Knickknackery and other idiosyncrasies

My new toy - A Bosch dishwasher!

2011-07-11T09:55:00.000+08:00

I knew there was no turning back when I was introduced to the dishwasher in the States. It's a little extravagant but it will save me plenty of time and arguments with hubs on who should do the dishes when things start to get busy again! Definitely a worthwhile investment! *grin*

Baby potion or poison

2011-07-11T09:27:00.002+08:00

It has been a year since the stork delivered and taketh away. Nada since.
The parents are naturally getting [really] impatient. That strange looking liquid above, prepared specially by my MIL, is supposed to "warm" my body in preparation for incubation. Now if there is one reason for me to conceive quickly, this would be it. I don't think I can stand to consume one more drop of this horrible concoction. *retch* I can only hope that the stork would deliver sooner...*pls!*

An eventful week

2011-07-07T14:58:00.001+08:00

I came back from a company retreat over the weekend feeling all charged up only to find Alfonso acting strangely. Exactly one year after Chewy had passed on. It is happening all over again. The abnormal eye movements, the loss of balance....We hope it is just an ear infection that will go away with the antibiotics. It has been a tiring past few days keeping a close eye on him and force-feeding his meds and liquid food. We have also padded his cage in preparation for the inevitable rolling. We can only hope that he will stay strong throughout...
Get well soon, my little one.

Earth to blogosphere. Roger.

2011-06-28T10:12:00.001+08:00

I know I have been out of the radar for too long but I hope this transmission still reaches you! ;) So what's new?
A new career...
The contract has been sealed and I begin work in a couple of weeks. Friends describe my career move as a "brave one" but I know whatever the outcome, this transition will be a great learning experience and eye opener for me. There was no formal farewell from my previous dept. After all, I have been away for 1 1/2 years and half the office is made up of new staff who do not know who I am. But that said, I feel there is a lack of closure to this chapter of my [work] life and it kind of leaves a bitter aftertaste...But ah, such is life.
A new wardrobe...
The morph from slaving housewife to senior management means the need for a wardrobe overhaul! I have already burnt a huge hole in my pocket but I do believe this is necessary intervention. ;P
A new car...
Well, not quite. Just the certificate of entitlement for the car alone already cost around $30,000 SGD so you can imagine how crazy the prices for cars are over here. We have decided to settle for a second hand car that we managed to get at dealer price for a start. Perhaps one day, we will be able to afford that dream car of mine...

So that's that. Let the new chapter begin...:)

Exciting times! :)))

2011-06-02T04:15:00.000+08:00

I got the job!!!! Woohoo!!!!

Just one of those days.

2011-05-31T11:34:00.000+08:00

Woke up [really late] with an impending headache and a blanket of depression.
What's up with that? Sigh.

Liberated!

2011-05-29T09:24:00.001+08:00

We had the contractor remove the hideous grilles yesterday and now finally, an unobstructed view of the blue sky and greenery! Amazing what that little change does for the soul! :)

Mmmm....

2011-05-29T09:03:00.002+08:00

It's the season for my favourite food of all times...Chinese dumplings aka Bak Chang!

Yums! :)

Jailhouse Bird

2011-05-25T11:38:00.004+08:00

That's what I feel like in my very own home. We have agreed for our previous tenants to put up window grilles for the safety of their children. However, they look so awful and totally obstruct the lovely vista we have outside. Honestly, I can't stand to look at them a minute longer. Now, if hubby would hurry up and make an appointment with the contractor to have them removed already!

Attack of the Red Army!

2011-05-25T10:34:00.002+08:00

Spot the little monsters if you can!

They are EVERYWHERE! Taking a dip in my water, jacuzzing in my kettle, feasting on my meals & leftovers, going on sugar high from all that candies or anything sweet and nipping me ever so often! And now they are even invading my MacBook! Gosh..how do I deal with them?! Any suggestions?!

With love, from Singapore :)

2011-05-23T09:48:00.003+08:00

We're bacccckkk and our furball is very much alive and adapting really well back home. :) We arrived a couple of weeks ago and the first thing that greeted us was the heat. It sure hasn't been fun settling in feeling all hot and sweaty. Didn't help that our tenants had left us with a bunch of things to fix around the apt. Sigh. Anyway, things are slowly moving into place which is a relief. Am glad to finally have my home internet up and running so now I can blog again! I've got plenty of catching up to do on my blog reading as well! :)
On a more exciting note, my series of interviews for the new job is well on the way. I have cleared round 2 so far and am moving on to the third this week - lunch with the Chairman. I can think up a whole lot of things that can go wrong during the lunch meeting - veggies stuck between teeth, choking on food mid-sentence, sauce around the mouth... I seriously need to think through my food choice carefully. ;)
Will keep you all updated on my progress. Wish me luck! :)

April

2011-04-09T04:12:00.002+08:00

I turn a year older! *Bells..whistles..balloons popping*

Spring is taking its time to make a grand entrance. We hope it would be sooner than later!

We turned a 5 hours drive to Grand Rapids into 8 hours by falling asleep at a rest stop. Heh. Weather was nasty but we were happy to meet up with old friends and made a stop by the pet cemetery where my first bunny, Warewee, was buried.

Been trying to pack for our trip back. Getting nowhere with half the things still in usage. Our apt is emptying pretty quickly though. No more comfy chair to watch TV on!

My mum arrives today! [Doing some last minute cleaning so I don't get nagged at tonight!]

Off traveling next week! Looks like it is going to be a wet trip but hopefully no major storms and a glimpse of sunshine every now and then!

And...a couple more weeks before we are headed home...boohoo! :S

Reeling from CIFF...

2011-04-05T22:59:00.001+08:00

...The 35th Cleveland International Film Fest, that is. It officially ended last Sunday. Am still recovering from having to wake up too early for the morning [volunteer] shifts but it was well worth it! :) There were some truly bizarre films but here's two of my favorites from this fest:

Films like these make me wanna smack myself for whining so much and start doing something constructive already!

The city that never sleeps...

2011-03-25T00:50:00.001+08:00

It was contagious. I had sleepless nights in the Big Apple. Overstimulation from all that excitement bubbling through the city perhaps - The sights, the sound, the lights and all that diversity of people. (Kinda reminds me of home actually but more exciting!) The trip itself was really rushed with us trying to cram in as many sights as we could in that few days. We also underestimated the weather and did not layer enough - it was freezing and we had so much walking to do outdoors! *Brrrr...!* But that said, we had a great time and I am definitely returning! Here are some highlights of our trip:

A bit of Irish luck

2011-03-20T23:38:00.004+08:00

One of our girlfriends had her car broken into on St Patrick's day. I would like to think that the thieves didn't manage to take off with it (despite all that sawing to get to the engine), well, perhaps because the car happened to be green. I was convinced a little bit of Irish luck must have rubbed off on her. We went around town that day with clover necklaces and a huge clover printed top hat and decided we were going to throw an Irish themed dinner party. So last evening, the group of us each prepared an Irish dish and turned up at my place in various shades of green. It was a fun evening as always. Hopefully, the Irish luck will continue to stay with us for a long time!:)

Dishes include Irish lamb stew, colcannon, soda bread, fish, sausages, salad and a very green trifle dessert ;)

Moving with the winds [of change].... Again!

2011-03-15T00:14:00.002+08:00

Here's the news - we are packing our bags and heading home in less than 2 months! Yup, you heard right. We are going back to our tiny little island. Crazy, eh? It's all good really. Opportunity knocks for hubby and it would be a waste not to answer it. In all that excitement, I've also decided to venture out of my comfort zone and have applied for a managerial role in another institution back home. I've been in one organization all my life and I think it is time to move on. Well, I guess it is now or never. Fingers crossed that I get the job! :)
Busy past weeks and I was often in a daze. I had to work out the list of stuff we needed to sell, pack & ship. I went into an online shopping frenzy for work clothes and shoes. Made a last minute trip to NY with my friends just last week and am planning a 2 weeks US trip with my mum this April. I have also volunteered for a week long of the Cleveland Film Fest this month (& catching as many films as I can), so that leaves me with very little time. But things are moving along which is good. Honestly, I am a little halfhearted about going back to pressure cooker land but at the same time, I'm excited to be able to work again. I think I've had enough fun for now. ;)

IF

2011-02-24T09:44:00.000+08:00

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

Random happy things...

