Saturday, October 22, 2011

Makan Malam di Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Majlis: Celebrating 195th Anniversary Dinner Penang Free School
Tempat: Royale Chulan Hotel
Tema: Love is in the Air (warna merah)

Aku bersama rakan-rakan pejabat yang lain datang disambut karpet merah. Tetamu terhormat yang datang pada malam itu ialah DYMM Tuanku Raja Perlis, DYMM Tuanku Raja Perempuan Perlis, DYTM Tuanku Raja Muda Perlis, dan DYTM Tuanku Raja Puan Muda Perlis.

Walauapun datang dengan berpakaian merah tetapi dewannya dihiasi dengan warna keemas-emasan. Nak menyambut orang kebesaran lah neh. hehe

Buku acara. err..
Setiap tetamu diberikan satu doorgift dan buku acara yang juga berbentuk majalah untuk Penang Free School. Dato Pengarah jabatan aku merupakan ketua organizer committee acara ini jadi aku bersama kawan-kawan pejabat yang lain dijemput datang walaupun bukan ahli Old Frees Association.

Apakah Old Frees Association? SIla google ye. Hehehe.. yang aku tahu ia satu alumni untuk bekas-bekas pelajar Penang Free School. Ramai di kalangan bekas pelajarnya dah jadi Dato' dan orang besar di Malaysia. Antaranya bos aku ler. Kira bertuah jugaklah dapat hadiri majlis berprestij dan mewah neh. Siap ada orang kebesaran lagi. Hehehe.

Dewan di Royale Chulan sangat besar. Setiap meja ada belon. 
Emasnya uolss!!! Air je warna merah.
Kami semeja makan secara hidang. Pencuci mulut je secara buffet. Majlis makan malam dimulakan dengan pembuka selera iaitu....

Popiah basah with prawns and spicy sweet souce

Kemudian dihidang dengan...

Hot and sour Szechuan Soup (kurang berkenan lak.. hehe)
Dan kemudiannya baru kami dihidangkan dengan 'Butter rice with cashew nuts and raisins'. Dan lauk-pauknya seperti di bawah.

Yummy!
Steamed Fish with Ginger Superior Sauce
Crispy Chicken with Pine nuts served with Plum and Chili Sauce
Mutton Curry
'Kong Poh' Prawns
Vegetable Parcel with Broccolis, Carrots, and Mini Black Mushrooms

A meal fit for the kings!
Aku tak pasti pula berapa harga untuk satu meja. Aku tahu makan jelah. Dah jadi tetamu kan? hehehe..

Artis jemputan untuk malam itu ialah Dayang Nurfaezah tapi aku dah balik sebelum dia naik ke pentas untuk menyanyi. Hee. Taknaklah berlegar lama-lama. Kali terakhir aku pergi majlis macam ini, aku kena menari joget dan twist di ruangan tengah. Hohohohoho.... so baik larikan diri cepat-cepat. *maaf dato;..=p

Terima kasih Dato' kerana menjemput kami.

*gambar dari Panasonic Lumix S1

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Pengalaman ke Kedutaan Jepun @ Malaysia

Setelah merujuk Google Maps, aku dapati Embassy of Japan terletak di sisi Jalan Tun Razak pada Persiaran Stonor. Bangunannya warna putih dan rendah saja.... suasana agak kesuraman dek hujan lebat yang tak henti-henti.

Nasib baik ada drebar yang boleh hantarkan kami ke hadapan pintu bangunan.. kalau tak.. konfem basah kuyup ohhh...

Kami terpaksa meninggalkan IC di pak guard dan mengambil pas pelawat. Selain itu perlu melalui mesin pengesan sebelum masuk. Segala bentuk telefon bimbit turut terpaksa ditinggalkan. Giler ketat ahhh...

Tulisan pada dinding sebelum masuk untuk melalui mesin pengesan.
Kami disambut dengan satu signboard di laman hijau hadapan bangunan putih yang suram itu... rakan pejabat aku je yang ceria di kawasan itu. Hehehehe..

Sila ke pintu kanan untuk tujuan permohonan VISA.
Dari atas: Nombor giliran, pass kemasukan dan pass telefon bimbit (yang ditinggalkan)
Setelah berada di dalam, kami dikehendaki mengambil nombor giliran. Tak ramai orang pun dalam tu... tapi memang keadaan sangat terkawal dan sunyiiiiiii....

