I have been banging a lot abt NHS, TTIP and in general rant abt the coalition govt. In particular- George Osbourne (Mr. That is not my job to chase tax dodger), David Cameron (Mr I can do what I want and wtf are you going to do abt it?) and Mr Jeremy Hunt (Mr homeopathy vs modern medicine and Mr Bully- http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/17/jeremy-hunt-nhs-bully-in-chief-health-secretary-staff). Ok, so some of FB friends might be sick of my status, but my status etc.

Anyway, as this is my journal, to record my insignificant day to day stuff, I am keen to have my say here too, on any issues I feel strongly about.

NHS, yes, the institution that swallows huge amount of money. In business sense it is difficult to see how it should work- to predict X amount for beds for different ailments/service at point Y time for Z amount of cash/budget for that year. It is weird because illness and crisis doesn't come in scheduled timetable, it just happens and we need access to healthcare. But NHS is awesome. Sure the bad press and statistics (though many were misrepresented) for "failures" but then bigger proves that whilst Cameron gallantly promised he would not touch NHS at last elections, he has. STH (Sheffield Teaching Hospitals) THIS annual budget is expected to make £40 million cut, which is £10 million more than they were originally told. I see this as divide and conquer for full privatisation. An old colonialism trick to gain full control of a territory, only this is use in business sense rather than administrative sense. Break it, sells off a bit of it, break it further, sell it all, money in hand, job done. The thing that gets me frustrated is a proportion of our taxes goes into NHS. *Our* taxes. NHS does not belong to Tories to sell it off to line their coffers with money and private contracts benefits. Yet they "speak" for us. No, they don't speak for me. We spoke up saying we do not want privatisation, yet they ignore us. How can we have confidence in them? How can they ask for my vote shamelessly??

And sadly Labour whilst using NHS as its political centre stage is all abt saving NHS, reversal of gagging law, the bite in voting for them is that 1) THEY ARE PRO TTIP (which is odd since NHS is STILL in TTIP deal). 2) Labour thinks if you are against TTIP you are against CAPITALISM and ANTI AMERICANISM- REALLY THAT STUPID?!) They are pro fracking (with some safe guards). So tell me, how their pledges is going to work?

The problem of TTIP deal is that it is being negotiated through EU as a whole, so if we are against it, we are against EU. This is a conflict because EU has been good in some respect- human rights for one and equality. Not so good for agricultural, fishing and farming- in fact their regulations on this have increased our risk to lose local business and sustainability and put certain local delicacies and jobs connected to that in decline. I am not anti EU, but it needs to reform some of its policies and it is more abt gravy train than actual working out on crisis and progression. If I am worried abt this issues, apparently I should write to my MEP. You see the irony? In fact 38 degrees have shown videos of what happened when 38 degrees members question the MEPs abt TTIP, and the result was pretty shocking. I have to wonder, how much at stake is on the line- ie how much money the individual parties and states stand to gain if they push through TTIP. Or what these companies have to threaten these ppl that they are too afraid to stand up against it. TTIP is one of those "complicated" thing that plebs like you and me don't understand. The scary thing is, I don't many of the MPs, MEPs, politicians understand it either, its impact. To be put simply, under TTIP, American companies can sue the govt for putting up minimum wages (to reflect economic inflation/standard of living), undermines food and drug safety laws (American FDA still allows certain pesticides and dangerous substances in some of their foods and I do not need to tell you abt the pharmaceutical practices in their healthcare system), undermines current health and safety laws. TTIP in its current toxic form is harmful and irreversible. And our NHS is in the TTIP deal. Are you not afraid? Well, I am. I fear for our futures under this. I already think I am screwed since I have so unfortunately develop a penchant of cell division going mutant. Believe me, I keep asking myself, what have I done to deserve that? Now that I am screwed for further life policies and any health care private policies, perhaps I have a bigger vested interest in these issues?

But I am interested in your views on all these issues. Whilst I have strong feelings abt them, I am willing to open my mind to debates, and if perhaps I got it all wrong. What say you on these or any of the subjects? Do we need TTIP? The NHS? Fracking?

