Raju’s for Roti

the kuah tray @ Rajus

Nasha woke me up  this morning with a loud yell ”Kakak nak ikut pergi Raju’s tak, kalau nak, siap sekarang!”. All I could manage to reply was a lazy, sleepy ”hmmmmm…nak” then pulled the comforter over my head, curling into a new position.

I knew Nasha was gonna come yelling again, since I was still in bed ten minutes after the first yell. This time she yelled even louder and yanked my comforter off me “Woi cepat la mandi!”.Yes my sister loves me a lot haha.

So after dragging my ass off the bed, dragged my feet to walk to the car, Mom, Nasha and I made our way to Raju’s. It is the only place I go to for a good piece of roti canai. Dont care about what people say about other places but I’m a loyal Raju’s fan plus they have that nice under-the-trees sitting area outside. For those of you who want to check Raju’s out, it’s next to the La Salle highschool in PJ. Try the sotong goreng as well.

my 27th

By far my 27th birthday was the best ever.Not because it was over the top, but because it was laden with meaningfulnes and love. As cliche or downright romantic as that may sound, but its true. And i love it! For this, I have the New Yorker to thank. We spent a perfect afternoon at Espressamante at Pavillion. We both love the atmosphere there. Each with iced coffee drinks and a slice of apple crumble to share. And since we’re such Scrabble-buffs,we pulled out our Scrabble travel set for a ‘friendly round’ of Scrabble (yeah rite…both of us are so bloody competitive haha – i lost by 5 marks btw tsk tsk) 

I was just totally smitten by the New Yorker, he holds the record for wishing me happy birthday the most number of times and to top it all of he presented me with an unexpected gift. I already had the perfect birthday but the gift just added to its perfection. It was a charm bracelet with the most priceless charm ever! I can tell you its never going to leave my wrist.

We ended the night with dinner at Werner’s with Zoey, Elsie, Lynda and Epool. And also slices of chocolate cake fit with a candle.

What made my birthday this year more meaningful than the rest was the loving company I had in the New Yorker and the endless affection. And what I’m most grateful for is that his company and affection is something I have enjoyed everyday before my birthday and will continue to enjoy InsyaAllah for all the days to come.

Thank you mon cherie..

Not Smoking at all at the Smokehouse

Yesterday was me galfren Elsie’s bday. I had to take half day leave cos I had to buy her cake and shop for a gift. Plus I wanted to catch up on some sleep -have been having a few late nights in a row.

Anyway, I got a cake from Just Heavenly..the Death by Chocolate. A dramatic cake which does make you feel like you’ve stared at death’s choclatey eyes..hmmm. But I couldnt find the Havaianas (flip flops) she wanted. So we’ll prolly go out this weekend or sumthg and get em. This post unfortunately is not going to be about the fantabulous time Elsie had and the many pressies she received..but it’s a complaint + review of the place we went for her bday dinner.

Elsie’s bday dinner was at the Smokehouse, along Jalan Maya (at the back of Avenue K).  I think its the same as the one in Cameron HIghlands. Anyway, the dinner went great, cos there was good company, but that was about that – cos everything else when it came to the service at the Smokehouse was poor. Everyone arrived at around 9ish. By this time there was only cordial, plain water and butter on the table. Just butter, no bread. It took a good 45 minutes or so, before the high and mighty bread finally made an appearance. By this time everyone was already pissed, gastric juices were flowing – the New Yorker kept his cool (he, just like me, can get very edgy when hungry), but Tariq gave the manager an earful, after which the starter, and entree landed on our table, and it was almost 11,there you go - dinner turned into supper. And the food was just so-so.

What is MOST IRRITATING about this debacle was, that we had pre-ordered 3 days ago! Admittedly they had many patrons that night, but that shouldnt be an issue, cos we made reservations and pre-ordered, if you place yourself out to be able to hold that many pax in the restaurant, then you should be well staffed to handle the orders. It didnt help either that the waiters werent able to speak English, which made things a tad more difficult, cos everything had to be requested for, from forks, to more black pepper sauce, to proper cutting knives, and we had to confirm our request with the manager, to ensure that we get what we wanted.

All in all, the service was very poor. We were that close to just leave and cancel our orders after the bread and butter. Waiting for bread alone was such an ordeal.I am not sure if this is the case with the Smokehouse every night, but first impressions do have a bearing, and from this first impression, I dont think I’ll be going there again.

not quite Nadia

I am feeling blue today. I wish the flight tix to London werent so expensive and I could fly there and see my brother. Right at this point, I need a dose of his sarcasm & lawak bodoh. Used to take it for granted when he was around (Adik : kakak still repeat your mari lah join Parti – all night long joke k haha). 

