Had eventful brunch with the girls last Sunday (well I pretty much announced it all over Twitter and Instagram, so, this post is redundant) at D'Cengkih, TTDI.
Venue suggested by Jua. Took the chance to explore KL roads quite a bit (since I have no tourist guide here pfft) but well, can safely certify that I still have a long way to go before I can become an expert. How you people move around without GPS is beyond me.
Still, I'm not originated from here so that's a valid excuse, right?
What we didn't know is, there's a freaking live band performing every single day there! The place was unbelievably cosy and a space not small or big enough that'd make people feel out of place. We were at home instantly despite the restaurant being Johorean cuisine and all, thanks to the live band and super awesome pakciks singing in front of us.
All perfect setting for a few girls who were having a perfect catching up brunch.
Even managed to challenge each other's Japanese as it's been almost 2 years since we left Japan and Jua said "let's see if we still remember hiragana"
I'm so ashamed to admit I forgot some. But still, I'm guessing this piece of tissue is proof we still got it!
And you know, we thought we were just having regular brunch..on a Sunday..and suddenly Qi Razali just went up and sang Hotel California in front of us.
Venue suggested by Jua. Took the chance to explore KL roads quite a bit (since I have no tourist guide here pfft) but well, can safely certify that I still have a long way to go before I can become an expert. How you people move around without GPS is beyond me.
Still, I'm not originated from here so that's a valid excuse, right?
What we didn't know is, there's a freaking live band performing every single day there! The place was unbelievably cosy and a space not small or big enough that'd make people feel out of place. We were at home instantly despite the restaurant being Johorean cuisine and all, thanks to the live band and super awesome pakciks singing in front of us.
All perfect setting for a few girls who were having a perfect catching up brunch.
Even managed to challenge each other's Japanese as it's been almost 2 years since we left Japan and Jua said "let's see if we still remember hiragana"
I'm so ashamed to admit I forgot some. But still, I'm guessing this piece of tissue is proof we still got it!
See, at least we still remember SOME of the characters..
Of course, the crowd went crazy.
The reason he was there was because JJCM crew was there, and they were shooting an episode so you can guess this place has a class on its own. I mean, the three of us had nasi ambang - one of the specialties there - and it was freaking good.
I don't usually rave about places to eat, but you've got to drop by this place and try. Take it from me, the girl who rarely ever check out Malay dish restaurants and who finds char koey teow sold at that one stall by the road at my kampung is the best char koey teow ever.
I'd always have a thing for guys who have the guts to sing in public..apparently.
As a fan, I find this brilliantly thought of. Though she looks a bit "stiffer" than usual, watching this ad just so I can see her face in a new setting means joy.
We had our first potluck for the ladies at the office yesterday.
Some tips for you who aren't big on traditional cooking session to prepare for a potluck (which is a bit tricky if all the ladies at the office are superwomen in the kitchen - I know how you feel.) instead of going with a half-burnt brownies, go with the safest options like fruits, soda, jellies etc.
And guess what I brought?
3 big containers of ice cream! HAHA bet no one thought of that.
True enough, the ice cream was gone almost half an hour after the event started. Lol. And this is supposed to be all ladies only.
The theme was purple, and I was tossing and turning in bed thinking how I don't have a purple kurung to wear. The only purple in my wardrobe is some scarves and a jubah I've worn a million times to the office, so that doesn't count.
Realized I have a white peplum top I've not worn yet and resorted to this.
It's not easy going from having been used to high-flying career and work stress for years to being a full-time housewife, she said. But the only thing that made her sane is how much time she's got to spend with her kids and her husband; and it's priceless.
I don't know if I want to resort for that in the future, but it's good to hear from a different perspective.
Some tips for you who aren't big on traditional cooking session to prepare for a potluck (which is a bit tricky if all the ladies at the office are superwomen in the kitchen - I know how you feel.) instead of going with a half-burnt brownies, go with the safest options like fruits, soda, jellies etc.
