Food Feast!

Phew...blog twice today!
Happy mar...
Just got my salary and I had reduced my debt.
ooo..before proceeding, I just bought another insurance..with a handsome agent. He is 30 years of age but looks way younger than me and he is driving a BMW!
Heck..what I am doing then? Adding more into his full pockets?
LOL...Sorry Jeff...
Btw, back to the happy moments...
I been planning to treat my sifu for quite some time..so I finally had the time to treat that old lady. We went for Kiku Zakura and LF is included in my treat-list.
Erm...were too busy with chomping down the food.. I did not take down any pictures.
But we ordered the following:

Appertizers: Edamame (RM12), Salmon Sashimi (RM48) Agedashi Tofu (RM12)
Main course wise, I ordered the Unagi Kabayaki (RM38).
LF went with Chicken Teriyaki and sifu went with some bento thing.
For me, I will not go for another round to Zakura.

First, is the portion they served. The edamame price at RM12 should serve a moderate portion as an appertizer. Instead, the portion equivalent to Sushi King which only price at RM4. Man, that is unreasonable!

Next, we still can taste the ice in the sashimi. Yes it is fresh but the salmon should be defrost before serving to the customers. But instead, they careless about this. This is a disappointment as I always confident on Zakura's quality.

The tofu is moderate lar. Nothing to complain about.

Then was my main course. The unagi served was only 2 thin slices and with chawanmushi that overly cooked with gingko. Surprising, I just smell the gingko but could not find one in it. The prawn in the chawanmushi was over cooked too. Second disappointment!

Overall, I rate it below average.
Nevertheless, the environment in Zakura is always the best. Maybe not much crowd that's why we have the whole restaurant for ourselves!

Of course the rating I gave is only applicable to the Avenue K branch. I remembered the one in BTS was really nice. And even at MV still remain the best.

But we still had a good night after all.

The next day, I am suppose to treat the kids for a dinner at Pavillion - Tony Roma's. My mom, aunty and uncle tagged along too!
We ordered quite a sumptous amount of appertizers as mom and auntie were too full for main course.
So I ordered: Onion roll full size for RM16.90, Tony's Platter for RM39.90 and Asian Grill Chicken Salad full size for RM19.90. As we had 7 of us in a table, the kids and me were quite hungry, we chomp down the appertizers in the speed of light. But to my disappointment, the platter comes with onion roll too. Sigh. Should order the fried mushroom instead.

For main course, I ordered the Buffalo's Sandwich at RM18.90. Well, its actually a burger. But I don't know why they call it sandwich. The filling is chicken and it taste almost the same as KFC Zinger burger. So, was quite disappointed on it.

The environment is just moderate to me as we were placed in the front porch of the restaurant instead of inside. So with the crowd, we hardly able to talk. Still the get together time with family members are the best. And again, I swipe the card.

Woop. two meals cost me to approx RM500.

Next will be trying Ninja Jones in North Point and bringing my mom, grandma and darling to DucKing in Jaya One this weekend.

Ninja Jones - for Chew belated birthday. As I am unable to celebrate with you, let me treat you for a good meal there. The reviews from the internet were good.

DucKing - as mommy wants to share the bill for the treat to the kids, I decided to bring her for duck cuisine. She loves duck. Besides, never treat grandma for anything so I feel guilty. Then, darling insisted me to treat him because of my promotion. So, how can I say NO?

Wahlao...with the above food feast that I get myself into..I will spend my salary just for that man! And I need shopping leh?

POk Kai lor.....

A stressful journey, and I am bound to walk every steps

From the beginning, I thought I will be celebrating this month.

The hatred I've been farming since the beginning of the year had finally come to an end.

Though the pressure has started to pilling up and my spine had been over stressed these days. I think I may not be able to handle more demands from my boss.

The days passed with tiredness and exhaustion.
I was late to work almost everyday. To be exact, since the day the hatred started. I promised myself to be a good example to my co-workers. But it was really a mess to wake up 1hour earlier to work.
Still I manage to make myself officially early to work...Well, punctual to work. Better than late right?

Then workload is getting more and more. As beside daily work like past, I am now responsible to review my co-workers' work. This almost KILL me. The reviewing of files are so dull and tiring. I can even see the figures flying all over the files. Darn! How I hate to review.

