I just read a friend's report on her blog about the use of modern technology. Okay she might have a right to have her own opinion but she is more from old schooling habits still. It's bad enough to hear from my parents about the negatively of modern technology. Sorry to say boys and girls the past is now the past! If you can't keep up with the Jones (so to speak) you won't get anywhere in this world. Modern technology will get so advance (like in one of the Back to the Future movies) every household (of all ages) has to use it, otherwise you won't survive.
We are now in a new century so it is expected to deal with the changes of just about everything from the law to modern technology use. Personally the law might be over the top with some rules (or not the right law from the past continue in some cases)
I think its great to have internet as most of my family and friends are not local to communicate with. Since my 16yo daughter lives with her father, use of facebook messaging is the only way to communicate with her privately without any interruptions from other household members at this address.
When I first joined Facebook and twitter I was pretty well into it like a teenager for hours and days but after a year or so later I really died down in usage. But this year as I had a major lifestyle change I really have dropped in hours of using social media as I just don't have the time to use it all day like some people can do.
Yes....I have a life of being a single mum now, serious about job hunting and plans on studying soon too, bowling and more into paper crafting activities which takes up alot of my spare time. I like to keep busy with the interest I love so you can't say I am the kind of person to be sitting on my donkey all day with the laptop. Only watch TV at night but most of the time I record the shows I like and watch at a later date.
But I do to have internet connected because its the way of our the society works. Looking for employment is more on-line done now as there are so many companies and agencies who are on-line. In the long run its more convenient to send an email to a potential employer then waiting a day or two for the envelope to be sent via snail mail. It's easier to delete an email then wasting all that paper use to snail mail an application with a resume.
My opinion on modern technology! Yes...its the best thing they invented! The only downfall is the age of the user. I don't think children under 5 should use it at all as they don't have alot of English knowledge to read at that age. Maybe primary schools shouldn't use it either because it takes the focus away on writing skills on paper. Senior high school is the right age to use computers as the students have larger assignments to do.
As for facebook it should be only use for people over 18 as there are too much adult content shared on media for all ages to see. Or there should be a limit on what you can post on the wall. Not everyone wants to know what you do every minute of your life. Mainly share a post from elsewhere I feel its appropriate to share or share the good achievements I or my children have completed.
That's all for my opinion on this matter. It's up to you if you want to share your thoughts in the comments session.
PS The best thing I love about my laptop, it can fix my spelling errors (when I am creating a document) as I am always making mistakes when I send SMS to some people from my mobile phone.
Thursday, 17 July 2014
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Life is too short!!
What is your general reaction when you hear a celebrity passing away? For me it all depends on who the celebrity is, the age factor and the reason cause of death?
Over the years I have noticed there has been alot of celebrities passing due to illness or accidents. It's more the young ones involved in accidents that intend to shocked me the most.
The latest toll would have to be Paul Walker. A young 40yo actor was killed in car accidnet on the weekend. Now that incident really shock me!! He became famous for playing the character as an uncovered agent in most of the Fast and the Furious. He was currently working on the number 7 sequel.
I have seen all the first five movies on DVD in one weekend. I was planning to see number 6 at the cinema but the time ran out. Guess I will have to watch it on DVD before I see number 7 (if it continues in production) at the cinema.
Princess Di was another celebrity to unexpectedly passed away in 1997. Where were you at the time of the media annoucement of her death? We were on the road travelling to visit some relatives when we first heard of the car accident happened. It wasn't until the return trip home we heard she had died. I did watch her funeral on TV. Did you? I was more sad for her boys to grow up without their mum. Now I see them all grown up. She would of been a proud grandma to see her first grand child named George.
Then there was Steve Irwin who died about 7 years ago. Well.......I always thought it was going to be a crocodile to get his revenge on him. May lost his life but more likely it might of been a lost of a limb. So it was abit of a surprise to hear it was a stingray that got him. He was only a young guy with a young family to leave behind. He might be a caring person to wildlife but he loved to play with danger with some dangerous wildlife animals.
