Day-off with Logos crews cum friends

It was since Dec 2010 that I got to know those that I met at mission trip in Turning Point, London will be sailing on Logos ship. And they will stop at Malaysia. It was exciting to know that we will be meeting again. We continued to keep in touch with our friendships via technology, facebook. Though the timing wasn't really and the schedule of the ship docking at Port Klang has been changed a few times.

Logos is the largest floating book store in the world where it will go from port to port, country to country, docking and welcoming everyone to visit her. There are many books on board for one to read and buy at a reasonal price.

Finally, Eunji sent out the schedule and we make plans to meet. It was really hard to find the time for all to meet on the same day. As both Eunji and Jay have been promoted to team leader at the kitchen while Alexandra has duty on that day. Thus, I took leave on that day and Angela is working freelance.

Both Angela and I went to Port Klang to fetch Eunji and Jay out at 9am. It was so exciting seeing both of them walking out the jetty. They ran towards the car and we gave each other a big tight hug. It was really awesome seeing them. :)

Since we were in Klang, we went for pak-kut-teh (herbal prok ribs), and Korean likes port too. It was delicious brunch.

Then, next. Since the girls preferred outdoor and Sunway lagoon was too expensive for half a day event. We went for Putrajaya instead. So, we ended up at Pullman Hotel. We took picture. Enjoyed a cold fresh juices. Then, next, cycling. Yes! It's a bit insane to cycle at about 1pm. We all had fun. If it's not because of the rain, we would have done more. It was really fun spending time together. Relaxing.. End result: I got myself really tanned. And I know it's going to take months or year to get fair again. But, it didn't really matter as long as we had a good time.

So, what do we want for late lunch? Eunji tried durian before. So, she wanted for durian. Durian has not been my friend, and so does Jay. We left Eunji and Angela to enjoy the durian while we went for Mong-kok-cha-chan-teng for hong kong style food. I had dumpling. Eunji came and she enjoyed my dumpling soup. :)

After late lunch, it was time for pasar malam (night market) at SS2 as it's Monday. It is one of the place where one is able to see a lot of things. We walked around pasar malam. Tried on the peanut soup. And it poured like cats and dogs again. So, instead of having shelter at Maybank, we went over to have dessert (hot) while waiting for the rain to stop before continue walking.

Then, Angela said, let's go for dinner though all of us were still very full. But, the dinner place will be pack if we don't go early, so, we have no choice. We ordered roast duck and fried hokkian mee. Where is this? It's at Damansara Uptown. And yes, both were super yummy. The Koreans love the lard so much! And the noodle was so tasty that though we were full, we still kept eating. So, all of us ended up with no more waist (ie, fat). Then, we went off carrying our stomach. It was really way too much food for the day.

Instead of heading back to Port Klang, we would like to spend more time still. So, Angela said, let's go to Sunway Pyramid. So, there we were. Walking and enjoy the lights. We ended the eating spree with Starbucks. :)

Then, it is time to send the girls back to the ship. We prayed in the car before saying good-bye. Really, after this, we really do not know when will we meet again. Yet, surely, we will meet again. :)

Take care and God bless you my friends. It has been a blessings to know both of you, Eunji and Jay. And Alex, we miss you so much.

Farewell - Gisle

Got to know that Gisle is leaving back to Oslo, Norway. He was my colleague in DiGi. We got to know each other more as we involved in Rainbow (a collaboration project of DiGi - Celcom).

It was quite shocking to know that he is heading back home as his assignment in Msia is only 1 year? Normally, they will be here for at least 2 years.

And he told me to have a get together prior his departure when I met him on Woon's wedding. So, somehow a farewell lunch was arranged at Ole-Ole Bali, Empire Shopping mall, Subang Jaya.

It's a mixed feeling to meet up with old colleagues who hardly get in-touch. Nevertheless, it was a warmth occassion. And with Facebook, it definitely draw the world closer.

