Steamed egg cake..passed!

A bit not used to seeing my shorter hair length..haha! And I guess I need to keep combing it inwards else will look messy! But I think it can look trendy being messy too!

Finally tried the 鸡蛋糕 since I might make it for PF when I go over London! I realised the egg mixture didn't double in size as fast as my cake mixer back home..cos the attachment here is not a whisk. Oh well..then no sieve also so could only use colander to improvise but the holes were big. I kinda understand why need to sift so many times and top flour or cake flour is recommended! So that you don't end up with lumps of flour and overmix. I think the result is not bad just that cos I don't have coarse sugar to create the breaking effect (according to one website), it didn't 发. It's a v basic and easy recipe to follow. Probably will make when I'm back home too! I followed this recipe more cos portion is smaller..The recipe is not tt sweet too. Also adapted from this recipe that PF showed me.

Will probably make this again to bring to London for PF. Showed her on whatsapp and she said looks good and asked if any soggy bottom..said no..then she said successful. I had 2 for lunch and wanted more..ok..less than 2 cos I offered Tariq some and Poppy loved it..haha..kept the remaining 3 for tmr!

Continued with my reading and started to arrange my introduction part a bit.

Tonight eating my leftover steamed chicken rice cos didn't eat dinner in the end last night. Then tmr gg for concert. Will go earlier (at 1pm) for the pre-concert talk..meant to explain more about the concert. Quite looking forward to it. So tmr dinner prob have pasta or defrost the frozen Indian dinner..shall decide tmr!

Today's weather max 16°C sunny intervals but it was pretty chilly in the morning (below 10°C). Tmr supposedly cloudy, 10-17°C and friday will be sunny intervals, 11-20°C!! This is the correct spring to summer temp! Then I'll know how to pack for my road trip and Europe/London trip!

hair CUT!!! =)

Just came back from haircut, lunch and snacks shopping at Tesco.

Heng I left house early today cos apparently there was an accident near Harborne High St so the bus had to be diverted and by the time it got back to the end of High St, the later bus was just behind the one I was in, using the High Street! But reached the place early. The Uni was easy to find..and the Spa reception was pretty big and people were waiting seated..and there was a coffee/tea dispenser too. Didn't wait long for my turn.

Haircut took about 2.5h including the consultation, washing, blowing, paying. The student was soo nervous..even when she led me in. I told her "Don't be nervous!!" before I sat down. Haha..then asked what length I want to cut it to so showed her..then her teacher came to ask too and I said I leave it to u all. Just wanna get rid of my split ends. The teacher commented to the student "It's a gift from God". These ang mohs sure talk v nicely..haha! Anyway the teacher told her to show me a hair magazine and see if I like any. After shampooing, the student showed it to me..and after a while, I asked if she really wants me to choose from there...she just smiled nervously. So showed her a simple one with bangs (as what I usually have). Then the teacher came by to ask if I saw any..so showed her tt simple one. So she went through with the student the technical names. So cutting off the length was long cos she split into many sections...then came the fringe..had to tell her to cut off more..don't be scared..ahaha! After tt blow dry my hair and asked if I want it to be straightened (with hair straightener) and I said yes but then realised time and said it's ok...I also don't want my hair to be pulled..hehe..wished her luck and left her encouragement in her assessment form before I left. Anyway, they were really having half price for Level 2 hair and beauty treatments till end June! So my cut was super cheap! I'm shy to post my pic here so if u wanna know how I look, whatsapp me!

After met M for lunch cos other Msian girl can't make it! So just two of us...had the lunch set which was an appetiser and main course for only £4.95! Good value! I had the Moroccan paella which had tender chicken breast and lamb. Yums!!

Anyway M is my classmate from UAE..she's a Dr by training..and oh my..she's super rich la..haha..she just came back from a trip at Forest Holidays and was telling me about her adventure literally staying in the forest!! Shall see if can go Dubai one day..prob after Mers..haha! Wanted to foot the bill but the card machine was not connecting so end up she paid in cash and I paid with whatever I had. Paiseh lor..cos tt time the sushi she kinda paid for most of it. But she's nice..haha..

After that decided to drop at Tesco near my place to buy my mixed nuts and raisins...finished munching the previous batch. Ended up buying choc digestives biscuits and gummy. Came back and it started raining..guess I was lucky. It wasn't that cold today and will be warm if not for the winds. Next few days will be above 15deg. Tmr shall stay home and maybe try the ji dan gao..then Thur gg for concert!!

I kinda forgot to follow up on the attachment request. Had sent to the PT twice but no reply. Maybe I should change to the OT who works at an outpatient rehab centre for brain injured clients. 

