Prayer for Ummi.

Assalamualaikum,

Ummi went for CT Scan again. Insha Allah tomorrow she will go through the Lumbar Puncture procedure or in Malay we call it 'ambil air tulang belakang'.  The doctors said there are nothing much to worry about, but we are still anxious definitely. Anyways, we shall think positively insha Allah and we do see the doctors are trying their very best for her. For those who pray for my Mother, thank you so much, may Allah bless you. Wassalam.

"There is a cure for everything in the 'Opening of the Book' (Surah Al-Fatihah)"
Al-Baihaqi & Ad-Darimi 

XOXO,

Sue

Jom Makan! Fresh Grilled Salmon @ El Fresco, the Italiano Cafe, Empire Subang.

Assalamualaikum wbt,

Today we went to meet Dr. Kumar for another episode of Ummi's numerous doctors' appointments. He, unfortunately decided for Ummi to be admitted, again. I was so sad for her, I cried a bit, just a bit though because I pity Ummi. Since the doctors at Ampang Puteri have surrendered Ummi's case to the General Hospital, everytime Ummi is admitted we have to bunk in at the 3rd Class first since the 1st Class is always full, so we have to be in the waiting list for our turn. We don't have any problem about staying at 3rd Class, my family adapts easily with whichever situation that comes in, but of course, 1st Class would be better so I can take off my hijab and it is quieter there because sometimes it could be too noisy (although Ummi enjoys chatting with her new friends at the 3rd Class).

Although we had to admit immediately, I just told Dr. Kumar that we had to run some errands and he was OK with that. Actually since last week, Ummi was craving to eat the Grilled Salmon at Empire, Subang Jaya, the one which was recommended by Aunty Lin's son-in-law Abang Sham, which he claimed to be super delicious. I just wanted to cheer Ummi up, especially at 3rd Class the food, well not being grateful, but taste-wise they taste terrible so I want her to enjoy her last meal before being admitted this time.

So from HKL we drove to Subang Jaya, apparently this was my first time going to Empire Subang haha although I passed it hundreds of times using the Federal Highway. Ummi previously went with Deena. I thought we were supposed to head for a restaurant but surprisingly this eatery locates at the front area of Jaya Grocer supermarket at the Ground Floor.

The Main Counter & Cashier.

The Menu.

There, the concept at El Fresco is that we need to go to the supermarket area specifically the Butchery or Seafood counters for fresh ingredients. As they state here, REALLY FRESH. I take their word for it since Jaya Grocer is the official main sponsor for the Masterchef Malaysia pantry. Yes you get your desired meat or seafood and without paying for it yet, you head over to the El Fresco cashier counter to pay and specify your cooking instructions. However as for the cooking instructions we asked for choices, the cashier cum cook informed that they only grill here. 

Jaya Grocer Supermarket, the view from El Fresco actually.

Fresh Seafood. Lots of different sizes of Salmon pieces. Prices according to weight. I was too shy to snap at the Butchery just next to the Seafood counter because the workers kept smiling at me, but anyways they have different choices of meat including Wagyu Beef for some great tasting luxurious steak.

The simple dining area, cafeteria like, with lights slightly dimmed.

Right in between of the dining area, there are some already prepared food for your liking such as Roast Chicken, Lamb, Ratatouille etc. I always find similarities in Italian and French food especially on their poultry and potato dishes  but of course the Italians are more distinct in their Pasta while the French with their breads and pastry department. 

Roast Chicken.

Sandwich chicken hams and bacon with Salad.

Roasted Beef Striploin.

Both of us ordered Grilled Salmon. Cool thing about El Fresco, you may just pay the price of the meat/fish not inclusive of their cooking service charges and they will serve you just that with the sauce which I think are sufficient enough to fill you up. However we added side orders; mine with Pasta of the Day while Ummi combined it with Mixed Vege which cost additional RM 6 each. 

While waiting for our main dishes, we dug in into the
 Potato Gratin
RM 6.80
that we ordered from the Ready to Eat Counter.
Hot, creamy, and quite a huge portion actually that filled both of us already.

Drinks;
Lemonade & Pink Lemonade Snapple
RM 7.50 each
It's naturally flavoured without preservatives, so the taste haha no sugar what else could I say? =D

It took some time for our main dishes to be ready, but we saw the cooks working non stop in the kitchen which can be seen from the dining area. I enjoyed chatting with Ummi (I feel like a motivator these days due to Ummi's condition) while looking at other customers who do the typical thing of snapping photos of their food before digging in. =) Finally they arrived. =)

Ummi's
Grilled Salmon with Mixed Vegetables.
RM 19.52 (RM 13.52 + RM 6)

Mine
Grilled Salmon with Aglio Olio Spaghetti.
RM 21.08 (RM 15.08 + RM 6)

Verdict : BEST GRILLED SALMON EVER TASTED! One, because it's cooked fresh. Second, because the way they grilled the salmon blocks so perfectly you could just feel the natural good oils of the Salmon oozing in your mouth, because they serve you them while it's hot from the wok and the meat taste ultimately succulent, tender and juicy. I could literally feel I am feeding on Omega 3 for a healthier heart haha! Even typing this reminds me of how good it was! *drool* The portion of both side dishes are sufficient to be shared for two, mixed vege was good except for the spaghetti was tad too oily (although they use healthy Olive Oil but too much made it not so good tasting) and the Honey Cajun Mustard for the sauce was heavenly. A definite must try! Cannot wait to bring Deena to eat here. =)

The price tags to prove they actually cooked the pieces of Salmon we chose.