Impromptu PD

I was online and so was Fong. Suddenly, we started chatting and decided to went to PD. It was almost 6pm and yet the sun was scorching hot. I wonder what would we do if it's summer where the sun doesn't set till 10pm.

Anyhow, I went to pick her up from her house, and on our way to PD.

It was a public holiday and so the traffic in PD was awfully packed.

I insisted to go to Teluk Kemang as mom said it's a nice beach. I can't remember when was the last time I went to PD and beach.

So, we arrived after driving and jam for some time. It's worth it. The sunset was so beautiful, the waves, the everything... I like it. And surprisingly, it wasn't as humid as my past beaches experience. This was different. And I like it. :)

After taking some photos, we decided to eat. Well, it's just 2 of us, so, it will be too much for seafood. Further, my PD friend won't really able to direct us. And we both don't mind having Malay food. In fact, somehow, i was craving for food. hahaha.... So, we saw some stall nearby, and so, we started to order: satay, otak-otak, mee rebus, mee goreng, cendol (dara), lychee.. and I was thinking burger, but, might be too much. Yeah!! It was good meal. Maybe because I just got back from Shanghai too. :P

Then, we went back to the beach and it was dark. Yet, it was nice. As it's getting dark, we decided to head home. On the way, we stopped at another beach where we saw on the way to Teluk Kemang. This beach is brighter as there have lights.

Even so, the beach was still have quite a number of people.

It was an awesome trip. I like it. :) Getting away to somewhere without plan is good. I had similar experience in NZ where my friends just pulled me for a weekend get-away from Wellington to Auckland. It's a crazy 8 - 10 hours drive (1 way) and just over the weekend. :D

More about this trip can be found in this link where Eunice had more details. :) I am just too lazy.. hahaha... http://euniceta.blogspot.com/2011/06/another-impromptu-trip-to-pd.html

Seafood

As I missed Malaysian food so much + all of the (Analytics & Performance) members missed me so much. We have decided to meet up even when I was still in US that we are to meet up.

So, I was back. And they took me to this place, Lala Chong, at PJ. Well, we ate. We all have a good time.

Thanks, Wen Wey, Li Yen & Ricky. And, most importantly, it is a reunion dinner for us. :) We enjoyed each other's company so much that we don't really want to go back. Just sit and chat. It was just amazing that we have such close friendship.

Bubba Gump @ Sunway Pyramid

The few of us who was involved in a project (Rainbow) was too stressed out and one day while we were in a room waiting for our meeting, we were saying silly things and was laughing our heads off (kinda). And someone suggested to have outing. And so we planned for it. We actually have to waited till the fasting month was over and in fact the date and attendees were changing. We wanted all to attend (the few gila us lar) and if 1 cannot make it, we will reschedule (so serious wor)....

So, we (finally) decided to go to Sunway Pyramid, but, where about of Pyramid? I was kinda 'lost' and the few of them told me to stand where I was and they will come to 'rescue' me. While they were making their ways, the girl at the directory booth actually gave me map, directed me and etc...

But, where to eat? Bubba Gump. It's my 1st time there.

This part time waitress, Shiella, and Indonesian Chinese who is studying here was serving us and showing me things (since my 1st time mar). I was talking to her not realising that the rest are ordering food already. haha... So, yes.. i was the last. haha... Cos, normally, if I go out, someone else will order food for me. hmm....
The food was good. The salad was good. The shrimp was good. There were no complaint. Oh... I was shocked by this 'shrimp' that came by and trying to sell things.

We enjoyed each other's company and on our way back, someone said, we should do this again. No movie, as no interaction. hahaha.... some more someone said, let's do something more exciting. hahaha....

It was so funny, I sent out the calendar invite theme as 'Let's Gila-Gila' and we really live up to it... :D

Taman Pertanian/ Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam

It's been N years since I last cycled. Unsure if I still know how to. Hoever, I've make few phone calls, sent few sms yesterday prior decided to go to Bukit Cahaya today. Have been hearing ppl talking about it. And since we have said we wanna go, so, go lar...

