HeavEn on EarTh

One more time

2011-07-26T21:23:00.002+10:00

One more time, baby... One more time baby...
A Chinese song by Raymond Lam (Lam Fung). The song has been out for a while, it's not that I just listening to it... I've been listening for quite a while (Of course!!! I'm a super big fan of Lam Fung!).
Lam Fung's first Mandarin album - First 第一次. Yes first time he has all Mandarin songs in an album ^^.
The more I listen to this song, the more I become obsessed to it =P
Lam Fung has lotsa dancing to do in this song and I think he did a really great job! You can watch the official MV in YouTube and the one I'm sharing here is the live version!
Look at Lam Fung doing dancing and singing on live! Such a great job! Undoubtedly, he is a really good singer (dancing and singing at the same time... not an easy job!).|
Enjoy Lam Fung's performance!!!

P/s: Lam Fung's latest album 《林峯LF》is out!!! 十扑十扑 (support support) Okay ^.^

Warm and Sweet Chicken & Corn porridge

2011-07-16T19:38:00.003+10:00

Again, freezing cold weather so I decided to cook porridge for dinner ^^

Have got some corns and a chicken drumstick... Shall I just cook chicken and corn porridge? YES!!! I have no choice lol!

Sharing my recipe with you~

Ingredients: - 1 chicken drumstick

- 1 sweet corn, chopped into small pieces

- 1 or 2 slices of ginger

- 1/3 cup of rice

Steps:

1. Wash rice, chicken and corn and chop corn into small pieces.

2. Cook rice in a pot until the water is boiled.

3. Put chicken and corn into the pot to cook with the rice when the water is boiled.

4. Cook for 45 minutes or until the rice is cooked thoroughly (or depending on how soft the rice you want it to be).

5. Seasoning with salt to suit your taste (the porridge is sweet enough so just add a little of salt will do).

6. Slice the chicken before eating.

7. Serve it hot!!!

Cooking in progress~

Tadah, the end product~
The sesames are just for decoration =P (you can eat them with the porridge as well if you like).

Look really good for me~
Warm and sweet... Best for winter!!!

Hope you like it! Bon appetit~

Zenya Ramen Restaurant @ Eastwood

2011-07-15T22:20:00.000+10:00

Had dinner with Ai Vee at Eastwood. Freezing cold weather...What to eat leh? After something that was warm and soupy ^^
Ai Vee said that there's a nice Ramen restaurant in Eastwood so they decided to go that restaurant!
Add an extra $3 to get gyoza or takoyaki and a complimentary salad with special dressing when ordering any ramen or udon~
So, we both ordered this set!

The complimentary salad

Really nice Takoyaki

Gyoza

Ai Vee's Karaage chicken ramen

My Cha Shu ramen

Nice dinner, nice ramen and nice side dishes ❤

Triple Chocolate Muffin

2011-07-15T14:25:00.001+10:00

Had some times to do cooking today. First experience baking triple chocolate muffin, so excited!!! Searched on the web to look for some recipes and I decided to adapt the recipe from taste.com.au ^^

Here's the recipe from the website:

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups self-raising flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
100g dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup white choc bits
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, lightly beaten

Steps:

Preheat oven to 190°C/170°C fan-forced. Line a 12-hole, 1/3 cup-capacity muffin pan with paper cases.
Combine flour, cocoa, dark chocolate, white choc bits and brown sugar in a bowl. Make a well in the centre. Add milk, oil and egg. Using a wooden spoon, stir until just combined. (Tips: Don't overmix muffins, or they can become tough and chewy.)

3. Spoon mixture into paper cases.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned and cooked through.

This is how the muffins look after 5 minutes...

And after 15 minutes...

5. Stand in the baking pan for 5 minutes.

6. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

7. Serve it =)

OMG!!! I don't believe that my first attempt turned out to be SUCCESSFUL!!! The muffin is surprisingly good! (Maybe I'm really talented lol =P)

I hope you enjoy it and have a try baking yourself ❤

Chatswood BBQ Kitchen 好上好燒腊小厨 @ Chatswood

2011-07-14T22:06:00.000+10:00

Dinner at Chatswood BBQ Kitchen (好上好燒腊小厨)~
Told you I would dine in the BBQ Kitchen one day and I finally did with a few friends, eating something more than just the BBQ! A dinner for four so three dishes should be enough. Had a really long look at the menu... well, yes they have lotsa dishes and it's so hard to decide what to eat (everything sounds good!) and here's our final decisions...

Tadah~

Roast duck and roast pork (燒鴨 & 燒肉)

Minced pork, eggplant and mushroom with fish sauce in hot pot (鱼香茄子煲)

Salt and pepper squid (椒鹽鱿鱼)

Honestly, they are all really good! Especially the hot pot, a very good choice when you eat it with rice! The BBQ are just as good as ALWAYS and this was my first time eating chinese style salt and pepper squid and they are really good!
Very satisfying dinner and I'll definitely visit the BBQ Kitchen again to try other dishes!!!

AND I was lucky enough to see someone who I haven't seen for ages after we finished dinner and headed to the Gelatissimo for gelato! He looks just the same as always ❤

Sweeeeeeet Potato Dessert

2011-07-13T17:03:00.000+10:00

Not my cooking this time but it's a piece of cake for me (and for everyone of course), I've cooked it for n times lol.

Came back from work in a very freezing cold weather... So sweet that my landlady had saved me a bowl of warm sweet potato dessert which really warmed me up =D

Nice dessert recipe to share with you! Very easy and it only takes 15 minutes! Have a try =)

Ingredients: - 1 sweet potato

- 1 or 2 slices of ginger

- Brown sugar in pieces (片糖), depending on how sweet you would like it
to be

Steps:

1. Cut the sweet potato into small pieces (but not too small)
2. Boil the sweet potato and ginger in a pot of water (not too much water, about half a pot and you can always add more water if it's too little)
3. Cook for 15 minutes, use a fork or spoon to poke if the sweet potato has softened, then add the brown sugar into the dessert.
4. Try the taste and add more brown sugar if you like.
5. Serve it warm =)

Tadah~
Warm and sweet potato dessert ❤

HD's birthday dinner @ 1945, Pyrmont

2011-07-10T14:40:00.001+10:00

Another birthday dinner... But it's not mine, it's HD tonight! Happy Birthday to you~ ♪

So we had HD's birthday dinner with the group again at 1945. You must be thinking why the restaurant is called 1945?

1945 is an Indonesian Restaurant, particularly stepping back to the time when Indonesia was under the colonisation of Dutch. Also, year 1945 refers to the year Indonesia declared independence (according to an Indonesian friend of mine). One special thing about 1945 (the restaurant) is that it shows the Dutch East Indies tradition of rijsttafel (rice table, literally translated from a Dutch word), where many side dishes are served in small portions, accompanied with rice, in several different ways; and in 1945, it is served in a REALLY BIG plate.

A portrait in the restaurant...
I really wonder who is the lady??? Should have asked the waiter or waitress!

The menu
It's made of wood

The menu again...
This one with 2 doors, nicely presented~

Some special menus recommended by the chef ^^

It took us ages to decide what to order because there are many choices of mains, condiments, street food and etc listed in the menu. There are also set menus which is served individually in a BIG plate.

Some photos of what we ordered (there are many more photos but I didn't get to take the photos... These are just some of my own meal and food ordered by someone sitting close to me).

Es TjintjaoGrassjelly drink with pandan flavoured fresh milk and palm sugar

Teh Potji Strong brewed jasmine tea served with rock sugar (serves 3)

Rijsttafel Tempo Doeloe
Set Menu 1
Served with: Nasi Koening & Seroendeng (Tumeric Rice topped with Spiced grated coconut), Ayam Goreng Kremes (Deep fried tumeric chicken), Babi Ketjap (Stewed pork belly), Sajoer Asem (Tamarind soup), Perkedel Djagoeng (Corn fritter), Sate Babi (Grilled pork skewer), Sambal Goreng Kentang Boentjis (Stir-fried french beans), Sambal Oedang Petai (Stir-fried prawn in chili sauce), Kroepok Oedang (Prawn crackers), Boeboer Ketan Hitam (Black glutinous porridge dessert)

The boeboer ketan hitam

Bamie Ayam Djamoer
Chicken and mushroom dry noodle served with fried dumplings and beefball

Nasi Goreng Kampoeng Traditional Indonesian fried rice served with fried egg, pickes and bitternut crackers

I'm regret that I'm unable to show you more photos... Some other dishes the others have ordered were: Rendang Daging, Mie Tek-Tek, Babi Ketjap etc.
There are too many choices that you will definitely not running out of options even after a few visits!

Reading with PASSION ❤

2011-07-07T20:40:00.003+10:00

Have been waiting for the third book of the Fallen series for nearly a year and I FINALLY got my copy today (well, it's actually out for nearly a month but I didn't realise it =.=")!!!

I know people might say "hey, it's teen reading!". Well, it is kind of teen's choice as it is more to fantasy romance... I'm reading it because I am a dreamer lol !!! I prefer fantasy or fiction haha!
Gonna bury myself in reading again =)
Bon reading (is this even a word? Whatever...)

