hantu roti

People close to me would know I have so much love for bread. I would walk into a supermarket and take the longest time to pick out the loaf that I want. The most important criteria that would make me buy them is if they are soft, that to me shows that it is fresh from the oven. I would even attempt to kill whoever puts my loaf of bread into the fridge. You know how some put their bread into the fridge so that it lasts longer? 

No. I totally hate that. Because the softness won't be the same anymore after you put them into a microwave later on. Plus, I used to take about 2-3 days to finish a loaf :P So no thank you. I'll finish my loaf well before the expiry thank you.

When I used to live in London, I could find bread EVERYWHERE! And even those loose ones are amazingly delicious I could eat it on its own. They're not just easy for me to grab and delicious, they only costed 0.30 pence. How I miss my London times. 

Anyway, a couple of weeks back, I saw an advertisement in the Star Online (you know one of those popping up ones that annoy you because you just want to get to the news). Bake with Kuali workshop. They were advertising their workshop on Bread baking. 

"Sayang! Look!! *sends the link* "JOM?"

Before I knew it, Aiman had already paid for our spots! Too efficient. 

Initially yesterday, I was tempted to skip the course. Only because I was feeling a little under the weather. But Aiman insisted that the Double A Team do this so that we know ourselves how to make it when Double A opens. Things we do for our little baby Double A. 

It was a collaboration between Kuali and Malaysian Institute of Baking (yup! I didn't know MIB existed until yesterday!) and we were taught the science of baking before we got our hands dirty with some Pumpkin Seed loaf, wholemeal loaf and sandwich loaf. Very privileged to have been taught by Chef Don and assisted by his students at MIB. The one thing that I was very impressed about are his students at MIB. You would think they do just baking as part of their degree, but no, they are expected to also get pass accounts and economics during some semesters. CRAZY! I'd be stress! These graduates at MIB are a full package, throw them out there and they can open up their own cafe :)

Hopefully I'll be baking you guys some bread in the future at Double A, Insya Allah! :)

From Penang to KL

Over the weekend, we took off on a random flight to Penang for a mini getaway and to also visit Aiman's grandpa (we call him Tok Ayah). He is sooooo cute and such a businessman at heart. We Aiman was told off for spending 'so much' money on flights and hotel. Hehe. We explained to him how times are bad these days...haha! You know...with all the price of oil being topsy turvy and all and nothing like the price during his time and GST kicking in soon, so prices for things are going up and all.

Just a btw note, GST will actually be a substitute for the existing sales and service tax you guys are being charged now. But on what sellers are marking up post-GST, God knows.

Anyway, we had an amazing great getaway in Penang with loads of food adventures and of course a visit to the beach. I'm starting to think that I'm a beach girl. I just don't like the sun, although for picture purposes the sun will come in handy.

We decided to head back to KL in the evening because we had a meeting for Double A at night. Guess who made it possible for us not to have the meeting? Our Airline.

Our flight was at 5pm, and we were making our way to the gate at 4.45. Hurriedly we went straight to the door, thinking that we were already late because there was no queue and there was a huge sign on the board saying CALLING. I thought "s*** we're the last, it's gonna be so embarrassing to walk into the aircraft last". Turned out the plane has yet to arrive. So we thought it may be on its way. Spoke to some disappointed passengers and they said that actually the flight has been delayed to an unknown time.

My first thought: Then can you please bring that freaking CALLING word down and put DELAYED instead?

20 minutes passed and we started seeing a mini commotion at the counter. Feeling a little left out, Aiman decided to be a little nosy and started joining the commotion. Found out, the flight has actually been CANCELLED. Not delayed.

My first thought: Make an announcement.

I asked the counter why no announcement. They politely explained that they wanted to, however passengers already started attacking their counter so they did not feel the need to.  -_______-

We were then promised a flight 3 hours later at 8pm (did not bother fighting with the rest of the passengers who wanted to get on the 5.20pm flight to a different airport) and was assured that it is confirmed. So Aiman and I requested for a slip to go back out. I thought this is probably God's sign to allow me another round of Nasi Kandar before I head back to KL :D Btw, we got to McD and found out that there is a special lane for delayed flight passengers, but of course we did not get that coupon which upon checking later on, they said "oh kami ada coupon untuk delayed flight". Why thank you.

Long story short, at 8pm when they called for all passengers to board, we still have yet to receive our new boarding passes! The person in front of the queue was passing the message to tell us that the Airline now may not have seats available and we may be pushed to the 8.20pm flight.

My first thought: You bring your Manager to the ground and manage this crisis. Don't go and call the poor counter girl and tell her to tell us sorry no more seats.