I guess tonight I'll have a light dinner cos I'm still full from lunch! That rice portion is way beyond my usual..haha!

Steamed chicken rice

Did quite a bit of housework this morning..first it was preparing my bfast..and when neighbour came to bring Poppy out for a walk, I decided to debone and marinate the chicken for tonight's dinner before she comes back and I've to shower her. Then chopped up chicken into small pieces and add to her dog food for her "dinner". After she came back, showered her. T came by a few times today and only went down to "report" to him that she has gone for walk and I showered her the first time he came. The other times I was sitting comfortably on my bed doing my research so didn't bother to "entertain" him. One of the times he came he shouted out to me to check if I was around -,-||| Does it make a diff?! Also left chopping board and knife on kitchen top again.

Anyway, got to video call with my niece today but no nice Hiii today..only smiled when she saw me. She's still blabbering in her language..cute! Hehe..

Did more reading and data extraction for my thesis for the rest of the afternoon. Tedious! Quite looking forward to tmr. Going to leave hse quite early (from usual) to have my haircut then meeting 2 other classmates for lunch at Zagora Moroccan food (the others can't make it!). Weather is supposedly to warm up by this end of week reaching 18deg or news said low 20s?! That should be the feel of summer..so I can gauge then. Today and tmr is ard 13deg.

Cooked steamed mushroom chicken rice tonight! Quite an adventure..cos I have to use bowl to cook rice in microwave oven then thought I can use the same bowl to steam with chicken but it was too high so touches the lid. So I use chopsticks to hold it but it didn't seem to be steaming! So had an idea to do the method I do my Emperor chicken so used aluminium foil to wrap the rice. TADA! It worked..haha..

before cooking

Verdict: Not as fragrant as my mum's..partly cos I didn't use dried mushrooms and chicken had to be deboned (cos no chopper here)..haha! And of course, mum cooks best mah! But not bad for a first attempt! Rice wasn't soggy!!!

no wifi for a night

Kinda panicked last night when I couldn't connect to WIFI and kept thinking of alternatives and guessed maybe they didn't pay bill or what so no internet though there's signal. And of course, I prayed too. This morning though I managed to get whatsapp msgs, I still couldn't access websites which means I can't buy data plan for my mobile even if I want to! Then thought maybe really have to go ASDA or Uni..also thot if one of my church members come, can ask her if her place has WIFI cos she lives on the same road. Then I prayed again and tried to switch the modem off and on again. Praise the Lord!! Wifi restored!! Phew!

Anyway today brought the Daim cake to church. Many newcomers came today!! So almost didn't have enough cake to go around! Anyway it tastes similar to the one sold in IKEA! Ch and M told me again today that they must meet my parents when they come (to tell them how nice I have been hor?? Hahahahaa!!!). Assured them that it's in our itinerary! And they said they missed me last week (cos I went to the Uni church) and will miss me when I go back SG...I'll miss them too..cos they are always sooo warm when they see me! Reading scripture in the church went ok. Anyway they got me this book during their hols..so lovely of them!

Before I left the house to church, T came to chop up Poppy's dinner and added ham to make her eat (he's spoiling her!!!) and again left the chopping board there n bits of ham on the kitchen table! Then he brought Poppy out and cos he din bring his key, he asked me to pass me my key and he'll leave it at a "secret" place. Haha. After I came back, noticed a twig entangled with Poppy's tail and showered her..or rather rinse la. Then recombed her hair cos the rubber band had come off. Obviously had to clean up after them. Wonder if I've become their maid!! Arghs! He later come back to bring Poppy for another walk and said he misplaced his key! Then said will get from me tmr to get it cut. Said until like normal..haha..but thankfully later he came back AGAIN and said he found it. Wah..if key lost will be best to change lock rite?

Anyway, came back and worked on my journal readings again. My dad quite 无聊 or maybe he just misses me...call me to talk about the route..he found better route or what changes he is making to my itinerary route. Aiyoh..he's the driver mah..and I just put the routes according to what Google Maps suggest..how would I know why they show me this route?! Then now then he say he will see the places marked and if have enough time to cover. Wah biang..tt was what I kept asking him before when I was planning lor! Let him do what he wants. As long as we get to some places I can't go on my own or not accessible by trains, I'm ok. Kinda amusing la..haha! 

I think I need to moisturise my face and hands more!! Last night decided to put oil on my hands as suggested online cos I feel that my hands are pretty dry. Then this morning my hands were not at all oily! Even when I washed my hands! And the sleeping mask was absorbed quite fast when I applied it last night. Looks like I've more use for my EVOO if I can't finish by the time I leave and don't leave for them..

