1 Camera + 4 Cats + 1 Husband

Woo Foo!

2012-02-13T19:22:00.003+09:00

So proud of my boys. FIVE Grammys okay? FIVE!

Yeah, good thing it's the year that Adele released the greatest record ever. I don't think we're gonna be walking home with that one."
—Foo Fighter Dave Grohl on his band's chances at winning Album of the Year

Homesick

2012-02-12T11:32:00.001+09:00

No I'm not homesick. I'm perfectly fine because I had just gone back for a week's vacation in December. It's Kazu. He just can't wait for May to come. I know he really wants a break from work. And he really misses Malaysian food.

I can't really eat much but I have to cook for him. Kesian laki aku ni. He had mentioned that he wanted nasi lemak and chicken rice. So I cooked nasi lemak this morning for him. In May, he wants to eat Hainanese chicken rice (because of a TV show on Singapore hawker food last night). I think I haven't had that in a while. Hmmm...might try making it soon. Does anyone know where the best place for chicken rice in KL is?

p.s. I knew I had forgotten something when I took this picture. Totally forgot to prepare ikan bilis! :O

Tummy Talk II

2012-02-11T14:42:00.002+09:00

Feeling a lot better. Now that I can eat solids, I decided to do some cooking again. I had stir-fried cabbage (using olive oil) and some pasta with organic tomato sauce last night. Still have trouble controlling the amount of food though. When I'm hungry I think that I can eat more but actually I still can't. Feels uncomfortable each time I eat slightly too much than I'm supposed to. Gotta control the amount of food and start doing sit-ups again. Need to lose a bit of my waistline to avoid heartburns.

Madonna : Super Bowl Halftime Show 2012

2012-02-07T10:42:00.001+09:00

I've been watching this since last night and I'm still enjoying every bit of it. This was an incredible half time show that looked more like a concert on its own. Madonna nails it every single time! On top of that, she's 53 dammit. She looks amazing!

Now, everyone keeps talking about them lip-synching at the show. At a stadium that big with thousands in the audience and with all that running around the stage, there's no way singers can listen to their own voices. FYI, Madonna didn't lip-synch at all at her Confessions concert. Oh yeah I was there just 3 meters away from the stage. She worked her ass off with all those dance moves AND she sang live. Oh yes. So please go fly a kite, haters.

p.s. The part when M.I.A. flipped a bird is SO overblown. Listen to the lyrics lah.

Rayban Of Course

2012-02-06T21:17:00.001+09:00

Hopefully my next pair of glasses.

Tummy Talk

2012-02-05T11:08:00.000+09:00

I can't really tell if I'm getting better or not. On Tuesday it was fine, on Wednesday it got worse. Then it started to improve very slowly. I've had a few heartburns since then, especially when I rushed to eat (it wasn't that fast though). On top of that, my stomach growls a lot. And I still can't eat much. Talking about food, ever since I got sick, even the sight of oily food makes me nauseous. I thought I'd be drooling when I saw a TV program about the latest hamburgers in Japan. It made me feel sick instead.

I've noticed that ginger help a lot. I had hot honey lemon ginger on Tuesday, lemon ginger the next day, and yesterday it was Tully's ginger soy milk latte. And whenever I feel like I'm about to get a heartburn, I'd quickly have some ginger candy.

I don't want to see the doctor again next week, to be honest. Really want to completely get back on my feet soon.

Introducing Ma'ayan Castel

2012-02-05T09:44:00.000+09:00

Found her on iTunes Japan. I have no idea who she is or where she's from but I just love her jazzy pop tunes. That voice too, I can't say no to that.

L-U-V Madonna!

2012-02-04T00:58:00.002+09:00

Pre-ordered the album on iTunes Japan and just downloaded this song.

I think I've listened to the song more than twenty times and right now this is my second time watching the video.

Woohoo!

Introducing Rebecca Ferguson

2012-02-03T20:58:00.001+09:00

Liverpudlian Love.

M.D.N.A.

2012-02-03T00:48:00.003+09:00

Grabbed from The Star : Dr M says not surprised over Anwar's "Israel security" statement

2012-01-31T01:22:00.001+09:00

I don't usually do this but I have just had to, before The Star deletes this article. I have to save this somewhere.

