Nuffnang

Saturday, April 30, 2011

.: Castle : Attempted Invasion :.

On Thursday night, due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, I was at home when my home got broken into at 8pm.

Long story short, PTL for His protection. I choose to see that the series of unfortunate circumstances was thoroughly mitigated by His angels and I was unharmed and nothing was lost.

Made me realise that there are so much safety measures taken for granted - like emergency escape keys, emergency numbers and stuff like that.

But the TWO most important thing I learn from the incident is:

1. ALWAYS trust instinct. In such circumstances, it is better to be seen as 'paranoid' rather than to rub it off as nothing. I heard clanging of metal sounds, and immediate instinct was to switch on the alarm. Should I have ignored it and went back to sleep (Was back home early as I was feeling drowsy from the meds I took. Was suppose to head for a ACA Annual Dinner that night, but decided not too - one of the unfortunate circumstances I was referring to), things would have been a lot more different *shudders*

2. ALWAYS make friends with your neighbors. Remember the neighbour's boy that drop by once in a while to chat with me? Well, JC called him to come over to my place to check out and when he came immediately (shirtless coz he was just about to take his bath) press the doorbell (coupled with the alarm ringing), it must have scared the burglar(s) away. A few neighbors came out of the house after that making sure that I was alright. Police came almost 10 minutes after I called them.

Police reports were made, damaged properties repaired (caused a small dent in the wallet), but I am still so grateful because the circumstances could have been worst. I could have been killed. Rape (tho not sure if anyone want me? hehe) or so many unthinkable possibilities (the criminals these days are ruthless and merciless).

Do urge everyone to be a lil bit more alert & vigilant even when you're suppose to be in a safe haven like home. Do not take safety for granted.

Reading this & this made me became even more thankful of my predicament. Tho not exactly a predicament to be thankful off, it could have been much much much worst.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

.: You've Got Email! :.

Person A was suppose to email Person B who was suppose to fwd the email to Person C on certain set of instructions.

After much waiting, Person B, who recalled not receiving email from Person A, send a gentle reminder to the latter to do so. Person A replied that the email was sent earlier (and re-fwd the earlier sent email). After a quick check, Person B realized that not only has Person A sent it, but that it was also on-fwd to Person C already for further action. Upon sending a reminder to Person C on said set of instructions in the said email, Person C claims that such email was not received and asked to re-fwd it.

And worse of it all, Person D i.e. ME was CC-ed in this whole chain of email. Had a good laugh with Person B over the matter!

How blur we all can be when we are busy at work! :)

P/s: To make matters even worse, Person B’s & Person D’s BIG BOSS walked in when the end of the conversation took place, where both of them were laughing out loud uncontrollably. BIG BOSS must have thought that the two are too free!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

.: God Of Carnage, PJLA : A Blogger's Review :.

God Of Carnage (originally Le Dieu Du Carnage), a French play debuted in Zurich way back in 2006. It has since been adapted into English, playing at London and New York. In 2009, the play was given the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, and won Best Play at the 2009 Tony Awards.

Strip away civility, and what you get is the human animal; or as Megat’s character Micheal puts it bluntly – Neanderthals. That’s the message behind God Of Carnage, the comedy play that will kick off the PJ Live Arts’ PJ Laugh Fest.

The cast includes Micheal (by Megat Sharizal), his wife Veronica (by Maya Tan), Annette (Lina "Kopitiam" Teoh) and her husband who’s annoyingly attached to his handphone, Alan (by Will Quah).

Teri Choong, PJ Live Arts Executive Director gave a warm welcome to the media press and a handful of lucky bloggers (like myself) who attended the press review of God Of Carnage and introduced this comedy play. She also explained that the play follows closely to the USA version, and has not adapted to Malaysian settings.

In the play, two children – Benjamin (son of Annette and Alan) and Henry (son of Veronica and Michael) – get into an argument. Benjamin hits Henry with a stick, knocking out two of Henry’s teeth.


Their parents meet to discuss this incident, and the evening begins in a amicable and civilized manner. However, it very quickly degenerates and the hope of having to resolve the situation diplomatically slowly fades. With screaming and shouting and hurling of accusations and rage, the mask that each of the character puts on slowly stripped off layer by layer.

Boys will always be boys, but can the grown up be grown up enough to resolve their differences?

