Space U8

Went for quick tour around the new shopping/business park in Seksyen U8 Shah Alam. This place is known as Space U8 is barely finish with just a few shops opened, but it's a pity for such an impressive design-finished from the external elevations to have such a poorly-coordinated mechanical ducting all over the place.

View from my window..

I was loving the day, having to opened up my window to the rythmn of falling rain, and breathe-in the refreshing smell of each rain drops. However it lasts not more than an hour, for which the skies open up serenely to the world covered with a thin cirrus with light breeze sweeping through.
And I'm still-deep in love with the day. God has created a great day!

Sunset of the day

Glory sunset

Picnic @ Gold Coast

During the long weekend holiday, my children's aunt decided that we should all go for a family get together by the beach, so we all head for Bagan Lalang or now more famously known as Sepang Gold Coast where it already has the 5-star Gold Coast Resort modelled from the Palms of Dubai. But we ain't settling down our picnic basket at that place, what we want is just a laid-back open space under the pine trees facing the sea.

It's almost noon when we arrive, and as the day ebbs and tides recede, it has exposed the entire beach to the sun. Well, luckily we wasn't game for any swimming session by the beach nor was the children, so we just spread our mat and lay down the picnic basket(s) and start devouring our brunch meals. We had 'nasi lemak' with all its condiments. 'Nasi lemak' is made of from rice cooked in coconut milk, serves with 'sambal' made of chili paste and anchovies cooked together. It is also accompanied by fried anchovies, peanuts and fresh sliced cucumber as side-dishes.

We went for a walk along the beach. There were not many people out there as the sun was already striking its glare right from the top, but the sea breeze was so pleasant that you didn't realized you get all the tan by walking all over the beach, joining the children in their hunt for little crabs and other tiny creatures that were fast crawling into the sand.

Monsoon is here?

No, I did not snap this photo while driving, that would be  a suicide attempt!! Fortunately on this particular day, I was happily sitting next to 'my driver' and all I could see was this gloomy state of the sky with all the water keep pouring down like it's not ever going to stop. And I wonder, is the monsoon season already here?!

Journey of 2006-2011 : A sweet success.

Today, I could mark a big full-stop on my calendar for the completion of 2006-2011 journey , and I could take a deeper breathe and release it with pure satisfaction. I believe, I'm creating a history for my own journey as an architect, even though it was not designed as outstanding as Zaha Hadid, but as a novice, am still proud of my achievement! It would be the first project that I ever deal with from a scratch, preparing schematic design sketch, site study, presentations, submissions and construction. Plus, I had the opportunity to 'savour all the worst ordeal' a project could have- not having a proper site documentations and non-existence of all basic infrastructures. The project was scheduled to be completed in just two years, but having to go through all those 'ordeals',  as a team and making sure we could make it through till the end like what we have today, is indeed a sweet success.

Souvenirs

I'm supposed to help out with preparing the souvenirs for our family's closest friend's wedding, but when the actual day come, I was left with a mere 12 hours to work things out. So, with such dateline (I know I would never accomplish much) I guess this would be the best thing I could do. Ready made and with extra ribbons.. ;)

Petronas Towers is 'poking' the sun?

Captured this photo while I was driving back to the office after a meeting in Jalan Ampang. It was around noon and coincidently when I look up towards the twin towers-I saw this, so 'point and shoot' ;)

People still work - tomorrow!

It's already 10pm and my five year old daughter just told me off that "people can still work tomorrow!" when she called me up and asked me when will I get home tonight..I was like 'gulp, okay' to which I immediately pack my things and headed home. I guess that's my limit!!

I'm so screwed up with datelines these couple of days and moreover I have to juggle my time between monitoring works on the site for the coming 19th and paperwork in the office.Those UV rays ain't that friendly these days, it caused my face some zits!! plus those construction dust and debris didn't help much either!!

