Cars- The Movie

Was supposed to watch Poseidon as part of the celebration of the end of my 3/4 papers, adopting some kind of a gradual easing out of exam mode.. but ended up catching Cars instead. Turned out to be pretty cute, I was more impressed by the work that went into rendering the cars so real, the graphics, and best of all, set amidst the backdrop of one of the few places i want to go on my list before i die- Monument Valley. So that made up for the jaunt to watch a few cars talking amongst themselves. I must also be getting old, because I actually like the song 'Find Youself' by Brad Paisley.. and the reason why you never ever heard of him is that he is quite a country crooner (shudders).

Aside from that, I've been sick. Down with a fever and hence blogging. Daiz been sick too, and we've been sitting at the telly just trying to pass time. Except for the time when the books call me, and I had a rather excellent discussion with Kristian this afternoon. We actually went full steam and covered all 6 chapters of Wed's paper. It's also first time in my academic life that I actually attempted the questions behind the chapter. So I'm quite proud of myself right now.

Feeling rather feverish but contented. Hmm....

Cars- The Movie

Puff Madness

I must apologise that food seems to have taken a hold of my recent entries. Since it is exam time and there's nothing less guilty than 'feeding oneself', I have taken comfort in escaping to food land.

The theme of the month would have to be Puff Pastries. The French Iron Chef Arwen did a Blue Cheese Puff, Tuna and Potato Puff (compliments of leftover tuna and mash), Nutella Puff, and the Chinese Iron Chef Daiz whipped out her speciality- Curry Puff, in shapes of gyoza, triangular, traditional, spring-roll... I had 3 of them today, since they make great winter food.

Back to my books... burp!

Daiz's Kickarse Curry Puff

Cheesy and Nutella Puffs

Hair-Raising Business School Ads

I have been enjoying Singapore Idol's Mr Nong Nong Ago and the Campfire in the moonlight as my source of exam relief. But those have some good entertainment value, and it makes me laugh.

But you have to watch this one... not only does it raise eyebrows, it raises ur arm hairs too.

Synopsis Number 1:
(Slightly chessy music playing) Geeky kid brother asks Big Brother:"Eh Khor, so your A level results can get you anywhere you want"... "even the really good ones? you know the ones far far away?... Have you decided?"

Big brother:"eh huh..."...

Voiceover: Preferred around the world by tomorrow's elites- the NUS Business School.

Kid brother: "that's not very far what!"

Synopsis Number 2:
Watch it yourself. Cannot bear to describe and inevitably offend some countryman who might say I'm just being biased.

For the Locals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcJ1GWj02Io&search=

For the Ang Mohs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeqkQraNO7w



Did they not offer Marketing class 101 in this prestigious NUS school of Business, not to ever exaggerate your brand to what it is not? Does it not make you wonder why it never occured to the applicants that Insead and UofChicago have their own B-schools in Singapore that have a wider selection of 'cuter guys'?

For My Un-cooked Friends

This one goes to my un-cooked friends... the ones trying to make a meal (deal) for Father's Day.
Try cooking... or rather, pass off cooking if you can't cook. This is quite fool-proof. Recipe is of course, not mine. Credits go soley to Jamie Oliver, my cooking guru. Without him, I'll look like an ignorant singaporean kid.

Sea Bass Baked In A Bag
Yield: 4

Ingredients:
· tin foil
· Fish Fillet (any fish, cod... bass)
· sea salt
· black pepper
· fennel, tops (or any Ang Moh herbs... )
· handful basil (or any Ang Moh herbs.. dried ones if u can't find)
· 1/2 red onion, thinly, sliced
· bay leaf
· olive oil
· 2/3 lemon, juiced
· 2 oz butter (or a knob.. like the size of 2 fishballs)

Directions:
Sea Bass Baked In A Bag
1. Ask your fishmonger to gut and scale your fish. (No need for fillets)
2. Lay out a piece of tin foil and fold in half. Place the sea bass on top of the foil and score the flesh about 2 inches apart on both sides. Rub plenty of salt and pepper into the scores.
3. Lay out the fennel on the foil and place fish on top of the fennel and push to one side of the foil.
4. Cover liberally with the basil, red onion and bay leaves, making sure you tuck some into the slits.
5. Drizzle over plenty of olive oil, lemon juice and knobs of butter. Fold over the left hand half of the foil and seal the 3 sides to gently hug the fish.
6. Place on tray and bake in a preheated 180 degree oven for approximately 25 minutes. (More if ur fish is big). Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 3 to 4 minutes without opening the bag.

Fool Note: Preheat your oven to the temperature before putting it in and counting the time.

Exam comfort food... 

Muffins to De-Stress

Baking muffins to de-stress. And baked an extra big one as a surprise for a belated birthday.

