Piggin' Out: Penang CKT and Assam Laksa

My report on my Penang trip is out, with this pic on the front page!

This is my favourite Assam Laksa in Penang - at the Air Itam market. I blogged about it in Aug08 and Apr09... after my foodie trips up to the food capital of Malaysia.

I then found out from my limo auntie (who always chauffeurs my mom around when she goes to Penang for meetings) that she thinks the best Assam Laksa in Penang is in fact the one on Penang road facing the police station. Later my uncle who lived in Penang for a couple of years in the early nineties, agreed and said the Penang road one is the best.

Penang is also famous for its Char Kuey Teow, perhaps none more famous than the Lorong Selamat one. I initially wanted to try the Ah Leng CKT which is somewhere near Padang Brown as it has mantis prawns and duck eggs (oooh premium CKT!) but when we got to the stall, it was CLOSED! Can you imagine my dismay?

*Note to self: Ah Leng CKT is closed on Thursdays

So luckily Lorong Selamat was not too far away and we headed there instead. So much hype, so much expectations... and sadly, the Lorong Selamat CKT fell short of expectations.

Don't get me wrong. It was good, but not as good as to warrant RM7 per plate. And it was much better than its nearby competitor - Sisters' CKT on Jln Macalister. Not sure if I'll ever go back to that stall again though.

And so, I guess this means another trip to Penang is necessary - need to try out the Penang road Assam Laksa and the Ah Leng CKT!

Pride and Prejudice - Tweets version

It's been maddeningly busy at work these two weeks with me leaving the office at 10pm some nights, only to be back again at the usual 7am.

But, my sister and I managed to squeeze in time to watch the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. The movie is obviously an adaptation from Jane Austen's novel and so I set out to find out what the original story was like.

Conveniently, we have a copy of the book in our library. I vaguely remember if I have read P&P as a kid but the story line is most definitely familiar and since we have a copy of the book at home, I think I might have read it at some point. I'm babbling here. Basically, I read it over the weekend and have re-read some parts a couple of times for clarity.

Then, I joined the P&P fan club on Ravelry and someone mentioned this. It is absolutely hilarious!! Happy Reading!

P/s: I'll need to do a short post on Penang - Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow and Air Itam assam laksa! I was there for a day trip yesterday (5 meetings!) but managed to squeeze in time for CKT (we had only 10 mins to eat!) and assam laksa at the end of the day before heading back to the airport. Such desperation!

And: Rommel and I are going to the Babyface concert tonight at the KL Convention Centre!

Stress led me to PattyBelle

Everyone reacts differently to stress. In my case, I've come to realise that while I rarely lose my cool during stressful times (as in I rarely act in a panic or rush through things).

But my body has taken a different turn on how it handles stress. In recent months, I've had spells of really bad headaches, weird rashes and eczema on my body, multiple mouth ulcers at a go and most recently, my cold sores have made a major comeback.

I've had cold sores since I was very young and used to get it at least once a year. Tried all sorts of products and home treatments but nothing was as effective as taking lysine supplements, as recommended by a pharmacist in Covent Garden in 2004. Elated, I'd thought I found the solution to my cold sore issues. Then I later found out that lysine is also the active ingredient in Appeton - i.e. it helps to build your appetite. Which is something I obviously dont need.

But anyway, I stopped taking lysine after finding this out but didn't have any cold sores for the past 5 years. Suddenly, after a stressful week, I felt that familiar tingling yet painful feeling at the corner of my lips. Over the past few days, it has now erupted into a full-scale cold sore, something I haven't had in maybe 10 years.

The sad thing is, I doubt my boss believes that all my issues are probably stress-related. Sure, I always seem to be in a jolly mood and am usually responsive to stuff but that doesn't mean that I'm not stressed. I just absolutely abhor it when people throw tantrums when they're stressed (which I've seen a lot of) and so I dont wish to do the same to others. There is no point having a go at someone else when it's not their problem.

Sorry to rant on but I just wanted to get it off my chest.

And since my horoscope this morning said I should treat myself with a small reward, I took heed and bought something.... here it is:

** Photo taken from PattyBelle.com

This is Violet Dreamy Duchess headband from PattyBelle.com. Cost me RM50 including shipping. I found this website while checking out Tongue in Chic, a local fashion blog that keeps the not-so-fashionable me up to date with the local fashion scene.

