[16-18/9/2011] 3D2N Trip to Taiping (part 2)

This post is the continuation of previous post. Read it here!

The fun in Taiping continues at night. For dinner, HW introduced us to char kuey teow. At first, I thought all  char kuey teow tasted the same. No? What if there's so long queue of people willing to wait for an old uncle to fried his char kuey teow plate by plate? There has to be something good and worth to wait then. According to a source in Facebook, the 70+ year old uncle fried his famous char kuey teow using charcoal and he adds duck eggs to make them a little bit sticky. Price around RM2.50-RM3.00 (can't really remember). Stall closes on Sunday.

Simpang Char Kuey Teow is located beside a mini market on the main road of Simpang.

Simpang Char Kuey Teow

Then, we proceed for our first night activity; Night Safari in Taiping Zoo. Entrance fee was RM16 but we were given 30% as being introduced by a local. 

One of Malaysia's promoted tourist destination.

I was really looking forward to the Night Safari, as it was reported as `Must Go' place in Taiping. But, I was disappointed with it.. As it was meant to be held at night (duh~), basically we hardly see any animals while touring the whole safari on a tram. The animals must be either sleeping, hiding or it's really too dark to spot them. And the tour guide didn't do a good job in explaining what's around us, leaving us in a very blurry state during the whole tram ride.

Group photo!

To end the first long day in Taiping, we went back to Taping Sentral and had a good laugh over Johnny English movie at 11.45pm.

First time experience in Big Cinema.

The next morning, we planned to go visit the famous Bukit Larut, whereby trip to up the mountain will be done with a 4 wheel drive. However, we cancelled the plan as we were told the next trip up will be in the late afternoon. Too bad cause I'm sure it'll be an interesting trip, except that it'll be going to be burning hot by the time.

Just managed to be at the entrance of Bukit Larut.

We then moved on to our next destination; Taiping Equine Park. That where all the horses are! Now, haven't I told any of you that I really wished I could ride a horse? I found people riding horses on TV was so cool! And heck, at Taiping Equine Park, I made my dreams come true with just RM10! Yeap, RM10 for 2 lapse. Besides that, you'll get to feed the horses there with carrots and embrace them. Yes, I got my hand into the horse's mouth once (yewww~:P).

Horseyyyyyyy~~

Taiping is indeed a very nice place to explore. Despite a small town, it's really a good place without so much of traffic jams like in KL. Taiping has a lot of historical icon preserved, best place to make use of your DSLR. The food in Taiping is surprisingly nice and unique from the one I used to have. Plus, it's super cheap compared to KL! I'll definitely recommend anyone who wanted a short trip over the weekend on our own mainland to explore Taiping town. 

Next stop, Penang. Stay tuned!   

Magnificient Taiping!

[16-18/9/2011] 3D2N Trip to Taiping (part 1)

Aloha! It's been months since I went exploring to new place; Taiping! In conjunction with last Malaysia Day holiday, I planned for a trip with my X-treme members (they're the one who was with me through the whole journey of CIMA Global Business Challenge), and since 3 of us (YX, WX and me) are in KL, I decided to pay our another member a visit in Taiping. I've never stepped my foot in Taiping land before, and I really love to explore new area, so it was a good timing.

WX, YX and I departed from Pudu at 9am on the 16th and the journey to Taiping took around 4 hours. The bus is good. Running away from KL city feels so nice. 4 hours journey isn't that long for me as I enjoyed beautiful landscapes, occupied myself with a good book and songs as well as managed to catch some sleep I missed a lot during working weeks.

Thanks to our kind and cute host, HW, we managed to explore the beauty of Taiping, which I don't think some of it available on the Google search. HW managed to impressed us with a bowl of curry mee and large pau during lunch.

Baozi

Situated at the main curve of a road in Kuala Sepetang, you will be able to find this baozi stall in front of the famous curry mee stall.

Large pau with satisfying fillings only costs RM 2.70 while other fillings (kaya, coconut, peanuts etc.) costs only RM 1.10-RM 1.30.

Price around RM 2.50 (can't recall!)

We had to wait for more than half an hour for this bowl of curry mee. Everyone doesn't seems mind to wait. Well, I would say this is worth a while to wait. The noodles are very much different that typical ones in KL. I don't find it hot, though the others do. 

After lunch, HW brought us to Perak Museum. Entry is free for everyone. It is not a very big museum like the ones I visited in KL but I was excited to get close with the history I had once learned in high school. 

Magnificent architecture.

"This is the site of the fort of the Maharajah Lelah and near the spot where the British Resident J.W.W.Birch was treacherously murdered on the 2nd of November 1875 is ordered by the Government of Perak to be ever kept desolate and uncultivated."  

Robert Sandilands Frowd Walker, a prominent figure during the British colonial. 

Epic. Credits: HW

Love this- No mouth speak, no eyes see, no ears hear. 

Love this souvenir. 3 for RM10. 

After getting close to history, we went to Taiping Sentral for a cup of coffee and were quickly addicted to Monopoly Deal.

