My love affair

Image Credit

I love my coffee and regardless how many times my mom reminds me that I should reduce the consumption, I am still drinking it like a fish especially when I am not occupied with anything!

Recently someone’s relative was admitted to the hospital because there was something wrong with her glucose level. That did not alarm me; but the fact that she is very much a heavy coffee drinker (like me!) makes me think. The doctor told her that the caffeine could have contributed to the irregular glucose.

At first I snickered at the idea of linking coffee with diabetes. No way! I protested and suggested that it could be too much of sugar in the drinks. Well, I am taking sugarless coffee (for almost a year) and I thought I am protecting myself from the risk of diabetes. Not so. I referred to few studies on coffee and diabetes (see the links below). I am surprised!

Ooh well, I believe I still can enjoy my coffee (act of self-defense) – if I am taking it moderately.

Coffee, diabetes, and weight control
New Evidence That Caffeine Is a Healthful Antioxidant in Coffee
Caffeine and Diabetes: Helpful or Harmful?
Why Coffee Protects Against Diabetes
New Evidence That Drinking Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
Studies Provide More Support for Health Benefits of Coffee

Counting sheep

I don't know why my sleeping pattern becomes erratic these days!  >.<

I was asleep by 9.00pm last night (my hair was still very wet at that time & I refused to blow dry it even though I know I might end up with headache the next morning!  Curse myself: real stubborn cow!!!).  Woke up at 2.00am & realized "ooh!  my room is too bright!" then switch off the lights before I dozed off again.  But only to wake up again at 4something & 6something.  Too much distraction!!!

And now...  man...  I seldom catch the midnight news but I am now watching it while composing this.  I was expecting I will get super sleepy after drinking hot milk at 10.  I want to make hot choc drinks but I am still full (the milk!).

Sheep, sheep, sheep.

One.  Black sheep.

Two.  White sheep.

Three.  Pink sheep.  After kena cukur la!

Four.  White-Black sheep.  More black.

Five.  Black-White sheep.  More white.

Six.  Black & White sheep.  Color distribution almost equal.

Seven.  Pink White sheep.  Kerja-kerja mencukur belum disiapkan.

Eight.  Pink Black sheep.  Same as #7 - shaving is not completed yet.

Aiihhhh...  Still, I am.  Wide awake!!!

Just for sex & sleep

I moved my 14 inch television to the room downstair after reading this article on The Star:

Keep work materials, computers and televisions out of the bedroom; it should be used for sleep and sex only.

I cannot remember how long I have not been watching TV; mainly because I am too lazy to go downstairs!  Ooh, yeah!  I still use my notebook in the room and (always!!!) bring my working papers on the bed, although I hardly read them it just taking the space which, much to the annoyance of LouLou theCat.

< Looking around my room >

Hmm...  I think I need to take out the newspaper, the work material, stack of books that I have finished from my room.  It looks like a messy office/study room rather than an inviting bedroom!  Tomorrow la!

Goodnight!

Full tank of happiness

Last Friday was a frightening one because LouLou theCat was not feeling very well.  I had to literally kick him off the bed which is so not him!  Because he is the one who literally kick me of my own bed everyday, rain or shine.  When he fell of the bed, I funnily thought he was still in dreamy, sleepy mode.  But not when I saw him groggily staggering on the stair, struggling to keep his balance.  He and Shorty always racing down to the food bowl and the main door, respectively.

I thought, could it be that I was overdosing him?  I checked his medicine labels over and over again.  Half a pill a day, after meal.  Cream, twice a day.  I felt so guilty to leave him at such unwell state!

The next day I rushed him to the vet, explaining to him in details of LouLou's progress (or deteriorating state of health, to be exact!).  I said in a desperate tone, "He went for a walk with me and Shorty everyday except on Friday.  He can't even barely jumped off the bed properly!  But he is eating well which I think is funny.  I mean, a sick cat normally won't have an appetite, right?"

So the vet checked the list of medicines Lou was having recently, took the box of the medicine and patiently read to the nervous catmommy "The side effects are drowsiness, diarrhea, vomiting, ..."  I cannot remember the rest but drowsiness was what apparently affecting my poor boy.

"I don't like what it does to your cat, so stop giving him that pill altogether.  He might be experiencing adverse drug reaction."  Thank god, some explanation there.  So no pills for LouLou.  I stop the cream too, just to make sure he is in a pink of health again before we start again.

