2009

In 2 days time 2009 will be coming to an end... I guess everyone is doing the same - reviewing their achievements in 2009 and make new resolutions for 2010.

For me, time passed by very very quickly this year. It's been an emotional year for me. Very
emotionally worked out. A lot happened.

After a year of measuring floor, I finally stepped into the working world in March 2009. Challenging, every now and then we're learning from mistakes and try to be better and better.

Grandpa's pass away few days before I started work didn't help at all. It makes me hate the number '18' a lot. A lot. Very often you just can't help missing the past, wishing you could turn back time and just stay there. There in the Neverland.

A year that I see D the LEAST. 10 fingers can count the amount of times I see him this year. WTF. Missing him loads. But one fortunate thing is i bumped into him! Haha. Lucky me. This year, I'm like an outcast from the 'star chasing' group. From totally active to totally zero.

Met a lot of new friends, bumped into some old friends, most importantly still keeping in touch with many old friends, although the opportunities are rare. Everyone is busy at different times, not easy to plan and gather everyone at the same time. Some special people entered my life, and I cherish them a lot because they taught me a lot. Isn't it amazing fate can be? It's just unexplainable.



All I can wish for is a better, more independent, more disciplined me in 2010. Work smarter, work harder. Yes! I can do it!

Wishing all of you a Happy New 2010!!! May your 2010 be filled with prosperity, happiness and lotsa love! There's definitely some love from me! Haha! Mwaks!

My Workplace

Fuhh, I think so far this is the longest period of time I've not updated my blog! Pardon me. Can't seem to think of any topics to post about.

Now, many of you knows where I'm working at but don't really know what type of food my work place serve. At Sage we don't consider our restaurant as fine dine but close to it though. Modern elegance with superior quality (yes we do have abalones, truffles)

Not say you, even my parents haven't been there before. Very normal reactions I get when people ask me the price of the food is: O_O". Typical. If I had not worked here I would have the same too. "Why is the portion of pasta so small! Can't even fill quarter of my stomach!" But trust me, you'll be full.

I brought my parents to my work place for dinner in conjunction with my mum's birthday last month, placing a reservation for the chef's degustation menu by Chef Takashi Kimura. On one hand it's the celebration, on the other hand it's to introduce my work place to both my parents. I guess it's something new for them, with all the ingredients and types of food.

The chef's degustation is a 7 course menu. 9 if you consider the amuse bouche and coffee/tea. It differs almost daily, depending on the ingredients available in season or whatever's freshest. If you or your gf/bf/parents are a food fan of japanese/french cuisine, why not give it a try. You'll be amazed. Well, we also have very normal food like oxtail pasta, roasted cod, smoked salmon, confit of duck leg etc. That will be a 3-course (appetizer, main course and dessert of your choice) or 4-course (with an additional chef's special of the day), priced at RM150 and RM170 per set respectively.

So here's an insight of how the chef's degustation menu is.

Freshly homemade bread with homemade basil dip

Our mocktail (not in the menu): Virgin Mojito :p

Amuse bouche: Smoked Salmon Tartare with Avocado & Ponzu Jelly

1st course: Tataki of Lightly Cured Saba with Aubergine and Avruga Caviar

2nd course: Fedelini Pasta with Mizudako (Japanese Octopus) and Abalone

Far view of the kitchen: Chef Counter in front, inside is the main kitchen

3rd course (my fave): Slow Cooked Venison with Foie Gras & Red Wine Sauce

Pan Fried Maine Lobster with Tai Fillet and Americaine Sauce

Mirror mirror hanging on the ceiling, the chefs at work

5th course (main course): Char Grilled Wagyu with Veal Sweet Bread and Yuzukoshou (that small lump of mustard-like paste that's yuzukoshou, a citrus chili pickle paste)

6th course: Fig and Lime Granite

7th course: Feuillantine of Mascarpone Ice Cream wth Kahlua Jelly

This is the petite four served with the coffee/tea, cute lil macaroon :)

No fancy styling of food but it's filled with flavors. Try it and you'll know.

www.sagekl.com

complicated

things didn't turn out the way I want them to be..
i thought i'm strong enough to handle these emotions..
but i'm not..
it's the first time it's happening to me..
why did you ask me all those questions?
why did you make me hesitate?
why did you make me fall deeper?
it's impossible between us... 100% impossible...
it hurts so much to be close to you...
it's complicated...
fcuk it...

