Girls' Day Out

2nd May, 2009 - It was a fun Girls' Day Out for me. I had lunch cum tea gathering with my 2 best friends at Desa Park City, a postponed one actually coz I took a raincheck during the Chinese New Year week ... It was fun catching up with each other. Ping showed her latest photos taken in Japan recently while Aster just started her new job about 2 months back. Recollected some school days' memories and shared about children and family lives, not to mention some funny jokes and gossips ....

After the session, I went on to IOI Mall to meet with another close friend and did some shopping, bought 2 V-neck fitting shirts and ... YES ! Tried on some evening gowns !! I gave away some of my gowns about a year back and thought I'd better stock up at least one or two, just in case I need it :-) Wow ! So so tempting ... I looked elegant in the mirror ! Was that me ?? Ha ha ...

The one that I really like was a maxi empire-waist dress in bluish greenish colour which shows off my silky smooth right shoulder (ahem!), one that is sure to fetch a few stealing glances or may I say, stares? Hmm .... the one that my friend said looks very elegant on me was another long piece with spaggethi straps, black netting-like material on the outside, sheer white on the inside that makes the whole gown glow with a mysterious shining-gold effect. Low front cut, could imagine myself being overwhelmingly self-conscious if I were to wear this one out to formal functions ^_^ It was good fun, nevertheless ... and ah ... inspired me to sign up for yoga classes for a more tonned up body ....

Posters

1st May, 2009 - It's Labour Day and it's a public holiday. Years ago, after Form 6 graduation, a bunch of us students of Setapak High School actually made a pact to celebrate together every 1st May at Titiwangsa Seafood Restaurant with buffet lunch. That was 20 years ago and we only had 2 or was it 3 such gatherings during the first 5 years. Talking about promises we made to each other during teenage years ... sigh... Anyway, at least we do still keep in touch during Chinese New Year gatherings ^_^

This year, I stayed at home for a change and sat down to draw and paint. This time, it's for the school's Star Program. All posters had roughly the following message :

1 Join Afternoon Class
2 Earn Your Stars
3 Get Your Reward

Couldn't remember when was the last time I did such posters. It's something I enjoy doing very much. It's like the song that goes ... such a feeling coming over me ... ohhhh ... So, I didn't mind a wee bit for having spent the whole morning till dinner time to finish off 10 such posters. Even Jasmine and Bob got hold of a brush and poster colours and painted some. Good for them^_^
And the end result .... ta da ....

Malaysian Hospitality

28th April, 2009 - This evening, I played Malaysian host to a special friend from Singapore, someone whose reference when in this part of the world comprise only the airport, hotel and clients' offices. So, it was with a growling empty stomach that we braved the traffic jam from Hotel Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa (Jalan Pinang)situated in the middle of busy KL town! The Hotel concierge remarked that we would be lucky if we can make it up to Bukit Tinggi in 2 hours! Oh Gosh! I nearly changed plan but then my craving for the food there just couldn't be resisted. He he he ... Luckily we made it all the way up to Bukit Tinggi in really good time (1 hour). Once again, my gut instinct triumphed ^_^

Nice cool ambience, coupled with good food and good company ... what more could we ask for? He he he ... my guest was kinda uncomfortable I guess, well, it was like ages since my guest actually had to use all fingers to eat dinner ... another finger licking good meal. We only ordered 2 dishes and that was more than enough, really ... didn't really get to chat a lot, both of us were so busy savouring our food !!! lol ...

Check these out : Steamed Seafood

... in Cantonese "Fei Sui Pat Lau Pit Yan Thin" meaning, fertile water doesn't flow into other people's land. Just gobble up the prawns, crabs, la la ... then, fresh vegetables are thrown into the boiling steamed leftover soup and hey presto, another sumptous dish.

We also had Chillies Fried in Chillies

... looks spicy heh? Very delicious, craved for this one since 2 weeks back leh ... just talking about it makes me salivate alreaday ^_^ Even my guests had to nod head in agreement oh ...

