Applelic'ous Jam

The apples that I made enzyme with a few months ago been crying out attention since I've finish consume the juice. So, what can you do with the apple-cubes if not jam? Kekeke... It's pretty easy to do and the process doesn't take long either. Just about 30minutes, I'm all done cooking it. Here are the ingredients I used....

*Chopped Apples*

*Cinnamon Ground; this is only available in my fridge*
*Mom asked me to used up all the packed-sugars collected from the Hotels but end-up, I didn't used them because the white sugar from the container is sufficient to sweeten my apple portion*

*1 teaspoon of butter, I simply just used any that is available because I think it helped to glaze the apple from burning while it's on high heat*

*Add the apples into a non-stick pan; Add the same amount of water as the apple portion. In my case is 1 cup of apples and 1 cup of water. Top it with 1 teaspoon of Butter*

*This is after 10 minutes stirring it on high heat. Water dried up and butter melted. When you started seeing it boiling and bubbles, reduced the heat and put it to simmer. Smashed up the apples and add the sugar. After the sugar melted, you can dash some cinnamon ground / powder to your liking. I like the cinnamon aroma.*

*Scoop the jam into mini-beer mug as I've no idea the amount I cooked can fit into what sizes of glass container, so I can only play around with the glass-containers. Leave them to cool while I cleaned up the cookery utensils and pan.*

*Isn't this look simply applelic'ous??*

*Last but not least, chilled it in the fridge.*

I should think the apple jam goes very well with a hot-toast bread.

Goat Milk Diet Kicks Off...

Since several months back, I'm getting very frequent skin rashes especially on my legs. Initially, it was just at my two feet many years back but now, it took a turn and added more upwards to my legs. And most recently, even some parts of my body and arms. *stressed* Tried many lotions and oilments and even stopped lots of seafood but seems situation is not getting any better.

So, Mom suggested I take back goat's milk and see whether my skin condition will improve. We used to get goat's milk fresh from the goat-farm whereby the India uncle will deliver to our house and Mom has to heat up the milk every morning supposely to kill the germs & bacteria before I drink it and for me, the taste & smell are tolerable. The idea of warm milk every morning was not very satisfying so this time around, Mom found a better & easier supplier! Here, every Saturday at the wet market, a lady sells pasteurized goat's milk. Yipee! Cost wise... it has increased tremendously since about 2-3 years back. Now, it's RM5 for 200ml.

Mom bought one bottle for me to try last week and it tasted alright and acceptable. So, this week, Mom got me 5 bottles and I'm suppose to start drinking it every morning from today onwards. And the lady told my mom, she can get them to deliver to our house but I think we have to purchase a minimum of 12 bottles per delivery. So, I tried to call the number given to me but nobody picks up since last week. Strange... Guessed, have to miss a few days without goat's milk then until next coming Saturday to purchase a week's supply.

And this morning, my breakfast are goat's milk and egg tart. *Yummie* Empty bottle from last Sunday's consumption. Pretty bottle but label is pre-printed so, can't actually recycle the milk bottle to be use for other function. Mom checked with the lady this morning, she said can sell back for Rm0.20 per empty bottle. Kekeke... better than nothing!

West End Stars in Concert

Jaime invited me to go with her for this concert about a month ago. This is the second time Jaime asked me to go with her to watch / hear Stephen Rahman-Hughes (Bombay Dreams) live. Of course, Stephen was even more popular this year with the movie Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa debut that I wanted to support our own Malaysian made movie by KRU but since it's in Malay, I changed my mind. But, this time around, there are two other hunks too; Simon Bailey (Les Miserables) and Ramin Karimloo (Phantom of the Opera). Honestly, I've never watch any of the famous musical play because growing up & studying in Malaysia has not exposed me to any of this famous musical play due to many reasons. Not only the tickets are superb expensive but also, they don't come to Malaysia!

I remembered I couldn't afford Mamma Mia but the movie was good enough to watch. And Beauty & the Beast was a free ticket that Jaime invited me along. So, yup... I enjoyed that at KL Conventional Centre.

West End Stars was in Istana Budaya and first timer here, felt the place is tradisionally old and the carpet has that misty smell too. So upon entering the building, my eyes are darting everywhere trying to look for a familiar celebrity or a friend that I know. But... nah... no one. Collected our tickets and we headed our way up to where we should. Honestly, I was a little lost and all I did was just tagged along Jaime's back. She was quick with her steps.

Due to a bad traffic jam, the concert started late as they needed to wait for the VVIPs I guessed. So, while waiting, I took a few shots and play around with my camera settings... while checking at the same time that the ushers are not around to stop me.

