Some Facts about Blogging

According to Wikipedia (yes, again!), a blog is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries.

So, what is your reason for blogging? I guess mine is to share some thoughts or some information (new or old) with readers, not too personal stuff.

I guess, many of us use blogs as an online personal diaries. That is what I don't understand here. In the past, people wrote their personal thoughts and feelings in diaries. Some diaries even have locks so no one else could get hold of them and read from them. Or the diaries would be hidden some secret places.

Time has changed. Nowadays, everything is done online. Even personal (extremely personal) thoughts or feelings are posted online so others can read. Is there any privacy left anymore? Or everything nowadays are so open?

Some people get stressed or have problems at home, work or school. Rather than than facing their problems in REAL life situations, they post their feelings in the E-world. Does this make sense? So are we NOT going to solve the problems in real life? Apparently NOT. The bloggers don't actually want (or know how) to solve the problems at all. They use blogging to release their stress.

"Scientists have long known the therapeutic benefits of writing about personal experiences. Blogs provide another convenient avenue for writing about personal experiences. Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and reduces viral load in AIDS patients, and even speeds healing after surgery." (Wikipedia)

So, our problems are NOT solved by blogging at all. We just feel better, thats all.

If we put our heads in the sand, the problems will not go away. So, don't avoid it; just face it even if it feels really bad. It is, after all, part of the growing up and memorable life experiences.

My latest CD Collection plus reviews

I am so into CDs, as compared to downloading from websites. I think I want to support the artists. As for downloading iTunes, I dont have an iPod or whatsoever. I am a dummy to the new technology and gadget stuff. So I am still stuck with the 'traditional' CDs.

So, what did I buy in Singapore?

Spirit - Leona Lewis
Love it. The X-factor winner (2006). Her singing style is in between Mariah and Whitney. Favourite songs are "Bleeding Love" and "Footprints in the sand".

E=MC² - Mariah Carey
Same singing style as most of her albums. If you are a fan, you will like this album. If you just like her coz she is sexy, you too will like the album (cover and backslip pictures). Quite disappointed that the China version that I bought doesnt include the hit single "Touch my body". Wonder why? Maybe the song is too sexy for the China market. Or may be no touch touch in China.

Hard Candy - Madonna
This is her album R n B style, featuring Kayne West, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and many more. All her albums are of different themes, never repeats herself for a woman approaching 50s. Looking forward to her concert in Paris. But the ticket still hasn't arrived yet... Hmmm, kinda worried now.


Exclusive - Chris Brown
Bought this because of the song "With You", as it was sung by David Archuleta at American Idol. Don't know if I bought it for that reason. Haven't 'gone through' all the songs yet.

Jordin Sparks - Jordin Sparks
As a fan of American Idol, it is normal to buy the album of American Idol 2007. Like the songs "Tattoo", "No Air" and "This is My Now".




Coco - Colbie Callat
Who the hell is she? I don't know much about her. Only thing I know is that she rose to fame through MySpace.com. First heard the song "Bubbly" when I was having breakfast at the Circus Hostel in the wintry Berlin in Dec 2007. Fell in love with that easy listening song instantly, without knowing the artist, maybe due to the cozy atmosphere in Berlin. So no bias here.


Audio Day Dream - Blake Lewis
Like his voice - quite similar to Adam, the lead singer of Maroon 5. However I am not into beatboxing. So only like some songs from the album, especially the ballads from this runner up of American Idol 2007.

Eating Indonesian words

How does it sound when Bahasa Indonesian is spoken with Bahasa Melayu (Malay) pronounciation, and a Chinese accent?

This happened when I was reading the Top 10 Food To Try in Singapore from one of the Tourist Information booklet. The booklet is in Indonesian. Cut the story short, these are the Top 10.

Hainanese Chicken Rice (Nasi Ayam Hainan) - Biasanya makanan ini merupakan kombinasi ayam kukus atau ayam panggang yamg disajikan bersama nasi yang dimasak dengan kaldu ayam kental. Para ahli masak atau tentu saja akan menilai kualitas saus cabai, jahe giling serta kecap yang merupakan pelengkap sajian ini.

Chilli/Black Pepper Crab (Kepiting Cabai /Lada Hitam) - Kuah kepiting cabai yang manis berwarna merah menyalaka verhiaskan cabai segar, saus tomat, telur segar dan daun bawang. Sementara kuah lada hitam lebih menyerupai pasta kental dengan racikan lada hitam, lada putih, garam dan bawang putih.

Roti Prata - Hidangan menyerupai panekuk tipis berlapis-lapis ini terbuat dari tepung terigu yang diuleni berulang kali sebelum digoreng di atas wajan ceper panas.

Pork Ribs Herbal Soup (Bak Kut Teh) - secara langsung bisa diterjemahkan sebagai teh iga babi, masakan ini benar-benar terbuat dari iga babi yang direbus perlahan dengan api kecil dalam kaldu jernih - serta sejumlah herba Cina.

Rojak - Campuran buah dan sayur dengan tambahan tahu serta cakwe goreng. Saus rujak yang kental dengan rasa yang khas terbuat dari terasi, cabai gilinhg, gula, sari jeruk nipis dan kacang panggang.

Fried Radish Cake (Kue Lobak Goreng) - Kue ini terbuat dari campuran tepung beras, acar lobak parut dan telur dadar.

Laksa - Kari lezat yang terdiri dari campuran mi besar, udang, kerang, daging ayam dan perkedel ikan. Campuran masakan Melayu dan Cina ini dibuat dengan ramuan bumbu halus yang terdiri dari rempah-rempah, sejumlah bumbu daun, ebi, santan dan cabai sehingga menghasilkan keharuman khas yang kaya akan rasa.

Satay (Sate) - Sate versi Melayu Singapura direndam dalam saus manis berempah, dibakar sempurna di atas panggangan arang kemudian dicelupkan dalam saus kacang. Sajian ini tidak akan lengkap tanpa ditemani lontong serta potongan ketimun dan bawang.

Fried Rice Stick (Char Kway Teow) - Mi putih pipih lebar yang dikenal sebagai kwetiau ini merupakan makanan sempurna bila digoreng dengan kecap, telur, tauge, sossis Cina dan kerang, dengan panas tinggi dalam wajan wok yang kehitaman hingga menghasilkan aroma yang menggoda.

Curry Fish Head (Kari Kepala Ikan) - Daging kepala ikan yang manis serta potongan besar tomat, terung serta okra. Kuahnya bisa kental atau encer. Meskipun demikian, seperti apapun kuahnya, masakan ini tetap unik dengan kombinasi rasa manis, asam, pedas dan asin.