I am watching him bullying Shorty while writing this.  Looks like LouLou is back on action again!  Ooh!  He is looking at me annoyingly, perhaps because he cannot find a spot on the bed because I have this laptop, some paper works (which I am supposed to review!!!), the bedtime snack (book) all over the bed.

Alright, I want to play with the boys now.

Goodnight!

Recap

The Flu Bug @ThinkGeek

Not feeling well since Monday.
Monday I was kind of stressed with the Tuesday thing (P&C - work stuff).

Then came Tuesday.
Fun is out of the equation and it is acknowledged by everyone in the office.
Totally occupied for 7/8 of the day.
I physically feel very 'heavy duty' despite somewhat knowing that a portion of my gray matters has been taken away from my tiny body.

Felt super challenging to get out of the bed on Wednesday morning.  Told Whoelses that I want to go to the book fair which, unluckily, I didn't managed to go because I wasn't feeling well.  I went to Eu Yan Sang to get a tea concoction for flu (lu ken deling until it testless, said the friendly sales person) - all the weird looking; funny looking; familiar looking roots & seeds in the mixture.  And since I specifically over drained this week - which I have yet to look for the root cause! - I bought the Gingko Biloba Chicken Essence too.

Thursday.  Today.
Gosh!
Meeting, meeting, meeting!  To recap the Tuesday thing!!!
Hee...  curi tulang sekejap while waiting for the others.
I have my flu tea.  Doesn't taste bitter & neither too sweet.
Hope my nose behaves well or else I might scare the others with my bugs.

Love myself

Cute image only from we<3it

Good morning!  Selamat pagi!  Zao an!  Chow san!

It is just 10:15am but I am already into my 2nd mug of coffee!!!  So greedy!  & so unhealthy!  I drink more & more when idling time {gasp!!!}  Anyway, I am happy to wake up early at 08:30am this morning.  I have time to clean my room, put the dirty laundry into the washing machine, and even swept the dried leaves from the car porch.  I feel good; or perhaps because it is sunny now?  Nevertheless, I hope you have a great weekend!  Take care.

P.S.  If you're stress or sort of depressed because of the (way too commercialized) Valentine's Day, I say you don't have to feel so.  Not everyone is celebrating it - me including, because what's the point?  But that doesn't mean I dislike those celebrating it - people are free to choose, right?  Anyway, have fun reading what the others think about the VDay.

Thank You, Part 1

A thank you note from weheartit

LouLou theCat woke me up at 5.30am because he wanted to have a super early breakfast.  Yeah, 5.30am is not exactly my wakeup time.  I would prefer to get out of the bed at 8, 9am any given day.

But then again, I am glad to be alive.  Yes, it is the 3rd week of 2011.  I am still breathing, how can I not be grateful?

I cannot remember the details of what I have been doing for the 1st 19 days of 2011.  When my sister texted me about a pair of shoes that we saw last Christmas, I have just realized that I have not been into the mall for almost a month!

Anyway, I am happy staying at this (new) place.  Especially when I have a helpful neighbor who will collect my laundry when the God of Rain decided to pee on that beautiful day; report to me how Shorty was doing (he cried the moment you're out of his sight; he was very quiet and ignoring people; he was barking at LouLou who was sneaking into the other neighbor's porch, et cetera).

Alright, time to get ready to work.  Tata!

Battles

LouLou:  This is me in sweet November.  Yeah!  I got the battle mark again this month & I'm very proud of it!

Thanks for Clarinase*, I fell asleep within 30 minutes after consuming it.  I've been taking it since last Friday but the flu bug just won't go away.  Perhaps because I only take it at night and the dosage is not enough?  I have no idea.  And I've been told that it wasn't supposed to make me feel drowsy.  Perhaps I was just too tired.  Perhaps, perhaps.

Ooh yeah!  LouLou finally come home this morning after went missing in Monday.  Okay, he just left home for about 2 days but I worried whether he's doing alright out there.  For that 2 days, he left his yellow bowl untouched.  I don't know how he survived with an empty tummy.

While bathing him, I sort of scolded him for venturing out without telling me.  I asked where'd you been?  you think the others will play gently with you like Shorty did?  And he got so many scratches and wounds on the face, the ears, the head, and the neck.  Right, you've been fighting!  I'm sick and you made me even sicker thinking that some bad dogs mauled you or that some ba$tards hit-and-run on you!  I rubbed hydrogen peroxide and put some cream on him.  He don't even move or meow when I applied it, perhaps he knew I was mad.  But I wasn't mad actually.  I was just concern about his wellbeing.

