My Portion

Potato patch

2010-05-11T19:10:00.002+08:00

Met some key players in my PhD this arvo, they think I should go to South Australia to see the potato farm where I will be getting my test potatoes from.. I have no idea how they're planted, what they look like when mature, harvesting etc.. Prof thinks it'll be good for me to go.. I think so too.. it makes the study a lot more interesting when you have a picture, experience and farming to go with it! =)

Also.. there's talk of going to Holland to see how the geneticist selectively cross potato cultivars for the optimum phenotype.. OOO Dave's getting too excited. Its going to be work there too honey!

So much to learn about the humble spud.

Italian Deli Shopping

2010-04-20T14:49:00.004+08:00

Found it very exciting to have an Italian deli just across a street from us so I decided to do a little snooping and shopping. Inspired by a recipe by Fratelli Fresh and envied how they could make something so simple so tasty, I decided to give this prawn orecchiette recipe a go.

Mega sized prawns I found in the fish markets
Gathered my ingredients.
All I had to do was blend a few cloves of garlic with two fresh red chilis, squeeze a cup of fresh lemon juice, peel the prawns and dice them and I was ready.

First I put my orecchiette on boil.

In a fry pan, heat up a tblspn of olive oil and stir fry the prawns til they're lovely and coloured. Add some sea salt and freshly cracked pepper and mix it around. Remove from heat.

Add more olive oil and then add the garlic chili blend. Fry til fragrant. Add the lemon juice to deglaze the pan. Add the prawns back into the pan and toss through cooked pasta.

And I never thought I'd say this but add a good handful of finely chopped parsley. Grate some parmesan on top and serve. Its amazing how the garlic-chili-lemon combo works.. oo so tasty.

And while I was in the deli, I couldn't resist but pick up some proscuitto and baby boncocinni

Hand a white peach in the fridge so I tossed it together with some mixed greens, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Wonder what I'll try next !

Beef Cheeks & Lamb Cutlets

2010-04-05T19:07:00.003+08:00

After a vego post, I've got some meat dishes

Discovery of beef cheeks, it beats whatever other cheap cut of braising meat for a slow-cooking.
Don't know if its all the muscle tissue that breaks down that makes the meat have such a good mouth feel and moistness

I must say it looks strange, my vet friend told me beef cheek classifies as offal.. I see it as meat with little islet shapes on it, kinda like liver.

I used it in a great boeuf bourguignon, adapted from Julia Child's recipe easily goggled on the net. Essentially its a stewing cut of beef cooked for a long time in a full bodied red wine (thank God for aweseom $5 cleanskin shirazes sold in Australia) + beef stock + bacon + carrots + bay leaf etc..

Topped off with butter sauteed mushrooms and steamed greens. Best served with creamy mash! Yum!
Lamb cutlets, Glenmore meats near Wentworth park in Ultimo sells the cutlets cheaper than Coles. Get frenched ones i.e trimmed of all the cartilage & fat has been cleaned off the bone. When you get an fresh good cut of meat, all you need is some sea salt and cracked pepper to season and you're ready to go.

I've panned fried them for medium rare and served it with mushroom risotto and a balsamic rocket salad.

Yummy Vego Meals

2010-03-24T17:35:00.007+08:00

Dave and I decided we want to do vego once a week, apparently Michael Pollan (author of the omnivore's dilemma said that it would help the environment even just with not eating meat once a week).

So here I go:

Arborio rice, brown swiss & button mushrooms, leek and a sprig of thyme

Pumpkin, pinenuts & baby spinach
Caramelised roasted pumpkin

Risotto cooking on the stove

Our dinner:
Oven roasted pumpkin, pinenut & baby spinach salad with balsamic vinegar dressing served with mushroom risotto. (there's parmesan on it cos its not vegan but vegetarian)

And on another night, I got lazy so I just made a mushroom and corn kernal soba. It was actually really fresh & light. Didn't miss the meat. Or cos mushrooms possess what they call the umami taste, the fifth taste associated with savouries & glutamates.

Fresh Fish

2010-03-09T13:25:00.003+08:00

"Hey I've got a surprise for you"

- Alex from the lab led me to the little bar fridge we had at work and pulled out a glad-wrapped item.

" A fish??" - me

" yep, caught it this morning" - Alex

"Wow!!!" - me

Was super excited as I told dave I had something special for dinner, first time someone ever gave me their catch.

Thought of thousands of ideas how to cook it and in the end settled for - its fresh so it probably doesn't need much. Rub of salt and olive oil.

Pan fried and served with a wedge of lemon and of course a dollop of awesome peranakan chilli from Singapore!

Mains-Veal Cutlets and Gumbo

2010-01-22T17:39:00.005+08:00

Mains I served up during the Christmas holidays...

From the masterchef cookbook, veal cutlets and tarragon chips with mushroom sauce

Start with fresh ingredients... lovely pinky veal cutlets.First time using tarragon... with thinly cut potato chips

Dinner is served!

The next thing I try is from Jamie's America after Dave reminded me countless times that I promised to make him gumbo.

First I fried the spicy italian sausage to get the oils out before setting them aside.

Using the oils, add plain flour and keep frying and stirring until peanut butter coloured or browner.. this is called the roux.... fascinating concept of using the fat from good sausages and mixing it with flour to make this tasty paste.

Then add the "holy trinity" of gumbo, onions + celery + capsicum
Added okra (ladies fingers) as a natural thickener for the gumbo
Fresh prawns, peeled and deveined

Last in are the chicken and prawns. Once they are cooked, it'll be ready to serve, serve with rice or a crusty bread roll

Perfectly matched with a James Squire golden ale

Sweet pastry treats

2010-01-05T09:08:00.008+08:00

I attempt sweet shortcrust pastry for the first time these holidays, usually I take the lazy way out and use the pastry sheets readily available from the supermarket all nicely rolled out for you.

Recipe from Jamie Oliver's America as I attempt to make also for the first time: bourbon pecan pie

Step 1: To rub in the 125g of cold butter cubes into my mixture of 50g icing sugar +250g plain flour until it resembles bread crumbs

Step 2: Scraped some vanilla seeds out of a fresh pod and added it to the pastry
Step 3: Then add an egg and a splash of milk and work it into a ball of dough

Step 4: Work it then wrap it in some clingfilm and rest it in the fridge for 30min
Step 5: Fun time! Rolling it out and into my tart tin. Approximately 0.5cm thin and pricked the base before putting it in the freezer for another 30mins.Had extra pastry so I made two more little tartlets.
Here they are after baking blind in a 180 degree oven for 10mins

Looks so rough and rustic .. not very pretty

For the little tarts - lemon curd filling

1 egg + 20g caster sugar +30mL pouring cream +25mL lemon juice and mix over simmering water

Until its curdy, then cool in the fridge
Scoop into my bake tartlet cases which then got gobbled down by Dave really quickly
What happened to the big case

- 175g brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon whisked together

then add 200g ground pecans, 100mL molasses, 50g unsalted butter and 50mL bourbon

Mix well then throw in 250g of whole pecans

Add to my baked pastry case then bake for 25-30min

Yummy served with freshly whipped cream

Christmas holiday cooking

2009-12-28T14:53:00.008+08:00

My sister (my whole family) loves looking at food and what I've been cooking up so here's what I've been cooking in our little kitchen that gets no rest... (esp since I've acquired these two babies in addition to my Jamie's America as Christmas gifts)

Bourke Street Bakery Cookbook from Dave + pearl necklace

Masterchef Cookbook from Mark & Winnie

Have yet to start on stuff from both the new books but I've made two dishes from Jamie's America

1st up: Chilli con carne

Some of the spices and used: Fresh oregano from my balcony herb garden, cinnamon, garlic, fresh chili and dried bay leaves.

Other ingredients: chopped onions, rump steak (cubed +minced), ground cumin, paprika, tinned chopped tomatoes, tin of borlotti beans( I ran out of kidney beans), red capsicum.

And this: "Is that soy-sauce?" Dave asked when he saw this...

"Nope, just dried chilli hydrated in coffee" ..." interesting..."
Apparently when Jamie Oliver learned the recipe, the cowboys he was with added their coffee to it as a source of liquid to keep the temperature down as they cooked it over an open fire.

First time using this ingredient

Ok... doesn't look that great but the taste really packs a punch, Dave even felt that I could have added more chilli to it. Once again Jamie Oliver's recipe impresses. Adding coffee imparted a different flavour to it. Tastes even better the next day!

And we had it with avocado + sweet corn and some steamed rice.

2nd: Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing

Only took pictures when the cupcakes came out, was in a rush so forgot shots with cream cheese but they were yummy.

Ok... now to attempt making my own sweet shortcrust pastry for tomorrow's bourbon pecan pie.

Summer project

2009-12-14T19:00:00.004+08:00

Very very happy with the weekend purchase of new cookbook Jamie's America, have been watching his series on tele this past month, been so inspired, esp when he was making Tamales, using exotic ingredients like cactus and alligator.. was also drooling over the gumbo he was whipping up and when we went to "South" last week and had the best pecan pie, I knew I had to open a new chapter in my cooking adventures at home.

Some dishes I tried at "South" that I'm going to attempt

Chili con carne with cornbread

Buffalo wings, southern ribs, blue cheese sauce
& my favourite dessert of all time

PECAN Pie..

Fish Bee Hoon Soup

2009-12-07T14:43:00.002+08:00

Comfort food, just suited for a day when life seems so uncertain and when I miss home, though I was meeting Dad & Mum in a few hours. The weekend came and went so fast and now they are on their way home.

This is how Mum would make it, but I had to dig around for ingredients in my fridge, unfortunately not as plentiful as Mum's. (hers would have prawns, mince meatballs & choy sum). I had to make do with the deep sea perch & eggs.

Its so simple and so delicious. Soup was made from frying some minced garlic and when it nice and brown, splash some water in and cover immediately to "lock in" the smokey scent.
I then added some chinese rice wine and my fish slices to cook, a splash of fish sauce & white pepper.
Then I threw in the softened beehoon. Ladel it all up and garnish with fried omelette, spring onions and chili padi.. yumyum

PhD?

2009-12-02T14:12:00.002+08:00

This week has been a bunch of nerves for me everytime I open the mailbox.

The verdict of whether Dave & I stay in Sydney or go back to Singapore next year depends on these two letters from Usyd.

This afternoon I got one: I have been admitted for candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Score now stands as Sydney 1: Singapore 0

Letter for scholarship is now pending I've got until mid December to find out.

Kong Bak

2009-11-26T14:17:00.003+08:00

KONG BAK: Succulent slivers of pork belly slow cooked in dark soy, 冰糖 (rock sugar)and garlic is Mum's long drooled over dish.

I pre-marinate the sliced up pork belly in dark soy sauce & five spice powder
Mum's secret to firm tasty meat is to dry-fry the pork in oil until the liquid "comes out" of the pork before you add water and the rest of the ingredients.

Ta - Da after 3 hours of low simmering.. check out the lovely skin. Our dinner guests gobbled the pieces up, skin and all.

Next I try, He bi hiam + stir-fried kang kong (water convolvulus).

La moulinette - As recommended by Donna Hay magazine, best $79 dollars spent, small efficient and easy to clean. I chuck in a handful of dried prawns + 5 dried chilli (didn't dare to add too much cos Dave won't be able to take it!) Didn't know making hebi hiam was that easy.

Stir fry blended Hebi & Dried chili in lotsa oil

My sambal kangkongStill need to work out the food photography side of things and the kong bak was a tad sweet.

Dad & Mum's visit

2009-11-23T14:48:00.002+08:00

Looked through Dad's FB photos of the family walk and really missed the gang. Trust the ekies to pig out with hei mee straight after a fitness walk. And its not just your ordinary hei mee, its $10 hei mee with big king prawns!

It not even been a month since we're back in Sydney and I miss them, counting down the days before they come over in Dec.

This morning I received an email re scholarship, we will be informed of the outcome from 27th of Nov - 11th of Dec.
Mixed feelings: Will feel disappointed if I don't get the scholarship but at the same time sad cos it means another 3-4 years away from home, how how how?

First bloom

2009-11-21T18:43:00.002+08:00

Went out this morning to test out the temperature outside and saw this! Yay the first bloom on my gardenia plant has appeared! I'm so happy, finally some plant has not died on me!!
Also testing out our Lumix LX3 with macro shots... its gorgeous.

Roast Pork Loin

2009-11-15T18:13:00.007+08:00

Who doesn't love a good roast pork with crispy crackling?

Went to Glenmore Meats on Friday, love Glenmore meats home of bulk sold, affordable good cuts of meat and it was here that I found this lovely rolled pork loin for only $10 bucks.

