Monday, January 30, 2006

CNY trip to JB

We left the house slightly after 8am. A bit of traffic jam @ the Woodlands Checkpoint. Other than that, roads were clear. Dad & Cik Senin had already planned the itinerary for the day. We grabbed a quick breakfast, drove to their house and soon left again.

2 cars convoy up to Pekan Nenas, Pontian. We took a right turn at a traffic light before we passed by a long house. The whole car roared when my Dad asked "I thought long house only exists in Sarawak?"

No Ibans reside in this long house. Only goats.

The goats' farm was spacious, very well-kept and surprisingly breathable. But once the owner took us up the "longhouse", I immediately caught whiff of the goats.

Cute? These twins were only 4 days old.

This goat comes forward each time Aunt Tina stands in front of its pen. Haha!

The owner told us that the goats had just been milked. Cik Senin bought 5 small bottles of milk from her and we drank on the spot. Very fresh! She also processed goats' soap, bee pollen and honey. No clue as to where those bees come from but with 3 families in tow, we did not leave empty-handed or her disappointed.

From Pontian, we headed to Angsana Plaza to bowl. We had lunch first. Then 7 of us went up to bowl. Mum, Cik Ina & Cik Jana opted to shop. Basically bowling was the main agenda of this trip. All of us came with socks.

2 rounds in 2 bowling alleys side by side = chaos! Dad & Uncle Sam were the only ones who bowled well with their occassional spares & strikes. The rest of us were champions for gutter balls.

Once game was over, we headed back to Cik Senin's house. Intention was to rest & refresh before dinner. On our way back, we saw Cik Senin's car by the roadside. All because of this:


Finally we reached his house with more than 10kg of durians in the car. Uncle Sam wasted no time to peel the durians for us. Dad ate then slept. But not before telling Dayah to wash the car. Poor gal was perspiring under the scorching sun. I had barely sprayed water on the right side of the car before I realised that it has dried up. Sheesh! Problem solved once I reversed Dad's car further into the shelter. Nurul chipped in to help. =)



The effect of the D24 durians lulled everyone to sleep except Mum, Cik Jana, Cik Ina & me. Poor Cik Senin had to chaffeur them to this place to shop! He dozed off in the car while waiting for us.

I lost count of their 'Sales' posters all over the place.

Headed back to house and deposited their shopping bags. Towards evening, we left the house once again for dinner.



I spent the night after that watching vcd 'Pontianak Sundal Malam 2'. Parents left for their body massages appointment. I estimated that they would be back by 11pm. They came back with Ramli burgers close to midnight.

Needless to say, we got stuck in heavy traffic jam on our journey back. Time of arrival in Singapore: 3am.

Now everyone is having aching bodies. Their body massages - wasted.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Fortune cookie

Mala, Rebecca & I headed to Suntec City today.

Entered HSBC to do banking errands. Whilst waiting in queue, Rebecca passed me a fortune cookie. She eagerly tore the plastic wrap and ate hers.

It read "Finance your learning aspirations with HSBC today. Call 1800-HSBC NOW".

I kept mine in the bag. =)

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Straits Kitchen again?! =)

"Hi all,

Lunar new year lunch will be held on

Fri, 3 Feb 2006 – 12.30pm
@ Grand Hyatt Straits Kitchen (buffet!)

We will have our traditional “lo hei” yu sheng as well……."


This is the email I received from my colleague. Need I say more?

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Bonjour!

You Should Learn French

C'est super! You appreciate the finer things in life... wine, art, cheese, love affairs.
You are definitely a Parisian at heart. You just need your tongue to catch up...


French? Mmm... =)

I did another test to know my name in French.

Your French Name is:

Verrin Castel


This is if my name is Lisa.

Your French Name is:

Martine Lemonnier


With my full name.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

M's Day into the Night.

"Cafe Vienna? Viet-Thai Bar? Pasta?"

It was bad enough that I was craving for salmon. Chatting about food with M & Makcik over the week was unbearable. Despite having taken my lunches, my salivary glands worked hard at the thought of eating all those rich delicious foods for dinner.

The birthday gal had wanted to eat pasta but couldn't decide where to go.

Voluntarily, Makcik gave M an entire list of restaurants to go. That was last Wednesday. On Thursday, M decided on Viet-Thai Bar. Whatever happened to her pasta craving?

So there we were chatting about time and place to meet when these 2 ladies started talking about Straits Kitchen. Alamak! Both were reminiscing the night they went to eat there, narrating to me how they completely missed out the Indian foods, desserts & pastries corner. After all that chat and mental torture, it was finally decided that we will have dinner in Straits Kitchen. Phew! Now all I could do was to wait patiently for sunset, sunrise and another sunset.

Friday came. Caught up with both of them in Bugis Seiyu @ 6.30pm. Poor birthday gal was thirsty. We went to Swensens for our drinks, alongside with Fries & Calamari (unintentionaly really!). Then we boarded the MRT to Orchard.

