FEELINGS心情日记: 我的妹妹

妹妹是我家里迟来的惊喜，在我当了十四年的独生女后，送子鸟才将她带到我家。自此，她就成了我生命中的开心果。那个周末我回到家里，恰好我们的表妹来到我家住宿。平时和妹妹一同睡在双人床的我，当然是把位子让给表妹，而自己则滚到角落里的床垫了。送她们入眠后，我继续看电视节目，直到午夜才入房就寝。

正当我以为妹妹早已熟睡时，她突然揉揉眼睛，说到，“姐姐，我可以跟你一起睡，一下子吗？”我顿时感到一阵温馨，于是笑笑点头。接着，妹妹便喜出望外地托着被单爬到我那个角落，挤进我和床边的空间里，然后紧紧地抱着我，满脸笑容地闭上眼睛，好像抱着一桶黄金似地入睡。我问她，“你很喜欢跟姐姐睡吗？”妹妹猛点头，说了一句拉长音的‘喜欢’。

说到把妹妹养育成人，我的功劳绝对不少（真的）。妹妹出世时，我已经上了中学。本来就喜欢小孩，加上想和母亲分担家务，所以我就学习照顾小小的妹妹。从婴儿到幼儿的阶段， 妹妹的吃喝拉撒，我都有负责。最难忘的，莫过于每个清晨她尿布里的‘宝藏’，还好她现在已经会自己上洗手间，不然我真的要向母亲辞职不干了。最棘手的，当然是喂妹妹（当时还是婴儿）吃药。嗅觉灵敏的婴儿，在你还未将药水接近她嘴边时，就已经开始在你怀里用力地挣扎抗议。于是，手要稳，心要狠，让妹妹乖乖就范，完成喂药的任务。姐姐可是为你好，你要了解啊。

总是觉得，我和妹妹的关系和一般姐妹不一样，也许是年龄的差异。有时候，会好像妈妈带小孩，一边和她玩闹，一边训责她。没有争玩具，没有谈心事，却有满满的姐妹之情。偶尔教她功课，教她上网，帮她打扮，一起玩小孩子的游戏（好像回到我小时候），再不然就床上翻滚大闹，要父亲来遏止，深怕我们在头上起‘高楼’。这些点点滴滴，都让我不亦乐乎。

看着妹妹半熟睡的样子，我轻轻问她，“你很爱姐姐吗？”她闭着眼睛，抱紧我，微笑点点头。我再问，“那姐姐以后老了，你长大了的时候，你还会‘酱’爱我吗？”妹妹仍然闭着眼睛，把我抱得更紧，以同样的笑容点头。这一刻，我永远都不会忘记。

KITCHEN厨房日记: Cinnamon Snap Cookies

I don’t know why it is called ‘Snap’ cookies. Well, I love these cookies to the max! The texture is light and crunchy, brown in color and full of aroma from the cinnamon powder. Reminds me of Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Breadstick, time to have one I guess!

It's fun to make cookies. The interesting part of making these cookies is you will need to shape the dough into a log (cylinder) with about 2 inches diameter and slice it. The dough looks a bit like meaty loaf of ham, reminds me of the delicious ham sandwich I had in Sri Petaling 2 years back. Aww, sinful cookies, make me crave of even more food.

Sift together flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder, set aside. Then, beat butter and sugar till they are light and fluffy. Add in honey and egg, continue beating till well corporate. When the batter is done, add in the flour mixture and slowly mix them until you get smooth dough. Shape them into a log (cylinder) and wrap with plastic. Keep in the freezer for at least 2 hours, so that it will harden. Then, slice them into few mm thick and dip one side into cinnamon and sugar mixture. Arrange them on a baking tray (non stick, or greased with butter, or wrap with aluminium foil) and bake for 10 mins.

Love these cookies! It’s addictive, and perfect to be my breakfast which I eat them together with fresh milk. Yummy!

