Wenny Yap.Com

What's New In 2019???

2019-01-09T22:18:00.000+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019!!!

Bye Bye 2018!!

2018-12-30T21:57:00.001+08:00

Time again I will comment that time flies.

Indeed it waits for no one.

As quickly January came at the beginning, December is as quickly to bid goodbye to another fruitful year.

I am grateful to be blessed with many positive exposures, experiences and empowerment in 2018.

Though I don't blog much about my noisy bubble these days, it has been an eventful year.

I guess it's much quicker to share on Facebook.

I worked, I traveled and I shopped. I have girlfriend days. I played Candy Crush. I watched serial dramas and I idolised a singing hearthrob too!

2018 has been good to me!

I'd also wish to thank everyone who had accompanied me throughout the year. You've made my journey less lonely and more meaningful.

Thank you all and Happy New Year!!!

My 10th Blogversary

2018-11-06T14:22:00.001+08:00

Wow!!! 10 years since October 2008.

It is my blogging anniversary and gosh I had forgotten all about it!

Talk about getting old?

Or it's a matter of too many excitements going on these days?

Whatever it is ... better late than never.

A Happy Blogversary to "WENNY YAP.COM"!!

Not been blogging regularly these days but I do hope to make a comeback. That's if blogging still remains an in-thing.

A warm appreciation to all my blogfrens who are still following my blog and tweets!

Bhutan In A Jiffy

2018-09-30T02:38:00.000+08:00

Just returned from a wonderful solo journey exploring some of the major attractions. My simple flexible itinerary kept my trip calm and leisurely.

It helps plenty when I was accompanied by a young and handsome guide, Pema and a jolly driver, Bajek.

Not many people knows about Bhutan, much less where it's located on planet Earth. My boss asked me each time I reminded him of my impending holiday and he is still no wiser today.

Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys.

Bhutan is located in South Asia, bordered by Tibet in the North, Nepal in the West, Assam in the East with Bangladesh to its south.

Bhutan strives to retain its traditional roots in the past while modernity is knocking right at its doorsteps. Government policies keep strict controls on foreign influences in order to preserve their unique identity, values and natural environment. Bhutan is still roughly 60-70% covered by pristine forests.

Bhutan is the only country in the world with a negative carbon footprint. But being surrounded by highly industralised and polluting countries such China and India, how long can it withstand from the onslaught of gobal warming?

After a week moving between cities in Bhutan, was it worthy of my time and money?

I 💖 Bhutan!!

The pluses I see in Bhutan:

1. Bhutanese are friendly and most speaks English.
2. Bhutanese are very religious even to the very young.
3. Young Bhutanese are very respectful of the elderly.
4. Bhutanese are very loyal subjects to their King.
5. Pedestrian crossing is fully respected (unlike in Malaysia).
6. No smoking!!
7. The rivers are so clean and no fishing allowed without permits.
8. Vegetables and meats are organic.
9. The local food are palatable and filling. Nothing fancy just meant for sustenance.
10. There is no aggression towards animals.

The not-so-pleasant:

1. Bhutan is too rooted in the past which may be hurting its young generations.
2. The city especially Thimphu is congested and dusty due to developments.
3. Most outer city roads are still dusty and bumpy due under-developments.
4. Visa is expensive.
5. Dogs everywhere, even resting in the middle of the roads under the hot sun and they bark noisily at nights.
6. Cows everywhere on the outskirts, wandering in the middle of the roads.
7. Have to be careful of dog poo, cow and donkey dungs even in the city.
8. Limited shopping.

Overall I enjoyed my solo journey to Bhutan. Scenic, fresh mountain air and friendly faces ... not a combination you get anywhere. If there is time and opportunity, I'd not think twice to visit again.

Tashi Delek!!

Solo in Bhutan

2018-09-29T16:33:00.001+08:00

Way back in March, Lo Kung announced he is going to ABC i.e. Annapurna Base Camp.

So I decided I am going to Bhutan during that same period!