Was into Frappuccino previously, but now, I'm a Cappuccino addict! 

Part 2 coming come real soon! Stay tuned! =)

Product Review: Real Nature Mask Aloe Vera

A week before Chinese New Year Celebration, my face started to developed red patches on my right side. Red patches soon started to flaked and having `itchy hands', I began to enjoy peeling of dried skin developed on that area. I really thought after peeling off, my skin will be healed and back to normal. I was so wrong! It got worse, having the itching and burning feeling. To make things worst, red patches soon began to developed to other parts of my face. It was a terrible holiday, whereby I prefer to stay at home than meeting people outside. 

Thankfully, my skin healed after 2 weeks of misery, just in time to start work like nothing had happened on my face. I didn't apply any moisturiser or cream, cause I didn't know which is the right product to use. However, after healing, I decided to get some masks from The Face Shop to moisture my dry skin and hopefully smaller the pores developed during the stressful period. 

Real Nature Mask Aloe Vera

Real Nature Mask Aloe Vera contained 1,000mg extracted aloe vera, which hydrates and soothes the skin with a rich sense of moisturization, to provide instant care to puffy and sensitive skin. The sales girl recommends me this when I told her my problematic skin issue.

Unlike some masks, I got a quite a good impression when I opened the packaging. Aloe Vera smells nice, not too strong. I would put it, it smelled soothing. However, I find the mask's size hardly fits to my face. The mouth gaping was actually too big, unable to cover my chin area. I wonder which Asian face is that huge!

Place: The Face Shop, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM 6.90
Rating: 3/5

Face To Face Hair Saloon Review [2/1/2012]

(Sorry, this is a delayed post. Didn't realized this was still kept in draft for whole one month!)

First time I decided to curl my hair was once I get back from South Korea back in June 2010. It wasn't that curl cause somehow my hair wanted to remain straight. I did my first curl and full hair colouring at Thomas and Guys. I think it costs me about RM300 that time. And I received a lot of compliments from friends around.

 

2010

After that styling session, I never did perming anymore; just series of trimming and colouring. My hair is naturally straight but not as straight as rebonding effect. 

Last December, I stumbled upon this offer from Hulala.com.my:

Bought 2 of this =)

I thought it was good offer since I wanted to change my hairstyle as well. Furthermore, Scott Garden is actually located in Old Klang Road, easily accessible by bus. So, I ended up buying 2 vouchers; one for colouring, another for spa perming. 

Yesterday, I made an appointment at 12 noon and I was quite nervous about it.  I was also doubting if the place is reliable or not as it is newly opened around 6 months back. The place wasn't as big as the previous hair saloon I went and there's only one stylist, helped by another young guy. But I was well assured soon cause I felt he knows what he's doing. In addition, as I was checking in my foursquare, I got to know he's a former stylist from A Cut Above and positive comments noticed from there. 

The total amount of time I spent there was almost 4 hours. I never tried spa perm and the machine they use in curling process was unusual to me. It was quite hot though. But I was satisfied with the outcome, unlike the one I did previously where they had to curl twice cause my hair wouldn't curl! The curling process took about 2 hours, if I'm not mistaken. Then, we proceed to the colouring process. Previously in Thomas and Guys, I had the colouring first then the curling. The outcome was good, closer to the one I expected, unlike the one that didn't turns up when I did previously. 

Hot...Hot...Hot Arghhhh~~

One thing I like to compliment on the stylist, Willies is he knows what I want. I wanted something like the J-style or K-style and I didn't need to explain much to him. Once, when I'm unable to pick a colour, he said he'll pick for me. I was heavy-hearted a little bit but inside, I felt I can trust this guy too. So I let him set the colour, and hey, not bad!

Sorry, bad lighting so colour didn't really shown fully here.

I would recommend anyone to go give a try at his saloon. 

For normal occasion, charges applied for long hair styling:

Cut - RM65

Colouring - RM205

Spa Perming - RM235

For those who are interested, may contact:

Mr Willies (016-247 1688)

Or visit:

Face To Face,

S-3-19 The Scott Garden,

(Kompleks Rimbun Scott)

289 Jalan Kelang Lama,

58000 Kuala Lumpur.

10 Reflections on 2011

First of all, Happy New Year to all!!!!!!!

I guess I am bad in giving commitments on blogging last year and I keep giving excuses why I don't blog that often and stuff. I'm truly sorry about that and I thank you whoever still following my blog till now till the bottom of my heart.

Before talking about what are my plans for 2012, I guess it is proper to do a wrap up for 2011. 2011 ended officially around 6 hours before and no doubt, many events had took place for the past 365 days.

1. Ran for AIESEC UKM Executive Board 2011/2012 Election 
I was in the Executive Board (EB) the term 2010/2011 but I never ran through the election process. Instead I had interview through instant messaging all the way at South Korea. It was not an easy process throughout the election; from preparing mentally, filling up the application form, standing in front of the plenary to deliver speech to going through tough interview session. I didn't make it to the end and didn't manage to get what I wanted but it was still an experience for me. Read more..

