Reading and Language

Just came back from the library after spending 3 lovely hours browsing through their red spotted books. Saw books on places to see before you die, events of the world since 2000BC, ways to decorate your home and so many other lovely books big and colourful. Brought about these thoughts

• If I don't love books, I will never have read so many things
• If I am not proficient in English, I will never have read those books
• Will those not proficient lose out so much or is it a case of 'what you don't know don't hurt you"
• Will keeping people not informed have any bearings on their life?
• Have all those who wanted BM ever sat and drool over books?
• Is politics, nationalistic feelings a fair exchange for ignorance?
• Finally,should we just close our eyes and say a prayer and God will take care of everything?

I really can't decide.

Oven dishes 2

An idea for vege whenever I serve western. Otherwise it is always salad.

Roasted Vegetables with cheese
Parboil potatoes and carrot till slightly soft

Sauce
olive oil
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves garlic crushed
400 g chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato puree
1 tsp herbs
Simmer till thick

Carrots, potatoes, peppers, eggplants
onions , garlic, salt pepper
Roast on baking sheet with oil for 20 mins

Sauce at bottom, vege topped with cheese. Bake at 230 celcius till cheese melted

From the book Oven Dishes 1

Few ideas I picked from the book

White cheesy sauce for pasta
75 g butter
1/2 cup flour
2 1/2 cup milk
80 g cheese
2 tsp mustard
salt pepper poured over

500 g pasta with
herbs
garlic
olive oil
4 tbsp white wine
45 g sausages
vege
2 tbsp butter
bake till brown

Start of a new label

When I first retired 2 years ago, one of the first things I did was to put the family's documents together systematically . I guess after doing that for the school for so many years, I decided my home should demand the same attention as I had given the Student Affairs Department. I started with an empty room with practically no files, I build up systems of recording and classification. Now it is time my home to be more organised. It paid for in the process I discovered forgotten finance and wrong things that were happening to the house. At present, I can't say it is perfect but at least we remember bills to be paid, where our finances are, and things to note as days go by.
My next passion is cooking. I am no novice cook. As a matter of fact, I laid off the kitchen quite a bit in my many years in the school. I am now picking it up slowly and surely. I cook out of love for those I feed and I like to venture into areas where it is not common. Meaning, I will not make pau or cook laksa for I feel there are plenty that are close by and good. I like to go into food that is not available daily and I like to mix and match ideas as I pick them up in my reading. I have been pondering how to arrange these for the last few months. Truthfully, I couldn't come up with a good way. So this morning as I was walking between rooms upstairs, I decided to just put all I want into this blog and list it as IDEAS. They will consist of short thoughts and plans I want to do in the kitchen. It will evolve as time goes by but what the heck, this is my blog. Good luck to myself Ha ha ha

Thoughts

I haven't written anything for the last 2 weeks. But plenty has been going on in my head.

First it was MJ's death. No, I am not particularly a fan of his though I admire his music and talent but his death did touches me. He is from my era,(2 years younger) and it got u thinking that in death, all is equal. Again not that we never heard of that statement, but his death is a reminder. You can be rich and famoas but at death, it is still sorrow and pain for those who love you and you are just as venerable to it as the next guy.

Next was TBH's death. . Once again, I am not looking at it at a political point but it hits because you realise that age does not matter. When He decides it is time to go, you just go. At 30, he belongs to my children's generation.So you sit down and think about his parents, theirs feelings, their thoughts and the emotions of his fiancee. As a parent one can relate to their pain.

Then I was reading a book (can't remember the title nor the author) that talks about being quiet, taking things slowly, going back to nature, switching off the TV and generally breathing deeply. I noticed that after the era of fighting for a cause, going all the way for your belief, aiming for the best, the trend is now to slow down.Now one talk about money not being everything, taking things easy to have a fullfilled life etc etc.If I am not mistaken, both beliefs came from the west. So what should it be? I personally believe how we approach life depends on our age, our capabilities , our health, priorities amongst other things.There is no right way or wrong way for that matter.It is how we interpret it that makes the difference. Still remember a 'falsafah' lecturer back in varsity that claims that the question for the paper is always the same every year but the arguement and answer should change.

So bottom line is don't let things get you down. There are always sad news, dissappointments, hurting statements and negarive vibes around. That is more reason for us to conciouslly be positive, laugh, smile and push aside those who carries negative energy.

Jerks

When a child is born, his or her first contact is with the parents.(normal cases). As the child grows up , the biggest influence on the character is still is the family. The time spend with the family is of the highest percentage. A child's instinct too is to please the parents so the child will tend to mimic the parents and perform as expected by the parents.
By the time the child attends school, interaction with others is increased. When a teacher observed irregularities, efforts to change to child's character is made. Some times it is successful, sometimes it is not. This will go on as time goes by and we meet with friends and then colleagues and so forth. As time goes by, the efforts to change the person will reduce. People we meet will either accepts you or move away from you when the character is found to be repulsive.
That character will later married(funny but God is fair enough to find a partner for all, even these jerks!) and they will have children and thus the circle goes on.
Along the line, things still gets unpleasant for people whom they come in contact. Is this what they refer to as adding spices to one's life? I look at it as negative vibes that I prefer to stay away from.
At the same time I remind myself to look at the mirror and try harder NOT to be like these jerks.My personal belief is ..... if you have nothing better to say, don't say anything at all. Not forgetting....... if you can't help, at least don't hurt others.
To the jerks that came along my life., I will minimise any interactions with you all.

Hari ini dalam Sejarah

Today I allow my son to take care of me and take me out for a joy ride on the train. We went to Low Yat to do some shopping for computer stuff. Unfortunately, I still need to pay for lunch ha ha ha Otherwise it will be a perfect 'reverse day.' I can still remember the days when I hold his hands to cross the road and how I took him on his first bus ride at 4 years old.Today he learn to take care of me but he still need more lessons. Final assessment .............. pass with credit.
But I doubt he is interested in scoring distinction. Am I right?

Lamenting

Flu, sore throat, bleeding flu, sore throat, bleeding, toothache, bleeding, mini operation, bleeding total weakness,toothache, flu.......................... This has been irritating me since February. (by the way, I didn't go oversea and no contact with anyone with flu so cannot be H1N1)Not forgetting the family problems that has been popping out.When will it end?
Talk to a Christian, he will tell you God is testing you. Can I spread the test timetable out a bit?
Talk to feng shui guy, There must be something not right about your numbers. Phew! Can I ask for time out?
But then, I shouldn't complain.Be positive. Think of good things and beautiful sceneries....... Now I want a holiday! Aiyah!!!