Wednesday 6 July 2016

What do you do with old ginger root?

I found a few clumps of old ginger root on our fresh spice shelf. Some of them had growth buds sprouting out. I did not want to throw them away and decided to bury them in the soil for them to grow.

It has been several weeks now and they have now grown into tiny plants. There is something magical about watching plants transform from something so small into the most important living organisms on earth.

Young ginger plant growing out of the ground, from an old ginger root

Young ginger plant with shoots





Sunday 3 July 2016

Soft pastels at Hua Ho Manggis

My delight at such a discovery! If only there is more time to dedicate between books, anime and drawing!

And they have two sizes, last I saw; mini box of 24 and 48 Faber Castell ones.



My first attempt at soft pastel drawing


Peanut butter fruit - Bunchosia argentea - Bagu


At home, these peanut butter fruit  (Bunchosia argentea) trees grow and spread very quickly. The seed in the fruit easily germinates without being buried in the soil.

Dad usually keep the sprawling branches tidy by using a string to bunch them up together.

The green fruit turns a bright, solid orange colour when it is ripe. It is when all green have cleared off the skin that the fruit is ready to be enjoyed. Otherwise, it has a bland taste and a creamy texture which is not pleasant. To be frank, one needs to have an acquired taste for this fruit.

A quick google on the Malay name of the peanut butter fruit, bagu has not returned any useful links. When shown the fruit to my Malay colleagues, they were not familiar with the fruit.


Close-up photo of Peanut butter fruit (Bunchosia argentea)

Peanut butter fruit - Bunchosia argentea leaves with wavy edges

Peanut butter fruit - Bunchosia argentea leaves with wavy edges

Close-up photo of peanut butter fruit - Bunchosia argentea small yellow flowers and tiny buds

According to a book published by Brunei Forestry Department,  the malay name for the peanut butter fruit is bagu. I had brought some of these fruits for my colleagues to try. But none of us knew the local name. Days later, a colleague saw a relevant book where she found its local name. She took a photo of the page and sent it to me.

Sunday 9 August 2015

A rectangular table with 1 leg

For a large rectangular table to function, it requires enough legs.

It could still somewhat function with 3.

But, some people do not understand the importance of having enough legs yet, fancy tables they are always asking for! O_o

Alas, it is a table miraculously balanced on one leg, but with the most beautifully embellished tablecloth. When is it going to topple, well, I dont know.

Destructive Us

It is hard to stomach how Earth is so beautiful but my very existence (to enjoy her beauty) poses an imminent destruction to her.