Of eating, again

It was that time of year again. Abi was invited to his school batch’s breaking the fast event. This year it took place at one of the golf clubs in Shah Alam. I, on the other hand had made plan to dine with his brother-in-law and boy cousins on the same weekend.

Because my husband would need a ride to his reunion dinner venue, I had to think of a nearby location to eat. I asked around in the office but nothing seemed intriguing enough for me or the five us for that matter. It was kind of stressing since I had not been to Shah Alam for quite a while now that I did not know if the cafés or restaurants I used to frequent during my pre-university years would still be there today.

Finally at about five in the evening, a girl friend who stays in Shah Alam recommended I go to a kedai kopi. She tried the shop’s ala carte dish before and it was good. In addition, she said the shop was serving a buffet during fasting month but had not experienced it. I took her word about the food’s taste so I went on a search for a kopitiam by the lakeside with the guys.


Hey how come you did not tell me there were two kedai kopis, Auk?

Yes there were two of them but the one we found was without the buffet. Sigh. Now we never knew how it would taste like, huh? However my girl friend was right about most of the ala carte food. Every time I checked with the cousins about their food they say it was fine.

The service was great though. The waitress spoke softly and most dishes arrived before it was time to break fasting. By the way we placed our order at 7pm and we are talking about seven different items from the menu here, so we could not really blame them for the late arrival. Anyhow we enjoyed the feast except for poor brother-in-law due to his unusual prawn mee taste.

It was an exciting dinner despite my husband was not around. We also did not skip dessert in which my husband would if he were to be with us (tongue). Would you look at that melting ice-cream? It was lip smacking I almost could not stop. Oh do not be mad, Abi. I am pretty sure you had a lot to eat from your buffet spread. And I hope you had loads of fun over there too because I did!


Yesterday my husband and I did a bit of Raya shopping. Moreover, there was a dinner we were attending so need to look for something to wear. We left the house before noon for Bukit Bintang area, again. Abi bought me a plain white shirt for dinner. He would be wearing the same that night (wink). Then he got black jeans for the both of us and my Raya shoes were an impulse buy. It was not in our shopping list but he paid for it anyway. Thank you my sweet hope-you-did-not-regret-marrying-me husband (kiss). Alright I promise this would be the last shoes for me. This year that is!

So I wore my glamorous sexy shoes to dinner just break them in for Hari Raya, you know. The host who invited us was already waiting at the entrance to greet us. Well, no offence guys, but I must agree when he said Abi “is the most handsome fund manager in town.” Okay, so I am biased, so?

And breaking the fast at a certain FELDA grand hall, buffet style; was heavenly! Need I say more? The renowned food caterer prepared the best briyani chicken rice, macaroni and cheese, much variety of delicacies, grilled meat, noodles and salad. I knew I missed many other food there but I could not stuffed them all anyway. There were 88 items on the night’s menu, people! We went home tired from digesting all those stuff, darn.

No, I was not done for the weekend yet. My husband is still here in KL for training, again. You know what it means. Life is great, that is all. Oh God, thank you so very much!

Simply living

On Saturday evening, Abi and I fetched his brother and cousin and all of us drove down to KL hoping we could still get a table at our favorite chicken rice shop in Bukit Bintang area. Sadly though, it was fully booked so we hung out at a mamak’s place first. The plan was to eat lightly before having an actual dinner later.

While waiting for breaking the fast, I did some people watching and boy was I surprised. I thought I just renewed my wardrobe’s collection a few months earlier but now it did not seem to come close with what those girls were wearing. They dressed really differently that I wonder how long had the trend been like this. I felt the need to catch up but I did not know where to find the energy to.

Just like I did not have the energy to wait for breaking the fast. I was darn hungry but managed to busy myself with a couple of magazines. After having some drinks and curry puffs, we moved on to chicken rice (now we are talking). And I was not sure if it is the food or the fact that we were seated in front of a pedestrian crossing’s traffic light right next to the Jalan Bukit Bintang that caused the heat. I was sweating as if I was running while eating. Anyway the food was as expected: it tasted better in other months and slightly poor in fasting month but overall, it was still good.

