Picky eater!

Poppy was sick today..vomitted at least once while having her walk with neighbour and then after I showered her twice!!! Grrr..so I had to clean the floor and put the rug and towels to wash. Sigh. I'm angry not cos she's unwell but it's cos she is unwell cos she don't eat!! It's not like I didn't feed her but she's been v picky with her food and I guess it also makes it worse when she's missing her owner. It's day 7 today. Another 13 days!! T came by and so told him too. He fed her ham..to me it's ok la cos since she didn't eat much dog food..but she may become spoilt and wait for him to eat dinner! On Sun cooked chicken thighs for her and she finished it. Of course she ate it though mixed with dog food prob cos T was around and handfed her! I'm not going to handfeed her lor. Later get told off by L that I spoil her.

Went out to Tesco but didn't have many things I wanted. Only managed to get oats (which they call porridge here) and After Eight dessert. Didn't have rack of pork ribs. Realised this store doesn't have that big range as the one at West Brom. Anyway it rained on and off today. On my way back while waiting for the bus, an elderly man started small talk with me. Old folks here like to do tt...haha..or maybe I've the "talk to me" face. Hahaa..nice gentleman. Told me weather erratic..we might miss summer altogether.

Decided to put stuff down and go Aldi. I was still thinking about my Bratwurst. I wanted to buy to try..6 in a pack for only £1.79. And considering that Aldi is from Germany, it should be trusted. Bought yoghurt and potato wedges too! Defrosted 2 chicken thighs in the fridge. Planning to marinate them tomorrow morning and have it for dinner with my bratwurst!

Came home and decided to cook the pack of chicken drumsticks (not packed nicely to save space) for Poppy. It's theirs but I think it is meant for Poppy cos they don't cook with chicken drumsticks and she ever cook for her before. Put some for Poppy with dog food but she didn't want. When I just put only chicken, she finished everything! T came a while later to bring her out. He was reluctant cos he said then I'll have to wash her again (cos now will be muddy). I told him it's ok. V fast to shower her..as long as he makes her eat her dinner. I don't want her sick again! Actually he also can shower her mah..not tt hard..but she might be too excited also la. Anyway he's been asking him to climb up to him (that's what L has been teaching her to stop jumping up when she comes in!). Hmm..think L will need to discipline Poppy again when she comes back.

Having my leftover spaghetti tonight. Weather forecast for tmr and the weekend is heavy rain shower. So likely will stay home till church on Sun. Shall start writing up my thesis or some ideas from tomorrow. Finished watching <<The Heirs>> and find it a bit ridiculous that the rich kids will go through so much for romantic relationship and also family business at 18years old?!

Anyway, M from church emailed me to read on Sun. The previous week there was a notice asking for readers cos Ch has been doing it and I emailed them to say I can do it. At least they give me so many days notice not like the Lutheran congregation..on tt day..haha! Interesting that they use Good News Bible so will grab a copy when I go on Sun but saw online liao la.

Realised next Tue is PH is SG..Vesak Day..this year have many long weekends in exchange for one day of leave! The next bank holiday here is 26 May which is Spring bank holiday.

fish and prawn aglio olio!

Hmm..still no news from the hairdressing institute. It's as if they disappeared! Hah..oh well. Anyway I went to find alternatives and there are some online vouchers kind but quite a distance away. Then I found another one from Uni College of B'ham...seems more trusted. The haircuts for level 2 students are £7 and if studio one is £11.50..it took me a while to figure out the difference between the different services ie. shampoo and cut and finish vs shampoo, cut and blow dry. And there's a restyle and cut too. Anyway I just want a haircut la! And here wanna have haircut need to make appt. So mafan..haha..if not I'll just snip off my split ends and trim my fringe by myself liao lor. Think I'll prob give that a try. Tempted to try their facial or manicure/pedicure too!

