Teppan Sakaba

Le bff and I discovered this izakaya thanks to a heavy downpour. We initially wanted to have dinner somewhere else but due to the rain, we decided to change to somewhere with covered parking. And as we were in Taman Desa, the best choice was Faber Tower.

Both of us are not familiar with the eateries in Faber, so we just chose the closest one to the the lift. We scanned the menu and thought, okay, why not.

 

We rather liked the interior, as we found it rather authentic. Perhaps we were rather early and also because it was raining, there were not many people there. Therefore, the waitstaff were pretty responsive.

I personally liked how they even have signs on the floor. Although it is something rather simple, it added to the vibe.

We did not quite understand why there were dinosaurs on the tables, though. I thought they were Ultraman-inspired, but that was just my hunch.

Onward to food. We wanted some green, so we had edamame.

We enjoyed the pan-fried gyoza lots - crispy on the outside, soft and flavourful on the inside accompanied by pickled ginger. Totally could see why this is one of the most popular dishes.

Pork never seems to not be on our order list. Instead of somethin grilled, we ordered salted belly miso. This was new to our palates and we enjoyed it.

We also tried clam soup, which befitted the cold and wet weather.

For me, the best was the unagi because, well, I love unagi.

Affordable pricing, cosy ambience and attentive service. Not bad for a random coincidental find.

Teppan Sakaba

Lot G13 Faber Tower, Jalan Desa Bahagia, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

T: +60 3 7971 7678

Daily 4:30pm to 11:30pm

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Les Deux Garçons

I first heard of them from the bff's wife. There is no dessert place that could escape that all-encompassing radar built into the dessert-lover in her. The outlet she visited was in Bangsar but the one I visited with Evon was the one in Taman Desa.

What else would you order from a French dessert place? Cakes and all that, of course!

Before I proceed, let me get this out - I was impressed with the set-up, the selection of sweets and even the quality ingredients they used. All of what we ordered were divine and we would be back to try other selections.

Try visiting them on weekends to ensure ample parking spaces. They now have a full menu for dine-in meals but they do not have seating arrangements for big groups, so would be helpful to ring them ahead for a booking or something.



Les Deux Garçons
16 Jalan 2/109E, Desa Business Park, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: +60 3 7980 0200
Daily 8:00am to 5:30pm

Happy birthday, my dear...

Birthdays hold different meanings for different people. While some people think of it as a milestone worth celebrating, some think of it as another passing day. For me, it is a bit of both but when it is someone else's, it means a lot.

Today, someone very dear to me turns 30. I have known him since January 2001. In a blink of an eye, our friendship has lasted for 12 years and counting. Of course, like any ship that sails the unpredictable seas, we have had our fair share of rough and calm waters, unexpected weather and the occasional surprise visit by a whale or dolphin.

To that special someone;

I am thankful that I made the decision to give 6th Form a try because otherwise, I would not have sat behind you.

I am thankful that I knew the teacher-in-charge of the class through tuition because otherwise, she would not have given me the opportunity to take up a class committee position.

I am thankful that I accepted the class committee position because otherwise, I would not have had the opportunity to work with you.

I am thankful that you were (and still are) a really friendly and helpful person because otherwise, I would not have had the courage to befriend you.

I am thankful that you were heaps better at Maths than I was because otherwise, I would not have had so much attention from you in class.

I am thankful that you believed in me (and continue to) because otherwise, I would not have managed to overcome the thoughts I had.

I am thankful that we went through what we did because otherwise, we would not have matured in the way we view each other and in the way that we are accepting of each other.

I am thankful that I did not reject the possibility of us becoming friends again after our fallout because otherwise, I would have lost a person who understands me really well.

I am thankful that despite everything, we are still friends and that our friendship has grown stronger throughout the years.

For all the phone calls, messages, cards, presents, meals, movies, impending tropical getaway, hugs and support. For your presence in my life.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Happy birthday...

Happy birthday, Rhyann!

To my friend at Happy Sunshine Kindergarten in Taman Desa, your hard work will all pay off in future. Do not give up on your beliefs and dreams - your kindie will make it big one day!

Happy birthday, Rhyann!

Happy Malaysia Day!

Proud to say that this is done by a high school classmate of mine, the charming Alexis Keith Fernandez.

Proud to be Malaysian.

Happy Malaysia Day.

Boo Loves Berry

Boo Loves Berry is a designer toy distributor in both Singapore and Malaysia, and is currently the sole distributor of Deego Toys Spain. Head to their website to view their colourful gallery of products and to learn of the Boo Berry story.

