c'est la vie

Hectic weeks

2007-07-09T21:21:00.000+08:00

Cant believe its been so long since I last updated this blog!! Life has been a roller coaster lately..

Am in Singapore now for my training, will update more with some pics later on this week as I am without camera and card reader for the time being.. A bit boring on my own but good to catch up with old friends here and will post some pics with them later on...

Busy!!

2007-06-27T09:51:00.000+08:00

Been busy.. dining, working out stuff and house chores.. Meeting up friends from Home! That is why havent been updating my Blog.. Made few new discoveries in eateries... But no pictures!! hahhah

Will keep updating these few days..

Ta

Happy Birthday Lim CP!!!

2007-06-15T11:48:00.000+08:00

Its her 26th birthday today!! Hhahahha you are nearing the 3+ border now.. crossing the mid line liao.. Dancing queen of the family, always cheerful and happy!!

Have a fabulous birthday!!! This pic is to remind you our nice 2004 Christmas in London in Bidarlah's nice flat!!!! Your wake up look is still very pretty!! Miss the good old days!! I was so SLIM then!! god!! age??.. sigh....

Western food on a budget

2007-06-11T12:30:00.000+08:00

Baby Blue cafe and Bar 9/F Causeway Bay Plaza 2 28828770

This restaurant was highly recommended by a good friend who is also a "critic" of food!! I was impressed with the setting even though its just a cafe & Bar. Price was really reasonable. Went for the Set dinner for 2, costs around HK$400 for 2 pax. This restaurant is good at reading Asian's (Chinese's) mind, in terms of the varieties of food one can have at a meal the more worthy a meal will be and excites the diner.

They also have a 4 hour happy hour free flow alcohol drinks for only HK$120 per pax!! real worth it!!

Ok.. lets start withe the appetiser, for 2 pax set dinner, you can have a choice of 4 appetiser!! FOUR!! wow.. hahah but portions are really small but enough to be filling and satisfying.

First appetiser : Caesar salad in a crunchy basket.

Second appetiser: Smoked salmon with crabstick salad.

Third appetiser: Rocket salad with balsamic dressing

Forth Appetiser: Pan Fried Foie Gras (God!! me and my foie gras!!)Mains: Lamb rack (a Petite version) Grilled to the right texture! (skipped 2 main courses, not worth mentioning as I eagerly waited for the Dessert!!)Dessert!! - Ordered at the start of the meal as the preparation will take some time!
Best in the house - Chocolate Fondant!! (one dip inside, all the sauce flows out) R and CP, you must both try this!!
Apple crumble in a tart?? But it tastes great with just the right amount of Cinnamon!!Overall, this cafe is real worth it!!! Must Try.. worth a 3.5* for its price and quality!! But can't be directly compared to Bon Heur which is more a fine dining restaurant..

Vietnamese!! -Green cottage Yin Ping Vietnamese

2007-06-11T11:48:00.000+08:00

2/F Cigna Tower, 482 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay 2832 2863

This oughta be one of the best Vietnamese Restaurant in HK, frequent by all the famous HK stars, eg. Cecelia Cheung etc... It used to be at the roadside but recently moved into one of the buildings cross the road and expanded!! Business is good as usual, crowded and long queues.

Let start with the drinks:- Lime and sour plum soda!! - great stuff to quench your thirst on a HOT day!!

Food!! - Raw beef noodle (authentic vietnamese and one of the best stuff)Obviously, I am not a beef eater thus cant appreciate the taste.. But the taster came back with excellent review and cant wait to finish the whole bowl!!!

Butter and garlic chicken wings - Highly recommended (best wings but oily as the name can indicate) nonetheless it tastes great!! esp with the soda that quenches your thirst.The spring roll, wrapped in iceberg lettuce - The lettuce takes away the oiliness taste of the spring roll, thus the end results is excellent!!

This vietnamese restaurant deserves a 3 * for its price and taste!!

Good news!! not ???