PASSION by Lauren Kate
The third book of Fallen series.
(The series always have nice cover page =D)

The first and second book are FALLEN and TORMENT, respectively if you are interested ^^

Fallen

Torment

Told you the cover pages are really nice!!! Am I right? =P

Thousand year egg chicken porridge

2011-07-05T18:22:00.000+10:00

Haven't been cooking for really long time!!! The food I miss the most is the thousand egg chicken porridge - my mum's special recipe. Well, it doesn't look really different from those selling outside but I'm pretty sure they taste different (well of course!!! Cause everyone has different styles and skills =P). I'm proudly saying that my porridge tastes the same as the one my mum cooks (I'm inherited her skills and styles lol).

You're lucky cause I'm gonna share the recipe with you here ❤
Remember that everyone can still produce the porridge with different tastes (so if your first try turns out to be not that nice, don't be sad cause PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT =D)!!!

Recipe (2-3 serves)

Ingredients: - 2 Thousand year eggs

- 2 Salted eggs

- 2 Chicken drumsticks

- 1/2 cup of rice

Steps:

1. Marinade the chicken drumsticks with a little salt and white pepper.

2. Boil water to cook the salted eggs. When they are cook, peel the shells, cut into small cubes and set aside.

3. Simmer the thousand year eggs boiled water for 3-5 minutes (this is to reduce the smell of the thousand eggs as they are really stink!). Peel the shells, cut into small cubes and set aside after taking them out from the boiled water.

4. Cook the rice in a pot (tips: Don't worry too much about the water level, you can always add water when it runs out of water).

5. When the rice is boiled (I mean the water) then put the chicken into the pot to cook with the rice.

6. Cook the rice till it's cooked and soft (depends on how you like your porridge to be, some people like it really soft while some people prefer less soft).

7. Put the salted eggs and thousand year eggs into the porridge and cook. Stir it. (Tips: you can cook the eggs with the porridge longer for richer taste of the eggs)

8. Take the chicken out from the pot and slice them (Tips: use 2 forks to slice them) and then stir in the chicken slices into the porridge.

9. You can add some salt and MSG (optional) depending on how salty you would like it to be.

10. It's ready to be served!!!
11. Serve it while it's hot. (Eating tips: Add some sesame oil and white pepper to the porridge. You can also add shallots or fried red onions. This is optional step if you don't like it.)

I hope you like it =D

Sizzle sizzle sizzle

2011-07-03T11:35:00.005+10:00

Small dinner gathering with the gang at Artarmon, Sydney last night. Right! So I travelled all the way from Eastwood to Artarmon; I know some people who drive may say "well, it's 20 minutes drive! Not that far!". Yea, true it's not that far if you drive but I was taking public transport which took me more than double the driving time (there's no direct transport so I had to take a bus from my house and then take train from Chatswood)! I don't mind travelling far for GOOD FOOD though =)

So the restaurant I was heading was Yakiniku Restaurant Wakana. Yakiniku - grilled meat on a smoking hot grill. I've tried Korean BBQ for n times but this was the first time I had Japanese BBQ. Wakana is a side street off Artarmon's main strip Hampden Road (opposite the Artarmon train station); it's a small restaurant so it will be wise if you have a big group of people to dine in (they open 6pm but it becomes full house really quick!).

The built in hot grill.
Everyone has a plate of 3 different dipping sauces - sesame, peanut and not sure what's the last one (it tastes like soy sauce but a little sour, maybe it's just vinegar).

Tanya and HD were the first people to arrive. Like me, they are very punctual =P

Complimentary salad

Some chit chat while Rina was ordering the food.

Beef tongue
Again, I'm not eating it. These were just theirs!!!

Pork belly

Beef tongue and pork belly sizzled in the grill.

Chicken with some marinated sauce (not sure what's that sauce though lol)

Wagyu beef
Ok so, this was the reason they like to come to Wakana (my first time but not theirs)!
Basically they had wagyu beef for the whole dinner. Everyone was just eating the beef except for me eating chicken and pork!

Wagyu beef curry rice
They ordered two of this to share between two tables (except for me again lol)

Tanya showing her very satisfying look after eating her wagyu beef!
She was like "Mmmmmm, yummy!"

Pork belly
This was really yummy!!! I like to eat it with the sesame sauce also without dipping any sauces (it already tastes good without dipping anything!!!)

I heard Yoyo saying that Wakana is popular with locals for its excellent value for the amazing wagyu. I'm not sure with that, you know the reason... But I'll also recommend for its great pork belly and chicken =D

Here's the address and phone number if you feel like a yakiniku~

Wakana Yakiniku Restaurant
2A Broughton Road, Artarmon, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9419 7499

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 12pm-3pm and 6pm-9.30pm (Friday and Saturday til late)
Sunday 6pm-9.30pm
Closed on Mondays

Naughty lunch from Eastwood BBQ Kitchen

2011-07-02T13:44:00.000+10:00

Took away lunch from Eastwood BBQ Kitchen (好上好烧腊小厨) - A Hong Kong style BBQ. I know there's a new restaurant started operating recently in Eastwood (location: previously De Macao Cafe) but they have a small shop at the same roll as Super Fresh Supermarket (next to a DVD store) and the shop is only for take away order (I guess this is for the convenience of the customers as they won't be a big crowd waiting in the restaurant to order take away BBQ). And since they have good business, it's really wise to keep this small shop =)

Haven't really dine in the restaurant after it started operating but I have been taking away BBQ from the small shop since their opening in Eastwood earlier this year (another branch is at Chatswood). Honestly, their BBQ are really great! I used to take away BBQ from another BBQ shop in Eastwood (not gonna mention the name here); and since I tried the BBQ from Eastwood BBQ Kitchen, I don't take away BBQ from that shop anymore (what does this mean? Means the BBQ from Eastwood BBQ Kitchen taste better than the other one!).

Let's see what've I taken away today~
It's on the special menu and I don't see this at the Chatswood branch.

咸蛋三寳飯
Erm... I have no idea how to translate this...
Salted egg with three treasure rice (crap -_-|||)???

It has really big serve! And I normally divide into 2 meals.

Yum yum, very attractive （¯﹃¯）

So, what's the three treasure?
Salted egg with 3 different BBQ - soy sauce chicken, char siew and lub cheong
I ❤ the chicken ALOT!!! We don't have this kind of chicken in Malaysia.
In Malaysia, we normally have the steam chicken (白斩鷄) and roasted chicken (烧鷄) while Hong Kong style BBQ do not have roasted chicken (they have dried scallop steamed chicken and soy sauce chicken).
One of the reasons I love the chilcken is because of the ginger and shallot which meant to be eaten with the chicken. Don't think it's JUST ginger and shallot!!! It just tastes more than that!

OK I know it's so FATTENING to have BBQ as lunch!!! BUT BUT BUT I only have it once in a while so I won't gain too much weight from that *finger crossed*

Hopefully I'll get to visit the restaurant soon (not as soon though)! If you are a big fan of BBQ, I'll recommend you to try EASTWOOD BBQ KITCHEN / CHATSWOOD BBQ KITCHEN ^^

The day I got really CREAMY and TEARY

2011-06-27T19:12:00.003+10:00

Okay, supposed to be only Tanya and I going to Pancakes for dinner but Tanya told me not to worry and brought me in the restaurant when there were already super many people queueing up for seats! So I saw everyone was waiting for both of us downstair... that was kinda surprise to me! Supposed to be only both of us having dinner!!! How come everyone's here!!!??? So I know that's Tanya's plan AGAIN!!! Haha!

And so the gang was celebrating my birthday with me at

Pancakes on The Rocks

This is the second and last birthday they were celebrating with me in Sydney.

The really long table again for the whole gang.

Yoyo drank abit and her face got really red!
She looked drunk in this photo...

Here comes the cake!
Yummy cake (i think it was coffee and walnut cake) from 85 degrees.
Note: Sneaky Gavin walking all the way here...

Standing next to me.

Right! Someone tied my hairs up!
What are you going to do!!!???
Gavin: Close your eyes and make a wish (I did as he said =.=). Do you enjoy your birthday?
Mandy: (I was like...) Yes...

The next second I got lotsa cream on my face!
Sneaky Gavin walked away quickly once he added 'moisturiser' on me!

Poor me... Seriously, the cream were all over my face!

Tried to wipe away all the cream~

Wanna see the live show of the whole creamy process???
Click here
Credits: Sunny

Haha! Something was on my mind now!
See what's on my hand? *laughed wickedly inside*

Here's the repay, Gavin! Hahahaha!

He's good enough to clean me up though =)

After clean up...
Time to cut the cake!!!

The gang always said it's the Aussie's rule to kiss the nearest guy when the knife touched the bottom of the cake. It was supposed to be Trevor that they asked me to kiss but I was very kind!!! I know his potential girlfriend was there so I didn't do it to him lol
So Gavin was brave enough to nominate himself to kiss me!
And that's my reaction (from the photo =P)

Okay PLEASE don't kiss me with that pig lips!!!

Kisses from Tanya and Gavin. They really kissed me on my face with me holding the knife lol


Tanya then bringing out a plastic bag then I was like, Mandy: Oh dear, you don't have to get anything! Tanya: Who said I bought it! Then she took a book out from the bag and I started T_T when I saw it...