We took a leisure walk thru Wisma Atria & Takashimaya before landing up in Grand Hyatt. As if that wasn't enough, we had to wait a while more before getting our table. Straits Kitchen had a busy Friday night.

Once we settled down at the table, we ate non-stop. Made several trips to different counters.

BIG prawns! I like! =)

Hot, soft, fluffy Naan. Mmm...

This plate looked incomplete with its Sambal Crab. I wasn't willing to soil & embarrass myself though.

Unfortunately the fun was short-lived. A waiter approached our table to inform that the buffet was closing in 5 minutes. What?! We made last trips to the pastries & desserts counter.

20% of the desserts we took amongst ourselves.

Oh! Not forgetting our birthday gifts to M. More Swarovski bling-bling to her collection.



Pakcik arrived and whisked us away in his Lancerlot. I took one direct flight to Lala-land. Makcik had smsed me earlier that Pakcik had bought a birthday cake for M. I knew where we were headed. Birhtday gal didn't. Upon entering Woodlands, she asked "Why are we in Woodlands? Aren't we supposed to stop you at Bukit Panjang?"

I believe my best reply was "Huh? I fell asleep." =P

Over at the couple's house, the chocolate mousse cake was served. Marvellous! I was already wobbling like a penguin after that. Not forgetting the glasses of lemonade & puffs of sheesha, I was getting high.



By then, it was already past midnight. I left soon after M's brother arrived. Apparently they extended the celebrations a notch. Supper @ Simpang Bedok. Just the guys this time. Ladies were too full!

Happy Birthday, M! May all your wishes come true. =)

More pics...

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Lazy Ripster

My laptop is finally back! After more than a month! Hmmph! Worse yet, he charged me $200 from the initial $120! Urrrggh!

His workmanship is shoddy but at least the hinge is good now.

Qi Ji

I'm suddenly craving for salmon. Mmm see if I can fulfill that craving this weekend.

Finally got the opportunity to have lunch @ Qi Ji just now with Mala. Rebecca & I detoured to BK yesterday. The fries were crispy and Mushroom Swiss is always tempting so I didn't mind.

Mala said that the Nasi Lemak is good. I had the Nasi Lemak set meal 2 - green nasi lemak with sambal, eggs, 2 pieces of otak-otak, kacang & ikan bilis (nuts & anchovies). She had Laksa.

After lunch, we walked to the fruitstall nearby and bought Thailand mangoes. Green hard mangoes that can be eaten with sweet prune powder. Mr Wee cut me a small piece and my my... so crunchy. Are Thailand mangoes supposed to taste like jambus? This one sure tastes so.

Well, back to work. =)

P.S Happy Burfday Hakim. Happy slacking thru the World Cup k? =P

Monday, January 16, 2006

Excited aunty

On weekdays, Makcik usually comes online around 9.45am close to 10am. Today she was online @ 9.25am!

Could it be that she had got enough rest? I doubt so... More likely, she's excited about the arrival of her new niece!

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Granduncle

Yesterday Mum told me that my maternal granduncle had been admitted to hospital. In JB and he's in a coma.

He & wife had returned to JB during the Raya Aidiladha. On that fateful Friday, they were riding back to Singapore when his bike made noise. Grandaunt requested to stop while he tinkered with the bike. He stood up and collapsed.

Last year when we visited him for Raya Aidilfitri, he had retired to bed. Been visiting him since I was young but do you know that I had no idea how he was related to me? Discovered it only couple years back.

Anyway for some odd reason, I couldn't sleep last night. I laid on bed reading a book, hoping that I will doze off eventually. The book ended with me still wide awake. I was only glad that I'm in this state on a Saturday night. Started thinking about school, laptop and then granduncle.

I remember looking at the cuckoo clock. It was 1 am. Granduncle used to tease me when I was young. We weren't close but being the jovial guy he is, makes me smile without fail. Then the telephone rang.

The news I received from my aunt confirmed my senses.

Al-Fatihah...

Friday, January 13, 2006

JB out of the blue?

Coming home from work, I found the house empty. Dinner was on the table but parents were MIA. That was @ 7.30pm

Almost midnight now and parents still not back. Dayah said they had gone to JB. No idea why.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Early lunch

Non-stop rain

McD hotcakes for breakfast

Heavier rain towards noon

Early lunch @ 11.40am

Now... *yawnz*

I'm stoned.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Suffering peeping Jane?

Office was locked when I arrived this morning. Lights were out. Waited for a while before Rebecca arrived. During the 15 minutes' wait, I actually thought office was closed! Heehee my mind at its mischief.

Wore our jackets, had a bit of breakfast and chat before we started work. Soon enough it started raining again. Office temperature lowered even further.

At 12.15pm, Rebecca & I had lunch @ Eatz 19. Tried their set lunch meal of Spicy Beef Bolognaise. For those who can't stand spicy stuff may still consume this food. Just remove all their chopped chilli padi. Our lunch got slightly extended from the slow service but I think we both needed that time to thaw our freezing bodies too.

We returned to office around 1.40pm. Both of us shivered once we entered the lift. I know I cannot stand cold. Past few days however, have been icy cold. Staying rooted to my seat made it worse.

