1 day to Christmas 7 days to 2008

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and have a wonderful year ahead!!!
How is everyone celebrating their Christmas and New Year?

For me, today is Christmas eve and I am still at work.. well.. was going to cook a luxury Christmas meal for my family tomorrow.. ha ha... gotten lazy now plus all of us are on diet. So the celebration is postponed and we will be doing New Year's eve BBQ! ^_^ YEAH!!!!

So, how about new year resolutions?
Mine will be......

1. be a better person
2. loose 20kg
3. sleep more
4. do more charity work

"I am Legend"

Have quite a bit of discussion with hubby, friends, blog mates and cousins about this movie.
Well.. i admit that i went to watch it just for Will Smith. Hmm.. he is just too skinny in this movie.. but fit the role. Wow.. the muscles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway.. back to the movie.. hmm.. weird one. I have my eyes closed most of the time because it was just too scary! Ok.. i am just not very good with scary movies... =p
There are lots of questions about the movie.. but hey.. don't be too logic when you watch movies right? hee.. if you analyse it too much.. there is no fun watching a fiction movie anymore!! Right?!

Still.. i would like to know.. how did Anna and Ethan managed to get to NY island when all routes were destroyed?!?!?!?!?!


Looking forward for National Treasure 2.. .. this Sat.

Wait no more...

I have received THE phonecall i was waiting.. ha ha ha.. mwah ha ha ha... and as The Tearoom Baker said: "things always happened when you least expected it". It is true. I was actually taking a nap when my mobile rang. Hee..

Now.. although the wait is over for THE phonecall.. but it is a new waiting.. now i am waiting for THE letter. So meanwhile, i will take the advice.... play scrabulous!

Waiting...

Waiting is one of the feeling which is not happy and not sad.. but at the same time can be sad or happy and quite difficult as the time will slow down... just as the saying: "watching the paint dry". Gosh.. it is quite painful to do that.. waiting can also closely related to Einstein theory of relativity.. it all comes down to how you feel... waiting for 5 minutes can feel like an hour! or a second...

Sigh.. i am still waiting.. for that one phone call.. wondering when it will come... i am constantly staring at my mobile.. glance that direction.. check whether it is working.. jumped everytime it rings but dissapointed that it was not THE call i am waiting...

Still waiting...

中國文學

Got the following poem from a friend. Of all the languages, I do think Chinese has its unique beauty and depth which is not difficult to not appreciate. Chinese poems espeically can be very touching (and sometimes hard to understand) and you can't help but praise the intelligent of Chinese language. For those chinese-able reader out there. This is for you!

上海自來水來自海上

順著唸跟倒著唸都一樣...不過現在已經不算什麼了!
以下這個才是超強....這是一首丈夫寫給獨守閨房的妻子的詩：

枯眼望遙山隔水，往來曾見幾心知；
壺空怕酌一杯酒，筆下難成和韻詩。
途路阻人離別久，訊音無雁寄回遲；
孤燈花守長寥寂，夫憶妻兮父憶兒。

有沒有發現一件事？

從後面一個字一個字唸回來，變成妻子憶夫的詩：

兒憶父兮妻憶夫，寂寥長守花燈孤；
遲回寄雁無音訊，久別離人阻路途。
詩韻和成難下筆，酒杯一酌怕空壺；
知心幾見曾來往，水隔山遙望眼枯。


實在是太神奇了。

Feeling nostalgic

Wanted to write a blog about feeling nostalgic, but I can't bring my brain to work properly.
The feeling is like thinking back to the old times which you know that they will not come back but you have spent it fruitfully.. no regrets.. however you still wish you can relive those moments.

I especially feel so after I have read one of my friend's blog article (You will need to be able to read Chinese to understand this). I really do know how he feels.. as I was reading his article.. I also feel like crying sentimentally.

Dosage

Saw a theory on "Dosage" on a friend's blog of The Tearoom Baker's blog. Very interesting and love the concept!!!

Butterflies in the stomach?

There is this english saying: "butterflies in the stomach" to describe nervous feeling when you are about to "face the music" (exams, interviews, answering summon from your boss, walking down the aisle of your wedding..etc). I would really like to know who and how this saying originated as it is very accurately describe the nervous + nausea feeling. Esepcially when you are about to have a job interview the same day afternoon whereby this job determines your happiness for the rest of your life... I am feeling exactly like this... interview this afternoon...wish me luck!!!!

