The mooncake festival

Yes! It is the time of the year when the Chinese folks celebrates the mooncake festivals. We can see quite a number of seasonal stalls selling various kinds of mooncakes. I bought a halal mooncake that has green tea and red bean fillings. My housemate bought a newer version of mooncake that has tiramisu flavors. The skin doesn’t really have a taste and I’m not sure what it is made of though. The fillings were so sweet and really put me off but I think it will be better if I have a cup of green tea to go along with it.

Beautiful bloom

The bougainvillea tree near my apartment blooms beautifully last week. The purplish flowers covers almost the whole tree and last for about two weeks. To my eyes, it looks magnificent especially when the sun rises.

Ramadhan is here

This year I’ve got the chance to observed Ramadhan in Malaysia. For the past two years, I was in US for either the whole Ramadhan month or half of it. So, I’m really happy this year. I couldn’t ask for more. The thought of carrying out one of the Five Pillars of Islam in my own country really excites me.

On the first day, I have watermelon juice with kebab and some rice. Yesterday, I went to buy Pasembor , popiah and … watermelon juice … again. Yeah I love it so much especially during the fasting season. Having said that, I couldn’t be bothered to blend my own. So I’ll allocate RM2 every day for this juice. For today’s menu, I haven’t got a clue. Wait until slightly later and all the idea will come pouring.

This month is not all about food. It is also a month to devote ourselves to Allah and carried out extra stuffs for his blessing. I’ve been doing Terawih and reciting AlQuran and I’m aiming to complete it early this year.

I hope that the Lebanon people will have something for their breaking fast. I should always be thankful for all the blessing and goodness that I receive. There are others out there that are suffering. How I wish I have the magic wand to stop it and welcome them to Ramadhan with delight.

Trip to Sedim with K Chik

Last two weekends, me and K Chik went to Sedim. It was just a hunch at first but then we decided to go. What the heck.. Just go and enjoy the different scenery. I don’t really know how to get there, but I did remember seeing one of those brown signboards indicating Sedim. Based on that, we pack some food and went there.

We found the signboard but then not much indication after that. So, most of the time we just try our luck and use our instinct. At the last few kilometers, the road becomes one lane and slightly winding. I try my best to control the car as there were quite a number of potholes on this small lane. The scenery is breathtaking and we arrived there at around 10am. We tried the tree top walk and later have picnic by the river. The water was so cold and K Chik gleefully play around.

Feel like cooking Japanese dishes

I’ve been craving for some Japanese food since Friday. So, I did my grocery shopping and made some sushi that Friday night. I use crab filament and Jap mayo and also scallop in shoyu and sesame oil combo as toppings for the sushi. Not bad…

For last Saturday dinner, I have a bowl of nice clear soup and fluffy rice together with yakitori chicken and grilled fresh shiitake mushroom. The yakitori chicken is surprisingly easy to make. I just marinade the boneless chicken pieces with ginger, shoyu, garlic and sugar for about ½ hour and later grilled. It tastes ok and I’d make it again in the future

Kuih sago

This is one of my favorite traditional kuih. It is made of sago, sugar and freshly grated young coconut. It is quite soft and springy and cost around RM0.30/pc.

New kitty …

My aunt got a handful of kitty from that mommy cat that chooses my grandma’s house as her new home – 5 of them altogether. They are quite an active bunch and grow up very fast. I just hope that my Aunt will properly feed them and neuter them so that they wont end up breeding unwanted kitty.

Terung herba

Can you believe that this is brinjal? My mom said that it is called “terung herba” or Herbal Brinjal (if loosely translated to English).

Mom brought it back from school and put it on the table in the kitchen. I thought that it was a toy as it looks so strange and is strikingly yellow. Upon closer inspection, it reveals a bite mark and I saw the leaf – it’s real!!.

I show this to some of my friends and none of them ever see it. Huh, it is strange fruit/vege. Maybe the Education Ministry moves to educate the students on our herbs are a good move. Else, this fruit will be gone forever.

The new member of our family – Yusman

Welcome to the world. Since my Aunt gave birth, I’ve yet to see her kid. I took this trip home as an opportunity to meet him. His name is Putra Yusham. Lord know who gave him that name. I always thought that his name is Yusman and I have been referring him by this name since the first day. So, I don’t care what other people call him. He’ll always be Yusman to me.

Before heading home, K Chik and I went to buy so stuffs in Giant. I saw nice baby cloth and these cute little shoes and we bought it for him. Well, I did not expect Yusman to be so small, and the shoes were too big for him…

When I went to KB, I bought two pairs of kiddy socks for him. This time it fits and he looks so cute in it.

Another trip home

National Day is here and I took few days off to go home. K Chik came and off we were together.

The weather was not so nice. It was raining heavily but luckily it was only cloudy by the time we enter the East West Highway. That area was quite cool as it is a highland. I enjoy the ride very much.

At one area, the visibility was so bad. I can hardly see more than 2 meters because it was so foggy. I think the cloud was so heavy and it stayed low.
Luckily we started our journey early so there were not many people on the road. In Jeli, we saw lots of people carrying flag on the bike. The kids were so happy tagging along but the ways they rode the bike were pretty dangerous. In my opinion, celebrating the spirit of independent is good but one need to pay attention on the safety factor as well

Succulent Mangosteen

The flesh of Mangosteen is really succulent. The sweetness really lingers in your mouth. This purplish fruit is hard to come by as it is seasonal.

People in Thailand are using the skin to obtain purple color and use it in cloth dying process. In Malaysia, this thing is unheard of. I think we are still behind in this. Maybe those folks in university can help the industry to make creative use of this fruit.

Anyway, I want to eat more and more Mangosteen. The tree behind our house has been chopped by our neighbor so there is no more chance to get the fresh fruit from that tree when it is in season. Now, the market is our source.

Kak Chik’s graduation

Sunday, 27th August is K Chik’s graduation day for her civil engineering degree. Mama and abah are joining her on her big day. Me? I’ll wait for her Master’s graduation. I’d promised her to go for that one. I hope she does not mind me for not attending her grad. Well, I celebrated my graduation in Bristol without my family.