Menu: Roast Pork Loin + Braised Red Cabbage & Apple + Slow roasted pumpkin & potatoes with sage

Look at that lovely pink flesh

Ready to go into my 220 degree oven, 30mins to crisp then 180 for an hour to cook
After an hour of slow roast, the pumpkin has caramelised and Dave loved it so much he scraped up all bits off the foil.. I can't believe we finished ALL the pumpkin.
Deglazed my roasting dish and squished all the roasted veges for all the "juice" to make gravy

Dinner!
Verdict: Dave says I still need to work on the plating.
I need to try next time with pork belly...
Loin is too lean so it ended up a bit dry and the skin not quite as crisp..

Anyhow Quiche

2009-11-12T19:32:00.002+08:00

Looking at my sidebar of posts, I realised that I've been terribly lazy or just busy with wedding preps to blog... now I'm so "eng" and having newly acquired a really nice Lumix I'm going to blog more... and of course about food, and trying to grow food... This is what I did on Wednesday, tried to bake a quiche before going out for a marriage reunion dinner hosted by my reception place.

Kai's anyhow quiche (followed the recipe for basic quiche ingredients then added my own choice of filling i.e whatever was in the fridge)

1. Bake shortcrust pastry for 10mins, line with baking paper and rice
2. Remove baking paper & rice and bake for further 7mins.

Oh yes did I forget, preheat oven to 220C
3. While the crust is baking
4. I wanted my quiche more eggy so I added 5 eggs instead of the 2 haha ok lah becoming a fritata
5. Mix 1/2 cup cream + 1/2 cup milk + 1/4 cup grated cheddar + 1/4 cup grated parmesan, was tempted to add the brie too but it was too soft to grate
6. Mix them all together with the egg
7. Chop up some cherry tomatoes and ham, drain corn kernels
8. Cook some red onions over low heat with butter in a saucepan on low heat til soft, then cool.
9. When pastry is done, cool.
10. Scatter the dry ingredients on pastry
11. Add all the wet stuff
12. Bake for 35mins on 160C

Ok at this point, I changed and rushed out of the house, very relieved to come home to find it perfectly done! Yay.. lunch for tomorrow.

Balcony herb garden

2009-11-11T10:33:00.002+08:00

Ok ... now that work is quiet and I'm getting home early these days and have NO more weddings to organise I'm damn free..

And since getting married, I've "upgraded" what I present before my husband for dinner each night.

This "upgrade" has resulted in the inclusion of more "exotic" and expensive ingredients, most of which I want to give a shot at cooking.
In addition, my favourite chef Mr Jamie Oliver has this insane love of using numerous herbs in his cooking and to my delight thoroughly enjoyed as well.

So instead of spending a freaking $1.79 per bunch of thyme/sage/rosemary or $3.99 per bunch of basil/oregano I'm going to grow my own. If they die I know I suck, if they survive I save a lot of money and cook better.

List of herbs I will start with
1. Thyme
2. Sage

Already have:
1. Basil
2. Oregano

To aim for:
1. Chives
2. Chilli (its like $3.99 per pack of chilli padis that Mum gets from wet market at 30 cents!!!)
3. Cherry tomatoes (ok I know not herb)

Wish me luck

Good Food Market Nov 09

2009-11-09T13:56:00.007+08:00

First Saturday of the month, the Pyrmont good living markets are on again, we went last month and I was disappointed that I couldn't buy my hydrangea plant so this time I went charging down with Dave to get me one.

But first breakfast!

Confused scrambled eggs and bacon roll
Chorizo roll with BBQ sauce (basil and tomato version is better)

Cloudy apple juice
Dave with our goodies

My Favourite shop: Flowers!

Yay! my gorgeous hydrangeas!!!
Oh yes and Dave got what he wanted to: very delicious Venison sausages!

Brownie Cake

2009-11-04T13:59:00.003+08:00

Celebrating a friend's birthday tonight and as usual I've been assigned cake duties.
So I've decided to bake a brownie birthday cake, recipe courtesy of an awesome birthday gift, a year's subscription to Delicious magazine, and in my 2nd copy featured a brownie recipe by Ben O Donaghue.

Man this recipe is decadent: used 2 big blocks of good quality dark choc, almost 2 blocks of unsalted butter and 5 eggs... Best part was that it was my first time using vanilla from real vanilla pods instead of the usual rubbish essence, boy did it make a difference!

And playing with icing a bit using this easy kids icing tube set I made my birthday brownie slice cake!

Submitted

2009-10-30T14:00:00.003+08:00

Finally the applications have been submitted!

Who would have thought it would be that crazy and intense, the two days since I've been back in Sydney that was all that was on my mind.

Who would have thought Professor Copeland whom I've met only once and sounded totally dumb to would have accepted me as his PhD student

Who would have thought my big big boss would write me such a great reference letter to submit with my application for a scholarship

Who would have thought I could get it done in time, damn! maybe I should have been more relaxed and enjoyed my trip to Hanoi and Singapore more without constantly thinking about it.

I'm mad to do this I know...

Well its PhD or applying for nutrition lecture-ship in Singapore... so fingers crossed, I'll just have to see which way the cookie crumbles...

Mmmm I shall reward myself with an affogato now.. suddenly feel hungry after days of butterflies in my stomach(yuck!)

Hanoi Trip

2009-09-09T08:58:00.008+08:00

We're going to Hanoi!

Man I'm more excited about your Vietnam adventure than the wedding dinner now... looking forward to a junk boat ride out on Halong Bay

We can't wait to trek the rice terraces of Sa Pa, meet the minority groups in villages, watch the famous Vietnamese water puppet show and EAT fantastic authentic Vietnamese food.

Oh yes and we've also decided to spoil ourselves since the estimated tour & ticket price is well below our estimated budget. We were surprised how affordable it is!

We've decided to spend our last night at the Sofitel Metropole hotel in Hanoi. Its a old grand hotel that has Asian influences and blends it with sophisticated and subdued French style. Love the furnishings!

Check it out here http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1555-sofitel-metropole-hanoi/index.shtml

Back to cooking

2009-08-03T08:40:00.003+08:00

Unfortunately for us the building we live in does NOT allow us to keep any pets at all. Quite disappointing after I had inquired about Nellie and got quite pysched up to get her.

Anyways.. the attention has gone back to cooking, tonight this is on the menu, another one of Jamie Oliver's brilliant recipes

: Tender & crisp chicken legs with sweet tomatoes.

ingredients

• 4 chicken legs, preferably free-range or organic, jointed
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• a big bunch of fresh basil, leaves picked, stalks finely chopped
• 2 big handfuls of red and yellow cherry tomatoes, halved, and ripe plum tomatoes, quartered
• 1 whole bulb of garlic, broken up into cloves
• 1 fresh red chilli, finely chopped
• olive oil

optional:
• 1 x 410g tin of cannellini beans, drained
• 2 handfuls of new potatoes

Very easy to put together, just requires time for cooking.
Tonight will be my 2nd time making it and I've realised for us that sauce is never enough so I've decided to put more cherry tomatoes in as they literally melt in the oven and becomes this gorgeous sauce/brothy thing.

The cannellini beans was something I used for the 1st time when I first tried the recipe.. Hubby was still scrounging around for more, delicious when the garlic cloves are nice and roasted and mixes into the creamy bean mash.... oooo yah..

Nellie

2009-07-21T15:47:00.004+08:00

Sad to discover fat little agouti rabbit below was taken already, Dave's found another cutie we could adopt.

Her name is Nellie and this is her description below.

"Nellie is a baby mini lop, who had somehow found her way into the pound. She is the sweetest little girl, and loves to snuggle up to people. Nellie is still very young, and will need training and caring owners to bring her up. Nellie does not appear to like other rabbits, so if you have a bunny existing in the family an introduction prior to adoption is best. She doesn't mind the company of guinea pigs though"

This one is great... looks like she's praying!
Or she could just be chewing something. She's in Hornsby so not too far, Dave and I shall make our trip this Saturday.

Benny the rabbit

2009-07-17T13:34:00.003+08:00

OOOOO giant rabbit... Benny the giant rabbit I want one of these now.. just that it costs 60pounds a day on food and there's definitely no space for him in our little apartment. He's approx 2.8ft tall .. that's like more than half of me.

Jool's beef stew

2009-07-14T07:35:00.002+08:00

Tried making Jamie Oliver's beef stew on the weekend, this apparently is his wife's favourite stew, I used gravy beef instead cos I love the taste of tendon and cartilage that has been cooked to soft jelly..

Used parsnips according to the recipe, an ingredient that I've never used before as well as Jerusalem artichokes (lovely roasted) and it just added this edge and flavour that is amazing.

1/2 a bottle of redwine, a colleague recommended us trying out clean skin wines, which in essence is some unknown unlabelled wine which I got for $6 a bottle for an unknown 2007 shiraz, it surprisingly drank really well too, wouldn't have thought it was a $6 bottle at all!

Topped it off with his recommendation of minced garlic, lemon and rosemary and it just makes it even better...perfect for a winter evening and masterchef on telly. No wonder hubby thinks he's getting fatter!

Recipe:

• olive oil
• a knob of butter
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• a handful of fresh sage leaves
• 800g/1¾lb stewing steak or beef skirt, cut into 5cm/2 inch pieces
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• flour, to dust
• 2 parsnips, peeled and quartered
• 4 carrots, peeled and halved
• ½ a butternut squash, halved, deseeded and roughly diced
• optional: a handful of Jerusalem artichokes, peeled and halved
• 500g/1lb 2oz small potatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• ½ a bottle of red wine
• 285ml/½ pint beef or vegetable stock
• zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
• a handful of rosemary, leaves picked
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

Fatty Wabbit

2009-07-06T11:17:00.003+08:00

We're going to get ourselves a new member of the family...

Cute little fat agouti rabbit bunny here is situated in the RSPCA in ACT

Long 4 hour drive to go get him.. hope no one picks him first... OOO I love that no neck fat under the chin!

Singapore in August

2009-06-26T07:03:00.002+08:00

Man I'm so lazy to blog...

Things I've been doing instead.

1. Working later cos of new cholesterol study
2. Watching old seasons of desperate housewives in the afternoon when I do get off work early
3. Surfing food web-sites and trying to find easy but impressive recipes
4. Do something about my Singapore wedding.. once again I'm lazy

BUT! I've redeemed myself, I'm flying back in August for 10 days to "work hard" on the Singapore wedding. This will include the "arduous task" of

1. Menu tasting a 10 course meal prepared by Hai Tian lou of pan pacific hotel
2. Shopping for a cheongsam/tea dress and evening gown
3. Shopping for the shoes to match
4. Choosing a theme for the wedding in October
5. Helping MOB to find her dress too!
6. Finding entertainment.
7. Entertaining my self assumed god-brothers at Figaro st!

Can't wait!

Ile De Pines

2009-06-01T13:35:00.007+08:00

Got some lovely scenic shots of Ile De Pines..

Cocktails and native lady check us in

Buggy to our bungalow

Our lovely bungalow

Complementary champagne

The Kanumear beach with its white powder like sand.. and clear waters...

There was fish everywhere, no fear of human beings, swimming around our legs and toes.

When we went snorkelling it was like swimming in an aquarium!

Ok i'm getting lazy

Buttermilk pancakes

2009-06-01T13:28:00.004+08:00

Masterchef is good for my tummy... the husband gets inspired

Friday night's feature is Masterclass where the chef judges teaches the rookies some essential dishes. Last Friday was Ricotta and buttermilk hotcakes with carmelised apples..

OO yah! So Mr Rhodes wakes Mrs Rhodes up to go the Italian deli nearby where they buy buttermilk and fresh ! Ricotta.. its so good just cut out of a big ricotta cake instead of in the usual supermarket tub.

Anywayz... I got my reward, Mr Rhodes is enjoying a Saturday morning brekky cook off, I'm not allowed to help, so I read my White tiger book.

More honeymoon shots

2009-05-23T14:18:00.000+08:00

Sunday: Dave and I went to the local market: Le Marche for breakfast and got us a hot chocolate and lovely croissant.

We came back for more Monday for the Croque Madame.

Lively Sunday market pictures

Later we caught a bus to the Tjibaou cultural centre.

As it was Sunday the cafe was not open!! sobz so we had pineapple and local bananas we bought from the market at lunch. Dave and pineapple, it was already skinned and de-eyed for us..

Funny statue with the giant penis: can't believe there was a folklore about this dude.

The design of the building is to resemble a half construct Kanak hut, meant to represent the embrace of the another culture, the French who colonised New Caledonia.

The centre named after Jean Tjibaou who was the Kanak man who tried to reconcile both sides but was unfortunately murdered by his own country-men who misunderstood his plans. Statue to commerate him.

Beautiful area with gardens that had many native plants and its purposes illustrated. Local Kanak huts.

Local Kanak hut, cheif's house.

Next day foodie experience Zanzibar, fusion food: melanesian and french fusion.

