Wednesday, December 30, 2009

8700 kcal

You know what...averagely malaysian diet is 2000kcal per day and i used to take care of my calories intake to a certain extent.

However, when i looked at the packaging of some energy bar in NZ, the average daily intake is 8700kcal! OMG! You know, ppl here are generally bigger in size compared to the petite Asians. I believe it is much related to the diet (cheese, cream, mayonnaise, alcohol, toast, chips, butter etc).

I was told not to engulf too much NZ foods to maintain my body ( i really hope i could resist the great temptation of my favorite bakeries). Anyway, i have finance restriction, so luckily i could not just buy whatever i would like to eat! lol!

Happy new year!
Cheers!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Camping

It's a pretty long holidays - 4 days long.

Christmas, i thought it would be a noisy, happening celebration in Wellington. Yet, everything just turned to be opposite! Each and every shop in Wellington city is closed and guess what, the patrons on the streets were mostly Asians, or we call it as "foreigners" here! Well, well, well, only took a simple brunch at starbucks (as this is the only shop opened), then went back home...spent the rest of my christmas hours with my lappie, and some christmas songs.

Everything turned good when dear diana and lan came back from their holidays in south island! with all the pictures, brochures and stories...we chatted until the wee hours. Then it was about all the visits to some Malaysian settlers in Wellington.

It was so amazing when Affendy brought up the idea of camping in the Kaitoke Regional Park. It's the coolest stuffs i have ever seen! Built the tents, cooked in the wilderness, bathed in the icing cold river, swam in the brook, played games around the bon fire with the icing temperature, talked with the smoke coming out from mouth in the jungle, went hiking in the jungle...the most exciting was: i went to RIVENDELL! Can you imagine i have stepped my foot in the magical spot! My gosh! There was no regret!

Besides the breathtaking scenery (but i was told i only saw the tip of the iceberg), there are a lot of animals could be seen! Chasing rabbits, ducks, and even possum! Too bad I did not have a glimpse on the possum, it was chased away before I said I want to see it!!!

Anyway, it was cool!

Thank you, fendy, diana, and lan!
It was a memorable Christmas camping experience!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Boxing Day

It's a public holiday in New Zealand on 26 December - Boxing Day.

During this day, most shops are having price slashing crazy sales! Today, it is the start of after-christmas bargain!

What did i buy? I was in Harvey Norman this morning, grab a nice lavender laptop bag with a crazy price - NZ$15 (actual price was NZ$79.90)! I love it! Really I love it!

Then, hanged around in the mall. It made me think of the year end sales in Mid Valley. Then, having some snacks and chattings and tv show in friend's house. That's my christmas, dear.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

camouflage

So the drama is going to an end, as it seems. i can finally breathe easier yet i am not really sure when exactly the full stop has to be put!

Anyway, i am good. after all of these, i think i really learnt something.

Nobody is indispensable. This is the golden sentence which i must always bear in mind. Always be humble when socialize with anyone, it's just too important. Never show off how good you are (in fact you are not as good as you thought you are). If ALL OUT at once, in this real world, who knows, you are the prey which could be easily get on!

All i see now is, this is a place of all the preys and predators. Rule number one, keep certain things to yourself and do not ever involve in people's affairs if you are not confident in handling it.

Camouflaging...lower the profile if you want to survive.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Have faith

Life could be as exciting as you want it to be...

But I am holding it. I still do not dare to free each and every gear of mine. Holding it, as I am not confident whether I would be losing control. To me, in this unfamiliar place, nobody is here to hold me back. That's why I am keeping everything, to a certain limit. Timid you might call it, but let it be. I don't want to take the risk. Take it slowly, steadily...

Please, have a little faith in me. I need it.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Bank Card

I have opened a bank account here, under ANZ. The main reason is to avoid bringing too much cash with me.

The service in the bank is superb! Their friendliness and helpfulness really comforted me! So, in the end, I got a card which is similar to cash card in Singapore.

What amazed me was: I can design my own card! Now the card is just a plain blue card with ANZ symbol. What I can do is to choose any picture, then send it to them online. After one week, they will mail the new card to me.
Fantastic huh?

So, now, i am selecting the picture...and perhaps, anyone wanna edit one for me?

Friday, December 11, 2009

cold weather in summer

today let's talk about the weather.

now it is summer in wellington. however, to me, every morning and night, the wind is so chilling i was feeling to be blown away! it's good to wear a jacket and perhaps, something warm. it's common for ladies here wearing boots and leggings and bubble socks! yesterday i was passing by a shop (nothing more than $20), meaning all goods sold are within $20. It's a bundle shop and most of the clothes, bags, shoes, jackets etc are second handed. perhaps, get a pair of boots there.

thursday, friday and saturday nights are the most happening hours here. ppl are going to pub and clubbing! it's good to enjoy this kind of environment!

due to the cold weather (for me), my lips are dry and cracked. It is advisable to apply sort of lip balm and lotion here. however, when i go to shop for cosmetic products, suprisingly almost all the lotion has the tanning effect! gosh, i want the whitening effect lotion! it's none to be found in the pharmacy which i shop!!!

ok...will updated in the next blog! bye!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Arriving

Upon arriving, the feeling was exciting and full of anticipation. There was a long distance which the plane was flying JUST above the sea. The sea looked so gelling when looking down from the plane as the speed of flying was way too fast compared to the movement of the waves. Have you ever seen the static wave? It was like a gel! Blueish gel!