Proses penghantaran borang berjalan dengan pantas dan kami diberikan resit untuk pengambilan visa dalam masa 3 hari dari sekarang. Wow!!! Tiga hari je?

Bangunan suram Embassy of Japan.

Harap-harap negara Jepun tak suram macam bangunan neh... huk huk huk.

Harapnya VISA kami diluluskan... AMEN..

=)
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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Jumpa blogger, midvalley dan produk Garnier

Excellent pictures taken by her. Dan dia tak pakai DSLR pon! Mungkin sebab dia pandai tang graphic design kot tu yang gambar dia cun-cun belaka. Orangnya pun cun jugak! Ehem! Harus belajar edit gambar kalau camneh! heh!

Makanan yang dia makan semasa kami lunch sama2. (sumber)
Ini pula wajah blogger yang ku jumpa ahad lalu. Antara pembaca setia blog ini. hik hik hik. Kami bertemu buat kali pertama gara-gara nak berikan hamper Garnier yang dia menangi kontes tempoh hari. Tahniah beb!

Hehehe.. suka pulak gambar neh, rasa nak jadikan gambar profail plak. ahaha.

Dear, thanks for the blogpost... sangat terharu ^^ (blogger otai yg low-profile katanya! hehehe. *blushes)

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Kesudian dari Blogger Jepun yang giler RARE!

Beginilah yang harus kita lakukan... saling bantu-membantu antara satu sama lain, sesama rakyat Malaysia tak kira kaum dan agama. Ahakzzz!

Aku nak ucapkan terima kasih kepada seorang blogger yang sedang menetap di Jepun di atas kesudiannya untuk membantu aku dan rakan-rakan lain semasa ke sana nanti. Dia sendiri yang menawarkan bantuan, aku tinggal nak sahut jelah! Hahaha. *muka tak malu ke aku?

TERIMA KASIH bebanyak!

Selain itu, dia sudi menjadi tour guide TAK BERBAYAR! Giler rare orang macam ini kan?

But all good deeds are not left unheeded. 


Alangkah bagusnya semua rakyat Malaysia di luar negara ada perangai macam ini. *sigh.

So.. dengan pertolongan 'dia', aku dapat merancangkan bajet perbelanjaan dan kos sara hidup semasa di sana nanti. Dapatlah anggarkan berapa banyak duit yang perlu dibawa kan? Hee.

Kalau nak makan untuk satu meal katanya dalam RM40.00 jugak la. Dang! MAHALNYA! Kagum jugaklah camna pelajar Malaysia leh survive di sana. Duit JPA lumayan kott?? Lalalala.. (Tapi sebenarnya mereka rajin memasak.)

Papeponn.... harap semua persiapan pergi dan balik berjalan dengan lancar.... AMIN.

*esok ke imigresen hantar permohonan Visa, doakan tiada rintangan okeh?

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Ya Allah, baru ku tahu betapa SUSAHNYA nak ke Jepun!

Aku dapati sepanjang pengalaman mengurus keberangkatan aku dan dua orang lain ke sana bahawa nak beli tiket dan reserve hotel kat Jepun mudah saja asalkan berduit. (Tahu tak harga hotel paling murah di Tokyo Jepun dalam RM300++ untuk satu malam, gilosssss!)


Tapi tang visa... ceritanya lain sama sekali.

Untuk kelayakan mendapatkan visa ke Jepun, korang kena ada...
  • Surat syarikat yang mengesahkan anda bekerja
  • Salinan penyata akaun terkini (dengan adanya minimum RM10,000 untuk seorang)
  • Sertakan passport original. Kang dah lulus, baru diorg bagi balik
  • dan gambar berukuran 2 x 2 inci berlatarbelakangkan putih!
Fuhhh..... aku tak tahu selama ini kalau ingin melancong ke sana, beginilah rupanya syarat dia.

Seb baik aku pergi atas urusan jabatan. =p

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Monday, October 10, 2011

#MSS2011 - Never say goodbye @ Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie

The final day of My Selangor Story 2011 has came at last. From sleeping on mattresses on the floor just last night to sleeping on big, comfortable beds in a luxuirious hotel has been quite a journey for us. All 24 bloggers of them could finally pack to go home and resume life as usual.

Thanks to Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie for the hospitablity. I just loved the pillows on the bed! I thought I'd never wake up because it was too comfortable! Hehe.


