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~

Recipe - Red lentil veggie burgers

It's been so long since I've posted a recipe post... so here comes one!! XD

Actually, I've been doing lots and lots of muffins these past semester break ( cause my mum needs me to finish up the two boxes of dates she bought last year) but I haven't posted any...hehe... unfortunately but I'd post them soon... LOL... when I feel like it! XD The last one was really scrumptious using whatever was in my kitchen but hey... I will post it up soon! XD if there is an urge to share my super duper delicious secret muffins... and yeah... they're really healthy and worth it compared to those muffins you buy out there... =P cause mine is super duper delicious and super duper healthy... XD super duper dumb to promote me muffins without proof but yeah... it is super duper worth it to whip it up. Now... drum roll please.... I shall present to you... Red lentil Veggie Burgers.

Why red lentils? Cause it's one of the fastest lentils to cook and I have my stock from six months ago to use before it goes really really old and useless. Just in case you don't know what's lentils... I'll post a picture of it here...Just in case there are people like me who don't know their way in the local grocery store...The cooked and the uncooked kacang dhal merah = red lentils.

I've basically tried to follow the recipe to the letter but ... since I'm dirt poor and stupid at times... I've bought wrong ingredients thinking they were what I thought they were... haha... and used them instead! XD

the Chinese Celery ( I didn't know such a thing existed until I read the label... XD ) I used it instead of Parsley leaves.

wait... I did quite a few changes to the recipe... so I'll just post my adaptation here...

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups red lentils

Cooking oil to stir-fry vegetables and bast the burgers

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

a few shakes of white / black ground pepper from the bottle if any... at hand

3/4 cup of instant oatmeal (my 'healthy' sister bought them but didn't even touch them)

1 packet of chinese celery, chopped to the approximate length of your palm

2 large eggs, lightly beaten (to hold the burgers)

1 tbsp of salt 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. In a large saucepan, cover the lentils with cold water by 2 inches and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are very tender, about 10 mins (maybe earlier). Look at my picture to gauge whether yours is cooked. Drain well.

2. In a medium frying pan, heat some oil to stir-fry onion, garlic and carrots over moderately high heat. When carrots begin to soften, add in ALL the Chinese celery (otherwise the celery would be too tough to form into balls/ patties since they'll be sticking out). If not... just follow the lady's example and use a soft vege whereby you can add it later while you're mixing all the ingredients. Stir in the cumin and cayenne and remove from heat.

3. In  a large bowl// the large saucepan you used earlier, combine all of the ingredients. The lentils, breadcrumbs, eggs, SALT, pepper and vege mixture. Mix them well and form it into burgers. Ball them up into small balls and press them down on the pan.

4. Line a baking pan with foil. Brush the foil and tops of burgers with oil and let your oven do the magic for 15-20 minutes.

This smart alec was too lazy to foil up the last pan since this recipe made me about 30 burgers... and guess what... the ones in the pan (fortunately only five) not foiled up broke apart upon removal. This went to my tummy straight/ or the doggies. Not only that... since I forgot to add salt... it smelled fantastic but tasted bland (stupid WC) so they were salvaged by dipping them in chili/ tomato sauce. Last picture courtesy of Damari.

Money, work and life - KID's view

I've started working the week after returning from Singapore. So I'll share a little about what I've gained, emotionally and intellectually. Since I began working without having money as a motive, my views and your views may differ, so if there is any against my view, I'd love to discuss!

As I started work in the first week, I realized I lost my drive to exercise. Then, in the next week, I realized my purse was getting fatter. In the following week, I realized the expectations and mentality of worker bees that run the hive. Therefore, in this post, I hope I'll be able to sufficiently muse about these matters.

Working reminds me of a machine with interlinked screws and connectors that move to perform a certain function; the job/the work. So, other than the job, since the job already makes you mentally, maybe even physically tired, you do not feel like doing anything at all. You'd rather spend the rest of the day lazing around, being a couch potato, going shopping to 'destress' especially if it's a fixed job. HOWEVER, is this how life really should be? Is life for a mouse really limited to the wheel in a cage? The wheel being the job and life being the cage? I hypothesize that many believe that it is so otherwise no one would working their life off!

Today, I had the experience of recording the punch cards of working adults (not students). Unlike what I have always known, I have seen records of working hours of almost twenty four hours by a handful of people in a group of less than ten. Then, with my eldest sister's job as another reference, I believe that it is the norm and expectations of superiors (after speaking with a few) for people to be overworking themselves for the company. HOWEVER, I'd like to raise a CONSIDERATION for these people working their ass off, is it really worth it?