And guess what I brought?
3 big containers of ice cream! HAHA bet no one thought of that.
True enough, the ice cream was gone almost half an hour after the event started. Lol. And this is supposed to be all ladies only.
The theme was purple, and I was tossing and turning in bed thinking how I don't have a purple kurung to wear. The only purple in my wardrobe is some scarves and a jubah I've worn a million times to the office, so that doesn't count.
Realized I have a white peplum top I've not worn yet and resorted to this.
Got the kain batik from a store in Bangi. Bangi has a lot to offer when it comes to traditional wear, I just realized. Some colleagues thought it was from Bandung (which is impossible, considering the price)
With my former boss, who's retired and is a full-time mommy at home now. After her sharing session of her current work stress-free life, I have so much respect for housewives now.
It's not easy going from having been used to high-flying career and work stress for years to being a full-time housewife, she said. But the only thing that made her sane is how much time she's got to spend with her kids and her husband; and it's priceless.
I don't know if I want to resort for that in the future, but it's good to hear from a different perspective.
Honestly, I didn't know Anna Kendrick can sing! But the movie got me sold.
Riff-offs are currently my favorite.
Was quite disappointed after I bought Taylor Swift's Red from iTunes before (when I was in Holland..I think I had a stroke, kot) because the music quality was not as I expected of iTunes. Thank God Dia Frampton's Red was amazing, so am looking forward to this.
A colleague is flying off to Japan tonight, and I gladly accompanied her to do some pre-business trip shopping yesterday. Which basically means retail therapy for me.
Been holed up at work and I can't even remember the last time I went for a shopping trip..online shopping certainly has its perks; I just realized Zara changed its logo a bit. I mean, it looks a little different..don't you think?
Anyway. One of the highlights from yesterday's trip.
I found my dream shoes at Zara.
So..pretty..my colleague basically had to drag me out of there.
You know, I usually would give up trying on Zara shoes because my feet are wayy to small even for the smallest size available at the store. I've tried size 35 and STILL there'll be some space left I don't know why. When I was in Holland, I'd usually just brush off the shoes department at Zara or MNG cause I know I'd be disappointed.
Yesterday, I just took these pair and slipped it on just to see how it'd look on me, and I was ready to see the back of the heels hung off. But I could feel my feet slipped into the shoes nicely; I could even walk in it!!
This must've been fate.
Peeked at the tag. 320 bucks.
He'd kill me if I bought it, I thought, so I had to give it up. Decided to just look around and tried on another nice pair that caught my eye, and it fits, too.
I swear I wanted to throw a fit.
Been holed up at work and I can't even remember the last time I went for a shopping trip..online shopping certainly has its perks; I just realized Zara changed its logo a bit. I mean, it looks a little different..don't you think?
Anyway. One of the highlights from yesterday's trip.
I found my dream shoes at Zara.
So..pretty..my colleague basically had to drag me out of there.
You know, I usually would give up trying on Zara shoes because my feet are wayy to small even for the smallest size available at the store. I've tried size 35 and STILL there'll be some space left I don't know why. When I was in Holland, I'd usually just brush off the shoes department at Zara or MNG cause I know I'd be disappointed.
Yesterday, I just took these pair and slipped it on just to see how it'd look on me, and I was ready to see the back of the heels hung off. But I could feel my feet slipped into the shoes nicely; I could even walk in it!!
This must've been fate.
Peeked at the tag. 320 bucks.
He'd kill me if I bought it, I thought, so I had to give it up. Decided to just look around and tried on another nice pair that caught my eye, and it fits, too.
So I guess it's official now. Will be visiting Japan again in March and it's NOT a business trip!
It's so weird.
But thinking about it, it'd be my first holiday there after I left Japan in 2011. That's almost 2 years ago. I really hope nothing much changed in 2 years, other than my unused hence berkarat Japanese and kanji-reading skills.
Applied for a visa last week and got it yesterday!