Only the 3 of us. Well, it was raining in the morning and kind of worried.

Anyhow, we still went. We were not very sure of the direction, just followed the signboard and the signboard kinda missing after awhile. Roughly, head towards Tesco in Shah Alam, then, all the way straight. Until seeing signboard turning right. Then, all the way straight again. I think it's about that. haha... have to ask my friend who drove. I was just sitting in the car enjoying myself. :p We arrived there about 9-ish am.

The park only open at 9am - 4,30pm. Close on Monday except it is a public holiday.

Car need to pay an entrace fee of RM1. Then, each person (adult) cost RM3 per person. Then, had some light breakfast, which was really expensive.

We proceeded to rent a bicycle though there's a skytrex which pre-booking through internet is required. http://www.skytrex-adventure.com/booking.php There are 2 types of package on bicycle: old and new. Old one starts with RM3 for the 1st hour and thereafter RM1 per hour. New one starts with RM5 for the 1st hour and thereafter RM1 per hour. We took the new ones.

Tested and started the journey. Well, moutain bikes is different from the normal bikes. Found it so breathless to cycle and up the slope. The roads were tarred, just the terrained was tiring. At one point, chain on TBH's bike was lossen which need to be fixed. Good to have engineer around. ;)

We passed-by the Skytrex. So many people, no wonder booking is required.

It started to drizzle and since we needed rest, we just went to the shelter place. Then, we headed back. It was still early, but, tired already, also, TBH needed to go back for lunch appointment. It's even tougher. Gosh... I have to push my bike going uphill sometimes. Going downhill was fun, have to watch out and be careful though as the road is winding also.

The place is so big, in total about 8KM for cycling, think we only cover 3KM or less. In total, we only spent about 1.5 hours cycling after N years. hahah....


Well, the only drawback was the toilet facility is not very well. It would be much better if they have the shower host for people to freshen up after the exercise.

Then, it's meal time, so hungry. Went to Damansara for nasi lemak. So many people. (ooppss... to hungry till I didn't and also forgot to take picture).

We went to 1 Utama to see a few other friends doing wall climbing after dropping TBH. My palms and feet sweat too seeing them doing that. I reckon, it's something I will not do. :(


Had ice cream at McD before I head home. It's nice to have a nice shower and rest afterall. :)

Yeah... I would like to go back there for cycling though.

Malacca + Muar Trip

Initially planned to go Cameron this weekend... Well, too bad that I have Missionettes closing Hi-tea and girls graduating. So, instead of Cameron, we go to Malacca.

They came to fetch me at about 9.30am and we got to Malacca at about 10++am... It's already quite heavy traffic there....

We wanted to go to St. John place but, too many ppl and not able to find parking. Then, we went to St. Paul's hill instead. So hot, so humid... so pengsan....

Then, we went for food, hmm.... it's very much for tourists, we reckon. We didn't shop much too cos the weather was just too hot and humid for us. It's just so unlike Perth, where I was exposed under the sun and yet was alright, though hot too, at least not so humid.

Then, someone suggested to go to Muar and so we went Muar instead. There on, not much photo taking, probably tired already. The food here was not too bad... The fish cooked in pedas masam, the rojak, the mee rebus.... Actually, i just ate whatever they ordered. We shared the food so we could try more varieties. hahah... that's the way..... :)

Reached back home at about 6pm as the traffic on highway was quite heavy as all heading back to KL. Well, they enjoyed the mini orchad at home cos we have rambutan and these city ppl like green. Everything is new for them. hahaha.... =D

It's Who were we? We = Sherine, Boon Hwa, Karim + me. :) Well, I hope all had a good time.

Trip to Sungai Lembing, Kuantan

Wanted to go to Bukit Panorama @ Sungai Lembing, Kuantan for a long time after I stumbled into a web site showing the wonderful view of it. The timing was just not right. Then, I decided, regardless, I am going still on 1st May. Then, I get confirmation that my sister will join me. And another friend confirmed last minute.

