First Pay =))) !

Today I received my first pay ever! Yoo Hoo! This is only the beginning. I want to have many more pay days so that I can buy mummy whatever she wants! =DDDD When I was little I always wanted to give all of my first pay to mummy, every single cent. I always imagined handing her a stack of cash on my first pay day. I can't see that dream realised now because if I were to do that, I would lose a lot on the exchange rate, and probably, the process of sending her my meagre pay would cost more than the pay itself =S Next time, when I earn real money, I'll do that for her. Mummy, I love you so much!!!!


Yesterday, I presented some muffins to Khan and Henry. I was so happy to see the way Henry's face lit up! He shook both my hands and told me the muffins were lovely hehe. Khan thanked me too, but he was a bit depressed about a certain person so I couldn't help but feel bad for him. Love hurts, yes it does..

I realize I love using exclamation marks when I'm expressing myself. Hmmmm.. A person reading my blog posts (if there is any to begin with!) might find it an eyesore. Sorry about that but that is pretty much me. hahaha.. I'm a sucker for all things rainbowy and jolly and sweet and cakey and sweety and what not! There you go, another exclamation mark..tee hee ^^

Moist Banana Choc Chips Muffin!!!

I've meant to try baking some muffins for quite some time and was inspired by the Library Cafe's Lemon and Poppy Seed muffin. Since it was a Wednesday today and I had loads of time to kill, I decided to try making that. However, as I was searching online for the perfect recipe, I somehow strayed to banana muffin recipes. I found this most AMAZING recipe from here:
http://curiousfoodie.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/moist-banana-chocolate-chip-muffins-recipe/


And so, I hurried away from college, ran into Sainsbury and started filling my shopping basket with all the ingredients. I was quite delighted to find some riped bananas in the fruits section which proved quite good in the end! hehe! Also, I unwilling to spend slightly more than 5 pounds on the muffin tray and ended up only buying the muffin cases. (0.85p for 75 pieces)

When I came home, I started work straightaway! Sharmie was cooking pasta for lunch at the same time and Kor was up to making some Nutella pancakes so I had much fun having light conversation with them. Kor has been obsessed with egg tarts lately and he lent me some of the aluminium cases for my muffins. Thank Goodness!! Or else, they would have gone out of shape. (I finally realised the importance of a muffin tray! haha..but am thankful I didn't buy one anyway because Kor had loads of the aluminium cases)

The muffins came out heavenly!!! Some modifications I did to the recipe was use 1 1/2 large eggs instead of 2 small eggs and I added about 2/3 more tablespoons of sugar into the batter. Other than that, I followed the recipe almost by LAW and they turned out HEAVENLY!!!!

To Remember

JPS, Benson and Hedges, Malboro, Pall Mall, Mayfair, Dunhill; Drum. Oh dear..I can't remember the rest. Will add them up once I do.

Work Experiences

I missed out on a few interesting things that happened at work yesterday because I was too busy with my matlab report. One of the things that happened was a customer came up and asked me for Durex. I gave it to him professionally but he was a bit sheepish (an adult man). Since there were a lot of customers in line, I couldn't really stop to appreciate how bizarre the situation was for me, especially since it was my first day at work. A good thing was I knew what he wanted to purchase. Imagine the embarassment if I asked aloud and scrambled over the shelves looking for what he wanted. A little knowledge goes a long way I suppose. I was quite amused by the experience. Never imagined myself doing that. Anyway, I sold tonnes of cigarettes, filter paper, matches, lighters etc. Whoa.. little Lucy selling all that. Bizarre indeed...very bizarre.

Today I co-worked with two other people. At 12 I partnered with this Singaporean guy. Although I seriously preferred standing, he never offered his chair to me until after about an hour or so. Stark contrast when I remember how Khan offered me his chair immediately after I started work for about 3-5 minutes. I guess a friend's comment that Singaporean boys are not gentlemanly could be true to a certain extent. I missed Khan lots today. The Singaporean guy was nice to work with, but a certain warm feeling wasn't there today.

I felt happy because I made Henry (store manager) smile today! When he came during his break to purchase a flapjack, I commented that he always had exact change! And he was so happy! His face brightened and he asked, "How do you know that?!", "Thank you for knowing more about me". I felt like hugging him. He's like a daddy =))

In the evening I worked another shift with Amit Khan. He is an experienced staff. Quite a nice, outgoing guy who was slightly amused that I could get some of the cigarettes pretty fast when customers ask for them. He's the cool type and it was a pleasure getting to know him. I hope he joins our AIESEC programme for real! He'll enjoy it no doubt.

