Nuffnang

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

.: Nuffnang :.

Posted on 14th May 2009

Ok, so Yin has convinced me (and Tammie) to sign up for nuffnang.
(When I went to the website, only did I realise that I have signed up for it years ago, but never activated me *silly ol me*)

So now, you see that lil advertisment up there?
Or/and on your left?


<--- Yin, here is left. Not there. There's your right. Aiyo!


Every click contributed by you will earn me RM 0.25.
So...... if there's 10 of you (which is my average traffic per day - pathetic I know) to click it once every day. That would mean I would get RM 2.50 a day...and that means RM 75 per month! Woah! That's alot of money eh? :)

And then I can spend it all on -------- SHOPPING! :)

Updates as at 30 June 2009

Ok, so my projection of RM 75 per month is a lil over optimistic. But I did, in 1.5 months earn RM 48.75, all for doing something that I like - blogging. If only my full time job can be that simple! :)

So a big big thanks to those who have been faithfully clicking! I will buy you RM1 IKEA creamy vanilla ice cream! :)
Disclaimer : This offer expires on 30 June 2009, 11.59pm :)

.: H1N1 @ Urbanscapes? :.

So what is this I hear about A(H1N1) at KLue Urbanscapes? Click here! And for the KLue Twitter site, click here!

Apparently someone who has attended this event may have H1N1.

It may be a false alarm, but in this kind of situation - it's better to be safe that sorry!

So anyone who has attended KLue Urbanscapes on the 27th of June should go for a check, especially if they are having flu-like symptoms.....

The extract below is from : http://www.urbanscapes.com.my/

Urbanscapes H1N1 updates
30 June 2009 3:40PM by Freeform Team


To the Urbanscapes community, Freeform as a responsible festival organiser, would like to update you with some info on the Urbanscapes H1N1 scare that is making the rounds. These are the actual facts that we are aware of at this point in time:

There has been one confirmed case of an individual who was at the festival who is down with H1N1, while another three individuals from the same group of friends, is undergoing another round of tests. We want to stress that this group of individuals hung out together throughout the weekend from Friday evening onwards. At this juncture, we are not aware of any other cases beyond this group of individuals. Most of the updates we have received so far from those who have gone to get tested have turned up negative.

But as a precaution and also as responsible members of the community, we recommend you go for a check-up as soon as possible if you are displaying symptoms. If you are feeling unwell, please stay clear of public spaces and practice a self-imposed quarantine for the benefit of your family and friends. We would also like to stress that being on quarantine does NOT mean you are infected, but you are merely being a responsible citizen by taking the right precautions to prevent spreading any infections.

We will continue to update everyone via www.urbanscapes.com.my as we get more information coming in. To also keep anxiety at bay and keep everyone from being unduly worried, we would appreciate any updates from those who gone for tests so that we can share the info with all.

Here are some links for more info on H1N1:
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/swine-flu/default.htm
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/04.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PD_Diagram_of_swine_flu_symptoms_EN.svg

.: Top Ten Donald Trump Financial Tips :.

I loved watching David Letterman's Late Night Show while it was still airing at NTV 7 (I am not sure if it is still, but I haven't watched it for a very, very long time). While looking at the top ten list archive, this one looks quite funny - tho there's nothing like watchin it on TV.

But here goes, the Top Ten Donald Trump Financial Tips:

Number 10 : Only buy things that are essential, like golf courses and beauty pageants

Number 9 : When nobody's watching, I go into the 7-11 and stick my head under a soda nozzle

Number 8 : Save money by styling your own hair

Number 7 : Sell North Dakota to the Chinese

Number 6 : Double your money at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino, home of the loosest slots in Atlantic City

Number 5 : Panic

Number 4 : For tip number 4, simply send me $29.95

Number 3 : If all else fails, steal someone's identity

Number 2: We're screwed

And the number 1 financial tips from Donald Trump to the fastest way to get rich: marry and divorce me.

Monday, June 29, 2009

.: Where Do You Want To Go, Uncle Lawrence? :.

I remember Uncle Lawrence (we call him Ku Kong in hokkien) as this animated, active extremely cheerful old man. He's my maternal grandma's eldest brother.

I have been visiting him at his house in Kepong every Chinese New Year as far as I can remember. He was the friendliest, most jovial person I have ever met. And he is so healthy and active, that at the age of 75 plus, he is still cycling around in his bicycle to get to places. At that age, he was still cooking for himself, washing his own clothes, etc. I remembered there was once where we went over to his place and he cooked the absolutely most superb chicken curry (almost as par with the best curry I had - albeit my grandma's).

One of the few fond memories I have of him was him wanting to sing at his grandson's wedding, and boy, does Uncle Lawrence love to sing. His eldest daughter (the groom's mom) restricted him to only ONE song and he was warned not to sing more, even tho the crowd encourage or asked for an encore. I can't remember if he did or not, but somehow my memory seem to remember that he sang "Burung Kakak Tua". Then again, I could have been mistaken and confused that for the teasing he got when he sang that song at another wedding.

I also remembered his telephone conversation with my brother - both being blur, resulting in a miscommunication that was only resolved a few days later. Boy, did the whole family laughed at him and my brother over that incident.

That was years ago, but a year plus back, he was put into an old folks home in Kepong when he was beginning to become senile and couldn't take care of himself. It was a sad that he had to stay there, but based on my own personal experience of what my family members had to endure when taking care of my late great-grandmother, I understood the reasons why his children made that difficult decision.

I did not visit him the recent Chinese New Year, but my mom and my aunt did. They say he was looks well, tho he has became more quiet and less chatty.

I heard the conversation between his daughter and my grandma yesterday.

Known for his inability to sit still and always wanting to jalan-jalan; his son-in-law asked him a couple of weeks back

"Uncle Lawrence, where do you want to go?"

To which he replied "To heaven"

And there is where he is now……

In loving memories of Ku Kong Lawrence that passed away on Saturday, 27th June 2009, at the age of 85.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

.: Egg Tarts :.


Now, if you're a true blue Malaysian, it is not necessary for me to introduce this delicacy.

The egg tarts (also known as Dan Tart in Cantonese) have been a very popular pastry, especially among the Chinese in Malaysia.

You will never fail to see these pastries being served in your regular dim sum shop or sold in most of the bakeries around town.