Boo Loves Berry also aims to make a difference by seeking opportunities to partner with organisations or foundations that support and aid unfortunate children.

They were recently at the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention (STGCC) where they had a booth filled with their adorable Deego Toys.

Lots of creative talent out there. Like them on Facebook and follow their story!

And why am I suddenly promoting them? Well, because, one of its co-founders is my childhood classmate from Desa. It started with her blog in 2010 and as we all know, when you follow your passion and dreams, you will achieve great things because you love what you do. Yin, I'm so proud of you! XOXO

From the bottom of my heart

By the time you get to read this, I would be sitting comfortably in my seat on an MH flight enroute to Sydney. Maybe even enjoying the MAS nasi lemak, which I enthusiastically recommended to a friend recently.

Yes, I am southbound once again, like the many times before this. Many of you wonder if I refer to both locations as home. Well, yes, I do, but according to different terms. And some of you ask if it gets easier each time I take off. In all honesty, it should because I would be conditioned to accept the fact that I have to get my sorry ass back to uni but unfortunately, it has not. This is especially true for this particular trip back to KL.

This trip, unlike my previous ones, was a long one. Six months to be exact. Instead of a play-my-heart-out holiday, it was also a working holiday. Many things could happen in six months. Much more than say two or three weeks.

Relationships made and broken; establishing new connections, both professional and personal; reconnecting with people who have been out of my life for a long time; disconnecting with people who are not worth my time and effort; money earned and spent; places visited and distances travelled.

There were ups and downs during the six months, in particular with my research. However, I have to admit that there were more highs than lows and there are several people I would like send a shout out to here (in no particular order and if I do not mention you here, that does not mean that you are not important, okay?).

Jian Jun, at least I got to see you in the flesh. Enjoy college life to the max (without causing and getting into too much trouble, that is)! Thank you for still being willing to meet up with me - students like you make it all worth it.

Su Ee (and family), Chee Kin, Chin Dy and Velvin, Singapore was heaps fun because of all of you - thank you so much!

Jenny, thank you for that really long (and healthy) lunch. Am always happy to make another trip to your side of town.

My research participants, my six months would have been meaningless without you. All of you. Thank you.

Miss Chia, you went all out of your way to bring me around the Klang Valley and passed to me phone numbers of possible participant centres. I cannot thank you enough for that.

Rhyann, you are my new friend, my new makan and main kaki! I will miss Aeris and Kingston heaps! You have to keep sharing photos of them with me, okay?

Rainey, you have no idea what you have gotten yourself into. But I am grateful that you are part of the Honey Bee team. I hope you learn lots with us and that you enjoy your stay with us. Thank you for choosing to be with us.

Miss Lew, your presence at Honey Bee is much missed. Why? Because you are not around to replace absent teachers, to help with sending off, and to help during bath. Sigh.... haha, you are missed because of your cheerful, happy-go-lucky demeanour more than anything else! Thank you for being part of the Honey Bee family and hope everything at your new workplace will get better!

Miss Teoh, what can I say? Your 38ness, your food cravings, your karaoke craze, your loud voice, your sudden addiction to Herbalife - they all make you a special person. Thank you for being not just my colleague, but also my friend. I will always remember our makan and main trips, especially the cycling trip to Putrajaya Wetlands and our two-day trip to Melaka.

Boey, thank you for giving me the honour to bring you to the airport. I really enjoyed the catch up and just like you, am thrilled with all the hard-earned awesomeness that is happening.

Fong (and Queenie), I am forever indebted to both of you for bringing me home safely that night from The Beer Factory. Thank you.

Sab, your cheerful demeanour and endless topics of conversation amazes me. Your shutter-happy efficiency ensures that we have up-to-date photographs to admire on your FB constantly. Having you in the group just lights things up. Thank you.

Raymond Chong, thank you for being my new lunchtime buddy. Thank you for the Jap dinner, the super random movie and McD's brekkie. That ride from The Mines, honestly, was a great help. Thank you for coming along to Penang with us, too. And I cannot thank you enough for introducing your sis-in-law. And your really adorable Mum. But more importantly, thank you for being you.

Guek Ming (and Hwee Lee), for all the yumcha (and yumzau) and makan sessions, all the tongsui and chuisui sessions, all the car rides and all the long phone calls. For the cycling at Putrajaya and the roadtrip to Penang. And especially, for allowing me to be part of your wedding. Thank you.

Fuh Ming,I am sometimes amazed at how much you understand me and at how patient you are with me - all that make you a special person. Thank you.

