Stand Up 2 Cancer

SU2C ---> Stand Up 2 Cancer







Show your support and make a difference in people's lives. It's not their choice, but we may change for them, if we start today.



It is up to you to click here (www.standup2cancer.org).

Love Won't Wait --- Gary Barlow

Oooo! Finally, after years, almost 10years and more, I found one ofmy favourite all time song --- "Love Won't Wait" by Gary Barlow (former member of TakeThat).

All the while, I thought it was called "Open Road". Therefore have never managed to find the memories of the MTV. I only have a vague memory about a long road or path where Gary Barlow walks and sing at. I have been searching with "Open Road". So, no doubt it is fruitless! Not mentioning that he isn't as well-known as compared to many super-stars and his video clips uploaded are of course limited, especially "Open Road". He is more famous with his song "Forever Love", I think.

But when I was browsing, I came across this "Love Won't Wait". At last after about 12 years, I managed to stumbled upon my long found memories of this cute Gary's MTV, which fits exactly with what I have expected, the nice song and beautifully taken video. Hope you like it as I do.
*By the way, "Love Won't Wait" is one of the track from his album in 1997 --- "Open Road", hehehehe*



Lyrics is also enclosed :

When I first saw your face
Knew that I could not hesitate
You said, "Baby don't go too fast
If we do then it may not last"

Time went on and I waited for you
I didn't know what else I could do
(What else should I do)
I thought that we'd always be together
You said, "Hold on, it just gets better"

And I believed you
I kept holding on
You think that I can never leave you
You think I'm not that strong
You're wrong

Chorus:
Love won't wait (Love won't wait)
Forever and a day (Love won't wait)
Love must live in the here and now
Don't ask me how I know

So here I am with my heart on my sleeve
You said, "Baby put your trust in me"
But I have come to the end of the line
And you've wasted up all of my precious time

Wanted to be something special to you
Everybody's somebody's fool(Won't be a fool)
No, you've got me all wrong
(You've got me all wrong)
You don't know what you have
Till it's gone

And I believed you
I kept holding on
You think that I can never leave you
You think I'm not that strong
You're wrong

(Repeat Chorus)

Love takes time (Love takes time)
But you've been takin' too long(Take too long)
Time never waited for anyone
Don't wait too long
Or I'll be gone
Don't Wait too long
I'll be gone
I'll be gone

(Or there) There wasn't anything
That I wouldn't do
(And you) You led me on
You even said, "I love you"
(I love you, baby)
How can we go on
When it's tearin' us apart
(How can we love)
Are you going to break my heart?
'Cause I believed you

(Repeat Chorus)

Love takes time (Love takes time)
But you've been takin' too long(Take too long)
Time never waited for anyone
Don't wait too long
Or I'll be gone
Don't Wait too long
I'll be gone
I'll be gone

Love takes time
Don't let this love just pass by us
It's not too late, you must choose
Love is so hard to find
And so easy to lose

Boston Cheese Cake II

YES! YES! YES! Successful FINALLY! This is exactly the texture that I am looking for.

And the secret here is due to the cheese! To get this texture, cream cheese bar is used instead of the normal cup cream cheese. I don't know whether these cream cheese bars are available other than Ukraine and Russia. But this is definitely a happy attempt!

I am looking for the cake texture that is depicted here, a little bit powdery yet cheesy, not those that I made last time where the whole layer is just inseparable

Bringing Back Memories...

There are plenty of great singers in China's history, from the old past to the modern day. But it really comes back to what type of songs you really fancy and enjoy. So these are only partially of the different singers from different genre and times.

1. 刘文正 Liu Wen Zheng
- 三月里的小雨
- 乡间的小路
- 童年

2. 韩红 (Han Hong)
- 天路

3. Jacky Cheung
- 心如刀割
- 不老的传说

4. Andy Lau
- 一起走过的日子
- 无间道
- 谢谢你的爱

5. 张靓颖 (Jane Chang)
- 天下无双

6. Zhang Hui Mei @ Amei
- 听海
- 牵手

7. Faye Wong
- Eyes On Me
- 红豆
- 梦中人

8. 张明敏 Zhang Ming Min
- 龙的传人
- 我的中国心

9. Beyond
- 海阔天空
-光辉岁月
- 大地

and etc etc

Some good well-known old chinese songs:

1. Cang Hai Yi Sheng Xiao (沧海一声笑)

2. Nan Er Dang Zi Qiang (男儿当自强)

3. Little White Boat (小白船)

4. Seagull (海鸥)

5. 鲁冰花 (Lu Bing Hua)

6. Love at The Dessert (热情的沙漠)

7. Red Dragonfly (红蜻蜓)

8. Fly Butterfly (蝴蝶飞呀)

9. Wishing You a Smooth Sailing (祝你一路顺风)

10. The Crescent Moon Shines Upon the 9 States (月儿弯弯照九州)

11. Maiden of Ali-Mountain (阿里山的姑娘)

12. An Opera about Princess (帝女花)
( English version : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwhObrr7bdc&feature=related )

and etc etc

How To Cut Open A Pomegranate

Have been addicted to the special sweetness of pomegranate. Had bought my second pomegranate in my life, LOL. Was introduced by Justin and See Yee.

