Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Wassup Penang?

4 1/2 weeks to go home. Papa. Mummy. Ying. 513-D, Jalan Pokok Saga. Penang laksa. ASTRO. Hokkien mee. Familiar roads, sights, sound, mugs. Warm weather. Gurney Plaza. Mega Pavillion. Sega fredo. St George's Girls' School and my beloved teachers. Best friend. Jeannie. Ais kacang. Generous relatives *ding! dollar sign lights up in eyes*. Jason. Shopping. Juon Wor. Batu Feringghi beaches. Daniel. Ali's Mamak. Kayu. Teh Limau Ais. Background sounds of chatter in FAMILIAR dialects and languages! Polite people. Carefree days without colloquiums and controls. Friendly bunch of Malaysians-Penangite. Piano. Arghhh...just can't wait to be home!

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Exotic Penang: Batu Feringghi beach
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My favourite food-PENANG LAKSA *drool*

Friday, May 20, 2005

Just another post....

The less frequent barrage of ramblings and posts on this blog of mine of late is indicating that I am either busy or lazy. Yeah, I admit I have been spending most of my time sitting on my study table, revolving around studying, trying to study and not studying at all! My life is just so dull and sad. Talking about sad, I was indeed sad and disappointed with my test today. I was supposed to be studying like "there is no tomorrow" last night but I accidentally dozed off. I actually set my alarm clock, limiting my *cough* beauty sleep to O.N.E hour but man, the moment I opened my eyes(that was also because the sun has shone right into my eyes!) it was already 8am, just in time for me to get ready for classes. Needless to say, I have to bear with the consequences of my own action. *ashamed* I was obviously a lil down this morning, but it was not for long, thanks to my friend who is blessed with a natural aptitude of juggling balls to cheer up my otherwise pathetic day. *Random sentence* I couldn't help stop thinking how nice it would be to have the love of my life at this 'crucial' moment and my friend suggested that it would be good if I jot down each and every moment of my life from now on, whenever I need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to make my day...so much so, so that I can 'claim' them all back when I manage to fall into someone's loving arm! Not too bad an idea, isn't it? *chuckle* hehe..haha! Ooppsss, I have wondered too far *snap* Where was I? Oh yeah, I shopped around for hours today, again, but this is one of the 'entertainments' I have here in Moscow...Sigh, but 'watudu'? No closure for this post. *abrupt end*

Thursday, May 19, 2005

My personality type...and what's yours?

















Your #1 Match: ESFJ



The Caregiver

You are sympathetic and caring, putting friends and family first.
A creature of habit, you prefer routines and have trouble with change.
You love being in groups - whether you're helping people or working on a project.
You are good at listening, laughing, and bringing out the best in people.

You would make a great nurse, social worker, or teacher.


Your #2 Match: ESFP




The Performer

You are a natural performer and happiest when you're entertaining others.
A great friend, you are generous, fun-loving and optimistic.
You love to laugh - and you like almost all people equally.
You accept life as it is, and you do your best to make each day fantastic.

You would make a good actor, designer, or counselor.


Your #3 Match: ENFJ




The Giver

You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed.
Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections.
Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down.
You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine.

You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist.


Your #4 Match: ENFP




The Inspirer

You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.
You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules.
Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.
You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller!

You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.


Your #5 Match: ESTJ




The Guardian

You're a natural leader and quick, logical decision maker.
Goals are important in your life, and you take many steps to acheive them.
You enjoy interacting with others, mostly through work related activities.
Your high energy level means you are great at getting things done!

You would make a great teacher, judge, or police detective.


Saturday, May 14, 2005

Classic Italian Dish

When we talk about Italian food, the first thing that comes to our mind will most likely be pasta or pizza with our own favourite toppings, but hey, rice is also as important for the Italians, just like us (or rather me), the Asians okay? *chuckle* Well, I was "introduced" to this "Classic Italian Dish" by one of my friends, Jackson a week ago and I am now craving for it. ( Jackson, if you read this, you know what to do lah...hehe..) I never knew the existence of this special dish a.k.a Risotto till I saw him cooking it, and I was critisizing "his Risotto" while helping him grate the Parmesan cheese. Despite the criticism, I really enjoyed the dish, it was delicious! Oh yeah, by the way, Jackson learnt this from Jamie Oliver, the naked chef! Okay, so here is what you need if feel like making your own Risotto, but this is the basic one.


