Were You There?

"What if"

2012-01-15T14:14:00.002+01:00

Life is full of what if's. What if the "what if's" really affect you? What if it affects you so much that you really give so much thought into it and reeling from some form of cowardice, you withdraw and lose what you have going so well?

What if you lose sight of the good things in life? What if you lose what you ought to appreciate? What if you realise that your parents gave so much of their life to you, only after their demise? What if you can't decide the reason for loving? What if you get forsaken for being appreciative, misunderstood when you try to explain, treated badly in return for being good hearted.

What if.

There has to be a reason, a plan. Only God knows. But He ain't letting me know about it just yet.

Hanoi

2011-12-03T14:50:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the land of small people. Where chairs are small and tables low, where all schools have a courtyard in the centre with yellow buildings surrounding, where motorcycles park in the middle of the road with a parking attendant that squeezes your bike in a haphazard manner, where you eat rice and dishes with your back facing a 1m gap with motorcycles squeezing 2 way, where streets are organised in a way that they all sell similar products. The adventure continues with rae on a bus to an overpriced UNESCO heritage sites.

Hanoi Sleeper

2011-12-02T14:49:00.000+01:00

The adventurer and his team mate are in an overnight train to hanoi. Nursing a food poisoning from a raw beef steak, she must be feeling terrible. I'm doing my best to ease her discomfort. On a lighter note, it seems like the adventurer is losing his sense of living out the comfort zone. Admiring 4 sleeper expensive overnight cabin, eating at restaurants, taking the xe om instead of walking. Maybe he's just enjoying the moment, thats all! The adventure continues on this train to hanoi, after dozing off whilst typing this note.

Tears in Heaven

2011-11-20T15:06:00.003+01:00

Crying is a wonderful thing to observe. Today I saw her bare her emotion. I saw her sadness in her eyes, I saw the doubts and uncertainty she had. I hear her telling me all about her sister and how well she treats her, in dribs and drabs in between sobs. I feel her reminisce about the days gone by. I shared that moment with her. I think crying can bring 2 people closer together. It is the most raw form of emotion, unadulterated and pure. Sharing that just made me closer to her.

Then I thought back on my siblings and family. Of how I take them for granted so many times. Of how I bear grudges, returning tit for tat. Of how I would regret if I’d lose them tomorrow. Of how hypocritical it seems when I tell Rae to do everything in her power so she would not regret the tomorrow.

I have only been practicing what I preach when it comes to my mama. I should extend it to everyone else.

The Adventure continues while recovering from a bad flu that lasted through emceeing the wedding dinner.

You count the cost.

2011-11-10T15:31:00.003+01:00

You count the cost.

The cost how many times you sent me to school,

The cost of the early morning and late night visits to the doctor,

The cost of sacrifice.

Have you pondered about the cost of counting?

The cost of negative remarks?

The cost of being calculative?

I never was like that. And I shall never become like that. I will stay happy and easy going.

The Adventurer continues on a trip to Sapa with that soulmate.

The Hard Life

2011-09-01T16:43:00.002+02:00

I live the hard life daily. No, I do not put myself in the slums of Calcutta, nor do I live on US$1 per day. I make sure I wake up to a ice cold shower everyday, using a bar soap to lather, turning on the fan instead of the air-con. I chose it that way, I find comfort in the uncomfortable. So when life reduces me to the bare essentials, I can still find comfort and happiness there.

The Adventure continues hearing what raunchy things Rae has to say.

The Vase

2011-08-27T07:55:00.002+02:00

Rae tells me that the vase should never be broken. Because it will never be as good as it was.

I agree.

The superglued and mended vase might appear totally like the original, but upon close inspection, hairline cracks still exist. It might be even physically stronger than the original, but the evidence of cracks still remain.

We agree to treat the vase with care, because we both know that this vase is too treasured to be broken. We also both agree that if the vase is about to topple and one party is shaking it a lil too much, the other one will rush in and and, together, save it from falling.

This is where team work becomes The Adventure.

d, depth of commitment.

2011-07-25T17:13:00.000+02:00

dd/dt should always be positive, or at the very basal = 0. Here are some limit conditions to keep the equation d = Rt^2 + 5At + 3. Giving dd/dt = 2Rt + 5A

Since d is dependent on the 2 variables R and A, both R and A needs to be positive for dd/dt > 0.

For the above mentioned condition to be fulfilled, a common understanding needs to be established.
1. None of the 2 variables R and A shall, independently do anything to jeopardize the equation
a.. If ever there were a scenario that R being positive would cause A to be negative and vice versa, either party would have to stop and reflect. And if it were in the minds of both variables to continue achieving dd/dt>=0, each variable would refrain from, or completely stop any action that would cause the negativity in the other party.

2. Both A and R needs to be frank with their own current feelings and insecurities when expressing them to each other. This will have to be sail despite any negativity that might be received upon verbalising.

3. Last of all, Put on Love.

The Sunday Rail Walk

2011-07-24T17:13:00.001+02:00

I awake this early to catch a glimpse of that someone, off to the track we will go. The past month has been a fulfilling one, filled with gagging laughter and warm smiles. It has been nothing short of wonderful so far, I'd wish that it'll continue for as long as possible. On a sadder note, seeing my mama waste away mentally is the hardest thing to do. I dread the day when she doesn't recognise me anymore. Her eyes still lifely, her voice still chatty. I try my best to make her recall the things of the past, just to keep her going. I'm just happy enough to hear her talk, and to see her smile when i say something ridiculously funny. The adventure continues in the train to where Rae is.

It starts.

2011-06-15T18:38:00.000+02:00

Reading the same line,
Even if we may be blind.
Hearing the same cleft,
Even if we may be deaf.

The New Start

2011-06-13T12:54:00.001+02:00

I think I might have found the one,
Someone whom agreed to walk by my side,
Someone who doesn't mind my flaws and thriftiness,
Someone who I think might just weather the rain and shine.

Its you that I wake up to,
Its your laughter that I hear before I sleep.

Come what may, I said maybe in May.
Cuz in the last evening of May,
You agreed to walk beside,
Hand in hand as long as we both poissibly can.

The Good Times

2011-05-16T12:28:00.000+02:00

The tide has changed, the time arranged. You sleep after my goodnight, and i rise with your laughter. Tis a weird arrangement, where all you do is laugh at my predicament. And strangely enough, it affects me positively. I concluded that we'll never get into a fight, cuz u know exactly when u'll lose but still maintain otherwise. I thinks its good that i can read you, sometimes like a book. But then again, there are some answers that are best left to be said by you, cuz i can only guess, but can never confirm. I think ur as unsure as i am about this, but at least we've decided to take on this story, a story with no plot.