Tmr should be staying home to continue with my journals review..then Tue organising a lunch with classmates (those who are around)..kinda make my trip into town "worth"..since my haircut will be at 10am, I shld be able to meet them for lunch. Oh ya! The other training institute that didn't honour their appointment finally replied me with this: "So sorry our buzzer inexplicable broke halfway through the day. We only found our via a client that called us Apologies." I wonder if they answer ALL their calls at all cos they didn't pick up mine! I don't even bother to reply.

pasta

Strange weather today. Forecast was heavy rain but it was sunny for a some time then heavy rain started then sunny again then heavy rain. Erratic. Anyway realised I forgot to switch off my hp when I went to bed last night so saw tt I had a missed call at 1+am! Heng I wasn't woken up by it.

Neighbour din come by today either (later saw him with his camping equipment walking back to his house!) but T came and took her out for a while. He said he may or may not come back later cos Sat usually busy at his restaurant. Anyway showered Poppy again (after T left) n combed her hair (to tie her fringe up to see her eyes!!) cos I spent 1.5h vacuuming the place (except their bedroom) and cleaning the glass tabletop and windows. Cannot stand Poppy running ard with dirty feet and not smelling nice. Then worked on my articles most of the rest of the day. Did up the headings required for the thesis and then read how to extract the data from article. So far only did 2. I had done abt 30+ earlier on but have to re-read cos I don't really rem the info and I've to make sure I pick out the right ones to include in my review! Think it'll be quite a long process!! I hope I don't do the other way round..I am tempted to come up with the discussion and findings bit before going through the process of selecting articles.

L called finally ard 2.30pm and asked what time it is here. I had already put Atlanta in my hp world clock to see the time..it's 5 hr behind here. So anyway she asked how I have been, how Poppy is and things at home. And asked if Poppy made a mess..so told her honestly lor. Told her I showered and tied hair for Poppy too and she sounded surprised..then said I'm a good girl. HAHA! Anyway I think they really 赚到! They don't have to get a house and dog sitter while they are away and yet get paid rent!! When I mentioned to O (my classmate) over whatsapp that I've become a house n dog sitter, he said hope I get paid. Haha..anyway, I learnt of these terms when I was in ADL..tt time K told me about it cos her older son did tt before when he was studying. I just googled how much they cost..one site says basic rate £33/day including food allowance and supplement per dog £1.85/day but some sites say at no cost in exchange for free lodging. Let's see what L will do when she's back. Haha! And I won't be ard much in June too. Anyway not v hopeful la. Guess they'll prob just get me a gift.

Tmr is Mother's Day but it is Sun already for those reading this back home! So Happy Mother's Day to all mothers! Esp my mum and aunt (who's has been like my 2nd mother but refuse to acknowledge me as god daughter cos our age gap too close =X). Tomorrow will be bringing the Daim cake to church..hope I rem. Also gg to do the 2nd reading..first time in this church..

Oh ya, started watching <<拥抱着太阳的月亮>> yesterday..not bad..quite funny at some parts and educational cos there's explanation of some korean traditions. The actors and actresses v pretty!!

Tonight gg to cook pasta cos I wanna use up the bacon..then I suddenly craved for my mum's steamed chicken rice..and will cook that on Mon since I've to start using up the soy sauce, kecap manis, oyster sauce, sesame oil etc that I have. But instead of using dried mushrooms, I'll use white mushrooms cos I didn't buy..also didn't buy lap cheong..nvm la..try and see how it turns out on Mon!

*Added: Here's my pasta!

And this is the Bratwurst I bought from Aldi..quite nice!

 And yesterday P sent my pic of her dinner set up..the chopsticks as wedding gift by me and another colleague and the placemat hand crochet by PF!

PF also did crochet hair ties and let me choose..so nice of her..then was telling her can sell!! Requested for a butterfly one too..hehe!

And here's a pic of Poppy eating her chew stick on her "bed" in kitchen..this can be called her "treats bed"!

Sunny day!!

It's a SUNNY day today!!!

Strangely neighbour didn't come by to bring Poppy out..and Poppy didn't eat nor drink after she woke up. But T came ard 10am..so brought her out. After she came back she drank and I guess T fed her ham again...spoil market la..cos she din eat her dog food!! Already hinted to him that she didn't eat cos waiting for him to feed her ham (she knows I won't gv her ham!). In case you wonder where she sleeps at night, this is her "bed"...my mum says like sitting on throne. She used to sleep on the other sofa but L changed to that armchair.

