Today

 Date: 15 September 2026

After 1 week of online class (plus 1 week school holiday), the boys are back to school since yesterday. Thank God the API (air pollution index) has fallen to below 200. Latest reading is 156 as at 11am with 30C in Kuching. 

Just before 11am, the rain suddenly pouring which give us a slightly cooler temperature. We had few man-made rains last week but didn't really ease or chase the haze away. It was very stuffy and warm in addition to the haze. It was really suffocating to breath but luckily it is slowly getting better this week. 

Most districts in Sarawak have improved in API reading, so students are back to school life again this week. And finally after many weeks of haze, we could finally see the beautiful blue sky again. 

It is my shop off day today,  so I am enjoying the sound and breeze of the rain while writing this post. The house is pretty quiet right now as kids are in schools. 

Cut down on carbs

I put on weight since Chinese New Year. Used to be around 54 to 55kg but now I am 59kg. Oh no! Going to be 60kg if I didn't do something about it. 

Maybe because of hormonal IUD procedures that I had end of last year but it was just my guess. Anyhow, I told myself I need to  control my eating and try to do more workout. 

It wasn't easy with operating a coffee shop where you got to see (and smell) food every day!! 

On a good note, it is convenient to cook in a coffee shop as you have the utensil and ingredients to prepare a meal. For instance this breakfast set. Mix and match and I got my high protein low carb breakfast platter. Can keep me going till lunch time. 

Revamp

 

Used to be Siang Siang Corner, and after a major revamp, they opened sometime in May this year. It is now named Corner 33.

Located next to Everrise in MJC, this coffee shop has many food stalls to choose from. When they opened in May, the place was very packed. Hardly any tables available. Maybe the hype was over now, or probably because of haze and dry season, there wasn't many customers on the day we went there. 

It was the shop's off day so together with my mil and Jan, we went to this shop for breakfast. Not many customers that day unlike first few months when it opened. Mil had kolo mee special RM10 that morning. 

I didn't feel like having noodles so I went fir club sandwich from the stall next to the kolo mee stall. RM6 for my club sandwich. I liked it as it was simple and tasty . 

Jan had this ham & cheese sandwich with fries combo RM9. What a hearty breakfast. 

Before we left, I bought the fried radishcake. RM3 for 3 pieces. Crispy outside but soft and tasty inside. 

Claypot place

It was warm Sunday evening. Luckily it wasn't hazy that day, since we had super thunderstorm the night before. The API reading also below 100 on that Sunday. 

We went to this claypot place for early dinner that evening.  It is now our favourite place to have claypot dishes. Decent and reasonable price and just a few minutes drive from our home. 

Everyone ordered their own claypot, I opted for claypot chicken and sausage rice. Loves to dig into the burnt rice at the bottom of the claypot. 

The boys went for claypot noodles, which was flavourful. 

Besides that, we ordered bak kut teh soup and stir fried bean sprout as side dishes. 

A satisfying meal amidst the warm evening. 

House plants

My man has been into Feng Shui right now. He is changing the vibes or energy, or like he called it 'qi' of the house by adding more house plants to the home decor. 

Philodendron Burle Marx

Here and there you will be seeing potted plants in my house especially the living room. I don't mind the plants as they are rather sturdy and low-care, just need to remember to occasionally change their water. 

Lucky bamboo

Right now, we have 3 different plants in the living room and 1 potted plant in my bedroom right next to our window. 

ZZ Plant

It is kind of refreshing to have plants inside the house.  Read somewhere that house plants do help in improving mental health and reduce stress. May it be Chinese Feng Shui or not, having greens indoor have its benefit and aesthetic look. 

Do you like having plants indoor? 

To university

On 14 August, the entry to public university via UPU online was announced. To our surprise, Jan was offered a place in Universiti Malaya (UM), one of the top public universities in Malaysia. 

Actually this university was her 2nd option when she applied through UPU early this year. Her first option was USM in Penang but she didn't got that offer. Anyhow after juggling the pros and cons, she decided to stay put with Swinburne University of Technology; pursuing Bachelor of Science in biotechnology. 

With Sarawak government offering free higher education through FTES which covering tuition fee, it is sure easing our financial burden. 

24 August (next Monday) is the orientation day; daddy will accompany her along. One week of orientation and welcoming programmes at the university and she will officially start her first semester on 1 September. Oh my! My girl is all grown up now. I am excited and anxious for her at the same time. 

Jan has her driving license now, upgraded to full fledged driver this year after 2 years of P license. So on transportation part, she has to settle herself as I can't manage hers, since I got to take care of her younger brothers' transportation. 

Both boys aren't in same school and furthermore they are in different session. Jay will finish his secondary school this year, so I didn't bother to change Jamie's school there since he will be in afternoon class. 

Latest update on haze: as of today, all schools in areas with unhealthy API reading in Sarawak are closed since yesterday. So both boys are having online classes from home today. Praying hard that the situation will improve and everything get back on track soon. Miss the beautiful, clear sky and fresh air. 

The sky this morning

ABC

{Back dated post} 

If you are a fan of Indian cuisine (like I do), then this place is worth a try. Located in Pines Square, ABC Indian Cuisine is a fine and cozy restaurant to enjoy a good authentic Indian food. 

Located in Pines Square, its impressive menu consist of diverse Indian dishes from tandoori, banana leaf, naans to briyani. 

If was a date night with my man, and he suggested this place as he heard good recommendation from his friend. It wasn't that far from our home, so it was a premium fine dining place to enjoy good Indian dishes. 

The cheese naan was good. Thick naan with generous cheese serving. Great starter to share around. 

Whenever we hang out at Indian eatery, we never miss its addictive fried spiced bitter gourd. Loved its special made yogurt dipping. 

Our main course: briyani! That is one big serving of briyani rice. 

The meat was hiding in the rice. And don't forget to top the rice with a piece of papadom. 

Hubby opted for the lamb while I went fof the chicken briyani. Overall it was quite a portion and we were having hard time finished our dinner. 

The owner was very friendly and accommodating. He would recommend and brief us on the menu and what is what, so you know what you are eating. A good dining experience. We did enjoyed our time there. The place was air conditioned, and tastefully decorated. A nice place to wind down and enjoy some good food.