Today stayed home and continued with my reading. V encouraging when I got reply from my supervisor. I'm on the right track..phew! And then got to video call with my niece. Oh my..her "Hi!" was sooooo sweet..heart can melt lor..haha..but she became irritated towards the end and was screaming away! As for Poppy, she came and scratch on my room door in the afternoon..then I wondered what she wanted so went downstairs to check..her food was not finished..then i checked the water bowl and realised it was empty. Hah..anyway she had 3 walks today. Yday T brought her for many walks to tire her out so she'll not fuss ard. Neighbour came by today..and said they were away over the weekend..no wonder! But just as I guessed la.

Cooked fish and prawn spaghetti (aglio olio) today for dinner.

no haircut!

Oh man..I'm soooo disappointed!! 吃了闭门羹！Supposed to have appt for haircut today at the training institute but first it took me some time to find it cos no signboard at all! Asked a staff at House of Fraser dept store and apparently he was asked before too! Then when I finally found the door, pressed intercom but no ans. Called landline also no one pick up. Called mobile and went to voicemail. My guess is that the person who took my booking probably got the day wrong..forgot that today is a bank holiday? Left a msg for them. See how tomorrow. Maybe it's for tmr.

Oh well. After waiting outside for about 1/2h, I decided to head off..since they have my mobile, they can call if I don't turn up. Walked to the market but it was closed..so went to Day In (asian supermart) but they didn't have 红糟.

Earlier on, this sight greeted me at the bus stop. Heng I checked bus timing before I left my house cos today's bus follows Sunday service ie. 30min interval. The flower petals from the sakura tree flew and landed below the tree, on the pavement and road.

 Went to the City of B'ham Symphony Office (CBSO) only to find out the standby tickets are sold at Symphony Hall. So went there..and got it! Told the guy to help me choose the best seats..just wanted to experience. And clarified with him about standby tickets..so it's for CBSO concerts are 1 mth in advance and intl ones are on the day itself.

Went to Primark and TKMaxx to see shoes also. Thinking of getting like a canvas shoe kind or like Toms kind..but must be comfy. So sad the keds pair was either too big or small..cos it was v well-cushioned! So my trip into town wasn't wasted in a way. And I managed to navigate myself around and realised I brought my friends on a big round last time..hahaha..but sightseeing mah..hehe!

Tonight eating my frozen leftover curry. Oh ya, I bought a Coronation chicken with mango chutney, almonds and sultanas baguette in town (couldn't resist it..only £1). I tried their tandoori chicken panini too during my 1st week here. How fast time flies! I'm left with another 4 more months!

Poo morning...

Greeted by poo this morning at two spots..kitchen and near the tv and other door (Poppy's usual spot). Grrr...scolded her and she knows. She ah...dun eat in the day or evening then prob ate at night then poo-ed middle of the night. Anyway, after tt left food for her before leaving for church.

Church service was informal (as Pastor mentioned in the email) but din expect to be watching a documentary, From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians, that Pastor recorded from tv a year ago. So no holy communion again. First time I see Uni so happening on a Sunday..there were students hanging ard outside the main library and some groups laying on the grass..prob cos today was sunny and not tt cold if not for the winds.

After church thought of gg Selly Oak to buy pork ribs from Korean supermart and frozen chicken portions from Aldi. I thought it would be more worth to get Poppy chicken instead of ham since they cost abt the same and she likes both anyway and I can also keep the chicken stock for my soups! And I wanted to add into the dog food so she'll eat. She's such a spoilt child right?!?!? Can't believe myself doing all this lor! Arghs. Anyway, didn't have what I wanted so went to Harborne High St to buy bacon from Iceland (to go with my red cabbage) and they had frozen chicken thighs so bought a pack...then went to Home Bargains to buy muesli. Wah..the drinks section macam had war..then I realised cos it's PH tmr..so ppl probably party so bought all the drinks. But I managed to find cream soda..end up buying a 2L bottle cos it's cheaper than if I were to buy a 6-can or 500ml bottle (no more left anyway). Was surprised to see Rosemount's O (moscato) selling for only £5.49!!

