Cooking with friends

More cooking fun was had yesterday as we made home-made crepes and garlic-based pasta.

Dia & I officially welcomed Nessa to the cooking team as the three of us eagerly prepped ourselves in the kitchen for dinner. On the menu were two types of garlic pastas - chicken and prawn, and crepes with peaches and ice-cream.

We wanted to try out the crepes first before serving it to everyone so we used some leftover ham & cheese to make a sample. It was a bit thick, cos I think we put a little too much batter, but all in all, they were surpringly easy to make and didn't require much ingredients. The batter also didn't look quite right but the result tasted good nonethess. ;) Naturally, we beamed with pride and became more certain of ourselves.

Ham & Cheese Crepe


So we continued working our butts off in the kitchen. Nessa was really getting into it and she took over all the frying/flipping duties, while the two of us scurried around the kitchen bringing her all the ingredients and garnishings. It was a real garlic-fest as teaspoon after teaspoon of garlic was tossed into the pan. But it smelled good. I personally felt the garlic prawn pasta tasted a tad bit better, but the chicken was great too, especially for those with allergies and personal vendettas against the tiny crustacean (yes, I'm referring to you Lydia).

Sabs came in time for a completely non-bias review of our food. Her verdict? It was - quote, unquote - quite good. Oh c'mon Sabby, we know you loved it. Just say the word. Our heads won't swell - honest! ;)

Garlic Prawn Pasta


Dessert was next and I think we succeeded in making better-looking crepes. It was not as thick as our ham and cheese sample, so it was certainly more crepe-like. We all agreed that presentation definitely needed to be worked on though, but for what it's worth, I think it looked good for our first effort.

Home-made crepes with peaches & ice-cream


The laughs rolled after dinner as we retreated for some geeky board game fun. It was Dia's night, winning both games we played. Just as we were about to embark on The Game of Life, Sabs inadvertently discovered that we were a bunch of remaining singles among our very-accounted-for friends, playing this hilarious irony of a game where it would be the closest thing we'd ever come to having twins. Well, at least we're all happy. :p

It's amazing how we, despite being single, are domesticating ourselves when it doesn't look like we're getting married anytime soon. Perhaps the maternal instinct is emerging, or perhaps we're just getting ourselves ready for the day we finally have to live on our own. Dia says we should all live together should we never get married. I'm totally in, cos I know I'm gonna have plenty of fun and I'll never go hungry. ;)

(L-R) Me, Dia, Nessa & Sabs


More pictures here.

I'm feeling: Tickled
I'm listening to: The Luckiest - Ben Folds

I want a genius son too!

I was watching ESPN earlier and saw a report on a very adorable two-year old, Brayden Bozak, who, at his age, has one hell of a swing. And all this, while still wearing diapers! The kid can't even control his bladder yet and he's already on the course "terrorising" everyone else? Man, I want a kid like that. He'd kick so much ass.

Check out that tiny body holding that mean looking golf club. Isn't he adorable? :)

I'm feeling: Awe-struck
I'm listening to: The Game - End of Fashion

Punk'd

Last night, I was punk'd by dear ol' Nessa and I must admit it was, in my opinion, one of the better pranks anyone has ever played on me.

It was just a nice, relaxing day where we baked brownies, chicken pies and sat in front of the telly all day watching old World Cup matches and oogling at Tommy Lee (me) and Dave Navarro (her) among other things. Speaking of which, isn't Tommy Lee the cutest and most charming 44 year-old drummer on earth? All this time, I never understood his appeal until Rock Star and now, there's absolutely no denying my increasing attraction for this man:



I digress.

Anyway, my order from Alloy arrived in the morning and I just casually tossed it on my bed. It wasn't until I was about to sleep that I discovered they were nowhere to be found. However, I didn't think much of it knowing I'd be able to find it the next day.

About an hour after I got up, I started to panic as I realised that it wasn't anywhere in the house. I lifted my bed, I looked through my parent's room, I even looked inside my guitar case, cos well, I could be that stupid. But there was not even a thread in sight! I finally asked the only other person in my room last night and lo and behold, Nessa revealed that it had been stuffed in my very own pillow - and right under my nose too - all night long! And to think, I slept right through with it just underneath my head. Well done, girl. Well done. That was indeed a good prank. My family and I all had a good laugh out of it and I'm sure Nessa did too. :D

Anyway, here's a picture of the brownie we both attempted to bake:


If you think it looks great, then, um, yeah, it was!