Flash flood on the eve of 13th Dec

I think I've made a good decision by getting myself all drenched instead of waiting for the rain to subside while trying to reach my car during the stormy rain this evening. If you are in KL city centre for certain business/errand to do, it is always a good instinct to get yourself out from the city centre as soon as the heavy storm hits the day as there's always possibilities of such chaos. IF, I did not made such decision, it would means I'm blogging from inside my car just to fill the time waiting for the flash flood to subside. I'm greatfull I did what I did eventhough I was soaked, but now I got to write this from under warm blanket. ;)
Sent from my iPhone

Flash flood at Jalan Tun Razak on the eve of 13th Dec 2011
(Photo credit to Syahriman Nordin) 

Look at the size of the moon tonite!!

WOWW!! The moon is shining brightly at the lower horizon and optically it looks slightly bigger than normal days. With the sky being so clear tonite, I only wish I had a better camera instead of my phone-point and shoot, to be able to capture the exact view.

Twinkling planet?

Touch down from my day trip to Kuantan, I've spotted a brilliant spot of light at the far end of the twilight sky, twinkling all alone. I don't think it is any particular star, but perhaps a far-distance planet?

Dusk of 12.12.11

I simply love this composition, don't you? It's like a summary of my journey of the day.

Misery Service of Kuantan's Airport Departure Lounge Cafe

I have problems with people doing business today; was it my karma of bad luck or simply because they all have zero business-brain? I have the slightest clue how 'professional' there are at doing their business but having a cafe at the departure lounge but not operating it at the peak's hour, it would seems a very lame excuse not to do so, for whatever excuse they may have. I think Malaysian Airport Berhad had to something about their business operator. It's giving the whole airport a bad reputation!!

White wash of Kuantan

My arrival in Kuantan this morning is welcomed by a heavy drizzle, it's all wet and the weather is cool at 22 celcius. Love the weather especially when the wind blow softly and some soft mist touch my cheeks. ;)
Of course my movements become limited to spaces that's covered, or I'll risk myself getting wet while wearing a white blouse!

Total Lunar Eclipse of December 10th, 2011

It's 9:25pm and the eclipse is half through its way.

The night was blessed with cool air from the rain during the daytime, in fact the clouds still scattered around giving us the hard time competing the view of the eclipse taking place. We are quite lucky to be able to catch the scene when the moon gets into the penumbra shadow of the earth, till it was totally covered! From the naked eyes, we could still sees the moon looking a bit reddish-brown, without its glowing white sparkle as usual. Love it!!

Breathe-in

Finally, I managed to inhale a deep breathe with such relief. I have settled most of the tasks and I'm so looking forward for a vacation, but I dont think it's not going to happen anytime soon. I need to let loose, it's been such an uptight weeks for me. Looking up at those KLCC towers, I wish I could look up at Eiffel Towers at this very timing..

Anyhow, let me savor the accomplishment thus far...as it's going to be another hectic round in less than 48hrs!

So people, enjoy life while you could!

Nilai Oldtown

We leave in Subang which is in the state of Selangor but we did our shopping in Nilai which is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan. On top of that, we chose the old town of Nilai instead of its new town to shop. Heck, it resulted to a more hassle free, less crowded and fuss free shopping and we get to park our car in front of the shop itself. We heard, on the same day, Kuala Lumpur city centre was so congested with people flocking from nearby satellite cities.We do the opposite and we complete our task in just an hour. :)

Nilai old town is quite vibrant, with 2 rows of old colonial buildings facing opposite each other along the main street. In the morning, it was so lively with locals doing their own shopping. I don't think they're many like me doing basic shopping all the way in the suburb but the quality of the goods are still the same, but we just have to sacrifices the glamour side to shopping, other than day, nothing so odd about it. So,you are most welcome to experience the old town of Nilai on your own. Owh, if you come here in the evening,  there's a stall at one of the corner of the shop lots selling scrumptious delicacies, local kueh that taste so good. Too bad we couldn't make it this evening.

fireworks?

I saw this on the skies couple of days ago, but just managed to upload it today. That were the jetplane meeting up with the sun, making up a fireworks!  nice, eh??

Ipoh-a dead city at night?

