Dear friends,
As we come close to the end of 2010, I look back and think to myself. This wasnt a bad year after all. There was sadness, there was happiness, there was resignation and indignation. But through it all, there was KL, there was Malaysia. I ran through heartbreaks, took a literal leap of faith, and danced the night away to a brand new life. I ate... shopped... cried... and pampered myself...
In 2010, I lived.
I will be leaving tonight for Argentina. A trip planned so long and yet not so long ago. Bound for a city of passionate tango and hoping for a return filled with breaks now healed. I look forward to my soulmates waiting for me now on the other side of the world and to turning off my blackberry for two solid weeks.
I look forward to solitude by the glaciers, and hopefully a cup of coffee in my hand with the other hugging an old old friend.
And so, I bid you adieu 2010, for when I return a new year will begin. And I hope with it, new life, new loves and old fashioned happiness, once again.
Cheers all
Happy ending.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Cheese cheese!
For the past week Ive been sent over to our friendly neighbor Jakarta for work. Its been quite a lot of fun being here. Even though a few members of my company are constantly sent over, I myself have never had a chance to work in this city. The people here are without a doubt really really nice, and the entire city has a very service oriented mindset to them. I guess you kind of have to with that many people. Every little bit counts in trying to get higher spending from foreigners.
(The really great view from Hyatt rooftop)
There is of course, the infamous Jakarta traffic you have to contend with... and after getting stuck in one on my first day here I quickly re-strategized my day to make sure I was back in my hotel before the traffic built up... and to continue working from the hotel of course. Otherwise you're pretty much better off staying where you are until about 8:00 p.m. when traffice eases up again.
(The horror!)
I do fly back on Thursday evenings so I have my Fridays in KL. Last Friday I was invited to go for... Cheese Fondue!!
Even though I studied in the States and studied 3 months in Paris, I have yet to have a proper cheese fondue (the kind that doesnt involve microwaving cheese in college days). So we went over to Chalet Suisse in Ampang for some much needed cheese!
The decor of the whole restaurant is quite quirky. They're built it to look similar to a Swiss lodge. They even have cotton as fake snow lacing the inside of windows so with a painted picture of the Alps in the background. I only tried out the fondue itself but have been informed by my friends who had the main course that the courses there are pretty good as well. The best part? its really easy to get here (with a car of course, but how else would you get around the city). Just take Jalan Ampang all the way past Great Eastern Mall and Gleneagles. Go on the flyover and pass Ampang Point on your left. At the traffic light, turn right. Then immediately turn left into the shophouses and turn right immediately. It will be the only restaurant with a cow up front.
(Alps-y feel)
Its located in Korean Town, so you deff wont miss a cow when every single other shop is a Korean shop.
(Let there be cheese!)
The portions are decent, but I guess depends on how much you like cheese. Two French, two Malaysian and two Spaniards shared two servings of cheese fondue, but the four Swiss friends who showed up ordered five servings for themselves. My French friend tells me later that this is pretty typical for the Swiss =P
Swiss Chalet website
(The really great view from Hyatt rooftop)
There is of course, the infamous Jakarta traffic you have to contend with... and after getting stuck in one on my first day here I quickly re-strategized my day to make sure I was back in my hotel before the traffic built up... and to continue working from the hotel of course. Otherwise you're pretty much better off staying where you are until about 8:00 p.m. when traffice eases up again.
(The horror!)
I do fly back on Thursday evenings so I have my Fridays in KL. Last Friday I was invited to go for... Cheese Fondue!!
Even though I studied in the States and studied 3 months in Paris, I have yet to have a proper cheese fondue (the kind that doesnt involve microwaving cheese in college days). So we went over to Chalet Suisse in Ampang for some much needed cheese!
The decor of the whole restaurant is quite quirky. They're built it to look similar to a Swiss lodge. They even have cotton as fake snow lacing the inside of windows so with a painted picture of the Alps in the background. I only tried out the fondue itself but have been informed by my friends who had the main course that the courses there are pretty good as well. The best part? its really easy to get here (with a car of course, but how else would you get around the city). Just take Jalan Ampang all the way past Great Eastern Mall and Gleneagles. Go on the flyover and pass Ampang Point on your left. At the traffic light, turn right. Then immediately turn left into the shophouses and turn right immediately. It will be the only restaurant with a cow up front.
(Alps-y feel)
Its located in Korean Town, so you deff wont miss a cow when every single other shop is a Korean shop.
(Let there be cheese!)
