Hello hello folks!

Sorry for not updating for a while, I was relatively busy with keeping busy, going out heaps with buddies, family and also traveling the Penang-Ipoh-KL routes several times back and forth.

One of those journeys in the car

Today will be a quick post. My laptop ran outta juice and I've left the charger somewhere in Penang.

Will blog a proper one soon; am using someone else's laptop now.

Anyway, here's what I've been up to for the past week!

Bid farewell to the other half and sent him off.

He'll be back in Australia for two months!

Had dinner at Pasta Zanmai with buddy Vincent

Highly recommended: Unagi Roll, Smoked Salmon Pizza

& Teriyaki Chicken Spaghetti

My Mr.BFF – Buddy Vincent and I!

9 years of friendship & counting

It was nightfall. I soon set off to GEO's cafe in Sri Hartamas for a hang out and catch-up session with my Aussiemate, Aaron.

He was down in Malaysia for a week!

Shisha take one!

Shisha take two!

My kakis for the night

T'was a splendid session! We had various conversations about almost everything under the sun.

Learnt so much especially about our different and highly contradicting perspectives. We ended it with more karaoke and chats thereafter.

Spotted an epic Superman bike one afternoon

On the road again!

This fortnight's simple nail art I did

(Why does my hand look so wrinkly in this photo OMG!)

Arrived my folk's place in Ipoh!

Remember Penny? Say hi!

Salmon Sashimi at Sushi King with the family

Did some work over a cuppa Cafe Mocha at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf!

Had dinner with Mr. BFF at one of my fave European dining spots ever-

at Indulgence Restaurant & Living!

We had chicken and two pots of tea before heading out for the night.

I didn't have the time for an OOTD shot so this will have to do!

Beer towers of Strongbow Cider!

The night ensued at Bricks & Barrels Gastrobar and Beer Garden, Ipoh with the rest.

It was a memorable night of friendship, reminiscence, drinkies, truth or dare and silly challenges. We made the most of that night like we're gonna die young.

(Yes, I know it's a Kesha song)

My flaming shot – Chocolate Fire! A superb mix of Kahlua, Baileys & Rum

Take my hand, I'll show you the wild side

The morning after felt like my head traversed into an epic wreckage.

Ahhh… hangovers. How I miss thee.

That didn't stop me from making a trip back to Penang later that day.

But going back means having to be apart from my babyChivas (My father, being the only person in the whole world who doesn't like babyChivas)

So I bid adieu to my babyboy. Mr.BFF took over & babysat him while I was away!

Thank you so much!

Being back in Penang, I was able to catch my Aussiemate Carly who was down for her honeymoon.

Just being girls at Austin Chase @ Queensbay Mall

Our afternoon of catching up over food, shopping, coffee, gossip, taking photos, long conversations were plenty fun!

So glad we managed to catch each other this trip.

Oh by the way, since I'm always posting decent photos of myself, here's an ugly photo to balance the ratio up a little LOLOL

So candid! I reckon I was expressing my disgust at something.

Found that picture so unglam yet hilarious at the same time haha!

Headed back home for some kick-ass sessions at the gym

Just part of today's routine, among others

My following week will be spent in Penang, leading up to Chinese New Year.

Being back made me realize how much I miss being in the comfort of my own home I grew up in. Being with the family, having regular home-cooked meals, not having to do my own laundry nor dishes, not having to pay rent.

But on the plus side, I appreciate the freedom and independence that comes with living away from home. I guess you can't have the best of both worlds, huh.

By the end of the week, Mr.BFF came over to Penang and brought me back my son!

Reunited with my boy again made me so happy.

I hope your god daddy has been treating you well!

Here's my current earworm that I relate very well to. Love the music video the most!

Song of the week:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IZgpyeJ7U4

NERVO & Hook N Sling – Reason

Here's wishing you a great seven days ahead!

More to come soon, once I get my laptop charger back

Much love,

Jessicat

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The Sunday Times is a weekly series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to briefly highlight my recommendations for to-go and to-eat places!

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

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

So this is it, eh? The final week of the year 2012.

The beginning of the week was a rather quiet one. 

Spent the time alternating back and forth with my family in Ipoh and Penang!

Did some hiking up Bukit Bangkong in Tanah Hitam

Nature at its best 

As Christmas eve & Christmas day has always been a family affair, I spent it with my family! 