It was Suria and some postgraduate friends that attended mine. Can you imagine how sad I felt at that time? But then it is not fair for me to ask my parent to come as the whole trip to UK was expensive. I still feel sad thinking about it and I remember longing to see my parent to be among the crowd watching me receiving my scroll. At that time, only me and Suria were the Muslim girl graduating in Electrical and Electronic Department and all eyes are on us because we are different. With our headscarves and graduating gown, we put our head up even though deep inside both of us are sad as our parent cannot make it. It still hurt and I’ll remember that day…..

Why does it always happens to me??

I’ve received bad news that some other group are also launching similar amplifier project as mine. The platform is the same and their target to release is Q407. Since mine is part time apart of my daily job to support production, I’d targeted for release in Q108.

I’ve been doing this since last month and had even shared it to one of our top management. This is just insane and now I’ve got to speed up mine so that I can get a working breadboard and proto in Q207 as well.

I feel so sad that this stuff is happening to me. Why does it have to be this way?

Dinner in Kampachi

Last Saturday night was pretty nice. I went to have Japanese buffet in Kampachi with a friend. It’d cost us RM72 per person but it worth it. I ate so much food that night. Here is the nice thing that I have:
- Okanomiyaki
- Salmon sashimi and oyster
- Teppanyaki and tempura prawn
- Lots and lots of sushi and that squid appetizer
- Miso soup and baked salmon
- Macha ice cream

I like the oyster. I wish they have the teppanyaki oyster but they don’t. Anyway, the so called “fresh” oyster was not that fresh but it taste ok and the flesh is quite big. I like the squid appetizer in particular. I think the sauce was made by combining the sesame oil and sweet shoyu and some other thing.

Their okanomiyaki was pretty filling. I’d small bite of it but then I think it taste nice. At least the mayo was not too overpowering. The macha ice cream is a good dessert after a hearty meal. The sweet and bitter aftertaste lingered in the mouth.

How do we response when disaster threatens us?

Experts say:
1) About 50% of people manage to hold on to themselves together and function well
2) 25% goes into shock and withdrawn
3) 25% become hysterical

For someone with an existing issue, this could be a trigger for a significant reaction. In general however, we cannot predict who is going to freak in those situation.

Interesting do and don’t for Scorpions

DO:

Scorpio's are full of passion and zest for life. They have tremendous drive that can involve you too. Tune in to their wavelength and you can enjoy the harmony and music of life with them. Scorpio's are loyal and never forget a kind deed done by you. If you want to enjoy life with your Scorpio lover, share their passion and intensity and you will be fascinated by how beautiful life can be with them.

DON'T:

Scorpio's are very passionate and intense but they are also fiercely possessive and would like to possess your mind, body and soul. Do not let seeds of jealousy grow in them because then you may have to suffer agonies of jealousy and discontentment in life. Scorpio's have explosive tempers be careful how you handle them. They never let anyone know what is going on in their mind till they strike and you may be caught unawares. Do not flirt around in the presence of your Scorpio lover.

This definitely rings a bell. Quite true and I agreed on being passionate and possessive as true Scorpions trait.

Interview

A colleague and I were assigned to interview a trainee for industrial attachment. Problem is none of us ever do that. So, we have to kind of prepare our question before we call the candidate. This is a new experience for me and to tell you the truth I don’t really like it. Why? Because, being me I’ll always be critical. I judge other people personality fast and Lord I hate it when people mix up their English and add in the ‘la’ word at the back.

Well, we think the candidate is ok. So, now we have to figure out what we want him to do. I was thinking of asking this guy to do HFSS simulation of the package that I’m going to use for my pet project but I have yet to decide. Maybe I’ll get him to write up the VEE code. Hehehehe…

It smells so nice and I’m hungry.

It smells so nice and I’m hungry.

Fried beehoon for dinner doesn’t sound fantastic but I couldn’t be bothered to cook a proper meal. It is not as filling as having rice or nice steak with mash potato but that’s ok. At least I don’t have to go out and buy my dinner or slaves myself in that small kitchen.

And now, at 9.30pm, my stomach is growling because my neighbor downstairs is cooking something that smell wonderful. I bet it is steamed fish. Now I crave for sweet and sour fried pomfret. Wow isn’t nice to have it with piping hot fluffy rice….

I miss Eberg.

It has been about two months since I last see him. I’m planning to go home on the national day weekend. I believe a lot of people will be doing the same. Take a long weekend and head home or go some place nice.

I’d have to go and get the Chicken Whiskas for Eberg. Mama said that Eberg is getting fatter and lazy as hell. I can’t wait to see him.

My pet project

I shared my investigation and my boss seems interested. I dig more and prepare the proposal. I secured the teammate or at least that was what I think of at the moment. I know I did a lot of ground work for them already but hey, this is my brainchild and damn I want it to go live.

Now I have to go and do the breadboard. I haven’t shared the proposal and timeline with the project manager. I wanted to do one breadboard and at least get the minimal requirement on the paper. Show them the monster … That way, it will be easier for me to secure the funding and it will also help my boss to defend it. Well, symbiosis is the way to go.

Brainstorm session..

We’d a 2-hour brainstorm session in the sport complex with the team last month. I think my boss is trying to find out what the engineers have in mind and what they wanted to do. It’s kind of all right as we got to share our idea with the rest of the team. However, some of the members think that this is a waste of time and might not lead us anywhere. We’ll see how our boss takes our input.

Anyway, I’d started ground work for some of mine even before this session. It is just that I’m not good in sharing my idea. Maybe I can do better next time.

What a strange fact..

I found that there is a condition whereby a woman can imagine that she is pregnant and the bodies will response to that. Once the desire to become pregnant is too high, the belly will grow bigger and she’ll start lactating and the milk can come out if she’s distress. I cannot what the medical term that they use to describe this but I think it is very strange.