2011-02-08T20:37:00.002+08:00

It hasn't been fun recovering from a very persistent, nagging cough. [It's been 2 weeks now!] The weather hasn't been agreeing with us either - mostly dark, cold and dreary. Well, times like these call for happy thoughts so here goes:

1) Bargain movie Mondays! (even though I should avoid going down the dark path. Both "Black Swan" and "Biutiful" were terribly depressing! It will definitely have to be a happy movie the next time!)
2) A round of applause - Received a compliment note from a head usher I work with at the theatre. It is always nice to have your work recognized. However small. :)
3) South Pacific - an evening of fun-filled musical
4) Tea with friends on a stormy winter day. The pastries at Presti's bakery are oh so good!
5) This polka dot dress:

Currently, way beyond my budget but I shall wait patiently for it to go on sale. :)

Our Reunion Dinner.

2011-02-04T03:43:00.003+08:00

It was a simple fare. Just hubby, me & our little bunny - he got to eat his favourite cilantro while we ate abalone. ;) CNY has been rather quiet here but we're planning a little celebration next Saturday with a cooking competition thrown in so that should be pretty fun! I'll probably be doing a sweet and sour pork dish. Sure hope it turns out well! :)
In the meantime, here's wishing all my Chinese [& non-Chinese] friends out there a prosperous and bouncy bunny year ahead! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

K-drama. Uh-Oh.

2011-01-31T21:51:00.000+08:00

No thanks to the flu bug that kept me housebound, I've started on Korean drama series again purely out of sheer boredom. Sounds harmless enough but trust me, it can be sooo addictive!! I have killed a few DVDs players in the past simply from marathon watching. Strangely, they usually go kaput after I've completed a series! Anyway, not looking forward to going cold turkey again when the time comes [took me great pains to wean myself off the last time!] but I shall enjoy it for now! I've got an excuse afterall! ;P

Hello again, Wintry Cleveland!

2011-01-28T20:00:00.001+08:00

The trip back home was good but I'm actually quite happy to be back in good ol' Cleveland. Singapore was just crazy busy with people and cars everywhere! Weather was surprisingly cool at first but then it got hot and humid again. And it didn't help that I had caught the flu bug that was spreading rampantly on the sunny island. I had to cancel on friends and spend two days of my two weeks at home. Boo! Still, I had fun catching up with everyone and satisfying all my food cravings!
Am currently still nursing a bad throat but finally getting the rest I needed. (Yes, I've been sleeping a whole lot since I returned 2 days ago!) Hopefully, I'll be well enough soon to indulge in the last lap of winter activities! It's plenty of water and rest for now!
How have all of you been? :)

Wide awake! @@

2011-01-09T04:22:00.000+08:00

It's 4.20am now and I am still sooooo awake! Hubs is playing computer games in the other room. Feel like a mouse in this house right now with all that whispering and tiptoeing around. hehe. Must try to get to sleep soon! I am so going to be a zombie in the day! @@

Home sweet home!

2011-01-08T12:25:00.000+08:00

We finally made it home this morning after a gruelling 30 hours journey (including a 7 hours layover at JFK airport). Thank goodness for the skyclub lounge which made our long transit in NY more tolerable! We have been stuffed silly with loads of food since we came back. Supposed to go out for dinner this evening - hopefully I'll able to keep my eyes open then! Will write again when my brain is less fuzzy! Going to snooze now....

A cleaner home and I'm set to go!

2011-01-06T03:55:00.000+08:00

I have been spring cleaning for the past week. It's amazing the amount of junk I've accumulated over just a span of less than a year here in Cleveland. The leaky air mattress I acquired, those few cable/ telephone wires I have no idea what to do with (Well, I did make a funny hat out of them for X'mas!), lots of paper/ magazines/ newspaper, boxes after boxes....I still have not completely sorted them out but at least I managed to clear some. All will be cleared out by Chinese New Year, that's for sure!
And I'd be on the other side of the globe by this weekend! Yay! My calender is filling up really quickly. Wish I had more time! I'm just going to make the best of it - eat as much as I can, meet as many friends, and spend as much time as I can with my family. I'm not looking forward to the long haul flight but the inflight movie marathon should keep me entertained. Will try to update when I'm back home but if not, I'll be back in two weeks!

The new millenium begins!

2011-01-01T23:42:00.000+08:00

I woke up this morning to the sound of a happy bunny doing his speedy Gonzales happy run - the perfect energy to start off the new year! And in all my excitement, I've succeeded in breaking one of the blinds [yet again]. Oops!
We'll be heading back to sunny island for a short hols in a week. Looking forward to being with friends and family again and all that food I miss! Not to forget that much needed haircut! One of my mission for this trip is also to declutter the [plenty of] stuff I have back home. My motto for the year is to live a fuller life with lesser things! Let's see how far this takes me! ;)

Happy 2011, everyone! :D

A hike to celebrate winter solstice...

2010-12-23T11:26:00.003+08:00

...on a perfect evening. I like! :)

In all seriousness...

2010-12-21T23:40:00.000+08:00

I was at a Christmas party the other day and everyone was supposed to name one thing they were thankful for in the last year and a prayer request for the new year. I was particularly touched by the honesty and sensibility of some of the young ones. No, they did not ask for the latest Xbox game or a pretty doll to play with. Instead, they prayed for good health for their sick grandparents, ability to do well at school and for everyone in the family to be happy. Wow. I was truly humbled.

Mother Nature's Artwork

2010-12-20T08:36:00.000+08:00

I finally got to see the lighthouse encased in ice on Lake Erie. Quite an amazing piece of work by Mother Nature, don't you think?

Dancing with Kinect

2010-12-17T23:06:00.002+08:00

The console finally arrived yesterday! I had called DELL up the beginning of the week to find out the status of the delivery only to discover that they had cancelled the order because they had no stock! I was pretty upset at first but immediately found a deal for the Xbox console (the last one at walmart!) and the kinect sensor separately which turned out to be cheaper. So yay!
I'll be practising my moves this weekend (in between grocery shopping and a caroling session) and I'm so gonna beat hubby in the game! Woohoo!

Tea bag wisdom

2010-12-15T23:31:00.000+08:00

"A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Considering the amount of tea I drink, does that make me even stronger? Hmmm...;)

In all festivity...

2010-12-13T23:15:00.000+08:00

It was Christmas carols overload last week. From the Cleveland orchestra's holiday concert to Neil Zaza's One silent night (Christmas carols rock guitar style at crazy decibels!) and not to forget the non-stop Christmas songs playing on most radio stations. I think I've heard enough for the season. Heh.
Winter is absolutely gorgeous. It has been nice and sunny after the first storm and I've made my first snow angel and trampled on whatever nice snow patch I could find. But the weather has made a turn for the worse again last evening and I'm convinced I will either get blown away or freeze to death if I step out of my apt today. So yeah, home is where I'll be today! :)

All squishy and slushy

2010-12-09T22:37:00.002+08:00

We had it bad in Cleveland yesterday - weather wise. Snow was pouring down on us for hours due to the lake effect and traffic was practically on a standstill everywhere just after noon. Hubs only came home past 11 pm after the traffic was decidedly better in our area. I was glad I get to stay home although I couldn't resist running out in the cold to snap a few pics. My friend and I had also paid for a historic warehouse tour in downtown last evening but there was no way we could have made it there. People were trapped in the traffic for hours at end going nowhere. Unfortunately, we were told that we'll not be getting a refund as it was also meant to be a fund raising event. But it is a good $60 and honestly, they might as well go rob someone! I am still hoping to get some money back. *fingers crossed*
Otherwise, weather is looking more promising today. A few flurries but nothing as bad as yesterday. I can finally make a trip to the supermarket today. My fridge is practically empty now!

