Turquoise and Roses

Someone just sprang this on me at the last minute. Tomorrow, I’ll be involved in this thing called the ASEAN Knowledge Caravan.

They don’t have a website. Why? I don’t know. If they have one, countries conducting the caravan would be able to share opinions and insights and ultimately become a truly communal ASEAN experience.

I wasn’t briefed on what it is but, I THINK it is: an initiative by ASEAN to increase ASEAN awareness among the youths. I doubt there will be gypsies but I’m very interested on it’s development.

Blogging potential. Might blog about it, if it is interesting enough.

Edit (29/7/07): IT WAS! Will try to squeeze in time to blog about it tomorrow!

Today I learnt that RAMBUTAN is a term that means “failed subjects”.

If you are a parent, here are some things I’ve observed today:

• Parents of students from the weaker classes spend the least amount of time talking to their teachers
• Weaker classes also get the least amount of parents coming while the top classes enjoy high parent attendance rates.

So what does that mean? Get to know your child’s progress in school, take the time to talk to their teachers, especially those of his weaker subjects. It seriously makes a huge difference.

Isuk skulah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolute rubbish after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Ok so I’m the fourth person to blog about the Girly Bloggers’ Lunch. This came right after the Empire lunch that I had. Needless to say, by the end of the day I was bursting out of my baju kurong.

It all started when Nonnie posted a message on the Girly Bloggers’ Googlegroup (yes we have one, so if you are a girl blogger, and wish to be included in future Girly Blogger outings, please do not hesitate to email me for an invitation). Anyway, this is what she said:

Hi darlings,

Wanna go out lunch or tea this week?
How about this Thursday? Or Friday?
=)

Erm, and Rosie said no sushi.

Regards,
Nonnie

So we all went: YES, and I suggested Red Canopy as a meeting place.

Picture courtesy of Rosie’s camera. From left laughing their heads off: Ness, Dee, War and Me. Also present were Atul, , Tina and Nonnie.

Anyway, I am not kidding: we laughed so hard that day! At one point, I thought we were chasing away other customers who were also there. The lunch was followed by mocca and chai at Fleur De Lys. I was thankful for the strong seams on my baju kurong.

Conversation that ensued (in no particular order):

• Flaming comments are always very personal
• I’m not from Arabic school
• Interesting birthday presents
• Incest, murder and other heinous crimes
• Outward Bound Temburong
• Importance of context while meeting other bloggers
• Brother of one of the bloggers
• Staccato
• Ambulance chasers
• Photoshopping blemishes
• War’s signature pose
• Leave-on shampoo

….whew! and I say YES to bowling!

Related posts (and pictures!):

• 21/6/07
• Lunch
• RD285 – Surf’s up & RD 287 – Pichas hehe
• This eclair is mine!
• Thanks girls!
• And I’ll invent the “Leave in Shampoo”

Yesterday, Rano and I were invited to the launch of the new Baiduri Prestige at the Empire Hotel and Country Club. Now I have to warn everyone, if you are looking forward to seeing NICE or even decent looking pictures, I’m afraid, none will be in this post. In case anyone forgets, I am operating on a Sony DSC-W30, in poor lighting. Rano, however, has the benefit of better picture-taking equipment, which can be seen below.

Disclaimers aside, the new and enhanced Baiduri Prestige, is (according to its press release), “a banking and lifestyle programme that aims to provide the highest level of service and support for its clientele”.

The programme has been redesigned based on 5 Principles of Prestige;

1. Personal Touch
2. Progression in Wealth
3. Priority Recognition
4. Privileges
5. Platinum Status

What this basically means is that, everyone who owns a Prestige account, will be assigned a Relationship Manager who will help to manage their overflowing wealth, via valuable financial consultation, exclusive banking services, and help them capitalize even further on investment opportunities so they will then become even richer.

CAN I HAVE ONE ALREADY? Grr.

Anyway, the launch went well, and Princess Masna was there officiating the launch. A very appropriate royal blue globe was presented to Her Royal Highness, as a token of appreciation, symbollising the “worldwide” milestone.

The whole thing was drenched with opulence, to the minute details, befitting the product being launched. Mr Pierre Imhof gave a short speech, thickly peppered with his trademark French accent.

There were a few minute technical glitches which weren’t very serious, but overall the event went through seamlessly. DJ Jenny (who I finally get to meet properly) was also there, as the MC. Her voice was instantly recognizable even before she finished saying “Ladies and Gentlemen”.

Outside, after the shebang, were exhibitors, showing their merchandise and tour packages. I went around and thought everything was quite interesting, especially the cruise packages to destinations such as Norway, Hawaii, and Langkawi.

Lastly, lunch came after all that, and we were served an excellent spread of international cuisine.

