Mr & Mrs Kong are off to a wedding in Chester this weekend. That's in the North of England, near Liverpool. Will try to drop by Liverpool if there's time.
Weather is supposed to be rainy & wet though and at the moment there's a fog rolling into Northampton. British weather strikes again!
Anyway, will write more about it when we return.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Oldly-weds become new!
A couple of weeks ago, Mr & Mrs Kong made their way to Bicester Village on the outskirts of Oxford (via a visit to Ling & little Harry Lipscombe).
The Lipscombes - isn't Harry cute?
Bicester Village is a factory outlet shopping 'village' done up in faux Northeastern American 'shaker' town stylee. Its quite a pretty place compared to a shopping complex, making it a pleasant shopping experience.
But of course, the main attraction is the designer (and not-so-designer) labels at permanent sale prices. Not really cheap but they are reduced prices. There are tons of shoppers from all over the world who visit Biscester Village as its one of the UK's shopping destinations.
Mrs Kong - shopping satisfied
Anyway, Mrs Kong bought some items but Mr Kong left... with nothing.
One of the highlights was dinner at Carluccio's Cafe. The opposite dining experience to the oldly-weds pub lunch.
Cool
It was the perfect antidote after some hard shopping. Cool and relaxing ambience with a small deli and shop attached. Nice.
Antipasto - Pharma ham wrapped mozarella with rocket washed down with some Peroni Red
Spaghetti vongole
Wild Mushroom Ravioli
We'll be back...
The Lipscombes - isn't Harry cute?Bicester Village is a factory outlet shopping 'village' done up in faux Northeastern American 'shaker' town stylee. Its quite a pretty place compared to a shopping complex, making it a pleasant shopping experience.
But of course, the main attraction is the designer (and not-so-designer) labels at permanent sale prices. Not really cheap but they are reduced prices. There are tons of shoppers from all over the world who visit Biscester Village as its one of the UK's shopping destinations.
Mrs Kong - shopping satisfiedAnyway, Mrs Kong bought some items but Mr Kong left... with nothing.
One of the highlights was dinner at Carluccio's Cafe. The opposite dining experience to the oldly-weds pub lunch.
CoolIt was the perfect antidote after some hard shopping. Cool and relaxing ambience with a small deli and shop attached. Nice.
Antipasto - Pharma ham wrapped mozarella with rocket washed down with some Peroni Red
Spaghetti vongole
Wild Mushroom Ravioli
We'll be back...Monday, September 11, 2006
Remembering September 10th
Its the 5th anniversary of the Sept 11th attacks on the US and there are programmes on TV and articles in the newspaper lined up to commemorate it. They all roughly say the same thing - "...terrible tragedy...", "...the day the world changed..." etc etc
No doubt it was a horrible, shocking event but for me Sept 11th 2001 evokes those feeling for a more personal reason. I was at the funeral of my beloved grandmother when the attacks happened.
My Mahmah passed away in the early hours of the morning the previous day. We had rushed to the nursing home to take her to the hospital but we were too late. She was gone by the time we got there.
The funeral was organised for the next day, Sept 11th. It was an emotionally draining day that lasted till the night. At around 9 or 10 o'clock at night, I remember people going inside the house to watch the news of the attacks on TV. When I see the images on TV now, it is terrible but at that time I was just numb to it all.
My grandmother and I were very close. She brought me, my brother & sister up and had lived with us since before I was born. She was a constant presence in my life and taught me a lot from her own experiences and principles of living, having been through a lot in her long life.
She is still in my heart. Every day I try to live as she taught me, I try to remember all her life lessons and things she said to me. It gets harder every year as my memory fades, but I try.
Has it really been 5 years since she left us? Sometimes I still can't believe it. I feel she is still looking out for us. I know she is in a better place and I feel comforted by that thought.
Mahmah, we are all doing fine here, don't worry. I still miss you and think of you all the time. Take care & be at peace.
No doubt it was a horrible, shocking event but for me Sept 11th 2001 evokes those feeling for a more personal reason. I was at the funeral of my beloved grandmother when the attacks happened.
My Mahmah passed away in the early hours of the morning the previous day. We had rushed to the nursing home to take her to the hospital but we were too late. She was gone by the time we got there.