Do I know me?

2011-05-16T12:25:00.007+02:00

Sometimes i dunno what i'm doing. Sometimes i embark on a journey, not knowing where it leads to, not knowing how it'll turn out. U said it rightly, 'a story with no fixed plot'. That is what makes life exciting right? If we can look into the crystal ball, all mystery and suspense would be lost, wouldn't it? But when do u decide that the journey is for you? When do u decide that you're gonna stick with this particular journey no matter what happens? When will i settle, and reach a steady state. I agree with my father, everything is so fluid with me, nothing ever stays constant. I wonder if its a good trait. Definitely good for a floater, not so sure about a man to rely on. Was asked, 'do u need a gf now?' i guess i just need a good friend to grow old with. And here i am, telling a good friend of mine, about all my adventures in my love life. I wonder if she is the right one. Everything seems more or less right, more or less promising. But maybe never had the chance to consider cuz she has been attached all, and i just can't see both of us dating.

Baking vs Cooking

2011-02-21T09:44:00.001+01:00

She likes baking, I like cooking. Could there be a possibility?

The Hosp

2011-02-18T06:06:00.000+01:00

The accident and emergency dept in the hosp is the best place to be if u wanna learn about life. About how useless sons quarrel with their aged mother, and ask to let him die. About how families who only see each other during the new year, rally together in an instant when the matriarch falls. About how healthcare professionals give their all to serve others. I wonder when it's time for mama to go, will i suffer a loss. I guess trying to be there for her whenever i can helps. At least i can say, no regrets.

Afraid

2011-02-06T17:38:00.001+01:00

I'm afraid of something. and it doesn't usually bother me. but it does now. maybe i've become so pre-occupied with my daily buzz that i need some inner quietness.

i don't wanna be like my parents

2010-09-15T02:21:00.000+02:00

no i'm not rebellious or anything. my parents are really good people, just that i don't like the way they bring me up. i don't like how my mum uses negative motivation, like 'why can't u be like lan zhong zhen and score 100', when i scored 99. i dun like how praises are seldom given, even when they are due. Thats y i grew up thinking i need only constructive criticism. i don't need praises either, i just need some support.
but here i am subconsciously doing the same thing to my sis. i'm ever discouraging to her, always picking on her bad habits, in a hope that she realises them and change for the better. i just remembered how it feels to be at the other end. i will not do it again. i will exude positivity.

The Adventure continues as i seek for my passion in life

Its hard to find someone with the same mindset

2010-09-14T17:22:00.001+02:00

it really is. no one is as crazy, as spontaneous, as daring, as gutsy. nobody dares to be laughed/mocked. everybody is really taking the thought through and safe route. nobody dares to dream.

Looking back

2010-09-04T15:21:00.000+02:00

Looking back in my life, i realise that maybe i've made some mistakes. i wonder why sometimes i just cannot stop thinking of those mistakes that i made. maybe its cuz i'm guilty. maybe cuz it'll always be a stain there, maybe cuz there will be someone that i will eventually have to confess everything to. i've learnt to keep secrets really well. like things i'll never tell a soul. only God will know.

I know i need to look forward, i know i need to look into the future, and to be prepared for a wave that will take me away from the fleet, that will set me apart. "be prepared" deborah says. its true.

The Adventure continues with The Adventurer deciding what will lie ahead.

I've Grown

2010-08-16T06:05:00.000+02:00

After talking to jasmine last night, i realise that i have actually grown up. living away from home for 6 months really helped alot. oh and that past relationship helped too. i began to realise that i can better articulate how i see things and how to persuade jasmine that we shouldn't be carbon copies of our parents. and how there isn't a right answer to everything there is to answer. they are just different anwers, and none of them are right or wrong. its just a matter of preference.

I'm a changed person. I'm no longer so apprehensive about talking to strangers, i'm no longer keep everything to myself, i share my time with others, i take time to show people around. gone are the days when i "don't talk to strangers". in fact i want to talk to strangers.

The past 6 months saw me change, saw me grow. I take things easier now, back to the same principals that the old Jude has been abiding by. the same carefree fella who thinks his life is a joke. it still is.

The Adventure continues on an upcoming sailing trip.

Dreams

2010-08-03T16:09:00.001+02:00

Maybe I should note down every interesting dream that involved me. It would be so interesting to re-read it again when the time comes.

A New Life

2010-07-27T13:28:00.003+02:00

I tried to tidy up my room today, but I think its gonna turn out almost the same. It would be easier if I could just bear to dump things away, but sometimes I like to keep them for "future use". Kinda similar trait to my mama. I realised that I love to keep boxes, I have no idea why. Especially electronic related.

Came across some stuff which brought back memories. Realised that there are bits and pieces everywhere in my room. Gonna put them somewhere hidden.

The Europe Adventure Ends

2010-07-04T18:34:00.002+02:00

In 24 hours i'll be home. Time really flies. I can almost remember how unprepared i was when i went to changi airport some 6 months ago, with all my bulky luggage and not knowing what to do with them. Now i'm returning home. This time i tried to make things different. I said my goodbyes, especially to K, making sure they were not hurried and brisk. Packed and cleaned my room in advance and tie up all the loose ends. Now as i'm having my favourite spag carborana at an italian restaurant, a treat i decided to let loose on myself, i begin to realise that i'll be home soon. I guess saying goodbye to sweden and to the new friends i made, is even harder than saying goodbye to singapore 6 months ago. This time, i'll never know when i'll be seeing the places and the people again. Maybe sometime in the future, maybe never. Its the uncertainty that makes the whole situation a lot worse. At least i made one promise. To see K again, no matter what. So it'll happen someday. The Adventure continues.

St Peter's Square

2010-07-02T18:27:00.001+02:00

As i sit here at st peter's square, waiting for the lights to come on for my night shot, i can't help reflecting on all the travelling i've done so far. Has it in any way benefited me? Or have i something more to contribute to this world? After talking to andrew, a friend from uganda, i can get a sense of what poverty is. He says if i come to uganda, he'll borrow a friend's car and drive me around. Not in the city, but in his home town. Then i'll bee able to see the real africa. I know if i tell my parents about this adventure, i will get the same response as i always get. A strict 'NO! Are you out of your mind?' I met joe, an american who has been travelling alot in the middle east, writing short articles and taking stock pictures to fund his travel. He's been away from home for a year and a half. Would i want such a life? Would i want to be on my own, talking to no one, making hi-bye friends along the way? Am i a social creature or am i the jude of yesteryears, quiet, always observing, always watching. I had been targeted by 2 pickpockets today. But they failed. I must say they should be working as magicians instead. One was standing right in front of me, pretending to be very hot, made some eye contact, pretended to be off balanced. And when i look down on my bag which i was carrying in front of me, his bag mysteriously was on top of mine! I immediately tried to feel for my camera, which was the only thing important in my bag. It was there. And strangely enough, the two of them got off at the next stop. And when i looked at my bag, the top pouch was unzipped. Nothing was taken. I said a prayer to thank God.

