Life Journey Recently

I back to university again 1 weeks ago although it’s the semester break. I needed to wait the feedbacks from the supervisors for improvement and also met up with the supervisors too.

I can’t do anything too in hometown except constant worries. So, back to university was the perfect solution for me. Phd journey seemed no semester break. I must do my research works throughout the years.

Here’s my life recently.

1. Celebrations

My next dorm room neighbor organized Hari Raya open house (22 July 2016) and invited me to join. It can’t categorized as open house in fact since it’s dorm room only. Also it was not open as she invited few of us. The best way to address-“Hari Raya Close Room”. LOL

I was the second person to arrive there. I’m not glutton but punctual and respect to my next dorm room neighbor. To my surprise, she and her friend capable in preparing most of the foods under dorm room environment (limited kitchen spaces and kitchen utensils). 

So, the foods covered 3 sections. Section 1: appetizer, section 2: main course, section 3: dessert. All the foods and drinks were so tasty. I got two rounds but surrendered after that.

Section 1: Appetizer

 Section 2: Main Course

Section 3: Dessert

One of the group photo (but I mosaics all of them). We really had the great time for interactions. I personally thought it was like the “ice breaking” chance for everyone.

First in my lifetime received Ang Pau from next dorm room neighbor. But inside was the Kitkat instead of the money.  Next dorm room neighbor joked with me by saying “I’m not married yet so no Ang Pau”

Ang Pau from Hari Raya 2016 

Anyway, I’m quite satisfied already no matter in foods and also her hospitality. She so concerned with every guest until I felt like I was in the flight as she kept on asking “what kind of drinks that you want? apple juice, orang juice?” I also wondered why she only concerned about drinks instead of foods. There were plenty of foods over there. 

Another Hari Raya open house (28 July 2016) was organized by the university itself. It was so crowded at the time we reached there around 11.00 am. It seemed the food booths run out of a lot of foods already.

This event looked grand, you know!

Such a big event as I saw most of the university staff appeared there. I noticed each faculty contributed few types of foods and they helped with each other.

 Tomato rice, ayam masak merah and chicken sate 

Raya Open House partner. Unique experience sitting on the floor for having our lunch. 

I spend around 2 hours over there and quite enjoy too.  

2. Eating Out

During semester break,I managed to get my lunch at Subaidah (managed by India Muslim) or Red House (managed by local Malays). Red House-weekdays; Subaidah- weekend.

This time I preferred Red House (though pricey) as I liked the way they cooked vegetables. More “ching “and not oily. It’s completely suited my taste. Subaidah was opened for the whole semester break. But I can’t have curry for the whole days or weeks. I might get a heat stroke. 

Plus I didn’t fancy their fried-related foods. Really lacked MSG, so it damn bitter. Dinner mostly I cooked by my own.  Beehoon sup was in my top list. 

 Fried chicken Subaidah was my favorite-crispy and crunchy 

wide varieties of curry 

3. Shopping 

Next dorm room neighbor recommended the Arabic Supermarket at the university inn for buying chicken luncheon meat as difficult to found halal luncheon meat. So I dropped by this Arabic Supermarket with next dorm room neighbor.

Al-Sham Arab Shop 

My first impression was although it looked small but well-equipped. All the basic groceries could be found there. No more worries anymore!

 sweets that were different with Malaysia 

 big and round dry lemons. Perhaps cooking usage for Arabic people 

 Olive oils and honey 

  "Shi Shi" biscuits with types of flavors. 

 chicken luncheon meats,tuna fishes 

pickles,pickles and pickles again 

I realized I was very “Sua Ku” because I curious with all the Arabic products like canned foods, olive oils, tidbits, perfumes, teas at there. These were not I accustomed to see in local supermarkets.

It enhanced curiosity again when all the Arabic products with Arabics words that hardly to understand. So, I touched and smelled every Arabic products. I got “question and answer session” with the Arabic counter staff too while I eager to figure out the certain Arabic products. 

