JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE...

It is truly a sad fact that the economy is not doing so well at the moment. Recently, after reading a news piece on job cuts in the legal field for early next year, I was having mixed feelings. People like me, i.e. graduates/ grads-to-be/unemployed persons/ are suffering and dying in the food chain. OMG I feel the pain, the anguish, the devastation, how am i suppose to find work in a foreign land? Like NIKE says it - JUST DO IT!!!!

No doubt about it, sweat and hard work goes a long way for the future. ( I do not want any sweaty part though) I've always been told that we Asians are very hardworking, some - too hardworking, especially in the eyes of our couterparts from the West. All work and no play, but that doesn't make old Jack a dull boy either.

I would like to share with you all something that I find interesting, in my case, something that I've never heard of before I had actually seen it yet it would not be too surprising when you think about the whole claims culture.

Starting with the news that I had read from Prospects Finalist 2009/2010, inside it was a news update about a former student claiming a refund of her tuition fees as the career advisor in college "had not worked hard enough to find her a job" - GUARDIAN  But I DO agree with the commentor in the newsletter - "If that is what you desire drop out right now and go down the street to the school of cosmetology." Jeez - how shallow are these people?

When I was reading through the news, it reminded me of something that I had seen when I was in Izmir, Turkey this year. I was out and about, having a stroll with my bf when we came across this bunch of people campaigning about something. I had no clue to what it was. Why? Simple - the banner was badly written and its in Turkish, plus it was blocked by a bunch of angry teenagers shouting their slogans. After some poking around, I found out that they were campaining bout studying in college without paying the fee first? This is a very interesting issue but otherwise uncalled for and I find it a waste of time. Better off doing something conventional, seriously I mean it, go and get a part time job to fund your studies or whatsoever it takes if u are unhappy about having to pay your fees first. This is not a place where you test and try food like mini hot dogs in tesco and decide to buy it AFTER you have tasted it. Distasteful ~~~~~Just a piece of my mind for the day, pingu out - - - - - - -

Love the cupcake that you sent to my email, posting it up here to share :)


It is absolutely gorgeous, such a lovely cupcake, thank you dearest :) hugszzzzz

Thinking that today was a special day for me, I had wanted to bake a cake for myself. Whilst browsing through, some friends had suggested that i bake a cheesecake and I thought to myself..hmm why not? Cheesecake it is. It took me hours to choose which cheesecake recipe i had wanted to use. Chocolate cheesecake..yum...

As always, I had gathered the ingredients needed, and started mixing it. First is to get the base ready - I used a shortcrust base. Next, they say its better to bake the base before pouring the batter in so I did just that...It does look a bit too buttery isn't it :P

Ah well....time to mix the batter










I thought a cheesecake would cook well in that oven of mine...it is a very temperamental oven that doesn't provide even heat at all..only knew from Jerine that I should have covered it in water to help the even baking..










BUT it did turn out to be quite good for a first timer :P

Its Christmas time...first thing that comes in mind - presents, trees, red and green...shiny stuff..stars...... :P well I don't celebrate Christmas but it is the festive season afterall...lets join the celebration :)

I want to share something with everyone here, I had received an email with gorgeous desktop background for christmas and I bet that you'd be in awe. Here's some of the pics (click on it to go to the main website to download):






















































































You can find them in these websites :

HDWallPapers ~~Snowman-Wallpapers~~ Blirk~~WallPaperez

Aren't all of them gorgeous :) I'm having a hard time choosing which one to put on my comp

Ahhhh being in a country where you can't get ingredients (particularly a packet of belacan) to cook my beloved sambal dishes is seriously frustrating. Uwaaaaa.....I miss Malaysian food......ehem...well as the saying goes, you are not malaysian if you don't love food..hehehee

My favourite list of Malaysian food is still :-


1. Nasi lemak
(fragrant coconut rice with chilli paste - also known as sambal..hehehe the spicier the better :P )








photo from saimatkong


gosh looking at that is making me hungry and wanna cry......ooo the spicy sambal with the white fragrant coconut rice....oo the crunchy peanuts and anchovies....ooo the cool cucumbers that crumbles in your mouth after eating spicy food....


2. Asam Laksa
(laifun, a type of rice vermicilli in fish broth with that extra umph..hehe prawn paste and mint leaves..yum)





photo from RasaMalaysia -you can find the recipe there as well, for those that want to have a lil adventure of their own :P


I never feel full from eating this though....but the taste is really unforgettable once you try it...the addiction to that sweet soury taste - i do prefer the spicy ones..heehheehe


3. Ayam Masak Merah
(literally translated to chicken cook red...ehhhe ..red cook chicken...ehhehe..ah well..a picture says a thousand word - see what i mean)








Photo from watashinojinsei




4. Satay
(chicken meat/beef/ lamb on sticks barbequed to perfection and dipped in thick spicy creamy peanut sauce ...ahhhh the sweetness of the meat and the spicyness of the sauce that lingers in your mouth)













sobs..took me a long time to actually find a satay photo that i like - photo from shimworld




oops....can't forget the cucumber slices, raw onion slices and ketupat :P


5. Ikan Bakar
(at this moment...couldn't think which one is my fav, reason~~~~all are my favs :P but chose this as the last dish for tonights blog ;) )

For many of you grill fish might just be a simple daily dish but for me...i love it...i love grilled sting ray..the soft texture...topped with sambal sauce....its fragrance....ahhhhhh.......dipping the meat in a special blend of lime sauce with chilli before putting it in your mouth...~~~~author drooling away in front of comp......argh why am i stuck here in england....)







the fish ... from penangtuapui















and the specially blended sauce..hehehe



That's all folks.... :)