September has come around again, which means, it’s mom & dad’s birthday!

It’s the month where I annually surprise them with a trip back home – but wait a sec – If I return home every year for their birthday without fail, guess that’s not so much of a surprise anymore, eh?

Anyway. I booked a trip back a few days ago but guess what? I missed my flight.

Yep. Don’t ask why or how. Meh.

I began racking my brains on how to go back on such a short notice. I didn’t want to miss being home for mom & dad’s birthday for the world!

Being the Malaysia Day long weekend + school holidays, I can bet my bottom dollar that the highways will be full if I decide to get on a bus. Thankfully, buddyEdwin & his brother was scheduled to visit Penang the next day at 2am (to avoid the traffic I suppose?).

I immediately hopped on for a ride. Phew. At least I didn’t need to waste the flight back to KL. Thanks Ed!

Throughout the long journey, I was prepping this blog post for the birthday celebration – only to realize I haven’t shared the pictures FROM THEIR BIRTHDAY LAST YEAR!

Drats. Yes yes, just so you know, I have at least 2 years of backlog for this blog. Forgive me, time isn’t a luxury for me at all  🙁

Anyway, speaking of which, here’s what went down during their birthday in 2013!

 I took them to Flamingo Hotel in Batu Fehringgi for a Seafood Buffet.

Flanked by mom & dad. From this picture. I can safely guess what’s going on in your mind.

Yes, I am tall. I know.

But… believe me, being a tall Asian girl in an Asian country really sucks.

One day, if time permits a lengthy rant of a blog article, I will tell you why.

But that’s another story…

Back to the birthday last year. It’s us – and dearest kakak in tow!

The hospitality of the waiting staff was commendable, while the restaurant was large, brightly-lit and spacious.

Just one of our favorite meals at the seafood buffet spread!

Cheese-baked mussels and scallops.

 Daddy was a very happy boy that night.

Judging by the amount of prawns, crabs, and shrimps he took, I think I’m pretty sure he was. He also went back for seconds and thirds! Hurrah! Mission accomplished 😛

My beautiful parents – say hi to mom & dad!

 And of course, yours truly.

 The buffet spread was so extensive that they even had more choices at the patio by the swimming pool, which mostly consisted of barbequed choices and roasts.

 So glad kakak enjoyed herself too – she stuffed herself silly! Hahaha.

 Momsie and I always have room for dessert…

 Then again, don’t we all?

 Birthday cakes do count as dessert too! 😀 Happy birthday dearest mom & dad!

Big hugs! Love you to the moon and back mom!

After dinner, we decided to unbuckle our belts and unwind with a short stroll around the vicinity of the hotel.

The al-fresco and poolside area was looking pretty magnificent at night, so why not?

 All lit-up at night.

 The trio by the poolside bench.

Too fantastic a night-light scene not to take a selfie!

Can’t deny how serene and breathtaking the ambiance was.

Seeing that typical ‘official’ and rigid family photoshoots taken in studios with a wallpaper of meadows and bookshelves as the portrait background with results so overly contrasted and flawlessly airbrushed, isn’t my thing at all, I came up with a random idea.

It’s time for some fun, unofficial and an impromptu family photoshoot!

 Which reminds me, I actually want to get these printed,

blown up into an 8R and framed in my room.

 Take two!

One last shot for Instagram and for the road! That’s a wrap for le folk’s 2013 birthday celebration.

Thanks for sticking around with me during the long car ride. It’s fast-forward to the year 2014 now.

We’ve just arrived Penang. Did you forget that I was still on the North-South Highway heading back home? 😛

Dolled up for brunch for mom & dad’s birthday!

Needless to say, I didn’t have even a wink of sleep, but I didn’t want to fall into slumber upon arrival because the time taken for my snoozes could very well be used to spend time with le folks on this shortened trip.

And I know it’s gonna be worth it.

This year, mom, dad and I  went to our all-time favorite buffet place, Coffee Garden in Hotel Equatorial, Penang.

I don’t remember how many millions of photos we took here in our lifetime.

My family has  been regularly patronizing this place ever since I was a toddler, to a kid, to a teenager, and finally, to the young adult I am now.

Almost two decades have passed and we still love this place to bits.