Rome

2010-07-01T18:26:00.000+02:00

I quite like travelling alone. There is no need to talk if i don't feel like talking. There is no one to answer to, no one to tell your whereabouts to. You go when you want, you stay when you feel like. You sit down at a chapel to pray for as long as you want to, you make last minute changes to your plan when you feel like it. Have a bad sore throat now, but at least its better than yesterday. Rome has a rustic charm to it, just the way i like it.

A Flight Where The Sun Doesn't Set

2010-06-26T18:24:00.001+02:00

I'm on a flight home. A place where i call home for the past 6 months. I've been away for 21 days without the comfort of my room and my radio. I am already missing my room in linkoping even before i miss my home in sg. The song leaving on a jet plane by john denver has never been more apt than now. 2 nights from now, i'm gonna bid goodbye to K, just like the first verse of the song. As i fly home from bergamo, the sun never sets. It is constantly on my left side as i fly north. The plane took off before the sun dipped below the horizon, and when it lands, the sun will be still there, hovering above the horizon. I caught up with time. I managed to prolong a sunset, at least for a day. I manage to enjoy life, while it lasts. But now i must return to singapore, where The Adventure will continue.

What Is Life All About

2010-06-22T18:21:00.001+02:00

I'm sure many scientist and philosophers have defined it time and time again, but what does life mean to you? I remembered father gabriel's sermon sometime back. To live a good life is simple, has the world become a better place because of you, or has it become a place full deceit and evil because you existed? I thought about mine. It has been a mixture. At times i've sinned, sometimes quite gravely, at times i've tried my best to bring out the best in others, to give more. Just yesterday i was asked if catholics were allowed to do a certain thing, i answered a firm 'no' but deep inside i felt terrible. To me, life is all about being happy. If you're not happy, that means that you are dead. The Adventure continues on a ferry from santorini to athens.

Bodrum

2010-06-19T18:16:00.006+02:00

I miss the beach. It reminds me of the times i spend at the beach, just enjoying the cool sea breeze, cycling along east coast and stopping at my favourite spot to ponder about life, to ponder about relationships, to ponder about sad stuff. The sea takes away all the sad stuff, and i always leave the beach a more relaxed person, with a calm mind knowing exactly what my next game plan is. Today is different, i have my game plans all laid out and have little to ponder about, little sad stuff to delve into. But deep at the back of my head, i am hiding lots of thoughts, putting away lots of emotions. Knowing that i have just one day left in Sweden makes me realise what i'm gonna leave behind. A town full of nice people at church, the third sunday makan, ms K, the snowy winter, my nice room, my freedom, my time, the cooking sessions, the talking to corridor mates in the kitchen. This is life, things come and go. Live in the present, not the past or the future. On a side note, Ephesus-dream come true for ruin chasers like me. The place is sprawling with big ruins, complete with a whole walkway into the city.Got it for free again cuz The Adventurer found a climbable gate which indirectly led to the whole sit. It was an explorer's dream.

Çanakkale

2010-06-17T18:15:00.000+02:00

I saw a donkey, a goat, a turkish flag, a nice goods delivery guy who gave us a ride to anzac cove, a nice couple with an empty minibus who took us along from the lone pine cemetery to the turkish monuments, a bunch a school children who never see an asian in their lives and were amused that i could say merhaba, many a letters and poems that drew to light valiant soldiers who fought ahead even though death was eminent, a village so backwards in terms of civilisation. I saw all these in my 2 days here. The Adventure continues on a 6 hour trip to selçuk.

Yet another Bus ride

2010-06-15T18:13:00.003+02:00

Sending someone off is never easy. Being sent off is also not easy. I'm on my way to çanakle, and i just witnessed another tearful goodbye. A mother sending her daughter off, with tears swelling up in her eyes as she waved her final goodbye through the glass window of the bus. Its a kind of feeling you get when you know your loved one is leaving, and the only thing you can do is to wave through the hard glass. Its something you know that must happen, and you can't do anything about it. I soon will be faced with such a circumstance. Its mixed feelings for me now. The Adventure continues on my turkey trip. A place full of asian tastes, air and prices.

Turkey

2010-06-15T18:12:00.003+02:00

Hospitality is at its best when you don't understand the language. When all you got are a piece of paper, hand signs and smiles, you tend to understand kindness and helpfulness better. On the way back last night, talked to a turkish in entire turkish, and i understood 80 percent of what he was trying to tell me. Met an iranian who struggled with his english, but won my heart and praised him for his good understandable english. Was so happy that he told me to repeat what i just said to his wife. We all exchanged smiles and a bit of our culture. Getting on a bus was not so daunting, when you have friends to write out for you directions and everything you need to know. The Adventure continues later when meeting kerem, a corridor mate whom i've not seen for ages. And he was also the one who showed me turkish hospitality, introducing Salih, our accomodation in Istanbul. We got help the moment we arrived from the airport. We practically got walked to the bus stop that we were supposed to take the bus into the city. The kind guy we met was an exchange student before. He understands what we are going through.

London

2010-06-13T18:10:00.003+02:00

The land of the english. And i like it. It feels so familiar to have people all around you speak english, being able to understand everything, including the british accent. The english are polite and warm, ever helpful when i need directions. All i need is to hold a map, and they'll come up to you and ask if you need directions. Food is much cheaper than in norway, but still more costly compared to the standards at home. The air is moist and cool, refreshing in a way. The car rental worked out just fine, maybe just abit more costly than than public transport, but I got to see so many nice views. Would like to come back and do a cycle round the countryside, maybe when the weather is not so rainy. Stow-on-the-wold in Cotwolds was a very nice village, a place to relax and enjoy the countryside. Finally went to mass yesterday, and the homily was about forgiveness, and i think i need to learn that. I have lots of disagreement with S and Z, but i guess i need to be a good catholic and stop my sarcastic remarks about them and start talking to them properly.

London

2010-06-09T18:06:00.000+02:00

A city that is so vibrant, with everybody sounding so close to home because its english, and people are happy and few irritating beggars. Night scene along thames is just wonderful.

Norway

2010-06-08T18:04:00.002+02:00

Of tunnels, mountains, fjords, hikes and fountains. I've experienced it all. The next trip to norway would be a camping one, coupled with aurora hunting. Bergen was a nice town to be in. There are just so many wonderful treks just to the north of the port. Good place to cycle too. Would return to europe with a backpack, bike and tent.