4. Dorm Room Cooked Foods

I inspired by hometown relative to prepare below egg mayonnaise and bake beans sandwiches. That was my own “not repeat breakfast” challenge in hostel.

egg mayonnaise and bake beans sandwiches

Honestly, the next day I repeat the breakfast again. LOL. Seriously, I lacked of stamina to brainstorm the breakfast idea the day before. Just imaged the kids and husband surely complained if one day I had the family.

I was so eager to make below chicken luncheon meat, egg mayonnaise and tomato slice sandwiches when I bought the Arabic chicken luncheon meat.

Arabic chicken luncheon meat got strong smell of pepper. But it tasted good-not too salty, not soft and quite firm. 

Arabic chicken luncheon meat 

Pardon me, I got the awful cutting skills. 

That’s all. Hopefully update soon if I got the “interesting” life (because I did the same thing everday) again!

Kimchee Korean Bar. BQ, Sibu

Naruto and I craved for Korean food. So, we paid a visit to Kimchee Korean BBQ as suggested by Mickey.

It was next to old Sing Kwong supermarket

Once I entered, I was greeted with strong smell of grilled meat and customers’ laughter.

So far I liked the unique decorations of Kimchee Korean Bar. BQ. It had cozy feel-wooden chairs, wooden tables, warm lighting, Korean chopsticks, Korean spoons, the walls that contained Korean wines 

Their back had walls of wine to choose and also wooden table & chair 

Just glanced through the menu and found that the prices were reasonable (between RM 20-RM 60) and not expensive like Korean restaurants in Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.

By the way, Kimchee Korean Bar. BQ offered wide varieties of Korean foods such as ramyeon, japchae, jajiang mian, kimchi fried rice, bibimbap, kimchi jigae, kimchi pancake, tteobokki & alcoholic drinks 

Since only 3 of us, we ordered japchae, kimchi jigae, Daepae samgyeopsal, a jug of green tea.

After ordering, the waiter then served ban chan (side dishes). We got 7 ban chan (side dishes). I liked all the ban chan (side dishes) and it’s very appetizing.

ban chan (side dishes)

We even refilled ban chan (side dishes) for 3 times with no extra charge. I could say the service was very fast and efficient when serving ban chan (side dishes).

But it didn’t apply when we requested ices cubes of green tea for 2 times.  The waiter completely forgot or ignored us. Perhaps they should improve on that matter.

Then, the waiter placed the charcoal down the grill pan. Since Naruto and Mickey wanted to play with the grill pan, thus we preferred to choose self service. 

hot charcoals

The pork slices (RM 23) were very thin 

Then, the waiter placed the charcoal down the grill pan. Since Naruto and Mickey wanted to play with the grill pan, thus we preferred to choose self service.  Don’t worry, the waiter occasionally checked on us.

But if you didn’t like to do it by yourself, don’t hesitate to ask the waiter to grill for you! #likeaboss #sitback #relaxandeat

Grilling tips: put 3 pieces of pork slices onto the grill pan at one time and then cut them into smaller pieces. I recommended not to grill too many pork slices at first especially BBQ beginner like us because we needed to monitor and flip the grilled pork slices from times to times for even cooking.

The grilled pork was ready to eat when it’s thoroughly turned to brown color. Grilled pork was juicy, tender, succulent and slightly crispy on the edges.

We eat the grilled pork by wrapping with the lettuce and added with some chopped garlic, ban chan (side dishes), grilled onion and mushrooms.

For an extra kick, we even dipped with soy bean paste.

lettuces, chopped garlic and soy bean paste 

The amount of grilled meat was enough for 3 of us (we're not the huge eater). Mickey and I surrendered for second round except Naruto. 

