Wednesday, 9 November 2011 @ 6:22 PM
*masterchef?*really?*could've*fooled*me!*
What do u think of Masterchef Malaysia?
Being an avid Masterchef (US) fan, and an all-rounder cooking shows fanatic, like Top Chef, I never set a high standard when it was announced that Masterchef Malaysia will be aired.
It seems I shouldn't have bothered setting a standard at all :(
These are my comments:
1) We do such a crappy job when it comes to reality show. The hosts adalah amat kayu, seolah-olah seperti robot dan tidak menunjukkan passion dalam bidang masakan. Mengeluarkan ayat2 skema dan klise yang amat memualkan. Sangat tidak natural bila berkomunikasi. Even peserta2 jaaauuuuhhh lagi natural dari the hosts.
2) Please fokus on the cooking part. Asyik nak membebel/menasihat/bercakap/fokus kepada peserta sahaja. Luangkanlah masa part2 peserta masak ke, ni dalam 1 jam episod, rasanya 15 minit kut actually cakap pasal makanan. Yang lain BERBUAL!!!!
3) Kenapa episod dia potong2? Elimination episod lain, atau cook-off dengan chef sambung episod lain. Its because of #2: too much talking in between.
4) The challenges itself. Yes, saya sedar masakan kita lain dari westerners dan kita tak perlu pun impressed dgn western cuisines only. Tapi challenges yg diorang bagi adalah sgt tak mencabar kreativiti seseorang tukang masak. Contoh: Hidangan kenduri untuk 100 org kampung yg mesti ada nasi putih, 1 lauk daging, 1 lauk ayam, 2 sayur, 1 dessert + 1 air. Bahan2 yang ada hanya membenarkan diorang masak benda2 tipikal: ayam masak kurma/rendang/kicap/sambal. Normal things! Contoh: Hidangan untuk parti kanak yang mesti ada 1 main dish, 5 finger foods + dessert. Bahan2 adalah limited. Masing2 team buatlah pasta dan burger sempoi yg sgt menyedihkan. Again, bahan2 yang dibekalkan dan challenges amat tidak membenarkan diorang buat masakan yang kreatif. Only tipikal foods! Cuba buat challenges macam transform 1 kuih tradisional kegemaran masing2 kepada version yang modern dan high class, atau masak hidangan menggunakan nenas tapi kena buat full meal la, xleh la buat lauk jek sbb confirm akan ada yang buat masak lemak cili api tambah nenas!!
5) Food demo oleh seorang chef: lempeng kelapa dan kari ikan. Seriously??? Tersedak makcik2 kat kampung tu. Ajar lah something yang boleh buat orang kagum, tak pun ajar benda baru. Lempeng kelapa tu pun aku tgk adalah menyedihkan. Pohon maaf banyak2 tapi please, takkan takde hidangan yang lebih 'wow' dari itu? Again, it doesnt have to be a western cuisine or maybe fussion pun boleh like lasagne with local flavours ke, or pie tapi inti masakan timur ke, why kari ikan? Whyyyyyy?? Bukankah peserta2 ni kena audition baru boleh masuk Masterchef and mesti diorang terpaksa tahan menguap tgk cef tu buat kari ikan. Diorang dah pandai masak cuma bukan cef. Faham? Hhhmmmphh!
So far, saya hanya impress dengan 2 cook-off dgn chef tu: 1 masak salmon, 1 masak beef wellington (oh, mahu cuba).
Sekian pandangan saya.
Monday, 17 October 2011 @ 11:20 AM
*too*cute*
Why the hell does baby stuff has to be so cute? Too cute!!!!! Huh! Even a super-practical person like me needs to control herself (or mildly sedated and distracted by other things at least) so that she:
a) does not end up buying things that she wants, not because the baby actually needs it;
b) justify a reason why the baby needs it when sebenarnya, its for my own vanity and satisfaction; and
c) doesnt loose her sense when it comes to comparing prices. example: cute bottles cost more, just because
of THAT, cute. It still functions the same. Cuter (and more expensive bottles) does not provide magical
powers to provide endless milk (for example).
Thank god so far I have a good list of things to buy and I am obeying the list so far. And I am having so much fun spending money on things for my baby. Finally!!! As I have been holding back buying ANYTHING until I'm 7 months in. So when & months finally rolled in, I have already saved a LOT of cash, a checklist in hand with specific things to buy since I have done extensive research online (poyo).