Next, planning. This sucks too! I am a control freak over my own schedule. My work always on time unless something comes up and mess up my schedule. But that is because the discipline that was thought by sifu and boss. But nowadays, the youngsters just has no discipline at all. We as senior has to remind them again and again for them to even get started! Not to mention finish! Darn!

Then, attending to boss higher demands. As my time almost used up by the above and yet I still need to attend his 24-7 high demand. We are like SWAT team. Ever ready for sudden appearance in a meeting which you don't even know whom u meeting with or what you will be discussion on. Yet, we have to pretend like Miss-Know-It-All so that we can call ourselves professional. Heck!

This is the most energy sucking and had been attacking my self esteem lately.
Due to the emergencies I had in previous years, I had been postponing my exams.
So whenever we are meeting with clients that are Professionals, they expect to talk to a professional. And I am not! Geez...How I hate those 'pigeon-eyes'!! I do not have enough time to do everything. Like reading the standards, newspapers, world economy related magazines, local and international market updates yet doing my daily work in one day in order to start a conversation with them. This is really tough. And it had been taking the toll out of my life!
Gosh....how I wish I not in such position...
Yeah I know, I sucks!
The pay and profile I soon to get is worth every second of hard work!

Of course pay can be higher >_<
But with my qualification and experience, I think I could not demand more at this moment.
So continue to strive for my professional exams.
Hopefully this time round, I am free from such emergencies I faced previous years. God, please have faith in me!

Luckily my working days only on weekday.
So, I still have weekend to retrieve the sleepless nights and exhaustion!
Basically the following illustrate how my working day start:

1. Wake up
2. Free the monster from his cage so that he could run like a mad cow around the house
3. Brush teeth + wash face
4. Drink water + refill water in tumbler
5. Bath and 'business'
6. Dress up + blow hair + make up
7. Drive to office
8. Breakfast @ office
9. On my laptop
10. Check email
11. Write down to do list for the day
12. Call client
13. Reply email
14. Review file
15. Lunch
16. Attend to boss demand
17. Lecturing staff
18. Preparing proposals and review files
19. Off work
20. Do my own files

So Sifu, really wor...
I can only do my own files after working hours.
Urgh....
Anyway, I try to squeeze everything in 8 working hours so that I can reach home early everyday. But that is impossible unless I postpone my work. Well, previously before promoted, I also try to work not later than working hours. And my excuse is I do not have office keys. So I need to pack and leave with the majority.
Out of the blue, I asked for office key from Mrs Boss that day. As I need to work quite late, and trying to repay my late to work for the past months. And without hesitation, she pass me the key. But before I say the key will be return the following day, she ask me to sign on to the log book. This proofs that the key is officially mine during my service period in this firm.
Well, nothing to be glad on. Cause you are expecting to open the door if no one is around in the morning. Which means, have to early to work rather than my usual practise = PUNCTUAL

Sigh.

Trying my best to get use to such life from now onwards.
But I just could not stop complaining..
I'm a woman..and woman complains!

P/S: Sigh. No longer address myself as girl ..Don't know why I feel old if use that word. I am really old. WOMAN!

Moving into New Work Station!!!

Wahkow! My new workstation. I was so excited about the shifting since I've got the news of being promoted to Ass. Manyzer. Not because of the position and salary (well, 60% lar...) the most excited part was there will be possibility for me to shift to a place equipped with air-conditioner blowing cool air right to me and a nice carpeted floor without any loopholes!

Yeap, that's right! My previous work station was HOT.
I was surrounded with 3 air-conditioner but none blow the air towards me.
And the stupid hole on the floor always give me the implication that because of my weight the hole is getting bigger and bigger. Mind you, the hole was there before I even shifted to that place!

I've been facing difficulties on whether to shift or not to shift.
There are some complications in the whole process and I would not like to go detail about it in here.
So, after rounds of considerations and discussions, finally I've made my mind to SHIFT.

Ta - da...
Just can't wait to get some nice classy office supplies to fill the new space!

Wah hoooooo....

How come life is so FRAGILE?

