Helping hands

Last night was BP for me since I've suffered from strength lost due to low frequency of BP classes. Besides, I sometimes get bored with BC when I attended too much of it, but hey, new release coming up, sure it will be so much fun again for BC.

I was really early for BP given that the class only started at 7.50pm. Greeted me when I arrived at gym was little Bro!!! Hey, you look so thin, you sure you are eating well, like you had claimed? But I like your new hairstyle, looks great!

Later before class started, LB had showered and was all clean and cuddly, a big big hug from big sis. The class was full last night, and I had immediately spotted the space I wanted to stand, and strode purposefully over there with my board within 2 seconds. But, I suddenly realized that the board was missing one "leg"! Humph... While I was having a hard time trying to fix that with one hand (because I was holding my bottle and towel in the other one), I got a helping hand! Thanks darling!

Little Bro then gone through some "engineering" work with the board using the bar (yes the bar for the weight plates) and voila, I had my board. Phew... Meanwhile, my ideal spot has been taken. Left with one free space just in front of the instructor. Geezzz... rather uneasy since I don't know that instructor and most uncomfortable because I could see from the mirror in front that I was really blocking a few people's views.

So, throughout the class, I was trying to adjust my position to stand slightly offset from the instructor (hey, I AM tall okay, 5 feet 7 - plus another 1 inch from my Nike Shox - is quite an effective height to block just almost everyone, moreover, there is no stage in the studio). Can you imagine if it was a BC class conducted by the master? :p

Not helping the situation was this guy to my left who kept adjusting his board backwards, hey, there was LOADS of space in front of him! I couldn't have gone to the front because I will be kissing the instructor if I do so, (if it was Carebear or LB I don't mind lah) moreover, my position was just nice to fit the space between the 2 boards to my left. But this guy on my right was obviously short sighted, when come chest track, his board was just beside mine. So to get his leg space, he started moving away my reserved plates. I didn't even bother to give him any acknowledgement of approval.

FINE! I go backwards a bit okay?! But, geezzzz... big big roll eye, he kept adjusting back too! Feel like telling him (or perhaps even moving his board for him) to go front! There was another guy in front, far in front of him, so what's wrong with going further to the front?! So "shy" is it to be at front?

Alright, perhaps I was a bit overreacting. Humphh... I should have squeezed myself to the far back row and pretend I didn't see any protesting glance. Oh, I'm sure the members there are friendly enough to let me squeeze in. Next time. But having said that, I was able to check myself out in the mirror and I thought last night, gosshh... My posture during squat track was really bad. I didn't know I was hunching that much. No wonder Carebear kept telling me about that. Leave alone squat track, I think I walk and sit like that most of the time. I must work hard to get rid of this bad habit!

Blessed with Present

I'm not posting the 3 tier cake I made last night. Not very happy with it. The bottom part brownies tasted quite ok, but I'm not really a chocolate cake person, plus was a bit full just now. Still prefer cheesecake. :) Next one no matter what, the office birthday celebration cake will be a cheesecake! It was my own idea and no one requested for the cakes, but boss told me to claim back the money, oh, how nice!


Anyways, the present! I love it, it made my phone look so cute and cheerful. By the way, that's my new phone, Nokia 6500 slide, and at the background is the pen drive present MC got me.

Thanks Carebear!!!

Making a cake when I'm so sleepy

A preview of what I made. I'm not very happy with this cake, so much for a "naked" look. Sigh... but it's 12.30am and I'm freaking sleepy, not to mention being extremely tired due to all those episodes last 2 days, so cannot be baking another cake!

But this is for my big boss... horror!

By the way, this is the best view of the cake, so don't expect any surprises.

I hope the taste is ok though, I know the cherries taste good, very plump after soaking in Brandy for 3 nights.

Unlucky of Blessed?

Major screw-up at work yesterday. Really serious one and though we say we always learn from mistakes, but this is an expensive lesson. It happens when you take things for granted and depend on others. Always do the final check yourself, take ownership and make it your full responsibility. That, I trust should minimize error in my job. Sighsss... what to do, it had happened. Still waiting for some "lecture" and "shouting" from the big one up there. Anticipation of something unpleasant is not a very good way to pass-time, trust me.

I need something to put up on my desk to say "DON'T TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED" or some sort of reminder like that. Anyone want giving me one? hehe... :p

But, while such "misfortune" had happened to me, I had realize that I am really blessed with caring family and friends. MC gave me a pen-drive present last night (THANKS!!!); on Monday night, I got a present from Carebear (I love it! Will post that soon, you must take a look of that cute stuff); Bumped into people I've not seen for a long time last night, and it gave me warmth to see their smiling faces. On top of that, I've been asking friends to help out with participating an event which involves blood (I know something so precious to everyone), and so blessed, many of you actually said yes! Thanks! Especially my step teacher, FI and Hobbes. Oh, PT as well. Also GXC in SPK too, though you don't know me well, but trust me enough. My ex-colleagues are really supportive too! Thanks guys... I feel stronger now. I'm sure I'll get through these small hiccups. In one piece.

