The Social and Coffea Coffee

(The post that was not meant to be)

I don't fancy ordering set lunch because most of the time they taste like crap. The Social is one of those places. 

Had baked potato skins for appetizer (the <20 bucks set lunch comes with an appetizer and a main course) and let me tell you something. They're probably not baked. Instead, they were probably dunked in oil deeper than the ocean (or how chanyeol the Korean namja would say: deePEARL than the ocean) and served to us. The oil oozing out of the potatoes... I can't even explain. 

My carbonara was tasteless, despite it having the right amount of cheese and cream and bacon that would probably make master pok break down and cry and wail why why must you eat this!!

But that's okay, I didn't finish it anyway. 

My lunch partner Serene-Na had grilled chicken sandwich which looked delicious and is probably delicious too. I didn't even bother to try. 

Oh well. Maybe I'll try something else next time. 

We then hit Coffea Coffee before rushing back to the office. Coffee's pretty decent and I guess you can't go wrong with Korean baristas haha. I drink San Fran coffee on a weekly basis (where can afford daily meh I'm at the lower end of the middle class misfortune) because Starbucks/Coffee Bean are soooo overrated. Looking forward to try more Coffea because they have Belgian cocoa oooh! If only Bangsar is less punishing these days with impossible parking luck and scorching hot weather. 

I'm all packed and ready to go. One more day to go at work and I'm stumped with impossible deadlines. Sigh. 

oh hell.

Just great. three of my posts are stuck in the blogger app. including one about how my drafts are stuck in the app. haha.

updating via email rn.

 

i hope the universe at work will be kind to me today.

...aaaand another one in my wish list

Skull candy headphones. 

* photo by suzie

Basil, BV2

I love Basil. But knowing me, I will order the damn same thing every single time: a Shirley Temple and fried rice (with prawns and fried chicken). -_-

But that doesn't mean that I've never tried anything else. The green curry is delicious, the tomyam is divine and oh yes how can I forget, the crispy fried barramundi! Yums. Unfortunately, not many agrees with me. Sure, they've tasted better tomyam or pineapple fried rice but I am okay with mediocrity I guess. I like the ambience, I like the food, I like the price. Settle.

I love taking photos in b&w. I'm just not good at it.

Say hello to my friend, Cik Shirley Temple.

Mine mine mine!

What I/they ate.

My colleague. Apparently she has a food blog but she's not telling me.
I bet my food photos are better than yours! ;p

Regress.

(Oh didn't realize this post wasn't published this morning. Thanks unifi for your shitty connection!)

Unfortunately I gained back the weight that I lost for two months. Which means, my husband will see me again at the same weight when I last saw him. Sigh. 

Been up since 4. Contemplating about going for a run but alas, Rumi is up early today. My hip is hurting too and my fingers are numb from last night's new exercise regime. 

See? I am capable of a multitude of excuses. :/

Update: Took Emre to the clinic for his tummy problem and his paed said he is 'grossly overweight'! Mother and son 2 x 5 huhu. 

Kimchi-fied

So here's another thing about my obsession with anything Korean.

 

I don't like Korean food.... (my kpop idols will not be pleased!)

 

But when a colleague wanted to eat Korean, I said okay lah. Let's go. To the Kimchi Korean Restaurant over at Tropicana City Mall. And took only one picture. And slapped the stupid Line sticker on it for good measure. HeeHee.

 

I had Onion Spring Chicken with rice, which is edible. Requested for a non-spicy one because I don't know how Korean spice works. Are they super spicy? Or spicy enough to make me run to the loo.

 

My colleague had soya bean paste seafood soup which left a bitter aftertaste that I had to eat chocolate, some pastry I bought at Delifrance and my Japanese Maxim coffee just to kill the taste. Ha! Ha! This is even worse than eating kimchi! Thought the price there was kinda steep so maybe next time I'll order mandu (chicken dumplings) or gamjajeon (potato pancakes). Something less adventurous!

 

That is all. Until the next lazy restaurant review!

 

(I think I need more coffee. Ahnyeong!)

Visa approved!

Now I can start packing. Can't wait to wear my crazy cat hat in New York! (Ooh I probably need a special hashtag for my holiday too lulz)

luck is all I need (and some documents)

Visa interview at 750am today.