Couldn't stop crying...
Curious what they gave me for pressie?

Yoyo started crying when she saw me crying.
What a sentimental girl =)

More tears when I opened the book...

Tanya also started crying... lol

I can't believe that I cried that much!!!
Ai Vee had to comfort me lol

Reading the book...

So, this is the book that made me cried like a baby!

The cover page...

So, inside are messages from the gang and photos of us taking together.
They were making this photo album for me which showing the moments I had with them in Sydney together.
Because this is the last birthday they are celebrating with me and I'm leaving Sydney...
They had made something special as a remembrance...

Everyone had a page with their photos with me and messages for me...

Note: These are not meant for you to read... Just showing off how lovely the pressie is =P

Claire

Sunny

Jay


Tracy

Trevor

Dini

Ronald

Darryl

Hanafi

Luke

Yoyo started to cry again when it was her turn to take a photo with me

And made me cried again...

Yoyo

Joceline

Rina

Ai Vee

Gavin

Tanya

Angela and Gary

Kenneth

I had the BEST birthday ever!!! I'm really grateful to meet the gang and had been spending much fun and unforgettable times together in Sydney! They had made my life in Sydney so much AWESOME and I'll never forget about these! I hope I will get to see them again in the future (though I still have 1 month before heading back to Malaysia)!!! I will treasure the precious memories with them and I hope they will not forget me as well (just to remind them in case they forget me =P).

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE YOU GUYS ❤

My date @ Chantilly's Macquarie Centre

2011-06-21T22:37:00.002+10:00

A date with a very good friend at Chantilly's Macquarie Centre after finished my final paper.
Had a little heart talk and lunch + afternoon tea + dinner =P

Iced chocolate for me!
Yes, cause I don't take coffee

Iced Coffee for the friend~

Thought of something sweet and naughty dessert...
Blueberry cheesecake with ice-cream
All right, dessert should've served at last...
I don't know why they were serving it together with my main (probably because they were closing soon...)

Main: Chicken & Mushrooms French Crepe
So cheesy!!! I know it's very naughty! Well, who cares!
Seriously, this is really good! So, this is French crepe! Very different from the normal savoury crepe we have in other cafes!

Yum yum~ Both of us were so full! And we were sharing the food!!!
Anyway, thank you again for being there to listen to me =D

AND... KNOW WHAT! IT'S FINALLY CELEBRATION TIME!!! LET'S PLAN WHAT TO DO IN THE COMING WEEKS~

How? Yea, how?

2011-06-19T10:10:00.005+10:00

Re-falling in love with this song. Listen over and over again. Such a nice song! Share here with you guys, hope you like it ❤

The lyrics... Penny Tai 戴佩妮- 怎样

我这里天快要黑了那里呢

The day is getting dark here what about there?

我这里天气凉凉的那里呢
The weather is cool here   what about there?

我这里一切都变了我变的懂事了
Everything has changed here   I have become more sensible

我又开始写日记了而那你呢
I have begun to write diary again what about you?

我这里天快要亮了那里呢

The day is getting bright here what about there?

我这里天气很炎热那里呢

The weather is hot here what about there?

我这里一切都变了我变的不哭了
Everything has changed here I am not crying anymore

我把照片也收起了而那你呢
I have kept all the photos away what about you?

如果我们现在还在一起会是怎样

How will it be if we are still together now?

我们是不是还是深爱着对方

Are we still deeply in love with each other?

像开始时那样

Like we just got together

握着手就算天快亮
Holding our hands til breaking dawn

我们现在还在一起会是怎样

How will it be if we are still together now?

我们是不是还是隐瞒着对方

Are we still hiding something from each other?

像结束时那样

Like the time we ended up

明知道你没有错

I know you did nothing wrong

还硬要我原谅
But still asking for my forgiveness

我不会原谅

I will not forgive

我怎么原谅
How am I going to forgive?

Sorry that the video is not the real MV, it's just some fan-made video. Anyway, you are only to listen the song not watching the video =D

Birthday lunch @ Eastwood Korean BBQ

2011-06-18T23:54:00.000+10:00

It's my birthday! I'm happy not because of getting another year older... because I had my loved ones celebrating it with me. Not big celebration, a simple lunch with cake really made my day ❤

Really surprised when I saw Tanya and HD after I entered the restaurant (cause I went to buy groceries and planned lunch with Ai Vee at Eastwood, supposed to be only two of us having lunch). So they planned it! Sunny joined us later...

Had lunch at Eastwood Korean Restaurant (味樂)...

Delicious side dishes.
Really ❤ Korean side dishes!!!

Seafood pancake.

Seafood Hotpot.

Chili octopus.

The really giant octopus from the seafood hotpot.
Tanya had to cut it into a few small pieces to eat haha!
So this photo said "awesome giant alient octopus" lol

We actually had another kimchi tofu soup but I didn't manage to take a photo. It was yummy too!

And when Tanya came out from the washroom, the waitress brought the cake out. It's funny if you want to link this up and make fun with it. Cause HD and Sunny did! Haha~

Tadah~ Fruit cake from dear friends.
Yummy cake from Tai Baan bakery, Eastwood.

Cutting the cake with Ai Vee's weird face lol

Sunny looks like a baby and HD, daddy to feed the baby =P

And my favourite friend as always ❤

Thanks guys for everything. I'm happy to have you guys celebrating my final birthday in Sydney ❤

Also, I received a present from my very best friend later at night. Not like I received super expensive or branded present. Something just made me so touched and my tears actually fallen from my eyes. I think this is the best present I have got.Thank you so much and I really appreciate it ❤

Pressie from Nuffnang ❤

2011-06-14T17:04:00.040+10:00

The second posting of the day (very seldom to have my blog updated so frequently lol). Anyway...

My landlady's daughter knocked my door few minutes ago and handed me with a mail. Nothing special, on the front page it was my name and address. So, I turned the envelope around to open it. And when I turned it around... I saw this...


Eih!? Why do I have a mail from nuffnang??? This really puzzled me and I was so curious what's that in the envelope... So, I opened it... . . . . . . And I found this in the envelope!

A free movie ticket from Nuffnang!!!

Now, I remember! I participated in the nuffnang survey.
And they were giving out free movie tickets for the first 500 participants!
So surprise! I'm one of the 500, so lucky haha!

First pressie from Nuffnang. Thank you ^^

Gonna ask my friend to go watch movie with me after exam ler haha!!!

Post exam celebration (not really =P)

2011-06-14T13:28:00.062+10:00

Yay! Finally it's the day for my first exam (it's already the second exam week and I normally finished by the second week >.<)!!!Family-centred practice subject... had been reading it for the whole week, seriously so sien already! Couldn't wait to 'vomit' all out from my brain onto the paper haha!

And yea, I'm done with that subject (hooray)! One more final ever exam next Monday and I'm so can't wait for that day to come!!!
Anyway... Just went for lunch with Tanya at Macquarie Centre after finished the paper. First try at this cafe or restaurant (thanks to Tanya because of her craving for burger after watching Masterchef last night lol)

Nick's Diner Burgers & Pancakes, Macquarie Shopping Centre

The Menu.
Let's see what to eat first!

The restaurant and its ambience

As usual, chocolate milkshake
(there are a few choices though: chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and banana).
Both Tanya and I love chocolate!
$6.50

Tomato and Basil Bruschetta... $7.90
I don't really like basil but I don't mind eating it.
And seriously, this starter is SOOOOO NICE!!!

Grilled Atlantic Salmon Burger... $17.90

OMG!!! Tell you what! This is GREAT!
Honestly, I have never tried burger before (I mean these types of American style burger, not McD's or KFC's burgers).
SO SO SO different from those McD's and KFC's burgers man!

Apparently, there are many steps you need to do to make a burger and to fry that chips (information from Tanya after she watched Masterchef ^^)

Yum yum~ Can't wait for next week to come when all the papers are finally finish EVER!!! And we can have huge celebration Yay!

Ichiraku Japanese Noodle Bar @ Eastwood

2011-06-11T18:31:00.000+10:00

Found a new restaurant at Eastwood ---> Ichiraku Japanese Noodle Bar (next to Morning glory Eastwood). We (Ai Vee and I) were actually attracted to the menu and price outside the restaurant so we decided to go in and have a try (well, new restaurant... if you don't try, you never knew how's the food in there, am I right?). So I think we are the daring type of person, who would love to try new things!!!

Japanese restaurant so I supposed it is owned by some Japanese??? Well, when the waitress and waiter started talking in Korean... I knew that my assumption was WRONG!!! Haha! So, it's Korean owned Japanese restaurant. Wonder how the food taste like... More of Japanese or Korean taste?

Ichiraku Japanese Noodle Bar.
The design of the restaurant is quite nice, modern style with good lightings.