My room shared with Fie.
We had our breakfast quite late and I stayed at the table long after my food was finished on my plate. I didn't feel like checking out just yet. The group of 24 bloggers has now been lessened to half the lot. Many of them have already flown off via Firefly early this morning. T_T 

Spotted Hijrah and Nigel at the right.
But alas, all good things must come to an end. We fetched our luggage and checked out at the lobby. Pictures were taken as the Indonesian bloggers waited for their ride to the airport.

With adik Helga.
The Malaysian bloggers that did stay back to see the Indonesians off received small gifts of kind gesture. Never say goodbye. Say see you later please.

A wooden bracelet from Suzan. Awww!! *terharu dehh!
I managed to take a photo with the remaining hijabi girls. We never had the chance before to do so.
Farewell has never been easy.
Being the only one still recording, I thought I'd create a vid of the Indonesians departure to the airport. I leanrt later on that Andi missed his early morning flight and Danial's flight was in the evenning. But MSS2011 has finally ended when more than half of the remaining bloggers went home.



I feel my journey on My Selangor Story 2011 has changed a lot of my insights on life. It's OK to go out from my comfort zone and try new things. I did many of my firsts during this trip. My first time kayaking,, first at sailing, first time to Sepang for that matter, and many more. Abseiling and doing obstacle course among them.

And to think I'd enter a pub? A hijabi girl? It'd be quite queer among the Malaysian community but as long as you're in the right crowd and among trustful friends (must importantly trusting yourself), the whole pub experience could be elevating. But I doubt my parents would approve of that. Haha. but as conservative as I am, I never turn down event invitations unless the crowd is not right. If you get my meaning.

But overall, the bloggers and crew of My Selangor Story 2011 are farmost the joyest, friendliest group of people to hang with. And with that I want to say THANK YOU for this joyous adventure.

Till then, "Never say goodbye, I'll definitely see you guys soon!"

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Pentax Optio RZ10 Review

I had the camera for  4 days and took several pictures in Golden Palm Tree Resort, Awana Genting Highlands and lastly at The MIx. Click on the links to read my views and the sample pictures I took.

Powerful and reliable compact camera.
As said before, below are its specifications:
Pentax Optio RZ10 Specifications:  (source)
  • Product type: Superzoom
  • Sensor size: Other
  • Video resolution: 720p
  • Image stabilization: yes
  • Available colors: White, black, purple, green, orange
  • Resolution: 14 mega-pixels
  • Optical zoom: 10 x
  • Video frame rate: 30 fps
  • Screen size: 2.7 in.
  • Weight: 178 g
  • Size (WxHxD) 97x61x33 mm
One of my favorite features of this compact camera is its fast face recognition. I've tested it during a lunch outing at Golden Palm Tree

"Now you see me...
...and now you don't." Tian Chad on the left says.
This travel super-zoom compact camera is a point and shoot snapper, true and simple with a small price tag. I've searched on the web and this snapper costs only RM999.00. A budget camera for the price conscious people.

Another thing to note about this camera which differentiates it best from all the others in its range (besides the 10 X zoom of course) is it's impressive features such as:

  • Eye-Fi wireless SD/SDHC cards 
  • digital art filters such as Toy Camera and Retro
  • a smile and blink detection
  • improved dog and cat face detection (source)
  • panaromic view
Haha. Funny to know about the improved dog and face detection but it's true that people do tend to snap pictures of their pets more than themselves. Please correct if I'm wrong. 

In terms of picture quality, I must honestly say that I've seen better ones. But with that price tag and a 10X wide optical zoom with ISO 200 to boot, it's hard to deny what a bargain owning this camera is! You certainly won't get this kind of camera with these features at such a price. 


Sample Pictures of Pentax Optio RZ10
*all of these pictures were taken during My Selangor Story 2011 trip to Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa.

And my personal favourite:


The camera works well with adequate lighting. And sample picture taken during the night are seen below.
*all of these pictures were taken during My Selangor Story 2011 trip to Awana Genting Highlands

A bit too yellowish and redness when snapped under automatic mode.

Pictures quality improves once I changed the settings in the camera for suitable use under red lightings. Thus caused the pictures to be redness in color. Not an admirable trait in digital pictures.

I wish I had more time with the camera to test it's impressive optical zooms but time didn't allow it. And to wrap my short review on this camera, I'd say that around RM999, it's a well priced compact camera and definitely a reliable travel companion.

