Yuzu Japanese Restaurant

It was the bff's birthday, and we chose to celebrate over a Japanese lunch at Yuzu. Although it has been open since 2007, it was my first and my only visit to date.

Yuzu is literally a citrus fruit and is widely used in Japanese cuisine. While the fruit is not normally eaten fresh, its juice is commonly used in the cooking process, much in the same manner as lemons are used.

We were at a loss when deciding what to order due to their extensive menu. We wanted too many dishes, and had to use the elimination method to choose what we really wanted to have.

We all concurred that we must have at least one "healthful" dish and chose a salmon salad (RM44). While we could taste the mayonnaise, we were unsure what was the special dressing mentioned in the menu.

I have the habit of including sushi when having Japanese, and opted for Ebi Avocado Maki (RM42), reason being the bff really likes avocado.

The bff is also a steamboat fanatic, and so is the other bff. They shared a Kimuchi Hokkai Nabe (RM88) amongst themselves. There was so much salmon, prawn, scallop, squid and vegetables in that bean paste soup that also had kimchi. It smelled tempting but I gently declined, as I am not a fan of the entire combo of seafood, kimchi and steamboat.

Another dish that I did not taste and had an enjoyable smelling was the beef that came on a sizzling hot plate. I swear I still smelled like it even after the meal.

For those who prefer to not share their food, there is a selection of bento sets on the menu.

They also accept reservations for groups, as we caught glimpse of private rooms further in. Although I personally feel that I have had better Japanese elsewhere, I would give a thumbs up for service and ambience. Oh, and location-wise, conveniently inside one of the most popular malls in the country.

Yuzu Japanese Restaurant

T236, Third Floor, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

T: +60 3 2284 7663, +60 3 2284 7763; E: yuzujapgmail.com

Daily 11:30am to 10:00pm

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Happy birthday, Mummy and Li'l Bro!

Sigh, yet another year of birthday celebrations without me being home. But at least, I have next year to look forward to!

Here is to wishing my 

Wonder Woman Mummy 

and my cat-loving Didi

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thank you for everything that you have done for me!

Happy birthday, Michael!

Baking and I do not go well together, and therefore, it is a rare scene to see me wielding a whisk in the kitchen.

Seriously, I could not believe myself when I patiently spooned out the batter into each "cup" in the baking tray. And since there were extra ingredients in the cupboard, we decided to be a little creative with what was supposed to be just plain vanilla cupcakes.

As I was not sure of how much butter I had put in (I only estimated), I sighed a breath of relief to see that the end product did look like cupcakes.

We decided not to use pre-made frosting. D looked up for a recipe for cheese cream frosting and made it from scratch. She whisked some caster sugar, butter and cheese cream together with some vanilla essence and lemon zest and looked every bit like an old-timer but insisted that she does not bake. "I don't bake one, really one."

I made good use of the raspberry flavoured M&M's chocolate that we had. Knowing Michael, he must have some sweet after salty/savoury and so the combination of the chocolate, 100s and 1000s on the cupcakes would do the trick. I made the letter M out of the M&M's in his favourite Manchester United colour of red (and pink because I wanted to leave some red ones for us to munch on). Hm, still turned out a little "girly" due to the colours but oh well, I don't do this every day and definitely not for every friend.

XW did more than I. She prepared a full meal: steamed egg with prawns and mushroom (something like chawamushi), stir-fried snowpeas with leek and carrots, as well as Vegemite chicken (which was awesome!). Oh, and radish soup.

After dinner, XW helped to distract Michael by showing him D's room while I quickly lit a candle and hid in the kitchen. He did not know that we were doing this, so when he saw me holding the cupcakes with a candle, he said, "No wonder la, I was thinking since when Tai Jie bake cupcakes one. Stress until have to bake? Cannot be..." 

To my sai lou here in Sydney,

Here is to wishing you a very happy birthday! Make the best of your final year in your 20s and you know that you have my support in everything that you decide to do!

Glad that you were happily surprised and thank you for that heartwarming "speech" during dinner. I was genuinely touched. If you made that speech any longer, I would have teared up.

Much love,
Tai Jie :))

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...

Nearly 2 years...

How time flies. It was not too long ago when these children were only 3 or 4-years-old when they first attended our centre. I remember how some of them came in with their parents to visit for the first time, how some questioned our curriculum, how they cried pitifully during their first two weeks with us.

