Car Woes!

Had to get this whinge in before I catch Jamie's Kitchen on TV. Ok, so mom, sis and I were driving back to Bandar to get home for lunch along Tungku Link when the car decided to die on us. Luckily Mom just managed to get the car to stop under the overpass/bridge to Rimba, otherwise we'd would've baked under the sun!! With the engine refusing to start, we had to wind the windows down or suffocate. Good thing it was pretty windy under the bridge. So, my sis called her husband who had just passed us after picking up my nephew from school. Mom called Dad to bring a mechanic down, so after trooping into the car with me lil nephew (aaahhh!! Air conditioning!!!), we waited for dad to arrive, then we left the guys to it.

Brrrr!! This is one of the things I do not ever want to happen to me when I'm driving alone!! The car breaking down! Then, there's also getting into an accident, no matter how minor! Although this has happened to me twice! The worst one was when I rear ended not 1 car, but 2 cars simultaneously! See, I was driving AND typing a phone message (tsk!! tsk!!), I looked up for a second, saw the green light, but apparently it had JUST turned green, so the cars in front were just barely moving forward, which I didn't realise, so BANG!! I hit the car in front so hard, his car banged into the car in front as well! Damn! Good thing everybody wanted to settle it without the police (I know I would've gotten it bad if they called in the coppers!!). So I ended up paying $100 for the BMW in the front, and about $300 for the poor lad who landed in my car sandwich!! Heheheh!

Talking about the police... I do not ever want to be flagged down by these guys ever again!! The worse was this one morning as I was on my way to work, barely 5 minutes after leaving home, when this motorcycled police just appeared by my window and asked me to stop there by the roadside. Apparently, the car's windows were tinted to an illegal degree (courtesy of my brother!!). After getting past the formalities, he wanted me to strip the windows right there and then, on the road, in front of all the cars whizzing past! Syeah right! So I flat out refused, and said I'd do it when I get home. He said I couldn't, either I do it there like immediately or I follow him to the police station in Gadong! Ok! Fine! I said I'd go to the station. So there I was literally being escorted all the way from the St. Andrews school 4 junction traffic lights by 2 motorcycles at the front and back of me! And passing red lights!! I had to laugh in the car! I thought, Hell!! This is groovy! Now I know what it feels like to be VIP!!

Inalillah....

Got up early this morning to get ready for another(!) birthday get together at the hubby's relative. Left around 10am, but stopped by the in-law's first to pick up my hubby's niece and sisters. By the time we got to the gathering, I was starving! Luckily there was food galore!! I started with a mini pizza, then had 2 rounds of dim sum, then started on the fried rice and fried noodles, then for dessert had some sort of yummy fruit cocktail cream thing then best of all there was this chocolate fountain!! to dip strawberries and donuts in!!! Omigawd! Heaven! Slurpee!! Ohhhh!! I was so stuffed and sleepy by the time we left.

In the afternoon, went with my parents and brother and sis in law to my friend's house who passed away this morning after fighting a very aggressive cancer for the past few months. She was only 33 years old, a doctor, and mother to 2 young daughters. It was really sad.... Couldn't help crying again, especially listening to her father.... Semoga rohnya akan di rahmati... Bye Ken... we'll miss you...

More Birthdays!!

Went to Hua Ho with mom in the morning to get birthday presents for my cousin for this afternoon. Got her one of those Barbie doll thingys. It was on sale for about $33. Of course the lil' bugger had to get something for himself as well! Then he wanted to have a DQ ice cream, so got him a baby sized oreo blizzard, which mom and I ended up eating most of!

Left for the birthday party around 4pm when the party was well underway. The kids were all having fun on the water slide bouncer, so we ate and drank and got splashed!

22nd National Day.

Public Holiday today. Couldn't wait to have lunch at Saffron today. Was there by 12pm with my sis and bro in law. The place was pretty packed! Thank goodness I already made reservations.

I wanted to order the Mixed Grill (usual price $28), but the hubby wanted to try the Persian Beef Stroganoff (u.p. $21.50) that my sister also ordered, so I ordered the Luleh Kebab (u.p. $10.50) instead. My bro. in law ordered the Dijaj Al Timam (u.p. $12.50). Then we all decided to go for the Mixed Grill to share anyway! Heheheh!