As I was driving home from work one day, I noticed this. The traffic light, thoroughly broken down but cars move on, everyone still goes back home/ to work. Why? Because there is still another traffic light (so replaceable) up ahead that was giving the same instructions for the same traffic. So... what happens to this traffic light? The poor person (probably the lorry driver); if caught will have to foot the bill. What bill? The bill to repair/replace (his and the other) and the bill for troubling others. However, what the heck was going on the mind of the driver when he banged this? Probably, something about WORK since I was working in the port, there can be nothing else but work. LOL. So will he ever be rich; taking the extra mile, working overtime and receiving a minimum of 1.5 times per hour pay than the agreed wages? HONESTLY NOT!

The above is what can be found in my purse right now. Looks just like bills and receipt being strewn around, right? On sight, it seems like a pile of cash and receipts however, as I was musing these thoughts these few weeks while watching my purse, this is how I interpret this picture. The money is so bright, so colourful, so big, so thick; beautiful compared to the dull, smooth, thin white and black receipts. The pile of receipts in fact is actually much thicker compared to the pile of cash but cash seems to be occupying a larger space. This is my observation, my thoughts? I spent so much. Receipts are cleverly made to be thin and not occupy much space in your purse. With it's smooth texture, it feels great to the touch. Though dull, it saves on ink to use black and white. It also does not tear as easily as cash. Cash is made to be thick, so you think you still have lots of it even when you really don't have so much vice versa goes gor the receipts. It's colourful so you'd like to constantly see it and use it. It's big so it's easy to take out.

Conclusively, money has been made enticing compared to receipts. Receipts continue collecting but money never collect itself in my purse; sadly. So, even if I had more money, the pile of receipts will continue to grow and my cash will continue to deplete. **many forget this since they either don't take receipts/ throw them away

Therefore, with man spending time working ungodly hours to earn more money, will it pay to do so? Those cards that I've recorded the working hours and overtime, these people were working for (obvious reasons due to background facts) more money, however this money will not stay with them for long. Why? Because I did a background check on these people and I've grasped that they've been working in the company for years and yes, they've often work these hours. Hence, a smart guess would be that they will continue to work more hours to earn more cash. Consequently, the next question that arose is, how much cash will one ever need to be satisfied? With more cash, more demands... more "needs" from what was previously "wants". Thus, leading to a never ending cycle.

Unfortunately, this isn't what I want; or what anybody wants for that matter. So......How to begin a change? LOL, path a way to make it. Don't just dream or want it, MAKE IT HAPPEN the best way you think will work. Find a solution, this is a life problem so if you never solve it you will constantly have to work on it till you get it. So nostalgic, reminds me of doing my additional maths homework... XD.but this is life and this is reality, if you don't work your way out of this problem, you will have to remain stuck in the problem because money is a need to sustain a person living in a city. **yes... I am being specific just in case some smart Alec caught thought about Tarzan. LOL...

Till I feel like musing more, see you blog.

Universal Studio, Singapore

I visited Universal Studio, Singapore on a Wednesday that was NOT a Malaysian/ Singapore School/ Public Holiday, so if my experience differs from yours if you visit during those times, TOO BAD... LOL, XD

So, how did I spend it? Well... My sister was following Google's map directions there but there is a different way to get there. Now, this is the important question, what time should I go there? If you're going there without the VIP pass, go there during the opening time to buy tickets BUT if you look like a lucky person, hopefully there's a promotion and you'd be getting the VIP ticket to totally skip the super long queue like me and my sister!

What promo? It's this promo... where we got to skip certain queues with an additional $ 2 top up. Well, since I'm already spending $75, I MUST SPEND my time well there and ensure EVERY DOLLAR worth in THERE until Universal Studio satisfies me... XD mwahahhahahahahaha

So, what did I do/ watch when I got there? Mwahahhaa, upon reaching there I did not run hysterically like a mad woman. Non non, I took picture like a civilized human with a prop hat and the props there! 

Then, I saw two big birds (Woody and his gf I suppose... XD, didn't watch the show but I remembered it from somewhere) so...kekeke

Since my sister and I saw everybody rushing to the right route, we walked to the left. (I recommend taking left first to warm-up). The left was Madagascar sponsored by Maybank (the Crate Adventure), nothing much; safe for kids since the worst that can happen is water squired from the zebra's mouth...

The only ride I managed to sit there was King Julien's Party-Go-Round which I think ...hmm... my sis forgot to click my camera's shoot button... TT.TT, so my sister's picture goes here...At least the Zebra looks super happy... XD

Then, it was Far far Away where the smelly ogre lives...

