Relaxing weekend?

Finally!!!

Finally I got to sleep more than 6 hours. In fact, I've slept for 11 hours :).

This afternoon was spent at Dome Cafe The Curve, a very relaxing chit chat (aka gossip) session with my favorite people. Came back and leisurely baked a cheesecake for cousin's birthday tomorrow and I was just 5 minutes late in joining the Earth hour lights off. Needed to put my cake into the oven first. And yeah, lights was on for the oven though.

I didn't go to gym for a week, and only did yoga yesterday. Shoulder getting better and was planning to go to gym tomorrow until a confirmed order of 200 pieces of cupcakes. The little cuppies will be given out in a fashion event, so although the order came in short of a week's notice, I would still want to take it. Thank god tomorrow is Sunday, if not, I don't think I would be able to take the order because I've got dinner on Monday (so no gym), and with only Tuesday and Wednesday nights, I don't think I can deliver 200 cupcakes on Thursday. So I guess I'll catch up with gym, and more sleep later. Tomorrow will be a busy day.

KG, nice seeing today and thanks for ordering the chocolate cake. There are still a lot to update you. Let's talk again on Friday k.

Birthday Cake for A Pretty Mum

This is a mango cheesecake with oreo dark chocolate base. Surrounded with sponge finger and decorated with little pink hearts made from fondant. The special message was written on a specially made chocolate plaque.



The message is so cute right? Only creative customer would be able to send in such request :). But TTB nearly messed it up because her mind was else where when she wrote those wordings, and the first version read like this...

OMG! Totally different message. Luckily I checked my notes before packing up the cakes. Haha...

Thanks for ordering dear. I hope you and your mum liked the cake. And hope you've had a great celebration. :)

To auntie: May you live pretty forever! Happy Birthday!

Whoopss... it happened again.

There were a few variations for the shoulder track for this new pump release. One of them is balancing on the bar, besides using the bench or simply doing push up on the floor. Though I was using the bar, I was wondering whether it would be better to hold the bar over or under thumb. I actually tried both, but while experimenting between those two options, whoops... I slipped because the bar got unbalance due to my movements. So, crack, and ouch. Got an injured shoulder. But, I actually managed to finish the shoulder track despite the injury. I guess the pain only kicks in overnight.

Fortunately, I did not plan for a hardcore workout week, there are lots of orders to deliver. So, I'll take this excuse to nurse my injury and rest my arms. :p

Yup, so I went to pump last night. It was Carebear & Co. Great fun and what a way to "win" the chance of teaching the next track - scissors, stone and cloth was a good idea. Hehe... Is the new release tough? As per Carebear, and can't agree more, it's all up to the weights you get yourself to carry. I was really tired last night, so was really really pushing hard for me to get through the class. In fact, I was already suffering when I was in combat before that.

I will not comment on the new release until I do another one with me feeling okay. Wookie, KG, BO, LP and LGM were there, I'm sure they had reviewed the new release already ;)

Meanwhile, stay tuned to MasterChef, she'll be announcing some good news soon :)

Happy Birthday SSB!

Happy birthday and hope you've had a great celebration. It was such a delight that the cupcakes can make an appearance on your birthday and glad they've also accompanied you throughout the year.

May your year be eventful and colourful, always cheerful and successful!

Pudding for Gathering

I was invited to a house warming at a Zam's new condo. I have been really busy with orders last week so I only had time to bake on Saturday morning, just before the gathering. Since the bread pudding had been an all time favorite, and this was the quickest to make (and most importantly I can bring it over even after it came straight out from the oven).

The bread pudding is made with croissant, the usual pudding mix but with additional melted white chocolate to give a richer texture. This will definitely be very indulging if you are up to some rich, creamy and buttery kind of bread pudding.

Best eaten with a good scope of vanilla ice cream. If I've had more time, I would have made some vanilla sauce (white chocolate vanilla sauce most probably) to go with the pudding. And if it's for non Muslim friends, some brandy in the vanilla sauce will be so perfect!

