Good Deed

When was the last time u did a good deed? Help an old lady cross the street? Hold a door for a stranger? Slow down for a car to cut in? I've read many times that doing a good deed helps one to feel good as well. On several stressed out evenings after work, I'd many times slowed down my car to allow pedestrians crossed my path, some will smile & wave back as a sign of appreciation. Regardless of whether they appreciate it or not..doing something nice made me feel good. No matter how simple the deed is.

I offered to drive a friend to the hospital today. Well, partly because I was a kind of lazy to go back to the office so soon. "An emergency" gives a valid excuse to stay out for a couple more hours. On the other hand, I did think she will appreciate some help. Everything turn out fine with her, so we went for a drink after that.

Few years back, a colleague had to persuade me to drive her to the hospital because she had severe menstrual pain. I was reluctant to go becasue I was really busy with work. And I really thought she could have gone by herself. I agreed to do so eventually. Surprisingly, I felt very good after doing so..eventhough I had to work some extra time to cover some work.

Although, there were no hugs and kisses thanking each other..I guess there were mutual feelings. It's like an additonal feather added onto the friendship cap. No future expectations ...the broad huge smile deep in my heart is enough to make the day so much brighter.

Condolences (again)

Loss of words..nothing to be said as I've anticipated this. But that doesn't mean I am not sad. My close friend's mom has lost the battle. She passed away this afternoon. I feel honoured that she called me personally to tell me the news (in between her sobs). I managed to utter some words of sympathies. It's been drizzling the whole of yesterday and today. Auntie, you must be someone important up there...

I think this is my 3rd or 4th entry about someone's passing ever since I started blogging. This year itself 3 entries if I am not mistaken. Boy....are we getting old or what...our loved ones are aging and leaving this world. Or are people dying younger?

I have developed a habit of browsing through the orbituary page in the papers to check if I knew anyone. Serious..I am not joking. And ..I noticed that people are dying younger and younger nowadays. Each day..I will see one or two who are in 40s sometimes 30s...

Sigh..

May you rest in peace, Auntie.

It's Just Different

I was in Melaka last Friday - searching for food. "It's different" -- this was the most used phrase on most of the food we tried. Somehow..the most common food tasted different in Melaka.


Wan Tan Mee @ 85, Jonker Street

Totally Different, excellent taste even without dark soya sauce & there is a fragrant taste of pork lard!






Fried Radish Cake @ Tengkera

Somewhat different, at first it seems bland and tasteless. After a while, we found it lighter and tastier in its own way..

Nyonya Cendol, near the Melaka River

Totally different. Not too sweet and dangerously addicitive. Thanks to Gula Melaka (traditional special made Melaka Sugar)

Took a 'stroll' to burn off some calories - so that we can continue eating again.
Here are some pics to prove that we actually did some sightseeing!














This tourist policeman on a horse is so handsome!

This is our beca man. Instead of walking..we decided to invest $20 for a half hour ride :p





Back to food...

Melaka Satay @ Ming Satay Hut, Jln PM4
Strictly non halal. These are actually juicy pork instestines! Food glorious food...





Tea time @ Nideje, Jln PM4
Mille Crepe with 'The' tea.......the environment, the food, the tea made it a perfect afternoon tea experience. *faintz*
Mille Crepe is a French cake made of many pastry layers. "Mille" ("mil") means " a thousand," implying the many layers of puff pastry.

The tea is named as "The"...no idea why.
And it is served elegantly using these beatifully designed filter.

No.7 Hor Chien @ Jkln Ujong Pasir
Somewhat different. Less oily. No flour. Reasonably sized oysters.

Grand finale !
McQuek's Satay Celup @ Jln Ujong Pasir
Combination of Satay & Steamboat.
Check out their pork's stomach & intestines *wink*

Helpless

I discovered that my heart aches most when I am helpless...when there is absolutely nothing I can do to help. A close friend of mind is in distress watching her dearest mom slowly losing her battle to sickness. It is most painful to learn that life is slipping away and there is absolutely nothing we can do. At this juncture, money is not important anymore..one will be willing to spend any amount to drive away the pain. Unfortunately, money doesn't buy life & health.

