Tuesday, December 16, 2008
it's been a while....
i went to KL for crystal report training yday... got back today.... i met up with kai yday... yeah... after so long... it must have been 4-5 yrs ago when i last saw him... we met up at secret recipe... had lunch.... he held my hands.... looked into my eyes... i let him hold my hands.... somehow it felt comfortable.... and warm.... after lunch, we walked around centrepoint.... holding hands like couples do... put hands over each other's waist and shoulders.... at one point, he just turned me around and hugged me.... it felt right.... and comfortable.... as if we have been doing it for quite some time.... while still holding me close, we kissed.... in the mall.... we kissed again later.... he wanted to take leave but i wouldn't let him... he wanted to ask me to go to the emergency exit but i refused... probably bcoz i was afraid.... he didn't turn up for lunch today due to work commitment.... things are not going to be the same again.... i have never expected it coz everytime we planned to meet up, something would come up.... but yday was unexpected.... first time we met up without any interruptions.... i can't believe it myself..... dear diary, what will happen from now on? things will never be the same again between us....
Sunday, August 17, 2008
I just discovered the wonders of asparagus!
Fresh Asparagus
Lightly steamed or boiled, fresh asparagus is a tasty, nutritious side dish. In North America, fresh asparagus season begins in March or early April and ends around late June or when the hot summer weather begins. Asparagus, imported mostly from Mexico, Chile or Peru, is now available all year round, but you'll find a good supply of fresh "home-grown " asparagus at reasonable prices in supermarkets this time of year. Most of it comes from Washington, California and Michigan. Depending on where you live, you might also find bunches of fresh asparagus grown in New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota or Oregon at your local markets.Asparagus has a high natural sugar content. Shortly after harvesting, its sugar starts turning to starch. Spears soon lose their snap, moisture and sweet flavor. That's why asparagus that's fresh from the garden has a unique taste that's superior to others. Home gardeners and those who shop for locally grown asparagus consider it a springtime delicacy. Fresh asparagus sold at farm stands and farmer's markets is usually cut, sorted, trimmed, and banded, just as in a supermarket, although it's sometimes sold loose and untrimmed in a box or basket. Garden fresh asparagus is sweet and tender and takes only a few minutes to cook.
In the U.S., green asparagus is by far the most common kind. White asparagus is covered with a mound of loose soil while growing to block sunlight and prevent the production of chlorophyll which would turn it green. White asparagus is very popular in Europe, but only rarely sold here. There's also a sweeter purple variety of asparagus that's quite rare.
Botanically, asparagus is an edible member of the lily family. The name "asparagus" is a Greek word, meaning stalk or shoot. It was first cultivated in ancient Greece, where it was used as an herbal medicine to cure toothaches, prevent bee stings and more. The Romans loved asparagus for its medicinal purposes and culinary qualities. They grew it in their courtyards and in their many conquests, spread it to other nations. King Louis XIV of France built special greenhouses to grow asparagus year' round. During the Renaissance, it was considered an aphrodisiac and banned from the kitchens in most nunneries!
Asparagus has been promoted as a cure for rheumatism and as a natural remedy for blood cleansing. Throughout history, there been many claims of its healing abilities and medicinal qualities. Medicinal benefits like these have not been proven to be true, but asparagus is a nutrient rich vegetable that does provide great health benefits.
An average serving supplies 60% of the USRDA for Folacin, a B-Vitamin that helps in the duplication of cells for growth and repair of the body and in reproducing blood cells in bone marrow. It's also a rich source of antioxidants - Vitamin C and Vitamin A, and Phytochemicals. Of all fruit and vegetables that have been tested, asparagus has the highest amount of the phytochemical - Glutathione, a potent anticarcinogen and antioxidant. (Phytochemicals, "Phyto" meaning plant, are compounds that slow the development of cancer and heart disease and strengthen the immune system.) Asparagus is also high in potassium, thiamin and fiber. It contains no fat or cholesterol and it's low in sodium and low in calories, with only 25 calories in 6 spears.
When shopping for fresh asparagus, look for crisp, firm, straight green spears with closed, compact tips. Check the bottom of the spears for signs of excessive drying. Avoid spears that have spreading tips and those that are yellowish, soft, or wilted. Choose a bunch with spears that are a uniform diameter, so all will cook in the same amount of time.
Thick or thin? If you've have some experience growing or cooking fresh asparagus, you probably know that this is a vegetable that breaks the rules. Thin does not mean young and tender. Thick does not mean old and tough. While thick or thin spears can be equally tasty when asparagus is very fresh, and spears that are old will be tough, woody and tasteless, regardless of how thick they are, when buying fresh asparagus, choose the thickest spears. When everything else is equal, fat asparagus is more tender than skinny asparagus. Both have firm, fibrous strands outside, but thick spears have more succulent, tender pulp inside .
To decide how much asparagus to buy or how much you'll need for a recipe......
About 15 spears (of average thickness) equals about 1 pound of asparagus.
1 pound - trimmed, peeled and cut in small pieces equals about 3 cups
1 pound makes 2 to 3 servings.
Cook fresh asparagus as soon as possible for the best flavor. If you don't use it the day you buy it, keep asparagus chilled and moist until you do. When left unrefrigerated, fresh asparagus loses vitamin content along with its flavor and snap. Before refrigerating, remove rubber bands or ties, trim about 1/4" from the bottom of the spears; rinse in cool water to remove dirt and sand. Shake off excess water; wrap a moist white paper towel around the cut end of the stems and place in a plastic bag or a covered food storage container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. depending on the freshness at time of purchase. If the tips should become slightly wilted during storage, lay them in cool water for about 10 to 15 minutes to rehydrate before using.
Preparing Asparagus Remove the band. Wash the asparagus under cool running water, a few spears at a time, to remove any soil or sand.
Remove tough areas at the bottom of the spears
Use a paring knife to trim about an inch from the lower end of each stem, or....