Voon Khong, for all the meals and movies, all the long discussions on how I could view things differently and all your encouragement, thank you.

Raymond Loh, congratulations on the the upgrading of the kopitiam! I have been recommending your place to friends and I am so happy to see you do so well. And thank you for letting me be part of the celebrations!

Chee Kit, you are an amazing person and you have to keep telling yourself that. Your positive outlook in life and never say never attitude is commendable. And I thank you for letting me be a part of your life journey.

Sandra, I am so happy that we managed to meet again after 20 long years! I am even more amazed that we both still look the same (chewah, so perasan right?). Let us both be each others' pillar of support on this exciting journey, okay? We can do it and we will do it in style!

Edwin, AsiaWorks is amazing. You are amazing and with that, our friendship is amazing. Thank you.

Kenny, your encouragement and support, however random, are much appreciated. Your presence at my AW Basic Training graduation was just heartwarming. Thank you. I apologise for not making it for your wedding but you know I am genuinely happy for you and congratulate both of you.

Jon, you are and will always be a special friend. Your wedding was so touching, I had tears in my eyes (you know, that feeling of, "Aw, my best friend is getting married... sniff sniff..."). Congratulations. And thank you.

Yuen Chai, your tip on where to look for maps is a lifesaver. Thank you.

Max (and Cath), your presence in my life in itself is a blessing. You share both my joys and sorrows. You help me think straight (ironically, over a pint or two of beer). You talk to me until I think that everything will be okay. Thank you.

Jeunn, I am so glad I had the chance to celebrate your birthday with you this year. Your willingness to go out of your way to ferry me home from wherever I am is just unbelievable. And tailing me home to ensure I am safe - I do not know anyone else who does that. Thank you.

Xin Wen, your e-mails, WhatsApp conversations and Skype calls provided much consolation. I really miss you and Michael. Thank you for your friendship, that I hope will become stronger with each event we experience together.

Samuel and Samantha, I am so proud of both of you - all grown up and not the so little cousins of mine any longer. Meimei, I am so glad that I made it to your graduation. Korkor, I will make it to taste all your new recipes, okay? Love ya lots!

Little bro, we may not be like other sis-bro pairs that can hang out together and share jokes but I honestly have much respect for you. I will be a better sister the next time I am home.

Mum and Dad, no words can express how much I love you. For everything that you have done for me and to me for the past 29 years, I thank you.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.

Happy birthday, Fuh Ming!

After so many years of friendship, I finally get to celebrate your birthday with you, my dear! And not just with you, with all the other friends from Desa, too.

A big thank you to your good buddy, Ray, for again, going to Padi House to get the lovely birthday cake. I quite like the Beer Factory photo frame - quite cute, don't you think?

Another year of happy memories, of wonderful experiences and meaningful friendships! Happy birthday, Fuh Ming!

Happy wedding, Guek Ming and Hwee Lee!

Dressed in a pink top, white skirt and matching white shoes, I joined in the fun of 'bringing the bride home' early in the morning on this last day of June. I hardly had any sleep the night before, so it was slightly unnerving to be the designated driver for one of the photographers.

You finally get to marry your high school sweetheart, my dear friend! Congratulations! All those ups and downs were well worth your effort, right?

Now, when will we expect little ones? And I wonder who in our Desa group will be the next one to hand out an invitation? Hm...

Happy birthday, Guek Ming!

Good friends are hard to come by

Understanding but not overly protective

Especially caring towards the people you love

Keeping them happy and cared for

Marrying the love of your life soon

I really am very happy for you

Never forget our friendship because

Good friends are hard to come by

May all your dreams come true, my friend!

Happy birthday!

N.B.: So happy that after we graduated from Desa, we still keep in touch and are still good friends.

P.S.: A big thank you to Ray for making a detour to Padi House for the cake.

Happy birthday, Jeunn and Rick!

We hear the phrase, "As we grow older, we will get more work and family commitments. We will find less reason and time to meet up with school friends". Come on, admit it, all of you have heard this phrase before.

So, imagine how difficult it was to arrange for a handful of us to meet up to celebrate one birthday, let alone two. Luckily for me, I managed to get seven class/school/tuition mates from Desa together to celebrate the birthdays of two childhood friends.

Happy birthday to Jeunn Fuh and Rick Kee! May our friendship continue to flourish (even with the current limited amount of nourishment)!

