The Second Last Day: Pulp Cafe in Bangsar

I didn't want to write this post because it's a cafe/coffee post and I didn't take any photos of our coffee! Such a rookie mistake. The best thing part is, we had three coffees on our table! Two for Don and one for me. I thought I still post these photos up, just because. Don is seriously addicted to coffee. He needs coffee to live. I will never forget my mom's advice - The way to a man's heart is through his stomach! Every morning when he was here in KL, I made sure Don has his breakfast and coffee, so I don't have to worry about feeding him. 

Glamping at Kota Tinggi: Canopy Tribes

Futsal is an important part of my life. I love doing team sports. I get a lot of satisfaction when I work out or do things in a team because, in truth, I am a homebody. I can stay in the whole day, have zero human interaction and be happy with my screens (Maybe this is why long distance relationships work for me, haha!). Futsal is my healthy escape. Playing futsal with different groups of people from different walks of life, I managed to develop many potential lifetime friendships. I don't know how it happened, from hanging out after futsal for drinks, meeting up outside futsal for coffee and chats. We started becoming close (a group of at least 15 people! It's a big group!). We have a travel bug in the group and she wanted to go on a staycation before she leaves for her big (second!) UK trip. I didn't think twice when she invited me. I wanted this trip to kick off my wanderlust! 

20 Things We Did When Don Was in Malaysia

Whenever I have one of those days where I miss Don a lot more than usual, I would look through photos of us together. I have a folder on my phone of photos of us only. It's been a month++ since he was last here in KL with me. Time flies so fast when we're together but move so slow when we're apart. While going through our photos, I realised that I didn't write anything about his trip here and what we did. I was so caught up with missing him after he left that I forgot to blog about his stay here. I had planned months before to write about all the things we were going to do for document sake, but...I forgot. Don's visit to KL was planned months in advance (6 months in advance) to celebrate Hari Raya with my family and me. Hari Raya (Eid) is an annual celebration by Muslim all around the world. It was SO nice to have him here with me to celebrate this festive time and spend quality time together.

I made a detailed itinerary for his visit here, but it all went down the drain. I wanted to give Don the ultimate KL experience, but it was impossible to cover all in the few weeks he was here. It was almost like an Amazing Race itinerary. I forget that we're humans. We get tired and need rest. So, I decided to screw the itinerary and just take is easy. After all, this is not his last visit. There will many other trips to visit more places in KL. We chilled and did what other 'close proximity couples' do. Writing this post is making me miss my man. Oh well! So here's a roundup post of what we did together when Don was in KL with him! 

Coffee at DR.inc

Dr.inc in Bangsar was one of the cafes I have been dying to check out. It was no surprise after a visit to Central Market and Petaling Street with Don, we stopped by the cafe for a refresher. I've always known that Don is a big coffee drinker, but i didn't know how much he LOVES coffee. After one and half cups of coffee, i would get a caffeine buzz and need to drink lots of water to kill the buzz. 

Before our visit to Dr.inc to chill and relax, I took him to Central Market and Petaling Street. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he enjoyed walking around Central Market and Petaling Street. Central Market is an emporium of stalls that sells traditional goods and local handicraft. It's also an historical landmark in Malaysia. It was an HOT hazy day, so it made a lot of sense to go a cafe to chill. Checking out cafes with Don is so much fun because of his coffee appreciation. Once he gets his coffee fix, he doesn't complain and entertains my photo taking antics. 

Better Together

It's been an amazing few days with Don here! After 5 months apart, you forget how to be around the person. It needs to get used to. It took us a couple of days to get used to each other and after that, everything felt natural! Don is just an easy guy to do things with. Always up for an adventure and will try things twice. 

Ever since we started dating until now, we've been in communication EVERY DAY. We talk every day. Texting/Facebook messaging. We are constantly connected. Which means we talk a lot and know everything there is to know about each other. From our kindergarten crush, favourite food, the girl who broke his heart, his gym's timetable and etc. If you ask me anything about Don, I can confidently answer. 

Soon, baby!

