Monday 19 September 2016

A girl, a friend, but not a girlfriend

Watching the first 3 seasons of TBBT, you would think that Sheldon would never, in a million years, have a girl friend. (When most people characterized Sheldon as narcissistic, I do think he is more of content in his own way than being narcissistic) Then, the writers present us Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, Ph.D, and this is the starting point of Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper, B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D slowly growing into a more affectionate, open-minded person.



1) How it started 
We really have to thank Howard and especially Raj, for making the effort.





2) You've Got a Friend in Me
Sheldon and Amy started to develop a very sweet friendship, spending the next four months communicating with each other on a daily basis since they first met. I am sure they found each other fascinating since they are more similar to each other than anyone else. They know how each other thinks, they have logic that is very obvious to both of them, and only to both of them (see how they play Counterfactuals)

Sheldon's new friend Amy 

Sheldon's first date

Their Counterfactuals Game



3) The first 'break up'
Of course, in any healthy relationship, we argue, we disagree and we fight. For Sheldon and Amy, their friendship 'outlived its utility' when Amy belittled Sheldon's occupation as a theoretical physicist. Sheldon terminated their friendship and adopted 25 cats as a substitute for Amy. Of course, this problem was easily solved by Mrs Cooper, using reverse psychology to make Sheldon offer to reconcile with Amy.

The fight

Reconcile



4) Amy held Sheldon's hand
Then, their friendship started to evolve. We see Sheldon's first sign of jealousy.
Sheldon preferred to assume that Amy has contracted an alien parasite than the reluctant conclusion that Amy is sexually aroused by Zack. Of course, to our relief, Amy chose Sheldon's intellect over Zack's looks, and even held Sheldon's hand. I like the idea how Sheldon did hold her hand back and uncharacteristically did not pull his hand away and he let his hand be held.

The Diagnosis

The Experiment



5) Fun together, as friends
They have lots of fun together as friends. They conducted social experiments (Look at you, getting me to engage in the social sciences. You're a vixen, Amy Farrah Fowler.), they danced, they kissed. Of course, Sheldon may not want to cross the line of being just friend so they agreed to treat their relationship like a "crashed computer" and restored it to the last point it worked for both.

Amy getting Sheldon to engage in the social sciences

Amy and Sheldon dancing

Amy kisses Sheldon



6) Sheldon got jealous
However, no matter how Sheldon wishes to deny, still, we do know that he has feelings for Amy. When Leonard told Sheldon that he had a great time with Amy, Sheldon karate hit him on the shoulder and angrily retorts "She is not for you. Not for you!"

She Is Not For You



7) They cuddled
When Amy got really upset, and not returning any of Sheldon's various digital attempts to contact her (I tried email, video chat, tweeting her, posting on her Facebook wall, texting her, nothing), Sheldon came into her rescue. Amy made clear what Sheldon could do for her: “At this moment, I find myself craving human intimacy and physical contact.” So, even though Sheldon is uncomfortable with human physical contact and has germophobia, they cuddled......

Sheldon And Amy Cuddle



8) Sheldon wanted to win her back
When Stuart asks Amy out on a date, Sheldon seems to not mind though it becomes obvious later on. He friended Stuart on Facebook to find out how they date, he tried to make Amy jealous by trying to ask Penny out for a date. Even though Sheldon still insists that Amy is a girl who is his friend but not his girlfriend, he wanted to know what are the ways to get her back.


妈妈不在家之食谱(五十八):Yorkshire Puddings

上一回发神经突然间弄了个自己从来没有吃过、完全没有概念的Yorkshire Puddings,觉得好玩,决定用这个作为我的DOE project。



我还是以Jamie Oliver的食谱为基础,但这次稍微做了一点儿更改。

Yorkshire Puddings食谱:
材料:
猪油(上一回用olive oil)
鸡蛋两粒
100g 面粉
140ml 牛奶(上一回用100ml)
*牛奶和鸡蛋都放入器皿后,我稍微加了一些水,让液体共260ml
盐和黑胡椒作调味