FB post:

I know my status is full of NHS, TTIP, elections topic/rant and it is probably a big turn off for a lot of people. However, we are standing on the brink of no return with NHS and privatisation. There is no guesses why I feel strongly on this subject despite a few ppl telling their stories on how NHS have sadly failed them (admin fail, treatment fail etc- should not happen, agreed) , I don't think a privatised healthcare is going to be *any* better- I am convinced it will be worse, biased and poor service. Sure, atm if you have a BUPA or whichever extra insurance on top of your NHS to get extra scans and get to see someone quicker, it may seem like no big deal, however, that supplement will not be adequate at all under privatisation for a complete care at that price.

Why why why do LJ tend to "improve" their stuff by being awkward. I quite like the filter option of "journals only" when I do just want to read friend's lj and not ALL the communities I am in. I tend to read things separately.

And the navigation strip? Meh, I am not fussed but feels it makes my LJ looks messy.

Sometimes ppl forget to K.I.S.S.

And I am not an old dinosaur to new changes, it is just inconvenient to go to "Manage friends" crap to just read journals.

Oi, LJ developers, bring back the simple read filter options pls- if you don't know what I am referring to, it is the Journals Only, Community only etc etc. Or put that option in the spangly new navigation strip.

Yes, I have already commented on their newsfeed post but in case they MISS my point...

Metal Bunny is here!

This is the first time we did not have a Reunion dinner at home. I was in hosp being ill after G.A.

But perhaps next year eh?

Hope Bunny Year is kinder and nicer to all my friends! xx

Dear Royal Mail,

  What is the point of rearranging delivery time for today when your delivery man cannot be arsed to knock, shove another card in and assumed no one is in ? I appreciate this is the busiest time of the year, but I was in and stayed in especially for redelivery! *annoyed at the waste of time*

 No wonder Royal Mail is going under, you don't make it easy anymore to use your services, harder to arrange redeliveries ,more complicated pricing policies that really requires us to check for thickness/size is ok for normal stamp or get a bigger stamp at a post office but with closure of so many post offices... no wonder so many people are getting stung for insufficient stamps for X'mas cards when arrived which are only abit thicker if handmade!!

 Bah! I have no sympathy for you and a friend aptly name you Royal Fail has got it right! Poo.

 No love from a disgruntled customer.
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! *squishes*

May you have many many lovely surprises and surrounded with much love!

(yes, it is caf_pow  I am talking about!) ;)

Hahahahahahahaha! Leader? Hahahahahaha!

Those eggs I got have hatched into baby dragons and now thanks to octaneglow, they have matured to adult dragons! Yay! :)

Look!! Pretty!










http://dragcave.net/user/ju_bear

Today is the first day of Eid, marking then end of Ramadan for the Muslims.

I can only imagine the Malays in Malaysia being really excited when they woke up this morning, going to prayers, having breakfast and asking for forgiveness from the elders before heading out in their new clothes! :) I miss the open houses in Malaysia where Malay friends would invite us (non Muslims) to come and celebrate Eid with them, serving multitude of food and lots of it.  And it is a public holiday in Malaysia too. Lucky them!

Anyway, to all who celebrate Eid- Happy Eid Al Fitri! :)

Or in Malay Language: Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri!

I was slightly at odds today, am feeling quite tired and not with it, so I decided to stay home and make a nice Turkish dinner of grilled sea bream with some mini mezes (mezes all done) and find inspiration for belly dancing.

Soooooo... I stumbled upon this:




Yup, it is the Boomshanka girls with Cis! :D Fabulous!

We finally watched Bridge To Terabithia on dvd and I bawled my eyes out. I am such a softie. Good book, film was pretty good too even though there is some differences between the two.

Paul is tugging my ear to pay him attention. Better go and wipe my nose on his jumper then, that counts as attention, no? >;p

It is X'mas eve, we had been at the dim sum again with friends and now back home warming up with a cuppa tea. It is terribly wet outside!

