What is WRONG with this world….?

I have not been reading newspapers for a very looooooong time..why? well…reason is because of crazy crime stories inside..not my cup of tea. You can say that I am living in a small box but that is me…

BUT………..

I am now the newly appointed Admin Exec for Star publications – NEWSPAPER company…Now everyday i read the news…Is in front of me everyday…everywhere i turn sure got news here and there…I cannot hide and I cannot run…

Below are the shocking news I read everyday :-

1. A family of maid abusers – a maid was abused where hot water was poured on her genitals and teeth were extracted
2. Wife trying to poison husband
3. Magician who had sex with 12 year old boy
4. Boy, 11 charged of killing his father
5. Maid attempted to kill her elderly employer
6. 11 year old maid rescued
7. SIX women whose badly decomposed bodies were found at the home of a convicted rapist
8. Woman slashes forceful husband – the husband tried to force her to wear mini skirt, drink and go to pubs
9. 112 yr old man marries 17 yr old girl – wants her to bear his kids

and many more…..

So has the world gone MAD? What is wrong with the people now? Parents killing their kids..Kids killing their parents..hubbies killing their wives…and etc…

Where is the peace and where is the love?

But….then again.

Not all people are MAD and heartless..During my journey of recovery from depression I met many good loving, kind hearted and caring friends..who helped me and spend time with me..and I thank them from the bottom of my heart..

So should I tell my friends not to have KIDS?…welll…How can i say NO to kids like THESE

So no matter how crazy this world has become…there is HOPE after all…only if we put an effort to it…

Things I do when my brain Not WORKING…

1) First day of WORK – No..I am not working as the new admin exec of a funeral parlour

2) Cam whoring early in the morning – before brushing teeth..good for health

3) Eating Octopus Egg — never know that octopus has eggs huh

4) Taking picture of KFC from my hotel window – as if never see KFC before..ok ok..i was really hungry that time

5) Forced by my big sis in taking picture of her CONDO’s Offenders

6) Kissed my best friend with her new lipstick..ha ha – no i am not a lesbian

Why do you let your life……

Sitting across me in Chillis was a girl age around 25, quite good looking, with a good command of English, and smart complaining to me about how boring her life is. She does not like her work (she only started working like one year ago), does not like to go out and socialize, and sleeps early. Telling me that she prefer to watch tv at home and sleep giving me the excuse of being tired after working. Complaint that she wants to find a new career but does not want to find other jobs because her current job now pays her well…Telling me that she hates gym but goes to one. She hates hiking and outdoor activities and complaint that she is fat (i think she is perfect)..

HMMMMMM…….

I wonder is she a puppet with strings attached to her hands, legs and brain and being controlled by another human being moving her around determining her every move and decision…Interesting…or maybe never happy for who she is or what she has..

Obviously she is not happy as she complaints and sigh every minute we are sitting there…Then I start to wonder why some human beings let their life being controlled by others either by external parties or by the environment or situation. “You don’t understand. I had to do this because….I hate my job but i cannot leave because…..”..remember all those words uttered to you or by you..

I used to be that puppet. Controlled by others and not by myself..The result is depression and unhappiness..Do things that made other people happy but not myself. Never take risk, never being adventurous, never do things that i love and etc. So why do i do all these to myself? WHY? difficult to explain though but one thing for sure…I learn that my life is CONTROLLED by ME and no one else. I myself takes full responsibilities of what I do and what i think. How happy I want to be, How lovely I want to be, How fulfilled I want to be must be determine by me alone and no one else.

So what did I do as I start to control my own life:-

1. I resigned my old job because I wanted a new career.
2. I got myself a tattoo because I think i look cool with it
3. I got healthier and thinner because I love exercising and eat healthy and of cos can get more guys’ attention – i HOPE
4. I started to make more friends
5. I learn swimming cos I don’t think i want to die drowning
6. I learn to be more direct and frank rather than keeping inside of me burning
7. I try new things
8. I went hiking and mountain climbing – not giving so many excuses like I have lots of things to do or who will take care of my kids….

Well not many of you like what I do but hey it is me..I never regret what I did. Yes I did made a lot of mistakes trying out new things but I learn from those mistakes and learn to grow….

So life is in your hands and not on others…..CONTROL your life NOW…

A Touching Story….