Anyways, I think the gymfreaks miss the chocolate cake. So sorry dears, didn't have the time lately. Will make more effort and bring a cake for the next gathering.

I had a great time and I love the breeze which I think maybe you will only get at place at the 18th floor like Zam's. Enjoyed the food a lot too and it's really warm seeing old friends again. And yeah, I think I haven't met you guys for like a year :p

Getting good support!

First of all thank you LP for ordering cupcakes from me; Thanks KG for confirming the chocolate cake for your upcoming birthday celebration; Thank you dear (Carebear) for getting a cake from me for your mum's birthday; Oh, also thanks ya MC, for ordering and promoting the cupcakes at your office party; SSB, thanks! It's my honour to be supplying you cupcakes on your special day. Happy birthday.

Even MFG ordered a box of cupcakes...

Sounding like giving a thank you speech after receiving an Oscar. Haha...

LP's order just came in through FB, and luckily I thought I will send her a text to confirm. I was being really "tai tou ha" (big head prawn = careless), when I saw 23rd, I thought it's coming Monday (yeah, too "kan cheong" already, thought LP would like to collect when I see her at gym). Know what? She's ordering for 23rd APRIL lah... Hee... Very good customer, and must be a good planner since can order a month in advance :p. Thanks dear.

The other day I got an order from a "stranger". She was a contact from Facebook, through one of the MyFM DJs, whom I added just for the sake of having them. These famous DJs got themselves like 2000 new friends just over perhaps 3 days. Wow... This "new FB friend" of mine ordered a chocolate cake (with liquer) for her father's 60th birthday, wah! What an honour! And a box of cupcakes as door gift to impress her friends. Geezz... I'm so flattered, so glad that the cupcakes can do as much as impressing people. Sob...

Was at a gathering today and made a white chocolate bread pudding. Oh... they were actually hoping for a cake. Haiya, why didn't tell me? But actually, I was in a tight schedule and bread pudding can be made real quick. I must make a point to make them a chocolate cake during the next gathering. KG couldn't make it to the gathering because she had to go fix her car. Her windscreen got a crack.

It's SSB's birthday tomorrow, Happy Birthday babe! May all your dreams come true and many many pleasant surprises on your special day. I am glad that my cupcakes get to accompany you throughout the whole year since last year. Actually, since the inception of TeaRoom. My first cupcake customer.

If everything goes on well, TeaRoom opens it's store front end of this year. Need all your supports and please pray for me. :)

寿桃 for birthday cupcake

This was an order by my colleague. This was originally a full box of 16 medium cupcakes but she wanted more at the last minute. Since I couldn't bake more, but she needed to give a few to her client, I actually took out 5 of them from the big box. So it was sort of difficult to design and very difficult to arrange the cupcakes. Not to mention not having box of the correct size.

This was the best I can do. And on the cupcakes was my new 寿桃 design. I think there is a better way of making them actually.

Here is the making, with ready to roll icing:

Choose happiness...

Are you planning to go?

TD, thanks for the order. This is something special for you, extra "happiness". Have an awesome class!

And I thought I won't be complaining again

Suddenly got a text at lunch: "Hey having loh su fan is it? BO"

He did really sign off as "BO" I didn't like modified to nickname. I think we are all starting to grow on our blogging nicknames. The other reason why BO signed off as BO was because I haven't got his number on my phonebook. After a bit of searching, and some more texting. I finally located him some 2 tables away. I "introduced" BO to some of the characters who normally appears in my blog and told him I will be complaining about that particular character sitting next to me then.

Very early yesterday morning, there was a conference call with WWW and the team over here, including my immediate boss. I really hate meeting early morning. Humph... everyone sounded annoyed in the call, I tried to maintain my zen-ness. After the call ended, since there were a few things which we need to look into, I asked the white shirt lady (BO would know who ya) what does she wants me to do, and asked her to give me more details if she would like me to write up some contents etc etc... she kept saying that we will work together, well, yeah, I know, but tell me what you need like NOW? since we are IN A MEETING. Won't you might as well get things clear, also big boss already joined us by then? And out of no reason, she got hot and said "if it's about who is doing what, then I'll do it. I'LL DO IT OKAY!"

