We R The Reason

A lil late to be posting this video up but it was one of my fav..

Made 2 Love

Bring your friends for M2L this 26th June, 830pm..

Fathers' Day Presentation

Penang

I just got back from Penang yesterday.. Actually more like Butterworth cos we stayed at Uncle Alfie's house.. Attended Danee's wedding on Sat night.. Still find it hard to believe that she's married.. She's still like such a baby to us..

Melissa took us to all the good spots to eat in Butterworth - Pokok Ceri Pasembor, Mee Goreng and Mee Rebus.. a small stall that only opens at night selling Char Kuey Teow.. Satay Rojak buah (this one was just addictive)..

Bought a dvd - Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham and we watched it from 1230am to 4am.. It wasn't the first time we were watching it (hmm ok maybe Joel being the exception lol).. So it was really fun as we could remember most of the dialoges.. singing along to the songs.. laughing at the jokes even before it was played.. That was the first night!!

On the second night, after the wedding.. we got back home, changed and headed over to Penang.. Took the ferry and it was really nice.. I have not been on the ferry to Penang in many years.. (It was the first time for Joel, lotsa first for him on this trip lol).. We then drove along Gurney and finally decided to chill at Bukit Ferringhi, at this really secluded spot.. There was a bistro there by the sea.. we chilled there for a couple of hours.. with the waves crashing, under the blanket of sky and stars, with the swaying of the coconut trees.. All us girls wore our heels there cos we didn't know initially where we would be going.. haha.. Had to take off our shoes as we definitely couldn't walk on the sand with them..

After chilling there, we headed over at 330am to Nasi Kandar Beratur (where you literally have to beratur for your nasi kandar).. Hmm I didn't think the food was all that good.. I've tasted better nasi kandar in PJ but the experience was nice..

On this trip as well was the first time I heard my nephew, Jerome say my name.. Ma che teh which stands for Michelle Atteh.. hehe..

So that was the end of my Penang trip.. Short but truly fun and memorable.. Will try to post up pics soon..

Mystery Fruit

Drop me a comment if you know What I am and What I taste like?

Hannah Plays Sandy in Grease

My niece Hannah was recently in a play for her school, Grease. She played Sandy which is one of the main characters in the production. I'm so proud of her. She dressed in a pretty white dress with green trimmings.

Grease was released in 1978 and made popular by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Coming Your Way

MADE 2 LOVE

Free Movies @ Tropicana Mall this 20-23 June 09

FREE Movie Screening @ GSC Tropicana City

Get yourself acquainted first with the new 1,449-seater cinema which also provides two wheelchair space per hall for the physically challenged patrons as there will be a four-day free screenings for the public from this Saturday till Tues (June 20- 23) onwards.

Movies selected for the free screenings are as follows:
“Slumdog Millionaire”, “Dragonball Evolution”, “Race to Witch Mountain”, “Confessions of A Shopholic”, “Paul Bart: Mall Cop”, “Ip Man” (18SG), “Syurga Cinta” and “Ayan”.

You can easily redeem tickets for these free shows by cutting out any original GSC cinema listings via the newspaper and GSC website to exchange for two free tickets per coupon / clipping each, on a first-come first-served basis, while tickets last. Each person is limited to four tickets (maximum) and the redemption exercise will start from 10am , June 20, 2009 onwards. Redemption of tickets is limited to the movies on the same day of redemption.

No advance redemption will be entertained. Full details of the movie schedule can be downloaded from GSC website and will also be available at GSC Tropicana City.

GSC Tropicana City is located on the second floor of Tropicana City Mall and will complement the 13-screen GSC 1 Utama (New Wing) in catering to the entertainment needs in the Petaling Jaya area and beyond.

Movie fans can look forward to special giveaways like balloons, “Buy 1 Free 1″ coupons, “Buy 2 Free 1″ coupons and “Wheel of Fortune” activity during the opening weekend ( June 27- 28). With every purchase of a GSC regular or large combo with F & N Coca-Cola drinks, GSC patrons will be rewarded with a complimentary can drink, while stocks last.

