Collage...an all-day dining @Pullman Central Park

I’ve been an Accor member for few years already. I get lots of benefit from the membership, such as the 2 free nights stay at any Accor hotel in Asia Pacific region, special early bird rate and member rate, discount for meals and beverages, as well as free bday cake, to name few. The free bday cake voucher can only be redeemed in the month of the member’s bday, with a condition that the member has to dine in at one of any available café/resto at the hotel where we are going to redeem the voucher. No minimum amount is required.

The island counter

So, since September is my hubby’s bday month, so we planned to try the bday cake of Pullman Central Park. We’ve tried the one @Mercure Ancol as well as the one @Pullman Thamrin (former Nikko Hotel). And we chose to have all-you-can-eat dinner @Collage, an all-day dining venue @Pullman CP. Here, reservation is encouraged in order for them to prepare the cake as well. Too bad, we couldn’t choose the cake, they only have Chocolate Fudge. I remembered Mercure Ancol offers 3choices of cake (with prior reservation) while Pullman Thamrin has various kind of cake that we can freely choose from (we don’t even need to make a reservation here).

The hotel interior with the pop art pieces

Anyway, I love Collage. I love the place…I love the food…and I love the staff. Let’s talk bout the place first. This is my second time here @Pullman CP. It is totally different with the one @Thamrin or even @Kuta beach – Bali. For their interior, they play a lot with metal, iron, wire and steel in a rough finishing. They put uneven metal planks scattered at one of the ceiling, while they have rough grey tiles for one of the floor. Steel can be found almost everywhere, from the door, elevator, restroom to decoration ornament in the lounge. Totally giving us the look and feel of a fancy factories or cool big warehouse. But, no worry, the cozy feeling is still there with a plush sofa, cute back chair and soft lighting. Not to mention the awesome pop-art pieces put on display around the hotel, definitely adding certain sparkle toward the grayish atmosphere. AWESOME!

Still at the hotel lobby

Now, lets move on to the food. I was quite surprised to see the dishes offered there. I made a mental judgment whether I could try all of them (and silently counted the calories as well) he he he. For those who have a small appetite, no worry since they also offer ala carte menus. While for me and my hubby…well I was pretty hungry at that time (I normally have my dinner at 5pm but I managed to hold my hunger till 7.30pm – the traffic was pretty bad hiks) so I didn’t even consider the ala carte ones. In the resto, they separate the seating into few areas, the one near the entrance is for ala carte, cozy and intimate seating in the middle as well as the high chair near the reflective glass window (separating with the terrace).

The dining floor

We got our seats in the middle one, right in front of the island counter (pretty strategic I would say so he he he). Unlike any other resto, they directly poured us plain water (which later on, they offered other beverages on the menu – exclusive from the buffet charge). There were salad with any kind of dressing, assorted breads and buns, various cold meats like smoke salmon even complete options of seafood on ice (ehm..i skipped these, too messy), fruits, as well as other appetizers and condiments on the island counter. The Japanese counter was there as well, with selected sashimi, various kinds of sushi, miso soup, chicken karage, takoyaki (too bad – it’s best served while hot and warm), and many more. I was stunned, since most of Japanese counter at other buffet resto like this, normally only offers some sushi and sashimi (unless Japanese buffet resto like my fav – Origami @Pullman Thamrin which unfortunately is closed for renovation until further notice). We directly asked for the salmon sashimi (double portions pls he he he) and it was yummy…fresh with no fishy smell at all   J

Ehm...yummy   :-)

Next, I moved on to other counter at the back, which offered European and Mexican cuisines. There were nachos (yum…yum), vegetable lasagna, pasta counter, grilled chicken, and beef moussaka (minced beef with chopped onion, tomatoes, other veg, baked with cheese – I guessed he he he) which turned out to be my liking *licking fingers* I like the baked pumpkin too…it tasted perfectly sweet. But the best part in this counter was the short ribs (with mushroom sauce) which were sooo juicy, tender and melted in my mouth…oh heaven…I WANTED more! And I did get more wakaka…I asked my dear hubby to get some for me. Thank you dear *muach*