2007-06-07T18:24:00.000+08:00

Well, it went really well this morning. I know what I am talking about, enough knowledge about derivatives especially equity derivatives and who the BIG players are!! Where the BIG money is??

Things went smoothly, boss was impressed BUT there is another candidate cross the ocean in GB. So have to compete with him/her.. Will hear news week after next and London trip will definitely be a must but dunno when?? London.... I MISSED IT so much!! Esp Karaoke Box!!! and all the department stores!! But I guess things wont be the same without Tim when I am back there~!!

Shall see how long I gotta wait for..?? hope its the 2oth??

Meanwhile.. got lots of time to post and do my updates on places to EAT!!

Preparation!!

2007-06-06T16:47:00.000+08:00

God, this got to be the toughest interview that I have ever faced in my life!!! 3 phone interviews from UK, 2 face to face.. another one coming up tommorrow..

Gotta squeeze my brain and stuff them with knowledge of Equity derivatives over night!! AIM HIGH and hope to get the offer!!! This is definitely a CAREER for me!! Will post the outcome, good or bad. need the luck and hardowrk for this!!

Abalone

2007-06-05T16:32:00.000+08:00

To keep up with the hoo-hahs on abolone in HK, have to keep up with the times. Aunt hui is here from Taipei over the weekend so had a chance to visit this new sea food place. Its by the sea side, not "Sai Kung" but a place called "Lei Yu Mun". Fresh, succulent food here and reasonably priced.

This is the first time that I have eaten an abalone from its shell!! "Sakai" right?? ^^

Art of food decoration

2007-06-05T16:21:00.000+08:00

Do you know that the colour of plates where you present your food does play a very important role??

Desserts - with its colourful sides of cherries, strawberries etc are best presented on BLUE plates!! see the effect here.

A little decoration on your cuppa does make a difference and can cheer up your day!!

BonHeur

2007-06-04T23:18:00.000+08:00

6/F , The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan . Tel: 2544 6333

Which means good time/hour in French.. Went there for a birthday/dinner..One of those private dining restaurant.."Si fong" restaurants

Good food.. Reasonable Price for set menu and NO CORKAGE fees!!
Located in Sheung Wan.

Starter:
Pan fried Foie Gras

Main: Grilled rack of Lamb with bread crumbsPerfectly Medium well, best texture you can find. What's more, the lamb is seasoned to perfection!!

DESSERT:

Mango Mille-feuille - Which means layers of mango with cream and puffs. Really nice..
One of the best worth deal in town. Four courses for around HK$380+ and 3 course for around HK$350+.

Life in a Foreign land

2007-05-29T22:54:00.000+08:00

This is my 5th day in my so called "home". Am settling down really well, unpacked all my stuff the first day that I arrived.

Went to a friend's birthday party on Saturday, in a 'Private' restaurant in Central. Its one of those, "upstairs in office building, if no one tell you, you wont know kinda restaurant".

Good food, took some pictures of great food.. Will try post it as my phone doesnt work with Vista system.. ugghhh how disappointing.

Then went to another birthday party in one of those karaoke, again, private ones, in an office building secluded, booked for private functions kinda karaoke. Met some new friends. Finally, nearly everyone you meet in parties and functions are all new, very diversed in terms of profession, place of studying and living.

Met a hot pretty girl from Taiwan who was previously working in the Kiwi land, tall and model like.. Friends back home (esp those bachelors) let me know if interested!! She is great fun to be with, humble, banker from Taiwan but studied and worked in NZ!!

Will write more next.. Pretty tired after a long day of interview..

Athens - 2

2007-05-17T21:19:00.000+08:00

Cont;

Acropolis (high city)- one of the oldest city, it shows acropolis at the top of the hill, the Parthenon sitting on right in the middle on top of the hill.

Parthenon is one of the world's heritage sites (one of the many world heritage sites that I have visited in the last ten years), built in the 5th century BC!! It is a Greek temple for Goddess Athena, at the time I went, they are refurbishing to its best form, pre olympic.

