Plastic Vs. Wood

There's 4 types of chopping board that is available in the market ; wooden, plastic, glass and bamboo chopping board. But I will only be mentioning about the most two common chopping board available at basically every house, wooden chopping board and the plastic.

Which one is better?

For us in the food premise inspection, we demerit point for element of using wooden chopping board. Why? We believe that most food premise do not really practise a thorough board cleaning after using. The wood warps easily, thus making it easier for germs to absorb into the wood. However, is the usage really forbidden for our domestic usage? What about plastic? Won't the plastic material enter our system when the chopped pieces mix together with our sliced food?

Can the plastic chopping board endure the pressure of huge chunk of meat being cut?

I've been doing food premise inspection for quite a while now, and whenever I raise the matter to the premise of changing the wood block to plastic, their answer is typical :The plastic won't be functioning as good as wood when it comes to cutting meat. Plus, they wear off easily. A research done by University of California- Davis on this matter mentioned that plastic chopping board, if it has been severely scarred by knives, can inhibit more bacteria than the wood. Their research too shown that bacteria on wooden cutting boards is absorbed beneath the surface, where it dies without, making it unlikely that the bacteria would spread afterward.

( Source: http://faculty.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/docliver/Research/cuttingboard.htm)

So which one is better?

In my personal opinion, the food premise is to use the plastic chopping board no matter what. We just can't take for granted the well being of the consumer. I've experienced watching a food handler in one restaurant, using the same wooden cutting board to cut the spring onion which is then used to garnish a ready-to-eat dish. Although the food handler had rinse the chopping board, it is not sufficient enough. We, as the authority, can never guarantee their words. Plastic ones are easier to wash. Even though it stains easily, but with proper washing, I just don't think it's a big issue.

What about us, the domestic use? It's okay to use both. Provided we don't mix the purposes. The wooden chopping board can be used to cut raw meats. Never mix the boards between the uncooked raw food and the ready- to-eat food. At home, it's best that we have at least 3 chopping boards. One is for raw meat, one is for vegetables and onions and then another one is for bread or kuih. The main concern here is the cross contamination which occurs when the ready- to-eat food get entered by the germs from raw material. This kind of contamination can happen when we share types of the board.

Same goes to the knife. You cannot just have one kitchen knife in the kitchen. It's recommended to separate the usage of each knife.

Geez...

Pergi ke KL pun nak kecoh bagitau satu dunia... Bukan jauh pun Sarawak ngan Malaya..Dulu bukan main mulut sedap dier jer cakap kiter nih jakun sakai dating ngan KL lad. (at least I sekali date dengan lelaki KL, I kahwin dengan dia...you tu dah jenuh bertahun basi bertukar ganti baru sangkut..)

Awak tu satu- satunya orang yang saya takkan maafkan dan lupa begitu jer tau??.. Forgive and forget? .. not with you, bitch.

Saya ader rahsia awak.... nak saya bagitau dunia macam you kutuk saya habis- habisan kat semua orang 3 tahun lalu?... aper? 3 tahun, lupakan sajer?bende dah lama berlalu?? ......nope, satu- satunya benda yang saya takkan lupa.. sampai bila2....

Of course, I've moved on...... You're just my favorite bitch. that's all :)

Need You Now

I'm not someone who's into country song, but this song from Lady Antebellum is a real catcher, and somewhat meaningful. Even though of course, this is a break up song, and has nothing to do with my life of present. Still, I'm so digging this!

Picture perfect memories,
Scattered all around the floor.
Reaching for the phone cause, I can't fight it any more.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.
For me it happens all the time.

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now.

Another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door.
Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.
For me it happens all the time.

It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk,
And I need you now.
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now.

Yes I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all.
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now.
I just need you now.
Oh baby I need you now.

Annoying False Assumption..

I'm super skinny? ME?? s.k.i.n.n.y??? You have GOT TO B KIDDING ME. I am not that all thin la. I'm normal for my height. My body size is 1 to 2. I can't fit into any size ZERO clothes. My BMI is yes, slightly under normal measure, but it doesn't give you the right to tell me that I'm as skinny as the picture below.

I consider myself a slim woman.. and of course, gorgeous.. ;P

Here I am, thinking extra hard on how to create a catchy post for this Allunique contest... *tik tok tik tok...*... Can't find any inspiration to make it happen.. NADA! WRITER's BLOCK!! aiyo.. How to even stand a chance to win this contest?

The winning prize offered is worth RM1000 of Allunique's product. It's a new brand name for me, but their product is something I'm eager to try. Thalgo and Unisense(ah, this one has been around, ain't they?).. Thalgo product especially has been in a recommended list of skin regime p products of late by many local magazines. Who knows it might be THE cure for my never-ending oily face?