I have no artistic talents to make a swanky e-card on my own and then to upload here, but here is something for ya all:

                                                                               

Yay! It is Friday! I don't know why it should matter to someone like me, but it does! *bounce*

Have a fabulous weekend everyone! :) *hugs*

Swiped from cyberkitty 

My LiveJournal Trick-or-Treat Haul
ju_bear goes trick-or-treating, dressed up as Black Widow.
bez_loves_pie tricks you! You get a block of wood.
bonedancer gives you 11 teal cinnamon-flavoured jawbreakers.
caf_pow gives you 11 light green lime-flavoured nuggets.
clarestar gives you 3 brown root beer-flavoured gummy worms.
cyberkitty tricks you! You get a broken balloon.
glitterybint tricks you! You lose 5 pieces of candy!
gwengothelf tricks you! You get a used tissue.
keitel tricks you! You get a toothbrush.
kerida_eira gives you 2 red-orange raspberry-flavoured pieces of taffy.
kinggoose gives you 2 red coffee-flavoured jawbreakers.
ju_bear ends up with 24 pieces of candy, a block of wood, a broken balloon, a used tissue, and a toothbrush.
Go trick-or-treating! Username:
Another fun meme brought to you by

Now, are you a right brain or a left brain user?

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22492511-5005375,00.html



Try it and see. :)

Needless to say, I am intrigued seeing your results. :D

... a nice mug of ginger infused hot chocolate on a day like this? :)

I am having a hot drink this morning and I didn't fancy tea or coffee. I kinda fancy chai tea flavours but not wanting tea, I decided to make a gingery hot chocolate as an experiment.

Infuse the milk with a slice of bashed fresh ginger (peeled) and some ground ginger, gently bring it to a simmer. In your mug, mix one teaspoon of proper cocoa powder with a bit of cold water to a paste, pour in the hot infused milk, stir and voila, a nice spiced hot chocolate to brighten up your day. Next time I will try with the other flavours of chai- cardamoms, cinnamon and cloves. Oh don't forget sugar if you like it sweet. :D Will let you know how the next experiment goes. :D

Oh, I have used soya milk btw, real milk gives me bad bottom. >:p

The Colour crayon meme:

You Are a Blue Crayon

Your world is colored in calm, understated, deep colors. You are a loyal person, and the truest friend anyone could hope to find. On the inside, you tend to be emotional and even a bit moody. However, you know that people depend on you. So you put on a strong front. Your color wheel opposite is orange. Orange people may be opinionated, but you feel they lack the depth to truly understand what they're saying.

... having...

Woah! The sun is back with a vengeance!! Need SPF cream! Jo, I forgot to ask you if you brought the Avon stuff! :p

Ok, how many ppl have read the latest HP book or not bothered reading it and don't mind having spoilers?

Am gonna have a filtered post for discussion or dissing the characters so would like to know who I should include in this filter.

If you are interested, say aye and I will add you to the filter and you will gain access to the post. :)

Watching the news, I was surprise when they said they had wantan bags in place for flood defence for this weekend.

My eyes lit up at the thought of the rows and rows of wantans/wantons as flood defence- woo hoo! Then Paul burst the delicious bubble and said...

"...ONE tonne  NOT wantons!" and then laughed and said "The headlines would be if it was wantons- We put in the defences but it disappeared overnight and we do not know what happened, oh here is someone who might be able to tell us.." *big burps in background*.

I think I should check my hearing, it is extremely selective! >;p

Those not on Sheffield Forum or not been checking, this is the link with rough guide to power cut times.

Hope this is useful.

http://ceelectricuk.com/page/power_rationing.cfm

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=229983&page=23

...fried eggyyyyyyyy bread... with cinammon sugar. Mmmmmmmmmmmm! :) And a nice cuppa hot chocolate. *bliss* That is my brunch sorted.

I had a hankering for  eggy bread today as I haven't had any at all this year or indeed even the end of last year.