Hope the weather is better on your side! Keep warm and drive carefully, everyone! :)

A sad day

2010-12-09T00:22:00.003+08:00

Just received news from back home that a high school classmate of mine had jumped to her death. She had been suffering from post natal depression but had refused to seek medical help. She leaves behind her little baby daughter. :(

Beware, the mystery shopper!

2010-12-06T03:48:00.000+08:00

I took my first assignment very seriously (ahem!) and began my observations the moment I entered the restaurant (hubs as alibi):
How long did the hostess take to attend to me? *checks time* Did she give us an accurate waiting time? Is the server friendly and attentive to our needs? Must remember to check serving time between the appetizer and entrees. Wait, the server didn't check on us to make sure we are happy with our appetizer *makes a mental note* Takes note of presentation, temperature and taste of food served. Hmm...let me check the cleanliness of the restaurant. Now, where is that manager that I'm supposed to look out for? Oh, I need to make a trip to the toilet too! .....
Ordinarily, I would have been quite happy to enjoy my meal without the server popping by ever so often with the obligatory "How are you finding everything so far?". However, I was required to take note of the server's attentiveness and couldn't help but notice that he was spending more time checking on our neighboring table than on us. So that was one less point for him! But overall, we were very satisfied with our meals and the highly recommended bread pudding was really yummy! We ended up spending $20 more than what would be reimbursed but it was still a pretty worthwhile meal and a fun experience. I will definitely be keeping an eye for more assignments like this in future! :)

Tis the season to be jolly (or spending!)....

2010-12-01T23:46:00.003+08:00

Ah..the first of Dec and what better way to kick off the day than with a blanket of white outside. Perfect day to simply curl up with a book and a nice cuppa hot chocolate! Will need to get myself out there for my first mystery shopper assignment this evening though. A $50 reimbursement for a nice dinner for 2 at a local pub & restaurant and in return I need to fill out a little survey about the restaurant. A pretty nice deal really. I just hope the weather does not get too treacherous tonight!
In other news, I've been doing a lot of shopping lately. After the initial disappointment of seeing the Xbox 360 250GB console with Kinect sold out everywhere or at ridiculously marked up prices, we finally secured a set for ourselves at Dell online store yesterday. I have also ordered two additional games from amazon at $10 discount each. I'm not one to play games but the idea of being THE controller is way cool and right up my alley. I think we'll really enjoy this one and it will serve as our exercise for winter. Can't wait for the set to arrive!
I'm also done with my X'mas shopping and have stocked up on warm clothing for the both of us. Managed to purchase a Furla bag for my mum at an unbeatable price - I'm extremely pleased with the deal. As for myself, I've got my eyes on this leather satchel bag from ASOS. Am currently having an internal argument with myself on whether I really do need it but we'll see...;P

So how is your Christmas shopping coming along? :)

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks to...

2010-11-29T12:19:00.001+08:00

...Good food and great company
...Good weather and smooth driving on the roads
...A wonderful time with friends in Pittsburgh
...& something warm and fuzzy to look forward to when we returned home!

Hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving weekend too! :)

All I want to do is crawl back to bed...

2010-11-24T03:31:00.002+08:00

I slept terribly last night, no thanks to a very clogged nose. It took alot of rustling of magazines and gnawing on the wooden wall panel by a certain fur-ball of a thing under my bed to finally make me pull myself out from under my comforters at 11 am this morning. Turns out that little creature was trying to make a statement. He wanted me to fill up his food bowl - STAT! Seems like I am slave to every living thing in this apt. *Pfttt...!*
There's a list of things I planned to do today but I'm still pretty much in a daze right now. Forced myself to do some grocery shopping earlier and I was practically falling asleep in the supermarket. Oh well, my bed beckons...good night...good afternoon! Will write when I return from slumberland. *Zzzz....*

Happy me! (Or I'm so lazy...I'm going to skip class this evening!)

2010-11-23T06:16:00.003+08:00

The past weekend was nice. We ate at "The Mad Greek" restaurant which I've been wanting to go to for the longest time. Nice ambiance and the food (a fusion of Greek and Indian cuisine) was good. Watched Harry Potter and the deathly hallows. Loved the fact that we did not have to fight a crowd for the movie. Managed to get Hubs into Marshalls to try on the winter jackets and bought one - an otherwise impossible task! On Sunday, we were meant to go grocery shopping but the weather was so pleasant that we made an impromptu decision to drive to Rocky River Reservation instead. The leaves had mostly fallen but it was a lovely drive and we took a nice little walk there before finally making our way to the Asian supermarket. I suspect this might just be our last weekend of good weather. I'd probably be needing those gloves this Thanksgiving weekend! "Let it snow..let it snow...let it snow!"

Pink Martini Concert

2010-11-19T21:58:00.001+08:00

I had such a splendid time last evening! It was a last minute decision to go for the concert and what a treat it was! Honestly, I've not heard of Pink Martini until quite recently. A friend of mine was raving about them and told me about their one night performance here in Cleveland. I sampled their music online and really liked what I heard. So there I was at the concert yesterday and wow, they were even better live! An extremely talented 12 musicians band with their lead vocalist China Forbes belting out tunes in various languages. They even did a number in Chinese, "Gong Xi Gong Xi" (aka "Congratulations") which unfortunately turned out rather awful. But that aside, beautiful music, lovely evening and you bet, I am certainly a fan now! :)

Let's Play Doctor!

2010-11-18T20:53:00.000+08:00

No, not in a kinky way. ;) I've been helping hubs prepare for his final medical licensing exam this week by playing pretend patient. We went through case scenarios after case scenarios and my roles ranged anything from a 30 year old abused wife to a 50 year old man with impotence. It was hilarious trying to answer questions about my erectile dysfunction. Haha.
Anyhoo, his exams are in a few hours so break a leg, honey!!! We'll celebrate your birthday proper when you get back! *Muacks!*

Chwee Kueh

2010-11-16T01:34:00.001+08:00

Last night, I had a sudden inspiration to make Chwee Kueh (aka steamed rice cake with preserved radish) for breakfast this morning. My sister had brought over the aluminum molds for me but they've just been sitting in the cupboard. So I looked up the first recipe I could find online and got to cooking. The recipe was pretty easy but I was (and still am) unsure as to how thick the batter should be before transferring them to the individual molds. The rice cakes turned out a little too soggy and I almost threw them out but they tasted just fine after sitting overnight in the fridge. (Phew!) I topped them with fried preserved radish this morning and breakfast was served! :)

Recipe adapted from Jas's Kitchen:
Ingredients:
180g rice flour
25g corn flour
800ml water
2 tbsp oil
½ tsp salt

1. Place the two flours into a bowl and pour about 300 ml water. Mix to form a smooth batter. Strain.
2. Bring remaining (500ml) water, oil and salt to boil. Reduce to low heat. Pour in batter and stir constantly till it thickens.
3. Grease a few chwee kueh molds. Pour the mixture into each mold and place it on steamer. Steam over rapidly boiling water for about 10 minutes.
4. Remove from mold.
5. Serve hot with radish topping. (Preserved radish fried with minced garlic and sugar)

Dent No More!

2010-11-15T12:27:00.000+08:00

The dent on my bumper miraculously disappeared! Yay!
This crazy weather does have its advantages after all! ;-)

This could be my full-time job! ;)

2010-11-13T23:35:00.003+08:00

It has been a busy week of volunteering. I was a kitchen helper at the Cleveland Foodbank, which involved preparing trays of frozen roasted chicken and pouring gravy over them. I went in with no expectations and was surprised by how large the building and store was. I was a little tickled to be told that I could cause the whole operation to shut down if I did not observe the hygiene regulations in the kitchen. It certainly would be disastrous if the place has to close down after my very first visit! The next day saw me doing inventory check and packing at a unique shop selling crafts for third world people to ensure that they earn a fair wage. Some of the stuff are really pretty and exquisite and it is nice to know that the things do sell well. Yesterday, my friend and I spent the entire day helping out at the Fabulous food show which featured celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations, food and wine tastings. It was a mighty big turn out for a Friday morning and we were swamped initially. We did have our fun later in the day with endless sampling of food and drinks, freebies and sitting in for some of the cooking demos. The admission fee was rather pricey ($30 for general admission and more for celebrity shows and the wine tasting pavilion) so we didn't really mind the long hours shift. Plus they did provide us with free lunch and a free admission ticket to use over the weekend. Finally, I've got one more ushering job at the theatre this weekend and I'm done for the week! Looking forward to sleeping in this Sunday! :)

Snapshots of DC

2010-11-11T04:01:00.003+08:00

Pics of some of the places I visited. I would love to have gone up the Washington monument but the elevator broke down the first time and the tickets were all snapped up the second time I got there. Guess it was not meant to be but I did get the second best view of DC from the Old Post Office instead. My favourite attractions have got to be the Washington National Cathedral and the Library of Congress. Absolutely stunning architecture and interior. Wish I had more time to spend in there!

