Went Crazy at Kinokuniya, Singapore

Flipping back thru the past entries, I realised I have being blogging lesser and lesser. That's not because I ran out of restaurants I tried and love, or I ran out of recipes which I tried. It's because I ran out of time! I have being busy with work, trying to juggle 2-3 people workload by myself, running around like a mad dog trying to cater and please all the different project in-charge. It's not easy especially at the end of the day, it seem like workload is piling faster than clearing.


I didn't even manage to blog 1 entry in the month of February!!! *faint* I made some pineapple tarts just before CNY and also flew back to Sing the day before CNY eve to attend to some family matter. It wasn't fun having to hunt air ticket the eve before departure, dumping personal belonging into suitcase + trying not to miss out anything and also dumping all my messy work hoping someone will help me pick it up when I'm away.


The last trip back was more than 2.5 years ago. Because it was such last minute decision trip, I didn't really informed anyone except my family members and my best friend. For 2 weeks, I spend a lot of time with my parents, sister, nephew and my newly addition niece. It was great! I really bonded very well with my nephew on the 2nd week. I also managed to meet up some friends who being keeping in touch with me. I know there are some friends which I missed out but time wasn't on my side. Learned about the current lifestyle of Singaporean, what are the difficulties my fellow mates are currently suffering etc. It definitely triggered the citizenship question which has being in my mind again. This trip has actually help me to make a decision. Now it's only action.


Just before I left for Sing, I came to learn about a set of food manga which I read it from here.  I  know I won't have much luck since the only Kinokuniya Australia is in Sydney and never seen Borders carrying manga. Plus even if they do, it might cost a fair bit. So when I was shopping at Orchard, I went to Kinokuniya to try my luck as I only remember the cover and don't exactly remember the exact title at all! I was lucky!!! I spotting 1 of them once I'm at the manga section and got help to find the rest.


I only picked 1 out of 7 to have a go and see whether do I like them that much that I will carry them all the way back to home. I really did!!! Even my sis was reading it.


 Whole set of Oishinbo. I just finished the last book : Joy of Rice last night. I learned a lot about Japanese food thru the 7 books and wondering is there a full version (100 books) in Mandarin coz I don't understand Japanese.


 In every beginning of a book, there is a recipe related to the book theme with step by step instruction. Definitely something in my list : Things to Try.


On my 2nd trip to Kinokuniya, I went crazy buying books! If it's not because of the baggage limitation, I will have got more!!! Already both 2 story books at Melb airport before I departed.


I also got a Singapore/Nonya style cookbook titled The Best of Singapore Cooking by the Late Mrs Leong. I did tried finding Singapore/Malaysia style cookbook at Borders but it doesn't carry a huge variety. This cookbook cover from Nonya food to hawker food to Kueh to dessert. So far I had tried two recipes and both turned out really nice (I will blog about it on my next entry).





 The next book I got was introduced by a lady which I met at Kinokuniya while I was comparing two different cover of Julie and Julia (just checking they are in fact the exact same content). I love the movie and had watch it twice, 2nd on the flight to Sing. The lady told me My Life in France by Julia Child with her nephew is a much better book to read instead and she highly recommended it!


 Costing only S$13, how can I not drop in into my shopping bag??? Definitely I can fit in into my carry-on baggage.

Chocolate Snowcap Biscuits

I know I haven't being blogging at all. I had a few busy weekend for the past few weeks. Wedding to attend, CNY festival at Victoria Street, BBQ on Australia Day follow by firework, watching Australia Open and also catching up with friends etc. I also being trying to do my housework during weekday evening after work and dinner. 

This morning I attended my 3rd training session with Step Into Life. Both me and CL had signed up and committed 2 sessions a week. We haven't being exercising for more than a year now and it's really tough to get that back into our routine and the body is taking time to adapt to it. We realised how badly our fitness is after the 1st session. It;s something which I hope I'm able to continue even if my workload increase. *finger cross* Plus it's a great way getting to know more people especially when all stay in the surrounding suburbs. I'm definitely enjoying it but I'm exhausted and aching all over now. :(

I manage to squeeze in some baking last week after work. CL was scheduled night shift the next day and just nice to bring in some freshly baked goodies to share with his colleagues. Came upon this recipe when I was flipping thru a newly addition cookbook which was a X'mas gift from Zac.