Look at that cute ceiling, like a curling paper

Then, I moved to the middle counter. It had sautéed veg, beef tagine (another good dish), lamb something in spiced sauce, chicken something which I didn’t try, seafood something in cheesy sauce which was pretty yummy, and lots more. Sorry, it was difficult to memorize all the dishes names since I was too focus on choosing and filling my stomach *grinning* After resting for few mins, I moved on to the most right corner. I tried some dimsum at Chinese corner there, but nothing special here. There were Indonesian dishes like dory fish in sour and spicy sauce, the usual fried rice and fried noodle, veg and many more. The Makasar grilled duck was yummy (marinated duck in lemon grass and many spices – the chef explained to me but I forgot all of them when I had my first bite he he he). I don't like lemon grass but this duck was so delicious that I didn't bother with the lemon grass at all. For sambal-lover like me (yes, the first thing that I asked was…do you have any chili to go with these dishes?), they had a complete set of sambal, from dabu, matah, chili with ginger, and many more (I counted 7 types of different sambal WOW).

The tableware

An hour had passed and I felt quite full already. However, I still strolled over to the rest of the counter. Here they had Indian signature dishes like masala rice, poultry – seafood – and veg – all 7 pots were in a deep yellow colour like curry (with some fragrant spice). My oh my…don’t they have any other dishes not in yellow colour or coconut milk? My stomach can’t deal with coconut milk easily so I skipped all those Indian foods (I only took a peek on each pot...it was amazing the chef knew which one is what...while all of them looked like curry to me ha ha ha). Next I went to the dessert counter, the most a far counter (near the entrance area). Here, adjacent to the pastry and bakery store, ice cream, various pudding and jellies in rainbow colours, assortment of tiny cut of cakes were displayed beautifully. I tried some yummy wibble-wobble pudding and jelly, as well as a minute slice of financier (it tasted like a very sweet Madeline cake) to complete my dinning here. No ice cream for tonight, maybe next time   J

The free cake

Lastly, the staffs were awesome. They were so helpful and responsive. I’ve never seen staffs which work so fast in a very polite manner, but not giving out the intimidating aura. When my hubby asked for the bill, they directly brought us the free cake (but they didn’t put the cake in a fancy cake box like any other Accor hotel – perhaps they were running out of it). And since we are the member, we got 50% off for the dining (BCA Platinum also offers 50% off here). So for international buffet like this, we only pay IDR 218k++ for both of us (around IDR 263k after tax and service)…plus a free 16cm diameter chocolate fudge YAY   :-D  

So daddy…when are we going to have a lunch here again *wink to my hubby* 

*making a mental note to swim twice harder...to get rid of all those calories wakaka*

Pretty flowery hairclip

At first, it wasn't my intention to make another hairclip. I was altering my dress. It was ok but too short for me (I wasn't confident enough to wear short dress...mind you...my thights are quite big 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】). So I cut few inches from the bottom, to create a new-looking-top from it. After I finished fixing it, I had this mess round my room. Since it was still early, so I began working on the ribbons...again...well the newly purchased ribbons were just laying around on the shelves. It was kinda hard to ignore it...I felt this tugging sensation to create something different.

You will need:
- yard ribbons. I used different tones/shades for these ones
- hairclip
- hot glue gun
- black felt
- button or any decoration ornament

Step 1 - 2

Step 3 - 4

Step 5 - 6

How to (for the purple flower):

