Jogoya

We went to Jogoya’s buffet brunch for an early Mother’s Day celebration, last Friday, 12 May, and since neither my mom nor George’s mom was in KL, I was the “celebrity”. I have dropped so many hints of my interest in checking out Jogoya that it would be almost cruel if my husband has not made that effort to bring me there.

I did not have my camera with me that day, photos are "courtesy" of Makan Kings.

Reasons of my interest in Jogoya being - my lastest passion and constant craving for Japanese food; more specifically, high quality salmon sashimi and deep fried softshell crab as well as the fact that this buffet is possibly the most talked about eatery in town this past couple of months.

What I “fancy” about Jogoya – Definitely the selections, those who thrive on "variety is the spice of life" will find this place fulfilling for the soul, mind blowing selections with good quality. The oysters, salmon sashimi, soft-shell crab and miniature coconut drink were simply divine!

Beautifully designed and well positioned buffet counters, space, space and more space, this definitely beats many other buffets where grazing elbows, rubbing shoulders and playing footsie with your neighboring table seems to be a culture.

Excellent presentation of dessert; small, elegant individual serving of everything, how clever! This beats digging into a big unidentified mess of “could it be” cheesecake?!.

What I didn’t “fancy” about Jogoya – Service was purely focused on efficiency; little to hope for or rather non-existence “personal touch”.

You pay even before stepping into the premises of Jogoya, they measure the height of your child to decide how much to charge for him and they leave subtle messages on their cards and brochures that you need to get out within 2 hours as they could be running full house! (I understand they also make general reminder announcements, although this did not happen when we were there.)

So stuffed your face to the brim, get your money worth it and move on! Ha, ha, having said that I guess one would not go for buffet for the better of “personal touch” so it is acceptable.

Will I go back? Yes, I think I will, although it is not kind to the pocket, it will be good for those days when I need re-training on decision making from too many choices in life and I believe it would be an experience in itself for those who has not been there.

On the same floor as Jogoya, Relish, Starhill Gallery, I was extremely tempted by the inviting exterior of Gonbei! That will be next on my list.

Prague

If you are looking for a relaxing get away and is ok with a long haul flight – lovely walks, sights to behold, arts and architecture that take your breath away, doing next to nothing in a beautiful, beautiful world, Prague should be your destination.

It is amazing how these medieval treasures have been preserve in its most glorious form for us to enjoy today; the doors of buildings, the windows even the manhole is worth stopping by for a closer look. The churches were overwhelmingly beautiful. Intricate, delicate and the finest of workmanship that emanates pride from the heart are prevalent even in the air!

The colors of autumn when I was first there makes every detail more prominent, and I wanted so much to “boxed” it up and to bring it home to share with George and Iwan.

Mother's Day - A Tribute to Aunty Ho

I am a working mother and if I have to rate the most important person to me, it will have to be my babysitter – although it is never said in so many words of thanks or appreciation, what would life be without her, I dare not even begin to imagine.

Aunty Ho has been taking care of Iwan since he was 4-months old and over the years she would have “mothered” Iwan’s waking moments more than I would have! And the adorable bundle of “rascal” that he is today is much owed to the tender loving care that Aunty Ho has showered upon him unconditionally.

And if Iwan knew the order of importance, I would not be surprise if Aunty Ho tops his chart as well. Sometimes I believe he is afraid if he is all grown up he will not get to go to Aunty Ho’s house anymore and I have to continuously reassure him that for as long as he wants he will always be able to go to Aunty Ho’s, although there were subtle threats here and there that if he is “too much to handle” Aunty Ho may grew tired of him. :)

I remembered when he managed to win a level in Feeding Frenzy (computer game); the first person he wanted to announce and share his victory was with Aunty Ho!

I believe Mother’s Day is not confined to the honor and appreciation of biological mothers but to all those who has unconditionally loved and cared for a child from the heart.
Thank you Aunty Ho.

Seems like yesterday...

Patrina, 2003 - This photo was taken at Subang Parade when we met up with Beng Ho during her visit back here.






Genting, 2002 - Hmmm, this was a day before Iwan's first birthday, he was already walking then!












Dylan, 2002 - Baptism










Baby Shoalin, 2002

For women over 40

Rachel recently send me this entertaining piece written by Andy Rooney from CBS 60 Minutes and in the spirit of sharing I am reproducing it here...Andy Rooney wrote....

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 40 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 40 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.

Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 40 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Women over 40 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. They always know.

A woman over 40 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right! off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 40+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free." Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get a little sausage.

A feast for the eyes...

Ever since I was introduced to Pamela, I have been going back to her the past 4 years for every cake that I needed.

It started when I wanted to get a cake for Iwan’s first birthday, and I was intrigued by the 3-D cakes that I have seen at some parties.

Annie gave me Pamela’s contact; unfortunately she was not able to fulfill my order that year as she was working on a “multi-tiered” wedding cake!

She referred me to a friend and I got a “football” cake that year. Subsequently there was the “Choo-choo train”, “Thomas the tank engine”, Winnie Pooh” and “Sponge Bob” and also Mommy’s Birthday cake last year which were all from Pamela.

The excitement is in the sight of the cake, 3-D and beautifully decorated, Sponge Bob even held some miniature balloons! It is usually butter or sugi cake as the weight is needed to obtain a good 3-D form.

Pamela works out of her home in OUG and is definitely a master in this trade; she has a huge collection of different designs to choose from and often resulted in “ooohhhhs” and “aahhhhs” from her patrons. Most of her moulds are from the US and she has loads of magazines with latest designs that keep her inspired and up-to-date!

Quest of a 4-year old...(6)

The one on childbirth...
Mommy, last time when I was a baby, how did I come out from your stomach?.........hhaaaaaaa....you mean I come out from your butt butt??? Then I dropped where?.....I thought they cut open your stomach to take me out!

The one on siblings...
Yes I would like a brother or sister BUT you have to marry again.....marry daddy la!

World Cup 2006?

Rush Hour

You are the ice cream truck stuck in traffic, the challenge is to get out before the ice cream melt!

I find this game by Think Fun challenging, both for children and adults, do check it out. CAUTION - It may deflate your ego if your 4 year old can solve it and not you!

They come in 2 version, Jr for 6 - 8 years old and another for 8 - Adults.

Kueh Bengka Ubi

George's all time favorite, Bengka ubi is a baked kueh of tapioca mixed in sweet pandan-flavoured custard. The kuih is yellow in colour but has a dark brown crust at the top caused by the baking process.

Happy Mother's Day

This beautiful card and Iwan's singing greeted me as I reached home from work today, :).

"Happy Mother's Day to you,
Mommy I love you,
M-O-M-M-Y
M-O-M-M-Y
M-O-M-M-Y
Mommy you're the greatest,

Mommy I cannot remember."

Have a wonderful weekend to all the mommys!

The Sarod

I had the opportunity to witness Amjad Ali Khan’s brilliant performance, together with his sons (Amaan and Ayaan) at the Dewan Philharmonic PETRONAS on Monday night.

Amjad Ali Khan is synonymous to Sarod as is Ravi Shankar to the Sitar. Renowned as the master of Sarod, Amjad Ali Khan portrays music as spiritual, sounds are what connect us to God, he said.

I was "wowed" by the Tabla and the player, Sandeep Das; Sarod may not be as versatile as the Sitar (in my personal opinion) and on its own, but accompanied by the Tabla the renditions are transformed into beautiful music which is almost magical and hypnotic.

It was amazing how Amjab Ali Khan’s expressions thru the Sarod captivates the audience thru an inspirational experience, truly experiential as it is unique at that point in time, and can never again be rendered in the exact same manner.

I then wished we had the “OSIM” chairs at the Dewan Philharmonic!

Quest of a 4-year old...(5)

The one on school...

mom: Good morning Iwan.
Iwan: What day is it today?
mom: Monday
Iwan: Oww, my throat is painful! Level high. Do I have to go to school?
mom: Let me see (feeling his forehead). Hmmm I think there is no fever darling, yes you are going to school.
Iwan: You think only mom, need to check, where is the thermometer?
mom: OK. Lets see. (placing the thermometer in the ear). 36.3. No fever.
Iwan: CHECK THE OTHER SIDE!
mom: ok ok. Don't get upset dear. (place the thermometer in the other ear). 36.3. No Fever.

mom: (showering)
Iwan: (KNOCK KNOCK)
mom: Yes dear?
Iwan: I just check it is now 36.4.
mom: NO worries darling, fever is only at 37.6.

mom: (continued showering)
Iwan: (KNOCK KNOCK)
mom: Yes?
Iwan: (excitedly) I just check again. It is 36.6. It is going UP!
mom: NO worries, it is very far from 37.6.
Iwan: (Plonked himself on the bed). Whoaaaa Whoaaaaa My throat is really painfully, sob sob...
mom: It is ok. No fever means the virus are gone. Pain is ok, just make sure you don't shout too much, drink lots of water and you will be fine.

mom: (Driving)
Iwan: I am worried mom.
mom: Why? Iwan: I will have lots of homework coz I was absent last week.
mom: Well, take the homework home and do your best to complete them.
Iwan: (Sigh). OOOK.

