Tervetuloa
Few sentences about my journeys. I just want to share my minds and my thoughts...
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Lots of Thanks to Ny & Arri
This posting is especially dedicated to Ny and Arri! Really fortunate I am to have friends like you all. Let me elaborate...

Last weekend, Ny went back to Jakarta coz she had family occasion. It's only 2 days anyway, what a short journey! Hmm well to be frank, If I got a close friend (must be well known, otherwise I'll feel guilty to ask others unnecessary things, hehehe), I always ask that friend to buy something that I'm really crazy looking for in here, a small tiny island Singapore, hehehhe. For example, last time I asked MT to buy me pempek ( Indonesian fishcake- red) and Aziz to help me to bring Dunkin Donuts and Indonesian sweet soya sauce.

What made me surprised was she bought me a lot! Really sorry if you felt I bother you. At first, I hoped I could only bite those my childhood fav choco only 3 times, but in fact I got the chance to bite it 25 times. Oh my goodness, really thanks ya Fan. I really couldn't finish all, so I decided to share them with my office friends like my lab partner, Yan Qi, my new nice S'porean friends Dalton Tay and Annie Wong. They said it's nice. Hehehhe.

Here is that so-called my lovely childhood choco ( This choco reminds me lots of nice things during my primary school, why why? Coz lots of my neighbour called me that choco brand name, hihiihih, moreover it's nicer than Top!)

Beng Beng, my memorable childhood fave choco

Then for Arri, another special thanks for you. One day before Chinese New Year, we went together to Sim Lim Square to buy my so-called upgrade lists. I was afraid at that time if the shops closed coz it's near new year eve. Fortunately it was not! Now my computer is really nice and lovely, hence really can make me stay even longer in front of it. Thanks for helping me to upgrade my obsolete PC. Sorry ya Ri for being so silly about hardware n software.

Here is my upgraded PC, so glad! Alhamdulillah...
My lovely PC!!!
posted by Bram @ 12:49 PM   1 comments
Monday, January 30, 2006
Chinese New Year !!!
Remarks: Never ever think I'm a racist blogger due to this posting. I am really not! I just want to prattle some of my experiences living in Singapore.

Intro:

I realize I am a Chinese outlooking guy, really. You can see it from my photo. That's true coz I'm a still Chinese descendant. My grandma's mother is a Chinese woman who migrated to West Java area and married with local Indonesian man, but then she became a real devoted Indonesian sinceafter. It's proven by being a combatant during Indonensian war with Dutch. So overall I am still mixed. Nah nah, due to this fact people sometimes thought wrongly that I could speak Chinese. Somehow that makes a bit messy in my conversation, in my daily life. When I met new people they spoke Han Yu (Chinese-red) directly to me, even without noticing I am not Singaporean. I always feet abash...That's why I intended to learn at least simple Chinese to explain to them. Hehehhe.

Even worse in my company, lots of people are Chinese outlooking, and sometimes they generalize that all Chinese are non-moslem. Hmm but I am. Somehow it's difficult to explain them if not in really constraint condition. Fortunately they understand well and really respect my belief if I told them eventually. What a relief! Even some of them saying "how come leh?" or " Difficult to believe leh..." In addition, my family never celebrated Chinese New Year, coz we have our own Indonesian tradition and moreover we must be a real Indonesian for good sake rite *sigh*. So I know nothing about this celebration, but why don't we just enlive this joyous festival here. hehehehe.

Looks funny, no, not funny at all but unique! But thanks God, You always gives me the best thing which is, I got a very kind supervisor and he respects my choice, proven by allowing me to have Friday prayer (2 hours plus!) and takes over my job at that time...

Main Topic:

On Chinese New Year Eve, henceforth called CNY, we ( Me, Barra (our maestro who just came back from his exchange in UBC, Canada), Yodha, MT, Fajo and Arri) went to Chinatown to walk around and watching the fireworks (plus firecrackers). Actually there were many places to watch it including Esplanade. But we decided to come to Chinatown coz looked more suitable and we never went there before.