The first pomegranate in my life was tidiously delicious. I basically peeled the seeds one by one. My hands were tired, well, more of my fingers. My tongue was also tired. Well, the seeds are small, and I don't like to swallow the seeds. But I like the fruit. And gosh! I never know that pomegranate can stain so much. Fortunately I was wearing my cooking attire with the apron on.

So, I found on YouTube this simple clip...Still tidious, but better than me peeling out the seed one by one. So, do enjoy! And don't forget to read THIS for its nutritious facts.

Quotes From "Bobby"

Watched the movie "Bobby" some time ago. Have been attracted to some of the scripts. Let's learn from it ;)

First : Conversation between an old married couple

Samantha (Wife) : I bought this dress to go with the black shoes I forgot to pack. I did pack 6 other pairs, none of them black and I have 2 pairs of tennis shoes, just in case you are up to a little game later. See, women have to pack for every occasion making it virtually impossible to travel light. Like tonight is a formal event, so I brought formal wears. But, God has a sense of humour. I bring back up. However, I am doubly screwed. Two dresses, both black and no black shoes. I know, you are probably thinking, “Who the hell cares what colour of shoes she is wearing.” Believe me, Jack, women notice.

Jack (Husband) : So, basically you are saying you need to go shopping, for shoes. Black shoes.

Second : Jack told Samantha

You are more than the shoes on your feet, or the designer’s dress on your back. You are more than the purse that you carry or the money inside. You and I are more than the stuffs, the things in our lives. Somewhere, in between our things, our stuffs, is us.

Third : John F. Kennedy's speech (partially quoted)
It’s not a day of politics. I’ve saved this one opportunity, an only event of today to speak briefly to you about the mindless manners of violence in America. But again stains our land and every one of our lives. It’s not the concern of any one race. Victims of the violence are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown. They are most important of all, human beings, whom other human beings, loved and needed.

No one, no matter where he lives or what he does, can be certain who next will suffer, from some senseless act of bloodshed, and yet, it goes on, and on, and on, in this country of ours. Why? What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created? Whenever any American’s life is taken by another American unnecessarily, whether it is done in the name of the law or in device of the law, by one man or by a gang, in cold blood or in passion, in an attack of violence or in response to violence, whenever we care of the fabrics of our lives, which another man has painfully and clumsily woven from self and his children, whenever we do this, the whole nation is degraded. Yet we seemingly tolerate a rising level of violence and ignore our common humanity and our claims to civilization alike.

Too often, we are on a swagger and bluster and the wilder of force. Too often, we excuse those who are willing to build their lives on shattered dreams of other human beings. But this much is clear. Violence breeds violence, repression breeds retaliation and only in cleansing of our whole society, can we move this sickness from our souls. But when you teach a man to hate and to fear his brother, when you teach he is a latter man because of his colour, or his beliefs or the policy that he pursues, when you teach those who differed from you, threaten your freedom or your job or your home or your family and you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens, but as enemies, to be met not with cooperation, but with conquest to be subjugated and to be mastered. We learn at the last to look at our brothers as aliens, alien men with whom we share a city, but not a community.

Men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in a common effort. He learn to share only a common fear, only a common desire to retreat from each other, only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force. Our lives on this planet are too short, the work to be done is too great, to let this spirit to flourish, any longer, in this land of ours.

Of course, we cannot banish with a programme, nor with a resolution. But, we can perhaps remember, if only for a time, that those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life, that they seek as do we, nothing, but the chance to live up their lives, in purpose and in happiness, winning what satisfaction and fulfillment that they can.

Surely this bond of common faith, surely this bond of common goals, can begin to teach us something. Surely we can learn at the least to look around at those of us of our fellow country men, and surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our hearts brothers and countrymen once again.

Boston Cheesecake

Hmm, cheesecakes...I have never dislike them before. Never(At least till now)! I don't really like cakes with mousse. But definitely, I couldn't resist the temptations of cheesecakes. So off I went, getting my ingredients for my Boston Cheesecake. The process of preparing wasn't long, about 30-40minutes. But the baking part was the one testing the baker's patience.

*Biscuit base for the cake
*Egg whites and sugar...

According to the recipe I got was just merely 1.5hours. I spent the whole 2.5hours thinking that it was done. Yet, it wasn' what I expected it to be. My friends told me they used 4 hours baking, the fastest 3.5 hours. If only I knew it earlier, I would have waited. Thinking that an extra 1hour has passed (by my recipe was 1.5 hours), fearing that the cake will be too dry...ARGH!!!

*Before baking...
Nevertheless, the taste after chilling, wasn't as bad as I have expected. At least it wasn't as eggy as it smelled when it was tasted after 1 hour cooling (after being removed from the oven).

*After chilling for 24 hours...
Anyway, I will try again this weekend for the dinner party. This cheesecake wasn't supposed to look like this... But will see in my Boston Cheesecake II whether it will result in the same texture...

