BBQ

Had a BBQ last Saturday at house. MasterChef requested for one originally for her two overseas visitors, her students from college. Later I thought perhaps I'll just invite a few more friends, the more the merrier right. But, since the house is not that huge, can't accommodate that many people, so there were only a few guests of honour.

MasterChef and BIL prepared the savoury items, got them marinated days before and I took care of the dessert items - made party choc cupcakes and some tarts. Tried to combine the Pana Cotta with tart, it was quite a flop, it's not staying in the menu, but the Pana Cotta on its own was good, only need minor adjustment to the recipe and it will be a keeper. Story of the making of dessert in another entry.

Got satay from Hj Samuri, the famous Kajang Satay, which later formed the easiest item to BBQ (just need to reheat on the stove). I had my cousin bro came to help me set up the BBQ stove and had the fire up and ready.

After a whole day of preparation, we've managed to put together a BBQ menu like this:

xxx

Starters

Potato Salad

On The Grill

Prawns Skewer

Sotong Skewer

Chicken Skewer

Lamb Chop with homemade mint sauce

Vegetable Skewer with cumin and chilli flakes

Kajang Satay with peanut sauce

Chicken Balls

Frankfurters

Side Dishes

French Fries

Chicken Nuggets

Desserts

Chocolate Cupcakes

Pana Cotta

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Tarts

Fruits - Mango, Langsat and Rambutan

Lychee Cocktail

xxx

MasterChef went out to fetch her students later the evening while we stay behind to prepare, and snack on whatever cooked item we laid our hands on... the fries was a heat as our temporary measure to hunger, it went particularly well with mayonnaise (with chilli powder).

By the time Little Bro and Hobbes arrived I was already quite full... so I've diverted my attention and energy to whisking them towards the BBQ stoves and making sure they piled up their plates. Even the boys didn't seem to do that well, can't even manage to fill in desserts. So take away it was... together with some little gifts from London.

The only one who had managed to eat the cake was little Daniel.

Before the BBQ ended, sleepiness suddenly caught up with me, without sounding too rude, I was suggesting for my guests to retire early (10pm already?) to get some good rest :p.

Got comments that the mint sauce was really good and compliment the lamb chop really well, well done MasterChef! The sotong was also a heat, that was my favorite too besides the vege skewers. It was fun gathering around preparing your own food "professionally" under the cozy (though boiling hot) atmosphere.

smile... SMILE!!!

Me: "If you wait up all night, you will have a very natural out-of-bed-look tomorrow"

Him: "Hahaha... of course I won't wait. Will just wake up early tomorrow morning to call..."

Me: "Oh ok... then go to bed... which means I can also go to sleep now..."

Him: "Ya go to bed, it's late. Sorry to keep you awake... nite"

Having such IM conversation at midnight with a guy sounded so romantic, but just that it was not, simply because the him was not honey (which reminded me then to text honey to check if he was getting better with his injuries), but my boss... humphhhh... I know - even if your boss is a workaholic, it doesn't mean that you have to be one right? That's what I thought. Not.

Yesterday was not a busy day at work, so at about 6.15pm, I was all packed up ready to leave for gym. Early in the morning, I told Carebear I must try to do both combat and pump since I did really bad last week in terms of my workout especially for cardio. Towards noon I heard that "Rain Gal" (I don't know if this nickname has been accepted, only that "Korean Gal" suggested this. Together, the Rain Gal and Korean Gal will form Kimchi Gals... hmmm) is fasting today and won't be at gym. Thinking that it will be boring doing combat alone, I thought of only doing stepper before pump.

So, as I said, I was all packed up (laptop left behind, locked in the drawer - it will be late when I get home so I don't need my laptop, besides, it's troublesome because I had to bring the laptop with me into the gym since it's dangerous and risky to leave the laptop in the car) and ready to leave, passed by my boss' office (That's the only way out to the entrance!) and I happily bade him farewell when I strode out of the office. Nearly out of the office. I had to do a back-track when I heard him calling... after about 10 minutes discussing the changes for the training manual I'm preparing, I suggested why not I ditch combat class and stay back so as to make sure he had all the required files with details of all the changes... but upon hearing my intention of joining combat, he sent me away telling me that he can call me later tonight. (But... but it's going to be 11pm by the time I reached home) He said he doesn't mind speaking with me at midnight... really. So I went back to collect my laptop and later entered the gym clumsily with my huge gym bag, my handbag, and the laptop bag under my arms while trying to handle the box of chocolate cake with utmost care (I hope they didn't overturn or smashed up with each other/ the box).

Soon as I arrived at gym, I was already distracted by my boss... not physically of course, but I was mentally preparing the information I would need to pass to my boss later when I get home. As a result, I got Carebear indicating for me to smoothen my forehead and reverse the curve of my mouth (to upward). I was quite dazed and puzzled, didn't quite understand why she was prompting me to do so, was I looking too painfully tortured? I thought that's a good expression to project in class haha...