I thought you can only get pregnant if you have sex but this surprised me. I wonder how many percent of women actually have this thing. It is all in the mind and the mind can play tricks on you.

Big Girls Do Cry

When I was a child, I would cry when I see my parent fought. I used to think that it was natural for kid to cry, but certainly not for grown up.

Then, when my beloved grandmother passed away, I saw my mother and father cry. They were filled with grief and emotion – it was just too much for me and I cried along with them.

As an adult, I cried at the thought of seeing my mother gradually getting old. The hands that use to comb my hair are now full of wrinkle. I will cry at the thought of her leaving me one day.

Grown up do cry.. No matter if it is a man or woman… It is reflection of our heart

Latest book by Kathy Reich

Break No Bones is latest coming from this lady and I’m yet to get my hand on it. I saw a copy in MPH last Saturday but that cost RM70. Huh... I’ll wait until it is sold in Popular then I can use my card to get a discount. I can’t wait to read and add it to my collection.

I have all the books by Kathy Reich. So far she has eight on her belt which includes Deja Dead, Death du Jour, Deadly Decision, Fatal Voyage, Grave Secrets, Bare Bones, Monday Mourning and Cross Bones.

The TV series “Bones” that is supposed to spin around her books does not live up to the expectation. If you are in for something chilling, go for the book… It is simplify tight gripping and unputdownable… is there such word??

Yum Yum...

Nice aaaa...

Let’s cook (ii)

I feel pretty upbeat and decided to make roast chicken on Sunday, complete with mashed potato and brown sauce. I marinated the chicken thigh with freshly ground black pepper, ginger and garlic for about 2 hours.

To complement the roast I make some mashed potato using russet potato that I bought last week. A slab of butter and some chopped scallion complete this and its silky structure really makes the mashed potato looks good on the plate.

The juice from the baking pan is used to make the sauce. I’d added in some corn flour to thicken it and the result is wonderful.

Chicken roast, mashed potato, sauce and a good movie… That makes my Sunday.

Let’s cook (i)

I feel like making a bowl of fishball noodle soup today for dinner. I’d need to get some ginger, fishball, minced chicken meat, mee hoon and other condiments from the grocery shops.

Well, the result turns out pretty good. I put in some sesame oil to it to give it Asian’s taste. Talk about dieting….

Good anime to watch after a tiring day:

Check this:

1) Inuyasha
2) Ranma ½
3) Tactics
4) Harukanaru Toki no Nakade
5) Hamada Ichiro
6) Cluster Edge

These are nice but Cluster Edge plot is slightly jumbled but it came together after a few episodes. Well, the storyline is pretty heavy so you need to be pretty patient until the truth is revealed. Ranma is a good laugh and either you hate it or you’ll love it. Ichiro is pretty funny and disgusting as it always shows Ichiro in the toilet.

Special car in Jerejak Island

See.. No door!

More on Jerejak Island

Flying Fox
















Other activities for the enthusiast

More photos taken in Jerejak

White sandy beach on the island

One of the facilities available on the island

Team Building in Jerejak Island

The ferry that we used to go to Pulau Jerejak















Welcome to Jerejak Island

Photo Notes of Jerejak Island

Jetty to the boat

Team building in Pulau Jerejak.

We had our team building in Pulau Jerejak last few weeks. It gave me the opportunity to check out this place that I’ve been curious of.

Well, there is nothing much there but if you go just to laze around then I think it will be ok. But for me… it will be a thumb down.

Inuyasha TV Series

Finally, I’d completed the whole 167 episodes of the anime series Inuyasha. It started when I was in Bristol but it was only recently that I came across a shop selling all sort of anime stuffs. Well that’s good and fits me really well.

Now that I’d finished watching it, I can say that the last episode open up to more possibilities with a lot of things left unsettled. Will there be another Inuyasha series?

An annoyed tabby

It is obvious that he’s not amused when I took his photo.

Can’t you see that I’m resting here??? It was raining heavily outside so Eberg decided to climbed into the basket and slept there

Look at the dark cloud..

We were on our back home from visiting Parkas’s family when we realized how fast the dark cloud enveloped the sky. It rained heavily that day.

Grated fresh coconut

Kak Chik in action. She’s grating the coconut using the old traditional way. I can’t stand sitting on that thing for more than 15 minutes but she’s all smile doing it. Maybe I’m just lazy.

Ikan rebus..

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Eberg after bath

I believed he has not received bath since last year. Well, not our fault really.. Every time we said that we want to bath him, he’ll go missing. Clever little fella.

I finally manage to get hold of him on my last trip home. I use the Sunsilk shampoo and he smells wonderful after that. This is how he looks right after the bath. I knew I was not on his favorite list that day..

Sleepy Eberg

Huh… I want to sleep …

Is God challenging me?

There have been a number of developments at work and my boss want me to concentrate on the microwave portion rather than analog. He’d shared with my teammate how he plans to rank his subordinate and how many percentage each criteria will hold. I think his intention is good. He wanted us to focus and make sure that we take care of our own development.

I shared my plan with him to do some improvement on my products and he’s is supportive on it. Now I’ll have to lay down each objective and have a timeplan to turn around my idea. I’d need to complete some of the items by end of this year so that it’ll be captured in my FY06 development.

I always envy my colleague for being selected to do big scaled project. So far I’ve never been selected to do any of those except for the R&D project in other department. Maybe I still haven’t proved myself in RF and microwave area. I need to do something about it and get myself noticed or maybe I need to create that opportunity.

When searching for some items, I came across something that our company bought from outside. It make me think that why do we have to buy from outside. Don’t we have similar thing in-house? Then it downed on me. I’ve been praying for something to light my path. I don’t what it’s going to be but I’ve been praying for something big. This might be the opportunity that I’m looking for. I can design this item and sell my idea to my boss. Before that I’d have to do my homework and make my proposal.
It is not going to be easy and I know it but I have to do this and turn it into pots of gold. Oh Lord help me..