End product on the left and on the right unbaked product

I had all the ingredients in my fridge and pantry and I reckon it won't take the whole night. But I was totally wrong!!! All because I didn't read the recipe detail enough! While beating in butter and sugar, I realised I'm required to fridge the dough for 2 hours! It was almost 8pm by then and there is no turning back. Told myself I just got to fridge till the max duration I can afford then. In the end, I did manage to fridge it for almost 2 hours and as the result, I ended up going to bed late. But it's all worth it because the biscuits are delicious!!! Firm, slightly crunchy surface and soft inside. The texture is almost like cake. The recipes stated 12 biscuits but I eneded up with 3 times more! I must have made them too small. My biscuits didn't cracked as much compared to the photo and I didn't coat a thick layer of icing sugar before baking. I was really afraid it will turn out too sweet. 

Ladies final is starting soon. I will try to blog a bit more soon. 

*faint* I got so much back entry still waiting to be done.

Class???

I'm still battling whether should I start taking some short courses. I'm not talking about courses for work but cooking and baking classes. :P I did start searching for such courses more than 2 years ago but a few factor put me off till now.

• Location - I don't used to drive. Even till now, I'm still confine although I got my driving license and own car. I don't explore areas, places by myself. If I'm going out with CL, he's definitely the driver. I'm hoping I will gain my confidence and start exploring Melbourne myself. 
• Cost - It's not cheap to take up short courses. A 4 hours cooking course costs almost $300. How much do I have to fork out each year to attend those I'm interested??? This year should be save, save, save! Planning for a long vacation (4 or 5 weeks) in Sept to LaLa Land to see my family and also to attend CL's bro wedding. We are also targeting to at least visit 2 asian country. Sipandan? Maldives? Thailand? Vietnam? Cambodia? OMG!! We have so many places which we would love to travel!
• Will I gain??? - I guess no can guarantee I will learn something and enjoy the course. If I chose 1 and start with it, will it give me a better idea what the course install???

I'm still thinking, thinking, thinking...hmmmmmmmmm

2009 Boxing Day Shopping

Ho ho ho ho!!! CL and me just got home from Doncaster Westfield. Got there after 8am to report for boxing day shopping. Spend 5 hours and ended up with a gigantic hole in his credit card our pocket.

I manage to buy a really nice jacket!! A pair of shoe and half year supply of intimate apparel. CL manage to buy some tops which we happened to hunt them down by luck.

I added some cookware for the kitchen again. This time a 20cm Jamie Oliver pan and a Jamie Oliver wok. Will post the photos up later.

My 1st 3x

Today is the day I start my age is a 3….30^th years old. What have I achieve or experience for the past 10 years I wonder??? Is it well spent I question myself.

At the age of:

20 – I graduated with a Diploma of Electrical, Electronic and Control and found a job as a Engineering Assistant or was it Assistant Engineer…..don't even remember the title. Started dating with CL, my 1^st and only boyfriend.

21 – Experience oversea education; learn to be independent, learn how to live with housemates. Most challenging is learning how to live together with CL (yes we stayed together for a year during our uni days to cut cost), sharing a tiny little room we rented.

22 – Learn how to be independent again without CL. Sharing a room with another female species other than my Sister. Flew back to Sing with a degree and 2 years of experiences with money can't buy. Started working as a SCADA Engineer in a local small company which the slogan is "NIKE" = just do it.

23 – Working, working, working. Got to admit I did manage to learn quite a bit on job.

24 – Slaving myself and planning for an escape?

25 – Flew into Melbourne for 2 weeks vacations, at the same time got married, a week honeymoon at Cairns and back to Sing alone.

26 – Got my Aussie permanent residency, got myself out of Sing system, relocated and actually felt married! Got ourselves out of living with a bunch of dirty, super pampered, think they are very rich uni kiddies. Started working in an Aussie local company as a Project Engineer. Have our 1^st kid.