The portions are decent, but I guess depends on how much you like cheese. Two French, two Malaysian and two Spaniards shared two servings of cheese fondue, but the four Swiss friends who showed up ordered five servings for themselves. My French friend tells me later that this is pretty typical for the Swiss =P
Swiss Chalet website
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Little India
"Want to join me this weekend? I promise you three of your favorite things... adventure, food and shopping"
Miss C sure knows how to get close to my heart
The adventure – gallivanting around Brickfields
The food – Restaurant Sri Pandi serving limited potato tose until 11 a.m.
The shopping (mission) – to get Miss C and R-squared Indian garments for a wedding in India
So we met in Little India. I grabbed a cab over to realize that I had never been to this side of town in my entire life here. It was a completely new area and I was at a loss with the amazing purple buildings and colorful archways greeting me. Of course I found out later that this was all recently beautified since the Indian Prime Minister came by for a visit and the Malaysian Prime Minister of course wanted to show it off. Typical Malaysian Govt. only when someone is coming or there is some spotlight do ppl just throw money at the problem and gets it fixed.
(Purple buildings and colorful arches)
(Yummy potato tose)
We had breakfast at Sri Pandi, outside facing the road. But with all the loud Indian music going on, I would recommend eating inside at the back where there is ac and is much quieter. A friend had commented a few days prior that he couldnt find mamak stores that made their own roti canai anymore, that nowadays everyone buys pre-made roti canai. Fret not! as Sri Pandi still happily keeps to the tradition of tossing up their balls of dough... like an Indian version of an Italian pizza man.
(Tossing up a few batches of roti canai)
(Success! Shopping!)
After we finished our breakfast and got proper outfits for both of them it was time to hunt down a tailor to get Miss C's little top sewn for the inside of her sari. We walked along the row of shophouses and Miss C walks into a butchery which was located in one of the shophouses...
I walk in behind her and see the chopping blocks, the bag of chicken heads on the floor, the blood...
And a woman sitting in a chair by the wall...
HUGGING A MONKEY
COMPLETELY BLOWING MY MIND
Here is my thought process
"omg why are all these chicken heads in the bag on the floor"
"why does this woman have a monkey?"
"why is she hugging the monkey, is she afraid the monkey would run away??"
"Why is the monkey hanging out in a butchery???"
"why is there a tailor's store right inside a butchery?!!!!"
Ah well dear friends, I guess the city will always keep surprising you
***
Brickfields is located right next to KL Sentral. To get here, take the monorail to KL sentral. Descend, turn left and just keep on walking straight... soon enough you will be in the heart of Brickfields
Miss C sure knows how to get close to my heart
The adventure – gallivanting around Brickfields
The food – Restaurant Sri Pandi serving limited potato tose until 11 a.m.
The shopping (mission) – to get Miss C and R-squared Indian garments for a wedding in India
So we met in Little India. I grabbed a cab over to realize that I had never been to this side of town in my entire life here. It was a completely new area and I was at a loss with the amazing purple buildings and colorful archways greeting me. Of course I found out later that this was all recently beautified since the Indian Prime Minister came by for a visit and the Malaysian Prime Minister of course wanted to show it off. Typical Malaysian Govt. only when someone is coming or there is some spotlight do ppl just throw money at the problem and gets it fixed.
(Purple buildings and colorful arches)
(Yummy potato tose)
We had breakfast at Sri Pandi, outside facing the road. But with all the loud Indian music going on, I would recommend eating inside at the back where there is ac and is much quieter. A friend had commented a few days prior that he couldnt find mamak stores that made their own roti canai anymore, that nowadays everyone buys pre-made roti canai. Fret not! as Sri Pandi still happily keeps to the tradition of tossing up their balls of dough... like an Indian version of an Italian pizza man.
(Tossing up a few batches of roti canai)
(Success! Shopping!)
After we finished our breakfast and got proper outfits for both of them it was time to hunt down a tailor to get Miss C's little top sewn for the inside of her sari. We walked along the row of shophouses and Miss C walks into a butchery which was located in one of the shophouses...
I walk in behind her and see the chopping blocks, the bag of chicken heads on the floor, the blood...
And a woman sitting in a chair by the wall...
HUGGING A MONKEY
COMPLETELY BLOWING MY MIND
Here is my thought process
"omg why are all these chicken heads in the bag on the floor"
"why does this woman have a monkey?"
"why is she hugging the monkey, is she afraid the monkey would run away??"
"Why is the monkey hanging out in a butchery???"
"why is there a tailor's store right inside a butchery?!!!!"
Ah well dear friends, I guess the city will always keep surprising you
***
Brickfields is located right next to KL Sentral. To get here, take the monorail to KL sentral. Descend, turn left and just keep on walking straight... soon enough you will be in the heart of Brickfields
(Little India... with KL Sentral area in the background)
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