My Unscripted Life

It’s been an exhausting couple of weeks for me, with many things finally coming into place. We’ve finally finalised the wedding card design (thanks Nirah!), we’ve confirmed the boutique that’s going to make our wedding outfits, tied up some loose ends here and there, and now we’re planning to have a serious meeting with the wedding planner.

Despite the hectic going-ons, and brainstorming that we have to go do, we made time to head to Midvalley one day to watch a movie. (Note, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief ain’t that good)

After the movie, we found ourselves spoilt for choice as we thought of a place to have dinner. We are on” a low-carb-with-no rice-for-dinner-diet” (See, we don’t have to be celebrities to create our own diet!”

We were on the lower-ground floor of the shopping mall, deciding on either Delifrance or Nando’s when we walked by the ever familiar JJ Juice and Super Sandwiches. It looked as it always did, except that it looked a bit different. There were white notices on the counters and front signboards. Upon closer inspection, we discovered that the place was closing down for good.

Seeing that it was the last day for the place, we decided to eat there. I ordered a Chicken Mayo sandwich set, which was RM13, and came with a tall cup of fresh watermelon juice, and cut fruits, while Baby took the Roast Chicken sandwich.

Each sandwhich came with wholemeal bread, laden thick with salad and tomatoes

It was only when we sat down and began to dig into our sandwiches, when we realised that this was the very same restaurant where we had our very first official date, more than 8 years ago! Back then, Baby was a casual acquaintance, who happened to have the guts to finally ask me out. (haha!) But, being the ever cautious nerd, I dragged Hazrina to accompany me.

By some freaky coincidence, here we were, having dinner at the restaurant where we sat more than 8 years ago, except that today, we are discussing the wedding we’re going to have this June.

Huz the Jaws!

The owner of the restaurant must have been touched that we ventured to his eatery on very last day of his business day, because he then came to our table, and gave us a cup of fresh orange juice, on the house! It was delicious oranges too! Thinking back, we were probably his very last customers, since it was past 9.30pm, and they were already packing up to leave.

I asked him earlier, whether they were simply moving to another place. He simply shook his head sadly, and said that they were closing down for good. I didn’t prod further. The guy looked pretty broken hearted. It was be hard to see your hard work close down like that.

I will miss JJ Juice and Super Sandwiches, just as I miss many other things which have slowly and steadily disappeared as I stubbornly grow up.

I’m glad that at least in this case, I had the chance to say goodbye.

There are perks to living in Negeri Sembilan. There’s minimal traffic. There’s no shortage of great Malay nasi campur and there’s Cendol Leman Dawi.

We were on the way back from Pedas, when we spotted it by the roadside. Near the district of Rembau, it’ is on the right side of the road as you drive back up North towards KL. The first thing you’ll notice are the many banners around the stall. Each proclaiming the stall’s name and it’s Manifesto.

Yup, you got that right. A Manifesto for Cendol.

What is the Manifesto for Cendol according to Leman Dawi?

The Cendol Manifesto is about giving Malaysian citizens the best cendol at the best price even while cost prices are on the rise. That means, even when the price coconut cream (santan) is at an all-time high, at Leman Dawi, you are getting it FREE. Same goes for Ice, Palm sugar and the all important green sago based squigglies, the Cendol.

This means all you need to do is buy one bowl, and then get as many refills as you want for FREE.

But even buying a bowl of this delicious local dessert is ridiculously cheap. My bowl above has a huge chunk of pulut (glutinous rice) in it, and extra red beans at only RM1.50.

A normal Cendol is only RM1.00. Most expensive is Cendol with sweet corn at only RM2.00. And after you’re done with your dessert, refills are absolutely free.

Wait, it doesn’t stop there. Not only the santan, ice, plam sugar and cendol refills are free, but plain water and some delicious barley drink is free as well.

And where some Cendol stalls in KL charges extra when you want to tapau (take away), it’s absolutely free too. Not only that, they give you extra too!

If you ever have the chance and happen to be passing by Negeri Sembilan next time, don’t hesitate to take a short detour and take the old trunk road. You won’t be disappointed. Plus, you need not worry about being shy in filling up with the refills as the owner would practically shout at you to help yourself.

It was getting late one day, about a week before Christmas, but we decided to have a drink before the long drive back home. Bangsar seemed like a great option, since it was close by and still had restaurants open till late. Our first thought was to head to Marrakesh, a place I’ve only been to once, and felt that the ambience was kind of nice. Unfortunately, Marrakesh was closed, so after driving around aimlessly, we ended up at Mango Mania.