Lovely entres and desserts but the mains were pretty mediocre, or rather Dave didn't quite like his chewy mahi mahi and I didn't fancy seafood marinara like currey melanesian style.

Marinated fish tartar on some sort of pastry.

Duck springroll

Dessert: Apple crepe.

Chocolate cake bits with mangosteen tasting creme.

More romantic walks that evening after gluttony.

Saturday

2009-05-23T08:08:00.002+08:00

Love my Saturday mornings... Dave seems to have gotten into a habit of making Saturday breakfast/brunch for me as I toddle around the house, laundry, vacuuming, filing etc.. not allowed to help him.

Today's menu, potato spring onion cakes with sunny side up eggs, bacon and garlicky tomatoes..

Can't wait... Mmmmm I'm so spoilt !

Eggy Bread

2009-05-16T08:44:00.001+08:00

Since we're addicted to Masterchef Australia, or rather I am! Every day thinking about I will cook if I get a chance to audition for it but the husband has caught on and I'm just typing this while waiting for my breakfast..

Dave's gotten into this routine of making breakfast for me every Saturday, today he's inspired by the masterchef's master class of making eggy bread aka French toast... so its French toast made from Hunter Valley eggs, with fresh bread and pork sausages which we bought from the Italian grocer this morning.. Its good to have someone make you breakfast.. bliss.. =)

Honeymoon!

2009-04-26T19:20:00.012+08:00

View from the plane as we descended into New Caledonia

We were very blessed to get the 2 for 1 sale to New Caledonia for our honeymoon destination. Originally somewhere over our budget, we made it with more spending money which we found out we do need with the price of things here. 1 Aud = 64 Pacific Francs which translate to a bus ride is $3.20, a hamburger $7.00 and a meal close to $40/person for a pizza/pasta meal.

Our first 2 days:

Friday: Dave and I arrive in Noumea the capital of New caledonia. This country is owned by the Kanak (local) islander people but was used as a French penitentiary during the French colonisation. Bits and pieces of the land look like Thailand/Malaysia

all the signs here are in French. We check into the hotel La Promenade at 5:30pm. The room is humungous for just 2 of us, with a large combined dining and lounge room, and kitchenette

and a big bed room.

We get the top floor with a large balcony where Dave and I have had coffee and desserts. We had to make a booking for an upgraded room for the 2 for 1 special.

We headed out using our map collected from the airport and our lonely planet guide which recommends this place Casa Italia listed as a must try. Dave sitting by the window.

It was fully booked but we were lucky to get a seat. The menus were in French/Italian or Japanese, waitress thought I was jap! snob owner refused to speak any english even though she knew what we were talking about. Good thing the waitress was very nice and with my limited French i.e. I know food names, fromage = cheese, canard = duck etc.. We ordered yummy duck salad with roasted potatoes, bacon bits and tomato.

Ham/artichoke/olive pizza

And the best lasagne (salmon & prawn) I've ever had.

Not to mention for dessert the best tiramisu.. I'm inspired to try to make it now

Even the warm bread on the side was great!!!! droool... of course we couldn't finish it.

Funny looking pacific francs which are giant sized notes.

Belly full and happy to hit one of the must dos on our first night we headed home for an early night.

Saturday:

We woke up bright and early to be greeted by the fantastic view from our hotel balcony. Our hotel

There was this really cool french restaurant called Le Roof which is in an overwater bungalow..

woohooo.. thinking of going there for dinner one night.

Set off to attempt to take the bus to the city centre, prices are 200 FCP /person fixed price no matter where you're going. Red and white public buses, we noticed only the tourists & the local Kanak people take it, the poshy French drive their Peugeots & Renaults.

We were so hungry so after we ordered a chicken panini and some coffees.. Coffee was disappointing but the bread.. wow! I guess that's what happens when the french are involved.

Full stomached we walked around doing the city walk as recommended in our lonely planet guide.. I kept going off track once I spotted food places. My nose led me to the famous french bakery Boulangerie Marie

the best Baguettes, croissants, eclairs..

My good husband getting me some goodies ..

We followed the recommendations from lonely planet and tried food from the local shops (something like Singapore's kopitiam but no where to sit) poulet au curry ( chicken curry melanesian style) nems ( Vietnamese spring rolls) but missed out on garlic prawns (crevettes).

Its so funny, don't speak a word of french but in these 3 days just to order food I've picked up what is necessary.. Oui means Yes! Duh means two. marche = market, Poisson = fish etc.. plat du jour - meal of the day

Observation: everyone says bonjour to you and are very friendly and helpful(when Dave and I are lost) everyone eats giant baguettes with filling for lunch,life here is very very relaxed people sit in the park in Place de cocotiers for lunch, the french here are super fit, so many hot bods running on the beach, everyone thinks I'm Japanese and we always get bread with our meal, its very strange to see poshy french bakeries and chocolatiers in the midst of some run down old shop houses.

Super marche!!!! Casino Johnston supermarche where you can pay in US,AUD, Euro instead of pacific francs, the tags even show the prices in aussie...I went crazy, Dave had to control me when it comes to food. Wah lau eh.. I bought like the local prawns to try and we paid almost $10 for 10 prawns... so expensive! apparently New caledonian green prawns are smaller than Aussie prawns but taste a lot sweeter.

As expected they have thousands of cheeses in the market

and lots of varieties of salad, terrine and foe graie are sold like it is an everyday commodity. What was gross was that they sold BRAIN, tongue, kidney, liver, rabbit and quail (not that gross) in the supermarket...

Took a siesta midday when we got home and went for a nice long walk by the beach in front of the hotel, it stretches all the way around, took us about 2hours to walk back and forth from our area Anse Vata to Baie de citrons (lemon bay

People playing the local bowls game & so many fit French men and women running and cycling along the bay!

Went home to eat our purchases from the supermarkets and leftover lunch/pizza.. Yum!

Good first 2 days!

Our Wedding

2009-04-17T19:52:00.006+08:00

Our Joy
The day arrived, came and went.. all too quickly.

Loading some favourite moments of the day. Rebecca my friend and photographer will be using our photos for her website as well as a spread in Bride to Be magazine! Can't wait for that to come out!

Post make up prep...

The complicated dress wearing Arriving at the church, Dave said his happiest moment was when the pastor said to him: "She's here"

Prayer before I walk down the aisle, such an emotional yet tentative moment
Love how Dad looks so solemn here

Dave saying his vows, I can remember how it felt hearing the words.
The moment with Dad and how often I make that face at him now captured on film

Our bridal party lost on the train to the reception at darling harbour

A moment shared with our real brothers and sisters

20 days left!!

2009-03-07T21:02:00.002+08:00

THIS IS scary.. the wedding ticker thingy I have on the bottom of my blog is telling me I have ONLY 20 DAYS LEFT til my wedding ! argh~~

SO many things left to do... Dave and I are exhausted with this whole moving thing already ... looking for furniture.. going EL cheapo aka ebay & Ikea until we finally BUY our own place... For now practicality matters and it certainly does help to be marrying someone with a good eye for design and matching stuff even if they're at $89 coffee table from IKEA we have to assemble ourselves! challenge mate

Apples for Adam

2009-01-29T19:38:00.000+08:00

A blank post cos I didn't know what to say... I feel like getting into a small business.. secret women business if you know what I mean... I'm thinking of a name now and my honey buns is coming up with a concept. =)

Potts Point - Fratelli's

2008-12-15T14:49:00.000+08:00

Piggerism is back! Taking a break from wedding stuff this weekend to do some Christmas shopping and cafe-hunting..

Ksubi sale this weekend, since Dave wanted a pair of jeans for Christmas I suggested we head over to Paddington to take advantage of the sale, why anyone would pay $300++ for a pair of jeans is beyond me but apparently its a "nothing over $100" sale.

So change of plans from visiting our latest favorite, Petersham's big brekky cafe to this place in Potts Point his work had gone to for someone's birthday.

Parking was quite a nightmare but we were happy to hike 10mins there from our park.
Nondescript looking exterior of Fratelli's but... I loved the place once I stepped in and Mr Broc smiled at my crazy excitement, lunch crowd was already in and we were happy with a counter seat
Huge blackboard featuring the menu...
View from our seats, I was targeting one of Fratelli's rice sack shopping bags at this point.

Our cool food mats

Cold beer

Entrees: Fried zuchini flowers with 3 italian cheese

Lamb Ragu - Little B will be in 7th heaven if she gets s chance to try this... generous chunks of slow cooked lamb in tomato sauce were melt in the mouth and the short pasta, freshly grated parmesan melded together perfectly.

Risotto Milanese - very plain looking but the look belies the burst of rich cheesy flavours and totally not boring.

Well we couldn't stop there, or rather it was the pig in ME that made me try the famous Banoffee pie!
Pie crust with caramel filling topped with banana and whipped cream... gorgeous, the whipped cream and banana off setting the sickly sweet caramel well..
We could only groan in satisfaction when we finally finished.

Good thing we satisfied our stomachs before Dave unleashed me on the aisles and aisles of fresh fruit and produce, giant asparagus, home made tomato sauce, pastas, deli meats....

I let him off at a panini roll..

Dear! when can we come back..
Dave: groan....

Gorgeous things

2008-11-14T07:38:00.009+08:00

Planning our wedding has been a discovery of the most gorgeous things from polka.com.au

I'm loooooove these bonbonniere ideas and the beautiful cakes!!! argh.. decisions!

Cookies..... as placecards.. how cute are they!!

The luckiest

2008-11-08T19:46:00.002+08:00

Today we had couples day at Neutral Bay Anglican Church where we're getting married and we had a session about communication:

Been having a tough time in our engagement, some storms here and there with our families and in our finances.. also raised up personality traits that we couldn't quite stand... We were fighting almost every week, me talking and complaining more and he just kept getting quieter and quieter

And today the break through... taking time to say these words
" I feel... " - one party
"What I hear you saying is... " - the other party

Sounded quite silly when we practiced it but slowly they started to make a big difference in our understanding of what the other person was trying to convey..

Later David Ould (our pastor married to a Singaporean!) revealed to us the results of our compatibility survey and a big one we didn't think too much about was our family background and the way things get done in our homes would reflect in our relationship and marriage.

My family: slice and dice say what you mean and say it with full gusto~ efficient, decide and do it
His family: quiet like him, agree to keep the peace, more disorganised and last minute

Ahhh... there must have been a lot of lightbulbs above our heads today... Suddenly there is hope.. we can work it out but its going to take a lot of hard work, me learning to keep quiet and encourage him, him learning to speak up and have confidence.

There's no the one, the one is the one u pick and u work it out with the one you pick!

The Luckiest - Ben Folds Five

I dont get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here

And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

What if Id been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe Id be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you

Next door theres an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away

Im sorry, I know thats a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

Our first business trip

2008-09-24T17:42:00.007+08:00

Just some photos of our Malaysia Seminar adventure + eating of course

KL, picked up by Uncle John's nephew Darren who was very very nice and drove us around everywhere and generous buying us yummy meals.

My beef brisket noodles, Hong Kong Style.. yum..
Shopping crazy in KL and met up with Vernon, Jack, Amy, Greg and Sherlyn for dinner..
Vern came again to meet me the next day for late late lunch...
It felt as if time just stopped and we picked up from where we left off... Everyone was still as funny and crazy .. so good to be with friends again.. Jack brought his professional camera having happy snaps time. So tempted to take out my little Exslim Casio haha but didn't =) Should have!

Two nights in KL and we were off to Kuching and met up with Uncle Wang Jing and Aunty Mary.
They organised our trip and the seminar in Kuching and brought me to try different east malaysia and fuchou food. Sarawak laksa, kolo mee, some funny bead/fern/bean like vege and dishes I can't pronounce or names I forgot but I have pictures!
Set-up in the hotel in Kuching, all organised by Uncle Wang and Aunty Mary.
Didn't manage to take pictures of participants was manning the presentation.

Celebratory beef noodles after the presentation: Good turn out of more than 30 given that Uncle Wang only put out a short newpaper article.

Happy finding of Durian!! one nightUncle John really getting into it.Next Stop Kota Kinabalu.
After a quick lunch, Uncle John left me to my own devices to go shopping and wandering around.. My room

Went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf after my shopping for a rest and to use the Wifi there... RM11 for a ice blended!! how do the Malaysians afford these things if they are earning dollar for dollar as compared to Singapore?? Kopi is just Rm1 !! Happy snaps Dinner: look at the size of those lobsters!
KK seminar with Dominic Siow

The team at the airport in JB
Morning in KK, we went hunting for breakfast, found this malay style beef noodles in a nearby kopitiam
Then off to JB and then to Muar

Aunty Mary and Uncle John stop for a banana break... haha!

