CRUST:
1/2 cup butter
4 ounces cream cheese
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 1/4 cups flour
FILLING:
2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2/3 cup lemon juice
For crust: In large bowl of electric mixer, beat together first 5 ingredients until mixture is blended. Beat the flour in until blended. Place dough in floured wax paper, wrap securely, and refrigerate for several hours. Roll dough out to measure a 12" circle. Place dough in a 12" pie pan and pierce bottom with tines of a fork. Bake in a 350ºF oven for about 30 minutes or until crust is beginning to brown. Allow to cool in pan.
For filling: in saucepan off the heat, stir together the hot water, peel, butter, salt and sugar. In a large bowl, beat the yolks, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice until thoroughly blended. Pour egg yolk mixture into hot water mixture and stir until blended. Place saucepan on low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture has thickened. Do not boil or filling will curdle.
For meringue, beat 5 egg whites until foamy. Continue beating, and add a pinch of salt, a pinch of cream of tartar, 2/3 cup sugar (1 tbl. at a time), and 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat until meringue is stiff.
Fill crust with hot lemon filling. Swirl meringue decoratively on top of hot lemon filling and cover every bit of crust.
Bake in a 350ºF oven for 12-15 minutes or until top is lightly browned. Cool for 3 hours before serving. For easy cutting, use a wet knife.
Serves 10.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Lemon Meringue Pie
I made that for the Christmas party at Marcus' on 27th. Prepared the dough for the pie crust the night before and had it refridgerated. Then woke up at 1030am the next morning to roll out the dough and shape it into the pie crust pan and baked it.
Then I went on to make the filling after the pie crust was beautifully baked. I decided to taste the filling before pouring it into the pie crust. Luckily I tasted it, for the filling was extremely salty!! I then tasted the pie crust. It was salty too! That was when I realised that the 'sugar' in the container was salt!!! Till now, I am still amazed at how the sugar ended up as salt!!!
In the end had to re-make the whole pie and had to rush to the supermarket downstair to buy lemons. Luckily they had lemons and I still had the other ingredients at home.
Initially thought the crust would be a disaster because I only had time to keep it in the fridge for 1 hour. But I had no choice (partly due to my own stubborness too!) but to 硬着头皮做下去！！ If not what to bring to Marcus'?
Fortunately everything turned out well. :D However, next time must use springfoam instead of pan because we had a hard time trying to get the pie out!!
Then I went on to make the filling after the pie crust was beautifully baked. I decided to taste the filling before pouring it into the pie crust. Luckily I tasted it, for the filling was extremely salty!! I then tasted the pie crust. It was salty too! That was when I realised that the 'sugar' in the container was salt!!! Till now, I am still amazed at how the sugar ended up as salt!!!
In the end had to re-make the whole pie and had to rush to the supermarket downstair to buy lemons. Luckily they had lemons and I still had the other ingredients at home.
Initially thought the crust would be a disaster because I only had time to keep it in the fridge for 1 hour. But I had no choice (partly due to my own stubborness too!) but to 硬着头皮做下去！！ If not what to bring to Marcus'?
Fortunately everything turned out well. :D However, next time must use springfoam instead of pan because we had a hard time trying to get the pie out!!
The Doctor's computer screen....
..screams facebook right in my face!! Goodness, how come he did not have any sense to cover it up with another window or at least minimise the window....But the doctor managed to redeem himself la. Haha...he spent 5 mins to give pep talk when I asked him about weight loss. He just went on and on and said that he is also trying to loose weight...:D
And I wonder why private clinics need to close at 430pm/5pm and re-open again at 630pm/7pm. Goodness. I rushed to my regular clinic at Toa Payoh Lorong 8 after gym to get my iron pills. However, I was 5 mins late and the doctor had left.
I decided to return to Central to search for just any clinic as I had no wish to wait until 7pm for the clinic to re-open.
I walked the whole of central and none of the clinics was opened. Managed to find one that would re-open at 630pm. So I spent 1 full hour shopping at NTUC >.<'''.
Bought red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil etc etc. Expensive siah!! No choice because I want to cook healthy spaghetti!!
And I wonder why private clinics need to close at 430pm/5pm and re-open again at 630pm/7pm. Goodness. I rushed to my regular clinic at Toa Payoh Lorong 8 after gym to get my iron pills. However, I was 5 mins late and the doctor had left.
I decided to return to Central to search for just any clinic as I had no wish to wait until 7pm for the clinic to re-open.
I walked the whole of central and none of the clinics was opened. Managed to find one that would re-open at 630pm. So I spent 1 full hour shopping at NTUC >.<'''.
Bought red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil etc etc. Expensive siah!! No choice because I want to cook healthy spaghetti!!
