The conference in Reykjavik (Iceland) is over. I like the trip very much, although I do not enjoy the extremely cold plus drizzling weather. I took a lot of photos, massively, partly because I will never return to that country anymore, even for conference purpose or trips, never! I have some reasons - the weather is just too cold for me. I remember climbing up the ice mountain, i could not feel the presence of my foots. This explains how cold that place is.

Anyway, I will only upload few photos here. The remaining photos will go to my facebook.


Caption: myself at Blue Lagoon


Caption: me and a group of NordiChi participants


Caption: myself at Reykjavik (Iceland)

I will write more about my trip to Iceland as soon as I have some space.

Few friends asked me why am I not updating at all lately. Firstly, appologies for such a late post. I do not have much time recently, busy with the conference preparation (crafting presentation slides, practicing, etc). By the way, I have a conference paper accepted by NordiCHI 2010 and the host is in Iceland. Fortunately, my University is sponsoring my flight, accomodation and etc. for this trip! I will post the link of the conference paper in the next few post for anyone who has interest to read it.

The combination of working and studies have created such a bizarre life for me, yet it could still be fun! It all depends on how I manage my time and stress. Usually, I will spend most of my free-time walking around different places, shopping complexes, etc. Food? Now that is interesting. I am not a big-eater, definitely, but I do love eating and testing different types of foods. Therefore, this is probably the most amazing year I have ever had in my life.


Caption: Ops, the restaurant (in Kepong Malaysia) name is not visible due to the lighting


Caption: Ashley felt tired waiting for the foods?


Caption: yummy! delicious


Caption: preparing to light-up the candles

We planned to celebrate early birthday for 3 people. Therefore, everyone decided to celebrate our birthdays with one dinner. I have forgotten the name of the restaurant, but it lies somewhere (a little further) in Kepong. Foods are tasty, particularly the sri-lanka crab. It tastes very fresh, too! However, over-priced I think. We also bought a chocolate cake from Secret Receipe and celebrate at night. Okay, this is totally random. Due to excitement, our vietnamese-mango tree that we planted 8 years ago, has finally produced some fruits - very sweet, I like the taste!


Caption: the mango tree and some mangoes

Sometime, I do understand marketting tricks so they could earn more money for their company. But, please look at the photo in the below, try comparing it with the photo posted on the advertisement board. When I ordered this so called 'Purrfect' burger from A&W, the staff asked me to wait for a while. I guess too many people ordered the same burger and so, out of bun? I waited at least 20 minutes when they delivered the foods to me. I was surprised (photo below) when I tried to compare the burger delivered to me, with the burger on the advertisement board! Worstly, I see no coleslaw as topping (mixed-chopped vegetables) for the first time. Until I complained to their staffs, and waited for the next 10 minutes, they added very 'LITTLE' coleslaw to fulfil my request. This is going to be the last time I will visit A&W *peace*


Caption: A&W advertisement board


Caption: dissapointed with this burger -_-


Caption: a different fish burger from a different A&W


Caption: this is the burger! eww, so small in size!

The next day, we went to the Fish & Co. restaurant. Everyone told me their fish and chip, and pasta tastes excellent. To be frank, their fish and chip is tasty. Partly because the fish-meat is tender, easier to chew. Their American fish and chip is cheap, plus tasty because I personally love cheese. I love melted-cheese in any fish and chip *slurp* However, their pasta and that spagetthi noodle sucks. I will not recommend any friends for pasta at Fish & Co. Perhaps, only visit them for their fish and chip, where you will never regret, I hope!