Mango Mania is opposite the Czip Lee bookstore, and although it was past 11pm, it didn’t show signs that it was going to close any time soon. The ambience was perfectly cosy and snuggle-worthy.

The quaint shop feels like its built so that you’ll stay there for a long time. Aside from the standard issue rattan chairs, it also had couches where you could lounge, with pillows and soft jazz music playing in the background.

The specialty here is its patented mango yogurt (well, at least it feels like it!). And everything else associated with mangos. There’s mango waffles, mango dessert, mango cake, mango drinks and mango jelly.

  Their mango ice blended is heavy with ice, milk and lots of mango. The drink I took felt like a meal on its own.

Baby’s mango jelly with mango yogurt tasted great as well. At the end of both desserts, we felt well and truly full. And certainly much too sleepy for the drive back home. A little on the pricey side, but not too much that it’s going to deter you from ever coming back again. Maybe next time I will bring my family to the place for a treat!

So my bro was leaving for Terengganu for the new semester. We decided to go some place nice for dinner. My parents, being the creatures of habit, found themselves in front of Secret Recipe yet again for the umpteenth time. Pleading with them to change their dining habits for once, I steered them towards The Gardens where we have yet to test its waters.

After omitting the usual western cuisines that they are usually fond of, I found myself guiding them towards an unknown restaurant at the top floor.

Flying Chillies at the Gardens Midvalley

The thing that struck me the most about Flying Chillies was it’s really contemporary decor for a restaurant which was serving traditional Thai food. Moving away from the cliched Buddhist statues and teak wood decor, the entire restaurant instead was all white with red accents.

Refreshing ambience

The restaurant also had really cosy booths which was great for private gatherings with family or friends.

Nicey Cosy

The place was so comfy, I didn’t mind waiting for the food to arrive. Which is a first, since I can be so impatient when I am hungry.

Giant pretty lights

Even so, the food came in no time. Which was quite a feat, since we ordered a lot. Beef Green Curry, Crispy Pandan Chicken, Tom Yam Kung, Mango Salad, Kangkung Belacan and the piece de resistance, Deep Fried Garoupa in Thai Chilli Sauce. Every single dish came within 20 minutes, all freshly cooked!

I had a mocktail, the Shirley Temple.

Eh...dah habis makan!

As usual in my food escapades, I never remember to take a photo of the food first. Which goes to show that I can never be a food blogger. Nor do I care to. You know why? I love food too much to fawn over them before I eat!

When food is before you, enjoy it!

Porridge or bubur, used to be associated as a poor man’s meal.

I’ve always begged to differ. Bubur, with the right ingredients, is always a hearty meal, and the best comfort food.

But why am I rambling? Someone has already written the perfect ode to bubur.

Read it here at Eating Asia.

Needless to say, I have failed in my quest for a sugar-free diet. I am weak, and easily swayed. How can you stay on a sugar-free diet when people are calling you every week and asking you to get them little tid-bits as soon as they know my office is right next door to The Curve. Haven of all pastries and sweet things.

Who were those irresponsible people, kacau-ing me when they both KNOW that I am on a diet. Who else but Baby and Syeela.

Baby wanted his 1 dozen of Big Apple doughnuts. Syeela wanted her Cupcake Chic. And then Puteri messaged me, and wanted some too.

Who needs enemies when you’ve got best friends, I tell you.

Of course, I couldn’t resist but to get a couple of them cupcakes myself.

After that, it all went downhill…

Sigh…I’ll try again this week. Wish me luck!

Needless to say, I have failed in my quest for a sugar-free diet. I am weak, and easily swayed. How can you stay on a sugar-free diet when people are calling you every week and asking you to get them little tid-bits as soon as they know my office is right next door to The Curve. Haven of all pastries and sweet things.

Who were those irresponsible people, kacau-ing me when they both KNOW that I am on a diet. Who else but Baby and Syeela.

Baby wanted his 1 dozen of Big Apple doughnuts. Syeela wanted her Cupcake Chic. And then Puteri messaged me, and wanted some too.

Who needs enemies when you’ve got best friends, I tell you.

Of course, I couldn’t resist but to get a couple of them cupcakes myself.

After that, it all went downhill…

Sigh…I’ll try again this week. Wish me luck!

I have a sweet spot when it comes to sugar.

Pastries with peaches,
Cream filled puffs,
Chocolate glazed donuts.

In fact, I even mentioned to Baby that I want one of my hantaran to be a chocolate fountain.