Attached few pictures of it being reconstructed to restore it to the best form.

Nostalgic trip -1 (Athens)

2007-05-17T16:10:00.000+08:00

Finally has the chance to start the real blogging and fulfill the aim of my blog page... Travel..

First stop - Athens

View of Athens from Acropolis

Athens - no doubt is one of the oldest city/civilisation in history with its rich myths and the city itself is really beautiful. Was there in Winter, with its mediterranean climate it was a really blessing and getaway from London. At the time I went, it was preparing for the 2004 Olympic, thus a lot of buildings were being refurbished, old tourist spots being revived to live up to the Olympic. More to see in the next part.

con't with part 2..

Party!!!

2007-05-16T09:51:00.000+08:00

One of the best party of the year... Small, cosy and nice crowd!! all my dear friends.. Thanks so much for making it to the party.. Gonna miss you guys.. Don't miss me too!! Will keep you guys updated on my future postings..

Free!!!

2007-05-15T15:18:00.000+08:00

Free as a bird now!!! Never felt this good before...No work, no handover, no work in progress but only freefom.. Started to sort out some paperwork and banking stuff... Issued ticket.

Date of departure: 25th May 2007.

God!! Time flies and am counting down.. Am gonna miss all my friends and family but look forward to new life in HK. Gonna post more findings in the next few days.

Boutique hotel

2007-04-30T20:32:00.000+08:00

Was on the look out for my aunt's Europe trip and came across this useful site.. Chic, reasonable and nice boutique hotels link for the whole of Europe.

check this link out here

Nice chic hotels with Starck furniture.. Since I cant afford to have it in my own house, wouln't hurt to stay in a hotel full of it :)

Good inspirations. Will be dropping in more frequently as I am counting down to the days left in the BANK!! :)

MIA

2007-04-29T18:09:00.000+08:00

Been missing in action the past 2 weeks.. God, it was real hectic.. After my pampering and putting on weight BKK trip, it was pay off time for the past two weeks..

Will see my '"baby" coming to face the entire Brunei Population in few days time,. Hope all turns up well and from the look of it so far, everything is going in the right direction and nothing will screw this up!!

My last gift for the bank and hope this will have a lasting impact on the "P" side :)

Lost all my pics from BKK trip.. How unlucky.. had to re-format my new laptop as it was attacked my some unknown "alien" virus, all my prep work went down the drain when one of my crap VCD (one of those free ones from my sister) went k-o!!! Sigh.. all my pics and nice songs from there was all gone, cant be retrieved!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sob*sob*

Best Brunch - Part 2

2007-04-10T20:12:00.000+08:00

Best Brunch is back....

2nd Dish - Starters (Cold dish)

This is one of the main highlights, unlimited lobster, Oysters, mussels, crabs and all sorts of salad.. You name it they have it...

The sauces for these cold dishes varies and you can choose any that you like.. shown here, one of the best.. spicy vinaigrette sauce.

More dishes to come... This BKK trip will take me a WEEK to blog about.. good though so it wont get too dry with repetitive info..

Best Brunch in my life!! - 1st Must try dish

2007-04-09T20:30:00.000+08:00

This is the best brunch I have ever had, after listening to a popular HK radio programme about Bangkok and this is one of the highly recommended 'Must Do' activity by the Dj. I decided to give it a go last year. Turns out to be amazing!!!!!! So this is a "COME BACK" trip this year. Four season's hotel Sunday Brunch is notorious among the HK food lover. It is only available on Sundays thus those who wanna do a weekend trip will have to stay over till Mondays.

TO make your $$$ worth it, as it is not a cheap brunch to Bangkok's standard. Around B$110 for a Brunch with unlimited alcohol and food this is gotta be worth it, right????

The first dish to start with:

Pan Fried Foie-Gras (goose liver) - Unlimited!! Imagine, a dish of this with 2 pieces will cost around 20 pounds in London and HK$200 (around B$40). Being so 'kiasu', I had 5 plates of it!! hahah

This is how it looks like in Raw form. They had around 6 full BIG trays of it when the buffet starts at 12pm! Ends up with 1 plate of this at 2pm.