The basic ingredients in an egg tart is firstly it's crust made from pastry and it's filling which are eggs beaten until fluffy. And the known secret of a good egg tart lies with this secret ingredient - lard (i.e. pork fats)! Although there's the halal variation of it, which is to use butter or shortening, nothing beats a tart with good ol' lard.

Today, the plain vanilla egg tarts has developed into many variations, which includes the equally popular Portuguese egg tarts, pandan flavoured egg tarts and my personal favourite DURIAN EGG TARTS!

Now that you all know that it's Durian season in Malaysia, and the strength to resist the temptation of indulging in durians* begins to thin off, this lil tarts of delight may be a good alternative to satisfy the durian craving.

*the setback of Ms Kathlynn having durian is that once she start, she doesn't know how she could control herself to stop. And this causes serious health implication - a sexy, deep voice (i.e. sore throat) and possible fever.

The best durian egg tarts I had was from this unassuming lil shop in Tropicana Mall, Tuan Yuan.

The durian flavour in each tart is really strong, the egg fillings are moist and soft, and the pastry just melts in your mouth. Mmmmmmmm.....it's like I went to heaven and came back again!

The address of this stall is below, but it is generally located the same floor with Carefour, nearby it's exit. And if you do not fancy durian egg tarts that much, there's also other variaty of pastries - regular egg tart, deep fried yam puffs with fillings (wu kok), steamed BBQ pork bun (char siew pau), chicken pie, etc, etc

And... they are having a promotion : buy any 7 pieces for RM 10! :)

Tuan Yuan
LG 33 Tropicana City Mall
Email : tuanyuangroup@gmail.com
Tel : 03-77288932

Saturday, June 27, 2009

.: Stuffed Chicken Breast :.

This look absolutely yummy no? It's Racheal Ray's Stuffed Chicken Breast. Looks simple to cook, with really fuss free ingredients - maybe I will make some for tonight's dinner. I may jazz it up a lil with some chopped onions for a crunchy texture and some chili for a hint of spiciness.


Click for recipe - here


Updates : I made this today for dinner, with slight modification. It tasted good, can be better in the presentation part tho, coz the stuffin was overspilling and the streak bacon that was wrapping the chicken got detached (or should I say, it was never firmly attached to begin with). And yeah, I seared it shortly first before putting it into the grill. It's better that way, and the amount of fats oozing out - yikes! How much fats can four pieces of chicken have? You'd be surprise! (or was it me being really ignorant?)

Anyways, there's always room for improvement. Will make a better stuffed chicken next time round.

Till then, signing out! :)

.: The Stupid Lil Things I Do :.

Spot the Blue Hippo!



Ok, so now that I have successfully entered to this contest, lemme rant to you a lil about the long and winding journey it took me!

Now, one would think that it should be easy right?

Just take a picture on my camera phone, send in this via MMS and voila, it's done. Yeah, technically is should be that simple.

But knowing Kathlynn, the same Kathlynn that has absolutely blonde moments in anything technology related (read Techno Smackno) and you could imagine (and you should be using you WILDEST imagination at this!) how she could make what may seem a simple job becomes a daunting task!

First things first, I have not ever activated my MMS function on my phone. (Yes, I am that backward, sue me!)

So, I just need to activate this right? I mean like how difficult could this be with a step-by-step guide on DiGi's website. Even a grandmother could do it! And so I thought. I followed the instruction, save the settings in my phone, and tried sending the picture out. Sending failed. Tried again, sending failed. FINE! Tested sending to Yin's number sending failed! Damn!

Called DiGi Helpline

Call #1 : Found out from the Helpline that I actually need to switch off my handphone a few minutes after saving the setting on my phone! The guy resent the setting for me to resave.

Fine, so I resave and then I switch off and switch back on. Send an MMS, sending failed!

So I made another call to DiGi the next day

Call # 2 : Found out that since I am using Nokia N70, I need to install all the functions. The previous instruction sent to me was wrong. *sweat*

Fine, I resave the new one. Reset. And send another MMS. You've guessed it - sending failed! Made another call immediately after that.

Call # 3 : Explain to the person on the other line the steps I took. She said all was right, so the only problem could possible be that my phone wasn't configured correctly and the only solution was to take it back to the phone dealer and reconfigure it!

Should have told me earlier so I wouldn't have wasted my time trying and trying to send. If you read above, bear in mind that I've tried multiple times, not once in period between calls.

Fine, so I decided to send it via DiGi Online - which gives each customer free 3 SMS & 3 MMS (per month I think?).

Ok, so how was I to upload the pictures from my hp to my PC when I have no cable (read Techno Smackno to understand why I couldn't do anything)?

Ok. So this is what I did.

Disclaimer : Don't laugh at my stupidity!

I Bluetooth to Colleague A ,whom which Colleague B had to teach her how to switch on her Bluetooth (looks like I am not the only techno unsavvy one) , who uploaded to my PC using Colleague C's cable.

And then I had to re-confirm with my friend if my MMS is sent out as the status on DiGi's website is "sending" (it still is btw. I mean like there is a difference between sending and sent!)

And so, this was what happened to me. All for the sake of entering this competition. I hope it was all worth it - at least let me win something! *pleads with puppy eyes*

Friday, June 26, 2009

.: CON-sultant III :.

Read here and here for my two previous consultant joke!

Another one, dedicated again to Qian :)

I was on the computer in my home office and my eight year old son asked what I did for a living.

"I am a consultant" I said.

"What is a consultant?"

"It's someone who watched people work and tells them how they could do it better."

"We have people like that in my class" he said, "but we call them pests."

Katie Adam
Reader's Digest June 2009

.: CHANGE! :.

CHANGE!

What is CHANGE?

No, I don't mean the 80 cents coin the Aunty selling the loveliest nasi lemak outside my office when I give her two pieces of 1 ringgit note.

I meant the action of undergoing transition or transformation.

Like during the Malaysia's general elections held last year. Many hoped that the political tsunami was the answer to the many obviously dissatisfied voters. Many hoped for CHANGE.

Many girls, after marrying a guy, would hope that her husband would CHANGE his ways albeit all his annoying habits! (yeah right, wishful thinking)

Or when a guy marries a girl, hoping the princess he married doesn't CHANGE to be the White Witch in disguise.

One thing is for sure...

We always hope for a CHANGE for the better.

How many times have we heard "I wish [insert name of person/organisation/bodies/government agencies] would do [insert a list of actions that needs to be taken] so that we could live in a better society or so that our lives would be much better or so that the World can be a better place. "

But we very often forget this ONE basic fundamental thing.