After all of the amazement of the landscape of Wellington (hills, sea, houses...GREEN!), the airport was reached. There was a full check-up of my luggage in the custom, however, the officers there are so nice and very friendly!

Wandering around the airport, purchased a telephone card to call the person in-charged who was going to pick me up. And made calls to Malaysia to inform them about my safe arrival.

After one day of working, it was a familiar experience in this kind of work field. Furthermore, there are all the Malaysians here and not to mention, Malaysian foods! That is the cool stuff!

People here are amazingly nice and what I like the most: enjoy life! Despite all the hectic work schedules, they pay much attention to enjoy things in life, spice up the day!

Life is meant to be enjoyed! So, what are you waiting for?
Just do it! Create the enjoyment and simply love it!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Let it go

I dunno how people take it.
This is certainly not the happily ever after ending which i've foreseen.
Some might say I deserve it.
Yes I deserve it.
Since things have been done, bear it, that's the words.
All gone wrong.
Explanation is redundant.
Bear it.
Time passed.
People tend to forget.
Let it go.
I mean it.

Friday, October 23, 2009

I can't


I can't put my mind into the right thing.
I can't rest my eyes in what they supposed to look at.
I can't let my ears from turning the silence to the lowest.
I can't stop thinking.

I just, can't.

Words of Mouth

What is the mega production of our course? I could only say: gossips!

Gossip girls? Is it trendy to be a part of it? You know, there are lots of fear and disgust to this kind of behavior, though in the surface, people laugh and keep talking...Faked!

I fed up of my course. Part of it because of the overwhelmed gossips and rumors. I stood aside, try to be the outsider. Once a while, eavesdropped sth, all I felt was...(shaking head).

Why? If you really involve yourselves in this environment, it is suffocating, I assure you. Some says, we are the devil. All of us are the demons! To a certain extent, I agree. In the hell, you need skill to survive.

Some collapsed. Word, with an 's' becomes SWORD. The blade bleeds you. One cut, two cut...freshly cut open your vein. Consciously, seeing the blood oozes out, suffering the pain.

I am not as holy or silent as some might think. I also have my own detest. I will voice out when the time comes. Just, to minimize the chaos which already frustrated a lot of people, I chose to stand aside.

Already, there are many victims, whom I saw, crying, sighing. Many are disappointed. Many are running. Many are just saying, there is no belongingness AT ALL.

Indeed. In the meantime hearing gossip of XYZ, you do not know when things about yours become the topic next time, from the mouth of others. In the meantime expressing some kind of feelings, you do not know what comments would be given or what you expressed has been twisted to another story...

I'm leaving the hell. Yet unbearable, kind of, still a bit lingering. The group of demons, i will still remember them. Demons could be cute and sincere, perhaps, they just do not know how to reduce the harm to others. As long as you know how to protect yourself, they are still angel-like.

Thank you. This place has armoured me.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Deepavali 09

It was Deepavali, a well known celebration among our Indian friends. However, there is still a less known community, Chitty (some call them as Chetti, but according to locals, it sounds like money loaner...), they are also celebrating this festival joyously!

The Chitty are a distinctive group of Tamil people found mainly in Malacca, who are also known as the Indian Peranakans. Historical records stated that the Tamil traders from Panai in Tamil Nadu settled down in Malacca during the sovereignty of the Sultanate of Malacca. Like the Peranakans, they later freely intermingled with the local Malays and
Chinese settlers. So this is their house, with Indian's colorful paintings with Chinese lantern.

Praying for both Hindu God / Goddess as well as Guan Yin! Unique!

Like the Peranakans, the Chitty speak a Malay patois, which is mixed with many Tamil loan words. Many of the Chitty are unable to communicate in Tamil fluently. The Chitty population is around 2000 and the traditional Chitty settlement is located at Kampung Tujuh along Jalan Gajah Barang, Melaka.

So, here we went. We have visited 3 chitty's open house. Their hospitality really amazed us.

I was allowed to try making Roti Jala and Thosai...nice experience!
Mr. Rajan, the chinese+chitty generation, generously provided us tonnes of information about chitty cultures (recipes, wedding ceremony, costumes...)


Happy Deepavali!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Voyage Guesthouse

Voyage Guesthouse, a place shall always in my heart...