There were so many people there, so crowded, but at least better than new year fireworks. The place consists of old but unique buildings (Liang Wei said they're built during WW 2) decorated with CNY red stuffs. We needed at least to wait around 2 hours till midnite, coz we arrived earlier.

When the fireworks were being launched, I was so surprised that firecrackers were also being exploded just few minutes after. The unpleasant case was they were too close with the audients, really. Moreover they also sowed small glitter powder into the open air in the middle of. Walao, ckckckck.*sigh* Some people were catched those powders in their front eyes, so they needed to back off to the furthest places. The firecrackers also produced some smelty smoke...but overall really worthwhile to watch!

We finished it by 1am and decided to walk from Boon Lay MRT to NTU (Really!!!). Then arrived at my room at almost 3am. What a nice new year eve...Thanks for Barra who had organized our SSS so-called small outing.

Here are some of my CNY eve photo taken...





Then on the 1st day of CNY, our SSS family (me, fika, risyad, arri, daren, MT, barra) had another movie outting to Orchard. We were all suprised coz Orchard was like a dead city, most of the shops closed except fast food chains. At first we planned to eat out at Ayam Penyet Ria at Lucky Plaza, but all closed. *sob sob* Finally we ate Taco Bell near Lido.

We continued to watch Singaporean movie called " I not stupid too 2". For me the movie was realy awesome! I like the story flow. It's really smooth, some scenes were very touching (Damn, I cried at that time...*blushing*) and some could make laugh like crazy. Compared to "I not stupid 1", the story is more mature and has more meaningful messages. Hahahha, overall it's worth to watch! Must die die watch ya...*sigh*

posted by Bram @ 12:24 PM   0 comments
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Recipe Series #5 == Fusili Egg ==



Ingredients:
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 small bowl fusili, soft-boiled
  • Leftover imitation pizza topping
  • 1/4 onion
  • 1/2 tsp minced onion
  • Butter
  • Pepper, salt, seasoning

Steps:

  • Saute garlic and onion with butter
  • Add pizza topping, seasoning, pepper and salt to taste
  • In a separate bown, beat eggs
  • Pour the sauteed topping into eggs
  • Add fusili
  • Polish butter on a fry pan, pour egg mixture
  • Stir quickly and after egg is done serve with chili sauce

posted by Bram @ 10:50 PM   0 comments
Recipe Series #3 == Double Chocolate Pudding==
Basically I wanted to make a perfect choco pudding since long time a go. But frankly this is my 1st time to make a nicest one. I got the recipe idea from Dapur Syl, but I modified it accordingly to the my own availability and make combination with the spongy pudding. The steps are somewhat time consuming and need you to do it thoroughly, but the result won't make you regret...The taste is heavenly nice!


Ingredients:

Layer 1 (solid pudding):

1 pax agar powder (@ 12 grams)
190 gr sugar
60 gr choco powder (Van Houten brand is nice!!!), sifted
800 ml milk ( take 300 ml to dissolve choco powder)
3 yolks, beaten

Layer 2 (spongy pudding):

1 pax agar powder (@12 grams)
190 gr sugar
60 gr choco powder (Van Houten brand is nice!!!), sifted
800 ml milk ( take 300 ml to dissolve choco powder)

2 yolks, beaten
3 white eggs, whisk with mixer until there're hard peaks

Vanilla Vla:

400m ml milk mix with 80 gr sugar
1 yolk
1 tbsp cornflour, dissolve with 1 tbsp of warm water
1/2 tsp vanilin powder (can be substituted by Rhum)


Steps:

Layer 1 (solid):

  1. In a bowl mix together 300 ml milk, sugar, and choco powder. Stir until the powders well dissolved.
  2. Pour the 500 ml milk into a pan, add agar powder and whisk. Add the choco mixture. Use only low heat and stir occasionally.
  3. After it boils, take some amount of mixture and add into the yolks, stir quickly and put back into the pan. Stir again.
  4. After it boils again, before it's poured into the mould, strain the agar mixture to obtain smooth texture.
  5. Put in the fridge after no more steam.