1. Cut the ribbons into 3 different lengths (since I used 3 ribbons per set), but you are free to use either one or more, for a set. Cut for about 10-15sets (depends on how big of the bloom that you wanted)
2. Glue together all the ends (glue per set). It would help a lot if you have somebody helping you preparing the ribbons. If you are working alone, i would recommend you to prepare the ribbons (with helps of clips) prior gluing (or you have to put the hot gun on and off several times to avoid hot dripping glue)
3. Cut 2 small circles from the black felt (it doesn't have to be a perfect circle...no worry)
4. Glue the ribbons (one by one) onto one circle 
5. Glue the button or decoration ornament in the middle of the flower. 
6. Glue the flower onto the hairclip. Fasten it by gluing another black circle onto the inside of the clip (look at the pic)

Hiks...my sore thumb

When I did the 6th step, I burnt my thumb ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) and (╥﹏╥) нιкѕѕѕ...(๑•́ ₃ •̀๑) ...it was painful ('cenat cenut') and I quickly applied the white egg (heard that it is good for burnt skin). But it doesn't stop me to move onto my second hairclip. But I learned my lesson (in a hot painful way)...so I was quite careful from then on...I started to use chopstick end to fasten the glue LOL.

Step 1 - 4

Step 4 - 5

For the pink flower, it is almost similar with the above one, with some alteration. Step 1 is the same, but for this flower, I only used 2different tones of ribbons (so 2different lengths). Then I twisted each ribbon and glue the ends together (do it per piece of ribbon). Step 3 and 4 are the same, however for step 4, glue the bigger/longer ones and glue the shorter ones on top of the longer ones (look at the pic pls). The rest is the same as the above one.

Last step

There is another way as well to make this flowery hairclip:

1. Fold the ribbons (about 15 times). If you are confused, please refer to the picture
2. Stitch the end of it together and pull the thread. Fasten it (as per the picture)
3. Prepare the black felt (2 small circles). Put glue on one of it and put the stitched ribbon onto it. Arrange the ribbon into flowery shape
4. Put button or decoration ornament on top of it (in the middle of it)
5. Lastly, fasten the bow onto the hairclip (like usual)

Step 1 - 3

Step 4 - 5

See...it's simply twisting the ribbons around to create another look of flowery hairclip :-)

Maribaya - Bandung

Have you heard bout Maribaya? For me, this was the first time 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 I've never went further than Lembang or Ciater, so few weekends ago, we decided to go to Maribaya. After I browsed thru the google and found out bout caves and waterfalls, I was quite ecstatic. For the waterfall anyway, not for the caves...I don't think my girls would feel excited to enter a cave, not to mention the chance to meet the bats 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 .

The waterfall

We went there after our lunch @Burgundy. It was about 5mins of drive from Burgundy (left turn from Burgundy). If you are going from Bandung, choose Jln Raya Lembang then turn left to Dago Giri (right turn is to The Valley), then just follow the twisting road (about 30mins depending on the traffic). There are several entrance gates. The first one that we encountered was the closest to the caves (about 1mins driving from Burgundy). If you don't want to go to the caves, continue driving for less than 5mins. Then you will see the welcoming sign to Maribaya. That is the first gate to the waterfall. But we used the second gates (after crossing the bridge, about 250m from the first gate). They told us that the second gate is the nearest to the waterfall.

It is true, since we only need to walk thru steep pebble paths/stairs for 200m. There is another waterfall around 1.5km of walk, but we skipped it, since we couldn't go thru such distance with the girls. The entrance fee for the second gate is 12k (without formal ticket) and you still need to pay parking fee inside. While, for entering the waterfall site, you need to pay 8k per pax (inclusive Rp 500 for insurance).

The down-to-earth stalls

There are some stalls along the walking track, some are selling snacks and drinks, others are selling some goodies and souvenirs. We just walked for 50m...and I said to my husband that it would feel great if we can have indomie afterward (even though we just finished our lunch 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 hiking sure is a calory burner activity). After 5mins of walking leisurely, we could hear the thundering sound of the waterfall. It sounds great...and I kept thinking how fun it would be...to let my girls play with the water for a while. They would Ŀ♡√Ɛ it. Picking up our pace and spirit (mind you...my untrained legs quickly gave away after few meters of hiking), we quickly rush to the site only to find a total disappointment...Booooo!

