Footprints In The Sand

Santa came on 24th December 2008, realizing one of my many wishes---White Christmas. Yes, this year is a white Christmas.

Santa told me that he knows who has been bad or good this year. And I believe he does. But, do you believe in Santa's existance?

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. However, today, Christmas seems more of like partying, turkey, dinner, presents... People who celebrate together for this wonderful day is great. But, how many of them really believe in the Saviour Lord Jesus Christ? Do you believe in Him? How many followers of Christ have faith in Him? I have to admit, at sometimes, I did felt alone.

But do we need to see Him to know that he exist? Jesus said, "Happy are those who have not seen, yet believe." Doubt no further, because He has not, and will not, forsaken us. Have faith!

Sharing with you is a very meaningful poem, by an unknown author.

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

For each scene,he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.

One belonged to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,

he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life,

there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened

at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you'd walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,

there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why when I needed you the most

you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,

I love you and would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering,

when you see only one set of footprints,

it was then I carried you."

New Year 2009

It's 3 days to New Year 2009!!! Yippie!!! What is New Year all about??? Fireworks? Holidays? Parties? Erm...? Eh, I think New year is about a life experience, a refreshing start, a continuation, an effort for achieving the goals that we have......It can be about everything, anything and maybe even nothing!!!

For what? For getting older? For getting closer to exam? Or perhaps for trips?

Well, I don't know. And I think it doesn't matter. New year, new hope, new aspirations. May the past be a memory. Sweet, bitter, sour...it's all down in memory lane. May the goodSSS be stored safely in our hard drive, may the badSSS be chucked in the recycle bin (but don't permanently delete them, just remember the lessonSSS behind them *wink*.)

Yes, I know exams are near, but still we have to take them, don't we? Otherwise, how are we gonna have our wonderful winter holidays??? We are getting older? Nope, we are getting wiser. After learning for the whole 2008 year, don't you think we are wiser?

So, don't look back too much and never ever look back in anger or regrets! Look back just before 1st of January 2009 and learn from the best & worst, do the undone and mend the mendable....... As for the new year, let us hope for the better......Best wishes *wink*

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 !!!

Snow

Global warming is terrible. It not only changes the weather and temperature, it also changes seasons. Winter doesn't look like winter. This winter in 2008 seems so snowless. Dry, sunny weather, cold wind, yet snow isn't there. Only once in November, "snow" drizzled for like......1 minute??? Was it related then to global warming?

Venice in flood (as of 1st December 2008)

Venice had been terribly flooded and is really now a City of Water. I mean, yeah, it is always been filled with water, but was it ever been fully filled with water? Is it Global warming then that causes these?

Weather in Ukraine isn't as usual as it seems, snowing and melting, snowing and melting. And until now almost like mid-December only did it start to snow a bit , wow! Global warming? Who knows?

But I definitely like winter with snow. Though troublesome, taking longer time before getting out of the house......but what is winter without snow? Although I will be walking slower, be feeling cold all my way, risk of slipping, wanting to stuck in my thick mink blanket and sleep whole day long ...... I still want a white winter :-)

Will I be having a white Christmas this year? I hope so and I pray......

Failure in Peanuts

Oh, how I hate the work of mine today!!! It was Wan Shin's birthday party. Oi Ling and me preparing "Tang Yuan" with ginger soup. I ground the peanuts and mixed with sugar and salt. Salt was too much. Couldn't even save the taste by adding more sugar.

I am not a very bad cook. But to be preparing such a salty peanut mixture is so unforgivable!!! I always have problem --- creating a stronger flavour dish!!! Oh, but this is too much.

I could still clearly remember the faces of my friends tasting them! Oh, mine! What an effort! The balance of the peanut is still in the tupperware. Planning to mix them with butter and bake peanut cookies. Maybe will be better??? Hehe, gonna find out soon.

"Tang Yuan" is a Chinese food made from glutinous rice flour. Glutinous rice flour is mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and is then cooked and served in boiling water.

Merengue

I have always wanted to learn dancing. But just couldn't find the time to go for the lessons as it often coincides with my classes. Then I found a good way --- YouTube!!! Thanks a lot for those uploaders. So seems like I need just to find a partner now, hehe.

Here is a simple dance --- Merengue. It's a Latin American dance with a 2-step beat. Merengue originated from the Island of Santo Domingo. Both the Haitians and Dominican Republicans claimed to have invented it. The Haitians claimed that a great, war hero returned from the battlefield of the neighboring islands. However, he had severely injured one of his legs during the battle. Therefore, during the victory feast, everyone danced by dragging one leg to not embarrass their hero. While Dominican Republicans claimed that a prince was born with a lame leg and his servants, in order not to insult him, danced by dragging one leg.








So hope you too are learning with me the simple basic steps of Merengue!

Apple Sauce

Nice to serve with roasted chicken, or cheese cake toppings, with ice-creams etc. I love it.

Ingredients :
2 Apples (chunked)
1tbs Margerine
1tsp Cinnamon
Some Sugar
2 cups of water

Method :
1. Melt the margerine in pan.
2. Add the cinnamon.
3. Stir fry the apple.
4. Add sugar and water.
5. Leave on to boil for 15-30minutes, or till slightly thickened.
6. Blend the sauce and pour into plate or as toppings to serve.

How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother---wow, I just love it! The sitcom is just hilarious, especially Barney! That guy is just so good in acting that without him, the whole 4 seasons would have been way too boring. This guy is the centre of the show! Anyway, he is gay, very unlike what Barney has potrayed.

The thing is that, until now, I haven't known who is the Mother! And that is bad! I hope I won't be disappointed with the mum. I hope she is hotter and prettier than Robin. Hehe. Sweeter than Lily. But Marshall is way too old comparing his look and age. He looks like in his 30-40s. But guess what? He is only 28 (born in the year 1980).

