Facebook 101

I have been meaning to rant write about this one for days but have been busy obsessing about making the Apple and Cinnamon Roll with Walnut recipe I saw on Freshly Pressed last week. I tried doing it over the weekend but I ended up really depressed coz it was so hard and it can be used as a weapon of mass destruction against you know who.  Anyhoo, I gave it another try and it turned out like this:

Not bad at all!!  It does not look as good as the original post ( again I wish I know how to add a link to that blog! ) but it taste scrumptious!!

Back to the Facebook idiots–I was disgusted when I saw the news about our local politicians who took up a course on (((((((BASIC FACEBOOK))))))) at the expense of the tax payers! How ridiculous is that?? The damage?? €190 for the course and add up hotel accommodation and travel expenses it went up to about €500!!  What the hell??!! And I thought the country is in recession?? What do they need bleeding Facebook for?? Even Dumb and Dumberer knows how to use Facebook. Those local councilors who sign up for it must be taking the piss! There we are the working class breaking our back working hard and have been hit by one cut after the other and more hikes in our taxes just to send out politicians to take up Facebook 101??!! And it’s a whole day affair! What a wast of time and money! How many hours do you need to learn how to poke?? 2 hours?? And how many hours do you need to learn how to update your status??  2 more hours?? Uploading pictures?? Maybe 3 hours?? Bloody hell!!

And my blood is boiling the other day I was shouted at on the phone by a very rude immigration officer who is based in Munster area for daring to ask to speak to her over the phone because I could not commit to the appointment schedule that is being given to me by the equally useless colleague of hers in reception coz according to her ‘I dunno coz I don’t deal with immigration issues!’. I don’t have a car and I live in the middle of nowhere, I look after 6 children all under the age of 6 and if I have to go to her I have to hire a taxi take time off work and look for someone to relieve me while I deal with my visa issues. I felt so small and insignificant by the way she spoke to me. I am sure she would not dare talk to an irish person like that–just because I am JUST an immigrant in this country. But even so–coz of people like me– doctors, nurses, engineers, POLITICIANS, actors and actresses, business people and members of AN GARDA  SIOCHANA like her are able to go to work coz they know someone is holding the home front for them and looking after their precious children! Such an ignorant person she is–to think that I am paying my taxes and that is where she gets her pay! I will face her after Halloween, and my name wont be McP if I don’t give her a piece of my mind. She better be nice or I will file a formal complaints for discrimination.

*Sigh* I’m so stressed out!! I felt I just got 3 more gray hairs and gained a few wrinkles!

Is that Toilet Girl??!!

A few days back I was reading a post about germs or should I say not washing-your-hands-after-using-the-toilet kind of germs. For some reason, it stuck to my head and I was thinking about it all weekend!! I find it hard to believe coz even our 3-year-old boy knows he should wash his hand after using the toilet–I trained them well–all 5 of them!! The littlest fella is starting to show interest on the toilet and hand washing–but manage to make a mess all the time! *sigh*

I was out shopping yesterday and one time I was on the queue in the lady’s room. I just realized that I always go to the left when going to the loo in Jervis shopping Center. There were 9 girls waiting there–2 of them were pregnant. I was just standing there–I was the 8th on the line BTW– when this particular blog about people not washing hands came to mind! Darn it!! I  wish I know how to add that post in here. I watched as someone came out–a girl of about 16– she paused for 3 seconds to look at the mirror, tucked her hair behind her ear then went out. Eeek!! Alright she is young but then #3 is only 3 and she knows how to wash her hands!

Then another woman–in her thirties–came out. Placed her laptop bag on the floor–eeekk!! where did she put it while doing her thing in the cubicle?? ? Then she went on to wash her hands–properly and not the 3-seconds-under-the-tap kind of way–good woman!! The bag on the floor was disgusting though–I would have put it on the counter at least or if it is wet between my legs or on my neck but never the floor!!

Someone came out again–an elderly lady–who did not even pause and just went out straight away. Eeek!! Dirty granny!! Bad! Bad! Bad!

2 more doors opened and another 16 or 17-year-old girl came out who went straight out and the other who is about 35 years old washed her hand properly–no disgusting bag on the floor this time.
There are 3 more people in front of me–the pregnant lady #1 came out. She just looked at the mirror then wobbled out of the toilet.  WTF!! What is wrong with these people??

When it was my turn, I did what I always do after using the toilet–which is wash my hands thoroughly–luckily there is no door going out just hallways.