Came home and cooked 2 chicken thighs. While I was cooking, T came by and said he brought her to the park earlier..and he told Poppy she's lucky..have chef cooking for her. Hahah..and he said I looked diff today...I was wearing contacts and in skirt mah..he v funny..told Poppy it looks like I was on a date. I replied him saying ya, with God. Dunno if it's my accent...it took him a while to understand. HAHA...before he left he asked if I drink n what kind of wine I like. He also asked which Indian dish I like and asked me to bring my friends to his restaurant one day too. Told him prob end of the month of something cos my classmates are all over..some not back in B'ham yet. Hmm..told him don't need to keep bringing stuff over.

Tonight having yday leftover porridge and dishes. Yay! It's exactly a month before my parents come over and we go on our road trip and Europe tour!!! Woo hoo!! I'll make sure I start writing up my thesis soon...looking forward to my haircut tmr too!

Here's some pics of the naughty dog. I managed to retie her fringe but still messy!!

lazy Saturday

V jialat! It shows how long I can sleep if I'm not disturbed! I jumped out of bed again today..woke up like yesterday..but today I brushed teeth n get dressed before gg down. Watch telly and read newspapers on laptop downstairs..wanted to wait for neighbour..but he didn't appear at all! In the end T called to check and I told him no neighbour so Poppy hasn't gone to the park but she went to the garden by herself when he called (probably to do business). He came by later to bring her to the park. Oh before that, I made her eat her "dinner". Threw away the one that I left yday evening. V wasteful. Anyway, I realised that dog food isn't v ex here..less than a pound! So anyway I added ham for her and she cleverly managed to pick out just the ham! Grrr..anyway, she didn't pee in the house this morning too..phew! Every morning I'm like checking mine field..hahaha!

Vacuumed the hse today and called my grandma..then continued with my readings but kinda distracted. Poppy seemed tired after T left and she came up to my room quite often today...but when I wanna play with her, she didn't seem interested. I guess she wants ham. *shake head*

Tmr gg to the Lutheran service in Uni. It's been quite long since I last went! Think prob abt a month? Hopefully can take some pics of flowers in uni also. It is a sunny day today..v sayang that I'm indoors..but I usually stay home on weekends to beat the crowd or less frequent bus services.

Cooking Emperor Chicken tonight with chicken pieces. Probably cook porridge too so I can have my bombay mix or nuts with it! Not forgetting my red cabbage.

It'll be Korean drama marathon tonight till sleeping time..hehe

*Added: Here's my Emperor Chicken and red cabbage...the red cabbage lak sek until quite jialat..

TGIF

Literally jumped out of bed today and quickly went downstairs to draw the curtains before brushing teeth or changing out of my PJs. The clock read 8.49am and yday the neighbour came by at 9am. Though he has the key, not nice for him to come in when curtains are not drawn. So happen saw another neighbour driving to work so waved to say hi too..haha. Poppy was still sitting on her bed, not at the window. But she had pissed on the floor...prob early this morning...I somemore let her out before I went to bed last night!! Cleaned it up..heng not messy.

After that brushed teeth and changed clothes..then put my bedsheets to wash when the neighbour came by. So had bfast with peace and quiet. After that gave Poppy a shower after her walk and then hung out my sheets. Today surprisingly Poppy ate her food! I added ham into it..haha..and then T came by too. Last night he brought her out for another an hour. Today also went out or a few hours..came back from grocery shopping then saw her back at home.