My luleh was absolutely gorgeous! I can see myself ordering this again in future. It was 2 grilled minced lamb kebabs, which came with rice, salad and the garlic yoghurt sauce. The beef stroganoff was ok, although not filling enough for my hubby since it was only strips of beef in white creamy sauce with spiced potato julienne and grilled veggies. My brother in law's roast chicken with rice was a bit on the dry side (he said), so he had to ask for a yoghurt sauce. The mixed grill... unfortunately not as good as usual, I think one of the fish was a bit off, and the chicken was undercooked! Although I put it down to the chef probably strained with the load of orders coming in! So I probably wouldn't be put off ordering another time. The total bill for us 4, $51! Not bad at all! For orders that would have set us back almost $100 another time, can't wait for Saffron to have another 50% off main course promotion! Definitely worth it!

Chemo Session 8 - Day 2

Since my father in law was busy with National Day rehearsals in town, drove mom in law home around 10am. Although had to pick up the hubbby from home first because he wanted to join as well.

The usual workout session in the afternoon.

Chemotherapy Session 8 - Day 1

The hubby injured himself playing softball yesterday, so dropped him at the E.R. before going up to see m.i.l. around 9am. Started infusion at 9.30am.

The hubby had his knee x-rayed and apparently it was a torn ligament. After an appointment at the orthopaedic dept. he had a session at the physiotherapist. We finished up at 11.30am, then I went up to see the hubby.

Dropped off his M.C. (for a week!) at his office then home for lunch. Starving!! Only had a packet of those Bin Bin Japanese rice crackers for breakfast.

Also made a booking for lunch at Saffron this Thursday, because apparently there's a National Day promotion for that day only where all main courses are at 50% off!! Yippee!! Mixed Grill!!!

Had an early session at the gym today with Mom, around 2.15pm since Dad had to go to the hospital.

Sunday!

Woke up around 9am. The hubby was already gone to the car wash. Since our driver/gardener left home for good to Indonesia last week, the cars haven't been washed! So, my mom and bro-in-law took it upon themselves to wash all the cars, (ok, maybe one of the other maids helped as well).

Had a lite breakfast since the hubby and I decided to have lunch at Charcoal again since he wanted to have ribs this time around. I chose the mango yoghurt chicken with onion rings to start. The complimentary starter of flavoured fried wonton skins was nice, but the onion rings wasn't as good as the last time. I was expecting a light crispy batter, but this time it was thick and puffy! Not crispy at all.... although I did finish it all. Jangan membazir.... The chicken was, hrmmm... yes, yoghurty but mangoey? Not so... all in all, I don't think I will be returning to Charcoal in the near future. Not because the food isn't yums, but it's just not for me. I mean the decor and ambience is great, but seriously.. 2 words... Meat Lovers. (Total bill came to ~$46).

Went round the Mall after, but didn't really have anything I wanted to get, so home after.

Loo Woes!

Worked out on me ownsome this morning since the lil one's not feeling so well, and mom wants to take him to the clinic.

Since the hubby's playing softball in the afternoon, decided to join mom and my sis to wherever the hell they're going since I didn't want to just stay home where I'll just end up sleeping and being lazy.

First accompanied Mom to Dr. Amir's clinic since she wasn't feeling so hot herself. Must be catching something from the baby. Then went home to pick up Dad since he insisted on joining us girls to Tutong. Bummer! Got to steer him away from talking boring stressful stuff!! Then we dropped by the cakoi place first to get some yummies!!

When we got to Tutong and Mom was at the tailor's, I suddenly had to pee real bad! We left Mom and Dad drove me to Halim Plaza Hotel(?), cos according to my sis the loos there were the most modern in Tutong. Syeah!! I'll tell you the extend of it's so called modern facilities! It was one of those squatting loos! Omigawd! And when you're in jeans and 3 inch wedges, it's a bit of a hussle and tussle! Well, who cares! Better than peeing in your pants my sis said! And oh yeah! It's gonna cost ya! 10 whole cents!

In My Prayers...

Got woken up at 8.30am by a message from my sis saying my senior from medical school was in ICU in critical condition with liver cancer. Well, couldn't sleep anymore after reading that. Mom and I decided to drop by and visit later after lunch.

