One More Month...

One more month, I'll be back to the Land of Kangaroo again...

This year is going to be my final year in Perth if I plan to come back to Miri for career. I don't know whether I should be happy or not. When I'm back in Miri, I miss the life in Perth. When I go back to Perth, I miss Miri. What do I want?

The first time when I was going to Perth in 2004, I was quite happy and excited at the same time. I thought I can at least get the freedom I have long for.

However, it's not the case. I missed home a lot. I started to count the days on the calendar. "When can I go back to Miri?" I asked myself.

Somemore, with the stress I have on studies, I started to dislike Perth. I described it as Land of Stress instead of Land of Kangaroo.

Years later, I no longer have those kind of feeling. I started to tell people how nice is Perth. I tell them how clean is the environment. I tell them how cheap is the wine. I tell them how friendly is the people. The list goes on.

Maybe because Perth has become my second home (although it's a home without my family). I have my own friends there. I have learnt how to become independent there. I have spent about 4 years of my university there.

Although I have a heavy heart to leave Miri, I still look forward for my final year in Perth (if I plan to come back Miri for good).

Wish me all the best in Perth, guys...

P/s: I'm quite lost in writing this post. If you don't know what I'm trying to say, just ignore it and enjoy the photos.

Come Back Again Tomorrow

*Sigh* I'm trying to write a post for almost an hour. But, I just couldn't write it properly. There's not more than one month before I go back to Perth and there are still lots of things I haven't done. I have three Final Year Project Thesis to read, I have a Professional Practicuum (industrial training) report to write, I have lots of things to buy back to Perth, I have...I have....

Arghhh... stress, stress. I'm going to sleep now. I'll try to write again tomorrow. Stay tuned for the next post, guys.

Donation, Anyone?

So, you have heard about the flood which hit Johor recently? And you know Chinese New Year is just around the corner but you haven't shop for any new dress yet.

Some of the dresses for auction.

Now you can shop for some specially designed dresses and jewellery while helping the flood victims. YC, a fashion designer of Blackjettas and Drama Mama, is auctioning some items and is donating 90% of the price to the flood victims. The auction runs from now till 1st of February, 2007.

For more information, click HERE!

Cool Down With A Glass Of Grass Jelly

After all the "heaty" Fried Kueh Tiaw and Keropok Lekor, why not have a drink to cool yourself down?

A block of fresh grass jelly from the market.

A glass of grass jelly is what you can look for after those heaty food. Grass jelly, also known as "liang fen", is made from boiling grass or leaf in the mint family (specifically Mesona chinensis) with potassium carbonate, and then cooling the liquid down to a jelly-like consistency (taken from Wikipedia).

Well prepared grass jelly.

It's easy to make a glass of grass jelly. Just put the block of grass jelly into a big bowl and cut it into cubes. Size of the cube depends on owns liking. My Baba likes big cubes but my Mama likes small cubes of grass jelly.

Depends on how sweet you want, add some sugar into a quarter glass of hot water. Stir well until all the sugar is dissolved.

A glass of ready-to-be-served grass jelly.

Put in cubes of grass jelly and add in cold water. Pour in full cream unsweetened evaporated milk (Ideal milk) as much as you like. Finally, the glass of grass jelly is ready to be served.

No sweat to make a glass of grass jelly, right? ;)

Alternatively, soya milk can also be used to mix with grass jelly. I have thought of white coffee or Teh-C (tea with full cream unsweetened evaporated milk) with grass jelly. I think it would be nice, too. :)

P/s: If you couldn't find any ready made grass jelly, you can actually make it from scratch using instant grass jelly powder (something like jelly or pudding powder).

Local Snack, Keropok Lekor

"Lekor, lekor, lekor, lekor!!! 5 biji 1 Ringgit (5 pieces for RM1)!!! Mari, mari, mari, mari (Come, come, come, come)!!!"

Too shy to take the stall's photo lah. :P

Located in a housing estate (Piasau Garden) in Miri, Julia Fatimah Keropok Lekor is a small stall by the roadside which produces delicious Keropok Lekor.

This is neither dried tofu nor "you char kueh".

Keropok Lekor is a local delicacy which is made by grinding fish (I don't know what kind of fish they use) into paste, mix with sago and then deep frying it.

Dip in a kind of special sauce.

Keropok Lekor is eaten with a kind of special sauce which is given free. The sauce tastes almost the same like the sweet chilli sauce. I have tasted this sauce at the other Keropok Lekor's stalls but I prefer the sauce prepared by this stall.

