23/04/2017
I started to see some light in this part of the world. Go Macron!
24/04/2017
The brownie recipe which really gives me chewy brownies. Ecstatic! The amount of sugar turned out to be the key. One cup is the magic number. Below that, the brownie can only be cakey.
Saturday, 29 April 2017
Monday, 17 April 2017
2017 Weekly - Week 16
17/04/2017
Easter Monday.
Do you still dream? Is it the same dream as before or a different dream since childhood? Why do you change your dream?
In a world of ambition, I find it hard to harmonize with my inability to dream big. To make it in a world of praise-the-ambition, of course and foremost, you have to dare to dream. That's usually not the most difficult part. But how to put it into practice is another. Immeasurable amount of hard work supported by bottomless passion, unbeatable intellect and once in a million luck in finding opportunities knocking on the door at the right moment.
That is not to say to act only when you are sure to win.
Dream small, makes me happier, for the right or the wrong reason that I don't know. It's usually more achievable and you are almost there. In another word, you can almost see the outcome while on your way to your small goal. Is it cheating? Sometimes you have to make peace with yourself and with life. You are the only judge of that.
Big picture me, it takes more than just small dreams to make it in the world and to create this civilization with art and science advances which can only be marveled.
Small picture me, life is meaningless if you feel miserable in it all the time.
Well, this two parts of my brain may be arguing for a while (before the third one emerges).
Easter Monday.
Do you still dream? Is it the same dream as before or a different dream since childhood? Why do you change your dream?
In a world of ambition, I find it hard to harmonize with my inability to dream big. To make it in a world of praise-the-ambition, of course and foremost, you have to dare to dream. That's usually not the most difficult part. But how to put it into practice is another. Immeasurable amount of hard work supported by bottomless passion, unbeatable intellect and once in a million luck in finding opportunities knocking on the door at the right moment.
That is not to say to act only when you are sure to win.
Dream small, makes me happier, for the right or the wrong reason that I don't know. It's usually more achievable and you are almost there. In another word, you can almost see the outcome while on your way to your small goal. Is it cheating? Sometimes you have to make peace with yourself and with life. You are the only judge of that.
Big picture me, it takes more than just small dreams to make it in the world and to create this civilization with art and science advances which can only be marveled.
Small picture me, life is meaningless if you feel miserable in it all the time.
Well, this two parts of my brain may be arguing for a while (before the third one emerges).
Saturday, 15 April 2017
2017 Weekly - Week 15
09/04/2017
What a fulfilled long weekend with hubby's dear friend and his wife. I shall forever feel grateful and humble for their love, kindheartedness and generosity liberally pouring onto us this weekend. Wish all the best for M & F for their life onward.
10/04/2017
"Please, don't worry so much. In the end, none of us have very long on this earth. Life is fleeting. Make your life spectacular." Robin Williams.
13/04/2017
Something not even starts before it's finished. Well, that's what life is about sometimes. Am I disappointed, even though it's what I had secretly hoped? Yes, not the whole lot but still disappointed. It's for the best, all considered, that I keep telling myself.
What a fulfilled long weekend with hubby's dear friend and his wife. I shall forever feel grateful and humble for their love, kindheartedness and generosity liberally pouring onto us this weekend. Wish all the best for M & F for their life onward.
10/04/2017
"Please, don't worry so much. In the end, none of us have very long on this earth. Life is fleeting. Make your life spectacular." Robin Williams.
13/04/2017
Something not even starts before it's finished. Well, that's what life is about sometimes. Am I disappointed, even though it's what I had secretly hoped? Yes, not the whole lot but still disappointed. It's for the best, all considered, that I keep telling myself.
Saturday, 8 April 2017
2017 Weekly - Week 14
04/04/2017
Happy birthday, Dr. Angelo. Although I discovered your work rather late, you are one of the few authors who truly motivates and touches my heart.
Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou
Many people wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
Because I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
All you women
And me.
06-09/04/2014
Spring has definitely arrived. The fragrance of purple hyacinths and yellow daffodils from my front garden permeates the air. That's nature attempt to wake us up to a more positive cycle, not to mention the longer days now. Bless.
A couple friends are visiting us this week, two very dear to us who we don't see often. Finally, they are here. Bliss.
Happy birthday, Dr. Angelo. Although I discovered your work rather late, you are one of the few authors who truly motivates and touches my heart.
"Phenomenal Woman" recited by Maya Angelou
Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou
Many people wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
Because I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
All you women
And me.
