Ichiban Sushi, Jurong Point

It was a long & tiring week,
eventhough it meant to be a short week,
with only 4 days,
Without Monday Blues~

Who knows that there was a Mistletoe Tuesday,
Which activated the whole lab to stay OT until 9++pm,
Meaning i had a 12+hrs of lab~ T.T
With a hungry stomach waiting to be fed.

Then came Wednesday which was disastrous,
Got reprimanded by my Big Boss,
For not practicing GLP,
Caught Red-Handed, My bad~ T.T

Then came Thursday,
Without much of a hiccup,
Beside not closing the column door properly,
Causing fluctuation of temperature of my HPLC~ T.T

Here it came, lonely Friday,
Which i thought it was,
FYP haunting my friends,
and I'm left all alone.

No that i had nothing to do,
Neither was i Bored,
Just feeling too tired,
Staying in NTU all week long.

A call at 4+pm changed it all,
Delighted, heart leaping in joy!
"I am GOING OUT!!! On a Friday NIGHT!!"
After all, I am not alone.

Finally, I have a date, on a Friday night...

************************************************************************************

Where to meet? A simple Question.
We are the West People and We are Tired.
Simple Answer. Boonlay.
Very straight forward.

It is the second time.
One-on-one.
I was the one waited,
On both occasions.

I am not complaining.
Cos he is a dear friend of mine.
Holding a special position.
That it is not easily shaken.

Primary & secondary schoolmate,
We were in the class of 2(3),
With Jesing as monitor,
Lu Yean & I were the Asst Monitresses.

Those were the days...

*****************************************************************************

Two tired people with lots to catch up.
Three meals in school/workplace.
We share such similarity.
It's time for some Food Comfort.

Japanese Food was our choice,
Dining of two made things even easier.
Skip the step of waiting for a table,
Table for two is easily available. *Yay*

Vegetable Roll SGD$2.10

A refreshing dish. Covered with sesame and bits of dried seaweed, and crunchy french beans, corn, carrot & cucumber in the center.

I gotta shout, " I am loving it~"

Ebiko Temaki @ SGD$2.10

Yup, it's a Temaki, but not with the normal seaweed wrap that you see. It's wrapped with crepe. Together with the crunchy salad leaf & the fried bacon stripe, i never know temaki can taste so GOoooD!!!

Maybe is the bacon... Maybe it's the Ebiko... Or maybe, it's because of the mayo they added that makes all the different. Or maybe, it's the cheapest of them all, the salad leaf???

Who knows?
But i fell in love with bacon for the first time.

Unagi with Cheese Sushi @ SGD$ 3.90

I gotta shout, I gotta Shout, I gotta SHOUT!!!
This is not the ordinary thinly-sliced-until-u-can't-taste kind of Unagi. This is the premium Unagi that you get on the Unagi Don!!!

The thick flesh of Unagi melting in your mouth before it burst into its full flavour. Enhanced with the flavour from the sliced Cheddar cheese&seaweed hidden between the Japanese rice, who could resist the heavenly-match sushi?

Especially to someone who loves both Unagi and cheese...

Inari Sushi @ SGD$2.10

A typical Inari Sushi caught my friend's attention. Nothing uncommon but nothing to complain about. It's just Inari Sushi.

Curry Chicken Katsu Don @ SGD$11.90

Jim Jim always wanted to try Japanese Curry. To his surprise (dismay perhaps?), he says it tasted exactly like the "ah neh's curry" aka indian curry when he was studying in UK. A tiny weeny bit of spice, more of the sweet curry. For me, its taste is comparable to the Japanese stall in the food court in NTU.

Hmm... I like it, i like Japanese Curry. But if i can pay 1/3 of the price here to eat the exact dish in NTU minus the two slices of oranges and the bowl of miso soup, why should i order this out of school? *i wonder, wonder*

************************************************************************************

Both of us were too full to have any dessert,
though the tempura ice-cream was calling,
and fiesta Japanese cheesecake is whistling,
"Jojo, Jojo, aren't we lovely?"