Info from ShoppingnSales

Heidi and Spencer's on The View

Seriously!!! What are these people thinking???

A modern version of Mother Theresa????

This is SOOOOOOO Sad!

Al Roker Grills Spencer & Heidi

Tony Roma's

Save your receipts when you dine at Tony Roma's cos you'll be able to get a RM10 rebate on your next visit with a minimum spending of RM30. Of course before that you'll need to go online and complete a super simple survey that will take you less than 2 minutes to complete.

Mum and I were invited yesterday for a surprise dinner for Karen Bristol at Tony Roma's. Her daughter and husband were the ones organizing and were so nice to invite us.

We had a lovely time chatting and eating.. Ordered 2 whole 13-inch platter which included 20 ribs and 4 sides.. We also had an onion loaf to go along.. I don't really fancy onions but this onion loaf was definitely the bomb.. The birthday girl also got a voucher as her pressie for a free onion loaf on her next visit..

The manager was also nice enough to give us a 10% discount on our bill as I was not able to complete the survey to get the RM10 rebate.. There was something wrong with the site as I was trying to log on.. So not only can I use the receipt again in future, but we got a 10% discount on our meal which turned out to be 3 times better..

Lotsa exciting happenings at Tony Roma's this and next month.. As we were waiting for the birthday girl to arrive, mum and I took our time reading all the promos at our table..

Tony Roma's 13-inch Bountiful Beef Ribs Platter Challenge - Eat all 10 ribs under 10 minutes and stand a chance to win Eating Free for a whole year at TR.

July 4th TR Buffet - for the first-time ever, enjoy TR's buffet spread with tasty items as well as their SUPER DUPER DELICIOUS WORLD CLASS BEEF RIBS.. free flow of drinks including beer, soft drinks and juices.. Priced at RM47++ for adults and RM27.50++ for children...

It may sound like I'm really promoting TR here.. But if you've tried their Ribs.. then you'll know exactly what I mean..

Tired

I'm leaving for CLR tomorrow.. There's still so much to do..

I haven't packed..
Didn't make it for the fishing trip tonight as well..
I feel like I'm falling sick again.. need to rest la.. I think I'll just sleep early tonight and wake up early tomorrow to pack..

I'm excited about CLR.. Am really preparing myself / heart to receive from God..

Lord I want a brand new encounter with you.. renew to me my first love with you..
Take me to new heights, new depths and new levels with you..
Let me not come back the same..

High Res Copy

Relaxing in Ipoh

Idly or E Der Lee

LOL! My dad was back at my auntie's house and she was cooking him dinner.. Chicken curry and Idly.. so my dad was just texting me on what he was having for dinner..

"Dinner was great! Perema just cooked chicken curry and e der lee for me"

I laughed out so loud.. Read it to my cousins and we just were laughing and laughing..

Second day in Ipoh today.. Yesterday was a super tiring day.. We left the house around 945am.. drove up to Camerons and then down to Ipoh.. I was driving the whole way and way just 'out' by the time I reached Ipoh.. But still pulled myself up to take my nephew to the park and even made a trip to the bride's house..

For the past few months I've been so busy with assignments and just studying for exams that I haven't spent enough time with my nephew.. How much I have missed! He is so so chatty nowadays and repeats everything you say, so much so that we have to be so careful in what we says.. cos he picks up so easily..

Will update more later.. now gonna eat some mangosteens..

MERDEKA!

I'm done with classes!
I'm done with assignments!
I'm done with exams!

Today was my last and final day at uni. God has indeed been so good to me. I studied quite last minute, but He was so good that I was able to answer most of the questions which came out although today's paper was a little tougher than Monday's one. But I have faith that I will do well.

I was just thinking back and realised that throughout my exam, most of the days He would grant me car park outside where I only need to pay like 50 cents an hour as compared to parking inside which is RM2 an hour. Today I had to park inside though but nevertheless am grateful for all the other times of cheap car park! It's a big deal for me!