Well, that's it for working today. I miss Henry and Khan a lot! I think they trained me well on my first day. It was the best first day experience ever ever ever!!

Childhood Dream Realized

Today was my first day as a part-timer at the Union Shop of ICU. I met Sue first who got me my codes and my shirt (awesome, I loved it!), then she turned me in to Henry, an absolutely charming shop manager who guided me for my first time at the till. I also worked with Khan today. He was very friendly, helpful and talkative I liked him so so much! Great new acquaintance he was! I already know he's madly in love with a pHd student in my department and when he told me he baked her a Christmas cake, I was very very impressed. Hope she texts him back tonight, he's in anguish as she's not responded to any of his texts this morning. Perhaps she was shocked with the cake yesterday. I thouroughly enjoyed the new experience though I was a bit slow at picking up on things at times. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to realize my childhood dream as a cashier and for giving me this part-time job so that I can gain more experiece besides earning a little pocket money.

A tag for all the Literary Geeks out there.

1) What author do you own the most books by?
J.K. Rowling
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables. I have two of each title because mum got me the children’s version and the unabridged ones as well. Guess I’m not to be called a serious book collector yet. =P
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
Prepositions? What’s that? It sounds like a familiar yet distant word to me.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
For a moment, I thought him/her to be Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series but on second thought, I’d say Landon Carter from A Walk to Remember.
4a) What fictional character would you most like to be?
Anne Shirley
4b) What fictional character do you think most resembles you?
Anne Shirley.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
6) What was your favourite book when you were ten years old?
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
This question is really hard to answer because I haven’t read much at all the past year!
8 ) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
Jodi Piccoult’s Change of Heart. Absolutely brilliant!
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
An abridged version of Don Quixote. We all need a laugh.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
Mmm..probably Kiran Desai or Yann Martel. I’m not sure.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Cecilia Ahern’s If You Could See Me Now.
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
Cecilia Ahern’s Thanks For The Memories.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
I dreamt I met Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley at a very old and grand looking staircase, probably at Hogwarts.
14) What is the most lowbrow book you’ve read as an adult?
The Time Traveller’s Wife. Reading it was a torture but I must give credit to the amazing emotion of love I got out of the story, and its phenomenal ending.
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Love by Toni Morisson. I would like to understand this work of hers someday.
16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you’ve seen?
I’ve never seen any.
17) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
Neither.
18) Roth or Updike?
Sad to say, I know neither of them.
19) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Neither.
20) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Shakespeare. To me, he’s more readable than Chaucer. Not sure about Milton though.
21) Austen or Eliot?
Austen!!
22) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
I’ve not read Les Miserables.
23) What is your favorite novel?
To Kill a Mockingbird.
24) Play?
The Importance of Being Earnest.
25) Poem?
I’m not a poem person but I do love Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’.
26) Essay?
None.
27) Short story?
The Canterville Ghost!!!
28) Work of non-fiction?
The Purpose Driven Life.
29) Who is your favorite writer?
J.K Rowling.
30) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Dan Brown.
31) What is your desert island book?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
32) And … what are you reading right now?
Matlab Assignment sheet.

dha;jfh;asoih

I decided to type random letters and symbols into the title instead of just saying 'urgh'!! Life is getting busy and comitments are piling up but despite all of that, I really really feel happy! There are so many reasons to be thankful for. First of all, like yesterday morning, I asked myself the question "What would Jesus do?" when faced with a mini inner-conflict. The fact that I even asked myself that question got me thinking critically about how sometimes, the ultimate actions we undertake matter more than intent. Secondly, I have the greatest sweetheart in the world who takes care of me like no other. Whenever I look at the celestite he gave me on my table, a smile lits up across my chubby face =) =)

These days, I am breaking out of my coccoon. I'm challenging myself to be braver and braver, especially when it comes to communicating with strangers and people I won't usually be comfortable with. I'm also learning how not to be bogged down by dissapointments but to keep thinking positively and trying my best at whatever I do.

MIssing Mom

Today, I had to whip up a concoction of lemon, honey and tea to help me cure my sore throat and cough. Unfortunately, as soon as I drank a few sips of the (cursed?) drink, I launched into a fit of coughs. Ever since I recovered from my childhood asthma, I never coughed this much and this hard before. But I was really thankful to God for letting me cough like that, because in doing so, I am reminded of how mom used to take care of me during my weak childhood. I am not working hard to become somebody in life now because of selfish reasons. It's the last thing I want to do. I am doing this for mom, and dad and my beloved family.

