Rigmaroles of boringness

In Malaysia... my routine is pretty much mundane.

1) Wake up, shower, get ready all in 15 minutes and head to work in my Edward.
2) Brave the absurd, insane 45minutes jam to KL- work whilst cursing like a drunken sailor.
3) Reach work station, get a cup of coffee and browse through Bursa's site and The Star.
4) Carry out boss' orders and plurk at the same time, to make time go past faster.
5) Through out the day, bug AN and GV and poke AN.
6) Countdown til 5.45pm to go home.
7) Get delayed because colleagues will harass me to go for yamcha (drinks) when all I want to do is head home.
8) Dinner at home or out with friends.
9) Hang out with friends or home, online.
10) Sleep and the next day repeats itself.

In Brisbane, my routine consists of:

1) Mr. C waking me up to make his breakfast. Told you I am now a Domestic Engineer.
2) Sees him off and I shower and am on the computer- online. Sometimes, I don't shower til later.
3) Either blog, read other people's blog, reply emails and FB messages like now.
4) Occasionally chat with people online. Been feeling antisocial of late. So, zilch to this.
5) Look for Mr. C during his break.
6) Sometimes, have a walk in the mall but that has been cut down with the lack of moolah.
7) Cook dinner.
8) Play Go Stop (Korean card game), watch TV or online. MasterChef at7.30pm is a new routine starting this week.
9) Read pages of my novel and sleep.
10) The next day pretty much is the same.

I am interestingly boring in this manner. Rigmarole of my life.

Kooky Pics #262 Foot Fetish

Goodbye Germany

Paul, the traitor, taken from HERE.

I was sleeping peacefully, obliviously to the sad news until Mr. C came and woke me up for the last 15minutes after Spain scored.

Sad to say... Oracle Paul, beginning to be pegged as a pundit was right. And for the wrong reasons! =p For predicting Germany's demise!

It would seem that World Cup for the bf is over. Even I, not exactly a football die hard supporter is feeling bereft at Germany's bow out.

Anyone hungry for some fried octopus??

Kooky Pics #261 Addiction

Coffee type: Flat white AUD3.70
Shop: Villa & Hut, Carindale Mall
Barista: Clement Leong aka Mr. C

Oracle Paul, the octopus

Earlier on in the evening, Mr. C was getting anxious about the Germany match in three hours as he's an ardent Germany fan.

His colleague who hails from England said earlier in the World Cup match that if Germany won against the match with England, she wouldn't talk to him. Germany won. But she still talks to him reiterating once again on my point that EVERYONE loves him. Then again, she didn't bring up the topic up til now.

When his housemates were rooting for Argentina, he chided them for betting against him- a Germany fan. No points for guessing who won. Yup. Germany!

I exclaimed to Mr. C over his anxiety that it's just a football game- not exactly the end of the world. Then again, I am a female who sees footie as 22 guys chasing after a ball. So, what would I know, right??!

He quipped that if Germany didn't win, he will have to wait for another four, slow agonising years to see Germany to glory. To which I said, "Oh well, it's just another four years away." =p

So what will it be? Who is your final pick in the Germany vs Spain match in three hours time? Germany? Spain? Or first half Spain and second half Germany or the other way round? Only football betters would get my meaning.

Well, for those who are thinking of placing bets but can't seem to decide either, Paul, the Oracle Octopus has picked Spain. What a traitor, considering that Paul, the octopus IS German!

For those who are clueless of this supposedly FAMOUS octopus, Paul has successfully predicted all five of Germany's games this World Cup, thus being hailed a psychic, an oracle and what not. Google it and you'll find many links.

How does such a "miracle" work you ask? Well, click on the video below or read THIS article to know more or The Six Faced Blogger's account on it. =)

Many are hoping that perhaps Paul had an off day just like when he mispredicted Germany to win the final Euro 2008 against Spain.

Despite Paul's predictions, Mr. C and I will be cheering "GERMANY... GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!" all the way.

