Jalan2 Cari Makan @ Ipoh 31 Aug 2017

31 August Thursday is National Day, and so co-incident that 1 September Friday is Hari Raya Haji, so we have a long straight weekend from Thursday to Sunday, all add up are 4 days.

We had been contemplating where to go for this long weekend, anyhow it is consider quite last minute plan for us to decide to go to Ipoh.

Knowing Ipoh too would be crowded in this weekend too, especially after Ipoh had been announced from the Lonely Planet last year ranked number 9 in the Best In Travel 2017 list for regions, praising capital city Ipoh’s “bloom of vintage-style cafes and boutiques”.

We woke up early and departed around 6.00am. It is a smooth drive until we reached Rawang.

We can see a long queue of the cars on the road from afar. Daddy just exited from the North-South Highway from the nearest town at Rawang. We were using the old roads going up to Ipoh.

We stopped by a town called Rasa, and we had our breakfast here. It was around 7.30am.

We had a simple breakfast: Wanton Mee, Hokkien Mee, Loh Mai Kai and Fried Rice. After half an hour, we continued our journey towards the north.

It is really a lot of cars on the road, even the old roads too full of cars. It was almost 10.30am that we stopped again at Kampar town.

We went to a Malay restaurant and have a drink. We overheard the conversation between a Chinese old uncle with the Malay restaurant owner, that they were talking about so jam and so many cars on the road.

Finally we reached our Agoda booking stay at Fairpark Residence. It is a shop lot converted to hostel kind of place.

Once enter the room, we can see 3 writing tables with 3 power points each on the wall, the sleeping place is on the mezzo where we need to climb up through the stairs. It's ok for the kids and me.

It is cater for 3 adults room as there are cabinets and mattress for 3 adults on the mezzanine floor, but as we are 2 adults 2 kids family, we just put 2 mattresses together so we able to sleep 4.

The owner is really nice and friendly, as she recommends us where are the good foods that we can look for at Ipoh.

With the price, we have no comments as we are getting our basics: mattress, shared bath for shower, air conditioning for the hot weather, free Wi-fi even a little bit slow, and so many power plugs that normally you can't get in the normal hotel.

There is a self service laundry just down stair, and it make everything easier for us. A minimart across the street and a 24 hour Nasi Kandar Pelita just direct opposite the place. And, a gas station just next to the building we stayed.

Just the upkeep of cleanliness of the bathrooms and wash basins area need a little bit of improvement. Other than that, we got no complain.

After we settled down our things in the room, we drove out and searched for our lunch. Everyone was so hungry.

Ipoh is a hotspot for bean sprouts chicken “Ngah Choy Kai” (芽菜雞). There are 2 famous shops which are Onn Kee, which is opposite of Lou Wang (老黃芽菜雞).

We had our lunch at Lou Wang and we were lucky as once we approached the shop, we got a table just nice for 4 o us.

Honestly speaking, I think it tastes not bad from a tourist’s point of view. I like the “Ngah Choy” or the bean sprouts… so crunchy and succulent.

We were sitting just next to the back kitchen where they cook the Lou Wong’s steamed chicken’s skin had this slippery smooth texture and tender yet firm flesh.

They have the choice of having together with the smooth Hor Fun  or chicken rice.

We opted for rice as we were so hungry, together with the tangy chilli and tender chicken, makes it a perfect lunch.

Oh, this is also a good supper venue as they close at 12am.

After the chicken rice, we walked down the streets and found a not so bad soya bean shop – Lai Kee Soya.

There were full of customers as usual due to weekend.

We ordered a bowl of Brown Sugar Tau Fu Fah, as they do have 3 types of sugar: white sugar, brown sugar and ginger sugar.

We ordered a glass of black soya bean drink. The Tau Fu Fah tasted smooth and soft, and the black soya bean drink was not bad as well.

Surprisingly, Lai Kee Soya is not the best in town, there are still Funny Mountain Tau Fu Fah and Woong Kee Tau Fu Fah that are on top of the lists! We shall try both some other time.

After that we headed to the Ipoh Parade instead of staying around in the old town, because the weather is too hot!

We spent the whole afternoon at the GSC Cinema watching movie “Dive Cage”.