Wooow... what's that all about? To me, it looked like showing big boss she's got a lot to do, and she is the one who had to do everything. Geezz... Fine. Do it all. I'm not going to fight for work lor. At the end of the day, she would still have to come to me since some of the collateral are to be in Chinese, mwah hahaha... and BO you know why my evil laughter right? And MC if you can guess who this white shirt lady, you too know why my evil laugh.

Now a days, office is full of CYA (cover your ass) and politics. You may say everywhere is the same. But this used to be a very comfortable working place. A lot of us are disheartened because new people disturbed the culture. Oh well, this is life I guess, like IB always like to tell me.

Meanwhile, the killer cat fish had been sent away to a new home. He looked quite pitiful yesterday when I scooped him up. Poor thing, but I'm sure he'll have a better life in the big pond.

Told Carebear later through MSN that I have serious muscle ache from doing balance. Then I found out how BO got my number. Hehe...

I was on my cupcake project till midnight last night, I hope I survive through. Tonight another late night to finish up the decorations. 3 deliveries tomorrow :). There is also a confirmed order for next Friday from a stranger. TeaRoom is expanding, and hopefully will have a store front end of this year.

Still praying.

I'm Zen

Woke up in the morning thinking I survived combat alright. Was really punching hard last night in Shades' class at LM. The class was great as I said, but too bad not "noisy" enough. Anyways, towards the evening, some muscle aches finally kicked in and I had a really tight shoulder and tired back, like I need a REALLY good stretch.

Carebear (are you still called this nickname?) said she will be launching balance at TC today. Perfect! And although MC was no where near Damansara, she was all interested to join the class too. So there we were balancing with utmost zen-ness. Haha...

The new release (not that I do balance much) enjoyable. Tough but not suffering long. Perhaps it was because of good company or I've advanced in my stamina! :p There were a lot of core strengthening, as promised and that track was tough. I couldn't even get myself to do full range, I even had to drop to my knees most of the time.

I like the mind and body studio at TC, very zen. Love the water dripping sound in the background, the candle light... but too bad, the mic actually spoilt the atmosphere. Also, it was a bit too cold in the studio for me.

Overall good, at least I'm a bit more zen now. I need to bake tomorrow, hope to show you some new cupcake toppers on Friday.

TD ordered a box of mini cupcakes for her RPM, I'm making her cupcakes slightly special since she's regular customer. Make sure you attend her class!

If Monday can be any bluer

THANK GOD FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAY!!

Today I went to work dressed to the theme of blue Monday. Went to sleep at almost 1am trying to finish copy writing and this morning woke up like a zombie (if zombies ever to wake up). (Ahhh!! It's 11.40pm! MUST sleep soon).

Arrived at office and Sei Lo! Discovered that a fish I bought for boss' birthday was lying at the bottom of the tank. Okay, it's more of the bones lying at the bottom of the tank. Yiaksss! Horror! It's been eaten by the cat fish. BAD FISH! So disappointed with that fish! Arghhh... It was so eerie you know! Anyways, did the burying ceremony. Not a good way to start the day hor.

Then first lesson learnt at work, never, N.E.V.E.R. arrange meeting on Monday mornings (it's originally last Wednesday but got delayed 2 times till I must have it Monday morning). So, major told off my bad mood big boss. Really, couldn't answer most of the items because it's really beyond our intelligence.

After that morning meeting was another meeting, through lunch. Geezz... how can one eat while conducting meeting? I only manage to eat a little (which result in a VERY hungry TTB by the time she arrived at her combat class later in the evening) and was really distracted in the second meeting by the 137 items which have been assigned in the first meeting with the deadline of tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Argh... pull hair.