What have I achieved so far? How about you? Have you ever wonder?

GOSH!!!!

No wonder The Baker is complaining that my blog is non-existing! I didn't realise I have been so lagging behind. HA... my last entry was dated 8 October 2007! More than one month ago! YEEK! Sorry ah, The Baker! I am here now...
What have I been up to? Well.. Busy lor...
Doing What? Ha.. good question! I have no idea.. It seems that the last month has passed by just at a blink of an eye!

I like to reflect back and actually asked myself: "What have I achieved so far?" Hmm...

5 mins have passed....
I don't think I can pin point anything significant. Other than.. finding the super cool shop that sells reasonable price beauty products, aka Faceshop! HA HA.. if you can call this an achievement.
Actually, I am more settled in my job.. still would like to change job but at least I don't hate coming to work anymore (who am I kidding?! Ok.. rephrase.. I don't hate coming to work that intense anymore).
Hmm.. are these the only achievements?!

another 5mins have passed ....
DUH!!! I really should do more with my time.. I can't report anymore...
How about you?!?!

The Story of A Diamond Ring

Wow.. 2 blog entries from MasterChef in one day? Ha ha ha.. enjoy while you can.
I got the following story emailed to me by my uncle.. find that it is very touching.. hence would like to share with all of you...

Hope you will enjoy and be blessed with this story...

A married lady was expecting a birthday gift from her husband. For many months she had admired a beautiful diamond ring in a showroom, and knowing her husband could afford it, she told him that was all she wanted.

As her birthday approached, this lady awaited signs that her husband had purchased the diamond ring. Finally, on the morning of her birthday, her husband called her into his study room.Her husband told her how proud he was to have such a good wife, and told her how much he loved her.He handed her a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, the wife opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the wife's name embossed in gold. Angrily, she raised her voice to her husband and said, "With all your money
you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving her husband.

Many years passed and the married lady was very successful in business. She managed to settle for a more beautiful house and a wonderful family, but realized her ex-husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should go to visit him. She had not seen him for many years. But before she could make arrangements, she received a telegram telling her that her ex-husband
had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to her. She needed to come back immediately and take care of things.When she arrived at her ex-husband's house, sudden sadness and regretfilled her heart.

She began to search through her ex-husband's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as she had left it years ago.With tears, she opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Her ex-husband had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, "And if you, being evil know
how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly
Father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?"As she read those words, a tiny package dropped from the back of the Bible. It had diamond ring with her name engraved on it, the same diamond ring which she saw at the showroom. On the tag was the date of her birth, and the words......

'LUV U ALWAYS'

How many times do we miss the blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for...

If your gift is not packed the way you want it, it's because it is better packed that way! We almost always assume things according to our experience and without looking more closely we jump into conclusion.

We almost always look at the negative (inperfection) parts of the other party rather than looking at his/her good parts.

We almost always like to go back to things already passed when an arguement broke up, rather than looking at the present moment.

We almost always blame the other party for all the faults and our suffering, rather than looking at ourselves.

So.. think deeply before jumping into conclusion too soon and don't regret like the lady in the story.

"Listening to wives more curbs nagging, says expert"

HAAAAAA... this title caught my eye when I was reading the newspaper this morning. Actually, my hubby pointed it out to me as well... so what is this about?

According to this article it states that "if men would listen more, their wives will nag less". I do wonder whether this piece of article is written by a male or female reporter? The name on this piece of article is "M. Krishnamoorthy".... hmm.. difficult to judge by just the initial.

Just a couple of weeks ago, there was also another piece of article that caught my interest. That was about how to not be so stress. Out of 10 ways (i think.. can't remember the number very well), one of the ways is to nag more. Apparently nagging is a way to de-stress. So.. the question here is.. will the person being nagged get the stress? Some male colleagues of mine seems to think so when I open this discussion last week. The theory given to me by one of my male colleague is that: "women has a certain quota of "speaking words" that she needs to meet during the day, if she didn't meet this quota.. she nags. So let her nags.. it is for the peace of your household and your family life". So.. what if it is the husband who nags? Hmm.. the female populations seems to get all the blame at this "nagging" department.

For those husbands/boyfriend out there.. I do strongly suggest you take the advice written in this article.. that is:

Paying attention to the wife can reduce the level of nagging and result in good marital relationship. When your wife shouts at you to go away, when she says go away, stand still and listen to her woes. Then get closer to her and, if she cries, embrace her.

