The plight of Cambodian children

You know before I went to Cambodia, I was warned by my auntie and other people that have travelled there not to donate money to the street children that come begging ..the exact words of everyone were "You give one, they will swarm to you, then you cannot runaway!"

With their advice in my head, I did keep it in my mind..but once I touchdown and encountered the first batch of children....I couldn't help it..they were so young...some 4 to 5 years old... I started handing out 1USD bills... Throughout the trip.... there were so many children that I encountered selling things to me or simply begging.... I felt so sad... they should be in school, having an education, mingling with other children their age in a healthy environment, not begging for money...

I came to this conclusion.....I don't mind giving 1USD to as many children as possible..why you ask?!?
Because 1USD to me is not worth as much as 1USD to them...that one US dollar can probably feed them for an entire day...but can't even pay for my parking sometimes....

Here are a few pictures of them working or begging for money....

This girl was amazing! From a speeding jet, she jumped on our boat...my friend saw their boat chasing ours..he joked and said "hey, pirates!".... and they came so close so she can hop off and sell us drinks... all my friends were nice to buy drinks from her after she risked her life! THe stuff they do for money..:(

This little boy rowing around in a tub to get money from tourists

The lucky ones rowing themselves back from a floating school located in the middle of the river.... Their school is not fancy at all...they don't have the facilities we have in Malaysia... don't dream of even having a football field!

Some play instruments for money..

This boy can be the next Leonardo Da Vinci.... painting at the Ta Phrom temple.... His paintings were beautiful..he kept painting endlessly using the minimal tools he had... the sad realization is the fact that he will probably never be recognized for his talents due to limited resources..

This boy here...was just cute:) He automatically posed for me when I wanted to snap his pictures..but I am guessing he was taking a break from begging..

This little girl here had to take care of her brother...she approached me as I got down from the van... At this stop, I did give her 1USD but there were many more that swarm to us because this village was remote..in the middle of nowhere....Ben was nice enought to buy many of them ice creams...Little joys like that made them so happy!!!

Now I know why Angelina Jolie felt so passionate about Cambodian children. After being there and experiencing firsthand the poverty that plagues the families there, I cannot help but feel like opening the orphanage I envisioned myself to have in Cambodia. A friend then asked me...but then you can only help so much..that is true...but helping one already took one child further away from destitute in the future...and what more with a whole orphanage!

xoxo

Meiz

P.S. It's ok to be Santa Claus once in awhile..................

Mayfair - The English Kitchen and Bar

It's been awhile since I actually reviewed a new restaurant right?!? It's because the month of January alone is filled with different kinds of events, from trips, to birthdays and of course work....speaking of that... I am very very happy to announce that today I officially emcee'd one of the most happening youth events in Malaysia, Future of success! Will post the pictures and the enthusiasm I received from the crowd soon..... *wink*

Although we have so much to do, I still have to eat right?!? Glad to say... I manage to attend a social event organized by Malaysia's hottest blogger last week...Heard so much about this new restaurant that served English food....

Loved their exterior design and elegant title....

Their menu...which they told me still needs to be tweaked! If this menu is not complete..I cannot imagine how it would look and the taste like when it is fully done up..can't wait can't wait!!!

The view as you walk in...

The lounge area in my opinion due to the plush cushioned theme...so I can definitely see where they are going with the whole concept of Kitchen + bar..one part is the restaurant with the tables and chairs...the other.... the bar area.....

The pictures where everyone has been waiting for......the FOOD!

Their famous aperol sour drink...!! Being colorful already attracted my eyes...what more with Andy's amazing photography skills...

Caesar salad and crispy salted beef....Not a normal caesar salad...why? because the crispy bits added ~twang~ to it......loving it!

Tuna and mushroom pasta... What I liked about this dish is that the tuna is smoked...very fine to the taste buds..with the added mushrooms...great combo!

Erica and Sarah eating their Tender Hickory baby pork ribs! You can clearly tell they truly liked what they were eating:)

Nicole also enjoying her ribs but in a more ladylike fashion...teehee... she was sweet enough to cut some for me.... or else...you will probably see me eating the ribs with my hands!eeekkk!!! don't want to frighten anyone!

