2021 weekly - week 12

21/03/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Roast Pork shoulder and puy lentils

Grilled Lamb Steak with Potato Leek Gratin

Smoked Salmon

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Broccoli Soup

Wow, my roast pork is best ever tonight. No kidding. My first time trying the brining method and it worked out so well. The roasted piece came out with nice cracking and so juicy meat. I prepared half of the brine from Tom Kerridge and marinated my pork shoulder for 24 hours. I then roasted the meat at 180C for 2.5 hours on top of onions and garlic with a cup of sherry/water in a roasting tin. Everything was beautiful, meat tender, flavorful and moist, the cracking is crispy. So much easier than my old method where I had to air dry the skin and fry after roasting. This method is so much easier and will be my main method of roasting from now on!

22/03/2021, Monday

Today's exercise:

AM: FB Total Body 40 min

Readers, I've got it!

23/03/2021, Tuesday

Today's exercise:

AM: FB Lunges + Pilates 30 min

I accepted the offer. It didn't take long to decide but I spent the whole day thinking the transition. I thought I could leave without being sentimental but I actually find it hard preparing for my exit. My projects are moving into an exciting phase. I feel so sad that I cannot be with them anymore, the people I enjoy working with the most. I have to put up a straight face accepting new meetings while with millions of things going through my head. That's what 20 years do to you.

24/03/2021, Wednesday

Today's exercise:

AM: FB Lower Body 40 min 

The stars have been aligned for me lately. Thank you (who ever is up there)!

People I don't know or have not got in touch for a long time have offered their help to me instantly. I feel so lucky and grateful.

25/03/2021, Thursday

Today's exercise:

AM: FB Lower Body HIIT 45 min 

I spoke to my line manager about my decision to leave. I wasn't really dreading but I did wonder how it would go. It turned out it went pretty smoothly and quickly.

LM's first reaction: where are you heading?

EM' first answer: a lady never tells

LM's second question: Who are going to take over your work?

EM's second answer: I'm sure you will find somebody

LM's third comment: Thank you for all your good work. I wish you good luck.

EM's third reply: Thank you for the support and the opportunities.

For an EM whose CV is peppered with patents and papers, that's all LM could say. Well, LM could be in shock, whereas EM has been prepared for a week. Of course, it could also be that the manager simply didn't give a damn. Well, his loss. So, voila, the dice has been officially cast. I am a step closer to my dream.

26/03/2021, Friday

Today's exercise:

AM: FB Cardio + Upper body 45 min

Good to be back on FB routine. I feel good!

2021 weekly - week 35

03/09/2021, Saturday

I had a really fabulous week. I put lots of time in preparing my work and I feel that people are listening to and relying on what I say. This place is just a wonderful place to work and a god-send for me.

Thank you whoever is up there.

2021 weekly - week 34

22/08/2021, Sunday

Last week of summer. 

2021 weekly - week 25

20/06/2021, Sunday

The weather is grey, but my mind is oh so sunny! 

I feel very blessed these few days. I have to say that getting such (good) attention from your boss continuously is very unusual for me. I know it won't last as it's only natural that life goes up and down in a cycle. I want to remember how motivated and determined I am feeling right now to make a new life out of my new adventure. Not in a million years would I ever expect to be affirmed, supported and looked after like this. I know I am the lucky one.

2021 weekly - week 24

13/06/2021, Sunday

Last week before I start new life. Can't wait!

It was not intentional but we had our first BBQ in the garden today in 10 years?! We used a disposable one which worked really well for two. Lamb chops, sausages and veggie/halloumi skewers. Cold fruits to finish. It's a lovely warm summer evening.

2021 weekly - week 23

06/06/2021, Sunday

The heat continues and I am in fruit heaven. Berries, peaches, nectarines. All juicy and sweet, full of flavor.

2021 weekly - week 22

30/05/2021, Sunday

Proper summer heat this long weekend. Feeling really upbeat!

2021 weekly - week 21

23/05/2021, Sunday

Feeling mentally tired, even though it's Sunday. Can't wait for the Bank Holiday weekend.

