Cooking Tips for a College Student From a College Student (FULL VERSION)

The time spent while trying to obtain a higher education can be a very liberating one. During this formative period of your life, you will be faced with many new experiences and challenges, none of which will be as informative or as enriching as that of living alone for the first time and discovering that eventually you will have to rely on yourself if you want to have any chance of surviving the coming years.

The first lesson you will learn is this: You need to eat. If you do not eat, you will get hungry and you will die. It’s a sad but true fact, and one that many students tend to forget about while studying and preparing for numerous assignments and tests. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you will either have access to cooking facilities or enough money and options to eat out three times a day, every day. If you’re like me, however, you’ll find yourself in a tiny little space with little resources and even less skills to whip up something delicious and nutritious for a reasonable price (come now, let’s be honest: mamak food is great, as are other fast-food options, but the thought of eating it for every meal makes my stomach recoil in horror).

While staring at the boxes and Styrofoam cups lining my desk, I remembered a trick my mother used: by adding mushroom soup to pasta, covering it with cheese and baking it in the oven for a bit, she managed to create a quick and simple meal that was both healthy and delicious. Widening my eyes at this revelation, I quickly tore open a pack of instant noodles and threw away the tiny package of MSG-laden goodness that it came with and used a packet of powdered soup. The resulting mix after I added hot water was both good and entirely different from what I had been eating for the past year that I rejoiced at the opportunities that I had uncovered before smacking myself in the head for not thinking of it sooner.

If you’ve been reading this far, you might start to wonder what else I was able to ‘cook’ in my room without the use of a stove or refrigerator, and surprisingly enough, quite a bit. When trying to cook in a dorm, you need three things:

·         Imagination

·         Patience

·         An electric kettle

It can be incredibly easy to create a meal with just a few ingredients. For instance, pasta can indeed be cooked using a kettle: all you have to do is add boiling water to the pasta, cover it and wait for about fifteen minutes. The sauce is even simpler: just open a jar and add as much as you need. They keep amazingly well, and a single jar can go a long way (the price may seem a bit steep, but it’s actually just as cheap when you consider how many meals you can make out of it).

Another option that I found fascinating was quail eggs. A carton of them is amazingly cheap, and as long as you eat them all in a couple of days you don’t have to worry about using a fridge to keep them cold (don’t worry, at least three of them are equivalent to one average chicken egg).  Cooking them is also simple, yet requires a lot of patience. One method would be to slow-cook them by placing them in a thermos filled with hot water and letting them sit there for a while (this, unfortunately, takes a long time and possibly changing the water at least once. I wouldn’t recommend relying on them for a quick meal). If you decide to open up a packet of noodles, you can crack a couple of eggs open and let them poach in the same hot water the noodles are in. 

Like I said, you need an incredible amount of patience and imagination when trying new ideas out. The same might be said about many aspects of life, too, but I digress. As of writing this article, I could barely find websites covering the fine art of cooking without a kitchen, so most of what I could think of was born of hunger and not enough energy to leave my room. In all honesty, living in a dorm room severely limits your food options, and ‘cooking’ with only an electric kettle and some imagination can only take you so far. But when your only options are eating out or relying on the limited variety of instant foods available in the market, you start to get a little creative and more willing to experiment. 

Written by Michelle Augustine Barbour

~American Flyer - Spring 2011 edition~ 

Brickfields; the Food Hideout of KL (FULL VERSION)

At the mere mention of the word Brickfields, a lot of things may go through people’s minds, some good but I can assume mostly not so good, another thing that may come to mind is the food, yes I’m sure you are thinking about thosai , roti canai and banana leaf rice and all the regular Indian staples. But hidden away from sight, behind the glitz, glamour and colourful facade of “Little India”, you can and most definitely will find some pretty good Chinese food.

In a small Hawker centre tucked away silently about 400 metres away from KL Sentral is, in my opinion, one of the best pork noodle stalls in the Klang Valley: Peter’s Pork Noodles. It is located behind Wisma MAB. It is a bit tricky to find but if you ask around for the Mayflower Restaurant, it’s easy. As far as pork noodles go, Peter is the Gordon Ramsay of Pork noodles, the servings are generous and you could get a big bowl with everything in it for under RM 5. In that same hawker centre there is also chicken rice, curry laksa and also one of the best banana leaf rice stalls in Brickfields. So don’t be surprised if you happen to see people eating fried fish to accompany their bowl of pork noodles, but rest assured that it is a winning combination.

