Foods and Starbucks in HK

Below is the Starbucks  in Miramar Shopping centre at Nathan road. This Starbucks has a great ambience inside out, and when I was there, it was full house, inside out! Biasalah...ppl showing off their Airbooks and what not. What I liked about this cafe was that it was located adjacent to Knudford Terrace - a place where fine dining, caviar, red-wine and fresh seafoods are served with myriad choices of Italian, Aussie, Cuban, and Spanish foods. I can only pose with my fav beverage of the season - the ToffeeNut Latte:

I left Starbucks at Miramar and went hang-kai around the many many malls at the surrounding areas and spotted this Starbucks in Habourcity. What attracted me to this very Starbucks branch was both their Xmas and interior decor. I ordered a tall Americano (their spicy Christmas blend) and a mince-char-siew pie. Have to comment about their char siew pie:- 1. It's char siew, which is 1000X better than chicken 2. The crust was perfectly made. In fact, Ienjoyed the crust more than the char siew (but at the end of the day it's the combination) 3. You don't get it in Malaysia. Ever. Case close.

The interior was great. Look at the wall decor, I've never seen something like that before and I was awed! I am sure you won't understand why I was impressed. Again, have to comment: The huge cups decorated at the backdrop reminds me of Callie and her progressive Starbuck's let's-steal-a-L-size-Starbucks cup thoughts. I wish I could get her those. 2. See the man right at the middle? He's cute. 3. nothing to comment di. I kept reminding myself it's just another Starbucks... 

The KFC in HK was different too. Unlike ppl in Malaysia who use their bare hands to hold the drumstick, ppl in HK were provided with PE plastic hand gloves for hygiene purposes. See the guy (pic below) who looked like a lab-assisstant experimenting on his food??? Gloves provided! Why haven't our Malaysian franchise ever thought of that!? Maybe because the pure feeling of holding a piece of oily chicken with your bare hands and licking your fingers clean ("finger lickin good" marrrr) after eating makes food more satisfying. The feeling is different. How can you lick your finger with PE plastic over it? Feels like a condom over a *&^*# ....blowjob.....unnatural....okay....enuff!

Plus they have great cappuccino in a glass cup designed for coffee! Wow! And they have honey chicken also in addition to the usual fried chicken. But problem is they don't have the Hot-n-Spicy, which I absolutely adore back here.

Ate dim sum. Actually, only the char siew pau is good. Their loh-mai-kai sucked big time. 

Saying hi from HK

It's cool like Genting at night. Say 15C. I stay right in the middle of their so-called 'Orchard Road of HK' - Nathan Road. While I remembered being chased out from a cafe in Orchard Road at 10pm sharp, this place never sleeps!!! It's a city that really never sleeps (just like New York?) Maybe it's the Xmas/shopping period. I noticed Giordano Concept store here closes at 12am (everyday?).

Basically, I pakai taruh my Cantonese only. The only thing i make sure was never to say "ta-pau" as in 'take-away' and 'sah-mah' as in 'semua' in our adulterated malaysian cantonese. But when I first arrived at the airport and at Nathan Road, people started talking Japanese to me. "Konnichiwa". Oh well, used to it....

As far as I can remember, I've tasted their nai-cha, tau-fu fah and pau and Yong-Chow fried rice, Wanton mee, Mix beef ofal noodles and fish ball noodle and their version of chow-kuay teow. Taste: So-so or same with Malaysia only. One Penang island or one Ipoh beats the whole HK's hawker food industry.

Shopping was great, but one very very very big set back was that every clothes in the boutique and supermarket, even Adidas and Nike sells WINTER CLOTHINGS ONLY!!! Errrr.....I can't blame them; I can't blame myself also. Malaysia has only one big season called rain-hot-rain-hot. They have four defined seasons here, so though it's a bad time for a Malaysian to shop for clothes, the weather is one of the loveliest I've experienced so far..(think London on winter!)

Actually, I am in Starbucks. (where else?!?!?).

Crashers!