Two weddings on the same day

I made sure I flew home in time to attend my best friend's wedding at FGA the next morning. Jon, so happy to be a part of your special day. Really appreciated how you even texted me a few months ago to let me know that Ee Lane accepted the 'rock' you presented. :)

On the same day, I made sure I attended the wedding dinner at Crowne Plaza Mutiara of another classmate, the ever so sweet Yew Fon. Again, so happy to be a part of your special day, Yew Fon. Thank you for saving a seat for me.

Happy wedding and may your journey with your loved ones be a blissful, joyful and fruitful one!

Life #10

What are the odds?

He is two year older than I am, was in a class deemed poor by the standards of the Ministry of Education and did not mix with our 'click'. We hardly saw each other in school, let alone talk and had the opportunity to become friends. But somehow, we did. And that was back when I was 16.

Last year, all thanks to the wonders of facebook, we reconnected. All it took was some initiative from both ends to keep in touch occasionally and the 11-year vacuum was filled.

How did we do that? 11 years of not knowing what happened to each other, of total MIA-ness disappeared just through Skype sessions, SMSes and phone calls.

And the icing on the cake had to be the moment I sat in his car - to finally see him in person again.

Some friendships just go on. No reasons needed.

Perth (Day 1)

It all started with this phone call conversation:

XW: I have something to tell you.
Me: What?
XW: I'm not going for paintball anymore.
Me: Ha? Why? Then what about me?
XW: Er, erm, you want to go to Perth with me or not?
Me: -speechless for 10 seconds- PERTH?!
XW: -laughs- Yea...

After several exchanges of e-mails consisting flight itineraries, we were on our way to the other end of the country (finally, after 8 years of my life here!). At 5:10pm, our Virgin Blue flight ended after what we thought was the longest domestic flight we have ever taken.

Perth welcomed us with a cooling breeze, which made us wonder why Sydney was warmer. Is it not summer now? Why so cold?

Holiday Inn Burswood was our abode for the two nights there.

The hotel is part of the Burswood Entertainment Complex, which also consists of InterContinental Hotel, Burswood Dome, Burswood Theatre and Burswood Casino. Having not checked into a hotel for more than a year, I was like an excitable little girl opening and closing everything I could - doors, curtains, drawers, cupboards - you name it!

I liked how the pillows were labeled to differentiate the soft to the hard pillows and also how almost everyone in the hospitality industry is trying to play a part in conservation.

The key card was plastic, though, but it said to relax...

... which we certainly did before we headed out for dinner.

An ex-classmate of mine from primary school came with her boyfriend to take us to a place called To To Traditional Vietnamese Restaurant and Asian Cuisine.

According to the Perth Food Engineers, service is poor, as it is laced with bad manners, slow servings and sometimes forgotten orders.

They were packed with patrons and seemed busy, which could mean two things: 1) they are good and so are popular or 2) they have efficiency problems with staff and service.

Fortunately for us, we did not experience any of the negativities, as Jane used to work here and helped us with ordering. Dishes were served promptly, as well. I wonder if staff (both past and current) get special treatment? Jane ordered quite a bit so I am going to do my best to recall what they all were (a little hard when I did not place the orders personally).

The typical Vietnamese prawn rice paper rolls:

Deep fried wontons:

Some sort of cold prawn and bamboo shoot salad:

Chicken satay with peanut sauce:

Stuffed chicken wings:

Fish sauce chicken wings:

Shredded chicken pho:

And a Vietnamese must-have, the combination beef pho:

Xin Wen and I thought the food could have been better if not for the high oiliness level. Otherwise, we found the food tasteful.



To To Traditional Vietnamese Restaurant and Asian Cuisine
873 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park, WA 6101
08 9355 2388 (Tel) ‎

While Xin Wen stayed at the hotel to get some rest, I went out for supper with a high school mate. He brought me to Fast Eddys Cafe, a 24-hour place he used to work at. I liked the decor of the place, as it exuded a 'cowboy-ish' and 'antique-ish' feel.

Even the menu (which they allowed patrons to take with them) was in a 70s design.

On the table was a little placard with some trivia for patrons to read while waiting to be served.

For Joe, this plate of cop-the-lot burger (beef, bacon, egg and cheese with salad, ketchup and mayonnaise was his dinner.

For me, the banana split and the cup of hot chocolate were my supper.

And, imagine how well-fed I was to also have shared a plate of fried banana pancakes.

Fast Eddys Cafe
266 Walter Road West, Morley, WA 6062
08 9275-8777 (Tel), 08 9275-8788 (Fax)
Email: morley@fasteddyscafes.com

Joe then took me on a quick drive in the city. Best part of that short drive was this:

I will tell you more about this structure in the next entry. Keep posted!