Dubai EatOuts #144: NOODLE FACTORY
30 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
in Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life, Me Time
Okay, my Thai eat-and-review plan changed. Wasn’t that energized to explore much today.
So instead, i decided on NOODLE FACTORY to satisfy my noodle soup cravings. This is our fourth time lunching here… And i’m still addicted to their tasty Asian menu!
On my first NOODLE FACTORY eat-and-review, we had Indo Nasi Goreng and M’sian Char Kwoey Teow.
This time we had:
1 Wanton Soup
1 Still Water (to share)
1 Egg Noodles with Lemongrass and Chicken
1 Banana Fritters (to share)!
Total bill was Dhs105, another worth-spending eatout.
NOODLE FACTORY
Location: Dubai Mall (Grd level)
It’s Tuesday!
29 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Dubai Info, Emotions, Married Life & Life, Me Time
I LOVE Tuesdays because it’s half-way through the week (as per UAE’s weekly calender). Phweet!
Hmm, a warm stiff day to plan what to eat-and-review this weekend.
The Macbook Topic, Again.
27 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Emotions, Married Life & Life
So, the husband talked about chipping in (with a wide grin) to help me own a Macbook! I’m all smiles.
Hmm, more of a quick solution to irk me off his much-loved laptop, which i’ve been fiercely using for blog updates and net surfing.
When am i buying one? I’ve yet to decide.
Dubai EatOuts #143: MAMMA OLIVA
26 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Eat&Review, Expensive Eats, Married Life & Life
Here we are off to lunch at the newly opened MAMMA OLIVA - a Milanese restaurant – at Festival City mall. The promotional advertorial article i read (featured in Timeoutdubai) boasts about its unpretentious quality of food. So here i am trying it out.
As expected, service was prompt and friendly. Good pizza and pasta selections, liking their table decorations and the woody interior made lunch light and relax.
Inclusive of 25% discount, the bill came to Dhs 120.
MAMMA OLIVA
Location: Dubai Festival City (Ikea), Festival City.
Dubai EatOuts #142: MANNALAND
25 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Eat&Review, Married Life & Life
Thanks to an ex-colleague, i got to know this Korean eatout known for their rich and flavourful foods! The must to order any KimChi-related dishes/soups whenever you dine at a Korean place is unavoidable.
What i love about this claustrophobic restaurant is that they serve PORK! Mm!
And don’t be deceived by their shabby looking facade/ interior, as they easily attract crowds (mostly Koreans/ Asians) during weekends and weeknights.
We ordered:
1 BBQ Marinated Pork
1 Kimchi Tofu/Seafood (Hotpot) Soup
2 bowls of rice
1 Onion and Seafood Pancake
1 Large bottle of water
Complimentary pickled/fresh appetizers
Total bill was Dhs120. Worth it!
So if you’re craving for some Korean, do check out cosy Mannaland for an exotic treat.
Oh wait, the only downside is exiting the restaurant smelling like a BBQ stove!
MANNALAND
Location: Mina Road, Satwa (beside Capitol Hotel)
Dubai #141: 18 Months Crawled By
24 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Christian Life, Dubai Info, Emotions, Working Life
Time crawled by for us since we stepped foot onto Dubai. Experiencing it’s ups and downs on both my career and life in general was, somewhat challenging in an upbeat way.
Firstly, the necessity to learn and adjust to another’s culture and their behaviours can be awkward initially, but interesting at the same time.
A chunk of my site-supervision job scope is to coordinate with contractors and Engineers of different nationalities/ races. Back home, it was either Chinese, Malays, Indians or Indonesians. Over here, i had to communicate with various citizens from Turkey, Iran, Palestine, Egypt, Pakistan, China, Iraq, Syria, Philipines, Britain, Morocco… Basically the ‘entire’ globe working together to complete this relatively large project!