Nails...
This year's Christmas nails..fading off after a week.
Had this done impromtu at a shop at Toa Payoh Central. It was a small shop and the manicurist wasn't exactly that great. I wanted a snowman but she failed after 1 attempt, attributing it to my short nails (ya right....) so I changed to the sticker snow flakes. I wanted her to draw the snow flakes but she insisted that the stickers would look nicer and 'more balanced'. I wanted Christmas bells but she said she did not know how to draw that, so she suggested Christmas wreath, which had pink instead of red in them >.<'''. She said my base colour was too dark and hence the red would not stand out, then why in the first place she did not make a recommendation when she suggested the Christmas wreath? Don't understand. Anyway had wanted to do nail art on my toes too but decided not to in the end, waste money since her skills were not great. Luckily she was friendly and that stopped me from being nasty to her. Hahaha...
There was another shop that wanted to charge a surcharge because it was the festive season and because 'the shop is located at a central place', it said on the memo pasted on the door. Ya...Toa Payoh CENTRAL, but far far from the MRT and bus in
terchange.....what more is there to say?...
Had this done impromtu at a shop at Toa Payoh Central. It was a small shop and the manicurist wasn't exactly that great. I wanted a snowman but she failed after 1 attempt, attributing it to my short nails (ya right....) so I changed to the sticker snow flakes. I wanted her to draw the snow flakes but she insisted that the stickers would look nicer and 'more balanced'. I wanted Christmas bells but she said she did not know how to draw that, so she suggested Christmas wreath, which had pink instead of red in them >.<'''. She said my base colour was too dark and hence the red would not stand out, then why in the first place she did not make a recommendation when she suggested the Christmas wreath? Don't understand. Anyway had wanted to do nail art on my toes too but decided not to in the end, waste money since her skills were not great. Luckily she was friendly and that stopped me from being nasty to her. Hahaha...
There was another shop that wanted to charge a surcharge because it was the festive season and because 'the shop is located at a central place', it said on the memo pasted on the door. Ya...Toa Payoh CENTRAL, but far far from the MRT and bus in
terchange.....what more is there to say?...
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Recipe for Buche de Noel
Yule Log:
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Frosting:
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons hot water
1. Heat oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch, with aluminum foil or waxed paper and grease.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer on high speed about 5 minutes or until very thick and lemon colored. Beat in 1 cup sugar; water and 1 teaspoon vanilla on low speed.
3. Add flour, baking powder and salt, beating just until batter is smooth. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan and turn upside down onto towel generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. Carefully remove foil. Trim off stiff edges of cake if neccessary. While hot, carefully roll cake and towel from narrow end. Cool on wire rack at least 30 minutes.
6. Beat whipping cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla until stiff.
7. Unroll cake and remove towel. Spread whipped cream mixture over cake. Roll up cake.
8. For Frosting: Mix cocoa and butter thoroughly in medium bowl. Beat in sugar with electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and hot water. Beat until frosting is smooth and spreadable.
9. To create a tree stump, cut off a 2-inch diagonal slice from one end of cake roll. Attach stump to one side using 1 tablespoon frosting.
10. Frost log making strokes in frosting to resemble bark, using tines of fork.
11. Store in refrigerater.
Makes 10 servings.
Videos for reference:
http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/buche_de_noel_yule_log_part_1_of_2
http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/buche_de_noel_part_2_of_2
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Frosting:
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons hot water
1. Heat oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch, with aluminum foil or waxed paper and grease.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer on high speed about 5 minutes or until very thick and lemon colored. Beat in 1 cup sugar; water and 1 teaspoon vanilla on low speed.
3. Add flour, baking powder and salt, beating just until batter is smooth. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan and turn upside down onto towel generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. Carefully remove foil. Trim off stiff edges of cake if neccessary. While hot, carefully roll cake and towel from narrow end. Cool on wire rack at least 30 minutes.
6. Beat whipping cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla until stiff.
7. Unroll cake and remove towel. Spread whipped cream mixture over cake. Roll up cake.
8. For Frosting: Mix cocoa and butter thoroughly in medium bowl. Beat in sugar with electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and hot water. Beat until frosting is smooth and spreadable.
9. To create a tree stump, cut off a 2-inch diagonal slice from one end of cake roll. Attach stump to one side using 1 tablespoon frosting.
10. Frost log making strokes in frosting to resemble bark, using tines of fork.
11. Store in refrigerater.
Makes 10 servings.
Videos for reference:
http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/buche_de_noel_yule_log_part_1_of_2
http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/buche_de_noel_part_2_of_2
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Guinea pig...
Hee...I think Marcus has officially become my guinea pig. He came to try the log cake earlier.