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This is roughly how it's gonna look like in the pan, minus the shrimps

INGREDIENTS


approx. 1 litre/2 pints stock (chicken, fish or vegetable)
1 tbs olive oil
3 finely chopped shallots or 2 medium onions
½ a head of celery, finely chopped (discard any tough outer sticks)
sea salt and black pepper
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
400g/14oz risotto rice
100ml / 3 ¾ fl oz dry white vermouth or dry white wine
70g / 2 ½ oz butter
85-100g / 3-3 ½ oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese

METHODS

Stage 1
Heat the stock. Then in a separate pan heat the olive oil, add the shallot or onion, celery and a pinch of salt, and sweat the vegetables for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and after another 2 minutes, when the vegetables have softened, add the rice. Turn up the heat now. At this 'crucial' point you can't leave the pan, and anyway, this is the best bit. While slowly stirring, continuously, you are beginning to fry the rice. You don't want any colour at any point (so remember, you're in control, and if the temperature seems too high, turn it down a bit). You must keep the rice moving. After 2 or 3 minutes it will begin to look translucent (wow, translucent! haha) as it absorbs all the flavours of your base (it may crackle at this point, that's fine). Add the vermouth or wine, keep on stirring as it hits the pan - it
will smell fantastic! It will sizzle around the rice, evaporating any harsh alcohol flavours and leaving the rice with a tasty essence. ( Sounds like it will taste good, right? hehe...)

Stage 2
Once the vermouth or wine seems to have cooked into the rice, add your first ladle of hot stock and a pinch of salt(add small amounts of salt to taste while you are adding the stock).Turn down the heat to a simmer (the reason we don't want to boil the hell out of it is because, if we do, the outside of the rice will be cooked and fluffy and the inside will be raw).Keep adding ladlefuls of stock, stirring and allowing each ladleful to be absorbed before adding the next. This will take about 15 minutes. Taste the rice to check if it is cooked. Carry on adding the stock until the rice is soft but with a slight bite. Check the seasoning too.

Stage 3
Remove from the heat and add the butter and the Parmesan, saving a little of the latter to go on top if you like. Stir gently. Eat it as soon as possible while it retains its moist texture. Serve it on its own or with a crisp green salad and a hunk of crusty bread. (Jackson "garnish" the risotto with fried minced meat but all in all, it tasted awesome)

Try cooking this dish but just remember to spare me some! hahahahaha!

*source: Jamie Oliver*

Friday, May 13, 2005

Friday the 13th: Bad luck!!!!!

I was in Physiology class this morning and I suddenly realised that today is Friday the 13th! Well, we know that the number 13 has ominous, foreboding reputation brought forward since ancient times, worse still if it falls on the 6th day of the week! Furthermore, Friday was the day of the Lord's crucifixion, hence it's considered to be an unlucky day. Hmmm...I just couldn't stop wondering how many people at the turn of the millennium still hold on to this belief though I have heard about people not going to work on this day and setting a wedding on this date, will be most unlikely. This reminds me of a TVB HK series entitled "Crime Files Investigation 4". Most of the cases in this chinese series are closely associated with bad luck Friday. Does it apply in real life too? It's indeed something to ponder....

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Converted?!

The very moment I signed in to my Yahoo Messenger 2 days ago, one of the juniors added me to his contact list and he claimed to be "Ippan". Below is part of the conversation:

Ippannapi: hi janet

janet_lhmay: hi..you are...?

Ippannapi: ippan..junior ko (Ippan, your junior, in the Malay language)

Stu Cam Ne Home Mos Spot Yud RRRGghHfk (fast forward)

Then......

Ippannapi: eh, aku dengar ko dah convert? betul ker?
( I heard that you have converted, is that true?)

janet_lhmay: huh? convert? convert wat???!?