Life is too short!! None of us know when our time is up. The best way to remember our famous stars is the way they portrait their life to be well known. To all the celebrities in heaven, rest in peace! Probably the only time I get to met a celebrity is when I joined them in heaven.
 |
| RIP Paul Walker |
The latest toll would have to be Paul Walker. A young 40yo actor was killed in car accidnet on the weekend. Now that incident really shock me!! He became famous for playing the character as an uncovered agent in most of the Fast and the Furious. He was currently working on the number 7 sequel.
I have seen all the first five movies on DVD in one weekend. I was planning to see number 6 at the cinema but the time ran out. Guess I will have to watch it on DVD before I see number 7 (if it continues in production) at the cinema.
Princess Di was another celebrity to unexpectedly passed away in 1997. Where were you at the time of the media annoucement of her death? We were on the road travelling to visit some relatives when we first heard of the car accident happened. It wasn't until the return trip home we heard she had died. I did watch her funeral on TV. Did you? I was more sad for her boys to grow up without their mum. Now I see them all grown up. She would of been a proud grandma to see her first grand child named George.
Then there was Steve Irwin who died about 7 years ago. Well.......I always thought it was going to be a crocodile to get his revenge on him. May lost his life but more likely it might of been a lost of a limb. So it was abit of a surprise to hear it was a stingray that got him. He was only a young guy with a young family to leave behind. He might be a caring person to wildlife but he loved to play with danger with some dangerous wildlife animals.
Life is too short!! None of us know when our time is up. The best way to remember our famous stars is the way they portrait their life to be well known. To all the celebrities in heaven, rest in peace! Probably the only time I get to met a celebrity is when I joined them in heaven.
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Cookery tips and techniques
Lately I have been experiencing to teach myself on how to cook meals on a lower budget. Basically it's cheaper to purchase meat packs from your local supermarket and add meal packets (sauce) and/or vegetables. Also those pasta packs where you just add milk and water are great value for the family. I had use these for a long time on days I have a busy schedule. Add meat and/or vegetables can make the pasta meal more tasty.
Someone in a goggle group forward some cruisine tips and techniques which I thought it was worthwhile sharing on my blog.
Peel the rind off citrus before juicing, or using the fruit and, store in the fridge to use in a plastic bag, or it even freezes well.
Perfect cuts:
Use an electric knife to slice through cinnamon roll dough rather then a serrated knife or dental floss.
the electric knife doesn't smash or tear the dough.
Coffee Treats:
When you have leftover whipped cream, place it in a pastry bag with a star tip and pipe it onto parchment paper on a baking sheet and freeze. When frozen, transfer them into freezer bags and they are ready to top hot drinks, or desserts as needed.
Hollowing Tomatoes:
Use a small 1/4 tsp metal measuring spoon.
First remove stem, then cut into the tomato with the edge of the spoon.
Scoop out seeds with the bowl of the spoon.
Grate Butter
When making scones or biscuits, grate butter on the large hole side of a cheese greater instead of cutting
it with a knife. Makes the whole process easier and less messy. You will find that scones will come out better too.
Hold the butter by the wrapper and to prevent it from melting from the warmth of your hands.
Instant soft butter:
To soften butter quickly, place it in a resealable plastic bag, and use a rolling pin to beat and flatten the butter. It softens very quickly then.
Sticky Situation:
Bottles with sticky contents, corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, etc: can be a hassle to keep reopening.
So, before using the bottle for the first time, wipe the thread with a light coating of cooking oil.
The lid will never stick and won't be difficult to open again.
Easy Chile Seeding:
To seed jalapenos without gloves, cut off both ends of the chile.
Stand it on a cutting board and slice down it's sides, removing the flesh around the core.
Discard the core with the seeds.
Chocolate Grating:
When you need just a bit of chocolate for sauces, ganache or a quick topping, try using a graters large holes.
