Happy Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day! Made some chocolate chips, and some raisins cupcakes with brandy butter icing, topped with individually handmade sweet-hearts.

Hope you've had a great celebration. Should be better than last year ya. As for me, hmmm... don't really remember "celebrating" Valentine's Day at all actually. Now, it makes me wonder...

Okay, I can't remember... I suppose how the celebration went was not so important. The important thing is whether we are with our loved ones on this special day.

Then again, why is everyone making Valentine's Day a special one? It makes me wonder again if this is for commercial purposes. I heard that a dozen of roses cost RM150 on this very special day. Should have just order a box of specially made cupcakes from me for half the price.

So, even if you are single, Valentine's Day is a day you should enjoy too. Love should be celebrated no matter you are single or married/ dating. (at least you don't have to spend a lot of money buying gifts haha...)

Love everyone around you... and not just your girlfriend/boyfriend, husband/ wife.

May your everyday be as magical as Valentine's Day!

When my defence breaks down

I finally feel ill.

I'm sure all of us had experienced this, life seems to be so busy some how that we hold our defence strong to deal with all tasks and challenges that were thrown at us. Then it reaches this point where our body finally boycotts and shuts down for maintenance. Together with the temporary out-of-service of our body defence, the mental defence cannot hold on as well. That's when breakdown involves the mind and heart.

My heart is somehow feeling the pain and sense of lost.

Two days ago, my subordinate told me she was resigning. I got her resignation letter today. I have to say that she doesn't really fit into the office culture that perfectly, but she had been really great help. She learnt fast and was always willing to accept comments, and improve. Her paper work has been very good quality and she grooms herself tastefully. It saddened me that she decided to leave after only 8 months. During my informal chat with her yesterday, she told me she actually doesn't know what she wants for her career, and in life.

I thought then: how lucky I am to have a dream that I know I want to make come true.

How I wish that all dreams can be made come true. There are certain dreams which can come true if you plan and work hard to achieve them. But, there are many more which can be anything but coming true, they remains as, well, dreams. Then again, in this crazy world, anything can happen, anything is possible.

Let's take a break and resume the marathon of life again. Later.

I think I should do some baking and extreme decorations.

Butter cake for the Children

It has been some time since we last visited the orphanage. We went to the one we usually go near Ampang during the week of CNY. MC and BIL bought them some food supplies. I made two cakes and donated some money. There were more than 150 children being housed in two terrace house. You can imagine how cramp the place is.

We actually saw an email about another shelter which is, we thought more needy. We plan to visit them the next time. Will keep you updated on your next visit, maybe you would like to contribute or come along with us.

We should feel grateful for what we have - our family the most. I sometimes feel that life is a bit difficult, but that's so silly because there are millions of people who suffer a zillion times more than me. I often felt disappointed for not being able to go places as planned which is totally unnecessary because there are so many people out there who can't even travel outstation, some might not even be able to stand on the feet and walk outside their house on their own.

In this coming year, I need to appreciate people around me more, I need to be grateful of what I have and I should be thankful as well for what I don't get.

Supportive

Went through my usual FB routine in the morning and I sort of figured out the resignation of FI. Hmm... peculiar. Why? So I texted the person in question and he confirmed that it was true, however, was sort of forced to resign. Just because of one member's complaint. Can that be true? I was quite baffled. What about the other hundreds of members who support his classes? Irrelevant? FF really do treasure each and every member it has and always try to please everyone by attending to their complaints ever so seriously. Thumbs up?

Perhaps I should complain about that instructor whom I'm not happy with as well? That person will be banned also?

I bet that was why sometimes we complain. I've learnt that certain complaints are not only silly, but also quite harmful. If our complaints cost someone to loose his/ her job or get suspended, but in return, we do not get any reward then I strongly feel that it's unnecessary and rather sinful. There should be a good reason to complain, e.g. to defend our rights.