Buying my first TV

I’ve been renting a place in Penang for almost three years now and most of the stuffs in the house are shared. At the early years, I bought the fridge and never really bother about other things as my housemate has almost everything including TV. Even though it is just a 21 inch CTV, it was good enough for me as I never really spend time watching it much except for news at night and during the weekend.

Things took a turn for the last few months when my housemate keep the TV set in her room. Well, it is partly because there is no more couch in the living room so she wanted to lounge on her bed while watching it. I don’t mind that much but what mom said about the whole situation bother me. In her opinion, when people are staying in the same house, they should at least share some of the stuffs. To me, it was not really a big deal. Although she’s using my fridge, my stove and microwave and most of the time eats the food that I bought, I’m still trying to be positive and nice. Anyway, I’d already survive for few years in Bristol without TV, so what make this situation any difference.

Mom suggested that I buy a small TV and keep it in my room. Now, I just rely on my computer for source of entertainment. Yeah.. You’ve got it. I bought VCDs and DVDs and watch in my room. For me, this is enough but Mom doesn’t think so. This weekend I’ve been to a few shops looking for TV and comparing prices from one shop to another. I’ve my eyes set for a 29 inch flat screen TV and I’d narrowed it down to Sony Wega and Panasonic. Both looks good and is set to make me poor by RM1009. I know that SONY is good for entertainment products but I’m afraid of its compatibility with other company’s peripherals. Theirs might not match. I saw the difference in picture quality when the salesman turns on the program. The picture looks better compared to others so I might go for this one.

Kak Chik will do her Master..

Yupp.. She’s got the answer from the graduate department on Thursday. She’s been accepted for a place to do her Masters in Civil Engineering and I’m ecstatic. She’ll have to wait for the offer letter to arrive before knowing whether she receive graduate assistantship or not. That will be the most important part as it will determine if she’ll need to pay the study cost. I hope she’ll get it. Let’s pray together…

Strange looking fella..

I bought a pack of jambu air from Sunshine Supermarket last week. One of the jambu looks very strange. One side of it looks pretty much like human lips. Believe it or not… It’s strange but I ate it anyway. It was sweet and juicy though..

Being rich and have plenty of money..

Some people think that thinking or talking too much about money and wealth is sinful. Is that so? Well, for me I don’t think that is true. Even though money cannot buy happiness we still need it to pay for our basic necessities. Without money we cannot even afford a trip to the grocery store to buy food. How do we feel if we don’t have food? Not happy isn’t it.

There are Muslims that abhor wealth. They said it could lead to greediness and will corrupt our moral. I did not share this view. I think Allah created abundance opportunity for everybody. It is up to us to go and find it. He creates guidance for us to follow and He did not ask us to live in poverty. He wants us to work hard, gain wealth and share it with others who are less fortunate.

With money we have opportunity to donate and help others in need. There is nothing wrong with it and Allah encourages us to do that. So, please do not think of wealth as a sin. Think of it from the positive side. What can be done with it?

Today, whenever our Muslim brothers and sisters in trouble, we feel helpless. We cannot contribute much to help them. If only we have the money and mean to do it. We can help in building a good society and create opportunity for them.

Remember, Allah does not ask us to just sit and watch the time pass by. He encourages us to be independent and hardworking and he does not tolerate people who like making excuses. So, wake up and grab the opportunity. You might be the one chosen to make a difference in somebody’s life. So don’t waste your time and just do it.

Colored view

I saw this poem in The Star last Saturday but there was no mentioned of who the author was. I think he/she summed up a nice view for those who always think different of colored person. Although it is grammatically incorrect, the content brings a whole lot of new dimension to the way people think. Thank you for the nice poem and may God bless you…

When I born, I Black
When I grow up, I Black
When I go in Sun, I Black
When I scared, I Black
When I sick, I black
And when I die..
I still Black…

And you White fella
When you born, you Pink
When you grow up, you White
When you go in Sun, you Red
When you cold, you Blue
When you scared, you Yellow
When you sick, you Green
And when you die, you Gray….

And you calling me
COLORED?

June 2006 Must..

Must get…
A black handbag for Mama and a nice looking shirt for Abah.

Must see…
X-Men III – The last one stand. Cannot get enough of Wolverine from the last X-Men

Must find…
Inuyasha series part 2,3 and 4. I’d bought 54 episodes from part 1 and all the Inuyasha Movies. These series will complete my Inuyasha collection.

Must do..
Submit my driver, front and rear panel boards for layout and fabrication. I’ve been holding these for quite sometimes. It is time to move.

Must try…
Back up my hard drive. I’d made the first move by buying the external hard drive. That tiny drive set me back RM340 for 80GB. Come to think of it, it only cost about RM4/GB. So, stop whining and get on with it.

What are you scared off?

Found this website, www.phobialist.com when surfing last week.
Check this out:

1) Bibliophobia – Fear of books
2) Isolophobia – Fear of solitude
3) Felinophobia – Fear of cats

They have all sort of phobia words. I wonder who created these stuffs

K Chik’s is graduating soon.

Last Thursday was Kak Chik’s last paper and it marked the end of her final exam. I’m glad that she sailed through smoothly amid some hiccups in her second year. I hope she’ll score in this exam. This exam will determine if she’ll graduate with first or second class degree.

This entire saga reminded me of my study years. It still amazed me how those stuffs that took three to four years to learn were judged in a 2-week final exam. After all the hardship, I came back with a scroll and now I’m in my third year working in Agilent. Time flies so fast and now it’s K Chik’s turn to cut it.

On Monday, she’ll have her final year project presentation and she’s just got the phone call from the graduate office for interview on the Masters on Wednesday. That phone call rattled her cage but I asked her to try to be calm and concentrate on the presentation first. Well, I know that it is easier said than done but someone had to say something.

She’s hoping to do her Masters in July and I envy her because she’s given that opportunity fast. I dream of doing my Masters as well but I also have commitment and it is not easy for me to let go. Furthermore, I love my job and I cannot see myself letting it go, at least not for now.