Holding on to Neri's favorite quote:
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Last week London Girl was craving for Japaneezy so we decided to check out the hoity-toity Senjyu at BV2. I was not impressed with my recent encounter with U-maiya and Rakuzen but thank God Senjyu doesn't disappoint. Any Japanese restaurant that serve good inari, garlic fried rice and soft-shell crab is okay in my book and palate! And Senjyu serves Calpis drinks so yay me!

My must-order

Fried salmon skin

Eel and soft-shell crab

OK bye. 

pa-pa-pandora

So yesterday London Girl and I went to Pandora and I fell in love with this ring. So cheap! 250+ only! So that's gonna go into my I-want-but-I-don't-need list of 2013.

 

If there's something you'll never see me wear it's those Pandora charm bracelets. I coil in horror whenever a Pandorer (well I have to name them something) starts to reminisce about all their charms. Well I guess that's the whole point with charm bracelets and I think they make a good ice-breaker among akak-akak and datin-datin but eeeee I don't want to hear your stories please! Haha. I'm such a party-pooper. Smack me in the head please if few months later you see me writing about how in love i am with my new charm bracelet! ;p

 

Overheard at Pandora:

Mom: Let's get the lighthouse charm. We went there on our last holiday!

Whiny daughter: But mommmmm that lighthouse has a red door!

 

Lord. In alternate universe I'd hantuk their heads together I swear to God hahaha.

 

-_-

That's Emre right there, who can sleep anywhere.

one last step

Uerghmahgad I am freaking out my visa interview is next week!

trailer NYCinta

Here's the NYCinta trailer. Catch it on ASTRO First! 

(iklan tak berbayar)

my cooking jam

I'll never admit it verbally but this is my must-play-album-while-cooking. 
Berdansa di hujung gelisah, everytime I cook.

These days I've been reading kapanlagi.com to keep updated on ahmad dhani's son's recent kecelakaan. I don't understand most of the stuff written on this website but it's a nice change from the usual inane stuff you read in our local entertainment industry.

Here, you get comments like "Ila Damia tu x nak twerking kat Robin Thicke tu ke?" (re: MTV World Stage) or ustazah/ustaz wannabes preaching like they know everything. Sure, we are all quick to judge, we are quick to punish but even on decent news you get people/anons commenting negatively! Seriously you guys. Nevertheless, the comments are entertaining to read at times. I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, including #wardinator who seems angry at the world most of the time. *roll eyes*

That aside, ahmad dhani, shame on you. I'm sorry, but your parenting skills are terrible.
^_^

Stuff Your Face, BSC.

I keep forgetting that if I ever feel like having chicken chop that is not Cozy Corner's or Coliseum's I can always swing by Stuff Your Face at BSC for a delicious substitute. And the portion is huge! 

Plus, it's one of the rare places where I can eat in peace with the kids because it's a kid-friendly restaurant and I don't have to worry about kids running away. Heh. 

sundae.

Takin' the kids out today for an activities-filled day. It's been a while since I last take the boys out to somewhere fun (weekends are mostly spent with my families) and you know shopping malls and rowdy boys just don't mix! 

Wish me luck. 

Secretly, Greatly.

And I saw this movie last night? Even the non-kpopper husband of mine agrees that Korean movies are awesome (the gorier the better). Don't be fooled by the seemingly high-school drama poster for this movie coz this is a kick-ass spy movie!  

It annoys me that whenever I mention something Korean people immediately assume it's KPOP. Come on, don't be so shallow (sorry) there's more to life than kpop music (bitch please I don't only listen to pop) and Winter Sonata. 

Although I've never been to Korea, it drives me crazy when people come back from Korea and proudly say OH WE VISITED THAT WINTER SONATA SET. *roll eyes* Hello Winter Sonata came out 11 years ago! Move on!   

Ok the boys are up. Laterz.

home.

Photo by Fairul Nizam.

I try to make it a point to come home with the boys on Friday no matter how tired I am. Although when we get home, the kids will dive straight into their toys and strew them around. Then we will probably watch a movie (if the movie has superheroes or zombies or pirates then I am safe) and by midnight I will probably bicker with the nocturnal boys because they. simply. refuse. to. sleep.