Around 6.30pm, we drove back to the old street, and looked for Restaurant Tuck Kee for our dinner.

Oh my… The shop were packed with people and queuing for the tables and chairs. Then, we just settled with Restaurant Sun Tuck Kee, which is just next door.

Restaurant Sun Tuck Kee is located same row with “Lou Wong Ngah Choy Kai”.

They serve Chinese Cuisine exactly the same menu like Restaurant Tuck Kee, which obviously more famous.

Their specialties are Wan Tan Hor, Baby Octopus, Fish Noodle, and Ipoh Bean Sprout.

The restaurant was full of customers as well, we choose a table just at the road side, and it is just nice as the weather is so hot today.

We ordered Wan Tan Hor, Fish Noodles, Moonlight Kuey Teow and Dumplings Soup.

Moonlight Kuey Teow is delicious and has the aromatic wok fried flavour. Wan Tan Hor is tasted good. The Soup is creamy and rich in flavour.

Overall, it is good dinner as the foods are delicious. I can imagine that Restaurant Tuck Kee should be taste better.

We did not manage to take photos as we were so hungry and slurped all the food into our stomach.

We have a walk at the famous Gerbang Malam, the famous night market at the streets of the Ipoh Old Town.

This night market started from every evening from 8.00pm till midnight 12.00am or 2.00am.

You could get your hands on almost anything, from clothes to shoes to bags to makeup beauty accessories and other fashion accessories, for cheap!

There are even foot reflexology services here in makeshift tents, and they seem quite popular too.

I noticed that most of the vendors are Malays. We did not buy anything as we did not see any interesting or capture our eyes.

We ended our day here and went back to hotel after a long day since 6.00am this morning.

Our Office Lunch Today

Due to school holidays this week, I bring along both Issac and Annabelle to my office today. They are having chicken rice lunch for today!

The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

Preparing for the Priesthood #1 ~ Learn about the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood (see D&C 13, 107:20, and Joseph Smith–History 1:68-73).

Today activity day would be only Issac alone as he will be soon entering in 12 years old and become a young man.

This is the first lesson of the Preparing for the Priesthood, and it is all bout how the priesthood have been restored.

Well, there are total 3 scriptures that Issac need to learn and study. It is all about the Aaronic Priesthood.

Doctrine and Covenants 13 and Joseph Smith-History 1:68-73 are the actual events on how the Aaronic Priesthood have been restored:

One day in May 1829, while Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were translating the Book of Mormon, they read something about baptism. Desiring to know more about this ordinance, they went into the woods and prayed about it.

In answer to Joseph and Oliver’s prayer, an angel from heaven appeared to them. It was John the Baptist, who had baptized Jesus long ago.

John gave Joseph and Oliver the Aaronic Priesthood. Priests in the Aaronic Priesthood have power and authority from God to baptize people.

John the Baptist told Joseph and Oliver to baptize each other. After Joseph baptized Oliver, covering him completely with water, Oliver baptized Joseph in the same way, just as Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

Some days later three other angels visited Joseph and Oliver. Peter, James, and John, Apostles of Jesus long ago, gave Joseph and Oliver the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Joseph and Oliver were filled with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost after they were baptized. They knew for a certainty that the Church of Jesus Christ would soon be re-established on the earth.

Whereby the Doctrine and Covenants 107:20 is about the duty or authority of the lesser priesthood, the Aaronic Priesthood:

Priests, teachers, and deacons hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Priests may baptize new members and bless the sacrament. They also help the elders.

Teachers may help get the sacrament ready and go home teaching. They are to help Church members live righteously.

Deacons may pass the sacrament, act as ushers, and collect fast offerings. They are to help keep Church buildings and grounds in good condition and to serve as messengers for priesthood leaders.

I did not prepare much activities for this lesson, as I thought it is important for Issac to know the related scriptures as he would receive his Aaronic Priesthood when he is 12…

Farm in the City Exhibition @ Citta Mall

It is so co-incidentally that there is an exhibition from the Farm in the City here at Citta Mall. We discovered it during attended to Teacher Jane’s art class. Farm in the City is a some sort of mini petting zoo in Serdang. We can see some interesting and cute creatures and animals which exhibited here since yesterday.