Snap-off the lower ends....Hold the top half of a spear in one hand and grasp the bottom half with your other hand. Bend lightly and the tough lower end will snap off where it meets the more tender part of the spear. Although this method sometimes produces more waste, the otherwise discarded ends can be cooked and pureed to use in soup.
Peeling Fresh asparagus can be eaten without peeling, but some people prefer it peeled. Peeling is usually recommended for white asparagus, since it has a tougher, more woody stem. Peeling away the tougher skin near the bottom of the spears will help them cooking more evenly. To peel asparagus use a standard vegetable peeler and peel downward toward the base.
12-in. Asparagus Platter
Cooking AsparagusVery fresh tender asparagus can be eaten raw. Rinse, trim and/or peel as desired. Use in salads or serve chilled with a veggie dip.
Asparagus can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, microwaved, roasted, or baked into quiches, casseroles, and other dishes. Fresh asparagus does not require much cooking time. Overcooking causes it to lose nutrients, color and flavor. Like most cooked fresh vegetables, it tastes best when it's lightly steamed and served with a little butter and salt to taste. Asparagus is also good seasoned with chives, parsley, chervil, savory, or tarragon. Add a little lemon juice; top it with regular, low fat, or fat free yogurt or sour cream; or add a small amount of very lightly browned slivered almonds... no recipes required. For those who want more variety, see the list of asparagus recipes below.To Steam Asparagus Steaming in an upright position is the ideal cooking method, since it allows the spears to cook evenly. The tougher bottom of the spears can cook thoroughly in boiling water while thinner delicate tips are lightly steamed. Wash, trim, and peel as desired. then tie spears together with a string or a strip of heavy aluminum foil. Add about 2" of water to a deep, narrow cooking vessel such as a percolator. There are also tall, narrow pots made especially for steaming asparagus, with an inner basket to hold it upright while steaming. Bring the water to a rapid boil. Add the asparagus, standing the spears upright with the lower end of the spears in the water. Cover the pot and cook until the asparagus is tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Boil Asparagus Lay trimmed asparagus spears in a large skillet with 1" to 1-1/2" of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook gently, uncovered, over low heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. Season and serve.
Stir-Fry Asparagus Slice asparagus spears diagonally into 1/2" slices, leaving tips whole. Heat 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet. Adjust heat to medium high; add cut asparagus; cook, stirring constantly for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
Cook Asparagus in a Microwave Oven Arrange asparagus spears around a microwave safe baking dish, as spokes on a wheel, with tips touching or overlapping in center of dish. Add water, about 1/4 to 1/3 cup, then cover with a vented lid, a domed plastic cover made for the microwave, or plastic wrap, turning back a small area along the edge for steam to vent. Microwave on full power for 4 to 7 minutes for about 1 pound of fresh asparagus spears; 3 to 5 minutes if cut in small pieces. Stop to stir or turn about halfway through cooking time. Remove from microwave oven at end of cooking time. Season, then cover and let stand 3 to 4 minutes before serving.
Grill Asparagus For grilling you'll need fairly thick spears. Place wooden skewers through several spears, side by side, to make a rack of asparagus. Place on top of the grids and grill for the suggested time. Brush with herbed butter when the grilling is almost complete. Grilling woks or baskets, like the one on the right, also work well with asparagus.
Roast Asparagus Asparagus can also be roasted. Preheat oven to 450º. Arrange spears in a shallow pan with a little olive oil. It takes less then 10 minutes until spears are tender-crisp; check for desired tenderness after about 5 minutes.
Preserving Asparagus
Freezing Fresh asparagus can be frozen for later use. If properly frozen soon after picking, asparagus retains most of its nutrients. Wash fresh tender spears and trim bottom ends. Cut spears into lengths that will fit into freezer bags or containers. Sort according to thickness.
Asparagus must be blanched before it's frozen. To blanch asparagus, immerse thin spears in boiling water for 2 minutes, medium spears for 3 minutes and thick spears for 5 minutes. As soon as spears are removed from boiling water, cool quickly by immersing in ice water for about 5 minutes. Drain, then pack into freezer bags or freezer containers, leaving no headspace. Seal, label, and freeze . Asparagus can be frozen for up to 8 or 9 months. Don't defrost frozen asparagus before cooking. Keep it frozen until you're ready to cook it. If frozen asparagus thaws, it must be cooked right away. Never refreeze it.
Home- Canning Canning will destroy some of the flavor, but it is an acceptable means of preserving fresh asparagus. It must be canned using a pressure canner.
Wash and trim spears. They may be canned as whole spears or cut into pieces. Boil asparagus for about 3 minutes, then pack in canning jars while still hot. Add salt, 1 teaspoon for quarts and 1/2 teaspoon salt for pints. Add boiling water to jars, allowing 1" head space. Place caps on jars and place jars in a pressure canner. Process quarts for 30 minutes Process at 10 pounds of pressure - quarts for 30 minutes and pints for 25 minutes. Like all canned foods, home-canned asparagus should be stored in a cool, dry place and used within a year.
Lightly steamed or boiled, fresh asparagus is a tasty, nutritious side dish. In North America, fresh asparagus season begins in March or early April and ends around late June or when the hot summer weather begins. Asparagus, imported mostly from Mexico, Chile or Peru, is now available all year round, but you'll find a good supply of fresh "home-grown " asparagus at reasonable prices in supermarkets this time of year. Most of it comes from Washington, California and Michigan. Depending on where you live, you might also find bunches of fresh asparagus grown in New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota or Oregon at your local markets.Asparagus has a high natural sugar content. Shortly after harvesting, its sugar starts turning to starch. Spears soon lose their snap, moisture and sweet flavor. That's why asparagus that's fresh from the garden has a unique taste that's superior to others. Home gardeners and those who shop for locally grown asparagus consider it a springtime delicacy. Fresh asparagus sold at farm stands and farmer's markets is usually cut, sorted, trimmed, and banded, just as in a supermarket, although it's sometimes sold loose and untrimmed in a box or basket. Garden fresh asparagus is sweet and tender and takes only a few minutes to cook.
