Limablas

Funny that it's spelt Limablas instead of Lima Belas. Or is this how it was spelt back in those days? Well, it's the number 15 in Malay. And it's the name of a nyonya restaurant. 

Read a food review about this place in a local magazine. What caught my interest was really its interior decorations. If you don't already know, I have a thing for diners which are out of the ordinary. Spare me those 5-stars fine dining places. They are a bore.

So we went down to the place last Saturday evening and it turned out that they were not opened for business yet. We were early. Since I was so eager to get a taste of what they had to offer, we decided to wait. For a whole hour. It was the first time I did something like this. The owner had thanked us for our patience when we finally walked in.  :)

Obviously we were the first customers in. Lucky that we were there early, as there was only one available table left, with all the rest reserved. Gosh! Are they that good?

I shall let the pictures tell you how the interior looks like. And the food, you just got to head over to try it yourself.

The main entrance. 

A little unit in the middle of all the sky scrappers. With no obvious sign, just the number 15. It took us a while to figure out the place. 

As you walk in....

The main counter. Simple decorations.

Some wall ornaments.

The view inside out.

We figured that he's probably the owner's dad.

Our allocated table

Handmade lamp

Some wall ornaments again

Pie tees. Now this is good. It tastes different from those that I've tried

The dinner

Oh, and there is the recommended drink - the ginger ale with mint. Nothing tastes like it elsewhere.

So most of the stuffs in the place are old and rusted. But in a nice way. I've read they are the owner's own. Kept and brought down the generation. Probably came from the 60's or the 70's. Brings back a certain wave of nostalgia. It some how feels like having dinner at your grandparents' home. A huge family having a simple dinner amidst all the peripherals of the past......

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We have turned 1!

Oh yes we have.

Planet Popcorn Paradigm Mall turns one year old today!

Looking forward to many more years to come. :)

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The many faces of co-workers

Having worked in the commercial sector for a few years now, I've come to deduce the different personalities of those working in the same office. Some are a pain in the a**. Some are just too amusing to watch.

Here are the 'must haves' of each office:

1. The MC queen

 

Just as the name suggests, the person takes medical leaves very often. The excuse, "I've got a genetic migrain that can't be cured according to the doctors. It's something that runs in the family." Right. That migrain and that MC only comes every Monday.

2. Mr Not-My-Job

The entire office is to participate in a compulsory briefing, all but A, for some reason.

Z : As you know, the floor will be empty for an hour for the briefing. Could you please tend the door when the bell rings? We are expecting an urgent delivery for today.
A : I'm not hired to tend doors.   
Z : Can you please assist for an hour?
A :  The delivery guy can wait an hour then.

3. Mr Know-It-All

If you asks this person if he is able to perform certain tasks, he will answer, "Of course! It can be done. Just leave it to me." A few minutes later, he'll be asking the person in the next cubicle, "Psst! Do have any idea how to work the required? Mind to give me a hand?"

4.The Deny-ier

X : Where is the document I gave you? It's due for submission today.
P : What document?? I didn't receive any documents from you!
T : The one which I saw X handling it over to you yesterday.
P : No such thing! You saw wrong! Don't start blaming me for something that is due.
X : But you've signed receipt of that document in this log book.
P : *Silence* I'll check and get back to you.

5. Ms Bureaucracy

S : I'd like to request for stationery. Here is the request form.
G : *Takes a look* The AM's approval is insufficient. It has to be approved by your manager. Then the HOD will have to approve. Then HR, VP and then CEO. When it reaches the Admin dept, my manager will have to approve before I can issue it to you. *Hands the form back*
S : But I'm only asking for a pen.
G : It's company's policy.

6.The Fickle Minded Boss

 T : Please explain the impact of the deal in the report.
Y : *Impact explained as required and submitted*
T : Why is the explanation so lengthy? Cut it short.
Y: *Report amended and re-submitted*
T : Why did you insert the impact into the report? Remove it!
Y : But you told me to insert it in.
T : I don't want it now. Remove it!
Y : *Impact removed and re-submitted*
T : Where is the impact I required? Don't you ever listen to me?
Y : I inserted it but you told me to remove it.
T : Please use some common sense! How can you present a report like this?
Y : *Impact re-inserted and re-submitted*
T : Why is the impact such a brief one? How can you present a report like this? Please use some brain and write me a more detailed impact.

You get the idea.

7. The Puppet 

In conversations:
"CEO wants this parcel to reach the recipient today."
"This is the agreement the CEO wants me to hand to you."

"CEO says the washroom is out of hand towels. CEO wants to have them replenished."

In emails:
"CEO requests for this report. Kindly forward CEO a copy."
"CEO explains that this is not required. CEO wants it amended."
"CEO has given authorization for this. CEO wants action to be taken accordingly."