Saya menggunakan perancangan kawen saya dulu sebagai template: beli benda besar dahulu, yang mahal dulu then baru settle benda2 kecik yang tak perlu survey sangat dan senang dibeli. Ini adalah kerana barang mahal dan besar memerlukan persetujuan saya dan dibelek dengan teliti dan once that is out of the way, senang nak bajet barang2 kecil yang lain. Berbekalkan bonus 2 bulan suami saya, serta beberapa ribu yang telah saya simpan dengan penuh kesabaran, ini adalah kemajuan pembelian barang2 baby saya:
Sudah dibeli:
1) Stroller + car seat carrier (3 wheeled Sweet Cherry in Black/ Turquoise)
2) Chest of drawer for baby cloths @ Ikea
3) Moses basket with all the trimmings
4) Steam Electric Bottle Sterilizer - Tommee Tippee + free 4 bottles (sponsored by Mama) @ Mothercare
5) Medela Electric breast pump + free 2 nursing bra + free nursing poncho + free 6 breast pads
6) Mini mattress + pillow + bantal peluk 2
7) Receiving blankets (maaf, terpengaruh akibat kecomelan)
8) 2-piece rompers and 3-hooded towels @ Mothercare (maaf, also chomel)
9) Lacy modern bengkung for myself
and a few bits and pieces like minyak panas, etc for the overnight bag to the hospital, which I have yet to pack :p
This evening sepatutnya my hubby will stop by at Ikea to buy the crib and diaper changer rack yang baru sampai stock semalam. So, that will be settled. Mattress for the cot have to survey first. Hhhmmmm.... This week will take leave on Thursday and Friday!!! (saje, boleh?) Maka mahu pegi tengok kedai Manjaku di Bangi (yeke? mcm jauh je :p) dan Mothercare @ KLCC for some things. Oh, I love Mothercare. Sudah ada membership, hehehe. Ada kedai baby lain yang sesapa boleh recommend?
Thinking of buying a portable, smaller cot for the downstair room. Ye lah, probably will spend most of my day kat bawah pun. Since the wooden cot will be in my room, better kat bawah pun ada kan, preferably yang boleh tolak tarik and better kalau boleh compact lipat in case nak bawak berjalan later2. Membazir tak kalau beli?
Update on the pregnancy: my boy has been kicking like nobody's business. Cant wait to see him during the check up this Thursday. Harap dapat tgk muka dia lagi :) Pppsssstt, my current weight: almost 55kg. I have piled on almost 10 kg. Hohohohoho. Why do I still sound jolly? Because people still tell me I havent put on weight (except a few haters yang seronok sangat bila tgk aku 'gemuk') (Do I sound like I'm in denial?)
Yang penting I am healthy, happy and still full of energy. My hubby sangat takut bila I start menari2 dengan perut saya ni. Another thing, being pregnant makes me mengaji more, berdoa more and I really just want to be a better person. Lets keep this up even after giving birth ok, Didi?
*happy*
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 @ 10:59 AM
*image*change*
Now, some people may think what I'm a bout to write here is a bit shallow and superficial, but I feel like its something that I would like to share. Sometimes we'd like to think that we are intelligent enough to know that physical appearance are just skin deep and does not define who you are, but hey, we all have different levels of insecurities when it comes to our looks. Its not because we dont appreciate God's gift; its because we're only human.
All my life, my physical appearance has been defined as 'kecik, putih, comel/lawa'. I am not praising myself here. I know growing up, I can make a guy's head turn for a second look and I always have guys wanting me. Please, I am not trying to be obnoxious but this will lead to why I feel like I need to post this.
So I know that I am attractive. I am confident. Although my confidence actually comes from inside meaning personality-wise, I'm at ease with myself. But of course, your looks is what people see and judge first. Guys want to know me BECAUSE of my looks. Of course, once they gotten to know me, they would love me even MORE. Hahahahaha. Apakah motif post ini sebenarnya?
Motifnya: Even when I gotten myself married, guys still look at me the same way; strangers laaa. Orang yang dah tau aku dah kawen tak la. Because even when I'm married, orang tak tau lah aku dah kawen, so still head turns. And I am so used to it. I have received that kind of attention from guys dari zaman awal remaja.
Now that I'm pregnant, the attention dissapears. Suddenly, because of the bulging tummy, I am not someone worth of second glance, and I dont make head turns anymore. I am not sad and I dont grieve the loss of attention, but I havent gotten used to it. Believe me, I wouldnt trade my pregnancy for ANYTHING, but I guess when you have been defined by your looks all your life, you feel like you have lost your touch. Yeah, yeah, it sounds completely silly but thats what I'm feeling right now. I am proud to be married and happy that I'm pregnant, but being 'invisible' need some getting used to.
