PicH OF THE WEEK

A forgotten carcass of a ship at Kota Kinabalu Waterfront, will only emerge during low-tide

FEELOSOPHY

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs pic credit Wikipedia

In the order of needs proposed by Abraham Maslow, we see that there are two level of needs for sex, the more primitive physiological sex and the (slightly) more complicated intimate sex. Are there differences between them?

What do you feel is the difference?

Sheena said...

So, an insecure person can't be moral?

NEVER FORGET

Take That

Been on this path of life for so long

Feel I've walked a thousand miles
Sometimes strolled hand in hand with love
Everybody's been there
With danger on my mind I would stand on the line of hope
I knew I could make it
Once I knew the boundaries I looked into the clouds and saw
My face in the moonlight
Just then I realised what a fool I could be
Just cause I look so high I don't have to see me
Finding a paradise wasn't easy but still
There's a road going down the other side of this hill

Never forget where you've come here from
Never pretend that it's all real
Someday soon this will be someone else's dream

Been safe from the arms of disappointment for so long
Feel each day we've come too far
Yet each day seems to make much more
Sure is good to be here
I understand the meaning of "I can't explain this feeling"
Now it feels so unreal
At night I see the hand that reminds me of the stand I make
The fact of reality

We've come so far and we've reached so high
And we've looked each day and night in the eye
And we're still so young and we hope for more
But remember this
We're not invincible, we're not invincible, no
We're only people, we're only people
Hey we're not invincible, we're not invincible

So again I'll tell you...

FEELOSOPHY @ PHILOSOFFEE

Most often we define our existence by means of purpose or reason (ie almost all major monotheistic religion define meaning of existence as to worship and glorify God).

Are there any other ways in which we can define our existence beyond a description of purpose?

What do you feel?

Sheena said...

You can define yourself in relation to others, eg.

(i) How others SEE you.
(ii) What others EXPECT of you. (This one is related to purpose, except on a more horizontal, rather than vertical level; unless the person in question is your boss :P)

Or, you could just live life without reason, ie. live for the sake of living, eg. pleasure-seeking. Dorian Gray, for example. Existentialism, that's the word, there ya go.

I must admit I'm a bit distracted in this comment: I'm still chewing over a question some else asked me a few days ago: "Why are you so religious?"

Why don't you have a go at that one? :P

ARTEo said...

My boss once asked my, knowing I attend church and stuff, that whether or not I am a religious person...

Thinking about the silent debate in my mind of the times when I was looking at the pros and cons of having a set cluster of rules to direct your relationship with God (interpreted as religion), I at that time was leaning towards the cons of religious restrictions

So I said I was rather faithful than religious.

Sheena said...

Not answering the question:

Question is why, not what.

ARTEo said...

That's what we are trying to discuss here... the question of what rather than why... for why will always be followed by a reason and another why... Many a times we are told about the philosophy of being versus doing, but not many (I dare say) understand fully the actual meaning of being, and unconsciously fall back into "doing" something in order to "be" something...

Is there a more primary state of existence (or probably existence isn't the best word to use here) that connotes our "being"?

In other words, probably I'd rephrase that, what is the meaning of our existence, other than to answer some purposes?

MOCHA FRAPPUCINNO: AFFOGATO STYLE @ STARBUCKS COFFEE

MOCHA FRAPPUCINO : AFFOGATO STYLE

I was just browsing through Starbucks' merchandise cabinet last night, thinking to myself.. I was around KK all the time and there are outlets there, why should I get mugs and what-nots here when I have to lug everything up and down the plane?...

So I didn't get anything, and was just about to get away with a boring Mocha Frap when my new barista friend, Hieffny, suggested that I should give it a little twist - or drown it - and make it affogato. We need more baristas like this. Good for the company :-)

Starbucks Coffee @ Bukit Raja, Klang

Affogato - or drowning - is actually a common recipe, taken as dessert or beverage by topping it with hot espresso shot. Ice cream, pudding or ice-blended beverages has been drowned in the past.

Espresso used to top a beverage

Affogato was on offer at Starbucks some years back, and has not returned since. Although the norm would be to drown a cream based beverage (Chocolate Frap or Vanilla Frap et cetera) I tried it on my Mocha since I was just too curious to know what's it like, so I went for it.