Next, we went to Lot 10 Shopping Centre (who goes there anymore?) and brother-in-law got himself a Mac bag. I purchased uncooked pasta for Hari Raya. They looked nice I could not wait to mess with them! In about an hour we were done there but not for the night, yet. We continued to hang out at a kopitiam. Each had a couple of drinks and updated our online accounts while we were at it. We had so much fun although we kind of did this almost every weekend! It was already 1am by the time my husband and I arrived home.

Yesterday, Abi granted another break fasting wish of mine. We rushed to the Mines Shopping Fair and there was unbelievably massive crowd over there probably due to public holiday. We decided to park outside the building and got in straight to buy that famous foot long toasted sandwich with beef steaks. I asked for all veggies except onion and all but teriyaki sauce to be stuffed in. That was how I would order it, every single time. No complain from him so far (tongue).

Done paying, my husband and I hurried out and off to the airport. Yeah we had to have dinner at the airport because his flight was at 8.50pm so must check-in before 7.50pm and boarding time was at 8.10pm. Therefore, we needed to squeeze everything in that limited time: eat, pray and run to the departure gate. Alright the word run was pretty overstated. Okay we did not run just walked very fast. Anyhow, all was worth it once you break fasting on a healthy but huge creamy spicy sour sweet messy sandwich with potato chips! Yummy.

Once again I felt blissful, contented and entertained by indulging in life’s simple pleasures. From street eatery to the airport’s food garden, I enjoyed them all. It does not take much to make my day (wink). I am plain boring like that but then again he is a simple person too. So I guess we complement each other in that way. I wonder what is in store this weekend. Hmm.

And again

Yesterday was the first day I fasted alone. This year that is. What is wrong with that, you say.

I came in late to the office so when I go back, it would be a matter of minutes before breaking fast. Well, what do you know? Everybody left the office so darn early. They kept saying goodbye and wished me excitedly “Selamat berbuka!” on their way out. Some asked if I planned to eat at the office. Some even instructed me to just go home already. Thanks for the concern, guys! So what could be worse than that, you say.

I thought I had a great plan there. I bought a few delicacies so I could eat them when it was time to break the fasting along my way home. Of course I anticipated the eating-in-the-car-while-driving part. However, what I did not see was, just as the azan was playing on the radio, I recited my prayer in almost (I rephrase, almost) shedding a tear.

Suddenly it felt so hard this time around. I was surprised and laughed at myself for being such a wimp. I got all sensitive not able to break the fasting with Abi when in fact, I really enjoyed dinner with him and my family on Saturday; and his family on Sunday. Maybe I was not that macho anymore (was I ever?). Probably it was one of the effects of getting old.

I hated that feeling. Until I got home. I finished the rest of the food purchased from the canteen at my workplace. I prayed and then watched the Oprah Winfrey Show. Yeah I am that lame, tell me something else.

You know how this program always talks about individuals are beaten down in life but get up to put up a fight for theirs? Well, it was that kind of show last night. And we are talking of people who lost body parts and almost their minds here! They somehow survive and move on with what is left of their lives.

That was when I realized I should not be. Miserable, sad and having all those ungrateful feelings. God has given enough for me. For the both of us for that matter. Weak is for losers and I am not one for sure. Come on, breakdown? Over breaking fast alone?

To my beautiful wonderful husband, you know I love you. As rigid as I may sound, I can take care of myself. You have absolutely nothing to worry about (kiss). If you choose to complete your twenty months of service, bring it on! If I need to wait for you another hundred years, so be it. Whatever that does not kill me, it only makes me stronger.

However, there are two things that I want to ask of you, Abi. This weekend I plan to have these foods on the dinner table. And most importantly, I hope to share them with you (wink). I can hardly wait!

Hectic weekend

Last Friday evening, I waited at the office for my brother-in-law as we were driving down to Singapore to see his brother, my husband, who else? Their mother was also coming with us so we got to fetch her in Seremban, on our way there. The three of us had a good time traveling as the journey was smooth sailing.

We picked Abi up at his apartment and head out to Changi Village. We arrived at this food court to eat dinner where they served probably the best Penyet chicken rice in Singapore. To me it was because the taste adjusted well to our Malaysian palate so we experienced just a mild cultural shock. Besides, they opened until late at night to ensure that we would not sleep on an empty stomach (burp).

