Si-beh long liao...

Been ages since I updated my blog!!!

Best part about moving on is when you realized what you felt, said, did, and wrote, sounds like a complete embarrassment to yourself. 

So yes, I've deleted some blogpost, and I am glad I would not want to see it anymore. 

Been busy with dance rehearsal, my mission to save a stray cat I call Boboi, coping with my never-ending workloads, and my obsession with sports, marathon and recently, bootcamp with Coach Esvaran at CosmicFit! 

Dance performance is in two days time, I'll be posting some photos for sure!

Wanted to post recent photo of myself, and then I realized I have not been taking selfie for a long time. Scroll thru old photos in Camera Gallery and saw some selfie of me looked retarded, vain, emo, fake, and mostly, si-beh-hiau ones.

"SWT" alot while doing this selfie compilation.

This is the most DECENT photo taken of me - no selfie, no hiau.

Till the next blog (... I have alot of unfinished food-blog to be written!), goodnite ya'all!

XOXO!

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Emo-ness

As 2013 passed, I wonder if I've made any difference in anyone else's life.

Is my existence insignificant?

Is my presence unnoticeable?

Do I matter to anyone?

Do I even matter at all?

Sigh... rambling when emo-ness kicks in.... 

Hashtags #alone #soalone #iamalone #lonely #depressed #foreveralone #fml

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Mount Kinabalu Expedition 2013

A mountain standing so mighty at the height of 4,095 metres in East Malaysia - Sabah, is a mountain I never thought I would be able to conquer.

Till today, I am still at awe reminiscing the moment where I was at the highest top of the Land Below The Wind. 

Many may be in the same 'self-doubt phase' as me before the climb, and I hope this blog would somehow help in giving my share bits of motivation. I am not in position to give the best advice, but the preparation I made for the climb did assure me a safe, relax, and successful climb. 

Before the climb... these are the few things that you must do.

1) Climb... alot! - If you are not an outdoor person like me, do make sure that you hike / exercise few months before the actual climb. It helps to get your body and muscles prepared for a long hike.

2) Get the right attire - To get a proper shoe is a MUST. I didn't invest much on a hiking shoe, just a RM9.90 rubber shoe I got from Cameron Highlands. You can get it at any hardware shops I believe. The second day hike from Laban Rata to Low's Peak can be as cold as -1°C  (depending on rain and season). I'm all prepared for the worst when I get myself a pair of long john (top & bottom from Universal Traveler), a windproof and waterproof pants (from Universal Traveler), gloves (from Universal Traveler too), beanie I borrowed from dad, balaclava Vince lend me, and a thick sweater sponsored by SP Setia. Do not forget to get a head lamp too! It is compulsory on the second day hike. Get a raincoat for both days. 

3) Be mentally prepared - We are lucky to have Kevin Wong to give us a motivational speech prior to our climb. It was a half-day session, and I would like to summarize the session with these quotes. 

"Keep your head and your heart in the right direction, 

and you'll never have to worry about your feet"

"The distance between success and failure can only be measured by one's desire"

It is really important to believe that all you wanted to achieve - is to set foot at the peak, 

nothing lower than the peak. This goal - must be your sole belief. 

Because beliefs are essentially our on / off switch for our ability to do anything in the world. 

4) Altitude sickness pill - Most of the climbers who failed to reach the peak of Mount KK is due to altitude sickness. You don't want to have symptoms like nausea, migraine, headache, vomiting during your climb, coz there's no turning back. So get some AMS pills and take it 3 days before the climb to avoid this.

Now that you are physically and mentally prepared, get ready for a journey that would change your perspective in life - thru a promising tropical adventure! :)

All 39 of us from the second batch of SP Setia Mount KK 2013 Expedition

During the hike to Laban Rata....

1) This is not a race, climb at your own pace - The goal is to reach the top, not to race your friends to the top. Well, of course, only if you are in Mt. Kanabalu Climbathon. Else, I would suggest you to save that energy and enjoy what nature has to offer.

