A Very Happy Birthday!!!

You brought sunshine,

When there was only rain;

You brought sweetness,

When all I tasted was pain;

You brought laughter,

In the midst of sadness;

You brought hope, 

When there was nothing but darkness.

Happy birthday!

I bid to you,

A wonderful person,

Of that I've known.

Happy birthday!

I bid to you,

We've just met,

Time it seemed so long.

Happy birthday!

I bid to you,

A special day indeed,

For a very special person.

Happy birthday!

You're 20 now,

Looking forward in time,

To see what's bound....

Happy birthday little Grapefruit! 

All the best! Enjoy your day.... :)

Signing off:

Nickel Low CJ 

Some Random Thoughts #5 (Grapefruit a Grape Fruit?)

  The Grapefruit ~~ Is it from the grape family, and does it look anything like grapes? Good question. Well, one of my friends she popped out of nowhere claiming that she had mistaken the Grapefruit for grapes, while to her amazement on discovery that it's actually shaped like an orange!

  I've called her 'Grapefruit' since then to her bewilderment (she threatened that I'll suffer the consequences though), but really if one has not laid eyes on one, you would've thought the same now wouldn't you?! Seeing is believing they say. Alright, so the Grapefruit grows on an evergreen tree, in which the plant is a subtropical citrus tree and botanically belongs to the large Rutaceaefamily of citrus fruits of the genus Citrus; Scientific name: Citrus paradisi. 

  The Grapefruit however, got it's name because it grows in clusters like grapes, and in fact, is a natural hybridization of a pomelo and an orange! Believed to have evolved and originated from Indonesia and Malaysia, fresh Grapefruit from California and Arizona are available all year and come in several colors including pink, red, white and golden! Who knew Grapefruits were this fascinating...

  However it is, some people called it 'The fruit of paradise', in which claimed to be one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Tart and tangy with an underlying sweetness, grapefruit has a juiciness that rivals that of the ever popular orange and sparkles with many of the same health promoting benefits. Here are some benefits of a Grapefruit I got from an interesting website:

Health benefits of Grapefruit


1. Delicious, grapefruit is very low in calories, consists of just 42 calories per 100 g. Nonetheless; it is rich in dietary insoluble fiber pectin, which by acting as a bulk laxative helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time to toxic substances in the colon as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.


2. Pectin has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing re-absorption of cholesterol binding bile acids in the colon.


3. The fruit contains very good levels of vitamin-A (provides about 1150 IU per 100g), and flavonoid antioxidants such as naringenin, and naringin. Besides, it is a moderate source of lycopene, beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. Studies suggest that these compounds have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. The total antioxidant strength measured in terms of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of grapefruit is 1548 µmol TE/100 g.


4. Further, vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A, and flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.


5. It is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C; providing about 52% of DRI. Vitamin-C is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. It, furthermore, is required for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue and aids in early wound healing. It also facilitates dietary iron absorption from the intestine.


6. 100 g of fresh fruit contains about 135 mg of potassium electrolyte. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure through countering sodium effects.


7. Red varieties of grapefruits are especially rich in the most powerful flavonoid antioxidant, lycopene. Studies have shown that lycopene protects skin damage from UV rays, and offers protection against prostate cancer.


8. Additionally, it contains moderate levels of B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamin in addition to some resourceful minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, and phosphorus.

  You can eat Grapefruit just like an orange by peeling it and dividing it into segments. Each medium Grapefruit has 10 to 12 sections. A Grapefruit is 75% juice. One medium Grapefruit will give you 2/3 of a cup of fresh-squeezed juice. Grapefruit juice freshly squeezed and stored covered in the refrigerator will retain 98% of its vitamin C for up to a week! 

Here's some cool websites on Grapefruits:

http://www.sunkist.com/kids/experiments/

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/grapefruit.html

Signing off:

Nickel Low CJ

Special thx to 'Grapefruit Rin' for the article idea~~ :)

The Doctor's Chair

  Finally, I've got some time-off just for myself. With a cup of warm coffee and a peaceful atmosphere to add, I'm busy hammering away at my keyboard once again. Well, just so you all know my dear readers, at this point of time, I am in a General Practitioner Posting, and hence I chose my hometown as my elective venue. (To mii, it's a holiday though, shhhhhh~~~)

  Anyway, to the point now, I was attached to this clinic, one that is well-known throughout Alor Star for the past, like 30+ years or so? With no names mentioned, I then started my attachment in aim to bolster my knowledge, well, a least that's what I hoped for.

