Coffee Machine.

At long last, our very own Coffee Machine - or should it actually be referred to as an automated coffee dispenser? - in the office! Goodbye to days of manual uncertainties and hello to precise automation! Reality kicked in when I realize that with this new arrival, there might be a possibility those 3-in-1 stuff we've been enjoying all these while might be discontinued! Such short lived joy, let's hope that I'm just over-assuming. For now, let me enjoy my double shot of Cappuccino, because I can.

In case you were wondering where you've seen a similar dispenser before, its the same one used in Subway outlets. On a side note, when I showed the wife our newly renovated pantry equipped with cushioned seats,  kitchen island, LCD TV & DVD Player and all that stuff, she was much displeased and retorted that this is how IT department (in general) spends all the hard earned profits raked in by Sales & Marketing. Aawww... don't be jealous :P

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Economic Mixed Rice.

Take a wild guess on how much I was charged for the meal above, I took some stir-fried vegetables, pickled vegetables (zhar choy), a piece of fried chicken and braised bean curd with mushrooms and egg. All that for only RM5.50!!! Bloody cheap loh (for KL standard) if I may say so! Usually, with just one meat dish and two vegetable dishes, I already had to fork out RM5.00 averagely - even at this very same stall. I must have looked my very best today!

Please do not assume that I hid the dishes from view because it was the lady manning the stall that scooped the dishes for me. And even when its self service, I never do that because I very much dislike it when the cashier pokes and digs my carefully arranged dishes. Benci!

Forgot to mention, the rice was packed at Makan Place Food Court located in between Mid Valley Mall and Gardens Mall (Lower Ground) - next to Big Apple Donuts. Probably the only place within these 2 malls where you can find inexpensive food but heed my advice, always do take away as quickly as you can or end up smelling like a mobile version of the food court.

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Needs.

# A Haircut
And perhaps change to a new hairstyle while I'm at it, one that's totally new and different.


# To Start Running Again
The sprained ankle seems to have healed almost completely. Thought of joining the Adidas KOTR run which had been previously scheduled for 3rd October but nowhere to be found now. The run has been removed from the PACM calendar as well.


# More Money
Loads and loads and loads and loads and loads of them. Tell me who doesn't.


# To Drink Less Coffee
Without realizing it, I've increased my consumption to two cups per weekday, one for breakfast, another dose after lunch. Must have control! Ironically, I'm having one while typing this.


# A Miracle
So I can save and pay off my debts at the same time.


# Anger Management Therapy
I go crazy every single time I hit the roads. Malaysians, friendly? Pffftt! Obviously the individual(s) who made that comment(s) has never driven on our roads before. *Blood Boils* Roar!

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Hou Moon Restaurant.

No. 34 & 36, Jalan Hip Hing,
Off Jalan Goh Hock Huat, 41400 Klang.

Business Hours: 0930 - 1530 & 1730 - 2130

One very long drive from Cheras later, we arrived at the restaurant which according to Dad is well known for its fish head dishes - because they are huge, cheap and good (very much in tune with the wife's PLC motto). I wasn't really convinced at first because, come on, who drives all the way to Klang to have FISH head? I mean, when Klang is mentioned, the first thing that crosses one's mind would definitely be Bak Kut Teh!

But I was wrong (and hungry) because the Assam Fish and also the Steamed Fish Head with Minced Ginger was finger licking good. So good that I had to have a second serving of rice, something I've not done for a very long time because the wife would usually shoot me a laser guided glance but she was too busy enjoying her food this time. Yums!

Other than the fishes, the restaurant does offer a variety of dishes that I would not know of because I never had a chance to browse through the menu. But we had Curry Pork, Yin Choy in Superior Soup and Stir Fried Egg Plant - which had some small deep-fried, crunchy stuff (might be shrimps - ha mai) that made it so delectable! Another recommended fish dish (by Dad) would be stir fried chopped fish head in kum heong sauce, didn't order as to not overwhelm ourselves with fish, later got nightmare.

A close up of the huge Steamed Sek Pan Fish Head (I assume its Garoupa) in Minced Ginger. I can just recall that it was cheap, around a hundred plus if I recall correctly, a total bargain! So, all in all, the food was worth the long drive - will definitely head back there again for another round some time soon!

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Maxis 3G.

From left to right, this was me trying to access Facebook via iPhone (running iOS4) on Maxis 3G, note the optimum service reception. From left, that was me on my way to the parking lot via Gardens Mall. The mid screen was taken inside the car before departing and the right one was taken upon reaching home. Not sure why but my 3G service has been pretty inconsistent lately. Time to change?