27 – Promoted to being a Aunt and a Godma. Got my driving license after 2 tries.

28 – Finally I started driving and took over our 1^st kid after CL bought a 2^nd kiddo.

29 – Been living in a apartment my almost my whole life so after moving to our current place, it's like learning how to live in a house. Married to a Aussie on my last day of age 29…..yes, CL got his Australia Citizenship and took his pledge yesterday.

30 – What can I add into my achievement/experience next? A house? Obtain my Aussie Citizenship? Kid?? …..hmmmmm It's something I won't have any idea till next year but 1 thing I know is I'm having a stuffy +irritating + block + running nose and a pair of itchy eye. I HATE HAY FEVER!!!

3 down 6 more to go

I have being trying to blog more especially on the back entry which I wanted to do.

Out of the 9 entries, I did 3. So 6 more to go!

1> Ayame
2> Tutto Bene
3> Kangaroo Island Vacation
4> Traditional Hakka Dish
5> Spanish food at South Melbourne Market
6> Good Life in Adelaide
7> Rockpool - My advance birthday dinner
8> My Surprise Birthday Present from CL --- Most important!!!!
9> Homecook food by Dearest Mummy and Me =)

I will leave my advance Birthday Dinner and Present till my birthday to blog about it :)

Excuse : Folks came for visit

Sorry for the lack of blog post for the past 1 month......My folks were here for visit cum vacation. In fact I just got home after sending them to the airport after a slightly more than 3 weeks stay.

I have so much of catching up to do!!!!

A reminder to myself......back dated entry to be done

1> Ayame

2> Tutto Bene

3> Kangaroo Island Vacation

4> Traditional Hakka Dish

5> Spanish food at South Melbourne Market

6> Good Life in Adelaide

7> Rockpool - My advance birthday dinner

8> My Surprise Birthday Present from CL --- Most important!!!!

9> Homecook food by Dearest Mummy and Me =)

OMG.....starting to wonder how long that is going to take me.....hmmmmm

Me in Action

I'm currently a busy bee!!!! I'm so tired up with work that I don't even have time to cook, definitely can't even squeeze any blogging time. :(

Summary of the month June

1. My in-laws came for a 18 days vacation. Their 1st visit also my 1st time staying with them. At the end of the trip, I think 18 days a bit too long. I will had gone crazy any minute by the day 18. They spoiled my knive set (hopefully still repairable, need to find time and pop into King of Knives for sharpening), damage my thermal pot (still usable but appearance gone). Worst of all, they almost got the house burned down and they think it's a small issue. We seriously learned that we can't stay with them. There is a too huge gap in between us. At the end of the trip, I don't even feel appreciated after what we planned, organised and tried to put together. *sigh*


2. Went to Sydney for a 4 days short trip with my in-laws. I managed to visit my Aunt and Cousin's family. Discovered Chat Thai and we got hooked!!!!!!!! I had 2 meals out of the 4 days. How I wish Melbourne has something similar!!!!


3. I know how jelly snakes are made. Interesting process and I just tasted some fresh today.

Feeling hungry now as I'm having a big pot of beef in red wine cooking in the oven.....Yummmm.

I'm ending this entry with some photos I found. I will try to get my act together and post more back dated photos.

Me making a mess in the kitchen. This was taken during my in-laws visit. We were both so sick of chinese food that we decided to have a change and cook pasta for dinner.

Pasta, Salad and 4kg of mussels in white wine.

My favourite pasta by Jamie Oliver. Easy to cook and delicious to eat.

Where has my time gone???

I haven't being blogging for the past few weeks and I just found out last night when I was looking thur the pictures from my camera. I'm just to busy (more like lazy right?) Seriously need to be more organise and discipline.

I have being trying very hard to start my day early, reaching the office after 7am. Clock a bit more time on the project as it's pretty tight schedule + they kept changing the requirement *sigh*. Not really enjoying work at the moment actually. Well, other than suck it up and concentrate on work what else can I do????

