It's been a few days since Despicable Me 2 premiered in Malaysian cinemas and well, the emphasis of this sequel this time round is centered around Gru's minions.

Yup, you know what I'm talking about.

Those animated, incoherent little yellow stumps ARE EVERYWHERE! 

Okay, they're cute… and funny (looking!), I suppose.

Seriously, the craze about those tiny minions in Despicable Me 2 is starting to get to me.

Almost everyone I know are going bananas over those little minions that coincidentally, also resembles stunted bananas LOL. Am I the only one who's not obsessed over them? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnvy1gpZa7M

Some scenes from Despicable Me 2 on the minions in question.

Almost every single post I skim through on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are about them.

Even McDonald's Malaysia ever so cleverly tapped onto the market and

created a new collectible merchandise consisting of the popular minions.

I find myself not riding on the craze, thankfully, lest I spend even more money than I already am.

Jumping on the minions' bandwagon is the last thing on my mind. 

Looks like your minions have discovered their newfound fame, Gru.

I've gotten a few requests/challenges to sing the minions' banana potato song.

You should know me by now. Here's my first attempt.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Jul 10, 2013 | You challenged me, so here it is! Jessicat's BABABANANA POTATOOOO #minions song. My first attempt! Enjoy lah.

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In retrospect, McDonald's Malaysia really know how to entice their fans – they always have! 

Aku tidak lupa dekad yang lalu, semasa McD menjual koleksi mereka yang digemari ramai. Ingat tak?

Who remembers collecting the entire Sesame Street merchandise by McDonalds circa 1995?

I have them at home! My godmom collected the entire set.

McTeddy Bear craze in 1999

Can hardly find any photos of it on the internet but here's the bathrobe version!

Those Sesame Street series and McTeddy Bear series were sold when I was only a little kid.

Read: NO buying power LOL. 

This year, I found myself completing the recent set of collectibles by McDonalds – the Hello Kitty series!

As big of a fan of Hello Kitty as I am, the thought of collecting McDonalds' Hello Kitty merchandise didn't even cross my mind. I don't particularly fance queuing up for a toy.

But eventually, I did. It all began when Konzy surprised me with the first one.

On my laptop. McD x Hamburglar 

At Mcd with my very first McD merchandise. Thanks love! 

And so I thought that was that. After all, Hamburglar looked pretty cute.

But when next week came, Grimace came knocking on my door, thanks to Konzy again.

At home. McD X Grimace

Grimace Hello Kitty with my furkid, Chivas.

Clearly, he wasn't too amused with another cat in the house.

When I went to office on Monday, I was surprised to see many Hello Kitties on my colleague's desk.

Wow. Looks like a man of 40 collects them too.
Terkejutnye aku, apabila mengetahui bahawa rakan sekerjaku juga mengumpul koleksi ini!

On my office desk. Third plushie: McD x Birdie

Birdie Hello Kitty got me hooked.

Since I already have the third one, might as well finish the collection, right? 

The last and final one was finally up for grabs.

Evidently, this should be the most popular one, seeing that it is Ronald McDonald, the pivotal mascot of McDonald's himself.

On my home work-desk. McD X Ronald McDonald

Like I said above, I never intended to collect any of them, but Konzy kinda got the ball rolling when he surprised me with the first version. And since then, I was hooked on to getting the entire set.

Gotta catch ‘em all, eh? 

Speaking of which, if McDonalds ever came up with Pokemon merchandise, you'll find me queueing up at their counters everyday LOL. Ardent fan of Pokemon here!

P/S – I can still sing the Pokerap and still remember the first 251 Pokemon names before the ugly ones came about.

Anyway, here they are. My collection of McD X Hello Kitty merchandise.

Don’t they look adorable siting prettily in a neat line, fringing my desk? I love them so! 

Sorry, dear minions. I think I'll pass this round! 

Hey everyone! I’m back from Indonesia!

It’s so good to be home on the Malaysian soil once more.

Was very sad to leave Indonesia so soon though! 

