YOU KNOW THAT LOVE THAT YOU KEEP TRYING TO GIVE EVERYONE ELSE?
YOU GOTTA SPOIL YOURSELF WITH SOME OF IT, TOO.
TRY IT.
IT SURE FEELS GOOD.
HOW YOUR LIFE FEELS IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW YOUR LIFE LOOKS.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
The meet – La Salle@75.
January 8th – one of the most unique days – I’ve experienced only 67 of them so far… Looking forward to experiencing at least another 67 of them in the coming years. Woohoo!
January 8th is the most unique day of this year because it showed up only once and is not expected to show up again. You probably will ask, “What’s the big deal? Each and every day of this year will make an appearance only once this year, too”. True.
What makes it even more unique as in every date day is that there has never been a date repeat in history.
However, we can’t tell how the future will look at time in particular. People in the future may slow down the measurement of time by adding more seconds, minutes, hours, or even days in a year.
Coming back to January 8th, 2026 – it was more than just an ordinary day for 5 guys, including me who share a common nucleus: we are all from La Salle School Klang, 1975, now into our 51st year.
It all started with Harry, who came up from Singapore (1), wanting to try out the electric train.
While the train was modern, comfortable and fitted with the spoils for comfort, it did break down about 45 minutes into the journey. So much for EVs.
Harry got to KL eventually, without further drama. He hopped into another train where he got off at Klang.
He made an invitation to all the La Salle ’75ers, an invitation of sorts – a choice of any of the 3 dates (or all?) to meet with him for breakfast, lunch, dinner. I chose lunch January 8th. And so did 3 others – Chee Leong, Jason and Termizi.
I’ve not met some of those attending the January 8th lunch in multiple (more than many😃) years.
However, we hit it off from the word “Go”. We may not have met in person in recent years, but we were always connected through our WhatsApp group.
We met at a prominent hotel in Setia Alam (2). Harry, Jason and Chee Leong were already there when I arrived.
Jason was the logistics organizer – lunch, coffee, afternoon, coffee, movie, dinner, and massage. Setia Alam Mall was his “playground”. He knew every store, restaurant and entertainment outlet there because he lived in a condo which was part of the shopping mall complex. He had everything mapped out for us, with additional options if we were up to it. It looks like we will have to meet up with him more often to experience all that he recommends worth trying out.
I think what was interesting was that we hardly spent much time reminiscing about school days. We had some fleeting moments, yes; that was it. Most of the time spent, we talked about our lives in the present and what we would like the future to be for us.
Harry is on the hunt for a possible life-long lady relationship. Single, available, a good catch, young (we all are – we are the same age), suave, good sense of humour, o.k. with bak-ku-teh being his staple meal, loves travelling, and for the up-market feel – he has a Singapore address.
His whole week spent on this side of Malaysia, had a trail blaze of photographs. Who knows? He may display his photographs in an exhibition solely for his works. Keep a look out for it.
Chee Leong spends most of his time showing workers on his 50 acre palm oil estate, the ropes in maintaining the trees and land, ensuring good yield from the trees. He even shows his workers first-hand, how to cut the grass….then he does it himself (that’s what he says) – a perfectionist. The payoff is he looks very fit – watches his food intake, etc… but mainly cuts grass – not sure if he cuts the grass on all 50 acres – whatever it is, he sure is enjoying himself.
Termizi, from the very second he met us, he was talking business deals, one after another; non-stop. He is planning to introduce a very attractive Japanese lady (he showed us her picture) to Harry. I was trying to figure out when did he even have a moment to catch his breath. Termizi is a sort of DJ too – he sends videos and songs that brings back good memories to all of us in our La Salle@75 Whatsapp group chat. We know he puts in a good amount of time in research for music that will resonate with the guys and Mr. Michael Xavier (our teacher), who is also in this group. We guys are blessed with Mr. Xavier’s presence. His famous daily greeting is, “Good morning guys and take care”.
