Did you switch off the lights?

Earth Hour was just 4 hours ago. Did you do your part for the earth?

I've started working already. At a restaurant in a hotel as a kitchen commis. Surprise surprise. After a good long rest. (Lepak more like it) Am slowly adapting to everything. Have to pick up my speed and basics again. Fuhh... not easy after a year of being lazed down.

Anyway, back to Earth Hour, I was happy to see many people and organizations participated in making it happen, including the hotel I work in. During briefing we were told that only a few of other areas switching off the lights. Nearing Earth Hour, chef say we can do a part too.


Honestly I was very, very happy, although it caused some difficulty to some sections of the kitchen, but we did our part. I thought I don't have the chance to take part in Earth Hour, but at last I can! Yippee!

Some might complain that it's useless just switching off for one hour. But, if thousands of individuals and organizations do so, mama earth will get a good rest. Of course, practicing it every day is remarkably best of the best! Don't you realize that the weather is getting warmer and warmer nowadays? Don't you know the temperature in the north pole is rising, causing the ice to melt and methanol leaking out to the surface of earth?

One might not realize how much energy we consume each day, how much toxic and gases we release onto mama earth, how much heat we produce. At home you might try to save quite a bit, but at your working place? At hotels? At shopping malls? All these establishments have to on maximum air conditioning to make the place cool enough (thus release hot air out), lights are on 24/7, at hotel kitchens water keep running to wash the pots and pans, to refresh the pasta boiling machine, the ovens are on which consume high energy. All this to produce the best for the hotel guests, but the worst for mama earth.

Therefore we cannot complain that 'with only my own ability, it's equivalent to doing nothing' or 'why i do but he don't have to do?' or 'it's useless'. Each action matters! Even by using 1 ply of tissue instead of 3 ply matters! Be proud that you take part in conserving the environment. Today it might only be just melting ice, but 5 years later it might be a burning earth! We won't have enough place for landfill. No more oceans for fishes to swim in. Animals will have to eat wastages. So please do something!! Not just short term but long!!! Even a small change will make a difference.

Some things which you might be able to do:

• Off the water while you're brushing your teeth, soaping your body, shampooing your hair instead of letting the water run whole time. It can save up to a whole bucket of water.
• Use 1 ply of tissue to wipe your mouth/wrap your chewing gums instead of the whole 3 ply.
• Carry your own water bottle/cloth bag out for shopping. Reduce plastic usage. There are plastic bag recycling bins at most major supermarkets. Just tell the cashier 'no need plastic bag, thank you' (What's so difficult in saying that?) if you don't need it necessarily.
• RECYCLE!!! Be it paper, newspaper (sao gao bou ji... old newspaper... surat khabar lama...), plastic, glass, battery lama, tilam lama (tilam tilam tilam... tilam lama, tilam baru...). Keep the plastic bags for rubbish dumping or future usage because most plastic bags are not bio-degradable. It cause harm to mama earth. But mind you, there might be things that you think can be recycle actually not recyclable. Check it out first.
  
• Water the plants or toilet bowl with the water you wash rice with. Make your own compost. Save trees, better still PLANT ONE!
• Print on both pages. Don't throw away paper which you don't need anymore which only has 1 printed page. The blank page on the other side can be used as rough paper, make into your own note pad, to write drafts, diary or whatever.
  
• Things that you don't want but still in good condition can be donated to SPCA for their jumble sale. You might don't want it but others might need it.
  
• Be considerate. Be nice. Treat mama earth like you treat your loved ones. (Although some abuse them, wtf)
• Don't simply throw wastages. (Try spitting on your house floor like you spit on the road) Handle oil wastages with care. One gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallon of clean water. You wouldn't want to bath in oily water right?
  

Will update the list when I can think of more. There are also a lot of recycling tips you can find online. Try reading them and why not try them!

http://www.reducerubbish.govt.nz/recycle/tips.html

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/recycle.html

http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/nav/page1982.aspx

http://www.orange-soft.net/test/crisp/content/view/41/22/

http://www.recyclenow.com/

http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/education/recycling-facts-tips.cfm

and many more...

3Rs - REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. THINK BEFORE YOU THROW!!!

[Lyrics] Toto - I Will Remember

A song dedicated to my grandpa. Have fun travelling the world, grandpa.

