Japan Trip - Our chaffeur

I was so lucky to jump into the last MPV once we arrived at Narita Airport, Japan, (there were 2 MPVs and 1 Merc for us). I was lucky because the chaffeur is so professional, kind, responsible and cute, in a Japanese way. His name is Kazuyuki Nemoto. Since he was assigned to me and a few others, he took a really great care for us 24/7 until the day we depart for Hong Kong. I could take a ride in other MPV, of course, but I choose to stick to Moto. 

This is how fast they load in our luggage at the airport.

Our chaffeurs were ready all the time at the roadside. 

Me and Esther were in the mission to search for a kimono and yukata in less than one hour (we supposed to rest and change for a dinner that night but we have to do a quick shopping - our schedule was so tight). He contacted all kimono and yukata shops nearby to save time. It is a good thing that our chaffeurs are equipped with the latest hi-tech gadgets to ease their work (more of entertaining demanding clients like us).

I manage to get a kimono at the 3rd kimono store. It only took me 5 minutes to like it and buy it. They put a plastic cover because it always drizzles outside. How thoughtful!

This was when I went to the convenience store. He insisted to stood there, making sure that I am safe. Sukahati ko la.

This was his ritual before we depart to anywhere. Check the traffic condition online.

This was the best part. After our late dinner, me and Esther asked him to drive us around Tokyo. Since most of the shops are closed (it's already midnight FYI!) so he drove us to Yokohama, the second largest city (by population) in Japan (after Tokyo). It wasnt that near. It took us nearly 45 minutes to reach there. We visited Yokohama Osanbashi (piers) for 30 minutes, drive around for a while and back to Tokyo.

View of Osanbashi (pier) (taken from this blog).

It is beautiful during the day (plus the strong and cold sea breeze) and it is even more amazing at night with the lightings!

Science 101 - growing onion in a mug

Last year, me and the kids (my sons, nephew and niece) planted a few seeds and grow some vegetables in my parent's backyard, for learning purposes. It was hard for the kids to keep track of its growth and the worst thing was our neighbour's cats keep playing on the plants' buds.

This time, I took a few mugs which my dad wants to throw away for good and grow some onions. They can see it grow and the best part is the mugs are movable. They can put it on the table, on the microwave or anywhere else in our dining hall since it receives direct sunlight.

I put bamboo sticks for them to keep track of the growth. So far so good. When it is getting bigger, shall we move it into a jug?

Brotherhood :)

Love it when seeing them sleeping like this.

Family Night

We've invited my parent, siblings, aunties and cousins to my house for makan2 Raya on 4th Raya. It was unplanned. Me and my husband finished tidy up the whole house at 5pm. We sat down at the dining table, chat over a cuppa and suddenly he asked, "Why dont we invite Mama for a dinner tonight?" (since we have a lot of food and no one came. yet). 

Me : WHY NOT?

I have prepared nasi himpit, beef and chicken rendang earlier that day. And when my mom agreed to come, my husband cook his signature Johor / Javanese dish, lodeh. I prepared raspberry jelly and strawberry juice. My neighbour who works at satay stall nearby (is 8km considered near?) was kind enough to deliver hundreds of satay. Thank you.

I was a simple and sweet dinner.

It was unplanned. But it went very well. We should do this more often.

My dad and my brother just arrived.

We've installed the cute chandelier for Raya. Last Raya, that corner look like this (here).

The kids were having fun after dinner.

Then they played with Mr. Robinson.

Mr. Robinson is Nazreen's birthday present. I dont know why he chose "Mr. Robinson".

Shellfish

What I love when we went to my husband's kampung in Muar is the journey back to KL (dont get me wrong - keep on reading).

WHY?

Because there will be A LOT OF stalls selling fresh exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates, READ: fresh siput sedut (obtuse horn shell / mud creeper), fresh kupang (green mussel), fresh lokan (clam) and fresh tiram (oyster) along Sungai Mati highway. Last time we went to Muar, I bought 10kgs of them and cooked them everyday for the whole week :) yummy!

I love them although I am allergic to seafood. Enjoy the photos.

Green mussel = kupang

 Clam = lokan. huge one.

Oyster = tiram. squeeze some lemon juice and it is good to eat. raw.

Hotel Review : Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

I had a chance to stay at the most luxurious hotel in Tokyo - Imperial Hotel Tokyo. Since I was with the Hon Minister's delegation, I also entitled for VIP lobby - a separate entrance for VVIPs.

Those flags indicate the head of states' delegation currently stayed at the hotel. I smile when I walked in and saw Jalur Gemilang there.

 Private elevator.

The former main building, designed by the famous architect - Frank Lloyd Wright, stood there from 1923-1967 and known as the Wright Imperial. Travelers around the world referred to it as 'The Jewel of The Orient'.

Welcome to the hotel!

The spacious room.

Me and Esther make sure the bellboy sent the right luggage to the right room. I followed them to every room to make sure all VIPs get their luggage. It was a tiring journey and I truly understand everybody needs a shower ASAP.