I should be getting my results in July..

Right now, there's just so much to do already. My schedule for the next couple of months are pretty tight:-

May 29 - Cameron Highlands
May 29-31 - Ipoh for Julie's wedding
May 31 - Fuad & Shahie's wedding
May 31 - Influence Meeting
May 31 - *C* Tea Party
June 4-6 - Cell Leaders' Retreat @ PD
June 5 - Presentation @ Uni
June 7-10 - SABAH!
June 19-21 - Penang for Danee's wedding
June 27-29 - Penang with the girls
July 4 -David & Liz's wedding
July 5 - Worship Team Pool Party
July 17-19 - Diving in Redang
July 24-Aug 2 - INDIA!

So many weddings!! Need to sort out the dresses/sarees I'm gonna be wearing..

Kris Allen leads God Of This City

Check out this video of Kris Allen (winner of American Idol) singing God of This City

From the video it looks like Kris Allen is leading worship in a service. Check it out . . .

God of This City is a song by Bluetree, but made famous by Chris Tomlin & the Passion band.

Click PLAY below or click here

GOD OF THIS CITY

[Verse 1]
You’re the God of this City
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are

[Verse 2]
You’re the Light in this darkness
You’re the Hope to the hopeless
You’re the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

Mum featured in The Star

A write up on mum's cake making and her cookbook was featured in today's The Star. Remember this post, we thought that the article would be featured in Flavours Magazine but instead it was released in The Star which is even superb. Nearly everyone reads The Star as compared to Flavours. Mum's phone has been ringing off the hook the whole day since morning! I had to even drive her around as there were just so many calls coming in.

Some have been calling to ask if mum gives lessons, but mum says that if they buy the book, she won't mind teaching them and guiding them through some of the recipes - fondant icing, flower paste etc. I told mum that she should just charge them for the classes but she said it's ok. She remembers when she was much younger how she just looked high and low for people to teach her all this but it was just either too expensive and or she was not able to find teachers. So she resorted to learning all that she knows now mainly from books. So nice rite? And here I was just thinking of another way to make some $$$. Mum says that it'll be a good opportunity to reach out. Must really learn this attitude from her.

It's only 3.30pm and mum has already gotten about 3 confirmed wedding cake orders and countless inquires on wedding cakes, one lady's even coming this evening to the house to see the patterns and order her wedding cake. Not to mention, mum's confirmed selling quite a number of her books. Someone even called in the morning to ask if he could get her to re-print 3000 books for a certain project. Mum was not sure if it was a prank or someone who was genuinely interested. So she told him that when he calls back, to speak and get more information from my dad.

Many old friends from school and church saw mum's picture and called her. Some of whom she has lost contact with. Mum is so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you Ps Linda for the contact! Read on below for the write-up..

Tuesday May 26, 2009

Keen on cakes

By MAJORIE CHIEW

Esther Foo’s fruit cakes have stood the test of time; they still taste good after 12 years.

MOST of us can’t imagine eating cakes that are months old. But Esther Foo’s wedding cakes are so special that they’re still being eaten after 12 years.

And the verdict? “Yummy!”

“Yup, that’s what I’ve been told,” says Foo, from Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Foo who is in her 50s, bakes with a passion. Once, she baked 11 cakes weighing a total of 32kg and assembled them into multi-tiered wedding cakes. The bride, a close friend, kept leftover cakes in the freezer and ate them year after year.

Foo recalls: “Several years ago, she called to tell me that it was delicious even though it’s 12 years old!”

The fruit cakes can keep well for so long because they have brandy and rum in them, says Foo. And they are well-stored to withstand the test of time.

Foo’s niece, Carmen Leo, is another happy customer.

In 1997, Foo baked Leo’s wedding cake. A sentimental person, Leo not only kept the flower paste decorations but was so taken with the fruit cake that she wanted to keep it for as long as possible.