Boys.  I so wanted to keep him in a cage but that would make him go nuts.  I guess I have to bear the heartache (whenever he's being mischievous).

O M G !  I have to stop blabbing.  Good night!

Goats Milk & Honey from Kinder Soaps

I got my first soap bar from Kinder Soaps after I came back from lunch break today.  It has been awhile since I do online shopping.  Michelle Ho - the owner - processed my purchase really fast.  I paid for it last Friday, and got it today (Monday).  I was expecting it to be delivered tomorrow actually.

Okie.  Let's talk about the soap.  I have been using Johnson's milk bath for more than 10 years mainly because of its subtle scent.  It neither dries nor moisturizes my skin, which is just acceptable for me.  Others like Lux, Palmolive, Dove et cetera are too strongly scented for me.  I like the old trusty Dettol soap but it dries my skin.

Anyway, I sort of stumble upon Kinder Soaps while looking for a natural soap.  I initially want to get Goats Milk & Patchoulli but it was out of stock.  The packaging is simple and fuss-free too.

Do you know that I can use this bar for hair, face and body???  Yes!  But I have gotten use to the routine shampoo-facial cleanser-shower liquid that I only tried it for body wash.

Actually, when I opened the parcel, the ginger smell was quite strong that I started to worry smelling like a gingerbread man!!!  But after the shower, I barely able to sniff the ginger.  My skin also feels moisturized.  ^_____^

The initial verdict?  I'm loving it.  I will miss my milk bath but this one do the job well too!  It moisturizes and it is unscented.

P.S.  Because of its flat-rate postage, I think next time I should buy in bulk...


Updated on 29 April 2011:

After 3 months of using it, I am surprised that I have no more athlete's foot!  I mean I used to try (and still doing) all these prevention methods but I was failed to stop the infection.  Until I changed to this soap!


That is one more reason to enjoy the soapbar!

Mad dog disease

Looks like the anjing gila, LOL!!!
Image from weheartit

Ouchie!

Sometimes I think even my furkids behave better than us human.

I was calling someone for a favor.  I admit it was a short notice but when you cannot do it for whatever gazillion reasons in the world you can give me; you do not have to bark idiotically like anjing gila (a mad dog).

I speak in Homo sapiens lingua to human and my furkids.  So when you spoken to me in a foreign mad dog language, I got scared and panicky that I just hung up without even saying thank you.  But anyway, I do not think I deserve to give respect to such anjing gila.

I am trying to  hold  (holding it is bad for the heart!!!) channel my anger into something less damaging – writing, reading…  and assuming that perhaps anjing gila just had a bad day and do not mean to be so…

Have a happy lunch!!!

Post dental

Relief.

After a sleepless night.

Although I have to wait 1.5 hours for the dentist.

I would have "cabut" to other clinic if it wasn't recommended by an acquaintance.

Still, I need a follow-up review for another next three weeks.  The dentist said so.

Relief.

As I walked back into the office, the boss asked me how it went.

And cringed when I described my condition.  LOL!!!

I hope I can sleep well tonight...

I don't want to eat doggy food!

Pork meant to be processed into dog food being sold in markets

O M G !

I am so glad that recently I always go vegetarian for lunch.

As for dinner, I am happy to just have fish or eggs as my "meaty" replacement rather than having chicken / pork / beef / mutton.

I think I should avoid pork as much as I can.

I met a donkey

From weheartit
Just one whiff and I am on my way to hell!

One donkey salesgirl put a dot of perfume on the back of my hand.  So donkey that I cursed that she will stuck with this job permanently!

She asked me whether it is OK to interrupt me for a while (I was eating in a kopitiam).  Before I answered her, she already rambling something about the product to which I said “I am not interested.”

She replied something and before I know, dot!  A tiny trace of perfume on my skin.  She asked me to smell it and me, already half burning in my ass, retorted “I am allergic to fragrance.”  With that, she walked away, not even thanking for my time!

There I was, fuming over the donkey and the effect of the bad perfume.  The smell is so bad that I imagine anyone wearing it will look similar to the whore-like donkey!  Really!  At first glance, I really thought she is one of cheap China dolls but when she spoke to me, I realized she is a local.