I think this is really a good advice.. a lot of times, what we really need.. are a good listener, a good cry and a bear hug.

Do I nag? Well... you will have to ask my husband.. ;-)

Change of Blog template

Got bored with brown/beige... need a change.... I think it suits the theme well.. the template name is "harbor".. quite nice for the blog name "The Journey". Don't you think?

Now reading Archive - Electronic Materials Science

Well, I need to study for the course that I need to teach from 16/10/07 to 1/12/07. The course I am teaching is "Electronics Engineering Materials", hence I borrowed this book from the Uni's library, author is Eugene A. Irene.

What is this about? According to the info printed behind:....

"A thorough Introduction to fundamental principles and applications. From its beginnings in metallurgy and ceramics, materials science now encompasses such high-tech fields as microelectronics, polymers, biomaterials, and nanotechnology. Electronic Materials Science presents the fundamentals of the subject in a detailed fashion for a multidisciplinary aurience. Offering a higher-level treatment than an undergraduate textbook provides, this text benefits students and practitioners not only in electronics and optical materials science, but also in additional cutting edge fields like polymers and biomaterials...."

Well.. I think you get the idea.. ^_^

SMS culture...

SMS is known as text messages inUK. If you use SMS in UK.. most people probably won't know what you are talking about! Anyway, I find that there is certainly a strong SMS culture in Malaysia. Regardless of whether you are young (as young as 8 perhaps)... teenagers (especially!!!).. in your 20s... 30s... even 60s!!

Does your parents sms?

Mine do.. both my side and my hubby's.
My mom is the funny one.. she only receives but does not return. Ha.. she will only give you a miss call to acknowledge your text. Works perfectly in my household. ^_^
My mother in law is an expert in texting..

So i was saying.. all ages do SMS. Actually sometimes i would thought only female population does more texting.. but i am totally mistaken! Guys do to!!! Just not those i know in UK.

**opps.. i see that i have revert back to using text instead of SMS.. well you know what i am talking about anyway...


Yesterday I received a bunch of squares from my aunt. It looks like this..

"c c c c c c , c c c c , c c c c c ,
c c c c c c c c c c c c c ,
c c c c c c ,
c c c c c c c c c c ,
c c c c c c c c ,
c c c c c c ,
c c c c c , c c c c c"


So.. i replied to her...

Me: "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.. Why did you send me a bunch of squares?"

Puzzled? Well.. the reason is my handphone (known as mobile in UK, cellphone is USA) is UK made.. so i have yet to set it to view Chinese characters!...

Oh.. and i am also getting use to the text language.. the list so far:

gud = good
w = with
brb = be right back
ppl = people
wat = what
wen = when
2 = to/too/the number 2 (can be used as 2morrow=tomorrow=tmr)
4 = for/4 (can be used as b4=before)
aft = after
tmr = tomorrow
n = and
hse = house (but can also be interpreted as horse)
de = already

Well.. you get the idea.. the list goes on and on... but i am lazy to list all of them out.. i am sure i can google the list.. but well.. where is the fun in that? HA HA HA
My aunt send me an sms with this short abbreviateion "chk" haven't figured out what this is yet...

Tedious, Long and Frustrating...

Hi Hi.. sincerely apologies to my readers, especially The Baker for not updating my blog for such a long time. Reasons? Ha.. more like excuses.. lazy.. no time.. no proper internet connection... taken over by Facebook!!!......etc etc.. etc...

Now.. speaking of internet connection, this link to today's blog.. "Tedious, Long and Frustrating".. AKA I want to tell you about our (Malaysia) "dearest" broadband provider.
I am sure those of you out there whom have broadband connection at home know well "who" I am referring to..... ha ha ha... =D

Ok.. the facts:
1. It is the only broadband provider
2. Its call center is just as the name implies.. Only for CALLS! Can't help you! and not helpful..
3. It is "so good" in technical information.. so good that their website is so not user friendly. Do they expect everyone to be computer nerds? Or is it just me who felt like "dumb blonde" (no offence to blondes =p) when I visited that website?
4. It is a dracula.. just not hungry for blood but money.

Well.. my problem with it? Very simple.. it cannot deliver the goods and service to the standard they should have.