Oslo

2010-06-05T18:01:00.006+02:00

Today is a day of many mixed feelings. Yesterday I bode goodbye to 3 people, L, A, and K. And I know I'll miss K very much. Its kinda hard to understand how I can make such close friends in half a year. And i didn't even know K better until recently. It feels like its just something that is not meant to be, like it will never work out, just like all the past ones. Sometimes i wonder what God's plan is for me. I know I'll be back in linkoping some 20 days later, but its just gonna be another round of sad goodbyes. Ok, I'm supposed to write about oslo. Its a nice city, but things are very expensive here, nice sun today, albeit too much. Especially loved the sculpture park, the human forms just have so much in them. Not having 7 hours of sleep is making me very tired, and I'll have to endure another night of no proper rest. The planning is just so wrong. Right from the start. I hope it gets better tomorrow.

The start, or the end?

2010-05-28T01:08:00.000+02:00

I have my last exam in exactly 13 hours. After that, I shall have no more academic life in Sweden. My holiday starts. I'll need to put the finishing touches to the 20day adventure that I'll be embarking on. And I'll have to start packing for home, sending back heavy down jackets and winter clothes.

So is this a start? Or the end? I know its both.

This will be a start of a new life, a new beginning. A life full of Adventures and lessons learnt, a life full of excitement and fun, a whole new start when I return to Singapore. It is also the end. The end to this short exchange in Sweden, the end to a relaxing life, the end to the warm strangers who eventually become friends, the end to outdoor classes, the end to being self sufficient.

I love living on my own, its much simpler, you'll be able to do anything when and how you like it. Its about making your own decisions and living by it. I guess this time away from Singapore really did do something good for me. I've grown up.

The Adventure continues in exactly 16hours from now.

The Independance

2010-05-20T19:04:00.000+02:00

The thing about living all by yourself is that you will somehow learn independence. You will learn that no one will do the laundry for you, no one will plan your timetable, no one will cook for you. If you feel like eating pizza, then you'll have to go google for a convenient recipe, and do it yourself. If you feel like having a homemade banana cake, you send an sms back home to your sister to send over your mum's banana cake recipe and bake it yourself. There will be nobody to tell you what you can and cannot do, what you should and should not do. You are your own boss. And I like that. The Adventure continues whilst planning for a 20 day trip around Europe.

Things Changed

2010-05-18T18:04:00.000+02:00

The as we know it, is in a state of increasing entropy. And it constantly changes every day, every moment. The sun no longer sets when it supposed to. Its now 6 in the evening, but it looks like its 3. The days are getting longer and warmer. Kinda like how the day is so long, and there are always so many things to do. My life as I know it, similarly, has also changed. And I would like to think that it just got better. I would like to think I got stronger. I would like to think I've become better at managing time and priorities. I would like to think I am in control of my shy-ness. I would like to think that I can take up any kind of dares without having the 'paiseh' feeling. I would like to think that I will go back home, and find that I am different. We'll see how. The Adventure continues at Zhe Bin's place for a round of drinks.

The Start of The End

2010-05-09T23:33:00.000+02:00

When you know that you are heading back to sg in 2mths time, you are in the middle of very mixed feelings. On one hand, you are missing home and the familiarities that it brings, on the other, you still haven't got enough of europe yet. Thats me. There are so many future trips to europe that i see myself doing, like a month long cycling and camping trip, eating out of field kitchens, sleeping in tents and exploring every countryside, wedding shoot in the lesser known places of europe. There's more. Its just not seeded in my mind yet. I wonder how my family is doing at home, i wonder how it feels like to windsurf with my mates after a 6 month hiatus. I wonder who will be at the airport to receive me. Maybe i don't want anybody to pick me up at the airport, cuz sometimes its nice to be alone, independent, talking to random strangers, playing a game of blackjack with teenagers on a school excursion to Gent. This is life. The Adventure continues whilst on a train from antwerp to amsterdam.

Brugge, Belgium

2010-05-07T15:36:00.001+02:00

Just tried stoofvlees. Its soft and tender lean beef stew hot crispy chunky fries. The best thing to eat from a road side stall. Also, the chocolate factory struck me. Do you know that a long time ago, cocoa beans were used as currency? And it was drank like coffee before sugar and milk was added into it, before finally becoming solid chocolate? And cocoa was used as an stimulant and medicine. There was even a time that chocolate was banned in church. Maybe last time it was a drug that the rich indulge in. Now we get it as a snack. Maybe one day tobacco and cocaine would be eaten as a snack. Social norms are powerful. The adventure continues in amsterdam. Where prostitution and soft drugs are a socially accepted norm.

The Adventurer's Recipe.

2010-04-27T01:36:00.000+02:00

The receipe to enjoying a long backpacking trip.

1. Don't stinge on food.
Don't go to an expensive restaurant and choose the cheapest food, rather, go to the supermarket and buy the best ingredients and cook a healthy and appetising meal.

2. Have breaks in between travels.
Instead of just rushing from places to places in the town or city, have some days which you can just sit at a cafe and drink hot white choc and watch the world go by.

3. Have at least 7 hours of sleep each night. This will make sure you have enough energy to rush to places the next day. Travel in the day if you can, although it wastes day time, you'll get your rest for the next day. If possible, travel no more than 5 hours at one go. It will make your trip less tiring and more enjoyable.

More cardinal rules will be added as The Adventure continues.

Un-mainstream

2010-04-19T01:31:00.004+02:00

I think i'm not mainstream. I like the old, i hate the new. I like abandoned and dilapidated houses, but i hate mansions and grandeur. I like walking up a trail to devin castle and climbing over the wall for a self declared free entry, but i hate going to places with herds of tourists storming churches and yaking away in spanish and french. I love taking busses and trains, but i dislike air travel. So now, if the sky doesn't clear up, i'll probably have to travel by land all the way back to linköping. On a train to the Tatras mountain range. The Adventure continues.

Prague.

2010-04-14T01:30:00.002+02:00

A very beautiful and scenic city. Though extremely touristy, the sights are picturesque even in the morning fog or the intermittent rain. Bridges a plenty, old streets every corner. Something that i always wanted to capture on my camera. I always wonder why i dun like to buy souvenirs, maybe its because i think its a total waste of money, maybe I'm just selfish. But i'll still send out home printed postcards though.

Bus Journeys.

2010-04-14T01:29:00.002+02:00

Bus journeys are always a time to watch the world go by. Before the bus leaves, there are people sending others off, there are yet others who excitedly load their baggages onto the bus, knowing they will le going to someplace new. There are yet other frequent travellers who find travelling a chore, going for yet another business trip or two. Me? I just like bus terminals and busses. Its nice taking a short trip during the day, watching cars and fields and streets pass you by. Its just a bus ride, some might say, but its a journey, a ride that sets you thinking, giving you time and space to rest and reflect, before another adventure kicks in. The adventure continue after this bus ride. Vienna.