That was disgusting. Then while I was looking around PC World–I saw Toilet Girl–the one who did the hair tuck thing–checking out one of the DSLR cameras. It got me thinking–Eeek unwashed hands that have been handling iffy things.

I saw her again on the escalator on Debenhams–she was going up and holding on to the rails–while I was going down. Then again in Burger King. It got me thinking how many Toilet Girls and Toilet Grannys are out there?? Think about the things on your purse–your money both bills and coins. Who handled those? But before anyone–as if someone is actually reading this hahahahha — starts thinking that I am a germaphobe or have OCD issues, I have to say yes I find that disgusting but I am not THAT  bothered and starts thinking about fecal and urine traces and other bodily fluids or germs lurking in my surroundings all the time. I do what I can and what others does and doesn’t do is no longer my business. There is more to life that worrying about these things.

One thing I wont tolerate though is not flushing. Apart from it being disgusting it shows lack of respect for the next user too. Here is one picture I took in one of the toilets I saw during my itchy feet years.

Happy flushing and washing everyone!!

Hell yeah I'm still PMSing!!

For some reason, Vodafone is sooooo bloody slow!! After slaving all day at work running around like a headless chicken and trying hard to keep the pesky kids from hurting each other, marathon nappy changing, taking instructionSSSSSSS from McB (yes a hell lot of SSSSSSS coz they keep coming!!!) like I’m an idiot and does not know how to mind children ( I practically raised all 6 of them since they were born!!) and did I mention that she also expects me to clean her mansion??  Yes, mansion!! So if you are an employer who expects a lot from your slave errrr I mean childminder—LOOK AWAY NOW!! :@:@

I dunno what I am doing still working for McB–I have  finished my FETAC Level 5 Childcare Course which means I am a professional Nanny but I am still paid a minimum wage! With so much OT (without pay!!) opppps I’m sorry I get paid for my OTs, I forgot, I get paid A MILLION ALL THE BLOODY TIME!!! A MILLION BLOODY THANKS!! :@:@:@ Thank yous is good but sometimes i prefer cash!! Think about it, she works long hours and she gets paid by her company but she expects me to work as long as her and not get paid??!!  Good swinging mickey!!!! She is good! Hah!! So why am I still working with her?? Oh wait, there is a recession going on and finding a different job is hard and she knows it so she is taking advantage!! Beets!! Bits!! Beats!!Beech!!McSwingingBloodyB!!!!!!!!!tch!! Argh!! When I was talking to a ‘friend’ about this I was told to complain to NERA ( some governing body that sorts abusive employers). And for what??? So I could get fired??!!! Those bloody politicians are so stupid!! This thing works in paper—perfect!!! But in reality, it never will!!!!

I know I should be grateful to have a job unlike other people who are struggling to make ends meet but this is too much. 5 years and she still treat me like an idiot!

My only consolation is #6 can say ‘I wab you Sese’. And another thing with the Sese, my name is not Sese!! He can say BISCUIT no problem but i dont understand why he cant say my name properly!! Argh!! I think I will start vanishing those bloody biscuits from the kitchen press!!
And just now I got another text from a friend. What is it with those ‘send this to 12 people or something abd will happen’ texts??!! Bloody hell!! I am so sick of those. One time I got one of those at 3 am!! 3am!! I would have been the unluckiest person in this earth coz to be honest, i dont do bloody chain letters/texts!!! I have more important things to text about than those useless things!! Argh!!

I have to stop , Beloved is giving me ‘the look’! I dont want more dramas. I think I am not the only one PMSing!

Lazy Lasagna

I dunno why but I’m finding myself blogging about things I cook lately. As I was saying yesterday, I made Beloved’s requested lasagna. I am terrible at following recipes in cook books so I improvise a lot. And also, I dont have a proper kitchen!!  I hate buying lots of stuffs coz I move a lot–with shared accomodations, space is limited too so I just make do with whatever thing is on hand. With the Lazy Lasagna you will need these:

1 carrot–chopped, 1 pepper–chopped, 1 onion–chopped, 3 cloves garlic–crushed, a can of 400g chopped tomato with herbs, lasagna sheets ( I cant make my own and never will coz this is lazy cooking!! Remember when you were still in college??), 1 spoon of tomato puree, 1 spoon of olive oil. And that is just for the sauce. Now for your roux sauce–sorry I was not able to take a picture of the ingredients. You will need butter ( did i mention I dont really measure some of my ingredients?? I do it by feel, sight and smell ), some milk, some plain flour and some grated cheese—actually a lot of grated cheese!! I like my roux cheesy! Remember to leave some grated cheese to sprinkle on top of your lasagna later.