My best buddy and godson came for a short visit, 7 days (our 1st guest since the move).
Me and Godson
It was really last minute, she confirmed her trip on Monday and flew in overnight on Friday. I didn't manage to spend a lot of with them as I need to work. So it's just the evening which we chilled out at home after dinner. I think they enjoyed the trip and I hope they did. :)

I definitely learn something from their trip. Really ponder when I and CL will be ready to start a family. We know it's not the time now but when? Hmmm don't think we will ever have an answer for it. At present, we love our freedom too much. (He definitely agree with me on that)

I preparing to have a tight schedule month ahead. For work, it's finishing up the project and commissioning(Cadbury want to start production 1st June). Outside work, I'm attending a wedding, bbq, yum cha, dinner gathering all organised by Club Alfred. Also at the same time start preparing, cleaning, shopping for my in-laws arrival in June.

Back to craft projects

As the weather turns cold and daylights got shorter, I'm back to doing my craft work. Crocheting my old granny square rug which I started last year and stopped.

I just started knitting a scarf for my MIL last night (we are expecting them in mid June, another excuse for me to knit). It's a very simple basic stitch so it shouldn't take me long. Plus it only 4 balls of yarn knitting two balls at the same time. My aim is to finish both projects before june so that I can put both into good use during this coming winter.

Should I / Shouldn't I ???

I just received an email from Borders. Attached with it is a 30% discount voucher with any purchase. I'm very tempted to make another purchase but I don't really have anything in mind. Recently came across this wedsite from a Melbourne food blogger which I love and I'm making use of it now! Hoping to find my next target. I also saw they are selling Jamie Magazine from the email but it cost $12+. That's pretty expensive isn't it? But I'm super tempted!!! Maybe I will buy his 1st copy and see whether do I like it.

Jamie cookbooks have being my bedtime story for the past few weeks. I personally owned 2 of his cookbooks Jamie's Dinner and Cook with Jamie. Both bought from Borders with discount vouchers, without it I find them too expensive. I'm a sucker for discount. I'm still trying to be more organise and try more of the recipes in the book. So far CL loves all the recipes I tried.

Last night I started Jamie's Italy which I borrowed from the Library last Saturday. Yes, I became a member of the local library beginning of the year. Getting the hang of it and hopefully I can save some $ from stopping to buy books and space. I still have a full box of story book lying around in the house coz my bookshelves got kidnapped!

Craving for CNY goodies

Nothing exciting happening in life. It's just sleep, eat, work, surf FB, blogs etc. A lof of LaLa Land food blogs started on CNY goodies. Me personally aren't baking any pineapple tarts this year. Don't really have the energy (I know full of excuses) + it's only me who is eating. But I was very tempted to get some love letters when I saw them a few weeks ago at Box Hill but I will be the only 1 eating. What is it doesn't taste good???

Granny used to make them every CNY and sis and I easily can finish a whole tin by ourself. I'm starting to miss some of the CNY goodies which both my grannys made like honey combs and kuih bangkit which I myself never had the chance to witness the process of making them. Did tried making love letters with mum years ago and OMG it's definitly not easy + we made them in a very traditional way using charcoal stove.

Oh I seriously crazing for all the unhealthy, fatty CNY goodies. Maybe I'm able to buy some tomorrow when I'm attending the Lunar Festival at Victoria Street. If not I just have to get CL to make a quick stop at Box Hill and get some.

Beach Time!!!

I was complaining to CL that though summer already started a month ago but we haven't had the chance to make a trip to the beach. Coz the weather has being damm too bloody cold!!!
Finally I spotted a chance which was yesterday. Weather forecast was 28 degrees and if it's strong sunlight, it should be warm enough. We decided to take the chance and packed for the beach!

It wasn't a hard decision to make when it comes to which beach should we go. Last summer we being around quite a few and the beach we both love is the 1 in Philip Island..

We departed the house pretty early as we are having a dinner appointment. Plus we always have the habit to start early to beat the traffic. It took us almost 2 hours to drive to the destination coz of the slight heavy traffic.

CL was pretty hungry by the time we reached. So we decided to picnic at the car park instead.

Me having my sandwich behind the car boot.


