Blessed birthday part 2

Today was my celebration with my Dad and Aunt Aubrey. Aunt Aubrey had already given me a Adidas jacket of my choice weeks ago. Dad presented me with another diamond necklace which was designed by a friends of him, with real sizable diamonds.

We went for dinner at Al Dente Trattoria at the Esplanade which I have long wanted to try, and I wasn't disapointed one bit. The place had a lovely ambience and the food was delicious. We had a grilled portobello salad for starters and the portobello was so juicy and tasty. Their traditional wood-fired pizza is my new favourite pizza. We ordered the three meat lovers pizza with salami, sausage and bacon and it really took the cake,so to speak. The topping was so flavourful and the crust was so thin and crisp that they really redefined the term thin-crust.

We also ordered the grilled sausage fettucine and a cream based pasta with zucchini and lobster which had some fanciful name that I cannot remember. But it was really delicious and the cream sauce was really rich and delicious. Yum Yum

For dessert, we went to Coffee Club as usual and ended off dinner with a mud-pie and a rum and raisin chocolate truffle cake. I went home, full to bursting, and enjoying every moment of my 21st bday celebration.

Blessed birthday- part 1

Blessed Birthday Part 1

My birthday party was a smashing success, all thanks to my mum and especially Stephen, without whom the party would not have been possible, as cliche as it might sound. It was really super tiring to prepare for the party. The cooking of the food took almost the whole day,and I helped out in whatever way I could, but my mum was really the main chef. And my aunties contributed an item each. What I did was to bake a cheesecake and a breadpudding and some giant hersheys cookies. But it was worth it as everyone praised the food highly.

Stephen came early to help decorate the room. And he was so concentrated in the task at hand and when I saw the finished work, I was like wow. I really have him and my mum to thank. If not, I would have to keep running up and down to get everything set up. As it was, I didn't really do much because they did everything for me, so I was all the more touched.

I found it especially touching when I watched the video of me that Stephen put up before the cake cutting There were pictures of me all the way from I was a baby, through different stages of my life,even the ugly and hideous pictures of me. I was highly suspicuous when I saw that Stephen brought his laptop and later on there was a projector. Little did I know that my mum had actually planned the surprise and both of them ganged up to keep it a secret. No wonder he was so busy this few days, so much so that I actually felt ignored. Sorry dear.

The party itself was like a dream, coming and passing so fast. And by the end of it all, I was tired out. But it was really great to see all of them gathered in one place. And I flited around, trying to mingle with the guests and I honestly really enjoyed myself alot, and laughed so much. It was really a night to remember, once in a lifetime experience. And once again, I felt so blessed cos I had my loved ones around me to celebrate with me.

And my 'takings' for the night was really tremendous. I got everything I wanted and more. I got the Anna Sui Dolly on the Beach that I really wanted from Linda, yumin, jul and Cindy. And the Incanto Cheers from Brennan(thank goodness they got diff ones.heh). An abercrombie & fitch bag from my cousin, a surfer girl beach bag from my cg, a crumpler bag from my mum's friends, a SPA package from cuz cecilia(which is in some very posh place), a beautiful necklace from Wendy, Zara voucher(where I can buy a nice work jacket) from Kaetna, a 'key' necklace from one of my aunt and of course the Tissot watch from HP which he gave a long time ago and a beautiful bouquet of flowers from two male cousins(which I kept exclaiming over). Last but not least was the diamond cross necklace that my mum gave me..

Like I said, this is not all yet.. I am soo so blessed. And thank u to my friends who celebrated it with me, I appreciate each and everyone's presence. I posted up some pictures, but there would be more coming..

My presents... 

Diamond cross necklace from my mum..Its so lovely and delicate 

surfer girl & Abercrombie and fitch bag 

cheemine, me and wendy 

my giant hershey cookies..took ages to bake and wrap individually 

Are words nothing more than just empty words, dreams ephemeral and fleeting, promises made to be broken? Feeling somewhat disillusioned

Writing an essay for the film and history modules every two weeks is such a chore, despite getting to watch nice movies every week. However, analyzing them and having to write essay on them is not that pleasant, especially if you have a fear of writing essays.

