What is life? That is the question, not the one that thinks it is the question, or the people the world over make it to be, “To Be Or Not To Be?”, a quote from William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”. When you ask anyone, even some random (my daughter uses this word quite often. Though it is a common word, you will hear from the generation born just after the turn of the century [this century, not the last; in case you were wondering], “flaunting” that word around) people walking on the street, “What is Life?”; they probably will give you their version of it, everyone with a different answer; all correct because it is their version of it.
Try asking them the “To Be Or Not To Be?” question, You probably will get stares, or “Whatcha talking about?”, or ‘”To be or not to be” what?’. Don’t mess around with them, literature people. They will know the answer or may think they know the answer. And you will have to know Hamlet and more.🤔😀
Crafted by barista Joanne.
I was at my favourite coffee bakery, Good Ground Bakery (G.G.B.); several times this week (and the week has not ended yet😀). Each and every time I visit G.G.B., the experience I get is different. The experience is always new… always fresh. Sure, the bakery structure and its physical contents are the same. However, every visit seems to be refreshing, a refreshed, welcoming, comfortable invitation without it being dramatic. It has genuine-ness about it.
Sarah, Good Ground Bakery’s awesome owner; Joanne, G.G.B.’s bright and creative barista, whose smile puts the twinkle in stars in the sky; Monique, the public relations ambassador (whose “Hi, welcome” is warmly given to each and every person that enters the door, and “Thank you, come again” as guests leave that same door); and the bakery crew who put together an amazing array of pastries and bread, all together put the freshness in “fresh” each day.
Not forgetting that we get older as each moment goes by, factually meaning that we change and get older as each of those moments arrives us.
I am a firm believer and try not to take for granted of this fact. In the movie, “Star Trek” – Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise – to boldly go where no man has gone before! Each moment that has yet to present itself to us, is an opportunity for us to boldly go where no one has gone before – new adventures.
Dalgonacrafted by barista Joanne.
That’s the gist of this story. We have to keep reminding ourselves that we have to be thankful for each new moment, each hour, each day; to give the very best of ourselves to ourselves. This is reflected when we give the very best in what we do, to others.
We don’t have control as to when our lives begin (at birth) and when our lives end (our last breath). What we do have control of, is the in between. That is absolutely, incredibly awesome!
We have our own story, our own bestseller to tell. We can choose to write it in the past tense (a journal or a diary) or we can choose to write a novel, how we picture our lives to be and work towards it. Me? How am I going to write my story? The way I see it, I have volumes to write about. My past alone has 65 over years to talk about. I am excited about the present and the future… Page 1, Chapter 1…Year 2093…The next phase…
On a cold but not so cold July 10th morning, waking up at a luxurious time of 8.16am; to the sounds of the heavens pouring squeezing the rain clouds below it and above us, all the water that it had been absorbing for some time. This water is what we know as rain. – The sponge-like clouds must be drying up as the rain seemed to be slowing down.
The ladies of the family had taken a day off from work to spend quality time as a family on this day, July 10th.
The first order of the day was to get some errands done. After all, it is a normal working day for everyone else. Came home and picked up the younger lady of the house to go grab some breakfast.
As we had a couple more errands in the “SS” area of Subang Jaya (1), I suggested a quick brekkie – a coffee and pastry at Good Ground Bakery (GGB).
Today was a first try for their plain croissants. As my wife Jeannie and I were browsing to see what we should eat, Monique, GGB’s bright and chirpy Public Relations person; suggested to try their plain croissants, just baked and out of the oven. Jeannie ordered it, with butter and strawberry jam to go with it. Jeannie, who is in the food business, said it isn’t easy to make good croissants. It needs to be gotten just right.
The plain croissant can be eaten with almost anything. Here, we asked for butter and strawberry jam to go with it.
The plain croissant can be eaten with almost anything. Here, we asked for butter and strawberry jam to go with it. We tried it on its own. Perfect! Jeannie and I loved it. Then, we ate it with the strawberry jam and butter. It was lovely.
The croissant, with part of it already cut and eaten. It couldn’t wait for its picture to be taken. 😂
The big, spicy chicken curry puff, was great, too. GGB is the bakery that you come, expecting delicious pastries with good beverages, hot or cold, always; spending time with family or friends, do some personal work or catch up on some reading. It offers you an experience wanting to come back again for more.