I'm quite 'amazed' to the fact that there weren't any street lights along Yau Tet Shin Street heading to Onn Jaafar Street, in fact the whole stretch of Onn Jaafar Street from Sultan Iskandar Street were not light up. Driving through these streets I come to wonder what actually happened? It couldnt be due to the auto-timer that wasn't working as there are a few lights that were lit on. And to assume that those bulbs could possibly be defused; we are talking about rows and rows here. So, what possibly be? Ipoh city centre were not properly light up..is it because the authority prefered Ipoh to remain as dead-city?
Sent from my iPhone

multi ethnic cafe at Padang Ipoh

If you love local food especially known as 'rojak pasembur', this would be the place you should come if you are in Ipoh. Of course, some people would say, there are better version in Penang, but for people like me who wouldnt care to go as far as Penang just for the sake of 'rojak pasembur', this place would be a solution. The stall is located at the entrance of a chinese kopitiam - kedai kopi fatt kee of a row of shop lots facing Padang Ipoh, but prepared by mamak which is similar concept to the famous 'nasi ganja' in Ipoh.

But getting there is a little bit tricky if you are not familiar with the traffic route leading to this lane. In fact, I have to make a loop around Padang Ipoh and get into the lane from the Magistrate Court. It would be easier if you are on foot. The landmark would be HSBC Bank and of course the Padang Ipoh. So, give it a try!  ;)

'Ciggar lady' you would be deeply missed..

I've been putting off this entry as it was written in another notebook and it wasn't available until today..

So, this would be a monologue dedicated to the 'ciggar lady'...

country view

Waking up in the morning to a country view is so much more different as an adult compare to when I was a young child. Adding on to that fact, we all woke up to the morning which definitely turn out to be different than any other morning in our lives, and it would never be the same anymore, so much more different than before.

To that particular morning of October 11th, 2011, even though it seems to be a glory day with the sun shining brightly and reflecting upon the watered padi-field, it would somehow cast a gloomy shade to all the faces especially my dearest cousins as it would be the last morning that we would be giving beloved mother and aunt a ‘visit’ as she had already left us the evening before and we will be sending her off where she will be laid to rest and meet her Creator Allah Almighty. It is such a serene day for me and my family, and I believe she did leave with a serene mind and at peace. I am sure my mom would miss her sister the most as my aunt is the only sister she had! 

Reconciling the moment, I think I had a good memory of her when I was a child. It was her place where we used as our hang-out place every time we goes back to our grandmother’s place. I remember back then, I had always wakes up to a good aroma of morning coffee or something being cooked over the traditional charcoal-wood stove or the cigars that my aunt puff-away every time she had her betel. Back then, I would be having such celebrated holidays breakaway enjoying myself with my cousins doing stuff only country kids do and I would seem so aloof compare to the rest, but hey, it was all FUN! It was something that I look forward to every school breaks.

However, that was a good time of yesteryear's. When the rest of my cousins who mostly older than me started getting married and I was in my teens, we get far apart as they were no longer there each time I went home to my grandmother’s place and we no longer share the same interest in life. The FUN was all gone. And my visits have became less and less frequent when I reach my college days and later when start a family on my own.

So, on that particular day, even though I was surround with beautiful panoramic country view before me, I was hit with such melancholy by just looking at it. The thoughts of everything would not be same anymore hit my logic sensuous. So, I tried snapping away some photos, hoping that it would always remains close to my heart. I know, things have change compare to the good old days, and somehow I believe it will continue to change and keeping the memories of today being the last day for my aunt, I hope I will be able to cherish it later as one of the fond memories in my life.

Zaman berzaman being Restoran Zaman

'Zaman' literally would mean 'time of the decade', so to name a restaurant by that and to remain strong for a record time of nothing less than 30years is a pure success. So, if you google 'restoran zaman' it will always lead you to Kuantan or if you ask around 'name on of the famous eatery in Kuantan', people would list this restaurant as one being in the list.

Despite being known as being such hit among patrons, it always strike me a question of  'how good is their food?'. So far, I have tested their famous nasi lemak, roti canai and mi kari, and my summary of those 3 menu(s) would be just 'plain average', as I've tasted a far better somewhere else, even though not in Kuantan. Perhaps, it could be one among the best in Kuantan alone, or perhaps it is simply because it's more of personal preference. Therefore, don't let me stop you from going there, and have a taste of those famous menu, who knows it will suit your palette just as fine with the rest of the world, as I don't mind being different! But, let me warn you this, do not go there after 9am, you'll either goes home frustrated with hunger because everything is all gone to other people's tummy or you'll need to be part of the long ques, for the food or for a place to sit or for a place to park your car! Whatever it is, enjoy yourself!

