Nasi Goreng '3 Thoriq'

Bahan:

5 porsi nasi putih (cukup untuk satu keluarga, satu kali makan)

1/2 Bawang Bombay kecil diiris tipis

7-9 siung bawang merah diiris tipis

3-5 siung bawang putih dicincang halus

3 potong paha atas ayam dipotong kecil

3 batang 'baby carrot' diiris kecil

3 batang 'baby corn' diiris kecil

Segenggam jagung pipil yang sudah direbus/dikukus

3-4 butir telur

Garam dan merica secukupnya

Kecap manis 



Cara Membuat:

# panaskan minyak/margarine di wajan

# masukkan bawang bombay, oseng sampai lembut dan harum

# masukkan bawang merah, oseng sebentar, kemudian masukkan bawang putih dan oseng sampai harum, tambahkan sejumput garam sambil diaduk

# masukkan baby corn, baby carrot dan jagung pipil, tambahkan sedikit garam dan merica, oseng sampai lembut

# masukkan daging ayam, masak hingga matang sambil tambahkan garam dan merica secukupnya

# masukkan telur ayam, masak hingga matang

# masukkan nasi, aduk rata sambil dicoba dan tambahkan garam dan merica secukupnya

# kalau bawang putih terasa kurang, boleh ditambah bubuk bawang putih

# setelah bumbu terasa pas, tambahkan kecap manis

 # nasi goreng siap dihidangkan, bisa ditambah dengan irisan daun selada, tomat, timun dan telur dadar/ceplok

A Walk of Memory

It was already late in the afternoon when I was walking on the path along the river. The sky was getting darker and the breeze was getting cooler.

All in a sudden, I remember the times when I was hiking along a pathway up on the mountain, with the rest of the 'Lily' girls.. talking, laughing, singing and cheering out our team yells..

It was nice of the memory to come by at such a nice late afternoon..

Then, as the surrounding went quieter, the sound of the river grew louder. The grass and the flowers were dancing softly to the wind.

The scenery reminded me of the moments before sunset at the camps. Sitting outside the tent, around the cooking fire, waiting for dinner to be ready. Laughing about our silly slips and falls during the day hike. Working out a plan for tomorrow..

I never forget, how good we were as a team. Our team work has become my inspiration. Our achievements have been my life-long motivations.. 

Nearing the end of the path, I started to hear the sounds of the night creatures. Roots, twigs and leaves started to form the shape of forest beings.. 

Unformed shadows brought me the memory of nights at the camps. Cramping in the tent, whispering, pointing at each other, giggling, in the dim of the lantern, until we finally fell asleep..

Then, our restful sleep would be paused by the wake up call for the night walk. We would hike on the same path. Walking past the same trees, twigs, leaves, flowers and grass. The only difference was the darkness around us..

Somehow, it was always enough to amplify the effects and results.. One call, and we would stop to wait. One call, and we would catch each other's hand. One call, was all we needed to keep each other safe.. By sunrise, we had become a stronger team..

What a late afternoon walk.. What a great memory.. My memory of 'Lily' girls.. All in a late afternoon walk..

'Lily' was the name of my patrol group in the Scout & Guide Brigade in Junior High School. We went on camps and hikes together, and won several medals as the best patrol.

Our patrol was solid for the whole three years of Junior High School, until the time came for us to go our own ways when we graduated and chose different Senior High Schools.


 -20 December 2011-

Harder as Adults

During school years, I had a best friend. Even though we didn't go to the same school, we kept in touch very well. We both have very open personalities, which was a big help to bridge our distance. We knew each other very well, to the extent that I could deduce his whereabouts and state of minds, almost at all times.

I guess, it was just the way with me, that I could see the changes in people who are close to me. I am not a psychiatrist. I am certainly not a psychic. I am not even a mentalist, although, I can understand how Patrick Jane (The Mentalist) can figure out people and events by observing and analysing things around him.


Having observed and analysing my best friend daily, turned out sharpening my mind in observing other friends. I could see changes that were happening in each of my close friends, and I had no problem in asking if something was bothering them. Most of the time, they had no problem in telling me what the problem was. At the times when the problem was too personal to share, they would tell me that they appreciated my attention.