Muffins

Looking for a "Friend"

Single and attractive lady, with wonderful fair complexion, primrose lips, seeks the company of an engaging, intelligent and suave male. Flashy car mandatory, financially self-sufficient, with extras to spare. Must love theatre, with adrenaline-level thirst for adventure. Required behavior should include the frequent giving of flowers and an occasional walk under the starry sky. Anyone above 40 years need not apply.

Must get along with her good friends too.

Those interested, please tag on the blog and leave your details.

Exam Prep Day 1

I've finally finished my lectures, and the course as well. Felt like I've ran a long race, though not as hard this semester. Now I just need to clear the final hurdle of exams. The stress is revved and I've just warmed up the engine.

Had a nice time hanging out with some friends last night, having herbal chicken and wine. It was my little indulgence before my 3 weeks exile into my little room. Haven't been studying as much as I wanted to, but I'm sure I'll make good progress as the days count down.

Won't bore you with the mundane routine of studying. Had a nice chat with Jamie just now. The funny part was how we ended up talking about our ideal weddings. Of course, the pact is, we'll be each other bridesmaids, and I cannot wear heels, and neither can she at my wedding. Hers is for aesthetic reasons, but my restriction is that she cannot look taller than me. In the end, we abandoned the topic, seeing how ludicrious it was. What good can come out of a stressed up girl and the hive-bugged pal on the other side of the world??

My other pal Sha, is fortunately getting married soon. But she seemed to be more excited over her butt-washing toilet bowl than her gown.

End of Day 1.

P.S Ted, I love you!

Yeah, you heard it right. I love Ted, and I dare say Daiz too.

How can it not be, after he gave us 2 tickets to watch the footy! Tell me, which pastor gives you this opportunity to while your lazy sunday away watching a game of numerous gorgeous hunks scruffling over an olive-shaped ball, in a crowd of 33,309 people who are predominantly people of the opposite sex??

Mine did. Ted Fabs.. you're the best pastor "muack!"... hahhah... On our way out, we heard him offering 2 AFL tickets to some of our people, and while we were trying to prove our enthusiasm for the most deserved winner, I had to admit that 'I am the Barren One' to clinge it (and borrowing daiz's hand for the handover). Pastor Ted was preaching about the barren woman, and how she was to sing despite having nothing.

So there we were, at "The G" on a Sunday, my first footy match, between St Kilda and Carlton Gardens. It was a trashing game, and we cheered for St Kilda on behalf of Ted. It was amusing watching the people, because there would be the funny supporters who say all kinds of things. One guy sweared really hard that we had to suppress our laughter, the other threw his hands in exasperation and went "Oh how does he expect to play the game with his face on the grass", when one guy on his team was being tackled, and that fella just lay still on the ground pretending to look hurt.

Overall, it was a good Aussie experience. The footy is like a cross between soccer and rugby, and it's the national past-time of the people here. There'll be matches going around every week, and they will literally interrupt tv programs to report on the latest tribunal ruiling (these guys fight a lot). You must be supporting a team to be part of the fun tho!

Grinning Daisy

The Saints are on the left, Carlton Gardens on the right. 

The Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG) 

10 Reasons Why I'm Happy

Ten reasons why I am happy:

1) I woke up at 1030am
2) My lecture ended 1hr 15 mins earlier tonight
3) Someone wanted to bring me out to the most expensive Malaysian/Sporean restuarant in Melbourne
4) Someone else is cooking me chicken curry next Friday
5) I'm going to the Myer's Sale tommorrow... with a fren who can get me extra discount!
6) I've finished all my assignments!
7) I still love my house (altho it always smells like dinner, but it's so cosy)
8) It's the last week of my course next week. Feels like I am finishing a marathon.
9) I talked to most of my good friends this week
10) God is still good to me

Huey's Cooking

We thought we do something 'fun' on Fridays. The cook hangs up her apron, the working gal leaves her work behind. This Friday, we felt adventurous enough to visit a different suburb, try a different kind of food. After all, the Japanese Okonomiyaka has been quite an overdose to us throughout the week.

We headed to St Kilda, passing the already-half-drunk middle-age men, passing the van that dispenses free Milo to a crowd of homeless people, and passing the only available 1P parking (arghh). After emptying our wallets of $3.60 full of coins, we entered into Tolerno's, where we were showed to our seats facing the kitchen. That's when the two 'suah koos' here realised we have stepped into Huey's Cooking, literally. The place was cosy, pub-like, with funky murals on the wall (very st kilda); the crowd consists of the better dressed middle-age folks, and a group of 8 ladies who were probably fan of Huey's. Meanwhile, while waiting for our Huey designed Bar Burgers, we were mildly amused with hearing that familar voice waffling out from the hole in the wall. Huey was pretty much in charge of the going-ons in the kitchen and it was fun to see him cook.