Yummy~!

Compare to the most common keropok (cracker) which is flat and crispy, Keropok Lekor is quite different as it is long and chewy.

Keropok Lekor is definitely a tasty snack. Keropok Lekor always earns two thumbs up from those who have tasted it.

So, why don't you spend just RM1 to try this mouth watering snack?

Suggestions, Please?

I was supposed to write another food post, but I have changed my mind. I have delayed this post for a long time already actually.

Anyway, let's cut the crap and get straight to the point.

When I was told a student committed suicide because of RM4.50 the other day, I was so shocked. Before that student committed suicide, he asked his mom for RM4.50. His mom refused to give him. The reason, no money. Then, he asked his grandfather for it and again, his request was rejected. The student didn't ask the money to buy the tasty Nasi Lemak or a pair of Nike sport shoes. He asked the money to pay his school fees! Just because he couldn't get RM4.50 for his school fees, he committed suicide. How sad, right?

In another case I have seen on a television programme, a man was contradicted with some kind of virus which caused him grow fatter and fatter (I couldn't remember if I have written it correctly or not since it's quite some time after I saw it in television). Because of that virus, he couldn't work and that's mean no income for him. He needs money for his family and also he needs money for his treatments. The television programme's host urged the public to help the man by sending him a donation if possible.

In both cases, money is the main problem. Both cases mentioned above were depressed especially the first one. I thought, "RM 4.50 for a life?". If I was to know that student is in need of that RM4.50 for school fees, I would have given it to him without second thought. Of course, that's still within my capability. If a person needs about RM1000 for surgery, I don't think I can afford to help.

I was, then, thinking how I can make extra income to help the poor and also for my personal use (I plan to travel at the end of this year). The first one of course, by blogging. I have known most of the people out there earn their side income by blogging. Some even turned full time blogger as their income from blogging is more than their jobs. I don't know if this can be worked or not but my planning is like this. I'll use Adsense or PayPerPost to earn some money by blogging. Then I'll have 50% of the income for my personal use and 50% for donation. The percentage is just an example.

I know, with me alone, I don't think I can do it. And also, with my limited English, I cannot produce any articles which are required by PayPerPost. And there are actually some other reasons, which I think, can make this plan impossible. To list a few; time to blog is limited when uni starts, low popularity of my blog, main purpose of blogging isn't about earning money, and etc.

So, I need suggestions, comments and ideas! :)

Curry Rice, Anyone?

It is just a small stall in one of the Kopitiam (coffee shop) here in Miri. But this doesn't stop the stall's proprietor from serving delicious curry rice for its customers.

"Long Xiang Jia Li Fan" (Long Xiang Curry Rice).

Located in Yakin Cafe, this stall's curry rice is one of the best I have tried in Miri.

Two different kind of curry; wet and dry curry.

This stall serves two different kind of curry. The wet curry is normally cooked by the Chinese while the dry curry is normally cooked by the Malay. That's how I would describe the difference between both curry.

Wet curry rice.

I ordered a serve of wet curry rice as usual. Wet curry is always more preferable by me as I can mix the curry with the steam rice.

Two pieces of chicken, egg plant, "foo zuk", potatoes and long beans.

For RM4 a plate, it is actually considered to be quite expensive. However, for this good quality curry, I think it's worth my money.

My baba's Salad Meat Roll Rice (RM2.50) + Curry (RM0.50)

The last time I came here (about 6 months ago), the stall didn't have much choices in it's menu except for the popular curry rice. 6 months later, they have added new menu to the stall. This includes Salad Meat Roll Rice, Lemon Chicken Rice etc..

Give it a try... I'm sure you will like it. :)

P/s: If you are not a HOT curry lover, you will like this stall's curry as it's not that spicy.
P/s/s: Party? Want curry? You can always ask this stall to cater the choices of your preferred curry.

Think About It...

It was a cold winter last two years. My housemates and I had just finished our dinner. As usual, we were sitting round the table, chit-chatting, gossiping and laughing our heart out. Suddenly...

DV: I feel like eating some dessert lah...

Kok: Hah? Dessert? What do you want? Eat chocolate lah. Mars or Boost.

DV: Don't want. I want cake. (This ex-housemate of mine likes cakes a lot although she scares of fat.)

Kok: Cake? So expensive!

DV: But I want cake wor...

Kok: Don't want! Choose other dessert lah!