  I’m genuinely amazed how the food standards are impressively maintained (if not better!) and even more so, how this place can remain this evergreen after all these years. Thumbs up!

Greeted to this upon entering the restaurant!

Here are some of the choices from the continental and local spread.

Didn’t manage to snap all of them as hey, tummies were a priority here.

See Kor Theng – a Chinese delicacy that I’m not to familiar with

The Hungarian Beef Goulash was fabulous!

Nasi Lemak table with lots and lots of condiments!

Yum yum!

Appease the oriental side in you.

More mouthwatering delights!

The sashimi & cold cut table – one of my favorite platters of the buffet!

Equatorial Hotel certainly has a breathtaking view of the residential bungalows, the condominiums in the near distance and of course, Bukit Jambul Country Club’s golf course.

Aerial shot of mom & dad’s selection.

More random choices!

Just HAD to snap this picture of mom & dad with the superb view behind them.

Hi! Mom & dad aren’t the only people enjoying the food. Hehe!

Satay tops my list!

Fruits! Fruits! Oh, glorious fruits!

You’re probably wondering… where’s the meat?

Well here it is! Tasty and succulent no doubt!

Happy tummy today! #cheatday

Here’s some more of my fave picks!

Can’t be more blessed to have parents like them. Also, I was really glad I made it back despite the circumstances.

We had a very intimate family lunch and shared lots of banter as well as deep-diving into serious discussions of life, love, politics and other general knowledge. Such a gathering between the three of us is indeed priceless!

Okay, dessert time. How can anyone not have space for desserts?

Ice Kacang!

Happy mama at the dessert table!

Oh my goodness, they serve New Zealand Natural ice cream. Love it!

Our favorite dessert of all – Bread & Butter Pudding!

No idea how they made it THIS IRRESISTIBLE!

*mental note to self: gotta attempt making this one day*

Family selfie to end the celebration!

Happy birthday again, mom & dad. May you both stay young at heart and brilliant in more ways than ever!

Wake me up when September ends, you say? Well… the time has come!

Tomorrow marks not only the start of a new week, but a start of a new month as well.

Yup, it's OCTOBER! *throws confetti* 

Anyway, my week has been a very pleasant & busy one. I was back in Penang for a few days to visit my folks. 

Outfit of the day!

If you're wondering if I'm dressed more smartly & corporately than usual, I am.

Mom and I attended a High-Tea buffet event at G-Hotel organized by The Star. Full of who's who in the business & corporate world, mom hinted that I should probably dress the part as well. LOL!

We had delicious sweet and savoury high-tea meals in a platter on our table.

My fave was the mussels served in a spoon! They were so juicy 

And then we did some shopping at the adjacent Gurney Plaza right after. Just like old times.

It's one of those mother-daughter things we used to do, back when I didn't move out of home yet.

Having a good night's sleep with my Lavender essential oil from The Body Shop after I returned to KL

Mom somehow got me into the whole aromatherapy burning thing again.

It's quality times like this, that I miss immensely about home. I guess home is always where he heart is.

We must not forget that while we're busy growing up, our parents are growing old as well

Okay, enough nostalgia. On to the more adreanalin-pumping, body-rocking stuff, hey? 

Did Monday's routine at the gym in our clubhouse, Bukit Jambul Country Club Penang

Imparted some fitness tips to mom too. She's a great gym partner – at 50, mind you!

I swear, when I hit half a century, imma be as fit – if not fitter than – she is. Hats off to this lady I call my mother!

Burning approximately 500 calories after my cardio & workout routines kinda gives me the munchies.

I have a knack of indulging in VERY sinful food as well. But no matter, at least I burn them off almost everday.

Triple Cheese Mozzarella Garlic Naan from Murni @ SS2, Petaling Jaya

You think that's bad?

Wait till you see this. Oh and if you care, I'm also eating a rich Chocolate Fudge cake now as we speak.

It's the Double Down by KFC!!

Yup, it's here… it's finally here! The KFC Zinger Double Down 

BoyfieKon and I ate this in Australia sometime last year. I think I might dedicate a blogpost to this! 

One of my godsistas came over to hang out & spent a couple of days with me.