 The doctor, (now that he's my GP teacher) was a great one. He teaches with so much care and dedication, not to forget the injection of a few medical jokes during normal conversations. His skills were incomparable to any doctor I've met so far, and his experience in the medical world was invaluable. Imagine almost 50 years in medical practice, 50 years! He was fluent in English as well, hence language wasn't a barrier to mii, communication was easy, except a blip or two when he started to converse in mandarin ('My mandarin is terrible' he would tell mii. Shouldn't I be saying the same as well?). So, there we were attending patients to their needs, with myself mostly the observer by his side. And like any other normal businesses, the clinic was quite at times. And these were the times, where the doctor's chair made mii indulge into a sea of thoughts, a world of my own...

  Here's why~~ At the clinic, I was usually standing. From morning to noon; from evening to night, I stood rooted, listening to every patient's complaint, the doctor's guidance and advice as well. And when it comes the time where everything seems to have quieten down, the doctor would raise from his chair to take a walk around the lovely garden just outside his clinic. Right before that, he would turn to mii and say, 'The clinic's quiet  now, you should take a rest. Here's my chair, sit and take a rest'. And he said the same exact words everyday at that same exact time when patients find the clinic a bore.

  I stared at the chair. The same chair that doctor used to sit in 30 years ago up till now in this very clinic; the same chair I used to see it as a child whenever I visited his clinic for a certain sickness; the same chair that stood as time passed by, it's frames the proud conquerer of the unforgiving time. I rejected, politely. I would rather stand on, or have a sit on the patient's chair than to meddle with the history of that chair.

 To mii, this doctor was one of the most respectable ones I'll put my hat down and crawl on my knees for. His reputation remains a legacy, one that could give an injection in a just a few seconds without the patient feeling any pain whatsoever. His skill-work is admirable and he is so down to earth. He doesn't even charge consultation fees, and he goes easy on medication prices for his patients. His care and love for his patients is more any one could ever ask for, none of that you could find in the attitude of young doctors nowadays.

  Hence, for mii to sit in THAT chair, would require mii to at least work harder to earn my stripes, to deem myself useful to the medical world. I would have felt guilty if I were to sit on it, and with my current level, I am no where near him. Still, that chair has given mii inspiration, given mii hope that some day, I may return to him, and accept his offer of that chair. For now, that doctor's chair, in which I shall refer to, shall be a test of my competency, a test of my mentality to keep up on this route. For shall I be one day just like him, remains a grasp of faith in my very hands of today. Till then, the doctor's chair, a legacy to be continued....

Signing off:

Nickel Low CJ

 

 

Delicious @ One Utama

  Hi readers!!!! It's been a while, but being back once again at One Utama, this time mii and ma aunt had decided to crash ourselves onto this lovely little outlet, Delicious! As clear as its name states, this is something you guys wanna feast your taste-buds on then.

A wide variety!

  Well, having passed by this outlet many times, my aunt soon decided it was the time to give this shop a verdict. Hence in we walked, greeted by a rather friendly service and seated comfortably in the middle of a heart-warming ambiance. As music was played, I scanned my eyes on the wide range of lovely little cakes on display. And when the menu came, it was a moment of being spoilt-of-choices, hence I was deeply indulged in the wide variety of foods available then. Most of it were western cuisines, but the desserts and cakes were the centre of attraction.

  Anyway, I called for the chef-recommended 'The Delicious Club Sandwich' while my aunt went for the 'Duck Confit Spaghettini'. We also decided on the 'Coconut Cake' as our dessert. Soon after, our orders arrived, and it was then taste-testing time!

The Delicious Club Sandwich!

  'The Delicious Club Sandwich' was served with chopped salad and potato wedges, making it a hearty meal. And it wasn't called a club sandwich for no reason. Having layers made up of grilled chicken, pesto, egg and tomatoes on toasted Brioche and some turkey bacon to add, one bite into it and you'll be lost for words. It was amazingly flavorful! I'm not really a fan of sandwiches anyway as I always thought they were too dry and hard to bite in. This however was a star-graduate of it class, a burst of flavours; its sauce tantalizing your taste-buds in whichever way it wants and the chicken, grilled to perfection. A must-try whenever you pay a visit here. And yes it was filling, very good-for-value portion, certainly one of the best sandwiches I've tasted in a very long time.

Layers of goodness!!!

A taste of heaven

  Next on was the 'Duck Confit Spaghetti'. Well we all know how tough duck meat could be. But this however were slices of tender, juicy duck meat mixed with flavorful sun-dried tomatoes and coriander, it was really worth the value paid for. I could only describe it in two words: Amazingly awesome! With olive oil too add, I thought that with was cooked with pure passion and heart. Unlike many other spaghetti sold in many other outlets, this was cooked to the extent that you couldn't find any reason to criticize it. The spaghetti itself was not too soft, nor too hard, the whole dish doesn't give you that 'ughh, so oily' feeling and with the duck meat and spices added to, this is something you SHOULD go for whenever you pay a visit here.

Duck Confit Spaghetti

Tantalizing!

