Had supper last night and had supper just now. VERY bad. I wonder whether my one combat class today is able to contra the fat produced...
Planned to bring MasterChef and TLA to the new launch at Axis today. (yesterday since this is already after midnight). Farid has gotten them the free passes to the classes since she was at Axis on Thursday night. TLA and I was all ready for the body jam, TLA being the body jam addict in making was looking forward to that. (though she really hesitated whether to go gym at all since she needed to study for her exam on Monday, and her PMR in 3 weeks' time).
MasterChef was at uni today (ya, still working 5 and half day week), planned to just sign in and head home. However, she had a last minute meeting and didn't make it back on time for us to leave house for the gym, for body jam. Meanwhile, I told TLA that we can always go for the later class, body combat. But after some "reasoning" with me, apparently she didn't want to do combat. Fine. I thought, lets all not go anywhere then. I was really cranky by then, but thought better of loosing my temper for such small matter. Anyways, I did, at the end, being "forced" to leave the house for combat. Also, I thought it would be easier for me to explain the no-show of our guests. (Farid, if you are reading this, I'm so sorry for all the trouble and at the end tak jadi. Some more got you distracted from class trying to look out for us, so sorry!)
I arrived quite early since the traffic was smooth. Some of the regular combaters were already gathering around waiting for the class, some were in the class as jammers then. Particularly spotted Farid, Diha and PiC enjoying themselves immensely in this really hyper track. Then little bro suddenly materialized as well beside me, we chatted for a while and he was then behind the class registration counter.
I had a mixture of hate and love towards this new combat release. As I felt earlier, during the sort of "preview" by Renee some time before this launch, I like especially the so called recovery track with the double back kick. Fast and furious. Everyone got into a really cheery mood when the Girlfriend song were blasted through the sound system, a song I got dedicated through Facebook from Ladynina the other day. Quite a fun track, but the jumping part, I felt, did not do good to my knees.
My memoir of the class is slipping away, I couldn't recall much about how I felt towards the other tracks... Erm... I remember being tightly squeezed and forced to the back and in between members during the evasive side kicks. I gave up half of my side kicks so I don't "injure" Farid who's just beside me, while tried hard also to avoid being "injured" by the girl closely in front of me. One of the tracks were especially difficult to figure the beats out, you either do perfectly if you can catch the rhythm or loose it all if you miss.
The tricep press combo reminded me of Trainer's classes when I first join gym. I remember getting confused when he first demonstrated that tricep combo in one of my first combat classes with him. I really missed Trainer's combat class, too bad he doesn't plan to teach again no matter how we tried to persuade him. Anyways, love the conditioning track but find the cool down track not "dramatic" enough, not much, or was there any, kata to end the combat class "in style".
The instructors launching the class was an explosive pair, loads of humorous episodes and impressive moves demos which sent the class soaring with cheers. Master C was adorned in, I thought, a very "hip" look today with a sleeveless hooded top, very apt with all his groovy hip hop moves (yes we were in combat and not jam, we were also NOT doing balance). Hmmm... I kind of agreed with Master C when he said he can actually dance... well, through that few moves he demonstrated, he did seem very capable in hip hop track at least.
Together with Master C was Crystal, oh, another Master C. I've not seen Crystal for such a long time, the last time I saw her was when she was still GXC at SPK, we had so much fun times there, I was really impressed then with her up-to-date internet timetable. She looked so different now with such long hair, she looked so ladylike and suave but still had the don't-mess-with-me look during combat. Later she told me that she was no longer full time with FF and is only teaching classes freelance. I like her classes but never really able to fit her classes into my gym regimen. I remember doing her pump classes as well when I first joint gym. She being so tough, her classes were really motivating.
Came back after gym and contented myself with some baking. My number one task was my aunty's birthday cake for tomorrow night's surprise do. Baked a Sticky Chocolate Blueberry Cheesecake, posting it tomorrow. After that were to bake some scones for my ex-ex-boss, one of my favorite bosses and my number 1 scones fan, sending the scones to his house before gym tomorrow. Then was to bake some brownies, I have been wanting to try out some internet recipes. Choose a Double Chocolate Brownie with Pecan and Almond. Not sure how it taste, haven't even cut it yet, I thought of bringing some to gym IF it taste OK when I try tomorrow. Not sure who will be there and whether enough or not, don't have time to bake more, was already midnight. I've originally planned to have the brownies as a gift to me ex-CEO, but decided not to because brownies can't really give the "extravagant look" that I want for an important gift. Will bake my choc cake next week for this purpose.