Okay! I've got an idea already.............

Maybe not...

:(

p/s : Read ALLUNIQUE CONTEST IN SARAWAKBLOGGERS.COM to participate the contest.. Wish me luck though!.. :)

No Can Go

My nutritionist friend just gave me a shock of a life! Shite! He suddenly barged into my office room and shouted that he got the PLKN part-time lecturer.Dude, seriously man! punya terkejut. Luckily tak baling pen to his face..

I too got an offer from Starza too few days ago, but I just have to let this one go. I don't have enough annual leave to apply for this part-time job. :(

The job is only for 5 days and you'll get RM1250 after 3 months. Easy money huh? What I miss most about the PLKN job is the environment, and boy I sure miss teaching. I just don't have that 5-days leave leisure as of this year. I've been saving my annual leave for my CMP course, weddings (2 receptions.. aiya!) and honeymoons.

I just can't wait to meet the "Cikgu-s" gang, whom I met during my PLKN job. They've promised to be there during my big day. Click HERE to read about my fun experience in PLKN camp last Aug 2OO9
:)

The First Time

I just got off the phone with The Hubby. And for the first time ever I knew him, I heard him cried. My heart ache for him. If only distance ain't the main obstacle here, I'd do what every partner do to ease the other's pain.

His bestfriend's lil brother died 3 hours ago after being cut off from a life support. He was hospitalised for overdosed and had been in a coma state for weeks. And the saddest part is that Im(The Hubby's bestie) didn't get to say goodbye to his beloved brother. He was half an hour late since he rushed down from the airport to Sg Buloh Hospital. A little too late.

The Hubby and Im has been friends since they were 9 years old and it makes sense that The Hubby grew fond with Im's family and had known the deceased brother since he was in diapers. Me, knowing The Hubby's loyalty towards his friends, i feel for him. I know Im too, a very kind- hearted and a real gentleman(he made me feel belonged to The Hubby's clique earlier my courtship with The Hubby), he took this news pretty hard. I can almost understand Im's pain. :(

May Im's brother rest in peace. I'll say a little prayer for him tonight..

One Step Closer..

And I'm one step closer to my US trip! Wee hee. I've been granted a 10 year visa by the US embassy. Phew, boy was I relieved. And it was some kind of experience being interviewed to get something that you've paid for.

The Hubby and I did our interview mock--up over and over again (haha. that's how we call it) ever since I landed in KL last Friday, thus making the pressure even higher than ever when it came to the actual day. You see, I had to fork out RM500(or USD131) to apply for the visa 3 weeks back.. So, for sure la I need to get it right at the first try, no matter what. They will not refund you the money should your application is declined

Off I went to the embassy office last Monday. My appointment time was at 10am and there I was standing at the gate with 10 other people waiting for our turn to enter the building. The Hubby didn't accompany me for this because they only allow those coming with the appointment letter to enter the building, and The Hubby has gotten his 10 years visa 2 years ago. Upon entering the "pondok keselamatan", we were scanned for any misharp and were required to leave our handphones there.

It was a long waiting before the interview. Full fingers scanning and as such. Geez. In total? I got out from the building after 1 hour and 40 minutes! And the interview part? It's like dealing with bank teller at a bank. Each counter will have one interviewer ( American ) and you are to stand facing them, except there's a fully covered glass panel between you. You will have to speak in a higher desibel than the normal chat so that they can hear you, and I basically listened to around 10 or more interviews before it was my turn. (there's 6 counters for interview session)

I got a bit nerveous when I saw this American lady declining a guy's visa application. His intention of entering US was not clear. I got even more freaked out when a Malay lady got declined too. When it was my turn, I was shaky all over, but like normal la, I acted cool. Greeted the Chinese American with huge smile. Gave him all the answers he needed to hear, like my intention of going to US and a bit about my work scope.

This part's funny though..

Him : Is this your new passport? May I have a look at your old passport?

Me : That's the only passport I ever had.

Him : (He flipped through the passport several times). You mean you've never been out of Malaysia?

Me : (I smiled) Never.

Him : Not even Bangkok, Thailand or Phillippines? Even Singapore?


Me : Ehe. No. Not once.

Him : Wow. You've never been out of Malaysia and your first trip with passport is going to be The States? That's impressive.

Me : Well, my husband decided to give me a surprise by doing our honeymoon in LA. Plus it's for Christmas and my birthday.

Him : It's a very good treat, I must say. ( He smiled, still looking awed.. Looking at his computer screen.) Ah yes, your birthday falls on Christmas day.

Me : Yes. It is.