The funeral was organised for the next day, Sept 11th. It was an emotionally draining day that lasted till the night. At around 9 or 10 o'clock at night, I remember people going inside the house to watch the news of the attacks on TV. When I see the images on TV now, it is terrible but at that time I was just numb to it all.
My grandmother and I were very close. She brought me, my brother & sister up and had lived with us since before I was born. She was a constant presence in my life and taught me a lot from her own experiences and principles of living, having been through a lot in her long life.
She is still in my heart. Every day I try to live as she taught me, I try to remember all her life lessons and things she said to me. It gets harder every year as my memory fades, but I try.
Has it really been 5 years since she left us? Sometimes I still can't believe it. I feel she is still looking out for us. I know she is in a better place and I feel comforted by that thought.
Mahmah, we are all doing fine here, don't worry. I still miss you and think of you all the time. Take care & be at peace.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Blueberry pancakes
Have been meaning to write this post for a while but did not get the photos downloaded till recently:
Mr & Mrs Kong had been meaning to make blueberry pancakes for a while. I guess since its a big thing in America, we are used to hearing about them in films & on TV.
They're blue... honest guv...Used Jamie Oliver's recipe for American style pancakes, which are a favourite of ours.
So just made the batter up. Then pour onto the pan, adding the blueberries. Flip over to cook the other side & done!
Half price!
Mmmmm, going into my belly...
Blue tongue monster
Pure Canadian Organic Maple Syrup - ooooh yeahFriday, September 08, 2006
Oldly-weds
Last Saturday, Mr & Mrs Kong went for a typical English pub lunch at a quaint little village pub near Northampton called The Old Cherry Tree in Great Houghton.
It was filled with the 'older' set having a beer & a bite to eat on a lazy Saturday afternoon. We really felt old there!
Avacado, Stilton & Mushroom Salad
Smoked Sausage Salad... and a half pint of IPA...It had a reasonable ala carte menu too so we might venture there for dinner one day... once we shake off the 'oldly-weds' feeling (as opposed to newlyweds...)
ps - here's an interesting sign that caught our eye as we were driving off, I'm glad we got out of there fast!
Ouch!Thursday, September 07, 2006
Refleksologi at Work
Being typically Malaysian, I could not refuse a half price alternative therapy treatment when I found out about it at work! Its true... GBP30 treatments become GBP15!! Special offer for Employees (I think they just want to seem like they are promoting work life balance really, but this is the closest thing to a spa I can get - unlike those lucky women who work just a stone's throw away from London's Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden). And one gets to escape one's desk and computer, to a special room called the "Oasis"!! (Not fibbing)
Hence, at work, I booked myself into Reflexology, the art of massaging internal organs through specific points on the Feet. I almost did not get my appointment when the therapist messed up her schedule but thankful I did in the end! It was very gentle (unlike the old uncles in Malaysia who knead and knead your foot till it almost falls off), with almost feather like motions. Halfway through the treatment, I was beginning to wonder if the therapist was any good! She kept asking me whether my eyes hurt, lowerback? colon trouble? headache? shoulder and neck stiff? There were just so many things wrong with me that I could not help but be a little sceptical!
Then... finally... after dinner, I looked down at my feet:
They have turned slightly red from the improved circulation! When I showed the reflexologist my feet this morning, they were pale white (the colour between my toes as you can see in the photo).
Maybe there are quite a few ailments looming about in my body...
I am going back next week for another hour of foot massaging.
Mrs Kong and her feet
Hence, at work, I booked myself into Reflexology, the art of massaging internal organs through specific points on the Feet. I almost did not get my appointment when the therapist messed up her schedule but thankful I did in the end! It was very gentle (unlike the old uncles in Malaysia who knead and knead your foot till it almost falls off), with almost feather like motions. Halfway through the treatment, I was beginning to wonder if the therapist was any good! She kept asking me whether my eyes hurt, lowerback? colon trouble? headache? shoulder and neck stiff? There were just so many things wrong with me that I could not help but be a little sceptical!
Then... finally... after dinner, I looked down at my feet:
They have turned slightly red from the improved circulation! When I showed the reflexologist my feet this morning, they were pale white (the colour between my toes as you can see in the photo).Maybe there are quite a few ailments looming about in my body...
I am going back next week for another hour of foot massaging.
Mrs Kong and her feet
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Movie Memories pt 1
The previous movie review post made me think of the other times I've had a memorable experience at the movies.
