KITCHEN厨房日记: Tuna Melt Sandwich

Once in a while, I enjoy when he is not around with me (only ONCE IN A WHILE ya). I go shopping alone, clean my house, write articles, read books and cook my own meal! This is an improved version of typical Tuna Sandwich, with a little crunchiness and aroma added.

Use any tuna spread in can available in all stores, or you can mix tuna flakes in oil with onions, mayonnaise and other flavoring according to your preference. Spread them on white bread/dinner bread, layer with tomato and cheese. Apply some butter on both top and bottom of the sandwich, heat up frying pan and lightly grill the sandwich. You can mimic a Panini press, just to flatten the sandwich a bit.

To complete the meal, I serve them with Onion Salad in Roasted Bell Peppers Cup. Bored of typical salad? Try this! Just cut off the head of bell peppers, roast them in oven, and use them as a cup to serve the salad. Roasted bell peppers are sweet and juicy, quite contrary to what I’ve expected!

A woman must know how to live alone, even if she doesn’t like it. Well said.

BEAUTY美丽日记: Kawaii Ponytail

As I mention in my blog description, if this section freaks you out, just STOP reading. Well, if you enjoy reading, I am happy to share with you what I’ve tested and tried, and like it much!

The day after I curled my hair with braids, my hair was still a bit curly and wavy. So I wore my hair in a high, swept-to-side ponytail, with a DIY brown patent leather ribbon on it. I don’t think I have to explain how I achieve this look right? It’s so easy, you just need to have the courage to ‘be cute’!

Who says a twenty-something-girl with no angelic face like those Korean/Japanese hot babes can’t be cute? You are what you think you are!

BEAUTY美丽日记: Curly Hair

If you were to ask me, did I perm my hair? Nope.

If you were to ask me, did I curl my hair using iron curler? Nope.

I just braid my hair overnight (best if your hair is wet) and when I wake up the next morning, voila! I have these curls. It’s that easy.

To achieve this look, I divide my hair into 2 portion, left and right, braid them when they are wet after hair wash.[TIPS: Make sure you divide them evenly, and braid them symmetrically so that your curls look perfect. And also make sure the braids do not loosen up when you sleep.] When the time’s up, just unlock the braid and tousle lightly with your fingers. Do apply some mousse or hairspray to maintain the curls whole day long!

If you are concerned about sleeping with wet hair (Typically, Asians believe it is bad for health), dry your hair close to the scalp with a hair dryer. However for best effect, leave the braids wet and let them dry naturally overnight.

Gosh, hate my eye bag, even 8 hours sleep everyday doesn’t help at all.

FEELINGS心情日记: 三篇(3) - 我爱贝敏登

李宗伟的球技堪称世界第一，连他的宿敌-林丹也说他是最全方位的单打好手。所以，每当他战败时，大家都失望不已，责怪他怎么老是斗不过心理因素。直到我第一次，也是唯一一次上场比赛，才深刻感受到，那些队友，球迷以及敌方的喝彩倒彩，足以让一位球员完全发挥不出水准。

我的球技虽然相当不堪，但至少和朋友对打时有来有往。而那天参加公司的小型比赛时，则是没来没往。有一半的时间我完全是精神恍惚，手脚迟钝，实在是对不起战友。我发誓，再也不会责怪李宗伟了。但愿国家继续栽培更多羽坛人才，让我们都一起享受于这运动中。打的人轻松，看的人也开心。羽球万岁！贝敏登万岁！

BEAUTY美丽日记: In Love with Big Hat

I remember I was curious about one thing when I was small – why must Queen Elizabeth always wear a hat?

My school teacher solved my question, saying that it is the dress code for British Royal event or formal occasion. Since then, my eyes focus on what they wear on their head, instead on what they wear on body. Especially on the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, I couldn’t help but buy a big hat for myself, lucky for me I got a simple one at RM11 in a market.

This is how I wear the hat, with my hair swept to one side and tied using a red floral band, since my hat is quite plain. And I wear a white long sleeve blouse with tailored shorts, paired with grey stokings .

I achieve another look by just letting my hair down on my shoulder. Just that simple. I think one doesn’t need to style her hair in fancy up-do when wearing a hat, since the hat will be the main attraction.

Oh, how I wish I can buy a nicer hat, like this one:

Or this one:

Yes, I do love how Kate Middleton dress up in all occasions. Kudos, on achieving chic style while following royal dress code.  

