tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13168099126356421112024-02-22T02:26:03.330+08:00nostalgia;Carmen the crankyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789584613770746727noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-69980350988657427782019-01-02T22:00:00.000+08:002019-01-02T22:00:01.201+08:002018, thank u nextAs I bid my farewell to 2018 yesterday, I had a lot to think about life. About the meaning and purpose of it, the whole shebang of the will to live and also the will to die, as morbid as that may seem.<br />
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It's no secret that I'm someone who just isn't </div>
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But a few horrible things I've learnt about myself in the past year:</div>
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1. I self-sabotage</div>
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2. I distract myself by keeping busy to escape from my dark thoughts</div>
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3. I easily give in</div>
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4. I'm always tired</div>
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And a few great things I've learnt as well:</div>
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1. I don't hate exercising (granted, I have to find exercises I like to do)</div>
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2. Making lists help with organizing my cluttered mind</div>
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2. ....I can't think of anything else tbh.</div>
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And that's the problem isn't it? We always focus on the bad things about ourselves. We never think of what we're grateful for, what we've been doing well on and how far we've come. </div>
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Thank u, next is not only an ode to past boyfriends, it's about taking something bad that's happened, recognizing the impact it's had on you, letting go and then moving on to the better things. While it's never as easy as it sounds, we all have to start somewhere.</div>
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So, 2019 I wish to move on - move on from things that I've been clutching on to since years ago, move on from my current setbacks, and move on from worries about the future. I want to be free from all this clutter, mess and burdens weighing me down.</div>
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So, here are some of the many things I specifically want to work on in the new year:</div>
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1. I'd like to set a fitness goal and try to hit it</div>
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2. I want to take better care of my mental health</div>
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3. I want to de-clutter</div>
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4. I want to save money</div>
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Here is to 2019!</div>
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Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-83277724093334334412019-01-01T13:41:00.001+08:002019-01-01T13:58:25.318+08:00#CarmenVentures: BangkokMy first time in Bangkok, and I loved it! The sights, the sounds; the hustle and bustle - very busy city with great malls. Initially, I went there mostly for the food but quickly realized that the priority of finding good Thai food had to be shared with the priority to SHOP. I'm not a shopping kind of girl, mainly because I can rarely find clothes/shoes with cuts that complemented my size and shape so I gave up on that relentless pursuit earlier on in life. But I could not help but buy some earrings, bags and a few small trinkets. Okay fine,<i> some</i> is an understatement but they were beautiful!<br />
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Admittedly, there were some hits and misses but what country doesn't?<br />
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9 Places in Bangkok You Should Visit</h2>
<b><u>1. 7-Eleven</u></b><br />
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Yes, the first and longest one on my list had to be that. I have never been more delighted to shop at a 7-Eleven. I'm sure Japan would be impressive too, if not more impressive. But let's circle back to Thailand.<br />
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They had shelves and shelves of food, all waiting to be bought and enjoyed. Our first night there, we arrived close to 12am (thanks to a delayed flight) and as we walked out to the arrival hall to catch our Grab ride, the 7-Eleven sign shone bright like a saviour.<br />
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I'm telling you, they've got dumplings, rice boxes, buns, sushi, onigiri, seafood, instant noodles... the list is endless you've got to see it for yourself. For someone who doesn't frequent 7-Eleven (other than the occasional slushie when I was younger), this was pretty good. Also, I was probably hungry.</div>
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So we ended up buying a few things to share: instant noodles, rice box with red curry, gyoza/dumplings and rice bun with pork. All delicious. The rice box and gyozas were yummier than expected, and well I don't think pork rice buns could go very wrong anyways. </div>
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<b><u>2. Mr. Joe</u></b><br />
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Crispy roast pork with "keuh jap", which is basically a bowl of noodles with pig spare parts/organs e.g intestines, heart, kidney etc.<br />
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Personally, I don't mind spare parts so this was a pretty good bowl of soup. But, the beauty lies in the roast pork.<br />
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Crispy, succulent, juicy - just as a roast pork should be. I'm not a huge fan of roast pork cause the ends tend to get quite salty back home, but here they didn't need salt. It was good on its own.</div>
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We also ordered some siu mai, which was mediocre.<br />
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<b><u>3. Chaktuchak Market</u></b><br />
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This market is humongous. We thought we'd spend maybe a few hours here, but ended up staying here for most of the day. Also I don't really shop, but this place will convert you.<br />
One thing that helped me was knowing what I wanted to purchase. Before coming, I knew I was looking for: bags, earrings and the likes. If you come here without direction or a goal, you might get lost and spend a lot more money than intended.<br />
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You can find almost everything here. From food, clothes, bags to aromatherapy oils, dream catchers and home accessories. If I came again, I would first visit the information center and get this huge ass useful map. Forget about "Oh, I'll think about it and come back later", there will be no later as you might actually get lost.<br />
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If you're into Thai food, you're in luck. There's a lot of street food there as well! The pork satays pictured below are only 10 baht per stick, which is close to only RM1.25! In KL they would sell 3 sticks for RM10. I wish I got more cause I love those!<br />
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There's so much more to try, fried egg, squid, fishcakes...<br />
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There's also this honey roasted pork sold at a clandestine corner of the market called "Moo Yang" at Section 22, Soi 4. They sell it individually by itself and also with baos. We ordered the one with the bao first, but it was so good we had to get another 100g by itself.<br />
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And of course, we had to go for massage! You'll be able to find a lot of parlors in between the alleys. We found one with air conditioning, and it came to about 250 Baht for 1 hour foot/shoulder/neck massage (we asked for 30 mins at first, but as time went by we <i>knew</i> we needed 1 hour). It was totally worth it after a long day of walking!<br />
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<b><u>4. Banyan Tree's Vertigo & Moon Bar</u></b><br />
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Apparently, Vertigo & Moon bar is one of the best rooftop bars in the world. With roughly 600 Baht per cocktail (RM96, including service charge and VAT), it better be! I got the mocktail myself, which was 450 Baht (RM60+). Views were stunning!<br />
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<b><u>5. After You Cafe</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3OUfqgNRS5vOHTqcdOmcl_e6ljAk-AgwtE4r-HWb8pBp2B4zaZngzNV8oS0nI53o5-r9eY6x94TMIVItOtuuzXxywJsMmO1m95ekjMyFfpcNZwJil1StlgIf5JHwloCGA1ZWj8aR/s1600/IMG_8194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3OUfqgNRS5vOHTqcdOmcl_e6ljAk-AgwtE4r-HWb8pBp2B4zaZngzNV8oS0nI53o5-r9eY6x94TMIVItOtuuzXxywJsMmO1m95ekjMyFfpcNZwJil1StlgIf5JHwloCGA1ZWj8aR/s640/IMG_8194.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the better cafes we tried here! We had the original toast (mini) and Thai Iced Tea shaved ice. The toast was much better than the equivalent Haraju-cube. Albeit, with a lot more butter and ice cream.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lOmC0EJspMNbv-IlyvVHvesi8VxNgX4aq0L7l4nzf3egIS_sOixByymkVGDtnr9-JqiUoXjVK0Uqyq-pBc0jgwd-9DISOroBo5DhFdNBVVrjQF7826gY6fLRcZvL1hLL7WqM0P4R/s1600/IMG_8195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lOmC0EJspMNbv-IlyvVHvesi8VxNgX4aq0L7l4nzf3egIS_sOixByymkVGDtnr9-JqiUoXjVK0Uqyq-pBc0jgwd-9DISOroBo5DhFdNBVVrjQF7826gY6fLRcZvL1hLL7WqM0P4R/s640/IMG_8195.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
And the shaved ice wasn't like the plain tasteless kakigoris served back here, it was actually really good!<br />
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<b><u>6. Mango Tango</u></b><br />
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I personally liked it! Mango was sweet, and the sticky rice was soft. It's not perfect though: A little overpriced when you can get this for cheaper at markets, and mango pudding/sorbet did nothing for the dish. The mango with sago dessert was nice too!<br />
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<b><u>8. Rachada Rot Fai Market</u></b><br />
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Rachada Rot Fai Market is a market only opened at night. Similar to Chatuchak, but smaller (still huge though!) and slightly cheaper.<br />
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There were a few alleys dedicated to only food, with street food everywhere. So we tried the squid, mini crabs and pig intestines. They were all good!!<br />
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But we definitely needed more than several skewers and small portions of street food to fill us up. I was walking and passed by a couple eating stir fried basil pork with sunny side up eggs and rice on a large metal plate. We knew we had to get it! So we added a salt baked fish and omelette as well. And this had to be one of our favourite meals of the trip.<br />
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The fish was juicy and succulent, and accompanied well with the stir fried basil pork with rice. I wish I could go back and eat it all over again!</div>
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And me being me, I had to try out some insects. I knew if I didnt, I wouldn't really get the opportunity to again (at least in the near future). The lady only allowed me to purchase minimum 40 baht for each insect! I wanted to go lower, muchhhh lower - like maybe 10 baht but she was having none of it. So fine, I bought 80 baht worth of insects. Did I regret it? No.<br />
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Would I try it again? Also no.<br />
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<b><u>9. Pier 21</u></b><br />
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The place with a huge variety of Thai food! This food court really gets you more <i>bang</i> for your buck.<br />
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<b>And here are a few bonus local haunts, that our Thai Grab driver recommended to us but we barely had the time to go (and I would go the next time round cause they look amazing!)</b><br />
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Jeh O Chula for largeee bowl of Mama noodles<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnUIrmrlCEh/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnUIrmrlCEh/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by ᗩᒪIᑕE . ᒪEOᑎG 爱丽丝梁 (@shye__________kei)</a> on <time datetime="2018-09-04T18:41:17+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 4, 2018 at 11:41am PDT</time></div>
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P'Aor for Tom Yum Goong with lobster<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmVS5IsAbcq/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by @doubleshot_em</a> on <time datetime="2018-08-11T08:58:22+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 11, 2018 at 1:58am PDT</time></div>
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<b>And a few more that we Googled and found/heard quite good reviews of:</b><br />
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Wattana Panich for beef noodles<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDvVV5l2D7/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by タイ国政府観光庁 (@thailand_jp)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-08T10:12:11+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 8, 2018 at 2:12am PST</time></div>
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Suppaniga Eating Room for authentic Thai Issan food<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmlXlYMgQYI/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by @doubleshot_em</a> on <time datetime="2018-08-17T14:47:12+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 17, 2018 at 7:47am PDT</time></div>
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<b>And of course, the ones we went to but thought was overrated:</b><br />
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<b><u>Chinatown's T&K Seafood</u></b><br />
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We weren't very impressed with the seafood here. Fish and grillled cockles was overcooked, prawns were not very sweet, tom yam and vegetables were nothing special. The only thing I felt was good was the huge oysters. 50 baht for 1 though, which is RM6+ - a bit over my personal budget but comparing to the oysters sold back here, RM6+ is not too bad.<br />
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<b><u>Audrey Cafe</u></b><br />
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They're famous for their Thai Iced crepe cakes. We decided to celebrate our friends' birthday in advance there because we've read many good things about this crepe cake! Coincidentally on the same day, they were doing a buy 1 get 1 crepe cake free promotion (I think). So we got 2! But the thai iced tea taste was lacking in the sauce, and if you ate the cake without the sauce it tasted just like a normal crepe cake. But interior was beautiful, much like a Japanese butler cafe.<br />
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<b><u>5. Greyhound Cafe</u></b><br />
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You start the meal with buns and butter. That didn't make up for the fact they messed up my friend's order of a macchiato. Instead, what came was a mochachino after repeating several times that we wanted a macchiato and pointed at the menu. Oh well. Let's see how the food tastes.</div>
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We had the Complicated Noodles and Spaghetti with Crab Meat in Prawn Cream Sauce. Personally I've never really had anything like these 2 dishes before, but Greyhound wouldn't be a place I'd go for again. Dishes were pricy and I didn't understand the hype surrounding the cafe. Both dishes were decent though! I think we ordered right.<br />
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<b><u>Gram Pancakes</u></b><br />
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Gotta admit, it wasn't great. The queue was superrrr long, and we waited for close to 30 minutes for 1 souffle pancake with whipped cream. I didn't see why people were queuing up so long for it.<br />
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And that's it for my Bangkok recommendations!<br />
Honestly, I would love to go back. So much more things to buy and eat that I never got the chance to when I was there. The trip also wasn't horrendously expensive and not too far away so it was a good short getaway.<br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-63099102957697860722017-11-10T20:19:00.000+08:002018-02-25T16:15:01.409+08:00An International Student in Brisbane Pt. 3: Exploring QueenslandFeeling a little bored stuck in St. Lucia or Brisbane? Trust me, I get it. It's difficult to travel beyond Brisbane without a car and you can only visit Brisbane CBD so many times before you get bored. Best part is, Queensland has a plethora of picturesque spots, from sunny beaches to breezy mountains. You'd never run out of places to go.<br />
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So if you don't have a car, make friends with someone who has one and rent their car or better yet, go together! I was blessed to have housemates who have a car which they rented to us at times, and it was a great way for them to utilize the idle car to earn some extra passive income.<br />
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<b>1. Burleigh Heads</b><br />
A personal favourite and top on my list, especially during dusk as the sunset casts a certain glow around Burleigh Heads. Perfect for picnics and quiet afternoons out.<br />
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A post shared by Carmen C (@carmenchanz) on <time datetime="2016-06-29T12:37:41+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jun 29, 2016 at 5:37am PDT</time></div>
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<b>2. Mount Tamborine</b><br />
Very nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. They also have road-side $1 avocados and farmers' markets during the right season!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWKe2feh4bH/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Rainbow in the falls #waterfall #rainbow #nature #queensland #australiagram #mounttamborine #beautiful</a></div>
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A post shared by NaomiTravels✈️ (@ownthathorizon) on <time datetime="2017-07-05T11:48:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 4:48am PDT</time></div>
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<b>3. Cairns/Whitsunday</b><br />
You've heard of the Great Barrier Reef and the heart-shaped reef everyone's taking their girlfriends to. Also a famous spot for (sky)diving and snorkeling thanks to its scenic views. A tropical paradise with nothing but sand, surf, sun and sea.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWKo3TmhVv7/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Ocean blue 💧 (📷: @saltywings)</a></div>
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A post shared by BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS (@beautifuldestinations) on <time datetime="2017-07-05T13:16:24+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 6:16am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWLXYCQA71t/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Under my Umbrella.. Ella Ella Eh Eh 🎶 || #hadto #cairns #queensland #daintreerainforrest</a></div>
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A post shared by SHARON T BANGA (@sharontbanga) on <time datetime="2017-07-05T20:02:49+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 1:02pm PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWAgm2VD2rv/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Looking into this month like....</a></div>
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A post shared by Sierra Boggess (@officialsierraboggess) on <time datetime="2017-07-01T14:51:50+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 1, 2017 at 7:51am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWLhEdeDnqT/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Sundowners on Hamilton Island never looked so good. Make mine a passionfruit mojito! 😋 #tbt ____________________ . . . . . . _____________________ #hamiltonisland #whitsundays #whitsundayislands #australia #exploreaustralia #wanderlust #explore #landscape #landscape_captures #landscapephotography #nature #naturelovers #natureaddict #view #sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsets #sky #skyporn #skylovers #adventure #travelphotography #travelling #outdoors #globe_travel #makeyourlifeunforgettable #islandlife #queensland #thisisqueensland</a></div>
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A post shared by Cat | Sydney (@kittycatuk) on <time datetime="2017-07-05T21:27:32+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 2:27pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>4. Fraser Island</b><br />
I've personally never visited Fraser Island, but I have friends who did and some of the more popular activities include exploring it's sand dunes with dirt biking and sand tobogganing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWMhzvTgIAn/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Spent the whole day here and there was still so much to see!! We even saw 🐋🐋 😍</a></div>
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A post shared by Kirsten Groves (@_kirstenrochelle_) on <time datetime="2017-07-06T06:53:13+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 11:53pm PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWLlhiUl6fT/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">My "WAHOO" moment 💕#travelphotography #travel #australia #oz #fraserisland #lake #island #lakemckenzie #sun #backpack #backpacker #globetrotter</a></div>
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A post shared by chloé esnault (@chloeesnt) on <time datetime="2017-07-05T22:06:27+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 3:06pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>5. Moreton Island</b><br />