Luckily despite the hiccup it turned out well. Yeah! :D
Luckily despite the hiccup it turned out well. Yeah! :D
Oops I broke the law....
Haha..was running late for gym class so I crossed the road when the red man was still on. Well there were no cars so I decided to run all the way from South Bridge Road junction across the road and to the lift..
Luckily made it just in time for class :D
Calvin had 3 classes in a row this morning - pump, combat and balance. Initially wanted to stay for balance too but decided against it as I would make a fool of myself trying to do the balancing stuff..haha..
Yes yes, classes were good today. Quote 'we've got to burn off those cheese tarts'..hahaha
Luckily made it just in time for class :D
Calvin had 3 classes in a row this morning - pump, combat and balance. Initially wanted to stay for balance too but decided against it as I would make a fool of myself trying to do the balancing stuff..haha..
Yes yes, classes were good today. Quote 'we've got to burn off those cheese tarts'..hahaha
The Buche de Noel
Buche de Noel = logcake.
I am still baking the logcake since 2am. I am so going to dietomorrow later as I want to wake up early to attend Cal's class at 11am.
Anyway met with a hipcup when baking the cake. The jelly roll pan that I bought could not fit into the oven. I had to use my original one with the strips. So my logcake is going have strips on the inside...nevermind nobody would be able to see!
Waiting for the cake to cool before spreading the cream inside and then the frosting on the outside...
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
Would make another Christmas dessert on Saturday morning for the party at Marcus'. Shhhh.....cannot tell what dessert first.....:D
I am still baking the logcake since 2am. I am so going to die
Anyway met with a hipcup when baking the cake. The jelly roll pan that I bought could not fit into the oven. I had to use my original one with the strips. So my logcake is going have strips on the inside...nevermind nobody would be able to see!
Waiting for the cake to cool before spreading the cream inside and then the frosting on the outside...
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
Would make another Christmas dessert on Saturday morning for the party at Marcus'. Shhhh.....cannot tell what dessert first.....:D
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Bummer? Maybe abit...
In the very end did not go to the gym today. Was nuah-ing the whole day at home. Had really wanted to go swim but alas the rainy weather...Did not really feel like running on the treadmill as I had been running like so many times and there were no nice classes in the later afternoon, so that explained the lack of motivation.
Anyway I DID made the effort to go. Finally got my butt out of the house at 6pm when I decided that the rain was not going to stop and I would have to do running nonetheless. However, as I was waiting for the darn bus which took so long to arrive, I reckoned that it would not do any good to rush to the gym as gym closed at 8pm today. Further, I would not want to get myself stuck at the massive jam that would most likely had built up on the roads in town.
So I took a bus to parkway instead to buy my baking stuff! The good thing was, I bought everything that I needed to make the Buche de Noel and Saturday's dessert! :D
Anyway I DID made the effort to go. Finally got my butt out of the house at 6pm when I decided that the rain was not going to stop and I would have to do running nonetheless. However, as I was waiting for the darn bus which took so long to arrive, I reckoned that it would not do any good to rush to the gym as gym closed at 8pm today. Further, I would not want to get myself stuck at the massive jam that would most likely had built up on the roads in town.
So I took a bus to parkway instead to buy my baking stuff! The good thing was, I bought everything that I needed to make the Buche de Noel and Saturday's dessert! :D
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
This Christmas....
Wonder if everyone is baking this Christmas...
Cannot find cinnamon powder, granulated sugar and 9 inch foil pan in the supermarkets!! Can die...
I only started to bake this year, wonder if it's the same situation every year......
Cannot find cinnamon powder, granulated sugar and 9 inch foil pan in the supermarkets!! Can die...
I only started to bake this year, wonder if it's the same situation every year......
Monday, December 22, 2008
2 e-mails that spoilt my night...
Made a wrong decision to logon to office e-mail earlier. 2 e-mails spoilt my night...
E-mail 1:
Hi Mei Ling,
Noticed you planned your leave for 26 - 30 Jan (26 - 27 - CNY); 26 - 27 Feb and 13 - 14 Mar.
I'm wondering if you could re-arrange your leave such that the leave would not be separated with 1 - 2 wks of work as it makes it very difficult for me to allocate referrals.
Alternatively, if you can't re-arrange it, I seek your understanding if I need to allocate cases even though you might be on leave in between. Of course, I'll try not to do so unless i have no other options.
Wa.....she was the one who told me I had to clear my leave quarterly leh! I had not intended to take leave after the 1st 2 days of CNY seriously, but since she said had to clear leave so I forcasted to take lor!
Feb I am going to Penang so that I am surely going to take the 2 days and then the weekend.