“Last June, Leo called to say that the wedding cake was still delicious. Come June, she will be cutting a few slices to savour on her 12th wedding anniversary!” says Foo.

She is amused that her niece wanted to break the record by keeping her wedding cake for her 13th wedding anniversary.

What about Foo’s own wedding cake?

“I baked a three-tiered wedding cake but it’s all gone,” quips Foo.

Foo first learnt to bake during domestic science class in Methodist Girls School, Ipoh. At 18, Foo baked her first wedding cake.

“It was for my second brother’s wedding. The cake had three tiers and was covered with white royal icing.”

A garland of flowers made from flower paste on a three-tier dummy cake.

Today she bakes frequently: breads, cakes and cookies. Occasionally, she gets orders for wedding and birthday cakes, and other special-occasion cakes, mostly from friends.

“I enjoy baking as I derive pleasure from experimenting with new things,” says Foo.

Friends who know her well book her up to one year in advance to make their wedding cakes.

Come July, Foo will be making a two-tier wedding cake that will be covered with real red roses, and an additional seven large 5kg cakes that will be cut up and distributed among guests.

Foo likes a challenge when it comes to baking.

“The more difficult the cake design, the better for me,” she says.

She bakes her fruit cakes six weeks ahead and works on decorations for the cakes three weeks prior to the big day. Closer to the day, she would cover the cakes with fondant icing and start decorating them.

Foo picked up tips from cookbooks and took lessons in making flower paste.

“When I first started out, one customer told me that my fondant icing was too hard and could not be cut. It had too much gelatine. I started experimenting and came up with a softer fondant icing,” says Foo.

Delicious cakes without proper presentation would be a shame. So Foo doesn’t just bake and deliver the cakes, she makes sure they get noticed, too.

“I get upset when caterers do not have proper tables to display the cakes. So now I bring my own tablecloth and table just in case,” adds Foo.

Passionate about her craft: ‘The more difficult the cake design, the better for me,’ says Esther Foo.

She buys cookbooks to keep abreast of the latest techniques in baking and cake decorating. To date she has more than 200 cookbooks. Her customers get to flip through her cookbooks and make their pick before she proceeds to make their dream cakes.

A year ago, her daughter, Michelle Melissa Foo, 24, a final-year business administration student, started taking an interest in cake decoration and is learning from her.

In her younger days, Foo would help her mother with the baking. “My mum would place her cake tin in a huge pot with sand that would be heated by firewood underneath. The pot would be covered by a lid and topped with hot coals (for top heat).

“The cakes all turned out very nicely,” says Foo who is married to a Chinese. Her late father hailed from Madras, south India, and her late mother from Sri Lanka.

The second youngest in a family of 10 children (five boys and five girls), Foo moved to Kuala Lumpur in 1977. Her four sisters are all good cooks and she learns from them, too.

Foo has self-published two cookbooks containing an assortment of recipes: Simply Delightful in 2000, and Heritage Cookbook last year. Her second cookbook is selling like hot cakes. A developer recently bought 100 autographed copies to give to house buyers.

“I came out with the cookbooks to preserve family recipes that have been handed down the generations,” says Foo.

She also included recipes from her parents: Papa’s Unique Dodol, a sticky cake made from black pulut flour, coconut milk, ghee and cashew nuts, and Mama’s Toffee, a sweet treat for Christmas made with evaporated milk, castor sugar, butter and cashew nuts. Foo also included recipes which won her prizes in cooking competitions.

Esther Foo can be reached at 017-887 3177.

South African Idol Auditions

One down, one to go

I just came back from my Strategic Management exam. It was good! Walked into the hall with such a calmness and peace.. Was so touched last night and this morning as I woke up to messages from my cellies wishing me all the best for my exams.. They even sent me verses which really spoke to me.. I love you guys!

Had to answer 2 questions.. Manage to remember all that I studied for those 2 topics.. PTL!! Thank you Jesus for coming through..

Last paper on Wednesday..

Check out STAR newspaper tomorrow.. Mum's cookbook will be featured in it..