2014

[mbok jamu]

I'm officially obsessed now with cooking. Ha ha.. I walked into my kitchen this morning and it smelt like a kitchen somewhere in Bukittinggi, spices in the air, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, galangal, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, star anise, turmeric… Lovely. I want to quit my job and start cooking, I don't want to go back to my boring paperwork. A friend who is running her own restaurant says it's a lot of hardwork. Yes, I know. Even just to make Soto Padang for 4 last night, I had to have all my cookers on, making the broth, frying the beef and perkedel and simmer the vermicelli. But I enjoyed it, it was a lot of fun. And nothing beats fresh homemade soto in winter. Yummee...

I can just imagine my Indonesian friends having it for breakfast. Selamat makan!

[Porcelain Doll]

yummm....
just made a batch of chocochip cookies yesterday for my colleagues
sure they love it

sad thing is...i don't have much money for buying the ingredients
so no practice new cookies right now..
maybe later

[mbok jamu]

I agree, baking or cooking can be pricy. I like to start with the left over; I check what's left in the fridge or kitchen cupboard first then I'll buy the rest of the ingredients.

Finally made the molten lava cake today with hazelnut biscuit crumbs, mascarpone cream and espresso syrup. It's very rich, moist and the centre is still runny like lava. Am very happy with it.

[thin.king]

What's difference between soto padang and the others.

Never eat that before

[mbok jamu]

I think it's the healthiest amongst them all, thanks to the clear broth. Unlike common dishes from West Sumatra, it doesn't actually use coconut milk. I like the texture the most, it has that crunchy fried beef, delicate perkedel and fresh vegetables, all melt in your mouth together with that aromatic spicy kuah.

Not to mention the pink kerupuk.

[mbok jamu]

Wow.. It has been a month already. What's happening here. Hmm.. A couple of weirdos, cuckoo heads. Blabbering about somebody that they hate out there.. here. Dunno why they think it's going to help them or make them feel any better. The nympho is still proud, with the stories that made feel sick to my stomach.

Missing the old days.

[mbok jamu]

I don't accept much so it felt strange when a friend gave me a birthday present today, out of her private stash. Never expected anything and didn't know how to react. Doesn't worth much money but it means a lot to me.





At the beginning hubby did not know what to give me as I had everything I need and want. Later he learnt that I just wanted him to remember it. What is bigger than a birthday wish from a person who is genuinely happy that you have been born?

[mbok jamu]

Perth, Scotland


It's good to be back. Always love this city, so peaceful but it has been quieter since we left it 10 years ago. With the economy growth of only 1% in the first quarter of the year I can feel that everything is slowly picking up itself again. Shall I start my business here in 4 years time, I wonder.

[mbok jamu]

Back at work. Yawn. Don't feel motivated whatsoever. My head is full of ideas, of other stuff, not this boring one. Doing this just for the money now, have no passion anymore.

Time for some music, hope it keeps me going until home time.





Why you gotta be so rude?
Don't you know I'm human too?
Why you gotta be so rude?
I'm gonna marry her anyway

[mbok jamu]

Need to keep reminding myself of the new sofa that's coming sometime in October. Time to redecorate the house as it has been sort of abandoned since the death of my beloved ones. It has affected me in some ways, now I can see.

Some ideas perhaps I can post here to start with. Love the coffee table but am not too sure with the big pattern on the curtain.

[mbok jamu]

Or this?

[mbok jamu]

Only have a year now to complete my study

Gotta finish tyding up the study room this weekend, still need a couple of plants to calm it down a bit. So happy to get the support and help from everyone.

NO MORE EXCUSES!

[mbok jamu]

One assessment at a time.

It is nice of the facilitator to offer me some support and Michael is only a phone call or email away to help me as well.

Keep track of the project completion.

[mbok jamu]

5 assessments down.

[mbok jamu]

Meditating for a couple of days, how peaceful.

[mbok jamu]

Exercising during lunch break - Day #1

It was actually quite nice. Warming up for 5 minutes then jogging on the treadmill for 2k. I was sweating and it felt good. Wanted to do more but didn't think I should force myself today. Had shower then went to the cafetaria. There were fish n chips and beef pie but I chose a bowl of Greek salad instead.