I had to unwind my windows so that the smell will not linger in my car and causing me headache.  I tried to wash it with soap but I still can smell it!  Worst yet, my head is now throbbing – not a good sign!

I hate such pushy sales person who never listen to customer!  HATE THEM!!!

Another day of headache

It's a beautiful PMS-days

There is always one period of a month when everyone in the office becomes your foe. Or that your boyfriend is really getting under your skin for no reason? In addition, you feel deeply miserable over something trivial. Blame the PMS!

While I thought estrogen have something to do with whacking haphazardly into my mind system, I was neither true nor wrong.

Apparently, even the scientists and the medical experts wondered how the hormone might affect the emotional part of the brain!

I know I can behave erratically during the time, hence I choose to channel my energy into something I enjoy, for instance, blogging. Well, perhaps I might write something tasteless but heck! This negativity must go elsewhere no matter what! That is better than venting my anger towards the others.

I also find it is relieving to clean the house. Perhaps a spotless room create a peaceful atmosphere for the mind and the body. Or is it because I let go thousands of the toxin when I sweat?

How do you tackle your PMS?

Interesting articles:

• Natural Strategies For Supporting Women's Monthly Cycle
• PMS® Information
• Menstrual Cycles: What Really Happens in those 28 Days?!

Baby, baby, baby, ooh!

One acquaintance lamented: “Those who wish to have one but cannot / still have not got it; while the others were simply abandoning the new lives” when she saw a newspaper headline.  It is hard to ignore the baby-dumping news because now it appeared almost every day.

I seldom read thoroughly such news because to me it is just more or less like reading a Hollywood (or put it a Bollywood if you want) gossip.  Except, it is not a gossip and the mother (and maybe her family and relatives) will be the hot topic amongst the loudmouth aunties.

What would the others think I am?

I personally know someone whom went through an abortion because:

• She was not married at the time
• Fear that she’ll be kicked out of uni if the authority know about it

(I don’t know about our uni rules/policy on single, unwed student getting pregnant until now; and never thought of searching for it if that could help her making an optional decision earlier on.)

The social stigma apparently has more effect on her than the love for the unborn child.  I cannot blame her for giving up; neither do I know how she feels about the whole thing.  Because she only shared on how physically drained she was; how she wanted to have ginger chicken soup with wine… just the surface matter, nothing on the emotional part.

I love you

I don’t have children; but I treat my pets almost like my own kids.  I love them to bits: I get worry about them as I left them at home or when they fail to come home when the curfew is over, nag them if they didn’t finish the food…  If I can feel such love for my furkids, I believe so are the young mothers who abandoned their child.

BUT, BUT!  Obviously they love themselves more.  NO!  I say, they love (or loved) their sexual partner more that they’re willing to compromise their own wellbeing!  Can’t we find anyone who is more foolish than that?!

The solution

Blame the pornographic and the western culture (Valentine’s Day & New Year)?  I watched porn videos and always enjoy New Year holidays (I would have enjoy Valentine’s Day too if we have one or two public holiday on it, LOL!!!).  If your theories are true, I could have been stuck with numerous pregnancies, you idiot @$$h0L3!

Perhaps it’ll take us longer to change the public perception that an unwed pregnant girl is not a slut/whore/tart (not matter how hormonal-frenzied she is).  I know those makcik-makcik whom favourite afternoon fiesta is including whispering “her daughter is living together with the guy, that’s how she got pregnant” or “she can’t hide her tummy in that wedding gown, already got only get married”.  See how judgmental, destructive our behaviour is?  I really hope these old sluts/whores/tarts aunties find one way or another to spend their free time in a more positive way.

And the girls just have to be more selfish than ever:  PLEASE RESPECT AND LOVE YOURSELF MORE THAN ANYONE/ANYTHING ELSE!

Lunchtime crunch (part 2)

Taken from foodandshit

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Taken from modna.pl

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Taken from fazai38

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Taken from pixdaus.com

= Sandwich

It is a rainy season according to The Star news report.  Based on my observations, it is most likely to rain in the afternoon.  To avoid from having a wet, soaking lunch outside, I packed my lunches from home for the past few days.  My home-cooked meals are becoming more frequent than before as I gradually adapt to waking up early in the morning to prepare it.  But today I was not quite wanting to eat rice for lunch, so I just made a simple sandwich which (I think) is nutritious and filling.  Then I ate a fruity yogurt (mixed with honeydew, kiwi & plum).  That's one healthy food there!  Last, but not least, I broke my one-coffee-a-day to have a second one for lunch.  But it's a sugarless one so no harm there.