There's Shrek 4-D Adventure which was really stimulating and cool, then the Magic Potion Spin (ferris wheel) right after the adventure and finally the Enchanted Airways (roller-coaster). It was cool, a good start-up for the later crazy rides... XD.

Continue walking and you'd reach the Lost World. The only thing I may regret not bringing is a water poncho for this attraction. The ride will get you wet as you would be in a raft that is directed by water (so... basically you'll get a little water splashing on your clothes) but it was really FUN...The rafting experience! Then at 12.00 there was the WaterWorld live show. IT IS SOO cool, but I really don't recommend sitting at any of the wet zones unless you really want to get splashed for no reason. SOoooo... yeah... be smart, and get your priorities right! There was a camerawoman (Universal Studio) for this, so there's one with me and my sis!

Then, we headed on to Ancient Egypt...where there's two cosplayers you can take a picture with...

The guy from the mummy show... found him while waiting for Treasure Hunters and ...

Nearby the Revenge of the Mummy site.

I LOVE the Revenge of the Mummy. I basically rode Revenge of the Mummy TWICE in a row before proceeding to Sci-Fi City... Mwahahhahah... IT ROCKS! (I did return for more... about two or three more times...*blek...) It goes in every direction, up backwards round and round and it's HOT! I loved the coaster ride and all the movie effects.

Entering Sci-Fi city, there are TWO roller coaster rides... I actually preferred the Revenge over this but among Galactica, I preferred the Human (2 times) over the Cylon (bots - 2 times) not because I'm sitting but because of the Adrenaline... Then there's the Ultimate 3D Battle (2 times),which also rocks but really... in my opinion, everything pales in comparison to Revenge of the Mummy... XD.  So who/ what can I take a picture with? These people outside the Galactica rides and ...

Some bot since I didn't watch Transformers...XD, there's also some car there but since I didn't watch Trans... so it's kind of pointless to get soooo hyped up. XD

So... was it just rides and rides around Universal Studios  (other than Waterworld)? Apparently... NOT!

After watching Lights, Camera, Action! which is mind blowing, I managed to catch The Rockafellas doing street dance and some of the general public dancing in NY section!

Then, my sis and I moved back to Hollywood where managed to hear Daddy O's and Marilyn Monroe (who is super tall) and my favourite... the man that got his head cut off cosplayer!!

 

Then. there's the Monster Rock musical. It is fun, musical and cool so don't miss it... It's the last thing me and my sister did in Universal Studio anyway.... XD, the last show... if I'm not wrong is at 6.00 and the closing time is seven so... XD... go for it!

Basically, there's an MRT from VivoCity to Universal Studio Singapore/ Sentosa (for free). My sister was not aware of it and I was not aware of it but if you prefer the MRT go ahead (I took the MRT back because we found it accidentally) ... if not just take the bus like me! LOL... HardRock Singapore is also over there... at RWS so for those real HardRock Cafe fans... Singapore's Hardrock is there... Yeah... it was just coincidentally that I was wearing a HardRock shirt. XD

Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands

Referring to my previous post, since I was already in Marina Bay Sands, so... I CAN"T just NOT visit Gardens by the Bay, right? It just opened and if I don't go, I believe, I probably won't until the far future. So... from the Science & Arts Museum, my sister and me walked to Gardens by the Bay.

If you're wondering what the heck is Gardens by the Bay, that's the official homepage for it.

There's basically the free of charge garden and the garden that you'll need to pay for.

So... first, I'll share a little about the FOC garden.... XD

I believe the FOC garden is a good place for joggers/ cyclist to have a good workout. Maybe even walkers. It has sufficient greenery and the gardens are themed. The one seen above is an Indian themed Garden. If I recall correctly, all the Asian themes and a few others on the way. But it's not really that spectacular.

What about the mushrooms/umbrella you saw above? Hehe... that's the OCBC skyway.

Looks great right? There's actually a sky bridge connecting these mushrooms but I didn't fork out the $5 to walk since it was actually rather cloudy then. Fortunately too... since the one I paid for later covered for it... So... my sister and I hurried to the Gardens that were covered, the Conservatories that cost me $28.

The first conservatory I visited was the flower dome. Like it's name sake, there are tonnes and tonnes of flowers everywhere...  Well... not just flowers but cactus too and olive trees and all the weird trees that you've either never noticed the name or just never seen before. There's also the Western gardens put up here. 

So what's my verdict about the Flower Garden? It's good if you want to teach your kids to be a herbalist, expose them to plants they've never seen before, or maybe a good place for a garden designer to be inspired by the various plants there. Well, also maybe for those who love to appreciate flowers and greens, this is the place to be. So what about the next conservatory? KaBoom! that is the BOM man... it's so worth it to be amazed there!