WOW.. this blog has turn into a moaning blog.. haiz.. sorry sorry... but well, you get what I mean.. so my readers.. if you have the capital and "power" PPPLLLLEEEAAASSSSEEEEEEEEE open another or even better a few broadband providersssssss.. the current problem is.. currently they monopolised the sector!

Next blog..."The Journey Home", date and time of realease=soon. So remember to tune in ^_^

Which College Major Should You Be?

I tried this quiz at brainfall and wow.. so accurate????? SCARY! Here are the results of the quiz....

	Your major should be Engineering. Logic is your friend. With enough work, you can find a solution to anything... Unless it involves dating or parties.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Korean Surprise party

I was given a surprise party on Saturday! It was great!

I have always loved to throw surprise party for my friends and family. Never thought that anyone can outwit me to throw me one. Main reason is not really because I am really smart, but just simply because I have a suspicious mind. Anything out of ordinary... I will tend to suspect that it is fishy. Or I also can say that because I have never thought that my hubby would keep me in the dark! HA! Smart move! I have to highly praise Doris for managing to carry this out! She is really a very good friend. She knows what I like and how I like things to be done.

I did suspect something is afoot... it all started in end of June (yes, apparently this has been planned for a long time) that Sam came in to spoke to Doris. And quickly they have gone out of the office. Hmm.. I did thought it was strange but didn't suspect anything until I walked into the lab and saw them suddenly changing the subject. Not really because of what I have heard, actually I didn't hear anything at all of their conversation. But more of the fact of the look. Well, it is hard to explained. At first I thought it was a farewell party they are planning. So... I planned a farewell party before they even made a move. Ha.. I thought that I have outwit them! and happy said that.. "In order for others not to have a surprise party for you, plan one yourself BEFORE theirs". Well.. how foolish I was! Kirsty was secretively laughing at me when I proudly told her this statement. HA HA HA HA HA HA...

So all is well, and I didn't suspect anything.. then out of the blue, one email came to me. At the end of the email it said: "I guess I will see you and Alan on this Saturday during the dinner that Doris has organised". HHHHHMMMMMMMM.... now.. INTERESTING I have thought at that time... mainly because of the circle of friends and I would know if Doris is arranging a party. Oh.. but then I thought "Well, of course there is always possibility that Doris knew Alan and I were busy on the Saturday of the dinner she is arranging hence didn't ask us. Perhaps she has asked Alan." This is what I have told myself. So I went to ask Alan about the email ... he said he knows nothing about Doris' dinner. Well... NOW I KNOW THAT HE IS INDEED A GOOD ACTOR!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, so I was happily replying to that email saying that Alan and I are not going to the dinner as we are going to watch Lord of the Rings Musical. You see... Alan has specifically arranged a musical in the afternoon on the Saturday and also insisting that we dine out. Later I found out that apparently when I was replying to this email, Alan zoomed into the kitchen and texted the sender of this email to inform her that the dinner was a surprise and we are attending hence ignore my reply. HA!!! Clever! Also informing Doris that I suspected, and prepared for interrogation from me.

Well, I actually let it passed. Didn't think much of it...So innocent as I am, I didn't suspect anything..... NOT! The idea of a surprise party was playing in my mind.. the more I think.. the more I am convinced that something is not right. But I didn't make too big deal about it nor ask Doris as.. I was struck down by a cold (still coughing a lot!), also there was graduation and meeting up with Tim (still sad to see him left for Taiwan for the 2nd time). On the night of graduation (17th July) we went to Sam's place for a celebratory BBQ and she asked me what I was doing on Saturday. It was a perfectly innocent question but Sam's interrogation reawaken my suspicions.

Saturday came, even though I was still having slight cold we headed off for Lord of the Rings musical at 2pm. Alan insisting that I to dress nicely for dinner as he wants to take pictures. Gosh.. I didn't even suspect anything! The time rolled on.. the musical was very impressive... then we walked around doing some window shopping... and then it is time for dinner. We arrived at this Korean restaurant at central London just off Recent street somewhere between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus stations. Along the street, I was keeping an eye out for anyone I know.. the cars parked along side the road... as I still strongly feel that something is not right...As we walked in, the waiter asked "Do you have a booking?". Alan answered "Yes, under Caroline". So the waiter led us into the restaurant... the deeper we went into the restaurant (passing quite a few empty spaces that can be seated by 2 of us as Alan strongly insisted that he booked the table for 2)... we reached a sliding door. The second before the door opened, I KNEW!!!!!!!!