Just when I thought I can do the "phew" and peacefully wait for Little Bro (who would arrive in one hours time) to collect the cupcakes, I was being bugged by the WWW (No no no... not world wide web, the Wicked Witch of the West lah) and had to run around "serving" her even though she's in another country for business trip now. Then was called into a conference call (some of you can already foresee where this story is going...) and my colleagues were sniggering when I came out because they could hear me (shouting). Hey, it was speaker phone, I HAD to speak loud. Humph...

So guess what? I had 6 missed calls on my phone from Little Bro! Arghhh.... I missed him and when he called me again, he was on his way to Axis. Sei lo! The cupcakes how? Okay, calm down. I told Bro I will send to gym after work.

Told boss I had to leave 6pm sharp. Okay, that's taken care of, I'm sure I can arrive on time before the first class ended at 6.30pm.

As the title of this post suggested... here it went again. Boss came out and said, "remember there is a conference call at 5.30pm?". Haiyo... Sei lo!

Okay, don't panic.

My ever SO nice boss dismissed me before the whole conference call was over (I'm not even going to story me pulling hair due to the discussion and outcome of the call. More "sei lo".). I rushed out at 6.15pm and my other colleague shot me a series of inquiries she got from WWW, which I couldn't even figure out if those were matters which I needed to attend to or she was just FYI-ing me. Anyways, I told her I was really really sorry, but I had to go. Please email me, drop me a note, call me, whatever.

It's a miracle!!! Thank god it's school holiday, managed to arrive in Axis in 15 minutes! Was late and I felt so bad for missing Bro's collection AND being late. I hope there was not much damage done.

THAT, was not the end of my day. I had made arrangement to attend Shade's combat at LM with MC. Okay, PJ to Cheras in half hour possible? School holiday had never given me so much hope.

But when I hit federal highway, I texted MC "Sei lo! F. Highway v jam ah! U go in class first stand at back. Near door. Will join in later". And to teacher, sorry I interrupted the class 10 minutes after it has started.

Phew... finally I can relax. Erm... I don't really mean relax in a combat class, but you know what I mean right? Glad I made the decision of joining the combat class, class was great but a bit quiet, no one shout one? Well done to MC for finishing the class! You did it again! Keep it up.

And I must end this post abruptly because I really need to go sleep. I need my brain cells and need to be creative for the cupcake design coming Thursday.

Blog ed, forget about editing this post. I won't not even bother to check. Let this be original! :) :)

Multi Flavoured Cupcakes

Made a few boxes of cupcakes for Little Bro's order and they are for his launch classes! His classes will be on Monday and Wednesday. If you happen to be there, let me know if you like these cupcakes.

Vanilla cupcake, butter icing with marshmallow

Chocolate cupcake, chocolate butter icing with chocolate chips

Coffee cupcake, coffee butter icing with white chocolate chips

Thank you for your support little bro.

:)

TTB

I was doing some dusting :p, and came across my birthday card from Carebear. So I thought I could use this for my profile picture.

Cute right? Haha...

There is no right time

I've been asked during dinner "so when?". And I said "err... don't know". Then my ex boss asked "Actually you have any boy friend or not?"

Ahh... that. Hmm...

It has always been complicated for me... Just to give him an example, MFG's story was told. Yeah, actually the whole world knows about my feelings towards MFG so I shall not deprived that story from one of my favorite ex bosses. Story was told amidst these randomly asked questions:

EB asked: would you rather be with someone you love more, or with someone who loves you more?

TTB asked: is it true that guys are not attracted with girls who are too easy?

EB asked: do you know what type of girl he likes?

TTB asked: can guys be so career minded that they will just put marriage aside?

EB asked: have you been out alone with him?

TTB asked: is there no such thing as right time?

Just to tell a few.