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Ups and Downs.

Some time ago, our neighbor notified us that he has started his own restaurant business, specializing in Canto cuisines. The first time I dropped by was on his first week of operation with my In-Laws and business was pretty good, tables were fully occupied, staffs were busy taking orders and attending to customers; it even took a while for our orders to be served.

Had similar experience on the subsequent visits I made and at one point, we even had to shift to a different location because we didn't make any reservations. Business was good for him. Over time, the quality of food had improved tremendously, serving time has been cut short, environment and service is still as efficient, and the price is reasonable. I was and still is a very much satisfied customer.

And yesterday, after a short absence, my parents decided to patron our neighbor's restaurant and made a booking. I was a little taken aback upon reaching, I noticed that the restaurant was relatively quiet, other than us, only three other tables were occupied and by the time we finished, we were the only ones left. And for the first time ever, I saw our neighbor, who is also the chef, outside of the kitchen hanging around the dining area.

Not sure whether if we were early or because of the mega sale or something but it was pretty shocking (and also hard to digest) to experience how different business can be in just a matter of weeks. I hope that business will pick up, back to how it used to be, for him. Will do a proper post on his restaurant soon.

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More and More.

Dropped by the construction site to check on the progress again because we received notification from the bank that another disbursement has been released to the developer, the second last one. And this time around, I was pleasantly surprised by how much work has been done, roads are laid, lamination works and backyard fencing had begun, doors and wash basins installed, etc.

It felt like the pieces are finally all coming together and for once, my hope of being able to move in (complete with renovation, furnished and all) before Chinese New Year looks pretty positive! I'm truly excited!

With all good things, there would always be some flaws - the Yin and Yang philosophy, a fire hydrant is located smack in the middle of us and our neighbor. Also, the pavement has been done in such a way that it would be useless to widen the gates as initially planned, sigh.

The current phase of construction has been split into two batches, the first batch is currently awaiting for all the approvals to be done then the owners can start moving in (jealous) while the second batch (which is us) would have to wait indefinitely, which at this time has already been delayed for half a year. Since it was still accessible, we 'intruded' one of the completed houses for a quick tour and was very much pleased with the results.

To be honest, very much pleased is a very toned down description of how I really reacted, go figure. And since its now in batches, I pray that the house can be completed in good condition before year end and that the developer would not be running away.

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Putu Mayam.

One of my favorite Indian dishes, best when served with mutton curry, almost heavenly - I have Rames to thank for introducing me to such an awesome combination! Before that, it was grated coconut and the occasional gula melaka because I perceive that's the right way it should be eaten.

Man, just visualizing the tender mutton wrapped with putu mayam drenched in curry makes me salivate and my stomach grumble!

And, the putu mayam vendor on bike has returned!!! Actually, he told me that he has been making his rounds here in the evenings for a while now. Guess I never did bump into him before because I usually return later, traffic was good that particular day. Though not that accurately applicable, but in a way, early birds really do get the worms *laughs*

Yummies! Now if only I'm able to get my hands on some mutton curry...

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The Expensive Mistake.

One single wrong click that cost me seven hundred and fifty ringgit. FML.

One of the many reasons I hate doing online purchases, the penalties are so heavy that it's not funny, even the law enforcement is more lenient when it comes to this. There goes my PS Move, sigh.

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A reminder to myself that there's so much to be learned from this short film.

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Shape & Men's Health Night Run 2010.

The one run that was not meant for me. Back in 2009, this was my first run and I fared terribly, finishing almost an hour AFTER the qualifying time (I couldn't walk normally until almost a week later). And this time around, armed with confidence and one healing ankle, I had to retire at the 10 kilometers mark, the pain was just too agonizing.

It was nearby the 2 kilometers mark that I started feeling multiple sharp sensation on my injured ankle, like needles poking it, so, I started walking. Medical volunteers stationed were not really able to help because they were unequipped. A long walk later, my calf muscles started to tense, good in a way that it alleviated the ankle pain and at the same time bad, because the pain was much harder to bear.

Managed to walk plus limp all the way back before finally giving up at 10kms, I think I've drained my willpower completely (mental exhaustion) by then. At that point, I felt so angry and disappointed with myself that I decided to give up running completely, no more marathons for me!

The following day, the more I think about the run, the more frustrated I become and the disappointment ended up as renewed determination to run even more; to finish all my runs ahead of qualifying time! Reminds me how fickle minded I can be at times.

On a different note, this run is also known among us as the goodie bag run, because no other runs in KL even comes close to this level of goodies presented to the participants.

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