   After all that, we soon treated ourselves to the dessert we picked, le 'Coconut Cake'. Alright, I had to admit I'm very particular in cakes, because:

1: I hate cakes to have the over-buttery taste;
2: I hate cakes that are too dry;
3: I can't take cakes (actually I can't take any foods) that are too sweet as it will then cause a bad ache to the site of my newly operated wisdom teeth.

Fluffy white angle!!! :)

  I was very afraid this cake would not be able to satisfy my taste, but how wrong I was. This was amazing! Moist, not too sweet and filled with yummy coconut, with some fresh cream within to add to the impressing appearance of the cake itself, this was DELICIOUS! Ok, now I know where the name of this outlet comes from...

Coconut Cake

  Well, there were other cakes as well, and we got to know that the cakes were changed everyday for freshness. There were daily specials on the cakes too, a new cake everyday hence you won't get bored with the same-old same-old. But I would highly recommend the Coconut Cake, though there are lots more of delicious cakes yet to be tested. Never mind, soon! (I told myself that).

  Overall, I loved the service at One Utama Delicious outlet. Fast and friendly. These little things certainly make up to a wonderful dining experience, and I assure you'll find the same whenever you pay a visit here. Till then, see ya!!! :)

Daily Specials!

** For further info, please have a look through this site: http://www.thedeliciousgroup.com/





Signing off:

Nickel Low CJ

Real Life 'Hannah Montana' !!!

Oh my~~~~

  Miley Cyrus came up the stage during the 2013 MTV VMA Awards, her looks all hot and sexy. Then, it sparked controversy from then on, putting up her most daring performance yet on stage, LIVE! Gone with those childhood fantasies, Hannah Montana to be exact where she made her name. Welcome kids to the real world; this ain't no ballroom dancing, it a total porn-like-make-out-on-stage!

Once upon a time~~~

  Out she walked from a giant Teddy, an eye-opener outfit, singing her hit song 'We Can't Stop'. Then she stripped down to a PVC two-lined, boob-revealing hot-suit and pants ~~ her skin blending into it, nude I would say! And with Robin Thicke to add his hit song 'Blurred Lines' to the stunning performance, the outcome was inevitable. 

Is that you, Miley?

Eye opener!!!

  Well, there were opinions from both sides of the corner. Some say she was hot and she could do whatever she liked, others disgusted at the fact how Miley had changed from, well, an adorable Disney star to this! There was one comment quoting 'I would really show my girls this, to teach them a lesson on how one crazy moment could change one's life'. 

This to that~~~

  You be the judge on this. Till then, see ya!

Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke 

Well, you all know Thicke right? Blurred lines~~~~ Hmmmmm.....

Signing off,

Nickel Low CJ

I'm Packing...

I'm packing....

My belongings forced,

Into bulging luggages,

Sticking out from the sides,

Them, seemingly endless.

I'm packing....

My emotions concealed,

In wooden crates and boxes,

Locked up so neatly,

All so damned precious.

I'm packing....

Back on the road,

With sighs and groans,

Leaving this place,

This, I've always called 'Home'.

I'm packing....

I'll be gone for now,

But not for that long,

My life it stays here,

Here, is where it belongs.

I'm packing....

Signing off:

Nickel Low CJ

Between Colours Of A Rainbow

Love you all! :)

  The rainbow, a masterpiece of a simple spectrum of white light,

  The rainbow, its seven colours stood out glowing all so bright.

  A rainbow indeed a perfect describe, 

  With all your colours they mixed with pride;

  Promise me you girls won't kick and fight,

  Here's 7 colours, our memories take flight!

1. Red

  Then here's where everything came to start, I remember you girls were so young, just Form 1 if not mistaken. With those mushroom head-locks, Khai Yi and Jing Yi were my very first students of Class 0908 in my second year of teaching. It was a small class back then. And you two were soooooooo QUIET. Well, at least for the first 4 classes. Then, from that moment I knew back then, our journey is just about to unfold, many great things awaits us!

Waiyorr, this lenglui yorr...

2. Orange

  I've been teaching for 3 years now, something was amiss amongst my students. Yes, 'gila-ness'. My older students in others classes back then were exceptional, great commitment in studies. But yet, they lacked something that would bring mii warmth. Well, don't get mii wrong, my other students, you guys and girls were excellent as well! Khai Yi and Jing Yi continued on being my students in Form 2, the only additional was a male student. 'Bullied' by them, I really wasn't at all surprised that he never came anymore the following year. 

