Grand High Tea at Grand Seasons Hotel

Last Saturday we finally managed to cash in our High Tea coupons at the Grand Seasons Hotel. We had bought the coupons during one of our lunch excursions last month but since everybody has been so busy during the weekends, it took us almost 2 months before we were able to enjoy it.

I was a little apprehensive at first about bringing my kids as they are very picky eaters, it would have been a shame to go to a buffet tea with them refusing every morsel of food. Plus, I was also worried that they would be too much of a handful, and I would end up eating nothing while consoling three restless children. My worries were unfounded as not only did the kids behave amazingly well, they also ate like champions. Hamzah (the youngest) downed 5 glasses of soya and had fried rice with BBQ chicken. Aishah (the pickiest eater of all), ate noodles, rice, chicken, cakes - it was unbelievable. Yousof also loved the food and especially enjoyed the fried rice, BBQ chicken and nuggets.

They also had great fun meeting the UKM Wondergirls with a special guest appearance by Dr Mashitah (ex-MRSMJ and now Dr Mali's housemate). They loved Cik Cha (Shar), Cik Jil (Zil), Cik Mali (might change to Cik Ros- easier) and Cik Mashitah (or Fashitah as they kept pronouncing it). As usual it took them a while to warm up but they soon enjoyed themselves and had fun with their new Makciks.

All in all the high-tea was thoroughly enjoyable, the spread was quite varied. There was local dishes (including, Malay cuisine, dim sum, yong tau fu, nasi kandar), Japanese food, Western dishes, a variety of cakes and desserts, ABC and ice cream- very good value for money since we only pain RM28 per pax for it. The food was tasty too, but the star of the day was definitely the BBQ chicken. Amazing! My troops and I can't wait for our next big outing. :)

Music Mondays #5 || If I die young by The Band Perry

I used to be one of those people who planned everything. I had my whole future planned down to a tee years in advanced. I am no longer this person. Nowadays, I try to live more in the moment. I have learnt that life is so fragile and volatile and even the best laid plans may not turn out the way I hoped.

~Al-Fatihah for all the innocent lives lost in the tragic landslide in Hulu Langat.~

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PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Meeting the Giants || PINC 2011 Bioactives for a Healthy Lifestyle

For the last two days, I attended a conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The conference was organized by the MPOC (Malaysian Palm Oil Council) and focused on something I have been researching for my Masters, namely tocotrienols (which is a form of vitamin E found naturally in palm oil).

It was an extremely informative conference as the invited speakers were mostly well-renowned pioneers and researchers in the field. Needless to say, being able to listen to the great people talk was an amazing opportunity for me (I quote and cite these people in my thesis!).

The three of us from my department (Sharlina, Chun Yi and I) also made new friends. Special shout out to Siti, Chee Heng, Chee Hyong, Choon Hong and Liza. Hope to see you guys again (especially those who are actually from UKM too hehe).

All in all it was a very good experience. I even managed to asked these professors a question during the Open Forum. (FFWD to 7:20 to see how nervous I was).

Watch live streaming video from pinc2011 at livestream.com

PINC 2011, Crowne Plaza || Live blogging

PINC 2011, poster presentation. Last conference before finish InsyaAllah.

Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones

Basic plot

Matilda is a 13 year old girl who lives in a remote island ravaged by war. Her only constants are an overbearing mother and an eccentric self-appointed teacher, Mr Watts, who introduces her to Pip. By reading aloud from Charles Dicken's classic novel Great Expectations, this strange white man, sparks a change in the community of which he is an outcast. As her life becomes more uncertain and perilous, Matilda takes comfort in a world so different from her own but draws strength and parallels from this great literary masterpiece. Souls are awakened, imaginations ignited but horror also looms in the future.

What I liked about the book

The idea that a book can be life-changing is so very real. The fact that it is not one of those purely motivational or self-help books is another plus. Once in a while a story is written that transcends generations and cultural boundaries. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, touted to be the greatest novel by the greatest English writer of the nineteenth century, was the perfect book to serve as a basis for this one. Needless to say, that reading this book was made very much more enjoyable due to the fact that I had read Great Expectations during my own childhood but it is not a prerequisite. Like Matilda, I knew Pip (the main character from Great Expectations) when I was in my early teens. Back then, it was just as mind-boggling to me to imagine his world, given the fact that Dicken's in its original text is very heavy reading for a child, so I could relate well to Matilda's questions and queries about him. Jones was very clever in weaving the book into his own, letting it play an important role, shaping his characters but at the same time allowing them to breathe and have a life of their own. The story of Matilda's life unfolded well, and the reader is privy to the cultural vastness of this tiny island and its inhabitants. The war also unfolded and I was always filled with a niggling sense of foreboding, until the unspeakable happened, and even though I was expecting it, the impact left me reeling in shock. A great storyteller indeed.

What I disliked about this book

There is little to dislike about this book and I do agree with the critics in claiming that this is a modern classic, which I think should be read in class to our adolescents (maybe after introducing them to an abridged version of Great Expectations). I do wish that the ending was a little more substantial, but as is, I still think it is a good ending. 

