Advanced Happy New Year

Before i go off on my holiday, i would like to wish everyone a Happy new Year first.

I being missing again, due to a terrible cold that i had caught a terrible cold a few days after my birthday during November. I even got ear infection and was unable to hear properly for a few weeks. I went to visit one of the local clinic in bandar and was on MC for one day. After taking the medication for 1 week, my condition turn from bad to worst.

Thanks to a kind uncle, someone my dad know, he was familiar with the specialist at RIPAS & brought me to hospital for check up. The Doctor prescribed me some huge pills which i think is probably antibiotic. Went back to let doctor check again after 2 weeks. he said my ear is not completely recover and prescribe me more medicine to eat for another month. my next appointment is mid January 2008. Hope there won't be anymore medicine after that.

I will be goin to KK with my family and spend the new year eve there. Hehe. my flight is 9+ am and i am doing some last minute research on restaurants now. Can't go to Seafood Village cos my parent will probably flip if they see the hundreds dollar bill. haha

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

Ham Bun

The recipe that i was afraid to challenge up till now is ... Bun.
I love Breads and Buns. Yet, i am afraid to make them.

Cause my little hand held mixer is not strong enough to beat the dough and past experience always ends up in disaster. The bread was hard as rock. Well, after seeing this recipe, i thought die die also must try.

For this recipe, i die die kneaded the dough for almost one hour =/ My poor arm...

Thanks to Evan!

I am glad my bread did not come out like a rock and it's visually acceptable. Though my bread is not as pretty as Evan's but i intend to try again in the near future. =) I do not have round dish to put my bun in so i arrange it like a butterfly. keke.

Below here is her recipe (copy word by word):-

Ingredients :

recipe source : u-weekly mag

300g bread flour
100g plain flour
80g sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp instant dry yeast
175ml ice water
50g butter or margarine

for the filling :

picnic ham
spring onions, chopped
1 beaten egg, for glazing

directions :

1. mix bread flour, plain flour, salt, sugar, egg, dry yeast, ice water & butter/margarine in a bowl.

2. incorporate everything well & knead to form a pliable & elastic dough. this process may take quite a while, about 30 mins or so. the dough will be wet & sticky at first (and kinda messy as well), but keep on kneading (without adding oil or water) until dough no longer sticks to fingers & is glossy on surface. and if you're about to give up just like i did, DON'T!

3. set aside in a warm place to allow dough to fermentate, approx. 45 mins. the dough must at least double in size after fermentation.

4. punch to release some air. separate dough into individual 60g portions & refrigerate for about 10 mins.

5. taking a portion of the dough out of the fridge, knead into a flat sheet just abit bigger than a slice of picnic ham.

6. place ham on top of the dough and roll up.

7. cut into 5 portions and place them onto a small round dish or flan tin.

8. repeat steps 5 - 7 for the rest of the dough.

9. leave on to fermentate for another further 35 mins.

10. glaze with egg wash & sprinkle with chopped spring onions.

11. bake in a preheated oven of 200 deg c. for about 10 mins until golden brown. brush top with margarine for a shiny glaze.

I did not have enough ham pieces so the left over dough, i made bean paste bun. hehe

Road to Musician

Some of you may have already know... but i am taking up piano lessons at Contessa now. I had always wanted to learn to play the piano, but no time no money. Haha! Teacher told me i have to cut my nails and i can't keep long nails. I haven't really cut them yet =/


Being having a few lessons already. Normally had it on a Saturday afternoon. Now all i need is a Piano.... so anyone want to buy me one?


Wa hey! i know how to play Mary had a Little Lamb now =x
Before long, you would see me playing Secret like Jay Chou. (*rolling eyes "ya, dream on")

13 Nov 2007 - My birthday

I did not really celebrate my birthday but i did eat a big cheese cake on that day (generously sponsor by my brother).

I would also like to thank a few people who are actually sweet enough to remember this important day.

1) Sharlene, thanks for the nice bracelet, the hot chocolate & the sms
2) Patrina, thanks for the 5.30 a.m. sms, the big heart shape earrings & lunch at Capers
3) Sze Wei for the sms
4) Nonnie for the sms
5) Jia Ren for the Tao Fu Fa
5) Pei Hwan for the sms
6) Harold for the Email
7) My parents for the Ang Pows
8) My bro for the breakfast at Emperors & the Birthday Cake

Thank you all for remembering. *sob (touched) It means a lot to me. Really. Every year if i have to use my finger to count who remember birthday. There will always be left over fingers. Well, its expected la. Not socialise, not popular, got more than 5 people remember, i very happy already.

Mashed Potatoes with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

This was taught by Sze Wei. Credit goes to her~

Hey, Sze Wei, what do you think of my first attempt? Looks nice huh. =D

Ingredients for sauce:
400 ml fresh milk
about 10 fresh button mushrooms, sliced
50g of shredded cheddar cheese or more
pinch of salt
1 tbsp of BBQ sauce (optional)
1 tsp of cornflour
100 ml water

Potatoes:
about 10 pcs
butter

1. Mix 1 tsp cornflour with 100ml water well. Set Aside
2. Butter the pan, lightly pan fried the sliced mushrooms for a while. (drain any water that came out from the mushrooms)
3. Add the milk in the pan with the mushroom and bring it to a boil (medium heat). Stirring all the time.
4. Add in cheese + BBQ sauce + salt. The more the tastier.
5. Add in step 1. Turn off the heat.
6. Place the potatoes in a sauce pan cover with water (wash the potatoes first -_-")
7. Bring them to boil. Test by using a fork.
8. Drain the water, let it cool for a while and quickly peel off the skin.
9. Mashed the potatoes while its still warm , add in a little butter.
10. Shape them into a balls.
11. Drizzle with cooked mushroom sauce and serve.