Christmas 2012 blog post – here

The Christmas cake that mom decorated 

Played host again. Took my Aussiemate, Shane, around Georgetown, Penang!

Since he was craving to try some of Penang's best Nasi Kandar, where else would I take him but Nasi Kandar Line Clear along Penang Road? 

Shane & I at Nasi Kandar Line Clear (with the mamak guy)

They had Nasi Briyani! I was over the moon.

Usually, I wouldn't eat Nasi Kandar because I don't eat white rice. But since Nasi Briyani was an alternative, I jumped straight for a nice steamy hot plate of Nasi Kandar with some chicken 

As Konzy and Shane included 2 Giant Tiger Prawns (a specialty of the store!) each, as well as chicken & vegetables in their Nasi Kandar, their bill came up to almost RM30! Mine was only RM8 LOL

My night was spent at Chin's Stylish Chinese Cuisine, a lavish, posh fine-dining restaurant above the sea at QE II (Queen Elizabeth II) 

Lovely! It was splashed with several, varied influences from around the world! 

Chin's serves authentic Sze Chuan, Hunan, Mongolian and Northern Beijing cuisine, but it is certainly not your typical Chinese restaurant, as you can probably tell by the ambience and modern interior design

I'm can't wait to share this place with you, (especially my Chinese readers!) as I will be reviewing Chin's CNY menu, perfect for reunion dinners.

Amazing hand-painted ceramic plates on all the dining tables of Chin's! 

I caught up with some friends over a delightful herbal tea – Fairy Blossom – to be exact. 

It was smoky and had a light floral taste to it. 

Perfect alternative to some of the more commercial types of tea that we see almost everywhere.

After a wonderful week in Penang & Ipoh, it was time to head back to the big city.

I invited mom & kakak to stay with me in KL for the weekend 

As mom has always wanted to visit the i-City in Shah Alam for herself and kakak had always dreamed of sight-seeing KL city, especially the Petronas Twin Towers + KL Tower, I decided that I was going to make it happen for them 

Kakak & I were overlooking the entire KL city + its suburbs on the observation deck of KL Tower 

She was thrilled, completely dumbfounded and left in awe by how KL city looks from up above

No words could describe the joy on my face, upon seeing her euphoric gestures and expressions.

A lil selca-time while she enthuses over the sights of KL with the built-in binoculars

Clearly, I love her very much. My Indonesian maid who has been with me for 20 years.

Over two decades, she has become like another mother of mine and she deserved this weekend among everything else in my capacity to make her happy.

My actual mother, on the other hand, has often expressed her fascination of i-City and how she would love to be there in person to admire the wondrous lights with her very own eyes.

And her wish was my command 

She was mesmerized by the ethereal neon, laser and LED lights surrounding i-City

A full day was spent with them, bringing them around like tourists haha!

The very next day, I took them to the PETRONAS Twin Towers for lunch and some more sight-seeing.

KLCC bracing the storm clouds looming around the city

We decided to eat at the Signature Food Court at Suria KLCC as it had heaps more choices!

It was my first time dining there.

I had the Smoked Norweigian Salmon sandwich with alfafa sprouts and hardboiled egg

and a marble cheesecake.

The former was delicious and hearty but the latter was rather dry and had an unpleasant crumbly texture.

Photo-taking of the twin-towers soon ensured & they went back to Penang soon after.

Today was a rather relaxed Sunday with Konzy!

Dinner at Sakae Sushi

We spent the afternoon running some errands, shopping, reading, eating kebabs, doing groceries, getting a massage, listening to live band/live vocal music, sipping on chocolate drinks at The Obroma Lounge & lots of talking 

Sounds like a typical lazy Sunday, ain't it?

(Photo taken whilst at i-City Shah Alam btw)

Oh and.. my seven days included my latest craze over the adorable Mon Shu girl by Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura's Holiday 2012 collection.

Amazing how two giants in the fashion & beauty world collaborate to produce this dark, iconic, illustrated girl

Mon Shu and I. 

2012's coming to an end. Have you done up your new year resolutions yet?

I've already started on some of them!  

Don't need to wait for a new year to embark on personal goals & reforming habits!

Have a great end to 2012 and welcome 2013 with open arms! 