Lo Kung's interest is more on the challenging Everest than a leisurely Bhutan though both are highlands on the same Himalayan range. I might as well go while he is heading to ABC since Bhutan is never going to be on his travel list ever.

Friends I approached can't make the trip with me ... either it clashed with their other trip, not enough annual leaves, haven't saved enough or the trip is simply too expensive.

So the idea was mooted for my solo travels and it starts with Bhutan! Excited? Yes! Fearful? Yes! But all the same ... nothing's going to stop me from fulfilling one of my bucket list.

On 15/09/2018, I flew to Bangkok to catch my flight to Paro, Bhutan. Inconveniently there's no direct flight from KLIA. This resulted in a 5-hour wait in Suvarnabhumi Airport before my connecting flight at 5am.

After a 4-hour flight with a short detour in Guwahati, Assam, I finally touched down in Bhutan. Arrival was sharp at 8.35am on Druk Air, the Royal Bhutan Airlines.

Yay!! My solo journey in Bhutan finally begins!

Kuzu Zangpo La!!

The Past & The Future

2018-07-04T04:10:00.001+08:00

Was feeling very much under the weather today. Tried to destress and I had songs by Aaron Yan shuffling repeatedly over my headphone.

Ooh I just love his voice. It has a calming effect.

"We are all, one side cherishing the past; one side, try hard to go towards the future."

An interesting quote by Aaron voiced over one of his song "The Moment" ... aren't we all like that?

It's so hard to let go of the past and it is so hard to move forward ... indeed!

The reality is that without letting go of the past we can't move forward. I have long believe that we can't change our past ... regrets won't change anything. Everything happens for a reason and every person that grazed our life had been for some reasons.

The Universe has its reasons.

Rather than regret, it's better to count our blessings and embrace challenges with fortitude.

I hope I don't sound depressing ...

"Bring into this life every shiny memory." ~ Aaron Yan

Next Half 2018!

2018-07-03T01:40:00.001+08:00

January came and gone. February was short then came March, April, May and June.

As quickly as it can be stringed in words, the first half of 2018 was very quick. Now we've just entered the second half.

I don't know if it is because I am getting old but time certainly seemed to be running much quicker these days.

By right Earth's rotation should be slowing bit by bit with time, due to the tidal effects of the Moon on Earth's rotation. However I am feeling the opposite, that Earth's spinning quicker by the day!

This post came about due to another insomniac night. The mind refuses to shutdown ... the night feels long!

I was told insomnia is one of the symptoms of menopause. Caused by hormonal changes due to the decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone.

Arghhh ... menopause is such a major change in a woman’s life!

接下来是什么？！
Jiē xiàlái shì shénme? !

What's next?!

A Malaysian Manifestation

2018-07-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

The Desire & The Fear

1. The Malaysian population's centered desire to change a corrupt and oppressive government.

2. A kleptocracy's intensified fear of losing in the recent general election to the opposition.

The Law of Attraction

Like attracts like ... this is the basis of the law of attraction. It is a belief that focusing on a positive or negative thought can attract the positive or negative experiences into our life.

Throughout the past year, the positive and negative vibes in Malaysia were resounding!

The Universe as usual works in its mysterious ways ... it orchestrates these vibes to make things happen at the right place and time.

A new Malaysian era just kicked-off on 10th May 2018, after 61 years of administration by a ruling coalition that had long taken the Malaysian people for granted. A new Malaysian era with a renewed hope that the new administration will be people-centriced ... where every citizen matters ... equally ... irrespective of race and religion.

The Right Timing

Yet, why had this not happened in the previous general election? Why not in the next general election instead?

The Universe or the Infinite Being knows best! The timing had been perfectly arranged.

1. Had the opposition won in the previous general election, they would have failed miserably as they did not have the right leadership in their coalition. They did not have a former experienced premier to help them strategize their moves. They only had a defacto leader who was sitting in jail. They would have lost the people's confidence and definitely lose the recent general election.

2. Had the kleptocrat government continued with its reign after the recent general election, there will be no tomorrow for Malaysia as they will continue to plunder the country's coffer. The people will suffer the consequences.

