Only the second week into the New Year and I can't believe where we're already headed towards. I find some of the quotes here pretty amusing -
"Currently, anybody with the looks and the right connection can become an actor."Some don't even have any basic skills in acting." Fernandez said all actors had to undergo a one-week training to be accredited.
So, one week of acting training is really all one needs these days? Interesting...
Read the full article:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2447613/Article/index_html
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
The Little Sister Is Engaged
Ann at 4 - Devilishly mischievious and relied totally on her cute looks to get away with murder.24 years later, a certain courageous Mr. Truong has finally claimed her from the Teoh Family.
Congratulations Ann and Kent.
(looking forward to the wedding planning extravaganza)
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Christmas in Camerons...almost
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It's time to get back to regular blogging and while I'm at it, perhaps pictorial posts will be much more interesting.
The kids reverted back to the good ol' days when they could comfortably fit into these kiddy rides.
It's time to get back to regular blogging and while I'm at it, perhaps pictorial posts will be much more interesting.
After 20 years of whining about not having been to Cameron Highlands, one of Malaysia's more well known tourist site which houses the infamous BOH tea plantation, strawberry farms and fresh local produce outlets, I finally made a trip there with Joe and a group of our students. It was an enjoyable 2n-3d trip, though I strongly suggest a longer stay if you can afford the time. Before our departure, I had envisioned myself in the cottage-like Bala's Chalet, devouring in their famous homemade scones served with fresh cream and strawberry jam and sipping tea while enjoying a good book. Needless to say, I came home not having even opened the cover of my book.
We found that with a day of jungle trekking (more like 1.5 hours), visiting the tea plantation and farms, night market and playing Pictionary, charades and card games, our schedule was already full to the brim. One thing's for sure, we planned to be healthy this trip. Long walks, hiking, steam boat dinners (nothing fried), lots of veges, you get the idea.
Day 1
Our first stop on Monday Dec 22nd at 11:00am - Burger King for breakfast.
Bala's Chalet
1:00pm: Arrived at Bala's Chalet. Love the atmosphere. Lots of greens; warm and cosy. Price: reasonble. Cons: limited parking - beware during the holidays and weekends; amenities not so great - passable. We were assigned the "Tinkerbell" and "Robin's Nest" rooms. The weather was lovely, comfortably cool so you can walk around in shorts and a tee in the afternoons.
Strawberry Farm
Trotted down to The Big Red Strawberry Farm after lunch. There is quite a selection of strawberry farms to choose from - we just picked the one with the biggest ad on the map (guess the marketing investment paid off). Rumour has it that the pick-your-own-strawberries farms aren't as great, but I guess it would be a fun experience if you're travelling with children.
The thing about being on a holiday is that you find everything so interesting, didn't matter if it was some kind of flower you see everyday wilting along the curb, or some kind of pastry that could have had better crusts. The holiday bug has bitten and you respond with 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' at every little thing.
Snapping away at flowers; one must always have time for blackmail pics such as this
Tomatoes
Rows of fresh vegetables...puts you in the mood for a salad, doesn't it?
Strawberries!
We took the opportunity to indulge in some strawberry delicacies. Here you have the fried strawberry ice cream and pancakes with strawberries. Very yummy.
The kids reverted back to the good ol' days when they could comfortably fit into these kiddy rides.
After the farm, we went back to Bala's and had a few games of Pictionary. Joe must have been a Pictionary Guru in his past life. Dinner: steamboat at OK Tuck, Tanah Rata. Perfect meal for cold weather.
We went to the night market after dinner, hoping to burn some of the calories we put on today. What we really ended up doing was devouring more strawberries (this time coated with chocolate), fried mushrooms, corn (very very good), fried sweet potatoes and honey.
Raw honey
Day 2
Robinson's Waterfall & Jungle Trekking
We found a short jungle trek (or rather, it only appeared to look short) on the map which would lead us to the Boh Tea Plantation and thought it was about time we embarked on an adventurous journey. We saw a glimpse of the waterfall 10 minutes into the jungle and was determined to find our way to the bottom of it. 45 minutes into the walk with the path getting muddier and narrower and the waterfall being out of sight; and finally witnessing a tree falling from 50 feet above us, we decided we were not going to find the way to the bottom. We turned back, stopped at the first spot where we saw the waterfall, and decided to enjoy the cool water for a couple of minutes.
You know when it's a tourist spot when there's a souvenir hut 3 minutes into the trek. This place sells very good raw honey (I used some of it to make honey clasps treats for New Year's and they were absolutely delicious!). Their homemade marmalade and blackberry jams are good too.
The owner tossed a homegrown lemon to Howard.
Boh Tea Plantation
2:00pm: After our brief jungle trekking experience, we drove off to Boh Tea Plantation. Caution - if you are prone to car sickness, bring some sour plums. The road is awfully windy, but the sight is worth the trip.
Don't be fooled by this picture - this is not what you see the minute you step out of the car. For breathtaking views of the plantation, it's another 15 minute hike up the hills. We were practically panting when we got up there...not because it was undoable...I guess we were just lacking in daily exercise. It was a little cloudy that day, hence the dark skies.
Path to the top of the hill - Roger and June
We made it!; Howard's handstand
Pretty hibiscus
Scones and tea at the cafe (June). The scones were really tasty - smooth, buttery texture and melts in the mouth. I haven't had such good scones in a long time.
Went back to Bala's for a rest. While resting, we had more scones. Apparently their scones are the best in town - hence, how can one not try them? (sorry, no picture - was too busy eating and making comparisons). The scones and tea set was quite pricey at RM 22.50 per set (compared to RM 12 for both at Boh Cafe). It was good, but the texture was slightly different. Bala's had flaky layers at the top, making it a little rough (still melts in the mouth), where as the other one felt richer and smoother.
We repeated our dinner menu tonight, with the addition of 2 meaty dishes at OK Tuck; did the night market again (with double the food quantity we got yesterday); bought some beers and headed back to the Chalet for an early night of fun and games...or so we thought.
Pictionary...charades style
Day 3
The Smoke House & Market
After a hefty breakfast, we headed to The Smoke House for some photos. The Smoke House is a pretty Victorian-style chalet with lots of scenic photography opportunities. You can walk around the surrounding areas and are only allowed inside if you are a guest. Our last stop was at the produce markets. We ended up with bags of fresh vegetables, flowers, strawberries and corn (look for the ready-to-eat ones that is white and yellow in the inside - these are the BEST!)
All good trips must end with a decent family picture
(Roger in the front; Olivia, Howard, Joyce, June at the back)
Got back to KL around 4pm. It's Christmas Eve and traffic was already starting to get heavy, the air warmer and then thoughts of unwrapped gifts and gifts still to be bought occurred...back to reality.