I just need to break away for a bit – to go somewhere far, and see a familiar face. If Nasha wasnt having her finals soon, I’d drag her on a trip already. Cant drag Abang cos he’ll be going for a spanking holiday in January (jealous jealous).

This is one of those days when I’m feeling down in the dumps, and I cant quite tell what I can do to make myself feel better. Nadia is just not Nadia today.

They sometimes irritate the crap out of me but i love em. wish I could have all 3 at home..miss those days..a lot.

at Rasta

How do I even begin to describe the atmosphere here. Am at Rasta ( the New Yorker and I was not left with an abundance of choices of places to go for supper in TTDI + we were too lazy to think of alternatives). Back to the atmosphere – there are lots of what to my eyes look like young-lings who are prolly doing 1sy year in uni, and some working adults..most of them flocking Rasta for the match Liverpool vs Arsenal. Its packed to the brim.

I’m waiting for my nasi goreng kampung (not a healthy choice, I know..again a case of too lazy to go thru the menu scouting for a healthier option..not like I’d be spoilt for choices anyway).

Earlier, I was working on Norlin’s photo book for her MIL. It’s a compilation of pics of her kids – that she plans to give to their grandmom for her bday. Her kids are super comel..there were about 190 pics..and I couldnt cut out any..just couldnt.

Anyhoo, am a bit poofed. not in the best mood to blog. Later

Jam

Every morning on my way to work, just before I get to the Batu Tiga toll (I stay in Shah Alam for those who dont know, and work in Mont Kiara), I’d be playing this guessing game – will traffic be bitchy this morning or will traffic be bearable? (note the use of the word bearable instead of “good” – its cos there is no such thing as good traffic on the Federal Highway).

Plus I’m always left in a limbo – option 1: leave for work early and i get stuck in the morning rush hour – work folks and work folks sending kids to school..option 2: leave home slightly later and miss the rush hour, traffic is not as bad, but arrive at work slightly late. I have, on most days opted for option 2. being stuck in traffic can drive me berserk, not a way to start my day wont you agree?

Anyway, I take the Federal Highway – Kerinchi Link route to work, choosing the route cos on a not-so-bad day which I must admit happens on most days – traffic although heavy, moves at an acceptable pace (option 2 above). But the thing i despise about the Notorious Fed (I now name the Federal Highway, Notorious Fed hehe) is that it is soooo unpredictable. The road can get jammed up that it strecthes all the way from Batu Tiga toll to the bus stop along the highway opposite the Guiness factory. Ah before i forget, I beg that someone looks into the issue of this mysterious bus stop. For the love of God, I have absolutely no clue whatsoever as to why, the traffic will move slower than a snail at the brink of death just before the bus stop, but after we pass the bus stop..traffic clears and we’re moving at normal speed..seriously, what is up with that effing bus stop?? or that part of the highway?? its just a bus stop. how can that cause a jam?

Isn’t it enough that the slightest thing can already cause a jam, like:

• a policeman standing by the highway, doing nothing, but standing by his bike. really, all he’s doing is standing,i cant repeat that enough, and he’s causing a jam. Not like he has drool-inducing looks. I swear i have seen this happen on the Notorious Fed one too many times. why?
• hujan renyai causes traffic congestion too! i can understand if its heavy rain, and cars are going much slower than usual cos of the slippery road condition, but hujan renyai? are people driving slower to admire the rain drops?? am i missing something here?
• accidents. this factor needs no explanation. am sure you’ve heard or even said this anytime you’re stuck in an unexpected jam “Sure ada accident ni”..right? ;p i think its the kepochi-ness in people.just need to look, then look a bit more before driving off. First to see how bad was the accident, then want to be pandai and see who was at fault- so peek to see the extent of damage, then if there’s an ambulance, ha here’s where the kepochi-ness gets turned up a notch, and traffic gets worst -you’ll see drivers stretch their necks out to look for bodies or anyone injured. for what? you want to go and help make the police report isit? or you’re gonna park your car and offer some medical help? if no, then move along! 

So as you can see, I am quite disgruntled by the Notorious Fed, and the traffic condition in Malaysia in general. I know i should count myself lucky that i’m not driving in Calcutta, but still, I dont have to be jumping with joy either. 

Tomorrow will be another day, another guessing game. The only thing that keeps me going are good tracks to listen to otw, and breakfast with my lovely colleagues. Ah could I get a pair of wings so that I could fly please?

p/s: my good friend Fitch even suggested setting up a Commission consisting of traffic analysts to solve our traffic woes…see it’s that bad.

the more Apples the merrier

 I currently own 3 members of the Apple family. The Macbook, Shuffle and iTouch. All serving different purposes.

