...I'm going to buy back memories to waken some old qualities...

Have probably said it to death today, but am feeling extremely nostalgic. It started with a lovely facebook wall post from my friend Yvonne, who I went to high school with. And when I talk about Yvonne, Kok Siew and Jin Lee, I don't JUST mean people who I went to high school with. I'm talking about people who are practically my sisters. Back in 1996, I left home at the tender age of 14 to take up the ASEAN scholarship in Singapore. So did Kok Siew, Jin and Yvonne. We were on the same scholarship. In the same hostel. Yvonne and Kok Siew were even roommates. We were also in the same class. We spent nearly every waking moment with each other. And even though we had drifted apart over the years, we got talking again about a couple of years ago, and planned our ten year reunion, which was a trip to Japan. And it was like nothing had changed!!! Now we are still close and talk to each other on a weekly basis through the beauty of whatsapp.

When I got to work and put my headphones in, the iPhone played "Run" by Collective Soul. I felt like I was instantly transported back to my old room at Hua Zhong Hostel, sitting at my table, "studying". And Claudia would be in the table next to me, also "studying". And by "studying" I meant that we were singing, talking and laughing. This song was very popular in 1999, and I remember it clearly because I was studying for my O-Levels and the start of the song used to catch Claudia and I... "All these times contagious, I'VE NEVER BEEN THIS BORED BEFORE!!!" Plus, the chorus which was "Have I got a long way to run" was heard as "We've both got a long way to run" and therefore, we thought that Collective Soul was totally singing about us and our exams. :)

For all who don't know the song, here it is:

And of course, the lyrics:

Are these times contagious
I've never been this bored before
Is this the prize I've waited for
Now as the hours passing
There's nothing left here to mature
I long to find a messenger


Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x2]


Is there a cure among us
From this processed sanity
I weaken with each voice that sings
In this world of purchase
I'm going to buy back memories
To awaken some old qualities


Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x2]
Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x4]
Have I got a long way to run [x4]

I had a dream a few weeks ago about being back in Hua Zhong Hostel. It was weird, yet wonderful. Time had passed and we were all the age we are now, but for some reason, we were back there and were going back to high school. It was almost like being at uni and working was the "summer break" from what was acutally going on... we were going back to school. And that's not even the weird part. The weird part of that dream was that all of us knew that it was weird, and was likely a dream, but we were excited about getting to go back to hostel life and promised ourselves to savour every moment.

It is just so amazing that one song could transport you to a point in time of your life, and help you remember every detail of that particular moment. Nothing like a blast from the past to help you remember where you came from, thankful for all the wonderful memories and grateful for the beautiful present life you lead. Thanks for the timely reminder.

xoxo

Harvey Specter... what's not to love? :)

Photo source

I'm addicted to Suits - I just love it. Yes Glee, you SUCK and are a pathetic excuse for a show. PATHETIC. Take some notes from Suits.

Very productive day!

I love a productive day! Luke and I were up at the crack of dawn (well Luke was, for me it was more like 8am!) and headed into town to beat the Christmas crowds! On the agenda: Luke's suit for the wedding (and also to pick the groomsmen's outfit), wedding bands and honeymoon planning.

ALL DONE BEFORE NOON. And we would have gotten everything done sooner if we didn't stop to eat brunch!

I even managed to squeeze in some shopping! Now about to head home and I think I might make some macarons this afternoon! Gotta love the weekend! X

Photo!

And it worked! Now testing the photo function...

Testing testing...

You know what I'm like with my gadgets... If I've got one I like to maximize it's capabilities and use all it's functions.

My iPhone is no different... I found a blogger app and I had to test it out! So this is my first entry using said app.

Wow what a boring post I nearly fell asleep writing it! Happy weekend everyone! X

Cassava chips!

Yum yum yum... I love cassava. Although I never knew that it was called cassava because in Malaysia, we just refer to them as tapioca. I'm not sure whether I have ever eaten tapioca as "hot chips" before, but I definitely used to enjoy the crispy "kacang puteh" tapioca chips which were either lightly salted or covered in a deliciously sweet, spicy and sticky sauce. My mouth is just salivating thinking about it!

Photo source

When I found out that cassava and tapioca were the same thing, I was esctactic because the local Chinese grocer sold frozen cassava. I figured that it wouldn't be that hard to replicate these delicious crunchies from my childhood, but boy was I wrong. First of all, freezing the cassava completely changes its texture. I couldn't slice it as thinly as I wanted to and they broke in the middle. My guests still ate it, BUT I knew that it was a complete failure.

But I was now left with about a kilo of cassava... what was I was going to do? I remembered reading that they made excellent hot chips, so as I do, I did some research...

I stumbled upon this video here (thanks mate!) and I followed it to a tee! And the result? PERFECT tapioca/cassava chips! I fried some fish and voila! Homemade fish and chips! :) Luke and I think that we don't ever have to go out for fish and chips ever again!

Hope you guys like it too! Make a change to cassava!

x

I'M BACK! (again!)

Sorry I have been away again! Work and home have been crazy busy, but I have resolved to set some time aside every week or so to update my blog! Not that anyone is reading, but hey, I like looking back at what I've done and it's nice to be inspired considering how often I lose my cooking/creative mojo!

A few little achievements (food wise) since I last blogged - I will list them and blog them in detail later:

a) I have successfully made macarons! Totally and completely estactic! I made a macaron cake for Nads' birthday even!
b) I have now got a fool proof recipe for onion rings... I was researching on the internet and I found a recipe, but I didn't have two of the main ingredients, so I substituted them and it worked well too! Extremely excited... will post about it when I make it next... with photos! and
c) Crunchiest and most delicious chips EVER! And they are not made of potatoes... and finally
d) SWEET AND SOUR PORK!!!! Like Mom used to make... and none of this BS thick battered, bright red, hard-as-nails Australian greasy Chinese takeaway stuff. I'm talking the real deal Sweet and Sour pork, juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, with a beautiful tangy sauce that strikes the perfect balance of flavouring the pork without overpowering it.

Righty ho... I suppose it's bed time. Night peeps! :)

xoxo