Embarking on everything new

Have you sometimes feel so overwhelmed by recent changes around you?
Well, guess what I've been feeling so overwhelmed for the past week already....

Sometimes I am not sure what I've gotten  myself into...But I know it is all for a better future and for something greater to comes......

Embarking on furthering my education is also something which I must complete in all of my free time to come.....Due to the interest in this field, I will strive to do my best if possible...I hope God makes the path that I've chosen uncomplicated and not too difficult... =)

And I hope I can still go on deep sea fishing trips in the coming future.....with an expected schedule which will be brimming full and expecting the need to make many many sacrifices to come....

WISH ME LUCK! To any one who is struggling with a packed schedule, YOU CAN DO IT TOO! =))

The hardest decision in my recent years

This post has been long overdue...it is about how I came to the decision to let go of something very dear to me in order for me to pursue a future elsewhere...

*The heartbreaking gaze of a cat knowing the owner will be letting it go*

The reason I've been procrastinating on writing this post even after sometimes of the actual adoptions, I can't get over the sadness and can't stop thinking about them, even now.

Most people won't realize that I had 4 cats previously, but due to some unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, I had to take and made the hardest decision in my recent adult years.

It still saddened me knowing that the commitment that I had as a pet owner had not been fulfilled, which never even crossed my mind when I had them all these years...The joy and sorrow they brought into my life can't be described unless you were in my position, seeing everything through ME. I am against pet owners who can't take care of their pet(s) and give them a forever home, as it is a commitment to take on any pet until they do you apart. But being in my circumstances, I did what I am totally against of. I gave all my cats up for adoption, to re-home them. As luck would have it I got to be friend with an awesome person, who helps me in securing good homes for my cats, giving me advises and understanding my sorrow....Thank you my friend (you know who you are =))....

But with everything which turns out good for all my cats, I still have the feeling of resentment on myself on not being able to give them a forever home, not being a good enough owner. =(

I still remembers the days and nights I spent bawling my eyes out for missing them all....But it is all for the better, for them and for me. Even if I am selfish in the eyes of some, BUT I have no choice unless I want to be stuck doing something which I can't go any further......

I wish and pray that they are healthy in their new homes, and the love that I have for them won't be forgotten and I still miss them every single day......

If they can talk, I hope they will be telling me - We know you did what is the BEST for us....

People - please do not buy pets if possible, go adopt and give a chance to those pets in need of loves a forever home.....

*Right now, I will and I Shall*

I am not grieving anymore but I am trying to be a better person and being a stronger person everyday!!

Bulgogi Brothers Chain in Malaysia

I've been procrastinating on updating and writing for sometimes now. So, I kicked my ass and now here I am, doing some much needed updates on my blog!

Few days ago I was invited to join in for dinner. It's more like a reunion for my brother in law with his childhood friend la. But what I am gonna be writing about today is not about the reunion but more on the food which I've enjoyed terribly! =))

* Nah, you wanna know where I dined! *

This is actually not my first time dining in Bulgogi Brothers by the way. But it was my first time at Pavilion outlet. I've frequented e@curve outlets a couple of times before this, with awesome service.

Even though I am not some Korean food expert, but from my previous work experiences and where I've worked before, more or less I know what kind of food that I am putting into my mouth (of course I meant  Korean dishes la! Hahaha).

What I personally liked about dining in Bulgogi Brothers as compared to other Korean restaurants in KL is the taste of the beef is good. I didn't say ALL, but I knew some restaurants settled for Indian Buffalo meat supplies to be sold to their customers. Maybe not for the BBQ meat but for the meat in your soupy dish! HAHAHAHHA!!

Ok, back to my story and food porn! Due to the hospitality of the friend, we were able to sampled more dishes on that night.

