Monday, February 10, 2014

Happy CNY!

So... it's Chinese New Year in the UK. Probably the first and last time celebrating without my family. Homesick much. And what better way to kick off the lunar year with some homemade pineapple tarts made with my Malaysian friend in UK?

Pineapple power!

A Lunar New Year's Eve party, with Malaysian hot pot and a few dishes, UK style!


 And once done with the cooking, CNY wouldn't exactly be complete without getting at least a dose of CNY mood by flocking to Chinatown in Leicester Square in London. And i'm so going all out on spending my money on food!

First time being here and I've never been so glad to see so many Asians around with streets that look like Taiwan.


Was also glad to drench my taste buds with familiar dishes in a restaurant called Rasa Sayang (Lunch) and Roasted Duck and pork at Four Seasons (Dinner)


 It's been an experience, but nothing beats the feeling and atmosphere of being home with your family. 



Cheers



Copyright © halie2406 All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Rain


First, it came the part when you think everything is soggy and miserable, 
until the worst came, and suddenly the first part doesn't seem that bad after all.




Now that the first part of worst is over, submission was due, and I finally get to unburden myself off my school projects. And even though I should feel happy and light hearted, I ended up feeling miserable instead, over again. Only this time I will have to stay here for another 9 months instead of 5. They would prefer me to work here till my graduation, or ever. 

---

I came to realise (even though it's not the first time that I realise), that whenever monetary issues were involved, we grew distance apart. I hate being reminded of that, or even reminded of what I've done wrong, even years ago. As if I don't know about the problems myself. People make mistakes and even if it's the same mistake over again. Sorry for not being perfect.

I know I may sound whinny, but is there even a time when I can study or do anything in peace? without having to be reminded about issues that comes next, for you especially?

---

I know that I am not someone that you're proud of, and I don't blame you. That's why I dislike coming home empty handed, when i'm not ready. I want to be able to make you proud about what I'm proud of doing. I don't even want to come home probably because of certain mentality that i'm used to. Yes, it may be offensive, but ask anyone and they'll understand.

---

I am counting down till the day when I can meet you again, to be in your arms again.



Cheers



Copyright © halie2406 All Rights Reserved

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Winter Depression

Cold weather, shorter days, longer nights, and a boring town gave me the opportunity to lock myself in the house for 14 days straight since Christmas up till the day I started my 2nd semester. And even though I tried killing time by doing schools assignments (ridiculous during the holidays) and drawing and cooking and cleaning and what not, I could't stop feeling homesick. Missing the times where I could go anywhere I want during day or night, not worrying about what time the shops or mall closes or what time the sun goes down. Food is especially available 24/7. But I guess I understand what it's like to close early. It's probably because of the cold.










Cheers


Copyright © halie2406 All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Game addiction



Over the holidays, my boyfriend introduced me this game called the Clash of Clans which you can only play on mobile. I've known this game for quite some time since my boyfriend started playing it few months back, only this time he encouraged me to play it since i'm so dead bored at home over the holiday season. 

So, this game is some sort of a combat strategy game where you're given an innocent village to start with and from there on, you'll have to build even more stuffs such as the army barracks, army camp, cannons etc. And basically the goal is to produce more money and elixir from the gold and elixir extractor, build more buildings and defences, defend your own village with whatever defences you've built, (eg: cannons, mortars, archer towers etc), train your army to be better and meaner to attack other villages to loot their resources and to earn trophies, vice versa and this will just go on and on and on, only with better defences and army each time you level up your buildings/defences and by doing so, you'll have to constantly level up everything you have, and the most ridiculous part is that the time of building it will increase as the level goes up. 

My take on this game is that I'm not a patient person and I detest the concept of waiting, let alone waiting for people to "help" you with your quest to go over the next level such experienced in Candy Crush and Kitchen Scramble or even waiting for your energy level to be refilled over time. It's absolutely über frustrating!  BUT, as time goes on (and this kinda happen to most of the games i've played) I got hooked to it. Partly because you're having your boyfriend constantly giving you support to be patient and advice on the best strategy to win an attack, and also because I am so in loved with their video ad! (You can watch them here) The characters portrayed by the ad are made to be so lovable and humorous that I even started a fan art on that game, did 2 version even!

Bottom line is, I am still unsure how long am I gonna stick with this game. It's probably seasonal, like how it happened to Candy Crush and Kitchen Scramble, and I AM SO GLAD that I finally made it to the top rank in Tetris battle for the 6p category. Now, I don't need to be so bothered by losing stars and the constant checking of my energy bar to make it to the top, and the constant procrastination over this game.



Cheers


Copyright © halie2406 All Rights Reserved

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Pressed Flowers



Trying my best to preserve the the flowers of
my lovely birthday bouquet, Summer Fruits.



Cheers


Copyright © halie2406 All Rights Reserved

Friday, November 29, 2013

I'm so hooked to rice paper wrappers!


Few days ago, I've bumped into this recipe called the Bacon Wrapped Avocado Fries. (You can try their recipe here) The name interest me because they consist of 2 of my favourite food-Bacon and Avocado! So I tried this recipe and the wrapping was tricky. Probably my bacon strip wasn't long enough or probably it's the avocado fries wasn't small enough. Either way. 

So based on the recipe, you'll have to precook the bacon strips so it will turn out nice and crispy when you bake it again with the avocado slice, which I did, but the bacon shrinks down a little and could hardly wrap the avocado. Probably just the middle part of it, and it kept falling off. So what I did instead is, just wrap them up with rice paper instead. No extra baking and though it might seem weird, It tastes heavenly! Well at least for me. :D Besides, rice paper wrappers are so versatile you can wrap anything!




Cheers


Copyright © halie2406 All Rights Reserved

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Colours Of Food


I love food,
 and though I'm not a professional cook, I can cook pretty well and I love
what I'm doing. 
The colours of different ingredients put together never fails
to excite me. 
I also love to experiment with different flavours and methods of cooking. 
Each produces surprising results that keeps me going, and I'm proud to say that, 

"I live to eat!"



Cheers


Copyright © halie2406 All Rights Reserved