~Reflection Time~

Wow, it's almost the end of 2013! Time to reflect on what I've done for this last semester in foundation course. We have four major subjects to revise and prepare for exam.

1) Language Description

- Understand the rules

- Remember sub topics

- Know the meaning of terms used in this subject

- Memorise order of adjectives

Order of Adjectives in a Series
Determiner	Observation	Physical Description				Origin	Material	Qualifier	Noun
		Size	Shape	Age	Color
a	beautiful			old		Italian		touring	car
an	expensive			antique			silver		mirror
four	gorgeous		long- stemmed		red		silk		roses
her			short		black				hair
our		big		old		English			sheepdog
those			square				wooden	hat	boxes
that	dilapidated	little						hunting	cabin
several		enormous		young		American		basketball	players
some	delicious					Thai			food

2) Language Development

- Increase range of vocabulary and idioms

- Writing skills

- Comprehension exercise

3) English Studies

- Analysing poem

- Know terms used in literary devices

- Identify themes in literary texts (novels, poems, short stories, play)

4) Social Studies

- Read more on current issues

- Revise and memorise definitions

- Time management while answering the paper

~Smile~

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”   ― Mother Teresa

It is important that we start our day with a good mood. So that we can have a bright feeling throughout the day. No one wants to meet a person who has a gloomy face all day long. When we wake up in the morning, we might feel tired or lazy, but no matter how your mood is, when we are able to open your eyes, shouldn't we be thankful that we can still breathe and see the people that we love? Be grateful and smile.

Smile is a contagious blessing that everyone has. It is magical how a smile can be passed around to other people. I like to share the joy that I have with other people too, especially when meeting new people. People will have a good impression about you. I like to see the smiles on people's faces and how it can make a person's day brighter. It is good to share it with the people around us. It helps to make our environment more positive. Don't be stingy with that, it won't even cost us any penny. Everyone looks prettier when we smile. So, remember to complete your day with a SMILE ^_^

SweEt DesSerts.. Cakes, Ice-creams & Puddings..

I love dessert. It is usually sweet and tasty. Desserts usually contain sugar or a sweetening agent. Although most of the desserts are sweet, there are some desserts that have lower sugar content, for example, dark chocolate. A healthier choice of ingredient used in making dessert is fresh fruit that can be prepared without sugars or extra fats. My favourite desserts are cakes, ice-creams and puddings.

Firstly, I would like to share a recipe for Sugar Free Cheesecake. Only simple ingredients are needed to prepare this delicious cheese cake. I want to share about this recipe as it is good for people who want to cut down on their sugar intake but at the same time still want to enjoy a taste of amazing cake.

How to make Sugar Free Cheesecake Dessert

Preheat oven to 350°F. For the crust, combine the cracker crumbs, butter and cinnamon in a large bowl until well incorporated. Press the mixture into a greased pie pan. Place it into the preheated oven and bake it for 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden browned. Remove the crust out from oven and let it cool to room temperature. For the filling, stir the cream cheese and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. Cook over water on medium heat and dissolve the gelatin. Remove heat until little bit hot. Pour the gelatin into the cream cheese mixture and then fold in the whipped cream. Pour this mixture onto the crust. Place it into the refrigerator and chill for at least four hours or until serve.

• You also can top cheesecake with your favourite fruits.
• Serve it cold for better taste.

You can get a complete recipe at http://www.dessertrecipes2u.com/2011/09/sugar-free-cheesecake-dessert-recipes.html

Here is also another website about how to make strawberry cake: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/strawberry-cake-from-scratch/

Secondly, I would like to recommend a special recipe for ice-cream that I have found. It is called Olive Oil Vanilla Ice Cream. This requires simple steps, but you will need to have an ice-cream machine for this recipe.

 

• Stir and add ice-cream into an ice cream machine. Process according to manufacturer's instructions. 
• During the final 5 minutes of churning, slowly add olive oil. When finished, ice cream will be soft but ready to eat. For firmer ice cream, freeze for several hours before serving.
• If you would like to beautify it, serve with a drizzle of olive oil.