[Lyrics] Yuna Ito - Miss You

Nice song!

Source: Meg-chan

Stay here natsu no hikari ga
Futari sugoshita kisetsu wo tsugeru koro
I'm staying here mabushii kurai ni
Kimi no egao wo omoidashite ita

Yume ni tsuzuku ashita no tame
Futari de kimeta kyori na no ni
Namida afurete tomaranai kurai
Naze konna ni mo kanashii no darou?

Koishikute koishikute kimi wo omoinagara
Sukoshi zutsu minoriyuku mainichi mo
Massugu ni massugu ni watashi no mama ni
Koete yukeru tsuyosa ga hoshii
Demo I miss you mada hitori ja irarenai yo

Together sorezore no michi
Kasanariaeru koto bakari ja nakutemo
My love kimi to deaeta
Yasashii kimochi wo wsurenaide itai

Kimi ga kureta ai wa kitto
Tabidatsu tame no tsubasa dakara
Naite bakari no watashi ja dame da yo
Itsuka negai ga kanau you ni

Aitakute aitakute kimi wo omoinagara
Sabishisa ni furikaeru koto mo aru kedo
Mayowazu ni mayowazu ni watashi no mama ni
Arukidaseru kokoro shinjite
Sou I miss you ima sunao ni tsutaetakute

Ano hi kimi to miteta
Aoi umi to kagirinai sora wa
Ima mo kawaranai kioku to tomo ni
Kono mune ni hirogatte iru kara

Koishikute koishikute kimi wo omoinagara
Sukoshi zutsu minoriyuku mainichi mo
Massugu ni massugu ni watashi no mama ni
Koete yukeru tsuyosa ga hoshii

Aitakute aitakute kimi wo omoinagara
Sabishisa ni furikaeru koto mo aru kedo
Mayowazu ni mayowazu ni watashi no mama ni
Arukidaseru kokoro shinjite
Sou I miss you ima sunao ni tsutaetakute

Tooku chikaku kanjinagara
Sayounara no sono kawari ni...


TRANSLATION:


Stay here, when the summer light
Heralds the season we spent together
I'm staying here, 'cause I remembered
Your smile so bright

We agreed to this distance
For our dreams and for the future
But these tears won't stop
Why am I so sad?

I'm yearning, yearning, thinking of you
As little by little the days bring us closer to our goals
Earnestly, earnestly, just as I am
I want the strength to make it through
But I miss you, and I can't be alone just yet

Together, each on our own road
Even if they don't always overlap
My love, I don't want to ever forget
The tenderness I found when I met you

The love you gave me
Gave me wings for my journey
I can't just cry
If I want my dreams to come true someday

I miss you, I miss you, I'm thinking of you
There are times I look back in loneliness
But I'm walking, walking, just as I am
Without hesitation, believing my heart
Yes, I miss you, and now I can say it

The blue sea and endless sky
I saw with you that day
They fill my heart even now
Along with the unchanging memories

I'm yearning, yearning, thinking of you
As little by little the days bring us closer to our goals
Earnestly, earnestly, just as I am
I want the strength to make it through

I miss you, I miss you, I'm thinking of you
There are times I look back in loneliness
But I'm walking, walking, just as I am
Without hesitation, believing my heart
Yes, I miss you, and now I can say it

Near or far, I feel you
Instead of goodbye...

Jammed

Life has been pretty dull... besides working it's still working... of course, nonetheless onlining... hahaha... i'm just so lazy to do other things.

