The hunt for macarons!!

I think macarons seems to have caused a massive wave nowadays, just like how cupcakes did back then..knowing me that always craved for sweet things..I'm easily fall into this wave:)

I've been reading about the macaroons in KL..and found this review about macarons in G Tower (Jalan Tun Razak, next to Tabung Haji) and today, I decided to check out new gym in town which is in G Tower itself, so of course..among other things I really look forward to is trying out their macarons ..:)

The shop called Babycakes, it's a tiny shop under the stairs..just at the entrance of GTower. The owner is a sweet young lady who runs the shop..according to people the macarons baked by her family or maybe she, herself..(I forgot to ask her if that is true:))

Price wise, I think quite reasonable compared to the standard price in KL, range from RM2.50 to RM3.50 depending on the flavor.

I think, I like these better compared to the one @Whisk, Empire Gallery. But both are sweet (perhaps too sweet to some people), my favorite are Chocolate and Caramel, even the owner recommended the same flavors.

The box 0f 8pieces cost me RM22.30.

It's a Nightmare not the Night Race

Last saturday hubby and I went for Energizer Night Race in Sepang, the event was held in Sepang F1 circuit.

I've joined few runs so far, but this RUN, it's exceptionally BAD!! It was badly organized..

• parking fee was charged RM10 (normally the organizser will provide free parking unless in KL area where the fee is normally very minimal)
  

• The headlights were unattended and the runners had to pick it up from the boxes in a cramp area (which causing more traffic in that cramp tunnel), knowing Malaysian, any free stuffs unattended..definitely kena pow..then the late comers didnt get their headlights
  

• Entry to race area, runners had to walk through a tunnel with no ventilations..(there were 10,000 of us!!) some were badly gasping for air

• No proper signage of marking how many KM you have completed (those running for 21Km were clueless of how many rounds they had to continue)

• for 11km and 5.5 KM only one water stations
  

• Goodie bags were not ready the moment runners completed the run, (some had to queue for more than 1hour to get the cert, medals and goodie bag)
  

• Not enough drinks, goodie bags etc

After more than 1 hour queuing up, runners started losing their patient and the chaos started, the organizer had to call the police and the MC was quite rude, through PA systems she called the people, the hooligans.. and made the crowd even angrier...dah laa lari penat..been treated like a begger...not enough refreshments

Half way through the officials left the venue leaving those running for 42 and some 21Km behind without prizing ceremony etc..

The organizer was really irresponsible, imagine those running for 42kms (a lot of them are foreigners) after 4-6 hours running came back to the finishing line...no one is waiting for them, let alone the water and all..the worst part..they took the shuttle from KL central and the bus never showed up..at 2-3 am in the morning stranded in Sepang? Lucky we Malaysian are quite helpful, some took the ride from strangers to go back to their hotel in KL.

I was very very lucky when I completed the run the queue was not that long, the chaos hasnt started (I just joined 5.5) I completed in 48 mins and hubby completed his 11KM in 58 mins, you can imagine I only ran halfway and brisk walking the other half while hubs ran all the way through.

The next run is KL run (Standard Chartered) for this time, I will join 10KM while hubby will go for half marathon the 21km.

until next time..take care peeps!

Unconditional love

Chris Medina : what are words

this video really tears me up:(

his story really touched my heart..I wish and I hope I am loved this way..



If you peeps follow the American Idol this season you will be familiar with Chris Medina's heart-wrenching story. Unfortunately, eventhough he has the voice, he didn't make it into the final 24 for the show, which brought J. Lo to tears. (some says, it probably planned as his story might ruined the American Idol's credibility as Americans might vote for him purely based on his unfortunate life)

He stays by her fiancee's side and being her caretaker after his fiancée Juliana Ramos, who was left brain damaged after a serious car accident that happpened two weeks before they were set to marry..such an unconditional love

Juliana before and after the injury

"Juliana Ramos was injured in a serious car accident on October 2, 2009 while driving home from work. She suffered a severe skull fracture, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and multiple fractures to her beautiful face. Her chances of surviving through the night were in doubt and it was much too soon to speculate about her prospects for a full recovery." (taken from her foundation page) Help Juliana Ramos


have a safe weekends peeps!

Cologne, Germany

The cathedral is one of the world's largest churches and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe

Hubby will make a visit to Dusseldorf at least once in every 2 years..for the passed years I was never had a chance to go with him, due to numerous reasons..pregnant, confinement, pregnant again..need to save money for umrah trip etc...until this year..I told him I will go no matter what..so the moment he confirmed the date of the show in Dusseldorf I booked the tickets for us immediately...just to make sure the plan will materialize no matter what:)

Cologne/ KOLN is Germany's fourth-largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich)

Alhamdulillah after hearing from Mr hubs about Germany (which at one point of time, he even asked me to learn German as he planned to migrate to Germany..how crazeee is that???) Finally I set foot here..the place where he feels home:)

I remembered, when we reached Cologne he said "I'm home!!!" I was like "duhhhhhh!!!!!"(we stayed in Cologne not Dusseldorf as Cologne has more interesting stuff for me, according to mr hubs...a big area for shopping)

We took the Talys train from Paris to Cologne, the tickets cost us around Euro200 for 2 pax.

When hubby went to Dusseldorf for work, I walked around Cologne and even took a guided tour on hop- on bus to cover the city on my own.

Since I just came from Paris, the shopping doesn't excite me much...so the first day I just walked half of the shopping area...went in LV to compare the price.. price wise, they are not much expensive than Paris, perhaps around 3% more than price in Paris. i.e LV chain, Euro350 and in Cologne Euro 355...plus you can get the VAT of 10-12% regardless where you bought in E.U countries.