Of course those two huge boxes are mine.

They have kiblat sign. Thumbs up for their thoughtfulness!

I have my own fax machine. Easier to do my work.

They also provide yukatas!!! I LOVE YUKATA!!! Traveling to Japan means you dont have to bring along your nightwear. Most of the hotel provides yukata. Their traditional attire.

(illustration googled)

This is how you wear yukata

The toilet. I have blogged about the hi-tech WC here.

The food?

We are free to eat at any restaurant / coffee house/ lounge in the hotel. I only went to their coffee house twice for breakfast. I only took a sip of coffee then off to the lobby. Being the liaison officer for the trip, I was always in a rush. I lost 5kgs in 4 days.

Maybe wearing thermal underwear (or long john) the whole day helped to burn the fat faster ;p

Life without Olympic...

... is a bit boring.

a few meaningless updates

1. Yesterday I had takoyaki. Big deal.

2. Today I had laryngitis. I only communicate through email, paper and pen in the office.

3. I am pretty occupied in July - August since I've been appointed as the Secteraty for weekly Post-Cabinet Meeting. If I am not in the meeting room, I will be in my room with a huge headphone, all day long, jotting down every words from the audio recording.

4. Throughout Ramadhan, I involved in Tadarus during lunch hour. I normally update my blog during lunch hour. So..

5. I didnt have baju raya yet. As usual.

6. I still waiting for the mojo to paint the gate and guest room. Hopefully I could do it before Raya.

7. My son's school held a Bacathon programme to get donation to buy books for their library and for some beutification works around school. Anyone interested to make a donation, pls SMS me. Any amount is ok. Just imagine Nabil's face, full of joy, when receiving your donation :) He will be very proud to bring the Bacathon sheet to the school in September.

8. The 12 torturing weeks was just ended. I am entering the new phase. Today.

9. I manage to bake chocolate chip cookies and chocolate rice bubble for Raya. I made some chocolate-covered sliced almond but the kids finished it last night.

10. I havent charge my digital camera for about a month now = no new photos, hence, no material to blog. I have some old materials but I'll blog about it s.l.o.w.l.y.

Happy 5th Birthday, Nazreen! - bye bye long hair!

14 July 2012 was Nazreen's 5th birthday. We have organised a simple celebration at my parent's with the presence of our neighbours, orang masjid, my parent-in-law, my aunts, uncles and cousins. As it fell on Saturday, we didnt have much time to prepare. I went home from work at night on Friday and I really hope I can prepare the loot bags, all presents and blow some balloons on Saturday morning.

I rushed to a hypermarket with Nabil early in the morning and went back just in time the goldsmith (in the hypermarket) being robbed. And my sister and Sarah arrived just after the armed robbery drama ended. phew.

The food station

My dad ordered Nazreen's favourite food - nuggets, fruit salad, butter prawn, mashed potato, coleslaw, fish and chip, roasted chicken, etc.

We also have traditional kuih and pulut kuning. My sister baked delicious red velvet cupcakes and kek batik.

The present

Lotsa birthday presents for everybody. It is a tradition in our house to buy birthday presents to all children in the family, in this case, 6 kids, for every birthday celebration. And of course birthday boy got extra presents from others. Nazreen got a skateboard, guitar, foldable water bottle, normal water bottle, sweater (from me), some toys, frisbee with LED, chocolate and tons of marshmallow!

The best part of his 5th birthday is he got to cut his own hair. My mom, dad, FIL and MIL took turn to cut off his long beautiful hair. He is attending pre school next year so this is the best time to cut his hair short.

He asked for Ultraman for his birthday but no one bought it. Luckily when Nazreen unwrapped the last present from our caterer...There it is...Ultraman... Dream comes true...

My Nazreen with shorter hair. I gave him the dark blue sweater. He loves it very much :)

The next day, he requested to go to the barber shop to make it shorter. And now, it is shorter. Life goes on.

Soft Launch for World Habitat Day 2012 Malaysia

Kudos to my x-unit in MHLG. They've done an excellent job in organising the event this morning @ KL Sentral. For someone who did not involved in the preparation, the event seems flawless.

Doodle 01

I found my doodling habit which started when I was in secondary school is making a comeback. These are some of the doodles/drawings in my current note book. Floor plans of meeting rooms and the route to the ladies'.

 And this is on the paper doyley which was laid under the goblet.

I will dig out more doodles from my IIUM note book later. 

Book Club 01

I just finished reading this book - Umar Al-Khattab. Posted by my friend Zura from Penang. It is one of great Islamic books by the writer, if you wish to learn more about the history of Islam. It is simple and easy to understand.

Now I am a few chapters away to complete this book - You Can Be The Happiest Woman In the World. Mye from Putrajaya lend me this book. It teaches you to look at everything from different point of views and some lesson on common sense, according to the teaching of AlQuran and Hadiths. I wish the cover could be more vibrant and more inviting.

I just started this book and I am going to finish it in 60 days. Or less.