Anniversary

My birthday, my own anniversary, my reminder of how old I am. My love-hate relationship with my own birthday. It grows more complicated as I grow older.

MY GOD~!~!~ I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ALREADY ANOTHER YEAR OLDER!!!

See...I'm so depressed to the point that I don't even make sense. *sigh*

I love my birthday, but I dread celebrating it? Why? Maybe because it's a painful reminder of my own age and how young I used to be. Sad sia. I was talking to Winnie today, and told her that I wished I were 21 every year. She said I could, I can be young at heart what. THAT...sent shivers to my spine. 'Cos I used to laugh at my mum who said that, but now............ *silence* Never expected this day to come so soon.

Found this song today, didn't help. It made it worse instead...

Memory from the musical, "Cats"



It SOOOOO reminds me of me...

*stunned*

NOOOOOooOOooOooOOOooOooOOOOoooOOOOOooooOOOO~~!~!~!`!~

Just for fun...

Since I got nothing to do and too lazy to crawl out of my room, gonna post some stuff here..

I'm sure this is nothing new to a lot of people, it's some Muar dude who made a video about Muar and the local Chinese language in general.





Well, recently, I was introduced to another new video of the same guy. Sadly, this time it's just a slideshow. I would have preferred to watch an actual video, but this will do.





I think he really has a good sense of humour, brutal...but excellent. And it makes me think of the people at home. *sigh*

My Hao Jie Mei (one of it...)

Since I said I got nothing to post online, my other ji mui asked me to post his picture online. (He's a bit of a psycho if u ask me...hehe~!)

He thinks he's a koala...with a very pert butt

*snort* Yeah, right...

The only thing I think he's like a koala is his tummy...

And there he is, being worried that I might expose him to too much unwanted attention, COME ON...

He asked me to say I miss this HJM of mine... *PUKE*

Little did I expect...

That I would be getting any mail today. So when I checked my mailbox there were only notices. One for the notification of the fire drill tomorrow, and another is for parcel collection.

Room 4, that’s right, it’s for me. Hmm…wonder what can that be?

Never did I expect a package wrapped in pretty blue wrapping paper, nor did I expect that it would have “Happy Birthday” written all over it.

OMG! It’s a present!

When I saw Grace’s name on the package I was wondering what can she put in it, and I started shaking it.

“Oh no, don’t tell me it’s cookies! I would have crumbled it all. Is this for peer assessment?!?!”

Anyway, anticipation mounted as I was unwrapping the layer one by one, and when I lifted the lid of the box…

*drum roll cue*

It’s a blazer type of jacket…*speechless* (magnitude x2)

It’s just something that I mentioned in passing when we met in London but I never expected this…I mean, there was that “secret surprise” celebration already. The effort was more than enough for me. But then I got this, from Alvin also…it’s like an overwhelming surprise that I feel…I feel… *sob* *sob*

*Runs away crying*

A very lethargic me with my perk-me-up package.

And oh, btw really liked the card as well. I’m not so sure if I should fit Alvin in as shopping buddy or not…but we can all fit into the rest of the categories la~!

Hehe, what’s the use of getting a jacket and not try it? Besides, I WOULD be rather brainless to call and tell them that I had already got it, but I dunno whether it fits me or not. (stupid also right…)

Actually I was kinda worried that it wouldn’t fit me as well, and that’s probably why Grace sent it earlier so that I could send it back to her for exchange if it REALLY doesn’t fit. (Wah…like exchange policy somemore. Hehe )

Surprisingly, it did fit me. Wow~! *whew* (for all of us) HAHA!

Thank you, Grace. Thanks, Alvin~! I really love it! Thanks for the surprises, thanks for the cheesecake, thanks for the card, and thanks for the present!

What would it be like for me without you guys all these time? (Not trying to be tacky here…I’m being serious) Thanks for everything, from being there for me (countless times) to all these little things. Been through shit and all, and I’m really glad that I have you guys. (Believe it or not but I’m being very sincere here, you know)

I cross my heart. Thank you!

P/S: Alvin, “jia you” for the rest of your papers this year, and Grace, all the best in your finals oh~~!! Then you guys can go enjoy yourselves in your coming summer holiday!

Weetabix & Caffein

Actually, I planned to make pig trotters with vinegar today...but no pork, no ginger, no vinegar...maybe another time then...

SO.....