It's stated in the website that you have to arrange the documents according to the sequence, and MAN, they mean it. I saw a poor guy had to queue up again just because he had his documents not according to the sequence so to ensure that your application process is smooth, follow the sequence.
I've heard all these horror stories that some of the applications were rejected for various reasons, so I guess the regulations are quite stringent. So if you have any trouble, contact the embassy and they will gladly assist you.
Some tips : if you're driving to the embassy, they don't provide parking there so you might have to take a risk parking your car somewhere by the road at the Persiaran Stonor. KLCC parking is way too far for you to walk there (a colleague does that, I don't know how she could walk all the way to the embassy) or if you take the LRT, hop off at Ampang Park and take the cab. It'd cost you 5 bucks at most.
It's so weird.
But thinking about it, it'd be my first holiday there after I left Japan in 2011. That's almost 2 years ago. I really hope nothing much changed in 2 years, other than my unused hence berkarat Japanese and kanji-reading skills.
Applied for a visa last week and got it yesterday!
Please excuse the ugly black and white photo. Was forced to wear the hideous black scarf on top of my perfectly chosen soft peach-colored scarf pfftt.
It was weird, applying for a visa and it's not a college student visa. I feel old.
Checked out the embassy's website and since I'll be visiting Shahrul there, I opted for 'visiting relatives or friends' visa. I was told that if you're applying for a 'holiday' visa, your documents would be scrutinized a bit stricter (your salary slip, savings statement, etc) as the Japan government isn't tolerating people going there on shallow purposes. Whatever that means.
Anyhow, these are the documents you'd have to submit (basically) :
- Original passport
- 1 visa application form with a 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm photo pasted on it. Must have white background hence the change of scarf at the last minute *cries*
- Itinerary in Japan. Follow the sample given at the website (in pdf I think) and you'll be fine!
- Employment certificate. It's really no hassle getting this, just ask your HR for the procedure. But it must be in English; Mum's a government staff so she had to have it translated cause it was in Malay -___-"
- Personal savings, latest account statement be it CIMB, Tabung Haji or ASB (where your money is). It must be certified true copy by the bank, but you can get it at the counter - just asked for the statement to be certified. I was skeptical at first since they gave me a computer generated slip, but apparently as long as you have the bank stamp you'd be fine.
- Copy of marriage certificate/birth certificate as proof of relationship with person(s) accompanying.
- A guarantee letter by the relative/friend in Japan. Since I'm visiting him, he provided me the guarantee letter complete with his inkan stamped and an invitation letter - just in case. Have to include his passport copy and alien card copy, too. They didn't ask for proof of relationship though; so as long as you have the letter you'd be fine.
It's stated in the website that you have to arrange the documents according to the sequence, and MAN, they mean it. I saw a poor guy had to queue up again just because he had his documents not according to the sequence so to ensure that your application process is smooth, follow the sequence.
I've heard all these horror stories that some of the applications were rejected for various reasons, so I guess the regulations are quite stringent. So if you have any trouble, contact the embassy and they will gladly assist you.
Some tips : if you're driving to the embassy, they don't provide parking there so you might have to take a risk parking your car somewhere by the road at the Persiaran Stonor. KLCC parking is way too far for you to walk there (a colleague does that, I don't know how she could walk all the way to the embassy) or if you take the LRT, hop off at Ampang Park and take the cab. It'd cost you 5 bucks at most.
EMBASSY OF JAPAN
CONSULAR SECTION
11, PERSIARAN STONOR
OFF JALAN TUN RAZAK
50450 KUALA LUMPUR
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/
CONSULAR SECTION
11, PERSIARAN STONOR
OFF JALAN TUN RAZAK
50450 KUALA LUMPUR
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/
So my high school bestie got engaged last weekend!
She was so sweet to ask me to be her dulang girl, I just couldn't say no. Even though my head goes "I don't know squat about being a dulang girl.." but it's her day and I could only hope I didn't do anything to ruin it.
