February's List

Posted by eirene83 at 09:36 AM on February 4, 2008.

Well, now that January 31st is over and gone... with everything on the January 31st deadline completed and struck off, I can take a deep breathe that it's over...

And start preparing for February's deadline...

Not counting CNY preparations and everything else, there's a few things that I need to do and unless I write it down, do it and strike it out, it'll keep niggling on my mind ascending to a loud siren as February 29th approaches and I still don't do it.

Does that happen with anyone else?

Fruits Basket!

Gym Rat

Posted by eirene83 at 10:40 AM on February 4, 2008.

It's been a while since I had time enough to spend ages in the gym. When I first signed up, I was still a student thus had time aplenty to wake up in the mornings and only get back home around lunch. (And nowadays on weekend, I just prefer to sleep in and head to the gym in the evenings... )

Anyway on Saturday I was up early and decided to go to the gym... I think I finally discovered where all my stamina went... Along the same path as my 2 hour workouts (1 hour cardio and another hour weights/class)... Not that I was a gym rat exactly, but it felt good.

Not that I have the time or energy to spend but I think once in a while, it'll be good for me to properly kill myself for 120 minutes and then stand under a hot shower and going back for a nap!  

1 onigiri

Scones

Posted by eirene83 at 11:52 PM on February 11, 2008 in Recipes.

Ingredients:

280g flour
50g sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
76g butter, cubed
80ml whipping cream
1 egg

1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
2. Rub in the butter with a pastry blender or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in cream and egg and mix just till it comes together.
4. Knead it lightly a few times and roll it to about 1 1/4 inch thick.
5. Cut with your preferred shape and bake for 15 minutes at 190^oC

I wanted to make scones for the longest time but was terrified. Seriously! I don't like failing and turning out rock-hard scones and wasting perfectly good ingredients. So I had to go without scones for the longest time since I also didn't like the idea of paying so much for scones outside.

Finally, with some time and ample cream on my hands (and after looking through a lot of recipes), I felt confident enough to whip up a batch... and wondered what took me so long. The scones turn out perfect, soft and crumbly on the inside and a nice crisp outside. Tasty, tasty!

Literally, so good you could even eat it on its own. Which I did. And now waiting for the weekend to bake more! Try it! I think it's almost fail-proof as long as you don't add too much flour (just enough so it's no longer sticky) and apparently don't mess with it too much.

Fruits Basket!

What A Difference

Posted by eirene83 at 01:53 PM on February 13, 2008.

I was flipping through some of my old recipe books and wow, what a difference a few years make. Recipes that used to intimidated me, things I weren't interested in or didn't get... Hey, I understand them now!

And better appreciate them so much more now that my visits to the kitchen are more than once in a while. I came across recipes I snubbed ages ago and now I feel like trying them (and conversely, food that always tempted me are more, meeh now... It sounds good, it probably is good... but I'm just not interested.)

I tend to shy away from too challenging a recipe or that requires too long a time. Now, well... I like to think of ways to make it seem less challenging and how to take shortcuts (like proofing bread overnight! ) This year, there's just so many recipes I revisited and want to try...

Hopefully I'll have time enough!  

1 onigiri

Posted by eirene83 at 01:55 PM on February 13, 2008.

2 days back to work already and I'm already pulling overtime...

Some things to be expected while working and overtime is definitely one of them... But till past 12 in the morning?

I'm losing count of the times I had to skip gym because of OT... And I wonder why my weight keeps yo-yoing...

3 onigiri

Songs To Make You Smile

Posted by eirene83 at 02:01 PM on February 13, 2008.

And songs to make you cry.

Today I heard 2 songs which I haven't heard in a long time... Back to back. One made me smile; the other brought back that heartache-y feeling for no rhyme nor reason... The first was 'A Thousand Nights' by Clay Aiken; the second... 'Don't Speak' by No Doubt.

I remember when 'Don't Speak' first came out, it was immensely popular with us high-school girls, and it was dedicated to guys everywhere: the guys we liked; the guys we were with; the guys who just didn't know how to handle our hearts... And hearing it again just pulled that niggling scar that's there but you just forget all about it sometimes until something triggers it.

I just wonder why couldn't I have heard Clay Aiken first. At least there'll be the sweet to soothe the painful. :/

Fruits Basket!

Happy Valentine's Day

Posted by eirene83 at 09:52 AM on February 14, 2008.

Happy Valentine's Day, people?

