1st Week of University

It's been so long since I've been back to school that yes... I did get thrown off balance when I returned to school.

So... how was it? XD Well... I have a lecture mate who's now staying at the same building as me AND I have an event to hold that I'm going bonkers about due to the deadline and the problems that are associated with it. WHY IS TIME RUNNING FROM ME!!!!??@@##!! Oh well...

Law? Usual. Read my English literature; Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

It's a really good book. Introduced me to a different world altogether; the African culture. It has given me real insight towards their culture, their way of thought and how a society braces a different culture.. What's more, I heard a Nigerian boast that he really pays great respect about his parents while reading the book; reinforcing my views as I read further. So... my say? This book deserved the price it won and deserved the number of translation done on it!

I love my Russian class!!! IT RAWKS!!! Just haven't learned to read and write yet. XD

Latest cooking endeavour? Mwahahhahaa... Pop the popcorn!! Pop pop pop!!! 

Ngahahahhahaa.... okay okay okay... From now on... I've also made up a new resolution. I WILL NEVER EAT any deserts if it is not made by me. After all, sometimes... you don't know what's in it and really... the trouble it takes you to do it really makes you think whether it's really worth it to even get the desert in the first place... but yeah... I've toiled and toiled in the kitchen this past week and have come up with a tutorial to make popcorn.

Popcorn

Ingredients

Popcorn kernels

Cooking oil

Directions

1. Pour some hot oil into the wok (enough to contain all your popcorn) and cover it. After some time when you think the oil is becoming hot, add four or five kernels into the wok.
2. Wait till you hear the pop-pop of the kernels before adding the rest of the kernels that you're going to make.
3. While it's popping, shake your pan so that the heat is evenly distributed.
4. When you find that the pop has subsided, set the wok aside. 
5. The pop corn is now ready for seasoning.

Seasonings

Caramel story(I mainly referred to his method to make the caramel but there's basically a long story about this...)

Yes... Like any stupid and confident girl, I thought caramel was as easy as ABC so I made my first batch of popcorn today just after reading a recipe (after much persuasion to try a sweet version) thinking that if I melt approximately 3/4 cup of sugar, 2 tbsp of water and 1/2 cup of oil, things will work out just fine... YEAH RIGHT... it failed... (after I mixed it together with my popcorn {wasting that as well} hoping that it would stick in the end... which it did not). Amateur-ish of me but I am an amateur in the kitchen... XD, but I found this video rather helpful. Gordon Ramsay... you're my savior. Basically, the ratio is 1:1 for caramel sauce, Liquid : Fat.

So good luck playing with the frying pan. ( I tried at least twice before getting it on the third try)

Caramel (Wei Chin's way)

3/4 cup of sugar

Margarine

1. Turn on the fire, place the sugar in the frying pan and follow Gordon Ramsay... XD
2. When it starts to turn amber in color, get the pan off the gas (just switch it off). Continue rolling it until the all the sugar has melted.
3. Then add in the fat (margarine in my case since it was the only one available at the grocery store downstairs).
4. Whirl it around till all fat and liquid has been well-blended.
5. Immediately drizzle it over the pop-corn unless you're planning on making caramel candy.
6. After it is cooled down, pluck the balled up pieces apart and store it well.

Things I've learned from making caramel

• Don't wait too long when before drizzling the caramel on the popcorn. My caramel hardened because I'm doing caramel sauce, the dry way. (2nd Try Mistake)
• To clean the pan or anything containing sugar, simply heat whatever that has sugar on it with water till it's dissolved into the water or easily removable. (Basically, just imagine yourself making a sugar solution - like a Science student conducting an experiment)
• More tips? Refer to David Lebovitz.

Fragrant butter

If you're running low on butter, extend the usage of it's flavor by melting some butter into oil. Then drizzle over the popcorn.

Olive oil and rosemary

Heat olive oil with rosemary and drizzle it over popcorn.

Olive oil + Cider Vinegar Vinaigrette

This mixture does not last overnight as cider vinegar is water hence it will shrink and moisten the whole batch (spoiling it quicker then ever), so... don't do this if you're not planning to use it.