Caption: I am reluctant to say 'I do enjoy their noodles'


Caption: pasta carbonara (left), fish and chip (mid), seafood spagetthi (right)

My sister (and brother-in-law) planned to celebrate her birthday with us. Usually, we prefer having our dinner somewhere further than in PJ, if celebrating for someone for their birthday. I do not know who suggested this restaurant, located deep-inside the Subang Jaya Village (very near to the old Subang International Airport), namely Restaurant Kwai Lam. I do not know how many of you heard of this restaurant, because this restaraunt once offered really delicious Chinese foods. Probably too many Chinese restaurants out there, and psychologically, we will make comparison between foods that they offer in every restaurants. Personally, I really hate havings foods (although nowadays, everywhere should be about the same) cooked with pork lards. I think it makes the food stinks (high in cholesterol too)! Coincidently, the chef in this restaurant cooked the foods with 'excessive-amount' of lards. You could even scent it, obviously. Plus, I could not sense the presence of high-quality at all after tasting every portion of the dishes we have ordered. I (and my family/relatives) would personally rate 0.5/10 for their foods quality. So if you trust me, please stay away from this restaurant.


Caption: her birthday presents (encourages her to give birth to few babies)

Caption: I could easily guess what had she wished: 'I want to conceive twin-babies at one goal'.

The snack-bar (or restaurant) namely Shihlin Taiwanese Street Snacks offered real tasty fried chicken. Their traditional 'Mee Sua' is also tasty, plus cheap. Anyway, this is probably the first time I ordered their seafood tempura (looks very similar to chips in England). The taste is brilliant, I like it very much, and would rate it higher, at 7/10.


Caption: fried chicken and seafood tempura

Over the weekend, Daryl brought us to this Indian restaurant in this place called Bangsar (a very well-known place where you could see many rich peeps hanging out). According to Daryl, he usually visit this restaurant during his break-time. This explained why he invited us for lunch at this restaurant. However, their business is extremely fine. I could see people queing all over the restaurant, waiting for a seat for them. We are extremely lucky peoples; we do not have to wait for a seat because we were lucky enough to find few empty tables (pure luck) before we start ordering their so called 'famous-indian rice'. Daryl ordered massively. If you look at the photos below, you will understand what I meant by massively. Price is reasonable. Their food quality is good. I would rate it 7.5/10 in term of indian foods. By the way, the location of this restaurant is just opposite the Bangsar Village.




Caption: Indian foods


Caption: staring at that poppadums (crispy thin flat circular bread)

Peanut (one of my bestie; this is also her nickname) told me she went to Taiwan the other day, and have bought me a box of Taiwanese-burger. I have not tasted before because that packet was given to another friend, Xin Yee. According to her, that burger is crunchy, coated with thick chocolates. I haven't had any chance to taste it at all *hint: hoping to get another packet from 'someone' if travel to Taiwan again* Later in the afternoon, Xin Yee and I have decided to have our lunch in this restaurant namely Bao-Bao. They offer various types of pan mee (a type of flat flour noodle, a type of Malaysian Chinese cuisine, usually boiled in anchovies soup). We ordered some side dish too. It is tasty in term of food quality. I would rate it 7.5/10 myself.


Caption: Taiwanese-burger


Caption: Xin Yee has prepare to taste the pan mee


Caption: bao-bao pan mee

The next morning, we went to this small-typical Chinese restaurant in Kepong. Many people suggest that their Hakka Lei Cha tastes really good. Hakka lei Cha is a typical Hakka-style tea-based beverage consist of various kinds of vegetables and herbs grounded together, with nuts, seeds and grains, and to be served with a green-based tea. We consume Hakka Lei Cha because it is a very healthy food. We also ordered this dish called 'Shun Pun Zi' (also known as stir fried yam balls). This is not the first time I have Lei Cha, but Shun Pun Zhi is. It tastes very nice and like it very much! I will not rate the dishes we ordered in this restaurant, mainly because I do not know (forgotten to capture a photo that day) the name of the restaurant. Plus, first time consuming these foods - can not compare with other restaurants.


