Angst (A friend in need, is a friend nowhere to be found)...

In this week's edition of Mind Your Body(it's part of the newspaper), they analyse 'teen angst', and the number one result of is self-mutilation. In fact, self-mutilation has increase from 20% of teens to an astounding 50% (Note: It is only an estimate...). Even if it was an estimate, it would mean that for every one teen, another one is literally trying to hurt themselves. I don't know about you but these people are just insane...then again, are they really to blame? Adults been through it, parents don't understand it, friends...well...that is the problem now isn't it? Look at it this way, and average age of a Singaporean is about 80 years, and based on a survey that I have done, on the average we only spend about 50% of our whole life we our families, and this number is only counting the so called "functional and happy" families. So imagine if I were to add the disfunctional families. The rest are made up with friends, colleagues, classmates but the biggest one, acquaintance. I bet you guys are already saying, "I know that..."

Well, if you did know that, then you would know that friends are very important and have a very big impact on the life that we would like to lead. Most of these teens, that get depressed because they get picked on or they failed their exam or their families have problems or a simple thing like having a crush on someone only to have their heartbroken, they did what they did because they felt they are alone in these types of situtations which actually not true because everybody at one point or another, have been through the troubles that I had just mentioned. So they find they only escape they could think of, pain. Hoping that the pain they get will overpower the pain they feel inside, because they rather feel pain from the blood oozing out their wrist rather than feel the pain of getting picked on or discriminated for being different. They sometimes rather feel the pain of a broken leg due to a fall from a five storey building rather than feel the pain of a broken heart. Some prefer being "high" than feeling pain at all. Some people overeat because they rather fall sick than feel the pain of failure. However, not all self-mutilation is physically, some just rather to throw all emotions away, be a rock and close their hearts rather than to have to go through another point of disappointment. Others, just try all of those that I mentioned above and still can't believe they are still living, so the only other way is a confirmation of death, suicide.

You maybe asking the question, "what has this have to do with me?". Well, everything basically. When you have problems with family, you find a friend. When you have problems with a friend, 95% chance you will find another friend. When they cannot find anyone or they THINK, they have no one else, they find for the highest building nearby and jump down. That's it. Now, imagine that was your friend. At his funeral, when somebody ask you, "What was he like?", 99.9999% of the time most people will respond, "He was a nice guy" or something along that line and that is all you will have to say. 75% of that time you would probably feel like you were lying because you don't really know alot about that person then who's fault will that be? You would probably think to yourself, "Hiyah, one friend only still got more"

The thing is, nobody, especially Asians give a damn about another human being. Now, you are probably saying, "No, not me, I am the nicest person in the world. I care about everybody in my life" All I can say is, that is freaking bullshit. How the hell, can you care about the whole world? But there is one thing you could do, pay attention. Not everybody is open about their problems because in the first they don't want you to know they have problems. But if you pay attention you could probably see the signs. If a friend is overeating, than there is a problem. If a friend is not eating, buy something for that person and insist that they should eat. If a friend start wearing long sleeves everyday all of a sudden than maybe they are hiding something. If a friend start to sound negative, cheer the person up. If you have heard from that person from a while, ask how he or she is with a simple SMS or just a message online. Go that freaking extra mile, basically. It may sound like abit extreme and unorthodox and 98% of the time, your attention would be rejected, and you should not expect the same attention because 100% of the time it doesn't happen. However, at least the person knows you care and no matter what happens, you wouldn't be asking "what if.." because you did what a good friend would have done. Most of the time we only care when it's too late, like when they leave sucide notes, when they are already six feet underground.

Now, if you agree to what I have said, you would be saying, "Ok, maybe not I shall pay more attention." This leads to another problem, all talk no action. Disappointment is the last thing you want to give to these people. So don't say, "I want to make our relationship better" or "I want us to start afresh" but then later after 3 weeks your give that person anything like a simple message or a call. If you want to call yourself a friend then act like one. Don't ask someone to help you repair your stuff knowing he has the same work to do, then when you finish you don't even offer help or even a simple call to ask for the progress of the work. There is a saying, "with friends like these, who needs enemies", for me I don't call enemies, that's just harsh and slightly evil. I call them acquaintances...

Some people I know, hate Americans for a bunch a reasons, but I think it's just not justified. Some Americans believe in hugging even their friends, to show that they are part and just as important as their family. When I was at the arrival gate in the States, everybody was hugging everybody, other shook hands...then hugged each other until they couldn't breathe. While I was in Asia such as Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, etc they just waved to each other like as if it was no big deal. Maybe it isn't and I am not trying to discriminate Asians, but when I look at multi-million companies in the US, almost half of the companies were being owned by partners, while in Asia, most companies are owned by a single owner almost like a dictatorship. Even, the closet people I know always tell me, "Never work with friends, because Singaporeans don't know the meaning and the concept behind the word." Most would say, "Asians are more self-sufficient and independent whereas Americans cannot be independant and weak." If that is what you want to believe then it's ok. I'm just here to give my two cents, and what I rather believe is that "It is less lonely when you're standing on top of the world with a friend..."

I'm not saying I am a good friend, in fact, I'm the worse of the lot. I just thought if I write this entry and if people were paying attention or even bother to read such a long entry, I would hope the next time they talk about teen angst, it would be something of the past or maybe just bring the percentage of the teens hurting themselves to just 5%. Let the really crazy people kill themselves, don't let it be the people who you call your friends.