I Will Remember
by: Toto

Source: letssingit

I was born in the land of the sun
And the tall green grass
And I don't understand
How all this has come to pass
How we've come to surround ourselves
In a sea of thieves
In a land without learning
Only the fools believe

I went driving last night
On a dark canyon road
Had the sky to myself
But I wasn't alone
Had the pain of my lifetime
For my company
How did it end up like this
For you and me

When love breaks the promise
The heart has to keep
It leaves only truth here to find
When the spirit is crushed
And the hurt is so deep
Between you and I

Even when love has come and gone
And our hearts have moved along
I will remember
There was a time we had the trust
And that always was enough
I will remember
I will remember you

As I open my eyes to one more day
The wind burns my face
As it whispers your name
As it's pulling me forward
It tears me free
And the only thing left
Is the tears for you and me

'Cause when love breaks the promise
The heart has to keep
It leaves only truth here to find
When the spirit is crushed
And hurt is so deep
Between you and I

Even when love has come and gone
And our hearts have moved along
I will remember
There was a time we had the trust
And that always was enough
I will remember

Even when love has come and gone
And our hearts have moved along
I will remember
There was a time we had the trust
And that always was enough
I will remember
I will remember you

Too late

A piece of advice: Show your love to your loved ones as much as you can before it's too late, even if you have to sacrifice.

This is just damn fcuking true. I wish everything is just a dream, a nightmare. I hope I can wake up from it and realize everything is not real. I don't want this to end this way, it's just not time yet.

People tend to put things on hold, thinking that there's still tomorrow. Today you couldn't wake up for Sunday breakfast with your grandpa, thinking there's always the following week, the next thing you know you no longer can go for Sunday breakfast with him. On CNY you thought of taking a family photo with everyone since they're all back but missed the chance, thinking there's always next year, the next thing you know, the chance will always be missed. You thought of treating your grandpa for a luxurious meal upon receiving your first salary, only to know he's gone a week before you start work. You hear your dad talking on the phone with your grandpa asking him out for dinner, the next thing you know, he's not here anymore. You made cinnamon rolls for him, the next thing you know, he don't have the chance to eat it. The fears in me when I went to the hospital previously came true. Too soon to be true.

I wish I can cook more often for him. He loves eating the bread I made. He never complained if the food is not nice to eat. I wish I can go for breakfast with him every Sunday. He loved each of his grandchildren to bits, he always ask us to go gain more knowledge, travel more, study Chinese, be good and wise.

Yeh yeh, I miss you already. R.I.P. I'll be good and make you proud. IMYVVM.

Angel vs Devil

I finally got something that I always thought it's the best, only to doubt now if it's really the best.
为‘义’或为‘利’，说真的，在这个情况下，我很想为‘利’咯。因为‘义’的价值真的无可接受呢。
Quote someone:
"I believe the facts that everyone have their turn to come. It is the matter of time. But i also believe that it was merely a statement to cheer up those who are falling behind. Or sorry to say.. It’s for Loser!!!"
Great, I so feel like a loser now.
至少你有天份。至少你知道喜欢做什么，要做什么。
What's greater than that?
I just squatted in front of the toilet bowl and vomitted my whole damn supper out.
Should have bought the WTF shirt I saw that day.
我们一起祷告。

Beancurd Pok?

The cutest guy in Malaysia... or, some say in Singapore? Lol!

Bernard Hiew

Tor+ Saksit - Mung?

Parents went Hatyai last weekend, 'tumpang' them to buy CDs for me. They manage to buy Tor's latest cd 'Mung?' for me! Yippeeeeee!!!

I love every single song in it! There's the usual Thai pop, Tor+'s style of love songs, and in this album he attempted rock and jazz! Amazingly, it's good! Gosh, this makes me love him even more. He looks so good here!


Now left his previous 'Living In C Major' to find!

'Mung?' (Perhaps?) Track Listing: (Source: darathai)
[Released 21.10.2008)

1. มั้ง? / Mung? (Perhaps?) (1st single)
2. interlude
3. ไม่อยากรู้ / Mai Yahk Roo (I Don’t Want to Know) (2nd single)
4. เพลงของหัวใจ / Pleng Kong Hua Jai (Song From the Heart) (4th single)
5. เปิดประตูหัวใจ / Pbert Pbradtoo Hua Jai (Open the Door of Your Heart)
6. ไม่รู้จริงๆ / Mai Roo Jing Jing (I Really Don’t Know)
7. โอ๊ะ โอ / Oh Oh (3rd single)
8. รักนิดๆ / Ruk Nit Nit (A Little Lovin’)
9. เพราะความรักแท้ๆ / Pror Kwahm Ruk Tae Tae (Because of True Love)
10. เพลงที่เขียนไม่จบ / Pleng Tee Kian Mai Job (The Song I Wrote Doesn’t End)
11. เล่นดนตรี(ยังจะง่ายกว่า) / Len Don Dtree (Yung Ja Ngai Gwah) ((Playing Music [Is Still Easier]))

Saw some clips on his Valentine's Day Concert 2009 on Youtube. 13 parts! I saw the 1st clip only and I already feel it's damn good. The amount of people and how they sing along with him. Wow. Shall wait for the dvd. Yippee!!!