A good friend of mine sent me something lovely yesterday..It was some beautiful touching short stories..I seldom cry reading stories but somehow these short stories did some funny thing to my tear glands…

Sometime ago, when the ice-creams were not so expensive, a ten-year old boy went to an ice-cream parlour. While sitting at the table, he asked the waitress, “How much does a Sundae cost?” “50 cents,” she replied.

The boy took out his money from the pocket and began counting it.

“Well, how much does a simple ice-cream cost?”.

There were other people waiting to be served, so the waitress began to get a little impatient.
“35 cents!” she replied abruptly. The boy counted his money again and said: “Please get me a simple ice-cream!”

The waitress served him the ice-cream and his bill. The boy ate his ice-cream, paid his bill at the cash counter and left.

When the waitress went to clean the table she began to cry… for there, in the corner of the plate, were 15 cents… her tip.

What is in my mind? hmmm

What is in my mind NOW?

1. SEX —–> well can’t really blame me due to my woman’s hormone
2. What is for dinner tonight?……
3. Is my tummy flatter or bigger?
4. Oh No…how to pay all those money in my credit cards?
5. What is my neighbour doing outside squatting near his bush? – What the heck?
6. Should i do my weight exercises now?

This is what happened when someone is not working and is too lazy to do any housework…

Lesson of the day – -> get a JOB girl…
….

15th Day Of Seventh Month of Lunar Calender – Ooooooooo

“Do not go out tonite Grace.  Stay at home..”, mum said

“Why?”, I asked

“The day where Hell Gate is going to be opened and all the ghosts will come out and play. If you are not careful they will follow you home”, mum replied

GURrrrrrpp.. I swallowed hard..

So, is it true that the 15th day of 7th month of Lunar calender is the day that all ghosts come out to feast and have fun?

Now..I have great imagination and this is what I thought when my mum told me about ghosts parading.

Hmm… Don’t think so huh..

Old folks do have wonderful scary stories to tell us during this lovely month. Below are some of them

1. Put a RED Panty (not sure whether G String or Thong work though) of a virgin (you can ask or check them yourself) on top of your head during the parade and you are able to see all those ghosts
2. Put PONGKES (garden basket i think – the one you sweep leaves and waste into) on top of your head to see the parade of ghosts
3. Girls, sit in front of the mirror and take an apple (green for better effect – ha ha) and a knife. Slowly cut the skin starting from the top around the apple till the bottom. While you are pealing, look at the mirror and you will see your future husband’s image  in the mirror.  DO NOT stop halfway or DO NOT CUT off the skin before finishing otherwise your Future HUSBAND will die in a horrible death.
4. Make sure all windows and doors are closed when the hell gate is open so that the ghosts do not wonder into your house

IMPORTANT NOTE: for 1 and 2 please do not remove them from your head before the parade finish otherwise the ghosts will see you and will follow you home

I respect old people..I really do but honestly are those stories real or they are to scare young people..Actually there are no logic at all in some of the points…e.g

1 and 2 -> where is the parade anyway? and where should one stand? what happen if I stand right in the middle of the parade?

4 -> i thought ghosts can go through walls…why do they need to go through windows or doors? hmm unless they are those chinese vampires that jumps…now that is a different story which i will tell another day…

Well, no matter how unlogical the stories are I DO NOT intend to do any of them…You never know….Ha ha ha ha

Borneo Convention Centre Kuching Ramadan Buffet

“Grace..what are you doing on 28th Friday night?” my best friend, Diong said “Nothing much..Why? Man Hunting again?” I replied

“You are invited to a Ramadan buffet in my Convention Center. My treat” she said

WOW…Free food…Anytime…I was already having guilt in my tummy because I did not exercise that one whole week and was eating like a pig but how can I deny a free food treat..so off I went and I did not regret it at all

Borneo Convention Centre Kuching is the first international purpose-built convention centre on the island of Borneo. It is so big that I was at awe when I went into the centre. Now of cos I am a jungle girl living in Sarawak that seldom visit any big convention places before but this is beautiful and big. It is still new and its scheduled opening is October 2009.