The other hot thing (part 2)

Image taken from perfectionturnsmeon

I survived drinking just one black coffee (without sugar) per day from Monday to Friday.  On Saturday I took one coffee with sweetened condensed milk.  Not so sinful because it just one cup (although you might scream at the “sweetened” word).  By Sunday I succumbed to the temptation: 3 coffees.  As if that is not bad enough, I had them all with sugar!!!  I didn’t actually finish the last cup (I think I was distracted by something and left it cold) but still, it contains sugar.

How do you resist any form of temptations?

The other hot thing

Picky eater

I admit that I’m a picky eater.  A habit I have since I was young.  Ask my parents.  They tried many ways to get me eating.  Mommy told me that I used to stuff my food in my mouth until she realized that I had not swallowed anything!

Now that I’m older, my pickiness somehow is not subdued but even getting worst sometimes.  One day I’m a voracious eater; another day I could puke just by looking at the menu.

Just like early this week, I bought myself Indian rojak and pork porridge for brunch.  I cleaned my bowls (except for the potatoes in the rojak – I hate puh-tey-toh).  Then, I went on munching on raisin biscuits and butter cookies before I finally smothered all down with a mug of my favourite poison: coffee.

And just few days ago, I felt extremely hungry and insatiable throughout the day.  I had oatmeal with milk for breakfast.  After taking lunch, I went on eating peanut butter sandwiches which I luckily packed for coffee break that day.  And since I’d eaten my bread before the break, I just took cream crackers with coffee.  By dinner time, I was still feeling full from the whole day crazy eating that I just drank a hot cocoa drink.

Today, I skipped breakfast (I was late for work!!!  Again!!!).  Strangely I don’t feel hungry at all.  At lunch, I barely finished my meal.  I think I only ate two-thirds of it.  What a waste!  I still have egg sandwiches.  Now I really feel like throwing up!!!

Thank you, my furkids!

Cheers to all loving and caring pet owners!  According to MSN, my furkids can actually makes me healthier than a non-pet owner.

• Heart attack:  feline lovers have lower risk of it, while survival rate for canine lovers are higher than others.
• Strokes:  surprisingly, for me, LouLou theCat might lessen my chances of strokes!
• Prevent allergies:  and because I’m exposed to them (God knows what Shorty and LouLou are doing out there everyday), I’m supposedly having better immune system than those who are not.
• Stress and anxiety:  They are my super supporters during the moments.
• Blood pressure:  Hmm… My healthy BP is indirectly contributed by these two little boys.
• Cholesterol:  I don’t know about this one, I need to wait my medical report to know that it’s in a good level.
• Depression:  Like No.4. Shorty and LouLou, mommy loves you both!
• Not a couch potato:  Ditto. I play with Shorty after work. It keeps us sane.
• Diabetes:  I doubt that. Shorty theDog is only interested in sniffing good food (and people’s crotches!!!).

Do you own a pet?  Or pets?

The other hot thing

My family and close friends know just how addicted I am to coffee.  My mom, for example, has been trying unsuccessfully to convince me to reduce my coffee intake.  She said that too much of it is why I cannot gain weight.  We don’t know how true that is.  However, I’m well aware that caffeine is a common ingredient in cellulite remover.

Mom’s advice fell on my deaf ears and I, of course, still drink coffee as frequent as I like.  The taste, the aroma, and the time I spend enjoying a hot mug of coffee are almost as positive as the benefits of drinking it.

I might not be reducing the amount of coffee I drink everyday, but am definitely cutting down sugar.  Last time I used to add 2(!!!!!) teaspoons but eventually managed to lessen to less than half a teaspoon per mug.  Somehow I still need to go with zero-sugar coffee because sugar is not needed in our diet.  Imagine if I’m consuming 4 mugs a day, which could add up to 2 teaspoons of sugar!

I’m not sure why I want to talk about coffee, sugar…  Perhaps because my colleagues are fasting for a month starting from today, so I’m somewhat more conscious of drinking/eating in front of them.  Perhaps too, since I’m not done with my blood sampling yet, I want to reduce sugar intake to get better glucose reading (self-cheating, so to speak).

Anyway, selamat berpuasa to all Muslim friends!