10 Things

10 things I can sum up about today:


1. The weather is just too freaking, hot.

2. My room is still a mess.

3. I spent most of the day in bed.

4. I opened up a small pack of strawberries I bought that cost me RM20.

Sour or sweet, till the very first bite.

5. I thought about 2 individuals who have inspired me, somehow or rather, in a good way.

6. I have finally hit my highest record of savings in a Facebook game called Restaurant City amounting to $4000+. If only it's for real.

7. I was tempted to eat my untouched new bar of chocolate.

8. I've decided to stay away from sore losers. A man should be man enough to face the odds.

9. I heard my cat meow-ed the most today, in so many days.

10. I thought about people. People whose moment spent with me will never repeat itself.


p.s - I went back to the kampung a.k.a village some 30 minutes away from the city yesterday to celebrate the harvest celebration, Gawai Day which falls on 1st June. Was a simple one with catching ups to do.

Grilled Shrimp & Mackerel

Yup, it was a Labour Day! But I was 'working' on something. Something refreshing! Something I don't usually do. =) I made my first grill!

Ingredients:

1 Small fat potato (Already remotely half-cooked) 2 Mackerels
3 A big shrimp
4 Long beans
5 Carrots
6 Onions
7 Garlics
8 Pepper
9 Butter
10 Seaweed
11 Salt



This is how exactly the grill looked like coming straight out of oven. Aroma was amazing! (Almost good for a facial-do!)



How To's:

1 Marinate all with butter.

2 Have a layer of seaweed as 'doormat'

3 Add a little salt, onions and garlic. Stuff where is appropriate.

4 Wrap all in a foil, making sure it's intact.

5 Pre-heat oven for about 5 minutes.

6 Place wrapped Mackerel and Shrimp in oven.

7 Leave in oven for 15 minutes for Mackerel & Shrimp to cook.

Scattered the vegetables to expose the Mackerels.

Well, that's it for my first ever grill ! I had a huge grin on my face when I first open the foil and had the aroma pricking my smell buds! It's almost the joy of having a baby -- I guess??!

This goes out specially to those who think I cannot cook! Boo!~~ (Well, not denying that I'm still learning though...) :( A kitchen bummer like me will probably learn just a dish a year, if lucky. :D

A Weekly Milestone

For every reason that we have, every each day in a week is properly identified with an event, an event which makes Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday personalised. One may look forward to Friday because it's the last working day for the week; for some it's Saturday. Another may exclude all others except his own family for a Sunday. What makes up the milestone of your week?

(Alright, before I go on, allow me to narrow down your mind scope for this post. I am going to just talk about ONE ASPECT which helps me define each and everyday in MY WEEK.)

....So which day is this special day? ;) Well, to me Tuesday is just the day I look forward to ..... to watch one of my..... Mmmm, to be exact, I meant Tuesday nights! Precisely, at 10:00 p.m.

Have you ever thought about how would it be like working in a mortuary? Well, dead bodies freak me out. The kind of resemblance I get by imagining touching a motionless body or a corpse is just like holding a big dead fish. The cold, frozen flesh. And not to mention, the stiffness of the joints. Okay, so fish doesn't really have joints. My bad. Well, can you imagine being in a mortuary, surrounded by dead people whose death may have been a homicide? Or worse, working in one?

Back to how this relates to my Tuesday nights. So, every Tuesday I'll be meeting a lady I've found a personal connection with (in some very strange ways) as I watch her striding through her life. She is a crime-solving medical examiner who has abundance of knowledge regarding the human anatomy and the ways of it. She is Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh. Jordan, as fondly known to her fellow colleagues in the Boston Medical Examiner's Office is a headstrong, determined daredevil when it comes to getting what she wants. It's just like the tagline in the commercial which goes, "Stopping Jordan?" "Never".

Modest by appearance, but never fails to captivate. That's Jordan Cavanaugh.

Well, Jordan is a pleasant personality that goes easy with everyone around her despite having a slight problem with her own anger management. She also, not to mention, is physically attractive (the kind of lady I'd rate as having natural beauty). So yes, I do not see myself relating to her when it comes to this --- How I W-I-S-H.

To make it less complicated --- Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh is a character in a weekly drama series called Crossing Jordan which I have followed diligently ever since I caught it being aired on Hallmark channel. Jordan's character played by Jill Hennessy is a rather complicated one. Despite having all the obstructions of things not going her way, Jordan always had the HER ways, ways that still do not make her any less appealing to her surroundings. That's what I call great intellect and charm. (Have you seen a lady who wants SO BADLY to get to the top, feeling insecured, BS-ting her way through and eventually makes herself looking like an awful piece of ...... before? Well, Jordan isn't anywhere near that.) Jordan is such a confident lady that she does not have any reasons to feel insecure. She clearly admits when she faults (which she rarely does). And finds her way through (playing a fair game) collecting evidence which eventually helped her in proving her womanly intuition, right.

