Well, it has been a hectic 3 months since the restaurant openend, and my inactivity on the blog front says it all. Hell, I've only had time to update some pictures onto my Facebook account, apart from replying to the odd e-mail. Anyhow, here's an up-date of my simple life as of the weekend of the 29th May 09.
It was my maid's off day this week, and with Azie having a couple of interviews with her candidates the whole Saturday, it leaves me no choice but to take leave today to be with my mother. Ever since her knee surgeries, and the numerous drugs given to her over the past months, I have a sneaky feeling that some of them has done more harm than good. I'm no doctor, but I think some medicines contained steroids that has resulted in Mak becoming paranoid, especially if she's left alone. She'll have her panic attacks which will be broadcast throughout the whole country, and I'll start getting concerned calls from aunts and uncles telling me to look into it...
So anyway, the day was spent with me having a rare breakfast with Mak, a simple one of toast with peanut butter and jam.At least I managed to catch up on family gossip and who's marrying who etc etc. After breakfast, its the papers to readup on the Jaya Supermarket crash, where Syed Idid's car got some un-wanted bullet holes in the bodywork. It must be said that I truly miss the leisurely morning routine with the papers and the girls climbing all over me....
After lunch, I put the girls to bed and after they've entered dreamland, it's the laptop for some serious Facebooking. After uploading some old photos, it's replying and deleting close to 200 emails dating back to the Cretaceous Period when dinosaurs still ate nothing but Roti Tissue and Kari Kosong at the local mamak stall....
After Maghrib prayers, a simple dinner was in order and after some TV time it's bedtime for the girls. After the grumblings and small tantrums, I managed to bundle the girls into the bedroom and put them to sleep after much cudling and rocking. Looking at them sleep in the dim light, my love and affection for them grows stronger and made me even more determined to make a better life for me and my family, insyallah
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Subak - Key Happenings in Nov/Dec 08
So, this is my first blog entry for the soon-to-be opened restaurant called Subak. Since the first time I laid my eyes on the site back in May/June 08, my enthusiasm and belief in it has grown ten-fold, partly due to its off-the-beaten-track location, but more so due to its cool natural setting, interesting concept and of course it's potential to become the next hit restaurant in the Klang Valley!!!
I'm really glad Badrul recommended Chef Hassan (ex PJ Hilton & Avillion PD Executive Chef) as I instantly knew that what this place has in location and ambiance, it also needed a world-class chef to translate all that onto the dinner plate. So, once Chef said yes, it's just a matter of filling in the other positions in this small team.
1-30 Nov 08
Once Chef left for a 6 week assignment in Mecca, the construction continued slowly but surely, and while juggling responsibilities at the club, I took any opportunity I had to check its progress so that our targetted opening date of mid-Dec 08 can be achieved.
The most gorgeous tiles showed up, and finally the entire restaurant floor took on a more exclusive look. The kitchen floor and wall tiles were also completed, which allowed the workers to move on to the next big task.
One day a few hundred kilos of wood appeared, and hey presto...wooden decking of the coolest kind miraculously appeared all along the front of Subak, around the pool, as well on the hillside. It only took the skilled Madura workers a week to construct a 12' wide deck, which gave me a tonne of ideas in terms of the type of events or bookings we can accommodate. After uncle mentioned Kabus (which is Subak spelt backwards), I thought that would be a fitting name to give the raised decking on the slope.
I met quite a number of POS (point of sale) and coffee machine suppliers to get quotes, as well as a quote for Gurkha security guards from Abang Is, and forwarded them to Boy for Uncle to make the final decision.
1 - 18 December 2008
Grass was then planted, which now gives a soothing feel to the overall site. The kitchen equipment arrived, and boy was it exciting checking out what the next box contained. Babe commandeered the un-loading, while I and Unc Taib referred to Chef's floor plan to arrange each item.
Chuang & Nigel from Cuscapi came to explain their system, as well as go thru the confirmed modules. Arranged a day for Sham and I to check out their demo system at their Peremba Square office.
Farouk & I painted all river stones around the pond with lacquer, which gives them a nicer gleam in the light, and adds a bit of character to each of them. A funny thing happened today when Boy brought some visitors over while I was still in the pond painting the rocks. They might have thought that I was one of the Madura builders, and when Boy introduced me to them, and I whipped out my brand-new business card, I swear I must have detected the sudden intake of air and shocked looks on their faces....oh god, the guy painting in the pond is the manager of this restaurant???!!! Met Chef Benny Yiu, a Master Dim Sum chef from Hong Kong, who supplies to most 5 star hotels.