Sharing with you is a list that Lily has made......50 Reasons To Have Sex

Want to marry a doctor? Survey shows most do

SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) – It really does pay to be a doctor, with an international survey showing the medical profession is the most trusted, among the most admired and includes the most eligible marriage partners.

By contrast, actors and musicians, along with journalists and advertisers, were among professionals that people trusted the least, and were also least likely to choose a partner from, according to a survey by Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc.
"Much of who we are is tied up in what we do in the hours from nine to five, and often way beyond," a Synovate statement said.

"Asking someone what they do for a living is often the first question you ask them; right after 'what's your name?'."

The survey polled about 5,500 respondents in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Malaysia, South Africa and the United States.

It asked people what makes for an admirable job, which professions they trust or do not, who is overpaid, and which profession they would prefer to marry. Sixteen percent nominated doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals as their preferred marriage partners, higher than any other profession.

Other eligible -- and admired -- professions were education, at 14 percent, and science and technology, at 10 percent.

Educators and doctors were also voted the most trusted by an overwhelming 86 and 87 percent, followed by homemakers and those in science and technology.

Only one percent picked retail professionals as partner-material, and those in media and marketing, as well as entertainers, did little better at two and three percent.

These professions were also among the least trusted by respondents, who, across the seven markets, picked the media as the single least trusted group.

Entertainers, along with corporate executives and lawyers, were voted as being the most overpaid, while homemakers and educators were among those seen as being underpaid.

From Yahoo news.

Interesting, isn't it?

Ice-Creams

Still remember the days when we were craving for ice-creams in the park? Or maybe in the shopping malls? Or perhaps after school? Still remember when we had "ice-cream sandwich"? Or when the ice-cream melted to the floor before you even taste it?

Well then, how do you define ice-creams? Hehe, can't, can you? Well, I would simply say it's a sweet, cold dessert. Do you agree? As a matter of fact, the American Federal Labeling Standards require ice cream to contain a minimum of 10% milk fat (about 7 grams (g) of fat per 1/2 cup [120 mL] serving) and 20% total milk solids by weight. Wow, I didn't know that ice-creams can be so complicated!

Hmm, well by the Wikipedia, ice-creams are known as "a frozen dessert made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, combined with flavorings and sweeteners, such as sugar, and possible other ingredients. "

Frozen desserts??? Hmm, how many types of frozen desserts do you know then? I only knew a few. Such as (defined by Wikipedia) :

Granita --- semi-frozen dessert of sugar, water, and flavorings. Originated from Sicily, Italy.

Gelato --- Italian ice cream made from a liquid, milk or water; a solid, sugar, fats or sweeteners; flavorings, pastes, fruit powders; stabilizers, guar gum, locust bean, etc.; emulsifiers, mono- and digylcerides; and air. (I love this!)

Sorbet --- a frozen dessert made from sweetened water flavoured with iced fruit (typically juice or puree), chocolate, wine, and/or liqueur. And it originated from the Middle East. And I thought most Middle Easterns are Muslim. Are they allowed to consume alcohol then???????

Mousse --- a form of creamy dessert typically made from egg and cream (classically no cream, only egg yolks, egg whites, sugar, and chocolate or other flavorings), usually in combination with other flavors such as chocolate or pureed fruit.

Zuccotto --- a semi-frozen, chilled dessert made with brandy, cake and ice cream.

And finally not forgetting our famous, mouth-watering......

Ais Batu Campur (ABC) --- rings a bell? Well, don't need any definitions I think. Hehe

One last one, is ice-cream cake into the list too?

"I Can Do That!"

As Obama Barrack says about change and believing that we can, we can. Yes, we can change!!! Hope you will be inspired by the article below as I had been inspired.

"I Can Do That!"
by Mike Brescia

Your life can transform by a magnitude of ten by doing one thing.

Before you begin any task, or as soon as you find out you have been assigned one, no matter how big do this one thing.

Either silently or out loud, say "I can do that." Maybe you don't quite believe it... yet. But by making that phrase be the first thing you are even TEMPTED to think, you just transformed INSIDE into a person who can do it, do it well and can do it with joy.And you just shut down the part of you that often automatically says, "Aw, why do I have to do that?" or, "I've never done that before - I can't - I don't know how - I better tell 'em to ask someone else - I don't feel so good." Can you think of more. Me too.

"I can do that. I can. I think I can. No problemo. You bet! Okie dokie. Whatever it is, accept it and look for the way to do the best job you can.When you say, "I can" you chemically change. Your stress levels go down, endorphins surge. You get excited. You smile. Hugs. Kisses. Raises. Promotions. Admiration. Awards.Practice this. Every day. Every time.

All our joy is empty without others to share it with. Our problems usually have someone else at the root though, too. Hmm. That's weird, huh?If all or most of our problems stem from other people (even if we caused the problem), then wouldn't many of them diminish greatly if our problems with others got smaller? Often it's not conflicts as much as attitudes.Here's a way to affect yours and others' attitudes. Ask yourself: "How can I help (name of person) to feel good today?"

When you help other people feel good, they like you. You are a state inducer, whether you know it or not. You make people feel happy, sad, mad, nervous or any number of other emotions. Choose happy - inspired - confident.

Look for the good in others. You may have to dig, but it's there. We all want primarily the same things. Give what other people want to them and you'll be treated like royalty wherever you go.

1. Write down a list of desired emotions (look in the thesaurus).

2. Ask yourself how you would help others get these.

Just do it today.

Are You Living Generously?

Found this article rather interesting, by Louise Rousseau at "Women Today".

Living With An Open Hand

As soon as I was old enough to turn on a light switch, my parents told me electricity cost money. In fact, I soon found out everything cost money.

