One of my struggles as a student here at UCSI University, is trying to decide on what to feed my own tummy. It’s undeniably the worst dilemma one could ever go through. It\u2019s a life and death situation since no one is here to feed me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know I am not the only one caught up in this dilemma on \u201cWhat should I eat today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome to Adulting 1.0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a responsible young adult, cooking my own meals would definitely qualify as the right thing to do. I mean, it is cheaper, right? But, the reality of being a university student makes this whole situation more complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As much as I would want to stay\nwining at this adulating series, here are a few factors to take into\nconsideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A. COSTS- Cooking home 1: Eating out 0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe this is only applicable to simple meals like noodles or spaghetti bolognese. Anything other than this or western imported ingredients would be out of the range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Allow me to break it down for\nyou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ordering spaghetti bolognese at a local restaurant will probably cost you about RM15. On the other hand, if you decided to prepare it by yourself, here are the grocery bills: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Spaghetti \u2013 RM5<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bolognese sauce- RM10<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meat- RM9<\/p>\n\n\n\n Total= RM24<\/p>\n\n\n\n NB: This is a simplified pasta recipe and also my go-to recipe as a student, I mean all that matters is I fill my tummy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The grocery bill may seem a bit high as to eating out, but when you buy pasta it\u2019s usually portioned into 4-5 servings. The only concern is for the meat as one pack can give at least 2 servings. So it\u2019s either you stock up the meat (I love my meat) or go vegetarian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are other easy and cost effective meals one can prepare on a student budget, but for me pasta and noodles are easier to portion and store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparing meals like steaks in Malaysia may cost you as much as the amount you would spend at a restaurant because food is generally cheap here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n B. SPACE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of my struggles is the lack of kitchen space, be it in an apartment with well-organised housemates. Each of us have a cupboard or compartment in the refrigerator meant for us. This might not always be the case. You may have to fight for space or work around the basis of first come, first serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We mostly find ourselves grocery shopping weekly, because if we buy in bulk, where would we store all the food?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides, our kitchen isn\u2019t fully equipped. There are several appliances that are missing i.e. microwave (I heat my food on the stove, I don\u2019t really mind) and my student budget won\u2019t cover these appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n C. TIME<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At times we just don’t have the time to cook. Well, I\u2019d say we don\u2019t make time for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I find it more convenient to eat out at times though not everyone enjoys it, but at least that\u2019s an existing option. Food in Malaysia is generally cheap as well, there are hawker stalls, delivery services\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n And there are your friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Shona we say, \u201cHukama igasva hwunozadziswa nekudya,\u201d<\/em> meaning eating with friends is the best way to form a social relationship, am I right? This is one of the most perfect bonding sessions. It\u2019s either you\u2019re eating or hunched over endless assignments and exams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So if you\u2019re an international student and end up eating in on your own, you may lose a huge platform to making friends, especially in Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So now: Cooking or eating out?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of my struggles as a student here at UCSI University, is trying to decide on what to feed my own tummy. 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