Getting a room at last minute especially over the long weekend was really challenging. We were on waitlist for hotel room and the hotel (Vistana) has the courtesy to called me at night to tell me that they have confirmed booking rooms available for me. Gosh... really thank God.

We departed from KL close to 10am. And the traffic to Eastern Malaysia was just so terribly heavy and I can't remember how long were we in the car. I knew it was very long.

We decided to check-out Sg. Lembing before heading to Kuantan. I asked my colleague in Radio Network Engineering on some brief direction. Was told turn left after exit Kuantan. I think (if not mistaken), Sungai Lembing was about 29KM away from Kuantan toll plaza.

Sungai Lembing was really small. We saw suspension bridge build over Sungai Lembing for the other side, roads were very narrow and for few times, we had to stop to let the on-coming cars go pass. And we saw this burnt and ruin place. Mmy friend was saying, don't need to go to Siem Riap or Ang Kor Wat, we have it here too. (so funny...)

I called up Cheng and Fong for the exact location of Bukit Panorama as we don't seem to see it. as they have been here few weeks for direction. And we found this place. hmm..... Very quite place and very narrow road, no wonder we can miss it. :S

Then, we headed to Kuantan to check-in. Then? Well, I refused to stay in hotel and was a bit hungry. So, called up a colleague in Kuantan and asked for place to makan (eat). He recommended us to to go Hai Peng or Kemaman Kopitiam (not the real Kemaman, just the name of the shop). And I ordered special drink which looks so different from the picture and it tasted different but, alright. And bread too. The kaya was not sweet and was thick. hmm.. very different indeed.


What's next? Well, they started blamining me for not having itinery :( so, solution? Call lor.. Who? Fong. hahaha.. She highly recommended us to go for cruise ride, which we all have 0% interest in it. It's hot and humid and cruise ride? :? We must be nuts. Then, we decided to go to Teluk Chempedak, beach.

The beach was so happening. Played kite, selling bottled sand drawing, etc. The bottled sand drawing attracted me. This man really need a lot of patience to draw it and so, it is not that cheap.



We walked on the bridge where it linked to other side of the beach. Nice, but, too many people especially on public holiday.

Time for dinner. Headed to Tanjung Lumpur for seafood. :) I realised, I know very little about Malaysia food, actually. hmmm..... for me food is food, just eat to fill the stomach. hhaha.... And after that, we were too tired and went back to sleep. As we need to wake up early the next morning for the sunrise.

Working @ KLCC

It was just another normal working day where I had so much to do. Was rushing some works in the morning. And it was 1++pm where I haven't had lunch. Sherine hasn't had hers too. Since Karim was having offsite meeting in the meeting, I asked if he could fetch us out and back for a quick lunch. Well, he was in a rush and no hope.

In fact, he suggested us to follow him to KL where we can have lunch and work offsite. Surprisingly, Sherine agreed and started to pack. I was shocked. And well, since there's no meeting in the afternoon and I think I could afford to do that. And we started to pack and go KL with Karim. Ya.. This was crazy.

I had lunch with Sherine while Karim went to his meeting. Then, we went to Starbucks to work. It's really work. Just change of environment. Comments?? hmm... I think I prefer to work in office. Why? The air-cond and it's more comfortable. hehe....

Karim supposed to finish his meeting at about 5.30pm and I was not done with my work. So, I told Sherine to text him not to hurry. Walk really slowly if possible. Then, he rang at 6-ish pm that he just done with meeting. By the time he met up with us, we were still working. Aiks... what were we doing? Not fully utilising the chance to work outside. We shouldn't have gone shopping, right? But, well, there were so much to do and no time for shop.

We went for dinner. Yummy dinner. But, the late lunch was not fully digested. So, I had little only.

Hey.. it's a totally different experience. It was a surprised, impromtu thing. Don't get a wrong picture that this is the way we work in my organization. Sometimes, I like this. Someone just drag/ 'kidnap' me for something not harmful... (Reminded me of my Wellington-Auckland-Wellington weekend getaway thingy....)