A day away until I am back in Don's arms. I am trying to contain my excitement, but it is so hard! I find myself more productive this week. Things i have been putting off, i managed to get done. Did all my errands! In fact, i have laid out all my outfits and things i'll be needing for the next coming days (it's going to be a busy weekend). That's how excited i am!! (Is there another word for excited?? I feel like i am overusing the word!) I am usually a night owl. I will stay up until wee hours in the morning doing work, writing posts, editing stuff, etc. Now, I am in bed by 12am (this is considered early for me) so the day goes by faster. It's also super cute that my friends are excited for me. Whenever we hang out, they would constantly ask me to bring Don out with them when he gets to KL. It was one of them who gave me the idea of preparing a care package for Don. Something like a welcome package! A care package!

Hari Raya guys!

Hari Raya (or Eid) is coming soon in a few days time, which marks the end of Ramadan (the fasting month). This year is a little special because Don will be with me (that's one of the reasons why he is visiting me). It'll be a month of seeing old friends, visiting families and lots of eating.

Wicked Pancake Parkour

Tucked away behind the old Hock Choon (Lorong Batai, Bukit Damansara, now known as Batai Village), is a new pancake cafe, Wicked Pancake Parlour. I went on a dinner date with dearest Joanna, a fellow blogger and ex-colleague. I wanted to try Yellow Brick Road, a cafe below Wicked Parlour Pancake, but it was closed! The next best thing was the cafe above (they are afflicated). The menu consists of variety of pancake dishes and soda floats. If you're on a diet, this is not the place for you. This cafe basically screams sugar, loooots of sugar. 

What a year, 2014!

2014 has been a tragic year for Malaysia. The great mystery of #MH370, #MH17 shot down over Ukraine and the recent #QZ8501 crash. Not only that, northern states of Malaysia is flooded. The worst ever in years. I wish for a better year for Malaysia. 

Personally, I started 2014 unhappy. I was watching the fireworks with someone i didnt love, my girlfriends were all over the city, my siblings celebrating with their own families and my parents were out partying with their friends. I had an amazing 2013 and i wasnt going to let the first day of 2014 bring me down to a potentially good year. I had a rough 1st and 2nd quarter but everything picked up right after! I graduated!!! I fell in love with futsal, became closer with my girlfriends, a new job and got with an amazing guy. My family is healthy and strong. I cant ask for more. 

Looking forward to 2015. 2015 is about career, health and working on my relationship. Here is hoping and praying that 2015 will bring better luck, happiness and health.

DON in KL

Don came over to KL a week ago to see me!!! It was his first time in KL and i had the best time taking him places, letting him eat my favourite foods and meeting my people. It felt so nice to be in my baby's arms again and just do boyfriend-girlfriend things. 

Malaysian food is about spices, heat and rice. I was really surprised and very pleased that Don can handle the food! I am not being bias but Malaysia is about FOOD. And we have good food. We had Nirwana, Berjaya, Sri Pandi, Fatty Crab, Sambal Hijau to name a few. I forget that Don is a big guy and eats double of what i eat. So we ate alot...ALOT. I had tummy aches the whole time he was here from overeating. *Sad face*

WISH

19th Green

Penchala Link

The want to drop everything and move, then... reality brings me back. 

:( 

Jalan Alor

HARI MALAYSIA

Camera: LCA+ Film: Kodak 400

Happy Malaysia Day! 

Pasar Ramadan 01

Bang Bang Geng @ Publika KL

Rory

The thing about film photography is you will never know what you will get. I did a rookie move by forgetting to decompress my film when i was winding it and the film tore! This was my precious LCA+ film where i designed my shots and pictures of my last week in Perth. I was so heartbroken and upset at myself for forgetting such a crucial move! I tried consoling myself by saying i am still learning about the camera, mistakes happen! After going to two film shops that couldn't process the film and calling up film shops asking if they can process torn film, finally - Bang Bang Geng in Publika said they could!!!!

So much sadness in a picture

The minute i stepped in the shop, i was in photography/film awe! It was every film photographer's dream. I explained to the shopkeeper which i think was the owner and he was optimistic about processing the torn film, he said, "yeah can be done, no problem!"

When will it be done? -> cue impatience Khaira who wants her photos asap.

In a couple of days, I will send you a text

Which he did a few days later, this added service where they text you to tell you, your photo is ready for pick-up won me over.

