I think the one on the left is Kobe, and the one on the right is Koko...'cuz Kobe is fatter... :)

It's hard to differentiate this pair actually as they both are winter whites, but if you observe hard enough, they're characteristically different; Koko is lazy and loves to hide in the slide sleeping whilst Kobe seems to be very inquisitive and always poking around or exercising. My sister says they're just like their respective owners; my nephew is a lazy kid who slept till 3pm this Sunday afternoon (!) whilst my niece is a hyperactive child. Bizarre, but very true... :p

I never thought I'd actually keep hamsters because I never like small creatures. But aww, they're really quite adorable. :)

If there's one thing I love, its got to be chilli padi...yummy.

I'm seeing a regular stream of buyers for my pre-loved items at girlosophies, which is a good thing because my tiny and messy cupboard is finally getting a bit tidier.

I seldom feel anything for the things I sold, not unless I later regret releasing something at a ridiculously low price. But last night, I couldn't help tearing after the transaction of this bag...


This red Sonia Rykiel bag has been lying around in my storeroom for the past decade. I haven't used it since I left secondary school and the brand has since gone obsolete, so it was quite an eyesore for me and I couldn't wait to get rid of it. I was elated when somebody confirmed her interest in buying the bag, until late last night...when I was reminded of how my then-factory worker mumsie had forked $150 out of her meager salary to get me this bag so that I could blend in with the ah-lians in my secondary school.

I suddenly felt overwhelmed with guilt and sadness. Am I selling my memories away? I wish I could keep everything I want to, but I share a very tight area with my divorced sister and her two children. Sometimes, there isn't even enough space to move about.

The one consolation I have is, the one who bought the bag from me seems like a very nice lady. I'm glad at least, that my bag is going to a great new owner...

This is not meant to be offensive for anyone. Not unless you are blah, blah blah or blah blah blah.....

Anyways, it's just very cute. Perked me, and even our stern-looking chef sitting next to me, up during the meeting. :p

It's only February and already this is the second wedding I've been to this year! And there are so many more to come...what an exciting 2009!

I had a feast with Jon, Sofia and carvroom earlier in the evening at Makansutra Gluttons Bay to celebrate the end of CNY 2009.

It's nerve-wrecking, yet exciting that...I would be in London without the company of any close friends this time next month?

Sofia is just so so so so sweet. Look what she got me!

It feels great because my nephew loves the tarts I made so much that I had to make this third batch the day before CNY eve. My sister-in-law agreed with me that its better than the nyonya ones my sister bought from Malacca! Haha. I'd have to confess though, that I only made the pastry base and not the jam. I would love to make the jam from scratch but I bought too much off-the-shelf from Phoon Huat for my experiment and I just got to finish it. Since I'm new to baking, I'm just glad the dough didn't end up crumbly and I didn't waste any butter or flour.

Here's the recipe I used for the pastry base; it's pieced from a couple of different recipes:

1. Sift 450g all-purpose flour, 20g skimmed milk powder and 1/2 tsp baking powder together. Full cream milk powder will do too though skimmed is a healthier choice.
2. Put 250g unsalted butter (I used SCS as recommended by the baking shop), 120g icing sugar and 1 egg (beaten together with about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract) in a mixer. Beat well.
3. Add the sifted mixture from step 1 and knead until dough holds together.
4. Clingwrap the dough and chill in the fridge for an hour.  
6. Roll out dough to desired thickness (about 0.5cm would be ideal). Press out dough with a cookie cutter and place pineapple filling in centre.
7. Bake at 180 degrees C for about 10 mintues. Glaze with egg white and continue baking for another 10 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and cool the tarts before storing them in air-tight containers.

Hmm, I ain't sure but something seems to be lacking. But it's ok - I am so motivated to improve on the pastry recipe and make my own jam next year! Meanwhile, my next venture would be...cupcakes! :)

I slept ridiculously early, and before I knew it, oh it's 2009 already.

Happy Boxing Day!

On Monday, I paid a house-visit to a disabled man named Adam, who recently became the first with his kind of disability to complete the 2008 Vertical Marathon. My company management read of his feat in a Straits Times article and wanted me to find out more about his background so as to access whether we are able to render any help that he may need.

I knew from reading the article that Adam lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident four years ago, and that his left arm is paralysed from the elbow down. The training that he does for the Vertical Marathon is useful for strengthening his leg muscles so that doctors can harvest them to construct a bicep that may bring back the use of his left arm. The papers did not mention details of the accident, which left me with my mouth agape when the man himself related to me.