Caption: Hakka Lei Cha and Shun Pun Zi, and some chinese noodles


Caption: mixing all vegetable dishes prepared, all-in-one


Caption: this is how we eat Hakka Lei Cha (pour the green chinese tea into the bowl)

By the way, this is also random. I took a photo when we went out to Secret Receipe the other day, Satay with a glass of Chocolate Latte, and a glass of plain water for myself. Everyone said their satay tastes really good. Well, I might be traditional-minded, as usual, but isn't Kajang Satay tastes best? I might be wrong. Anyway, the satay is very meaty by mean the lack of grilled-fats *LOL* So this Satay should be healthier than other Satay's I have eaten elsewhere. I would rate the Satay 6/10.


Caption: Secret Receipe: Satay and Latte

Somehow, I thought I felt like having Hakka Lei Cha again, in a different restaurant, in Kota Damansara this time. So, I have invited Angel to joined me. I didnt know Hakka Lei Cha could taste so well, way much better than the one I had in the previous restaurant in Kepong. Probably this one has more MSG-added, and so it tastes much better?


Caption: Hakka Lei Cha at Kota Damansara

I do not know why, throughout the month, I have had visited many Hakka restaurants. Oh, by the way, Hakka refers to one of the main subdivision of the Chinese (and language) in China. They are recognised as Chinese, but a different type of chinese people (other types of Chinese subdivisions include, i.e. Gwong-Fu / or Cantonese Chinese, Hokkien Chinese, Teo Chew Chinese, etc.). The Hakka restaurant, namely the Restaurant Hakka is located at the center of Kuala Lumpur, opposite to the Luxurious-Shopping-Mall, "The Pavillion". If we are having Hakka-style Steamboat (click HERE to read more about steamboat) somewhere near to the Pavillion, then you could have guess that the price is usually, over-priced. The portion is too little, below average, for normal human I think. Even a small-eater like Liz said the portion is just too little. So, that explains the portion. Anyway, their Pork Ball, namely the Pork-Vein-Ball (direct translate from Cantonese) is extremely tasty. I like it. Nice view this restaurant offered, too bad my camera quality is just too low to capture really-nice photos, especially night time.


Caption: Restaurant Hakka


Caption: their menu


Caption: don't you think the portion is just too little for four/five person?


Caption: Liz enjoyed the food, very much, so do we!


Caption: The Pavillion is just next to the restaurant


Caption: the restaurant has many tables, so do not worry of not getting a seat!


Caption: random photo taken inside Pavillion

It is always irresistable for me when it comes to food. It means I am a person who will sometimes never bother looking at the price before ordering the foods. As long as the food is tasty, then, I will just order as much as I could eat. But that is just occasionally. It means, I will not act that way everytime seeing foods - just occasionally! I remember having the 'bun-soup' in Express Soup, inside the MPH bookstore. Why? Because I found the appearance of the bun very appealing, interesting too. I have never tried drinking soup served in buns. I even ordered an additional pumpkin-soup. They serve the pumpkin-soup with some salad. The taste is great, though it tastes a little 'burnt', I think they overcooked the food, making it tastes alike charcoal! The price is reasonable too, Rm 7.99 (if i did not recall wrongly), this place is definitely great for teatime!

Caption: express-soup


Caption: I called it as the 'bun-chicken-soup'


Caption: pumpkin-soup with some salad


Caption: yummy!

We went to TGIF (thank god is friday) in PJ. We did not order much, guess we were full - the portion of the food is huge, probably very cheesy-style food, and very glad we did not order too much else we can never finish the portions ordered.


Caption: spagetti and something with cheese (forgotten) in TGIF

The next dinner we went to is this restaurant in Kepong, namely Lai Heong. Many people suggest for dinner in this restaurant because their foods are tasty, cheaper compared to other restaurants, yet the portion of the foods/dishes are extremely bulk. Sometimes, I do not think that way because their foods are just ordinary for me. I could even scent massive amount of 'Pork Lard' from that green vegetable dish we ordered. It does not mean the portion is bulk, then the foods are tasty - sometimes it don't work that way! We pay for what we have; cheaper price sometimes refer to cheaper-quality foods! Overall, the foods are okay, a very normal-dinner, for the price we paid. The overall rating I would rate is 6.5/10.