Best to have it with the unlimited RED wine or sparkling white wines.. Unlimited too!!

More to come with other dishes in the next post.. Watch this space..

BACK!!!!!!!

2007-04-09T20:24:00.000+08:00

Finally, after a long and satisfying break.. M back with more stuff to share... places to go for great food and findings..

Watch out!! travel blog of food n great finds in Bangkok.

Festive Mood!!!!

2007-02-10T17:49:00.000+08:00

Its just round the corner, this is the year of Oink Oink... supposedly good for marriage and having babies.... But guess m not ready yet though.... hahha...

Been a quiet week this week and need to recuperate for my trip in HK.. Hope to secure some interviews or job... wish me luck friends...

shall update more soon next week!! The sights and sound of festive HK!!

Best Blog - of the month!!!

2007-02-04T14:58:00.000+08:00

Must check this out!! Its a MUST to visit!! For Design enthusiast, in case this is a new thing to you as it is to me.. Best find of the week!! I love this blog about living pleasures, best buys and anything...

Check out this link here

Party @ the Baze

2007-01-28T17:29:00.000+08:00

This is one of the best place I have been in Brunei, fantastic place doesnt feel like I am in Brunei..
The party is great as the place it self is fantastic, food is ok but the music is an anti-climax. Nonetheless, it should be more enjoyable but didnt turn out so well..

Some nice pics from the party.

New Year goodies!!!!

2007-01-28T16:58:00.000+08:00

New Year is approaching.. my mum has been making her ACAR, a local favourites to go with prawn crackers... Anyone interested to buy, drop me a line here... $12 a bottle.

Prawn crackers, miniature ones from Limbang, really tasty.. $20 per pack from my aunt's family who made it in Limbang..

Food, food and Food... hahah too bad I wont be here this New Year for the first few days. Nonetheless will be around after that and visiting friends.

Asia is about to change! (Finally)

2007-01-12T19:28:00.000+08:00

The retail outlet that I missed the most since Tim left London.. H&M!! They are coming to Asia.HK in March... Thus no excuse to shop in London and fly there with free accommodation anymore.. Miss London so much!!

Ping..lucky you!!

Mum went to Dubai and saw it thus a good sign that they are getting nearer.. In HK they are recruiting now!! March 10 in QRC in Central... look out!!

Check this link out:here

Long week!!

2007-01-12T19:18:00.000+08:00

This week has been tremendously long!!!! So tiring and busy.. Didnt even have time to blog or even view blogs!!!

Can only managed to check out my comments page today!! Ping... I didnt win the Walk a hunt!! too bad...

anyway.. just to share sime nice stuff... A nice key chain I got for christmas but still has no idea how to/where to use it?? any suggestions??

New look.. New Year

2006-12-30T22:14:00.000+08:00

To welcome 2007!!!! New look for my blog template.. Will promise to post more often.. share more views, thoughts... Ie.. if my life gets more interesting next year though... Will try my best!!!!!!!

Happy New Year to all my friends....

Mini Oreos..

2006-12-30T22:01:00.000+08:00

One of the best.. Good to go with tea.. or sugar free hot beverages.... Found some imitations with some cheapo brands but I am not that adventurous to try so will just stick with this one.. the Zip lock kinda opening is good if you cant finish in one go and thus it keeps the freshness of the cookies..

More food review this weekend!!! Wait for me..

Confession of Pain

2006-12-26T21:28:00.000+08:00

One of the best movies I have seen this year with both my favourite male idol........ Takeshi and Tony Leung. Story was good.. directed by the same director as Infernal affairs and the same script writer..

Must watch if you like both my idols and the story line is pretty good..

Was asked by Beach Blue to elaborate more.. watch in the cinema la..