Trust in the Universe ... trust in the Infinite Being. Our desires and fears will be heard!

The New Administration

The new administration will be facing an uphill task to bring back our country's glory as the "Asian Tiger". Even before their 100 days are up ... many hidden skeletons had been uncovered. The country's actual debt had been on the rise with every hidden truth unraveled bringing it from billions to trillions!

The majority of Malaysians are glued to every available medias on a daily basis as news after news are released by the new administration.

As promised by our new Prime Minister, many heads from the previous administration will roll ... and we are eagerly waiting for the infamous couple's heads to roll straight into our famous jailhouse!!

让我们看看明天会有什么新消息！
Ràng wǒmen kàn kàn míngtiān huì yǒu shé me xīn xiāoxī!

Let's see what's in the news tomorrow!

A Decade Old Bubble!

2018-06-30T09:00:00.000+08:00

A Decade Old

This year marks the 10th anniversary of my blog ... exactly 10 years old in October 2018.

It started excitingly with a simplistic blogname "Inside My Bubble Today." It was subsequently changed to a unassuming "Wenny Yap Dot Com." Sadly, my blog has been taking many on-and-off breaks ... some short ones and some long ones ... afterwhich it stalled. It has been sitting comfortably on the back burner for the past one year.

Stalled Engine

It is turning into a tug-of-war trying to get the stalled engine blogging again. Ideas zoomed past very quickly ... swoosh! Regretfully my physical self is too slow to respond due to a half-dead zeal for blogging and a distraction by greed.

With the readiness of Facebook in an instant to post my every thoughts and annoyances, even my Twitter has turned into a broken record-player.

What's New

I guess my last post in December was unintentionally a bid to say "Hey I am still alive and kicking!"

Since then, much has happened:-

Out of the blue, I decided to change my 8-year-old Proton Saga to a new Perodua Myvi. Just collected my new car yesterday. Finally the end of those breakdown woes!

My son initially claimed that I kicked him out of the house and out of the country. Well, I believe he should be thanking me now since he is living comfortably in Singapore. What more, he has managed to move on to a new job that's more in line with his career choice.

Surprisingly despite being an unrepentant workaholic, I managed to adopt a new obsession ... Taiwanese dramas! Thanks to my Big Sister who fills her days with Chinese dramas and K-dramas ... she sucked me into her world and I am kinda hooked! Of course, I am still careful enough to be selective so as not to affect my work. I only watch the works of one particular actor ... not hunky-dory but hunky-pretty ... and more so for his natural acting talent, singing and outspokenness. Oh ya ... and he swoons me to sleep with his songs!

With a new obsession of anything Taiwan, I have also embarked on brushing up my Mandarin ... "I am a banana! Yellow on the outside white on the inside!"

There was a major shift in the political scene of my country. Malaysia held its 14th General Election on May 9th 2018 which had been dubbed as "the mother of all elections!" Its people including myself turned out in droves, queuing under the hot sun in schoolyards and waiting patiently to cast our votes. Voter turnout hit above 80% which saw the country's first change in administration after 61 years.

It was an historic event for our country and majority rejoiced with a renewed hope. It was unbelievable and people from all walks of life irrespective of race and religion celebrated together. This change has brought a renewed sense of patriotism to its people. We can now proudly declare ourselves as Malaysians again!

We even entered the Guinness World Records for having the oldest Prime Minister aged of 92. With his 22 years of experience as a former premier of the country, Malaysia is on the path to greatness again!

I have asked before and I am pondering again. Is blogging still an in-thing?

Is it worth the time to revamp my blog look?

Well, till my next post materializes ... after a stint of tug-of-war that is!

再见 zài jiàn

A Year In 2017

2017-12-31T17:37:00.002+08:00

My laziness has gained folds to muster any effort to update my blog. It has been lying dormant with the occasional short and uninspiring posts here and there.

Today is the last day of 2017. I got no plans to usher in the new year. I'm too lazy to move my body but not my fingers. Been actively scrolling the Facebook the whole day.

