Bridge towards my Dreams

This is the bridge which links 

my rebellious adolescence to adulthood

my dreams to reality

my doubts to understanding and knowledge

这是一座连接着

叛逆的少年时代与成人时代

梦想与现实

疑问与解答

的桥

Love Snacks? 无零食不欢？

Who doesn't like snacking all day long? You snack in front of the television; you take some nibbles to keep you awake before the examinations or during long, boring speeches; you snack during reunions.

Months later, you stood on the scale, and...

"AAARRRGGGHHH!!! I gained another 5 kilograms! I eat little, I skip meals even and move a lot!"

I believe most of you face this dilemma, right? I did. Whether you are trying to lose weight, gain weight or simply to maintain overall well-being, snack REALLY matters! Snacks can actually add to your girth, blood pressure levels, blood sugar levels, etc. if done the wrong way. Done right, you can enjoy snacking while being in the perfect picture of health.



The list of snacks are, well, endless, particularly the unhealthy ones.


If you have a sweet tooth, instead of reaching for these:
假如你嗜甜，与其吃这些：

• Cendol (600cal/cup)

• Ais Kacang

• Nyonya kuih 娘惹糕

• Skittles

• Mentos

• Other artificial sweets

Why not have these?
为何不选这些呢？

• Apple

• Orange

• Papaya

• Fruit Salad 水果沙拉(nutrition depends on the fruits and dressing used)

• Yogurt with berries 酸奶+莓果

• Any fruit that is rich in fiber and low calories (So, no durian!) 任何富含纤维又低卡的水果（不要榴莲！）

I am a durian lover too, but one piece of durian flesh contains around 54 calories. Who stops at one?
我也很爱榴莲，可是一颗榴莲就有54大卡。谁只吃一颗榴莲呢？

I'd rather have 7 rambutans (7cal each) or 25 longans (2cal each) or an orange (45-55cal, medium size). Anyway who eats 25 longans??


If you crave for rich, creamy snacks, instead of reaching for these:
假如你要浓郁的小吃，与其吃这些。。。。。。

• Ice cream

• Cheesecake

• Any dessert with coconut milk 有椰浆的甜品

Go for these!
不如吃这些吧！

• Celery with peanut butter (or any nut butter) 芹菜+花生酱（或任何坚果酱）

• Julienne vegetables with hummus dip 蔬菜条配hummus

You can spruce up your snacks with these add-ons too!
你也可以为小吃添加以下的东西哦。

Rich, creamy and calci-yum! 浓郁+钙质

• Cottage cheese 乳酪 (100g=98cal, 22% daily calcium DV)

• Ricotta cheese           (100g=138cal, 27% daily calcium DV)

• Sesame powder 芝麻粉（1 tbsp=9g=52 cal, 8% daily calcium DV)

• Yogurt 酸奶 (Greek, nonfat) (1 c0ntainer=170g=100cal,18% daily calcium DV)

*You can use yogurt as a dip rather than eating the entire pot as well.)

Sesame has MORE calcium than dairy! Yippee! :D
芝麻含钙比奶制品高呢！

If you crave for crunch, instead of reaching for these...
假如你要爽脆口感，与其吃这些。。。。。。

• Popcorn at cinemas 戏院卖的爆米花

• Fried chicken

• Sandwich biscuits 夹心饼 (e.g. Oreo: 3pcs=140cal, main ingredient is SUGAR. Can you stop at THREE?)

Try these instead! They give you the crunch you desire while sneaking in nutrients too.
试试这些吧！它们不但有着大家喜欢的香脆口感，而且还会在你不知不觉的情况下提供营养。

Soda crackers 苏打饼 (4pcs=120cal)

• Choose crackers WITHOUT sugar and/or cream. The sugar and cream only provide empty calories without filling you up.

• 选择没有糖霜和/或琪琳的饼干。糖霜和琪琳只提供卡路里，却没有饱足感。

• Avoid crackers with SUGAR as the first ingredient.

• 避免以糖为主要原料的饼干。

• If you ever come across any biscuit labelled "9 grains", "chia seeds" etc. , don't be fooled into thinking that it is a guilt-free snack! Don't believe me? Try reading the label to see how much such nutritional stuffs are added in. The FIRST THREE ingredients are the main ingredients. You are better off eating the real stuff.