Guess what? I just found this article!


7 Benefits of working out in your lunch break

We think any time of day is a good time to work out. As long as you’re moving, we really don’t mind when you choose to hit the gym.
There are benefits to working out before you head to the office and benefits to working out after you’ve finished for the day. But if you have a particularly busy schedule, taking a midday break from your desk for a little huff ‘n puff definitely has its advantages.
Here are our top seven reasons why midday power workouts can be particularly beneficial:


1. Boosts your mood and energy levels
Exercise releases endorphins – those feel good neurotransmitters which produce a general feeling of wellbeing. Couple that with the invigorating feeling that comes post-workout and you’ll be flying through your afternoon meetings.


2. Creates more free time
If you hit the gym at lunchtime, you don’t need to wake up early to squeeze in a morning workout session, or head to the gym after work during those last few precious hours of sunlight. Plus, if you’re usually an afternoon exerciser, working out in the middle of the day means you’re less likely to find excuses to put off exercise between lunchtime and the end of the day.


3. Reduces your chance of illness
It seems counterproductive to say that engaging in physical activity at lunchtime will reduce your chance of illness and injury, but sitting for long periods of time has been linked to increased risk of premature death, particularly from cardiovascular disease. It is also associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cancer. An Australian study published in the journal Circulation found that for every hour that a person spends sitting, their individual risk of death from all causes rose 11 per cent, their risk of death from cardiovascular disease rose 18 per cent and their risk of dying from cancer, 9 per cent. What better reason to step away from the desk!


4. Saves money
You can’t head to a café if you’re spending your lunch breaks at the gym, which means you’re not going to be spending your hard earned cash on store-bought food. Save the cash and spend it on something you really want – like a new pair of shoes or a romantic weekend away!


5. Saves kilojoules
As well as saving money from avoiding buying your lunch, you’ll also be doing a favour to your waistline. The food we make at home is always going to healthier than the meals available from the corner store or local café. It only takes a couple of minutes to prep a healthy, fresh salad at home. You don’t even need to spend time chopping! Just throw some rocket, spinach, cherry tomatoes, beans, corn kernels, and a tin of tuna into a lunchbox and you’re ready to go.


6. Reduces stress
Exercise is a proven way to reduce stress – so taking a break in the middle of the day to work up a sweat is a great way to deal with looming deadlines and difficult co-workers. When we exercise, our brains produce more serotonin, a chemical which acts as a mood stabiliser that helps to relieve depression and reduce stress. A much better solution that crying in an office toilet cubicle.


7. Improves your problem solving skills
Sometimes a situation crops up early in the workday that needs a great deal of brain power to solve. When this happens, the best solution is to engage in a little lunchtime sweat session. When our blood flow and oxygen levels are increased, the brain creates new synapses – or connections – which improve our cognitive performance, helping us to solve those tricky problems at work.


source: Fitness Fernwood

[mbok jamu]

Day #2

1% incline to make up for the lack of wind resistance and simulate outdoor running conditions then the interval work out, running for 3 minutes with 2 minutes jogging interval. 2,5k in 30 minutes. Not bad, huh?

Tomorrow will be taking Starsky and Hutch jogging in the morning for a few blocks. Miss you pooches!

[mbok jamu]

Day #3

It has been a while since I was dripping with sweat. 3k in 30 minutes.

Quitting is the best decision I've ever made, a pack of cigarettes is now $21 or $1 a stick! Who on earth will pay that much for a cigarette? Black market for cheap Asia cigarettes will get bigger. If they can't afford the legitimate product they will seek out the contraband. Me? I just have to make sure I'm back in Indonesia when I reach 70 so I can afford it.

[mbok jamu]

Day #4

I could've just had a long lunch break today but I didn't, I went to the gym instead! Another 3k in 30 minutes. I also noticed I've lost half a kilo already. Should've not weighed myself, it's about getting fit, not losing weight.

For sure it has lifted up the mood and energy levels. And the most important thing, it has inspired others to do the same. A couple of girls started exercising as well, good on them. People who are happy with themselves won't be jealous of others.

[Hai_Lee]

Good job, mbok

Working out is about getting fit but losing weight is a nice added bonus