*The restaurant is located not far away from the Airforce Base if you are exiting the east coast hiway via Gambang exit, or just after the exit from the Airport along Jalan Gambang.

Murtabak Mengkasar

Murtabak is sort of fried, spicy lasagna which is filled with lots of minced beef or chicken but with no cheese but lots of eggs. It is usually accompany with pickled onion. 'Murtabak Mengkasar' is named after a place in royal town of Pekan which also known as Mengkasar and it is famously known as being tastily good and thick (of course being so thick than the normal murtabak, it'll come with' thicker price')   ;)

So, if you couldn't make it to Pekan, (like me) you could find your treat here in Kuantan nearby the East-Coast Mall. It taste as good.

Weekend getaway-our style with the help from Zenith

I'm glad my children are enjoying themselves with the 5-star facilities that we are getting from Zenith Kuantan compare to what we are getting at Suria Cherating. We have specifically strategized it this way so that we could get the best of 'both world' and the children experience it all - a weekend getaway, our style!!

Zenith would be the first 5-star rated hotel I’ve stay during this millennium era. I did not know or rather did remember much of other 5-star hotel/resorts that I’ve ever stayed with my parents during my young childhood days. So in comparison to other 3-4 star rated hotels/resorts that I’ve stayed so far for the past 10 years, Zenith would definitely be on top of the list especially for its ambience,  food & facilities but on the other hand, it is a definite a suicide-attempt for my wallet! ;)

Zenith Hotel up close

view from our room

Zenith, is just a few months old and it stands tall in the middle of Kuantan city centre, fronting the East Coast Mall with a convention centre under its wings. If you were driving around Kuantan city centre, you would definitely see the tall building from afar as it would be among a few 18 over storeys building in Kuantan. I would say, having a Convention Centre is giving this hotel an added advantage as I don’t really quite into the idea of staying away from the beaches while you are in Kuantan which is so famous for its beaches and sea-side resorts, unless you have other specific itinerary to do like a seminar or meetings or conventions which being held away from the beaches. So, here I am at this hotel for the latter reason ;)

So, what can you expect from this Hotel? For a start, your arrival is welcome with free-flow welcome drinks at the lobby instead of the typical of just one short glass. The lobby is a huge triple volume space with quite a simple contemporary modern approach to its design, and I have nothing to complain about the ambience that being created by the design but I do prefer a better segmented spaces in the lobby rather than you-can-see-everything-through once you popped out from your car at the porte-cochere. It would also be good to have a more secluded lounge area if you were to hang out at the lobby rather than the existing openness. Also, I would prefer not to be kept waiting to be serve for the check-in process at the reception as I think the counter is big enough to accommodate more than 2 attending personnel at any one-time or did my expectation of 5 star treatment is rather over-demanding? However, getting yourself to your designated floors for your room is fast with 4 lift-cars to serve you and you don’t have to worry for your safety as you could only get onto the designated levels with your key-card being swiped at the panel. And if you have problems about it, there’s a phone call away for the rescue at every lift-lobby of the hotel.

The deluxe room that I chose, is comfortably basic of soothing beige-colour scheme, and the king-size bed is plush with 4+1 pillows (I love the idea of having all those pillows for myself) with LCD TV, internet connection and bed-side control panel for the air-condition (which I don't have to get up from my bed in the middle of the night to adjust the temperature).The room has a full-height glass wall facing the city-view and you could catch a glimpse of the South China Sea far ahead of the view. Nice!! But, don’t look down – if you happened to get a room facing the central podium, all you could only see is the ROOF!! Ouch, quite upsetting though, so shut your blind, and get freshen up, the room has quite a bath room and it’s clean (but the door has no specific lock, so if you need to share your room with somebody, make sure you share your room with somebody trustworthy..hehe)

There’s only one restaurant for the Hotel at the moment and it’s located at the ground floor. The ambience is ‘appetising’ and I don’t have any complain on the design. On top of that, I would say the quality of food served was quite scrumptious for a hotel standard, which usually turn out quite bland.