In the U.S., green asparagus is by far the most common kind. White asparagus is covered with a mound of loose soil while growing to block sunlight and prevent the production of chlorophyll which would turn it green. White asparagus is very popular in Europe, but only rarely sold here. There's also a sweeter purple variety of asparagus that's quite rare.
Botanically, asparagus is an edible member of the lily family. The name "asparagus" is a Greek word, meaning stalk or shoot. It was first cultivated in ancient Greece, where it was used as an herbal medicine to cure toothaches, prevent bee stings and more. The Romans loved asparagus for its medicinal purposes and culinary qualities. They grew it in their courtyards and in their many conquests, spread it to other nations. King Louis XIV of France built special greenhouses to grow asparagus year' round. During the Renaissance, it was considered an aphrodisiac and banned from the kitchens in most nunneries!
Asparagus has been promoted as a cure for rheumatism and as a natural remedy for blood cleansing. Throughout history, there been many claims of its healing abilities and medicinal qualities. Medicinal benefits like these have not been proven to be true, but asparagus is a nutrient rich vegetable that does provide great health benefits.
An average serving supplies 60% of the USRDA for Folacin, a B-Vitamin that helps in the duplication of cells for growth and repair of the body and in reproducing blood cells in bone marrow. It's also a rich source of antioxidants - Vitamin C and Vitamin A, and Phytochemicals. Of all fruit and vegetables that have been tested, asparagus has the highest amount of the phytochemical - Glutathione, a potent anticarcinogen and antioxidant. (Phytochemicals, "Phyto" meaning plant, are compounds that slow the development of cancer and heart disease and strengthen the immune system.) Asparagus is also high in potassium, thiamin and fiber. It contains no fat or cholesterol and it's low in sodium and low in calories, with only 25 calories in 6 spears.
When shopping for fresh asparagus, look for crisp, firm, straight green spears with closed, compact tips. Check the bottom of the spears for signs of excessive drying. Avoid spears that have spreading tips and those that are yellowish, soft, or wilted. Choose a bunch with spears that are a uniform diameter, so all will cook in the same amount of time.
Thick or thin? If you've have some experience growing or cooking fresh asparagus, you probably know that this is a vegetable that breaks the rules. Thin does not mean young and tender. Thick does not mean old and tough. While thick or thin spears can be equally tasty when asparagus is very fresh, and spears that are old will be tough, woody and tasteless, regardless of how thick they are, when buying fresh asparagus, choose the thickest spears. When everything else is equal, fat asparagus is more tender than skinny asparagus. Both have firm, fibrous strands outside, but thick spears have more succulent, tender pulp inside .
To decide how much asparagus to buy or how much you'll need for a recipe......
About 15 spears (of average thickness) equals about 1 pound of asparagus.
1 pound - trimmed, peeled and cut in small pieces equals about 3 cups
1 pound makes 2 to 3 servings.
Cook fresh asparagus as soon as possible for the best flavor. If you don't use it the day you buy it, keep asparagus chilled and moist until you do. When left unrefrigerated, fresh asparagus loses vitamin content along with its flavor and snap. Before refrigerating, remove rubber bands or ties, trim about 1/4" from the bottom of the spears; rinse in cool water to remove dirt and sand. Shake off excess water; wrap a moist white paper towel around the cut end of the stems and place in a plastic bag or a covered food storage container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. depending on the freshness at time of purchase. If the tips should become slightly wilted during storage, lay them in cool water for about 10 to 15 minutes to rehydrate before using.
Preparing Asparagus Remove the band. Wash the asparagus under cool running water, a few spears at a time, to remove any soil or sand.
Remove tough areas at the bottom of the spears
Use a paring knife to trim about an inch from the lower end of each stem, or....
Snap-off the lower ends....Hold the top half of a spear in one hand and grasp the bottom half with your other hand. Bend lightly and the tough lower end will snap off where it meets the more tender part of the spear. Although this method sometimes produces more waste, the otherwise discarded ends can be cooked and pureed to use in soup.
Peeling Fresh asparagus can be eaten without peeling, but some people prefer it peeled. Peeling is usually recommended for white asparagus, since it has a tougher, more woody stem. Peeling away the tougher skin near the bottom of the spears will help them cooking more evenly. To peel asparagus use a standard vegetable peeler and peel downward toward the base.
12-in. Asparagus Platter
Cooking AsparagusVery fresh tender asparagus can be eaten raw. Rinse, trim and/or peel as desired. Use in salads or serve chilled with a veggie dip.
Asparagus can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, microwaved, roasted, or baked into quiches, casseroles, and other dishes. Fresh asparagus does not require much cooking time. Overcooking causes it to lose nutrients, color and flavor. Like most cooked fresh vegetables, it tastes best when it's lightly steamed and served with a little butter and salt to taste. Asparagus is also good seasoned with chives, parsley, chervil, savory, or tarragon. Add a little lemon juice; top it with regular, low fat, or fat free yogurt or sour cream; or add a small amount of very lightly browned slivered almonds... no recipes required. For those who want more variety, see the list of asparagus recipes below.To Steam Asparagus Steaming in an upright position is the ideal cooking method, since it allows the spears to cook evenly. The tougher bottom of the spears can cook thoroughly in boiling water while thinner delicate tips are lightly steamed. Wash, trim, and peel as desired. then tie spears together with a string or a strip of heavy aluminum foil. Add about 2" of water to a deep, narrow cooking vessel such as a percolator. There are also tall, narrow pots made especially for steaming asparagus, with an inner basket to hold it upright while steaming. Bring the water to a rapid boil. Add the asparagus, standing the spears upright with the lower end of the spears in the water. Cover the pot and cook until the asparagus is tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Boil Asparagus Lay trimmed asparagus spears in a large skillet with 1" to 1-1/2" of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook gently, uncovered, over low heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. Season and serve.
