Post birthday...

Officially 3.2 this year...The number scares me. 

Hard to believe that I'm my age now. Sigh...Still so many things to do, still feel so insecure in a way, still feel so childish sometimes...Maybe it's time to grow up?

But one thing for sure, I count my blessings for being surrounded by wonderful people. People whom I've grown to love more and more over the years and many more years to come. 

I am blessed with wonderful friends, and I truly agree that having a few who sticks by you in your worse situation is better than having hundreds of 'so-called' friends.

Thanks gals and hopefully we can carry out our 'plan' as per discussed.

On the brink..

Of giving up....
Feeling stressed out, not having enough sleep, shoulder pain, loss appetite, nightmares of work...
Gosh, I've not experienced this for a long time.
I need to turn my mind off for a little while but I can't find the switch.
:(
I wish I can go away and leave it all behind....

For a change

The last time I had short hair was 1998. And throughout the earlier days of my college years. After that, it's long hair all the way.

Now, 2013, once again, I've taken the plunge.
And it's because of the same reason....

It's a difficult decision for me but it's time for a change. Change is good right?

Now that I've done it, I miss my long hair though.

It'll grow back in time (consoling myself)...

Pullman Putrajaya

We spent a weekend at Pullman Putrajaya recently. Supposedly to have an enjoyable pre-birthday but really disappointed with the hotel.

Maybe I got pickier as I grow older. 

But judge for yourself:

1. Room has a kind of smell….yucks…

2. Stains on the pillow from God know what…ewwwww….

3. No selection of pillows/extra pillow/blanket. Not acceptable for a 5-star hotel

4. Stains on table top, on the bathroom basin and on the balcony

5. No welcome drink

6. Game room that sucks - I don't even know why it's there...but we did enjoyed the pool table…I still can kick some ass

7. Small swimming pool
8. Limited facilities in the room - the minibar is not even filled up...(well, not that I will buy anything from there but still....)

And it’s a 5-star hotel which is only 4 years old. How can it be so badly maintained? 

Also, every facility need payment - bicycles, karaoke, courts.

But we enjoyed a good dinner at Padi in Cyberjaya, reminiscing on the old days and how we first met there. Then, I satisfied my craving for Bak Kut Teh at the shop in Dengkil. Sadly, the boss didn’t recognize us anymore. 

But spending some quiet and quality time with someone I love is what made the weekend not so bad...

Imagine Dragons - It's Time

Lovin this at the moment...

Wardrobe makeover!

I am a hoarder. I think I blogged about this quite some time ago.

I find it very hard to throw things away. I have this mentality that it might be of use next time, so just keep it for a little while more. I end up taking more and more space. (Can you imagine I still have clothes back from college days?)

So, I will have a wardrobe makeover tomorrow! :p

A few tips taken from Christyng.com's blog:

Declutter All the Way
“It’s said that clothing, like other areas in life, follows the 80-20 rule -- we wear 20 percent of our wardrobe 80 percent of the time,” says Peter Walsh, professional organizer and author of de-cluttering books, including How to Organize Just About Everything: More than 500 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Organizing Your Closets to Planning A Wedding to Creating a Flawless Filing System and Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You.

To keep a tidy, well-edited closet, Walsh says the solution is very simple: “You only have the space you have, and you need to work within the limits of your physical space. You can only have as many pairs of jeans as will hang reasonably in your closet.”

Dress for Now
Start by tossing anything that no longer fits, or does nothing to flatter your body. Apart from old jeans (or baggy cargos), this includes dresses, tank tops and blouses that you hope to wear when you “lose 5 pounds” or “get to the gym.”

“If you’ve kept a lot of clothes for several years because you think they may fit again, choose just one favorite piece as an incentive and get rid of the rest,” advises Walsh. “When you shed those pounds, reward yourself with a new wardrobe.”