As per the norm, we were served corn tea, a bowl of complimentary appetizer of steamed corn, edamame and sweet potatoes for sharing among the four of us. On that particular night, instead of pumpkin sweet corn soup normally served, we had the sweet corn soup. And also the "banchan" - a MUST for all Korean food! Bulgogi Brothers serves 6 banchan (side dishes) to accompany your Korean meal, and of course it's refillable, as long as you can still eat it, you can refill it. But I didn't take photo of all these, were busy salivating over the next up dish!

We started off with "Sogogi Naengchae" - the salad topped with beef brisket and drizzled with some awesome sauce (the beef were marinated nicely and full of flavor).

* Sogogi Naengchae - the appetizing salad *

After savoring the delicious salad, the next item served were the Spicy Chicken Maekgeok. It looks like our satay. I tried this long ago, and it was spicier previously. I was told that they've tweaked the recipe and now it tasted much more nicer! I like how it tasted now, seriously!

* Spicy Chicken Maekgeok *

After finishing it up, came the next round. Let the Bar-BEE-QUE begins! Tadaaaaa~

* Gwangyang Sik Bulgogi *

One of my personal favorites while dining at Bulgogi Brothers. Gwangyang sik bulgogi is just Gwangyang style bulgogi, thinly sliced seasoned beef being cooked in front of you.

* The smell when it's cooking will make you salivate like nobody's business!! =P *

* Can eat now - use accompanying vegetables to wrap the meat and add some sauce ya! *

I fail once again to take picture of the accompanying basket of refillable green vegetables for wrapping purpose and not to mention the dipping sauces. HAHAHAHHAHA....Phail blogger phail!

Next, (Right, somemore food coming!!) the "special for us dish"!! =D

* Look at the marbling! *

* Yummy-yummy *

How can we not try the other famous bulgogi when you are dining in Bulgogi Brothers! The "Seoul sik bulgogi - Bulgogi ala Seoul style*.

* Seoul sik bulgogi - marinated beef in house special sauce, cooked in apple and pear juice, in a medley of glass noodles, leek, onions and enoki mushrooms *

To be honest I am pretty scared of eating Seoul sik bulgogi sometimes, due to the artificial sweet flavors in other restaurants or whatever ingredients they used to make the dish becomes weird when you are eating it. I am pretty much surprised as this bulgogi dish I had were more or less the same as to what I've eaten back in Korea itself.

* Sweet and tasty - best paired with a bowl of steaming white rice *

So, I've found the place to have this dish out of Korea. =)) (I used to love this dish because of the extinct flavors, but hated it after trying some funny tasting ones around KL Korean restaurants).

As there's only the 4 of us eating, 3 being females, we've hit our capacity for the night....HAHAHA

We had some Korean ice creams for dessert, in closing our dining experience in Bulgogi Brothers.

* Our ice creams after selecting from a bunch of it *

Wow, that was such an experience, if I am there again, will take pictures to blog about their other dishes.
I've tried most items in their menu already! =))

They served plum tea to ease your digestion and bring down all the heat from the food we've consumed.
Another plus point you will definitely notice - food were not oily!!!






Restaurant information:

Bulgogi Brothers, Pavilion KL (Same floor as Din Tai Fung and TGI Friday)
Lot 6.01.03, Level 6, Pavilion KL Shopping Mall,
No. 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2141 9620

Conquer your fear! *Warning contains shocking images*

I am sure most people loves 3D movies, with great effects and all. Especially IMAX, which is an amazing movie going experience in itself.

And I am sure with Genting Highland just a stone throw away from Kuala Lumpur itself, most of us have somehow managed to experience those 3D-4D rides as well. Even you can find such things in Kuala Lumpur. And not to mentioned discount deal sites, which has been making stuffs affordable (be selective on the deals offered and you won't lose out la of course!).

BUT, har, here's the but coming in already... Have you tried shooting arcade game in 4D with horror theme some more le!

Why I explain and talk about long ass 3D-4D ah you might ask. The story is like this, and until today I can't stop laughing when I think about it..... Heheheh

After movie on a fine Wednesday, We were reluctant to head home as that's the peak hour for bad traffic coming out from the mall car park. Thus, we walk around thinking to grab a coffee (mostly because I need to recharge my battery :p).