The Ramadan buffet was their very first buffet dinner which is open to the public and I can tell you I had a great time there that particular night. Good food and good environment. The music however needs some Lady Gaga “Poker Face” kick but then again who will want to listen to “Russian Roulette would’t be the fun without a gun” during Ramadan. hmmm…

The buffet is from August 22 till September 15 2009 and according to Diong, the menu changes everyday. The buffet is divided into starter, main course, desserts, and etc..

Pembuka Mulut

This is the what I call the “Pembuka mulut” located outside the buffet hall. They have dates and kueh (malay cakes – i think). All sweets.

Buffet Hall

Setting is soft and lovely actually. I quite like the setting. The staffs are also wonderful and friendly.

I did not take a lot of pictures of all the food because my saliva was already drooling due to the lovely smell and food decorations but I will try to remember what food they served that particular night.

Beverage Area

I love the beverage area. They have fresh brewed espresso..WOW. Served by delicious boys..opps..i mean waiters. They also have sugar cane, fresh lime and etc.

Starter Area

They have salads (western’s starters) and ulam (Malay’s starters – i think) and muscles and prawns..yummy

Mussels and Prawns

Fresh Salmon

Love this fresh salmons.. had 4 helpings….yum yum. Fresh and hmmm juicy

Hmmm Hmmm

Ikan Masin for porridge

Belachan with some veges...

Ok the next picture may look obscene to some and gross to some. But I do guarantee that the saying “Please don’t judge the book by its cover” is totally wrong in this picture…
:
:
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Grilled Lamb

It is YUMMY…..try it…

I did not manage to take the pictures of the food at the main dish area but they do have lots of varieties
They have Curry Prawns, mint Lamb (i love this so much. So tender and juicy), Ayam Percik (First trying it and it was awesome), Chillies Mussels (Can’t help getting 3 helpings) and many more. Soup such as thick oxtail soup and yum yum crab stick soup. Fantastic food area

Side main dishes like dry wantan soup (weird huh – it is fried wantan dipped into fragrant soup. Simple sedap), penang laksa, prawn fritters, keropok lekor and etc.

Now comes to the dessert area.

Chocolate fountain

For the kids and young adults..ha ha..chocolate fountain. Dip into hot chocolate and let it melt in your mouth.

There are more desserts at the dessert area but I forgot to take them because of the FOOD..ha ha..They also have ice cream (cornentos, Ice cream sticks – not only the one in big pails which you scoop out) and bubur cacar..

They also have kebabs and salads and grilled fishes….

I do recommend you guys and gals to try out this BCCK Ramadan buffet. It is around RM55++. For those who wants to go this is the map that I stole from the BCCK website. ha ha

BCCK Map

Don’t really know about you guys but I will be going again this coming Friday….he he…Darn…my diet…..your fault Diong….

Finally…Someone wanted my blood…and it ain’t PMS..

28th June 2009 the DAY that I finally donated my blood. YES..I was a bit scared and very excited because NOT knowing what will happen and what to expect…

GO GO GO Grace..

We went to Life Care’s blood donation campaign at Hock Lee Center..Riding the stairway to HELL (mind wondering)

Stairway to HELL??

While riding the stairway, I actually asked Thomas where the blood donation will be located…and before he can answer..There they are..in front of my nose. Not a bad place to put.   Let me see my shopping list. .

My Shopping list

So lets donate blood before I shop and below are the procedures of BLOOD donation for first time BLOOD DONORS.

Lets Register first. Must make sure you have your IC with you. Good thing is that they will fill for you. You just have to sit down and be treated as QUEEN..oo remind me of VAMPIRES..Treat you like a precious Princess before they SUCK all your BLOOD…mua ha ha ha ha

Registration Process

Very Soft spoken doctor doing some medical check on me. First they check on my heart beat..DUMP DUMP DUMP DUMMMMMMMMMMMMP..fast fast faster…COOL Grace..Cool..

Chinese Sin Say (Chinese Doctor) checking whether I am pregnant

Then, he checked my blood pressure which is 127/87. Not sure good or not but since the doctor did not say anything I guessed it is pretty good. After that he asked me a lot of questions and so soft spoken that I had to literally move my ear close to his mouth. And I think I owed him RM100,0o0.

Next, I moved on to the next counter for them to check my blood..These are the few things they checked :-

1. What Blood type I have
2. Whether my blood is acceptable or not
3. Whether I have enough blood to give?

OUCH?? Neh..