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,
On a Friday night,
It seems like a date,
With a primary schoolmate.

"I scare I'll fall asleep in the cinema" i was told,
Came out with lots of Q's marks in his head,
I felt bad to drag him for a show,
Which he didn't know what was going on.

Thank Q Jim Jim for the treat,
A lovely Friday evening indeed.
I am glad i have you,
As a friend who come to my rescue.

************************************************************************************

JOjo is very happy,
Cos I got my R square = 1.
Although my error bar "sucks",
I still thank God,
Cos I got R square equals to 1.
*Grinning away*

Kluang railway Coffee

It is located at the Kluang railway station, at Jalan Station, right opposite Pejabat Pos Kluang and Telekom Kluang; right in the heart of Kluang town.

A place which my friends from Singapore gave up till RM40+++ of toast, half-boiled eggs, nasi lemak & mee siam. Mind you, the nasi lemak costs only 50cents. How did they do it? Good appetite+great companion+delicious food, i supposed.

It is SOooo well-known that even the Johor state minister visited the humble little coffee shop and when ex-PM, Dato Sri Dr Mahathir visited Kluang many years ago, they hosted our VVIP too!!! It was also featured in one of the flight magazine (which i couldn't remember which airline was that) many years ago. Run by Lim's family, a well-known family that runs a few coffee shop in Kluang including Hoover in Kluang Baru and Barney's Western Restaurant located in town center. Kluang Rail Coffee offers franchise and their outlet can be found in various shopping malls in KL and Malacca.

Round Kaya Toast with Butter @ RM 1.30

The one thing not to be missed when is their toast. They are famous for their Charcoal Toast, layered with thick layer of butter and homemade kaya. Absolutely addictive and i can assured you, one is never enough! You can find there different types of kaya butter toast, ie: Roti Bulat (round bun), Roti Keping (Square Bun) and Roti Jagung (wholemeal bun). I love them all !!!

You can also find some other variety of bread like Tuna Bun and Sambal Bun. Taste wise, not too bad but i prefer to have the kaya toast *bleah*

Pulut Panggang @ RM 0.50

Pulut panggang is a malay kuih, made by wrapping chilli fried shredded coconut core glutinuos rice in banana leaf. One of my favourite kuih. The one served here is chewy and with a delicious core!

Nasi Lemak @ RM 0.60

For 60cents, you don't expect a big portion. The nasi lemak is wrapped using banana leaves with adequate sambal and a few peanuts just for the tiny pack. Sometimes you can find ikan bilis in your packet. Due to popular demand, one supplier is just not enough to supply nasi lemak for the whole shop. So, there are three suppliers which explains why some have ikan bilis some don't. Nonetheless, all are delicious. Sambal cooked to perfection, spicy and a hint of sweetness at the same time.

A common view of what's on every table

A plate filled with packet nasi lemak, mee siam, fried mee, curry puff and pulut panggang is placed on almost every table. One can also find hard-boiled eggs on the same plate for you to eat with the nasi lemak. Normally patrons will help themselves to it while waiting for their coffee/tea, toast and half-boiled egg to be served. Oh, did i mention that their half-boiled eggs always have the same consistency? Runny Yolk = Yummy~ Whee~

The Ever-Consistent Half-Boiled Egg

Coffee served here is of fine quality, the robust flavour of freshly brewed coffee is simply irressistable. Selling @ RM 1.10, no wonder Starbucks and Coffe Bean do not have any outlet in Kluang.

Normally i would order Teh C Kosong meaning Teh C without sugar. I only order this at selective kopitiam because it must be "gao" enough to drink it without sugar. You can get a cup of Teh C filled with the aroma of evaporated milk, why do you need sugar anymore?

Other than eating in, many would also "da bao" back especially their curry puff.Selling at only 30cents, the crispy curry puff with potato stuffing is a hit and often sold out early in the afternoon. The shop also produce their homebrand coffee.Each packet of 20 coffee bags is selling @ RM 7.00. One can also purchase the homemade kaya selling @ RM 3.50 only.