So, every table is served with a pot of tea. Normally, we get green tea (sencha) in Japanese restaurant but this is not green tea. Taste really nice, I was thinking it might be brown rice tea (genmai cha) but the colour doesn't really look like it... Should have asked the waitress!!!
I like the teapot and cups ^^

Right! Let's have a look at the food~

Ai Vee ordered a lunch box... She LOVES eel ALOT (she orders eel everytime we have Japanese food =.=)
The Eel lunch box is served with sushi,salad, seaweed and miso soup ---> $12.80
I tried the sushi, it was nice! And Ai Vee said the eel was really nice! Quite a big serve

The weather is so cold... so Ramen is the best choice (with hot soup)!
I had Karaage Chicken Ramen---> $11.80.
The thing in the small jug (on left) was fried garlic! So each customer who ordered a ramen is given this small jug and you can add as much garlic as you like!
This ramen is quite nice actually! That fried garlic brought another taste to the ramen!

Adding $2.50 with any purchase of ramen to get this Gyoza.
Crispy at the outer layer and soft inside = YUMMY!

This new restaurant is surprisingly GOOD!!! Will definitely visit the restaurant again! Erm... Didn't really figure out if the food were more to Japanese or Korean taste haha! Hard to tell...

Really full after eating the lunch but we still had some compartments for dessert (as always).

Hong Kong style red bean ice (红豆冰)---> $4.50 @ BBQ One, Eastwood.
This red bean ice is super nice seriously!!! Lotsa red bean ❤❤❤ Basically they have red bean in the whole glass and add some shaved ice and ice cream. (p/s: this comment is only apply to the red bean ice, I didn't try the bbq so don't really know if they are good).

Graduation, Kansai Japanese Restaurant, Vivid Sydney

2011-05-29T20:06:00.000+10:00

Many things happened yesterday, so busy... Well, busy having fun haha!!!

It was Claire's graduation, as usual, the big gang got together and shared the joy with Claire!

Congratulations Claire!

Claire's always favouorite pose - the jumping pose!
It' so cool to have a big group jumping together at the same time! You'll get to see diferrent jumping styles and some really funny poses ^^
Isn't it super cool?

After Claire's graduation, we decided to head to city for Vivid Sydney! Vivid Sydney is festival of light, music and ideas where the colourful and creative lights will be projected on the Sydney Opera House! Well before that, we gotta go and feed ourselves =P

Went to this restaurant where they have a special deal - All you can eat deal and it only costs $28. Sound really worthy! So how does this deal works? You pay $28 and you can order anything from the menu except the sashimi (there is another option if you wanna have sashimi, just add $10 = $38). There are so many things on the menu which making us hard to decide what to get. The guys, of course, got the $28 all you can eat deal! Rina and I didn't go for that deal cause their meals are all quite big and it would be less worthy for us to pay $28 (since we can't eat that much, might as well just order a set meal!).

The restaurant - Kansai Japanese Restaurant.

My dinner - Terriyaki chicken & sushi.
I like the salad on the terriyaki chicken plate, so nice!
So big right!!! I couldn't even finish them, for the sushi, I only ate those sashimi on top man haha!!!

Not too bad! The guys could really eat man! I felt full for them ok!!!

So if you think you are a big eater then I suggest you to visit this restaurant la!

Kansai Japanese Restaurant

Shop B1, Hunter Connection

7-13 Hunter Street, Sydney

Okey Dokey, done with dinner. It's now the highlight of the night! Here comes the Vivid Sydney~ (special thanks to Trevor for awesome photos! You are genius!!!)

At Circular Quay.
Great night scenery

Opera House with lights

Don't think this light projected to the Opera House are all still o!
They are actually moving! Can imagine that?

More lights...
I think the patterns changed every one minute??? Not sure, just guessing didn't really look at the timer =P

WARNING: The following section is rated as R18+

R18+??? Not sure...
Continue seeing the photos!


Super hero also came!!!??? R18+ O_o See More...

Why are they standing so still???

Another super women??? Some fighting is it???
Too violent for 18 and under???

Excuse me!!! Don't poo on the street!!! Go toilet!

Oh DEAR!!! Someone's dead on the street!!!

R18+!? Yes definitely YES!!! Too STUPID that I don't want this stupidity to be spreaded to the young ones. These were so stupid!!! Tell you why! As you could see some of them photos were blur, some blur half and some were really clear! Know why? I have no idea idea how they call it, but it's like taking a photo without flash in the dark and keep really still (really really still, if you move a little, even tiny movement then your photo will be blur) for like 10 seconds. It's so hard seriously!!! The last photo was really funny! Someone (can't tell the name here, it's confidential) lied on the street like a dead and Gavin used the light to trace arround the dead. It was so stupid! All the people were looking at us man!!!


A very kind uncle used his green laser to project on us and we became part of the Vivid la! So cool la!

Had really GREAT fun with great people! And a group photo before we went off. Smile~

Suwahre Rice Cake @ Eastwood

2011-05-27T22:30:00.059+10:00

Have always LOVE to eat hot and spicy food. Went to but some groceries today and got my lunch as well. And my lunch was Ddeokbokki (Korean style rice cake in hot chili paste, gochujang). If you have had chance trying Korean food, you will know how hot their food are! Even myself (who can really take hot) can't stop 'crying' from eating them haha!

I don't know how spicy you can tell from the photo... Anyway... Just have a try (any Korean Restaurant with this dish and then tell me how it tastes ok lol)!

Ddeokbokki - A popular Korean dish of rice cake with vegie and fish cake in hot chili paste. 맛있는 (Delicious)!!!

Here's the restaurant! It's a small shop that fits a small group of people dining in, people normally take away though. They also sell other Korean street food, snacks and all kind of rice cakes. Walk in and have a look if you are nearby ^^

Suwahre Rice Cakes
18 Railway Pde, Eastwood NSW 2122

Bon Appetit

2011-05-27T21:08:00.001+10:00

Weather is getting colder and colder... I've always think of ways to keep myself warm. You know, add more clothes, quilt...all basic stuff. And people always say that red meat (beef and mutton) keep you warm...Too bad, I don't eat either! That's why I have to think other ways...haha! And my very special way of keeping myself warm is eating hot dessert!!! Very logical... when you feel cold, will you still eat cold thing to make yourself even colder (well, I do sometimes. I love eating ice-cream when it's cold! I thought it's really exciting =P)? For sure, most people choose hot stuff over cold stuff! My second logic...dessert is sweet, sweet gives you energy and it's quite filling!

So all my logics make this dessert! Let see what we've got~


Red Bean Paste + Glutinous Rice Ball 红豆汤圆甜品

As chinese, we normally eat glutinous rice ball during Winter (lunar calendar)and every year after you have eaten glutinous rice ball, you are 1 year older. Glutinous rice ball which is tang yuan 汤圆 in Mandarin also mean reunion, people also eat it when someone's getting married - tuan yuan, tuan yuan (reunion) is a good sight!

Erm, I know it's still not Winter but I really feel like tang yuan BUT BUT BUT doesn't mean that I get 1 year older after I eat them ok!!! Eating tang yuan with red bean paste...first time making it this way...wonder if it's gonna be nice...

YES YES YES, it's super nice! Very satisfied yum~

DO YOU WANNA MAKE ONE???

You know I'm very kind, I'm more than happy to share my love~

And here's my love!

Ingredients: (2 people)

1/2 cup of red bean
3-4 cup of water
crystal sugar (depend on you preferred sweetness)

glutinous rice ball (any flavour you like, I have black sesame and peanut) or you can make it yourself with glutinous rice flour + water (just mix them and make into small balls)

Steps:

Wash red bean and soak in water for ~30minutes (this saves your time in boiling the red bean, the longer you soak it, the faster you can get it cooked and soft).
Boil red bean for around 1 hour or until the red beans are cooked and soft. Check and stir every 15 minutes so the water don't dry out.
Add crystal sugar into the red bean paste and stir.
Add glutinous rice ball. Cook until they float on the surface (means it's cooked!). Turn off the heat and it's done!'
Serve while it's hot~~~

Bon Appetit ❤

Blink a blink your eyes~

2011-05-21T22:19:00.000+10:00

I've been using mascara for quite sometimes (but don't really use it on daily basis, maybe just for outing and you know some events etc). This is why it's so uncommon for me to talk about cosmetics on my blog (cause I don't use them often), but I guess I should really start investing on the cosmetics and you know look pretty everyday, everywhere. For some culture, make up is a manner. A Japanese friend of mine said that it's respect to others when you have make up because you are delivering a good image to the other persons. That's really interesting! And I guess this is why we see pretty girls everywhere in Japan =)

Erm, I'm not selling or promoting cosmetics brand here, not tutoring how to use it either. I'm posting this today is just to 'show off' a pressie from Tanya haha. She gave this mascara to me yesterday when we had our Malaysian food nite at Sambal. I was quite surprised when she gave that to me. She said no reason la, cause she knows I use mascara and I guess this is some new product or whatever, that's why she's sharing love (she always do).


Rimmel - Glam' Eyes Mascara (Just read it from the label). And yea, it also said 'new' on the label so my assuption of new product has passed lol!

Haven't really use this brand before but I really like the look of the mascara! A crown and some patterns on the lid, with the colour...It looks just girly and 'princess' I guess. Since it said Glam eyes, the effects must be making your lashes look glamorous and dramatic!!! Will try one day and see how it goes haha.