Must try, Really nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ate this for lunch and Dinner when i first made it =x

Snowskin Mooncake - 冰皮月饼

i made these several weeks ago during the mooncake festival. Call me old fashioned but i am the type of person who rather die if i could not eat mooncake during the mid-autumn festival. I love mooncake, from baked to snowskin. I could only eat mooncake once a year so i am always looking forward to this special occasion.


This year, i spent a lot buying the mooncake mould, cookbook and ingredients at Le Apple. I was determined to make my own mooncake this year. I bought baked mooncake and made my own snowskin. People said that the design of the mooncake come out better if using a wooden mould. But wooden mould is so bloody expensive. I bought the plastic one and it still come out good.

I attempted twice with 2 different recipes. The first time was from a mooncake recipe book i bought. I must had done something wrong because my mooncake was rock hard after coming out from the fridge on the 2nd day.

The 2nd attempt was good. The skin is still soft after sitting in the fridge for 4 days. =x

Thanks to Aunty Yochana. My snowskin mooncake was a success. xD

Her recipe:

Ingredients for skin:
90 gm kao fen (kao fen is cooked glutinous flour)
10g tang mien flour
30g shortening
1 tsp fresh milk
180-200g water
100g sugar

fillings:
red bean paste or lotus paste

1. Boil water & sugar till dissolves. Cool in fridge
2. Mix kao fen & tang mien flour & shortening by rubbing them together.
3. Pour all the cold syrup (step 1) into step 2 & mix till you get a soft dough.
4. Divide dough into small portions according to your mould shape.
5. Dust your mould with some kao fen.
6. Wrap the divided skin with filling and press them into the mould.
7. Knock out lightly. The mooncake should come out easily.

I can made about 20 mini mooncakes with this recipe.

I made a little twist actually, hehe. I add in a tsp of matcha powder into the water. The colour comes out really nice. The match powder is so so so expensive. Cost $8 + for a small bottle at le Apple. sob

White Sugar Sponge - 白糖糕

白糖糕 or rather known as "pak tong kou" to most is a chinese snack that i always love since i was young. My uncle's neighbour back in Malaysia always made excellent pak tong kou, although a bit sweet but it was really really good.

During Chinese New Year when my family would have house gathering at Kedah, the aunty next door would be kind enough to offer a plate of fresh pink colour pak tong kou. It was something that i really look forward to whenever i went there. However, that was years and years ago. I haven't seen that aunty for so long I am not sure i would recognise her again.

I always wanted to try to make this. However, i was turn off when most recipes would call for long hours of fermentation. up to 8 hrs or even 1 day. The fermentation time is too long and i am too lazy to wait.

But but, god did not forsaken me. I came upon this recipe, generously shared by Florence. 2 hours of fermentation only. It's worth a try! My outcome isn't so bad, the taste is there but my top is a little bit wet. hehe

Thank you so much, Ms Florence. My dreams has come true. =D I can finally made my own pak tong kou!!! Weeeeeeee


This is her recipe:-

(A):
170g sieved rice flour
130g - 150 g caster sugar
360 ml water

(B):
34 tsp instant yeast
1 tbsp warm water

Method:
1. Mix B & leave aside for 10 mins for use later.
2. Mix A together well & cook over slow heat, stirring all the time till a little thicken (this process should be less than 5 mins). Sieve the mixture into a big mixing bowl & cooled it in a basic of water.
3. Mix step 1 & 2 together & blend well. Cover mixture with glad wrap & prove in a warm water for 1 to 2 hours. When mixture show signs of bubble all over the surface, then it is ready for steaming.
4. Pour mixture in greased pan & steam at high heat for 20 - 25 mins.
5. Cut & serve when cool.

Back (after missing for 2 mths)

Back again for now... but there's no saying when i will be missing again. zzz
I am still playing my DS whenever i have some little free time.
Too many games to play. Too little time
I found that i had neglected my blog a little too much =/

So now, i am taking a little break from my DS and do a little posting here.
Just finished playing Luminous Arc. A great tactic game, really.

At the moment watching this new drama called 公主小妹 by Angela Zhang & Wu Zhun. The drama is not bad. Should give it a try.

Changed my player. cute huh =x I had upload list of new and old chinese songs (my favourite)

Holiday. yay Holiday~

It's public holiday today and I am not doing any baking or trying out new recipe.

I can't because i will be going to Singapore with my parents tomorrow. Woo Hoo~ I haven't pack yet but I am not planning to bring a big bag of clothes, accessories and cosmetics this time. Cause i found i never really wear some of the clothes i bring. So why waste energy bring so many.

So, this time I am going to take my small gym bag and fit in a couple of set of clothes enough to last me for 5 days. So i will chuck everything in the cargo and take a Horrible Histories book with me + my ipod Nano + passport + small bag onboard.

I am going to have a relaxing holiday. Not to go big shopping like last time. I will buy a few things only and take my time eating cakes. I am not going to buy many many clothes like last time. I am not going to use my credit card more than 3 times.

