Friday, February 25, 2011

Encounter weekend

I will be away from tomorrow evening onwards till Sunday evening. It is a journey that I feel somewhat compelled to take. I don't really know what to expect but I hope it'll be worth it. After all, I am giving up a weekend to catch up or meet up with whomever I still haven't had the chance to.

I am told that it'll be a weekend filled with tears and that worries me, just a little.

But after this, I am ready to go back. I am kinda tired going out most evenings catching up with different people and spending time with family in the day and at times, at night. It'll be nice to have some 'me' time. It'll be nice to start my 'new' life.

Besides, I miss my cuddle supplies. =)

Monday, February 21, 2011

Gerbera symbolises friendship

Which begs the question: Have you been a good friend lately??

My sunday

I've been busy ever since I got back with hardly much time to blog what with meeting up with friends and spending time with family. And I haven't met a whole bunch of friends which I don't think there'll be enough time. Craps.


Anyways, families can seriously drive you to the point of insanity and yet provide many hillarious LOL moments. For the ignorant, LOL is the acronym for laugh out loud. =p

The first half today was a simple day out with the mothership and the brother. After first service church at a crazy time, we left for Curve's Redbox which was a let down after patroning the Neway at 1Utama and the one at Subang.

My mother asked me if I knew this particular song to which I replied,"No" and she proceeded to ask my brother the same question. He said he didn't know either. Then, after hearing our 'nay' replies, she said, "Okay... play it."

Leading my brother and I to LOL and -_-".

After karaoke session - it is different and less stressful experience singing with friends - we walked about for a bit and headed home. Had a super serious talk with Mr. C - to what feels like the set tone for our conversation these days - then slept for a bit before dad aka The Jungle Man came home.

Went out for dinner at Esquire Kitchen in DJ area. He was all chatty and filled with one story after another. He provided some LOL moments too with his booming voice, forcing my siblings and I to walk at a distance and feign ignorance of any family ties to avoid embarrassment. =p

My dad's antics can be funny but only if he's not my dad. Oh well, blood runs thicker than water.

Tomorrow, we'll be having a family day out. Hopefully no.8 will prove to be a lucky number as I seem to be seeing it everywhere- the badminton court we played at on Friday, our dinner table number today, my birthdate and also receiving an email about 8 women.

It's a sign of good things to come. KA-CHING! *hehe*


Thursday, February 17, 2011

A formal email

Greetings and good morning Mr. Engineer,

How was your short hour of reprieve you get everyday about midday for a little time out to recharge self?? =)

Boy is this toughie not to sound inappropriate at all.. wahahhaa.. *chortles*

The mothership and King has gone out on their own, much to my delight after our breakfast.

So, I am left to my own device and am thinking of fondling with my PS2 who's been left in a corner to rot....

Cheers,
The one you love and cherish

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I mish you

Ring Ring...
(this is a rough recap of the conversation)

G : Hey woman. What are you doing? Free to go out for yam cha?

Me: Uhhhh... kinda tired. Been helping mum sort out the Ikea people and cleaning up stuff. Why? You're very free ar? We just met yesterday for dinner wor...

G : I miss you ma... want to meet you. Cannot meh? =p

Me: Awww... waitaminute. Isn't it Valentines? Aren't you going to see your boy boy? Don't you want to see him?

G: I can see him anytime but you'll be leaving, then I won't get to see you...

She had me at the 'I miss you' bit. Made my heart all fuzzy and unable to turn her down,

I am glad that I've come a long way from my pessimistic Snoopynuts days.

Friday, February 11, 2011

15 days of the Chinese New Year

Read this off Facebook shared by an Uncle and think that it's something interesting to share...

Pic taken from HERE

The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.

The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.

On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.

The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.

On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.

The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.

The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner.

After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.

The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.

Kooky Pics #427 Kuih Ka Pek in the making

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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Hindsight on assholes


Times when you feel like doing something that everyone feels you shouldn't, it's good to have voices of reason surrounding you. Assholes can be persuasive without trying and even when you know you won't repeat the past, some things should be just that - left in the past.

Kooky Pics #425 Sweet and dainty

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Friday, February 4, 2011

10 Ways to Reverse Holiday Weight Gain!!

Just a month ago, it was food binging during Christmas time with all the delicious turkey spread, chocolates and other glorious sumptuous food.