The strong current of the river

The whole area was surrounded by 2m thin iron gate/bar (which was corroted). So forget the idea to play with the water...forget bout how nice it would be to dip my tired feet into the cold water...since we could only see the waterfall from the distance ( →_→)ｼﾞﾛ! Hüђђђ. We even couldn't find a small puddle of water there, except some cold water sprinkled to us when there was wind blowing.

A strange looking rock

Anyway, the waterfall is good (if you don't mind seeing it thru bars of iron). The mountain and forrest around it are awesome too (if you appreciate the greenary). The good point is, at least, I managed to turn and use up all calory eaten during the lunch *grinning*

Swimming...swimming...swimming :-)

Fancy dress was over and exams are coming soon. I have been busy preparing the girls` practice papers. Beside, now every morning, I have my daily swimming exercise....arrgghhh so ready to have sore muscles for a week. I realized that my breath has became so short that I often running out of it phewww...time to get back to my healthy habit ^_^ Unlike others, I prefer to swim rather than squeezing my sweat in the gym or aerobic class. All because i hate sweating. So, I had looked for indoor swimming pools around Jakut...too bad, i found none. However, there are several outdoor pools around. Below is the shortlist, incase you are looking for some.  
  

@Novotel M2S

Grand Odiseus Club on the 5th floor of Mangga Dua Square. This health and spa club mostly caters the guests of Novotel M2S, beside its members as well. This is the one that I chose because it is very near to my house. The pool is big (unlike any other Novotel) and well-shaded (in the morning until around 9am) due to the building around it. They have gym and several classes, as well spa services (pricey but worth it). They have sauna and steam as well inside the locker room. The membership fee are various; IDR 4.5mio per year for single applicant, IDR 4mio per year for couple, and IDR 3.5mio for group applicant. Each member will be given free 2months plus another month for leave (incase you are busy and have no time for exercise). Beside annual membership, the club also offers monthly membership starting from IDR 800k per month, or IDR 2mio per 3months. However, they don’t serve walk-in guest. For further information, you could contact Mr Ari at 021-6231 2800.

WTC Health and Spa on the top floor of WTC Mangga Dua. Used to be managed by Life Spa, this place boosts Olympic size outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, beside sauna and steam inside the locker room. It offers a quite complete set of fitness machines as well as classes. I used to be a member here, however, since it’s rooftop outdoor pool… I cannot stand the sunburn. It’s pretty windy too, especially in rainy seasons. The membership fee is IDR 3.6mio per year with additional 3months free.

The sport club at The Media Hotel (used to be The Sheraton Media Hotel) on Jln Industri. The outdoor pool is quite big (with rounded shape) which tends to be quite hot under the scorching sun. They offer monthly membership starting from IDR 600k, or IDR 4.5mio per year for gold membership, or IDR 4mio per year for silver membership. Gold membership offers unlimited access toward the pool and the gym, as well as additional 2months free, 5free trial vouchers, 1night stay at the hotel with breakfast for 2pax included and up to 5hours free parking voucher. While the silver membership only covers the unlimited access toward the pool and the gym, additional 2months free, and 5free trial vouchers. For further information, you can contact Ms Fitri at 021-626 3001.

The sport club at Le Grandeur Hotel, at Dusit Mangga Dua. Here, the club offers the pool only membership and pool + gym membership. For pool only membership, the fee will be IDR 500k per month, or IDR 1.5mio per 3months, or IDR 3mio per 6months, or IDR 6mio per year. I considered this is too pricey for such a small and narrow pool. However, if you are interested, you could contact Ms Putri at 021-613 8811

Gold gym at Mall of Indonesia. I think, this is the only Gold gym (currently) which has a swimming pool onsite. With its outdoor semi-olympic size pool, the pool is well-shaded from the surrounding building. They offer monthly membership from IDR 440k or you could choose the limited membership (with max 4visits per week) at IDR 3.217k per annum (with additional free 2months). For further information, please contact Ms Donna at 021-4586 7590

The sport club at Sun Lake Hotel, Sunter. The outdoor pool is quite big and they cater walk-in guest with only IDR 35k per pax. However, if you would like to frequent the club, you could opt for IDR 350k per month, or IDR 850k per 3months, or IDR 3.5mio per annum. For further information, please contact 021-650 9969.

