I'm a fan of typical Malay dishes like ayam merah, ayam mask kicap. Although I have strong Chinese blood in me, my husband apparently is more Chinese than I am. Not that I don't fancy Chinese cooking, perhaps I was influenced by my Malay friends in school, it changes my pallet. 

There's this road side stall near my parent's place that I normally have for lunch when I was in school and they're still in business until today. My favourite go-to dish will always be their signature ayam masak kicap. A simple white rice with soy sauce chicken and a small bowl of soup.

They tasted so good that eventually I knew how to cook it myself. If you have no time to prepare complicated dishes, especially working adult like me, this is the easiest dinner to cook.

Ingredient A: To saute together 

Chicken breast (cut into cubes)

Onions

Red chili

Ingredient B: To mix together

Dark soy sauce

Light soy sauce

Kicap manis (sweet soy sauce)

Fish sauce (2 table spoon/1 big spoon)

For garnish, use spring onion

1. Mix all ingredient A in a bowl and add in some hot water to dilute it.

2. Fry your chicken until they're golden brown (I prefer it that way)

3. Add in onions and fry till slight brown

4. Pour in your ingredient B. Let it sip into the chicken. You may add sugar and salt to taste.

5. Pour them onto your white rice and garnish with spring onion.

It was for a birthday celebration that we chose Kitchen 23 and because there are other Muslim friends tagging along, we had to go for a halal restaurant. 

The first thing that I saw upon reaching the restaurant was the Halal certification by JAKIM (good). This restaurant takes Halal seriously so by putting up those cert, it's easier for us to spot. Plus there were also other Muslims patron eating there right after our food were served.

The thing that I like most about this restaurant was the space with simple tables and chairs arrangement. Enough space to organize a small party. Waiter and waitresses were very friendly and tentative. However, food are served batch by batch. 

Photos credit to therealgunner for restaurant layout

Surprisingly, the price were quite reasonable judging by its location and how big the restaurant was. I ordered a plate of Spicy Chicken Aglio Olio (RM13.50, roughly) and it felt like I had 2 bowls of mee. That full. There were many choices of food and drinks. So it depends on what you prefer. They have Asian and Western cuisine. I believe that the majority customer who ate there were mainly blue collar workers. So the restaurant are quite empty during weekends. For large crowd lunch/dinner, I suggest that you call them to make reservation.

Kitchen 23 Steakhouse.Cafe.Asian fusion Restaurant:

60-4611 8881 / 604-506 2111

Wow, I just got back from a one night trip and it was a getaway that I seriously needed for a longggggg time. Ok,exaggerate. I know, I know I just got back from Singapore like 2 weeks ago. Well, work was really hectic for me and sitting at home was the last thing on my mind.

Remember my post about choosing my work over family? Well, we had a change of plan last Friday. I re-booked the hotel on that Friday itself and we were on the road heading to Kuala Kangsar the next day.

We had good food in one day and this mama was a happy rabbit. Well, food hunting was not our main reason but rather meeting Juan's extended family. So we met. We stayed at Impiana Hotel and it wasn't exactly what I had imagined. I paid more than RM150 per night and the interior looked like a rundown hotel.

But you know, at least I get to get away from home for one night and just have fun. I've been so cooped up with work for the past many weeks that it took me a toll. It stressed me out so much and all I want to do at times was leave. But you know, I want to push myself and test my limit. Life is short and I don't want to be a quitter. 

Long sleeves and Sofina mini all from Fashion Valet

From my title, I believe every working adult can relate themselves to me. It's a dilemma that we face every single day at work.

Working and juggling a family at the same time is not easy. I used to share quotes on my Facebook page about putting family first. I can't deny that it is true and nothing more than that. But when it comes to doing it, you just can't. Neither do I. 

There was this incident when my boss informed us that we had to work on a project during one weekend. Coincidentally, I've had plans and hotel has been booked too. It was supposed to be a road trip with Juan. I was torn in between stepping up to my boss's expectation and the trip. In the end, I canceled the trip and chose the project instead. I dun deny that I thrive for success and climbing up the corporate ladder is my goal.

As I was driving back home afterwards, a sense of guilt overcome me. I was so disappointed with myself. Contradict to what I believe that family comes first. It was not the first time. It happened many times that every time this happen, I feel bad but I still do it. Was it because I depend too much on what others will say. Like 'She's not the only one who has family'. Sometimes, I gave chance to those who has children to take leave or give me excuse that they are not able to work on certain date and that I had to cover their ass. But I forget that I'm married and I have family too. I always tell myself to learn to say no to people at certain extend but it never happen. The thought of having to disappoint others make me feel like a bad person. Like I'm not doing enough for others. See, it's all about other people.

So I decided to not work during my company shutdown every end of the year. No peeping office email, not talking about work. So during my last visit to Singapore, I brought my mum too. We did not plan anything. It was a carefree, no-schedule kind of holiday. Meeting up with cousins, my aunties, jalan-jalan cari makan. I wish the 10 days didn't end cause I know that the cycle will repeat again. Do you have this dilemma too? 

I hope it's not too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2016. Well, I'm still writing my resolution. Procrastination. Joking. I didn't have any to-do list for this year. I felt that I wanted to take 1 day at a time. 

So I had a 10 days off from work last week and we spent our 10 days in Singapore. This time, our trip is without any itinerary. Just random visits and meet ups. Didn't do any shopping *ok, I lied*.

I believe that 2016 will be a busy year for me and Juan. This coming June also mark our 2nd year anniversary. Wow, time really flies. At the same time, planning for our travel trip for the next coming years. I already have a few countries in mind :-)

That 10 days trip we spent in Singapore was something I consider great. I needed that for a long time. Even though we've already went for a backpacking trip in March last year with my sister. Taking myself off from my work desk is something refreshing. It gave me time to ponder. Reflecting on my failures and achievements in 2015. A lot I tell you. 

So for 2016, I want to start doing things I love. No more 'next year la' or 'nantilah'. Looking into details I have missed. Focus on what's important in my life. Taking out negativity around me especially cleaning out my friend list. 'Bad' friends can really impact your life in the long run. Seriously, they do. So I decided to be picky in choosing my friends from now onwards. I've learned a lot about people in the past.

Choose your friends wisely. How they act has an impact on how you will act. Be around people that will encourage you to do the right thing.

-Anonymous

. “The man dreams of a perfect woman and the woman dreams of a perfect man and they don’t know that Allah created them to perfect one another.” 

-Ahmad AlShugairi

Attending wedding is one of my favorite thing to do although sometimes it clashes with my weekend plan, I make a point to 'show face'. One of the reasons are, I'm able to meet friends and family as well as dolling up. I don't wear anything fancy to office. It's just jeans, flats and shirt. So a wedding is my only opportunity to get doll up with fancy outfit.

Being a petite myself, I find it hard to get dresses. So my favorite go to brand will be Poplook. From their simple daily wear to formal outfits. Except I still have to alter the length of every dress I purchase from them. Even with high heels, it doesn't help much.

So last weekend was the wedding of a friend. Met him through another friend of mine. He's a cool guys with humble personalities. I used to visit his car wash center to get my car washed or waxed. He used to ask my opinion on how to find jodoh. Funny right. But now, after so much hard work in finding the right girl, he found one and I wish him all the best in his marriage and may Allah bless him and his wife with more rezki and cute babies.

Wearing Sandrine cape dress from Poplook, Sofina 3 bag, Scarf.Story shawl in Nude