Sesame Chicken Wings With Balsamic Reduction

Simply created this dish, I like it, hope you do too :)

(A)

-Pepper

-Chinese five spice powder

-Worcestershire Sauce

-Sesame Oil

-Wine (I used white wine)

First and foremost, marinade the chicken wings (Preferably overnight). So, I basically marinade them with (A)

(B)

-Finely chopped onion

-Finely chopped garlics

-Finely chopped ginger

Sauté (B) and add the marinated chicken wings. After that, add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. After about a minute, add a little water and continue to let it boil.

Add some sugar. I used about one teaspoon of sugar for one chicken wing (Don't ask me the logic, I just do it that way) And add a little salt and dark soy sauce.

Continue to simmer till the chicken is darkened with the sauce. Don't forget to add a little water if it dries up. But I don't like it watery (why called it reduced if watery?), so until the sauce is thick and look gravy enough, plate them and sprinkle with some sesame seeds.

Enjoy your Sesame Chicken Wings with Balsamic Reduction.

Ikan Asam Pedas"Ukrainization"

02.11.2009 is the very first day of the 3 weeks quarantine. So on the first day of quarantine, this is what I prepared. Yes indeed, it is Ikan Asam Pedas, for myself, hehehe. Can't provide with exact quantity of the ingredient. So just estimate yourself, if you ever try on my not so precise, not so profesional recipe. Wahahahahaha!

Ingredients :
Fish of your choice (I like to fry it before hand)
Tomato 1 biji (cut into 8)
Sambal
Onion 1 biji
Garlic 3 cloves
Ginger few slice
Buah Asam
Air asam
Water
Lemon (Coz I like it sour sour)

Method :
1. Finely chop the garlic and cut the Onion in rings, Slice the ginger.
2. Fry your fish and lay aside.
3. Add oil in pan and heat it.
4. Add garlic, onion, ginger and stir fry.
5. Add tomato.
6. Pour the pre-prepared sambal and continue stir fry.
7. Pour the air asam followed by H2O.
8. Add the fish and let it boil for a while.
9. Flavour with sugar and salt, by your liking.
10. After it is boiled for a while, squeeze the lemon juice.
11. Place in the bowl/plate.
12. Prepare to serve.

P/S : Sambal
Simple way of preparing is to grind the chili, onion and garlic. Some people like to add ginger. If possible, belacan is good.

3 Weeks Quarantine

Sad to say, the air is circulating, it has taken its turn in Ukraine. Well, actually with globalization, people flyng in-&-out of a country, it's is hard to control H1N1 epidemics. With the travellers, businessmen...Ukraine has been infected! The latest is 53 deaths and counting.

So, now emergency prophylaxis is taken. Quarantines are ordered in all region of Ukraine, meaning CSMU is included. That's how we have a sudden break of 3 weeks. Now what concerns the CSMU students most is the missed 3-weeks classes. That is a lot and a few solutions may be ...

a) Saturday and Sunday is no more rest day after the quarantine

b) No more winter holidays + Weekends classes

c) Postponed graduation/Shortened summer holidays for the 5th years

d) No exam-preparation break for students

Whatever solutions may be, it just doesn't sound very positive. Sudden news of 3 weeks doesn't really seem to excite everyone, given the possible solutions above. And these 3 weeks, we are theoritically "lock" up in our hostel, or more precisely, in Simferopol. No travelling, no gatherings, even the HOW campaign might have to be delayed.

Worse, some students have already paid for their winter trip tickets. If the winter break was to be cancelled, these $ would be flying to heaven...So now they are probably weighing to forego or not their plans for winter, just like 3 months ago when some students were thinking to forego or not their Euro Trip when H1N1 has just started.

But, the most important thing now is nothing more than to stay healthy and strong. Ukraine now faces the deficiency of medicine and masks, especially when people started purchasing them in bulks. Extra help is needed to combat the uprising epidemic, even from medical students. Mission teams from WHO will be sent to study the flu epidemics in Ukraine.

As for now, I think this 3 weeks of quarantine is the time when your body needs sufficient rest and building up stronger immune system. So, stay in room, keep healthy, rest well...And God bless.

F A M I L Y

A touching piece from one of the many forwarded mails...

I ran into a stranger as he passed by, ''Oh excuse me please'' was my reply.
He said, ''Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you.''
We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told, how we treat our loved ones, young and old...

Later that day, while cooking the evening meal, my son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
''Move out of the way,'' I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,
''While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse. Go and look on the kitchen floor, you'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.''

By this time, I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
''Wake up, little one, wake up,'' I said. ''Are these the flowers you picked for me?''

He smiled, ''I found them, out by the tree. I picked them because they're as pretty as you. I knew you'd like them, especially the blue.''

I said, ''Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.''
He said, ''Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway.''
I said, ''Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.''

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?

Father
And
Mother,
I
Love
You!

The Day After Peace

This is going to be a very short blogging. Just want to share this documentary on YouTube with people reading this blog. It's named "The Day After Peace". An independent documentary of approximately 90 minutes by Jeremy Gilley.

In early September 2008, Jeremy Gilley and Jude Law had travelled to Afghanistan to document preparations for the polio vaccination on 21 September 2008 for 1.85 million children under 5 years old, in seven Afghan provinces where conflict has previously prevented access.