FEELINGS 心情日记:三篇 (2) - 大家爱面子

老爸说，突尼斯，埃及，利比亚，以及紧接着不知哪个国家会中遭的“茉莉花革命”，会如斯浩荡轰烈，得以推翻屹立数十年的老树，全拜面子书所赐。早前就有专家评论，Mark Zuckerberg能以面子书控制全球。当时我读了，觉得很荒谬，准时某人妒忌英才。但是最近，我是越来越赞同了。

数据显示，收音机发明了38年才有5亿用户，面子书推出2年就有5亿用户。大家或多或少，都成了“爱面子”一族。生病，生气，MC，OT，都写上面子书。去了哪间餐厅，和什么人游玩，甚至在更衣室试穿新衣，也要把照片‘寄’上网。别误会，我并没评论这是种病态，因为我也是如此，只是严重程度不高。

我倒是能了解为什么大家活跃于面子书。遇到不如意的事，总希望朋友写上支持。去了漂亮的餐厅或地点，总想介绍给别人知道（让人知道我也会去这种时尚高格调的地方）。拍了美丽的照片，将它上载到Profile，越多人‘Like’越好，过足明星瘾。再高调一点，也可以把吵架分手的理由在面子书上摊开来讲，让亲戚朋友都不再追问。

平日我也时常浏览面子书，看朋友的留言和照片，遇到有趣的，或喜欢的，都会写上鼓励祝福的话。当然，我也时时刻刻警惕自己，必须加以留意自己在面子书上的‘言行举止’。就像有一次，一位朋友提醒我不要将和他一起外出的照片放上面子书，因为，他是瞒着女朋友出来的，囧。又有一次，不知怎样地，一班朋友竟然在面子书互相讽刺暗骂，还是置身事外好。

无论如何，我相信面子书会持续风靡，短期内难以被取代或舍弃。所以，大家一起爱面子！面子书万岁！

注：本人绝对是FB忠实用户，深刻了解并喜欢FB带来的功能和方便。以上言论纯属个人的观察，毫无批评任何一方的意思。

KITCHEN厨房日记: Vanilla Cupcake

Back in February during an outing, one of my besties, Weiyi asked me. “What CAN a girl give her boyfriend as present? There are so little choices and I’m out of idea!” And this is my answer, the best quote of the year – “Ah Hah! That’s easy, cook or bake something for him! You just need to spend a few ringgits to buy flour, egg, milk and other ingredients!” Everyone burst in laughter, and he had this ‘sweat’ (=.=”) look on his face.

Well, he appreciates them, these Vanilla Cupcakes I made for him on his birthday, with frosting on top as decoration. I arranged 12 cupcakes in a box, with writings on the frosting made by the star flakes. Can you read them?

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (my poor arms), then add in egg one by one. Add flour into batter in 3 additions, alternating with milk and continue beating. Scoop into muffin cups/mould filling 2/3 full and bake in oven. Spread frosting (made of icing sugar, butter and milk) on top of the cupcakes and sprinkle colorful star flake/rice/balls as decoration. [TIPS: Let the cupcakes cool to room temperature before you spread the frosting, they need some time to hold]

I’m going to make this for my sis when I go back soon!

BEAUTY美丽日记: Side Braided Crown

I like to braid my hair. Unfortunately, I can’t pull off the look with 2 big braids on both sides of my head (like late Nina Wang did). So, I tried this modest style, suitable for any girl who wants a chic bohemian look.

Just braid a small amount of hair at both left and right crown. [TIPS: Braid your hair when holding them sideward instead of downward, and braid loosely at the roots.] Pull both braids to the back of your head and secure them with bobby pins, keeping the pins neat and invisible. I did a lousy job on that, so I pulled out a few streaks of hair to cover the pins.

His sister said my eyes look big with this make up. Yeah.

Unsatisfied with the look I did as shown above, I tried it again when I went to The Curve last week. Finally, after months of complaining, he brought me to The Curve, thanks to his friend, Way Wen who wanted to go there too. This time, I secured both braids with a rubber band and 2 bobby pins. Then, I added a Grey Ribbon Clip to cover the pins. How I love the Ribbon Clip!

Ahh, ignore those black roots and one short streak of white hair!

