Hotel Lalit

Finally I arrived at the hotel. A petite young lady greeted me as I stepped out of the car. After welcoming me to the hotel she told me not to worry about my luggage, that it will be taken care off and sent to my room. I followed as she walked in into the hotel and straight to the elevator. She said,"I will take you directly to your room and I have a few papers for you to sign.."

Hotel Lalit

The hotel room was awesome. I wish I could have shared it with someone. It was big, spacious and really cool looking. I liked it a lot. This is going to become my house for the next few days. She explained to me about WiFi, terms of payment and daily free breakfast. I signed some paper and that was it...my check in was done....all in my room. She left and soon after my luggage arrived and I started to unpack.

1801 - corner and easy access to the elevator. 

Entrance on the right, closet and bathroom door opposite of each other. A see through bathroom. And the bed....all for myself...

View from inside of the bathroom.

The shower.

The tub (with shades closed).

After unpacking, WiFi access was available I sent messages back home. Everyone looks fine and my other half prepared lunch. Next, I decided to contact my Coordinator who flew in a day earlier. But first I need to feed my tummy and went to the coffee house to grab lunch. Saw the menu and obviously food are quite expensive. I flipped the menu and the cheapest and most decent meal I could eat was Indonesian Fried Rice and Mineral water. Had to be in India to order an Indonesian Fried Rice, hahh! After conversion from Rupees, my lunch cost me almost RM70.00..erk...gulp!!

Nasi Goreng Indonesia consist of fried rice, prawn crackers, 2 sticks of chicken satay, fried egg and pickle salad.

Next, 26th floor.....

Knocked on her door and she came out looking all  sick. She explained to me what happened and that she stayed in her room ever since she arrived the day before. She had the fever, flu and cough and really physically weak. I felt sorry for her and really pray that she will get better for the meeting on Monday. She asked about our trip to Taj Mahal.....with her condition she needed to know if I still want to go alone...I decided not to go because to pay USD275 for the trip was quite costly for me alone to bare. She said she will call a SEARO colleague and inform tomorrows trip to Taj Mahal is to be cancelled.....waaaaa....

There goes my Taj Mahal trip down the drain........perhaps next time.....if there will ever be.....

A little bit sad I decided to cheer myself and walked to the nearest Benggali market. I bought a few carton of juices, biscuits and snacks and walked back to the hotel....Stayed in the whole night and prepared myself instant noodle....hahaha....on and off I message the kids at home and see what they up too...and looked through some paperwork....

Maggie noodle in a cup! I brought from home....

Work station

Bed was comfy and I went to bed around 8:30 pm but would wake up around 1:00 am. And it took me a while to fall a sleep....

Hello New Delhi!

In May last year, I accepted an offer to accompany my HR Coordinator for a 3 day HR Regional Network Meeting in New Delhi. There was the passport renewal, the visa application and online ticket booking. There were issues during my visa application. But all worked out well.

Two days prior to my departure, my Coordinator made ground arrangements for us to visit India's Wonder of the World, Taj Mahal. I was so excited of the thought that I will soon visit Taj Mahal. Never imagine that one day I will set foot in the majestic palace of love.

The Majestic Taj Mahal - White marble mausoleum located in the southern bank of Yamuna River in the city of Agra. It is a 2 hours drive from New Delhi if you take the highway. A gift of love by Mughal leader Shah Jahan to his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Mumtaz died after giving birth to their 14th child. I already imagining myself sitting right in front of Taj Mahal and  have my photo taken, alone. Just like Lady Diana.....you know....a screenplay playing in my head....berangan la tu....so close yet still too far......

Little did I know.....................

Indira Ghandi International Airport.

My flight was smooth and food was alright...after 6 hours I finally arrived Indira Ghandi International Airport. Time difference is two and a half hours between New Delhi and KL. After customs and immigration clearance I browse around the duty free shop. I needed to get a bottle of perfume for my personal use and thrilled I found what I was looking for in a long time. Bought also a few chocolates as gifts to our SEARO colleagues. Happy with my purchases I walked out the arrival hall and saw a gentleman holding a rectangular sized card with my name on it. I approached him, smiled and introduced myself. He instantly welcome me and introduced me to another gentleman standing next to him who will take me straight to the hotel.

As I followed the gentleman (by now I know that he is the hotel driver)....the weather in New Delhi is hot and dry. I see, feel and taste heat. The temperature was 42 degrees that afternoon....We arrived at a car park building and he asked me to wait while he walked on and disappeared into the sea of cars.