So feel free to click here and enjoy the clip. May there be peace on earth!

Less Than 14 Days

It's been almost 4 weeks since I left Simferopol. Means it has been nearly 4 weeks since the first day I started this trip, 1st August 2009. Day and night, trespassing different borders by all modes of transport, meeting people from various cultures and all walks of life, experiencing cultures that shape my life experiences and outlook, enriching my personal diary of life...

Without noticing the flying of each seconds, I am now left with about a week till I reach Simferopol to prepare myself for my final year. Time has been passing real fast, to the extend of me not even knowing the date and time sometimes. I find myself in "shock" when I noticed that I have less than 14 days till I have to say "Hello again, dear Ukraine!"

This trip till now has been exciting and of course I hope that it has changed myself in a positive way, direct or indirectly.

Although travelling in Europe has always been about Cathedrals, monuments, Squares, museums, and again back to cathedrals... I still find it wonderful, and there are still tonnes to explore. Is it because that I am still loafing around? Avoiding the days of studies and work? I am always still reluctant to accept, the fact, that I am soon starting my new semester and in about a year's time, I will be stepping into workhood.

The balanced days of travel would be spent in Romania. I still clearly remember the days when I first stepped into the land of Scandinavia where the wind was strong, with fear that anytime the rain will fall onto my head. Days in Salzburg is remarkably hot and sweaty, especially after arriving from the cool chilly Baltics. Romania has still been giving me a sense of mystery, with the gypsies, the myths, the legends...

How much I have gained and learned through out the month? How have my perspectives towards life and people changed? How much has this trip mature myself? I don't know...

What Is the Ukrainian Working Attire?

I read a passage online about "What Not To Wear To Work". And the main points of what NOT to wear are (but Ukrainians fulfilled nearly all):

1. Too Much Cleavage (A lot of Ukrainian girls exposed about half of their breast)
2. Too-short Skirt (Ukrainian girls love short skirts or even short shorts. You can even find this during winter occasionally :P )
3. See-Through Clothes (Oh, summer time you can even get them bra-less with see-through clothes)
4. Over Accessoring (Is rings on all fingers consider?)
5. Bringing the beach into the office (They don't have rules on dressing)

They just can wear almost anything to work. Jeans in the working world is usually considered as semi-formal or maybe informal, as far as I am concerned. But in Ukraine, a lot of them take it as formal too. I don't know whether it is the same in any other places / Europe. But Ukraine is a free dressing world. You just need the guts! *wink*

August 2009 EuroTrip

Yes, it's less than a week till 1st of August. Yes, I am going to start my journey, not for EuroVision, but for my EuroTrip. Thanks to my sponsors --- Daddy and Mummy.

This coming EuroTrip last about a month and a week. From 1st of August till the 6th of September. Long journey? Yeah, sort of. Gonna begin from the 1st of August at about 2pm taking the train from Simferopol to Kiev. This journey would be about 15 hours, so I guess my butts gonna cry in numbness. But it will be much better because my EuroTrip will end with a 33-35hours of train from Chernivtsi-Simferopol. Then maybe by then I would be having Butt-Sore (or maybe Bed-Sore???).

The coming trip covers only one continent, and yes again, still Europe (obviously, otherwise why named it as EuroTrip???) Winter January 2008, been to Vienna, Budapest and Prague. Last summer --- June 2008, been to Spain, Italy, 4-hours of London. Last winter --- January 2009, is about Belgium and Wroclaw (Poland). So this time, gonna explore somewhere up-North.

I am beginning my journey from Katowice to Poznan. Should have about half a day in Poznan. Then flying to Norway. Main aim is for the Fjord. Everyone asking why not saving Norway for the aurora during the winter? Well, summer in Norway should be fun anyway :)

From Norway by train, will be in Denmark for 3D/2N, not going to Lego Land though *sigh*, a little expensive. Then leaving for Stockholm for a 3D/2N. Not to forget their Absolut IceBar, where a short journey into the totally ICE-made Bar, with a small drink in ICE mug. Yippie!!! So, somehow I will be experiencing winter in summer :P

*Absolut Ice Bar Stockholm*

From Stockholm, will take a cruise to reach Tallinn and then by the Eurolines will arrive Riga. Sad that I will leave out a country in the Baltic --- Lithuania. But what to do? Time is a major factor. Again, from Riga will be taking a cruise back to Stockholm to catch a flight to London for a flight to Salzburg. Complicated? Well, a little bit, I have to admit.

Salzburg---Sound of Music is what that comes into mind. Besides the birth place of the infamous Mozart, it is also well-known for its nature and beauty. Will tell you more upon my journey back home to Simferopol. After that, a flight from Vienna will bring me back to Romania, where the County of Dracula will awe me, and perhaps treat me with some non-bloody meal, hehe.

*Salzburg*

Romania has always been one of my top-destination. Its Dracula legend has been haunting generations to generations, just like the Chinese Vampires. But one of the drawback is about the Gypsies in Romania, which I hope will not cause me any problem. Then from Romania, will be back to Chernivtsi, Ukraine to take the LONG-LONG 33-35Hours of train to be late for classes in Simferopol.