Then again, the member who complained might not have expected this outcome, don't you think? Every instructor has different teaching style, so long as they keep to the course modules, ensure that we workout under safe environment and correct technique it doesn't really matter how he speaks or behave, does it?

Okay, I'm lying. I actually cannot stand some of the instructors' teaching style. So... just don't attend those classes. Right or not?

When a company receives a complaint from a customer about their staff, of course the management must handle it professionally. But does that mean that the company should withdraw all its support towards the staff? Me being an employee, I expect my company, my boss to support me no matter what happens. Lecture and warning can come after we have dealt with the situation and post mortem can be done for further improvements. But if support is not forthcoming from the company, then perhaps the company doesn't treasure you as the employee. So should you be supportive to the company then?

There have been such havoc at government level these few days. I don't really watch/ read news, and don't follow politics, but I heard that some people resigned and join some other people etc etc... Where is the support when your team needs you? It is true to say that during adverse circumstances, you will find out who really is your friend, who will support you. Those who betrays will definitely have to face the bad karma they created for themselves.

I've also learnt throughout the years that your staff's success is yours; same goes to failure. If I can turn back time, I will make sure that I do not rate any of my subordinates lowly, neither would I complain about their performance. It is up to us/ you as a boss to make sure they perform.

Okay, let's try to be supportive whenever we can to whoever that might be. You'll never know when you need the same.

Wishing for the best for everyone in need!

The Mount Kinabalu Challenge

THINGS TO BRING:
Suitable walking shoes / warm clothing / wind breaker / long sleeves shirts / change of clothes / drinking water / high energy food (chocolates, nuts, raisins, glucose)/ Headache tablets / sun block / lip gloss / deep heat lotion / plasters / insect repellent / mosquito oil / binoculars / camera / water proof bag for camera / torchlight / extra socks / towel / gloves / hat mask / tissue paper / toilet roll

SPECIAL NOTE:
It is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. If you have a history of suffering from the following ailments, it is highly recommended that you should refrain from climbing:
Hypertension, Diabetes, Palpitation, Arthritis, Heart disease, severe anemia, Peptic ulcers, Epileptic fits, Obesity (overweight), Chronic asthma, Muscular cramps, Hepatitis (jaundice); or any other disease which may hamper the climber.
Note: The above information are provided by Sabah Park

Remarks:
It is advisable to book this tour two to three months before actual/expected date of climbing to avoid disappointment. Due to its popularity, there are usually limited accommodation at the Laban Rata rest house/hut near the summit, where climbers are required to stay overnight before an early morning ascent to the peak on the next day.

Couverture vs Compound Chocolates

What is Couverture Chocolate?

Couverture chocolate is the “top drawer” of chocolate, the true art of the seasoned professional. Couverture chocolate is fine gourmet chocolate with a noticeably glossy sheen, made so by its high cocoa butter content and the use of the highest quality and finely ground cocoa beans. The result is a product that is smooth and thin when melted and therefore perfect for covering, in fact the word couverture is a French word meaning ‘cover.’ Its thin consistency works well with molds and when used for hand dipped candies, covers well and sets to form a thin, crisp coating with a distinctively creamier taste than regular chocolate. Due to the unique characteristics of cocoa butter, a technique of heating and cooling (known as tempering) is required to stabilize its crystalline bonds thus enabling it to set. This process is especially delicate with couverture chocolate because of the large quantities of cocoa butter used. Couverture chocolate is available as dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate and sometimes pastry chefs and candy makers will use couverture blends from different chocolate makers to produce particular flavours. Some covertures are better for baking while others may be more desirable for enrobing. Whatever its uses may be, you can be assured that great skill and care will have been exercised throughout its production; from bean selection and blends, conching (the chocolate liquor refinement process) to tempering and packaging, couverture just says quality.