But thank God, nothing embarrassing happened. And the ceremony was the most beautiful one I've seen.
In my head, I swear I was drooling over her dress. SO GORGEOUS I wanted to marry it. And everyone else does, too. She got her dress tailored in Shah Alam, so go ask her for details!
A little close-up :
After a while, we were doing this.
She was so sweet to ask me to be her dulang girl, I just couldn't say no. Even though my head goes "I don't know squat about being a dulang girl.." but it's her day and I could only hope I didn't do anything to ruin it.
But thank God, nothing embarrassing happened. And the ceremony was the most beautiful one I've seen.
Behind the scene! Ajjie and Mimi touching up Hana.
Lol Mimi!
In my head, I swear I was drooling over her dress. SO GORGEOUS I wanted to marry it. And everyone else does, too. She got her dress tailored in Shah Alam, so go ask her for details!
A little close-up :
Drools.
We were busy chatting in her room upstairs when the guy's family arrived, so I had no idea what went on before that. All we know we were gossiping and taking hundreds of pictures of the lucky girl (and her dress) when her relative came over and said we can go downstairs.
And the official ceremony began. Holding the hantaran dulang (they made me go first cause you know, I was the shortest pfftt) down and taking our own place in the living room, but we went sitting on the stairs for the sake of a better view.
The crowd.
After a while, we were doing this.
I hope you know, it's Mimi's signature pose HAHA.
When we they behaved.
Trying to sneak for a better view. Failed.
With her FIL & MIL to-be!
When we were asked to give speech for the couple, we decided to let Zaza took the honor. While we shouted "Congratulations!!" in the background lol.
The dulangs.
Love this picture because I look tall HAHAH.
Hana, congrats on getting hitched!! I'm so happy for you and Faris and please don't turn into a bridezilla this coming months or you might see me less at KLCC HAHA (ok I'm not kidding). Looking forward to your big day!
Can't believe my form 2 deskmate is getting married in a few months.
Another highlight from last week; my sister surprised me with an early birthday present!
While I'm always the one with terrible choice in picking out gifts, my sisters hardly have any trouble in that department. I remember getting cute birthday cards, teddy bears and all sorts of things you'd usually find at a gift store wrapped nicely for me in high school until they left for uni or started working (the irony lol).
As for me, I remember getting my sisters Hard Rock t-shirts because in my defense, that's what I think would make me happy. But apparently at the age of 25, you girls just don't wear t-shirts anymore..*pissed*
How should I know?! I'd happily wear the HRC bright pink t-shirt even if I'm 30, thank you very much.
Anyway. This is what my sister got me this year!
I've been dragging my purse and phone to lunch so much now that I have to bring my bag everywhere too and it's been driving me crazy, but I didn't even thought of this thing! You can fit your cards and cash inside (no coin slot btw) with your phone and it becomes your little carry-all pouch.
Can even fit my earphone.
Looked for it on the net and here it is!
It's called Crown Smartphone Pouch.
Sometimes, it's rewarding to have a sister who has the same taste and generous. And sometimes, it's not about getting something expensive or pricey but it's about practicality - the fact that she literally solved my daily dilemma makes this gift all the better, cause I'm gonna use this daily now.
Gotta start thinking of something clever to give her.
While I'm always the one with terrible choice in picking out gifts, my sisters hardly have any trouble in that department. I remember getting cute birthday cards, teddy bears and all sorts of things you'd usually find at a gift store wrapped nicely for me in high school until they left for uni or started working (the irony lol).
As for me, I remember getting my sisters Hard Rock t-shirts because in my defense, that's what I think would make me happy. But apparently at the age of 25, you girls just don't wear t-shirts anymore..*pissed*
How should I know?! I'd happily wear the HRC bright pink t-shirt even if I'm 30, thank you very much.
Anyway. This is what my sister got me this year!
It's called a multi-purpose crown pouch, because you can fit your phone inside too!