Then it hits my mind of a new arcade game that boyfie nags me to play with him before we went for movie and yet didn't have enough time after dinner and before the movie starts earlier on.. So I told him let's go play the arcade game that you mentioned earlier, want? :D

So we stand there and watch first, there's 2 men playing the game in one of the booth at that time coincidentally. From outside can't see much, can't peek into the gaming booth, but there's some sorta real time camera inside the booth, which again didn't show the actual game screen, just showing the players face and reaction etc..

From the camera plus the high pitched screaming from one of the guy currently playing the game, I was asking boyfie, is it so scary? I wanna chicken out I tell you, hahahaha.... But I also laugh loudly la when the 2 persons finish the game and came out - the one screaming was flustered and paiseh la of course! Hahahaha...

So in the end I went in to play after boyfie complains that I wanna chicken out! Lo and behold, ladies and gentlemen, mama and elephant! I think I nearly pee in my pants thru out the game! Hahahahaah

*RAWWWRRRR*

*I know, you can start screaming now too*

It's scary wei...... Imagine 4D some more, while playing the darn game both hands must hold to press fire on the control and the screen in 3D -everything flies out to your face! 4D in the sense that you can feel breath in you face!!!!!! #$%#$%^$%&^%&%#$#@@**!!!!

*Don't say I didn't warn you - HAHAHA*

Most important part is I practically SCREAMED louder than the guy before..... The whole game duration..... Hahahahah FML!!!!! #$%#$%^$%&^%&%#$#@@**

Nah, to anyone out there wanting to conquer your fear of the dark, creepy things or whatever can check out what I've winding about......

http://www.namcoamerica.com/game.php?gameid=37

Must watch the video too!!!!

The game we played it in:
Midvalley Megamall,
Level 3 (the game arcade next to the cinema and bowling alley)
Price: RM6 per person per play

Have you conquered your FEAR yet? =D

Losing my direction, losing my identity or is it just plain PMS?

As most of the people close to me are well aware of, I've been pretty involved in marketing and promotional activities for F&B line. But most people doesn't know that I am practically working my ass off for the opening of a food stall, in one of the major shopping mall in PJ. During this duration as well, I' ve encountered many a person who might or might not have good intention or just plain not bothered. Some of the people I've met though, they have been a great help along the way. Sometimes I think I might lost it in the head if I get more on my plate...oh well, appareantly, I am still going strong. Update more when I am not so emo.... and when I've got a grip on myself...

Of Discount Sites and Hair Salon

Been busy with works and running around everywhere of late, but hey, I am updating my blog again. As usual I wanna rant bout something really badly…
 
Now, I am sure most if not all of us have succumbed to those discount deal sites that are all over the places. From big international group to small local ones, everyone is basically the same, just how good a deal are you offering to the person who bought it. From products that you can actually use to services or meals, people tend to forget to stop and think about the quality and what you pay for you don’t actually put in very high expectation. But this is not to say that I’ve bought some awful stuffs la, some of the stuffs I’ve bought is not that bad, but majority is like fail case! >.<

I thought that meal deals were the worst of ‘em all. But over the weekend it proved me totally wrong..hair salon deal = nightmare! (Ok, not fair to those maybe that’s better and fairer to customers). Rephrase, in particular Cocomo Salon in Solaris Mont Kiara. Hah, much better!

After some consideration to buy the deal, which is RM88 for very basic hair rebonding which I am opting for, with hair wash and hair blow, I didn’t take head on all the lousy and horrible stories I’ve heard from people who actually bought these deals – especially salon deals previously.

<><>

*the deal*

I was excited in fact! Then the horror start, firstly to make a call to place an appointment is like you better stab your thigh with a few knifes at one go. You tell me isn’t lunch time the most common time for people to call and make appointment? I called like millions of times, every single time either line engaged (someone else calling also lor, this I can understand) or nobody pick up at all, just ring until the line cut off. I tried a few days, but still the same. Sometimes when I got off work a bit earlier than their closing time, I called and called. How many times I called? It gives me frustration and makes me angry. As in to why you bother to give a phone number but so difficult to answer it? Finally I got to someone who answer (managed to make an appointment – it was in 3 weeks time from the day I called).