This place is a must place for visit if you ever happen to come to Kluang, a little dot in the center of Johor state. It is a favourite Breakfast/Afternoon Tea place for the Kluang community and also a must go "tourist spot" whenever outstation friends come to visit my family.

When Exam is over~! So...

Spring is gone and summer is here
Exam is gone and FYP* is here
Thursday, the 24th, The double shot
And Monday, the 28th, Started my FYP.

When others are on Holidays,
I'm more like a slave,
but i enjoy being one,
who is guided by a very good one.

Two weeks had passed,
more work to be done.
Computer is down and i haven't blog for a while.
Long hours in lab drains Jojo away.

Chemicals are dangerous so i practise GLP*.
Hair is tied, labcoat is put on,
Gloves in the pocket you can never go wrong,
Wearing Safety google is a norm.

Biohazard waste in biohazard bin,
Chemical-saturated lab is not a good thing.
Wash your hands before you leave,
You wouldn't want to bring back unwanted things.

So far so good, i would say,
Hope i can get result in the end.
Research is not as easy as i thought it would be,
But i want to give my best shot, none the less.

Pardon me for my lack of posting,
But my FYP is of 15 credits,
"Buang'ing" it is not in my dictionary,
For all the effort that i've put in.

So Thank YOU for your kind encouragement,
It keeps my research momentum,
11 weeks before my thesis submission,
Many late nights is in my prediction.

So, for now i'll slow down in my "Blog Spying" mission,
As well as for "Eye-looking, Mouth-drooling" reaction,
As i embark on my FYP mission,
Encouragement is much apprecitated.

So Thank You, Thank You, Thank You,
For i know i got your recognition,
I'm not gone, just missing for a moment,
So WATCH OUT, cos I'LL BE BACK!!!

It's a random post while waiting to check on my HPLC run. I'll be back in action real soon, when my pc is back. I'm actually using my phD mentor's laptop in the lab now *bleah* So back to work, tata for now~

HPLC: High-performance Liquid Chromatography

FYP: Final Year Project

GLP: Good Laboratory Practice

What Have I been Doing lately?

What have i been doing lately ???

If there is somebody out there wondering......
Yes, I know you are.... Curious right?
Don't bluff, i know someone out is pretty concerned, about me.
Own up! Or else....

"I'll drown you with my M&M's Minis"

"And I'll get As Bitter As the Dark Choc..."

It is exam period... NOW!!!

And everybody should... *ahem* Listen to future sinseh-to-be and...

IMPT: "Chew On Vit C to get Healthy..."

"Get some dose of Caffeine in a form or another..."

"Have a cookie when you are hungry..."

"Be it Rich & Soft......"

"Or Crunchy & Nutty..."

Just Make Sure you get your staple food, every meal...
Meal Skipping is NOT ALLOWED during exam period...

"Be it Char Kwey Tiaw with Fish Slices...Called Sam Lou~"

"Or Sandwich called Italian B.M.T in Subway..."

Everybody needs their carb~ Mind you, your brain only uses glucose, the only source of energy consume by your brain cells.

"We need our sweet treats sometimes...to stay cool..."

And My friends...

"It's going to be a piece of cake..."

No one says it is going to be easy, but you reap what you sow.
Second week into exam, hang in there.
Everything is gonna be alright.

and Yes,
If you are wondering, did i took all that?
YES! YES! YES! And that's not all,
I had Loacker and more Meiji~ Matcha Fran And Banana Fran.
Too bad, my hp no batt and photos taken ended in Taz's hp.

Yes, exam period is a period to have more Meiji Collection.
Everybody needs their exam boost.

Calories? Who cares when it is exam time?
*Me!* *Me!* The inner me shouting.
Ok, if i'm gaining weight, i'm all prepared, for the weight gain. *grin*

And i forgot to mention Brand's Chicken Essence & Gingko Biloba extract capsule for the extra boost. Hope it did help in my memory and letting me staying awake in the wee hour in the morning.

