchi Stew. And we ordered a BBQ dish that consume marinated beef and octopus. And surprisingly, comes with 10 various korean appetizers. This is a Halal restaurant, not much choices of food can be ordered since pork can't be serve. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my meal very much because it's been about 2 years since I tasted Korean food.

~Bibim-Bap: my dinner, my all time favourite~

As Alan is a little worried with the thought that I had to take the Komuter train home, he insisted we should leave early. He dropped me off at KL Central and I reached home about 8plus after I picked up my car at the Klang station. I was freaky out when the Wira's alarm-key is not functioning. On a deserted and dark street, I was struggling endlessly hitting the alarm-key on my lap (until I get a little bruise now) and with some people sitting at the nearest Mamak shop, probably thinking that I'm trying to steal the car. As I was about to make a call to my dad for a rescue, God helped me by allowing the alarm-key to function again.

Safe and sound, I'm gonna take a warm shower and tug myself into bed.


Saturday, November 25, 2006

Lost & Found

Dad flew to China early last Sunday morning and at noon, received a sms from him informing us that his luggage did not arrive China airport. It got all of us worried especially my mom. Lots of "hu-ha" going on between my brother, my sister and my mom. In the midst of all these, I choose to keep much in silence in order not to add the "tougue-war" at home.

Gladly that on Thursday, dad dropped me a sms informing me that his luggage arrived safely and despite this, Mom still very worried; as expected... I failed to soothe or calm her. Occasionally, I still get repeated questions from her that somehow, I almost lost my patience. And again, I just dismissed it with an answer, "I do not know". Hehehe... I find this pretty easy way to solve any jigsaw-minded questions. I learned this "tactic" this year... Hhhmm... very useful!!

As I just got back from picking up my dad from the airport, I could not help chuckling when I recalled my conversation a day before my dad departed last week. It's either my brother or myself will be picking up my dad but the chances of it will be me. So, I throw dad this super-irritating question, "How come you do not have a ride home from airport since you have a ride there? You usually could arrange a ride home with your friends, right? How come not this trip?" and before he could answer, I laughed out loud at him and said, "You always ask me this questions when I go somewhere for vacation on a flight so now, it's my turn." Of course, Dad is my dad after all, and I do not expect an answer for my questions but he answered anyway... I was just in a mood to trick him around and wanting him to feel the way I feel when he throw me all the questions. Hehehe... this thought still lingers and I'm still grinning... gosh...

Departed home around 9pm as dad landed at KLIA at this time. But, he asked me not to go early because he wants to make some claim report for his luggage issue. Thinking that it's gonna be a slow drive, so I attempt to take the Banting road to Salak Tinggi instead of taking the Express Highway, because its free.

Wow... was I a little amazed that the 2-lane roads to Banting are kinda full of cars. Dad used to take this road every weekend when I was studying in Nilai because we find it much more interesting to look out the windows and see the village & its life... As for tonight, I could not be more amazed that Banting is slowly developing and it's not as "ghostly" as it was before. After leaving Banting town, the road narrowed to 1 lane and its pitch blackness with not a single street-light available. As remembered, I had to pass by Dengkil and look out for Salak Tinggi or any signboard of KLIA. But, seems like the journey was long and I did not quite dare to drive at top speed even though there is no cars in front of me. Mom who was next to me kept nagging me about my decision to take this "total pitch-black road" and was I just delighted when I saw "lights" finally!!

I could not deny that, one side of my brain was worried and another side of my brain was supporting my decision. But, the heart was pumping a little faster than usual. Mom told me that her heart was pumping very fast and her hand-hair is standing up too even though the air-cond was off in the car. Despite, the old-road is only 50km to the airport from my house and using the Highway will be additional of 20-25km, with the same amount of time. Never again will I attempt to try taking a "village" road at night... Thank God we all got back in 1 piece and I took the Express Highway on our way back. As dad is still busy telling the stories... I'm going to peep into the things he bought from China. Zzzooommm...

Thursday, November 23, 2006

"Lemang" Crave

It's been the last 3 weeks that I was into this "lemang" craving...
But, did not actually dreaming about it... Hahaha...
Just simply failed to purchase it every time I passed by the Malay stall;
either it was raining heavy, flood or the stall finish selling it for the day.
Since, the Raya season is still "on" for the Malays,
I still have chance to purchase it.