2) Grab a buddy - It is always so much fun to do things with people, than doing things alone. Whatsmore, a climb to remember! I was so lucky to have a buddy of the same pace, and constantly give encouraging words. 

3) Pack your lunch box - Yeppp... nothing heavy, oily or spicy in the morning before the hike. Although there are many stops along the Mesilau / Timpohon trails, you wouldn't want to rush to the too-too. I would suggest to pack some bananas, chocolates, raisins, nuts, and energy drinks. Once reached Laban Rata, have a cup of hot Milo (bring your own 3 in 1 coz a cup of Milo at Laban Rata is going to cost you RM 6).

Having fun photo session makes you forget of the coming kilometers before Laban Rata... 

During the hike to Low's Peak....

1) Cover yourself from head to toe - While everyone was shivering, my hands were sweaty and it felt pretty normal for me to remove my gloves to use my camera - the rest felt like they are going to have frostbite when doing that. I felt like this is one of the wisest decision I've made in my life - for keeping myself warm with the right attire. 

2) Head lamp - Again... this is a must coz it's pitch dark when you start your journey from Laban Rata at 2am. Do bring some spare batteries in your bag pack coz the battery tends to drain faster in colder temperature.

Achievement that is gonna make me proud... "I come, I climb, I conquer"

Going down from Low's Peak to Kinabalu Park...

1) Just go with the flow - You'd be sooooo happy with your newly achieved mission and you'll be too busy to shout about it. So don't worry about going down. You have only one goal now - to go down. So... you pretty much get the idea. 

Remember the raincoat I was telling?
It came handy when it gets cold on my way down - then it started to drizzles. 

I extended my stay at Sabah with my buddies. Went snorkeling at Pulau Mamutik. Pulau Manukan and Pulau Sapi. It was awesooommeee.... could be better if it wasn't for the muscle pain I had for the next 3 days after the climb. Woo-hoooooo!!!

I hope this brief review on Mount KK climb is useful. I did not cover everything about it. Just some pointers based on my own experience.

Will be climbing again next year (I hope)... looking forward to Via Ferrata at Mount KK!!!

And how could I end this post just like this? 

Feed on this.... wootzzz!!! Photo taken by one of my hiking buddy at Pulau Sapi.

Goodnight ya'll !!!

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All geared up for another challenge!

Being a girl who is not accustomed to outdoor activities, 

needless to say... adventures, to register myself for Mount KK Expedition 2013

appear to be a shocking news to everyone - including myself.

Many were curious in knowing why.

I guess there was a point when my self-esteem was being ripped off,

and at the end of a miserable experience, I was left worthless.

Feeling like a loser in dealing with my own life,

I decided to take charge again and felt the need to regain back my self-worth.

I wanted to take small steps to reassure and convince myself that 

I may fail in certain things in life, but NOT EVERYTHING. 

Been taking small steps to achieve small little goals.

Then bigger goals. Then set a resolution to it.

Every little achievement I've made, made me proud of myself.

The Mount KK Expedition wasn't for me initially.

Only 80 out of 198 registrants got picked randomly.

But as I was eager to join, I attended every single training they have.

During the first few weeks of training, the "not so eager ones" dropped out.

So I got in!

Series of training have been planned out by 

external trainer to ensure that we work our butts off!

Bukit Saga / Apek Hill at Cheras,

 Gunung Angsi at Negeri Sembilan, 

and Gunung Nuang at Hulu Langat.

First training at Bukit Saga - I thought I was gonna die with my heart pumping
so hard that I could feel that it's gonna pop out!!!

The waterfall at Bukit Saga - marks that the peak is near!

Gunung Angsi wasn't that bad actually.
We were going slow and steady. 

Gunung Nuang made Bukit Saga seemed like a peanut.
My leg was jelly-like when I reached Kem Pacat.
It is a long way with alot of obstacles to make sure we are all PANCIT!
I didn't made it second time around though..

