My Life Is An Open Book

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Cameron Highlands Getaway Part I

30 January 2010

When I got home, I had to unpack my Manila stuffs, then pack for Cameron Highlands. One of the perks of BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA is that you have holiday homes around Malaysia with cheap accomodation charges. But when it's cheap, it's always fully booked. So don't be surprised when I tell you that I booked for our 2 nights stay at Rumah Peranginan Persekutuan Cameron Highlands almost 6 months ago.

We started our journey from AD at about 9.30 a.m., stopped for breakfast at Restoran Jejantas Sungai Buloh and proceeded to recruit with the rest at R&R Tapah at about 12 noon. When we arrived, the 2 cars from Khan's Mahal were already there. We only had light snacks since we were still full from breakfast.

The pilots decided to go to CH via Simpang Pulai. Since abang Sher just passed Rawang, we decided to proceed and meet up with his family at our guest house. We saw a Thaipusam procession at Simpang Pulai area. The long and winding journey up took us about 2 hours. All the pilots concur that Simpang Pulai was a better route compared to travelling via Tapah.

Rumah Peranginan Perseketuan is situated at Tanah Rata. It was easy to look for as there are about 3 signboards, starting from 10km mark that leads you to it. The nearest landmarks are the Sultan Ahmad Shah Golf Club and the YTL Cameron Highlands Resort. We checked in and was accomodated at Seroja bungalow. It has 3 bedrooms, the biggest being the master bedroom upstairs which could easily fit 10-15 people, 4 bathrooms, a living room equipped with a LCD tv (with a few ASTRO channels) and a stereo (which has a karaoke function), dining area with a table for 8, a kitchen equipped with a stove, fridge and kettle. It was perfect, except for a water supply problem. Only the kitchen has water supply but not the 4 bathrooms so it was very inconvenient. I complained thrice but was informed that they are working on rectifying the problems. It has been a major area of complain especially when all the units (the area has 2 other bungalows, a block of apartment and 2 blocks of hostels) are fully booked.

The reception area

Living room

Dining area

Master bedroom

After a nasi lemak lunch (Sungai Sekamat mari) and a nit of settling down, Rafiq, Jan, Dik, Imran, Adam and I went to Pasar Malam Brinchang, which operates on Friday and Saturday nights. It's about 10 minutes drive (minus the weekend traffic) from our guest house. These are some of the things that you can find there.

Fresh veggies

Strawberries

Potted plants

Fresh flowers

Want some of these? Hehehe!

We bought strawberries (loads of 'em), strawberry sorbet for Imran & Adam, corns for Dadima and baby ubi keredek (hehehe). I bought some fridge magnets as souvenirs. After ordering dinner (to be tapau-ed), we headed back to the guest house and brought the children to the playground, which was in the Rumah Peranginan compound. I love this place!! There is also a tennis court, but no net.

When it was almost Maghrib, Rafiq and Jan went to pick up our dinner order and bought KFC. Night time was spent watching tv with occasional berebut PSP/Game Boy. Since Abang Sher's kids brought along with them colouring books and crayons, it drew some attention from Faiq and Mu'az who joined in, but only for a while...hehehe. And alhamdulillah, the water supply problem was rectified by my bro in-law so everyone was relieved. Thank you, Lachik!! By 11, most of us got ready for bed except for those still watching tv.

Good night!!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Au Revoir Manila

29 January 2010 - Manila Day 4

Luckily, I managed to get up on time despite lack of sleep. Actually there were 3 simultaneous field trips organised by the secretariat but I stayed on for the wrap-up meeting. We discussed how to strengthen the regional cooperation between countries, follow-up actions and came up with a few solutions. The session ended at about 12 noon.

I then checked out and made a quick dash to Balikbayan Handicrafts. The choices of handicrafts here are more than that of Kultura and more affordable...hehe! I bought some table cloths and fridge magnets. I wish I could purchase more but I didn't have the time as the embassy people will be picking us up at 2 p.m.

Unfortunately, till 2.15 p.m., no car came so I called En. Zaaba and En. Adli. We were told that they were picking up Malaysian delegates who were at the domestic airport, arriving from Cebu Island. We were all getting nervous when our transport didn't arrive at 2.45 p.m. as we needed to be at the airport at 2.50 p.m. (2 hours before departure time). My bosses had already suggested that we take a cab since 2.30 p.m. but the embassy people insisted that we wait.

