boon's log 1110.02: Randoms: New Year, New toy (partial), iPad and a Happy Birthday!

Wow, has it been 3 months since I last blogged? Seems like the social networks are really taking a toll on the weblogs, huh? ;) Well, at least for me, I guess. And laziness is probably another.

Anyways, a belated Happy New Year 2011 and Happy New Lunar New Year (of the Bunny). Hopefully the new year's been treating you all well. Our's zoomed past like the lightning. But we enjoyed it, especially with the new addition to the family. ;)

***New toy (partially)***
I've been scouting around for a SLR Battery pack/grip for a while, but the original Canon BG-E5 is priced at ~USD140 (!!!). Then I started to looked at the compatible/OEM ones and there's this one that just jumped out right at me. It's by Opteka, priced at ~USD80, almost half of the original Canon. Not only that, it comes with a bag of goodies - 2 battery packs, battery charger (with in-car adapter), mini-tripod (not useful for SLR, by the way), wireless remote shutter release, and cleaning kit. 1 week after purchasing it, the vendor pulled it out from the web. Works like a charm, and I'm really happy with it, so far - it received pretty goo reviews as well. Well, for USD80, what more can you ask for?


Opteka Battery Grip for Canon Rebel XSi

***Happy Birthday IL***
We were back at the HRC recently to celebrate IL's birthday. It was Ab's idea by the way. We still do not know why a 4 year old would like to eat at that place so much. Not to mention that we have to drive for >30mins to get there. Anyway, food was great. And the people are getting more friendly, compared to the last time we were there. And considering a weekday, the Cafe was more than 2/3 filled. Surprisingly good business for a weekday.


Back at the Rock.

***Fruit Ninja***
That has recently been the addiction in the family. It started with Ab's Aunt, then Ab's babysitter (a.k.a. Ab's grand-aunt) and Ab herself. NOW, even IL's hooked on the game. Even gone to the extent of considering getting the iPad :). Firstly, the iPad has a bigger screen so that Ab won't have to cramp her eyes into the small iPod Touch screen and secondly, the iPad has the duel mode which is not available in the Touch. Still under consideration... :) But I guess many would disagree in getting it just because of that game, I'm sure... haha.


Fruit Ninja in Action

And welldone Liverpool on the 3-1 win against Manchester United last weekend. The Red Devils may continue to brag about their rankings, but a win's a win. Kudos. Keep it up, Reds.

boon out...

boon's log 1010.07: Ballerina Girl, XianDingWei, HRC

HRC

Happy Birthday, IL. :) *Hugs*

We celebrated IL's birthday at HRC this year. And because she has a close friend's wedding dinner to attend, we had little choice but to settle for a small lunch-do celebration ad the HRC. IL said that it looked more like Ab's birthday, rather than IL's because it seems like Ab enjoyed it more than IL did... :) We had so much to eat that we had to box some of the food for later - which actually worked out pretty well, since I did not have any dinner plans (not wanting to get in the way of the all-girls-reunion thingy at the wedding)...


Back at the Hard Rock...


Food that can feed 5 (or 6)...

For the record, I really enjoyed the Smokehouse Menu - particularly the Ribs. The meat literally slides off the bones and it is very, very tender. Mouth-watering, really. They were out of beef brisket, which was my original choice - as part of my Duo Delight (or something like that), so i ended up with Beef Ribs and Chicken BBQ. IL and Ab shared the Mac and Cheese (with Chicken), which 1/4 of it eventually became my dinner (:)). Ab had a order of Hotdog with Fries for herself. All in all, a yummy treat for the entire family.

Oh and for Citibank Credit Cardholders, there's a 10% discount (if you do not have the All Access Card - which also gives you 10% discount at the HRC)

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Xian Ding Wei, Taiwanese Tea Room



NROTB - New Restaurant on the Block

On Saturday, we checked out Xian Ding Wei - the latest addition to Queensbay Mall's list of restaurants. It turned out to be a rather pleasant visit. And we think that finally, Dragon-I may have a competitor. We ordered the San-Bei Chicken Set, the Sweet Roasted Chicken Set and a DanDan Noodles for sides. A quick word of advise, skip the DanDan noodles if you can. If you really cannot, go ahead order it, but you may find that you will need to add the chili oil to spice it up a little. Apart from that The set meals are delicious. And to wash it all down, do try their Pearl Milk Tea.


San-Bei Chicken Set


Collages of Taiwan


Taiwan's famous Pearl Milk Tea

The service was pretty good - there was one time when the waitress brought a glass of warm water to our table and we just told her that we did not order it and she brought it back. After that 2 other waitresses came over and apologized, and then came one of the "captains" (identified by different costumes) also came and apologized. And the speed of the food was also quite impressive - food was served under 15minutes.

The only thing was that the price may be a little on the steep side for a rather normal/typical Joo-Char meal, but not to extravagant, I believe.

So, the verdict...

3.5/5 for the taste (judged down by the bland-taste DanDan Noodle)
4/5 for speed and service
3/5 for value for money.

Would I go back there again? Sure...

