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Monday, February 28, 2011

Hello and Goodbye

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Rest day

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

January will end in about three hours and personally I am happy that I have made quite a bit of progress in my To Do list.

I am expecting February to be just as fun and challenging with more things in my To Do list sorted out once and for all.


Gong Xi Fa Chai the traditional way.



My family members are planning a get-together at our mother’s house on the first day of the Chinese New Year. We are not Chinese but just taking advantage of the holiday since it’s the only time everyone shuts down from work.

Each family member plans to bring a dish or two to spare Mom the hassle of cooking. I however have decided not to join the group.

My eldest sis can’t understand why I won’t come home. Well, st thinking a day on my own to do some thinking would help solve a lot of things for me personally. So thank-you and enjoy yourselves.

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Simply yours

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

The first month of the New Year will end in less than three hours and what a way to celebrate the arrival of a new month if not with a Public Holiday.

The roads in KL may still be a tad busy with last minute shoppers and tomorrow’s public holiday will not help in easing the traffic flow to the city centre.

However, if time has always been an issue for you and that the only time you get to do your shopping is during the public holiday then head to the mall if you must.


Get this for Valentine's Day.



One of the reasons I’m suggesting this is because Avon will launch its Simply Because for Him & Her Eau de Toilettes in stores tomorrow. To get one, you will of course need to contact your Avon dealers or visit the Avon Beauty Boutiques.

Avon’s His & Hers matching perfume is light with heart-warming scents. The Simply Because for Her Eau de Toilette has hints of juicy lychee, delicate cherry blossom and creamy vanilla.

For the guys, get the Simply Because for Him Eau de Toilette, which has a real masculine note with touches of citrus zest, blue lavender and war cedar wood.

Each 50ml half-moon shaped bottle retails at RM49/RM56.35 (Sabah & Sarawak).

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Great tasting ribs

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

It looks like my friends and I will have an additional choice for our meal-hangout in the Hartamas area from now on.

With the opening of Tony Roma’s 6th outlet a few days ago we will know exactly where to head to should we have a craving for ribs, which the brand specialises in.


George Ang (L) and Ken Myres officiating the opening with the plaque signing.




Tony Roma’s is a worldwide success story, winning numerous awards for its ribs and signature sauces.

The pioneer of Baby Back Ribs, Tony Roma’s is famous as the international ribs expert. However, regulars are fully aware that its menu includes a variety of other firsts such as its fresh salads, burgers and BBQ sandwiches, which are lunch favourites.

For a fuller meal there is an array of flame grilled favourites like its juicy steaks, signature seafood and tender, grilled chicken. But the one item that I’d like to have a go at would be the made-from-scratch onion loafs. Now I wonder what that tastes like?

The first Tony Roma’s outlet opened in 2006 at the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall. In less than five years Tony Roma’s boasts six outlets in total. The latest outlet is at 1 Mont’ Kiara Mall and it has a prominent bar called Romarita.

Tony Roma’s can be found in 34 countries with more than 200 restaurants in over six continents. It is the largest casual theme restaurant chain specialising in ribs in the world. Its Tony Roma’s outlet in Mont Kiara has the capacity to accommodate 250paxs in one seating.


One for the camera.




Revenue Valley Group, the Master Franchisee for the brand in Malaysia has been given the rights to develop tony Roma’s outlets in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and parts of China with the signing of the Master Franchise Agreement in 2009.

Present at the opening launch were Group CEO of Revenue Valley Group, Mr George Ang together with President of Roma Corp, Inc, Mr Kenneth L. Myres.
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NASOM Maestro Steals Show Again

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My favourite topic – the autistic children who formed choir group NASOM Maestro - stole the limelight at the opening of Tony Roma’s 6th outlet this week.


The NASOM Maestro kids celebrate with guests and owners.



Although the launch was a star-studded event that saw the presence of some of the big names in the local entertainment industry, it was these children who won the hearts of guests present.

As they sang their hearts out to the tune of Michael Jackson’s Heal the World and We are the World, these kids must have felt like the King of Pop themselves as guests gave them a heartfelt applause after every rendition.


The children sing with such passion.



