Monday, April 27, 2009

Bubba Gump Weekend

Finally, we tried Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant. The first time we spotted it was during Ramadhan last year, and it was during the day. What a temptation that was. Last Saturday, we decided to give it a try. Plus it was the Birthday Boy's decision, Jack's birthday was on the 21st last Tuesday.Oh, Happy Birthday dahlink! Nayli was rather dissapointed that it fell on a weekday, cause she thought that would cancel off the prospect of a birthday lunch treat altogether. Little did she know that I would insist on it, even if the birthday boy declines. Ha!ha!ha! Anyway, we went to the one in The Curve. It was delish!!! A must try for foodies out there. There is a better website that explains more about the restaurant. I must say that my pictures here just don't do justice. Did not bother with my DSLR, cause I have Zaim in tow and no extra help. I expected that my hands would be tied. At least it would give you a brief idea of the dishes offered there. We didn't order much cause it was just us and the kids. Even that we thought we should not have ordered the kids anything, since they ended up pinching Jack's absolutely out of this world Ribs. We took home the leftovers, and we had enough for dinner that night.








This plate thingy is actually their tool to call the waiter for service.This particular one, means we are ok, we don't need to be served. Turn over this plate for a red one which says STOP FORREST STOP, then the attentive and friendly waiters will happily stop at your table and serve you. Clever huh?






The walls were filled with various paraphanelia showcasing pictures and even some props from the movie. They even had the movied played on the screen. The kids were asking endless questions about Forrest Gump The Movie, I think I might have to find the DVD and let them watch it before our next visit.


Nayli, excited to be trying out at a new Restaurant. Such a Jr. Foodie!


Zarif, always likes restaurants that give out Kids Menu with Activities and Crayons. Already told us to go back to the restaurant again, cause he really really likes the place and food.

The Calamari Rings... Appetiser. Nice, for the price I think Delicious's Calamari is much better
(on a good day that is).
This is the Sweet Home BBQ Burgers minus the burger. If you look at the left corner of this picture, you can see that it has already been split into half for the kids to share. it was more of an open sandwich concept kinda a thing which makes it really a thick sandwich, too big a kids mouth. Should have ordered from the kids menu.

This is my Bucket of Boat Thrash, Yumm!!! Ok, it has Shrimps, Lobster Tail and Cod plus load of fries.


The birthday boy had this winner... BBQ Beef Back Ribs. Absolute winner. So meaty, tender and juicy, the BBQ sauce is just fab. Beats Tony Roma's anytime. Honestly! The meat practically fell off the bones, just like that. My mouth waters, just typing this thing now! Perhaps I could coax Nayli into choosing this place again for her b'day in June.

Zarif's half of the Burger


Oh, and not forgetting, must also stress the drinks that we had. The yellow concoction is called Mango Sparkler and the Orangey bit on the right is actually pinkish in colour but somehow looks orangery here is called the Speckled Strawberry Lemonade. Basically they are Sparkling Juices, but they're quite good. The one in the paper cup is Kid's Run Forrest Run, a fruit smoothie that is a mixture of berries and banana I think. I just realised while updating this now that I did not try the other drinks at all, I was that happy with my Lemonade. What a waste! Now, we really have to go back there again.

Zaim had our straws!! Ha!ha! Noooo, he had his baby bites... Loads of it I must say. Anything as long as he sits quietly in his stroller.

Zarif, happy and full, he ate quite a lot. He actually was so happy with what he had that he actually said, there is no need for me to order ice-cream cause he is really full. Hmmm, first time my son is saying no to ice-cream.

Just outside the Restaurant, the bench from the bus stop scene remember?
See the box of chocolates on the suitcase?
********************************************
On a different note, and font if you notice. I finally took some pictures of Zaim in the tub. He has just about 1 month ago graduated from his "baby with support" tub to this deeper one. Boy does he love his bath time.As you can see here.

My Michelin baby!

Happy Days!

With Sis.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Never leave the house without 2 things!!!

I was taking a break from my usual excel sheets when I came across this article.

Never leave the house without two things:
a Swiss Army knife, and
your camera.
Why the knife? Because it’s a multitasking tool that you can use a kajillion different ways.
Why a camera? For exactly the same reason.
We’ve rounded up so many alternate uses for your camera that you’ll start bringing it everywhere. Use it as a flashlight, a memory aid, or a mirror, and you’ll never let it leave your side again.
Your camera may be a toy, but there’s no reason it can’t also be a tool.

12 Ways to Use Your Camera as a Tool

1. Mark Your Parking Spot
Before you head out on a long trip, don’t bother rooting around for a pen to write down your parking space number. Take a photo of your parking spot so you can find it again when you come back.

2. Use It Instead of a Printer
If you need to take directions with you, but don’t have a printer, take a picture of the computer screen instead. You can zoom in quite a lot, and will be able to read the directions on the camera’s monitor.
Also works for confirmation numbers, email addresses and incriminating online photos of friends and acquaintances.

3. Remember Fiddly Details
You know the drill: you run out of something, you go to the store to replace it, and you realize you can’t remember which size or model number you need. Snap a photo before you throw the old one away and you’ll have it on you when you need it.

4. Mark Your Property
Take a photo of your name and address, and lock it on your memory card. That way, if you ever lose your camera, the person who finds it will know who it belongs to.

5. Shopping Lists
Before heading out to buy ingredients for a project or recipe, take a picture of the ingredient list. Zoom in on the camera’s screen to be able to see each item on the list.