P.S. I don't think this would change anybody because human nature is cruel...

Gajah Makan: Cavana in Singapore

There has been comments that the places I go to do my Makan entry are abit too close to fine dining. So, I have found a place that is slightly more family friendly. Many, may have heard about this place, but never really got in, others who have gone in may not really like it but this is my view so I don't care what others think.

So, I have been to Cavana for quite a few times. Before and after they have gone through various changes. Now, depending on which branch you go the service varies. My personal favourite spots are at Marina Square(mostly because it's usually empty) and Sun Plaza @ Sembawang. These two places have not fail me yet and after the changes they went through they have brought smiles to my face. Firstly, they have added a western menu to their vast array of rice and noodles which I find very interesting. So here some of the food that I have tried so far:

Teriyaki Spaghetti Hotplate (Beef)
Red Roast Chicken Rice
Drumlets and Fries
Fish 'N' Chips
Chickbits
Sambal Tofu

Tastes:
Well, starting with the Teriyaki Spaghetti Hotplate, the spaghetti was ok, but I think it was too el dante for my liking. The spaghetti was also slightly undersalted especially if they are planing to put so little sauce which I find a bit stingy. The hotplate is also served with steamed vegetables and a sunny-side-up egg which i find a bit too plain because the sauce was only ample for the spaghetti. Sounds bad right, well it was mediocre for me but the beef really saved the dish. The beef was well-seasoned, and cooked to slightly medium well which was too my liking. So it was not that bad. Anyway, next, the Red Roast Chicken Rice. Red roast is also known as Char Siew, so it is actually my favorite flavour of chicken, but with chicken aside, I find that the rice is quite fragrant and it is actually quite good on its own. However, the chicken rice is never complete without the chilli. The chilli is what that makes me come back for more. To be honest, I eat the chilli with everything they have, even the fish and chips. The chilli have the balanced flavour of ginger and garlic so it is not so overpowering. In addition, the chilli is only spicy if taken in big quantity so if you have a high tolerance like me you would probably need a bowl. Moving on to the drumlet and fries. This is one of the new addition to the menu, and what a good addition it is. This meal is good for those moments when you feel like just snacking. The meal comes with four pieces drumlets and a handful of fries, but what really makes the dish is the drumlets. They are fried to perfection and I really mean perfection. The drumlet is not heavily floured so you don't get all that flour in your mouth and the exterior of the chicken is not oily at all. It is acutally amazing on how they do it but I'm there to just enjoy the food. However, the same cannot be said for the chickbits because it is the exact opposite. It is quite oily and to be honest, too salty for my taste but if you like a salty snack then be my guest. :) Last, would be the fish and chips and the sambal tofu. The fish and chips is actually a surprise. I was expecting the fish to taste frozen, but it didn't, I expected the coleslaw to be soggy and tasteless, but it wasn't. So interestingly enough for a place that have never really done fish, it was quite pleasant. The sambal tofu is an old favourite that has never really fail anyone yet so I encourage everybody to try.

The verdict:
From far, the Cavana just looks like another fast food place, but what I like about the place is that the food is only cooked when it is ordered, so even though you have to wait, you know that the food will reach you nice and hot for you to indulge. Although the price is much more than that of a MacDonald meal, it is actually quite equivalent to a Burger King Meal, unless you order the hotplate. All in all, it is just a decent place to go once in a while.

Gajah Makan: Mango Chicken @ Home

Harlow, I know I have not done this in a while, so apologies, was too busy getting...oh well, you would know if you read my other entries. Anyway, I thought I start again, with of all things, my own cooking...

I know what you are saying, biased. However, I am someone with principles, so I will write this entry based on the comments of my guests. Usually, I would start of with the atmosphere and of course service, but this is my home so I think I will skip all that and go straight to the food.

Now, based on the comments of my guest, the gravy was very smooth but might be slightly too rich for their taste. They also say that if I added sour mangoes in the dish then there would be a slight contrast of taste. This I agree and that not only will it give contrast to flavour but it will also give a contrast of textures because the young mangoes will give it a good crunch. Well, like they always say third's time the charm.

Yes, this was my second attempt but I dare to say that there was tremendous improvement. So I will ask no man has ask before. If you are interested in to try out to my mango chicken, please leave a comment. But there is one catch, you have to come over to my place. HAHAHA....

The Leap Year...

Ok...the Leap Year, is special, why? Because it comes only every 4 years, like the World Cup. It can be remembered as just another day, or an extra day to do something stupid. For a former schoolmate of mine, he would be celebrating his fifth birthday although he suppose to be 20.

But for me, the Leap Year of 2008 will always be remembered as the night that I slept for more than ten hours. TEN FREAKING HOURS!! And it feels awesome. Yup, 10 whole hours, and I even try to sneak in another 2. And if you think that it's because i didn't dream then that is where your wrong. I did dream, and yes it was her, but it was different this time, I dont know why? Dreams are complicated and the true meaning it always what you want it to be. But this time, I felt at peace. I was happy, and when I woke up it was TEN hours from the moment I close my eyes. Damn it feels so good. Maybe it was the power of the Leap Year or maybe it was alcohol, or maybe even something that I was thinking about. To be honest, I have no idea, but all I can hope for is that I dont have to wait another 4 years to get undisturbed sleep....

BOOOYAAAHHH BABY!!!!