Okie.. Its a police and thief kinda story with a bit of love involved.. A bit twisting somewhere in the middle but nonetheless worth watching.. Surprises awaiting so I wont reveal so much..

Salad dressing

2006-12-19T07:58:00.000+08:00

This is the best I have tasted!!! If you like salads in a oriental flavour, light, fresh taste..yummy.. this is the best dressing you can get.. With sesame, aubergine(brinjal) and mushroom in its ingredient.

Just add few drops to your salad and you instantly taste the difference.. Only place to get this in Brunei is in GHL, Guan Hock Lee in Batu besurat. Lots of hidden treasures there..

BSM Walk a hunt

2006-12-17T17:38:00.000+08:00

Interesting hunt.. 1st time I joint this.. Had lots of fun and mind boggling questions.. Will grab pics from others later:)

Worked well with Maya but dunno where we will be, hope top 50 or so??

hahah.. been not blogging for sometime should find time to pick up again.. so busy at work and tired lately.. festive mood.. Will pick up the blogging again I guess.. this week

Flu....

2006-12-10T10:31:00.000+08:00

M down with a bad bad flu... nose block.. fever.. cough.. need to sleep n sleep to recover!! WOnt be posting for the next few days I guess.. have some interesting findings to share though.. When I have recovered fully..

BSM Walk- a- hunt

2006-12-07T22:30:00.000+08:00

Been on few treasure hunts and I do enjoy the mental challenges from them.. incl some physical ones too.. This will be my first treasure hunt walking.. not in a car!?

Having Maya signing up for me and as a partner, we wanna get the tickets to HK!!! Then I can see my hubby and she can do her shopping,.. Hadn't start any planning but will start my preparation soon, if it helps? its more the tip toe condition you should be in that would be better I guess.

Check it out here...

Xmas!!

2006-12-07T21:45:00.000+08:00

Great trip I had but pretty tiring... Festive mood all around with the interesting decorations shown here.. Did some shopping and pretty interesting findings which I will be sharing for the next few blogs... Brought back a 'nice' gift... FLU!!!!

pics here outside times square.. Will keep posted on new stuff!!

Holiday!!!!!!!!!

2006-12-01T07:45:00.000+08:00

Its time for me to revisit my new 'home' town again!!! after 1.5 months, things has changed there.. cooler (I hope??) It was really warm when it was in Oct (supposedly still Autumn) hope this time it gets better and I can get to show off my autumn coats.. :)

Guess I wont be blogging for the next few days or I might as I will be pretty free?? hahha any shopping lists?? Just let me go.. Will share more Food findings and beauty items?? or shopping items!!! So broke to shop lately, the ticket has taken away all my savings..

Detox!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-11-27T20:57:00.000+08:00

Its Monday, great way to begin the week!! DETOX!! Try out this very delicious healthy drink and continue for a week!!! Go and buy these items, a tub of St Paul's natural yoghurt (light if you want), bunch of bananas, and 2 passion fruits. Simple, can get it all from SS Supermarket...

Banana passion fruit yoghurt!!!

For a week every morning or longer if you like it, throw 1 banana, chopped if you want, a spoonful of passion fruit seeds, and 3 spoons of plain yoghurt, some ice cubes and water all into the blender!!!!!! 2 mins.. Voila!!! Really delicious yoghurt and morning energiser.. can cut the breakfast and it will last till lunch.. healthy way to detox i feel.. not just lose weight..

Modern friction..??

2006-11-27T20:41:00.000+08:00

Another beauty item highly recommended by me.. I think my skin complexion has been better over the years la.. I used to be a 'pimple' lady with lots of BIG PUSS filled pimples on my nose, chin and fore head but it has been a bit better after the amazing drying lotion.

Next problem to be solved is BLACK heads!!! Well, I tried and tested around 30 items!!! Imagine how much I have spent over the years...??? This item will come on top on my list.

