Warzone

Note: Taking a 15 minute breather.

Armed with a camera phone + mobile blogging feature. What does one do?

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Dear all,

Welcome to my 'playground'! 23 more days, dear; 23 more days!!!!

-LV-

Wishlist: Holiday Destination No. 101

Pandan Beach, Lundu; Sarawak

(the next best thing after South Africa)

Shall I hop over after 'Operation Free Labour' in Sabah? *Tempted*

Darn, TY surely knows how to pull the right strings (with just the right amount of tension), to get my 'travel-bug' moving!

Well, I can choose my friends, ji-muis, boyfriend and enemies. But, I can't choose my brother, can I?

-LV-

"X" Marks the Spot

Encroachment into MY land, MY territory. And the battle for custody officially begins! Mark and measure your boundaries properly, mate! I bite!

And I repeat, I bite!!!

-LV-

IW June 08

Note: Pictures reproduced with kind permission from BJ Eng

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And there goes another IW (Introduction Weekend), where prospective members are recruited and 'brainwashed' into the Raleigh scheme of things. (Disclaimer: Just kidding)

Like birthdays in the jungle, for instance.

(btw the actual age is 3candles x 10. Oh well, almost :P)

Anyway, we had a 3 day 2 night camp (AT AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION), so to speak, to introduce Raleigh to interested participants; who we are, what we do and more importantly to expose participants to what life is/will be like on Expedition.

Yup, unsuspecting participants will be bundled up into a bus like blind-folded mice and carted off to the middle of no where for 3 days, 2 nights.

Now, to the dear parents out there, aren't you worried??? Your kids will be with a 'cult' and incommunicado for 3 days 2 nights, and they come back a changed person!!! Omigosh!!!! How tragic!!! I can imagine the worried looks of those parents whose kids are nicely wrapped in cotton wool to prevent cracks and then cling-wrapped to prevent water from seeping in ala Gore-Tex. *oops... me and my big bad mouth again!*

That's how life in expedition will be. I won't know whether I'll be doing the gravity water-feed system, the hostel, the kindergarten or the eco-lodge until I report for duty aka slavery at Kota Kinabalu base-camp on 28th July. Heh.. but thankfully, mum and dad has set me free since time in memorial.

So yup, so long as I come back in one piece, I can climb the highest mountains, trek in absolute wilderness, eat lizards, bathe with elephants, work in Latin America, do an internship in Indonesia... it's fine... Don't think they'll fancy the idea of me marrying a Jipungu (fictional tribe) warrior and live in mud huts though...

Anyway, back to the topic...

Yup, that's a birthday cake for 'Langkawi Shopping Centre'; Raleigh style...

I haven't been on an IW (yet). Have always intended to attend one since I was 17 (yes, no joke). But, plans have always been aborted last minute. Yup, no one to blame but myself; as all talk no action translates to nothing!

However, I'm glad to have been able to help out during the past 2 IWs (as a keh-leh-feh staff holding a miniature, tiny and forgettable supporting role); as the registrar for both December and the recent June IWs. With my busy schedule and my inexperience with the ways of Raleigh, that's how I could contribute, at the very least.

Staff briefing by Vincent aka the slave-driver for the weekend

The registrar's job wasn't rocket science (how difficult can it be to answer phone calls and to reply emails?), but it's great fun. I'm glad I took time out to work on these 2 IWs.

And as reward for our efforts, we got a bottle of water each. *yay*

I'll be freed from the clutches of See-Elle-Pee on 23rd July and will be off on Expedition on 28th July, and beyond that I endeavour to participate/contribute or simply be present at the next IW.

This is an undertaking that I hope to be able to fulfil in the near future...

-LV-

Fat Loading Session

Chocolate Brownie + Vanilla Ice-cream; made by yours truly. Need I say more?

-LV-

Akibat Kerakusan Manusia

It's hard to find the exact words to explain how I feel. And, I'm actually unsure of why I feel this way.

They say, pictures speak a thousand words.

I have been wondering...

Why am I feeling the way I do?

1. Am I reluctant to accept change and what some would consider a small price to pay for the development of 31900?

Yeah, with Universities and Colleges around, plus a Tesco. We seem to be a (possibly) booming township. Small thing for the city-folks out there, but a big thing for a former-mining town which has been rather quiet and 'dead' for the past few decades since all the Yap Ah Loy's left in search for a better living in the cities.