Finally the tables, chairs, large decorative light shade and huge water pot arrived from Bali. After opening 2 chairs and 1 square table, Sham & Babe set it up facing the Lanai deck, and I must admit that its gorgeous!! But the huge vase created a stir due to its sheer size, and of course its weight (is it really 1 tonne??) Anyhow, I can't wait to see a huge crane, lift this huge pot up to set it down on the pillar in the pond.
Tonight I will sleep with images of beautiful teak furniture, giant water vase made from volcanic rock, painting lacquer all day long in the sun, and Chef Benny cooking some delicious dim sum...zz zzzzzzzzzzzz
I'm really glad Badrul recommended Chef Hassan (ex PJ Hilton & Avillion PD Executive Chef) as I instantly knew that what this place has in location and ambiance, it also needed a world-class chef to translate all that onto the dinner plate. So, once Chef said yes, it's just a matter of filling in the other positions in this small team.
1-30 Nov 08
Once Chef left for a 6 week assignment in Mecca, the construction continued slowly but surely, and while juggling responsibilities at the club, I took any opportunity I had to check its progress so that our targetted opening date of mid-Dec 08 can be achieved.
The most gorgeous tiles showed up, and finally the entire restaurant floor took on a more exclusive look. The kitchen floor and wall tiles were also completed, which allowed the workers to move on to the next big task.
One day a few hundred kilos of wood appeared, and hey presto...wooden decking of the coolest kind miraculously appeared all along the front of Subak, around the pool, as well on the hillside. It only took the skilled Madura workers a week to construct a 12' wide deck, which gave me a tonne of ideas in terms of the type of events or bookings we can accommodate. After uncle mentioned Kabus (which is Subak spelt backwards), I thought that would be a fitting name to give the raised decking on the slope.
I met quite a number of POS (point of sale) and coffee machine suppliers to get quotes, as well as a quote for Gurkha security guards from Abang Is, and forwarded them to Boy for Uncle to make the final decision.
1 - 18 December 2008
Grass was then planted, which now gives a soothing feel to the overall site. The kitchen equipment arrived, and boy was it exciting checking out what the next box contained. Babe commandeered the un-loading, while I and Unc Taib referred to Chef's floor plan to arrange each item.
Chuang & Nigel from Cuscapi came to explain their system, as well as go thru the confirmed modules. Arranged a day for Sham and I to check out their demo system at their Peremba Square office.
Farouk & I painted all river stones around the pond with lacquer, which gives them a nicer gleam in the light, and adds a bit of character to each of them. A funny thing happened today when Boy brought some visitors over while I was still in the pond painting the rocks. They might have thought that I was one of the Madura builders, and when Boy introduced me to them, and I whipped out my brand-new business card, I swear I must have detected the sudden intake of air and shocked looks on their faces....oh god, the guy painting in the pond is the manager of this restaurant???!!! Met Chef Benny Yiu, a Master Dim Sum chef from Hong Kong, who supplies to most 5 star hotels.
Finally the tables, chairs, large decorative light shade and huge water pot arrived from Bali. After opening 2 chairs and 1 square table, Sham & Babe set it up facing the Lanai deck, and I must admit that its gorgeous!! But the huge vase created a stir due to its sheer size, and of course its weight (is it really 1 tonne??) Anyhow, I can't wait to see a huge crane, lift this huge pot up to set it down on the pillar in the pond.
Tonight I will sleep with images of beautiful teak furniture, giant water vase made from volcanic rock, painting lacquer all day long in the sun, and Chef Benny cooking some delicious dim sum...zz zzzzzzzzzzzz
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Saturday, 6th December 2008
So, today is Saturday, which is one day after I put in my resignation letter to AP. Somehow the morning appeared brighter and cheerier, in a weird kinda way, with birds singing and the sun rays streaming down ........(ok ok, that's too Bollywood for my liking!!)After a week of mixed emotions, I finally decided to put in my letter, but instead of a one page affair, I came up with a 4 page masterpiece. It consisted of my usual thanks to certain individuals, followed by my observation since joining AP last June 08.