TALE童话日记: 他最近还好吗

凌晨，一睁开眼，艾丝就觉得很不可思议，为什么他会出现在梦里。好久好久，艾丝心里从来都不曾出现他。而今天，他就像是从心里的无底洞冒出来，一并带出那段回忆。不，正确来说只是记忆，称不上是回忆，因为它一点都不美好。

梦里，他又向艾丝表白了，而就像当年一样，艾丝连想一刻都没有就含笑点头了。他是差班生，全身流露出混混的气息，但艾丝竟然觉得那是充满柔情的香味。曾经，艾丝以为他是对的人了。有人说，每个人身上都有一个味道，只有婴儿才能辨认出来，并把它锁在脑海里。所以，艾丝认为那是命中注定要她记得的味道。

如果不是那一年的年终旅行，艾丝就不会认识他，也不会知道他正在猛追和艾丝同样来自精英班的密友爱琴。当然，爱琴说什么也看不上他一眼，而艾丝只觉得爱情不分贵贱，每个人都应该有表白心迹的机会，于是就答应当红娘。事情就像偶像剧一般的变化，艾丝悄悄地喜欢上他，两个人就走在一起了。

整件事就只有他的死党章阳知道，毕竟艾丝和他走在一起的事根本没有人会相信，相信了也没有人会认同。所以艾丝小心翼翼地维护他，维护这段感情，深怕别人一个莫名的眼光就会把它（他）摧毁。其实艾丝不是不知道两个人根本不会有未来，这始终是一段见不得光的关系。

终于，该结束的，结束了。在几次的冷漠后，他丢下了一句“对不起，我还是不能忘记爱琴”。短短的十秒钟内，艾丝马上放手离开，因为她根本抬不起头再看他多一眼。之后，艾丝觉得自己好像被冰封了，整个世界变得很冷。最残忍的是，这种伤感必须隐藏下去，好不容易从眼眶滴出的泪水也必须赶紧吞回肚里。因为，它们和那段感情一样，不可以被人发现。

之后，艾丝再也没有提起他了，见到面也当他透明似地。因为面对他，艾丝根本无法展露笑颜。就这样毕业了，艾丝头也不回地离开那里，到都市深造。在不一样的环境下，关于他的记忆也就渐渐浅了。

两年后偶遇章阳，艾丝有些惊喜。聊了几句，她突然问起他，最近还好吗。“他人不是你想象的好，你最好别想他了，”章阳说。“这，我知道，我没想他，只是问问罢了，”艾丝默默地回答。听说，他已到邻国谋生，详细情节没有人知道。“你还没忘记他，忘记那件事情？”听到章阳这么问，艾丝悠悠一笑，说了一句, “Forgiven，but not forgotten”。

而今天，艾丝在想，不知梦见他是不是一种提示或预感什么的，还是纯粹是大脑释放凌乱中抽出的记忆。如果可以的话，艾丝也想问，他最近还好吗。当然，这不是想念，只是想起，而且艾丝已找到了她要的靠岸，一个让她不必再漂泊的靠岸。

FEELINGS心情日记: 三篇(1)-爱在情人节

情人节，一个叫人又爱又恨的日子。有人甜蜜，有人失落；有人赚钱，有人花钱。有另一半的，当然要搞个烛光晚餐定情礼物什么的，单身的也不再寂寞，可以参加聚会派对，说不定就会遇到对的人。甚至，孝顺的也和父母一起庆祝，与家人温馨一番。也有某些人大谈宗教，进行‘抓人’行动，这个我就不多谈了。

送不送花，也是一个课题。我想不出女生有什么理由不喜欢男朋友送花，除非，她的要求更高，不要花，要珠宝。以前的我，也常说送花不实际，没几天就花谢了，价钱又因为季节而飚高，让花商们赚饱了。直到在金马伦与花儿们邂逅，一眼望着那深红色的玫瑰，立刻为它倾心，从此将红色玫瑰（只要红色）高高排在第一位。那花瓣上的绒毛质感，就像情人温柔的手呵护着我。当它枯萎的时候，也可以把花瓣摘下做装饰，也算环保吧。

这一年的情人节，很幸运的，我和他工作居住的地方不远，约了一起吃晚餐。其实我心里是有点期待比较特别的地点和礼物，只是看他有些呆呆地，好像什么也没准备。所以，当我打开车门看见那一束玫瑰花和巧克力时，真的很惊喜。虽然只有六朵，但每一朵都有拳头般大，而且绽放得很灿烂。谁说送花不实际啊，看见你的爱人笑得甜丝丝的，哪有计较实际不实际的，爱情本来就是讲感觉嘛！

而我，又为他准备了什么呢？咱们女生可容易了，花几块钱买面粉，鸡蛋，牛油和糖，弄个爱心蛋糕甜点，显示我们出得厅堂，入得厨房的本能。都说了，爱情是靠感觉嘛，哪有计较划算不划算的！愿我和他天天平安，天天开心。

BEAUTY美丽日记: Princess Shark Clip

Yes, I am as fierce as a shark. Who cares? He never complain, though (dare not to complain I guess!).