These are the food I prepared. Egg mayonnaise and Chicken (leftover) for sandwich. Carrot, Cucumber and Celery stick with dips and banana. Healthy meal?

We had fun lazing around, chatting, suntanning, reading books and getting wet! I wasn't prepared to go into the water at all but CL was super keen and kept pestering me. He threaten me by saying if I'm not going to then he will stop bringing me to the beach. What's the fun when you go to the beach but no get wet. Since he's the driver, I suppose I should accompany him right?

Initially I kept screaming when I step into the water coz it's too cold! It took us a while to get used to the water temperature. But we had fun playing with the huge waves and I'm gald CL manage to convince me to join him.

1st Blog in 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR! How did you spend your last hour of 2008?? I went for the midnight fireworks which was spectacular!

I definitely haven't being blogging a lot for the whole of Dec. I have being lazy + busy with work during the x'mas period. Although others are starting to wind down, attending parties and gathering. I, in fact was getting busy with work. I wasn't really in low moral when others were drinking and having fun while I'm stuck in the factory with required me to strip to my undies and grown up in blue suit. Because I finally see the finishing line after being stuck with the project for bloody 2 years!

I did still manage to try out new recipes which all turn out really nice and photos are still stored in the camera which I'm too lazy to download + upload now. Hopefully I will get to them this weekend.

2008 passes by so quickly that I have no idea what I had achieved in 2008.
Going thru the blog entries, this is the list I came up with.

1. Moved out from the city and into the suburb. It's actually nice and we are loving the place! A real motivation to save more and purchase a house of our own.
2. CL's bought a new car = I became the owner of our new car
3. Starting driving to work = driving more (which I still need to work on for 2009)
4. Spend a full 1 month with my lovely parents. Did some travelling with them
5. Went to Great Barrier Reef again(kinda of disappointed that the reef are so damaged) and did some diving
6. Hit a roo at Grampians (actually CL hit it in his brand new car!)
7. I lost an uncle
8. We did quite a bit of driving around Victoria. Covered Bright, different beaches in Victoria, Hanging Rock, Great Ocean Road, Grampians, Lakes Entrance, Warrnambool
9. Started handcraft : kitting and crochet

Don't think I miss out anything.
Well, I did manage to fulfill half of my 2008 wish list.

1. Stay healthy and stop gaining weight(think this might be easy rather than trying to lose weight) definitely is still on my 2009 agenda.
2. Save $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
3. Be a good housewife (not as if I'm not good but I believe I can be more organise if I want to..hehehe)
4. Cook more!!!! (I have being cooking more but need to start trying out more recipes)
5. BLOG MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No point making a long list if I can't achieve it right?

Multitasking

I'm blogging in the kitchen! Wonders of wireless modem. I'm actually cooking as well...multitasking. Have a pot of congee on the stove and it's not safe to leave it alone. That's why I'm kinda of stuck till the pot of congee is done to my standard (which btw going to take a pretty long time).

Both of us were cooked since yesterday. He's having blocked nose, coughing and body aching while I started feeling very dizzy and headache....on my birthday! How great is that???

CL had made a reservation at Rockpool weeks ago to celebrate my last 2* birthday (opps....age reveled) but we had to postpone it last minute (just a minute before leaving the house). Seriously doubt we will enjoy the dinner since both of us won't feeling great + it's not going to be a cheap meal. The evening ended really early for both of us.

Wasn't feeling fantastic this morning therefore decided to call in sick and spend the whole morning in bed with CL. That's why I'm cooking congee too. Btw, CL reckon congee is poison! He will never really eat it unless he is sick which is totally opposite of me coz I love congee! I can easily finish a whole pot all by myself! + It's such a great weather to have either a big bowl of soup/congee.

Settling Down

The move on Monday went smoothly. It took us + 2 movers 3 hours to move almost everything from the old to new house. We made a few trip ourselves to handle those too fragile stuffs. Electrical, water, gas and phone all were connected without any problem at all this time. Hmmmm really wonder is it because this is a house/unit that's why no stuff up? Or because we made individual call to the respective company instead of using bull-shit service provider like ConnectNow. Or because everything is already connected and we only had to request name change? Anyway, we are settling in well but still waiting for the internet to be active. At the meantime, there's a bit more unpacking to do + cleaning.