Our car finally arrived at 2.50 p.m. We were getting nervous when we saw the traffic, we were informed that it was a normal traffic on Friday as people were rushing to balik kampung. I think we arrived at the airport at about 3.20 p.m. and was glad we didn't take a cab coz the queue at the airport was unbelievable. En. Zaaba settled everything for us. We were so thankful for the embassy's hospitality. By the time we passed the immigration counters, the final call for MH705 was made.

Touched down at tanahairku at 8.20 p.m. Alhamdulillah, I am home!

So that's my Manila story. I would like to thank the Malaysian Embassy officers, En. Adli and En. Zaaba for their hospitality, our liaison officer Graziella @ Gloria Macapagal for her assistance and for taking good care of us and to Dr. Ruth from the Philippines Public Works Department, whom I was acquainted with.

-THE END-

Hello Manila III

28 January 2010 - Manila Day 3

Today was the last day of the Ministerial Conference. Started my day with breakfast at the cafe (limited to fruits and cereals of course) the session started with a re-cap of yesterday's presentations and discussions, followed by a break-up sessions consisting of several topics. I joined the Septage Management Session as the CEO of IWK was one of the panelists. The other panelist was from the host country, Manila. Before the panel session, a report by USAID was presented which potrays Malaysia as one of the countries with one of the best septage management best practices. Bangga dowh! Anyways, the session lasted for about 2 hours before we adjourned for lunch.

After lunch, the head of delegation gathered for the Ministerial Conference whilst the rest of us broke up into 4 groups. This time around I joined the Institutional and Policy session where we discussed the institutional and policy issues of each countries and to prioritise the most crucial issues that we can address and cooperate at the regional level. After that, all four groups including the Heads of Delegation, gathered at Sunset Pavillion and presented our findings. The session ended at about 5.30 p.m.

We were actually invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Department of Health but due to the food restrictions, we decided to go find our own.

At first we went to SM Asia Mall, the biggest mall in Asia. It was huge. I was tired just looking at it. We went to Kultura, which sells souvenirs and handicrafts. I bought key chains, whilst the other delegates bought table cloths. We tried to look for Halal restaurants around. Not wanting to walk endlessly at the shopping mall, I was glad to spot a lady with a head scarf there.

Me: Excuse me, are you a Muslim?

Lady: Yes.

Me: Do you know where we can find Halal food in this mall.

Lady: Ohhh, you can go to KFC. It's all chicken. You could also eat the fish burger at McDonald's.

Me: ??? Okay, thanks!

The bosses decided to go to Makati City as it is the city centre. The journey from Roxas Blvd to Makati City was about 40 minutes. I AM SO SCARED OF THEIR DRIVING!!!! I kept wincing in fear, thinking OMG we are going to hit another vehicle. They have no system, simply cilok like they own the damn road. Every freaking driver drives like that. Ironically, I didn't spot any accidents the whole time I was there.

We ate at a Persian restaurant. I have to say the food was really good. I loved the vegetable masala. I was told that Makati City was the central business district so I expected something like KLCC but the road where our restaurant was situated somehow reminds me of Pudu Raya. Rupa-rupanya, the heart of Makati is 20 minutes walk away. Darn! I thought I would be able to go to Hard Rock Cafe to add to hubby's t-shirt collection but since the malls would be close by the time we arrive there, the bosses decided to go back to our hotel.

We arrived at the hotel at about 10 p.m. I think I had coffee in the morning because it was having difficulties to sleep so I ended up watchingn TMZ and some memorable videoclips which features movie soundtracks like Bryan Adams' Everything I Do (I Do It For You) (OST Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves ~ my childhood friend, Liza Khalis, and I fell madly in love with Kevin Costner back then), Wet Wet Wet's Love Is All Around (OST Four Weddings and A Funeral ~ Ooooh, Hugh Grant!), Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On (OST Titanic ~ I love you, Leo!) and Ronan Keating's When You Say Nothing At All (OST Notting Hill ~ I wanna go to Notting Hill again!). I ended up sleeping at about 2.30 a.m.