Mar is my birthday, I had wanted to take from 14th onwards but since that was the school holidays, many people had already taken or forcasted their leaves. She was also the one who laid down the rule of not more than 2 team members are allowed to go on leave for 4 days or more at any one time! And she was also the one who said must spare a thought for those who have children and family!
And surely, my absence of 1 to 2 days although with 2 weeks break in between is not such a big deal isn't it? It is not new that she would still give referrals anyway what...no matter how hard she said she tried not to...I am not trying to be cynical but it's true....I am on leave from 19th Dec onwards till 2nd Jan, and the few days before 19th I got a new referral, so that I die die had to squeeze in an interview on the few days before I went on leave. Not to mention that from Oct to Nov when I went off for 3 trips, the referrals came in nonetheless? Did I plan my Oct to Nov leave at the last minute? The answer is NO I DID NOT, yet everything still screwed up. So plan for what ar? And what is so new that she would continue to give referrals even when we are on leave? So why she even bothered to send out this mail to declare that she would still give referrals if she had no choice blah blah blah...???
No doubt we need to spare a thought for our colleagues, but we cannot just be taking leave just because we need to exhaust our leave!! I guess she wants me to clear my leave ONCE every quarter, which means 5 days every quarter. But if I am not going anywhere and there is no purpose in me taking leave, then I am not going to do so. Period.
And I am not going to reply her until I get back from leave on 2 Jan. Period.
E-mail 2:
Dear OA,
Thanks for planning your leave. I'm pleased to inform you that the leave plan is agreeable with me, so please proceed to take your leave accordingly, with me in cc. when you apply in pm2s. (for those who I sent a personal email, pls reply to that email)
I've locked the document. If you intend to make changes to the plan, pop by to talk.
I noticed that quite a number of you have not planned your leave for this quarter. Pls don't wait to Dec to take your leave as I might have to make the hard decision of not approving it if there are insufficient officers for our work to carry on withot disruptions.
I cannot believe that she even wants to dictate the way we take our leaves. Is this management? And when it had already proven that this method does not work?!
E-mail 1:
Hi Mei Ling,
Noticed you planned your leave for 26 - 30 Jan (26 - 27 - CNY); 26 - 27 Feb and 13 - 14 Mar.
I'm wondering if you could re-arrange your leave such that the leave would not be separated with 1 - 2 wks of work as it makes it very difficult for me to allocate referrals.
Alternatively, if you can't re-arrange it, I seek your understanding if I need to allocate cases even though you might be on leave in between. Of course, I'll try not to do so unless i have no other options.
Wa.....she was the one who told me I had to clear my leave quarterly leh! I had not intended to take leave after the 1st 2 days of CNY seriously, but since she said had to clear leave so I forcasted to take lor!
Feb I am going to Penang so that I am surely going to take the 2 days and then the weekend.
Mar is my birthday, I had wanted to take from 14th onwards but since that was the school holidays, many people had already taken or forcasted their leaves. She was also the one who laid down the rule of not more than 2 team members are allowed to go on leave for 4 days or more at any one time! And she was also the one who said must spare a thought for those who have children and family!
And surely, my absence of 1 to 2 days although with 2 weeks break in between is not such a big deal isn't it? It is not new that she would still give referrals anyway what...no matter how hard she said she tried not to...I am not trying to be cynical but it's true....I am on leave from 19th Dec onwards till 2nd Jan, and the few days before 19th I got a new referral, so that I die die had to squeeze in an interview on the few days before I went on leave. Not to mention that from Oct to Nov when I went off for 3 trips, the referrals came in nonetheless? Did I plan my Oct to Nov leave at the last minute? The answer is NO I DID NOT, yet everything still screwed up. So plan for what ar? And what is so new that she would continue to give referrals even when we are on leave? So why she even bothered to send out this mail to declare that she would still give referrals if she had no choice blah blah blah...???
No doubt we need to spare a thought for our colleagues, but we cannot just be taking leave just because we need to exhaust our leave!! I guess she wants me to clear my leave ONCE every quarter, which means 5 days every quarter. But if I am not going anywhere and there is no purpose in me taking leave, then I am not going to do so. Period.
And I am not going to reply her until I get back from leave on 2 Jan. Period.
E-mail 2:
Dear OA,
Thanks for planning your leave. I'm pleased to inform you that the leave plan is agreeable with me, so please proceed to take your leave accordingly, with me in cc. when you apply in pm2s. (for those who I sent a personal email, pls reply to that email)
I've locked the document. If you intend to make changes to the plan, pop by to talk.
I noticed that quite a number of you have not planned your leave for this quarter. Pls don't wait to Dec to take your leave as I might have to make the hard decision of not approving it if there are insufficient officers for our work to carry on withot disruptions.