*Romania*

CouchSurfing is also part of the plan for this EuroTrip. Should be able to dwell into the daily life of the locals, which would be interesting, especially to be able to get an in-depth of their culture and understandings :-)

Well, in short, the journey can be summarised as this, thanks for taking your precious time to read through the passage:

01/08/2009 : Simferopol-Kiev

02/08/2009 : Kiev-Katowice

03/08/2009 : Poznan-Oslo (Norway)

09/08/2009 : Oslo-Copenhagen (Denmark)

11/08/2009 : Copenhagen-Stockholm (Sweden)

14/08/2009 : Stockholm-Tallinn (Estonia)

17/08/2009 : Tallinn-Riga

17/08/2009 : Riga-Stockholm (again)

18/08/2009 : Stockholm-London-Salzburg (Austria)

24/08/2009 : Vienna-Burcharest (Romania)

05/09/2009 : Suceava-Chernivtsi-Simferopol

* Train Bus Cruise Plane *

There goes my one month and a week, exploring 8 countries (or rather small part of the countries) but journeying through 10 countries, with 2 hitch-hikings in Romania. Wish me luck! *wink*

Will tell more after reaching in September...

Life Is Good

July 2009, my first ever long summer in the beloved land of Ukraine, Europe. The sun, the beaches, the people, the food, simply its air. I am enjoying it.

Friends who in the previous years stayed back for the summer in Ukraine, told us, WARNED us that it is super-duper boring. With no one to talk to, with no activities except endless of movies or HK series, with too much time to be wasted...Just simply nothing to do.

But guess what? I totally disagree. I have collected the endless movies to prevent myslef from boredom, and till today, I can't even clear half of them. Nothing to do? No way, there are too much to be done. Preparations for the August Europe trip, practicals, cleanings to be done, food, exploring the city and places... No activities??? No way!!! BBQ, shopping, beaches...how could they said nothing to do? Sometimes, the truth of human nature speaks by itself, because everyone is waiting for everyone to organize something. And there goes, forever and ever......

People who said there is nothing to do is just simply lazy to find themselves something to do. There will always be something to do it's just a matter of time, when you are getting up and getting them done. Oh dear, never say nothing to do...It's fine if it's once in a while, but for good, there are just to much that 24-hours-a-day will never be enough.

I am enjoying my summer here. I used to not-very-like Ukraine. But when you start to realize that time is running short, and you really start to see the beauty they have, the naturally unpoluted-yet tourism, you will start to fall in love with it.

Simferopol is a simple not-very-developed town, where you can't get everything, and I mean really lack of a lot of stuffs.

Poor condition of the student hostel. Only ICY cold water in the bathroom during the summer, so you need to carry your own water and boil them with a coiler. Kitchen water supply that serves from 8am to 4pm, means having dinner before 4pm??? With no washing machines, because the administrators of hostels said it consumes TOO MUCH of the electricity. Sometimes non-functioning lifts, meaning carry your stuffs maybe to as high as nine floor.

However, despite of these uncomfortable circumstances that may be overcomed, Simferopol is indeed rather safe to stay in. Yes, they do have pick-pockets (where basically you have to prevent and be extremely careful in ANY prt of the world), but at least they rarely (so far I haven't heard of) have robbery, no snatchers, hardly heard of a rapist...

Although the communication can be tough with only Russian/Ukrainian language, with the citizens barely knowing English, I find that they are indeed quite tourist-friendly. But of course this is basically luck, depending on whom do you meet with.

However, I believe, that no matter which condition that you are going to be living in, it always comes down to your attitude towards life. Be positive, have faith and you will find life better, not because of the way life is treating you, but YOU are treating life!!!

Gardasil : Cervical Cancer Vaccines ???

How true is this? How reliable is this? Whom shall we trust?

Some Interesting Surveys

Check out these interesting surveys.

The World's Best Place to Live 2009

The Hardest Hardship

The Most Expensive Cities in the World

Best Global Real Estate Buys

The Best Place To Raise Your Kids

The World's Best Airport

Europe's Best Places For Business

Top Global Cities

So, anyone staying at these places? Do you agree with the surveys?

Happy Father's Day

This is a story I copied from one of the forwarded emails that I received.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Hoyt)

A son asked his dad, "Daddy, would you like to run a marathon with me?".
The father said, "yes".
And they ran their first marathon together.

Another time, the son asked his dad again, "Daddy, would you like to run a marathon with me?".
The father said, "yes son".
And again they ran their marathon together.

One day, the son asked his father, " Daddy, would you run the Iron-man with me?"
*The Ironman is the most difficult triathlon ever (4 kms swimming, 180 kms biking, 42 km running?)*

And the dad said, "yes".

The story looks simple until you watch the following clip. Just amazing, how much can love be.... ?

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Online Radio Station

I know back at home, in Malaysia, there are plenty of radio stations --- HitzFM, MixFM, MyFM, 988, Light&Easy, FlyFM...and the list goes on and on.

But when I am here in Ukraine, one of my favourite online radio station is 93.7 WSTW --- an American English Radio Station. The songs are up-to-date and they have a side column providing the song titles and artists. Besides, I think their advertisements sometimes are rather informative (Awareness campaign regarding macular degeneration, diabetes type I...)