Another hidden gem in Brickfields is located opposite the YMCA building in Brickfields, just off the T- junction on the pavement is a stall that has goreng pisang (banana fritters) as it is affectionately known as by Malaysians. It is about a three minute walk from KL Sentral and is impossible to miss because of the hoards of people that line up to get their fix.  This stall does not skimp on quality or quantity either, the batter is light and fluffy much like tempura batter and they sell whole bananas unlike typical banana fritter stalls that only give you half or a quarter of the banana. But if you are not there on time or if you go a little after tea time, chances are that they might run out.  

If you ever find yourself having the munchies after a hard day’s night (no pun intended) of partying  like a rock star and not knowing what to eat or if anything is open other than Ronald McDonald and his pals,  have no fear. At the same spot in which the goreng pisang man works his magic during the day is one of the only chee cheong fun hawkers that I know that plies his trade throughout the night and into the wee hours of the morning (approximately about 5 am). He sets up his modest stall on his motorbike and uses the traditional charcoal stove which gives extra flavour to his chee cheong fun which is a throwback to the old days or so I’m told by the enthusiastic and passionate Mr. Lim who has been doing this for almost 30 years. So you know it has got to be good. For those who are dining in, be warned that the settings are al fresco in every sense of the word i.e. A few stools strewn out on the pavement and no tables in sight but all this adds to the experience of it all and most importantly the taste.

It wouldn’t do justice if I wrote an article about food in Brickfields and snobbishly ignored the Indian side of it, I mean, after all it is the new “Little India”. It would be like a 16 year old girl not finding Justin Bieber to be a musical genius and hot at the same time! If you take a walk around Little India, Indian eateries are a dime in a dozen and they all have the same typical fare. Not to take anything away from the glitz of it all, but it’s pretty much the same thing and it can get a tad bit monotonous from time to time so if you’re looking for a spin on authentic Indian cuisine look no further than Annalakshmi Indian Restaurant. It is located behind the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple and shares a building with the Temple of Fine Arts therein. This restaurant is run by the volunteers of the aforementioned Temple of fine Arts and payment for the meal is by donation only. This means that you eat what you like and then decide what amount you think is fair to pay. This might not work in a restaurant of lesser quality but after you’re done eating here; you will feel compelled to pay an appropriate amount. 

The concept is that of a buffet style where there is an array of dishes to choose from. It’s like the greatest hits of Indian cuisine and everything in between. Like most Indian food, the food here is mildly spicy but so very good. There is a slight catch for all the carnivorous people out there about the restaurant, because it is a part of the temple everything is 100% vegetarian but that does not make a difference because you hardly feel that you are missing any meat in your meal as the dishes prepared are filling in themselves. Another catch is that it is a fine dining restaurant so the dressing has to be smart casual i.e. No shorts and slippers allowed other than that this place is a must try for all those “curry fiends” out there. The restaurant is run with the central theme Athithi Devo Bhava which, in English, means, ‘The guest is God’.  With a cool motto like that how can you not want to check this place out?’

Written by Timothy Achariam 

~American Flyer - Spring 2011 Edition~

University of Waterloo from An Insider: AF Speaks to Waterloo Student, Gan Hoi Yee. (FULL VERSION)

1.      How did you narrow down your choices of university to this one?

ADP promotes Drake and Waterloo for Actuarial Science students. University of Waterloo is world-renowned for their Actuarial Science programme. As a bonus, the fees here are also affordable (looking at the ranking).

2.      What are your expenses like? (Accommodation, meals, transport, facilities, miscellaneous)

It depends on your lifestyle. Expect to spend around $700-800 per month (everything included). For University of Waterloo students, we have free access to public transportation (bus). But we must carry our student cards at all times for identification. Every meal costs around $5 - $10. The rent for rooms ranges from $400 - $700. Cooking your own food can reduce your monthly expenses significantly, so please learn to cook before you come here. I spend around $500 every month.

3.      How did you adapt your surroundings? (Culture, people, weather)

It was instantaneous. People in Canada are very nice and friendly. It's not hard to adapt to the culture here as Canada is multinational. People from different races and backgrounds can be seen everywhere, just like at KL, so you should get used to it easily. About the weather, even though it might be dry and cold when you first reach here, but believe me, you will get used to it really soon. I honestly love the cold weather here very much. Just get yourself a winter jacket and you’re good to go.

4.      Did you experience culture shock? If so, how did you deal with it?

No culture shock. Everything was the way I expected it to be.

5.      If you were to pick up a language in Canada, what would it be? Would you recommend newcomers to pick it up too? If so, why? If not, why not?

Personally, I prefer Japanese as I watch anime a lot. So, if I were to pick up a language here, it would be Japanese. French is the national language here aside from English, but people at Waterloo seldom speak French. We communicate mostly in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. So, if newcomers want to pick up another language here, I would recommend them to take whatever that they find interesting so that they will enjoy the process of learning.