Today, I write a tribute to mom. Some random things which pop up one by one, small little deeds done in extraordinary ways. Mom, the one who cleared my sick all throughout my life. Mom, the one who cycled in the rain to get me a pinafore for my public speaking contest. Mom, who got into an accident while trying to transfer me into another school. Mom, who consoled me when my friend was involved in a tragedy. Mom, who taught me her favourite hymn, 'God is Dwelling in my Heart'. Mom, who brought me to Jesus. Mom, who is never selfish with her hugs. Mom, the disciplinarian, the mentor, the friend, the teacher, the counsellor, the best loved besides God and His Holy Saints. May I bring you sunshine, laughter, happiness and serenity =) I love you, Mom!

Brain Dead to Anything but Food

Just as the title says, that is how I am these days. I experience these temporary yet frequent episodes of a dead brain. I can sit on my chair and let my mind (mind you, my mind, not my brain) wander while my brain stagnates and does nothing. Nothing at all, geez! I look at an equation of a circle and my dead brain does not process it as a circle. As I stare at the words 'transfer function', the gears in my brain stop working and I find myself in a trance, but of course unlike the famous trance depicted in American Beauty. THAT freaked me out! However, when the window to my soul (i.e. my eyes) feasts itself upon a little edible something, anywhere, anytime, my brain starts working, the gears make continuous contact with each other, they keep rolling rolling and rolling and signals are sent to my stomach to RUMBLE!

--"Gosh, wake up already you brain dead creature! You can be receptive only if you really wanted to."--

Anyways, that is how I am these days. Pathetic?. That would seriously be an understatement. Perhaps I should reinvent 'pathetic' into 'some sort of parasite that lives on algae' or anything else to that effect. This reminds me of Julia Robert's dialogue in My Best Friend's Wedding. HAHA.

Oh and by the way, did I mention I lost my voice? It happened just in the snap of my fingers, in 3 blinks of the eye, in a flash of lightning. I was pigging on some tortillas when suddenly, my voice turned all husky and manly. Whoa, so is this the feeling boys feel when their voice breaks? One moment you have your innocent pitch, and the next, you're eligible to sing a sexy duet with Shakira.

--"Next time, no more mexican chilli tortillas when you're having a sore throat you silly girl!!" --

Oh? Did I hear a buzz? Sounded like a mosquito. I'll make a mental note to spray some repellent in my room. ;P

I've been trying all day to cure this pain in my throat. Seriously! I gargled with salt twice, drank loads of water, ate some mint, bought and drank some honey but I guess the ultimate and most up to date thing that passed through my throat countered all those good old granny's remedies: Ice-creeeeaaammm.

So now, I SCREAM with jagged notes. (forgive the pun, I couldn't resist it)

So folks, what can I say now save , "Good bye to you, the usual product of the vibrations of my voice box, I hope to be reunited with you again sometime soon"?

T.T

On Mind Control and Pushing Yourself

Last night, kor kor and I both joined an organisation induction for students who are interested in working or volunteering abroad. The whole session was for 2 hours and it didn't exactly turn out as I thought it would. Firstly, very little was spoken on the subject of work placements abroad. Secondly, it was unexpectedly fun! I had an earlier presumption that it would be a scary session as there was a group assessment at the end of the induction but in the end, I thouroughly enjoyed myself. A very amazing speaker from India was present as a representative alumni of the organization and he managed to inspire in me a feeling I only feel at church or leadership camps. He was a very talented speaker and one thing that stuck to me was a slideshow presentation he showed us of quotes from famous people. I quote the one by Eleanor Roosevelt which appealed the most to me, because I find my weakness exemplified so perfectly by it : "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent". Plus, I found it so relevant to one of my previous posts 'Conquest of the Mind'. There was another quote last night which I would like to share because it was so very consistent with the context of the entire matter, "Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character". Perhaps God is trying to send me a sign with these randomly spot on quotes? Perhaps He's trying to tell me that I ought to be happy all the time, as long as I choose it and surrender to Him.

This morning, I woke up with a partially stiff body, throbbing head and shivers. I debated with myself whether to go for my lecture or not and finally I did. It was indeed a conquest of mind! I am perhaps on the verge of a fever but I spent quite a long time at the university library today stocking up on distillation notes to write my report. I am surprised that I'm quite productive today, because at least, some research is done. =) The awful throbbing in my head has stopped and I'm thinking of going back home now although I still have not recorded the uncertainties in the apparatus I used for my experiment. That can wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day, full of hope, full of lessons to be learnt =) Carpe Diem!

