OUTING

I know it has been some time since I last updated my blog. Had been busy with work, research and marking. Just done with the marking, pheww, 191 scripts, done! Now I have to complete one more research paper, if not, my supervisor is not gonna be happy :)

Pics taken in the last two weeks:

In my grandma's house in Puchong

Appa and Uncle John during dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Bukit Beruang, Malacca

Family pic taken during the dinner at the restaurant

During a wedding dinner in Malacca

I thank God for I am happy with people whom I am comfortable with; I thank God to be surrounded with people who make me at ease with myself and who believe in me, who accept me as who I am, and who don't judge me. And I am thankful for having amazing friends and colleagues in my life :)

Happy Nurse's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day and today is Nurse's Day - both individuals with umost patience and with a nurturing soul. My sister, Pravina is doing her nursing course in Seri Kembangan - it's gonna be almost a year since she joined this course. She had her ups and downs during her training - and despite that she stood strong - and I know she has all the patience and love to care for her patients. It's not easy being a nurse - and my dad will always tell her it's one of the noblest profession.

Here's my message to my sister:

"Happy Nurse's Day, Pravin. The service of a nurse transcends human-set boundaries and the noblest service to mankind. Endowed with utmost patience, you care for your patients. I am so proud to be the sister of a dedicated, loving nurse with a glowing heart like you"

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers! My heartfelt message to my beloved mom:

"A mother is God's precious gift in this world. A strong pillar on which you can lean on; she's always there for you. I thank God for having such a beautiful and loving mom like you who is always there glowing by my side like a star. I am truly lucky. I pray for an eternal happiness, joy and love for you. I love you, Amma"

Went to Carrefour on Sunday and bought a Tefal frying pan for my mom - she needs it badly. And I got excited after finally finding a springform pan that I love; and a pie baking dish and muffin try, yay!

Reunion with Uni friends

Aina with her cute little fav pink, with Catherine and Indra deep in conversation

Mummy and daughter

peek-a-boo

the lovely gals

I love this pic

Indra and I (we rock!)

Last weekend I met up with Catherine and Indra with Alfred; Catherine lives in Japan and she is back in Malaysia for a 1-month vacation with her lovely daughter, Aina - and Cath u are very lovely too :) I was so excited in meeting them up; we normally don't get this chance very often to meet up. We had lots of stories to catch up - the latest gossips and we were as crazy as high school girls - still the same :) boy, I certainly miss all those uni days and it feels great to meet up with these gals. Indra and I were recollecting the uni-days mischieves that we got ourselves into - more like the mischieves got into ourselves :D Indra and I were the 'partners-in-crime' and we shared all the joys and sorrows together; I was very happy in meeting her up. Haha, poor Alfred has to 'endure' the excited-gila-gals-talk; but he was enjoying himself - saying that he loves our company - so sweet :)

I totally fell in love with Aina - such a sweet, obedient, lovely, and damn smart gal! Gosh, I was totally smitten by her. She was the highlight of the highlight of the day :) We had lunch at Madam Kuan's and later went to Toys R Us; and Aina had a pick of her fav things - beads and sticker books :) Even in Toys R Us she was in her best behavior :) when I imagine a kid in Toys R Us, only one word comes to my mind - HAVOC! but not with Aina :)

Thanks to Alfred for being patient with us :)

I certainly look forward to more of such reunion :)

South Korea

Yay, I am going to Korea for a conference cum a short trip in June. My paper entitled “The Breakdown of TFP in the ASEAN5 Economies" has been accepted for presentation at the Korea and the World Economy VII Conference to be held at Korea Institute of Public Finance in Seoul and Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, Korea on June 20-21, 2008. The conference organizer is providing for the accommodation and meals for 3 days and the conference registration fees is also subsidized; so I just have to pay for the flight ticket. I have booked the air ticket today – I will be flying on 18th June and returning on 23rd June, tentatively. I am so looking forward to experience the culture of the people, food, and life in Korea!

Chocolate Souffles with Gooey Melting Choc Filling

Two weekends ago, I baked choc souffles with gooey yummy choc filling - creates a melt-in-the-mouth after effect. It was not that popular among my family members though - not as much as they enjoyed my other baked 'babies' :)

Herewith is the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 large egg yolks
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch (corn flour)
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
Additional unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
5 large egg whites
3 ounces coarsely chopped dark chocolate
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Method:
To make the chocolate base:
1) Whisk the milk and 1/3 cup of the cocoa powder in a heavy based medium saucepan. Bring the chocolate milk to a simmer over a medium heat, stirring occasionally.

