The making of shrimp crackers...

Shrimp crackers, like bacon puffs but only different. I had now idea how they were made until the other day.

They remind me of a toy my nephews once had. It was a small capsule that you set in water and in a few hours it was triple its size. I think it was a sponge. Imagine that. But, someone had the ingenious idea to package it into a children's toy, probably tripling their profits.

To make shrimp crackers it's kind of the same. But different. The pre-cooked crackers come in small packages and you drop the dried shrimp cracker in cooking oil. A few minutes later it doubles or triples in size and becomes a shrimp cracker. Who knew, well apparently I had no clue. Check out this video I found that shows you how it's made: How-to make Shrimp Crackers

Before

After

Laundry day...

Yesterday I did laundry.

And it rained.

You may not thing that's significant. Well, it is here. We don't have an electric dryer, we hang dry all the clothes. So, after running errands up town we returned home to rewash two loads of laundry and hang them, again. This time we rolled the clothes hanger undercover. Apparently rainy season is coming so I propose we leave the clothes hanger where it is.

Date Night...

Last night was date night. And even though it wasn't starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell, there were a few bloopers. Imagine that.

Everything started off smooth when Ridley arrived to pick me up and we headed into town. We decided that prior to date night, or I guess a prequel to our dinner we were going to work out. So he dropped me off at the gym and went back to work for a bit while his sister and I started out on the treadmills. Again, everything was going so smoothly. I got my towel and key to a locker. I changed into my workout clothes. Only to discover no socks. Yes. Surprise, surprise, I forgot socks. Oh well, I wasn't going to let no socks stop me from getting my sweat on. I then quickly went to the washroom before heading into the gym. I washed my hands, grabbed some towels, dried my hands, bent down to throw out the paper towel and as I came back up, bang! Yes. Bang. My heads hits the corner of the hand dryer. Yeah. That hurt. I rubbed my head only to discover that I had not only hit it but I cut it. Sigh. So, there I am standing in the middle of the ladies locker room with paper towel stuck to my head, in my workout clothes, by myself. So, what do I do? Yeah, text Ridley.

Here is the conversation:

Shelley: "I cut my head abd its bleeding"
Ridley: "How?? What?"
Shelley: "On the dryer"
Ridley: "What were you doing? Do you need stitches."
Shelley: "I dot kniow. I don't think so. My hsairs all bloody."
Ridley: "What were you doing???"

I stopped texting after the second "What were you doing?" I am standing in the middle of the locker room holding a bloody towel to my head, I didn't have time to explain to him what happened. All he needed to know what I cut my head. Sigh. So a few minutes later in comes his sister to see how I was doing and Ridley not far behind her. By the time they came to check on me all was under control. So, I managed to clean myself up and make my entrance to the gym, also where he works. At least the staff were so kind and gave him the first aid kit in case I needed it. Great first impression.

We continued on with date night. My injuries were minor, besides for a little bleeding I had no headache so we were good to go. After the gym we went to Cafe Miri where they serve mostly western cuisine. Here western cuisine is probably similar to our version of Chinese food back in Canada. Both Ridley and I had the Mixed Grill dish, which consisted of french fries with chicken, pork, lamb and hot dogs, or what they consider to be sausage. To drink I had the lemon iced tea and Ridley choose watermelon. All in all it was a decent asian version of a western style meal. Since it was only 8 p.m. and we weren't ready to call date night over so we decided to go for dessert, which turned out to be the best ending of a less than stellar beginning.

We went to Dessert Master and yes, I would say they are a master at desserts. Since I really don't understand what I am ordering yet, if a place has photos I am in heaven. This place had photos. I generally pick what I am going to eat based on what I can tell it looks like in a picture. How bad is that. But, it's how I roll. So, I found what is called Mango Sago, or also referred to as Tapioca, looked quite appealing. And. Yes. I was right. For once. It was not only good it was amazing. I think I maybe shared one spoon full with Ridley, most of the time he gets my leftovers, and there were no leftovers with this dish.

So, what started out as a bit of a misadventure turned into a great evening, with great food and even better company.

Cafe Miri

Canadian decor at Cafe Miri

Inside the western cuisine restaurant

My special date, Ridley

Me at my new favourite dessert restaurant

Best dessert in Miri 

Mango Sago...nothing better

The simple things...

So the last couple of days I have learned a few things about me, about life in Malaysia and about the simple things.

I've called Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia home for about 10 days. Not a long time, but I have big plans. I still don't know how to drive but have become a bit braver. I drove home from town last week. Well, from the edge of town really. So basically I was on the main road. No stop lights. No turns. Just straight, well maybe a few curves, but nonetheless I drove. And on the wrong side or should I say the right side of the road. I was proud. Now I just need to brave the in-town streets. That will be another feat. You see, the driving is different here than in Canada. One example is people, from what I can tell, park in what they call parking lanes. Really, a parking lane. Just envision a street with side parking, then next to it there are cars parked in a traffic lane. I have learned that these cars are only parked momentarily, and everyone just drives around them. Really, I just don't get it. And there are a lot of bikes, and they aren't just for singles either. One day I actually saw a family of four on a two-wheeler. Yes, papa and momma and two wee ones, and by wee ones I am talking about a toddler and a little baby. This made me realize that I am lucky. To see a mother holding her baby with her toddler sitting in between her and her husband while they drive around town, well it just made me realize how fortunate some of us really are. Someone said that maybe I should just get a bike. Uhm, yeah, no. They are aggressive drivers here or I guess for them it's just normal. For me I think I would be frustrating for the locals. See I would be what we could call at home an old bitty driver, or maybe that's just what I call them. Yes, you know the ones with white hair and can barely see over the steering wheel, ok in simple terms, a grandma driver. Yes. That would be me. Except I can see over the steering wheel and I don't have white hair. Well, maybe one day I will brave the streets and live to tell about it.