I can understand why Hieffny stressed that this recipe should be done on a cream based frappucino, because adding a shot to an already coffee based drink did not bring out the wonderful taste of getting cream and coffee mixed as you sip - the coffee taste was too overpowering. When enjoying the beverage, the whole idea is to let cream and coffee combine in your mouth, so sometimes you get more of the sweetness of cream and sometimes the bitterness espresso. So dont stir the whole thing as you'll just end up with a latte frap.

Since it was a last minute improvisation on a Mocha Frap, the whole Frappucino texture was lost after the drowning, making it a tad bit too fluid to stay as a conversational beverage, and because the coffee was doubled by a notch, the chocolatey taste of the original mocha was also drowned.

How I would probably do it at Cafe Philosoffee - is to make the base drink more dry - by using more ice, so that it will not all be dissolved by the hot espresso. Another idea is to use chilled espresso - so that it will not readily mix with the cream based frap and I'll get more texture from the concoction. It is Starbucks' policy to customise drinks for its clients, go have it your style, ask away.

Yusira dressing up my Affogato

Generally the drink is a pleasant one, good for first dates or reunion, since it can also provide conversational starters for those awkward silences. Don't do this when you're in a hurry because this is one beverage to sit down and contemplate over.

Hieffny and Yusira

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Louis Armstrong

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn so much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world...

QUOTE

"I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra.
But I don't think that's quite it;
it's more like jazz.
There is more improvisation..."

~Warren Bennis~

WHAT DOES 15% MEAN?

The Government has recently announced a salary raise of 15% to Officers in the Grade 41 category. These are 25 ways in which this good news can be translated... at least for me...

1. 23 cups of Venti Mocha at Starbucks
2. 32 KFC meals of Dinner plate and a large Pepsi
3. 2.8 pieces of Pierre Cardin shirts
4. 41 movies a month at GSC during non-peak hours
5. 74.6 packets of Chacheer Sunflower seeds
6. 839 pieces of photos in 4R
7. 9.3 paperback novels
   
8. 84.3 pieces of Unagi Hand-rolls
9. 2.3 airplane trips from KK to Lahad Datu by Fax
10. 26.2 cups of Regular Ice-Blended Ultimate Mocha from Coffee Bean
11. 31.2 copies of Men's Health, Malaysian Edition
12. 22.4 copies of Readers' Digest
13. 33.9 tubs of Nestle La Cremeria 'Loaded' Cappuccino Chocolate Ice cream
    

I think I'll stop at 13...

Many Thanks

Dear Dr. Roddy Teo,

It is our great pleasure for your recent visit to San Francisco Coffee Co. in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. We hope you have enjoyed our fresh top of the Crop coffee and foods served to you.

As a way to serve you better, do let us know if there are any areas need improvements and your comments or suggestions of our services provided to you.

Thank you very much for your comments made on our coffee

With our Best Regards
San Francisco Coffee Co. Kota Kinabalu
-Tg Aru Outlet
-Warisan Square Outlet

ARTEo: Always my pleasure...

PicH OF THE WEEK

OFF COURSE...

QUOTE

...the world is a book,
and those who do not travel
read only one page...

-st augustine-

PicH OF THE WEEK

Toothpicks

BREAKFAST @ THE CRUISE

If for nothing else, I would come back to this place for its retro-strips and retro-squares sofas..

Today I went for a cheap breakfast with my cousin in Tanjung Aru at a place called "the Cruise".

Of the three items on offer, I decided to ditch my diet for the day and try out all of them.

The first was Kon-lo Noodle with Minced Chicken, served with coffee or tea. Of course I asked for coffee, but it never intended this entry to be coffee-trashing, so I'll skip on the comments.
The noodle was fine, a generous serving for its price. Tastes okay, nothing to shout about.

Chicken Kon-lo Noodle
Taste 6/10
Value 8/10

The second helping I had was Chicken Porridge. Came in a huge bowl, but only filled up half-way. The porridge was prepared with fine strips of ginger which made it fragrant and appetizing. Though the consistency was a tad bit too fluid for my liking, they were generous with their bits of chicken so at the end it is still okay. Could do better with a dash of sesame oil though.

Chicken Porridge

Taste 6/10
Value 7/10

At the end of the second dish I was too full to continue, so I decided to stop there, and probably come another day for the last offer on the menu, Chicken soup with choice noodle.