Seeing that many friends are sharing their year that was, I figured maybe I should pen something here to wrap up the whole year in one post. Is blogging even relevant these days?

The year that's about to pass. What significant episodes have made my year meaningful, memorable and motivational?

One thing's for sure ... I am very thankful that my current visionboard has been accomplished. I need a new visionboard!

Anyway happiness will be complete when there's rejoice in gratefulness for all the accomplishments and blessings we received ... big or small.

For the year that was, I am happy and I am grateful;

That the apple of my eye (forever the baby in my eyes though) is now an independent individual and the man in charge of his own destiny. May the grace of God be with you, protecting you always from any harm. Best wishes and good luck, My Son!

That my partner in crime till death do us part (aka Lo Kung) is now full-time at home to fill the void in our empty nest. Each day we get to plan our next heist or escape together.

That I have a good paying freelance job that allows me to travel and splurge some TLC on myself ... facials, massages, pedicures, retail therapies.

That Lo Kung and I had travelled safely through cities in Australia, Europe, Far East and locally with the highlight being our cruise down The Danube and Rhine from Budapest to Amsterdam. So pampered and memorable ... we're planning for another!

That we made a couple of family bonding trips ... one to Batam then to Hong Kong. Family trips are going to be an annual affair!

https://www.facebook.com/lessonslearnedinlife/

Truthfully not all my 365 days are dandy. I did get blindsided by some dramas that created heartaches and headaches. Oh the stress!! End of the day, it is only sane to always realize that bad times don't last!

Laugh it off ... dust off the unpleasantness and move forward.

I had a wonderful 2017 and I am not going to make any new year resolutions. I just intend to make 2018 a better one spontaneously!!

Google Surprise!

2017-08-30T15:05:00.000+08:00

As usual when we are not paying attention, time flew by quickly. It has been more than a year since my last post in 2016!

Somehow or rather, my other projects in life plus my travels have taken precedence over my Bubble. Not to mentioned the perils of Facebook!

Anyhow I just want to post my gratitude to Google Adsense today for the $100 cheque received in the mail.

Since I have not been blogging at all, I have also not been active anywhere else on the blogoshphere. But quietly and slowly my #adsense account has finally reached its payment threshold ... after almost 10 years of signing up!!!

Well, it is still sweet surprise!

Thanks again to #googleadsense for sending the cheque to me 💖💖💖

I'm Getting Fat!

2016-03-10T00:51:00.000+08:00

Arms +1cm? Waist +1cm? Butt +1cm? Thighs +1cm? My clothes feels tight lately. My my ... I'm getting fat!!!

Since I've not signed up for any races for the year, there's just no desperation to go running, cycling or hit the gym. Not helping that I had also been sick with cough and cold for the past few weeks, laziness is fast taking over in the name of busyness.

Really? Lazy is the new Busy?!

Sharing A Golden Opportunity

2016-03-06T15:25:00.000+08:00

After more than 2 years, I've finally agreed with my Aussie Boss to get an assistant. The business is growing so fast, I can't be the super-woman anymore! I need my life back!

While everyone in our team handles extremely confidential matters for our clients, mine is a tad more confidential as it involves our company's own accounts.

For this very reason, I need an assistant whom I can trust wholeheartedly. A person who can absorb some of my load unsupervised as well as be my reliable backup whenever I'm away. It's not exactly a holiday if you have to lug your laptop along on a holiday. And for the very same reason, I had posted an ad among friends only for a super-duper administrative assistant.

I'm relieved I've found one and she's now undergoing her 3rd and final month probation with intensive on-the-job training. Fingers-crossed, she will survived and grow to enjoy this golden opportunity. The going is guaranteed to be tough at the beginning but the river of gold is definitely waiting at the end of the journey.

Yes, everyone can definitely earn from home but only the open-minded, resilient, resourceful and patient ones can survive!

The Good & The Bad

2016-03-06T13:34:00.001+08:00

Excuses, excuses, excuses?!!