I've been dragging my purse and phone to lunch so much now that I have to bring my bag everywhere too and it's been driving me crazy, but I didn't even thought of this thing! You can fit your cards and cash inside (no coin slot btw) with your phone and it becomes your little carry-all pouch.
Can even fit my earphone.
Looked for it on the net and here it is!
Sometimes, it's rewarding to have a sister who has the same taste and generous. And sometimes, it's not about getting something expensive or pricey but it's about practicality - the fact that she literally solved my daily dilemma makes this gift all the better, cause I'm gonna use this daily now.
Gotta start thinking of something clever to give her.
Just a little bit of everything this past few days of rushing and staying over at sister's house in Ampang and training and rushing back to Bangi.
Equals miserable state of self. Equals unbelievable amount of muscle pain. Equals food!
And the highlight of the week was when I was reunited with a long-lost friend who I've missed so much.
Equals miserable state of self. Equals unbelievable amount of muscle pain. Equals food!
And the highlight of the week was when I was reunited with a long-lost friend who I've missed so much.
Takoyaki bought from Senya KLCC. Verdict : still a longg wayy to go before they can reach the Tokyo standard (the one I had while I was in Tokyo. Crazy good.)
If you're not a fan of takoyaki (like my sister..pfftt) or you find it taste weird and disgusting, I totally get you. But try ordering it WITHOUT the sauce and when you get home, add some chilli sauce to it (and some more mayonnaise if you're crazy like me) cause it'll be so much much better.
I promise.
A few weeks ago, a friend's boyfriend proposed to her and she asked me to be her dulang girl for her engagement ceremony.
I of course gladly said yes, partly because I was so happy she's on her way to getting hitched and that means a new baju kurung for me! Lol.
Having been working for 2 years now, I realized all my kurungs are the ready-made ones; and so few of them are the plain kurung. The last time I had a tailor taking down my measurement was when Mum brought me to her tailor to make some new baju kurung before I went to Japan. That was 2007.
Since then, coming back to Malaysia made me realize I no longer need to go to the tailor. So many nice ready-made kurungs now! And partly because I just don't have the time to find a good tailor and the patience to wait for the baju to be done.
But for her engagement ceremony, I finally found a good excuse to search for a good tailor and fabrics.
It's a dusty pink plain kurung with lace detail at the hem. Initially I wanted to find a chiffon but this one (not chiffon) caught my eye and that was it. Had to find the lace and it was sold out EVERYWHERE I go, so settled with this silver colored lace I found.
Not bad for a first. Quite satisfied with the tailor (he's based in Bangi - drop a message if you want his number!) cause time-wise I got the baju kurung after 2 weeks as promised and the quality isn't so bad.
I foresee a lot of fabric-hunting after this. Gotta find better lace though!
I of course gladly said yes, partly because I was so happy she's on her way to getting hitched and that means a new baju kurung for me! Lol.
Having been working for 2 years now, I realized all my kurungs are the ready-made ones; and so few of them are the plain kurung. The last time I had a tailor taking down my measurement was when Mum brought me to her tailor to make some new baju kurung before I went to Japan. That was 2007.
Since then, coming back to Malaysia made me realize I no longer need to go to the tailor. So many nice ready-made kurungs now! And partly because I just don't have the time to find a good tailor and the patience to wait for the baju to be done.
But for her engagement ceremony, I finally found a good excuse to search for a good tailor and fabrics.
It's a dusty pink plain kurung with lace detail at the hem. Initially I wanted to find a chiffon but this one (not chiffon) caught my eye and that was it. Had to find the lace and it was sold out EVERYWHERE I go, so settled with this silver colored lace I found.
Not bad for a first. Quite satisfied with the tailor (he's based in Bangi - drop a message if you want his number!) cause time-wise I got the baju kurung after 2 weeks as promised and the quality isn't so bad.
I foresee a lot of fabric-hunting after this. Gotta find better lace though!
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