Pasar Malam! Streets of Malaysia, #2

PASAR MALAM! YUMYUMYUM!

or known as 'night market' in English is the best place to get foooooooood! Pasar Malam can be found on the streets of Malaysia, in every state.. I think.

There is a night market about 5 minutes away from my house that operates every week on Wednesday evenings selling food and vegetables. I've been going there ever since I was a kid. I would always go to stall that sells Kelantanese dishes. My personal favourite would be the stall's Nasi Dagang and Kerabu with fried fish in flour. Then, I would walk to the opposite stall to buy 'apom balik' or known as peanut cake in English and pick up a piece. Later on, my mother and I would walk to the vegetables stall to buy some fresh vegetables. I would then take a stroll to the snack stall selling peanuts and crackers to buy and bring snacks to school to share with my friends. Lastly, I would go to the soya stall to buy soy custards (YUMM!).

Apom Balik! 

(Source: http://i.cdn.cnngo.com/)

A full set dish of Nasi Kerabu.

(Source: rieainasakri.blogspot.com)

Delicious aye?

Well, those were the things I bought every Wednesday as a routine but not anymore. Two things I'm still loyal buying in a night market up to this day are the Nasi Dagang with fried fish in flour and the soya custards. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to snap any pictures from the night market as I haven't been there for weeks.

A night market doesn't necessarily sells food. I've been to the night market in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail when I was younger and ohh my, I remember the market was hugeeee! That was where I bought my hair comb which lasted for more than 6 years. I remember buying video tapes of the Power Rangers series as well and little knick knacks while my mother was shopping for food. Other than that, clothes were also sold and I think they still do up to this day.

Writing this post is making me having the urge to go to a night market. Oh well :)

The Dark Side. Streets of Malaysia, #1

Hiyaaa readers! Hope you all are doing fine :)

"The Dark Side" 

Did you expect something positive as referred to the weekly theme "Streets of Malaysia"? A tour post or some sort? With all the negativity going around, I think it's about time I share my stories and opinions on the dark side of our streets.

I'm sure you've heard about the rapes, snatch thefts in the recent years and of course, the acid splashing attacks happening around Kuala Lumpur. The stories below that I'm about to share are based from experiences or stories told by my family and friends.

RAPE CASES

I remember back when I was 12, it was during the beginning of the year, specifically January and my mother and I were watching the news. This case happened in Sarawak by the way. It was a typical school day when a girl who was on her way to school using her usual route got raped and killed. That was only the beginning. A month after that, a girl got raped and killed by a guard at a power station and as the years followed, rape cases happened but none were as shocking as what I'm about to share. This occurred in the town I live in, Wangsa Maju. The girl was walking alone at a night market when all of the sudden, she was taken by a mysterious white van. About a few days later, her body was found stuffed in a duffel bag in Petaling Jaya and she had a cucumber stuffed into her private part and the poor girl was only about 8 or 9 if I'm not mistaken. This case shocked everyone and it's something I'll NEVER forget. Why? It happened in my town and the way the girl was murdered is considered barbaric. I remember my mother shedding a few tears while she was watching a live telecast of the girl's funeral on the news. Sadly, the culprit was never caught but according to the news I read around last year, her parents have not given up hope to catch the culprit until justice is served. 

SNATCH THEFTS

A colleague of my mother's was walking around the streets of Penang. She was wearing dangling golden earrings if I'm not mistaken when all of the sudden, a man on a motorcycle drove by and snatched one of her earrings (OUCCCCHHH!). A friend of mine, told me about her experience. She and her mother were walking nearby Mid Valley when a man on a motorcycle snatched her mother's bag. Luckily both of them were alright but it's definitely something traumatizing to her and her mother.

There was once when I was driving along Jalan Bukit Bintang, a popular area with many tourists walking along the street and I saw a signboard reading "Beware of Snatch Thieves". I didn't know signs like that existed. To see this signboard was something new to me as I have never encountered this in other places before. Snatch thefts are definitely something to be aware of and it definitely gives a negative view to the tourism industry of our country.