Later in the locker room after pump, when Carebear and I exchanged items, she said "smile, SMILE!" (while passing me my ramekins) and you know what? I was confused because why on earth do I need to be smiling at my ramekins... only seconds later that I realized that she must have meant to tell me to relax and cheer up! I must be in such deep thoughts throughout the class that my eye brows were locked and lips were thin. No wonder lah! Ok, me so blur and far away when I am distracted. Luckily was not in free-style step, I could have just fallen off the board all together.

Earlier on in combat (yes I did combat at the end since my boss sort of released me for combat), I was immensely surprised by the change in the phenomenal Monday combat. The class was quite packed with amateurs (at least it seems like so at where I stood), not to mention the class being umm... extremely quiet - this can be reasoned either me not attending this Monday class for so long and has been mistaken about the change, or simply because Rain Gal was not there.

You know... it's difficult doing combat in silence. In fact, it's difficult doing any class in silence perhaps except for balance or yoga which require total serenity. But this is combat. Supposed to be somewhat furious? Ok... some classes are just quiet, of course we can except that... humphhh...

After a few tracks... I'm sure sooner or later someone will start spare a few kias. But. Don't have.

Muay Thai... for sure it will be noisy by now. Umm... not quite... I thought perhaps I'll just contribute to a few discreet ones? Not that I don't do "screaming" or "shouting" in class, I do that a lot, but the class last night made me think twice because it made me wonder if there were some mutual agreement among all not to make noise? Perhaps there were only some particular moments when you do the kias? Cannot simply shout whenever you like? Got some protocols or something being announced with regards to "the rule of kia-ing in the Monday Combat", perhaps? (Hey, I was absent from that class for two weeks, so who knows right? Do I want to upset anyone?)

Last track... Uwaaa... It was just unbearable...

I didn't care if someone was going to give me a saman for breaking the rules, I just had to content myself with a few stress-releasing-loud-kias before the track ended. There!!!

Later on I did some carefree-whenever-however I want screams in pump - that was, when I wasn't distracted by my mental preparation for my "midnight intimate chat" with boss.

Waaaa.... so tired and I can just feel a tinge of muscle ache now.

Marble Cake Cupcakes

Last week was bad for me in terms of workout - only did 2 pump classes the whole week with no cardio workout. Even so, those 2 pump classes consist one which I've forced myself to wake up 5.30 in the morning to attend a 7am class at LM. Was on leave last Monday and Tuesday, and since I foresee having to sacrifies gym for BBQ preparation later the week, I opt to attend the 7am body pump last Tuesday. Also, since it's FI's class, I can also bring him the long promised marble cake, in the form of cupcake. I actually enjoyed making the swirls for the marble effect.



Finished with butter icing - brandy, chocolate and coffe flavours. (I realized I don't have very good snaps of the end product humphhh...)

Chocolate Cupcakes

Had a BBQ party at home last night, as a welcome back party for my sis and BIL, and since we had overseas guests. Made chocolate cupcakes as my party cupcakes among other desserts.

The usual old fashion chocolate cake recipe but with dark chocolate cream for these cupcakes, instead of milk chocolate cream which I will use for the cake.

Only perhaps 2 persons managed to eat the cupcakes after the feast, kept some for my boss and Carebear (if she is not on diet, haven't got the chance to ask yet!)

The rest of the cupcakes went home with the guests as their desserts once they manage to digest the main courses.

Durian Tart - First Attempt

Tried making durian tart as part of the durian desserts request. Made this last weekend, but only had time to upload this entry now. I still have loads to blog, don't have enough time!

My SB told me that the durian cake was nice, even his friend said so :), well done for first attempt according to him. However, he said not enough durian. So for the durian tart, I've increased the amount of durian for the cream.

The tart shells are pretty easy to make, TLA love the tart shell even by itself.

One big mistake when making the durian cream was that the durian puree was not fine enough, hence I couldn't managed to pipe the cream through my nozzle. At the end, in order to be able to pipe through my star shape nozzle (the shape of the durian cream piped from the smooth tip nozzle looked erm... like something gross...). So, I tried to blend the cream again, but that made the cream lost consistency, hence couldn't form a nice defined shape.

SB couldn't come over to pick up the tart on time, and I guess I didn't keep the tart at a cold enough place (office fridge was too full!) Hence, he didn't get to eat them afterall, turned bad :(... So promised to make it again. An improved version hopefully.

It's A Rainy Day

Second day at work after my so called long leave. Not too bad in terms of work load today, I think I would be able to make it to the gym (it's pump day, can't miss class!!)