Lessons learned: Take up the challenge. Even if you failed, you would be proud that you tried your best.

The nervous time I had gone through in January

2. Participated in competitions

CIMA Global Business Challenge 2011- I was really out in doing something unusual and I'm glad that my 3 friends are willing to go with me this time. It was a commitment that takes extra time and effort, apart from our usual school routine. We never win this challenge but the process was what to be treasured forever. I can never forget our hangouts in McD Bangi, brainstorming ideas, yet enjoying ourselves till wee hours in the morning.

UMAC-NOESIS Intervarsity Investment Challenge 2011- I went into this challenge, not knowing anything about investment, but I was determined to learn something from here. I'm glad I decided to accept the offer to enter although we did not win anything in the end. Well, does 40% scholarship to study CIMA/CFA/CIM/CPID counts? (Read more...)

Lessons learned: Enjoy the process. You might find something in between. I found great friends here.

The X-treme moments I had during March

The Intelligent Investors moments I had back in December

3. Prayed hard and made a promise to God

I'm not a person that were so close to God, until April 15. That day was the weakest day in my entire life, the same as my family members. We thought we almost lost the person that are important in our life. That was the day I had clutched both of my palms, begging God for forgiveness. What can I do in return for my his safety, I keep asking. Thank God, he is well and fine now. 

Lessons learned: This event caused me to realize very important thing in life; as I grow older, I have to face realities that people you love might depart soon before you realize it. 

4. Hiked up 885m mountain and slept in a camp

Previously I hiked up Broga Hill as high 390m and I felt like dying then. When I learnt that I had to hiked up Gunung Rembau, twice more high than Broga Hill, I thought this is the end of me. I even phoned my Mom the night before, in case, she knows what happened if I don't survive that climb. That night was my first time overnight at the foot of the mountain in a camp. Wasn't that comfortable but yet another new experience for me. And guess what? I survived the next day hike and was proud to be the first female hiker among my group to reach on top. I was even praised by the boys to have strong stamina. (Read more...)

Lessons learned: Face the challenge. Nothing such as impossible before you even try.

Felt the clouds in March

5. Flew with AirAsia

Second time being on a plane never felt as excited as the first time (to South Korea). Nevertheless, it's my first time sitting Dato Tony Fernandes' plane for a short ride to Penang Island. It was also my shortest trip to Penang in my entire life, just less than half a day (1.30PM-To-11.50PM-Back)! (Read more...)

Lessons Learned: Better understanding of LCC concept and how it makes AirAsia successful. 

Flew up high again in March

6. 'Dated' two Korean and 'flying sausages'

2010 was full of Korean stories and luckily 2011 was not spared either! Two of my friends from Ajou University paid a visit to Malaysia on two separate occasions and it's a pleasure for me to meet them back here and bring them around. (Read more...)

Lessons Learned: I made good memories back in Korea and I'm glad I do make friends I can keep forever.

Meeting Bom back in March

Meeting Hojun back in July

7. Went almost bankrupt

Yes, I did almost finish my last cents in my savings during May. It was when no one gave me pocket money and I foolishly spent all my savings and PTPTN, not knowing crisis happens sometimes. I had to do part time job right after final exams and for the whole month, I ate bread from 7-11 or bakery. Sometimes, to make my stomach feel more full, I drank Pepsi together. It wasn't healthy but it made me survived. I had to borrow some money from my brother to get myself necessities for internship. It was tough and depressing, but I survived through that period.

Lessons Learned: Expect the unexpected.

8. Interning at PwC

To be a part of one of the Big 4s would be one of my achievement in 2011. I made the right choice of entering into Big 4s instead of smaller firms. I learned a lot here and I do enjoy bits of audit life. The experience being in working world has made me realize how to I want to plan my future after graduating. (Read more...)

Lessons Learned: Internship provides opportunities to learned what you want to do in future.  

Proud to be part of PwC Malaysia

9. Hugged David Choi, twice

Never in my life that I can imagine David Choi would decided to include Malaysia in his tour list. What else to say? Phew~ The experience of meeting him again after his performance in Seoul and the opportunity to chat with him, is unable to define in words. (Read more...)

Lessons Learned: Go for it. Do the things you will never regret of. I did, when broadly asking David for hug.

Dreams come true in June

10. Went high on two Korean concerts

Korean Music Wave 2011- Who thought I would be metres away from TOP, G-Dragon and Seungri on 24/9/2011? That's was my first concert I paid myself for and the one I couldn't forget in my entire life. Although the whole Big Bang wasn't there, I enjoyed myself very much that night. (Read more...)

2PM Hands Up Asia Tour Live In Malaysia- The best part of this is, I won myself a VIP ticket after spamming Andy on Twitter. It was another dream come true! Whole night go crazy for Taecyeon~~ (Read more...)

Lessons Learned: Dreams do come true.

2011 is another interesting year, with ups and downs. I emo-ed a lot and honestly speaking, I didn't manage to stick to my plans I initially layout earlier. I have to work hard for 2012 as this would be more life changing point for me. God Bless Me.