Romantic dinner - In the car

Dav promised to make me chicken ham sandwich for dinner yesterday. So we went off to Giant together to get the ingredients after work and on the way back to his house, it started raining!

Not only did it rain... it became a STORM, together with wind, thunder and lighting!!! So, u can imagine the amout of water pouring down... n we didnt have umbrella in the car. We drove home anyway and sat in the car, hoping it is a passing rain. After 10 mins, we realised it will take a while before the rain subside.

So we're stuck in the car, and HUNGRY. Cant get out.. will be too wet. Not ideal especially I'm trying to recover from my flu & cough. Then Dav came out with a brilliant idea!

He suggested that we make our sandwich in the car and eat. And that's wat we did! Hahahahah Good lighting, nice atmohsphere... good food. So we spent abt 30 mins in the car eating after which the rain was not as heavy anymore.

There's always a first for everything!

New receipe

After last week's attempt, I've started browsing the cook book again. This time I've selected the following to try:

1. Return of the egg salad with bacon (pg 35)
2. Pan-roasted salmon with purple sprouting brocolli and anchovy-rosemary sause (pg 212)

Reason for choosing these to cook is because
a. My younger sis loves egg salad and she has requested for the egg salad
b. Dav love to eat fish

So Cat, will be waitin for your review!

Seawind

Sometimes it's quite amazing to find out that your company actually owns a BOAT! When I first joined internal audit, I found out from my Sporean colleague that BAT Singapore (BATS) owns a boat. Every employee is entitled to book the boat for private functions! How cool is that?!?

If you're wondering if BAT Malaysia has one... the answer is NO!

So, BATS has a boat... and they are NOT the only BAT company who owns a boat. BAT Australia also owns a boat!!!!!! So imgaine how excited I was when I was told that the audit team has been invited to take a sunset harbour cruise on the company boat, with dinner served on board! The name of the Aussie boat is 'Seawind'. By now, I'm already SOOOO impressed with the company! hahahahahah

The boat can sit ard 15 - 20 ppl. Its not a very big boat.. but the size is kinda good. Not too small or too big. There's actually a permanent skipper who manage the boat. Whoever books the boat can also request for catering (like us, we had dinner on board) and we get unlimited supply of drinks. The cruise takes about 3 - 4 hrs depending on the weather condition. It rained half way through our cruise, so everyone had to cramp under the shed or in the bunker. Overall it was a fun outing!

See the pics....

Heading out to the harbour, enjoyin the breeze.





















Say Cheese!













Inside of the boat.

Germs transformation

This is me for the past 3 days. Been coughing non-stop. From a cold, now it turns into a major cough with phlegm! Can harly breath properly. Reminds me of my asthma days when I was younger. Woke up in the middle of my sleep last nite grasping for air... yes it was that bad. Had to search for my asthma inhaler to get some relief.

Went to see doc this morning, gave me some drowsy medicine, now feels like sleeping. But cant go home cos got work to do!! sigh...

The Food Critic

I'm proud to say that I've managed to cook Jamie Oliver's 'Proper tomato salad' and 'Real quick mussels spaghetti in white wine sand basil oil broth' !!!!


This is the end result of the pasta. Didnt take pic of the salad. I had my family ard to test the food. The following are some comments I got:

- Salad is taste great! Pasta is ok.
- Pasta taste 70% like Jamie O.
- Paste abit sour, not salty enough.

I think overall it was a good outcome. Thanks to Dav who helped me cooked the pasta and toss the salad.

We had to modified the recipe abit cos we couldnt get the exact ingredients as prescribed in the cook book. For example we could only get frozen mussels and no Sauvignon Blanc for the pasta. We opted for a cheap French Wine.. which makes the pasta abit too sour... hehehehe

I would say this is a good first attempt. Already my sis n her husband requesting for me to cook in their place, selecting a few dishes from the cook book! Time to browse through the book and decide on the next dish to try.

Cat, I'm thinking egg salad and maybe a fish. Dav love fish!

Jamie O Cooking Club

Those who knows me very well will be quite shock with this fact... I've finally decided to start learning how to cook! Yes, you're reading rite!!!! hahahahahah

I came across Jamie Oliver's latest cook book recently while I was browsing for a new book to read in Angus and Robertson Bookstore in Cairns. I thought the cover of the book looks good (steph's guide to buying new book - look for an attractive cover!) So, I picked it up and have a read. The book is meant to teach the reader how to cook!! And I thought, PERFECT for me! Someone who never really thought much abt cooking.. (ie no passion). So, I was thinking to myself, the book looks good, its ideal for first timer who wished to learn... why not get it! And I did!!

