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...
Sunday, March 8, 2009
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.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Let's keep an open mind on betrayal
I ended my work week with an awfully tantrum episode.
Sigh... I think a lot of my cells are killed and I must have lost that 1kg because of stress. What did I always say? Be careful what you wish for - this doesn't look like a "healthy" way to lose weight.
I guess the De briefing in the morning had disheartened me to start with. I hate briefing by the big boss, it's always stressful and discouraging since the reason for briefing is normally to rectify faults. Along with that, lectures, interrogations, justifications and now to add on to the list, finger pointing. However, I insist of being myself - I'm not those who put blames on others, if possible, I will always take up responsibility and will accept the fact that I will have to get things fixed after that. Coincidentally, my colleagues are like me, especially my junior who had surprising picked up all my little indication and the tiniest body language of cuing her.
The demoralizing session was followed by a discussion with The Wicked Witch of The West which was enough to cause high blood pressure and possibly a stroke. After that was running around trying to complete tasks assigned by the GREAT one while leaving me worries of my other very important tasks. Not to mention solid grey mood.
As a finale, unreasonable written comments were received truly showing the flickered minded, fault finding and wicked personality of the Witch. It's annoying okay.
I really didn't want to release the tantrum me in the office but that tantrum self just emerged and believe it or not, I actually felt like unleashing that version of me. So, in short, I made a major complaint to my immediate boss, and I could actually fell my cheek burning and tears welling up. Okay, no of course I didn't cry. I was particularly heartbroken when recalling the previous session with the big boss. I told IB that I do not want to go through that again. I felt really betrayed the other time. Because when you tell you boss your problems, you expect them to at least help you, not put you in the spotlight and later tells you that you NEED to be able to resolve conflicts. CONFLICTS???
Phew... ok, feeling much better now. Blog had turned bitter now a days. Must post some sweet stuff soon. And you know what? I'm not looking forward to the next cake project - it's going to be really stressful.
Okay, I need to stay cool. No more tantrum, no more complaining and no more letting unworthy people effecting my mood.
Went shopping today which was a great retail therapy. Hey, Debenhams is on sale, "best ever sale" as I quote and I can testify that. It's really good. Before that, spent over RM80 just to get the tools need to tier the cake (my next cake project/ challenge). As I foresee lack of time (since I need to bake and construct the cake after work) I bought some instant stuff for convenience. The custard will be ready made ones. I don't think my heart can take anymore failure. Oh, lunch was at Starbucks, my favorite drink and favorite sandwiches. At least I got myself rather fixed up today. (Just ignore that email for now, don't even think about your IB's reply. There is no betrayal and shall not be any up coming, so don't worry, TTB).
Tomorrow shopping again, but this time there will be a good start with a satisfying breakfast with MC and BIL, then good company to shop and drink. But I am just wondering if I should keep myself away from others, I'm not feeling so patient these few days. And the more impatient I get, the more frustrated I get with myself for feeling so because of some undeserving people.
Sigh... I think a lot of my cells are killed and I must have lost that 1kg because of stress. What did I always say? Be careful what you wish for - this doesn't look like a "healthy" way to lose weight.
I guess the De briefing in the morning had disheartened me to start with. I hate briefing by the big boss, it's always stressful and discouraging since the reason for briefing is normally to rectify faults. Along with that, lectures, interrogations, justifications and now to add on to the list, finger pointing. However, I insist of being myself - I'm not those who put blames on others, if possible, I will always take up responsibility and will accept the fact that I will have to get things fixed after that. Coincidentally, my colleagues are like me, especially my junior who had surprising picked up all my little indication and the tiniest body language of cuing her.
The demoralizing session was followed by a discussion with The Wicked Witch of The West which was enough to cause high blood pressure and possibly a stroke. After that was running around trying to complete tasks assigned by the GREAT one while leaving me worries of my other very important tasks. Not to mention solid grey mood.
As a finale, unreasonable written comments were received truly showing the flickered minded, fault finding and wicked personality of the Witch. It's annoying okay.
I really didn't want to release the tantrum me in the office but that tantrum self just emerged and believe it or not, I actually felt like unleashing that version of me. So, in short, I made a major complaint to my immediate boss, and I could actually fell my cheek burning and tears welling up. Okay, no of course I didn't cry. I was particularly heartbroken when recalling the previous session with the big boss. I told IB that I do not want to go through that again. I felt really betrayed the other time. Because when you tell you boss your problems, you expect them to at least help you, not put you in the spotlight and later tells you that you NEED to be able to resolve conflicts. CONFLICTS???
Phew... ok, feeling much better now. Blog had turned bitter now a days. Must post some sweet stuff soon. And you know what? I'm not looking forward to the next cake project - it's going to be really stressful.
Okay, I need to stay cool. No more tantrum, no more complaining and no more letting unworthy people effecting my mood.
Went shopping today which was a great retail therapy. Hey, Debenhams is on sale, "best ever sale" as I quote and I can testify that. It's really good. Before that, spent over RM80 just to get the tools need to tier the cake (my next cake project/ challenge). As I foresee lack of time (since I need to bake and construct the cake after work) I bought some instant stuff for convenience. The custard will be ready made ones. I don't think my heart can take anymore failure. Oh, lunch was at Starbucks, my favorite drink and favorite sandwiches. At least I got myself rather fixed up today. (Just ignore that email for now, don't even think about your IB's reply. There is no betrayal and shall not be any up coming, so don't worry, TTB).