After the art class, both Issac and Annabelle were so exciting to pet the small creatures. There is a ticket package or promotions going on, we can easily save about 30% on the entrance tickets if we bought the family package. I bought the family package, so that we can go one day.

I Can Feel His Grace…

This evening only 3 of us have our dinner together. We choose to have our dinner at KFC near our house. There were not much of crowds queuing as compared than usual, or may be we might be lucky as we reached Puchong Prima earlier than usual.

I checked my purse during I wanted to pay for our food. The notes inside is left with 2 pcs of RM50, my mind was thinking like… Hmmm… it is really fast…as I just withdrew the notes just last Friday.

And, just half of it I had to pay for the car new dry battery as the old battery just died off in front of Mecaje Academy, when I wanted to fetch the kids back from school.

Then my mind sort of thinking about the outstanding credit card amounts that I need to settle before this coming Saturday.

I was calculated in my mind that how much that I still short off, so that I am trying my best to avoid the credit card interest that will be imposed.

I was sitting down by the table where Issac and Annabelle chose, near the full glass façade of the KFC shop. While eating, and toying in my mind how to sort the things out.

Suddenly, I felt that I do not know whether I have sufficient for the instalment of the house, utilities bills, their art classes fees, and so on… I am not sure I can handle it. I just can not see it, how to increase what am I earning right now, so that I have a little bit buffer every month end.

But sometimes, I just feel so inadequate… at the same time, continue and persist to do the things which I supposed to do, such as: paying tithing every month, keep the Word of Wisdom, try my best to do my calling as the Primary Counsellor, try my very best to be a better mother and wife, try my best to teach both Issac and Annabelle to love God, and the list goes on…

Especially now, I am not sure whether I can comprehend in what I have been through, and at the same time try my very best for the above…I just felt I am drowning.

When I was looking out through the clear glass, and may be just seek for some “light on the other side of the road”. Then, my hand phone message ringed. I took it and saw it – my claims are approved and will be credited in my bank account by this week.

For that moment, my heart was filled with gratitude, because I can feel Heavenly Father and Jesus’s grace and mercy for me. I can feel His love for me and my family. He is there for me, and with me…

I looked at Issac as he was reading his story book after he finished his dinner. And, I looked at Annabelle as she was still eating her chicken rice. I felt more grateful to Heavenly Father, for I am blessed having 2 lovely children and I feel so honour being their mother and I am participating in this great work of Heavenly Father.

I can’t hold my tears and it started rolling down on my face once we got into our car, and drove home. I was so touched… I was crying for a long time, until I finished my routine vacuum and mop the floor in the home. Then, the tears stopped…

I was thinking about last April the General Conference talk “My Peace I Leave Unto You” by President Henry B. Eyring about peace that the Savior give:

“Remembering may be one of the most precious gifts the Spirit can give you. He will “bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever [the Lord has] said unto you” (John 14:26). The memory may be of an answered prayer, of a priesthood ordinance received, of a confirmation of your testimony, or of a moment when you saw God’s guiding hand in your life. Perhaps in a future day when you need strength, the Spirit may bring to your memory the feelings you are having during this meeting. I pray that this may be so.”

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26–27).”

“My Peace I Leave Unto You”

President Henry B. Eyring

General Conference April 2017

I just wanted to write this feeling down, so that I can still remember this day.

That I can feel His grace and mercy and as like the Spirit was telling me that, “Don’t quit. Please keep trying and keep going. Please do not give up, for I am here with you every moment. I do hear you.”

Alvin & Me ~ Lunch Date

Today is a bit special and surprise for me! Early in the morning, Alvin did mention that he will be having a meeting at Citta Mall in the afternoon, he might have a lunch with me together, at somewhere nearby my office.

I just nodded my head. I was busy once I entered to the office until I totally forgot about it. Around 12 noon, Alvin called me that he was there nearby the office, and asked me to meet him at the café that near my office, Coffee & Bar.

I was so touched and happy that he did want to have lunch together with me!

These were what we had:

ALOHA! The perfect lunch begins with tender pork patty, crispy smoked bacons, juicy grilled pineapple, caramelized onions & fresh lettuce. Yums!This is what I am having for my lunch.