We, the audiences, watched in laughter as the facade of civility shatter as the cast wreaks havoc and tosses the living room in disarray and all hell break lose in the most hilarious manner (a lil alcohol always helps heighten things up don’t they!). Parent behaving like kids (or worse than kids for that matter) [why does this sound so familiar? hehe!]

The show is intensely physical – especially the role played by Lina who running, jumping, screaming on top of her lungs and also vomiting (yes, you got me right – vomiting!). It was so intense that I had to wince in hope that Lina doesn’t fall flat on her face or have a wardrobe malfunction while doing those intense acts. She was wearing a 3 (or 3.5 inch) heel [lovely heels btw!] and a sexy black number, so the chances of it happening was quite high!


However, I must say that it was brilliantly choreographed and even at such short practice time (of three weeks we later found out during Q&A at the end of the show), the cast manage to pull it off seamlessly.

The short Q&A at the end of the show reveals that the cast only practiced the show like three weeks earlier, but I am sure they worked very hard at it nonethelesss. With such short rehearsal time, relatively fast-paced dialogues and being physically-intense (all this with no intermission for the whole 90 minutes, mind you!), I am amazed that they manage to pull it off quite brilliantly!

BRAVO indeed to the fantastic four!

Showtime Date
28th - 29th Apr : 8.30pm
30th Apr : 5pm & 8.30pm
1st May : 5pm
3rd - 6th May : 8.30pm
7th May : 5pm & 8.30pm
8th May : 5pm

Admission Price
RM60
RM30 (student/senior citizen)
20% off to those who present the printer article here.

Location : PJ Live Arts Theatre @ Jaya One

View Larger Map

Also do note that PJ Laugh Fest is a whole marathon of comedy plays that starts on the 28th April all the way till 5th June 2011. There are plenty of other programmes available and do note that PJ Live Art is a Non Profit organization that is best known as a catalyst for community outreach and support utilizing arts as a platform to raise funds for charities!

So head on over to PJ Life Arts and have your funny bone tickled and help contribute to charity at the same time. Win win for everyone! :)

Sunday, April 24, 2011

.: God Of Carnage :.


I'm gonna have a great lol-ing session watching God Of Carnage with my date, Tammie, tomorrow!

Thanks Aud & Nuffnang for the ticx! :)

Saturday, April 23, 2011

.: Pick Me Ups : Tiramisu :.

Reposted on 23/4/2011
I thought of trying another recipe for my take-two on Project Tiramisu, but after googling for recipes, I still reckon this is the better one. (p/s : anyone who has a tested & proven tiramisu recipe, pls pls pls do share with me!).

This time, I tried to improve on the esthetic part of it, and there were improvement (albeit a slight one). However, my photography skills are somewhat lacking (I blame it on not having the proper lens!) hence, this is the best I can do on Project Tiramisu : Take Two





Posted on 4/3/2011

I finally got my butt off into starting Project Tiramisu, which as it name says, a project for me to make a tiramisu. Tiramisu is a well-known Italian dessert that literally says “pick me up”, which consist of layering of dipped-ladyfingers and sweetened and flavored mascarpone cheese, topped with aplenty of whipped cream!

I have actually gotten most of the ingredients from Bake With Yen (the absolute best place to get your baking needs, IMHO) which includes mascarpone cheese and ladyfingers aka savoiardi)

After mindlessly surfing for recipes after recipes that claims to be the best it town – I finally settled for this tiramisu recipe (albeit slightly modified) here!

The ingredients are as below

• 1-1/2 cups brewed espresso, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup brandy/marsala wine/liquor of your preference (I used Bailey)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1-1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1 pound mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• One 7-ounce package crisp Italian ladyfingers (about 24 cookies)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, scraped with a vegetable peeler to make curls

Steps to make Tiramisu

1.In a medium bowl, stir together the espresso, 3 tablespoons Bailey and the 1 teaspoon vanilla and the brown sugar; set aside. In a double boiler, beat together the egg yolks, 2/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup cream over simmering water until the mixture lightens in color and thickens, about 7 minutes. Transfer the insert to a larger bowl filled with ice water. Whisk until cold, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the mascarpone and the remaining 1 tablespoon Bailey until smooth.