In the morning I'd wake up an hour (or two) earlier than my babies and I try to catch up on my books, youtubes (the amount of links my friends and I share on weekdays are phenomenal), fanfics, laundry and trying to clear up the mess in the house. But clearing up the toys will be futile because then Emre will scream JANGAN KEMAS! ^_^

So I must apologize in advance if my husband comes home from New York expecting changes because domestic life stood still without you, dear husband.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna make myself some toast (Massimo bread no less, so crucify me) and wake the boys up. 

Don't forget to watch NYCinta on ASTRO First! Roy worked so hard on this and suffice to say I fell in love with the script and this baby is finally out! Can't wait to watch it. Ghaz is amazing. I've been fangirling over his music videos for ages and now a collabo with Roy! It's just amazing. 

where there is supposed to be a proper post here

(dear husband, i'm sorry I stole your chicken picture. bet you're missing this now)

Dan.

Sometimes I feel guilty for crying over arwah Danial for only once a year. But this is how I stay sane. Every 10 September, I allow myself to be this weak and miserable aunt who has lost her nephew to cancer. Every 10 September, I am wrecked with guilt – they told me he was gonna be okay and I thought okay, I'll see you for Raya, Danial.  

 

It gets harder every year. But maybe few years down the line, it'll get easier to deal with this anniversary.  I miss him.  

 

 

weekend!

Maybe i can squeeze in one entry before I head to my mom's house.
Okay maybe I can't.

Train ride

Day #2 on the train. This universal banking training better take me somewhere in life. I'm feeling kinda sick today because I couldn't resist walking in the rain yesterday. 

Yesterday too my acid rain brain made a stupid pact with Master Pok. If I lose weight during my holiday next month, he'll buy me 2 scoops of Belgian choc ice-cream. If I gain weight, he wants a home-cooked roasted chicken using the healthiest ingredients including coconut oil. What?!! But not to worry, I'll get Roy to make the chicken for me if I lose this bet heheh. 

People on the train, I have a question for you, who are you stalking?

AND THEY ARE ALL ON FACEBOOK. 

There's gotta be more to life than this hombres. 

Plants vs. Zombies 2

Meet Bonkchoy!

Ok scoot over Slugterra, Plants vs. Zombies 2 is here! 

Enjoying the game although my gamer son keeps going back to PvsZ 1! I don't know why but maybe he finds the Egypt plot a bit confusing. Sure, the game is a lot tougher but the new addition to the v2 actually makes it easier to kill them zombies (stop stealing my sunshine you bastards!). Beats dealing with humans anytime if you ask me.

saturday us3

Down with a typical malady, a low grade fever, cough and a running nose (that could probably run for miles). If my dad was still around he would make me get out of bed and act like I'm not sick. 


I'm doing this for you, dad. I'm getting up.

Nasi Arab

This is definitely something that I need to learn how to make from my sister. I've pretty much given up on trying to make kuzi (have you seen the ingredients required?!!) so I need to go berguru with her. It is so, so delicious. Pair it with ayam kurma, then it's bye-bye to weight loss for life. 

But of course on Monday I turn into a pathological liar when I have to report my food intake progress to Master Pok. I'm sorry! *smirks*

who's counting

Heading to my sister's house today!

The boys are home for the weekend. Had a good sleep but Rumi woke up at 3 and Imaan woke up at 6 demanding milk. Hish.

Er, that is all. Oh my it's almost 11am! Idris Rumi!!! Bangun!!!

Because we are missing us.

Because my coping mechanism is an utter fail.

Coming out. No, not me.

Recently one of my favorite crafty bloggers (from America) came out. Mind you she has a teenage daughter and a husband as well. A shocker but I once thought to myself "hey, she's kinda butch". Then gradually you hardly see her husband in her posts anymore. Then she started feeling nervous about Prop8. Okayyy, something must be up!

I don't know where this post is heading but I guess we grow with our favorite bloggers. What we read and who we support may not define who we are, but we learn from their experience. My readers may have dropped significantly since everybody started blogging but I'm grateful to have those few who stuck by me, and some of them have become my friends, whom without them, I don't think I would be where are I am right now.  

Wait, where am I in life right now? I'm in a state of content. I tend to attract misunderstandings, I get snappy easily, but I am grateful to those who seems to be able to accept me for who I am. 

Eyy, what is this, macam victory speech pulaks! Time for bed I guess. Early start tomorrow, I think it's time for my monthly weigh in. 

Good night. 

slow week

This week passes by so slowly. All of us are back to work, but that's not the case for KL I guess. Morning traffic is still bearable because I'm already at work by 815am every morning. A record!