Look into a mirror and remember this - that often CHANGE should always begin with the person look right back at you.

Yes.

CHANGE to start with you.

Our contribution may be small individually.

But if each individual takes that small step to CHANGE his or her ways - to be a lil bit more kinder, a lil bit more caring, a lil bit more compassionate, a lil bit more empathetic ; then collectively these small lil CHANGE would really make the world a better place.

So this is your opportunity to make that difference.

Start to CHANGE the man/woman in the mirror.





I'm starting with the man in the mirror

I'm asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make that change

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror

Note : The day after I compose this post (which was yet to be posted up), the legendary Michael Jackson, King of Pop passed away.
I would like to dedicate this post to him too as a tribute to his great music that has changed the world!

This post is to pasticipate in this contest held by DiGi : Speak Up Malaysia!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

.: What's To Be Loved & What's To Be Used :.

While a man was polishing his new car, his 4 yr old son picked up stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child's hand and hit it many times; not realizing he was using a wrench..

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures. When the child saw his father.....with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?' The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times. Devastated by his own actions......sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches; the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.

Anger and Love have no limits; choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely life.....

Things are to be used and people are to be loved, but the problem in today's world is that, people are used and things are loved...

During this year, let's be careful to keep this thought in mind: Things are to be used, but People are to be loved ...

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits they become character;
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

.: Megan Fox, Man Or Woman? :.

Is Megan Fox really, really a man?

Could the heart of millions testosterone-filled hot blooded male be shattered?

And their gf finally rejoicing that movie nights will no longer be re-runs of Transformers?

Well, I was reading Weekly World News and thought to myself, this can't be true!

But then again, it is Hollywood and if you have ever seen pictures of transitives beauty pageants, you can understand why the first line above could actually be true.

Haih

Do you posses sarcasm, brains, humor and good taste in movies?

Because I really feel like one of those days where I NEED a deeper conversation about what's going on, No, I'm not emo(LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE)! I just want all ears to listen to my rant and then I might watch "My Best Friend's Wedding" for the 20th time, read "Sophie's World" for the 3rd time, probably skip class tomorrow.

I hate the fact we judge things by the veneer and disregard the rotten flesh underneath it.

So, who's up for my nagging? =(

Monday, June 22, 2009

.: Jet Lag :.


Gosh. Am seriously suffering from jet lag.

After touchdown at bout 5.30 pm at KLIA (read : 3 hours delay on my transit flight from Dubai to KLIA), I had a light dinner (of JC's grandma's ham yoke chung), went home, bath and went straight to bed at 8pm.

I woke up at 4.30 am and couldn't get back to sleep.

So I went online, surf from some good brownie recipes, got the ingredients ready and while waiting for the butter to defrost.....decided to take a nap. This was about 8am. I only woke up at 5pm after.

Chocolate Brownie with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. The oven mitten as a backdrop is to hide the mess I made to the kitchen! >.<

I made my Chocolate Brownies (using Fiona's recipe) - with some slight modification. I halved the recipe, replaced the 250 grams of sugar with 70 grams of brown sugar & 100 grams of white sugar i.e. totally to 170 grams, which is 80 grams less than the original recipe. I also added a pinch of salt and a dash of vanilla essence.

And because I could not find a baking tray of the appropriate size, I used two small trays instead.

In 25 mins, the brownie was done. I took it out from the oven, tried to flip the first one over.....


......and then its just *kaa daa boop* crumbles.


It came out in pieces all crumble out, I was like stoned for a while, wondering what to do with it. While flipping over the second tray, I was hoping it came out ok - which it did.

I took the crumbled one and tasted it. And tho I love the texture - moist yet chewy, I did not like that it was still too sweet!

Anyways, I texted Benedict and asked him if he would like crumbled chocolate brownie and he said he doesn't mind, so I headed to his place (with vanilla ice cream too).

At his place, he & his dad (Uncle Freddy) was trying to assemble an IKEA double decker bed - without a manual. It took a lot of trials and errors to get it right. And when I said trials and errors it means 1.5 hours! But it was cool at the end to get it all done, and with all the lifting of steel bars (which are heavy mind you), I didn't feel so guilty having Bridget's apple crumble with Oreo crust - how lovely is that! :)

Went to send over hand over some stuff nearby and headed back home. Jumped into bed and.....




......realise that I couldn't sleep!

Read Red Dragon (sequal to Hannibal) which was better than Hannibal Rising. And it was 6.30am when I felt hungry (mind you, the last substantial thing I ate was ham yoke chung). So I drove out to get a packet of nasi lemak!
And here I am in office now, half groggy as I attempt the best I could to reply to emails and tidy up my Consol Reporting Pack.
Ah - 5 more hours til 6pm!
And yes, I am going to perfect my Chocolate Brownies - less sugar, more love! :)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

.: Chocolate Brownies :.

Anna Olsen's Triple Chocolate Brownie

Fiona's Best Ever Chocolate Brownies

Now these babies look amazing don't they?



I wanna bake some chocolate brownies, and am now frantically searching it over the internet at 5am in the morning. No, I am not a early to rise person, but I a suffering from jet lag. So I was asleep at about 8pm last night and was awake by 4.30am this morning. I am feeling tired. And a lil warm (I was actually having a bad headache and chills prior to departing from Glasgow). Not to worry, I highly doubt it is Swine Flu, but to be safe, I shall take plenty of rest and if not well still, I will check in to the hospital.


Now, wonder if anyone can contribute a tested and tried recipe for amazing Chocolate Brownies? Tho I believe that anything chocolatey is amazing by itself! :)


.: Compliments That Complements :.

I grew up in a typical Chinese culture, where words of praises from my parents flows out ever so generously - when it comes to the achievements of other people's children.

The you-know-who-and-who-son-got-straight-As-for-SPM-coz-he-worked-his-ass-off-for-it,why-can't-you-be-as-hardworking-as-him (*breath* a mouthful isn't it?), and months later brush off my results by saying "Oh, my daughter is just lucky she got straight As". Or why-can't-you-be-like-so-and-so-daughter. Or so-and-so-son-can-do-this-and-that *giving a sneering look*, what-can-you-do?

It hurts.
It makes me strive even harder to try to achieve what I think would make them proud.
Only to have another person's perfect son/daughter set out a higher standard for me.
Most of the time, I don't aim for perfection.
I just aim to make not myself - but them, happy.
But these words hurled at me, makes my effort all seems so small. Seems so insignificant. Seems that "luck" is on my side.