Anyway, the morning started off with mak telling me of Kak Mons phone call éarly this morning. It seems Bg Mi came home, and told Kak Mon that he wants to meet Mak, and that he misses her. He has been dreaming of Aruah Abah and Mak, and it seems Abah told him to see Mak. Well, I said Alhamdullillah and that it was better later than never. 
Well, after a nice tosai breakfast with my little family, my entire morning was spent preparing the silly INTAN Dining Etiquette EO and Menu card for next Wednesday. Sham kept himself busy playing Solitaire, it is his last day today. By 12pm, the EO's & menus were ready, so I took just 30 minutes to pack away my things in a medium sized box, (a far cry from my hotel junk which normally filled a large box).
We went to Golfer Terrace for Sham to dig into some Nasi Ayam with Wan, while I waited for Azie to pick me up. We spoke about good times, and the hope that AP will realise that they're sitting on a gold mine, and invest in some much needed equipments etc.
Azie picked my up at 1pm, and before we reached home, we stopped over at the garage sale to check it out. Got some unique hats, while Azie bought some nice paper bags. Got home at 2pm and settled down to a light lunch of rice and grilled chicken. Azie bundled off the girls for a nap, while I caught up on some TV time. Bg Nizam, Kak Ah, Nial and Dini popped in at 4pm. By 430pm, my eyelids were so heavy, so had a short nap and got up to send Rina to the Pekeliling Bus Station. It was a nice slow drive to KL, and after dropping Rina off, we went straight home.
Well, after a nice tosai breakfast with my little family, my entire morning was spent preparing the silly INTAN Dining Etiquette EO and Menu card for next Wednesday. Sham kept himself busy playing Solitaire, it is his last day today. By 12pm, the EO's & menus were ready, so I took just 30 minutes to pack away my things in a medium sized box, (a far cry from my hotel junk which normally filled a large box).
We went to Golfer Terrace for Sham to dig into some Nasi Ayam with Wan, while I waited for Azie to pick me up. We spoke about good times, and the hope that AP will realise that they're sitting on a gold mine, and invest in some much needed equipments etc.
Azie picked my up at 1pm, and before we reached home, we stopped over at the garage sale to check it out. Got some unique hats, while Azie bought some nice paper bags. Got home at 2pm and settled down to a light lunch of rice and grilled chicken. Azie bundled off the girls for a nap, while I caught up on some TV time. Bg Nizam, Kak Ah, Nial and Dini popped in at 4pm. By 430pm, my eyelids were so heavy, so had a short nap and got up to send Rina to the Pekeliling Bus Station. It was a nice slow drive to KL, and after dropping Rina off, we went straight home.
Pak Uda, Untie Shaleen, Izaleen and Izdan came over at 645pm and stayed till 830pm. Azie cooked a delicious fettucine with seafood and eggplants for dinner. Called Pius to get directions to the hall for tomorrow's wedding, and found out that all this while, the actual location of the hall was within the Masjid Sallehuddin Al Ayubi compound. After Pak Uda left, got down to update my long neglected blog, and look forward for
tomorrow to come.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday 23rd November 2008
The night before was wrought with tension and surprises as Man United were held 0-0 by a strong Villa side, no thanks to the excellent mastery of Martin O'Neill. Too bad we blew a chance to cut Chelsea's lead at the top of the table. I must have fell asleep around 2am, coz Adriana woke me up at 3am and both of us staggered into the room.
Got up at 630am coz I forgot to reset my alarm clock. It's Sunday morning, dang nabbit!! Anyhow, took a refreshing cold shower and left home for a quick tosai breakfast at our usual joint, before sending Azie to PWTC. On the way back from KL, decided to check out the site at around 9am. Uncle and Ameera showed up around 915am with some brooms, so I made myself useful by sweeping away the pesky leaves from the decking.
I must say that only after the wood decking are up can I now see the full potential of this place. It looks absolutely marvelous, this without the thatched roof, no water in the pond, and no light effects. The view from the deck on the slope was unique, and I just can't wait to see how the room looks like when it's fully installed.