Astrological Signs Most Likely to Crash
"A September 2008 study of over 115,000 car insurance claims by Accident Exchange, a British accident management company, analyzed car accident rates by astrological sign. And sorry, Gemini, but your sign tops the list as the most likely to be involved in an accident. The next two most likely signs to crash are Taurus and Aries. Interesting data since that means drivers most likely to get in accidents are those born between March and June. Scorpions and Sagittarians were ranked the least likely to get in an accident.

So the next time you get in a car with a friend, make sure you know her sign before accepting a ride. And if you’re a Gemini, Taurus, or Aries, take extra caution behind the wheel."

I got this excerpt from an article when I hyperlinked around Yahoo! As a pure Gemini (not that I care about my horoscope :P), I have to agree! 50% agree. I had minor crashes around, one recently when I was parking, I terlanggar a divider. My front tyre got punctured at its sides and had to replace the whole thing. Ouch on my pocket! I still have to say my last comparatively huge crash was October 2006. Touchwood, but no crashes ever since.

The article is also quite hypothetical: I spend an average 1.5 hours on the roads daily; more practice means better skills. I still have to say that I have been a better and safer driver lately. If I was not the driver, I will put on my rear seatbelts. I have been practising putting on my rear seatbelts since September 2008. I love this ruling imposed. To my opinion, it's due time that we Malaysians put on our rear seatbelts. I always noticed especially Malay families (not biased but a visual fact) cramping their whole family into a van and if there's still not enough space, they will 'top-up'. I mean, everyone will seat on top of each other. Well, not a problem..., until if, a crash does happen: the WHOLE family is at stake. Please leave on or two out from your vacation! Or take the bus (which is also not safe). Double jeapardy! (learnt that from Pink). A rear seatbelt ruling ensures that we abide by the number-of-passenger-per vehicle rule. A ruling that also indirectly proposes birth control which screams: "Stop reproducing; else get a new car"

Malaysia has a ruling that I perceived of as pelik. Cannot hang my clothes outside the apartment/condo. Wahlau ehhh... me and my housemates undergarments will be lying around INSIDE the house to be dried with our fan. Thanks Kenny, for the surprising reveal. I didn't know.

In case whoever say I plagiarise:

Reference: http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22303/61394-traits-reveal-driver

Touching Kenny Sia and Raja Petra

You know, it's luck. I say luck because there's no way you can meet 2 super Malaysian bloggers in ONE DAY! I met, dance, chat and hugged (did I?!) Kenny Sia and I said "Nice to meet the man himself" to Raja Petra and shook his hands. Touches!

I was with my housemate makan-ing lunch at Dewi's Corner in Bangsar. We were at Bangsar for the very dissappointing warehouse sale for Club Monaco and Juicy Coulture and we left the dark, crampy area in no time. Back at Dewi's, as we were footing the bill, we spotted Raja Petra's wife and himself at Dewi's (his wife looked more familiar to me in person). I went up to him and said....yah..."Nice to meet the guy himself" and shook his hands! I am not a big supporter of him, but I am a great supporter of the Anti-ISA thingy that we should all be rooting for. Nahhhh, I didn't camwhore with him :P Btw, he was wearing a large cowboy hat that time?!

Arrrr....then let me tell you about how I met the ultimate blogger Kenny Sia. It's Stylo's 1st Anniversary at KL Plaza (it's not a big secret anyway...duhh). Thanks to Christian (muaks!), we got ourselves into the invitation guests list. Before I even start with Kenny Sia, there's Ida from Amazing Race and her now preggies race partner, many super models, Malaysian models and actors, small fries like us, and yah...Kenny Sia. He came in late into the evening, when I spotted the cute him smiling his way thru the crowd. When I saw him being alone, I dragged Pink to him and Pink was elated! - like a kid in awe of her idol! Kenny was very nice and Pink was talking to him about her fantasies (!?!) of him....and etc. etc. etc. You know, Pink...when she's in lurrrrveeee with someone, she can't stop!!!!

We three ended up dancing together!!! (picture courtesy of Vincent). And yah, Kenny took our pics too with his camera (habislah!)....etc.etc.etc.

We were there enjoying ourselves (nice to see you again, Lenny and Leynard! we won't post pics of you...no worries)

P/S: And get well soon Leynard.....