If you didn’t already know, Dubai is a city filled with expats of numerous countries. Therefore it is vastly common to discuss/ chat/ dine/ work with professionals coming from different parts of the world. Career exposure-worthy indeed, I’m SO thankful for!
Secondly, as of last Sept 2009, the husband has been working amazingly well in his field with an European company, a fruitful pay package/ benefits, an understanding Danish boss and the flexiblity to express his creative ideas anytime. A dream job he always craved. Mmmm… Blessings in such times like this…
And lastly, being able to enjoy married life in this bling city, alone, has increased our love and trust in each other to the next level. Yes, i’m happily married to a humble, un-flashy, steady man!
In fact, i’m happy to repeat how I’m loving our blessed, favoured -not overly wealthy- life… To some point of not wanting to leave Dubai anytime soon.
Here’s a note to self, every circumstance/ trial happens -In God’s timing- for a reason, and having walked through them with Godly wisdom and faith, i can’t help but praise Him deeper!
Thoughts of CNY 2011 Holidays
23 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Family, Holidays, Malaysia, Married Life & Life
Okay. Yeah, i was recently posting about our upcoming December holidays and here i am thinking ambitiously about Chinese New Year celebration back home in Kuala Lumpur with family/ relatives.
Pekish thoughts about roasted pig skins, mandarin oranges, pork/chicken floss, plates of home-cooked dishes, and large bowls of herbal soups!
Oh, the fun of giving out ang pows to my singleton (regardless of age) cousins, and stuffing myself fat with festive cookies…
You see, as of Jan 2009, i’ve missed two CNYs. And mom’s been dropping our-new-guestroom-is-ready-for-CNY hints yesterday. So… We’re VERY tempted!
Once our Christmas holidays (In Sydney) are settled, will surely update if we’re travelling home again on Feb 2011. It’s still a doable plan, but it all boils down to how my work schedule and contract tie in with the holidays.
Ah well…
Just Random Me
21 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Christian Life, Dubai Info, Emotions, Me Time
Here i am posing happy about our upsy-daisy life in recent years. Blissful in ways i casually imagined, hopeful thoughts, treasured memories of the many subtle blessings that bloomed our circumstances -for the better- and, thinking out loud about kids and all that.
Btw, here’s an updated photo of my new hair-cut! Loving the short bangs all over again…
Visiting In-Laws During Christmas
20 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Emotions, Family, Holidays, Married Life & Life, Working Life
After some net browsings, i noticed the flight rates direct to Sydney has reduced by 10% during mid Dec! Woopeee!
I quickly filled up my leave (2 weeks) form and HOPING it will be approved… Good news please. Good news please. Good news please…
Dubai EatOuts #140: CARLUCCIO’S
19 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Eat&Review, Married Life & Life, Me Time
This weekend i wanted to try something different for breakfast, well, ain’t much of a difference really.
Instead of the usual typical western menu/ setting, hubs and i decided on the newly opened Italian restaurant/cafe in Mirdif City Centre.
Carluccio’s known to be the ideal place to relax and enjoy their authentic foods.
The second I stepped in, i was so keen on their minimalist interior. Crisp and neat, and service was good as expected.
Hubs ordered the Colazione Magnifica (Scrambled eggs with grilled pancetta, sauteed mushroons, tomato and toasted bread. Coffee or tea and a fruit juice) and i picked the Uova E Funghi (Free range scrambled eggs with sauteed mushroons on toasted bread). The bill came to Dhs 85.
Mmm!
Carluccio’s
Location: Mirdif City Centre (Mirdif)
Dubai EatOuts #139: DUCK KING (II)
18 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Eat&Review, Married Life & Life
Another visit to Duck King! Mmm, me and my duck cravings…
This time we both ordered the tender and juicy Roasted Duck (Egg noodles in dry style) that comes with a bowl of soup and Char Siew Bao (Steam buns with chicken stuffings), of course nothing beats the real pork fillings in them!
BuurP!
