Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Asam pedas - nogori style

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Finally, for the umphteeth time, I managed to cook something that resembles an asam pedas.

It is still not perfect, but I am getting there. At least it wasnt a total failure.

The ingredients:
15 x cili kering (cut and rendam in hot water for a bit)
1 x Bawang besar
4 x bawang putih
Halia - size of small thumb
Belacan - size of a thumb

Blend all of above with little water

Air asam jawa - squeezed from about 30cm
3 x ikan kembung
Oil
Serai
Daun  limau purut
Tomato / bendi

1. Heat oil
2. Put in all of the blended stuff and cook until naik minyak
3. Add the air asam jawa, mix well for a bit
4. Add the serai
5. Add water until you get the consistensy you want
6.  Once boiled add salt
7.Add the fish and bendi and daun limau
8. Wait to boil until leave the kuah to thicken a lil bit

OK this is nogori or melaka style i think. Honestly I dont know there are just too many different variation of asam pedas, so this one is close to what I am accustomed to, the way my arwah grandma makes it. I kinda like it this way.

Hubs do not like ot so much, I think he prefers the kind with daun kesum. So Next time I will try it again with daun kesum instead, and I think with more water - lighter consistency.

So here goes - pix for memory





Saturday, October 28, 2017

The day my whole being crumbles - 15/10/2017

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15/10/2017 the day when my heart and soul broke into million pieces.

At around 7:30 am I received a call from ayah. Thinking that he wanted me to bring something for mama, I  was shocked to hear him say these words 'Ina, I think you better come to the hospital now, the Doctor kata mama sedang tenat'.

At that point, I just went into auto-pilot mode, don't ask me how but I arrived at the hospital about half hour later to be greeted with Mama already on oxygen mask, not being able to breath well. At about 10:54AM, mama had left us. With very little warning, all too soon.

I knew, someday - in my mind - some distance away - mama may leave us. I knew, what she had was terminal, and she may not be with us for long. I knew, but, I was not prepared that it would be this soon.

I was not prepared that when I left on the night of 14th Oct that would be the last time I was having a conversation with mama. I was not prepared that when mama was admitted on 28th Sept, that was the last time of her being at home with us.

Having lost your mother felt like something is snatched from your heart leaving a hole that could never be recovered.

Though I wanted my mum not to suffer, it is still too painful when Allah had taken her away from me.

Many times - I kept thinking, is it really true? is it really true to mama is not with me anymore??

It's cliche to say - I miss my late mum, but truth is, you could never ever register it until you have experienced it.

This grieve, and that intense feeling of lost, it would come to me at an unexpected time(s),  sometimes when I am alone, sometimes when I have roomful of people, sometimes even while I am laughing at something, and EVEN when I am elated, I just cant be too happy - because I had just realised that I could not tell mama about it. Can't even bring myself to talk about when I am feeling sad. The sorrow, it is just unbearable..

---

Today, its my first time home after coming back from my parents. No more calls to remind me to lock the doors and to tell me not to go out. No more eternal love who would love me no matter what, who would pray endlessly for me, who would move heaven and earth for me, who would always be there for me - one who is largely my reason to live and to do well.

Ya Allah, Ampuni dosa-dosa mama, terimalah ibadahnya, lapangkanlah kuburnya and tempatkanlah dia di kalangan yang beriman. Mama, I love you more than words can say, Ina doakan mama tenang di sana, I miss you so so much


Sunday, September 10, 2017

Hospital wooes

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I was reading this article this morning - yet another write up about the Singaporean died due hit-and-run in JB.


Now, I am not gonna lament on the tragic case it self nor about how it was wrongly reported out of proportion.

Just wanted to share and express what my experiences with public (government) hospitals itself.

I dont know about you, but I am just an average citizen. 

I earn fairly decent and enough to live comfortably. Not lavishly, but comfortably. Medical expenses are covered by my company and at this age Alhamdulillah I am still blessed with good health and have not had any major incidences in my life that requires frequent trip to the hospitals.

Having said that, as my age catching up, so are others close to me. In recent years sadly I have had to frequent the local hospitals as my loved ones were there.

My thoughts before were like most people who never had to spend considerable amount of time in local hospital - Government hospitals are inferior and private are better.

Those frequent visits in a way changed and opened my eyes.

One. Our government hospitals definitely are the ones that are better equipped when it comes to more advanced treatment. Both in terms of specialists and required tools.

Two. Unlike private hospitals, government hospitals medical staff have seen a whole lot more cases and therefore in my humble opinion (read: non-expert) would have had more experience.

Three. Newer built hospitals like Ampang hospital and Serdang to name a few are fairly comfortable almost like private hospitals.

Four. You won't ever get turned down. Regardless of the availability of beds, money or what not.

And finally, so far I have never really had any bad encounter with any of the medical staff. In fact, I would say almost all of them are really kind and polite. Of course some are more helpful than others, but really it is not something to complain about - not to the point where I would label them as incompetent. In any case this happens everywhere not just in medical line.

What is more important to realise is that you cannot have unrealistic expectations. Yes, you think your case is urgent but really if you look around, you will see that there are others that are in much dire need of help.

So, for me, I am always just thankful that I have the comfort of knowing that if I ever needed medical care when I am old (retired) or if I am without money, its there available to me. Even though it could be a tad longer wait or less fancy ward - at least I know I could get medical help rather suffer or left to die without any medical treatment. Or worst, die of heart attack upon seeing my (hefty) bill...

~note~
Once, when my mum admitted at the hospital, I was at the vending machine outside her ward to get a cup of coffee.
There was already a doctor there trying to juggle between her bags and many files (presumably her patient files). So I offered to get her drink but she refused politely. I left to go to the other vending machine instead not wanting to wait.
When I came back she was still there searching high and low in her purse and so I went near her and again offered to buy it for her. She took it finally as I insisted, profusely thanked me and looked really embarrassed. I told the good doctor not to worry about it, in fact I am the one who should be thanking her - for all the saving lives work or getting others better. So thank you all Doctors and Medical Staff whereever , whoever you are!



Friday, August 11, 2017

Laziness is an addiction

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So. I know I have not written here for a long time. Not for the lack of topic nor idea.

Its just laziness.

Could not be bothered to pour out a sentence, could not be bothered to sit in front of the computer yet another minute. Yeah, staring at the screen day in day out does that to you.

Anyways, as I was saying it wasnt for lack of activity. Since the last time I wrote, there have been bit of travels here and there, new recipes I tried (or rather - new recipes thats EDIBLE), good movies every now and then, few great books too.

But what really made me want to write this piece is to remind me of the few movies I watched that's worth my space here. To serve the purpose of this blog, you know. Which is as reminder to me much much later about things. You know, being a forgetful lot I gotta write things down to refresh my miniscule memory,

So here goes - what great movies I watched (2016 & 2017) and worth to repeat.

Me Before You





















I absolutely loved loved loved the book. And the movie did not disappoint. Go see it if you haven't. Of course read the book first.


Logan



















Never really a fan of the Wolverines but Logan is good. Best among the lot I would say.


Wonder Woman



















Maybe a 7. Its great and entertaining, I suppose its kinda refreshing but nothing really stick to mind. Lol as you can see why I am having a hard time trying to write about it

The Accountant



















You know I dont high opinion of Ben Affleck. But this one, surprisingly good. Maybe sebab he wasnt being so poyo as usual. In fact he had to act dumb for this role.


The Great Wall



















Something different. And Matt Damon. 'Nuff said.



So there goes my 5 top picks. Enjoy!