You see, I seldom go for a haircut, only 2-3 times a year. There are 2 reasons.  First, I enjoy haircut and hair wash in a comfortable place, performed by senior/professional hairstylist. Hence, I can’t afford to go so often, as they will burn a hole in my pocket. Second, I am keeping my hair to below chest level and my hair take ages to grow!

However, one should trim his/her hair every month, so that they don’t go out of shape. [TIPS: Your hair doesn’t grow at a same rate, which is why you need haircut not just to maintain the length but also the style.] So what do I do when my hair look like a pile of messy grass on my head? Style them up!

Wearing your hair in a half up-do (half up, half down) will always soften your look to a feminine side. We call it ‘princess head’ in mandarin. To achieve this hairstyle, shark clip is your best companion!

First, tie the upper half of your hair with rubber band (adjust the amount to suit your frame). Push up the tied hair close to your scalp, along the centerline of your head for the retro look. [TIPS: To add the height, you can use a volumizer underneath your hair]

Secure your hair with bobby pins at the desired location before adding the shark clip. And there you go! [TIPS: For blondes and brunettes, there are rubber band and bobby pins in brown/bronze to suit your hair color, available at Diva Accessories or Daiso.]

Another half up-do, with hair secured lower and cleaner. He likes it! *tee-hee*

KITCHEN厨房日记: Biskut Bintang

This is an order from my lovely sister. Since her childhood (she’s still in her childhood anyway), I mean toddler age, she has started looking into kids cooking recipe and playing ‘mamasak’ (cooking toys). So, when I picked up bakery as my hobby, she searched for a recipe from a kids magazine and requested me to bake for her. Of course, as a loving sister, who loves her all the way, I agreed and asked her to give me one copy of the recipe.

She named it Biskut Bintang (Star Biscuits), since I told her I will substitute the M&M in original recipe with colorful star flakes. It tastes like butter cookies, and perfect as snacks for kids, well much better than junk food right? With our government’s decision to ban junk food in school canteen to fight obesity among children, isn’t this a loving move for the sake of our love ones?

Beat butter and sugar till creamy, if you don’t have a mixer, you just gotta train your arm muscles. Add in egg and vanilla essence and continue beating till smooth. Mix in flour, baking soda and star flakes/M&M and shape the dough. Arrange them on baking tray and bake. [TIPS: Do you know that cookies will expand in baking process due to the baking powder/soda? So, arrange them with sufficient space in between.]

Of course, she couldn’t be happier when she saw these cookies in a jar! More to come, sis!

KITCHEN厨房日记: Oatmeal Muffins

Ok, bakery needs lessons and experiences. Many of my trials are far from success, it’s always “too sweet”, “too messy”, “not shaped well”, “too flaky”, and all sorts. However, this Oatmeal Muffins with Raisins, Dates and Walnuts are so easy that a primary school student can nail it!

My Vietnamese friend, Tho (a sweet and kind- like- an- angel girl) once told me, “You don’t have a mixer? Then muffins are best for you to bake!” Yeah, now I understand why, because you SHOULD NOT beat or whisk  the batter, just gently mix all ingredients until they corporate well. I substitute raisins and dates with prunes and citrus peels, since they are what I have, plus he doesn’t like raisins in anything except just itself.

Mix together rolled oats (no instant oat or nestum, please), flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and other dry ingredients in a big bowl. [TIPS: Mix them really well as you don’t want the soda clumps, it tastes awful!] Then, mix buttermilk, egg and butter in another bowl. [TIPS: Can’t find buttermilk in M’sia stores? Just add few drops of lemon juice in fresh milk and let them sit for 10 mins] Gently pour the wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir together. And yes, you need to bake them of course.

Tada! They are soft enough to melt in mouth, yet crunchy when you bite due to the walnuts. [TIPS: Walnut is a great ingredient in bakery!] Not so sweet though, but just nice if you opt for a healthy breakfast or snack. Taste best when it is warm.

BEAUTY美丽日记: Daddy! I want that dress!