 

That is all.

Rumi and his favorite pastime

The photos I found in my gadgets always crack me up.

Ini belum the funny faces he made for his selca. GPOY*!

* GPOY -Gratuitous Picture of Yourself. 

rant #53086

I disagree.

Sorry, just need to rant a little.

So a colleague lost everything in a blaze. He has a newborn baby (who is still in neonatal ICU) and a small family that would probably need to build back their life from scratch.

So our office is organizing a week-long donation drive for him. "Only monetary donation?" I asked.

"Yes, that's what he prefers right now".

Look, I know that money is important, that cash is king. But I felt that if we also donate physical items like clothes, food, school items etc. would that be great too? I'm not trying to be a scrooge here but during this time of need, money isn't everything.

Oh well, it's his call. I can't imagine having to go through this terrible thing when we're all happily celebrating Raya.

of allergies and turkeys

On Raya day-2 we headed to Girl's house and lo and behold, there were grass, stones, and animals! Imaan found turkeys amusing, Rumi, not so much. Then there's cats, and fishes. Okay, Raya complete. Note to self: Take them to the zoo for Raya next year. 

The next day I took them to the park, where my sister and niece tried to fly kites but failed miserably because there was hardly any wind. >.< They ended up buying those water bubbles thing and the kids clearly enjoyed themselves. Meanwhile, I attempted to run (new kicks still in the box though) and managed a miserable 0.78km. Oh well, at least I tried.

I forgot to mention that after leaving Girl's house, Rumi developed a terrible rash on his left eye. It was so swollen! Not sure what caused the allergy but most likely from running around the house or something. Note to self: Wash their hands ALWAYS.

Ok time to cook. 

yo eid

Hello! Don't really know what to update. Pointers, here we go! 

• My colleagues came over! I think this is a start of a wonderful tradition. We took a group photo on the porch, just like what we did last year. I think my size is the same haha. They were a bit bummed coz no nasi lemak was served this year. Maybe next time, dear friends.
• Small world, my SIL's work acquaintance came over and recognized me. We were classmates when we were 14! Just so you know, I still look the same since my school days, and when she asked my SIL what's my name, the rest is history. Sometimes it's awesome to have a unique name. People remember you, hopefully not for your notoriety lah. 
• I didn't go for Raya prayer. Nobody asked me. *sadface* But I guess that's just how the way it is. In Kelantan (here I go again), everybody is required to go for Raya prayer! God, Nate, get over it.
• Dapat duit Raya! So that will go into my MacBook Pro fund. :)

Well I guess that's that. Finally visiting Mama tomorrow. Rumi threw a tantrum late this evening just when we were about to leave for Mama's home. Hish. 

Hey

Kenapa macam emosi tertanggu pre-Raya ni.

Maybe because Danial passed away 1 Syawal.

Maybe because I'm homesick. 

Maybe because I miss my husband. 

Maybe we need a new tradition. 

Raya

Another crazy idea, maybe I should drive to Putrajaya (if I dare use Waze again) and solat Raya there?

Jom Fresca!

And the annoying photographer girl sticker on photos returns!

Buka puasa with London girl last Friday. I was half expecting she would say Alexis because this girl would never say no to Alexis' pavlova. For a half-Kelantanese you would expect me to be the one with the sweet tooth here but this girl lives on desserts (and travels) I tell you.

We opted for Fresca, because my colleague said it's a must try and "I swear to god, Nate, this is the best Mexican restaurant in KL". Ohhhkay. I am terrible with Mexican food. I love them to pieces, but I am completely useless in memorizing their names. Burritos? Quesadillas? Tacos? El poncho. Oh shut up and just eat.

Albeit the smaller portion as compared to what you get from La Carettas or Chili's, I enjoyed the food we ordered (or maybe because we were super duper hungry). I am typing this on an empty stomach today (missed sahur) so just enjoy the photos okay?

My only advice is if you want to sit outside for dinner, don't. Too many mosquitoes. 

That's mint sauce right there. Actually this is an appetizer, but it's more than enough to make you full.

My London girl. I cannot live without her. 

That's chicken quesadillas up there, bishes. Mashed red beans on the side a.k.a. my archenemy. 

Chh-chh-chh-churros! A bit too oily for my liking, though. 

