The Last Mother's Day Meal

Was clearing my phone data when I saw these forgotten pix. Had been wanting to archive these for a while.

May 13, 2012 - It was a busy night at our family's favourite seafood restaurant. Actually, it's my bro's fav. And I know Ma would only go to bro's fav diners so that he could eat his favs. I remember we had to wait for nearly 30 mins for a table.  It was a full house. But the service was fast. The meal was served within 5 mins of ordering. And it was wiped out in just 15 mins. And that ends the meal.

The atmosphere was unnerving. Too noisy and crowded. Patrons had to shout to get themselves heard. But Ma had always insisted on going out on the busiest days of the year. I never did understand that. 

I had to leave to pick up a friend from the airport so I left after the meal. It was the last Mother's Day meal.

Unmemorable yet memorable.

Laine's 18th Birthday

We celebrated cousin Laine's birthday on July 8, Thursday, with a meal at Sin Kee Restaurant at Brickfields. Yvonne and David skipped their Friday tutorial to be home early. I took the commuter straight from UKM to Central and walked across the street to the restaurant.

The meal was fantastic and I must say that they serve the best 'yau mak' I have ever eaten! The veggie was so crunchy and scrumptious even for a meat-lover like myself.

Lightly stir-fried veg

We headed home at about 7.40 p.m. and KL's traffic was heavy with after-office workers on their journey home. We dropped by Sweetly, a cake shop nearby QQ's house, to pick up Laine's pre-ordered birthday cake.

Chocolate cheese cake

While there, I couldn't help myself when I saw more of  those cute lil cakes on display and decided to get Laine another set of cakes.

'Second' birthday cake

Two cakes

Happy birthday, Laine!

July 8: Uncle's home

Another Birthday

Firefly and Jack Daniels

It has been a consecutive three days of eating rich food with Jen. My waistline is definitely expanding!

Together with Elizabeth, Jacelyn, Monica and of course, Jenny, we celebrated Jen's birthday at the Firefly Bar & Grill at Times Square. It was also my first time setting foot at this 'new' block of shops since its opening. All these while, I had been driving past Times Square, questioning its existence because it had looked like a dead project to me.

True enough, the only signs of life here were the few eateries and pubs.

I was informed by Eliz that this establishment is well-known for its pork dishes, especially its Bourbon Back Ribs where the ribs are marinated in Jack Daniels. The rest ordered this signature dish while I opted for Pork Chop in Alfredo sauce.

Bourbon Back Ribs

Pork Chop in Alfredo Sauce

Verdict? Both dishes were delicious although I thought that the pork chop was slightly on the salty side. The best part had to be its veggies which were well-blanched and sauteed.

Eliz ordered a slice of choc moist cake for Jen, complete with a lit candle and birthday greeting written in choc sauce, which was delivered to our table by the staff.   

Cake

April 19: Firefly Bar & Grill

I'd definitely be coming back for its ribs and choc moist cake.

Roses and Buffet

After class today, I went to order a bouquet of roses for the birthday gal, Jenny, as we were going to celebrate her big day a few days earlier. She has invited Lily and I for dinner.

The florist sprinkled some silver paper strips over the mixed-colour roses which I thought is quite a unique touch to the whole bouquet. 

Dinner was at Tivoli Cafe, Shangrila at Bandaran Berjaya and the spread was quite impressive.

And these were what I had in chronological order... :)

The most unexpected were the desserts. They were just so tasty. As someone who prefers savoury over sweetness, Tivoli's dessert spread was surprisingly good. Its puddings and cakes are well-made and texture, delightful!

Just had to go for a second helping!

Courtesy of Peter, who was also there that night, we got to taste strawberry tea from Germany. It was just lovely! The aroma of strawberry was delightful.

Not forgetting a pic of the three of us before indulging ourselves.

And what's a birthday post without the VIP? Here's a pic of the birthday gal herself with her bouquet of roses.

Birthday Gal

April 17: Tivoli Cafe

Happy birthday, kindred spirit! May God bless you.

The 15 Days

Backdated post: Feb 14 - Feb 28

It's already March and CNY is over. Good things just end a lil too quickly.

As I have mentioned earlier, I've been very lethargic. The best word is: lazy!

I'd just post some pics here of the fifteen days of CNY though I do not have a pic for everyday and that's coz I'm... lazy. Thought I'd include another two days of my pre-CNY activities.

Warning: Post consists of mostly food pics taken with my low quality handphone and one-liners.

