Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, August 2011

Dear Diary,

Vistana Hotel was our iftar destination in the second week of Ramadan. In fact, we went there twice but to simplify I’ll just make one entry for both visits.

The Ramadan buffet was held in one of their banquet halls. The buffet spread was nicely arranged by the pool. This arrangement layout gave patrons sort of relaxing and calming effects.

The assortment of menu was mind boggling. At RM43 per person (adults), it is considered cheap compared to most hotels' buffet prices. The foods were divided into sections: Pembuka Selera, Makanan Kampung, Selera Utama, Nasi Kandar, Roti Canai & Murtabak, BBQ & Satay, Noodles, Desserts (including Ais Kacang and ice creams) and Beverages (Hot & Cold).

On our second visit, I only ate whatever that I hadn’t eaten in our first visit. There were about 7 types of drinks in the beverages section alone. They really live up to their advertisement – Celebrating Ramadan: A Buffet of More than 120 Traditional Favorites.

Our plates....

Address: Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. No. 9, Jalan Lumut off Jalan Ipoh, 50400 Kuala Lumpur. Telephone number: 03 – 4042 8000 ext 8208. Fax number: 03 – 4043 8343. Email: viskl@ytlhotels.com.my

Alhamdulillah…

Quality Hotel City Center Kuala Lumpur, August 2011

Dear Diary,

I know fasting month is over months ago but I still want to post our iftar experiences for remembrance for this year’s Ramadan was quite extraordinary. Never in my life had I break fast at hotels practically every week. Ramadan 2011 was Imran first experience fasting for one whole day. Maybe it’s his luck (rezeki) that we got many invitations to iftar in hotels.

We observed the arrival of Ramadhan by having iftar at Quality Hotel City Center Kuala Lumpur on the very first day of fasting. The kids couldn’t control their excitement when we told them we were going to eat at a hotel. They are very fortunate. My first experience eating at a hotel was at 20 years of age.

Each section of the food was abundance with choices. There were salads, appetizers, jeruk, sate, burger, Roti John, Sup Tulang, lamb, beriani, entrees, rojak/pasembor, rojak buah, ais kacang, fresh fruits, ice creams and desserts. My appetite went wild looking at the desserts section. I couldn’t make up my mind which to take and which to leave because there were lots of choices in that section alone.

This Sambal Tumis Udang Petai was cooked by Dee

While guests were enjoying our sumptuous meals, we were entertained by Dee and his entourage. Dee, well, he’s one versatile entertainer. He can sing, act, crack jokes, be spontaneous and control a crowd. While making rounds at each table, he was able to talk nonstop and keep the audience amused. He commented and chatted with Zarra at our table.

Address: Quality Hotel City Center Kuala Lumpur. Jalan Raja Laut, P.O. Box 11586, 50750 Kuala Lumpur. Telephone number: 03 - 2614 8000. Fax number: 03 - 2693 9634. Email: qhcc@tm.net.my

Alhamdulillah…

SEA Games Indonesia 2011 Soccer Final

Dear Diary,

Harimau Muda roared triumphantly last Monday and silenced Garuda once and for all. Although we didn’t champion the SEA Games, the gold from soccer was precious and very dear to every Malaysian. We finished fourth overall with 59 gold, 50 silver and 82 bronze. Still, an outstanding effort from our athletes and it was our second best achievement outside Kuala Lumpur after SEA Games 2007 in Korat.

The win was the icing on the cake. It was our pride and ego booster. After been humiliated by the host teams with defeats in takraw and badminton, a win from soccer team was very much needed. I don’t want to review the intense final game or the rude treatment Malaysian athletes, officers and media had to endure because I believe these have been covered by many already. What I want to share here is my experience watching the final.

On the game night, I watched it at my parents in laws’ restaurant. When we arrived minutes before 8pm, the place was already packed with Harimau Muda supporters. Some of them even wore our national jersey. How patriotic!

As the game kicked off, all eyes were locked on the big screen. Everybody can feel the intensity in the air. There was dead silent after Indonesia shocked us with a 1-0 lead. Frustration sighs were obvious after each failed attempts at the net. Deafening jubilant shouts from everyone after Baddrol Bakhtiar, our captain, scored the winning goal. The whole restaurant was celebrating as is we’re the players at Stadium Utama Gelora Bung Karno.

It was very touching seeing every person there cheering for the national squad. No matter what background we come from, what faith we believe in or which party politic we vote for, we are one when national pride is at stake.

Birthday Wish for Imran

Dear Diary,

Today, my firstborn is 7 years old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY IMRAN!!!!

My advices for you, Abang:

Be an obedient servant to Allah
Be a soleh son
Be a good leader and example to your younger siblings
Be a good person

"Ya Allah, jadikanlah Imran anak yang soleh, sihat, bijak dan berjaya. Anak yang patuh kepada perintah Mu. Anak yang dengar cakap dan lembut hati. Amin."

Remember dear, nothing is impossible. Dare to dreams. The world is for you to conquer. The sky is the limit. Go and reach all your goals.

Sunflower

Dear Diary,

This is another flowering plant that beautifies my mother’s courtyard - sunflower. Its dazzling yellow flower is able to brighten up my mood just by glancing at it. Its bright color is infectious in infusing happy mood to almost anyone.

Little that I know that (from Wikipedia):

What is usually called the "flower" on a mature sunflower is actually a "flower head" (also known as a "composite flower") of numerous florets, (small flowers) crowded together. The outer petal-bearing florets are the sterile ray florets and can be yellow, red, orange, or other colors. The florets inside the circular head are called disc florets, which mature into seeds. The flower petals within the sunflower's cluster are usually in a spiral pattern.

Sunflower seeds are not only seeds that can be used to grow sunflower plant but they can also be eaten as snacks (kuaci). Apart from that, they can also be used in cooking and salads. Furthermore, sunflower seeds are also used as bird seeds.

Spelling

Dear Diary,

Ayo, how eh? Look at his brilliant spelling… If he doesn’t know how to spell a word, he would say it out loud and spell according to the word’s sound. Nak marah pun tak boleh sebab bunyi betul.

School term for 2011 came to an end today. Thus, long school holidays officially kicks off. Alhamdulillah, Imran’s end term results are better compared to his first term results. He scored A in every subject except Pemahaman, Agama and Arab. He’s at number 9 in his class and will be moving up one class next year.

Mama is very proud of you Abang!!

Ps: Berbaloi Mama dok “naik hantu” time buat homework.

Kenny Rogers Roasters Sunway Pyramid, July 2011

Dear Diary,

Venue: Kenny Rogers, Sunway Pyramid

Time: 9.00pm

This was another quick meal time before catching a movie at TGV Sunway Pyramid.

Kenny’s Black Pepper Quarter Meal

Another Black Pepper Quarter Meal

Kenny’s Twin Meal Wings

Chicken Macaroni Cheese

Jewel Treasure & Tropical Paradise

Café Mocha Iced Blends

Fizzy Autumn

I like Kenny Rogers’ chicken especially their Black Pepper Quarter Meal. It’s delicious and healthy. Not only that, it also comes with not 1 but 3 side dishes of our choice. Wait, there’s more –MUFFIN. I simply LOVE Kenny Rogers’ muffin. Sometimes I go to Kenny Rogers’ and get the muffin only.

Contact number: 03 – 5638 3925 Website: www.krr.com.my