A Bout of Homesickness

I felt a little homesick today at around 6.45pm as I turned in to bed because I couldn't concentrate on my work. I miss hugging mom and following her around the house while helping her with housework and boring her with my stories. But after about a half an hour nap, I was feeling much better. Being happy is a choice. It always is. Only I can choose to be happy and I should never let myself be annoyed by the antics of other people. I have a very low annoyance tolerance. If someone shows how bossy he or she is or just how right they are in every single thing we talk about, I get annoyed but never do show it. Perhaps I'm scared? Or I'm just plain tolerant afterall! =)

I've been getting much more time for myself these days, which is something I've been in want of for almost a year. I realize how much I like being alone. It gives direction and focus to the mind. And I love focus! It keeps me in tune somehow.

For dinner tonight, I cooked a soup with chicken, sweet potatoes, ginger, carrots, and mushrooms. I just used water to boil all of these and walla a tasty dish was produced! No salt, no artificial flavourings. Isn't that healthy? =) And did I mention sometimes, we need space to cook alone too? Then, I'm less influenced by comments from other people or what they are having so that I have what I really want to! Some 'me-space' is definitely a good remedy to a long day at school.

Conquest of the Mind

Phrases can inspire. Words can tickle your mind. Ignorance can cause stagnation of brain matter. I was just reminded again today about the best (but not so easy) way of getting around challenges in life. It's all a matter of ATTITUDE, the way we respond to predicaments, the believe we have in ourselves that we can master an unfavourable situation instead of being a victim of it. We are only victims if we choose to be, never victimize ourselves. These words are so easily sprouted yet to adhere to them, it takes resilience, courage and optimism.

I know I'm a person who always looks at life as a glass half full. It's an unconcious point of view that I choose to take on the so called 'negative' things in life. Well, a problem should actually be viewed as a challenge or a temporary snag which will serve to better ourselves in the long run.

One good thing about me though, is how I'm inspired by words. Today, the phrase 'Conquest of the Mind' has struck me hard. For about a year, I've been agonizing myself by becoming sulky and complaining in the face of hardships. Who is to blame for my problems? Me myself and no others! I do not deserve to parade my annoyance at the expense of other people. Rather, I should smile, put my head up, and brace myself for the hike up any molehill, hill or mountain! CONQUEST OF THE MIND compounded with God's grace, I shall make it through the rain, any rain.

Sunday!

Today was another great Sunday! On my way out to church today, I met two very friendly flat mates also staying at 151. We had a nice chat on the way to church, a divergence from my plan to run to church to work up my metabolism; but nonetheless, I enjoyed talking to them (Audrey and Chun Di)! On the way back, KJ wanted to come see HX so we walked together and no jogging for me today..lol In the evening, I was supposed to go cycling while YH jogged but again, the plan was cancelled because the skies were already dark by 5pm. I guess it's just sit and stand-ups for me today. :p

I was stuck on one PDC question for quite a long time today so I emailed my lecturer Nina. She sent me the most awesome reply and I managed to solve the bugger =) I am ever ever ever so grateful to her! I felt sad because I usually never do try to stay awake in her lectures. She has commanded my respect today! In fact, she reminded me of the importance of staying awake as a sign of respect to the one speaking. I experienced this this week too since I had to present to a whole bunch of sleepy coursemates on a dead scientist =S . I shall try my best to uphold RESPECT for a speaker from now onwards. No excuses sometimes... If I shall have to sleep come what may, I should do it in the less obvious way possible. Humans are sometimes unforgiving. It's only when they do get into the shoes of another person that they learn what it's like to face that person's difficulties and challenges. Even then, the memory of a human being can be like a sieve. We often forget why it's important to be vigilant when it comes to lending an ear to a speaker with humility and eagerness. I hope God will keep me from offending anyone (especially lecturers) by a display of my shortcomings such as uncontrollable fatigue, tiredness or a plain bout of distracted thoughts.

Relevant Thought of the Day

To quote from The Imitation of Christ, a part of a passage I read today:

"The pure, simple and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all in the honour of God. And since he enjoys interior peace, he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction, than uncontrolled desires of the heart?"

Lately, I find myself being distracted by the many things I have to do: work, study, visits to friends, calls to home etc. It's easy to get overwhelmed but this passage offers me solace.