I remember clearly my first lessons in money management. My grandmother gave me a piggy bank for my birthday. The plump porcelain pig with a moronic smile was really a ploy to drill me in the sound principles and financial responsibility. Oh! The hard lessons of life! Financial responsibility according to my folks meant I should spend none of my allowance on candy. After doling out my weekly quarter, my mother solemnly escorted me to my room where I deposited the coin into my piggy bank.

Thus I became a hoarder. My parents' training was so successful that it soon took the jaws of life to pry money from my hand. I believed the more money I had, he happier I'd be. But this proved untrue. I never had enough. And the more I had, the more I was afraid to lose.
I'd have gone to my grace, greedy to the bone, had not a generous friend shown me there is a better way to live. When a twist of events brought me to dire financial straits, she gave me a sizable sum. Since she was between jobs at the time, and living off her savings with no employment prospects, I marveled at her largesse. How could she give so freely? She didn't worry about money as I did.

In conversation with her, I soon realized my financial training had skipped the most important lesson. I had never learned there is a spiritual dimension to money. What I thought was wise management of my assets was in fact selfishness. And selfishness produced greed, fear and worry.

I was like a guest at a wedding feast, grasping a handful of stale cake with both hands. Because I held tightly to my loot, my hands were closed. I could neither give nor receive. So anxious was I to save a few crumbs, I was missing out on the feast that had been set before me.

Learning to live with an open hand is admittedly not an easy task. Applying spiritual principles to money management goes against conventional wisdom. After all, if you want a nest egg, saving money makes sense; giving it away does not. But money management controlled by selfishness, greed or fear will never lead to financial freedom. As long as you are enslaved by these emotions, no amount of riches will satisfy you.

While making sound investments is part of managing your resources with savvy, the key to financial serenity lies in letting gratitude, contentment and generosity govern your money decisions. People who are grateful and content find satisfaction in what providence supplies. And generous people know Jesus was right when he said: "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over."

Learning to live with an open hand is a lifelong process, but it will yield dividends beyond expectations. If this is what you are yearning for, here are some steps you can take to make gratitude, contentment and generosity part of your financial strategy for life.

Gratitude
"Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold." - Maurice Setter

Focus on what you have
You cannot afford the knicknack of your dreams? You've got no money for extras? Focusing on what you lack will make you feel impoverished. But if you choose instead to be thankful for what you have, you soon feel richer. If you're short of cash, it may take extra willpower to look at the bright side. But it's worth it. Gratitude has the power to transform your outlook and open your eyes to life's fullness. It can transform a trinket into a treasure, a meal into a feast, a deficit into a gain.

Recognizing that many of the best things in life are free
Springtime. Friendship. The laughter of children. They cost nothing - in fact, they cannot be bought - but they enrich your life in invaluable ways. What's more, there's freedom in enjoying things without owning them. You can relish a walk on the beach without maintaining a waterfront property or admire artwork at the museum without shouldering insurance costs.

Make a daily inventory of what you're thankful for
This is a must of you are to reap the full benefits of practicing gratitude. Choose a time - it need not take long - to tally up daily blessings. Write them down. When days are tough, reading your list will lift your spirit.

Contentment

"He is poor who does not feel content." - Japanese proverb

Distinguish between essentials and non-essentials
If you confuse what you want with what you need, you've probably bought into a consumer culture. Advertisers would like you to believe life is not worthwhile unless you're buying what they're selling. But they're lying. A worthwhile life lies not in having many riches, but in being content with what you have.Realizing you don't need a new color TV or a supermatic onion chopper, sets you free from consumer jail. You have a choice; you may choose to buy what you want, but you know your happiness doesn't depend on it.

Don't let wealth define who you are
Your worth is not equal to your bank balance. Your home, your car and your clothes are, at best, a weak reflection of who you are. There is so much more to you than your possessions. You were created with a soul. You will find true meaning and worth more surely by feeding your soul than by depositing six-digit paycheques. You'll never be content with what you have, until you're happy with who you are.

Giving
"You make a living by what you get...But you make a life by what you give." - Winston Churchill

Give where your heart is
What moves you? The plight of Rwandan orphans? Women in Afghanistan? Earthquake victims? Give to the cause that arouses your compassion and concern. Having an impact where you think it matters, will keep you giving.

Give close to home
While helping with the desperate needs of people in other countries is certainly critical, also look for opportunities to give close to home. Do you know a single mom who could use groceries? A neighbor who has lost his job? Bring the mom a hamper or pay the neighbor's gas bill. When you witness how your gift brightens someone's life, you'll know without a doubt generosity has the power to make the world a better place.

Budget for giving
If you wait for the end of the month to share your wealth, you may find there's nothing left. To experience the full benefit of giving, you have to make it a priority. Budgeting for giving means you're committed. And, of course, you may still give on the spur of the moment too, if you like. When you budget, remember charitable donations may be tax-deductible. If so, decide how much you want to give accordingly.

Give regularly
The more you give, the easier it becomes. Giving regularly shows you're living with an open hand. And an open hand is ready to receive abundant blessing in return.

Lunch Pack

Waoh! It has been a long long time. Hope you guys are doing well.

Well, as usual, inflation rate is high high high in Ukraine. Nothing much seems to change. The best way of saving is then, I thinkm, food wise. So get yourself good food flask and bring your own lunch pack.

I had grabbed myself a worthy one in Foxmart with 3 containers. So basically, one of it is for rice, one more for a dish or two, and finally one more is filled with a warm drink. Nice, perfect!

Current classes are held near Moscowltso. Each time we walk to the hospital for classes, we will just purposely stop by the Yabloko for a grab of the bakery. Freshly baked, warm and soft......Yummy yummy! I love it. And it's not until recently that I know that they also have the Hotdog bread. It's very much worthy and much more delicious compared to those in the university's cafes.

And at around 2-3pm, new, fresh and tasty pizzaS are sold. They have the chcken type, the sausages type... So wonderful!

