Muse: Sadness

Sometimes, when I reflect over a day's work, I'd ask...
WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Have I done enough? Have I done what I could have done? Should I be feeling this way? How much more should I hold back my feelings?

I feel upset that some people just aren't able to move on. Aren't able to accept who they are. Aren't able to change. But I'd adapt.

Definitely, I don't expect miracles. I don't expect God to drop me things from heaven. I don't expect everyone laughing like the Mad Hatter but I expect everyone to live a life. If time is the answer, hey... I'm granting it to you.

I've surrendered. I've raised the white flag. I'm no longer interested in claiming my eldest sister family anymore.

Once, I gave her respect; 

Then she stepped on it by claiming her rights as an elder over me;

Later erasing her rights by doing things an eldest must never do.

Great power comes great responsibility. Great respect comes from great work. Both goes hand in hand. With neither work, nor responsibility, never claim such otherwise the respect you earn is Z-E-R-O.

Oh well, I believe it's pathetic that a young adult who just hit her 20s needs to inform/warn a person in their late 20s again and again. I believe it is pathetic that I am accidentally excluded from a family dinner because I'm not family. I believe it is pathetic that I am denied entry to take my clothes from my room. I believe it is pathetic that I am not welcome in the house. I believe it is pathetic that an ex-family member does not believe that I love my own mother. Last but not least, I believe it is pathetic that 'family' members try not to solve 'family problems' but try their VERY BEST to solve their friend's problems.

That being said, it is pointless of me to complain further. 

After all, 

maybe I am just a naive snort. 

Maybe I'm just a stupid child. 

Maybe I am just a baby. 

But, maybe after this,

My heart wouldn't be so broken anymore.

Muse: Speed limit

I know it's been so long since I last posted but yeah... I guess it is about time I posted something after my short break from school. So ... it'll be about the...

I know it's kind of lame to discuss this issue but really, it's been on my mind so much that I believe it just wouldn't leave my head until I blogged about it. 

Act 333, Road Transport Act 1987 with amendments up to 1 July 2006

Section 40 Exceeding Speed limit

(1) If any person drives a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding any speed limit imposed for such motor vehicle under the powers conferred by this Act he shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit.

Section 69 Speed limits

(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, prescribe a national speed limit for all roads in Malaysia.

(1A) Any person who fails to observe the national speed limit prescribe under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Federal Government Gazette, National Speed Limit (Temporary Cessation) Order 2013,c.i.f. 3 - 17 February 2013

Section 2 Temporary Cessation

*The speed limit is 90 km/h for all roads in Malaysia

Federal Government Gazette, Local Speed Limit (Federal Roads) (Specified Time Prohibition) Order 2013, c.i.f. 3 - 17 February 2013

Section 2 Prohibition

*Prohibits motor vehicles from exceeding the speed limit of 80 km/h over all Federal roads in Malaysia.

Motor Vehicles (Speed Limit) Rules, 1989 c.i.f. 1st February 1989, Schedule Rule 3

1. having a seating capacity not exceeding twelves persons, including he driver, and used for hire or reward has a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h for roads described in Schedule to National Speed Limit Order 1989 while other roads have it at 90 km/h.

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Therefore, since I'm really dumb and don't know the difference between the roads cause I didn't download the Act, XD, shall assume (from personal experience of using the road) that most highways have a speed limit which has dropped from 110 km/h to only 90 km/h while local (small highways) has a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h from 90 km/h. 

So... why the drop in the speed limit? Is it stupid? Useless? Troublesome? 

There is a reason there is a speed limit and there is a reason why it is reduced during the festive season.

First and foremost, I'd address the issue of the speed limit. 

