Yay, one more paper over, and now just a final one tomorrow. I can hardly wait for it to be over, though this exam period has passed in a flash. This semester has come and gone in a flash, and I must say it has been a pretty good semester, one of the most stress free ever. I wonder why. It was surely not for lack of assignments nor projects nor CAs..hmm.

After my paper, I headed down to the National library to return my books(as it was an open book exam), and I hogged the book until my accumulated fine is now $3..heh. I popped by Ah Chew's dessert at Liang Seah Street for my favourite Almond cream dessert. The service and standard of the food has gone down, but I guess I will still continue to patronize the shop, cos the best almond cream stall(in my opinion) is tucked away in Beauty World Centre, and everytime I go, it happens to be sold out, how disappointing. I wanted to buy scones from four leaves at Bugis too, but they werent out yet, and the bakers whom I mentioned before were all goggling at me, and most definitely pointing me out to one another. I have no idea why since its been some time since I came by anyway. It wasn't a big deal, but it irritated the hell out of me, couldn't I buy my favourite food in peace? Apparently not. But I was compensated with some soft and sugary swiss rolls, which are better than Polar's, so that was lunch.

There I go, yakking on and on about food again. But I think that over this exam period, I have lost a bit of weight *jump for joy*. I can see my waist again..hah..and the appearance of a little abs. I shall continue to work harder on this and very determined not to go back to my pre-exam shape, though I think its very hard. The reason why I ate less was because of exams stress anyway. My only indulgence during this period was mocha(milo kopi) and lindt dark chocolate. But anyway, in my bid to be healthier, I have decided to take part in the Shape Run 06. Check this out:

Shape Run 2006 - The first ever women-only run in Singapore

Calling all women runners! Get set to take over Marina Promenade on July 16 for Singapore's first ever women-only competitive run.
The Shape Run is being held to celebrate Shape Singapore's second anniversary. The magazine was launched in July 2004 by SPH Magazines and is the only local active lifestyle guide for women here.
The event also aims to promote women's active lifestyle and increase women's participation in sports and fitness programme through this event. According to Elisabeth Gwee, "Keeping up with the lifestyle trend, we hope to contribute to the vibrant sports scene of Singapore by cultivating sporting habits and active outlook among the women."
With a 5km leg and a 10km route, the Shape Run is targeted at women who have never attempted a competitive run before, as well as those already addicted to the chase.
The inaugural Shape Run 2006, presented by ACUVUE® MOIST, is open to women aged 16 to 50, and costs $15 to sign up. (This fee is fully redeemable against Shape subscriptions).
Whether you're in it to achieve a personal goal of completing a run or to better your personal limits, we guarantee you a fun and rewarding time. All runners who complete the race will receive a personalized certificate with their timings to signify their achievements.
The first prize winner for the 10km category will win $1,000 in cash, a holiday at Bintan Banyan Tree and other prizes worth over $6,000. The first prize winner in the 5km category wins $500 in cash and products worth over $5,100. There are also prizes galore for those placed second to tenth.
Fabulous Runner's Kit worth $370 for all!Every registered participant will receive a Runner's Kit which includes a Nike women running singlet (worth $39), a stylish Shape sports bag, a pair of Shape socks, a Nike waterbottle, a Comfort Zone Vital Leg Therapy session worth $55 from Prestige HelioAsia Spa, an Ocean Health MinusFAT 60's worth $50.40, a Mary Chia Moisturising Hand Paraffin treatment worth $65, a free single yoga session worth $38 from True Yoga, a Witch & Summer's Eve travel set worth $10 , Pocari Sweat powder, a Heliocare Oral sachet / Bionic Serum sachet, a Comfort Zone Vital Leg 10ml pack , L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise Whitening Essence & Micro-Dermabrasion sachets, a Benetton fragrance vial, a Kenzoki skin and body care set, a $5 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST voucher , a $5 Crocs voucher , a Running Lab 15% discount voucher, and more.))

Hows that? Think I might sign up for the 5km run. 10km sounds too fierce for someone who hasn't been running alot, think I might die from it, or in the process anyway. And it is a good motivation to stay in shape, and also win some goodies. A real KT deal. So anyone interested in signing up with me? :)

A quick and delicious lunch in 10mins or less

3 papers down, 2 more to go tmr and sat, can hardly wait for freedom. Meanwhile, during exam period, my lunch has either been non-existent or home-made. Today, since I was at home, and since I had some mushrooms, eggs and cheese and bread at home, I made my favourite lunch- scrambled eggs. Its really very simple and idiotproof, I tried taking some pictures too, but they werent very good as I was trying to juggle between cooking and taking pictures.

1.First I sliced on button mushroom and panfried it in a little olive oil and garlic and then set it aside.


2.Then I beat an egg, and added some milk. And poured into the pan. I couldnt take any pictures at this stage as I had to constantly stir the eggs around the pan to prevent it from overcooking. Just stir it over low heatuntil it still a little runny but mostly solidified. It really depends on one's preference. Some people like their scrambled eggs firmer while I like mine soft and fluffy.

3. I buttered a slice of bread, spread the egg over it, layered with the mushrooms, and sprinked some parmesan cheese over it, sprinked some salt and pepper over it. And voila, a delicious lunch in 10mins.

I am beginning to venture into the kitchen more often. Only just recently I attempted to cook my first ever pasta without the use of pre-packed spaghetti sauce. That was last saturday, mum was away for a short holiday and I invited steph over for dinner, and made salmon and mushroom cream pasta, and it turned out awesome, albeit a little dry as I was hestitant to put in too much cream due to the high fat content of it. I didnt use any specific recipe, though for the cream sauce, I did source online for recipes. Hopefully I would have more adventures in the kitchen in time to come. For now, back to the books again. :)

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad,
Other things just make you swear and curse,
When you're chewing life's gristle,
Don't grumble,
Give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best.
And...