Got Mom to take me to Le Apple bakery for some goodies since we were out of bread and I hadn't had any breakfast.

We left for the hospital around 1pm, to visit my cousin at the Maternity ward first, then went up to the ICU. Then I saw her lying there, tubes coming out everywhere from her ventilator, all her iv lines, her catheter... she didn't look anything like herself. I started to feel the tears building up at the back of my eyes, you know the feeling... those pin pricks at the back of your eyeballs. I was shocked. When we went outside, I couldn't help it, the tears just came out.

She was supposed to be flown to Singapore, but she wasn't stable enough to be moved.

Went to JPMC cos Mom wanted to get her prescription Lipitor which RIPAS has run out off. Then went to the Jerudong beach market to pick up some fruits and stuff.

Since there weren't any cakoi at Le Apple this morning, I was still craving for some, so suggested checking out the cakoi place my darling took me to during Ramadan. It was along Jangsak road, just before the traffic lights by the Volkswagon dealers. Hehhe!! Yes! Still there! And doing brisk business I might add. So mom bought $5 worth of cakoi kawin and the plain ones, which I couldn't help digging into immediately, and oh! Cakoi heaven!! Hehehhe!

For The Longest Time.

Ok, so my brother sorta messed with the internet connection or dismantled it or whatever, so couldn't sign in since whenever, and now I'm resigned to blogging in my parents room, how boring is that!

Anyways, just wanna record today as the day I officially fit back into my UK size 12 Esprit jeans. It's not the best of fit as yet, maybe another 2kg or so will see me doing splits in it! So, since we were all going to try out the new Charcoal BBQ and Grill place, wore the jeans but with my now loose fitting Polo Jeans top. Good thing too....still have rolls of abdominal fat I need to hide. Hahahah!

The place had cool decor, kinda made you feel like you're in KL or Singapore or the likes. We got there bout half 12, and there were already a few tables filled. However, a few minutes later, the place really started packing up! Good thing we made reservations, don't fancy sitting outside during the day. So typical of us Bruneians, couldn't help trying out any newly opened eating place a.s.a.p.!

Price wise, Pretty steep if you're gonna have a steak or rib meal, so I stuck to grilled chicken skewers, for the sake of my "diet". My hubby had the 10oz New York Giant Steak, which he polished off. Although after seeing my brother's and his wife's ribs orders, he wished he had ordered that instead! Heheheh!However, I did have a go of my sister in law's Southern Smoked Ribs. Em emmmm! Was goooood! Although, would probably take me a week of gym torture to work the whole meal off! It was certainly rich! The BBQ sauce on my chicken was the saving grace of my meal. That place is definitely for the RIBS! And the Pina Colada should be the drink to have (unless you're on a diet, the coconut milk is just a killer on the calories!) The whole bill came to just under $160 for the six of us.

After that, we all trooped off to hospital to visit my cousin.

Happy 26th To My Sister In Law!

Ok... she was not amused by her brother's idea!! Heheheh! We all thought it was funny though!

The Big Three-O!

Yup! It's me boithday today!! Is it ok if I say I'm 29 years old and 12 months?? Well, until I get used to saying I'm thirty!!

Decided to do Indian for dinner instead of the usual Chinese, at Le Taj. What can I say... it was yummy! We had poppadums with mango chutney, tandoori chicken, naan bread, pilau rice, tanddori chicken masala, lamb masala, okra bhaji... oooh what else.... can't remember, was too delish! Plus, the total bill for 8 of us was like less than $95! Super!

Then back home for the obligatory cake (2 cakes) and presents!! YAHAHAH!!

My sister in law was the one who really wanted to have this cake!!

Some of my pressies....

Chemo Session 7 – Day 2

Drove myself to the hospital today just before 9am. Basement parking was almost full, luckily, somebody was leaving so I just dove into the not-really parking spot. Dropped off my treatment card at the dispensary first before going to the Oncology Department. M.i.l. was just getting started when I got there.

Left after awhile to pick up my meds. Got to the dispensary just as my number was up, good timing, but unfortunately they were out of Ferrous Fumarate! Typical! Then I also went to get the 24 hour urine container for my hubby’s test. We finished just after 10am, then met up with mom at home and accompanied her to Tutong to drop off her blouse for alteration. Just before we picked up my nephew from school, dropped by Jerudong beach so Mom could go get some veggies from the market.