As I'm still trying hard to live my life without my father,
another bad luck struck our family.
My cousin bro - Bryan was diagnosed with brain tumour.
He is only 14, for God's sake!
Why it have to be us?
And there is no early sympthom that tells you have a tumour in your brain!
He was having double visions the last one week, so the parents decided to bring him to the doctor. But when the doctor advised to go for MRI - specifically for scanning any damaging cells (CANCER) in your body. The parents got panic and inform everyone of us on the bad news.

Later that day, doctor confirmed the boy has a tumour blocking the brain's fluid (there is medic term, but too long to remember). Whether the tumour is cancerous can only be confirm after a biopsy. But the tumuor is dangerous to the brain as it had block the fluid to drain and replenish it self. Therefore, an operation is needed ASAP to have a bypass passage so that the brain will not overflow with the fluids. But that is a dangerous op for any human being.

So sad to hear that. How a 14 year old boy tahan all that kind of pain.
It's unbelievable.

Cancer killed my father.
I am praying so hard that it will not happen to anyone else in the family.
Yet, the bad luck struck twice!
Damn it!!!

How can YOU be so cruel!

But the op went well and as per doc's experience the tumour may not be cancerous.
Well, we were glad but still have to refer to the biopsy report before over happy about that.
As we try to get as more info as possible from the doc on how suddenly a brain will has a tumour in it, cos the kid is sound and healthy since baby. The doctor said the boy was carrying the tumour since he is a baby. Every tumour grows as you age. And brain tumour gives no early sympthom. When the sympthom starts to unleash, it usually at the most critical situation.

Bryan, everything is taken care of.
Please be strong.
But as he is just too young to know this, we never disclose the news to him.
He thought something wrong with his eye therefore need to go for an op.
God, please give the family more strength to pull it through.

November jor lor...

Position officially changed from 1st November!
Waited anxiously for this day to come, though I am very sure the stress and pressure will be doubled in future.
But what the heck, I've signed and checked myself into that position.
Blessed me please.......
I am busying myself at the planning stage for the coming November and December schedule.
Nothing seems to have a clear picture.
So scared....

Argh!!!!

Damn Damn Damn

Living the 9th day without him

Oct 19th 2008, definitely gonna be the worst day of my entire life.
He decided to cut off all his sufferings and decided to join with God in the other world.
Daddy finally departed us on 8am that morning.

It was a total heart break for mommy and me and even my boyfriend.
Even though we spent the last few days accompanied him at his bedside in hospital, we did not seems to have enough time for him.
As his breath starting to slow down, which almost take 3-4 seconds for another breathing, my tears strolling down my cheeks uncontrollably.
My voice inside my heart telling me that I'll be losing my daddy soon.
I had never ever imagined myself living my life without him.

My parents shared the majority parts of my life, and never ever this cross my mind that either one leaving me this soon.

I cried while biting my fingers as I did not want him to hear my cries.

Aunty Lisa instructed me to stop crying as my dad is not letting go if I'm still crying.
So with all the power I had, I stopped crying.

1..2..3.. he finally stopped breathing.

That was the most painful scene I've ever see.
Though it was not the first time I saw a human being breathing his last breath, but that is my daddy.
My man of my life.
We shared joys and cries.
And now I had to say goodbye and he could not even listen.

I'm trying to recollect the pieces from the moment doctor told us that my dad will not hold longer than 3 days. That was on 17th October.
I remember taking an emergency leave off from work and rushing all the way to the hospital.
Daddy was already connected to the respirator as he had difficulties in breathing.
He was surprised to see me with my working attire.

"Why are you here?"

Did not know how to react, I lied. "I am on my way to client office and decided to drop by"

And he continue to sleep.

Mommy, Auntie Lisa and me decided to lie to him as we did not have the courage to tell him what doctor had said.

Then, my uncles and aunties were starting to visit him as we thought maybe the last respects to him.

We decided to celebrate his birthday which is suppose to be on the 18th.
But we are afraid that time will not let us do so, thus decided to make an early celebration.
We bought a cake and KFC that can accommodate to 10persons.
All nurses and family members gathered in his room and we sang a birthday song to him.