2. Or, is it because I'm a tree-hugger who detests such rampant deforestation?

I'm not the biggest tree-hugger in Malaysia. But I try to do my bit at times. I really hate the sight of forests being cleared away for development. (Case in point, the housing project behind SC's place.) And I do detest the 'bombing' of limestone hills to some extent. But then, living in a state where all car number plates begin with "A", I guess it's something I'll have to live with. It's our source of income.

3. Perhaps, I'm selfish?

For 25 years, I've been happy and content with living in a rather sedate neighbourhood in 31900. Limited traffic (but for TJL residents), away from the hustle and bustle of the town... And the ocassional sight of kingfishers, monkeys, squirrels and dragonflies. There USED TO BE rare sightings of Rajah Brookes too!

So, am I reluctant to accept change and the need for it? Am I irritated as what used to be a corner lot is not longer as 'corner' and has less privacy than before?

I'm annoyed. (I must admit - Sorry KH for the constant complaints! And thanks for bearing with me!)

Annoyed as my room window would no longer provide me with a view of lush greenery.

Annoyed because I'll look out to someone else's houses (in the future).

Annoyed as so many trees were fell to make place for the housing development projects. Those fellas practically carved out a bloody big portion of the hill! Landslides soon to come.

But, must I really accept the fact that good things (refer to no. 3) have to come to an end eventually?

I really miss this!

But what's done cannot be undone!

It rained just now.

And I saw mist/fog... Should I be thankful for that?

Though it used to be foggier before...

-LV

My 'School Bag'

My ex-suitcase, now schoolbag.

Yet, still too small to all my Torture Camp 'holy bibles'!

Me: I used to laugh at the school kids who brings those 2-in-1 backpack+trolley bags to school. But I take my words back now.

TY: *laughs* Yup, you should. When you reach a certain level (points to my over-laden suitcase-converted-into-a-school bag)... You'll find it hard to go down a level.

Me: *speechless*

-LV-

James Blunt: Carry You Home

Note:
Daughtry's coming to town; 26th July 2008. Mark your calendars baby!!!!! I gain independence on 23rd July, and I go off to do cheap labour on 28th July. In English (i.e. in short), I'm free on 26th July!!!! Chris Daughtry, here I come!
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My current favourite song: Carry You Home by James Blunt

Music video source: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z9f0ZzVap-M


Trouble is her only friend and he's back again
Makes her body older than it really is
She says it's high time she went away
No one's got much to say in this town
Trouble is the only way is down
Down, down.

(And my favourite verse)
As strong as you were, tender you go
I'm watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet
I know what it means and I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home.

If she had wings she would fly away
And another day God will give her some
Trouble is the only way is down
Down, down.

As strong as you were, tender you go
I'm watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet
I know what it means and I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home.

And they were all born pretty in New York City tonight
And someone's little girl was taken from the world tonight
Under the Stars and Stripes.

As strong as you were, tender you go
I'm watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet
I know what it means and I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home.

Lyrics taken from: http://www.lyricsdomain.com/10/james_blunt/carry_you_home.html

-LV-

Operation Hiking Boots: Mission Failed

Failed to find one that fit yet again. I look like Ronald McDonalds in all of them. Will settle for a pair of hiking shoes instead. Soon, soon, soon...

When Routine Becomes Normal

Phone conversation with VT,

"...... ah, ok, I'll talk to you later. Dinner break now till 730pm...."

"You mean your dinner break is ONLY for 30 minutes?!!!!??!!"

"Yup, why?"

What's become 'normal' to me, is deemed oppressive by others!

-LV-
*counts her blessings on days when dinner is not at 10pm

I Kick and I Punch

It's been 4 years since I've last executed a kick...

And I miss it dearly...

Ah, the thing(s) one has to give up as we get caught up with other things in life...

A badly executed back-thrust kick. *Lols* I love KK's expression!: Merdeka Celebrations, 2001

And my fellow Black-belts, along with our Instructor...

I miss Taekwondo!!!!!! VERY MUCH!!!!!

-LV-

Fav Top

It reads, "Winged Big Mouthed Lady". Sounds very much like myself, eh? Hard to keep my mouth shut at times... *shy*

-LV-

Yummylicious Kaya

A yummy-licious kaya recipe from the master aka Grandma. Better 'file' it in cyber-space before forgetful me forgets the recipe.

My pot of gold!

