Mid Life Crisis??

Hello Bloggy readers…most of you would have noticed by now I have been very slack in uploading any photos. Sorry I guess the novelty of blogging has worn out on me. But I’ll still try my best to update from time to time. Okies why this post’s subject is mid life crisis?? Well, I’m finding myself wanting to join up things and do things that I absolutely have no time for. For instance, I joined myself up for Japanese course that runs every Saturday for 4.5hours – which basically takes up most of my Saturdays and now I’m looking into investing myself into a digital piano so that I can learn piano. I’m in the hunt for piano teacher…I think I’m going through a phase of mid life crisis…

I know I really shouldn’t overload myself with all these random commitments but it’s something that I really want to pick up and I guess now is the right time…I’m still enjoying gardening (growing fresh fruits, vegies and herbs) but there’s just something missing – musical I’ve always admire people who can just read musical notes and play the piano. It’s just so graceful and so um…cool to be able to play the piano…I guess it’s never too late to learn things it’ll probably help me with choir as well Since I have friday off, I’m planning to check out the keyboard. I found a nice piano teacher on gum tree and he has given me some tips on what to buy. I shall let you know how I go

take care bloggy readers…

Happy Valentine’s Day

Hello Bloggy friends, hope this post finds you all well. I haven’t had the time to write lately. For those who celebrates valentine’s day – Happy Valentines day. Pandabear and I don’t celebrate Valentines day, but I’ll cook him a nice meal tonight. What’s been happening around my world. Well, I’ve started my Japanese course which was really fun. But man, 4 hours of sitting in class is a huge commitment on Saturdays considering that I’m always short for time. Anyways, Pandabear’s mum been admitted to ICU last week, so it’s been a difficult week for the family. But Thank God, she’s slowly recovering… Baking wise – haven’t had much time to bake but with my new addition to the family – Thermomix named Thermie I’ve been wanting to try out different recipes…Anyways, will update and let you know how it’s going…

My vegie garden patch is doing really well – though I reckon I need to put more manure into the garden. I’ve just harvested 4 snake beans. I love them – they’re delicious different to the usual green beans – they are crunchy and I eat them raw. Pandabear thinks I’m crazy eating them raw but I just love them so fresh and sweet. My herbs are doing really well, I haven’t been using them much and others are slowly getting there Anyways, I’ve been thinking of tidying up the garden abit cos it’s looking a little messy. Maybe I’ll do that today since I finish work early.

Jamie’s cook book challenge is on hold..haven’t got the time and my spiritual walk (Quiet time) – I’ve been listening to Jim Berg’s series of Quieting a Noisy Soul sermons. It’s really great, I listen to it nearly every day but I need to go back to my bible reading more regularly.

Weight wise – I’ve been constantly gaining weight It’s bad, it’s too hot to exercise so I’ve decided no more excuses I’m going to wake up early in the morning (6am!) and go for a bike ride around the foreshore area. It requires great determination but it’s easier than doing exercise after work. So far – it’s day 2 challenge for me…I need to lose at least 5kg before I go on my holidays. I’m really excited – haven’t been back to Taiwan for nearly 3 years. This time I’ll be going to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan. I’ve had to get rid of Japan cos we physically can’t fit them in. So there will be a separate trip for Japan next time

Okies, so that’s whats happening around my world at the moment…

take care Bloggy readers…till next time…

2012

Happy New Year! Wow can’t believe it’s 2012 already. Anyways, I’m not going to set a new years resolution for the new year cos I never stick to it anyways. But a few things to kick start for 2012. I have enrolled myself part time into Certificate in Applied language (Japanese) which runs on a saturday for 6 months. I’m actually quite excited, been wanting to pick up Japanese for ages and I thought it would be good for me to see whether I still remember some basic Japanese.

