nvm-me

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Self-Learning Cooking Lessons

First attempt: Similar to instant noodle.

Second attempt: Long beans with Egg.

Third attempt: Fried Noodle

Honestly, here, I am free to experiment cooking food without worrying about mummy's reaction (my mother is very particular with her kitchen). My first attempt was shared in previous post. That was rather easy because it just required me to boil water with the ingredients and mix the soup paste as well as the noodle in. As simple as cooking instant noodle.

Second attempt was to prepare dinner for my sister and her friends. Also shared in previous posts. That was a dish I copied from my mother and it was alright. It's just egg and I do cook egg well! Lol

Third attempt was the fried noodle. In my mind, I kept picturing what I could put in the dish. I researched various site but unfortunately, I did not have any of those ingredients with me in this house. So, I simply took stuff I thought would fit well and started cooking. I added some ready made paste, thinking it would be very safe and the noodle would have a good taste to it. Feedback gotten was:

1. It will taste good with the Hao Gou.
2. I can taste something.

Yeap, that dish was tasteless. And today, while eating up the remainder of the noodle (I still have difficulty measuring how to cook for how many people), I had to add in Ketchup, which I often do when I was a child to my fried mee hun.

I don't cook at home. And now, I think it's not that hard after all.... I think...

At least, everyone who ate my cooking are all still alive and healthy!!!!!

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Power of Series, opps, Love......

Series VS Love?

Normally, people are more used to the statement with the latter word at the end. After all, we should never underestimate the Power of LOVE.

I guess, love is the basic need for all humans, regardless which kind of love, family, friendship or even romantic love.

Well, I admit I have all but the romantic part. And of course, I would be lying if I said I never wanted one.

Just last year, I came across this show on Astro On Demand. At first, I was attracted by the songs instead of the show and the casts. They kept promoting this show, on and on again. And I kept listening to the song, over and over again. Then, I got interested in the plot when they showed a few previous.

Astro On Demand usually broadcast TVB cantonese shows. But this show, although still part of the product of the company, is made in Taiwan. In other words, it's a taiwan series, called "I Do".

It's basically a love story, although the plot is not as realistic as our daily encounters, but the problems and issues addressed seemed quite true, especially for young married couples. Simply because, marriage seemed to be such a petite thing now and divorce became such a popular and easy answer to all the questions and difficulties faced.

But I guess what I really love about this show is how two people in love tried to make their marriage work. And watching love stories always make me feel like being in love with some one. Because, being in love seems so 幸福.

I easily get carried away by shows. It has really been such a long time since I felt touched and nervous and wanting to finish the series as fast as I can. Finally, a good plot for me to enjoy.

My second time running through this series, and I'm still loving it.

PS: they have lovely wedding gowns.... =)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Staying With A Celebrity

Did the title attract anyone's attention?

The week before heading down to Basingstoke (correctly spelled this time), my sister's friend arrived in London for a short stay. She was to crash in my sister's flat with us.

She is not that of an ordinary person since last year.

During the morning she arrived, my sister was catching up with her in the living hall while her other friend and I looked through TVB's website, happily searching for her profile, in the room.

Well, this is of course very unusual because we do not go surfing in TVB's website right after being introduced to a stranger.

But, as I said, she's not that ordinary in Hong Kong in the year of 2008.

breakfast on the day she arrived, all looking sleepy because it was still very early.

Any clue yet?

Sister was always not home because of work and studies, while I am always at home because I love staying at home. And "the friend" is always at home studying for her upcoming exams.

So, I spent quite a bit of time alone with her and it was of course a little weird for me. After all, we were strangers 2 weeks ago and have to live under the same roof straight away.

But, she's nice. She cooked my dinner yesterday night, she always offer to buy grocery whenever she is off to Waitrose, the shop outside. And she's quite fun to talk to!

I was reading through some news about her yesterday, wanting to know about her situation last year. And I actually downloaded Miss Hong Kong Pagent Finals 2008 yesterday, saving it to watch after she leaves (pai se mar).

I wonder what would she think when she knows I am typing about her now while she is studying hard outside (shy shy).

If you are interested, go find out about her base on the information here. I wonder who will choi me.

Fun to be staying with a semi-celebrity! At least in the future, I can boost a bit.=)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A Month Four Days

I loaded into the "posting" page of blogger since 11 this morning. It was left aside, because I have no idea what to blog about. Life here has been routine, not much to elaborate.