Here is a link to a useful website if you're planning a trip to Camerons. My recommendations: strawberry farm, tea plantation, hiking, steamboat dinner; must buy raw honey, corn and fresh jams; must try: scones and tea.
http://www.cameronhighlands.com/
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008, where art thou?
Where did all the time go? I just realized that my last post was on Nov 17 2007, a little over a year ago. Perhaps instead of gracing the city packed with thousands of people drinking champagne and toasting to the New Year, the next 3 hours could be spent on reflecting upon 2008...wishful thinking. Hah.
Somehow everything seems like a blur. I see lights flashing by, coupled with framed moments from 2008. Dates and days don't seem to be making much sense - chronologically I can't seem to recall at the top of my head right this second what I have done in the past 12 months.
Nevertheless, it's been an exceedingly good year in many ways, and not so good in some ways. The not-so-good I intend to put aside and the good I intend to maintain, if not increase in 2009. Ah, optimism.
2008 has been a blessing in many ways - set designing with ICT in the local theatre scene, being back at Furious again in April re-designing the revival of Saturday Night At The Palace; new-found friends and re-connecting with childhood buddies, time spent with the family and ocassionally too much time spent with students. :) What I've missed is really time spent alone. I no longer believe in making New Year resolutions, though I've promised myself more time next year for travels, self development and healthy living.
Here's wishing YOU a wonderful New Year, filled with joy, laughter, good health and success.
CHEERS to 2009!
Somehow everything seems like a blur. I see lights flashing by, coupled with framed moments from 2008. Dates and days don't seem to be making much sense - chronologically I can't seem to recall at the top of my head right this second what I have done in the past 12 months.
Nevertheless, it's been an exceedingly good year in many ways, and not so good in some ways. The not-so-good I intend to put aside and the good I intend to maintain, if not increase in 2009. Ah, optimism.
2008 has been a blessing in many ways - set designing with ICT in the local theatre scene, being back at Furious again in April re-designing the revival of Saturday Night At The Palace; new-found friends and re-connecting with childhood buddies, time spent with the family and ocassionally too much time spent with students. :) What I've missed is really time spent alone. I no longer believe in making New Year resolutions, though I've promised myself more time next year for travels, self development and healthy living.
Here's wishing YOU a wonderful New Year, filled with joy, laughter, good health and success.
CHEERS to 2009!
Monday, November 12, 2007
My new permanent resident status...
Sorry for the long absence peeps. Been wanting to post pics from the Perth trip, which got delayed for a few months...and then the L.A. trip happened, and pics and updates from that were also postponed for a couple of weeks...
So...I have decided to start with the easiest update of the lot - my recent trip to Melbourne.
I was granted an Australian PR a week before I left for L.A. in September. To complete the process, I had to make an initial entry into Australia by Dec 12th to “activate” my PR status. Hence, the mini-break. I hate to use the word “uneventful” to describe any kind of holiday, but this almost felt just like that. Perhaps it’s the first non-work related trip of the year, so it felt odd not having to be at a certain place at a certain time and having x amount of minutes for a quick bite in a new found café or browsing through the endless shelves at a bookstore.
What did I do then, you ask?
Indulged myself in devilishly delicious desserts whenever we got a chance. Ann and Kent took us (mum went with me) to a string of very nice cafés. And thanks to my sis, I am now proud to say that I have finally watched a production of The Phantom of The Opera onstage. I will no longer have to live that embarassment of not having seen it all these years.
Note: This is not by all means your guide to visiting Melbourne. I kind of did all that touristy stuff a few years ago when I was there to visit Ann - the penguin watch at Phillip Island, tea at Mount Dandenong, National Gallery of Victoria, etc. And there are lots more to explore! I was very laid back this time around about taking pictures during the trip. But here are some for your enjoyment - take note of the foodie comments!
Day 1: Arrived in Melbourne
Breakfast at Madame Sou Sou's, Brunswick Street
Ann took us to Madame Sou Sou's for breakfast. It's a small, cozy french café located on Brunswick Street. As we got closer to the area, Ann turned to mum and I and said, "I know this area looks really dodgy, but it isn't! It's safe" Think Santa Monica - 2nd and 4th Street...just quieter. I had a yummy eggs benedict and mum had that pizza looking egg thing above. It was tasty, just that the portion was too huge.
Crate&Barrel vs Wheel&Barrow
I couldn't have left without taking a picture of this. Specially for my American friends and Crate&Barrel fans (like moi). What in the freaking world is WHEEL&BARROW??? Check out the typeface. Lets not get started on the products (I had a peek through the window on Sunday before leaving Melbourne) - they resemble what you might find in C&B, just that C&B's got more varieties. I asked Ann if she's been in there, and she said yes. On top of that, she also asked on of the employees about the resemblance to C&B and the answer was, "Well, we were inspired by Crate&Barrel."
Right.
Day 2
Lunch @ BECCO
Do you like Italian food? Do you like fresh seafood? Are you game for something new?
This is a place you ought to visit even if you're on a 3-day trip to Melbourne. I came across BECCO in the lonelyplanet guide book and decided to give it a try, especially since it's a 3-minute walk to The Princess Theatre where we were headed to after lunch.
This chic and trendy restaurant/bar is located on Crossley Street (a block away from Chinatown and His Majesty's Theatre) - a small lane on the side of Crossley Hotel. Being the fish lover I am, I ordered the grilled King Whiting. It was super yummy - seafood at its freshest, grilled to perfection, and with each bite the juiciness and tenderness of the flesh will keep you craving for more!
Pictures from visitvictoria.com.au and mettias.com
The Phantom of the Opera
@ The Princess Theatre
Caught the matinee performance of Cameron MacKintosh's touring production of Phantom directed by Harold Prince with Anthony Warlow playing the lead. Fantastic performances by the cast.
We passed His Majesty's Theatre on our way to lunch.
One of the many artsy installations at Southbank; Shoppers' paradise along Elizabeth, Bourke, Little Bourke and Swanston Streets (we stayed in a service apartment property called Somerset at Elizabeth - great location, everything's within walking distance; tram stop just outside)
Desserts @ Bernetti's
After bowls of hot and tasty Vietnamese noodles for dinner, we headed off to Bernetti's for a cup of java and something sweet. After what it felt like 15 minutes of trying to decide what to get, I ended up with a chocolate-raspberry cake.
Yum...; Like Mother Like Daughter? - any resemblance?
Day 3
Queen Victoria's Market
I have a thing for markets. Flea markets, outdoor markets, night markets, whatever market...and on some ocassions - even our Malaysian wet markets (and by this I only mean if they have stalls of yummy nasi lemak, chee cheong fun and yau char kuai).