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not surprised over Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement on "Israel security" in a foreign newspaper.
“He (Anwar) has sympathy for the Jews and has many friends in the United States' Congress and Senate that are of Jewish origin,” the former premier he told reporters after giving a lecture at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
Anwar reportedly said in the Wall Street Journal that he had supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel”.
On Saturday, Anwar had clarified that his recent remarks on Israel that he supported a “two-state solution” with Palestine which was recognised by Malaysia and the United Nations.
Dr Mahathir alleged that Anwar had close ties with many other prominent Jewish leaders including Paul Wolfowitz and they had met in Munich, Germany soon after he was released from prison.
“He met Paul for three hours and this shows that he has close ties with Israel," he said.
Dr Mahathir added that Anwar wanted to become the Prime Minister at all cost.
“He will say anything to take over Putrajaya,” he added.
Dr Mahathir also stressed that Anwar's earlier part of interview with the foreign media had only mentioned his support of Israel's safety.
“Suddenly, after much criticism, he now claims that he supports the two-state solution.
“He never mentioned anything about the safety of the Palestinian people who were the real victims,” Dr Mahathir said.

It's Just a Name

2012-01-29T12:55:00.003+09:00

Dear Malaysians,

If you're about to name your newborn, think twice before you give that outrageously long name to him or her. Call me old-fashioned or or whatever you want to but I love the classic old names like Ali, Fatimah (you can drop the "h" if you think it looks hideous), or even Zaitun.

Hang on, maybe not Zaitun.

Whatever it is, if I had a kid, I would just give a simple name that wouldn't be too difficult for anyone in the world to pronounce. Unless you don't want your kid to study or work abroad. :p

Today's Menu : Saturday Jan 28th

2012-01-28T17:40:00.001+09:00

Soy bean milk bread pudding
Rice crackers
Soy bean milk (with Monin's vanilla syrup)
Carrot + tomato guk
Soft udon (with Hanamaru's super delicious soy sauce + grated ginger)
Kenchan tofu (heat up in microwave and add soy sauce) => this tofu is apparently "for men". whenever I see these products, I'd buy them because they usually have a stronger taste than the usual stuff.

Today's Menu : Friday Jan 27th

2012-01-27T22:39:00.001+09:00

Apple jelly
Soft udon with miso soup
Baked apple
Dried sweet potato
Soy bean milk

Looking a lot better than yesterday. But still in small amounts.

p.s. Baked some soy bean milk bread pudding for tomorrow's breakfast too.

Always Young

2012-01-27T16:03:00.003+09:00

When I saw the this video a few weeks back, I thought wow, this is a pretty good rendition. Very moving.

Then today I finally got to see the episode and this was the last song in it. And I thought wow, I miss my schooldays. My girls in school. The crazy sambal kicap contest at the canteen.

I really miss my friends from school.

p.s. Just got two more days of medical leave. I'm slowly increasing the amount of food and I can eat more than just plan boiled udon and soy sauce/dashi soup. Though it'll take time till I finally gain my energy back.

What to Eat When You Have Acute Gastroenteritis

2012-01-25T21:30:00.001+09:00

My blog is beginning to look like a health website. :p

Anyway, I think I still have to stick to bland foods for the time being. At least until I feel more confident about eating a little bit more than I am nowadays. I still feel sick in the evenings even with medication. Not very comfy.

Here's a list of things that I should stick to for now:

sports drinks
porridge
udon
jelly
apple juice
candy (especially when I start to feel nauseous - apparently koume chan is good)
mashed potatoes
veggie soup (just the soup, don't eat the veggie)
umeboshi
grated apple
carrot soup

That's all I can think of for now.

The World Is Too Small

2012-01-25T12:20:00.000+09:00

With all the technology and conveniences of the Internet, there's no reason for you not to keep in touch with your family members wherever you may be.

And unfortunately, as you open up to the world, you show your true colors and end up ruining your name. That means more friends and more enemies.

Does it matter to me? No not so much but it's mad me very wary of who I call "my friends".

Talked to a friend the other day, and just like me, she said that her only best friend that she could really trust was her partner.

Is it a bad thing? I don't know....

But it all goes back to the same thing - don't worry too much about what people think about you and let the bad ones be bad ones. Don't even try to be a hero and try to make things better.

Just let them be. Que sera sera.

p.s. I'm just trying to find a way to convince myself to continue with my job. It's not good for my health. Mental exhaustion has led to physical illnesses.