I'd like to share an original quote of mine which goes, "Don't fret the future, live for the moment and never look back". How true is that?

I've lived by this principle ever since I've got it inscribed onto my body. It made me a more carefree person in life.

Maybe it will help you too?

Much love,

Jessicat

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

The Sunday Times is a weekly series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to briefly highlight my recommendations for to-go and to-eat places!

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

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

This is ridiculous! Time is certainly against me.

I've had 'The Sunday Times' weekly edition published every Sunday for exactly nine consecutive weeks now, it is beyond me how I skipped exactly a month's worth of it!

My last edition was dated 21st October, exactly four weeks ago!

It was before I jetsetted off to Cambodia for a couple of weeks and adjourned to Penang before I could even unpack! Also got into a road accident, sprained my ankle, ran a marathon and brought some lovely Australian tourists around the city.

The past month has been hectic and I apologize for not being timely with the blogposts I promised!

I've decided to revert my approach to blogging back to how I used to be. Timeliness is key. No more pending blogposts for months on end! For now, I shall be kept busy clearing off all my backlog. 

So let's see, where were we?

Dressed up for Halloween 2012 for Zouk KL's Skull Island party with my buddies

So many photos to share! Full blogpost coming soon, I promise! 

Dinner recommendation : Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant @ Sunway Pyramid

My one and ONLY favorite place for mouth-watering pork ribs! 

Packed my bags and was ready to go. I was then flown to Siem Reap, Cambodia on a fully sponsored trip by BlogFest Asia 2012. 

Cambodia Part One's blogpost is up – here! *click*

The majestic Angkor Wat by the 6AM sunrise

And the golden sunset at Phnom Bakheng hilltop

Nine days was too short! I landed back in Kuala Lumpur before I was ready to say goodbye to Cambodia.

A couple of days later, I was whisked away by Carlsberg Malaysia to their secret annual party held in Penang Island this year 

Carlsberg : Where's the Party 2012 blogpost Part One – here! *click*

Coming back to my little island, Penang, was a good way to get away from the city for a while.

It awarded me the time I wanted to spend with mother; in a familiar space

where nothing else used to matter but the comforts of home 

We're 30 years apart but hardly any visible difference, ey? 

Got to spend time with another one of my unsung heroes in life 

My maid/kakak/nanny/housekeeper/another-mother. Already 20 years working with us and counting!

What's Penang Island without it's heritage trail and food hunting?

I took part in the annual Penang Bridge International Marathon 2012 as well.

Full blogpost – here! *click*

Took a roadtrip down south to surprise godmom dearest with a private birthday lunch

at Indulgence Restaurant & Living, Ipoh's most opulent fine dining mansion 

Fully recommended for memorable functions or romantic dates!

Spent the last two days with Konzy's family who flew down all the way from Australia!

Brought them to some local food delights at NZ Garden Cafe 

I recommend this as a perfect spot to bring tourists as it overlooks our Twin Towers!

Had a lovely time with them! 

I hope they bear nothing but good memories of Kuala Lumpur city & Malaysia 

Attended the finale of Kronenbourg 1664's L'Aperitif Fashion

Celebrating the French art of pleasure at Luna Bar, on the roof top of Pacific Regency Hotel!

It was a night of cutting edge fashion, music, merriment, mingling and oh yes, more Blanc, please!

Thank you, Kronenbourg 1664, for having me 

Spent an afternoon in the city in a food review session at La Mexicana KL

Fully recommended for authentic Mexican cuisine! *Full blogpost coming soon*

AND THEN. I didn't know what hit me. I shall blame it on the weather or my idle immune system LOL.

Without any prior symptoms whatsoever, I fell sick with a very high fever the next day 

The closest thing I can get to sick-person food in Old Town restaurant

Ginger Chicken with Steamed Rice and Hot Honey Lemon juice right before taking my dosage of Paracetamol

(Thanks for the meds, Pammy! x)

Just cut up a large platter of fruits – oranges, apples & pears. Will be needing all the Vitamin C I can pump in to be well for tomorrow night's ball! 

The 'Musical Evening for the Children' fund-raising gala evening of music, food and fun is a philanthropic effort by the A Cut Above group to aid the Malaysian Childrens' Aid Society (MACAS).