Pricing
The price for each dish is RM2.00 plus 15% tax.

Recommendations
Come hungry or don't. Order the kon-lo noodle and don't expect too much from the coffee.

LoVE BEYOND ONE'S MEANS?

Many many years back, somewhere in 1996 or 1997, my good friend, Vic and I were at the beach for a barbeque, or some sort of club outing... can't really remember the details but I think it was something organised by Interact Club KK... but this I remember, he asked me if I think he's ready for love (probably on the way to the first of his many great adventures in finding out the matter himself).

I remember the question because throughout the last fifteen years or so, I reflected upon the question, time and again, and every time I thought I knew the answer, I would later have to admit I knew none the better.

What is love? How do you know you're in love?

The quest for the answer has brought me through a few relationships and intellectual search for the meaning of love from a scientific and spiritual point of observation. All that I can (prematurely) conclude for now, is that love is not all cerebral, nor is it all spirito-sensorial, but an interplay of both without any definitive equilibrium.

I was asked a question recently, that challenged the statement: love is unconditional.

The argument went like this. If MsA were to love MrB unconditionally, would she ever fall out of love, given that love also perseveres and is a decision slash commitment at its worst?

I say that love is a commitment at its worst, assuming that the cloud-9 factor has rained away and all the butterflies have left the stomach, and when all the excitement of adrenalin-serotonin cocktail has lost its kick, all that is left is MrB and MsA, and nothing much in between other than a promise to be together.

One of my many ObiWans, once reminded me about the danger of over-spiritualising love. In faith I believe the theology of 3-fold love:Agape, Eros and Filia, loosely defined as love of God, love between spouses and friendship slash family ties respectively.

Can a person's love ever be unconditional? What does it mean by unconditional? If to love unconditionally means that love is given out without any reservation, in all situations be it good or bad, and to love all including our enemies, where does it leave unconditional love with respect to our spouse? Are humans capable of Agape?

My next question, is Eros unconditional?

How can Eros be unconditional when we spend most of our adult life looking for the perfect one - the one with the height, the one with the measurement, the one with the look, the one with financial stability... even beyond all that superficiality, we still look for the one that makes us laugh, the ones that comforts us in our pain, and the one that dance our dance.

The argument was not conclussive in any way, which sent me back to the road on my search for a true love, my true love. But one day I know that I will end this quest, with a person that I would promise a commitment of life and death faithfulness, and hopefully by then I would have a better idea of what love means. Some say that you'll only know love 50 years into your marriage. Geez I hope I don't have to wait that long...

P/s: By the way, I looooove coffee. So how do I categorise that?

TO CURE, SOMETIMES
TO RELIEVE, OFTEN
TO COMFORT, ALWAYS

Being doctors, our philosophy of treatment only involves an occasional necessity in healing success.

Working in medical line, I ponder a lot on this word: healing. When a patient comes to me, being sick and all, what he is looking for could be a relief from his ailments. I would offer some advice, probably a pill or two, and send him away. Do I send him off healed? What is his expectation of the consultation? Does he expect that he will be well again just by downing a couple of pills?

We are probably thinking of a guy with a common headache, or a congested nose, or maybe some kind of discomfort in the tummy. Sitting in a community clinic, probably the bulk of my clients are of that sort. If he doesn't feel well after a couple of days, he'd probably come again or go to another medical practitioner. Even if he gets better, we seldom use the word 'healed', for cured is probably a more popular option amongst the medical personnels.

One kind of 'illness' - for lack of a better word - that probably isn't as easy to treat as a common flu or even probably a huge, nasty, deep-in brain lesion could be easier dealt with, is a broken, desolated heart.

One can go into desolation secondary to uncountable factors, and most of it involves an emotion of love and care, unmet expectations ending up in deep disappointment. The hurt of a broken heart can sometimes be so intense, that one would rather have his nails pulled out. In situations like this, one usually seek for healing rather than cure.

Healing is a process, and the length of this process, through personal experience, may not have a fixed time, or may not even have a clear end-point. I would think that I am completely healed of the hurt from a certain occasion or crisis, because I am able to talk about it freely without feeling the cringe inside, but the next minute a song will just remind me of the whole thing and I will be crying unconsolably. What the heck, when will this all end?

