Thursday Combat @ Axis

We were too shy to shout cuz we were being assessed...

Well, the combat master was being assessed by Shades, but we were also being "observed" in a way since there was a master of the master, neither focusing in cueing the class nor suffering from the strenuous kicking and punching. So, what other things to do besides observing everyone in the class other than the combat master on the stage? - well, I could be wrong, but that was the kind of illusion I got. So as a result, we were extremely careful to not attracting attention by keeping ourselves as invisible and noiseless as possible.

Nonetheless, one just can't help with the kiahs when it comes to favorite old tracks right? So what??!! Sexy reminded me of Shen, together with Farid, it's about time you gals make your appearance again. Thursday combat is not quite the same during Ramadan.

There is always this thing about taking spot test in Master C's combat classes... you will be tested for memory - must be able to perform some moves on your own without cue from the master during the second set; most commonly, you will be tested for sense of direction - although the combat master points right, you actually HAVE to know that you are supposed to shuffle to your left.

And I've also painstakingly learnt that you must know where to stand in class to avoid potential mishaps - but this is advance level cuz you would never be able to forecast any position change, or additions squeezing in front of, or positioning themselves within close (too close) proximity to you.

I felt like I was a magnet in this recent combat class. It is common to feel like sardines in Master C's class, but it was not about having limited space, it was about people keep "attaching" themselves to you, you know what I mean?

I know it's bad of me to complain since everyone pays membership fees, but I just couldn't stop myself for being in my extreme irritated mood when someone was inconsiderate (blur?) and endangering. Though the sexy track is one of my favorites, I couldn't help being turned-off when I had DangerousMan's feet less than an inch from my face during back kicks (wei I have long legs too what, you don't see me extending my feet to someone else's face), while the owner of the said feet was not even looking back (Hey, it's back kick okay!) to see where he's kicking! Humphhhh...

Lucky enough, was not in peril of anyone kicking me during the conditioning track because DangerousMan did his at the far front corner. I wonder if it was because DangerousMan saw Stan hand-gesturing the far distance between him and me during the later part of the class, when I had tried to position myself in a far safer spot possible. Haha...

After sweating out and burning unwanted calories, I've entertained a few combaters with chocolate cake for the first time. Glad you guys/ gals liked it, though I could see Stan struggling slightly to flush down the cake. Thanks Eli for "taking care" of the extra pieces of cakes. This chocolate cake recipe can be very children-friendly.

Will I Really Know?

Will I really know when it's time?

I think I will, cuz I will feel that impulse, yearning to take off, to fly high and far...

Do I want to take the risk?

I'm not an everyday risk taker, but, better take up the challenge and fail gloriously than sulk later regretting for not seizing the moment...

Lets follow my heart...

Do I know what my heart desires?

Let intuition lead...

Am I inspired enough?

Lets decide. Soon...

They are branded now...

Work has been suddenly hectic. Feeling extremely tired till I've not taken time to "decide". Nevertheless, this is so important that I must come on line to blog (besides making my moves in Scrabulous - been really lacking behind).

My little indulgences are not branded... The first indulgence I brand was the chocolate cake. This is one of the cakes I've been baking since high school (it's very long time ago trust me) and followed by the pineapple tarts.

The little wicked indulgences went to trainer, my earliest "customer" and number 1 supporter - now I've got Carebear to take over soon as #1 supporter I think. The pineapple tarts were also "trainer-inspired".

They were also Raya gifts to two of my ex-bosses. Farid ordered 3 small chocolate cakes, one for birthday, two for Raya (thank you very much babe for the biz). SuperSpicyBabe ordered a box of cupcakes - thanks, you are my #1 cupcake supporter, together with TD behind the scene I'm sure. (and I hope you like the choc cupcakes samples)

Brought a few pieces of the chocolate cakes to Axis today for my cake entertainment - thanks guys for your support (Stan and Eli, you would have to provide me with names of the others, I'm so bad in names).

Thank you! and I hope there will be an actual tea room somewhere, some time.

ps. I'm missing little bro and Hobbes here... what shall I give you?

It's so hard...

It's so hard to make certain decisions sometimes. There are too many "what if-s"

If I decided to go ahead, what if the plan turn our to be a disaster later? I will regret making a change...

If I decided not to go ahead, what if it's a brilliant idea? I will also regret later when my current situation fail to reward me further...

DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS....................

By the way, I'm suppose to blog about my "brand" for the little indulgence, but I've not uploaded the pictures yet... So hopefully tonight - if I'm not too "busy" making decisions.

Change

Would you know if it's time you needed a change?

When I loose interest in certain things, is it time to engage with something different, for a change?

If I feel bored with doing something, does it mean it's time for a new goal, for a change?

Why do I no longer feel motivated to get to this place? Perhaps it's time to go new places, for a change?

Whoever I'm tired of handling, would it be possible for me to get way from this person, for a change?

Will I be able to pick up the hint, when it's TIME?

Pineapple Jam

Came back last night and went into some serious multi-tasking... Lucky enough I had TLA with me last night and she had helped me with the simplest but most time consuming and tiring task - stirring the pineapple jam.