For ever single compliment I get from others, at the back of my mind I would like "how am I suppose to react to this compliment?"
Yes, it reaches a point where I do not know how to receive compliment graciously.

I guess there are two sides to a coin. There are afterall pros and cons in the way kids are raised. Overly complimenting them, even if they are not that good - will result in overly confident adults, with no substance (watch American Idol auditions and you know what I mean when people sincerely and actually believe that they are the next American Idol, but when they sing --- *cover ears*). But by not complimenting them enough, and worse still, putting them down for every lil achievement or effort they put in, will result in adults having lack of self confidence and self esteem.

I guess it's not a simple task to be a parent raising kids. It is, afterall, the art of balancing - not too much, but not too little.

.: Happy Father's Day :.

How can one not cry after reading this?

Wishing all fathers out the a Happy Father's Day!

A happy family is but an earlier heaven.
~Sir John Bowring


A Dance with Dad From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Dads & Daughters

I am dancing with my father at my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary. The band is playing an old-fashioned waltz as we move gracefully across the floor. His hand on my waist is as guiding as it always was, and he hums the tune to himself in a steady, youthful way. Around and around we go, laughing and nodding to the other dancers. We are the best dancers on the floor, they tell us. My father squeezes my hand and smiles at me.

As we continue to dip and sway, I remember a time when I was almost three and my father came home from work, swooped me into his arms and began to dance me around the table. My mother laughed at us, told us dinner would get cold. But my father said, "She's just caught the rhythm of the dance! Dinner can wait!" And then he sang out, "Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun," and I sang back, "Let's get those blues on the run." That night, he taught me to polka, waltz and foxtrot while dinner waited.

We danced through the years. When I was five, my father taught me to "shuffle off to Buffalo." Later we won a dance contest at a Campfire Girls Round-Up. Then we learned to jitterbug at the USO place downtown. Once my father caught on to the steps, he danced with everyone in the hall―the women passing out doughnuts, even the GIs. We all laughed and clapped our hands for my father, the dancer.

One night when I was fifteen, lost in some painful, adolescent mood, my father put on a stack of records and teased me to dance with him. "C'mon," he said, "let's get those blues on the run." I turned away from him and hugged my pain closer than before. My father put his hand on my shoulder and I jumped out of the chair, screaming, "Don't touch me! Don't touch me! I am sick and tired of dancing with you!" The hurt on his face did not escape me, but the words were out, and I could not call them back. I ran to my room sobbing hysterically.

We did not dance together after that night. I found other partners, and my father waited up for me after dances, sitting in his favorite chair, clad in his flannel pajamas. Sometimes he would be asleep when I came in, and I would wake him, saying, "If you were so tired, you should have gone to bed."

"No, no," he'd say. "I was just waiting for you."

Then we'd lock up the house and go to bed.

My father waited up for me all through my high school and college years, while I danced my way out of his life.

One night, shortly after my first child was born, my mother called to tell me my father was ill. "A heart problem," she said. "Now, don't come. It's three hundred miles. Besides, it would upset your father. We'll just have to wait. I'll let you know."

My father's tests showed some stress, but a proper diet restored him to good health. Little things, then, for a while. A disc problem in the back, more heart trouble, a lens implant for cataracts. But the dancing did not stop. My mother wrote that they had joined a dance club. "You remember how your father loves to dance."

Yes, I remembered. My eyes filled up with remembering.

When my father retired, we mended our way back together again; hugs and kisses were common when we visited each other. But my father did not ask me to dance. He danced with the grandchildren; my daughters knew how to waltz before they could read.

"One, two, three and one, two, three," my father would count out, "won't you come and waltz with me?" Sometimes my heart ached to have him say those words to me. But I knew my father was waiting for an apology from me, and I could never find the right words.

As the time for my parents' fiftieth anniversary approached, my brothers and I met to plan the party. My older brother said, "Do you remember that night you wouldn't dance with him? Boy, was he mad! I couldn't believe he'd get so mad about a thing like that. I'll bet you haven't danced with him since."

I did not tell him he was right.

My younger brother promised to get the band.

"Make sure they can play waltzes and polkas," I told him.

"Dad can dance to anything," he said. "Don't you want to get down, get funky?" I did not tell him that all I wanted to do was dance once more with my father.

When the band began to play after dinner, my parents took the floor. They glided around the room, inviting the others to join them. The guests rose to their feet, applauding the golden couple. My father danced with his granddaughters, and then the band began to play the "Beer Barrel Polka."

"Roll out the barrel," I heard my father sing. Then I knew it was time. I knew the words I must say to my father before he would dance with me once more. I wound my way through a few couples and tapped my daughter on the shoulder.
"Excuse me," I said, almost choking on my words, "but I believe this is my dance."
My father stood rooted to the spot. Our eyes met and traveled back to that night when I was fifteen. In a trembling voice, I sang, "Let's get those blues on the run."

My father bowed and said, "Oh, yes. I've been waiting for you."

Then he started to laugh, and we moved into each other's arms, pausing for a moment so we could catch once more the rhythm of the dance.

Friday, June 19, 2009

.: Recipe : Shepherd's Pie :.

A slightly modified Gordon Ramsay's recipe....
(Pictures updated 19/6/09)

Ingredients
800 grams of minces beef
2 large onions, minced
4-5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 carrots, minced
3 tablespoon of tomato puree
1/2 cup of chicken/beef stock
4 - 5 tablespoon of Worchester sauce
2 tablespoon of chili flakes (or more according to one's taste)
Pepper, salt & mixed herbs to taste

Mash potatoes topping
800 grams boiled potatoes
100 grams butter
3 egg yolks
50 gram grated cheese
Pepper & salt to taste

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Heat some oil in a frying pan and cook meat until slightly brown. Remove meat from pan.

Add oil and fry garlic, onions and carrots until golden. Add tomato puree and the mince to the carrot and onion and pour over stock. Season with salt, pepper and mixed herbs and add in Worchester sauce. Gently simmer for about 15 mins until stock reduce. Lastly, add in chili flakes. Spoon mixture into ovenproof serving dish.

For potatoes, add butter and roughly mash it. Add egg yolk, one at a time and mix throughly. Add grated cheese and seasoning. Spoon the potato mash over the meat, and sprinkle the remaining grated cheese.

