The YWCA Vocational Training Opportunity Centre

I was flipping through today's papers and came across this article about the YWCA Vocational Training Opportunity Centre (VTOC) and found the story touching. That set me off googling for their website and also found their brochure. It's things like these that just remind of how lucky I am and have been all my life. I was just wondering if there was any way in which I could contribute, apart from donations.

As part of our church teen outreach program, the then 15-year-old me used to teach English and Maths every alternate Sunday to less fortunate kids somewhere in Puchong (Puchong has changed so much over the years so I really can't remember where that little kampung is anymore). Although that was where I learnt I dont have the patience to make teaching a profession, I still had fun with the kids and it was also very emotionally rewarding. And an eye opener too to us "city kids" who are used to the "finer things in life" that there are loads of people out there who had more pressing problems in life.

A few years ago on a Christmas outreach program, we visited the squatter areas where some of the immigrants/refugees from Myanmar lived. We saw how these people lived in appalling conditions, were cheated by agents or employers and are forced to be on the run from the authorities all the time. What struck me the most was that despite all the difficulties they faced, they were such a happy, earnest and friendly bunch.

I guess having all the riches in life doesn't necessarily mean that one is happier. Time to take a step back, think about how we live our lives currently and of course - are we happy?

Piggin' Out: Floyd's Brasserie at Burasari, Phuket

Restaurant: Floyd's Brasserie at Burasari, Phuket
Location: Patong, Phuket
Cuisine: Classic French

Rommel mentioned that Keith Floyd, whose travel escapades I have been following since my Sky TV days in London, had a restaurant in Phuket. So of course we had to try it! It's located in the chic Burasari hotel, about a 15 minute walk from our hotel, just off the main Patong Beach road.

The restaurant had a very cosy setting with a Mediterranean feel to it (the blue and white tiles on the floor remind me of Greece). Not noisy but you can hear the gentle chatter of fellow customers.

The bread basket was served with a selection very light and creamy butter, olive oil and balsamic vinegar combo and a sundried tomatoes spread. We first thought that the tomato spread was some sort of sambal (we were in Thailand after all so we thought he might have made some sort of fusion concoction).
For starters, I had the poached eggs with burguncy sauce, topped with a sprinkling of croutons and chopped bacon bits. I loved it. Shen, I think you'll enjoy it too. It's eggs with red wine and bacon. What can possibly go wrong??

Rommel had the panfried foie gras on bruschetta. Simple, classic French. Served with grilled asparagus and salad with balsamic dressing.

For mains, I had the panfried duck. While I found the duck too fatty and not panfried enough (the skin was rather tough and not crisp at all), I loved the vegetables with bacon that came with it. Reminds me of the home-cooked meals we got in Lourdes.

Rommel was on a foie gras roll (again) and had the tenderloin with foie gras. Meat slightly overdone vs his requested medium and slightly tough but you cant compared it to kobe or wagyu!!

All served with new potatoes and veg on the side.

Was it within expectations? I'd say yes. It looks pretty much like how Floyd's food looks on tv!

Would I go back? Probably but just to have the poached eggs and the vegetables. The meal wasn't cheap though - cost us ~Bt4000 or ~RM400 for both of us.

Although, we did have like 2 bottles of sparkling water, 2 coconuts and a mocktail because we were really really thirsty after spending the whole afternoon walking around Patong.

Shen, would you want to try?

Knit update: Vanna throw is completed!

I finally completed the last row of single crochet for the border of my Vanna throw at midnight last night. What a joy (and relief!) to finally be able to make sure of it. But it needs to be washed and blocked first of course. Then come the pictures!

On other projects, I actually took the long-forgotten Kusa shawl with me to Phuket. I started it in Lourdes in June last year, shortly after purchasing the yarn in iKnit London. It was meant to be my travel project since I'm using my 5mm Clover bamboo hook (for safety reasons since metal knitting needles have a higher chance of getting confiscated on flights) but I rarely touch this project. Perhaps its because this is a "for me" project with no deadline so there's never a sense of urgency to finish it.

How I wish I had more time to knit.... Only got home at 9pm yesterday from work so I was only able to finish that little ending bit of Vanna throw and do 2 rows of my secret baby project before I got too tired. Sigh.

CNY 2009

What I look forward to every year for Chinese New Year is my aunt's cooking at the Reunion Dinner with my dad's side of the family. See, I was so hungry, I took all but 3 pictures and started gobbling away.

With my mom's side, we also had a yummy Reunion Lunch with homemade yee sang by Auntie Poh Har.