I've always enjoyed going to the cinema to watch movies, right from the first one I remember my parents bringing me to watch (which was Clash of the Titans if I'm not mistaken) and hiding behind the seat in front whenever the villain Calibos appeared (he was scary to a 7 year old!)
Calibos - scary ain't he?
The whole experience in those days really excited me - from the snacks (kacang putih and preserved fruits!), the choosing the seats, the tickets with crayons marking the seat nos, the darkened huge theatre, the ads and trailers (sometimes the best part of the film!) and the thrill of watching a movie on the big screen.
The legendary State Theatre PJ New Town - pic by Augustine Heng
One of the best movie experiences I had was watching a late evening showing of the Wong Fei Hung parody Once Upon a Time a Hero in China at State Theatre in PJ New Town with the brother - YH. We were running late so weren't sure we'd get a seat but we did in a full house. The movie was very funny in a stupid 'HK Mo Lei Tau' kind of way but the thing I remember most was the atmosphere of a full cinema of people laughing and having a good time together & me & YH were swept into that. Magic.
Nowadays, its not quite as magical with the multiplex experience. But at least there's popcorn and there are still trailers!
I've always enjoyed going to the cinema to watch movies, right from the first one I remember my parents bringing me to watch (which was Clash of the Titans if I'm not mistaken) and hiding behind the seat in front whenever the villain Calibos appeared (he was scary to a 7 year old!)
Calibos - scary ain't he?
The legendary State Theatre PJ New Town - pic by Augustine HengNowadays, its not quite as magical with the multiplex experience. But at least there's popcorn and there are still trailers!
Severance - Movie Review
Mr Kong went to see a new British comedy-horror-thriller movie on Saturday called Severance. It was a sort of Deliverance meets Shawn of the Dead meets a corporate team weekend away. Mrs Kong passed, it really wasn't her kind of movie.
I thought it was very well done, scary but also very funny in parts. If you've ever been to a company team building exercise you will definitely nod your head and smile at some of the situations they find themselves in (boot-licking weak boss, the company cheerleader colleague, lousy accomodation, forced participation in innane games)...
... familiar territory that is except for the crazy, homicidal, gun & knife toting Eastern European insane asylum inmates on the loose...
Its definitely a good watch if you like your gore & scares mixed in with Britis irreverent humour. I was surprised how good it was as I expected a trashy B-movie. Thumbs up!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Mrs Kong's Delicious Chocolate Brownies
Last Bank holiday, Mrs Kong decided to try out another batch of her chocolate brownies.
First the Assistant Cook had to whisk the sugar and butter...
There were some initial concerns that the mixture would not turn white and fluffy (can butter really do that). But after a bit more elbow grease, no doubts about the mixture!
Of course, the best part about this recipe is the chocolate melting!!! It starts out in chunks, but is gently heated over a bowl of steaming water... watch solid chocolate turn into molten liquid!! yummy!!!
30 minutes in the oven... walah! 12 servings of Chocolate Brownies!!!
They were a hit at Mrs Kong's work place. There have been requests for more!!!
Friday, September 01, 2006
Happy Birthday Malaysia!
Today is Malaysia's Independence Day - Merdeka!!! so Mr & Mrs Kong would like to wish Malaysia a happy 49th year of existance.
Being outside looking in as it were gives us a slightly different perspective on things. We've also been thinking about our future here in UK & when we would like to return has made us think more about Malaysia & its current state its in.
We see what others see, what they think & what they know about Malaysia & it isn't all good. It isn't all bad either & the things we take for granted are appreciated by others (weather, food etc).
For us, we are keenly aware of all the challenges Malaysians face, especially those of us who are minorities in a country that seems to value us less & less. That is a real source of frustration.
Add to that issues that lately don't seem to get addressed properly like crime, education, economic slowdown etc & sometimes it paints a pretty bleak picture.
But despite all that, we are (almost always) proud to be Malaysians. It is the only thing we have ever been. We were born there, we grew up there, our fondest memories are there, most of our family & friends are there. We feel that no matter where in the world we are, we belong in Malaysia. Its home.
There are massive challenges ahead for Malaysia & Malaysians. There are issues to address. But we are hopeful that things will improve, that Malaysia will change for the better. It must.
So Happy Birthday Malaysia! We wish you all the best.
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