This brought back the memories on the 16th whereby he still able to sing out loud of a birthday song to mommy. My mommy's birthday on the 16th. He was happy and sound at that time.

Sighed. How horrible the cancer cells can make some one turn into such a bad situation within < 24hours.

So back to the 17th October, as my Uncle Kayu came to visit him, he told him this: "Don't you worry about anything, I will take care of my sister in law - your wife and my niece - your daughter"

Daddy just nodded. Then he speaks " You all think I will not pull it through tonight?"

Mommy said " No, we are just telling you not to worry about us. Just put yourself at the most comfortable state."

Daddy nodded and closed his eyes to sleep.

Everyone went back home.

As on the 18th, Daddy still at a very weak condition but able to speak.

But as nurses clean him, with his weak and shaky voice, he can still yell at it hurts.
Can you imagine how painful for him physically and how hurtful for us emotionally?
At that point, we really hope that his journey ended there as we could not bear to listen and see him in such pain anymore.

As time closing in, slowly the heartache came back, and I wish he still with me.

On the night of 18th, we thought his condition is Ok and mommy told us to go back home to get some sleeps as four of us had been camping at daddy's ward the past 2 days.
So we went back home and being unable to sleeps, I still manage to catch up with some drama series. Finally slept at 2am.

Ring Ring Ring.

My cell rang at 4am. I jumped out from bed and heard mommy voice over the phone.
"Leng, come over now, daddy is not doing good."

I woke him up, get dressed and rushed to hospital.

Daddy breathing is slower and weaker now compare to the moment I left.
No tears at that point as I was still trying to get some sleep.
But as about 6am, we woke daddy up and try to talk to him.
He barely open his eyes but still can give us some reaction.
We shook the concern away as we still think he is still hanging on to it.
Then we asked whether he wants some milk.
He nodded.
He could not go on after two tea spoons.
At that moment we cried.
We are losing him soon.
We called and shooke him.

"Ba..can you hear me?"

No response.

"Wai..can you hear me?"

No response.

But he still breathing.

We know, as Chinese saying, his souls had left us.
But the body still here.

We requested nurses to give him a last shower as we wanted him to be clean and fresh before departing this world.
The nurses came and washed him.
Even at his painful areas, he showed no response.

I hugged my mommy as we cries.

Slowly, daddy left us.

He had freed himself from the pain he endure since the last 3 years.

He left us with great memories, sad and happy moments.

He left mommy with his hard earned cold cash and properties to lead her remaining life. He left her with 30years and more of loving memories.

He left me with 25 years of care and love from father to daughter. He left me the responsibility to take care of his beloved wife. He left me with emptiness on my graduation of my professional papers, emptiness on my wedding and emptiness on my children.

He left him with the responsibility to care for his daughter.

Everything happened so fast and hard to recall from that moment on.

I remembered uncles and aunties rushing to hospital and crying as they lost their brother.

Then doctor came in to certified his time of death.

As we had prepared his funeral previously, everything was taken good care by the under taker.

Then I remembered as nurses came in to dress him into his own clothing, tied and wrapped him up with some blue clothing before sending him up the under taker's carrier.

We rushed home and packed his belongings, had a hot bathe and grab a bite before moving to the funeral centre.

Everything happened in a blink of eye and as I am blogging now from my work station, I am already living my life without daddy for the 9th day.

I think some part of me would want to keep the counting continues as this is the best I could do for him.

Mommy is busying herself with her work and trying her best not to slow down at any moment. She is having a hard time to let go of everything that is related to daddy.
Though his departure will ease her burden, but there do times where she hope that she is still worrying about his condition rather than the last goodbye.

Family support is great. I really appreciate my family members.
They are kind and loving towards my family.
Though there is one still I wish to stab her eyes with joss sticks!LOL..Daddy would not want me to do so.

So after today, I'll be living my life without him for the 10th day.

The counting continues till I dunno when.

My first Moet Chandon on a romantic (but K.O surprise) party!