Needless to say with camera-phones getting progressively more adept, I wonder if people would still need compact cameras. Food for thought. =)

Sunday, October 9, 2011

#MSS2011 - Dinner Finale at The Mix @ Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie

We checked in at the last destination of My Selangor Story 2011, which would be Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenamarie. Each room were to accommodate two people and my room-mate for the night was Fie of fie-nuts.com

Oddly enough, throughout the whole trip, I have not a chance to share a conversation with Fie. It was being in the same room with her that bonded us closer than before especially when the topic of cute boys are involved. *wink =)

We had the afternoon completely by ourselves. Free to do whatever we wish before the dinner finale at The Mix. MSS was launched at The Mix during our first day here which could be read here. I know that some of the participants chose to check the swimming pool. Some even took pictures in the pool itself using their loaned Pentax cameras!

Tonight was different than other nights. We all came dressed up, some even glammed up to the occasion! These four bloggers below caught most of the attention.

Glammed up VS batik galore.
A lot of the Indonesians bloggers wore batik that night to commemorate Batik Day tomorrow. It was my first time hearing such a day. LOL. I wonder what they do to celebrate Batik Day back in Indonesia? I know for a fact that the government has made compulsory that all government servants wear batik EVERY Thursday. But looking at the batik that Indonesians wore was very different from the batik that Malaysians wore. Ahh, the new things I get to learn on this MSS trip!

During dinner, while waiting for our honorary guest, we feasted and chatted the evening away. At a table, I saw some bloggers crowded together to discuss about their FireFly flights tomorrow morning. The earliest to leave us was at 6:00am.

Ms Lau making sure everyone gets on the plane on time.
In the meanwhile, at another table I caught these two laughing together and was so absorbed in their discussions that they didn't notice Zaid and I taking pictures of them.

I wonder what they were talking about. Bella seems to enjoy it very much. Lolz.
It was much, much later that our guest, Mr Fazlly Razally, Event Manager of Tourism Selangor, arrived at The Mix and every cameras and eyes were on him.

"I want Selangor to be the most photographed state of Malaysia!" Fazly says.
With that said, the LIVE band below began to perform. Introducing you ZYNCHRO! They are a band hail from Philippines and they've been performing live at The Mix everyday from 9:30PM till late. In truth, this is my first time at a pub and also my first time watching a live band, performing at a pub. Usually I watch live performances at an auditorium or during weddings. Haha.

Lesley as the head singer makes his entrance.
I think most of the girls in the pub kinda got swooned by Lesley's powerful voice. Me included. And to add to that equation, he's pretty cute. *blushes

His sexy female band mates later joined him on stage.
I guess the guys in the pub enjoyed the performance as well. *gives a suspicious look at the guy next to me who happens to watch with a slightly opened mouth at the artists below. 

Later on something special happened.

Amelia stole the show, again!
And to everyone's delight, Amelia sang (for the second time. First time was at Awana Genting) a song with her rich voice. Everyone become wild the instant she sang. Haha. Including me. I moved from the back towards the front, near the stage, just to join in the jumping and cheering. All the other bloggers were doing the same. A chaotic group that we are!

The night ended with sweet memories. We had to send back our loaned Pentax cameras to Ms Lau and start packing because tomorrow we'd be checking out and also end My Selangor Story 2011. *Sedih!

.......to be continued..........

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#MSS2011 - Our Last Lunch at Awana Genting Highlands

"Never say goodbye, but say see you later." Those were the words of parting between us and the staff of Awana Genting Highlands.

After we freshened up from the muddy ordeal during Tears of the Sun and finally in clean clothing, we soon walked back to Awana Genting Highlands Resort to have a buffet lunch. Our drenched clothes and shoes were carefully kept in plastics or bags. Some of us dared to wear back their muddy shoes as there were no other footwear available.

Thankfully I had my handy slippers and my shoes were hung over my shoulder in equally drenched bags. I took no notice of that as I was more worried of slipping and falling on the trail downwards to the resort. Mr Zul brought us through a shorter route and we arrived faster than as expected.

Back at the modern resort, we were ushered into a dining room called  De Lanai Room, an adjoining room tothe Rajwali Coffee House, where we took our food. There was a stage with a big My Selangor Story 2011 backdrop there. Eager to know what's to come, I quickly chose a seat and grabbed something to eat.

Reserved especially for My Selangor Story 2011!
On my way out, I spotted Ms Fy being hospitable to Andi whose being cheeky, displaying his signature dimpled smile.

"Eat up my dear!" exclaimed Fy.
Again, as a sweet tooth person that I am, I was more focused on the display of desserts there. Haha.