I feel like I havent changed, but people are looking at me differently. hehehe
Silly right?
Monday, 26 September 2011 @ 10:53 AM
*hello*3rd*trimester*
Q: Why havent you updated your blog for a long time? Why dont you fill us in what happened on your 2nd trimester?
A: Laziness is what happened!! After a 1st trimester of barfing, my second trimester went surprisingly well. Just my luck though, once my barfing period stops, along comes Ramadhan. So I didnt get to practice my appetite to the fullest until Raya.
Q: How was your Ramadhan? Did you manage to fast?
A: I didnt force myself just for the sake of malas nak ganti later on. I missed on 5 days of fasting, and that was because I threw up. Mostly because masuk angin and perut kosong. Not because I was still nauseous. So that was my limit: once I throw up, it was eating time. Sometimes too eagerly pulak, hahaha. Bila muntah, 'YES!!!!!!! Boleh buka puasa!!' haha keji tak? Takde lah, selagi larat memang nak puasa. Tapi kena ada alasan lah kalau nak berbuka pun kan. Kalau dah start lapar sikit berbuka, memang 1 bulan laa aku miss. But even during buka puasa, I didnt eat that much. Thats why I lost weight during fasting :(
Q: Have you found out the sex yet?
A: Sex? Whose sex? What sex? We shall not talk about this here!!!!
Q: THE BABY!!!!
A: Laaaa...Lain kali kasi clear sikit. My OTO is a boy!!!!!! Alhamdulillah..... I secretly wanted a boy for my firstborn although of course it didnt really matter as long as the baby is healthy. I have always wanted an abang growing up and sangat jeles dengan kawan2 yang ada abang. Ini disebabkan (kononnya) abang boleh protect adik pompuan. Lagi2 kalau abang tu hensem, maka kawan2 dia pun hensem maka adik pompuan akan menjadi perhatian kawan2 abang yang hensem dan kawan2 pompuan semua nak berkawan sebab mempunyai abang yg hensem. Hahahaha. Alasan yang sangat vain dan shallow :p Lagi satu, since he will be the abang in the family, dapatlah ajar at an early age how to be the man in the family, bukan nyorok dan suruh kakak dia yang buat semua (seperti aku). huhu.
Q: Is the little one active?
A: Ho yesss... There are times when he kicks like he's trying to get out! But I really love feeling every single movements and kicks and I miss it when he's quiet :) I also like to talk to him about mundane stuff, you know, telling him about my day, how I cant wait to see him, how I hope he will come out safely and how I want whats best for him :)
Q: Did you still manage to make your yearly Raya cookies?
A: Yup! Me and my partner-in-baking, Yantie, managed to make 5 cookies and 1 cheesecake! There was supposed to be 6 cookies but the damn recipe was a complete failure. We made semprit for the 1st time with much sucess and oat cinnamon cookies which are delicious and will be making them not only for Raya. Although baking is tiring, but its therapeutic for me and I guess the satisfaction of baking something from scratch which actually tastes better than those sold out there is priceless :)
Q: Hows your wardrobe scenario?
A: Oh, this is a sad subject :( Most of my baju kurung cannot be worn at all, but I stll wear them, wonky kain and all!!! Hahaha, selekeh sikit kut :p I havent bought maternity clothes, just pants as obviously, my normal pants dont fit anymore. I'm beginning to buy dresses, that I can wear with long cardigans or shawls. Maternity clothes are so frumpy, fashionless and most of all, EXPENSIVE!!!! Why? Eeeuughhh.... And since my house clothes consists of 70% of baby tees, I still wear them even though they barely covers my (popped out) belly-button. Chomel tak? :p For Raya, I managed to find caftan for kids size XXL that I could wear. I bought 2, one in yellow, one in pink. And also a caftan I bought online, which I havent worn yet because its still a bit big (since its adult size). See, I'm not an adult yet, I'm tellin' yaa
Q: Are you ready? Mentally, financially, things for the baby?