Do pay a visit at this station.

Eat Real. Eat Local.

Hmm, nice work done. But of course, when we eat, we ain't gonna eat Canadian. We gonna go Malaysian. Petai, kangkung, papaya, pisang emas, mangosteen, durian, rambutan, langsat, dukong, duku, ciku, binjai, pineapple...WOW!!! The list can go on and on...

Malaysians who haven't stayed in foreign lands for long term, may not notice how lucky and blessed we Malaysians are for having the natural resources and wonderful harvest that we may have been showered with. But trust me, it is marvelous to have all different types of fruits, varieties of vegetables, choices of cuisine and dishes that we can choose ENDLESSLY...

Be in my shoes in a foreign land, looking at the Rambutan that was occassionally and accidently saw for the first time after 4 years...dark brown, shrunken and was sold at RM5 ONE rambutan. And I mean those type where if you were in Malaysia, you would just throw it away thinking that they can't be consumed anymore. Watermelon during winter can go up to RM50 for a 5kg piece. Chili 1kg RM100-120. OMG!!! And how much we get in Malaysia? 1kg rambutan RM5 or maybe RM10. Watermelon 100g RM1.60? Chili buy 1kg for RM5??? Or RM10? Who cares to buy? Just plant them!

We see varieties of vegetables, Siew Bak Choy, Choi Sam, Lady's fingers, long beans...... Here? In winter, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, carrot, cucumber (expensively), tomato (expensively), pumpkin, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, is potato a vegetable???...and again Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, unless you are willing to pay an enormously higher price for the variety. Well, not much of a variety anyway, perhaps some brinjals, cauliflower, occasionally broccoli...

And there was once when we saw broccoli in the market and we Malaysians bought them happily as the price at that time was good. And a local Ukrainian came by asking us what was that. Obviously, we told her was Broccoli. And she further asked the seller how to "use" it. The seller said, "Salad". And trust me, when you come across any vegetables or fruits that we / they are or aren't familiar with, whenever you ask how to cook it, you will get a simple answer, do salad!

Summer comes in, well, a good sign, vegetable and fruits getting cheaper. Prices (per kg) red in winter, green is summer price
Brinjals uah30-50 uah10
Cucumber uah25 uah3
Tomato uah30 uah7
Chilli uah199-299 uah25

Watermelon and honeydew can get as low as uah0.50 per kg during summer!

Well, yes, sometimes they do get cheaper, even cheaper than in Malaysia. But they are so much lesser in choices and varieties. For so many years here, I haven't even come across Siew Bak Coi, Choy Sum, Kai Lan, kangkung etc. Not even once.

Oh, how I miss Malaysia's abundance!!!

Guitar : Impossible???

How the hell did this guy get 23,250 and counting of comments??? How did he actually get 5 star ratings like 49,662 times? Don't get it? Watch him in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuU00Q3RhDg&fmt=18

Just don't understand.

YouTube Porn

All the while we have the impression that YouTube doesn't allow "porn". Meaning no private parts/naked scene to be posted. However it is a wrong concept. Yes, indeed it doesn't allow real porno to be uploaded. And I believe that it is good. Then what Porn am I writing about?

YouTube does allow nudity/naked video. Well, it isn't really a porn video that I am talking about. But it is some videos related to medical or health importance. Try YouTubing for "Breast Examination". And you might get about 1000 useful videos. However it requires you to confirm your birth date by signing in.



How did I stumble upon these "naked" videos? Haha, I am looking for porn!!! No, just kidding. Was having Oncology cycle at the end of the semester and one of the hometask was about breast cancer. So was doing some search on breast examination that might save life.



Thank you YouTube!

5th Year State Exams = 5 Subjectzzz

Oh, DARN!!! Exams is like 9 days away. And I haven't even cover a subject yet. OMG!!! 5 BIG subjects, my percentage of Preparations is not even like 5%. So what will happen? Soon, you will see me...

~ Praying,
~ Holding tight to Jesus' legs,
~ Holding a book when I am asleep,
~ Having specs while deeply asleep,
~ Switched on the desk lamp whole night long,
~ Cooking in the mid of the night/dawn,
~ Eating and gaining...wait for it (as Barney Stinson said)...wait for it...not knowledge --- but WEIGHT!
~ Sit sleeping with open books on the desk (tough skill, take years to master it)

Also you can see ...

~ Mug with traces of coffee (no effect on me, still fall asleep) or chocolate?
~ Chocolate bar on the desk (or maybe chips)
~ Rosary in hand
~ Teardrops (somewhere...)

But still SLEEPING... :(

Now the schedule for end semester exam of 5th year course:
9th June - Therapy
13th June - Surgery
17th June - Paediatrics
21st June - Infectious Disease
26th June - Social Medicine

Tight schedule, as each is a BIG and IMPORTANT subject. And yet, I am still blogging here. Ooooops!

FaceBook

How feverish are you about FaceBook (FB)? Yeah! FACEBOOK!!! Friendster is like kinda out-dated d.

