From a small fishing village on the Northern coast of Sarawak, to a city in 2005. It’s been a long time coming. The people had defied the hardship and odds by becoming the first ‘non-capital’ City in Malaysia. Something that Mirians took pride of.

“Come in, and tell us why you love Miri City”

A lot of expatriates came and left their footprints and legacy on the land of the Seahorse. They came to work for the company that shapes the city that it is today – Shell Oil Company. The booming oil and gas industry had brought tremendous wealth and fortune to the city. Infrastructures and the living conditions were upgraded.

The Grand Old Lady, while it’s still in operation in the old days.

For a handful of expatriates, they settled down here in Borneo. But for some, they left with a heavy heart. Knowing that they’ll be back here again someday. To seek the nostalgia that once were.

Marriott Resorts and Spa caters their holidays hospitality when they’re back here again.

Miri City is heavenly relaxing, and a beautiful city for life after retirement. Lay down and enjoy the sunshine.

For all the wonderful things in Miri City, we have I Love Miri City Social Network to share and bring together the best of Miri, all under one network of fellow Mirians and expatriates, from anywhere around the world.

Dear Stephen Then,

Thank you for your report on the Kuala Baram haze issue. But Kuala Baram is part of Miri City, Sarawak, not Sabah.

Please kindly amend your geography knowledge. Thank you.

Yours truly,
Alex Allied.

Today is Valentine’s Day. So I’m gonna write a little something about today. Well, we all know that Valentine’s Day is all about showing love, but the gesture does not necessarily be restricted to only Valentine’s Day, does it? We can show our love anytime, any day of the year.

Colorful flowers. Have you ever wondered why flowers were cheaper when it’s not Valentine’s Day? Because there’s no people, if any, celebrate Valentine’s Day on the other 364 days. Do it on other days at your will, set your own Valentine’s Day even!

For me, this is love, in my own way…

Saying goodbye to 2008, year of the mouse, which is also my Chinese zodiac, and welcoming the year of the Ox, some say cow, so, Welcome to the Moo Moo Land everybody! More Moooolah for everybody this year!

It’s been a very wet new year so far, raining non-stop, dark clouds all over, flash floods, pot holes on the road, landslides blocking highways, it’s not been a good start to the year here in Sarawak, but nevertheless, keep thinking positive and be optimistic, things will be better. Be grateful of what you have and stop bemoaning of what you don’t have, count the blessings and you’ll found that you’re far better off than those in Gaza and Zimbabwe.

Chinese New Year is not just about big angpows or small angpows, it’s about family reunions and get together. I’ve got my early “angpow” this year from my special one. Here are the content. Thank you baby

Ang Pow Mari! What’s in the container?

Home-made Pineapple cookies! My favorite cookies!

Kuih Makmur. I wonder if Chan Lilian baked them already. Oi Lilian, this is how the Kuih Makmur here looks liked! RM18/pack.

Home-made seaweed + Kulit popiah.

Very crunchy stuffs. Nice finger food for the guests.

A big angpow with love. Take a wild guess what’s inside?

Last but not least, thanks to Bongkersz for the special delivery, the package arrived safely amidst all your adventurous journey back home! Surely a valuable experience for you. Make sure you pump your tank full full before going on a long journey next time!

Have a safe journey home everyone and Gong Xi Fa Chai!

Harith Iskander was in Miri a couple of weeks ago for his Nationwide Live comedy tour, presented by Celcom. The event was held in an almost full-house Marriott Hotel and Resort’s ballroom.

The night started off with the special guest appearance of Douglas Lim, the comedian who made it up the ranks with the once-famous Kopitiam comedy. I’m sure most of you remember Kopitiam on NTV7 back in 1997.

Favorite joke of the night by Douglas:
How Timbaland made easy money in the Sexy Back video while Justin Timberlake does most of the singing and all he did was making the “Yah Yah” sound.

After about 30minutes of his performance, comes the man of the night.

I present you, Harith Iskander, ladies and gentlemen.

Both of them battle it out by a spontaneous, self-composed lyrics based on the lady’s given details. At the end of the day, the lady would wanna go on a date with Harith instead of Douglas, even though Douglas claimed that he’s the handsome one, but Harith won her heart because his name was on the backdrop of the show. Proven that, handsome guys doesn’t necessarily win girls.

Douglas and Harith duet, performing Hotel California with a lyric based on their experience here in Miri.

Harith:“If I were to release a CD, I’ll sell 4 million copies in Malaysia alone!”
Douglas: “Stop dreaming Harith, I bet you’ll sell 100 copies, that is among your friends and families, while the rest of your 4 millions will download from the Internet, IF, they happen to be interested in your songs, that is.

The comedy was filled with the Malaysia vs Singapore type of jokes. It’s funny and all their jokes makes sense and portrayed the true Malaysian’s way of live.

Most used word of the night by Harith, who happens to be a Celcom spokesman, is…

“Fuiyoh!”, which happens to be a DiGi slogan.

I think he’s getting paid to say that. Tee hee. But it does make sense though since the introduction of Mobile Number Portability, where any telco is basically, all telco.

Did you know? Harith dated a Chinese air-stewardess before! Now that’s a “Fuiyoh!”.

A couple of days ago, a police car stopped by in front of the shop, stopping a white Myvi parked right outside of the premise. It was heavily tinted, and the number plates were made of chrome numberings. Obviously, the car has no way whatsoever to escape a fine…

Not unless you offer the officer(s) a cup of Starbucks Coffee, err, Setarbak Kopi in this case. He’ll close his summon books and act as if he had been flashed by the Neuralyzer from the movie MIB.
Setarbak Kopi, best in Miri and Sibu, some say in KK oso best!

Oh, just in case you don’t know, this is the Neuralyzer. Erases memory in a flash. Sadly, it’s only available in the Sci-Fi movie Men In Black.

*FYI: The white Honda EK was safe from all the coffee splashes going on outside the shop. There were like 3-4 cups of coffees being served before it started to rain and they all have to call it a day. For the officers, it was enough to buy a few packets of stenched subsidized rice from BERNAS and add a few km of mileage to their Wiras or Kancils at home.

Enjoy your Setarbak Kopi officers!