1. Heat your casserole dish/ pan or what ever you are using. Add the olive oil then the chopped onion and crushed garlic. Cook it till wilted  or have slightly browned a bit–do not let it burn tho!

2. Add the rest of the chopped vegetables in, tinned tomato and tomato puree. Add a bit of hot water into it ( I use the empty tin of chopped tomato–half full), then mix. Turn the heat to low after it boil and let it simmer for 40 minutes. It should now look like this:

3. While waiting for your sauce to cook, time to make your roux sauce. In a hot pot, put some butter (did i mention I dont really measure my ingredients?? I go by feel, sight and smell :P ). When melted, add in some plain flour and make a paste. If you put too much butter just keep adding more flour till you get that paste consistency. Add milk little by little while mixing–make sure it does not get lumpy. Continue doing it till you attain a thick –but not too thick– consistency. Pretty much like this:



Hmmm, i have to add Le Cresout dish on my wish list from Santa!!   Then add some grated cheese–use cheddar red or white does not matter– till you got the taste you like. For me, the more cheese, the better! Keep mixing it to prevent it from burning till the cheese melts. Let it boil for 5 more minutes then take it out from the hob.                                  

4. I assume, the mince is now cooked and tender, take out the baking dish/tray whatever size or shape you are using. It’s layer time!! First, put roux sauce at the bottom. Then lasagna sheets ( i like using Jaime Oliver’s just because he is gorgeous :D:D ). Then put half of the mince sauce in. Then more pasta.  Roux sauce. Then the reamaining mince sauce. More lasagna sheets then top it with roux sauce. Put grated cheese on top at last. It should now look like this:

Hmmm, now bung it into the pre heated oven ( 180 ) for 45 or 50 minutes. Then voila!!!!!

Yum yum! Tuck in!! :D:D I normally serve it with baby potato wedges with some chopped thyme and crushed garlic for Beloved. Other time, with mashed potato and sometimes when I am feeling healthy, I serve it with some greens.

Apologies for the pictures, I am still experimenting.

A hair cut for every heart ache....

I have been suffering from a bad case of PMS (Pity Me Syndrome) lately-- workwise, personal and social and last yesterday lovelife almost made it to the list!!! Sheesh!! I dunno what is wrong with me. Anyhoo, I decided to treat myself to the salon--fear not! I did not break my bank-- McB gave me €30 gift voucher for my birthday-- and it was 20% off at the salon for all treatments so I went for it!! A haircut every time i feel down seems to lift the moods--been doing this since i was little--only not at the salon, my Uncle cuts my hair till i was in first year high school! hahahaha And I always get this boy hair style and sometimes 'bowl' hair style! :P

Anyhoo, I wish I could put a before and after photo here. Problem is, I cant seem to put the image on the specific place I wanted. Dont ask me--I only learned how to use the computer about 4 years ago. I was determined to have a boy hair cut --I have been obsessing about aggy deyn of late like this one!

But my hairdresser is not having any of it!! She said it would not suit me! Eh? Why? It suited me 100 years ago?? I wish I have a photo to prove it. I was so disappointed. But looking at it now, I see why it would not suit me. Aggy Deyn could get away with short hair or even no hair coz she is so pretty and fab!! And me?? Not! So there!! I am glad I did not push the hair dresser to spell it out that I am not pretty enough like aggy to get away with so little hair otherwise I would have bawled in the salon like a 4 year old who didnt get her lollipop! So i went for a layered bob instead. I cant think of anyone who have a layered bob at the moment. It looked okay, I guess. And to make me feel better, AM- the hairdresser- i kinda like her, suggested I color my pitch black hair. Hmmm, it got me thinking. She suggested a red hue and I almost ran out of the salon. No no no no!! I am not suffering some mid life crisis yet! After arguing with her for 15 minutes --she must thought i'm a fussy b!tch- we agreed on mahogany brown sort of i dunno the right color coz the use numbers to describe it! Dont ask me why!! And by the way, I'm a VIRGIN!!! There!! I said it!! This is my first time to have my hair colored.

I will get you next time Aggy Deyn!! Watch this space!!

Beloved has been a bit moany these past days. I understand coz he is new to his job, barely 3 months into it. His previous job was in the construction industry, now in the health sector–how far is that??
Anyway, to make him feel better, I promised I would cook him a good dinner tonight—-Chicken with white wine and rasher!