I’ve been searching high and low for a suitable birthday present for him.
I went to do some window shopping and market research last weekend.
Man...I never notice how hard it is for me to look for a present especially for him until last week.
After preparing the detail list of items that can qualify as his present, brain storming for few more days and finally I had shortlisted 5 items that can consider as a good buy for him with valid reasons:
1. Document Bag – his one had torn long time ago
2. Cuffing – he owns only 2 pairs
3. Smart phone case – his new smart phone do not come with a chic casing
4. Neck tie – he does not own a quality neck tie
5. Pen – a professional signature comes from a quality and presentable pen

I’ve been walking almost every day last two weeks to search any of the above items. But the annoying part is my instinct keep on saying to think twice before swiping my card again. Not that I am gam siap lar, just that my ‘he’ does not simply buy stuff for unnecessary reason. He only spends on necessities. So then, I shortlist the above list again with reasons of deleting the other items:

Winner – Document Bag – I think he really needs one
Cuffing – nothing caught my eye
Smart phone case – the hardest thing to look for
Neck tie – he don’t even wear it for work
Pen – the one caught my eye was from Mont Blanc. Retail at RM1360, fountain pen. Crazy meh? Pen only wor..

And again I start searching for the document bag since that is the only item left for me to buy.
The one really caught my eye was Bally signature bag. Retail at RM1400++ Syiok! However, I was in dilemma between buying this one for him or another bag for myself. The design is exactly what I am looking for and retail at only RM5600++. Way cheaper than LV. I almost wanted to buy both that night and luckily ji mui Chewy was beside and keep on reminding me the purpose of the shopping, which is to look for his present and not mine. So, I walked out telling the sales rep I need time to think about it.

In the end, I did not get the bag as I think the bag was too big for him.

So being kia su again, I confronted him. Telling him the bag I suppose to get him. He rolled his eyes as if in shock that I will spend that much money for just a bag. I felt bad. He spent his fortune for me and I actually confronted him before making decision to spend on him..feel so bad!

Okay..call me gam siap.

He insisted I should spend on food for him. I decided to bring him to Lemon Tree @ Shangri La for a sumptuous buffet dinner. I’ve been there previously and the food taste is not bad, worth the money but the main reason I choose this restaurant because its buffet consists mostly meat which will be the best choice for him.

So on Saturday night, we went out for dinner and turn out that he was not too fond over the food. Gosh..sad for me..again, I paid almost RM300 for a dinner which he didn’t enjoy much.
Therefore, I have to make it work the next round.

His birthday falls on Thursday and on the eve; he was having dinner with friends and colleagues. Thus, my surprise plan starts after his dinner and my work.

As we share the same house, the stuffs for that surprise bash cannot be pre prepared as he will know of course! So I left with no choice but to get ready everything on that night of his eve. I am only available after 8pm that night, and he will be back by 10pm. So I had only 2 hours left for everything to work.

Grabbed my car keys and strolling all the way to Plaza Damas. Get into a wine shop and search for some red wine at first. But at a glance, my eye caught the Moet. Mmmmm...Retail at RM350. Gulp! That’s pricey. But it’s Moet! My mouth starts watering thinking about the taste. So without hesitation, I get our first Moet. Rush up another level to get a birthday cake. The name of the cake is Opera, and its choc and mocha flavour.

~~~ my Moet & Chandon~~~

Then rush back to mamak stall to get the ice for chilling my Moet.

Get everything prepared on the table. Change my clothing to a more appropriate one. Off the lights. Get the jazz music started and wait.

And Bubu also waited anxiously at the door. (he just freaked out why lights are off, actually! LOL)

Once doors opened..

Ta-da...

Happy birthday to you...........

Before I can finish the last line, he snapped in and said he knew I am preparing a surprise party just that he couldn’t think of what I will be doing. Damn...my nervous crack previously spoiled the whole thing. He said I called too many times confirming when he is coming back home.

Well, I am just worried that I do not have enough ice to chill my Moet as the ice I bought was melting and clock is ticking.

Though, he seems very happy about the whole thing. The old saying: thoughts that count!!
So we had almost half bottle of Moet. Wasted, just too tired for rushing here and there, and was sipping Moet with empty stomach. The alcohol just shoots up the brain and does its thing!

Still have half a bottle left in fridge but the taste gone.

Should have drink all before collapsing!

Wasted.

Well, it is still a romantic night to remember.

I’m wondering what my next surprise for him. Must be well planned and a real surprise for him!