Of course, Jordan Cavanaugh isn't the only one making the show. There is a line of seriously interesting characters such as Dr. Macy, Bug, Green, Woody, just to name a few of my other Jordan-sidekicks favourite. The series, Crossing Jordan interestingly got its name from a biblical text (refer Joshua 1:2). According to the Crossing Jordan encyclopedia online, it is a Judeo-Christian concept that when you die, you cross over the river Jordan (to the promise land). The bodies that come to the mortuary have 'died' and 'crossed' Jordan's path, in which she makes sure they have received justice by investigating their cases and hunting the murderers down. It's a play on words with Jordan's name and the biblical meaning of the term. It's clever. However, the description for the title is just the analysis by a fan who wrote the online Crossing Jordan encyclopedia, and not by NBC. But somehow, I could not rule this finding out as I just think the explanation makes a lot of sense, and one intelligent one too.

The impressive line up.

Did I mention that the show has stopped its production and airing in United Stated since its last in May 2007 (starting 2001) ? Well, it's not too late to catch them right here, in Malaysia -- while it lasts.

P.S - There is a hell lot to find out on her background which makes Jordan Cavanaugh, Jordan Cavanaugh. To figure out ---- watch, learn and read. Enjoy! ;)

So They Flew That Way

Lying in front of the TV with my lappy on my tummy. . . With the roars of the excited supporters of Man Utd. and Liverpool; hearing the commentator saying, "1-1", I'm not even the slightest bit distracted by it. Instead, I'm still very adamant by the sudden thought that came across my mind few minutes ago, that prompted me to come out with this post.

I see birds flying. Flying in a flock. Heading towards the same direction, may be, may be not. But what's clear, they look alike and what's more vital, they're together. Flocks are powerful, their motions are impactful. But the kind of impacts generated really depends on the motivation behind the 'flocking'.

It'd be great if the flocks actually come out with something new. Something more exciting, creative an with an eventful impact worth of a good memory. Perhaps, something more difficult. Because something bad is too easy. Too simple. Invention is the new word.

What's behind the idea of flocking? For many reasons which may be positive or not, I wish not state. What's obvious afterall is the implications of it. Hahah. Corny as it sounds, but yes. Look to the left, look at the flock above. Which is a better eyesore?

For better reasons, I foresee many advantages in hybrids. Or just for a start, a mixture of birds to form one flock. One positively impactful flock.

How about the many types of diversed birds hanging out together to make somewhere a better place? Need I say 'flocking'? Not necessary. Does it mean only the thought that matters? I almost believe that action speaks as loud as words. So words not uttered may be as powerful as not having done anything at all. As a matter of fact, silence sometimes indeed IS golden. Hence, the thought only may matter, as it sync with the deed. Erh, what...? I lost myself there. :S Anyways....

There are just a vast species of birds flocking together. Thousands which I may not even know or heard of... It makes me wonder. Don't they have a choice?

Whatever it is, and why do the BIRDS flock together I care not much. Besides, it really is not any of my biz. But what really matters is, perhaps they have a choice. To pick. To choose. To flock it right.

Don't be a hazard. Flock for a good cause.









P.S - Liverpool won the match against Man Utd, 4-1. Booo. :(

I Love My Golden Ox.

I said goodbye to 2008, just 29 no, 30 days ago. I thought I didn't need resolutions anymore, thinking they're all too much crap, knowing resolutions aren't just for new year's day, but all days through the year; and I guess I was right not having had any resolutions made. I went very general, I had hopes. That were mild hopes. I was preparing for reinforcement of my hopes, at the right time. I did that on Chinese New Year's Day. The year of the Golden Ox.

I bought stuffs for the Lunar New Year. I went shopping, I decorated my home, I bought cakes, I bought tidbits, and I ended up eating almost all of them. Like I'm surprised. Heh.

I took some shots here; it's not easy to get such beautifully decorated stage for festive seasons back at the shopping malls here.

Then, I welcomed the Golden Ox Year hours after my family's reunion dinner. It was a mixture of peace, serenity, harmony, simplicity, 'amor' and acceptance. I felt it that way, and I liked it. When the clock struck midnight, the dark night was awaken by the explosions of burning crackers. I almost wished I could light up some bombs. Well, I must admit the little mischief still lingers, despite the years of growth, internally and externally.

So no, there were no bombs for me.

The Niu Year was greeted . . .

. . . and well wished.

I went back to kitchen, made some jellies, till approximately 3 a.m and there was supposed to be a family gathering at 10 a.m. Made the jellies, for fun and came up with 2 flavours. As usual, I am most inspirational to come up with things, after midnight. The jellies? There were nice. As a matter of fact, I still have a tray of fruit punch flavoured jelly in the fridge. Would you like some?

We met, wished and we ate. We had the moment we wanted.

And then I cooked a pot of Mee Suah in the afternoon, thinking I could serve any visitors. But it was sucked up to the end of the pot, and gone by the next morning. I had brandy in it. I guess, my 'niu' skill (cooking) isn't so bad afterall. Would you like some Mee Suah? ;)
Mmmm. So 5 days into the 2009 Lunar New Year and I guess celebration hasn't slowed down till the 15th night? I still have some beers and cakes and cookies and tidbits, even Gummi bears and marshmellows from Famous Amos in the containers. I guess I'm just going to eat all these up on my own. If you happen to be my friend and are around somewhere here, well, I won't fire a bomb at your pants. I'll be around till Sunday evening.
I have a 'niu' life going, on Monday. And I bet you do too.