I made cookies (again) lor...but I had a valid reason lar. To finish off the butter and Weetabix I had left. Never thought of actually using Weetabix for cookies anyway, but Grace prompted my search for a way to dispose off my hardly-eaten Weetabix: Weetabix Cookies

Not that bad, didn't have to use as much flour coz there was Weetabix, and it's kind of a soft cookie. Another successful effort and recipe to add to my compilation.

*This attempt is from your idea: Grace*

So then I went out to try to get some pork (still haven't given up hope) to make pig trotters with vinegar. Do you know, why pork?

BECAUSE: There're no pig trotters here.

Don't believe me? Try asking from the butcher around here (as in UK) for that. I will make pig trotters for anyone who gets the trotters. HAHA.

Anyway, didn't really have much choice by the time I got to Food Hall, plus there weren't any ginger. Haiy, nevermind lar...another day perhaps. Lazy to cook by now edi...so demoralised.

Then, on the way back, I was craving for my usual caffein fix. And Caffe Nero was beckoning to me across the street...Hmm....

.......................

*I gave in to temptation*

HAHA~!

Previously tried it's Frappe Latte, this time I tried the Mocha Latte instead.

Frappe Latte

Mocha Latte

As long as it's caffeinated, it's ok with me.

*Self-proclaimed coffee addict*

It's D.O.N.E. - FYP

Have been typing away on the keyboard for the past week, and almost didn't leave my desk for 12 hours straight. After this, I only have another one major report to do before THE FINALS.

I have a lot to say, but nothing comes to mind. Haven't slept a wink in 2 days, need to recharge. When I'm well rested and fresh...I dunno, maybe blog a little? (My brain is not working, I don't even know what I want to do)

So, that's all for now.

*to be continued.....

Do you?

"Do you dare?"

Victor said to me after lunch, when I was about to get a fresh loaf of bread for this week. (The previous loaf went mouldy even before its expiry date, presumably the very-down-on-his-luck Uncle Victor got it for me, that's why...)

Coz previously I had already paid him all I have on me for the lunch (inclusive of my purse) and didn't even have a single pence. So if I needed to buy anything, I would have to charge it to my card.

Read: I only have about 3 pounds left in my account.

So he was daring me if I would charge my card for the bread alone, and I asked him what's in it for me?

**********

Victor: That in exchange for the Bento meal you owe me.

(Yes, yes, I lost lar...)

Me: -_-''' *pause* OK! (DUH....of course lar!)

**********

So, I practically waltzed into Co-op to get the bread and promptly paid for it with my card. I still chose the cheapest one ler...Co-op house brand some more, 59p for a loaf.

MUAHAHHAA~!~!

Beat that la~! I can be really thick-skinned when I want to, OK... you lar, Uncle. Now I don't owe you any more Japanese bento already...

(Come to think of it ar, why he so stupid use something that easy to bet on the bento ler? Weirdo, I guess. HAHA!)

Yummy Chocolate Mint

Forget Milo...we can't get them much over here anyway. My new favorite non-caffeinated drink is Hot Chocolate Mint by Whittard of Chelsea!

Usually it's 4.50 pounds for a 400g tub but now there's this crazy sale in Whittard stores where almost everything is at half price. I bought the hot chocolate mint, green tea and also the vanilla coffee. Mmmm.....all my favorite leh

Gas Leak

Giving me a headache after 3 days of continuous gas smell all around. Cannot open the window, go out also can smell gas. At first it was just the corner, then when the pressure of the gas was increased (God knows why at a time like this when there is a gas leak already...), further buildings in the campus were also affected.

There're only 2 blocks of student accommodation on Camden Street: Glenamara House and Camden Court. Luckily, I didn't have to be evacuated from my apartment (Camden) but people in Glenamara were not so lucky then. The uni's Pandon Building was also closed. Then again, it's pretty scary to think that if anyone lights up anything and *KABOOM*...-_-'''

(Wednesday afternoon, when the gas leak was just detected)

The police cordoned off the area for a whole day and if anyone wanted to get from one side of the city to the other, they would have to go through other much much longer and further routes. But things seem to be better today, but you can still see the works going on so I don't think the whole situation is settled yet lor... So wish me luck and no one turns into roast pork until then...

For further stories on this incident:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6546739.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6550319.stm

Mahjong Marathon

FWAH~!~!

I can't believe that my first time mahjong session lasted almost 5 hours man...from learning what are the tiles to basic rules and protocol of the game.

Just joined the casino recently and Tuesday nights are "Free Chinese Buffet" nights. Of course have to go lar! The Chinese food there is quite good ok...Moreover, I'm broke from London anyway. Can't afford to go anywhere or do anything else.