It has been raining since lunch time and in order to get to lunch, we actually drove to One Utama (can't walk to lunch around office area so we drove from basement carpark to basement carpark). Went to Oriental Cravings at 1U and boss drove and boss treated me. Goshh... what a dream job eh? The restaurant was simply crowded, guess loads of people was doing what we did to avoid the rain. (or 1U is simply crowded even during weekdays?) We couldn't get a big enough table to accommodate 5 of us (that's also the reason why my boss had to drive instead of getting the driver to chauffeur us to lunch) so the waiter had to move one of the patrons to the next table so we can have his table merged with ours. Amidst that table arranging, one of my very happy colleague came to whisper into my ear telling me this guy (who was forced to change table) was actually one of the judges who appeared in the TV reality show "who wants to be a model" (or something like that). True enough, and well, this famous guy later became 90% of the chat topic between my boss and I.

My boss who seldom watch TV (does it look like he has time?) had, of course, zero knowledge about this guy, so I gave him a debriefing of his background (well, OF COURSE I know nots about this guy too, haha that the point...) and of course I made up the background. Anyways, the topic of interest was if he is happy. I think so but my boss said a model, or someone involve in modelling business doesn't necessary have to be happy. Agreed. Still I think he is.

Told my boss after some constructive debating, while I happily dug into my food (braised pork in dark soya sauce with rice - fattening, full of carbo which clashed with the protein, but never mind, I'm going to gym later) and him bitterly waited for his claypot lo shu fun, that perhaps we should just do a little test, no point arguing.

That guy was leaving, and before it was too late, I gave him a prolonged glance, he caught my glance and quickly looked away (it's nothing to do with me being unattractive, I assure you haha); When that guy was walking away, I told my boss to look and see if the way he walked was quite happy-ish or not. My boss observed him for a while and turned to me with an amazed expression....

"Soooo? " I asked.

"He saw me looking at him and he gave me a prolonged stare!" exclaimed my boss.

Seeeee!! Told you so!

"Maybe he was looking at me because he thought 'who's this guy with also an out-of-bed hair do'?" continued my boss after I gave him a smug look claiming my victory in my theory.

We......ell. My boss came in today with a very out-of-bed messed up hair-do. He said it was an accident when I told him he looked cool in this hair-do. So, he was looking kind of cute today.

"No.......oo, I don't think so!" I assured my boss. "I don't think the reaction would be quite the same if, say, it were to be xxx (my other happy colleague) who stared at him..."

Mwah hahaha... so mean of me, but my boss was quite amused with my answer. So, there you go.

Welcome Back!

I've been very busy during the pass weekend... did 3 different types of baking, which I've assigned one of the baking - the caramel cupcake - to my little apprentice cousin aka Maddy. She did well, I've even left the icing of the cupcakes for her. Details of the baking will be in separate entries later, I haven't uploaded the pictures yet. I was going through my Picasa uploads and found some pictures taken by The Little Apprentice (TLA), among them...

Me baking

One of my overflowing baking "storage"

That was on Saturday night. I brought TLA to Tony's body jam class at SPK during the day and she loved the class a lot. The class was not so crowded and darling did some old time favorites, some requiring loads of space in order for us to perform the "drama". The lady president of the TFC (Tony fan club) was there and TLA was really delighted to have a role model (the president) to copy the steps and thus allowing her to breeze through the class.

TLA was also being assigned to get ready a welcome back "banner" and a welcome back card for MasterChef and BIL, who were arriving on Sunday.

The making

The welcome back card

The house is now more "crowded" with two more tenants, not to mention TLA staying over the school holidays. Then again, more "customers" for my baking, which also means less allocation for distribution.

Was on leave Monday and Tuesday, and my first day back at work was till almost 9pm. Honey dropped by my office yesterday evening to pick up his durian tart, but there was a little drama about the tart hiazzz.... anyways, got to get back to work first. Story telling later tonight if I can stay awake when I get home.

Surprise!!!

This is such a long due entry...

We've been planning for like 2 weeks for this surprise party.

Confirmation of the birth date...
I was quite sure Young told me his birthday is on 13 August... I remember having this conversation with him about birthdays last year and I jokingly asked him if his birthday was on 31 August when he said his birthday is in August. So, it's the reversed of the national day. Was having this MSN conversation with MB and she told me she that was how she remembers Young's birthday too.

The surprise party squad...
My #1 co-producer was supposed to be PiC, but she didn't turn up at Maxis on Monday... out of all Mondays... humphhh... my #1 "Insider" was SuperSpicyBabe. Discussed with SSB earlier and she said she will not let Young get any replacement for the Monday pump so as to keep him at the "crime scene". Mwah hahaha....

Told Hobbes and Little Bro also... they are my most supportive squad members. Hobbes had to teach balance and only managed to join us after his class (of course little bro reserved food for him). Little bro must be so hungry... he had this can't wait to eat look on his face constantly - till he got his food.


The cake...
I was wondering what cake to bake. MB told me birthday boy likes mango... and PiC actually managed to reconfirm this fact without causing any suspicion.


The food...
Esther planned to bring chili padi fried rice - IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! Despite the not advisable carbo, I had 2 plates! Actually all of us there had 2 plates. SSB you missed out big time! Ya... my #1 insider couldn't make it to the scene too.