Hold the chocolate by the wrapper to keep from melting.
To store, seal the grated chocolate in a plastic bag and keep in a cool dark place. Not fridge or freezer.
Roll out the Salad
Salad dressing is not much good when tossed with a bowl full of wet geens.
Here's a solution when doing small amounts and you don't want to use the salad spinner for just two small salads.
Wash greens, and lay them on a clean towel and roll them up like jelly roll fashion, then unroll and make a salad with dry lettuce. If you do a larger amount, to keep stored in the fridge, the towel will absorb water and then slowly feed it back to the leaves, keeping them fresh for up to a week.
The result is crisp, clean and dry salad that will not have rust spots.
Someone in a goggle group forward some cruisine tips and techniques which I thought it was worthwhile sharing on my blog.
Peel the rind off citrus before juicing, or using the fruit and, store in the fridge to use in a plastic bag, or it even freezes well.
Perfect cuts:
Use an electric knife to slice through cinnamon roll dough rather then a serrated knife or dental floss.
the electric knife doesn't smash or tear the dough.
Coffee Treats:
When you have leftover whipped cream, place it in a pastry bag with a star tip and pipe it onto parchment paper on a baking sheet and freeze. When frozen, transfer them into freezer bags and they are ready to top hot drinks, or desserts as needed.
Hollowing Tomatoes:
Use a small 1/4 tsp metal measuring spoon.
First remove stem, then cut into the tomato with the edge of the spoon.
Scoop out seeds with the bowl of the spoon.
Grate Butter
When making scones or biscuits, grate butter on the large hole side of a cheese greater instead of cutting
it with a knife. Makes the whole process easier and less messy. You will find that scones will come out better too.
Hold the butter by the wrapper and to prevent it from melting from the warmth of your hands.
Instant soft butter:
To soften butter quickly, place it in a resealable plastic bag, and use a rolling pin to beat and flatten the butter. It softens very quickly then.
Sticky Situation:
Bottles with sticky contents, corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, etc: can be a hassle to keep reopening.
So, before using the bottle for the first time, wipe the thread with a light coating of cooking oil.
The lid will never stick and won't be difficult to open again.
Easy Chile Seeding:
To seed jalapenos without gloves, cut off both ends of the chile.
Stand it on a cutting board and slice down it's sides, removing the flesh around the core.
Discard the core with the seeds.
Chocolate Grating:
When you need just a bit of chocolate for sauces, ganache or a quick topping, try using a graters large holes.
Hold the chocolate by the wrapper to keep from melting.
To store, seal the grated chocolate in a plastic bag and keep in a cool dark place. Not fridge or freezer.
Roll out the Salad
Salad dressing is not much good when tossed with a bowl full of wet geens.
Here's a solution when doing small amounts and you don't want to use the salad spinner for just two small salads.
Wash greens, and lay them on a clean towel and roll them up like jelly roll fashion, then unroll and make a salad with dry lettuce. If you do a larger amount, to keep stored in the fridge, the towel will absorb water and then slowly feed it back to the leaves, keeping them fresh for up to a week.
The result is crisp, clean and dry salad that will not have rust spots.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Buying and selling assets
Over two decades ago I learnt about buying and selling items at school. I knew some point in my life as an adult I will experience buying and selling a car and/or a house. But this year it seems it was both the car and a house. My new car is now 9 months old and going very well still.
On the other hand selling the house is abit more of a challenge. We first purchased this house privately from a relative 11 years and now we decide to sell for personal reasons. It's our first time to sell a house. We are going through a real estate agent. And what a headache is! The hardest part is to always keep the house respectable for protential buyers.
In September we had the house on the market. In the first week it was supposely been sold to a young couple. But afte the building inspection was completed, this couple had a change of heart in buying. It shattered my dreams as I had planned to move by now. Afterwards we had another person interested in buying but they had issues of getting finance.
After the building inspection was done we had to make some changes. Also the market value was reduced as some people thought the price tag was abit too high for this general area of buying.