Now I know why I take so long to write essays, cos I spent half and hour writing, and another half and hour doing something else. That's just me, short attention span,easily distracted. I refuse to get stressed...

On a side note, class 95 is playing all my favourite love songs, get me all sentimental...awww.

I am doing everything else but writing my essay..sheesh

Maybe I am getting more and more jaded by life. This week has been a bloody tough week and I can't wait for it to be over. But next week would be a rerun of this week all over again.

Walking home in the rain, feeling droplets on my face. Wishing everything can be washed away by the rain...

The preparation for my 21st birthday party is on going. Or should I say, its pretty non existent for the moment. Apart from sending out invitations to my friends, I have done nothing much except cake hunting which I am in charge of. For me, it has never been a question of what cake, but where to get it from. Chocolate cake is a must of course.

I wanted to get from The Pattisier and Choc-a-bloc, but the prices are beyond my budget though the cakes looks so tempting and beautiful. And I have finally settled on a cake from Panaderia.

It's pretty affordable and it's delicious. Quite simply a chocoholics dream, with several layers of chocolate sponge sandwiched with a layer of hazelnut crunch, chocolate mousse and topped with delicious ganache. My only problem would be the mess when I cut the cake cos of the hazelnut crunch which is quite unwielding to the folk.

I have mostly invited my care group friends, kaetna and close jc friends. And my family of course. For friends whom I didnt invite, I am really sorry, I am trying to keep it small. And for those I did invite, do go check your mailbox and rsvp to me as soon as possible. I need to know the numbers so I can prepare the food and also decide on the size of the cake. Just to tempt, apart from delicious homecooked food from my mum and my aunts, I would also be preparing some desserts. And my aunt is contributing her durian cream puffs which I do proclaim is the best in Singapore and some say JB.

Oh, and so many people have asked me what I want as a present. But I am too shy to say leh...hahah. Normally the standard for girls would be perfumes, bags, accessories etc. I seriously don't mind all these lah. (hint hint, but I do like Anna Sui's Dolly girl on the beach and also Incanto Charms by Ferragamo, the bottle is so pretty). Hmm..a good cookbook for desserts would be good too. If you really can't think of anything, a good box of chocolate would do too, the none supermarket kind hor..hahah

The newly revamped basement of great world city is simply awesome. For one, the cold storage now sports a sleeker look with more added stuff for people like me who got nothing better to do than to go grocery shopping. And my favourite bakery(next favourite cos Provence is my favourite) - Panaderia is now open. I was so excited when I saw that, now I don't have to go all the way to raffles city or orchard to eat bread. And I can like eat scones everyday again..hahah.

There is also Polars, come the sugar rolls and curry puff, some milk bar thingy, Old Chang Kee...

But the thing that made me most happy was when I saw Island Creamery. I gave a mega gasp and was all excited. That means no more travelling all the way to Serene Centre when I can practically have it at my doorstep. But I guess half the fun of eating is to travel there and eat it. But for people who don't know, they have really awesome ice-cream at the very affordable price of $2.50 per scoop. Flavours like Horlicks and Teh tarik is a must try and my new favourite- apple pie. Its a really creamy ice-cream with bits of apple, graham biscuits and cinammon. Other flavours include Pulot hitam, Nutella, burnt caramel and many more!!!

Argh...great world city is becoming a foodie heaven for me. Not good when you are trying to lose weight..

Today, I had to go back to school for campus observer meeting for the interns. On the way to school, I popped by Provence to get some bread as I was afraid I would get hungry as the meeting was from 12-2. I tend to go overboard when I buy breads cos of the sheer variety and yumminess of it that makes me spoilt for choices.

The meeting ended at around 2 and I headed to Wisma to meet Stephen and we proceeded to have lunch at the Food Republic. Between us, we shared the very yummy and very unhealthy hokkien mee, pad thai and red ruby. After walking around half-heartedly, I decided it wasn't a good day for shopping cos I was feeling poor. Thus we headed to Ya Kun at Far East Plaza for a cuppa and we shared a kaya toast between us. It was irresistable lah. There is nothing like the combination of kopi and bread So we sat there and chatted and chatted for quite some time before going off to meet HP and mum for dinner while he headed home.

