Does she deserve this?

Really... Does Moniq deserve all these? She has been a good and loyal companion to this family. She protects us, loves us... Why should she go through all of these?

Just a quick update - We have checked her out from the vet in Cheras and moved her to another hospital. The vet in Cheras is just a clinic, and Vincent's family who has been there told us that the place is dirty and unhygienic. The clinic closes at 5pm, and they shut off all the lights, leaving poor Moniq in a muzzle and caged between 2 cats! How stupid is that?! WTF! Common sense has it that you don't put dogs and cats in close proximity! Damn!

We research to look for better hospitals, and found a forum that recommended the vet in Brickfields... So Vincent's dad and sister checked Moniq out on Wednesday and brought her there. They were told that their hospital branch is in Gasing, and that is where Moniq has spent the last 4 days.

Blood tests were done, and the diagnose from Gasing vet has it that Moniq's liver has been poisoned. By what? No definite answer. Her liver index is 1000 (normal index is 500)! That is double the normal standard! Her liver is not functioning due to the poison, and because of that, had caused internal bleeding near her stomach.

The vet says that they will keep transferring the liquid to her liver to flush out the poison, and then it's all up to Moniq. We are now taking turns to visit her and feed her.

Vincent and I went today. We arrived at 10.15am. I almost cry when I see her. She lost so much weight! And her legs were shaved revealing traces of multiple injection and needle poking! We tried to feed her but she wouldn't eat at all! Her stomach is so bloated! The vet said that this could be the fluids. If the fluids that are transferred is staying in her stomach, meaning her liver is not functioning to flush the poison out... Meaning what we are doing is practically useless.

We spent about 3 hours just sitting with her, stroking her. She just sat next to us and not move. It's so heartbreaking to see her like this! Where is the dog that used to come to me when I call her? Where is the Moniq that will jump up to my leg when I signal her? Where is the beloved dog that would eat just about anything that I feed her with?

I can't go on anymore. I'm just too emotional to type on. I miss her so much.

Restaurant Imbi Palace

18.10.09

I had the urge to go for dim sum last weekend... And I wanted to go somewhere new instead of the old but reliable Ah Yat Abalone Forum. Vincent suggested the Imbi Palace Restaurant in Imbi as he heard the Roast Pork that is their signature dish.


Of course when we were there, we have a look at their wedding menu offering as well so that we have an extra option for our wedding reception. The place is really big... It could easily fit in 50 tables, and they would still have place to block off for walk-in customers. The menu was just the usual, though the FOC items were a little too stingy... Oh well The place was very crowded at noon time on Sunday. Many came with their family.


This is the appetizer - Braised Peanuts (RM3.00).


Like most of the Chinese restaurants, you tick which and what dim sum you want. Gone are the days where they push the carts around and you get to pick and choose you dim sum then and there.

This is one of the must-have - The Roasted Pork Meat (RM14.00). A little pricey for a serving that small I'd reckon, but Vincent said that this is just standard. The taste? As good as we heard! The skin is delicious and crispy, and the meat is just tender enough with a hint of fat in it. Totally recommended! Every table has this dish on their table too!


This is one of my dim sums favourite - Steamed Siew Mai (RM6.80). It' OK... So-so I would say. Maybe cos I was expecting a very tasty dim sum cos of my appetite for dim sum that day.


This is once of Vincent's must-have dim sum - BBQ Pork Bun (RM6.00). The dough is very soft and it doesn't feel too flour-ish... Just nice. And the BBQ Pork is good too! You know some BBQ Pork Bun fillings are just 50% fat, but this is not... The fat in it was just enough to make it delicious but not too overwhelming.


The dish that only Vincent will eat as he is a big fan of chicken feet - Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce (RM5.00). I tasted the sauce a bit and it was just OK. Vincent said this ain't the best but it's not too bad.


Deep Fried Yam Past (RM6.80). Vincent has never like this, but I ordered it anyways LOL! But I was utterly disappointed! The filling was too little and has no taste in it. The yam paste doesn't feel "fresh" enough. I would stay away from this.


This is another of my order - Steamed Rice Roll with BBQ Pork (RM8.00). The delivery was a let down... I would even use the word "pathetic" to describe it. Even the street dim sum can offer a better look to this dish. Just by the looks of it, I didn't have the appetite for it, and true enough, it was distasteful! The BBQ Pork was too fat and no taste, and the Rice Roll was too sticky.


Ask me if I would wanna come here again for dim sum, I'd say "No, thanks". Not my favourite place to a good Sunday dim sum... I'd still go back to Ah Yat Abalone Forum for good ol' dim sum. The only dish worth coming back for would be the Roasted Pork Meat.

8, Jalan Barat, Off Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
03 2145 4822

Coliseum Cafe & Hotel

Last Sunday, we were at the streets of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman to look for curtains for our new place. We dropped by Nagoya but couldn't find anything to our liking. We were suppose to look at Kamdar but decided to skip that fearing that it would offer the same as Nagoya. So we went to SSF, which is also along the street.

After an hour shopping at SSF (we did bought quite a lot for our new place), we thought we'd have a drink. First thing that came into my mind was the Coliseum Cafe & Hotel. My parents brought me and my siblings here once when we were in our teen years. I told Vincent that in this restaurant, everything is very old-fashioned and don't expect it has excellent modern deco.


