This is perhaps the lightest weight I have ever been since I gave birth to my daughter. The journey to BMI 25 is still ongoing. I know I could do better. I can’t see the curvy hips yet.
Trim and Fit 2025 – the end
Category Archives: Everyday Life
Strong at work, struggling inside
I consider myself competent and resilient when it comes to work. I may not be the most knowledgeable person, but I do know when to consult and ask for help. Especially when managing clinical cases that are slightly beyond my scope. Thus, at most times, I can clear my list of patients at a reasonably quick pace because I know what I’m doing. However, the volume and complexities of the cases that come through the door are becoming so overwhelming.
This left me feeling very exhausted. Mentally. Manifesting in physical weariness and mood disturbances. It has come to the extent that I am overthinking whether I have lupus or bipolar disease.
Lupus because I have rash on my cheeks, lethargy, myalgia and unexplained arthralgia. It is so noticeable because I have never experienced these symptoms concurrently before. My late mother did have asthma, but I never had any personal atopy history, not to mention eczema. Only acne. Strangely enough, the eczema flare-ups have been happening every fortnight or so with no specific trigger. The joint pains are worse. It is most palpable at the neck, shoulders and my toes. Not even my back or hips. However, the muscle ache is, of course, most prominent in my back near the scapula region. Specifically, mid-thoracic in between the shoulder blades.
Now, why the sudden bipolar?
Because I am caught between the feelings of ‘I might as well die’ (without suicidal ideation) and the reckless impulses of ‘I will book a ticket to Jakarta and stay there over the weekend’. Sometimes it’s not the feeling of wanting to die but just wanting to disappear. There were several occasions for the past few years that I remembered being in such a low that I wanted to drive off somewhere, leave my car by the road and just walk into the woods unnoticed. Like maybe at one of those jalan kampung. Or park my car near the petrol station and just walk away, sort of thing. Or keep enough cash and just walk out of the house to go somewhere while paying everything in cash to avoid any digital trail. Then there were highly energetic moments when I would feel like I want to do full Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions at the clinic, publish a paper, learn 3 foreign languages at one time, revive my Youtube channel and such.
So where am I at right now, mood-wise? Stable. Nothing overly grandiose. Nothing too mellow either.
The lupus theory. The bipolar or cyclothymia? Of course, I am putting this down to healthy stress. I keep telling myself that I will keep a diary on this and see if there is an emerging pattern. I never did. I should seriously make an attempt to document these episodes and see if there are any contributing factors.
November babies celebrating at KJAYA BBQ, IOI City Mall
My brother Matin shares the birthday month with my daughter. This year, we are celebrating at KJAYA BBQ located at IOI City Mall. I reserved a table through their WhatsApp number for 10 adults and 3 children. Children under 100cm eat for free, while those less than 130cm are given a children’s price. I paid a deposit of RM200 to secure the reservation. Most importantly, it is certified as HALAL.
I opted for the All You Can Eat 8 Meat BBQ Set. Adults eat at RM59 and kids at RM29. We were not big eaters. The portion was more than enough. We did not even refill our meat as they were a lot. The rice, kimchi soup, iced green tea drink, sauce and side dishes can be replenished as much as we like. The ice cream and chicken wings were served only once. But like I said, we couldn’t handle it. Thankfully, we are allowed to tapau.
There is also a family BBQ Set, a la carte meals and fried snacks.
I’d really want to try the Japchae and Jja Jang Myun next time. Maybe the Kimchi fried rice too, and see if I could recreate the same dish at home. The chicken wings that came with our set were delicious.
My daughter gets a free mini Oreo bingsu (worth RM11) with a birthday song. She was elated but slightly at a loss on how to respond to the birthday treat. The bingsu was delicious. To be honest, we did not ask for a treat. It was offered by them.
Kuching trip with my daughter – getting souvenirs, The Reef and the Regatta
I was in Kuching with my daughter for a wedding. After the event, we went to two places to get some souvenirs to bring back to Melaka. First was a trip to Kubah Ria.
KUBAH RIA
Kubah Ria is basically a market. My sister bought some midin, mi kolok and Sarawak Laksa paste. I, on the other hand, was looking for Chelum Chocolate Cafe. This cafe sells artisan chocolates. I saw on Instagram that it’s locally produced with very Sarawakian flavours. Thankfully, they have testers in the store. I bought the ones that my daughter likes, which are the ones with Sago Pearl and Tebaloi. The chocolate bars were priced at RM7/piece. I bought 40.