One obvious thing was, regardless my good intention, to show attention to my friends, I wasn't always able to give any assistance in helping them solving their problems. I was just a teenager, with experience as little as any other, and no expertise whatsoever in human psychiatry. The biggest help I could offer was to listen. Once in a while, I could give a suggestion, but most of the time, it was only listening.

Well, considering, we were all teenagers at that time, having someone, a friend, to listen to us, was more than enough. All teenagers only wanted to be listened to. What happened afterwards, didn't matter as much, as long as, they felt that they were being understood. Therefore, I helped my friends as often as I could.

I remember. A friend asked me, how I could tell that she was feeling sad. I told her that it showed in her eyes. From that moment on, she occasionally came to me and said, "Look into my eyes. What do you think, I'm feeling today?"

Well, it wasn't that hard to do, since she was a good friend, and I saw her everyday at school. Furthermore, this particular friend has expressive eyes. So, I was always successful in getting her to tell me whatever was bothering her.

It wasn't as easy with other friends, but when we see certain people daily and, we interact with them on a regular basis, we will recognise the mood changes, worries, happiness, excitements, etc. Mood changes in friends always give me a little tug, like having butterflies bumping around, in my tummy. When it happens, it is the time, when I usually ask my friend, if something is bothering them, and give them time to decide whether they want to tell me about it.

Well, that was all easy in school years.. What happened afterwards was quite different. Situations change, condition change, and people change.. and that was when I lost most of my comfort..

Throughout high school and university, many things happen in people's lives, and mine is no exception. My best friend and I arrived at a point where we needed to restrict our feelings and only mind each other business on 'when invited/asked' basis. The decision didn't come out of a fight. It came out of the situation when we found the love of our lives.

As we drifted apart, somehow, I also lost a great deal of my confidence in approaching other people. I fear that if people don't like being asked about their problem, they would be angry. If I was the person who has nerves asking about other people's problems, I have to be prepared to suffer the consequences. I don't really think that the change in my friendship completely did this. I believed that simply growing up and becoming an adult also took part in the way I make considerations about other people. As adults, we simply can't interfere with other people's lives, even our close friends, even when we sense something is not right.

I'm still not sure that being adults mean being ignorant, but I'm not a teenager anymore, and what would I do, if I ask a friend if he/she is having a problem, and he/she tells me about it, and it turns out that I can't do anything other than listening? At the same time, I have some concerns about some of my friends, which I would like to ask them personally (I am the kind of person who dislikes finding out about a friend, from another friend).

I also have another worry, now that I am a wife and a mother of three young kids. If it turns out that my friend needs to be listened to for hours, days, weeks, months or even years, how should I deal with that? I care about my friends, but I am aware of my limitations, and I worry about the consequences of my actions.

It feels so hard, to find the right time and the right way to ask a friend, "What is really going on? I don't know how much I can help, but I will listen." Is it because being adult is really that complicated?

I really miss my school years.. being a teenager, who had nothing to fear in showing attention, and all the time in the world to care about my friends..

To all of my dear friends.. if you happen to read this, please know that even though I might need to cut your phone calls short to attend to my kids, I really want to understand how you are feeling. I want to listen and be there for you. I want to see you go through your problems and come out as a better person..

What you haven't been able to do today,

I hope you can do it tomorrow.

The tasks you haven't completed this week,

I hope you can complete it next week.

The goals you haven't achieved this month,

I hope you can achieve it next month.

The successes you haven't reached this year,

I hope you can reach it next year.

Yes, being a teenager can be troublesome, with the mind-splitting and emotionally-challenging self-discovery. However, most of you would agree with me, that the good friends we find during our teenage years, are the ones we keep forever.

If I have a choice, I want to keep being able to ask them how the are right now, and listen to how great they are doing these days, or, listen to them crying their heart out about something that bothers them today..