Argh!

2010-11-10T06:14:00.000+08:00

Thanks to my wonderful parking, my car kissed a truck today. Now there is an unsightly dent on my back bumper while there is barely a scratch on the other vehicle. Sigh.

To the White House and back! :)

2010-11-09T02:37:00.005+08:00

It has been a good trip. :) There is really so much to see in DC and the best part of it - the attractions are mostly free! I visited 4 museums and spent a good half a day at the Holocaust museum. Even then, I did not manage to cover all the sections! Hubs was only available to hang out with me on the first day and I was subsequently on my own. Decided to take the old town trolley hop-on hop-off tour who worked out really well since it gave me a nice overview of the city and I got the second day pass free! Also got to know a new friend, Tatiana, a Russian lady who has just completed her Master's program here in the States and doing her bit of traveling before heading home by end of the year.
The highlight of my trip was of course my meet-up with fellow blogger, Sugarlens! :) It's really nice to be able to put a voice and real life figure to the blog I've been following for a while now. Her little one, Anna, is still warming up to strangers and I'm glad she was not completely put off by my presence. In fact, I managed to get a few giggles out of her! And the two little doggies, Pesto and Pargo are such sweethearts and so well-behaved! I really hope we'll have a chance to meet up again in the near future - hubbies in tow! :)
It's back to the grind for now. Plenty of laundry and ironing awaiting me! *Grrr....!*

Evidence to show that little Anna did warm up to me! ;)

DC trip

2010-11-02T05:33:00.003+08:00

Am pretty much packed and all set to go! We've just got to deliver Alfonso to our bunny-sitter this evening. Hopefully, our little furry one will adapt okay to his new environment. I wish I could bring him along! Anyway, we'll be back in a week.
Till then, have a great week everyone! :)

It is friggin' cold in here!

2010-10-29T02:51:00.001+08:00

I'm currently wearing three layers of clothing in the apt and trying to stay warm with yet another hot cuppa tea. Darn central heating (or the lack of it!). I think my landlord is trying to kill us. *Brrrr....!*

Pardon my depression

2010-10-28T23:39:00.000+08:00

Day 2 bleeding and a sore reminder that I have failed once again in the whole baby making business. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have been so affected by this but things are different now that my mum and in-laws are all psyched for a grand kid. I really regret disclosing my first pregnancy to them so early in the first place. Now it is all about "Any news?"..."Watch what you eat"..."Take care of your body"..."I've never had much difficulty conceiving in my time but I was younger then"..."Do not fly back to visit if you are pregnant"...yada yada. I know they mean well but seriously, I feel like an incubator right now. And a dysfunctional one at that. I'm doing my best not to let them get to me but it continues to slowly eat away at my subconscious. Hopefully, this is just a hormonal phase I am going through. Sigh...

Length does matter.

2010-10-28T04:25:00.002+08:00

Alright, I've got non-existent eye lashes. The one time that anyone could visibly see something sprouting out from my eyelids was on my wedding day and they were fake. Not one mascara I've used in the past has given me the results I've wanted. Well, until now. After reading raving reviews on Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies, I finally marched down to Target today and bought one at a discount.
The verdict: This is by far the best mascara I've tried so far. Of course I did not achieve results like the model below but there clearly is a difference before and after application. I actually do look like I've got lashes now. ;)

Rest & Relax

2010-10-26T01:23:00.001+08:00

Hubs has been working way too hard lately and it took me a long while to convince him to take a drive out and enjoy the outdoors for a bit. We were out for only a few hours yesterday but it certainly did perk hubby up a whole lot. We had lunch at B spot, took a drive through South Chagrin reservation and watched the ducks/swan swim at Chagrin falls in perfect weather. Ah, bliss! :)

Hello!

2010-10-24T21:37:00.003+08:00

I've been neglecting my blog but not without a reason. My sis and her friend were here to visit and I was their designated driver and tour guide for the week! The weather had been slightly chilly but the girls had an awesome time. They were totally smitten by the beauty of autumn splendor and of course did their fair share of shopping as well (oh boy did they shop!). They are currently making one last stop in NY (for more shopping!) before heading home. It has been fun having them around and it's strange to have the apt suddenly go all quiet again! But that's okay coz I've got one week to go before my trip to Washington DC! And I'm so looking forward to meeting up with Joyce and her lovely family! Yay! :)

All That Lint

2010-10-14T23:22:00.001+08:00

What was I thinking when I put in a comforter together with a blanket throw to wash? Now I will have to find a mega lint remover brush. Sigh.

Bread Pudding

2010-10-14T02:59:00.001+08:00

Baked this for a recent gathering. A very easy and yummy recipe!
Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com:
Ingredients:
7 slices day-old bread
2 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins
4 eggs beaten
2 cups half & half
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground Cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2) Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter over bread. Sprinkle with raisins.
3) In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
4) Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

Beautiful Sunday

2010-10-12T03:42:00.004+08:00

I was feeling extremely lazy yesterday and would have slept the day away if hubby hadn't insisted that we get out for some fresh air. I'm glad we did because the day was just perfect! The sun was out, the air was cool and the autumn colors were gorgeous! We spent a relaxing afternoon at Whiskey Island and Edgewater Park and completed the day with a lovely dinner at The Harp. I almost ruined the day by making a wrong turn on our way home and nearly rolled over a drunken man's legs which were sticking out at the side of the road. But thank goodness his legs are still intact and I could safely say that we had a wonderful time! *phew!* ;)

Blue Man Group

2010-10-10T12:06:00.001+08:00

My volunteer work at PlayhouseSquare officially kicked off with Blue Man Group this week. The ushering work itself was uneventful and there was no intermission for the show which was nice. A complete sell-out and I had to sit on the staircase the entire time. The show was loud, energetic, interactive and it helped that the audience were a fun and spontaneous bunch. Well, except for a young man who got a headache from all that noise and a few others who left with their face all scrunched up at the end. Not everyone's cup of tea, I guess. It was entertaining but I personally wouldn't spend too much money on the ticket. Then again, I did get to watch them for free. ;)

Antidote for Negativity

2010-10-07T22:17:00.001+08:00

Words can be so lethal (whether intentional or not) and for some reason I'm having trouble purging it from my system for days now. But I'm getting there... The weather is lovely today and I am taking the chance to hang out with the girls and head down to the malls for some retail therapy. Hopefully, that will perk me up and set me on track again! :)

Hit By Depression Bug

2010-10-06T17:25:00.006+08:00

It's funny how it can bite you really hard when you least expect it.
I think I may need a good cry [& lots of love] to get it out of my system.

Vietnamese Summer Roll

2010-10-05T11:30:00.002+08:00

The food challenge of the week was supposed to be Korean cold noodles. However, I couldn't find them at the Asian supermarket I was at, so I decided to make up for it by making hubby his favourite Vietnamese rolls. The rice paper were a little tricky to work with but the rolls turned out alright in the end. I also made the boo boo of mixing all the ingredients for the sauce into one bowl but it still tasted pretty good. :P

Recipe adapted from Squidoo.com:(makes 6 rolls)
Ingredients:
6 sheets rice paper
2 large leaves of green lettuce, cut into small pieces
3 ounces rice vermicelli, cooked
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
12 mint leaves
9 large shrimps, cooked, peeled, deveined and cut in halfs

For the dipping sauce:

1 tablespoon fish sauce
3 tablespoons warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3/4 clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 tablespoons white sugar
1/3 teaspoon garlic chili sauce (Chirashi)
2 3/4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon finely chopped peanuts (I replaced the sugar and peanuts with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter)

1. Bring the water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.
2. Dip the rice paper in a large bow of warm water so it will become soft
3. Place the rice paper on a flat area, then stack small amount of lettuce, rice noddles, cilantro, mint leaves, and 3 haft shrimps
4. Roll the rice paper
5. In a small bowl, mix the fish sauce, water, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chili sauce together.
6. In another bowl, mix hoisin sauce, peanuts, and chilli sauce. Serve the rolls with these two sauce.

