Author Archives: avnjl

About avnjl

Amanda is a lifestyle blogger who endeavours to better herself through reflective practises. She is known to be witty and analytical although at times she seems to be talking to herself. Cooking (food and literature) is therapeutic to her, so Indulge in her and perhaps drop her a note or two along the way? ;)

Conversations

Okay,

So i’ve unpurposefully isolated myself. 😀
Just kidding,
I didn’t isolate myself, and neither were things done purposefully nor unpurposefully.

Considering I had enough interaction during the working hours, with the kids mainly, I appreciate the quietness that comes when.. I don’t input and output much.

Then came the tons of Ice Shaken Lemon Tea I’ve been drinking. and of course, the amount of money I’ve thrown into the Starbucks card.

Especially and mainly because, you guess it, the interaction I get from the exchange with the Baristas.

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I only understood it recently that I would somehow bring myself to the SB nearby (like 3mins walk away) day in and day out to get that tea, not bcos I’m addicted to the tea, but because I look forward to that interaction with the Baristas.

Some days, its “Oh I want that Lemon taste to perk me up.”
Some days, its “I’m picking up groceries or breakfast, so hey, swing by.”
It just happens.

I took time to analyse the conversations and interaction, I came to this conclusion,
its that non-work, genuine smile, occasional sweet message on the cup (read successful marketing tactic enhanced by personal touch, as you can see from the photo above) that I went back for day in and day out.

Its especially because its non-committal, its non-consequential. Its a Hi, Weather talk/Acquaintance talk, Bye, thing.
Just nice for someone like me.

While I run away from extensive interactions, I run to this safe zone of communication. The duration, is the selection of the order, the processing of the payment, and that extra small talk when picking up that drink.

It intrigues me how understanding self becomes a coping mechanism. (I probably will be more messed up in the relationship department if not because of them). Its not necessary because the person is in a dire state thats why this was necessary, its simply bcos I’m a social creature. I am normal. (If the situation rings a bell, you are normal too, just not one of the larger crowd of norms).

OH and one thing I noticed about myself, or the my behaviour as a consequence of the situation(-as-a-whole), eye contact became an elusive act.
Because all these interactions are short and brief, including the dealings with the students, I don’t stay to maintain eye contact long enough. I had a verbal exchange with you, we understood each other, and we move on. Thats that.

Its like, “hey, what happened, why do I disregard eye contact these days. Yes, theres always that next thing to look towards, to glance over, but where did that sincerity in speech went to?”
Not that I wasn’t sincere, but I realise, it takes effort to maintain eye contact too. To stay and gaze, Interesting.

Begs the question, how long should a random conversation be? how long to show a person that you care?

For as long as both party is comfortable, I urge.

 

 

Thanks for coming by

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda

Expectations…

Sometimes, anticipating things beforehand gives one a false sense of expectation. Its only when we got there, engaged, then do we know how it really is.

To swim, to eat, to study, to live, to participate, to commit.

The key to it then is to anticipate all u can, n do the due preparation as much as possible. When you finally get in, strike at it w passion, when you finally get in, give it all u got and never look back. (Giving It All)

Because you are there afterall to figure it out. You are there to see to the end of things. You are there.

Anything thats worth doing, anything that has an expected end requires a plan, patience and long suffering.  (Commitment)

The world, in all its wonders and interaction is not controlled by you, you are just a participant, diff is you can control what u do n what you feel about it.

Know that we dont always get what we want, but also know that we shld always take stock of what we get n be grateful for them. (Expectation Management)

Life is what you want it to be.

Thanks for coming by

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda

Killer Breakfast

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I LOVE THIS! Its the regular Bee Hoon breakfast. But erm………..
I came to the realization recently that…… yeah… Lets really have it less.