We not only grew with the children, we also grew with the family. As some of these children spend more awake time with us than with their parents, we formed close, genuine bonds with families. It has been a humbling journey  working with these families.

Some of these children stayed for a year. Some for 2 years. Some for 3 and some for 4 years. Some of their parents also enrolled younger siblings, which meant that our face-to-face interaction with them go on for more than 4 years.

How time flies. It was not too long ago when all they could say were, "I want mummy" or "sheeshee". Although we have many children attending every year, it still amazes me at how much they learn. In only a few weeks, "I want mummy" would become "Mummy, bye-bye!" and "sheeshee" would become "May I go to toilet please?"

For this particular batch of students, it has been 2 years since they graduated to primary school. While some of them have lost contact with us, many of them still keep in touch with us through Facebook or saying hi during drop-off and pick-up time.

We are very pleased and proud that many of them have adapted very well to primary school life, some even making a name for themselves for excelling in story-telling, wushu, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, poetry, calligraphy and singing. Hopefully, the experiences they had with us will continue to come in handy in their lives.

Happy Teacher's Day

Puan Lim. Puan Thean. Encik Muhammad. Cikgu Rizan. Cikgu Azlan. Puan Azizah. Cikgu Nur. Mrs. Kangesan. Mr. Lopez. Mr. Eng. Mr. Tan. Mr. Karuna. Mr. Bong. Puan Wong. Puan Pardeep. Puan Chan. Puan Toh. Puan Phang. Puan Khoo. Cikgu Julia. 余老师. Mr. Chin. Puan Tan. Encik Rahim. Cik Yap. Puan Yap. Puan Koay. Encik Muniandy. Miss Vivien. Miss Kimberly. Mrs. Lim. Mr. Boodram. Uncle Joe. Aunty Janice. Mr. Boey. Uncle Vijaya. Ken.

My teachers at Tadika Bunga Raya, Tadika Desa, ELC, SRKSS, SKTD, SMKDP, CPU@TCSJ, Nalanda and elsewhere (piano, choir, dance).

Of course, there are also the individuals who have guided me much in life without wearing the title 'teacher'.

Thank you.

Happy Teacher's Day.

Happy Mother's Day

Why are you up so early? Sleep somemore la.

What do you want for lunch? I dapau for you.

Are you having dinner with us? Want me to pack for you also or not?

Which car are you taking? If not I take you out and drop you off. Just call me when you are done.

Where are you going for dinner? With who? Where are you having dinner? He coming to take you or are you driving to his place? Makan with him only or with a group of friends? What time are you coming home?

Who is that? I've not heard his name before. Where is he from? How you know him one? Whose friend? How old is he? Where does he live? What does he do?

Are you wearing that? Why your skirt so short ah? Why your shirt so low cut ah?

Why wear all black ah? You going for funeral ah?

You know people's parents' or not? Make sure you bring something to people's house, don't go empty handed.

Brought your keys? Your water? Phone got battery or not? Got money or not? Enough to use or not?

Where are you? Highway already? Later when you get back, there's a bowl of bird's nest. I put on your table already. Drink before you sleep.

You on your way back yet or not? Not yet ar? Where are you now? Not too late ar, that road is very dark, very quiet. Be careful on your way home.

Remy is waiting for you at the door already. Are you on your way yet?

Go and do your work. Don't worry about other things. You finish your work first.

Bought everything you need or not? Packed already? Make sure you have everything you need. If not just let us know and we'll post them over to you.

Passport taken already? Your Aussie dollar and all that got ah?

Remember to take care of yourself. Eat properly. Don't play too hard. Work hard but have to balance also. And don't worry so much, you will be okay one.



I love you too, Mummy. 

Happy Mother's Day.

Life #12

It does not take much to make me happy.

It does not take much to make someone else happy.

But it does take plenty of effort, determination, trust and respect to gain genuine happiness.

I suppose, every friendship's happiness carries different meanings. I think, the happiness we have is one that we managed to develop over time and challenges that saw us through not just good but also bad times.

♥ you too. happy birthday.

Valentine's Day

For the first time in many years, I feel pampered on Valentine's Day. I've not 'celebrated' Valentine's Day in I don't even remember how long. As if to 'make up' for all the uncelebrated ones, I had two dates this year. 

