Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
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..
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tired
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..
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Relaxing in Ipoh
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..
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
MERDEKA!
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..
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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.
Monday, May 25, 2009
One down, one to go
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..
Saturday, May 23, 2009
In 2 days..
25/5/09 - Strategic Management
27/5/09 - Strategic Human Resource Planning
Pray along with me?
Am I prepared? Well, I've been studying.. but I still need to read up a bit..
Lord please grant me the concentration and perseverance even I as continue reading up.. That your peace will fill my heart and wisdom fill my mind.. Help me to grasp and understand what is being read..
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Interesting Read from NYT on Idol
America chose sweetness over sizzle, small-town reticence over Vegas swagger, or as Ryan Seacrest put it, the guy next door over “the guyliner.”
It’s possible that “American Idol” viewers’ selection of Kris Allen over Adam Lambert says something about the mood and mores of the country, that viewers are too conformist to anoint a sassy, androgynous individualist. Then again, maybe not: Mr. Allen’s victory may merely reflect the voters’ conventional taste in pop music.
The choice of Mr. Allen, revealed during the two-hour finale on Fox on Wednesday night, wasn’t a breakthrough decision, even if a record 100 million votes were cast. The winsome Mr. Allen sings well, but he sounds like a lot of other good singers. Mr. Lambert, who tops his singing with a soulful screech somewhere between the blues and a smoke alarm, was like no one else.
But it isn’t necessary to seek deeper meaning in the finale; it’s the “American Idol” franchise itself that best speaks to the state of the nation.
“American Idol” matters not just as a pop culture phenomenon, but as an institution that works — with scary efficiency — at a time when so many other American enterprises seem flawed or imperiled. It stands out this season in particular: “American Idol” is a money-making machine in the middle of a worldwide recession, an old-fashioned must-see television hit at a time when the Internet and cable have eaten away at the networks’ hegemony.
It was a little sad to see all of the 13 “Idol” contestants, reunited and singing and dancing, “I Will Remember” in the service of the Ford Fusion. (Mr. Lambert and Mr. Allen each got a free car.) If only Ford could make and sell its cars as well as “American Idol” makes promotional videos to sell its sponsor, the economy might be in better shape.
The battle between Kris and Adam was one of the best, not just because these finalists were so gifted and such good foils, but because the “American Idol” engine is so fine-tuned. The finale, a two-hour exercise in delaying gratification, was as star-studded as an Academy Awards ceremony (Steve Martin, KISS, Cyndi Lauper and Keith Urban), but faster-paced and more fun.
The whole season went as smoothly. Even a feisty fourth judge, the songwriter Kara DioGuardi, didn’t disrupt the commedia dell’arte routine perfected by Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. There were early expectations of a catfight between the two women, but most of the hissing centered on Mr. Cowell.
His digs at Ms. DioGuardi were acid — notably his disdain for the histrionic pop song “No Boundaries,” which she co-wrote and which Mr. Allen had to sing after he won. Ms. DioGuardi got her chance to upstage Mr. Cowell — and Katrina Darrell, a k a Bikini Girl — on Wednesday night. Ms. DioGuardi joined the infamous rejected contestant on stage and ripped open her dress to reveal a flash of bikini of her own — for charity, she said.
Usually, it’s Ms. Abdul’s weird behavior and odd statements that draw all the scrutiny. Ms. Abdul coyly sat out most of the season’s drama. She was so suspiciously eloquent this season that on Wednesday she was honored with a quick-edit montage of her pronouncing, with a bit of struggle, words like “instinctual” and “authenticity.”
Year after year, contestants display not just talent and poise, but a remarkable adaptability to the roles assigned to them: Mr. Allen never fell out of character as the humble, earnest country boy from Arkansas; Mr. Lambert always maintained his confident, good-humored aplomb. “American Idol” finalists stay on message in dressing rooms, airplanes and in the denouement. “It feels good,” Mr. Allen said. “But Adam deserves this.”
But it’s the relentlessness of the salesmanship that is really striking — the iTunes link, thematically appropriate promotional recaps on the Web site (“moments that made you smile” sponsored by Crest) and the seamless product placement — every pretaped scene of contestants going home is artfully positioned in front of an AT&T store. Coca-Cola is on the set (quite literally, with huge company logos as backdrops). On Wednesday, State Farm Insurance pulled out all the “American Idol” stops with a musical montage of heart-wrenching American tableaus — cancer walks, Katrina reconstruction, helping the disabled — to the tune of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There.”