Two more paper, on the same day. One hour apart. I need grace.

"He shall be like a tree,
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3"

J.CO Donuts & Coffee @ Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore

"The Heart of donut lies in its hole. Nonetheless, taste is equally important. Here in J.CO Donuts & Coffee, we value both of them. The making process engages the unbeatable collaboration between high technology machines that create the blissfull, and full-of-art human hands that create the precious holes. It's always the same hole, same taste, same quality... "

And so i was led here...

After attending Sunday service at Suntec, I decided to drop by Raffles City Shopping Centre with only one intention. VISIT J.CO Donuts ! It had been on my mind lately and i really wanted to try its donuts after reading many reviews regarding this Donut Chain that created a rave in KL. Good, now i don't need to join in the never-ending-horrendous queue @ Pavillion, KL to enjoy the highly-sought-after donuts.

I wanted to see what's the rave is all about...

Roommie told me during her previous visit to Raffles City Shopping Centre a couple of weeks ago, she didn't have a chance to savour J.Co Donuts. The perpetual line never seems to dry up! Phew~ I was early, wasn't I ? There was only two guys Queueing in front of me and a few more customers behind me. Meanwhile, there were quite a number of tables seated with families and couple savouring their coffee and donuts. It was 11.30am. Snack before lunch? I reckoned.

Left: Why Nut? Right: Don Mochino @ $1.30 each

I bet the waitress disliked me. First, I told her i'll have 1 Green Tea dine-in. Then i requested it to be changed to Don Mochino. When i reached the cashier, I told her that I would like to have one more donut, Why Nut?, and would like it to be taken it away. Ain't i troublesome? I just couldn't make up my mind whether i want to stay out to study or should i head straight back after the purchase. *speechless*

I didn't purchase their Signature Donut, Al capone, as i was craving for some donuts infused with filling.

Let's see what it is all about...

Don Mochino. I felt in love at the first sight i laid my eyes on thee. Not your appearance of the luscious chocolate coating, it was thy filling. On the tag, written "...filled with tiramisu cream...".

Yes, i knew it was you that i wanted.

You didn't disappoint. Coated with mild bitter sweet dark chocolate with coffee-flavoured cream. The cream is very light and not as sweet as those served in Dunkin or Donut Factory. You will not feel a bit of heaviness after eating.

One thing to note. You might not want to attempt to bite this in front of the girl you are interested in. As you sunk your teeth into this, you might ended up with chocolate-coated-brown-teeth unknowingly.

A surprise that delighted the little heart of mine....

Why Nut? My very last minute order. Just because i wanted to take away so i needed to purchase at least two to get it packed in a box.

Premium white chocolate topping with American peanut butter filling. Ooo.. So rich, so satisfying... The white chocolate was a great combination with the peanut butter. The taste of white chocolate was not over-powering and it was a well-balanced taste. Interestingly, the peanut butter filling was not sweet (Dunkin's was sweet and you get sick of it after one or two bites) and the sight of it oozing out of the donut was Soo.... Inviting!!!

Just when i was thinking of Jollibean's crispy peanut pancake...

J.Co Donuts & Coffee
Raffles City Shopping Centre
#B1-44
Tel: +65-63334258
HP: +65-97707770

Note: I seriously think i would lost my way at Raffles City B1, a place i'm so not familiar with *sigh*

Malay Delights @ Pioneer Mall,Singapore

I promise, this is going to be real short. Exam ar...

Despite tight schedule, one still gotta eat right? and so this marked the first visit of mine to Pioneer Mall after studying in NTU for 3 years... (For those who don't know, Pioneer Mall is just a bus away from NTU, a common eating place for most NTU'ers).

It was raining, QQ (my best'ies in Hall) was in class. After some whining over the phone to my friend, we decided to go Holland V area to eat XO Fish Beehoon.

But... But...

The moment i hopped onto his car, i changed my mind due to the traffic and the rain. Sorry... Sorry... Always change my mind not too long after i make up my mind. (-__-)" Sumimasei...

