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While the rest of the world jollied away on Christmas, my other half and I decided to pay a visit to an Orphanage in Jinjang. Having read about their plight via an email forward, we knew instantly that a visit filled with goodies was a must! More so to commemorate the X’masy spirit of giving.

This orphanage or Ashram is currently managed by 24 year old Praveen, a site supervisor who takes on night shifts sometimes to generate more income. He decided to start this noble deed after finding an orphan rummaging through a garbage bin for food.

Hubby chatting with Praveen

Praveen told us that currently they don’t receive any sort of government funding or help (no surprises here really!) However doctors from the Ministry of Health do come around to do a monthly check up on the kids, who are all healthy and very well disciplined I might add. The kids range from as young as 1 month old to 21 years of age with 2 single mothers and an elderly folk taking refuge here.

The boys room

This tiny space is the room for 14 girls who share only 2 beds

The house is of wooden structure with asbestos roofing. They currently have no proper toilet facility however thanks to a kind soul, 3 toilets are currently in progress.

Praveen’s main concern right now is raising funds, RM7.5k to be exact so he will be able to send 23 kids to school next year. Breakdown of school fees as follows:

(Kindergarten 1 x RM450 ) + ( Primary school 17 x RM300) + (Secondary 5 x RM400)

= RM7,550

To generate more income, he has allowed collectors to use his site to discard iron scrap metals which the rubbish collectors have agreed to clear once work is finished. The site right now is a sight for sore eyes with flies and filth surrounding it, but he has no choice as it’s a mean for more $.

He needs about RM8-10k a month to run the place. On a good day, he receives help from people who donate money and food while most of the time, he has the burden and task of raising the money all by himself. Food is never enough here hence the kids have vegetarian meals on most days. Meat/Chocolate and the types of food we have (and take for granted) are a rare luxury to them.

Unloading the goodies. Ignore the tyres!

A basket full of goodies from Sunday shopping in Tesco

Awww group picture

Having forward this email to my dad who then passed it on to his friends, I’m happy to know that there are Malaysians who are willing to help without looking at skin color and race. A few of dad’s friends have come forward with a cheque of more than RM2k with many of them determined to meet the RM7k target. All they needed to know was that this wasn’t a scam and after sending my ‘report’ with pictures as proof to them, hope this materializes. Soon. They need all the help they can get.

Besides that my Hubby is trying to get Shell to sponsor new roofs but he’ll need to submit a report soon.

For those who want to make a slight difference in this world, you may bank in to:

Sithamani Divine Life Ashram Rumah Kebajikan
BANK SIMPANAN NASIONAL (BSN) :A/c no. 14100-29-00049447-0

Kindly call/text Praveen at 0169046358 to let me know you’ve banked in. He will mail out a receipt to you should you need one as the Ashram is registered.

Hubby and I meanwhile will continue to donate monthly and do all we can to highlight their plight to the proper authorities because NO ONE deserves to live in such a condition.

One of the familiar advices we often get before jetting off is to be extra careful and trust no one.

Sound advice given you can never be too sure when you’re in a foreign land. But what I absolutely cannot comprehend is when people assume travelling to another Asian country is far more dangerous and unsafe compared to say, US, Australia or UK.

If you read their papers, you’ll notice the amount of inhumane acts in these countries which goes to show these things DO happen in every country, developed or not. Assuming that a poorer country is more susceptible to cheating a foreigner is wrong, although I do discount the fact that it does happen from time to time, depending on your luck and lack of research.

When we were in Intramurous, we opted to take a ride in Edward’s trishaw. In a glance, you would be suspicious of him because of his appearance. But I say looks can sometimes be deceiving yet we all tend to judge people by the way they look don’t we?

After he dropped us off at the Church, hubby noticed his cell phone was missing. He was sure it must have slipped out of his pocket while getting off the trishaw. Panic arose but it’s something I’ve come to deal with since he’s known for losing his hp on a yearly basis.

We walked back to the first spot where we had taken the trishaw before the fiasco and decided to ask around if anyone knew about a lost cell or Edward. I suppose things get around here fast as some of the other trishaw riders came forth to help us find him. My hubby decided that his colleague and I should wait for him at the bridge while he took a trishaw following the rest of the guys to look for Edward. But feeling a little bit uneasy, I decided to walk trailing his trishaw until a few other guys came up to me and said the phone is in the police station. Off I went and assumed hubby would be there already waiting.

No sign of him.

There I was standing in the tiny police station, surrounded by unfamiliar faces with many locals crowding the station due to their kepoh-ness which made me extra uneasy and longing for my husband.

Naturally I panicked and kept wondering where he was and felt so dumb for letting him go alone in the trishaw. It was probably one of the scariest and uneasy moments for me. I don’t think I would have forgiven myself if anything would have happened to him.

