Hangi and Prince William Visit

We learnt all kinds of methods of cooking, such as boiling, stir frying, deep frying, steaming, brewing, baking...Today i leanrn something new: Hangi!

A hangi (pronounced 'hungee') is a traditional New Zealand Maori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven that dates back to pre-European times.

Hangi, which means 'supply of life', are normally dug by Maori ira tane (men) as the Maori Wahine (women) aren't allowed to take part in the preparation.

To 'lay a hangi' involves digging a pit in the ground, heating stones in the pit with a large fire, placing baskets of food on top of the stones, and covering everything with earth for several hours before uncovering the hangi.

Nowadays a hangi is most likely to be prepared using modern materials.

Today is the Prince William second day visit in New Zealand. I wanted to go out to get a glimpse of the dashing royal, but forgot about this idea when lots of things turn up to think and settle...It was such a welcoming for this Prince Charming! All the news are circulating about his daily activities. Of course, William could not miss the hangi food!

New Year Eve

First time in my life, my new year is without my family around.

1st of January, it is my dear youngest sister's birthday. This year, I have nothing for you, dear. This year, I did not deliver the birthday song for you with my sweetest voice.

In the click of the midnight, I was still in the restaurant. In the dim light, wiping some cutleries. All the youngsters' cheers for new year are audible. We have some chips, as dinner. Toasting, greeting each other a happy new year.

On the way back home, there are a lot of merry ppl with bottles in hands, walking either in group or couples. Everyone of them, once passing by, greeting you a happy new year, some even come over to give u a hug! That's the scene in my place.

Reaching home, i was totally beat up, too exhausted. Turned to sleep after a quick bath. Goodbye 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!

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!

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.

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.

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.