The surprise...
Even though I've not attending Young's Monday pump for months, he didn't suspect me when I suddenly turned up for his class on that day. Or did he actually suspect? Later when we interrogated him about whether he was in fact really surprised, he said totally positive. Hmmm... Ok, he did look surprised. I loved the birthday song part, we sang our hearts out and tried to make it as loud as we can while the birthday boy tried to hush us.


I had a great time that night, working out was tough, when I went through the class, I actually thought "why did I come today!!!" goshh... I was screaming during chest, tricep, back track... but it was fun, especially when I've not seen everyone for so long... Esther hurt her shoulder, get well soon Esther! Oh, and her daughter will be delivering a baby next month. Saw her daughter today when I went to SPK, she looked like she's just 4 months pregnant... still looking slim and the stomach is so tiny.


Anyways... I realized later that the pictures I took was really lousy, I didn't even remember to take a picture with the birthday boy, and there was no group picture!!! No picture of MB too :(

Esther's Delicious Fried Rice

Make A wish....

Mango Cheesecake with Oreo "Crust"

It was for Young's surprise birthday do. MB told me, and PiC further confirmed that mango is the birthday boy's favorite, that's how I've came to decide on the cake of the event.

This is a variation of the raspberry cheesecake with chocolate biscuit crumbs. I found that one of the major problems using fresh fruits is the cake became too moist. While this gave a very nice texture and taste to the cake, it quite "ruin" the "crust". As a result the biscuit was very soggy, it became more of a moist cake base instead - nonetheless my very kind "food tasters" dutifully said it was nice - Thank you (though I know you guys will say nice even if it's not nice)!

Decorated with more fresh mangoes and fresh creams - we deserve it since we did a really tough pump class right before that (what fried rice??)

Will do the posting of the actual event after I've uploaded the pictures (I was actually blogging while waiting for my 8MB file to be e-mailed across to my boss - yes still in office, the consequence of taking leave yesterday. Haiz...)

Durian Cake - first attempt

I don't really eat durian because I was told it's fattening, plus, there's this "myth" about durian and pimple outbreak... so, I've not really been keen. Having said that... I'm not against the king of fruits.

There has been this request, erm... since last year actually, but the request was not being followed up and there were many other stuff to offer this requester in question. Hence, only now that I finally take up the "challenge". The result - quite bad.

Made a plain sponge cake for the durian cake. But the first attempt in sponge cake (never baked sponge cake for about 10 years, not joking, don't really like baking sponge cake) was quite a disaster. I've used a slightly too big baking tray, as a result, the sponge cake was very thin. Therefore, only managed to assemble the "cakes" into what looked like cream puff...

The cake was too thin, hence this look

So since my "apprentice" was here this weekend, I've entrusted her with the task of completing assembling all the "durian cream puffs", while I bake another sponge cake which might look more like a cake.

At the end, the cake turn out quite ok. The durian cream, however, were a bit too soft. It's very difficult to assemble as the cake threatened to collapse. The cakes were drizzled with some durian custard (which mum said smelled like "jagung" humphhhhh).

I wonder if durian goes well with butter cakes? It would be easier assembling a durian cake with a butter cake base instead of sponge cake. Or perhaps pipe the durian cream into a cupcake? Easier to assemble too. The next challenge is a durian cream tart.

I like experiments, it's how new items can come on to the permanent list. But I hate it most of the time because the chances of over producing certain ingredient is always there - I have so much durian cream and durian custard left. Can't be throwing them away and not sure how long it will last before I attempt the tarts which allow me to use the extra creams.

Told sms-buddy that I hope he had expected for my first attempt to be, well, like a first attempt. Though it's not so nice, but I really need him to help me with finishing them.

Any other guinea pigs? Opsss... I mean food tasters?

Weekend

I was in search for mango during the last two days... Went to Giant at LM Friday night, they only had a few and those were not ripe. Asked mum to get me some at the wet market on Saturday morning, but she said there were none... humph... Do I need to change to different cake? Told Hobbes when I went to his class at LM and he said change to durian... were you serious? Not everyone likes durian right? Well, I was baking durian cake, but it was an experiment (and thankgawd that didn't mean to be the cake, otherwise it's going to be so embarrasing to offer such cake for a birthday).

Woah... the Saturday pump was real tough, and Hobbes said it was tougher the week before? Can that be possible? I used all my usual weights, plus, I've gone crazy with shoulder track. Even though, knowing that my shoulder is the weakest after biceps, I used the 7lb dumbell instead of the 2.5kg plates. I know that is not like a lot different, but my shoulder was screaming even before half the track. The chest track was really tough till I had to give up a few pushes... The rest, I can't remember, only remember that I was all the time hoping for the tracks to end sooner... But you were right Hobbes, no matter how much we hate the torture (and you? no lah, how can we ever hate you?) we felt great after the class!