And yes, We did go for a movie – Avatar, the latest in its series – all of over 3 and half hours worth. It was interesting – gizmos, tech, colour – futuristic. My favourite character of the whole movie was Varang, starred by Oona Chaplin. I thought she was cute. The show ended after half eight in the evening. We ended the evening on that note.
There is a space of 50 years +1 (into out 51st) from the time we left (today’s term used is “graduated”) school till now. We all wear the La Salle Secondary School badge without physically having it on, yet we wear it proudly. Thanks, guys; for the wonderful time we had on this day.
Remembering CHARLES ROZARIO (BIJOU) – La Salle@75, 12th January, 2026
NOTES:.
Did we not just come out of a weekend? Sure looks that way. It feels like it is only yesterday that we ended the day at Amcorp Mall sales. It feels like this week skipped Monday thru’ Friday to get to today. How time flies when you are having fun.
We were ready from the word “Go”, to meet and greet our long time (not “old”. People may think that this refers to their age) friends, relatives and the many, many new friends that will stop by our booth this weekend.
The weekend saw us gain multiple new friends. And quite a few friends that we had met recently. Jeff was one of them.
He and his wife came over previously and purchased one of the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations. This time he came to get his personalised copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. We had a long conversation where we shared stories of our growing up days. It was nice of him to spend some time at our booth.
Haniza Binti Hashim was taken up with the Batik Influencer’s Batik Cape Creations and got one for herself. When I told her that I was the author of the books displayed on the table, she got a copy for herself, personalised naturally.
Professor Dato Dr Johan was captivated by the title “SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT”. He was relating to how we must take action ourselves, to create the spark.
Professor Johan asked to have his book personalised so that he can tell people, he personally met the author of this book.
Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, had an interesting lady come by to try on a couple of her capes. She was a social media influencer. Tall, dressed – model style. She was having fun with what she was doing . She had a “director”, a lady who looked only work and more work; and a camera man. This tall, lanky lady was not camera-shy, that’s for sure.
Amira, a newlywed of about a month, straight away took a liking to the Batik Capes that were on display and had to get one for herself. After purchasing the cape, she came back about an hour later with her husband, to introduce him to us.
The weekend was over before we knew it.
Now, we are in this weekend, March 22nd – 23rd. The Batik Influencer and I, also know as the Hatted Writer, will be in Amcorp Mall, at our booth – F1.08, the same place that we have been over the last couple of weekends.
There is a whole new range of Batik Capes, very limited of course, to a small number of pieces. Come over quickly to get your own, and even as gifts for your relatives and friends.
I, Alan Ian Atkinson, 😁, will be at hand to personalise your copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. I know one of those who purchased the book, is flying in from Tokyo and will be coming over to our booth today. See you there, too.
Have fun guys!
Address:
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, ,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: March 22nd – March 23rd, 2025
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
Just got back from my 10 kilometer daily walk a short while ago. The skies were a bit overcast at the beginning of my walk / “jog?”. Then, the sun came out, with its flame flickin’ rays spurting out heat balls at us, some 93,000,000 (93 million) miles or 151.07 million km away from us here on earth. It was sufferin’ succotash hot. I continued my walk to its distance.
I did not want to stop as waiting for the “perfect day with the perfect weather”, may never come. I have become quite accustomed to the weather, so it did not bother me all that much, though I’d walk under shades provided by trees along the way whenever I could. My 10km daily walk is on my daily Task Todo list. I made it mandatory instead of “whenever I can” to carry out this daily task.
The weekend is almost upon us once again. One more day to go. Then, Friday. This weekend is the Merdeka weekend, where Malaysia celebrates its 67th year of Independence on August 31st. There are loads of “Merdeka Day” activities throughout the country. For people who usually spend their time at shopping malls, it will be most evident there where the shopping centres will be decorated, foyer activities and special Merdeka sales offered by most stores.
We, that is, Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, and I, Alan, the Hatted Writer; will be at Amcorp Shopping Mall, manning a booth at F1.04 (1st Floor, East Wing). It is a first for us to be having our booth up on a Friday. We will be having mostly, a different crowd of people coming by, mainly working people on their lunch break from offices around the area. Being a Friday, lunch break is usually a couple of hours long. So, more time to browse through and buy.