Random bits of the week

2010-10-04T08:38:00.003+08:00

* 39 steps at the Cleveland play house. Absolutely hilarious - had me laughing from start to finish!
* The Pearl Fishers at the Playhouse Square - great opera singing but I can't say the same for the storyline *yawn*
* Cleveland police reminds me of Pac man. They seem to be at every corner of the streets!
* Matzo balls and Gefilte fish - my first taste of Jewish cuisine.
* Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage celebrated their fifth anniversary today with free admissions to all their museum galleries. Had an interesting time learning about the Jewish culture and history. Definitely worth the visit! :)
*House hunting- should we risk buying property here? Hmm...

IngenuityFest 24-26 Sep 2010

2010-09-30T02:42:00.003+08:00

The IngenuityFest held last weekend was interesting, if not bizarre. The 3 day event took place at the old trolley subway under the Detroit-Superior (Veteran's Memorial) Bridge which I felt was enough reason to show up. The concept was brilliant with plenty of original performances & displays (some bordering on creepy). My only grouse is that the bridge could have been better lit in the evening and there were plenty of wasted space linking the two ends of the bridge that could have been better utilized. But all in all, a good attempt and I really shouldn't complain since it was free! :) Here are some highlights from the event: (click to enlarge)

Happiness is...

2010-09-28T23:31:00.000+08:00

...adding a little spice to my life :)

*Update from previous post: My parsley is alive! It was just thirsty. ;)

Ayúdame! Somebody, please save my parsley!

2010-09-27T18:11:00.005+08:00

I love having plants in the home. Unfortunately, I do not have a green thumb. If anyone is to be put behind bars for mass murdering of plants, that would be me. Anyhoo, I was at the Botanical Garden's "Ripe! Food and Garden Festival" last Friday and I won myself a small potted plant of parsley. Ah, a chance to redeem myself. And in all that excitement, I decided to acquire a cute little chilli plant as well. The instructions were simple - water them 1-2 times a week and make sure they get plenty of sunshine. How difficult can that be, right? WRONG! I came home last evening to find the parsley plant looking like this:

I'm not sure what went wrong. It was still looking good when I left in the morning. Perhaps it was the cold since I had it right next to the window. :(
Can anyone tell me how I can salvage it now?! *Sobs!*

P.S. My chilli plant is still very much alive. For now.

It's all free this weekend!

2010-09-24T05:43:00.011+08:00

Still trying to decide where to go this weekend? For those in the States, 25 Sep (Sat) is Museum day which means you get to go to your favourite museum for free! You need to register online to have a free pair of tickets emailed to you so what are you waiting for!
As for those who prefer the great outdoors, over 100 National Parks are waiving their entrance fees this Sat as well! You can check out the list of participating parks here.
If you happened to be around Cleveland this weekend, do pop by the Ingenuityfest (Sep 24-26) at the Detroit Superior Bridge. With all that innovative ideas, live performances and interactive technology exhibits, it's guaranteed to be loads of fun! And guess what, it's free! ;)
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! :)

Curry Puffs

2010-09-23T17:38:00.006+08:00

My not so aesthetic looking curry puffs. ;)

We were told to bring a dish each to class this week. A dish that we are fearful of making for whatever reasons. I volunteered to make curry puffs - a snack that is pretty unique to Malaysia and Singapore. It is something I absolutely love to eat but have failed miserably in my one attempt to replicate it months ago - the pastry had turned out too hard and the fillings were too bland. I believe I had messed up the actual measurement of the ingredients while trying to do all that conversions from grams to pounds to cups. This time I made sure I had them properly measured out (or so I hope!)

Recipe adapted from grouprecipes.com:
Ingredients:
5 tbsp oil
1 medium red onion (chopped finely)
1/2 tsp kurma powder or chicken curry powder
2 tsp meat or chicken curry powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 cup of finely diced chicken meat (breast or thigh) (I skipped this)
3 large potatoes (boiled and diced finely)
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper or white pepper
1/2 salt
PASTRY:
500g (1lb) plain flour (equivalent to 2 cups of 8 oz based on my estimation)
150g (5 oz) margarine or shortening
3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp salt

1. To make pastry, mix flour with margarine, water, salt and knead well.
2. Let it rest for 1/2 hour.
3. While waiting for the dough, heat oil and fr onion gently until golden brown.
4. Add the kurma powder, curry powder, chili, turmeric and fry gantly.
5. Add the chicken, potatoes, sugar, pepper, salt and cook for 5 minutes.
6. Mix well and leave aside to cool.
7. Cut the dough into circles (3 inches) in diameter when it is done.
8. Pre-heat the oven if you decide to bake instead of deep frying at 180c.
9. Fold pastry over to make a half circle and crimp at edges with egg white.
10. Deep fry in oil until golden or bake 15-20 mins at 180c. (I baked at 350 F)
*Brush egg yolk on the puffs if you want to bake it to give it the golden finish.

Verdict: Well, the pastry has a much better texture this time round. The potato filling was a little dry and could do with more spice and salt.
What did the class think? They all liked the pastry. Mix response on the overall taste though since most have never tried curry puffs before. Chef suggested trying waxy potatoes next time (instead of mealy ones) to allow for more moisture retention and adding some chilli oil to up the spice level.
I think I will just wait for my next trip back to Singapore to satisfy my cravings for good! :P

Life as you want it

2010-09-22T23:33:00.015+08:00

On the day you were born, you begin to die. Do not waste a single moment more - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Lately, I've been thinking about how short life really is and how I've been living mine thus far. All that studying, work (oh the work!), more studying, more work, marriage, family obligations and never ending commitments! Just thinking about the past few decades of my life makes me breathless! I have been so caught up in meeting up with societal expectations that I forget about - myself. Well, I have decided I am not going to rush through life like a headless chicken any longer. From now on, I will do things that makes me happy at my own pace. Of course, family and friends will continue to have their opinions on how I should be living my life - I am expected to get my licensing exam done asap, find a job here as a PT and earn loads of money. Oh, and in between doing all that, I am supposed to have a baby too. But honestly, I am blanking them out and it helps that they are all so far away now. I will decide for myself what I want to do when I want to do them (sounds familiar, Zsuzsi? ;)). And right now, all I want to do is sit here with my freshly brewed cup of tea and blog. Ha!

These boots are made for walking

2010-09-21T22:06:00.001+08:00

"When do I get to go out and play?"

I bought this pair of suede leather boots recently at a steal - $28 (original: $69.99)! Nothing like a good bargain to perk up my day! :)

Food challenge of the week: Indian Chicken Briyani

2010-09-20T03:55:00.007+08:00

This week I wanted to cook one of my favourite Indian cuisine - Briyani. I used to eat so much of it for lunch at work that it was no surprise that my cholesterol was on an all-time high! Very spicy, extremely sinful but oh so good! I decided to try the recipe by Vah Chef at vahrehvah.com. The long list of spices required was pretty daunting but I managed to get most of it except for mace (which I substituted with nutmeg powder), black cardamon and saffron. Note that the recipe on the link does not tally with the ingredients used in the video. This was what I used:

Ingredients:
For the marinade:
6 chicken medium pieces
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
2 tbsp chopped mint leaves
2 sticks cinnamon
2 cloves
4 green cardamoms
1/2 tsp cumin and coriander pdr
1 tsp black cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tbsp each of chopped ginger and garlic
2 green chilli
1 tsp nutmeg
6 piece pepper corns
2 cup yoghurt
Fried shallots
2 tbsp oil or ghee
Salt to taste
For the rice:
2 cups Basmati rice
Water
Salt to taste
2 tbsp oil

1. Add all the ingredients (except rice) with the chicken pieces and mix well (see video). Marinate in the refrigerator for at least four hours.
2. In a large pot combine the rice, water, salt, some oil and cook till the rice is half-done. Drain the excess liquid and spread the rice on a plate to cool.
3. In a large heavy-bottomed pan add chicken with marinade and spread a the rice evenly on top. Top the rice with some coriander, mint leaves and fried onions.
5. Cover pot with a tight lid and cook on high heat for first 10 min, medium heat for next 10 min and low heat for the last 10 minutes. Check for doneness.
7. Garnish with slices of boiled eggs, nuts or raisins.

