On Photojournalism Competition

Me and my husband spent a few days during Raya holiday, looking around the true meaning of the theme "Changing Cities, Building Opportunites" around Kuala Lumpur, specifically in Lebuh Ampang and Bukit Bintang. It is the theme for a Photojournalism Competition for World Habitat Day 2012. We planned to submit a few entries, for fun. Just to make the secretariat happy. LOL. 

We move around KL on motorcycle, so it is easier for us to stop and capture photos from awkward angles, road side, traffic light and bus stop.

This is the cameraman in action.

The cameraman didnt capture my photo in action, to prove that I was also working hard (more of stare at the buildings and think HARD about the best concept for our presentation boards). 

It is nice to spend time together doing unusual stuff once in a while, although we were soaking wet on the way back due to a heavy downpour, carrying thick stack of books everywhere for a week, went through sleepless nights to agree on the concept and to actually finish the boards, facing problem at the printing shop and lots more. It was all started FOR FUN but it become more serious towards the end. LOL.

It would be nicer if one of us win the contest.

My entry. I printed it on A4 paper for proof-read before we headed to printing shop.

My husband's entry. Love his concept. Love his presentation.

You have to know this

I have a bun in the oven.
It has been 17 weeks now.

My article in MHLG Buletin

This is an article that I have submitted for MHLG's Buletin publication. I just received the issue from my ex-colleague since I left MHLG before the issue being printed. I almost forgot about it. Luckily she keep one copy for me :)

To my surprise, when I browsed through the buletin, I found a few photos of me in other articles. I purposely snapped a blurry picture for this blog. You know I didnt like to put my picture in my blog, rite?

The one with the hijab, of course.

The one with green hijab beside the Hon Minister.



The one in brown hijab.

My contribution for Habitat Magazine

Habitat Magazine, an annual publication by Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG) Malaysia in commemoration with the World Habitat Day celebration, consists of selected articles on the issues of human settlement. It is circulated to all corner of the world in October every year. Click here > to see my desperate effort (LOL) to promote Habitat Magazine in Brunei, in 2011.

I was honoured to be given a chance to contribute to this excellent publication. This is for the first edition in 2009. See my name down there? 

In 2010, my colleague took over and the printing company did the layout.

This is for the third edition in 2011. My last work for Habitat Magazine before I transfered to the new office. I was a bit disappointed because the margin is a bit off.

I wrote an article for the third edition.

I hope my ex-collegues are doing well with the fourth edition of Habitat Magazine this year!

Japan Trip : Glimpses of Japan

They have this in all offices and office lobby. Public umbrella. Of course you need to return it after using it.

Petrol station.

Multi-storey parking.

Dispose compartment for used light bulbs and pendaflour light, for proper disposal / recycling purposes. Separation at source is practised widely in Japan.

Shy aunties at public housing in Minami-Suna.

Community garden at the public housing. It reminds me of Japanese movies I used to watch since I was in primary school.

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.