Side line: KLCC was decorated for Chinese New Year. Nice.... Yeah.. Time flies....

Dinner

It's been awhile we went out for dinner together. And tonight (despite my many complaints on the madness of crazy), we went to Tony Roma's. Early celebration of me and Boon Hwa's birthday.

The food: ribs and ribs and more ribs...
The interior: alright
The price: ??? (aint paying... hehe...) :p
The companion: excellent!!! (both thumbs up) :)

Maybe we should have this more often. Of course, go AA/ Dutch. It's relaxing + fellowship + know each other better...

Thank you so much for the evening! :) Hugs.....

See-ya...

Christine's decided to expose to outside world after about 4 years in DiGi. It was kinda sad to know about that.

So, boss wanted a dinner. We went to The Curve.

Speeches were given by Michelle, Edmind, Tann Tjun, Hock Chye and Christine herself.

Well, life goes on and I pray for the best for you, Christine. May our relationship that has developed continue to flourish. Wish you well! And surely will miss your 'noisiness' and 'blur-ness'. ;p

Dinner

It's been my mind to appreciate them (Alex, Sherine, Karim & Boon Hwa) for taking care and supporting throughout 2007. And I wanted to do it before CNY. So, I arranged.

It's easy to decide the time but not the venue. I checked with Szet-Anne and Hazel to get some info as I remembered reading Hazel's blog something about pancake. And Hazel was already in HK. ha.. Well, thank God, I managed to talk to her via MSN. (Thanks, Hazel. Good recommendation).

And we went to Paddington House of Pancake. None of us have been there except Alex & Pat. We were so excited to try something new-new. 138 menus. pengsan... and only managed to decided after 30 minutes of looking the menu and asking the waiter.

Karim ordered Dollar pancake. Well, since it's CNY, so, everyone has to eat at least a Dollar. :) And I think I know why some people has more $$ than the others. (My logic: eat more Dollar, get more $$ lor...)

Hotdog with cheese was yummy as well.

Then, our Amsterdam pizza got flooded cos Boon Hwa was too excited. Poor Amsterdam pizza.

The food was great. I like it, at least. And I had a good time too.

Note: When I said, I pay. It means I pay not I eat, have fun and enjoyed. pengsan... I wonder if the communication gone wrong somewhere or it's generation gap?!

Meeting Up

It's public holiday and I didn't go back to S'ban cos I am meeting up with Swee Nyuk and Lee Nyiuk. It's been a long time that we meet. We planned this about 1 month ago and we are all so excited. We met at 1U. Actually, I went back to S'ban and back to 1U the next day again.

Both of them went movie and I just walked around a bit by myself since I am not keen in the show.

Then, we met for lunch. We just makan, talked, shopped a little. Then, I have to leave to pick-up Viveen to Karim's open house.

White Water Rafting

MC invited me for RAND (Radio Access Network Development) outing for white water rafting. I accepted that of course with my boss approval that I can go. Yippy!! :D

Then, the fear kicked-in. Is it safe and alright? I don't know how to swim wor though I was told that we will be having life jacket? But, still... Cos, I have had very bad experience riding on the Banana Boat thingy. Despite the fear, I still went.

The bus was late. So, late. Upon arrival at KKB, we were divided into groups, briefing and instructions were given. And off we went into the boat.

There were some practices before the real thing especially to get us familiar with the instructions. And off we started. It was a lot of screaming, laughing, fear, excitement. I rescued a few of the team members. Rescued means pull them back into the boat. And I also fall into the water once. And other will have to rescue me. There's rope at the side of the boat for us to hold on.

We stopped at a waterfall for some snacks. We were all so hungry. And continued. Then, we had late lunch.

It was a great experience! I like it. More of it. :)

Well, I was a little late for TIC. Sorry.. And the team let me got down of the bus and I ran back to office and conducted TIC. haha....