Last Episode of June

"sweetie r u teachin tmr bp lm?"

"yup.. with someone tt with me. coming?"

xxx

Yes because I missed classed on Friday night so need to double up the next day. On Friday evening, I left the office slightly late, and considering a few facts, I didn't go to gym:

1) That particular class, I was told, has been really packed. Gym buddies not there, so it's difficult to "slot" myself into class if late;
2) It's theme class;
3) Brought a top that says "Body Combat" so didn't want to wear that to do other workout;
4) My girl friend wanted to get a ride home and she was waiting at 1U while I gym - so might as well hang out with her and go home early instead of having her waiting.

So I went for a drink and snack with my gf and went around for a little shopping. Gf wanted to get her usual shampoo supply from Himalaya... I later got a present from her as well from the shop. Thank you... the set consist of a shampoo, hair cream, oil and a walnut face scrub.

xxx

Had a good 10 hour sleep woke up still sleepy this morning. Went to gym as planned. Walked pass Starbucks on my way to gym and yes, hobbes the Starbucks poster boy was there.

Later outside the class, I was greeting by this familiar face when I asked hobbes who's tt-ing with him. A very friendly face which I was trying so hard to recall where I've seen... and then ohh I remembered... I saw him a lot at SPK previously; there was this one time when he must have gotten so upset (I don't know why, don't ask me) that he threw a couple of weights right behind me which really gave me a shock. My impression towards him - VERY rude. Supposed this the same guy?

The problem with me, I would always switch into my day dream and dull mode when I don't do classes with my regular GXI. That's why I'm choosy when it comes to instructors.

Hobbes started his class by introducing self and "as usual team teaching with me today is..." Erm... huh? Didn't get his name. I think Hobbes didn't say.

xxx

Question: "So are you also going to Bali?"

Answer: BIG grin...

xxx

At the end of the class, I've learnt that if I want to join this new guy's class, I would have to: 1) learnt how to react faster with delayed cue; 2) concentrate on instructor's movements as sometimes cuing will not be verbal; 3) get used to remarks such as "we have nice legs..." (we? hobbes yes, but we...?) "... most regulars still did it wrong..." "look at me please..."

Grabbed my usual ice lemon tea + 100 plus before going off to shower, wanted to wish hobbes a good trip but didn't seem to be able to locate him... But instead, the new instructor of the story asked: "Hey, would you be able to give me some feedback? I know you've been doing classes for some time so it's good to get some comments" (so I'm not the most-regulars-still-did-it-wrong member then). My answer "Sorry, I was day dreaming in the class, so I don't know. I'll pay more attention the next time so I can give you some feedback"

What do you expect me to say though? Still not sure if that guy is this guy. We should always try to be modest right? Who are we to give comments? Well, at least he speaks good English and was most of the time quite motivating. But of course I didn't tell him that, as I don't think those were constructive comments.

It's only Wednesday?

It's only Wednesday but it felt like Friday to me in terms of energy level... I should be going to bed, but have been busy replying sms-es. One of the text was from a supplier saying he had emailed me the quotation. at 10.30pm! Very committed, so curiosity kills the cat, I had to come on line to take a look at that... while on line, might as well update blog when I had the chance. Had been an extremely busy week, had 6 meetings yesterday, 4 today and 5 tomorrow. Supposed to rest and sleep early since it's an off day from gym today but here I am 11.20pm.

Went for little brother's free style step last night, was greeted by Hobbes surprise expression and a half-way-hug. Passed him the little indulgences, and he had kindly announced that my baking was nice (thank you!). Later in class, little bro thanked me for the cupcakes through the mic (thank you too - free publicity) and then little bro dreamily greeted us with "welcome to body step". I was doing quite good as well in terms of dreaming - too many stuff in my head: trying to figure out the format for my timeline chart, things to be updated for the spreadsheet and my still one paragraph marketing strategy- amidst my thoughts, I heard my name being called a few times - what? Ohhhhh... wrong steps! :p And then I was amazingly distracted by the lady in front of me who did her kick mambo cha cha cha so perfectly that I secretly wish bro did not incorporate these in the choreo - her kick was the perfect ballet-toe-pointed-kick which reached above the head level (how did she do that?)... 10 minutes through the class, I felt really tired, the effect of pump the night before was edging in, and suddenly I remember that we (office mates) were supposed to go for our walk or if rains walk the staircase the following day. Oppss... I thought then I needed to "reserve" some energy for the next day (which was today, and was supposed to be my off day from workout, and by the way walk cancelled to tomorrow) so I was doing really tiny movements from then and only wanted make sure I moved along with the rhythm while trying to give little bro my sweetest ok-smile when he asked "are you ok?"