FEELINGS心情日记: 酒精灵

记得小时候，家里累积了好几瓶美酒/烈酒，都是新年时父亲收到的礼篮中带来的。由于家人都不是爱酒之人，所以一部分被收藏摆放在玻璃橱里，其它的就转手卖掉或者送出去。顽皮无知的我，有一年大扫除时，竟然手痒痒，将几瓶酒开了闻一闻，直说好香，气得我妈暴跳如雷。要知道，酒瓶开了，就没有价值了啊。

结果长大了，不知怎的，竟然喝不下一口酒，连啤酒都嫌又苦又辣，难以下咽，只有味道偏甜的鸡尾酒才合我心意。大学时期，看见朋友们聚餐或‘蒲吧’时都热爱杯中酒，喝个痛快，我心里有些不平衡，很羡慕，也很鄙视。大概是家庭教育，已经注入了‘喝酒是坏人’的观念。所以，我没有醉过，也很怀疑酒后乱性，醉得不省人事的说法。

然后，在认识了这班同事兼友人后，事情就有了180度的转变。九天的行程，八天出外逛，五天喝酒，简直是‘花天酒地，夜夜笙歌’（夸张修辞手法）。说来也奇怪，大伙儿才相识不到十天，却可以像老朋友般一同出游，玩个不亦乐乎。而我，突然酒量变大变好了。啤酒可以干杯，烈酒（纯，不加冰水或汽水）也可以喝下，还直呼过瘾！当然，我很快就醉，哦，不，我只是晕晕地走不稳，脑子是清醒的，但身子就好动了些。当然，我也没有胡作非为，做出什么对不起或见不得人的坏事。

其实什么酒后乱性，醉得不记得发生什么事，那是骗人的。一个人若真是醉得不行，只会倒头呼呼大睡；那些醉了口出狂言或行径怪异的人，其实是借酒壮胆，继而干出‘好事’。切记，知道自己的极限，控制自己的行为，还有确保自身安全，不要乐极生悲。所以，我还是支持政府管制酒饮的种种措施，毕竟不是每个`人都有好酒品啊。

也许是大伙儿合得来，大家忘情痛快地享受美好时光。原来我没有变，只是压抑自己太久了。我本来就是个爱玩爱逛的物质女生，为了配合我的他而逼自己收敛。这一次的行程，让我彻底地释放自己，和友人们举杯共乐。这样子很放肆吗？不，年少轻狂，这些点点滴滴是我们共同的回忆（嗯，详细情节，留在彼此心中就好）。五十年后，希望你我心中还记得彼此。

P/S：因为你们，我找回自己；因为你，我认清了自己。感激。

BEAUTY美丽日记: Bedak Sejuk

Rewind your memories back to childhood times, can you recall them? Yes, the small white ‘biji-biji’ (pebbles) that melt in water, and your mum/granma apply it on your face & neck, it dries up on your skin & leaves white powdery marks that all those uncle/aunties who saw you will say ‘so cute’!

It’s probably the cheapest skincare product, made of fermented uncooked rice that is grinded & dried up under hot sun. The elderly believe these powder will cool down your skin to avoid rashes on babies & kids. However, I found out that it controls the oil on your skin too!

My skin gets very oily when I wake up in the morning, which I don’t understand why. Anyone can explain that? Thankfully, I found the solution. I saw this at home, and just tried it on my face before I sleep (since I can’t wear the powder during day time, looks too funny). And, when I wake up the next morning, miracles happen! Not even a trace of oil on my skin! Mo more sticky & oily feeling on my face. The white powder has gone, absorbed into skin perhaps.

I’m satisfied with the result, it doesn’t cause a pinch in my pocket too. [TIPS: If you have roommate, just let them know when you put the powder on. You don’t want to scare them with those powdery marks on your face!]

KITCHEN厨房日记: Pasta & Veggies in Creamy Milky Soup

I love to eat fish head/fish vermicelli soup (a Chinese dish back in my hometown), because of the milky and creamy texture of the soup. I had a nice one recently with my family, and I almost finished the whole bowl of soup. Then my mum reminded me, “You can cook this anytime when you want in your own way, even with just veggies and noodles.”