6.      How's life off-campus?

You have a lot of freedom to do whatever you please, whenever you please. Try to find good landlords; they will help you a lot. In fact, my landlord brought me to Niagara Falls when I first arrived and they always invite me over for meals. The public transport here is very convenient. There are bus stops almost everywhere and the buses come on time. Besides, the university provides an off-campus shuttle bus to take students home at night after evening classes. The driver will drop us off right in front of our house. It’s fantastic here!

7.      Any advice for students going through college application? How about advise about life in the US? Or perhaps anything you'd like to say (warn) ADP-ians about?

About application, following the instructions would suffice, as well as the procedures for VISA application. When the semester is in session here in UW, it gets boring as there really isn’t much to do except study. So when you’re on break, go on a holiday to de-stress. Overall, it is certainly a life-impacting experience, if you meet the right people to help you succeed. 

Interview by Mayuri Mei Lin

~American Flyer - Spring 2011 Edition~

Susana Martinez Tells All (FULL VERSION)

Close your eyes and picture a night in Barcelona - Spanish Guitar strums tapping into your physique making you automatically glide from side to side, a movement more famously known as swaying. Next, picture a live Flamenco number being played in the background by an independent street band - The Spanish guitar tune becomes secondary as more clapping and fast beats are added to this sultry ambience. SHE floats in with so much poise like a pompous flamingo, her confidence so exuberant that she rubs off as sassy. Then! “BAM OLEO “(the crowd screams) and SHE begins to gracefully captivate the crowd with her fluid yet on point body movements. The sound of her pumps hitting the unlevelled floor sends jolts of pleasure into your nervous system.”

CONFESSION: This was the preconceived notion I had of Susanna Martinez before actually interviewing her. See- I heard through the grapevine that she was a Spanish woman, hence the delusionary impression above. But on the complete contrary, she’s one of the most down-to earth people I’ve ever interviewed. WHO is Susanna Martinez you might ask?  Read further for an exclusive insight and find out for yourself:

Which part of Spain do you hail from?
I was raised in a little village called Castillo La Mancha, located at the very centre of
Spain. It is a beautiful yet relatively small town, so small that its own township didn’t have a high school; hence I was required to travel to a neighbouring village. The best thing about Castillo La Mancha is that, because it was so compact, everyone knew each other so I felt safe, free and easy to do anything I wanted around and about my village as a kid.

Why Malaysia?
Why not? (giggles) I think ultimately it’s because I was eager for some changes to occur in my life at one point. I wanted a change of climate but above all I was eager for a change of culture. I was willing to immerse myself in a whole new culture and I found that Malaysia could amply provide that. I first arrived in Malaysia, reporting for duty at USM as a lecturer in 2001. I was 29 years old at the time (so do the math if you would like to know my current age). In 2003 I got attached with Instituto Cervantes de Kuala Lumpur (Help University College) and have been working here hitherto.

5 things you like about Malaysia?
The people, food, climate, contradictions & Help University College.

5 things you don’t like about Malaysia?
The roads.
 

Cual es tu estado civil? (What is current your Marital status)
(Starts to turn red) Well I was also fortunate enough to fall in love with someone in this country so YES- I am happily married. I met my husband sometime back, courtesy of a good friend of mine who introduced us to each other when I was out dancing at Changkat one night. My husband is a Product Designer for LUSTRO- a successful fashion label for men.

Have you been blessed with any children?
I have a beautiful son called Elias (pauses and breaks-out into an exuberant smile) and it’s funny that you brought this up, because I’m actually expecting a baby at the moment, so yeah- I have another bun in the oven. If I get a baby girl I would like to call her Patricia.
 
Do you have a favourite Spanish saying?

Yes I do, it was something my father used to tell me all the time: “Si tienes un problema y hay solución, porqué preocuparse. Si tienes un problema y no hay solución, porqué preocuparse”. (“If you have a problem and there is a solution, then why should you be worried?  And if you have a problem but there is no solution, then again- why should you be worried?”)
 

The greatest advice that your grandmother has given you?
“If a guy is really sweet to you and he showers you with flowers and gifts- DON’T FALL FOR IT, because guys always expect something back in return”.

The 2 things in life that you cannot live without?

Love and Family.
 

What is your favourite Malaysian food?
Definitely nasi lemak.

Favourite Spanish Food?
Fabada Asturiana.