Copenhagen

2010-04-06T01:27:00.000+02:00

Copenhagen is the best. Great place for cyclist, nice cool bikes all around, nice sweet pastries all around. Danish pastries rawks man. Only didn't try the smorgasbrod. And diem't go to many places. And malmo's rut and rangers is the best hostel so far man! Nice clean rooms and beds, and a super neat kitchen man!

Bye paris.

2010-03-30T01:25:00.000+02:00

Thanks for the smells of my primary school, the wonderful town of Provins, the rain that comes down every single day, oh and that one occasion of hail. Thank you for also the delectable but expensive pastries, the countless bauggettes that i never got sick of, the pain au chocolat that had been my favourite since young. Thank you also for the mass at st joseph's church, which make me remember how my dad used to scout for churches when we took a family holiday. Thank you for letting me remember the times that i secretly never wore the underwear that my mama used to wash in the sinks on our trips to malacca. Merci bouku

Inner Peace.

2010-03-29T01:25:00.000+02:00

Train rides are peaceful. I'm only talking about long distance rides out of the city, not the metro. You sit by the window, with the sun shining onto your outstretched feet, and you watch the world whizz you by. Just like life, there are stretches of green fields that go on for miles, with an eagle soaring above it. But there are also areas where there is just bushes and shrubs, brown and boring, just like how life can sometimes be. You get to see small settlements along the way, sometimes an old run down town, sometimes an industrial village, sometimes a small chicken farm. This is how life should be. An adventure.

Its a Roulette

2010-03-28T01:21:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking. What makes 2 people stay together? I think a month long backpacking trip will tell. I just saw a couple alighting from the rail in paris. The guy says left, the girl says right. The guy stood his ground, and the girl followed. It made me think for a moment. I guess rotational leadership is the key to a successful relationship. Both parties need to let the other take the lead, and even if it means walking the longer route or the wrong way, knowingly. If there are two leaders, there will be no followers and just two solo travelers. Followers must have leaders and leaders must have followers.

Paris.

2010-03-27T01:19:00.000+01:00

The heart of france. In every city, the sights and sounds are what others distinguish the city by, but for me, i get a feel of the city by its smells. I'll tell you what paris smells like. In every corner you turn, you will be greeted by a myriad of smells. Pain au chocolat and fresh crossiants from the nearby bakery, followed by stale urine when you pass by an underpass in the metro, the familiar kind of smell that i remembered from my old primary school. A colourful experience is the word to describe my stay in paris. Sun, rain, hail, gust, cold. All within a day. Rude awakening by a fat asshole who chose to sleep on the shaky bed frame as me. Entertainment by a string quartet in the metro station. Accordion artiste playing wonderful tunes on the metro. Eating plain baguette to keep hunger away. Climbing across restricted access to get pictures of the gloomy effiel. The adventure continues. To versaillie now.

The Dream Adventure

2010-03-17T09:29:00.002+01:00

I had a Adventure, while I was sleeping. It was an exciting but scary at the same time. In the dream, my heart was racing and my adrenaline was pumping, I was running, and killing and doing so many crazy things. The Asian Adventure begins.

It started out with a simple mail to my old house down at Marine Terrace. I had received a stack of letters that was mailed to me. But this stack of letters were different. They were bundled together and handed out by a guy at the corner where 2 lines of shops meet. And it was strange, because the guy who gave out the letters reached into an envelope with cash, and handed each one some when we received our bundle of mail. I soon came to realise that it was a money laundering syndicate. But anyhow I went on my way and opened my bundle, and to my surprise, there was a similar envelope with cash inside! I was scared and happy, running all the way to my flat. The first person I met was my maternal Grandma, and told her about it, she gave me a worried look and told me to throw away the money since the money is tainted and will bring problems to my doorstep. I thought otherwise and opened the envelope and destroyed the envelope. I was prepared to lie my way through if ever there was a knock on the door. I handed my mum the money, paying her back what I had owed her for my overseas exchange trip. I remembered massaging my Mama's knee as she complained that it was aching. I also remembered looking at old photos of her when she was much fatter.

Now comes the exciting part. Somehow or other, the people that received their bundle of letters had to be on a ferry that made a trip from Changi beach to Bedok jetty, and in it was the runner of the big money laundering syndicate. I was a wreck of nerves throughout the boat ride. What if they realised that they forgot to take out the envelope of cash from my bundle? What if my lie fell through? Any thing could happen on that ferry, and I would have nowhere to run. But thankfully, the boat docked and all the passengers got out. I was about to rush out and run but my cool headed side told me not to arouse any suspicion. Apparently there was a coffin on board, and it had to go back to the docks somewhere in Changi beach. Some guy handed me a slip of paper to pass to the boatman, as much as I wanted to reject it, but I swallowed my adrenaline and acted normal as I headed to the front. As I did so, the ferry started to move off!! I was trapped yet again! But I knew that it was heading to Changi Beach ,where I could alight and take a bus home.

Soon after, the ferry morphed into a small sampan, and there was just me, the boatman, the runner and yan jie. Don't ask me why, but there was yan jie, sleeping like a log like he usually does. The sampan took a turn into a very strange and desolate calm stream. There were junkyards on either bank, with tonnes of scrap aluminumon either side. And the boatman, being a scrooge that he was, drove his sampan into the tyre w alls so that a little scrap aluminum will fall into his sampan so that he could re-sell it. All was going well until I saw a figure in the distance, moving. It was no human, and moved it jerky motions. As the sampan drew closer, it was a junk robot who was moving on its own, it was a scene straight out of transformers. My logical mind told me it was something plausible, junk cpu's still storing their past memory, and with their inbuilt AI, they start to think like humans, and build their body together. They start building other robots and programming with AI too, this species grow and evolve, and soon have a society of their own, living entirely on scrap material and fuel.

The robot had a childish appearance, something you would find in a child's play pen. But this one was yielding a toy missile, with a red and white cap which made it look rubberish. "Zoosh!" Suddenly that same missile was fired and it missed the boat by a narrow inch. I was still thinking it was made of rubber when it exploded upon contact with the stream. I turned my head to see 3 more similar missiles zipping past my head, it was then that I realised we needed to run. The boatman tried his best to avoid these missiles, but we were hit by one! I wanted to get out and run but he held my arm and told me it wasn't a wise thing to do. I pointed him to the herd of ill fitted war machines that were walking in the stream towards our location and he jumped out. Yan Jie was sleeping as usual, even the explosion and the sinking sampan didn't wake him. I gave him a jolt as the sampan drifted to the bank. He sprang up and we ran.