I wish you all a nice day and a good life.. :-)

Dove Orchids

Last Saturday, our cook came up to me and passed on Mother's message, that she wanted me to take pictures of the white flowers. Mother had already left for her Saturday Senior Citizen Morning Exercise, so I couldn't ask her more about what kind of pictures she had in mind or borrow her camera.

I quickly grabbed my camera and started shooting at the while flowers outside the window. The cook ran and shouted, "No! Not that flower! Grandma said the little ones, the ones that smell very nice. They just happen to be blooming this morning and they won't stay long. You must take pictures quickly."

Ah.. I understand which flowers she was talking about. I looked behind me.. and there they were, blooming beautifully around the palm tree bark, spreading a fresh fragrance around the front yard.. The little 'Dove Orchids.'

I really had to take as many pictures as possible during the day, because Dove Orchids only bloom for 24 hours, then, it would be over. I took lots of pictures from every angles, hoping that some of them will come out perfect.

After taking the pictures, the boys were up, and I had to catch up with our lives, so the camera had to wait for my next free-time.

On Sunday morning, I took a look at the pictures and I realized that the pictures were good, but the problem with the camera I was using was that the colors did not come out as well as I hoped. I quickly ran to Mother's room and asked to borrow her camera.

Most of the orchids were already closed, only a few were still opened. I tried to take as many pictures as possible, as fast as possible, before they completely withered. Then, I quickly extracted and edited the pictures.

All the flowers are now gone, and the pictures I took might not be the best pictures in the world (since I'm not a professional photographer), but, I'm sure you can see the beauty in those little orchids by looking at my pictures.

Dove Orchids are so beautiful and I can almost smell them while writing this post.

 

Even this little bee is enjoying the company of the Dove Orchids for the day..

We know you want a better quaff

Family Photo

As usual, at the beginning of academic year, Ariq and Aza have to submit personal and family photos to their classes.

Our previous photos did not have Kyra in them, so, we decided to have new photos taken with Kyra included! At first, we thought about going to a photo studio, but due to the busy days we are having this weekend, we changed our minds and had the photos taken, in the morning, at home, with Mother as the photographer.

What a challenge!! (Kyra, that is.. not Mother, of course..)







Yes, yes, you guess right... It was nothing like having family photos taken in a photo studio.. Hahaha..




Below are the photos from this morning..

Aza: Look, I can make my fingers pose for the picture!

Ariq: But you won't know when Grandma hits 'click'!

Kyra: Let me down, Mum! I want to see Aza's fingers!

Aza: When will it be over? It's too hot!
Ariq: I'll hide behind Kyra's dress..
Kyra: Oh, come on boys! Get a grip!

Trust me.. it was a challenge.. but also lots of fun!!

-Saturday, 23 July 2011-

New additions to our home..

When you walk around your home long enough, you will start catching sights of the things you never thought existed around you..


Like this cheerful sunflower..


Then, you will start thinking about what you want to change or add or.. capture with you camera.. and keep the memory for as long as you want..


That is what we do here.. Mother and my husband love to find new plants to grow, and I love watching them grow, observing the creatures residing around the plants, and capturing them all with a camera, I can get a hold of..









These are pictures of some of the new additions in our front and back yards..

The short-lived Morning Glory

The new white flower outside the widow

The new bush of purple flowers

The pretty plant that is having breakfast with a little bee..

A little lizard that quickly became Aza's friend

The lovely white orchids

The beautiful purple orchids

The pretty white plant that is saying 'hi' to the sun

The baby dragonfly

..and..

The giant cricket

My most surprising find was in the pond that was meant to be a fish breeding pond. While the fish is not using the pond, another family is happily occupying it, and it looks like they are building an empire in it..

The frog family

Last but not least, my best find was the little creature hiding among the leaves up on the mango tree, which brought a specific song to me..

HUSH A BYE BABY

Hush a bye baby on the tree top
When the wind blows the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall
Down will come baby cradle and all..

Sleep tight, little bat

Having this world of nature around me, and being able to enjoy it every day, makes me less jealous of those wild life photographers.. :-P

Have a nice day, Everyone.. :-)

Graphium Agamemnon: My patience is finally paid off..