Ippannapi: convert ke agama islam (converted to Islam)

( janet_lhmay laughed hysterically till she fell off the chair)

Shortly after that, I went to the study room and sat next to Che Din, who was burying his nose deep into his physiology books. Out of the blue, he started a conversation which was exactly the same as my online chat with Ippannapi! OMG! For crying out loud, I would like to make myself clear here that I have NEVER converted to Islam okay? And I never will! Helloooo?!?! What were you people thinking of and how on earth could someone actually come up with that?? *I was closed to losing consciousness*

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Lesson to learn!

Our initial plan that was supposed to be full of fun ended up with great disappointment and anger (not with what had happened, but more with the attitude of certain people!) At the entrance of the BDHX park, the 7 of us were stopped by the *militsa. The *militsa demanded for our passports and visas. All of us were obedient, except for nicholas and boonchin who tenaciously reluctant to bring along their passports despite being reminded time and again! As a result, they were held up by the *militsa, accused of being illegal immigrants here in the Russian Federation. Seeing them in such situation, we tried helping out but what we did obviously were not appreciated! For crying out loud, even if you don't show your gratitude, please mind your words and watch your action! It shows how ill-mannered and rude you are!
(***Well, as the saying goes, to err is human, to forgive is divine. I am trying my best to forgive what he has done but I just find it so hard to do so. I just don't understand why certain people have such attitude, perhaps it reflects how one is brought up. Shrug.)
It started to rain cats and dogs. All of us were drenched to the skin and we took shelter in McDonald's while waiting for rayyank to bring their passports. The both of them were then released. The journey from our hostel to BDHX took us more than an hour by **metro. Reached our hostel almost at dinner time.

Lesson to learn:
1) Bring along your passport and visa at all times when you are in Russia
2) Make sure your cell phone has sufficient credit and battery when you are out
3) When you ask for a favour, be polite
4) Be grateful of what others have done for you, others do NOT owe us anything

From what that has happened today, I realise how true the saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed" is. I also see the true colours of certain peers of mine.

Note: *militsa=police in russian
**metro=underground train

Friday, May 06, 2005

Random scribbling, again!

6/05/2005
I remember there was one particular period of time here in Moscow when I felt as though I was living my life from weekend to weekend. That has changed! I now live from day to day! Duhhh...This week has been a relaxing one indeed. Needless to say, I did no studying at all the entire week! Yeah, I mean it, not at all...or maybe just some note taking. I just had a sumptuous meal in this newly opened restaurant called "Sindbad Cafe" located next to our hostel building. Just as what Nicholas has said, it is now our "Malaysian canteen"! 3/4 of the customers are Malaysians! All right, allow me to indulgently list down our orders, the 4 of us ( Nicholas, Lingtze, David and I): Plov, Pork chop and some pork scratchings, Steak. It was such a satisfying meal *Burp* minus the dumbo waitress whose Russian was worse than ours!

5/05/2005
The 8 of us went canoeing in the lake opposite our hostel. We really had a hell of a great time and a laugh a minute too. Thinking of what had happened make me wanna laugh out loud. Boonchin, Nicholas, Yanhan and I were in the same boat. Boonchin picked up the oars, not knowing how to row the boat and caused it to turn round and round. This attracted the attention of people around us and hence had a good laugh at us! Embarrassing isn't it? Nicholas couldn't stand sitting down being laughed at then showed his dexterity! Wow, he really is skillful! *salute* After that we had a stroll in the park then to tyoply stan and mini market, got back to hostel at almost 10pm. Exhausted but happieeeeeee....and most importantly, I spent this special and memorable day of the year eventfully! 5/5/05..wondering when will be the next one? 5/5/55 I reckon I will be 71 by then =(

*Currently listening to One of us by Joan Osborne*

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Lazy to write so.....

Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent
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Pushkin Museum
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Eileen and I at the entrance of Pushkin Museum
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Yonglin and I in the metro station










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Location: Moscow, Russia

A final year medical student who has spent almost all her adolescent years in Moscow, Russian Federation. Happy-go-lucky, bubbly, friendly. Hostile when in bad mood or being irritated.