Previously I was in garde manger, handling cold dishes. A week ago there was a rotate in the sections. Now i'm in the entremetier side. Handling pastas and vegetables. The tasks are pretty simple, but it requires coordination from ur mind and ur hands. It requires control, control of the fire. Control of different things at the same time.

So what's up with me? Got a 2 days break for raya last month, being in this line, 2 days of rest means so much. Although I didn't stay put at home that 2 days :p Had a karaoke session with a bunch of friends, yum cha on a cool night. Although the day wasn't at all perfect, but it was ok. Tried to act smart trying to be a good advisor, which failed outrageously. The next day spent some quality time with friends whom I seldom meet nowadays. Had a very simple birthday this year... nothing much to report about, all I wanna say is, I'm really, really glad to have friends like you all. Thanks for the presents, thanks for the cakes and homemade banofee pie (my first time eating it ok!)

My mind is pretty jammed up right now. Jammed with the problem of human relations. Human minds are so unpredictable. You don't know what they're thinking. What's worse is when you cannot predict what they say is actually what they mean it or they're just saying it to please you. You don't know whether they treat you good is because they pity you, and behind you they talk all bad about you. You feel so bloody heart pain when they say some stupid thing about you and tell you just joking when they actually mean it. Well, I know it's their mouth and I shouldn't be bothered, but it's just suffering. You don't even know to treat them as a 'friend' or not. To share with them how's your day or not. You wonder if you put all your heart into the friendship and they take it for granted or not. Yes, it's bothering me. ANd it's bothering me a lot. I hope I have an answer. But I guess, the mystery will stay unsolved forever.

Going on a short holiday this weekend. So looking forward to it. It's gonna be a good weekend, I'm sure! I miss my floor measuring days. I miss all my true friends. You know who you are :)

Be Part of Digi's Ultimate Birthday Bash

Feel like having an ultimate birthday bash for this year? Wanna have a special celebration being an Oct/Nov/Dec baby? Wanna party with celebs like Joey G, Hunny Madu, Liang & Friendz?

Come join us for Digi's first D'ultimate Birthday Bash @ Bar Celona, Sunway Pyramid on 3rd of October 2009! Lotsa fantastic prizes up for grabs, free goodies and enjoy performances from local celebs! All because you deserve to be the star of the night!

Entrance fee is only RM30 (and get a RM10 discount if you're born in Oct/Nov/Dec) and you will receive a goodies bag worth RM50! And... and... and... buy 4 get 1 free! Super great deal huh?

Have no plans for Oct 3rd yet? Make a date with Digi's Ultimate Birthday Bash now! Log on to www.digi.com.my/ubb for more information, or participate on the web contest to win RM3000 worth of prizes. For ticketing info, email soohui.propassion09@gmail.com for more details.

See you there!

For The First Time, Finally...

Sounds like an interesting topic huh? But nothing much to be hoo hah-ed about. Just another unexpected incident occured today.

It's just funny how things work. How God created the varieties of human beings, different personalities, different species of animals and plants, with functions or special abilities to protect themselves and for survival. It's funny how the more you want something to happen, it won't, and the least you expected it, it just *poof* in front of you.

I think I've dreamt, wished, emo-ed about bumping into D for like years... I've heard about people around me bumping into him for like N times, in 'bucks', in 'taman' mall... Some can even tell me they bump into him at the same place I was at at that same time. I admit going to places where he always hang out to see if I can 'indirectly accidentally' bump into him... lol... No fate I guess. Hmm...

Just after work today I was walking to the mall with my friend. A group of people were standing nearby the escalator chatting. While talking to my friend I looked at one of them who was wearing a mask and with very bright hair color. It didn't occur to me it was D at first. It took me like 3 seconds to realize. He shocked me, I think I shocked him too. Haha. Can't react in time. Only managed to wave in slow motion to D and his friends. After walking passed them, my first thought was 'my god, malunyer let him see me in shorts and slippers!' Argh!!!!!!! Didn't dare to turn my head back. That's it, my first time ever bumping into him and one word - stoned. Stoned stunned shocked.