步骤:
1. 前一晚把鸡蛋、牛奶、面粉和调味料打散,收在冰箱内。隔天早上拿出来,尽量给它恢复室温。
2. Preheat the oven to 230°C.
3. 在cupcake tin里涂上猪油。我为了尝试不同猪油分量的成品,我在每三格里用了不同分量的猪油。j结果发觉没太大分别。
4. 把涂上猪油的cupcake tin放入已热的炉内,热上15分钟
5. 把热了的cupcake tin取出,倒入batter(我又自作聪明,想要在每个洞里放上不同分量的batter,看看有什么不同,结果其中一个放太少了,比其它洞内的都提早变褐,吓死我妈,烘到一半,发得好漂亮的一碟,被妈妈取出来硬行挖出了快焦的那粒,结果其他几粒又稍扁了)
6. 放入炉内烘23分钟。



chili beef Yorkshire Puddings配料)食谱:
这样子可以下chili paste了
材料:
猪油一匙
牛肉碎
九层塔切丝
chili paste(我偷妈妈的sambal udang酱料,简单又好吃。哈哈)

步骤:
1. 锅里猪油热了就加入牛肉碎中火炒一炒。
2. 牛肉半熟时就可以加入九层塔丝。
3. 熟透前加入chili paste大火再炒一炒就可以上桌。

卖相不错哦


不知道英国人怎么吃,但我这“盈式Yorkshire Puddings”肯定合我自己的口味。哈哈!

我的Yorkshire Puddings反过来刚刚好有个小杯口,放我的牛肉刚刚好

妈妈不在家之食谱(五十七):山姥叶牛肉蛋


阿姨带了一大把她自家种的山姥叶(Google了一下,才知道这名为蒌叶,又称青蒟,蒟叶,真蒟,槟榔蒟),我决定物尽其用,就简简单单弄个煎蛋吧。

材料:
猪油一匙
鸡蛋一粒
牛肉碎适量
蒌叶十来片,洗净,切成丝


调味料:
黑胡椒适量
酱油少许
这样子就可以倒下鸡蛋了

步骤: 
1. 鸡蛋里加入黑胡椒和酱油调味,打散后放一旁备用。
2. 锅里下一匙猪油,油热了就把切好的萎叶丝丢下去爆香
3. 然后加入牛肉碎大火炒之。
4. 在牛肉碎还没熟前就把鸡蛋倒入锅内。
5. 在鸡蛋已经快要成型但还有些生的蛋在上面时,就可以把鸡蛋对折成半。只要双面都已经金黄就行啦~

Sunday 18 September 2016

关于“妈妈不在家食谱”

这年头,在马来西亚觅食,有一种越来越可悲的感觉。以前的人生活简单,你点一碗面,人家就老老实实给你捧一碗货真价实的面。现在你点一碗面,可能是个外劳正心不在焉地灼面,可能是老板为了高效率用之前准备了冷冻起来的食物翻热……有时候,我们究竟在吃些什么,都说不上来。

两年前我开始写妈妈不在家食谱时,用意其实很简单,我想要鼓励身边几位渴望吃得健康却懒得下厨或害怕下厨的朋友,煮一餐饭其实很简单简单。像我这样一年进厨房没几次的人都可以下厨,那么,谁都可以成为厨师了。(没想到,这么久了,我还在写。而我这种不事生产的懒人,分享出来的都是三十分钟两菜一汤的食谱,绝对适合天下懒人。)

最近,可能为了当年成都开往亚丁山路上一个不知名的小镇里一家不知名的小店内的那碟蕃茄炒蛋,可能为了读了那些Farm-to-table的当懂,可能人有了年纪,我开始想要多吃自家种的菜。而我的‘下厨’经历也顺理成章地多样化起来。

除了偶尔上网看食谱,偶尔自己在厨房内胡搞,偶尔想要复制某些菜肴的味道,最近,我也玩‘清淡禅味’。比如说,我会拿些香菇茎和红枣煮汤,然后到自家菜园剪几茎红笕菜,洗净后放在碗里。香菇茎红枣汤开始飘香后就一勺一勺地淋在红笕菜上。滴几滴生抽就上桌了。喜欢味道浓郁的人必定喝不入口,可是我爱!香菇红枣本来就各带清香,而现摘现煮的红笕菜又有着嫩嫩的口感。细品,就有土地踏实的味道。



这妈妈不在家食谱,不管妈妈在不在家,我应该会继续写下去吧。对我而言,这像探索自我,像成长的味道……

Saturday 17 September 2016

Guilty Pleasure

Watching The Big Bang Theory every now and then is definitely a guilty pleasure for me.