There was no point in getting angry to the person at the counter. She cannot make the call about who and who gets to go on the plane when there are a hundred people in front of her requesting for the next flight out. I went to the front of the line and said that they should have their manager down on the ground now to manage the many angry passengers ready to probably eat them alive by then. It is unacceptable that you promised me a seat for an 8pm flight and now you're telling me that there is no seat. It's either you take someone off the plane or you do not make a promise that you are unsure of, no?

She quickly took our boarding passes and assigned us seats in the 8pm flight. They did not even issue us new tickets. Oh well, as long as I get back to KL I'm all good :)

My point is, I am ok for a flight to be delayed or cancelled. In fact it probably saved my life if there were real problems with the aircraft and I definitely have them to thank for. But have the courtesy and better trained employees to manage crisis. Do not cancel a flight without notifying passengers because they may have already made plans for a connecting flight and stuff. And do not promise passengers something you are not sure of. I'm sure passengers would be more understanding when you tell them about your crisis management process, step by step.

Train Money

The other day Aiman was around the office area for a meeting and we decided to have lunch together. 

He doesn't work in KL, so on those rare days when he is back in KL for meetings and conveniently the meeting is around my office we will go for lunch together. He decided to take us to some nice lunch as he did not have anything to rush for after lunch. I on the other hand had a meeting at 3pm in the city, so Aiman offered to drop me off a little early after lunch before he goes off for his next meeting. 

Turned out we finished lunch way earlier than we thought we would. So I told Aiman that probably he can head back first and I'll find my own way to the city later on. At least I can finish up some work and pray in the office first before I leave for meeting, and Aiman on the other hand would not have to wait too long. Plus, there is easy access to public transport from where I was. 

He obliged and we headed to the car for him to drop me back off at the office. As I was about to get out of the car, he took out RM10 note and gave it to me. 

What's this for?

"That's your train money"

Train money?

"Yeah. Cause you never have to pay for anything ever again"

Oh no need, I'm using my staff tag to get on the train. 

"Then reload your staff tag"

Awww! Too cute and too sweet! Where did I find this husband of mine again? 

Of course as a working wife, you try to catch that waiter with the bill first before he gets to Aiman when you go out (but it's like an auto pilot thing sometimes for waiters to go to the guys to take the tab). Or pays for something behind his back and by the time he finds out, it's too late for him to pay for it. 

Sorry, did I hear you say supplementary card is on the way? 

#ithinkiseeanicehandbagtheretoo

Thank YOU!

Starting up a cafe is not as easy as just making sure we have coffee in the shop.

That's a good starting point no doubt. However, Aiman and I are cracking our heads to think of how to make this cafe different. Different from what is already out there. 

I love the idea of having a prayer room - sometimes I don't end up going for coffee because I have not yet prayed and that cafe that we want to try does not have a surau. So yes, I want a prayer room at Double A. And then Aiman the practical-one-who-thinks-about-everything (good thing I married someone like him!) asked me "but sayang, where will the source of water come from?". He usually asks because he already has an answer for it and wants to test how innovative I am. Pffft. Testing the wife.

So now, we're brainstorming ideas on what to have and what not to have at our little dream cafe. It's not easy, but it's nice to have a balance between having loads of ideas and having a person who comes up with a solution for just about everything, thank god :)

Recently, two of my good friends, Vivy and Kimmy posted up on their instagram about Double A. They've been so supportive from the first day Aiman and I had this cafe idea, giving me tips (especially) on how to take better pictures and take better pictures and take better pictures. LOL!

Responds were continuously flowing in with amazing amazing new ideas - some we've never even thought about like lone ranger. That little space of your own. I never knew there were high demands for this! And then the idea for a kid friendly corner which of course being a kid-lover, I jumped at that idea was all YES YES YES! but Aiman was asking me to justify my YES (he's like that auditor that checks every cent that comes in and goes out, my kids will never get toys so easily in the future).

Humbled by the overwhelming responds really, Alhamdulillah for such great and supportive friends and people who shared and gave great comments and ideas for our Double A. May Allah grant you guys His blessings for spreading kindness to a stranger like me and Aiman :))) We will definitely jot down every single idea and give them all some thought on whether it is doable or not at Double A.

Which way should it be?

Recently we went through some reshuffling in terms of seating in the office - we had a few colleagues joining the floor so we had to make space for them.

As the secretary was trying to finalize the seating quickly for new joiners on the floor I looked around and saw everyone making rounds-on-the-spot. So imagine me standing on one spot and twirling like those in the traditional musical box...

...but with a compass in my hand.

Everyone was looking for a good 'feng shui' and where their seats should face. Some used the compass to see where North was, some used the compass to see where the Kiblat (direction for prayers for the Muslims) was. Turned out the arrows were pointing in so many directions at one point, it was such a cute sight!!!

God definitely made space for everyone because every single one of us found a spot we wanted. As for me, I did not need to move. Maybe I should open up that compass to reconfirm... :))