2.Dip* half of the ladyfingers, one at a time, into the reserved espresso mixture and lay them flat in a single layer on the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish. Spread half the mascarpone mixture on top. Repeat with the other half of the ladyfingers and the remaining mascarpone mixture. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

3.Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 3/4 cup cream and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar on medium speed until stiff peaks form**. Spread the whipped cream onto the chilled tiramisu and, using a small strainer, dust the whipped cream with the cocoa. Top with the chocolate curls. Cut into rectangles.



* After reading many comments from baking forums worldwide, I believe that one of the most common problems encountered is soggy ladyfingers. It is crucial that you only dip it for only a second or less as these cookies absorbs liquid really fast. Or, if you worried that you do not have quick fingers, do what I did, take a brush, dip the brush into the espresso mix and brush it on both sides of the ladyfingers. It worked like a charm, no soggy ladyfingers!

** As it is my first time whipping cream with my electronic mixer, I screwed up the first time by over-beating it and it became butter-like *whoops*. After much research, a tip that I picked is that the utensils (albeit the mixing bowl and the beater) and the ingredient (albeit the cream) must be really chilled. It worked as I have perfect, stiff whipped cream on my second attempt!

.: Donate By Bidding :.

I have made my small contribution, but then again, every single sen counts. Have you made yours?

Compelled by the anguish and horror faced by the Japanese people recently after they were hit by a 8.9 earthquake and tsunami, Aegis Media Malaysia Sdn Bhd is attempting to do the impossible or so it seems; raise RM1 million for the Japan relief efforts through a unique platform i.e. online bidding weLovejapan.

Aegis Media has joined forces with online portal "I LOVE LABELS" whereby Malaysians over the age of 18 years are able to donate by way of buying bids online. Once registered, members will have the opportunity to bid for an item of their choice and in return donate the monies to the Japan relief fund.

 Auctions start from 22 April 2011.

How to Participate

Register an account.
It's FREE!
 
Donate and receive bids, it is secure and EASY.
Place a bid on an item
you LIKE.
If nobody else bids for the item within the timer, you WIN!

 To find out more - click here!

Pst, items includes Nokia N8, MTV VIP World Stage Passes, autographed jerseys, etc

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

.: Corrupt :.

Saved files in my common server was corrupted. To make things worse, the last back up the IT people made was on 6th April. I suppose I should be thankful it is 6th April this year, not last.

Sigh, literally have to do my consols all over again. Piss mad!

.: Dream Cars :.

Ryan, who will be in Primary School next year, has many “dream cars”. He once confided in me that my wedding car was his dream car, among many others.

So, over breakfast at the mamak the other day, I asked Ryan.

“Ryan, you have soooo many dream cars, but next time, when you start working, which is the top three cars you’re gonna get for yourself?”

He thought about it for a tad while, and the replied “Number one is Lotus, number two is Lamborghini and…. number three is Ferrari!”

“That’s nice Ryan! And what car are you gonna get for Daddy then?” pointing to his dad sitting next to me.

“Erm….” he bit his lips as he thought a lil bit longer than he took to reply my first question. Naughty Jannessa was coaxing him to answer “Proton”.

With a big cheeky grin on his face, he answered “Motorbike!”

“Huh, motorbike for Daddy?” I exclaimed, tho Daddy didn’t look very much surprised.

“Erm… no” he quickly rebutted, shaking his head vigorously.

“Bicycle!” he answered with an even bigger cheeky grin.

Just feel like smacking that lil rascal! Kids nowadays! :)


.: Married Life :.

I cried again (and again, and again) watching this....



...and when I showed this to JC, he held my hand & cried with me.

Dearest JC,

I'm lookin forward to fillin up My Adventure Book with you....

Love, Me


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

.: Annoyed :.

When you're annoyed, don't speak from that place inside yourself that nurtures all past hurts. That will just make it all worse. Speak out of love and a desire to make things better.

- Cathy Kelly : Once In A Lifetime -

Monday, April 18, 2011

.: Fixing People :.

Somethings, you can fix it. Other people, for example, you can't fix them. You just have to decide whether it is worth hanging around until they fix themselves - or, if it's worth hanging around even though they may never decide to fix themselves. Your choice is over hanging around, but when it comes to fixing, you have no power. There's times when you just have to let go. Letting go works for alot of life, actually.