I am getting very use to how I spend my time everyday. It is really a long holiday for me. A long and relaxing holiday. And the one month and four days here seemed to pass by really fast.

June is approaching, the month where I will start all my traveling, though I am only going to Manchester and Scotland. But, the idea of meeting my friends is so exciting and happy.

Now, June and July seems occupied, I have to think what to do in August. I have spent a month adapting and experiencing what is it like to live in London, now I have to go out full force to explore other cities. Browsing through all the websites, looking through many packages makes me so tempted to just click the book button. But then, I have to bear in mind, I can't leave UK and travel Europe alone because I might have problems entering UK once I leave. And, I have very limited cash to spend.

So, narrowing it down to just UK, I do have places I wish to go. Wales being top of the list and Bath second. But the idea of going alone really kills me. No one to chat and laugh during the visit, photos all just merely views without humans.... I prefer to travel with at least a partner.

I am wishing for something now. And I am still waiting for her answer. I really hope I can convince her, after all, she had that idea first!

On a whole different topic, I cooked dinner for 4 yesterday! There were 3 dishes, and I cooked only one, but prepared the rest. LOL. See, the menu of the dinner was chicken cordon bleu and egg with beans. The chicken cordon bleu is of course ready made, just have to put it into the oven. Then, I cooked beans with egg, which looks nothing like the way my mother cooks. But at least it has taste, and people who ate it are all still alive at this very moment! LOL. The 3rd dish was my sister's friend, which was also chicken, cooked chicken. So that's even easier, microwave it! HAHA

I have never had a microwave in my house and hence, have no clue on how it works. But here, microwave is like my BBF in the kitchen! So, I am expert now.

So, here I am, finally adapting and accepting and experiencing the life I want that many will question and critic, but it really doesn't bother me anymore.

I am loving it and that is all that matters!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Lost the Touch

I'm beginning to lose the touch of blogging. It really requires so much discipline to make sure it's updated. But sometimes, it's just that hard. Reminds me of how I will postponed again and again about doing assignments or even studying when I was still back in Uni.

I went on a small trip, out of the London town on Monday. Just came back this morning. The town I went was called Basingstoke.

Lovely town it is. Not many pictures taken as I was alone when I explore the town. I don't particularly fancy scenery photos. I would much prefer pictures with humans I know in it. Memories, I would say.

I had this opportunity because sister was on an away job here. This town is very quiet and has not many interesting tourist attraction. It's about an hour train journey and it's those typical out of city lifestyle. I get to see more schools, more families, more children, more CARS and less public transport etc. Unlike London, filled with working suites and red buses, this place would be the place for kids to grow up in and then come down to London for career or college.

I would say, Basingstroke could be like PJ and London being central KL. But, the environment here really is lovely. I walked around the area for 4 days and pretty much realized how connected the whole area is. Walking one direction some how will lead you back to the same place.

And, I was able to be around dogs. Scary but I managed to pull it through. =)

AND, I went into the first shopping mall I came across in UK. Yes, a shopping mall, something like a smaller version of One U, with a cinema.

Who says I need to travel far and famous places to observe new and interesting cultures?

Friday, May 15, 2009

Walking Under the Rain

vacuum the flat - checked

wipe the furnitures - checked

clean the kitchen floor - checked

iron clothes - checked

wash toilet - semi-checked

walking under the rain - checked

today's schedule was to clean up the whole house as i was suppose to complete the house chores on wednesday. i didn't manage to finish washing the toilet because i'm not sure where are the tools, and i can't find where the water will flow to hence, dare not wash the floor.

and yesterday, i walked to my sister's office, back from her office and again to her office (45 minutes each trip).

so, combining these 2 days physical activities, i'm feeling some body ache already. too much physical exercise suddenly.

anyways, highlight of the day is that: i walked under the rain in london!

back home, i always love walking under the rain. despite how heavy the rain is, i always avoid using the umbrella (unless there's lightning). walking under the rain is always fun!

just now, i went out for a brief grocery shopping and also to buy my dinner. i didn't know it was raining because it was hardly visible. drizzling only in fact. so i thought, small matter.

but, just after a few steps, i realized the rain here and the rain back home cannot be compared at all! the rain drops here are freezing cold. it is still fun to walk under then rain, but not for long.

now i'm back, sneezing already. it's getting heavier, and luckily, i went out a bit earlier..

random post. lol

oh, tomorrow, some celebrity will be arriving in this little flat of my sister!!! to be disclosed another time......