Bake for 30 mins, until top is brown

Verdict:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (8/10)

Love the juicy beef filling. The proportion of meat to topping is just nice, unlike some shepherd pie which I've tried that has way too much potato topping. And I love, love, love the chili flakes - coz I just love the spiciness! An absolute must (tho not in the original recipe)! *wink*
The topping could have been better, coz it wasn't brown and crisp. Perhaps it because I used cheddar cheese instead of parmesan cheese (which was what the original recipe ask of). Perhaps the next time I make this, I will add in mushroom and leek for a more "fuller" filling.


* Note : Well, technically this is a cottage pie rather than a shepherd pie coz I used beef instead of lamb. But according to Wikipedia - The term "shepherd's pie" did not appear until the 1870s, and since then it has been used synonymously with "cottage pie", regardless of whether the principal ingredient was beef or mutton. It doesn't really matter what you call it, so long as it taste good! :)

.: Recipe : Carrot Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Topping :.

Pictures updated today (19/6/09) :)


Carrot Cake:
250 gram self-raising flour
250 gram butter
230 gram soft brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 carrots, finely grated
Juice & zest from one lemon
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 tablespoon of vanilla essence
Handful of walnut (roasted)

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius. Mix the butter and sugar till fluffy. Add in eggs and flour, continue to mix. Add vanilla essence, carrots, lemon, cinnamon power and walnut and mix in. Pour into baking tin and bake for about 50 mins to an hour.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
115 grams cream cheese
115 grams of butter
200 grams of icing sugar (adjust according to desire sweetness)
1 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence

Verdict:
Carrot cake - ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (8/10)

Comments: I find the carrot cake texture really moist and good, but a lil bit too 'buttery'. Wonder if there could be improvement made so that cake remains moist, but less 'buttery'?
Also, would prefer more walnut, coz I just love the cake to be more crunchier!
But other than that, I love that it is not too sweet (I think brown sugar does the trick) and I just love how just one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder makes a difference.

Cream Cheese Frosting - ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (6/10)

Comments: Frosting is quite sweet, but compliments nicely with carrot cake. Just feels that the overall texture of the cream can be improved, perhaps remove butter altogether?

Overall conclusion : Aunty Wendy is going to pass me her version of carrot cake. Will try that out and compare to this one! :)

.: Kath's Travel Guide @ UK - A Sneak Preview :.

A sneak preview of KTG@UK

Chapel @ Edinburgh Castle

Carton Hill @ Edinburgh

Garden @ Hampton Court

London Eye @ London


Tower Bridge @ London

Statue of Hamlet @ Stratford Upon Avon


Imperial War Museum @ London

Stay tune :)

Thursday, June 18, 2009

.: Haggis :.

The Royal McGregor
154 High Street
Royal Mile
Edinburgh
0131 255 7064

When you are in Scotland, you must try the traditional Scottish dish - Haggis!

My grandad's godson (does it make him my goduncle?) Justin, who is working as a doctor in Edinburgh, brought us to this lil pub, The Royal McGregor.

Since my bro had had a bad experience with haggis and my mom isn't exactly Miss Adventurous when it comes to food, we decided to order haggis fritters with sweet chili and honey (as starters).

I would say that this haggis fritters are a perfect introduction to this Scottish dish, as not many may find this dish appealing (especially when you know what it's actually made of). To make this post more interesting, I shall not reveal the secret ingredients to y'all. Curious to know? Then you will have to google it yourself :)

I didn't know until I google-ed this later on that the place we ate was in fact one of the most recommended places to have haggis.

I actually enjoyed my haggis very much, has the nutty milky-like texture and the sweet chili sauce compliments nicely with the fritters!

It's great that I had a pleasant first experience with this traditional Scottish dish, eh? (read with a Scottish accent) *wink*

Cheers!

.: 4 Movies And A Review :.

While flying to London, transiting at Dubai, I watched 4 movies on board the plane :

1) Marley & Me

2) Twilight

3) Bride Wars

4) High School Musical 3

And I will never ever trust the judgement of anyone who tells me that Twilight is a great movie. It wasn't even ok, barely palatable. It was just rubbish.


Marley & Me was ok, I cried the part where Marley died, and the family was gathering round and saying a few words before burying Marley....... but sadly, the storyline was just too random. There wasn't a good climax, there wasn't really much substance except for the finale.

HSM3, well I must admit it was ok. I really enjoyed HSM 1 & 2. But if I were to benchmark HSM 3 with the first HSM, I would have to say that the standards have fallen.

Bride Wars was alright, exactly what I expected out of this chick flick (lower expectation mind you). So this movie has meet up with my expectations. If you are in for mindless entertainment, this movie should do :)

Ok, gonna have my dinner soon.......

Cheers!~

.: Medical Alert! :.


The Centre for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically.


This virus is called Weekly Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT!!! This virus will wipe out your private life entirely.


If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises. Take two good friends to the nearest liquor store and purchase one or both of the antidotes - Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER).


Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.


You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends.


If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

.: Flower Power II :.

Finally... more pictures of my lovely flowers from my handphone (read Flower Power for the earlier pictures)

(p/s : SJ, no need to loan me your "shirt" anymore *wink* )


A lone rose with a Winnie the Pooh balloon :)

Pink roses with lil daisies (my baby pics mosaic on the right)


Daisies, my fav! :)



Pink roses (Hello Kitty was from McDs when the Hello Kitty craze was on - remember those days?)


Pink daisy :)


Pink roses and a red I LOVE YOU balloon


A pink rose in a nice purple wrapping


And what happens when all these lovely flowers wilted and died?
Well, I have been keepin all the flowers that JC has given to me since, in a big box.....



Monday, June 15, 2009

.: Just Like You :.

We brought our newborn son, Adam, to the paediatrician for his first checkup. As he finished, the doctor told us, ''You have a cute baby.''

Smiling, I said, ''I bet you say that to all new parents.''

''No, '' he replied, ''just to those whose babies really are good-looking.''

''So what do you say to the others?'' I asked.

''He looks just like you.''

-Reader's Digest : Life is Like That-

Sunday, June 14, 2009

.: 27 Random Answers to 27 Random Questions :.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? I need to get back to bed and sleep. zzzz...

2. How much cash do you have on you? About RM50 in my wallet. And a couple of Gs in my bank account. Tee hee :)

3. What's a word that rhymes with "DOOR?"
Whoa. *lol* yes, it does rhyme with door. What do you mean its not a word? Ok fine. Pour.