To be continued... I go back to Singapore this afternoon

Reception Picts and pretty ideas

2008-09-10T15:12:00.005+08:00

We visited L'aqua on the weekend braving the crazy rainstorm outside. Once we stepped in, we forgot the cold by checking out the gorgeous set-up for the dinner reception in both rooms that evening.Set-up in the gold room (we'll be getting this one) peach coloured theme, very sweet but a little over the top with the centre-piece, wouldn't be able to see the person from across the table.Lovely wedding cake

Balcony where guest can take photos and enjoy canapesBridal table with the organza and fairy lights set-up.
Table set-up for the other room, silver/bluish theme, dave liked this set-up better
I'm crazy over Martha Stewart's wedding... everything is so pretty!!! Going to borrow a few ideas from her website.. thanks to pet who introduced it to me..WAH!

Love this idea, cookie buffet perhaps to set-up after the ceremony and relocate next to guest signing book during the lunch reception.
This one is just so yummy-licious pretty

We've got a date!

2008-09-10T04:54:00.004+08:00

Yes we've finally got a date: 28th of March 2009

For all my good friends out there and dear Karola & Pet who "suffered" through my daily updates on wedding planning and date finding, a big THANK YOU !

After many phone calls and anxious waits for Dad and Mum to consult their fengshui master, discussing with Little B about her travel/overseas exchange plans to Switzerland next year. We've decided that yes the 28th of March 2009 is good for Dave and I to get married, and that Little B will fly back for the wedding during her semester break. Just in the nick of time, I had to place in a deposit yesterday afternoon with the place we really wanted for our reception place, as they could only "hold" the date for us for 4 days... So its set! surreal feeling and at the same time you think to yourself "its really happening!". Had to call Dave prior to going in ask him how sure.

Finding the date has been my 2nd storm. The lighthouse "vision" I had had, revealed after further waiting in God's presence meant " no not have a lighthouse weddig" but that there would be storms in the planning but His light will always lead me to safety.

Humbled by this wedding planning process, thinking that when we got engaged, more than a month is plenty time to book in a reception place and a cermony venue.. HAHAHA !! don't underestimate the time you need, finding, searching, calling, whether they have your date available etc etc etc

more to come, pictures once i have time to load them...
Now prepping for the business trip adventure with Uncle John to Singapore & Msia.

Wedding planning and good feeds

2008-08-18T14:55:00.010+08:00

Dave and I have been embarking on Saturday outings of wedding planning:

Last Saturday: We truly believed that the Lord is leading us to a lighthouse wedding. So we went to check out Macquarie Lighthouse. The magnificence of Australia's first lighthouse, it looks very well maintained and there looked like there were couples already there taking their pre-wedding shots. On our way to lunch we spotted a quaint little church, but the capacity seemed to be only for 70 people, the view however was spectacular..
We had a peep inside, there was people there setting up for a 2pm wedding that day. Famished then we had a perfect excuse to head over to Doyle's on the beach for their famous fish and chips... Yummy.... Dave staring at our seafood basket & seafood chowder. Enjoyed the sunny winter day's lovely views while eating.
Pretty disappointed during the week when we figured out the Macquarie lighthouse wasn't suitable for our ceremony, limit of 10 chairs, no PA system, no catering, no exclusive use, no alcohol....ur.. then why are we paying $1000 for??? Search again, we planned to go to the bridal expo at Fox Studios the following Saturday.
Weekend 2:
Started the day with early lunch at new Glebe place Naggy's cafe, such a weird name but it was pretty popular with the Glebe hippy crowd.

Interesting decor, modern Bills inspired shared meal table with odds and ends as chairs and the opposite wall red velveteen, luxurious chairs and settees. We decided to go comfy.. =) Dave had Naggy's salad, mixed greens with fresh peas, fennel, pistachio, bacon bits and some creamy sauce thing.. oh so yummy. I have to have some form of meat, something strange and different for a change, ginger and date pork meatballs with orange couscous and mixed greens. very delish too. Tempting, cookie & dessert counter, couldn't resist a shot as we walked past.
Next stop, Bridal expo near fox studios.... Urgh .. never again.. the runway show quite a circus of orbity/gaudy creations, only very few things we liked.. I can't believe there was a hire a Michael Jackson impersonator there! I mean who would do that for their wedding?!?!?!! HE was very very good though, just not for a wedding.
The photography companies there impressed us, Blumenthal photography creme de le creme, and visuality was pretty good (not too cut-throat prices). We need to see if we can budget it in, photography is to Dave is like flowers to me.

WE decide to reward our "hard work" with great food at the belgian beer cafe in north Sydney, mussels cooked in chorizo, white wine, tomato and coriander hot pot with a nice Hoegarden beer and snags on mash.

Ended the night with a drive down to bradley point park to check out another "famous" ceremony locale. So dark and we saw a lot of RABBITS ... Dave said its a sign.. yah rite

Climbing the Harbour Bridge

2008-07-31T18:54:00.007+08:00

I better update my blog being chased/hounded by one of my best friends in Singapore Verny who just got engaged!

The story of the climbing the harbour bridge:

Once upon a time there was a girl called Kai, she met a boy named David. She called him grass because he was hairy and he called her rabbit because she liked to bite her lower lip especially when she saw something yummy.

One fine Tuesday on the 29th of June 2008:

Dave: "Hey dear, I've thought of what we can do today, I've got a day off work.."

Kai: "What? go somewhere yummy for lunch?"

Dave: "How about we go for a picnic and go rock climbing after that, then we can go to our favourite Jap place Sushiya for dinner?"

Kai: " PICNIC??!! are u crazy, who plans a picnic in winter on a cold drizzly day..."

Dave: "Me??"

Kai: " urrrr, ok.."

Dave: "We'll go to the park near the rock climbing place.."

Kai: " there's no park there, just industrial factories and warehouses, what are you talking about? Aiya never plan properly again!"

Dave: "There's a park there I promise, I checked the map"

Kai: "Don't bluff lah"

Dave: "Trust me, I checked"

Kai: "grumble... let me guess roast chicken from coles, salad and wrap?"

Dave: "... errr how did u know?"

Kai: "I'm smart"

He picked her up at 1pm and off they went... (She wanted to walk home but he said he wanted to be nice and pick her up from work)

Kai: "Eh darling where are u going? this is the wrong way"

Dave: "We need to go to Harris st"

Kai: "what for, its the wrong way to rock climbing"

Dave: "...."

Getting there...

Kai: "Wah... this place is nice, good choice for picnic. Ok lah, even if you have bad direction sense"

Dave excitedly sets the mat up and proceed to make her a nice wrap.
10mins later...

Kai: " Darling... its cooold, can we go somewhere else? Eat in the car? Aiya told you we should have gone to eat in a cafe then go rock climbing"

Dave: !?!?! oh no..

Dave: "How bout I reverse park my car and we sit in the boot to eat?

Kai: " ok lah"Kai: "what's this?"

Dave: "South american roses"
Kai: "must be long time never get me flowers... THANKS dear"

Kai: "Eh how come you have a shirt in your car?Don't need to dress up to go to Sushiya"

Dave: "Oh I left it there after my interview on Monday"

Kai: "oh ok"

After eating...

Kai: "Ok let's go.. where's my monthly-versary present?"

Dave:"Hang on.."

And proceeds to take out a little hand bound book.

At this point, I paused... "Urh... are u supposed to read the last page..." Started to tear... he started to tear too and took the book from my hands... He read the last page

Me: "Are you serious??(x10)

Dave: No just joking... OF course not!

Me: "Argh... Wow" (stunned for very long)

Dave: "so what's your answer"

Me: "Where's my ring?"

Dave: !?!?!

Dave: Yes or not...

Me: YES!

Both laughed and he took out
A little miniature ring on a necklace...
Dave: "Sorry dear, I paid Mum with all my savings for the car. I bought this for you, I'll get you your ring soon ok?

Me: (I could only nod)

And on the last page of the book

So much for rock climbing!! Too bad we couldn't take pictures on the bridge but it was really beautiful. A good hour spent dressing up and 3hours on the Sydney harbour bridge... truly this is a beautiful city. We climbed all the way up to the flag poles and marvelled at the city night and the opera house all lit up..

We had to rush like crazy after that finishing at 8pm, having made a dinner booking for 7:30pm.
Arrived at Aqua Luna close to 9pm but it was a beautiful place and a wonderful dinner. This place was just next to Luna park besides the harbour bridge. (It seemed to the be the theme of the day!) Both of us were so tired though.. it seemed like a dream.

Me: "Did you plan to ask me by the car before the climb or did I ruin it cos I was complaining so much you had to ask me.?"

Dave: "Nope, all in the plan"

Me: "Why not on the bridge"

Dave: "You'd definitely know by then if I did, I had to plan a day that's well planned but not too elaborate if not you'll know. I wanted to surprise you.."

Me: "I'm definitely surprised"

Dave: "Would you have said no if you're not?"

Me: "haha maybe" (I had been practicing saying no in the car to scare him if he couldn't surprise me)

It was a good day. So now I'm engaged!

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." - John 14:1

Language of Love?

2008-07-24T08:26:00.002+08:00

I found this from Greg's blog... Gary Chapman's Five Languages of Love.
Heard of it but never took the quiz so I took it this morning.

Your Detailed Results:
Receiving Gifts:	9
Quality Time:	8
Acts of Service:	7
Words of Affirmation:	3
Physical Touch:	3

Language of love is gifts?? no wonder I like to buy stuff for people, and I feel really happy when someone gets me something that I really really like, is as if the person truly knows who you are. Haha, I think Dave's one is touch and quality time as I get many huggies from him and we often take long walks or just have coffee and read together... at least we have one way in common.. or it could be simply that I'm materialistic?

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Receiving Gifts

My Detailed Results:
Receiving Gifts:	9
Quality Time:	8
Acts of Service:	7
Words of Affirmation:	3
Physical Touch:	3

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
Check out the Book

Weekend activities at Circular Quay

2008-07-08T13:03:00.002+08:00

Decided to take some time out of calculating accounts and looking at charts to relax, this and addictive playing of the facebook word challenge someone sent me.. I forgot who it is but its got me playing every night and got me making up words just to fluke it when I've run out.

I just had a nice relaxing weekend with Mr Broc.. nice sleep in and a looong wait for him who said he'll be here at 12 but it was 1:15pm when he finally arrived. This man has learnt that it is better to be 1hr 15mins late with a peace offering than just 1hr late!The peace offering... sweet smelling flowers.. and (below) the expression of a truly apologetic man!

Mr Broc plan of the day, art exhibition, didn't feel good about it knowing my "lack of appreciation". Very cool, took a ferry to Cockatoo Island (apparently previous jailhouse)Us on the Ferry. Hard to take more photos inside as most were in old warehouses or tunnels of some sort, didn't quite understand most of if but Mr Broc seemed happy.

Sunset on Cockatoo Island
Bridge view from the ferry on our way back.

DAY TWO of the weekend which I enjoyed more.
The Annual Aroma festival...!! Coffee for $1 a cup.
Mr Broc checking out the site map,
I'm so greedy, haven't finished one cup before I was lining up for the next one. I chucked out one cup which tasted like coffee flavoured milk!! Can't waste my caffeine limit on bad coffee!

SO sad that we got there a bit too late to go around to the other stalls, they decided to add all things yummy that go with coffee or related to coffee in other parts of the rocks. Mr Broc with his Whisk and Pin Muesli cookie looking happy. There were tea stalls, chocolate, biscotti and desert shops around and even turkish gozleme why it is there is the excuse that they served turkish coffee which is horrendous to me! bleh
(Attempt to take some scenes of activities behind us)

Poor me could only see the skeleton of stalls left or the boxes post-pack up, the place settling into darkness by 530pm. "why didn't you tell me there's more..." Mr Broc perhaps wanted to avoid having a hyperactive girlfriend to contend with for the rest of the evening..
We settle by the wharf to admire the Opera house by night and have a nice chat.

Little B & mumsy come to town

2008-06-23T15:32:00.005+08:00

This post is about a month old, which is pretty good given the rate I have been going this year!
Super duper excited when mum called me one Sunday to tell me she and little B were coming on Thursday, like woah.. that was a quick decision... nonetheless I was delighted to have the thermal blanket come!

Thermal blanket and Mumsy

They arrived at 655AM on Thursday, Mr Broc had kindly lent me his car to pick them up from the airport, I couldn't sleep all night cos I was that excited.

Picked them up and to Chatswood we went for yummy lunch at Vietnamese restaurant and food. Went there since I had Dave's car and I knew the area.