A few months ago (or it might be over a year ago).. I saw this beautiful butterfly and I quickly ran to take a picture of it. It was black, with bright green dots and patterns all over its wings.. simple but very beautiful..

After a few runs around the front yard, I decided that the butterfly was far too fast, both for me and my camera! I didn't give up, though.. I loved it and I wouldn't stop until I had its pictures!

I started searching on the internet about this beautiful butterfly. At first, the search didn't come up with anything at all, except some pictures. After a few months, I did another internet search for this black and green butterfly, and my determination was finally yielding a great result!

The beautiful butterfly is GRAPHIUM AGAMEMNON and it is a very active type of butterfly. It is harder to catch by camera compared to other butterflies because it moves around a lot and it flies fast and often high.

Through the search, I also found a blog owner who was a student studying about butterflies and I asked her what I should do to be able to catch a Graphium agamemnon on my camera. She said that I needed to catch it early in the morning when the butterfly was not so fast yet.

I did as she suggested.  There were two Graphium agamemnons that were flying around our front yard almost every day, and I ran after them every time I saw them. Soon I realised that my camera was not the best in the world, it wouldn't win any race against the beautiful butterfly I love. I still refused to give up.

Very soon, I never saw any of the Graphium agamemnon again, I almost didn't see any butterflies at all, for a few weeks after that. Then, I found dead butterflies in the bushes near the front porch. I realised that their 'time' has come and I would have to wait for the new ones to come out of their cocoons, although I had no clue of where their cocoons were.

About two months ago, I started seeing butterflies in the front yard again. A large black one (which Ariq managed to take a picture of with my camera), A black with white and purple pattern, a little white one and a brown one... but no Graphium agamemnon..

I know that there are birds around our house, and I'm sure they always eat worms, caterpillars, and maybe even butterflies. If the birds ever came across the Graphium agamemnon caterpillar, I doubt I would ever see one so close to home again. However, deep inside my heart I was still keeping a tiny ray of hope for the sight of the beautiful black and bright green I love so much.

Then, it happened!

One morning, I was walking around the front yard with my camera in one hand, taking pictures of the morning glories, sunflowers, and other blooming plants, and suddenly, it was there, flying around the bushes outside Mother's window.. Graphium agamemnon..!! I believe it was a young one. It was slightly smaller and it didn't move as fast as the two I previously knew.

I quickly readied my camera in my hand and started 'talking' to the butterfly, asking it to stay quietly on the leave. I manage to get a few shots, but those shots are not as good as I expect them to be. I know that my 'hunt' is still on!

Finally, two weeks ago, Mother asked me to document a community gathering at home with her camera. I still had the camera the next morning because I didn't have time to transfer the pictures to the computer yet. Miraculously, the Graphium agamemnon was flying around the front yard. I quickly ran inside the house to fetch Mother's camera.

Once I was back in the front yard, the butterfly was already gone. I quickly hoped it had gone to the back yard, so I quickly rushed there, and there it was! flying around the plants above the fish pond!

I deactivated the digital zoom and maximised the optical zoom. Then, I quickly directed Mother's camera towards the butterfly. I took as many pictures as the camera's speed allowed. Then, I transferred the pictures to the computer.

The pictures may not be perfect, but, considering I am not a professional photographer, the camera was not a professional camera and the Graphium agamemnon was not as young as the first time I saw it and it was moving around fast, just like the first two I knew, well, I consider these pictures are absolutely gorgeous..

After one year of effort and patience, I now have beautiful pictures of a very beautiful Graphium agamemnon.. The black and bright green butterfly that I love so much..

Morning Glory.. Only in the morning..

They are very pretty, although they only bloom early in the morning a while after the sun rises. Then, they wither...
I love them, despite their short blooming life, because they give me an incentive to appreciate every little beauty by looking ay them in the morning..
Created with PicSay on my GT-S5570

Aza and snake.. again..