DV: Haiyo! Then... ice-cream lah. We go Caltex, want? (Caltex is a petrol station which is just nearby our house).


Kok: Wahlao! Ice-cream? You crazy ah? So cold still want to eat ice-cream?! (Only few degrees that time).

DV: What crazy? Cold cannot eat ice-cream meh?

Kok: I thought we only eat ice cream when the weather is hot?

Too cold later become snowman, how?

Guess what she told me???

DV: Hah? You don't know? Here (in Perth) we seldom eat ice-cream when the weather is hot. The weather here is too hot that the ice-cream will melt before we can even finish it. That's why we eat ice-cream during the winter!

Kok: .... *Speechless* (True also hoh? When it's cold, we can enjoy the ice-cream since it won't melt). Oklah! Let's go now, let's go now!

P/s: Don't laugh at me the next time I buy an ice-cream when it's raining/cold weather in Miri. I have my own reason because my ex-housemate taught me so! ;)

Just A Question...

Firehorse a.k.a. Fatty Poh posted some of the questions which were shoot to her by Fatty Boy. I was thinking if I can also make Fatty Poh becomes blur with the question I ask her. When I was taking a shower the other day, suddenly a question popped into my mind.

Looking at the shower towel...

I asked myself, "How come we need to wash the towel? Using the towel to dry ourselves, will the towel become dirty when we are cleaned after shower?"

What do you think?

King Of Fruits

Durian season is back in Miri again! No matter which markets you go, you can enjoy the great aroma of durians.

Satu tompok RM10 (A group for RM10)

I don't know if you all like this King of Fruits or not, but for me, I kinda like it a lot. Not when I was small, I dislike the "awful" smell of durians and I just think durians tasted "uek".

RM10 for one of this.

Two days ago, my Baba together with me went to the market to buy just one durian. Yea, just one of it since it is about RM6 per kg. Kinda expensive when you can buy three for RM10. Cheap doesn't mean they are good, got what I mean? ;)

Look at the flesh...

My Baba and I finished the whole durian. Too bad my Mama and sis didn't get the chance to eat this since they were not at home. :P

The durian tasted great! Yummy! I haven't had any durian for quite a long time already.

Come, come! Open your mouth...

I think I should add some correction to what I have said earlier. I should also say, expensive doesn't mean they are good, too. Why? This is because, part of the durian had unexpected "guests" in it.

Durian fart.

After durian, there might be a possibility of durian fart from you. Run far far when you are about to fart. :P

One advice from me before I end this post. Do drink lots of water after you eat those durians. As the durians are quite "heaty", you might end up with sorethroat if you eat much and not drink any water. Remember this advice. :)

Tagged?

When I browsed through Firehorse's blog, I found out that I was being tagged! Haiyo, I actually don't like being tagged lah since I don't like to expose my secrets to the others. However, since this is just a simple one and also, just to "give face" to Firehorse, I decided to do it. ;)

The title goes like this;

5 Things You Didn't Know About Me

1. I am as old fashion as you can think of.
2. I have never been to pub/disco before. (22 years old loh! :P)
3. I listen to Mandarin songs instead of English songs.
4. I ever thought of a sports coach or chef as my career.
5. I prefer to do Photoshop rather than getting tagged.
   

Firehorse after 1 year of gym.

*Whee wit* Super-model-body oh! Firehorse, like it? Haha!

I don't know who should I tag after this. So, I'll give the freedom to everyone whether they themselves want to be tagged or not. ;)

Miri Geological Excursion

Before I write further, I'll just let everyone know that this activity was dated 6 years back. I was in Form 4 then. Still a teenager. :P

31st March 2001, I went to Miri Outcrop Museum together with few teachers and a group of students (mostly my classmates).

A small trip with this school bus.

I couldn't remember much about this trip though. I'll try my best to recall what has been done.

A group of students and teachers from S.M.K. St. Columba together with excursion guide.

Miri Outcrop Museum is a place where we are exposed to some of the geological stuff. It is located along the Miri Airport Road.

Listen what was being told by the guide.

This trip was organised by some of the Shell's staff.

Worm? Or dinosour?

I'm not a good student I admit. I forgot what's that long, brown line which was being explained by the guide. I think that "worm" was formed some hundred years ago.

From left to right (guys): Gerald, Chee Onn and Billy.

It was so hot, I still can remember. Even some of the guys brought their own umbrellas (not me :P).

All the students were so keen to learn.

We were given loads of information about the rocks and soil by the professional geologists.

