Mari memasak, yay!

According to Tonio, this is the best dish i made so far... This is how you can make it too...



INGREDIENTS :
1½ lb beef cut into 1½ to 2-inch chunks [tougher cuts of beef is suitable]
4 cups thick coconut milk
1 cup fresh coconut [meat], finely grated [Substitute: unsweetened desiccated coconut]
2 stalks lemongrass, slightly crushed [cut to fit in the wok or pan]
2-3 turmeric leaves [daun kunyit], [Substitute: kaffir lime leaves; or the zest of 1 lime]
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp sugar
salt and pepper
4-5 tbsp chili paste
1½-inch fresh ginger, peeled, sliced
1-inch galangal [lengkuas in Malay], peeled, sliced
1½ inch fresh turmeric root [kunyit basah in Malay], peeled, sliced
2 tsp coarse salt


TO PREPARE :
Season beef with salt and pepper, marinate for at least 30 mins. Using a mortar & pestle or blender grind galangal, ginger, turmeric root, chili paste and kosher salt into a spice paste. In a dry heated pan, toast the finely grated coconut [meat] over low heat, keep stirring until golden brown. Allow to cool, then using a mortar & pestle, pound into a paste [called kerisik in Malay]. Heat wok on high, stir-fry spice paste 2-3 mins, add coconut milk, reduce heat and slowly bring to a gentle boil; stir often. Add beef and slow boil for 10 mins. Add lemongrass stalk, turmeric leaves [or kaffir lime leaves; or lime zest], sugar and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, uncovered, simmer for 1-1½ hrs; stir often with a spatula [be sure to 'scrape' the bottom of wok], add a little water if it starts to dry up too quickly]. Add the toasted coconut paste [kerisik] during the last 30 mins of cooking. When the beef is very tender - the gravy, thickens and oil starts to float on top - remove from heat and discard the lemongrass stalks and turmeric leaves. Serve Beef Rendang with steamed rice!

Voila! I magically turned into an extraordinary chef! LOL. Except... next time! I will use LESS chili paste. It was too spicy for me, so i drank like 5 glasses of water throughout dinner. (Yes, I was a victim of my own success). :p

Happy cooking!

... and she's back!

Ok guys. It's been a while since the last time I blogged about everything, nothing, and anything in between. It's time to restart where I left off..

So far so good... the year kicked off with a good start. Nothing is SHOCKING anymore. Certain people will always be as annoying as hell. Bitches will always say nasty things about you. The calls and smses at graveyard shift hours are... normal. Knowing substantive issues aren't important anymore. What's important is if you can host a great dinner and know where the nearest boutique is, what time it opens and closes, and of course if they accept the tax-free form for a discount. If you've got a PHD in faking smiles, you'll go far. After all, when someone tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip... then you know there's something wrong with this picture. :-)

Which brings me to one point. Choose your friends carefully. There are people out there, obviously not just in geneva, who only hang out with you to get information... or because they want something from you (like a ride to the train station)... or just because they're bored shitless and got nothing better to do. Avoid these people at all costs, because they won't be there for you when you have nothing left to offer... or when you need support the most. Make sure your best friends are the people you can trust, and they will, without any doubt, bring all your secrets to the grave.

Don't give up.

I know you've tried your best, that's all that matters right now. I think now the best thing to do is to avoid negative situations and people who make you feel like shit. If you can't be around people who make you feel good about yourself, then do your own thing. YouTube helps. Exercise helps. Music, movies and writing helps. I know that when I'm depressed I tend to write a lot more. Because it helps me to calm the fark down. :-)

I know it's really hard right now, but you should feel so lucky. You have people who care about you deeply. There is NO ONE out there who doesn't have any problems. This is only temporary. Overcome your fears and your insecurities. Tell it to yourself everyday that you can do it. Whatever it is that you need to do, you can do it with preserverence. If you want it bad enough, it will happen naturally. And if you don't get it, so what? There are other opportunities out there. Even BETTER opportunities. Just be patient. If you fail, try and try again. Don't give up so easily.

To all my family and friends out there, just when you feel like giving up.... Start thinking about all the things that you should be grateful for. List it all down. You have your health, your home, your family, your friends, and people who care for you. Ignore those bastards/bitches/losers... because what they want to see is for you to give up. They want to see you fall from the glory you CAN reach. They can fark the hell off, for all you care. :) Ganbatte!