Never been either and I've heard its activities are similar to Fraser Island, but the cerulean blue sea is enough to attract any beachhead.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BbR5Q7dgmqM/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jason Mak (@jason_mak18)</a> on <time datetime="2017-11-09T15:31:22+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 9, 2017 at 7:31am PST</time></div>
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<b>6. Mt. Cootha</b><br />
A great place for a eagle-eye view of Brisbane and only a short drive from the CBD. You can even ride a bicycle to the top if you're feeling adventurous! There's also the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens if you're into plants and flowers.<br />
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A post shared by Matt Tuckett (@mattytee7) on <time datetime="2017-06-24T23:55:02+00:00" style="line-height: 17px;">Jun 24, 2017 at 4:55pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>7. National Parks (e.g Lamington National Park, Springbrook National Park, Daintree National Park)</b><br />
Queensland is famous for their well-kept, beautiful local national parks. Even though I myself had no time to visit, you gotta visit at least one if you're into nature and hiking.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJ_1bSl4II/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Gawhhhh this PLACE!!!!</a></div>
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A post shared by marli blanche (@hotcupofmarlo) on <time datetime="2017-07-05T07:17:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 12:17am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWKRnhiALNp/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Birthday Hike 🙌🏽</a></div>
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A post shared by Kayleigha (@k_jayne88) on <time datetime="2017-07-05T09:53:16+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2017 at 2:53am PDT</time></div>
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<b>8. Gold Coast</b><br />
Especially tourist-loving Surfers Paradise. I've been several times to witness the sunset, and it manages to take my breath away every single time (maybe partially because of the cold morning wind during winter too).<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWMqxqAl4nF/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Surfers was looking the goods yesterday. 🤙🏻 Check out our website for more photos and a blog post from the day. Links in the description. Have a great night VC✌🏻 #goldcoast #surf #surfing #thespit #sunrise #love #surfer #visitgoldcoast #moody #southerngoldcoast #coolangatta #surfersparadise #surfers #surfingaustralia #waves #goldy #queensland #thisisqueensland #australia</a></div>
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A post shared by ✖️VISUAL COLLECTIVE ✖️ (@visualcollectiveau) on <time datetime="2017-07-06T08:11:35+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 6, 2017 at 1:11am PDT</time></div>
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<b>9. Sunshine Coast</b><br />
Another place for avid surfers and beachheads.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWF8FE4lkJ9/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">@livelikeitsthewknd A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles 🙏🏻💫 Sharing this throwback from the Glass House Mountains in Queensland One of my favorite memories from the 2 months I spent in Australia earlier this year. 📷 @hannahrheaume suggested user by @roamaroo #watchthisinstagood</a></div>
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A post shared by instagood (@instagood) on <time datetime="2017-07-03T17:28:06+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 3, 2017 at 10:28am PDT</time></div>
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<b>10. Theme Parks (Movie World, Sea World, Dream World, Wet n Wild)</b><br />
If you haven't been to a theme park in Queensland, have you <i>really</i> visited Queensland? Especially if you're a comic/superhero fan. Movie World and Dream World are frequent tourist destinations, and you'll see why when you get there. It feels like a whole other world sometimes.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSktiUBzkY/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Enjoy my time @Movie World.. My Holiday... Explore everything & Try anything i wantttttt.. 😍😍 . . #instagirl #instapict #happyday #happymoment #withlove #lovely #holiday #freetime #freeday #goldcoast #goldcoastlife #travellinggoldcoast #movieworld #movieworldgoldcoast #travelling #wind #cold #followmyig #followmylastpost #followforlike #likethispic #likeme #like4like #likeforlike #followmylastpost</a></div>
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A post shared by Irene (@irene_ne_s) on <time datetime="2017-11-09T21:51:00+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 9, 2017 at 1:51pm PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BbQwcuTnygl/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Day Four: Movie World 😍🤗✌️#rollercoasters #movieworld #goldcoast #fun #holiday #rides #adventures #design</a></div>
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A post shared by Beach Bay Homes Ltd (@beachbayhomesltd) on <time datetime="2017-11-09T04:55:05+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 8, 2017 at 8:55pm PST</time></div>
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If I had more time, I definite would've tried to explore more of Queensland's beautiful spots, and this list is not exhaustive. Enjoy exploring one of the best places in Australia!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08296024788135121377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-10255476387809456282017-03-05T23:17:00.000+08:002017-03-08T16:38:55.730+08:00An International Student in Brisbane Pt. 2: Food Glorious FoodYou guys.... this is my favourite part of the series (only 2 so far but I already know it's my favourite)<br />
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<b>Food glorious food. </b>Brisbane may not be like Sydney and Melbourne where brunch spots are practically everywhere. I personally feel Brisbane needs to up their brunch and dessert game. But that doesn't mean you're out of choices for some good eats.<br />
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Here are some of my pick of restaurants to eat in Brisbane (and beyond):<br />
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<b><u>Korean</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BO_HJtOAt08/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Dreams of fried chicken#foodblog #foodblogger #brisbanefoodbog #brisbane #brissie #igersbrisbane #hungrykittens #hungrykittensfoodblog #koreanfood #friedchicken</a></div>
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A post shared by Hungry Kittens (@hungrykittens.foodblog) on <time datetime="2017-01-08T02:10:25+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 7, 2017 at 6:10pm PST</time></div>
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/funny-funny-brisbane-cbd">Funny Funny</a> (Brisbane CBD)</b><br />
Address: 85 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia<br />
Must order: Great place for Korean fried chicken. 50% off KFC on Wednesdays!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM59NE-A24O/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Food porn #comboA #maru #korean #bbq #koreanbbq #food #foodporn #dinner #idea #foodgram #pork #porkbelly #wagyu #beef #wagyubeef #cuberoll #australia #brisbane #restaurant #koreanrestaurant #asian #koreanfood</a></div>
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A post shared by maru_korean_restaurant (@maru_korean_restaurant) on <time datetime="2016-11-17T09:04:30+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 17, 2016 at 1:04am PST</time></div>
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/maru-korean-bbq-brisbane-cbd">Maru</a> (Brisbane CBD)</b><br />
Address: 157 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia<br />
Must order: Korean BBQ and seafood pancake. Bad ventilation (so your clothes stink up with smoke really quickly), but good food.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/2A8UHdn8f9/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Korean BBQ buffet. EAT ALL THE MEAT!🐷 #vsco #vscocam #latergram</a></div>
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A post shared by Selene Tam 🦄✨ (@selenetam) on <time datetime="2015-04-28T10:09:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 28, 2015 at 3:09am PDT</time></div>
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<b>3. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/hanwoori-korean-buffet-brisbane-cbd">Hanwoori</a> (Brisbane CBD)</b><br />
Address: Mantra on Mary, 70 Mary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia<br />
Must order: Korean BBQ Buffet<br />
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<b><u>Japanese</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGlRRXmgBUv/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Soft-shell crab ramen after exam tastes like heaven 🦀🍜💕 #ibehavelikeapig #🐶🐶🐷🐷 #三個人的午餐</a></div>
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A post shared by ✪ⓐⓜⓔⓛⓨ☀ (@au_amely) on <time datetime="2016-06-13T05:07:26+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jun 12, 2016 at 10:07pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/genkotsu-ramen-toowong">Genkotsu Ramen</a> (Toowong)</b><br />
Address: Shop E, Clements Arcade,, 51 Sherwood Rd, Toowong QLD 4066, Australia<br />
Must Order: Gyokai (Fish) broth ramen and chashu. Very limited seats during peak hours so either come early or prepare to queue.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ1fHhBBuEX/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Free food always tastes better 🍲 #noodles#freeDannyboys turned my boys into fat boys 😂👌🏼 sooooo good #sandwich#burgers#night#dinner#beef#chips#yum#party#cheese#fat#yummy#food#foodie#fat#diet#jokes#chips#fried#crispy#love#date#throwback#dinner#night#cheese#craving#brisbane#brisbanefood#brisbanefoodie#brisbanefoodblogger</a></div>
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A post shared by K I M Y 🌸 9 5 🌺 B N E (@kimytang28) on <time datetime="2016-09-02T01:50:27+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 1, 2016 at 6:50pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/hakataya-ramen-brisbane-cbd">Hakataya Ramen</a> (Brisbane CBD/Indooroopilly/Sunnybank Plaza)</b><br />
Brisbane CBD Address: Myer Centre<br />
Indooroopilly: Indooroopilly Shopping Centre<br />
Sunnybank Plaza: Shop 27B, Sunnybank Plaza / 358 Mains Road, Sunnybank QLD 4109, Australia<br />
Must Order: Nagahama Ramen and chashu. Also with very limited seats during peak hours so either come early or prepare to queue.<br />
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[Check Campus Eats below for 1 more Japanese food place!]<br />
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<u><b>Thai</b></u><br />
Thai food there just doesn't seem to taste as good as the ones back in Malaysia unfortunately. It's missing that oomph and kick. The other time I tried Thai was at the Brisbane Thai Festival and I had pad thai and mango sticky rice. BUT you can still settle your Thai food cravings here. Also, remember to check out festivals and markets for great food.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BN0jdyVB614/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Thai chicken😼</a></div>
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A post shared by @ooohsomi on <time datetime="2016-12-10T03:14:47+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 9, 2016 at 7:14pm PST</time></div>
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1. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/thai-nakonlanna-st-lucia"><b>Thai Nakolanna</b></a><br />
Address: Shop 6, 225 Hawken Drive, St Lucia, Brisbane<br />
Must Order: Their dinner sets are pretty affordable! Tom yam and pad thai's not bad.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/7nCJeRyXvh/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Love the satay chicken! ❤️ always favourite</a></div>
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A post shared by Ephemeral 🌹 (@cheyennetan_322) on <time datetime="2015-09-14T11:48:25+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 14, 2015 at 4:48am PDT</time></div>
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2. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/thai-treasure-st-lucia/menu"><b>Thai Treasure</b></a><br />
Address: Shop 3, 191 Sir Fred Schonell Drive, St Lucia, Brisbane<br />
Must Try: The fried rice is just AMAZING. Some of the best fried rice I've ever had. The stir fry is pretty good too.<br />
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<b><u>Indian</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNeH5Bxhjkl/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Yummy meal! Called thali (which literally means plate). 3 curries, 1 bread, heaps of rice for just $12 ❤️😍</a></div>
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A post shared by Ephemeral 🌹 (@cheyennetan_322) on <time datetime="2016-12-01T10:10:32+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 1, 2016 at 2:10am PST</time></div>
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1.<b> <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/indian-feast-st-lucia">Indian Feast</a> </b>(There's an outlet at the UQ St. Lucia campus too!)<br />
Address: Shop 2, 191 Sir Fred Schonell Drive, St Lucia, Brisbane<br />
Must Try: Butter chicken. Tandoori chicken. YAS.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/59YvkFAMQp/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">姐姐說 這是她吃過最好吃的印度料理❤️😘🍛 #love#sister#dinner#brisbane</a></div>
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A post shared by shiningmina (@shiningmina) on <time datetime="2015-08-04T11:06:22+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 4, 2015 at 4:06am PDT</time></div>
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2. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/punjabi-palace-south-brisbane"><b>Punjabi Palace</b></a><br />
Address: 135 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Brisbane<br />
Must Try: Only tried the Tikka Masala. Not bad!<br />
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<b><u>Greek</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP6adfuDtI6/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">A most excellent re-gram from @hungrybearbne we're always happy to see him and his great pics of our food! Come see us in person, or catch us on #uberEATS #menulog or #eatnow and be not so hungry and awesome like @hungrybearbne #westendcharcoal #brisbane #brisbaneeats</a></div>
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A post shared by West End Charcoal (@westendcharcoal) on <time datetime="2017-01-31T02:54:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 30, 2017 at 6:54pm PST</time></div>
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1. <b><a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/west-end-charcoal-west-end">West End Charcoal</a></b><br />
Address: 56 Russell St, West End QLD 4101, Australia<br />
Must Order: The Share Platters. Not the cheapest thing around but it's pretty good!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQPnr5ugCVv/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Oh hello pretties. Our all new line up of pitas. Above - Otto. And from left to right - Fimi Falafel, Spicy Beef, Phyleto Fish, Piccalilli Pork.</a></div>
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A post shared by Zeus Street Greek (@zeusstreetgreek) on <time datetime="2017-02-08T08:33:56+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 8, 2017 at 12:33am PST</time></div>
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2.<b> <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/zeus-street-greek-southbank">Zeus Street Greek</a></b><br />
Address: Eat Southbank Precinct, Shop 13-14, 14 Little Stanley Street, Southbank, Brisbane<br />
Must Order: Can't really go wrong with any of their pitas.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRHVC38BnZW/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Everything's coming up M̶ ̶I̶ ̶L̶ ̶L̶ ̶H̶ ̶O̶ ̶U̶ ̶S̶ ̶E̶ ̶ The Yiros Shop 🙌🏼🇬🇷 TWEED HEADS NOW OPEN‼️ 📷 @brisbanefoodlovers #theyirosshop #freeyirosday #freefood</a></div>
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A post shared by The Yiros Shop (@theyirosshop) on <time datetime="2017-03-01T23:48:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 1, 2017 at 3:48pm PST</time></div>
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3. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/the-yiros-shop-southbank"><b>The Yiros Shop</b></a><br />
Address: 189 Grey Street, Southbank, Brisbane<br />
Must Order: Any of their yiros. They even have haloumi chips which I've never tried but sounds like it tastes really good.<br />
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<b><u>Desserts</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQfosJWDSwr/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Valentine's Day OTP with a red velvet cookie and strawberry cheesecake ice cream sandwich. 😋💕happy last 10 minutes of Valentine's Day here in Australia, while the states begin their day. ❤</a></div>
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A post shared by Kaylee Wessel (@kiwiwessel) on <time datetime="2017-02-14T13:50:34+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 14, 2017 at 5:50am PST</time></div>
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<b>1. <a href="http://www.mustdobrisbane.com/eat-drink-specialty-foods-sweets/chester-st-bakery-mr-fitz-doughnut-time-south-bank">Chester Street Bakery + Mr Fitz + Doughnut Time (Southbank)</a></b><br />
Address: 186 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia<br />
Must Order: Ice-cream flavours - Pink Sea Salt & Caramel, Red Velvet Cheesecake; Cakes - Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake; Doughnut<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BE0L10XEvy6/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">I personally would've named this dessert 'The Mike Wazowski'</a></div>
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A post shared by Dane de Leon (@danedeleon) on <time datetime="2016-04-30T07:05:48+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 30, 2016 at 12:05am PDT</time></div>
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/passion-tree-brisbane-cbd">PassionTree</a> (Brisbane CBD)</b><br />
Address: 103 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia<br />
Must Order: Matcha Mochi Pancake Stack. (I had the Rose Delight and Watermelon Bingsoo too. Rose Delight was way too sweet and fragrant, while Watermelon Bingsoo was quite pricey for watermelon and ice cream.)<br />
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<b><u>Brunch</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPgOymGgF3J/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Come and try this special on Australia day! Will be open from 7 am - 2:30 pm. Poached eggs on pumpkin sourdough with bernaise sauce, lamb cutlets, babaganoush, macadamia pesto, crispy haloumi chips #foodporn #bestbreakfast #yummy #brisbanefood #brunch #concreteplayground #weekendedition #cafe</a></div>
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A post shared by Smoked Paprika (@smokedpaprikacafe) on <time datetime="2017-01-20T22:52:06+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 20, 2017 at 2:52pm PST</time></div>
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/smoked-paprika-paddington">Smoked Paprika</a> (Paddington)</b><br />
Address: 65 Macgregor Terrace, Bardon, Paddington, Brisbane<br />
Must Order: Smoked Paprika Breakfast<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPIs7IUB2QC/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">When breakfast looks to good to touch // @littlelococafe #littleloco</a></div>
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A post shared by Little Loco (@littlelococafe) on <time datetime="2017-01-11T19:33:38+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 11, 2017 at 11:33am PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>2. <b><a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/little-loco-new-farm">Little Loco</a> (New Farm)</b><br />
Address: 121 Merthyr Road, New Farm, Brisbane<br />
Must-Order: Eggs & Waffle Benedict<br />
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Special mention:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BN8krjJh7n7/" style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Prettiest Acai bowl I've ever seen! 😍</a></div>
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A post shared by Carmen C (@carmenc23) on <time datetime="2016-12-13T05:59:19+00:00" style="line-height: 17px;">Dec 12, 2016 at 9:59pm PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/gold-coast-qld/the-cardamom-pod-southport" style="font-weight: bold;">Cardamom Pod</a> (not in Brisbane)<br />
Address: 107 Brickworks Centre, Ferry Road, Southport, Gold Coast, QLD<br />
Must Order: Acai Bowl. Great vegetarian/vegan place to go to if you're visiting Southport. A bit pricey though so treat this as a reward.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNPOxSpB6gg/" style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Rainbow coffee 🌈</a></div>
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A post shared by Carmen C (@carmenc23) on <time datetime="2016-11-25T15:22:02+00:00" style="line-height: 17px;">Nov 25, 2016 at 7:22am PST</time></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/piggy-back-cafe-jindalee">Piggyback Cafe</a></b> (not in Brisbane)<br />
Address: 86 Curragundi Rd, Jindalee QLD 4074, Australia<br />
Must Order: Rainbow coffee (not that outstanding, but great for pictures :D). Food's meh too.<br />
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<b><u>Markets</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQh3V0TBoD_/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">하루에최소4끼 #호주#브리즈번#잇스트리트마켓#자유여행</a></div>
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A post shared by 김태현 (@horsefacekiller) on <time datetime="2017-02-15T10:37:04+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 15, 2017 at 2:37am PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<b>1. Eat Street Market</b><br />
Address: 99 MacArthur Ave, Hamilton QLD 4007, Australia<br />
Must-Order: Oysters, Conut (super messy to eat, but it's a try-once-in-a-lifetime thing), Brazilian food<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEz56R8BxHt/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Swiss, Hungarian and Spanish all in one meal - Rosti, langos and paella ❤️ 10/10 would recommend</a></div>