I always wish I can shop and buy anything, ANYTHING I like without obligations, i.e. financial status, savings, mum’s complaint (LOL) & etc. Alas, I can’t, and I believe many of us can’t do that since no one has unlimited wealth! So, you can imagine how crazy I looked like in this boutique.

After having dim sum brunch with besties, we headed to a boutique which is at the same row of shoplots in PJ. Lots of gorgeous dresses there, be it casual, party dress, executive wear, or most dazzling dress for dinner. And the dress that won over my heart was this little black number with lots of sequins on it!

I was so obssessed with the dress, that I put it on TWICE in the fitting room, each time took around 10 mins because I was so reluctant to take it off! So, did I buy it? Nah, it costs a good RM200++. If only it is 3 times cheaper, then I would have grabbed it.

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely mine! Love how the sequins sewn in circle motives on black satin, and variety of bright colours that lighten up the dress. Plus, it is not figure hugging, making it comfortable to wear in any occasion.

Daddy, do you hear me? *winks*

FEELINGS心情日记: 美丽的2011

我的2011年以一场婚礼开始（不是我结婚啦...）。新郎是我的表哥，为了选在这个特别有意义且容易记得的日子，主人家已筹备一年了。我们这些只需盛装打扮的亲戚们，随着日子的到来，也处于备战状态。就像我母亲，在几个月前就已经叮咛我要穿得体面一点，身形臃肿的她也不知在家里自言自语了几遍说不知要怎么穿才好看不显胖等等。在服装销售员的大力推荐和信心保障之下，母亲破天荒选了时髦又端庄的服饰，总算合她心意。

而我，最担心的还是交通问题。这是我第一次单独开车到八打灵和甲洞一带。虽然出门前已经把谷歌地图上的路线抄下背熟，上路时还是会战战兢兢。可能是观音娘娘的保佑吧，我顺利到达目的地，时间也比预算中的早，只是冒险绕了一个非法U-转而已。只见老爸早已在主人家门口等候指挥我把车泊好，众多亲戚见到我的时候似乎非常惊喜，说没有料到我会这么顺利又快速找到地点。这时我才知道，原来我在他们心目中是这么的“差劲”。

第一次见证我们华人传统的敬茶仪式（有印象以来），那位大妗姐（送嫁娘）的专业态度，令我钦佩不已。原来结婚有这么多的习俗，当然看在老外或“香蕉人”眼里，可能这些都是很迷信的。不过这一切都是为了让一对新人讨个吉利，也让长辈和晚辈们觉得温馨和感动。更令我惊喜的是，原来在这个年代还有闹新房，男童`跳新床，设计摩登的新房里也出现了红色印有囍字的尿盆，洗澡盆等等。正当我嘟着嘴满脸好奇时，妈妈在我耳边轻声说道，“要的，这些是好的，一定要的”。

一向来都难以理解为何华人喜宴总是比预定时间延迟开席，这次全程参与主人家，我终于了解了（其实还是不知道为什么）。不管家里男女老少多么早准备更衣梳妆，在你等我，我等你之下，我们还是迟到了。不过，看来众多嘉宾比我们还要忙，因为到了入席时间，一眼望去，来宾人数寥寥无几，所以比预定时间延迟一小时半开席。为了打破华人宴席的沉闷规律，新郎安排了魔术表演，由其中一位兄弟‘友情’演出。另外一个惊喜，是新娘子的婚纱，虽然不是我的那杯茶，但它的设计主题非常独特，深紫色的丝绸与薄纱衬底，碧绿色的羽毛点缀裙摆，宛如一只美艳的孔雀。

当晚，我们几个COUSINS谋杀了不少记忆卡（现在已不用菲林了）, 轮流摆莆士POSE留下‘倩影’。好像一夜之间，大家都长大了，再也没有那呆板的书生样。然而，令我内疚的是那碗鱼翅和乳猪。明知道这两道菜肴的准备过程有些残忍，但在亲戚面前还是勉强的应酬。我于是立志了将来若我有权利决定宴会菜单，这两道菜决不会出现。

宴会结束时，大家都喊累了倦了。奇怪的是，回到家后，大家丝毫睡意也没有，聚在客厅里聊天。一脸倦容的老爸竟兴奋地滔滔不绝，把大家的童年趣事全盘数出。只是想到隔天还要开车回霹雳，他才乖乖上楼就寝。那一夜，对我来说是一个美丽的开始。新一年的开始，一对新婚夫妇的开始，祝福他们永远走在一起，执子之手，与子偕老。不求一生一世，或百年万年，只求珍惜当下的每一天。