Mr Singh dragging my luggage.

Hey, it's not thatttt bad...hmmm....wonder what the kids are doing back home? It's Saturday and Shakira must have finished with her piano lesson. All I wanna do is to lay down in my fluffy bed and sleep.

Suddenly a car popped up in front of me and there was Mr Singh (that was what I called him,...since he wore a turban). Culturally speaking....no stereotype what's so ever. He placed my luggage in the car boot. Then, he opened the door for me. I felt a little bit embarrassed. I sat down in the 5 year old white Toyota Vios and next to me was a tray. It contained a bottle of mineral water and 2 packets of cold wet wipes ......

................so I began my journey in New Delhi.

The driver was very courteous referring me as, Mam. The drive to the hotel felt like a long time and I started conversation with Mr Singh. Mr Singh drove me around Delhi....there was the President's residential place, the Prime Minister's Office, India Gate and a hotel where President Barack stayed the previous year during a meeting in Delhi.  The hotel was closed for public throughout the meeting and only placed the President's and his entourage.

Auto-Rickshaw.

If you see in the background, it is Gyarah Murti - a set of eleven statue to pay tribute to India's freedom fighter and social reformers. The sculpture depicts the famous Dandi March led by Mahatma Ghandi in 1931.

The Prime Minister's Office.

Another view of the Prime Minister's Office.

India Gate - looks like Arc de Triomph in Paris. It commemorates India soldiers who were killed during 1st World War.

Traffic was heavy. By now the driver already gets interrupted twice from his mobile. Don't quite understand but I have a feeling the hotel was asking what was his location. Mr Singh hang up his mobile and said the hotel was expecting my arrival. He said,"Mam, you must be a very important person. Hotel call me two time. I take you to hotel now."

Our tour was cut short and not long after I arrived Hotel Lalit. Elegant and classy. My house for the next 5 days.

Athlete Calves

Did not even bother to have a new year resolution. Never ever any of it materialized so why bother. Does it matter? That's what I thought.

I love sports since my primary school days. Not much of an athlete but I competed in sprint and relay events and long jump. I had hope to be like my dad. I love aerobics and dancing in my secondary and college years. I enrolled myself into aerobics classes with a college mate when I was at Sunway College. It was very energizing. When I was in WMU I would run around campus at night until there was a rape incident reported that I switched and run in the late afternoons.

When I returned to Malaysia I started to run again purely to loose weight. Who knows maybe I can fit gorgeously in my wedding attire, if I ever get married.....hehehehe....I started by brisk walking from my house in Sec. 14 and upon reaching Taman Jaya ran around the lake. 2 rounds. Then stopped for a bottle of water and headed home.

So I developed a big ugly calf something like in the picture (close enough).

Credit to thinkstock and Google image.

Late of 2014 I joined CHI in Cyberjaya and would do pillates/yoga and threadmill for 2 hours on either Saturday or Sunday mornings. However due to work commitment I am not able to meet with the 6 visits a month requirement in order to maintain the subsidized rate. I cancelled the subscription.

3 days ago my other half complained about having issues with his arms and a work mate recommended why not do a little bit of exercise. When he relate to me the story, I said yeah, why not. We could walk around our neighborhood since there are security guards patrolling at nights.

And that was how it started......so it has been 2 nights my other half and myself started speed walking. To start off, we walk 6 rounds of the soccer field. Target time is to complete in half an hour. Not bad so far......my aim is to get rid of my double chin....hihihi...if I can loose weight it's a bonus....kah kah kah! I guess after all that would be my new year resolution......We will start with this first before proceed to eat healthy....hmmm I wonder......

2016 here we come....

So school will resume tomorrow...maka bermulalah routine hantar and ambik anak, hantar and ambik dari tuition.

Big day today, seperti budak2 lain, I took Shakiel for his haircut....selepas dia bela rambut macam Jackson 5.

Rata-rata yang bawa anak ke barber ialah bapa-bapa....berderet nak tunggu our turn but Shakiel brought his mom instead. Kesian dia....I felt out of place pulak....Ialah emak dia saja yang ingat semua benda or preparation. This time round, the young barber did a good job. I like how Shakiel's hair turned out.

A word of advise to you Shakiel, this year you will be sitting for your UPSR...I know your capability. If you put your mind to something you will succeed....I always believe sky is the limit. I will still love you no matter how many A's you get...the important thing is you must try and try...do not ever give up...Tak dapat pergi boarding school tak pe....ramai orang kat luar sana tak pergi boarding school pun boleh berjaya dari orang yang pergi boarding school. Tapi tak boleh malas dan kena berusaha...