Stir-Fry Asparagus Slice asparagus spears diagonally into 1/2" slices, leaving tips whole. Heat 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet. Adjust heat to medium high; add cut asparagus; cook, stirring constantly for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
Cook Asparagus in a Microwave Oven Arrange asparagus spears around a microwave safe baking dish, as spokes on a wheel, with tips touching or overlapping in center of dish. Add water, about 1/4 to 1/3 cup, then cover with a vented lid, a domed plastic cover made for the microwave, or plastic wrap, turning back a small area along the edge for steam to vent. Microwave on full power for 4 to 7 minutes for about 1 pound of fresh asparagus spears; 3 to 5 minutes if cut in small pieces. Stop to stir or turn about halfway through cooking time. Remove from microwave oven at end of cooking time. Season, then cover and let stand 3 to 4 minutes before serving.
Grill Asparagus For grilling you'll need fairly thick spears. Place wooden skewers through several spears, side by side, to make a rack of asparagus. Place on top of the grids and grill for the suggested time. Brush with herbed butter when the grilling is almost complete. Grilling woks or baskets, like the one on the right, also work well with asparagus.
Roast Asparagus Asparagus can also be roasted. Preheat oven to 450º. Arrange spears in a shallow pan with a little olive oil. It takes less then 10 minutes until spears are tender-crisp; check for desired tenderness after about 5 minutes.
Preserving Asparagus
Freezing Fresh asparagus can be frozen for later use. If properly frozen soon after picking, asparagus retains most of its nutrients. Wash fresh tender spears and trim bottom ends. Cut spears into lengths that will fit into freezer bags or containers. Sort according to thickness.
Asparagus must be blanched before it's frozen. To blanch asparagus, immerse thin spears in boiling water for 2 minutes, medium spears for 3 minutes and thick spears for 5 minutes. As soon as spears are removed from boiling water, cool quickly by immersing in ice water for about 5 minutes. Drain, then pack into freezer bags or freezer containers, leaving no headspace. Seal, label, and freeze . Asparagus can be frozen for up to 8 or 9 months. Don't defrost frozen asparagus before cooking. Keep it frozen until you're ready to cook it. If frozen asparagus thaws, it must be cooked right away. Never refreeze it.
Home- Canning Canning will destroy some of the flavor, but it is an acceptable means of preserving fresh asparagus. It must be canned using a pressure canner.
Wash and trim spears. They may be canned as whole spears or cut into pieces. Boil asparagus for about 3 minutes, then pack in canning jars while still hot. Add salt, 1 teaspoon for quarts and 1/2 teaspoon salt for pints. Add boiling water to jars, allowing 1" head space. Place caps on jars and place jars in a pressure canner. Process quarts for 30 minutes Process at 10 pounds of pressure - quarts for 30 minutes and pints for 25 minutes. Like all canned foods, home-canned asparagus should be stored in a cool, dry place and used within a year.
Friday, August 8, 2008
English Usage
Friday August 8, 2008
You say ‘tomahto’ and I say ‘tomayto’
Ramblings
By Dr LIM CHIN LAM
ENGLISH is used in many countries — originally
The native English-speaking countries (
But are they?
Let us look at British English (BrE) and American English (AmE, specifically North American English), the two most widely used kinds of English. The English spoken in other countries generally follows BrE or AmE — but with its own peculiarities. In
BrE and AmE differ in many areas which I can but try to classify and summarise, with limited examples, within the constraints of this column.
Same words, different pronunciations
The word herb is pronounced HERB in BrE but ERB in AmE.
Other examples: chance (CHAHNS/CHENS – the same difference in vowel sound also in class, command, dance, grass, past); fertile (FERTYL/FERTL); consortium (KONSORTIEM/KONSORSHIUM); route (ROOT/ROWT), schedule (SHEDIUL/SKEDIUL); and so on.
Same words, difference in spelling
Nowadays, the ligatures “æ” and “?” are rarely encountered. BrE tends to separate out the conjoined vowels in print while AmE reduces them to the single letter ‘e’.
Examples: anaemia/anemia, diarrhoea/diarrhea, encyclopaedia/encyclopedia, foetus/fetus, oedema/edema.
Furthermore, AmE tends to differ from BrE in the following ways.
· dropping silent vowels [axe/ax, acknowledgement/acknowledgment, furore/furor/]
· dropping a vowel from a digraph [caulk/calk; gauge/gage, mould/mold]
· reducing doubled consonants to a single consonant [waggon/wagon]
· trimming off unsounded letter clusters [dialogue/dialog, programme/program — except that both BrE and AmE use program to refer to computer software]
· adding, for words ending in an unstressed syllable with a terminal ‘l’, a suffix beginning with a vowel without doubling the final ‘l’ [travelled/traveled, counselling/counseling, medallist/medalist, councillor/councilor, marvellous/marvelous. Note, however, that in words such as compel and propel, where the last syllable is stressed, the BrE-styled compelled and propellant also apply in AmE.]
· choosing –or over –our [colour/color, odour/odor].
Yet, against its common practice of trimming off vowels and consonants, AmE actually adds on a consonant by doubling it in such words as enrol/enroll, enrolment/enrollment, instil/instill, and skilful/skillful.
Other differences are in respect of deletion of vowels [caulk/calk, gauntlet/gantlet]; word-ending –ce/se [defence/defense; pretence/pretense]; and verb suffix –ise/-ize [BrE accepts both, e.g. realise and realize, but AmE normally admits only the –ize suffix; furthermore, AmE extends the –z- ending to words not formed with the original Greek verb suffix –izein, e.g. analyze (BrE analyse), paralyze (BrE paralyse) and advertize (BrE advertise); and differentiation between noun and verb [BrE noun practice, verb practise but AmE noun and verb practice; similarly BrE licence (noun) and license (verb) as against AmE license (noun, verb) — but advice (noun) and advise (verb) and device (noun) and devise (verb) are differentiated in AmE, as in BrE)].