... and so that's why we had supper just now, the scones were really at their best when they just left the oven. Scones are best eaten warm so that the butter we apply will melt away, add jam for more flavour, we also tried them with honey just now and it was very enjoyable as well.
I need to loose more calories tomorrow!!!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Picking up cupcakes
Made some marble cupcakes with vanilla (brandy) and chocolate icing last weekend. It was for the office and being mindful of Super Spicy Babe, my #1 cupcake supporter.
My GrMD said the cupcake were very dry (hmmm? my boss said it tasted the same like the previous ones). Other colleagues said the cupcakes were really pretty and so on so on... BUT at the end of the day, after I gather all the feedbacks, my note under colleagues shall be (also) "chocolate related desserts only".
Knowing that SSBabe will normally pass this way (my office area) on Thursdays, I've asked if she mind dropping by to pick up the cupcakes. Glad she didn't mind and she picked up the cupcakes just now before she headed for The Curve. And it was extremely comical when I bumped into SSBabe at gym later - why can't I just pass the cakes to her at gym instead of having her drive all the way? (well, not actually all the way right from Uptown to Curve via Taman Tun?) Anyways, as I was saying, she purposely dropped by my office to pick the cupcakes off me because my original plan was pump at MML after my office weekly ritual (the walk. By the way, we want to change that to yoga, in search of yoga instructor now. Originally my boss was hoping to get Master C to teach us combat, but as I've guessed, supported by my inquiry, he can't teach outside gym) hence won't be able to meet SSBabe up at The Curve. But I changed my plan because...
One
Felt pangs of pain on my shoulder when changing into the walking attire (you know when you had to turn your arms/ hands at some angle to take off your top etc), so I wanted to give my shoulder another day off. Devastated to miss pump of course!
Two
My girl friend texted to say she can't meet up this weekend (wanted to celebrate her birthday) so asked if supper tomorrow (Friday) night is OK. I said yes to that plan and hence need to move some of my Friday activities to today - shopping for baking ingredients (I need to bake my auntie's birthday cake)
Three
Last minute plan to join launch on Saturday (because only the day before FI asked if I'm going to the launching. After knowing that he's not launching anything - he said they told him he's not required - I thought of not going, but at the end got coaxed by FI. So since Saturday gyming, today can declare off day from gym (Hey, I went for a taxing walk right)
Four
Got persuaded by Farid that joining the combat launch at SPK on Sunday is an extremely good idea! So, even more reason to declare today off day from gym then.
So... there I was at The Curve after my walk, just to shower :p before my shopping. And I bumped into SSBabe (So I heard someone calling my name at the background while ascending the steps).
So I gestured to her by pointing a finger with a pair of raised eye brows.
She then gestured bicep lift + cut throat + superman flying pose + wave wave
I then did wriggling and descending fingers above my head + side ways circular motion with index finger + walking with two fingers + wave wave.
The deciphered version:
Me pointing a finger with a pair of raised eye brows (Eh? You are here one?)
SSBabe gestured bicep lift (pump class) + cut throat (finished already) + superman flying pose (leaving and going back already) + wave wave (Bye-bye)
Me wriggling and descending fingers above my head (going to take shower)+ side ways circular motion with index finger (after that) + walking with two fingers (going jalan-jalan i.e. shopping) + wave wave (bye-bye).
So these were what SSBabe came all the way for instead of me conveniently passing to her at gym :p
As though I possess psychic power to have the foresight of the need to give out a celebratory gift on some one's promotion.
My GrMD said the cupcake were very dry (hmmm? my boss said it tasted the same like the previous ones). Other colleagues said the cupcakes were really pretty and so on so on... BUT at the end of the day, after I gather all the feedbacks, my note under colleagues shall be (also) "chocolate related desserts only".