Recently, I also ventured to the post office. Yes. By myself. Ok, well I was dropped off and picked up so I didn't actually get there by myself but I went in by myself, that counts for something. And purchased stamps. I told the nice teller, "Can I buy some stamps for postcards to send to Canada." She asked me"You want postcards." I said, "No, just stamps." "How many do you want," she said. "How much," I responded. "50 cents." I bought six. That's $3 Ringgit or about $1 Canadian dollar. To send six postcards to lucky recipients back home. Cheap. Cheap.

I also received an email in response to an inquiry to volunteer for a children's organization in Malaysia. I was so proud I finally found an organization on-line so I quickly emailed them to ask about any volunteer positions. This was the response I received:

"We would have loved to have you help us with some work. Unfortunately our projects in East Malaysia focusses on detention issues. As such, access to such facilities are limited to our colleagues who have been given special permission from the government. We do not have a base in East Malaysia. We only travel to East Malaysia from the West as and when our Relapse Prevention workshops for young offenders and detention officer's training are being held."

Oh dear. What did I try and sign myself up for. Note to self: always thoroughly read through all information prior to signing up for anything, volunteering included. So, I am not going to look into volunteering for a non-profit animal welfare group. And, instead of bringing home 10 needy children, I'll be trying to export 10 dogs and cats. Sigh.

Making a difference...

I've always wanted to volunteer. It has been on my 'bucket' list since I can remember. You know, the typical, "I want to volunteer in a third-world country at a non-profit orphanage," statement that so many us of make but never actually do.

Well, I want to do it.

But, I also know me.

And I would end up trying to adopt probably 10 children and I would turn into the next Angelina Jolie. Minus the money. Minus the fame. Minus the model good looks. So basically I would be a poor white girl trying to raise 10 needy children all on my own. Yeah, ok that wouldn't work.

So, in an attempt to try and volunteer here in Malaysia I have started to do some research. Thank God for Google. Unfortunately I have come to realization that not all non-profit groups, or organizations are on the internet. Surprise, surprise. Now, I have turned to Facebook in an attempt to try and find some volunteer organizations.

Wish.

Me.

Luck.

Rambutan...

Ok, so I know I have been posting a lot about food. But we eat. A lot. And let's be honest there are a lot of different and unique food here compared to back home in Alberta, Canada. For instance another exotic fruit that is grown in Malaysia as well as the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Indonesia is the Rambutan. Well, actually we can even find it in the backyard.

The name rambutan is derived from the Indonesian word meaning "hairy". And. Yes. This fruit is hairy. But once you open up the rambutan and peel off the outer layer the fruit is slightly grape-like and is often sweet and sour. To be honest, this is probably one of my favourite fruit here so far.

Picking rambutan

 

King of Fruits...

Durian, the King of Fruits.

This spiky, thorn-covered fruit is a native of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia and is either loved or loathed. It's referred to as the King of Fruits or the World's Smelliest Fruit. Take your pick. Either way there is no debate about it, durian stinks.

Generally weighing in at 2-7 lbs the durian has been described as smelling almond like or as some have described it as smelling more like rotten onions, turpentine or gym socks. I think I lean more towards the gym socks. Put it this way, some hotels, airports and other indoor facilities do not allow durian inside due to the distinct odour. There are even 'no durian' signs in some locations.  It has been around the western world for over 600 years and although not a native to Thailand they are the world's largest exporter of durian.

So the other day we went all over town looking for durian. We found a couple local vendors and were able to pick up several of the smelly spiky fruit. 

Durian is not opened or cut up inside the house but rather outside. Let's be honest, even durian lovers don't want their homes to have the pungent odour for weeks. Once the durian is 'cracked' open there are usually four, what I will refer to as pods, inside. Each pod has three seeds, and around these seeds is the creamy, yellowy-white fruit. For you Westerners, think of avocado, how it is creamy and not juicy, durian is similar.

And yes. I tried it. Me. Not a real adventurer. But. I did. And the texture did remind me of an avocado, the taste was what I thought somewhat sweet. I later found out that the durian we purchased was more bitter. That's the thing...durian can either be a bit bitter or sweet, who knew. Since I have never tasted it before I didn't know what to expect. But, I will admit that it was tolerable, maybe even better than tolerable. It was pleasant. However, I just can't get over the smell or the after-taste for that matter. So, I am not sure when the next time I will be lured for the need to try the King of Fruit.