I'm gonna take a nap now.
It's my husband's birthday today, or tomorrow, if you're on New York time. Love him to bits. xoxo

wish list 2013

Home, with my boys. Rumi and I are constantly bickering over SlugTerra and I have never seen Emre this independent since his Ayah left for NYC! 

Oh hey, because the past few days (fine make that only two days) were filled with shopping/browsing/being indecisive, I thought I'd put here some of the stuff that are in my wish list for 2013. I'm a simple person, really I am, and these are the things that I want, but I don't really need. But they would be nice to have. Hee.

Always wanted the classic Aigner watch and I found the one I wanted at Isetan yesterday.

MacBook Pro with retina display, bishes. My white MacBook is still working fine, btw.

Aren't they the most comfortable thing in the world? Men will never understand why we need thousand dollar shoes for our poor feet. ;)

Oh I finally bought the Climacool running shoes. In blue! It was on 30% discount at Adidas. Can't wait to train in them. Master Pok will probably roll his eyes I can just feel it! 

definitely maybe

Went to the gym this morning, probably the second session so far bulan puasa ni.

"How many murtabak you had yesterday?"

Ikh, sibuk je Master Pok ni. Belasah kang. Tunggu je time Muay Thai nanti!

That aside, I look forward to Raya to be over so that I can start working out again and I think my legs are strong enough to start running. We'll see how.

Speaking of Raya, would it be crazy if I fly back to Kota Bharu alone pagi Raya tu so that I can pray at Masjid Muhammadi just like old days? Then fly back to KL after solat Raya?

What? Crazy idea? I guess so. Besides, I don't think I can rent a car for just a couple of hours anyway.

The idea came up while I was discussing current kain telekung trends with my bestfriends. Did you know that there are colored and rainbow tie-dye infused kain telekung now? Merapu betul. As merapu as breathable nail polish that you can wear for solat. I may not be the best person when it comes to religion but I feel that if you want to get closer to God, you need to be clean and pure as possible. Just my two cents lah. Imagine wearing colored kain telekung in KB? Mampuih!

But I digress. Solat Raya in KL is a far cry from solat Raya in KB. In KB, we patiently wait for our king and queen to arrive before we can start praying (they're hardly late anyway) but in KL, Qinrara to be exact, we have to wait for people to finish paying their tithe before we can start praying! Madness apakah ini? But then again it was the first time (and probably the last) I prayed there. Maybe it doesn't happen every year. Maybe I'll go this year, hopefully I can leave the kids for a while.

Ah, so many maybe(s) in this entry.

  

Hai.

So it begins... 2 months without my husband! 

Kejap je ni.

(okay I go cry now)

Jalan TAR state of mind

I must be crazy to think that I can manage going to Jalan TAR, during the puasa month, under the hot scorching sun. Gila lah! But the boys got their haircut, and we managed to snag few baju melayus for the boys at a very cheap price. I mean, last year's colors were selling at half price! Rumi, who is obsessed with baju melayu is a happy camper today but he kept nagging me coz we didn't get to buy his songkok. Hish budak ni!*

Got home, and I terus flat. It wasn't the hunger that gets to me but the thirst! I was so thirsty even the icky-colored drinks they sell on the street look delicious! 

Heading to the gym after sahur tomorrow (can't wait to check out the newly-refurbished gym), then I start my Universal Banking course Tuesday - Thursday and I will take the Friday off. Roy is leaving for the Bright Lights Big City on Saturday, which means this year we will miss our Raya and his birthday together. :(

* I say 'hish budak ni' all the time, and in return, Rumi always say 'hish Ibu ni' to me most of the time. Padan muka I.

Question generated by www.plinky.com
Who is the one person you hope isn’t reading your blog? Why?

Oooh this is a sensitive question. But I suppose it is too late to say 'my family' because I'm sure one way or the other some of them would have read this space. 

Since I got married and since I'm now in a comfortable position with my career, I would say I'm hoping my boss is not reading this space. Although I hardly talk about work here nor anywhere else, I would prefer her not knowing me better. I mean, I try to keep a safe distance with colleagues, because they may be your best friends at work, but they can also be your worst enemies as well. Guess I've learned the hard way with this.

*shrugs*

iftar

Had a wonderful time during buka puasa with the siblings today (yes we are okay now).
Missing arwah Danial so much. For a second I thought my sister said "please pass the water to Danial" but I guess it was just my imagination.