There were more scrap machines on the bank. These ones had lesser AI built in, but they were also programmed to kill. They held the 3 pronged spear and came charging at us. The spears, although made of plastic, could be potentially harmful. We snatched the spears and thrust them into the bots, short circuiting them instantly. As we ran, the robots got further and further away. We eventually caught sight of Bedok Camp II, and there were trainees outside the camp.

I felt good to be back home. But turning back, I could still see the bots lingering in the distance, waiting to pounce on anyone who had a brain, a brain that created their species.

I Feel Lost

2010-03-16T22:29:00.000+01:00

Its kinda unexplainable cuz lost isn't a feeling that an Adventurer should feel. He can be lost, but he shouldn't feel lost at all. There is always something planned, somewhere to go. Not that I have nowhere to go, or nothing to look forward to, but I just feel lost in all the stuff that I have on going. There are hostels to book, places to read up on, money to save, money to earn, letters to reply, exams to check out on, toilet bowl to fix, flights to book, room to clean, clothes to wash, new dishes to experiment. There is just so much interesting and exciting stuff to do!

But receiving an expected mail in my letter box today made me happy. I was happy to know that I still had friends who bother to sit down for 5 mins and write a letter to me. It was more than I can ask for. So, I've decided to take some time off planning all the trips to sit down for 10 minutes and write a post card or a letter to everyone that I owe letters to.

Oh, forgot to mention, I cooked beef steak yesterday and beef with leak today. 2 of my friends said that it was the best oriental beef they have ever tasted. I wonder if it is better than my mum's beef. Oh but it was almost as tender as my mums. And definitely of a different taste, cuz my secret is in the kiwi that I put in.

Just restored my fridge to life. Its sad to open a fridge where you can't just pick off something and just munch on it. Went to buy some cheap cakes and chocolates to revive it. Then I realise that I'll be leaving for Berlin soon. I think it the food will finish in time.

The Adventure continues with a morning run at 0930 tomorrow. Jag ska springer i morgon.

Light My Fire

2010-03-13T00:43:00.001+01:00

So we went. With 2 boxes of matches and some charcoal, we walked to a campfire pit just next to the forest. With the hope of a big bon fire and warming our hands to the fire, we built a fire from firewood. It was a concerted effort between me, yoseph and si hui. We started from one match with some kindling and lots of fanning and blowing, and viola! We had our fire going strong. Yoseph's huge huff and puff and si hui's vicious fanning turned embers into crackling flames. Was surprised that we could start a fire with matches and leftover charcoal and firewood. I guess there has to be a scout in my somewhere.

Here we made hotdogs and corn and marshmallows. It was a simple meal, with simple close friends. There was much to talk about or rather gossip, and soon it was sunset and the stars came out. Its just like a clip from a show. It was really an Adventure to be behold.

Learnt something from yoseph today. Love speaks 5 different languages. Gifts, Touch, Acts of service, Words & Quality time. It made some stuff clearer to me. Enlightened.

And I also realised that it pays to be kind to others. Cuz I'll be studying for an exam tomorrow, and Si hui volunteered to cook for me! How zai is that.

I can still smell the smoke from the camp fire in the woods. Think its stuck in my hair. Or the hair in my nostrils. Whatever. It was fun.

The Adventure continues while I study the whole of the next 2 days.

My Atlas, My World

2010-03-12T01:05:00.000+01:00

I just realised that Europe is big and vast. I don't think I will be able to set foot in every country, but there will be many many firsts. My trips are somewhat planned, but my budget is not. This is how I like to spend my money, or how I usually spend. I save a whole lot by scrimping and saving, then splurge it all on something that I really think is worth it. The last spree was my camera of 3k plus. This trip is the next. I will return to home penniless, with not a penny on my back, but with smiles and memories that money can't buy.

Been cooking alot recently, from belgium chocolate mousse to banana cake, from chicken cordon bleu to garlic fried kuskus. Been hanging out alot with friends over dinner, its like a bonding sessions where we htht and pour things out and gossip. Sat down for tea at a cafe. Been to Flamman to have burgers and beer. Been at Si Hui's place for dinner and learning swedish with her swedish neighbour until like 2am in the morning. Been slope sliding and snowman building. So many firsts, and yet more to come.

The Adventure continues tomorrow where yoseph, sihui and me will have a bbq in the snow. I will go to the recycling room to take some junk wood for firewood. This is fun. This is Life. I will live it well. No more shadows of pasts, no more "what if's". Its "what next". Jude is back.

New faces, interesting people

2010-03-03T22:12:00.000+01:00

In the course of a week, I've met a few interesting people, it made me reflect on where I am in life. Starting with the latest first, a person I met just an hour ago.

His name is Gregor, and he is the MD of a branch in a company called IonBond. Its a company that does deals with coatings on metals used for manufacturing. He said something very striking: "Everytime you come to point where u have to make a decision to whether to try or not to try something, pause and think, 'Will you regret not having done it?' If you do, then just go ahead with it, despite the odds. If its something that you wouldn't regret not doing, then don't." So far in my life, I've only regretted not doing one thing, and it was in SJI some many years ago. After which, I've been living with no regrets. I think thats how life should be. His company has also a very peculiar biz model. They practically get by from day to day without any plan for the next month or next year. I was expecting a company of that size to have some plan for the "future", but no. They have a truck that goes around to their clients to see if they have any parts to coat, and if they have, IonBond will have work to do for a few days, if not, they wouldn't have anything to do. Its quite stressful Gregor says, but this is what makes his job interesting. I was thinking about my photography. He said he didn't think of becoming a MD when he first started, he just loved his job as a technician and the titles and position just came along. Maybe I have to just love photography and not think about making profit everytime.

The previous person I met was actually a person on a Flickr page that I've been viewing for quite some time! I met him at the library when I was asking the librarian if they knew where is the nearest photo studio is. I sat down and he helped me search out some photo studios that he knew. I was intending to go look for some work there, and the good thing is, the Swedes only get married on saturdays!

Before that, I met Claire, someone who has 'been there, done that'. Everything that you've think its cool and interesting, she would have already done that, maybe not windsurfing thats all. But from her, I realised that there are so many things I've yet to do, so many things that I've yet to accomplish. I'm still a jack of all trades, but never a master of one. I would like to be a master of some, someday.

Just came back from chasing the sunset, something I like to do every once in a while. But today, it was more than the Adventure I had asked for. I fell on hard ice twice whilst cycling to catch a nice sunset. And I got stopped by 3 police cars because I was taking a sunset over the military airfield. Too my surprise, they were so nice and understanding, they just deleted my pictures and copied down my particulars. At the end, I still asked them if they knew a better place to take a sunset.