Ingredients:
4 eggs
(preferrably those from 'kampung chickens' aka Malaysian free range chickens)
Santan (Coconut milk) from 1 coconut
2 bowls of sugar

Cooking Instructions:
(Apologies for the badly drafted instructions below. Can't figure out how to explain the techniques. Kaya making is an art! Trust me, I've failed many times. But finally perfected the technique! *yay!*)

Your mixture should look like this

1. Beat eggs (gently).
2. Add in coconut milk and sugar. Mix well.
3. Put in a 'hot water bath'. Make sure water is boiling gently.
4. Stir until mixture thickens.
5. Leave covered. Stirring ocassionally every 10 minutes.

Note: If your mixture turns out lumpy (as per picture below). It means you're screwed. A whole pot of kaya down the drain!

You're screwed! Better luck next time, babe!

Best served hot, with fresh bread. Or cold, with Cream Crackers (personal favourite).

Cream crackers + Cold Kaya = Best breakfast/Snack on planet Earth

-LV-

The Effects of Development

A view from my room window at 31900 (what it used to be)

Bye bye greenery....

Bye bye squirrels, bye bye kingfishers, bye bye butterflies!

Stupid housing development projects! Who's interested in buying houses in 31900!

I HATE YOU!

I feel like strapping myself to the trees...

-LV-

Currently Reading

Peter Singer (on Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Singer
Peter Singer (personal website): http://www.princeton.edu/~psinger/index.html
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Peter Singer, "Writings on an Ethical Life"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Writings-Ethical-Life-Peter-Singer/dp/0060198389/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213632214&sr=8-3

I bought this book (in addition to my expedition gear) today.

It's hardly bedtime reading material as it is fairly comprehensive and deals with not-so-bedtime story issues; animal rights, vegetarianism, euthanasia, abortion, research ethics and using animals as research tools.

I first came across Singer's writings whilst doing my research on organ donations, right to sex-selection and euthanasia last year and I'm rather taken by his Ultilitarian approach on issues, which at times is rather similar to John's approach of rational intuition.

Looking forward to reading this book! Though things are different now, I'm reading it for leisure and not for the purpose of writing essays/papers.

I might enjoy the contents even more!

-LV-

My Most Un-Raleigh Like Purchase

Note to self: I risk being ostracised by Raleigh KL should this purchase be discovered!

1. No one brings pillows on Expedition.
2. This pillow is made of plastic. Save the whales! Long live our dolphins!
___

As mentioned in my previous post, I went gear shopping. And as I was browsing through the camping section/aisle at Tesco, my eyes spotted a stack of newly stocked items that weren't there before. And curiosity got the better of me. I checked the label and it read, "Camping Pillow - XL size; RM4.90".

So what does one do? Grab it without any hessitation of course!

Heh! Pillow dilemma solved! I'm sparred from using my rucksack/sweater as a pillow for 5 or possibly 6 weeks!
Why say "No" when comfort comes only at the price of RM4.90?

I chose a light blue one (which IMO resembles the colour of hospital scrubs). I had wanted to get one with patterns; green+blue+yellow. But restrained myself from doing it as I didn't want to look like a wimp throughout expedition.

Oh yes, it comes with a 'blower' (the grey plastic thing). Helps inflate the pillow more efficiently.

Tadah! My expedition pillow - Fully inflated. Tried and tested. Quite comfy actually!


Oh btw, it will go well with my Dark Blue sleeping bag. *grins*


And this sums up my most un-Raleigh like purchase ever!

Now man, that's the spirit. Dare to be different!!! *grins*

-LV-

Gear Shopping

I went Expedition Gear Shopping again today. The 3 hour shopping stint after 2 days of solitary confinement was much welcomed and I came back rejuvenated, although a bit frustrated as I didn't manage to find a pair of hiking shoes! Apparently the shops I went to only stock size 6 (smallest). DISCRIMINATION against individuals with size 5 feet like mine! Cis!

Parking (the part I hate most about driving) was surprisingly painless today. Found a pretty decent space at 1 Utama quite easily, and got one smack in front of the main entrance of Tesco as well. Covered 3 malls (1 Utama, Tesco and the Curve) in 3 hours, and that included a short lunch at the Arena Foodcourt at 1 Utama. Talk about efficiency. *grins*

Went to Nike, Bata, Fila, Royal Sporting House, Studio R at 1 Utama, and to Brookes and Al-Ikhsan Sports at the Curve, but to no avail. They either do not stock any hiking shoes or they do not have any in my size. Haih! MidValley beckons this weekend.

Anyway, here's what I bought.

1. Sandals: RM22.90 (not solely for expedition purpose)

- They're so funky and light. He He! Hope it will last me through expedition and beyond. I love them!