A: Financially, ready or not you really dont have a choice la kan but alhamdulillah, I think we've been good with saving our money. Mentally, hhhmm....really cant say. I mean, I cant wait to experience it. Of course I'm scared but giving birth would be a beautiful thing. Something as big and as precious as baby must come with a big price and sacrifice, right? As for things for the baby, will start buying this week. Havent bought a thing yet; but have set my eyes on a couple of things. I am not planning on making a nursery for the baby, just some room in our master bedroom as its not really practical. And I'm sure I want him by my side as much as possible anyway :)
2 months + to go. Cant wait to see you, my baby boy :)
Monday, 15 August 2011 @ 2:28 PM
*socially*handicapped*
I think I'm a friendly person. During my teenage years, I would actually think I was toooo friendly *winks*. Anyway, but even though I am friendly by nature, I dont associate with much people. I have a close knit of close friends. I find having too much friends is exhausting. Like you have to give attention, because, if not, then they're not really friends. When I have friends, I go all the way for them, no meeting halfway. But there's no such thing as too many acquaintances. Ye lah, orang yang kita kenal tapi xde la berkawan sangat.
What I'm trying to get at actually is how all the social networks now popping up like mushrooms to connect to all the people we already know, but those complete strangers that we think we want to know. I never went through the YM/chatting phase that most people went through during high school and uni. I didnt care much for it. I didnt even have a Friendster's account. Hohoho. Memang time tu macam katak bawah tempurung kut with all the hype on chatting and Friendster, budak2 sibuk lepak kat cyber cafe, but I just didnt find it appealing. Kawan2 yang kenal dalam realiti pun tak berkesempatan aku nak betul2 spend time, tak payah la nak buat kawan online dan secara maya di mana semua orang boleh je tipu sana sini. Seriously, esp time uni, tak sampai 10 org je kut kawan aku. Kategori kawan di sini maksudnya aku lepak dgn dia di luar waktu kelas, bukan sbb belajar tapi sbb aku memang suka lepak dgn dia.
Then came Facebook. When everyone masih dgn Friendster, I slowly became aware of FB. And the only reason I actually register was because my schoolmates from the UK were trying to get in touch with me. So, the 1st year as a FB member, all my friends only consists of my friends from the UK. Tapi bila FB sudah tersebar luas, eksyen pulak kang kalau tak approve kawan sendiri kan? hahaha. So, itulah sebabnya saya ada account FB. Itu pun saya approve orang saya kenal je. Bukan dengan tujuan untuk berkenalan dgn sesapa.
Now, come real-time social networks like Twitter. Oh tidaaakkkk.. I can never sign up as to me, if you have an account but you dont actually use it, meaning updating constantly and stalking everyone in the universe, then whats the whole point? Even though I boleh je push email kat hp or play FB on my phone and updating it on the go but I feel like its a ball of chain. Saya rasa rimas. Saya tak suka nak tau updates semua orang. Bila free je, bukak and update here & there. I can go for a week without FB pun, tapi kalau my hubby, 1 hari tak dapat log in, menggigil kut :p hahahahaha
So, yeah. Thats my take on social network. I dont care much for it.I really hate when I see a family out for dinner yet they are not talking to each other but focus on each other's handphones. Its pretty sad.
Only my family & real friends deserve my undivided, diligent attention :)
Friday, 12 August 2011 @ 9:40 AM
*Ramadhan*Review*
Hari ni dah hari ke-12 Ramadhan.
So far, saya dah terpaksa tinggal 4 hari puasa sebab muntah. Itu adalah penentu sama ada saya puasa atau tidak. Once muntah, saya terus berbuka sebab muntah masuk angin sampai asid perut kuning keluar adalah sangat menyakitkan ye?
Tapi, alhamdulillah, dah nak masuk 6 bulan ni, things do get easier. I feel so much better. Mood sudah baik. Perut semakin besar. Adalah rasa penat sikit and tulang pinggang sengal sikit, tapi so far, its bearable. Alhamdulillah juga, hampir hari2 saya masak untuk berbuka dan sahur. Lagi sedap kut walaupun sesimple mana. Pasar Ramadhan sekali je cecah kaki. Makan kat luar pun, sekali kat TGIF. Yang lain, sume kat rumah. Kadang2 rasa kagum pulak, sampai rumah boleh masak lagi. Because my hubby pun sampai rumah nak dekat 7pm so xnak la dia jugak kena fikir makan apa. Paling best bila mama datang tido rumah, dia masak asam pedas, sambal udang petai, ayam goreng berempah & sayur goreng. Huhuhu. Sgt sedaappp!!
My hubby bukan jenis yg bersahur tapi oleh kerana bagi menggalakkan isteri dia untuk bersahur properly, kenalah dia bangun dan tolong kan? Sahur makan nasi dgn lauk simple je. Sambal ikan bilis, telur goreng, salad ke. Dengan serunding ke. Kalau ada lauk lebih berbuka, lagi senang lah, kalau x kena masak lain. Cuma rasa bulan puasa ni kurang makan buah laaa. kalau tak tu, memang asyik makan buah jeee...