And still there are other differences: -que/-ck [cheque/check, racquet/racket]; ph/f [sulphate/sulfate, draught/draft], -re/-er [centre/center, theatre/theater, manoeuvre/maneuver, calibre/caliber, fibre/fiber]; and a miscellaneous group of one-offs [aluminium/aluminum, candidature/candidacy, jewellery/jewelry, kerb/curb, ketchup/catsup, sceptical/skeptical, storey/story].
Same words, different meanings
Some BrE words seem to have acquired a different meaning after crossing the
Homely, meaning “simple and ordinary” in BrE, becomes a disparaging attribute in AmE where it means “unattractive”. The adjective nuts, used predicatively (Are you nuts?), apparently does not exist in
Different words, same meaning
Americanisms include the use of words different from those used in British English.
For example, in AmE, funny = odd/peculiar, mad = angry, and nuts = mad/crazy. The Americans can be funny (i.e. odd). They can make you mad (i.e. angry) or drive you nuts (i.e. crazy).
Because different words are used for the same things on either side of the
aerial (BrE) = antenna (AmE),
brinjal = eggplant,
barrister/solicitor = attorney/lawyer,
bill (e.g. for restaurant meal) = check,
boot (of car) = trunk,
conscription = draft,
crossroads = intersection,
counterfeit/false = fake/phoney,
flyover = overpass,
full-stop = period,
fuss = hassle,
groundnut = peanut,
joking = kidding,
leave (of absence) = furlough,
letter-box = mailbox,
maize = corn,
pavement = sidewalk,
petrol = gasoline,
post-mortem = autopsy,
prison = penitentiary,
ragging = hazing,
refuse/rubbish/waste = garbage/trash,
tap = faucet,
taxi (from “taxicab”) = cab (from “taxicab”),
toilet = lavatory/restroom,
torchlight = flashlight,
truant (play truant) = hooky (play hooky),
wrecked (as of a car in an accident) = totaled.
Is that all?
I have thus far covered — adequately, I hope — BrE and AmE differences in words as they are pronounced, as spelt, and as differing in meaning. But the divide between BrE and AmE is not only in words. I shall cover other aspects in a future article.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
updates...
my father in law has been diagonised with cancer relapse... he went to the hospital yesterday for chemotheraphy.... so far he has been taking it ok... i hope he can manage the 6 times chemo the doc has prescribed for him...
meanwhile, i've been busy with my new job....
meanwhile, i've been busy with my new job....
Saturday, July 19, 2008
why?
I am feeling angry, frustrated, irritated... y does he like to take care of ppl's children when the parents can just enjoy themselves every weekend...??? why....? call me selfish, but i do nt feel it's the right things for the parents to do... dunno why... am i fated to be with him? my life seems to go downhill from there, no matter how positive i might be... why issit that i dun have children til now? isit fated? or isit bcoz god have something else in store for me???
Sunday, July 6, 2008
life lessons...
Been at new job for 2 weeks now... Still dunno my real function there haha... just does things here and there a bit... bosses are quite nice to me, which makes me feel more stressed that i need to perform exceeding my expectations... colleagues are not bad too...
i just realised the newspaper vendor is the son of the corner sundry shop owner at bukit serindit. it's been shocking considering that they looked quite well off.... i guess it's the same everywhere... we see people and make assumptions... but sometimes things are not as they seem... which brings me back to the Brats workshop.... the only lesson i remember vividly... Dun trust everything you see... Understand to the end before making a choice/judgement...
i just realised the newspaper vendor is the son of the corner sundry shop owner at bukit serindit. it's been shocking considering that they looked quite well off.... i guess it's the same everywhere... we see people and make assumptions... but sometimes things are not as they seem... which brings me back to the Brats workshop.... the only lesson i remember vividly... Dun trust everything you see... Understand to the end before making a choice/judgement...
Saturday, June 21, 2008
one week ...
just went for kia yin's wedding... saw chong wei and the gang... it was quite a grand one... but the food is real slow...
the other day i talked to tai and she told me a lot of things happening at Vis... Apparently, Pang is having headache over stuffs... co 's future, the thinking of the HODs (who's apparently against him now)... plus Aw has resigned and they still have not found anyone to take over my place. Yvonne went for second interview at K***** and i think he will have a bad time if she left too. I think he is thinking of leaving the company as he has many offers waiting for him but seeing the current situation, i dun think he will leave at the moment...
i sent him an SMS to sort of cheer him up and asked him to do what he think is right. Although we weren't close in Vis, i had great respect for him and i think he appreciates me too... as he told tai, he has lost an arm... That day, i couldn't really sleep when i thought of the stuffs he must be going thru... not easy...
Anyway, i've been at the new co for a week now. So far, it's ok. Given an office by myself, i needed some time to adjust. Bosses are quite good to me and this results in the other staffs being wary of me. I knew they are still figuring out what i'm doing there and why i enjoy all the privileges LOL but at least they are civil to me...
the other day i talked to tai and she told me a lot of things happening at Vis... Apparently, Pang is having headache over stuffs... co 's future, the thinking of the HODs (who's apparently against him now)... plus Aw has resigned and they still have not found anyone to take over my place. Yvonne went for second interview at K***** and i think he will have a bad time if she left too. I think he is thinking of leaving the company as he has many offers waiting for him but seeing the current situation, i dun think he will leave at the moment...
i sent him an SMS to sort of cheer him up and asked him to do what he think is right. Although we weren't close in Vis, i had great respect for him and i think he appreciates me too... as he told tai, he has lost an arm... That day, i couldn't really sleep when i thought of the stuffs he must be going thru... not easy...