Is the new pump that tough? Told Trainer that the new track was tough and he said (must be with a surprised tone - I guess - donno because was a text): "Huh not really la. I did on Mon n it's quite easy." Oh is it because I increased my weights despite only doing one pump class last week? Trainer said (this time I'm sure trying to make me feel guilty for being so weak) "I've not done pump for ages 2 and I increased my weights s well - 15 (each) for squat, chest (!!) n back. Triceps n shoulder 7.5. Only lunges was bit tiring" - OK, I shall not feel bad, Trainer uses 140kg during weights train for squat, so definitely ok for me to feel tired and tortured.

Noticed favorite instructor still on MSN, still with the display message as "can't wait to get out from Dubai"... hmmm... So he's still not board the plane obviously. Asked him whether he's really coming back or not and he said of course because he's gonna start teaching back in KL on July 1st... well, he still has about 3 days to fly himself back to start his first class back here on Sunday, so last minute! Favorite instructor's comment to that was "welcome to Dubai". So confirmed if he can fly back on time, he will be teaching BP and BS at SPK this Sunday. Which also means another choc cake supporter back on the list...

Cupcakes with Cadbury Caramel and Brandy Butter Icing

I've got this really delicious Cadbury Diary Milk with Caramel centre during my last trip in London. Since the cupcake baking last weekend was last minute, I need to ransack my kitchen for suitable ingredients to "value add" my cupcake to give it a touch of surprise element (hopefully).





I was not sure how much these chocolate squares will melt during the baking of the cupcakes and although I've placed the chocolate in last, I would expect them to sink to the bottom anyways (unlike chocolate chips) since the texture of the cake mixture was very light. So if anyone were to eat the cupcake from the top (which is not advisable because you will be eating the sweetest part of the cake - the icing - and then left with the reduced-sugar-cake.) then you will only discover these chocolate squares during the last bite. But if you eat it the normal way (peel off paper cup and attack the cake from the side trying to fit proportionate amount of icing and cake into mouth - I normally use a fork/ spoon to eat my cupcake) I suppose the second bite will bring you to this discovery.



The cupcakes were baked on Saturday night and left to cool... while I think of what to do with the butter icing... and tried to finish my spreadsheet.

If I've taken a good picture of my butter icing, you would be able to see at the background and find out what I've added into the icing.



The challenge was to have enough amount of brandy for the taste to be noticed while maintaining the consistency of my butter icing - the shape of the piped icing will not be distinctive enough if the icing is too diluted. The result was not so bad, but I don't remember how many spoons of brandy I've added (must be quite many till I lost count haha).

Tried one of them so I can take picture of the cross section, and also to decide whether this recipe stays on the menu... Mum love the icing; I think there should be more chocolate chunks.

Little Envelope

I like checking my handphone screen to discover a little yellow envolope indicating sms received. It's very warm to get sms from friends. Got an early message from Jon...

"True friendship requires real effort. Even when everyone is busy with their own lives, a simple msg reminds each other that u r not 4gotten. Gd morning Sweetie."

I certainly had a very good morning, enough muscle ache and looking forward to another sweat out session tonight. But for now, I pray that I get through my six meetings without secretly scolding anyone.

Good morning to you too darling...