So far, I havent put on much weight. Tak la risau sangat tapi 50 kg pun x sampai lagi ok?? Tiap2 bulan naik 300gm, 200gm. Ceh! Padahal tgk perut, makin membesar. Kat mana berat tu menyorok? Sekarang my weight is 49.4kg!!!! Come on, genap kan 50 kg bulan ni!!!!!
Projek tahunan membuat kuih raya sendiri diteruskan seperti biasa dengan partner baking saya, Yantie. Dah selesai buat Mazola, yum!!!! Saya suka baking dgn Yantie because dia organized like me dan when it comes to baking, she means business and no hanky panky yang boleh melambatkan habis. Last Friday start buat biskut around 10.30pm and finish around 2.30am. Letih tapi puas. Org lain sume dah tido, tinggal aku dgn dia. By 2.00am dah siap basuh, lap meja, sapu lantai, tinggal tunggu 1 batch lagi dlm oven je. So kami adalah sangat efficient (puji diri sendiri :p). Anyway, mlm ni buat makmur pulak. Next week buat 2 jenis kut choc chips and oat raisins cookies. Oh sukeeee!!! *claps*
Satu perkara yang put off, adalah baju raya. Huh, saya mau cari kaftan2 yang chantek tapi malas nak fikir. Sbb sebelum ni saya tak pernah beli baju siap utk Raya tapi tahun ni cam malas pulak. Tapi nanti tgk org lain melawa, menyesal pulak. Huhuhu.
Rezeki baby dan bulan puasa, akan dapat separuh bulan bonus, alhamdulillah. My hubby pulak dapat 2 bulan bonus!!!! Weeeeeee!!!! Simpan utk barang baby nanti :) Lepas Raya nanti baru start beli kut, tapi dah survey la sikit2.
Raya tahun ni, both my brothers from India (Bajin) and Germany (Bamin) akan balik, maka tak sabar nak tgk diorang dan bergossip. Balik Kedah tahun ni!!! Hurrah!!!!
Semalam buat check up. Scan. Dah nampak telur ;)
Until my next post, selamat beribadat!!!!
p.s: Terasa tak macam cara saya post entry ni cam budak baik? ke aku terperasan. hahahoho
Monday, 8 August 2011 @ 4:41 PM
*lets*get*wet*
I like moisturizers.
All kinds; for hair, for skin, for everything in between.
I have dry skin. And dry hair.
So moisturize is key for me.
My routine every morning and night goes like this:
1) Run through a few pumps of L'Oreal Elseve hair serum through my, erm, obviously, hair. Mesti mula dgn rambut because its the oiliest & body lotion on hair just aint cute.
2) Moisturize muka dengan sama ada Body Shop Vitamin E SPF 15 Moisturizer in the morning or Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream at night. Before that, sapu dulu skin serum supaya kulit dapat serap pelembap yang disapu (katanya).
3) Kemudian saya sapu pula Palmer's Cocoa Butter Oil di perut saya yang sedang membesar dgn begitu tegangnya bagi mengelakkan stretch marks mengganas menjelma.
4) Then, disapu both lengan dan kaki (ye la both, takkan sebelah je kan? :p) dengan Vaseline lotion. Ini memang tradisi utk berapa tahun ntah dah tak ingat. Dah pernah try lotion lain bila boring, Nivea lah, St. Ives lah. Tapi mesti berpatah balik kepada Vaseline. Ianya terbaik untuk kulit saya. Oh, dan Johnson&Johnson pun okay.
5) 2nd last, sapu Ellgy di tumit kaki. Ini amat kritikal kerana kulit kaki saya senang kering dan pecah. Kalau 2-3 hari lupa, dah macam kematu tapak kaki. Huhu.
6) Lastly, Vaseline hand and nail lotion. Lotion last yang paling wangi :)
Dulu rajin jugak sapu eye cream, tapi oleh sebab mahal dan tak nampak pun hasilnya, jadi setelah beberapa tiub, lupakan lah saje. Lagipun concealer kan ada....
Begitula routine saya setiap malam. Siang bukan semua steps saya buat tapi malam adalah MESTI. Walaupun separuh mamai, akan kugagahkan jua.....
Alhamdulillah, so far takde lah dalam mamai sapu lotion kaki kat rambut. Hoho :p