Out in the Chilly Night

Today, I made a graduation card for C.K and went out at 11pm to buy him a gift. Kor decided to follow me because he said he needed to get away from work for awhile. So, we ran out to Sainsbury in shorts. It was so cold! Both of us got our seniors some chocolates which we hope they will like =) Kor got some for Shi Chian and Sze Hwei. He is in hardworking mode now, making them cards, and he even wanted to wrap up all the chocolates a moment ago. Semangat!

Tonight will certainly be one of those good old memories in my upper storage. Running out in the cold with kor, with all the mist, and coming back home with a bag of chocs and joyful moods.

I'm so proud of my senior C.K. He's one of the most helpful people I've met at university, and also the first senior I got to know. He'll definitely be great wherever he is, whatever he's doing!

Frozen Grapes After a Day at School

When I got back to my flat today, I munched on a muffin almost immediately! Oh I do love cakes so much. Next, I swallowed some frozen black/purple grapes. I got the idea of doing this from a dieting book I read back in Malaysia and I can tell you just how great they taste! The texture is akin to that of a fruit sorbet and the fruit tastes much much sweeter. Such is the delight of this low calorie dessert/snack. Everyone should try it!

Today was pretty much a happy day. Although the cold is starting to settle in, (I completely abhor it when it gets to my bones), there are still a great many other things to cheer me up. Cheesecake, friends, and upcoming events sort of motivate me during the day. At least there are things to look forward to even in this mundane life of mine.

Some Points to Ponder

Today, my nephew Seng followed to to church at More House. It was his first time attending a Catholic Mass and I was thrilled to see the spark of enthusiasm in him. He told me last week he's now interested in Christianity and I am trying to assist him and answer any questions he may have regarding the faith.

What made me happy today was all throughout the service, I didn't get the uncomfortable feeling of being afraid that he was bored. I didn't even need to ask him. So I was glad to receive questions from him regarding Dan Brown's novel, Mother Mary, the Eucharist etc. It was indeed a pleasant service which ended with coffee in the bar and a nice chat with Father Geoff. I never knew Father to be addicted to Sudoku! And he sounded totally hillarious when he pronounced it Soo-du-koh ^^

One point I have in mind is that a truly humble and curious person wouldn't mind asking questions pertaining to an entire new subject but as for people with a more decided mind, they often don't show interest in something deemed 'suspicious' with respect to their already established thoughts. I totally understand since a Bahai' once spoke to me about his faith and I was at first a bit apprehensive. However, it's different for me now because now, I don't mind asking people about their believes and hearing them out. I guess intelectual discourse is the way to go. Mum always said that Jesus chose his disciples from amongst fishermen because they were the ones who didn't judge. This does not go to say that Jesus avoided the pharisees because He wasn't up to combating their intellectuality, but rather, He could see that their hearts and minds were closed and he relayed his messages to them by parables and satires instead. When learning new things, be it about religion, politics, science or what not, to be receptive, we have to be willing not to necessarily accept immediately, but to explore first.

Another interesting thing I heard today was when Father mentioned how we must always forgive TOTALLY and UTTERLY. I am no saint and I can come up first and attest to the fact that this requires mammoth effort on my part especially for about 2 persons I've met in this lifetime. How unfair of me! How selfish! Hasn't God already forgiven me all my sins thus far? I say the Our Father everyday but I've lost it's essense along the way. ( "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us") It's time for me to learn again..to pick up the pieces of my life which has gone missing. I thank the Lord for what He has reminded me of today =)

It was a sunny morning today. My heart is filled with joy and plus, I got to jog a bit after church! That made my morning!

My ramblings have come to an end for today. I have cooking and dinner plans with my fabulous cooking group mates later on in the evening (certainly something to look forward to!) and I better get myself busy with whatever I can find.

Ciao!

My First

Ever since I stumbled upon a blog while I was surfing the net 6 years ago, I have been impressed with the idea. Isn't it nice to have a place where your thoughts can be outpoured, used to inspire, and entertain readers? Well, as it is, I'm such a lazy person with a total lack (or fear!) of commitment that I've shunned the idea for some time. Last night however, a good friend of mine casually asked me to start one and I guess I'll just give it a shot. =)

Perhaps I should elaborate on the title of my blog. Well, nothing special, it's just an image that came into my mind at the moment when I was deciding on the name of this blog. The idea of a lightly sunny afternoon in the meadows with a book and a piece of carrot/banana/pandan/fruit etc cake just seems so inviting. I also love writing (or trying to write) and this will be a place for me to vent all that 'writer's-wannabe' angst!

Cheers all!