If not, well, you'll never know cos we're not gonna tell. ;)

I'm feeling: Amused
I'm listening to: The Riddle - Marty Casey & Lovehammers

Slogans

You know you don't have a life when you start thinking up slogans for Threadless, just so you can win some money and store credit.

Be a sweetheart, and vote for me, will ya? ;)

(Gotta register first, dudes)

I'm feeling: Bored
I'm listening to: Run to the Water - Live

Too wonderful

I was touched by the grace of God - His truly wondrous grace - in two separate services yesterday. No words can describe how unworthy (but thankful) I am of the Lord's neverending love. Let me just leave you with the hymn and song that really spoke to me:

It is a thing most wonderful
It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God's own Son should come from heaven
And die to save a child like me.

And yet I know that it is true:
He came to this poor world below,
And wept and toiled and mourned and died,
Only because He loved us so.

I cannot tell how He could love
A child so weak and full of sin;
His love must be most wonderful,
If He could die my love to win.

I sometimes think about His cross,
And shut me eyes, and try to see
The cruel nails, and crown of thorns,
And Jesus crucified for me.

But even could I see Him die,
I could but see a little part
Of that great love which, like a fire,
Is always burning in His heart.

It is most wonderful to know
His love for me so free and sure;
But 'tis love more wonderful to see
My love for Him so faint and poor.

And yet I want to love Thee, Lord:
Oh, light the flame within my heart,
And I will love Thee more and more
Until I see Thee as Thou art!

- - -

Your Favorite Name is Father
Almighty God
Lord of all creation
Ancient of days
The Holy One
So many names You've given us to call You
But one remains
Your favorite name

[Chorus]
Your favorite name is Father
You love to hear Your children calling
You're there to catch us when we're falling
Your favorite name is Father

Eternal King
Alpha and Omega
Jehovah God
The mighty One
So many names You've given us to call You
But one remains
Your favorite name

[Bridge]
Abba Father
Holy is Your name
Abba Father
Holy is Your name

I'm feeling: Blessed
I'm listening to: Came to the Rescue - Hillsong United

Follow butter meal pack

Yeah, I'd like to see the joss stick fry those damn fish chips. But not before you tell me what exactly does the "row pig" pick?

Check out the full menu here.

With menus like that, China's gotta be a funny place. ;)

I'm feeling: Amused

I'm listening to: What You Own - Rent: Original Broadway Cast

C'est Réalité

My love for Rent has been re-ignited. Since I laid my hands on the DVD (biggest thanks to my doll of a cousin, Drea for giving it to me! *muack*) I've only watched the movie twice in the past 24 hours. And the only thing I've been listening to since that first viewing is - you guessed it - the original Broadway cast recording. I'm gonna be a certified Renthead if I keep this up.

I love musicals. Everyone's always singing their hearts out, and even if the issues are grim and people are dying, the fact that they can break out in song and dance is just too awesome. I really do honestly think that the world would be a much better place if it was like a musical. For one, I can totally picture myself singing in the midst of a heated argument. All the tension would immediately disappear, cos seriously, how can anyone remain pissed when there's singing? Everything can be solved right after the bridge has been sung and then we can "fade out".

Sometimes, just sometimes, a tiny little part of me wishes that real life was a little more like the reel world. Well, at least the singing aspect of it.

I'm feeling: Chirpy
I'm listening to: One Song Glory - Rent: Original Broadway Cast

An infantile event

Hmm. This is my third consecutive entry posted after midnight. Perhaps the blogging juices only appear then, eh? Either that or the fact that not a lot happens past midnight and all is nice and quiet, hence the conduciveness to sit down and type my thoughts away. Anyway...

I was at Suntec City yesterday and saw a poster for a "Best Breastfed Baby Contest".

Best breastfed baby?

Riiight.

As though baby contests weren't bad enough, now it's even been narrowed down to specifics? So I'm guessing cuteness is not a factor here. What then?

From what I can remember, breastfeeding provides babies with the nutrients they need, and it helps with their immune system. And supposedly, breastfed babies have higher IQs than formula babies. So I'm guessing the winner of a Best Breastfed Baby contest would have all the nutrition in the world, the best immunity system and the highest IQ.

I imagine this is how the contest would go:

Round 1 - Mr/Miss Bright Eyes
The baby must have a big spark in his/her eyes and it must not be due to a result of welling up. All who qualify move on.

Round 2 - Glow like J.Lo
The baby must have that radiance, that X-factor of a glow, perpetually looking as though he/she just tasted chocolate for the first time. Those without "it" are sent packing.