How long a day do you spend on FB? Don't lie to yourself, hehe. Exactly how many hours? How long do you spend time reading your classmates' status, looking at your friends' photos, poking your university mates, writing on your sibling's wall...

Is it the first page that you would sign in, besides ... maybe ... your e-mails? Do you actually visit FB and post notes more than you actually chat with your parents? Do you actually play PetSociety more than you actually flip your books? Do you enjoy doing those quizzzzz more than scratching your head solving some Mathematics equation??? Or maybe Restaurant War is better than your dinner? Or perhaps much better than your breakfast???

But none is more feverish than me to even search for "FaceBook Song" on YouTube (yet another fever *sigh*). You see, the thing is when I am using other webpages, I have still somehow connected myself with FaceBook, shows that I am "sick"...severely...

And I really wonder how and why I get so addicted to FaceBook...Since when...? But I noticed...finally...at least...

And I am glad I found this interesting clip on YouTube. AGAIN it's about FaceBook. And I hope that I would be reminding myself again and again each time my addiction starts......

OMG!!! I am just opening a new tab for FB just to change my status!!!

Conquering The World!!!

I wonder how long will it take me to fill up the map with reds. Not very accurately displaying the parts of the world that I have visited. Because some of the countries I reddened was just a small town / capital that I have visited, not necessarily the whole country. But would definitely love to continue colouring it red. And if I am able to step foot into Russia, China, USA... I think I would have drastically increased the percentage of world soil I have stepped into , isn't that cool?

So, join me in creating your own visited map of The World at http://douweosinga.com/projects/visited And let's see how many parts of the world you have conquered!

visited 18 states (8%)

No Boundaries (Lyrics)

The finalists of American Idol Season 8 sang a newly composed song --- No Boundaries. Each bringing a different style and sensation. Enjoy the clips embedded and feel free to voice out which version do you prefer.

Also enclosed is the lyrics which I find encouraging and meaningful. Never give up and go for your dreamz!

Kris Allen's Version

Seconds hours so many days

You know what you want but how long can you wait

Every moment last forever

Then you feel you’ve lost your way

And what if my chances are already gone

I started believing that I could be wrong

But you gave me one good reason

To fight and never walk away

So here I am — still holding on!

With every step you climb another mountain

Every breathe it's harder to believe

You’ll make it through the pain

Weather the hurricanes

To get to that one thing

Just when you think the road is going nowhere

Just when you almost gave up on your dreams

Then take it by the hand and show you that you can

There are no boundaries

There are no boundaries

I've fought 'til the limit to stand on the edge

What if today is as good as it gets

Don’t know where the future’s heading

But nothing's gonna bring me down

I've jumped every bridge

I've run every line

I've risked being safe

I always knew why

I always knew why

So here I am still holding on

With every step you climb another mountain

Every breathe its harder to believe

You’ll make it through the pain

Weather the hurricanes

To get to that one thing

Just when you think the road is going nowhere

Just when you almost gave up on your dreams

Then take it by the hand and show you that you can

You can go higher

You can go deeper

There are no boundaries

Above and beneath you

Break every rule coz

There’s nothing between you and your dreams

With every step you climb another mountain

Every breathe its harder to believe

You’ll make it through the pain

Weather the hurricanes

To get to that one thing

Just when you think the road is going nowhere

Just when you almost gave up everything

Then take it by the hand and show you that you can

There are no boundaries

There are no boundaries

There are no boundaries

There are no boundaries

There are no boundaries

Adam Lambert's Version

The Coach Way

Survivor Tocantis is EXCITING!!! Very interesting, very fascinating! One of the best season for me --- Survivor Tocantis definitely owes credits to the Coach who brought us endless stories, philosophies and quotes. He is indeed intelligent with good memories and unique personality that leaves viewers in awe. Honestly, I feel that, without Coach, this season of survivor won't be as interesting and captivating.

I personally don't like him, and would totally hate to see him win USD 1,000,000 and being the sole survivor. But I definitely love his existance in this season of survivor, adding the extra spices to it, besides the normal sugar, salt and pepper by "The Coach Way".

His fascinating adventures of the Indians, in the Amazon, several encounters of Life & Death situations, conductor...Who else has such incredible life than he has? I mean, I wanted to believe, but I just couldn't because he has this habit of exaggerating. Try searching on YouTube, and you will see that after he was voted out, the medical team told him that he had lost weight from 180 pounds to 149 pounds. Yet, in his interview, he said he lost weight from 205 pounds to 149 pounds. He just simply need to extend the limits a little.

His way of manipulating people and strategies is simply entertaining and the funniest part is when he actually lost the immunity challege to J.T and still wanted to "act" (well, he may not be acting, but he definitely looks like one) sick. If he really did suffered that much, just get the medical team. Come on!

He is so pathetic and such a loner. Other survivors bringing in families, friends, their loved ones during the touching moments of gathering. He brought in his beloved assistant coach. Well, that only reminds me of Randy of Survivor Gabon who had no one to bring except 5 strangers he met on the street for the Survivor Gabon : Reunion.

Seeing him on Exile Island doesn't make me feel sorry for him. Yes, a lot of people think that Erinne is rubbing salt in his wound. Instead, I feel that Coach is the one to have rubbed salt in wounds of those who spents their days n Exile Islands. But, let's face it, if he has encountered so much of adventurous and life & death situations, this would just be a piece of cake for him.