THEN..... "SURPRISED! SURPRISED!" was all I heard.. sparklers were lighted and I WAS SPEECHLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think Edwin has taken a video... and I must be grinning like a silly women. I was shocked to see who was there! Such a pleasant surprised!... well.. everything else was in a daze... the food was great.. company was excellent and the surprise birthday present was beyond excellent.. it is one of my dream phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I know how good acting skills my friends (and ex-BOSS) have.

While the party was in full swing, I was sitting there looking at my beloved friends, honestly feeling a bit sad. Recently, I have, in numerous times, asked myself whether I really want to leave. There were times I doubt my decision... uncertain about the answer... but .... Yes, I do want to go.. but this doesn't mean that I am not sad. I am happy to go but I am very sad to leave. So my dearest friends, promise me you will come and visit!

Farewell is a strange thing...

According to Oxford English Dictionary, the meaning of "Farewell" is (I quote): "Goodbye, leave taking, departure". Everyone has experience some form of farewell before in their life. Some are happy, for example leaving school for holiday! But, most of the time farewell is sad. I think it is a strange thing. It makes you happy, cry, anxious, sad, sentimental.. and you can feel all these in a second! Don't you think it is strange?


Anyway, I just want to write this post to share with you some of the most touching farewell saying I have received.




My favourite:

"It's really hard to say goodbye to good friends such as you

but, since you're leaving there's not much else to do.

Except to pray for God's blessings as you travel along life's way,

and to wish you good health and happiness increasing day by day.

So, take these blessings with you and be sure to keep in touch,

take care of yourselves-be good to yourselves and remember you'll be missed so much!!

Other favourites:


"We will miss you!!!... but, I shall come and visit you - be prepared =). Allt he best for your future!! Keep in touch"


"You are both irreplacable, we will miss you but hope you are incredibly successful back home and will keep in touch!"


"You deserve all the best for the future. Look forward to visiting you in Malaysia soon"


"Best wishes to you. Thank you very very very much for everything. You are so kind. I will never forget and I really want to be like people like you to help all friends around me."


"Just a little note to say that I'll really miss you!! For all the (FUN) mechanics lectures and your nagging (as you call it) that actually made me pass!!"


"This is to thank you for your support, your good spirit and above all, your friendship which have all helped to value my life here. I wish you every success in yoru future. It has been my pleasure and priviledge to know you both" - this one made me cry a bit when I read it.




AND.. this is the best farewell present, something that I want to buy for sometime, and I am sure The Baker would use it very often ^_^

I actually miss work?! How is it possible?!

It has been 4 days since my last day of work. Strange.. I actually miss work! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?! Well, does this prove that I am a workaholic?! hmm..??!!

What have I done these 4 days? Sleep mainly... and relax. Is it good? Yes.. OH YES! I will recommend this to everyone!
Oh, and I watched Harry Potter - The order of the Phoenix, GREAT MOVIE. Very well cast for Umbridge character! You just want to strangle her or slap her. But this is what her character is and should do.. bring out the hatred in you. HA HA HA... Do you know that it is the same director that did the 1st movie (The Philosopher stone)? I just found out today.. no wonder the feeling is the same. Very magical... the other Harry Potter movies just don't feel magical enough.. especially the previous one The Goblet of Fire.. this one was so cheaply made!!!!
Well, they have fully redeemed themselves on the latest movie. It is, in my opinion, the greatest one yet!

I won't cry!

The day has finally arrived...I had my departmental farewell party today at 4pm. It is strange how I felt, happy, sad, relief, stress... and excited! I have told myself many many times that I won't cry. And actually I didn't! Hee.. quite proud of myself... but it didn't last long, I cried a bit when I read what people have written on my farewell card and James' email.

Well, as my sister, The Baker, said... crying is not all bad!

The Summoner

This book is suprisingly good and relaxing to read. Of course there is nothing relaxing about summoning ghost ...etc, but I always prefer books whereby the hero is superbly powerful and undefeatable, but a but clumsy. Well, the main character here is not yet superbly powerful and undefeatable, he nearly got himself killed!!! Well, but I do highly recommend this book.However, it is only Book One of the Chronicles of the Necromancer by Gail Z. Martin and there is no release date for Book Two. yet!!!The story sypnosis is: "The world of Prince Martris Dryake is thrown into sudden choas when his brother murders their father and seizes the throne. Forced to flee, with only a handful of loyal colleagues to support him, Martris must seek retribution and restore his father's honor. but if the living are arrayed against him, Martris must learn to harness his burgeoning magical powers to call on different set of allies: the ranks of the dead."