Another option available is the sport club at Springhill which accepts walk-in guest with IDR 35k per pax, however, I couldn’t connect through its phone line. That's all for now. If I have another info re to the swimming pool...I will update this post. Pls kindly recheck the pricing policy since most of them will change their pricing strategy very often.

Keep posted will ya   :-)

Live healthy 

Flowery bow with wire ribbon

Lets play with the wired ribbon now. I used to get confused…bout what to do with my wired ribbon but now…I couldn’t stop myself. It was so addicting he he he. The main ingredient is wired ribbon, any type…any kind…small or big…plain or pattern…one side wired ribbon or both side wired ribbon…you could choose whatever you like. And it is simple too…otherwise I wont make so many of it he he he. Prepare about 50cm of ribbon and fasten one end of it (you could make a knot or fold the wire few times).

  

First option

Pull both of the wires from another end so the ribbon is creased and fastens the wires (fold it few times over the end of the ribbon and cut the rest of the wires). Tidy up the creased ribbon. Prepare a felt in circle shape (any size and colour is fine). Put some glue onto the felt in circular shape, and stick the creased ribbon onto the felt. Continue until finish (the core).

Second option

Exactly the same as the first one, however I only pulled one wire instead of both. Then I fasten the pulled side of ribbon onto the felt in circular shape until finish.

Third option

Pull one wire from another end so the ribbon is creased and fastens the wire (fold it few times over the end of the ribbon and cut the rest of the wire). Twist the ribbon in circular motion until the end and fasten it (either using glue or some stitches)

4th option

Fourth option

If you dont have wired ribbon, no worry. Take your ribbon and sew on one side along the ribbon. After it, pull the thread altogether and fasten it. Looks like wired ribbon isn't it?

I made another version from wired ribbon

Easy…yet beautiful flowers bows ready for my girls   J

The Bourne Dominion by Eric Van Lustbader

The Bourne Dominion by Eric Van Lustbader
Based on Robert Ludlum's character

Synopsis
Jason Bourne is searching for an elusive cadre of terrorists planning to destroy America's most strategic natural resources - and needs the help of his longtime friend, General Boris Karpov. Karpov, the newly appointed head of Russia's most feared spy agency, FSB-2, is one of the most determined, honorable, and justice-hungry men that Bourne knows. But Karpov has made a deal with the devil. In order to remain the head of FSB-2, he must hunt down and kill Bourne.

Now, these two trusted ƒяιєη∂ are on a deadly collision course. From the Columbian highlands to Munich, Cadiz, and Damascus, the clock is counting down to a disaster that will cripple America's economic and military future. Only Bourne and Karpov have a chance to avert the catastrophe - but if they destroy each other first, that chance will be gone forever.

I say...
I Ŀ♡√Ɛ Bourne, either by Robert or Eric, cos they don't play with words. They hit us directly with fast pace action right from the first few pages. And afterward, you would not want to put down the book. The pace was so fast that if you blink...you will miss several things 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】

But I hates the names ugghhh...I've never been good with names and faces ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) and the book has a long list of it. I hated the way Eric mixed the dream with reality without clear border too.
The plot is so twisting, you would hardly guess what will happen next...who is the bad guy...who is not. Friend becomes foe and vice versa, which Bourne worked hand in hand with his old-time-enemy.

The least that I expected was the death of Amun, he was the perfect partner for Soraya...too bad. But Aaron was nice too 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 Ok, basically too many good people died in this book. Is it the last sequel of Jason, for the author to 'kill' lots of important figures in this Jason Bourne series. Eric played with the plots so beautifully that you wouldn't notice that the bright ones had changed its side.