Weight training in the afternoon, then nice and easy in the evening. Whoah! I was so sleepy! I even dozed off while watching TV at 8.45pm! Had to will myself out of bed for Isya’!

Chemotherapy Session 7 – Day 1

Mom drove me to the hospital this morning. Good thing too, cos I was still feeling under the weather. M.i.l. was still waiting to see the doctor when I got to the Oncology Unit, so we started late today at 10am.

Had to leave around 10.30am though since I had my review with the renal physician. My Hb was down a bit from the last review at 11.2 g/dl, FK up a bit at 9.9, but still within normal range, and Creatinine stable at 104. Good news also, my weight dropped 3.5kg in 2 months! Blood pressure – text book!

Mom picked me up again around 11am. Decided against going back to the Oncology Dept. since m.i.l. would only finish after 12pm, Mom wouldn’t be able to pick me up. Before picking up my nephew we went to T.A.I.B. to make some deposits, then off to Jerudong.

Not A Good Day For Going To The Beach.

Wanted to get a few things today, namely a 2006 diary and drop off my trekkie bottoms to be trimmed down for my petite, ok, short legs! So decided to have lunch at Pizza Hut Primo at The Mall. Can’t believe my sorry excuse for a veggie pizza costs $12!! There were like only a few sorry aubergine cubes on it, sick looking shrivelled mushrooms and some anaemic excuse for fresh tomatoes! Bleurgh! Should’ve gone to Saffron and had our mixed grill… After going round the shops to check out diaries, left home empty handed cos my tummy was acting up a bit! Hehehe!

Went out again to Manggis Mall. Nope, no funky diaries there either. Went to Bismi, Pustaka Remaja… nothing I fancied there either. Then Hua Ho Yayasan. Bullseye! Found something I liked at last! Would have preferred one day to a page instead of the week view on this one, but I liked the metallic green shine of the cover, and it was the last one, so at $3.80, I thought it was a steal. Decided to go for a drive, so dropped by Le Apple to get something to munch on, then drove to Serasa Beach. On the way there, the clouds looked really ominous and heavy, my hubby decided to turn around, but I insisted on going on. It was really windy! All the vendors had to pack up their stuff, poor guys! And it was only 4.30pm!

Lil' Genius?

Woke up early cos gong out for breakfast with my sis and our ex-classmate whose home for a few days (!) from England. Crazy girl!

Had to drive my sister's car, which I'm so not used to driving and pick up our friend from her house then off to Fun Bread Cafe in Gadong. The food was alright, it's been awhile since I had fancy iced coffee. But it was good to catch up with her.

After a little shopping spree at the Mall, sent her home, then rushed to pick up the lil rascal from school. Apparently the lil bugga's been telling his teachers that his Mommy's fat and having a baby, and that his aunt had an operation on her tummy! So the teacher's wanted to know if it was true! They were well impressed when I told them he was telling the truth and nothing but the truth! Heheheh!

Mid-Week Binge!

Since my bro-in-law is flying to Singapore tonight, and my sis is on holiday, she insisted on having dinner out tonight.

I said, ok... but only if it's Japanese or Steamboat. I'm not gonna stuff myself with oily naughty foods after working my butt off in the afternoon! So we ended up going to Takara. I ordered the plain soba with a side order of Salmon Teriyaki... on myyyyy... it's soooo goooooddd!! One thing about Takara, it might be on the pricey side, but quality is way up there! Worth your money I'd say. Mom and Dad ordered the usual Tempura Moriawase, my hubby had Tori Katsu with rice, and my sis had Tempura Somen with a side of Salmon Teppanyaki. (Teriyaki is better... heheheh!!). Although, I will fess up to having one California Maki and some Kaki Karaage (deep fried soft shell crabs.... whoopsy! Hahahah!). The total bill came up to about $160 but there was a special promotion so after 15% discount, the bill came to less than $130. Not bad for 4 hungry persons and one very pregnant lady!! Hahahah! My sis was the one going crazy with the order!

Oh boy! I'm gonna pay for this meal... but it is SO WORTH IT! I wanna go again!!