My regular way to go back after work is to pass by Sg. Jati Village...
Today, with a nice weather, no rain or drizzle nor sunny,
I finally had the gutts to go to the Malay stall that is selling the "Lemang".
It's across the road that I'm taking so,
by me signalling to the right,
I caused a long queue behind me.
Took me quite sometime to turn due to the oppossite traffic.

There are quite a number of Pak Ciks sitting,
savouring their evening tea while chatting
and when I parked along the road-side,
feeling a little embarrased
because all eyes actually looked at me...
They must be thinking,
"What is this small girl doing,
coming out from a big car
and parked at the road side?!"
It's a little creepy to be doing this,
in case someone might just run up to me
and snatch my hand-bag and rob me.
It is never safe to walk in Malaysia anymore...
Sigh...

Tonight, pretty excited that it's gonna be my first time tasting "Lemang".
Dinner is just gonna be "Lemang" & "Rendang Ayam"... Yyyuuummmmiiiieeee!!
For a first-timer, it's just mere satisfaction.
Brother commented the "Rendang Ayam" is not good which I had to agree,
I tasted something better than that.
As for the "Lemang",
it's very similar to the glutinious rice
that Chinese cook but
this has a very strong aroma of the bamboo stick & banana leaf that wrapped it.
*Burp*... The "lemang" taste still lingers...

~It's pretty hard to remove it out~

~Up-close of the "Lemang"~~Ahh... finally removed from the Bamboo-stick~~ My dinner for tonight ~

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

'Tis 'd Season

Yyyeeeesss... Christmas is gonna be in a month's time!! I'm sure many of us are just so excited about this season. And of course, the best part is "shopping" for presents and gifts. I have not been to Kuala Lumpur or any shopping mall in Malaysia to actually get the feel of Christmas but when I was in Singapore last October, they already started putting up the Christmas lightings in Orchard Road.

Come to realise that in Malaysia, not much of Christmas mood we will get... unlike in P.N.G., in November, the whole company will be buzzing with busy-ness to compete for the best decorate department of the year. All the preparation was the big capital word : FUN. Everyone is so co-operative and eager to participate and lend a hand in doing just anything.

But, I'm sure many of us do not really know what Christmas is all about... I can't deny that I do not know a lot about it too. So, in case some people ask you... read this and remember:
Questions & Answers About Christmas

Last night, as I was reading a book and occassionally, gazing out to the black sky. I was wondering, it's quite hard to choose the right gifts and presents for relatives and friends. And it's even harder to choose the right gift for the "special someone" and the male species. Hahaha... as a matter of fact, I always struggled to get the right gift for my dad. That resulted to no presents & gifts for anyone last year (because my parents do not celebrate Christmas the way it should be)... wondering, if this year, it shall be the same again... hhhmm...

Top 10 Gifts A Woman Can Buy The Man In Her Life Who Has "Everything"

1. Say It With A Photo
2. Get Him a VERY "Personalized" Book
3. Good food, a fine wine and a good time
4. Rock His world with a rubdown
5. Surprise Holiday Visit
6. Special Gift Certificate
7. For the Sports Fan Man
8. "Buff up" his car
9. "Write on" Gifts
10. Give Him The Stars! (Buy A Star)

Comment: I like the 10th gift. I think it is so memoriable! Any guy out there who read this, won't you feel the same? But, not quite sure how is it possible...

Top 10 Creative Christmas Gifts for Dads

1. Collective Stadium Miniatures
2. Executive Punching Bag
3. Executive Sand Box
4. Multi Tool Pen
5. Discovery Sky and Land Telescope
6. Make Your Own Opoly
7. Talking Pedometer
8. Pro Thumb Wrestling Ring
9. The Small Ecosphere
10. Talking Road Whiz

Comment: Hhhmmm... still find it very tough to choose the right gift for my dad. Don't you all agree with me? The 6th gift sounds very challenging!! Think, I might get him a Sudoku book... because he has too many golf things to last him a life-time.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Unwind @ Frasers

Venue: Arundel & Bunge (Richmond Street, Frasers Hill)
Date: 11th~12th November 2006

History:
Frasers Hill
Map:
Frasers Hill
Friend's Blog:
Agnes, Alan, Jaime
Other Links:
Frasers Hill Tips

A weekend gateway to unwind at the highlands. It's too breath-taking for me to describe in words. For the rest that went for this trip with me, it was full of relaxation... as for me, a new challenge in yet another chapter of my life. Jaime was worried that I'll be driving up and I cherished that concern tone and remarks from them. Before I venture into this trip, I looked up a lot of websites to read more about this place, how to get there and what activity... etc.

