I am honored :).

What do you think of this picture ? I was very honored to be invited to a New Year Eve reunion dinner cruise hosted by Lee and his wife with the present of Datuk Richard Branson, President Bill Clinton, Antonio Banderas, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Salma Hayek, Carmen Electra, Sophia Loren and Jennifer Lopez. And this is the dress he picked for me.

Let me assured you that I will give you a report of the New Year Eve party when I get back. So please stay tunned !

How do I manage having a good grade in school and blogging.

It has been a challenge to me to me to consistently make good grade in my studies and maintain a couple of blogs. However, this challenge force me to look for ways that will help me find this balance.

These are some of the ways that help me to maintain a good grade in my exam and also blog in a regular basic.

1. Plan
Planning is an important factor. I allocate at least 2 hours of uninterrupted time for myself to read through my lectures notes.

2. Concentrate and keep myself not distracted from my goal and my focus.
I used to browse the net a lot. Now instead of browse the net without any goals, I browse with a goal of getting ideas for my blog posts and leave comments on visitors that visit my site.

3. Eat healthy and not having to skip lectures because of sickness.
I have been making Chinese herbal soup with lean pork meat and lots of vegetable. I would bring them to school in a thermal container where I would eat at least a healthy home cook meal a day.

I am very happy to let you know that I get the highest grade in my class for this recent exam I have. I hope this will help many of you who are juggling with many roles that you play.

A picky eater and a colorful sandwich

My 4 years old is a very picky eater. It is a challenge to get anything into his throat.
Now he can even pretend that he get chocked by the food I ask him to eat such as broccoli , chicken or meat but there seems to be no chocking problem with his ice cream or chocolates.
This is what I made him recently so he would eat his lunch, sigh !
MM sandwich with cheezto :)

Simple home cook lunch

Even though I don't have a lot of times to prepare lunch and dinner due to the fact that I am a full time student and a 4 years old to attend to plus with all the house chores. I still like to have home cook meal for my family.
However, sometimes I like to buy package food and add on a bit of home cook food :), for eg this chicken pies with home baked fries and garlic bread is one of the cool example :).
This was our Sunday lunch after we got back from church :).

California fire

One of my husband cousins lives in California and we know a few friends who live in California but not near where the fire is. With the medias focus on California fire, unless you live in the cave. I am sure you know about it.
I am saddened by the news and I pray that the situation will get better.
This video clip is very awesome and I like to present to you .

Halloween !

Halloween is round the corner.

It is pumpkin time :). I went to the store and bought one of the these pumpkins. It is 79cents per lb and my pumpkin cost me US$7.90 :).

I am scheduled for my labor and delivery clinical this coming Wednesday which is Halloween. I hope I get to see a baby born :).

Hopefully I am home in time to participate on treat a treat.

I was sick all night long.

I went to my cardiologist office yesterday for my 5 years review.
They did an electrocardiogram for me, everything looked good with my heart.
Then I drove to my school, thinking of catching up reading my school works.
When I got to my school, I was so hungry. So I went to the school cafeteria and got myself a grill chicken sandwich. I wished I had gone to get a piza from 5stars piza. I got sick in my stomach all night long.
That is the trouble if you eat food that is not from a franchise , for some reason for a small business eating place, they do not have the same standard like Franchise store.
I am better now but I suffered the whole night long, sigh.

Chia tea

Read carefully , it is not Chinese tea but Chia Tea.

As a stress loaded students , we often share our experience on how we destress ourselves. One of my girlfriends will go to massage session 1 day before exam and would not study on the day before her exam. She said she did better in exam that way, relax a day prior her exam.

I would go to chiropractor on the early morning of prior to my exam.

One of my friends share with me about Chia tea, he said it's very relaxing to drink whenever you feel stress . So what is Chai tea ?

According to Wikipedia, Chai tea is best explained : "

Chai (Arabic: شَاي, Hindi: चाय, Urdu/Persian: چاى, Russian: чай, Turkish: çay ^[1], ultimately from the Chinese word chá (茶) ^[2]) is the word for tea generally in Asia, North and East Africa and Eastern Europe. Cognates in other languages include the Bengali chā, the Marathi chahā and the Tamil thaeneer.

In a typical South Asian household, chai is prepared by boiling loose leaf tea in a pot with milk and water. Depending on personal preference, various spices and/or sweetner may also be added at this stage. What many English speakers tend to think of as chai is, therefore, more strictly known as masala chai, (Hindi (मसाला चाय [masālā chāy], "spiced tea"). Indian markets all over the world sell various brands of "chai masala," (Hindi चाय मसाला [masālā chāy], "tea spice" ), though many households blend their own.

In India, chai is more popular than coffee, and "chai wallahs," (or chaiwala) or street vendors, are a common sight in many Indian neighborhoods.". Here is the Link.

I am drinking my cup of chia tea writing this. I hope to hear from you what are your experience with chai tea, what brand and how you make it.

Do you waste your times when you are stressed for time ?

When I am stress, this is what I do.

Look at real estate pictures and think of moving, relocate because I know I cannot do it in the midst of my exams and 1 million other studies things.