I cannot believe that she even wants to dictate the way we take our leaves. Is this management? And when it had already proven that this method does not work?!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Lucky 2009?
Or not...?
So lucky got lucky draw at year end party...
but got quite a few arrows as well for next year - ISO, 100-day project and Eureka Day....zzz
So lucky got lucky draw at year end party...
but got quite a few arrows as well for next year - ISO, 100-day project and Eureka Day....zzz
Drink drank drunk?!
Drinking session at Marcus' last night with Skye, Jac, Cherlyn and Andre. Well, nobody got drunk, just that Jac got very red..haha..:D We nearly emptied 5 bottles of red and white wine among us!
We ended up sleeping at 3am and we pulled the mattresses from the guest rooms to the living room so that all of us could sleep together.
I ended up sleeping on the couch later as I could not get to sleep on Andre's inflatable bed..haha....and Marcus as usual sneaked back into his room...!
Cherlyn left the next morning as she had to do a home visit. The rest of us ordered Mac breakfast, watched Home Alone 2 and chatted till nearly 2pm....
Then I went home to cook. Cooked 炖鸡汤， steam fish fillet with fish sauce and stir-fry long beans with prawns. Don't know why the long beans still had a raw smell when cooked, so I ended up cooking steam egg as well in case the long beans is really so inedible...but still happy because I did the dishes without recipes :D
Don't know why the long beans got raw smell leh....
We ended up sleeping at 3am and we pulled the mattresses from the guest rooms to the living room so that all of us could sleep together.
I ended up sleeping on the couch later as I could not get to sleep on Andre's inflatable bed..haha....and Marcus as usual sneaked back into his room...!
Cherlyn left the next morning as she had to do a home visit. The rest of us ordered Mac breakfast, watched Home Alone 2 and chatted till nearly 2pm....
Then I went home to cook. Cooked 炖鸡汤， steam fish fillet with fish sauce and stir-fry long beans with prawns. Don't know why the long beans still had a raw smell when cooked, so I ended up cooking steam egg as well in case the long beans is really so inedible...but still happy because I did the dishes without recipes :D
Don't know why the long beans got raw smell leh....
Thursday, December 18, 2008
:) and :( again
:(
1. B got sentence this morning.
2. Still could not find my 12 mould muffin pan. Can anyone buy that for me as christmas present?!
:)
1. KS passed and did well enough to be promoted to Sec 5 to do his 'O' levels! He only failed science!
2. Fab also did well!! He was so shocked and elated that he passed his math!
3. Ben scored 4 As! He said this is the first time he scored so many As! Could hear his voice breaking up with emotions when he called! :))
4. Even ZX and AO who missed school most of the time for some reasons managed to passed at least 3 subjects and qualify for courses in the ITE.
5. I finally managed to get my casserole pot at Bishan NTUC, after a fruitless hunt at Toa Payoh Courts.
1. B got sentence this morning.
2. Still could not find my 12 mould muffin pan. Can anyone buy that for me as christmas present?!
:)
1. KS passed and did well enough to be promoted to Sec 5 to do his 'O' levels! He only failed science!
2. Fab also did well!! He was so shocked and elated that he passed his math!
3. Ben scored 4 As! He said this is the first time he scored so many As! Could hear his voice breaking up with emotions when he called! :))
4. Even ZX and AO who missed school most of the time for some reasons managed to passed at least 3 subjects and qualify for courses in the ITE.
5. I finally managed to get my casserole pot at Bishan NTUC, after a fruitless hunt at Toa Payoh Courts.
:( and :)
;( because:
- No classes at Paragon on 24/12 because the gym is closing early as they are moving to another floor
- No classes at Paragon on 31/12 because the new gym is still not ready
- Only 2 more classes to enjoy on 19/12 before the year ends
;) because:
- There are no changes to my favourite classes from Jan to Mar 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
- No classes at Paragon on 24/12 because the gym is closing early as they are moving to another floor
- No classes at Paragon on 31/12 because the new gym is still not ready
- Only 2 more classes to enjoy on 19/12 before the year ends
;) because:
- There are no changes to my favourite classes from Jan to Mar 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Monday, December 15, 2008
Child talks like adult!
Was chatting with my little niece on saturday. She is primary 2 going on to primary 3 next year; ie: 8 going on to 9 years old.
I cannot believe how mature she is. She was talking about how time flies, how days, weeks and months fly past and before one knows it, it would be a year gone.
I do not remember children of my era talking like that lor! Not me at least. When I was her age, I would be looking out for my father to come and fetch me home after the school lowering flag ceremony. When I grew older, I stayed back in school awhile to play five-stones and zero-points with my friends.