2) Meanwhile, using a whisk, beat the egg yolks and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar in a large bowl for 2 to 3 minutes, or until thick and light. Whisk in the flour and cornstarch to blend.

3) Gradually pour the simmering chocolate milk over the egg yolk mixture, whisking until smooth. Pour the chocolate custard back into the same saucepan.

4) Over a medium to low heat, continually whisk the custard for 4 minutes, or until it thickens and bubbles just begin to burst through the top of the custard. Transfer the custard to a clean mixing bowl.

5) Using an electric mixer, beat the custard on high speed for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it is thick and smooth and cools slightly. Cover the chocolate base with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold.

6) To finish the soufflés: Preheat the oven to 190°C. Coat six 6-ounce soufflé dishes with butter and dust with cocoa powder to coat lightly. Tap out any excess cocoa.

7) Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar in a large bowl just until medium stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the egg white mixture into the chocolate base (this will help lighten the base). Gently fold in the remaining egg white mixture.

8) Spoon enough of the mixture into the prepared soufflé cups to fill the cups halfway. Place the chopped chocolate in the center of each soufflé, dividing equally. Cover with the remaining soufflé mixture.

9) Place the soufflé dishes on a heavy large baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes or until soufflés have risen about 1 inch/2 1/2 cm above the dishes. Dust the soufflés with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

Caution: It must be served hot - else the smell of the eggs might turn you 'off'.

Wedding Planning

Planning for a wedding can be overwhelming especially when there are external factors which I cannot comprehend. With lots of prayers and laughters and with loved ones around me, I'd be able to keep my sanity in check, hehe. And my dogs certainly are ever-ready and always there to uplift my mood :)

p/s: I shall narrate the chronicles of the wedding preparations from time to time.

Sunday-licious

Sunday-licious = pampering ourselves with food. Yesterday kinda ate too much :P Brought my family for brunch at one of the famous laksa place; the laksa is so good; the gravy is thick, creamy and concentrated; with plump juicy prawn and the soft beehoon soaked with all the intense flavors. One of the best laksa in Melaka - Yung Lai Siang restaurant - it's located opposite the Putra hospital - at the junction - next to Saranava's Restaurant. Our Sunday late morning was boosted with a bowl of piping hot and concentrated laksa ;) One of our treats for Sunday. My family don't normally eat out; but when we do we enjoy it to the max :) For dinner, we went to a mamak restaurant near Bukit China - Resturant Tasik Utama - the food is not that impressive, I must say. I still prefer the roti canai pisang in Saravana's Restaurant in Bukit Beruang.

And as usual I was looking forward to start my Monday with a dose of enthusiasm – will full energy to complete all my deadlines for the week to come.

Saturday

Last Saturday, Chin Lay and I went to KL for a Walton client day event in KL Crown Plaza. Walton International is a company in which Alfred works. It's on land investment in the US, in which the company acquires a piece of land in Calgary, for example, and develops the land, by which time the land value appreciates and the investors are promised an average return of 15%; that's just about what I know; I know he does a better job in explaining about this investment, hehe. I went there to lend him some support; but Alfred was trying to lure me to come by using the wine and cheese 'bait', hehe...

We met up with Mages at the Crown Plaza hotel; it was great meeting her after a long time; the last time I met her was during her wedding which was almost a year ago. Had great time catching up and laughing our guts out at Mages's antics. It was too soon for us to go back, but we had already booked the bus ticket. We will catch up with Mages again later, of course ;)

Here's one of the pictures taken. The other group picture taken with Mages, Chin Lay, Alfred, and myself in it is with the photographer.

Friday-licious

Had a great Friday - hanging out with my best friends and shopping after that. When we were still undecided on where to go for lunch, Chin Lay jokingly suggested that we go to KFC for lunch knowing very well that I was never a KFC-person. We ended up going there anyway because I was turned-on by the fact that I can wallop the potatoes, my all-time favorite.

Ai Lin was back for the Labor Day long holidays. We had a great time catching up with everything and anything under the sun; and thank God for our flexible work hours, Chin Lay and myself were able to spend more time with Ai Lin. Went for shopping after that; it was fun considering the fact that we haven't shopped together for quite some time. Had a blast with my best buddies from school :)