One early morning at 4am in 2004, he was at the highway en route to work as a Junior Marine Engineering Technician at Tuas area when he thought he saw a black dog running around the road. He crashed his motorbike as a result of trying to avoid hitting this black figure. When he mentioned his right hand was amputated on the spot, I thought the paramedics had to cut it in order to get him out of being stuck at the railing. But it was actually due to the huge impact of the crash; his body was lunged forward while the arm was stuck at the railing, thus causing the latter to snap on the spot. What was worse was because it was the wee hours of the morning and his bike turned over the railing, no passing motorists noticed him lying on the road until 45 min later. :(

The sad circumstance was that he wasn't able to claim workman compensation from his company as he was not actually due to be working that morning; as a diligent apprentice, he went as he wanted more learning opportunities. The company did try to help though, by continuing to pay his monthly salary for 1.5 years after the accident, despite his inability to go to work. Currently, he is still working for the same company on a part-time basis.

His operations were also paid for by money pooled together by his ex-colleagues, together with his NS army-mates and the staff from Singapore General Hospital. He has undergone 3; 2 in 2004 and 1 in 2006, to save his left arm. For a higher success rate of bringing back the use of the left arm, his doctor has recommended that the fourth op to be done before the end of 2009, for age plays a vital part. But this fourth op is going to be a really delicate procedure involving 3 top-notch surgeons, meaning the astronomical cost is gonna post a major hindrance for Adam.

For the past 2 years, with the help of his social worker, he has sought help from the Lee Foundation and MUIS but thus far, the Lee Foundation has only been able to provide him with a prosthetic. The foundation advised his family to sell their HDB flat, which they had tried, but to no avail due to the rigid rules of HDB. He is also unable to use the medisave of his elder brother to pay for his medical expenses. This including the quarterly $400 he has to fork out for this medication to help ease pain and speed up recovery. After numerous rejections, he is simply resigned to having to save his own money for his next operation.

In spite of it all, Adam appeared very cheerful during our one-hour meeting. I can't help but notice how well the humble family of four maintain their flat. Adam's elder brother, who is currently the sole-breadwinner was also very hospitable. I was touched by their warmth and inspired by how they fought hard for themselves, instead of being whiny and just sitting there waiting for help to come. Adam works at home behind his computer by training (for one year!) to use the mouse with his foot, and to type with a chopstick.

I was very skeptical about how relevant my management's intentions are to our organization, and I still am. But on a personal basis, I really wish I could do something to assist. Just because his case isn't a medical rarity does not mean he should be deprived of the help he deserves. I feel sad for Adam because if not for an accident that robbed him of a bright future, he most likely would be having it better than you or me today.

Looking back, I think I ought to be ashamed of the times I feel bitter or angry over small stuff. I am now inspired to adopt Adam's sanguine and positive approach to life. :)

It was a chilly Christmas eve night, but Fat Sheep and I decided to go ahead with the mini-BBQ session at East Coast Park that we only planned for earlier in the day. I was just not inclined to jostle with the crowd at some fancy restaurant. I took half-day off, prepared bacon-wrapped golden mushroom & asparagus and marinated meat, packed red wine and we went to buy the necessary stuff before proceeding to ECP.

It was muddy and a hassle to walk around with the flooded ground and wet grass, but it was fun. I love getting down and dirty! And I sort of learnt how to set up a tent proper. It was so cold, even inside the tent, but that made the heat from all the bbq-ing very enjoyable indeed.

Oh, I spent the first few minutes of the yuletide munching on a cupcake from Cupcake Culture. My, it not only looked good, it was very yummy!

I got another nice pink watch for Christmas this year. I feel guilty that I haven't even bought his yet. Is that why he loves to buy me watches? So that I would learn to be on time? :p

Anyways. For the coming year, I hope I can go on a real camping trip. :p

Merry Christmas everyone. :)

Hey world! Oops, I'm once again guilty of neglecting my blog for months. :p

I've been going on forever about clearing my wardrobe, which is now so packed that I have a load falling out onto me each time I open its door. Do not get me wrong though - I do not have a mountain full of clothes. I merely have a terribly small cupboard!

Nevertheless, I feel the need to segregate and do something about the clothes that I haven't been actively wearing. It's such a pity there's a lot that I've only worn once or twice. To a party, to a wedding, or casual outings. And they are still in excellent shape. I've put a few pieces of them up on my ebay store to see if any pretty lady out there would do more justice to them.

Rest assured that I would not sell any item of unacceptable condition. I'm a buyer myself on ebay and I know what it's like to be get something that doesn't look like what you paid for. I'll be putting up more pieces for sale, do keep a lookout and let me know if you need more descriptions, measurements or photos. As for prices, I am very much open for negotiations! :)

Oh by the way, join me and two of my fabulous friends, carvroom and Sarah, as we rant on about our favorites - style, travel and design - here.

See you there!