You can so tell Tim is a meat eater with his cutting face! He was raving about the crispy pork knuckles from Mayfair..so you can imagine...when it came..he "offered" to cut it!! or more like have first dips!

Chorizo and bacon pizza...I give this dish a definite thumbs up..not too heavy for a pizza!

One of their desserts came before our last main course.. bread and butter pudding...you can tell how tasty it was because I wasn't willing to share! Don't wrestle me for a piece...:P The only thing lacking is ice cream or vanilla sauce to go with it...their dessert menu is not finalized yet..so we were guinea pigs for this dessert... and they clearly didn't fail us! I, for one highly recommend Mayfair to put this on your menu:)

Our final dish..sausages..... BUt my favourite part of the dish is the gravy..goes well with both the sausages and mash potatoes...it's truly like cherry on top of a pie..... but gravy on top of main and side courses instead?!?

Group photos with the chef, Kenneth Tan and the owner..Thomas Tan! Thank you for great service..for being so friendly...and taking opinions from us.....

If you guys have been following my blog for the past year.. you will see that most of the food I eat is mostly Asian..because I LOVE rice...and the taste of the orient more...BUT Mayfair's english food was very palatable to my "chinawoman" taste buds...so you can imagine...it's pretty good..to convert me to agreeing that western food is tasty! Keep up the good work Mayfair.... love how innovative the chef and owner is..young and creative! Good job! You can find out more about them at:

http://www.mayfairkl.com.my/

xoxo

Meiz

P.S. They told me their dessert menus is coming out soon..can't wait!!!! Will update you guys too when it's out:)

Personal stylists for eyes?!?

As a Phd student, one thing which I am used to is sitting for hours on end in front of the computer without budging except to use the restroom or scuff down some food....ZzzzZZZ...I know...what a boring life right? I started realizing over the past year subtle changes in my vision especially at night, I can't see well when I am driving...... Due to my procrastination, I never got the chance to check my eyes since March last year(when I was still cleared for 20/20*),and finally manage to last Saturday at the soft launch of Malaya Optical, which represents the first eyewear boutique in Malaysia!!! You can't believe how excited I was to hear that they had all types of designer glasses there including someone to personally help you style your eyes according to your face!! woo hoo!!!

Huge sign in front...you will never miss it...it's along the same row as HSBC in Damansara Utama

With the Malaysian hottest bloggers who were waiting for their tour around the shop

Ryan Ho, the owner explaning a wee bit about Malaya Optical to us and how they give personalized treatment to each individual's eye...from a full eye check up to helping us choose glasses or sunnies (All your eye worries sorted)

Bridget falling in love with these pair of glasses

The pair I so wanted to buy but the "practical" side of me did not allow me too...It was really pretty with rhinestones at the side....:p Can you imagine wearing these pair of glasses to lecture!?! Probably caused the dean to have a heart attack!!!!

Maybe this pair is better for lecturing huh?

On to sunnies...

I was totally impressed with the range of sunglasses they had.....even Coach! I always thought they only sold bags....(shows how blur I am)

Oakleys!!!!!! I am still true to you and I am so glad they had that brand!

Lolliesssssssssss!!!!!!! Can't help but feel like a kid in Wonderland when I am in Malaya Optical..they give everyone lollipops..their trademark! I love it!

With the cute optometrist! Loving his bowtie. He took so much care in checking my eyes and explaning to me what Glacoma is all about...Eye health 101!

The area where they do a check up on your eye health

Do I look like a robot? That's where I found out the sad news that I am short sighted by 50 on each eye..not too much but that's the result of hours on end in front of the computer...boys and girls!! remember to rest your eyes every 30 - 45 minutes if you are a facebook addict or gamer or just love the computer!!!

Glaucoma machine...it was an interesting test because you stare at a dot inside and all of a sudden, a squirt of air goes into your eyes....be warned if your eyes are sensitive....

My eyes...and I am all clear!!! However, they did tell me that people with high blood pressure or heart attack are more proned to having Glaucoma....which is blindness in your eyes due to the impingement of veins... I know all of this thanks to the kind optometrist that took the time to not only explain but show me brochures!

I made another appointmet a few days later to continue a part of my eye check up and to get styled for my first pair of glasses.....