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A post shared by Carmen C (@carmenc23) on <time datetime="2016-04-30T04:29:07+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 29, 2016 at 9:29pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><b>2. West End Markets</b><br />
Address: Montague Rd & Jane St, West End QLD 4101, Australia<br />
Must-Order: Rosti and langos. There's also this old lady who sells good baklava (Middle Eastern dessert).<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNOPQIIhsEv/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Friends that falafel together, stay together. Catch up at the #miltonmarkets this Sunday for the best gourmet breakfast and more! Open from 6am! Thanks to @michelleechen for the great 📷</a></div>
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A post shared by Milton Markets (@miltonmarkets) on <time datetime="2016-11-25T06:07:01+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 24, 2016 at 10:07pm PST</time></div>
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<b>3. Milton Markets</b><br />
Address: Cribb St & Little Cribb St, Milton QLD 4064, Australia<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQMfcDlFGVq/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Forget soul food, enjoy Soil food in the city, Jan Power's Farmers Market in Brisbane City is located on George St end of the Queen Street Mall, in front of the Treasury Casino and Hotel at Reddacliff Place every Wednesday from 8 am till 6 pm! See you TOMORROW! #jpfmcity #JanPowersFarmersMarkets</a></div>
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A post shared by Jan Powers Farmers Markets. (@janpowersfarmersmarkets) on <time datetime="2017-02-07T03:24:09+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 6, 2017 at 7:24pm PST</time></div>
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<b>4. Jan Power's Brisbane City Market</b><br />
Address: George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia<br />
A market filled with produce and pastries.<br />
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<u><b>Seafood</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ7ymfUB3H6/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">this monstrosity made me shit out Nemo. 🦀🦐🐟🦑</a></div>
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A post shared by Lim Guan Yu (@darthpilgrim) on <time datetime="2017-02-25T12:15:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 25, 2017 at 4:15am PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<b>1. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/georges-paragon-seafood-restaurant-brisbane-cbd">George's Paragon Seafood Restaurant</a></b><br />
Address: 1/10 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia<br />
Disclaimer: I've never tried anything here, but my mom has and she recommends it. Seafood 50% off during lunchtime, that's enough reason to visit!<br />
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Special mention:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ-eVWTl_Zr/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Five days trip at Gold Coast. Soooo lovely👌👌👌</a></div>
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A post shared by Yi-Chung Chiu (@chiu_yi_chung) on <time datetime="2017-02-26T13:16:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 26, 2017 at 5:16am PST</time></div>
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.zomato.com/gold-coast-qld/peters-fish-market-main-beach">Peter's Seafood</a> (not in Brisbane)</b><br />
Address: 120 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217, Australia<br />
Must-Try: OYSTERS, Fish & Chips. You can even purchase some seafood back home to cook and they're pretty fresh.<br />
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<br />
<b><u>Campus Eats</u></b><br />
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<b>1. U-Sushi</b><br />
Must Order: Anything with avocado <3<br />
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<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP1zaU-jotG/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Delicious double protein bowls! Guac or No Guac? Pic Credit: #GYGHero @jessssss.m #GYGAus #gyg #guzmanygomez</a></div>
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A post shared by Guzman y Gomez™ (GYG) (@guzmanygomez) on <time datetime="2017-01-29T07:56:09+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 28, 2017 at 11:56pm PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<b>2. <a href="https://www.guzmanygomez.com/locations/university-of-queensland/">Guzman y Gomez</a></b><br />
Must Order: Burrito Bowl. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BN8IPRfhRQy/">Lunch promo:</a> $12.50 for a burrito, guacamole + corn chips, and a can of soft drink!<br />
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<b>3. Main Course Food Precinct</b><br />
Must Order: Squid rings, potato gems, fries with chicken salt. Everything else is good too!<br />
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<b>4. Darwin's</b><br />
Must Order: Banana bread, Honey & banana smoothie, coffee.<br />
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<b>5. Burger Urge</b><br />
Burgers aren't the best I've eaten, but they're pretty solid if you're craving for burgers.<br />
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<b>6. Belltop/Merlo</b><br />
Must Order: Coffee. That's all I've ever tried there lol.<br />
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Special mention (Only available as food trucks on special occassions):<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMyEnKIhKmx/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">It's all on again! Burgers, Hotdogs, Rice Bowls, loaded fries and $2 coffee! #uq #uqfood #ssaf #examfuel #springhassprung #mramericahotdogsandfries #mrburgerbris #thericehutbistro #merlocoffee</a></div>
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A post shared by UQ Food (@uqfood) on <time datetime="2016-11-14T07:35:18+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 13, 2016 at 11:35pm PST</time></div>
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<b>The Rice Hut Bistro</b><br />
<b>Ruby the Little Red Ice Cream Van</b><br />
<b>Mr. Burger</b><br />
<b>J'adore Les Crepes</b><br />
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<br />
To know more about everything hip that's happening in Brisbane and to get updates on new places to eat/hangout, check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanList/">The Urban List Brisbane</a>. #notsponsored #itsjustgoodjournalismAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08296024788135121377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-24076344456640077112017-02-17T18:30:00.005+08:002018-02-25T16:16:41.603+08:00An International Student in Brisbane Pt. 1: Getting StartedThis is part 1 of a series I call "An International Student's Guide to Life in Brisbane", particularly if you're Malaysian - this is what to look out for when you first arrive. This was actually written for my cousin who's also going to UQ to study, but eh while I'm at it why not expand and share it with everyone?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SJATLORzunqiTm8b3mQhHWaLew64zSR95H1GNGKmVweF3U3O3tu0A4DcyviuQM5r89vh5q2rXH4L8nyH8nB5xgCPgR7fFHZrjfuV0gN0H5WaP9YFj21pxJMt0Wkjv0r8sV_NFWGQGwJ5/s1600/Photo+01-05-2016%252C+10+58+38+am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SJATLORzunqiTm8b3mQhHWaLew64zSR95H1GNGKmVweF3U3O3tu0A4DcyviuQM5r89vh5q2rXH4L8nyH8nB5xgCPgR7fFHZrjfuV0gN0H5WaP9YFj21pxJMt0Wkjv0r8sV_NFWGQGwJ5/s640/Photo+01-05-2016%252C+10+58+38+am.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little background about me, I studied Bachelor of Commerce at University of Queensland for approximately 1 year as part of a credit transfer program. I haven't had the time to explore every crevice of Brisbane and its surroundings, but I think 1 year is enough for me to talk about things that I personally would've loved to know when I first arrived. Also I was a Student Leader at UQ, and I had to tell things like this to new students all the time. This series is a collection of advice I've heard from people and things I've experienced myself. In no way should you treat my suggestions as the word of God. I may be incorrect and inaccurate, but I'm trying my best to help you!<br />
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<b>Pro-tip</b> before we get started: Don't bring so much over! Pack, remove, re-pack and do it again. I brought too much over, and then my mom came to visit and brought MORE over. I hardly use 50% of the things I have and it's just collecting dust, whether it's clothes or Malaysian food (that consists of sauces, herbal drinks and instant noodles). You will certainly purchase more things while you're in Australia and you'll find yourself bringing back home more than you've brought here. And contrary to popular belief, you can find most of the things you need or crave from Malaysia/Asia over here. You've been warned.<br />
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Let's begin!<br />
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<u>Accommodation</u><br />
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This is the first thing you'll have to worry about before you actually get to start your journey here at UQ. A lot of my friends stay in St. Lucia because of the convenience that comes with it.<br />
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The map above shows just one part of the St. Lucia area. If you plan to go to university very often, then staying nearby university is great because it's just a 15-20 minute walk (depending on how close you live) to class. Not only does this help you save transportation costs but if you're into sports, you're near the university sports centre too. You're also near <b>Guyatt Park ferry stop</b> so that's an additional mode of transport. Keep in mind though that the nearer you stay to uni, the more expensive it is likely to be.<br />
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While St. Lucia may not be like <b>Toowong</b> or <b>Sunnybank</b> with all the restaurants and malls, you won't go hungry as there are a few restaurants near the <b>St. Lucia Ferry bus stop</b> like Nando's, Domino's and Indian Feast. <b>Hawken Drive</b> is also teeming with restaurants and their most notable one is Thai Nakolanna. The food isn't the best but it's a mystery to me why students always go there. Probably because it is one of the only Thai food restaurants in St. Lucia.<br />
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Nearby suburbs like <b>Taringa</b> is a fair bit further away but probably more affordable. If you like more hustle & bustle and don't mind taking a little longer to get to uni everyday, then <b>Sunnybank</b> and <b>Indooroopilly</b> are good areas to scout for accommodation. Know what is included in your rental costs and what's not. What's furnished and unfurnished.<br />
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<u>Public Transport & Places of Interest</u></div>
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Before you do anything here, get a Translink concession card. The rates are 50% off the adult ones and will save you so much.<br />
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When you first arrive, getting around can be tricky. I live in St. Lucia, where 90% of the time I have to take the <b><u>412 bus</u></b> in order to get somewhere else. If I'm at the university, I take the 412 bus from <b>Chancellor's Bus Stop</b>. 412 brings you to a number of places of interest. It takes you to <b>Toowong Village</b> (where I mostly do my grocery shopping, more on that later), <b>Roma Street Station</b> (where if you want to go to Gold Coast by train) and to the <b>Central Business District</b> (the bus stops near King George Square). The whole ride from the university to the CBD is an easy 20-25 minutes without traffic.</div>
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Other than buses, trains are also readily available. The nearest train station from university/St. Lucia is at Toowong Village and you get there from St. Lucia by taking the 412. If you're going to Fortitude Valley or Gold Coast, the train is your best bet.</div>
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Riding the <b><u>411 bus</u></b> from university also takes you to Hawken Drive which I've mentioned earlier, a row of shop lots and restaurants that are relatively near and have food that are decently priced. Thai Nakolanna is a student favourite, with their dinner sets that come with sides and a main dish. Their tom yum and pad thai may not be the best around, but it will be enough to satisfy your Thai food cravings.</div>
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Speaking of efficient public transport, they have an app called <a href="https://translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/mytranslink">Translink</a> that keeps a real time schedule of buses/trains that go in and out your station. You can check for different services, stops or routes. You can even look at the map while the bus is moving to determine where you should stop. It's also easy to plan your journey with the app with the Journey Planner. And most of the time, the bus drivers here are friendly, courteous and on-time. </div>
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The university has 2 bus stops: <b>Chancellor's</b> and<b> UQ Lakes</b>. Check Translink to see where your bus departs. Uni also has a ferry stop called <b>UQ St Lucia ferry terminal</b>.<br />
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At night, there are also campus <a href="https://www.pf.uq.edu.au/unisafe/bus.html">UniSafe safety buses</a> that take you back to your house if it's at the surrounding St. Lucia area, available at Chancellor's bus stop.<br />
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<u>Getting Around Campus</u><br />
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The St. Lucia campus is pretty big. You've got your green grass fields, buildings, a lake and campus colleges. To navigate around campus, <b><a href="http://www.uq.edu.au/uqnav/">UQNav</a></b> is in my opinion a great app to use and it's available on both the App and Google Play store. I find it VERY useful as it's basically an interactive map which shows you the route to take to your destination in university. Don't underestimate the app because the St. Lucia campus is huge and not knowing your way around can get you lost. It doesn't show you the fastest way or shortcuts, but it gets the job done. After a few months of exploring the campus, you will eventually know shortcuts and the best routes to take to your desired building.<br />
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UQ Union Complex is <a href="http://www.uq.edu.au/about/places-to-eat">where all the grub is</a>. You've got Indian Feast, Subway, a pop up stall (that sells different kinds of food at different periods) and so many more. I love the variety and everything is payable by EFTPos so you don't need to bring cash. My personal favourite is <b>GYG</b>. You don't get a lot of good affordable Mexican food back in Malaysia, so GYG is your next best bet. I love getting the burrito bowl, but they have a $12.90 set lunch every day as well. My next favourite is <b>U Sushi</b> with their yummy sushi rolls, quick and easy to get on the go. And guess what, they have <b>Chatime</b> on campus inside Schonell Theatre! So don't worry, you can definitely satisfy your milk bubble tea cravings at UQ. Take note that it's around $6 per cup, which is a lot pricier than your average RM6+ cup in Malaysia. When I came to UQ, everyone told me to try <b>Pizza Caffe</b>. Tbh, the pizzas aren't the best there - but if you want not so greasy, gourmet pizzas with healthy toppings then that's the place to go. Also, what's wrong with you.<br />
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There are also banks around campus which is so convenient! There's <b>CommBank</b> and <b>ANZ</b> atms sprawled around as well. I chose CommBank as my personal bank. Ask anyone, and they'll say either bank is a great choice. When you're here, you might be unfamiliar with <b>EFTPos</b>, where EFT stands for Electronic Funds Transfer. All you have to do is tap your debit card on the machine, and voila your payment is made. It feels like second nature to just tap the machine to pay and not have to bring cash around. Hope to see more effortless, cashless payment in Malaysia.<br />
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<b>Great places to hang around The University of Queensland St. Lucia campus:</b><br />
1. Student Bungalow - equipped with bean bags and board games for a relaxing afternoon when you're not rushing tutorial work or cramming the syllabus into your brain<br />
2. The Great Court - a wide field for you to lie back on the grass and chill<br />
3. Merlo's/Darwin's/Wordsmith/BellTop Cafe - cafes to get your daily coffee fix and catch up with friends over last night's Game of Thrones<br />
4. The Red Room - campus bar with snooker, video games and food<br />
5. UQ Lakes - sit on the grass and be surrounded by flora and fauna (ducks, monitor lizards, Ibis birds)<br />
6. Amphitheater - another big wide field to eat your lunch, play games and hang with your very multicultural friends<br />
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Be careful of the Ibis birds! They're known for their long beaks and persistent behaviour. Very commonly found at the Union Complex where the food is. They do not know fear and will grab your lunch if you leave it unattended. Even if you're there, they'll try to grab it anyway. Don't be afraid, for they can smell fear and will attack your food when you're most vulnerable. The only way to get rid of them is to bow down and acknowledge that they are far more superior.<br />
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So that's it for Part 1! Part 2 will be about one of my favourite things in the world: FOOD. I have a great passion for good food and it deserves a post of it's own.<br />
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Have fun, make full use of your time there and don't be a hermit.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08296024788135121377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-87949110300955011092017-01-24T16:39:00.000+08:002017-01-24T16:42:09.894+08:00Making 2017 LIT2017 sounds like a terrifying year: finding a job, quarter-life crisis, trying to figure out what I want to do post-university...<br />
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But at the same time, it's an opportunity for a fresh start, a renewed vigor and barely existing motivation to get my shit together.<br />
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It's both horrifying and exciting. And if you know me, I'm not great at making decisions because I'm the most indecisive person ever. I've also always been a very introspective person. After choosing something, I will always wonder, "What would've happened if I took the other path?" and subsequently feel FOMO (fear of missing out) while seeing what other people are up to in their lives that I'm missing out on. It's a vicious cycle.<br />
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But here are a few things I want to achieve in 2017. Call them resolutions, but I don't want to put a label on it:<br />
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1. Be more present<br />
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It's no secret that I'm an absent-minded, forgetful and painfully slow person at times (most of the time, really). On the first few days of 2017, I've already did several things that showcased how freaking forgetful I am, making me feel worse about this goal. But I'm trying to make a conscious effort to be more mindful, aware and present in the moment. If there was an award for someone to be "Most Likely To Get Alzheimer's When Old", I'd be the perfect person.<br />
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2. Be more assertive<br />
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This is something I've been working on for years, and it's still a work in progress. Heck, we're ALL WIP. Slowly, but surely. How? By saying 'no' more often to things I don't want to do, standing up for what I believe in, and just being more confident in my mannerisms and speech.<br />
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3. Be more creative<br />
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Creativity is something I personally think I lack. I want to explore, write and produce more graphical content. It can be through making videos, revamping the blog by writing more or expressing myself in a more creative way. There are no boundaries when it comes to creativity and innovation. I don't want to think outside the box, I want there to be no box. #deep #zen #2k17<br />
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4. Learn a new skill<br />
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I'm leaning towards brushing up my French and Korean (knowledge basically almost nil now), improving my coding skills and learning how to play a new instrument. GO GIRL GO<br />
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5. FIND A JOB???<br />
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I don't think the problem lies in finding a job, it's choosing a job I actually like or at least can stand for the next 2 years at least. First world problems amirite.<br />
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Other than that, I'm trying to create a healthier, fitter me this year. So far January hasn't been a very healthy month (with CNY and meeting up/eating out with friends etc), COME AT ME FEBRUARY.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08296024788135121377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-62354633419415503832016-08-11T10:32:00.001+08:002016-08-13T19:31:19.526+08:00StrayaSo it's been almost half a year since I've stepped foot on Australian soil and prepared to make this place my home for the next 1 year.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCHlTKzBxGI/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Been here for a few days and I've already seen a snake eat a bat, and a ridiculously huge spider. Wouldn't have it any other way! #straya</a></div>
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A photo posted by Carmen C (@carmenc23) on <time datetime="2016-02-23T06:19:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 22, 2016 at 10:19pm PST</time></div>
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Actual proof of how fearless the wildlife are here. You think the internet and I are joking but we're not. That shit's real.<br />