Uniqlo Spring Colors 2012

2012-01-25T09:32:00.003+09:00

Look at all those colors! Wheeeee~~~

I wish I could have every single pair :)

An Express Trip to Johor Premium Outlets

2012-01-23T18:00:00.000+09:00

I had the chance to go to the Johor Premium Outlets last month (December 2011) just one or two days before the official opening ceremony. And they're in the middle of building the second half of the outlet now. Here are some snapshots of the place.

My Life Without a Gallbladder

2012-01-23T17:39:00.001+09:00

When I had my gallbladder removed in 2001, the doctor (who did my surgery in Singapore - Dr. Tan) convincingly told me that I could eat anything. He said "You're still young, you can eat whatever you want." I was 21 at that time.

I'm turning 34 this year. And today, the doctor (in Japan) told me that I'll have to stick to a strict diet from now on. I guess I'm not young anymore. :p

I've read several websites about the best diet for people with no gallbladder and here's a list of foods that I can and cannot eat.

Foods to avoid

Meat (no beef, but lean poultry is okay once in a while)
Whole-fat dairy products
Refined foods
Onions, garlic
Citrus fruits
Carbonated drinks
Hydrogenated oils
Artificial sweeteners
Caffeine (yes, no tea or coffee)
Chili
Anything that causes bloating, abdominal pain or diarrhea

Foods to eat

Fruits and vegetables (except cabbage, broccoli and asparagus - they might cause bloating)
Olive oil, vinegar (a student has told me before that cooking with olive oil was good for me)
Spices, ginger, turmeric (good for digestion)
Low-fat dairy products
Whole-grain bread
Omega-3 oil (prevents cholesterol pile-up in bile)
Plenty of water (filtered - so I guess mineral water is better?)

Some websites say eggs and tomatoes are to be avoided but some say otherwise. I'll have to experiment myself, I guess.

And I'll have to exercise at least 30 minutes every day. My commute by bicycle is 15 minutes one way. I think that's enough. Plus a bit of gelek bontot with my favorite songs at home while doing housework.

p.s. I do need a few days to mourn the fact that I can't eat all the good Malaysian food anymore. No more teh tarik, roti canai, nasi lemak (without the sambal is okay I guess but what's the point of eating if I can't have the sambal?!) and all that.

Quotes I will remember till the day I die

2012-01-19T20:33:00.000+09:00

"Ala dia terima menantu Jepun tu pun sebab anak dia tak boleh beranak"

"Ala aku kawan dia tu pun sebab dia orang kaya"

So don't blame me for being bitter sometimes.

Future Studies

2012-01-17T14:54:00.000+09:00

Been thinking of getting a certificate in English (what took me so long lol) after I finish my photography studies. Not TESL or anything like that. Maybe creative writing. Hmmm...maybe not lol

I'd love to learn more about medicine though. Might try to get a cert as a Nutritionist.

Whatever it may be, I don't think I'd want to stop learning. Doing more photography would be good too.

Food for Heartburn & Gastric Problems (again)

2012-01-15T18:26:00.001+09:00

I'm not enjoying the treatment for my heartburn. Stanzome is giving me tummy aches and nausea in the evenings. It's not so bad and I'm not vomiting or anything like that but it's a little uncomfortable every night.

So this will be my menu for the next ten more days of treatment:

Porridge
Bread
Noodles
Boiled eggs
Chicken (of course the non-oily dishes)
Fish
Tofu
Natto
Lots of vegetables (but not too much celery, leek, burdock root, lotus root)
Fruits (except citrus ones)
Dairy products (yogurt, milk, cottage cheese etc.)

Foods to avoid:

Beef
Seafood (octopus, shelfish etc)
Fried food
Spicy food
Salty food
Mushrooms
Coffee, strong tea (including green tea), carbonated drinks

I just cooked bariyani today. I know. What was I thinking?

Are you on Path?

2012-01-15T06:23:00.002+09:00

Seriously, do we need more Social Networking?

When I first saw this on iTunes (it was featured as the app of the day), that's what I thought. But it's pretty neat, actually. It's like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (they have some filters for your photos - you'll have to buy the good ones, though) in one single app. Love the awake and asleep button. I know, now you get to tell your friends if you're awake or not lol

p.s. I see all these photos from all over the world on Flickr and it hits me again - I really wish I could leave everything and just travel.

Pullman Hotel, Kuching

2012-01-06T23:15:00.000+09:00

Stayed at Pullman for two nights in their Deluxe 2 Single Beds room. It was 330++ RM per night. Comfy beds and you can get aromatherapeutic pillows if you'd like and there was just too much space for me and my mother.