I fell in love with the QV indoor market. This is your everyday pasar in an air conditioned building. Very European looking with rows and rows of little shops selling a variety of cheese, meats, breads, ingredients, antipasto, you name it, they've got it. I think I'm in love with the aesthetics of this place more than anything else. It makes an instant noodle chef champion feel like a sous chef. You want to cook up a storm just because you feel like buying stuff.
There is a second and third section to this market - this is where you'd find fresh seafood, poultry, meats, fruits and such. Miraculously it doesn't smell one bit (with the exception of the goat meat area). Mum and I were salivating over the scallops and oysters.
"Low fat" minced meat??? (click on the picture for a bigger version)
The outdoor market where there are hundreds and hundreds of stalls selling Aussie souvenirs, arts and crafts, clothing and accessories, homewares, etc. resembled most of the other markets (hence I didn't take any pictures). If you're looking for souvenir tees, you can be sure to find something here at bargain prices. We bought 2 paintings from a local artist - will post a picture another time.
Here are some pics of an Australian specialty store selling rock candy. These rock candies make great gifts for anyone with a sweet tooth. They're tasty and very pretty to look at.
Federation Square - Melbourne's Meeting Place
We trotted off to Federation Square, Melbourne's "public hub, imbued with a healthy cultural heart" (lonelyplanet). There is a variety of cultural activities one can be engaged in in this one-block square in the city centre. The building facade is made out of 3 different materials: sandstone, zinc - perforated and solid, and glass. Some of the highlights aside from the architecture of the buildings themselves are ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) where interesting screenings of shorts, films, etc. from all over the world are screened from time to time; National Design Centre that showcases Australian designs; Australian Racing Museum & Hall of Fame and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
ACMI
Courtyard performances are a hit!
Lunch at Chocolate Buddha @ Fed Square
This place serves organic Japanese cuisine. Didn't venture into anything exciting here. Probably too tired after all that walking in the morning. Nice atmosphere though.
Fresh sashimi
Passed Flinders Street Station on our way to Fed Square
Max Brenner's Chocolate
HEAVEN ON EARTH. Becareful not to start drooling at the sight of the desserts when placing orders. Apparently there's an outlet in Singapore...so for those of you cocoa fans out there, hunt that place down next time you're there. I love how they serve the hot beverages in these "Hug Mugs" which are cacao bean shaped mugs (see picture below).
Clockwise from top: Strawberry waffle; chocolate souffle - you literally feel the thick creamy milky chocolate melting in your mouth; this little chocolate number was delivered by mistake to our table..I have no idea what it is or how it's meant to be eaten but it sure looks good; my special hot chocolate with a hint of toffee flavour.
If you're looking for interesting gifts for a chocolate lover, check out their online store (products also available at outlets). Pics from http://www.maxbrenner.com/
Day 4 was spent shopping.
Day 5
Breakfast @ Gingerlee
Click on Gingerlee for a review of it in The Age newspaper, Australia.
I was adventurous and decided to go with something I've never had before:
Syrian style french toast with orange blossom syrup, honey labne, stewed rhubard and pistachios. Definitely an interesting mix of sweet and sour.
Thanks for the great hospitality, guys!
So...I have decided to start with the easiest update of the lot - my recent trip to Melbourne.
I was granted an Australian PR a week before I left for L.A. in September. To complete the process, I had to make an initial entry into Australia by Dec 12th to “activate” my PR status. Hence, the mini-break. I hate to use the word “uneventful” to describe any kind of holiday, but this almost felt just like that. Perhaps it’s the first non-work related trip of the year, so it felt odd not having to be at a certain place at a certain time and having x amount of minutes for a quick bite in a new found café or browsing through the endless shelves at a bookstore.
What did I do then, you ask?
Indulged myself in devilishly delicious desserts whenever we got a chance. Ann and Kent took us (mum went with me) to a string of very nice cafés. And thanks to my sis, I am now proud to say that I have finally watched a production of The Phantom of The Opera onstage. I will no longer have to live that embarassment of not having seen it all these years.
Note: This is not by all means your guide to visiting Melbourne. I kind of did all that touristy stuff a few years ago when I was there to visit Ann - the penguin watch at Phillip Island, tea at Mount Dandenong, National Gallery of Victoria, etc. And there are lots more to explore! I was very laid back this time around about taking pictures during the trip. But here are some for your enjoyment - take note of the foodie comments!
Day 1: Arrived in Melbourne
Breakfast at Madame Sou Sou's, Brunswick Street
Ann took us to Madame Sou Sou's for breakfast. It's a small, cozy french café located on Brunswick Street. As we got closer to the area, Ann turned to mum and I and said, "I know this area looks really dodgy, but it isn't! It's safe" Think Santa Monica - 2nd and 4th Street...just quieter. I had a yummy eggs benedict and mum had that pizza looking egg thing above. It was tasty, just that the portion was too huge.
Crate&Barrel vs Wheel&Barrow
I couldn't have left without taking a picture of this. Specially for my American friends and Crate&Barrel fans (like moi). What in the freaking world is WHEEL&BARROW??? Check out the typeface. Lets not get started on the products (I had a peek through the window on Sunday before leaving Melbourne) - they resemble what you might find in C&B, just that C&B's got more varieties. I asked Ann if she's been in there, and she said yes. On top of that, she also asked on of the employees about the resemblance to C&B and the answer was, "Well, we were inspired by Crate&Barrel."
Right.
Day 2
Lunch @ BECCO
Do you like Italian food? Do you like fresh seafood? Are you game for something new?
This is a place you ought to visit even if you're on a 3-day trip to Melbourne. I came across BECCO in the lonelyplanet guide book and decided to give it a try, especially since it's a 3-minute walk to The Princess Theatre where we were headed to after lunch.
This chic and trendy restaurant/bar is located on Crossley Street (a block away from Chinatown and His Majesty's Theatre) - a small lane on the side of Crossley Hotel. Being the fish lover I am, I ordered the grilled King Whiting. It was super yummy - seafood at its freshest, grilled to perfection, and with each bite the juiciness and tenderness of the flesh will keep you craving for more!
Pictures from visitvictoria.com.au and mettias.com
The Phantom of the Opera
@ The Princess Theatre
Caught the matinee performance of Cameron MacKintosh's touring production of Phantom directed by Harold Prince with Anthony Warlow playing the lead. Fantastic performances by the cast.
We passed His Majesty's Theatre on our way to lunch.