Simple ingredient to make the jam, fresh pineapple and sugar only, but you need to constantly stir it while it transforms into jam over very low heat, otherwise the jam will stick to the pan and get burnt easily. Not to mention the boil-bubbles of jam splattering all over the place. The process took one hour. And, we are only talking about 1kg of pineapple (which yields only about 300gm of jam, thereabout), can you imagine producing more? That's why pineapple tart making for me will always be limited edition only, time and effort.

So while TLA diligently stirred the jam (diligent because she was also very curious to know how fresh fruits can be transformed into jam without adding jelly or gelatin or whatever stuff that looks like the jam we get from the supermarket), I baked my vanilla cupcakes and chocolate cupcakes for BIL's order (his sister) and the butter icing and dark chocolate icing for the cupcakes.

Oh, by the way... I went shopping at Leisure Mall just now, and while TLA and I were planning to enter the lift, two teenage boys were holding the lift door neither going in or coming out. Me misunderstood that they were plainly being a nuisance, snapped at them asking what was wrong with the lift. Only to find out when they duly informed me that there was a baby in the lift, alone! And they obviously not knew what to do or how to deal with such incident. Goshhhhhh!!!!!!!! True enough, a less than 2-year old baby on a stroller all by himself! HOW CAN PARENTS BE SOOOOOOOOO CARELESS??????? That was so ridiculous, as I maneuvered the stroller out from the lift wanted to head for the information counter to make an announcement, an aunty hurried over to claim the baby, while muttering blames to the baby's aunty for "leaving" the baby behind. Me in my foul mood launched a series of questions (how old is the aunty? How can you leave your baby behind? what if someone kidnap the baby? Do you know you might be sued if this is reported to the police? HOW CAN YOU "LOST" YOUR BABY???), which she had conveniently ignored.

Lacking inspiration

No baking during the weekend, so no wicked indulgence entry. Planned to prepare my pineapple jam for the tart making coming weekend, but the Sarawak Pineapple I bought was not ripe enough, not sweet and lacking in colour. Can't be using low quality ingredient right? So need to squeeze in jam preparation this weekend.

(now this is really slow... using MasterChef's UK version laptop and kept tyoong, I mean typing on the wrong keys... doe wzamle this ia what happwn id i adjust my finger wrongly)

Was trying to think of a blog title but was really lack of inspiration. Diverted my attention to Facebook (everyone made their moves on Scrabulous, so I'd spent some time there, didn't even dare to check out the other parts of the Facebook, else it will take all night) and tried to catch up with my blog reading hoping to get some inspiration for my own blog writing. Still, I'm here blabbering and not having enough inspiration to get on with my blog. Perhaps I should just have a blank blog like SSB (What's that all about ah babe?).

Despite not baking over the weekend and I vaguely remember having quite enough rest, I felt so tired and sleepy when I woke up yesterday. Asked around for remedy to cure my panda-look but mostly replied suggesting I get more sleep. Is there no "miracle cure" out there? Aiming to get more sleep as advised, I'd decided to give my usual late Monday gym night a miss. Hate missing pump (didn't do any last week, I shall say I pretty much need to start from zero soon), more so Carebear said she's changing out some of the new tracks to some really tough ones! (humphhhh!)

Went to LM for some free weights and 20 minutes stepper. While working out, I'd observed how different members at LM compared with other clubs, dressing for one - you don't see so much swoosh around. Doing free weights and machines can be quite a boring option, but it's a session of no brainer workout, literally, you don't need to concentrate at all on what you do and no need to bother about people around you. I still get satisfying muscle pain towards the afternoon today.

I was quite pleased with my decision, first of all, I managed to get home early and naturally went to bed early, woke up this morning feeling fresher and more alert. Secondly, I heard that Master C didn't turn up last night for his class at TC and the class was not that enjoyable. According to my source, not that the instructor was no good, it was just mainly because it was an "emergency" and this replacement instructor was not prepared for that class at all and what with members not being familiar with him.

Not sure if the combat master went to his most happening MML class today or not because I didn't go.

I have been preparing some presentation slide these 2 days, and was really lack of inspiration too in that area, only managed to do up one slide in the morning. The slides were only ready later in the afternoon, and need to discuss that through with boss, therefore missed combat today.

Decided to go to LM for some cardio and remembered then that FI was teaching at LM today. Tried to recall which attire I'd packed today while I was on my way to my car, and perhaps it's destined because I actually had packed my Nike from London, green top with pink ribbon (Ya, not so suitable for combat, but really wanted to wear that since I've not worn it for such a long time) - so as I thought, destined for body jam class! (If I'd packed my top, the one with "body combat" over the front, I won't have joint that class!)

Arrived at the gym with FI's rather blank face staring at me while I entered, I bet it took him a while to register that it was indeed me, since I've never been to his Tuesday jam before (well, I did before he went to Dubai but I was still working in KL then). Checked with him if he was doing old or new release and he said half half. When I asked early half or later half, he replied saying later half. Humphh... Told him I only planned to do half of the class... I actually like old release better - because they are shorter and I'm more familiar with the older release (and hence I won't look so clumsy in class).

While FI gave a brief "agenda" of the night's class before he started, I realized that I'd misunderstood his earlier reply, he meant second half new, not second half old. So, I was contented doing the early half with all those familiar tracks, among them the highly-cardio cha cha heels, which gave me my intended cardio workout for today (in addition, I went on the stepper for 20 minutes before class).

It's pass midnight and I'm suppose to sleep. Besides, I've got a very tempting Sabriel lying on my bed.