And the interviewed ended when he passed me a pink-coloured small card, asking me to collect the visa at MCA Complex. I almost jumped in joy when he passed me that. And the coolest part is, I didn't have to show him as much document stuff as the rest people who were interviewed before me. Guess working with government does makes everything less complicating huh? They're just one click away from all my personal datas anyway, and therefore they do not need my hardcopy documents.

Thinking I might get a 1- month visa, I braved myself and asked the interviewer.

Him : I'm granting you a 10- year visa. (BIG YAY!). But this doesn't mean that you can stay in The States for the straight 10 years. You have to travel back to your country by 3 months of stay and get your passport check again before entering the country.

I gave him my 1MillionDollar smile.

Him: ( I was starting to walk away when I heard him from the intercom) Congratulations on your wedding and happy honeymoon!

I just can't wait to sing "PARTY IN THE USA" in USA... wooooooo hoooo!

Let's Talk About Shoes..

The husband and I were tagged along by his brother's wife to a Bata shoe sale at Damansara Perdana last Saturday, and it was indeed a bliss!! The sale was at Menara Mustapha Kamal (my first time there), and it was not packed, at all! They were selling all branded brand shoes like Nike, Adidas, Clarks, Primavera and many more, and the sale started on the 2nd April until Sunday the 4th.

The reason why it was not seriously crowded is because the management didn't put any advertising at any form of media mass, except for some banners and bunting located at the sale area itself. And oh! It was actually advertised online. I considered myself lucky for having a sister- in- law who's very much attuned to warehouse sales as such though. Or else, we wouldn't even know the existence. :)

The discounts? It ranged from 30% to 70%. I bought a new workout Nike shoes for only RM129.90 from RM199.90.. cool huh? I can't wait put on the new shoes at my workout class. Wee!

My Biological Age is 18!! Yahtzee! :)

I attended Sarawak Women Forum 2010 organised by Adroit Global Network last Monday (23rd March 2010), with its team "BUTTERFLY".. Yeah, this is a super late entry to tell you guys what happened during the forum. But I'm still gonna, because I'm happy of this one particular finding during our lunch break.

I went to a slimming centre booth in the hall where we had our forum after having a big lunch, to kill some time before the forum resumed. A girl who sat at the counter, probably the company's representative, told me to fill in a form of my personal and to proceed to her friend who was busy clicking buttons at a weighing machine. I finished the form and started to walk towards the machine, when the girl at the counter told me, with her friendly face, that I doesn't need to do the weighing considering my thin figure. " You might be in for a surprise. I might have a body of a 40 year old, I've no healthy eating regime."

I reached the machine, where I was greeted by the busy lady. She smiled and asked me to remove my shoes before stepping onto the machine. Then she asked me to hold a string with handle bar- like and just stand still. I stood there, hoping to see good numbers.

Boy! was I in for my own surprise!.. I weighted only 43.3kg! I've never had that measurement eversince I left college. It's just too abnormal to me being too skinny again. I honestly thought I gain few kilos of late, with my bingeing and late dinners. I started to cringe, almost in disgust, because I was seriously not hoping to be that skinny. (my normal weight is 46kg)

She asked me to try the weighing again, and the result was still the same. She then took my body fat % (Result: category lowest body fat. woo hoo!), skeletal muscle % (Result: category highest skeletal musle...erm, pathetic me?).... And my Biological Age is :

I seriously gotta thank my own self for having the determination to go to my dance workout 3 times per week. It paid off!.. My body is as fit as a 18 year old girl! weeeeheee!!! I decided to join the dance workout when I saw this few cellulite lines last February, but well, that's another story to tell..

Back to my story again, I'm happy with the result, minus the weird body weight of course. You see, we might be 45 but have the body of a 30 y.o lady. With proper eating( which I ain't practising much!) and a balance of physical activities, it'll help the body. One of my friend did her biological age test, mind you first, she's a retired nurse, age 59. Her biological age? 45! That explains the young look.

All in all about this forum, it was a fun escapades for me. From the office, from my overload paperworks. I have to thank my boss for sending me for the forum.( Thanks Dr. R!!) The whole day was filled with motivational talks, health care (obesity and it's implication as well as our women skin health. How our skin age and what can we do to slow down the process. The speakers were invited from Kuching as well as from Singapore.

And oh! We had a handful bag of goodies! A souvenir mug, some calcium supplement pills and vouchers, to name a few. Loved it!

The event ended at 5.30pm, where the closing ceremony was done by YB Datin Fatimah Abdullah. Kinda bit late from the schedule, but oh well..I had fun!

p/s: They HAVE TO change the emcee for next year's forum. She was so not professional in handling the event. Seriously suck at English pronounciation, and the grammar? alamak!.. I'm not saying that I'm better than her, but at least I know the ground I'm standing. I've a lintang pukang English grammar too, yes. That''s why you don't see me being an emcee, at just, anywhere. Geez...