Our second visit to Bukit Saga was a breeze!
It's getting easier after every training and I'm glad we've improved.

These training are really tough!!!
And it definitely reminded me how unfit I am!

To ensure that our level of fitness, we are also told to undergo a series of
physical fitness test by Sunway Medical Centre too.
Passed that... almost failed the lung test though.

I've really tried my best in all my training, and there has been
some bad times when I had muscle cramps and have to refrain from continuing the hike.
It kind of demotivating, but I just kept moving.

Now that the actual hike is just around the corner,
I'm unsure if that's what I opted for...
Am I up to climbing at Mount KK?!!
Am I capable of going all the way up to 4,095 metres (13,455 ft) above sea level?!!
This is a no-joke, there are people who died from AMS during the hike!!!

*paranoid*

There are no room for doubt now.
I've come this far.
I did what I should.
External, internal and my own training.
I did it all.

I seriously, really, sincerely, truly, madly, deeply, hope that I'll made it to the peak.

May God be with me all the way.

Flying off at 7.30am tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck peeps!!! 

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Den Den Japanese @ Oasis Ara Damansara

In the mood for Jap after my review for Zen @ Sunway Pyramid! 

I was recently introduced to this nice place called Oasis Square.

What seemed to look like Setia Walk Puchong, is actually a place far more 

interesting and happening hidden at Ara Damansara!

It's such a beautiful place that I regretted for not bringing my DSLR during my visit.

Photos taken online - does not belongs to me. 

Photos taken online - does not belongs to me. 

Sunny boy used his iPhone and all the photos taken of me - has red eye on it!
My excuse - I've just glamorize glow in the dark lenses!!!

Infront of a Chinese Restaurant called Royal Flush

Another eye-catching building -Roulette (a bar)

I love how the lights shine when the water is shooting up!
Kind of reminds me of Mines Wonderland Musical Fountain when I was a kid

I was then brought to a Den Den, a Japanese restaurant - implying kind of a fine dining concept.

And it amazed me to hear a strange but familiar language from people
who are seated on my left, right, and opposite!
They are speaking Japanese!
Yes, this place is where Japanese go to when they yearn for some home food.
I was sooooo proud then to be dining here.

Appetizer was a trio smoked platter of smoked duck, s
moked salmon and marinated smoked lean chicken.
It was an okay dish - I love the duck,
but other two.... it does not impress me that much.

Salad with marinated raw salmon with avocado.  

It was a good salad to start with, but perhaps they could tone down a little on the dressing.

It's too flavorful to my liking. But I do love the avocado though! Yumsss... 

What's next on the serving is a hot pot of somewhat taste like a seafood curry.

This dish.. me love!!!

There are crabs, prawns, and mussels all perfectly cooked in this Japanese curry,

which is not too thick, but just nice to be dipped with the baguette.

On a side dish, we ordered Cheese Omelette in a thick gravy. 

This dish makes me think twice about the Japanese patron here.

Is it me, or is it Japanese egg dish is supposed to be weird?

I could hardly taste the cheese, and the taste of the gravy seemed out of place.

Despite having to carry my stomach to move around (that's how full I was),

Sunny boy insisted on having dessert.

And so he ordered waffle with blueberry topped with vanila ice-cream.

I warned him that nothing could beat Gelare waffle but he proceeded with the order.

With just a mouthful, I proved him wrong... :)

The waffle isn't that bad, it's just that, Gelare will always, always, be the best! 

To be honest, I would want to visit Oasis Square again for the environment.

But not for Den Den. 

With this said, can anyone tell me why are there so many Japanese eating there?!!

Perhaps we are all too used to the customized taste of Japanese food 

that we didn't realize that the real authentic Japanese food could be different!

For those who are interested to check out this place.. details as below..

Address : Bistro DenDen @ Oasis Ara Damansara,

Central Piazza, Oasis Square, Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

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I am a D.I.V.E.R !!!!

Wootzzz!

I still couldn't get enough being labelled as a DIVER.

