TB: Blessed Bangkok Trip (September 2019) - Day 1

Okayyy... so here we go!  There were 4 of us on this trip - Jane, Fread, Elvis and myself.  My first time meeting Elvis, and I think it was also his first time to BKK, like me!  Jane and I took the earlier flight and Fread and Elvis took a later one, by about 2 hours.

Day 1... my journey started at night, on the 12 Sept... got on 8++ flight and got to KLIA2 at 10.40pm, took the train to Cyberjaya.  But first... Auntie Anne's pretzels of course!  I guess they were closing for the night, so they gave out free pretzels with every purchase.. which means, I had 3!

Warm pretzels to start the foodie trip!

When I was going to Kuching airport, Jane texted and said she would tapau wantan mee for me.. YUMSSS!!! my No.2 craving (after pretzels)

Akhirnya... my craving satisfied!  Not as good as having it fresh at the stall, but still yummsss!

We flew not so early in the morning the next day, but since it was... hmmmm... I can't remember what now, but it was a season where there was something going on and we had to be there at the airport early to make sure we don't get stranded.  So we were there at KLIA2 super early.  My first time in the international gates.  Our flight was 11.25 from KLIA2 and arrive DMK at 12.40 local time.  We went through immigration, got our pre-bought SIM card at the counter outside arrivals and went to catch a bus to Siam Centre.  I didn't pay much attention to the details, because Jane was there and going to BKK is like going back to kampung for her.

I love this!!! Sandwiches and Burgers!!  I think I tried one of each whilst I was there.  And then, tapau-ed a whole lot more when coming back!  Can't bring Noel to BKK, gotta bring BKK to Noel :)

Because the queue was so long at the telco counter, I went to search for 7-11 because 1)  I was hungry and 2) I read that 7-11 in Thailand is super amazing. 

This too is amazing... ready food... rice, pasta...  Did not try any of these though...

Indeed, it WAS amazing!  I feel in love with the burgers / sandwiches and made sure I ate at least one everyday whilst I was there.  They will heat it up after you pay at the counter.  DELICIOUS!

My fav... ham cheese sandwich!  Get them to warm it up on a toaster... soooooo meltingly good!

Don't get me started with the chips!  Oh Lay's!!! So many flavours!  Yes, another thing I made sure I ate everyday!

CHIPS!!!! I ate at least one bag each day when I was there... AND THEN!!! I couldn't stop the habit when I came back to Kuching.  I became a JUNKIE!!! I can eat one packet of chips in one sitting... EVERYDAY!

After collecting our SIM card, we took a bus to Mo Chit and then to Siam Centre (via BTS Siam).  We were there to pick up pre-bought BTS Tickets for the next few days. Jane bought everything on Klook.  She said no planning, but being Jane, no trip is without planning!  Whilst we were at Siam Centre, we started our Thai culinary feast!  Yummms!  The ice tea... to die for!  Did I tell you I piled on the kilooooossssss whilst in BKK?  But that's a story for another day.

Minced Pork with Basil, Pork Knuckle rice and iced Cha Yen.  Iced Cha Yen = SUGAR = FAT = Guilty!

Then, we went to check in to our posh "atas" hotel - Ambassador Bangkok.  According to Jane, she got it at a very cheap rate.  This Hotel is very near to the tailor Fread and Jane wanted to go to.  The rooms very lovely and "atas".  Erk!  Sorry, no photos of the room. 

Our "atas" hotel... We were stunned when we checked in... so atas!  Became sakai for a bit

Jane and I went to the tailor to get her orders done.  On the way, there were so many 7-11 and of course we had to grab the welcome drink - local beer; Chang, to enjoy later in the room.  Kononnya with Fread and Elvis... in the end, I was the only one drinking.  Oh calories!!!! 