One of the many artsy installations at Southbank; Shoppers' paradise along Elizabeth, Bourke, Little Bourke and Swanston Streets (we stayed in a service apartment property called Somerset at Elizabeth - great location, everything's within walking distance; tram stop just outside)
Desserts @ Bernetti's
After bowls of hot and tasty Vietnamese noodles for dinner, we headed off to Bernetti's for a cup of java and something sweet. After what it felt like 15 minutes of trying to decide what to get, I ended up with a chocolate-raspberry cake.
Yum...; Like Mother Like Daughter? - any resemblance?
Day 3
Queen Victoria's Market
I have a thing for markets. Flea markets, outdoor markets, night markets, whatever market...and on some ocassions - even our Malaysian wet markets (and by this I only mean if they have stalls of yummy nasi lemak, chee cheong fun and yau char kuai).
I fell in love with the QV indoor market. This is your everyday pasar in an air conditioned building. Very European looking with rows and rows of little shops selling a variety of cheese, meats, breads, ingredients, antipasto, you name it, they've got it. I think I'm in love with the aesthetics of this place more than anything else. It makes an instant noodle chef champion feel like a sous chef. You want to cook up a storm just because you feel like buying stuff.
There is a second and third section to this market - this is where you'd find fresh seafood, poultry, meats, fruits and such. Miraculously it doesn't smell one bit (with the exception of the goat meat area). Mum and I were salivating over the scallops and oysters.
"Low fat" minced meat??? (click on the picture for a bigger version)
The outdoor market where there are hundreds and hundreds of stalls selling Aussie souvenirs, arts and crafts, clothing and accessories, homewares, etc. resembled most of the other markets (hence I didn't take any pictures). If you're looking for souvenir tees, you can be sure to find something here at bargain prices. We bought 2 paintings from a local artist - will post a picture another time.
Here are some pics of an Australian specialty store selling rock candy. These rock candies make great gifts for anyone with a sweet tooth. They're tasty and very pretty to look at.
Federation Square - Melbourne's Meeting Place
We trotted off to Federation Square, Melbourne's "public hub, imbued with a healthy cultural heart" (lonelyplanet). There is a variety of cultural activities one can be engaged in in this one-block square in the city centre. The building facade is made out of 3 different materials: sandstone, zinc - perforated and solid, and glass. Some of the highlights aside from the architecture of the buildings themselves are ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) where interesting screenings of shorts, films, etc. from all over the world are screened from time to time; National Design Centre that showcases Australian designs; Australian Racing Museum & Hall of Fame and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
ACMI
Courtyard performances are a hit!
Lunch at Chocolate Buddha @ Fed Square
This place serves organic Japanese cuisine. Didn't venture into anything exciting here. Probably too tired after all that walking in the morning. Nice atmosphere though.
Fresh sashimi
Passed Flinders Street Station on our way to Fed Square
Max Brenner's Chocolate
HEAVEN ON EARTH. Becareful not to start drooling at the sight of the desserts when placing orders. Apparently there's an outlet in Singapore...so for those of you cocoa fans out there, hunt that place down next time you're there. I love how they serve the hot beverages in these "Hug Mugs" which are cacao bean shaped mugs (see picture below).
Clockwise from top: Strawberry waffle; chocolate souffle - you literally feel the thick creamy milky chocolate melting in your mouth; this little chocolate number was delivered by mistake to our table..I have no idea what it is or how it's meant to be eaten but it sure looks good; my special hot chocolate with a hint of toffee flavour.
If you're looking for interesting gifts for a chocolate lover, check out their online store (products also available at outlets). Pics from http://www.maxbrenner.com/
Dinner @ Ragazzi Italian Restaurant
Tiny place filled with tables slightly more than a couple of feet apart. Reservations recommended. Great pasta selection.
I can't remember what the first one's called - got to check - it was very good; Tiramisu
Day 4 was spent shopping.
Day 5
Breakfast @ Gingerlee
Click on Gingerlee for a review of it in The Age newspaper, Australia.
I was adventurous and decided to go with something I've never had before:
Syrian style french toast with orange blossom syrup, honey labne, stewed rhubard and pistachios. Definitely an interesting mix of sweet and sour.
The toast was yummy with the syrup and pistachios.
New home
And introducing the new home of Ann and Kent. Interesting layout with little nooks here and there, very cosy. Especially loved the "family room" with the piano and a single arm chair in the corner...and not forgetting the peanut seat as well. They're still in the midst of decorating and such...it's a never ending process when it comes to a new home.
Living room, dining & kitchen, family room
Backyard - think they may need a bbq set to complete the picture
New home
And introducing the new home of Ann and Kent. Interesting layout with little nooks here and there, very cosy. Especially loved the "family room" with the piano and a single arm chair in the corner...and not forgetting the peanut seat as well. They're still in the midst of decorating and such...it's a never ending process when it comes to a new home.
Living room, dining & kitchen, family room
Backyard - think they may need a bbq set to complete the picture
Domesticated. (She's going to kill me for posting this pic - but I like it. hah)
Thanks for the great hospitality, guys!
And that concludes my 5-day trip to Melbourne. I was updating dad about our daily activities via sms while we were there. On the 3rd day, he sent me a msg that read "You are a PR now but act like a tourist", to which I replied, "It will take me years to feel like a PR in here, so therefore I am still a tourist."
No, I am not moving to Australia anytime soon in case you are wondering. :)
More soon, promise!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Of Butterflies, Siam and Peaches...
Perth seemed like a dream. It came and went by so quickly. Our daily routine - jobs, pending projects, etc. kicked in the minute we arrived at KLIA on June 13th. Was actually starting to enjoy the slow, relax lifestyle in that city when reality kicked in, and I realized that I only had 2 days left to unwind myself from the show, explore the city and shop for last minute gifts...a holiday is not a holiday without one frantically purchasing last minute gifts, checking the who-did-i-forget list and more likely than not, ending up with too many boxes of chocolates in one's suitcase (tip: if you're buying chocolates, be sure that they can't be found in the duty free shops in your country).
Dama Orchestra's Butterfly Lovers was a hit in Perth, and we all had a brilliant time. It also marked the first Malaysian production to perform at the prestigious His Majesty's Theatre. This would also be my first Asian touring production. There are plans to bring the show to other cities and countries, but more of that later. Will be posting journals and photos from my 2-week stay there soon.
Since I took two weeks off work (I have great bosses) for the gig, it was payback time when I got back. Replacement classes, extra classes, LOTS of grading and then there was finals. Joe, my good friend from college turned collegue, and I are blissfully enjoying our quiet time at work while the students are on break. The only drawback to this 4-week break is that I spent 2 weeks working on The King and I, and will have to spend the next 2 working on prepping for the National Accreditation Board's visit in August.