Dimly lighted, with books (mostly left by other backpackers) and fumes of nostalgia and romance in the air...With the soothing voice of Yika, laying back and relaxing...


In the guesthouse, it's all about meeting different kinds of people...experiencing things from passionate people from all over the world...

Simple bedroom, yet coziness remains...

I will certainly miss here.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Final Event: Chinese Emperor


Finally it came to our last event with the theme of Chinese Emperor.

This time, I was in charged in decoration, together with YM. I like this theme, to be frank. This time, I was really interested in searching the design books and materials in order to transform the meeting room into a fine dining hall. Running here rushing there, finding materials and of course, not to forget to grab every opportunity to take a snap!

From climbing the stairs to hang the lantern to carrying the chairs, I was really spending all my energy out! I was weary. Yet at the night, still have to wear the sweetest smile and clad in the delicate cheongsam to be the server. Luckily the ambience and costum turned my exhaustion away during that night. Enjoyed it, instead.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

High 5 Tour

I thought it was just another stupid trip like other factory's visit, bored. Yet it turned out fun! I dunno why, perhaps it's just really a STUPID trip, like a kindergarten's trip! Really I tell you, the tour in High 5 is not really designed for tertiary students who study food...

But, I was like entering a time tunnel, like a small kid, wondering around. The 45 minutes tour was like the amazing trip when I was visiting the science centre in Singapore. Full of colours and attractive design, youthful, cheerful!!

According to history, bread was first created by Egytian. Hence, the tour was designed with the ancient Egypt theme. We love it!

HIGH 5! Wandering around...like small kid! Really enjoy it!

Special thanks to LG!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Commitment Phobe

Just had my dinner with friends. A question arose, pointing to our Malay friends, "Would you prefer to give birth of a baby boy rather than a baby girl?" To them, they don't really mind the gender of the baby, in fact they prefer girl because girl brings more joys to the family!

Well, then one of us claimed she is not going to give birth, as it is rated as the most painful experience in a woman's life. Then is she going to adopt child? No no, she said she is not going to be involved in any serious relationship.

I was aghast yet agreed to her point. She pointed out, in a relationship, you need to pour in commitment. A relationship is a matter of both, some more, both family. As an adult, there is a thing which comes bigger an bigger, called "responsibility".

Well, I really think she got the point. It is sweet to be with a lover hand in hand during shopping. But it slows down your pace and you need to consider about his feeling if he is not interested in what you are looking for. And, sacrifices are made, due to a lot of compromising situation.

Those especially freedom lover, are you a commitment phobe? Take a look at the following questions:
Are you concerned about the idea of forever?
Do you fear you could make a mistake in who you choose?
Do you fear a loss of your freedom/autonomy?
Are you afraid of a bad marriage- like your parents for instance
Do you fear you would be a bad mate?

I am afraid my answers are yes for most of the questions. So, conclusion? easy, I am a commitment phobe.

Freedom, cheers!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Nostalgia of Campus Life (Food Study)

Finally, I am in the count-down period of my campus life.

Looking through the photos in the folder - campus life. Indeed, there are bunch of memories. It's fate to let all of us met, guys, cherish it. Do I? Yes I do.

Sometimes, I'd complain, about my boredom in campus, about my lacking of interest in the studies...But according to my friends, "You are the one who complained the most but enjoyed the most!" Try to ponder to it, was I? Am I? Flashing back, it was wonderful.

So much nostalgia...all the way since I stepped into the gate of UPM...

Some random group picturesStill remember it? we WERE CCC14! 14 Superstar!

Remember those times, we danced a lot. lol!

At Kluang, before departing to Tioman Island

08 Chinese New Year picture at Serumpun Cafe

Boey's Birthday at Secret Recipe

Wonderful time at look-out point.

Mountain Climbing with coursemates 08

Kuantan Trip with the most friendly host, Sentien

Food Fair (Seed Power) 08

Birthday Celebratio for Gy, Chan and LG, 08

Dear coursemate Joanne's Wedding Dinner

KLIA Visit

Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner 09

Celebration of PeiNee's birthday and group gathering with dear CV

Coursenight 09

Culinary Competition 09

Japanese Chusooku 09

Course trip to Cameron Highland, 09

I only have limited photos and gatherings with coursemates, yet it was still a beautiful memory...

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner

Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner with dear coursemates.

It's more to a friends gathering rather than an eating out. The excitement fumed around...in the end, we were turned into the Jay-Customer, disturbing other people. It's totally a havoc in the restaurant.
Ordinary foods, with extraordinary people around...
Almost each and everyone of us roamed around, with the flashing of spot-light and heavenly know laughter...Imagine, we brought the youngest cheers in the Moon Palace!

From left: Shuwen, Susan and me...Miss you, seowching...i wish no matter how time flies, how the colours of photo fades, our frienship is the one remains.