That's the plan. Haha. But can follow or not, i don't have any idea. We will be staying at Singapore for 2 or 3 days and then move to Johore to visit my aunt.

Looking forward to tomorrow =x

Bakelyn - Virgin Visit

Some of you may not know but Bakelyn is a new bakery that is open at Kiulap, just next to Baiduri Bank.

I was intending to buy myself some chocolate mud cake. I got the chance to try on it during my lawyer's birthday and i was hooked. Their mud cake is really really good. It is very very rich in chocolate!

I went there on an early evening. Their window display of cakes were empty much to my disappointment. I asked the lady boss and she said they still have fudge cake in the kitchen. So, i bought this heart shape Chocolate Fudge cake, costing $4.90. The fudge cake is the cutest thing! The strawberry was dipped in white chocolate and was decorate as a tuxedo with dark chocolate XD Wahh!


The fudge cake was a bit sweeter than the mud cake. I would prefer the deep richness of the chocolate found in the mud cake though.

The lady boss was introducing their donuts to me. She told me that their donuts were one of the most popular. I bought the Custard Donut and Strawberry Donut at 90 cents each. Reasonable prices. Also chocolate Donut at $1.20.

Their Custard Donut is refreshing and not oily. And the chocolate sauce on top of the chocolate donut is of belgium chocolate and not sweet at all. I couldn't take picture of the donuts because it was all eaten by brother when i brought them home. Sigh. My brother said it's the best donuts you can ever find in Brunei.

She also told me that they only use the best quality in their ingredients. Their cakes are usually $40 per kg. A bit pricey but i think it's well worth the price. They have chocolates pralines for sell, suitable as gift and also home made ice cream.

And get this, their chef is from Sheraton!!! No wonder taste so good.

I intro my brother to order the Chocolate mud cake for his friend's birthday at Bakelyn. All his friends love the cake.

The Journey of Curry Puff

While i was rummaging the cabinet. I found this curry puff mould. Since I was too free and had nothing to do, thought i would like to try bake one. I had not follow any recipe and just use the flour and butter that i found at home.

I love curry puff and is often afraid to eat too much of them because deep fried curry puff are oily. I especially love those with a piece of egg in it. There used to be a great curry puff seller at the Food Court of Centrepoint (Jaya). Unfortunately, they are no more in business. I think it was 3 pieces for $1. Their curry puff was small, crispy and the fillings are of curry potatoes. The curry itself are not too hot and there was egg in it. Aw, i miss their curry puff. Where had they moved to?

My mom made great curry puffs as well. But when asked her for the recipe, she can't give me cause she "agar-agar" (estimate) one. Now, i also "agar-agar" trying to make curry puffs like hers.

My curry puffs tastewise ok la. I mean the skin is not crispy enough. Obviously i didn't put enough butter. Well, i enjoy playing with them. I am sure next time will be better. hehe =D

roll our a piece of pastry and put on top of the mould

Put fillings in the middle and then press them together

Non Bake Brunei Style Cheese "Cake"

After much difficulties, i had finally gotten this recipe from one of my colleague. When he told me the ingredients and methods. I refuse to believe. It's too easy except some work is required.


I bought the ingredients and made this yesterday.

I was still doubtful when i prepared this and only after i tasted it, i was convinced. This is it. The cream cheese layer in between tasted sweet and nice. Once you pop a slice into your mouth, you can't stop. It's really addictive.

As can see from my picture, my mom had cut into them and eat them before i had the chance to take the picture. Haha

To be honest, i really don't know how to name this recipe. My colleague called it Cheesecake but it's not cake at all. Probably i Should call it Brunei Style Tiramisu? O_o

ok, back to my reading of my Harry Potter. I had about 1/3 left to go!!

Recipe as below:-
Ingredients:
1 pack of chocolate Marie Biscuits
2 blocks of Philadephia Cream Cheese = 500g (softened)
1 small can of Sweetened Condensed milk (can be reduce slightly if prefer)
1 small can of Nestle Cream
Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)

Methods:
1. Beat softened Cream Cheese till creamy.
2. Add in Condensed Milk and Cream. Set Aside.
3. For 1st layer, arrange each round Marie Biscuits in the baking tray and cover up any hole with broken pieces of the biscuits.
4. For 2nd layer, spread the biscuits generously with the cream cheese mixture.
5. Arrange biscuits as a third layer and spread more cheese mixture as fourth layer.
6. Sprinkle the top with shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for 3- 4 hours till set.

The biscuit texture, after refrigerate become soft and feels like sponge cake. Which is why, i refused to believe it was just plain old marie biscuit in the beginning =/

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows - Final Book!!

It 's being a heated competition among several book store in Brunei.

Icklebooks is selling at $48.90 for the first 100 customers plus free movie ticket at Empire.
Best Eastern selling at $49.00 with a harry potter bag
Paul & Elizabeth selling at $50+ with some 10% discount.

But I, being a regular customer from Icklebooks at Kiarong just bought from them.
I love Icklebooks plus the staff are nice and provide good service.

Was initially planning to wake up at 6+ a.m to beat all traffic and arrive at the store by 7 a.m. But stupid me, set the wrong alarm so end up waking at 7+ a.m. and stuck in traffic for a long time.

Enough say, here's the book!!! It comes with a cute paper bag =P




The free movie ticket is valid for three months, any movie , any time.