So we ended up with these...At Pioneer Mall... The destination my friend suggested since i never step foot in it before. Better do so before i'm gone for good from NTU. Haha...

The Chille is SUPERB!!! Wonderful... Glorious... Leaving my tongue numb yet my stomach calling out for more.

The ladies fingers looked old and overfried but surprisingly it tasted good! None of the overfried taste neither is it too "old" and with strands of fiber.

No oysters, got mussels. Not the big big mussels, but good enought to satisfy. Not too spicy and very sweet, full of flavour from the sea. Fried mussels remains as one of my favourite dish at any Malay stalls. Who cares about hygiene? Hee...

I must say, this picture doesn't give justice to the taste of this yummy-licious piece of chicken. I seriously didn't what style of cooking when i ordered it. I thought it was rendan initially judging from the display but when it was served, it definitely didn't look like it was rendang *faintz* But it was Aww...Sooo... Soo.. Good! Even my friend who doesn't really take spicy was asking me for the "Kua" to go with his meal. It was sweet than spicy, i can see bits of tomatoes and dhal in the "kua" and the chicken was really tender despite it was fried before cooking with sauce. Sedapnya...

Time to head back to my books. I really can't waste anymore time. Time is running short.

Ganbatte~

Ok folks, after this, i might be away for one to two weeks. I'm trying not to log in at all, it's being very distracting especially when now, i'm being food deprived. *help*

Wish me all the best~

IT ROO Cafe @ Kotaraya, JB

An impromptu lunch date on the last day of 2007 with my dearest brother who started working in Johor Bahru (JB) on 22nd November.

I hadn't been seeing my brother for quite some time for now. Our timing are so different. I once mentioned that we always take turn to go home. Hah.

Dear brother picked me up at city square. I was famished while waiting for his arrival. He promised to bring me to the best Chicken Chop served in JB voted by The Star. We parked at the side of the road (mind you, is yellow line) after making two rounds at the place looking for a parking.

Located at Jalan Dhoby. I started to wonder was there a lot of Dhoby shops here last time.

The humble looking shop didn't appear to be any award-winning cafe. A narrow & small shop. Simple chairs and tables. Nothing fanciful. Nothing extra. Very simple deco with old pics and old posters hanging on the wall. Just a very plain shop operated by 3 Malay lady. Did i mention that its kitchen is very small too?

But the dining crowd at almost 3pm justified its popularity.

A simple menu was presented to us upon our arrival. The Award-winning chicken chop was the first item on the menu. The menu is quite extensive (consider the shop is really quite small) ranging from Western dishes, Chinese dishes, Varity of Noodles, Soups and Sandwiches, drinks & dessert. For fried rice, you can opt for spicy and non-spicy. They offer fresh juices, local kopi, tea etc, "westernised" coffee like coffeecino and canned drinks for their drinks menu. They also have ice-cream for dessert. The price is pretty cheap, but of course it's higher than dining at a roadside coffee shop.

IT ROO Fried Rice spicy style @ RM 5.50 & Watermelon Juice @ RM 3.00

Grilled Chicken Chop with Black Pepper Sauce topped with fried egg (extra cost) @ RM 11.50

The fried rice is just a plate of very normal fried rice. Not spicy enough to give the kick. My brother even ate with chilli sauce. The famous chicken chop didn't earn my praise. Nothing to shout about. Or maybe it's just me. Maybe i'm not cut for chicken chop. Or maybe i didn't choose the fried chicken chop which is the original version. But overall, it was not that bad. It tasted alright. It was just me wondering what made it to be voted as the Best Chicken Chop by The Star in 2003. Or was it then in 2003 was its glorious moment and it went downhill? The chicken chop was served with green beans and slices of fried potatoes. The fried potatoes was nice. The green beans tasted like canned beans.

The watermelon juice is a little bit too sweet. But it complemented the fried rice and chicken chop well.

Overall, the ambience is pretty good. A nice place to have a meal with your friends and family.

IT Roo Cafe
17, Jalan Dhoby,
Johor Bahru, Johor.
Malaysia.