Anyway, i've been at the new co for a week now. So far, it's ok. Given an office by myself, i needed some time to adjust. Bosses are quite good to me and this results in the other staffs being wary of me. I knew they are still figuring out what i'm doing there and why i enjoy all the privileges LOL but at least they are civil to me...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tax Penalty Calculation
Setelah akaun beraudit selesai dan anda membuat tafsiran cukai , katakanlah cukai kena bayar sebenar syarikat anda ditaksirkan melebihi jumlah anggaran cukai sebelum ini. Sekiranya terdapat perbezaan yang melebihi 30% di antara cukai yang kena dibayar dengan pindaan anggaran cukai atau anggaran cukai asal (sekiranya tiada pindaan anggaran, satu kenaikan cukai sebanyak 10% akan dikenakan ke atas jumlah perbezaan yang melebihi 30%
Contoh:
Cukai yang kena dibayar RM 20,000
Jumlah Anggaran Cukai RM 12,000
Perbezaan RM 8,000
30% daripada cukai
(30% @ RM20,000) RM 6,000
Perbezaan RM 2,000
Penalti (10% x RM2,000) = RM200
Sunday, June 15, 2008
another boring entry...
went to desmond's relative's wedding dinner yesterday. Get to cabut early coz his mom follow their relatives back :P
today went to dataran to help my sis to promote Pelikan stuffs. My feet are aching now....
Yesterday Chan sms me reminding me today is Father's Day. I wonder ... do he really like me? Gosh.... i hope not.... It's funny all the HoDs at Vis seem to tease me about him.
Tomorrow starting work in new company.... i hope things will go well....
today went to dataran to help my sis to promote Pelikan stuffs. My feet are aching now....
Yesterday Chan sms me reminding me today is Father's Day. I wonder ... do he really like me? Gosh.... i hope not.... It's funny all the HoDs at Vis seem to tease me about him.
Tomorrow starting work in new company.... i hope things will go well....
Saturday, June 14, 2008
sigh....
last night, while i was drifting off to sleep, suddenly recalled i haven't off my PC! thank god Pay wei went to office today, and i asked her to delete some stuffs and shut it. She said i forgot my pillow.... as if i never left. said probably waiting for me to go back... haha.... i went over to take my pillow back as i was in vicinity.... heart feel heavy.... could just picture my sitting area... not the best sitting position as it is too public, but it held many fond memories.... Pang teased me yesterday too.... keep standing outside his room at 6 plus, as if heavy hearted to see me leave... asked whether i have taken photo with this or that person, tell me i can go to CL room to take photo with him, tease me... ask me to turn back and he will welcome me anytime... ask me to cry... ask me why not heavy hearted to leave my sitting place.... i kept ignoring him because i might cry out... and i dun want anyone to see it...
Friday, June 13, 2008
another new chapter...
today is my last day at Vis... been there from 22.01.07 to today 13.06.08, nearly one and a half years. We went to Restoren Lee and i get to meet Norliah and her baby. Back in the office, Yvonne, Pang and i get down to discuss the handover stuffs, and we ventured on to talk about the problems faced, esp with the staffs and also Chng. From our conversation, i could see he's planning to handover stuffs so that he can resign... I'm surprised at the speed though. He's afraid i'll miss out anything and even asked Jonathan to back-up my hard disk.
5 plus, i went around to take photos with everyone. They all gave me a coat, some broaches, a sexy pink spaghetti top and Pay wei gave me a lipgloss. This time, Pang even came out to said he wanted to take photo with me (we call him God of Gambler, coz God of Gambler do not like their photo taken haha), which i think surprised the ppl in my dept. Even mentioned loudly whether i want to change my mind now, saying he will accept it. I think Tai is a lil surprised Pang seemed to like me a lot (professionally!) as Pang also gave me a Vis jacket haha...
Chan looked sad... yesterday he surprised me when he told me " I'm sick but i came to work too. You know why? Because i'm afraid i could not see u again". I was like.... huh? And today, he volunteered to carry my things (i didn't know i have so much stuffs in the office) to the car... I dunno if he purposely waited for me as i only managed to clear my things at 7 pm...
Very bu she de to leave them... time to begin life as a hermit now...
5 plus, i went around to take photos with everyone. They all gave me a coat, some broaches, a sexy pink spaghetti top and Pay wei gave me a lipgloss. This time, Pang even came out to said he wanted to take photo with me (we call him God of Gambler, coz God of Gambler do not like their photo taken haha), which i think surprised the ppl in my dept. Even mentioned loudly whether i want to change my mind now, saying he will accept it. I think Tai is a lil surprised Pang seemed to like me a lot (professionally!) as Pang also gave me a Vis jacket haha...
Chan looked sad... yesterday he surprised me when he told me " I'm sick but i came to work too. You know why? Because i'm afraid i could not see u again". I was like.... huh? And today, he volunteered to carry my things (i didn't know i have so much stuffs in the office) to the car... I dunno if he purposely waited for me as i only managed to clear my things at 7 pm...
Very bu she de to leave them... time to begin life as a hermit now...
Thursday, June 12, 2008
yoga
Today is the last day i had yoga with my colleagues... The teacher commented i did better now, which made me happy... coz i think i really improved. She asked me to go to her yoga class ... but it's quite far and late.... I'll have to see next month.
Chunhooi has settled down in Spore with his gf. He sent us an email today : ) Hope to keep in touch with all my current colleagues for i had the nicest working environment here....
Chunhooi has settled down in Spore with his gf. He sent us an email today : ) Hope to keep in touch with all my current colleagues for i had the nicest working environment here....