An Episode at Gym

I was really short supplied with baking stuff, among them, cake boxes which I desperately need for tomorrow, so told my boss I need to go out during lunch time and will be back for the 2pm meeting with one of the suppliers. But plan didn't go well because my colleague set a 12.30pm meeting last minute (which the supplier only came at 10 minutes to 1pm). By the time I left the office (yes! I must still go during lunch time because that shop closes at 6pm) was 1.30pm and I had to manage driving to Section 23, shop, drive back, while trying to multi-task eating my sandwich lunch in car, within half an hour. It's such a pressure to shop at bakery supply shop within limited time!

I was back in office at about 2.10pm and the supplier was not there yet... if I knew I shouldn't need to rush. (I know the title said episode at gym, but I can't go to gym till I finished work right?) Anyways, the supplier then came at 3.40pm! I got so annoyed I told my boss don't waste time joining that meeting, I went in, talked to the supplier for 1 minute and left the meeting (and left him with my graphic designer to brief him the necessary). Such a waste of time, his excuse was when he called I was out to lunch (which must be what, 2pm? 2.10pm?), I actually asked him "you didn't think I was going to have lunch till 3.30pm, did you?" which I got no answer to...
... and I got 6 meetings with 6 suppliers tomorrow!

Got my spreadsheet out to my boss just in time for me to make it to combat. (and by the way I am suppose to be working on my marketing strategies and not updating blog, but I just got this story telling mood attack). Combat class was so happening today, the last minute guest instructors - KH and Renee - definitely made a difference to the usual Monday combat. The arrangement had, for one, turned our kung fu master into an almost jammer when he started doing the shimmy and hip shaking - and you thought the combaters have not been poisoned enough by our darling Tony. Those who were not in the class today, you missed out a lot! Though, I still can't imagine how one can manage to "flex your muscles" and then....... "shimmy" :D.


Pump was the usual torture, I always plan to go a bit light with my weights considering that it's only Monday and it's back-to-back class, but always ended up doing the torturing amount of weights - "torturing self" has somehow became the motto of pump classes.


Gave up having dinner after class so I can come back early to do some work and get to bed as early as I can... Before I left, cupcakes for Swee, for the first time, thanks to Wookie's suggestion; and Wookie, my new found food taster, who has abandoned his handphone but was in search of his dinner dates. As I only have the combat master's number, I could only offer to contact the master for him. When the call was picked up, I straight away launched into my purpose of calling, which was "Hello! Where are you ah? blah blah blah..." till I heard from the other end "who is this please?" Oppssss! How rude of me not to introduce myself first (I hate it when someone, who has not given me his number before, calls me, no who he is, and straight away ask things like "how are you?" "what are you doing?""where are you?""do you know who I am?" (of course I don't!) "you really don't know who I am??" (NO I DON'T!) etc etc... I find it very annoying so I try not to do this myself) Nevertheless, moral of the story is - never take it for granted, not everyone would have my number saved in their phone book, so I must remember my manner and always introduce myself. Anyways, Wookie, that was a waste of my phone money, (oppss... correction, my company's money) to call someone who was just in front of you.


Lastly, to my little sweet stuff: I hope you will play a good role and fulfill your duties as little indulgences. Hope you guys are not a disappointment to those who have kindly accepted you into their hands.


Nite nite and sweet dreams.

Raisins Cupcakes

"Can u make 6-8 cupcakes with lots of raisins and natural colour icing 4 my boss?"

Got this sms from my auntie while trying to channel all my creative cells for the birthday cake decoration yesterday...

"Can but ltr, tryin to finis w decoratin yr son's bday cake! Yrs 4 Mon rite? Shud b ok"

I never reject my aunt's order - only once but I was really sick that time, took MC for 2 days. The other time aunt's sms read "... life and death..." but since I was half dead myself, I'm sure I was forgiven for causing death...

After I was done with Alex's birthday cake, I took a break before baking more cakes. Sometimes when I bake too much I get very nauseous. Started baking after dinner and was done before midnight, which was quite a good record, I often
bake till 2 o'clock in the morning. Left the decorating till this morning, got up quite early and am done with the decoration. I still have loads of office stuff to do!