Admittedly though, this four day escape to our neighbouring country really did me well.

Those of you who have me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook would know darn well how stressed and emotional I was regarding the political turmoil happening in Malaysia, biased news coverage, headlines on our mainstream media and never-ending protests in our nation’s battle for democracy. 

Black days of mourning with my nation in protest of the breach of democracy 

Keperitanku tidak dapat diluahkan dalam perkataan. Kurasa ditipu oleh pemimpin sendiri!!

This had me following each and every update in the news pertaining to the tumultuous situation; getting so riled up in the process.

At that point, I wished I could just shut my eyes and just forget about all the troubles we were facing… or better yet, jet-set to another country for a while.

And I did.

Thanks to the US and Indonesian ASEAN committee, it's good thing that my trip to Indonesia for ASEAN Blogger Festival 2013 was scheduled last Thursday. 

I was invited to be a panel speaker during the conference. My session was 'Photoblogging' where I spoke about photoblogging, and addressed issues of the rise of photo-heavy content and incorporating photography into social media.

Thank you for having me! And kepada semua participant yang menghadiri session saya, terima kasih!

I hope you have learnt a thing or two 

How coincidental! Just what I needed – a moment to focus on my passion instead of my sorrows.

After three days of conferences, I'm home.

I’ve just landed in KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and 

feeling lethargic from all the travelling and transiting!

Now that I'm back, I don’t know if I should catch up with where I left off? 

Sebenarna, aku sudah tidak tertahan dengan keadaan huru-hara politik ini!! 

I’m still keeping myself in the dark about our political updates as we speak.

Succumbed enough to the political outrage. I guess… sometimes, ignorance is bliss after all.

I'm a happier person that way.

So anyway, what’s been happening this week? A LOT.

Here's a little recap! 

Attended Global Sound System – the official dance party of Music Conference Asia 2013!

Full blog coverage up soon!

Attended the Heineken Kick-Off to Ibiza beach party at The Mines Wellness Hotel

Full blog coverage up soon!

Headed back to gym to continue my daily routines

Let's get it on!

I cannot stress this enough, always remember to hydrate!

Your output of perspiration needs more input of h20! 

Here are some of the post-workout food I cooked this week.

Due to popular request (or rather, demands from you all! ), I will also run a series of cookbook articles where I will be sharing the recipes of cooking clean food and low-calorie meals when the revamp of the new face of my blog is launched, okay?

Grilled lemon-butter herb salmon and organic wholewheat durum spaghetti bolognaise

with mushrooms & chopped chives – all on top of a bed of crisp, fresh lettuce

A platter of rosemary & thyme grilled zucchini with low-fat cottage cheese,

roasted baby carrots, tomato, chick peas & black eyed peas

with baked pears for that extra, natural sweetness!

Wholegrain oats with soy milk, toasted banana slices sprinkled

with chocolate protein powder and sunflower seeds
 

Grilled salmon with sides of honey-baked baby carrots,

garlic pea sprouts and organic sunflower seeds

A power combo sandwich of tuna, omega eggs, organic brown flax seeds,

hemp & lettuce on traditional wheat bran toast.

Quick breakfast of Chocolate Protein Oats with apples, soy and flax seeds

Tuna salad with chickpeas, hardboiled eggs and lettuce

Spent time cuddling my kittyboy Chivas at home after my four days of absence.

I can't tell if he loves me or not, as my cat is seemingly incapable of expressing emotions 

Tetapi biarkanlah. I'll just love him anyway, regardless! 

To me, I enjoy loving and letting love surround me. 

There are many types of love, yes? It really doesn't matter if the feelings of the other person/animal/item are mutual.

If you love someone/something, it makes your world go round. To resonate with love and affection gives me a certain glow of happiness and a sheen of joy!  

Tak setuju? Well, when you love someone, it makes you happy, right?

Your argument is invalid 

Was surprised with a McDonald's Hamburglar X Hello Kitty!

Was surprised again last week with the McDonald's Grimace X Hello Kitty!