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So, how's life?</h2>
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I am so used to having a different groups of friends to hang out with. It's not uncommon to have a friend hangout almost everyday of the week. So being thrown into the deep end of having my first year here being a 3rd year degree student, kinda takes away something I coin as the 'Freshman feels'. It's your first year there with everyone else in your cohort, no one knows what's to come and everyone has that novelty of being in university. You go through the whole process of meeting new people from your batch and getting to know them as you transition into a sense of normalcy. But being a transfer student on your <i>last</i> year of studies, everyone here kinda already knows everyone else. This is their territory, it's not mine. It makes it so difficult to make friends. Everyone's settled in long ago and found their own cliques. There's no room for people like me. And it's completely normal to feel that way.</div>
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So of course, the first few months here made me feel out of place, but that's not going to stop me from going all out to experience as much as I can. I've joined a few things: notably the faculty's Community Engagement Program and am helping out with the marketing of UQ Idea Hub, a startup pre-incubator for students. Partly to learn new things, partly to meet new people who share the same experiences.<br />
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6 months later, I've made a lot of friends here! Most of them hi and bye acquaintances because I am absolutely horrible at keeping in touch and following up after we meet. But enough to make me feel connected.</div>
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But so far, life has been okay. It helps to have Malaysian housemates - 2 of them I've already known before this, 2 who are in the Malaysian student association committee (and they have leftover Malaysian food from events that they bring back home, thanks girls!) and 1... well 1 who's love dilemmas keep me entertained. I admit, I would be lonely without these people.<br />
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Lose weight, gain weight?</h2>
Joey and I also do workouts together and<i> try</i> (and very often, fail) to keep each other accountable for our fitness goals. Now that I have a bit more freedom to eat what I want (because refusing my grandmother's food back at home was not an option), I'm trying to eat more vegetables and fruits, work out a bit more and be more mindful. Australia is the best place to achieve these goals, everyone's so fit and healthy here it's ridiculous.<br />
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I walk a lot here now, which I have started to not detest. Back in Malaysia, walking the less than 2 kilometers from my house to Leisure Mall on a hot, scorching, humid day would be unfavourable. But walking here doesn't seem as bad. Walking to university and back would already take 2 kilometers. I probably walked half a marathon on one of the days I visited Sydney. My ankle is not making it easy for me though. It's constantly quite stiff and standing/walking for a long time makes it sore. I wonder if my ankle will ever get back to the way it was.<br />
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My love for food knows no bounds</h2>
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Did I miss late night mamak sessions where indomee is so easily accessible? Heck yeah. But fear not, affordable indomee can be found in abundance here even at the Korean marts. I thought that I was going to have to scrape through the 2 packages of indomee my mom brought over, but it's about $2 for 5 packets here so it's not that bad.</div>
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I also don't particularly miss a lot of the food back home, mainly because I don't like curry... but I do miss chili pan mee, obscenely affordable chicken rice, and my grandmother's cooking... oh who am I kidding I do miss Malaysian food. That craving for chicken rice brought me to Fortitude Valley, allegedly also called the Chinatown of Brisbane. The chinese traditional herbal stores (yeok choi po) remind me of Taman Cheras and old people. The dodgy alleys bring me back to the scene of night markets. But when I passed by a Chinese restaurant selling chicken rice for $15??? Nope. Nonono. I don't miss it enough to fork out almost 700% increase (in ringgit) from the price of chicken rice back at home. I was going to make Hainanese chicken rice by myself one day. A few months later, I gave in and got myself a plate of wantan mee and chicken. Maybe it was my long-abandoned impaired judgment of Malaysian food, but it tasted good and I needed that. Writing about it right now makes my mouth water. I also got some roasted duck from Burlington BBQ in Sunnybank. It tasted like home.</div>
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One thing I also am having difficulty with, is cooking in batches and eating similar food everyday. My stomach isn't used to having the same thing over and over again. My grandmother cooks everyday back at home, and each day she spoils us with her ambrosia-like food. I took it for granted! When I get back home I'm going to tell her how good her food is (I already do, but she needs to hear it more). I miss my grandma, I miss my family! My parents, aunts, nieces/nephews... Absence makes the heart grow fonder.<br />
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Certain numbers have become so important to remember. In the effort of saving money and converting currencies, I feel like I am now a mathematician with all the guilty calculations I do in my head all day as to how much I'm spending in <i>ringgit. </i>As if my accounting courses don't give me enough problems with numbers.<br />
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Speaking of accounting...</h2>
So currently I'm doing a double major of accounting and finance, and it is not easy. My knowledge of accounting was basically almost NIL when I came here. Sure I did a few accounting subjects back at HELP University, but it's not like I remember anything?? Everything that was suppose to look familiar, became foreign. What a balance sheet looks like, what's a perpetual inventory system... I remembered only bits and pieces, nothing significant. So my first semester studying experience here was more challenging than I thought it would be. Everyone else was a step ahead of me because they did a lot of accounting before and I was lagging behind. Didn't do super well for my first semester and it was supposed to be the <i>easier</i> semester. Oh man.<br />
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Also, I have come to the conclusion that accounting is not for me. Maybe I could learn to love it, but deep down I probably know I would be unhappy doing this for the rest of my life.<br />
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Like the many promises I made and broke here about updating my blog consistently... I'm still planning to update my blog more consistently lol. I had a great trip to Melbourne and Sydney over winter break and would love to share it with the non-existent readers I have here yay! </div>
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Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-27857126689000391022016-02-06T20:07:00.002+08:002016-02-06T23:10:29.522+08:00The art of not giving a damnIf I had one thing I could fix that would make my life more freeing and less anxious, it would be how much I care. I care too much about too many things. I don't know how to say no.<br />
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So this year, I'm going to work on saying 'no' and being more selective about what I care about. I used to take in everything that comes my way and try to mend it or mold myself to give in to others. Yeah not this year, buddy. Things I feel aren't worth being upset over, I'm just going to step back, avoid and detach. Time to remove myself from negativity and things that just piss me off.<br />
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Here are some methods I'm planning to use to perfect the fine art of not giving a damn:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Knowing my values</span><br />
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I think it's very important to know what you stand for and your identity. And when you find out what your values are and you embrace it, you no longer have to waste time doing things you don't want to do. For example if I know I'm just not into drinking, I'm not going to fit into others' societal perceptions and force myself to drink. I know my limits, and I know what I like and don't like. So I'm not going to waste my time feeling uncomfortably hot and trying to cure myself from migraines post-drinking. And if your friends are still forcing you to do things you just don't want to do, then I think it's time to hang out with other people. Also, when it comes to deep/controversial discussions you'll already have your own stand and need not look like an indecisive person who lives under a rock :D<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Filter</span><br />
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What I'm going to do next is probably to go through my friends list on social media like Facebook or Snapchat, and remove unhealthy and meaningless connections that serve no purpose. Sometimes I don't know a person very well and I tend to keep that shred of connection in hopes of maybe getting to know that person better along the line. His or her things pop up on my feed and I wonder why I added that person in the first place. It's been 8 years since I added that person. If we genuinely wanted to keep in touch or get to know each other more, we would've done it in those 8 years.<br />
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Recently, I've also cleaned out my drawer and got rid of old memorabilia that was collecting dust like letters, cards and souvenirs. It feels good to let go of certain things through the act of physically throwing it away in the trashcan. Out with the old, in with the new.<br />
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Of course there is always that sentimental feeling that hinders us from clicking that 'unfriend' button or to throw things that are collecting dust in our drawers away. But sometimes you just gotta do it. We don't need this kind of white noise in our lives. I want to allocate my time to things and people that are meaningful and that matter to me. I'm pretty sure some of the people I care about don't care about me. Or people who I think are judging me don't really think of me at all. It's not only our tables and beds that need tidying up, we need to tidy up our lives.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Disconnect</span><br />
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I need to practice how to remove myself from negativity. It doesn't mean that when a friend has a problem or is feeling sad, I avoid it and run far far away. It means that I have to learn to pick my own battles. Some of the battles I face aren't even things worth fighting over. Like an argument with a friend. I know where this is going to go if I continue arguing and so I stand firm with my beliefs and back off. I take the high road and save all of us time and energy. If he/she is not happy with it, then guess what? There's nothing I can do about it. I got no time and energy for your issues man, I have my own to deal with.<br />
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Also not being so 'kepoh' helps too. Do we <i>really</i> need to know what new drama is going on in people's lives (sometimes, yes)? Cause really, from now on I would like to direct my energy to things that adds value back to <i>my</i> life. I'm not being selfish, I need to invest in myself before I invest in others. I won't set myself on fire to keep others warm anymore.<br />
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And I always wanted to try to do a digital detox, where I disconnect from social media for a while. We are SO addicted to our phones and our computers, that our hands and eyes are constantly glued to our devices everywhere we go. Human interaction is now belittled and we no longer (for want of a better word) 'live in the moment' *cringes*. This is getting worse with the new generation. It feels like babies are now hard wired to know how to use an iPad after they turn 1, and when they don't get their precious iPads they scream bloody murder.<br />
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One thing I'm proud of in this aspect is not needing to check my Twitter everyday. I feel like Twitter has become a very negative space for me and so I decided I need to detach. Before this, I would check Twitter almost 5 times a day, and I couldn't stop myself. It just became a daily routine to check Twitter a few times a day. But now, I check it at least once in 4 days. I don't even feel the compulsion to open my Twitter app so much anymore. So now I'm working on opening it only once in a week, and then once in 2 weeks and hopefully slowly but gradually detach.<br />
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I also don't watch TV shows as often anymore. I used to not understand how people can wait a whole season (that's a whole dang year!) and not follow each episode. Well, I'm one of those people now cause I no longer closely follow my TV shows. Maybe it was because at one point I was just too busy to keep track of which day my shows aired and to find a download for it. So I stopped keeping track altogether and I became too lazy to start my TV routine again. Also because my all-time favourite fictional TV couple (yes, I'm bringing it up again) is no longer together and the show sucks because they made the guy fall in love with someone else and everything is shit and the show has officially lost all sense and meaning *wipes sweat off brow*.<br />
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But NOW, I'm addicted to Youtube lol. It's so easily accessible and there's always something new/exciting to watch every day. I don't even know why I like vlogs so much. Maybe it's because I like seeing other people's lives that are clearly more fun than mine. This obviously doesn't help with my addiction to social media, but hey I'm working on it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Just say no</span><br />
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This is one of the hardest parts of not giving a damn. It's like we're hard-wired to say yes to everything. People asking you out for a meetup even though you're tired? Yes, let's go. Salesperson hard selling you things you don't even need? Yes, I'll buy it. Friends saying things you don't agree with? Yes, you're right.<br />
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It sounds <i>so</i> easy to just say no. But in reality when the situation calls for it, it's like something is stuck in your mouth and you just can't bring yourself to say it. Maybe you don't want to hurt the other person's feelings. You want to be liked. You want to please everyone. Well, this needs to end and I have to drill this into my thick skull - you <i>can't </i>please everyone. There will be people who judge you no matter what you do even if you have good intentions. There will be people who dislike you because you don't submit to their requests. Unless that person is your boss, your family or a very close friend, is it necessary for them to like you? Must everyone think "Wow, Carmen is such a nice person, I want to be her friend"? No.<br />
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I've said this before in a previous blog post, if someone doesn't like me who for I am and for what I stand for, then...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJRTPcaJOH-J2hOnNybM9QYOEt3Pom9uZVi5MuAaBD6JfQtHXE__g1I5ikvC-cvu2pCsXcC97GRhDG_2Wrj8qkikEUK96T4J7siTRaNtDJDkszjIXlZbURxw6Dxl-GBlZ051SHjSa/s1600/aaa827a0c4386a758efbb82757cc5d3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJRTPcaJOH-J2hOnNybM9QYOEt3Pom9uZVi5MuAaBD6JfQtHXE__g1I5ikvC-cvu2pCsXcC97GRhDG_2Wrj8qkikEUK96T4J7siTRaNtDJDkszjIXlZbURxw6Dxl-GBlZ051SHjSa/s320/aaa827a0c4386a758efbb82757cc5d3e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Re-calibrate</span><br />
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Knowing your sense of direction in life is important. Being lost is not fun. You waste your time and focus on things that don't matter. Spend some time re-calibrating your direction in life. Know who your true friends are and what makes you happy. Then, do said things that make you happy and spend time with supportive friends. Have a close relationship with God. Clear out that mental clutter. Get your life together. All this sounds easier said than done of course. It's going to be hard work that's for sure.<br />
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"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." - Winston Churchill<br />
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Do I sound like a wise person who sounds like she has a grip on life and is at peace yet? LOL.Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-67365525775348225852016-01-28T00:07:00.000+08:002016-02-06T20:12:07.695+08:00Updates + PULPHi all!!! I know, it's been a long time. Not like anyone is reading or waiting for me to post anything but hello vast internet space, how ya doing?<br />
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If you remember, I <a href="http://fromearthintoeternity.blogspot.my/2014/12/more-than-meets-eye.html">broke my ankle</a> a little more than a year ago. Shit got real - I couldn't walk for months, went for grueling course of physiotherapy and I just had all my ankle's screws and plate fully taken out few weeks ago. Definitely don't miss those times.<br />
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Now I'm back baby, however not in <i>full force</i> because I have screwholes in my bones and I can't run/jump for half a year but hey, at least this time I can walk. I had Ellie Goulding serenading me to anesthesia-induced sleep in the O.R with "Love Me Like You Do". I felt light headed and like the last time, BAM fell asleep. Woke up horribly nauseated unlike <a href="http://fromearthintoeternity.blogspot.my/2015/03/broken-ankle-pt-2-week-5-12.html">the last time</a> where I felt like I woke up from a fulfilling sleep, but this one felt more like a extremely horrible hangover (would be the first I've ever had).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EMxM8SYpvgsyhykV-mt4tNCrKgsPpCVw4qSpKgnushaIQGKTGqibSh77IsmaL9TZqhnfpr-_BtV6WJiEcqWy3Pa4wtkResJz54p9pTHsmKSursbEW0QsNHXZTKY17SVCaul5C9vR/s1600/Photo+27-01-2016+10+10+26+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EMxM8SYpvgsyhykV-mt4tNCrKgsPpCVw4qSpKgnushaIQGKTGqibSh77IsmaL9TZqhnfpr-_BtV6WJiEcqWy3Pa4wtkResJz54p9pTHsmKSursbEW0QsNHXZTKY17SVCaul5C9vR/s400/Photo+27-01-2016+10+10+26+pm.png" width="225" /></a></div>
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Also in less than a month, I will be embarking on a new chapter of my life: AUSTRALIA. So I'm getting ready to head off to the land down under, filled with extremely good-looking/fit people and mysterious cringe-worthy insects - both of which I'm intimidated by.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSOemd_BcbYuij_qnt-I-gGo9Eg5ZFWuYmYIsxKg4AHg6BKFTYLtO-FX2LnMfe3Q_kRFMydBFSBT-fOgE72nUV8M0gjY69R1wYuC2UfnHhxOOi-ABjn6nDsOJ6w9AnlyKWqzTh8T3/s1600/1382033_10152002806001202_1899031184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSOemd_BcbYuij_qnt-I-gGo9Eg5ZFWuYmYIsxKg4AHg6BKFTYLtO-FX2LnMfe3Q_kRFMydBFSBT-fOgE72nUV8M0gjY69R1wYuC2UfnHhxOOi-ABjn6nDsOJ6w9AnlyKWqzTh8T3/s640/1382033_10152002806001202_1899031184_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also had a catch-up with some ex-uni mates after a long time recuperating at the hospital and at home. And I'm so impressed by the the photography opportunities at PULP by Papa Pahelta (Bangsar). The most important thing in photography to me is the <b>lighting</b>. Without good lighting your pictures will suck. Sure, editing can save it but it will never reach the full potential good lighting can bring to a photo. And what better lighting than natural light from the sun y'all. Now count how many times I mentioned the word 'lighting'.<br />
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One thing I disliked was that in spite of the large space they had, there was still lack of seats. Also, they need blinds for one of their big windows. At this time of the year, the sun is out to play and it is just too glaring and hot to sit at that location (and we couldn't move because of lack of space!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXohMJdyVCfbgkrQy_tSi1uK8PYBBRe97LJrRKMHNey7jJOl-kcQWtGtO8YtqJtjNlHRK2dhyphenhyphenbrNzNDKaVwG1UU16frjFdkUFOHNCxhOJhf1l9Z_KvD9JiTAuab2z5UyAuez_bQQ6/s1600/IMG_6682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXohMJdyVCfbgkrQy_tSi1uK8PYBBRe97LJrRKMHNey7jJOl-kcQWtGtO8YtqJtjNlHRK2dhyphenhyphenbrNzNDKaVwG1UU16frjFdkUFOHNCxhOJhf1l9Z_KvD9JiTAuab2z5UyAuez_bQQ6/s400/IMG_6682.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nitro coffee. First few sips in, surprisingly light unlike Bean Reserve's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkWqbEEUdW7Bh-pbSL0MlZZP4UaGRStV-eJGtvOIPu5LCJF2aLXUe1AvNy-CYy1fEYk41AM9QtNXKNigj-3McQzZAA-b8CQbUgX7J1ZtUx1_fD5BCGWR4VOmQ4gn0JNZ3Nt7xFtq7/s1600/IMG_6671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkWqbEEUdW7Bh-pbSL0MlZZP4UaGRStV-eJGtvOIPu5LCJF2aLXUe1AvNy-CYy1fEYk41AM9QtNXKNigj-3McQzZAA-b8CQbUgX7J1ZtUx1_fD5BCGWR4VOmQ4gn0JNZ3Nt7xFtq7/s640/IMG_6671.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very rich and decadent chocolate truffle cake. Very pretty but not the best chocolate cake around. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZuvXNaCOzk-ztX_f1JXor-xY3GaUNFC_Grccg2N6wnHvFBnWAMlW4hBtE9hz2n2e3ryMUrZoafyyTt8ewl8Cim24yTSUAcemeZCUAyDMJg7F9j-KotcDbFhPNf7jqB-ASlVYcnoC/s1600/IMG_6666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZuvXNaCOzk-ztX_f1JXor-xY3GaUNFC_Grccg2N6wnHvFBnWAMlW4hBtE9hz2n2e3ryMUrZoafyyTt8ewl8Cim24yTSUAcemeZCUAyDMJg7F9j-KotcDbFhPNf7jqB-ASlVYcnoC/s400/IMG_6666.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive latte art on hot chocolate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg00KSbNedlpCdrsq8Pco_5AErVjWgpxuBIAXwdVj6CXZLfRc3NDg18sDLZbR9KZ4kzOTk77eZHIMLBd2oS6ehpggEfLkqeiJQUwlZeYjdO4lSAJLgQGII_XFSo3BuuTGg9KxpjO9/s1600/IMG_6660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg00KSbNedlpCdrsq8Pco_5AErVjWgpxuBIAXwdVj6CXZLfRc3NDg18sDLZbR9KZ4kzOTk77eZHIMLBd2oS6ehpggEfLkqeiJQUwlZeYjdO4lSAJLgQGII_XFSo3BuuTGg9KxpjO9/s640/IMG_6660.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Hartmann Lot 22. She's smooth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjme7f_XZ1pMvIDICTVU-hqCydgkHLe0QgMFfQfY1nCPe3nfsEndWH-TzAJKkRSpp_4JgoD5CsJZaEuHCYkvQyYqoVnT-y_9ov7wrTaGmgm-5FzpI3CoprDRN7cKYvg72qrEdAVkA/s1600/IMG_6693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjme7f_XZ1pMvIDICTVU-hqCydgkHLe0QgMFfQfY1nCPe3nfsEndWH-TzAJKkRSpp_4JgoD5CsJZaEuHCYkvQyYqoVnT-y_9ov7wrTaGmgm-5FzpI3CoprDRN7cKYvg72qrEdAVkA/s640/IMG_6693.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my salad.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg7EL8F4D_cHsPgMXho_-i781alRozFvfGcVPkmHKB761p0WSySj3XKeTsT2oTcN0oCqDE378xuPFAUdjoowAZUQy-r8Li_4SSCc3PYdRmINAF5UYWalAOcx3Sm2ihnaEl3KYWgIs/s1600/IMG_6723.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg7EL8F4D_cHsPgMXho_-i781alRozFvfGcVPkmHKB761p0WSySj3XKeTsT2oTcN0oCqDE378xuPFAUdjoowAZUQy-r8Li_4SSCc3PYdRmINAF5UYWalAOcx3Sm2ihnaEl3KYWgIs/s400/IMG_6723.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Smell y'all later.</div>