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Ballerina Girl

Earlier in the week, we took Ab to one of the Ballet classes near our place - since she enjoyed dancing so much - influenced by the many Disney Princesses she's been watching, no doubt(!). She enjoyed herself, and due to her age (0.5years short of the youngest kid in her class), the teacher asked her to return this week for another trial as she needs a little bit more time assess if she is able to cope with the rest of the class. What's encouraging was that the teacher commended on her "flexibility". It was really fun to see her enjoying herself dancing and doing all the ballet moves and stretches... :)


Our little ballerina girl in the making...

boon out...

boon's log 5109.06: Randoms...

Brush with celebrity...
We had the honor to attend one of the ceramahs by the Menteri Besar of Perak, YB Dato' Nizar Jamaluddin at the Penang Kompleks Penyayang recently. He really has a gift of the gap - he was able to capture our attention through his ~2hr ceramah. YB Sim was the facilitator and I believe this must have been one of the first (of many more) ceramahs he's conducted since the Perak fiasco started. He touched on behind the scenes of the entire Perak saga - most of which were not covered or revealed by the media. He also touched on how Mr 1Malaysia and his deputy (Deputy Mr 1Malaysia) had a hand in the conspiracies. It was a truly informative evening and it rejuvenated most (if not all) of all who attended.


Fullhouse


YB Dato' Nizar Jamaluddin


Press Conference

Ab's Birthday bash(es)...
We decided to go ahead with Ab's birthday plans despite our recent loss. We thought that it would be a good idea to lighten up the mood a little and lighten up, it deed. The birthday bash started with started the 1st in Penang, followed by Part II in Ipoh and then we wrapped it up at the Hard Rock... Ab totally enjoyed herself, with presents and birthday cakes... Thanks to all who made it possible.


Bash #1 in Penang


Bash #2 in Ipoh


Bash #3 at the Hard Rock, Penang... Snake Charmer.

Learning her ABC's...
We started Ab on some more serious writing skills, and started with Annie Apple. Previously, we did get her to recognize and write some alphabets here and there, but never really got down to more serious business. We are glad that she enjoys it and it's a great encouragement to see her liking it. Time really flies - it feels like almost yesterday when IL and I were in the delivery room and now she's learning to write her ABC's...


Ab learning to write...


boon out...

boon's log 4209.02:Randoms - ChiangMai and Hard Rock Hotel, Penang...

Time flies when you're having fun... before you know it, the month is gone and the fun's history and remains a memory...

First of all, IL and I made a trip up to Chiangmai, like 4 weeks ago, because our aunt had some timeshare credits that she needed to burn and she had space for 2 more. So, we hunted for cheap AirAsia tickets and flew ourselves the the northern most big city of the Thai Kingdom - Chiangmai. ten ten ten.

Did loads of walking and visiting and most of all, EATING! Yeah, food is really super cheap - rough estimation, okay - 6 of us, 9 dishes comes up to sub-95 ringgits! can you believe that? Fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, tomyam soup... the works! I would really love to go back to Chiangmai again - if not for anything else, but just for the food! I Love Chiangmai.... food.

Sightseeing was also pretty interesting. Did some stuffs there that I never imagined myself doing (if I did not land myself in Chiangmai). For instance... Elephant ride, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), eating worms (Yeah, baby!). Anyway, here are some photos from our trip... Overall, totally enjoyed the trip and would go back when the "deal is right".


Hor Kham Royal Pavillion at the Royal Flora 2006


Wat Prasingh


Dinner along the Ping River


Deep Fried worms... Yummy!


The famous long necks


Umbrella Industry


Hilltribe women folk


Inside Wat Chedi Luang


Sunday Market...

After our short-week-getaway in Chiangmai, it was back to work again for a couple of weeks - until we hit the sands again recently. And where else to hit the sands but at the brand new Hard Rock Hotel, Penang. It was pretty impressive what they've done with the place, considering the old Casuarina building was quite... well, old. The room was so-so, but I kinda like how they hid the Elvis mural behind the mirrors and how they separated the toilet from the rest of the room.

Food at the HRC was not up to my expectations, though. I think the food in HRC-KL tastes better that the one in Penang. Well, give them time, perhaps they will improve, eh? I hope so. And there wasn't much of a line outside the HRC compared to the long queue at HRC-KL when we were there the last time.

The pools... the pools were spectacular - by far, I think, HRH must have THE biggest pool area in the B. Ferringhi strip... it's got more pool space than walk space outside. Amazing. Maintenance of the pools must cost a bomb!

Overall, it seemed like Ab's the one that enjoyed the short weekend the most - so much so that she did not want to leave the hotel and she kept telling us that she wants to go back to Hard Rock to swim and that she does not want to swim in the pool back at our apartment complex. Haha!

here are some pictures...


Room with a view...


The King of Pop


Guitar lessons, anyone?


Hittinng the sands...


Storm's-a-rockin'


The Main lobby special - cool, but hard to maintain.


View from room at night...


The Sovenir that came with the room

Well, up until here, for now. Time to hit the sack... More later...

boon out...