When the day comes, I am happily going there for the cheapo rebonding service. I didn’t want to go for better / normal one as my hair reached just my shoulder and how good a rebonding I did it will go and curl out like those sixties hair style due to the length. So I thought while waiting for my hair to grow a little bit longer why not stop the hassle of crimping my hair straight without fail every single morning?
(Note: This is not my first time subjecting my hair to rebonding, I’ve done it so many times, I can repeat the process even. I’ve done relaxing, perming as well. So you can say that I am no stranger to visit salon for hair service)

Back to the story, I was there slightly earlier than my appointment time, I asked and they are glad that I am early in fact (the lady who did my hair, not the boss). So I gratefully sat down, but to my dismay, she didn’t even bother to wash my hair as per the norm before starting any hair service with chemicals slathered on. For a typical rebonding the steps will be from A-Z, no matter what price you are paying for, it should be the same:

1. Hair washed with shampoo and no conditioner (totally clean hair). Blow dried after hair wash.
2. Hair separated into small parts, and cream softener or relaxant is applied to the whole heedful of hairs all while keeping it straight. Left on for designated time.
3. Hair steamed before rinsed out of the relaxant.
4. Hair blown dried and keratin lotion thingy applied to hair.
5. Flat iron used to straighten hair part by part.
6. Hair neutralizer of sort applied to set bonds and stabilize the hair, done in parts after step 5. Leave for designated time.  
7. Rinse off with cold water. Hair treatment is optional, some salon offer package inclusive of it and some will be an option to top up. Good stylist will only need to blow dry your hair to achieve straight hair after this last step.

If they whip out a hair iron, end result after you wash your hair at home later on might not be as good.  Usual practice, they will advice you not to wash your hair within the next 48hours for the shape to really set. Please wear a shower cap or plastic bag when you take your shower.

 Ok, while they skipped step 1, other things were sort of still alright. During step 2 in progress, the owner – drama queen whizzed in. Starts complaining about yesterday – how busy is the saloon, how dramatic for him and all of the staffs, how bad this and that. There were like a few customers around, BITCH rant elsewhere please! More drama enfolds when he flips the appointment book, “what? So many use voucher?”, then proceed to condemn about the voucher buyers and how bad it is for his damn business la. Keep saying cannot earn $$ and cannot cope with the customer rate etc. The final word that makes me swears I am not coming back to this salon: “I tell you all, don’t take appointments for vouchers one, not more than 2-3 per day, just a few per day”. Now I know why phone nobody answers – nobody gives a darn. He some more can say fuck it those voucher one don’t want to do it. Drag till forever, just tell customers all full.

WTF. I am angry. He kept condemning that voucher buyers are like shit heads, cheapo who bought something to make his life hellish and makes his goody saloon so hectic cannot cope.  BITCH, the groupon thing nobody force you to do, if you’ve decided to do it, it means that the business is only so-so for your salon. This is to market and promote your salon, creating awareness to the public and consumer of your salon existence. Shouldn’t you be promoting your salon instead or ranting there and make customers like me who am there feel like shit? If you explain and tell anyone nicely, people will be willing to top up on your hair treatment and other things that you are up selling. Major alert – COCOMO SALON IN SOLARIS MONT KIARA, you can get better for the dough that you are paying. Seriously.

*curious as to what he looks like?*

To regulars of the salon, he practically pray and bow to the customers – like they are god. The courtesy to offer voucher buyer a cup of water also don’t have. To regulars, offer a whole menu range to choose from. They do have water and Chinese tea in house just to clarify. Seriously, stop it before all new customers boycott your salon.