A quote I liked from the book

I do not know what you are supposed to do with memories like these. It feels wrong to want to forget. Perhaps this is why we write these things down, so we can move on. 

Rating: 4/5

This book actually belongs to Lydia  who has been kind enough to lend me this book as part of her book swap project. Siti has also posted a book swap list on her blog. I am delighted that there are book lovers out there who, like me, want to share our passion for reading with others.

Music Mondays #4 || Because you loved me by Celine Dion

When I was sixteen years old, I was blessed to meet a teacher that allowed me to fulfill my full potential. She taught us to express ourselves, believe in our strengths and most importantly the value of friendship. She was my Homeroom teacher, Puan Siti Munirah Abdul Majid. She was my English teacher and my debate coach. She made us write a journal and we all poured out all our hopes, dreams, fears and insecurities in that little notebook. For teacher's day, we gave a her a big card once, with the lyrics of this song written in it.

To all my teachers and all friends and family who are now teachers, I salute you!

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The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Basic plot

In this second installment of the Millenium Series, Mikael Blomkovist is on the trail of sex traffickers who exploit young women from Eastern Europe. Politicians, judges, security police and other powerful men stand to have their dirty linen washed in the public eye. When a young couple are found brutally murdered in their home, suspicion falls on a young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander. With a man-hunt on her scent, Blomkovist is the only one who believes that she is not the mentally disturbed and violent delinquent that everyone paints her to be. In order to clear her name, Lisbeth must face "All that evil" once more.

What I liked about this book

This book was actually a gift from my friend Dr Yati, who enjoyed the first book (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) so much that she offered to buy me the next two books in the series so that everyone can enjoy them. This book does what most sequels fail to do, it was even better than the original. The plot unravels at a much quicker pace. The mystery that surrounds Lisbeth's past (henceforth will forever be known as All that Evil) is dangled tantalizingly in front of the reader like that ever elusive carrot, just slightly out of reach, making the reader hungry to turn the page to find out more. It had just the right amount of action and suspense to keep the reader hooked.

What I disliked about this book

I did not find much about this book that I disliked. Larsson does tend to be too detailed in his descriptions but significantly less so in this book than the previous one. Blomkovist is probably the character I have the most difficulty empathizing with, seemingly comfortable being in multiple open relationships. The romantic in me demands that he forges more solid emotional ties with one, beyond the genuine fondness he has for his bed-mates.

A quote I liked from this book

There are no innocents, there are, however, different degrees of responsibility. 

Rating: 4.5/5

My review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Music Mondays || Sometime's Love Just Ain't Enough (Patty Smyth)

I had totally forgotten this song until a close friend reminded me of it. Love should never be taken for granted. For all the times it was never expressed, all the times it was assumed, all the times that just passed by, one day it will not be there anymore.
 

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Educare Sports Day 2011|| Live blogging

Supporting on the sidelines. Today is Aishah's and Yousof's Sports Day. Not to be left out, Hamzah also donned his sports attire. Go Aishah! Go Yousof! Win! Win! Win!

Swapping lives by Jane Green

Basic plot

Two very different women living on opposite sides of the world find themselves living polar opposite yet picture perfect lives. Vickey Townsley is a single, successful, fashionable editor of Poise! magazine in London. Her 'no strings attached' life takes it toll as she starts pining for a family life in the countryside. Amber Winslow, a suburban housewife married to old money has it all. The gorgeous husband, beautiful kids, nanny, a mansion and dressed in designer labels all set to be Queen of Suburbia. Though at times all the social climbing and subtle backstabbing, leaves her exhausted. Through a unique contest hosted by the magazine, these women decide to swap lives for a month, and learn that the grass may not be greener while walking in each other's Jimmy Choos.

What I liked about this book

Firstly I love the fact that this book was a birthday gift bought for me by my room-mate Dr Mali at BookExcess. Chick lit is usually a genre I stay away from, so a dose of it once in a while can be refreshing. The book does afford a vivid glimpse at both the life of a single career woman and a privileged housewife. It also allows us to enter the vicious yet "refined" social climbing circles of suburbia, and the constant pressure of not only keeping up with the Joneses but leaving them in the dust. This is a good book for those who like this genre.

What I disliked about this book

As with most chick lit, I find the focus on fashion and men, not really my cup of tea (although I did learn alot about fashion). The plot dragged somewhat, and there did not seem to be any climax, though some twists did make the book an interesting read. All in all, it is one of the better chick lit books I have read.

A quote I liked about this book

Marriage should be about fun.

Rating: 3/5

Music Mondays #3 || I don't want to talk about it by Rod Stewart & Amy Belle

I love listening to "old" songs. The best music really is evergreen. This song is probably one of my favourite duets, not only because the song is beautiful and the singers superb but also because of the sweet glimpse at human nature that it affords us. I love watching Amy looking so nervous taking centre stage with a legend like Rod Stewart. I love the way the audience sings along. It is a gorgeous clip. Enjoy.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!