My work with Broadway Asia Entertainment's The King and I began early July. The show played at Istana Budaya, our National Theatre, between July 13th-26th. I was hired by Intan Budaya Presentations as Technical Coordinator for the production. First gig at IB, and all I have to say is it was nothing like I expected it to be, at least after much advice that was given by others. The head of departments assigned to us were efficient and very, very courteous. The production went very well, which resulted in me getting tremendously bored with nothing to do (except for the ocassional Melissa, we need... / have a slight problem...) I almost felt bad for accepting my salary! Met some very nice BAE people, a couple of which went on tour with the Brown Brothers! (Mike and Brad - rest assured I only speak of nice things about the two of you...ha ha...) Speaking of a small world.
Next up - am designing the set for Alex Jone's Canned Peaches in Syrup. Damaso and I touched base re: Peaches about 3 weeks ago. It is always so inspiring to talk to a director like him. Went over some very general but fundamental themes and concepts for the production. Setting is post apocalyptic by the way. There are hundreds of images swimming in my head, but I have yet to come up with anything concrete. It's called mental constipation. The next few weeks will be somewhat exciting for me as I begin conceptualizing the ideas and thoughts as discussed with Damaso, and putting my drawing tools into good use again.
OPENING OCTOBER 6!
A WORLD PREMIERE PLAYCANNED PEACHES IN SYRUP
Written by Alex JonesDirected by Dámaso Rodriguez
October 6 - November 10, 2007 (Previews October 3-5)
Alex Jones' timely and hilarious post-apocalyptic comedy, CANNED PEACHES IN SYRUP places us in a seemingly absurd and inconvenient future, where water is scarce, the sun has gone crazy and love still survives. The world is divided into two tribes of nomadic humans: Cannibals and Vegetarians. Can star-crossed lovers Rog and Julie cross tribal lines?! Can Rog's taste for flesh be suppressed?! Can Julie deny her parents' "meat is murder" mantra?! And, who exactly is Blind Bastard? A lone can of peaches in syrup holds their fate...and the fate of all mankind.
Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 - $25 (Previews: $12)Buy online and save!Or call 1-800-595-4TIX
Listen to the all-new Furious Podcasts!
I guess it's about time to book that ticket to L.A. as well. Tentatively I will be gone between mid-September thru October 8th. Am anxiously waiting to see everyone again! Christie will be so pregnant when I get there and there's also meeting Baby Price for the first time. The kicker is that I will have a sibling by next March. My adopted parents, Shawn and Vonessa, will be expecting their first born then (and these are people who once said, Melissa - we can't even wake up in the morning, how are we supposed to have a child??) We will just have to wait and see.
LA peeps - keep your calendars free in September. Looking forward to seeing you at Peaches!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Butterfly Lovers goes to His Majesty's Theatre
So I'm off to Perth for the production! Currently posting from Singapore. Sorry, couldn't get any pics up here, but will update when I get back!
A Dama Orchestra Production
BUTTERFLY LOVERS THE MUSICAL
梁 山 伯 與 祝 英 台
China in 265-420AD... A woman... against tradition... in a love, doomed
from the start... Romeo & Juliet meet Yentl... in a contemporary Chinese musical...
a Dama Orchestra production not to be missed.
PUN KAI LOON artistic director / director
KHOR SENG CHEW music director
GAN BOON WE concert master
LOO FUNG CHIAT & LOO FUNG YING composers / arrangers
MELISSA TEOH production stage manager
WONG KIT YAW choreographer
DOMINIQUE DEVORSINE costume designer
Featuring
Tan SOO SUAN, TAN WEI HAN & LIAU SIAU SUAN
with
SAMUEL TSEU english narrator
JANET LEE, JASON LAI, CHAN NYIM, KAREN KWAN, TEOH SHEEW YONG,
SEAH SONG FAN, OON KIM SIONG, CHENG SING KIONG, SEBASTIAN NG,
YANG SY YEONG, MARTIN LEONG, ADAM SANG, TAN SOO TZE
Dates / Time
8 - 9 June (Friday & Saturday) 8:00pm
10 June (Sunday) 2:00pm
Venue
His Majesty's Theatre
Event Information
For more information please visit www.hawaiian.com.au/butterfly
Special Event Information
Suitable for all ages.
Children aged 3 years old and over must have a ticket.
Performed in Mandarin and English. Surtitles are provided.
Seating Information
Reserved Seating.
Row D is the first row in the Stalls.
BB row seats in the Dress Circle will incur restriction to view.
Please view the Seating Plan for Price Reserves allocation.
Upper Circle tickets are not currently available.
Event ScheduleApproximate duration: to be advised. Prices Available Online
Groups Booking Information
Groups are 10 people or more. One complimentary ticket every ten purchased.
To organise a Group booking, please contact Group Bookings Department Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm on (08) 9321 6831.
Wheelchair bookings
Patrons requiring wheelchair bookings should contact BOCS Ticketing on (08) 94841133 or visit a BOCS Ticketing Outlet / Agency.
General Information
For further General Information please contact BOCS Ticketing Mon to Sat 9:00am to 8:00pm
on (08) 9484 1133.
His Majesty's Theatre
“Building bridges Down Under... Dama Orchestra has established a reputation for praise-worthy productions, meticulous preparations and inspiring presentations. Building on mile-stone upon milestone... another stepping stone: a stint in Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre, h
ome to the West Australian Opera and the West Australian Ballet.”
SUNDAY STAR
“Dama’s Butterfly Lovers is a significant cross-cultural experience for theatre-goers in Western Australia as well to the expatriate Chinese community in Perth, and around the country. We take seriously our commitment to ensuring the arts are available to as broad an audience as possible. Sponsoring Dama Orchestra is a further extension of our already existing arts relationships with His Majesty’s Theatre Foundation, Western Australia Opera, Western Australia Ballet and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra.”
RUSSEL GIBBS, CEO, Hawaiian
“Dama’s musical production Butterfly Lovers is an excellent opportunity to show the world what we, Malaysians, can do. It is HELP’s small contribution to cultural development, something that we should rightly be proud of.”
DR PAUL CHAN, President and Founder, HELP International Corporation
A Dama Orchestra Production
BUTTERFLY LOVERS THE MUSICAL
梁 山 伯 與 祝 英 台
China in 265-420AD... A woman... against tradition... in a love, doomed
from the start... Romeo & Juliet meet Yentl... in a contemporary Chinese musical...
a Dama Orchestra production not to be missed.