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
exit interview
today i had the exit interview with Pang. He keep asking me why i want to leave the company. I told him better offer. Of coz, he wasn't satisfied and i said "It's different between asking me why i want to leave and why i dun take his counter-offer". I further told him i considered about big boss and Yvonne. I said it's easier to say than do, when the time comes, it's not as easier done than said. I finally told him where i was going, and he imparted some of his knowledge to me. He said i can always ask him if i face any problem in the future. He also signed my testimonial, where i sang praises to myself haha... Really feel sad to leave the company and the people...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
trust and disappointment...
i went ballistic with him yesterday night.... Not actually as i've pretty much controlled my temper. We had a nice day up to my cousin's wedding dinner. Later that night, i found out that his phone charge for last month is RM400, of which nearly RM300 is for GPRS, no guess, but it's for viewing football odds and results. I actually have found out that he lost football from his brother's smses, but i kept it in my heart. I tried giving him the chance, but he dun appreciate it. Even when i told him i saw his phone bill is so much, he pretended nothing happened and touched me. I recoiled and calmly tell him what i'm angry with, but i admit i did use some harsh words like "compulsive gambler" and "no hope". He went downstairs to watch the Euro Cup after that ... and continued sleeping downstairs. I woke up at 6 am realising he's not beside me... but i did not ask him to sleep upstairs. I just covered him with a blanket and he must be freezing and suffering from mosquito bites. He came over to hug me this morning and yet i just play dead. I have been giving him non-committal smses the whole day... I really dunno what to do with him. I dun want my whole life to be this way.... Feminist as i may sound, i yearn for someone who can look after me, not the other way round. I used to think i can handle it, but i realised i can't at all..... How can i live this way for the rest of my life? I did ask him not to promise me anything since he always break them anyway.... for the past 8 yrs i can say... I dun want to find myself trusting him and end up feeling more disappointed. To me, trust is not something easily breakable. I am not a saint, out of so many promises to him, i find myself only breaking one, which i can't keep... Gosh, it's so confusing...
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Nightmare...
i had a nightmare last night. Something like Pang force me to take his gift to me and then he attacked me or something like that. And Kai also changed .... hurt me with his words and actions... and all of it got recorded by Pang and it got out on TV, where he cynically laughed at me. Was so relieved when i got up... Phew....
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
happy and sad news...
News broke out today that petrol price will increase from RM1.92 to RM2.70. Never have i seen so many cars queuing to pump petrol. The queue is still long ... it's like the whole malacca is outside pumping petrol... Thank god my new employer will subsidy my petrol....
I'm pretty unhappy that i found him to bet football and lose again... i accidently saw his brother's sms. I'm very hurt at the way he is acting.... and when he loses, i get to bear the brunt.... Can i choose all over again? sigh....
On a happier note, my new car is out today : )
Update
I managed to pump full petrol the other day coz my new car's petrol tank is empty, which came up to RM66.99. While i acknowledged that the gov is reducing its budget deficit by reducing subsidy, people in the streets like us did not see where those savings go to, except cheaper cooking oil, sugar, chickens etc. The gov asked us to depend more on public transport, but they are only thinking about ppl in KL. Ask those ppl in towns like Malacca, Ipoh, Kelantan.... is the public transport reliable? I rarely see town bus plying my residential area... perhaps none. I remember when i was a kid, the bus only comes around once an hour. And since their timetable is not fixed, we sometimes find ourselves missing the bus. And not all places are connected by the bus, thus a car for residents in these towns are a necessity, not a luxury. Imagine taking a bus to work. Wake up 6am, bus come at 7 am, change bus at bus station to the workplace, reach around 8am. Repeat 2 hours of wastage daily when u return from work, and you will only reach home at 8pm. 4 hours of wastage for nothing... doesn't it makes more sense to have your own car, where you only spend less than an hour travelling daily???
Ppl in malacca doesn't earn much. Sometimes a graduate only earns RM1200-1400 and imagine they need to pay study loan of around RM200 for local uni and RM500 for private uni. Since connectivity is a problem, they need a car, assuming they pay RM400 a month for a Viva. That leaves them RM600 and it is just enough for food and petrol. And what about those technicians with 3-4 kids who earns only RM700-800 per month? Who can they turn to except to unscrupulous money lender?
I'm pretty unhappy that i found him to bet football and lose again... i accidently saw his brother's sms. I'm very hurt at the way he is acting.... and when he loses, i get to bear the brunt.... Can i choose all over again? sigh....
On a happier note, my new car is out today : )
Update
I managed to pump full petrol the other day coz my new car's petrol tank is empty, which came up to RM66.99. While i acknowledged that the gov is reducing its budget deficit by reducing subsidy, people in the streets like us did not see where those savings go to, except cheaper cooking oil, sugar, chickens etc. The gov asked us to depend more on public transport, but they are only thinking about ppl in KL. Ask those ppl in towns like Malacca, Ipoh, Kelantan.... is the public transport reliable? I rarely see town bus plying my residential area... perhaps none. I remember when i was a kid, the bus only comes around once an hour. And since their timetable is not fixed, we sometimes find ourselves missing the bus. And not all places are connected by the bus, thus a car for residents in these towns are a necessity, not a luxury. Imagine taking a bus to work. Wake up 6am, bus come at 7 am, change bus at bus station to the workplace, reach around 8am. Repeat 2 hours of wastage daily when u return from work, and you will only reach home at 8pm. 4 hours of wastage for nothing... doesn't it makes more sense to have your own car, where you only spend less than an hour travelling daily???
Ppl in malacca doesn't earn much. Sometimes a graduate only earns RM1200-1400 and imagine they need to pay study loan of around RM200 for local uni and RM500 for private uni. Since connectivity is a problem, they need a car, assuming they pay RM400 a month for a Viva. That leaves them RM600 and it is just enough for food and petrol. And what about those technicians with 3-4 kids who earns only RM700-800 per month? Who can they turn to except to unscrupulous money lender?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
fancy lunch....
Pang agreed to go to Restoren Lee for my farewell lunch. Heard that the food there is really expensive and tasty.... i guess he must be feeling appreciative of the work i've done for pioneer status.... : )
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
One of those days again....
I wonder where has all my passion and drive gone to.... Have things to strive for yet not as committed as last time. I guess i always need someone to push me... and it didn't help that the people around me don't understand my struggles and often add salt to the injury...
Wait, this blog should be for happy thoughts! Haha, complaint blog should be the other one...