The Batik Influencer has a whole new line-up of her Batik Cape creations under her “JEANNIE’S OWN” label. The number of pieces available are very limited. Come early to grab what is up on offer. A great opportunity to grab one or more for yourself, and as Merdeka celebration gifts for your loved ones.
Emir, the young student; has been keeping in touch with me regularly over the past few weeks. He is looking forward to meeting with me at Amcorp Shopping Mall, as I with him and others. He has eyed one of the things that he wants to get from our booth, when he comes over.
I look forward to weekends like these. I get to meet with multiple many (which means many, many😁) readers, subscribers and followers of leatherpotato.com in person, share ideas, views and possibilities of my upcoming book and articles. Who knows? Maybe, something zany will come about over these next three days. Crazy ideas bring the best out of us, yes?
We, the Batik Influencer, and I, the Hatted Writer; are gonna have fun at our booth at F1.04, 1st Floor, Amcorp Mall. Looking forward to seeing you all. Peace, people.🤗
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.04, 1st Floor, West Wing,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: August 30, 31 and September 1, 2024
Time: Friday, August 30th: 11.30am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
Saturday, August 31st & Sunday, September 1st: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be
extended to 7.00pm)
NOTES:
1. “Suffering succotash” is a humorous exclamation or minced oath used to express surprise, frustration, or annoyance. It is often used in place of stronger language or as a way to avoid using profanity. The phrase itself does not have a direct or specific meaning, but it is used for humorous effect. Sufferin’ succotash is an often used phrase used by Sylvester the Cat of Terry Toons cartoons.
This unfinished draft, popped up on my ideaSketchpad or sort of popped up; an essay that I worked on in December 2022 / January 2023. Now, to add the finishing touches.
This was on our (Jeannie , my wife, the Batik Influencer) and my trip to the U.S. to visit our No.1 daughter, Laura; for the first time since August 2019. We were there to also attend her graduation from university.
We were met at the O’Hare International airport in Chicago, by Laura’s university swim coach, Dr. Duesterhaus; who drove all the way from Decatur (about 3 hours south-west of Chicago) to pick us up and take us to Decatur. American hospitality – unmatched.
Our meet up with Laura when we got to Decatur was immensely wonderful. Four years, well; almost four years of Whatsapp video calls, Whatsapp messages, emails – and now, in person. What joy!
The picture above was the first family together reunion shot as we got into the house. We didn’t want to take any pictures outside because we could not wait to get in the house. It was freezing cold. Decatur winter. Thank goodness it was just a breeze and not the infamous winds blowing that night. It would have made it all the more uncomfortable to get from the car to the house.
Picture on the left ↢ of me in the bedroom, already at work, putting an article together, while at the same time, trying to catch up on reading.
There is nothing like reading physical books, being able to flip pages, and hear them flipping at the same time. get the smell of the ink on paper (the smell may no longer be there. You can imagine the smell of ink as the letters, words, sentences and paragraphs, newly set ((printed)) on paper dries up).
Reading from a screen is alright for a few minutes, I guess; before a notification, message or advertisement pops up to distract you. It is the only 1 (one) time you’ve got; and everyone, company or distractor is trying to get a piece of the action – your time. Here’s the thing: you don’t have multiple lifetimes, whether running concurrently or one after another. You’ve got one shot at making the only life you have – spectacular; which means using it the way that it is going to inspire you, and others, too.
Don’t forget to grab my book when it hits the shelves in the near future.😁
The picture on the right ↣ of the “Windowed View Of The Outside World” gave me a glimpse of a real live view or what I otherwise saw on tv of an American neighbourhood. Winter, trees without leaves, snowfall flickers on and off, lightly. Houses were basically square or rectangular, mostly 2- or 3-storey, many with a mix of brick, stone, concrete and wood.