Pare It Down … With a Friend
It’s not uncommon to hold on to items that have sentimental value, reminding you of a happy moment or a milestone in life. What you sometimes don’t realize is that over time, these pieces actually age, but because of the emotional attachment, you become oblivious to the fact that the ends have frayed, the fabric has thinned and the whole piece has actually become dated. This is a good time to ask a friend for a second opinion and a fresh take on older items. A stylish, or at least honest, gal pal can let you know that that white linen button-down with the puffy bell sleeves -- the one that got you that first job -- has actually yellowed and may no longer be appropriate.

Another benefit of paring down one’s closet is that having key pieces that fit and flatter make getting dressed every day a breeze. Do this at regular intervals throughout the year. Also, for every item you purchase, discard something or donate it to charity and you’ll reap the benefits of an always stylish, clutter-free wardrobe.

Happy birthday, Mum...

My mum says that today is not the actual day she was born. Back in those days, registering a new born is not so easy. Government offices are often too far away from villages. Thus, babies might only get their birth cert days or weeks after they were born.
My mum is not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. From young, she has to help out in the house and tap rubber at a tender age to make ends meet. When she was a baby, she nearly didn't survive due a large infected growth at the side of her face. Till now, the scar can still be seen.
She does not have the luxury of getting new clothes for Chinese New Year not getting enough to eat. She didn't gett he privilege to go to school like all of us.
Mum likes to tell us stories about her childhood. Yes, they may be poor but I can feel her joy and happiness when they (she and her sister) explored the jungle, swam in rivers, ate all the wild durians and fruits till their stomach can't hold anymore.
I can't imagine the hardship she went through as I have not experienced it.
Mum, although you always nag and is a control freak at times, you'll always be the queen of my heart.

I LOVE YOU! and happy birthday!

:P

Being chased

I had a nightmare again.
This time, I was travelling alone. I sensed that I am being followed by a guy and I know his intention is to rob me. I try to outwit him by walking to places with lots of people and ended up in a kid's department in a shopping mall. Surprisingly, I saw familiar places here and the pursuer is nowhere to be seen. And then *poof* I woke up. The feeling of knowing I am in danger is frightening.
I googled and this is what I found.

Chase dreams are one of several common dream themes, stemming from feelings of anxiety in your waking life. Flee and flight is an instinctive response to a physical threat in the environment. In such dreams, the scenario often features you being pursued by an attacker, an animal, a monster or an unknown figure, who wants to hurt or possibly kill you. Consequently, you run, you hide or you try to outwit your pursuer. Your actions in the dream parallel how you would respond to pressure and cope with fears, stress or various situations in your waking life. Instead of confronting the situation, your dream indicates that you have a tendency to run away and avoid the issue. Ask yourself who is chasing you, so that you can gain a better understanding and insight on the source of your fears and anxieties.

The pursuer or attacker who is chasing you in your dream may also represent an aspect of yourself. Your own feelings of anger, jealousy, fear, and possibly love, can manifest itself as the threatening figure. Or the shadowy figure can symbolize the rejected characteristics of your Self. You may be projecting these feelings onto the unknown chaser. Next time you have a dream of being chased, turn around and confront your pursuer. Ask them why they are chasing you. What are you trying to run from?

Food review : Chicago Rib House

Few months ago Chicago Rib House opens another branch in Leisure Mall.
And when they have this promo on Groupon, I couldn't resist the temptation...
The place didn't disappoint. Their pork ribs which is their house specialty, is worth a try.


Potato Skins-Covered in cheese with chives, bacon bits and served with Ranch dressing. I love this! Great as a snack.

 Pork ribs-Slow roasted in hickory wood and comes with two side dishes. Juicy and tender...But the side dishes are nothing to shout about.

Hickory BBQ Bacon Burger- with Hickory BBQ sauce topped with crispy bacon and cheese. I find this tasty and most importantly, the patty is moist and juicy...slurps...