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

We've got mail!

Something caught my attention today while wandering around the house.

The scary postman came again few hours ago and I happened to pass by the door just few minutes ago, to grab the letters.

I found something very interesting - a leaflet containing information about Swine Flu.

To my understanding, Swin Flu was only in the media as long as I have been here in London, which means, a fair 3 weeks.

And now, the UK government already have prepared leaflet regarding this virus. No, the leaflet is not those one-piece black and white paper advertisements we get from our letter box. It's those booklets you see in clinics - colored with many organizations' name attached to it.

I'm amazed with it because I have never in my 22 years encountered such thing in Malaysia.

That's the difference between first-world country and our third-world country? Very different mentality and culture, which kinda made me feel how we, Malaysians, really have to buck up.

The Question Mark

Expectations. Are they from my own opinions and interpretations or even imaginations, or are they simply the reality?

Dad was worried even before I came over. I was so confident that I would survive well for 6 whole months in London, not giving in any deep thoughts about the whole holiday. I told myself what I could do, what I could plan, etc. I was that determine to stay so long.

I realized the reason for that thought to be planted in me was because of the failure of Plan A. The very first plan for this UK trip was to apply a Holiday Maker Visa and stay here for about 1 years, with the permission to work part time. It made sense because then, my time would be so occupied by work and traveling. But when I was told that the Holiday Maker Visa was no long available to UK, first thing that came into my mind was the duration that I would be allowed to stay. And when the reevaluation of free visa for Malaysians was a free entry for no longer 6 months, my first reaction was to stay as long as I can.

After buying my air ticket, I was all excited. 6 months away from home sounded so amazing. And 6 months with sister was even more exciting! I bought the tickets in February, and was only departing in April. A whole 2 months for me to realize the fact that the duration would be a bit unrealistic did not hit me until a few days before the departing date.

So, now, I am almost into week 3 of my stay here in London. I carried many expectations here and frequently felt the guilt of doing nothing but staying at home everyday. I forgot that this is a holiday trip. I tried to find every way that I have learned anything from any of the daily activities. Although I am having fun here in my own way and interpretations, I still have the uneasy feeling because of the "expectations" I thought I had to fulfill.

Close ones have been bombarded with conversations with me about the issue above. No doubt, since I arrived, I have been worried. When discussion about what I could do occurred, I felt the stress and immediately tried to change the topic.

And here, I don't think I am the only one having all the guilty feelings. Even sister had been feeling this uncomfortable feeling of leaving me back at home while she attends to her own functions and activities. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. Doing what I am doing and feeling what I am feeling has nothing to do with anyone but myself. I held full responsibility for my own decisions and actions here.

It has been 3 weeks and I kept thinking about going home earlier. When people ask me when will I be going home, I tend to answer: "I'm still undecided".

And yesterday, going through the Air Asia website looking for cheap tickets, there was a new option for me, returning to Malaysia a month earlier than as planned. That way, I could spend more during my stay and visits her in UK. And that way, my guilt would be reduced too.

Dad said I should take a week to think about it and not make any rush decision. So, I started with my traveling plans, looking at the dates people have been giving me to go visit them. June seemed interesting, July could be allocated for a few more visits, and finally August, would be a little less busy. So, going back in September sounded more appealing.

And, it made me feel so much better about my stay here now.

Should I? Or should I not?

Monday, May 11, 2009

Scary Market & GBK

It's a weekend again! But it might be the last weekend outing until sister finishes her exams.

We went to a market, which was the one she took us to 2 years back when I was visiting with Vern Chui. I remembered the place but it did change quite a bit.

2 years ago

I did not take any picture of the market yesterday so there would not be any comparison. But this time, we to another "market area" as well, nearby. Oh no, I forgot the name of the street!

Anyways, the people here are really different than the ones you see in town. They are more like the Hip-Hop gang. I even associated them with US people - a whole different culture compared to UK people. And it was crowded (I hate crowds), not those Pasar Malam crowd but those scarier crowd. Like Petaling Street? Just walking down that whole street, we saw more than 4 police patrolling. And it was not even 5 in the evening yet. So, that actually showed us how the complicated this place would turn to when people start getting drunk later of the day.

People were sitting on the roads, by the roads and anywhere around, drinking beers. They acted less conservative than the ones you see in town. It sure was interesting but scary at the same time.