It is vital for all road users to understand and be clear that not all cars could drive safely past 110 km/h (personal experience from driving a Perodua MyVi). Past a certain speed, your car would become unstable, wobbly and be more suspect-able to be uncontrollable behind a wheel. Therefore, since the government assumes the general public are all not able to drive BMW, Volkswagen or Benz which have a heavier body and stronger engines, the set speed is set so, so that smaller cars would not feel intimidated by the big heavier cars even when they zoom past them. Since, according to Bernoulli's principle, the car may be flung due to high speed causing lower pressure of air caused by the faster cars zooming on the right lane against the slower cars; higher pressure moving on the centre/ left lane. So a standard speed limit is set so that all cars travel at approximately the same speed.

**My car shakes if a car zooms past me so it's true, Bernoulli's smart! So... F*** OFF, cars that zoom unnaturally fast, what if I lost control of my car thanks to you? Just cause you can go fast doesn't mean that you can potentially kill me by disrupting my car's stability and control.

Then... why do they drop it during the festive season?

1. There are more road users. Hence, just like people moving in a crowd, you'd really have to slow down, cause there's just too many people who just want to go back home at the same time. After all, we're a multiracial country, Malay/ Chinese/ Indian celebrate, Malaysia celebrates with you. Hence, do remember, even if you think it is your right to celebrate the festival, it is also every Malaysian's right to celebrate as well. What better way but to go back home with you! Then, since you're not the only one paying taxes and tolls, they'd jam into the road as well when you go back home, causing the slow traffic.
2. Sudden slow downs in case of slower traffic in front. It is inevitable when you drive long distance that you become tired and cranky, hence desiring to be fast and furious on the road. However, would everybody be able to brake in time (to exit/ sudden slow cars in front) if they suddenly nod off at such a speed? Absolutely... NOT! Hence, it is purely for safety reasons that the speed is dropped due to people travelling unnaturally long distance to go back home.
3. They want to ensure you can enjoy your festival safe and sound. Who doesn't? 

That being said, a speed limit is not a travelling speed; which it is often mistaken for. It is the MAXIMUM. Oh well, what's the point? Only good drivers like me (a-hem), adhere to it. Selfish drivers.... BLEK. I <3 my life as much as you <3 yours!

Muse : New Year 2013

It's been so long since I've posted, I thought I should at least post one more post to compensate for my incompetence. XD

News Years Day?

How was your News Years Eve spent?

Well, there was a Political Celebration at Pandamaran Field which caused my entire neighbourhood to suffer an electricity shortage for a few hours... TT.TT... The person with the mole on his mouth... what's his name... URGH...Ronnie Liu.. made such a commotion, proof... security surrounding the area 2-3 hours before the event even started.  BIG SHOT. Probably test test electricity until Kampung Raja Uda no electricity. Huhu.

Oh well, at least I could experience how my ancestors showered in the night with a candle in their toilet. 

LOL. Other than that, more personal time for me to deliberate and set up my New Year Resolutions.

1. Eat well.
2. Sleep well.
3. Exercise well.
1. Be able to swim to Pulau Tioman. (Focus on Strength and Resistance training)
2. Be able to complete one full Marathon this year. (Focus on Cardio)
3. Be able to complete Brooks Marathon with a better time.
4. Study well.

Muse : Meeting up with friends

Sometimes, I question myself, why do I go so far, the extra mile just to meet my friends and my teachers?
Not that I think that I am wrong, but it was a question that my mum asked me...

Why are you wasting time to meet with your friends and teachers?

Dear blog,
Even if you've left school a long long time ago, it does not just mean you've finished a phase of your life.
Instead, it means you've grown mentally, emotionally, physically and intellectually (after all, we studied, right?) XD. However, all this are not learned from objects, we've learned them from people, humans that may or may not have the same growth in life with us. Hence, do we disregard these people when they've been the very foundation of our growth in life? They too have been emotionally and mentally linked to our past.

Definitely, it is undeniable that you may have the support of your family but you also cannot deny that you had schoolmates and teachers to support you through your early stages in life. After all, if it were not for your family,  friends and teachers who gave us those tribulations and challenges, we would not have fall and learned to step back up and if not for them, we would not become the people we are today. After all, we are the product of the past and the mold for the future. Next to that, it is because I miss them just as much as my family for I've spent equal amount of time with them and with my family.