The other Yabloko in Moscowlto Rinak has this mouth-watering doughnuts. They don't appear as attractive as they should be, but they are definitely worth trying for. The doughnut if given without the confectionery sugar, definitely tasted like Malaysia's "You Char Kueh". Wow, I suddenly think that Ukrainians afterall have an improved taste bud. Hehe. Try takig the doughnut with curry chicken, with porridge, with sambal, coffee, make rojak etc. It's haven!

I am getting addicted to Yabloko's bakery. Getting fatter for the winter, hehe. Maybe you too, should try one.

Travelling. Currently in Madrid, Spain. Then heading towards Italy. Back in Simferopol by 2nd July. Then by 5th July heading for Dubai!!! Yeah!!! Back in Malaysia KLIA on the 8th July.

Dermatology

Hurray!!! Just finished the cycle of Dermatology today. And this is the final cycle of 4th year, woohoo!!! But this means --- Exams are approaching! Ya, it's just next week......

There was a test for dermatology today. When exam is around the corner, most of us just don't really give a damn about test. It's true. Like yesterday, when I was in next door, both my unit mates were preparing for Therapy exam. Even me, I was having therapy book on the desk. It was until midnight that I have a quick browsed on Syphilis lectures.

Today would be a disaster if the teacher were to ask something out of Syphilis. I told Joyce, "Syphilis topics, 我半桶水; 其他 topics, 我根本没有水。" And was unfortunate enough, I was asked about skin structures, eczema, pyoderma, differential diagnosis......But was fortunate enough to be able to crap something through. And thank you, my dear friends *wink*

Whatever it is, dermatology is temporarily an end. It's time for the real battle of examinations! Gambadek everyone!

Way Back Into Love

I like the tune of this song.

I like the movie --- Music & Lyrics, romantic and simple.

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore were good in their acts.

I like the way Haley Bennett sings the song.

Simple and soothing.

Hugh Grant And Haley Bennett - Way Back Into Love

PT

Missed a PT (Physical Training) class---Just ONE. And it was because of the winter trip where I arrived Simferopol at 10am, just missed that class---28th January 2008. Thought the teacher would sign the Zachut Book for me, after all I think I am a good student. But, he didn't. *Sigh*

Yes, my fault after all, isn't it? Student missed a lesson, of course, the student have to take the responsibility. And as our dear Professor Zadnibryani said:

"There are 2 rules in the university.

First---The teacher is always right.

Second, if the teacher is wrong, refer to the first rule."

So, I went for the rework this evening at 5pm. Ran for 20 minutes. Then do some warming up and then some ridiculous activity. Then, had to run for another 3 rounds. Wow, that made me "energiless". I don't like jogging, or PT or exercise. For me this is tremendously energy consuming!

Amazingly, was not hungry. However, still came back to make sushi for dinner. Half way making, I just lost the interest in it. And decided just to eat the rice with the ingredients. And so there goes my Monday......At least, I don't owe any teacher for anything liao!!! Hurray!!!

Get The Best Deals

In Simferopol, inflation is very significant this year. From UAH 25 per kg of pork 3-4 months, now reaches near UAH50 per kg. So what can we do? Try to get the best deal out la!

Furshet 5% discount is back for the month of May. Grab your voucher as soon as possible, for irt is valid till 28th May 2008.

"Яблоко" has the best deal currently for pork. And the cheapest pork currently is in the "Яблоко" branch near Автовокзал. The ribs can reach as low as UAH28 per kg. Plus during the 8-10am they even give an extra 10% discount. Meaning can get about UAH25 per kg!!! WOW! Good for the pork lovers.

If you are someone who can't live without sausages, ham, hotdog, I think the lowest price available now is in Foxmart. Do you know any other places with an even better deal? The "China Pear" is also cheaper there, about UAH10 per kg.

Do inform me if there are better deals for anything. I would be very glad to know and I do appreciate it very much. Hehe *Wink*

When A Study Year Is Ending

We can clearly tell when a study year is ending. It's so easy to tell....

When almost everyone is busy with exam preparation.
When people are buying lesser during marketing.
When people don't need to go for lectures already.
When people started trying to clear their Malaysia-brought stocks.
When people started to cook Malaysia-brought pastes.......Rendang packets, Curry 3-in-1, 帝皇鸡 etc.
When people started to cook more "Malaysian".
When people started "distributing" cups of Chrysanthemum tea, Barley, "Luo Han Guo"......to more neighbours and more frequently.
When people started to have slightly more empty refrigerator.
When people started to clear their rework/individual plans/missed classes and lectures.
When people started to take their "zachut book" around and get them sign.
When people started asking, "Where are you doing your practicals?"
When people started asking, "When is your flight back?"
When people started asking,"Any holiday trips back in Malaysia?"
When people started asking, "How's your preparations?"
When people started to see Exam as tomorrow...

There are so many "When......"ssssss

Agree? Feel free to voice out :P *wink*

ExaminationS

Exams approaching! Heart is thumping real hard and fast now. Can't get that over. Tension and stress is not leaving very soon. But what to do? Therapy on the 27th May, Neurology 31st May and Hygiene 4th June. Then we will be looking back at our 4th year's history, woohoo!

As the exam comes nearer, the brain seems to be malfunctioning even more. What happened? During the whole semester, watching reality shows, series, movies...don't seem to bother me and they seldom step into my life. However, one or two months before the exam season, I'll get addicted not only to them but also to the comp AND I sleep even more compared to the "non-exam season". Gosh! Help me!!!

I know, I know, it all comes back to determination, self-control blah blah blah. Oh my, Oh my! Hopefully I have such strong will. God Bless! Best wishes to all CSMUians. Let's study hard and smart!

Desktop Wallpaper

Every time I switch on the laptop, I wish to see something nice, interesting, attractive. Many who visit my room, often look at my laptop screen, wondering what is on. Yes, I like to change the background pictures.