Today was Lazuardi Smart Day.. and the theme was.. 'Let's be Animals' Friends'..
Someone (a higher level student), had an idea to bring her/his pet (a snake and a tarantula) to school..
Aza saw the snake, and as can be guessed, he wanted to have his picture taken with the snake.. :-)
Ariq was also having a good time.. He played the drum on stage.. :-)
A very nice day.. ;-)

New Legs for My Spider

This post was supposed to be published in February 2011.. I thought I had published it, but the other day, I found out that it was still a draft.. :-P 

The same article in Indonesian .. "Kaki Baru untuk Laba-Labaku"

Around the new year, I started spider watching again. This time, it was a little one on the front porch. She built a web between the plants and one of the pillars on the porch.

The little spider was unique. It only had five legs..

I felt sorry for the spider, and wondered how would it survive with only five legs. Suddenly, my husband shouted from inside the house, "Don't worry, the legs would grow back!"

I replied, "Yeah, right! Legs can grow back!"

My husband shouted again, "Spider legs can grow back."

Knowing my husband's taste for making jokes, I just grinned and talked to myself, "Sure sure.. That will be the day.."

For a few days, I watched the spider, making sure that it was still in its web. Until one day, I was so surprised to see that I saw a little white thing coming out of each spot where the legs were.

My husband was not joking! So, I called him at work and told him about that.

He said to me, "I told you. I wasn't joking. Just check on the internet!"

So I did, and I found out that spider legs can grow back as long as it doesn't lose too much fluid in its body. WOW! That is a very interesting fact to learn.. ;-)

I took some pictures of the spider to put here..

Before The Legs Grew Back

Hunting with Five Legs

After The Legs Grew Back

Hunting with Eight Legs

I was really amazed, finding out that spiders can survive with only five legs, although having eight legs, definitely made its life so much better.. (judging from the number of flies it caught after its legs grew back!)

A few days later, the spider was gone. The web was deserted. I guess, since it had all its legs back, the spider wanted to build a bigger and better web. I just couldn't find where the new web was.

I just hoped that the little spider was well and happy.. :-)

Sausage Rolls & Cheese Sticks

My favourite Australian food.. Sausage Roll.. :-)
Ooo.. I'm sure there are other countries where sausage roll is a common favourite, but it became my favourite when I was living in Australia.
In Australia, sausage roll can be found at any corner and everyone I know can make it! So, I consider it an Australian food.. ;-)
I'm uploading this post using my mobile phone, so the recipe must wait until I can use the computer.. ;-)


13 April 2011

I finally find time to sit down in front of the computer and write down the recipe for the sausage rolls.. ;-)

Here it is..

SAUSAGE ROLLS

Ingredients:
1 pack of PUFF PASTRY (4 sheets, 20 cm x 20 cm in size)
250-300 gr. minced meat (can be mixed with corned beef, sausage or minced chicken)
1 pc. of medium size potato
1 pc. of medium size carrot (or 2 pcs. of small size carrots)
1 pc. of small size onion
3 cloves of garlic
1 chicken egg
salt (1/2 - 1 teaspoon flat)
white pepper (to taste)

How to make:
1. Grate or finely chop potato, carrot, onion and garlic. Then mix them together.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste
3. Add the egg. Mix it together with the mixture.
4. Take 1 sheet of puff pastry and cut in half (approximately 10 cm x 20 cm).
5. Spread about 3 spoons of the mixture in the middle of the long way of the puff pastry.
6. Close the puff pastry by joining the two sides and pressing along the edges with a fork. Once this is done, it will look like a 20 cm-long pipe.
7. Cut the pastry into 3 equal rolls. Make 2 cuts on top of each roll using a knife.
8. Apply some milk or egg yolk using a soft brush to the rolls.
9. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees for 10 minutes.
10. Apply some margarine to the oven tray. Put the rolls on the tray and put it in the oven.
11. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes.
12. If you want the outside to be a little crispy, you can change the oven setting to 'grill' for 5 - 10 minutes after the filling is well cooked (it usually takes 20 - 30 minutes for the filling to be well cooked).
13. Sausage rolls are ready to serve.

Notes:
1. You can add other vegetables in the filling: spinach, mushroom, broccoli, etc.