It was the great ending of the book when all curtains were lifted, all disguises were uncovered. But even then, it wasn't mean that all truth were being unfold.

See ya on another Bourne series (I'm reading The Bourne Legacy right now which is totaly different with the movie)

Fancy Dress Competition @School

Hi again…another Friday and this week could be considered quite a busy week for me, especially today…I was so caught up until I forgot to prepare my girls’ today school books phewww…hopefully no punishment for them. So sorry girls…my fault   J

My girl on the stage   :-)

Today was the day for fancy dress competition (for grade 1 – 3 only), held once a year at my girls’ school. Actually, the participation is not compulsory, however due to the lack of interest from the students, some teachers sometimes ‘threaten’ to deduce some mark on the subject they teach (I am not sure whether the teachers truly deduct the mark or it was just a ‘white lie’). Unfair…but I understand that the teachers were trying to encourage active participation from the students. Since this kind of event can boost the children’ confidence and they can learn about public speaking at the early stage. However, the criteria of the competition is quite difficult as well; it has to be something handmade (so no ready-use-costume), using recycled items are encouraged (to improve the mark), and it has to be something either non-living-thing, mother’s nature, or future wear. So, it is understandable why most of parents don’t want their children to participate (coz the parent will be the one who make it he he he). The mark/score will be based on the originality, creativity, material used, as well as the speech and confidence shown by the participant on the stage.

Being interviewed by the MC

So last week, my girls came home and told me that she had to join this event (otherwise her English subject mark will be deducted – which at the later on, I found out that it was only an empty threat). I had no experience in making a costume (I didn’t even know what costumes are normally shown during these competition)…so I was blank. I racked my brain (and google of course)…searching for some ideas and came up with 3 options: the ginger cookie, candy cane, and hot air balloon. After consulting my hubby and seeing the difficulty levels of each option, finally I opted for the hot air balloon, which I kinda mixed it with something from animation movie that we watched few years ago, UP (remember a grandpa who attached lotsa balloons onto his house and fly away?). I changed the hot air balloon into blown-up partying balloons (everybody kept asking me…’who is the bday girl?” LOL)

See the wires (before I attached the twig)

For this costume, I used old big box with open top and bottom (I cut it off). Then I wrapped it around using the woven felt clothes so it was kinda looked like a basket (my friend told me…’hey what are you making…it looks like an LV bag’ LOL). I used old paper-bag (I cut it into 4 big circles) to wrap some polyester fiber so it looked like sandbag which are normally hang onto each corner of the hot air balloon. For the balustrade/banister, at first, I used the thickest art-wire that I could find and I plaited it to make it stronger, however the wires weren’t straight at all…swinging here and there phewww. I was desperate (a day before the competition) and then my friend suggested me to tie the wire to little-twig-broom (sapu lidi). It worked, the banister was straight and I wrapped around using a ribbon to cover and tighten both the twigs and the wires (it looked prettier too *grinning*). I add 2 ribbon shoulder straps so it would be easier for my girl to carry it around. I blew so many small-sized balloons until my mouth tasted bitter and my cheeks were hurt (my balloon’s pumps are in the storage room and I thought it was easier to blew it using mouth rather than wasting my time searching for the pump). I attached those balloons (some were burst out last night he he he) onto the art-wire using metallic thread. Lastly, again – another idea from my dear friend, I added lots of butterflies on the basket and banister for decoration….finally I could sleep well   J

Other contestants

So this morning, instead of my hubby, it was me who drive and drop the girls @school. I was quite surprised to see the positive response of the girls’ friends…they were all excited (one even tried the costume) and luckily, before any balloons burst out or any banister being broken down, the homeroom teacher managed to save and guard the costume he he he. Children…I was so glad that you like the costume *grinning ear to ear*. The teacher told me to stay and watch the show, since my girl perhaps needed some support. She told me that my girl was crying on the stage yesterday, during the rehearsal. Come on girl...jia you! Fighting!