Oh My Head Hurts!
17 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Dubai Info, Emotions, Married Life & Life, Working Life
With so much recent drama at work, i couldn’t help feeling brain heavy!
I’m glad weekend is here, which helps -at the least- to reduce unecessary fretting and concerns. Hmmph…
I seriously hope this dramatic episode sorts itself out next week or so.
Oh, here’s today’s weather news:
Hot and heaty at 46 degrees (real feel)… This increasing heat is suppose to start in July, NOT June! Tooo soon…
Why I Crave Saturdays
15 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life, Me Time
Now that we get to chill out together much more during Saturday mornings… Reading the local paper, deep discussions about everythings and sipping our fave Cappuccino and English Breakfast Tea! Aaah… I always want my work weeks to swoosh by instantly!
But here’s an honest dilemma.
I’m still under the uncertainty mode of what’s tomorrow may be.
So, enjoying what we have, is the best thing to do!
The Overdued Gynae Post
13 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Christian Life, Family, Health, Married Life & Life
Oh, for those wondering what’s the status of my last gynae visit , it turned out good. No signs of cyst, whatsoever. Clean.
As for the other troublesome check-ups… Well i’m not so bothered. However/ whatever happens, it’s for a blessed reason. *wink*
The Story of Us
12 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Christian Life, Emotions, Married Life & Life
I’ve been asked numerous times how I met my husband before we tied the knot.
Apart from our obvious differences, we liked what we found in each other.
Doug was already based (for 3 years) in Kuala Lumpur as a Lead Programmer (IT industry) in an Australian-linked M’sian company.
I on the other hand, was happily absorbing experiences as an Interior Designer struggling with nitty gritty projects.
Life, was busy and stressful within our own worlds.
What brought us together?
Religion and a similar interest in looking for a serious relationship. Month after month, we occasionally bumped into each another within the church, exchanged quick glimpses but barely pausing for a “hello, how are you” chat..
Until one sunny day, we coincidentally joined a group of friends for a short trip up in Cameron Highlands, and it was then, we had the time and opportunity to know each other casually.
Months passed… Our friendship blossomed, going out among friends, noticing each other more… The whisper of our beating hearts grew.
He finally asked me out on a date after a year… Just. Us. Alone!
Yes, it took us this long to be sure! I remembered being on cloud nine for weeks! Since the first, we’ve been dating for 2 years… Facing rocky challenges with tears and joy.
On a clear cool night on 3rd March ’07, he held the ring on his palm, bended on one knee and proposed! To add to this beautiful moment, we were dining at my favourite Italian restaurant too! I couldn’t help squealing the whole night!
10 months after, we got married in the same church we had met.
So… Here i am, happily married to my first love… An honest, humble, gentle and loving geek.
While many assume we met online, does it matter if we’re the few that found love the good old-fashioned way? Surely not!!
Life is filled with sparkles in the Lord’s realm… Fabness!
Dubai EatOuts #138: DUCK KING (I)
11 Jun 2010 Comments Off
in Dubai Info, Eat&Review
Duck has always been my favourite bird… Roasted, barbequed, fried, it’s all my likes! Unlike here, roasted duck rice/ noodles are popular among Malaysians and can be found almost anywhere, hawker centres, restaurants/ foodcourts in the malls…
Duck King‘s layout in Mirdif City Centre is more casual compared to it’s main branch located in Jumeirah. Similar menus, chinese cooks and waitresses. Quality interior and ambience, as usual.
Been here three times, and so far, am happy with their portions, tastiness and service.
Their menu ranges from Dim Sums, dry/soup noodles, seafood and many more chinese-styled dishes!
We ordered:
1 BBQ Char Siew Noodles (Dry)
1 BBQ Roasted Duck Rice
1 Ice Peach Tea
1 Cappuccino
1 Siew Mai (Dim Sum)
Total bill = Dhs 120. Burpily Affordable!
