Beijing, here they come

After ranting for so long, at last my parents are going for a vacation. They have been putting it off for so long. 1001 excuses under the sky. I'm so happy that their dream come true at last. I will follow them if not for the workload and saving leaves for my coming wedding.

Pay for blogging?

I have heard so many of you out there saying how easy you earn while you do the thing you love....blogging. I wasn't so interested at first but I did try out PayPerPost (3P) and got rejected. That was when I just started blogging. I didn't really believe in earning much but when I saw what my sis was earning thru http://www.blogitive.com/ , it really gets my blood boiling. I want this passive income too. But how? It was so easy registering with them. I just fill in a few lines of information and most importantly, my URL. How I waiting for them to approve and then I can have my first passive income rolling in. *finger cross*

4 months is too long...

For most of the bride, wedding album is one of the greatest concerns. From the moment they sign up with the bridal house, to choosing the gown for pre-wedding shoot and till the shooting day itself. After that come the choosing pictures time till viewing the designs and lastly the printout of the personal album, every tiny detail will be the most important thing on the bride's mind. How all this will eventually turn her into bridezilla. You can find the definition for the new word "Bridezilla" here.

I wasn't sure if I was one of them. Being a happy bride-to-be, with Hubs by my side, together we plan and execute all this one by one, keeping a happy and satisfy face all time. We had the best bridal house and sales assistant one could ask for. She has been a gem to us. Without her help, we could not have done what we had done. The photo turns out very nice we have hard time shortlisting them.

However, with just two months away from my wedding date, we started to get anxious. Where is our wedding album? It's been 4 months since we chose the pictures. Was our album so hard to design? Was it our face? Was is our style? I could not find a reason for them to take so long, we decided to call them up and politely ask for the very first viewing. GOSH! It will have to wait till next month end which only left one month to our wedding date. How are we suppose to get them ready before the wedding then? She kept assuring us, " Don't worry, it will be ready just in time". By then, we have already started to shiver. What do you mean just in time? We took them 4 months earlier. Not because we like to but we did it so that you can have ample time to do our album nicely, not to put off till a week before our first viewing.

We confronted her on this matter after a long discussion. We have already planned our strategy and were ready with our weapons. However, we sort of changed according to the situation. She was still the ever helpful assistant. Hence, we don't have the heart to be harsh and push her to dead end. Being the strong guy, Hubs deal with her professionally. Had it be my sister who was in this situation, I believe she would have turn the bridal house upside down. I didn't not contribute much but Hubs said I did a very emotional closing. Indeed I was very stress out from the delay they cause us. With that, I accidentally showed my strongest weapon...my tears. He said that really sent the assistant shivers to her bones. Her face turned green in just a second. However, I don't really believe the strength of my weapon. She had promised to phone us and give a satisfactory viewing date the next day. We have done our best, we can only let her do her best for us.

And so we waited to go there again after work the next day but she already made the move. She called earlier to inform us that the design will be ready for first viewing next week. Yippie!!! With that, Bridezilla had returned to a happy, smiling bride. Now I know how strong is my secret weapon.

I think everyone has that one moment of being a Bridezilla on their wedding day, but how many of you did that?

Hello? I can't see you!

It's strange to see that people in a moving car waving frantically to passerby but they do not get any respond. It makes them look like a clown in car. I had experienced it before too, trying to catch my friends' attention when I drove by but failed. No, I did not go at speed of 60km/h. I was just driving in my company's compound going out through the main gate. All the doubts were cleared one sunny day. While I was on my way to take my car, a few cars drove by. Being a usual me, I didn't pay any attention to them. Suddenly I see a girl waving like mad in one of the car. I couldn't see clearly who she was. I wasn't even sure if she's a he or a she if not for the blur image of a ponytail. Was my eyes that bad? Apparently, it was not my eyes but the problem lies with the tinted window. The reflection was quite good, you can even use them as mirror. Now I know how I looked like when I try to wave goodbye to people outside there.

What color orange are you?

It's kinda interesting once in a while to take quiz and see what they wrote about yourself. There's this website that I got from How About Orange. Here's mine.

You Are Cameo

You are understanding and very empathetic. You don't tend to have acquaintances. Everyone is your friend. And all of your friends tend to be friends. You have a knack for bringing very different people together.

What Color Orange Are You?

I didn't realise that. What about you? How orange are you?

Visit Penang

While searching for info on Singapore, what to eat, what to do, what to see, I come across this blog by mediasushi.com. It was quite an interesting blog as she went to cool places like Eski Bar. But the main point is not that. I happen to browse thru the links she attached. One of the was Tourism Penang. I'm living in Penang and have no idea there's such website. What's cool about this website is the icons on the top, a row of bamboo blinds. When you point the cursor over there. the blind will roll up revealing different color antique doors.

Check it out at tourismpenang.gov.my

Mini Honeymoon

Ticket -checked
Hotel - checked
Date - confirmed
Transport - checked
Friends meet up - confirmed

I'm all ready for my mini-moon. Orchard Road which is well-know for marvelous Christmas decorations has been my dream even before I decided to tie the knot. If I had the chance, I would have been there long time ago. Now my dream is granted, thanks to Hubs. We decided to spend the go there earlier before Christmas to experience the Christmas mood and be back before we got stuck in the Christmas jam.

During Matta fair, we went to survey a few agencies to get the best deal. Two were shortlisted. Komtar Tour gave us a higher price package for Bayview Hotel compare to Forever Travel. So we decided to engage Forever for our trip. with the thought that changing hotel will also be cheaper. The Scarlet Hotel was recommended by the pretty lady working in Uniquely Singapore counter. It is a boutique hotel with nice ambiance. To our dismay, the prices for hotels other than Bayview are more expensive compare to those provided by Komtar Tour. Ended up, we engaged Komtar Tour and paid on the spot. So beware that not all packages in Matta Fair is worth the price.