Thank you Tanya ❤

Friday night indulgence @ Sambal Malaysian Restaurant

2011-05-20T22:11:00.003+10:00

Craving for Malaysian food after leaving Malaysia for a while??? I understand that feeling...

No worries, all fellow Malaysian! There are actually quite a few Malaysian restaurant which I think quite authentic HERE IN SYDNEY!!! I think the most famous will be Mamak (City Haymarket & Chatswood)??? Another famous one is Sambal Malaysian Restaurant (well at least every Malaysian at Macquarie know about it). All I know about Sambal is that the boss is from Penang so if you are from Penang and really miss Penang taste, then you should come to Sambal!

It's Friday night!!! So we (Tanya, HD and myself - small group was good) decided to indulge ourselves again with good food (well, not so often right? Just once in a while). We were not really craving for Malaysian food but when we reached there and saw the menu, we were like crazy women (only applied to Tanya and I cause HD is not a Malaysian who is happy to try any food from any country)! We were not craving the Malaysian food but deep inside us did!!! Haha~

Have a look at what we ordered. These are all famous Malaysian local food!

Char Kuey Tiaw - Fried rice noodles.
This is one of the most famous food in Penang, Malaysia.
A friend of mine from Penang told me that the most famous char kuey tiaw stall in Penang uses duck eggs to fry the rice noodles which makes the noodles smell really nice (the typical char kuey tiaw uses chicken eggs instead) but it also costs 4 times the normal char kuey tiaw.

Assam sotong - Assam squid.
Assam tastes hot and sour. Eating it with rice = SUPER NICE!

Inchee Kabin - Deep fried chicken served with a special sauce.
HD (who is not Malaysian) said it's like KFC but healthier than KFC!
Well, he's half correct. It's like KFC when you bite it (cause it's crispy) but don't really taste like KFC. This is 100x yummier than KFC! ^v^

Rendang Lembu - Beef rendang.
Again, I don't eat beef so I can't tell how is it taste like. But I've had chicken rendang before so I definitely know how rendang taste like. If you are not Malaysian, Singaporean or Indonesian, you might get mix up between rendang and curry. Well, they are not actually the same. Both rendang and curry are spicy but they taste totally different because of the spices used. Another thing that distinguished curry from rendang is curry has lotsa sauce (erm, not sure if sauce is the best word...anyway, I meant lotsa water I guess =.=")

Belacan eggplant.
It's a hot dish again.


After all the savoury... Let's have some sweet for dessert! Ais kacang - shaved ice, one of the most popular dessert in Malaysia! It's a cold dessert with shaved ice, Rose syrup (sirap Ros - this is what we called in Malaysia), coconut sugar syrup (Gula Melaka) and carnation milk on top of the ice. And don't think it's just ice! Because...

The 'treasure' are all at the bottom! There are red bean, grass jelly and atap chi (I don't know what it called in English but it's some kind of sea coconut).
These are just some of the things we have in Ais kacang. There are all kinds of Ais kacang in Malaysia. I love the one with ice-cream and peanut on top of the shaved ice the most ^^

Not too expensive restaurant (if you don't compare to the Malaysia price cause if I compare, honestly, I could have seafood banquet already!). The restaurant also opens for lunch with Malaysian hawker centre food like asam laksa, char kuey tiaw, kuih muih etc! Anyway, Sambal is definitely a good choice if you really miss Malaysian food or if you like to try new things!

The Happy Ever After

2011-05-20T14:21:00.001+10:00

Marriage - The very long journey requires both parties to always fall in love with each other many many times, over and over again. 5 years of loving each other, holding each other's hands, and always always be there for each other... Finally, it's your BIG DAY! Lotsa feelings flowing out of my mind... I've seen your love grown each day, nothing seemed to be able to take away your love. The long distance, the fights... You have overcome all the obstacles. I'm proud of you and really really happy for you!

I'm so sorry that I can't be there wishing you all the very best and blissful marriage but you know my SPIRIT will always be there ^v^

You will definitely have a blessed and blissful marriage (you know that ---> your husband is just so nice!). This is the fresh first year of your marriage, I hope that in the coming 5 years, 10 years,.... 50 years... you will always always as loving and holding each other's hands till the end of the world ❤

Congratulations Dear Amanda and Jerry

Marriage is a door which looks out upon a beautiful view. As that door is opened and the horizon unfolds before you, know that nothing is sweeter than the warmth of one hand within another -- Collin McCarty


From now on, you will not need the umbrella anymore... Cause you have found someone who will be your umbrella no matter it's sunny day, rainy day or even tsunami! He will always be your umbrella~

All you like Udon

2011-05-18T15:21:00.000+10:00

Ever think of begin cooking with just a simple dish? Tell you what. I think the easiest cooking is stir fry or fried rice or noodles or something similar. Know why? ...... Because the only thing you need to do when cooking is putting everything into the wok or pan! Sounds reasonable? Haha, anyway that's just personal view. You might say 'well, the easiest cooking is INSTANT NOODLE!' - Ermmm, agree with that but you know, something easy other than instant noodle :P

Presenting you my yummy lunch~ Fried Udon - Quick and Easy! Wanna try cooking yourself?

What you need:

Udon noodles
Crab meat stick
Corn
Seaweed
Garlic (1-2 cloves, chopped)
Oyster sauce
Pepper
Sesame oil

You can choose any ingredients that you like, the list above was what I used in my udon. You can always use meat and vegetables (Tips: if you are using meat -pork or chicken, you may wanna mix a very little cornstarch - this makes the meat tender when you bite).

Finished choosing your ingredients? Let's move on to the next step!

How?

Boil water and cook the udon for around 8 minutes or until it's cooked. You can add some salt into the boiled water.
Strain the udon with cold water and leave aside for later use.
Heat oil in your wok/ pan and fry garlic.
Add your ingredients (crab meat stick, corn etc) into the wok/ pan and fry with the garlic.
Add seasoning (oyster sauce, pepper, sesame oil) and little water - making sauce to the udon.
When the sauce boiled, add the udon into the wok/ pan and mix them well.
If it's too watery, turn to high heat and keep frying until the noodles have soaked all the sauce.
Add seaweed for decoration (well of course, you can eat it! Seaweed brings a really nice taste to the noodles) and it's ready to be served!
Serve while it's hot.


Tadah~ Here's my fried Udon ❤

First time cooking? No problem, this is easy! Try it today ^v^

Cook. Love. Food.

2011-05-17T18:48:00.002+10:00

Well, if you know me well then you would know I'm a food person. I love eating, well, I think most people do! I don't mind eating cheap or expensive food, as long as they are yummy, I'm more than happy to spend that money. Right, I mean I choose quality over price O(∩_∩)O

Yes, when I say I'm a food person, I also mean that I love to cook (still learning to be a good cook though), from appetiser to dessert, any cuisine, as long as I think that's new to me, I'll try doing it! So throw me with any food recipe, I'll come out with something for sure (may not be super yummy but come on, be confident =P).

I've started collecting recipe books or any online recipes few years ago. Well of course, I've cooked or made or baked some of them. Am currently very interested to the recipes by Kit Mak (麥潔兒) - you might heard about her before. Yes, she was one of the judges in the HK show, Beautiful Cooking 2.

Introducing Kit Mak. Gosh, she is definitely a pretty chef!

Kit Mak also published a few recipe books to share her cooking ideas. She is very well-known with new ideas on cooking; incorporating traditional ways of cooking, she brings in new ideas to make different tastes to the 'traditional' dishes. Here are some of her books which I really hope I have them (apparently they only sell them in Hong Kong >.<). I only see them only and didn't really have the chance to look inside the book T-T. Well, not promoting these books, just to let the other cook person who also interested in Kit Mak's cooking (like me) and is living in Hong Kong, know about them.

This is interesting. Kit Mak worked with another writer to actually linking her cuisine to love stories and I heard (well not really heard, these are all what I read from the book description) that there are 40 recipes in it which have been decribed through romantic love stories ❤

Right, all I know about this book is making desserts with all kinds of flowers. People normally use flowers as gift, decorations, fragrance or tea, this is the first time I know that we can actually make desserts with flowers. Interesting~

Kit Mak gave this book with the name of 'The Taste of First Love' so I guess there must be something that make you feel 'in love' when you're making or tasting it. So wanna have one too!!!

Ok, here are some recipes that I searched online. Someone was very kind to share these online *thank you*. I'm not sharing the recipes here cuz it will take me very long time to edit them (as the picture sizes are really small and there are many of them) but I'm more than happy to share a few of them if you are interested ^v^

Show you some pictures here... How is it? Feeling hungry already?

Molten Chocolate Cake (巧克力心太软)
Yes, this was the one I made few weeks ago. I have the recipe in another post if you are interested.

Chicken Diavola (魔鬼烧鸡)

Rich Tomato Soup (番茄浓汤)


Chicken Steak with Apple and Herbs (苹果香草鸡扒)

Wow! Making me so hungry *drooling*

Yum Cha English Style @ Crossroads Bar, Swissôtel Sydney

2011-05-14T22:00:00.006+10:00

Last minute decision of our (Tanya and I) high tea session and location -----> The Crossroads Bar at Swissôtel~

Two hours all you can eat high tea buffet brought out the old, the new and the ancient cameras clicking everywhere before any single things had been eaten.