Having gone through the experience myself, I felt quite indifferent when I heard the latest development cos I know that there is nothing left to be done, one just have to be strong to face the rough journey. And hopefully time will heal the pain quickly. Nevertheless, I sent an sms offering our support in any kind i.e. finance, moral, anything that she may need - just to make sure that she knows we are here for her. Her reply as follows:

"Thanks. Jus need you all to pray for her. Wish her in comfort and happy.."

I teared when I read the reply. I wondered why I did. I thought I was indifferent. I thought I was prepared. Eventually, I realised that I teared because of Helpless-ness. I sent the sms offering my help...hoping that there is something that I can offer...money? companionship? advise? But her reply asked for Prayers instead. That is one thing that I don't really know how to do.

What do you think about this doc?

Patient with ankle, knee & hip discomfort went to see an othorpaedic. Conversation as follows:

• Doc: Hello..I am Dr X? You have knee problem?
• Patient explained areas & nature of pain to Dr.
• Doc did a 5-10 mins examination & concluded that knee is 'rough', signs of wear & tear and ordered an x-ray & mri
• Patient: What about the dull ache I fell in my hip/ waist area? Are they related?
• Doc: Sorry..I only do knee and shoulder. If you want I can refer you to my colleague.
• Patient puzzled ...but went for the scans anyway.
• Scans done in about 2 hours. Patient and doc meet again to look at scans
• Doc : hmm..yup..your knee cap is slightly tilted to the left..(explained using an exhibit).
• Patient : What's the cause of this? Is it serious?
• Doc : Emm..some people are born with it. (Continued to look at other films)
• Doc : (Shrugged..) Look..here you can see some inflammed tissues. These may have put pressure on your knee cap too. That's why you feel pain. ok...I don't think you need surgery. I will start you on physio first and some anti-inflamatory drugs. Will see you again in 2 months.
• Patient : (Puzzled again..) Err..so do you think these are related to my other aches. Especially on the hip..I am more worried about that.
• Doc : This is very specific to the knee. I only do knee and shoulders. I can introduce you to my colleague if you want
• Doc turned to nurses and rambled on about whether the Doc he is referrign to is IN
• Physio therapist appeared out of nowhere.
• Doc: This patient has...blabla la....(briefed physio about patient's condition)
• Doct went off
• Physio leads patient to physio area
• Patient: (Totally pissed and confused by now... )...err...does this physio thing has to start now? today?
• Physio : Oh..you can't?
• Patient: well...I need to get back to work.
• Physio : Oh ok...then you can make an appointment to come back another day.

Patient proceeded to make an appointment but has decided not to turn up for it. Patient was charged:

• $150 for consultation
• $800 for MRI
• $200 for x-ray

Only take out from the whole visit is patient is a relieved that the knee is not in serious problem. But..what about the other areas?? Pay another few thousands to find out.

Patient left the clinic without even getting the drugs. That will probably cost a few more hundreds! Niama..

Bleu Cheese Burger

I had a 'blue cheese burger' last night. Or rather..I attempted to eat a 'bleu' cheese burger and I failed miserably. When I placed the order it totally didn't strike me that bleu cheese = blue cheese. Well, thanks to my limited knowledge in western cuisine. When the food arrived, my sensitive nose detected the smell. At first I thought it's the bacon. Until I noticed the awful blog of bleu cheese underneath the bacon, right ontop of the burger! It smells horrible. I tried one bite with some cheese on it..I almost threw up. Didnt' want to waste food, so i tried scraping off the cheese and just eat the 'inside' of the burger - euww..the tste is so strong. Ended up ..trying to finish the fries...by now..everything on the plate tasted the same. PPL offered me some of her ribs...I still taste blue cheese in her ribs! Arghh...what an awful dinner...and it cost me almost 30 bucks including taxes. @$%#$%