I just love colours. The colours of yellow, gold and brown makes this chicken curry puff, a work of art.
The big chicken curry puff on the left with its light brown, golden accent crust. The croissant perfect, on the right.
Two hot blacks.
The blacks look great from an angle. This comes with satsifaction.
One for the family album…
And another…With our daughter, Laura; Jeannie and I.
I had planned a couple of weeks earlier, to spend a bit of time at Mid-Valley Shopping Centre on this day, my birthday. I thought that there might be some birthday offers if I decided to buy anything. I had in mind to buy a pair of Teva sandals, the model with padded straps and more comfortable to use. I loved the pair that I already had, but since I do a lot of walking, it would be nice to have a more comfortable pair. My good friend, Keith Ganesan once told me that we have to treat our feet royally as they carry our body everywhere. Wise statement.
“They” tempted me to get this. Looks good. However, it does not appeal to me.
The drive to Mid Valley met with the usual heavy traffic on the Federal Highway. It was not chockablock. We got there in fairly decent time.
First thing on the agenda a quick kopi-O ais (Malaysian for iced coffee, black) and a currypuff. Jeannie tempted me with the idea of having chicken rendang (2) currypuff, sold at the food court in Aeon departmental store.
We got there in the nick-of-time. There were only three of these currypuffs left. With kopi- o ais, it was a good afternoon snack.
I soon made my way to the Teva store. There was a RM50 (US$10.70) discount on this price range of sandals. I tried them on for size and found it comfortable – ideal for long wear. I got it.
Trying on the Teva M Terra F1 5 Universal for size. Got it. What do you think? In the foreground, is my current Teva XL@ Hurricane.
Looking at the Bellroy Tote bags for Jeannie and Laura, a birthday gift on my birthday, to them.
I then walked across to The Gardens to get a birthday gift each from me to Jeannie and Laura. The Planet Traveller store has some pretty cool things that the both of them would like. The Bellroy Tote bag is a nice everyday use item that both of them would like . No prizes for guessing what colour Laura chose.
No prizes for guessing what colour Laura chose.
We headed home at about 5.00pm, hoping to meet the after work traffic jams. We somehow managed to do that.
We had a fairly late dinner (at least to us, it was; as we usually have dinner around 6.00pm to 7.00pm). I decided on something simple yet fit for a “king”. We ate at Burger King.
Laura was feeling a bit under the weather – she went for fries only. Jeannie went for the Whooper (no not swan. It is the way she pronounces it) set. Mine was like an oblong burger.
My burger reminded me of McD’s prosperity burger, at least the shape of it. Instead of an oblong beef patty like that of McD’s, this came with two small round patties. It tasted nice. The sauces in it, made it all the more nicer. I think this is a new variant. You should try it. They have a choice of either beef or chicken.
Family bonding at the King.I wanted something simple for dinner. And quick, too. I chose Burger King.
Laura was feeling a bit under the weather – she went for fries only. Jeannie went for the Whooper (no not swan. It is the way she pronounces it) set. Mine was like a oblong burger.
Since today only comes once a year (just like every other day. haha), Jeannie bought these packets of chocolate for me. I love chocolate. Perhaps I should write about chocolate. Maybe….will see.
Birthday spoils – chocolate. Yum!
We ended the day by having some birthday cake – buttercake made by the famous buttercake baker, my mum. It was delicious. The cake was soon gone as we started cutting the cake to give to friends and family.
Buttercake birthday cake made by mum. Awesome! Delicious and even more than before.
An inside look of the beautiful and yummy buttercake.
The side of the cake. This is absolutely a work of art.
I met with Su Yin, Jeannie’s colleague and a birthday celebrant, too. Her birthday was July 9th. I see her quite often when I drop Jeannie off at work and pick her up. This was the first time I met her in person. Jeannie says she is a super, super, super wonderful person. From our brief meeting; I totally agree with Jeannie – Su Yin is a super, super, super wonderful person.
Here I am with Su Yin, a birthday celebrant, too. Her birthday was July 9th.