If you want to know how to make this ice-cream from the start, do visit http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/olive-oil-vanilla-ice-cream

Thirdly, I would like to share about pudding. My mother use to make some simple and colourful puddings for tea time. So, I have learnt how to make it when I was in secondary school. We can buy a packet of the pudding powder in supermarket which is easy to find everywhere nowadays. It comes in many fruit flavours, such as, mango, corn, strawberry, etc. But, today, I have found a unique recipe for pudding, that is the Butterscotch Pudding. This is a different kind of pudding, I never come across this pudding before, but I would like to try it out one day.

This is how it looks. You can try it too. Visit this website for more information on how to do it: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/02/a-butterscotch/

Food I like to buy at the Ramadhan Bazaar (Brainstorming session)

I'm looking forward to enjoy these tasty and mouth watering food during the Ramadhan season.

For dinner:
'Nasi Kerabu', Chicken Satay, Spicy Penang Laksa and 'Nasi Dagang.

For dessert: a varitey of cool and sweet dessert
ABC,  'Kuih Seri Muka Pandan' and Bandung ice

Today is the first day of puasa, my friends and I went to a Ramadhan Bazaar at the Kerinchi area. We can reach there within minutes because it is quite near from our hostel. I was delighted when I saw the food that I crave for is there. Firstly, I bought a packet of 'Nasi Kerabu' which costed me RM2.50 and Bandung ice which is RM1.00. Then, I went to another stall to buy three small pieces of custard pie which are sold for RM1.20. After buying the food, I went back home with a satisfying heart.

The 'Nasi Kerabu' was quite spicy, but I still love it so much. The cool Bandung ice had also help to quenched my thirst and the hotness of the spicy food. I am also pleased to eat one of my favourite 'kuih'. And getting the chance to share and taste some of the 'kuih' with my friends have really made my day.

Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?

Nowadays, there are many complaints made by students about their teachers. This is because there are students who dislike their teachers. There are ways which they can express their dissatisfaction towards their teachers. But, should students be allowed to grade their teachers? Both teachers and students play vital roles in the development of a school. If teachers could grade their students based on the academic test and exam, perhaps students too should be given opportunity to grade their teachers.

            There are many advantages for the teachers’ assessment by students. For example, if students were allowed to grade their teachers, this will actually help the teachers to know and recognize their weaknesses. The teachers can identify clearly in which part of their skills that they will have to improve and upgrade themselves. We can also gain feedback on the effectiveness of the teachers’ performance and how effective teachers are when they are in the classroom. Thus, this can help the education department to improve the education system too. Tests and evaluations can reveal teachers who did not teach and did their job well.

            In addition, students will be happier when they are given chance to voice out their opinions and have the rights to oppose teachers who are not doing their responsibilities well. Besides, it is also nice to hear what the students like or dislike during the class, so that the teachers know what to change or add on in the next class. The students will also feel more comfortable in classroom if their teachers would appreciate their suggestions.

            On the other hand, students evaluation on teachers could be invalid as they also can be considered as not mature enough to make decision and sound judgement. Some students may abuse this given privilege and power that they get and simply grade their teachers in an unfairly manner. Some students may have personal problems with a certain teacher and will pay their revenge through this evaluation and will not grade the teachers honestly.

            As conclusion, I agree that students should be allowed to grade their teachers, provided that they are given guidance. If teachers had really done their part of teaching well and always do their best at work, they do not need to worry about the feedback that they will get from the evaluation result. This is because the students will definitely give them a good grade. By knowing their own weaknesses, they can turn it into positive strength to enhance their career.

Memories that last in my heart

Time flies very fast. A year has passed by since I first arrived in IPBA. This week the juniors are coming in and we get to see new faces around. They remind me of the orientation week that I had before with my batch mates. Some were sweet memories, and some were unpleasant. A week seems very long when we have to learn to survive in a new environment. I had recalled back how I first met all my lovely friends here. They were friendly and fun. Every obstacles and trials that we have gone through together this year, have actually make our bonding grows stronger. I was timid and quiet. But, I realised that I have changed since the day I knew where my next destination will be and that I have to be bolder and better in order to fulfill my destiny.