Birthday and BBQ

My family has started the BBQ tradition. Not often done, but when we do plan for it, it's always a big deal. This time, during school holidays, just before Christmas and new years; we decided to get together and bbq. As usual Kak Faridah as head chef and organiser, did the 'produce' shopping. We prepared the bbq charcoals, and other stuff, such as fruits and drinks. My kid bro impressed us with his papaya carving. We started 'burning' stuff at about 7pm. We had prawns, crabs, chicken, squids, and best of all black pepper steak! Oh and some ikan terubuk and pari of course. We cooked, fanned, chatted, and of course makann. At the end when everyone's full, my sis in law took out a gorgeous cake from Secret Recipe which is Choc Banana, with Tasmanian Devil on wheels *wink* Well, I have to let ya in on a lil secret. The cake's gorgeous because I picked it..heh..gotta do what I gotta do..Speaking of cakes, my office surprised me with a cake too the other day! And that was Secret Recipe's tiramisu with a cute cartoon pic on top as well..heh..go figure..

My weekend makans

If you love nature and food, Tupai-Tupai is the restaurant which serves both. It is located right smack in the mid of KL, but are capable to take you away from the city feeling. Stepping into the compound, you will know you're in for a special treat. We had the opportunity to stop by, as we were 'in the area'. And I liked it very much. I ordered kuay tiau beef and B ordered nasi goreng black pepper and both our meals were very sedapss. The wooden architecture and sound of fountain immediately makes you feel cool and relaxed even in the hot afternoon. If you wanna know more about it, check out this link:
http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/directory/dining/view.cfm?ID=10DA6DD7-A3A1-43DA-AD3EC12B2DC53D75
Then the next day, I had to do some shopping at Carrefour Wangsa Maju, and stop and makan at the kopitiam, in which I enjoyed the chee chong fun with coffee. I also had their kaya toast, ah..simple yet satisfying..