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Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-71698842026445250172015-11-23T20:49:00.004+08:002016-02-06T20:12:22.536+08:00Oops I Did It AgainRemember <a href="http://fromearthintoeternity.blogspot.my/2015/06/a-moment-of-self-reflection.html">my earlier post</a> about not giving in to other people and my revelation about focusing on my own wants and needs? That was when I finally realized that I can't continue doing shit for people who don't care and who won't do the same for me anymore. Over the past few months when the situation arises, I have been actively assessing and analyzing what I should do in situations that require me to be assertive.<br />
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Very recently, I took the Caliper test and the results further confirmed that I was the kind of person to give in to others and have a need to be liked*. My accommodating trait was sky high! Which wasn't a good thing, because at some point, you accommodate people so much that you start to forget yourself. You lose yourself in the process. And that has happened one time too many. I need to set healthy boundaries of which extent I'm willing to accommodate to other people, and when I will say enough is enough.</div>
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I regressed and it happened again a few days ago on a larger scale when I strongly convinced myself to give my opportunity away to someone else who may do better than me and be okay with it. I willingly made the choice for the both of us and offered my own chance to her. In the end, it was all for (call it whatever you want but I'm going to call it...) drama and the want for heightened emotions, as all of us got the opportunity we wanted. At that time I was operating in mode "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". She was my friend, who I expected at least an acknowledgment from after the whole debacle. But she didn't say anything, and probably treated the situation as if nothing happened. After that, something just clicked within me and I thought, not everyone has the same heart as me. Not everyone will fall on their own sword for me. That's reality and a fact of life. You can't expect others to do the same for you. And I didn't give away my opportunity to please others, it all boiled down to friendship. What I've learned from that is: when it comes to things that truly matter and benefit me, I need to fight for it regardless of sentiment or friendship. I almost subconsciously let someone else take what I deserved away from me.</div>
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There has to come a time when you just have to be a little selfish. I don't know if I could've lived with myself if I was selected and that person didn't get through, because I would feel bad. If I reject the opportunity, I'll feel guilty. If I take it, I'll feel guilty. I can never win. Which is <i>stupid</i>, because why on earth should I feel guilty or sad about that? I deserved it and fought for it, I should be proud. There will always be winners and losers because when you snooze you lose. There is always this tendency for me to look down on myself and subconsciously persuade myself that I am not good enough. Well, this is where my other Caliper trait came in: my assertiveness. It was below average and wasn't at the level I wished to achieve after years of working on it. With a combination of low assertiveness and high accommodation, it was the perfect recipe for low self-esteem.</div>
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Clearly, I still have a long way to go. But I have made progress for sure. The me years ago would be very uncomfortable talking to a crowd, hesitant to step up and I cared too much. Now, I'm making slow but steady progress. But I think I'm all too ready to propel myself towards the next stage: believing in myself, fighting for the things I want/believe in, learning to say no and not letting anyone make me feel inferior. I certainly don't live to constantly please others and be taken advantage of.</div>
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Ugh. This has to change because I'm so sick of all this.</div>
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* = The results of course do not define who I am and are not conclusive because the level of my traits can be moderated over time by practice.</div>
Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-9936765753044339462015-10-03T22:51:00.000+08:002016-02-06T20:12:34.091+08:00Stockholm syndrome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbDZbWo1LEceyBz66FWNwqn52BTcAXmMMkGhWMgZ0lgTEkXmuBA5LOq8Q77nQWSWbqQikWI7RZIQoi66o8gpOFasL3SrlgqUTxk3b27xN-lC-LBrIeibvBFofSkjXL3YNXbrF4TBW/s1600/11219576_10153684563126202_2767154030494156947_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbDZbWo1LEceyBz66FWNwqn52BTcAXmMMkGhWMgZ0lgTEkXmuBA5LOq8Q77nQWSWbqQikWI7RZIQoi66o8gpOFasL3SrlgqUTxk3b27xN-lC-LBrIeibvBFofSkjXL3YNXbrF4TBW/s320/11219576_10153684563126202_2767154030494156947_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Just gained a new perspective on Stockholm syndrome. I've always only applied SS in its original conception, where hostages develop strong positive attachments to their human captors. But I recently just realised during one of my intense overthinking sessions that metaphorically Stockholm syndrome can happen to anyone. Anyone can fall victim and be a 'hostage' to anything</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> that keeps it 'captive'. Your captor could be something intangible like depression, your career... or something entirely physical like an emotionally-abusing friend/partner. It's so easy to be addicted to things that don't benefit you. What's important is realising what is keeping you captive and breaking those chains that tie you down.</span>Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-15545921851066404182015-09-13T18:51:00.000+08:002015-09-15T13:58:08.743+08:00My worst enemyI've caught myself being very out of it lately. I can't even seem to recall those moments of being so absent-minded because I am<i> that </i>out of it. The short-term memory loss doesn't help either.<br>
<br>Do you know how it feels to be waiting for something that looks like will never come? When does this end? When can I ever stop feeling this way? The brain may be smart enough to tell you to get the hell out of this mess before shit hits the fan, but the heart isn't catching up. The heart still remembers. It always does, and it always will. It remembers the sentiment and memories of it all. While the brain is trying to get rid of all that you've known before, the heart remembers it back all over again - rendering your brain's effort useless. My brain is also a total douche, making me ruminate all these things in my head. It doesn't have to be this difficult and complicated. I wish I could suck it up and move on. But it doesn't work that way for me.<br>
<br>
It made me so happy, yet it broke me. The similarity in both situations was that I felt so alive, and it was an introduction to a world of what I'd like to call - the most intense emotions ever. I've never felt that way before. And now I know what you're thinking, this sounds like a boy issue but it is not. I wish it was that easy and tangible. This is something I cannot control, with my pleas and my efforts, it's not something for me to decide. Maybe it's something for certain humans to decide, but ultimately it is God's decision. Since I can't control THAT thing, I can only control myself. Which is the real problem here. This is beyond what I think I can handle, this is an issue between the heart and the mind. I'm fighting myself in this battle. There is one enemy, but it is the most complicated and crucial one yet. Because if you win this battle, you'll come out not only a better person but a wiser one. There are other fights with giants within that battle, but if you win the main battle with yourself, you win everything.<br>
<br>
Daily, I am reminded by my scumbag brain (my heart is a scumbag too) why it won't work out and how hope is the most dangerous weapon in my arsenal. Because while hope is the fuel to the flame, hope can only do so much. Hope gives you the strength to go on but if it doesn't happen, then what? You also need persistence, optimism and determination. A thick skin is preferable and a spirit that never gives up is not optional. And right now, I only have the tiniest sliver of hope in me and I am hanging by a very thin thread. That is all I have to go against the giants. And hope isn't useful, if things weren't meant to work out. That is where God comes into play.<br>
<br>
You may want things this way, but God may have another way for you. So whatever you hope and work for, doesn't succeed unless God wants it to happen and blesses it. Now that's another crux of the problem: I don't know what God wants in this situation. 'Signs' are subjective and utterly misleading sometimes. I may think something I saw is a sign, but it may be just a pigment of my overactive imagination, guiding me to the wrong path. I've prayed for nearly 6 years, for it to work out and actually, it does almost every time, for which I am extremely grateful for and continues to heighten my expectations. But it always goes back to square one. It always breaks apart, dashes my hopes and expectations, and unravels into this complicated unsolvable thing. So I pray again. And the cycle continues.<br>
<br>
However right now we are at the end of that cycle. If things don't work out then there is no chance for it to ever happen again. This is the pinnacle, peak opportunity. The last round. But it seems like things are going further from how I need it to be and I'm getting closer to my nightmare. This nightmare hasn't even happened yet, but I have a sense of foreboding that it will happen. That my life will never be the same ever again. Is God not willing for what I want to happen, or is this a test? While this opens a new path for me to start afresh, it's not something I want. Some people say change is good, it sets a whole new blueprint for your life. But, sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's change for the worst and you have a legit and valid reason to not succumb to that change. Instead, you fight and you don't choose flight. There is not an option to flee, at least to me there isn't. It taps into my core belief and I will not sway from it. I'm extremely stubborn when it comes to this. While being able to hold fast to what you believe in is commendable and admirable, sometimes it <i>is</i> better to let go.<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down unless you allow it to get inside you. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
- Goi Nasu</blockquote>
<br>
I've tried my very best to avoid the external factors of negativity. But what matters most, is internal. If you don't let the negativity get in, then you'll be fine even with it surrounding you. But even if you were to rid of all the negativity outside, and still THINK about them then what's the point of it all?<br>
<br>
To conclude my long but emotionally charged post, I will repeat myself - I strongly believe that if you win the battle against yourself, you win everything.<br>
<br>
But how?<br>
<br>Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-19151147978018443402015-08-20T18:37:00.000+08:002016-02-06T20:12:46.358+08:00Fire noodle challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXhlJV100G1r6v2G5ASkMvNRQ3h-selaEYHst1HtL0WF9GEDou_lHUi337Oxukr-2qpUq_vDEwTBYo6amcEvJVotZtr_iCVNkvGBjHEK_lPpCzFrx5o9NGPI6BxpCTLXm_vj4ufrC/s1600/IMG_2557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXhlJV100G1r6v2G5ASkMvNRQ3h-selaEYHst1HtL0WF9GEDou_lHUi337Oxukr-2qpUq_vDEwTBYo6amcEvJVotZtr_iCVNkvGBjHEK_lPpCzFrx5o9NGPI6BxpCTLXm_vj4ufrC/s640/IMG_2557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I first heard of this challenge on Bubzbeauty's video where she and her husband (Tim) tried it, and Bubz didn't even break a sweat! Amazing. So I got all over-confident and thought nah can't be THAT spicy because I can take spicy. I love spicy!<br />
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But on a scale of 1 to 10, this was probably an 8 for me. The noodles was actually pretty delicious, cooked al dente with a good flavour, but it was too spicy for me to slowly savour it. If you want to take on the challenge, you can get it at the Korean mart in Ampang. Never thought I'd find it there!<br />
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I suggest you get a cup of milk ready on standby. I underestimated how spicy it was going to be and had no emergency drink ready. I don't remember if I pooped fire, but be ready for that too.</div>
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Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-20020563479295683692015-08-17T14:40:00.002+08:002015-08-17T16:43:59.129+08:00AvocaNO #2 - Avocado toast (kimchi and grilled cheese)With a little experimentation, curiosity and craziness, I found out that avocados go well with something I really love: KIMCHI - the love of my life (among many others). If you know me well, you know I love Korean food and that includes the glorious fermented cabbage, kimchi. Good kimchi gives you a kick in the tastebuds, a real party in your mouth. It's got sour, spicy and crunchy all there at the same time. And as I said earlier, I don't particularly love avocados. But I'm willing to try almost anything to make the eating smoother and less gross.<br />
<br />
I like to pair kimchi with everything I can. Rice, noodles, yam cake... you name it. So naturally I tried to pair kimchi with my smashed avocados on toast instead of adding salt and pepper (I don't even like pepper so that's a bust). You must be thinking, how can this possibly taste good. Surprisingly it did and it worked out so well! Kimchi has a very strong and distinct taste, while in my opinion avocado has a more subtle flavour. So instead of the usual salt and pepper, I used kimchi to enhance the overall taste. The kimchi did not take away the quiet taste of the avocado and is basically a substitute for the minimum salt and pepper.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Avocado Kimchi Toast</b></span><br />
Bread<br />
1 Avocado<br />
A lot of kimchi<br />
That's it<br />
This doesn't even require a written recipe<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Avocado grilled cheese sandwich</b></span><br />
1/2 avocado (if you love avocado, go all out and use 1 if you want to)<br />
A lot of cheese (I used shredded mozzarella from the packet)<br />
2 slices of bread<br />
Butter<br />
<br />
My second avocado toast is pretty common - avocado grilled cheese sandwich. Unfortunately, I put too little cheese and 1 avocado was actually quite a lot for a sandwich so I didn't like it that much. I was hoping for the melted cheese to envelope the whole sandwich but clearly I didn't put enough!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWXITvPUVvT-G18f89ntUT6-5OKD8gPDdmLkBQn9OYt7Uh8z-og5E2G4Y_c85uo_r_ctOH0zpCgDOxssDG4RJdQYox5okL9zmVIJkLn0LAeX1K4zF1qBrjkmAD1DnxQz2bEC9aWxl/s1600/IMG_2677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWXITvPUVvT-G18f89ntUT6-5OKD8gPDdmLkBQn9OYt7Uh8z-og5E2G4Y_c85uo_r_ctOH0zpCgDOxssDG4RJdQYox5okL9zmVIJkLn0LAeX1K4zF1qBrjkmAD1DnxQz2bEC9aWxl/s320/IMG_2677.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients: cheese, bread, avocado, butter</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcEun8NsnnaW4k6gEAkcpBQnUm-Cenmk7iTStrJ6XpRgs0eJFbE4Ii16068i3zGzMZVGl1RfV4Y8OTdxL1BmvksiO4NKa8pbA3tu8C2cOyX2jCTM9mL_FWRGtV1MxFegdZ5tr27M5/s1600/IMG_2683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcEun8NsnnaW4k6gEAkcpBQnUm-Cenmk7iTStrJ6XpRgs0eJFbE4Ii16068i3zGzMZVGl1RfV4Y8OTdxL1BmvksiO4NKa8pbA3tu8C2cOyX2jCTM9mL_FWRGtV1MxFegdZ5tr27M5/s320/IMG_2683.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandwich the cheese and smashed avocado together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39aGGI1wO_gISbeVcvrvgh3cyuKZgl_czB2hplE403bu_Kpi5Bzg25oRyRe45jq2ygKg1CB1dWJLFpKZDk2a_VLpTaGgsqE6Qp-HDvObSfw0zjnapf8FEUwJV42-fmArPbSiaiGsT/s1600/IMG_2686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39aGGI1wO_gISbeVcvrvgh3cyuKZgl_czB2hplE403bu_Kpi5Bzg25oRyRe45jq2ygKg1CB1dWJLFpKZDk2a_VLpTaGgsqE6Qp-HDvObSfw0zjnapf8FEUwJV42-fmArPbSiaiGsT/s320/IMG_2686.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place the sandwich (buttered side down)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5d7tVTZB7Whww-IYtgHtxkvHHxiwEvYqOgwTj1TqwbUfZHXJlAyADvvtDYJoSbbsurv8NXNUcvQXk5BWNNvO-P5EPRBDzKyFnIkHx2tyhZDa39NWtDgc1gpMSTtsBlA4aBpBssw7/s1600/IMG_2688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5d7tVTZB7Whww-IYtgHtxkvHHxiwEvYqOgwTj1TqwbUfZHXJlAyADvvtDYJoSbbsurv8NXNUcvQXk5BWNNvO-P5EPRBDzKyFnIkHx2tyhZDa39NWtDgc1gpMSTtsBlA4aBpBssw7/s320/IMG_2688.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9yFdYB5JlTzM2niZGSe7H4bURZrOTKAj_RtuTOKyfa3IvCMh-177S4Fk6Ll4CFoBEVojtOZ8jXRdT4tsLE-plXGg2Xd8O1A8zrsGPKWSGcpi7MhUDx3GYYf18utVIvr2S45s7owP/s1600/IMG_2696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9yFdYB5JlTzM2niZGSe7H4bURZrOTKAj_RtuTOKyfa3IvCMh-177S4Fk6Ll4CFoBEVojtOZ8jXRdT4tsLE-plXGg2Xd8O1A8zrsGPKWSGcpi7MhUDx3GYYf18utVIvr2S45s7owP/s320/IMG_2696.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When golden brown, flip your sandwich to other buttered side.<br />Tip: Use a plate or something with a bit of weight, and place it on your sandwich to ensure the heat fully grills the whole sandwich.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV7SrNY8Bb5WXlVP_CAWmFc1s_6r2fog9vUNH2bF5YnoxjWu_n4FgRlrsPcU0LPWwnjAvRAg7Hngcb9gTtJDCWK2z1C6GXu1XNb71BZGutLiFHIB5hAQeX1kPiGVn6dSXeTBhfdlt/s1600/IMG_2703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV7SrNY8Bb5WXlVP_CAWmFc1s_6r2fog9vUNH2bF5YnoxjWu_n4FgRlrsPcU0LPWwnjAvRAg7Hngcb9gTtJDCWK2z1C6GXu1XNb71BZGutLiFHIB5hAQeX1kPiGVn6dSXeTBhfdlt/s320/IMG_2703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there ya have it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUEV6SptyugucAwO0NS1L7PbGK-gJEc2ZCrgAHAQIoTFQvbXD4osL_bO-W7iWfV-hxT769Wo-k0Ul97ps3JiZAOyuZxo1DSSvRbszqjc9V5a0lPAxWrlA6Frneo4OmylhdO-emTJz/s1600/IMG_2709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUEV6SptyugucAwO0NS1L7PbGK-gJEc2ZCrgAHAQIoTFQvbXD4osL_bO-W7iWfV-hxT769Wo-k0Ul97ps3JiZAOyuZxo1DSSvRbszqjc9V5a0lPAxWrlA6Frneo4OmylhdO-emTJz/s320/IMG_2709.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tip to self: ADD MORE CHEESE next time.</td></tr>
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<br />Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-58716852956547183202015-08-12T18:14:00.000+08:002015-08-17T16:43:59.134+08:00AvocaNO (for people who don't like avocados) #1 - Tuna avocado pastaPersonally, I don't really like avocados. THERE I SAID IT. Avocado-lovers come at me. There's very little taste, the texture is like butter and I don't like the texture of it in my mouth. I'm fine with guacamole when it's mixed up with all kinds of different things that it tastes more than just avocado. And except when there was one time I ate sliced avocado with toast in Australia which was actually tolerable. The texture wasn't as gross as when I make it. BUT, having said that I do know how beneficial and nutritious it is for my health. Those healthy fats are good for me. So I have been trying to make myself love avocados by eating more of them.<br />
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My second struggle with avocados is real, and I'm sure it is relatable to everyone: Picking a good, ripe avocado. I usually pick the ones that are going to be ripe in a few days because I gotta plan my avocado recipe out. It's always hit and miss (more misses than hits) when I open the avocados, only to find the flesh still hard, rotten/too soft or just not at the right condition to be eaten.<br />
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Thirdly, avocado is so expensive. 1 avocado here costs an average of RM6! It's not something I can purchase and make very often, so when I do I gotta make sure it's yummy and not wasted.<br />
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I know there are recipes like this out there, but my thought process went something like this. I had some cans of tuna at home, untouched and asking to be used. People usually mix tuna with mayonnaise and I don't like mayonnaise (at this point, I know I may sound like a picky person when it comes with my food but I'm not!) mainly because of the taste, texture and how <i>fattening</i> it is. I try my best to substitute it with a healthier alternative, greek yoghurt (which also isn't cheap).<br />
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So I bought 3 avocados for a cheaper price because they were starting to ripen and the supermarket was trying to clear off their stock. I used the first avocado to make avocado kimchi toast which will be the next post in my avocano post series.<br />
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I just used the second avocado to make <b>tuna avocado pasta</b>. Something which I will definitely make again in the future. It's an even healther alternative to greek yoghurt and mayonnaise! It provides the smooth texture and acts as a glue for all my ingredients. There are other avocado pasta recipes out there but this is my own improvised recipe. The recipe is based on my taste, preference and portion. I put some salt, and if it's not enough I add a bit more in until it tastes right.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tuna avocado pasta</span></b><br />
<b>Ingredients (serves 2 people):</b><br />
10 Roma tomatoes halved<br />
3/4 stalk of celery diced into tiny cubes<br />
A pinch of pepper<br />