Tomorrow shopping again, but this time there will be a good start with a satisfying breakfast with MC and BIL, then good company to shop and drink. But I am just wondering if I should keep myself away from others, I'm not feeling so patient these few days. And the more impatient I get, the more frustrated I get with myself for feeling so because of some undeserving people.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The battle continues
I got new gossips I got new gossips!!
I saw BO at lunch place today!
Okay, THIS is not the gossip. But it's a pleasant surprise to see BO during working hours and luckily still can recognize him in his working attire instead of gym gear. Haha... oh sorry to "chase" you away from your table. And, thanks.
Now the gossip. My immediate boss has joined into the battle with The Wicked Witch of The West and he'd even joined a few of us slave of the witch for a good round of gossip session. My IB is all willing to step in if required. Huh, I think he just doesn't want to be left out from all the fun. With his position, it's a good troop for our forces.
Did I just said fun? It is actually, the more annoying The Witch become, the calmer we are - okay, some of us calm on surface only, but I'm actually able to achieve my zen status, surprisingly. I suppose this is the reason for such misfortune character to appear in the story - to train my patience. And, know what? With this kind of intruder, our team spirit has appeared to be stronger, we are becoming so much closer among us "old" people in the company.
Having said this, boss, I think you shouldn't be too involved, or just don't appear to be taking sides. We shall also try to protect our supportive boss by trying to cover him as much as we can. Let's manage things at our level.
Other than work, I'm all about work. So "sien". Perhaps I should take a real good break this weekend - shopping, Starbucks, movie and SLEEP!! Oh, yes, go to gym :p
I saw BO at lunch place today!
Okay, THIS is not the gossip. But it's a pleasant surprise to see BO during working hours and luckily still can recognize him in his working attire instead of gym gear. Haha... oh sorry to "chase" you away from your table. And, thanks.
Now the gossip. My immediate boss has joined into the battle with The Wicked Witch of The West and he'd even joined a few of us slave of the witch for a good round of gossip session. My IB is all willing to step in if required. Huh, I think he just doesn't want to be left out from all the fun. With his position, it's a good troop for our forces.
Did I just said fun? It is actually, the more annoying The Witch become, the calmer we are - okay, some of us calm on surface only, but I'm actually able to achieve my zen status, surprisingly. I suppose this is the reason for such misfortune character to appear in the story - to train my patience. And, know what? With this kind of intruder, our team spirit has appeared to be stronger, we are becoming so much closer among us "old" people in the company.
Having said this, boss, I think you shouldn't be too involved, or just don't appear to be taking sides. We shall also try to protect our supportive boss by trying to cover him as much as we can. Let's manage things at our level.
Other than work, I'm all about work. So "sien". Perhaps I should take a real good break this weekend - shopping, Starbucks, movie and SLEEP!! Oh, yes, go to gym :p
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The night shift emailers
Geezzz... what are you trying to show by sending me an email at 9.51pm? Why don't you send it to me next year? Really gave me no choice but to also send out some emails at 11.10pm. Humph...
It makes me wonder... do one new employee fit into the company culture, or does the company culture adapt to suit the new comer? It was in my Strategic Management and Management of Change lessons that stated something call culture web. If the culture of one company is so strong, the only way to change the culture is to get rid of the people who is behind that particular culture.
I have to date found half the people, the pioneers even, who are disheartened because of the recent "disturbance" to the culture. I have two views.
First of all, there will always be uncertainty and discomfort among employees when the company undergo expansion and change. It's like "who moved my cheese?". We should try to improve ourselves and catch up with the changes.
On the other hand, we enjoy going to work for the type of working environment the company can provide us. We go to work to earn a living and we are not there to participate in politics. Why should we bother to stay with a company which is no longer the one we joined?
On this note, there are perhaps two things we can do - adapt and accommodate the new comers (in other words make ourselves slaves of our new lord) or stand by our style and culture, and say "同我抖? 你未够班!"- want to challenge me? you are not at my level!
It makes me wonder... do one new employee fit into the company culture, or does the company culture adapt to suit the new comer? It was in my Strategic Management and Management of Change lessons that stated something call culture web. If the culture of one company is so strong, the only way to change the culture is to get rid of the people who is behind that particular culture.
I have to date found half the people, the pioneers even, who are disheartened because of the recent "disturbance" to the culture. I have two views.
First of all, there will always be uncertainty and discomfort among employees when the company undergo expansion and change. It's like "who moved my cheese?". We should try to improve ourselves and catch up with the changes.
On the other hand, we enjoy going to work for the type of working environment the company can provide us. We go to work to earn a living and we are not there to participate in politics. Why should we bother to stay with a company which is no longer the one we joined?
On this note, there are perhaps two things we can do - adapt and accommodate the new comers (in other words make ourselves slaves of our new lord) or stand by our style and culture, and say "同我抖? 你未够班!"- want to challenge me? you are not at my level!
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