This picture going over the Harbour bridge was taken by the silly Little B, her flash on her camera gave me a shock thinking I got flashed by some speed camera etc... duh.. there's none the bridge.
Lunch spot: I'm so happy to see mum..
Shopping at Chatswood, trust little B to pick the stuff that resembles food!
Mum, little B and me at SushiyaMr Broc joins us for dinner... he did another DIY haircut, not too bad front-on
Photoshop shot by little B of our Japanese dinner, I'm not smart enough to do this, I usually just load picture by picture all 2Mb of it !! haha dad's little techy-idiot.
All our favourites, tempura set, pork spinach set, grilled Kingfish head and clam noodles.. yum another place to go besides Musashi for good value good Jap food!

for more updates on what they got up to (eat&eat) check out little B's blog
www.ekers.blogspot.com

trip back to Singapore 08

2008-03-01T20:34:00.005+08:00

Woohoo... in the words of my sister, I'm happy my blog still works, looking back its been more than half a year since I made my last entry and I found out that I have this post with many yummy photos loaded up from my latest trip back home in Feb so don't waste ..

Food I ate in Singapore,

Sun and Moon contemporary Japanese at lane crawford, some tasting platter of many yummy things
Jap food again! Soba set at this place of revamped food area in city hall This is where I met Lister "new" boyfriend Faizal. He takes good care of Lister miss anyhow throw her wallet.

Some family pictures over CNY

I've been so unbelievably busy here in Sydney, things have taken a totally unexpected but exciting turn in my work.. the field, entirely different from what I have studied for years but non the less challenging and I find it a lot more interesting. Now instead of using my passion food to earn $$, I earn more $$ to enjoy my passion food.. =)

This post will have to do for now, until I have time to collect my thoughts to tell the story of how God can be the God of doing things beyond anything we can ask or even imagine!

Saturday Bush Walk

2008-01-01T12:36:00.000+08:00

Originally we'd planned to go bush walking on our 19th month but wet weather forecasts took us bowling in Randwick and 2nd hand books shopping..
So last Saturday Mr Broc surprised me by saying that he'll take me bush walking in blue mountains...

We arrived a little late after having a little stop-over at book kitchen to pick up some yummy bacon and egg rolls and some coffee..

We finally started our walk at 3:25pm. I tried to take a picture of the map.. Its really hard to see anything but Mr Broc was really ambitious and wanted to do the National trail walk. And so we set off.
The first level of falls we were aiming for: the first part of the hike was downwards and was pretty steep..could still be silly and take many photos.. thinking to myself is there a lift at the end to take us back up!? I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, it was breath-taking.. mid point of the falls. There were many people taking the liberty to wade and even swim in pools at the bottom of the falls. MrBroc and I at our first check point, this photo is funny, I caught him in the middle of a sneeze must be the spray coming from the falls. Mr Broc sees a sign " for expert walkers- steep stairs"
Mr Broc: let's go there
Me: No
Mr Broc: c'mon dear let's go
Me: No
Mr Broc: it'll be fun, its not that hard I promise.
Me: No

We went down to the bottom of the falls down this steep track. They actually put up signs for you, that at the steepest point of the climb you have to go down facing inwards. We encountered steel ladder like contraptions that help us get down and even a point where you need to use a rope to climb down the rock backwards.. So much for my " No"

Well in the end, it was worth it, the sight of the bottom of the falls a different world, rainbows forming at the water surface where the falls hit.
Mr Broc strikes a pose: Behind Mr Broc, rainbow water..
We had a nice 20min water break before climbing back up and continuing with the trail walk.
So cute with my 1L tank. Mr Broc looking back on the waterfall we had explored, this part is the walk that snakes around the mountain edge. Going deeper into the mountain-side. More sights along the way, Mr broc told me this it the weeping rock, not quite another waterfall but it drips along the way, very refreshing in fact cools you down on a hot summer day when the water evaporates. I found the way the water fell from this one fascinating as the water droplets seem to fall like a sheet, very slowly, can't quite justify it in a still photo. Then we reached the inner part of the mountain, discovered more waterfalls, the last one here was really beautiful. Didn't take any more photos from here on, too tired on our way up.. the whole hike took us 3hrs.. and we were famished by the time we reached the car, good thing I packed some yummy chicken puffs, grapes, rice crackers and cold Christmas tea.

Got home at 9pm...my room never looked so good.

Christmas Baking

2007-12-17T14:18:00.001+08:00

Inspired by many food magazines with Christmas just round the corner, I've decided to bake Christmas cookies and give them away as treats.... Bought star cutters from House and caucous to make these custard christmas cookies,
above: Cookies on the baking tray.
Nova the bova in charge of putting caucous on the stars.

After the cookies were out of the oven, at first I wanted to use the Kikki.K paper bags. (the cute red bags) to give them out in, but I realised that though it was gorgeous it covered up the cookie so Dave and I went hunting for other stuff to put them in.
Cellophane bags, with gift tags and candy canes.. now that looks good.
Jars for the families.

Following Saturday, after christmas shopping Mr Broc and I made white chocolate with cranberries and pistachios.
I was preparing to lead P&W the next day so I left Mr Broc to his own devices. Just told him to follow the instructions in the magazine.

It was pretty easy, first you had to melt white chocolate buttons.
Mr Broc: Hey dear, is this a heat proof bowl??
Me: Urm.. I think I'll come out and help you..
After showing him where things were I went back into my room.
20mins later.. I came out
Me: *sniff* smells nice ..

Mr Broc: Hey dear is this normal??
Me: why is the white chocolate brown?!?!??!!
Mr Broc: still smells ok..
Me: you burnt it lah!
Mr Broc: can I still use it??
Me: of course not..

Good thing we had a 2nd pack of white chocolate buttons around.. This time I melted it
Mr Broc: how come yours look like that?!?!
Me: cos I didn't burn it..
Mr Broc: * grumble *

Well he managed to pull the rest of it off without anymore dramas..
Here is our beautiful result
We also filled a large jar of it for a friend's engagement.
Our hard work at the end of the night. The next thing I'm trying is a Christmas dinner, girls night on the 24th !

18th Month

2007-12-14T18:57:00.000+08:00

Time flies.. the last I can remember I was still blogging about my 17th month with Dave..

Finally our one and half year anniversary and the end of the count-down from the day we booked to go watch Billy Elliot the musical at Capitol theatre.

Wanted to take Dave to eat at Mushashi, one of Farmer Chua's favourite japanese restaurants but it was packed out and since the show started at 7:30pm, we didn't have much time.

645pm: we found a seat at Milliore and settled for dolsot bibimbap and a teriyaki chicken, recommended by the waitress to arrive quickly. True to her word, food arrived in 5mins so we didn't have to gorge everything down.

Mr Broc and teriyaki chicken... He arrived late so couldn't blame me that we didn't get Musashi tonight.. oh well not that he would cos I'm the glutton in the relationship as you can see me with the yummy bibimbap!

We LOVED the show! though it was a bit to hard to understand the rough english accent they had to put on =) got A row seats cos I booked in August! love the giant dancing dresses and the boy who plays Billy simply amazing! pity no pictures inside . Gift exchange at home! Rose gold earrings (that's why he was late, frantically looking around Broadway to find me a gift) good taste as usual Mr broc.. the 2nd part of the gift was even better! He wrote me a funny bedtime story about a bunny called rabbit... talk about originality!! He learnt how to bind it together from the internet.. I couldn't stop laughing..v touched.

My turn: Got him this vintage hand-finished volkswagon model that he was staring at the Kirribilli markets, I think he already knew on Saturday cos when I disappeared with Angela a bit too long in the toilet he eyed the big paper bag we were carrying suspiciously.

Happy monthiversary Mr Broc!

Just us

Kirribilli Markets

2007-11-28T14:00:00.001+08:00

Last Saturday, we visited the Kirribilli Markets at Milson's point station as a belated birthday celebration for Angela. It was drizzly in the morning so quite a few stalls were closed, perhaps it was a good thing so we found some seats quite easily.

We split to "hunt" for food.. A nice jazz trio was there.

Go get food!! Angela, Amy and Rick charge ahead.
Lil' stick, Mr Broc and Bova with their lunch goodies Lil' stick, Nova and Me with her twin cherries

Amy and Rick, Rick braves it to try African food, pretty good mostly stewed meats withe lentils on top of couscous.

Angela, Amy and Rick with the fruit of their hunt.

Me and Mr Broc with yummy turkish Gozleme and coffeesAngela, Amy and Me before the start of the markets, Angela!! why are your eyes closed again!

Mr Broc got me something yummy, I was eyeing these beautiful baby cakes from the other table trying to instigate lil stick to steal them.. He bought me a tray of 12 later on when we split up for some bargain hunting among the stalls.

Mr Broc with my baby cakes and the harbour bridge in the background. Yummm

Mr Broc protecting my babycakes from the crazy Nova.

My haul back was a pretty pink and yellow polka dotted camisole, some farm fresh peaches $3/kg and a nice nice nice present for Mr Broc for our 18th month.

Ended the day visiting another cafe near north Sydney then hometime... we watched "the God's must be crazy" this old time flick of a bushman encountering "white men" culture.. it was hilarious.. Perfect relaxing Saturday.

Czech Food !

2007-11-20T17:45:00.000+08:00

This is a draft post I dug up that did not appear yet.. the days when my little ibook had enough space for many many photos of food!

"Man I'm so bored... waiting for everyone to get ready to go for our trip to Koh Samui, Lister just arrived home 5mins ago. SO I shall blog about Korkor and Angie visiting Sydney last weekend. (that was in June by the way)

Dave and I decided to take them out for dinner Monday night to try something even us Sydney-siders haven't sampled before, Czech food at Prague restaurant in Potts Point.

Entrance at PRAGUE
Korkor and Angie; Me and Dave...

Our orders for the night.. Yummmmm
Entrees

Crunchy fried & Stuffed Mushrooms with Blue Cheese with Tartar Sauce
Smažené žampiony plněné sýrem servírované s tatarskou omáčkou $8.90

Beef Goulash $6.50

Our Mains:

Golden roasted Doung duck based on an old traditional Czech Recipe served with red Cabbage, Sauerkraut, Bread & Potato Dumplings
Pečená kachna po staročesku, houskový a bramborový knedlík, červené a bílé zelí
$21.90
TRADITIONAL BOHEMIAN PARTY DISH - smoked Pork, roast Pork, golden-brown Duck, Sausage, red Cabbage, Sauerkraut, Potato Pancakes, Bread & Potato Dumplings
STAROPRAŽSKÁ POSVÍCENSKÁ MÍSA - uzené maso, vepřová krkovička, pečená kachna, párek, bílé a červené zelí, bramboráčky, houskový a bramborový knedlík
$24.90

Stuffed Salmon Rolls with Spinach and Fetta Chees served with roasted Vegetables, Mushrooms Sauce and Potato Gems
Plněné lososové závitky se špenátem a sýrem, houbová omáčka, míchaná zelenina a bramborové krokety
$24.90

AND what Angie is trying to conquer here..
Juicy roast Pork Knuckle served with pickled Cucumbers, Horseradish, Mustard and Bread
Pečené vepřové koleno, kyselá okurka, křen, hořčice a chléb
$18.90

4 satisfied customers.. No space for dessert.. next time maybe

Bondi Sculptures by the Sea

2007-11-19T14:43:00.001+08:00

You know your relationship has reached another level when you display the disgusting side of yourself..

Date: 17th November 2007
Activity: Bondi Beach sculptures by the sea that happen annually in Sydney

One of the exhibits:

Me: "Hahahaha..... Line*.."
Mr Broc: "Why are you so disgusting??"
Me: What!?!?!
Me: "Dear stand next to it.. I take a picture for you.."
Mr Broc: " NO!"
*Whine* Look who's disgusting now..
*Line: Term coined by me when I saw someone's undies worn too low..

Ok.. now the good stuff ...
It was the last weekend that the Bondi sculptures by the sea were on display and Mr Broc and I hurried there on Saturday. The beach was packed! Temp was ideal, sunny with a nice breeze. There was a swimming pool/club/restaurant on one side of the beach. It was funny to see people swimming in a pool with the sea right next to it.. maybe people don't like salty water/sharks/waves or crazy surfers.

Some of the exhibits we saw along the way:

This is one's got to be our favourite.. these flowers are made of ?!?!!

This one is apparently NOT an exhibit, a sign was put up to tell people that.. it looks as if someone is living there..
The wooden car that looks like it was modelled after a rhino.. Most people would join the guy pushing the pole..I think I added to the problem =)

The last one we looked at before we called it a day... someone needs to swing on it to make the wings flap.. very popular amongst the kiddies.

I'm back

2007-11-19T13:00:00.000+08:00

YAY!!!

Now I have an extra 100GB worth of disc space thanks to good ol Dad who got me a new external hard disc drive formatted for my ibook..

More food pictures and of Mr Broc my disgruntled model..

Bavarian Bier Cafe

2007-11-05T15:37:00.000+08:00

Every girl needs a foodie friend.. Mine Sue lyn, known dearly to me as little Stick.

Today we have another Monday lunch date, forsaking the "Let's do lunch", unimpressed by the choices of the October good food month special of $35 lunches at select restaurants.