So, the idea strikes my mind when I had to settle my own dinner that day. Can’t remember where he was going, leaving me alone. Never mind, I am a tough girl. I used romaine, broccoli and cherry tomatoes (yes, all these for one portion of meal) for this Pasta & Veggies in Creamy Milky Soup. Firstly, sauté garlic in a pan till golden yellowish. Add in all the veggies and mix well. [TIPS: I boiled the broccoli for few minutes prior to frying them, so that they will cook at the same rate with romaine and tomatoes.]

Then, add in your preference type of noodle/vermicelli and continue cooking for a while. Pour in mixture of water/broth and milk into the pan, mix well with seasonings like salt, black pepper and spices, and keep cooking until the soup boils. Serve them in a nice bowl, and I got my precious dinner!

Oops, looks like there were more veggies than noodles in my bowl! LOL.

FEELINGS心情日记: 彬彬有理

年轻的时候，用时间换取金钱；年老的时候，用金钱换取时间。

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牵老婆的手，如左手牵右手--没感觉，那如果失去左手/右手，怎么样？

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外头那个，英俊潇洒，风情万种，短暂的烟花也；家里那个，平凡木讷，庸厚老实，定期的存款也。

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iPad可以做什么？我不清楚。还是SANIITARY PAD比较重要啦！

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狗狗当孩子，被女主人抱在怀里走；孩子当狗狗，被女佣人牵着绳子走。

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现在，父母送孩子去幼稚园；将来，孩子送父母去安老院。

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事业稳重的成年，茶餐厅里喝两块钱的咖啡；乳臭未干的少年，星巴克里喝十块钱的咖啡。

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上一代，结婚时没钱，日子很难过；这一代，日子很难过，有钱才结婚。

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封建时代，女性的脚踝因缠足而变形；开明时代，女性的脚踝因高跟鞋而变形。

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灰姑娘穿的是玻璃鞋，但现实中，穿着玻璃鞋只会寸步难行，甚至伤痕累累；美人鱼得不到王子的爱，是因为她没敢及时现身，让王子记得她；白雪公主笨得连陌生人给的苹果都吃下，王子怎么还爱她？

BEAUTY美丽日记: Falsies Are My Besties!

I remember how I used to say ‘NO’ to wearing makeup. “Nah, it won’t make any difference.” “Ah, so expensive.” “No, lazy to do that.” “How? I don’t know what is suitable for me.”

Then, somehow, I don’t know how, I started to put on makeup. Starting by only lipstick/lip gloss, then eyeliner, then eye shadow, and blusher, then mascara, eyebrow, and finally, false eyelashes! (Nope, I still don’t wear foundation/face makeup, don’t like the feeling of whole face covered with cosmetics. Maybe one day I will start? LOL.) I know there are some people out there being anti-makeup, i.e. they believe in natural pretty look and all sort of blah blah blah. Well, no comment.

I did not buy and try on false eyelashes all these while as I thought it is difficult (impossible) to wear them, until my cousins and one friend’s sister convinced me that it is not difficult at all, if you use a good bottle of glue. Forget about those small tubes of glue that come with the eyelashes in the packing, they won’t work. So spend on the glue, while cheap eyelashes will do, as long as you like the pattern.

Dinner Look

Many say that one should apply mascara after wearing false eyelashes, to combine both your real and false eyelashes in one. However, I prefer the other way round, as I don’t want to spoil the structure of those eyelashes. [TIPS: And, eyeliner is a must, to cover up the small gap of skin between the false and real eyelashes.]

For Day Look

First, trim the eyelashes so that it suits the size of your eyes. Apply a small amount of glue on the roots, wait for a few seconds so that the glue is half dry. Then, look into the mirror, and place the eyelashes on your eyelid, as close as possible to the root of your real eyelashes. Hold the false eyelashes and press them gently onto your skin. Release your hand when you feel that they are secured, and that’s it!