The recipe was relatively easy to follow. However, my biggest issue was determining the time at which the basmati rice was 50% done. I must have overcooked it a little because the rice turned out softer than it should have been. I was quite happy with the taste though and I was pleasantly surprised that the chicken pieces did not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Next time, I shall try the baking method by showmethecurry.com.

Do you really want to know me? ;)

2010-09-19T10:19:00.002+08:00

Aw..thank you Zsuzsi for giving me my first blog award ever! :) I believe in return I'm supposed to share some ~~dirty~~ secrets or unknown facts about myself so here goes:

#1 I am absolutely terrified of snakes. Whenever I am in a forested area, I always look up to the trees in fear that one of these reptiles might fall off a tree branch and land on me!

#2 I've had crooked teeth up to my college years when I finally decided to put myself under the mercy of an orthodontist. 4 extractions, 2 years of metal twisting/ torture and plenty of ulcers later, I finally emerged a swan (Not!).

#3 I can't swim. Well, I can but I can't coordinate the breathing bit so technically I can't.

#4 I have a fear of falling on slippery ground. I suspect I might have been traumatized by a pretty bad fall I had while hiking in the rain in Malaysia eons ago. So ice skating and skiing is out for me!

#5 I love the thrill of free falling/ accelerating through air. The tandem skydive I did years ago in New Zealand was one of the best experience I've had. I'm also one of those who would experience every single crazy rides at a theme park or carnival. The greatest plunge I had being 77 degrees on this crazy roller coaster ride at a speed of 104km/hr and a 70 m drop from heights on Gyro drop in Korea! Wheee!

#6 I do get way too emotional sometimes when reading a novel or watching a film. It can be pretty embarrassing to have tears welling up in my eyes in public (while reading a book!) or coming out of the movie theatre all red-eyed and sniffly. Gah!

Alright, I think that's enough about me already! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! :)

"Hey there stupid....O.H.I.O"

2010-09-18T02:17:00.002+08:00

Okay, so that was what I heard at the baseball game and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why a State would want to call itself stupid. The song has been stuck in my head since and I just had to find the lyrics. Well, it turns out to be Ohio's State official rock song - Hang on Sloopy (Not "Hey there stupid..." Oops!), a big hit for the band The McCoys in 1965. Pretty catchy song I must say. Well, at least now I can join in the singing! "Hang on Sloopy. Sloopy, hang on. O.H.I.O!" ;)
Here's the original version by the McCoys:

Frugal housewife at work

2010-09-17T04:01:00.004+08:00

So what does a [reluctant] housewife who has given up her job and feeling the financial pinch do? Why, she looks for bargain websites and freebies all day long (well, almost!). Good news is that US is a land of coupons & discounts and you could really get a good deal on things if you do your homework. For the past few months here, I have accumulated a list of websites that could help me save a buck or two. Good stuff needs to be shared, so here they are:

Daily deals:
Groupon.com
Eversave.com
Livingsocial.com
Housewaredeals.com

Coupons:
Retailmenot.com

Deal aggregators: There are plenty of such sites online but these are the two sites I use
DealAgg.com
Thedealmap.com

Pricewatch: Let the website do the price tracking for you
Priceprotectr.com

Cashback: Nothing like saving a few extra dollars for everything you spend
Fatwallet
Ebates

Sometimes housewives need a break from cooking too:
Restaurant.com
idinedeals.com

Travel: This is not a discount website but it allows you to search for the cheapest flights minus all that online advertisements
Matrix

Designer stuff for less: Honestly, some of these stuff are beyond my budget but it's fun for window shopping anyway!
Ideeli.com
Ruelala.com
Swirl.com
Thesamplesale.com
Onekingslane.com

P.S. Let's not forget amazon.com and ebay.com as well. Great for comparing prices and they do have some of the best deals online!
That's all I have for now! Do feel free to add on to the list so that we can all spend, save and be happy all at once! ;)

Lazy day meal

2010-09-16T04:43:00.005+08:00

Japanese curry using the idiot proof Japanese curry roux.
Just boil the meat & veges in water, mix in the roux and voila!

Don't be fooled by the box. It is really not that spicy!

Our curry with pork, potatoes, carrots & onions served with rice. Yums!

Happiness is...

2010-09-14T22:11:00.000+08:00

...cooler weather and a reason to snuggle under my super comfy comforter just that little bit longer. :)

This week in a nutshell

2010-09-13T07:50:00.001+08:00

...Culinary class - Things are starting to warm up in the kitchen. We are finally moving on to fish, meat and poultry! Yay! (fr. the carnivore in me)
...Orientation for my volunteer work- I'll be helping out at the Botanical Gardens for a once off event and I've also committed to volunteering at the Playhouse Theater at least once a week. I've always wanted to be involved in the theater in one way or another and what better time than this! I'm required to don a bright red blazer at work but who cares if I get to watch all the musicals and plays for free! ;)
...Free trolley rides at the Sparx city hop
...A nice lunch at Melt Bar and Grilled - Hubs has been wanting to go there for the longest time but it was always so packed with people. Anyway, we finally made it there for lunch today and it certainly did not disappoint. Reasonable prices, huge portions & really yummy!

My half eaten blackened chicken with grilled peppers & onions, provolone. Mmm...

Look what came in my mailbox today :)...

2010-09-12T07:29:00.002+08:00

A BIG thank you and muchos besos to Zsuzsi! *Muacks*
You really, really made my day! :D

Food challenge of the week: Pizza and Buffalo wings!

2010-09-11T08:39:00.004+08:00

The food theme this week was American and I decided to try my hand at pizza making and buffalo wings. The pizza dough was really quick and easy to make and I used whatever leftovers I had in the fridge for the ingredients: namely ham/jalapenos/ mushroom/ shredded cheese & BBQ sauce as base.

Pizza crust (adapted from allrecipes.com)
Ingredients:
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 1/2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baker's peel dusted with cornmeal. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.

There were many variations of Buffalo wings recipes online but this one kinda stood out because it involved boiling and then broiling the chicken. I left the chicken in the broiler for a tad too long and they were a little hard but still tasted pretty good when mixed with the hot pepper sauce.

Baked Buffalo Wings (adapted from food.com)
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken wings
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup lousiana hot sauce (I used Frank's hot sauce)
1 tablespoon margarine

1. Fill a large pot half way with water and then add the first 4 ingredients.
2. Bring water mixture and wings to a boil and then boil for 15 minutes.
3. Transfer wings to an oven safe container coated with cooking spray. Bake wings on "Broil" (high) for 15 minutes on each side.(For crispier wings, cook longer on each side, maybe 20 minutes per side).
4. While waiting for wings, combine the Hot Sauce and Margarine in a microwave safe container and cook in microwave for 2 minutes or until melted. (You can cook the sauce longer for a thicker sauce).
5. When wings are done, shake 'em up with the sauce.

My first attempt at Lebanese cuisine

2010-09-08T11:37:00.040+08:00

This was the meal I promised hubby last week. On the menu: lentil soup, kofta lamb, hummus & pocket pita bread (bought off the shelves). Falafel was initially on the list but I figured it would be too much food for the two of us.