Now, it's Chinese New Year once again and every open house you go to, including your own, will be filled with a variety of food and titbit's such as cookies from pineapple jam tarts to love letters (Kuih Ka Pek) to butter cookies and so on.

But fret not, just because it's the season to eat and celebrate amongst gambling and drinking... it doesn't mean that one should be a glutton and pile on the weights. There are many things one can do that is simple and yet practical to maintain or shed some weight.

Read some of this good pointers at Glamour.com and find it useful enough to share it with you girls and guys who are anxious about potential weight gaining. =p

A summary. Happy reading and putting it into application!

#1 - Don't be so hard on yourself
It's inevitable to gorge oneself silly during holidays especially hanging out with friends and family. And it's ok. Don't start beating up yourself over the lack of exercise coupled by the food binging. Just accept it and move on which brings me to...
#2 -Keep eating
With all the pigging out, constant eating, you might feel that you need to skip meals to lose the 'fats' but I've learnt that skipping meals will only make you feel more hungry and when you get hungry, it is harder to stick to a diet or any healthy eating plan. And when you cave in to your hunger, you're going to be eating more. Perhaps, cut down on carbohydrates such as rice or bread etc and have more protein like meat and also vege is always good!

#3 - Shake your booty!!
Being on holiday, the only exercise you get is probably walking from the couch to the table for more cookies or lifting your fork to your mouth. But with all that food you input, it's good to exercise. It makes you feel healthier, lighter and it also makes you feel more positive and happy somewhat.

Just a small walk with your cousins or friends around the park or take a hike in the morning or evening whilst catching up doesn't make exercise feel like such a bore.

#4 - Put your goals in black and white
It's easier to have a goal, write it down and achieve it. When you write it down, it's easier to focus than to leave the thought swimming in your mind to be done at a later date.

Being specific is important ie. say you want to lose 1kg by end of February. Or lose 5kgs by 1st June. And apparently it's good to keep a logbook on your exercise regime and food intake. It supposedly helps to minimise mindless eating. This however requires discipline. I tend to forget and write only once a week. >_<

#5 - Love your greens!
It is said by my mum and lots of health experts that vegetables are a natural appetite suppressants. I totally see it, after eating yucky greens, one just does not have any appetite for anything else. Bread, on the other hand is supposedyly an appetite stimulant, hence, you'll see it on tables in restaurants. Well, mostly the ang moh ones. =p

#6 - Leftovers are a NO NO!!
Yes, saving leftover food is good and wasting is bad. However, if you keep temptation in the fridge, it's going to be hard to say no when the hunger pangs comes a knocking. Instead, store fruits and veges as snacks.

I used to shudder at the thought of veges as my snacks but I have come to looove salads with onion and tomatoes drenched in some vinaigrette. Simple to make and filling enough for a meal.
#7 - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
If you plan your meals, it's easier to keep to it. Of course, try to set realistic ones. In fact, sometimes bringing your own meals to work, you save time and money and at the same time, control what you eat.

I had a colleague previously who had some health issues due to stress and improper food intake. Hence, he started bringing home cook food to work. And every once a week, he'll 'reward' himself for eating healthily. This definitely requires LOTS of discipline but when you see the end results - in his case, he lost a fair bit of weight and looked and felt healthier - it's really worth it.

I always bathe and brush my teeth at the same time after dinner. This is to curb my temptation to snack after as I'll be too lazy to brush my teeth again.

#8 - Lots of h2o is good
Apparently, most of the time when we're hungry, we're actually thirsty. Drinking lots of water is good cos it feels your tummy and it also helps to flush out the bad stuff you input.

#9 - Sleeping early is essential
This is a good habit to pick up and takes awhile to cultivate this habit. If you sleep late, you'll realise when the clock strikes a certain time, say maybe 12am or 2am, your tummy will start to growl and you'll need to snack on something. But if you're asleep by then, you won't feel the hunger and hence, cut down on unnecessary food intake.

#10 - Patience is a virtue
We are an instant society these days whereby we want fast results, instant rewards but like in everything else in our lives, things takes time. Only time will tell. And if you've put in the effort as mentioned from #1 to #9, you just have to practice #10 and you WILL see the results.