3 more days to go!

3 more working days left... I will not need to go to work soon! YEAH! YEAH? Hmm.. can't explain how I feel. Sad.. and Happy... relief but stress... Well, technically I still need to go into work for 4 days. One Materials in dentistry summer school on Friday 6th, one Materials in Medicine summer school on Monday 9th and one Space materials summer school on 10th. As for 11th, well, that is my last day, I don't think I will be doing much other than packing, might be having one last meeting, and a farewell party starts at 4pm! Hmm.. a lot of people have already told me they won't be in Uni/Country, hence won't be coming. I guess in a way it is good... I won't cry too much! Ha.. as if there is a correlation between crying to the number of people attending the party. HA HA HA HA....

Black Forrest Gateau

This is the 3rd time I baked this cake. The first two times although it went alright but the cake itself has a big problem. I followed this recipe from a cookbook to the dot on how to bake the cake but the cake itself came out having big holes inside! Humph!!!! After the first time I thought I have done it wrongly but the same results were obtained the second time. Hence for the 3rd time, I changed the cake recipe. I tried this recipe from another book which was suppose for "Death by chocolate cake" recipe... ha.. see my trend here about dying and chocolate???

Anyway... I am particularly impressed because this cake uses oil instead of butter. I am always a bit suspicious of any cake uses oil.. mainly just because that it is not familiar ground to me. But.. it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am really impressed by myself. Well, the verdict? It is finger licking good. I am happy now... another success baking!

Gigantic Strawberries

These are some really massive strawberries they named "Long Stem Strawberries". I accidentally stumble across them today when shopping at Waitrose, Canary Wharf. They cost 35p each but it is worth the money for the experience! They are really sweet but not as flavourful as the normal size ones.

It is Friday!

It is Friday! Yeah Yeah Yeah!
This Friday is even more precious that any of the previous ones as this week I have been busy running summer schools: 3 Forensic materials and 1 Material Selection in design. I have always enjoyed running these activities, although I moan about it. Heh... the other down side is also that I look like a walking zombie at the end of the day. The cure for this is hot bubble bath, a good dinner and lots of TLC from hubby. How many more to go? 3 more Materials in Medicine, 1 Materials in Dentistry and 1 Space Materials. Oh.. and also 1 evening of IOMMM & RSC Teachers ice breaking activity.

I will certainly miss organising, coordinating and running these events. Most of all, I will miss the very efficient team!

I have joined Facebook

Ha ha ha, I have just joined Facebook. Actually, I am also in Tag and Frienster... for different groups of friends.

West End LIVE

Leicester Square, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June 2007; 12noon to 18.30pm.



"Westnubuster City Council works with its partners, among them the New West End Company and the heart of London Business Alliance, to develop the West End experience. West End LIVE is the weekend to showcase the very best of what the West End has to offer."




My hubby and I went to experience a variety of West End musicals live at Leicester Square. On Saturday we wanted to catch the new musical "Lord of the Rings". However we were LATE!!! Due to the closure of District Line and Circle line. So we had to take the Hammersmith and City line and change at King's Cross station to Piccadilly line to Leicester Square. Hence we didn't arrive in time for the 20minutes musical. Well, actually even if we arrived in time, I don't think we will be able to see anything anyway, as the crowd was HUGE!!!!!!!!! Actually on Sunday we went down to Leicester Square again, this time to meet up with Jim and Paula. They recently got married. We had Dim Sum lunch, chatted a lot and it was really good to see them again. It has been 5 years since we last met each other! Well, too bad we actually FORGOT to take pictures of each other. Hmm, well, they are planning to visit us when we settle home in Malaysia, hence I am sure there is next time.

Oh! I got this VERY yummy and nice chocolates from Jim. The chocolate has different percentage of cocoa: 37%, 46%, 56%, 60%, 70% and 75%. My favourite is 60% and 70%.

Other than musicals, they even have other exhibition and display... my favourites are all the famous cars! See whether you can guess what all these are from...