Sendiri beli punya Welcome drink

When Fread and Elvis arrived to the hotel, we went back to Jim's again.  I tell you, if you ever want premium service, please head on to Jim's Collection.  They / He is indeed amazing and is a miracle tailor!  This is the address:

4/23 Sukhumvit Road Soi 8 Bangkok 10110 Thailand

After we got Fread's orders done, we went to Terminal 21.  Interesting mall with every level featuring different countries (?).  I really didn't have time to pay attention to the details.  

This is the... San Francisco level I think - at Terminal 21

But one thing that Jane told me I must do is visit the restrooms! 

This is the "ocean" theme washroom.  Very the cool

Each has it's on theme... very nice indeed!  I wish I had more time to visit each one!

Mediterranean Washroom.  Photos doesn't do justice

Then... because Fread and Elvis didn't have anything to eat yet, we went to the food court.  Punyalah susah wanna get a seat!  But in the end we did manage to find seats (after maybe 20 minutes).  They had beef noodles and because we weren't so hungry, we only had dessert. 

Mango Sticky Rice... I wonder what's those yellow crunchy beans on top... I think it's split mung beans

Noel would love all these fresh sweet mangoes!

A type of dessert... don't ask me what.  Something like mini apam-balik / crepe

After filling / fueling up, we then went to Rod Fai Night Market (Train).  One of the best things about BKK is their Night Market, so make sure you visit at least one.

One of the "must have" items on my list.  Salted grilled fish.  Kuching used to have this at 101 Premier... it was called "naked fish".  The fish is coated thickly with salt and then grilled.  The grill turns so the fish is evenly grilled.

Don't ask me how to get there.  It's crazy confusing tukar sini tukar sana.  I might pay more attention if I had to lead but because again, it was like Jane's and Fread's kampung, I didn't bother.  But guaranteed, LOTS of walking.  Which is great... because then we can EAT more!

Peel of the salted layer of the fish to reveal beautifully juicy fresh flesh.  It was so good that we ate till only the bones were left.  It came with some cabbage, basil leaves and tang hoon.  The one in the large basin is apparently popular pork soup - but it was all bones.  I did not enjoy this.  The "satay' is called moo ping.  Moo = Pork.  So... Pork satay?  I had a lot of this during the whole trip.  YUMS!

We had our dinner there at the Train market... it was raining but the eating place was covered, so we didn't have any problem.  Local food of course.  Pork bone soup, salted fish, papaya salad and moo ping. 

Som Tham.  Unriped papaya salad.  Very refreshing.  And spicy.  But delish.  I regret not buying the palm sugar needed for this.  Of course you can replace it with brown sugar, but the taste is not as authentic.

Elvis doesn't eat pork. so for the few days, we had a variety of source of protein.  I wish I had more of that fish, honestly! 

Another must have - insects!  I bought some home for Noel to try.  Crickets, scorpion, other ulats too... But no one dared to go near it even with a 10 inch pole!

After dinner, we walked around, not really wanting to get anything, but just to experience the place.  Of course we must have local dessert!  Nutella pancake something and durian ice cream.  YUMS!

Nutella "roti pisang" and durian ice cream.  The roti pisang is very popular in BKK.

With all that walking, it was time to go back to the hotel.  But on the train back, we saw this Art Box Bangkok, and it being one of the "must visit" place, we just had to walk there and walk around.  Nothing much this one, you can skip it.

Here's the four of us :)

Then, we went home... but not without stopping at 7-11 first!  Haha... I tell you... all those kgs!!!! 

Okay... let's see when I can write about Day 2... hopefully soon!

TB: Blessed Bangkok Trip (September 2019) - The beginning

I've been wanting to write something about this trip on my social media... Insta esp... but, it didn't feel right... You know what they say... Travel and tell no one, live a true love story and tell no one, live happily and tell no one, people ruin beautiful things — Khalil Gibran

But not writing would seems... ungrateful.  So, I'm writing this here.. because till today, I honestly don't know what I did to deserve this kind of blessing...