For dinner, we went to Fosters. I had the Fish & Chips after deciding that there was nothing else on the menu I wanted to try. I loved it. The fish was super duper fresh and I liked the crispy batter and the accompanying tartare sauce. I had the cream of cauliflower that no one wanted, and I had the bread butter pudding that no one wanted either cos they both came with the set dinner that HP ordered.

I felt close to bursting after that. Tell me how am I supposed to not get fat. I never have the willpower not to eat. I used to be able to resist hawker food and I used to be able to resist roti prata and I used to hate carbo like rice and noodles. Sigh, bad influence at work here...heh. Guess it's gym for me tmr..

A day that started off with a Coffee Bean breakfast consisting of poached eggs atop melted cheese and ham on toasted foccacia bread with rich hollandaise sauce..

And ended with dinner of swedish meatballs and chicken wings and Daim cake. And a walk and some romantic stolen time with mb can only be a good day. I just wish it could have been longer...

I went to Cedele at raffles city today alone. Surprisingly, I deviated from my normal chocolate cake and went for a carrot cake instead, having heard alot of good things about it. It was quite a satisfying cake. It was moist and studded with walnuts and raisins and topped with a rich layer of cream cheese icing. Pretty divine for a non chocolate and relatively healthy cake I would say.

After the cake, I headed towards the library and got my hands on some novels(for when I have time to read, which I surely will make time..heh) and Nigella Lawson's How to be a domestic goddess filled with so many recipes that I want to try them all, but I am kind of getting tired of having to type out recipes or write them out onto my notebook. How nice it would be if I have a big baking book, then whenever I want to bake, I can just refer from there. But I am too cheap to buy a baking book and besides, there are so many good recipes to be found online and also in food blogs which I frequent.

After library, I headed to Bugis Junction. There were so many things that caught my eye, crying out to be bought. But I resisted the temptation. And I fell in love with a fragrance by Anna Sui called Dolly on the Beach. Its so light and floral.

So many things I want..heh

I waste two hours of my time. I am tired, I have many things to do. I go and pick my mother up- and her friends and send then home. What do I get? A thank you? No, just scoldings a plenty. There are just times I feel invisible and unloved and unappreciated. Then she scold me because I am tearing. What does she expect. A robot with no feelings? I am human and I do get emotional

Its been quite a restful weekend where I totally laid off books. It just felt so good to let down my hair for a while. But I havent gotten enough of it yet, but its time to start studying. Actually, not even studying, but more like endless projects and homeworks to be completed.

I have been drving around quite abit, since mum went to bangkok and HP gave me permission to drive. Its really fun to zip around in a red car. I've to admit I am a little reckless at times, but no way am I going to let people call me 'ka-you'.

Today was officially back to work day and I had an interview with someone for my media writing assignment and that person was none other than my executive editor at The Campus Observer. I felt so nervous before that, afraid that my questions were not competent enough and all that. I found scribbling quite a chore, especially since my handwriting is so bad and I tend to scribble all over the place. Also, I realize that sometimes I can't write fast enough before forgetting what he said and I didnt really want to interrupt him. Oh well, I learn. The interview was at Munchie Monkey. He bought me a mango smoothe(though I think I was supposed to buy him) and he did an amazing job of talking and eating at the same time.

After the interview, I drove off to meet Stephen for a project discussion and we went to the Macs at West Coast. It was my first time there and I rather like the secluded-ness of the place. Plus parking was free, which is a big bonus. The project discussion seemed to go on and on, I just felt so brain dead. Guess both of us felt quite stressed and somewhat clueless. We ended around 5 plus, and stole some time for a walk around the place before I had to rush home.
After dinner with HP at Ichiban Boshi at great world, his bleak mood must have influenced me. We ate very little, which left me craving for something sweet. Thus I made a cup of super thick milo and steamed egg custard which was one of my best attempt ever. It came out trembly and eveyr mouthful was smooth and soft. It so difficult to make a good custard as the amount of water must be just right, as well as the time for steaming it.

And soon I have to go pick mum up at the airport before I start on my work. Its never ending..sigh. And I know that from now till the exams, it would be an escalation of work and stress. I am just so dreading it..Why did the weekend past so quicly??

Best pizza ever from Spaggedies- 3 meat combo 

Max brenner waffle and suckao 

Me and mb