Always look on the bright side of life.[whistle]
Always look on the light side of life.[whistle]
If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten,
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps.
Just purse your lips and whistle.
That's the thing.

And...
Always look on the bright side of life.[whistle]
Always look on the right side of life,[whistle]
For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin.
Give the audience a grin.
Enjoy it.
It's your last chance, anyhow.
So,...

Always look on the bright side of death,[whistle]
Just before you draw your terminal breath.[whistle]
Life's a piece of shit,
When you look at it.
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true.
You'll see it's all a show.
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And...
Always look on the bright side of life.
Always look on the right side of life.[whistle]

When life is in the dumps, this song can bring a smile. I love the whistling part. Thank goodness for music that can cheer u up and ipod to plug the earbuds into your ear to blast out everything around you. Including the unpleasantness of people and life

Top 5 lists of Life's simple pleasure

Alrightey, I was tagged ages ago by Bianca..sorry babe for not doing it earlier :)

1. Reading. There is nothing I love more than to curl up on my bed with a nice trashy novel, with a packet of crisps. I can just read and read and read. My record was finishing the latest Harry Potter book less than a day. I read even during exams, in the gym, on the bus..in the toilet..anywhere..hahah..

2. Scrambled egg. I recently discovered the joy of making my own scrambled egg. There is nothing more comforting than to bite into the soft and fluffy egg that can be whipped in less than 10mins on a slice of bread with a dollop of butter and a splash of milk, and tastes way better than the one at Mac's. I tried it with fresh button mushrooms and parmesan cheese today, with some grated black pepper, and it was just simply awesome.

3. Horlicks. I don't know why, but there is just something about this old school drink that I love. I love milo too, but this is just different and never fails to lift me up. The smell and the taste is just, well, indescribable.

4. Almond cream or any other dessert like steamed egg custard, bread pudding, chocolate cakes.. I have a sweet tooth. Period. And nothing makes me happier than to eat nice desserts. Skip the mains and move right on to dessert..heh

5. A walk in the park with a special someone(last but definitely not the least). To the guy who has held my hands for a little more than a year already, he never fails to bring a smile to my face. We just celebrated our first year anniversary last mon, I shall update really soon with some pictures. What can I say, time reallly flies. And every moment spent has been pleasurable(well most of the time)..

There you go, my list of 5 simple pleasures. I realize that 3 out of 5 are of food...hahah..guess i am a irrepressible foodie..

I shalll tag Brennan, Derek and Isabelle :)

Heidi is close to 71/2 years old now, getting on in her years. I have had her for more than 7 years, ever since she was a scrawny little puppy with big eyes that stared beguilingly at me, and fell in love with her then. I remember how ugly she was then, but something about her just drew HP and me, and she came home with us. And on her first night with us, being alone in the living room, she kept crying mournfully, so I slept in the living room to accompany her, carrying her out of the pen(when I was not supposed to) and just played with her. I guess that's when the bond between us strengthened.

I don't know why I suddenly blogged about her, maybe its because I have sort of taken her for granted, it just suddenly struck me that she is getting old, and might not be around that long, I had better appreciate her more. Appreciate that she happens to be the only being that is always affectionate towards me and that her devotion is unchanging, unlike human beings who are so fickle. I guess that's the thing about dogs, that they are so faithful and so loyal, that even when I shout at her, she would still wag her tail when call her. I remember the times that she has licked away my tears(though I would try to push her away..saliva..eeks), knew when I was sad and would just sit near me, licking my legs... soothing me with her presence

And she is a darn good goal keeper too, her fixation with ball is something that we never understood, but as a puppy, we taught her to fetch the ball when we kicked it, and now, after years of honing, she can even flip in the air while catching the ball...amazing. I wanted to take more pictures, but she is always so fast that it is impossible to capture a good shot.

Anyway..so yup..thats Heidi, my darling beloved little doggie..

This is so cool, I am actually blogging from the Lee Kong Chian Reference library. It is the first time I have been here, and its just a vast place filled with shelves and shelves of books. No bags are allowed in though, other than you notebook bag. Right, now have to get down to getting notes for my gaming essay. There are sooo many books, I wonder how on earth am I going to go through everyone of them..heh..at least this is a start. I feel so proud of myself for dragging myself here on a warm and lazy tuesday afternoon. Now, to get down to work, My essay topic:

Write an essay that discusses the ambivalences and ambiguities around the issue of control in gaming. Illustrate your argument with at least one FPS, race- or flight simulator, or ‘god-game’ example.

Cheem right? Alright, I am giving myself a week to do this. Wish me luck!

Blessing In Disguise

My Ipod nano was stolen from my bag two days ago while I was to buying food, leaving it unattended. While I was bereaving the loss of it, and also being guilt ridden for having been so careless, it was, after all, my prized possession and represented something far more to me than as just a music player. And while I was resigning myself to the fact that I have to go back to creative, I have just gotten a brand new one, free of scratches and all. =)

Its like wow, I totally didnt expect to be so blessed since I was careless enough to lose the previous one, I expected a scolding, not a new one. But I merely got away with a few admonishments to be more careful in future. Good old Hp, we went Funan together today, despite my protests, and I even had a choice of the new 3oGb Ipod video or the 4GB nano, which I was greatly tempted to, but I chose back the 2gb one, deciding not to push it too far...heheh..

And its true, I was restored double what the thieve had taken, despite having chosen back my old model. Thanks to my darling for standing in faith with me, though you felt helpless, but the support you had given me was enough. I will be more careful in future, and take it with me every where I go :)