Well, I guess it's no more an excuse not to update my blog when it has become a deliberate neglect.

My last update was written in December 2015. Several drafts sat abandoned or whittled away while I became driven by 'greed' (I guess?) to make as much $$$ (satisfaction?) as I can.

Yeah ... the good and the bad of making money at something you have a passion in. I love my work to the extent that I could have possibly 'flattened my butt' sitting for upto 10 hours non-stop at my workstation.

The good = money money money!

The bad = life came to a standstill as there's only a single purpose in life left and that's work work work!

OMG!!! Have I forgotten why I went into early retirement?

OK, am slapping myself now! I'll be back soon.

Birthday Wishlist Closed!

2015-12-12T19:43:00.003+08:00

It's been 2 months since my last entry. Forgive me for I have been too busy that blogging has to take a backseat ... once too often. This sounds like I'm making a confession. And Christmas just round the corner ... haha!!

In busyness, time really flies. Let's see what I have been up to off late.

I am now a half-centurion plus 2 and I am so happy that I have finally completed my half-centurion birthday wishlist. FINALLY!!!

I pursued my virgin FM (full marathon) in October 2014 in Osaka, Japan but I had failed to complete the run due to a leg injury suffered during my training for TMBT Sabah that was held in August 2014. One was a first try and the latter a second ... both unsuccessful!

As I have given up on joining the ultra-trail run in Sabah ... ever ... I gave it a second shot to complete the full marathon in Osaka on 25 October 2015. With lo kong a willing pacer, I managed to complete it in 6 hours 5 minute ... a timing that I am very surprised to have achieved. I would have been most happy to have just completed the run closed to the cut-off time of 7 hours.

With this medal in hand, I am moving on to other adventures or may be challenges. Let's see ... the plans aren't in place yet.

Be Inspired To Inspire

2015-10-04T06:36:00.001+08:00

"Everyone has a purpose in life ... a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals."

~ Dr. Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

Have you ever ponder about your purpose in this world? What are you meant to do ... to make the world a little better than it was? Sounds like a gargantuan responsibility right?

We always say that God created everyone with a purpose but we are left to find that purpose on our own. It is not easy and at most times many of us got lost, distracted or detoured along the way. Most of us just go into a monotonous mode repeating the daily rituals of complacent living.

Yet when we started out in search of our life purpose, the first thing that comes to mind will always be to help others in need. Realistically, how can we even help others when we have just begun to think of our own life purpose? We are still in our comfort zone. We need help to kick ourselves out of our complacency first!

Rather than pushing our way into other people's lives bearing our ideals, it would be more effective to apply those ideals onto ourselves first. Subtly, let our actions and positive changes become the inspiration to those who want to help themselves. We'll be pretty much paying it forward.

Naturally, the first step to help us change is to look for role models. People who have successfully made changes that meet the ideals we have in mind.

I see many sources of inspiration in the local running community. I have had the opportunities to meet and be inspired by these ordinary people, men and women alike, who are determined and focused to push their limits through their passion. These people do not live in the comfort zone. They continually strive to better their previous achievements. They've shown me that anything is possible once you've set your mind to do it!

Most of them started running 10km before they move on to half-marathons and marathons. The more determined ones will move on to ultra marathons that can reach up to 100 miles or even ultra-trail marathons of varied distances and grueling terrains.

Frankly, running isn't my passion. I run on a 'have-to' basis to keep my diabetes under control. But being inspired can change the mindset. I have found my role model and her courage has encouraged me to test my limits outside of my comfort zone. It is not to say that if she can do it, for sure I can too nor do I want to do exactly as she has. It is more important for me to emulate her strong willpower, determination and focus to achieve what she's set out to do ... completing various marathons, ultra-marathons, ultra-trail marathons, triathlons and then Ironman.

In my eyes, she is a superwoman and unconsciously she has given permission to others including me, to be as courageous as her. I am sure this is the purpose God had in store for her.