We’ve a talk and K Chik suggested that I tried the part time Master program. It sound good but I need to get some money to pay for the study. I think I’d have to fork out RM3000 for the first semester and RM2000 for the next subsequent semester. It’s a big step and I don’t know if I’m ready for it. I really want to do it and complete my education. The application date for the June intake will end on 6th June. I don’t think I can get enough funding for this one by that date. Maybe I’ll wait for the next intake. Mama is being supportive and I hope that this path is the right one for me.

I don’t know why I did it….

I usually see advert in the newspaper calling for homemakers to do various odd jobs such as assembling things and mailing stuffs for a certain company. I tried one or two previously and ended up cheated of my money. I feel so stupid and betrayed because of that and stopped trying after being cheated twice.

Last month, I saw an interesting advert of assembling toys at home. I respond to the ads and was asked to send in RM85 to get the particulars. I didn’t think much and paid for it. I’ve got the packet last week. This company asked me to pay RM300 for the license registration and promised to send me the first kit after I’d signed the dotted line.

You might say that I’m stupid to part with my money like that after all I’ve been through, but I’m curious. I wanted to know if this company is legitimate and can offer me something that I can do during my free time. It does not pay a lot, RM15 per completed toy after I’d been accepted to become the assembler. Well, I could do with the extra money and I hope that this time it is not a con scheme.

I’d replied to the company. I’m hoping that they will send the kit by next week. The toys on the particulars are robotic stuffs. I think I could do that. Don’t ask me why I did this as I don’t have answer to it. My normal job gave me enough money to survive and I also stashed some for emergencies. So I guess, I did this out of curiosity. The additional pay is just a bonus and I could use it to pay for some items that I’ve been eying for months.

Well, before I started dreaming of anything, I’m just praying that I’ll get the value for the money that I paid. Pray hard that it is not a ripped off.

What a naughty cat…

Shida called to tell me what Berg did yesterday and she couldn’t stop laughing when she told me of his antics.

As usual he’ll have his breakfast at around 7 am. He’d have a plate of plain rice with some fish and off he went outside, minding his own business.

Mama prepared fried beehon with kangkong – kampung style and also prepared fish crackers for breakfast. The kitchen was alive with chatters and surrounded with heavenly smells of the fried beehon. Out of the blue, Berg meowed endlessly, pleading to enter the kitchen, much to the surprise of everyone. He meowed so loud that my sisters thought that he’s sick at first. Well, the reason he did that was because he wanted to eat the fried beehon. And sure enough he had it complete with the kangkong and the fish crackers that were crushed to smaller pieces (his too old anyway to bite the big crackers).

That little brat knows how to play his stuffs and made others follow his. It was the trick that he did whenever he wanted some nice treat from the kitchen especially when we have fried chicken. This tabby is known to have has a soft spot for a nicely done fried chicken but eating fried beehon and kangkong is something that he’d never done. None of us know what make him tick and want to eat that dish. Well, that was his choice and hopefully he won’t get stomach upset because of the treat.

He is still young...

Parkas was laid to rest on 11.30am yesterday. Mama, abah and Shida attended the funeral. They saw his wife and their seven-month old baby. None of us realized that they already have a baby.

According to Mama, Parkas was on his way back from Nilai to KL on bike. About 1-km from his house, he tried to overtake 6-army trucks but he was hit by a car on the opposite lane while overtaking the last truck. Due to the impact, he hit the lside of the truck and snap his neck and died at the scene.

Nobody seems to understand why he tried to overtake 6-trucks while riding up the hill. It was a silly thing to do but that was what happened. The army guy take care of everything and bring his body back to Kelantan. Aside from minor cut, his body looks normal.

It was a sad thing. He is so young but I think Allah loves him more than any of us. I pray that he'll be happy in heaven... Aminnnnn.

Parkas passed away

This morning, dad called to inform that Parkas, our relatives died in accident in KL. At this point of time, the body is still on the way back to Kelantan for burial.

I’ve just knew this guy for the past few years. Although he is our closed relative, I did not have any recollection of him before this. After he graduated and become a quantity surveyor, he always joined his family whenever they visit us. The last time I saw him was during the Hari Raya celebration when I joined my parents visiting them. I remembered that he commented about my car and asked quite a number of questions about it.

If I’m not mistaken, there have been several death-related accidents in their family. The last two was his brother and his brother in law. I don’t know, maybe it is fate, but it makes me think why….

Whatever it is, I pray for his happiness in the afterlife and AlFatihah to him.

My mom…

1) Is my buddy
2) Taught me that live is tough and not to wallow in self pity
3) Stand by my side when I was sick and told me to be strong
4) Comforted me whenever I’m down and is my true confidant
5) Shares my loves and laughter and sometimes my tantrum and tears
6) Told me to believe and be proud of myself

Thank you for all the loves and prayers that you shower me. I know that I’m blessed with your passion and warmth and there is no word that can truly describe my love for you. I just want to say: Ma, Kakak, Angah, Kak Chik, Shida, Intan, Surah and Syahir love you very much. Happy Mother’s Day.

Poor bat

Look at thus poor bat. It stuck on the front grill of my car. I saw it yesterday when I went out for shopping. I would have tried to save it had I see it earlier. This was the second time a flying creature stuck in that grill. Previously, it was a small bird and I’d managed to save it. This time, no luck for that poor bat.

My first ticket

I got my first ticket on Saturday in Terengganu for “overtaking on the long white line”. Well, actually it was not really it. I was overtaking the lorry after trying unsuccessfully for about 20 minutes. When I was doing it, I was still on the dotted line but by the time I crossed the lorry, I ended up on the double line. And there was the traffic police sitting under the hut. I knew what’s going to happen next.

He waived me over and I stopped. Well, what more can I say. I’ve got a ticket. I felt nothing but slightly irritated because of the whole situation. I did not say much and just let him does his work. I thought he’s going to say “I’ll give you a ticket because of speeding”. Thank God, it was just one offence else dad will give his sermon.