I like the snowman   :-)

The competition started at 8am (I guessed) since i was late and the show has started already. There were lots of great and fancy costumes; fruits, trees, lots of Transformer robots, flowers and butterflies but the most amazing one was this fancy party dress with white fur on the edge. At far (I was late and I sit at the back) it really looked like a dress but closely, it was made of Supermi wraps. Wow…awesome. It was truly a masterpiece…not something made by an amateur (I was right, it turns out that her aunt, a fashion designer, made it for her). I was sure (even before the announcement) this dress is the winner since it was made from recycled items and the contestant was confidence too. After half an hour, then it was my girl’s turn and I was praying so hard (not so that my girl could win) but for my girl to gather the courage and introduce, talk about the costume, and smile confidently (no crying pleaseeee). Then she did it, she walked and talked in a very low voice (hey…who turned down your voice???) that even I had difficulty to hear. At least…no crying he he he (that could be considered as an improvement right?)

You would like to know what my girl said on the stage? The contestant should say something about the costume and I made a poem for my girl. Can уσυ imagine, I suddenly woke up at 4.20am and switched on my blackberry (my hubby was surprised, seeing me typing furiously on it). Well, I kinda got some inspiration...if I didn't jot it down somewhere...I might have forgotten bout it. So here is the rhyming poem that I wrote (actually I wrote 2versions of poem, one a 2verses long and another is a short one...as expected, my girl chose the short one)

"I'm a hot air balloon,
Like the grandpa in UP cartoon,
I'll fly myself to the moon,
If only I were a hot air balloon"

The audience

After all costumes being shown, and while the judges were finalizing the result, there were performances (singing and dancing) by the student. To my surprise (I was kinda sleepy…waiting for 15mins) there were 2 higher level students on the stage, dancing the famous Psy – Gangnam Style…it was super hilarious (I was laughing so hard geezzz torn between switching on my handycam or watching it). Then the result was announced and as per my prediction, the Supermi dress is the winner. There were other winners, like the one in airplane and hybrid-car (which can blink and has horn too) costumes. My girl didn’t win, but for me, she is already a winner since she managed to conquer her stage fright. Bravo girl….I am so proud of you   *bear hugs*  

Yeah...oppa gangnam style  >.<

Did I feel sad or disappointed because we weren't the winner? Єнммм...I did feel disappointment but not because we weren't the winner. I just felt it was unfair if a ready-to-wear-costume (the soldier one - second runner up) could be the winner eventhough it's clearly stated on the rules that this kind of costume will be disqualified. Well...anyway, I can always put more effort for next year competition...jia you...if my girl is up to it though (she said no already but who knows) *grinning*  

The winners are ...

Lots of my friends and parents said that I'm creative...єнммм...I don't think so. There are lots more creative people out there (seeing how cool those costumes on the stage - they sure put more effort than me - I have to be honest, I chose the easiest one). Beside, rather than being a creative, I'm more like a copy-cat...I duplicate what other people make :-) If you are asking me to create something that isn't exist...I'm sure I don't know what to do or how to do it :-) But once I see a thing that I like and have adequate motivation, I can duplicate it right away. ┐('⌣'┐)...уєαн... уιρρєу!...(┌'⌣')┌ I'm proud to be a copy-cat "̮ wk°wk (′▽`) wk°wk "̮  

Lastly, I wanna thank all of my friends who have given me lots of input and support…love you all   *muach*

Cooking Panda @Kota Kasablanka Mall

Last holiday, I spent almost every morning driving my girls to MTA for their ice skating lessons (we had to be there at 8.30am so could you imagine, at what time I should wake up for these? It was holiday and I couldn't sleep till noon ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ)). They had 5sessions with Sky Rink coaches and luckily, now they can slide pretty well (for beginner) even though they fell a lot but they could get up pretty fast :-) And since we didn't have any other plan, normally after the skating lessons, we would go some other place (well, you would get bored after spending 6mornings @MTA consecutively). One shopping mall that we went few days ago was Kota Kasablanka Mall (@Casablanca).