3. Yellow

  Time passes in a flicker of an eye. Soon, my students were to be having their 1st hurdle in secondary school life ~~ PMR. My class then was made up of a few more additions, some which were mandatory in completing Class 0908. Khai Yi and Jing Yi were there, now with much more 'authority' to really give you headaches. The new ones included WenWen, ShanZee, Tracia and Cassie Wong. As the class got bigger, the noises, chatters and laughter got louder. I almost had heart-attacks at times, but then it was their liveliness that calmed mii down. Still, they kept their nerve and produced one of my best ever achievements as a Sejarah tutor, with ALL OF THEM scoring A's in their PMR! Really, they've made mii very proud, certainly something to remember for.

Waiyorrr, studying lorrr....

4. Green

  Khai Yi is the one to thank for re-uniting mii and my students, not only that, she also brought in many new ones as well. Jing Yi, Olivia, Gia Shin, Jee Ling, Jia Jia, WenWen, ShanZee, Mei Chin, and Joe Win. With all of them in, Class 0908 was complete. For the new-comers, it was a 'getting-to-know-you' period. Of course, it wasn't to hold for long. Soon, everyone was chattering in worlds of their own. They were Form 4 now, and it was my 5th year of teaching. My grumpy self was all gone, for now I too had a say in their conversations instead of yelling for total silence. 'Go with the flow' was my motto, that was the only method I had to get to know my students up close, what they are weak in and how they managed their studies. Soon, I was more of a friend then a tutor to them, though I hated their occasional recognition of mii as 'Teacher'.

5. Blue

  My 6th year of teaching was almost a 'never-meant-to-be' as I planned to retire being a tutor and get some rest during the holidays before my new semester kicks off. Khai Yi was once again pulling the strings, setting up the class and time for one last meet with my students. Class 0908 was there as it was the previous year before, the only difference was they are now facing an even bigger hurdle, SPM! And my have you girls really grown! On the first day of entering class, I was greeted with woos of 'lengzai' and 'shuai ge'. From that on, I knew I had a looooonnnngggggg day with my students. Having known each other for the past year, they were really a task to handle. In fact, being 'bullied' by them was expected right before I started their class.

  However, I wasn't mad at that. In fact I was mad, and deeply disappointed that they came to class almost giving up on SPM. I could see them beaten, deprived of spirits to even try getting a result in their SPM. Most of them aimed to pass, but I knew they could do better. I gave them tests, threw them with answering techniques and explained in details to them on each topic. It was hard for them at first, but soon I noticed improvements. I could see their spirits rising each single day, some even stayed up late for revision, and some with a point to prove to their families, friends and school teachers. They matured by having group discussions, making notes of their own and this gave mii even more confidence to teach them better. I was touched and moved by their attitude overall. 

6. Indigo

  Few days ago, my students brought mii out for a dinner treat, steamboat and grill at TM Corner. (They called it 他妈 Corner). Really many of them could have been cooks from what I see, as they cooked more than they ate. (Had diarrhoea the next day, wonder was it the fish that Jia Jia and Joe Win cooked? Hmmmmm XD) It was a food tour, as we visited Blackball and Smiles Yogurt soon-after. From that all, I noticed the smiles on their faces, their laughter and each with a character of their own. I felt we were closer after that, no don't call mii a teacher, I'm a friend just like any other. 

BBQ!! 

Epic!

7. Violet

  

  6 years of teaching has now finally come to an end. This shall be my last batch ever. All of you are very special in your own ways, just remember to be yourself. For this colour of the rainbow, may it be our future. Lets hope we do meet again in future, that time all of you with a life of your very own. I shall never forget the times we had and shared, and NO I did not cry! :)

I shall remember the days when WenWen plans on hitting mii on the head but did not;

I shall remember the days when GiaShin call mii 'Lengzai' but after that asks mii to 'diamlah';

I shall remember the days when JeeLing was so quiet back there, but asks mii 'zomok' gangster-style;

I shall remember the days when MeiChin tries picks a man-ly fight with mii but fails;
I shall remember the days when Olivia eats something nia, then kena bully by the whole class;

I shall remember the days when JoeWin always 'sampai awal' at a planned destination;

I shall remember the days when ShanZee looks blank when we talk a bit 'chim chim' mandarin;

I shall remember the days when JingYi tries a verbal argument with mii which usually ends with '他妈',
I shall remember the days when ZhiYuin is my own sister, duh!

I shall remember the days when JiaJia 'kena kepit' by the table and gives a crescendo cry of owwwwww!

And, I shall remember the days when KhaiYi simply take anyone as her husband, including mii, aduiiii!!!!

  Girls, your friendship is something very special, something to be treasured forever. The next time we meet up, lets hope you're all in good contact as ever! Seriously girls, I am proud of all of you! Your attitude in studying have changed though you may not have noticed. Keep it up! Your other friends may say all they like, but you have done the impossible. Now, SPM is just a game, play it well, play it smart and don't forget, enjoy your life as it is! I love you girls, take care! :)

Signing off,

Nickel Low CJ