Saturday:
Equipped with maps, I departed from my house at 7.20am after giving Agnes a buzz. I told her I'll pick her up at 8am if I had no problem finding her house. She emailed me a drawing-map of the location of her house a few days before. I reached her house at 7.55am and she had an odd way to park her gold colour Kelisa. I was a few minutes from her house when she sms-ed me informing me what's her car plat is. So, I laughed when I saw her Kelisa parked at an odd-location. Succeeded to find her house without much of a problem by refering to her drawings, (To Agnes: Told you your drawing is good as I'm also a pretty good interpretor) we started our journey shortly after that... I think I'm happy that she is ready for me to pick her up. That's what I love about picking up people... punctuality!

Driving according to the speed limit, we hit the North-South Expressway after we took some roads from Agnes's house. We are supposed to look for Rawang exit as per Agnes's dad. Initially, I was planning to exit Tanjong Malim but Frasers actually situated in the middle between Rawang and Tanjong Malim. Therefore, Agnes suggested no point we go all the way North then head down South again. We stopped by Sungai Buloh Overhead Bridge rest-place as Agnes said she wants to get some mineral water. (Thinking that the bungalow we are staying do not supply water). Once we hit the highway again, we looked out for Rawang exit (Do not get confused with Rawang Selatan exit), once we passed by the toll, our eyes were pretty huge when we see the toll only costs us Rm3.60. I was like asking, "so cheap meh?" and we both chuckled and accept the fact.

Rawang town is quite busy and we saw the bad traffic on the opposite side of the road. And Agnes commented we should not attempt to take that road if we could get out to the highway instead on our way back. Nothing much to see along our journey to Kuala Kubu Bahru other than the minor constructions of road and wider roads and some new housing area and shoplots.

Around 9.30am, we reached the Selangor River Dam, actually we did not know what was ahead of us until we stopped at the parking lot provided and I check out the map. In order for us to get to Frasers Hill, we need to pass by this huge lake and since its such a nice scenary, I drove slowly while Agnes took shots of beautiful scenaries.


To my much surprised, Kuala Kubu Bahru is actually a town with loads of winding roads. The road up to the Frasers Gap already started winding. Just that its slowly upwards climbing and not steep to drive on. I had to signal right to a few cars behind me to ask them to overtake me since I'm making sure I'm driving up slowly and safely and enjoy the nature. Lots of bamboo trees along the hilly roads. Some is so huge but we can't possible stop to take pictures of them. Too dangerous as the road are narrow and its 2-way traffic.

By 10.30am, we reached a few of abandon Chinese shop-house and the Gap Resthouse. As I find a place for my car at the foot of the Gap Resthouse (in the badminton court), Agnes and I head up the few stairs leading us to the beautiful colonial-cottage. We are expecting this place to be buzzing with people or at least a few who are still enjoying late breakfast but we enter into a cottage with no one in-sight. Snapping some shots, we wandering around the place where it boast to serve good coffee for those who stop before driving up the Gap.

We were hopping to grab late breakfast but one Malay lady told us its sold out. I was thinking, "Were they selling breakfast earlier??"... Hhhmmm... Since the place looks clean. As we were waiting for the coffee, Agnes and I sat down at a not-so-comfy wooden chair chatting away. I was hoping that we could sit on some low-soft-comfy chair under big-umbrellas in the garden with flowers around us and butterflies & bees flying around. To my little disapointment, there isn't any of that... no sight of any butterflies either...


After trying to finish our "nothing-special-coffee", we head out to take some pictures and left the place and within a few minutes, we arrived the entrance of the Gap gate. Frasers Hill... here we come!!!