We make our selection. The Bavarian Bier Cafe on York St in the CBD.

Lil'Stick and I arrive there famished at 2pm...

Our orders and gluttonous faces

First up, we both order a bier, $6.70 each for a 300mL bier. Lil Stick went for mango bier, me limonata... both yummy.. and not too sweet. We were glad we didn't go for the ladies bier which came in flavours of lychee, pineapple and raspberry.
Lunches: For $24.50 , Lil stick got a big veal snitzel drowning in mushrooms and sauce with mash and rocket salad. I went for my German colleagues recommendation, veal strips cooked in white wine and mushroom sauce with potato rosti.Definitely not disappointed.. the rosti was nice and crunchy unlike the huge soggy mound you usually get like in Una's or back home a Marche restaurant.. I was wondering why they gave me a spoon til I saw the amount of sauce the veal was swimming in.. there was enough meat in there to feed 3 of me I think.. I had to ask Lil' stick to help me finish them..

Last but not least the apple strudel.. Fiona told me I had to get them... The filo pastry was surprisingly crunchy and we were delighted to find slivers of almonds under them though we both would have preferred ice-cream instead of the whipped cream that it came with..

7pm and I was still full...

Next place.. we've decided Spice I am.. Yes every girl needs a foodie friend.

Walk across the Room

2007-11-02T21:01:00.000+08:00

Mr Broc and our Glebe park walk on Wednesday
Read chapter 2 of our new book

"Just walk across the room" by Bill Hybels about Christ-followers pointing people to faith.

We loved the way Bill Hybels writes about sharing life with people, the sincerity of caring and loving someone that does not always have to end with a check next to the "lead to pray the sinners prayer" though ultimately we hope to see them on the heaven side of things. Its really liberating and hence a lot more natural to talk and share without the nagging thought to have to share the 4 spiritual laws... The objective is no longer to contrive ways to get someone saved...But to work in cooperation with the Spirit of God to act, speak, listen, love and serve to point someone to God.

Mr Broc and I read this prayer and we prayed it together.

"My life is in your hands, God. Use me to point someone toward you today- I promise to cooperate in anyway I can. If you want me to say a word for you today, I'll do that. IF you want me to keep quiet but demonstrate love and servanthood, by your Spirit's power I will. I'm fully available to you today, so guide me by your Spirit."

17th Month

2007-10-29T18:13:00.000+08:00

This post is for quiet little Joanne who says she reads my blog daily and wonders why there isn't no recent posts! This month's feature, the gap bay walk featuring the Macquarie lighthouse and the Sydney Harbour National park.

Beautiful sights along the way, Dave and I thought how Irving would have enjoyed it with his powerful camera and his love for photography.. My little Exilim hardly does it justice.Mr Broc at the park entrance

Check out his fantastic photo-taking skills... sighz..

Took a break, didn't realise that we had walked to through the National park to the gap bluff centre until left. They were setting up for an afternoon wedding and Mr Broc and I settle down for a quick break on the grass to admire the scenery while sharing a favourite! Almond croissant.

My dear Mr broc putting on my socks and shoes after our break from walking. How often do you find a guy who would put your shoes on for u?? We stop at Doyle's Seafood for fish and chips.. I couldn't resist.. and yummy yummy for $11.80 you get 2 big slabs of fat and chunky deep fried fish fillets with hot chips that you could actually taste the potato ! A bit of trivial next to Doyle's, same name as one of my housemates who would indulge me with coffee drinking! She was happy when she saw this photo.
Admiring the beauty of the Macquarie lighthouse, trivia: it was the first and longest operating lighthouse ever built in Australia... Sydney is truly beautiful..

CG outing

2007-10-10T20:53:00.000+08:00

Oh man.. its been ages since I've posted.

Firstly.. I've been super duper busy that I don't even know where to start!

Secondly.. Due to over-enthusiastic photo-taking, Dave would say its food pictures and my sisters will say "Jie do u really need 5 pictures of the same dish?" hehe I do! In order to pick the best one of course! To cut the long story short-er my disc drive is full and I'm tossing between waiting til mid-November for Ah kor to help carry over an external hard drive from Dad or get one here.. Meanwhile, thank God for Adrian who sent me nice pictures of our CG trip and these I shall post..

6th October trip to the Royal National Park. After our 1hr hike down Lady Carrington drive, picnic lunch at Wattamolla beach, we headed to the highlight of the day, boating at Audley!

4 of us in a boat, little stick, Me(I look weird here, closing my eyes cos Dave was splashing water around), Dave and BB. We paid $20/hr to play this.. its actually quite hard to steer the thing, only Dave seemed to handle it well!
No wonder we kept going round and round.. our oarsmen were both looking different ways.. poor suelyn and I had twigs and branches poking us each time we crashed a shore.

Me and little stick.. thankful to have survived.. I was lazy to put on life jacket..ended up that terence used it as a "missile" to throw at other boats.

more soon I hope

Discipline

2007-08-22T05:02:00.000+08:00

Book study...
I'm studying again... my own reading and studying that is in a field I have absolutely no inkling about
But first always the word of God first.

Breakdown of the Greek words for discipline:
Sophron (to be of a sound mind)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" - 2Tim1:7

Enkrateia(power over oneself)

"fruit if the Spirit is.. self-control" - Gal5:23

Gymnazo (train)
"exercise youself toward godliness" - 1Tim4:7

To apply these things in my study and in taking care of what God has entrusted into my care.

What is my dream? to be a vessel for the Kingdom of God.. whether in the form of work or money..

To open a cafe and make the best coffee and cookies for the work of the Kingdom.

Keep on Keeping on

2007-08-14T14:32:00.000+08:00

"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" - Phil 2:13

I will not give up! It is what You have called me to do and no matter what happens, I just have to faithfully plant and water.. You give the growth. I choose this because You love them and therefore I love what You love because I love You.

Love this prayer for Hannah Whitall Smith.

"Here, Lord, I abandon myself to thee. I have tried in every way I think of to manage myself, and to make myself what I know I ought to be, but have always failed. Now I give it up to thee. Do thou take entire possession of me. Work in me all the good pleasure of thy will. Mold and fashion me into such a vessel as seemeth good to thee. I leave myself in thy hands, and I believe thou wilt, according to thy promise, make me into a vessel unto thy own honour, 'sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

14th Month

2007-08-01T16:26:00.000+08:00

14th months together.. this man has learnt after the teasing and the responses I've had from family and friends in regards to a certain "plate". This month our gift exchange.. The first time he's given me jewellery.. I was half expecting a teapot/coffee pot though! =)
Very proud of his good taste I must say and smart observations about the things I like.. pearl texture, pale pink coloured heart on a silver chain, with another little silver heart and 2 pearls (a small pink and a larger white one). He made a simple but cute card with a wooden ladybird on it!
Gift exchange, I found the cute mug that little B got from work and got one for Mr Broc's desk when he starts his new job and...a very special home-made voucher booklet/card thing

Mr Broc rocks up at my place at 130pm on Saturday and proceeds to open my cupboard throwing my swimmers, shorts, towel into a bag.. "We're going swimming!" he announces cheekily...Then scares me in the car that he's taking me swimming in a creek/swamp! Check out the "swamp"....
Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre...wow... The water is nice and heated.. Mr Broc and I decided to go the jacuzzi first before hitting the main pool doing 10 laps.. then we HAD to try the slide!! Mr Broc looking cute and us after our swim. Where to next?? Confession!
I found out that he had booked this place called "little Snail" through menu-log (online restaurant booking service) accidentally cos he was using my laptop to check his email and left it on so I found out that he had made reservations at a cozy french place near darling harbour... Man is this man getting better and better and being "romantic" .. hehe
The interior of little snail from where we were sitting. We had a nice view of the restaurant from here. He had made reservations for the dinner special. Entree, main and desserts for $48.50/person. We were here also cos Mr Broc thought I wanted to try snail! escargot..nooo oh well, I've never tried it before so we thought it'll be fun to include that as one of our entree choices

Snails (one dozen) in the shell, garlic butter

How to Eat Escargot by Mr Broc Step1 : Hold clip like tong in right hand... exercise your hand muscles by threatening to clip your companion.

Step2: When warmed up or when companion threatens to take over.. pay attention to snail. Clip shell of snail and use mini fork given to stab flesh.

Step3: When successfully removed flesh from snail shell, offer it nicely to your companion avoiding statements like "Hey dear.. I think I can see the snails' eyes.. look, its poking out at you.."

We also order some "serious" food... My entree, Traditional French Bouillabaisse. It had a yabbie, mussels, prawn, salmon smothered in the yummiest tomato sauce served with garlic baguette.. I wish we had more sauce to smother our side of bread with ... Mains:
Grain-Fed Fillet of Beef, with Portabello Mushroom, Rosemary Mash and Red Wine Jus

Slow Roasted Lamb on Ratatouille Mash With Port Glaze

Desserts Rich Chocolate Mudcake, Warm with Ice Cream
Hot Sticky Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce and Ice CreamWe were sharing over dinner how we've grown this month or how each other could improve..
Mr Broc goes "don't be so demanding!"... uh oh.. guess I was griping a bit too much how come he's not "romantic"...
Yet I'm very impressed and touched by him, that though he felt that I was being demanding he was willing to "sacrifice" his opinion in order to make me happy... jewellery, planning the day and yummy dinner (yes food always makes me happy!)
I've observed that in his character and so far.. he's been putting the "demands" of others first even before his own comfort.. Me, his brothers, his mum, his sheep... its amazing.. I've got much to learn from him.
Happy faces of us at Little Snail...Little Snail
http://www.thelittlesnail.com.au
50 Murray Street Pyrmont NSW

Everything in its Time

2007-07-21T19:42:00.000+08:00

Everything in its Time - Corrine May

"I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear Him say
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold onto patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its Time "

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." - Ecclesiastes 3:11

In its time. Its funny how these past 2 days as I was anticipating the return back to Sydney, back to reality/work etc.. wondering God what am I doing with my life..
The first time when I was praying silently under the covers in my sister's bed, Lister put on Corrine May's song, everything in its time. 2nd was in the shower yesterday morning, Little B came home from her morning brekky and put it on...
Journalled about it on the plane.. as I said yet another good-bye to my family.. man I'm getting sick of waving bye to them behind the glass panel, am I waiting for the "sign" from God or am I just afraid to return having left it 8years ago for the great southland.
Perhaps the song was also to prepare me for the disappointment when I got home, amidst my pile of mail, a letter from RPAH, finally the answer after my interview in May for the trainee Food service manager position.
"I regret to advise that in this instance there was another applicant whose overall skills, knowledge and experience more closely matched the position requirements" --- super duper sian man......

Reminding my heart "Everything in its time"

KSM Day 2.5

2007-07-16T23:13:00.000+08:00

As we were hunting for adventures in the morning we were drawn the hotel staff setting up chairs and beams, overlaying them with flowers and garlands. A quick question revealed that there was to be a beach wedding at the resort that afternoon. Check out the gorgeous wedding set-up. We lounged by the pool, doing Sudoku. Everyone/busybody tourists like me craned our necks to catch glimpes of the bride once we saw the guests taking their seats. The manager told us the wedding was meant to be at 4pm, and the bride was fashionably late! So me and little B entertained ourselves with balls by the poolside.
Later we managed to capture a glimpse of her as she walked by us kaypoh people at the pool. Only my dad could manage to take such close up photos of the bridal couple!

Unfortunately, it started to rain as predicted by our "thunderstorm" leaf.. Went back to the rooms to try out our bath tub with bath tea and change for yummy dinner at the full moon restaurant.

Ekers at full moon restaurant!

We started with a scallop entree accompanied by a bread and bread stick platter served with 4 different dips. I was fascinated by the roasted garlic in own of the quads and stuck a bread stick inside while little B was telling me its meant to be spread!Next we had a seafood platter, grilled lobster with bacon and scallop skewers on a rosemary stick, calamari rings, hot cut wedges, fish chunks and grilled tiger prawns.
Next, my newest favourite pasta squid ink spaghetti! This one came also with giant scallop skewers in a provencale sauce and squid rings with tartare sauce on the side.