It was a different scenery to see. Places where you will not dare to go alone. I don't even think the tour guide will bring you to such places but I might be wrong. The place was more Fuk Zap. I felt so uncomfortable and didn't even dare to have dinner there although there were so many yummy and cheap food available. Because I felt like I could be attacked anytime! I might be exaggerating but that was the insecurity feeling I experienced.

So, we walked back to the first market and settled for GBK for dinner instead. GBK stands for Gourmet Burger Kitchen. It is a place where my sister had been wanting to take me when we had our Nandos 2 weeks back. The burgers were huge! Even the Milk Shake was large! It was the full-lest meal I ever had since I got here. I didn't even feel like eating breakfast this morning!

The LARGER Burger

The Milk Shake cup and the Ketcup bottle! (Cute-ness!)

Sister was amazed with how well I cut the burger considering hers being... erm, let's have the picture explaining it for me.

Mine - clean and tidy

Sister's - All over the place and it doen't even look like a burgeR!

I haven't tasted Carl's Jr yet so I'm not sure about the size differences but this burger was really yummy and huge.

This post has less content because I don't know what else and how else to express. I have other things in mind which seemed to be interrupting my train of thoughts. Let's hope I can rearrange my mind and share it real soon.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Days of Recovery

It really takes a lot of self discipline to make sure you blog, especially for me, where I want to remember every single day of my experience here in London.

And when I fell sick, all I could do with my laptop was to click here and there for a show to be played, and then, fall asleep in the midst of the show.

And when I am recovering, I got lazy.

Oh well, that's also because there is nothing to blog about the sick days. LOL

But I am all well now.

Just got off the phone with my mother and apparently, my little cousin misses me a lot. Wonder how long would that last!

Back on the updates.

On Friday, sister decided to have some quality time with me before she start her studying venture. So I was placed with the responsibility of finding a good restaurant with offers for dinner. And then, I also had to look at the timings for movies as well. In the end, whatever I researched did not come in handy because we changed the whole plan when she came back.

Instead of the place I found near Regent Street, we went to a Thai restaurant nearby our place, with the view of the Thames River. And after such a long time, I was served with hot yummy food.

Fried Rice and Fried Noodle

The fried rice was freaking yummy! And the fried noodle really tasted like char keoy teow, just that it's a sweeter version of the one back home. Sister ordered a glass of wine while I ordered a Thai tea.

Thai Special Tea

The White Wine

Of course, I tasted the white wine. The photo was not taken just for show. I did taste it and still, I dislike it. Maybe sooner or later I might get use to the taste but I am sure I will not enjoy the drink. So why should I order something I don't enjoy?!!!! LOL but the Thai special tea was alright. Tasted a bit like ice teh tarik. And again, I couldn't sleep because of the tea. AGAIN!

We were having our dinner at about 6:30 (they call it half six here.... so not use to it) and finished our food about an hour later. But from the photo below, the sun is still shinning brightly. Summer is still not here yet! Which means, during summer, day time will be until 10? Oh no!!!

After dinner, we headed back home first to change my coat because the weather changed. It was getting cold and surely I would be freezing with the jacket I brought for dinner. When we came out, I asked sister if we could take a picture in front of the house, showing off the flat's name. Hence, the pointing from her. But, the label was way to high and I have very lousy skills so in the end, the picture turned out to be some crazy "drunk" girl taking photo with me. LOL. (she turns very red even though she had very little alcohol).

Headed to Leicester Square for a movie. I researched about the timings for Star Trek but we ended up watching X-Men. Cinemas back home are way nicer than the ones here. And they also have many advertisements before the movie. I still prefer GSC.

Because I had a sleepless night due to the stupid tea, I wanted to sleep in the next morning, which is the Saturday morning. But then, I had to get out of the house because of certain reasons. I was actually clueless about where should I head to. Looked online for some gardens or parks, or even markets. But in the end, I just walked around town. Which town, I surely do not know.

And all the shops were actually closed. On a Saturday afternoon. I knew offices would be quiet but even normal shops were closed. Weird. After walking about an hour, aimless, I decided to go to the small little park nearby my place. The park was right opposite the Thai restaurant we went the night before.

Sat down and read my book for about 3 hours. Felt the heat of the sun and also the cold breeze of the freaking strong wind. I wanted to read my book until 5:30 p.m. because the story was getting really interesting. But the wind was too cold that I had to leave for a warmer place. In the end, I went to Waitrose for grocery shopping aka my dinner ingredients shopping.

I bought Egg noodles and some pork meat with orange juice. Because I was about to cook my tomyum noodle.