8. The "Aunty" Syndrome or The Complainer

"That boy is not being professional. How can he answer my questions half-heartedly?"
"Why is the washroom so wet? Where is the cleaner? Why isn't she doing her job?"
"Why weren't my claims reimbursed? I've put in the proper forms an hour ago."
"That girl is hogging up the sink for such a long time! How inconsiderate!"
"Why can't we get more quality pens? I can't write a proper report with this."

9. The Sycophant

I guess no descriptions are required for these types. They are just too easy to spot. You surely can't miss them in the bosses' room armed with gifts and praises. Some do get what they yearned for. Others might not be too lucky. Perhaps it depends on what type of gifts and what type of praises one sings.

10. The "Taichi" Master

In general terms, a taichi master would be a guru in Chinese martial arts. But look at the body movements of the person in the picture. Imagine the person in a business suit with the exact same pose. He stands firm on the ground, points his finger at others and push away all the "dirt" that comes his way. You get the picture. 

I've long come to realize that these are people who would always be there in any organization. You can't get rid of them. You sort of "need" them to balance up the good vibes around. They spice things up a little to the somewhat routine and dull tasks at work.

From my stand, so long as they don't mess with me, they are at liberty to do what they do "best".

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The 13th General Elections

5 years had gone by. This round was held on Sunday, 5th May 2013. 

Of course I had been there to fulfill my civic duty. There was a huge turnout this time. Much more than the previous round. Even before the gates to the polling center were opened, queues could already be seen, much to the surprise to both myself and my sister. We had initially thought we would be one of the earliest, looks like a whole lot other people beat us to it.

 

Lining up to get in

The different "channels"

 

Our turn is up

And done!

Had a mini school gathering while queuing. Met a few ex-school mates. Good to see friends returning home from overseas just to cast vote. That's the spirit!

Proud to be a Malaysian.

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I painted it, again...

I've got an interest for art now. Painting on my own, that is, after a friend introduced me to this paint-by-numbers handicraft. Yeaps, I still got to work with numbers, even for a hobby.

But this is pretty easy. The colours are mixed for you. Just pick up a brush, dip into the allocated colours and work your way onto the canvas. Perfect for lazy and non-art talented people like me. I would never have painted anything from scratch.

It actually had became an addictive remedy. They said colours eases the mind. Indeed it has. You seem to forget all the misery once you focus on the colours in front of you. Worked wonders. You should give this a try, if alcohol doesn't do the trick anymore.

  

I'm tempted for a third piece. Dad is already complaining that I'm turning the house into an "art gallery". Well dad, that saves us on wall accessories. Your daughter, me,  is going to have all of that covered. Home is going to be my personal gallery from now on, starting with my room.

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Phuket, on the 29th

Okay, the dates have been arranged on purpose. But the location was not. And I was glad that there are people spontaneous enough to celebrate my birthday with me away from home, with it being the last of my twenties.

It was supposed to be budgeted trip. Turns out that we spent more than we should, with no idea where the extra spending had gone to. Phuket was selected because someone had wanted an island getaway. And this had been the only affordable island that all of us have not been to.

The trip was for 6 days. A little too long, so I've been told. Indeed it was. Cause there is nothing too fancy about this island. I've been to much better ones. Not too sure why it's on the "must go" list for all avid travelers. Now why do I say so?

First, the sea waters are not clear and rather murky. Thumbs down for snorkeling. Second, there are no corals to be seen. Probably got washed away by the tsunami back then. Thumbs down for snorkeling. Third, the beach is not pleasant to walk on as it is full of rocks and crushed corals. Thumbs down. Fourth, every place is crowded with tourists and speedboats. It's a chicken's den, so says my tour guide. Thumbs down for an exotic and relaxing holiday.
 

 Maya bay, 

"polluted"

Well, not all is bad. There are still a few things to boast about the island. While you could forget about taking cabs and  other public transportation in getting around, you could always rent a car. We got ours for THB900 per day, for a Toyota Yaris in reasonably good condition. Fuss free!

Our ride

The local cuisine is splendid. For one who always try foreign food on a foreign land, I've made it a point to avoid the commercialized places and cuisines. Well, you could get western food and fast foods even back home right? We found these diners from a guide book - Tunk-Ka Cafe and Raya diner. Well recommended. Reasonably priced Thai food with the right ambience. Not only the food got to be good, the place has to look good as well. Seriously, the food is real good. Well cooked to the Thai flavour. Those Thai diners we have back in Malaysia, are nothing compared to these.