Update on braces, I have gone to see the dreadful orthodontist during my christmas break and have my photograph taken for my teeth. I have a feeling it’s going to cost me an arm or a leg to fix up my crooked teeth. But on the upside if I do go ahead with it, I might be able to lose some weight hehehehe

This Saturday I’m going to check out this cake decorating course that’s running. I’m in love with baking at the moment and I think if this cake decorating course isn’t too far it’s only for 7 weeks for a term I might signed up myself for it then I can make and bake peoples birthday cakes

Well, I’m hoping this year will be a better year for Pandabear and I after what we’ve been through in 2011…hey it could only get better right?

till next time bloggy readers…

House warming…

Hello Bloggy friends, sorry I haven’t been blogging lately..been quite busy as usual and haven’t had the time to upload billions of photos either.. well, we’ve just had a house warming with our uni friends last saturday. One down and one more to go with our church friends and then last gathering for Christmas and no more till next year. Hooray I’m starting to think that I’m getting too old for the party…anyways, it was nice to catch up with friends. I’m not sure whether you guys remember that I did a post on Thermomix gadget, anyways Pandabear has convinced me that if we get it he’ll be able to cook for me So we’ve asked our friends to kindly make a contribution towards the thermomix rather than getting us housewarming gifts such as utensils and crockery that we already have…

Pandabear’s mum is not very well from the chemo treatment, poor thing – I can’t imagine what she’s going through. She’s such a strong person, I’m hoping that she’ll get better soon 14 days left of work, I’m looking forward to it…need a break to catch up on preparing for christmas and attending to other appointments. Also, I’ve been contemplating on getting some braces…I’ve been doing all the research and watching horror videos on utube on how they put on braces and how they take them off…I’ve been putting it off for ages but my dentist thinks I need them for the sake of my teeth (they are all crooked and overcrowded – the top ones..)

So, I’ll let you know the progress of it and whether I ended up going ahead with it…till then look after yourself and let me know if you have any experience of getting braces I could do with a little moral support. Baking wise, I’m going to meet up with my girl friends for a baking session and I think we’re going to do a black forrest cake – a recipe by Poh. Will let you know how we go with this one.

Feeling the blues…

Morning bloggy friends, hope this post finds you all well Anyways, sad news – Pandabear received a text last night while we were dining out to celebrate his birthday. It says something along the lines of ‘Maryann, please call back to Taiwan’. My gut feeling tells me that something really bad has happened if I had to ring back overseas…and I was right, went to hospital to use Pandabear’s office phone and my grandma has passed away yesterday morning. Sniff sniff, as much as I was emotionally and mentally prepared for I still ended up sobbing away…I miss my grandma and I was thinking next year I would pay her a visit when I return back to Taiwan but I guess it won’t happen now…:-( After the dreadful phone call I went and visited Pandabear’s mummy. One of my biggest phobia is HOSPITAL…I hate hospitals – the smell, the looks, the sounds everything!! argh!! I think to overcome this I need to desensitise myself by going more often I think…

So last night, I didn’t sleep too well – this always happens to me when I’m sad or stressed out. Woke up around 3am and couldn’t get back to sleep. I hope I survive my final class tonight….I’m so tired….this year has been a really challenging year and I’m glad it’s coming to an end….:-(

What’s happening lately…

Hello Bloggy friends, sorry haven’t been blogging lately…anyways, what’s happening around my world. Busy as usual…finally Pandabear and I have settled into our new den. We’ve got the canvas photos up on our walls and I’ve bought a nice red vase with some fake flowers and yup, that’s it…it’s our new home This weekend, we’re having a house warming with our uni friends and the following weekend we’ll have another house warming for our church friends…we’ll be all house warming out by then hehehehe

Anyways, baking wise – I’m still baking just haven’t had the time and energy to post them up. Red velvet cupcakes, Pandabear said they were really nice so might consider making them for Christmas Oh, I forgot to mention that I’ve been doing this evening course which my doc has recommended to help me cope better with stress (yes, sometimes I’m just like a stress ball when times get tough ) Thank goodness it’s only on Tuesdays/Thursdays nights after work and this thursday will be my last day for the course – hooray I made it so to reward myself, I will go to a nice relaxing massage. My mate Audrey has recommended me this massage that does walk ins so you can ring up anytime and go in any time it’s great and the girls are Korean/Japanese very friendly and very good at massage

Not that I’m counting down but I have less than 4 weeks of work left (hooray!) and it’s Christmas shut down. This year Pandabear and I have volunteered to have a family christmas dinner at our new place so we’ll be pretty busy in December Time to set some new years resolution for 2012…scary…today is Pandabear’s birthday – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! We’ve had an early celebration dinner at the Loosebox and the degustation was fantastic…when I have time I shall upload some photos to show you guys..