TAXI DRIVERS

Thinking of riding a taxi ladies? Well, think twice. This happened to a dear friend of mine back in 2007. She was at Sungei Wang Plaza when she decided to take a taxi back to school. She had already told the driver where her destination was and the driver nodded and drove as a normal taxi driver would. Unfortunately, she was in the wrong place and time. The driver used a different route and kept on yelling at her whenever she alerted the driver. She could tell something was fishy and was brave enough to have jumped out of the taxi. I was in school at that time on my way to the toilet when I saw her sitting by the staircase crying. She had apparently sprained her arm and walked back to school all the way from where the incident occurred.

ACID SPLASHING

Hot topic of the weeeeeeek! Earlier this morning, a woman in her 30's was splashed by acid making her the splasher's 21st victim. This happened in MY TOWN AND AREA. Wangsa Maju, Section 10 to be precise. This area isn't huge. I go around Section 10 every time I go out as it is a hill and a one way road. So, imagine if I had drove out today in the morning with my windows rolled down. Chances of getting splashed were high. Seriously, my area specifically would be the last place in my mind for the splasher to come. A few weeks ago, my mother had warned me about this attack as her friend's boss was one of his victims. Fortunately, she survived with only minor injuries.

As the victims are mostly ladies, please do stay cautious wherever you're at. Pray hard and always be alert. For the guys, do take care of your loved ones <3

A Night to Remember. no specific topic, #2

Happy Sunday!

Hello readers! I've been feeling kind of nostalgic lately. So for today's post, I'll be blogging about my school's prom night.

So, what comes to your mind when the word 'prom' is mentioned?. For me, it's the night whereby I have been waiting for ever since secondary school started and it is also the final night to celebrate senior year. The thought of wearing the perfect dress, having perfect hair and make up for months prior before 'The Night' still tingles my mind.

The first few months of '10 started out with us, seniors thinking about the location, time and the theme of where prom would be held but we weren't really cracking our heads at that time. I wasn't part of the committee but my friends and I did try to help and gave suggestions as well. As months passed and time progressed, there was a point where we couldn't find a venue as places were booked by other schools in advanced for prom!. Therefore, prom was ALMOST cancelled but luckily with a friend's connections we managed to book a place and YES, we had our prom <3. A few weeks before prom, the guys were asking girls on dates while the girls were worrying about their dresses and what not (I bought my dress last minute!).

Then came.. 'THE NIGHT'. Prom was held on Tuesday, 21st December 2010 at Impiana Hotel, KLCC. I remember the night clearly as it was memorable. Getting a good night's sleep before prom was worth it. Waking up in the morning feeling pumped, receiving texts from the girls asking what time to arrive and what not and the guys coming over to my place to pick up my drumset in the morning for prom. I went to the saloon in the afternoon to get my hair done and waxed (OUCH! but recommended). Came back home, did my nails, showered (Scrubbed :p teeheee but you didn't need to know that. It felt sooo gooood!), put on my dress, did VERY simple make up as I was worried of looking different and did final touch ups (The dress and etc.). I told my mum I felt like it was going to be my wedding night and the next time I'll be like this would probably be before my wedding itself :p.

So, my mum drove me there and to make things worst, there was a jam (Luckily, we made it in time!). My date planned to pick me up but he had rehearsals to attend to as he and my friends (The DropOuts!) were performing that night. I remembering entering the dim-lighted Ballroom looking at my form mates sitting at their respective tables. Everyone looked beautiful. My table was located at the front (We had good seats!). I was happy to have sat surrounded by my closest friends. The night progressed with The Dropouts performing songs like 'I Gotta Feeling', 'Dynamite, 'Billionaire' and more, lucky draw! (My date won as mp3 player!), dancing and awards. My best friend, Hanif won the best dressed award for the male category while I was nominated (Surprisingly? DIDN'T EXPECT IT AS MY DRESS WAS SO SIMPLE!) in the best dressed, female category. The food was good and I remember taking my heels off to dance with my friends (We were also crazy enough to jump on stage and dance).