Well, i also end up buying more Horrible Histories =/

Ok, goin to start reading now. XD

Harry Potter -Order of Phoenix Premiere @ Empire

I know life must goes on and i had been doing lots of things to get my life going. This also include watching movies.

Last week saw the advertisement in the Borneo Bulletin stating that SCB is giving away free movie ticket to Harry Potter movie on the 11th, 13th and 14th at Empire, with free popcorn and drinks.

Being a Harry Potter fan, how could i pass up the chance for getting free ticket to my favourite movie?! So i kiasu, early early called up Empire, just to have them told me that "It's not comfirm yet" But hey! It's in the newspaper already le!!! So i called up SCB and made some complaint. SCB told me they will sort out the matter and within 5 minutes, they called me and told me I can booked my seat at Empire now.

It was really hard to call Empire Cinema. The line would ring and ring and ring and there won't be anyone to pick up the call. I took Pat's suggestion and called Empire's general line to have them pass me to the Cinema instead. The call was quickly place through and I was able to book some seats to my satisfaction. I picked up my ticket during lunch time on that day as well.

Anxiously waited for more than a week and finally get to watch the movie today with my brother. The atmosphere at the Empire cinema was rather nice. There were candles lighting up the hall and staffs are wearing the Quidditch's uniform. So we were really excited. The movie was scheduled to run at 7.20 p.m. but it was delay and only shown at about 8 p.m.

My opinion?
Well, i read the book before so i know what was going on but for someone like my brother who had never read the book... the story is too fast. Scenes are being skipped through in a rush. Suddenly they are here and suddenly they are in another scene. It's just too fast that i think people might not be able to catch the link or understand what is going on.

I was a bit disappointed. I expected it to be more but this is like a summary and a short cut for the book.

I am grateful to SCB for having this promotion though. =P

Had also taken several shots at the Cinema. Will upload them in the next post. =x

JJ Lin 林俊杰 - West Side 西界

My favourite artist, JJ had just released his album yesterday. I had the original cd pre-order from Yesasia a couple of weeks ago and its probably somewhere in the air right now, i hope.

This new song i post on my blog is one of his song title, 西界, which means West Side. Isn't the melody nice? I had waited so long for his album release, although my bro insisted that we waited till our cd's arrival but i was too impatient and had to get the song off the net first.

Lyrics:-
Title: 西界 by JJ

阳光越过窗沿
我在阴影里面
才过正午13点
就漆黑一片
没有人看得见
我心深处的阴暗面

只能眺望东边
你的世界太远
撑到想象的极限
幸福有多甜
可黑夜已吞噬我
就是拉不到你的手

因为我活在西界
只拥有半个白天
一到午后夜色就蔓延
虽然和你面对面
却看不到我的脸
感觉到你不安的视线

在西界的那一边
只能有半个白天
暗自祈祷上天的垂怜
在长夜的边缘
给我一丝光线
让你 能多看我一眼 

His other song called 杀手, which means Killer is awesome as well. For those of you who haven't check out his this Killer MV, you should. It's totally different from all his previous style. It's somewhat wicked.. plus a bit creepy in a way but i think it's cool. You gotta check it out.

Support Original!!!

Do spare some time to check out this 杀手 MV as well. It's superb and uncensored. Not easy to find uncensored one you know. Oh ya, one of my favourite song as well. hehe

迟来的过年卡 - Belated New Year Card

It's June now. And it was May last month.

Have you ever receive a chinese new year card/new year card in the month of May?

I had the honour of experiencing that 2 weeks ago when i received the card.

Diana passed me the greeting card during our Japanese evening lesson. I stared at the card for a long time and suddenly could not remember what month is it now.

Me: Erm, is this an advanced new year card?
Diana: Oh no, this card is suppose to be from February this year
Me: ?!!

Sze Wei, thanks for the card, although its three months late. But you have written three names on the card. Chances is that, you will probably be back already and i probably haven't had the chance to show the card to Sharlene and PJ. -_-"

Milo Agar Agar

note: The agar agar is supposed to be double layer

Found this recipe at Kitchen Capers. Generously posted up by the user Sliverfawn.

I had never made agar agar before. As i was grocery shopping at Supa Save last week, i found these cute nice looking jelly mould and decided to use the milo agar agar recipe to try it out.


Why everyone's agar agar looks so nice and the double layer stick together and Why mine can't?! Sigh



Ingredients:

Chocolate layer:-
8 gm agar agar strands
1 3/4 cups water
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup milo powder

Milk Layer:-
10 gm agar agar strands
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup Evaporated milk
a few drops of vanilla essence

Methods:-
For the 1st layer @ milo layers:
1. Cook agar agar with water till agar is dissolved in a low heat.
2. Add in sugar and milo. Stir till everything is dissolved, then strain
3. spoon mixture into prepared tin or into jelly moulds.
4. Allow to set, then lightly scratch surface with fork.

For the 2nd layer:
1. Cook agar in water till dissolved
2. Add sugar and stir till sugar is dissolved, strain
3. Add in evaporated milk and essence
4. Spoon mixture over the first layer and then chill in fridge.

note: If you want to use powder, don't use the same weight as the strands cause the results will turns out to be hard and rubbery (like mine =/ ) . And do remember to scratch the surface before pouring in the milk layer because if not, the layers won't stick. Like me, after finished pouring then remember =x

Onde Onde~~

Sigh..