I wasn't the only one being surprised. We decided to give babyChivas a girlfriend.

He didn't seem too amused nor fascinated with his new companion. Boo-hoo! 

Aight, it's time to hit the sack. 

It's been a long weekend and a brand new working week beckons us

Colleagues and I fooling around at work during breaktime.

Also, how often do we turn up in the same pattern of workwear? Never. Totally worth a photo!

Before I end this post, let me wish my dearest mother, godmother, nanny and grandmother…

"No language can express the power, beauty, heroism and majesty of a mother's love.

It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of

worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star"

Dear mommies, your presents are with me! Await them when I see you at the end of this month 

So sorry I couldn't be home to take all of you out, as I just touched down from Indonesia only this afternoon.

What about you? I do hope you had a great time with your mothers, or at least, remembered to personally wish her a very Happy Mother's Day.  

Even the fact that we, their children, had them in our thoughts, would mean so much to them. Yup, mothers are really that selfless… or at least mine are! 

Sometimes, people tend to forget how the simplest things in life can be the most extraordinary.

But not for me. It’s always the simplest, tiniest surprises that makes the little girl in me most delighted!

Or… could it probably be just an excuse for me to eat ice-cream? 

Terpulanglah kepada saudara-saudari bagaimana nak mengerti! Hehehe 

Have a lovely week ahead, 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 photos were posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & my Mini LIVE Blog

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

Good evening folks!

This week’s The Sunday Times had been delayed as I’ve been out of the country for that famed beach rave & turned into a hungover zombie over the weekend.

But yes, I’m back in Malaysia already and my past seven days have been a whirlwind!

The start of my week gave me a very invigorating experience. I’m honoured to be one of the select few to dine with a brand-new concept to hit Malaysia’s food & beverage scene.

I was invited to try the ‘Dining in the Dark KL’ by Werner’s on Changkat

*blogpost HERE!*

Spent some time in Pavilion KL and checked out Burberry’s latest Autumn/Winter collection.

Had been eyeing something in particular the moment I spotted it on London Fashion Week.

Wanna see? 

It’s now here in Malaysia! The Burberry Prorsum Alma Gold Fox Clutch! 

Had dinner with Konzy, Pam & Rama thereafter at Komugi Cafe in Tokyo Street @ Pavilion KL

I recommend the Pumpkin Soup served in a bread bowl & the baked marble cheesecake! 

Indulged in some Jap cuisine at Shogun Japanese Buffet @ 1 Utama for lunch the next day

Made time for my workout routines at the gym.

Don’t have time for gym? MAKE BLOODY TIME! 

Monday madness!

Wacky Wednesdays!

You’re running on guts. On fumes. Your muscles twitch. You throw up. You’re delirious.

But you keep running because there’s no way you’re not crossing the finish line.

It’s a misery that non-runners don’t understand.

– Martine Corstello

Can’t wait for the run at the end of the week!

Had some extra time on my hands and thought I deserve some pampering.

Gave myself a pretty manicure with my new nail lacquer from OPI!

A deep shade of red, aptly named Bastille My Heart.

Oh don’t remind me -_-“

Had a good breakfast the very next day…

Honey Oats with Roasted Almonds & a dollop of Peanut Butter!

And off I went to Singapore for an extended weekend of my annual pilgrimage… ZoukOut 2012! 

So much to say, show & share the footages in my next blogpost, but first here are two photos that somewhat summarizes both my days at ZoukOut!

ZoukOut 2012 Day 1

ZoukOut 2012 Day 2!

Surprisingly, I was supremely kind to my wallet (and bank account!) this time round!

I used to incur exorbitant expenses each time I’m in Singapore all because of the shopping at twice the amount of money; no thanks to exchange rates! 

For this trip, guess how much I spent in Singapore, in total?

Only RM250 for four days! Amazeballs, if I do say so myself 

The bulk of my expenses all went to commuting via public transportation and of course, good food.

If it’s something I’ve learnt throughout the years, it’s to never to be stingy on food.

Nothing more satisfying than a good meal of something you really enjoy eating! 