 

I have
1. Fried (black) Bee Hoon
2. Cabbage
3. Fish Fillet
4. Fried Bean Curd
5. Fried Bean Curd sheet

 

These are my choices, other more popular side dishes would be
6. Taiwanese Pork Sausage (LOVE!!!!)
7. Luncheon Meat
8. Fried Egg
9. Hashbrown
10. Wu Xiang
11. Chicken wing

 

Lets break it down
1. Fried (black) Bee Hoon  – Rice vermicelli: Refined Carbs, Oil, Black Soy Sauce
2. Cabbage – Vegetable: Fibre, Oil, Salt
3. Fish Fillet – Processed fish (dont think we see traces of fish meat left), Flavor enhancer, Oil
4. Fried Bean Curd – Soya Beans, Oil
5. Fried Bean Curd sheet – Soya Beans, Oil, Refined flour

 

6. Taiwanese Pork Sausage (LOVE!!!!) – Processed Pork: absolutely no idea what are the parts, Oil
7. Luncheon Meat – Processed Pork: absolutely no idea what are the parts, Oil
8. Fried Egg – Egg, Oil
9. Hashbrown – Potato (whatever that is left of it), Oil
10. Wu Xiang – Minced pork, (depends on quality of manufacturing) other ingredients, Oil
11. Chicken wing – Chicken Meat & Skin, Oil

 

Tastebud straight to heaven, Diet straight to hell. and of course, ourselves straight to the gym/or any workouts suitable.  😀

 

Thanks for coming by

 

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda

ABC Breakfast

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HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR Everyone!!!!!

 

Okay, before we go chomping down on the Chinese New Year Goodies, I wanna recommend you this ABC Breakfast that I’ve adapted.

The first foods we introduce into our body is very important, I think it helps in deciding how the body functions or handle foods for the remaining of the day.

 

A for Apple
From the whole list in this site, I think 2 and 5 matters, cos it wakes you up and helps curbs reaching out for the next goodie 😉

Reason 2­- Apples help wake you up in the morning. Apples consist of fructose which is a natural sugar that takes longer to digest. This long lasting sugar will help provide stable energy for a greater period than even a cup of coffee with sugar. The fiber in the apple also helps to extend your energy, allowing for you to stay awake longer.

Reason 5– Get full faster and curb your appetite. The fiber found in apples helps to suppress your appetite by making you feel fuller. The fiber also helps you avoid the blood sugar crash which usually leaves you craving more food. Starting the day with an apple can help you crave less food later which is great for people trying to lose weight.

 

B for Banana
I only know Banana gives me energy 😀 thats all. Seems like there are plenty of other reasons and a freaking diet plan for it. But, I’m just putting 1 into the breakfast platter. 😉

2. More Energy

Even with the proliferation of brightly colored ‘sports’ drinks, ‘energy’ bars and ‘electrolyte’ gels (these are loaded with unhealthy chemicals and coloring by the way) you often see athletes eating bananas just before and even during sports.

Watching tennis for instance, it’s not uncommon to see the players snacking on a bit of banana in between games. If a banana can keep a professional tennis player going, it’s got to rank pretty well in the high-quality energy source stakes.

 

C for Carbs
Any form of WHOLE grains that gives you good carbs, simple carbs. Carbs give you energy~ like Banana~
Avoid Refined Carbs. Although Wholemeal bread is better than White bread, it is still not as good as WHOLE grain bread. Those bread that you can literally see the grains hanging out/around. 😉
I like mine spread with Canned Tuna or Salmon spread. Cant run from a little of those processed food isnt it? 😀 But protein ma. 😀
I would do triple deckers for breakfast before work. Dump in 2 slices of cheese and perhaps 4 slices of lettuce? 😉 Its the bomb! *wOoT! I look forward to going back to work breakfast already. 🙂 (But of course, not triple deckers anymore, need to cut down quantity in 2014)

Go Get It!