I say this because since making my resolution or rather things to do for 2011, I've cut down on milk tea to a cup a day, on top of that, I eat half bowl of rice, if not lesser and since coming back, several people have commented that I've lost some weight.
I did. I lost about 2kgs but I think since coming back, I prolly put them back. =( No worries, I'll just continually work on it. Was hoping to go for some hiking etc but will have to be realistic and work on my plans to meet all and sundry before I go back.

2011 really is starting out to be a great year and I have to continually be thankful for that. =)

Kooky Pics #420 Homemade Butter Cookies

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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Kooky Pics #419 Supper time!!

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Mian dui Mian Chilli Pan Mee at Damansara Uptown

I have been eating heaps and heaps and heaps since I got back from Brisbane. I've had my Chee Cheong Fun from Sea View near Paramount to my Wan Tan Mee at Restaurant Gembira in Taman Megah. I had my popiah fix at Chow Yang and this is one awesome popiah which beats the sucky thing they call popiah at Little Singapore in Brisbane!

I even had Roti Canai at Raju's at Gasing and at Aman Suria's Kayu's not forgetting at Cameron Highland's Bertam Valley!! And only for RM1.50 max, if not cheaper! Convert that to AUD and it's like - OMG!!! =p

On top of that, I've had my chicken rice, my Koay Teow Tong, lovely dinner at Village Chicken with the in laws and even my mummy's sugi cake (which I baked) and butter cookies (my siblings and I baked at mum's friends house at Ringlet) and mum's yummilicious pineapple tarts!

However, I can't wait to have my CHILLI PAN MEE!! I must go for the original one in KL and also the Mian Dui Mian one at Damansara Uptown. I had it last was with my brother and cousin, if I am not mistaken. Near Modern Beauty- the facial shop that I (felt conned to signed package) go to.




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Hopefully the chilli pan mee is as good as I remember it to be. And I so looove the Ribena Longan. Then again, prices probably have gone up as everything seems to be going up due to CNY and what other rotten excuses due to Government's awesome ruling.

Oh well. I shall have some and let you guys know.

Btw, anyone wanna go for this too??!!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Kooky Pics #418 Bottled quaintness

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Nuffnang : The Green Hornet

After a turbulent week filled with emotional scenes with the mothership amidst spats and some rather cutting remarks, she was in a good mood on Sunday. Yesterday, we had another tiff and I think maybe that's what she needs- someone to talk and argue with.

But it's rather draining emotionally for me.

I've not had a proper rest since I got back. Wow. It just hit me that I've been back for a week already. Before one realises, it'll be time for me to hop on the plane back to Brisbane.

Last Monday, I touched down about 3.25pm. Rushed home to shower. Catched up with my mum and brother. Then, my mum and I left for Mid Valley for 'The Green Hornets'- free tickets I won from Nuffnang (won free tickets to Burlesque but giving it up to spend time with family).

Robby was giving out the tickets and he seemed rather seriously fierce. It would have been nice to be greeted with a smile but perhaps he had a long and tiring day. My mum and I were there by 8pm and there were less than 10 people in line for their free tickets!

I thought the ticket collection started at 8pm. I guessed not.

The movie was pretty alright. Don't expect awesome, messing with the mind kind of scenes like Inception or canggih acting like the Joker (acted by Heath Ledger) from Batman. The Green Hornet starring Seth Rogen and Jay Chou is a funny in a corny sort of manner movie.

Read HERE for the synopsis of the movie. Jay still has a long way to polish on his acting skills but I reckon he showcased better acting skills in this movie. Jay's charater, Kato was pretty interesting where else I personally found Seth Rogan's character, Britt to be SUPER annoying and ridiculous but I guess, some guys just are like that.
Tickets were on a first come first serve basis meaning those that collected earlier got better seats from the back of the cinema to the front. I found it a tad strange that I was there before 8pm and yet got middle of the cinema seats. Oh well.

Movie was alright. Nothing super fantastic. Acting were average. Lines were average, if not corny and lame ish at times. Just watch the movie with NO expectations and you should be fine. Free movie just makes it more 'worth' it but my mum enjoyed the movie.
Hence, that was my date night with the mothership. Stay tuned for more on my first week back!
Can you guess where am I right now for CNY??

Kooky Pics #417Lone ranger

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