This view was my view for a month, as I sat at the table each time, with the window not going anywhere, right in front of me. I am a dreamer. I love to stare outside and let “my mind is my playground” wonder. Think of it: There are no two 1 seconds, or two 1 minutes, or two 1 hours the same. Every moment that has passed is already a different phase. If there is a camera fast enough to capture the transition from one moment to another, you will notice the difference.
It is here at this table, that I wrote a couple (or more) of articles on how robots, like a trojan horse, is taking over the world. I also wrote about how we are easily giving up our rights to decide things for ourselves without putting much thought into it – all in the name of making lives easier for us. Food for thought articles. And more. I found it fun writing those essays.
Laura introduced us to the local cafe, the River Coffee Cafe in Decatur town. It was a cool place to hang out, chill or get some work done. The atmosphere was right, great place to have coffee, some light bites and for us, to do some light work.
In this whole time we were in Decatur, I missed my good friend that I met in my last trip to Decatur, Dick Black. He had just moved to South Carolina a few days earlier. We are still very much in contact through social media.
Spending time with Laura when we were there – there was magic in every moment. I think we cannot or should not spend time trying to think up of what to do or plan what we should do with big chunks of time like weeks, months and years only. Let’s start with the little fellas like moments, seconds and minutes in the present.
U.S.A. – Would I? Definitely!
I can see it, I can feel it. It’s heavy! My book is taking form. In the “real”. Two years or more. Now…
The manuscript is in its rawest form.
The idea first floated about when I started leatherpotato.com. Wouldn’t it be nice to write a book? What shall I write about?
That is a question that many people have answers to, except me, I guess. However, I did have many ideas floating about. Yet, many a time, I’d sit in front of the computer and just stare blankly at the screen. Too many ideas… “noise”. Can you imagine, too many ideas?
I have been trying to get my first book out well over 2 years ago. I did not have any material. I started on something, then junked it. Then, went on to something else. Then junked it again. This had been going on for a “long” sometime. I guess I am my biggest critic.
Then again; I am a dreamer. To me, my mind is my biggest playground. Joanne Kathleen Rowling has an imagination with no boundaries. She wrote beautifully, her series of Harry Porter stories; she writes beautifully now. She recently x-ed (formerly known as Twitter) that she has at least another six books more in the writing. She never ceases to amaze.
Coming back to reality, the unpolished “manuscript gem” is only but the beginning. Now, the next round of work is about to begin. Putting the manuscript together. What goes into the semi-final manuscript, what stays out. That is going to be interesting.
When I had the chance or opportunity to start authoring a book when I left school or even when I was in school, I didn’t. I wanted to pursue other interests, which I did. Photography was one of them. Worked for a cinematography film company for a short while until they fired me for bringing my own camera and doing my own thing. That was a long, long time ago, a few years after I started my working career. It was fun while it lasted. I do not look back with regret. I am glad that I went through the several “stepping stones” in my life which has offered me the many experiences; many ups and not so many highs.
It shows, doesn’t it, the “doing my own thing” part?🤔 Even here, in my writings, I tend to do my own thing with the English language. Having fun.😉😅😁
But (not a good way to start a sentence, right? Just teasing you, the reader) these are experiences that have afforded me the honour of meeting and knowing all those people in the “experiences” that I may have not met otherwise.
I have to give mention to my classmate from La Salle School, Klang; who has a role in getting me to speed up the process of “The Book”, my first book and many more to come – Mohan Singh.
Mohan telephoned (rang, called, gave me a ring; not Whatsapped called me😉) me a couple of months ago (early May) and said, “I have read your writings that you have published. I think that you write well. Why don’t you write a book?”
I told him that I was working on it. Although several publishers had touched base with me, I did not give it much thought. “What? So soon?” That thought did cross my mind.😲”
“I know a publisher who is good at what he does. I can put him onto you. Have a chat and take it from there.”, Mohan said. So, that kind of sped the process up a bit. No, not really. It sped things up a lot.
The Batik Influencer, Jeannie my wife; and my daughter, Laura; are the “daily drivers”, ensuring that I put in the time to see this first book and many others to come, published and become bestsellers.