We got to sneak back early because Boss' wife insisted he let us off because we were all so tired. I wanted to do some baking... But I was really, really too tired to do any sort of 'celebrating' and ended up having a "T.V dinner"...

It's been a while since I've just lounged on the floor (I find it so comfortable, though I wouldn't turn down a nice comfy sofa either ) and watched TV... Till about 1.30am.

So tired for work... 

Fruits Basket!

Casanova

Posted by eirene83 at 04:16 PM on February 15, 2008 in Library.

The reason I was up so late the night before was because of Casanova. I can't believe that it's been 3 years already since that movie came out. And my, Heath Ledger was so handsome in it, God rest his soul...

The movie was as fascinating as I remember it too be... And this exchange had me smirking. Call me cynical, but there's just something so vaguely off about it that it's funny.

Victoria: Bishop Pucci
Pucci: How can I help you my dear?
Victoria: I was a virgin. My virginity was my most cherished possession. My gift from God. My gift was taken from me.
Pucci: Tragic and most damnable. What was the name of this vile seducer?
Victoria: Giacomo Casanova. When Casanova came to my room and... robbed me... I fought for my honour
Pucci: Are you saying that you would be willing to give me the testimony that I need to hang him?
Victoria: Yes. But I would be worried about my reputation.
Pucci: Of course. But I think we could say if everything went according to plan we could return your reputation *and* your virginity to you.
Victoria: You could do that?
Pucci: Oh, yes. We are the Catholic Church. We can do anything.

2 onigiri

Chocolate Chip Scones

Posted by eirene83 at 09:02 AM on February 18, 2008 in Recipes.

Ingredients:

280g self-raising flour
70g sugar
80g butter, cold
120ml heavy cream or buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate chips

1. Whisk together flour and sugar.
2. Rub in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in cream/buttermilk, egg and vanilla extract. Don't overmix.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Knead lightly to form into a ball. Add more flour if dough is still wet and sticky.
6. Roll out and use a cutter or form a circle and cut into 6 wedges.
7. Bake at 200^oC for 20minutes
   

I still haven't quite gotten over my scone craze so made another batch over the weekend. Thankfully, the dough was quite forgiving since I had to manhandle it quite a fair amount and added another 2-3 tbsp flour more. It's also not quite sweet so you may want to up the sugar level, but that's up to your taste.

Both times I baked it, the crust was quite pale though the bottoms were nicely browned. You can opt to glaze it with an egg wash to brown it or you can sprinkle sugar and grill it to make it golden-brown. Flavour and texture-wise, it'll pass as a scone (though I've never tasted a real scone before so I can't pass judgment on that.)

On the whole, this is really easy, all done in one bowl (+ measuring cup and baking sheet) and if you use a small cutter, rewards you with 2 dozen scones!

Happy belated Valentine's! 

Fruits Basket!

Steamroller Where?

Posted by eirene83 at 11:13 AM on February 18, 2008.

I feel right now, like a steamroller smacked me right in the face and proceeded to roll over me.

I'm down with the flu, am sniffling, my throat has a cactus stuffed down it, my body aches and I officially sound like a frog (Or well, as my guy friend said: You sound sooo sexy!)

Damn. And CLP convocation is on Tuesday. Looks like I'm going to need make-up to look halfway alive.

Wish me luck! ^_^V

1 onigiri

Nothing Good

Posted by eirene83 at 11:13 AM on February 18, 2008.

I totally forgot that it was my brother's birthday until I saw that the handphone was showing 17th February. I was wondering vaguely why it sounded familiar until I remembered.

My mom forgot it was her son's birthday. So sitting in the car together, we thought we'd get him a cake. For the first time in many years. (Maybe about 10 years?) I wasn't sure if we should. I mean, we've never gotten him a cake since he started working.

My dad insisted.

So we got him a cake.

Then it started raining.

Then my brother said he wasn't coming for dinner.

See! I was sure nothing good would come out of doing something for a change. Lol, on the bright side, I got to eat the green tea red bean cake. My favourite. (My brother doesn't like chocolate, which eliminates about 70% of the cake selection, my mom doesn't like cheese, so that's like 20% so I just got what I wanted! Hehehe)

Fruits Basket!

Discovering America

Posted by eirene83 at 11:13 AM on February 18, 2008.

Christopher Columbus didn't have a business plan when he discovered America.

Follow your dream.

Fruits Basket!

500 Bucks A Pop

Posted by eirene83 at 12:28 PM on February 20, 2008.

So convocation's come and gone. How was it? Well, I wouldn't say I enjoyed it... but I rather liked the pre-convocation.