6. Retrace Your Steps
Take pictures of each step when you take something apart, so you’ll know how to put it back together later on. That way you won’t end up with those four screws and one unidentified twiddly bit that always seem to be left over after “fixing” something.

7. Collect Evidence
Heaven forfend you get in a fender bender, but if you do, you’ll be glad you had a camera. Taking photos of the accident scene will help you remember details of what really happened, and it’ll make the insurance claim rigmarole a lot easier.

8. Use It As a Mirror
Check your teeth for spinach when you don’t have a mirror. Or see how you look in really really dark sunglasses.

9. Make a Wishlist
When you see a book at a friend’s place that you want to read, an album you want to get, or a gift you want to pick up for somebody, take a photo of it. That way you’ll have all the information you need when you finally get around to going shopping.

10. Use It As a Flashlight
If you get caught without a flashlight, use the flash or focusing light on your camera to help you see better.
Or, if you drop your keys behind the sofa, use the monitor on your camera to help you see into places you can’t quite reach.

11. Remember Places You Want to Go
If you’re like us, you have a list of places you want to go, or restaurants you want to try, but when you find yourself with a free evening you draw a blank on where to go.
Taking pictures of places when you see them will remind you that there are loads of new places to try, so you won’t end up at the same restaurant every Friday night.

12. Record Phone Numbers
Chances are it’s easier to find your camera in a bag full of stuff than it is to find a blank piece of paper and a pen that actually works.
Save yourself some time and snap a picture of that crucial phone number when you’re out apartment hunting, or when you see a flyer you don’t want to forget.


So what do you think??? They all make perfect sense don't they. FYI, I always use the point number 1, especially if I go to the Mall alone without my hubby, but I just use my phone's camera, I find that it is good enough. But make sure that your phone has flashlight, otherwise, the image captured may not be that reliable especially if you need to zoom in on smaller finer prints.

As for point 8, ha!ha! my phone, also has a glossy mirror display, so that settles it.

Just last night, my phone also proved that it can also be used as a flashlight as point 10. My son, asked for my hand phone, when he dropped something at the back seat, and he needed a light source.

Eyyy, not too bad huh, guess I don't really need to carry a camera then. I love my phone! Sigh!!!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Sports Day

Last Saturday April 11th, was Nayli's school sports day. It was held at the school's mini stadium. I cannot really remember my sports day when I was in primary school, but I do remember those when I was at Secondary. Since we did not have a field that was big enough to hold a sports day, our sports day were always held at Stadium Merdeka. That was good fun. I was not athletic at all back in school, so I ended up having to wear school uniform and what else but be on duty! Yes, I was a Prefect throughout my high school years. In secondary school, we were very "House Oriented", I was in Pius House (Yellow). We would sing our cheering songs. Big deal that was, at that time. One that I remember well is
Pius house dynamite, don't play with dynamite
Yey, yey, yey... and on and on it goes.
So, Yellow was Pius, Red - Anne, Green - Martha and Blue -Vincent. In case you're wondering these names for the houses, were the names of past principals who were sisters ( I was in a Convent School). Right, back to my daughter's day. She was quite excited about winning becuase her team has been winning the relay race that they are taking part in for those few days that they have been practising before the big day. Here are some pictures of her big day.


The March Pass

Cute mascot, Perdana House.

Rumah Waja


Grrrrr Waja!

Waiting for their turn.

We totally made ourselves at home walking around the field and taking pictures! Ha!ha!

Cheerleading performance. The teacher should have spent a little more time thinking about a more pleasant and more co-ordinated outfit for these girls. They practised so hard and they danced so well, if only they could wear something a little more cuter than these track bottoms and t-shirts.

All n-sync. Good choice of music too!


The podium.

At the starting line. This is the boys' team, balancing 3 balls and wearing Phua Chu Kang boots, hilarious.

Bored brother, waiting for the sister's turn. Notice he is already sweating
even though he is in the shade and not moving a muscle.

Finally, it's Nayli's turn to put on those Boots!!! Not an easy feat.

Got her hands full here. Still managed to smile for the camera though.

They finished 3rd. Technically, they could have won, but the 2nd last girl thought she was last and ran to the finished line, took the teacher minutes before she realised that there was another person left in the team. Arrrgh!!! Tension! I know, I know it's not about winning... arrrggghhhh! double arrrrghhh!!!! My girl's team could have won!

Still took home a medal, bronze, silver, gold whatever... who cares.
Important thing is participation and team work, right???

The 2nd relay race is this "Golf Kampung", it was called.
More like playing street hockey with the wrong ball and shoes.

Nayli waiting for her turn, while cheering for her team mate.

Giving encouragement to her other team mate whose turn is coming.
Very sisterly behaviour that she is potraying here, I noticed.


Her turn with the stick, look at that posture and style. Making of an athlete maybe...
at least that is the father's high hopes that she won't be as useless at sports as her mom! Amen!

1st at the finishing line, notice how there's noone around her. Exactly, cause
she was there first!Yippee!!! Gold for Nayli's team!

What? A water tumbler for this event!!! but my daughter's team was 1st! Sigh!!! Oh well, better than nothing! Until next year!


Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Tyring out the speedlights at home

One night, I somehow had some energy that I normally don't have these days especially on a weeknight to try out my brother's speedlight. As usual, my model is always ever ready to become my subject. I never thought that I would need additional flash when my D60 already comes with an in-built flash until my brother showed me the difference that it could make. Wow! Here are some pictures before I used the speedlight...


From here onwards, the Nikon SB600 speedlight was used. Ok, do excuse some of the blurry pics, I am still new at this, and I was also experimenting with the Manual Setting. For more pictures, do visit my flickr page.