My question is- what is Paul, the GERMAN octopus' destiny IF *touch wood* (that's if you're superstitious) Germany's fate is as predicted by Paul??!!

As cliche as it may sound, only time will tell.

MACC officers may be arrested in LONDON

It has been sometime since I last tune in to Malaysian news. And after reading about some annoying, ignorant malay in Audrey's blog yesterday, with some time at hand, I decided to check out Malaysian Today and boy are there some interesting articles to read up about.

And after reading the below, I can't help but wonder if Malaysia is going to be in the news once again, for the WRONG REASONS.

*****

MACC officers may face arrest in London (UPDATED with BM and Chinese Translation)

NO HOLDS BARRED

Monday, 28 June 2010 Super Admin

So there you have it. The MACC officers, PI Bala, and Bala’s three lawyers will all be in London next week. But instead of Bala’s statement being recorded will we see the MACC officers being marched off to jail instead?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

MACC is due to record Private Investigator P. Balasubramaniam’s statement on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th July 2010. The venue is the Holiday Villa in London. According to Berita Harian and The Star, the event has already been confirmed and Bala and his three lawyers are scheduled to be in London during that period.

The latest, however, is that MACC has written to Bala’s lawyers to inform them that the lawyers will not be allowed to be present when Bala’s statement is recorded. The lawyers are adamant that they be present and will not back down on the issue. If MACC also does not back down then assume that the entire session is going to be aborted.

Maybe this is what they want. They don’t really want to take Bala’s statement because they are worried about what he is going to say. Bala is also going to bring all sorts of documents, which include evidence of the money he was paid to change his Statutory Declaration and come out with the SD2 to reverse what he said in SD1.

I have spoken to a group of British lawyers about this and they are planning to be at the Holiday Villa on the morning of Monday 5th July to challenge MACC on point of law.

MACC can’t quote Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Act or Official Secrets Act and impose these laws on British soil, the British lawyers told me. In Britain, every person, even a witness, has the right to legal representation. It is against British law for MACC to forbid Bala’s lawyers from being present while his statement is being recorded.

Anyway, Bala is giving his statement voluntarily. There is no summons or warrant issued against him. Bala is not compelled to give his statement if he does not wish to and there is nothing MACC can do. “So why play hard ball?” asked the British lawyers.

Furthermore, Britain has the Freedom of Information Act. So MACC can’t use Malaysia’s Official Secrets Act to challenge Britain’s Freedom of Information Act, added the British lawyers.

If MACC wants to conduct an illegal operation in London then we shall have to bring this matter to the attention of the British police and get the MACC officers arrested and charged, the British lawyers said.

This is Britain and not Malaysia, which practices the law of the jungle, added the lawyers. The MACC officers can’t disregard the law and push it’s weight around in Britain like they do in Malaysia. They will find themselves in trouble with the law if they try that.

So there you have it. The MACC officers, PI Bala, and Bala’s three lawyers will all be in London next week. But instead of Bala’s statement being recorded will we see the MACC officers being marched off to jail instead?

I think I will hang around the Holiday Villa with my camera next Monday just to witness the fun. And I am sure many Special Branch officers from Bukit Aman will also be there with their cameras to take shots of me as well. By the way, I will be the person wearing a French cap, American jeans, Polo shirt, holding a Japanese camera, and with a Cuban cigar in my mouth.

Now that is what I call globalisation.

*****

For MORE similar articles by the elusive RPK, refer HERE and also for the Malay and Chinese version.

Kooky Pics #260 Papaya

Paw Paw may be referred to Papaya as per WIKI.

One of those days

I think I have yet to face my fears. Weaknesses... that, at least I am working on. Not easy, what with my forgetful mind. But nevertheless, forging on.

I am still wondering what my hidden strengths are though. You would think being close to the big 3-0, I would have life figured out by now, or at least, my own. But you know what?!! I am no where near to that. I don't even know what I am good at!

It's just one of those days where you sit and ponder the meaning of one's existence. Where time stands still and you wonder what have you done for the past week, the past month and what more to say with your life. Where did all those time dissipated to.

