therapeutic blocks.

I was at an engagement’s photo session when I received a text message from Han, inviting me to watch her little cousin playing for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth  Orchestra at KLCC. My rezeki, as she said, to which I said ‘Right on! I’m in!’

The performance was splendid. Conducted by Kevin Field, they blew us with an absolutely lovely noise of strings and winds. I am not much of a classical person (even though I listen to Opus a lot while I’m reading and working) but I totally enjoyed the show. Twas something new and different, cant always stick to jazz and jack, ey? The Light & Speed was awesome, a medley of techno sounds inspired by an Australian composer. Brilliant! Felt like giving a standing ovation but I think that would just be too dramatic for my friends to handle.

I had MN waited for me at the park. How cruel of me to leave a hungry man alone. So, I let him won the Jenga and Uno session later in the evening. No kid.

MN and I had been frequenting Boon-Boon of late. Many thanks to Han for introducing me the place (about few weeks ago?) just as I was planning to write on hang out gems. Boon-boon, the name itself is already interesting. Quirky and fun. I assumed the owner chose it for the meaning: boon means profit. So boon-boon means double profit. No?

Tucked in a little corner in taman desa, Boon-Boon might look like a typical Chinese restaurant from outside but wait until you get to your seat and take a look at their very very favorable menus. 900 items? Okay, by the time you read selection no 162 you might want to jab a finger into your eyes. And don’t tell me ‘haiya what to eat ah?’ as you can just say lat ta li lat lai li tam plong, point your finger to any number and amuse yourself with the choice. You can get almost anything here from fried rice to sizzling steak. Most of the food variety are seriously scrumptious; fusion dishes combining common plate with novel approach. My first meal here was the famous French Fried Rice, with French being the sausages, I assumed. Two thumbs up and two thumbs up again! Imaginative and yummy-licious! Some of the portion here are fairly large for my small little tummy however, but I love the food presentation. Prices are pretty decent too. Sadly, I haven’t found my favorite meal just yet. Maybe because I love their snacks; fried crabmeat and calamari, more than I like the main dishes. Or maybe I like those on other people’s plates more than on my own. I’m gonna try their seafood spaghetti the next time around.

The drinks menu is by the same token as well. I remember Che Din ordered some kinda juice (sorry I cant remember which) last two weeks and by some feedbacks from those who’ve tasted it, twas ‘sedap!’. 150 types of beverages, I doubt you could go amiss. Ice lemon tea served in a tall glass is enough for two people to share. The décor of the place is simple and nice. Nothing spectacular, the ambience is just enough for people to chill in ease with dim lighting and lots of space. Every time we raid Boon-Boon, we often get our favorite spot outside to ourselves without any fist fights. 

The number one reason why I dig this place is because of the free wifi, uno and jenga. There’s always something to do here besides eating. Today was one of the rare occasion. Han was there without her laptop so she suggested the four of us; MN, Lyn, herself and I; to play jenga. Looking at the table full of foods and drinks, I can imagine the game. We eventually played tag team with Han and I being the annoyed ones as MN and Lyn cheated (according to me). Lots of drama and tense! My heart stop beating each time I tried to not let the blocks tumbled over. Both Han and I were so eager to win but luck wasn’t on our side. They cheated, you see. The villain always win in real life.

Tricks to play Jenga:

1-     you must have very steady fingers. And for photographers, you MUST have steady hands from all those points and shoots so no excuse.

2-     If no steady hands, you can ‘jentik’ the blocks like what MN did. But, be careful with this trick. It may cause the blocks to become very very wobbly. This trick only applies to the first two rounds.

3-     Take a deep breath, hold it, remove the blocks slowly and you’re good.

4-     Sadly, trick no 3 only applies if you’re not tense. If you’re tense, ask your team mates to help you figure which blocks to remove.

5-     Often the loose one helps.

6-     If your team mates cant help you any longer, don’t fret! Just try your best luck! No loose blocks? Just take one pick and with all might, try to remove it whichever way that you could.

7-     Worst comes to worst, remove any plates and cups to a safer area, position your finger carefully, baca bismillah, (by this time your team mate would say ‘its okay, just do it, man!’) count to three and pull out the block!

The collapse is always the cool part!

We had so much fun and laughter playing Jenga. After jenga, twas time for some Uno. Another (four) rounds of hilarity and teasing! We cant seem to get enough of the games. 

Boon-boon is dangerously addictive. A great lepak joint! I love this place for almost everything except for the songs selection. The same pick-outs each day with that that lousy Japanese song tops the chart. I don’t expect much, this is after all, ain’t Laundry. As long as they let me kill my time till my vertebra cant hold the seating any longer, I’m all good.

Hail to Boon-Boon!

p/s i'll try to speed up the photo updates!