KEK LAPIS WARISAN
Previously, I have always gone to Kampung Gersik for my kuih lapis. This is someplace new. Honestly, I wouldn’t know the difference, but the idea of being able to watch how the kek lapis are made is interesting. Visitors can have a look at it at this outlet.
What’s more important is that I get to buy my kek lumut, kek belacan and Cadbury. They have the usual buy 10 free 1 promo, but I only bought 7. Cause everyone is on a diet. Plus, not everyone would appreciate the gesture of my bringing kuih lapis for everyone to eat at the workplace. Its availability in semenanjung has made it less exclusive. Although I do remember buying 1 loaf each for my colleagues in Hospital Jasin during my working period there. That was a long time ago. Over time, kuih lapis is just another cake to some people.
I did buy a few cat T-shirts for my husband and kids. Haneem really wanted a cat t-shirt. If I had more time, I’d probably shop for kain pasang with pua kumbu patterns. Alas, time was something I did not have.
Dinner at The Reef
Since we were in Kuching for the weekend, we felt that our chances of securing a table at Topspot would be small. Hence, my sister made a booking at The Reef. She put in an order for several dishes that were promptly served upon our arrival. Haneem really loved her midin, and she was able to finish her bowl of rice on her own! Good job.
After the dinner with my sister and her family, Haneem and I walked a little bit more to the Padungan cat statue. This particular cat changes its attire with the festive season. Since it is Deepavali, the cat was in an Indian outfit.
The Regatta
The Regatta and Festival Kraf Borneo was also happening during our visit. All this was organised at The Waterfront. So, we went there after breakfast on the day of our departure. We managed to watch a few boats racing. It was really fun and honestly got our adrenaline rushing too. The women with their oars and roars were such a beautiful sight. They were like warriors. The men, of course, were super sado.
I guess this sums up our girls’ trip to Kuching. It was too short and I look forward to another trip to Kuching again soon. Once I have saved up enough money. I really want to come during the time they’d play the Disney orchestra at The Waterfront. I wonder when their next show is in 2026. I really want to experience it. How fabulous it would be!
Kuching trip with my daughter – Abell Hotel and Jawhara Palace
My daughter and I went for a 3D2N weekend trip to Kuching to attend my cousin’s wedding at Jawhara Palace. For this particular stay, we booked a 3-star hotel called Abell Hotel. As usual, I did my hotel booking through Agoda.com. I picked the Superior Queen Room with a city view. Total payment was RM 429.53. Breakfast was included for 2 people.
The room has the usual amenities. FREE wifi, hot shower, a mini fridge and complimentary bottled water + beverages. I am most pleased with the Sarawak Hospitality. Everyone is so soft spoken and polite, from the reception to the housekeepers and kitchen staff. Check-in was a breeze as I had paid in full online. NO deposits were collected. I like that we don’t have to tap our cards to use the elevator. That is very convenient. I really love the room. It was so comfortable and cosy. The air-conditioning was really cold, but since I am Elsa, I don’t mind.
The location is superb as well. If you choose not to have breakfast at the hotel, there is the 24-hour Atmosferah Restaurant (mamak) located just in front of the hotel. Whereas to the hotel’s right is the RJ CAFE, which becomes so lively at night. Of course, this hotel is within walking distance to Topspot, The Reef and the many eateries at Padungan. If we had stayed longer, I would have been able to get my chicken panini from Bing and enjoy mi belacan from IG Ais Kacang, manok pansuh from Lepau, cheese naan from that famous place that I haven’t been to!! The landmark Waterfront, Cat Statues, and Darul Hana Bridge are all easily accessible. We were thrilled that the Borneo Cultural Fest was ongoing during our visit. Oh my, so little time with so many things to do!
The breakfast selection at Abell Hotel was adequate. I am delighted that they serve Sarawak Laksa too. That is a must. On the first day, we went to the restaurant at 0630H. We were early because the akad nikah at Jawhara Palace is at 0830H.
The Wedding at Jawhara Palace
Jawhara Palace is a house that people can rent for weddings or events. After breakfast, I ordered GRAB and arrived there within 15 minutes. The groom’s side of the family is in pink, whereas the bride in green. Haneem and I have shopped for our attire a month in advance. My daughter was really excited. The akad nikah ceremony was simple. Lunch was served by 1030am and the wedding ended by noon.
The next exciting part of my trip was getting some souvenirs, visiting the Borneo Festival and enjoying the Regatta at The Waterfront. This will be in my next entry.