 Jason.

 Our table.

 The DropOuts performing!.

 :)

On stage :p

 Mun Lung! Seen him around? He studies in Lakeside as well.

 Tuck Yan, PORK SAUCE!

 Azri and Wai Yu.

BeBella!

 Chloee! Okay, Diz :p

Lara :)

BEST DRESSED!

 Poh Yee.

The guys :) HANDSOMEHANDSOME =D

AWWW :)

The night ended with my friends and I hanging out at the hotel. To summarize it all, it was a memorable night :'). The last night with my form mates in the same hall. By the way, this post is meant to be nostalgic so for those who went and enjoyed their prom night, I don't blame you for reminiscing.

*This is dedicated to my closest friends aka Nif, Dizzy, Teemah, Foo, Hera, Mimi, Dilz, Thirah and Iim :) No matter where we all end up, I will always miss you guys and I would like to take this opportunity to apologize if I have offended or hurt any of you ever since day one. Thank you for everything <3 You guys are like family to me and I love you all soooo much :).*

SATURDAY FUNFUNFUN! no specific topic, #1

Happy Saturday Everyone!

FUN

FUN

FUN

Yes, fun! For today's post, I shall be blogging about my productive (according to my standards) Saturday. I woke up early today because my friends and I had planned to go to the Bird Park. Firstly, I'd like to introduce them before I continue my post :) They are Arif, Li Ann and Rahim (I gave them nicknames as well! So to Nadiah and the rest, you guys aren't my only victims :p).

Ah yes, the Bird Park. FACT! 'It's the world's largest free-flight aviary' according to the pamphlet and it is located in Taman Perdana, one of the beautiful parks located in Kuala Lumpur! (CCHHEECCKK IITT!). We spent about 2 hours in there walking up and down the park. There were many species of birds and beautiful landscapes as well. Apart from walking up and down, Rahim was chased by a peacock. He also decided to stuff a pamphlet of the Bird Park into the emus exhibit. One of the emus ended up picking the pamphlet and another came and tried to fought for it. Luckily, no one was around to witness it as we were the only ones around the exhibit. Then, we decided to snack on oatmeal-chocolate brownies made by Arif's Aunt (SOO GOOD. IT WAS CHEWY AND YUMMY!) before lunch.

 Rahim and I.

 Baby chicks!

Baby ducks! 

After spending some time at the Bird Park, we headed back to Arif's house. Just to get our adrenalines pumped, we raced on the highway. Specifically the DUKE. For reader's discretion it is not safe. Do not try this at your nearest highway. Speed Kills. Literally. Even for a useless experiment that will not benefit mankind whatsoever. Although the car was a Toyota Camry and a Volkswagen Sirocco (for the record, it was fun), God intervened by putting a jam at a strategically placed area. On a brighter note, the car I was in (Toyota Camry) won.

We then decided to have a late lunch at IKEA because Arif and I were craving for their meatballs and Daim cake. Speeding all the way from Ampang to Mutiara Damansara (B-A-D) we stumbled upon a roadblock. Fortunately, we managed to pass through it. AHH MEATBALLS & DAIM CAKE! The long queue was worth it, It was so goooooood!. Later on, we walked around IKEA and IKANO just to kill time.

Arif and Li Ann.

  The day then slowed down by me heading home, doing chores and heading to my grandparents' house. My cousins were there and we hung out. I had dinner as well. FACT! I <3 MY GRANDMOTHER'S COCO JELLY. In conclusion, I had a pretty productive day. I'd like to go and visit some other places rather than heading to the shopping mall every weekend like I did today. YOU SHOULD TRY AS WELL :)

Quote of the day:

"Do or do not there is no try."

 -Yoda .