To be fair – the stylist lady who did my hair wasn’t mean to me. Their partnering mani/pedi/facial/massage business quite alright. I did basic manicure with them while doing my hair. Only the salon owner is an arse. Instead of promoting the business, he ended up making me feel like I am so unworthy to visit this place. I did topped up with the hair treatment that was up sell to me by my stylist, if I had know the boss so BITCHY I wouldn’t have said yes. Why want to spend the $$ there when the place treat you like some dirt.

Hmmmm….

Hat yai fishing sport @ hat yai, thailand

Teaser post coming up!

This is an update prior to my previous posting, guess where have I been to, again? ^^

Yes..!! I've been to Hatyai for fishing again during the Raya and Merdeka Holidays.. This is the map on the back of their name card.

Will update soon with more stories about my trip there! Ta~~

PJ Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee @ Bandar Menjalara, Kepong.

I loves the scrumptious taste of charcoal fried hokkien mee, those with crispy pork lards is an added plus points!

But even as I love fried hokkien mee, I seldom eat it when I am eating around the Klang Valley. Part of the reason is the same as in my previous posting (read it here!). For some reason I cannot stand the noodle with "kan shui" taste...which put me off to eating hokkien mee altogether...

But one lazy weekday night, after some grocery shopping at Tesco Kepong Village Mall, we've decided to look around the area for a bite. It's getting on late and all and since we've yet to try all of the food stalls / restaurants scattered around bandar menjalara here, one of the place caught our attention.

The place itself is like an alley between 2 shop lots, albeit a very clean looking one. Day time this place is actually one of those hawker style restaurants with a lot of varieties and stalls offering different type of foods. By night fall (5.00pm onwards), it will be transformed to the alley beside the shop to one yummeh charcoal fried noodles heaven!

What caught my attention during that time is the big cloth banner - CHARCOAL FRIED HOKKIEN MEE!
It's kinda late and not much food choices around and that what made us to stop by and give it a try, without expecting much...hahahaha...

Furthermore when the first time we went there, this place is like so new, they've been operating from somewhere else thus the PJ Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee name and recently made to move out from the previous place. I remembered it being all quiet and not much patrons (or maybe it's kinda late on a weekday).

The hokkien mee seriously full of wok hei and you can actually taste the difference between a normal gas stove fried hokkien mee with the charcoal stove fried one...The taste alone makes me swoon and I am hooked and will be back every now and then just for a taste of the scrumptious charcoal fried hokkien mee..!!

*standard fried hokkien mee*

*hokkien mee with extra servings of pork lards*

Extra servings can be ordered off the menu for gluttons who loves to have additional pork lards with the fried noodles.

*yuet kong hor - stir fried hor fun with raw egg on top*

They also serve varieties of stir fried noodles dishes, which I must say is not faring badly too....

*deep fried chicken wings marinated with prawn paste*

*fried radish cake*

*fried oh-chien -oyster omelette*

Since the early days we've been seeing more and more patrons eating here nowadays, a good indication - meaning food is good! =P

*olden day's menu*

Olden day's menu, but now they have got a new version with more food choices menu. No worries, price still the same ^^.

How to find this place? This is right opposite of Tesco Kepong Village Mall shop lots, to be more precise; I found one picture from their advertisement:

*a bit blurry but still can see right?*

Go and try it for yourself if you are one of those fried hokkien mee lover. Surprisingly the "kan shui" taste is not strong in their noodles used.

Happie eating! ^^

Empangan Air Kuning, Taman Botani Negara, Shah Alam

This is a backdated post from my visits to Empangan Air Kuning at Taman Botani Negara (formerly known as Taman Pertanian Malaysia), Bukit cherakah, Shah Alam.

I was just starting out as a lure caster when I first visited this peaceful and serene place. This place is well known amongst fly fisher as well as lure caster. Moreover this place is all about nature, even fishing here its CNR (Catch and Release).

For fish varieties here: talapia, jelawat, rohu, toman, kelah, lampam, baung, keli, patin, pacu, peacock bass and etc.