PUN KAI LOON artistic director / director
KHOR SENG CHEW music director
GAN BOON WE concert master
LOO FUNG CHIAT & LOO FUNG YING composers / arrangers
MELISSA TEOH production stage manager
WONG KIT YAW choreographer
DOMINIQUE DEVORSINE costume designer
Featuring
Tan SOO SUAN, TAN WEI HAN & LIAU SIAU SUAN
with
SAMUEL TSEU english narrator
JANET LEE, JASON LAI, CHAN NYIM, KAREN KWAN, TEOH SHEEW YONG,
SEAH SONG FAN, OON KIM SIONG, CHENG SING KIONG, SEBASTIAN NG,
YANG SY YEONG, MARTIN LEONG, ADAM SANG, TAN SOO TZE
Dates / Time
8 - 9 June (Friday & Saturday) 8:00pm
10 June (Sunday) 2:00pm
Venue
His Majesty's Theatre
Event Information
For more information please visit www.hawaiian.com.au/butterfly
Special Event Information
Suitable for all ages.
Children aged 3 years old and over must have a ticket.
Performed in Mandarin and English. Surtitles are provided.
Seating Information
Reserved Seating.
Row D is the first row in the Stalls.
BB row seats in the Dress Circle will incur restriction to view.
Please view the Seating Plan for Price Reserves allocation.
Upper Circle tickets are not currently available.
Event ScheduleApproximate duration: to be advised. Prices Available Online
Groups Booking Information
Groups are 10 people or more. One complimentary ticket every ten purchased.
To organise a Group booking, please contact Group Bookings Department Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm on (08) 9321 6831.
Wheelchair bookings
Patrons requiring wheelchair bookings should contact BOCS Ticketing on (08) 94841133 or visit a BOCS Ticketing Outlet / Agency.
General Information
For further General Information please contact BOCS Ticketing Mon to Sat 9:00am to 8:00pm
on (08) 9484 1133.
His Majesty's Theatre
“Building bridges Down Under... Dama Orchestra has established a reputation for praise-worthy productions, meticulous preparations and inspiring presentations. Building on mile-stone upon milestone... another stepping stone: a stint in Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre, h
ome to the West Australian Opera and the West Australian Ballet.”
SUNDAY STAR
“Dama’s Butterfly Lovers is a significant cross-cultural experience for theatre-goers in Western Australia as well to the expatriate Chinese community in Perth, and around the country. We take seriously our commitment to ensuring the arts are available to as broad an audience as possible. Sponsoring Dama Orchestra is a further extension of our already existing arts relationships with His Majesty’s Theatre Foundation, Western Australia Opera, Western Australia Ballet and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra.”
RUSSEL GIBBS, CEO, Hawaiian
“Dama’s musical production Butterfly Lovers is an excellent opportunity to show the world what we, Malaysians, can do. It is HELP’s small contribution to cultural development, something that we should rightly be proud of.”
DR PAUL CHAN, President and Founder, HELP International Corporation
Friday, March 09, 2007
A Teacher Celebrated
Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition
- Jacques Barzun
This sentiment does not stem from the fact that I am now part of the teaching profession. While many factors form the equation for the lack of regard for teachers and the teaching profession, I was very much enlightened on the subject matter after attending our choreographer, Kit Yaw's, 50th birthday celebration on January 27th.
Kit Yaw is one of the most celebrated choreographer/dancer in Malaysia, having garnered multiple recognitions and awards for his contributions to the world of dance in our country. In just three short months of working with him last year, I realized that he is known to most just as lao shi (Chinese for 'teacher') and has gained the utmost respect from his students and the people he's worked with.
A group of us were invited to his 50th birthday bash, held at Precious Old China (Nonya Restaurant with very tasty food) in Central Market. It was NOT just a birthday party. It was an event. An event that left a very warm feeling in our hearts. Though there were more people than the place could hold, somehow the whole thing felt personal. And then it hit me. Everyone was there to celebrate Kit Yaw. How often do you go to a party and really felt like you were there to celebrate someone?
What really touched us was the presence of his students - not only did they add energy and colour to the whole evening, but their specially choreographed dance pieces and skits for him meant more than any lavish present Kit Yaw could have gotten. And with all that effort and love put in, one can only guess how much he has influenced the lives of his students.
all smiles...always
the restaurant decor and ambience was perfect
Kit Yaw's students from Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (National Arts Academy)
- Jacques Barzun
This sentiment does not stem from the fact that I am now part of the teaching profession. While many factors form the equation for the lack of regard for teachers and the teaching profession, I was very much enlightened on the subject matter after attending our choreographer, Kit Yaw's, 50th birthday celebration on January 27th.
Kit Yaw is one of the most celebrated choreographer/dancer in Malaysia, having garnered multiple recognitions and awards for his contributions to the world of dance in our country. In just three short months of working with him last year, I realized that he is known to most just as lao shi (Chinese for 'teacher') and has gained the utmost respect from his students and the people he's worked with.
A group of us were invited to his 50th birthday bash, held at Precious Old China (Nonya Restaurant with very tasty food) in Central Market. It was NOT just a birthday party. It was an event. An event that left a very warm feeling in our hearts. Though there were more people than the place could hold, somehow the whole thing felt personal. And then it hit me. Everyone was there to celebrate Kit Yaw. How often do you go to a party and really felt like you were there to celebrate someone?
What really touched us was the presence of his students - not only did they add energy and colour to the whole evening, but their specially choreographed dance pieces and skits for him meant more than any lavish present Kit Yaw could have gotten. And with all that effort and love put in, one can only guess how much he has influenced the lives of his students.
all smiles...always
the restaurant decor and ambience was perfect
Kit Yaw's students from Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (National Arts Academy)
Saturday, January 27, 2007
4 more weeks to go before this short semester comes to an end. Many of you have been asking me about this new profession of mine, in hopes of hearing amusing stories about my classes and students. Since a student of mine tracked me down on Friendster a week ago, I'd better watch what I say about them here.
Funny, am actually beginning to enjoy teaching. Perhaps I am just enjoying the group I have this semester. The first week was a bit overwhelming as I was constantly worried about not doing it right. But what is right? Then there's the bit where you're worried about not being able to connect with the students. Anyhow, I think I'm slowly getting over trying to be overly anal about being prepared for class and covering every possible topic I can think of, which is not in the books. Yes, my students have been whining about the workload. To which I will always reply, "I'm just giving you your money's worth." And then I add a big smile to that.
Am leaving for Perth tomorrow with the Dama bosses and our TD. We're flying over to check out His Majesty's Theatre, where we'll be performing at in June. Very much looking forward to this mini-getaway, even if it's for work. This will be my first visit there, we'll try to sneak in a walk into the city or something. Apparently nothing happens after 5pm, so I'm also looking forward to getting some much needed sleep.