I am specimen no 21055539. So cool..

I am a Specimen..

Then I waited for my turn. They gave me a container that contained my BLOOD Extraction Tools. Plastic (I think that is what they call) to store my blood and, needle to poke my arm.

Blood Extraction Tools

When I saw the plastic bags….Mind thinking “Do I have that much BLOOD to give?”

What? So many bags?

Other donors smiling and giving me the PEACE sign..Obviously they are NOT in PAIN..Actually calmed me down. Thank you guys

Smiling Donors...NICE

My turn came and I was seated comfortably on a nice seat. The doctor said that I have beautiful large veins..Is that good compliment or bad compliment..Hmm..I guessed when it comes to blood donation or DRACULAS..i think is very good compliments. ha ha

My Adidas Shoe

Doesn’t I look like a corpse in a morgue? Hmmmm

Getting Ready

First thing they do was to give me local anesthetic so that the when they poke it the BIG needle I will not feel any more pain..OK..

The Extraction Began

Needle to extract blood

My Blood Flows down river

The blood is collected in the bag and they actually weigh the bag.

My BLOOD

Me..

The happy me AGAIN

The whole process took only 15 minutes and they extracted 2 bags of my blood..I think..ha ha..No Pain at all and I enjoyed every moment of it. The staffs were friendly and made me feel very calm and cool about the whole thing..They gave me my very first Red Cresent Blood Donor’s book to record down everytime I donate my blood..I am soo happy and proud of this book

My first Red Cresent Blood Donor Card..

I was surprised at the end when they gave me 5kg of Uncle Tan’s rice as a token of appreciation. WOW…I am soo touched. Thank you Life Care

Our surprise gifts

So after my blood donation process, I can crossed out two things from my shopping list.

Crossed out List

I am so happy that I finally manage to donate my blood. It is not scary at all and I love the entire process. The people are friendly and caring. And the most important to all first time blood donors..It is not PAINFUL at all..maybe a bit of ant bite..I am not lying..

Things to remember according to the doctor regarding donating blood :-

1. Eat a bit before donating
2. Sleep well the night before
3. For ladies, you are not suppose to donate blood one week before period and during one week after period
4. You are not allowed to donate if you just had a tattoo (make sure is after one year)
5. You are not allowed to donate if you are pregnant (only for girls)
6. Make sure you are not under medication, or have hepatitis B, C, D (opps wrong alphabet) or AIDS

So girls and boys..I highly recommend you all to DONATE your blood..you can save a LIFE..

Home Made Kung PAO Chicken Recipe

Kung Pao Chicken is a classic dish in Szechuan cuisine. It’s main ingredients are chicken, the sauce, dry chilies and of course not forgetting cashew nuts (can use peanuts for cost saving..he he). I never actually tasted Kung Pao Chicken before so last night was my first attempt. Here is my recipe. Home made Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Sauce’s Ingredients
1 cup of chicken Stock
Soya Sauce – light one
Pepper
Hoi Sin Sauce – mine is Life brand
sugar
red fresh chili
chili sauce (optional)

Method of cooking Kung Pao Sauce

1. Pour 1 cup of chicken Stock into a pot or kuali
2. Pour some soya sauce into the stock till it turn brown. Not too much unless you want to be salty
3. Add some pepper into the pot
4. Put 2 table spoon of rice vinegar. (Opps..that one I forgot to buy so i used normal vinegar but turned out no problem..phew..)
5. Put 1 table spoon of Hoi Sin Sauce (I did not know what the heck is that sauce but after much treasure hunting for it I finally found it at Choice premier..in front of my nose some more)
6. Put a pinch of sugar into the pot
7. Put some red fresh chilies
8. Pour some chili sauce if you wish to be hotter.
9. Stir the sauce and let it boil for a while and then stop the fire


Kung Pao Sauce

Now lets do something with the chicken.

