Miyao-Toki Factory Sale of Mikasa Dinnerware

Lots of design to choose from

Last month, I got a tip from a Penang expat FB group about a dinnerware factory sale. Apparently, the brand Mikasa houses their factory at Miyao-Toki (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd at Kulim, Kedah.  Since I was on the lookout for bowls, I took note of the weekend sale date and wazed ourselves to the address.

Sale items were actually those that didn't pass quality control (QC).   Tiny speck of black dots, very subtle paint smears, very small chips, minor deformities, etc caused plates/bowls/cups to be on the sale bin.  If not for the red marks around the defect area, it's quite difficult to see why it was tagged 'no good' (NG).  I buy dinnerware for everyday use, not to show it off only during special occasions, so these minor defects do not bother me at all.

I got a a pretty good haul of 5 big bowls (RM10 each) and 6 medium sized bowls (RM5 each).  Sarah chose one cup and saucer for her tea (party) set.  Ravi picked one big mug for himself.  Total cost was slightly over RM90, a fraction of the cost if I buy all those items in a mall!

When we reached home, I googled more about the Mikasa brand.  Their online site showed very expensive prices.  The RM5 bowl I picked up sells $39.99 each or RM177, while the RM10 bowl costs $59.99 or RM265!  Felt really proud of my bargain purchases =)

Next sale weekend is 19-22 May, 2017.  I've informed friends and colleagues about it and some are very interested to visit.  I've listed the factory address below.

Ravi picked one big coffee mug for himself

Fruit plates (RM6) and holiday plates (RM10)

Big serving plates (RM25) and clay pots (RM70)

She got busy choosing her tea party set

Lots of plate variety and prices (starts at RM4)

Big serving plates were also available

My RM10 bowl costs $59.99 or RM265!

While the RM5 bowl sells online for $39.99 or RM177!

This is the factory facade.

Miyao-Toki (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd
67, Loron Perusahaan 4, Kawasan Persusahaan Kulim, 0900 Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia

Reena's 12th birthday party

My stepdaughter Reena turned 12 years old last week.  She requested for a movie theme party at our apartment. I only had 2 days to prepare but it turned out pretty well, Reena said so herself :)

I made a movie ticket e-invite to send out to her friends.  Printed, cut up and decorated movie related items around the living room.  Ordered a simple movie themed cake from the neighborhood bakery, ordered pizza and sushi from delivereat.my.  Prepared several teen related games.  Cooked penne with a tomato/pesto cheesy sauce.  Stayed up very late Friday night to set up everything, all to ensure a nice, cozy party for our birthday celebrant.  

Happy birthday Reena girl!

Miyu, Reena, Sarah and Max

Pardon the bare table, the pizza and sushi haven't arrived yet =)
Reena and Sarah with Deborah and Jing Yi

Got this simple movie themed cake within 24 hours!  Yummy moist chocolate cake with a not-so-sweet cream frosting, RM120 from Jenny's Cakeshop.

Right after she blew her birthday candles 

Reena's e-invite for her friends

Happiest birthday Reena!!!

Another day at Monkey Beach

Sarah and I took a roundtrip boat ride from Taman Negara Pulau Pinang to Monkey Beach last Sunday.  No hiking for me until my right toe broken bone completely heals (I have another late post on that!).

There were several friends who hiked from the main park entrance, stopped briefly at  Monkey Beach to rest and meet us before they continued on to a lighthouse further up the trail.

I was content to laze around the free plastic chairs scattered around the beach front with a small book and some gentle sea breeze. Sarah busied herself with rope swinging, swimming in the shore, horse back riding and exploring the beach side.

It was a very nice 3 hour beach stay.  Sometimes it's easy to forget that we live in an island, with good enough beaches just nearby.   My little monkey wants more of you Monkey Beach, we'll see more of you for sure.

Swinging away at Monkey Beach

Waiting for our boat ride

It's a hat day too!

Lazing around 

There were several swings along the beach for kids and kids at heart.

Trying to catch small fish

There was a small stream from the forest which leads to the sea.  She had fun playing on that strip.

Horsing on the beach with Antwa, the horse.

Time to head back about 1:30pm

Friends from Broadcom, Intel and Tessolve.

Max, our furball

His first days at home

Max, a shih tzu dog, came into our lives last September 2016.  He was put out for display for a few minutes at the Chew Thean Yeang Aquatic and Pet Store before we snagged him for RM900. 

Initially we wanted to adopt a dog but the shelter dogs we've seen were all big sized, not really a good fit for our small apartment.

Sarah's live toy =)

Potty training a dog in a high rise apartment is tough.  Early on, we use training pads placed in strategic locations inside the house.  So far, he's been doing Number 2 outside our small balcony with 90% success rate.  The other 10% are for nights when it's raining or too windy to do his business outdoors. 

Number 1 has very low success rate.  Some days he goes to the pads, some days he outright marks his territory by peeing all over.  We've read that once dogs have been neutered or spayed, most of them will reduce the marking behavior.  Max's vet at the Hope Veterinary Clinic advised us to neuter him when he reaches his first full year, mid-July, so as not to impede his full growth potential.  We're hoping his peeing improves over time, and fast haha!

Off to the pet store to do full grooming

He's been a constant source of joy and mischief for all of us.  Sarah takes him to the playground 2-3x a week, where the kids fuss over him.  He's like a superstar when he makes an appearance, really!

We love you Max!