Nothing beats sitting in a nice cozy restaurant sipping on a cup of hot tea and sampling on dim sum on a nice, rainy Sunday Morning, at 8 a.m. with friends and colleagues.

I know, i know what some of you are going to say.

"What?! Sunday wake up so early? Sunday is for sleeping you know!"

Well, it's my fault actually, they did not exactly choose to have breakfast at 8 a.m in the morning at Feng Man Lou. It's because i had something to do. Yes, as you can see from the above topic, i had schedule myself earlier on to make onde onde on Sunday morning. I had asked my mom to help me buy grated coconut and sweet potatoes from the pasar. I can't possibly break her little old heart and tell her i no jadi made the kuih after she went to all those trouble to buy it, right?!

Got inspired by this purple onde onde. The colour is natural and looks so damn nice. Can you believe that there is no colouring in it? Unfortunately, i can't find any sweet potatoes that is really purple purple. It's half white and purple-ish.. so the result... u know la. Sigh. Especially after i add in pandan juice.. It become dark green colour. Haha! Ok, colour doesn't matter as long as it taste nice!

The recipe is also adapted from The Baker.


Ingredients for Dough:
350 g glutinous flour
250 g sweet potatoes (purple/orange also can la)
3 tbsp pandan juice
1/2 tsp salt
2 & 1/2 tsp water

Others:
200g gula melaka (chop to pieces)
grated coconut + bit of salt

Methods:
1. Cook and mashed the sweet potatoes.
2. Sieve flour, add in mashed potatoes, pandan juice, salt and water. Knead to form dough.
3. It it's too dry, add in water bit by bit until its a soft dough yet not too sticky.
4. Form dough into small marble sized ball, make a small hole in the middle of the ball and fill it with some gula melaka pieces.
5. Wrap them up nicely and roll them into balls. Make sure the gula does not leak out.
6. Boil a pot of water. Cooked the balls in the boiling water. It's cook when all the balls float to the surface.
7. Take them out (drain) and roll them into prepared grated coconut.

note: if you do not want your onde onde to be too sweet, just add in small pieces of gula melaka. I had replace most of the water with pandan juice when preparing my dough (since i know it wont be purple anymore) and hence, my onde is in green colour. hehe

Very filling now. Ate too many onde onde =x

Nonya Kaya

Haven't make anything edible for a long time and i felt this familiar satisfaction and happiness that i haven't felt for a long time when i finish making this kaya. =')

I was really inspired by thelazychef 's kaya when i stumbled upon her recipe quite a while ago while i was still on my hardcore diet. Vow to make this kaya one day after my diet. I finally bring myself to make it yesterday. The recipe was easy and i thought i could not make any mistake with this! The writer had used breadmaker for her kaya making so i was worry for a while when i don't have a breadmaker. I had use the double boiler method and cook at the stove for 2 hours.


Made about 1 cup

Ingredients:
1 cup coconut milk (i used Ayam Brand can la)
1 cup sugar (had reduce to 3/4 cup and it tastes fine)
1 cup eggs (i used 3 large eggs)
3 - 15 pandan leaves (washed and tied in a knot)

Method:
1. Beat the eggs lightly in a bowl.
2. Pour coconut milk, sugar and eggs into a bowl and throw in pandan leaves.
3. Let the bowl stand over a pot of boiling water and over a medium heat, cook it.
4. Mixture will appears lumpy but do not worry, let it simmer for 2 hours, stirring every 15 mins or so.
5. Turn off the heat , let it cool for a while and pour the lumpy mixture into a blender and blend till smooth.

Easiest thing i ever done. You could also blend some pandan leaves and strain some juice to add to the kaya while cooking if you want your kaya to be greener.

I had actually used 3 pandan leaves to cook and in addition, i had add a couple of tablespoon of pandan juices. I like my kaya to have pandan smell. =p

I had reduce the sugar cause my parents don't like sweet. So 3/4 cup of sugar is actually ok for me but they still think it's sweet. really. 老人家难伺候啊！！

OMG! Karaoke Competition!

My firm is having an annual dinner next Friday at Sheraton.

There will a karaoke competition and it's a compulsory that everyone (including all lawyers and secretaries to join)

I am screw. I don't know what to sing. I haven't really practice singing for a long time.. used to go to K-box at the Mall a lot last year until... o well..

I am considering singing some funny song like 对面的女孩看过来 or 浪花一朵朵。。

I borrowed a few old vcd from Patrina and found that the only songs that i think i can sing without going out of tune is JJ - 就是我 or 后来.. Can't find any other song that i can sing. Probably will go check out Unitek for some karaoke disc -_-"

It's either sing a song or perform a dance. I rather choose to sing.

Anyone got any suggestion? I am suppose to hand in my song title by next Tuesday >.<

The South Beach Diet

I just gained 1 kg. Must have been all the heavy food i had been eating lately.

For instance, Suppers at RMS Diner with my bro after work out and buffets and more buffets. I have to lose back that 1 kg. Therefore, i am starting my South Beach diet again.

I think i never really explain the kind of diet i am on. Let me briefly explain what it is.

This Diet is written by Dr Agatston. Its a low carb and high protein diet. But of course, people are encourage to have a balance diet from other sources of food that does not have major contents of carbs and sugar.