I need a coffee…
Insider news: My th…
Going to Mid-Valley at around mid-day, was a good choice. Lunch, some shopping and then watch a movie – that was the game plan.
I had the opportunity to spend time with my two favourite women in my life; Jeannie, my wife; and Laura, our daughter. The both of them had taken leave from work today. It was Laura’s birthday.
The Oriental restaurant at Mid-Valley, was like all their other restaurants – crowded. We got to the restaurant just after mid-day, at slightly after a quarter past twelve. Though they have a large seating capacity, they had a long queue waiting to be seated.
The restaurant has a good queue control system, ensuring we did not have to wait too long. As we got nearer to the end of the queue in front, one of the waiters gave us the menu to browse through and make our orders through them. So, by the time we got to our table; our food order arrived shortly after that.
To me, one of the best things about this restaurant is that it is brightly lit. I mean talk about bright; this is the leader. I like to see what I am eating.😁😎
We did not have to wait too long before our food arrived. Everything looked good and tasted as good as it looked. We left soon after we finished our meal. Jeannie and Laura went to the stores they liked while I went to the ones I liked (generally). I walked quite briskly to cover more ground and to make up for my usual 10km walk that I missed out today.
I met with them about an hour later, after having covered several stores. I did more of a window-shop looksie walk. I found a couple of things that was of interest to me, including a pair of Teva sandals that has all its straps padded for a more comfortable wear experience.
Laura and Jeannie did some shopping. Laura was happy that she got some things with a good discount.
It was mid-afternoon, when we headed back to Subang Jaya. It was a hot afternoon. I suggested that we swing by at Good Ground Bakery for a thirst quencher and some of its delightful pastries. The ladies agreed.
Laura had a iced chocolate drink, while Jeannie and I both had Calamansi Coolers; prepared by the up and coming renowned barista in the making, Joanne. We had a slice of dark chocolate, cut into 3 equal slices by GGB’s Public Relations Specialist, Monique. Sarah, GGB’s owner; was busy in the back, working on their delightful pastries.
This afternoon break was so refreshing, sort of having given us a renewed energy for the rest of day’s plans. We enjoyed being in the “present”. Highly recommended.😁
We take birthdays seriously, enjoying the gift from God that has brought us to this point; and look forward to the future, from this moment onwards. Living life to the fullest!
a.k.a. TCP
Being a weekend, one would expect things to be a bit more laid back from its usual uptight, rigid, everything must be done in a hurry to meet ever increasing, closing in deadlines. Even the sun and somewhat the weather; were also on a chill (pun?).
The big, fiery, flame-spewing ball / planet, some 93 million miles away, can be imagined sitting on a long, white deck-chair; donning a pair of C De Cartier Precious Sunglasses (1) (get it? The sun wearing sunglasses!😉😀), sipping on a alcohol-free margarita (alcohol is flammable – the sun), eating kuachi (2); relaxing.
The Batik Influencer, Jeannie; and I, that is “we” 😃; decided on hawker food, at a kopitiam (3) in Taipan, USJ, Subang Jaya (4).
A kopitiam used to be more commonly known as a coffee shop 15 or more years ago. Calling a coffee shop a kopitiam sounds more fanciful and upmarket. However, what seems to be a trend is that the old style “kopitiams” with marble-looking tabletops are more and more popularly identified with owners / businesses who own and even franchise a number (which is growing) of such style restaurants, out.
These kopitiams or coffee shops used to be exclusive to Chinese food. In recent years, the food offerings have widened to include western, Indian, Punjabi and Malay food.
Taipan City Kopitiam is just next to the other coffee chop…er…restaurant (it is part of their name), “New Nanking”. It hosts a variety of different hawker food, mainly Chinese food. It does have one stall offering western food. I had in mind what I wanted for dinner. I have been to this kopitiam several times, but I don’t think I have ever ordered fried kway teow. This time I did.