2. An Inflatable Pillow: RM4.90 (my most un-Raleigh like purchase of the day)

3. Poncho: RM13.90

- This one terpaksa beli, as I've been using the super thin disposable ponchos that I've got free from Genting Highlands since time in memorial. I doubt the ciplak GH ones will last me throughout my expedition. Hence, this purchase. Btw, I think I look like a flasher in that poncho.

4. Pureen's Baby Head-to-Toe Wash: RM5.70

-Yeah, yeah, yeah I know stuff meant for babies are not effective enough to keep adults clean, blah, blah, yaddah, yaddah... I just love the convenience of this when I hit the roads, the pool or the gym. One bottle does all! Shampoo + Bodywash. Or at times, a bottle of shampoo (those sample packs) does it all.

5. Other Miscellaneous Stuff: RM84.05 (including the sandals, poncho, inflatable pillow and the Pureen HTT wash)

- Bin liners, wet wipes, carabinners (I just found out that these hooks are called carabinners after reading CK's list and doing a wikipedia search on them! Pardon me!), aluminium cup, bungee cord, ciplak version of duck tape.

So, that was my day.

-LV-

Vidal Sassoon, I Could Have Been

A 4.5+ year old me with my 1.5+ year old 'model'.

No worries, it's a fake pair of scissors and no one was hurt in the process.

Now again, why did I put myself through this legal pain and agony (reading law)? Pain and suffering, loss of amenities. *grins*

Could have been better off as a hairstylist, you see! *winks* Ouch, see-elle-pee hurts!

-LV-

Pa's New Toy

I swear! There's supposed to be more fishes in that aquarium. Alas, all gone hiding!

He MMS-ed me this picture of his new accessory for the indoor aquarium; 'faux plastic grass' this morning. Poor fish-ies left with more place to hide, but less place to swim.

Happy Father's Day, dad!

-LV-

Raisin Scones

Scones: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scone_(bread)

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I used to bake lots of scones during my University days. Firstly, I am often unable to finish the huge tub of butter that I buy. Hence, in my attempt to finish it off when it's a day or two nearing expiry, I'll bake scones. And secondly, I love raisins!!! Raisin in bread, raisin in biscuits (those you get from the market), fruit cake... ok, I draw the line at raisins in wine. *drools*

And my flatmates loved them too! (Or at least they made me believe that they do. Hmmm... but then, they usually help themselves to them whenever I bake them. So should taste good gua...) Hence, it became my 'signature dish'.

I've certainly gone a long way. My first attempt wasn't that bad. But it didn't look too presentable and the raisins were a bit dry (didn't soak them in milk beforehand) plus, the lack of butter. Hence, the lack of oomph...

My very first attempt: The dried raisins looked more like chocolate chips!

Ha ha! I could still remember the trauma I put Mel through each and everytime I make them. I knew I could always count on her for constructive and an honest comment.

So, every now and then throughout my years in Manchester, I'll bake scones whenever my butter is nearing expiry (every 3 months). And my recipe has evolved. Voila! I've perfected it!

Compare and contrast with the ones in the picture above, please. *Kembang*

Anyway, I made scones again 2 weeks ago (my first proper attempt in 7 months). And as I never wrote my recipe down anywhere, I had to 'pakai hentam' or 'Raleigh style' as XT puts it.

My skills were a bit rusty and as I had to make it from memory, the recipe was a bit 'out of spec' (i.e. not according to specifications). A bit too sweet and a bit too much butter for my liking, but still edible.

It's baking, it's baking...

*tadah...*

Now, I'd better 'file' the recipe down in the cyber-world before I lose/forget about it.


Ingredients:
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup milk
1 egg (Egg yolk and egg white separated)
A pinch of salt

Baking Instructions:
1. Sift flour if desired. (But lazy people like me will just use it as it is!)
2. Mix flour and sugar. Rub in butter.
3. Add milk and egg yolk.
4. Knead mixture (or dough?) and add raisins.
5. Divide into small balls of equal size.
6. Lightly brush egg white over them. (How to structure this sentence properly?)
7. Bake at 170-190'c for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.



Eating (Serving) Instructions: *grins*
1. Best eaten slightly warm on its own,
or
split into equal halves with butter spread over it ('guai lo' aka fattening aka calorie-ladden style),
or
if desired, split into half with strawberry jam spread over it! (my personal favourite, when the scones aren't too sweet)

Tuck in and enjoy!

-LV-