1. Cut the chicken into small cubes (i use breast meat and if possible no bones. Up to you how much you want)


Dead Chopped Chicken

2. Marinate the chicken with a bit of soya sauce, half of an egg, a pinch of salt and some corn flour (i used butterfly brand)


Marinated yet again Dead Chicken

3. Pour some oil into a kuali (or non stick pan) and fry the chicken. Fry it till nearly cooked and then put it aside


KFC ----- NOT

Vegetables Fiesta

You can use vegetables such as onions, mushroom, bell red/green pepper, baby corn, water chestnuts, and etc. Cut them into small cubes or pieces

Baby Corn



Don't know what name vegetable



Water Chestnut



Mushroooomsss...my favorite

Now lets cook the KUNG FU CHICKEN

1. Pour some sesame oil into a pan (can use corn oil)
2. Add dry chilies into the oil and cook the chilies till they are dark brown so that the oil can extract the smell from the chilies


Dry Chilies - Just for Taste

3. Put chopped garlic and ginger into the oil and fry it for a while until you can smell the nice fragrant. But please make sure it is not burnt


Dry Chilies, Garlic and Ginger

4. Add in the chopped vegetables into the pan and stir fry them so that they can be mixed with the chilies and oil. Don’t overcook the vegetables
5. Pour the Kung Pao Sauce into the pan and mix them
6. Add the fried chicken into the pan and mix them
7. Put some chopped green spring onion (which I forgot to buy)
8. Lastly, please add the cashew nuts or peanuts (that is why they call it KUNG Pao)


KUNG FU Chicken

9. If you want to make it a bit sticky, you can pour in some corn flour (mix with water) but I did not put any


Kung Pao with Green Vegetables..yet again did not know the name

There you go…my KUNG FU Chicken..Watch out Jackie Chan and Kung FU Panda…HAI YAKKKKKkkkkk

My First 8 KM Charity RUN

The day has finally come. The day that I worked hard and prepared FOR for one whole month. The day that I want to proove my endurance level.  All my life I was soo scared of joining any race, run and marathons because of my weight but NO MORE excuse. I am determine to try this run and finish it. I power walked for one month but only manage to walked 6.4 KM and did not even manage to jog all the way. How?? How? How am I going to finish it..?

Ringggggggggggg………..my alarm rang and I woke up at 5 am. Got up and wore my favorite lucky shorts (hopefully that  works) and my black Australia Shirt (Because I look real good in black. Don’t really want to be ugly when people drive by)

Sleepy me at around 5:45 am

We drove to PETANAK (a local wet market that has a food stall at the top of the building) to have my early morning breakfast. Wow..never had breakfast this early before.

Yew Char Kueh

Kueh Chap

After breakfast, drove to HILTON to register and my lucky no is 232.

The 6D toto NO is..

I saw many participants and WOW they really look like they have run many MARATHONS before.  I told myself not to be scared and calmed myself down. I am not there to win but I am there to finish the RUN with my close friends (Jacklyn, Diong, Thomas and Kueh).

Things Jacklyn and I did to calm ourselves down :-

1. Cam whoring in the loo

Cam WHORING with Jacklyn

2. Taking pictures of Jacklyn’s cute mickey mouse on her cap.. ha ha

Jacklyn's cute MICKEY

At around 7 am we all gathered at the briefing hall for the announcer to brief us on the map and the checkpoints.  Asked us whether we understand what are checkpoints and whether there are any questions regarding the race.  Of course as a beginner I am totally clueless of what he had just mentioned and to save FACE I did not want to ask anything so I won’t look like an IDIOT.  After briefing we went to the starting point. The women were suppose to start first. I was like a dummy standing there not knowing what to do but since I saw the women bending their body getting ready to run..I also followed.  POMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…everyone started to run and so did I. The old FAT 126 KG Grace will never have thought of running  but I was determine. Determine to finish the race so I jogged and jogged. Only walked for a few times but most of the time I jogged…WAaaaaaaaaaaaaa….

FINALLLLLY

GRACE TAN FINISHED HER FIRST 8 KM CHARITY RUN IN ONE HOUR AND 4 MINUTES..

Reaching THE FINISH LINE was a GREAT feeling.  I felt wonderful and excellent and no words can described how I felt. All my hard work paid off…

What I had learn before and during this RUN is

1. Never give up.
2. Never say NO to a Challenge
3. One will strive hard when pushed

Determination and patience brought me THIS FAR and I had achieved something that I can treasure for the rest of my life..AND the best thing is I did it with my CLOSEST Friends..

Good Friends.

Thomas

Jacklyn and Kueh