And THAT my friends, is how I ended up having a undeserved fully paid overseas holiday.  Did you see all the words I used?  Fully paid.  Overseas.  Holiday.  Yes, totally undeserved.

Adventures in Bangkok to be continued... 

Best No Nonsense Boss EVER

"Diana ahhh.... shit ah!!!! I drank ZERO alcohol last night and I gained, I GAINED 600grams ah!  Bloody Hell!  I don't understand the logic! Shit ahh!!  There I was on the scale, in front of the mirror, stark naked after I did my big business and STILL I gained 600g!" *whilst showing middle finger*

"Diana, Diana... soon I can buy dresses online like Adriana! You will be fatter than me and I will be slimmer than you know huh you know!  I am now 78 ah!!  Last night I drank 3 bottles of Reds and my weight still went down 800g ah!"

"Boss, don't forget to bring the umbrella, it's raining".  "Do you think I am invalid?? Do you think I am a goat to be scared of the rain? Ah, give me the umbrella.  Just to please you"  "OK Boss, don't forget to bring it back tomorrow" Next day:  "You think I am senile ah??? Forget your umbrella" 

A beautiful tribute in our Facebook page.  Every single word rings true.  Penned by his favorite PA whom he has groomed and promoted to her full potential. 
That's JP, always seeing someone's potential and willing to groom and push them to be a better version of themselves.

I joined the company in December 2016.  He was away for Christmas break and as soon as he came back in January 2017, we clicked and I took an instant liking to his no-nonsense way of doing business.  There's not such thing as "ulam" so and so, special treatments and what-nots.  He loved Sarawak and is much of a Foochow as any Foochow can claim.  He loves his gu-bak mee (beef noodles), mee sua, economic rice, chicken rice, chicken curry, chinese food, india roti, pansuh as much as he loves his steak and bread.  He was always fiercely proud and confident in his team.  He would consult and discuss with every level, including me; just an admin.  His wide range of knowledge in many industries, growing up from a poor farmer's boy, going into military in his youth, venturing out to HK in the clothing / textile industry, and coming here, to this little town of Kuching, to bring the first and largest Waste Management Park to a world that didn't know better.  He was indeed one of a kind.  If he screws you for your mistake, he never did it in such a way that puts you down.  Instead, you feel like you owe it to him to do and be better.

We celebrated his 75th birthday at a big scale.  He loved his personalized gift; of him being the Godfather. 
And he cried as he read every single comment behind that photo.  He is a softy despite his toughness.

In Dec 2017, he stepped down from being Chairman to a semi retired Advisor.  He called himself semi-retired and he was only supposed to come to the office a couple of days a week and only for a few hours.  But, being the workaholic that he was, he still came in everyday and stayed on his normal working hours; 10am - 4pm.  I suspect, he was bored out of his mind and he just needed more people to talk to.  And I enjoyed him coming in.  

I penned this poem yesterday as my heart broke.  Even as we were weeping and mourning from a far, someone might be celebrating somewhere else... that's life.  That's the world.  That's "Today".

Mid 2018, he started to have health issues, starting with his eyes.  Multiple surgeries to both sides of the eyes and even when he was recovering, even when he was not supposed to expose his eyes to the sun, even when he was almost blind, he still came to the office.  Even when I needed to take his hand and lead him up and down the steps, he still refused to stay home.  That's how stubborn he is.  He is so independent and he will refuse any kind of help even when he couldn't see where to sign documents any more.  Then in May 2019, he went back to Germany to seek treatment for his eyes.  There, they found he had cancer.  He had a huge tumour on his pelvic and he had to undergo chemo treatment to shrink the tumour before removing it.  We rejoiced with the news that the surgery was successful.