I dropped by at St. Thomas More Church to give parish priest, Monsignor Patrick Boudeville some birthday cake. He invited me to join him for lunch with his staff in the dining room. I thanked him but said I was in a rush to several other cake delivery stops. “You are always in a rush. At least have a coffee”, he said. So, I did.
Having coffee with Monsignor Patrick Boudeville at St Thomas More Church in Subang Jaya. He is very witty.
He is very witty and kept me laughing most of the time. It was a really nice coffee break for me. I was off to make my birthday cake delivery rounds. It has been a great start into my 67th year.
My mother-in-law made this cute little knitted apple in a keychain for me.
I received hundreds and hundreds of birthday wishes and they are still coming in as I put this essay together.
Starting from one the earliest messages from my La Salle School classmate, Mohan Singh, followed by a telephone call from him a bit later, to the phone calls from my mum & dad, to all the messages from the various social media platforms, family members staying near & far, my La Salle School alumni year, St. Jude BEC…, on Facebook, Instagram, X, Tik Tok, emails…Whatsapp, Messenger… WOW!
Thank you everyone for a great start into my 67th year.
NOTES: 1. Subang Jaya is a bustling and exciting city in the central peninsula state of Selangor, Malaysia. 2. Rendang is a dry style of curry that is simmered until the gravy thickens. Classic rendang is usually made with beef, but chicken is also popular. Beef Rendang takes twice as long to cook and so Chicken Rendang is a delicious alternative. It is somewhat lighter and “brighter” in taste and appearance. http://www.rotirice.com
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.
Here we (Jeannie and I), are, with the birthday lady, Laura; seated in a nice, cozy corner, behind a brownish-red divider / wall, in the front of the bakery. Prime seating area.
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 picture looks kinda nice, well arranged. The chicken puff surrounded by the three equally cut pieces of cake from the slice of dark chocolate cake; the chocolate drink and the 2 calamansi coolers..
The chicken “curry” puff, was good to the last crumb. It goes well with any drink and other food you order.
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.😁
Picture taken: Courtesy of Monique.
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!
If you are not wet because of the rain, you probably will get wet because of the humidity. Malaysia, and countries around the region share a similar tropical climate. Whether it is hot or wet weather; there is humidity. Our humid weather causes us to perspire. That is not great. An example is when you have showered / had a bath and is getting ready for an official engagement. However, before you can even leave your house, you are perspiring. Your clothes may be drenched in your perspiration. Looking your best is no longer the preferred option.
The year started off with very hot days, the sun scorching, sparing nothing in its way. Though we, here in Malaysia; are accustomed to hot weather; long lengths of hot weather has become a concern as temperatures hit 38 deg Celsius.
Now, as we get closer to the middle of the year, we have been experiencing heavy rain… like nobody’s business. (1) There I said it – I wanted to use that idiom- an old one, not heard too often these days. Cities and towns are facing flash floods. Subang Jaya, a lightning city, is putting on one of its best lightning performances. We are fortunate not to be in an area commonly affected by floods.
This afternoon, the weather was fine, though rain clouds could be seen forming and gathering together in the distance, to create a big downpour. I managed to swing by to Good Ground Bakery for coffee, before heading off to pick Jeannie and Laura up from work.
As I walked in the door, I got the usual cheerful greeting from Monique, “Hi, Welcome!” Monique is the PR (Public Relations) person for the bakery. A waitress cum cashier, she’s perfect for the role of PR. “Would you like to try our latest pastry offering?” She promotes their pastries with pride. “Thank you, come again”, you can hear her voice as a customer leaves the bakery / cafe.
I ordered an americano hot, from Joanne, the up and coming barista. She takes great pride in making sure that each and every drink that she makes is the best. She is always striving to make them better.
The bakery / cafe was near seating capacity full, as usual. I managed to get a table at the corner in front, next to the door. I was in here yesterday, with my wife, Jeannie; for a short while. Jeannie and I love Joanne’s Calamansi Cooler drink. Monique had suggested we try their latest – pineapple scones. We said we will definitely try it the next time, we come.
The next time is today. The tray of pineapple scones on the shelf in the pastry cabinet looked so good. I had to have one, at least one. I asked Monique for a pineapple scone.