Here are some of the food I ate whilst in Singapore:

Teppanyaki Chicken McGrill from McDonalds!

Before you snort at my eating McD of all things in another country, it’s because we don’t have that in Malaysia!

Neither do we have pork bacon in our McBreakfasts, for obvious reasons. 

Ergo, I literally PIGGED OUT when I dined in Singapore!

The next meal I had was:

The popular Bak Chor Mee (Minced Pork Noodles with Pork Balls) from Bedok 85!

Fried Oysters with Eggs | A combo of both Black and White Carrot Cakes! (aka turnip cakes)

I was quite exasperated that night. Hear me out?

The stall owner refused to speak in English with me when I placed my order in English.

I tried communicating with her in English; only to be responded in Mandarin, again & again. 

Fine. Assuming she couldn’t speak a word of English, I mustered all the little Mandarin I knew and spoke to her quite terribly, after much struggle.

The next thing I know, when my Caucasian boyfriend placed his order with her, she smugly spoke in (simple yet fluent!) English to him.

Got trolled. JESUS CHRIST, WOMAN! You made me go through all that hassle for nothing LOL!

The next day, my lovely host & buddy June took us out to Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar @ Clarke Quay

As if the waterfront view isn’t fabulous enough, here are some photos of our scrumptious feast!

I had some personal favorites! 

Allow me to list my recommendations 

Among those which topped my list were: Bacon-wrapped Prawns with Tomato Salsa, Grilled Squid with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction, Leg of Lamb Stew with Courgettes & Aubergines, Beef Tenderloin Cubes sauteed with Olive Oil & Garlic and finally, the Pan-fried Cod with Poached Onion 

I had my first Vegan Burger at ZoukOut 2012 from Vegan Burg.

The patties were made of soy with plum sauce. Tasted rather odd and bland to me 

Perhaps I just wasn’t used to it. After all, it is a far cry from the usual meat & cheeseburgers!

Sorry environmentalists, looks like I’ll always love my meat 

The next night, we had Vietnamese baguettes from Bag★ette : The Viet Inspired Deli at Vivo City.

Chicken for me, and pork for him.

The baked cheesecake that came with the set was very light, smooth and soft to the touch.

The type that melts in your mouth! Would someone deliver it all the way to Malaysia? 

***

Apart from my extreme dosage of bottles and bottles of Meiji low-fat milk…

…which I never fail to pick up whenever there was a 7-11 in my immediate vicinity, I had my favorite Weissbrau mango beer with some friends, at Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant @ Raffles City.

Drink up! 

The final day in Singapore saw us having a goodbye lunch with June dearest 

I had Claypot Glass Noodles with Soft Shell Crab in Thai Express @ Vivo City

Well recommended! I loved this to bits 

Farewell Singapore!

Although I love your little country, I’ll always be glad to cross over the causeway back to Malaysia where I regain unlimited 3G data on my iPhone and where we can smoke (for smokers!) or chew gum anywhere we please without so much as a fine 😛

Dropped by Chilis Bar & Grill for some pub grub.

Cajun Club Sandwich for him & Southwestern Eggrolls for me

Needless to say, I had a splendid week! Hope yours was just as fun-filled as mine

Have a perfect seven days ahead of you! Seize every day like it’s your last 

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!

So we were on the way up the hill on the lowest gear ever to Genting Highlands and finally reached the Cable Car skytrain after 40minutes. But alas, the skytrain was closed! 🙁 🙁

The homies and I were dejected but we decided to drive up furthermore anyway.

BUT JUST BEFORE TANNIE TURNED THE IGNITION, WE CAUGHT SIGHT OF THIS :

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAyAeSzP8Ss

Hmmmmmm… looks like the monkeys are having a jolly good time feasting on our McDonalds breakfast!

Initially the car windows were open but when those monkeys were getting a little vicious, we winded the window back up.

Glad we fed them a wee bit of breakfast for a change! Should there be a monkey swarm at the nearest McD, don't look at us! 😛 😛