31 December 2007

Shalom Alechem!

I guess each and everyone of us are eagerly ticking towards the brand new year 2008 at this moment.
New Year means New Resolution. Do you have one now? Or are you still thinking about it?

Before we greet the year 2008 with our open arms, I would like to reminisce the days of 2007 with a little walk-down memory lane.
To me, 2007 has been a year of Open Heavens.

Reflecting is a part of life’s lesson.

I have been travelling a lot in 2007, from north to south, from west coast to east coast of Malaysia.
Apart from that, I have been meeting great people and most importantly, I have been tightening friendships with old friends in this year. Working my ass off is part of the routine too, who doesn’t? It all depends how one would take pride in their jobs and tasks.

In the beginning, I kicked off my year with my company’s annual meeting by winning the Best Dressed Female award during the dinner themed “Groovy 70’s”.

Winning the Best Dressed Female award.

To me, it is something “WOW” because my dress only cost me RM10 which I bought in Chatuchak market, Bangkok in December 2006. I did not expect a RM10 dress would win me this award. How bizarre!

Roses of Valentines

This was the very FIRST time I receive a bouquet of roses from my Kev Bear!
Yes, it was on the Valentine’s Day when the roses landed on my piggy paws!

Perhentian Island

This was my first time stepping into the beautiful islands of Pulau Perhentian, situated in South China Sea.

Ok, I know I look like a goldfish.

Stop laughing at my goldfish-look! I am just learning how to snorkel in Perhentian Island.
Okay, stop laughing, guys!

In front of Zen departmental store, Central World Plaza.

Visited Bangkok for the second time in 2007. Bangkok is a shopping haven!!
I promise, I will be back in 2008.

WeEeeeeeee!!! I am coming!!!

Oh yes, this was my very first time jumping into a lake with my colleagues.
I didn’t know I have such boldness to jump! I must have BIG BALLS to jump!

Reuniting with old buddies of Main Convent

In December 2007, it was one of the biggest reunions that Main Convent, Class of 2001 gathered together in KL.
From this picture, I believed in one thing. There was no racism and we are multi-racial enough to be united!

Philippines – Baguio City

Holla! I know even though I am an alien to this country but I just love Philippines.
I love the mountains in the Baguio City.
I will never stop loving Philippines.

I will be back in May 2008.

Roaming around for food

Gerald, Kevin and I were on this crazy road-trip recently. (I will blog about this separately)
From Penang to Camerons to Malacca, we were just roaming for good food!

Cameron Highlands

The weather in Cameron Highlands is simply wonderful.
It has been 2 years since I enjoyed the cool breeze in this highlands.

I can tell you that I have celebrated the best Christmas of all times this year.
Celebrating with friends and family and loved ones instill the joy of having Christmas.

Don’t count the many presents that I have received, it was just blissful to share this Christmas season with all of you.

2008 is only 5 hours away. Are you ready to receive the new year with an open heart and an open mind?

Wishing all of you a very blessed day….and..

HAPPY 2008!!!

28 December 2007

When I was holidaying in Baguio, I was offered an accommodation in a Pastor’s house in Asia-Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS).

The guarded gate of APTS

The steep slope in APTS only allow jeeps to fetch the passengers down, but not up.

This is the house of a Malaysian Pastor which I stayed in for 3 nights when I was in Baguio.

I found out from the Pastor that it costs about USD400 a month to rent this place. That’s pretty expensive you know?

Apart from that, I am sure the mountain view from the APTS will certainly illustrate the costly rent. Take a good look at the picture below now.

Isn’t this beautiful?

Baguio is situated in the mountains (similiar to our nation’s Cameron Highlands) but Baguio is super heavy-populated with 700,000 people.

This picture is taken from Mines View.

Mines View is a tourist spot where most tourists will capture good shots of Baguio city at the Mountains.
Not only that, Mines View is a fabulous shopping haven if you’re looking for souvenirs. This is where I bought most of my keychains and Baguio printed T-shirts.

It was supposed to be a sunset shot, but it failed to be.

Instead, I have managed to capture more parts of Baguio in this lovely evening weather from the SM shopping mall.

Honestly, I really embraced this kind of picturesque and scenic view in Baguio. I just loved it.

You would see an early sunset in Baguio in December. It was only 5:30pm when I captured this shot.
By 6pm, darkness would have conquered the skies of Philippines.

Another shot of mountain view taken about a few kilometres from the APTS.

I can’t stop falling in love with the mountains!!

Enough of mountains and valleys. Let me bring you to the streets in Baguio.

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As you can see, the houses on the left side of this picture is called ‘Honeymoon’, while the houses in the middle is called ‘Marriage’. Then on the left, it is called ‘Holy Ghost’.

I seriously have no idea why in the world they would name the housing areas with such funny titles.

Imagine this, “Hi, which part of Baguio do you stay in?” “Oh, I stay in the ‘Holy Ghost’!”

Taking a closer shot of Honeymoon.

Zooming into Holy Ghost.

These houses remind me of the settlement in Ringlet of Cameron Highlands.
Don’t they resemble each other?

I had to climb out from Baguio Assembly City Church’s window in order to take closer shots of Honeymoon and Holy Ghost.