My gf, Cat (my ex-hse mate in uni) who is a superb cook and avid fan of Jamie O have also gotten this book and we have decided to start our very own Jamie O Cooking Club. The idea is to share our experiences while trying out the recipes in the book. Of course I"m not anywhere as good as Cat in the cooking department, but seems like a good idea. Even Dav have offered to help me!! I think it would be a good couple activity!!

So the first recipe Cat has choosen (or rather she has tried) is "Real Quick Mussels Spaghetti in White Wine & Basil Broth". Initially I was excited and said 'Yes! sounds good!'. Then when Dav asked me what's the recipe I have choosen he casually asked me 'where are we gonna get mussels?' .... hmmm good question! We're not exactly stayin in Melbourne/ Sydney where we can hop over to the nearest seafood grocer to buy fresh mussels (unlike Cat!) hahahahah Next thing I think we need is white wine... it aint that cheap over here!!!!!

Ok.. so, we've already stumbled upon 2 obstacles which we have yet to resolved. Nevermind, I told myself I'm gonna try my best to get the ingredients... worse come to worse, just change recipe.. hehehehe

Oh Cat, I'm also planning to add in a tomatoe salad into my meal! Wish me luck!

p/s: me tryin out recipe for tmrw nite's dinner! at least then it gives me more time to shop!

Krispy Kreme

This could be arguably the BEST donuts you can get in the world... although I say its the BEST, its also the SWEETEST! hehehhehe



why its so nice? cos the texture is crispy while the inside its soft.

My sis asked me to get her some when I was in London n bring it to Liverpool... but I didnt cos I was carrying way TOO MANY items for her.

So this round when I was heading home from Sydney, I've decided to buy some home. U can actually get it frm the Sydney Airport. And you know how many I bought?? 24 donuts!!!! 12 of the original glaze, 12 of the assorted donuts. Luckily I was sitting in business class, can get them to store it properly.

Sorry ah, Jas! Next time I buy more for u.

p/s: Pictures taken courtesy of Krispy Kreme homepage

What a feeling

I'm soooo sick. What started as a common cold yesterday has now been transformed into a major FLU! Cant seem to stop sneezing even after taking medication. My throat is itchy and dry... lozanges also didnt help. Been drinking alot of water. Thus the toilet has been my fav place to go this morning!!


I need more rest & plenty of tender loving care...... ZzzZZzzzZZz

Feels good to be home

Finally home! 5 weeks is definitely a loooonnngggg time.. but then hor, it passes quite fast too :)
I have definitely enjoyed my Sydney trip. Managed to go to places where i've never been to before and also wine & dine in places which I couldnt afford when I was studying/ on holiday on my own. Let's start off with the food..

Steph's Restaurant/ Bar Guide

1. Wildfire - http://www.wildfiresydney.com


This restaurant is located within the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks, directly opposite Opera House. So you can imagine the view la. I had farewell lunch there, invited by the local Australian Audit Team. We had Churrasco (originate from Brazil), which serves unlimited marinated meats. As for wine, you cant go wrong with New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc, Cloudy Bay (the departing colleague's fav).





2. Cruise Bar & Lounge - http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/booking/select_rest.asp?id=542


This bar is located in the same building as Wildfire but on the ground floor. This bar is good to go to for a chillout session by the harbour. Imagine u can hv a glass of cocktail overlookin the Opera House. This is what I did with Rowena, while we worked on my draft report on a Friday evening! What a good time we had...







3. Opera Bar - http://www.operabar.com.au
As you have seen the pic from my previous post, this is one bar you shld really try at least once! Highly recommended.. maybe not for the crowd, but for the view!


4. Doyles on the Beach - http://www.doyles.com.au

This is a very famous seafood restaurant in Sydney. There are a few branches in Sydney, but I went to the original branch, in Watsons Bay. It has a fabulous view of the city, day or night.

This picture was taken when I went for a walk at Watsons Bay - The Gap. Apparently alot of ppl comes here to commit suicide. So I just had to come n hv a look for myself. This is the city view I had while dining at Doyles. Although this was taken at day time, u can imagine at nite.. the view is just simply breath-taking!


