Time flies to 2026

My eldest Jan finished her STPM last year and scored  aggregate PNGK (CGPA) 4.0 in her exam. What a huge accomplishment for her after about 2 years of hard work in Form 6. 

On June 2026, when result was announced, she and top achievers from Sarawak went to attend STPM result announcement ceremony in Kuching. 

Photo taking after ceremony in SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg Kuching

Then the following week, the school organised its own appreciation ceremony in their hall. 12 top achievers with 4.0 this year from the school, bringing it on the Top 4 list among all the schools in Sarawak. Well done to SMK Green Road Kuching. First 3 schools are from Sibu. 

With this, she has concluded her diploma level and now plans to pursue degree in Bioscience. She has been offered by Swinburne University but still waiting for more universities offer via UPU portal. So now she is enjoying her life, helping at the shop and not to think too much about university yet. Enrolment is expected in September this year. 

With free education offered by Sarawak government this year, we are encouraging her to study in local university here. But final decision is up to her. 

Roselicious

A new chicken rice stall, Roselicious Chicken rice that opened early this month in Jia Hao Cafe, MJC.

Open from 9am onwards (except Tuesday), it serves lovely, juicy steamed chicken and its signature rose chicken to customers. 

Good news for those who loves liver and gizzard, they serve those too as add on. 

May be be steamed or rose chicken, they tasted good and delicious. The old school chicken rice taste. 

With drizzle of oyster sauce on top of the chicken, it gives the extra flavour to it. 

Our coffee shop

Well, it started just after CNY, when hubby and I had a good talk on our current family financial status and economy crisis. It wasn't that good. Hubby's job isn't going anywhere, a lot of pressure and he will be stuck in Sri Aman for time being. And with only one income, hubby can't support the family financially without concern of any sort. So after much talk, we decided to try something different. Something to change our status and also a better opportunity for advancement. A business venture. 

Everything felt like it was an answer to our prayer (thanks God for the right timing) as we found a shop right away. In my area, few minutes drive. The old coffee shop moved away and we found a good deal, and the rest was hard work and persistence!!

Attended online food handling courses, dealing with contractors and relevant authority, I learnt a lot along the way. Long days and nights of works in the shop by contractors and many days of scouting and shopping for necessary equipments and stuff. Thanks to my mil for helping out as she used to operate a hospital canteen for more than 20 years. 

After few months of planning and preparing (March till June), we opened up our coffee shop on 18 June!! Of course we got people to choose good date and time for the opening.  More or less, a good date and time to hang up the coffee shop signboard. Jia Hao Cafe is the name. Literally means "good family". 

We opened around 545am, heated up the water, getting ready the drink counter and preparing the tables and chairs. I got myself 3 workers, all young guys and not from Kuching but we provided hostel for them nearby. Kids came to help out too. As it was a Sunday, we had a bit of hiccups here and there. Everyone tried on getting used to the ordering and POS, we had a busy morning that day. Many customers came but mostly familiar faces that used to patronise the previous coffee shop. And my parents as well as other friends and associates also showed up to show support. Thanks everyone for the congratulatory, gifts and support!!

We have 2 stalls operating right now. The Kolo mee stall from this coffee shop, which we enjoyed a lot in the past. Kolo mee business was as good as ever with many customers came to support and dine in. 

The other stall was chicken rice that is selling steamed chicken, char siew and curry rice.  Super fragrant and soft rice with tasty chickens. So far I have tasted its steamed chicken rice, haven't try other dishes yet. 

As for us, we are in charge of drink, and breakfast (toasts, sandwiches and steamed baos). So that is a handful for us, but we are slowly get used to it. 

It has been a week since our opening. Latest update, Sarawak laksa stall will operate next week and there is an interested party taking up our economy rice stall.  I will blog more on the food when I have time!! 

Location: Papillon Street Mall (shop is below Level Up Fitness MJC, facing Courtyard Sanctuary Apartment)

Lunch in Tasty Delight

It was last Sunday. A busy weekend for us as final preparation for my coffee shop venture. Yes!! I am going into f&b and for the past 2 months and so I have been doing the planning, preparation and setting up. Trust me, it isn't easy but a learning curve for me as I do most of the stuff by myself. Of course my man helps me in whatever he could. Thanks to him for supporting me in doing this business. 

Last Sunday, we went to the local hypermarket to buy stuff, non perishable for the shop. Everyone took part in shopping, unloading and filling up at the shop that day.

Since we were at Emart, we walked over to Tasty Delight for lunch. We tasted the Teochew oyster omelette in our previous visit so we had that. RM15 for this delectable omelette. 

There are so many stalls to choose from, you are definitely spoiled for choice. One must try one by one to decide which is nice and which is not. I for the first time, tried the Penang char kway teow stall and surprisingly it was good. RM9 for my prawns, clams and Chinese sausages char kway teow.  

Jamie and mil shared this lovely claypot chicken rice. We bought home on our previous visit, hubby and I enjoyed it very much. 