BBQ chicken pizza-Chicken, caramalized onions, mixed cheese and BBQ sauce. Thi- crust just the way I like it.

2012

YEAR END post!
Whoooshhh....What a year it was. Recap in a glance:


January
Happy Birthday! to me :P Yay....congrats to me for being a year older... (and wiser...)

Chinese New Year - it's the time to get together with friend n family

February
Fo Guang Shan
Brought my parents jalan jalan around KL and Selangor...

and to Macau

Tanjung Sepat with the gang

Food hunting - a lot more to come throughout the year..yes exploring new food is my passion...

March
Lee Hom!...*still drooling*

US - worst flight experience when coming back as I was so sick I KO the whole 14 hours....

April
Arrival of my nephew - Zhe Ming : cheeky and so naughty now...

May
Had my wedding shoot - so tiring but it was fun...

Our gang's overseas trip this year to Jogyakarta

June
My last run for this year...SCIM

July
Nothing interesting this month..LoL

August
Officially a MRS now...ROM

September
Pre-wedding dinner organised by the gang...thanks all...muakkss

My bachelorette trip to the lively island of Penang

October
Finally the BIG DAY

November
Join our first and last Fabulous Food Hunt...eat till wanna vomit...

A solo trip to Sydney..well, not really solo la..since my sis is there for work...

Arrival of niece - Abigail...

December
A month to wind down...but so bogged with work and weekend family activities...

Overall, 2012 is all about family and friends...Career wise, I don't see much of achievement. Just day in day out tasks. I need to find my passion and interest, and need to do it FAST.
I resolve to not make any new year resolution for 2013 as it does not take a new year to have new resolutions. :P

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!

Bookworm-ish

Down with slight flu...:(
What better way to relax and recover than reading a book...

Recent BBW damage...
Well, not that much compared to a lot of people. Witnessed some people gone crazy with few luggages of books...Seriously.
I've not read much books compared to a few years back. It's hard to find time to read...:(
Wanna cultivate back that interest. And I these books will last me through next year.

CY: I still haven't got the books I want leh...*wink*wink*

Food review:Hainan Tea Garden

New found hang out place during tea time...Hainan tea garden (at Viva..tried the one in Aeon Maluri...not that nice!)....

Their food is surprisingly quite good!

Loving their 3-layer tea - besides Pak Hailam, this place serves good 3-layer. But could do better with less ice.

Curry laksa is packing oommphhh with enough coconut milk in the soup. 

 The kaya+butter brown toast (with a thick slab of butter, just how i like it). 

The BBQ chicken roll is not too bad either...Needs more gravy though.

Steven Curtis Chapman "Christmas Time Again"

MERRY CHRISTMAS PEEPS!

Of Sydney...

1. Culture-I find people here are more relaxed. Take a walk on the beach on a good day, you'll be amazed to find so many people sunbathing or jogging even on working weekday. On weekends, the harbour side are crowded with people and there are some pretty entertaining street performances.

2. Places to go-Explore the city on foot. It might take a couple of days or more but nothing beats walking for hours, taking in the beautiful scenery and observing the people and culture. Wait for an upcoming post on 'Must do in Sydney'... 

3. People-One of the perks of travelling alone, you get to chat up with more people. It might just be to ask for directions but you'll be surprise at the friendliness that the locals showed. I met a kind old lady who offered me a banana when I was waiting for bus with her. Met another old man who offered me valuable information on the nooks and corners to explore in town. Well, aside for some rude teens, I find that the people here are polite and passionate about their city. 

4. Food-Hmmm...I keep comparing the food here to Melbourne's. Maybe I'm not dining at the 'recommended' places. Compared to Melb's, the food here are pretty bland. Nothing really shouts out - not even the famous Pancakes on the Rocks.

5. Transportation-...is a breeze. It's so convenient to go anywhere with the public transportation. And they are all scheduled and on time, I mean really on time. All the public transportation are very friendly for the physically challenged or for a parent with stroller. They even have buckle for the stroller or wheelchair on the bus. Something that our country should really learn. 