See how the piano medley matches the pictures on the lcd screen. Amazing. Search the other 12 parts yourself. Awwww.... Tor *wub* When will I see you again? Sigh!

Fruit Delight

Well, I don't know the exact name for this cake actually. Fruit delight, fruit flan, vanilla sponge with fruits... Whatever... All I know is this cake serves as my favorite cake for years and years and years. Even since kindergarten. Well, basically I like anything that is with pure vanilla sponge. Yum.

An easy one... Bake the sponge, cream the cake, arrange the fruits, voila! Looks very refreshing isn't it? But actually the cake was a bit senget! Haha, what to do, my first time creaming a cake. It's a healthy one too! I used non-dairy whipping cream. Light and yummeh!

For the sponge I used Martha Stewart's Vanilla Sponge Recipe. Easy!

Makes one 9-inch-square cake

• Unsalted butter, for pan
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.Butter a 9-inch-square baking pan. Line pan with parchment paper, and butter again. Flour the pan, and set aside. In a small bowl, sift together flour and cornstarch; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg yolks, vanilla, and 1/2 cup sugar on high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Transfer the egg-yolk mixture to a large bowl. Wash and dry the mixer bowl and the whisk attachment.
3. Combine egg whites and salt in the mixer bowl, and beat on medium speed until whites hold soft peaks, about 1 1/2 minutes. With mixer running, slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Continue beating until stiff and glossy, about 1 minute.
4. Fold the egg-white mixture into the egg-yolk mixture. In three additions, fold the reserved flour mixture into this new mixture. Transfer the batter to prepared pan, and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake until a cake tester inserted into middle comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool; turn out cake, and wrap it in plastic wrap until ready to use.

(I made one 8-inch round cake, plus 3 small cupcakes. You can actually use all the batter for a thicker 8-inch cake.)

Marbled Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Have been baking two days in a row for SooHui's Project Home Roadshow. Went to few places to look for dog shape cookie cutter, but end up only able to get dog bone shape :(

Used thekitchn's recipe of "Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookies" but omitted the cream cheese to save cost.

3 cups butter, softened at room temperature for an hour
3 cups sugar
3 eggs
6 ounces cream cheese (3/4 of a standard cream cheese package)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons lemon zest
9 cups flour
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and add the sugar. Cream until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until golden. Add the cream cheese and again beat until well incorporated. Add the flavorings and lemon zest.

Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl then add, bit by bit, to the butter/sugar mixture.You will have chosen a large bowl for this particular recipe, I hope - mine was overflowing by this point and I ended up doing the final mix in a large plastic bag.

Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour - preferably overnight.

Heat the oven to 350° F. Divide the dough into smaller balls and roll out 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out cookies.

Bake cookies for 8-12 minutes, depending on thickness. The small, thinner ones started browning after about 8 minutes, and I didn't want these brown at all. The larger ones had a slight golden bottom after 11 minutes, which was perfect for my purposes.

Let cool before icing or decorating, and store in a tightly covered container.

(Mine was too sticky, so I had to add in additional few cups of flour)

Was told that the cookies lack of taste... maybe because I cut down the sugar by one cup. I always cut down the sugar by 1/3 in all recipes.

Hmm... lots more to improve... ganbate eve.

Light My Way

Should I celebrate or what? Hoho, it's been a full year. Yes, 365 days gone like the wind. Poof! A year of what? A year being jobless! A year enjoying my life. A year which I took time off, supposing to do things that I want to do, but what have I done? Nothing, full stop. I'm kinda regretting now. Not on the job part, but not doing the things that I thought I should do. Sigh, useless isn't it? I should have cook everything until my stove gets rusty, I should have gone backpacking or travelling, I should have compiled the information that I needed, or perhaps, I should have WORKED?!?

WTF.

Sometimes I really feel damn annoyed on myself. I never seem to have contributed anything positive. Time management is one thing I really need to improve on. I guess I don't have it at all in the first place.

WTF.

One day I was emo-ing and SS asked me not to push myself too hard. Think think think, I'm not even pushing in the first place! I love what I'm doing, but just that it brings harm financially.