Congratulations Baiduri and for throwing such a well organised event! I’m proud to say that I’m a patron and am looking forward to more improvements in the future.

I’ve discovered an interesting Bruneian based advertising circle, nicknamed “Borneo’s Other Bulletin“. In it, are extensive Borneo classifieds, Events, Calendar, Newsletter, Community, Buy & Sell, Societies, Garage sales and much more!

Check out also, Adrina’s cupcakes, which I think are just lovely! Pictures and reviews later!

Next post: Coverage for the launch of Baiduri Prestige.

Ya Allah, I’ve just woken up from a very bad dream. Very disturbing.

Anyway, I remember of a doa one could read to help recover from being scared in the middle of the night. So I Googled it up and came across one (and more). Combined with a few other surahs such as the mandatory Al-Fatihah and the 3 Kuls, insya Allah, one can sleep soundly like a baby again.

I wish I have an Arabic keyboard for these kinds of moments.

Doa for bad dreams:

“Allahuma inni a’uzubika min amalisysyaithani wa sayyiaatil ahlaami”

Ertinya (translation):

Ya Allah, sessungguhnya aku berlindung kepada Mu dari perbuatan syaitan dari mimpi-mimpi yang buruk.

Oh Allah, I seek Your protection from the doings of the Syaitan in these bad dreams (literal translation)

Amin.

Click image to be redirected to the UBD website.

According to my blog stats, at least 20 people Googles up “UBD EXAM RESULTS” or some form of it every day since it first came out. Well, it’s finally online (couldn’t they post it up earlier?) up at the UBD website, so go on ahead and knock yourselves out!

But I’m keeping it healthy this time, since the last one was a bit artery clogging. This particular post will be featuring a delicious fruit from the depths of the Bruneian jungles of Tutong. Dad says it is called the “tebadak nangka”, also known as “tebadak kawin”. To date, I have no English name for it except maybe jackfruit tebadak which sounds weird. Haha.

Tough exterior

The outer shell is somewhat hard, but not as hard as the “king”, the durian. Tebadak however, win out over durian on size. It can reach the size of a 6 month old baby, weighing about 10 kilograms. It is more approachable as the exterior is not made up of spikes, but rather, bubbles of eye like bumps.

Halved

It is the flesh inside that makes this particular tebadak different from the regular tebadak. The flesh almost resembles the shape and texture of a jackfruit, caused by a simple “marriage” method. The regular tebadak’s individual fruits inside is also rarely as big as the tebadak nangka.

Almost tulip like

The flesh is sweet, with a lingering smell that always reminds me of Tutong and its fruit-rich forests. Some pieces of to the fruit have brown spots blemishing what would otherwise be flawless pale yellow meat, but it’s a good sign. They are signs of natural caramelisation, from sugars present in the fruit.

Stem

The fruit is basically attached on to the stem. So the best way to extract the fruit speedily is by extracting the stem away from the fruit. Those are dad’s hands holding on to the stem while I take pictures.

Kelanyat

Between the fruit and the outer shell, is the kelanyat. Also edible, and as sweet as the flesh, this part of the fruit is usually cooked in coconut milk and eaten with rice as a savoury dish.

Of course you need to remove the funny “eyes” first before cooking.

The individual fruits have a seed inside of it which is as big as a small ping pong ball. This can be boiled in salted water, and will turn out as soft as a potato. That can then be eaten with some dessicated coconut, or sweetened evaporated milk.

And the leftovers, can be kept in a container in the fridge. It will keep for at least two weeks.

Yes really. Yawn.

Just a thought: it’s really tons more fun to be tired as an after-effect of having much fun rather than being tired cause of uni-related stuff.

Anyway, I just got back from the RIPAS Emergency Unit half an hour ago (funny story which I cannot disclose) and I was just wondering how many doctors are on duty per night? Because there were less than 20 people and the wait was verryyyyyyy long (almost 3 hours?). Phew!

Maybe they’re understaffed. However, I thought the midnight staff was pleasant and helpful. I’ve heard horror stories. Hehe.

But here is a tip for those with pains, aches and swellings (who gets put in low priority lanes) planning to go to the Emergency Unit: bring a lively friend(s).

There is a very high chance that all posts during this holiday will only revolve around food and dining. In fact, here is another one right now!

The obligatory achtung for hungry people. Does it help really?

Anyway, about a month or so ago, Sister 1 introduced this gem to me in a conversation about banana fritters, or cucur pisang as we Bruneians call it. Buried deep in the hills and ramps of Kampong Mata-Mata and Tungku, is a modest roadside gerai called “Soto Haji Saban”.