1 t/b salt<br />
1 t/b sugar<br />
2/3 t/b lemon juice<br />
2 tsp oregano<br />
2 t/b Greek yoghurt<br />
1 tsp dijon mustard (I wasn't even sure if mine was expired lol)<br />
1 avocado, mashed<br />
1 can of tuna (I used the Ayam brand one soaked in extra virgin olive oil, I don't think it matters)<br />
2 servings of pasta (I used farfalle, type of pasta probably doesn't matter either)<br />
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There's no rocket science involved here. Just cook your pasta in salted water till al dente, mix all the other ingredients together. As simple as that. I love this recipe because I don't mind eating avocados like this. Even though my recipe is as good as it is, I think it can be further enhanced but I haven't found out how right now. Maybe a bit more lemon juice or onions? It just needs a bit more kick (by not adding mustard or pepper because I don't like both). If you have any ideas, do tell me!<br />
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#carmeneatscleanCarmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-20859118178586115482015-06-23T16:14:00.000+08:002015-08-13T11:26:33.582+08:00A moment of self reflection(ETA: I did not realize I posted this already because I thought it wasn't ready to be posted LOL. Maybe it was on queue o.O)<br />
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I am way too nice for my own good. I say 'yes' to things I don't really want to say it to, I give bits of myself to others but at the end of the day I'm left with nothing, and I put the needs of others above my own until I become so emotionally exhausted.<br />
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Very honestly, I'm getting sick of it. I think this ultimately stems from my desire to please everyone and make them like me. Like Monica Geller (from Friends) said, "I have this uncontrollable need to please people". Even if I wanted to dislike someone, I'm still too nice to them!<br />
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"Once you start wearing a mask, it is almost impossible to take it off." - Jaz Marie </blockquote>
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The worst thing is, I can't help it. It's not like I could switch it off with a tangible click. It's embedded in my personality, it's stamped into my DNA. I tried to give up the whole shtick of not revealing my true emotions and opinions about certain things, and that backfired because my second line of defense kicked in. My own brain didn't want me to change, maybe because I've been stuck in this position for the last 20 years and I couldn't bring myself to undo what I've established as a routine behaviour of mine.</div>
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I need to learn how to say no. I want to learn how to reject what I don't need in my life, without having the guilt and impact of my actions bothering me. To voice out what I really think instead of agreeing to what I don't necessarily agree with. I need to be more aware of what's going on instead of letting it be a constant blur, and not allowing others to walk all over me because they don't take me seriously. I am not a convenient rug people can trample on.<br />
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Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be rude, obnoxious and selfish. I can never stand those type of people. It just means that I realize I deserve to choose what I will give a big resounding NO to. To things that I care too much about that suck the life out of me.</div>
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6 years ago, if someone didn't like me, I would (over)think about it all the time and go all out of my way to find out why. I would correct the situation by giving in to the other person. It made me feel insecure and bad about myself. I realize now that in most of those times, there was nothing to be corrected. I shouldn't feel sorry for being myself. I'm a little proud of how I advanced from that mentality. I felt a little of that transformation when I entered university. If it was something that I did wrong, then of course I'll take responsibility for it. But if someone doesn't like me for my opinions or for who I am... well then I no longer have the energy or time to give a damn anymore. This is how you know you're getting old lol.</div>
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I'm just very tired of putting up a facade for people. That facade has become a permanent mask. I can't even tear it down even if I wanted to, or maybe more accurately I don't know how to. As a result people think I'm this chirpy, happy-go-lucky person. I'm darker than most people think. But from now on, I will try my best to not let what people's thinking or judgment of me dictate my actions or opinions. It's time to be a little selfish. It's time to stand up for myself.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to find peace with exactly who and what I am. To take pride in my thoughts, my appearance, my talents, my flaws and to stop this incessant worrying that I can’t be loved as I am. ― Anaïs Nin</blockquote>
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Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-29217928351906574242015-06-19T18:06:00.002+08:002015-06-20T11:45:33.618+08:00A surreal opportunitySo I had to do some serious updating to my "All Around the World" project (can be found on my sidebar).<br />
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Because very recently, I traveled to the USA with the initial purpose to attend a friend's wedding. But since I'm making the effort to go half way across the world and have that golden window of opportunity, why not go all out?<br />
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Our close to 1-month travel itinerary consisted of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas (only for half a day), Waco, Houston, Greenville and New York City. It sounds like we're stretching things a little bit, but we did it! We got to see a majority of what we planned to see and of course, ate what we planned to eat.<br />
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I was a little disappointed of some of the things we ate because they were widely regarded as must eats and being very delicious *cough*Artichoke Basille Pizza & In-n-Out*cough*. But that was compensated as I was also impressed by certain foods I thought were going to be mediocre. A few of them that probably deserve honourable mentions are Chipotle's rice bowls, Luke Lobsters' lobster rolls and Eddie Huang's Baohaus creations. I wasn't expecting to be craving for them, but I am! Even Panda Express wasn't too bad. A bit disappointed with the fast food as well, but hey, how good can fast food get anyways? Argh, too bad I didn't get a picture of the Chipotle rice bowl!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0rx0-ioR2D3q7udcswiItrAVUuBuV1-XwxR7IepKVypi3J83r9W6CIb9zMwE5XEA4WYoJdHWzLhydWJa2qtjLnnj2iCfzf4YmfQODVt7GeTpcaigxtSLoi3D_R2M9l_VhDKUPl0Q/s1600/IMG_2067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0rx0-ioR2D3q7udcswiItrAVUuBuV1-XwxR7IepKVypi3J83r9W6CIb9zMwE5XEA4WYoJdHWzLhydWJa2qtjLnnj2iCfzf4YmfQODVt7GeTpcaigxtSLoi3D_R2M9l_VhDKUPl0Q/s640/IMG_2067.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy buns from Baohaus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCDTdbtp94mx-EmNBcihscLflEAFZYH928gF-lFOv4ey_P6SH0edf1fH_ssi72Is6ST-gpg1QD701uH03RA5TeUhLyr8lfrgtzvPSBEoLMAXvWQVOulBREkamDEVttYu_13YBQdbW/s1600/IMG_2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCDTdbtp94mx-EmNBcihscLflEAFZYH928gF-lFOv4ey_P6SH0edf1fH_ssi72Is6ST-gpg1QD701uH03RA5TeUhLyr8lfrgtzvPSBEoLMAXvWQVOulBREkamDEVttYu_13YBQdbW/s640/IMG_2008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better-than-most-fast-food Shake Shack</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdLyRz5q4rsVeOaNE_njsOM7KPyWhyphenhypheneogJdREB9ST7fGQCqYZj5gCt30IUuDmQEu_6DCoU03DUGDYloD8QshsvO2akVlzt0RBM2qmWxdYl-T63BrejXnWnPQh1zZvM40BmqSFYUzY/s1600/IMG_9765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdLyRz5q4rsVeOaNE_njsOM7KPyWhyphenhypheneogJdREB9ST7fGQCqYZj5gCt30IUuDmQEu_6DCoU03DUGDYloD8QshsvO2akVlzt0RBM2qmWxdYl-T63BrejXnWnPQh1zZvM40BmqSFYUzY/s640/IMG_9765.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprisingly delicious Japanese curry chicken rice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY4hiqSR7RxLTdq7ACPQdZy-4UZiv8mPm7OAqvq6kFFZAm-K_ZY2MLWBRXBrj7hNwWqLRZWBO7M_DBwIipY3Xdze-duLeQxDMB0UCKrNgLJQ6raD1iQIG-cnV-H5Asz_Zd0h2iZ5V/s1600/IMG_0390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY4hiqSR7RxLTdq7ACPQdZy-4UZiv8mPm7OAqvq6kFFZAm-K_ZY2MLWBRXBrj7hNwWqLRZWBO7M_DBwIipY3Xdze-duLeQxDMB0UCKrNgLJQ6raD1iQIG-cnV-H5Asz_Zd0h2iZ5V/s640/IMG_0390.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koja Kitchen - Korean fusion food. So good too.</td></tr>
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I was floored by the variety of choices and availability of everything over there. I also underestimated the weather and didn't come fully prepared. Though it's quite sunny, it's also very windy in Los Angeles/San Francisco. I loved the weather (except where sometimes it threatened to freeze me to death).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8dBTmsFBoH6jWVhajMGmUTXIikCJ4i0yL4LHwNd_an-dUf_esOarXUkjR7Iq0OL5jYc79sE0rRLchaYKAP5usFbDzDEtk8c0e2TjIEXVZyJDgmaGX-CJ75i3VfrLXmKwlhxXPOxr/s1600/IMG_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8dBTmsFBoH6jWVhajMGmUTXIikCJ4i0yL4LHwNd_an-dUf_esOarXUkjR7Iq0OL5jYc79sE0rRLchaYKAP5usFbDzDEtk8c0e2TjIEXVZyJDgmaGX-CJ75i3VfrLXmKwlhxXPOxr/s640/IMG_0170.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate Bridge in (almost) its full glory</td></tr>
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I also had a lot of firsts in this trip! First authentic American wedding, picked cherries for the first time, tried my first deep dish pizza, the first time I saw a sarcophagus...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmQqT_kxKqSknITR55-1gPcrH9tdT0EHH4-zdUAFJgHAilllxqTIdbsH4B1yDGeSPFWO5gwXe1MHsL9JtBVSbnu96TyckpAfAANGnYNK-ofFDpSOIkb9IrTieLkU8lAsZ5eVinYpJ/s1600/Photo+7-6-15+7+29+17+am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmQqT_kxKqSknITR55-1gPcrH9tdT0EHH4-zdUAFJgHAilllxqTIdbsH4B1yDGeSPFWO5gwXe1MHsL9JtBVSbnu96TyckpAfAANGnYNK-ofFDpSOIkb9IrTieLkU8lAsZ5eVinYpJ/s640/Photo+7-6-15+7+29+17+am.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride and groom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YAS.</td></tr>
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Speaking of the wedding, it was interesting to say the least. I'm not going to divulge details about some embarrassing moments that happened to me on the internet here, but all in all it was such a lovely, filled with the most friendly and accommodating people. I could not ask for more. The wedding was located at a very scenic 'farm' and it was simplicity at its best. Of course, in any American wedding, dancing was one of the most significant highlights of the night. Let's just say at least I didn't fall or step on any toes while dancing lol.<br />
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And not to mention, I have very photogenic friends to take pictures of during the trip. Like, seriously guys they make a simple photo look like they were in a photoshoot.... unacceptable.<br />
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I also visited Korea for a little while. I have always wanted to go to Korea. And don't be mistaken, it's definitely not because of the K-pop craze, because if you knew me well you wouldn't be asking that question anyways. It's because of the KOREAN FOOD!!! I get so excited about Korean food, especially Korean bbq. It was too bad we didn't get to try much because Ivy was full and only I wanted to try it, but most of the bbq restaurants require you to order a minimum of 2 portions. Was pretty disappointed about not getting to try actual Korean bbq in Korea. But hey, I'm definitely going back next time when I have the chance. Also, since I was there I had to get those cute Korean-made socks.<br />
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The first time we were in Seoul for our first layover, we joined a 5-hour airport transit tour which brought us to Gyongbukgung Palace, Jogyesa temple and Incheon street. We probably only had only 20-30 minutes to roam around each place. I love that the airport thinks of the transit travelers and provides us with activities to do.<br />
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The second layover we had in Seoul, we had to venture out ourselves because our timing didn't fit the transit tours unfortunately. It was underwhelming - we reached Myeongdong by bus at 7am, only to find that everything wasn't open yet. Not even any small street stalls! We thought maybe the ajummas (Korean aunties) might be early risers and open their food stalls to feed people for breakfast... but NOPE. Our only salvation was McDonalds. Only like 3 hours later, shops were opened. Oh well, at least we got to see a little of Myeongdong.<br />
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This trip did little to quench my thirst for adventure, but only served to spark my wanderlust even more. And I think that's how it's suppose to be - having this perpetual desire to explore every crevice of this planet, to absorb and experience its variety of cultures and to not be afraid to take chances when it comes to making new memories. This is just a stepping stone. A huge one though!<br />
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But of course, I am so very grateful for the experiences I had and the opportunity to travel. Thanks mom and dad!!! This trip has been in the making since last year - a lot of major changes to our plan, discussions about how to go about things, doubts on where we are going to stay etc... but the fruits of our labour were sweet, almost everything went pretty much according to plan. After I broke my ankle I thought I'd never be able to hop on a plane and go half way across the world anytime soon. But by God's grace, my ankle was healing well and thus here I am telling you my stories.<br />
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Here's to more adventures!Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-63731735358832835422015-06-16T20:23:00.005+08:002015-06-16T20:28:46.338+08:00Hoarder problemsI was cleaning up my drawer today, and realized I have so many things I didn't need. So much junk. SO MUCH DUST. Which meant I haven't touched them for a long time.<br />
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Among the mess was:<br />
a) many dusty notebooks which were all almost empty except for a few pages of scribbles<br />
b) memorabilia from almost every single trip or major event I've been to like concert tickets, keychains and restaurant paper bags (forreal carmen, forreal?)<br />
c) empty envelopes which contained sentimental content which came from far away lands and from various places<br />
d) a lot of old greeting cards - Christmas, birthdays, Chinese New Year<br />
e) things that were meant to be given to other people, but I forgot and kept it for years :D<br />
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This only proved my suspicion right - I AM A HOARDER. I always feel the need to keep something... <i>anything</i>, from a major life event. I have a book of stickers from almost 10 years ago with stickers I never got to use throughout my childhood, simply because they weren't needed anymore (I am however, very proud of my collection). Some I even kept out of obligation. Maybe it's because as time eludes us and things change, you want to hold on to something that reminds you of the good old days.<br />
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Well one day, I just cleared it all up. I threw away old things tied to good memories, to make room for new ones. It wasn't easy for me, to give up things that had sentimental value. It's not in my nature to let go. As David Foster Wallace said, "Everything I've ever let go of has claw marks on it". I felt guilty! But I wanted to teach myself a lesson as well, to cast away all the mess in my life to create space for better things. I'm learning how to detach, or not so easily attach myself to things and memories in the first place.<br />
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Granted, I did keep some things of course like postcards, polaroids and stuff I couldn't throw away because they were significant & important to me, but I think half of the overall amount of things I had went into the trash. De-cluttering felt slightly liberating. But don't expect me to do it often ;)Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-6762681557988532932015-05-12T13:56:00.000+08:002015-05-12T13:56:04.729+08:00In denialHow do you know you're getting old? Go to an Ed Sheeran concert and you'll find out lol.<br />
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1. When you've only been standing an hour and your legs are feeling tired already (also because I'm recovering from a broken ankle). You used to be able to stand for longer hours!<br />
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2. When people (mostly teenagers) start yelling "We want Ed!" an hour before the concert is supposed to start and you think "Ed's not gonna come out this early for y'all no matter how much you scream". Well I'm gonna save my voice and energy thank you very much.<br />
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3. When teenagers scream too loudly and too often (that even ED started shushing us cause the crowd was too noisy, seriously), you roll your eyes. Girls, you don't need to scream every 10 seconds.<br />
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4. When you don't exactly relate much to any of the new friends you've made because they're all young teenagers (maybe except our taste in books), and you end up giving them somewhat motherly advice. Ew.<br />
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5. When everyone in the concert you go to is under 20, and are shocked to hear you're 21. Like that extra year makes a whole lot of difference. That notion stays with you the rest of the concert/night.<br />
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6. When you're thinking "Kids these days..."<br />
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I'm technically 20 plus (I'm in denial), but I'm 1 month away from crossing over to the land of adulthood. I personally am not looking forward to being one. I've seen how it is and dipped my toe into the waters, but yeah it's not me for me, thanks lol.</div>
Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-85249167471840645572015-04-12T10:02:00.000+08:002015-04-12T11:38:58.500+08:00Carmen Eats Clean: Natural Banana 'pancakes'Personally, I can't really label it as pancakes because it doesn't contain any flour that gives it that fluffiness, which is <i>the</i> cornerstone of pancakes IMO.<br>
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Today, I followed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAMKnXQz5AH9iohPsXB6_CQ">Blogilates</a>' recipe in making easy banana pancakes.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5FA9Z7vvRIw" width="560"></iframe><br>
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I used 2 eggs and 1 banana, as stated in the recipe. I didn't have a masher or a whisk, so it was slightly difficult for me to mash the bananas with a ladel. Oh well, that's morning arm exercise for you.<br>
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Drizzled some good ol' olive oil in the pan and spread the banana-egg mixture on it. These babies cook pretty quickly so I had to keep my eye on them the whole time, getting ready to flip it when it's done.<br>
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It is a very simple quick way to whip up breakfast which is right for me, because sleep is more important than breakfast and I'd rather spend precious time in bed than making an elaborate breakfast platter in the morning.<br>
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However, this was basically glorified sweet banana omelettes. The fact hit me only when I started frying them, because in the video they looked like pancakes! With a rounded circumference and that light brownish-white colour pancakes have... Thought mine would turn out the same way, but it really just looked like omelettes, yellow and eggy (Disclaimer: I dislike omelettes so this was clearly displeasing to me). Could also be because I suck at cooking, but I digress.<div><br></div><div>But hey it actually tastes good if I forget the fact it is an omelette. I can convince myself to live on it if I was in stuck in a zombie apocalypse and only had eggs and banana for survival.*</div><div><br></div><div>*Let's hope Blogilates never reads this post. In the event that she does... I love you! Don't hate me!</div>Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-35828699840705981282015-03-25T16:53:00.000+08:002015-03-25T17:57:57.073+08:00Carmen Eats Clean: Grilled VegetablesYes, Carmen is <i>trying</i> to eat clean. Note that 'trying' is the key word.<br />
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So the day before I went to Ben's General Food Store to check on their 50% off produce. Being the Asian that I am (and having a frugal mom), I was happy to see brinjals priced at RM2! I think that's pretty worth it for 3 moderately sized brinjals, right? Got some mushrooms and baby spinach too.<br />
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This didn't turn out as 'clean' as I wanted to because the amount of olive oil I had to mix with each batch of vegetables going in the oven was probably excessive, but I didn't want it to stick to the foil! I put too little oil the first round and my julienned brinjal pieces stuck to the foil.<br />
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I followed this <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/538491-how-to-make-grilled-vegetables-in-a-toaster-oven/">recipe</a> (not really a recipe, more of a tutorial lol). I know putting vegetables in an oven isn't rocket science. But I am horrible at cooking and I wasn't going to take any chances.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Tapping Tapir soda to cool off the heat</td></tr>
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I used crushed garlic-infused olive oil to lubricate the vegetables. Added salt, pepper, dried oregano and parsley (expired, but still usable I guess?) for seasoning. And screw using a basting brush, I didn't have one.<br />