Tony Roma’s big guns present see the event as a double win - the launch of their flagship outlet in Mont’ Kiara Mall and a fundraiser for the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM).

The event carried the theme Giving Hope at Tony Roma’s and it is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Last year Tony Roma’s Malaysia raised close to RM11k to help with NASOM’s centre in Setia Alam. This year’s fundraising campaign will be its second.


My favourite boy at NASOM Maestro.



From Jan25 to Feb28, Tony Roma’s will be selling exclusive vouchers with part of the sales contributed to NASOM to fund NASOM Maestro’s training and rehearsals.

Will post more about the outlet itself tomorrow. Till then.
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Fit for princesses

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One of last year’s events that I missed out posting here is the official opening of Malaysian Jeweller La Putri’s flagship store at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.



La Putri is known as the “premier couture jeweller” in Kuala Lumpur since its inception in 1973. It is also widely known among the discerning in Singapore.

At the opening of its flagship store in late November last year, the jeweller showcased a selection from the world renowned Agapoff Collection alongside its own masterpieces.



Agapoff is a world famous Russian designer who is reputed for using world-class untreated natural gemstones in his exquisitely crafted handmade original pieces. Due to its distinctive style, Agapoff’s pieces are often seen in Sotheby’s and Christies’ auctions. The Agapoff Collection is only available in Southeast Asia through La Putri.

Speaking of La Putri’s collection, owner Goh Ling Yi said: “We have worked very hard at sourcing unusual and different gemstones, which are getting increasingly difficult to find.



“I have put in my heart and soul in transforming these gems into jewellery, or what I would like to think as wearable art.”

Goh also shared stories of her childhood growing up with her mother Ming Chin who founded La Putri.

“I am proud that La Putri has managed to grow and develop and to stand among big international brand names. I think my mum would be happy to see where we are today,” Goh added.

The 2010 Absolute Gems Collection featuring the best of these two names can also be viewed at its official website www.laputri.com
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Not so glam

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Good food saved the day for Wacoal Malaysia’s cocktail party held in mid December last year.


Great Chef, great food - always at Le Meridien KL.



A supposedly grand affair to celebrate Wacoal’s 62 years of lingerie-making tradition, the night turned into a non-event with a less-than-pretty showcase
of its latest lingerie collection.

The invitations were extended to only about 100 guests in keeping with the night’s “intimate” theme, which sadly wasn’t the case. If intimate meant confining the event to such a tight space, then the location worked exceptionally well.


Nothing fancy despite the frills and ruffles.



The Masquerade Night held at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur’s Italian restaurant Favola did not have any mystery or the Venice “feel” it tried to emulate through its setting. There was the food, which was undeniably delicious – and the runaway that took up a lot of space, and the glaring floor lights that got in the way of the cameramen as well as guests trying to appreciate the showcase.

A “leader in the domestic undergarment market”, Wacoal did not deliver that night. And showcasing its Jia Cami collection in such a somewhat “prim and proper” setting took away all the fun from the lingerie’s trademark fun and chic label.


Wrong collectio n= wrong location.



I have however two nice things to say (besides the food, of course – and this compliment goes to the hotel and its chefs) about the night: (1) The Executive Director of Wacoal Malaysia, Hisao Sugiyama is a perfect host who went to the extend of waiting at the exit by the lift area to bid goodnight to all his guests and (2) At least 75% of the models engaged for the job on the night were far bustier than the ones I saw at Valisere’s event.

Like they say, if you want to “sell” brassieres then you’ve got to make the audiences’ eyes “pop” the minute the models step on the runway. And yes, a lot of male eyes “popped” on the night.

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A Belated Xmas Post

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I am going to spend the rest of the few days left in January to re-cap the events of 2010 that I did not manage to post here.

Some of you may think that’s a futile effort at reliving 2010 but it carries a lot of meaning to me personally for some reasons or other. And believe me, many of my neighbours still have their Christmas trees lighted till today.


A beautiful window display for Christmas at AnakKu.



Christmas. How can I miss posting the beautiful Christmas decorations of 2010 after having taken so many shots of them? For three weekends I went round the shopping malls just shooting Christmas trees and Christmas decorations.