What do you think of this house ?


I love light, I love house that has lots of sunshine :). I love window where it gives me a full view of my backyard and I love high ceiling. My present house does not have all these features because I was dumb when we first bought our 1st home.

This is the house I fancy when I browse our area's of house for sale :



Go this link and look at it at their virtual tour : here.

Tell me if you like the house, what are the features you like. It is not a big house and the price is at the low end for our area.

** This is definitely not a paid post.
Just want to share with you when I am stress, I waste time . I don't crave or eat comfort food like a lot of others do, I waste time on doing things I should not because I am cramped for them, but well, sigh !

My van breath its last.

Our van gave up his last breath on Wednesday.
















This van was given to us by Lee before he passed on.

In fact, it is due to sentimental reason that we decided to keep the van because we would have saved more money if we had bought a new used car. Lee was very fond of my hubby and he wanted my hubby to have his van after he passed on. Just as well we had a good mechanic friend otherwise this van would have gone to the junk yard sooner than Wednesday :).

Today we went to Toyota dealer to get a new car, this is what we got a 2006 Toyota Corolla :). Nothing to shout about , a certified used car :).Thought I share with you my little toy :).

I love the birds in my yard , they bring me flowers !

I am a lazy gardener :). I love the birds in my yard because they send me flower.

I don't know what is the name of this flower, it is small blue purplish small flower. The birds would bring the seeds and planted them on spring and the flowers would grow and grow and they will eventually die in the cold winter :).



This year, the flowers grow even more :)



More flowers that the birds bring :).

My car purchase journey

As some of the readers wrote before in this blog that $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is dipolar. I said $ is good and handy when you need them and it is ironic that $ loves friends, they like company.


Wed : Hubby found out our old van breath its last.

Friday : CHOICE.
I went by Nissan and Toyota's car dealers place at 8:30am.
5 cars were in the short list, from Nissan , Hyundai, Saturn , Honda to Toyota. From compact family car , SUV to Monster truck.

6:30pm : hubby and I test drove 2 2006 Nissan Sentral.
It's $24,495, not a chance of discount.
Both cars have 38k, 46k mileage . We were not too pleased with the amount of mileage on both cars.

7:00pm : we moved on to Toyota dealership place, huge place, even have golf cart driving you around to pick up your dream car.
Sale guy showed us a few used 2006-2007 used certified Toyota family car, ranges from Corolla to matrix.

I like matrix because it is so compact but in term of $/space, it is no where comparable with Corolla.

We decided on the 2006 used certified. In America, this is the standard of Toyota used certified car, here.

We thought it would be good for our 2nd family car. We want our close friend who is a mechanic to have a look at the machine before we buy. Manager said " Go ahead and drive home but I don't know why you need your mechanic friend to look at it, all Toyota used certified car had to go through the whole bunch of inspection, do you think your mechanic friend is better than our bunch of mechanics ?"
I said : "You bet !
The sale guy said "Drive to Las Vagas, you had a full tank."

Did we go to Las Vagas, NO, we drove home and sleep.

Sat : PURCHASE
2PM we drove to our friend home, he checked it, said superb engine, did not even have new paint on it, everything original.

3pm : we went to dealer ship place, asked them to do a few checks :

1. Blue Book on how much this car worth
$17k without all the accessories this car have : sunroof, alloy wheel, automatic car lock and power window, auto cruise.

2. Carfax on who owned this car before.
Was rental car and got auctioned last weekend at orlando.

Manager asked for $15,599 on this car.
I said : "$15k, take it or I walked."

He came back and said "Let's make it easier on the deal, $14,999."
We shacked hand, and the deal is done.
Fill in paper, check our credit and did a loan on our car.
Now I am a slave to our credit union for 60mths. But, you know the next few months, I am going to pay all back with one of my gold stock :).

6pm : We drove out of Toyota car dealer the used certified 2006 Toyota Corolla.




In America , credit rating is very important on one purchase power, if you have good credit, you have power !

Next year, this will bes my car ! Toyota Tacoma.



You see why a Kuchingian love America life so much ? EFFICIENT !

Have we all gotten busy ?

Life is too busy. We forget to smell the roses in front of our yard but we are chasing to build an English garden.

Recently my brother send me an email, I cried. It is so ironic, through my father disease, my brother and I have become closer.

These are straight from my garden and I hope you will smell the roses through your monitor, they smell really good !





Most of the times I delete most forward email but this one I kept it. 2 reasons : 1 is from my macho brother who only forward Malaysia politics jokes to me (which I think they are nonsense anyway but don't tell him if you know him.); 2 , this email relates to me because recently I was so touched by the hospital driver.