Don’t worry, it’s safe to be on the roof. I am not that heavy to roll down from that old roof! Heehee!

These are Jeepneys.

Jeepneys are somewhat like our mini buses in KL.
You just get on to the Jeepney and pay about 7.50Pesos (RM0.62) for a ride.
Jeepneys are found everywhere in the Philippines, not just in Baguio.

Session Road is the main road of Baguio City.
This picture is taken at the central part of Session Road.

To me, Filipinos are well-mannered and they are very friendly as compared to the other Asians.
At least, they are humble in terms of addressing each other.
They will at least address you as Ma’m or Sir in each sentence.

SM is found in most cities of Philippines. It is like Tesco being found in most cities in Malaysia.

In Baguio, SM is the heart of shopping. You can find almost everything in SM Baguio.
In fact, I shopped like mad because it’s cheap to shop here!!

Apart from shopping, Baguio is a city of education too.
You can find a lot of colleges and universities in Baguio itself.

This is the University of Cordillera, lighted up with Christmas decors by evening.

Jerwin, this is where you are studying right?

Pastor Victor used to study in Saint Louis University.

And lastly…

You do not simply look for toilets in Baguio or anywhere in the Philippines.The Filipinos think that it’s rude to say toilets.

They rename it as “CR” – Clean Comfort Room. So, when you are looking for a toilet, please do ask for “CR” or “Restrooms”.

You would be seeking comfort in CR, I assume.

22 December 2007

I was happily shopping in The Gardens, Mid Valley when I was taken aback with this signboard.

What the heck?

Apparently, I would need to pay a hefty RM5.00 to “Escape for a moment to powder my nose? Or to check my hair? Or even regain my poise and come out ready to shop again?”

For RM5 perhaps there is a beauty consultant awaiting in The Gardens’ Premier Washroom to freshen me up?

….

CHI SIN!!!

20 December 2007

Fattening myself away in abroad is a norm. If I don’t try eating any of their food, I will feel so guilty that I wish I could just die.

For breakfast, you will definitely have to try Pan De Sal, and you’ve gotta eat it hot.
You can spread some butter or pineapple jam or peanut butter with it.
If you do not eat it when it’s hot, the bread will be hardened.
Trust me, you wouldn’t enjoy biting with all your teeth on a hardened bread.

Longganisa is a Filipino sausage. Yes, a pork sausage.

When I was away in the Philippines, PORK is the main dish of every main meal.
Yes, from breakfast to dinner, you will definitely see PORK.

Longganisa is served in most of the eateries that serve breakfast.
It’s their culture to even take rice in the morning.

This is their rice.
You go to any cafe, restaurant or hawker stalls, they will serve you rice in this shape.

This is a typical set of lunch for the Filipinos.
I find them similiar to our Chinese or Malay food.
After all, we are all Asians, rite?

Barbecue Pork aka Pork Satay

Now, when you go to Andoks fast food chain, you will definitely see this.
Please order this when you try Andoks. Barbecue Pork is simply the best satay I’ve ever had.
No other satay can beat this. Not even our Kajang’s Haji Samuri satays can beat this.

Kare-kare is Filipino style of curry

This is not really my favourite Filipino dish.
Somehow you just have to try it because this is their style of curry.
It tastes like peanut butter curry to me.
However, it’s best eaten with shrimp paste in fact.

I love this soup.
Pork Sinigang is a soup boiled with lots of vege and pork. It is sour like our salted vege soup.
It’s a MUST to try this anyway.

I actually enjoyed eating this fish.
Somehow I just couldn’t recall the name of this fish.
Can someone tell me what is the name of this funny-looking fish.

OoOOoH…
Pork-lovers, you will definitely love Crispy Pata.
It tastes like our “Siew Yuk” (Roasted Pork).
Isn’t it lovely to find so much pork in the Philippines?

Baby Pork Ribs with rice is served in a small cafe in Camp John Hay, Baguio.
The pork ribs is sweet and tasty. I just couldn’t describe it in words how wonderfully it tastes.
Are you hungry right now after I have shown you so much of Filipino food?

NOW, it’s time for Desserts!!!

Banana Alamode is a pan-fried banana with ice cream and chocolate syrup.
OoOoo, this is heavenly.
I found this dessert in Little John, in Camp John Hay, Baguio.
It’s quite cheap though. Only costs about 67 Pesos (RM 5.55) for one Banana Alamode.

Halo-halo, the Filipino Ice Kacang

In the Philippines, Halo-halo is widely served.
This is their style of Ice Kacang.
It is often added with a scoop of ice-cream in Yam flavour.
You just have to remember to try Halo-halo when you visit this country.

Pastor Victor and friends then brought me to Pizza Volante in the main street of Baguio City.
It is a famous hang-out place where people snack and chat for hours till midnight.
I was there at midnight and you will be amazed to see many people flocking this cafe.

In Pizza Volante, you definitely have to try this.
Just tell anyone that you want to have an affair.

I mean, to have a Choco Vanilla Affair.

If you have had this, trust me, it will definitely give you indescribable pleasure of having this affair.

WHY?
Because you will end up having Food Orgasm!! OOOPS!!!