The Perceived Self-Confidence

2015-10-03T16:39:00.000+08:00

Someone told me, "You're very self-confident!". But the same person had also said that my confidence can be intimidating too. Alright I get it!

I'm a very confident person to the extent that people feel intimidated by me. Really ... is it my fault?

My confidence is built on a half century's life experiences, knowledge and skills. You can know my name but not my story. You can hear and see what I can do but not the journey I've been through to realize them. I've been to hell and back but I absorbed ... I compromised ... I learned ... I adapted ... I improvised ... I apologized and I forgave. So please don't be too quick to judge me for you don't know the battles I've fought to be able to put my value on your table. This is me and do not expect me to change for any lesser.

Somehow it is so easy to judge from afar. If you were to step into my shoes today and walk in them, you will know the mounting pressure I'm facing as I only have 2 more weeks left to meet my 35km mark in my mileage training. One week of tapering after that and it's do or DNF!

Being a second try at this annual running event is not helping. As the day draws near, the confidence is fast waning. Right now, I must admit I am battling with myself not chicken out into a DNS!

Unmasking The True Colors

2015-09-30T08:30:00.000+08:00

People who moves within my circle knows that I am a no-nonsense kind of person. I am one who will call a spade a spade ... no less and no more. As such, I will not have any respect for anyone who comes on as being pretentious, superficial or egoistic.

In my opinion, when you are not who you truly are, any false pretenses to be good or bad will never last. Once you've reached your comfort zone, your veils will be lifted layer by layer. Each layer depletes whatever respect that I may have for your in the first place.

Call me arrogant but this is just who I am!

For the past 3 months, I've had the opportunity to observe how certain people in my work team have started to reveal their true colors. We are all drawn into a small work pool as strangers and just like a job interview and the subsequent probationary period, people tend to put on a mask either to protect their privacy or to hide their inferiority. The danger is who will be revealed when the mask is removed.

Today, I've had to console a team-mate who had just completed her 3rd month with us. She was in tears as she shared the pressure and stress piled on her by a bullying team leader and of late, another team-mate who has chosen to follow suit. Somehow, dignity at work has been erased!

Where is the team spirit? The essence of teamwork towards building a successful business!

And there are less than 10 people in this work pool right now. What will happen when it grows to 100?!

I guess they call it "POLITICS!" ... mind you, the word "OFFICE" has been intentionally omitted as we all work from home!

Anyway, with true colors unmasked, humility gone and team spirit extinguished, can this work pool even survive the next one or two years???

My New Visionboard

2015-09-28T21:06:00.000+08:00

My last visionboard was made in December 2011. It was overdue for an update and I finally worked up the motivation and inspiration to create a new one. I am very very grateful that all my dreams on the last visionboard had been successfully accomplished and it's time to move on.

Moments are quickly flying by as if Mother Earth is rotating on its axis at the speed of lightning. 24 hours does not seem to be enough these days. Every new day will bring change no matter big or small. Therefore, a lot can change in 365 days!

Life goes on ...

While mine has changed aplenty, I believe I need to pump some life into it. Everything looks a little stagnated at the moment. As Bruce Lee puts it;

"There are no limits.

There are only plateaus.

And you must not stay there,

you must go beyond them."

I am confident with my new visionboard, new paths will be created. Paths to new adventures, new challenges and new limits!

Here's my new Visionboard!

Redeeming My Focus

2015-09-28T16:22:00.000+08:00

It's undoubtedly so easy for us to lose focus. It could be a task, an ambition or a dream. Whichever it is ... losing focus can be a good thing or it can be entirely the opposite. We just need to be adaptable and improvised along the way.

As Doug Larson puts it, "Sometimes opportunity knocks, but most of the time it sneaks up and then quietly steals away."

I for one is guilty as I have lost my focus. I have forgotten why I had chosen an early retirement when I'm still of value in the workforce. I have forgotten to enjoy my freedom doing whatever I want, how I want and when I want.

Everything is becoming a blur. There's just no more zest no more oomph!!

How come?

Long story short ... I got too comfy and cozy in one opportunity that I have forgotten to open my mind to let new ones in!

