#Medan2013 ~ Eye Opening Family Holiday Experience

Started couple of years ago, since we can financially afford it, we started taking our parents for holidays. We took them separately, one trip for my parents, one trip for my inlaws. And so far, our travel has only been in Malaysia.

This year, acknowledging time constraint, me juggling with work, home and study, I suggested to my better half to take both of our parents for one same trip. He hesitated at first, afraid we may take more than we can chew. I convinced him otherwise. And to make it more interesting, let's go to Bandung & Jakarta.

However, after consulting friends, we changed our destination to Medan. More manageable it seems. Traffic not too bad. More suitable for much more senior traveller. So, Medan it is. 

I am not going to write about the whole 4 days 3 nights adventure. That can wait. I want to write what this trip taught me.

It taught me ;

1. How blessed I am to have 2 sets of parents who love me unconditionally. Who have been with me through good and bad times. Who supported me through my darkest hour. And at times I forgot all this and care too much about others who don't even matter. Those who choose when they would want to be with me. Those who choose to judge me and throw conviction without even wanting to understand the whole situation. I should stop giving this bunch of goons any airtime. 

2. How blessed I am to have a wonderful man I call husband. I watched him this 4 days taking care of both my parents and his. Making sure everyone is comfortable. This one time, our parents were tired and sat down to rest at Dunkin Donuts Medan Mall. My dad and mom wanted carbonated drinks and Dunkin don't serve them. He went on searching for that drinks until he managed to give them to my parents. Also, making sure they are safe and protected. I am once again convinced this is the man I want to grow old with. 

3. How blessed I am to have well behaved kids. Who don't throw tantrums, even when they were very little. Who are not demanding and follow the flow. Who have small requests like a dip in the pool or 2 hours of internet usage before off to bed. Ilham is like his Papa, making sure his grandparents are comfortable. All 3 made sure their grandparents were served when we have buffet meals. All Atosk, Wan and Nenek need to do is just tell them what they feel like eating and food is served! I am definitely blessed.

So, I know for sure, despite all the nonsense I have to deal with on daily basis at work (not to mention those who have nothing better to do than making my work difficult) or other places out of home, I will forever have an awesome family I can go home to, something not many people have. I have their unconditional love, see me for who I really am and not what's on my name card or some email announcement. Who will constantly have me in their doas, making sure I succeed in whatever I do (and I am pretty sure, I am who I am today because of their doas). Who have always been there when others disappear. 

In total,

Flight ticket - Approx RM3000

Tour Ground Package - Approx RM6000 (full board)

Shopping money for parents and self - RM5000

Total eye opening experience....PRICELESS.

Alhamdulilah, I am no doubt definitely blessed.

Signing off,

liza365.blogspot.com

And I start to run again

One of few new interests I developed since 2011 is participating in running events, though technically I did not run, I just walk, and I walk fast. This year I did not get to participate in any events. I would like to give work and study hecticness as a reason but even I don't buy that. I am a believer, if I want to make it happen I'll make time. If I don't get to do it, it's due to my poor time management and I should spare myself from giving excuses :). Just like how I kept on procrastinating in choosing a healthy lifestyle to loose weight. If there's a t-shirt that says " I start my diet tomorrow", I must have been wearing that t-shirt for 11 years. Talk about taking procrastination to another level. Well, that's another blog entry all together.

So, for 2013, I decided to start participating in running events again. I have been subscribing to this website called Hooha via this link http://www.hooha.asia/ for nearly 2 years which gives me updates on the latest running events organised all over Malaysia. Been ignoring their updates for almost a year, time to pay attention and really read their emails. Another website where I get my update is http://www.themarathonshop.com.my/. Easy reference for all consolidated running events.

I am happy to announce *chewah*, I have registered myself for one running event in March. Well, I know I wanna start immediately, but running events are no joke. You need to train otherwise you will be so prone to injury.  Of course, to build up the stamina so that you get to complete the race. And if you are ambitious and wants to win it, you need to train harder. Like me, I settled for a finisher medal. As much as I am a positive person and I know I can do anything if I put my mind to it, I don't plan to kill myself along the way.

Few running events I really want to be part of for 2013. One of them is KL Marathon yearly organise yearly by Standard Chartered. I registered for it in 2011 but did not get to participate due to work *whatelse*. This year I am determined I will be part of it. 

Another event would the Putrajaya Night Race. It's an open secret how I love Putrajaya. And I love Putrajaya more at night. So running in Putrajaya at night will be an ideal situation. Took part in 2011, ran 5km. So for 2013, I want to do 10km, Insyallah.

"Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." On that quote, I aimed to take part is Penang Bridge Marathon. Of couse, I will do only the 10km. Not ready for 21km, maybe for 2014 once I survived the 10km. 

So, talk is cheap. I better be prepared for all this. Started my 45 minutes walking session this morning and need to sustain the momentum.

Hendak seribu daya, tak nak seribu dalih kan?

Signing off,

liza365.blospot.com

Liza Got Taste ~ @grills, Bangi

I dread to do this entry. Simply because I am on diet and this time I am determined I'll stick to it until I get to my ideal weight. So, evidently this was an overdue entry and in my attempt to blog consistently, I have compiled all the lists of items which I wanted to blog about so that I don't forget.

Our family love western food. However, the challenge is it's difficult to get a descent one which doesn't cost a bomb. There are few nice places but you can't have it that often as the price can burn a big hole on your pockets. So, when this new place opened in Bandar Baru Bangi, we were quite excited to give it a try.

The place is called @grills located behind Paparich, same row as Mohd Chan Restaurant in Bandar Baru Bangi. Full address No 50, Jalan Medan Pusat 2C, Persiaran Bangi, Bandar Baru Bangi. Not difficult to find, it's very near to PKNS Bangi. Parking for now is not an issue, not many shops with a lot of patrons open at the area.

Deco wise, oklah. Not too bad. I think they are supposed to open the top floor as well. For now, it is still not ready. In fact, you can see kitchen utensils from the display window. Not a good scene I must say. They have both indoor and outdoor seating for obvious reasons, separating smokers and non smokers. As you enter, there's dessert bar with cakes offerings. Not a sweet tooth person so not attracted. Kids and my better half however, love this.

How's the food. Well, we have been here 3 times, so not too bad. The prices are ok as well, not too pricey like other western food outlet. The selections are quite a spread. They even have lobsters for those who have high taste and high budget. What I love the most is their pasta selection. My kids love pasta like lasagna and mac and cheese. Normal steak house don't really have that. I love their lamb chop, very nicely cooked with delicious pumpkin puree and mashed potatoes.

Service was good on our first 2 trips, the last trip was not that ok. The food was served late and we even waited for more than 5 minutes before someone took our order. However, they have improved in terms of payment method. Previously only cash is accepted, now they have started to accept cards.

The last trip we had, we had this selection.

So, for those who want to try, you can refer to their FB fan page for more info.

My take, worth the try. They just need to maintain their good service level like the first time we came. 

Signing off,

liza365.blogspot.com