He is cute, isn't he? His name is Matthew and my nephew from Melbourne. His dad is Aussie and his mum is my cousin. They came to Kuching early June for holiday.
This pretty little girl is my niece, Ashley, Matthew's little sister. She is 1 year old, few months older than my little girl, Twinkle. Ahh... both of them are so adorable. I told my cousin not to talk English only. Try to talk Melanau and Malay to both of them so that they know. Maybe some swear words? Hahahahahaha... just kidding!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Abolish exam fees...
Today, I read The Borneo Post regarding "Abolish Exam Fees". Ok, for Malaysian students there are three main exams during high school and one during primary school.
For primary school, UPSR is RM5, PMR is RM20, SPM (equivalent to O-Level) is between RM120-RM140 and STPM (equivalent to A-Level) is between RM 205 - RM220.
As for suggestion, these fees should not be imposed on poor families.
The truth is, some of the house income is maybe RM200 per month. With this kind of income, it is ridicilous to pay those fees. I know because I live in kampung and seen students stop going to the school because of being poor. I know this one family, she has 3 kids each sitting for UPSR, PMR and SPM. Oh dear, it will cost RM165 and she is only earning RM300 per month! It is sad to know that maybe she has to work really extra hard to pay for the fees.
Malaysia won't go bankrupt if they abolish these unnecessary fees for the poor. Trust me, it will do more good than harm.
For primary school, UPSR is RM5, PMR is RM20, SPM (equivalent to O-Level) is between RM120-RM140 and STPM (equivalent to A-Level) is between RM 205 - RM220.
As for suggestion, these fees should not be imposed on poor families.
The truth is, some of the house income is maybe RM200 per month. With this kind of income, it is ridicilous to pay those fees. I know because I live in kampung and seen students stop going to the school because of being poor. I know this one family, she has 3 kids each sitting for UPSR, PMR and SPM. Oh dear, it will cost RM165 and she is only earning RM300 per month! It is sad to know that maybe she has to work really extra hard to pay for the fees.
Malaysia won't go bankrupt if they abolish these unnecessary fees for the poor. Trust me, it will do more good than harm.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Beautiful Geisha...
This image is really beautiful. I really like the way she sits and bares her body. Besides, she is gorgeous.
The first thing pops out of my head is geisha. Actually, geisha is not like the one in the picture After reading "Geisha of Gion, The Memoir of Mineko Iwasaki with Rande Brown", I have more or less rough ideas about geisha. I also read "Memoirs of Geisha by Arthur Golden". I haven't watch the movie yet, maybe one day. I heard the movie is beautiful.
I wish one day I have the chance to wear kimono. Hmmm.. I wonder when?
Tun Mahathir... his side of story...
This is the latest site regarding Tun Mahathir and Abdullah Badawi, Malaysian Prime Minister. I found it interesting. Read more...
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Melanau and Kebaya Nyonya
Ok, it is widely known that nyonya from Melaka wears it. But, for Melanau community in Mukah, Sarawak it is widely worn. They wear it for wedding ceremony, Sunday Mass or special occasions.
My mother is a tailor. Her expertise is kebaya nyonya embroidery. I have seen the measuring, tailoring and embroidering process. The process of embroidering is long and tedious. It took lots of patience and hard work, no surprise that a piece is very expensive.
My mum has three different machines. The first one is 35 years old Singer sewing machine. That is her first embroidery machine. The second one is which she just bought last March, 2006. It cost her RM2170.00.It is also Singer, but I forgot what model. The machine does a very well and fine embroidery. But my mum has a little problem because the machine is fast and strong. It is actually an industrial sewing machine but does very high quality embroidery. But so far, practice makes perfect. She can handle it better.
The third one is Lux embroidery sewing machine. My mum’s friend has it and she’s a embroidery tailor too. The machine is more user friendly, but I personally prefer Singer since the embroidery is finer.
I came across to this website, www.kebayas.com. It is a kebaya online selling. When I look at the price tag, I was so surprised because a piece can reach RM1500. But thinking again, the price is deserving all the meticulous time spent making it. Besides, the design is tricky and complicated.
My mother is a popular embroidery tailor in my area. It is no surprised because her workmanship is very high quality. Besides, she always has new patterns and designs. Thanks to me, I always on the look out for new designs via internet. In addition, she has this book by Datin Seri Endon about kebaya nyonya. There is the second one coming out and she might be getting it soon.
About the price, hers is considered cheaper. This is because she is doing it at “kampong level”. If you go to boutique in Kuching or Kuala Lumpur, the price is maybe RM200 more. For her customer “bunga besar” or bigger designs means price starts at RM200. So far, the most expensive had been requested of her is RM500. I tell you, that RM500 is maybe RM800 in big cities. I asked her why her price is lower, and she explained that this is village folk, she has to consider. The popular request is RM 70 pattern, where old women prefer on their kebaya. This kind of kebaya is like an everyday wear for them.
There is one kebaya pattern that both of us have been looking for so long. We do not have the peacock design yet. I remember the HSBC advertisement where the lady is trying on her peacock kebaya. From there, me and my mum are trying to find the design. So far we are out of luck.
The two kebayas shown here are tailored for two different ladies with same red cloth. It worn for their nephews’s wedding. Same colour but different designs. Each cost RM280.
But the truth, my mum told them it cost RM300, but a discount for village folks. It took my mum more than a month to finish it. Well, she is not 24 hours in front of the machine. Besides, Twinkle is always there to hassle her.
Actually, the yellow flower is from Datin Sri Endon’s book. Quite nice, isn’t it? The seond one is actually a popular request from her customer. So far, my mum already made five of them. She told me she sick of making the same pattern. Oh well, customer request cannot be denied.