Stopped at a small grocers to buy taugeh, petai, ice cubes etc, and when we arrived, Azie got down to boiling the petai, and served a 6 course meal in 15 minutes, but Mak Puchong cooked a lovely Talapia Masak Lemak dengan Daun Kunyit, which was devoured by us like there's no tomorrow!! 2 large deepfried Talapia's caught my eyes, and quickly disappeared down my throat, with delicious ice cold air sirap.
Got home at 6pm and started to update my family tree, right up will 1030pm. It rained at around 10pm, and with heavy eye0-lids, and the whole household sound asleep, I shut down my trusty laptop at 2235 for some much needed shut-eye.....zzzzzz
Got up at 630am coz I forgot to reset my alarm clock. It's Sunday morning, dang nabbit!! Anyhow, took a refreshing cold shower and left home for a quick tosai breakfast at our usual joint, before sending Azie to PWTC. On the way back from KL, decided to check out the site at around 9am. Uncle and Ameera showed up around 915am with some brooms, so I made myself useful by sweeping away the pesky leaves from the decking.
I must say that only after the wood decking are up can I now see the full potential of this place. It looks absolutely marvelous, this without the thatched roof, no water in the pond, and no light effects. The view from the deck on the slope was unique, and I just can't wait to see how the room looks like when it's fully installed.After 30 minutes of sweeping, I was sweating like a happy pig in a mud hole. Helped to start up the water pump, and after my 10th try, the darned engine decided to start pumping water. Left the site at 1030am for a quick shower, and by 1110am, we left home to pick Azie up from PWTC to go to Puchong.
Stopped at a small grocers to buy taugeh, petai, ice cubes etc, and when we arrived, Azie got down to boiling the petai, and served a 6 course meal in 15 minutes, but Mak Puchong cooked a lovely Talapia Masak Lemak dengan Daun Kunyit, which was devoured by us like there's no tomorrow!! 2 large deepfried Talapia's caught my eyes, and quickly disappeared down my throat, with delicious ice cold air sirap.After lunch, it was nap time for me coz I only got like 3 hours sleep the night before. By the time I woke up, it was 330pm, and we left Puchong by 4pm. On the way, we stopped at the site for Azie to see how gorgeous the decking and bride looked. She was impressed with how it looks now, and surprised at how large it appears.
Got home at 6pm and started to update my family tree, right up will 1030pm. It rained at around 10pm, and with heavy eye0-lids, and the whole household sound asleep, I shut down my trusty laptop at 2235 for some much needed shut-eye.....zzzzzzSaturday, November 22, 2008
22nd Nov 08 - Thank God it's Saturday
This morning was a blur, kicked off with my mobile phone cum alarm shrieking away at 6:30am. Forced my eyes to open up and dragged my body for a much-needed cold shower. After checking my watch that it really is 7am!!!, I got my trusty but dusty golf set out, with the intention of a spot at the driving range. Well, after quck goodbyes to Azie & Mum, I made my way to work, and unfortunately after pumping some petrol, I managed to get to the club a 8am, which put my brilliant driving range plan down the drain.
It is Saturday, so I plonked myself at my usual table, and read the NST voraciously. Rafidah & Sharizat fighting it out for the Wanita leadership, Somalian pirates getting out of hand, Michael Jackson converted to Islam....the usual crap....
Finished coming up with 2 different designs for the Golfer Terrace and Wedding Package menus, using the trusty Publisher templates. Went down for a coffee with Eddy, Sham and Wan at 10am, and only got back to the office at 12pm.
Reached home at 1pm and found the house empty as they've gone to the clinic. Enjoyed that 45 minutes watching my beloved National Geographic, History Channel and Asian Food Channel. The girls were so tired when they got back that they simply disappeared into Bibik's room and all went quiet. Azie prepared lunch, and boy was I in for a surprise. She bought some Salmon head yesterday, and cooked up her trademark Salmon Fish Head Curry with Ladies Fingers, which was the rage when we were back in Leeds. Mum had some with one slice of bread, and of course she had another one as it was absolutely divine...
Checked out the contruction of the back neighbours house which was sold off for RM350K. It was interesting to see an original house with no extensions whatsoever, which gave me ideas of what can be done to our present home, when finances allows it of course.
Updated my dormant blog and updated my family tree, and let's see what the day has in store for us.
It is Saturday, so I plonked myself at my usual table, and read the NST voraciously. Rafidah & Sharizat fighting it out for the Wanita leadership, Somalian pirates getting out of hand, Michael Jackson converted to Islam....the usual crap....