In your own opinion, where is the best place to find Spanish food (restaurant) in KL?
PINCHOS- Changkat
 

Which do you prefer; singing, acting or dancing?
I assure you that I cannot sing at all, and I never liked acting because I am a very shy person but I really love dancing. I can dance to just about any kind of music.

Can you do the Flamenco and if you could choose absolutely anyone to do the Flamenco with, who would it be?
I am pretty sure I can do the Flamenco dance and I am also pretty sure I would love to do it
with Antonio Balderas

Interview by Kyian Keith

~American Flyer - Spring 2011 Edition~

American Eagle’s St. Patrick’s Day

Ah, St. Patrick’s Day. Also known as St. Patty’s Day, the holiday was first created to commemorate Saint Patrick and other patron Saints of Ireland. Nowadays, the holiday has been commercialised to the extent that almost all Christian connections have been removed and the day is now commemorated by dyeing various bodies of water green and drink ridiculous amounts of beer.

While the actual St. Patty’s Day is held on the 17^th of March, the American Eagle threw their own party on the 18^th for practicality’s sake, and also in adherence of their true Malaysian roots and the timing that is such a part of our culture. Nevertheless, the common hall at the HELP Residence was decked out in green finery, with green and silver balloons floating around and gold chocolate coins on the green and silver tables. 

 

Also true to Malaysian form, the festivities started a wee bit later than the stated time, but quickly got into the groove with a rendition of Zee Avi’s “Honeybee” by the talented Michelle Cheah and James Choong. Easing the transition of the performances and other highlights of the night was Tung Jit Sun, who kept the audience entertained with his rather – endearing attempt at an Irish accent. After the usual opening speeches by the Heads of the American Degree Programme and the American Eagle, the performances were back in full swing with more performances by our talented students.

After a mellow medley performed by Woon Kheng, Jane and James Choong, the audience was treated to a very unusual lip-syncing performance by Marivin Ravintharan and Bryan Kenn who put a very unusual spin on a Bollywood song by having the former dress up as the female protagonist. The feedback for the performance have been somewhat mixed, but for what it’s worth, Marivin makes for a very attractive girl. Topping it all off was a quick nomination of the best-dressed and best costume, the latter category rendered null by the fact that no one actually wore a costume. 

After dinner, the Cantata Choir charmed the audience with exceptional renditions of popular songs before a comedy troupe formed by members of the American Eagle put on an insanely hilarious skit parodying “I Am Number Four”. The group made great use of the audience’s imagination and their limited budget by coming up with creative ways to replicate special effects commonly found in movies, with one notable example being a character sitting astride a desk with a sign reading YAMAHA on it while a slideshow played in the background. The whole show was insanely hilarious, not just because of the writing, but because the actors and everyone involved in its production were fully able to take things lightly and play up their lack of expertise and resources.

Remember the nominations for Best Dressed? Well, those nominations came back to haunt those involved, as the selected students were called up on stage. Of course, no contest of any sort is complete without some form of mild humiliation, and in the spirit of things, the contestants were asked to do their best impression of a moonwalk and an Irish accent (this being St. Patrick’s Day, after all). After some valiant efforts by the students (and two lecturers), the judges were left to deliberate while the students mingled and socialised.

Eventually, the judges came to a final conclusion and granted Junn Tan and Mr. Yong San Loo the prize for best dressed, ending the night’s festivities. As the night wound down, the students ended the evening with picture taking and casual chatting before everyone eventually dispersed back home.

Was anything learned about St. Patrick that night? Not really. Was anything dyed green, or were large amounts of alcohol consumed? Definitely not. But in the end, everyone had a good time, and that –after all- is what the night was all about.  

-American Flyer-

Come party with us at our American Flyer Launch Party!

All ADPians are invited to this entirely free shindig so bring along  fellow ADPians and come grab your free copy of the newly-revamped, completely badass American Flyer!

-American Flyer-

In the world today.

Hello again!

Here are some videos done by our very own ADP students, Amira Amirudin, Aqif Haziq, Faustina Nisha Theodore, Ibtisem Khan, Kyian Keith, Rasya Aqiyl and Sharon Sutha Simon.

The messages in these videos, I feel, are important for people to understand and be aware of. Despite being informed about certain things in life, we just take them for granted. I hope these videos can help us fully realise what's out there in the world today and take action before it's too late.

Baby Dumping by Rasya Aqiyl

Making A Difference in Your Day-to-Day Activities by Aqif Haziq

Love Yourself by Amira Amirudin

Personal Hygiene by Sharon Sutha Simon

Recognising Teen Depression by Faustina Nisha Theodore

The Conflict of Innocence by Ibtisem Khan

Youth Ignorance by Kyian Keith

-American Flyer-