We both are soo happy! We met two renown Malaysian bloggers in a day!

1111

Nothing negative though. I just thought that many doings in these past weeks (or months?) were entirely out of my grasp. First was a series of numbers following me wherever I go and whatever I do. Still, nothing negative about that; just when you don't expect it the most, it cometh. Second, the harder I try, the worst the outcome. In fact, things fall into the right places when I least expected it to. Third...oh well, no third.

First, the numbers 111 or 1111 kept following me. Believe it or not, you'll be shocked. My housemate is a living witness to several incidences as such. I grabbed 2 random books from MPH's shelf. Add the amount and ta-da! -RM111. Oh well, this could be a coincidence. Now try this: I was paying for my MPSJ parking to makan nearby, and the slip that came out was, ya...you've figured that out: 11.11am

Then, there were uncountable times when I looked into my handphone (I don't really check the digital time when my lab has a analog clock). But when I DO CHECK the time on my handphone or computer screen, it was always 1.11 or 11.11. PM or even AM. An emailed I sent to a 'powerful' man was dated 11.11pm 1 November. Pretty creepy. Let me tell you, all these were not a purposeful act. I was watching the news on TV and something made me look at a clip on NTV7. I am always watching the news without looking at the details. Surface. But something MADE me to look that day. Some unforseen 'force' made me look closely into the TV screen - the real resignation letter of a Malaysiakini.com writter over her false report made over the website on Najib's so-called manifesto as PM - the letter was....timed 1111. A specky like me or you will never notice the small print. But I saw it. Why would I want to squint my eyes to look at the TV screen at that moment, eh??!?!?! 'Something' made me LOOK. Ask me housemate!

Skeptical, I am. But I was in the post office in Tesco Puchong to buy some stamps. As I do not need a calling number, I went directly to the counter to purchase a 3 ringgit worth. And then, I heard it! - the screen called out audibly : satu, satu, satu, satu. I looked at the officer and turned behind me. Well, the bad thing is, I was expecting this: Wanting to see who the hell has that 1111 number, but chehhh, it was some old Ah Pek. Aiya, I thought some divine thingy in these numbers may bring me to the man of my dreams.

Again, these numbers post no effects on my life. I just found it fascinating. Unless someone provides me some revelation about these stuff....!

Sepang Gold Coast.

Okay, so Callie got her bonus. Wow weeeesss!!! But oh no... Now, that the whole world knows, everyone's gonna rob you like I did! :P

So we went to survey Sepang Gold Coast supposingly for the seafood and ikan bakar. The place is nice. Nowhere close compared to Perhentian/Redang, but all it takes is a nice breeze and a good weather to make this place a perfect getaway. I spotted a wedding car and its convoy around. The coast was quite clean and just like Morib, the coastline runs far into the sea especially at low tide. It was about 5.30 in the evening when we arrived and the tides were beginning to rise. First was the formation of two separate streams from the sea towards the beachline. Then by 6.30pm, the two 'streams' met and engulfed the whole beach with seawater. If you see the pic above, Callie and I are gayish-ly walking towards the phenomenon. Nothing too scientific, just pure awe.

Gold: That guy was sorta God-sent! Look at his aura! :P

Why this place was called the Sepang Gold Coast was absolutely clear: the sun coloured the horizon with Gold as it imminently sets. Gold, though not as precious to women as diamonds, still induce romantism in our hearts. I envied the generosity of Callie and Arshia for allowing me to enjoy the view with them although such picturisque views are selfishly meant for 2 lovers. And 2 lovers only.

Though with due respect to Callie, I still 'luuuurrrve' Arshia. Oh well, just his body. Though I am smart enough to know what guys are right for me, no woman on earth would dare deny a man with a hot bod like his! Never will I be more daring to say that chest and facial hair do arouse me. Arshia, with his clothes off his skin, I can barely say no when he approached me for this pic. Lucky girl, Cal.