Finished coming up with 2 different designs for the Golfer Terrace and Wedding Package menus, using the trusty Publisher templates. Went down for a coffee with Eddy, Sham and Wan at 10am, and only got back to the office at 12pm.
Reached home at 1pm and found the house empty as they've gone to the clinic. Enjoyed that 45 minutes watching my beloved National Geographic, History Channel and Asian Food Channel. The girls were so tired when they got back that they simply disappeared into Bibik's room and all went quiet. Azie prepared lunch, and boy was I in for a surprise. She bought some Salmon head yesterday, and cooked up her trademark Salmon Fish Head Curry with Ladies Fingers, which was the rage when we were back in Leeds. Mum had some with one slice of bread, and of course she had another one as it was absolutely divine...
Checked out the contruction of the back neighbours house which was sold off for RM350K. It was interesting to see an original house with no extensions whatsoever, which gave me ideas of what can be done to our present home, when finances allows it of course.
Updated my dormant blog and updated my family tree, and let's see what the day has in store for us.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
15th November 2008 - A long long Saturday
The morning started with me jumping the gun and waking up at 0610 hrs, before my 0630 wake-up call!! Oh well, after another 30 minutes of tossing and turning, I hit the shower to really snap out of my slumber. After a cup of Nescafe, I hugged both my babies & left for work.
Got to the club at 0815am and after a quick breakfast of mee hoon and the NST, it's up to the office to finish up my Lunch Promotion for Dec 08 flyer. It now carries a presentable look, and I can't wait to see it printed out in colour. Somehow or rather, everyone waltzed into the office at 10am, but I've become somewhat oblivious to this fact, and just continued my designing work.
Went downstairs at 12pm to check out the wedding set-up. The Golfer's Terrace was heaving with people, so I decided to make myself useful by helping out washing the glasses. Well, it was so busy that I continued doing it, besides topping up the ice cubes, and taking the dirty plates to the stewarding area, right up to 1530hrs. After watching numerous Kuey Teow Beef Gingers passing me, I decided to have it for my hard earned lunch, together with a lovely Nescafe Ice in a giant glass.
Then it's up to the office for some admin work till 1800hrs, and after that, I parked myself at Dewan Seroja and got the back area set-up with a proper clearing area. Well, the dinner started off right after the MB of Terengganu sat down, and by 2000hrs, dinner was over. I then went to the balcony to watch Ashraf Sinclair & his Indonesian bride Bunga Cinta Lestari make their grand entrance. I must say that their pelamin was tastefully done, and took a couple of pics.
Got to the club at 0815am and after a quick breakfast of mee hoon and the NST, it's up to the office to finish up my Lunch Promotion for Dec 08 flyer. It now carries a presentable look, and I can't wait to see it printed out in colour. Somehow or rather, everyone waltzed into the office at 10am, but I've become somewhat oblivious to this fact, and just continued my designing work.
Went downstairs at 12pm to check out the wedding set-up. The Golfer's Terrace was heaving with people, so I decided to make myself useful by helping out washing the glasses. Well, it was so busy that I continued doing it, besides topping up the ice cubes, and taking the dirty plates to the stewarding area, right up to 1530hrs. After watching numerous Kuey Teow Beef Gingers passing me, I decided to have it for my hard earned lunch, together with a lovely Nescafe Ice in a giant glass.
Then it's up to the office for some admin work till 1800hrs, and after that, I parked myself at Dewan Seroja and got the back area set-up with a proper clearing area. Well, the dinner started off right after the MB of Terengganu sat down, and by 2000hrs, dinner was over. I then went to the balcony to watch Ashraf Sinclair & his Indonesian bride Bunga Cinta Lestari make their grand entrance. I must say that their pelamin was tastefully done, and took a couple of pics. Left the club at 2015hrs, and after a much needed shower, Azie cooked for me a lovely but simple dinner, Egg In The Window. And best of all, tonight Man United plays the un-predictable Stoke City, who beat Arsenal 2-1, drew with Chelsea 0-0, and lost to Liverpool 0-1. After only 5 mintues of open play, United gets a free kick 30 yards out, and Ronaldo scored a screamer of a goal which Sorenson didn't deal with very well. So, I'm off to watch another United victory....
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