Yet the show’s brash commercialism is cut with “Idol Gives Back” philanthropy — appeals for donations by pop stars that last season raised more than $60 million. This season, Alicia Keys introduced a 15-year-old Rwandan rapper Noah who performed to help raise money for the Keep A Child Alive foundation.
The show is bigger than its parts. It’s a knockoff of a British talent competition that has become the apotheosis of American pop entertainment. It’s a live show so elaborately edited and overly produced that it seems taped, yet at the same time, this formulaic series still manages to look spontaneous even in its eighth iteration.Monday, May 18, 2009
Secret Barnabas launched in Cell
SB has really evolve in cell though with the Barnabas first blessing their Barnabee... With others just commenting on different Barnabas' posts.. It's been such a joy reading all the encouragements.. I'm happy that we've launched into it as I believe that many of the cellies' lives will be touched through it..
We're also gonna be placing a box at cell for Barnabas-es to leave their gifts for their Barnabee-s..
I hope that all my cellies will play their part and encourage their Barnabee.. so that we don't have some Barnabas-es just continously encouraging their Barnabee but not receiving any encouragement in return..
Have a read: www.stillaslame.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 14, 2009
FINALE
The feeling is just absolutely superb!!!
I've just got to study for 2 more papers:-
25/5/09 - Strategic Management
27/5/09 - Strategic Human Resource Planning
Praying for wisdom and understanding in preparing for these two papers.. Wisdom to also manage my time well.. Peace to guard my heart and favour to just go before me.. Lord prepare the way for me.. There's no way I can complete this without You.. Thank you for guiding me and bringing me through this far..
People that Make Me Smile
In the evening, I met up with a dear friend.. I'm glad I said yes to going out with her cos it's just been too long.. She needed help to look for something.. so we had a really good time shopping and just chatting away.. I never thought that I would grow to care and love her this much.. But I thank God for bringing her into my life.. She has just been the sister I never had! =) Love you babe!
Oh and I absolutely love the movie '10 Things I Hate About You'... I know I know it's pretty random.. But I just watched it again 2 days ago after many years.. And just absolutely absolutely loved it!!!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I saved RM25!
So I picked out all the cards and bookmarks I wanted.. In total I had chosen 19 cards and 26 bookmarks.. She said I'll just take RM10 from you cos these are all old stock.. She hasn't made any new ones for sometime.. We had another session of me telling her I should pay her more and her refusing.. In the end, I just paid her RM20 for them..
I collect some stamps myself.. And have a lot of different types of paper stocked up.. I used to make cards like these when I was younger.. Maybe I should do them again? Stampings' fun and it's easy.. It just cost a LOT!!!! Maybe I could just collect them a lil' at a time.. Then I won't feel the pinch..
Oh well, we'll see how it goes after I finish my studies.. I would more time on my hands then..
Maybe one of you'll receive the card/bookmark? =)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Movie Review: Star Trek & Mothers' Day
I was not much of a big Star Trek fan.. But when I heard of the remake of it, I thought.. hmm maybe I'll go and watch it.. Just for the fun of it... Mum has been a big fan for the longest time and she was really looking forward to it.. My uncle managed to get tickets for his whole family, my family and for my grandma.. I loved it!!!! I was just at the edge of my seat the whole time..Now I'm a huge Star Trek fan!! Can't wait for Part II..
Michelle's Rating : 9.2/10.0
It's been a really nice day.. Took my mum out for high tea.. although the food at the hotel seemed to have dropped standard, I had a good time out with mum.. We also got some free pampering courtesy of the hotel..
I'm really grateful because my relationship with my mother has certainly come to a different level.. She is such a loving, supportive and amazing mother.. I love her so much!!! Not to mention, she bakes and cooks really really well!! =)
May God continue to grant your heart's desires Mummy..
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Secret Barnabas Cont'
Dear Michelle...
Thanks for sharing so openly yesterday and being transparent about how you feel about serving. I'm learning so much from you and your life. Your strength and excitement is contagious. Keep it up!
Loves,
SB
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Lobster & Balance
Thank you for the gift SB =)
Was just reflecting on times in my life to see if I have a balance in withdrawing and welcoming..
Do I have a welcoming spirit?
Do I make time to withdraw after a victory?
Do I make time to withdraw to just be soaked in God's presence and be refreshed?
How do I create a balance if there are needs to be met in the ministry but also at home?
Oh Lord, grant me the wisdom and guide me through..
Also learnt a very important lesson.. As I continue to walk in obedience, God will release blessings and perform miracles..
Help me Lord to be obedient to You..
but sometimes, it's just so hard..