The Journey of a Distort Soul....

Arief eating Cendol in Taiping...

We went back to Taiping on 1st May 2008 (Labour Day); and we make our usual stop at Cendol :-)

Muhin @ Last of the Mohicans Wedding...

Muhin is finally getting married. He is the last of my entourage in Taiping; Fazlan got married first followed by Mahadir; then Mahadi, Pai and myself. BTW Fazlan & Mahadir have two kids while Mahadi, Pai and myself have one. So Muhin; be prepared to fork out many RM in the next coming Raya. We arrived at the wedding at around 1.30pm; Mahadir & Pai was already there. Muhin is in the house; photo taking session with the relatives I guess. Arief was asleep so Eliza ate first. Fazlan & Mahadi came at around 1.45pm. We manage to grab a hold of Muhin at around 2pm++ and he politely introduce us to his wife; and I used the word; "Thanks for Kahwin". We took pictures with the bride and groom;  magnificent with their green and purple ensemble. Fazlan propose for us to play mini football at the Lake Garden in the evening. We duly came; scattered as it may seems at our own time but we did enjoy the gatherings (the last time we played here is when Mahadir came back from US and we played American football). Arief didn't join with Eliza as they were sleeping at home. We decided to organize a trip, maybe during the school holidays. Hopefully this will materialize :-)

Hari Raya Haji 2007...

We went back to Taiping on Thursday morning after I finished solat raya at Masjid Al-Mawaddah Seksyen 7. We manage to grab some breakfast at McDs and fetch Fazlin at around 10.30am. The journey was smooth initially until we reach Behrang; it took us about one hour and a half to reach Sungkai. It was a bad accident involving four cars and one passenger bus. It was quite scary watching the condition of the third car; we prayed that the occupants survive the accident. We arrived in Taiping by 3.30pm (5 hours drive). My mom had already prepared Laksa and Nasi for us; as well as bubur nasi for Arief. We went to Matang that night for dinner, sup tulang. Arief was enjoying the company of his cousins in Matang and Pokok Assam. He played from evening to night. We went back to Sri Kota for some needed R&R at around 11pm and Arief couldn't sleep. Eliza had to hold him standing up before he fell asleep; finally at 3am :-)

Aveo, 5 hours and Birthday...

We went back to Taiping to celebrate Arief birthday in Pokok Assam. We start our journey at around 10.30am, later than my usual 8am. We drove in two cars, our Honda and the Aveo. Eliza nephew, Haziq rides with us and Fadzli drove the Aveo with my father-in-law @ Abah (the Aveo had some minor problems with it's aircond on Thursday ; one of the hose leak). The journey was find until we passes Sg Buloh when it started to jam; massively (big problem for the Aveo as no air-cond). I decided to use the old route through Rawang. From Rawang, I took a wrong turn going to Kuala Selangor. Luckilly I realized it early. We make a U-Turn back proceed back to the right route. It was jam too, mild as compared to the NKVE. We entered NKVE back via Tg Malim and it was clear. The drive from there onwards was smooth but as we reached Bkt Gantang, the jam started again. It was due to a broken down trailer on the left side of the highway. We actually killed time by talking via the walkies. We reached Pokok Assam at around 3.30pm; 5 hours (usually 3 hours the maximum). My mom already prepared a small birthday party for Arief with pulut kuning for his birthday cake; complete with party hats. Arief did the pulut cutting with my mom. BTW Nasi Briani is the main course and we ate all out. Arief got his first motorcycle toy and a musical car :-)

Roti Canai Bismillah...

I went to eat Roti Canai at Bismillah restaurant with Haza and Dodi. It was the first time for both of them and I shared with them the history of Bismillah restaurant and Taiping famous cendol. The cendol guy used to ply his trades outside the Bismillah Restaurant, using the cart with bicycle. A long wooden chairs is provided by the cart but most of the customers will eat standing up or inside the Bismillah Restaurant. Now they sell the cendol in a proper shops. The Roti Canai in Bismillah is famous. During festive season, the Q is tremendous and you will have to come really early to avoid the crawl. We ordered one each with Teh Tarik and Nescafe Tarik for Haza. The roti canai is less oily and the gravy, a mixture of dhall and "spicy serbuk" is simply awesome. It was delicious and we ordered another round :-)

Jam in the Pizza Hut...

We went to Pizza Hut for Eliza's family dinner. We thought it would be empty but it was full to the max. We couldn't get a table that can accomodate all of us (10 in total). Not giving up that easily, I went back in managed to secure two separate tables. As we were about to order our meals, one big tables was empty and we immediately moved in. The waiter had a torrid time figuring out our orders as it came from two separate tables initially. He finally managed to resolve it and we duly received our meals. Well partly as the garlic sticks was served with the pizza. Pity we had to sip the soup without the bread. Arief was sleeping during dinner, it was quite noisy though but Arief slept soundly. We went home by 10.30pm and I went to my grandmother house for supper. We organized a small family gatherings with meals bought from "Pasar Malam Changkat Jering". I was full from Pizza Hut but it does not stop me from eating satay. murtabak and putu piring. Again, I overdose on food :-)

Dentist and Hair Saloon...