This afternoon I went to pick up my film, all excited to see my new photos! When I arrived to the shop, I asked owner - Can my film be processed?? Was it okay to process with the torn film?? He shook his head! The picture above, Chelsea's boyfriend Rory was only one exposure that was processed and the rest of my film were blank which means that i didn't take any photos or the shutter on my camera is faulty (i hope not!) In the midst of explaining to me what could have happened, i think he saw my face fell and the sadness. He only let me pay for the processing fee which was RM8 and even gave me a film to test out my camera. HOW KIND OF HIM!!! I am definitely going back to him to do all film processing! I was so overwhelmed by his kindness that i didn't get upset that i lost my car in the car park. I always get lost in Publika's car parking!! This is not the first or second or the third time. :( 

Bang Bang Geng @ Publika

Check out their website here and article written about them here by Tongue in Chic. 

Camera: LC-A+, film: Lomography Color Negative 400

series of unfortunate events

There has been a series of unfortunate events going lately that is hitting too close to home for me (LIKE LITERALLY TOO CLOSE TO HOME)

First before i continue, whenever an unfortunate event/war/strike/terror attack and etc, i usually just take the back sit, watch it happen and keep my opinions to myself or...my parents or SB or my girlfriends. I dont want to sound oblivious, there are too many idiots out there saying things they think they know but really they dont know shit. It pisses me off that everytime an unfortunate event/war/strike/terror attack and etc happens, somehow....Muslims are to blame. I do read the news and keep up with things that are going around the world. 

The only time i ever spoke publically (to the internet word) about something was the Boston bombing last year. i was really upset by that because i have ran many marathons and my family are all marathon runners. It sucks to have that tiny fear when you are running to what is supposed to be a fun thing.

MH370 definitely hit me hard. When i first heard about the news (on Facebook) i was scared. I was thinking, SHIT, i am away from home...and the only way i can go back home is by plane!!! I had a moment of panic and had calm myself down. I always use Malaysia Airlines whenever i travel. My mom retired at Malaysia Airlines. she gets staff discount, so we ALWAYS and ONLY take MH because we get cheaper rates and out of loyalty. i only take Airasia when i have to pay for my own airfare, hehe.

i got my first dose of how ugly the media can be with MH370, which is really funny considering the fact that i studied Mass media and communications for 5 years! i would wake up every morning, have my breakfast while watching the news and at the same time, i would get updates from my dad telling me what Malaysian media is updating them. THEY ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER. I was confused to which to believe... One morning i woke up, my housemate who was watching the news, heard me brushing my teeth, rushed to the toilet to tell me, the plane was hijacked 30 minutes after it took off!! i was in disbelief and i asked my dad, he said it was not hijacked after 30 minutes. What news back in Malaysia said was hijack is not ruled out. Tell me how to react when your Australian friends talk about the tragedy? i couldnt even defend Malaysia because i will sound stupid with my facts when the "right" facts is being aired on TV as we speak. Same when my classmates were talking about the tragedy, i pretended to drink my coffee and looked uninterested.

I felt it even more sad...when i found out one of my friends's brother (from Uitm) was on the flight and one of the crew. I cannot imagine what her family is going through right now... Usually i would not say anything if an unfortunate event happen to anyone on my newsfeed, again its not because i dont care or being oblivious, it just... i dont want to say the wrong things (as many other idiots do). But this time, i had to, i remember being fairly close to her during our time in Melaka, i had to say something, i send her a message. i didnt expect a reply, but i got one from her and i was in tears. She is so strong and accepting to what has happened.

Another sad passing is cancer fighting Ami Schaheera. I have been a silent reader of hers for years...back to the Livejournal days. i am so so so so so so sad she passed. i always thought she would be a cancer survivor, but sadly, god loves her more. She was so patient and strong about her cancer, its unbelievable. She is also one of my inspirations to start eating healthy. She wrote an entry about eating cancer free/cancer prevention food and i started being aware of these kind of foods. Really sad. Al-fatihah to her. Below is a picture of her and my sister from my sister's instagram.

Last series of unfortunate event is.... the consciously uncoupling of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. To be honest, i am surprised that they last 10 years, Gwyneth Paltrow has hinted thay were having problems in many interviews over the years. I feel so sad....because Coldplay is my favourtite band of all time and knowing they are separating makes me sad. This is me being selfish, i know this coming album is going to be good and its going to be fresh heartbreak songs. ITS GOING TO WIN AWARDS LIKE ADELE's 21 ALBUM!

I am grateful that i am still here today. I am healthy. My family is healthy. My cats are healthy. My friends are healthy. i am grateful for all of that. Syukur-alhamdullilah.