Though I was the only child, I was never a pampered one. I was well-protected, not pampered. My father never allowed me to boil anything or use the iron until I was in Sec 2. BBQs etc were out of the question until Sec 3 or 4. However, I could hang out with friends after school at Parkway, near school etc till evening. Of course I had more and more freedom when I grew older.
Till now, I still think I had alot of pocket money in the past, $8 a day in Secondary School, $10 a day in JC and $15 to $20 a day in the uni. However, I remembered myself being a sensible child. In primary school, I would use my pocket money to rent story books, buy nice stationery that I cannot bear to use, buy my own piggy bank/safe box etc. I never asked for extra money to buy things. If I did not have enough, I would save for it.
Later, I bought my first Aiwa walkman with my pocket money too and my first guess watch which is still in working condition when I got my first pay-check after my 'O' levels exams. I also gave tution when I was in JC and uni and paid for my own pager and mobile phone bills.
Maybe I was mature in a way too, but I never talked like an adult. Or maybe I did not have anyone to talk to and with friends we did not talk about mature stuff. Even if we did, we started in secondary school, definately not in primary school!
Of course the past cannot be used as benchmarks. However, nowadays children are very different. Some different for the better but some different for the worse.
I cannot believe how mature she is. She was talking about how time flies, how days, weeks and months fly past and before one knows it, it would be a year gone.
I do not remember children of my era talking like that lor! Not me at least. When I was her age, I would be looking out for my father to come and fetch me home after the school lowering flag ceremony. When I grew older, I stayed back in school awhile to play five-stones and zero-points with my friends.
Though I was the only child, I was never a pampered one. I was well-protected, not pampered. My father never allowed me to boil anything or use the iron until I was in Sec 2. BBQs etc were out of the question until Sec 3 or 4. However, I could hang out with friends after school at Parkway, near school etc till evening. Of course I had more and more freedom when I grew older.
Till now, I still think I had alot of pocket money in the past, $8 a day in Secondary School, $10 a day in JC and $15 to $20 a day in the uni. However, I remembered myself being a sensible child. In primary school, I would use my pocket money to rent story books, buy nice stationery that I cannot bear to use, buy my own piggy bank/safe box etc. I never asked for extra money to buy things. If I did not have enough, I would save for it.
Later, I bought my first Aiwa walkman with my pocket money too and my first guess watch which is still in working condition when I got my first pay-check after my 'O' levels exams. I also gave tution when I was in JC and uni and paid for my own pager and mobile phone bills.
Maybe I was mature in a way too, but I never talked like an adult. Or maybe I did not have anyone to talk to and with friends we did not talk about mature stuff. Even if we did, we started in secondary school, definately not in primary school!
Of course the past cannot be used as benchmarks. However, nowadays children are very different. Some different for the better but some different for the worse.
Cheesy cheesy!
Had wanted to blog about this last night but was too concussed. Concussed because had to finish up the barrel of asahi beer that relatives could not finish, on empty stomache because just don't feel like eating anything after they left. >.<'''
Anyways, I made cheese tarts yesterday morning; and it was yummy! Made a mad dash to the supermarket and Courts on late Saturday night to buy the ingredients, cake mixer and weighing scale! Was not able to get the muffin mould. Luckily Marcus had it so went over to borrow from him! To repay him for his kindness and because he is my neighbour, he was the first to eat my cheese tarts! Well, he said it's nice la...I will take that as true! :D My cousin and hubby's friend also said nice ma! Wahaha...
It was quite tedious making the tarts. Had to make sure that I followed the recipe very very closely, not a gram more or less! Also had to press the base with my finger so that they would be firm, finger pain siah! Later I read the recipe closely and realised that it said to press with a spoon, so I had to re-press everything again with a small spoon. 22 tarts, press 44 times! I was cursing why I did not make a cake instead because the cake only has 1 base and can use a big spoon to press. :D
I want to cook a whole chicken dish next, already have something in mind. But before that, I have to buy a flameproof casserole pot first!
Anyways, I made cheese tarts yesterday morning; and it was yummy! Made a mad dash to the supermarket and Courts on late Saturday night to buy the ingredients, cake mixer and weighing scale! Was not able to get the muffin mould. Luckily Marcus had it so went over to borrow from him! To repay him for his kindness and because he is my neighbour, he was the first to eat my cheese tarts! Well, he said it's nice la...I will take that as true! :D My cousin and hubby's friend also said nice ma! Wahaha...