After class, continue to search for the mangoes... went to a fruit stall near where I planned to have my hair cut, but none. Stopped by at the supermarket down the street, and yay, they do have mangoes, but.... not so ripe, and by the look of it, not going to be sweet... but I guess I just have to make do.


Waited one hour for my turn at the hair dresser's despite me making an appointment!

Although running late after my hair cut, I still went to Great Eastern Mall, need to get supplies for my baby piggy. So, I might as well stop by Cold Storage... and WOAH!!! Loads of dark orange colour mangoes! All ripe! Looking Sweet! (and they were sweet, really sweet)

Phew...


xxxxxxxxx

THE SCIENCE BEHIND DISH WASHING


I meant create an entry for last weekend activities, but only till now I could find time...

I was in for a volunteer at a dharma event. My aunty was in charge of a section and she told us she didn't have enough manpower because not many volunteers seemed to be interested or willing to be involve in her section... mum and I thought, it's supposed to be a volunteer work for good deed, for self cultivation, and more so, we should really help out with the task least disire by others. So there I was for the whole of last weekend.


I arrive at the "scene" on Saturday morning, and realized this funny scenario: 2 filled mineral water bottle tied to the water rubber hose...? Later I found out, the "science" behind it:

To keep the water hose down

And later this:

Containers to go through the "flour water" first to get rid of oil, then into the soapy water, next, rinse, and another final rinse. The containers will then be sent to a section where it will be wipe dry.

The "Crime Scene"

"end product" - clean containers ready for use

We were suppose to wash up the plastic containers for re-using. Meals were always provided during dharma event, and for event where Venerable Master Chin Kung is giving his lecture, the number of audience was always very very high. So, the organizer bought 25,000 pieces of plastic containters for the use of packing meals - lunch and dinner. Beakfast were bread which didn't require plastic container. Since it was a 5 day event, there were at least 10 meals being served, therefore, recycling of plastic container will definately help with preserving the environment and reducing wastage.

So, at one time we were washing like 8 thousand containers - box and lid. My cousin who was there to help out her mother said she had not wash so much containers in a year, well, I told her, make it a million years! Seriously...

One of the lunch boxes

Some of the cooked dishes.

30 over rice cookers in order to cater the number and size of meals

Assembling meal packs

The result of 2 days of washing was very painful butt because we were sitting on hard low stools. It was very tiring for the arms and fingers too. However, like any other volunteer tasks, once completed with full effort, we will be filled with full contentment too. :)

Lack of energy...

I've been taking this supplement for energy, our company's star product. Yesterday I was so busy that I forgot to take, and also I thought, I've limited supply, so what if I don't take it for a day or two? Then, I suffer the consequences...

Before end of the day, I was already dragging my legs and felt so extremely sleepy; yesterday was the company weekly outdoor activity - trekking, and we got orders from big boss that we were to cover additional distance (of all days!). I was sooo hungry at the end of the walk, boss treated me tau fu fah, that's the only available source of "energy" then.

Went to "Dee See's" (which sounded to me like Daisy) pump and my mind just drifted away, far far away, couldn't stay alert, and was extremely lack of energy, at one point till the DeeSee (that's how his name is pronounced right?) asked if I was ok... as a result of my low energy situation, I decided to slash all my weights, besides, the instructor in question didn't know my normal weights, so I don't foresee him making any comments, neither did I expect him to "force" me to increase my weights.

This was the result...

Warm up 5kg -> same
- felt like I've done 3 tracks already

Squat track 11kg -> 10kg
- did mostly baby squats and my bottom halves looked like top halves

Chest track 6kg -> 5kg
- wah, only 1kg and it's so different, managed to do all full movements and didn't need to scream at all, but still, I get muscle ache now

Back track 7.5kg -> 6kg
- Haha... I know! Should have only cut down to 7kg, but since I didn't plan to do this and the weights station was rather far so I just made do with the available donut lo

Tricep 5kg -> 3.5kg
- Oppss... too easy and I even did the dips at the end without difficulties and no need to "moan". Ok, mustn't do this again.

Biceps 3.5kg -> same
Was tempted to slash down to 2.5kg but since I allowed myself an easy tricep track, I better not lah.

Lunges, shoulder, abs - did my normal routine - I normally use silly light weights so impossible to cut down the weights. (or perhaps I should have used the 3lb dumbbell for shoulder? too much izit?)

Now I really have to max out in tomorrow's pump class (and remember to take my supplement!); To achieve this, what's better than attending one of the "torture master", Hobbes' class? I'm quite sure I'll not be able to get away with reducing weight in his class...

fgdwehknolkpjk

No, that was not a code up there, neither does it read anything... I saw that kind of title last few days in another blog, and I thought, that's a good idea when you don't know what subject title to put. If I do a tabulation, the amount of time I spent on blog title will most probably total up more than the content proper.