4. Favorite planet? That would have to be the 3rd planet from the sun. Earth la! :)

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Hmmm...some random number, I have absolutely no idea who.

6. What is your favorite ring on your phone? I don't use a ring tone (coz my phone is perpectually silent). But if I have to choose, it would be "Jie-jie quai tien na tien hua" staring Rachel :)

7. What shirt are you wearing? Black top

8. Do you "label" yourself? Yes - The Boring Accountant

9. Name the brand of your shoes you're currently wearing? Nose

10. Bright or Dark Room? Bright when I am awake and dark when I am asleep :)

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? She's my cousin. I blogged bout her once. Read here to know more. *wink*

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Reading a book by Nora Roberts.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? Erm, "RM0: Come visit our DiGi games budget corner. Only 500 units of different games going at RM3 everyday. Hurry while stock last. Text GAME to 2016 now. DiGi." Hehe :)

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? The row of shophouses right outside my housing area. Bout 500 m from my doorstep I guess.

16. What's a word that you say a lot? I guess it's "hmmm...."

17.Who told you he/she loved you last? JC

18. Last furry thing you touched? Martin Bear :)

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? I'm on antibiotics now. Does that counts?

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? Conventional camera is so last century. Haha :)

21. Favorite age you have been so far? Age is just a number.

22. Your worst enemy? Most of the time - myself

23. What is your current desktop picture? Azul (go check it out)

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? 'Ok bye!' <-- to JC

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? The ability to fly - so that I could earn more than millions on endorsments and all. Tee hee. The accountant in me. Ka-ching! :)

26. Do you like someone? Of course :)

27. The last song you listened to? I can't remember. Something on Mix.FM (my dad and I compromised on this radio station)

Ok, so I'm done with my 27 random questions, tagged by Tammie.

I am gonna tag whoever who wanna do this :)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

.: Flower Power :.

I love flowers.
And tho I do think that its a waste of money to buy 'em,
just to have 'em all dried up in the end,
I still love 'em.


Two red roses

A bouquet of baby pink roses

Another bouquet of darker pink roses

A dozen red roses


More pink roses (with Martin bear at the back)


There are loads more in my handphone which I have not uploaded coz I lost the cable and I have no other means of uploading the pics. I am very sure there's another way without cable, but I am too lazy to find out - however, as the capacity of my hp decreases, the desperation for me to offload it off my phone increases. Soon - is all I can say for now!

Well, for the 3 years (and counting) of courtship, JC has on numerous occasion bought me flowers that ranges from one stalk to a bouquet of roses and daisies (I just love daisies). Sometimes as a surprise, sometimes to say he is sorry, and a few to commemorate special events - like passing my final papers or Valentines day surprise [read here].
All the flowers he have given me, I still keep in a big brown box until today.
Just wanna thank you JC for all these special memories - the goods ones, but even the bad ones too, so that we learn to appreciate the good ones even more.
Love you to bitz.
xoxo

Friday, June 12, 2009

.: Top 10 Movie Catchphrase :.

Top 10 Movie Catchphrases according to Time magazine.

See if you are a movie buff and could guess which movies these lines came from :)

10) "I'll be back "
09) "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn"
08) "The name is Bond. James Bond" (how duh is this? *wink*)
07) "My momma always said 'Life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you're gonna get"
06) "Huston, we have a problem"
05) "Here's looking at you kid"
04) "May the force be with you"
03) "Show me the money" clue : "You had me at hello"
02) "If you built it, he will come"
01) "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"







And the answer is....

10) The Terminator (1984)
09) Gone With The Wind (1939)
08) James Bond
07) Forest Gump (1994)
06) Apollo 13 (1995)
05) Cassablanca (1942)
04) Star Wars (1977)
03) Jerry Maguire (1996)
02)Field of Dreams (1989)
01) The Godfather (1972)

I personally can only get 9/10. I have no idea what this movie "Field of Dreams" is all about. And quite frankly, I have not watched movie 10), 09), 06), 04), 03) and of course 02).

Thursday, June 11, 2009

.: What's In A Name? :.

Being Chinese, when I introduce myself, people would comment like "Interesting name. What does it mean in Chinese?" or I remember Mrs. Young's (a dear English lady who can speak Mandarin and Cantonese *shame on me*) "Oh, that's a lovely name. Does "Shan" means mountain?"

My Chinese name, Shan Lyn, means, and I quote "anything you want it to be as long as it has a nice meaning" as my Mom once told me when I asked her what it means.
You see, unlike most Chinese parents out there, who choose a Chinese name based on it's meaning and then only translate it's sound it back to English (I call that process Englishfying the Chinese name), my Mom choose my name from a baby magazine.

She was flipping some baby magazine while conceiving me, and saw this pic of a cute baby girl, referred to the name below, and in hope that I turn out to be as cute as the baby in the pic (too bad it doesn't work that way), it became my name. But according to my Mom, it should have been a double-N, as in Lynn, instead of a single N. Well, so now I know that my name does not mean anything special in Chinese.

So, after much research, and with nada knowledge of Chinese, yet alone the meaning of each character, I finally know how to write my name in Chinese (and with the correct strokes too *hehe*). But, its subject to change if you can find any Chinese character with nicer meaning. *laughs*

And that's the story behind my Chinese name.

For my English name…

Well, it was bout 5 years back, where I wanted to write articles for The Star. But I was really shy on using my Chinese name, which is more rare than the common - Mei Ling or Sue Ann. So I decided it was bout time I get myself an English name. Well, I went to a couple of popular babies name website, and with a combination of my love for the movie "You've Got Mail", I decided to settle with the name Kathlynn. At that time, I was deciding on a couple of variation, which includes Kathleen (the exact spelling of Meg Ryan's character i.e. Kathleen Kelly), Caitlin, Katelyn, etc. But I love how the way Kathlynn flows when I write it on paper. So, if you have old copies (and when I say old, I mean like 3-4 years back) and noticed articles signed off by Kathlynn, that’s me! :)

Oh and so you know, Kathlynn means pure in Irish. That's me! *cough*cough*

Pssstt, for the top 100 baby names for 2008, click here. Mine is at number 11! *wink*

And that's the story behind my English name.