Knowing that SSBabe will normally pass this way (my office area) on Thursdays, I've asked if she mind dropping by to pick up the cupcakes. Glad she didn't mind and she picked up the cupcakes just now before she headed for The Curve. And it was extremely comical when I bumped into SSBabe at gym later - why can't I just pass the cakes to her at gym instead of having her drive all the way? (well, not actually all the way right from Uptown to Curve via Taman Tun?) Anyways, as I was saying, she purposely dropped by my office to pick the cupcakes off me because my original plan was pump at MML after my office weekly ritual (the walk. By the way, we want to change that to yoga, in search of yoga instructor now. Originally my boss was hoping to get Master C to teach us combat, but as I've guessed, supported by my inquiry, he can't teach outside gym) hence won't be able to meet SSBabe up at The Curve. But I changed my plan because...
One
Felt pangs of pain on my shoulder when changing into the walking attire (you know when you had to turn your arms/ hands at some angle to take off your top etc), so I wanted to give my shoulder another day off. Devastated to miss pump of course!
Two
My girl friend texted to say she can't meet up this weekend (wanted to celebrate her birthday) so asked if supper tomorrow (Friday) night is OK. I said yes to that plan and hence need to move some of my Friday activities to today - shopping for baking ingredients (I need to bake my auntie's birthday cake)
Three
Last minute plan to join launch on Saturday (because only the day before FI asked if I'm going to the launching. After knowing that he's not launching anything - he said they told him he's not required - I thought of not going, but at the end got coaxed by FI. So since Saturday gyming, today can declare off day from gym (Hey, I went for a taxing walk right)
Four
Got persuaded by Farid that joining the combat launch at SPK on Sunday is an extremely good idea! So, even more reason to declare today off day from gym then.
So... there I was at The Curve after my walk, just to shower :p before my shopping. And I bumped into SSBabe (So I heard someone calling my name at the background while ascending the steps).
So I gestured to her by pointing a finger with a pair of raised eye brows.
She then gestured bicep lift + cut throat + superman flying pose + wave wave
I then did wriggling and descending fingers above my head + side ways circular motion with index finger + walking with two fingers + wave wave.
The deciphered version:
Me pointing a finger with a pair of raised eye brows (Eh? You are here one?)
SSBabe gestured bicep lift (pump class) + cut throat (finished already) + superman flying pose (leaving and going back already) + wave wave (Bye-bye)
Me wriggling and descending fingers above my head (going to take shower)+ side ways circular motion with index finger (after that) + walking with two fingers (going jalan-jalan i.e. shopping) + wave wave (bye-bye).
So these were what SSBabe came all the way for instead of me conveniently passing to her at gym :p
As though I possess psychic power to have the foresight of the need to give out a celebratory gift on some one's promotion.
Temptation
I'm quite tempted to try out an RPM class, the so called "buddy ride" as I quote MB. Now that SpicyBabe had expressed her interest to ride along... where and when?
Facebook Attack
I was spending quite sometime facebook-ing yesterday, during office hour! ("Illegally" of course).
Joint Facebook through invitation from FI. Didn't sign up immediately, quite lazy since the previous WYAN thingy was not exactly interesting for me. But later MasterChef told me this is an "in" thing and is a must join network, so then I joint.
What is Facebook ah? It's for friend networking with loads of applications to entertain ourselves. I realize that I've got to know a lot of people and especially effective to finally "put a name to the face".
One big difference between Facebook and blogging is the identities - we are all with real names in Facebook. If I were being asked to enter a "Facebook name" I wouldn't have used my full name. The name was given thinking it was just for signing up, but later found out that, that's going to be the name appearing in Facebook. Well, we would have to actually, otherwise when our friends try to search for us in the Facebook network, they won't be able to find us because they will never know what sort of nickname we use.
Anyways, join if you haven't and if you have a desk-bound job like mine, try not to get distracted with all the notification from Facebook.
Joint Facebook through invitation from FI. Didn't sign up immediately, quite lazy since the previous WYAN thingy was not exactly interesting for me. But later MasterChef told me this is an "in" thing and is a must join network, so then I joint.
What is Facebook ah? It's for friend networking with loads of applications to entertain ourselves. I realize that I've got to know a lot of people and especially effective to finally "put a name to the face".
One big difference between Facebook and blogging is the identities - we are all with real names in Facebook. If I were being asked to enter a "Facebook name" I wouldn't have used my full name. The name was given thinking it was just for signing up, but later found out that, that's going to be the name appearing in Facebook. Well, we would have to actually, otherwise when our friends try to search for us in the Facebook network, they won't be able to find us because they will never know what sort of nickname we use.
