Cry for Japan...

Today - Friday 18th March, exactly ONE WEEK after the massive earthquake & devastating tsunami in Japan.

Honestly, every time I watch the news and the updates I always have this word lingering in mind "What if"  Yeah! What if it happened here in our homeland , to our loved ones..oh dear, just can't imagine! *moga kita dijauhkan dari bencana sedemikian-Amin* and flipping through these photos on the star online really touched my heart...

March 18th: A man cries with joy as he is reunited with his cousin at a shelter and 

he was told that all his family are safe

*when I saw this pic, it reminds me of my dear grandpa who's living alone in AS:-(*

March 18th:  Chieko Kawasaki, 60, discovers one of her Chinese dishes near her Japanese restaurant...

*there's no sign of a restaurant anymore..nothing but wreckage*

March 18th: Japanese refugees eat soup at a shelter

*again, I just can't see old people in this situation....sad*

March 16th:  snowfalls over the debris in Sendai, northern Japan...

*one after another...rescue team battle with the snow & cold* 

 March 17th:  at the port in Sendai

 March 14th:  A man cycles by a ship at Hachinohe, Aomori prefacture..

*with no exception even a huge vessel as this*

Actually on the day when Tsunami hits Japan and it was all over the news CNN, BBC, local news, you name it & CCTV (509 the channel that I've never tuned in before this) we were all worried about my bro, Nicko & his sailing situation.  Frantically panicking when I saw the 'footnote' on the TV screen "Keadaan laut Sabah & Sarawak bergelora"....fuhh that his route! memang teramat mencemaskan and even more we were unable to contact him at that time, errmmm.. mulalah fikir yang bukan-bukan.   Alhamdulillah....the next day we got a call from him and nothing to worry about, there was no impact on the South China Sea. Luckily, he wasn't in Chiba and not sailing to Japan this year, hopefully! *Sentiasa berdoa agar dia sentiasa dilindungi dan selamat dalam pelayaran*

Let's pray for the people in Japan:-(

 

March 18th:  Caskets are placed at a mortuary in Rifucho, northern Japan

a week after the earthquake & tsunami...

huge number of people still missing.....Our prayers are with you, JAPAN!!!

A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun M...

Finally, its in Da House:-)))))))))

Received it in good order this afternoon after 2nd delivery attempt by GDEX! 

MPHOnline.Com "Where the Bookstore comes to you" is indeed reliable. Delivery order exactly within 3 working days.  Terima Kasih Malaysia Publishing House (MPH) sentiasa di hati..huhuhu. 815 pages & 62 chapters...waiting to be read.  The book is quite heavy to lug around, just look at the thickness ^-^


Owhh yeah... and also a complimentary gift coaster (set of 4) from MPH!

MPH is celebrating their 105th Anniversary....

 Special Offers on selected books for Online Purchase(s) only!

P.S:  

Gotta speed up my reading on "COMMITTED"..after 3 weeks just finished Chapter 5: Marriage & Women (Btw, I like the quotes in front "TODAY THE PROBLEM THAT HAS NO NAME IS HOW TO JUGGLE WORK, LOVE, HOME AND CHILDREN" - Betty Friedan) 3 more chapters to go and now already on Chapter 6: Marriage & Autonomy, hmmm...more doubts & 'deep thinking' of marriage life from Liz Gilbert.

Tata...

Women:100...

Oh Happy..! Happy day...!
Firstly, I've got the  booking confirmation for my tickets for the following (Women:100 Hours of  Performing Art): 

** Booked 2 tickets for Friday nite, 25th March...

Synopsis:
The life and journey, trials and tribulations of Women as told and seen through the fabulous eyes of Shelah and her friends of brilliantly funny, gorgeous and talented drag queen friends.

Director: Edwin Sumun (e'hmm...a familiar name) he used to be the MC for our comms project & yellow HQ events last time)

Yezzz!  Lady Swettenham @ Carcosa Sri Negara:-))) Can't wait to watch this....

Booked for the show on 31st March...

Synopsis:
This is a drama with many light moments about the little known manic depressive wife of Sir Frank Swettenham, best known as Resident of Selangor in later 1800s. Starring the critically acclaimed actress and playwright, Sabera Shaik.

Director: Tage Larsen (click)

A Big Thank You to KAKISENI (^;^)  Only 69 hours remaining of performing arts, hurry up go grab your seats now!!!!  Owhh...if you wanna know What's Showing?? Just log on to www.kakiseni.com.


Then minutes later, I received a 'special' invitation thru email for this Saturday...YIPPIE, I'm so excited!! Relaxx peeps, will share details soon kay. Tungguuuuuuu....jeng jeng:-))))

Besides these two...guess what! I almost received the book that I ordered from MPH.  The courier co.  left a note in my my mailbox:   

"Sorry!! While you were away...

we were here on 16/3 (date) 3:45 pm (time) 

to deliver a parcel...

shipper:  MPH Bookstore PJ. 