2021 weekly - week 20

16/05/2021, Sunday

The most sensible thing I have heard on the recent Gaza-Israel conflict.

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2021 weekly - week 19

08/05/2021, Sunday

Mini victory: I finally got my KitchenAid micro processor to work! The first two attempts were a complete failure. First I couldn't figure out how to remove the lid and then failed to get the whole thing to run. Today, I thought I would give it another go before I bin the whole thing. And voila! Here it goes. The manual is very bad, not helpful at all. I relied on youtube videos to figure out how to remove the lid but couldn't figure out how to get it to run. The trick is that the base/bowl has to be locked. For a first timer, it's really tricky to figure out.

This week's menu

Lamb steak, tomato pea stew and rice

Chicken and Red Pesto Stew

Roast cod with Pesto Topping

Cauliflower and Tomato Soup

2021 weekly - week 18

01/05/2021, Saturday

I told my friend C about my new job. It feels so good to finally talk to someone about it. The first person outside my professional network (and only a handful on the need to know basis) to know about my new job was my dentist. How sad was that?! Anyway, C is the first one from my friend circle to know about it. We chatted a little today. My feeling towards C has changed and flip-flopped over the years. I don't know whether she's my best friend or not but we talk the most for sure. I suppose, in a way, that makes her my best friend. She has been proactive reaching out to me and I feel guilty that I don't reach out to her as much as she does to me. After 20 years, perhaps it says something about our relationship.

I am glad you are with me on this journey, C.

02/05/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Roast Pork Shoulder with Lentils

Salmon teriyaki with Rice

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Cauliflower and Tomato Basil Soup

2021 weekly - week 17

25/04/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Beef broccoli stir-fry

Pan fried turkey breast with Lemon Caper Sauce

Roast cod with chorizo cream sauce

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Cauliflower and Tomato Soup

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I finished Keeping Faith Season 3 today. This is truly a superb series. Excellent acting with gripping and heart wrenching plots. This is the last season of the drama. I will miss Faith immensely.

2021 weekly - week 16

18/04/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Pan fried turkey breast with Lemon Butter Pasta

Roast cod with chorizo cream sauce

Tomates Farcies

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Celery and Stilton Soup

2021 weekly - week 15

11/04/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Slow Roast Brined Pork Shoulder

Baked Cod with Pesto Crust

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Cauliflower Turmeric Soup

2021 weekly - week 14

04/04/2021, Easter Sunday

This week's menu

Slow Roast Leg of Lamb with Potato Mash

Slow Roast Brined Pork Shoulder

Baked Cod with Pesto Crust

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Cauliflower Turmeric Soup

2021 weekly - week 13

28/03/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Beef stir fry with black bean sauce

Chicken and Haricot Beans Stew

Grilled pork shoulder with 5-spice

Smoked Salmon

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Cauliflower Turmeric Soup

2021 weekly - week 11

14/03/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Homestyle Chicken Curry

Grilled Lamb Steak with Potato Gratin

Smoked Salmon

Grilled Sausages And Lentils

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Broccoli Soup

2021 weekly - week 10

07/03/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Chicken and Mushroom Stew

Grilled Lamb Steak with Celeriac Gratin

Sea Bass And Scallops with Yellow Rice

Chinese Roast Duck Pancake Rolls

Green Beans

Buttered Spinach

Cauliflower soup

2021 weekly - week 9

28/02/2021, Sunday

This week's menu

Chicken and White Bean Tomato Stew (2nd time in a roll, yes, we love it)

Sausage Pasta

Cod and Leek Bake

Green Beans

Buttered Spinach

Root Vegetable Soup with Rosemary and Lamb Stock

2021 weekly - week 8

21/02/2021, Sunday

Spring is here. What a lovely surprise to find an iris popping up in the middle of the garden. New crocuses starting to come out too. I think I also planted hyacinths, tulips and bluebells. My memory is failing me scarily. 

This week's menu

Chicken and White Bean Tomato Stew

Stuffed Chinese Cabbage Stew

Cod Bake with Pesto Crust

Green Beans

Buttered Spinach

Celery and Stilton soup