• 假如你看到任何有“9 grains"、"chia seeds"等等标签的饼干，别以为这类饼干吃多也无妨！”不相信？看看成分吧。标签上的前三个原料既是主要原料。还是吃原装材料好了。

Nuts 坚果类

NOTE: Nuts are rich in protein and other essential nutrients, such as magnesium, iron and omega 3-fatty acids. Besides, they are rich in heart-friendly monounsaturated fats. However, they are calorie-dense too since they are primarily fat, so, eat in moderation.
坚果类富含蛋白质和其他营养，如：镁、铁质和omega-3脂肪酸。它们也富含不饱和脂肪酸，对心脏有益。不过，它们以脂肪为主，热量含量较高，享用时适可而止。
Examples:

• Pistachio nuts 开心果

• Almonds 杏仁

• Walnuts 核桃

• Cashews 腰豆

Vegetables 蔬菜

Some vegetables are nifty and have the crunch that you need! They are nutrient-rich and calorie-poor too, provided that you do not ruin them with heaps of sauces or worse, make them into vegetable tempura.
有些蔬菜容易携带，还有大家喜欢的香脆口感哦！蔬菜富含营养，热量又少。只要你不要加太多酱料或把它们制成甜不辣就可以了。

• Asparagus (27cal/cup)

• Carrot sticks 切条胡萝卜 (50cal/cup)

• Celery sticks 芹菜茎 (16cal/cup)

• Cucumber slices黄瓜片 (15cal/cup)

• Corn 玉蜀黍 (77cal/medium ear)

Chips

Of course, for chip lovers, you can still enjoy the savoury crunch minus the fat and unpronounceable ingredients! (i.e. they must be BAKED with little oil and some seasoning for flavour)

脆片爱好者，只要下一点点心思，就可以享受咸香爽脆的口感，又不用担心摄取不必要的脂肪和化学品。（少油，配上一点点简单调味料，然后烤脆片）

• Apple chips
• Kale chips
• Potato chips
• Sweet potato chips

 
  

Tasty add-ons to snacks:

Spiced Dessert 香甜甜品

Cinnamon powder 桂皮粉

Honey/Agave nectar

Unsweetened jam 果酱（无添加糖）

For savoury flavour 咸香小吃

Italian herbs 意式香料

Black bean powder 磨碎黑豆

Miso 味噌

Ground peanuts 磨碎花生

Nevertheless, the best way is to SNACK ONLY IF IT IS REALLY NECESSARY, e.g. true hunger and post-workout. Snack in moderation too, preferably 1/3 the amount and calories of your real meal at most. Find other ways to get out of boredom or cure your emotions rather than snacking!

不过，最好是在有必要的时候才吃零嘴，比如：非常饿的时候和运动后。吃零嘴也要适量，最好是正餐的分量、热量的1/3以下。假如你心情不愉快或觉得很闷，看看有什么东西可以做，而非吃小食！

Kopitiam Menu #1: Coffee

A little ceramic cup
Steaming hot yet cold enough for sips
Brimming with the aroma
Subtle enough to be savoured
across time, at grace.


Beans gently toasted and roasted
Like fragrant little black pearls,
And soon grounded into powder
So fine, like brown flavoured fragrant sand.

Hot spring waters flow into the brown sand
in a dainty little mug.
No mud, no filth-
It is the elixir of energy and wholesomeness
left in a cup.

The smooth, warming black liquid
Beckons people to slow their hurried pace
For that moment of warmth and
A relaxed invigoration.



The milk, swirled in like clouds
Renders this bittersweet black beauty
fair, yet tanned, but next to Heaven.

The black beauty, filled with mystical whim,
manifests herself into pretty angels
Some bitter, some sweet, some even as
pieces of art.

Her beauty is everywhere,
from high-end cafes to the streets.
Young or old, rich or poor,
She is so well-loved
that her beauty extends beyond her years.

Yet, she needs no more adornment
as beautiful as she is
by herself.

Kapsiao: 绿油油咖啡馆背后的故事

大家好！今天我享尽了味蕾上的享受，肚子医得很饱，所以就很有力气去kapsiao了，哈哈！（你在讲什么废话？）

咖啡馆是个让人们放松心情，谈天说地甚至是拍拖（？）的场所。其设计简洁时尚，浓浓的咖啡香弥漫着咖啡馆的空间，让人觉得心情舒畅，也是个社交的好去处。轻松的环境加上一杯热腾腾的咖啡，最适合让朋友畅谈。

还有还有，对像我这个功课永远也做不完，睡觉是个奢侈的学院生来说，咖啡馆是个能提供安宁的读书天堂。考试将即时，咖啡有助提神，精致可爱又甜入心扉的蛋糕、小点等，配上轻音乐，原本像一千斤重的担子，顿时松了下来。我更能专注读书。哦，我忘了，咖啡点的网速，是学院的乌龟网速远远比不到的！哇咔咔！