I am still trying very hard to make sure I continue to learn new things, to grow, to be, to live a balance life. However, sometimes, I need a break.

Blame this smile!
Recently, because I am slightly more free than usual, because TBBT Season 10 is coming up real soon, because I start to follow Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik on Instagram, when I need a break, I watch The Big Bang Theory clips online.

I know. I'm hopeless sometimes. Blame Sheldon and the gang!! Mainly, blame Sheldon! Oh, and blame Jim Parsons blue eyes!!

Oh, and I definitely going to blame ShAmy, my favorite TV couple.

Amy and Sheldon relationship is not what normally people think relationships are supposed to be. Sheldon being Sheldon, taking those tiny steps, doing those small gesture, and truly believes he is in the best relationship ever. To me, that relationship is actually more intimate than anything else on TV to date.


The Evolution of ShAmy:


Friday 16 September 2016

Sydney 2 Days Layover

在安排我们的纽西兰之旅时,为了我们一家人(三个乐龄人士,一个一岁半的宝宝)可以好好歇息,我安排了在悉尼layover,以减短一次性长时间的飞行,也顺便让家人到悉尼走马看花。

去纽西兰之前的悉尼游
严格来说,我们的旅程的第一站就是悉尼。这时,大家都仍然精神奕奕,所以我选择把第一站弄成“悉尼一日游”。

我选择住在Sydney Central YHA。因为它地点非常方便,就在Central Station对面,又与Chinatown毗邻,夜里找吃比较少麻烦。
Sydney Hop On Hop Off Route

要在悉尼走马看花,最容易的就是买了Hop On Hop Off巴士票坐在‘开篷巴士’上,在悉尼所有重要景点中穿梭。

如果你是第一次到悉尼的话,我建议你早点儿醒,先乘Bondi & Bays Explorer到Bondi吃早餐,Hop On Hop Off回到Central Station后再乘Sydney Explorer到Sydney Fish Market吃午餐,然后到Royal Botanic Garden漫步、吃下午茶……一路走到Mrs. Macquarie's Chair,再沿着海堤一路走到Sydney Opera House,吃个晚餐,看蓝天白云转为夕阳西照……然后跳上最后一趟巴士回到住宿。

我们因为不想走得太吃力,选择睡到自然醒,近中午了才慢条斯理地跳上Hop On Hop Off巴士。老人与小孩游嘛,当然是越轻松越好。所以我们只选择性的在Bondi Beach, Sydney Fish Market和Sydney Opera House下车,名副其实的‘游车河’。

Bondi Beach

Sydney Fish Market

坐在巴士上看得更清呢!

Sydney Opera House

巴士上看悉尼夜景

兰州拉面


交通花费:
KST Airport Shuttle从悉尼机场到Sydney Central YHA - 每人AUD17 (四岁以下小孩免费)
Hop-On Hop Off Bus - 六十五岁以上的AUD30, 我们每人AUD35
Taxi 从 YHA 到 Sydney 机场一辆AUD36.50

住宿花费:
Sydney Central YHA 5-beds family room 两晚共AUD334

食物花费:
Five Star Kebabs 五个AUD40
Sydney Fish Market午餐五人共AUD92.90
兰州拉面晚餐五人共AUD78.90
在机场吃早餐五人AUD45.50




从纽西兰回到悉尼

这严格来说是我们的旅程的最后一站。我猜大家都累垮了,所以一早安排行程时就已经决定在这儿无所事事。

我选择了地点上佳的Sydney Habour YHA,要么呆在rooftop休闲处一览Sydney Harbour美景,要么出去看看The Rocks neighborhood

View at rooftop - sunrise

View at rooftop - sunset

View at rooftop - at night

Australia Hotel beside the YHA

Susannah Place Museum behind the YHA

Bought ourselves some nice chocolate for afternoon tea

The Rocks at night


交通花费:  
机场到YHA, 四人乘sedan-size taxi AUD57.15,所有行李和八人乘van-size taxi AUD90
Taxi from YHA to airport 每人AUD 10.00