#alohaburger  #thecoffeeandbar

Alvin was having their Signature Pork Burger. It comes with French fries and coleslaw salad. Their burger patty is handmade from 95% juicy pork, 5% fresh herbs & lots of ❤.

#signatureporkburger #thecoffeeandbar

I feel so sad that we did not take our selfie together, but today is my happiest day!  

Family Service Scavenger Hunt

Serving Others #1 ~ Read and discuss the parable of the good Samaritan (see Luke 10:30-37). Plan and complete a service project that helps a family member or neighbour. After completing the project, discuss how it helped your faith grow stronger.

For this activity, we started with reading the scriptures of the parable of the good Samaritan from Luke 10:30-37.

The Jews and the Samaritans did not get along with each other. The Jews did not like the people who lived in Samaria.

They thought they were better than the Samaritans and tried not to travel in their land. If they saw Samaritans, they would not talk to them.

In the story a Jewish man was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It was a dangerous road that climbed through steep hills.

Thieves would often hide behind big rocks and then try to stop and rob travellers.

The thieves attacked the man and hurt him very badly. They took his clothes and left him by the side of the road to die.

A priest traveling on the road saw the wounded man. But he hurried to the other side of the road and went on his way.

Next, a Levite man came by and saw the injured man. He too crossed to the other side and hurried by, not stopping to help.

Last, a man from Samaria came by. When he saw the Jewish man who had been attacked, he felt compassion and stopped to help.

The Samaritan washed and bound up the man’s wounds, put him on his own mule, and took him to an inn, where he could rest and get food.

The Samaritan paid the innkeeper money to care for the wounded man until the man was well.

The Samaritan showed the wounded man kindness and mercy. He treated him like a neighbour. Jesus wants us to treat others as the good Samaritan did.

Service to others is an important characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is willing to bear other people’s burdens and to comfort those who need comfort.

There are many ways to serve others. We can serve in your Church assignments, school, and community. We can serve by doing temple and family history work.

We can serve by sharing the gospel with others now and as a full-time missionary in the future.

Some of the most important service we can give will be within our own home.

I like to find fun activities that my family can do together, which can be challenge with the different ages in our family.

However, this was something that the whole family got involved in and loved! This time around only Issac and Annabelle will do ~ “Family Service Scavenger Hunt”.

    

So in this activity, Issac and Annabelle are looking for a way to serve for the home with the list of options to choose from for how both can help out. Once they have finished with the job, cross off the item they choose and move to the next!

Well, these are the household chores which they have helped out:

     

Clean a Bathroom

Take Out the Trash

     Vacuum Living Room & Dining Room

Sweep the Floor

    

Fold Some Laundry

    

Feed the Family Pet

Pick Up the Mail

    

Help Organize

Some other ideas that you could add to the list:

• Iron a dress shirt
• Listen while someone tells you about their day
• Wipe off a table
• Wipe off kitchen cupboard doors
• Clean/disinfect all the doorknobs in the house
• Sweep the porch
• Read a book to a child
• Wipe down the fridge and stove
• Put away toys

It is important to teach the kids how to serve and how to do it with a smile. If we can teach our children at a young age about the importance of serving others, it is something that they will do for the rest of their lives.

Often the most meaningful service is expressed through simple, everyday acts of kindness. Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost each day to know whom to serve and how to help meet their needs.

Follow the example of the Savior as we serve others. As we devote ourselves to serving others, we will draw closer to Heavenly Father.

Our heart will be filled with love. We will learn that service and sacrifice are ways to overcome selfishness. We will enjoy happiness that comes only from giving service to God and others.

Our capacities will increase, and we will be an instrument in God’s hands to bless the lives of His children.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Puchong Branch Primary Children

Today at Church with the Primary children!

Primary Sacrament Meeting 2017 Choose the Right Scripts Cards

This is a wonderful Primary Sacrament Meeting Program Scripts which is prepared by our Sister Jennifer, Primary President and mother of a child who loves singing, sewing, and making art & crafts.

I just type it out and print it to the paper, and made it personalize to each child the part that they need to memorize and talk in the sacrament meeting presentation later.

We would pass it their parents and seek their assistance to help their children at home, so that the parents together with the children have some common activity they can do together.