Welcome to the Swissôtel~

Chocolate fondue with a selction of fruits ❤

Meringue~ Didn't get this on my plate (am not a big fan meringue) but they look really GOOD!

This pyramid-like thingy with lotsa macaroons, creme brulee, puffs, cupcakes and jellies attracted me alot! Not because of the sweets but the way they presented it. Pardon my lousy camera...didn't really get the beauty of it with my cam

Creme caramel, tiramisu and apricot slice (i guess)


Bluberry cheese cakes, choc mudcakes and fruit tarts. Gosh, these three are BOMBS!!! Especially ❤ that blueberry cheese cake

Savoury~ A selection of sandwiches --> ham & cheese, smoked salmon, tuna, egg mayo, chicken and some rolls. Good to have these when you feel really stuffed after all the sweets! I guess it neutralised the SWEETS abit.... SO YOU CAN EAT MORE =P

A glass of champagne comes with the buffet. Cheers~

First, having some savoury... My plate


A lil' sweets after some yummy sandwiches~ My plate again.

Time to have some fun with the chocolate fountain~~~

Marshmallow and strawberry with chocolate... AND have some fruit salad! Great! Too much chocolate really stuffed me up *burp*

Don't worry, rest for a while, have some savoury and then CONTINUE!!! Don't forget we have 2 hours to really taste everything. Well, we didn't really taste everything. There were too many sweets!!!

Yes, don't doubt! It's my plate AGAIN!!! Just tasted everything with small bites. Love the scones ^^

*burp* So full! Here, cheers~ To our weight gained after today XD

Awww~ Glad that we came! Great service, great food and fair price ($55/person with a glass of champagne), very worth eating! Looking for place to have high tea? Don't be hesitate! Swissotel is simply a good place to have an afternoon relax and enjoy good foood ❤

With Love ❤

2011-05-01T13:04:00.001+10:00

Haven't been updating my blog for long... Too busy with stuff - Uni, assignments and blah blah blah... Anyway...
I'm kinda obsessed... TO DESSERT!!! lol
I'm a big TVB drama fan, always heard and saw this dessert in the dramas and so... I decided to try making one! Wonder if you know there's always a pretty chef named Kit Mak in the Beautiful Cooking Series.. I have tried making dessert before with her recipe therefore I thought of searching her recipe online and see if she has this dessert in her recipe...
Lucky me! She really has this dessert in her recipe yay! Oopsy, no one knows what's this dessert yet... It is called 巧克力心太软 (molten chocolate cake).
The name is very well related to the dessert... If you have seen or eaten this dessert before, you know why. For those who hasn't tried this before, it is called the name because it has really "soft heart" lol. Seriously, the outer layer looks like normal cake but when you cut it... YUM YUM, the chocolate filling flows out of the cake!
All right, enough nonsense... Just gonna share this recipe of Kit Mak if you are interested of making one by yourself. Enjoy ❤

Molten Chocolate Cake 巧克力心太软

What you need: - Cooking dark chocolate 80g
               - Brown sugar             2 tbsp
               - Butter                  50g
               - Egg                     3
               - Flour                   1/2 cup
               - Icing sugar             some
               - Cocoa powder            some
               - Water                   some
               - Soft butter             some

How?

1. Preheat oven at 200 degree celcius
2. Grease the baking mould with soft butter and sprinkle some cocoa powder (I guess this is to prevent the cake sticking to the mould).
3. Melt dark chocolate, butter and brown sugar in a bowl over simmering water.
4. Stir gently until well mixed.
5. Blend eggs and pour into the chocolate mixture and stir well.
6. Sife the flour into the chocolate mixture and stir well.
7. Pour the mixture into the baking moulds.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
9. Remove the cake from the moulds, dust with icing sugar and decorate your plates.
10. Serve while it's hot!!!

It is really simple, isn't it? Everyone can make one at home! Try it! Hope you like it... Cause I LOVE IT ❤

Nom Nom @ Cafe Bondi

2011-04-02T22:42:00.218+11:00

One thing I really like about my group of friends is they are really FOOD HUNTER!!! What I mean food hunter here is not just looking for food but looking for GOOD and WORTH EATING food! One of the friends from the group got this voucher - 2 for $49 lunch at Cafe Bondi and obviously there were terms and conditions applied to this voucher (which I don't really care about). All I know about this voucher was the lunch includes an entree (sharing between 2 persons), 2 main courses (so each pair can choose 2 main course - anything from the menu) and 2 glasses of wine/beer/any other drinks from the menu. With all these, each person only pay $24.50 which is really cheap! And don't think it's cheap so the portion will be small and with not so nice taste... NEVER EVER THINK THAT WAY!!! If you see my photos which I'm going to show you shortly, you'll know how worthy this lunch was!

And so we traveled all the way from Macquarie/ Chatswood/ Sydney to BONDI!!!

In the Cafe~

Tell you what... We got really LONG table! I was really shocked when I saw that =.=

See, Tanya and I were so ready for lunch! We even warmed the cutleries up XD


Another posing while waiting for our FOOD~ Tanya, me, Hanafi and Yoyo

I was sharing the package with Tanya and here's our orders...

We ordered Chicken Caesar Salad for entree (We always ❤ caesar salad).
This caesar salad is so different from others we ate before. One thing that makes this so special is the anchovies (not sure if you notice that on the of the chicken). The anchovies added a very nice taste to the salad, a little salty but it was just nice to eat with the lettuce, chicken and etc. This is quite a big serving, Tanya and I couldn't even finish it and we actually felt a little full... (even before the mains be served OMG!!!)

Here comes the main course~

Grilled Salmon xxx (forgotten the name) which was on the special menu of the day.
This dish was really good! We didn't squeeze the lemon, there was 'juice' from the salmon and salsa salad already. Cut a small piece of salmon and eating it with a little salsa salad = YUM!!!

Another dish on special menu of the day. It's Fettucine with seafood (something like that but that's not the name for sure!). Don't think it's normal spaghetti! It's really different! A taste of fresh seafood with well-cooked fettucine... So Yummy! I must really praise this for the really large prawn!!! OMG, seriously the prawns were really large and crispy!!!

Some other entree and main courses the other friends ordered...

Chicken Salad (if not mistaken). Looks GOOD!

Mussels in a Spanish Tomato, Olive & Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Okay, I have no idea of the names of these two dishes above but they were beef for sure!
I don't eat beef so I really don't know how they tasted. My friends said they were really good! And I tasted the fried onion rings on top of the 2nd dish and it tasted really GOOD!

Yoyo looked really happy with her dish. Why not eating it yet?
Maybe she had no idea how to cut them hahahaha!

I told you all the dishes were really big and we seriously couldn't finish them (even guys couldn't finish them... well, some of them could but took really long time). Gonna show you a few faces then you'll know how a person looks REALLY FULL!

Look at Tanya's cheek... She tried so hard to stuff everything in her mouth.
She looks like she was sighing... "OMG, how am I going to finish them..."

I like this photo of "I'm so full" the most! Doesn't she look helpless when looking at the REALLY BIG STEAK with lotsa chips (it only showed up as half from the photo but it still looks alot!)?

Yoyo trying very hard to stuff herself more! Look at that big plate, I really wonder how they gonna finish that!!!

You know what, don't waste it if you can't finish! You can do some food art!
Art by Yoyo ❀

Here's the whole group. Isn't the table LONG?
Can't even see the people at the back clearly!
Looking for me in the photo? Haha, no need to try cause I'm not even in that photo! I was the camera lady ^^

One thing I found quite significant to the Cafe is the paintings on the wall! There are many paintings hanging on the wall and they are actually for sale! Few hundreds each painting, super expensive! Not sure if there's someone buying them but they are really CUTE!

This is so funny! It was so random when Yoyo did that (she was trying to pretend the girl in previous photo). Yoyo added to this photo, "photo lies sometimes". You know what she means! haha~

Pretending to be the girls in the painting. What do you think?

All right, finished eating! Let's have a group photo!
Let me see... Ermmm, we still missing some people in there... well of course me is not in there, Tanya is not in there either... Because we were the producers of the photos!!! So UNFAIR!!!

It was a great day with great people and great food AND it only cost us $24.50!

Koren dessert - 식혜 (Shikhye)

2010-12-23T15:15:00.000+11:00

Thanks to Maangchi again before I'm making this korean dessert. Well, this is quite easy to make but is REALLY REALLY time consuming. So be really patient when you're making this dessert o ❤　

Ingredients:
A package of barley malt powder, 2 cups of rice, 2 cups of sugar, 24-30 cups of water, and pine nuts.

Barley Malt Powder

Directions:

Sink 1 packet of barley malted powder (1 pound) in a large basin with 24-30 cups of water. Let it sit for 2 hours until all the dregs sunk to the bottom of the basin.