The following is a definition of blue cheese from wikipedia.
Blue cheese, known in French as bleu ("blue"), is a general classification of cow's milk, sheep's milk, or goat's milk cheeses that has had Penicillium cultures added so that the final product is spotted or veined throughout with blue or blue-green mold. Some blue cheeses are injected with spores before the curds form and others have spores mixed in with the curds after they form. Blue cheeses are typically aged in a temperature-controlled environment such as a cave.
Much like wines, many blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton are a protected designation of origin in the European Union, meaning they can bear the name only if they have been made in a particular region in a certain country. Similarly, individual countries have protections of their own such as France's Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée.
The characteristic flavor of blue cheeses tends to be sharp and a bit salty. The smell of this food is pungent, even compared to other cheeses. They can be eaten by themselves or can be crumbled or melted over foods

new car?

I have more or less decided to get a new car. Initially..I wanted to wait until next year but after a conversation with some friends ...I got a concensus that I should change (yippee..!). My brief conversation went like this:

• me: my car is worth 20 over thoussand only...from close to 80k..after 5 yrs
• friends : then u might as well don't sell la..since depreciated so much...use until no more value
• me: wat do you mean?
• friends : now u already lose 50K after 5 yrs...if you get a new car..u will another 20-30k in 2 yrs..so it's very painful for u.
• me : true oso
• friends: does your car give u any problems?
• me : nothing much except that water sips in lor
• friends : WAH...!!! Like tat oso u said nothing much ah!
• me : ya lor..got moles and rust liao...
• friends : wah...like tat ...you better get rid of it fast...!

so...new car new car,.here i come!

Scotch Tape Art

Check these out...creative arts using scotch tapes:

Phiten

For those who sees me often will notice that I've been wearing this 'gadget' around my neck. Mine will be black n red in color. No - it is not the latest fashion thingy. It is a PHITEN product - my latest 'investment' in my pursue towards an ache-free life.

If it works..it will be a lifetime investment..it doesn't wear out, I can use it for life! This is the USP that I bought into. Was thinking that - since I spent $40-70 on tit tar and massages every other month...I might as well try if this really works.

Does it work? Well, I've been using it for nearly 2 weeks now. I 'think' I am beginning to feel alot alot better. Ask me again in one month time - okay?

Here's the best explanation I can find from one of the many websites...Phiten® Titanium products promote pain relief and performance enhancement. Titanium emits energy that is effective in controlling the flow of bioelectric current. When this current is stabilized, the muscles relax and blood circulation increases, allowing for easier movement and pain relief.

If you are interested too - go to http://www.phitenusa.com/ - the product & technology is originated from Japan more than 20 yrs ago. It came to M'sia only 2 yrs ago. Many professional sportsmen and women are already using the product e.g. Martina Hingis, some professional golfers, our badminton players, etc etc.

Phiten is available at the main branch at the old wing of one utama - near TGV. Just walk in for a free demo. The staff are very knowledgeable and professional. They will not force you to buy anything.

How do they demo - well, they have other products like tapes & lotion for immediate pain relief. I was very skeptical on my first visit. Since my knee was killing me after too much walking around the mall..i decided to let them try the tape and lotion on my knee. After 5 mins I immediately felt better and continued shopping for another hour!! I went back to make my purchase after thinking abt it for one night :p

Let's Recycle

I just earned 23cents from recycling. The boy must have pitied me..or may be admired me for making the effort..he gave me 30 cents instead. @#$% not that I did it for money la...but I was expecting to get at least a note ma. Was surprised he took out 2 coins saja. Really admire all those people who earn a living collecting recyclable items. What did I trade in ah?

• Paper boxes lor, from my breakfast biscuits..quite alot ler..almost 20 boxes - 9 cents.
• Little glass chicken essence bottles lor and one other peanut butter glass jar..1kg wor..worth only 5cents (niama..)
• Also had some water bottles, shampoo bottles...& other plastic stuff - 9 cents.