Amazing guitar player

I was forwarded this video. Something this inspirational ought to be shared. Listen to the way Tony Melendez from Nicaragua plays. Beautiful! He was born without arms!

Road Safety

When I read what Patrick posted in his blog, I was reminded of photos I'd taken a few months ago.
No, I did not take the photo because I am a fan of Mercedes Benz. Look again...


Yup, 3 head sticking out of the sun roof! Someone who has enough brain to make $$ to buy a Mercedes Benz doesn't have the brain to keep his/her children safe! This car was going at least 90km/h on Jln Ulu Klang which is a highway!

How to enforce rear seat belts? I've lost count of the number of times when I've seen toddlers and children sitting in the front passenger seat with an adult. Both adult and children not buckled up. Also lost count of the number of times when I've seen toddlers standing on the front passenger seat in a car travelling at least 80km/h. Perhaps the toddlers' parents are training them to be the next Evel Knievel.

First attempt at making...

On a whim, I decided to try making some plain bao as Laura loves them. Also I had bought some "Pau Flour" a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd better use the special flour before the weevils get to it. Well, too late... The packet, even though unopened, was Planet Weevil!

When I searched for Bao recipes, I found a steamed bun recipe which used plain flour! Whoopee! Too lazy to get my hands dirty, I used the bread machine :D Dumped in all the ingredients and then set on Dough setting. When the machine sounded, I looked in and my heart sank! The dough didn't rise and it was way too dry. Yikes, I'd missed out 1/2 cup of water! 1 cup of water already added ma, how come another 1/2 cup of boiling water?? Since the dough was already in the machine, I heated up some water until it was slightly hot but not boiling. Didn't want to risk breaking my machine for some buns eh? Reset the setting and hoped for the best.

When the timing was up, which on my breadmachine was 1 1/2 hours from mixing to proofing, I took out the dough, greased a mixing bowl and let the dough proof for another 45 minutes. That did the trick. The dough rose beautifully! From then onwards, I followed the recipe and here's the result!
Fluffy, light baos! Now I want to try making Char Siu Bao!!

Yes We Can Can

When I'm feeling down thinking about the way our country is going down the drain, I remember the lyrics to an inspiring song by Harry Connick Jr from his album, "Oh My Nola".

Lyrics to Yes We Can Can :
Now is the time

Now is the time for all good men
To get together with one another
Iron out our problems
And iron out our quarrels
And try to live as brothers
And try to find a piece within
Without stepping on one another
And do respect the women of the world
Just remember you all have mothers
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give

I know we can make it
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, great, got your money
Yes we can, I know we can can

Take care of the children
The children of the world
They're our strongest hope for the future
The little bitty boys and girls
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give

I know we can make it (I know that we can)
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, great, got your money
Yes we can, I know we can can

We can do it, Malaysians, if we stand up and speak up!