Signboards were up saying no photograph and recording and etc... But, before the concert starts, the MC announced that everything is possible, you can take lots of photos and lots of video and blog and twitt about it *chuckled*. So, I was back busy-ing taking some snap shots from the cheapest-seat we bought. From my seat, the three men were just the size of 2cm to me so guessed only their voice and by zooming my camera can allow me to see a better size of them but yet, it's blurry...

I'm surprised they asked us to stand up for the Negara-Ku.

Yet another surprise for the night was Jacyln Victor's appearance and duet with Stephen.

The night just full of surprises; they ended with a Malay song that I've never heard it before but according to Jaime, it's an old-timer.

Personally feels that the backup dancers are a bit too fleshy and not sexy. Maybe, this is Malaysia and so they are not allowed to reveal too much skin. The seat we had, several times the lightings were aim right at my eyes!! Are they trying to blind us who can't really afford the tickets?! Tonight, I'm not here to blog about how awesome they are but merely just how I feel about the overall event and the place. I thought I could mingle around a little after the concert but Jaime is in a rush to go back to her beloved at home. I had better time in Stephen's solo-concert in DFP a year back.

Links: News Straits Times article & A lucky winner's blog

Saxophone Concert with Sam Hsaio

Any musical instrument or play or concert would have my attention any day or any time if I could attend as long as it's not too pricey. What more when this concert is FOC? How amazing this is, right? First, I invited Yen Lin with me but because of her work schedule, she was unable to attend. Was delighted on Friday night that Dad said he is keen provided I'm too :D Then, Bro said he is going too on Saturday morning... Just wished Mom could have come with us too. She missed it!

Took some video clips but it won't be the same being presence in the concert rather than watching the video on a screen. A little introduction of the saxophonist...

Bro. Sam Hsiao - a multi-awarded Christian saxophonist from Taiwan also known as Mr Saxophone shared his music and life-testimony in our church tonight. In the beginning, his testimony was making some people laughed but personally, I felt sad hearing it. He plays saxophone to earn money as he said he did it for Ah-Mei and the other famous singers before and he stopped after his marriage failed; he turned to God and since blow hymns. His mom disowned him when he became a Christian. He came from very troubled family with his dad being a drug addict that goes in and out of the rehabilitation center when he was growing up. And after his marriage failed, he lost everything from family to all the world materialistic items in his life. But, Praised the Lord he trusted God and He has since bring him around. Sadly, two of his brothers got themselves into acholic and they passed away several years ago. Her sister was depressed and tried to commit suicide by jumping from the tall building but did not died and just paralyzed and needed her mom to take care of her. The saddest thing that he said really make my heart aches when I heard it was; his mom passed away 3 days ago but because he needed to finish his tour; he won't go back for his mom's funeral until the tour ended. After all this that has happened to him and his family and how he touches his mom by taking care of her during her bed-ridden time, his mom has finally come out of her senses and accepted him back. Once again, Praised the Lord! How can we not be grateful for the reunion of this mother & son?

CLIP #1


CLIP #2


CLIP #3

The concert ended with him informing us of his various CDs on sale and we can actually get his autograph too. I squeezed my way thru the counter that sells the CDs and asked Dad for his opinion on which CD to purchase as it's all in Mandarin characters. Got one for RM30 and rushed back to the front pupit where Mr Sam is with Rev. Yeo talking. Surprisingly, I was the first person to get his autograhp. Kekeke... Love to have a photo shot with him but then, my Bro is not around with me. With feelings of serenidity... I left the church to where my Dad & Bro are waiting.

Can you see the autograph on the CD in black-ink on the left side?

While we were waiting for the cars that are blocking us from leaving the church, Dad took me for a surprised when he said he always wanted to learn to blow a saxophone and he was telling us he saw 1 on sale at the Cash Convertor for a thousand plus ringgit. Hhmmm... can my Dad still have the breath to control and blow a saxophone?

1 Year, 1 Month & 4 Days @ FarmVille

I was looking thru my Blog and I realised that I've ONLY played FarmVille for 1 year plus. It felt so long already though... Today, at Level 74 with 26 x 26 farm size.

This is really funny when I started planting "nanchos" this morning. Supposed it's for the football season but who on earth plants bags of "nanchos"?! Hahaha... when it's ripped, it turns into nanchos chips! Hilarious, FarmVille couldn't figure out other ways to kick-start the football season I think.

Related Post :
(a) Addicted to FarmVille
(b) After 5 hours at FarmVille
(c) 4th Week at FarmVille

Rabbit Origami

Mom & Dad were clearing away the old ang pows and so I decided that I should make Rabbit origami with it tonight. So, I looked up my 900+ pages of Origami ebook and I couldn't find anything I like. Thus, googled it. Several websites are very simplify version so I continue to search for the most complex one that I can find online. Of course, the Expert version is not available for free, one has to buy the book.