Re-Organize & Re-Prioritize!!

2015-06-21T16:06:00.001+08:00

I need to Re-ORGANIZE & Re-PRIORITIZE!!

1) I love my work but it must not exceed the allocated hours ... full-stop no buts!

2) My home's grown into a total mess, it's giving me the headaches! A regular cleaning & tidying must be in order!

3) I'm piling on the weight ... time to get on the exercise regime.

4) Miss Red's piling on the dust ... time to get it on the road!

5) My diabetic control is off-the-chart ... time for regular home-cooked meals.

6) My library needs new books to sustain my personal development. Time to visit the bookstores.

7) My blog died! Time to give it CPR!

8) My social life is getting zilched! Girlfriends, where are you?!

Chap Goh Mei!

2015-03-05T09:00:00.000+08:00

Today is Chap Goh Mei ... the 15th and final day of the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

It is so quick ... just a blink of the eyes.

Coincidentally my Aussie Boss is in town today. It is what I call an Office Day ... a day when my entire team of freelancers gather at the office to work and bond with one another. Most days we work from home.

So today we're going to expose our Boss to the art of 'Lou Sang!' ... the tossing of Yee Sang for increased business opportunities, better health, more wealth, safe travels and good relationships among the team members and clients.

A plate of Yee Sang usually consist of julienned white radish, carrots, turnips and key-lime leaves with red pickled ginger, sun-dried oranges, chopped Chinese parsley, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds along with a packet of crispy crackers and some spices to mix them all up. There are other combinations offered in the market though. This dish is eaten with treated raw fish such as salmon, abalone od jellyfish.

Been a great year working with my Aussie Boss and the team. Here's looking ahead to more successful years together.

Gong Xi! Gong Xi!

Welcoming The Lunar New Year 2015!

2015-02-19T18:51:00.002+08:00

Another year gone by, another year begins with new hopes and aspirations.

Today is the Chinese Lunar New Year with millions of Chinese around the world celebrating and ushering in the Year of the Goat ... the 8th animal in the Chinese Zodiac.

Wishing everyone ... family, kins and friends ... near and far ... GONG XI FA CAI! A year of peace, prosperity and merriment!

Third Time's A Charm!

2015-02-18T18:34:00.000+08:00

After such a rocky first attempt, I put another try to get my homemade loaf looking and tasting more decent than before. Second cry had a slight improvement but still quite difficult to be eaten. So it ended up into something else ... a bread pudding!

2nd Attempt Loaf

Frankly bread pudding just ain't my thing but it does taste good though for a first try. It took 2 days to finish. All the extra calories just to recycle my not-so-successful loaf.

Bread Pudding

Just made my third attempt last Saturday and this time it turned out right. Third time's a charm!

Now I guess I've passed baking my own bread ... a baguette at that!

Finally ... 3rd's a charm!

Next I want to try baking buns ... yup next try my sis' special 'Siew Pau' or BBQ Pork Roast Buns!

My First Loaf ...

2015-02-04T13:00:00.002+08:00

My lo kong is not the type to insist that I must cook up his favorite food. However, many a times he did suggest that I should try baking homemade bread for a healthier diet.

As quick solution, I had thought of buying a breadmaker. But on second thought, lo kong might be right that it will end up as a decor item ... much like most of my other kitchen utensils.

With a bad hand at baking, I had put off baking my first loaf for a very long time until recently when I found a simple to follow recipe which was demonstrated by a 4 year old. Yup ... you heard right!

So, how can I go wrong when a 4 year old can do it right?

Since I had all the ingredients in the kitchen, I followed the recipe and steps to the T. Next was to allow it to stand overnight so that the yeast will activate.

Each time I popped into the kitchen, I'd peer into the mixing bowl to check for any reaction. Hmmm ... nothing. Next morning ... still nothing. Why???

After almost 24 hours and despite my gut feel that the dough will not work, I still popped it into the oven. Naturally, there was no bread for the day.

My first loaf is a rock!!!