Jan and Jay each had buttermilk chicken rice (RM8 per plate). 

For the record, my shop opens today, on 18 June!! Got someone to calculate a "good date" for the shop. So, first day of business today!!

Wouldn't be much updating from me from now onwards, but whenever I am free (which would be in the evening as my shop only do breakfast and lunch), I shall visit your blog. So, to all my blogger friends and readers, thank you so much for the support and comments. Maybe when my business has settle down and I find some times, I shall pen my journey of starting this business and of course, promoteling my little humble coffee shop and food stalls. Till then, see you guys around. ❤️ 

Time to fly

After 3 years, we are finally utilising our air tickets!!! 

The feeling of flying again after so long really surreal, one part was excitement while another part was anxiety. Rationally, we were determined to claim our air tickets after been frozen for more than 2 years before they expiring this month end. 

We meant to fly to Langkawi and make a trip to Koh Lipe, Thailand back in May/June 2020 but God had his plan that year. MCO, Covid-19  outbreak, travelling restriction and SOP caused our flight to be cancelled. No refund for our accommodation in Langkawi and Koh Lipe but luckily the ferry operator refunded our ferry fare for Langkawi-Koh Lipe trip. After liaising with our national airliner for months, they only offered us a rebooking option and evoucher claim till 31 December 2022. 

This round, we used the evoucher amounting to over RM4000, and we decided to realise our Langkawi vacation.  No Koh Li Pe island but we change the itenerary to a more light & easy mode. KL for 5 days and Langkawi for 5 days. 

We will be flying tomorrow afternoon so, no update in my blog for the remaining week and next week till we are back from the holiday. So, till then, see you guys and happy blogging!!

Easy way

When I don't feel like cooking lunch, I take the easy way out. Eat out! My girl wouldn't mind sometime (especially when she is bored with my cooking!). 

It was one of those days when I felt like eating out. Last Thursday to be exact. 

I got to know this eatery from social media, and photos did looked tempting. Easy Weasy Cafe. Located at the L-shaped shoplots block just after Shell Station in Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce. 

I never venture to that area other than the medical lab that I had been to once for a blood test when I was pregnant with Jamie 7 years ago. 

It was around 11am when we reached Easy Weasy Cafe. A big dark sliding door at the front. When we slided open, the cafe was rather empty except for an occupied table. 

The setting and decoration were simple and not overly done. A friendly man served us, spoke fluent Chinese and English. We were given menu and order chit, so we wrote and placed our own order. They have RM8 lunch promotion from 11am to 3pm, so I took the chance to try its food.

What attracted me first when I entered the cafe was the plush toys on the seats. We had a couple of big teddy bears to keep us company while waiting for our food. They also have few books and boardgames to keep you entertained and occupied. 

Both of us ordered 100Plus as it was only RM2 when we ordered the lunch promotion. Soft drink choices are 100Plus, Coca and Sprite. Steel straws were served, that not so commonly seen here. 

I went for the RM8 lunch promotion and I had the cheesy grilled chicken rice. 

A love-shaped fried egg on one corner, accompanied by fragrant rice and green salad and grilled chicken chop on one side. 

They have 3 options of gravy,  namely Thai, Berries Pepper and Chessy. Initially I wanted the berries pepper but worry I would not enjoy it so I went for cheesy sauce. Not a bad choice. Very cheesy grilled chicken chop, for those who love cheese and grilled chicken, this is a good choice.

My girl didn't find anything fancy in the lunch promotion so she had Fish N Chip (RM17) instead. 

They served Thai sweet chilli sauce instead of the usual tartar sauce. 

No complaint from her, I guess she was happy with it.

Our lunch costs RM29.

By the way, they would be doing food delivery service during this Movement Control Order period. Anyone interested, please check out their Facebook page or contact them directly. They deliver to area as far as Kota Samarahan.

Everyone, stay in and stay safe! 

Remember when

Today is our wedding anniversary. We have been married for 15 years and have been together for more than 17 years.

As much as I would love to say that we are lovely dovey most of the time, but occasionally we do get at each other's heads. Some days we tend to go mad and cutting each other's throats. But it is all in the good name of marriage.

There is always ups and downs in every marriages and ours aren't any exception. We fight, we make up and we work hard to stay together.

I remember when we started dating, back in 2002. We first met around August, my birthday month. And it wasn't till November that year, that we met again. It was in my very first job, the work place where we met. I was in marketing and he was a customer. 

Somehow the deal didn't went well but he asked me out nevertheless. He was pretty persistent and I couldn't reject his invitation. I never gave my number to him but he gotbit from a colleague of mine, which I found out later!

I remember that time when we went out for lunch on our first day. Hong Kong Noodle House in Saberkas.   

Then we had our 2nd date and so on, and things gone well from there. He popped out the question of girlfriend after few dates and I somehow agreed. And couple of years later, I am officially his wife. 

