Serapi Hotel

Posted in Leisure & Travel, Reviews by

Serapi Hotel is the best choice of hotel (so far) if your travel plans involve a lot of visiting relatives who are staying around Matang or Petra Jaya. That was the uttermost decision-making point that made me choose this hotel as opposed to my usual selections around the Padungan area. This hotel should not be mistaken with another Serapi (Verdure) Hotel at Hospital Umum Sarawak. Our hotel is located near Satok.

Waiting for our rented car
The lobby

I booked 2 Twin Rooms at the hotel for a 5D4N stay. It costs me a total of RM 1526.40. There was free parking space for our rented car (limited), breakfast and WIFI (too slow, we used our own line). I had one room with my daughter and my husband shared another room with my son. I decided to book two separate rooms for comfort because the kids are growing and the bed is too small to fit all of us together.

Check-in was at 2PM. We had a few minor inconveniences upon checking in. My room couldn’t be opened because the battery for the door was out. So, the hotelier gave me another room on the same floor. My husband on the other hand had a non-functioning air conditioner in his room. They had a really warm night and were so hot that they had to open the windows. They were given a new room the next day.

At this hotel, housekeeping is not done daily. You need to put in a request before 4pm. I just wished they would clean the bathroom better. The walls need some scrubbing.

Breakfast was ok. We really loved the chicken and fried dumplings. The selection was acceptable. The coffee was ok. Of course, the coffee I make at home tastes better. The location was great considering the activities we planned. Serapi Hotel is a bit further than town but there are plenty of eateries to go to nearby. Understandably, these places are not open on Raya. So, we really missed out on delicious mi kolok and laksa Sarawak. But I look forward to my visit in September for my cousin’s wedding.

Another area of the lobby
Checking out

Syawal 2024 – Changing family dynamics

Posted in Everyday Life, Parenting, Family and Relationships by

As a child, I remember celebrating Eid very differently. It was a festive occasion that I looked forward to because I knew there would be plenty of delicacies to eat and of course, the most awaited duit raya. As I got older, especially recently, I realized that the vibrant and energetic aunts and uncles I knew were getting more frail. They have aged. So was I. Their vision is getting worse. Their steps are getting slower as they have a painful back and wobbly knees.

Their kids are part of the Sandwich Generation – myself included. We divide our attention between our parents and our kids. Sadly also to our jobs. Previously, hosting an ‘open house’ was a breeze for the elders because they have their kids to help them. Now that with added responsibilities, with their kids securing a job and raising a family – it is not that easy.

I suppose this is where traditions will begin to change for the family.

Similarly the death of an older family member – that too will change the family dynamics and how a certain occasion will be celebrated. The Sandwiches will gradually take the lead and create their own traditions and way of life depending on how they like it.

I’ve made it a mission to celebrate Eid at Kuching this year. I felt there were many days for us to travel and enjoy the festive season without compromising the kid’s school days. I used my WPUA this time and travelled with Malaysia Airlines. We departed from Melaka as early as 8am and arrived at Salak Tinggi Park and Ride. Then we took the KLIA Transit train to KLIA1.

At Kuching, I booked two rooms at the Serapi Hotel. There will be a separate blog post on that.

Most of our days are spent visiting relatives on both of my Dad and late mom’s side. It was a worthwhile visit. The kids love it too as they get a lot of packet money. They also enjoyed eating the kuih lapis. I mean, what is Raya without Kuih Lapis right?

Parcel Kasih Sayang (PKS) 2024

Posted in Good Things by

It has become an annual activity to get my family members and close friends a gift for Ramadan. Nowadays, it has become easier for me as I just need to select them from Shopee and have them delivered to their homes. This year the PKS theme is healthy fruits and nuts as opposed to the Tiffins last year.

I also ordered my favourite cookies from an online baker. These cookies are for my siblings, in-laws and neighbours. I even put money packets inside for those who are celebrating Eid outside Melaka next week.

I went to Jonker Street last weekend and got 50 boxes of Beryl cookies. Those are for my relatives and random people in my thoughts. For example, our security guard at the workplace and at my kid’s school. I think I spent just above RM500 at Beryl’s. Parking at Jonker is a nightmare.

I have also been getting a few Ramadan gifts as well. For example, the Medjool dates that I look forward to every year from my bestie Mimie. Then there was a cute mug set from Waniraul and a Mahnaz gift box from Lily Tensai. I love Ramadan because of this. Connecting with old friends and family just to tell them that they are in my thoughts forever.

KPPN – Iftar break

Posted in Parenting, Family and Relationships by

Just two weeks into his registration, the students of KPPN were allowed to have an Iftar outing with their families. Since Ee’s roommates were living nearby, they were already going home by 9am on the day. Ee had to wait for us till we arrived from Melaka. We told him that we would leave the house just after Asar. We reached there by 6pm and as a safe choice, we had our Iftar at the nearby Pizza Hut. We are to send him back before 930pm but we got him onto campus earlier. He needed time for Maghrib and wanted to join the congregational Isyak/Terawih prayers.

While waiting for us, he visited his friends in other rooms, mainly non-Muslims who were not going out for Iftar. I am glad that there are no reports of bullying and that the Aras 1 students are getting along well with their Aras 2 seniors. I asked him what he had for Sahur and the menu sounded good. Much better than the ones I prepare at home. There were also days when he woke up late and only had cookies and water for Sahur.

They were sitting for an exam the day before the Iftar outing. It is an assessment to determine whether these students will be joining the Pure Science or the Digital Innovator Programme (DIP). Ee is in the DIP programme. To be honest, we have yet to understand what the DIP stream encompasses but it should be an interesting learning curve for both Ee and us as parents. He has already received his textbooks and there is a very early leap into studying Chemistry and Physics at Form 4 & 5 level. There will be lots of group work and presentations in class. Therefore, Mr Husband has bought him a new laptop for his use.

An Aras 2 senior sharing knowledge and experience with the Aras 1 juniors.

Ee seems to demonstrate an interest in being part of the committee members and I am surprised that he volunteered to become the Imam for the Terawih prayers. Each imam gets to lead 2 rakaats. That to me, is a sign that he is happy and can flourish in such an environment.

Kelab Kurus 2024 – an obesity programme

Posted in All in a days work by

I signed an oath at the beginning of March this year to become an active participant in our clinic’s obesity programme. This program has gone into its 2nd year and I am one of the 24 people selected by the committee member to join. I have a BMI of 28.3kg/m2 which makes me Obese as per Asian standards. The goal is to lose 10% of our initial weight over 6 months. This means that my last weigh-in will be in early September. That gives me enough time to look good in pictures for my birthday in August, (hopefully) my graduation at the end of the year and of course my wedding anniversary.

In our first session, we calculated our daily calorie intake. The key phrase in any weight loss program is ‘calorie deficit’. So regardless of what diet fad one chooses to take, as long as you are in a deficit, it is fine. It is a bit challenging for me though because I am petite. My calorie deficit theoretically is less than the minimum required for every human being. Thus, like it or not, I have to incorporate exercise into my weekly routine. By just exercising 3 times/week, I could increase my calorie intake a bit to allow a deficit to happen. I hope that makes sense.

So far, we’ve had sessions from the dietitian and physiotherapist team. All of us were given a Food Diary and encouraged to share our journey in the WA group. Members who are diligent in attending the sessions and also interactive on WA are given merit points. The committee members have lined up lots of activities throughout the months and I really look forward to them. These activities are aerobic exercises, aqua-aerobics, hiking, walking at the park etc.

It has been a great and motivating start so far. I hope to achieve my goals at the end of this 6 months.