I was like WHATTT???? I was at home the whole morning & afternoon..The door bell is not working, its out of order!!! *sigh* Oh come on! "the doctor is already outside my house.." *grrrrrrrr...*  Hmm..will have to call them first thing in the morning tomorrow for a 2nd delivery.  GDEX I'm counting on you!


SMILE...still a happy day for me;-)


Cheers!

MATTA Fair

I once posted about a family member who has been cheated by Extreme Vacation , a travel agent for a holiday package to OZ late last year.  You may click the link below to read more about it:  http://poshalert.blogspot.com/2010/12/extreme-vacation.html

Yesterday, I received these news clippings through email, its self explanatory.....

 

The Star, Tuesday, 15 March 2011

New Sarawak Tribune, Tuesday, 15 March 2011

So, basically The Tourism Ministry  can't force or order MATTA to refund the money & nothing much they can do on the refund part coz there was no specific regulation which enabled the Ministry to do this, fair enough &  the only hope NOW is The Consumer Claims Tribunal.

Nampaknya memang lama la process ni. Dalam erti kata lain ketika membeli pakej-pakej percutian @MATTA Travel Fair, we as consumers kenalah berhati-hati takut kena tipu pulak dengan travel agent yang tak bertanggungjawab ni. MATTA tak bertanggungjawab atas apa-apa kerugian atau penipuan oleh mana-mana travel agent tapi Travel Fair diorganise oleh MATTA...hmmm '?????' memang terbaik~

Tourism Ministry should at least come up with regulations on this and  I think.. MATTA should be more responsible and thorough on the background check or whateva it is  before they allow these travel agents to participate in the Travel Fair.

Nway, hope my dear 'family member' will get the money back... someday! 

Homemade Scones....

I tweeted about "Scones+Strawberry Jam for Tea Treat......."  this afternoon.  Hmm..then  I thought why not making some of my own, I mean homemade scones.  How bout the Recipe...? How to make a perfect scones? Btw, it pronounced as "Skon" in Scotland & Northern England or "Skoan" in the South but I just call it "Skoan" sounds a lil bit sweet;-)) Google search for the recipe & I found this from the British & Irish Food recipes website...

Ingredients:

* 2 cups /225g self raising flour (since I don't have it in stock, I just used plain flour)
* 1/2 stick/55g cold butter
* 1 level tsp baking powder  (increase it to 2 tsp for plain flour)
* 1/2 tsp salt  
* 1/4 pint / 150 ml milk  (full cream or low fat - your preference)
* 1 egg beaten with milk
* I also add 1/2 cup of caster sugar & sultanas/raisins

Method:  (you may refer to the website link HERE)
I prefer to watch a 'hands-on video' on how to do it.. so my 2nd reference, of coz YouTube:

I followed her method but I reduced the size coz I like cute scones;-))))

The results of MY first attempt at making scones......ooops actually OUR (with the help of my sis, Lola):-

straight into the oven....@160'C for 20-25mins (baking time may vary)

ready for tea ...;-)

serve with butter, jam or cream...NICE!!!

Love u scones...muahhmuahh!!!

MPH Online...

A brief telecon between me & MPH staff (Subang Parade) this morning:

ME:        Can I just check with you, whether you still have stock for a copy of

                "A Doctor In  The House"..?

MPH:     Oo..sorry mam, its already SOLD OUT! Out of Stock at the moment.

ME:        You mean at all MPH stores in Klang Valley?

MPH:     I'm afraid yes. Ermmm..the outlet at Crown Plaza Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail

                might have some copies you can try to call them.

                (at this point I was thinking about the traffic & parking to Jalan Sultan Ismail..

                bla..bla..time to opt for hassle free buying method)

ME:        How about  thru MPH Online? Do you think they still have copies?

MPH:     A’aa. "??" .I’m not sure about that.

_______________________________#___________________________________

So, this is all about the hottest book in town which was launched on Tuesday, 8th March 2011 at MPH MidValley.  "A Doctor In The House" :  Memoirs of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad....

Hmmm..too bad I missed the book signing session!

For Tun M's autograph I dun mind queueing up for hours...:-(

*pic taken fr The Jakarta Globe website*

Hope to get my copy within 3-5 working days .....please, please MPH do not revert and tell me its out of stock coz the online order was successful:

p.s: note to self & lesson to learn..Do not procrastinate even in buying a book that you wanted:-((((((

Merong Mahawangsa The Movie...

Its been the "talk of the town" even months before it opens in the cinema...yup! no other than the mighty merong.    Usually, immediately after every movie, I must've my unsatisfied comments this n that, lacking here n there (to my movie partner/s & those closest to me at home) but this time around I'm kinda over focusing on Merong, I mean Stephen Rahman..well, looks like someone is having a huge crush on the same hero again. Who..? Errr..me lah *blushing* Aaaaahhh...He's Hot  okay (^;^)  I know ladies, you can't agree more mmm....see it for yourself! 

no doubt he was a macho Hang Tuah before....wooooohooo MERONG oh my MERONG^_^
...he's never been shirtless in PGL, the musical hahaha

Ohh btw, that's the Chinese Admiral Liu Yun (Craig Robert Fong) and Merong -you know who..;-)

Wait a sec, I think I should start from the beginning of the movie, wud be more appropriate  right?! *yeah go easy on the mighty merong* lol

only by watching the first 5-8mins scene of the movie, its already promising ....

just look at this Chinese Emperor feel...