Meanwhile, in another story, I realize that MG is really a very patient person. But must remind myself - no stepping into danger zone.

SSB aka Cupcake Queen

Dear SSB aka Cupcake Queen,

It's so sudden!!! If I hadn't log onto Facebook, I wouldn't know that you are leaving. Tomorrow!

I think I always take for granted that my friends will always be around with me. I feel that I've not kept in touch much, not attended your class enough, not hang out often and had not seize that moment we last met and cherish it as the very last time we meet before you leave.

Still remember those days when we were both "married" to FF Maxis. Through you, I was always the one who was able to stay up-to-date with special events, theme classes and promotions. Not to mention being able to make you my walking-timetable for the Group X classes and would always be able to know if my favorite instructors were teaching. Thanks for all the privileges!

Don't even remember since when, I had the honour to have you as a fan of my cupcakes, not to mention having the honour to have you featuring my cupcakes in your classes. It was loads of fun making those special message cupcakes for you. Very inspiring as well.

Although really sad to know that you are leaving, but hey, congrats! It sounds like a good career advancement and I know you will hit top score on whatever you do.

Take care, stay spicy and keep blogging!

TTB

ps. Now, who's gonna be my Cupcake Queen now?

Getting fat already...

I've only been to 3 gym classes this week - 1 step, 1 BC and 1 BB. VERY bad. I can feel my waistline expanding and some excess bulging out from my jeans. BP would definitely have to be scheduled in. At one point I was doing 3 BP/ week consistently and even Hobbes commented that I looked slimmer (not that slim but slimmer lah). So I guess for me it has to be mainly BP and some cardio.

I went to BB today at LM because I want to company MC on Saturday at gym. She is of the opinion that she's not ready for the hardcore classes as yet, plus her tooth ache/ gum problem is not helping her case. So BB it is. (See, so I missed my usual Saturday BP. Anyways, it's instructor training and Hobbes was not teaching)

It's my bad habit of not motivated to join classes which instructors are not known to me. Today, however, I joined a class with this instructor for the first time, and I like her! I personally thinks she's very good, clear instructions no mistakes. Pleasant and confident. Above all, she was able to do all the post and I like the way she speaks - no funny accent, well spoken, not so high pitch and very clear.

BB to me is no sweat, literally. Or rather not much sweat, the sun salutation part could still be very "warming". I still prefer step class, or BP which gives me better result. But I like MC's company and I like the idea of us spending more time together. So hopefully she's able to "level up" and we could perhaps select a few more gym classes to join together. And, we are "reinstating" our Sunday squash session.

I realize when we grow up/ grow older our expectations and requirements change. Selection criteria for one (towards our "type" of guys) changes very significantly. I guess the very typical criteria we set last time (when we were young) will be, tall, good looking, well to do, 5 years older then us, has own house/ car, no tattoo, no ear piercing etc etc...

Like many of you said, and I too feel, criterion are not something we can and should hang onto so much. Sometimes, there is perhaps no such thing as the "type" of guy we like. When it comes to choosing (if we get to choose) a lifetime partner (or any partner) the more important concern is perhaps whether we "click".

By the way, this is not the best way to get to talk to a gal at the gym, so guys, please DON'T do this...

Outside studio waiting for class to commence.

Guy: Are you ___ing this class?
TTB: (heard "joining" this class) yeah...
Guy: blah blah blah
TTB: (Smile)
(meanwhile, got an elbow from MC)
Guy: Are you the instructor for this class?
TTB: (controlled very much not to drop her jaw) No........ She (indicating gal in studio, on stage) is the instructor.

If I ever come across an "instructor" who looks like me, my comment will be - why so flabby?

Lighting McQueen Birthday Cake

There was a request from my best gal friend earlier the week for her younger son turning 2 year old. Not a figure 2 cake, but a chocolate cake with the cartoon character from Cars. The only name which popped into my mind was McQueen. And true enough.

At first I was planning to piped the figure. Had the cartoon character images searched and so on. Only later I realize that I couldn't actually piped out McQueen with my butter icing because the red colour will never turn out since I'm mixing red colour with white, it's going to be light pink and very dark pink. But not red.

So, changed of plans. Told MC if I could get Lighting McQueen toy car, then my job will be easier. I could just decorate the cake and make it look like a race course, then place the toy car on. Done!

So we were on search of McQueen at the departmental store. Couldn't find McQueen at first and we were almost going to get Martey (am I spelling this correctly?). Finally, MC found a Lego set and so this birthday cake...

We could do with a bigger cake

McQueen on the cake

Some rocks on the "road side"

The set comes with all these parts

You need these type of cake box if you are making "tall" cake like this.