Sometimes I can't make plans to do things as I never know when the real estate agent will phone to say a protential buyer is coming over. This week alone we had four protentials. Might have found a buyer as they are interested in our house. We should know by Monday if we got lucky with this sale.
Here's a fact sheet to share for anyone who plans on buying their house for the first time. http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumerprotection/PDF/Real_Estate_industry/Publications/Industry_Publication/Buying_home_through_agent_2011_WEB.pdf
On the other hand selling the house is abit more of a challenge. We first purchased this house privately from a relative 11 years and now we decide to sell for personal reasons. It's our first time to sell a house. We are going through a real estate agent. And what a headache is! The hardest part is to always keep the house respectable for protential buyers.
Sometimes I can't make plans to do things as I never know when the real estate agent will phone to say a protential buyer is coming over. This week alone we had four protentials. Might have found a buyer as they are interested in our house. We should know by Monday if we got lucky with this sale.
Here's a fact sheet to share for anyone who plans on buying their house for the first time. http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumerprotection/PDF/Real_Estate_industry/Publications/Industry_Publication/Buying_home_through_agent_2011_WEB.pdf
Friday, 6 September 2013
Uses of Ziplock Bags
There are probably many ways to use Ziplock bags but here's a few tips I heard from other sources. If there is other areas you can think of, feel free to share in the comments section.
1. Knead dough. Place dough in a Ziplock bag so your fingers don't get sticky. Or slip your hand into the bag and wear it like a glove.
2. Store panty hose. Nude, Tan, etc. - they look the same out of the package. Tear off the corner of the package listing the brand, size, and color, then slip it into a bag. Store each pair in its own bag to keep hose organized and prevent snags.
3. Remove chewing gum or candle wax from a tablecloth, a couch, or carpeting. Gently rub gum or wax with a bag filled with ice cubes until the substance hardens. Shatter gum with a blunt object, then vacuum up the chips. Carefully peel off frozen wax with a plastic spatula.
4. Pipe frosting. Snip off a tiny corner to use a Ziplock bag as a pastry bag.
5. Store homemade soup. Fill up bags, then lay them flat in the freezer. When the bags of soup freeze flat, you'll be able to pile them up like stacked books for easy, space-saving storage.
6. Protect precious cargo. No bubble wrap? Slip a straw into the top of a nearly closed the bag and inflate. Remove the straw and seal to make a cushion. (Heirlooms, however, should wait for that bubble wrap.)
7. Break up graham crackers or vanilla wafers to make a pie crust. Fill a bag with the cookies, then roll a rolling pin over it.
8. Prevent a handbag from turning into a snow globe. Store pressed powder and other compacts in the bags.
9. Gather herbs from the garden. Before winter frost sets in, wash, pat dry, and freeze the herbs in the bags.
10. Ice an injury. Fill a bag with ice cubes to create a cold compress.
1. Knead dough. Place dough in a Ziplock bag so your fingers don't get sticky. Or slip your hand into the bag and wear it like a glove.
2. Store panty hose. Nude, Tan, etc. - they look the same out of the package. Tear off the corner of the package listing the brand, size, and color, then slip it into a bag. Store each pair in its own bag to keep hose organized and prevent snags.
3. Remove chewing gum or candle wax from a tablecloth, a couch, or carpeting. Gently rub gum or wax with a bag filled with ice cubes until the substance hardens. Shatter gum with a blunt object, then vacuum up the chips. Carefully peel off frozen wax with a plastic spatula.
4. Pipe frosting. Snip off a tiny corner to use a Ziplock bag as a pastry bag.
5. Store homemade soup. Fill up bags, then lay them flat in the freezer. When the bags of soup freeze flat, you'll be able to pile them up like stacked books for easy, space-saving storage.
6. Protect precious cargo. No bubble wrap? Slip a straw into the top of a nearly closed the bag and inflate. Remove the straw and seal to make a cushion. (Heirlooms, however, should wait for that bubble wrap.)