Got an sms from my boss after showering at gym, so here I am laptop switched on, internet connected, waiting for him to go through the document he wanted me to send him, to see if there's anything else he wants to discuss... yes, it's 1130 at night. So might as well blog. (really want to put in story for last weekend, but lazy to upload the pix tonight... tomorrow perhaps)

xxx

Went to Chang Tung and Bake with Yen during lunch time today, my 2 regular bakery supplies shops since I've moved to this new company. I'm always very pressured shopping there with such limited time, but they close at 6pm, so there's no other way but to do a quick one during lunch. I bought Mascarpone cheese for the upcoming birthday cake - it's cheaper here at Bake w Yen, RM26 for 500gm tub as oppose to almost RM19 for a 250gm tub at Cold Storage - and no, you can't get Mascarpone cheese at Giant, nor Jusco and not all Cold Storage sells that. Replenish my disposable piping bags - the ones from Chang Tung is better though about 60 cents more expensive for a pack of 10, cuz they don't tear as easily as the ones from BwY. I also bought whipping cream - to use as double cream as well for my durian cream and some new tart mould - all these because of...

sms history:

last few weeks from sms-buddy
"mayb you shud try bakin durian cake. but need to wait till durian season."

my reply
"if u dun mind being the guinea pig! never baked durian cake b4"

Besides, I don't eat durian...

Last few days from the baker:
"i got the durian de. Will be in town nxt week n ll b able to send the cake t u."

SB's: bake de? how? nice?

baker: not yet, if bake 2 early cake not fresh wen reach u.

SB: ok, can u put extra durian icin pls?

baker: u can only make tis kind of request wen u hav a "personal baker" u know? Oh, i also hav recipe for durian cream tart, u might like tat 2 since you like pies. nxt round of experiment


SB: then make it a double request! cake and tart ;) to fulfil my durian cravin.

... hence the reason why I bought the tart mould... also, my big boss suggested fruit tartlets the other day, so the mould will be in used quite a lot I foresee.

xxx

Was at MML for combat today because...

Text to Tall Gal (can I call you this in my blog? if you have objection, please provide me with your more "glamorous" nickname pls. tq) at 5pm ish.

"any gym plan tdy?"

"going 2 MML"

Need a buddy if I do plan to do the Tuesday combat at MML, because the studio has limited space, not to mention the class is always packed (which of Combat Master's class is not?) and it's an earlier than usual class, so need someone to "stand big space" so I can slot myself in if I'm late. However, I was on time today, left office early since there was no urgent tasks and boss was not in either.

Walked pass registration list at reception, saw my name under Tall Gal's, which means she's already there. We took place at the back of the class where Tall Gal always prefer, and I got influenced to do the same. I was originally standing beside this guy, erm... what shall I call him here? Anyways, told TG I prefer standing to her right which was away from the middle and she didn't mind changing with me saying that she would be so inspired by this guy (shall be temporary called this name in this blog). I find myself enjoy this Tuesday combat more than the Monday one at Curve now a days, while I was happily kicking away enjoying the company and my ideal spot, I got kicked on my elbow... ouch! So, got kicked by This Guy even though I've distance myself... humph... he of course apologized profusely. He apologized again after class and said people will normally sue for such unforgivable incident, well... I've engaged TG that very instance to be my lawyer.

The class was lacking the usual noise level, it could not be achieved because, I suspect, the main contributor to the usual kiahs, Farid, was not there. I tried to contribute but thought that my low-key kiahs were all drown by the music, but I really tried. I also really wanted to scream my lungs out after a few tracks because I was extremely drained of energy due to "sweating > water intake". Why were we not allowed to drink leisurely every now and then ah? Is this a new endurance training or what? Some more restart the track after one whole minute?

As usual, during muay thai, I was again very amazed by This Guy (can't do short form, same with Tall Gal) shooting up to the ceiling. Also got distracted by this rather uncoordinated guy standing right between my view of the Combat Master, basically blocking since he's taller than the master.

Was an entertaining class, especially with the Combat Master's "dad" contributing to a few witty remarks, love the "get on with it!!" before the start of the conditioning track.

Last Friday

I always plan for my blog content while going through interesting events everyday, mentally composing the sentences, just that I am most of the time not able to cope with the amount of stories, simply no time to blog during certain days. Take last Friday for instance, it was a day full of stories and I planned to get home early to blog. However, due to unexpected arrangements, I reached home only midnight. Since I foresee a long and tiring weekend, I opt to go to bed instead of staying up pass midnight.

My gym schedule was a bit unusual last Friday, went to The Curve for pump, sort of in replacement for the pump I missed on Thursday. Plus, Carebear said she is replacing, what better than a perfect time slot and a perfect instructor?