You must have:
2 part boned chicken breasts(washed&dried)
1 cup chopped leek
1 up celery sticks
1 cup carrot sticks
1/2 cup chopped rasher
1 bay leaf
4 cubes of butter
2 cups chicken broth
1 glass of white wine
a dash of olive oil
a spoonful of flour

I’m so sorry i don't normally measure my ingredients–i go by feel and if I do measure I use cups. And I am sorry I don't have pictures but I promise I will post one on my next post. I am new here and I hate reading instructions so I am still ‘feeling’ things here.

1. Fry the chicken breasts till slightly browned. Set aside.
2. Put the chopped rasher on the hot pan that was used to fry the chicken–fry the rasher till it is slightly crunchy.
3.Add the chopped leek and the butter cubes. Stir to prevent it from burning.
4. Add in bay leaf and celery sticks, followed by the carrot sticks. Keep cooking for 5 minutes—remember, medium fire!!!
5. After the vegetable sticks are wilted, add in a spoonful of flour and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
6. Add the wine and chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, put it to slow fire and let it simmer for 45minutes to 55 minutes–or till meat is tender. Adjust seasoning and voila!! A hearty chicken with rasher and vegetable sticks!

Easy peasy lemony squeezy! It can be served with rice or mashed potato. I prefer the rice—it’s my comfort food during the cold winter days!!
I think I am stuck on my college self coz all the foods i tend to cook are easy and should I say— A Lazy Chef Cuisine!! I might consider changing my blog title! Happy eating!!

Beloved loved loved loved it. And he is asking for Lasagna tomorrow! Eeeek!! And not the jarred ones—everthing must be from scratch– the bolognese sauce and even the roux sauce!! argh!!

I Feel Like Ranting!!

Drama…arent we tired of it yet? Coz I am. I’m fed up with everything.  I’m fed up of listening to other people telling me how to live my life. I’m fed up of listening to others  holy ‘righteous’ people preaching to me. I’m fed up of pretending and having to smile through gritted teeth just to keep the peace and make others happy.

My life is without a drama for as long as I can remember. And not just the ordinary drama or the OTT exaggeration of things. I have had a tough life. Every time I close my eyes at night i would wish that I do not wake up anymore. I am tired! And others trying to dictate and control  the way I have to live my life is making things even harder for me.

So unless you have been in the same situation as I have been– stay out of my way and my life if you are just gonna judge me and shove your ‘unsolicited advice’ down my throat. If I need advice I will ask, I’m an adult, I am not a child.

I am going to have a rant here and pretend that I am saying this to all those people who are creating dramas in my life. I am a bit of a chicken LOL but I guess it’s better this way rather than hurt  other people’s feelings or worst I might go all crazy I’d start chasing them all with a hurley and will provably send them to the hospital and be lame for life or die of aneurysm and me languish in jail!!

Here comes my virtual rant:

1. I am not a religious person so stop preaching to me and shoving the bible to my face! I let you practice your religion and I tolerate you every time you say ‘praise the …..’ every 5 seconds but for crying out loud stop trying to convert me!! I only went to church with you once coz you have been harassing me pretty much every day for the past 5 years!!  If you were so worried I’d end up in hell for my sinful ways i suggest you start praying for my soul now coz weren't you the one who told me that prayer is powerful??I respect your views so respect mine!

2. Stop meddling with my relationships, okay?? This is my life and I will do what I like with it. I am doing all my responsibilities in life.  I bring food on the table, send the children to school, help out others in need, I volunteer in the community, work for charity, I have a decent job that I can be proud of so what is your problem?? After all, when things go wrong, I am the only one who is left to sort things out. And where were you?? I made my bed, I will lie in it. And again, I’m an adult!!

3. Just because I don't mince my word does not make me a cold insensitive btcih. I am no good at pretending. If I offend you, tell me. I know how to apologize, my mother and gran taught me well. Don't go about telling things to others. Remember, I am not a mind reader.

4. I do get tired as well you know. Try turning the hoover on 24/7. It wont last the whole week. I have been really good. Doing 12 sometimes 14 hours work daily. I am on call whenever you want, the nights and even the weekends. Yet you are asking for more?? Bloody H*** !! You are not even paying me and when did you last say thank you?? I am not a door mat!

5. hmmm I cant think of a # 5. I guess I’m not angry anymore. Writing is really very calming. I was able to off load all those negative feelings without hurting anyone!

Well, I guess, the Drama Queen in me is not ready to retire yet. :P