I've been there a few times for lure casting and I am still entranced by the serenity of the place time after time when I am visiting here. Let me share some of the pictures of this very beautiful and calming place:

*heaven amidst the bustling city*

*surrounded by cooling mother nature*

*truly a hidden gem*

And some of the shots took when we rented the boat to go further inside:

*monkey is rowing the boat  O.o*

*row row row your boat~~*

Hahahah...its fun even if there's time when we did not hook up anything....Just spending time relaxing and doing some stupid things!

Unfortunately for me, I've only managed to hook up a pacu for the couple of times I've been there. But nonetheless I will still be coming back, I am aiming for the toman......   =P (Big dream of mine!)

*moi~!*

*closer look*

*lookie my abu spoon*

Most probably will go there again soon...I miss my lures in action!....T.T

*part of my babies*

Update again when I go back there yah! ^^

**Short update:
Operating hours during the fasting month will be from 7.30am - 5.00pm. Night fishing will not be open during this time as well until after Hari Raya holidays. Empangan Air Kuning as well as Taman Botani Negara will be closed for 5days starting from 29 august 2011 (Monday) until 2nd September 2011 (Friday) for Hari Raya Celebration. It will be operating as usual from 3rd September 2011 (Saturday).


Details as here:
Operation Hours: 7.30am - 7.00pm (Closed on every Monday).
Charges: RM15 Weekdays / RM18 Weekends
Boat Rental: Available for rental - Inquire within
Contact Persons:En. Nik @ 012-324 6959 / En. Malek @ 012-262 7387

Restoran Chuang Kee - Ulu Yam Loh Mee

Apparently my hometown (or next door neighbourhood - Batang Kali is next to Ulu Yam what... XD) is extremely FAMOUS with loh mee.

Which I truly agree with, what with studying and working in Kuala Lumpur, on and off I will miss loh mee and hokkien mee from hometown every now and then, luckily it's not that far to go home. The secret is the noodle itself - everyone claiming it's homemade..Frankly I would say the truth lies in the preservation of the noodle itself. Batang Kali and Ulu Yam version, all the noodles used doesn't taste like the "kan shui" or I think its called lye water, correct me if I am wrong....

I have not found any similar tasting loh mee like ulu yam / batang kali version so far in Kuala Lumpur. Even some claiming or maybe it's really the owner of restaurant from there; it just doesn't taste quite right. Anyway with the recent year's development of Batang Kali, more of the restaurants move out to the newer shop lots instead of operating from their previous shop in Ulu Yam.

One weekend I was home and we all crave for loh mee and some hokkien mee. We went to Restoran Chuang Kee in Ligamas, Batang Kali (the shop facing the main road to Genting Highlands / Ulu Yam / or go out to old Batang Kali Town - the main road).

*Restoran Chuang Kee*

*Interior of restaurant*

*Another view*

It is a rather late lunch...that's like 4pm or so, thus the very quiet restaurant. But when we are leaving, more patrons are coming in for a quick fix.

*Hokkien mee*

The hokkien mee shot is kinda blurry...forgive me for my hand is shaking so badly, it's my first meal of the day..hahahhaa...lazy sunday ma...

*Fried foo chok with fish paste filling*

*The loh mee cooked with a dash of black vinegar*

Honestly it was kinda disappointing...the loh mee tasted too sours, the cook must have added a dash too much of black vinegar.

Locals doesn't really frequent this place for good loh mee anymore, it is known to local for the expensive touristy price of food...or well, do not order any appetizer of any sorts, just stick to noodles, then it will not be pricey at all.

Price for 1 person is at RM5. For a 2persons portion it costs RM9 for noodles. The foo chook - small plate of it, even though is delicious costs a whooping RM12. Fried fish cakes and pork balls which are delicious are available too BUT it ain't cheap.

This restaurant used to be favored by me...but the food taste wise seems to be different nowadays.. Maybe  business is too good and they can't keep up with some consistent quality? hmm...