Never ending cravings - Kueh Lenggang.

For the past few weeks, my life has been filled with foods foods and foods but less energy diverted towards work. Bummer!

Well today, I made myself kueh lenggang. A simple malay snack of pandan (screwpine leaves) flavoured crepe with dessicated coconut and palm sugar filling. I made it as my sweet to be served with my tagliatelle with prawns and chilli. So, I let the pictures speak for itself.


And, my neighbour and I also made ambuyat to show her Malaysian landlord how it is done. ehehhe. Good ey!

Had to improvise "chandas" with the use of modified chopsticks.

My vegetarian day.

Thinking back, I survived my vegetarian weeks being a student living in halls when I first came. That was because the halal shop was far away, and really I didn't know there were many of them around! ehhee So, during that period, I had to overcome my cravings with meat substitutes mainly from Quorn.

Today, I had the craving again. So I made myself a vegetable pie served with Quorn bangers and mushy peas. I'd say, chicken pie taste by many miles tastier. Nevertheless, it's kinda healthy in a way as I'm trying to detox my body for a bit.

I'm trying to lose weight. Not drastically, but to an ideal weight for myself. I was overjoyed when I thot I lost few kilos after fasting. Too bad that night only to realise the scale was not set to zero, it was at -5kgs! Bummer!

Sushi Day

Arrived home after a very tiring day. Continued working at home as I didn't want to fall asleep (nothing unusual really). So I emailed few lecturers in regards to my research proposal, and another lecturer to arrange on the use of the F-Scan analysis machine for my mini project. Then later, Kak Nora texted Shahin and I to come over her place. She needed help to make sushi.

I wasn't sure if it was going to turn ok (to say the least) as I don't normally (only made once) make sushi. It was a gathering for Kak Nora's friend's farewell as they're leaving today back to Malaysia. Nevertheless, the sushi turned out good actually, considering it was Shahin's attempt to make sushi for the first time! hehe

Analysis of Function and Proposal

It has been a tiring week. I just had one week of intensive module on Analysis of Function. It's mainly targeted for the MSc Physiotherapy, but I guess I took the chance of taking this module. The module is interesting and the delivery of the lectures were excellent. It's just some of the lingo were a bit off from my day-to-day practice as a podiatrist. This was more like an engineering course and we had an engineer onsite to help us out. It sounded more like experimenting rockets! lol. For the whole week, we put human physiology and abnormal conditions aside, it was more of the fundamentals of physics integrated into the human movement like force, moment, torque etc in relation to the human joints and soft tissues. There were also elements of critical evaluation of research within the subjects. On a fair note, I appreciate reading human movement related articles more now than before, that I have actually able to see the bias in many papers published.

For the whole week, I was able to operate and critically analyse the benefits and pitfalls of many equipments which some cost hundreds of thousand pounds! I looked and operated on the force plate, the vicon and coda 3D analysis, EMG (electromyography), the ultrasound machine, the biodex and improved my skills on the use of F-scan pressure measurement. Below are some of the sights and situations that I had to endure over the week.







And those machines are not just for trial. We had to experiment it on almost a real scale! You can just imagine that I came home everyday knackered!!! Running on a treadmill after lunch, with strappings and without proper pre and post exercises measure, NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!

Yesterday, I had my dissertation meeting day. It was difficult but surely an eye opening to making sure we were on the right track. My research plan was somehow all over the place partly because they knew nothing what I was talking about. I then turned my my own personal tutor and he was enthusiastic about it. He even gave me his recent publication (which kind of similar study)to look at.

I'm hoping it will run smoothly. I'll be looking at the prevalence of foot pain among rheumatoid patients in Brunei as we have not got a rheumatology specialist podiatrist (hint hint!!) ahahha.

Simplistic - Comforting

What can be more comforting in a stressful and cold condition other than simple food. Just simply quick to prepare, healthy (well almost) and yummy! I blame it on my piling load of work and the stress of keeping up with the demand. Demand, and yes, that goes along with my tummy's demands too! I've been telling myself about my weight, but again it's simply unavoidable to some extent.

Got home today and thinking what can I make, as I was craving for good spud - either a cheesy chips or jacket potato. Luckily I had one baking spud left. Popped it in the microwave for about 8mins and in goes the butter and baked beans. The result? A SCORE!