Good night/morning, Manila. Hopefully I'll be able to wake up, or more importantly STAY UP during the discussions!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Hello Manila II

27 January 2010 - Manila Day 2

Woke up at 6 a.m. for Subuh prayers, continued with my beauty sleep and woke up again at 7 a.m. Got ready, ate breakfast in my room and made my way to Sunset Pavillion, where the East Asia Ministerial Conference will be held. The welcoming remarks was made by Undersecretary Mario Villaverde from the Philippines Department of Health. The opening ceremony was officiated by Hon. Noli de Castro, Vice President of the Philippines who gave a keynote address on Sustainable Sanitation. We were joined by representative from the Malaysian Embassy, Mr. Adli Abdullah. The session started at 10.30 a.m. with the presentation of Regional Status Report on Sanitation.

Vice President with the Heads of Delegation

The exhibition

After lunch, there were two more plenary discussion sessions before we broke up into 4 groups. I joined the second working group on Financing and Resource Mobilization, where my boss presented a paper on the Direction on the Water Services Industry in Malaysia. Manila and Mongolia seems to be interested in our country's water industry financial model. After the break up session, I went back to my room.

Too lazy to join the cocktail but went down for dinner. I ate grilled salmon, grilled prawn, corn on the cob, steamed veggie, fresh fruits and sushi. We were entertained by cultural shows. The first was a band which played angklung followed by cultural dances. Some of the dances were similar to the Bajau and Malay dance. One Mindanao dance was called Kepulangan. This is why we are serumpun, I guess. We left when they started asking people to join in the dance.

Am now watching E! News. Good night, Manila!

Hello Manila I

26 Jan 2010 - Manila Day 1

Departed from KLIA at 12 noon. Read inflight magazines and slept during the journey. Arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila at 3.30 p.m. Was greeted by Wisma Putra officers and brought to Sofitel Hotel at Roxas Boulevard and facing the Manila Bay.

Arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Manila Bay

Went to Ghazal Restaurant at Mabini Street, which serves middle east food. We ate chicken beriyani, lebanese bread with chicken curry. Decided to walk back to the hotel to get the feel of Manila.

Ride on the jeepny anyone?

Anyway, Mabini Street is comparable to our very own Jalan TAR. Except that there's no place to shop. The whole street is full of restaurants, karaokes, pubs, money changers, a few hotels. Spotted 2 Maybanks. That was it! We also passed the Navy office, the Department of Finance, Philippines Convention Centre. Nothing interesting along the Bay..just boats and it was not lighted.

The walk back turned out to be a nearly 45 minutes walk! My feet hurts so I'm gonna rest now.

Good night, Manila!

I.AM.A.BIMBO

Final packing for Manila last Monday. Changed handbags.

Supposed to leave for KLIA at 9 a.m. Arrived at office at 8.20 a.m. Realised that I left my room key in the other handbag. All Manila documents are in the room! The office doesn't have a spare key!!

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEE!!

Endless cursing! STUPID! STUPID!! STUPID!!!

Had to ask Aizat to drive me home! Alhamdulillah no major traffic. Arrived back at the office at 9.25 a.m.

Dashed to room to collect documents!

Alhamdulillah arrived at the airport on time at 10 a.m.

But still I forgot my jacket and my carelessness was unforgivable (even though my boss said it's ok!)

STUPID! STUPID!! STUPID!!!

I.AM.A.BIMBO.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Celebrating January Girls

Yesterday my family gathered in D.U to celebrate Aira and my grandmother's birthday. Aira turned 1 on 7 January, whereas my grandmother turned 83 (alhamdulillah) on 21 January.

My mom made briyani bombay and kuih lopeh, my SIL Eyda made chicken quiche, I brought rojak ayam and my sister Dhirah did alfredo pasta. My mom ordered a carrot cheese cake from her friend. It was yummy!

Ilham with Mama Long

Aktiviti kanak-kanak

Meriah sungguh sebab rumah penuh :o) Faiq and Feera was excited playing with the Lego that my brother bought for them. Is ada aktiviti sendiri. Aira wasn't in a good mood coz she didn't get enough sleep. Ilham was bubbly as always :o) Faiq as usual conquered candle blowing.