We went to the local dentist this morning as Eliza "gigi bongsu" been giving her problem for months. We did went for the dentist in Shah Alam but they quote us RM400 for the whole process plus RM70 for the X-ray. We hope that Taiping dentist won't cost that much. We were suprised when the Doctor told us that the cost will only be RM30. That was cheap. We did asked why others charge so exhorbitantly and the Doctor says, "Is all drama, I can do that too. I ask you to do an x-ray and I charged you RM100++ for it. There is no other way to solve your problems. Just pull the bad tooth out. Simple as that". It saves us a lot and it took only 10 minutes to finish the process. After that both of us went to the Hair Saloon. Eliza went to a small saloon in "Perumahan Hijau" and I went to WELCOME @ RUBY Hair Saloon. They still remember me; I went there with my late father throughout my childhood days and it has been close to 25 years. The place still look and smell the same. We arrive home just nice for the lunch buffet at my grandmother house with Acu Din and his family. Acu Din was here since Friday and Mak Su came with Dodi, Haza and Dekda today. I really like the "kerabu mangga" and chicken curry :-)

IKEA and night driving to Taiping...

We were supposed to make our journey in the evening to Taiping but we went to IKEA first. We are looking for a new wardrobes for our master bedroom and we finally decided to buy the RAMBERG unit. It was on sale, RM200 less. We also bought a single bed frame for Fadzly, also on sale. It was nearly 7pm when we finished our shopping and we decided to have our dinner there. Meatballs is today "Members Special", so we got RM1 discounts and I ordered Herb Chicken. The herb chicken is delicious. Arief was busy playing with the IKEA brochures and children utensils. He kept on throwing the utensils and make noises if we didn't pick it up for him (Arief knows how to manipulate us). We started our journey to Taiping at around 8pm from Kota Damansara. I make a brief toilet stop at Tapah RNR and we reached Taiping by 10.30pm. My mom had already prepared supper and as usual, I overdose on the foods :-)

Kanna Banana Leaf Rice...

We were supposed to go to a wedding in Bangi today but instead we went to Kanna PJ for lunch to meet up with Eliza's Convent friends as Puspan is in town (She resides in Sri Lanka). As I am clueless on  where it is, I surf the net for information and got it from monsterblogs. We arrived there at around 12.30pm and the place is already buzzing with customers. We managed to find a table at the air-cond section, ordered our banana leaf rice and waited for them to arrive. Actually the girls was already there and had booked a table with one baby chair for Arief.

The curry was thick and nice. We took chicken masalla, squids, mutton masalla, beancurd and fried chicken. Arief is busying tearing the banana leaf as he can easily grasp anything in his sight. I personally like the pineapple, cucumber and onion veggies. The fried chicken is delicious but the mutton and squid is just acceptable. The dessert is excellent, soya jelly with longan and Arief agrees with me. It was an enjoyable lunch outing for all of us; Eliza met her Convent friends, Arief played with the banana leaf and enjoyed the dessert. And me, truly enjoy the feast as I was suffering from a major stomach discomfort yesterday morning :-).

Chakri Palace Gatherings...

This was our second gatherings (the first in 2005, same venue) with Elizabeth and her husband Chris. FYI, Elizabeth is Eliza classmate in SMK Convent Taiping. She is now working and residing in Australia. It has become an annual trip for them and us as well, meeting them at Chakri Palace KLCC for lunch or dinner. This time, it is only us and Ai Ping with her son (few months older than Arief) as her husband is recovering from a flu. BTW this is the first time Arief sat in the baby chair. I do like the appetizers, as big as the main course. By the time we started the main course, I am already full but still can squeeze a bit more. Elizabeth and Chris is a lovely couple and I hope they decide to have a baby soon; the more the merrier. Till 2007 then and we will be looking forward to our annual gatherings and by then, Arief is already walking and can sit on his own :-)

Faizal @ Pai Wedding...

I went back to Taiping yesterday for my good friend wedding. Drove like mad as I reach Changkat Jering in 2 hours with an average speed of 140 km/h (inclusive bathroom break and white coffee in Tapah R&R). Sure hope there is no speed trap yesterday.

I have 7 good friends from childhood in Taiping and we are still as close as ever. There's Fazlan @ Lan Kechik, the big brother to all of us (married with 2 childrens and his in-laws makes the utmost delicious nasi ayam). Myself, Azlan @ Lan Kaya (single and very eligible). Mahadir @ Mack (married with 1 children) and his brother Mahadi @ Adi (married and wife expecting in May). Faizal @ Pai (just got married and used to be a Don Juan). Muhin @ Hans Issac Twin (single) and Nasrul @ Acun (married with 2 childrens). And the best part all of us are based in KL :-). I am blessed to have friends who have been there with me since childhood. We have many unforgettable moment together.

Back to Pai Wedding. The food was delicious. Lots of people and the weather is not that bad. Hot but windy. Pai looks dashing in his light green outift, with his bride looking stunning as well. I wish him all the best in his marriage and be blessed with lots of children.

I even have time to have Cendol with all my buddies. Taiping serve the best cendol in Malaysia especially "Ansari's Famous Cendol". On my way back, I drop by to Kuala Kangsar to buy some of their famous Laksa Kuala (Taufik Laksa) for dinner (recommended by my friend). Arrive home around 7pm and was flat out tired. Laksa was excellent. Thought of resting the night away but have a last minute discussion at Alam Sentral (had mango with carrot juice and char kueh teow) of which after that I proceed to De Palma Inn Seksyen 19 Shah Alam for a brief discussion with my new client. A brief discussion that lasted until 1am. I was fighting to keep myself awake during the conversation. Finally arrived home at 1.30am and remember that my car smell like laksa. Need to FeBreeze my car tomorrow morning then :-)