Advertorial: Aurora Saturday Dinner Buffet

First of all, special thanks to Irene for inviting me to the food sampling of the Aurora Saturday Dinner Buffet on their launching day, which was on the 17th October 2015.

Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites' all-day dining restaurant, Aurora Court, is now introducing its new signature buffet, Aurora Saturday Dinner Buffet, starting from 17th October on wards. Now you can fill up your tummy with some gastronomical bliss on your Saturday with amazing buffet ranging from smoked and grilled delicacies to local delights!

Coming into the restaurant, you will be greeted by the friendly staffs and immediately you will see a wide spread of desserts on your left.

 As you can see, the desserts are served in bite-sized portion and it's oh so taste-bud tantalizing that it will melt right away inside your mouth. 

The next island will be Salad with dressing of your own choice. They even have wide spread of appetizers such as acar and kerabu dishes. 

 They even have rojak and Gado-Gado; also ulam-ulaman with sambal belacan and cincalok!

 Wow, I'm in love with this! This is called Braised Mutton with Massalla Spice and Tomato! Anything with tomatoes goes well with me. Delicious is an understatement, it's heaven! Of course, there are also other hot dishes can be found in their buffet line such as Oxtail Rendang, Steamed Whole Red Talapia, Chicken Gong Pao Style, etc. They also have different soups available every week ranging from Soto Ayam, Szechuan Hot & Sour Soup, or Sup Tulang Kambing. These flavoursome soups are great to go with their homemade bread or eat alone on its own. 

 Next buffet line station is Chicken Rice. It's pretty much our Malaysian's comfort food. This most sought after chicken rice serves well with roasted or steamed chicken or both with soup and sauces that shall not be missed! 

The roasted chicken on the grill. 

Next, we shall proceed to Grilled Station and Mongolian BBQ Station. There are a spread of fresh ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, chicken, squid, fish fillet, beef, chicken frank, cocktail sausage and more from the Mongolian BBQ Station and meat on ice section. Select your condiments and hand it over to the Chef and watch them grill your food to perfection!

Of course, not to be missed the Fruit Station! Variety of fruits can be selected with your own choice!

 The highlight of the night! Their Carving Station which serves Hickory Smoked Lamb Shoulders! The must-have for this buffet! The natural, smoky , aromatic flavours with the tenderness of the meat will make you come back for more. They also serve succulent and juicy rotisserie chicken and duck at this Carving Station!

And the fact has been proven. So so so juicy and tender! You won't regret it! 

 Special thanks to the Chefs for their hardwork and effort for preparing the food for us! They are indeed very friendly  :)

Overall, Aurora Court is a tranquil spot to spend your Saturday night with their Aurora Saturday Dinner Buffet which priced at RM86nett per adult while child (5-12 years old) can enjoy 50% off. The price is inclusive of free flow cordial drink for all the diners. 

For further inquiries and details regarding Aurora Saturday Dinner Buffet, please contact 082-258000 ext 8061 (Aurora Court) or F&B Office ext. 8004 (8.30am-5.00pm). 

Aurora Dinner Buffet is available every Saturday night from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. 

Website: www.merdekapalace.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/MPHSKuching
Tel: 082-258000 ext. 8061; 8004.

xoxo,

ellycharlene.c

Brunch at John's Pie

If you want to try out something different, look for John's Pie! From homemade delicious pastry pie now expanding to brunch, lunch/dinner menu. The owner of the John's Pie was once my client and now he's kinda like my elder whom I respected so much due to his unlimited infused passion on his pastry business.

Many people in Kuching may have already known this place, but nevertheless here is a sharing on what I like on this cafe. John's Pie has started few years ago at Wisma Phoenix and now their have opened few branches in Kuching with mainly, Jalan Song branch as their headquarter. John's Pie has been featured in alot of local magazines and newspaper with it's surging popularity in town.

So, here I am trying out their brunch menu :)

It's pretty significant with their brown and white contrast restaurant name. Hence, it's quite visible when you pass by Shell and you'll see John's Pie. 

Their cafe theme is mostly brown and wooden homey feel. 

Once you are inside you will be greeted with warm welcomes :) 

Delectable pies on the warmer display showcase.