I used to ask God to just take it all away, leave me refreshed and anew, but it never seems to be a good idea, or else He would have thought of it before me. His way of healing is usually slow, and graced with feeling of comfort and assurance from time to time. Now I have come to term that actual healing may not be similar to the one I have in my mind. I would probably not be left completely free of any emotions from my past experiences, but healing comes as easiness to accept the grace of perseverance, strength and comfort in knowing that He has always been around. Healing, to me, means that I am able to see the blessings that were hidden behind the whole tragedy, blocked by my irrational but most-necessary emotions at that time.

Like a scar that covers a wound will never disappear completely, my past experiences will never completely go away, always staying around making a surprise visit from time to time to remind me of the grace and blessings that I've received. If only I'd be quiet and obedient enough to see it.

AB IRATO

Without emotion, man would be nothing

but a biological computer. Love, joy,
sorrow, fear, apprehension, anger,
satisfaction, and discontent provide
the meaning of human existence.

Many years ago I've pondered upon the silly issue, when I die, how many people will come to my funeral, how many will feel the loss of my absence, who will carry my coffin, who will say something during my funeral service, what will they say?

Somehow, these kinds of thoughts may be rendered morbid by certain people, while others will think that these kinds of thoughts are the ones that separate big from small boys.

My usual contentment is in knowing that I have people around me who will be honest enough to tell me my breath stinks, or that I dress silly, or that I am getting to fat for my blazer... My point is, not that I find pleasure in having my pride burst all the time, but in knowing that there are some out there who would risk a few weeks of cold treatment or even a harsh retort, to be open to each other as best possible yet knowing that it would be okay because our friendship is valued at much more than just the apparent peace and comfort of un-tried and un-tested acquaintances.

I may not be the most out-spoken, or do I usually readily share my feelings with others, but I know the only key to healing is to acknowledge that I am not well. Emotionally even.

I have lost many friendships through my last life-tragedy. Saying this may not be exactly fair to many, but there's no such thing as a human-relations that is built without any expectations. And being me, my expectations can sometimes paralyse something that I treasure much.

I am disappointed. It could be unfair for me to say this, but playing angels and hiding my feelings are not exactly doing me much good either. I am disappointed at many of my friends back home who has not made any real effort in knowing whether or not I am doing fine. I am disappointed at some of them who'd assume that I would rather be left alone, and I am disappointed at some of them who re just plain too afraid to ask... Afraid? Lame.

I used to be in a team of leadership team, dedicated to Build Kingdom Builders. Having invested most of my time, and much much of my meagre earnings on something that I believed in so much. I had an army (okay, probably not as many as a platoon) of colleagues, comrades, who carries the banner of our common vision together, having fought through unpopularity and the pain of persecution, bleeding from the attack but with our free hands holding on to each other as we struggle to stand to what we believe in. Really, even with all the pain and all, I miss those days when I could still belong to a pack, and "us" was a real entity.

Anyway, being a person who "usually" exudate positivity, I refuse to think that my current loses are going down the pipe, but I'd rather invest in the hope that some will at least benefit from all that I've given. I have those who still would call me up and write some soothing emails, and come visit. I know it is not the most-macho things to want all these, and yes I am lucky, very very fortunate to have them. But I have to acknowledge the stab that is left on my chest, and know that all that I see is a passing glory. Sic transit gloria mundi.

So how should I live my life tomorrow? In full appreciation to whatever I have left, acknowledge those who are still holding me dear, and learn that healing will not come by as soon as I'd like it to be, but still I am not without friends.

SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME...

Last Monday I was on-leave, and while making the most of my time at home (snoozing in the afternoon) I was woken up by a series of in-coming call and messages, amongst all, from the Timbalan Pengarah Kesihatan, asking me to call back...

OMG!

I was offered (hhmm... this word doesn't seem right somehow) to come back to KK to take over a post in the HeadQuarters, in charge of HIV Unit of Infectious Disease Control... What do make of the news...? Mixed feelings I have to say.

I want to write in the story of how I felt when I first found out where Tungku was (not found on a small map) but as it were, there's so much things to do, hand-overs and a General Meeting to prepare for tomorrow... so yea, I'll do this later...

N'TAH APER-APER...