On a sad note, Pandabear’s mum had to be readmitted back to the hospital as her cancer cells have came back so she’ll have to go through some chemo treatment. My mummy is still in Overseas cos my grandma is unwell. For some strange reason everyone around me seemed to be unwell lately…it just makes you think about the importance of spending time with your family and close friends when ever you can as sickness can fall upon anyone

Weight loss journey

Well, as you guys know I’ve stopped my JC when I left Melbourne. Since then my weight has remained pretty much the same. Pandabear and I have decided to purchase a road bike together so we can go cycling together. I usually go after work on days which I finish work early and it’s a great feeling when you hop on the bike and start to cycle around the foreshore area (fresh air, sunshine and heaps of cyclist zooming past you!!). I love my bike and I’m determined to stick to at least 3 times of week cycling either by myself or with Pandabear

I’ve also started this once a week walk with my mate Audrey. Even though we have only done it once due to the crazy unpredictable weather we been getting in Perth. It was great to catch up and have a walk buddy…we usually meet up on Fridays as she only works 1/2 day and I finish at 4pm on Fridays so yeah hopefully we’ll keep this up. I’m hoping with cycling and walks I’ll be fit and healthy!! Well, that’s the plan anyways…I will upload a picture of my flashy bike when I remember next time!

Blog insight

Hello Blogger friends, it’s been so long since I last update my blog. Special thanks to those who are still checking on my blog post. Alot of things have happened this year – challenging things and also lack of motivation and time so I have not bothered to update my blog Well, what’s happening in my life at the moment. I’ve moved to a new house and started slowly decorating my new place (that was stressful). Gone back to work full-time – still at the same job. Cooking and baking wise, I’m terribly behind with Jamie’s cook book challenge however – I have since pick up my baking and baked an apple pie for my girl friends when they were over my place the other day

Pandabear is doing fine, he’s still working hard now that we have a bigger home. Well, I can’t believe this year is coming to an end…it’s a scary thought. But I’m ready to put this year behind me I’ve also started this 4 week evening course which takes up 2 days of the week which makes me very tired too! Plans for next year (2012) – March/April traveling overseas and Iam thinking of going back to study (yes! I’m mad!!) – just a language course to brush up my Japanese but we shall see.

Regarding my business venture with my mate Jon, I have put that on hold – Jon is super busy with his photography business and as for me, I need to find time to continue with this business idea…we shall see what happens in the new year.

Even though I won’t be updating my blog as much – I will try to find time to update from time to time

take care everyone and Christmas is just around the corner!

Baking Disaster – Eggless Cupcakes

Hello bloggy friends,

Hope this post finds you all well. Anyways, when my brother in law’s family was over in Perth not too long ago this year. We celebrated my sister in law’s birthday, and one of her son is allergic to eggs so I have volunteered myself to bake some eggless cupcakes. I have never done it before, after researching a few recipes online I’ve nailed down to one simple eggless cupcakes that’s vanilla flavoured. I’m quite concerned as to whether the cupcakes would be edible or not cos I can’t imagine any cakes not containing the important ingredient ‘eggs’. So I bought the necessary ingredient, and knowing that I would be quite busy I decided to play it safe and purchase a chocolate frosting can which even comes with different types of nozzles for frostings (what a great idea)

Ingredients

I bought some silicon muffin cups from London and they are so colourful and cute – it’s time to put them into a good use..

It was indeed a simple recipe you basically whip everything together in my Breville kitchen mix. The only concern I had was one of the ingredients was vinegar. How bizzare, I’ve never baked a cup cake using the ingredient of vinegar. I really hope it tasted ok. So I decided to bake the night before hand, just incase it’s not edible I could still go to the cake shop and buy Eggless cupcakes..