Layer 2 (spongy):

  1. Do these steps after 1st layer has solidified. Repeat the step 1,2 and 3 of solid part above.
  2. After it boils for twice, strain into the whipped white eggs mixture and whisk quickly to prevent coagulation.
  3. Pour into the mould and let it cools down

Vla:

  1. Pour milk, sugar and vanilin powder into a pan.
  2. Stir quickly and use low heat.
  3. Take some mixture into the yolk, whisk and put back
  4. Add cornflour
  5. Serve with cold pudding

How how? Long steps aren't? But that's cooking art...long steps but you won't regret the result. Hehehe.




posted by Bram @ 10:49 PM   0 comments
Recipe Series #4 == Imitation Pizza ==

Ingredients:
  • 2 pax sliced breads
  • 1 can champignon mushroom, sliced thinly
  • 1 can kernel corn
  • 1/2 bell pepper
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • 2 pax sausages, sliced thinly
  • 250 gr cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 onion, minced
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • Mayonaise
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • Salt, pepper, chicken seasoning

Steps:

  • Saute onion and garlic with butter then add sausages, mushroom, corn and bell pepper
  • Add salt, pepper and seasoning. Keep it for topping.
  • Spread over mayonaise and spaghetti sauce on the bread respectively
  • Add topping and cheese
  • Bake for 3 mins until cheese melted
  • Serve with chili sauce

posted by Bram @ 10:49 PM   0 comments
Memorable Farewell Party
If there is a meeting there should be a separation. As our club SSS had planned before to have a Manda farewell party on Sunday night (combined to Kemal belated b'day celebration), so we prepared lots of things including the most important thing...Foods!. What a bland party if no food. Actually we planned to have BBQ, but Laris insisted to substitute it with indoor dinner due to impredictable weather. In fact that night was clear enough, hahahha. The event itself was going pretty well.

Our welfare committee representatives (Me, Ny, Gempa, Yodha) cooked 2 dishes, Imitation Pizza and Special Choco Pudding with Vanilla Vla as I designed so. We start everything at 2pm and could finish them earlier. Coz there were lots of leftover eggs, so I cooked them together with some Fusilli and tadaaa we had our own so-called pre dinner ( or appetizer?) special scammbled egg. We decided to eat only for four of us, hehehe. Later I'll put the complete recipes. The processes were not as tiring as when we're making Macaroni Schotel, they're rather easy and quick, but still need fast actions.

Here are the foods...

Choco Pudding

Imitation Pizza

and our secret Fusili..hehhehe

Sauteed Fusili

Then the main courses (plain rice, ayam opor, sambal goreng, sausages, stir fried veggy )...oopss I forgot to take it properly. Sorry2.

After bla bla other not important things, we arrived at MT and Fajo's room and had Magrib prayer together with Barra as imam and reach Hall 13 block 64 TV lounge by 7.30pm. Wow, there were lots of other foods also, like Onigiri Zushi, Canteen 13 dinner, etc etc. Unfortunately I didn't take all the pictures.

Before any eating occasion, due to our late music performers, duh, we decided to celebrated Kemal b'day first. The 1st pudding (instead of cake) went to Laris. Of course after she spoke out her 1st testimonial for Kemal. Hmm she said that he oftenly never say Hi if they both pass or meet somewhere until she 'slaped' him. Not only for her lah!!! Me too, when I ever talk to him except if there SSS cooking event??? for me he is somewhat strange. Really. If I pass him then I'm sure that he looks at me and vice versa but after I say hi, he's perfectly silent and never ever reply my say-Hi. Am I doing something wrong or what? So weird rite? I just cannot tolerate others that know others then never say hi each other. The reason he says that he forgot the person's face is really not a good excuse, how come he can forgot someone if we meet oftenly? Please, I know here is an individualist country, but not all the people like that! Ok since then I never say anything if I meet him. I don't care if he thinks I'm an arrogant person or what. I know how I'm inside me deep heart. I'm hard hearted already now. Fine fine, stop this non sense, let's continue to the main topic.