PERTANDINGAN KIUT

KATEGORI KANAK-KANAK BAWAH 10 TAHUN
vs BUJANG LAPOK 20 TAHUN KE-ATAS


ROUND 1

vs

ROUND 2

vs


ANYWAY, MENGUCAPKAN SELAMAT MAJU JAYA TO ALL PPKP
(HEALTH INSPECTOR) TRAINEES & ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR EXAM!

P/S: SIAPA MAU IKUT NAIK JKNS UNIT KAWALAN PENYAKIT BERJANGKIT?

BIMBANG

by Melly Goeslaw

Pertama kali aku tergugah
Dalam setiap kata yang kau ucap
Bila malam tlah datang
Terkadang ingin ku tulis semua perasaan

Kata orang rindu itu indah
Namun bagiku ini menyiksa
Sejenak ku fikirkan untuk ku benci saja dirimu
Namun sulit ku membenci

Pejamkan mata bila kuingin bernafas lega
Dalam anganku aku berada disatu
Persimpangan jalan yang sulit kupilih

Ku peluk semua indah hidupku
Hikmah yang ku rasa sangat tulus
Ada dan tiada cinta bagiku tak mengapa
Namun ada yang hilang separuh diriku

NOT HARD TO IMAGINE...

Imagine there's no Heaven

It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.

-Imagine, John Lennon-

38 years ago, Malaysia has learned about racial harmony the hard way. No doubt, today our own people are still talking and propagating racial discrimination in the media, but beyond all the said-stuffs that should upset the minorities of us, what we should see is that our children are growing up along-side each-other. Isn't it our duty as parents, teachers, seniors, the generation that first-tasted-salt, to usher them into a Malaysia that is truly peaceful and harmony, rather than just uneventful co-existence?

We can change the way all these are taking-route.

The fool repeats his mistakes.
The smart learns from his own.
The wise observes, and learns from the smart.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

to the two most important women of my life..

Mom and Dad

AhMa

IF

by Rudyard Kipling (1885 - 1936)

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

IF

by BREAD

If a picture paints a thousand words,
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show the you I've come to know.
If a face could launch a thousand ships,
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you,
You're all that's left me too.
And when my love for life is running dry,
You come and pour yourself on me.

If a man could be two places at one time,
I'd be with you.
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.
If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die,
I'd spend the end with you.
And when the world was through,
Then one by one the stars would all go out,
Then you and I would simply fly away...

PicH OF THE WEEK

Taken at Kg Telisai, about 6 km from Tungku.
These kids just finished school and any ride is better than having to walk all the way home under the sun... Doesn't matter if they had to sit in the trunk...

NEXT YEAR

by FOO FIGHTERS

I'm in the sky tonight,
There I can keep by your side
Watching the wide world riot and hiding out
I'll be coming home next year
Into the sun we climb
Climbing our wings will burn white
Everyone strapped in tight
We'll ride it out
I'll be coming home next year
Come on get on get on
Take it till life runs out
No one can find us now,
Living with our heads underground
Into the night we shine
Lighting the way we glide by
Catch me if I get too high
When I come down
I'll be coming home next year
I'm in the sky tonight
There I can keep by your side
Watching the whole world wind around and round
I'll be coming home next year
I'll be coming home next year
Everything's alright up here
When I come down
I'll be coming home next year
Say good-bye

excerpt from THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN

by PAULO COELHO

ELIJAH LOOKED AT AKBAR below. Yes, God sometimes could be very stern, but never beyond a person's capacity: the boy was unaware that they were sitting where Elijah had received an angel of the Lord and learned how to bring him back from the dead.

"Are you going to miss me?" Elijah asked.

"You told me that sadness disappears if we press ahead. There's still much to do to leave Akbar as beautiful as my mother deserves. She walks in the streets."

"Come back to this place when you have need of me. And look towards Jerusalem: I sahll be there, seeking to give meaning to my name, Liberation. Our hearts are linked forever."

"Was that why you brought me to the top of the Fifth Mountain? So I could see Israel?"

"So you could see the valley, the city, the other mountains, the rocks and clouds. The Lord often has his prophets climb mountains to converse with Him. I laways wondered why He did that, and now I know the answer: when we are on high, we can see everything else as small."

"Our glory and our sadness lose their importance. Whatever we conquered or lost remains there below. From the heights of the mountains, you see how large the world is, and how wide its horizons."

The boy looked about him. From the top of the Fifth Mountain, he could smell the sea that bathed the beaches of Tyre. And he could hear the desert wind that blew from Egypt.