The place was exactly as I remember it! Nothing has changed. No renovation since the last time I came... And when I came with my parents more than 10 years back, they said the same thing! They have done a pretty good job at preserving the taste and look of a traditional cafe meets European style.


The chairs and tables are the same as before.


The bar. This is a cafe + hotel... It's more like a boutique hotel. I heard that this place is crowded with foreigners at night to enjoy the alcohol and food.


The place is almost full at 4pm. There was only 1 waiter in the cafe! He explained that most of their staffs were on holiday due to the Deepavali celebration.

The place is separated into 2 sections - the bar and the restaurant. The uncle that served us told us that they have the separation due to lack of manpower.


Their menu. They serve local cuisine as well as western food at reasonable price.


I was still very full from lunch, so we ordered only 1 main dish. I remember that they are famous for their western food, so Vincent ordered the Chicken Chop with Black Pepper Sauce. It was scrumptious! One of the best chicken chops I've ever tasted! Totally recommended!


Vincent loves his food very much! He said he has finally found a place to please his appetite and urge for western cuisine.


Overall, the food is as good as I remember it. And the deco and surrounding just brings you back in time. One can't complain on the service cos they had only 1 waiter at that time, but do pay a visit to this precious little cafe. It is definitely worth a visit.

98 - 100, Jalan Tuanku Abd Rahman 50100, Kuala Lumpur

+603 2692 6270

My dog has been hospitalised

Yes, our dog, a.k.a. Moniq has been officially hospitalised. She has been diagnosed with liver infection/cancer.

I'm too crushed to say anything more for now. We will only know what we can and will do in 3 days' time. Pls help me pray for our dog... Pray that she will pass this hurdle in her life, and come back into our arms.

Vincent and I are so agonized now. What makes it worse is to have to wait for 3 days to know the result, with less than 50% chance of Moniq coming back home with us.

Pls be OK Moniq... pls...

Gift to Alex & Phoebe - With our best wishes

Of course when he mentioned that to them, he knew I have been analysing the slide show software for a while now (for another project of mine), and he knew I would be able to do it for them. So that's what I did. I took about 2 hours on the 1st day, and another 3 hours on the 2nd day.

If you have a look at the video, it isn't complete. Reason is that this was a first draft... And since the couple said that the bride's sister will be doing it for them, I've since stopped modifying and touching it up. But Vincent said to present them anyways with this slide show as our gift to them, so here it is.

Wedding Reception - Alex & Phoebe

As mentioned in the previous post, the wedding reception for Alex & Phoebe was held a week after the tea ceremony. Their dinner was held in Restaurant Golden Dragon Boat on 10.10.09.

Their banner which was placed at the reception. Some of the waitress that walked passed this banner said they are a beautiful couple.


The place was decorated with fresh flowers everywhere.


The early birds. We were there even before the groom and bride.


The deco on stage. The couple's names were comparatively small to the larger background of the stage though.


Dolls on the wedding cake.


My fiance and I. The theme for the night is black top with jeans. We added the fedora hat for a touch of our own The groom will provide each of us a pink tie. The heng dai's will wear this for our lil "performance" later.


The 2 early helpers to collect the ang pau from the groom side. Check out the matching ties.


Picture with 2 of the heng dai's. One of them is a dad already. They said I looked like a porn star


See how well their matching attire and ties? Lovely rite? They were labeled "gangster" for the night.


The tidbits there were brought by the bride's family. This is something of an appetizers for their guests just in case the dinner starts late. Adorable aren't they?


Myself and the bride. Love her hairdo and the flowers.


The groom's dad and our ever popular singer started off the night with some songs.


Right after this song duet was the heng dai's and ji mui's "performance". I didn't have the picture here cos I was one of the participants and was unable to capture it with my camera. What happened was we marched in couple by couple accompanied by Black Eyed Peas' Tonight's gonna be a good night song. It was more of a ala red carpet and we had to stop to pose for the cameras. After about 15 couples, the main stars came in. Then all of us went to the stage, and the groom thanked his guests. We ended the performance with a bow, and left the stage. It was exhilarating and thrilling at the same time to be doing this!! Ask if I would do it again... Hell Yeah!


Obviously, that is Vincent with one of his "best friends" - Alcohol.


Toasting ceremony time. The groom and bride to pour the champagne.


Toast to thank the guests - YAM SING!


Continue yam sing!!


The BFF. Sentimental uncles.


Vincent went up to the stage to sing - Not his usual style. So I picked one of the fresh flowers and presented to him LOL.


The hero of the night - Taking the fall for one of the ladies. "GENG!" Will recruit him as the drinker next time


One of the next couple in line to join the wedding bandwagon I presume?


Or would this couple overtake them and walk down the aisle as husband and wife first?


The night didn't just end here. It became rather obscene, and in an uncomfortable way. I would say that it is not in my expectation, and though I'm open about it, there are just some lines that are not meant to be crossed. I mean, that's the reason why the lines were drawn in the first damn place rite?!

Well, I'm just gonna leave it as it is. Am keeping the fun and fond memories of the night, and throwing out the rest. Nevertheless, I wish this couple the best years ahead as husband and wife.

To Alex and Phoebe: May you love and hold each other in the worst of times with trust, faith and belied... Happy ever after!