7. Break up graham crackers or vanilla wafers to make a pie crust. Fill a bag with the cookies, then roll a rolling pin over it.
8. Prevent a handbag from turning into a snow globe. Store pressed powder and other compacts in the bags.
9. Gather herbs from the garden. Before winter frost sets in, wash, pat dry, and freeze the herbs in the bags.
10. Ice an injury. Fill a bag with ice cubes to create a cold compress.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Spring Cleaning idea
The best way of cleaning dirty grout from your tiled floor without using harsh chemicals.
Ingredients
7 cups water
1/2 cup baking soda
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup vinegar
Method
Pour the combined ingredients into a spray bottle and spray your floor. Let it sit for a couple of minutes then scrub
Saturday, 10 August 2013
The Ingredients in Cow's Milk
Water
The main component of milk is water, around 87 per cent. Water is necessary for the newborn calf and also serves as a carrier for all the other ingredients in milk.
Carbohydrates
The majority of carbohydrate content of milk is lactose. Lactose is a sugar that serves as the main source of energy for the newborn calf. However, for lactose to be digested the enzyme lactase is necessary. All human babies have this enzyme but only some retain it after weaning. In fact, most of the world's population are unable to digest lactose after infancy. That's why lactose is the most common food allergen. The reason for the absence of lactase in many children and adults is evolutionary. No other mammal species needs this enzyme after weaning and therefore, given that it would be redundant, the body simply stops producing it as it's genetically programmed to do so. Drinking milk after infancy is just not what nature intended.
Protein
The proteins in milk can be divided into two categories - caseins and whey proteins. Caseins can be very difficult to digest, are often causing allergies and have been linked to type 1 diabetes. Caseins are so tough they are even used as a basis of some glues! The amount of protein in cows' whole milk is around 3.3 g/100g (3.4g in semi-skimmed milk) while it is only 1.3g/100g in human milk. Moreover, the ratio of caseins to whey proteins is 40:60 in human milk but it is 80:20 in cows' milk. Calves need extra protein because they need to grow fast. Human babies, on the other hand, need less protein and more fat. Not only is the higher amount and wrong ratio of proteins in cows' milk difficult to digest, it also contributes to acidic (unwanted) reactions in the body that may weaken bones.
Fat
While cows' milk always contains saturated fat - and this 'bad' fat is completely unnecessary for humans - it contains only traces or very little polyunsaturated fats that are not only essential for human body but also have a whole range of beneficial properties (eg are anti-inflammatory).
Fat Whole milk (g/100g) Semi-skimmed milk (g/100g) Human milk (g/100g) Total 3.9 1.7 4.1 Saturated 2.5 1.1 1.8 Monounsaturated 1 0.4 1.5 polyunsaturated 0.1 Trace 0.5
Vitamins and minerals
Small amounts of these vitamins and minerals are found in cows' milk: Minerals sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride, zinc, iron (very low levels), selenium, iodine and trace amounts of copper and manganese Vitamins retinol (vitamin A), carotene, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, pantothenate, biotin, vitamin C and trace amounts of vitamin D Hormones and Growth Factors Cows' milk contains a cocktail of 35 hormones and 11 growth factors. This cocktail is meant for a calf and is perfectly suited for the growth and development needs of a calf. However, these hormones/growth factors can accelerate cancer growth in a grown-up human body because there's nothing else to grow but malignant cells. Two of the biggest concerns are the oestrogen and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) content of milk as both are linked to breast and prostate cancers in humans. Even small increases of IGF-1 raise the risks of several other common cancers including lung and colon cancers. IGF-1 is not destroyed during pasteurisation.