I thought it was a good decision to join class at Curve that day, we got to do the upcoming release! The pump class was jointly conducted by Carebear and Cindy, I haven't done Cindy's class before and I think she wasn't really taking a lot of classes during her pregnancy (that was about the time I joint FF). True enough, she told the class that the mentioned class meant a lot to her because that was her first class back after delivering her baby. You know what? I can't even trace an inch on her that indicates that she's a mother. Cindy was great, coupled with Carebear gave great synergistic effect.

Besides the track surprises, I was also surprised to spot Partner in Crime with Diha working their souls out in body attack. So with PiC in class with me later, my session of pump became so lively, just like the old days at Maxis. PiC is just the best buddy to gym with, I remember there was one of those days when we actually took leave (not purposely but it was during clearing annual leave season, so we had planned "wisely") just to go to gym. Did something like 4 classes with FI at LM. The finale for the day of gym, as I remember vividly, was body attack during which we were so worked-out that we gone almost insane, ending the class with hysterical laughs. Madness but syiok!

The new release - simply awesome! Really torturing! I screamed my heart out during chest track, missed a few moves during back track and can't feel my arms after biceps. New moves for abs was very effective (i.e. more torturing) and quite refreshing.

Continued with combat... too bad Farid was not there. Renee's class was quite explosive as well and I actually told her it was a great class. I guess it will be so when we change from our regular regime to a different class/ instructor. There were a few new tracks, not all, just a few from the next release. I love the recovery track - which Renee said is NOT a recovery track. Throw that out the window, put it behind. She's right, the double back kick (fast mode) cannot be considered recovery move at all. My energy was drained before the end of the class, I know there would be more surprises but couldn't drag myself to go on, so skipped the conditioning track. Diha told me later that it's tough but really great.

Got a text from PiC (who didn't join combat) that she's still around having dinner, and I was really tempted with her invitation to chill out before heading home. I really needed to go back early actually, it was already 10pm plus, but I didn't want to just go off, so we went for a "short" chat at Coffee Bean, had the blueberry mousse cheesecake (MB: I finally tried this, it's great! very light and it felt less fattening. But I don't really like the form of the blueberries they use though). By the time I sent PiC home and got home myself, it was already midnight, hence only the story telling for last Friday now - "illegally" because it's still office hour! I will put in some hours tonight at home to work...

So tired!

This weekend was an extremely exhausting but a really content one! Now I feel as though I've gone for 3 back to back pump classes, no, actually it feels like I've done 24 hours of gym non-stop. No kidding, I've got a rather painful bump as well, back muscle ache, tired neck and am desperately wishing for a good stretch like the ones after a painful session of PT... plus the massage will be perfect!

I really planned to tell you why, that's why I came on line, but... gosh... can't manage, I need to go to bed now. Ouch!

Me and RPM Challenge

Have been trying to confirm meeting up with a very spicy babe a few days ago. Finally, we've confirmed Thursday at The Curve. Me after my trekking with office-mates and her after her classes at gym. I got a message the night before from her telling me she needs to stay back for a discussion after the class and therefore warning me that I might need to wait before we go dinner. Meanwhile, she suggested/ offered me to join the class. I have been doing pump after my trekking for the pass few weeks, so I really wouldn't mind joining her class, but what class was it ah?

The answer: "RPM Challenge"

Ermm... I've perhaps joint like 3 RPM classes since I join the gym. RPM has not been my favorite class because it is sort of very stationery not much variation in terms of movements. The "torturing" part if it is great, but you get a really painful bump after the class, not so great.

Nevertheless, my answer: "yes, definitely tempted, will join if I can make it on time".

Weeeeellllll.... I was not on time. Haha... I told my Maxis Buddy yesterday about my bizarre plan and I bet she didn't believe even 1 percent of what I've told her. No MB, I didn't get to join. I shall make my so called "come back" for RPM with you RPM Queens i.e. MB, Partner in Crime, Fiz and Esther, one day.

Anyways... babe said later that she can't make it for dinner. I went into gym, passed the reception area and obviously the challenge has already begun so "no chance" for me to join :p. I later on passed by the main studio upstairs, You KH was doing body jam, I thought then perhaps I can quickly join the class... but at the end decided to go straight to the shower.

After that, waited at the juice bar area so I can pass the cupcakes to Lynnx before I leave, during which You KH passed by and gave me his usual friendly hello... but before he left, he actually said "didn't do class today ah?"... Oh oppsss... so obvious izit??

Lynnx greeted me later with her "contented"-after-3-hardcore-classes-look and showed me her very cool gadget, erm... actually, I don't know what it's called, it measures heart rate, calories burnt, fat %, number of workout hours etc... Really cool, if only I can afford it! We also managed to discuss about "the plan" and we shall touch base again on this topic next week. Finger cross that "the plan" can be executed smoothly.

Since dinner was off, I've therefore converted my evening's activities to shopping. Went to G2000, which I recall entering numerous times with Farid but ended up empty handed. Finally last night, I got a work shirt, on sale, and now I just need to wait for my cuff links to arrive from UK before I wear it (ahem, someone should be getting the hint here). Wanted to get a pair of suit or at least a pair of pants but they were already closing, though they didn't chase me out, I did feel very pressured fitting under that kind of condition. So, another time perhaps, since sale is till end of August.