They often have a question --- why do I often set the wallpaper with pretty, SEXY artists? Yes, I am a female, but I enjoy looking at pretty girls too. (That doesn't make me a lesbian anyway!Haha.) They aren't naked anyway. Hehe, perhaps I should try some kind of that, someday. Well, J.Lo, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Meg Ryan, Michelle Pfeifer, Cecelia Cheung, Maggi Cheung etc etc visited me before.



A lot asked me --- why don't I choose males? Because they think that would be much "normal" for me. Yes, I do, but maybe lesser. I had visitations from Andy Lau, Prince William, Matt Damon, Michael Owen etc too. The main reason is that most of the "nicer" wallpapers are others rather than them. Sometimes, when I feel like seeing sceneries, I will also make them as my wallpaper. I also had myself from my pictures collection on, hehe. My groupmates, friends ...... can't escape too!
:-P



Food --- That's a good theme too. Had before strawberries splashing, tropical fruits, cheese. Had Winnie the Pooh, Disney Princesses too. Basically, I have all sorts of themes and choices, as long as I like them and they are beautiful and makes me feel good, then they will be selected. They need not be my favourites. They just need to be at the right time to suit my mood. It's just that simple. Maybe you should try them too, haha.

Plov

Plov is very common in Ukraine, and I believe it is too in Russia. It has a history as early as in the period of Alexander The Great (Greek) or even much more earlier. And believe it or not, it even has a proper Chinese name --- 抓饭!

In Simferopol, in current time, we can get plov at about UAH 9 (with meat)in the Central Rinak. It is an oily rice which is cooked with seasoned meat, carrot, spices and even raisins. In the Rinak, it is usually served with vinegered onion rings, bread and pickled chili, and sometimes with a pickled vegetable salad.

Ingredients:
2 cups of rice
2 large carrots (cut into strips)
2 large headed unpeeled garlic
300g meat of your choice
200g raisins
salt
plov spices (cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, and Barbaris)

Methods:
1. Braise the meat with the garlics (make sure the meat is cooked till soft and tender).
2. Preheat wok with oil.
3. Add in the carrot.
4. Add the plov spices.
5. Add then the raisin and later on the uncooked rice.
6. When the rice is almost dry, pour in the stock from 1. , except the meat. But include the garlics.
7. Add salt and simmer with low heat till the water is all absorbed and rice is cooked.
8. The meat is sliced and put at the bottom of a round bowl.
9. Add the plov in the round bowl and turn it upside down on a plate.

The plov spices is easily available in the market, packed. Just tell the seller, and they will prepare the spices for you. For the meat, I prefer using pork. Haven't tried lamb though. The Rinak normally have beef or chicken anyway. Well, hope you all will enjoy this recipe.

Borsch & Solyanka

Borsch is a soup of the Eastern Europe --- Ukraine and Russia. It is more often known as the vegetable soup nowadays. There are several types of Borsch---green/red. It is often served with sour cream. The locals also eat it with bread (normally he black bread).

It is originally boiled with beetroots that provide the reddish colour of the soup and you will find carrots, potatoes, cabbage within. And to provide the sweetness of the soup, it is often boiled with meat. Visit http://www.recipezaar.com/81117 for the recipe.

Solyanka is the Ukrainian/Russian soup which is thicker and richer in flavour. In Ukraine, the meat/fish Solyanka is rather popular. It is often sold more expensive compared to Borsch, because of the meat or fish. In the soup,we can find pickled cucumber, olives, sometimes lemon pieces (especially if it is fish Solyanka). The taste is slightly sour. And it is also taken with bread and sour cream. For the recipe, visit http://loykee.blogspot.com/2005/02/solyanka.html

Blog

I don't really know since when I was addicted to blogging. It has somehow become part of my life. I often have the urge to write something, be it short or long, busy or free. Sometimes, just to spend a simple 5 minutes on a piece, makes me feel like I have done one thing in a day.

Happy or sad, experiences, things I feel like sharing or to let others know, I would like to write them down. I have never had a habit to write diaries, but I sort of like writing an electronic variant of diary now.

There are many things to write about. There are too much! Sometimes, the too much of them that makes us just don't know what to write about. There are a lot of times where I wanted to write things out but couldn't find it easy to describe.

I am not a person who could express well sometimes (in words especially, chatting slightly better, I guess), especially about what I really feel about something, or my mood, my anger, my frustrations, my view of something...I am learning though. Who isn't, right?

Blogging has somehow provide me a way to learn to write it down in words. It is also a way to recall the skill of writing. Practice makes perfect, especially languages, without constant usage, they will definitely be forgotten---the spelling, the grammar, the usage etc. To blog is also a form of memories, especially the days of occurrence, the mood of that day. The thing it may slightly differ from the diaries is that we don't keep a book and also that blogging may be read by million of people.

There are lots of bloggers nowadays. some may even earn money with their personal blog. (Gee, how I wish I could too! Haha). Some bloggers are even blocked by governments. But whatever it is, blogging will definitely continue to be popularized by thousands and millions. And it definitely requires a constant will and persistence to continue blogging.

Amuse Bouche

It's a French word, where Amuse stands for Amuser=to please, and Bouche=mouth. Therefore it is a little food that is supposed to amuse the mouth. It's not an appetizer but meant to excite the taste bud of our tongue.

Well, I know a lot of you may know about this, but I only knew it through the Top Chef Season 3 today. (Glad I watched that, haha). It's supposed to be finished in one/two bites. It should be small and is normally served free of charge without ordering in a fine restaurant.

Where to get this? Well, in Simferopol, I once came across this in the Restaurant Getoman last year during my birthday. It was served with a little shot of vodka. I didn't know what was that at that time, I thought it was an appetizer then. But, I sure do know about it now :-)

Dumbest Survivor EVER!

This season of Survivor Micronesia really taught us to outwit, outlast, outplay and outsmart a lot. Remember never to be fooled by sexy, pretty women. They are IRRESISTIBLE!