Instead of kolok mee, laksa, or nasi lemak, here was me, trying out a different set of brunch menu. I ordered an Egg Benedict and a Caramel Latte. 

 Egg Benedict with steaky beef. The muffin was too hard for me but I like their poached egg. So classic and it was done with perfection. I heard that John specifically made the Hollandaise sauce himself and you can't find it anywhere or anything similar in Kuching elsewhere. So impressive.

 The new expanded menu :) They serve pasta and mostly Italian food as well :) 

The mixture of different types of wooden furniture was meant to bring back a natural feel yet maintaining an unique style that many will find cozy and comforting. 

 At John's Pie, they will serve your food to your table and the rest is self service. It's quite convenient ..you just need to treat it like your own house. 

Overall, it's quite a calming and rejuvenating ambiance to hangout in the day and cozy and cuddly at night. The price range here is quite reasonable. If you haven't try any of their pies yet, it's recommended that you should eat it the first. 

Facebook: www.fb.com/JohnsPie

Website: http://www.johnspie.com.my/

Address: Jalan Song, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Phone:+60 16-889 1693

Hours: Monday - Sunday 9:30 am – 10:00 pm

xoxo,
ellycharlene.c

Charity: Amazing Colours Art Exhibition

This will be a bilingual post in both English and Chinese.

这会是一则双语的文章。

Two years ago, I was assigned a project with KAA (Kuching Autistic Association) by tHe Spring Management (my former employer) to create a Christmas Charity Card Program in conjunction with our Christmas Celebrations. At first I was thrilled and worried because I never work with any NGO yet to say it's an Autistic Association.

大约两年前，我被公司分配了一个项目必须与KAA古晋自闭症中心合作打造一个圣诞爱心卡片，来结合我们当下的圣诞节目。起初，接到此项目我非常地欣喜但又很焦虑因为我不曾跟任何一家非政府组织合作过，更何况是自闭症协会。

I still remembered the first time I stepped into Kuching Autistic Association Centre (it was still their old centre at Jalan Bampfylde, previously it was known as Sarawak Autistic Association). I originally thought all autistic kids are subdued and they less likely will engage in any activities or conversation with other people. I always thought they have their own little world in their mind and they are afraid of leaving that world, hence lack of socialization skills. But, everything that I assumed was wrong. Some sever autistic kids may suffer major temper tantrums if you prompt them to do things differently or engaging with different people. They aren't as quiet as we thought. Some of them are very friendly and eager to get to know you. Although they have speech impaired, they welcomed me enthusiastically by flapping their hands. They are just expressing themselves in a different way. That was a major comprehension that dawn on me that time. I started to fell in love with them. God sent me here to learn something from them, to help them, to assist them. I had a decision made at that time.

我还记得我第一次踏进古晋自闭症协会中心（当时还在旧中心位于 Jalan Bampfylde，当时也被称为砂拉越自闭症协会）。我本来以为所有的自闭症儿童很冷漠，他们不太可能会从事与其他人的任何活动或对话。我一直以为他们活在他们的世界里，他们是害怕离开自己的舒服圈，因此缺乏社交技能。但是，我所认为的一切都错了。如果你促使他们做一些他们不愿意做的，或在一个陌生的环境中，一些比较严重的自闭症的孩子可能会控制不了自己的情绪大发脾气。他们并不是我们所想象的憋在一个角落不理人。虽然他们有语言障碍，但是他们还是很热情地欢迎我。我真的很感动。他们并不安静，他们只是用不一样的表达方式来表达自己。这是我当下最大的领悟。那个刻开始， 我就爱上了他们。上帝派我来是要我跟他们学习，来帮助他们。我当时做了一个决定。

And that decision is that, no matter what I want to continue serving them, even though I'm no longer working with tHe Spring.

而那个决定就是就算不再是为了工作上的项目，我都要继续贡献于他们。

That touched feeling is still rippled in my heart. If I can use my words to help the autistic kids., then I hope this post will help them to raise more awareness on autism, as a good deed done to the society.