Food review: Ko Hyang

I fell in love with Bibimbap when I had it in Melbourne last year. And since then, I've had this craving for it now and then. And I found that Ko Hyang do serve pretty good Bibimbap. To be fair, I have not tried that many Korean food except KoHyang and Daorae.

No Korean meal is complete with the famous side dishes and kimchi of course...

Rice that comes with the Soon Dobu Ji Gae

Soon Dobu Ji Gae - Spicy soft tofu stew with seafood and rice

Kal Guk Su - Spinach handmade seafood noodle

Dol Sot Bim Bim Bab - Stone pot rice mixed with vegetables, chili paste and beef / chicken

Happy 12.12.12

So, what if the world is going to end the coming next 10 days?
Heck, I still need to wake up early and drag myself to work. -_-" *yawn*

Sigh, a lot on my mind. A lot I wanted to pen down here but yet, a lot have to remain P&C. Life is no bed of roses.

This is a filler post, obviously. Since it's 12.12.12, I must have a blog entry, right? LOL

Woke up feeling so sluggish this morning. Washed clothes with eyes half opened. *double yawn*

But I feel better now as I am writing this. Had a wonderful breakfast of 'chu cheong fan' with dear and it made my morning. Nothing beats enjoying breakfast by the roadside at the market. The hustle bustle, the sound of laughter and the interaction of the aunties and uncles.

A colleague went to Nepal again on missionary work. They went up a mountain village, went 3 days without taking bath as there is no water nor toilet, slept at tents and braved the cold (-ve temperature at nights). It was indeed hard but somehow I wish that I can experience it. But before that, I have to survive a 5-hour long jeep ride through off beaten, winding roads (with my motion sickness gene, I'll be vomiting all the way).

Life is hard to many. The villagers have to carry water (journey about 30mins) daily to have fresh drinking water. They don't have enough to eat, let alone to enjoy a little bit of luxury. Maybe, luxury comes differently for them.

Well, nuff said. I should be thankful really.

So, happy 12.12.12 peeps.

*PS: For those who haven't watched Life of Pi. Go watch it!

潘瑋柏 - 華麗進行曲

favourite at the moment...

Fabulous food hunt...not!

A first time for us and we all agreed that there will be no next time.We love eating very much but if it's eating under pressure and the food is crappy, it's a totally the opposite feeling.

 There's a story behind the name of our team...:P

In awe

For the hunt, we have to go around KL using public transportation and complete eating challenges.

We were very eager to start as we're anticipating good food and fun but from the very first challenge, I know it's not going to be fun.

Here are some of the challenges that we did (one person for one challenge):
1) Eat 3 pieces of roti canai (rock hard) and down a cup of teh tarik

Roti canai challenge

 We have to pose with sign boards too!

2) Finish 10 sticks of satay (which is yummy for CY as it's her first challenge for the day!)

 Satay challenge

3) Finish 4 sticks of 'lok lok' 

FL enjoying her steamboat

4) Down one plate of chicken rice (with a lot of rice!) and a glass orange juice
5) Finish a plate of mee rebus (which sucks!) and a big bowl of cendol

 Focus!

6) Eat a plate of white rice with grilled fish with some weird looking raw vege and jering (malay style rice)

Tasteless

 7) Eat 2 packs of nasi lemak with two eggs

 That's a lot of rice!

When we reach the 8th challenge, we're full up to our neck. Fortunately, we don't have to complete the 8th and 9th challenge as they've had the first 20 teams arrived. So automatically we're out of the game. 

This is a game for big and fast eaters. 

Dua sentral - our finishing point

Well, the day ended on a positive note though. It's a funny story for another day. Stay tuned!

View from rooftop

PS : girls, when are we claiming our 'free' coffee?? :P