我本人就超级喜欢咖啡，尤其是纯咖啡，即没有加料的那种，越浓越好。对我来说，咖啡就要仔细品尝，让咖啡的苦甜味儿轻轻挑逗味蕾；轻轻地嗅下咖啡的香味，让头脑放松。照这样来说，我应该会喜欢espresso吧？很遗憾的，espresso太小杯了，一下子喝完后就没了，而且其价格不菲，普通的学院生哪里能负担得起啊？！

我一生中好像只喝过一次espresso，就是小学时候。那时，我们全家到一家新开的咖啡馆用餐。妈妈点espresso；我点拿铁。服务生同时端上拿铁和一杯小杯咖啡。那杯咖啡真的很小，大约只有两寸高。我们还以为那杯咖啡是拿来淋拿铁的，所以我们就把那杯少到不行的咖啡淋拿铁。好香哦！

等了半小时，espresso还不见踪影，而其他菜肴都已经上桌了。妈妈就叫来侍应生，问他espresso在哪里。侍应生一脸讶异地指着小杯子说：“This is the espresso!”原来，那个小不点就是所谓的espresso！一口就能喝下的东西价格如此高昂，算了。我告诉自己：我以后都不会叫espresso了！

我就是那么三八，呵呵。

其实我对咖啡的要求不会很高，即使是街边的Kopi O，也足够让我心满意足、心旷神怡了。不过，不管外面的咖啡多香多美丽，妈妈自己泡的姜味咖啡，最淳朴，也最能提神暖胃。

至于我的“咖啡馆”，为什么它那么绿油油呢？

很简单，因为我喜欢绿色！

绿色是植物中的主要颜色，象征万物生气蓬勃，也代表生命中充满希望。比如野草，不畏风吹雨打，不畏践踏，从石缝里茁壮成长，迎接阳光。

多看绿色东西，比如大树，养神又养眼。

绿色象征和平。绿色并不会太抢眼，也不会太暗淡。她尽好本分，衬托万物中其他绚丽的色彩。正所谓“红花还要绿叶扶”。绿色是个会平衡风风雨雨的颜色。

绿色代表安全。比如：过马路时，红色代表停；绿色代表走。动物们的家也是绿色的，因为它们的安乐窝，就在繁盛的丛林里。家，是一个人生活中最安全的避风港。

绿色也能平复心情，让人心神安定，能从各方面思考、解决问题，并能沉稳地走过挑战重重的人生路。

绿色是大自然的主要颜色，它为自然带来生机、健康。假如绿色不健康，哪来的"Go Green"、多吃蔬菜等等的运动呢？哈哈！

既然我无法常常上咖啡馆，而又酷爱绿色，秉持着对咖啡浓浓的爱和绿色带来的安定效果，我就把它们融入我的部落。

希望读到这一篇和以后的帖文的你们，能一样觉得轻松，感受大自然的美。

晚安！

读书，怎么办？Time to Study and I Feel Like... HOW?(Part 5)

Having Monday blues? Wish that the week will soon whizz past and that weekend break will be here soon?

Chill babe! Ha ha. Be rest assured that you will enjoy your schooldays as long as you view it positively and carry the right method in studying. I mean, learn and play!

And yes, despite the long school hours, you have absolutely NO REASON to complain about. You travel to school by bus, got fetched by your parents, or cycle, or walk there. At least, PLEASE BE HAPPY FOR THAT! "Winners never quit, quitters never win", remember?

在星期一，觉得郁闷、心烦意乱吗？希望时光快点流逝，周末加快脚步到来？

冷静下来啦！请诸位尽管放下心头大石，因为，你们其实能逍遥自在地享受校园生活。其实，校园生活压根儿不恐怖！读书，快乐又简单！嘻嘻嘻······

材料：

一杯乐观态度
一杯坚决不渝的上进心
三杯努力
半杯信心
适量挫折

用正确的读书方法把全部的材料搅匀即可。

还有，只要你能安全地上学，你就没有抱怨的地位。因厌恶上学而抱怨者，简直就是“身在福中不知福”！

Is there any reason for us to dread schooling? Look at these Indonesian kids who risk their lives for a proper education. Team, SALUTE!!!
看这些勇敢的印尼学童，为了争取完美教育，不惜生命危险。肃立，致敬！

Here's How you can pass by your days in school worthily, without getting bored or stressed up!