My Sayang NiuNiu will be around till I get back. If you question what she (I guess she's better off as female) does, then it's time to ask yourself, may be you have the answers. May be you need to get yourself a new pet. Not a 'niu', may be something else. Why not try a bloody iguana. It's cold blooded.

P.s --> Oh, my golden Ox, NiuNiu says she's cool about stuffs and accepts everyone (as they are). So should me, and you? Till then, please keep an eye on my little NiuNiu. She can't be left idle. Trust me. On this.

Enter The Procrastinator

I have tummy discomfort. I am looking at my messy room. So dusty. So haywire. So impossibly clean, and yet I feel strongly, to do something about it. But I can't, something is holding me back. I pick up some clothes and pile them up together according to their own 'kind', but that is it. Now, there are piles of clothes everywhere. The new cupboard to keep my clothes is still empty. I want to give it a wipe before laying my nicely folded clothes in it. But I can't, something is holding me back. I try again. I look at my dusty fan. So much dust. I can no longer feel the strong air it gushes when it starts spinning at me. Only faint air. My room smells so me. So clamped. I can hardly think in this atmosphere. I want to fix it, clean it. I look around. I don't know where to start. Arggh, my room! The place where I retire at the end of the day. Waiting to be cleaned. And I'm waiting for it to happen. May be tomorrow. Since tomorrow never dies... There'll be one day when it'll be cleaned. I am arranging the books now. I put them aside. I go through them, thinking to myself now, I need to get rid of some of them. Sweet Valley High? No, I am not supposed to read these anymore. I'm too old for Sweet Valley. SPM and STPM books? What if I were to teach someday? I might need these books as reference... Arrgh, the complications, where should all these go? Let's just leave it alone, today. May be tomorrow I'll know better for sure where they all belong. I creep to my bed, now sheetless. I want to buy new bedsheet, something that suits the color of everything, my curtain, my wall, me. But not today. I lay my head on my pillow. I close my eyes. I fall asleep. Eyes closed, I see the books, the pile of clothes, the dust hovering around me, I could feel my contact lenses sticking to my right forefinger; accept that it's no longer soft and moist, but hardened. I fall deeper into my sleep. I can't tell now, where am I? Am I still in my room? When I wake up, will I still meet the pile of books, clothes and dust in my room? I continue sleeping, like there's no tomorrow...

Promising myself, it'll be better when my eyes open next.

Around The Corner?

It's pretty strange, as every time I blog, Bye Bye by Mariah Carey is always running on my WinAmp. I do not know why I am so attuned to this piece. An inspirational number? I guess.

This is my maiden post for this new year, 2009. Yeah. Just sharing some thoughts I have for today (just 42 minutes into it).

I'd firstly like to tell you about my random thoughts on forwarded SMSes. I find it very amusing, if not, lame to receive SMSes during Christmas Day itself that goes something like this,

()"""() ,*
( 'o' ) ,***
=(,,)=("')<-*** (""),,,("") "** Christmas is just around the corner,
I'd like to wish you a Blessed and Joyful Celebration..
Etc, Etc....

Note the phrase highlighted in Red. It bewilders me to know how insensitive or ignorant some people can be. Not sincere in words nor in action. How would one not realise what are the contents of the SMS they are about to forward to others? Sending someone a SMS that tells you Christmas is AROUND THE CORNER on Christmas Day itself?? Mmm.... Wow. It just simply meant either three of the following:

1. I'm thinking of you on this special day and I want you to remember me by wishing you. But then again, I am not going to admit that i actually mean what I say. So, I try sarcasm.


2. I don't think I like you enough to wish you. But I guess someone else must be wishing you too. So, I don't want to be left out. Cos I can't bear to live alone, isolated.


3. I don't really know how to read. I just saw and understood the word, 'Christmas' on the SMS.


OK, by now I bet some may find me too demanding. "Complaining about well-wishers who actually bothered to even wish her??" I am grateful for having well-wished, but if it comes, please bother to do so, properly. Sincerely.

Thanks, anyway. *rolls eyes*

It's so simple, yet made so difficult. People rather go through the miles of forwarding lengthy messages just to send a 'sort-of message' to someone, yet not wanting it to actually 'reach' you. When all that really matters is a simple 2-phrase (OK, or more) wish, that comes from the heart. OK, I do love the length, but please, keep it right!

For this New Year, my resolutions are to be what I am expecting from myself.

As for the whole,

I ask not much. Just to be surrounded by good nature, fun, love, productivity, efficiency and of course, sincerity.

My apologies for the sudden change of mood. I need to rush to the loo. Well, at least I mean it. ;)


Happy New Year! @};->-----

and Bye Bye by Ms.Chong now.