I 

It is simply beyond words. I can't begin to describe this complex structure and how the heck it works but the people who built it are geniuses. Basically you can go right to the top and come all the way down. It's a really nice adventure in the garden. The waterfall (right, it falls from the lost world; the peak of the whole mountain of rock you saw me hugging (virtually at least)) is just an amazement that I still can't begin to describe it in words. So... go for it if you have the chance. Besides that, you being at Cloud Forest also gets you  the OCBC skyway view therefore  I thought it would be a waste of money to go for it. But if you still want to do it, go AHEAD. I'm happy enough with the Cloud Forest! XD

Science and Arts Museum, Marina Bay

The thing that I love most about Singapore is their public transport. It's really efficient and effective, if and only if, you know how to use it. So, on my first day in Singapore, we left my grandma's apartment a little too early got charged by ERP (before 9.30 by just 4 minutes) and parked in a hospital whereby we had decided on taking public transport particularly the bus to Marina. Unfortunately, the bus that my sister was looking forward to was not available on that day... haha... so we waited for approximately 30 minutes before figuring that out! LOL... cause she finally took out her bus directory to check the bus operation hours. Therefore, though we passed by ims2square twice where there's an MRT when we were on the way to use the bus, we took it after 1 hours and 30 minutes our estimated time for using the public transport. haha... It was really funny as we saw so many of the same bus no. passing by before leaving the bus stop and boarding the MRT which we passed by earlier to top-up my sister's ES2Link card. LOL. Lesson learned, after 15 minutes check for the operation hours of the bus you are planning to board instead of shaking your leg at the bus stop. LOL

So... where did I go first after boarding MRT? I visited the Esplanade!! The Esplanade is abuilding that supposedly looks like a durian. Below is the real thing followed by one I took with the model.

Inside there is nothing much but perhaps it's building design is what distinguishes the rest... And... me! After all, I am someone able to float / balance on water... haha

It's basically free of charge to go to these places... BUT I didn't come all the way to Marina Bay Sands for just... this. Mwahhahahahaha... Non non... IT IS for none other than Harry Potter!

However, there is a restriction to my camera... huhu... TT>TT

So, no more pictures of me being there in the Science and Arts Museum in Singapore to attend Harry Potter's Exhibition in Marina Bay Sands. Entrance fee wasn't that bad... just $24, but since we looked like poor kids, the receptionist told us there's a promotion event done by Coca-Cola that is willing to sponsor our tickets for Harry Potter and Andy Warhol if we purchase half a dozen cans which also costs $24. LOL. So imagine me any my sister lugging 6 cans of coke each everywhere till we went back home!

 

Notice the bag? Since I'm really such a loser that is not willing to giveaway my coke after paying $4 for each... not in RM but in $, yes... it hurts when you know you've spent so much on one coke when you can afford a whole meal back in Malaysia which includes one can of coke so... yeah... I lugged it everywhere until I got back home... haha... Oh well, I spent the first half of my day in there...I'm kind of regretting that I didn't get a set of wands... it'll be a nice set for display. Really beautifully carved wood but the price nearly chopped my head off so no...TT.TT... huhu... I'll post soon to update on the second half of the day spent there cause I need to work tomorrow. XD

Trip to Singapore

On the 15th of July 2012, me and my second sister went down to Singapore which we managed to fit in lunch with my grandma, aunt, uncle and JiaJia. XD. Well, since we managed to fit in lunch there, haha, it means that we have to leave home considerably early (around 10 to 11 o' clock)... for a long trip... haha... Anyway, lunch there was superb even though my aunt had a limited pantry. My tummy was filled to the brim with her various dishes that were both yummy and filling! The pregnant fish really has a special place in my sis's heart now. LOL. Anyway... back to my trip to Singapore... I didn't board the train so my sis and I took turns driving. I got the easier part of the journey; just the highways from my home to Pagoh, Johor where my sister continued from thereon. No kidding, after that, if you're not familiar or not really wide awake, it'll be dangerouns. WHY? Cause our timing was perfect and this was the view that we had for approximately 1.5 hours.

Notice the man there? Fortunately there was no accidents, so he was just out there cause he wanted to stretch his legs while waiting for the queue. Lesson learned, don't drive to Singapore on a Sunday night. XD

So what did I do in Singapore?
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Marina Bay Sands
Day 3 - Aunt, Johann and Orchad
Day 4 - Universal Studio
Day 5 - Depart