When the plate of fried kway teow was served and put in front of me… a whiff of the aroma from it, the hot smoke rising from it as it was just from the cook’s wok to the plate… the noodles were inter-twined with the tougey (bean sprouts in English, kuchai (5) and fried egg. The prawn (6) and lap cheong (7)… it was as though the whole dish was artistically decorated and placed…like one of those top 6 star restaurants whose chefs decorate the sides of the plate with sauces (this one no decoration la. Here you pay only RM9. Those fancy restaurants will charge RM125).
The meal was finished almost as soon as I started. It was that delicious. I left the prawns and lap cheong for Jeannie, as I am not into that. The meal was good. It looks like there is strong competition between the char kway teow “chef” here, and the one next door at New Nanking.
Jeannie’s rice porridge meal was good, according to her. She ordered a sort of a sweet sour pork, what looks like a big portion of yam and spinach to go with her porridge. And enjoyed her meal, she did.
We finished our meals, minum-ed (Bahasa Malaysia for “drink” in past tense [ed]😊). Jeannie said the next time we come here, we must support the stall that sells vegetarian food. Remember the blond-hair lady in a green shirt? Looks like the “next time” is going to be soon.
NOTES:
1. Cartier Precious sunglasses in rose gold, rimless with rose gold coated lenses. Dimensions: 62 mm lenses, 14 mm bridge, 140 mm temples. Price: US$8,495
2. Guazi (Chinese: 瓜子; Indonesian: kuaci), also called kwasi (Burmese: ကွာစေ့) refers to roasted plant seeds. It is a popular snack in China, Malaysia (kuachi) and overseas Chinese communities, especially in Indonesia. While directly translated as “melon seeds” it usually refers to baked seeds of the sunflower, pumpkin, or watermelon seeds. It is often served as an appetizer during banquets. Wikipedia
3. The term kopitiam in Malaysia is usually referred specifically to Malaysian Chinese coffee shops. Food in a kopitiam is usually exclusively Malaysian Chinese cuisine. Food courts and hawker centres are usually not referred to as kopitiams.
Wikipedia
4. Taipan is a bustling business centre in the vibrant city of Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
5. kuchai is a kind of leek, ranked-scented, green, growing 20 to 40 centimeters high. Bulbs are small, white and clustered.
6. Prawn resembles a large shrimp, many varieties of which are edible.
7. Lap cheong is a dried, hard sausage usually made from pork and pork fat. It is normally smoked, sweetened, and seasoned with rose water, rice wine and soy sauce.
The Sun, seemingly throwing everything it had, every flame flickering and shooting from its source some 93,000,000 (that is 93 million) miles away, yet the flames (imaginary) could be felt, just about touching my skin, as though I was being bar-b-que-d, as I moved out of cover from the protection of the building. There seem to be no letting up from the fierceness of the heat.
I don’t know if it is usually as hot as it is today just to test the Panama hat I had on; on the way to the bank. The hat did offer some cover, especially from the rays (UV) / glare. It worked well, that’s for sure. I’m glad I decided to wear it. For your information, I never paid any attention to the U. V. rays.
I got into the bank with my Panama hat on. The air-conditioning was a delightful welcome. I felt like I was visiting the bank while on holiday. The Panama hat sort of “created” the holiday atmosphere.
I did my banking errand and was out of there in less than half an hour.
Maybe, I was not dressed for the scene: bright sunlight, Panama hat, t-shirt, tan coudoroy pants, glasses, grey banded Samsung Watch 6 Classic and strapped across Bellroy Sling crossbody pouch.
Did I say “t-shirt”? I should have worn a baggy, floral or scribbled colour art, with white background, untucked in, short sleeve shirt. And, I should have worn a sombrero instead of the Panama hat – that would have done the trick. The rest of my attire was OK. I was not with boat shoes without socks. I strapped on a pair of Teva mountain tracking sandals.
Maybe, just maybe, all this is not proper be-in-the-sun attire. I don’t have much issues when I go on my 10km exercise walks between 12.00pm – 3.00pm, averagely; when the sun is in all its glory. I’m in my exercise shorts, t-shirt and walking shoes – that’s it. At the end of my walk, I am drenched in perspiration (not “sweat”. Animals sweat, so I am told). Have a cold shower, rest for a bit; then, I am good to go for the rest of the day.