Guess what we did apart from having dinners, doing our assignments and shisha-ing?

I brought her….. to the gym LOL

Part of Thursday's routine

This week, I am thankful for my cat. 

My prized possession. My bundle of joy. My forever-attention-seeking fluffball. My affectionate little boy.

No, he is not at all as fierce as he looks. He wouldn't even hurt a fly.

Chivas is the most docile cat I've ever known.

I guess babyChivas inherited those traits from his purebred Ragamuffiin/Ragdoll mother 

If I ain't wrong, that breed is well-known for their innate characteristics of having a very placid temperament.

Confused babyChivas as to where I'm taking him LOL

Brought him to the vet for his usual check-up.

Gotta make sure my boy hasn't got any dysfunctional illness or caught any diseases from anywhere!

Look at the new Witch Hat scratch post mommy & daddy bought for you! 

Came across this while surfing the web. Caught my attention and reduced me to giggles,

I can already think of a number of people whom can relate to this haha! 

Yup… better not marry someone like that.

Lest you have kids that go..

LOLOLOLOLOL

If you're a gamer and feel the need to smash my head on your grime-filled keyboard and sweat-laden mouse after reading this, don't. You won't score any points or go to the next level if you kill me. 

Obviously, I was joking. I've dated a few gamers before in my life & they're pretty cool, nonetheless.

On Friday, I caught sight of a very exciting yet dreamy-like spectacle in the night sky. 

As I live on the highest floor of my condominium, I was lucky enough to have the kaleidoscope of colours and fireworks in my direct line of vision.

I honestly wondered though, what's the occasion on the 28th September ?

NO FREAKIN' CLUE. 

So pretty! I just couldn't stop spamming my shutter button!

Check out this pretty cute song by a Swedish artist.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS6wfWu0JvA&feature=player_detailpage

Song of the week! Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers

 Although it is very unlikely of me to actually fancy an Indie Pop song like this, this is an exception. It was introduced to me by one of my French buddies. Stuck in my head since then! 

Today is boyfieKon's birthday! We had a splendid celebration 

I bought him an Arnold Palmer wallet and double-buckled belt. Gave it to him at the stroke of midnight!

Could tell that he absolutely loved it!  I'm glad.

Plus, he has this uncanny liking towards the smell of fresh, new 100% leather. LOL

Headed to The Apartment-cum-Malones in The Curve for a simple birthday lunch.

Outfit of the day! American Invasion 

The birthday boy had Jamie's Duck Pasta Fettucine 

I had Grilled Chicken with Creme Fraiche, Spinach with Dill Mash *highly recommended!*

Wouldn't recommend the Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Spaghetti that Pam ordered as it was rather bland to her

We finished off (or rather, started!) with the Chocolate Brownie

I'd have it again, it was that good! 

At night, we adjourned to our table-for-two affair

BoyfieKon & I proceeded to Concorde Hotel KL for the birthday dinner which I planned secretly just for him.

Outfit of the night!

Drew a little inspiration from Playboy Bunny

Last year, we celebrated his birthday in a full Playboy Bunny & Suit Up party in Melbourne!

So… that kinda explains why I wanted to re-live a little of last year's moments. 

Ordered their best-selling Chocolate Fudge cake & had GANGNAM BUFDAY KON deliberately written on it

It's an inside joke.

Dinner was simply marvellous. I cannot thank Concorde Hotel KL enough for our wonderful evening 

 *full blogpost coming soon!*

That marks the end of my seven days this week. What does October have in store for me?

October? Geez. I dread to be reminded that it's already October. That's two more months till the end of the year.

How time flies, right? Are you any closer to completing those New Year Resolutions already?

If not, you better get your arse moving. You only have approximately 90 more days to achieve that. 

Heading off to the gym now, dear readers

HAVE A GANGNAM WEEK AHEAD OF YOU!

Oh, did you know that Psy's Oppa Gangnam Style has hit the Number 1 spot in the UK Billboard Top 100, making it the first in Asian music history?  Now you do 

Much love,

Jessicat

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The Sunday Times is a new once-a-week series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to share recommendations for to-go places and to-eats throughout the week

Some of the photos in this edition are posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr & Facebook as it happens.

So follow me to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around!