The facade of the mall

This new mall has opened for few weeks already and half of the tenants have opened their store already, some are still in renovation progress. Compared to Kuningan City (the nearest mall around that area), I would prefer KKM since it is bigger and complete, more tenants for shopping, as well as more tenants for hang-out. And they have lots of art-n-craft shop as well...┐('⌣'┐)...уєαн... уιρρєу!...(┌'⌣')┌ Beside it, they have lots of spot that would be good for your picture background (I took lots of it 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】)

Various spots for self-narcissism

As for your dining experience, KKM offers complete selections, from fast food to peranakan style dishes, from no-ordinary Padang resto to fine dining pizzeria. And for those who love to hangout, there are lots of café/coffee shop ready to serve you as well. And for us, we chose Cooking Panda.

wow...what a niche store...Matryoshka, the famous Russian traditional doll

Cooking Panda was the first shop that came to our sight upon our arrival @Kota Kasablanka Mall, due to its location near the escalator from the basement parking area. At the first glance, Cooking Panda was the most eye-catching one, with colorful ceiling lamp covers and its distinctive interior. Calming wooden color is dominant with several sparks of color to lighten up the interior. But what attracted me so much was the Panda’s eyes (see…the writing of Cooking Panda has eyes on it…big white and black eyes begging me to come and visit LOL). And they have various cute things/writings (like the one on hot cup…saying…I’m hot and I know it…geezzz whatta cute panda).

Cute tagline too...yummy nummy into the tummy LOL

The menus are limited (it is a fast food, but I guessed, for once in a while, fast food is OK). Overall, some of the menus looks and tastes like HHB (another franchised Japanese fast food) with variation. I liked the fried dum dum the most, while the chicken is too sweet for my tongue. For kid menus, they give a free toy too yay… >.<  yay…my girls sure love freebies. 

The menus of Cooking Panda

While I was eating my lunch, there were several ladies sitting on the table in front of me. One of them was bringing her baby boy along. The baby was sitting on his pram quietly. Then one of the ladies started making sound like lizard/gecko…ck…ck…ck…while clicking her fingers. She did it several times…since the baby boy didn’t give any interested reaction. I was so stunned. The mother didn’t mind though but I kept thinking that it wasn’t an appropriate way to play and interact with a baby…was he some sort of puppy...or a panda??? Well...whatever...I would be better focus filling my stomach   :-)

Cute...like it so much

Lollypop clippie

Phewwww...I have a terrible headache...all due to the traffic jam @Mangdu. I spent more than an hour there, when I normally pass it in only 5mins (perhaps because of the construction of busway). While I was stuck in the middle...i remembered a sticker on car, saying "true man uses three pedals car". I bet, at this time, whoever the owner of that car would have wished for a matic transmission car   ;-)   And I was glad, I had something sweet like a lolly to nibble during the unbearable traffic (to calm my growling stomach he he he)

Few days ago, when I was shopping, I saw candy store which sell lots of lolly. Thought of buying some for my girls but after I really considered it, I cancelled it. I had another idea, giving a lolly which definitely doing nothing bad for my girls’ teeth   *grinning*

So, when I was home…I set to work. Here are things that you need:

§         2 different colours of ribbon (about 50cm)

§         Alligator hairclip (line it first)

§         Glue. I was using hot gun glue

§         Decoration: here I used a blink-blink ornament and a small knotted bow

Steps:

1.      Glue together the ribbons at one end

2.      Twist the ribbons together tightly (like doing some paper quilling…which gave me another idea to turn some of my paper quilling models into bows   *winking*). Put some drop of glue to fasten the twisting for each 10cm

3.      Glue the end together so the result will be a circle

4.      Glue the circle/lolly onto the opening end of the clip

5.      Add the decoration

And now you have a lolly on the hair instead of inside the mouth...definitely healthier   :-D