Gulab jamun

Made one of my favourite Indian desserts, Gulab Jamun. It's like a doughnut soaked in sugar syrup. It's easy and quick to prepare.

All you need is powdered milk, self raising flour, milk and make. Make it like a texture between a dough and a paste, then make into tiny little balls as it will double the size when deep fried. Once fried into golden balls, soak them in sugar syrup. Chill and serve!

Promoting the profession - Podiatry.

Whilst I was back in Brunei, one of the tasks was to man the career fair at ICC organised by the Ministry of Health. On summary, it could have been better with better publicity. Nevertheless, there were many enthusiastic students attended the almost a week long fair.

However, students should eradicate the naiveity of "I want to be this and that, and I refuse to hear anything else but that, and I know what that is all about". Most of the chances, you don't actually know until you actually experienced it. On many instances students just walked pass and only stopped to a certain booth of their interest. Fair enough when interest is concerned, but how mouch would you gain for doing such? Speaking of interest, those who attended seemed to be compelled by the idea of job popularity and money. Have they even considered a realistic approach to that? Have they even questioned themselves, have I got what it takes to be that?

Anyway, enough of those rant. It was indeed a fun time spent promoting the profession in particular and working for the public as a whole. The best part has to be educating and correcting the public.

I leave you to some pictures below. So folks, the next time you attend a fair especially an educational one, be diplomatic and intelligent. Pose your questions in a learned manner as it reflects on yourselves, and not to be judgemental.

Revived! 2010

Hey, what a sinful break it was! I hadn't been able to update this blog due to time and simply being lazy too!

Perhaps I could just do a summary of things happened for the last few months (well almost a year).

In July (28th July 2009), it was an auspicious day of my life. I graduated for the second time with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Podiatry / Podiatric Medicine. At the same time I was named the recipient of the Podiatry award. I was so nervous on stage but didn't fail to pose and smile for the cameras.







Attending the ceremony were my beloved mom, and two of my sidekicks - Shahin and Shumba. It was certainly a smooth going ceremony and would certainly be a memorable moment in my life.

Whilst mom was in the UK, I rented a car (pretty much a usual thing innit?) and we toured Cardiff, Oxford, Bath and Manchester to meet up Kolin's granma. Although it was a short trip, indeed it was a fun thing and time well spent with mom. Whilst in London, took mom to Greenwich just to see things around. I also managed to book seats for a theatre at the Westend, Sister Act.

So much happenings and took tons of pictures, but I'll only share some here. Mom obviously couldn't stop shopping. We had to buy an extra luggage just to fit in those extras, yet it was just about! She definitely enjoyed the trip, that what matters the most anyway.

As with the rented car, initially I was given a 7 seater family car. Fortunately (Yes), the car airconditioning system failed and would be dangerous to drive as it would start to fog during cold conditions. I went in to get a car change and the lady asked if I drive automatic. Of course, the answer was a yes and that would be a bonus! So instead of the 7-seater Touran, I had a Mercedes A-Class. Not a big deal, but it was certainly helpful in terms of comfort and being small in size, easy to manouvre around in the city.

Taking turns driving. Me getting bored driving on a slow pace on the M6 towards Manchester.









Came September, I had to return back to UK as a student. But this time, as a Post-graduate student. I was also awarded scholarship for that, DOUBLE WHAMMY!! Yay! Moved in to a new 2 bedroom flat, shared with Shahin.

So there you go. Nothing much interesting going on. Although there are a few, but they were just minor stuffs. hehehe. Hopefully I will be updating this blog as much as I used to. Alrighty then!

Life after being an undergraduate

Here I am sitting in my room not knowing what to do. Reflecting to series of episodes of ups and downs in life, it is indeed a great journey. This is my 4th week in my lovely country, Brunei Darussalam. Although I haven't been up to much, but it's certainly a time well spent with family and friends.

Right after the graduation ball, I was so busy packing my stuff before heading back to Brunei. I underestimated how much junk I had collected over the years. But I managed in the end.

Tons of shoes that gave me headaches!