Sydney Habour YHA住宿花费:
6 Share Female Private Bathroom AUD260
Double Room Private Bathroom with View AUD202
5 Bed Family Room Private Bathroom AUD225

其他花费:
Luggage storage at YHA:大的四小时AUD5,中的四小时AUD4 
Cruise Bar五人午餐AUD 110


Hobbiton Movie Set
Waitomo Glow Worm Cave
Woodlyn Park - 圆我的Shire梦
Auckland
兰州拉面
Sydney Fish Market
Sydney Habour YHA
The Rocks, Sydney

澳洲之七天七夜流水帐(2014年)
澳洲之悉尼印象(2014年)


Other itineraries:
2017 - Germany: Upper Middle Rhine Valley One Day Tour (Stay tune)

Thursday 15 September 2016

The Rocks, Sydney

虽然这不是我第一次到悉尼,却是我第一次到The Rocks。如果我曾经到此一游,我相信我此次的Sydney + New Zealand 13D13N游必定会有不一样的安排。

这地方,实在适合小资,适合漫游,适合游荡…… 

我们从Sydney Habour YHA出来,绕了个大圈,一路缓缓地往Circular Quay走去,享受悉尼艳阳高挂的美丽秋天。



The Rocks 是悉尼历史比较悠久的地区,自十八世纪以来的建筑物在这里随处可见。那些梯级、那些石砖路、那些雕栏玉砌……叫人一晃间就回到了过去。









在街道上走,两旁都是迷人的咖啡厅和餐馆。处处飘香咖啡、缤纷糕点……如果可以,我希望自己有时间,坐在街边小凳,喝杯咖啡,看街上人来人往。我可以就这样子坐上三天两夜。







而当我们终于到了海边,坐在Cruise Bar户外,一面欣赏Sydney Opera House海景,一面吃午餐。我们又不想走了。




夜里,这区域不减迷人风采。咖啡厅暖暖的灯光下像老电影般浪漫而遥远,空无一人的街道上像黑白电影般沉默而极致。灯光照处几分怀旧斑斓,黝黑夜空下几分无奈沧桑。









我用遗憾的心情,在微凉的秋天早上,告别……




Wednesday 14 September 2016

Sydney Habour YHA

我们从纽西兰的回航,选择在悉尼停驻一晚。而我知道老人与小孩必定累了,所以我在安排行程时决定在这一天无所事事。为此,我选择了地点上佳的Sydney Habour YHA,如果我们真的太懒惰,我们甚至可以坐在rooftop休闲处一览Sydney Harbour美景。勤力一点的话,出去走走则是迷人的The Rocks neighborhood。

青年旅舍坐落在文化古迹区,底部还有几处古迹发掘处。旁边他们的The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre(真对不起,我每一次走过,都要读一次这名称,然后和薇相视而笑)

The BIG DIG Archaeology Education Centre

Art pieces in the hostel

Sydney Harbour View at the Rooftop


除了地点一流,我也为了这青年旅舍设备齐全。免费Wi-Fi、专业又宽广的厨房、舒适的电视厅、屋顶休闲与烧烤处等,确保我发呆在旅舍里也不会闷着。

Rooftop

TV lounge

Part of the fully equipped kitchen

我们订了一间6 Share Female Private Bathroom AUD260,一间Double Room Private Bathroom with View AUD202和一间5 Bed Family Room Private Bathroom AUD225。把行李存放后就兵分两路了(自助的行李存放设备价钱合理,大的四小时AUD5,中的四小时AUD4)。

年轻一组到悉尼城市暴走去,我们老人与小孩没打算走远,只好好的享受The Rocks地区。

旅舍附近的梯级,很有时光的味道

吃了午餐,我们回旅舍休息。我到屋顶作画、在屋顶等日落。好惬意。

屋顶看日落

晚上,甚至懒惰觅食,直接到Countdown买了基本的食物回旅舍煮一餐简单的晚餐。

隔天早上,特意早醒,想要逆着冷风在YHA屋顶拍日出。我想象中以Sydney Opera House和Harbour Bridge作题材,必定好看,怎知道夜里来了辆大邮轮停泊,大煞风景。可是,这无阻我们喜欢Sydney Habour YHA。



晨曦中的The Rocks

两姐妹在晨旭里……