As some of you might have read about my diet log from sometime ago. I admitted mine is not consider a balance diet because i ate the same thing over and over again.

There are actually 3 phases:-

Phase 1: Duration = 2 weeks. You will be eating normal size portions of lean meat, fish, eggs, reduced-fat cheese, nonfat yogurt, nuts, and plenty of vegetables. Snacks and desserts are part of the plan, as well. You are expected to lose about 15 pounds or so. Phase 1 is very important so don't cheat by eating a little bit of cookies or cakes thinking that no harm done. No oatmeals as well and certainly no rice!!!

Phase 2: Things that are forbidden during phase 1 are reintroduce into here. E.g whole grains and fruits. During this phase, losing weight will be slower than phase 1 but you should continue to lose weight until you reach your target.

Phase 3: This is the maintenance phase. You can eat whatever you want as long as it's not over.

So that's what this diet is all about. It really works. I mean most unhealthy diet that i used to be on was either eating green apples 3 days in a row, no eating for one week except drink water... I find this is the most easiest diet ever. I am eating and I am losing weight at the same time. How great can that be.

But if you have try out this diet and you only lost 2 or 3 kg during phase 1. It just means your unwanted fat are not that much and the rest of the fat need to be burn by exercising.

Also, during this diet, you will feel really thirsty because the fat is burning. Don't worry about water retention and drink lots. At least 2 litres a day. It's what i do.

Just google around for South Beach diet and you will usually find lots of information on it like what food to eat during each phase or recommended recipes.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's day to all the mothers who visit my blog~

Some of us celebrated Mother's day every year to show our love and appreciation to our moms for doing a great job bringing us up. This is the day when we thanks and give something in return to our beloved mother.

A little something about Mother's Day's history , taken from the Wiki.

People in different countries celebrate Mother's Day on different days of the year because the day has a number of different origins. One school of thought claims this day emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece. Mother worship — which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of gods and the wife of Cronus; was held around the Vernal EquinoxAsia Minor and eventually in Rome itself from the Ides of March (March 15 to March 18). The Romans also had another holiday, Matronalia, that was dedicated to Juno, though mothers were usually given gifts on this day. around

In the United States, Mother's Day was copied from England by social activist Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War. Howe wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation. In the UK, the day now simply celebrates motherhood and thanking mothers. According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother's Day is now the most popular day of the year to dine out at a restaurant in the United States.

We normally celebrated Mother's day by taking my mom out for a nice dinner plus later on give an ang pow (red packet). Last year was a Hi-tea special buffet at Season. This year, i want to do something different so we went to Royal Brunei Airport Restaurant ("RBAR"). Although my brother actually choose Sheraton and i choose Empire.

My parents prefer RBAR because they think it's more quiet. Me and my brother were just aiming for the desserts anyway.

The price for the brunch buffet at RBAR is $25 per pax and carnation and pralines for the mothers. My brother was joking on how funny it would be if they also gave me a carnation O.o

It wasn't easy trying to get a table at RBAR. It was a popular restaurant after all. I called the Restaurant on Friday morning before 9 a.m. and was shocked to find that it was all fully booked. I called back a few times and complaint a little saying how the advertisement for the promotion was only advertised on Friday. So finally they gave us a table. We were happy. They told us to go there earlier to avoid lost of seats. We did not mind going earlier though.

However, when we arrived there at about 11 a.m. , we were told that the Function room was full and they can only arrange for our table outside the function room. I was not very happy about this because we were not being informed that we would be outcast. I firmly told her that my parents would feel uneasy sitting outside. So she went inside, find a spot and place a table with 4 person. =x

It was a nice seat also. Close to the buffet table =p Not too awkward or blocking anyone, but just okay.

I personally think the food is still okay but my brother, being his usual picky self said he expected more from the Restaurant. My mother thinks the desserts are not that good.

I did not bring my camera so i wasn't able to take pictures of the food except using my brother's phone to snap a few pics.

Overall, i am glad that my parents are quite satisfied. I am now feeling ultimately blotted having feasting too much on cakes and desserts and bread puddings.

Fitness Zone : An Official Member

I joined Fitness Zone and start my work out today.

I also brought along my brother.

There was 2 type of classes to choose at 6.30 p.m. today. Toning Yoga or Groove cycling.

We went to Toning Yoga. According to JR, Yoga is nice and fun. Taking his words for it, me and my bro went to Yoga for the first time today.

It wasn't too bad for me, but not so much my kind of thing. But it's a different story for my bro. Laying less than 2 feet away from me on a yoga mat, he was giving me faces all the way through the 1 hour class + showed me the middle finger. He seems displeased. I don't blame him. All the bending and stretching. =x. Well, he sit there most of the time though, without stretching much.

Our mouth pratically dropped open at the sight of the instructor and some of the more advanced student bend all the wayyyyyyy down. Which is something we would never be able to do in a million years unless risk having our bone break.

The last part of the Yoga is quite nice though. The instructor played a relaxing music, ok, more like the sound of nature and told us to relax and focus on our breathing etc. So we were just laying there and relax to the sound of nature.

You can bet my bro won't be joining any Yoga Class in the near future.

We do not have any trainer yet. According to our consultant, we will only receive our schedule tomorrow.

Spiderman 3 + Capers (Again?!)

Spiderman 3 was a disappointment. Yup, that's my comment for this movie. Many people had say this movie is not so good while many others think that it's good. I fall under the "not so good" category.