I got there early to register and hung around chatting with some CLP mates I haven't seen since, well... since the exams. Some people tried to get me to sign up for some photograph packages but since my family isn't in the inclination to hang up any photos, graduation or not (Proof: Both mine and my brother's Degree graduation photos are not up... and are probably acting as coasters somewhere.), so I didn't feel like spending even RM80 on it, what to say of RM450 for a family package.

The convocation itself was... Meehhh. I mean, I got there at 10am to register, the smarter ones came around 12... And still the ceremony started at 3. So a lot of us were sleepy by the time speeches started. Cert-giving, name-calling... 10 seconds across the stage, get your cert and pop, it's over. RM500 gone.

Anyhow it was fine. And I'll post pictures as soon as I get them resized!  

2 onigiri

Posted by eirene83 at 02:07 PM on February 21, 2008.

Did I ever mention how I hate coming down with dry coughs? Somehow they always seem to stick to you longer and make you feel like crap compared to phlegmy coughs.

And so I've lost my voice to the dry cough and I can't laugh since I'm going to end up wheezing...

So much for sexy.

On the bright side, I think I'm also feeling slightly better! :D 

Fruits Basket!

Vanilla

Posted by eirene83 at 09:38 AM on February 25, 2008.

Vanilla's boring. No, I mean, I like it and all... Especially French Vanilla... and L'Occitane's Vanilla perfume (it reminds me a bit of Sarsi, really.)... but overall, I don't really like like vanilla.

And I don't like using vanilla essence/flavouring in my baking. Probably because mine's those type you typically find at sundry stores for less than RM5 a bottle as compared to pure vanilla extract that can go up to some crazy hundreds per bottle. No matter how little I use, my mom can always detect it and well, frankly... munching on some scones flavoured with vanilla, I agree with her how fake the taste is and really, I think I much prefer plain unflavoured scones.

Besides, there's so many wonderful flavours in this world and even though I agree that sometimes basic is best... I doubt I'd pick vanilla as my flavour of choice. I'm just not a vanilla person, I guess. What about you?

3 onigiri

Something From The Nightside

Posted by eirene83 at 09:39 AM on February 25, 2008.

I got another parcel again. By now my parents have figured to stop exclaiming that I've bought another book because well, I didn't. But then again, you would probably know best, wouldn't you, whoever you are, since you're the one sending them?

Would you like to know how the book was? I liked it. It reminded me of a cross between Neil Gaiman's 'Neverwhere' and Anne Bishop's 'Sebastian' from her Ephemera duology. In a way, more Anne Bishop than Neil Gaiman since Nightside is supposed to be the heart of London, the darker side... where it's always 3 am.

It's a bit repetitive, the plot and some of those famous sentences... But since it's suppose to be a rather long series, I suppose it's just building up to the heart of the main story, clues unfolding little by little in each book.

Anyhow, it was a recommendation and I rather enjoyed it. Been a while since I last read anything. So thank you, whoever you are for sending me it.

4 onigiri

Secrets To Living A Long Life

Posted by eirene83 at 09:40 AM on February 25, 2008.

The only few times I get to watch cable TV is while I'm doing cardio exercises at the gym, and even then, it's a choice between MTV, CNN or National Geographic. Most times I focus on National Geographic... Unless 'My Super Sweet Sixteen' is on. Or 'Wanna Come In?"...

You learn all sorts of interesting stuff from National Geographic, yanno? Last thing I watched was on scientists trying to find a way to make humans live longer... (As if we don't do enough damage on Earth already in the 70-80 odd years we live. Imagine what would happen if we lived some 200 years!) by examining the genes of long-lived animals (ie, elepahants, turles, whales, sturgeons, clams and some weird underwater plant which name I forgot but has been alive since the last Ice Age.)

So the secrets to living for a long long time according to National Geographic?

• Eat less; but

• Drink more red wine and eat more chocolates;

• Stay in a cold climate;

• Procreate later in life; but

• Do more exercises, especially sex 

2 onigiri

It's Called Morning Sickness

Posted by eirene83 at 10:57 AM on February 25, 2008.

Standing blearily in front of the bathroom mirror, toothbrush in mouth, you get morning sickness.

It's when you would rather rip out your own throat than go to work. Give yourself a concussion. Get horrible diarrhoea. Anything. Just so you wouldn't have to go into office. Oh, work is fine. You adore your colleagues. Workload can be a bit much at times, but it's interesting and you're learning. It's just The Boss you can't tolerate. (And incidentally, neither can all your colleagues.)