I could never imagine this last year - I couldn't even swim that time!

For the past 29 years - I've lived a mundane life.

A simple, low-risk, safe, routine-based life.

And then, a heartbreak made me opt for something bizarre - DIVING!

The quote below is my drive for the mission!

With CC's recommendation of a OWC instructor whom he said is friendly,

I gathered people to go with me. 

Chriz my secondary schoolmate and Loke my badminton kaki.

I've selected Tioman for the OWC due to travel conveniences.

It was definitely a new kind of experience for me.

One that shed new light about LIFE!

And also one that tells me how untalented I am when underwater.

We are lucky to have Eric Liow as our instructor.

Friendly, patient, funny is his outstanding personality, 

but his trademark - his tanned skin!!!

Hokkien people would say "Or kim or kim, ju kua ju jip sim!"

Tioman was cloudy and rainy when we got there



But it was nice at the resort... 





Meet our "or kim" instructor Eric - giving us equipment briefing





Sempat lagi for a PEACE sign! ;)





All geared up and we couldn't stand straight due to the weight! 





Ready to go in... kan cheong!





On a boat dive





Doing my first backroll entry on a boat dive - no, he's not pushing me down!
Hands on regulator and mask to ensure its placement when you get into the water.



The sea looked kinda choppy from this photo - taken by CC

Yay! I'm alive! SWT

Compilation of embarrassing photos on our lousy control of buoyancy..
It was mostly me that would have to be pulled down by Eric..
Still laughing my socks off looking at these photos!

One of the most suffering part of my OWC - seasickness!
I had it at every dive... :'(



After much struggle, drinking gallons of salt water, and seasickness, I've made it through!



Great view at night... all the hardwork pays off looking at this breathtaking scene!



CC, Joyce, Eric. Chriz & Loke..



The post mortem of my Open Water Course at Tioman :-

1) Breathing - It was pretty hard at first to breathe without using our nostrils. Air in, air out, with mouth.

2) Mask defog - to scrub using saliva. It still disgust me till today.

3) Tank - It is super heavy for a petite person like me. To carry such weight on my back for every dive is a "good exercise" but it's definitely going to make me shorter.

4) Buoyancy - breathing and balancing skills - not my expertise. I've been floating up to the surface numerous times that I was demotivated to continue my course.

5) Safety stop - This is something I'll never ever learn! To stay put underwater for 3 minutes - no finning. I was doing Macarena - legs going left right center, body up down center - I was in a mess!

6) Seasickness - Despite walloping the motion sickness pills like nobody business, I was surprised that it does not have any effect on me. Vomited after every dive - some in the sea, yes. The fishes may thank me for the buffet later on. And I continued to have slight dizziness 3 days after my last dive. That's a pretty bad week.

Some advice to overcome :-

1) To get use - Breathing using regulator on mouth is a piece of cake when you get a hang of it. Clearing of mask with saliva no longer makes you go "ewww!!!" coz you would want a fog-free mask when you get into the water. Carry tank?! It's a good exercise to help you lose weight! More tank for me please! 

2) Practice - Practice makes perfect. Compare your first dive and your last dive. You'd be amazed how much you've improved and how comfortable you are in the water now. And buoyancy control no longer depends heavily on inflating / deflating your BCD like using it as a lift button, but through your breathing. Breathe in air to float a little more, and breathe out to sink a little more. Voila! 

3) Goal - Always remember why you are here for. With a reason, you'll put in double and triple effort to get the things done. Specifically certain skills that your instructor needs you to do. Make every single skill your small goals. And getting certified is the end goal!

4) Motivation - Go with friends who are positive and constantly giving motivation. It helps to know that if they can do it, you can do it too! 

5) Doubt - Never doubt your own capability, and your instructor! Just do what he told, and you'll be fine.