Caption: the dishes

Ops, I have forgotten entirely about having dessert in this so called 'honeymoon' dessert-bar, a place we had our desserts (picture below). Anyway, not quite important because the dessert don't taste awesome; the dessert-bar has also closed down their business a while ago in the One-Utama shopping complex. I found this photo in my phone's photo album, and I think the appearance of the desserts looked appealing, very special looking, so I have decided to share it here, but nothing else!


Caption: desserts in 'Honeymoon' dessert-bar

Okay, I must really give an applause to this BKT restaurant. BKT refers to Bah Kut Teh, a very popular Chinese meat-based soup in Asian countries, i.e. Malaysia, China, etc. Everyone told me that the best BKT could only be found in places like Klang in Malaysia. I doubt that really. My typical mind told me something else; "Maybe those BKT shops in this place called Klang have shifted to bigger cities so they could sell their tasty foods more expensive, so could earn more money?", I might be wrong though. But this BKT restaurant in this place called Kepong, is very special. The foods are tasty, price is reasonable too. I have never tasted such a tasty BKT, in a very pleasant way, in my life. Though they only start their business at night (after evening, let says 6:30 PM?). Try it and you will understand what I mean.


Caption: tofu (left), traditional BKT (top), vinegar pork-leg (bottom), steam pork (right)

We were walking across the bridge in the new-wing of One-Utama shopping complex the other day. Guess what, probably a lucky day, we met one of the most famous Hong Kong female celebrity, Linda Chung. She is hyper tall, though we could not approach her due to massive paparazzi's, surrounded her all around, but I am lucky enough to stand somewhere near her. She is not only tall, but very slim, should could turn herself *choke* to a skeleton if she still go on diet! So, if she ever drop by on this blog, a piece of advice for her, females will not look good if they have a skeleton-figure! Then, we dropped by this restaurant called 'Delicious'. I was curious of how cammomile tea tastes like. Some commented: 'It sucks', but some said it tastes brilliant. However, my opinion is, cammomile tea should be healthy, especially it has the ability to help reducing stress whilst helping us to catch a better sleep at night. The best slogan to promote the cammomile tea is "Drink it for a better sleep". It's true, I could sleep better that night (probably psychological effect?) but, guess what, the taste is awesome if adding honey in the cammomile tea - vice versa, it tastes extremely awful without honey! Please do try it yourself someday.


Caption: delicious restaurant (is that a restaurant actually, or a bar, or?)


Caption: cammomile tea with honey and a glass of orange juice



Caption: everyone surrounded Linda Chung


Caption: Linda Chung promoting Bio-Essence products

The food in Dragon-i is also tasty. Lately, I planned to go on diet. I realized my weight increases, rapidly. I do not know how I gained my weight, so, I planned to skip for lunch. The other day, I shared a dish of chinese seafood noodle with Angel, I could not finish the portion myself. It tastes good, though the portion is just too little, plus over-priced. I would rate the noodle dish at 7.5/10 because the taste is really good!


Caption: Chinese-noodle at Dragon-i restaurant

Last, but not least, we visited this dessert-shop located in Kota Damansara. Why? They have dessert promotions for few days, at half-price. It means buying one dessert and getting another for free! I even met Mervin and his girlfriend in that shop, too bad I did not snap a photo of them at that time, else they might think I am an insane person who love taking photos of everyone, randomly *cough* Okay, the taste is not really that special, very normal. However, I will still visit this place (upon request), incase anyone demanded me to bring them along, for dessert. I am a very casual person :)


Caption: Snowflake dessert-shop in Kota Damansara


Caption: tohua-series dessert


Caption: promotions at Snowflake

Sorry for such casual-writting post. I do not have much time thinking and formulating to write a post recently. The next post will be posted after my trip to Iceland (for conference purpose). I am publish a paper after the trip - I think I could write up some stories about my two-weeks stay in Iceland, hopefully a nice trip so I could produce a better story here.