There were always big crowds everywhere and I hated it so much when, every time I point my camera at a decoration or a Christmas tree, someone was bound to walk right in front of me. Talk about wanting to cause bodily harm!


A unique Christmas tree at a Chinese medicine shop.



I have to admit I was a little cautious when aiming my camera at Christmas decorations that weren’t in the common area of the mall. To play safe I asked permission from the shop manager if he or she would oblige my request to shoot inside their stores. Many were friendly and accommodating.

As a result, I got plenty of nice memorable shots, which I placed in my photo archive under the theme Christmas. I know some of you think may think I’m superficial, easily dragged into all the commercialisation of the season instead of embracing the message behind the celebration. Well, I won’t dispute you but I know you are wrong in your assumption.

A commercialised Christmas is all about being happy, looking at sparkly, bright and colourful things. Christmas is all about our imagination-gone-wild. It is also about Santa and whatever myth some people claim is associated about the history of how that big-bellied white hair, white bearded man in red is all about.


My favourite - a tiny red Christmas tree at a an Oris outlet



And tell you what. For all the sadness that the world faces every day these days, no one can blame me or anyone who shares my sentiments of Father Santa and Christmas, for the joy I look forward to enjoy at every Christmas, whatever my religion and beliefs are.

Just as I believe in gnomes, fairies, magic, Merlin and Enid Blyton that is how I believe in Santa Claus. Bring in the cheer Mr Red for I need huge doses of it!

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A brand new day

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There it is! The Year 2011 has set in and for the life of me I don’t know why I am so excited over it.

From my terrace garden on the fourth floor of my condo unit I watched several brilliant fireworks displays from at least 10 different locations. How about that for a fantastic view without throwing out a single sen?

Each fireworks display lasted for about 10 to 15 minutes but each started a few minutes later or earlier the each other. Well, every clock tells a different time.

I know a lot of friends are out celebrating tonight and most of the roads leading to the city centre have been closed earlier in the evenings. So I’m not sure how many party revellers are caught in the traffic madness tonight.

One of my friends, and I know she isn’t the only one, booked a cab so she, hubby and baby can enjoy the fireworks and the revelling at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.

For those of us who aren’t out celebrating tonight, it’s either the Idiot Box again or the Internet. I settled for the Internet, finishing some work still left undone from last year and catching up with some funny, rib-tickling videos on babies and their antics on Yahoo Videos: Kids Can Be Cute.

That was a good start to the New Year. I enjoyed a few laughs and now it’s time to go to bed.

Sweet dreams and Happy New Year!

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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

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It’s the New Year’s Eve and tomorrow 2011 will be knocking on our doors. A bunch of friends are at this very moment in the city centre celebrating the arrival of the New Year in style. I declined the invite and like the past two years I will be celebrating from home.


I will be waiting for the sound of fireworks in the night sky at midnight!



The years 2009 and 2010 have not been good for me, both on the personal and work front. So I’m determine to make 2011 my year.

I feel terrible that I have not posted regularly towards the end of 2011, mainly because my computer was infected by virus three times over the past 12 months. Hopefully that has been fixed for good so I’m hoping for some progress starting tomorrow.

The crazy change in our weather has also affected my health terribly. Over the 12 months I have had two serious backache attacks and three bouts of flu, each lasting for more than a week.

When it comes to complaining we can just go on and on, can’t we? But I am in many ways bracing myself for the challenges that 2011 will bring, which I can safely assume to be plenty!


2011 here I come with grit determination.



This year-end farewell is also like a “cleansing” period for me. I take in the good and the bad that have happened and analyse reasonably as to why things swing in either way.

To start with, there have been several events that I attended which I couldn’t post due to my health, system breakdown and time constraints. All that will hopefully change with events attended in 2011.

One of my biggest hopes for 2011 is that I’d get to visit my Mom more often. I’m hoping my health improves so It wouldn’t bother me that much to travel an hour out of KL to reach her place.

I have many plans jotted down for 2011. Now all I need is the extra strength and effort to make them come true.


Happy New Year.



Happy New Year to every one! Some dreams remain as dreams but maybe there will be other hopes and aspirations that we can actually turn into realities.

Work hard and fight smart.

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