The way up is 15km and the road up was okie. Nothing to worry about even though it's a little more winding and steep but it was no-big-deal. As compare to the roads I took in P.N.G., these are much more better. Hehehe... I kept telling Agnes that Jaime should not worry too much. But, I had to agree with Agnes that a smaller car is encouraged as the roads are small up on Frasers heading to various cottages.

Once, we arrived the top, we were so happy and we took the left turn and we come to Glen Bungalow. This is the first bungalow that melted Agnes's heart and every time we passes it, we couldn't help admiring it more and more. Next, we came to the golf course. We turn left into Lady Guillemard Street, after passing by a few bungalows, we come to a stop at Tanglin because according to the map, its a dead-end ahead, and we are supposed to get to the road that lead us to Richmond where our bungalow is.

Thinking; "so near and yet so far... we are looking for the Clock Tower, we didn't come across anything... but we passed by golf course, that's strange..." So, Agnes got down to ask a lady who is watering her garden in Bungalow Tanglin and confirmed we were LOST. Thus, I drove all the way back to where I come from at the Tamil School.

And we realised that we interpreted the map wrongly. We kept thinking that the road up will lead us to the "Gate" marked at the bottom of the map. So, I drove the same road for 3 times to finally get-the-brains working that we need to look for "Pusat Bandar" signboards. I was so looking forward to the vacation that my brains went all the way down to the bottom. Hahaha...

Let me first correct the Map linked above; the "Gate" that we arrived at is actually at the Tamil School right at the top right before reaching Fraser's Pine Resort (which also in-sight when we first arrived at the Gate). Even the big map on the road-side in front of the Tamil School is not updated!!! So, please equipped yourself with a good map and do not get cheated by the word, "You Are Here".

Was a little worried about the petrol consumption since I didn't get to pump full-tank before we head up. That also, its hard to find a Shell station and our geographical-mind did not quite equipped us on where we actually are and how far are we from the Gap. So, in future, we have to look out for a Shell station on the opposite side of the road before turning right into Kuala Kubu Bahru.

When we got to the Frasers town with the clock-tower as our landmark. The sky decided to "cry" once I parked my car and we looked around to decide on where to have our lunch. After checking out all the eatery-shop in town, we settled for Arzed. As that's the only shop open other than the Chinese Restaurant. I have "roti-canai" & 2 pieces of chicken while Agnes has "Yee Mee". When I was waiting for Agnes, I saw an odd looking creature. A 6-legged insect which camourflage to its surrounding. Took a snap-shot of it.


Then, we looked around the Mini-Market & Information Centre. And when the rain stops, we proceed on to look for the bungalow that we are to stay-in for the weekend. It was pretty easy to follow the road map and we found the bungalows. And from then, its speechless to describe... Pictures tell you everything.



While waiting for Jaime, Alan & Wing to arrive, Agnes and I choose our rooms and put our things in the room. Each rooms have its own attached bathroom with a bath-tub!! Should had brought my bubble-bath gel... Open up all the windows and Agnes started taking pictures here and there. We laze around, wondering around the gardens, admiring the flowers and finally settled down in front of the TV watching Hindi movie (while it rains on and off; feels like the clouds are following us, when we are indoor, it rains; when we are outdoor, it stops)

Got a call from Jaime that they arrived the Frasers town, we took a slow stroll down-hill to meet them near the entrance to Methodist Bungalow. We stopped as Agnes was too afraid to continue to venture down and as we were waiting, I could hear the loud-roaring of the car engine from a distance (in a jungle surrounding, its very obvious). Hehehe... Within minutes, the Green Satria is in-sight!!! With 3 cheerful-looking face looking from the window...

After a short rest, we all got into my car and head out to Ye Olde Smokehouse to get the scones. Unfortunately, it was close to private function and with 3-hungry passengers who decide that we should visit the Jeriau Falls first before we head down to get some food. We decended to the Falls 4km away from Ye Olde Smokehouse.



~ A view from the top ~ ~ A view at Falls ~


When we got out at the entrance of the Falls signboard, we had to walk quite deep into the jungle. We were not expecting any jungle-trekking for this trip but since we had decided on visit the Falls, there is no other way but to proceed up and down the trail to where the waterfall is. Since, we were not planning to visit this place until the next day, we cannot go for a dip inside the cool-brownish water without our swim-wear. Further to our disapointment of the condition of this waterfall, I still insisted that we should step in and wade our foot inside. We couldn't stay too long at the waterfall to continue to hear the collapsing and splashing music because seems the clouds are gonna pour soon.



