A COFFEE DATE WITH AN ANAESTHETIST AT ORIENTAL KOPI

toast

After all the planning, the plan to meet up was finally executed. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat Ali Hassan suggested we go for coffee at Oriental Kopi in AEON Tebrau City after his office hour, which was then became a late lunch/early dinner for us.

chicken rice

I think the very last time I met my ex-student [of SMK Taman Universiti] was 16 years ago when I was hospitalized in Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru [READ HERE]. I had to undergo an operation and I met him in the operation theatre as he was the anaesthetist doctor on duty. It was a small world after all.

chicken briyani

Thanks to Dr. Muhammad Rahmat for his time and company despite his busy schedule. It was good to get reunited again and we needed to go for another coffee date some other time after this. 

THE SUPPOSEDLY COFFEE SESSION AT TSUTAYA BOOKSHOP

I was at AEON Tebrau for another reason. I stopped by at Tsutaya Bookshop to look for an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Zulhelmi, who was the manager there.

There was a cafe in the bookstore so one could read and enjoy the coffee at the same time.

The coffee machine was not working so I had to settle for the refreshing iced lemonade. Mr. Zulhilmi recommended the cafe latest dessert: Lava Matcha [Soft] Cookies that came with a scoop of ice cream and sliced strawberry, and it was heavenly.

Mr. Zulhilmi then took me for a tour around the bookstore and to my surprise, there were more than just books sold here.

The rare item in the store would be the book by a Japanese author which had a price tag of RM10K plus.

I immediately fell in love with this mini oven and I am still thinking about it now.

Another items on the shelves which I would buy were the local diffuser and perfumes that bore scents like Nasi Lemak, Teh O Limau and Lychee Syrup.

Thank you Mr. Zulhilmi for both the tour and the treat at Tsutaya. He used to give me free coffee before this when he was with Starbucks last time. Hope to see you again after this and let me reciprocate your kind gestures.

MY HOMETOWN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - OF MEATBALLS CRAVING AND COFFEE FIX

I have been craving for Ikea's meatballs and today the craving was finally satisfied. 15 pieces of meatballs were more than enough and luckily I did not take any other food except two pieces of spring rolls even though the temptation was very strong.

After that, we then adjourned to get coffee from a Starbucks oulet from the AEON Tebrau City Mall nearby. It was a perfect way to sum up the outing this evening.

I met an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Zul [SPM batch 2003] who was a staff there. I would have to remind myself to find him first before making my order at this specific outlet next time.

So that was how my Friday evening was spent. It was not really an adventure but for me, to be able to eat out once in a while was already an achievement. Thanks to Mr. Afif Farhan (SPM 2010) for the company and the time, and the coffee treat too. We will find other place next time for the next gastronomic adventure.

MY HOMETOWN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE : BREAKING FAST AT VIVO

To celebrate the first day of the 2-week school break, I went to break fast outside at Vivo in Tebrau City with a colleague who is still not going back to his hometown yet.

I was there at about 5:30 p.m. was lucky to get a table for two. The restaurant was actually fully booked at that time.

outside food

The drinks were first brought to the table at 6:30 p.m. so we were left staring at the glass for about 40 minutes before the time arrived.

the main

By 7:00 p.m. the plates containing the food were already placed on the table.

the dessert

The mall is near to my house so I had ample time to rush home and get ready for my terawikh prayers right after.

Thanks Mr. Wan Mohd. Nazri for the time and company. This time we could not hang out longer but there will always another time (hopefully).

MOVIE REVIEW - "WONDER PARK"

26th MARCH 2019 ~ The decision to watch a movie was impromptu, right after the "cendol" session. We went to TGV Tebrau City and there was not much of choice. It was either "Upin dan Ipin" or "Wonder Park" so we opted for the latter.

The animation told the story of a 6 year old girl who should be a science whiz and could easily construct things on her own. She was so full of imagination and one of which was this "Wonder Park" where animals were the operators to make sure people had a good time. Then, at one time, the girl's mother got real sick and had to be sent away for treatment. Consequently, the girl was sad and she stopped imagining things and the park stopped functioning.

I personally feel the movie had such a heavy theme despite the fact that an animation should be more entertaining rather than make people think too much. It was more like a drama for adults rather than a show for small kids. But then, children could easily be entertained with talking animals on screen but I was grateful I did not doze off during the show.

COFFEE TIME AT IKEA TEBRAU AFTER SCHOOL

Initially it was a plan of having coffee at IKEA Tebrau for two. However, suddenly they were three more familiar faces appearing out of nowhere. The more the merrier - and I was glad I could meet these ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti from SPM batch 2016.

It was just a short session over coffee and carbonated drinks (and of course other IKEA's food at the food court) with Mr. Haiqal, Mr. Firash, Mr. Syazwan and Mr. Faiz but it was good to be reunited once in a while. They will soon return to campus once their break is over. Good luck to everyone who is still pursuing their studies at tertiary level and hope we will meet again some other time.

MY HOMETOWN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - IKEA'S MEATBALLS AND PASTA

My third time in IKEA Tebrau and I eventually went to eat its famous meatballs, with pasta. Initially I just wanted the meatballs but the huge number of meat pieces for the Swedish meatballs would be too much for me so I opted the menu with the spaghetti.

The plate of food, plus the tasty mushroom soup and free flow of coffee cost me only RM11.90. No wonder many Malaysians just go to IKEA to eat at the cafe instead of buying any items in the furniture mall.

MY HOMETOWN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - BLACK CANYON AT AEON TEBRAU CITY

16th NOVEMBER 2018 ~ Someone wanted to introduce to me Black Canyon Coffee and I would never say "no" to good food and company of a friend. So went to the Black Canyon outlet at Tebrau City after the movie for dinner.

We had the same choice of food: garlic fried rice with grilled chicken and tom yum. My verdict: the tom yum was delicious but I think there was too much barbecue sauce on the grilled chicken which had overshadowed the real taste of the grilled meat. The coffee was no doubt good, but because it was a bit too sweet.

Overall, I was happy with the food and the fast service. And thank you Mr. Wan Mohd. Nazri for the treat and the company. We should try other restaurant for our next outing.