So, the closest I've got to RPM Challenge was the spicy challenge executor.

ps. Lynnx thanks for food-tasting the cupcakes, will definitely experiment with the variations of what we've discussed i.e. "fluff" up the cake more.

Present from Bali

Thanks for the present little bro, love the colour, it will go well with the new top I got from Shen.

Sorry to keep you waiting yesterday and sorry for my delayed thank you note, was really rushing yesterday. Hope you were not late for your SPK class. See you around, muahs.

xxx

Technology is definitely adding more life and colours to our communication today. My boss, from his room, which is like 5 strides away from my desk, sent me an sms telling me today is Guan Yin's enlightenment day. So I sent him a message through MSN messenger telling him I'm aware of that and I'll be good and won't scold anyone today (will leave that to tomorrow haha).

Tuesday Again

It's really nice to have a boss (a few bosses) who are generous enough to buy me lunch almost everyday (whenever I have lunch with him/ them). The best thing was, my immediate boss even remembers the type of fruits I like - he ordered that for me without me asking. How nice can a boss get? Or rather, how nice of a boss can you get?

There were some havoc case later the afternoon, that caused a slight delay of me leaving the office, and the end result was me running late for the 6.45pm combat. I arrived at the gym and I could see from downstairs that the studio is being emptied for the combaters to enter class... I quickly check at the reception to see if the class was full, no point rushing or squeezing in if it's already with a full registration list (chances are there are many more unregistered members). But there were a few more space on the list... so I rushed to the locker room, but half way decided to attract the gals' (Farid, Diha & Shen) attention so they can keep me some space. Instead of attracting the attention of the tall gal, I attracted the attention of that tall guy in front of her indicating that I should hurry.

Met with a few more combaters in the locker room trying to rush for the class too, a few of us ended up waiting at the entrance for the first track to end (we don't want to risk our lives entering the class, with little space to maneuver to an available spot, while everyone was doing their back kicks, do we?)

The class was really full, I can't remember the last time I joint this class, it's a very fun and happening class, I would say I like this crowd better than the Monday Curve crowd. The only challenge with this class is (besides trying vainly to manage with space while still trying to do the full evasive side kicks) the difficulty in getting a good view (if not any view at all) of the teacher. No stage at MML, and due to the combat master being such a cute character, I do find it challenging (even with my height, ahem...). So we tried to stick out our ears for verbal instructions, but the thing with verbal instruction is you can't figure out the source is, it's going to sound the same no matter where the combat master stand right? So, thus a small episode in the middle of the class...

We were diligently contributing to the appropriate kias and hey hey heys at all the accurate moments, and on the cue (which is lowering of music normally right?) we raise the volumes of our kias and got really expert doing the moves without the music for a while. I was secretly wondering (and so I found out, Shen like wise) how did the combat master managed to lower the volume when he's (I'm quite sure although I didn't get a good view of him) so far away from the sound system? Wah... got remote control izit? THEN we realized it's actually a technical problem of the sound system. Goshh...

So we were under-workout for our left limbs (as I quote the gals, one side will be bigger) since we didn't get to finish that particular track and went straight to muay thai. I was a bit confused with the moves and must have looked funny during certain part of the track, luckily I was at the back, I'm sure no one noticed... But what I did notice was someone (a person I mentioned previously as being the nice guy who helped me with my weights) jumping up so high that he might be threatening to break the ceiling... wow... and I thought Shen is already soooo tall...

After the class was a good round of updates aka gossip. Very informative dears, thanks a lot. I shall put all the constructive ideas into my action plan.

xxx
While blogging, multi-tasked with MSN-ing fav instructor. (it was something like this...)

blah blah...

me: miss baking you cakes...
FI: it's ok lah, can wait...
me: hehe... What cake do you like more?
FI: ... butter marble cake...
me: Easier than making choc cake hehe.. I'll make sure I come with the cake the next time I see you.
FI: So long it's butter cake.
FI: Thanks!
me: anytime darling, you are my VIP teacher...
FI: then manjakid is also VP?
me: junior VIP, more of little brother actually... haha....

Thank gawd for msn, how else do we manage to "talk" to someone we can hardly manage to see?

xxx

Meanwhile, a bit of spoiler in here if you haven't finish reading HP7 (this is a warning, if you haven't then just stop reading here...)












OK, according to the "forum" besides plain gossiping, the conclusion was that the sorting hat was not summoned by "Voldy" (so I quote Farid, this is such a cute nickname) but it flew out on its own to "save" Neville, just like it appeared out of no where in the Secret Chamber so the Harry can pull out the sword from it... So, I'm the one who'd interpreted differently, I had the impression that Voldy summoned the hat (when he did some waving with his wand). Ok Alan, like you said.