When I peeked through the oven I could see the eggless cupcakes raising up. That’s a good sign, except even though I have baked for at least half n hour, it still look rather pale looking as if it’s not baked or cooked properly. So I poked the cupcakes and the skewers came out clean. It was time to take them out and let them cool down. So I had a test bite, it tasted ok – it was edible except it was rather doughy. You know the kind of feeling you get when you bake some cake and it’s not exactly cooked – it tasted exactly like that. So I waited till next day to put on my chocolate frosting and I break one bit to feed it to Pandabear and asked “is this edible?” he tilt his head “yeah, it’s edible obviously not as fluffy as the usual eggs cupcakes” feeling rather concerned I proceed to pipe some frosting on – they are starting to look like nice chocolate frosted eggless cupcakes (sorry no photos, I ran out of time to take them).

So when we went and picked up my sister in law’s birthday cake, incase my nephew didn’t eat those eggless cupcakes, we decided to purchase a large chocolate eggless cupcakes on the safe side. Lo and behold he went straight for the large chocolate eggless cupcakes and to my comfort he did attempt to lick the frostings off my eggless cupcakes and had a bite that was good enough for me. I had to take the rest home and in the end they went into the bin, cos none of us ate eggless cupcakes….so yeah, I guess I haven’t mastered an eggless cupcakes yet. I wonder how the cake shop managed to make their eggless cupcakes fluffy and tasty??? That’s a mystery to me…

Australian Open

Well, it’s back to Melbourne again – I’m still trying to finish off all my blog post in Melbourne (6 months worth of blog posts!!! Argh!!) I’ll get there eventually. Anyways, back in January this year we decided before we leave Melbourne, we are to check out Melbourne’s Australian Open. I used to be a tennis fan when I was young but as I grew older I kinda no longer interested in any sports. I went through this phase of becoming a tennis fan, a basketball fan and then it got too hard – I became a No sports fan. I still liked to watch a nice tennis game when ever I see a renowned tennis player like Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal etc so this time Pandabear and I decided it was time to book a ticket to watch a tennis game at the Melbourne Park. We opt for the Hisense Area which is the slightly cheaper version yet you get to sit in a decent spot and if you’re lucky you might come across decent players. When we arrived at night it was packed with people!!!

Got my ticket, so excited – waiting patiently at the queue. Fortunately it didn’t take that long for the queue to move. I’m glad we were at the Hisense arena cos the other one was packed to the max!!

So our players were F Vadasco versus this Japanese dude K Nishikori. F Vadasco was ranked amongst top 10 and K Nishikori was ranked some where along the lines of 120 so you knew it was going to be a short game and chanced are K Nishikori would be slaughtered…but I decided to support K Nishikori, cos I didn’t really know F Vadasco and I think it’s an Asian thing, I felt sorry for K Nishikori there were lots of cheers for F Vadasco and not so much for the K Nishikori dude. So in the midst of the game I screamed with my limited Japanese “Gambate Nishikori!!” the girls next to me surprisingly said ‘well done, nice…’ hehehe there were obviously some Japanese fans out there but strongly the odds were against Nishikori.

F Vadasco

K Nishikori

Wow, I must admit the whole atmosphere of the arena is so much different than when you’re sitting at home infront of the TV. I was so excited, we bought some Cornetto and some gatorade drink – everything at the arena was expensive as expected…

Sadly the game did not last till 3 sets. Both sets were something like 6-3 and 6-4. I was hoping that the second set K Nishikori will pick up his game and that it will go into third set but unfortunately it didn’t happen. After this game you could also stay for doubles game. I’ve never liked doubles, so I was hoping we could make a move. But Pandabear wanted to stay and watch so we compromised and stayed for one game before we left for home..

On our way home, there was a huge TV broadcasting the tennis game in the Rod Laver Arena (the more expensive Arena) and it was playing Venus Williams versus Andrea Petkovic. It would have been an exciting game but for some strange reason I prefer men’s tennis games than women’s tennis games. Anyways, I took some photos of the players before heading home

Overall, we have enjoyed our experience at the Australian Open and if you ask me whether it was worth going? Yes, absolutely…especially for tennis fans out there…it’s not the same as sitting infront of TV and cheering on for the tennis players. The whole atmosphere of the game was amazing You feel like you’re up close to the tennis players….

Till next time…