I really believe (like those other survivors had thought of him) that he is living in his own world of Reality & Fantasies. I am looking forward to watching this Sunday's Survivor Finale and Reunion, Coach's Questions for the finalists and his answering during the Reunion. Simply just cant's wait for it...

Live Feed Jit

Just had the Live Feed Jit on my blog yesterday 4th May 2009. I find Live Feed Jit gadget rather interesting. Interesting because it provides me the answers of my curiosity :

I am always curious to see who is interested in reading in my boring pieces of work,
I am always curious from where my readers originated from,
I am always curious in knowing how they stumble upon this worthless site,
I am always curious in the counters of 2500 visitors (as of 5th May 2009, though I think perhaps at least 500 of it is my own visits hehehe)

And there I saw :

Readers looking for --- Take Away Pasta in Brugge
Readers looking for --- Voip Calls
Readers looking for --- most wanted jobs
etc etc

And there I saw readers from Belgium, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA etc etc

Hmm, I am glad glad glad...

I think that's all for now, time for bath!!! Till next time. Happy reading!

* This is written to burn time while waiting the bathroom to be free...*

~~ BiRtHdAy ~~

I like to have birthday in Ukraine. It's a public holiday. Which holiday am not sure, but it is a holiday. I am satisfied with that alone.

My 2009 birthday has been splendid. Lots of unexpected and expected. Not that the past weren't splendid. Just that this year is different.

In the past years, due to a stretch of long holidays, especially when they were continuous with Saturday and Sunday, we normally find some where to visit --- Kiev, Odessa etc etc. This year again, was a stretch from Thursday night till Monday. Yippie! Yet this year have decided to stay back in the room, and keep the seasides for the Summer.

Usually we choose to surprise the Birthday Guy with celebrations. But mine this year was told everything straight to the face. I even have choices. Maybe they know that I am fussy enough, :P

My groupmates held a pre-birthday lunch, thankz to the CSMU Conference Day. Was satisfied with the ambience of the Cafe (Cafe Park Platan). But the food that day wasn't as splendid, I think the chef on duty that afternoon was of a lower level of the chef at night. Too bad. For those who participated in the lunch, do pay a second visit to the Cafe for dinner, you will be satisfied and understand why people recommend the Cafe so much.

I was given a choice for the flavour of the cake, chose Coffee. And for that week alone, I had not one but THREE coffee cakes. And for the first time (as of 2009), I have so many cakes for one bithday --- 6!!! A coffee cheese cake (Justin) and pineapple upside down (Oo) for the pre-lunch. Then a coffee cake by AnnFeng, an orange cake by YanLee, a coffee spongy cake (DuPing) and carrot cake (SuEe and See Jie).

Then on Birth Day itself, was a "surprise" dinner. This was supposed to be a surprise, but I have come to know by accident, one by one the involved happened to accidently talk about. And I then come to know half of the programme hahaha. But, was great. The food, the people, the game. And what was more of a blessing, I saw some friends whom I have never expected. And yes indeed, I am touched!

The last surprise I got was the Orange Cake at about midnight, with a bunch of friends whom again I never expect. Was yet again touched.

This year's birthday has awakened me even more to appreciate more and complain lesser. And hopefully I will remember that and change to the better. I mean we always know this theory but actions is much harder to be carried out, isn't it?

Birthday isn't a great day for celebration alone. Birthday is a day of blessing in disguise because you have gone through the year and have a new one to experience, and many years to come. It is not about cakes alone but about the friendships that we have after going through the thick and thins. It is not about the food but the sincerity that has been put into growing the tree of friendship. It isn't about presents, but it is about how fortunate we are to have the abundance that many don't even have a chance to lay a hand upon (the gifts, the friendship, family, shelter, health, happiness, safety ... ...)

Communication Between You & God

You say: 'It's impossible'
God says: All things are possible

You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you

You say: 'I can't go on'
God says: My grace is sufficient

You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps

You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able

You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it

You say: 'I can't forgive myself'
God says: I Forgive you

You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs

You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom

You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

Top 100s

Follow the links below, and discover something that may be familiar......

1. ) 10 Top 10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_10_Top_10

2. ) Top 10 Animations

http://www.afi.com/10top10/animation.html

3. ) Top 100 Heroes and Villains

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Heroes_and_Villains

4. ) Top 100 Movies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Movies

5. ) Top 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Editions)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Movies_(10th_Anniversary_Edition)

6. ) Top 100 Movie Quotes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Movie_Quotes

7. ) Top 100 Laughs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Laughs

8. ) Top 100 Cheers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Cheers

9. ) Top 100 Passions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Passions

10. ) Top 100 Thrills

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Thrills

11. ) Top 100 Film Scores

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years_of_Film_Scores

12. ) Top 100 Musicals

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years_of_Musicals

13. ) Top 100 Songs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Songs

So have you seen / listen them all? Or just like me "Nope, some I don't even know existed." ?

Thanks to WikiPedia, I have learn something new again. Yes, again!