At the Lim family Reunion Lunch, we also played with my new Bubble Machine! Look at how happy Nicholas was!

... and Rommel as well. Kid at heart.

We also had a yee sang at our CNY party. Here's Mom with Auntie Kat and Auntie Pat.

And finally, a pic of me with Uncle James' D300. So heavy compared to my D50!!

I finally made it to Phuket!

After 2 unsuccessful attempts to visit Phuket (the first time round, if I had made it, I would have been there when the tsunami struck so I'm thankful I didnt go that time!) (the second time has been documented here and here), I've finally visited Phuket.

Spent the long Thaipusam weekend there with Rommel, flew there via AirAsia and stayed at the lovely (but expensive) Impiana Phuket Cabana Resort & Spa. The hotel was cosy, had friendly staff and the perfect location as it was one of the very few hotels right on Patong Beach itself. Close to everything that's important (the beach, the bars and restaurants and the shops).

We took the 1-day tour of Phi Phi Ley, Phi Phi Don and Khai Nok Island.

This is the sight that greeted us at Khai Nok Island....


While the hotel's Patong Beach frontage was pretty good too (although this was taken at 7.30am when the crowds had not overtaken the beach yet!).

Maya Bay (where the Leo DiCaprio film, The Beach, was filmed) was also pretty but there were just too many tourists for me to handle. It was seriously crowded and noisy and we only got about half an hour to play there so it wasn't much fun.

Food-wise, we had the ubiquitous phad thai at some small back alley cafe on our first day.

And I also ordered the stir fried minced pork with basil leaves because at home, it's always chicken. One of my greatest joy was finding this place just down the road from the hotel which had Japanese soft cream! Too bad I suffered from tummy upset for the remaining 2 days of the trip so dairy produce was off limits (I'm lactose intolerant).

More pictures on Facebook.

Knit update: Too many WIPs

I've been overambitious. I know it. At last count on Ravelry, I have 9 WIPs outstanding, some in hibernation since I have not touched them in ages. And this does not include my latest project - a little secret for a friend who is expecting. She already know what I'm making since I regularly update her on my progress but I can't say more here.

Apart from this baby project, I have just realised I have 3 other friends who will become first time mothers over the next 2-4 months. So many babies, so little knitting time! I can't decide what to make since wool jumpers and mittens aren't the most practical in our tropical weather!

Baby blankets? Are they practical?
Baby booties? Will they fit?
Soft toys? I did think of little arugurumi crochet stuff. Always wanted to try making them.

On the other WIPs:
I'm finally making progress on my Vanna throw. Have cast off and am now single crocheting the border so that it hopefully doesn't curl up as much at the edges. It's really nice and warm, serves it purpose when I need a light blankie to take naps in. I have a feeling I'm going to start another throw once I'm done with this one.

My feather and fan stole is in the office with me today although I rarely knit at work. I'm still confused about this one. I love the yarn and I like the pattern but somehow I'm not too happy with how the stole is turning out. I fear I'll run out of yarn before the stole gets to a decent length so I'm now seriously considering frogging the whole thing and starting over. This time with bigger needles and a lace pattern with a lot of holes. I dont know. Still thinking about it.

The drawstring raglan, which essentially uses a variant of the feather and fan pattern, has been put on hold for the secret project and for what other baby stuff I decide to make.

Okay that's it! Rommel and I are off the Phuket tomorrow for some sun and relaxation..

Quickie Lunch at Santerri Cottage, Pavilion

Busy at work but I just wanted to take a short break from trying to understand an inherited model.

When I have no lunch plans or just feel like chilling on my own during lunchtime, one of the places I like to frequent is Santerri Cottage in Pavilion KL. It's the cafe inside the Times bookstore on Level 6.

Why do I think this is an ideal lunch spot?

- It's quiet, i.e. perfect for time to myself or to have a nice chat with some friends.

- Also great for reading since not many distractions. You're allowed to take books and magazines from anywhere in the store and read them (although I usually end up buying them anyway. Like today, I bought the latest issue of Interweave Knits and Knit Simple. I wasn't planning to buy them because I find barely any relevance between the tropical Malaysian weather and the Winter issues. But, as I browsed through the books, I found some patterns that I liked and justified my purchase by the fact that I have not done much knitting-related shopping for a while now.

- The food is simple and nice. Just sandwiches and salads with a decent selection of coffees and teas. Price-wise, my lunch set of a sandwich, some coleslaw salad and a cup of English Breakfast tea cost Rm13.90. Not bad considering you're paying for airconditioning and free reading materials from an entire bookstore.

For pictures and an article about Santerri in the Star, click here.