The police man told me that the hp was with him, but it did require some waiting for another officer to come by. He also kept asking me where my husband was and I felt so hopeless coz without his cell phone, I had no clue about his whereabouts. At one point I almost lost my cool with him because honestly, all he had to do was hand the bloody hp back. Instead he wanted me to wait for this other officer while I was afraid hubby might go back to the bridge and find us missing!

Just as I stepped out the police station for a while, there he was, apparently the trishaw driver wasn’t too sure where Edward was. My heart went back to beating normal. After 30-40 minutes wait for the officer, a few documents signed, the fiasco was all over. He was reunited with his phone.

Edward had apparently handed over the HP to the police station when he found it and honestly speaking, how often does it even happen here in our own land? My husband has lost his hp in KL twice and not even once did he manage to retrieve it. Gone within seconds.

Here we are, hours away from Malaysia in a foreign land and he’s able to get it back, in one piece! So relieved from all that, we decided to reward Edward with a bit of money

Lesson well learnt where trust and faith is concerned – sometimes you find it in people you least expect of.

Bless Edward.

Totally Random:

OMG I couldn’t resist this cute baby find at The Curve today. Since I don’t have a baby yet, guess who gets it

Is it too late to be good?

Like Seriously.

But clearly not as much as the rest….

Rummaging through my overfed wardrobe, it’s quite clear that I’ve shopped-out this year. I blame the online boutiques for the addiction.

I’ve got tons of new clothes YET I always reach for the same old tattered ones every single time *shrugs*, my comfort zone perhaps? Maybe, maybe…

BUT BUT BUT….call it being in a X’masy spirit, a year end factor, or just fed up with the sight of clothes strewn everywhere coupled with mom’s nagging and reminder, I’ve finally brought myself to give my precious babies away all FREE online to the girls on my favourite forum.

It was a hit – all cleared, a good 30 pieces.

*so long hunnies, mommy’s going to miss you*

It honestly feels so liberating for some reason, although I’m quite sure that’s not the ONLY good deed I’ve done this year. Maybe I’m excited that my newer clothes and the ones I wear often will now have more space to hog. That or, finally the other clothes that I didn’t give much attention and affection have now found a right deserving home and proud owners.

Whatever it is, I’m happy. Overjoyed. Just like Santa Clause feels after his rounds of gifts for the kids that were well behaved during the entire year.

Clearly 2009’s Resolution No 3 – enough of shopping, save more!

Errr unless I’m abroad that is

That said, mustttt resissttt temptation to buy another Coach bag as a year end treat, help!

December – my favorite month of the year coz I can smell the brand new sparkling year already!

*sniff sniff* 2009, please come faster, can?

It also gives me a good reason to start on our 2009 travel plan.

Quick recap of 2008’s travel:

Stranger’s Land:

India – Chennai & Kerala

Thailand – Hatyai

Indonesia – Bali

Australia – Melbourne

Philippines – Manila

Local soils:

Genting Highlands

Penang

Malacca

Kuantan

Ipoh

Port Dickson

Not too shabby if I may say so myself. Looking back of my blog post on travel plans 2008, I can’t believe we managed to fulfill the entire list, yay!

Moving on to great holidays for 2009

*drum roll please*

1)Boracay Island, Philippines – March

This my friend, is paradise on earth – Philippine’s well best kept secret. I remember stumbling on this beauty on someone’s blog months ago and have been captivated by it ever since. And now that hubby will be traveling to Manila for work again next year, what better way to take it as an opportunity and explore this Island. Mena, Dheeraj and Jonas – hopefully you guys will be able to join us – group trip!!

2) Bunaken Island in Manado, Indonesia – July

Ah air flight tickets booked. July please come quick.

3) Vietnam – whenever the other half decides

This one’s here coz the husband wants to go so give and take la With his lousy aptitude for ‘planning’ we’ll see if this REALLY happens

4) Beijing, China – tentatively during Autumn / Winter

Planning on kick starting off our 7 Wonder’s of the World adventure by visiting Beijing during the winter. Hubby’s colleague in Beijing has been kind enough to offer himself as our very own tour guide. So meant to be!

Really am hoping for a good bonus mid next year for this trip. *crosses fingers & toes & every thing else that’s crossable* Help cross too please?

As for exploring local soils:

1) Kota Kinabalu/Labuan/Brunei – July

Tickets booked.

How can we not splurge $ / explore our own country right? The clubbing and sightseeing is good in KK, so I hear As for Labuan – cheap booze and chocolates which I got to enjoy 2 years back so this will be the first for hubby. Maybe I’ll drop by to visit my colleagues in Labuan too .

2) Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi – February

French styled Resort – read alot of bad reviews about the hotel, but I still want to go for the pretty surrounding

Done – my humble travel list for 2009 and my New Year’s Resolution No 2 – to see the world a littleee more.

Can’t wait!

A melting pot of a food connoissuer’s delight and also the one responsible for my weight gain.