This trip was quite enjoyable. It takes two to rock the car. Me and Arshia's unstoppable mouths were contantly entertaining the driver (i.e. Callie) and also - ourselves. From irresponsible racial jokes to complains of hardships of hunger, there was never a quiet moment. And the journey felt short. We shall come again.

P/S: Sorry, no sea-food reveiws from this Bagan Lalang. We resorted to Bak Kut Teh. Malay Seafood was too halal for a crazy weekend such as this.

More pics: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/cchivy/SepangGoldCoast16Nov2008

Managing yourself.

I was being read like a book by a person I deemed powerful. Being skeptical but open-minded about such stuff, I did not demand for any revelation. Selfishly, I still do want to know. Nevertheless, the outcome was optimistic and at least I know there's nothing wrong about myself and my repelling nature. "Quit sabotaging yourself, Ivy. You deserve the happiness you are getting now. Don't distant yourself from the happiness and success you deserve all along."

My mum was 'busier' than me. She wants to believe (like I'm a X-Files creature/alien). I was dumbfounded. Anyway, I was glad she cared and I suddenly cared about her behaving in this manner. And at least she has something to do or think of besides eating, cooking or thinking about her sons abroad. I feel like the prodigal son (or daughter) whose initial expectation of me was so immense that I know I could not personally fulfill them; I 'returned' to my parents knowing they actually do accept me for who I am and not with their expectations. Unconditional love.

My so-called strong attributes, also widely perceived by the public and friends, was actually the weakest of all feministic of nature. I was soo strong physically but the physical compensates for my missing emotions. One good friend brought up the word 'bad-o-meter' and I laughed at the word, but I know my temper were raging, probably not as bad as his, but my emotions were cynical emotions. They were negative. I have sinned and cried so many times in church. At times, I felt distant from Him.

I am immensely grateful for people around me. I choose optimism and I choose to be happy. Change is for the best. If I can't change someone, I change myself. It's possible. There's no way you chose a balloon that is not to your preferred shape, you inflate it, trying to make it the way you want it, but initally you have already made the wrong choice of shape. From the beginning itself, make the right choice! At least, you know what you want, Ivy. It's alright to have that high standards for yourself. No compromise. Because happiness is what you deserve.

First trip to Kluang, Johor

Although my seniors went to Kluang several times to collect insects there, I've never followed. Most of the time, they come back with some insect larvae, I would gladly just take them and make them my OWN culture. What a pity - they were sweaty, tired and with just a day's trip there, and all credit goes to me.

There was no escape this time. I must go to Kluang. Kluang is famed for its agriculture and their coffee. I've one SIF friend that is a Kluang-born kid, now working in KL - O. Puay Seong (sorry, FFK during raya!). I've tried Ipoh Original white coffee, Kemaman's White Coffee, and now the original Kluang RailCoffee (but it's famous for the Kopi-O, not the white coffee). It's a buzzling town, selling loads of shoes and kain for baju kurung/Melayu. The main reason I went there, however, was to screen through the all Kluang's hardware shops for ONE particular pesticide sprayer that I desperately looked for.


Not surprising that small towns usually cooks good food. Not talking about the Kluang Railstation food but the Malay stall down the masjid which cooks the most delicious Kuay-Tiow goreng. My Professor, the driver, Arshia and I shared(!) a plate of kuay tiow goreng (everyone jaga health marr), but ended with each of us (except me) tah-pau another packet home. My Professor said, "Charge everything to our research grant. Tah-pau more. Buy more". I should have just bought a pair of shoes and charge it to our grant :P

We visited the kilang membuat sprayer - the ever worldwide famous JungChung Sdn. Bhd. World famous, but I bet none of you would have known :P Come on, who the hell does all this spraying experiments but me and my 7 other labmates. In this Malaysia, only 8 person cares about such company.

Reached UPM about 10.30pm. I was tired, but not sweaty. The van driver blasted the aircon. Arshia and I hugged each other behind the rear seat to sleep............





.........YOU WISH!

Animal Farm alone.

After church today, I dropped by my uncle's house in BU, read his yesterday's newspaper and suddenly spotted the column which mentioned Pentas Project's "Animal Farm" final day was today!!! Sunday matineee @ 3pm. I looked at the clock. It was 12pm. I had forgotten all about this play and I won't want to miss this chance.