If you prefer to stay in-door, you may hop into the hotel’s gym or its spa or you could bring your children to its playroom located within the same level. The pool is rather small to the ratio of this hotel and the spaces around it rather tight as well. And I think, by having an infinity pool but were not allowed to be at the edge is rather impractical. However, if you prefer to feel the city, you can always do so. A quick shopping or quick grab for your cuppa at the Starbucks would be just a few steps outdoor by crossing the road in front of the hotel to the East Coast Mall. Or if you have your own transport, you can always drive around and I don’t think you’ll ever get lost in Kuantan. ;)

Weekend excursion @ Kuala Kemaman

Kuala Kemaman

Where we get our 'keropok lekor' supplies

local delicacies - otak-otak, sata & pulut panggang 'kemaman style'

where we whine down for morning break for the taste of local delicacies 'kemaman style'

bakery - traditional way

Weekend Getaway @ Suria Cherating

Suria Resort Cherating is dilapidating. I've been here before in 2005 and six years later it look a little bit rundown. However, for a 3 star resort, it is cheaper compare to other resorts in this area of Cherating (a standard twin bed room cost me RM150) which explain why others were full house despite the price. SO, if they dont do anything to refurbish the resort in very near future, it would be the last time I step foot here, and I think it would be the same with the rest of the people. Plus, I dont like the idea of having only ONE pillow per bed!

Satay Zul: talk of the town

Arrive in Kuantan around 930pm and the journey leave us stark hungry. So we decided to give 'Satay Zul' a try. Word of the mouth says it's one of the famous satay in Kuantan. The service was fast, however when it comes to taste of the food, I would say that I have my personal preference as it is a little too sweet for my taste bud and with that, I would not patronize it more than once, but you should give it a try before you decide.

Another round of Kuantan

I just got back from Kuantan on recent thursday, but am scheduled for another meeting on monday morning, very early that I could only possibble to make it on time if I were to leave home no later than 5am. 5am is way to dark for me to drive alone, and we are talking about quiet east-coast hiway here. Therefore, I have came up with a brilliant idea, get everybody to tagg along with me and treat them for weekend getaway. However, the children got to be genius by suggesting an extra day ahead for a full leisure day on sunday! So, here we are, making our way to Kuantan.. ;)
Enjoy your weekend too!!

Faces of the sky

When I look back at most of the photos that I've been snapping through out my journey of KL-Kuantan-KL today, these turn out to be the summary of my day. It reminds me how wonderful it is to be able to breathe under this wonderful skies!

The Sky: at 9am, you can still see the moon (somewhere above the clouds)

The Sky: at 12noon, it's glaring!

The Sky: at 5pm, cumulus has started building up.

The Sky: golden sunset upon arrival at DUKE -north bound

The Sky: slightly after 7pm, scarlet reflection of the dusk

The Sky: reflection of the dusk

The Sky: twilight setting in

Sports facility in Gambang

The Sports Facility for one of the school in Gambang is finally completed. It may be small and as typical as any sport centre would be, but am proud of the accomplishment anyway!

Drama on the skies

I was snapping some photos of my project site when I heard the loud noise above, on the skies and there's this couple of jets flying over (those tiny dots..) but I didnt expect the photo to turn out as dramatic as so, enjoy my 'amature composition'!!  ;)

My Journey

Love this scene. This is what gives me the inspiration to keep on driving. On a good and clear morning the road at Bentong intersection would be engulfed with light fog, while the morning sun tries to creep through. Breathtaking!

Remote Pelangai

Am 'travelling' on my own again this morning and this would be my second trip to the remote project site in Pelangai. The location is located almost 40km from Karak, the nearest civilised town to this place but it took me almost an hour of driving to reach the destination as the average speed was just 60km. The road is very narrow, it gives me such quiverring tense everytime I saw a lorry coming towards me from opposite lane, and it passed you really close with only a precise gap left side mirror. It is also a quiet road (as seen in photos) where I only come across not more than 10 vehicle along the 1hr journey. And I think the whole stretch would better suit a rally race as it is winding with lots of s-bends infact a contiuous bend after another.

At the end of the day, I'm relieve I managed to arrive at the destination safely.

quiet road

quiet road with rows of orchard (durian trees mostly)

Telemong town

Telemong town

Manchis town