Paprika and salt

I basically popped my popcorn in the oil containing paprika and salt for an even coating on all my popcorn (stir the mixture in the oil to prevent clumps), after popping, I added salt and paprika again according to taste ( My first batch of popcorn and honestly... since I like paprika, my favorite)

There are basically more seasoning combos for popcorn but it's really up to you in the end cause you're going to be the one eating it... XD... I try to mix in some spices to kick up the health benefits of the food I eat ; hence producing the above combos but basically, they're also one of my favourite spices; therefore justifying my special mention of these spices. Mwahahha

**Special note, just in case you're going to dismiss popcorn altogether because it's unhealthy... think again for I've got research to back me up! Popcorn becomes healthy or unhealthy due to the choice of seasonings, So good luck at your attempt in making popcorn. XD

Lectures on the 5th and 7th of September 2012

On the 5th of September, I participated in The 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lecture. My verdict of it? Well... Mandarin Oriental is a nice venue. Really classy . Just look at the candid photo I took and you'd think that we were having a super formal and serious meeting... A-hem... yeah right... just chilling at the lobby because we were too early. XD

 Hot 1st Year 2011/2012 Class Representative, Vivien Yeow...

 So how was the lecture? I don't think I've gained so much but these few words still ring in my ears...
Respect must be earned, not commanded. Which reminded me of my uncle who once told me these few words, which has now been repeated by The Right Honourable Lord David Pannick QC in his speech, Scandalising the Judiciary - Criticism of Judges and the Law of Contempt.

Which I believe is a rather neutral point of view for I too share such a view. However, he too shared that the law of contempt be abolished. Me? I think that it is rather reasonable for it to be abolished as there is the Sedition Act and the Defamation Act. However, if I were to forget that there exists both these acts, would my decision change? Maybe.

With reference to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution (the Supreme law of the Land), we have the right to life. Having this right, it is right for us to share our views. However, is it right to injure another's reputation by spouting lies? Definitely not! The judiciary is a body that upholds justice in the country. If even the judiciary is doubted, why not let it be doubted? It should also be open to scrutiny like any other governmental body. We never know, when; how; why; where corruption may occur. So having doubt backed by reasonable facts would put the judiciary on their toes to always uphold justice based on their fair and just judgement! Hence, producing a judiciary that can be trusted and relied on by the public. So why not? If a dog is barking at a mountain, let it bark. The mountain won't move. Similarly, if someone spouts contempt to the court, if the public has no reason to believe them, then the reputation of the judiciary will not be affected. It is only when the judiciary has constantly placed itself in a disreputable position that the public in general will have a unanimous contempt towards the court. Consequently coming to my stand that, the law of contempt is unnecessary as it hinders the government to produce a country that works efficiently, effectively and fairly.

Other than this talk (which I've combined with the 7th talk), what did I enjoy? Definitely the food!! I loved the desserts (ooh... I still remember the Blueberry Cheese Mousse, Chocolate Cake, Lamb Satay and Salmon Sashimi). What did I not enjoy? Having my bags moved everywhere and not being told where it is... Just look at Pauline frowning with her camera, for she too had her bag moved to who knows where... TT.TT

All in all, the lectures that I've gone to rocked to the max! Above is the picture of the 2nd Years that attended (almost typed 1st years... XD).

My first facial

It's been so long since I've return here... but yeah... it is not all for naught for I've become a half-zombie with blisters on my legs... Yeah right... haha....So yeah... the list of activities goes like this.

This Monday, on the 3rd of September, I became a practiced hawk... waiting for the digital clock on my laptop to show 9.00 to register my course... then... I registered at 9.00 to unfavorable co-curriculum classes... Which I think I'll drop to take on in  a different semester.Then, by 11.00 o' clock, I went and did my first facial at Fahrenheit 88... wuuhuuuhuuu, just look at my poor face.

That would teach me to look after my face...My nose still hurts....TT.TT... The girl who was doing my face was like... girl don't cry... and I was like... but it's so pain... XD

I'll update soon~