Taxi Day

It has been one of those evening where I know I Should be doing some work, but can't be asked to start. I had to babysit the boys as Puan Anita was at the hospital visiting Dad. It looks like he will be a couple of days away still from discharge since his warfarin level - the INR - was still not high enough. I ended up downloading a couple of new games on the iPhone and played 'Fruit Ninja' with the boys. Great fun.

The day started out smoothly, taking the boys to school and having breakfast with Puan Anita at PappaRich. That was nice. We then went straight to the hospital to pick up mum-in-law who spent the night at the hospital. We went straight to pick up the boys from school on the way back.

After lunch, we went out for a stroll to The Curve as I wanted to buy a shredder. There were just simply too many loose papers on my study desk and some of them were confidential as it contains patient results and exam questions. Previously, I took them back to hospital to be dispose of, but a shredder can to the job just as well.

After that done, plus some tea at Marche, we headed home for a thunderstorm. Once, the lightning hit the room, triggering the circuit-breaker and short out alarm system out. It was still chirping away while I was writing this entry. Apparently, the technician will be dropping by first thing tomorrow morning to fix the problem. I will still be on leave tomorrow, but will have to was to the hospital first to visit Dad and second for a meeting late in the afternoon. We were planning to go to PD on Saturday for an event there, with the family tagging along, but at the rate Dad was going, we may have to modify the plan somewhat. Maybe I will have to ask Anita's big brother to help out.

So, here we go. The entry was complete, and it was time to write a couple of letters for work!

Pumpkins at Marche

It was Friday evening. My in-laws were in Kelantan due to a family funeral. It was us and the maids at home. So everyone was out. Where to? After some thought, we went out for dinner at Marche, The Curve. Just a quick in and out. Nothing fancy. But we noticed that Marche was transformed for Halloween. There were pumpkins everywhere. Even the famous cow at the front entrance was dressed up with a witch hat.

It seemed that Irfan was not in a good mood. Anita said that his friends in class have been coughing all day in front of him. We were worried that he may be down with a flu. A bit on the grumpy side, but that all changed the moment we stepped into Marche. He noticed all the pumpkins around and convinced us to get him pumpkin soup instead of his usual mushrooms. It was actually quite nice. It was chunks of pumpkin with mild pepper and onions. Next came the pizza, which he preferred as margarita. No pumpkin there. There were also pumpkin juices, pumpkin caramel etc. Puan Anita tried some of those. Never actually caught on. The decors were nice. Reading the pamphlets, there will be Kids Fancy Dress Party for lunchtimes next weekend. Sad news as I will be in Langkawi giving a talk instead.

After dinner, we took a quick stroll towards e-Curve. There were some live band playing but with Irfan being grumpy, we did not hang on for too long. We also noticed that the central foyer at The Curve was taken up by Pantai Hospitals for their Pink Ribbon Campaign - for breast cancer. There were talks and forums scheduled but on the evening, there were just essentially booths and informations given out. Maybe Irfan’s mood will improve.

Octoberfest at The Curve

Yesterday started off with a short drive to Serdang where I was invited to participate in a campaign they had there at the hospital. It was essentially an update on thrombosis. I was to talk about new anticoagulations. The talk went well. Having finished that, I had to rush straight back to UMMC to finish off the morning clinic.

The clinic was almost done when I got back. I sorted out the ward issues in the afternoon before getting off, and took the troupe out for dinner and jalan-jalan at The Curve. We all had our haircut, took dinner at Marche and bought Suraiya her birthday present. Her birthday party will be on Saturday morning.

Haircut timeCatching up on Ironman at one of the video shopsWhile waiting for Mum choosing presents for Suraiya

The foyer between the Curve and E has been transformed into a beer garden it seemed for the Octoberfest, complete with a brass band in tight leather trousers - they appeared British though rather than German - singing away merry songs. The waitress were clad in dresses and skirts serving pitches of beer, skipping away to the beat. My boys were wondering what was actually going on. Puan Anita explained to them that it was a German tradition kind of thing. Getting drunk on beer in October every year. They still appeared confused after that. But true enough, it was for Octoberfest. Even Marche played in into the celebration with sausage promotions and what have you. With the brass band, singing, lights an all, it would have been an experience for the boys but it was kinda hard to explain to them about the beer and everything. They started to ask one too many question.

Moleskine mania at Tango MangoAfter getting Suraiya's present, we took it to be wrapped up at Tango Mango, a nice little gift shop on the first floor of The Curve, right above Marche. Oh boy! They had a very good selection of Moleskine there, and I obliged to buy a couple of pads - for work of course. Moleskine were just addictive.

Evening Out

This was where they shot the DiGi commercial on TVPuan Anita wanted to order her ‘baju Raya’ for the year, even though Aidilfitri is about 3 months away. She had it all planned and after work, we went over to The Curve for her to have a look at one of the shops there. There were a few baju kurung which caught her eye during previous visit. Since Irfan is now much better from his fever, we decided to have some dinner outside and some fresh air.

Idlan waiting for his pizzaPuan Anita's kerang rebusThe Curve in the eveningThis was a chance to take the 7D out. Decided to take the zoom instead of my customary 50mm f1.4, and try out the higher ISO setting. The output was actually just as expected although I would still prefer the f1.4. All the photos were taken at ISO 3200. Not bad!

Gearing Up

Strolling at The CurveHad to head out to The Curve area yesterday evening to do some last minute shopping. Idlan’s birthday party will be later this afternoon, and for the last few days, I had to go out taking Puan Anita around doing her chores. Everything seemed to be falling into place nicely and InsyaAllah we will have a grand party! 

Irfan said: "I think this is what we should do"First stop was at Mama Min’s swanky new apartment at Armanee Terrace. Very nice duplex units there! Jealous! The cake were delivered but very delicate. On the way back I will have to avoid all the speed bumps and drive at 50 km/h maximum. Ear plugs would be necessary with the honks I will hear from the more impatient drivers behind me later.

There was always time for a quick dodgem. Move!Next, The Curve, for a bit of shopping, then dinner, and more shopping. Puan Anita felt that the goody bags and party packs were pretty light weight still. So, she got some more stuffs to cram in.Diner at Marche, as requested by the birthday boy. Then a stroll. The Curve and the open air area sure looked nice in the evening, although it was still muggy and warm. Sure wish that we live around there but the trouble will be that we will spent too much money shopping. It was already difficult as it was now! 

Irfan still giving his opinionFinally we got everything sorted out. Back home, more wrappings and last minute decorating needed to be done. The party will be from 11, so better get everything sorted out  quick so that there will be no drama in the morning!