My mum has a lot of kebaya nyonya, but I haven’t got the time to take pictures of it. Maybe, I should make one section just dedicated on kebaya nyonya so that I can show the world the whole collection. Cool huh? More about kebaya nyonya here.
Me and Saturday
Today is Saturday and I woke up around 6.45am. So, the first thing I did was letting Imau, Itam and Monty out of the cage. Change their litter and feed them and the birds. That's Imau.Isn't he adorable?
After that, did some gardening. Well, they need fertilizer. All I can say all the plants are undernourished. Hmmm, since I’m house-sitting, I just trimmed them to the bare so that it will bloom again.
After that, did some gardening. Well, they need fertilizer. All I can say all the plants are undernourished. Hmmm, since I’m house-sitting, I just trimmed them to the bare so that it will bloom again.
We’ll see in two months time.
It has been almost three weeks I left Mukah. Actually, it is only for few days but the maid got fired because she is unreliable. Besides, my sister and her husband left for KL. Nobody is at home to watch the house. I hope they will be back this Monday.
I don’t know whether they will get a maid sooner but for sure I need to go home.I just miss Twinkle. If you are a mother, you know how it is feels to be away from your nine months old child. Hmm… I called home every night, checking on her. My mum told me she knows very well how to clap hands and disturbing her great nanny. It seems she is maneuvering her walker expertly. She knows the right time to sway or stop. Notice the pants on her head. I purposely put it on her head. Really in fashion!!!!
My friend called me last night, well actually I asked him to call me. Melbourne to Kuching is awful cheaper compared to Kuching to Melbourne. It is good to have a rattling and mumbling with him. We talked about World Cup. Mind you, I am not an avid fan, but I just follow the current flow. My friend told me Australia has made it to the 16 teams aka next round. So, they will be up against Italy. I told him, “Hahahaha…. Surely they will lose. Italy is strong”. But he told me it won’t be the case since Italy is not as strong as before. I guess I assumed Italy is strong because they were World Cup Champion. Besides, Australia hasn’t been in the World Cup since 1978. Regardless, I will make sure I’m up to watch the game. Funny, in my head I can see koalas against spaghetti bolognaise. Don’t ask me why.
It has been almost three weeks I left Mukah. Actually, it is only for few days but the maid got fired because she is unreliable. Besides, my sister and her husband left for KL. Nobody is at home to watch the house. I hope they will be back this Monday.
I don’t know whether they will get a maid sooner but for sure I need to go home.I just miss Twinkle. If you are a mother, you know how it is feels to be away from your nine months old child. Hmm… I called home every night, checking on her. My mum told me she knows very well how to clap hands and disturbing her great nanny. It seems she is maneuvering her walker expertly. She knows the right time to sway or stop. Notice the pants on her head. I purposely put it on her head. Really in fashion!!!!
My friend called me last night, well actually I asked him to call me. Melbourne to Kuching is awful cheaper compared to Kuching to Melbourne. It is good to have a rattling and mumbling with him. We talked about World Cup. Mind you, I am not an avid fan, but I just follow the current flow. My friend told me Australia has made it to the 16 teams aka next round. So, they will be up against Italy. I told him, “Hahahaha…. Surely they will lose. Italy is strong”. But he told me it won’t be the case since Italy is not as strong as before. I guess I assumed Italy is strong because they were World Cup Champion. Besides, Australia hasn’t been in the World Cup since 1978. Regardless, I will make sure I’m up to watch the game. Funny, in my head I can see koalas against spaghetti bolognaise. Don’t ask me why.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Chocolate Cups with Whipped Cream
Chocolate Cups with Whipped Cream
This recipe is a no-bake pot de crème—no kidding!
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup whole milk
1 egg
2 Tbsp. sugar
Pinch salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. hazelnut liqueur or dark rum
4 demitasse cups
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbsp. sugar
Mint sprigs, for garnish, optional
When planning your menu, make this dessert first to allow these chocolate cups to set and chill.
Heat milk in a small pan over moderate heat until it comes to a boil.
In blender or food processor combine egg, sugar, a pinch of salt, semisweet chips and liqueur. Run processor or turn on blender to low setting.
Pour in boiling milk in a slow stream. The hot milk will cook the egg and melt the chocolate. Process or blend 1 minute, until smooth.
Spoon chocolate into 4 demitasse cups and chill for 30 minutes.
After dinner, beat cream until soft peaks form. Add a little sugar and beat to combine. Top the chocolate cups with a dollop of cream and garnish each cup with mint sprigs. Place cups on saucers and serve with demitasse spoons. If you use teacups, this recipe will yield 2 cups, rather than 4.
This recipe is a no-bake pot de crème—no kidding!
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup whole milk
1 egg
2 Tbsp. sugar
Pinch salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. hazelnut liqueur or dark rum
4 demitasse cups
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbsp. sugar
Mint sprigs, for garnish, optional
When planning your menu, make this dessert first to allow these chocolate cups to set and chill.
Heat milk in a small pan over moderate heat until it comes to a boil.
In blender or food processor combine egg, sugar, a pinch of salt, semisweet chips and liqueur. Run processor or turn on blender to low setting.
Pour in boiling milk in a slow stream. The hot milk will cook the egg and melt the chocolate. Process or blend 1 minute, until smooth.
Spoon chocolate into 4 demitasse cups and chill for 30 minutes.
After dinner, beat cream until soft peaks form. Add a little sugar and beat to combine. Top the chocolate cups with a dollop of cream and garnish each cup with mint sprigs. Place cups on saucers and serve with demitasse spoons. If you use teacups, this recipe will yield 2 cups, rather than 4.
My sweet little Twinkle
Another Day
So, this is my first to do blog thingy... Well another way to be creative or just to brush up my restricted brain activities. **sigh**
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