This would officially be the first time I am cooking, all by myself, a meal for myself. While I was preparing, my sister's friend asked a lot of questions and even warned me not to get food poisoning before he left. Well, I am still alive now so the food should be alright!

My appetizer (food I was eating while waiting for the water to boil):

This small little bucket of oat biscuit actually saved me from hunger every now and then. Yummy!

And my meal: Tomyum egg noodle! And boy, British pork is not nice at all! It has some funny taste which I thought the meat was not cooked! I still have some in the fridge and guess that would be dinner tonight! By the way, the meal was good! Haha

It will not be Vern May without desert, what more when there is ice cream at home! For the past whole week, I did not touch the ice cream at all because I was sick. And yesterday, I couldn't refrain myself from eating it. Oh, yummy!

So right now, it's a Sunday morning with great weather. I'm guessing everyone in London would be so eager to run out of their house for the sun. I'm not too eager myself because I see sun everyday back home. LOL. But I'm really enjoying the cold breeze so might go for a small walk later.

I had so many thoughts this week but this post is getting lengthy. Shall keep it for another day then.

Oh, should I go home earlier? I'm thinking about August. And hopefully, that call would come and it would not be a disaster for me!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Sick

The common question I had to answer during the outings with my sister's friends:

"So, what did you do the whole week?"

I actually couldn't keep track on who I answered and had to repeat my answers every now and then.

Oh well....

Have been sleeping a lot since Sunday night. Hence, the absence here in this blog.

I was sick. In fact, it should be presence tense. I am sick. Got up today and had such a hard time talking to my sister because of the bad sore throat.

Not to worry, I only fulfill the basic symptoms for Swine flu and there are still many other signs which I do not have. So, I DO NOT have Swine flu. Just basic sore throat and flu. A bad one in such a long time.

And being ill alone here aint' fun, like what sis said. I was all alone at home. Too weak to get up. No appetite to eat anything. And on top of that, I was having a bad gastric.

At home, I would at least have mummy coming into my room, checking on my condition or chasing me to the doctor. Or even brother occasionally coming in my room just to disturb me and entertain me. At least, I would have some company to keep me less lonely (when I am sick, I tend to be more of an attention seeker and company crave). But here, I am all on my own. I cooked my own porridge. I take my own water and medication. Good experience! (sister had college to attend, in case people start questioning her. hehe)

On my road of recovery today.

Anyways, weekend was fun. As usual, went for basketball with my sister. This week, there were so many more people because the weather was good. Well, the sun was out (that explains everything =)). Then, we had a surprise party for one of her friends at night. I attended the party. Of course I felt left out but adapting to it. I'm good! =)

Then the next day evening, we went all the way back to my sister's old place because we went to Hyde Park! Played some ball game and went for Malaysian food. Yes, MALAYSIAN FOOD.

I was so tempted to order roti canai, which cost about 3 pounds. But then, my gastric pain seemed to be calling for a more complete meal so I ordered chicken rice with teh tarik. Chicken rice was nothing like home (in other words, not as good as home). And the teh tarik did not keep me awake at all that night (sick mar).

And since then, my days were more about sleeping, eating, suffering and sleeping again.

Brief update because mind still not functioning normally. hehe

Hopefully by the end of the week, I will recover, because, I might be going to Alton Towers!

Friday, May 1, 2009

The First Walk

Left house at 11.35 a.m. and entered the house again at 2:55 p.m.

So what happened in this 3 hours and 20 minutes?

1) 45 minutes lunch with sister
2) 5 minutes in Waitrose (grocery shop) to buy milk. And KitKat because it was on offer! =)
3) The rest was just plain walking from the house to sister's office (2-way).

Yeap, I finally walked! Before I came over, I kept telling people that I would avoid spending on transportation when I am in town because I can simply just walk! Why was I so confident? Because 2 years ago, walking around from my sister's old place was so easy.

But now, it is a whole different environment it makes walking kinda scary.

Last weekend, my sister's friend didn't even allow me to take the bus home myself! Guess I overestimated myself.

But, today, I walked all the way to her office. I got lost at some point of time and luckily I called my sister. If not, that duration of walking would be an additional 30 minutes! And can someone tell me why walking back seems to always be easier and faster? LOL

So, I finally made it. I walked! And from today's experience, I guess it would be easier for the rest of the planned routes via "Bus 11".

But gosh, I am freaking tired!

Yea, I know I'm lousy. Haha

Bali airport