My Simple Life

(photo courtesy of Sharkawi Che Din at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharkawi3d)

~ * My Island Paradise * ~

(photo courtesy of Sharkawi Che Din at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharkawi3d)

I was driving to work as usual today, stopping by 7-11 to pick up a loaf of bread to have with my precious "commodity" a.k.a. Vegemite!, when i had that funny feeling of peace and happiness. Ok, that sounds a bit weird... No, I have not been meditating or achieved enlightenment or anything of that sort. Its just a satisfying feeling of actually loving where I am at...where I live and my life right now. I know its a state of mind, but your surroundings play a big role in forming that state of mind.



I suppose I'm much happier living in this part of the Island, where there's less traffic, not densly populated (not for long though), relaxing and so close to the beach (although i should make an effort to go more often). Yes, I've always wanted to live in Tanjung Bungah. I'm an Island girl...i suppose. I have a NEED to see the sea on a daily basis (and I do, everyday i drive to work). It has a calming yet liberating effect on me.



Whenever I look at the sea, I feel less confined and constricted to the reality that is life. Not that my life is in any way complicated at the moment anyway. But I think you get what I'm trying to say here. I just enjoy driving to work without having to battle through the traffic, getting to my workplace in all of 5 minutes and enjoying the view of the sea along the way.


[there has been a recent influx of massive highrisers sprouting in wild abandonment blocking the coastal view :( ]


When my family lived in Island Park it used to be such a chore going to town or even work for that matter. There's always that Green Lane traffic jam (from CGL to Turf Club and beyond) and over-population that really gets to me. Ah, its just me and my lack of patience (which i'm actively working on everyday - breathe in, breathe out) I've always longed to live closer to the beach/sea (not that I go too often). Its just the proximity thats comforting. So when my mom said that our old house was falling apart on us, I jumped at the opportunity to "convince" my parents to look at houses in the northern part of the island!




My parents use to live in that area when they first got married. So it wasn't very difficult to convince them to move back there! So after viewing a couple of new developments, my parents decided to buy a place right smack in Hillside, Tg. Bungah!! WHOOPIE!!
We moved in 2005 and I don't think anyone regretted it at all! Although I didn't live there until mid-last year.

Some Island Girls!

Its a bonus that we can get yummy Char Koay Teow,


the most delish Curry Mee (a.k.a. Laksa in some parts of the world - so WRONG)


and Assam Laksa,



Nasi Lemak and tasty Chicken rice, all on the same stretch of road! We also have German, Bulgarian, Korean, Thai and Indian cuisine besides our trusty Mamak and pizza joints, all within walking distance. Ice Kacang? We've got that covered too! (go here for pics of all the yummy Penang food : http://shingochan.com/cuisine.htm)

A video of Penang food by Lonely Planet

and how can i forget the Uncle Burger??? Well, the stall isn't called Uncle Burger la...but thats what we call that stall! hahaha! because this Uncle makes the most yummy burgers that even southern inhabitants of the island would make the 13 odd km drive up for. I believe its the special caramalized onions that makes it extra special.

Right, enough talk about food...coz it isn't the topic of the day.

Ok, besides food (there is nothing else in Penang to live for! Ok, i'm kidding) there are no less than 3 dog grooming shops!

My lil bro is now a Junior at Dalat International School, less than 0.5km away from our house, a nice beachfront premises along Tanjung Bungah road.

Tanjung Bungah is such a quiet, relaxing, vacation-like area in Penang that is such an ideal place to live in, albeit prices of landed and non-landed properties do not come cheap. The abovementioned new highrisers can start at Ringgit Malaysia 1.2mil, minimum.

Oh, just in case you were wondering, I'm not promoting any particular establishment...I'm merely appreciating the life that I have and being grateful for the little things we're blessed with.

Video of Penang