Langkawi Excursion

Although this is not my 1st time to Langkawi, it felt like it was. Mainly coz this time, it was a free trip which involved my colleagues from work. And if it was on my own costs, I pbbly can't afford to stay at Berjaya Burau Bay.
So I was especially excited about that. And it was a great package that the company is sponsoring for spouses too, so hurrah that B can tag along, at no additional cost! Ok, enuff about the FOCs, our flight (Air Asia) departed on Thu 30th Nov at 7pm. With the slight delay, we reached Langkawi Intn'l Airport at 820pm. Me being miss organised, had the car renter waiting for us with our car outside the airport.So we hopped on and drove ourselves to Berjaya Burau Bay. Check in was nice and smooth, as dedicated counter was available for Shell staff. And the ride to our chalet was damn fun! They had this shuttles (modified minivans) which takes u to ur chalet and back to the lobby. The seatings are similar to of a safari ride. And this is what I look fwd to whenever I am to go back to the chalet or leave it to go to the lobby..*tsk, tsk*. Anyways, that evening, buffet dinner was moderate, we started makan at 10pm, so the food was cold, but still tasty *grin*. That evening we turned in early, and enjoyed our lovely little 'bungalo'. The next day, we woke up all excited, as it's the day we're to go isle hopping. Tried to have a heavy breakfast, but unfortunately the cafe was super busy (mostly by Shell staff..grr..), and access to the delish food was a tad difficult..sigh. So I just had waffles, fried beehoon, porridge and tapau-ed some croissant and muffins for the journey today (and u wonder what was I complaining about? *sneer*). So it was 12 of us, which was JUST NICE for one boat. We gathered at the breathtaking Awana Porto Malai resort.. Snapped some photos, and hopped on the boat. Love boat rides..altho it was rough as the sea was choppy from strong winds, it was exciting as hell. Isle hopping package will take you to 3 islands: Pulau Tasik Dayang Bunting, Pulau Beras Basah, and another pulau we weren't told the name, but that's where we watch the eagle being fed. So, first we hung out at the Dayang Bunting lake island.. I love this isle the most. Especially coz of the magnificent lake in the middle of the isle. So mystic, peaceful and gorgeous. My previous visit, we only rode the bicycle boat on the lake, so this time we decided to jump in. The water nice and cool and clean. The swim (if u can call flapping legs while strapped in lifejacket, swimming,..hehe) was SO relaxing. Something about that place it makes ya destress automatically. The green hills surrounding the lake, the gentle breeze..Ok moving on, we forced ourselves to depart and head to watch eagles being fed nearby this island. It was quite dissapointing, as there was already 3 other boats who has fed the eagles, so the birdies were lazy to eat by the time we arrived. Then we left for the Wet Rice Island (pulau Beras Basah). There we had the opportunity to jump down to the beach and swim in the ocean. It was nice, except that the sea at that spot has started to become polluted by the tourist boats.. so I just dipped and hang out, not even for an hr, then we decided to leave as we were all getting very hungry, and free lunch buffet awaits us back in the hotel *grin*. After makan, shower, we head back down to all fresh but a lil sleepy. But it's time to go shopping! We head straight to Kuah town. And started picking out chocs like it was our daily groceries. Eeek! Chocolates, cigarette (by the cartons) and alcohol are the highest tax free items in Langkawi. So I went crazy picking out ferrero rochers, hersheys, kit kats and twixes..One makcik behind me at the cashiers made a funny remark and said "Are you planning to sell em back home?" Hehe. Yes they were cheap. That evening we were treated to BBQ dinner by the sea back in Berjaya. Nice and totally filling. We head back to the rooms, while a few singletons planned their night away. The next day, I skipped the team building session as I had a stomach ache, and drove to Makam Mahsuri to find some gamat products ( gamat=sea cucumber). Some famous gamat products are rubbing oil, balm, liquid drink, and the latest, gamat soap! It's quite effective for skin problems and muscle aches, but especially good for healing cuts. After buying gamats in bulks (no makcik to sneer at me this time..phewh), we left Tomb of Mahsuri and head to town. We checked out a few sports stores. Mmph, not so cheap stuff, not much tax cut I guess, but got a few minor items. Then we head back to the hotel for lunch. Waited for a few buddies to shower before we head back out and went up the cable car ride to Mat Cincang hill! This is my favorite, as I remembered, the view from up there is magnificent. The ride is very exciting and calming..feels like flying. They built a new bridge which crosses between two hills. The experience and view from the bridge was spectacular as well. We head back down, when thirst creeped up. Just outside of the cable car compounds were this small stall selling cendol pulut. Well, how can we oblige. Then we head back to the hotel, I changed to my swimsuit and jumped in the pool! The Berjaya pool is surrounded by a beautiful landscape, complete with waterfall, and pool bar. The jacuzzi is dissapointing tho, as the bubbles were not strong, and the water not warm at all. Head back to the rooms, we got ready for the formal dinner of the trip in one of the ballrooms. A few dressed to kill, but I was just in my usual blouse and jeans. Dinner was chinese course, which is not that great, altho the appetizer was not bad. Entertainment was so-so, the stand-up comedian near to the end of the night (can't rmmber the group name) consisting of two men pretending to be Menteri Besar talking and mocking about Msia's politics. I thot that was very funny and direct. Dinner ended, looking at the time it was 11pm already. Most of us were in the mood to party that night. So we head down to Pantai Chenang, where the happenings are, and hung out at the club in Aseana hotel. It was..boring, well Kedah clubbing standards, can't complain..haha. It was very late before I turned in at 4am. Next day was the boo-hoo day, flying home..Woke up early, packed, checked out, quick breakfast, and rushed to Underwater World! I HAD to visit the Happy Feeters b4 leaving Lgkwi. And glad I did, coz they are SO CUTE. They live in a colder habitat (of coz). I took a video of them wobbling and attempting to dive in the cold blue water..brrr.. Then it's time to return the car rental as we dropped it off at the airport, and hang out before our flight departs. And from above I could see the hundreds of islands surrounding Lgkwi including the unique Pulau Tasik Dayang Bunting. Ah..all good, I'll miss and will always love Langkawi..

Xmas is in the air

This year I will have the opportunity to celebrate xmas. I'll be going to Kuching, Sarawak to celebrate xmas with my hubby's family. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. But I've always liked xmas. This season is always so colorful and cheerful. And gift giving is one of my fav things to do..if I can afford it..*tsk, tsk* And the malls are reminding us intensely that xmas is around the corner. The decorations, the music, I can't help but feel happy. My first glimpse of xmas galore was at Marks N Spencers KLCC.
I took a few days off, and hung out with my pal at midval the other day. Midvalley as I was reminded, always have different and unique xmas decor every year. I loved last year's white xmas theme; this year's seem to potray gingerbread house and candies.

Well, a very merry Christmas to all who will be celebratingg!

Out of office

It's good to be outta the office once in awhile. This time we were sent to this training at ShangriLa Putrajaya. I love everything about this hotel except for its parking arrangements. Despite its fabolous location on top of the hill in Putrajaya's roundabout, it lacks parking spots, where limited spaces are available near the lobby. The training went well, and we were assigned to one of the meeting rooms infront of this beautiful landscape garden complete with a small man-made river.