What a day… One ticket and I’m RM200 poorer. Hopefully this is last one.

Satey Ikan

This is one of our childhood foods that we always crave. We used to save our pocket money each week just to buy the satey from the pakcik.

It is actually just like ball of fish paste baked and served with hot or sweet sauce. I think, when the pakcik made it, he only put very small percentage of fish paste, the rest are just sago flour and bicarbonate soda.

I can say that it is a junk food but it is so addictive. Even the ‘sauce’ is not really sauce. It looks thick because of a lot of corn flour. It looks red not really because of the chilies but more to the contribution of red food coloring.

I know.. I know. Mom and dad does not approve it, but we always sneak to buy it. At 10 cent a stick, it was a steal for us when we were kid. Even now, mom still doesn’t understand why we have to have it every time we come back to Kelantan.

Another trip home…

It’s been a nice long weekend for our family especially for mom and dad. With almost all of us came home, the cheerful mood is surely on their side. Intan cannot make it home due to her ‘packed’ weekend, training for the Teacher’s Day performance in PWTC.

It all started with Angah taking his long awaited holiday. I’d contacted K Chik and we devised our little plan to come home. Neither Shida and dad realized it but mom sort of expecting us. Yeah… you know it, mother’s instinct.

I don’t have much money in my pocket. It was just enough for the petrol but I don’t care. This opportunity is too good to be missed. We went to visit Tok Ayah and I was really touched to see Angah met Tok Ayah again after about one year. The whole moment seem to freeze.

We have impromptu barbeque and satey ikan. We bought fifty sticks of the satey and eat it at one go.

Seeing mom so happy just ache me to return to Penang but life has to go on. Hopefully, all of us can be together again soon.

This is me..

I am… “Independent, nature-loving, adventurous and young at heart”

I enjoy … “traveling to new places, seeing new sights, meeting new people, experiencing new culture and reading”

I can’t do a day without… “Music and reading”

I wish I knew… “How to power dress and do make up”

I admire people … “People with guts to follow their dream”

I wish … “I have more money so that I can buy lots of cool thing for my family”

I’m looking for… “A way to safe guard my future and ensuring that I’m financially independent”

Not again..

Changes, bad or good is part of life. Whether you like it or not, it will happen. Here, I am listening to my boss rambling on the new organizational changes that will take place. Again?? Maybe there is something good this time.

So, how does it affect me? I’m not sure yet but I hope it will be good. I don’t give a damn as long as I’m happy.

Coffee Class

Interesting articles froom The Australian Women's Weekly's.

1. LONG BLACK, or espresso lungo or Americano, is a single shot of espresso over two-thirds of a cup of hot water.

2. CAPPUCCINO A single shot of espresso (one-third) with one-third steamed milk and one-third froth. A traditional Italian cappuccino does not have chocolate sprinkled on top, but this is usually standard in Australia. In Italy, cappuccino is mostly drunk in the morning and rarely after a meal.

3. FLAT WHITE A single shot of espresso (one-third) with two-thirds steamed milk, served in a cappuccino cup. Less milky than caffe latte.

4. CAFFE LATTE A single shot of espresso with two-thirds to three-quarters steamed milk with a fine layer of foam on top, served in a tall glass. Usually drunk at breakfast.

5. MOCHA A single shot of espresso with chocolate syrup or powder, topped with steamed milk and a fine layer of foam, and sprinkled with chocolate. Served in a tall glass.

6. AFFOGATO Two scoops of vanilla ice-cream in a cappuccino cup or dish with one shot of espresso poured over.

7. ESPRESSO, or short black, is a single shot of coffee of about 25-30ml, with a thick golden cream on top. The cream has a full flavor, body and aroma, and floats on top - it proves the espresso was brewed correctly.

8. MACCHIATO A single shot of espresso served with a spoonful of milk (frothed or heated) to "stain" or "mark" the coffee.

9. RISTRETTO This is an espresso with a single shot of coffee, but the machine is stopped part way to give only 20ml of liquid, with a rich golden cream (the layer of small bubbles and dense foam comprising oils and flavors) on top. Ristretto has an intense flavor and aftertaste.

GROUP O: they can't stand people who hide the truth

Interesting findings noted about people with O-type blood. How do they come out with these I don’t know, but it quite accurate.

Basic Behaviour:
* Make objectives clear
* Posses great deal of confidence
* They are honest, optimistic and energetic

Tolerance
* Their strength and endurance depend on their aim.
* They can give up easily when they find a job meaningless

How do they see their future and past
* They are positive about their past thus they normally don't regret about their past.
* They seek financial stability for the future.

How do they express their emotion
* They are usually stable and calm
* But they are very sensitive towards sincerity
* They give straightforward opinions

How do they work
* Their concentration varies from time to time depending on their aim
* They mostly prefer to lead
* They tend to overlook details

Tikar Mengkuang

It is pretty hard to find tikar mengkuang today. I think it is slowly being replaced with the plastic mat. It took me ages to find somebody that can make one for me and my quest to find tikar mengkuang had brought me all the way to Terengganu. I remember when I was small, an old lady used to come door to door to sell tikar mengkuang, but not anymore. I’m not sure whether she is still around but I haven’t seen her for ages. In my opinion, not only it the art of weaving tikar meangkuang is dying, the mengkuang itself is hard to find today.

Some people frowned when I asked whether they know of any place/people that sell tikar mengkuang. They think that I’m old fashion girl. I don’t care what people think but I know that I love the smell of tikar mengkuang and I want one for my room. It feels so comfortable to sleep on it on a hot day and it also reminds me of my childhood.

The whole weaving process is a dying art and not many from our young generations are keen to learn it. I think the Craft Center is making the effort to preserve the skill. I saw some tikar mengkuang being displayed at the center in Kota Bharu. The tourists seem to appreciate it but our own people….