My americano coffee. Not just any americano. Americano crafted by Joanne.
I like Good Ground because I can work and I can relax and chill at the same time. I can get much done here. I see other people come here and work, too. Or simply, to read a book. I think it is because it offers a very pleasant experience. Nice.
The pineapple scone.
The evenly, golden-brown pastry encrusting the pineapple within.
The pineapple jam is freshly made. You can see the fibres from the pineapple jam.
My afternoon delight.
It is amazingly delicious!
The buttery scone – simply divine.
Absolutely delicious, to the last crumb!
The pineapple scone with Joanne’s crafted americano.
Sarah, the baker-in chief and owner of Good Ground Bakery, has done it again. Her cranberry scones put Good Ground Bakery as the place for the best scones in the city. The scone on its own, is fabulous. You have a choice of butter or jam or both, to add to the scones, if you like.
Now, the pineapple scones, definitely reaffirms that Good Ground Bakery, as always, is The place for scones, including the rest of the pastries they have and great beverages, both hot and cold.
It was soon time for me to be on my way to pick Jeannie and Laura up. I will be back again, soon, bringing Jeannie to try the pineapple scones and for me to have it again. 😋
It was a good afternoon for coffee.
NOTES: 1. idiom. informal. : very well or quickly or in very large amounts. She can design computer programs like nobody’s business. It’s been raining like nobody’s business.
Thursday, noon. The second day of Hari Raya (1) holidays here in Malaysia. Things were fairly quiet in Subang Jaya(S.J.) oldtown. Here when I talk about the old town, it is fair to say that SS15 is the “old town” and Taipan or USJ10 is S.J.’s new town. Taipan came about a decade after SS15. Both “towns” have run out of space to build. SS15 has resorted to tearing down older buildings (the oldest is less than or nearly 50 years old).
So, I got to SS15 for my tattoo touch up just before the scheduled appointment. Traffic was light. The touch up was done in a few minutes.
However, my appointment took a bit longer. I had another tattoo done. My third. I am proud of it.
After it was done, I suggested to Jeannie that we go to Good Ground Bakery for coffee. Their delicious, literally out-of-this-world scones was drawing me to their Bakery.
I picked (quite careful not to use that often used by many people, but wrong word, “fetched”) Jeannie up from home and headed to Good Ground. It was as expected – crowded. It did not really need a holiday to be so as it is almost always crowded. A good testimony to its always great cakes, pastries, coffee and other drinks and its dynamic group of employees. From what we see and know of Sarah, Good Ground Bakery’s owner; she is an exemplary person.
On the way to the cafe, Jeannie said that she was going to order their calamansi cooler. It is such a refreshing drink for the hot weather spell we have been experiencing over the past few months. So, we both had out taste buds set.
Jeannie, with her calamansi cooler drink.
Joanne took our order. Jeannie had the calamansi cooler; I, an iced americano; and a cranberry scone.
Monique delivered our order to us, soon after. We managed to get a table next to the counter. The calamansi cooler was superb as usual. It had that nice blend of lemon, lime, cucumbers and tonic water with a big cube of ice – the combination of the right quantity of each item to make this perfect drink.
My americano iced was the same, usual, standard, as can be expected – great. Lots of establishments offer americano iced on their menus. However, the right coffee from the beans and the right temperature (In this case, it was iced); puts it above all others.
And I am campaigning the idea that the temperature must be constant from the time you receive it, to the last drop, drank. The small ice cubes that many other cafes serve with their drinks, soon melts and dilutes the drink. The temperature of the drink becomes warmer, too. The large ice cube allows you to drink your drink at a slower pace, at your pace; and still maintain the temperature of the drink to the last drop.
The scone was simply, outrageously delicious; delicious enough to eat on its own, even though it came with butter and strawberry jam on the side. The texture of this pastry, the cranberries – Good Ground is the place where you can get the best, yes, the best; scones in Subang Jaya and P.J..
The scone did not stand a chance. There was no time to have a picture taken before it was eaten. It was amazing. The americano iced provided for the back drop on the left.
Jeannie and I enjoyed experiencing “the experience” of being here, away from our usual work and hurry burry. People come here to experience “that experience”, too. They can go back refreshed and recharged to carry on their life’s activities. For many of us, coming here often is testimony that this is the place to be, to relax and chill.
