Baking Frenzy

More of my baking class photos...
Black forest cake, durian fudge, chocolate fudge, mango mousse, cheesecake, fruit tarts... haha, time to take your pick! :))

Mixed Feelings...

It's a rare opportunity, the fact that I successfully got into the overseas training programme. The training is scheduled to last 18 months far far away in the United States. I am supposed to be elated, to be able to get such an opportunity to train overseas with most, if not all, of the expenses taken care of while I am there. However, I can't help having mixed feelings about the whole issue. The fact that I have to leave my family and friends behind for 18 months was something hard to bear. I knew my mum was struggling with the decision to let me go ahead. I knew it was hard for her, cos it's hard for me too... the thought of not seeing her for 18 months makes me feel like crying. But I need to move on, I need to get out of my comfort zone and learn to be independent. It's a good opportunity for me to learn new things, get more experience and explore new job options. As the saying goes, opportunities don't always come knocking on your door. Think about how students younger than me spend 3 to 4 years studying overseas, away from their loved ones. It's just as hard for them to cope, but eventually they'll have to overcome it. Fruits of labour don't come to you without hard work and sacrifices.
I really need to buck up. 18 months will be gone in a breeze. By then I will be back home again with my loved ones. Back to my good old Singapore....

Shopping Delights

Went to 313@Somerset after work today for some shopping therapy. Some of my recent favourite hunts were the NewLook & Forever 21 outlets there. I had bought 4 jeans at NewLook so far since my 1st visit there after Christmas last year. I like the interesting mix of fashion there with the different types of jeans ranging from skinnys to straights and bootcuts, the tops and coats as well as the range of footwears and accessories. All these are priced rather affordably thanks to the current opening sale. The footwears are also nice and trendy, the only downside being the limited sizes available especially for items that are on sale. Today's visit added a pair of bootcut jeans and a black belted coat to my wardrobe collection. I was hesitant about buying the coat initially since I may not have a chance to wear it given S'pore's weather conditions. However, I couldn't resist the urge since it was going at less than half price below cost. A great steal considering how much you'll normally pay to buy such a coat.
Well... it has been a great shopping day and I really love my buys today! :)

Cake-Making Lesson 2010 (Lesson 1 & 2)

Haven't been updating my blog since the start of the new year... Well, I've just started on my cake-making lesson (stage 3) at Ang Mo Kio CC every Sunday. Here are the products from Lesson 1 & 2.

Lesson 1: Fruit cake.

Lesson 2: Kueh Lapis & Shanghai Mooncake.

Must really try to make at least one of these someday when I'm free. Hopefully before CNY comes... lol :p

PS: Stay tuned for more photo updates... :D

Season's Greetings ~~ Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

It's christmas once again and very soon, it will be the start of a brand new year! Here are some of my christmas wishes and hope Santa will fulfil them all... wah, so greedy of me.. haha!

1) Hope I'll have a chance to go on tour to any part of Europe, Japan or Korea next year with my family or friends.

2) Hope I'll get a nice, interesting and fulfilling brand new job (with a higher pay of course!) in the coming new year.

3) And lastly, hope that I'll find my Mr Right real soon... next year perhaps? :p

突然，有所领悟。。。

今天，在工作上发生了一段小插曲。我很“不幸”地因为一名同事而被卷入其中。事后，虽然耽误了一点时间，但事情也总算解决了。我也就没有把事情放在心上。
但是，放了工没多久，这名同事突然传了个简讯给我，承认刚才的事是她的错，并向我道歉。我这才发现她为了这件事耿耿于怀，为刚才没有承认错误而连累我感到内疚。其实，我是明白为何这名同事在大家面前不肯承认错误，事后才私底下向我道歉。那是因为她在某个程度上是个完美主义者，不容许自己在别人面前犯错，更拉不下面子认错。事实上，我觉得这名同事把自己的生活搞得太辛苦了。正所谓，“人非圣贤，孰能无过”，我认为犯了错就应该勇敢承认，从错误中学习，而不是因为担心别人怎么看你，故意隐瞒事实。
这名同事也因为斤斤计较的个性，导致人缘很差。她也时常为了一点小事耿耿于怀，搞得自己以及周围的人都不开心。从她的身上，我领悟到了好些生活的道理。我们应该懂得接受和放下，不要让生活上无数琐碎的事成为自己的负担，毕竟人生苦短，我们又何必为自己增添更多烦恼呢？

Sherlock Holmes Gala Premiere

Received an email last week stating that I have won myself a pair of tickets to watch the preview screening of Sherlock Holmes through the Twinings contest I joined recently... :) The gala premiere was today (21 Dec) and I invited sis along to join me. There was also a free goodie bag for each of us which consist of two cute canisters of Twinings earl grey and english breakfast tea. We went in just in time after a quick dinner at Secret Recipe... phew...

The movie was good and I enjoyed it a lot. I like the quick and witty humour as well as the intelligence portrayed by the main character (Sherlock Holmes) in the movie. The main setting of the movie is in London (where Twining teas originate from. :D). I've been to London for a short trip before and I missed it! It was really nice to be able to "feel" London again from the movie, just that it was seen in a different era. Looking at the parliment houses and the Big Ben in some scenes from the movie really brought back fond memories... :)

PS: By the way, Twinings teas are really good... haha :)