Isn’t that a great idea? Hehe…

But my sweet spot for chocolate and sugar has had its repercussions. I shall say no more. Ask me no questions, and I shall tell you no lies. So it’s with this steely resolve, that I have determined to abstain from all forms of sugar for the entire week. That means:

Muesli for breakfast
Cut fruits for lunch
and bread for dinner.
And no hot mocha beverages in between.

Can I do it? Will I make it? Stay tuned.

I have a sweet spot when it comes to sugar.

Pastries with peaches,
Cream filled puffs,
Chocolate glazed donuts.

In fact, I even mentioned to Baby that I want one of my hantaran to be a chocolate fountain.

Isn’t that a great idea? Hehe…

But my sweet spot for chocolate and sugar has had its repercussions. I shall say no more. Ask me no questions, and I shall tell you no lies. So it’s with this steely resolve, that I have determined to abstain from all forms of sugar for the entire week. That means:

Muesli for breakfast
Cut fruits for lunch
and bread for dinner.
And no hot mocha beverages in between.

Can I do it? Will I make it? Stay tuned.

Me and Baby were feeling a little adventurous a couple of weeks ago. Kinda got tired of window shopping. You ever had that feeling? So we decided to do something that didn’t actually involve spending tons of cash in a day. So we decided to head on to the hot springs near Sg. Congkak at Pangsun. Both of us have been there before, only never together, so I was excited make the trip.

But things started in the wrong note that same morning. I’m not going to elaborate, suffice to say Baby knows what he did wrong. Don’t you?

Anyway, the ball finally got rolling at about 12pm, and without wasting anymore time, we headed straight to Pangsun. Stopped to buy some tit bits and started looking out for the signboards. We saw a clear river near the main road, with clouds of steam billowing from a bubbling brook beneath it. But we quickly decided it was far too public for comfort.

So we went a little further, and a signboard caught out eye. Air Panas Sg. Tekala.

So we parked the car, and with flip flops and towel in tow, we arrived to the front gate.

“Eh, it says Laluan Lelaki over here, and Laluan Perempuan there!” Baby said.

“Aiyo, they are segregating the sexes? So weird la going alone!”

“Yeah…but we’re already here…”

“Hm, guess it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

So we went our separate ways. I trudged down this path, feeling more and more apprehensive. ‘Oh shoot, I’m just gonna wing it’ I remember thinking. There were a bunch of women and their daughters there, and a gaggle of girls. Despite the absence of men, they were ALL wearing their tudung. OK…

Never mind, I’m gonna ignore their stares. Then I noticed a signboard above the pool of steaming hot water. The steam cleared…I read…

“Dilarang merendamkan badan di dalam kolam. Tolong tutup aurat.”

Huh?!

OK, I was feeling pretty much alienated by now. Oh well, like Baby said…”We’re are here…might as well…”

So, ignoring the questioning stares from the very conservative women that around, I started to grab the nearest bucket, and doused my feet so much needed sulphur relief. “Ahh…that hits the spot.”

After a few more buckets, and boredom started filling in, I noticed a door nearby. Feeling cheeky, I opened it, and peeked in. It was an adjoining door to the men’s side. How funny! Half naked men started and turned at me. Ignoring them, I yelled at Baby. “Ok or not?” In the middle of what seemed his 10th bucket, Baby looked a little disoriented.

Closing the door, I figured I should just make the trip worthwhile. Filling my 5th or 6th bucket to the brim, I dragged it into the changing room, and bathed!

At least my skin was baby soft for a couple of days after that.

Although the trip was rather disappointing, we agreed that the place would have been a lot better if (1) they cemented the area properly, (2) allowed people to soak in the nutritious water instead of hauling buckets and (3) if there wasn’t a Surau in between the women and men’s sections. Hehe!

If you do plan to go, just make sure you are with friends of the same gender, and bring lots of pails! Or better yet, don’t bother going at all!

The highlight of our day was probably lunch. We were properly hungry after the entire excursion, and decided to stop by Sri Paandi near the Shell station in Kajang. The Banana Leaf restaurant that is fast becoming out favourite. And oh, the most delicious corn on the cob that was being sold by stalls along the way back. Lip smacking after some butter and salt.

Just so to make this rambling a little worth while, I’ve decided to post some pictures. Although they were all about our lunch, and nothing about the Hot Springs!

He’s going to be so mad at me for putting up this picture!

Indian food is always so colourful.

RM 2.50 for the most delicious Mango Lassi I’ve had.

The service was super too! Delicious food, and even has scrumptious looking kuih in the evening