Early Dec, some bosses who were on a business trip visited him in Germany came back reporting that he is well, that he was in good and high spirits.  But come mid December 2019, his health took a dip and deteriorate at such a fast pace that it scared us.  The cancer metastasized and it was coming back with a vengeance.  We knew the end was near when one of our local bosses who is the closest one to him was summon to visit him "before it was too late".  She went early January and just after a week, he asked her to leave, and 10 minutes into her journey to the airport, he passed on.

I love this photo.  It was taken during his 75th birthday.  Of me, cutting his birthday cake.  He knows I am a baker, and a mother, which according to him, makes me a better server.  So every time there's his cake to be cut, he will summon me and make sure I am the one doing it because my cuts are the neatest and the cleanest in his eyes.

Dear Jurgen... who am I supposed to exchange banter with about my weight now that you are gone?  Who am I supposed to make tea and coffee for?  Who would say that my coffee is the best coffee in Kuching?  Who am I supposed to peel and cut fruits for?  Who am I supposed to slice and serve their own sponsored birthday cake for?  Who would we drink and enjoy lovely beer, whiskey and wine with?  Who... am I supposed to fuss over with?  Who will guide and mould me to be the person you said you would?  Who?  Your office is ready for you to take the bulls at its horns, Sir.  I've updated all your documents, your calendar.  I've done spring cleaning to your ever spotless desk and office.

I miss you so dearly.  Remember when I texted you in August during our 20th Anniv Gala dinner? I told you that the Germany / Spain delegation had just arrived. And that our 20th anniversary doesn't seem to mean much without you being here with us.  I told you that WE MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! I told you to come home soon ❤❤❤

You were so sad and depressed for not being able to be here.  Despite that, we all had hoped that you would be well enough to make a trip home for our staff dinner in December.  Oh, how you would relish all the attention that you deserve on all those occasion Boss.  You, only you, deserved to be at the main table during our 20th Anniv Gala Dinner with all the Heads of the Government; those would knew that Kuching will not be as this clean of a Kuching, if it wasn't for you.

You are no longer suffering, and that is our only comfort.  We wished that we could give you a hug, and a kiss as we say our goodbyes.  Alas, you will be coming home soon... to a place you proudly call home.  You crazy AngMo... why would you want Kuching to be your final resting grounds, if it wasn't for your big heart for this land.  Come la.. come on home.  We are waiting for you with our broken hearts.  We love you Jurgen.  We truly do.

I.absolutely.HATE.it

I shouldn't be putting this photo here... for fear that you (my friends), will be so repulsed and can't undo the nauseating image in your head.  Haha. Truth be told, I.absolutely.HATE.it.

This must have been at my recorded heaviest; about 91kgs, in May 2017.

Well, unfortunately for you, I'm still going to put this here... because... It's been only 4 months (12.09.19) since my lowest recorded weight (68.9kg) and I have successfully put on 7.8kg as of today (17.01.2020). That's on average 2kg/month.  I'm supposed to LOOSE 2kg/month.  Not put on!  This photo is a reminder to myself that I should NEVER, EVER go back there again.  I.absolutely.HATE.it.

I'm being in such a foul mood today, because it's 2pm and I haven't eaten anything since morning, because I'm trying to get back into my IF mode (OMAD, 5:2, 16:8... whatever) which I happily left in November, along with the school days.  And now... I'm being just plain HANGRY.  I HATE being FAT.   and I hate being hangry too.  I.absolutely.HATE.it.

My good friend who is a doctor told me never to say myself as fat... never to call myself names... I do not call myself names, but, I'm stating the truth no?  Have I told you this before? I absolutely DETEST being fat.  Yes, I agree that we need to have a healthy self image... that you are beautiful no matter what size you are.  200% agreed.  And I KNOW I am beautiful no matter what size I am.. But have you ever tried trying on clothes at the store and you just look.... revolting.  Not to other perhaps, but in your own eyes.  Yes, REVOLTING.  It IS that bad.  I.absolutely.HATE.it.