Ummi enjoying her Grilled Salmon. Alhamdulillah everytime Ummi eats Salmon and Char Kuey Teow without fail she will finish up her meal, as opposed to other food which she would only eat very little of them.

Smile Ummi. =)

Oh yes, regardless of the super delish meal, Ummi cannot help feeling depressed and anxious but it is my duty to make her mood lifted up and to know that she is not alone in this difficult times. And alhamdulillah she finished her Salmon too this time though the Vege was a bit too much for her.

Ok total damage here, RM 62.40 only. So peeps, yes El Fresco is a must try, and for me it is cheap because if you eat at hotels for Grilled Salmon as huge and as good as this it may cost you approximately RM 35-40 I opine. There are also numerous of other Italian dishes for you to try. Service is also attentive and good. Cleanliness, good.  Will definitely come again. I just wish it is closer to home though hehe. =)


Thanks for reading. =)

XOXO,
Sue

Visiting our sick niece Naima @ Sunway Medical Centre (5th April 2010)

Salam,

Our beautiful and mischievous niece Naima was sick again, so spent some time with her without much enthusiasm on her part. Oh yes around this time, she still didn't like her aunts quite as much as now. =D

Nana with a surprise gift to cheer her up.

See how much she didn't like us? Yes she hates the camera too.

One-Eye Naima. No Freemasonry intention here haha.

Doting father, Abang Sham.

Naima. Beautiful but kerek. =D

Being her Bibik accompanying her to do some colouring activity.

Rakan IJN's Chinese New Year Donation @ Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) (Saturday, 6th February 2010)

Salam,

As some of you may already have known my sister is the earlier member of Rakan IJN, so in this post I will highlight on day when Rakan IJN was busy giving out donations to the patients in the spirit of Chinese New Year. So let's join them. =)

The Friends of IJN are busy packing boxes with Mandarin Oranges and gifts for the patients.

In front of the Rakan IJN office at Level 3, IJN.

The gift trolley being decorated nicely. =)

My sister Deena beaming together with the Honorary Secretary Mr. Bala & our President, Raja Datin Seri Zuraida, all prepared to visit the heart patients.

Deena with the ang-pows =)

Our President, Datin Seri Raja Zuraida cheering up one patient.

Cheering up a child with ang-pows =)

My niece Naima admitted in hospital :( @ Section 9, Shah Alam (Friday, 18th April 2008)

Salam,

We were told today by my aunt, Aunty Lin that my niece Naema and her mum Kak Airin have been admitted in the hospital for almost a week now. So we went right away to visit both of them in the evening.

As for Naema, she was admitted the next day after her uncle's wedding reception because she was experiencing diarrhoea after the ceremony. If it's related to the food at the reception, well not really since all of us except her were fine. Must be noted, that Naema as a toddler she loves to just touch and pick up anything on the floor and put her hand in her mouth, so that must be the reason. Meanwhile, Kak Airin infected the disease from her child. Kak Airin was admitted in the hospital a few days after Naema was admitted.






They were infected from a certain bacteria (I could not recall its scientific name) but the effect is 20x worse than the normal diarrhoea. Phew that's really bad! So their bodies kept dehydrating until both of them had to attain liquid from the water & glucose drips. As for Naema, her body could not receive any lactose from any form be it milk, biscuits, cakes etc because any amount of lactose would only activate the bacteria. So she had to consume a certain special milk without lactose provided by the hospital.

When we came Naema was asleep and when she woke up she did not look like her usual cheerful and energetic self. She looked really down and weak we felt really sad for her since she kept crying. As for Kak Airin, she seems quite OK, and alhamdulillah the disease did not affect the unborn child's health. It is more a leass a month before the birth of Naema's baby brother.




OK I know this is supposed to be a quite serious post, but I cannot help to put this fact which I found humorous. My cousin Angah, he wanted to cheer up Naema so he bought her a soft toy. Instead of purchasing some adorable, warm-looking face toy (I mean hello we are talking about your niece not nephew who is not even 2 years old), he bought for her this.




Abang Sham, Naema's father told thatn Naema cried the loudest when she saw this. Ya Allah, this is so typical Angah. How could you give a small child who is especially sick, with a Tazmanian Devil opening its mouth wide, showing his fang as though it wants to swallow her? Aiyoh budak lagi pandai (A kid is much smarter). :p I understand that there are few parents who give Chucky as their children's toy but I just think that is crazy to teach kids that young things as creepy like that. They can have their teen years to learn all those stuffs. Anyway I am sorry for Naema, but I couldn't help to think that this is just hillarious. Anyway Angah, good try in trying to show your fatherly affection. Hahaha.