I parked in a parking lot that did not belong to the hospital I did my clinical rotation. The parking lot provides shuttle bus only till 9pm. After the time, you are on your own. I don't mind to walk when I get out because weather is not so hot in the afternoon when I arrived. Then one night it rained so heavily (if you have not live in Florida, you really don't know what kind of rain we have here, worst than Malaysian rains). Anyway, I decided to hop on the hospital bus, the driver asked me where did I park my car, I told him xxx street's road side. He said he had to drop off the other passengers before he got to my street. I said 'No problem'. When he drop off the last passenger. He asked me "Dear, where do you park your car ?". I said " Just drop me anywhere along this street.". He said "Dear, I am asking you where did you park your car ?". I wanted to tell him, none of his business but I did not. I said "Sir, it is very far away, at the motel parking lot.". He said: "Dear, I am going to drive you there." I said " Sir, are you sure, it is not in your bus route." He said, " Dear, I am not going to let any of my passengers walked in the rain or in the dark.". I said " Ok, thank you so very mcuh.". He took me all the way to my car and did not leave me until I closed my door. What a man and he is an elderly black man !.. So, don't ever be racist, there are good in black, red, yellow and white and vise versa.

Just let me ask you one intimidating question : Have you taken 10minutes of your time this week to help someone whom you know need your help ?

What are the most important thing in your life if you are to take your last breath tonight ?

Well, this is an email my little brother send me (he is not that little,he is in his early 40's).

T HE CAB RIDE

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One night I took a fare at 2 :30 am , when I arrived to collect, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk onc

But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.


So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.


After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.


By her side was a small nylon suitcase The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.


There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.


"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.


She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.


She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".




"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"


"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.


"Oh, I don't mind," she said "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".


I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.


"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.


For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.


We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.


Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.


As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now"


We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico .


Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.


I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.


"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.


"Nothing," I said


"You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.


"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.


"Thank you."


I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life


I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?


What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?


On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.



We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.


But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.


PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT 'YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.


You won't get any big surprise in 10 days if you send this to ten people.


But, you might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate by sending it on.



Thank you, my friend...


Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Life is to live today not tomorrow !

Seaykopitiam meat ball receipes

Seaykopitiam's Meatball Chilli ingredients :

Seaykopitiam's Dummies Recipe :

1. 1 pack of frozen meat ball.
2. 1 can of kidney bean.
3. I can of diced tomato
4. I can of peas.
5. 1 can of spaghetti sauce.
6. I onion.

Dummies method:
1. Chopped onion.
2. Open all cans.
3. Put all ingredients in a big pot and add few cups of water (depend on your fancy).

You can eat with noddles or rice.


In the future, when you are held hostage by love ones who won't cook for you, check out on SeayKopitiam section of dummies recipe :). Enjoy !

A sad day in my husband life

Yes, the football season is here.

My husband was sick yesterday, nausea and vomiting, I wonder if it has to do with Gator has beaten the volunteer on Saturday.

Check out this season Gator game here.

Do you know your food pyramid ?

Picture Source : Here.

In fact this post is inspired by Kuanhoong's post on : "Top 5 Nutrients for a Blogger to stay Healthy and Productive.", here.



USDA - United State Department of Agriculture has a very simple food pyramid algorithm for all of us to eat well.

From Wikipedia :

In general terms, the food guide pyramid recommends the following intake of different food groups each day, although exact amounts of calorie intake depends on sex, age, and lifestyle.

* 4-10 servings a day of vegetables, especially dark green vegetables and orange vegetables.

* 2-4 servings of fruit a day are required, especially fresh and frozen fruits.

* 2-3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, or nuts a day, especially dry bean and peas, eggs, and nut and seeds.

* 2-3 servings of milk, cheese, yogurt or milk substitutes a day.

* Occasional use of fats, oils, and sweets, especially oils.

* 6-11 servings of grains a day, especially whole grains.

the groups are:

* Oils,sweets & fats
* Milk cheese & yogurt
* Meat fish & poultry
* Vegetables
* Fruits
* Bread cereals & pasta

Full text, here.

You can even set up your own food pyramid plan : "MyPyramid Plan offers you a personal eating plan with the foods and amounts that are right for you. Click on the MyPyramid Plan box to get started.", here.

So go to the site and educate yourself on your food group and learn to eat better and be more healthy.

You might need these 3 simple life solutions

I found these 3 posts contained 3 simple life solutions which you might be looking for !

1. 15 things I do to save money, by Hooi Imm.


Picture Source : Here.

Florida's gropper

It was night o'clock at night, we were tired and had our pajamas on and ready to go to bed but we heard knocks on our back door, we wondered who would be knocking on our door so late at night.

We opened our back door and it was one of our neighbor, Rick.

Ricks go to the Atlantic ocean to fish very often and this was what he gave us last night , a big groper ! It is bigger than my table can hold !

Durians.

Durians, Durians, Durians.....

Loong and I decided to 'hatam' the durians on the road side and that's what we did exactly, tried and ate on the sport, YA..........!!!!!!!!!!



It was very nice of Loong to treat me to the durians. After we selected what we want, we went to Jackie's Kopitiam to have our durians.

I will alway remember these good times that I had in Kuching.

Durians

Any of my readers from Kuching ?

Well, I could not get enough of Durian my last trip ti Kuching. I love to eat durians. I can gobbled down 3 big fruit at one day.


This was on the way to Damai... See what my gang of girlfriends did to my 'kow lau' anak, they got him to eat durians :).