Years on, we are blessed with 3 children. I can't imagine life without him. He is smart, romantic and my everything. He makes me laugh, makes me cry, teaches me new things and encourages me to try new things.

Thank you to my other half, my best friend, my soul mate. Here to many more years of eternal bliss. Happy anniversary!! 

Big Bad Wolf is back (and it is bigger)

Yes! All you Kuching bookworms and book lovers, the much anticipated book sale of the year is back and it is bigger than last year!!

The book sale is currently held in Mydin Hypermart Petra Jaya from 25 April to 5 May, from 10 am to 12 midnight.

In case you are wondering where is Mydin Hypermart Petra Jaya, you could use Google Maps for direction. We were not familiar with that area so thanks to Google, we were able to find this mall with ease. It took us around 30 minutes from our place to reach this new Mydin Mall. 

Excited?? Yes, I was. I was so looked forward to this book sale as I didn't get much last year. 

Last Saturday, we woke up early, had our breakfast and headed straight to Mydin Petra Jaya. Since it was our first visit to this new mall, we were a bit lost looking for the venue. Thankfully the BBW has stationed few ushers in the strategic spots in the mall to inform their customers on the location and direction.

The BBW venue was in lower ground, the basement car park. If not for the big BBW lighted sign, we wouldn't be able to find the place. The venue was packed (as expected) when we arrived around 11am, and we wasted no time but to browse and hunt for books that were interesting and captivating.

Big Bad Wolf Books Kuching sale offers 75-95% discounts on selected books. Advised to be there earlier or off peak hour to avoid massive crowds and long queues.

Soon our cart was filled up with books!! One full cart. We couldn't get going anymore as more crowds were coming in.  So, how long did we spent in BBW Kuching?? More than 2 hours.

And we spent RM676.00 on 37 books! Wow. Our loots, happily sitting in our car.

A peek on some of our books. Mostly heavy, hard cover books. Nice collection for our book shelf. And I can't wait to read my novels.

So guys, if you haven't been to BBW or plan to get some good titles at affordable price, do head over to Mydin Petra Jaya soon as BBW would be there till 5th May!!! Happy shopping!

For more information, do check out the BBW Facebook page.

Sisters bonding over food

My younger sister is currently on a maternity leave. The boss is so kind to give her a one month paid leave for her to recuperate at home on doctor's advice. And starting this month, she would be on leave till she delivers. Yes, she has a bun in the oven. Almost 3 months now.

It has been a while since I seen my sister (although we are texting each other almost every day). So not so long ago, I asked her to get together and have a little sister time. It was the start of the UPSR and Jay wasn't in school, so both of us went to pick my baby sister from her in law's house.

Then we went to this coffee shop for breakfast. My sis hasn't been here before so it was a good opportunity to check the place out with her. I thought sisters bonding over food is such a good ecstasy but we rarely do  that nowadays. We used to go out a lot during our younger time, hunting for food and shopping. Food definitely is our common interest.

Joo Seng Cafe in Batu Lintang (opposite of Wisma Saberkas) was busy as ever that morning. Mostly working class enjoyed their breakfast but. Thankfully, we were able to find a vacant table in the cramped coffee shop. The only table available for three of us so better don't be choosy at that time. We shared table with a group of Malay ladies.

Here, we have everyone share tables and eat whatever you want to, may it be halal or non-halal. The only non-halal stall is the kolo mee stall.

RM3.80 kolo mee

My boy had the kolo mee, which was his usual breakfast on weekend.

RM5.00 chicken rice

As for my sis, she ordered the chicken rice from the Malay stall. Very nice, fragrant rice. And their drippings were nice as well.

Fried chicken

Generous serving of fried chicken. And all for just RM5.

Soup

I ordered mee jawa from the same stall. I think they forgot my order so I had to remind one of the workers on my food. Luckily the food was worth the waiting.

Mee Jawa

Big serving of noodle with fried chicken and some slices of puffed tofu and egg. I liked the gravy, very creamy and rich. I did enjoyed it very much.

Butter and kaya toast

And of course one must try its famous butter & kaya toast when eat here. So two slices of toast for sharing.

It was a nice breakfast with my boy and sister in Joo Seng Cafe amidst the crowd. After that, we went back to my house for a chat and tv before it was time to pick my girl from school and lunch.

For lunch, we went to 38 Food Street and I tried the new stall. Western food from 1+1 Kitchen. I had mushroom sauce chicken chop rice for RM7.

Looked good, right? Served on a lovely plate, I thought it was worth the price.

The mushroom sauce was nice, not too strong. Just nice to soak over the chicken and yet didn't overly wet the fried chicken chop that made it too soft and mushy.

After lunch, I dropped the kids home before my sister and I had a short walk in the pasar tani. We bought some roasted pork home. Then I sent her home.

A wonderful and relaxing sister time with her in the morning that day. And wishing to be able to do it more often with her. For now, she needs to take care of herself; wish her a smooth journey to motherhood.