I have two pair of false eyelashes, one for casual look (bought in DAISO, RM5 for 2 pairs) and one for dinner look (from SASA, RM20 plus). 

And this is the glue I use, also from SASA, recommended by my friend’s sister. It works well.

Thank goodness, he never object/disagree on my makeup or anything else that I like to do. Can’t tolerate with those controlling freaks who don’t like this and that. 

KITCHEN厨房日记: Shortbread Cookies

He said, “All the cookies that you’ve made, taste similar! Just like normal butter cookies.”

I said, “Can’t you be more supportive? I am lack of proper equipments and ingredients…”

So, I searched for something different and this is what I found – Shortbread Cookies. A recipe simple enough to be followed, without having to worry about the baking soda/powder! And my arm can relax this time!

Mix flour, butter, salt and sugar in a bowl with fingers (see, I told ya), then add in eggs, lemon juice and almond extract (I use pandan extract because he hates almond flavor, feel free to sub with other flavor anyway). Continue mixing and shape them into ball, wrap in plastic sheet and refrigerate overnight.

Let it cool down to room temperature and roll it into flat disk. Cut the dough with your desired shape cutter, I choose love shape since they are for my love ones. [TIPS: It’s hard to work with soft dough, try once and you know what I mean. Place the rolled-out dough in fridge for a few minutes to firm up before cutting.] Arrange them on baking tray and bake (Hah, these cookies don’t expand, since no baking soda/powder is used).

The texture is a bit chewy, since the flour content is high. Perfect for those who like to have something to bite as snacks, but not so suitable for kids and elderly.

And yes, these cookies got a nod from him, saying, “Wow! This is really homemade cookies! I like it!”

FEELINGS心情日记: 夜市人生

我很喜欢逛夜市，而且是越年长越喜欢去夜市。小时候对夜市的印象，就是一杯杯以盐巴和牛油调味的蒸玉米粒。那是我和爸爸每次去夜市都一定会买的小吃，而换来的就是妈妈的教训，因为她觉得那些玉米粒很油很咸。其他的战利品，还有甘蔗水，饼干，零食，水果等，有时还有鱼产蔬菜，都是家家熟悉的食物和用品。

不过从巴生搬去实兆远后，就比较少去夜市了。去过两次位于大草场的夜市，还有一次每逢星期四下午才有的‘拜四街’。可能父母已经不喜欢那拥挤的人群，嘈杂的气氛，和炎热的环境，所以在中学期间几乎和夜市断了连系。还好到了大学时期我又有机会逛夜市了，加影每逢星期一和星期四晚上在不同的地点都有夜市。不过去逛的次数还是不多，因为没有多少志同道合的夜市发烧友。毕业工作后，我又回到了巴生，也去了三个不同地点的夜市 - 直落玻璃，池良花园和诗蒂亚南。最难忘，最喜爱的还是蕉赖的康乐花园夜市，每次去到那里我都会疯狂抢购小吃和服装饰品。临毕业时，还‘苦苦哀求’他再带我去一次，到今天，我还是很想再去逛。

当然，我不止是去逛而已，我喜欢夜市，因为在那里我可以看见各式各样的人生。每当太阳西下，夜晚到来，就是夜市开始新一天的时候。这句话，对夜市小贩们是最佳的写照。逛夜市的当儿，我都在观察他们如何工作。有的笑脸迎人，博取顾客的生意。有的一脸霸气，没有打算买最好别碰他们的商品。有的滔滔不绝，极力推销商品。有的忙得喘不过气，让隔壁门可罗雀的小贩红眼。各种表情态度，宛如一页页的史书，记载着他们的生活，个性和人生经历。