 

Tunk-Ka Cafe entrance

Hilltop view

Raya entrance, 

sino-Portugese architecture

Raya interior, rare

As for the scenery of Phuket, I was pretty surprised with this one. We had actually planned for Promthep Cape, one of the more famous tourists spots, famed for its sunset view. But a wrong turn made us stumbled upon this place instead. I don't even know what it is called. But the view, was absolutely breathtaking. Watching the sun set from this hill was totally unforgettable. If I ever return to Phuket, this would be one of those places that I would visit again.

I guess there is still one island that earned a thumbs up from me. No, not Phi Phi, not Maya, not Phang Nga. But Raya. Raya island, a not so well known island, about an hour's boat ride from Phuket, preserved its clear waters and white sandy beaches. Very much to my liking. Now this is what you call an island. This is what an island should be.

What I couldn't get over the trip was, that I'd been repeatedly being mistaken for a Thai! C'mon! I'd been a typical tourists with maps and all. Don't I even look Chinese? Apart from the hotel reception, everyone else spoke to me in Thai - the waiters, the spa masseuse, the drivers, the gas attendant, the 7-eleven cashier, everyone! Only when I gave them a dumb-founded look and said 'English please?", only did they realized I wasn't local. Great! Perhaps I should pick up a few lessons on the Thai language. They might give me better discounts if they thought I was one of them. :) 

Oh ya, part of the trip was to celebrate my 29th. The last one before I hit the big 30. Thank you for the gift and for the surprises. Although the cake had been a complimentary one from the hotel. There are certain perks in traveling on birthdays. I do like the pearl alot. I never knew pearls could come in so many colours. All I knew was white and beige. There are actually pearls in green, purple, blue and like mine, brown. They are indeed genuine pearls, if you should know.

Happy 29th!

And the wine sucks! Someone got conned! :p

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Disappointments

It's inevitable. 

Question is, how many times can you take it?

I came to learn that, to avoid one, is to be less expectant. 

Not everything works the way you want it to be....

Not everyone becomes the person you want them to be....

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Playing to win

Have gone from one after another. From place to place. Have tried to stay clear out of it. Have tried not to get too involved in it. Have actually got pretty tired of it all. But it's like a plague that couldn't be avoided. It somehow manages to float in and stick to you, no matter how you shake it off.

Fine. If it's not to be avoided, then we shall all play along, shall we? Even if it means turning me into someone that I wouldn't want to be.

So, let the games begin....

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Fang-ed teeth

I never had perfect straight teeth all my life. It has always been crooked & fang-ed like. It was an imperfection that had tarnished my self-esteem. All those girls out there have got nothing to hide when they smile. And I used to hold back mine so that my "vampire" teeth wouldn't be too obvious.

Had actually consulted with the orthodontist. I was given the explanation that this happens when the molars crowd the canine, which means I had too many teeth for my jaw to accommodate. Braces would fix it. But that would involve the extraction of 4 other teeth to make way. I didn't like the idea of having my healthy teeth pulled out in the name of beauty. And so I stuck to my imperfection.

But lately, I had been craving for that "perfect" smile. The idea of getting those braces came back. Just when I am in serious consideration of having my teeth extracted, I found out that fang-ed teeth has become an "in" thing in Japan! It has become a fashion trend in Japan!

Japanese women are going crazy over it. They are spending a bomb to have their perfectly straight teeth to be crooked and fang-ed like. It's called the "yaeba" look. And Japanese men loved it! They love the "yaeba" smile of a woman. Unbelievable!

Can you believe that I actually had people coming to me and say, "Oh, you've got those fang-ed teeth!". And I had replied shyly, "Yeah, I was thinking of getting them fixed with braces." "Oh no! You shouldn't! They are so cute!!" I thought I had heard it wrongly. My imperfect teeth, cute? You've got to be kidding me.

Does that mean I can scrap my braces plan now? Or if I still want that "perfect" smile, I can always move to Japan? At least I've got that "yaeba" smile naturally. No cosmetic procedures involved. Guaranteed!

this is cute?

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The Return

The initially thought was perhaps, this has been out-grown. With the likes of Facebook and Instagram, there really isn't a need to maintain this page. Pictures and events could be shared on them. The double re-posting here could be done away. So this have been left alone for close to 6 months now. There was even a thought to have this page closed off.

But it seemed like the urge to write has not died away. Although other social media tools have allowed the posting of pictures, but nothing beats the blank page here that allows words to be typed freely. With no constraints.

And so, the writing continues....

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The people that I would always miss

It's been a couple of months since the last entry. I wonder if my readers are still following me. But I don't care. You read as you please. I write as I please.

This page has become more like a hideout. No troubles, no posts. Something unsettling happens, and here I vent it all out. I guess one would have noticed the patterns.

Well, I just wanted to say that I really miss you guys a lot. A whole lot.

I don't know how else to let you all know.

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