那份最初的感动依然澎湃心中。如果我能用我的文彩帮助他们，让更多人士警觉什么是自闭症，那我也算是回馈了社会。

So, in collaboration with tHe Spring Shopping Mall, Kuching Autistic Association is now holding a public art exhibition entitled "Amazing Colours Art Exhibition" first time at tHe Spring Art Gallery (opposite Starbucks). Painting and beads artworks will be exhibited for sales.  The objective of the art exhibition is to create awareness on autism and to showcase the artworks of autistic children in KAA training centre. 

与此同时，欣新广场提供免费场所给自闭症协会来举办这场大众艺术展览。地点位于欣新广场内的艺术画廊, 在星巴克的正对面。绘画和珠子作品将被展出销售。该艺术展的目的是为自闭症创造更多醒觉更多意识，展示在KAA培训中心自闭症儿童的艺术作品。

And yesterday, I was grateful to be invited to their opening ceremony of this 3 days "Amazing Colours Art Exhibition" that lasted from yesterday till this Sunday (02 to 04 October 2015). 

而昨天，非常荣幸的被邀请到他们的开幕典礼。这个艺术展览会持续到这个星期日04.10.2015. 

With my beautiful sisters, thanks for taking care of me when I was at the Kuching Autistic Association new centre at Lorong Desa Wira 15, Batu Kawa . Your kindness will always be appreciated in my heart. 

这两位是我结识的好姐妹。在我一个人抵达新的自闭症中心时，你们总是无谓的帮我，协助我。真心感谢你们。

 While waiting for the arrival of guest of honor. Super crowded yesterday, it was a good sign! 

人山人海，等待来宾的到来。

 All this art pieces are done by the autistic student of Kuching Autistic Associations, with guidance of their art teacher. 这些都是自闭症孩子亲自所绘画的图案，通过老师们的指导。

 One of the autistic kids handed over the scissors to our guest of honor :) 

The opening ceremony was successfully officiated by the guest of honor, chief minister’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Jamilah Anu. 我们的艺术展览业成功开幕。

 I was mistaken as a reporter, or even a photographer. Oh well, I guess I'm not so let the professional do their job upfront. :D

"There are total of 40 pieces of paintings produced by the association’s pre-vocational class students." 

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/03/kuching-autistic-association-exhibits-students-talents/#ixzz3nTSgf2N2

These autistic kids are super talented especially in art and drawings. I personally ever witness majority of their drawings at their centre and it was mind-blowing awesome! This art exhibition can also act as a way to encourage them to be proud of their artwork and talent. Look at the proud parents! :) 

这些自闭症孩儿都有与生俱来的天赋和才华，尤其是在添色和绘画方面，非常的棒！我想这是他们表达自己思想空间的一个管道。这个画展不单单让更多人认识自闭症协会，更是一个平台能够让大众认同自闭症孩儿的作品，肯定他们的才华，再来时鼓励他们更进步。

 They also have bead works done by the autistic students. 

Okay, I just have to post this. It's too cute! This little girl captured my heart. She's a shopping mall patron together with her mum and granny. And she was like staring at my DSLR. 

离题了，但是我一定要放她的照片，太可爱了！！她一定在想这位姐姐拿的是什么大大个的，哈哈哈。。

  Take one! 

 And finally she smiles! :) 她终于笑了！:) 

 These acrylic painting is the most amazing artwork I have ever seen done by the autistic kids. One word,  "Geng!" 

Thanks Cindy for helping me to take a photograph of my own. Special thanks to Andrew, Charles and Connie for the warm greetings and thanks for inviting me. When I have more stronger financial grounds, I'm gonna buy the acrylic paintings and support you guys! But for now, let me use my blog to raise awareness ;)

当我有更多更强的经济自由时，我会买下丙烯画和支持你们！但现在，请允许我用我的博客，以提高大众对自闭症的认识;）

Don't forget to drop by tHe Spring Art Gallery to show your support! All purchases are tax exempted and the proceeds will be used directly in providing autism education, awareness, advocacy and research, however 30% of the income generated would be given to the artiste as a motivation and encouragement.

Event: Amazing Colours Art Exhibition
Time: 10am-10pm
Date: 03-04 October 2015 (Saturday & Sunday)
Venue: tHe Spring Shopping Mall, tHe Spring Art Gallery (opposite Starbucks)
Official Website: www.kaa.org.my
Facebook:Kuching Autistic Association Resource and Education Centre

xoxo,

ellycharlene.c