Survivor Micronesia made a history of the series of Survivor ever. They have the Hidden Immunity unused TWICE by Ozzy and Jason. Ozzy is understandable, because Cirie and Parvati were the devils. Jason is "smart" enough to trust the wicked Natalie though. Also in this season, a few was sent back for medical reasons, and one of the toughest man was sent away for injuries---James. Then they have one of our favourite YauMan out in the beginning of the game, "thanks" to Cirie! Wonder why nobody actually intended to cast Cirie away despite her being the "batu api" for so long!

But the DUMBEST Survivor EVER is none other than the naive ice-cream scooper---ERIK Reichenbach!!! How on earth can there be such a genius to give away his own hard-earned INDIVIDUAL immunity that guarantees him as the final 4??? Oh, gosh, just to watch this episode is heart-sickening! Can he be so dumb to give it away just to please the women?! I really wonder how he actually survived in USA!

If he really wanted to vote Parvati away with Natalie and Cirie, he could easily had made alliance with them without giving away his necklace! 3 votes out of 5 is already sufficient! Who cares about the Hidden Immunity anyway when you have the Individual Immunity already? Gosh, is he stupid or crazy or what?

If he had made it through the Final 4, he would have stood a good chance of winning $1,000,000. And I was initially thinking and hoped that he would win it. Damn! I should have seen his stupidity then, haha. And now, I am glad that he couldn't win that money because God knows which "pretty lady" would actually sweet talk him and cheated easily his hard-played $1,000,000 by then! Maybe he should just stick back to ice-cream scooping after all.

Isn't it good if there would be more people like Erik? Then the world would have been a better and peaceful place to live in, hahaha. I really do hope that he would lead a good life after the game. Open your eyes and learn to see, Erik! The world ain't so simple to live in. Best wishes.

ConnieTalbot

Have started to watch Britain's Got Talent recently. I know it has been on more than a year. But I always thought it was just another "British Humour" sort of programme. But now, I've changed my mind.

Came across a little super star---Connie Talbot. Was impressed by her voice which certainly is unfit for her age of 6. Because of her talent, she has now came out with her first debut album with 12 songs, including her famous "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" that got her to her finals for performing to the Queen of England. I don't understand why she actually lost to Paul Pott though, haha.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow


I fancy her singing of "You Raise Me Up" and Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" . I honestly pay respect to her songs despite her age of 6, and she is the youngest singer recorded in UK. I know in Malaysia, there were lots of singers coming out with their albums at a younger age, like 3 years old, or maybe 4. However, they are totally incomparable.

You Raise Me


I Will Always Love You


These "young artist" are mostly rubbish and used by the companies to produce songs for mere business purpose. Most of them are not actually good at what they are doing. I can't really see their real talent. Unlike Connie, I am impressed by her vibrato especially and at least I feel her singing with some emotions in it currently, which I can't feel from the way the "young artists" sing. The "young artists" were merely having words coming out from their mouth instead of singing.

I just wonder what was I doing when I was 6. Maybe I was still busy playing "masak-masak", or still running around playing with sands and soil......

Evpatoria

It's a good sunny Saturday (3rd May 2008), where we woke up early and headed for the elektrychka to Evpatoria just in time (8.20am). The whole journey is splendid where we played card games --- Bridge. We travelled light this time. In about 2 hours time, we reached Evpatoria.



We first went to the Central Rinak (market) there. We went straight to the cafe in the market (thanks to Oo and Noy for they been there before). We ordered the Guksu (13uah per bowl) and Manti (14uah per plate), which were superbly delicious. And the Guksu (Korean cold noodle soup) was of a large portion. The Manti (Turkish Dumplings) was warm and tasty and was so delicious that we called for another plate straight away.

We then walked and shopped. Just can't believe I again shopped something despite telling myself to save for summer trip. Gosh! Then we headed on to the beach and along the way, we bought souvenirs and met wit 2 Americans who were on Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. They were lads who were stationed here.

The theme park wasn't opened fully yet. But still there were people playing and enjoying their time there. The beach was clean and although the water was still cold, Rex and Oo swam and played. The scene there is beautiful, locals started to sun-bathe in bikinis, parents strolling with their babies. It's wonderful. Fortunately I applied sufficient sunblock to protect myself from tanning.



What I did there was, I "babysit" a 2-year-old pretty boy --- Vladik. He wasn't into me at first, but when we started playing he just came on and on and I love him, haha. He used his lorry and fetches the sand. Then when I fed him with some junk food, he was so clever that he ate the junk food here and ran back to his mum for a drink and returned here for his snack. He was so cute!



We then left with a tram looking around the town and back to the train station where we again caught just in time (5.05pm) for the eletrychka (5.11pm).

*2-way ticket Simferopol-Evpatoria-Simferopol = 9.80uah*

P/S : Evpatoria has an Old Town which offers some sites which are nice to visit :
Karaite, Jewish Synagogue, Mosque etc.

Enjoy your trip :D

Furshet 5% Discount

Well, anyway it's a little bit late to write this post. The 5% discount for Furshet shopping dues today---30th April 2008. Thanks to Oo who had provided me TWO of the discount pieces. And because of this, I had shopped twice (morning and evening) for it, wahaha!