有一次，在一个卖鱼产的摊位，一堆堆排得高高的江鱼仔，虾米，马来栈和咸鱼背后，坐着一位身怀六甲的少妇。她一边顾着摊位，一边照顾一个咿咿呀呀正在学语的幼儿，旁边还有一辆旧货车，和一位应该是她丈夫的男人。我一时好奇走近摊位，少妇立即扶着腰，挺起就像快要临盆的大肚子，站起来准备招呼我。此时轰隆隆地闪电打雷，我只能不好意思地傻笑，然后赶忙离开那个摊位，因为我根本没有打算购买。我一定让那位少妇失望了，因为我看见她那期待顾客来买东西的眼神。老天爷也让她失望了，因为一下雨就表示一天生意的结束。我开始想象待会儿他们必须赶快把摊位货物收拾好避雨的情形，这个情节在他们的生活中不知还要上演多少次。

又有一次，我在一个卖日常用品的摊位买了一个拖把，匆匆忙忙就继续逛。再次回头走过时，才仔细地观察那个摊位。摊主是一对中年夫妇，男的穿着整齐，女的系着腰包，同样的是，两人脸上都有一份沧桑忧虑。他们的女儿，大概八，九岁吧，和我妹妹一样，一头齐眉刘海的短发，鼻梁上架着一副眼镜。她一个屁股坐进了蓝色水桶里，双脚张开，静静呆呆地向前望，像无知，也像无助。那是晚上八时左右，我的妹妹应该吃饱晚餐，正在上网游览面子书。而她，则必须跟着父母为生计奔波，可能没有足够时间温习功课，也没有玩过电脑游戏。每个人都有不一样的童年，我希望她可以过得安康温暖。

去过一个卖炸鸡排的摊位，生意好得不得了，要买一块炸鸡排还得排队等。一大桶腌好的鸡肉，沾上调好的粉，以滚烫的食油炸熟，再把它捞起，沥干油脂，以辣椒粉，胡椒粉调味。摊位的工作程序简单快速，一人处理材料，一人炸肉，一人包装收钱。负责炸肉的是一个身材娇小的女生，中性打扮，染了一头金色短发，大概是要引人注目吧。她默不作声地，对着那锅不断传出滚滚浓烟和滋滋声响的热油，认真地把每一块鸡排炸好。我注意她的双手，从手背到手肘的部位，有很多水泡和新旧交叠的疤痕。那是长期在煎炸过程中被热油烫伤所累积的，应该没有多少女生，不，是没有多少人耐得住吧，我的男性朋友在烤肉时被微小颗粒的热油喷到就已经哇哇大叫了。

所以我在夜市买东西的时候，从来都不和摊主讨价还价。只要是我喜欢和需要，而且实用的物品，我都会二话不说把它买下。就算真的被敲诈几令吉也无所谓，因为那是他们的生计，丰衣足食的我实在没有理由和他们压价。他觉得奇怪，为何平时精打细算的我竟然不和摊主讲价。我向他解释我的感受后，他傻了眼，说不再带我去夜市了。

KITCHEN厨房日记: Pasta & Romaine in Creamy Sauce

A lovely, sunny bright day started with a car service (fixing my poor starter switch, which always rebel and make me stomping the ground) and then lunch, alone. I only had rice, onion, pasta and other dry ingredients in my kitchen, so it’s time to stock up some fresh ingredients in my fridge. Veggie is a good choice, since it contains high fiber and vitamins, and helps to control your weight. I seldom buy meat to cook, as they are a bit pricey if compared to veggies, and more tedious to prepare.

Since I only had to cook one meal for single portion, I just bought a packet of Romaine, which is more than enough actually. Based on what I had in kitchen, I came up with this recipe, Pasta & Romaine in Creamy Sauce. This is very simple to prepare, yet tasty enough to serve guest in party or gathering.

While boiling water and cooking pasta (I used Macaroni), sauté chopped onion in olive oil with seasonings like black pepper and basil leaves. Then, add in Romaine and stir for a while, before adding in the Macaroni. Combine with cream sauce and continue frying till they corporate well. [TIPS: Since cream is expensive in Malaysia, costs RM9 at 200ml, I use a cheaper alternative, just melt some cheese in milk until they are creamy.]

When they are done, remove from heat and sprinkle with Paprika on top. Love Paprika or any other spicy powder nowadays!