WTF.

I've thought of trying out wedding planner. Not forgetting being a part of the culinary world. I also considered the entertainment line. Or else home catering. I have thought of every single job that I think my ability permits me to do. Spinning round and round, what suits me? And I suit what? Tough tough question. I always scared that what I like might not be what I can do.

WTF.

I have so many undone tasks all piled up in front of me. (But you're not working!) Hmm, put it in this way whereby it's tasks I enjoy doing yet without any income. I have few phood blogs delayed, to help out with Project Home, do some writing etc. I just realize it and it's due tomorrow!

WTF.

I'm having super complicated feelings now. To the extend that I don't know what am I feeling. Thinking too much, expecting too much, imagining too much.

WTF.

SPCA Jumble Sale 01/03/09

Last Sunday, I was asked to help out at the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Jumble Sale by SooHui. Thinking that I've never been there, and it's kinda meaningful to go help out so I went ahead. San zou lao lao woke up at 6am to meet them at Kepong and off we go to SPCA located in Ampang.

SPCA Selangor is an animal welfare organisation based in Ampang Jaya, Selangor. The aim of the SPCA is to protect defenseless animals and to alleviate their suffering. We receive more than 700 unwanted, homeless or abused animals every month. We provide an adoption program, investigation of cruelty reports, humane education, assistance to community animal caregivers and run a dedicated, low-cost spay/ neuter clinic. We also lobby the Government and local municipals for humane treatment of animals and harsher penalities for perpetrators of crimes against animals. Founded in 1958, SPCA is a well-respected and trusted Non-Profit Organisation. Over the years, the organisation has gained tremendous goodwill, recognition and support from animal lovers all over Malaysia. (Source: SPCA website)

To be honest, I feel uneasy being there. Cuz of the smell of dog's poo and pee. But, heck, what do I expect? There's like hundreds of dogs and cats living there. Insufficient 'home' for these abandoned or abused animals. There are even some known as 'Last Chance Dogs' up for adoption, I guess they're too old to live, and if no one adopts them, they will be ... *breath in* euthanized.





The jumble sale funds will be used for the organization's expenses I suppose. The items are all old/unwanted stuff that people dispose. Hmm, now I know where to give all my old clothes away. At least it help out the animals.





I believe it's all of our duty to help these poor animals. I mean, why go for expensive and option for IMPORTED breeds? Help out SPCA's dogs. They are as cute as you can get. Or else, recycle your old but usable junks to them for the jumble sale. Not only for the sale, but you can also donate/contribute items that the organization need such as office stationeries, dog/cat food etc. If not, volunteer at the organization. Better still, ADOPT one! Colleges/schools can also sponsor a cage for only RM500 for 3 months.



You can check out the jumble sale which will be held every 2 or 3 months I heard. There will be books, shoes, clothes, bags, toys, household items etc which I see is in good condition. The only thing is, I think that SPCA must improve on the notification of the jumble sale date. I only see a banner hanging outside saying there will be a jumble sale on what date and what time. Don't seem to see/hear news about it in the media. Or maybe it's just me who didn't read about it lah.

Anyway, a good experience. But make me miss Bibi even more. I wish I could adopt one. Sigh!

Adopt me!

[Lyrics] Fish Leong 梁静茹 - Mei You Ru Guo 没有如果

Current fave. Love the line
"世界上最遥远的距离不是生与死, 而是我就站在你面前, 你却不知道我爱你."
(The longest distance in the world is not life and death, but it's when I stand in front of you, yet you don't know that I love you)

Credits: Malaysian Chinese Albums

没有如果 Mei You Ru Guo
Fish Leong 梁静茹
Album: 静茹&情歌 别再为他流泪 Fall In Love & Songs

* 如果我说 爱我没有如果
*Ru guo wo shuo ai wo mei you ru guo
错过就过 你是不是会难过
Cuo guo jiu guo ni shi bu shi hui nan guo
若如果拿来当借口
Ruo ru guo na lai dang jie kou
那爱是不是有一点弱
Na ai shi bu shi you yi dian ruo

如果我说 爱我没有如果
Ru guo wo shuo ai wo mei you ru guo
真的爱我就放手一搏
Zhen de ai wo jiu fang shou yi bo
还想什么 还怕什么
Hai xiang shen me hai pa shen me
快牵起我的手
Kuai qian qi wo de shou