Then linguine seafood hotpot, very generous with seafood, we even lamented that we could do with more pasta!
That was topped off by desserts, Lychee cheesecake and yes there was yummy lychee peices generously distributed through out, chocolate mud sandwich and a trio of thai influenced ice-cream jasmine, lemongrass and coconut. The lemongrass one excelled! Walked back to rooms, tummy truly satisfied

Koh Samui Day 2

2007-07-11T00:35:00.000+08:00

Above: The sight that greeted us as we stepped out of our rooms to go for breakfast.
The Ekers woke up at 830am to go for complimentary buffet breakfast, brings back happy memories of childhood days when we went on holidays with Dad and Mum where my favourite table was the one where the chef would make your eggs anyway you like it, day 1 I opt for the omelette with the lot!
The setting of the breakfast place warm and welcoming, Dad orders a fresh pot of coffee and we a pot of tea. The selection is overwhelming, food for almost any type of breakfast habit. The glutton in me making mental calculations of what I can stomach at a sitting, what tastes good enough for 2nd rounds and what deserves only a mouthful. There was a whole table of tropical fruit galore that changed daily, cantaloupe, mangosteens, longans, watermelon, pineapples and papayas. Table of lemongrass tea and freshly s queezed daily juice. (Top: Bircher muesli, watermelon juice, fruit platter)
A table of a wide variety of breads, brioches, danishes, sun-dried tomato loaf, buns, wholegrain breads, sunflower seed loaves, rye bread , muffins, fruit bread etc.. Next to it a REAL honey comb dripping pure honey to a platter below, and a pots of different jams, pineapple, strawberry, marmalage and coconut jam. Cereal bar of bircher muesli (something I've always wanted to try), coco poops, jars of sunflower seeds, almond flakes, just to name a few, and yes yoghurt, fruit salad, cottage cheese. Then there's a deli sections with cold cuts platter with ham, pastrami, and salami; brie, blue and cheddar cheese, smoked cod and salmon, sushi, salad leaves. Then comes hot foods, thai breakfast, always rice congee of some kind chicken, seafood or prawn, fried rice/noodles pad thai, hokkien noodles served with 7 types of condiments, sausages, crips bacon, hot potato dish (cheesy bake/rosti/roasted), roasted tomatoes, spinach with feta cheese, waffles, pancakes.. AND not forgetting, the egg section! Omelette with you choice of cheese, capsicum, onions, mushrooms and bacon, sunny-side up eggs, poached eggs, scrambled, soft-boiled in those cute egg cups.
I feature my selection for day1, omelette with the lot, 1 sausage, bacon, wilted spinach and feta, potato cake, smoke salmon and cod and thai prawn noodles with plenty of chili, that and a good cup of coffee. And then it happens, a thai waitress walks and asks us in her lilting thai accent "Madam, warm croissant?" ARGH! who could resist!? Haven't had one in eons, I nodded eagerly "YES please!" the rest of the gang follows suit, I rationalize my gluttony in the few and far between mentality, just cos i'm on a holiday, I have had one in ages so its ok but Mr Broc knows that I'm just greedy.. and I love good food. My warm croissant. He doesn't mind my burgeoning waist line apparently but I do know that it could be a threat to my livelihood, I mean what kind of dietitian eats a croissant for breakfast after that massive platter somemore! har har in the words of my Sydney foodie friend "I dont' karrrreee" arnie style. I grab my warm croissant and have it with fresh honey from the honeycomb, I luxury I've never tried before... Sensational! Stomachs groaning, we explore the resort in day-time! These happy scenes greet us with a promise of a relaxing weekend. Above: Resort pool that looks like it leads into the ocean.

Thai huts scattered on the lawns between the rooms with balconies that face each other, in it a square table with books or games you could play, triangle back rest on mats and lit up lemongrass fragrance that supposedly helps with keeping mosquitos at bay.

Below, the water feature of lilies, water lotuses which lead from the lobby to the restaurant Full Moon which overlooks the hotel swimming pool.

We decided to enjoy the resort today, after spending sometime walking along the beach for some water sport thing to do, sand was not very impressive I prefer Aussie's Coogee beach and prices were pretty exhorbitant, tourist prices of 14,000 baht = SGD$700 for a boat to take us out to the marine national park or another island Koh Tao for snorkeling etc.. No way man.. we talk to some F&B manager guy who wasn't much help and quoted 18,00 baht: SGD$900.. WHAT THE??!?! My sisters look at him in disbelief and decided we'll go find out on our own. We change into our swimmers, grab some books from the hotel library and settle on benches next to the pool, I need some sunshine given I'd just come from winter in Sydney. Dad was funny and took out his laptop and printed pieces of paper for us to do a family Soduku family challenge! argh.. he even brough pencils and erasers for everyone.. funny ol dad.
Yummy pool-side lunch of salmon bento, seafood pizza and thai appetisers.
Left: Salmon Bento
Seafood pizza

Thai appetisers

Almost thankful that we didn't sink to the bottom of the pool! Little B and I went swimming after lunch and tried to entice lister to join us

Lister and Little B looking cute with matching volleyballs,

Just us sister Little B, Mum and Me,

I'm tired.. more next time..

Koh Samui Day 1

2007-07-10T23:31:00.000+08:00

For you sweetie, my fat man who wants to know what I've been up to.

6th July, Friday 630pm, the ekers called for a London cab off to T-1 Changi airport boarding the only direct flight from Singapore PG___ at 840pm for a 1hr 40min flight to Koh Samui Thailand.
Mum looks on excitedly into cab.

On board Thai airways, Dad doesn't seem very happy dunno if its the fact that his belly has grown to such enormous proportions that its touching the tray table! or that he's not too impressed by plane food. Haha
We arrive safely in Koh Samui to be greeted by this---->
our transport to the immigration counter. My sisters and I enjoy the ride the night breeze,
delighting in the fact The airport looks like a seaside hut, immigration booths made of wood, bamboo netting etc, luggage laid out on concrete paths.
Our pick-up takes us to Anatara resort and spa our hotel for our 4 nights and 5days here.
We were impressed by the "getaway" feeling of this place, a long moat-like wooden path driveway flanked by large ponds of water lilies, lotuses and flame torches that lead up to the hotel reception fronted by a large water fountain with large monkey statutes in it. Bster commented that she felt like we were entering a scene from "survivor" when we were greeted by this! The hotel lobby... wow. Efficient thai staff immediately appeared with cold towels and refreshing pineapple juice as we waited for our room keys.
We were ushered to our rooms, Dad was annoyed cos he paid more for a deluxe room (i.e room on level 1 where we can walk out to the pool area). So we settled in room 212 first. It was gorgeous, spa and hot tub bathroom that has doors which can slide open into the view of the room, i.e you could watch TV from the bath tub if you wanted, beds on elevated step, robes already laid out, an incribed leaf to tell us what the weather would be like the next day etc.. you get the picture, many details to make it like a retreat, representative of tranquility thai lifestyle.

We snuggle in for the night though Samui is 1hour behind Singapore..

HOLIDAYS!

2007-07-06T09:17:00.000+08:00

YAY!

I truly lead of pampered luxurious life! Tonight I fly out to Koh Samui with Dad, Mum and my two sisters Lister and little B!
Its unbelievably fantastic to have to wake up whenever and wonder what shall I do today after weeks of 5 or 6AM starts to the day and not having a long list of "to-do"s.
We'll be there for 4nights and 5days, too much according to Mum who says "you can't expect me to go to the spa everyday!".. oh yes you can.. hehe. Me and my sisters a long list of water sports to try out, snorkelling, para-sailing...

Will be back to Singapore for 2 nights, Tues and Wed before flying again on Thursday morning to Hong Kong for shopping for another 4 nights 5 days and back on Monday then finally back to Sydney on Wednesday night red-eye flight...

Can't wait.. Little B's got her driving test this morning, pray that everything goes well. Dad's got the day off so I'm going to sneak downstairs to see what he's up to...
Only thing missing is that I'm missing my Fatty quite a bit especially when I see the places I brought him to in February when he flew up with me... Miss you dear...

4 new babies!

2007-06-25T07:11:00.000+08:00

Definitely worth celebrating..

Yesterday we rejoiced in our church with 3 souls coming forward to receive Christ, Colin who had been attending our church for a couple of months, Jun a newcomer brought by Dina my housemate and Simpson a Korean guy one of the leaders met while playing basketball Saturday afternoon.

What truly amazed me is the message I received at 6+pm last evening.. MY BUDDY and one of my best GAL friends, fellow dietitian, ex-Sydney housemate Verny received Christ!!

" Kai, I said the sinners' prayer this morning at Wesley. Felt rite and ready to make the commitment"

WOW... so excited I called her immediately.. Was really amazed to hear her share her journey, to know that she had been reading the Bible/Christian books before bed, almost akin to doing quiet time even before she received Christ...Even to the point of dreaming that she prayed the sinners' prayer the night before her decision! God is good !
This proves my conviction again! if anyone is reading the Bible sincerely seeking for God.. no doubt that they will come to know Jesus! Hallelujah, praise God, this post is specially dedicated to you Verny!

How's you've read so many Christian books its amazing.. I used to wonder if buying all those Christian books were "too much" hehe but you've read all of them.. Max Lucado's "A love worth giving" and a book about the cross, Time Lahaye's personality book, Joshua Harris' "Boy meets girl" ,and yes currently revisiting Rick Warren's "Purpose driven life"

Thank you for your testimony, God knows all things, that I had been feeling a little discouraged and weary recently in regards to ministry, both Dave and I and we had just prayed together earlier through

1 Corinthians 15:58 " therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in not in vain in the Lord"

Thank you for affirming that you were observing and watching how I lead my life, doing quiet time, prepping for P&W, caregroup, shepherding, accumulating mountains of christian books(havent' read all yet.. hehe ) and yes even how Michael(munkey friend from church) and I said grace and served in church. God's timing is always impeccable and the beauty of hindsight as you reread the cards that Michael and I wrote to you about direction, purpose and life just as were exploring again.

Told Dave last night how encouraged I was to know that yes, though you think no one is watching or what you do doesn't matter, that it doesn't make a difference. The truth of it is that it does, and what we DO as a Christian speaks a lot louder than what we simply say.

I'm so exhilirated by your decision Verny! Its the best one you have made...I'm already so amazed at the amount you have read even exploring the "meat" of the bible of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, beyond the easier "milk" of learning from the word of God! Truly draw near to Him and He will draw near to you!

Love you much

What the world eats

2007-06-22T06:38:00.000+08:00

Saw this article in some back issue of Marie Claire lying in the lab at work and later on on my colleague's blog..
Sooooo interesting, fascination with food... Little B will be interested.

Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City

Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25
Favorite foods: sashimi, fruit, cake, potato chips

The full article below
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519,00.html

Alex, Caroline & Marcus part 1

2007-06-19T20:00:00.000+08:00

These 2 days have been fruitful, a celebration and spending time with people who have impacted my life. My precious unit leaders Alex and Caroline and fellow careleader Marcus are going back to Singapore on the 22nd of June, next Friday.

These people are no simple folk, they are leaders who sweat, toil and pray; people who in faith served along-side and personified 1Thessalonians2:8 " We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, becuase you had become so dear to us." People who are available, who understood when you felt like strangling people, who felt it with you when the people you pray so hard for misunderstand you. People who rejoice with you when one more soul is added to the Kingdom of God. People who point you to God who knows all and sees all. They are also very real people thank God for them.

Tuesday 12th June
Rushed home from work to meeting Alex, Caroline and Pet to take the couple out for lunch. They were going to New Zealand the next day. Pet and I were surprised to find out that they haven't been to our favourite Taiwanese eatery just downstairs of our apartment so we took them there to enjoy the good stuff. Took the opportunity to food blog too!

Alex, Caroline and Me Alex Caroline and Pet
The dishes with rice comes with 2 side vegetable dishes that change daily and rou jiang (bean paste with minced meat). Our top 3 are the crispy chicken, pork schnitzel and BBQ pork.
Our orders: Pet got her favourite BBQ Pork on Rice $7.90 Sweet and fragrant, the fatty slivers of richly marinated pork pieces melt in your mouth

I opted for my usual crispy fried chicken with rice $7.90, +$1 and you get a nice iced tea.Today's vege sides were choi sum and chinese cabbage. Caroline decided to go for the special taiwanese noodle soup $8.50, thick noodles with generous servings of gravy beef, bok choi in a rich strong 5 spice beef soup.

This place even has special compartmentalized takeaway boxes.

A new take on His Merciful kindness

2007-06-14T20:03:00.000+08:00

Exerpts from the book study I'm currently doing from Cynthia Heald.
Verses and quotes that I am thinking about.

"I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;" - Psalm 119:75-77

It is in His faithfulness that He afflicts me. His purpose for the character of Christ to manifest in my life.

"No literature is more realistic and honest in facing the harsh facts of life than the Bible. At no time is there the faintest suggestion that the life of faith exempts us from difficulties. What it promises is preservation from all the evil in them.... All the water in the all the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside. Nor can all the trouble in the world harm us unless it gets within us. That is the promise of Psalm121: "The Lord will keep you from all evil" - Eugene Peterson

Evil can only hurt me if I allow it to.