My next dream - holiday with D. Continue to dreammmMm~~ dream dream dream~~~ The HK trip is impozzible already. Dreammmmm~~~~~~~

Sage's First Anniversary

912 was Sage's 1 year anniversary. Yup, the place I'm working at currently. Pronounced as "Sayj" not Sah-geh or sack or watever.

Though only a mere 5 months in the company, but everyone working there is like a family, a team. I feel the warmth. Everyone is willing to help each other. Stress is there of course, but it's a cool place to work in.

United we stand, divided we fall. Love ya all :) Mwaks!! Happy birthday Sage!

Everyday is a new chapter...

Updates

I am lost in words, in finding things to write about. Nothing much has been going on, except for working and spending some very preciously rare time with my family and friends. Laziness has caught up with me, I have been cooking and baking very very very rarely nowadays. It's hard to shake off old habits. Now even weight loves me so much that I can't shave him off, and fats stick to me like glue, he adores me so much. Why do all the bad things are so crazily in love with me (or should I say the other way round) and the good ones are 184,629,831,057 miles away from me?!?

When we're still a kid, we demand for new toys, parents' attention, grand birthday parties with huge cakes bigger than the size of your own; when we're in primary we talk about 'i-don't-friend-who' and gossip about who likes who; in secondary it's all about PMR, SPM, having bf's gf's; in college we detest assignments, trying hard not to fall asleep in classes and anticipate breaks and lunch and counting the time to go home. Now, with everyone working in different industries, all we talk about during meet ups is gossiping about who's getting married, selling insurance packages, make ups etc. I hate it when friends ask to go out for a drink and end up proposing an insurance package to you. But well, I guess it's something that you need to bear with and it's just part of their job.

Triple 09 just passed. Supposingly it's a very meaningful date, but nothing so meaningful to me. It would be special for couples who get engaged or married on this date, the number '9' being a symbolic numeric for 'longevity' or 'everlasting'. For me? har har har.

Working in a place like this, I see people who can really afford to spend. Giorgio Armani, Lewre, LV, Gucci, Prada, name it you've got it. If only I can indulge in shopping, spending with elegance like them. Yeah, I need to find a rich man in the first place. Or perhaps to prepare the bait, I need to spend some money for plastic surgery first? Oh gosh.

Birthday is coming soon. Har har har. I don't exactly mention about my birthday all these while, don't I? I've stopped asking for celebrations since like... primary school? I've not asked for people to celebrate with me, nor organising a party to welcome this 'festival'. We have it every year, nothing special to hoo hah about. I guess, when people gets older, they care lesser about special occasions. I respect those who celebrate anniversaries every single year. Good for them, keep up the good job.

The Gift of Life

The most precious thing on earth... is to have a newborn... to give life to someone... to nourish and care for that someone... that small little angel... something that is so fragile to hold that you're scared you'll break her bones...

Well wishes and congrats to my dearest friend Mei Ling on the birth of her little princess Benize.




Went to FHM'09 (Food and Hotel Malaysia) which is held bi-annually. Ony went for like one hour during split shift. But manage to see Chef Chong and chat for awhile :) Didn't really browse through everything but just took a few shots of stuffs over there.

Satay machine

I missed out this but it seemed to be the talk of the whole FHM. A gold winner with distinction, meaning it scored 100 points... The only one I think. (Picture credit: Roderick Wong)

Miley Cyrus - The Climb

Can't believe I actually sat down and watch Hannah Montana: The Movie the other day. It was a nice show actually. Though I only watch the ending a bit. Now the song is in my head the whole time. "The Climb" & "Butterfly Fly Away".