Farewell meal ... number one

This... I have to say, was surprisingly enjoyable. My first farewell meal was with my ex-PhD supervisor. We went to this expensive Chinese restaurant in Westferry Circus named "Royal China". Unfortunately we didn't book a table so we sat outside. Well, on a normal sunny day, it was really good, especially the restaurant is situated at the river side. It can be romantic... but that evening was cold... we ordered our food, although it took a long time to decide what we want. It was a wonderful meal even though the food turned cold very quickly, but we still did enjoyed it.

We had coffee later at another place (indoors), to keep warm, named... AHH.. I forgot! Ha.. but it is at the Four Season's Hotel.

We ordered coffee, roasted almond and some small biscuits. Everything was good, but too bad I was too full. It was actually nice to have a meal and chat about everything but nothing at all. We have gotten busy in our separate ways that we hardly talk to each other for the passed 3 years.

The journey ... of marking exam papers

IT IS GREAT!!! When I received them from the admin staff I would really love to go straight home, hide myself for a week to mark them! I really can't wait to dig in and see how well the students have done. However, on that day I still have preparation to do in Uni and hence I didn't get home until late in the evening. Nevetheless, after dinner, I jumped into marking. My happiness was not long lived. When I marked the first few scripts I was mortifyingly depressed!!! Well, as you can guess, they didn't do too well... but then suddenly, I encountered one script that I awarded an A.. the feeling was superb! I thought:" Finally! Someone paid attention in my lectures!". Well, this one script gave me enough will power to continue. When I get to the number 15th script, I start to count how many were left. I began to fidget.. impatient to get it done. I noticed that I started to count down how many I still yet to mark. For some bizzare reasons, I kept hoping that after each script I marked, it will reduce by 2 folds. Ha.. obviously it doesn't work that way, but it didn't stop me from counting the remaining scripts everytime I finished one. Pathetic! However, I also observed that once I got to the half way mark, I got a dose of "feel good" marking spirit. On the last 3.. I laughed out loud! Well, I definately like the experience and love to do it again. You must think that I am crazy.. perhaps I am! HA HA HA HA HA HA

The journey home...the beginning

Let me tell you a story... a story of my journey HOME...


Long long time ago... in the land far far away...


I have been in London for nearly 11 years, in other words, I have left my home country (Malaysia) for a long time. Recently, my hubby and I have decided to go home for good. A lot of people congratulate me for the decision, a lot of people are shocked, and my boss (also my mentor) is very sad. Nevertheless, the most unusual greeting I received is from my ex-PhD supervisor. He said: "Brave action!". It is a strange remark... would you say this when someone you know told you that he/she has decided to leave a country for good? I would think not. As my last day is drawing near, I begin to understand the true meaning of this remark. These 2 words can only be understood if you have experience being away from family for such a long time and have made the decision to go back. It is brave.. as I am embarking on this journey, I have to first abandon 11 years of my life in UK (or what I cannot afford to ship home).. it has dawn on me that I have to embrace all the uncertainties. I don't even have my own bank account at home!

Am I sad? Yes, very very... as the days go by, I am starting to miss my friends (I haven't even left yet). But... the journey home is just the beginning. With all the uncertainties, all the unknown...one thing is very clear to me and this one thing that I know for certain... is that I will always have my family as my pillar of support ... and also sometimes my source of annoyance, well as they say you have to take the good and bad together, but luckily there are more good than bad.. I can always count on The Baker to cheer me up.

Death by White Chocolate

It took me 2 days after I have created my blog to decide on what I shall write... then I thought the first article must be titled "Death by White Chocolate" since that is my blog name. You must be wondering why such name? Am I a choco-holic? HA.. well, I don't think so.. Why death? Why white chocolate and not milk? or plain (also known as dark) chocolate? Why chocolate at all? Well, I actually don't have answers to all these questions, my first encounter with this phrase is on the menu of a pub. Hee.. actually not in person. It was my hubby on a business lunch at a pub named Brewer Fayre, near Cranfield University, Milton Keynes. It is basically a cake swimming in seriously creamy white chocolate sauce. Or the other version, "Death by dark chocolate". Can you die? Almost... you can drown in the chocolate sauce.. and up till this day, I still haven't forgiven my hubby for not bring back a piece of this dessert as take away!!!!


Anyway, in addition to that, my signature cake (to this day) is "White chocolate raspberry cheesecake". Used to be White chocolate chilled cheesecake. Ha.. so you see my connection with White chocolate? so I guess I am a choco-cake-aholic (if there is such word). Mwah ha ha ha