The strangest thing was the pudding became the 1st dish served which was supposed to be served at the last. Many people said the pudding was nice hehhehe, so glad and the pizza was like the real taste (I don't know why?). I only got around 2 slices of pudding (the slices were exteremely thin!!!), hmmm I must make it again this weekend to revenge :-). Just can't imagine the pizza finished only in few minutes, really a guy eating instict. Hmm, eventhough I didn't taste a lot of my cooked food, I was still satisfy coz for me the art of cooking is not how good I can cook or how many my own food I can eat, but how glad others taste my cooked food. That's wonderful if others like my food. Many people asked me during the party where I learn cooking? Hmm in the lab I answered. hehehhe.

Well, after eating those strange opening food, we continued to Manda speech, not many important things except that I know she has been trying hard to get what she wants to go overseas (since high school...I never realized it before). Then the most amazing one is our newbie performers. I almost didn't believe Barra can sing so good. Hmm, really a nice event!!!

Hey hey...look at our newbie SSS performers, their songs were awesome!

and and...our nice SSS family...

posted by Bram @ 10:19 PM   0 comments
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Sayonaara
I heard a proverb before that says " What we start must have an ending", either happy or sad ending. Hmm for me that's somewhat true. I experienced many things like this of course. And for example: Today is my last day working as a parttime researcher in Biomaterials Lab, after all the hassles... I cannot say that I did an outstanding research or poor research, but I prefer to say it as neutral and adequate. I've tried my best and thoroughly. The reason why I say it's neutral is probably because I didn't do the whole research of mine like a year before, but rather helping others to do theirs. Hence I'm not sure how they interpret it. Not really necessary to read tough scientific papers either, only doing some so called quick experiments. Still that makes me happy and broaden my mind what is research for and what is the real meaning. Overall the ending was nice and meaningful, not forgetting to greet some nice friends there of course. Kawaii ne...

On this last day nothing much to do, just normal and simple thing, then came to MSE afternoon tea together with MT and Yodha. The foods were nice but I didn't have big apetite though. The main thing was my high school organisation's (SSS) farewell dinner preparation. We bought everything in the evening and I planned to make choco pudding and imitation pizza. Hope will be all right. The shopping itself was nice but tiring.

I want to thank a lot also for Bobo ( Aziz nickname -red) for his so called oleh-oleh from his holiday back in Jakarta last few weeks. Hmm, it's so nice. I said to him I'd pay for it, but at the end he didn't want to. Really made me feel ashame... Flash back, I asked him also to bring empek-empek (Indonesian traditional fish cake) last year holiday, but he did the same.

Here is the oleh-oleh. An Indonesian famous donuts franchise. They have nice taste and good assortments. Unfortunately Singapore doesn't have them...:-(

Nice donuts flavours : Strawberry, Marmalade, Choco-Peanut, Choco and Vanilla

O ya, the Sayonaara here is not only for my lab but also for Manda, a high school and Uni friend of mine. She's going to have exchange program to Uni of Compiegne in France, so nice. Have an amazing and wonderful journey, au revoir!

NB:Last week after the tiring cleaning of my room, I got to take the pictures, hehehe. For the sake that may be I'll miss them in the future when I'm not staying anymore here. Really a nice room of mine.

Anyway, neat or not???

posted by Bram @ 1:35 PM   0 comments
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Attachment?

Hmm feel like to write more now...Last Monday I renewed my phone subscription plan for next 2 years together with Risyad and his friend called Haskell. There was a student offer at Singtel that's exteremely cheap and really worth it. They offer only $19.90 for 100 min talktime and 1000 sms, quite surprising rite? No wonder if last 2 years I needed to pay around $30 for less worth value.