- Cathy Kelly : Once in a Lifetime -

Friday, April 15, 2011

.: International Giveaway – More Giveaways! :.

I love taking part in giveaways – big squishy hugz & thanks to all the awesome and generous giveaway-ers! :)

Here is another compilation of more giveaways (all international) – which includes (but not limited to) awesome beauty products!

For more on previous giveaways (some are still running), pls refer here!

Beauty Craze

BYS Colour Change Giveaway here! :)

Surprise Giveaway (don't we all love surprises?!)
http://thebuttonboxx.blogspot.com/2011/04/surprise-summer-giveaway.html

Makeupper New Domain = New Giveaway
http://www.makeupper.co.nz/2011/03/new-domain-new-giveaway.html

Bonjour Beauty
http://bonjourbeauty.blogspot.com/2011/04/sigma-f80-review-and-giveaway.html
 
Circle lens to giveaway! :)

Thursday, April 14, 2011

.: Scre4m :.

Scream 4 or also stylized as Scre4m is one movie that you might wanna give a skip. Not that big a fan of horror movies, I find this movie really unenjoyable at most parts. Gimme Final Destination any other time!

Also, I will be having to passes to watch the premier of The Roomate this monday at One Utama. Any takers wanna be my date? :)

.: Blog Post Number 1000 :.



Today's blogpost have been brought to you by the number - 1000! *duh!*

To a thousand thoughts, sights and rants...
 and to many thousands more to come!


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

.: Two Is Better Than One. Or Not? :.

Two is better than one – the bible in Ecclesiastes 4:9 quotes “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do. Suppose someone falls down. Then his friend can help him up. But suppose the man who falls down doesn't have anyone to help him up. Then feel sorry for him! Or suppose two people lie down together. Then they'll keep warm. But how can one person keep warm alone? One person could be overpowered. But two people can stand up for themselves. And a rope made out of three cords isn't easily broken.”

It was one of the reason why I choose Taylor Swift & Boys Like Girls – Two Is Better Than One as my wedding march in song. Not because I am such a huge fan of Taylor Swift (or Boys Like Girls for that matter), but because of this bible verse. And also coz I wanted to be a lil different! [Huge thanks to Enoch (our pianist) & Bridget (our violinist) for the playing it so perfectly! :)

Now, the topic that I wanna rant about is partially to do with marriage – but more so also on divorce *gasp*

As much as it is to be taboo on uncommon, especially in our more conservative Asian background, I see it becoming more and more common, as if it is just like popping by the stores to get an IPhone or something along that line.

Both person who we know (case one a guy and case two a girl) are about our age and just got married like two or three years ago. And to make things worse – they both already have kids (who had to suffer the impact of growing up without both parents around). For both cases, I have only heard their side of the story; hence it is bias of me to state that it was the other spouse’s fault. Both have somewhat valid reasons to file for a divorce. Don’t get me wrong, it is not that I am condoning this action, but what I am trying to say is that their grounds of seeking separation are valid.

Sigh, I really don’t know what to rant, but rather to pose this questions out - is the covenant of marriage really to that of a meaningless piece of paper? Do people nowadays find it difficult to be attached to another for life? Is the marriage vows “for better for worse, till death do you part” (which JC & I teared when we both read it to each other) just a mere script that we read for the sake of it?

What is happening to the whole constituency of marriage?

Sigh!

.: In Remembrance Of Grandpa :.

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord


Deeply loved & dearly missed - Grandpa
(5 Years Anniversary)

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

.: Lonely No More :.

JC asked me, during one of our coupletime heart to heart talk, if I’m actually sad to come to an empty home facing the four walls everyday, given the fact that he comes home very late (or “early” in this matter) almost every other day. I laughed and told him that I prefer so, coz during the times where he comes back on a reasonable hour (read : 10pm-ish!), he kinda disrupts my plan.

I guess to a certain extend, I have grew accustom with JC’s erratic working hours. He usually comes home at 2am-ish and there are times where he reaches home at 6am (just in time for me to wake up and prepare to go to work) or even not come back as well.

There are plenty of things I could do – cooking, baking and reading is usually the top of the list. Once in a while, I will be surfing (on the net, not in the beach!) and do some routine household chores. To date – I have a list of recipes to bake – tiramisu (improved!), green tea cupcakes & cinnamon muffins, some dishes to try out – chicken with butter & salted eggs (don’t really know how to call that dish), roti jala (made some last weekend, but not to my liking!), try out nasi briayani (tho JC say not to bother with the much preparation needed) and many more stuff.