Make rice and set it aside.
Cook rice without a rice cooker: (good experience, try this)
- Wash 2 cups of short grain rice. Drain and put in a pot with thick bottom.
- Pour 1.5 cups of water into the pot. Soak it for an hour and close the lid.
- Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Open the lid and turn the rice over with a rice scoop or spoon.
- Simmer it over low heat for another 10 minutes! You will have nice fluffy rice!
This is also one of the Korean snack - nooroongji (burnt rice snack).Told you it's good experience!!!
When the mixed liquid of barley malt powder and water is completely separated (it takes about 1.5 hours-2 hours), pour the clear liquid from the top into your rice cooker.
*tip: if you have leftover clear liquid, save it and keep it in the refrigerator. We are going to use it later.
Add 1 cup of sugar and the cooked rice into the rice cooker with the liquid.
Stir it and set the rice cooker’s function to “warm” for 4- 5 hours. Be sure not to set it “cook.” (Reason: setting it to “warm” is to ferment the rice so that the cornstarch from the rice converts to sugar. If you boil it, the fermenting process will stop).

Throw out the sediments sunk on the bottom of the basin.
4 hours later, check to see if the rice is fermented (* When the rice is fermented, a few grains of rice will float to the top of liquid).

Strain the rice and rinse it with cold water. Set it aside in a container. Add a little cold water and keep it in the refrigerator.

Transfer the liquid from the rice cooker to a large pot, and add the saved leftover liquid from #3 if you have it.
Add 1 cup of sugar and bring to a boil.
Remove the foam floating on the top of the boiling liquid.

Cool it down and transfer it to a glass jar or bottle and keep in the refrigerator.
To eat, serve it cold in a bowl with a scoop of rice from #8. Drop in a few pine nuts, just before serving it.
* tip: you can add crushed ice made with sikhye liquid. If you like all your rice grains to float, add 1 tbs of sugar and mix it right before serving it.


Ready to be served ❤

Eat it COLD ^^

Happy 'Midwinter' 冬至 to EVERYONE

2010-12-23T15:08:00.000+11:00

The very first 'Midwinter' - 冬至 in Sydney by myself (ALL ALONE T-T).

Used to celebrate this day with my family (well, I chose to stay for Christmas in Sydney with my friends this year).

I remember we (my siblings and I) used to wake up so early on the 'Midwinter' so we could help mum to make glutinous rice ball - 汤圆 (tang yuan). I don't know what kind of soups the other families have, but we LOVE the 'gula melaka' soup! My mum's secret recipe is to boil the 'gula melaka' soup with pandan leaves to make the soup smells good!

Well, we don't make 'fancy flavours' glutinous rice ball with fillings like red bean, black sesame, peanut etc. All we would make is glutinous rice ball with 'gula melaka' (AGAIN). This is also a hard work ok! We have to chop the 'gula melaka' into small cubes (well, my youngest sister would always take this job. Know why? She could then stealing the 'gula melaka' while chopping =D)

Really love those days we made the glutinous rice together~~~

Too bad I couldn't get to eat the home-made glutinous rice ball this year at home with my lovely family... Well NEVER MIND! I could still make my own glutinous rice ball --------- soup only (Of course I don't know how to make the dough!!! There's ready-made glutinous rice ball in the supermarket OK!).

My soup -----> 'Gula Melaka' + ginger

Glutinous Rice Ball -----> Black sesame (I always LOVE black sesame)

AND

Tadah~

My glutinous rice ball~

Yum~ It's the black sesame flavour~

The 'Midwinter' dinner back home.... (my sister was very "KIND" to tag me to these photos)

Yummy chicken curry + bread (for dipping). I miss my mum's curry T-T

Glutinous rice ball with 'Gula Melaka'. Same colour (soup) as mine... OF COURSE!!! Cause I stole my mum's recipe =P

Christmas Countdown~

2010-12-20T21:17:00.000+11:00

5 days to Christmas. Have been getting pressies from my boss, colleague and children =)

I find it interesting that Aussie gives food (mostly chocolate) for Christmas pressie, well, not all though.

Ok, some of my pressies.....

From my boss and colleague

From boss -----> White wine and chocolate~

From colleague -----> cookies

From my kid. Guess what's this? Chocolate? Wine? Candy cane?

A pressie that is NOT food! It's hand and finger spa set~ I saw this before with my cousin in Singapore. It was quite expensive in Singapore but apparently the material is quite different. I can now do manicure by myself at home!!!

Korean dessert - 마탕

2010-12-19T19:50:00.000+11:00

Had my first attempt making Korean dessert. Thanks to Maangchi for her recipe and demonstration. Her blog is all about cooking Korean food. Lotsa recipes in her blog and the photos of the food make me hungry!!! Have a look if you are interested =)
Well, I always love to cook, especially making dessert! Read this recipe the other day and looked quite easy... So I decided to try making one! Seriously, this dessert is the easiest I guess! The result of my first attempt ----> PASSED!

Matang (마탕) - Candied Sweet Potato

There's actually black sesame in Maangchi's recipe to sprinkle on top of the Matang for decoration but I have no black sesame... Look a bit plain but they are really yummy! The sweet potato pieces look so shiny~~~

Love it! Will try other recipes when I'm free SOON!

Gold Goast Trip (5th-10th Dec 2010)

2010-12-18T21:32:00.000+11:00

Before I blog about this trip, I would love to thank to the gang (you know who you are) for organising this trip and being such a great group to travel with =)

The organisers took lotsa time to hunt for great accommodation, hire car and consider everyone's budget. Around a month I think... And here's our trip!!! Yay!

5th Dec
Rainy day... First day in Gold Coast. Didn't get to do much thing. Arrived GC around 12pm and waited for the stupid car to come (it's a really budget budget car hire so there's no counter at the airport), all the drivers (Gavin, Jay and Trevor) had to go and get the cars; luckily, it's just 5 minutes from the airport. The rest of us waited in the airport with everyone's stomach grumbling.....
First lunch in GC was the KFC! I think I must be very hungry... The lunch was SO SUPER DUPER YUMMY! I wonder if the others had the same feelings =P
Checked into our house... Wow!!! Very nice and big house!!! Sorry for my lousy camera again... but the house was really great!

Outdoor...

Lounge and dining area...

Master bedroom... The bathroom of this room has no DOOR at all. If you sit on the bed or anywhere in the room, you can actually see the person in the bathroom (no matter what the person does--> showering, pee-ing or poo-ing lol).


Outdoor again with swimming pool and BBQ pit...

We did some shopping to stock up some food and alcohol (for alcoholics only =P).
First dinner in GC was BBQ, home made pizza (tasted really good!) and cake (of Rina's birthday). Yum~ very full!
Rest earlier and hopefully it's not raining tomorrow...

6th Dec
A few showers today... Well not too bad, at least it wasn't raining the whole day!
So SEA WORLD today!!!
Lotsa things and performances to see! The best performance of the day for me was the DOLPHIN PERFORMANCE! I always love dolphin cause they are really cute! I wish I have a pet dolphin =)
Seriously, I have no idea how these people trained the dolphin! Well the performance was really good... still I hope those dolphin have their freedom in the sea... No matter how good their lives in the aquarium, sanctuary or whatever... I guess it is the best to be able to swim freely in the sea... the natural home.


Group photo at the Sea World entrance...

Sesame street~~~

These were the audience of the dolphin performance.

The dolphin's stage of performance...

7th Dec
Well, we expected it would be rainy day so it would be PERFECT to get more wet! Very obvious, our destination ----> WET N WILD WATER WORLD!
Not many photos for this theme park as we stored our things in the locker (well, I bet no one would bring camera to the water???).

Group photo at the entrance again...

Let's get wet!

Woohoo~ Sexy girls~

8th Dec
Sun finally smiled! Yo~~~ It was such a good day to go to the MOVIE WORLD (well we all know most of the rides are very sensitive to rain)!
Had really great fun in the theme park! Some of the rides are too scary for me... So DO NOT ask me if I went up the Superman ride! That's too obvious! I will never take that ride seriously! That's too scary ok (don't have a good photo of it to show but it is one of the MUST RIDEs in the theme park)!

Tanya and HD joined us today...

Well, these are not real graves of somebody. Just... you know, the theme park thing.

Characters of the day~~~

Wild West Fall~ The photo we bought from the shop. This one is really fun! It's different from the typical one (I won't tell the reason cause it's the secret of this ride! Try it if you go to Movie World next time). Everyone loves this photo because of Arnie's face (Sorry Arnie)! lol

We wanted to try this! This photo is really nice... But it took so many shots to get the perfect one ok!!! Well, still thanks to Darryl's DSLR and multiple shots of this motion =)

9th Dec

Busy day, as we were going back the next day early morning. DREAMWORLD + WHITE WATER WORLD + BEACH...

I was glad that the White Water World is connected with the Dreamworld (as Dreamworld's rides are scarier than those in Movie World)! Really really wet today! After White Water World... got wet at the beach again! GC beach is really beautiful! We went there around sunset...

Dreamworld~

White Water World~ Everyone was laughing at this photo! Thought they were laughing at Tanya's expression... Stupid Darryl said i was funnier! He said 'At least Tanya was cool. You... tried to act cool but failed! Wakakaka!'. Whatever =.="

The Beach~

Big wave~

I left my footprint and signature on the beach... Proof of my visit to GC~~~

I think beach is one of the most popular location for dating couples~


Last but not least... The significant jump~ WE LOVE GOLD COAST!!!