Anyways, join if you haven't and if you have a desk-bound job like mine, try not to get distracted with all the notification from Facebook.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Durian Pudding - Trial and Error
Had quite a lot of durian in proportion to the tart shell from my durian tart making last weekend. So I've decided to attempt the durian pudding (also the lazy option, as opposed to say, durian cake).
I used my existing mango pudding recipe. One problem - the recipe said one mango... hmmm... 1 mango = ?? durian?
So trial and error lah... the result was pudding bit too hard. Perhaps it's very subjective, depends how you would like your pudding to be. TLA and I just went to Ah Yat Abalone for Dim Sum the other day and the mango pudding over there were superb! Soft and creamy... so benchmarking against that, my durian pudding is really very far off. I've jotted down to reduce the amount of gelatin should I make this again.
Luckily TLA tasted a tub right after it's set, because when we had it for our dessert after dinner the following night, the pudding had turned sour. We'd thrown them all away.
Also remembering I'd actually given S-Buddy some pudding to try as well besides the durian tarts. So sms-ed to check how he'd like the tart and warn him that the pudding had potentially turned bad.
His reply on the review was: "yummy".
And he tried the pudding too, the above "yummy" was multi-purposed acting as his comments towards the pudding too. No report of his pudding getting sour so far. Why ah did my pudding turned sour? MasterChef and BIL had a few theory: 1) I kept pudding in fridge when it was not cool down enough; 2) Other ingredient had turned bad (because my durian cream made from the same durian was still alright) 3) Sudden change of temperature in fridge when I move them around... hmmm... I don't think so lah... so I've still not figure out why...
Any advice?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
... in pain - part 2
Actually...
Still nursing my shoulder pain, perhaps gym classes last night didn't help with the situation, but then again, didn't mean that it was the cause of my painful recovery right? Injuries take days to recover don't they?
Okay, I did ask for professional advice yesterday on whether I should be doing any gym class.
xxx
From: The Baker
To: Trainer
Time: erm about 5pm ish (due to last minute doubts about doing pump)
Ouch! :( My shoulder is "injured", played squash ytd and must b due to the improper swinging. Now I'm soundin like my trainer haha... think I can still do pump?
From: Trainer
To: The Baker
Time: right after my sms
U mus hav pulled yr shoulder muscle. Give yr shoulder a rest. Do stretching n rotatory exercise. It helps
From: The Baker
To: Trainer
Time: right after his sms
Err... ok, supposed I won b able t manage shoulder track. Can do combat or not?
xxx
No reply... (yet) and I was already at the gym wondering does "give your shoulder a rest" = "no class"? You would have to agree with me that it's quite unclear right?
So there I was as you've seen me last night. Actually, after warming up in combat, the shoulder seemed to have loosen a lot. As I've guessed, couldn't do a "powerful" right hook. Other than that, it was ok, there weren't so many push ups last night (because I didn't do, haha) so, I'd managed combat. I was glad I went to class actually, the class last night was far more happening than the week before. Farid was there to "lead" the orchestra of combat shouting and there were far more professional combaters in class last night contributing to the explosive effect. Even spotted my new blog reader ;)
Pump... huh!!! Surprisingly, I survived chest track alright, I've reduced the weights to 5kg though. What surprised me was my wrong guesses on the tracks that I should be ok, but not -
Squat: It's apparently very painful for the shoulder to balance 20kgs, while the hand remained at an angle. It was extremely painful while lifting the bar over the shoulder!!! OUCH!
Tricep: Killed me... some more got dips and pull-over. I gave up the dips totally. Even the extensions were killing me leave alone the presses.
Combat ended early so pump sort of started on the dot. As a result (perhaps) a first timer to pump (maybe) failed to identify herself as first-time-doing-pump. The scene was really unbearable, and some how distracting, and awkward - because I wasn't even sure if she needed any "reference" from me, or whether I should even be "advising" her anything, hey, I'm not a professional! Finally, after back track, I've fought down my laziness and ignorant (tried to ignore - we don't want to be bothered or bother about other members in class do we?) and went to make a little "report" to Carebear that this particular soul was lost (really lost). BUT THEN. Just when Carebear was trying to give useful and important instructions for the tricep track, she (this newbie) busied herself setting up her bench and bar... It looked to me that she'd completely ignored all the instructions. humpphhh... Anyways, none of my business supposedly.