When realisation sinks in that people who are supposed to be your friends are just plain jerks. And the other realisation is that, you don't matter. How wonderful that feeling is. That feeling of unworthiness and what nots. The taste of uncertainty and despair. The feeling that every man IS an island.

The feeling that I am a nobody.

I dig definatalie.com!!

I stumbled across Natalie's blog from Lady Melbourne. Her artworks are interesting. I wonder where people get their creative juices from. Hmmm...

And she's now a freelance artist and designer. Seriously, how awesome is that??!! In Malaysia, in my circle of friends, most of us, after graduation go on to work in the accounting & finance line, the engineering line, the save-the-world aka medicine line and rarely do I meet people who dapple in the art industry, who personifies art, who practically oozes with creativity. It's like a whole new world.

And maybe it is. I was just living in a shell all this while.

Kooky Pics #259 Big boy toys

Kooky Pics #258 Southbank, opposite Brisbane City

RECIPE : Konnyaku Jelly... the Kookie way.

Ever since I read in 3iling's blog on her dappling with Konnyaku Jelly, the outcome of such attractive little jellies inspired me to make some. It was as if I was hooked. Her jellies LOOK amazing, I tell you!

Firstly, I went hunting for the konnyaku jelly powder and I tell you, it was not an easy task. Woolies (it's a shorter word for Woolworths) and IGA Carindale mall did not sell it and neither did Yuen's at Sunnybank!

But finally, just two weeks back, my aunt mentioned about Fresh farms, an asian supermarket that sells fresher food as compared to Yuen's. Hence, Mr. C and I headed to get our Asam Laksa ingredients and lo and behold....

I found the jelly powder!!

It is really easy to make this desert. I reckon if you purchase a jelly powder pack, it'll come with instructions at the back which is what I followed. This jelly powder brand is good as it comes premixed with sugar and also malic acid. Super convenient!

I was looking high and low for kiwi seeds as per 3iling's recommendation but just couldn't find it anywhere. Maybe it's called something else over here. Perhaps, I should put black sesame seed or poppy seed next time.

Step 1: Place fruits into the jelly mould.

For my first attempt, I used a can of longan, strawberries, pineapple and cut cubes of apple and pear. It was a tad too much of fruits. Another thing to note is, DON'T use pears and apples as when you bite into the jelly, it tends to be too crunchy and doesn't go so well with it.

Usually, using two fruits for each mold is sufficient. The second time I made Konnyaku Jelly, I used lychee (it tastes better than longan IMHO), strawberries and grapes. It was perfect!

The batch I made last night consisted of lychee, grapes and oranges. The orange was juicy but I prefer to pop it straight into my mouth. It doesn't go well with the jelly.

Step 2: Pour jelly powder into a pot and slowly mix it together with 1250ml of water whilst stirring to ensure no lumps are formed.

Step 3: Once done, place the pot over the stove and put fire on high until the mixture starts boiling. Do stir occasionally. Initially, the liquid is thick but as the mixture continues to boil, it becomes more viscous, making it easier to stir.

Step 4: As mixture starts to boil, put it on low fire for three minutes.

Step 5: After three minutes, pour the mixture into the moulds and let it set. Best to let it set in the fridge and serve it cold.

End results, one pack of jelly powder can serve approximately 28-32 pieces of jelly, depending on the size of your mould though!

Jelly Powder = AUD3.50 (Fresh Farms at Sunnybank)
Can of Lychee/longan = AUD1.99 (Fresh Farms at Sunnybank)
Strawberries = AUD 3.99 (Woolies at Carindale but that was on special PLUS I only used half)
Total cost approximately = AUD7.50

Mr C. just commented that each jelly costs AUD0.25 and that means every time any of the housemate eats a jelly, it equates to losing 5 points in Go Stop! What a riot!

A fast, affordable and easy desert to cook! You can't go wrong with this desert, that's for sure!

Kooky Pics #257 Future Bridezilla prewedding pose

Kooky Pics #256 On the edge

Kooky Pics #255 Together, side by side