 Marcus the Roman Prince (Gavin StenHous, a Hongkong born British actor)

A Goan- Mano Maniam (local actor, remember the sitcom Kopitiam with Joanna Bessey?)
Behind Marcus...The Roman Admiral, Lycius (Eric Karl Henrik Norman )
*the scene  in GOA where they first saw Merong...*

Oops...the minute this GANDALF (lord of the ring) look-a-like appears,

the audiences break into laughter...

The wig spoilt the character of a respectable actor, Dato' Rahim Razali

maybe a lil bit of budget on the 'details'....please!

Ummi Nazira played the role of Embok, the  adopted daughter to Guru Kesum (Dato' Rahim Razali) perfectly!

The plain jane that attracts the eye of Merong...

Merong to escort the Roman Prince to meet up with The Chinese Princess 
somewhere @ a neutral ground

The Prince & The Chinese Princess Li Hua (Jing Lusi a Shanghai Born & England based actress)

just before the attact from the GERUDAs...

the ugly pirate leader...Kamawas (Khir Rahman - he really nailed it, a natural villain on scene)

The fights between the Chinese warrior, The Gerudas..& the Merong's people...

Kamawas & Merong.....

 

In every way..every shots, every angle he's the ever gorgeous merong..huhh!

"Sampai masa tibanya waktu, 

 
redup hati kaum berdua, 

 
bila dua jasad menjadi satu, 

 
hidup mati jadi bersama"

 

Alright guyz! I guess if you wanna know  the real flow of the movie you gotta watch it;-)  Just One word to describe all, HMM deserves a standing ovation.  Epic!!! KRU surely become the "toast of the town"...KUDOS to the three men 'behind the scene' especially the young & talented director Yusry Abdul Halim!! You guyz are definitely one step ahead from the rest of 'em in Malay movie making.

Left to Right: Yursy, Norman & Edry...

So, don't waste a single minute book your tickets now, go and watch the movie!  Come on peeps... lets show our genuine support to our local movie industry if not us who else;-))) If you're abroad, HMM also available in 72 countries worldwide including the United States of A, China, Germany & OZ.  Wow...coolness!!

  

p.s: All pix taken from the internet ^-^

A Date with 'HMM'....

The ticket to watch the most awaited epic Malaysian movie, Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa (HMM in short) is now in my hand huhuhu *over excited*

open in cinemas on Thursday,10 Mac 2011...

Even before I watched this movie I already set the bar pretty high & 110% believe this movie is going to be a Movie of the Year!! Not to mention the OST - Sedetik Lebih by Anuar Zain...it's a KILLER song!!!!


Okay say no more...Stay Tune for the review:-))

Bubbye..

Happy Women's Day....

TODAY is the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day!!!

Kakiseni kicks off their cool project called WOMEN:100, 100 hours of performing arts dedicated to women in conjunction with the above celebration.  

Visit  www.kakiseni.com.  for more info and book your seats ^;^

Salam Hari Wanita Sedunia! 

Fullhouse, Sunway Giza

Made a reservation for 10pax at Fullhouse, Sunway Giza yesterday for the so called 'Reunion Luncheon' as planned by the host no other than our dear fren, Zan who's here in KL for a few days before going back to JB for the rest of her 2-week break. Hmmm..guess what?? Only ONE person came (excluding both Zan & myself) this is even worse than the previous one.  Nevermind, maybe they have prior engagements with family on Sunday...Understandable! What's more important we had a good chat like we always do & delicious lunch.

 

 Chicken Chop for Zan & her cutie niece as seen in the PINK car above;-)

Grilled Mixed Seafood...this is the most yummylicious looking dish, compared to ours!

Alfredo Pasta...mine! it might look a bit plain and simple but the taste just perfect! 

The perfect end for the perfect meal...Crème brûlée

I guess Fullhouse food selection and taste have improved tremendously as compared to the early years when they just opened the first outlet located near our Casa at NZX Ara Damansara.  Kudos to  Fullhouse Lifestyle Store & Cafe *click for address & ctc*, the company has really expanded & now they have 4 outlets altogether. 

with Che Lyn, the ONE person who showed up *mwuahhh*

 look at the petite model at the back (smiling in the car) 

that's Zan's niece...so cute & very talkative.

Nice to catch up with these two ladies!! It looks like our informal 'Get Together' every once in three months. Cool..! Again, thanks to Zan for picking up the tab as alwizz *wink*

Have a great week ahead!! Good Nite...