 

Thanks for coming by

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda

 

p/s: found this super old article on Glycemic extracts I wrote in 2010. Check it

http://www.avnjl.com/glycemic-index-extracts/

Fastfood Breakfast.. too fast

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listening to the symphony of fastfoods.. of cash register hitting the edge, of French fries deep frying, of shots of mayo on veg, of machines beeping. of soft drinks cup being filled, of salt being sprinkled over fries. of morning tunes over the air..

 

la di da.. la di da

 

 

Thanks for coming by

 

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda

Man

Praise the Lord!!

😀 I wanted to start the post with a curse word previously, but well, thought I should change it around instead

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In case you still didnt realize, I’m working in the education sector in Indonesia, Jakarta specifically. AND I am of a marriageable age. Pressing 30 now.

Yes, I posted plenty of post about marriage, choices, perspective, only short of the decoration of the ceremony and who is the man to be. 😀

okay, so this post is about the man to be.

 

Not that I have found any actually. Kinda hanging there, cos since I’m working towards the great woman behind the great man… Great man are really not that easy to find, or perhaps is just too busy to come find this great woman. 😀 Just kidding.

 

Anyway, so having been in the neighborhood of Indonesians… Generally non-english speaking, tan boys, I actually had a lot of thoughts. (Besides the idea that I totally open my eyes wide at Chinese boys when I go down the aisle of supermarkets in Singapore that is)

 

Its so much that I dont really know where to start.

 

Indonesian

  • The whole idea of marrying into a huge family scattered across states of Java and the different states of Indonesia
  • Or perhaps the parents pass and its a simpler story
  • So whats gonna happen if the man wants to come to Singapore and establish himself?
  • Whats gonna happen if the man prefers to stay in Indonesia?
  • Which country is my child gonna study in?
  • All that talk about advantage and privileges of mixed race
  • Am I ready for a taitai lifestyle (if it is to be)
  • Can my retirement plan be applied there? Just how versatile is this retirement plan of mine really?

 

Singaporean

  • okay. 
  • But no, having seen the more un-hurried side of life and understanding how it is like in Jakarta, I’m sadden by how Singapore has made man to be. How hard it is to live in Singapore. While I’m not absolutely in love with staying and working in Jakarta, I hope my man has a brain for himself, or at least the finances for himself/us/the family.
  • And since I’m working in Jakarta, possibly for another 1 or 2 years, is it gonna work out?  How is it gonna work out? I think this is my chief worry.

 

I used to date an Indian and I got all sorts of rejects and disapproval from the mom, and the talks/thoughts about marrying a chinese and just settling down in Singapore.

 

Hmm.. I reviewed the list, hmm.. these are just transitional problems. Think I shouldnt be overly involved/thinking about them. 🙂 As long as he is the right man, it’ll work out. 🙂 Choices right?

 

One of the biggest lesson I learnt in 2013 is definitely longsuffering. Still learning actually. Wait… Patiently… and due season it will come, everything will work out on its own in due season. 

But I still believe in going out there to see and be seen. Because this great woman will never be discovered by the great man if this great woman hides in a cave isnt it? 🙂

 

So dont be shy and wave hi if you see me dating, walking down the streets with a man okay? 😉

😀 Thanks for coming by

 

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda

Choose Marriage

WOH… looks like Amanda is in the “Marriage” mood. 😀 or so I say. 😀

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Site URL: http://www.mellowdramatic-lifetothefull.com/choose-marriage/

 

Choose marriage. Choose well. Choose to work on yourself first, choose to figure out who you are, choose to be healthy. Choose to believe that you are worthy of a good love.  Choose to come together not as two halves to form a whole, as if marriages were meant to repair you, but as two wholes to form a partnership.

Choose love. Choose to commit to that love, in sickness or in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, till death do you part. Choose marriage.

People throw around ‘happily ever after’ as if all marriages could be summarised as such, as if it were a foregone conclusion. It is not. It is something that needs to be guarded and nurtured, it is a sum total of all our choices. Choose well.

 

 

Thanks for coming by

 

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda