• Ramblings

    The Word “Culled”

    January 12, 2012

    I am always quite amazed at the word ‘cull‘. The word has two meanings that are totally different and unrelated:

          • Select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources
            • – anecdotes culled from Greek and Roman history
          • Reduce the population of (a wild animal) by selective slaughter
            • – he sees culling deer as a necessity
            • – kangaroo culling

     

    Somehow when I read a passage like this,

      Culled from the diaries of some of the most famous…

    My brain automatically registers the ‘cull’ word with slaughtering of animals. I wonder why. Do our brain always have one meaning of a word that is always registered first every time we read? And only after reading the whole sentence, our brain then search for the other more appropriate meanings?

    Or maybe it is just my brain only.

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  • Words of Wisdom

    Intelligence

    January 11, 2012

    “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” – Stephen Hawking

    I may not be as intelligent as some of the people I met, but if I can adapt to change, then I, too, can have intelligence.

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  • Ramblings

    Orwell’s Six Rules on English Language

    January 2, 2012

    George Orwell’s six rules on English Language:

    1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
    2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
    3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
    4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
    5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
    6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

    I shall try to remember.

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  • Ramblings

    Reflections 2011

    December 31, 2011

    I did something similar for the year 2010, which I remembered I was then on a trip to New Zealand. This year the reflections for year 2011 is done at home.

    2011 was not a good year to me. There were some improvements in some areas compared to 2010, but in other areas, not only did things not improved, it got worse.

    In terms of work, there was definitely some improvements. There was a change in management, and comparing it with the previous, things are definitely better. However, it is still not where I want it to be. There was a chance to finally jump ship, but as it is the norm for me, things somehow just fail to come off at the crucial moment. It has been a characteristic of my life so far.

    Another major chapter ended in the year 2011, and at that time, I was hopeful of a new beginning. Alas, the start of the new chapter is still no where in sight. It was definitely not due to the lack of effort. There may be one of two times when a new chapter was about to be written and then something came along that was totally unexpected.

    I did learn some work lessons from the previous year. Learning from my mistakes, I managed  to at least pull something off successfully, though there were some hiccups along the way, I guess people will only remember if you managed to pull it off finally, and not the various problems encountered along the way.  This is something that I need to continue to improve, and not make the same mistakes in the new year. I am not too sure if there were will be better opportunities next year, since I predict the economy will be totally shot to be bits, or whether I have another chance to finally jump ship altogether, but I am determined to also get myself certified next year. I want to grow professionally, and with qualifications to boost my career.

    Personally, I should learn to control my feelings better, which was something that I also wanted in 2010. I do think that I have shown improvement in this area in 2011, but there is definitely room for improvement. I should try not to take things too personally, and maintain a Zen-like perspective when it comes to people around me, and the complex and sometimes frustrating relationships between humans.

    I should also continue to break out of this boundary, zone that I have subconsciously created around my life. I want to continue to travel to new places, and strive for new experiences. I want to continue on my food journey, to taste the incredible range of gourmet choices that this small island has to offer.

    I believe my life is like Newton’s third law, for every action, there is an equal and an opposite reaction. For every action that I do, my life will definitely provide a reaction. It may not go the way that I want, nor will it be smooth sailing, but there is definitely a reaction. A reaction, no matter in which direction, is still better than a state of inertial. As such, there are a couple of things that I want to do in 2011, and while I know it may not end up where I want to go, I will still try.

    Of course, the first thing that I really want to do, is to find ways to change this ‘things never seem to go smoothly’ characteristic of my life. Perhaps fengshui?

    As with 2010, the proudest achievement of year 2011 is the fact that I survived. Hope 2012 will be much, much better.

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  • Food

    Chan Kong Thye Black Vinegar

    December 30, 2011

    I had this craving for a bowl of good pig trotters in black vinegar for a long time. It is usually prepared for women who had just given birth, and therefore, rarely found in restaurants.

    The dish itself is meant to help women to cleanse the body of blood clots and remove wind after giving birth. It is consider a very ‘heaty’ dish, and is meant to nourish the body back to perfect health. Due to the black vinegar used as the base and sesame oil added, the dish has a very nice smell to it.

    I decided to try cooking it since it was difficult to find it in restaurants. Now since the black vinegar is used as the base, it is very important to get good quality black vinegar. The best black vinegar that I know of, is the Chan Kong Thye Black Vinegar.

    Photo 29-12-11 12 25 46 PM

    I remember many years ago, Chan Kong Thye had a shop in the old shophouses of Chinatown. Back then, they had huge earthen pots where they made the black vinegar, and soya sauces which are then bottled and sold in the shop. The smell coming from the shop was fabulous, at least to me. Now the problem is hunting for a bottle of this black rice vinegar.

    Starting with Giant supermarket, I searched for it in vain, before going to, in the span of 3 days, a few NTUCs and Cold Storages. In the end, after googling for it on the web, I found this minimart selling it in Serangoon Central. I proceed to empty their stock of 4 bottles.

    Looking at the address on the label of the black vinegar (incidentally, it is a very old label, as the telephone number listed does not begin with a ‘6’), I discovered that the factory is now at the following address:

    Blk 15, Woodlands Loop, #03-33/34

    I drove there and purchased a bottle of their finest dark soya sauce too. Only their dark soya sauce is not salty and comes with an exquisite taste.

    Photo 29-12-11 3 04 48 PM

    Looking at their factory, it seems like they have decided to distribute their products to restaurants, eateries etc instead. No wonder it took me 3 days to hunt for their black vinegar.

    I then went back home and started cooking the dish, replacing the pig trotters with pork shoulders instead. After leaving it overnight, I finally sampled the result.

    Photo 30-12-11 6 08 35 PM (HDR)

    Was the taste worth it? I can only say, YES!

    *The recipe for this dish is easily available on the Internet. One word of caution, always use an earthen pot to cook this dish, as the vinegar tends to ‘react’ with metal pots.

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  • Random Boredom

    Dont think! Feeeeel!

    December 29, 2011

    This is both corny and inspirational at the same time. Bruce Lee is the BOSS. The kid is actually Tung Wei, who is now a successful actor, stunt/action coordinator/choreographer.

    “Don’t think! FEEL!”

    “Do not concentrate on the finger or you will miss all of the heavenly glory!”

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  • Ramblings

    Courage

    December 27, 2011

    “Without courage all virtues lose their meaning.” – Sir Winston Churchill

    Time to look fear in the eyes and move forward, to start all my plans rolling, else nothing will get done. If I fail, so be it, but at least I can say to myself, “I tried!”

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  • Ramblings

    8 Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent

    December 26, 2011

    Since this is Christmas and all, I thought I will post this that I read from somewhere:

    8 Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent

    • The Gift Of Listening… But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
    • The Gift Of Affection… Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
    • The Gift Of Laughter… Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”
    • The Gift Of A Written Note… It can be a simple “Thanks for your help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
    • The Gift Of A Compliment… A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” “You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.
    • The Gift Of A Favour… Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
    • The Gift Of Solitude… There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
    • The Gift Of A Cheerful Disposition… The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it’s not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
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  • Ramblings

    New Zealand 2010

    December 24, 2011

    Finally got off my ass to upload all the photos from my road trip in south island, New Zealand last year. All the photos can be found here.

    New Zealand is a beautiful place. It was one of the best road trips I had. Thoroughly enjoy this lovely country. 3 months after the trip, an earthquake devastated Christchurch. Stay strong people of Christchurch!

    IMG_0873

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