NOW, introducing .....

Scarlet Hotel

Singapore's latest boutique hotel - The Scarlet - opens on 1st December 2004 after a S$45 millions acquisitions and refurbishment. Vivacious and uninhibited, this 84 room hotel's interiors pulsate with an eclectic tension, offering all those who enter, an adventure for the senses.

Entrance

Facilities

Bar and Restaurant

A total of 5 inspiring and engaging suites await and seduce. Each custom design bears a different and unique personality, from design to colour palatte through to luxurious furnishings and fittings. Decadence prevails, be it Splendour, Opulent, Lavish or Swank.

Business travellers can rest easy. All 24 executives and 14 premium rooms are fully wired and designed with all the trappings of comfort and convenience for road warrior.
The best things in life comes in small package, so leave all your care behind in any of our 15 deluxe or 24 standard room. All well appointed in refreshing shades to help you relax while you remain wired to the world.
We are so thrilled to have booked this hotel instead of others. Photos from their website might differ from their actual condition. Heck! At least they are only 3years old. It can't be that bad for a 5-star boutique hotel. With the offered price, I think we've got a good deal compare to the actual price.

Scarlet Hotel is situated in Chinatown with nearest bus stop 0.08km away, nearest MRT/LRT 0.37km away and nearest shopping centre 0.31km away.


All facts written are take from http://www.thescarlethotel.com

I've read a few comments on tripod advisor. There are good and bad reviews. I was worried after reading the bad comment initially but after seeing the pictures taken by KRDDA on ClubSnap Photography forum, I was relieved. After my trip, I'll sure to post photos or the hotel condition and write my review. Stay tune.......

Bagan

Few weeks ago was Hubs birthday. Initially I only planned to buy him a gift and that's it.....till he asked me what's the program on that day itself. My mind went blank. It was on Monday, no one suppose to celebrate something on Monday. What about Monday blue? Cheeky me, of course I didn't answer him "Nothing".

Here's the conversation :
Hubs: What did you plan for my birthday?
Me: Just wait and see ( lightning search my memory in food section)
Hubs: Hm......You didn't plan anything? (he could read my mind)
Me: Erm....of course I do. You just wait. (still searching...)

We came cross several location as we drove back home. They are the contingency plan if case I couldn't come up with one on time. The next day, *TINK!!* That's the place. My friend once told me bout Bagan and the cosy environment. Since this is a special occasion, ambiance is more important than food. But of course, the food can't be grade B. I've high expectation on food. Searching thru internet brought me to this website Oomph.com.my All the famous restaurant, Bistro, Hotel and Entertainment outlets were listed there.

The outlook of the entrance was not so appealing. However, once we went up the stairs and into the lobby, only one expression. A big WOW! A mystical feel immediately greet upon us.
We reached there as early as 6.00pm where else the kitchen is only open from 6.30pm. We proceed to the lounge for drinks and snack. There are different sets of furniture in the lounge itself. Everything is just perfect fitted for that area.
We ordered mochaholic drinks to freshen up. There are selection of drinks which come in half price during happy hour. Ours definitely were (RM7/glass). Chocolate Mousse (RM12) was highly recommended for chocolate lovers. So being a chocolate addict, I ordered just that. Although Hubs was not so crazy bout chocolate, this taste good. He whollap almost the whole cup while I was busy snapping here and there.We chatted happily in the lounge while admiring the classic look till past kitchen opening time. We moved to dining area. There's a choice of indoor for non smoker, or outdoor for smokers.

Hubs ordered the old favourite New Zealand beef tenderloin set (RM65) which consist of soup of the day, main course, dessert and coffee/tea. For me, I got myself a must try homemade Tomato Soup laced with Gin (RM15) and spaghetti Aglio Olio (RM32). We had the salad as appetizer but hungry us, we attacked the salad and totally forgot to take picture. This was the best salad I've ever tried. A normal vege, mixed in gravy with cube tomato and a few slices of cheese. Not really a cheese lover but the strong smell of cheese makes it perfect. Definitely must go back to have more.

The soups.........

Tomato Soup laced with Gin

The first slurp, I could tell this is so different than the one I tried before. Extra ingredient I found out was the taste of gin. After a few slurps, I started to enjoy it. In fact, I almost don't want to exchange for Hubs' broccoli soup, which looks kinda not appetizing.

Broccoli Soup

Blended broccoli being the main ingredient, with a lil bit of broccoli chunks cooked together goes well with a dash of grinder pepper. This is good to cool down after a hard day. I must admit, I finished this till the last drop.

Now you see, now you don't

The main courses

Spaghetti Aglio Olio

It was mixed with olive oil and some gravy. Slightly spicy but that's not a problem for chili padi me. What I like the most is the big prawns that comes with it.

New Zealand beef tenderloin

Hubs like it medium done. The tender and juicy beef cooked in gravy (tasted like black pepper but might be not) served with mashed potato. I'm drooling as I write. Hubs gave this 80 points out of 100 as the meat was not evenly cooked. Still, this is the best he ever tried in M'sia.

Dessert

Lemon Cheese

After all the food, our tummy has no more place for dessert. There are other selection, be it ice cream, pudding and many more. But I couldn't resist the cheese cake with was written as gastronomically pleasing. Hubs just has one bite while I finish 3/4 of it. This is not the best but something about it that makes me go for second and third bites. Somehow, I could feel the sugar in the cake while I munch on it. Not much of lemon flavour and it's quite sweet.

We left the place with a heavy tummy and a satisfied heart. This is the best meal of the year.

Pea reads my blog

I'm so happy. I just got a comment from Precious Pea. It means she has read my blog. Woohooo!!!! This really made my day.