Infectious particles and somatic cells
Dairy cows are prone to disease and due to large numbers of cows on farms and the intensivity of production, diseases spread fast. In the UK, cows suffer from a range of infectious diseases including brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, foot and mouth disease, mastitis, viral pneumonia and Johne's disease. As a result various contaminants can occur in milk. Mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) is very common. It is caused by bacteria and leads to the whole udder or a part of it being inflamed, swollen and very painful. The cow's body responds to the infection by producing white blood cells (somatic cells) that combat the infection in the udder. These cells, together with dead cells and waste products of the inflammation are components of pus and are inevitably excreted into the milk. Milk containing up to 400 million somatic cells per litre is perfectly legal to be sold in the EU.
The main component of milk is water, around 87 per cent. Water is necessary for the newborn calf and also serves as a carrier for all the other ingredients in milk.
Carbohydrates
The majority of carbohydrate content of milk is lactose. Lactose is a sugar that serves as the main source of energy for the newborn calf. However, for lactose to be digested the enzyme lactase is necessary. All human babies have this enzyme but only some retain it after weaning. In fact, most of the world's population are unable to digest lactose after infancy. That's why lactose is the most common food allergen. The reason for the absence of lactase in many children and adults is evolutionary. No other mammal species needs this enzyme after weaning and therefore, given that it would be redundant, the body simply stops producing it as it's genetically programmed to do so. Drinking milk after infancy is just not what nature intended.
Protein
The proteins in milk can be divided into two categories - caseins and whey proteins. Caseins can be very difficult to digest, are often causing allergies and have been linked to type 1 diabetes. Caseins are so tough they are even used as a basis of some glues! The amount of protein in cows' whole milk is around 3.3 g/100g (3.4g in semi-skimmed milk) while it is only 1.3g/100g in human milk. Moreover, the ratio of caseins to whey proteins is 40:60 in human milk but it is 80:20 in cows' milk. Calves need extra protein because they need to grow fast. Human babies, on the other hand, need less protein and more fat. Not only is the higher amount and wrong ratio of proteins in cows' milk difficult to digest, it also contributes to acidic (unwanted) reactions in the body that may weaken bones.
Fat
While cows' milk always contains saturated fat - and this 'bad' fat is completely unnecessary for humans - it contains only traces or very little polyunsaturated fats that are not only essential for human body but also have a whole range of beneficial properties (eg are anti-inflammatory).
Fat Whole milk (g/100g) Semi-skimmed milk (g/100g) Human milk (g/100g) Total 3.9 1.7 4.1 Saturated 2.5 1.1 1.8 Monounsaturated 1 0.4 1.5 polyunsaturated 0.1 Trace 0.5
Vitamins and minerals
Small amounts of these vitamins and minerals are found in cows' milk: Minerals sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride, zinc, iron (very low levels), selenium, iodine and trace amounts of copper and manganese Vitamins retinol (vitamin A), carotene, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, pantothenate, biotin, vitamin C and trace amounts of vitamin D Hormones and Growth Factors Cows' milk contains a cocktail of 35 hormones and 11 growth factors. This cocktail is meant for a calf and is perfectly suited for the growth and development needs of a calf. However, these hormones/growth factors can accelerate cancer growth in a grown-up human body because there's nothing else to grow but malignant cells. Two of the biggest concerns are the oestrogen and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) content of milk as both are linked to breast and prostate cancers in humans. Even small increases of IGF-1 raise the risks of several other common cancers including lung and colon cancers. IGF-1 is not destroyed during pasteurisation.
Infectious particles and somatic cells
Dairy cows are prone to disease and due to large numbers of cows on farms and the intensivity of production, diseases spread fast. In the UK, cows suffer from a range of infectious diseases including brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, foot and mouth disease, mastitis, viral pneumonia and Johne's disease. As a result various contaminants can occur in milk. Mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) is very common. It is caused by bacteria and leads to the whole udder or a part of it being inflamed, swollen and very painful. The cow's body responds to the infection by producing white blood cells (somatic cells) that combat the infection in the udder. These cells, together with dead cells and waste products of the inflammation are components of pus and are inevitably excreted into the milk. Milk containing up to 400 million somatic cells per litre is perfectly legal to be sold in the EU.
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