***

Ta-Da... Took me about an hour making three origami rabbits.

Then, playing around with the camera... with two other shots. Yeah... Obviously, I don't have the skills to take pictures...

Mini Pond to welcome Year 2011

Finally, I could assemble an old-2nd-hand mini pond that I wanted to do it so much. After much tears & anger; it's worth it! You won't belief it if I tell you that this is in my bedroom...

Took me a while trying to get the water flowing nicely out from the brown vase-pot but then, my brother commented it being too noisy. Then, I've to re-arranged it several times. *phew* Anyway, I'm satisfied so far with the water flow...

**Top View**

**Side View**

I'm suppose to sleep with it tonight and figure out what I want to do futher with the pond... It still has some "room" for some other living creatures...

Should I have tortoise in it?

Should I have koi fish in it?

Should I have tortoise & koi fish in it?

Or leave it as it is??...

But, one thing for sure I need is more greeny plants and maybe a mini flower species that can survive in water... Any recommendation?

Note: A short video I took to hear the water flow.

Christmas Dinner 2010

Chef Lee Junior decided to cook for all of us this year's Christmas dinner. Besides the roast turkey that he claimed can't fit into my mom's microwave and feared that 3 hours of roasting will end the life of the microwave, we decided to purchase it from Euro Deli. I personally don't think it looks tempting with the almost "burned" colour. But, it tasted good especially the filling; it's a favourite for all.

Hahaha, as predicted... I was too hungry when I see the food that I forgotten to take pictures of them all... By the time I remembered, it's dessert time and we have a very good homemade cheesecake by Chef Lee Junior too. *yummie*

The kiddies love the Christmas decorations on the cake and wanted to have a photo shot with it.

Pot Luck @ Canal Garden

Seriously, I can't recall when was the last time, all 8 of us; "F.R.I.E.N.D.S" from MGS gathered for a eating meetup. So, I was ever too delighted to hear the confirmed attendance and with 3 mummies to be... it's just so happy occassion that I was even glad I had my camera with me to capture the moments.

Pot luck was the event and I prepared macaroni cheese salad. With 3 mummies to be concern with, it has to be careful when picking the menus. So, we had the meetup around 11.30-12am @ Siau Wei's house.

Of course as usual, people don't start eating at the instant arrival. Catching up on the mummies with their coming babies... *chuckled* while waiting for the rest to arrive. Wondering who will be the last to arrive and whether it's still the same old record... Hehehe... Nope, this time wasn't!

*Setting up the table & getting ready to eat at around 1.30pm*

*Everything on the table seems "healthy". Kakaka... Tempting too!*

*It's so hard to get them to take a group picture*

**CHEEEESSSEEEEE**

**Time to dig in & eat...

I'm sure the little ones are very hungry by then... **

**Still have desserts, Yoong Han made cup-cakes...*Yummie*

**And Siau Wei bought RT's cake...Yum Yum**

KL Hop On Hop Off

Upon hearing that Yen Lin's plan to come back to Malaysia for two weeks, I asked her if she is interested to tour KL city with me on KL Hop On Hop Off. She agreed and I was delighted. It's embarrassing to announce that, I've never visited many tourist spots of KL and so I thought this bus will be an informative idea to put the start of my KL city experience.

RM19 for Malaysians and it starts from 8.30am till 8.30pm with 22 stops. I'm not promoting their service nor getting any commission but it's good to check out their official website: and also another blogger's website: Cikgu

Since it's a working weekday, I suggested to Yen Lin to overnight at my place so that we can just take the train to KL Sentral from Segambut stop. But, yesterday I heard over the radio news that somewhere there was a de-rail since Monday and maybe, Segambut station will not be the right choice.

We woke up at 7.30am and left for the station by 8am and unfortunately, there was a big crowd at the station and it's informed by the guard, no train arrived yet. Since I got Fazly to wait for us just in case, the only option is to drop us at KL Sentral. On our way there, we got hungry and he suggested we have our breakfast first at the KL Majistret Court. It's a very impressive place from the parking lot and I wanted to see for myself the "stuck-up" lawyers' and their dressing as was described to me. Hehehe... The decision to buy the american breakfast set was total failure and dissapointment. *yucks*

It was about 9am we departed the court and headed to KL Sentral, it was a little jam but the journey wasn't too far away. Initial stage, thought the pick-up point at KL Sentral for KL Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) was at Hilton's lobby as described by the operator whom I rang up to enquire. Once we are at the lobby, we were told it's at the entrance of KL Sentral. So we had to walked all the way up and out. Thank God, the bus came shortly just as we reach the stop; what a delight!