After a hearty meal, we made our way down hill back to KL and dropped by Naili's Place in Sentul. Had a big bowl of Ice Kacang topped with Ice-cream !! Ha ha ... just after a full stomach? Oh dear, have to exercise hard to shed off ya ^_^

Dad's Birthday

26th April, 2009 - This evening, we celebrated dad's 69th birthday ... simple steamboat at home with family members. It's a first birthday celebration for dad actually, wonder why we never bothered until now. Hmm ... just like our grandparents, we only celebrate their wedding anniversaries! Guess, it's a traditional cultural thingy ^_^

Dad is a quiet person by nature. Everyone who knows him call him "Ah Kong" as in "Grandpa". Education-wise up to primary 6 and started his career by following his dad, ventured out to sea as a fisherman. Been to many 'territories', so to speak. So, in a way, a tough guy ^_^ Remember imagining his life as "Sinbad the Sailor" from the cartoon movies in our then black and white tv! I could not resist reading "Sinbad" adventures! Years at sea made dad a dark-skinned fella, old photos showed him a skinny handsome guy. Oh yes, the way he squatted in those photos, there is no mistaken identity ... ha ha ^_^

So, dad met mom in the same village where they grew up and after a brief 'courtship', they got married when mom was 18 and dad, 22. Soon, after, he became the papa of 4 girls and 2 boys ...

Dad loves to bring the whole family out for all sorts of outings. Many a times, we would all squeeze into his little saloon car with one of us sleeping on the back dashboard! We would go places, as far as Singapore where we have relatives there. Oh yes, not the mention our favourite eat-out nights ... steamed cockerels and fried la-la ... yummy!!

Well, I have great respect for this man who, despite his poor background, became a successful enterpreneur and taught us many great lessons in life. From a wooden hut, to a rented flat, to a big brick house in KL ... from a bicycle, to a mini, to a Volvo, to a Mercedes ... admirable ^_^ The way he trained his staffs, one by one, they learned the trade and ventured out to become their own boss.

Today, at the age of 69, he still drives out everyday to the shop and kept himself active, still earns his living his own style.

God bless you, Dad. May your days be filled with metta loving kindness, may you be blessed with good health, good fortune and above all, love :-)

Happy birthday, pa !!

Pixie of the Moon

26th April, 2009 - This morning, I woke up to the recurring pain in my eyes and that kinda forced me not to look at the computer screen at least for the day ... another day of rest??? Goodness gracious me! Been neglecting my eyes, how can??? Well, well, let's just hope it's just a passing recovering phase :-)

So ... during the kids' Buddhist learning session, I took the opportunity to sneek in to the temple's office and rest comfortably in the lazy rattan chair with the fan blowing. Ahhh ... reminded me of those carefree days in the village when I was a small girl ^_^

After a hearty vegetarian lunch at the temple, off we went to Petaling Street, in anticipation of a great theatrical experience. Uh uh ... we were too early and so, to idle away 2 hours with a bunch of 8 to 13 year old kids, my my, I didn't feel quite like walking the streets of Petaling Street! So, we ended up in Purple Cane Tea house ... Ahhhhh ... this place reminded me of my College years back when my friends and me would throng to this place for tea and its famous Mushroom Noodle on weekends, just for chats and jokes. Those were the great memories of yester years! Wow! Today seem to be 'walking down memory lane' day ya ^_^

The kids had fun playing some card games like Happy Family and UNO. After another hearty meal : Black Pepper Chicken Chop, Nasi Lemak and Herbal Tea Eggs ... aiyo, what to do, with these kids ... hmmm ... Happy to see their smiling faces, no doubt, though sometimes I tend to spoil them :-)

Pixie of the Moon is a play choreographed and acted out by teenagers, with a 9 years' old as the youngest actor and 19 as the eldest! The story depicts a rich-spoilt lady, Mrs. Money who throws away "still new" things, an Indian (poor) couple who recycles stuff into many useful things, 3 pixies of the moon with magical powers but chose to help recycle things using their bare hands. So, the story had it that the pixies taught the wasteful Mrs. Money a valuable lesson in life, that is not to waste!!

It was pure fun, giggles were aplenty and well, we enjoyed the show very much. Such talented lot. Oh yes, met Miao Cang Fa Se and exchanged hellos ^_^