Oh well. The Adventure continues on saturday at Kisa. Prob my last snowboarding trip.

The Hang of Things

2010-03-01T16:31:00.000+01:00

I've begin to love living alone, love doing things all by myself and having only myself to answer to. Love planning trips and itineraries to Paris, talking to people at the weekly church potluck, going for mass and getting inspired by the sermon, seeing snow, going up a hill to snowboard down.

Snowboarding is easy. Falling down on the snow is even easier. Its like windsurfing to me, I can do it week after week and not get sick of it. Yesterday at Kisa, I finally got the hag of snowboarding, the trick is to be brave(as claire said) and put your weight on the front foot and steer.

Its a kind of experience that only windsurfing can equal. I'm happy and contented. Thanks to Claire and Eugene for all the tips and to Olof(my swedish friend who drove us there) for showing me how a jump should look like.

I guess I'll be back to Kisa at least once before the snow melts.

Living Out a Dream

2010-02-24T01:43:00.000+01:00

I just remembered that I have 2 dreams. To backpack europe, and to cycle in america or australia with just a bicycle, a tent and a credit card.

I'm already living one now. Paris will be the start of this long awaited dream. Forget about counting the cost, cuz money can always be earned again, but not youth.

Minus 22

2010-02-22T01:43:00.000+01:00

Its -22 deg outside now and I realised that my window wasn't closed properly all this while!! No wonder I always feel cold air coming in from the outside! The latch was not hooked to its proper place, so it was actually on top of the window beside it! Oh man! closed it and there was no more cold air coming in. Now I can sleep warm and sound.

Goodnight world!

The Adventure will continue in France in about a month's time!

"Son, do your best"

2010-02-19T17:33:00.000+01:00

This was what I received when I got woken up by a missed call from Singapore. It helped me a lot. I snapped out of all my emo-ness almost immediately. I told myself not to waste my life away, and that there will always be a better tomorrow, and also that God has a plan, I just don't know it yet.

The Lappish man told us that the Lappish bread must be made with love. And its true. Check out how I did my steak on The Food!

I'm back world!! Its the same Jude, same as before! Ever the optimist, ever the joke.

The adventure continues at Joseph's kitchen for dinner.

Ash on my forehead

2010-02-17T20:57:00.000+01:00

No, I wasn't burnt. And no, there was no fire in Linkoping.

I went for my annual Ash Wednesday mass at church. Its a day that we Catholics remember that we are made from ashes and back to ashes we will return. Anything material that we gain here on earth will be lost when we die. It teaches us to be humble, and to repent and to turn away from sin.

The mass was in total Swedish and I drifted somewhere else within that one and half hour mass. The church is where I do my reflection, and think about things. It is also where I ask questions, and pray for the well being of my family.

Today I thought about something recent that happened to me. Maybe there is a plan somewhere, but I've yet to discover it. But I asked that if it is God's will, I would like to be together with you eventually. I surrendered all to Him, and I'm now willing to accept any answer that he gives.

On a happier note, I received a postcard from my dear friend, and it makes me realise that there are still so many people that care for me. The Adventure continues!

When The Wine Runs Out

2010-02-15T08:53:00.000+01:00

When the wine ran out, the head steward ran to Mary and told her about his problem. And Mary turned to Jesus for help. That was the first miracle at the wedding at Cana.

The wine has already ran out for me. It is the point where there is no more wine to continue the party, it is the point where the party has come to a stand still, it is the point where the guest are starting to leave. It is the point where everything is going to end. I turn to Mary and ask for help.

A miracle I said.

A miracle that will erase everything in the past and start new and strong, and in the right frame of mind too. A miracle that will realise that there is a reason for this. A miracle that things will turn out for the better.

I am praying fervently.

The Sun Has Risen

2010-02-15T08:41:00.000+01:00

The Sun has finally risen, after shining intermittently for the last 1 year. Up till now, I still can't believe that I lived in a lie. And the greatest liar has to be myself. Is it bad to have too much optimism? Is it bad to believe in the best and persevere no matter what the circumstances might be saying? Its quite amazing how I can lie to myself so much so that it becomes real for me.

The Sun is rising now, and I know that the Sun takes away all darkness, all lies, all misplaced trust. They will vanish against the Sun's strong rays, although the Sun will be lost to darkness everyday, I'm just contented to know that winter is ending soon. That is when the Sun will shine for more hours in a day, dispelling all lies and darkness for a longer time.

I need the Sun now. It is my source of sight. It is the only guide out of this abyss.

The Silent Scream

2010-02-13T05:41:00.000+01:00

Do you know what pain is? And the more pain receptors you have, the more pain you'll feel. Its like a knife cutting deep through your heart, so deep that you can feel your heart sink. Its so painful that you want to scream out aloud, but all you hear is silence and your mouth is wide open, tears rolling, and there is no one to share what you are feeling. You are in the dark all alone. That what pain

How is that for an Adventure? Exciting once in a lifetime experience right? Well, I asked for it! I wanted to experience everything a man can experience, including pain.

The Adventure continues. God help me.

A Lappish Tale

2010-02-10T17:17:00.000+01:00

This story was told to me by a Lappish man when I was in Lappland.

Seeing the Aurora is like Love.
You will not know when it comes.
When it comes, you won't know it is here.
And if it comes, you won't know how long it last.
And when it goes away, you won't know which way it went.

I type this in the comfort of my room, seeing the snowflakes fall just outside my window, against the back drop of the setting Sun. The Sun is my best friend, but as it sets for this evening, I feel kinda sad that its leaving me for one night.

I'm a Sun person, my moods are directly proportional to the weather. If the weather is gloomy, I'll be gloomy. If there is clear blue skies, I'll be excited and full of energy. When the sun rises, I appreciate its warmth it brings, when it sets, I look forward to seeing it again tomorrow.

Life is a cycle, I just hope I'm on the upward longer than the downward.

Off to dinner @ eugene's. Baked rice

Dreams

2010-02-09T10:42:00.000+01:00

There are always many places and things that The Adventurer wants to be in. Unexplored cities, small towns, parts of Europe that boast beautiful lakes and mountains, once in a lifetime experience like bungee jumping and hang gliding, a repeated trip to snowboard before the snow melts, the list goes on.

But this morning, I woke up wanting to be in my dream, wanting to be there in my dream, living in it, making it real for the time I was there. It felt surreal, so vivid that it felt almost real.

I always believe that dreams are an extension of the subconscious. And I have this way of controlling the content of my dream by thinking of that event before I doze off, and letting the unconscious mind take over when I sleep. But today is different, I wasn't thinking about that dream I had. It must have been my subconscious that took over.