Then there are aplenty of books from the National Library which can occupy my time – tho my selections of books of late have not been that good a read.

I also have the neighbour kid who pops by once in a while to chit chat with me.

And top that with the sweeping, mopping, washing & cleaning, it pretty much fills my weekday night schedule.

So I reckon I am already comfortable with the arrangement for the time being – and can still live without a TV *surprise*surprise* for the past three months. Having said that, I miss watching my comedy series (AXN) & my cooking shows (AFC). Hence, whenever I go back to my parents’ house, all I do is slouch in front of the TV!

P/S : I got flowers from JC today. The catch is, it was a picture of a bouquet of flowers sent via email - this is all the romance I am getting after being married aren't I? Tsktsktsk!

Monday, April 11, 2011

.: Heart You Too :.

A chain of SMSes

JC : Love you dear…
Kath : <3 u2
JC : ???
Kath : ????
JC : <3 u2, what does it mean?
Kath : <3 = heart. Look sideways. Gosh!
JC : Oo, now I see…
Kath : -.-”

.: Try Me Not :.

Judith Chan (also fondly known as JuJu) was reprimanded by her mom for misbehaving during lunch yesterday. Her mom said “Misbehave and JC will scold you!”. I laughed at that thought & asked JuJu if she is afraid of JC. Her mom said, “Yes, JC will scold you!” in a sort-of-threatening manner. JuJu looked at JC, and with a cheeky grin, asked JC “You try scolding me first? You try, you try?” to test waters.

Lol, I don’t think the kids will ever be afraid of JC!

.: 100 Things That Makes Me Happy (Part 7) :.

Seventh part to the ten part series

61. Colorful candies (especially gummy bears – tho I don’t like eating them, I just love to see ‘em!)

62. Fresh laundry


63. Braids!


64. Sand between your toes


65. Grocery shopping! (especially in a baking supplies shop!)


66. JC’s to do list (coz it means that he can be trained! teehee)


67. Smiley faces


68. Ice cream on warm cake! Yummers!


69. Vegetales! I-kid-you-not when I say it’s FUN!


70. Children birthday parties, coz its just too cute!



*credit of pictures given to the respective owners*

Friday, April 8, 2011

.: Married vs Unmarried :.

Source: Failbook

Why do married people always want unmarried people to get married?
Misery loves company

.: Male Chauvinist PIG! :.

Just when I thought it can't be more embarrassing when our local newspaper have been publishing bout the whole sex scandal thingy - I read this, this morning!

Like WTH?



Malaysian men have extramarital sex because of 'wives who neglect their responsibilities' to their husbands, a Malaysian lawmaker told Parliament on Thursday, reports AFP.

"Husbands driving home after work see things that are sexually arousing and go to their wives to ease their urges," said independent lawmaker Ibrahim Ali, as quoted by online portal Malaysiakini.

"But when they come home to their wives, they will say, 'wait, I'm cooking,' or 'wait, I'm getting ready to visit relatives'," Ali said.

"In Islam, wives are supposed to stop everything to fulfill their husband's demands."

Ali heads Perkasa, a right-wing Malay nationalist group seeking to protect ethnic Malay dominance in politics.

His strident comments came as he asked about plans by the government's religious development department to educate wives on their responsibilities.

Wives failing in their duties pushed men to go to "private places to satisfy their urges", he said.

Source: The Straits Times/ANN
Published April 7 2011

Thursday, April 7, 2011

.: 100 Things That Makes Me Happy (Part 6) :.

Sixth part to the ten part series



51. Highlighters (coz they are just so fun!) *highlights, highlights, highlights*

52. Banana leave rice (eaten the traditional way, i.e. with hand!) finger-licking good!


53. Lounge music (esp those played by professionals!)


54. Long weekends – to catch up on my sleep


55. Dilbert! This comic just makes me smile everytime!


56. Bells (jingle jingling a ling)


57. Singing in karaoke!


58. Meaningful quotes & poems


59. Falling in love (with the man I marry) over & over again! :)


60. Lame jokes (coz they are just so lame, they’re actually funny!)


*credit of pictures given to the respective owners*
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