I don't know how you do your eggy bread but ours in Malaysia have always been sweet. Just plain sweet fried eggy bread is called "French Toast" and eggy bread slathered with strawberry jam is called "Bombay Toast".  I have made coconut eggy bread before which is diiiiiiiiiivine which the bread is dipped in desiccated coconut after being dipped in sweet eggy mixture then lightly fried in butter.

Anyway, I was wondering, is eggy bread in Britain any different to mine? Is it savoury rather than sweet? I could google, but I would rather like to know what my lovely friends think/say. :)

How do you do your eggy bread? Or whatever you call them. :)

Pretty!


Click here to create your own painting.

As longhairedhippy has kindly pointed out in his LJ, the mojo meme that we did not too long ago has turned dodgy. Well the image is abit rude. And quite frankly, it may get you in trouble if that post has public access or viewed on school's computer. You can edit the image out easily enough or delete the whole thing. I have edited the image out but unfortunately had to delete comments where some of you posted your results as it also turned rather eeky and rude.

Pls see http://d1rtyf1lthy.livejournal.com/257310.html

Ah well, there is always some piss takers out there. Never mind.

The Social is at NBT this Friday. soul_rider took a poll in her lj and  general preference is for NBT this week.

So there should be no tantrums disappointment abt tea this week at least! >:)

We won't be at the pub this week again due to dinner plans, but maybe next week. Have fun though! :)

Repent, repent! Or rather, get dunked, get dunked! :p

Scary questions. :P

First Level of Hell - Limbo

Charon ushers you across the river Acheron, and you find yourself upon the brink of grief's abysmal valley. You are in Limbo, a place of sorrow without torment. You encounter a seven-walled castle, and within those walls you find rolling fresh meadows illuminated by the light of reason, whereabout many shades dwell. These are the virtuous pagans, the great philosophers and authors, unbaptised children, and others unfit to enter the kingdom of heaven. You share company with Caesar, Homer, Virgil, Socrates, and Aristotle. There is no punishment here, and the atmosphere is peaceful, yet sad.

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to the First Level of Hell - Limbo!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	High
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very High
Level 2 (Lustful)	High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	High
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Very Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Very Low

Take the Dante's Divine Comedy Inferno Test

Sorry guys, the Farmer's market is not on today. It was last Sunday 22nd April. I read the date for next one in May which is on the 27th and didn't think too much abt the date. I should have checked properly when told it was this weekend. Doh!

Sorry, cross eyed bear, you see. Or rather, eyes and brains don't seem to talk to each other much yesterday. :p

I lost the name of the first Wolf Daemon. It began with an I.

But I do love Wolves... beautiful animal!

Belly dancing tonight - usual time and place! :)

Yay!

I have to say, hits quite close to home.

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are balanced, peaceful, and sincere. You're the type of person who goes along to get along. And you're definitely afraid of rocking the boat. Underneath it all, you fear your world falling apart. You'll put up with a situation that you don't like in fear of changing it. Disruptive and forceful people intimidate you - and sometimes exploit you.

BooOOO!

(yes, I am slightly cuckoo today!)  :p

What projects are you lot involved in atm? (personal projects, not corporate related etc.)

Just thought I will open a conversation here really.

*silence*
*crickets chirping sound effects*

Does one have gravy of some sort over haggis with mash and neeps? Is that a no no to have with haggis? I checked on internet, but they seem to just mentioned cooked haggis with mash and neeps. I think they are called neeps... :p

All recipe ideas and tips are welcomed. You probably think it is odd for me to be excited over haggis but it is the first time I am having some, thanks to dear edy_! :D

Edit to say: It is strange that I am having a Scottish delicacy on St Georges Day! >:)  Happy St George's everyone! :)

Not as amusing as his though! :)

Oh and this is possibly suited for a "dirrrrrrty gal"! >:p

Get Your Sexy Name

Don't think being out in the hot sun today did me any favours apart from causing a throbbing headache which has made me slightly grouchy.

And it is a lovely day to go to Edy's too for BBQ. :(

Never mind, don't think anyone wants a grouchy headachey Ju around. I might try to nap it off.

Hopefully headache will be better by the time Dr Who is on or I shall be staring at a wall instead.