In that dream, I wanted to be back in familiar soil, doing the familiar things with the familiar people. But the conscious side of me disallows. When I'm awake I want to always throw myself into new environments and be forced to survive. I want to struggle with finding my way. I want to be lost. I want to live out of my comfort zone. That is my conscious dream.

That being said, I'll be off to have my breakfast and read up on lonely planet for a mini eurotrip.

Heading to where I want to go

2010-02-06T23:21:00.000+01:00

There is a path I created for myself, and I'm here in Europe to find that path, and walk till the end.

I went to a nearby hill to learn snowboarding today. Like all things in life, it isn't easy to go to where you want to go, or where your eyes can take you. A simple traverse on a gentle slope seemed very easy, but not when I'm on a snowboard. I had an afternoon of fun at Yxbacken, with nice weather and some not so serious crashes and a sore right bum. It was all in the name of fun. It was similar to windsurfing and it had the same thrilling adrenaline rush when you can do what seems impossible at first.

Despite all, I will always take the people I left at home wherever I go. And its them that I'm glad to have, to know that they are there, when the adventure ends.

BUT, not just yet, the Adventure has just began, and it'll continue till july 4th.

Next up, showdown porkchop dinner on monday.

Its finally working

2010-02-05T01:11:00.000+01:00

I finally got my blog up and running with many back dated adventures yet to be written about. I shall attempt to start writing regularly, and hopefully won't be boring to read.

Adventures lined up.
Fri - Explore Norrköping
Sat - Snowboarding
Sun - Spree @ tornby

Well, shopping for cheap groceries and cooking becomes something I like to do now.

Stuff that I need to write about

2010-01-15T00:50:00.003+01:00

Its been long overdue, but I still need to write this stuff down so I'll remember.

duo1 chuan1 dianr3
This 3 words in mandarin was something that struck me on my second day in sweden. we were at a party in which the host was going to leave for japan within that week. he had invited martin, who in turn invited us. he was a nice chinese chap who was raised in japan. although we never met each other, he warmly welcomed us to his party. And before we left, he said the weather is getting colder, so "duo1 chuan1 dianr3".
I was taken into a scene of cold and harsh winters that peasants face. they were poor and helpless, and another of their peers who is going away, tells them to wear more warm clothes. I've heard it many times in english, but it doesn't move me as much as when I heard it that night. It was my first winter and I just arrived, and there had been more than a warm welcome. I count my blessings.

Sweden!

2010-01-13T11:05:00.000+01:00

I just touched down in Arlanda Airport, Stockholm. The flight was the same, but I survived without packing so conscientiously .It is now 0748 local time and we’re at macs having our breakfast although we had so much to eat on the plane. The cold here is something I’ve never experienced before. We took just a short 5 mins outside the airport and I could feel the biting cold against my face.

This is something that I planned to do for so long, and now I’m here, I’m having mixed feelings. We’re waiting for the sun to rise while enjoying our all familiar macs breakfast. Last night I had to bid good bye to a hoard of friends and relatives at the airport, it definitely made parting easier. And the person that I love so much was also there. She promised that she’ll wait for me, for my return in 6 months time. I am hopeful that our love will last.

The Adventurer's Food!

2010-01-11T23:39:00.012+01:00

This where I will post up recipes that I've tried whilst being forced by circumstances to cook and be a chef!

Pizza! (Recipe adapted from http://cook.dannemann.org.uk/mains/pizza/ )

Pizza dough
500g flour
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
300 ml lukewarm water
2 teaspoons dried yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar

mix yeast with sugar, and 50ml warm water. stand for 10 mins
flour+oil+salt
+yeast mix +250ml warm water
knead until smooth
let it sit for an hour, cling wrapped
roll and make pizza

Sauce
fry onions and little garlic, add tomato puree and oregano, basil leaves if have.

Banana Cake (Recipe from home )
400g flour
2tsp baking powder
360g butter
4 tbsp milk (i put about 2 times more milk)
1 tsp vanilla essense
0.5 tsp cinnamon powder (i put like 2 tbsp cuz i love cinnamon)
360g sugar
6 medium eggs
6 totally ripe bananas

melt the butter, mix in sugar then milk. mix till light and fluffy
+vanilla essense
+eggs, one at a time
+sifted flour, baking powder, cinnamon (well mixed)
+ripe mashed bananas

oven: 180deg 40-50mins

Beef Steak (My style)
marinate for 400g of steak
half a onion, diced
*1 and a half kiwi fruit mashed. sour ones preferred
4 table spoons soy sauce
2 table spoon oyster sauce
lots of black ground pepper
2 teaspoons of garlic powder
1 teaspoons ginger powder
3 teaspoons of grillkryda

Pork Chop
Courtesy of my mama.
Cut Pork slabs moderately thin, <1cm thick
chop (serrate) the chops
cross cut
tenderise
*if it's too thick then can chop both side if not it'll split
marinate individually on the serrated side (more surface area)
cover with pepper (white)
cover with soy sauce
little bit og chop garlic
beat egg yolk. add pepper
ground biscuits
kong guan plain crackers
mixture of finely n coarsely ground
dip in egg then biscuits

Roti John

(in preparation for a pot luck)

6 sausages, cut into thin slices

buns, cut into half. best if its white

half a onion

4 sub cloves of garlic, diced

4 eggs

get some oil going in the pan, throw in the garlic then the onions

add pepper and grillkryda and garlic powder, fry till a lil soft

throw in the sausages and fry till a lil crispy at the edges

beat the eggs with salt and pepper and grillkryda, add chicken stock cubes if you want

even out the sausages and the onions

*pour some beaten eggs on the pan

**immediately soak the exposed surface of the bread into egg and place face down on the pan

oil should be generous and hot

turn over to brown the other side

Beer Battered Fish!
(It was supposed to just be battered fish and chips, added the beer cuz joseph suggested and brought beer)

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon pepper
1 table spoon grillkryda
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup of beer

It didn't turn out as well as I imagined cuz the batter didn't really stick well to the dory fish, wound try having less milk and beer next time.

Meatballs!

The Swede style! (Martin says that the ones from IKEA are fake)

500g pork, 500g beef. Minced
2 eggs
1 teaspoon citron pepper (lemon peppar)
**1 packet onion soup powder
1 chopped whole yellow onion
2 table spoon black ground pepper

Mix all the above and then pan fry!
*high heat! brown the outside, then roll it in the pan.
If there is too much water coming out from the raw mince, drain and heat more before putting somemore oil

Mash
Boil potatoes skinless until they are almost disintegrated. Add nutmeg powder, sour cream and milk.