Last night, went to watch this Movie with Jamy & his friends. 10 p.m. show some more. By the time came out of the cinema, it was 12 a.m. already. I was tired and had to walk alone along the dark alley to the place where i parked my car. To top it off, i can't remember where i parked and was wondering around the Mall premises trying to recall where is my car for a good 10 mins.

Before watching the movie, Mr Z had been nice enough to tell me some spoiler.

"Mary Jane died in the movie, she was being rape to death"

Through out the movie, i was expecting her to die or something. I don't really believe the rape part of course. So when the movie came to an end and M.J is still alive, i knew someone had pull a joke on me. -_-"

Why i think it's not so good? It was a bit bored. Not as action packed as i had imagined. The dramatic part of the story was lengthy and almost put me to sleep.

Well, like i say, i belong to the other half of the population that think Spiderman 3 movie is not good. So, please do deter yourself from watching this movie. You might belong to the group who think the movie is absolutely fantastic. =p

Ticket was 50 cents more expensive than usual and comes with a free car sticker.

*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@

I was set on having Tuna and lettuce for lunch today. But during lunch time, someone, namely JR had a sudden craving for Capers. And before i knew it, I am in Capers eating Pasta -_-" with JR and Pat.

There are new menus for the Pasta (an entire new page!!)

Here's some of the new pastas we ordered:-

Linguine Al Amatricana

Linguine Vongole

Ravioli Al Funghi

Fetuccini Al Funghi


Tortellaci Al Pesto


Fetuccini Al Tonno


Ravioli Pollo

Some older dishes that we never failed to order whenever we visit Capers:-

Fetuccini Carbonara


Linguine Alfredo Salmone


Penne Lamb Shank

Lasagne

The 3 of us sure ate a lot today. I seriously suspected we had probably been black listed in this restaurant because sometime when we called for waitress, no one came to attend us or take our order. We were surprised to find out that there is no bread on every dishes today. So we jokingly said that the bread might comes during the tenth dishes, and sure enough, it did. Lasagne was our 10th dishes to arrive, with a bread on top. =x

I intentionally skip dinner tonight though cause i am still feeling quite full from the lunch.

CES Japanese Class Year 3

** changes made to the song play. I guess most of you are starting to get tired of the same old song being play everyday, hor. XD

Two weeks ago, one of our classmate bring along a cute Japanese girl, Kiwa to join our class. She is one of the exchange student from Japan. I can't remember which part she is from. haha

Here's our group photo together with our Sensei:-


Can you guess which one is Kiwa? or rather, can you spot me? XD

Really, after i saw this picture, only one thing cross my mind. "Gosh, i look like a teacher!"

Why it took me 2 weeks to post this picture?! Cause i just saw it in my mailbox. Thanks to Pei Hwan-chan for sending the pics to me. muakz

Craving for Chocolates

As can be seen from the above caption, i am craving for some chocolates. But i don't dare to eat Milk Chocolates type cause sugar content is high. So, i went to Supasave and Hua Ho last Weekend and try to find some snacks that is not too bad.

This is what i got from my searches.

Iko is the oatmeal biscuits with high fibre plus a moderate sugar content. It's carbs but then, it's also consider a healthier snack (i hope).

Dark Chocolates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dark chocolates have lesser sugar content compare to ordinary one. Not to say there is no sugar of course. But it's enough to satisfy the craving. Plus i am quite a dark chocolate lover also.

I think i probably hadn't been to the chocolate department for a while, especially after starting my diet.

hmm... i never seen this before. Where had it been hiding up till now?

The Nutrition Facts

This little Hershey bar content 45% cocoa

Found new flavor for Hello Panda biscuit. Cheese!!!! Haven't try it yet. I guess it probably taste sweet and salty?! O.o

Enough say, i am going to go enjoy my chocolates. XD

Life is wonderful with the existence of chocolates, life would be so much different without chocolates XD

New Anime - Romeo x Juliet

Gonzo had done it this time!

The releasing of *Romeo x Juliet!

The Anime is still new. Currently at episodes 2. When i saw this at baka-updates, i knew that i must watch this anime.

I fell in love with it at episode 1 already. At first, i thought it's going to be some hard core, serious dao cannot type of anime. But i was surprised to find the anime to be wonderfully drawn and wonderfully nice.

The opening song use for this anime is from the song "You Raise Me Up" by Westlife but it's in a Japanese version sing by a lady singer (whoever she is). *Please click on the title of the Romeo and Juliet above to access to the official website. The song plays as soon as you log onto the site. Not full version of course.

The singing is nice. It's a must watch for Romeo & Juliet fan. A must watch for non- fan also, ok.

The story is slightly different from the Original Shakespeare play. Of course, the difference does not include Romeo and Juliet's family being good friends and they are living in good terms what.

Warning: Spoiler for Episode 1 ahead! Don't say i didn't warn you!!

The story start off by having Juliet's family, the Capulets who also happened to be the rulers of Neo Verona being assasinated by the Montague (Romeo's family) one night 14 years ago when Juliet was just a small little girl. She was the sole survivor during the incident and does not have much memories of her background. The Montague rules for 14 years after that, never giving up their search on the last of Capulet and to kill her.