Believe it or not, I had spent in Furshet about UAH350 in a single day, and the stuffs are all mine!!! I can't believe myself when I am currently cooking myself. What I bought??? Vegetables, fruits, NescafeSSS, biscuits (Lots of them), milk, bowl (long story about this, later), yoghurts, junk food, chocolateS, ETC ETC. I just can't believe it. However, I think the biscuits could last me for about 2 weeks or more, so should be ok, I think. (Well, I certainly hope they could last that long hehe)

I went out early in the morning around 9.30am and rushed for the shopping and thanks to the discount I spent UAH196.63 in the morning (which means originally UAH207). Went back just in time to go for O&G class. On my way home, carrying the two heavy plastic bags would be suffering. Thanks to a Malay guy of my year (1st division), he helped me to carry till the hostel from Pavlenko Stop. Wow, man! THANK YOU!!! (Sorry that I don't know your name :P)

Then after performing in the Cultural Hall for the Faculty Day with the Chinese Traditional Fan Dance, I went to the Furshet AGAIN with Du Ping. And this time I spent about UAH142. Gosh, I really wonder how I spend! And AGAIN, I was carrying 2 heavy plastic bags, but without Samaritans hahaha. This time is full of biscuits and milk, chickens......and non-stop pausing for rest :P

Okok, about the bowl. I lost my bowl because I left it in the kitchen for a while (I guess I entered the room to take the dish washer.) So, I went to purchase a whole new bowl. But this time it is stucked with another bowl, and believe it or not, they are unseparable!!! Despite using knife, hard work by 4 men, it is still not separatable!!! We tried using hot water, cold water and even soaked the outer bowl with hot water & filled cold water in the inner bowl, they are still together. Then finally we decided to put oil. But still, in vail. The last option --- break one of it. So in another word, I had bought no bowls and have to buy another new bowl or perhaps even 2 more bowls :(

Tomorrow is Labours' Day, happy holidays! 2nd May in Ukraine is a holiday. Yeah, MY birthday! :D

Chefs?!

Each time after watching the shows/series/movies/films/....regarding food or cooking, there is a trend that we want to try it. Don't get it? Let me give you an example.

There was once, I think last semester (end of 2007), almost everyone was watching the Japanese series "Ichi Bambino". It talks about a Japanese boy from the suburb who always has confident in his Italian cooking. During his holidays, he went to the city to work in an Italian restaurant temporarily. There his experiences had finally humbled him and taught him to learn, learn and learn. Most of us after watching tends to cook Italian --- Spaghetti, haha. The way the actors have done the spaghetti in the series was amazingly tasty.

Then now after I watched the competition of The Next Iron Chef of America, I do have a mind wanting to create some delicate dishes of my own, driving my imaginations wild, wanting to be creative......

It's a limited-run series of 6 episodes (each episodes is about 45 minutes) trying to select an Iron Chef out of 8 contestants replacing a departed Iron-Chef. The Chairman had created 8 tasks for them, which he thinks is the must-have criterisa of a chef:

1. Speed
2. Artistry
3. Resourcefulness
4. Simplicity
5. Innovations
6. Creativity under pressure
7. Lead and inspire
8. Attain greatness

3 judges would determine the eliminations of the contestants, they were: Donatella Arpaia---a famous New York City restaurateur, Andrew Knowlton---Restaurant Editor atBon Appétit and Michael Ruhlman---Freelance journalist and writer. Rather interesting for me, as I watched the 8 American chefs competing and finishing their work of arts in the limited time strain. The food is of varieties, beautifully decorated in the small portions.

But when I start to think maybe I can try it too, haha, I will start reminding myself of what I'm studying and that exam is around the corner. Perhaps next semester, I could try out hehe, or maybe during the summer holidays?!

Voip Stunt Calls

There is a gadget that allows one to call with reasonable prices through computers and sometimes even free. Visit http://www.voipstunt.com/en/ for more information.

It is a gadget that after signing up, paid €10 by credit card and downloading the software, one is allowed with a 300 minutes free call to the selected countries per week, lasting for 120 days. After the period of 120 days, one needs to call by the fee provided according to the calling destinations. Of course, when you reload your account with another €10, you will again be eligible for another 120 days free call to te selected destinations.

What is good about this is that popular destinations are available for free. Like us Malaysian students, call for Malaysia landline is FOC, but a minimum rate of €0.04 is applied for H/P. And if you are constantly calling to Singapore, both the H/P and landline are FOC. Destinations such as the USA, UK, Spain etc are also FOC selectively. Even if we need to pay, I think the rates are still lower compared to the rates available outside. The rates are available at http://www.voipstunt.com/en/calling-rates.html . You can also SMS with the rates available at http://www.voipstunt.com/en/sms-rates.html

But I don't know why I couldn't get clear calls for my experiences, even though my friends do get very very good and clear receptions. Except for me, the others are having good experiences. So, try it especially if you were a constant caller. I would still recommend it as a good alternative ;-)€

* Before calling, dial 00 - country code - telephone number. Eg: Malaysia 0060129188456 or 006033324965 (state code)

Bakchisarai

Weather forecast said today will have 30% chances of raining. But I still stick on to the same old plan. Until yesterday night when it started to say today would be cloudy and windy. Better news.

8am in the morning, left for the train station with Du Ping and went for the prymisky kasa (local ticket office)*2-way 8uah per person* . Took the elektrychka (local train) at 8.40am and reached Bakchisarai at approximately 9.40am. Surprisingly, there were lots of backpackers which we didn't expect to see. We went off with the Mashrutka to our first station the Khan's Palace (Ханский Дворец).

We bought the ticket *30uah - adults and 15uah - students*and entered the palace which I would described as rather small. The Fountain of Tears which is made famous by Alexander Pushkin the poet is quite impressive for me. The Art Museum posted some beautiful pictures of the 19th century. The Falcon Tower we were told that it would be opened in the May (That's next week!!! Oh!).

We then took our lunch (fried mee by me, ginger cake by Du Ping and doughnut thanks to Wei Jie, Kean Seng and Eng Ngen) in the Garden before the main gate. Rather surprised to know that there were quite a number of tourist from European countries, because we seldom see or know that haha.

*The Fountain of Tears* ->

We decided to walk 2km to the Uspensky Monastry and the Chufut-Kale. It's rather easy to reach because they are all lying on the same road. And you can know when you are on the right path when you see mashrutka passing by, hehe. And by this we "founded" The Museum of Ismail at our right side (anyway we weren't interested in it, haha). There were also lots of new restaurants along especially when we came nearer towards the Chufut-Kale.