For the past 2 evenings, we have being a couch potato watching DVDs on the new LCD TV. I still have to read up the manual for the TV and DVD recorder. It works for now but I don't think I set it up fully. Plus totally no idea how am I going to use the DVD recorder other than playing DVD. Hehehe That will be my homework for the weekend while CL working.

Herb Garden

From left to right : Sage, Basil, Spring Onions, Mint, Rosemary

My existing herbs are starting to give up on me and I decided to plant a new batch. CL drove me to Bunnings few weeks ago. Bought 2 long pots, organic soil and some herbs.

I didn't actually expect all of them to survive especially sage and basil. They look dying after a few days. But now they are all growing!!! Especially mint, I didn't except it to grow that fast!!! Need to start thinking whether should I replant some of them into the backyard after I settle down at the new house. I'm even thinking of getting a worm farm. Don't think I have enough space for a compost bin. Plus worm farm works faster. Got to do more reading up.

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

I was watching Sex and the City movie when I'm suppose to blog. Now I'm blogging when I suppose to pack. *shake head* I do everything except packing!!! OH NO NO NO!!!

The house is full of boxes!!! On the left are empty boxes all stack up ready to be fill.



While on the right are boxes full filled with books, clothing, personal items. The 2 backpacks are full of CL's textbooks!!! It's damm heavy!!! Seriously don't think I'm able to carry it on my back at all.



I'm starting to wonder how many boxes I will end up with by Sunday night. Hmmmmmmmm

More Shopping & Packing

20 boxes + 2 full backpacks lying in the corner. We manage to do more packing in the afternoon and also came back home with a HUGE HOLE in our pocket yesterday.

We had a orientation from our new landlord yesterday morning. We are getting to know our new home. The house is really cool in the morning. It has a central vacuum system which I will be using so no more dragging the vacuum cleaner around the house and changing plugs. The heater had being service because it's giving out a bit of noise. I was prepared to give the house a clean before moving in but found out the landlord had actually started cleaning the place for us! He had all the kitchen cabinets cleaned, carpet vacuum. The only task left is to clean the floorboard. He planned to do it after we left but we told him don't bother as it will only get worst during the move. We will do it after that. Looks like a lot of cleaning is save :)

After the orientation, we went to the newly open Westfield at Doncaster. It's huge! We had a early lunch cum breakfast and started shopping at Myer, DJ looking at fridge, microwave, LCD TV. Next destination: Good Guys at Home HQ, Nunawading. We exit with a Sharp microwave and a F&P fridge. The offer for LCD TV wasn't tempting enough.

Since Harvey Norman is just next door, we decided to pop over and take a look. Amazingly the prices they offer are better than Good Guys which I never expect it. CL ended up buying a Sony 40" LCD TV and a Panasonic DVD recorder.

Freedom, Office Works was next as study table, study chair are still on the list. We will be setting up a room as study. Plan is to set up 2 study tables, 1 for him and 1 for me. So that I can have my own space especially when I need to work at home.

Still have to pop into IKEA to purchase the bookshelves. Our books are getting more and seriously running out of space.

I hope after this move, the next 1 will be into the house of our own. Because I'm not enjoying all the shopping + moving + logistic at this point of time. I bet we will be hibernating at home for weeks after the move just to recover also to save $$$$. heheh

MIA

I'm going to MIA(missing in action) even more. I was hoping to post some photos but I couldn't find my camera. CL must had left it in the car after bringing out last night.

I started packing last weekend. Spend 4 days, average 1.5hrs each time sorting out the clothes, packing etc. The house is in a total mess and I can't be bothered to tidy it. Lying in 1 corner are 10 boxes of our belonging and it's only going to get more hopefully after these 2 days.

Going to the new place later to take some measurement so that we can start shopping for some item. It's going to be a pretty expensive shift but can't be avoided at all (CL just got to work more...hehe).

Alright, I better go start showering and will try to post some food photos tonight if I'm free. :)