This is definitely worth the post. HAHAHA

Yes, avoid this domestic thriller..!

Bla bla bla

I found this article called, 'Does "thinking outside the box" drive you mad?' and I found it to be interesting:-

LONDON (Reuters) - Grumpy colleagues, slow computers and office jargon are the things that annoy workers most, according to a survey on Wednesday.

"Thinking outside the box" and "Let's touch base" were the most hated buzz phrases among the 1,836 people surveyed by Opinium research.

Nearly two-thirds of them said their stress levels had been increased by office irritations and one in 10 had left a job because of them.

The survey found the Top 10 office annoyances were:

1. Grumpy or moody colleagues (37 percent)

2. Slow computers (36)

3. Small talk/gossip in the office (19)

4. The use of office jargon or management-speak (18)

5. People speaking loudly on the phone (18)

6. Too much health and safety in the work place (16)

7. Poor toilet etiquette (16)

8. People not turning up for meetings on time or at all (16)

9. People not tidying up after themselves in the kitchen (15)

10.Too cold/ cold air conditioning (15)

The most annoying jargon:

1. Thinking outside the box (21 percent)

2. Let's touch base (20)

3. Blue sky thinking (19)

4. Blamestorming (16) (sitting down and working out whose fault something is)

5. Drill down to a more granular level (15) (Look into something in more detail)

6. Let's not throw pies in the dark (15) (we need a plan rather than a haphazard approach)

7. I've got that on my radar (13)

8. Push the envelope (12)

9. Bring your A-game (11) (Be ready to do something to best of ability)

10. Get all your ducks in a row (11)

People I used to work with in Darwin liked using no.2 'Let's touch base' and no.8 'Push the envelope'. It drove me nuts! Another one not listed is 'We need a game-plan'.. Wasn't really impressed when people talk like this to be honest... :p

Tell it to the sky. It is time to spread your wings and fly!

I love you, mum!

To my dear mama, who is at the moment too far, far away from me...
I hope you have a wonderful day with dad, timan and timin.
The ones who miss you the most are me and boy...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love and hugs and kisses to you... xoxo

I love the happy ending. LOL

For a better tomorrow...

1) Switch the tap off when you're shaving/brushing your teeth - It makes you rush anyways... right? And it'll save you money in the long run.
2) Recycle - Think of all the turtles choking on your plastic bottle! Eugh
3) Use natural light from the sun during the day when indoors - try not to waste energy by turning on the lights
4) Don't take the free plastic bags at the supermarket to put your brocolli/bananas in... You know you'll throw them away once you get home. Also - reuse the plastic bags you already have. Don't keep buying them!
5) If you can walk to the shops, then don't take the car. You need more exercise anyways. LOL
6) Don't leave your computer on at the office when you know you're going to take a long lunch. Switch it off.
7) Don't throw away your old clothes in the bin - collect them in a box. And give it away to charity or the needy once the box is full.

If you haven't done your bit, I'll kick your ass!

Garrrrr!!

Creative outlet

You need to do something different from your everyday routine. Or else! Everything... and anything can, and WILL piss you off.

There are so many things you can do to relax your body, mind and soul. Take photos... paint... exercise... wrap presents... uhhh, wrap presents? Yes! this is one thing that relaxes me. Nothing is more awesome than giving people you care about pretty presents that will brighten up their day.

Do something for each of these aspects for your own sanity. It will make you swear less on the road... perhaps make you drink and smoke less... spread the positivity and good things will come to you I assure you..

As for the body, last weekend I had a Thai massage... I was in heaven I think for a mere 60 minutes of my life.. and it was worth every penny. Don't be jealous... go on and get one too! LOL

As for the mind, I started reading this book by Stephen Clarke called 'A year in the Merde'... a funny story about a Brit working in Paris for a year. So now I try to use the word merde in every sentence possible... my new favourite word... because it's kewl! :-)

And as for the soul... well i'm still trying to figure that one out. For me, switching my brain off from thinking about work is an accomplishment in itself. Two out of three ain't bad... so my mission for this weekend is to find something that could bring good news to the soul... if there was ever such a thing.

Do you have a creative outlet?

BCN is for Barcelona.

one of Antoni Gaudi's eccentric creations

the famous cathedral... the eiffel tower equivalent, but for spain.

to infinity and beyond!

From this...

... to this!