One thing I really regret until now was,I missed Loewe Napa Aire in fuhschia which on clearance for 650 Euro while the current season, 1250 Euro and Malaysian's price RM7k++ how rugi it is??? reason being, I choose to sleep in the hotel room while hubby went to Dusseldorf and only on Sunday I choose to walk around. The shops closed on Sunday, weird kan? also that show how pemalas these ppl..:((

I saw on a display the silver (1250 Eyro), Fuhschia (650 Euro)..trying to knock on the door frantically..found out the shop was closed huwwwwwwwaaaaa..!!!!!hubby asked if I want to extend the stay and going back to Paris on Monday evening..but I feel that it's unnecessary and hoping the shop tagged the price wrongly...now I regret!!!

The bag on clearance Euro 650 (I really hope they displayed the price wrongly)

Let's not dwell on the sad story, let see anything I can share in case you peeps plan to visit Cologne:)

Eat

The halal food is very rare in Germany, but you can have the seafood (Nordsee) serving food like what we have in Manhattan fish market here.

So, it's good to bring the Brahims stuff or even maggi in a cup as a back up at nights when hunger pangs strike:)

Sightseeing

The area is big, if you are lazy to walk or you need to cover more in area in a limited time, please opt for Hop On tourist bus which you can take right in front of Dom Cathedral (near the tourist dept's office) The guided tour will tell you the history of each places.

A must see is definitely DOM CATHEDRAL.

Since we stay in a hotel about 10 meters away from the Dom cathedral, we do not need to take train to go to the shopping area as it's just few meters away from the hotel.

Hubby is crazy about Squash, last year he missed World Masters in Cologne so this year he make sure he get to play at the sports Centre where the tournament was hosted.

Dom Cathedral

Shopping

The most popular ones are Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse. The two classical shopping streets. The Hohe Strasse begins at Wallrafplatz next to the cathedral/dom. It's Germany's first shopping street only for pedestrians and completely without traffic. You can stroll along the street without having to worry about the traffics.

The brands from Hermes, Bvlgari, LV to MANGO, Zara Mossimo Dutti....all you can find here..a shopping mall under an open sky. Strictly for pedestrians.

The LV boutique just right next to Dom

Accomodation

I would advice you to choose hotel in Dom area, next to Train station as it will be easier for you to move around.

Transportation

When visiting Cologne taking the local bus and train system is a very comfortable way to reach every interesting place in town. It's very convenient and knowing a country like Germany, it's super efficient.

Talys train from Paris- Cologne- free flow of food and free wifi ( 4 hours from Paris to Cologne)

The cab in germany are all the mercedes...:) they even have B class!

the cab:)

Extra things to share

• shopping malls are closed on sunday, please plan your shopping trip on weekdays, shops closed early as well..

• In winter, the harsh weather will make your skin itchy due to extreme dryness, it works for me..after shower, dry yourself and immediately put the baby oil all over the body, then you put the body lotion.
  

till then..enjoy the pics!



Eau de Cologne a perfume : originated from Cologne, Germany

Rhine River

Rhine River

Dom the view on the Bridge (Rhine River)

Panoramic view of Cologne (with Dom Cathedral by the Rhine River)

Spa anyone????

These days..I'm constantly on look out for cheap spa...thanks to all the good deals we have nowadays from dealmates or even milkdeal..and I love to share these with you peeps!!

check these out!! hurry before the deal is off...:)

Spa @ The sompoton Spa (Hotel istana or Novotel KLCC) for just RM88..!!!
http://www.dealmates.com.my/deals/Apr-TheSompotonSpa-RM88?rs=3&ru=19985

Spa @ aman suria..yummy choc mask wrap!
http://milkadeal.com/deals/RM88-instead-of-RM353-for-Full-Body-Scrub-Chocolate-Mask-Wrap-Aromatic-Steam-Bath-Hydrotherapy-Milk-Bath-Full-Body-Massage-at-IGorgeous-Aman+Suria

Disney On Ice 2011

This year, I bought the tickets in November just to avoid the disappointment like what happened last year, we were unable to get good seats.

The kids enjoyed the show very much so did the mommy:) This is our 3rd year attended the show, I guess it will continue until the girls turned 10 or 11.

Enjoy the pics!!

Bootcamp anyone?

Maybe you have heard of "Original BootCamps" or other Fitness Boot Camps in the media or your friends.

If you watched Biggest Loser Asia, then you can imagine that kind of training on the field..the army kind of training.

I have decided to take on the challenge of this original bootcamp as my preparation for the next 2 runs...1.Energizer Night Run 2. KL run (Standard Chartered) which I regret for choosing to challenge myself with 10KM run.:(

The sessions are available in the morning at 7am or you can choose the evening at 6.46pm, so I decided to do after work session which is on the evening, twice a week.

I've started my first session this week, Mr hubs supposed to join me but at the very last minutes he got caught up with work so he decided not to join as he couldn't give his commitment for the next 7 sessions.

I got my friend to replace him instead. And I'm telling you..I dont know why the hell did I pay to get tortured!!!!! I was huffing and puffing all the way from running to push ups...dang!!!
it's tough man!!!! really tough!!

It really challenge your fitness level to the max!!! A day after the first session, I walked like a robot, muscle pain and aching the whole body.

Even with that, I can say I'm addicted to that kind of challenge. They give you different challenge in every session.

will share the result after i've completed this whole thing:)