Chocolate Moist Cakes anyone?
I quickly added two slices of these cakes to my load of 'nasi kuning' and kari mutton. You could see from the picture below that the whole De Lanai Room was decorated to cater My Selangor Story 2011.

A VIP treat. Nice!
The closing ceremony soon commenced with a speech by Awana Gentings' representatives followed by appointing the best team award for Tears of the Sun to Suzan's group. Each team member received a goody bag. Boy, was I jealous!

Congratulations! With Suzan's injured leg, they sure deserved the award for finishing the obstacle.
We continued dining and simply enjoyed each other's company before leaving Awana Genting for good. I sat at a table with Hijrah, Ms Lau, Helga,Andi, Rizma (who missed Tears of the Sun due to feet injuries) and Olivya. It was during that time I braved myself to ask about their working backgrounds. Didn't quite had the time to do so before. Haha.. Too absorbed with the programs, I guess. And also too shy. Ahakzz..

It was a pleasant farewell party with promises of another visit in the near future. Well, it is for me as I plan to come back soon. I have no complaints whatsoever with our stay at Awana Genting Longhouse and is definitely in my books that a team building session will be held here.

But for now......

.........see you later Awana Genting Highlands!

And coming up next, Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie.so....

.............to be continued...........

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#MSS2011 - Nature Trail and Tears of the Sun at Awana Genting

Morning came and we were awaken to join a Sunrise Programme which comprises of body stretching and some movement to wake the sleeping limbs. We were told that after breakfast we were going on a Nature Trail into the jungle. I for one dreaded the thought of getting bitten by the leeches which are known to be everywhere in the wild.

Just hoped that none will feast on me. LoL. But I guess that was soon to be proven hopeless. Before I continue, do read what my friend Nigel has to say about the itinerary for this day. Can be read here with amazing photos!

Up and early for the Sunrise Programme. (Picture credit to Dian via FB)
Andi was forced to lead our exercise for his tardiness. (Picture credit to Dian via FB)
This was only warming up. We'd be soon on a trail through the wilderness which involves lots of hills, obstacles, stairs and ..... yikes...... leeches!

We started on a down-hill trail. And some of us took pictures on insects, plants and such.
Tian Chad without his hefty DLSR. He brought the Pentax instead. 
All was smooth going downhill. Nobody was out of breath... yet.
We were quiet in the forest in case there'd be glimpses of wildlife. 
The forest was oddly quiet though.
Walking over fallen leaves, moses, and branches.
It was later on, during our way back that I had the most unpleasant surprise. I had this sudden instinct to roll up my pants and was dumbfounded when I saw this blood-sucking stow-away gripping on my flesh of a leg.

Oh My GODDDD!!!
Fairuz from the MSS crew demonstrated that the leeches were harmless creatures. They meant good by sucking out our dirty blood to ease blood flow. Errrrr... that gave me some reassurance and thankfully I wasn't screamish like other girls when I first saw the leech.
A leech on Fairuz's finger. Didn't bite at all! 
I waited all throughout breakfast time for the leech to get huge on my leg. It was such a weird sight to observe! Watching something sucking out my blood. I did lost my appetite though. Huhu.
Getting so BIGGGG!! Yikes! I'm so tasty huh?
 Hanis later on gave me some 'minyak kapak' to ward the leech off my leg without killing it. It worked like a charm!
The aftermath.
Relieved from the parasite, I went to change my clothes. Just in case there were more leeches on my body. Huhu. Thankfully there weren't any! =)

Coming up next!

Tears of the Sun
A program that really make us sweat under the sun and cultivate team-building among peers. I was so absorbed with the following activities that I kinda forgot I had a camera. Ihiks. =p

We were divided into groups of five. I was made leader. *Gulps. My team-mates now calls me mama. I wonder who'd the father be ehh??

The Tears of the Sun is where we undergo various obstacles, which consists mostly getting into mud filled water holes to get to the other side. Haha. We were soaked wet before the day was done.

My team consists of Helga, Saleh, Zaid and Bella. (Picture credit to Hafiz)
It was only through this activity was I able to connect with the other bloggers. It needed a lot of teamwork and patience to go through all the obstacles. =)

Kudos anak-anakku! 


And hurray! A teamwork job well done!

Smiles of victory after Tears of the Sun. (picture credit to Dian via FB)
I believe there is a video on us doing a victory dance. We'll have to wait for the others to update on that. And there it is! Watch it below!


*Video by Hafiz via FB. Thanks dude!
And next to my next update....

.....to be continued........

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