Rowie's Scribbles

Wow this post is super delayed! Then again, I've been too busy with RL (aka lazy) to update this blog. Last year my partner was posted to Paris for work assignment so I came for a winter holiday. It was my first trip to Europe since graduation in 2010 so I was excited!  We covered the following cities: Paris I skipped some of the places I visited previously. It was great to catch up with other colleagues and visit the attractions that I missed last time, such as the Eiffel Tower and Musee d'Orsay.  Lisbon I'm ambivalent about egg tarts but the famous Belem egg tarts are fabulous. The pastry was flaky and the custard so smooth, it was a great counterweight to the steep streets of this city. We visited the Jeronimos monastery and food was so affordable here.  Barcelona Barcelona was probably the most affordable city in this trip; I highly recommend getting the Barcelona pass as  Venice The 1st business of order upon arriving at Venice was to...

Time passes quickly when one's life is bustling! I felt that 2018 passed by in a blur, sometimes I mix up the events in 2017 and 2018! Some highlights from 2017-2018:  Winter Holiday 2017 I was super eager for this trip; I had tied up my work from an intense project and missing my beau, plus it was my first trip back to Europe since graduation! My bf planned the trip so well and the trip strengthened our relationship. I will share more details in a separate post, but needless to say it was a fine finish to 2017!  She Works Hard for the Money... On the career-front, I'm fortunate to still have a steady income; the industry is still sluggish despite the rise in petrol prices. The low workload was a blessing because it allowed me to recover from my cubital tunnel syndrome and reflect on my long term career goal. I plan to specialize in heat transfer design and take on more responsibilities as I move up the ladder. Bonjour Paris!  I had the opportunity to wor...

I've been suffering from the following maladies for quite a while now: - stiff shoulders due to lack of stretching before and after a workout - lax and aching ankles due to multiple ankle sprains Massages have only provided temporary relief, but it was only in 2015 that I decided to seek pain management treatment particularly for my stiff shoulders. This decision was triggered by my experience of pain radiating from my shoulders up my neck to the base of my skull especially when I am tired/stressed out. It would sometimes leave me disoriented and feeling fatigued.  My 1st experience with pain management was with Dr Maya N at Pantai Pain Centre. Seh diagnosed I have myofascial pain syndrome; muscles in my shoulders were tense and squeezing the nerve, thus the waves of pain. She prescribed the PENS treatment (Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) where needles are inserted in the affected nerve to transmit a low electric current and block the pain (she has written a ve...

I play badminton (affectionate term: baddy) regularly (3-4 times a week) and a good venue is very important. Bangsar doesn't have many venues, so I frequent the following:  1) Bangsar Sports Complex Managed by DBKL, the complex has been serving the community for many years. Amenities include badminton (rubber) and squash courts, a swimming pool, gym, outdoor basketball, tennis and futsal courts.  2) Pusat Komuniti Bukit Bandaraya Also managed by DBKL, this is a recent addition albeit smaller than the aforementioned. It's got badminton (rubber) and tennis courts, and a gym.  3) TNB Bukit Pantai Housed under TNB building at Jalan Pantai (opposite Pantai Hospital), the court is open to public but bookings to be made with TNB staff. I'm not sure of the rate but it's parquet surface. 4) Lee Chong Wei Sports Centre This high-profile complex (thanks to its namesake) has many facilities: badminton, futsal, gym, body building, yoga, gymnastics, ping long a...

Inspired by the Star's article , I will post this live post on food spots that are accessible from t he newly opened Sg Buloh-Kajang MRT line . As this is a live post, it will be updated from time to time, and I welcome feedback from you all! I will also try to upload pics for better reference! Note that Pasar Rakyat station has been renamed to TRX TTDI The station is adjacent to  Glo Damansara  from Gate B. Cross Jalan Damansara to the older neighborhood shops. Try the Indian fare at Restoran PJ Hills -- the masala tea had real kick and their dishes are generous with the spices! If the food is too spicy, remember there is delicious cheesecake and matcha ice cream from Family Mart back at the station!  Side note: the  Kuala Lumpur City Opera  studio is also near here, drop in to find out more about their events!  Pusat Bandar Damansara Exit through gate A and walk up the hill past Menara Bangsar to reach Bangsar Shopping Center . Either spend a d...

Effective 18 June 2017, the GrabHitch service has been discontinued. You may opt for carpooling service with GrabShare .  ---------- These days, Malaysians can opt for civilian driver service thanks to apps like Uber and GrabCar. The service is basically a relatively cheaper taxi service with civilian drivers behind the wheel, made convenient by the app provided. Simply key in your pickup and drop-off location, and the app will provide a driver + fare. I've used GrabCar (not Uber) and so far I'm satisfied with the service. Some friends have opted to drive for both/either apps as a part time occupation or in between jobs (considering the current economic slump); I find iMoney's article comparing the two apps in terms of commission a good read.  I've signed up as a GrabHitch driver -- what is GrabHitch? As per GrabHitch's site , it's a carpooling service. Drivers key in their route (either once-off or a routine one) and the app will match riders within t...