Modern Friction is a gentle dermabrasion made from rice.. the feeling is great when you just slab a lot on your face.. slowly move around and you feel the effect, its not coarse but DONT and NEVER use it around the eyes!!! It will hurt like crazy.. and you scrub, add water and it gets real foamy.. and you wash it off slowly, skin will feel rejuvenated and to be followed on with water based mask and you have perfect skin for the next 5 days.. even for oily skin like mine!!
BTW, its made by origins.. check it out.. real worth the money that you can save from the torturing facials..

BBBF Treasure hunt

2006-11-26T19:51:00.000+08:00

This is the first time that I joined BBBF treasure hunt.. recruited new members.. Rachel (my cousin) and Michelle (her friend), Jason (the genius). Fun group.. we lose out on speed but manage to solve all the questions (pretty easy, nothing as complicated as NBT treasure hunt). Missed out 2 years on NBT hunt. will join if I get a chance.
Found out this new place in Brunei, never know the existence of this statue!! hahha but managed to find it out.. We didnt win anything but did contribute to charity by taking part in this treasure hunt.. so feels good anyway.. Very tiring day cos was partying last nite till 1 am.. hahah Tim was worse.. till 6 am!!

West Side story

2006-11-26T19:42:00.000+08:00

Watched this musical in Empire (fully made up of students in ISB).. Impressive coming from students and they are really talented!!! Singing and dancing and the orchestra.. Of course nothing comparable to the real show but I am impressed.. Wei er, Yesmean and Ann was really good in the show dancing well..

A remake of Romeo& Juliet in the 50's America setting very vibrant costumes, nice props and Empire theatre do have an impressive sound and lighting system that amazes me.. Too bad it only runs 2 days and I was too busy to post this earlier..

Salmon.. Yummy

2006-11-21T22:35:00.000+08:00

I figure out that I should try and do a review/fact findings on food once a week and an item/product of desire!! It can be an affordable item.. C'mon.. I don't even know who reads my BLOG!!! Anyway, salmon is my food of the week. I am pretty into Jap food/culture/fashion and stuff like that.. So I am not gonna talk about how good salmon is but more on interesting facts of salmon. Salmon sashimi is the most common food item on any Japanese restaurant's menu locally or any asian countries but not traditional Jap restaurants in Japan... Only young japanese likes them as an influence of western culture!! Eggs of salmon are called 'Ikura' which sounds exactly like how much in Japanese. Guess its hard to count how much there is from a salmon??

The way that salmon is mostly consumed by traditional jap is by pan frying the belly part which is called 'harasu' this can be found vacuum packed commonly in Jap supermarkets. And trust me, they are delicious!!!!!

Favourite acne killer of all time!!!!

2006-11-20T20:06:00.000+08:00

This is my favourite acne killer of all time!!! one day its Big Zits with Puss!! then the next, its gone.. This is a magical product that works wonders!! check it out by clicking here

CRYSTAL Power!!

2006-11-19T16:21:00.000+08:00

Cant believe this but m speaking from my experience, I had few crystal bracelets and use to think of them more like an accesories than a healing crystal... Yesterday the most amazing experience happened to me, am still evaluating whether its in my mind or a real thing but i reckon its REAL!! The effect is amazing.. slept like a child, no wild dreams and my shoulder aches is suddenly all gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is it my mind?? I dunno.. but the pain is gone!!!!!! that part is real!!

"Smoky quartz" its called, healing stone that helps with these:

"... to alleviate stress and transform fear, anger and other negative emotions into positive energies, thus having a comforting and calming effect. It is also said to provide clarity of thought, improve intuition and enhance survival instincts, to help remove toxins from the body..."

First attempt...

2006-11-19T11:01:00.000+08:00

Ma first attempt to create a blog!!!! Hope this will turn out well and having the time/commitment to blog is valuable.. wonder if anyone will read this and finds it interesting?? Guess its more like a diary where you can share with friends and people around you.

This interesting pic is what I took in Tokyo last month. Try to guess what it is from the outlook, restaurant? Cafe? boutique?? nah........ its a public loo!!!!!!!!!!!