Reasons why you’ll love dining here:

1) Extremely affordable and diverse
2) You don’t have to pay through you nose for alcoholic drinks
3) Impressive décor which puts most restaurants in KL to shame.
4) You can stuff yourself silly and drink till pigs fly in a fancy restaurant and yet pay less than RM80 for 2-3 people

Now tell me this isn’t a food haven? TELL ME!

However for the record, hubby and I agree that we can’t tolerate Filipino food. No offence. They eat too much pork and beef and everything else is added with sugar, tons and tons of it.

Well if that’s your cuppa tea then yay, thanks for murdering the cute pigs and cows buddy.

Most of my lunches were done alone and never will I dine single again coz I just felt so alone and misplaced. Hoo hum.

But despite dining alone, I’ve managed to gobble up and discover some of the best tasting food all by myself.

Jolibee – Philippine’s own fast food chain – you absolutely cannot go to Manila and not put this in your tummy.

An entire meal that only cost me RM5, can you scream CHEAP-i-could-eat-you-every-day?

Cibo Italian Restaurant @ Glorietta

Now this came highly recommended on Trip Advisor and for a reason. It was certainly almost an orgasmic experience when I bit into its chicken pannini sandwich – it was literally to die for and the best sandwich I’ve had to date. Period.

Who needs a man when you have Cibos.

I kid I kid.

Figaro’s Coffee House

Discovered by ME – at only RM7, their Caramel Coffee Light was the best blend yet, and heck I don’t usually even drink coffee but hey the cute waiter recommended it to me so what’s a girl to do Ignore? Nuh uh.

And finally, dining with the other half:

We did most our dining at the Greenbelt vicinity because we couldn’t resist its environment and allure. It was such a beautiful and romantic place that immediately sets you in the mood, if you know what I mean *wink*.

Casa Armas

Craving for Spanish? They serve the best tasting Paella ever. Shame on you La Bodega. And despite having drinks and 2 starters, the entire bill came up to only RM80! I checked the bill a few times because I thought they forgot to add in some items, lol. You’ll never end up paying that price in KL for sure. Agreed?

Gilak By Hossein

A highly recommended Persian & Indian Restaurant

Okay this was a tad pricey but what the heck; the food quality – only the best.

See you can even get some local food if you miss home

A Mexican place – can’t remember the name

Authentic chicken wings, chicken salad and the yummiest nachos we ever had. And margarita as cheap as RM9. Need I say more?

Marciano’s Italian New York Restaurant

I picked this restaurant coz I was craving for some Italian but to be honest, the settings got to me. Have no regrets stepping into it. Infact, I miss this place so much. Start a franchise here maybe?

The starters

Hubby’s Pasta

My Risotto

All of the above = Happy satisfied diners

Max’s Restaurant

Our first and last encounter with Filipino food. Don’t quite understand how this outlet is SO popular here.

I ordered some fries but little did I know it came in the form of banana fries that you’re supposed to eat with sugar, like what the freaking hell?

I think I’m sweet enough, heeh.

Bangus (made of milk fish) & Chips

Hubby’s Chicken Meal

My extra bloody sweet carbonara.Who puts chicken liver in carbonara sauce by the way?

Screw Filipino food. Ruined my Sunday lunch!

Another romantic place to dine is definitely Fort Bernifisio which we discovered by chance after our visit to Market Market mall.

The amount of classy restaurants here were overwhelming. You could easily let your tum tum rumble and spend a good 30 minutes deciding just where to eat!! Not an easy task I assure you.

Hubby was craving for some Thai food so off we went to a Thai place which I don’t remember.

Again, can I squeak how gorgeous the settings are?

No Thai iced tea, no talk

Absolute bliss

Sbaro

The place to go for a quick cheap Italian meal. They have all kinds of pizzas that will make your mouth water and make your decision to pick one very hard…

Look Ma – Broccoli pizza for the health conscious. Ahem – obviously wasn’t my meal

Goldilocks

Of course Dheeraj swears that you’ve not been to Manila if you don’t step into Goldilocks Bakeshop, which you can find in every freaking corner. And bless my bestie for he was right, they have some of the yummiest cookies/cakes and my favourite? Their polvoron, which I brought back home.

Brownies Unlimited

Super affordable brownies which I LOVE and MISS. Nuff said.

And last one

Not for eating, although in some countries they wouldn’t hesitate.

Meet Lucky Junior – a family friend’s dog that we visited. Looks like we Indians are everywhere, no? They’ve been living in Manila for 13 years and absolutely love it and it’s easy to understand why.

Gosh, this post just made me realize how much we ate. But like my grandfather used to say, eat and be happy, we just live once afterall don’t we?

Diet? Will do just that next year – definitely No 1 on my New Year’s Resolution.

Speaking of which, have you done yours?

Have a great weekend. Taaaa.