Haskell is from Math faculty in NUS, hmm seems interesting ( imagining on my math experience during high school ;->). He's a kind and friendly guy, I think Fanny shouId know him during KOMMA 8 (He was the 1st winner on 2003...). We talked a lot during our hang out, from our school,untill his plan to go to US for further studies. You know? Normally I didn't talk a lot with whom I little know, evenmore if their minds are pretty opposite or freak (extremely conservative -red) with me. But Haskell is ok, a nice guy either. Then we had dinner at Zingdo Ngee Ann City (a Halal Korean Restaurant), trying to taste Bibimbap ( Korean hotpot rice with bean sprout kimchi, veggy and beef). Well, not bad either but rather ex. The disappointed parts were it's not really at hot stone (bap means hot stone, hehehe) and they didn't use the traditional Korean chopstick and spoon. Yes, they were supposed to use the whole round-shaped spoon and iron chopstick (which I heard can make fingers hurt ;-( ). It's hard siah to find these utensils in Singapore, or anyone know?

I intended to take the picture, but hmm It's so embarassing in front of Haskell lah, really paiseh paiseh! May be next time go there again to eat out with really 'close' friend

How about the attachment? I'll be doing it soon, but I still have to do 1 more task in Biomat lab. Quite sad also that I'll leave this lovely lab this week. The lab that intro what is research for the first time last year. I promise to return for FYP! heehhehehe. What makes me so happy was Xia Yun gave me a box of sea shell-shaped Belgian chocholate to thank me...so cute,haven't opened yet till now...still no sweet-tooth mood to grab it. Thanks a lot yaa and I still feel so sorry about all the unperfect jobs of mine!!! How she knows I love chocolate anyway?

Here is the chocolate...looks nice huh?

Ok I elaborate more about the attachment, here is my project topic from studentlink

New formulation approaches of drugs using nanoporous-powder and nanoparticles materials as functional excipients. The student will be involve in synthesis, modification and characterization of uniform sized nanporous powder and nanoparticles as functional excipients. Loading model drugs onto nanostructured materials and investigation on the controlled release rate by invitro dissolution test. The student will have intensive hand-on experience in R&D of nanostructured materials and the biomedical application.

Basically what I need to do is making nanoporous particles for treating severe diseases like cancer. By using this small tiny particles cancer drug can be loaded into their pores, they have good efficiency and effectivity in curing diseases. Seems interesting... I never thought before that I'll do this project. Anyway, I'll be working in a research institute called ICES (Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences) at Jurong Island.

Courtesy of ICES

Talking about Jurong Island can't finish in few sentences, hahaha. Basically, It's a big reclamated area in south of Singapore mainland. It's built by rearranging some tiny islands in South Singapore. And it's very restricted to enter this island, of course no camera is allowed (they are unaware of how good phone camera is...kekekeke). During the intervew day on October, I was really amazed with the island, it's so huge but consisting only of petrochemical plants and research centres with their toxic and massive tankers. The drawbacks are only they don't have worship places and hot (fortunately my company provide bus to go outside to do so). So before doing this attachment I need to adapt to wake up ealier, sometimes terrible yah. But that's the challenge...

posted by Bram @ 1:24 PM   0 comments
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Raining...Relentless Raining
It's raining here in Singapore since few days a go. It seems occur consecutively after only few hours break. In effect, I felt very cold even in my own room which is normally terribly hot and of course it takes longer time to dry clothes...

Last week I did a lot of things in the lab as I got 2 tasks fr
om 2 PhD students rather than only 1 like in the holiday. Yes, Yeeshan is back. So she also asked me to do some tasks. Eventhough I won't be paid anymore (it stopped since 2 Jan),but I'm still willing to do it, not due to cash of course, but more into my self satisfaction in doing something. Actually working in the lab won't make you tired physically, but mentally, hehehe. It's just unfair if I just leave my job without any good ending and throw away my responsibility to them. At least it's better for me to spend my time before IA commence next week rather than only nagging around.

There's good news from ICES that this semester they will provide halal catererer in their canteen, at first I was very worry that I need to prepare lunch per day before I work, really can't imagine it...at night preparing the food then morning need to wake up so early to work. Moreover Serene (the HR Manager, coincidentally my bosses in both ICES and Biomat Lab named Serene...hahaha) sent me an em
ail regarding the orientation day schedule on our 1st day IA. It looks nice as the time is well prepared.