Anyway,  have a lovely time though wherever you guys are.

My phone was off all day yesterday as we were at the cinema. Today I had loads of text msgs waiting for me (woo hoo!) as well as one voice msg.

Funnily, I am sure it is kinggoose!  It wasn't a message, it was a running commentary between him and his wife on sausages. I think it was abt sausages... o_0 After listening to it for a minute and half and realising perhaps they didn't mean to ring me and leave a msg, I hung up. But I couldn't stop laughing. :) What a strange message that was.

So, was it you, my llama friend? :)

Is anyone gonna be at NBT early-ish? The man and I would like to come out and socialise today after being absent from the pub scene for soooo long. But at the same time, we don't want to be Billy no mates at the pub. :p

We were thinking abt between 4 something and 5-ish. What time are you lot going?

Happy Easter to everyone btw!

It is such a nice change to have a public holiday weekend to be sunny and lovely. Toying with the idea of bbq-ing tomorrow afternoon...

I fell asleep watching the play (How to disappear completely and Never be found) today. Not that it wasn't good, it was good, weird and thought provoking, but I think my body has finally decided that I need to sleep. I was warm and comfy, watching with interest and within 30 mins of play starting I was ZZzzzzzzZZzzzzz- ing. Paul nudge me gently abt 3 or 4 times- I was apparently snoring very very gently (pteh, I do not snore, I make sleepy noises very quietly! ;p ). And it was the best 30 mins sleep I ever had in the past 3 to 4 weeks.

How embarrassing...! :p

I am queuing up for dress rehearsal tickets on Wed for Cherry Ochard. Thing is, they are allowing only 6 tickets per person this time and I currently have 6 ppl on list already but if anyone who is free to come and queue early with me, I can get another 6. In fact if 2 ppl come with me, I can get 18 tickets for us and other interested party (whom I have already declined to due restricted numbers).

I am intending to queue for 9am. The last time I got there at 9.30am, I was already number 30 and even then they were struggling to find me a block of seats.

So if any of you care to come and queue with me, lemme know.

This is getting ridiculous... I miss those days when there wasn't a queue till 11am and even at 12 pm you could still get tickets for 50 ppl if you need to.

On my list to go are:
Me and Paul
Edy and Rory
Claire and Becky

www.dictionary.com defined deodorant as:

(noun)

1) an agent for destroying odo(u)rs.

In my head, there is this little can of deodorant in a tux and wee bit of Scottish accent:
"My name is Deo, Deo Dorant. Am a special agent for MI5, on Her Majesty's Secret Mission to eliminate all odours. Shake me, not stir!"

>;)

and then you all remind me what awesome friends you are. Thank you for being here for me! :)

*hug*

I made chinese braised beef  or red cooked beef yesterday for dinner and made enough so tonight's dinner is sorted too.

We had the pleasure of having le
kinggoose
 over for dinner and we had braised beef, bowls of mussels in garlic, ginger and chilli with a very little bit of  chinese black beans and stir fried veg (broccoli, carrots, peppers and mushrooms), oh and white rice. I hope he enjoyed dinner and had enough too! ;) We also had rice pudding with plenty of grated nutmeg for dessert too- well out of tins as I am too lazy to make a dessert. Then we watched Atlantis and Dresden Files together which was nice. Must have you and littlebrownduck
 stay over later on for a full night of wine, food and geekery of sorts. And yes, we have to come and see u! It is noted in my brain that we will come!

Other things I done in the day was meeting
edy_
 for lunch, grabbed 2 items from Tai Sun, met
longrat
 for a nice drink at SHU, went to Wilko to pick a small bag of compost and a quick whizz at the market to get some fab brisket and chives sausages from my fav butchers. I forgot to however get more garlic and am using the last one in the kitchen. Oops.

I had a lazy day today as it it the time of the month and cramps is just not my favourite visitors during this time. *sighs* But toast and peanut butter is the highlight of the day. :) That and soya milk. Hmmm, very adventurous today.

I hope tomorrow I will perk up abit and finish up some stuff.

Another beautiful day! :)