Cameron 2123 on a personal level

So... why was I in Cameron when it's not even semester break? Why o why?
Yes... it's sweet potatoes!!! LOL... Well... that's part reason but there's also another real reason why I'm in Cameron, cause it's a trip organized by my church!

So, we visited a few saint's house in Cameron, enjoyed gospel songs with them while receiving updates from them regarding the move in Cameron.

TV gained center space in this house with everybody watching Tom & Jerry while the other house was busy reading the newspaper. LOL

Then... group picture with those that followed through with the engagement to where the shirt!

So... what have I gained from this Church camp? Hrm...

The power of pray reading. As you've seen above, we were walking round and round in the morning... round a school field just reciting bible verses (after a church message). Was there a difference? Definitely, reciting from your heart and reading a verse, I believe the answer is clear, =).

The winner will emerge.

Which reminds me, Cameron Highland is famous for it's steamboat thanks to the cool temperature. So many restaurants offering steamboat would be around that corner; and on one lovely evening after all the church meetings (cramped into one day), there was a steamboat planned. After that meal, while taking a walk round the market, someone managed to spot the cake vendor opening shop. Then, we; surrounding the shop with oohs-aahs, droves of people gathered round to see the ruckus we caused (free marketing) and enhanced the vendor's business. LOL... He really was selling his desserts like hot cakes on that day.

That being said, Cameron Highlands really is a shoppers produce haven. So much so that even this Brother here could hold his head up high while carrying bags of produce.

Cameron Highlands 21-23092012

It's been so long since anybody has heard from me, no?
Well... Hopefully, this will be the missing link from where I've stopped!

Basically, on the 21st of September, I went up to Cameron Highlands and ate lots and lots of sweet potatoes and corn!! XD my mouth looked like D cause I was stuffing so many mushrooms... potatoes and corn into my mouth...=) So here's the gist of it.

I went to two tea plantations...
Cameron Valley and Boh Tea Plantation
So... what's the difference?
Cameron Valley is a smaller tea plantation, has a shorter hike, no jam and o-k food. While at Boh Tea Plantation, their refreshments are horrible.

NEVER go to Boh Tea Plantation to eat their cakes. It taste as if it's not cooked AND their hot chocolate is watery, that being said, if it's cheap; I'll forgive BUT it's charged at premium prices, so watch your pockets when you're here.

SO... which is really worth it?
There are basically two sides of a coin on this matter.

This picture is of me at the highest peak you can climb at Cameron Valley Tea Plantation. The most you'd get is this view, which is rather refreshing but the climb up there is rather dangerous. So, if you're having weak legs (unable to climb steep slopes), have someone that's rather stable to support you.

The above is me at Boh Tea Plantation. In terms of view, my bet would be Boh Tea Plantation. Besides that,  the steps to climb are safer (from the car park) and you'll reach the peak where they've put their tourist rest spot // refreshment area.

The view at Boh Tea is great but do consider how you intend to get there. If you're not so well versed with your car, PLEASE do not be a super-hero and think you'd be able to drive there because there are many blind spots (sharp turnings on a hill to get there) and the bus drivers there really test the boundaries that the small road can hold them before falling off the cliff. So, proceed to Boh Tea Plantation with caution if you're planning to bring your car. Ensure your driving skills are on a sufficient level.

So... were Tea Plantations the only places I gone to while at Cameron?... Definitely... NOT... LOL... I also went to the  Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm (near the Kea Farm area) for the first time (even though I'm Malaysian). XD

You get to be super close to the bees... Mwahhahahah... and it's free... of course... considering the risk you'd be in when you disturb them! LOL, anyway... back to the point, there's lots of flowers there for the bees to feed on. Various flowers, and I strongly encourage you to only buy your honey from the bee farm cause it's really genuine local honey for just MYR 45.00 for a litre. I wish I bought some but ... I don't drink honey... so yeah... I didn't buy any. TT.TT

Oh well... this is just the short highlights of my trip, but there'll be more details later!

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