6) Instructor - You would need to find a instructor that you can trust. Eric is a person whom I could put my life on when I'm in the water. There is one skill whereby we have to remove our mask and swim. I could barely open up my eyes in the water due to the salt contained, and so I decided to just close my eyes, and put my hand on Eric's, and I swim with his guidance with my eyes closed entirely. This can only be done with trust. And this is also why I've declared Eric as the World Best Instructor! Wootz!

7) Seasickness - Dizzy? Just vomit it out. That's my remedy. Then I'll sniff on some cooling ointment to ease the dizziness a little. Then lay down to rest for awhile. One may lose appetite as well but it's okay as long as your stomach is not empty - just eat something light. During my next dive at Redang, I took 1 1/2 Novomin pill 1 hour before my dive, and it lasted throughout the day. I was perfectly fine and enjoyed my whole 3 days diving sessions! The seasickness would get so sick of infecting the same lousy person and will go away eventually. Don't think there's gonna be a permanent seasickness. So don't worry. :)

Hope the above helps. It's just my two-cents sharing.

What a busy month. Promise to blog more.

Goodnight ya'all! :)

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Favola @ Le Meredian, KL

To celebrate Barry's birthday, 

I've arranged for a dinner at Favola, Le Meredian. 

It is an Italian Restaurant with creative renaissance era setting,

the environment there is just purrrfect! 

With my advance booking and request, they placed us in a

cozy rounded sofa seating at the back for a more peaceful dinner..

... and to take more photos without embarrassment! *now call me genius!*

They welcome us with breads that looked really hard,

but oh boy, it was soft and warm inside!

Served with three dips, we were pretty stuffed even before

we started with our appetizer!

Barry particularly like the bread stick!

Zuppa di Funghi Calabrese

Assorted mushrooms cooked in milk with garlic rustic bread and Swiss cheese

The mushroom soup is thick and with small chunks of mushrooms.
It was really good. The rustic bread is quite unusual as mushroom soup is
usually paired with garlic bread. But it was a not-bad combination
and we truly enjoyed our appetizer.

Being a mushroom soup lover, I feel that Favola's version
is compatible with ones served at Dome or even Levain. Yuhmmmm....

Seared Jumbo Sea Scallop with Mushroom and Truffle

These scallop... yuhmmmm... big and juicy!

Seared to perfection with my favourite mushroom, 

with bits of truffles on top, it's a dish that make us begging for more.

The mushroom may be a little salty by itself,

but to eat it with the scallop, the taste really compliments each other.

These jumbo scallops reminds me of the huge scallops

Kayvin ordered all the way from Japan!

Check this out!

Beef lasagna

Traditional beef Bolognese with chunky wagyu beef cheeklayered 

with fresh pasta, cheese crust and truffle oil.

Unlike the normal lasagna with thick layer of pasta

in between small tiny chunks of minced beef, the lasagna served

in Favola is mind blowing! (wow.. obvious exaggeration) 

But this dish is truly amazing - I love how the beef balognese taste,

so rich in taste of tomato and herbs. Baked with thin layer of pasta 

in between and topped with cheese crust. 

How could one resist this dish in Favola?!!

2 scoops of Italian gelato

Gelato! (reminds me of the minions)

Illy inspiredTiramisu

Layers of soft sponge soaked in freshly brewed Illy coffee, 

panna cotta, mascarpone foam and topped with cookie croutons 

and the Cassata made with rich Häagen Dazs Vanilla, 

Strawberry and Pistachio ice-cream.

Barry's birthday cake comes in a form of Favola's signature dessert, the tiramisu. 

After a hearty meal, and I'm glad the birthday boy enjoyed it,
we both stroll along the pool for more photos!

Happy Birthday again old man!

We've known each other for almost 9 years now, I guess?

It has been very comforting knowing that you'll always be around

when I rise, when I fall, and mostly... when I'm hungry.

Every year I would wish you the same, THE BEST in everything you do,

but this year I'd like to emphasize that you have THE BEST OF HEALTH.

Coz that's the most valuable treasure one could possess.

May you have a blessed year ahead!

Address: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, 2 Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 

50470 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phone:+60 3-2263 7888

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