We went out on Saturday night for a chili crab dinner at Bedok. Although we ordered four dishes in small size, we had a hard time finishing everything. The chili crab, mix veggie, sweet and sour soup plus tofu were undoubtedly scrumptious but the word small on the menu fooled us all. It was small alright, for a giant! But we tried our best (yawn).

Mustafa Centre was our next stop. As I was sitting down from an aching foot while waiting for mom-in-law doing her shopping, I saw them. A pair of KicKers® canvas pumps! They were dark brown in color that would match my sling bag. Perfect, I thought. So I got up and tried the available sizes and found a pair that fit. And guess what? I paid only SGD14.90 for them! If the word perfect has a superlative, I would say that these shoes are the most perfect buy ever!

We packed up our things as we were going home on Sunday evening. Abi followed us back for he had a training to attend at his KL office. We both checked-in to an accommodation near my husband’s training venue. And the Executive Suite was just what the doctor ordered. It is the kind that I want to live in for the longest time. So I am not going to explain more but let these photos say for the gorgeous room itself. Enjoy!

I sent Abi to KLIA on Tuesday night. By the way, did you know KLIA has a designated parking space for four-wheel drive vehicles only? Well I did not, until that night. How cool is that, huh? Anyhow I must say it was one hectic weekend, and weekdays too! Being mainly on the road for these past few days really wore me out. Lucky my husband’s car has an intelligent mind of its own. Driving around was more fun if you let it do all the work (grin). Love that fine-looking robot. Hmm.

And last night there was a farewell do for a guy from work. We went to Palma Café to have dinner and I chose to eat the chili spaghetti, again. I had it on my last visit but apparently it was not enough, I supposed. Once more, the dish did not fail me because of the mystical power of it has. Okay highly exaggerated, sorry I cannot help it (tongue).

The thing is, it might look simple and harmless but the taste was absolutely heart stopping, in a good way. I actually checked with a girlfriend who ordered the same dish if she was still breathing. Hey just go there and order yourself one serving already. I said enough here.

Rock on, babe!

Last Sunday evening, Abi and I went to his brother’s apartment. Yeah we hang out there like, a lot! His house is kind of a one-stop centre. We would drop by to book bus seats, flight tickets or merely update blog. It is also a pick up point for futsal practice, going back to Seremban or any

cousinly outing.

As for me, I would play with his semi acoustic guitar and annoy everybody with my so-called skill (grin). I could also irritate Abi with my karaoke singing besides watching DVDs he would not buy because he downloads them from the internet. Cheapskate, and I wonder who taught him that. Hmm.It is the place to crash if my husband and I are too tired to drive back to our own apartment. Although our house is just about 10 kilometers away, but to continue our journey home on a full stomach or when Abi drives with his eyes completely shut; is out of the question. However most of the time we crash over there because every night we pay a visit, I would doze off early so Abi just let me sleep.

We would plan a sleepover if my husband feels like watching football or playing PS3 with the boys. Or if we want to eat the best nasi lemak in the world from a stall near my brother-in-law’s place. We have to get up and be there early for breakfast to catch the sambal prawns!

So anyway, last Sunday evening, Abi and I went to his brother’s apartment.
The latest attraction is a new game called Rock Band®! The truth, I pretty much suck at it. Hey, I am just a beginner so you might want to give me more time, huh?

My better half though, was hooked up with the game. I had a hard time making him quit playing so we could have some cake. His birthday cake, for God’s sake! Take a look at him, all smiling trying out the instruments, a drum set and a guitar. By the way, his brother and cousin were kind enough to secretly buy Secret Recipe’s chocolate walnut cake for us to enjoy before Abi caught his flight back to Singapore. Thanks, boys!

Did you like this surprise, Abi?

Well, here is a toast to a funny, gentle, handsome, patient and wise (yeah he is all that, I promise) husband:

Welcome to the Club 30s and believe me, at this point you have already earned everything we need. Just take some time to appreciate it. I trust your every judgment and investment, you freakonomist! Remember that you brought us both here. You know, God has always answered my prayer and you are the best I have ever asked for.

Happy birthday, Abi. May we endure the tests of time and weather in years to come. To health, love, money and many more. Salute!