5. King street wharf - http://www.ksw.com.au

This is a new place, a row of bars & restaurants by the Darling Harbour. Went to this particular restaurant, cant remember its name. It has very nice aussie beer. I think its call James Square. But cant find it in the directory.

This pic was taken outside the restaurant. This is the international auditor I was working with.







6. Yipiyiyo Restaurant - http://www.yipiyiyo.com.au


This restaurant is definitely one of its kind in Sydney. The audit team was brought here by the Marketing management. Everyone was very secretive about the location and the name of the restaurant. All they would say is that its a surprise. We were definitely surprised when we found out. No its not a strip joint! The restaurant is located at the corner of Oxford Street. Its actually a place which has live drag queen cabaret show!!! We were truly entertained especially when one male member from our team was selected to dressed like a drag queen and join the singing group. We had alot of laugh when he came out singing....

7. Fish Market - http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/


If you're a seafood lover like me, this is absolutely a heaven for u! If you get there early enough, you'll be able to enjoy fresh seafood at a reasonable price. You can also bring along a bottle of wine (or some beers) and enjoy ur food at the verandah. But be warned that you must be careful to guard your food against the notorious seagull!!! We were 'attacked' a few times while eating!

Look at the amount of salmon sashimi we had! This portion was shared among 2 ppl! hahahaha



Well that's my restaurant / bar guide for Sydney. Will continue on my adventure in australia some other day.

Too long

If you're wondering why there has been no comments published, thats becos I do not have internet access for the past 3 weeks, thus unable to get into my gmail to release the comments. Sorry guys, I will do it once I get home. But please continue giving us your comments.

Yesterday while I was in shower, it suddenly hit me that I've been in Aus for quite a long time. The indicator is when you run out of
1. shampoo
2. hair leave-in conditioner
3. toothpaste
4. facial wash
5. australian dollar

Cant wait to get home this Friday nite!! Yipee!

Re: New experiences

To Steph: My oh my, the marshmallow sure looks good. I wish I'm there myself. Doesn't look like work at all!

On a separate note, I'm going into the fourth week of my studies! I think I'm beginning to get the hang of it. It has been intensive but very rewarding. I'm beginning to see a change in me, looking up each and every word that I do not understand and reading up to verify informations.

One of the key item in managing time as I have discovered, as obvious as it is was setting timeline to each tasks. The will to move on when you have reached the end of a timeline is really important to ensure that the rest of the items receive proper attention. My daily tasks has always been a todo list for the day with no timeline, changing my approach has helped improve my time management.

I would love to know how everyone else does it? Anyone?

New experiences

I've been quite busy in Australia... no.. that's not true. I dont have internet access back in the hotel, so I cant blog.. and that's the truth!

Anyway, been in Sydney for 3 wks already. This place has never been my favourite, even though I studied here before (yonks ago). But I'm starting to enjoy this round of my visit. Why? Alot of reasons.

Firstly, I've got a car. So I have the freedom to go anywhere I wan. The only setback is that the car is too bloody big. But I'm getting used to it. Even drove all the way to Homebush (where the Olympic Park is situated) to go to the Direct Factory Outlet for shopping. Went there by myself and spent about 3 hrs shopping! So u can imagine the amt of money I've spent....

Secondly, I've gotten to know one of my aussie colleague quite well. She's been very kind to take me around to places I've never been before. Quite sad that she's leaving the company, but I'm happy that i've gotten to know her so well.

Thirdly, the company is paying for the team to head to Cairns for the wkend!! Yipee! I've never been to Queensland before, so this trip will add another tick to my 'Places to go' list.

Also, i've managed to catch up with some uni mates. Everyone has grown up now, worrying abt their career, family life, etc. Talking about investments, tax return, cars... everyone is the same but different. Grown ups talk... miss those old days where we talk rubbish... hahahaha

ok some pics to show the 'fun' i have been having...


Sipping champagne at Opera Bar by the Opera House, with the sunset view of the Harbour Bridge. A must to go!
















Having marshmallow dipped in chocolate fondue in Hunter Valley.. yummy!











This was taken at a place called 'The Gap'. Its just besides Watson's Bay. This place is where alot of locals come to commit suicide by jumping into the sea!!