Can't believe it's 3 weeks till Chinese New Year. No CNY blog series this year since I've gotten most of it covered the last time. Plus parents will be away in Melbourne making sure their other daughter gets some TLC during the holiday season...so yours truly will be home alone.
More after the trip!
Funny, am actually beginning to enjoy teaching. Perhaps I am just enjoying the group I have this semester. The first week was a bit overwhelming as I was constantly worried about not doing it right. But what is right? Then there's the bit where you're worried about not being able to connect with the students. Anyhow, I think I'm slowly getting over trying to be overly anal about being prepared for class and covering every possible topic I can think of, which is not in the books. Yes, my students have been whining about the workload. To which I will always reply, "I'm just giving you your money's worth." And then I add a big smile to that.
Am leaving for Perth tomorrow with the Dama bosses and our TD. We're flying over to check out His Majesty's Theatre, where we'll be performing at in June. Very much looking forward to this mini-getaway, even if it's for work. This will be my first visit there, we'll try to sneak in a walk into the city or something. Apparently nothing happens after 5pm, so I'm also looking forward to getting some much needed sleep.
Can't believe it's 3 weeks till Chinese New Year. No CNY blog series this year since I've gotten most of it covered the last time. Plus parents will be away in Melbourne making sure their other daughter gets some TLC during the holiday season...so yours truly will be home alone.
More after the trip!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Farewell 2006, Welcome 2007
Earlier this year, I was told that 2006 would be a bad year for me. You know those Chinese horoscope thingy that's in your face everywhere you go during Chinese New Year. Honestly, you turn on the tv and there's some feng shui master telling you what you need to do to protect yourself from bad luck or how much you need to spend on renovations so that you have the right chi at home. Am not a particularly superstitious person, but you got to admit that this sort of thing can be quite interesting. So there I was, being told by the books, by the feng shui master on telly, by the DJ on the radio stations that us Dragons need to be careful.
As I spend the last 20 minutes of 2006 reflecting on the year, I really have no idea what was so bad about it. Aside from having 5 months off work, which was by choice, the rest of the year has been nothing less than exciting. Perhaps the most worrying part of it all was the relocation back home. It took awhile, and still is, to really settle down and figure out what I want to do and where I'm going to go from here. But I'd rather look at it as an unfolding of a new chapter of my life. And so far, the journey has been good.
2006 for me is a year of discovery. I have been blessed with the good fortune of meeting new friends and colleagues; getting job offers via a phantom agent; meeting mentors who are going to be great supporters of my work and discovering new avenues in a field that I want to stay in.
This year has also been particularly important in the growth of family ties and old friendships by just being here, at home.
Here's to a fabulous start to 2007!
May the New Year bring you joy and happiness, and all that your heart wishes for.
As I spend the last 20 minutes of 2006 reflecting on the year, I really have no idea what was so bad about it. Aside from having 5 months off work, which was by choice, the rest of the year has been nothing less than exciting. Perhaps the most worrying part of it all was the relocation back home. It took awhile, and still is, to really settle down and figure out what I want to do and where I'm going to go from here. But I'd rather look at it as an unfolding of a new chapter of my life. And so far, the journey has been good.
2006 for me is a year of discovery. I have been blessed with the good fortune of meeting new friends and colleagues; getting job offers via a phantom agent; meeting mentors who are going to be great supporters of my work and discovering new avenues in a field that I want to stay in.
This year has also been particularly important in the growth of family ties and old friendships by just being here, at home.
Here's to a fabulous start to 2007!
May the New Year bring you joy and happiness, and all that your heart wishes for.
The new job
Had a week off before starting work on the 16th. My first day at work was the Open Day weekend. Was stuck at our dept booth for almost 8 hours both days. Torture. But I got to meet some of the students which was good. I had a hard time trying to picture myself back when I was 18, a college newbie. Somehow these kids seem very much younger than I remember myself to be.
My office is still in the works. It's literally the size of the bathroom in my Moorpark apartment. In addition to that, Joe and I will be sharing it. Okay...so I guess the diet better start soon.
Everyone's been asking me about the job. I can't tell how it's all going to turn out yet since classes only begin on Jan 8th. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to have to work hard on getting the kids excited about Stage Management. I can hear David snickering.
Anyhow, December is December. Full of birthdays, anniversaries and festivities. It's a great month, my favourite.
Post birthday get together at La Bodega
For the first time, my friends have decided to be brutally honest about how I look. I assume they got me this i-care eye massager for a reason. My permanent eyebags may be starting to look too permanent. What a thoughtful gift!
Before I knew it, Christmas was just around the corner. Spent half the day at Lisa's with the god family and dinner at Chili's with the group. Popped by at Dom's the night before. Quiet weekend, but eventful at the same time.
My office is still in the works. It's literally the size of the bathroom in my Moorpark apartment. In addition to that, Joe and I will be sharing it. Okay...so I guess the diet better start soon.
Everyone's been asking me about the job. I can't tell how it's all going to turn out yet since classes only begin on Jan 8th. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to have to work hard on getting the kids excited about Stage Management. I can hear David snickering.
Anyhow, December is December. Full of birthdays, anniversaries and festivities. It's a great month, my favourite.
Post birthday get together at La Bodega
For the first time, my friends have decided to be brutally honest about how I look. I assume they got me this i-care eye massager for a reason. My permanent eyebags may be starting to look too permanent. What a thoughtful gift!
Before I knew it, Christmas was just around the corner. Spent half the day at Lisa's with the god family and dinner at Chili's with the group. Popped by at Dom's the night before. Quiet weekend, but eventful at the same time.
Wonder bricks!
I made it to NYC after all! AND to San Fran, Washington DC and the rest of the United States... all in just 3 hours.
Stopped by at Legoland on my way back to LA. The highlight of the park was Mini USA. In actual fact, I just about realized I paid USD57 to see only that. For those of you who have yet visited Legoland, I'd say that unless you're a Lego fan or are travelling with younger children, you can almost pass it up if you run out of time during your stay in San Diego.
Mini USA was really fascinating. I remember spending hours playing with my Lego set when I was a kid (of course back in the 80s you didn't quite have the variety you find in Lego stores today - Star Wars, Pirates, etc.) and never even thought of half the things these people did with them. Well...building miniature cities and buildings...honestly.
Stopped by at Legoland on my way back to LA. The highlight of the park was Mini USA. In actual fact, I just about realized I paid USD57 to see only that. For those of you who have yet visited Legoland, I'd say that unless you're a Lego fan or are travelling with younger children, you can almost pass it up if you run out of time during your stay in San Diego.