Kofta Lamb (Recipe adapted from Lebanese recipes)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp ground coriander
Small handful fresh coriander
1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 lb minced lamb
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tbsp olive oil
Warm pitta bread, tzatziki, hummus and salad to serve

1. Put the ground and fresh coriander, onion, garlic and cumin in a blender. Whizz until finely chopped and blended, then add the mince and egg and whizz again until combined.
2. Divide mixture into desired portions. Brush with oil and grill until cooked through.
3. Serve with pitta bread, tzatziki, hummus and salad.
* The lamb was flavorful on its own but I personally would have preferred a bit of salt in my meat.

Lebanese Lentil Soup (Recipe modified from Food.com)
Ingredients:
Few sprigs of fresh cilantro, stems removed
3 cloves garlic
1/4 to taste olive oil
1/2 tsp salt, divided
1.2 large onion, chopped fine
1 cup lentils, washed and drained
1/3 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 cups water
Bunch of fresh spinach
1 potato, cubed
11/4 tbsp lemon juice
* See instructions on website
* The touch of cinnamon added an interesting taste to the soup.

Hummus (Recipe adapted from About.com)
Ingredients:
1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans
1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)
1 1/2 tablespoons tahini (made with 1 cup sesame seeds and 1/3 cup olive oil blended in food processor)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

1. Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
2. Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the center of the hummus.
3. Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley (optional).
4. Serve immediately with fresh, warm or toasted pita bread, or cover and refrigerate.

Verdict from hubby: "Not bad!" ;P

Positively Cleveland!

2010-09-07T23:41:00.024+08:00

Up to now, I have always viewed Cleveland as a really sad place to live in. It was after all given the top spot by Forbes on its list of most miserable U.S cities - high unemployment, high taxes, horrible weather, political corruption and lousy sports teams. Of course, it doesn't help that Lebron James chose to leave for better pastures. So you can imagine my disappointment when hubs told me this is going to be our home for the next few years (or more!).
Last week, I went to a series of "Take a hike!" guided historical walking tours in downtown Cleveland. I'm glad I did because it really allowed me to see Cleveland in a different [better] light. It was sad to see so many once affluent but now abandoned buildings in downtown and throughout the tour I could only imagine what might have been. With a thriving performing arts scene (Playhouse Square Theatre being second largest in the country to New York) and one of America's top 4 hospitals (Cleveland Clinic) to boast, this could be another Chicago, Boston or New York. And there is hope. There are now micro-projects and money pumped into restoring this battered land. It helps that the people here are so passionate about their city and their enthusiasm is infectious. I feel for them and I too hope to see some change [however small] during our time here.

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach...

2010-09-04T00:07:00.002+08:00

Hubby has been grumbling that I've not been experimenting with my cooking as much since I started the culinary class. Honestly, it's a little a hard considering 1) the first module was mainly on knife skills, sanitation and salads 2) it can get pretty tiring thinking of new things to cook everytime. Well, good news is we are moving on to meat and poultry in our second module so that should be pretty useful knowledge to translate to homecooking.
To appease my husband in the meantime, I've agreed to try out at least one new cuisine a week. Basically, he names what he wants and I'll do my best to produce it. (No guarantee on the outcome of course! ;))
Last week, it was Thai and Mexican. I made Thai green chicken curry with rice and decided to try my hand at mango sticky rice for the first time. The taste was right but alas my rice came out way to sticky. I will have to work on getting the right rice consistency the next time. Hubby liked it though..so phew!

For the Mexican meal, there was baked nachos with chicken/jalapenos/tomatoes and cheese , ground beef with refried beans, chicken fajita mix and cheese quesadillas. I used ready seasoning for the meat so the meal wasn't too difficult to prepare and hubby loved it!

My challenge for this week is Lebanese! Let's hope it turns out right!

heat + noise = headache

2010-09-01T23:02:00.000+08:00

All that road works outside is driving me crazy! Argh!

Things to do now that you're retired...

2010-09-01T02:38:00.009+08:00

Well, not that I am of that age yet but this book was given to me as a going away pressie before I left for the States. It's sort of like a bucket list with nice little quotations and suggestions on things to do - some of which are not quite applicable to me at this stage in life. I've started putting my own little inputs in it and hopefully I'd be able to achieve most of what's mentioned within when I reach a good old age!

As of now, the few things that I would really want to do include:
1. Have a baby (If that doesn't pan out, I'd be turning my home into a mini animal shelter! Ha!)
2. Do a Spanish immersion programme in either Spain or South America
3. Be involved in a musical or play (I don't care if I only get to be a prop on stage).
4. Volunteer (I've already signed up and waiting to start! :))
5. Career Switch (Okay, I'm still not too sure about this yet. I know a physical therapist job pays really well here but a change would be nice. Then again, perhaps being a homemaker counts? ;))

The sky is the limit

2010-08-31T21:45:00.000+08:00

A vast blue sky and all that you can imagine...

When a man dreams of divorcing his wife...

2010-08-31T02:32:00.004+08:00

Hubby shared with me two nightmares he had yesterday:

1. We were filing for divorce and he had felt really sad.
2. He was hanging off a flight of stairs that led to absolute nothingness beyond and all around him and he was overcome with fear.

If dreams are our subconscious speaking, then what would this mean?
*twilight zone theme plays in the background*

Take me out to the ball game...

2010-08-29T11:20:00.006+08:00

We got free tickets to watch the Cleveland Indians play at Progressive Field this evening. I must admit it isn't the most exciting sport but it still made a nice evening out for the group of us. At least now I can say I've watched an American baseball game! (even though it's probably going to be my first and last time! ;P)

How many ways can I wrap thee?

2010-08-27T22:36:00.003+08:00

I was doing some online shopping when I came across this really versatile soft and sexy wrap sweater from Victoria's Secret. What's so cool about it is that it can be worn in so many different ways including:

• Open cardigan
• Over-the-shoulder
• Tie-front
• Belted cardigan
• Cross-front tie-back
• One shoulder

I want!! However, the only thing that stopped me from purchasing one right away was the price. At $58 (plus shipping and tax), it was way off my budget. So I decided to search for a cheaper alternative and I came across a very similar wrap for only $39 (plus shipping & no tax!) at Sloan Boutique. They do not have an online shop but you can simply give them a call to place an order. I bought one in charcoal grey and it should be arriving sometime next week. Can't wait to experiment with it! :)
In the meantime, here's a video from Sloan on the varies ways you can style the wrap. There's also a part II to this video on their website.

Don't you just want one for yourself too? ;)

"Eat until 80% full" rule tossed right out the window

2010-08-26T03:32:00.001+08:00

Gosh, I'm feeling so bloated now.
Buffet lunches are bad. Very bad... *burp!*

Come, Oh Fall!

2010-08-24T22:37:00.002+08:00

Weather fairy has decided to grant us a preview of fall. A week of overcast skies and occasional rain bringing down the overall temp by many [welcoming] notches. Honestly, I can't wait for autumn to begin. Heat and I simply don't gel very well. Ironic considering I've been brought up in a tropical country all my life but we are absolutely spoilt by the use of air conditioning almost everywhere we go on our tiny island!
Anyway, a new season also means an excuse to shop for new clothing! *Yay!* I must admit I'm still not quite in tune with fall fashion. Will need to learn how to layer effectively without looking frumpy. Am also keeping my eyes out for a new pair of boots. Hmmm..shopping always perks me up! Heh. ;)

HaiHan Fun Mein

2010-08-24T21:48:00.002+08:00

I have never been very successful with frying noodles. I tend to either overcook them or the sauce just hadn't come out right. However, this recipe from Martin Yan Quick and Easy is a keeper! I didn't follow the recipe to a tee but it was still so yummy.