I used to be very flattered when I receive compliments like "you are a beautiful lady", just like EB had told me just now. Well, obviously "beautiful" doesn't do anything but just perhaps get me a few compliments sometimes. Anyways, I'm not suggesting that I'm so beautiful, don't get me wrong. As I said, I used to be so flattered. Not that I'm not pleased to get such remarks now a days, but I thank the person for the compliment with a tinge of doubt. Sounded like consolation sometimes. Haha...

EB said there is no such thing as a "right time". How can anyone tell what or when is the right time? What are the factors to consider to decide if it's the right time? In short, and in conclusion, EB feels that a certain degree of patience is needed for my case. I told him there is no case, the case is closed. Not giving up, is not a choice. It's just too bad that something that feels so right, is not right. What is wrong with me? I don't know. Perhaps it's the meeting certain standard issue.

Anyways, the Japanese dinner was great, but it was a bit too pricey to me, RM230 plus for 2 persons? Wow, waaaay to luxury already, that's my one month lunch money you know. I'm so grateful to have people like ex boss around otherwise I don't think I would have the chance to be indulged in such luxury. That's Kogetsu for you. At Saujana. Perhaps it's paying for the location. Nevertheless, it was good company and many interesting stories shared.

Ps. Thanks LP for the biscuit! And good to see you outside gym :)

If only I can follow my plans all the time

You know, when I was like 16 or so, I said to myself all the time that I will get married when I'm 28. Because I thought then that I can just say "I do", just like that. Little do I know, it's much more complicated than that. Much much more. And of course I've passed my 28th birthday. Way passed.

I've been planning for (or was I just wishing) TeaRoom, but it's actually tough. Okay, sometimes I think it's workable, but at times tough. And of course doing business is tough. Yes yes... I will get the business plan written. To start with right?

Well, at least I've achieved what I've planned for the other day for gym. Three classes on Monday with MC. And now MC understand how I feel towards The Phantom of The Opera after attending Carebear's pump class with me. Yes, our chest muscles are really painful, still.

Okay, I originally planned to write more, but got distracted by three MSN chats (you know who you are haha...). So, another fall-out of my plans. See? It happens all the time.

Now... I need to call it a night, need some sleep to get me going for another 2 days.

My last thoughts

Thought of switching off my computer and go to sleep already - need energy for tomorrow's 3 back-to-back classes.

Just read Wookie's post and learnt that the father is not well. My prayers and hope everything is okay with you. There will always be miracle, just need to believe in one, k?

There are changes of plans for TeaRoom. I'll try to update again later, without revealing too much trade secret, haha...

I really really do need extra skills to produce some more professional cakes. I need to attend another class but good class doesn't come cheap. So I'm raising funds in order to pay for the fees. Those of you who know me, would you order cakes from my pleeeease?

Have a good sleep...

Two Tier Cake

Here are the cakes! The top layer is a sponge cake sandwiched with longan custard. Coated with agar-agar milk pudding (which MC said should taste better with fresh milk instead of full cream milk - agreed). Topped with fruit and jelly (I feel that the cake will be tastier with a thicker layer of jelly).

In order to hold the pillars for the tier-ing, the bottom part has to be cake with dense and stronger texture.

I've made 2 butter cakes, into 4 layers sandwiched with custard - to form a 3 inches base.

Topped with fruits and decorated with the fishes. The fishes are a bit melted because I wanted to have the fishes swimming in water (jelly) but it cannot be done.

The 2-tier cake.

Cake decoration goes jelly

A preview of my one of the decorative item for my upcoming cake project.

Kahlua Chocolate Cheesecake

The last time I made this cake, I used rum and chocolate glazing. That was because I didn't have any Kahlua and I didn't have any Creme Fraiche supply.

This trip to Hong Kong, I got my Kahlua from the duty free. It only cost about RM70 and it's delicious, I can drink it on it's own. This time I got Creme Fraiche for the topping and more Kahlua was mixed into the topping. The cake was decorated with strawberries (the Korean strawberries are delicious by the way).

The result was a dense, rich and indulging cake with a tinge of coffee flavour.