" To believe actively that our Heavenly Father constantly spreads around us providential circumstances that work for our present good and our everylasting well-being brings to the soul veritable benediction. Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart. There is a better way. It is to repudiate our own wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God. Our insistence upon seeing ahead is natural enough, but it is a real hindrance to our spiritual progress. God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him. " - A.W. Tozer

Wow, it feels as if Tozer had put all that I'm thinking about into plain words. This morning, as I took the train out to Wentworthville I saw it "A magnificent rainbow" not just the end or half of it but the full version of it stretching across the sky. I was intrigued, staring at it for long before I read Tozer's words above. "God's promises, are Yes and Amen" a stir in my spirit knowing this rainbow was just for me.
An expression of God's love for me, His little surprise present to lift up my spirit, assurance saying "I love you, I am near, this is for you because you are my beloved.." I saw one like this when I took the wrong train once, the lesson learnt at that time was that sometimes when we make a mistake, God will still take us to our destination, it will just take longer. Today His promises.. It will come to pass.

A Guy, a Girl and a Mole Mobile part 2

2007-06-10T20:12:00.001+08:00

Me: Dear, where shall we go this week with Mole mobile?

Mr Broc: Hang on, let me scratch my lucky nose and follow its super antenna senses...

ME: Does lucky nose say shopping and chocolate?

Mr Broc: Oh no.. malfunctioning!!

ME: Yar rite!

Hardee har har..

This post is a little late but since I've loaded all the pictures and Little B is complaining about my lack of ability to post regularly, I better do something tonight!

One of the happy moments of Mr Broc getting his Mole mobile is that I get is to go shopping at new places instead of being constantly confined in the city of QVB (Queen Victoria Building and Pitt Street mall). I get to go to different Westfields aka the MEGA malls of Syndey, try to imagine them the size of Suntec or Taka?

First one we went to was Parramatta Westfield, shining and newly constructed! We walked around the mall and shopped for birthday presents, ended up with getting him a spoof one first, a set of sideburns! After a good 2 hours of shopping we decided to go visit a favourite friend MAX BRENNER!!

Nothing makes a girl happier than to see her man getting her some good stuff!

We got our usual favourites:
Venezuela milk chocolate AUD$4.00 in the cute hug mug

Waffle drizzled with Max Brenner chocolate with strawberries on the side AUD$6.50

Mr Broc wanted something cold so we got another Alice shake, lychee white chocolate thing.. can't remember but it wasn't as "powerful" as the other two. We were a little disappointed this time with our milk chocolate cos it was less thick than usual..
<--Mr Broc wanting to eat the goodies but had to put up with me taking photos!

Yumzzz.. fruitful day

Our first year

2007-05-29T12:54:00.000+08:00

27th May 2007 marks the day of our first year together as a couple. We took the Saturday the 26th to celebrate it as the 27th is a Sunday as well as our church Hope Sydney Christian church's 14th anniversary.

I went out early in the morning after staying up late to complete my 2 week project of making Mr Broc a magazine about our year together as a couple. I popped by my favourite Bourke Street bakery to pick up some yummy stuff for our day together though I didn't know what he was planning to surprise me with. All he told me was to dress comfy. Its funny how when you're queuing for something in demand you suddenly decide to buy a lot more than you wanted at first. I was planning coffee and brunch. Ended up with a pumpkin, feta and basil pizza, a chorizo and onion scroll, danish twist and a plum and almond tart and Parker's organic lemonade. Left: Plum and almond tart Had a yummy soy coffee from well-being cafe and walked around Broadway shopping centre before returning to Kinkos to pick up my book/magazine thing.
Left: The cover of the magazine

Mr Broc rocked up at 12, nice and on time with a beautiful bouquet and a card. He had given me my present 2 days early cos I wasn't feeling too good on thursday. He had returned to Rhodes shopping centre to find the cupcake tier plate which I had looked longingly at but didn't buy. I teased him like crazy about him getting me a "plate" for our anniversary present, not very romantic by the girlie heart in me.
Me: "Dear why did u get me a plate for an anniversary present?"

Mr Broc: " I thought you would like it, so I got it for you. You don't like my present." (sulk)

Me: " Yes I would like it any other time, but for our 1st year anniversary?"

Mr Broc: "Well, I wanted to be different. Instead of getting you jewellery like normal people do"

Me: "What's wrong with normal? Would you think its funny if someone asked you what you got for me and you said a plate?"

Mr Broc: " urh not really... PAISEH!" (ha ha he knows how to use this word now)

Me: " well... "

Mr Broc: "Ok... it seemed like a good idea at that time..."

Me: Smile... (I can't stay angry with him cos he's always so sincere)
Above: My bouquet and cupcake tier I gave him the magazine/book I made him of stories of our first year together and Peter alexander PJ pants. Mr Broc was so touched he teared and hugged me quickly so I couldn't see, was really happy that he liked it! It was fun making it but he's a graphic designer so I asked him not to pick on my design flaws!

Mr Broc planned a lovely day. First he took me on this picnic in Lane Cove National park.. He wanted to surprise me when we got there but needed my EXCELLENT navigation and GPS skills to find it! Got kinda lost again cos the main entrance was closed BUT we finally made it and he prepared a nice picnic of roast chicken, coleslaw, lebanese bread and Nudie juice. Left:Mr Broc and nudie juice I was happy to bring theyummy baked goods from Bourke Street bakery. Funny thing that happened when we were happily picnic-ing. Said grace and thanked God for our 1st year together. I saw this pretty little bird nearby and threw some bread over.. BAD IDEA cos more birds came around and this BIG FAT KOOKABURRA! After the initial feed, he just sat there staring me and Mr broc eat. Suddenly there was this brush of feathers and a scratch on my arm, I looked up to see Mr Broc with a piece of bread in his hand and the Kookaburra dangling there with his beak firmly around it!!!! ARGH!! Too bad it happened too fast for me to grab my camera in time, the look on Mr Broc's face was classic! We carried on picnicing and YES the bird came back the 2nd time! After Mr Broc's food again it was our yummy chorizo scroll, the last piece some more!! By this time I was laughing like crazy at Mr Broc's face and he was ranting stooopid bird hmph. A couple was rowing a boat nearby and yelled over at us " That happened to us too!! " and we all laughed together. The bird seemed to know that we only had the lebanese bread left and flew away to steal other picnics. Above: Yummy chorizo bread that was stolen After that we went to look for row-boats for hire..! It was going for $20/hour or $30 for half day's worth. Here I am getting all excited but realising that I was quite un-co and kept rowing the wrong direction, and after many attempts managed to contribute to our rowing progress with patient supervision from Mr Broc whom I was entertaining with my feeble attempts. We really enjoyed the afternoon, stopped under a nice shade mid-way to finish another yummy treat from Bourke St bakery with NO KOOKABURRAs around. We saw couples and families enjoying their day out with their own row-boats and rented ones. That's the life, Mr Broc commented that he'd like to get one of the row-boats and take the kids out on the weekends, have walks, biking and picnics instead of going to the shops. I had a great time, having yet another opportunity to appreciate the beauty of living in Sydney.
We spotted this very interesting fruit along the way back to the car, at first when we saw the whole lot of them on the ground, we thought it was blueberries or sugar plums. Upon looking at the tree, this was what we saw. We decided to be adventurous to pluck one off the tree to taste, very sweet and sticky like sugar plums.. hehe

Next stop: I couldn't believe Mr Broc actually knew how to book a restaurant, he did through an internet booking service at a restaurant in Mosman called Mino's. In all his sweet planning, one cannot fight with one's natural tendency to get lost, har har. Dear Mr Broc wrote down the wrong street number from 521 to 251... Took another 45min walk to reach after parking.. wanted to strangle him but was going to die laughing at his attempt to tell me a funny story, character voices included. Who would have thought this seemingly quiet guy would be so funny. Mino's was basically a high class exhorbitantly priced Japanese food... Food was delicate and yummy but not quite satisfying to fill my gi-normous apetite.. We ordered a beef sukiyaki and pan-fried swordfish.
The restaurant was too dimly lit for me to take good photos (to Mr broc's relief). Another long walk back to the car after dinner and we arrived home to help him finish preparing for praise and worship the next day for church. Really thank God for him and our first year together!

Light the Fire Again

2007-05-19T20:34:00.000+08:00

Light the Fire Again

Brian Doerksen

Don't let my love grow cold
I'm calling out, light the fire again
Don't let my vision die
I'm calling out, light the fire again

You know my heart, my deeds
I'm calling out, light the fire again
I need Your discipline
I'm calling out, light the fire again

I am here to buy gold refined in the fire
Naked and poor, wretched and blind I come
Clothe me in white
So I won't be ashamed
Lord, light the fire again

Truly an oldie but goodie..
Don't know what's going on in my heart tonight but the words of this song resonated in my heart, let it be my prayer God when I want to give up and give in. When I feel like a moment of "what's the point" and am unhappy with how things are going, in leadership, when I feel trapped, obligated, when I do things only because I know are right and because it is expected of me.
WHY?!?! when u feel like " Stuff it, if you don't see the benefit of coming to church or CG don't come, you're the one losing out and GOD does not need your attendance if your heart is elsewhere" and the " GO call that #(*&*(@# person up yourself, I do it every week and it feels like I'm selling insurance" GOD does not need your charity, your obligation. He wants a willind and obedient heart. How bout those who call you to say they are tired cannot come CG, who promised that they want to serve but ends up saying I'm too busy. CRAP. dunno if i'm getting cynical and taking things with a pinch of salt, don't jump for the bait til you see that the action follows the promise.

Lord keep me from doing harm when I am like this, when I am having such a moment.
I need to worship You, in Your presence I discover again why I do what I do, and why I should care and why I should love and serve.
Help me God, keep me sane.

Bourke Street Bakery

2007-05-01T08:10:00.000+08:00

Just across the street from home, a branch off the Surry Hill's shop right here in good ol' ultimo. Wandered in a few times after work to pick up a goody or two. The choices available makes it hard to choose. After a few visits these are a few of their wide selection that I tried.
Finally brought Mr Broc last Saturday to have a taste after I bought him a pumpkin and sage loaf and let him try a chorizo and thyme roll.(sorry no pictures)

We started with a savoury choice. Most of the stuff was sold out ! and it was only 12. The lady recommended the bacon and chicken sausage roll. I'm glad we took her suggestion, this normal looking sausage roll (below) when bitten into surprised us with the chunks of yummy chicken and bacon...Mmmm

Chicken and bacon sausage roll $4.00

Then for the sweets, first up ginger and pistachio brulee tart, got it fresh out of the oven, not a big fan of ginger but the crisp brulee top with pistachio was brilliant. The chocolate tart looking very unimpressive but minds change when you bite into it, smooth chocolate with slight bitterness of cocoa complements the crispy pastry cup. The chocolate pastry contained the same chocolate but left one wanting for more chocolate in the midst of the croissant .

Ginger, pistachio and brulee tart $3.80

Chocolate tart $3.80

Chocolate pastry $2.60

The rating very good, though a little on the expensive side for baked products, a 8/10 from me and Mr Broc

Bourke Street Bakery, Broadway
130 Broadway, Sydney
Open Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm
Sat: 8-2pm

A Guy, a Girl and a Mole Mobile part 1

2007-04-27T07:06:00.000+08:00

Celebrating the Mole Mobile, named after our favourite PET.

Mr Broc picked up his car last tuesday 17th April and took me out on Wednesday.. Our first destination was Bondi Junction for a movie 300 at the greater union cinemas there..
The place was HUGE! We were 10mins early and had the whole place to ourselves.. 300 ? Good cinematography and a fine display of masculine flesh each Spartan clad in a scarlett cape and superman pants.. check out those ABS... couldn't help check out Mr broc's Mr belly.. =) I like Mr belly.

After the movie, we were both hungry. Pleasantly surprised to find out the ever crowded ramen place Ichi-ban boshi had a branch or what appeared to be its origins in Bondi! Mr Broc and I went in happily.. no queues!

Inspired by this food blog grab your fork introduced by my cute sister little B, and her encouragement. I'm going to blog about food again!! and take pictures much to the chagrin of my dearest Mr Broc.

Previously our dates used to be going to cafes and food spots. Eat and rank our meals as part of our journal. It is new start!

AUD$7.90 Cha-Han + miso soup

Ichiban Boshi's Tokyo Ramen AUD$7.90

Mr Broc and his cha han->

The cha-han tasted like a normal fried rice, nice and fragrant nonetheless with what we commonly know as wok-fire aroma.

My tokyo ramen was nice, the ramen having a good chewy texture to it, slivers of fatty pork melting in my mouth (I have lost my dietitian tendencies at this point), the half boiled egg added a nice touch with the melty yolk. Soup was tasty but a bit too salty.
Score: 7/10

Ichiban-Boshi

360 Oxford St, Bondi Junction +61 2 9369 3980

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri Lunch : 11am - 3:30pm Dinner : 5pm - 9:30pm
Sat - Sun All day 11am - 9:30pm

http://www.ichibanboshi.com.au/english/home.html