We stopped at Strawberry Cafe for its famous Teh "O" Strawberri wherelse, the 3 hungry passengers order Nasi Lemak, Mee Goreng & Fried Rice. We sat and chit chat while waiting for the rain to stop as it started to rain when we got to this Cafe. As strawberries are not in season when we visit, our Teh "O" Strawberri didn't seems that good as the strawberry are sour and so small in size. We head back to the bungalow after this meal and freshen up ourselves before dinner.

Steamboat for dinner. Seems like a small portion when we sat on the table. But, at the end, we did not managed to finish all. Aren't we a little greedy earlier to comment too soon? I got my tougue burned because I was in a rush to eat the fish-ball. So, the rest of the trip, I couldn't really taste much of any food... and you will also realised I stopped taking pictures of the food.

After a tremendous full-tummy, we sat by the fire-place sipping wine while playing cards with the TV on to hear news. Eagerly hoping that the Caretaker could light up the fire-place, but the rest do not quite agree with me (think I'm the only one in fear of cold). After 3 rounds of cards, we are too lazy and just rest and watch TV. I went to bed after I finish watching Gilmore Girls with Wing. The rest had already went to dreamland much earlier...



~ My cosy-bedroom (Was hoping for a postal-bed) ~

Sunday:
In total darkness & silent in the bedroom, I was awake at 6.30am. If we could have the windows open, it will be much more comfortable and the silence would not make me so uncomfortable. Because back at home, by 6.00am, I can start hearing birds chirping outside my windows and the sun slowly creeps up. Anyhow, I always belief a vacation should not be spend too much in bed unless I'm too tired to move my body.

The first thing I did when I crawled out from the blanket was nature-call. Aaahhh... very cold-toilet-seat!! Freezing a little by the touch of coolness on my skin, I squeaked a little. Then, I opened the door to my balcony. Only Agnes and my room has balcony each. Actually, Agnes occupied the Master Bedroom & she has the best view. But, somehow the room I stayed in gave me the charms and I love the colour of the curtains. Each room has different colours of curtains. After grabbing a glass of hot water from the dining area, I dashed on tip-toes to my room, as the parquet-flooring makes lots of noise; do not wish to wake everyone up. (I never like parquet-flooring). At my balcony, I sipped my hot water while enjoying the soft-wind blowing thru my face and took a few pictures of the distance scenary.


~ At 6.30am ~ ~ At 6.45am ~


~ At 7.00am ~ ~ At 7.15am ~


~ At 7.15am ~ ~ At 7.30am ~

After 15 minutes, I left the Balcony and head out to the gardens while snapping my camera away. Sat at the black-greyish steel garden chair at the Arundel's porch, watching the sun rise alone. Some birds chirping away and perched themselves on the flowers and trees. I hear some monkey "calling out" but did not see any sight of them. Slowly, the darkness replaced by rays of sunshine. Too bad the rest missed this... How often, did we get up to see sun rise in the city?

~ Love this scenary ~


I wander off to the vegetables-patch, wondering and talking to myself about the names of each vegetables and onion-leaves. They even have 2 kinds of herbs grown. I was hoping to see the Caretaker to have a chit-chat with her and see if she can give me some vegetable introduction. This very moment, I missed my grandma so much. If she would have come to this trip, she would be up early like me and smelling the greens and educating me of the vegetables and flowers name. I shall organise another trip for my family and grandma to come here...





At about 7.30am, I returned to my room and decided I should brush my teeth & wash my face in order to wake me up 100%. Had in my mind to visit Ye Olde Smokehouse alone (to try my luck in getting the scones), so get dressed and prepared to leave when I heard some sounds in Agnes's room on my way out. Thus, decided to sms her & Jaime. In case, they might yelled at me for trying to obtain scones alone. (It's my mission to buy scones back for my dad). As they both replied my sms, I waited them at my car while warming up. Feeling a little impatient, I had to wait for another 30 minutes to depart with Alan along. Poor Wing, all alone in the big bungalow...