Guell Parc

the food market.

you can't see it from here but the eggs were HUGE.

ewww skinned rabbits! i just lost my appetite. if you haven't lost yours yet, click on the picture for a larger view.

An optimist laughs to forget, a pessimist forgets to laugh.

The funny things i saw in barcelona...

coronita.. corona's girlfriend!

two bimbos. the one on the right is full of sin.

yep.

it's not what you think, you pervert! it's a guy looking up, holding a ball behind his back. LOL!

so... like... if you have, like... food at 11.59 am, like, it's still considered breakfast... right...?

the fanny has many good things to offer. LOL!

i wonder how chocolate sin tastes like..

you know what NOT to do.

non-alcoholic beer. damm comes for free. :p

It's minus 2 outside.

I forgot to post up pics of the snow outside... I'm so grateful for central heating and hot water in the house... Syukur...

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

Well!! It's been a rough 2009... I'm sure not just for me, but for many at the office and around the world... Looking back, it wasn't really THAT rough, it SHOULD'VE been better but it COULD be worse... so I'm thanking God and the lucky stars in my life who made it worth living... there are so many other things i'm very grateful for..

My new year's resolution this year is - to lead a healthier life! That means less greasy food, more reading, more exercise and less TV.. I'll try to be nicer too... :-)

Happy birthday Dad!!!

Happy happy birthday, Dad!

Sorry for the delay in posting this bday wish, but I hope this year will bring you more joy and happiness than the last... Syukur thank God, we are so happy to have you as our dad, we wouldn't have it in any other way... Thank you for always being there for us...

We love you always!

xoxo

I love this picture...

Christmas is a comin'

Here is another favorite xmas song... the list goes on and on.. but this is one kinky xmas song no one should miss. LOL

And YES!!! I finally get a chance to complain how boring things are right now! I'm so excited because it's been a busy month... too busy to even pee, yet alone complain about how bad, boring, or lame things are... LOL!!

To the rest of you out there - i hope you get to complain about everything too.. It's a gift we should not refuse to give others who are willing to listen...

Happy holidays!!

Gambatte!!

I've noticed that some of you are going through a rough patch at the moment.. Talking to others doesn't seem to help your situation... you feel as if things are getting worse and worse as each day passes by.

In any case, my advice to you is... be positive! If you think this is bullshit, then i'm going to smack u in the butt to knock some senses into you. Seriously tho, how can you expect things to get better when you are negative all the time? You need to focus on a strategy... see it as a challenge! You can overcome this hurdle. Everyone goes through shit one way or another, it's just up to you to realise that you are actually in a better situation than many others in this mad, mad world.

Listen to music, avoid negative people, sleep! Sing! Cry! Write your feelings down, talk to a pro (a.k.a. ME! lol) or blog! There are so many avenues out there to express your anger and frustrations. I can say this now, cos few weeks past i've been going thru the same shit, but in a different hole, as you. Apakan. :p

Anyways, i'm here when you need me. You need some more russell peters in your life. LOL

All I want for Christmas is you...

It's so cheesy I love it! Not a fan of johnny depp per say, but i think it's a cute clip. And! I don't celebrate xmas, but to be honest, i don't think it would be the same without hearing this song in the background.. this one, and of course this song below:



If you ain't humming any of these songs yet, you're a xmas hater!! LOL!! To all the other xmas serial lovers out there, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! and hope you get all you wish for and more...!

Congratulations, Doc!

To el toniosky, congratulations for getting your phd with honors. I'm so proud of you!!!

A special thank you also for being patient and for always being there for me during tough times...

Welcome back to mother earth.

Hi guys... yes! It's been a while since the last time i updated my blog. If you look at Saint Nawtee's and 3471 family's blogs, you'll find that there were no updates either. The nightmare (i mean, work) is finally over. We are now back to reality. No more stress, headaches and over-exhaustion. I'm sure for some, it was a shock to the system. As for me - it was a wake up call i was willing to miss...

For the first time in four weeks, i woke up late today. No more late night/wee morning phone calls... no more stupid msgs abt stupid unnecessary things... and for once, i can feel the blood flowing through my veins and i feel human again. Haha.

Of course, we would not have done it without the help of the great people at the office... you guys have kept me sane... and compared to the past visits we done, i think this visit was much more bearable.... thanks to all of you... Great job... you know who you are... i will never forget all the work, sweat and tears we... excreted... during these past few weeks. LOL

THANK YOU!!!