We left after an hour to carry on the rest of our day’s activities.
The weekend came and went in all fury. It was so fast, that we did not even feel it. Feel may not be the right word. I think a better word is “experience” it.
So, if the word “experience” is a better choice, “Why don’t you edit (is a better word for “making a correction”(?)) it?” you may ask.
Too much work to do so. If I change that word, I would possibly be swayed (by myself) into editing the sentences or paragraphs or even changing the whole meaning in this paragraph, which may in turn cause a mood swing. Haha.
It was one of those (now) infamous sweltering afternoons that we are (I dare say) getting used to. Or are we? The sun is blazing hot. A while (long while) later, the rain and thunderstorms come pouring down on us to the extent that certain parts of the Federal Highway begin to flood with a few inches of water.
On this afternoon, however; it was dry. Jeannie, my wife and I; did a few errands in the morning, had brunch and thought we’d go to our common (more like my) hangout: Good Ground Bakery (GGB).
We were greeted as usual, by Joanne and Monique. I told Jeannie that we had to try their fantastically refreshing drink: Calamansi Cooler. And Joanne makes it super nice. We both ordered a calamansi cooler. I opted for this drink instead of my usual coffee order (It is usually an americano though of late, I go for the flat white, too – both great drinks from here, at the GGB).
I don’t know how they get this drink to this level, but it is an awesome thirst quencher. It was a good drink to keep Jeannie and I company as we chillax, something that we enjoy and is quite rare to us because of our hectic daily schedules.
The Pecan chocolate cake. It is delicious.
GGB is famous for it’s…you’ve guessed it: bakery. It makes great breads and pastries, never fails to delight. It’s testimony is by its constant flow of customers, both dine in and takeaway.
People come to establishments like this for the experience. They have the space to do their own thing. You will see many people of all ages come and read books, real books i.e. at a leisurely, calm pace. Or, work on their computer with whatever they are doing and you will notice that they are not stressed out as otherwise would be a common sight. Or they meet with family or friends over a mugga (as in “cuppa” for tea) coffee.
It is mainly an experience each time I visit a cafe or an establishment like Good Ground. I like observing people mainly because everyone is different. And I could be looking for that unique characteristic someone might display that I can use for my book that I am writing (work-in-progress). I find it absolutely intriguing that everyone seems different.
Here, I am penning, or is it S-Pen stylus(ing?) some ideas for an article down in the Fold.
Using a metal straw. It keeps the drink at the same temperature when it leaves the glass to the time it gets in our mouths, perhaps?This drink is awesome!
We ordered a slice of Pecan Chocolate cake to go with our drinks. We shared this cake as it was too much for either of us to finish a whole slice each, by ourselves. It was delicious. Sarah, the owner of GGB, is a fantastic pastry chef. You will see that she, together with all her staff; are dedicated to providing the very best in all they offer, to their customers.
Notice the tattoo? That’s a swagger (1) pose.😁😂
It was a nice hour and a half or so that Jeannie and I had. We left, somewhat refreshed, to continue the rest of the day. As we left GGB, we felt some rain drops falling. Dark rain clouds were forming, readying for a thunderstorm. A cool evening, perhaps?
NOTES: 1. Meaning of “swagger” : walk or behave in a very confident or self-important way. If you see me write, “I will take you somewhere swagger”, it means I will take you or show you somewhere smart or fashionable in my writing, like here, at Good Ground Bakery. 2. There is an attempt here, sometimes as usual, to challenge subtly, the written English language to past its boundaries to add “colour”.
As I published the essay, I was planning to hit the coffee scene. My cousin, Chris; texted me in the morning and suggested we meet at Good Ground Bakery (1) at 2.30pm as our usual neighbourhood cafe was closed for the day. Probably, the two co-owners at Jings would be out for a round of golf on a Wednesday afternoon. I can just picture them: in full raincoats and carrying the usually large golf umbrellas, opened; lugging their golf carts. O.k. they may have caddies doing that for them. Then, one of them pulls out a 9-iron (like I know anything about golf); whacks (drives) the ball over 270 yards, clear of the fairway to the highway. The ball lands a few millimetres away from the hole, just needing to be putted in.
