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Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Why I Want To Eat At Fridays?
The rain had only started to peter into a light drizzle, when I stepped into Fridays (sopping wet, as it was). Chilled to the bone, I was warmly greeted by the staff, as I gingerly stepped around tables and chairs, mindful of the patrons, so as not to spatter them with cold rain water that was dripping off my hair in bucketloads.
 The cheerful ambience of the restaurant immediately picked me up somewhat, (not to mention the smells wafting from the kitchen), and when I finally found a seat among my group of friends already congregated there, I actually began to feel a bit dryer, and that life was worth living again. One of the waiters quickly whisked over to me, and handed me a menu,through which I just cast a glance, and ordered a black coffee (my usual). After some deliberation, I settled for the burger, and focused my attention back on the buzzing conversationalists in front of me.
The ladies were busy chattering away about some new store that had opened in the 1 Utama, ("Oh, you just HAVE to go over there! I hear they have the latest...") while the guys kept up the usual grunting and snorting about recent sports developments. Seated as I was, at the chair furthest away from the animated din, I managed to catch snippets of a conversation that wafted over in my direction.
".. eh, how come we always come here for our gatherings wan ah? No other place mer?"
".. I dunno ler, you ask our host over there and see la..."
".. yes, yes, Heroes Season 2 came out already.. You want ah? I got download.."
Sipping away at my coffee, I couldn't help but ponder regarding the part about coming to Friday's often (the other half of my mind was busy thinking about who to get the Heroes series from). It was an invariable fact that almost all our gatherings, be it comprised of high-school, college, or university friends, were staged in Friday's, more specifically, TGIF, at The Curve. It ranked almost as high as the sun coming up in the morning in terms of predictability; All Gatherings Are To Be In TGIF (in uppercase).
What is it about this place that makes us keep coming back?
Maybe its delightfully cosy setting that the place provides, perfect for those who want a little comfort, and a long overdue break from the corner mamak stall with its bawling television set and grimy fly-killer.
Or perhaps its the friendly staff that never fails to bring a smile, along with menu, to the table. (and yes, their service is pretty fast too)
Undoubtedly, the food plays a major part.
I guess the funky decorations on the wall help as well.
As I continued to look around however, I heard the gails of laughter coming from all around me, and I realised, with a grin, what it was that pulled us all back.
Good Friends + Great Food = Grand Times
Why do I want to eat at Fridays?
The better question would be; Why wouldn't I want to eat at Fridays?
And thats a question that probably won't be answered anytime soon.
Posted at 10:40 pm by IsaacCheah
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Saturday, September 29, 2007
Of Birthdays, Lanterns, and William's...
Yet another week has flown by, and, yes, things don't seem all that great. I have a rather foreboding premonition of things to come, and, sadly, I can't really seem to shake it off.
Nonetheless, several bright points appeared throughout the 5 days that was spent in the quiet little town of Semenyih.
Siew Yeng's Birthday
Joyce had always spoken about her old friend, Siew Yeng, back from her days in Chan Wa, but this was the first time that I got to meet her in person. It was her 21st birthday, and she, along with Rui Rui, decided to pop by Metro Point Kajang, for a birthday dinner with us.
Metro Point, at Night The Birthday Girl, Siew Yeng Group Photo, in Secret Recipe
After a pleasant meal where the major point of discussion was about lard, we dropped both of them back in their respective off-campus homes in UKM, Bangi. Apparently, these girls actually come over to Kajang for lunch, and although its some way off, they nonchalantly claimed that it was rather near.
And we complain about going to Multi-Choice for lunch.
Lantern Festival
Tuesday night was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and, rather surprisingly, we managed to round up a bunch of people to walk around with lanterns, on uni grounds.
A very Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone!
Sonia @ William's
Since Sonia was going to go back to the UK, a bunch of us hopped into my car, and went down (up?) to William's, to have a makan/talking session with her.
Yen and Zhao Me, Sonia, Joyce Zhao and Happy Kohilan
We ended up spending 3 hours there. Just goes to show how time flies in the company of good friends.
And there goes another week.
Posted at 12:19 am by IsaacCheah
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Saturday, September 22, 2007
What a week. Uni officially resumed classes on Monday, and the past 5 days have been full of running around, trying to decide which modules to take. Nonetheless, there were a few memorable events that we managed to take time out to participate in.
Farewell at The Airport.
On Monday, we finally bade farewell to those leaving for the UK, namely Pharmacy and Engineering students. The scene was reminiscent of the send-off we had last year, but it seems like there were more people present this time round.
Li-Lynn Fang Chin and Chung Siew Manny Yenson Tiyor @ Ah Tuck
Kae Shin Douglas Kah Lin Hwee Yinn Li-Ann
All the best to you guys over there!
Eng Teck Turns 21
So this joker turned 21. We bought a cake and suprised him at one of the restaurants in Semenyih, where the guys brought him out to dinner first.