Feb 10 was a hectic and fruitful day for me. Alas... it was also the day that made me sick coz I was out the whole day in the extremely hot weather trying to get many things done. Serviced my car, changed my malfunctioned front passenger door lock and my reverse gear lights, bought some plastic cherry blossoms deco, bought and changed my car seat cover, went for facial, had a late lunch, went to the dentist, went to a shopping mall to buy a chest of plastic drawers for my bedroom and more CNY deco.

Returned home and set up my drawers and deco, did my laundry, bathed, lie down on the sofa and  that's when I started to feel queasy and chilly. I had not been feeling too well since the previous two weeks. Had been trying to keep any sickness at bay but that night I knew I'd lost the battle.

 

 New car seats cover

Feb 10: Car

True enough, the next morning I woke up with a fever and sore throat and worsening coughs. Went to buy medicine and rested at home coz I didn't want to get too sick. Was downing litres of water to rehydrate my system and cool down my body.

 

After a good night's sleep, I woke up on the 12th feeling much better. Took my med and rested the whole day coz I really wanted to go to the annual night market. It's kind of like a tradition for me to just join in the merry-making and buy last-minute goodies. CNY this year was quite subdued so I had wanted to feel the mood at the night market.

 

Went with Sim. We had dinner before walking the whole long stretch of open air market and going in the shopping centres and shops along it. Bought a dress and dried pork meat. Met up with Yvonne and Esther for drinks at Little Italy to end the night.

Went home and lost my voice. Took my med and slept.

 

 Pre-CNY night market

Feb 12: Segama 

Woke up and totally lost my voice. Rested and drank litres and litres of water the whole day. Bought more med, vitamin C, cough syrups and pain killer.

It was the worst reunion dinner coz I couldn't really eat and was feeling miserable.

To my surprise the next morning I was feeling good though I had myself a very sexy voice. Skipped the morning service and went for a dim sum buffet with Spinxie. I could eat!

After buffet, I had a few friends over at home before we visited a friend's home. Came home and my condition worsened again.

  

Day 1 - Dim sum

Feb 14: Silk Garden, Pacific Sutera

Met up with long-time friends who are around in KK or who were back from overseas. A good update from everyone.

  

Day 3 - Group photo of ex-JFYers

Feb 16: Lorraine's home

My bro, Kenny, actually joined a Chinese chess competition during CNY and won the fourth prize. Didn't know he was that good. No wonder a few days before the competition he signed up onto an online gaming site, hogged my computer and was religiously playing online chess to hone his skill for the real battle against 'older' competitors.

  

Day 4 - Hamper

Feb 17: Home

Had an appointment with the skin specialist at QE. There was only one specialist on duty in that department that morning - the rest were on leave.

 

 Day 5 - Registration counter

Feb 18: QEH Specialist Centre

Met up some Form 6 friends coz Sia made his annual pilgrimage back to KK from Spore for CNY. But the 'VIP' turned up late and left early... =.=

 

 Day 6 - BPF & YMH

 Feb 19: Old Town, City Mall

Classes resumed that weekend, on Sat. Had Sarawak Kon Lo Mee at a coffee shop. The food was delicious but the weather was so unbearably hot!

  

Day 7 - Sarawak Kon Lo Mee

Feb 20: A coffee shop

Met up with Spinxie and Monica for lunch on Sun after class. Ordered ice-cream with 'fresh' fruits. 'Fresh' fruits = raw carrots!!!

  

 Day 8 - Ice cream with carrot

Feb 21: Upperstar, Damai

Renewed books at the uni library, looked for some materials, slapped with a summon from uni's security coz parked illegally just so I need not walk that far (serves me right!), settled summon, drove to 1B to enquire about buffet offers, called up Gertie, she was free, met up and had lunch with her, jalan-jalan and then went home.

Day 12 - Lunch out

Feb 25: Yoshimi

It was a public holiday on Fri and I went for a buffet with Spinxie and my bro at Souled Out, 1B. Priced at RM26++, it was surprisingly delicious for that low price. Limited choices but good enough.

  

After sending Spinxie home, went and brought Michelle to the beach - jalan-jalan, took some pics, waded in the water, my slipper broke, chit-chat, had dinner and then went home.

    

  

 Day 13 - Sophie posing...

Feb 26: Tg Aru Beach

Another weekend arrived and had classes again. Went to the same Kon Lo Mee shop again... This time ka liau... Yummy!

  

Day 14 - Kon Lo Mee (ka liau)

Feb 27: A coffee shop

The last day of CNY ended with mom's home-cooked dinner together with Unc Tom, Aunt Laura and Anna (Vic's gf).

 

Day 15 - Mom's home-cooked delights

Feb 28: Home

I know it's already way too late to ask but I'd ask anyway...

How was your CNY? :)