As a kid growing up, nicknames are inevitable, especially in kindergarten and primary school. I have a couple of nicknames bestowed on me, including - the infamous : Char Siew Pau (which was also my bro's nickname - coz our surname is Siew), lil dumpling (coz I had this teacher in school who thinks I am cute like a dumpling - Ms Angeline her name if I am not mistaken)…. Come to think of it, that's all the nickname I had! :)

Among my highschool friends, I'm fondly known as Ah Shan.

Among my family members, I'm proud to claim the "Jie Jie" title, coz I am the eldest in my family as well as the eldest cousin, so all 8 cousins of mine calls me Jie. Even my uncle & aunt calls me that. And they are like 20 plus years my senior.

And that, my friends, is the stories behind my name!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

.: Our Economy - By The Economist :.


Tuesday, June 9, 2009

.: Patience :.

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew."

Saint Francis de Sales

Monday, June 8, 2009

.: The Most Difficult Phase Of Life :.


Sunday, June 7, 2009

.: Dear John :.

It was the last day of school; the last day I would ever walk down those halls as a student. I had a few things to take care of before the rehearsal for our graduation ceremony. I had to return my school library books and pay a shop-class fine from my sophomore year when I had broken Seth's project and was supposed to pay to replace his kit.

I was always clumsy around him, and that time I had knocked over the birdhouse he had made. It had tumbled and shattered at our feet.

We were on our knees picking up the pieces when our hands brushed against each other. I felt the same electricity I had first felt in fourth grade when he grabbed my hand for a Red Rover game.

I looked into his eyes, and he looked into mine. I thought that maybe this time he would notice me. My heart fluttered. I flushed with embarrassment and anticipation. Just an inch closer and he could kiss me.

Seth parted his lips and said, "Hey, why are you all red? It's not that hot in here." I guess it wasn't.

Seth and I had a different circle of friends. His were the outgoing, athletic, school council, homecoming court, merit scholar type. Mine weren't.

As our class assembled in the gym for graduation rehearsal, I couldn't help but feel sentimental. My mood lifted when Seth sat down in front of me, until I remembered that this would be the last day he would be part of my daily life.

The announcements droned on and on. Yearbooks started circulating for last minute signings. When Seth's was handed to me, I autographed my senior picture and was about to pass it to the next person when the thought hit me. What did I have to lose by telling him now?

I tapped my pen on my teeth while I composed the note in my head. It had to be perfect. My hand shook when I began to write.

Dear Seth,

I have been in the background of your life since elementary school. You have meant more to me than I have to you. I wished that we could have known each other better and spent some time together. I will always remember you and wish you a great life.

Forever,
Cindy


I closed his book and passed it on before I could change my mind. As I scribbled my name in other books, I began to imagine and then to hope that maybe, just maybe, my yearbook would come back to me with a similar message from Seth.
It wasn't until the bus ride home that afternoon, that I finally had the nerve to open my book and look for Seth's picture. In its corner he had written, "To Cindy, whoever you are, Seth."

I can't say that I was crushed. I didn't expect anything more, really. I could've worried about what I wrote in his book, but I guessed he wouldn't know or care who I was, anyway. Still, his terse message did hurt. He didn't have to prove that I was invisible to him.

I was one step away from a "what a jerk" conclusion, but I just couldn't go that far after years of holding his perfect image in my mind.

I was putting my book into my backpack when the guy behind me tapped me on the shoulder. "Sign my book?"

"Sure," I said and handed him mine. I found my picture again and scribbled, "Good luck, from Cindy."

With the whirl of graduation and the activity of early summer days, it was a week before I thought to open my backpack. My yearbook was on top, and I sat down on the edge of my bed to thumb through it. I cringed when I reread Seth's message to me.

What a sorry thing that a guy could just overlook someone, no matter how nice she might be or how much she cared about him, just because she wasn't part of his circle.

It was then that I noticed another inscription. The friendly smile in the picture looked vaguely familiar.

Dear Cindy,


I was new this year. You are the first person I noticed. I've been sitting behind you in English Lit and I looked for you to come in every day. I wished we could've gotten to know each other and spent time together. I will always think of you and remember you.

Forever,
John



My heart sank as I realized the truth. I had done to John what Seth had done to me. I hadn't taken the time to know him, because, well, I didn't already know him. I had dismissed him without really seeing him.

I still feel a pinch of remorse when I remember that moment. Ever since that day, I have tried to notice and acknowledge the people in my daily life.

I had barely taken a thought to scribbling my name in John's book, but his message to me has been written across my life.

Chicken Soup For The Soul
By : Cynthia M. Hamond


Never overlook a friendly smile--behind it is a heart to befriend...

Friday, June 5, 2009

.: Blessed Birthday Ben! :.

Blessed Birthday to my baby bro, Ben!

He is turning 22 today! :)

Will be seeing him in a day, as me and my mom will be flying off to the UK tonight!

After reading the stories of the four passengers who missed Air France Flight 447, can't help but feel a sense of eerieness creeping on my skin. But I know the good Lord will be protecting us, and if it's His plans that I go now (or anytime for that matter), I know FOR SURE that I will be in a better place - heaven! :)

Fret not my faithful blog readers, for tho I am gone for two weeks, I have in line a few interesting posts, scheduled to be posted ONE each day. You read me right! ONE each day! :)
And if I have the time, I would be updating my blog there too!~

P/s : I think having nuffnang adverts have motivated me to blog more regularly. Teehee.

.: Techno Smackno:.

How my conversation with SJian ended with me saying "Ok, tomorrow I go to your house you pinjam me shirt..."

shanlyn says:
i nid help
i nid to offload my pics in my hp camera
i got no cable
so how?


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
buy cable?
borrow?
steal?
rob?
take out memory card/ stick?
put in card reader?

shanlyn says:
buy = exp
borrow = from who?
steal = from who?
rob = from who?
take out = and then do wat?
put in card reader = who d heck has a card reader?


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
put in memory stick/card reader
anyone?
human?
buy one?
laptops have it sometimes

shanlyn says:
my one hav, but its to read bigger chip (like d camera one)
smaller one cant


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
smallers one have a shirt
u can put it on
its a bigger card with a hole to fit the small one in

shanlyn says:
ok. where i get d "shirt"?
can i jus take from my camera one?


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
u should have one with ur camera

shanlyn says:
seriously
omg


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
yes

shanlyn says:
no
takda


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
too bad then lol
buy a card reader lo
it can read all sorts

shanlyn says:
can i take d shirt off my norm camera card ah?


