February « 2011 « JEWELLE TAN

Flat Dwellers

Passing by these blocks of apartments along the Subok road, I thought of a fellow mom who decided to live in a flat just to be closer to the school her son goes to.

When we first moved up to Bandar Seri Begawan, we did consider the same thing.

The idea was that I could walk to school with the kids and not have to endure the trying traffic jams and the near non-existent parking spots that really do plagued their school.

Saving time and energy – not to mention fuel!

But having lived in a house nearly all my life, living in multi-storied buildings where I am dependent on elevators does not appeal to me. Besides, I don’t fancy getting blood circulation work-outs that are hundred times harder than wearing compression stockings in cases when the elevator fails.

However, the good thing of living in a flat is that I can escape gardening work – because right now, the neglected state of my small lawn is an eyesore, even to me.

Maybe I should re-consider my housing preferences.

26Feb

No More Tea

Filed in Health Leave a comment

This article on foot health was informative as there are a couple of issues mentioned here that apply to me too.

Thanks to this article, I have started to do a little change in my daily intake of food and especially my drinks. No longer is there ONLY one big caffeine-laden mug on my desk, for the times when I can tune out of my main job for a while, but next to it will also be one medium size bottle of water.

Whenever we are out for meals, I no longer order my usual iced drinks or what others call my weight loss drinks for its low fat content, not to mention being highly diuretic drinks. Instead, my meals these days are accompanied by other relatively healthier drinks such as barley or most times, just a simple mug of clear warm water.

It sounds very boring (even to me). But when I think of what can ensue when cramps happen at the wrong time, everything is put in perspective.

That this withdrawal from certain drinks is not a sacrifice but a necessity.

26Feb

Sweet Tooth

Filed in Family | Food Leave a comment

The sweet tooth in us were sure delighted to know that both my sister and future sister in law are not only into baking but are really good at it too!

For one thing, this guarantees the supply of delicious cupcakes and delectable chocolate cakes whenever we are back home.

In fact, we received a batch of beautiful and yummy cupcakes from my sister recently and my kids surprised me with just how much they enjoyed it. So incredulous this was for me – because they are the kind who licks off ONLY the cream in biscuits – that I checked dustbin and under the table to make sure there are no cupcake lying somewhere with its fancy topping gone!

Perhaps the health conscious mums will raise warning flags on the danger of indulging sweet tooth in young kids and might even pass me a list of top 10 diet pills for future reference – not that this is something I am worried about given my genetics.

Besides, anything if done in moderation is fine – and as long as they understand that sweet items are occasional treats and not must-have rights, they should be alright.

26Feb

Magazine Waste

Filed in Random Leave a comment

One of His Majesty’s message for National Day was to “avoid waste”.

This pricked my conscience because it immediately reminded me of a magazine I bought a few days before – which I have not even flip through. Adding to the growing stack of magazines that I bought but seldom read.

A habit I know spells WASTE OF MONEY.

Actually an issue cost only $5.50 and in total amounts to only $66 for 12 issues. A relatively small amount for something that not only entertains but also educates – how to dress like the stars, how to buy the right gadget, how to cook nutritious and delicious food and even how to get rid of dark circles and pigmentation.

Really, everything that a girl needs to know!

But when even a November 2010 issue is only read halfway, that $66 does not sounds like money well spent.

Perhaps it is time I should read all that I need to know online – minimal charge and no storage issues.

24Feb

Noodle

Filed in Food 2 Comments

Sometimes after we had too many rich and fatty food and we are reminded of stories about how only by using colon cleanser can we really remove some meat-based food which can remain in the intestines even after many years – we will look for vegetarian food.

The Mituo Vege Restaurant is the only place both my husband and I will agree on whenever we are stuck for lunch – like when he fancies burger (or worse, salad) and I want the full set of an authentic Indian meal.

It’s not the only vegetarian restaurant in the country but we like this place because their food is simple yet delicious – and having simple taste, this serves us just fine. Many times, even their prepared lunch dishes are good enough for me to finish one whole plate of rice with.

But it’s not vegetarian that I crave right now but the always delicious meat ball noodle soup you can find in most Chinese coffee shops in Kota Kinabalu – but which I have not found any equivalent here in Brunei at all.

It is so good I would not mind going vegetarian for a few days just to have one bowl of it right now.

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