Ingredients: (serves 4)
1/4 lb boneless, chicken breast or thigh meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
(I used my leftover roast pork instead)
1/4 lb med-sized raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp oyster-flavoured sauce

Sauce:
1 cup chicken broth
3 tbsp oyster-flavored sauce
1 tbsp sweet chilli (I didn't have this so I added 1/2 tsp sweet dark sauce & 1/2 tsp Thai garlic chilli instead)

1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 walnut-sized shallot, thinly sliced
1 red jalapeno chilli, thinly sliced (omitted)
1 celery stick, thinly sliced on the diagonal (I added a few bunches of chives instead)
2 cups cooked rice stick noodles (1 portion)
2 cups cooked Chinese egg noodles (2 portions)
1 egg, beaten (omitted)
1 tsp sesame oil

1. In a bowl, combine the chicken, shrimp, cornstarch and oyster-flavored sauce and stir to coat. Let stand for 10 minutes.
2. To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
3. Heat a stir fry pan over high heat until hot. Add vegetable oil, swirling to coat the sides. Add garlic, shallot, and chilli and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 secs.
4. Add chicken and shrimp, stir-fry until shrimp begin to curl and turn pink, abt 2 mins.
5. Add celery and stir-fry for 1 min.
6. Add noodles and sauce and cook, stirring gently, until chicken is no longer pink and noodles is heated through, abt 2 mins.
7. Push noodles towards the sides of the pan and pour the egg into the center.
8. Cook until egg is almost set, abt 1 min.
9. Sprinkle with sesame oil and toss to mix the egg into the noodles.
10. Transfer to plate and serve.

Haagen Dazs Rum Raisin

2010-08-22T07:25:00.000+08:00

I was excited to find our favourite ice cream in Target today for only $2.99 (everyday!)! We used to pay up to US$7 for a pint back in Singapore and the supermarket that I frequent here sells it for slightly more than $4 but no Rum Raisin. Well, I know where to go for my ice cream fix now. Yay!

I hope our next generation has my drinking genes.

2010-08-22T06:49:00.002+08:00

Hubs who has absolutely ZERO tolerance for alcohol had a short after-work discussion/ drinking session with his boss yesterday. Just 3 glasses later (yup, you heard right!), my dear man was flushed red like a lobster and feeling a little oozy by the time I fetched him. After dinner, he went on to spew twice into the toilet bowl, leaving wine-stained gross stuff on the toilet seat and floor for me to clean up after while he curled up in bed and slept like a baby. *Arghh..!*
Note to hubby: You are NOT drinking anything beyond TWO glasses of wine next time or else....! *Grrrr....!*

Oh lazy day!

2010-08-20T01:03:00.013+08:00

People watching and chilling out at the lawn last evening.

Need to go run some errands but I am feeling so lazy at the moment. Had a lovely evening of live music at the park with a girlfriend yesterday and all I want to do now is bum at home. Oh, I really should go *drag self* but not until I get that furball of a bunny out from under my bed where he is currently having his lullaby moment. Alfonso made a home run for my bedroom the moment I let him out from his cage this morning and has refused to budge since. Think he is still sore that we refused to let him in yesterday and is making up for lost time now. Heh.

Homemade Chicken Patty

2010-08-19T00:59:00.016+08:00

I made these chicken patties for a picnic recently. They turned out pretty good so here's the recipe...

Ingredients:
2 lbs minced chicken
1 onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup Italian seasoning bread crumbs
1 egg beaten
1/4 tsp white pepper powder
1/4 tsp black pepper powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp garlic powder
4-6 tbsp chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt or to taste

1. Combine minced chicken in a large bowl with all the other ingredients.
2. Mix the ingredients evenly with your hands.
3. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
4. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions or more if you want them smaller.
5. Heat a non-stick sprayed frying pan over medium-low heat and cook each patty 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until cooked and slightly browned.
6. Serve patties with burger buns, lettuce, cheese and sliced tomatoes.

Enjoy! :)

My digital diary in print

2010-08-17T22:42:00.000+08:00

I have been meaning to convert my previous blog into print but never got around to doing it. Why print? Well, the blog holds too many fond memories of Hubs and I starting out as newlyweds, venturing out to unknown territories together and maturing (or not!) as a couple. I still go back to reread some of the entries sometimes and it never fails to surprise me..."What? We did that?!". It is simply too precious and I would be devastated if it ever gets lost in the world wide web someday! Did an online search and here are some websites that do blog books: Lulu.com, Blurp, Blog2Print. Have yet to decide on which one to go with. The book would be a nice little keepsake/ biography of sorts that I would love to pass down to my next generation (if any!) :)

Oh what fun! :)

2010-08-15T22:01:00.004+08:00

Friends visiting from out of state; a sudden heavy downpour (a very scary one at that!) that let us discover that our car leaks (yes, our car leaks!!) in more orifices than one; a picnic that had to be cancelled because of the rain and the resultant congregation of people at my place for an inhouse party before completing the evening with the much awaited Yo -Yo Ma concert at the Blossom Music Center. We had an awesome time yesterday! And like an excited child who has had an overdose of fun, my overstimulated mind kept me up the whole of last night!
Well, enough of excitement for the weekend! Today I shall retreat to my nest and do what I do best - sleep. Zzzzz....

My lonely bun

2010-08-13T23:20:00.005+08:00

Alfonso has been appearing rather moody of late. Perhaps it is because I haven't been home much for the last two weeks. Or perhaps it has finally dawned on him that Chewy isn't coming back. Whatever the reason, we had to find ways to cheer him up. I've been tasked to come up with a solution that does not involve getting him a new companion. Alfonso has always shy away from us and hubs wants him to warm up to us first.
To begin with, Alfonso likes to hide in dark corners so I decided to incorporate that into his play area by simply pushed his cage closer to the fireplace which seems to be his favourite rest stop for now. I've added a box with two cut up holes for him to tunnel through and placed some hay & newspaper in it to entice him (yeah, he chomps while he reads ;)). I've also given him my "Be happy" bear for companionship and so far the arrangement seems to have perked him up significantly.

The new arrangement

Alfonso and his new friend at the fireplace

Will need to continue finding new ways to engage him but this should do for now. Looking forward to the day when he would consider us one of his kind...*boing boing*

A pain in the neck

2010-08-13T06:41:00.006+08:00

Have been feeling a little under the weather since Monday morning - chills, bodyache and whatnot. All the late nights and long hours out in the hot sun has taken its toll on me. Crashed in bed after sending my friend off at the airport on Tuesday morning and I continue to sleep the afternoon away yesterday and today. Am feeling alot better now but I've got this stiffness and pain in my neck that refuses to go away. Wish I had my physio friends here to give me a good neck manipulation and massage! Since that is not happening, I am relying on my meow meow massager in the meantime. Hope the pain in the neck (literally) goes away soon!

Sunshine, blue skies and oh wow... the falls!

2010-08-11T08:42:00.004+08:00

I had a mini reunion with two of my girlfriends at Niagara Falls, NY over the weekend (with hubby in tow, of course)! :) The falls were absolutely gorgeous and we had a fantabulous time getting wet! Honestly, I don't know why most people prefer the Canadian side. While you may get a better view of the horseshoe falls from Canada, the area is very commercialized. I personally prefer the US side for its natural beauty and you get to go really close to the water. It was amazing and we would certainly like to head back there again in the near future!

Nonya Bak Chang

2010-08-06T21:31:00.002+08:00

The ladies gathered yesterday to make bak chang aka chinese glutinous rice dumplings! My all time favourite. I can practically eat them for every single meal without ever getting sick of them! *Yums!* Anyhoo, it was my first attempt at wrapping these dumplings and what mess I was. The lady who was teaching me truly had the utmost patience. Haha!
We had 2 pressure cookers so it really sped up our cooking alot. By the end of the day, we all had more than 10 dumplings to bring home each. And needless to say, I've had it for lunch, dinner and this morning's breakfast already! Happy belly! :)

Fillings made with pork, chestnut, mushroom...

Honey, did you put my socks away?

2010-08-05T04:27:00.004+08:00

Hubs and I had a silly little squabble this morning as to who put his socks away in the laundry basket. I was convinced he did it because I clearly remembered seeing the socks in the basket and thinking "Gosh, I just did the laundry!". He was sure I put them away because he argued that he would not have placed them so neatly at the side (Hmm...that he has a point). But seriously, I do not recall doing such a thing! Well, one of our brains is degenerating and it sure isn't mine! (I think!) ;P

Serenity

2010-08-03T21:06:00.002+08:00

I accidentally discovered this little spot within Lake View Cemetery (aka Cleveland's Outdoor Museum and Arboretum). It felt as if I had discovered a portal into the world of tranquility...and it felt good. :)