Again, we were dissapointed that the sign, "Closed for Private Function" at Ye Olde Smokehouse. Looks like, we never could get our scones after all... after craving for it for so long. With no scones or a place to chill out for the morning, I drove to Allan's Water. All were very curious to what we are expecting, turns out to be a lake where we can rent paddle-boat for RM6 (I forgotten the duration). Here, we saw a few monkeys swinging. As Alan thinks its expensive to rent the paddle-boat (I had never try it before), we walked to the next door Flora Garden (Nursery).

Wow!! So many flowers... I couldn't decide on which flowers to get for my grandma. They had this sign that writes, "RM10 for 3 small pots" and "RM5 for 1 big pot". As I was tempted to get as many as possible but afraid it might suffocate in my car on our way back. Therefore, only get 3 pots and maybe, if it survive in our city-weather, I would return to get more the next trip. After I paid for my flowers, the owner of the Nursery close its main-door and gate. Hhhmm... he can survive after my RM10 purchase?! Strange...


Not wanting to leave Wing alone too long, we head back to our bungalows to have our breakfast by 9am. We had western breakfast prepared by the Caretaker and we adjourned to the Living Hall to relax and snap some crazy photos by the french-octagon windows. (To be posted later)

Then, we head to Frasers town to get some souveniors and since I had nothing much to purchase, I linger around the flowers and collect the dried-bubs to bring back to try to grow them in a city-weather. Shortly after, we visited the Playground. Trying to fit our big-backside on each of the little-mechanism, we had an awesome laugh while Agnes & Jaime busy taking pictures of us.

Since, we have plenty of time to kill till lunch, we checked out every resort on Frasers for scones. Well, I managed to make a phone call to Ye Olde Smokehouse to enquire if they could allow us to "take-away" their scones. Upon hearing the price they want to charge me, "RM6 per scone!!", I gasped in disbelief. After some negotiation, the lady still insist of the price of the scone. Finally, I gave up on scones!!

We visited The Paddock & The Archery as well, we spotted a strange looking horse which kept rubbing its neck against the stable door. Hahaha... what a funny sight. Poor thing... only 2 horses survive in this place. Don't see much of any other activities here other than a cage full of "alienated aka badly-bruised" rabbits.

Rushed back for lunch since we have a rather not-pleasant Caretaker who commented us for not sitting at the Dining table when the time we are supposed to have our meals. While hugging my pillow, I dozed off at the Dining chair while waiting for her to serve lunch. Just to make her feel embarrassed. Hahaha... A little commotion between the Caretaker and us on how the look of a Tartar sauce should be; of course we young adults do not wanna debate further on it after a statement is given.

Feeling a little overstuffed, Agnes, Jaime & I went for an afternoon stroll up north as we are curious what lies ahead of us; the Richmond Bungalow. To my much delight, 2 doggies followed us. Agnes called the huge dog; Sheepdog, wherelse, I called the small dog; Snowy. Both of them are very obedient. Since, they tagged along with us, I had to make sure they follow us back to our bungalow. It was a memoriable moment with the 2 doggies. Never had I take a stroll with a doggie accompanying me...


Had a quick nap after lunch and showered before I packed my things and prepared ourselves to go home. After packing and putting the bags in the car, I decide to pluck some flowers to bring home with me and try to grow them as my dad had once bought the same flower from the market but we were away for a week and it all died of thirst. I descended slowly from Frasers in order not to burn the tyres too much but Alan zoomed away out of sight. It's only 8km from the Gap Gate and this makes the ride down faster. Wanting to find the exit to the nearest Expressway, but we failed misserably... Hehehe... But, we learned.

~ Saying our goodbyes; we all looked so cheery & satisfied ~


Now, my brains are kinda still frozen from the coolness I get from the hills, or probably I left my soul and brains up at Frasers *chuckled* But, I did brought back the "fresh air" from the hills... still lingering in my car... So, I shall stop here for tonight...

Note : Since I'm driving all the way, Agnes was busy taking pictures. Enjoy the pictures she took & the little story with it by clicking to enlarge each picture. (Agnes's Photo Albums).


Quote : "Take Nothing But Photographs, Leave Nothing But Footprints"