It specializes in soto, unsurprisingly, and is lovingly called by its patrons the Soto Seringgit (One Dollar Soto). Now, I must confess, I’ve actually only rediscovered soto a few months ago. My experiences before that has been limited to servings I am obligated to have during Hari Raya open houses. So, obviously, I don’t exactly know what makes a really good soto.

But I do know what makes a bad soto. I know that the beef portions plays a major part in judging a bowl of noodles submerged in a semi-clear warm liquid. I know that it should have the right combinations of salty, fatty, tartness and crunch all at the same time and that the condiments (bean sprouts, fried onions, spring onions) should not overpower any other part of the soto.

But most of all, I just know that when the simple ingredients of the soto combine together in my mouth to create a delicious experience, it means that something must have been done right in the kitchen.

I’ve been to the gerai only 2 times before and during both times, I have forgotten to bring my camera. So last night when Sister 1 extended the invitation to go there, I was adamant. I checked and rechecked that my camera was in my bag. I charged the batteries full, wiped the lenses clean and cleared the memory card. I’ve made up my mind that this is a place I must write about.

Soto Daging Biasa

I ordered the usual, Soto Daging Biasa, which actually costs a mere dollar. I seriously cannot get over the fact that it’s only a dollar. For one dollar I get tender beef pieces that feels like they melt in my mouth, enough to partially cover a generous portion of noodles submerged in the deliciously steamy soup.

Being a gerai, it does get rather warm (very warm), especially in our kind of weather, so I decided that it is very appropriate to get a tall glass of Milo Ping (fortunately with more than four ice cubes). A distant relative opted for the more refreshing Iced Lemon Tea.

Just as we finished our sotos, our second orders arrive: the cucur pisang, also called banana fritters. I love cucur. This gerai has a special twist to their cucur pisang.

Yes, sesame seeds. It gave a subtle nuttiness on top of the crunchy batter. Have I ever mentioned how sesame seeds always remind me of this movie? I guess not.

Inside the crunchy coating or sesame and fried batter are nice, warm, sticky and sweet bananas, threatening to turn anyone into a cucur pisang addict upon the very first bite. Personally, the cucur is actually my favorite part of the gerai. It tastes great and goes extremely well with or without ice-cream, also available on the premises.

Maybe I don’t eat at gerai often enough, but I am astounded by the price of the food and the consistent quality it is served in. I have never found fault in the service. Our food came swiftly, considering how many of us were there today ordering many many different things, the waitor and waitresses were polite and well-mannered, even under the blistering heat.

I am most of all impressed how this family establishment is maintained. Hj. Saban, the gerai’s namesake, mans the cashier, while his wife takes charge of the kitchen. He might be a little slow counting your dollars, much due to his eyesight than incompetence, but he makes sure he gets your change right.

I’ll definitely go back there again. If you are interested to try the Soto Daging Seringgit, it is inside Jalan Tungku, next to Sekolah Rendah Tungku. Oh and in case you haven’t noticed, this is a very good review.

Haha. I love that movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Audrey Hepburn is so cute, and how could anyone not like Moonriver! Anyway, I was just thinking, what is the equivalent of Tiffany’s here in Brunei. I want to wake up in the morning and go there to have breakfast while drooling over diamonds like Audrey did in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Some would argue Diamond & Platinum, but it really is too far to go and have breakfast outside of. I mean, I like diamonds, but not that much. Ha! So the nearest jewellery store to my house is Million Goldsmith’s. Next to KFC and Pizza Hut. Hahaha. Too many temptations in one block!

Anyway, I was just thinking about Breakfast at Tiffany’s because I wanted to post my own breakfast, which I had at home, on a plate, sitting down.

Kind of like this.

From top left going clockwise: Warm toast, sausages, egg cow eye (talur mata lembu atas), Heinz baked beans, garlic shitake mushrooms.

I ate this served with freshly cracked black pepper on top. Yum.

Stay tuned for lunch (ha!).

Have any of you ever thought about the great divide between the rich and the poor? It’s a great conversation starter. But some may think that in our country, the divide is not so expansive.

Think again.

Here is someone clean (shiny almost), well-fed (and as a result very fat), with a nose wet with health, luxuriating on bright pink cotton sheets with high threadcount, in a deliciously air-conditioned room.

Mr. Puteh 

Now compare cat above with the one below.

Miss Pemalu 

This one is only a small kitten. Insecure, scared, crouching on the murky grey cement, small enough to hide behind those bricks.

The great divide, between fat spoilt cats living in air conditioned houses and baby alley ones that lives outside. Expansive.

From RanoAdidas:

After the Royal Bersanding, the newly weds made their way to town in a special semi-opened limousine and they will be followed by His Majesty, Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness and the rest of the Royal Family.

Here is a video of the royal procession of the mempelai diraja (royal couple)

(wait a while for it to get processed yea?)