Duck is considered an expensive cuisine here, i mumble grumbled paying this much when i can have them easily for RM5-10 per plate of duck rice back home. Bah!
Their Dim Sum’s the best i’ve tried by far. Juicy, solid fillings and delicious! Looking forward to return and taste their Dim Sum varities.
Oh and the best part is i get to order my food in Mandarin! Well, mostly English and quarter Mandarin actually.
Duck King
Location: Mirdif City Centre
Dubai #137: Shop&Buy- My First LV Bag!
10 Jun 2010 4 Comments
in Christian Life, Emotions, Me Time, Shop&Buy
The ONE pricey bag i’ve been admiring for a year… Is now mine!!
Right after a refreshing church service, we went to Dubai Mall, walked chirpily into the LV store, pointed out the LV Neverfull PM Damier bag and… Ta-da!
Well, it’s my first BIG splurge, so do tolerate my cheery behaviour for a teeny bit…
I love how the bag could switch one size smaller by tightening the strings at both ends.
But, here’s the little problem. The sales assistant gave me the WRONG colour i wanted. This bag comes in 2 colours, brown or white/grey checkers… Argh! Silly me for NOT checking while standing beside the counter for 10 whole minutes! Blame the excitement.
Thankfully, the receipt states ‘Exchange within 30 days’ policy, but on the other hand i’m wondering if brown’s the better selection as it’ll attract lesser attention to dirt/stains.
Oh well, i’ve got 29 days to ponder! *wink*
Dubai #136: Summer Sales 2010
10 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
Mid-June means summer sale season is here! This is my second ‘summer sales’ experience here and I can’t stop repeating how much I ENJOY the marked down prices! It’s so worthwhile splurging without causing any wallet damage… Depending on your budget of course!
Though it is always tempting to spend on numerous items, I plan to spoil myself with just ONE medium-sized shoulder bag from Louis Vuitton or Furla. That’ll will surely put a burp on my wallet for awhile…
Ooh, i look forward to church and LV bag hunting tomorrow!
Weekend is here, Whooppido!
Search for Cheaper Flight Tickets!
08 Jun 2010 Comments Off
Hubs and i are starting to plan our NSW holiday to visit his family again… Exciting! Due to my previous insane workload, we couldn’t do our yearly Christmas with the in-laws last year. Now that it’s June 2010, which means it’s been 16 months since we last saw family, it sure made the husband edgy and frustrated!
We’re thinking of flying in mid-Aug, away from the summer and Ramadan/fasting season, OR tolerate longer for Christmas gatherings in December… *drools*
Thing is, most airlines (MAS, SIA, Emirates) that flies direct to Sydney costs at least AED11000 in Dec (return) for 2 adults, pricey!
Anyways, i’m glad we can easily afford it, and to spend this much travelling once within 2 years, it’s definitely worthwhile seeing loved ones!
Ooh, can’t wait to scout more on the prices and splurge!!
Dubai EatOuts #135: HotPot/ Steamboat
02 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
in Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life
Back in KL, having steamboat for dinner was common, and can be found almost anywhere, by the streets, restaurants, malls…
Here in UAE, it’s a RARE find (or maybe i haven’t searched enough). Been here for nearly 17 months, the one place i tend to have them is at a nearby mini kiosk in a rundown mall down the street. Owned by a Chinese, it’s labelled ‘hotpot’ instead of steamboat. Not sure why, but perhaps a better description for non-asian expats.
IMO, it tasted average, the soup seemed tasteless but healthy.
Hmm… For Dhs35 (cheap!), better than no hotpot at all *wink*
As you can see, similar varieties to any steamboat in KL, EXCEPT the TINY pot!! Stuffing in as many ingredients was difficult, therefore needing at least 4 rounds to fill myself up! Grrr…
Btw, i managed to search for another steamboat place in Deira (while googling), so i hope to check it out this weekend or next.