Anyways... Due to this last minute order, I had to delay my chocolate cake offers. (Meant to bake chocolate cake to cheer up Hobbes and a treat for little bro.) Sorry guys, but I still have something for you. Yes, you've guessed right, cupcakes, but not these raisin cupcakes (ok, one of them is raisins). I've got a more indulgent version of cupcake and with a slightly more "wicked" version of butter icing... Lets keep that as a surprise and to be told as another story, publish after Tuesday.

Got a missed call and sms from Wookie and need to apologize for my delayed response - I was really busy - Wookie, called just in time to reserve himself some cupcakes (the "surprise version") and since he did remind me of his Queen, I've re-work my allocation list and erm... had to cross out "office" for this round because really not enough cupcakes and also since I didn't make any offer to them yet.

The "instruction" from Wookie on the preparation of his Queen's cupcakes were "make it sweet with loads of icing..." which I straight away suspect that he was trying to sabotage me - this didn't sound quite right... will see... but for you guys - "beginners" should take it "light" for the first time ;)

These cupcakes are sweet enough for my regular food tasters, too sweet for office (for office cannot pipe on the icing, can only smear on a thin layer); and merely ok for my Aunt's group (so need to reduce sweetness of the cupcakes). These cupcakes are always large size so that the amount of cake can be of good proportion with the icing (so the cake will not taste too sweet overall)

Chocolate Banana Marshmallow Cake

"Jie, can I have a chocolate cake?"

"Having a party ah?"

"Ya lo, this Saturday"

(which was today)

"Erm... but I made you chocolate cake last year wo... I'll make you something special lah"

Ok, so I came up with an idea, a new recipe I just received from MasterChef - Black Forest Cake

But when I interviewed Alex the birthday boy, he said not sure if he and his friends like cherries. Okayyyy... well, I'm just trying to stick to chocolate cake but give it a bit of variation.

"Ok then you can have anything you want with the chocolate cake lah, like peach blah blah..."

Erm... peach and chocolate...? alright, that's not so "matching".

"Ok jie, what about banana!!"

Oh, brilliant, not so original, very the secret recipe, but oh well, will try to improvise as I get on...

So, Chocolate Banana Cake

... and then we went shopping, while passing by this candy shop, I asked...

"you want marshmallow in your cake ah?"

Since marshmallow is his favorite, the answer was expected "YES!"

So, then... The story of Chocolate Banana Marshmallow Cake.

Bananas marinated in

lemon juice and brown sugar

Bananas arranged on top

of the first layer of chocolate cream

A spread of fresh cream before

the next layer of cake

Another layer of choc cream

Marshmallow

Rocher to decorate the top layer

I had a great time decorating the cake... Mum came into the "working scene" while I was assembling the cake and she said "won't collapse meh?"

Hmmm... So far so good. What was actually in my mind was not whether it's going to collapse, I know it won't lah! (that's the reason I had fresh cream between each layer, it will definitely hold) I was thinking more of how the birthday boy is going to cut the cake... and I can't wait to see how the cross section of the cake will look like - I have specifically gave instruction for pictures of the cake to be taken after the cake cutting (I've sms-ed to check half hour ago, and they still haven't reach cake cutting.... humphhh....).

Normally I like to decorate the cake with lots of Cadbury Favorites minis... but the cake is already very elaborated (the sides have been intentionally left un-coated so that the layers can be seen). The cake was looking very cheerful and fun with the marshmallow, I recon there is no need for any more dramatic effects, instead, the cake should end with some more-serious-and-adult-look. So the top layer was only decorated with Ferrero Rocher, a happy birthday tag for the 3D effect and some writings - suitable for a 19 year old young adult?

Happy birthday Alex, may all your dreams come true...

Review (24/6/07): The kids said marshmallows don't really go well with chocolate cake. And marshmallows are too soft, the cake fall apart during cutting. So forget about marshmallow on a many layer cake. Nevertheless, I think marshmallows are good decor for cupcakes. Finally, the conclusion is - when you put all your favorite stuff together, it doesn't necessarily mean perfect.