"Someday I'll govern Akbar," he told Elijah. "Iknow what's big. But I also know every corner of the city. I know what needs to be changed."

"Then change it. Don't let things remain idle."

DAN

Sheila-on-7

Dan...
Bila esok datang kembali
Seperti sedia kala dimana kau bisa bercanda dan...

Perlahan kaupun, lupakan aku, mimpi burukmu
Dimana t'lah kutancapkan duri tajam
Kaupun menangis, menangis sedih...
Maafkan aku...

Dan...
Bukan maksudku, bukan inginku melukaimu
Sadarkah kau di sini 'kupun terluka
Melupakanmu, menepikanmu, maafkan aku

Lupakanlah saja diriku
Bila itu bisa membuatmu kembali bersinar
Dan berpijar seperti dulu kala

Caci maki saja diriku
Bila itu bisa membuatmu kembali bersinar
Dan berpijar seperti dulu kala

BERHENTI BERHARAP

Sheila-on-7

aku tak percaya lagi
dengan apa yang kau beri
aku terdampar di sini
tersudut menunggu mati

aku tak percaya lagi
akan guna matahari
dengan mampu menerangi
sudut gelap hati ini

aku berhenti berharap
dan menunggu datang gelap
sampai nanti suatu saat
tak ada cinta kudapat

kenapa ada derita
bila bahagia tercipta
kenapa ada sang hitam
bila putih menyenangkan...

aku pulang...
tanpa dendam
kuterima..
kekalahanku

aku pulang...
tanpa dendam
kusalutkan..
kemenanganmu

kau ajarkan aku bahagia
kau ajarkan aku derita
kau tunjukkan aku bahagia
kau tunjukkan aku derita
kau berikan aku bahagia
kau berikan aku derita

SENSE OF SECURITY

Having breakfast with a long-lost friend earlier, we were talking about 'what-women-want' and we came to the issue of sense-of-security.

We were discussing sense of security as the sense of her love being recognised and acknowledged. It means that a man only has to recognise the love that she gives, know that she gives it only to him and after that, everything else is secondary. Sense of security doesn't come from knowing that there're going to be diamonds and jewels or even bread on the table.

A tad bit extreme... what do you think?

KENYA 'AA' @ SAN FRANCISCO COFFEE

A Limited Edition Coffee

Many coffee experts agree that Kenya produces the most consistent of the world's best coffees. Kenya's coffees, especially AA, are known for their winy acidity. Ours is a medium-roasted, medium-bodied coffee with a bright, fruity flavor.

Kenya "AA"

Assessment

The aroma first hits with a fruity sweetness, such that suggests a sourly anticipation because my mouth just fills with saliva from the fragrance. The first sip portrays a strong acidity but mellows down to a medium aggression as it cools down. The winy pleasantness lingers around for a while after you're done.

Aroma 7/10
Acidity 8/10
Body 8/10
Flavour 8/10
Aftertaste 7/10

Recommendation

Because of its winy sweetness, I would recommend this coffee for after dinner conversations. The aftertaste is pleasant, leaving me wanting more than one helping. Also ideal for a long night on a book-date. The moderate midtaste leaves you relaxed, ideal for winding down from a busy day.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA : ESTATE @ STARBUCKS COFFEE

An exclusive blend from the island's finest estates. This bold, full-bodied coffee is notable for its round mouthfeel, clean herbal notes and mouth watering juiciness.

Origin

The coffee is grown in Kigabah Estate in Papua New Guinea and processed via washed method.

Assessment

The aroma is pleasantly joyful with burst of herbal bouquet, somewhat dims the stress I've had for the day. The coffee gives off a sweet aromatic scent and even sweeter on the first sip. The body is not as bold as it was written on the packet, leaning more towards medium acidity. It gives off a rather chocolaty finish which is quite clean on the palate. Sweet throughout the whole process.

Aroma 8/10
Acidity 7/10
Body 7/10
Flavour 8/10
Aftertaste 8/10 (clean)

Recommendations

Definitely a feel good coffee. Not to be wasted on a rushed sitting, this one is for you to get a big mug of, sit with your favourite companion (in the form of a person, or a book) and de-stress. I'd have this as a dessert coffee, to be enjoyed with a slice of orange meringue, or a basic cheese cake.