We reached the Uspensky Monastry after we walked for the steep upwinding hill. It's said that it may be the oldest and cutest little church in Ukraine. It was built into the limestone rock of the hill. Climbing up takes us to an excellent view of the hills and canyons across. The pets and smoking aren't allowed in this region (we saw the stall keeper scolding people bringing dogs).

We waited to enter the church because they were having lunch break (Opened daily and have lunch break for weekdays from 1pm-2pm and 12pm-1pm for Sundays and Public Holidays). There we met with some tourist from St. Petersburg who told us that there is the cleanest water down there where you can drink straight and even gave me a cup for it. Lots of tourist waited for some time but left thinking that it may not be opened because they may have a liturgy for the Orthodox Easter day. We waited till about 1.30pm then we decided to leave for Chufut-Kale before heading back here for the monastry.

We saw lots of those backpackers camping along the way to Chufut-Kale. The road is long and when we reached, we need to climb a rather steep path to reach the peak. Even before reaching we can see the caves. The entrance fee is 15uah (adult) and 10uah (student). We didn't enter though. The view from top is magnificent. The wind is strong. And there are even people selling souvenirs at the top.

<-- *Way down Chufut-Kale*

We went down and headed back to the Monastry and visited the small church. Still there were lots of visitors. We rested a while and headed back down the hill. Wanted to find a toilet and was lucky enough that a shopkeeper opened the private toilet for us, hehe. Then we took the mashrutka to head for Vokzal. The driver thought we wanted to head for the Автовокзал (the bus station) haha. But he was kind enough though to tell us. We then took the 3.38pm elektrychka from Ж/Д Вокзал and reached Simferopol at 4.30pm tired.

We were lucky enough today because we met with lots of Samaritans. Some even reminded the driver for us before leaving the mashrutka, told us the way, translated for us, But the most important thing is that the weather was extremely good, sunny and windy :-)

Per person:
8 uah - Elektrychka (2-ways)
15uah - Khan's Palace
2.50uah - Mashrutka (2 trips)
13.70uah - Food

Earning Online

Came across this online web-earning page. Feel free to click on it and create a FREE ccount as I have did. I don't know how reliable or trust worthy this would be. But afterall no harm trying, isn't it?

So, if you have decided to create an account for yourself, click from this picture please, hehe.

Yes, It's Still Dreams Come True

Yes, indeed, Ladies & Gentemen, it is still the same old me, Dreams Come True, who have shifted from the previous blog http://360.yahoo.com/soolee502 . Will continue to blog, as usual when I feel like to, to update my dear friends about me.

Ok, hope this blog would flourish then.

Busy Life in "Honeymoon" Year

*A homeless child---taken in the 3rd Hospital, Paediatrics Department*

Finally finished with the topic of cardiovascular system of the therapy cycle. 2 teachers from 2 groups in1 class. Yes, all under one roof. 16 students gathered together, exensive training, especially medicine dosage (which I always wanted to kee them in the long term memory but ended up in the short term memory!)

Every morning, around 7.30am, we walked to Semashko Hospital (the 6th Hospital), a 15-20 minutes walk. Well, in Malaysia, one can hardly see me walking for this type of distance. Cause we always enjoy the car -driving hehe.

Teachers in class are hardworkng, especially Teacher Dolly who always give us task for our 10 minutes break (=no break ). After the 4 hours long and heart thumping class, we would always take our own sweet time back to hostel and rush then to our lecturesss...

Tomorrow we'll be starting a new system of the GIT which is the last system for therapy of this semester. Sad to say I actually hope that this cycle will be longer. I like it somehow, even when it is kinda scary with the teachers. Though after the classes and lectures, tired it may be, plus heavy home tasks, that requires and consumed much of our time and energy, it's somehow worth it. It makes me feel more like a doctor, where I begin to visual diseases in whole, from diagnosis to treatment, instead of separated subjects as compared to the last 3 years.

Though many had said that 4th year is a honeymoon year, I don't feel it yet. No honeymoon for me till now since the beginning of the first semester. But I do like the cycle system in the clinical years.

Pa, Ma, busy or not, Honeymoon or not, I will make it through, because I know I would...

Successful Professionalism

Yes, indeed, finally I have a new blog sites, mine---totally mine, hehe. I have been in Ukraine for three years. This is my fourth year here. Ukraine, Simferopol I am in, small city, with an interational airport but sad to say, an old town (Kinda wonder how this town supposed to have an INTERNATIONAL airport, when other cities better than here have not...)

Life here is not that bad, though not as good as I can think of. People here are not friendly, lots of pick-pockets. And the most important thing, most of them hardly speaks English. Even when we reach the airport the first day, the officers just CAN'T speak english. How then do they expect a first year student to reach Simferopol and speak in THEIR mother tongue? And what more to say about tourist? (That is another question for the location of International Airport to be located in a town with hardly anyone to speak English!)

Then comes another nightmare---when we students first arrive in the airport. Upon collecting our luggages, there will be some officers who started to ask for USD. Yes, MONEY, not in their authority to receive and mind you, they don't take it in their own currency but in US Dollars!!!They collect at least 20USD per person. And now at my recent trip back, it is 30USD. Inflation? Yeah, maybe. With those who don't provide the $, luggages will be opened and checked, means throwing out of stuffs, and creating troubles. This cannot, that not allowed...As for those who had paid, luggages goes through the scanning machine and they see nothing but an "empty" bag. Cute huh?

And I can still recall at the first arrival of mine, my friends, Oo & Hon, who actually paid the money, but at the second officer, he had to pay another time, because the officers claimed that they haven't receive. And I wondered, they can't speak English, but their English for USD amounts are pefectly well....yeah, PROFESSIONALISM!