Quarter Finals - The Next Samson
The baby's hair must not snap easily and should be able to withstand all the elements. If the baby can't use his/her hair to lift up a toy truck, you will be immediately disqualified.

Semi Finals - Ur-ine or Ur-out
Babies must be able to pee in a cup and later, try to identify their own pee. Ability to correctly identify his/her own urine will be a testament of their IQ. Urine samples will then be tested for nutritional levels. Those who don't meet the requirements will get an Auf Wiedersehen.

Final Round - Death by Kitty
The finalists will be placed in a room with a stray kitten for 5 minutes. Proof of high level of immunity is determined by whether the baby comes out alive and unscathed, or bruised and diseased.

Baby with the highest overall score wins!

And that my friends, is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I'm feeling: Baffled
I'm listening to: Selling The Drama - Live

This Chook can cook

Bookmarking allrecipes.com was the first sign. Sifting through the pages of mouthwatering recipes, I found myself getting incredibly excited to the extent that I was plotting out full meals. I probably have enough saved in my recipe box for 3 meals now. Quite a considerable achievement if you think about the fact that before this - even when I was in Brisbane and had to prepare my own meals - cooking was never on the top of my list. I always shrugged cooking duties off to my two more apt friends. So, this sudden interest in the culinary has certainly got friends and family wondering if I have been possessed by a spatula.

Perhaps it's some kind of quarter-life crisis, if there's even such a thing, but I have cooked twice, in as many weeks, and I plan to have another cooking extravaganza soon. I have honestly never felt more satisfied and accomplished than with the success I get out of each dish. All that chopping and grating and sautéing is done with buckets of care just to ensure everything is perfect.

Of course, they don't always turn out perfect, but instead of waving it off like what I'd usually do, I resolved at improving. There's something I never knew could be possible: that I can be resolute. This new found interest is certainly bringing out a whole different side of me - determined & domesticated.

Here are the pictures from our last cook-in which was supposed to be a birthday treat for Min (I forgot to take photos of our actual meal so had to take the leftovers instead):

We started off with a bit of herb bread...


And here we have the Garden Pasta Salad, which went down very well with everyone. ;)


Can't have a meal without your veggies!


And here's the main course - Garlic Chicken - baked to perfection.


All satisfied after the meal, Min is presented with gifts from Huaiky...


And gifts from myself and Dia, Nessa and Hui who were all MIA.

I'm feeling: Productive
I'm listening to: Gravity - Embrace

Cold, cold night

An unexplainable plethora of emotions consumed me as I leisurely browsed through the aisles, looking for something nice to munch on during my self-planned BauerFest* later that evening. It was exactly as how it would be for some sappy movie where love's lost and the apt soundtrack carries the mood throughout that scene. Well, this is no drama but as I walked down that biscuit section, and without anyone in my vision, I heard these words played through the speakers:

Sadness In my eyes
No one guessed
Or no one tried
You smiled at me
Like Jesus to a child
- George Michael

I stood there, stunned, and I felt my heart sink. I wanted to cry.

I was incredibly overwhelmed by my emotions and all I could think of for a good 2 minutes was how depressed I felt, but I didn't know why this was happening to me. I don't recall having anything to be sad about. So I slowly picked myself up and moved towards the chips.

The chips did not help with the temporary disorientation. My emotions were racing so I found difficulty digesting all that variety in front of me. I wandered aimlessly between the two aisles for awhile and just when I thought I was okay again, I caught my hand reaching for the Prawn Crackers when both my mind and tastebuds had agreed on Apple Chips. What was I doing? Was I so affected that my mind and body became independent of each other?

So I did what I deemed best. I wallowed in self-pity and I felt sorry for myself all the way back home. But not without telling myself to abandon all these emotions on the bus when I got off. There was no way I was going to carry this baggage into my house, my domain.

I didn't quite succeed because I seemed to have left a trail but I'm sure I'll be fine in the morning. I usually manage to sleep it off, especially if it's something I have absolutely no clue about. Perhaps I really am afflicted but I just don't know it yet. Perhaps the song managed to reach deep within me and brought forth something that I've not realised. Whatever it is, I know that I need to submit this to God or I am never gonna be able to get out of it.

*BauerFest = To indulge in a few episodes of 24 back-to-back and celebrate the fact that Jack Bauer is THE man.

I'm feeling: Spiritless
I'm listening to: Boston - Augustana