• Macbook as my laptop (duh)
• the Shuffle – for music while at my workstation, while walking alone anywhere, working out at the gym
• the iTouch – for movies, pics and tunes, especially when travelling and there’s waiting involved

Now I’m considering to expand the family and introduce another member, the Nano-Chromatic. I am just hooked on the colors  esp purple (my fav color) and yellow. I actually kinda like yellow more than purple. But have to view it upclose first to decide.

 

Guess I’ll have to accept it if anyone wants to call me an Apple-snob or brat huh ;p what to do, they’re irresistable!

Face Lift for my Bold

My Blackberry suffered from a nasty fall last weekend, on Saturday to be precise. Slipped from my hand and fell! Had it not been for the New Yorker who was standing by me when the tragedy happened, i would’ve curled myself up into a ball, held my blackberry close and weeped (exaggeration intended for dramatic effect). Note:  I hate it when i drop my gadgets,especially my phone.

The New Yorker was very quick to grab me, and console me.. “oh the scratch is not that obvious”. Obviously lying to my face,to make me feel better, but it was a lie that I adore him to bits for My Blackberry was just not the same anymore, now that it spotted 3 hideous hideous scratches. I immediately ping-ed Glam (Imran – Glam is his nickname) my good friend, ex collegue, fellow Blackberry owner and asked him whether i could replace the housing. I was fidgeting while waiting for his reply. Anxious. And when Glam replied “of course can”, it felt like I just got a new life line haha.

See the thing with using a Blackberry, well at least in Malaysia is, Blackberry owners in Malaysia are not spoiled with accessories like Nokia and other phone users are. There are plenty of shops selling everything from batteries, skins, pouches etc. But with a Blackberry, you’ll need to purchase the stuff online. So i went to the official Blackberry site – and to my dismay the housing for the Blackberry Bold was not available.So i decided to get a Merlot skin (red) for my Blackberry, well they had safer colors like black, white, blue..snore bore..the Merlot caught my attention.Red but not too red. So I made the purchase and it arrived as promised within 5 business days, 2 days ago. I fitted it on and absolutely love the look! PLUS, it hid the scratches! Nasha liked it as well, so much that she was considering selling off her E71 for a Bold haha

Nasha caught my Crackberry moment – while driving sumore tsk tsk..oh yea check out the brand new skin

See what a Crackberry I am, a whole post just on my Blackberry. Well here’s to the new look!

the Sartorialist

The Sartorialist is a blog that I religiously visit everyday. I do, for the many styles featured and the amazing fashion photography. Some below..

  

Zoey’s Gorjes

It’s another installment for Gorjes – Zoey’s back with loads of new pieces. Background: Gorjes is the new clothing collection that Zoey started early this year. She doesnt design nor make the clothes herself, but she relies on her fine and avant garde taste in fashion to sniff out good designs and items for us to purchase!

So, I went to her place last Fri nite for first dips of Gorjes’s latest installment. The girls (Sherean and Lynda) and I stripped clothes  of and on like we were at the backstage of a Milan Fashion show! I loved most of what I put on, actually almost all of what I put on. By the minute my pile of things-Naddy-is-buying got bigger and bigger. I walked out of the house with a whooping hundreds on my tab, but I must say, it was worth the amount.

Spotted..Zoey on hippie mode.

The New Yorker of course gave me that “You did not just spend RMxxx amount, did you?” look + question, and I sheepishly nod, bat my eyelids a lil, hoping my deer caught in the headlights look will save me. But he’s alright, so long as I can justify my purchase. Which I did, showed him one of the pieces I got, which he liked a lot (weee!)..and I convinced him that all the other pieces were equally as nice..and I told him I wont be purchasing anything for the next 4, 3 months *grin* the New Yorker obviously did not fall for my shopping-celibacy vow haha. 

Anyway,Gorjes made its debut @ Threadszoo at Capsquare last Saturday and Sunday. Happy Hippyz fair! The New Yorker and I made our way there after running some errands,to memeriahkan suasana at Zoey’s booth. The place was meriah all right. I told the New Yorker, that it almost felt like a mini Woodstock was happening…mini only, not the real deal.

We finished at Capsquare around 8ish – with impressive sales made on the first day! woohoo. Helped Zoey pack up. Farah sold home-made pies too- sedap. Very entrepreneurial these people ;p Once done,  Zoey, her beau Epool, the New Yorker and I made our way to Alexis for dins.

I must say I am extremely proud of Zoey – hats off! To check out Gorjes, visit their blogsite (still new, the latest pieces are not up yet, but will be soon) www.gorjesme.blogspot.com