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Before I put my vegetables in the oven, I googled thoroughly on how long I should leave the vegetables in the oven for. In the end, I gave up on following online instructions. I felt that it's mostly trial and error, and from your own observation. Also depending on your oven. I used a pathetic toaster oven! Small, but does the job (very inefficiently I might add, it took me almost 3 hours to grill all my vegetables). Different vegetables have different cooking times, and not to mention I didn't cut them all the exact same way. The longer you let it grill, the more caramelized (therefore, sweeter) it is. But you also run the risk of burning your vegetables like I did!<br />
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The end result:<br />
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Mmmmm. I like the taste of grilled, caramelized vegetables. I almost burnt my baby carrots from leaving it in the oven too long, but it came out sweet and juicy. The mushrooms were in a separate bowl so it was left out in the picture. But those tasted good too :)<br />
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So there you have it. I usually can't cook to save my life. I previously made tuna sandwiches and instant noodles, and it tasted disgusting. Grilled vegetables however... not bad! If I had a much bigger oven, I would roast/grill them more frequently.Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-16321693445945630252015-03-15T18:50:00.002+08:002015-03-25T17:26:32.891+08:00Broken Ankle Pt. 3: Week 5-12 RecoveryHi everyone! It's been a long, challenging few months trying to adapt to a broken ankle, but as you can see I'm still alive lol and I do think the worst is behind us. As of today, I can currently walk but with a limp which I have to get rid of by trying to make sure my right foot (the one the broken ankle is supporting when I walk) takes the same time to land as my left foot. I tend to land faster on my right foot which is essentially why I'm limping. I just can't seem to balance myself because my muscles are weak, but it's a work in progress! It feels like I'm hitting a plateau really.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Warning:</span></b> Many disgusting photos of my leg ahead :P<br />
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<b>1. Walking boot</b><br />
The doctor I'm seeing recommends I don't use a walking boot because "he doesn't believe in using the boot". Well while I understand that <i>maybe</i> he's going for a less financially burdening approach, I was worried it might impede with my healing process and isn't making me put excess pressure when I bear weight without a boot. But so far, I'm dong okay without the boot.<br />
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<b>2. Slip N' <strike>Slide</strike> FALL</b><br />
85% of the times I slipped it was because of my slipper. It lived up to its name because it literally became a slipper for me, always making me slip and fall, giving me more pain as if I wasn't already in pain. Getting rid of that wretched footwear (for now)!!! Don't know why I didn't do that earlier, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. It brought nothing but pain. I found a better alternative: I converted to wearing sport shoes and hadn't slipped since then. Planning to invest in some good quality footwear for once like Birkenstock. Having flat feet doesn't help.<br />
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<b>3. Scarring/Dry skin</b><br />
My skin was extremely dry from being in a splint for so long. But after a while my skin started to peel and the dryness is gone :)<br />
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Somehow there is a dark brown blotch with a pink centre directly at my spinal anesthesia injection site from my last ORIF surgery. It may be a hyperpigmented scar. I only found out about it on week 6 post surgery because how often do we look at our backs in the mirror. Maybe it was because of the abrasiveness right after the injection, but I was <i>not</i> expecting a scar. It's not giving me any pain or discomfort at all, and it's... just there. And the fact that it's there bothers me!<br />
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My scars from the surgery on my ankle are still healing. I'm afraid they may turn to keloid scars because the scars seem to be 'raised' and not flat :( I have one obvious keloid scar on my chest so I guess I'm more susceptible to more keloid scars. Let's hope not!<br />
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Below is a comparison of my foot from week 5 to 10. The awesome process of healing <3<br />
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<b>4. Muscle atrophy</b><br />
My calf muscles are still atrophied! Thinking of the muscles and fitness I tried to gain during 2014 all gone is kinda sad.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atrophied left leg compared to normal right leg</td></tr>
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<b>5. Syndesmotic screw removal</b><br />
Took out my syndesmotic screw on week 6. This time for surgery, I opted for general anaesthesia, where they put me to sleep. I tried epidural so now I wanted to try general anaesthesia. Definitely less painful of course, only the part where they put in the IV line hurt like a mother.<br />
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It was such an interesting experience. The first stage was induction, and they put in some drug in my IV line, and 5 seconds later I felt light-headed. I was surprised at how fast the drug traveled through my blood stream. It was a very psychedelic moment lol. The room felt like it was rotating. And then they put on the breathing mask let me breathe in the drugged air and I couldn't remember when or how I fell asleep. Not really even a gradual sleepiness. Just bang, I was asleep. There's just something about anesthesia induced sleep that feels really good. I think it's the instantness of rest. Nowadays sleep doesn't come easy for me. And to just fall asleep and slip away from consciousness without pain like that felt relieving and somewhat relaxing. I'm weird that way :/ I woke up outside the O.R, feeling tired and a tiny bit nauseous. Once again, thank God I didn't suffer from intense nausea or a sore throat.<br />
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I read online, and usually people take their syndesmotic screws out like at least on week 8 to ensure everything is joined and healed. Apparently taking it out on week 6 is pretty early? Oh well it's out already anyway.<br />
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<b>6. Learning how to walk/Physiotherapy</b><br />
My range of motion (ROM) was pretty limited in the beginning. Apparently the first time my physiotherapist (PT) saw me she said I could only move my ankle to a 90 degree angle (neutral), and that was it. I couldn't move my ankle up and down (dorsi/plantar-flexion). I was gutted, but I knew this was the beginning of my healing process and there will be improvement if I worked hard. Right now it feels as if it's not improving at all and I'm worried it may be due to too much scar tissue (worst case scenario - I'd have to go for another operation to remove the scar tissue).<br />
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Starting to take your first steps (with crutches of course) after not bearing weight on your leg for 6 weeks will be pretty terrifying. I'm always afraid of pain, and I always think that I might break my already-fragile ankle again. So far, after 6 physiotherapy sessions, I'm able to walk without crutches (with a limp)! It still gives me a dull ache or feel like my tendon is stretching whenever I bear weight, which I hope will go away. I needed my physiotherapist to teach me how to walk properly, as if I forgot how to walk! I was swaying too much, my hips were leaning towards the right too much, my knees were too straight... all without me even realizing it after not walking normally for about 2 months. And so the day after I was given full weight bearing exercises, my muscles everywhere ached! My hip, my butt, even my good leg hurt (which I assume is normal due to my lack of activity). Almost like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. But it's all the process of recovery.<br />
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Also, the area where my Achilles tendon always hurts and is always very sore. My PT said I experienced shortening in my tendon from being in a splint on my left leg for so long. I also have scar adhesion at the stitches site, where my tissues are stuck to the bone, and is not letting me do ankle inversion to its full potential which sucks and impedes my rehab process. My PT gives me these extremely painful massages along my left calf muscles to help it not be so stiff. She makes me rotate my ankle at the same time! I shudder at the thought of the pain. It leaves my calf feeling very bruised for the whole week. It's like she finds pleasure in my pain.<br />
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My ankle was initially swelling pretty badly. But after around week 9, after listening to my PT's advice to apply ice (which I'm not sure helped or not), my swelling has significantly gone down. It used to swell up a lot after half a day of putting my leg down, but right now it doesn't swell as much (still does, but not as badly as before). Not sure if it's because I'm starting to bear weight or because of the ice. Either way, I'm glad the swelling went down because it was so troublesome when I had to go out or go for classes and worry about how badly my leg will swell.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The worst of my swelling during the early weeks of my recovery. GAH CANKLES!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Swollen foot as of today! Still swollen but not too horribly bad. At least I can see my veins now!</td></tr>
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Doing dorsi, plantar and inversion flexion exercises at home with a theraband helps. I credit my recovery to my PTs! Because of them, I am able to walk again. They're awesome :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YoNXrhjxG73ZdYYibCdcfA84WrpkqIsSlMBwy_tctZllh0CnqDNbnsGJUXq43utsOIbAAqlcf1VzrKjgMiOAqjhbqBil_PkI87Ac4q_gW8kyDhpFRK70nNzUa5-Rsg9SzUWRt6U4/s1600/Photo+2-21-15,+12+58+17+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YoNXrhjxG73ZdYYibCdcfA84WrpkqIsSlMBwy_tctZllh0CnqDNbnsGJUXq43utsOIbAAqlcf1VzrKjgMiOAqjhbqBil_PkI87Ac4q_gW8kyDhpFRK70nNzUa5-Rsg9SzUWRt6U4/s1600/Photo+2-21-15,+12+58+17+AM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 of the 4 ankle exercises I usually do</td></tr>
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My PT gives my ankle musculoskeletal ultrasounds before I start my exercises as well, known to vibrate the ankle tissues and scar tissue.<br />
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<b>7. Itching</b><br />
Oh man. This is the worst. Of course I was expecting a little itch and there after removing my splint which had been on for 6 weeks, with all my dirt and dead/dry skin accumulated in that small space. But I did not expect the itching to be THIS INTENSE. It is SO itchy. And worst thing is it's not only on my left leg. It's on my right leg as well. And on week 9 of my recovery, my arms are starting to itch as well. I've had keratosis pilaris for as long as I can remember, and usually doesn't itch that much. But now it's itching up a storm. I hate this! I feel so frustrated all the time because it's itchy and the more I scratch it, the more raw my skin becomes and it gets so ugly. I feel like killing someone.<br />
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During the early recovery process I've had petechiae (flat red dots) on my leg too (which is normal because my doctor didn't make an issue out of it).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ehmagerd my hairy petechiae-filled leg.</td></tr>
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Post week 10, the itching is going down. Still not sure if it's allergy to antibiotics or whatever that's toxic in my body, but I'm glad it looks like it's not here to stay because it has overstayed its welcome. One fine day in week 11, the itching came back with a vengeance when I went out for lunch. The funny thing was I didn't even eat anything for breakfast. So I think that indicates that the allergy is not due to my food. Could be the heat, or stress? I don't know. I tried everything from H-Cort/Egoderm ointment to oral antihistamines but these are all short-term solutions. The itch comes back unpredictably from time to time which sucks because I could be in class one day and feel super itchy. Also something I need to consult with my doctor.<br />
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<b>8. Laziness</b><br />
I have become extremely lazy. I could take the extra effort to walk to whatever I need to get or do, but after 2 months of not being able to do that, my body doesn't want to do it anymore. I think one of the best things about breaking your ankle is not having to do chores (look at the bright side, right?). I didn't have to do anything actually. But now that I'm healing and I will soon have the ability to do those things again, I don't want to lol. As if I wasn't lazy enough before I broke my ankle! This is laziness at its best.<br />
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<b>9. Adhesions</b><br />
Yup I have tissue adhesion, where the 2 scars on the side of my ankles are stuck to my bone :/ I'm told to massage the scars whenever I can to tear it away from the bone.<br />
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Other than the whole broken ankle tragedy, now that it's slightly less inconvenient for me to do things, I've joined the Edgewiz investment simulation competition and the Maybank Go Ahead challenge! Not that I'm expecting to win them because I know nothing about investments or banking, but it would be a good experience for sure. Trying to be busy so I can distract and get my mind off things I shouldn't think so much about.<br />
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Also, the plan to go to the US in May/June is formulating! Tickets are bought, and rough itinerary is set. Here's to hoping my ankle doesn't try to be a party pooper for me during the trip :/<br />
<br />Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-36374370466714019392015-01-17T18:31:00.001+08:002015-03-25T17:26:46.897+08:00Making Candy SushiYou might've heard of <a href="http://76.my/UserImages/Items/1107/19/kathlyn@1.jpg">Kracie's Popin' Cookin DIY candy sets</a>. I was watching Youtube videos of how they made the candy sushi, burgers, ramen and all kinds of interesting stuff. Here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsP7Bpw36J666Fct5M8u-ZA">HowToCookThat</a> trying the different popin cookin sets:<br />
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It looked pretty fun to make! So I decided to try it out myself. It is not easy to find these Popin Cookin' sets here in Malaysia. I read that they used to sell it in Japanese fairs in Isetan but that was years ago. Besides, I can't look for them in malls anyways thanks to my broken ankle. So I bought mine from <a href="http://www.japanesediykits.com/">Japanese DIY Kits</a> based in Singapore, and got them delivered to my front door. It took awhile, and I was worried my package was lost on the way, but in the end I got it!<br />
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The whole box is in Japanese, but even without a single piece of knowledge of the Japanese language, you can still make out what you're suppose to do and which powder belongs to which box thanks to the graphics. They're fairly simple to make. Put in the appropriate amount of water, put in the powder, mix, wait to harden if needed, and assemble.<br />
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Besides everything provided in the box, you have to get scissors and a cup of water. Inside the box is colourful packets filled with candy powder. Keep the plastic because you can use that as display. Besides the powder, it also comes with this suction-water thingy, which proves to be very useful when it comes to more accurate, controlled measurements.<br />
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For instructions, look at the back of the box, or search up the many Youtube video tutorials available. More importantly, improvisation is needed because sometimes I feel like the water level indicated is not enough because there's so much powder so I add more water. It turned out fine! Things may look very watery for awhile, but it'll harden and turn to jelly.<br />
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There are also measurements like how long the 'seaweed' (which is actually sugus-like candy) and how big the rice should be. I was overzealous and pulled my seaweed candy too long, leading to it almost tearing. Don't do that.<br />
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Look at the cute balls of rice! I love the detailed ridges of the 'egg' and 'tuna' slices.<br />
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The coolest of them all however, was the fish roe. Apparently, the orange liquid is made of some kind of jelling agent and it solidifies and becomes gelatinous in the presence of the clear liquid in the box above it (because it contains calcium).<br />
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Excuse the portrait orientation of the video. I don't even know why I filmed it in portrait, what a rookie mistake.</div>
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So this is the end result:<br />
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I started out making these wanting them to look perfect. I think I'm proud of it (except or the seaweed)! They all taste like grape-flavoured candy/bubblegum. And if you don't mix well, you would probably get a taste of the grainy texture from the unmixed powder. The roe is my favourite. The rest like the 'tuna', 'egg' and the rice taste just okay, after a few bites I felt sated and didn't want to eat anymore.<br />
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I think if I wanted to try another Popin Cookin' set, I would try the hamburger one because it looks interesting as I hear it's savoury (but doesn't taste so good). And who wouldn't like miniature hamburgers?!Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-83045454376631446412015-01-14T22:15:00.000+08:002015-03-15T19:20:23.133+08:00Broken Ankle Pt. 2: Week 1-4 of bed rest and boredom<div>
I entered and ushered in the year of 2015 with trepidation and sadness. Not every New Year's has to be happy and positive. Not saying that we shouldn't be optimistic, but we have every right to be sad, bitter and negative when we need to be I guess.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif26HRBNXd-qmEFvyaLtLy1fmNqONy7reczJPYbMaqyqKYCcnhpUwQUhg4Qt-05aTXBrC4z06N0PDzAacYeR655V0eo11mA5J3QhSfFPvitG4JAmYZWHc8YRTc4UqZ3-citic2IGjp/s1600/Photo+1-8-15,+1+25+15+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif26HRBNXd-qmEFvyaLtLy1fmNqONy7reczJPYbMaqyqKYCcnhpUwQUhg4Qt-05aTXBrC4z06N0PDzAacYeR655V0eo11mA5J3QhSfFPvitG4JAmYZWHc8YRTc4UqZ3-citic2IGjp/s1600/Photo+1-8-15,+1+25+15+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am titanium!</td></tr>
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Things you have to acknowledge during the beginning of your broken ankle journey:<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Emotions</span></b></u><br />
Having a broken leg, can get pretty emotional. Especially for people like me who feel guilty because my parents and grandparents have to do all kinds of things for me because I'm basically a handicap right now. It's tough. I'm also too hard on myself a lot of the time. I'm honestly feeling depressed. It's because of something else, but the bed rest and being stuck at home not being able to do anything adds salt to the wound. Things you used to love to do lose their appeal, the novelty of certain activities start to fade... and now nothing helps distract you from your overthinking mind and sad, cruel life. But! Don't let that get to you. Distract yourself, keep yourself busy....<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>2. Going out (including wardrobe)</u></b></span><br />
And for me to go out, I have so many factors to consider/research about that I previously didn't even need to think about so much.<br />
a) Whether the ground is even<br />
b) Are there stairs/steps?<br />
c) Is it going to rain or is the ground going to be wet/slippery?<br />
d) Is there enough space in the restaurant for me to use my crutches/wheelchair?<br />
e) Is there an elevator for convenience?<br />
f) Is there disabled parking (if I choose to go to a mall)?<br />
g) Is the location very far and do I have to walk a lot?<br />
h) I can't wear pants/skirts anymore and I'm only left with shorts, but nothing matches?!<br />
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It's crazy. If it was raining, then I don't think I need to consider going out anymore because of how wet and slippery it's going to be for me. I slipped 3-4 times already, especially almost every time I walk up that slippery slope of death. It's so tired to get out of the house and get back. How sad is my social life. It's not that I don't want to go out, it's just really inconvenient, risk of re-injury is high and takes a lot of effort. And because of that I'm missing out on a lot of gatherings and outings :(</div>
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And your choice of wardrobe or outfits will significantly shrink. All you can wear now is shorts. I can't wear skirts or dresses because they're too short! Considering how inelegant and un-ladylike I am especially while using my crutches, it's best to stay away from skirts. Can't even wear jeans because of the splint/leg.</div>
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My parents brought me out for dinner one night, and it was so hard to pick a place to eat because the location mustn't have stairs, the ground must be even, the place must be easily accessible. And not to mention, it was raining. So when I actually got out and ate out, I felt good. The Wong Kok restaurant in Leisure Mall, great place for people using crutches to eat because it's right in front of the passenger-dropping area. Then of course, I came back home to a wet, slippery uphill slope to the entrance of my house and slipped... accidentally and instinctively putting weight on my non-weight bearing leg and it hurt like hell. It was traumatizing, I felt like I never wanted to ever go out again to avoid that from happening another time lol. It has also instilled a fear of stairs and slopes for me.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Recovery time/Cost</b></span></u><br />