The burger turned out to be one of the best ones I've eaten in Melbourne. The meat was succulent and tender, the beetroot was so sweet that you thought you were eating the lindenberries that accompany the Ikea meatballs, and there was a lovely sauce on the home-made buns.

I'll give it a 7.5/10, but alas, Tolerno will be closed in 16 days time.

Huey's Burger

Geek Talk

I'm going to indulge in a little geek talk here. So those not-too-tech-inclined people out there, here's a good chance for you to take your toilet break. Transmission will resume later.

Found myself a great bed companion. Not a man, but IPTV. I think it's worth touting as a promising new technology (Microsoft is rushing to push out it's new IPTV program), and what better way to watch TV in the comfort of your own bedroom without a TV???

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this, because someone ought to be doing more than just harping on the technology. We need some good channels here! I'm going to run out of my usual staple here (having watched Friends from the day Monica looked really funny to her more recent self)... First up, I need some good international news channel. The Age or The Australian are not satifying my usual craving for news while chomping down my breakfast. And yes, with all due respect, I'm getting sick of the 24/7 coverage of Tassie miners stuck in the mine (can someone plsss get them out!).

IPTV... hope it materializes. Don't we live in a strange era where we don't know who will get the last laugh? (not you Bill, cos I'm your minor shareholder).

Rainy Days

Among one of my favourite things is misty windows. I always enjoyed the ride from the SBS bus number 53 during my JC days on a rainy afternoon. The window gets misty, and suddenly the world from the inside looks very warm and comforting. Singapore didn't feel like Singapore on one of those rides.

It hasn't gotten so cold in Melbourne to mist up my windows here. But on this lazy friday afternoon, the rain began to pelt down, and I had my lesser equivalent of a misty window. So here I am, enjoying my Jamie Oliver fish pie (frozen leftover for a week), reading Tax law, conjuring the next annual travel plan with the Tribe over msn, and enjoying every minute of it.


Rainy Days

Wedding Bells

Wedding bells are ringing again! Not mine though.

I have a little confession to make today. We skipped church to go to Chapel Street. Needed a dress for Yuan's wedding, coupled with accessories and all. Despite braving the rain and taking our chance with a good parking lot (hahha!), we came home with only 3 pairs of earrings between us. Must be God's wrath on the pair of desperate shoppers. But let's not pour too much religiousity on it. It's a good weekend after 3 assignments and 1 presentation in a week! And more to come.

And of course... sha will kill me to know that we bought 4 cupcakes, 2 doughnuts and we had leftover fish pie. Lifegroup wasn't meeting formally this week, so we had seafood at Claypots, making this week the official fish/seafood overdose. I'll turn vegetarian for the week.

Die... still no dress. The one I wanted was sold! Thanks to my indecisiveness, or rather, my lack of impulse.

I must study hard this week... cos the weekend will be burnt again with Yuan's wedding.

Easter Break

I started the easter break early. Jamie flew in on Wed and I had just recovered from the flu. Still, that didn't stop us from roving around the streets and coming home all zonked out.

Together with David and Charmayne, we set off early on a Friday morning to the Mornington. Arrived even before any shops were opened. Managed to do some wine tasting at Red Hill (ala toilet break), but our stomachs were waiting for our lunch at Montalto.

Was laden with alcohol by the time we had more wine in Montalto. Cute euro-looking guy at the counter didn't have to persuade much for me to move down the range. We sat at the boarded patio for lunch, overlooking the orange-red field of vines, a wetland, and had an excellent 3 course meal. I had a Tien of Salmon, with mustard dressing and buckwheat slices on a berry drizzle, a steak with an apple-flavoured potato mash for mains and ginger-themed dessert. Not to mention, more wine, since the Chardonnay was sold out at the cellar door.

That made us disgustingly full at the end of the meal. Had a snooze at Cape Schanck while the rain pelted on the car. We all sweared to have a light dinner, but ended up in a Jap place downing sakes. Charmayne is crazy over wines (of all kinds) so we ordered some shots of heated and chilled sakes. Then all came by for a Jap movie that Lucy and Stanley asked Jamie to bring over. We couldn't do any more although Charmayne brought her coke and burbon over. Any more and I'll have an alcohol overdose.

It was Good Friday, and thank God for this great freedom to be where we are!

Lunch at Montalto Wine and Olive Grove

Day out on the Wineries

Left to Right: Great sky blue autumn day at the winery, Montalto's Chardonnay, Dessert of ginger ice cream, quince and salted caramel on crackers.

My Favourite Ad

I really like this Ad that was shown on Tv recently. Honestly speaking, I think this ad is cuter than most babies, or baby pics. Relaunching the Thailand-sourced Honda Jazz, the makers decided to play on the cute factor of this nifty car. Les and I will agree, ah ha, for after all, what smaller car to zip around than a jazz.

Check out the cool ad! http://www.eversonice.com.au/

Beep beep!

The New Honda Jazz Ad