The person that helped style me...:)

My lollies which I got instantly when I arrived...truly liked how they would offer coffee or tea once you step in to the shop...makes you feel like you are in a high end store like Tiffany and co.......definitely a +1 for customer service

With Ryan who was explaning to me what the eye profiler did... a cool machine that basically tells you everything about your eyes...

My eye profile.....

A thorough examination of my eye by Ryan himself....

After much styling..... I finally chose these pair of LaFont glasses...My very first pair...... makes me look more studious don't you agree? But it can also double over as fashion glasses as the design is pretty funky....look at the tint of purple and the holes at the side of the rims!!!!

I would say I am very happy with my purchase at Malaya Optical plus the excellent service I received there.... Their eyewear boutique definitely changed my perception of optometrists being a boring place which I usually avoid unless I really have to go in(which is hardly ever!). So..if you guys feel that you are experiencing eyesight problems or just need a new pair of sunglasses, drop by at Malaya Optical to get styled for one and get your eyes checked at the same time:)

xoxo

Meiz

P.S. You can call 03-77280228 to make an appointment first to avoid waiting or you can go here for more information on their services http://www.malayaoptical.com/

Cambodian food("delicacies or NOT)

As I promised....this post is basically all about CAMBODIAN FOOD peeps!!!! Before I went, I had no idea what to expect because I have never tasted Cambodian food before except the salad that my maid made for us which tasted like Thai Papaya salad. Furthermore, my maid always told us Cambodian food was usually sweet and most Cambodians apparently did not like spicy food(or maybe it was just her!).So, in my mind, I thought Cambodian food was more towards the sweet side with just a little hint of spice...... But boy was I wrong.....I would say it definitely wasn't what I expected....

My favourite dishes

Cambodian Koay Teow soup(sorry, I don't know what it's called). It was the first meal we had in Cambodia....everyone liked it so much that they ate it for breakfast almost everyday..talk about HABITUAL!

At the Cambodian road side stall which served the Cambodian Koay Teow soup and everyone's favourite drink except mine....coffee with milk! Apparently it was good and very sweet...so those that need their caffeine fix..you know what to order:)

The last restaurant we went too which was situated in Phnom Penh. Thank goodness I remember to take a picture of the name of the restaurant before we entered....because not only was the ambience nice but the food was supppperrrr good!!!! Thank you Mr. Lim(We wouldn't have found it if it wasn't for Dayton's dad!weee~)

Rice cracker with peanut sauce...such an exotic and scrumptious appetizer! Literally whets the appetite....

A few pictures of the other dishes.....Cambodian salad, fish cakes, and stir fried vegetables which was a simple yet delicious dish...salivating already.....

Our final meal before leaving! Pizza from Pizza company which was the best pizza in town....the guys really liked the pepperoni pizza but I recommend the Supreme one which had all kinds of meat with vegetables..more balanced!

My FAVOURITE street food of all was the banana milo pancake!!!! I was eyeing the pancake when I was shopping at the market already....Due to my cravings and persistence, the tour guide had to relent and get some for me on my way back to the hotel...and it did not fail me......Heaven.....!!

The "delicacies" or what I would call "for the interesting taste buds" type of food

Duck embryo - feathers already formed:(

He ate more than one!!!!!!! Those that ate said it tasted like normal egg........really now?!? But kudos for having guts!

Another local delicacy...spiders! Apparently Cambodians ate spiders during the pol pot era because they had no other food! Look at how big and er..."juicy" it is......will you dare try it?

Plain HORRIBLE

There is only one place I do not recommend...and that is the restaurant within the angkor wat temple area.......the food was cold, expensive and it did not even taste good!!!!! Please eat a heavy meal before going into the temple area or after.....

Ben's sphagetti bolognaise..... Tasted like they dumped a can of sauce on top of the noodles..... and Ben... why did you order western food in Cambodia?!?

Lemongrass chicken.... it did not taste like there was any lemongrass at all!

Overall, if you ask me and I had to be honest with you...I realized that I do not fancy Cambodian food much. Maybe I am just too use to the many different flavours that Malaysian food has to offer that I actually find Cambodian food bland......aiks! I am a person that loves my food and Cambodian food simply just did not tantalize my taste buds except for the few that I recommended........ For those who have gone....was there something I missed which you would like to share with the rest of us?

xoxo

Meiz