Not really sure if they play golf in the first place. However, there are some avid golfers who frequent Jings quite often. The ones I know are Sally Lee and her husband, Jeff; and Snow and his wife, Mandy.
I was running late for my 2.30pm afternoon meet with Chris. It was close to 3 on the hour when my essay went “live”. I got to Good Ground Bakery at 2.50pm only to learn from Joanne, the employee who is familiar with us by now, that “your friend, the guy with the long shoulder-length hair, left a few minutes ago.”
I called Chris to tell him I had just arrived. I was held up due to the fact I was rushing out an article to be published at that time. He said he thought that I wouldn’t show up, so he left. Chris is a guy who is one for punctuality. Me, too. However, to day was not one of those times. I did tell Chris that if I commit to an appointment, I will show up. If I was not going to show up for whatever reason/s; I would inform the other party/s.
I headed back home. As I turned to Tudor homes; Chris called to say that he was heading back to Good Ground Bakery and it would be good if I could join him.
So, I did what came naturally: I kicked the sand with my right foot, swayed a bit from left to right and back and said, “Golly, shucks, aww ok”……. Actually, I said “ok” (minus the drama) and headed back to the bakery.
I was back at Good Ground Bakery 10 minutes later. By this time, the heavens (or is the floodgates?) had opened and the rain was beating down hard with a force like it was on a vengeance. I managed to find a car 🚗 park bay on the road. It meant that I had to make a 20 meter dash in the heavy downpour. I didn’t want to use the umbrella as it was too much of a bother to remember to take it back when I leave. I have forgetfully left a number of umbrellas behind where ever I go.
One of the first things I did as I got to the counter before sitting at the table was to browse though their from the oven to the shelves baked goodies. I decided to go for their cranberry scone again, and I ordered an Americano to go with it.
When it was served, I noticed the cup, the same type that I usually have my coffee when I come here. The top half of the cup looked like it was coffee stained all round it. Sort of makes it look old. Another thing is that the cup and saucer looked like it was clay molded, more like a “do-it-yourself” molding. However, on getting a better look at the cup, the colour is the colour of the cup not a stain. The cup was commercially purchased, not homemade. I liked it because it seemed to keep the coffee hot for a longer period and it had a solid feel because it was heavy.
The scone looked really good. As I cut into it and took a bite without adding the butter and jam, it was delicious. The generous amounts of cranberries in it gave it that “reddish sweet” flavour to the scone. The butter and jam was like “icing to the cake”, as they seem to have taken the scone to the next level of greatness for scones.
The freshness of the cranberry scone that came with butter and jam.
Looking at the pictures, you can tell that the scone was literally just out of the oven. The freshness of its light, crusty top gives the scone a “must have” when one visits the Good Ground Bakery.
By the time I was half way though the scone, our friend, Jino, came and joined us for coffee. Jino never fails to share with us his experiences when he was the Numero Uno of Goodyear Malaysia. He has loads of knowledge that he is ever willing to impart with us and others. We had a good afternoon.
It was soon nearing 4.40pm when I had to leave to pick my family up from work. I am looking forward to another session with Chris and Jino. It is with sessions like this that we can impart our experiences, values and views with others. Not to forget an abundance of laughter and light-heartedness that comes with it.
NOTES: 1. Good Ground Bakery is at SS17/1A, Subang Jaya. Subang Jaya is a city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
It was another day in the sun, though not as hot like the past few days. There was a fairly cool light breeze blowing off and on during the endurance of my 1 hour and 53 minute walk. As I reached back home, after completing the 11.05km walk; the sky opened with an unexpected heavy downpour of rain. The rain was welcomed as it helped bring the weather temperature down a notch or two.
Just as I sat at my workstation to get some work done, I got a call from my cousin, Christopher. “Are you free for coffee at 2.00pm? I will come and pick you up. We will go to someplace different as Jings is closed for today”, he said. Jings is our favourite nearby go-to place for coffee these days.
I straight away said, “yes”; though I was about to get behind the screen or screens ( 2 computers, 2 smartphones and a 24 inch monitor). I am a strong advocate that the next moment that is I front of us, that has not passed us by yet; is the future. The future is adventure like in the TV series, “Star Trek”.