I used to thank the modern society for creating "plus size" clothing, for then I was able to try clothes on and have things to wear.  But when I was able to fit into XL and then some L, it was exhilarating to not look like you have a tent on you.  So when I went window shopping again recently (after putting all that weight back on again), I was disgusted with the layers of fat around my mid-body and how it looked like layers of tyres.  Soft, punctured, wobbly tires.   Yucks.  I.absolutely.HATE.it.

When I loose weight, I end up having lose skin.  It's repelling to see all those skin, especially in the fitting rooms where you can see every.single.inch of your body and you see those "elephant legs".  By the way, that's not name calling myself ok... try to picture how elephant legs looks like... yes, like that.  "elephant legs" is what people call those legs with lose skin (usually after loosing lots of weight).  I.absolutely.HATE.it.

BUT, I will take lose skin over being fat any day.  Any day at all.  I miss my "flat" stomach, my smaller arms, my better fitting clothes, my boosted self confidence.  Don't get me wrong... I wasn't at any point of time "slim".  I still had "spare tires" around my belly, my arms were still huge (and saggy and wobbly), I was still wearing XL clothes, but it definitely felt better.  To have the stamina, to do physical activities without an onslaught of astma-akin attack and most of all, to look good in clothes and to see the gleam in other people's eyes that tells you the same; you look good.  (though I care about how I look without clothes, but most people will see you WITH clothes, right?)  I.absolutely.HATE.it.

From my long post; without photos, you'd know that I am really super upset today.  Super upset with my own lack of self control, super upset at how just sniffing food will make me put on 1kg/sniff, super upset at how distasteful I look at the moment.  I am also trying to psych myself to get back into the rythmn... to tell myself that all this hunger will be worth it, that in the end, what matters is that when I die, people can carry my coffin without breaking their back.  And hopefully then, I wont absolutely.HATE.it.

From:  A really HANGRY diet-er

41

Time flies... seems like only yesterday I checked in for my 40th birthday.  Before I can even achieve whatever I've set to do, here I am again, 41.

This year, I thought I would not bother with having a day to myself because I thought I will not have any leave and also financial constrain.

But come December, my teammate at work and I still had 6 days of leave each that we had to clear off.  So, after much discussion, at the 11th hour, I decided to take leave anyways.  But then, this year, she wanted to take the weekend / early of the week off, so I had to work on my birthday and only checked in, in the evening, continued on till the next day and back to the office in the evening again.

Hilton of course was a bit too pricey, and Jane had once let us have her river-view room here at Waterfront Hotel and I fell in love with it (thanks Jane).  It being just infront of Darul Hana bridge, the river, the beautiful Masjid Terapung and all the magnificent heart of Kuching, I decided to stay here.

Got myself a cake from SR just for formality (and for the photo sake!), had some cold beer courtesy of a friend, pondered quietly before The Lord and committed, read and Netflix throughout the night till the call of Subuh, promptly fell asleep till it was time to check out.  It was raining cats and dogs that night, with thunder and lightning, being in bed doing nothing was pure bliss.  Something I learnt that night was that beer can heal cough!  I was coughing rather badly during that period of time.  But that night, I think I had 5 cans of beer, and the next day, the cough magically disappeared!  I guess either the alcohol warms your insides, or it kills all your germs!  So next time, instead of taking 6 bottles of cough syrup, I'm just gonna down 6 cans of beer when I cough!

Heard that Waterfront Hotel's breakfast ain't that great, so I decided to skip that for the next day.  This place is too near to everything (i.e. all the good breakfast food at a steal), so you don't have to take the breakfast option.  Just venture out to eat yummy street food.  But I just stayed in the super comfortable king sized bed and didn't even bother going out, not even to the pool.

It was absolutely selfishly delicious to be alone on my birthday.  It was extremely quiet too, with everyone being busy for the season.  Serene to just be sitting by the window when your phone is quiet too!  I've not achieve most of what I set out to do during my 40th, so I'm just going to re-use those for this year.  I definitely look forward to the 42nd.