Good try my darling!

Blast from the past!

Andrew showed me
some photos of Iwan
taken in 2003





...definitely blast from the past...thanks Andrew!

Quest of a 4-year old...(4)

Quest of a 4-year old features a collection of funny and heartwarming thoughts of and conversations with Iwan.

The one on today…
Mommy, before tomorrow is today right?

The one on growing up…
Mommy, I don’t want to grow up…..*whooaaaaaaa *sob *sob *sob (wailing and sobbing)…I don’t want to grow up. *Sob *sob…how, how can I not grow up?

"Gameboy"

for the LOVE of penang food

Dedicated to my cousin, Jennifer..

We headed back to Penang, impromptu, last Saturday knowing very well that all the hotels by the beach are fully booked for the Labour's Day long weekend. So what can one do in Penang over a short visit of a couple of days without the sunny beaches? Of course, EAT and EAT and EAT!

This is not meant to be a food review so you will not find familiar names such as Sister’s Char Kueh Teow or Air Itam's Laksa, instead these are personal favorites, places that we duly pay homage to on every trip that we are back in Penang.

The interesting thing about eating in Penang (notice I did not write dining) is not about the ambiance, is not about the service and definitely not about catching up with family and friends over a meal.

These are places that you visit purely to satisfy your sense of taste, often in the madness of the tropical heat, perched on a stool with room just enough to maneuver the gestures of feeding oneself, not to mention in a coffee shop that has a coat of cooking oil over its flooring instead of varnish and hanging cobwebs that may possibly “peppered and salted” the dish in front of you! The next customer do not wait at the entrance to be seated, they will hover over you while you gobble down your food. Having said all that, these are what give the food its character, the taste our pleasure and an experience well worth.


We are “morning” people so usually our day will begin at about 8am, a walk to the Chai Leng Park market where George’s mom has her Banchang Kueh stall, a type of Chinese pancake, crispy crust with peanuts and sweet corn on the inside. She also has a variation of Apam, another type of pancake, soft and often with a slice of banana inside. Opposite her stall is the “rival” pancakes of Indian origin, also known as Apam, it is crispy on the outer circle and softer on the inner circle. All these pancakes are round in shape and folded into half when it is ready. These are “sweet” options that Iwan prefers for breakfast.

After which George and I will make our way to Xin Feng Coffee Shop in Taman Inderawasih for what we deemed as the best Hokkien Mee (Prawn Mee) around. Uncle Goh has been selling Hokkien Mee since he was a kid, learning the trait from his father. He has since branched out on his own some 28 years ago and says that over the years he travels far and near to try other Hokkien Mee in his effort to perfect the art. To me he has perfected the art. George will usually have his bowl of Lor Mee, while I will have a bowl of Taugeh (Bean sprout) Soup with extra small prawns (conscious of my carbo intake). A perfect start to the day!

Lunch will definitely be my favorite Duck Rice at the Swee Leong Coffee Shop in Chai Leng Park, the specialty in not in the duck but in the small bite size that it is served and the yummy sauce filled with chilli padi. We will also not miss the Chai Boey, one big bowl for each…

We will make our way to the island in the early afternoon, in time for afternoon tea at Genting Coffee Shop in Island Glades, this time it is for George’s favorite Chee Cheong Fun, Penang version where the magic is in how good the prawn paste sauce is. We will normally share a plate of Duck Egg Char Kueh Teow, sinfully yummy!

Of course there are others that we sometimes miss, as there are just so much we can eat in a day, Gurney Drive has excellent Parsembur (Indian Rojak) and the best Bak Moi in Kampung Malabar, trust me the art of selling this bak moi itself is an amazing experience to observe. We sometimes end the day with supper at Pelita Nasi Kandar, not the rice for me just 20 lady’s fingers (okra) in curry sauce.

And believe it or not this will be our routine for the next couple of days that we are back here!

Where did our "little babies" go?