那么，如何在少压力、精神奕奕的状态下，好好度过校园生活呢？

#1: SIT IN THE FRONT ROWS 坐在前排

Unless you are ready to below par, always choose the front seats in class or the laboratory. Thus, here is my naughty trick: Book the front seats in the class for your friends and you at the first day of school! Yes, this sounds horribly childish and selfish, but it will certainly do you a lot of good! First come, first served right? Keep your head up if somebody chided you for booking the places when  he himself is late. You deserve the best! Ha ha.

I had tried sitting in front, in the middle and behind the class before. (Yes, we have the awful habit of running around places just to get close with our besties) By sitting in front of the class, it is easier for you to focus and pay attention to the teacher. Well, it is simply because you will be more likely to get spotted by the teachers!

课室或实验室前排应被视为首选，方为上上之策！雪人给你们这个诀窍：开学时，能早则早，早到校为自己和朋友订好前排。此举看似幼稚无比、自私寒酸，不过，毕竟先到先得嘛！

我就曾经试过在课室不同位子上课的效果：前排、中排、后排（我班同学就是有这种坏习惯：为了和朋友在一起，擅自换位！）坐在前排，就比较容易专心上课。（或许是因为较容易被老师睨视你的一举一动的关系吧！）

#2: FOCUS 100% IN CLASS

Pay full attention to your teacher's lessons ALL THE TIME! No talking, no fooling around, no text-messaging (here, on paper slips). Since most of the learning processes happen in the classroom, there is no reason for you to turn a deaf ear to your teacher's speeches. Once gone, it's gone! So how if you feel like dozing off in class, but fear of the "bullet" which travels at the speed of light? (Yes, the "bullet" is actually the duster thrown by teachers towards sleeping students in class)

只要有老师在课堂的每一秒，就要洗耳恭听。不许讲话，不能胡闹、不要传纸条······学习过程大都在课堂发生，那么，你们怎能对老师的金句装聋作哑呢？老师的教导就只有那一瞬间，只有那宝贵的一次！

Excuse yourself to the toilet and wash your face. Splashing cold tap water to your face actually renders you refreshed. Better still, if you wash your eyes at the same time.

得到老师允许后，去厕所洗脸。用冷水洗脸，会使你觉得清新，精神奕奕。

Excuse yourself for a drink. Drinking water provides oxygen to your body and revitalises your body. (Please, no soft drinks or canned coffee!)

Stretch your legs-under the desk! This keeps you alert, too! Plus, your teacher won't be able to notice it. Be sure to rest your legs once in a while though, and don't kick those in the front.

在书桌下伸展双脚。此举不但能使你保持清醒，老师也不能发现！不过，记得要偶尔使双脚休息，而且小心不要踢到前排！

It is better to take down notes while your teacher is babbling through the lesson. Besides supplementing for the previous notes that you had made, it helps you to focus and train your writing speed. Best of all, you will not return to dreamland any sooner!

老师在课堂内唠唠叨叨时，哦，不，训话时，就要赶快记下笔记。这能帮助你拥有更完整，更强的笔记。此外，你会更专心上课，训练写字速度，并不至于昏昏欲睡。

#3: BE VERY ACTIVE IN CLASS 在课堂展现活力吧！

Don't be shy; being shy will bring you to nowhere. Pump up your guts by raising your hand to answer any questions asked, or to read any passages when required, or better still, to ask questions to clear your doubts. By raising your hand, you are telling your teacher that you have a strong passion towards learning that particular topic. The teacher will not even rebuke you for every silly little mistake done; he will be even happier and appreciate your response! You learn from mistakes!

别害羞啦！马来谚语就有这么一句："Malu bertanya sesat jalan"嘛！打起十二分勇气，敢敢举手，回答问题、阅读课文等等，使自己融入上课气氛。勇敢举手向老师发问，那就更好。在课堂活跃，代表你专心上课。老师不但不会生气，反而会更欣赏你的行动呢！正所谓“经一事，长一智”嘛！

Don't bore your teachers, annoy your friends and be a spoilsport by asking your teacher silly, obvious questions though.

不过，不要问那些无关痛痒的问题哦！这么做，只会使老师、同窗门反感。

"Teacher, the process of making soap is saponification ah?"

"No lah, it's distillation."

-pregnant pause for effect-

ABUDEN???!!!

Okay, I hope you guys are not feeling tensed up while reading my super long post. Here's a video for you to cheer ya up!!!

喂喂喂，文篇太长，睡觉了吧？不要这样啦！我知道我的文章很长，送你们一个短篇看，娱乐你们。希望你们喜欢！=w=

-To be continued-