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
if its in a shirt
then take it off try to fit to laptop lo

shanlyn says:
how do i knw if i can take off d shirt?


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
that is memory card
if memory stick i dun think got shirt

shanlyn says:
sdhc card ?
isit a card or stick?


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
no idea
i know picture not names lol
sd should be card
the small card is as big as ur fingernail
the big card should be around thumbsize
slightly bigger then thumb

shanlyn says:
yeah
its thumbsize
bt i cant seem to take off its shirt


Nana Finally, its starting to pay off... says:
then throw ur hp laptop
lol
or camera
can throw to me no worries

shanlyn says:
wei
u hav isit?
u hav d shirt?
ok.tmr i go ur hse u pinjam me shirt


Yes, I am an absolute noob when it comes to technology! I can just imagine the frustration SJ endured to explain to me (and he drew me a couple of pics *laughs*). And yes, Benedict was tryin to explain to me too!

Thanks guys! :)

Thursday, June 4, 2009

.: Reunited And It Feels So Good :.

Reunited and it feels so good

I was finally reunited with her for the first time after a month or so. I miss her so much, words can't describe....

Reunited coz we understood

There may be some misunderstanding, but I did NOT abandon you. People may misunderstand us, but you and I both know that I would never abandon you on purpose. If circumstances were different, I would visit you everyday....

There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one it is

I knew from the day you were born I knew that you are made specially for me.....

We both are excited
Coz we're united

I love to see you smile everytime we meet...

Yeah baby, baby, baby

My dearest WaMu :)

Click here to find out how the name WaMu was derived! :)

.: On9 Shopping - OMP :.

After 3 weeks of total cold turkey from blogshopping (tho I still window blogshop), I finally gave in to temptation.

On of my favourite blogshop, Our Mutual Passion, was having a massive clearance sales. So how could I actually resist? It's like dangling a bottle of ice cold water in front of someone who has been in the Sahara for weeks. Ok, not that dramatic, but shopaholics out there, you know how I feel right?

Anyways, I bought myself this black satin vest that I've been eyeing for a long, long time....


And this gorgeous pink top (can you believe it includes the clincher too!)


And guess how much I paid for that two items?


Clue : It starts with a 3 and ends with a 3 *wink*wink*


I only paid RM 33! Omigosh! Like a total bargain, no!

And I absolutely love the blogshop owner, Mechell. She's an absolute darling and sweetheart! Makes my online shopping hassle-free and so enjoyable! :)

I was suppose to have a look at this English Rose maxi dress when I COD-ed at her place today. But as I was in office til quite late at night and have not had my dinner yet (or lunch for that matter), so I decided it was too late to take a look at it.

Anyways, I shall see if it's still available when I come back from UK. Tho I highly doubt that a total steal like this would be available for so long.

Anyways, the maxi below comes in 4 different colours, and is absolutely suitable for those above 160cm.

Price : RM 40 (after discount) plus an additional RM5 off if you pay on the same day. More details of this lovely dress - click here.


No, I am not getting any commission for promoting this blogshop.

Just thought that if there is something good, it's better for it to be shared to everyone right? Except my life partner ok, so don't you get any wild ideas now! :)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

.: Week 3 @ Nuffnang :.

Week 3 and my nuffnang account shows :

Earnings Available : RM 18 (RM 32 before you get paid!)

Thanks to those who have clicked! Keep on clickin! :)

Btw, IKEA is havin a competition "Go Clean Your Room Contest" (you may see the banner occasionally poppin up at the top or left hand side corner, so go n click it ya!).

P/s : Yin, left is here (<--) la, this (-->) is right!

Reward goes to the messiest room. Now if my mom starts complaining that my room is in a mess, I would jus tell her that I'm entering a competition that could potentially win me some RM 15,000 IKEA shopping vouchers!

So there is a reward bein lazy afterall? *wink*wink*

.: Cannibal :.

Ever wonder what does human meat taste like?

Just like chicken?

Well, if you wanna know, there's this place in Bangkok, a lil town named Ratchaburi, located about 80 km on the bank of Mae Klong River, that has this hanging at a shop:




And it taste just like......

....bread

Kittiwat Unarom, 28, a Thai art student is the son of a bakery owner, craves real human-like body parts (head, hands, intestine, etc) from bread. It took him approximately 6 months to create this edible art , with a Buddhism concept of "do not believe of what you see".

The thought of eating these, even if it's just bread, makes you feel kinda sick doesn't it? Well, I know I do.

This was back in 2005. Am not sure if the shop is still there or if he is selling his artwork or anything. Anyone who knows, drop me a note to lemme know.

Just curious, that's all :)

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

.: Pretty :.

My lil cousin, Rachel, came over for the weekends to stay with us.

And as I was talking to her, I notice that she has the habit of punctuating her sentences with the word "pretty".

Like - the show is pretty funny. Or - the story book is pretty good. Or - the food is pretty nice.

I wonder where she gets that slang from? *laughs*

Ain't she pretty cute? :)

Monday, June 1, 2009

.: GM Files For Bankruptcy :.

GM filed for bankruptcy protection today, the largest automobile bankruptcy in US history as the company is said to be in USD 172.8 billion debt vs only USD 82.2 billion in assets.

How does this affect the US - taxpayers and President Obama?

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama couldn't let General Motors fail, but he won't concede he's taking over the company.

With a 60 percent equity stake in the carmaker and $50 billion in taxpayer money riding on GM's success, the federal government isn't exactly a hands-off investor.

As GM enters into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Obama's economic team is stressing that its goals are to maximize the return to taxpayers and to exit from its involvement as quickly as possible. But as one administration official put it Sunday night, there is an inevitable tension between those two objectives.

And the snap in that tension could sting — politically for Obama, economically for the auto industry and fiscally for the taxpayer.

How well a leaner GM adjusts after a trip through bankruptcy court is an open question. So is the payback to taxpayers. Administration officials already have warned that $2 of every $5 pumped into GM might be difficult to recover.

Given the current economic crisis, the Obama administration's aggressive intervention is a defining moment for capitalism. Whether the president's actions serve as a private sector lifeline or a tether is a question that Obama and his economic team must confront not only with GM and Chrysler, another bailed out automaker, but with the financial sector as well.

But the sheer size of GM's bankruptcy protection filing, the magnitude of the government's role and the company's status as a fallen symbol of American industrial might make this intervention perhaps the most remarkable.

For more, read Yahoo! News.

.: The Economy Is So Bad..... :.


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