Japchae (RM 20). Japchae smelled fragrantly. The meat, carrots and green peppers were well-flavored. It really tasted similar like the Japchae in Seoul. I enjoy this so much. This dish actually warranted my next visit. Hehehe 

Kimchi Jiggae (RM 20). It offered generous amount of tofu, onions, kimchi and glass noodles. The soup had appropriate amount of spiciness, sourness and saltiness. So yummy!!! How I wished it appeared in front of me right now! #notenough

Our happy face before digging the foods 

The downside of Kimchee Korean Bar. BQ was awful ventilation. So, we leave with strong grilled meat smelt.

Last but not least, I thought Kimchee Korean Bar. BQ was value for money because not too expensive and the foods were in satisfactory level (I don’t expected too much and just wanted to fix my Korean foods craving).

Kimchee Korean Bar.BQ

Email: kimchee2886@yahoo.com.my

Facebook: Kimchee Korean Bar.BQ

Address: 18 & 20, 1st floor, Lorong Intan 6, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak

2 Days 1 Night in Sibu Jaya

Update on **8-9 July 2016**

Papa and Mama purposely off to Sibu for attending their close friend’s wedding party. Naruto became the driver to send them over there meanwhile Mickey and I just tagged along.

Due to late night after wedding party, we chose to overnight with my Aunty at Sibu Jaya. 

Here's what we did when we're in Sibu Jaya

#1. Breakfast at Xin Guan Fah Cafe

Aunty brought us for breakfast at Xin Guan Fah Cafe as she knew us were morning group. 

looked bright, clean and spacious

This stall offered kolo mee, laksa, cao cai fen gan, fried related foods, kuey teow soup, bee hoon soup and so on 

We ordered 1) Loh Mee 2) Laksa 3) Bee Hon Soup with extra 4) Red Wine Mee Suah

and Kampua with extra. The noodles was very springy and the overall was very aromatic. The extra was in generous amount.

Aww, finally we met with each other after for so many years not seeing each other 

#2. Visiting Pasar Ria Sibu Jaya 

Next, we proceeded to market Sibu Jaya, called as Pasar Ria. Not crowded at the market because it was very early when we're there. The market environment also very clean and I'm quite comfortable with it.

It's not an easy to earn a living

 Interesting business weapon to enhance the sales revenue. The 2 fishes meant 年年有余, while the rotten fish catcher net signified the money was trapped in the fish catcher net. In brief, money will always come

apparel section

Wanna grabbed one of them home but it's in exorbitant price (RM 168), thus changed my mind

#3. Shopping at Everwin Supermarket 

After that, we adjourned our way to Everwin supermarket. It had 2 floors. First floor had basic groceries. Second floor sold various food containers (that's reminded me the most) and other kitchen utensils. 

#4. Shopping at Kim Hock Supermarket

Then, we went to Kim Hock Supermarket. It also had 2 floors: as usual 1st floor deal with basic necessities items, 2nd floor had make-up products, clothes, kitchen utensils and so on. 

I'm impressed with the blouses of Kim Hock Supermarket. Most of the blouses were damn pretty and suited me very well. Other than that, the price ranged below RM 30 and the blouses' materials were so comfortable. I ended up bought 2 pieces of blouses. 

1st floor 

2nd floor

#5. Lunch at Kim Hock Food Court

Then, we back Aunty's home for resting. Later, Aunty persuaded us to have lunch again before back home. Even our stomach still fulled with the breakfast, but we managed to go Kim Hock Food Court for lunch. All of us opted for chap fan (1 vegetable, 1 meat=RM 3.00). 

I heard Aunty said the chicken rice in Kim Hock Food Court was not bad because it's done by famous chicken rice seller in Sibu. Next time I'll try. 

人齐了，就是要自拍。 Oh no, Ah Hown was absent. 

#6 Playing with Hugo 

Not only Aunty and her family looked forward for our arrival but also her pet, Hugo. Hugo followed us passionately wherever we went and also begged us to carry it.

This fury boy really knew how to make me happy. It liked to lick my face non stop  

That's all. I had the fantastic times in Sibu Jaya-great food and great companion (human being & dog)