That's morning sickness.

Love your job, kids... Or you'll kill yourself each day dreading another day in the office.

Bright cheerful post to get your day going.

3 onigiri

Graduation Photos Uploaded

Posted by eirene83 at 01:46 PM on February 26, 2008 in Personal.

Finally, the graduation pictures as promised! Didn't feel like uploading a lot, so here are just a few... Not that I had much choice in selection

For 'record purposes' apparently. No, I didn't pay the RM80 to take this... but when I go collect the prepaid photos, I'll see how this turned out. If anything, just to have a proper shot of me in my robes.

Aren't those cute?! I've never got a bear bouquet before, much less for graduation! Hehehe, this makes up for not getting flowers during my Degree convocation. :D

See that cheap looking trophy? Compliments of the photo studio. And if you had bought any photo packages, you can also get a Mashi Maro in graduation robes. As if I want that!

Yup, that's me. God only knows why it's a backshot but I think this will be the shots for my prepaid photos, so that's all good.

Yes, yes I know... The pictures are either dark, blurry, far far away or just not showing my face. Like I said, didn't have much choice in the selection... And yea, no pictures with my family because for some reason, I didn't have those resized. 

Anyway, that was it. RM500 just for that moment above. The robes were just normal Court robes without any faculty colours or fur. Was still darn heavy though! We all had shoulder aches by the end of it. And besides, if you still want better photos, wait till I get called to the Bar since then I'll have to wear it everytime I appear in Courts.

2 onigiri

Crunchy Or Chewy

Posted by eirene83 at 09:56 AM on February 27, 2008.

I love cookies. Give me a cookie, any type of cookie and chances are, I'll like it. I'm not fussy. It doesn't need to be a specific flavour before I'll eat it: Gingerbread, chocolate, vanilla, sugar, toffee, pepper, chilli. Really. I'll try any cookie once.

Of course, my top favourite cookie would be the double chocolate one sold in Somerfield, the thick, crispy edges chewy centre, oozy melted chocolate warm goodness that we lingered around like hungry wolves for and snapped up the moment they brought it out, no chance to shelf it. So good. So so so so good.

And there was Mrs. Field's. Specialises in chewy. Expensive as heck, but again, so delicious. Famous Amos, small crunchy and a tad too sweet but I'll take it. Crispy, crunchy, chewy or just plain soft, I'll take them all.

So when I encounter people who will only eat crunchy cookies, I blink a while. I've almost always encountered people who will only take crunchy crispy cookies, never those who will only eat chewy. Sure, it boils down to individual preference but still, there's this world of deliciousness to be explored in chewy centres! I wonder if it's due to that mental blockage that chewy/soft is old, stale cookies that makes people not take chewy.

Chewy oatmeal, chewy chocolate chip, chewy omigod double chocolate chip... It's all just says yum to me.

1 onigiri

Vegan Vegetarian

Posted by eirene83 at 04:18 PM on February 27, 2008.

It wasn't until I was in UK that I realised there was a difference between vegan and being vegetarian... And how really strict a vegan diet was.

Vegans don't consume or utilise anything derived from animals. And really, it's not just limited to not consuming meat. No dairy products (milk, cream, cheese, butter and all that stuff), no honey even, no wool or leather or silk.

I used to know some vegetarians who take milk but not eggs, some who take eggs but not milk... Some who only take egg whites (since it won't form part of the chick)... But that definitely won't do under vegan standards.

So it got me thinking. True vegans sure don't have it easy. Sure, maybe they're already used to it... but think of the amount of recipes out there that involve using animal products or by-products. Yet a lot of people manage to veganise a lot of recipes out there. (Of course, I think it also costs a bit more to veganise recipes.)

Anyway, just a thought really.

1 onigiri

Happy Birthday, Leaplings!

Posted by eirene83 at 09:40 AM on February 29, 2008.

It's a day that only comes once every 4 years... So go out and celebrate and have 4 times the amount of fun than you normally do. After all, it's not every day that you get to celebrate your birthday on the exact day itself right?

Did you know there's a tradition that females can propose to men in leap years? I can't remember, but there's some who say that it is only and only on February 29 that a woman can propose to a man...

And if the man should reject the proposal, then he has to soften the blow by giving something. As far as I remember, any man who rejects the proposal has to give a silk gown. Wikipedia says a kiss, a pound currency, and a pair of gloves.

So, any guy out there hoping to get proposed to today? It's be quite cool, I think.  

1 onigiri