I was surprised to see my cuz online. He's supposed to be working and it was only 2pm. He harrassed me for a dinner treat and only stopped when I agreed.

Thankfully the rain stopped when I met him.

Dude, your next pay will go to my dinner. I'll slightly spare you. Pizza Hut can? =P

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Videos how?

Stuck at home over the weekends because of the intermittent rain. Finally, Sunday evening my family went to Ain's house for dinner.

Right after Maghrib, the 6 of us sat at the table. Ain's dish - Tumis Boyan, was gone in a flash thanks to Dad & me. Mum bought Char Kway Bakar and Ikan Pari Bakar from the CCK restaurant in park. Should have called it Char Kway Hangus... the food was mostly burnt. Ikan Pari Bakar was a hit even without adding the Cincalok, for Jeff's sake.

Once dinner was cleared up, we moved over to the sofa. Sat and talked for a while. Then Jeff played some vcds. First vcd was a recording of their wedding ceremony courtesy of Dad's fren. Second vcd was a recording of Norlia's engagement ceremony. I got a splitting headache viewing the second vcd as Ain kept taking slanted angles of people.

Personally I like the effects of Jeff's editing. He added in songs where appropriate instead of heavy reliance on background sound. Dad's editing on the other hand, do not include any songs at all.

While we were sharing pointers and feedbacks, I began to wonder. Here we are commenting on our own works but we have no comments from Norlia herself. As if reading my mind, Dad told me to sms Norlia.

Looks like that will be my first agenda tomorrow morning.

Friday, January 06, 2006

Suntec City discoveries

1) Having BK hamburger for lunch is not a proper meal. Though it's nice.

2) Ignore any guys who comments on you eating BK. Pests!

3) X'mas just ended yesterday. That's why you heard CNY songs in shops.

4) Confirmed: the guy I saw is my BP senior, the gal beside him is my BP junior. Question: are they together?

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Weather Teller

Manager was on medical leave. Mala, Rebecca and I wore our jackets the minute we stepped into the office. The central air-conditioning is freezing us off.

Throughout the day, Rebecca made weather announcements.

Around 11am: "Has started raining..." (Don't take off jacket)

At 12.30pm, I peered out the window. Ground was wet but no rain.

"I think you had better bring your umbrella for lunch," advised Rebecca. Wise words indeed. It rained again while I was eating.

Back in the office, around 3pm while everyone was slogging at work: "It's raining again..." (Time to button up my jacket)

Finally around 5pm: "Alamak! Raining again!" (Huh? It stopped? My fingers are numb)

I dunno why but at times like these, I'm reminded of the 3 Little Kittens story.

3 little kittens,
They lost their mittens...

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Golden Landmark

I decided to have lunch @ Golden Landmark Complex today. There's a halal stall selling Western meals and much cheaper than the Delifrance in my office building.

Armed with an umbrella, I left the office half-past noon and brisk-walked. Arrived within 10 minutes. Made SOS call to Minah for directions. Even so, I made one round on the 2nd storey before seeing the stall.

What can I say? Their lamb chop served piping hot is nice! =)

So while the rest of my body is currently freezing in the office, my stomach is full and warm.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

No more rice

I left the office @ 12.45pm to have lunch in the canteen. If I had turned up @ 1pm, it would have been a wasted trip. Barely 1pm and the only malay stall ran out of rice.

From what I heard, one of the stalls is still holidaying. Pity those security guards who rushed to the stall after their prayers. Ended up eating banana fritters.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Their Anniversary

The 'tradition' started years back when my parents first got to know Uncle Zai & wife. First time it happened, we did not suspect anything. He rang up and invited our family to dinner on New Year's eve.

The following year when he did it again, Ain grew suspicious. She suspected that perhaps it was Uncle Zai's birthday. We asked their children and they were juz as clueless but nope, it wasn't his birthday. In the end we asked Uncle Zai & Cik Ani, "What's the occassion?"

Story unfolds as they told us about their wedding. They had solemnised their wedding on New Year's Eve and conducted their wedding reception on New Year's Day.

It is hard to forget their wedding anniversary since then.

Earlier this afternoon, Cik Ani had called to arrange for the 2 families to meet up for dinner. Jeff & Ain prepared a gift hamper filled with tidbits (more for the children actually). Only Dayah was not present - held back in library for her study research.

Menu for the Night:
Cik Ani - Oxtail soup. Followed with rice & dishes
+
Uncle Zai, Dad & Mum - rice & dishes
+
Jeff - Mee Goreng Pattaya
+
Ain - Mee Kuah. Followed with 1/2 plate of Egg & Cheese prata
+
Yours truly - rice & dishes. Also the remaining 1/2 plate of Egg & Cheese prata
+
Lady Farz, Zar, Zaq, Nisa, Shafiq & Irfan - (i think) plates of differing pratas and 2 plates of Black Pepper Fried Rice.
+
glasses of colourful drinks
=
2 very full families.

Happy Anniversary =)