My justification for making this purchase:
1) I'm stressed
2) I really like all of Patty's headbands so this is my first purchase to assess the service and delivery time.
3) I want to do more in supporting local crafters, especially since I would like to try selling some of my own stuff in future. It's great to have a thriving market for these things.
4) I think the headband will go perfectly with my lilac bridesmaid dress for Sunny's wedding next weekend. The dress is super simple and so I hope the headband will dress it up.

Ah, feeling much better.

Ice cream or afternoon tea?

The great debate in the office today was where should we have ice cream? And the reason for the celebration: I passed Module 19A! (the SC regulation exam for analysts). But the timing isnt right today for all of us to leave early and we just had an ice cream celebration 2 days ago at Gardens to celebrate Sunaina passing hers 2 weeks ago. So it is now scheduled for 2 weeks later when Ed gets back from leave.

Then I was reading Jen's recent post about afternoon tea at the St Regis Singapore and it made me remember our teenage days. Unlike most high school kids at that time, we didn't spend our Saturdays "hanging out" at places like 1 Utama and stuff (just doesn't fit our image, y'know). Instead, we had tea at the Ritz Carlton after an afternoon shopping at Starhill and Lot 10 (the Pavilion hadn't been built in those days or we'd be shopping there too).

I'd never thought at that time that we were brats at that time for doing that as it just felt normal to us. It was only during our London days that we talked about it and joked that we must have seemed like such spoiled brats then. All this being said while shopping in Selfridges and Covent Garden. Hehe...

Turning point in my life

In the past 3 days, I've gone through 3 major hurdles in my career:

1) I passed 1 part of my licensing exam. 1 more to go. It's a major event because I dont ever have to sit for it again.

2) I've finally initiated on my first stock and am on my way to becoming a full-fledged analyst.

3) I spoke on the morning meeting for the first time today.


Perhaps these do not seem significant to some since they've done it before or they do it all the time. But to me, it's the fact that theball's starting rolling. It's the start of more to come. That's what counts.

And now, back to the hard work bit of things...

What a week

So much has happened in the past couple of days. I went to Singapore for training on Tuesday, came back and whooosh... there's been some major changes all across the company.

Yes these are tough times indeed but all I need to do now is work hard and smart, lay low and pray. (Daddy's orders - he called from Guangzhou last night to tell me)

But looking at the brighter side, I'm almost done with my report, just letting it get through to the top and hopefully it comes out soon. I'm already starting on my next project.

Also, I have a nice little trip to look forward to. Am off to Pangkor Laut tomorrow with Mom to attend a friend's wedding. All I need to do is pack and decide my wardrobe. Have already bought a matching top-and-bag combo from Emilio Pucci for the trip (on sale, great bargain!). Hopefully, I'll get to chill by the beach for the next 3 days and catch up on sleep and do some knitting.

Speaking of knitting, I've barely had time to do much of it these few weeks. But I was adamant on finishing my Snow White shawl in time for the wedding so I did squeeze in some time for it. Almost done now and I'm hoping to complete it on the drive to Lumut tomorrow. Yes I wont be able to get it blocked in time but what the heck.

One joy I found in the midst of all this was a package I received from Cucumberpatch. I've been wanting to try them out for a while now but was trying to be disciplined. Due to a very stressful week last week, I succumbed to temptation and started clicking away at a variety of yarn. Damage: 25 skeins of yarn for less than GBP75!! And shipping was only GBP3.5o. Talk about a bargain. And the best part... despite the low shipping rates, my order arrived on Monday, 6 days after I paid!!

I bought 20 skeins of Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK (10 cream and 10 salmon pink), and 6 skeins of Artesano Inca Mist in Juniper. Of course, every time I buy yarn, I am swimming in ideas for those yarns. Am getting dizzy just thinking about options! And on top of this, I previously bought the same Jaeger yarn in Singapore in a nice mossy green so I can actually make a blanket out of all 30 skeins (suggestions suggestions!)

That's all for now. Ta...

Headaches or migraines, come what may

I'm sick. But what do I have? Is it a headache? Or is it a migraine? It comes and goes. My head really hurts when I make sudden movements. My neck is perpetually stiff and my right thigh keeps getting numb.

Add to that a sore throat and repetitive sneezing (but weirdly, no flu or blocked/runny nose).

What do I have?

My dad diagnosed me with dehydration (resulting in the headaches and sore throat) and body aches caused by late night showers.

But then several people in the office have been falling ill too. So is it a bug going around then?

I dont know.

What I know is that I have several things to blog about:

- All Saints Day and All Souls Day over the weekend - pics from our visit to the cemetary to see my maternal grandparents. They lived a long and happy life, had 8 adult children who all married and have loads of grandkids (23 of us at last count) and 2 great-grandkids. Before prayers, we reminisced about my grandma's cooking, which is something all of us really miss. No one cooks like Por por.