I'm really hoping nothing got moved inside my leg, everything is the way it should be and I'm not retarding in progress, because I cannot afford another x-ray and trip to the doctor's office which costs a bomb. This whole journey, I'm gonna have to worry about all that. As if the cost for everything isn't expensive enough and the time taken to fully heal isn't long enough. It's like being in prison, for example I'm sentenced to jail for 6 years, I definitely wouldn't want to add another 2 years on my jail sentence because 6 years is long enough.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">4. Diet</span></u></b><br />
It's bad enough I can't go out anymore... I can't even eat certain types of foods! The Western doctor is sympathetic, as he says I can anything I want. Not so many restrictions, except for eggs and seafood which is to prevent pus and pain for the wound. Chinese doctor said I couldn't eat spicy, sour and cold food. My very Chinese family also mentioned I had to stay away from chicken, beef and lamb. So basically, I can only eat fish, fruits and vegetables. I'm not ready to become a pescetarian, I miss my meat! And guys help me out here... <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/101639-foods-healing-broken-bones/">oranges should be good for you</a> because they contain a lot of antioxidants and Vitamin C which makes sense, however my family is telling me I can't eat oranges because they're sour (which I've been ignoring). Clash of information from the east and west. Also, I read that people recovering from these sort of injuries require 3x more the usual intake of calories as the bone, ligaments and tissue heal. Not sure if that's true. But I do admit, I feel hungry more often than usual.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>5. Emotional </u></b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Support</span></u></b><br />
I did not realize, that there was a whole different world online when it came to people who suffered from broken limbs. One website I found extremely helpful was <a href="http://mybrokenleg.com/">MyBrokenLeg.com</a>. It was basically a community for people who broke their legs/ankles like me and found comfort in group support. There are diaries and recounts of their difficulties/trials, and also forums for us where we can post our insecurities, worries and questions, where people who faced the same predicament as us would respond with helpful advice. It's great to see such supportive communities, which are much needed in these trying times. It's common for general melancholy and depression to easily creep in because of the inability to the things we used to be able to do so effortlessly. We take it for granted! You never know how important it is until it's gone, and in this case it's my left leg. Also, thank God for Google.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>6. Atrophy</u></b></span><br />
Since the leg muscles are so unused because we're immobilized, we need certain exercises to break the cobwebs forming in our bones and muscles. My left leg calf muscles have already atrophied. It shrunk and looks really odd without that little bulge of muscle.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>7.</u></b></span><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Nausea/constipation</span></b></u><br />
I think I lucked out in the nausea area, because I've been reading how people feel horrible nausea/constipation and grogginess after consuming painkillers because their pain was unbearable. I am the first person you would think of to have nausea because I get dizzy so very easily. But surprisingly this time round, I did not suffer any nausea because of the leg, yay!<br />
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I do however, get nausea more when I travel in cars now for some reason. Mum drove me to Damansara one day and I just felt so nauseated during/at the end of the journey that I was close to puking. Not sure why, maybe it's because I haven't been in a long distance car journey for such a long time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>8. Sleep</u></b></span><br />
I barely am able to sleep at night due to the horrible, sharp tingling pains from my heel/Achilles tendon area, ugh. I've been reading online and it also <i>could</i> be nerve damage?! What?? Or optimistically - it hurts from the constant pressure of resting your foot (which I think is what it is). Worst thing is, this is something painkillers can't help with. My doctor already put padding below my heel but it <i>still</i> hurts UGH.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">9. Learning</span></u></b><br />
I am the type of paranoid person, who would research (more like google) extensively about a certain topic before I delve into it or before I have to face it. Every single sensation I feel, I google it up and see what could be the potential diagnosis, and then freak myself out lol. Basically, I'm a chronic worrier and I panic too much. But I learned new acronyms and terms like FWB and PWB, which meant full-weight bearing and partial-weight bearing. PT was physical therapy. I am now more familiar with the anatomy of my leg. I'm learning and educating myself with all these new things!<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">10. Mode of transport</span></u></b><br />
I've also mastered the art of hopping around with one leg to get things or to get to the toilet. Crutches can get very tiring after a minute or two of continuous usage. Every step is deliberate and calculated to make sure you don't slip and fall. I wish I had a knee walker or wheelchair.</div>
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Talking about wheelchairs, they're pretty inconvenient too if you're going out somewhere. If there are steps, someone has to carry the wheelchair up. The wheelchair is so large there may not be space for you to wheel yourself to places. Therefore I use the crutches more often even though it's definitely more exhausting and gives a higher risk of re-injury.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">11. Facilities/Driving for the disabled</span></u></b></div>
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I commiserate with people who have physical difficulties. You know how restaurants have features like being 'kid-friendly', all places should be 'handicap-friendly' too. The number of places I can't go because of it's uneven ground and stairs...</div>
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The doctor also gave me permission to drive, but of course to be extremely cautious. I was hoping to be able to go to malls, but am reminded of how tiring it is to walk with crutches. I thought it would be a breeze because I learned how to use crutches fairly quick, but it is indeed tiring. Your arms hurt after a while from having to put force to lift your whole body off the ground on every step. Your functioning leg gets worn out from balancing and well, just having to support yourself! </div>
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Wheelchairs would be easier of course, but also slightly inconvenient because someone has to be pushing you and attracts more attention IMO.</div>
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<b><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">12. Hygiene, specifically showering</span></u></b></div>
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This topic deserves a whole part to itself. Showering is hell for me. Not only do I need to make sure I don't slip and fall in a wet bathroom, I can't get my left leg wet. To prevent that, I have to wear a plastic bag on my left leg. To shower I have to sit down on a chair. Most importantly, I have to make sure the water doesn't touch my leg so I have to direct the shower head away from my leg. Then, putting your clothes on is a chore as well while you sit. I took being able to shower standing up for granted. Appreciate it! </div>
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1 week post-surgery, I already felt restless and my desire to go out was at an all-time high especially during the Christmas/New Year season. I'm stuck in the confines of the upper floor of my house. I'm torn between wanting to rest up and heal as fast as possible, and hanging out with my friends. The fact that I can't play bowling, laser tag or any other sport for that matter... is depressing. Most of the time I choose to stay at home because honestly I'm afraid I might fall or further hurt my ankle if I go out. Better safe than sorry?</div>
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<a href="http://ekneewalker.com/uncategorized/50-great-resources-for-recovering-from-foot-or-ankle-surgery/">Here</a> is a long list of websites and documents useful for recovering from foot/ankle surgery.<br />
<a href="http://foodandlife.com/bone.html">Here</a> is a specific list of foods that are suppose to be good for the healing process, besides the usual obvious food like milk and nuts.<br />
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<a href="http://fromearthintoeternity.blogspot.com/2014/12/more-than-meets-eye.html">Here</a> is where I described my feelings post-surgery.</div>
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So, now I'm suddenly an expert in bone breaking and ligament tearing thanks to Google and my paranoia. Also NEED my leg to heal at least before May so my trip to the US isn't cancelled... I would be so devastated if I couldn't go.<br />
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I'm going to have to remove the syndesmiosis screw (the longest screw connecting my tibia and fibula bones) soon. Not exactly worried about the surgery, but more worried about the effects post-surgery like the incision pain and side-effects from anesthesia. Will keep you posted.</div>
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Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316809912635642111.post-68499180020701181492014-12-20T20:59:00.000+08:002014-12-28T16:19:10.437+08:00Underestimated Predicament - Broken Ankle Pt. 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sooooooo turns out I didn't sprain my ankle. It's funny how at the end of <a href="http://fromearthintoeternity.blogspot.com/2014/12/life-with-sprained-ankle.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I mentioned that my pain didn't feel like pain from a sprained ankle but it felt like something else.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeKoWtIovGkg6_IhCo7NiVtg2gOi0SavTirBgHqVuK-VqEMzhO_Ea7ZZLXf7h_mz_ympBmK9cE4WUHDe-KrRkO98JwLRS_thhq515euMowSJUMP7zpoLbTgr1DNX80nus6SqbU9v-/s1600/Photo+12-17-14,+5+05+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeKoWtIovGkg6_IhCo7NiVtg2gOi0SavTirBgHqVuK-VqEMzhO_Ea7ZZLXf7h_mz_ympBmK9cE4WUHDe-KrRkO98JwLRS_thhq515euMowSJUMP7zpoLbTgr1DNX80nus6SqbU9v-/s1600/Photo+12-17-14,+5+05+56+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This was what it looked like after the earlier bandages were taken off. Bruises on the side of my ankle was a sign of torn ligaments I think?</td></tr>
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Turns out my fibula is fractured causing my talus bone in the ankle to dislocate. Also, I had torn ligaments. Listen to what your body is telling you, people! This was more serious than I thought it was.<br />
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My underestimated injury required <a href="http://www.footeducation.com/surgical-procedures/ankle-fracture-surgery/">surgery</a> called ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation), where they had to insert a metal plate, which held 6 screws drilled into my bones to straighten the broken fibula plus re-position the talus bone for recovery. The doctor also had to do ankle ligament reconstruction on my ligaments that tore.<br />
Thankfully, the surgery was successful and the spinal injection given was not as painful as I thought it would be (ETA: The spinal injection site is starting to bruise. Hmmmm). I thought it was the kind of pain that would elicit blood curling screams from me, but thank God it wasn't. The post-surgery spinal injection wound was even more annoying to be honest because I had to lie down most of the time and it would always rub against the injection area.<br />
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It's also very interesting how everything from my waist down just felt numb. It's even more interesting that you can't feel the surgeon cutting into your leg. So cool. I wanted to see what was going on, but there was a curtain separating me and the operation area which is understandable. But being my curious self, I asked the anesthetist if he could help me take some pictures and he did! I get to see what they did inside my leg, and the X-ray showed how it was fixed with the 6 screws and metal plate. The doctor also had to put my leg in a splint.<br />
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Ahhhh wonder what path I would have gone down if I was a doctor/surgeon. Their job is so noble in my opinion, healing the broken and helping people regain certain skills and abilities. Okay, enough why-didn't-I-become-a-doctor talk before I spiral into the vortex of over thinking about my past and future. Cue X-rays!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXVg_1dMnVuWd_oHwNskFdyruM3ylgn9EktyJ8fbCbLX5HuKqu4oqlQ4YpOwJhgNxPVMepJtZkQVBFWQyaLt3rOGc12ZQsx9Ni9-4iPicw2ijDvYGhvzV44ft6X-FI4WIAMSLD_k4/s1600/Photo+12-17-14,+11+07+21+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXVg_1dMnVuWd_oHwNskFdyruM3ylgn9EktyJ8fbCbLX5HuKqu4oqlQ4YpOwJhgNxPVMepJtZkQVBFWQyaLt3rOGc12ZQsx9Ni9-4iPicw2ijDvYGhvzV44ft6X-FI4WIAMSLD_k4/s1600/Photo+12-17-14,+11+07+21+AM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><u>Before:</u></b> An X-ray of my broken fibula and displaced talus bone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yBd7H5UqBvgnCkIlkrGkf5i2REhpFRM1YxoPcmMQo15573NZxcRpKqLlh3AX7zZ98lG19BDyuQriVgRNYbX8ckvOAaVo5BnuiaP9Lg3oPlOIO7UvxgAq4VNIRPGjp1VJ7Y2a2BvL/s1600/Photo+12-18-14,+9+46+31+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yBd7H5UqBvgnCkIlkrGkf5i2REhpFRM1YxoPcmMQo15573NZxcRpKqLlh3AX7zZ98lG19BDyuQriVgRNYbX8ckvOAaVo5BnuiaP9Lg3oPlOIO7UvxgAq4VNIRPGjp1VJ7Y2a2BvL/s1600/Photo+12-18-14,+9+46+31+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><u>After:</u></b> 1 metal plate and 5 screws later.... one more long screw will be inserted which will connect my fibula and tibia together at the bottom.</span></td></tr>
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Lessons I have learnt so far in this very unneccessary experience:</b></u><br />
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Lesson 1: Heavy people are more prone to serious injuries due to their weight. Because of my big boned and heavy body, a small fall can cause a big impact. Sigh, the many woes of a heavy person.<br />
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Lesson 2: Just go to a western doctor instead of a Chinese traditional doctor to save your time if you think you need to. Wasted 4 days of bed rest with herbs on my leg when all I needed was an X-ray to see what was going on.<br />
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Lesson 3: In a zombie run, if you want to follow a crowd, do so with extreme caution. Or you'll end up like me. You might as well get your life tag pulled out then risk spraining your ankle or worst - surgery and months of healing/rehabilitation.<br />
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Lesson 4: If you have screws and plates in your body, you are allowed to have a different take of the song Titanium.<br />
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Lesson 5: If you plan to do a spinal injection for surgery anesthesia, here's an important tip: go to the toilet and do ALL you need to do before the surgery. Because the anesthesia is going to last 6 hours and you don't get to pee and your bladder refuses to let you pee. I am usually called the girl with the strong bladder from my friends, because I can hold my pee and not pee for a long while (not a good thing to do btw). I made sure not to drink excessive amounts of liquids before and after the surgery so I don't need to: a) use the toilet which is like 200 miles away for me after a LEG surgery; and b) use a bedpan. But for some unexplained reason, my bladder just filled up after the surgery and the pain of not being able to pee because your body isn't letting you, is excruciating. They had to put a catheter (and I'm going to leave it at that), and the relief of letting go of your bladder after that is SO great.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRHNnmKQwTbIOTT04ltqIAqqDcsbueO0X_6MYrSiso-6tGK4ftvs81hPlsYYolceBM6kcGyyeMtCvVGkxoyGnwV9Dpez07dsM1rkC1vs6KoSyfrFlkGk7sk67zPftpidgdvVKcI-v/s1600/Photo+12-19-14,+3+29+29+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRHNnmKQwTbIOTT04ltqIAqqDcsbueO0X_6MYrSiso-6tGK4ftvs81hPlsYYolceBM6kcGyyeMtCvVGkxoyGnwV9Dpez07dsM1rkC1vs6KoSyfrFlkGk7sk67zPftpidgdvVKcI-v/s1600/Photo+12-19-14,+3+29+29+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Isaac and Jas dropped by with a Christmas gift and a card!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fmXZB5Q-Ag5SeKRhpwf_5UDUMdUv22lph1Bp9xTXFa0ZVQxHe82dM6ocAXni_l_uxKPdxTQcPUJedgUTkzPLGl-nf3l5BUxCMrfkfTwMj8j8ujkYMEY5VpiIDP_l8c6Hfd9aGJWE/s1600/IMG_8458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fmXZB5Q-Ag5SeKRhpwf_5UDUMdUv22lph1Bp9xTXFa0ZVQxHe82dM6ocAXni_l_uxKPdxTQcPUJedgUTkzPLGl-nf3l5BUxCMrfkfTwMj8j8ujkYMEY5VpiIDP_l8c6Hfd9aGJWE/s1600/IMG_8458.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
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I don't know if I should be relieved this injury did not happen during my school period, or sad that this is happening during the Christmas/New Year/semester break season. This is making me have to cancel all my plans for my semester break! I was suppose to find a Christmas cookie recipe to make as Christmas gifts! Now, I can't even BUY Christmas gifts. This is going to take forever to heal, and I'm not ready to be grounded for 2-3 months. As much as I love lazing around, I may go stir crazy. Not getting to go out with my friends, eat good food, go for the usual Christmas/New Year festivities... Le sigh. Oh well, looking at the bright side, I get to save quite some money and petrol not going out.<br />
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My house is also a total hazard for whomever who has a broken body part like me. We don't have railings in toilets, the slope to the entrance of the house is uphill, the steps into my house den is high, we have a lot of tall steps on our stairs, the toilet nearest to the living room is far far away. I admit it's not going to be an easy feat to live in my house with a broken leg, therefore I'm predicting that I will have to stay in bed for a loooooong time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6WlWDpChWA1e4qUCdmoCMGvpqYGVGt_l_4QfHZvEpgNY-AxmyCLqpqxSW2aHg8Ip_DvsJiqgMTj3OX5FDcoaK56sKajVsk1-8KcZSFe1oBal6bUqvABLDwcl1jQwNxT9iYNG8N2D/s1600/Photo+12-22-14,+1+02+10+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6WlWDpChWA1e4qUCdmoCMGvpqYGVGt_l_4QfHZvEpgNY-AxmyCLqpqxSW2aHg8Ip_DvsJiqgMTj3OX5FDcoaK56sKajVsk1-8KcZSFe1oBal6bUqvABLDwcl1jQwNxT9iYNG8N2D/s1600/Photo+12-22-14,+1+02+10+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cousin and fam bought me beautiful blue flowers!</td></tr>
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And damn, with my impending lack of exercise due to the immobility of my leg, I'm gonna be fat as hell. I was so pumped up to work out and train for my Nike Run next year! I even bought an app that could help with my training progress. Guess that's delayed and will have to wait till my next semester break. I was also going to learn to cook some dishes e.g. chicken and avocados with balsamic vinegar, spaghetti carbonara and poached salmon. I had so many plans!!!<br />
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It's okay it's okay, trying to reassure myself that I have also other hobbies and skills to explore and throw myself into without having to move my legs. For example, I've always wanted to learn French and this is my opportunity. I now also have more time to spend on quiet time with God daily. Hobbies like knitting and quilling came to mind, but I'm not meticulous, hard working and creative enough for that. I'd probably just dump the project after a few days but hey, never say never. Also, I can probably study and get a head start for next semester's subjects, no harm there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD7nI9J9hfn1qkZJtN6iFjeM32cwOtZhTNXY0pi1sVMlUPlI_DXOnYkzxPjImwK00s69nzrqQE9KwuPVYXEQKK_8kXyuZRs95W4PpFKUbd2MFevBN8scTt60vLoOqgwbRRW42cCYJ/s1600/IMG_8448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD7nI9J9hfn1qkZJtN6iFjeM32cwOtZhTNXY0pi1sVMlUPlI_DXOnYkzxPjImwK00s69nzrqQE9KwuPVYXEQKK_8kXyuZRs95W4PpFKUbd2MFevBN8scTt60vLoOqgwbRRW42cCYJ/s1600/IMG_8448.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted granola with chocolate chips from Xian Jin. Thanks XJ! So addictive!</td></tr>
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This rehabilitation process and trying to regain movement and strength to my leg, is not only a long, physically demanding and taxing phase, it also tests the mind... to not give up and sob over small defeats, but to rise over the challenges faced and stand up strong at the end of the day. I don't know when I got this emotional, but I almost cried when I almost slipped on the wet uphill slope to my house entrance, thinking how I can't do simple things like this and havivng to trouble my already tired family members just to get things done for me.<br />
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Pray for me, as I go through this whole new experience that I have not explored. You'll probably be seeing me blog more often because I have left this blog abandoned for far too long! I'd also like to help people in the same situation as me as I wasn't informed enough about how to handle things like this. You kinda gotta learn along the way and see how it goes, like life. More updates on my leg next time!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjJi3xlLu5ChtR25epdvEq9gFD-UqCHreu5v528tzmHDXJ0fGWsdk2ca7bNoIfRDplcmvWnKMv9yoFXgkUQpA72AhdI23rLzM9CaNAr3Pw5hFNGugFYO7hbWPHvborR1LxIRJx0ZW/s1600/Photo+12-18-14,+8+21+20+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjJi3xlLu5ChtR25epdvEq9gFD-UqCHreu5v528tzmHDXJ0fGWsdk2ca7bNoIfRDplcmvWnKMv9yoFXgkUQpA72AhdI23rLzM9CaNAr3Pw5hFNGugFYO7hbWPHvborR1LxIRJx0ZW/s1600/Photo+12-18-14,+8+21+20+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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Carmen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15532615445736092355noreply@blogger.com0