It was quite tedious making the tarts. Had to make sure that I followed the recipe very very closely, not a gram more or less! Also had to press the base with my finger so that they would be firm, finger pain siah! Later I read the recipe closely and realised that it said to press with a spoon, so I had to re-press everything again with a small spoon. 22 tarts, press 44 times! I was cursing why I did not make a cake instead because the cake only has 1 base and can use a big spoon to press. :D
I want to cook a whole chicken dish next, already have something in mind. But before that, I have to buy a flameproof casserole pot first!
HELP.....
I really want to blog, but I am too giddy/drunk to blog...
All I can say is: '3 mugs of beer on empty stomache = giddiness'.
I am going to sleep.
All I can say is: '3 mugs of beer on empty stomache = giddiness'.
I am going to sleep.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Gathering at Siew Ling's
Just came back from Siew Ling's place with a tummy loaded with food! Brought back some of the curry since hubby said his friends finished those that I left at home.
2 of them are still here watching DVD...and there are so much food here - cake, brownie, tidbits, drinks, curry chicken... >.<'''
2 of them are still here watching DVD...and there are so much food here - cake, brownie, tidbits, drinks, curry chicken... >.<'''
Relieve!
Was late for gym last Friday. Later realised that Calvin was not teaching both classes of pump and combat that day.
Was checking the online timetable constantly for the past few days and they had cancelled out Calvin's name against the classes even. Walao....felt so demoralished lor...usually if the change was for only a class / a day, they would make the change of instructor's name back immediately. Cannot imagine only attending Calvin's class once a week on Wednesdays if he would not be teaching on Fridays..that's not enough!!
Just checked the timetable again and they have changed it back to his name for the classes!! Yuppieeeeee....! So I'll have his classes to attend on Wednesdays and Fridays as per normal! No changes!!
Was checking the online timetable constantly for the past few days and they had cancelled out Calvin's name against the classes even. Walao....felt so demoralished lor...usually if the change was for only a class / a day, they would make the change of instructor's name back immediately. Cannot imagine only attending Calvin's class once a week on Wednesdays if he would not be teaching on Fridays..that's not enough!!
Just checked the timetable again and they have changed it back to his name for the classes!! Yuppieeeeee....! So I'll have his classes to attend on Wednesdays and Fridays as per normal! No changes!!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Bangkok 06/11/08 to 10/11/08
Ok it's time to blog about the trip!
Airport transfer at the airport:
I am really impressed with their system now. They actually have a very systematic taxi system. Now tourist no longer have to haggle price with unethical taxi drivers who are out to cheat tourist.
Hotel - Baiyoke Boutique Hotel:
We booked the hotel through Alvin's friend Jeffery. We had initially wanted to book Indra Regent because of it's good location and cheap rates, but Jeffery recommended Baiyoke Boutique as it was even cheaper and at around the same location. Moreover Jeffery said it was newly renovated, so we thought why not?
We booked the superior standard rooms and our rooms were at the 4th level. The lobby looked clean, new and renovated. However, we were all shocked and disgusted at the rooms. It was motel/backpackers motel standard lor, just that it had attached bathrooms instead of common bathrooms that's all. So we decided to upgrade to the deluxe rooms. We each had to pay 1000 baht for 4 nights. It was a good choice because the deluxe room were much better! In the end, we realised that the hotel was still in the midst of renovation and the 4th level was not renovated yet.
The location of the hotel for me was alright. Had to walk through a stretch of the Baiyoke market and short stretch of carpark to the hotel. Well, even for the much better Baiyoke Suite Hotel, we also had to walk through the stretch of Baiyoke market. I guess if you really want to minimise walking, then Grand Diamond Hotel, Amari Watergate, Prathunam Princess would be good choices. But PAY LOR....haha
Shopping:
We went to the usual places - Chatuchak, Patpong (my fastest trip to Patpong ever! We were out of there within 30 minutes! Haha..), World Trade Centre mainly to buy lingerie, Platinum Mall, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, 'a buy then go' trip to Big C Supermarket, MBK, MBK extension, Siam Square and 'merry-go-round' around Baiyoke market and wholesale centre City Complex. Merry go round because we basically just went to have a look. The gals seemed to prefer shopping at shopping malls than wholesale centre. I guess that was better too because it would definately be safer and more organised. Further, the shops at the wholesale centres were not fully opened when we went there, not to mention that it was rowdy and less organised. Same for Baiyoke market. However, I noticed that there were many new shops at the alleys of Baiyoke market. Would patronise them next time! Haha...*still broke from my Guangzhou trip then*
Sightseeing?!:
We went to the revolving tower at the Baiyoke Suite Hotel. Nothing fantastic and comparable to the Taipei 101, but still worth a go la! Could see the BKK skyline from up there. Then we went to a lounge for the free drink which came with the ticket to the revolving tower. Erm, the singing was terrible but the drinks were good!