I was looking at the camera instead of listening. :P

If I'm not wrong, my year was the one and only year they organised the trip. We were considered very lucky to be able to join it.

Walk and walk...

It was about a two to three hours trip. Overall, the trip was indeed very educational. It gave us an idea what a geologist would do.

And to boast a bit, I can still remember the guide told us that many well known geologists from all around the world has ever visited the Miri Outcrop Museum. ;)

BEEP! HONK! If You're Malaysian

"HONK! If You're Malaysian"? If you haven't stepped into the bookstore for a while, I don't think you know what's this.

Honk! Honk!

"HONK! If You're Malaysian" is a book produced by a local writer, Lydia Teh. Judging by the cover of the book itself, I would say it's definitely going to be the hilarious type of book.

Frankly speaking, I haven't bought this book yet. So, I could not make any review on this book. It is a book which reviews the typical life of Malaysians (correct me if I'm wrong). Many reviewers give good comments on this book. Why not save some of your money, which you spend on roti canai, char kueh tiaw and teh-peng, to give this book a try?

If you have bought this book and would like to read more books from Lydia Teh, you can try Congratulations! You Have Won! and Life’s Like That. Those are her first and second books. Some of you might say, "No money to buy so many books la!" (actually this happens to me since I'm a student with no income :P). Worry no more. You can visit Lydia Teh's blog and enter a contest which can win you some of her books + some books from her book shelf.

Now, go to your local bookstore (I think Popular Bookstore might have this book), give our fully support to Malaysian's writer, Lydia Teh and grab a copy of "HONK! If You're Malaysian"! Remember! It's honk and not beep! HONK! HONK!

Aku Sick Liao...

Yesterday, I took a half day off from work as I was not feeling well.

I'm not as bad as this la.

I had a flu, a little bit feverish and sorethroat. I slept for most of the day, drank as much water as I can and had just one Panadol (I seldom take any medicine).

And I'm lucky enough to be in Miri now. With my parents taking care of me, I am as strong as a...

Super bull.

bull now... :)

I think I didn't get enough rest which caused me fall sick.

My two cents of advice to everyone: Drink water and rest as much as you can to avoid any sickness.

Best Fried Kueh Tiaw In Miri

*Warning* Another food post here...

This morning, I had the best Fried Kueh Tiaw (Hor Fun) in Miri for breakfast with my parents. The stall is inside Krokop 5 Market, somewhere near the best rojak stall (used to be).

Just a small market.

The best Fried Kueh Tiaw is only available in the morning. And I mean, early in the morning, which is before 9:30 a.m. This is to avoid disappointment. ;)

The stall's proprietor.

A elderly woman is seen to handle the little stall.

Just for RM2.50 a plate.

The Kueh Tiaw is fried with large amount of bean sprouts, egg, pieces of pork and vegie.

It is served HOT.

Normally, I would ask for chilli to be added to the Kueh Tiaw. It's not that spicy actually and I would highly recommend the Kueh Tiaw to be fried with some chilli. It tastes so much better!

I had my stomach satisfied before I went to work. A simple yet wonderful breakfast for me. Yummy!

P/s: The "Best Fried Kueh Tiaw" title is given by me. If you have tasted the Kueh Tiaw and found it not up to your standard, please don't come to me.

P/s/s: Let me know if you know any other good place for Fried Kueh Tiaw. I'm a fan of Fried Kueh Tiaw.

Goodbye 2006 And Welcome 2007!

First of all,

I hope everyone will have a wonderful year throughout. =)

2006 has been an exciting year to me. I was "forced" to study very hard (and of course, smart) as I was already in my third year of uni life. I also had to ensure that I won't repeat any of the units.

Aparts from study, I had done several "first times" in 2006. Let's see what are they...

1. I started this little world of mine.
   
2. I baked my very first cake with Chris.
   
3. I had my first extra-ordinary bread.
4. I plucked my first fresh strawberry.
   
5. I was the Psychology Department's white rats.
6. I was elected as the International Student Services' Sports Secretary.

Since new year is here, I also want to jot down my 2007 resolutions here...

1. Study HARDER and SMARTER!
2. Get a job and earn some $ for travelling.
3. Improve my English.
4. Enjoy more food. :P
5. Remove some fat on my body. (Does this contradict with 4?)
   
6. Decide to stay in Australia or Malaysia for career.
   

I think that should be all. If I have anymore, I'll just add on. Hopefully I will be able to make it all in 2007.

The last but not least,

HAPPY 2007, EVERYONE! =)