I am a day away from a brand new me... I am just missing a pair of white shoes. Perhaps I can get it over the weekend. Just in case you are wondering what the heck I am talking about -- I will be baptized on the 11th of April. It has been 11 months of waiting and the day has finally arrived.

It all started with delivering an order of cupcakes on 3rd June. Funnily that night, we decided to park our car far from church. When we were about to leave, it started to rain. It didn't look as if the heavy downpour would end soon. We didn't have any umbrella and there was no where else to go. Chip asked if I would like to stay for the RCIA orientation. I shrugged. I did not want to stay and it showed in my face. But what else was there to do with such heavy rain? The idea of getting soaked was not an option. So, I agreed to stay reluctantly. After the short orientation session,  we had our small chats, introductions and small bites. When it all ended, the rain stopped. It wasn't so bad, I thought. What's one hour of my time?

That one hour of my time on 3rd June is now a lifetime commitment I have with God. It is a wonderful feeling. My fellow classmates and I are all elated about receiving our first communion. We even had a rehersal last Tuesday on how to accept the host with our tongue. How funny it is to have adults teaching adults how to 'eat' as if we were infants.

It is a new beginning for all of us. Welcome to my new life, my new chapter.

The broadband connection in Malaysia has always been slow since its launch in...err early 2000? But today is the worst! I can't even load my  webmails. How am I suppose to work like this? Why am I paying good money for such unreliability?

Already being in a foul mood, I was looking for an outlet. Guess who came to mind? The wonderful people at TM Net. That should be easy right? Just call them and let them know what I think about the internet connection.

Lo' and behold this is where their incompetence starts. 

There is no hotline number on my TM bill! But nevermind, maybe they are on an environmental campaign and wanted to save ink. I google'd "tmnet hotline". Obviously I'd click on the first link which was the official TM Net website - www.tm.net.my/streamyx. Click on customer care after many clicks deep into the website and ta-da their hotline: 1300-88-9515.

Again another disappointment; the line was engaged for the longest time. You could imagine my frustration by now. I was already rehearsing my "fuck you" speech in my mind, if only I could get them on the phone. Browsing around I found another TM website but this time its www.tm.com.my! DOT COM?! Previously it was DOT NET! Why? Why?? Why 2 separate websites with different info? Sigh, again clicked on customer care after a few clicks. 

This was what they displayed on their website:

At the Service Centres you can make enquiries about TM's telephone services or get help from our friendly operators to connect your domestic or international calls.

100- Homeline/Businesslin
101- Operator Assisted Calls
103- Directory Enquiries

Bear in mind I was using my mobile to call them. I dialed 100. Maxis being my operator, I got an error tone. Wtf?! Tried again (I shouldn't have doubted myself) and still the same tone. Then it occurred to me. Why don't I click on the number listing, there might be another number. True enough Streamyx/TM Net didn't disappoint.

"100 is TM's Customer Service Centre for all your enquiries and requests regarding TM, Celcom and TM Net. Non-Celcom customers call from mobile phones can reach our Customer Service Centre at 1 300 888 123."

A new number! A freaking new number! Maybe it's not literally a new number but it's new to me. They could have at least printed in on my bill. Dialed it and finally I was ringing. 

Time now is 15:20 (yes I was keeping track).

From now on, we will insert the geographical coordinates of places that we've been to at the END of each post. Whether they are restaurants, shopping malls or tourist attractions, we are sure that it'll be very helpful and useful if you have GPS. All you need to do is key the coordinates in your phone or GPS system and you're there! We hope you like this extra effort!

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Just got back from the airport after sending Bashida off. She'll be back at her hometown after living in Malaysia for a couple of years. I know that she'll be dearly missed after her big entourage of friends showed up in the airport to bid goodbye. The guys and I did a separate do for her last Wednesday.

Dinner at Delicious in Bangsar Village II was a good idea. We got ourselves a table tucked at a tiny corner of the restaurant. As soon as we sat down, the aroma of freshly cooked pasta and meat filled the room. Just like Pavlov's dogs, we started to salivate... and over-order. We shared a crab and mango salad; generous portion of shredded crabmeat mixed with julliened sour mango tossed with a light, tangy dressing.

For my main, I ordered the seafood linguine. I was expecting pasta in a red sauce base like ALL seafood spag/linguine I've eaten around town. This one was different and it was a GOOD different. The pasta was served with shaved parmesan cheese so I think the sauce was rather cheesey and thick. The seafood was fresh but they could have done better with the prawns. It was translucent and unnaturally crunchy which only means that they used preservatives on the prawns. Bah!

I was busy taking pictures of Chip's spicy crabmeat pasta, Shaun's Nasi Kerabu and Ayam Percik and Bash's Duck Confit until Ram complained. "Why? Is my cheeseburger too ordinary? Please take a picture too!" LOL. Sure, coach. I'll make this special and post a picture of your meal! I would love to just take a big bite of that juicy meat but.. it's not Sunday.

After dinner, we popped by Alexis for coffee. Seriously, I think I've been too cooped up at home that I did not realize that they have refurbished the place. I love it! I love how they stack the San Bernadino bottled water and the chandelier at the end of the cafe that is one big organized mess of white plastic pieces. Chic.

Already stuffed with dinner, the menu.. no matter how many times 'chocolate' was mentioned, was just not ringing a bell for me. A cup of hot chamomile for me please

Chip still deciding on what to have. Finally he settles for a cuppa hot choco. Yes! At least one form of Chocolate. Anyway, don't bother ordering it over here. It was quite a disappointment for me. No whip cream. No drizzle of chocolate sauce It's like having hot, concentrated Milo. Another Bah!

The gorgeous Bashida in her 'I-am-not-posing' pose. I definitely want to visit her in India. Where she stays, winter can be as cold as -2°C! RM 250 is all you need for food and transportation for a month's stay. I want!

Here's one of coach looking sharp. Notice the chandelier behind? That's the one I was referring to just now. Pretty awesome, ain't it?

Shaun and I exchanging snapshots of each other.

And finally, we took a group shot. This picture was used as part of her li'l farewell gift that we presented at the airport. She didn't get to see what was in the parcel but I hope it'll be a good surprise once she's on-board her long flight home. We'll miss you Bashida. We hope to see you soon.

Delicious at Bangsar Village II, Bangsar

S 03° 07.834', E 101° 40.288'

Alexis on Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar

N 03° 07.840', E 101° 40.263'