With excitement, boarded the bus and purchased our tickets. As agreed, we want to take 1 full round of the 22 stops and check out where specifically we want to get down to explore. While passing by each stops, I was mentally memorizing the roads and the names in order for my future driving-exploration. And actually, some places are not that difficult to get to and like the Tugu Negara, I actually been to that area for a walkathon which I was not even aware the Tugu Negara was there. *shy* After passing by 4 stops from KL Sentral, they allow us 5 mins break to get down to take pictures of the Dataran Square (stop No.16) and the ever famous historical building; "Sultan Abdul Samad". Early morning, the square is peaceful, quiet and clean.

I was remarkable surprised that the traffic was very clear at 10am. Yen Lin said, "everyone is safely in the office building, working away..." and we are touring KL city, "wohhooo.."

~ Do we look like tourists to KL? *kekeke* ~

At stop No.2, KL Tower also we get about 5 minutes to take snap shots of photos. Since the bas we took has an open-deck at the back so I decided to sit there to get some breeze and morning sun after we left the KL Tower as the crowd that was previously busy-ing away-clicking photos have already return into the aircond section. It wasn't too bad the morning air, it was still acceptable by my sensitive-nose.

~ Picture taken while we at the open-deck having KLCC tower as our background ~

When we saw from the pamplet that Stop No.5 is Karyaneka, we thought we get down and make a quick-peep into the crafty-shop before another bus which comes to the same stop after 30 minutes. Without our realisation, we took longer time admiring the crafts, potteries and batik in the shop and we missed the next bus that passes by just as we came out from the shop when we saw the bus turned the corner of the road out of sight!

Since the next stop No.6; Bintang Walk was familiar to us, we went on foot and since Yen Lin has never been to Pavillion, we checked it out and have our lunch there too. Honestly, it's never easy to get economy food in Pavillion! But, one should NOT missed trying the mini-tray cheesecake in The Loaf. So far, the best that I had was in Langkawi but this is definitely not to be missed. It's a divine-melt-in-the-tougue dessert that both Yen Lin and I shared together.

Stop No.6 is actually in front of Piccolo Galleria; between Lot 10 & KL Plaza, so we waited there for a while and the guy there came to chit chat with us. He thought we were students from overseas and he spoke English to us in the beginning. Asking a few questions and blaaa... We hopped on back to the bus and continue our tour.

At stop No.10; National Palace, this time, there is a longer stop of 15 minutes for photo-taking. And "wow" the crowd was huge with other tourist buses parked nearby too. Some kids were even trying to annoy the horse. Seriously, other than the guard on the horse, I don't find this place that attractive and I just wonder why there are such a big crowd... One can't really see the palace from the gate either.

Yen Lin wanted to stop at the parks, so we got down near the Butterfly park and we found out the entrance fee is too costly and we decided to check out the KL Bird Park instead. We paid for our tickets - RM20, if I have my Jusco card with me, I could enjoy a 50% discount. Just too bad I did not have it with me co-incidently.

Unfortunately, Yen Lin's camera had it's battery lasted till National Palace and mine was long gone since the morning, we couldn't take anymore pictures after this. Nevertheless, KL Bird Park was worth the visit. I even get to see my all time favourite, "chicks". So cute and adorable... always wanted to have one as a pet but of course, when it grew into a hen, you will not want it around too long. Kakaka...

After the parks, we hop back on to the bus, and we were stuck in "after-working-hours traffic-jam" on our 2nd round of the full circle since we wanted to go back to KL Sentral and due to stuck in the bus for more than 1 hour and feeling so hungry, we decided to hop out of the bus at Petaling Street for dinner. We couldn't really decided what to eat so, we along the street to have a look around and settled down for claypot-chicken rice. We had some really weird encounter with one of the aunt who sells drinks who somehow wants to "decide" on where we should sit and insisted us to sit at the table we do not want to sit. Gosh; kind of a grumpy woman too! Then, I realised, "gwailo" that come to eat at that area also being treated very weirdly by the same aunty. And then, her daughter got into an arguement with the "gwailo" due to the size of the drink that was wrongly gave.

Thru this trip, I even know where is the "porky" diner that Kien Tat mentioned and wanted to ask me to go once and this street has very interesting diners & pubs. One day, Yen Lin and I will come here for good food!

Well, if you are Malaysian travelling around any states in Malaysia, do remember to bring your MyKad everywhere you go. We get special rebates from all the admission fees & tickets.

Special Thanks to Yen Lin for taking all the pictures (as much as your batteries could last).

Lesson I learned; always carry my camera's battery charger with me whenever I've my camera too!