Blowing candle Those are huge noodles The 21-Year Old Eng Teck
Stunt Driving
It was quite early in the morning when ***r** (asterisks placed strategically to preserve anonymity) gathered everyone in the kampung to help get her car tyre out of a manhole. The tyre had burst upon entering the hole, so it was a rather tough job getting it out. Furthermore, the nuts that held the wheel in place were doing their job too well. And to top it off, ***r** must have driven over dog dung, since the wheel we had to change was covered in it. But with manly enthusiasm (and the usual complaining), the guys set to, and in short order, managed to get it out, and replace it with a new tyre.
See me slacking Look ma, no wheels!
Men @ Work
There's always something to look forward to, in Semenyih.
Julie Turns 21
On Friday night, I popped over Julie's place to wish her many happy returns of the day. I could always remember her birthday since my dad shares the same day, 21st September. I managed to bump into old school friends, some of whom I had not seen since the last day of Form 5, and some whom I just had dinner with the night before. As usual, whenever there's a gathering of ex-schoolmates, we began reminiscing about the good 'ol days, and nostalgia came nipping almost instantly.
Julie Cuts Cake This was taken using the camera timer function. Me and the birthday girl Kenny and Hang Yang The Happier Versions of Kenny and Han Yang Puvesh and Julie Julie, Mei Ling, and I Bakti-ans : Julie, Puvesh, Mei Ling, Han Yang Usaha-ans : Kenny, Myself, Ven Nee
The Group PhotoGuys, Left-Right: Myself, Han Yang, Chris, Puvesh, KennyGirls, Left-Right: Mei Ling, Julie, Wai Teng, Ven Nee
Well, Happy Birthday, Julie!
And thats the week in review.
Posted at 04:03 pm by IsaacCheah
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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Starbucks, With The Gang..
I was on my way back from church, when Joshua called and said that the fellows were in Starbucks, Taipan. So, in moments, Joshua had swung by my house, and we trundled over there.
*Pictures courtesy of Li-Lynn*
The Fairer Sex
The Not So Fair Sex
All Together Now
The Starbucks Barista who took these photos of us asked us if we wanted to take more.
We said "Yes", of course...
Although Weng Hoe went to the washroom, he still managed to appear in the photo. Skillful indeed.
Lynn's camera actually has the sounds of them hissing at each other
We were supposed to pout, here. I come off looking retarded (as usual)
A more presentable one
My failed attempt at philosophy
I always had this theory that when you threw this bunch of people together, the outcome would surely be fun and laughter.
Again, I'm proven right. =)
Posted at 08:43 pm by IsaacCheah
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Monday, September 10, 2007
It feels like everyone is turning 21 this year. On Sunday night, I went down to KL, to attend a 21st Birthday Celebration Dinner at the Dorsett Regency, for Esther Ng.
I still remember how Esther used to come over to my place for lunch, while waiting for her mum to come pick her up after school. We would eat tapau-ed chap fan from styrofoam boxes that my dad would buy back while he stopped in at home during the lunch hour. Then there were the trips that our families went to together, which mainly consisted of makan sessions.
It was about then that I realized I've actually known Esther for years. From church and through secondary school. My, how time flies. As I said in the short (and last-minute) speech I gave, she has grown into a lovely young lady that any parent would be proud of.
Here are some photos to look at.
The first dish was a 4-Season thing... Birthday girl thanking guests... On the wall... Esther with the Cheah family (faces cropped to preserve anonymity) I met her cousin, Eugene, for the first time, that night... ...a rather fun guy. And guess who I met! Yean Yean! (Chem Eng student from Notts, who just came back from the UK) and a new friend, Jane, from HELP University College.  Esther and I
I don't think you'll ever read this entry, but Happy Birthday anyway, Esther! May God bless you in all that you do.
Note: The durian cake was excellent.
Posted at 06:08 pm by IsaacCheah
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Sunday, September 09, 2007
Lynn, Joey, and I at Bangkok Jazz...
I arrived about 15 minutes early, at the Bangkok Jazz, so I decided to sit and wait at the comfortable-looking bench outside, until I got chased by (what I hope are not Aedes) mosquitos. Lynn and Joey arrived, and we made our way into the place.
The Bangkok Jazz
It was a rather nice place, and comfortable (Joyce would love this sort of setting), but upon entering, it seemed like every table was booked. That was until the nice waiter showed us a table (or rather, sofas) for 3, right up front! Front row seats, though not exactly centre. I had the pleasure of meeting Yi Ning, the violinist of the band, who studies in Nottingham UK.
Yi Ning and Joey Lynn and I (after measuring, my head IS bigger, no doubt about it) The 3 of us...
The prices were rather alright, and the pandan chicken,tasty (the chicken meat was tender, which is more than I can say for a lot of places).
No prizes for guessing which drink is mine Pandan chicken which takes 1 hour to cook
Soon, the band came up to bat, and the show started with a guitar and vocals piece called "Nasi". It had a rather folksy vibe to it, which soon got everyone's feet tapping to the rhythm. The night progressed with the lead singer crooning away, while we chatted (it was a bit hard to hear though, since we were seated so close to the amps). After about 6 songs or so, I had to leave, and couldn't catch the next set, but I'm sure it would have been as great as the first.
Rendra Zawawi : Live! Rendra Zawawi and Unusual Suspicions
Good food, great music, fantastic company. =)
On the whole, a very pleasant experience.
Posted at 02:23 pm by IsaacCheah
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