有人说
You ren shuo
世界上最遥远的距离不是生与死
Shi jie shang zui yao yuan de ju li bu shi sheng yu si
而是我就站在你面前
Er shi wo jiu zhan zai ni mian qian
你却不知道我爱你
Ni que bu zhi dao wo ai ni

** 我常说
Wo chang shuo
如果人类连爱一个人都被自己绑住
Ru guo ren lei lian ai yi ge ren dou bei zi ji bang zhu
那世界末日已来到
Na shi jie mo ri yi lai dao
不需要等到地球毁灭掉的那天
Bu xu yao deng dao di qiu hui mie diao de na tian

Repeat *

如果如果
Ru guo ru guo
如果如果如果最后变成如果
Ru guo ru guo ru guo zui hou bian cheng ru guo
我也不能接受
Wo ye bu neng jie shou
错过错过
Cuo guo cuo guo
错过错过错过我为你更难过
Cuo guo cuo guo cuo guo wo wei ni geng nan guo
不会一错再错
Bu hui yi cuo zai cuo

Repeat **

别怕太快了 别怕失去我
Bie pa tai kuai le, bie pa shi qu wo

Repeat *

快牵起我的手
Kuai qian qi wo de shou

Repeat * x3

如果我说 爱我没有如果
Ru guo wo shuo, ai wo mei you ru guo

Iswak 2: The End

ISWAK2 made me kill a lot of trees. Especially the last episode.
Yeah, call me a slow-mo. I just finished watching.
The last episode is so, so, so, so, the kns which makes people cry non stop.
I seriously cried non stop, with a blocked nose, bloated eyes and liters of tears.
One down, few more dramas to go. I feel so guilty for keeping these dramas for so long because they belonged to my friends. Hehe. Oopsie.

Hmm, at least these dramas keep my mind from thinking all kinds of craps.
Again, all sorts of 'i think', 'if' and 'what if' questions bloom like mushrooms after the rain.
I wonder why are we are so 'creative' when it comes to all these bullsh*ts and not during brainstorming sessions.
Curiosity kills. It's intolerant. Yet it's unavoidable. Comparisons too.
I just don't know why I have all these feelings of hatred inside of me.
Ok, hatred is too strong to be used. Dislike? Uncomfortable? Annoyed?
Or perhaps, it's jealousy?
I don't know.
I underestimated the varieties of human behavior, personality and attitude in this world.
Hmm, I don't have to compare the world. Just compare the range of KL is enough.
I guess I put too much hope in others to be as good normal as me.
How interesting life is.
And I'm sure, more to come.

Tor+ is *lub*

I seriously don't know how or why I would fall so deeply for a guy like him. But, he just amuses me. His fingers running on the piano keys like he's born knowing how to play. Well, he started playing since three, what do you expect? :D

Who am I talking about? Tor+!!! *wub wub wub* My new idol. No, I still love Danny with all my heart. But I've always like artistes who plays the piano. And Tor+ is the best I've known so far. I only knew about him last year, when he won the MTV Asia Awards 2008 Fave Thai Artiste, and when Danell went over to Bangkok to interview him. Then, just recently I saw his video clips, and oh gosh, I am so in lurve with 'rak ter'!



So last week he was over here for his album promo. (Yeah this blog post is kinda delayed) Yippee! Unfortunately it was a promo for his Malaysia Edition of "Piano & I" and not his latest album :( I heard his latest album Munk? online, and it's really a great album!


So coincidentally, as Tor+ is from Sony Music, Danell decided to venture into hosting and became Tor's promo emcee! 2 in one hehe!



Ok, people must be wondering why is there a plus sign on his name right? Well, the plus sign is an intonation, so it's actually pronounced as the 2nd sound in Chinese. So cute! *wub* Rupa rupanya his dad is a Chinese! He speaks a little Mandarin, and is learning at the moment. And he has a Chinese name! Lol! 马盛甲 *wub wub*

Is he looking at me?? Is he? :p

Oklah, he's just my current craze at the moment. Kinda regret never join the game at his promo that day. I knew all the answers. I can even sing almost the whole song of rak ter dy. Hehe! SS-nya. He's just fantastic lah. Give him some keynotes and he can compose a whole song out of it. And his English is near perfect :) Too bad he says he likes girl who don't know music at all :( Can I pretend not to? Lol! And he's so shy! But his smile is charming! Especially when he smiles timidly :p

Ok, I'm praising him too much. But Tor+ = LOVE. He's fantastic. Hope he comes to Malaysia soon. Super super soon.

His Malaysia Edition: Piano & I. Piano & I is actually his first solo album. It's all instrumental songs with the piano (duh). With three bonus tracks.