I was never familiar with Sentul area but I remembered once Callie took me for a joyride around KL til 3am, she pointed to me KLPAC at Sentul West. Oh well..., I don't quite get it that time because (1) it was dark, and (2) I wasn't driving. When you're not driving, you just don't get it. I left BU about 1pm, lost my way round for 20 minutes but thanks to a Mobil station assistant, I found KLPAC. This assistant had this smirk on his face when he said that we both were actually standing just opposite the KLPAC's entrance! I blushed!! "Kemaluan saya besar", as Samy Vellu would have said.

Stage design and settings.

No tics. Sold out. But I was on the waiting list and was warned about the possibility of sitting on the staircase. Eventually, I got myself a seat (on a chair). The production was impressive. The cast was extraordinary as they played animals (difficult!) and their sounds were sooo accurate that my hair stand on ends. There was this girl who played a raven; I was so awed by her performance from start to the end. The script was in Mandarin but this was one reason why I came to this play too - to improve my Mandarin (I enrolled in a Mandarin class lately). (Actually, I didn't learn much Mandarin today but one word stuck to me 'til now: "Man-sui" = "Long live (Napolean, the dictator pig)". There were English surtitles for bananas and the surtitles were 'surprisingly' excellent. Flawless. I said 'surprised' because I always have this notion about subtitles. Based on my experience with pirated-DVDs, English subtitles were always ridiculous to the brink of me laughing on a solemn scene.

KLPAC's Hall

Sentul Park

Sentul Park has a lovely scenery. Trees are soo important. Reminded me of D.R park in Ipoh. There was never a problem for me doing anything ALONE because I am always loner by choice. However, today, as I was sitting at the park facing the koi pond, I realised the only problem of being alone was that my freaking chatty mouth wants to expressed the lovely scenery my eyes was lusting on, but there was no one to tell that to. How torturous! Plus, no one was there to take a pic of you with the lovely scenery. But I have a pic of myself captured by an anonymous:

Ahhh....doing stuffs ALONE. Biasalah....

Overhaul

First thing that flies thru' your shallow brains could be that my Kelisa failed on me. Overhaul.

But it's not. It's my looks. I did a overhaul on my hair... and face. I haven't had a radical hair change since 1997, hence today was historical. I never had a single facial treatment in my entire life. Last week was historical as well.

My aunt works as the manager in BSC's Leonard & Drake under Dermalogica and her clients include Najib himself, Mahathir's daughter-in-law and last week, I felt like VIP because not only she did she invite me to do it in her house but with service as good as what was given to Najib's f**ked-up wife. I felt more than a VIP because it's FOC and it was done in her house. All my blackheads and T-zones since my puberty were removed. The facial hair, sebums and pores were cleared-up. Not even 10 years of Lancome products could save you if you do not first remove these impurities which have been embedded inside the skin since I turned woman. Only now can my Lancome products work its way thru' me.

Then comes my hair. Mavis from high school harsh one-liner kept me wondering for 2 weeks++. She said my hair was conservative and has never left me since SPM. My housemate's 'fashion-nagginess' left me thinking of a new hair-do. I knew it was time:

After church, I went to the Curve and spot this chic looking salon and said just this: "I want a overhaul and it must be below RM400". I went home with an overhaul but poorer by RM500. After SIX hours at the salon with a phoned-in lunch delivered from Thai Express (wow!!!) as well as two coffees I personally requested for (instead of chinese tea), five women mags and 150 pages of Tyler Cowen's "Discover Your Inner Economics" plus the prologue of Tim Harfords' "Logic of Life" - I was made! Immediately, I felt a sense of relieved/renewed. Thank you: my hairstylist and washer (I had my hair washed 4 freaking times) - Daniel and Cat.

Permed and coloured. 

I will return to this hair salon as they were amazing ppl. I wanted to go somewhere else for my hairdo, but with due respect to Callie, I had to change my mind. Hahhahaa. JeanYip Salon was actually Plan B. I bet the rest of you knew what Plan A was, eh Callie..???