10th Dec
Back to Sydney... Very tired! Basically slept the whole day!

When I got up the next day, I saw people already discussing about GC on Facebook and all of us missed GC already...Well, hopefully we'll go to GC again sometime~
*For more GC photos, view my Facebook*

X'mas Party @ The Blue Room (4th Dec 2010)

2010-12-18T16:41:00.001+11:00

It's been four months since my very last entry. Been very very busy + lazy to update my blog. Well, having holidays at the moment so should have little spare time for me to update my blog a little.

Have been working for 1 year + at my workplace... This year, I was invited to the Christmas party which held on a cruise ship ===> The Blue Room. Yippie! Honestly, I haven't gone up a cruise ship in Sydney yet (despite my 3.5 years Sydney life -.-"). Lucky enough cause this would be my first and last Christmas party with my colleagues (since I'm graduating next semester).

Well, the happiest thing for me about this party was that I would have a 'on water' tour at the Darling Harbour and which meant I could see the Opera House from different angles (360 degree actually) and the beautiful night scene of the harbour! Well of course, enjoy yummy food (hopefully).

Honestly, I really enjoyed the night scene and food! AND AND AND a group of nice people =)

But too bad these are the best photos I could show you... Sorry for my lousy camera (it is only $88, so don't expect a very good quality photo lar).

That's the Blue Room. Well, not a really big one but still, a really nice one!

With a bar that changes colours. As you could see all kinds of wine, beer and drinks on the bar.

I seldom go to the city at night time, so don't really know how beautiful the night scene at the harbour can be. The night still young...

When it gets darker and later in the city... I know the quality is really bad (I personally love this photo though) but I guess you can see how beautiful it is. That's the Harbour Bridge.


We had dancing time~ Do you believe all these people are teachers? You should see how crazy they were =P


We were very lucky to see fireworks at the harbour. I heard someone was proposing to his girlfriend with all these fireworks. How romantic!!! And this guy must be so rich =P

All Eastwood branch girls (except Wing who was sick, Janaki and Jess who were somewhere)

Thanks to Acre Woods for such an awesome Christmas Party =D

Whatever it is!

2010-08-22T20:13:00.001+10:00

It's been long since my last post... more than two months I guess???

Well, nevermind. I don't think people care =P
Have been so busy with assignments since uni resumes... And prac is starting in a week time!
GRrrrrr.... Seriously feel like to hang myself!!!
Many people know it's my final year! I'll be graduating next semester if there's NO ACCIDENT!!! =P
FINALLY!!! I know! Friends been asking me "Just when are you graduating!!!???" and yea! Haha~

Well, escape myself from boring assignment for a little while...
I bet people know what is the best way to de-stress.... FOOD!!! ABSOLUTELY!!!
You know what... I'm not those easily satisfied person. I won't just go out and simply buy a food!
Well, I prefer doing myself!
Whatever it is... I'm just gonna come out with something!!! Haha!
And yea! I got something for my dinner~
First time doing it (i mean this dish), not sure if it was gonna be nice...
Hmmmm.... SURPRISINGLY GOOD!!! haha!
I have got a new dish in my 'recipe' now!

Well, it may not look very nice... BUT IT WAS REALLY GOOD! Trust me~~~
Haha! Show you my dinner~

Tadah~

Tuna Potato Cake (simply name it)...

Wanna make one yourself?
Here's the recipe~ Try it at home~

Ingredients:

Potato
Tuna
Lemon
Black pepper
Salt
Butter (optional)
Plain flour

Boil potato and mash it.
In a big bowl, mix the mashed potato, tuna, lemon juice, cracked black pepper, salt and butter.
Mix thoroughly.
Apply plain flour on the tuna potato bake and slightly fry it.
Add some veggies for decoration and it is ready to be served!

Bon Appétit~

My Dog... My Friend...

2010-06-12T12:50:00.006+10:00

"Dog is the most loyal friend to human."

I really really so agree with this statement! Not sure if you have heard this before...
Dogs... are human's friends since a few thousands years ago. Human as hunter, hunting for lives while dogs helped them to 'search' for prey and alert them when there were dangers.
Human feed the dogs as 'mutual terms' (for the dogs' guardian).

I personally think dogs are humans' friends.
At least, dogs know how you treat them and thus treat you the same way as you did.
They will never never betray you unless you betrayed them.

Introducing my good friend... Ninie! Although I'm not always home, she will always remember me (I'm in Australia, she is back in Malaysia). Well, I think this is what so good about dogs. They will remember for the rest of their lives once you have fed them (even if you only fed once...).
I always think she is very fortunate comparing to the other dogs... I'm not too sure about Australia but there are lotsa homeless dogs back in Malaysia.

I remembered there was once (almost ten years ago) we fed a homeless dog which passing by our house. She came everyday after we fed her once. We always kept some food and left the food outside our house for her. Until one day, we found out the food had never been eaten for a few days. We couldn't see her anyway... We never see her since that day... I still wonder what happened to her? Well, she might got an owner and went to her new house or she had accident...

Homeless dogs... are getting more and more all around the world...
Sometimes, I feel so sorry and sad for the dogs...
Some of them were abandoned by their owners due to certain reasons (illness etc).
I don't know if those owner could feel for the dogs...
Dogs are animal but they have feelings too... They know to be loved, to be hated and to be abandoned...

I seriously hope dog lovers out there to try your best to help these homeless dogs...
Human needs love, so do dogs!
Your care and love can help these homeless dogs!
A very little thing we do can help these dogs.
The Pedigree Adoption Drive encourages dog lovers to consider adopting a homeless dog if you are thinking of getting a new pet.
Or there are so many things that we can do for these homeless dogs...
If you can't get to adopt a homeless dog, consider making a donation...
Or help through... BLOGGING!!!
Share what you think or your story...

Also, be a fan of the Pedigree Adoption Drive Facebook and the drive will donate a bowl of doggie food!

A little of our efforts may help these homeless dog to find a new owner or simply get a better live...
So, what are you waiting for??? Check out the websites for more information~

2010-06-10T22:09:00.004+10:00

Finally... TOMORROW is coming!!!
Tomorrow is the most tension and happiest day (I guess)!
Well, guess what?
It's my first and last exam tomorrow!
Been waited for tomorrow to come for days~
So excited it finally comes!
Don't think I'm nuts - I don't think people use excited to describe exam except ME! Wakakaka!
I really am so enough with the readings and revisions!!!
Just wanna quickly get over it and "YAY FREEDOM" !!!

Winter is here...
Kinda freezing especially morning and night...
If I could get a real WARM and HUGE hug... THAT WILL BE SO GREAT!!!
Too bad I have to wrap myself with 4 layers of clothes and 3 layers of quilts... T-T

Okey Dokey~ Enough slacking!
ALL THE BEST FOR MY EXAM TOMORROW!
And Banquet after exam... HERE I COME!!! =P

2010-06-03T14:16:00.001+10:00

Maybe not! Like what Tanya said it is not about what you should do, it's about what you want to do!
Maybe I shall just leave this dilemma until exam finished... Yea, I should.
There's no point making myself so frustrated and down at this point.
I don't have any decisions, maybe I should say I hate making decisions... Well, who doesn't?
When you need to make a choice between two things that you really like... I bet it's hard!
Well I bet it's even harder when you have to come to make a choice between two people... This is so so so much harder I know...
I could see how you struggled with this... So do I...
I don't wanna scared you or what... but I seriously hope that I could get an answer from you...
Even if that answer will hurt me... I will take it...
Three people... One of us need to be sacrificed...

Well, anyway... I will not make any decisions until I see you...
So please I'm begging... please do think of what I said... Wait till you see me...
My decision is really nothing...
I could do anything to show you, to tell you that I like you so I guess it is not unfair that you tell me your answer...
Cause after all your decision is the most important...

2010-06-02T23:35:00.000+10:00

At the end... I'll still have to let go...
Now only I realised I shouldn't have existed between you and her...
I believe in fate but I don't wanna it to take control of my life...
I should let go... move on...
I can't hurt someone even if I don't really like that person... cause she is innocent...
I've long known I would never never get anything back from you...
I know I'm playing with fire... but maybe I like the excitement...
The more I play with it...The more I wanna reach it...

Let go... Maybe that's the only way and the best way...

Special posting for my very best friend ^^

2010-05-16T18:48:00.001+10:00

I know my blog has been 'DEAD' for so long again...

Been so busy doing practical and works etc...

Sorry...

Well, I'm back again!

Today is a happy day! Well, not mine but I'm happy for my very best friend!

Finally...

It has been really long... One year...

I don't know if you guys know the feeling of waiting for someone cause I know that feeling...

Knowing that he won't be able to repay your love but still, you kept waiting for the day he may throw those stupid principles...

I'm happy to see that you have finally moved on and into a new relationship =)

Congratulations! Well, is this the correct word (like you are getting married or what)?

Anyway, you know I'm always by your side supporting you!

Very happy (like I'm the one into new relationship =.=")! I always want you to be happy (cause you always think of others and never think of yourself)!

And now, you finally found your happiness!

I wish you the best in the future~

P/s: Let me know if he is not good to you ok, then I'll whack him =P