Arrived in Brunei about 4 weeks ago. I was welcomed with a shocking environment of swine flu. It would have been better if an announcement was made onboard before everyone disembarked the plane to avoid any unnecessary anxiety. I was no exception amongst other anxious passengers. For one, we had been on a very long and tiring journey, and suddenly a group of people in spacesuits welcomed us at the end of the tunnel (aerobridge). I knew there's a big outbreak of swine flu in Brunei, but they could have told that a standard procedure of screening is taking place. I thought someone had been infected that was onboard and the reason why such strict screening took place. Luckily, there was none, and it was only a random check. We had to wait until everyone disembarked, whilst waiting at a designated area before being cleared to go.

Scary ducks?


Came the 2nd week of my stay here in Brunei, the day finally came. My results! Due to the time difference and typical postal service, I had to call the university for my results at midnight, although I could check my results online and not my degree classification. I only got the results pack yesterday, and that's like 2 weeks after the results have been published. Anyway, it was a good news and now looking forward to my graduation. Got my graduation kit ready... and just looking forward to the day!! The wait was definitely nerve wrecking. My coursemates and I gathered online over a chat platform expressing our anxiety. Everyone agreed that the exam was very difficult and that the results would be shocking. Unlike our previous exam results, the anxiety weren't as bad as this one. Simply because, the previous exams were alright. In the end, alhamdulillah it's all good although no one got a 1st! Funny how everyone expected me to get a 1st! ahahhaha

With the results and all done, I celebrated the moment by treating myself with friends in Sngapore. And I bought myself a new pair of Tag watch, which was a last minute decision at the airport! ahahha Oh well.. ehehe Again, the highlight would certainly be the time spent together with my friends in Singapore, Cathy and Pinqy. Whilst there, we spent time on the hunt for great foods which included the so claimed best Nasi lemak in Singapore which was told that was eaten by His Majesty, went on the Singapore Flyer (the biggest ferries wheel in the world), and a night out at the Clinic Bar.

Up on the Singapore Flyer


Me eating the Nasi Lemak at Adam Road... ehheh (overrated indeed!!)


First night food hunt, the famous Singapore Chilli crab at Clarke Quay and a dessert at Coffee Club at past midnight! ahahha. Well spent 3 digits $$! ahha



At the Clinic Bar


Day view at Clarke Quay


View from outside the hotel room.. stunning view of Clarke Quay eh! Night vs Day


Now, I look forward to graduate and enjoy the graduation. Can't believe I have been in tertiary education for 7 years including my nursing years! Having said that, I still have tons of paperworks to complete to legalise me to practise and my professional membership.

To commemorate and as a token of my achievement, I treated myself to a new Tag watch hehehe. It's a Tag Heuer Carrera Automatic and was a last minute decision at the airport and finally bought it with satisfaction.



Taken from the website...

If only a day equals to 40 hours! - The end of the beginning

Exams off, now what's next?

Right after the exams, I wanted to take a day off. However, considering time was very short, I had to juggle many things at the same time. I am still sleep deprived. I hope I'll be able to catch those sleep at home.

Right the next day after the exams, I had to return all the library books that I had been hugging on to for the past 2-3 years! ahhaha Paid a visit to the nurse who was very helpful throughout my stay here in the UK arranging my health needs. She was surprised.. ehehe

I was also contemplating whether to pack and ship my stuff back home, or wait until I get my final results. Finally I decided to ship them back. Luckily I fouund a company who could handle the shipment within 24 hour notice. So far, the service have been brilliant and smooth going. Hope things will run smoothly till the things arrive in my hands, Insya Allah.

Then, the graduation ball on the 12th June 2009. It was smashing!! It was great, and everyone looked stunning!!!! We had a surprise show of drag queen performing. It was hilarious and very entertaining. S/he sang brilliantly and very spontaneous when engaging with the audience.

I'll leave you with some pictures here...








A cake with our group picture on it.




Then got invited to the Malaysian family for a mini get together, and today was a busy busy day. The landlord was here to carry out a house inspection making sure we get the deposit back. Then had a final monopoly game with Emily and Shahin. Now, it feels weird that the room is empty! Although, in the wardrobe are hidden clutters of things that I collected over the years!

I shall now look forward to the future, and hope all the best to come!! Amin.