Father's day 2008

It's THAT time of the year again. Since I found Cellicakes I have been partial to that shop. Banana cake with spots on them. But instead of a picture of the cake, this time, I decided it would be more fitting to upload a smiling dad instead.

Picture taken after the first bite. Must have been tasty. The man rarely smiles.

Happy Father's day 2008.

Ho Chin Minh , Vietnam

The reason for being in Saigon.

Spoilt for choice. Coffee galore

Good reproductions for a fraction of the price back home

Notre Dame Cathedral

The general post office

The locals at work....or is it resting?

Damai Puri

Red Sky shepherd's delight. Within minutes the blue sky turned a warm red. Picture taken at the balcony at Damai Puri resort Kuching. Overlooking south china sea. ( the quotation was 100% accurate). The following day was MIGHTY hot.

A change in restaurant

I'm pissed the cockroach incident has happened. Not so much because we didn't get a free meal after ( which as gnightgirl rightly pointed out ) we SHOUD have, but because I can no longer bring myself to eat there. I settled for Thai food last night. Because of a bout of sniffles, I couldn't appreciate the tom yam soup. But I suspect even if I had my full sense of smell, the meal would still have been a mediocre one. Boo Hoo!!

Is this a fair deal?

What would you have done....if a friendly visitor Mr Cockroach paid you a visit during your dinner?? I shan't exaggerate so may I correct myself and say a weeny cockroach but still a COCKROACH nonetheless dropped from the ceiling ( I think ) or popped out of the plate ( which would have meant it was there throughout the first part of the meal..PUKE PUKE ). I pushed the chair back...and leaned away. The waiter came..and ( stoopidly I thought ) took the plate away after which time he just stood there looking. Thankfully a more senior person ( much more sensible ) decided to diffuse this potentially embarrasing situation. He swiftly directed us to a new table...apologies with just the right tone of voice and gave us new meals.

Of course the meal was spoilt. For me at least. Having to wait an additional 15 minutes while my burger was being cooked kind of took the edge of the hunger pangs. At the end of the meal, we got a 10% discount for not making a fuss. Is that the politically correct thing to do??

Reading material update...

Initially ( to be more specific I'm referring in particular to about 7 to 8 days ago ) I'd been feeling like I was in a rut. ( reading-wise). I'd just finished Melissa Hill's " last to know", which for those of you out there looking for a fast paced chic-lit type of book...this is IT, when I realised I didn't know what I would like to read next. There was a definite anticlimax.

Then slowly ( it's always when you're not trying too hard ), the momentum picked up and like magic I found (in my pile of second hand books ) JUST the book to cheer me up.

I've tried googling John Verney. This is what I do when I like a book. The sudden , urgent need to know more about the author. Where have you been all my life? You know, that kind of feeling.

Here's a list of books he's written..

1) friday's Tunnel

2)Going to the wars

3)Fine day for a picnic

4)Verney Abroad

5)February's Road

6)Look at the houses.

BTW, the book I'm reading has exactly the same cover as the picture I found on the net. Published by Puffin Books in 1969. I wasn't even born then. Now if you will excuse me, I'm off to enjoy the book.

Aaaah to be appreciated

My year 3 students ( who are now in year 4 ) send 7 tokens of their appreciation...for teaching them. Thank you very much.

Lunch at the Gardens Midvalley:)

I had lunch here. The service wasn't bad. The food was mediocre. You had to pay extra for a glass of water. Most unfair cos midway through the meal, I bit on a chilli and had to make do with sipping ginger ale with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Gurney Drive

We had dinner at the Gardens Midvalley. The entrance has this huge golden mural-like thing in the front which looked frightfully expensive. You know what I'm taking about, the kind of place you wouldn't set foot in unless you have your credit card tucked away safely in the purse JUST IN CASE.I'm not going to write much about how lovely the food was...nor will I mention the incredible service we had on stepping into the shop. But I will post some pictures for you to see. Don't be too jealous you can get this too .....

Gurney Drive

Lot T-201 The Gardens, Mid Valley City

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 22876861/62/63

Happy Mother's Day mummy:)

This year I decided Mummy deserved a better cake. I was cheap last year and got her a sponge cake from the local shop with dodgy cream in an insipid shade of orange. Due to my better organisational skills ( smug look ) I not only got a better cake, but I managed to order one to fit. The man at the cake shop was lovely. Fruit Gateuax!!! YUMMERS!!

Mummy, my greatest gift in life is you loving me:) God Bless you on this special day.

What I've been doing..

I now agree that shopping should be done on weekdays and not on weekends. And definitely not on any public holidays. The labour day outing ( meant strictly for meeting up and relaxation ) made me more tired and by the time I got back I felt all my energy had been sapped out of me throughout the day. Wading ( and nudging ) crowds of people just to get from point A ( toilet) to point B ( coffee bean ) took a good 5 minutes. And why must the management have very loud speakers for center stage performances?? Sound pollution!!!

What a difference heading to the shops on a Tuesday made.( or was it wednesday I forget now). We had meatballs at Ikea. Lining up for food and waiting for it to be dished out reminded me of canteen food in college. Hardly 20 people in the cafeteria and the atmosphere was definitely one of calm. No elbows were needed to nudge anyone.

Shopping on weekday = 2 thumbs up

Meatballs at Ikea = 2 thumbs up too

Sunset by the beach

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you took it slower? Multitasking is bad for your health. It's not evidenced base but I'm pretty sure it is. Gut feeling. In an attempt to lead a healthier lifestyle, I have made futile attempts at ignoring the things to do and just living the moment. Doesn't always work. But it's certainly worth the try.