Mini USA was really fascinating. I remember spending hours playing with my Lego set when I was a kid (of course back in the 80s you didn't quite have the variety you find in Lego stores today - Star Wars, Pirates, etc.) and never even thought of half the things these people did with them. Well...building miniature cities and buildings...honestly.
Mini USA
mechanical boats that move
From LA (Mann's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood) to DC n(US Capitol)
Mardi Gras (the float travels around the block); Daytona Racing
San Francisco (Pier 39); Godzilla in town (this is the guy whose job is to play with the Lego dollhouses and to make sure everything is running smoothly)
AND...NYC - this for now. The real thing another time.
Mount Rushmore - the best thing about the picture is the bird
Just like any other theme parks and places of attraction, you've got to have busts. Shakespeare and Marilyn's other Lego buddies include Queen E, Arnold the Governor and Beethoven.
After 3 hours of Lego, I was more than ready to go. I also decided there and then what I would get for a certain little boy for Christmas.
Balik Kampung Part I
It's Dec 31st. I have half a day to finish posting for the year. Back to my balik kampung trip. It was nothing more than pure exhaustion. Christie can bear witness. Managed to catch almost everyone I wanted to see, plus Erika!
Needless to say, this 16-day trip has done some damages to my bank account, what with stocking up my personal library, Christmas shopping and the 2-week car rental. Nonetheless I got a great deal, thanks go Christie, on the car. They gave me a PT Cruiser for less than half it would normally cost much to my surprise; AND much to THEIR surprise, I had said, "do you by any chance have a honda or a toyota instead?" ie. give me a economical, reliable, use-friendly Japanese car please. The guy looked at me as if I was crazy. They didn't have any. Fine.
Thanksgiving was a couple of days later. No turkey grilling on the PPH rooftop. Megan invited the whole gang to her parents'.
The very next morning, or should I say a couple of hours after we went to bed, Christie and I did the unthinkable. We went shopping. Yes, we did. It's the American Boxing Day so to speak. We were out at 530am and got to the outlets by 6. Every year, thousands of people camp overnight outside stores for bargains. It's like everyone's gone crazy and have loads of dough to throw away in just a few hours. The lines in the stores can rival those at Disneyland. AND if you're lucky, you might even get your 30-second of fame on national tv. ABC's Eyewitness News have been covering this once-a-year shop mob at Camarillo.
The next day, I popped by at the Learys and spent some time with them, the Nolens and the Gilmores. Stacie made this incredible raspberry cheesecake! Don't think the dessert plates needed any cleaning after we were done.
Couple of days later, it was time to visit the Pattersons in San Diego for a post Thanksgiving weekend. It's always so nice to see them, my adopted family really. Plus I had the pleasure of meeting George for the first time after all I've heard about him.
It's never really a San Diego trip until I see Lauren. For some reason, I keep reminiscing back to the days when we shared that lovely Malibu townhouse with Rachel, our third housemate. Making smores by the fire, knitting (like spinsters!) and having endless parties...which led to endless cleaning sessions.
Lauren suggested breakfast at Naked Cafe. Sorry folks, not even one single half naked guy was there to serve us. But I got to say the blueberry-banana pancakes I got made up for it.
I was flipping thru the menu while waiting for Lauren and couldn't help taking a second look at what I thought I had read wrong - something called Malaysian Mocha on the beverages page. What in the world is a MALAYSIAN MOCHA? The first thought that came to mind was MILO. Wait...are they selling a cup of RM1.20 (USD 0.35) milo for USD 4.5??? What a rip off!
When the waitress came to take our orders, I asked, "What is the Malaysian Mocha? I'm Malaysian and I have never come across something like that in my country." She was dumbfounded for about 5 seconds before she answered, "Well, it's a chocolatey drink, with an Asian flavour to it. It used to be called the Asian Mocha but Malaysian Mocha sounded better."
This, my MALAYSIAN friends, is the Malaysian Mocha. It has CINNAMON in it! When do Malaysians put Cinnamon in any drinks?
Needless to say, this 16-day trip has done some damages to my bank account, what with stocking up my personal library, Christmas shopping and the 2-week car rental. Nonetheless I got a great deal, thanks go Christie, on the car. They gave me a PT Cruiser for less than half it would normally cost much to my surprise; AND much to THEIR surprise, I had said, "do you by any chance have a honda or a toyota instead?" ie. give me a economical, reliable, use-friendly Japanese car please. The guy looked at me as if I was crazy. They didn't have any. Fine.
Thanksgiving was a couple of days later. No turkey grilling on the PPH rooftop. Megan invited the whole gang to her parents'.
The very next morning, or should I say a couple of hours after we went to bed, Christie and I did the unthinkable. We went shopping. Yes, we did. It's the American Boxing Day so to speak. We were out at 530am and got to the outlets by 6. Every year, thousands of people camp overnight outside stores for bargains. It's like everyone's gone crazy and have loads of dough to throw away in just a few hours. The lines in the stores can rival those at Disneyland. AND if you're lucky, you might even get your 30-second of fame on national tv. ABC's Eyewitness News have been covering this once-a-year shop mob at Camarillo.
The next day, I popped by at the Learys and spent some time with them, the Nolens and the Gilmores. Stacie made this incredible raspberry cheesecake! Don't think the dessert plates needed any cleaning after we were done.
Couple of days later, it was time to visit the Pattersons in San Diego for a post Thanksgiving weekend. It's always so nice to see them, my adopted family really. Plus I had the pleasure of meeting George for the first time after all I've heard about him.
It's never really a San Diego trip until I see Lauren. For some reason, I keep reminiscing back to the days when we shared that lovely Malibu townhouse with Rachel, our third housemate. Making smores by the fire, knitting (like spinsters!) and having endless parties...which led to endless cleaning sessions.
Lauren suggested breakfast at Naked Cafe. Sorry folks, not even one single half naked guy was there to serve us. But I got to say the blueberry-banana pancakes I got made up for it.
I was flipping thru the menu while waiting for Lauren and couldn't help taking a second look at what I thought I had read wrong - something called Malaysian Mocha on the beverages page. What in the world is a MALAYSIAN MOCHA? The first thought that came to mind was MILO. Wait...are they selling a cup of RM1.20 (USD 0.35) milo for USD 4.5??? What a rip off!
When the waitress came to take our orders, I asked, "What is the Malaysian Mocha? I'm Malaysian and I have never come across something like that in my country." She was dumbfounded for about 5 seconds before she answered, "Well, it's a chocolatey drink, with an Asian flavour to it. It used to be called the Asian Mocha but Malaysian Mocha sounded better."
This, my MALAYSIAN friends, is the Malaysian Mocha. It has CINNAMON in it! When do Malaysians put Cinnamon in any drinks?
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