Still i wonder... isit a good idea to keep blogs? I recalled 2 diaries i had (and still keep) while i had in secondary school and uni. I remembered my struggles searching for myself, my failed relationships with 2 exes (which i think is good for me :P), my admirers (ahem...), many many frens, although i always feel alone (even with family around), and my dreams... Once in a while, i'll peek thru them but dare not sit down and read the diaries all over... coz i knew i left my drive and passion there. I recalled another blog cum diary which i have deleted... it was my struggles for the period between uni and Vis job. I remember reading thru them before ... ppl i met thru work, passing and failing exams, my self-motivations (and self destruction haha) and i shall always remember the guy (who liked me at one point) being brutally murdered... another blog created not-too-long ago was mostly full of unhappy things which i do not wish to revisit at the moment... and now this blog which i hope can remind me of the things i do, my struggles and my triumph... yet till now, i still feel something missing in my life. dare not wish too much.... like Daughtry sang 'be careful what you wish for... for you might get it back ... and much more'...
Wait, this blog should be for happy thoughts! Haha, complaint blog should be the other one...
Still i wonder... isit a good idea to keep blogs? I recalled 2 diaries i had (and still keep) while i had in secondary school and uni. I remembered my struggles searching for myself, my failed relationships with 2 exes (which i think is good for me :P), my admirers (ahem...), many many frens, although i always feel alone (even with family around), and my dreams... Once in a while, i'll peek thru them but dare not sit down and read the diaries all over... coz i knew i left my drive and passion there. I recalled another blog cum diary which i have deleted... it was my struggles for the period between uni and Vis job. I remember reading thru them before ... ppl i met thru work, passing and failing exams, my self-motivations (and self destruction haha) and i shall always remember the guy (who liked me at one point) being brutally murdered... another blog created not-too-long ago was mostly full of unhappy things which i do not wish to revisit at the moment... and now this blog which i hope can remind me of the things i do, my struggles and my triumph... yet till now, i still feel something missing in my life. dare not wish too much.... like Daughtry sang 'be careful what you wish for... for you might get it back ... and much more'...
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Another job offer....
On Thursday, I got a call from Everts offering me the position of Accountant. Sad to say, i had to decline the offer.... But i was kinda relieved someone actually recognised my experience enough to call me. The Operations Manager was kinda nice, even sent me an SMS after the phone call wishing me luck in my next job : )
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
my new workplace : )
Ulu i know.... Even the mobile phone reception is bad....
Many ppl expressed surprise at the move, not because it is a farm but the fact that it will take 45 minutes of travelling daily. So far so good.... The only way i can keep sane is singing to the radio while commuting daily... But i wonder, when one day i feel down, who or where can i turn to?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Faith
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle ----Albert Einstein
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Microsoft vs Yahoo! Simple logic why it won't work out...
Microsoft share price plunges following Yahoo takeover bid
Pull out, Steve, before it's too late!
It seems that shareholders don't think a Yahoo takeover is a good idea. Even though Microsoft just reported some outstanding financial results, its share price is taking a beating. As has been pointed out, this reduces the value of the bid, which is half cash-half shares. Amusingly enough, this decline is hitting two of Microsoft's biggest shareholders -- Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates -- where it hurts. Considering that Silicon Valley hates foreigners from the far north (Seattle? They're worse than Canadians) and Microsoft is also taking a beating in the press, this might be a good time to pull out. Before it gets worse.
*extracted from http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/02/07/microsoft_share_price_plunges_following_yahoo_takeover_bid.html*
I'm not a fan of Microsoft, simply because their MSN and Hotmail pales in comparison Yahoo! Messenger and Yahoo!. I hope the takeover won't work out.... because i don't want Yahoo! to turn into another Microsoft. And I still can't access Hotmail from my browser for a few days now... Duh...!
Pull out, Steve, before it's too late!
It seems that shareholders don't think a Yahoo takeover is a good idea. Even though Microsoft just reported some outstanding financial results, its share price is taking a beating. As has been pointed out, this reduces the value of the bid, which is half cash-half shares. Amusingly enough, this decline is hitting two of Microsoft's biggest shareholders -- Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates -- where it hurts. Considering that Silicon Valley hates foreigners from the far north (Seattle? They're worse than Canadians) and Microsoft is also taking a beating in the press, this might be a good time to pull out. Before it gets worse.
*extracted from http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/02/07/microsoft_share_price_plunges_following_yahoo_takeover_bid.html*
I'm not a fan of Microsoft, simply because their MSN and Hotmail pales in comparison Yahoo! Messenger and Yahoo!. I hope the takeover won't work out.... because i don't want Yahoo! to turn into another Microsoft. And I still can't access Hotmail from my browser for a few days now... Duh...!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Let it roll off our back...
One of the most difficult challenges in life is learning not to take things to heart and hold on to it. Especially when we're younger, or if we're very sensitive, we take so much of what comes our way to heart. This can be overwhelming and unproductive if it throws us off balance on a regular basis. When we are feeling criticized or attacked from all directions, it becomes very difficult for us to recover ourselves so that we can continue to speak and act our truth. This is when we would do well to remember the old saying about letting certain things roll off us, like water off a duck's back.Most of the time, the attacks and criticisms of others have much more to do with them and how they are feeling than with us. If we get caught up in trying to adjust ourselves to other people's negative energy, we lose touch with our core. In fact, in a positive light, these slings and arrows offer us the opportunity to strengthen our core sense of self, and to learn to dodge and deflect other people's misdirected negativity. The more we do this, the more we are able to discern what belongs to us and what belongs to other people. With practice, we become masters of our energetic integrity, refusing to serve as targets for the disowned anger and frustration of the people around us.Eventually, we will be able to hear the feedback that others have to offer, taking in anything that might actually be constructive, and releasing that which has nothing to do with us. First, though, we tend ourselves compassionately by recognizing when we can't take something in from the outside without hurting ourselves. This is when we make like a duck, shaking it off and letting it roll off our back as we continue our way in the world.
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