06-09/04/2014
Spring has definitely arrived. The fragrance of purple hyacinths and yellow daffodils from my front garden permeates the air. That's nature attempt to wake us up to a more positive cycle, not to mention the longer days now. Bless.
A couple friends are visiting us this week, two very dear to us who we don't see often. Finally, they are here. Bliss.
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Party of four 06/04/2017
Party of four 06/04/2017
Who:
Me, resident food critique, our dear French couple friends
Place:
Chez nous
Menu:
Prosecco
Starter
Meditteranean platter with
Roasted peppers, tomatoes, red onions, grilled halloumi, hummus and tzatziki
cheese straws and salt and pepper crackers
cheese straws and salt and pepper crackers
Main
Paella with chicken and seafood
Dessert
Eton mess with strawberries, raspberries and cream
Sunday, 2 April 2017
I make - Almond lemon cake
"It's like the ultimate citrus tart, without the heartbreak of pie crust"--Regina Schramblingi
Exactly as Ms. Schramblingi described, the cake body lends to an even lighter taste. I think I might like this more than lemon bars. Serve with whipped cream for after dinner dessert or with plain yogurt for breakfast!
Almond Lemon Cake
adapted from New York Times
- 100 g softened butter
- 1/2 ~ 3/4 cup sugar (depending on your preference)
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/2 cup ground almond
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 jar of lemon curd
- almond flakes
- 9-inch cake tin, greased and lined
Preheat the oven at 180C.
Beat butter and sugar for 3 minutes. Add in eggs one after another. Mix in almond extract and salt.
Sift flour, ground almond and baking powder in another bowl. Stir the flour mix into the butter mixture. Do not overbeat.
Spread the dough into a 9-inch cake tin. Drop 8 spoonfuls of lemon curd on the cake surface in a circle leaving an inch border. Scatter almond flakes on top.
Bake the cake at 180C for 30 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
Exactly as Ms. Schramblingi described, the cake body lends to an even lighter taste. I think I might like this more than lemon bars. Serve with whipped cream for after dinner dessert or with plain yogurt for breakfast!
Almond Lemon Cake
adapted from New York Times
- 100 g softened butter
- 1/2 ~ 3/4 cup sugar (depending on your preference)
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/2 cup ground almond
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 jar of lemon curd
- almond flakes
- 9-inch cake tin, greased and lined
Preheat the oven at 180C.
Beat butter and sugar for 3 minutes. Add in eggs one after another. Mix in almond extract and salt.
Sift flour, ground almond and baking powder in another bowl. Stir the flour mix into the butter mixture. Do not overbeat.
Spread the dough into a 9-inch cake tin. Drop 8 spoonfuls of lemon curd on the cake surface in a circle leaving an inch border. Scatter almond flakes on top.
Bake the cake at 180C for 30 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
Saturday, 1 April 2017
2017 Weekly - Week 13
29/03/2017
Mentally and physically exhausted. Maybe because it's just after the business trip followed by another busy and frustrating day in the office. Perhaps also today is the first step for the fateful decision to become reality. I no longer want to think about the farce going on the other side of the Atlantic, nor do I have the energy.
Human beings never learn to cooperate. Each of them thinks they are special but forget we are all in it together.
30/03/2017
Take action on your plan every day, no matter how small.
“I didn’t lock myself away and give up on my dream. I fought back. I had to ignore the negative comments. I had to believe in myself. I had to choose to rise above it all, and I had to work hard. You have to be indestructible to do what you love, and believe that you are worth it. And sometimes that’s the hardest part.” -- Kate Winslet
31/03/2017
This is Angela's awe-inspiring story. For many able-bodied us, we are already a luckier bunch. Make the best of your life.
Mentally and physically exhausted. Maybe because it's just after the business trip followed by another busy and frustrating day in the office. Perhaps also today is the first step for the fateful decision to become reality. I no longer want to think about the farce going on the other side of the Atlantic, nor do I have the energy.
Human beings never learn to cooperate. Each of them thinks they are special but forget we are all in it together.
30/03/2017
Take action on your plan every day, no matter how small.
“I didn’t lock myself away and give up on my dream. I fought back. I had to ignore the negative comments. I had to believe in myself. I had to choose to rise above it all, and I had to work hard. You have to be indestructible to do what you love, and believe that you are worth it. And sometimes that’s the hardest part.” -- Kate Winslet
31/03/2017
This is Angela's awe-inspiring story. For many able-bodied us, we are already a luckier bunch. Make the best of your life.
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