Finally, on that note, after contemplating for so many weeks whether I am worthy or not for the vacancy, I have decided to try and apply again for the 2nd time an NPO position.  Need to update my CV and submit on Jan 5th....

Penang - Day One and Day 2 in search of satisfaction...

It was tiring walking...but we were determined. To start our search we need to find a parking spot which we did....dropped by a wholesalers shop and bluntly asked where could I purchase the parking coupon. The lady said she has some....of after paying RM8 for a set of booklet....we are all set.

When you travel in town you will need this....display parking coupon. Their parking enforcement are very pro-active.

As I have share murals by Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, the followings are also interesting mural works by local artist.

Fascinating, isn't?

After spending almost two and a half hours looking for the murals we headed for lunch, Deen Maju.

Penang - Day One and Day Two, in search of Ernest Zacharevic.

After I failed my attempt to acquire all 7 wall murals by Ernest Zacharevic in Ipoh, I managed to complete the following original mural by the artist himself in Penang. However, one mural work (Broken Heart) was vandalized and is no longer in existence whereas 2 pieces (A Boy and his pet Dinosaur and Children on the Boat) was damaged by the weather (so I decided not to pursue).

Originally there was no specific names given to the mural works.....the present names were created as what was depicted in the art. The below are all works done by Zacharevic...

Girl by the Sea on North Beach (just behind Leong Yin Kean Mansion) - It depicts a pensive-looking girl looking out to the sea while holding a deflated balloon (well, what do you expect after almost 3 years obviously the balloon is no longer in view). This is the closest I dare to go to snap the photo. There was an on going construction right next to where I was standing.

Little children on a Bike on Armenian Street. It depicts a little girl taking her younger brother on a bicycle ride.

Reaching Up on Cannon Street - The mural depicts a little boy reaching for a hole in the wall. He appeared to be standing on a chair and inching himself as high as he could reach. The once an empty back alley now turned into a small cafe just right next to it. Look at that unhappy face....must be torturous for him..... 

The Girl in Blue - Muntri Street. The mural shows of a little girl lifting herself up on both hands as she is perched over the two windows.

The Äwaiting Trishaw Peddler on Penang Road - The mural depicts an elderly trishaw paddler sitting in the vehicle, probably waiting for customers. It is a fitting tribute to the triashaw paddlers who congregate at the trishaw station accross the road. The Awaiting Trishaw Peddler mural is probably the largest of the murals painted by Zachrevic in George Town, Penang.

Broken Heart on Lovers Lane - Missing piece. The art piece was vandalized by irresponsible individual. Hence, the local authorities decided to remove it. Below is how it is supposed to be....

Where the original work was located.
Credit to facade85.blogspot.com

Boy on a Bike on Ah Quee Street - It shows a boy (carrying an old lady) on his bike as he watches the pedestrian traffic passing by along the street. This mural is situated next to another Zacharevic's 'A Boy with his pet Dinasor'  which has been damage by weather. In fact, we did not notice at all of the mentioned mural.....

There were a few others by local artists which I will share in my next posting. This page is solely on Ernest Zacharevic's wall mural in Penang. He also collaborate with another artist, an Argentian for The Girl on a Turtle. It is located on Chulia Street.

Credit to Google and travel2penang.wordpress.com

Come away with me...

After travelling on the road for 5 hours we finally reach to our destination, Penang.

A sight of Penang...full of fond memories growing up here. On the 13th floor of The Gurney Resorts and Residence....may all my wishes come true,...insya Allah.

Yes, I love Penang.

Not only for the food but more close to my heart,....freedom and good memories.

I love my 3 years stay in Penang while completing my Lower and Upper Six Years.

Could be the air that I breath.....better and fresher....Call me silly old cow.....hahahaaa

I feel like home.  I think I did a lot of growing up during those years.

Abah was transferred to Penang and decided to take the whole family with him. I applauded to that decision. Mom will still be in KL until her transfer was finalized. Dad frequently work late and both of us, Shera and Sheri managed ourselves. There was the new school, again,.....meet new friends, again......and adjusting to new life style...

I don't want to sound selfish because I know how my dad must have felt the same.....

Abah never complain what we prepared for dinner, be it pizza with mushroom soup or rice, assam pedas and omelette.....He never complaint....hahahaha.....

Credit to You Tube and emimusic

Tomorrow will be another day, another adventure.....