Uses of Couverture Chocolate:

Gourmet Chocolates
Luxury Gourmet Chocolates
Enrobing (covering with Chocolate)
Speciality Chocolates and candies
Hand dipping chocolate
Cake/candy decoration and chocolate molds. Its fine state allows for complex, detailed decorative designs and molds thus giving master chocolatiers oppurtunity to demonstrate their creative chocolate making skill and finesse.

What is compound chocolate?

Compound chocolate is an alternative to real chocolate. It differs by the fact it doesn’t contain any cocoa butter. The cocoa butter is replaced with less expensive vegetable oils e.g. Coconut or Palm kernel oil. The absence of cocoa butter means the chocolate doesn’t require tempering. Low cost and ease of use, makes it a popular choice for regular confectionary makers and home bakers alike. Typically, Compound chocolate doesn’t have the glossy sheen and crisp snap of real chocolate although this is changing due to advances in manufacturing techniques. Compound chocolate will produce a thicker liquid when melted and can (to some extent) emulate the effect of enrobing chocolate. It is ready to use once its temperature has been raised about 5 degrees above melting point.

Compound chocolate may also be referred to as:

Confectioners chocolate
Decorator’s chocolate
Coating chocolate
Cheap chocolate
Chocolate flavoured coating
Confectionery coating

Examples of usage:

Used in a wide variety of confectioneries and chocolate bars
Good for chocolate dipping (dipping chocolate)
Chocolate molding
Home baking
Can be used as an alternative for cake decorating, cake covering, Decorative piping effects, frosting and other such chocolate decorative embellishments
Easy to use therefore ideal for beginners in chocolate baking.

Unbelivable but true!

I was back at gym yesterday. Did a pump class before meeting up KG and Maple Orange (or are you Orange Maple? Oppss... sorry it's been a long time and I can't really remember). Maple Orange were feeling all sore from her RPM class and KG was not feeling well but still came to meet us. Thanks! I hope you are feeling better already. I realize I've not been really meeting up with friends lately, like this recent one year plus. Had life been THAT busy for me?

It was a great catch up session. You know how I feel now. I mean, not that I felt much about it actually. I guess we just need to know when it's time to move on and when we had to hold on to our goals. I hope this year is a better one too.

I had really unbelievable amount of muscle ache this morning when I woke up, the chest muscles being the most extreme. This is a result of skipping pump for erm... about three weeks. MC told me yesterday that she wants to join three classes at LM today - BB to start, follow by BP break for 2 hours and continue with BS.

I was really skeptical to tell you the truth. If you know MC, she's new to gym and workout. She seldom go through strenuous or plan for hardcore workout sessions. The most I remember her doing a BP and then half a BC.

Oh well. We went to the gym - woke up early for a 10.30am class (so we thought) was already quite unbelievable. Usually sleeping is more tempting. We were actually 10 minutes late when we arrived because we mistaken the class schedule. The class started at 10am but we were still granted the entrance to the class. So we missed the warm up and most part of the sun salutation. Still, it was quite torturous for me to support my upper body due to the soreness of all my upper body muscles.

We then successfully completed a pump class. Not all the tracks were difficult, so I survived but had to reduced my back track weights to only 6kg. It was nonetheless a great workout. I almost cannot open up my chest now. I've maintain the weights for squat and lunges, but can't feel my lower body aching yet. Shall see tomorrow.

Miraculously, even though MC felt like throwing up after pump and said she was dead, we joined combat! But we left the class after the 5th track. Not motivated to continue even though I've still have enough energy for perhaps two more classes (only the muscle pain was killing me). MC was also very exhausted.

But hey! We, in particular MC did quite well, VERY well in fact I'd to say. So unbelievable that she actually joined three classes (technically speaking), but it's true! Thumbs up for you gal!!! I hope we've the chance to do this again. Let's aim for three full classes the next time!

We had a good late lunch after the class and then hung out at Starbucks, shared one drink since we were actually very full. Just wanted to hang out a bit before heading home. Had a great sister day out today. :)