Few days a go Fanny said my blog now is becoming a recipe site, hahaha. Well, I like eating and cooking too, it'll be a waste if after I cook then I don't write what I've done. So I decided to include here. Hence I can share to all of you who are int
erested to try cooking as well. It's damn nice if you can spend your spare time to cook...you will release your hectic work stress. Finally as today is very cold, it's very nice to eat my favorite soya cakes from Jollybean. They're nice to serve with hot macha.

I can't hardly wait now to do research in ICES, being an independent researcher and use a lot of sophisticated equipments. It's not easy though, but I hope it'll be great.C u soon during this coming Idul Adha (still not sure what to do...may be cooking? :> ).

Four fillings soya cakes (L-R) : macha, mung bean, azuki paste, cheese

posted by Bram @ 11:30 AM   0 comments
Monday, January 02, 2006
Recipe Series #2 ==Soya Pancake==
I just wanted to make something special for my breakfast today.But because I didn't drink cow milk oftenly, so I substituted it with soya milk. Then voila a pancake was ready to eat...

From its outlook, it's like crepe..but it's so tender and fragrant



Ingredients:
  • 140 gr flour
  • 200 ml soya milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon molten butter
  • Maple syrup (I used Morinaga brand...)

Steps:
  • In a basin, mix flour, salt, baking powder using a whisker
  • After it mix well, add egg
  • Pour milk continously and stir well
  • Heat a flat frypan and polish (using cooking brush) with butter
  • Pour a little amount of dough and let it dry
  • Serve hot with maple syrup
Recipe source : tabloidnova.com (modified)
posted by Bram @ 1:30 PM   3 comments
Recipe Series #1 ==Chocolate Pudding==
I planned to make this choco pudding long time a go, but really lazy and no much spare time...Finally one day before new year I managed to make it.

Indulge your sweet tooth with this heavenly nice choco pudding...:))


Ingredients:
  • 1 pack agar powder @ 11 gr
  • 1 litre full cream milk
  • 100 gr sugar (for those who don't have weight balance, just use tablespoon, 1 tablespoon = 15 gr)
  • 100 gr sweetened cooking chocolate, molten (use microwave to melt it for 1-2 min)
  • 4 teaspoon chocolate powder (I used Van Houten)
  • 2 egg yolks, beaten
  • Fruit cocktail

Steps:
  • Pour milk, sugar, molten chocolate, chocolate powder and agar powder into a pan
  • Simmer this mixture using low heat and always stir using a whisker
  • After it boils, turn off the stove
  • Take few of the mixture, mix with the yolk then stir asap
  • Pour back to the whole agar mixture, mix well then turn on the stove
  • Stir for few minutes then pour into the agar mould
  • Put in the fridge after it cools down
  • Serve either with fruit cocktail or vanilla vla...
Recipe source: original myself

posted by Bram @ 1:20 PM   0 comments
New Year Eve Firework

To celebrate new year eve, Singapore held a firework attraction in Esplanade area. I, Reyh
an, Harya, B'dul and Ryan went there to see how it was. We arrived there around 9pm and wow it's was so crowded...so many people. The funny part was so many indonesians there, some speak Indonesian slang, some Javanese, Sundanese...etc. It's just like Jakarta :>. We struggled to find the nicest place to see the attraction, it's damn hot and difficult. Sometimes we're scolded and being pushed by others who sat on the pavement. Finally we could find the best place to see it clearly.

To be frank, there was also new year eve celebration in embassy but we thought it's too far, moreover we don't like dangdut music at all, hehehe. Basically the firework itself was 9-minute midnite event therewith glowing written spheres attraction as well. They were both gorgeous and really worth to see. When the firework was launched one by one, so many people screaming like crazy. It was so funny when reyhan was teased by indo female due to his syukur song. Hhahaha.

In the end, it's even more difficult to escape when w
e wanted to go back. So many
youngsters sprayed foam-like snow to others hence make them so angry...

Here are the galleries...










posted by Bram @ 12:46 PM   0 comments
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Name: Bram
Location: Singapore
About Me: an ordinary guy who is striving hard for his better future
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