Chris said he will swing by to pick me up in front of New Apollos restaurant.
“Chris, where are you taking me to this time? Surprise me”, I said. He smiled and drove towards SS15, Subang Jaya. As we made a right turn at the bend, going under the short tunnel, heading towards the SS15 town centre; he flicked the car turn indicator to the left, intending to make a left turn towards SS17. I heard that there were several cafes in that area, all of which I had not been to, yet.
He stopped and parked his car in front of “Good Ground Bakery”. I was not expecting anything much from here because this area is generally very quiet. As we got in, we were greeted with a very bright, well-lit place. There was a wide display counter which took up about 70% of the width of the shop. In this counter, many different cakes were displayed. In fact the counter is “L”-shaped, with more of their cakes and other pastries displayed there.
The seating area for about 40 people were a few tables at the entrance of the bakery, and the rest of the tables lined against the wall, right to the back of the shop. Now, this is a bakery, not a cafe. Their primary business is to cater to the needs of “order, collect and go” customers. However, almost all the tables, but for one; were taken. So, lucky us for that one table left.
We ordered our usual, where Chris had a green tea, and I, an Americano, hot. It had been raining the whole afternoon and the weather was kind of chilly. The air-conditioning in the bakery was quite strongly adding to the coldness, too.
Chris then ordered a scone. When it came, he said it was for me. I thought he ordered it for himself. By this time, we had moved to the table at the front of the bakery. It offered a bit more all round space.
Having “pindah” (Bahasa Malaysia for “shift”) table, we now have more space around us.
The scone was served with strawberry jam and butter. First of all, this is one of the largest scones served when compared to any other bakery or café. It had a nice, evenly, light brown crust top. The sides were evenly baked. Some of the raisins could be seen at the top of the scone.
I cut through the scone for a bite-size piece. The piece stayed firm, crumbled only a little bit. When I put some of the strawberry jam and butter on the piece, it still held firm. The taste…
The taste… When I ate that piece… Now, this is truly a scone. It was simply delicious. The rich taste of the scone. I could sense all the ingredients coming together, blending; to create this wonderful taste of the scone. When I added a little butter and strawberry jam to it, it was ooo-la-la!
Each cut piece with the butter and strawberry jam, was as good as the last piece before it. The taste was evenly spread out. I had a couple of pieces without the butter and strawberry – it was simply great. Towards the end of the scone, it had already more or less cooled down to room temperature, the taste or perhaps the value if I could put a number to it; still was a delight to eat.
The price for this scone? RM9 or US$1.92.
The reflection of “Good Ground” in the coffee.
The Americano, I guess was ok. It is another was of saying coffee, black; or the well-known term at local coffee shops and kopitiams: “kopi-o”. This place is not primarily a cafe. However, according to Chris, they sell some expensive blends of teas in what look like 6 inch x 6 inch boxes that you can buy for home consumption. Chris likes the tea here.
Notice the tea boxes (in various colours) in the lower shelf.
The beverage menu.
Chris’ little glass teapot with a teabag in it.
Chris is a regular at Good Ground Bakery. Being an avid reader, he comes here to read a book and at the same time, enjoy drinking tea. The ambience and quiet this bakery has to offer, makes it conducive for readers like Chris. I noticed a few people reading books here, while others managed to get some work (I presume it is work) done. I think I will visit here more often when I feel the need of different ambience and scenery to be inspired while working.
An idea of their decor. Towards the left of the lady sitting down, are a few rows of books and magazines which I believe customers can pick out something for their reading pleasure.
Against their main wall are shelves with items of decorations, items for sale, and, books and magazines. Real books and magazines, ones where you can flip through pages, with printed words and pictures. I think this is a great encouragement to take time off the screen, be it the computer or smartphone, and enjoy the turning of the next page, or the sound of pages flipping, reading some cute captions, or just enjoy looking at the colour photos in them.
If you are in the neighbourhood of SS17, and want a good coffee or tea and a scone to go with it; with a nice ambience and some quiet, drop by at Good Ground Bakery. Who knows? We may meet and you can have a chat with me, perhaps give me ideas for the book that I am writing.