The one-night-only performance will see a myriad of Malaysia's best local artistes and celebrities serenading us with their various vocal talents and respective musical instruments as well as a hair-show featuring the Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 finalists and so much more! 

I've always believed in lending my support to charity events, to the best I can. In the pursuit of success, one should always take a portion of it to give back to society. Whether it be in cash, kind or even one's own talent and skills of trade…

We all know charity begins at home… but it doesn't have to stop there 

That being said, have a wonderful & blessed seven days ahead of you, dear readers!

Much love,

Jessicat

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

The Sunday Times is a weekly series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to briefly highlight my recommendations for to-go and to-eat places!

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

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

OHMYGOODNESS. Finally. Real snow.

My first touch of snow (albeit through the snow gloves)

oohmy. le snow!

Just before I headed to Sydney for the Easter holidays, I decided to meet up with a friend of mine for some Greek delights.

If you guys have read my tweets on Twitter, yall would've known where I went for this nomfest already!

One of my new fave delicacies – Greek food!

Also, I can't believe I've never had it ever before I came to Aussie

So the Sunday just before I left for Sydney, Grace and I headed to this restaurant to have our Hellenic cuisine 🙂

Right along Bridge Road in Richmond, lay a very cosy 'The Olive Grove' Greek eatery. Bingo!

In for lunchies we go!

I loved the interior to bits.

It was in pristine condition; elaborately decorated, yet still boasted a minimalistic concept

The table set-up had a tinge of fine dining to it

Chandeliers, large wooden-framed mirrors and wenge-like furniture

We were ushered to a nice lil table for two and given the menu.

The first thing we ordered was some unctuous wine to kick-start our palate 🙂

'

Some red and white wine for us ladies, please? 🙂

Carbonello for me and Chardonay for her 😀

Although I do prefer white wine to reds, I reckon a slight venture into an acquired  taste would be nice

So we did some catching up and clinking our wine glasses over funny conversations and itsybitsies of our lives 🙂

I vividly remember how we met for the first time though; on the plane. Yup, you read right.

Grace and I met on our flight to Melbourne, some 2 months ago.

And now, we're sitting here together, having a splendid lunch on an Easter Sunday 😀 What are the odds, ey?

Our food came and it sure looked yummy. Here's what we ate, beginning from the Mezedes:

Skordalia and Melitzana served with Pita Bread

(Greek translation: puree of potatoes, garlic & lemon and roasted smoked eggplant sprea)

They were best served warm. Perfect with the dips

I always love the lemon twang in my food, just like how I enjoy most of my meals extra (black) peppery.

Our mains arrived and oh lookie here, a candid picture of me squeezing the lemon!

Lo and behold, get ready for some food porn! 😛

Our mains are as follows :

Soutzoukakia,Marithes and Chicken Souvlaki

(Greek translation: tomato salsa meatballs, white bait and marinated chicken skewers)

It was so nommy! I loved the meatballs – it was so juicy and rich in flavour. Massive too!

The white bait was more like Malaysian 'ikan bilis' to us LOL talk about familiarity 😛

And the chicken skewers was simply fabulous

Reminds me of grilled chicken satay, back in Malaysia – only yummier!

Kalamari, Keftedes & Loukanika

(Greek translation: Calamari, ground beef mince patties & spicy lamb sausages)

The fried calamari was absolute yum and so were the beef patties!

But I didn't really like the sausage, Grace liked it though. She said it tasted like Taiwanese sausages.

Ok since I'm always smiling and readily posed in most of the photos posted up in my blog, below is a rather unglam photo for you to see. Bleh.

It's me nomming – I don't know what it is – looks like the meatball to me.

Also, we had potato crisps served with our meals too. Just the way I like it –

salty crinkle-cut types! 😀 😀 😀 which is probably why I love Cottage Fries so much.

Hand chopped patates crisps

All's well, end's well.

We had a great catch up lunch and shopping in Melbourne Central followed thereafter 🙂

thanks Olive Grove, for a deliciously good time! 😀

Now I know where to get good Greek food. Here, in Richmond!

There's more Hellenic cuisines in Melbourne city too… and in Oakleigh. Heaps of them 😀

Once again, cheers to friendship unexpectedly brewed from an 8 hour plane ride

We click so well that it's not even funny 😀 Now that's why I love flying…

…for you'll never know who you'll meet during a flight!