Juliet was raised up by disguising herself as a boy though she never understand why and was only told by those who raised her up that she will understand everything when she turn 16. Just one day before she turn 16, she met Romeo. This is when their romance started ... as well as the beginning of a tragedy love. I won't tell you anymore. Just go watch the anime la! haha

When i asked my brother what does he knows about Romeo and Juliet, do you know what answer he gave me?

He said: "Isn't Romeo the guy who wear Hawaii shirt and run around with gun?!" -_-"

Ok, he is talking about Leonardo Dicaprio's role in the old Romeo n Juliet movie.. Really lead people to wrong impression, that movie.

Bah, just go watch, it's really nice and worth your time!

Hardcore Diet - The End

My hardcore diet had come to an end a couple of days ago. I had successfully lost a total of 2 and a half kg. So now i am in the maintaining mode. XD

Joy!!! i can eat bread, cakes, cookies, chocolates again!! Of course, i won't hamtam all these at a time, i also scare i will gain back the "hard-lost" weight. Once in a while la, once in a while no wrong right? =x

However, i did curi eat a few chocolate balls today.. hope i won't get 1 kg after that =x

Will probably start baking again soon ^^

happy~

Disney on Ice - Finding Nemo

I think i bought my ticket with Patrina in Supasave about one month ago, spending a long time at the ticketing counter asking the available seatings for various dates and finally decided on a Saturday afternoon (the best seats available that time).

And then less than 2 weeks ago, i received a call from someone i know who offered me 2 free tickets to Disney on Ice. i was very "kek-dao" because i already paid for my ticket at a price of $29 for an afternoon show. Being a honest person, i sadly had to decline the offer. sob.

Anyway, me & Pat were being pour on the head with cold water last Wednesday when some people who had watched the Disney show on Tuesday night gave us some of their opinions.

"It's so bored!"
"It's a waste of TIME!!"
"Sell your ticket!!!"

These were some of the phrases used. We were a little upset at first and were thinking of cheap cheap sell off our ticket but then with such comments flowing around, it's rather hard. So what the heck, since we already paid, we might as well "waste some of our time" watch it. Plus we love all the previous Disney on Ice despite many others commenting how bored they were.



The show started off by having Mickey, Minnie and Donald Duck came out as an introduction (as usual). They are all wearing summer clothes. Donald is so cute! Goofy came out later on in his scuba diving suit.

This is when Nemo goes to School ( i think)

So the fishes indeed were a little.... ok those who watch or saw the picture would understand. It's like a human with a "big and heavy size chest". However, i thought of the possibilty of putting on the mask of the fish head on the performer's head instead and the image that run through my brain isn't looking so good either.

A little close up pic of Dory, the annoying little fish

wah hey! The Shark got 4 legs wei!!!

From far apart, you probably can't see the "legs" of the shark clearly but.... hehehe! It's a little funny. Well, i can't expect them to navigate a huge shark around the skating rink though.. keke

The "fishes" showing off their stunts

The fishes at the Aquarium

Nemo's fin got stuck

There are many effects used in the show. With great lighting and performing type that is never seen in the previous show. For instance, a flying bird that hang from the ceiling and showed up quite a few times during the whole show. The used of big props such as whale, giant goggles, devil fish, turtle, jelly fish etc. Actually, instead of complaining the show is bored or Nemo is looking like a big chest woman, we should appreciate the show more and especially the performer. It's not easy wearing costumes like that and skates for a long time. Plus the moving of all those props from country to country...

These is an example of some of the effects:-

Apart from all those, there are also some fireworks in the beginning. There was an extremely beautiful scene when the whole skating floor is full of pink jelly fishes as well as some hanging from the ceiling. The lighting during that time was blue-ish for the sea and lots of flashes of pink colour. It was really breathtaking.

The Jelly Fishes swarm

I guess this is about the cutest part. When all the "little" came out and started to sing and dance. hehe

This is really cute. This is the part when Nemo's dad tell the little turtle about his sad story.

Big Whale that swallow them up

The Grand Finale

So overall, we didn't think its too bad. It's still worth our money because despite the fact that our seating is in the green box, a little bit further up but i would consider the seat is good. They are just right in front of the stage and in the middle. We could still see the performers very clearly. XD

Souvenirs are bloody expensive. The popcorn
as well! $6 for a small popcorn and $12 for the big bucket. Really Eat Gold.

This is the first time out of all the Disney on Ice show i went that i did not buy a program book. The program book costs $20!!! After roughly flipping through them at the selling booth, i don't feel it's worthy to buy a picture book. Plus i am not that big of a Nemo fan. To be frank, i had never watch Finding Nemo story before.

The Expensive Program Book & the Expensive Pop Corns

Leng Chai Salesman

However, i bought a little turtle that cost $20 -.-" very expensive ya. But it's not my style to come home empty handed as well. I must at least find something cheaper and nice looking to buy as souvenir mah, i know i know, a tiny turtle costing $20 is not exactly what i would call cheap. But i don't wanna buy some cheap plastic toy as well le....

The Little Turtle souvenir that comes with the candy cane & the ticket

So tomorrow is the last day of the show in Brunei le wor. Like i say, the show is actually not bad. So if you are the type that either love Nemo story or simply love Disney because it's Disney, just go watch it. However, if i am not mistaken, the ticketing booth will be closing at 5 p.m. tomorrow. So act fast if those of you want to watch but haven't decide yet.

Oh ya, i do enjoy my time there. XD