Since weather forecast is cloudy, headed out to Aldi to get vege, waffles, milk. Then went to another supermart a few doors away cos saw their offers online..had maggi instant mee 5 in a pack for only 40p of 3 for £1! But it was actually expiring! May 2014..so didn't buy. Then wanted to buy Magnum mini but saw Haagen Dazs had my Chocolate praline and caramel flavour! So of course I got that..only £1.75! Think when I go back SG, I won't bear to eat B&J and Haagen Dazs for some time. Came home to put bags down then went to high st and ASDA. Ended up gg to ASDA and bought non-food items..got an anti-bac handwash cos I'll be handling Poppy quite a bit..so just to be safe. Anyway I saw fish on offer at the counter too..like whole plaice for £1 and trout was I think £1.50 or £2...but I haven't even heard of that fish! Haha..just googled..can just bake. Seems that trout is similar to salmon!

Will be having the Indian food tonight. Prob will not be able to finish so will freeze the remainder up. Have not much of an idea what to cook this coming week but was thinking of pork chops (or knuckle) on top of the steamed emperor chicken. Bought purple cabbage..so will hv to cook it next week too.

Oh yes, I started watching The Heir <继承者们> online..recommended by PF.

Today is the start of the long weekend here..Mon is a bank holiday (aka public holiday). Even the uni church pastor emailed and said maybe will have something informal this week cos probably many people will be away and it's a bank holiday.

*Added: Here's my dinner and T brought some nuts for me..haha..there's cashews, spicy peanuts and bombay mix. He got them from a sweets shop in the asian area.

Lamb and dhal

My dinner with yday's vege leftovers!

1st day of independence here..

Was woken up by them preparing to leave...managed to sleep through but woke up again ard 6.50am! At first thought my hp displayed wrong time cos it felt like it was v late with the bright sky. Got out of bed after nua-ing for a while. First day alone with Poppy..considered first day of independence here. Previous time when I had to look after Poppy was when L was away for work but C was around that time too.

Neighbour A did come to bring Poppy for walk with his Schnauzer, buddy. Heng he brought an extra lead cos I couldn't find the one L usually uses to bring Poppy! Was looking for the towel she usually uses to dry her after showering too...in case she comes back all dirty. Anyway the carpets have been rolled to the side so free space is smaller now in the living room...put food for Poppy but she didn't eat. Not long after Poppy went for her walk, T came by so told him they just went out. After the walk, I carried Poppy up to their room to give her a rinse. First time showering an animal!! Also checked which soap I should use and L said any soap is fine (hmm..I thought they have pet shampoo and soaps). Haha..heng Poppy was not naughty today..then also updated L via C's whatsapp. L said I'm a star and C said I made him laugh (cos i said it's my first time showering an animal!). After tt T came by again too. She hasn't done bizzie when I asked her to..maybe she did with T. Will put her out again ltr.

Had wanted to go out to get some groceries from Aldi but it started raining so stayed home. Prob go out tmr. Was deciding where to go cos things I wanna get are at diff places. I will need to get fabric conditioner too cos the current one left a tiny weeny bit and no more left. Prob get a 750ml one. I don't like the smell of the current one anyway. Tmr's rubbish collection day so have to rem to bring the big bag of trash out tonight.

So spent today organising my thoughts and updating my supervisor and then continued to do up summary for my journal articles. Also spent some time this morning doing my programme evaluation that our admin staff sent us. 

As for dinner, C left some seafood sauce with rice in the fridge and whatsapped me last night. Saw it in the fridge this morning..looks good! Shall give some rice to Poppy ltr at dinner time too. Then I'll cook up the taugeh, broccoli and mushrooms for dinner.

*Added: Here's my dinner...

Tried to make Poppy eat her dinner but she just won't...at least she did her tinkle (pee). Then T called to say he'll come by and I told him she didn't eat dinner. So he came over at 8+pm and brought some Indian food (think from his restaurant) for me and ham for Poppy. Then he mixed it into the dog food and she ate almost all of it. And he brought her out for a while too. So nice of him to bring me so much Indian food..there's rice, dhal and lamb (like lamb chops)..all in the takeaway plastic boxes. Tried a bit of the lamb just now and it's sooo good..falls off the bone kind! Yums. Thought of cooking steamed chicken tmr but since he brought food, shall have some tmr (prob freeze some too cos I doubt I can finish all.