- My first knit meetup last Saturday - finally got to meet the various ladies from our Ravelry group. Too bad I couldnt stay long as Ma was waiting for me (she spent time at the Club21 sale so time was not wasted on her part) and we needed to head off to church for All Saints Say Mass.

- My Grandpa vest - almost completed but it's wayyyyy too big for me. What should I do? Give it to Melissa, perhaps? I dont want to frog it!

- My Coco camisole - completed and fits me really well! Am not very happy with the neckline so may frog that part and redo it.

- Started on two new projects:
(1) Katia baby blanket - am knitting this in simple garter stitch after I frogged the crocheted version a couple of months ago. The yarn is so soft and fuzzy that it makes no sense to use any pattern at all. Great mindless knitting while driving!
(2) Crochet lace stole (yet to be named) - Shen, I'm using one of the hand dyed yarns you shipped back to me. I think you bought it at iKnit. Am following a pattern from one of the Japanese crochet lace books. A pretty simple but pretty pattern.

- My Vanna throw which is coming along really prettily and quickly. I love knitting on larger needles. Instant gratification! And I got nice compliments from the Ravelry ladies on Saturday for this. Mona noted that my tension was too tight so that explains why the intarsia part wasn't looking that great. Am trying to loosen it for future rows. Thanks Mona!

Oh great, my headache is coming back. Panadol anyone? Ta...

Busy week, stressed out

It's been a busy week for me and my brain's totally dead right now. My report's due and so I have to rush rush rush to get it out. Plus with the global market in such a situation, I really wonder if I should be initiating on a stock right now. And there will be questions on why am I initiating at this point in time. And share prices have been collapsing so that's not helping. Markets everywhere seem to be in free fall.

So this week was filled with 14 hours a day in the office, get home, have dinner, shower and work again until midnight before collapsing in bed. The alarm rings at 5.45am and the whole process starts again.

Add to that 2 dinners with Pa's clients (there was an exhibition in KL so he had guests from England, Indonesia and Singapore).

Then pile on crappy weather - super heavy thunder storms that leading horrendous traffic jams in the city that even at 8pm, most cars are barely moving on the roads. One of the dinners we had was at Max and it took Pa 2.5 hours to get from home to Impiana Hotel to pick the guests up and then turn to pick me up (I walked in the rain to the Weld to meet them) and then finally arrive at Max. We were 2 hours late for dinner.

So you can imagine how I'm looking forward to this weekend. We're off to Cameron Highlands as it's the long Deepavali weekend. Time to breathe in some clean highland air and chomp on strawberries and have steamboat feasts! Of course some time during our relaxing weekend, I will have to turn on my office laptop and do some work but hopefully when I get a bit more sleep and relax a bit more, my brain can function slightly better and I can write my report.

And now..... I'm off to bed for some much-needed rest. G'night.

MacQ Go-karting challenge Dec 07

We had so much fun that Sunday 9 Dec, that I went again, with Rommel, my brother, Ian, Uncle James, Hilton, Mabel and Aunty Lena - who brought her family.

Here are pics from our MacQ championship:

Myself with Godbrother Ian and Aunty Lena

Seated (L-R): Salina, Calise, Calise's husband
Standing (L-R): Wai Fun & husband

The boys (L-R): Alex, Salina's husband, Yazif, Deen, Hazman, Azim

(L-R): Wai Fun's husband, Hilton, Kok Hoong and Uday

The team that made it to the final round - notice that Im the only girl who qualified! And Im the only one with a grey top and hugging my helmet.. Good to know my karting skills are improving.

The final race...

The irony that the championship was won by a non-MacQ staff. But Im proud my boyfriend was the winner! :D (Although I think with more practice, I soon will be able to beat him at this!)

MacQ Paintballing challenge - Oct 07

Boy am I on a roll today.. so many posts! But that's cost I know I'll be disappearing next week - am off to Sunny Singapore with the family for a couple of days for Xmas and of course the great Singapore sale! We were initially booked to go to Hokkaido for a skiing and feasting trip but due to my mom's accident, she cant fly for the next few months. We've had to decide on somewhere close enough to drive to and so Singapore it is!

Anyway, here are some pics from our company Paintballing trip in October. Enjoy..

The battlefield

Me in battle - I spent most of the time in fear of getting shot!

Getting ready to attack!

My team! (L-R): Gordon, Maureen, Alex, Me, Tracy, Ashraf