Hm, well, technically, I would consider it one date because the lunch date was purely just lunch. However, it was pretty awesome roast duck gonlo mien (干捞麵) at Yummy Duck Roast House (鸭味无穷) over  at Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park. And no, he did not pay for me, I paid for my own portion.

When VK asked me two days earlier to choose between Wednesday and Thursday to catch up, I chose Thursday because Wednesday was totally booked out. When he asked where I would like to go, I told him I had no idea but I would like to watch the Aniu movie, The Wedding Diary 2 because I watched the first installment last Chinese New Year. So when he suggested to catch up over dinner and do the movie, I thought why not, since I get to kill two birds with one stone.

He bought the tickets online and he came to take me from home to Pavilion. Along the way, there were many ad hoc stalls selling flower bouquets, which got him wondering. I went, "今天是情人节呀..." and his reply was, "是吗？我完全都忘了..." Haha, I did not think he'd realise, anyway. 

After some window shopping, we had dinner at Tonkatsu by Wa Kitchen on Level 6 of the classy (and not to mention crowded) shopping complex. He and his usual trick to get himself out of making a decision on what to order for himself: You choose the two dishes that you would like to have most and I'll share with you lor....

After dinner, we shared a green tea soft cone (which by the way, was orgasmic and I don't know why I did not take a picture of myself indulging it!). Then it was off to enjoy the movie. Then, it was more catch up over drinks downstairs at Malones.

For some reason, he decided to try a blend of Guinness and ale. He does not like ale so no surprise he did not like the mixture.

I, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed my red Sangria. Lots of fruits for me to chew, so I slowly took my time to enjoy it.

I ended up looking just as red as the drink after that. When he got me back to my doorstep, he quickly dashed out of the car to open the back passenger door. He handed to me a little silver box wrapped with a big flower ribbon. 

I was very surprised, "I thought you said you didn't realise that it was Valentine's Day today?!" 

A cheeky smile flashed across his face, "Happy Valentine's Day..."

Sigh... such friends are hard to come by and I thank my lucky stars for friends like you. 

VK, thank you.

Friends are like family

For the first time, I sent out invitations to friends who have given much meaning to different parts of my life. The invitation was for Chinese New Year, and also to catch up with them given my short stay in KL this time around.

To all of you who came, a very big thank you!

The Koh family: Xin Wen, we finally get to be in KL at the same time for Chinese New Year after so many years!

Dave, thank you for coming and glad that you are enjoying yourself in Malaysia.

My AsiaWorks buddies, Henry and Evon, thank you for coming all the way from Klang just to catch up. You guys are the best!

Uncle Wong and Miss Yong, thank you for coming and for your angpau.

Miss Lew, I am so touched! You came alone, driving in the dark with a bad flu, all in the name of 'love'.... hahaha... thank you so much! Muaks!

My CPUian buddies, Alan, Lian Shien and Mong, thank you for making your way over. Alan, thanks for organising. So happy for you and Shieny with the baby on the way. And oh, thank you for the angpau :P

My Perdanarian juniors, Pin Kean, Siew Ching, Kah Fai and Yun Hau, thank you for spending some time at our place. You guys seem to have really enjoyed the board game. Pin Kean, you really enjoyed the prawn crackers, yea? Haha... Siew Ching, congratulations to you and How Ran. Kah Fai, congrats to you, too. Yun Hau, continue to work hard la, ya? Haha... and we know your office is surrounded by good food but you really 'fat fuk' ady leh... :))

The 'reunited' lovebirds, Chee Kit and Sandra. Okay, that sounded a little wrong but I think you get what I mean. Thank you for making it. Chee, all the best with your part-time studies and Sandra, we sama-sama gambate, ya?

Primary and high school friend, Yuen Chai, thanks for coming all the way, too. Always nice to meet up with you to catch up and laugh over stuff.

Kean Giap, thank you for all that you have done for me during this trip. Really appreciate all your help!

My besties, Max, Jeunn and Cat, thank you like always. I know you love my house, I do, too. Will inform you on how much it will cost to rent my place to you for your photography shoot... lol. Love you guys!

My Perdanarian juniors Guek Ming, Hwee Lee, Jwu Hoe and Chai Ling, thank you for visiting. Your interest in the house, especially Jwu Hoe, was apparent. Must be an architect thing. Ray and Aunty Cindy, thank you for the Martini.

For all who could not make it this time, no worries, there is always next year!