Penang Trip

I am driving alone to Ipoh to fetch my good friend, Lina before heading up to Penang. Been planning for the trip to replenish some stock at China House, I76 The Shop and Bon Ton. The next trip to Penang only going to be in August. 

I always love the small break in every trip to Penang. I will repeat doing the same thing, going to the same makan place, and wondering around, indulge myself with inspiration. George Town is one of my favourite place to stay.

I stayed at my friend Guest House at Lebuh Noordin, and cancelled my booking at one of the guest house at Love Lane, long story and I shouldn't take the risk by staying at the place I not familiar with. I am not so picky about the place I will sleep but it must have white bed sheet and attach bathroom, end of story.

Here is my routine & tips whenever in Penang:

1. Prefer to stay at George Town, all are within walking distance.
2. Breakfast usually at Mug Shot, they serve the best Bagel and my favourite is Bagel with Salmon and Cream Cheese, and latte is the best.
3. Breakfast alternative will be at Woodland, they serve delicious Indian vegetarian food. 
4. I normally will pay a visit and check my stock at Ren I Teng and Tropical Spice Garden too.
5. Maju Deen Nasi Kandar in Lebuh Noordin is the best for dinner
6. Jawi Cafe Gallery at Armenien Street serve the best local flavour and was easy to just dropby whenever I send some stock at Bon Ton The Shop.
7. China House serves the best cakes, they spoilt me with galore of cake choices. Their quiche is the best I've ever tasted after the cafe in Wellington.
8. Walking enjoying the street art is the way to hit my 10,000 steps after all the eating.
9. There was a nice small park at Armenien Street that I enjoy sitting, it was a gem.
10. Always make sure travel with the right buddy and company.

Jawi Cafe Gallery

Workshop at Kinokuniya

It's always good to be back and having my workshop at Kinokuniya. My last workshop at Kinokuniya was last two years. And I came back for the second time with four workshop slots to offer. Antalis the major paper distributor was sponsoring the paper and it was nice to be able to experimenting using eco friendly paper mainly from Europe. Good to see some new and familiar faces curious to learn the book binding skill:) What a happy day!

Typical day of Little Syam

Blackie the cat. 

Stamping

Stock for Penang and Langkawi

Silkscreen printing progress.

Always nice to see someone to say hi at the event I've been involved. This is Jenna and her family:)

My happiness:)

There are so many things need to be done before my trip to Penang. Looking through the list to do that not moving in the pipeline is so painful. I had refused a few jobs, to give myself a little pause and break. This coming Ramadan going to be less busy compare to last year. I just accepted less workshops and not going to work on every weekend. Will have Ramadan workshop with BIG Publika, Setia Alam Club for fathers day and my usual SKC workshop at Setia Eco Glades. There are few pending jobs need to start doing.

Food, food and food

Someone was expressing how amazing that I can work independently doing stuff I passionate about, going to many places and work at the same time enjoying life and having a good food like what as appeared in my Instagram.

To tell you the truth the reward I am having now is the reward for working hard at the very beginning. I quit my corporate job without any regret, even though the money was lucrative. I learn to take a risk and confident I can do it.

Work hard and being persistent is all the recipe and I am still doing it until now. Don't judge the Instagram picture shown each time... The thing that I've never shown is the sleepless night, carrying heavy tools everytime I went to bazaar or workshop, adrenaline rush to meet my deadline, my back pain and my numb hand due to overwork. 

Food is important because that's the only way I can reward myself, having the best coffee, escape to the small cafe is a way to pay back. I kinda have my favourite spot and I tend to repeat going to the same cafe, eating the same food and it feel like self of belonging. Hop in to this place not only enjoying the food, and indulge my self to a good coffee but also it's my time alone to reflect, but I do have a good friend to accompany once in a while. My monotonous choice of food and the same repeat place is pretty boring but I am so used with the same cycle.

I am not so adventurous but once in a while I don't mind to try other places.

I had  branding and menu design job for Malaysian restaurant in London recently.
I am still in the midst of designing.
Perhaps I might need to pay a visit to London this year,
but London is not one in my travel list,
I have few other places I need to prioritise first.

I am so glad that this cafe Soul Sac was opened at the same row at my studio.
As usual I am not very adventure in term of food choices,
I appreciate their latte but my menu will always be the same at every visit.
I love an extra effort they made in their food presentation.

When everyone working, I will go to Ikea to have my meal and maybe doing my shopping.
I have the advantage doing things against the normal time when working on my own,
and it felt so wonderful and awesome.

I am so glad to be surrounding by few peoples that love to celebrate food, same as me. 

This is the usual cafe that I will hop in every two months whenever I've got my leather supply from Petaling Street. Sometimes I ordered food due to sentimental value. The name of this Banana Fritter is Yasmin Ahmad - Al Fatihah.

When you hoping that they will serve the ink squid pasta at 11 am, this is all being served.
One of the best egg Benedict I've ever tasted. Jibby East.