Bring on the dessert

I saw this glossy photo of Chinese dessert that incorporates snow fungi, red dates in the Food Magazine. It looks pretty nice but I’d never really have one from the restaurants here as I don’t know if they serve one. Maybe they do, but I still want to make one for my Sunday’s lunch.

I bought the dried snow fungi, red dates and longan from Tesco. As I was leaving the aisle, I spotted a pack of Chinese dessert ingredient (pre pack) that is touted to be able to cool the body. Well, that sound interesting and I bought a pack to try. According to the instruction at the back, the ingredient can be added into bird nest, red bean and other concoctions to make a wonderful dessert. Hmmm.. I think cooking it with the snow fungi, red dates and longan doesn’t sound that bad either and that is exactly what I’d done.

I soaked the dried ingredient until it is slightly softer before simmering them together with few cups of water. I admit that the result doesn’t disappoint me at all. I put some ice in there and it taste great. The slight crunchiness of the snow fungi is a delight. Maybe next time I can consider making the one using the rock sugar.. hmmm…

Not a good day

I woke up last night at 3am, hot and sweaty and the thermometer in my room registered 33 degree Celsius. It was too hot and the fan is already at maximum. Damn I suddenly feelt queasy. I’ve got runny nose and kept sneezing. Was it the haze or dustmite? I don’t know.

Today I’m slightly light headed and still having a runny nose. My throat aches and I think my voice changes a bit. Not good...

It is nearly lunch time now and I feel like eating something hot and spicy. So, tomyam will satisfy me. I feel so tired and cannot wait for the day to end. Gosh.....

Check this out...

Japanese rice with omelette and teriyaki chicken

Miso Soup

Omelette and teriyaki chicken

My Sunday Lunch

My housemate just went out for lunch and I have no plan of eating out. My mind is fixed on this glossy page of my Japanese cookbook. It would be lovely if I have a plate teriyaki chicken or some futomaki for lunch. But I just don’t want to go out and spent huge amount of money on Japanese food in the Kampachi Restaurant or Shushi King. Well, at least not today.

After checking out my tiny pantry, I came out with some eggs, Japanese rice, chicken, shoyu, some leafy vegitable and a packet of Miso soup. That would do for today’s lunch. I’d decided to make Chicken ‘Teriyaki’, Miso Soup, and fried egg and eat it with fluffy Japanese Rice. Few cups of Green Tea will follow later.

Typical teriyaki sauce will require shoyu, sake, mirin and some caster sugar. So, I cannot really buy one of those imported teriyaki sauce as it won’t be halal. So, I’ve just mixed some shoyu and sugar and add in some honey. This will make the chicken shiny when I used the marinating mixture for glazing later. I’d also add in some ginger and garlic to it. The chicken was marinated for about one hour before I grilled it.

For the Miso Soup, I’d added in some fishball, fishcake, shiitake mushroom and some mustard leaves or shungiku in Japanese (I think that is what it is called in Japan). The soup tastes better and full bodied after the entire combo was added in. I cooked the Japanese short rice as I would normally cook my normal rice but with slightly less water, else the rice will be mushy and damp. I’d added in some chopped seaweed and freshly ground peppercorn to the egg mixture and pan fried it like an omelet.

After eating all that lovely food, I washed it down with cold green tea. Uhhhu… I have a nice Japanese lunch today….at a fraction of the normal cost. That is what people called, live frugally….

What a lovely dessert

Thais are creative lots. Give them coconut milk, fresh fruits and some sticky rice, and they’ll whip out a wonderful desert for you in minutes.

I saw my office mate bought this lovely mango dessert in from Thai’s corner in Tesco last week but I think it was too sweet to my liking. So, I tried making my own mango dessert for the first time last night and the result wasn’t too bad. Though I admit that a little more sugar would improve the overall result, I succumb to the thought of eating anymore sugar especially at night.

I cook the sticky rice with pandan leaf. The sticky rice that I ate in Tesco was cooked with sugar – so it was a little on the sweet side, which I don’t like. So, I’d decided not to add sugar in mine. I prepare the coconut sauce by simmering some coconut milk with sugar. I did not add in any thickener in it as I want to taste the freshness of the coconut milk itself. Some diced mangoes complete the whole ensemble. I served it cold by topping the sticky rice with diced mango and some coconut sauce. Hmmm….

Squids in fermented bean sauce

I bought some squids over the weekends and was not too sure what to do with it. While watching a food program on the television, a thought occurred to me. Why not fried the squids in fermented bean sauce? I made my own sauce by frying some fermented bean paste or taucu as the Malays fondly called it with pounded red onions, garlic and some chilies. After seasoning it with some sugar and ketchup, the dish is ready to be served. The sauce is not too overpowering and coupled with steaming rice, the simple dish make a statement on its own. I’d definitely cook it again in the future.

Know yourself

I was reading an article in Life and Times by NST yesterday that I feel close to my hearts. It said that tolerance is the capacity to go beyond the superficial things that divide us. It is the results of turning within and coming to know the self. How true could that be??? So, if I can deal wit my own ego, then my anger can be resolved. Hmmmm…
With ego out of the way, I will be able to handle anything.

It will also be a good start by introducing positive words to the mind. For example instead of “I should be understood”, I should use “I should understand”. What is needed is humility, the quality that makes one ignorant of any credit or acknowledgement for the self. I think, only when I have learnt to value others as my equals, can I be said to be truly humble. Maybe I would be wiser if I can step away from my own feelings and opinions and genuinely listen to the experience of others. I know it is not easy to do but I will try. Sometimes I just need somebody to listen to my story. Just listen, and that is all I need.

The oozing cheese…

The sight of Jamie Oliver whipping out a fantastic looking Quesadillas in ‘Oliver Twist” has been playing in my mind since Thursday. The oozing cheese really enticed my hungry tummy. I haven’t tried one but the ingredient looks simple enough. He just used some cheese, I think it was cheddar, some coriander leaves, onions (relish would be alright as well), chilies and of course the tortilla.