Here, I am talking about Subang Jaya city (1); the No.3 lightning capital of the world. It can be two extremes – extremely hot and the next moment, electrical storms with the occasional floods.
Putting the weather aside, this is a nice place to live in. In fact, it is so self-sufficient in most aspects of comfortable living, we do not need to travel out of the city for anything.
I am writing this… I wonder if it is actually right to say “I am writing” when actually , I am typing on my laptop computer (I have to mention “computer” 😁) keyboard. I am sitting in the back seat of the car, putting this article together; while Jeannie, my wife; is seated in the front passenger seat, working on her laptop computer. Quite the romantic we are, don’t you think? We think so…thanks to a power outage in our area. Haha.
If the power is not back up in the next ten minutes, we are going to go to the Scottish restaurant, McDonalds, for a coffee, while the utility company, T.N.B. (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) has the power outage problem sorted out.
NOTES:
1. Subang Jaya is a bustling city in the central Peninsula Malaysia south state of Selangor, Malaysia.
Still in the celebrative mood of Chinese New Year… Jeannie wanted to go to one of the shopping malls to do a bit of shopping. She suggested Mid-Valley Shopping Mall.
Traffic was good all the way to the mall. It probably is a good time to sight-see K.L. (1) Getting a parking bay at our usual parking area (Yes, I do a usual area where I park my car, can easily find it, and then; quite quickly exit when we leave) was easier than normal.
Not even 10 minutes in the mall when I realise that I, the Hatted Writer; was without my hat. I thought that I had left it in the car. I went back to the car to get it only to find that it was not there. Which meant that I had left it at home.
When I was searching on line sometime back for hat boxes, I saws that Mid-Valley had a hat store called “Hat Attack”. I decided to visit it. Who knows? I may be able to find something I like. Just in case some of you may be thinking that I left my hat/s at home on purpose so that I would have an excuse to get another hat…no, I didn’t.
I whipped (slowly. It kinda of contradicts the action “whipped” which depicts super fast😉 for the store location😂) up my phone from, searched for the location and got to the store within minutes. I’ve passed by this store multiple (A descriptive word I learnt from Laura instead of using “countless number of”. Sounds better) times without stepping into it. It was the time before I got in to hats, something which Jeannie kept egging me to start using, especially after watching the movie, “Shadows In The Sun” where Weldon Parrish (Harvey Keitel), the eccentric writer, always wore a hat.
This store was filled with a fantastic choice of hats of all kinds. I tried on several hats, found some that I liked and sent pictures to my fashion critics, Jeannie and Laura, to get their opinion on my choice. Cherie, the store associate, described the materials of hats I picked, and how to keep them clean.
I asked Jeannie to meet me at the store and get her opinion on my final choice. Finally, after a long 15 or 20 minutes of going through all these hats, I picked the bronze colour panama hat.
The Batik Influencer (Jeannie) and I were soon on our way to explore the rest of the Chinese New Year-ed Mid-Valley in all its festivities. We took a lot of pictures.
The Centre Court was decorated with orange trees, everywhere. Fake trees of course.
We spent quite a bit of time at the Gardens. Their CNY decor was all about simplicity at home, the simple living. We thought the decor was very nice.
The pictures taken of us at The Gardens decor display are very nice. A lady helped take these pictures, using my phone. In all the pictures, the Batik Influencer looks very regal in her cheongsam.
We decided to head home after spending about three hours at the Mall. How quickly time flew. The traffic on the highway back to Subang Jaya was smooth flowing. How nice it would be if the traffic was like this every day. Wishful thinking?
NOTES:
1. K.L. or Kuala Lumpur, is the largest city and the capital of Malaysia.
2. Cheongsam or zansae, also known as the qipao and sometimes referred to as the mandarin gown, is a Chinese dress worn by women which takes inspiration from the qizhuang, the ethnic clothing of the Manchu people. wikippedia