Left the class after lunges, for sure won't be able to do shoulder track, and I had "give yr shoulder a rest" floating across my head all the time.
xxx
From: Trainer
To: Baker
Time: 7.50pm (but only read at 9.30pm after pump)
I said rest lo. Or if really wanna do jus do it less intense n not al out.
(Whoopsssss... "rest" = "no class" izit?)
From: The Baker
To: Trainer
Time: after much consideration and careful construction of my reply
Opss... joint pump but din do shoulder track! ok will give it a rest tmr :) nite.
Guys... Alwayzzzz listen to your trainer okay, it's important that we don't hurt ourselves during the course of working out ... (Trainer doesn't have to know that I planned to join combat today, does he :p)
Still nursing my shoulder pain, perhaps gym classes last night didn't help with the situation, but then again, didn't mean that it was the cause of my painful recovery right? Injuries take days to recover don't they?
Okay, I did ask for professional advice yesterday on whether I should be doing any gym class.
xxx
From: The Baker
To: Trainer
Time: erm about 5pm ish (due to last minute doubts about doing pump)
Ouch! :( My shoulder is "injured", played squash ytd and must b due to the improper swinging. Now I'm soundin like my trainer haha... think I can still do pump?
From: Trainer
To: The Baker
Time: right after my sms
U mus hav pulled yr shoulder muscle. Give yr shoulder a rest. Do stretching n rotatory exercise. It helps
From: The Baker
To: Trainer
Time: right after his sms
Err... ok, supposed I won b able t manage shoulder track. Can do combat or not?
xxx
No reply... (yet) and I was already at the gym wondering does "give your shoulder a rest" = "no class"? You would have to agree with me that it's quite unclear right?
So there I was as you've seen me last night. Actually, after warming up in combat, the shoulder seemed to have loosen a lot. As I've guessed, couldn't do a "powerful" right hook. Other than that, it was ok, there weren't so many push ups last night (because I didn't do, haha) so, I'd managed combat. I was glad I went to class actually, the class last night was far more happening than the week before. Farid was there to "lead" the orchestra of combat shouting and there were far more professional combaters in class last night contributing to the explosive effect. Even spotted my new blog reader ;)
Pump... huh!!! Surprisingly, I survived chest track alright, I've reduced the weights to 5kg though. What surprised me was my wrong guesses on the tracks that I should be ok, but not -
Squat: It's apparently very painful for the shoulder to balance 20kgs, while the hand remained at an angle. It was extremely painful while lifting the bar over the shoulder!!! OUCH!
Tricep: Killed me... some more got dips and pull-over. I gave up the dips totally. Even the extensions were killing me leave alone the presses.
Combat ended early so pump sort of started on the dot. As a result (perhaps) a first timer to pump (maybe) failed to identify herself as first-time-doing-pump. The scene was really unbearable, and some how distracting, and awkward - because I wasn't even sure if she needed any "reference" from me, or whether I should even be "advising" her anything, hey, I'm not a professional! Finally, after back track, I've fought down my laziness and ignorant (tried to ignore - we don't want to be bothered or bother about other members in class do we?) and went to make a little "report" to Carebear that this particular soul was lost (really lost). BUT THEN. Just when Carebear was trying to give useful and important instructions for the tricep track, she (this newbie) busied herself setting up her bench and bar... It looked to me that she'd completely ignored all the instructions. humpphhh... Anyways, none of my business supposedly.
Left the class after lunges, for sure won't be able to do shoulder track, and I had "give yr shoulder a rest" floating across my head all the time.
xxx
From: Trainer
To: Baker
Time: 7.50pm (but only read at 9.30pm after pump)
I said rest lo. Or if really wanna do jus do it less intense n not al out.
(Whoopsssss... "rest" = "no class" izit?)
From: The Baker
To: Trainer
Time: after much consideration and careful construction of my reply
Opss... joint pump but din do shoulder track! ok will give it a rest tmr :) nite.
Guys... Alwayzzzz listen to your trainer okay, it's important that we don't hurt ourselves during the course of working out ... (Trainer doesn't have to know that I planned to join combat today, does he :p)
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