To play mahjong is free anytime in Aspers. Just pay 10 pounds deposit to get the tiles and you can play till it closes. Wah, I never expected myself to actually last that long since I could never really figure out that game despite sitting next to my grandma for years when she used to play it.

Thanks to Muse, I finally got some teeny tiny idea of what the whole game is about. There are many many more versions of rules in mahjong, payouts, tiles, strategy, etc, etc, etc...

I can't digest so much at a time...so I learnt the basic one. Even then, I needed some time to actually think that whether I should say "Sek!" or "Pong!" when I wanna get a tile. Most of the time I just go, "Eh, eh, I want, I want!"

A few times I even thought that I won, when I didn't, but I called out to say that I win anyway, so called "Zha Hu". But nevermind, coz Muse let us "reverse play" the game and we continued until someone won. As usual, since it doesn't involve any $$$ whatsoever, I had some luck lar...HAHA~!

Beginner here lar...gimme some time, and I should improve.

The best part of it all?!?!

The whole night of fun was F.O.C. Didn't even spend a single pence.

I can now proudly say that I finally know what mahjong is all about. (a bit bit la...)

Thanks for the surprise~!

Thank you to the Masterminds behind it, Grace & Alvin. *clap* *clap* *clap*

Thank you, Alvin, for the Strawberry Cheesecake. It's FANTASTIC!!! (Source: Yung, 2007) Wah...but I thought he was just making it again coz he had "guests" down. Made in front of me some more, totally no hush-hush!

Hehe...

Was wondering the other day why Grace suddenly abandoned the computer and sat in my room instead. Now I know...Haha! Sorry lar...didn't know that I'm not supposed to follow you into the kitchen what...coz you said you wanna help make the sandwiches for the picnic mar...

Though it was a few weeks earlier, but it's still really sweet of you guys: Grace, Alvin, Jin Rong, Zhon Wei, Allan & Wei Li. (Despite everyone's mugging for exams...)

Very touched...dunno what to say. *sob* *sob* Still thank you~!~

For ME ler~~!!~! Saya, Moi, Watashi!!!

Ready to cut a piece for myself!!!

Yummy Strawberry Cheesecake! I'm not Strawberry Queen for no reason leh...hehe

The very last of the cake before it's devoured by me...MUAHAHA!!!

Paid to surf!

the net...that is...

I found this on Xiaxue's blog recently and thought I'd just try it out.

Apparently, one's paid as they surf the net according to the number of hours (but the cap is 5 hours max a month though...).

Wonder if it works...

AGLOCO's original company is AllAdvantage and it has generated almost $200 million in venture capital and paid out over $120 million to its members.

So if anybody wants to know, just join AGLOCO for free then we'll find out...HAHA!

Wagamama

Which stands for self-centeredness and inconsideration to others in Japanese. So it's kind of their food philosophy for "Positive Eating + Positive Living", where you put your own will and welfare at a higher priority than anything else.

Well...it's true to a certain extent lar...but...this is not what I wanna write about.

HEHE

So, yesterday Emily, Joella, Victor and I went to Wagamama in Old Eldon Square (the only one around) for dinner. And I'm glad to say that I have "Wagamama kaki-s" now. There are people who still enjoy the food there.

I'd personally prefer Wagamama to Wokmania, cos Wokmania only serves normal Chinese buffet that is not so Chinese and doesn't taste right in one way or another. Plus, we can easily find better Chinese buffets in Newcastle (and much cheaper too).

Anyway, I like Wagamama not just because of the food but also the atmosphere and the attitude and service of the staff. So friendly and helpful~! It's also clean, and not as smoky as most of the Oriental restaurants. And last but not least, I like their desserts! HAHA.

Wild Berry Sorbet and Coconut Reika, my ultimate favorite. Especially Coconut Reika, with coconut flakes and ice-cream. Haven't tried the others though. Will do so someday.

Some curry rice dish...

Chilli Chicken Ramen

Er...some fried udon?!??!

Emily and Joella...

We all started tucking in when each of our food came, so engrossed in it that I actually forgot something.

"I forgot to take the picture of what Joella had ordered."

Hmm...one missing picture.

But then again, like Emily said, "Oh no, we have to come here again!" with a surprising sparkle in her eyes. hehe...

Overall, nice but slightly expensive dinner. I still like it though. Once in a while treat can lar~! *self justification*