How can I forget the porter-bu?!:
Jinny was the porter-bu of the trip. Huh what's porter-bu?! Haha...bag carrier lor! She had this very big espirit shopping bag, even I also surrender. So big the bag! She carried most of Candy's stuff as she did not want Candy to carry. So sweettttttt!
Overall it was a relaxing BKK trip. Was not too tired out from the shopping. Haha...I said relaxing because this trip was nothing compared to the ones I went with my hubby! :D
Aftermath:
We had to book a big taxi to the airport because we had too many pieces of luggage. We were even warned by tigerairways because our checkin luggages were about 7kg?! (if I did not remember wrongly) overweight between the 4 of us!
Forgot to mention that we were all broke too and had to depend on the tax refund money for dinner at the airport..wahhaha...
Airport transfer at the airport:
I am really impressed with their system now. They actually have a very systematic taxi system. Now tourist no longer have to haggle price with unethical taxi drivers who are out to cheat tourist.
Hotel - Baiyoke Boutique Hotel:
We booked the hotel through Alvin's friend Jeffery. We had initially wanted to book Indra Regent because of it's good location and cheap rates, but Jeffery recommended Baiyoke Boutique as it was even cheaper and at around the same location. Moreover Jeffery said it was newly renovated, so we thought why not?
We booked the superior standard rooms and our rooms were at the 4th level. The lobby looked clean, new and renovated. However, we were all shocked and disgusted at the rooms. It was motel/backpackers motel standard lor, just that it had attached bathrooms instead of common bathrooms that's all. So we decided to upgrade to the deluxe rooms. We each had to pay 1000 baht for 4 nights. It was a good choice because the deluxe room were much better! In the end, we realised that the hotel was still in the midst of renovation and the 4th level was not renovated yet.
The location of the hotel for me was alright. Had to walk through a stretch of the Baiyoke market and short stretch of carpark to the hotel. Well, even for the much better Baiyoke Suite Hotel, we also had to walk through the stretch of Baiyoke market. I guess if you really want to minimise walking, then Grand Diamond Hotel, Amari Watergate, Prathunam Princess would be good choices. But PAY LOR....haha
Shopping:
We went to the usual places - Chatuchak, Patpong (my fastest trip to Patpong ever! We were out of there within 30 minutes! Haha..), World Trade Centre mainly to buy lingerie, Platinum Mall, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, 'a buy then go' trip to Big C Supermarket, MBK, MBK extension, Siam Square and 'merry-go-round' around Baiyoke market and wholesale centre City Complex. Merry go round because we basically just went to have a look. The gals seemed to prefer shopping at shopping malls than wholesale centre. I guess that was better too because it would definately be safer and more organised. Further, the shops at the wholesale centres were not fully opened when we went there, not to mention that it was rowdy and less organised. Same for Baiyoke market. However, I noticed that there were many new shops at the alleys of Baiyoke market. Would patronise them next time! Haha...*still broke from my Guangzhou trip then*
Sightseeing?!:
We went to the revolving tower at the Baiyoke Suite Hotel. Nothing fantastic and comparable to the Taipei 101, but still worth a go la! Could see the BKK skyline from up there. Then we went to a lounge for the free drink which came with the ticket to the revolving tower. Erm, the singing was terrible but the drinks were good!
How can I forget the porter-bu?!:
Jinny was the porter-bu of the trip. Huh what's porter-bu?! Haha...bag carrier lor! She had this very big espirit shopping bag, even I also surrender. So big the bag! She carried most of Candy's stuff as she did not want Candy to carry. So sweettttttt!
Overall it was a relaxing BKK trip. Was not too tired out from the shopping. Haha...I said relaxing because this trip was nothing compared to the ones I went with my hubby! :D
Aftermath:
We had to book a big taxi to the airport because we had too many pieces of luggage. We were even warned by tigerairways because our checkin luggages were about 7kg?! (if I did not remember wrongly) overweight between the 4 of us!
Forgot to mention that we were all broke too and had to depend on the tax refund money for dinner at the airport..wahhaha...
Yeah!
Going to Siew Ling's place for mini gathering later. Am supposed to cook curry chicken. Mission accomplished at 2pm! The curry chicken looks better this time round, and does not require Marcus to the rescue. Hope it taste good too!! Hee....
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Still awake!
Just came back from Myanmar :D
And I am still awake at this hour because it's only 130am in Myanmar! Need to do some adjustment to the bio-clock, since the last few days the ealiest time we went to bed was around 4 to 5am Singapore time :D
And I am still awake at this hour because it's only 130am in Myanmar! Need to do some adjustment to the bio-clock, since the last few days the ealiest time we went to bed was around 4 to 5am Singapore time :D
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