I listen to this song for motivation when I'm down now... emo emo emo~

Miley Cyrus - The Climb

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it,
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an up-hill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
*I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m gonna remember most yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on
Cause...

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an up-hill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an up-hill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

Bidor 190709

It was an eye opening, stomach filling, sweaty hot trip. Dad's friend decided to bing us for a day trip to Bidor to look around. I have not gone into a plantation before, and I've not seen sooooooooo many mango trees, tapioca plants in my life before. Fantastic trip indeed. Learnt a lot, and even plucked our own ciku and nangka to eat!

Started our trip at 8am, slept all the way in the car. Dad used the old road to go to Bidor, passing by Sungkai and Trolak. Reach Bidor town around 10am and stopped by at Pusat Makanan Mee Wah for wan tan mee.





Uncle Yap (dad's friend) told us that the lady works non-stop cooking the mee from the time the stall opens until closing. As we sat down and order and eat, it was true that she did not stop down at all. One hand cooking and flipping the noodles in the boiling water, the other hand arranging the plates.


Slightly different from KL wan tan mee. Less dark soy sauce. The serving size is not that big, so it's just right for breakfast/brunch portion. And the wan tan is good!

Saw a pomelo plant and some different chili plant outside the food court. Cute! First time seeing these plants.


Next, we proceed to a new village called "Cold River New Village" 冷水河新村. Don't ask me why the name, but there must be some interesting stories behind :) Heard it used to be a very lively town, with a beautiful landscaped park at the entrance of the village, but now not being taken care of. It's situated about 5km away from the Bidor town.


Makan time again! "Thunder Tea" (lui char 擂茶) at Restoran Sui Lee 水利茶餐室.

The 'mortar' used in olden days to make the 'tea' paste. Modern use blender.

Curry chicken... so so...

The condiments for the thunder tea.

This is thus the best best BEST lui char I've ever eaten. The vege smell is not strong, not like some. Healthy, pleasant taste, fragrant, lovely, DELICIOUS!!!

Then we head to Uncle Yap's parents house. They have some tapioca plants, papaya tree and potato plants at their residence. So cool!

Pineapples at Uncle Yap's friend's house.

I think most of them really make full use of empty lands... planting veges, food, fruits and even making own detergents!


Then, he brought us to visit the plantations nearby. It was the first time that I actually see plantations. There were abundance of tapioca plants, mango trees, long beans, lady's fingers, kedondong, bittergourd etc.

I think this was long bean.

Mango trees!

Can you see the bird nests on the tree. Plenty of it. Uncle Yap told us that the nest is weaved by the male birds to attract female birds to mate. If it's a nest of a tear-drop shape, means the male bird is still looking for a mate. If there's a protuding nest underneath means it has succeeded in finding a partner. That hollow space is for the female to lay eggs.

Kedondong (sah-lei)

Tapioca plants

Can you see the lady's finger? Next to the flower in the center.

Wild nangka tree. We plucked a huge one from here!

I don't know what gourd is this called... all I know it's often used in indian cuisine.

We then visited Mrs. Yap's sister's plantation, which was quite run down, I think it was left there without anyone taking care of it. Many of the plantations were the same, weeds metres tall, fruits rotting, what a waste.

At first glance it looked like white rocks, but they're actually spoiled melons... Not sure what, but looked like winter melon.

The flower of the above melon.

Ciku tree!

Basil

Dragon fruit

Limau purut

Rambutan tree

House for the swallows to make birds nest!

So hot and sweaty! We then went back to Uncle Yap's house again to eat nangka! HUGE nangka! but yummy!


To end our trip, we head to Pun Chun for the famous wu kok and duck leg noodles... Kinda disappointed with the noodles, jatuh standard kao kao... but the wu kok is yummy stuff!



Interesting trip indeed. If only we went to Teluk Intan for chee cheong fun at night. That would be superbly perfect.

I heart traveling! I heart seeing new things! Heart heart heart. Any trip in the future please include me ya? Hehehe...