I’d tried making one today based on what I saw on the program and it taste quite good. The coriander mixed well with strong cheddar cheese that I’d used. Maybe I’d try adding in salsa or some cooked chicken next time.

Quesadilla is a Mexican dish that I believe is equivalent to toasted sandwich. It should be served hot or it will become chewy. The choice of cheese and the fillings will determine its taste. I think a good combination would be mozzarella, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. Hmmm.. lots and lots of cheese. A perfect appetizer for the hungry crowd.

Cool makeup

I came across this website of people doing prosthetic makeup - some of them are for the tv series. Check it out:

http://www.themakeupgallery.info/

It even have a demo on the make up process.

Friday rambling..

Lots of interesting and silly things happened in these past few days. It seems like my responsibility have expanded threefold in a matter of hours. Having to provide “technical consult” to new engineers and potential of being pulled for new project are among other things that happened to me. Suddenly, I feel very old and overwhelmed. When I look around, I realize that there are only three “seniors” left in our group including me. The rest have moved on.

It seems just like yesterday that I put my foot in this company. Fresh from university, I don’t really know what to expect but I come with open mind. Now, I’ve been here for nearly three years and I actually quite like it. I saw so many changes around me, people being laid off, division spin off etc but I keep myself motivated. I put aside the opportunity to go to Shell and decided to grow myself here in RF and Microwave.

Keeping myself grounded is the hardest thing to do. I’m used to being in hard and challenging environment but it is nothing compared to office politics. I’m distancing myself from all of these, doesn’t really want to indulge in the gossip or rumors, but I’m aware of what is happening around me. Suffice to say that I get on well with my colleagues but I’m refraining myself from getting too close to any of them. I respected people opinion and decision but I have my own way of doing things. I do cross the line sometimes but I think the experience thought me new things.

I’ve never really trust other people. Called me paranoid but I think it is a “dog eats dog” world out there. Only the strongest survive. I trust my instinct but I’m open to suggestions and advice. It just that I’ll never really take people at their words, especially if they talk too much. Most of them will either be bragging or talking rubbish. But show me the facts and you’ll have my ears.

I won myself a Microwave Oven!

Agilent organized a dinner in recognition of our effort last year. We have performances from our team, dances from the external troupe and also Lucky Draw. I think I’ve never win anything for my whole life, but that I night I won a Microwave Oven. Well, it was not exactly a cool microwave but what the heck; I’ve got it for free.

Our story...

Time seems passing quickly
Leaving our memory behind
There will be no more laughter
That heals the emptiness inside

There is a story about you and me
And our togetherness
Our beautiful friendship
Thru tears and laughter

I'll always remember
The time that we spend together
The lasting memory of us
Being together

Let's eat Okanomiyaki

This Japanese cuisine looks like a mixture of pancake and pizza. I don’t know of any place in Penang that served this dish and halal so I’d decided to make one based on some recipes that I found on the net.

The batter is made of flour, dashi or water and shredded cabbage. As the name suggest I can use anything that I like as a topping be it squids, shrimps, onion, meat etc. The batter is prepared like a pancake. I cook it on both sides and spread the topping. The finish pancake is served with other condiments like the sauce, nori and mayonnaise.

Since I cannot find the Okonomiyaki sauce here, I resume to make some based on the recipes from the net. I used some tomato puree, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dark soya sauce, sugar, dashi and some cornstarch to thicken it. It doesn’t taste that bad and I’m enjoying it very much. There is something else that is missing in my Okanomiyaki which is the ‘tenkasu’. It is actually the tempura scum or rice bubbles as fondly known by some people. I think the tenkasu will add some crispiness to the finish product but since I cannot find it, I’d decided to skip it.

Being me, I squeeze lots and lots of mayonnaise on it and put some cheese as well. Well, even though mine is not the real Okonomiyaki, I’m sure it can be called the fusion Okonomiyaki…Hail the fusion queen. Does the photo make you hungry ?

Hari Raya Aidil Adha

Next Tuesday, Muslim around the world will celebrate Eidul Adha or Hari Raya Haji as it is popularly known in Malays. This celebration is an important occasion in Islam. It’ll take place on the tenth day of the twelfth and last month (Zul Hijjah) of the Islamic calendar (Hijra). In 2006 this celebration will fall on the 10th of January.

Eidul Adha marks the occasion when Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) was willing to sacrifice his son to show his obedience to Allah. It is particularly significance for pilgrims who will be completing a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah in the month of Zul Hijjah.

The day begins with prayers in the Holy Mosque followed with a sacrifice of an animal in commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice of a lamb in place of his son. One-third of the meat is given to the poor, and the rest shared by family and friends. Muslims will wear their best clothes and prepare foods for friends and family. They will visit each other and sometimes exchange presents and cards.

In Malaysia, the celebration is more popularly celebrated in the east coast states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. I can say that almost every household will have at least one sacrifice. Kelantanese staying all over Malaysia will take this opportunity to return to home to visit relatives and friends. The kids will line up early in the morning with the hope of getting big fat green packet.

My mother and I will have our sacrifices as usual. I’ve been doing this since I started working. So, this is kind of annual ritual for me. All of us will be home for the celebration except for Angah. I was hoping that he can make it this time. It will not be the same if one of us is not around. I might be making some cookies if I have time tomorrow. Else, I’ll just buy some from the shops. At least we have something for the kids.

My first day of 2006

On the first day of new year
I woke up to the sound of the bird chirping
With the morning light showering my body
And the cold breeze kissing my cheeks
My tummy growls
To the sweet smell of coffee and honey pancake

I paused

I’ve yet to do my morning prayer
So I sit there, reflecting myself

Oh Allah Almighty
Make me a brave person
That can ride the wave of challenge
For the great year is ahead of me
Full of uncertainty, full of unknown

Oh Lord
Make me the luckiest person this year
For I’m always left behind
Let this tiny girl be noteworthy
So she can give back to the needy

Amin….

A beautiful sunset on New Year’s Eve

A rainbow against the darkened background, looks so serene and mystical.
Happy New Year!!