Went out to ASDA and I bought the Daim cake! And then I thought of something! I will bring it to church this Sun and share it..I'll also get to try it! So if it's nice, can buy when my parents are here..hehe! Have reason to bring and share too cos it's Mother's Day back home..haha..

Went to Harborne high st fruit n vege stall and bought grapes too. Realised I forgot to show my dinner..anyway tonight's dinner will be the similar too so here they are!

Made salad with the red cabbage today and had with my honey mustard salad dressing...realised it's really nicer eaten raw! Haha!

Oh yes, one of my PT colleagues is coming Bham to do attachment in QE hosp for 3 weeks in Aug so she was asking for accomm options. Previously I told her abt airbnb website and also told her about N's place..and she didn't mind..so linked them. He's only charging £75/week! Cheaper than mine and nearer Uni but shared toilet and bathroom and he has 2 young kids and halal kitchen. Good la..at least she doesn't have to spend on transport. Gave her my postal code and she googled and said I'm staying so far from Uni..hahaha! Anyway good tt she found somewhere and not alone in a way. She says she owe me a meal..haha! I haven't met her since we attended course tog before we left! The other few times I was in London, she was away on hol or back in SG for data collection!

Oh..another thing, I have booked my haircut for next tue at the Uni College of BHam Spa! V looking forward. Yday I happen to watch a TV show on Super Scrimpers where people are given tight budget to complete tasks..and one of them was a mother and 2 teenage daughters getting a makeover for less than £10 each..and she went to a training institute too! I can't believe how much they said she usually spend on makeup and stuff..£200/mth?!?! Am soo tempted to go for facial too..haha..but I think better not cos Asian skin diff from ang moh skin..hahaha!

The results for my last module, Risk Management, is out..only got 62..slightly below mean of 64.1..highest 80 and lowest 52. Well, at least I passed! A got 65 and O got 64..so I guess we are almost abt the same.

Starting to put headings for my thesis. I've got to find my key articles to be reviewed. Others will go into discussion part.

baked chicken and bratwurst

Rainy day today...whole day..as forecasted. Now the weather forecast changed for tmr..it says sunny intervals now. But I also nowhere to go in particular. Unless I plan to bake on Sat. Keen to try baking my own hob nobs biscuits..but I think I should finish my commercially-bought ones. Since I have bought a 1kg bag of oats yday..just need to buy butter and golden syrup.

This morning made oats for bfast..so easy to make with microwave oven. I added milk instead of water as directed to have a thicker consistency. Not bad! Haha..

This morning dad called to ask about the road trip routes and stuff..was so pissed with him cos he changed my hyperlink of the routes I had already planned without even checking. He kinda geh kiang went to make his own route with the places in the "itinerary" without just using the one I had already done! He was wondering why his pdf of road view map has ferry at one part and I checked mine didn't have so realised that he did the route again on his own..no wonder he spent sooo long planning and complained he do until headache. So anyway checked that there's ferry available from one part...but after comparing the distance by road or ferry, realised about the same so is back to my original route. Then I had to give him step-by-step instructions to copy and paste hyperlink to a word in Word...had to use video somemore. Told him to ask my mum cos I'm sure my mum is more tech savvy than him!! Hahaha! Then my mum told me she heard him from downstairs, sounded like he was quarrelling. Connection wasn't great today too. Anyway warned mum to bring ear plugs cos we sure raise voice at each other during the trip..HAHAHA! It's not I no big no small lor...sometimes must make him realise he's in the wrong..and anyway tt's our unique way to communicate :P HAH! Think my mum and aunt reading this sure shaking their heads...

Today Poppy was quite well behaved though didn't eat much dinner (prob cos T kept feeding her ham and yday he bought pressed ox tongue(?!) so obviously she won't want her dog food dinner! Anyway I ended up being like a maid cos he left the chopping board and knife in the sink and the floor had bits of ham!!!!! He prob cut up the meat to add to Poppy's dinner. Can't he wash after he uses it? Seems like they dun hv the habit to wash straight after using...then don't handfeed Poppy or pick up the remains la! That day even better..he stepped on the dog food and walked everywhere. Somemore can tell Poppy "oh no..we made a mess"..even had some in the living room lor..and that day I just vacuumed the floor. Grrr..anyway I decided wash the hand towels and dish cloths just before they are back to accumulate else too few to wash. Don't like the idea to mix it with Poppy stuff (yday) or my clothes or their clothes (including underwear!) which were in the washing machine. And prob wipe floor and vacuum the sofa before they come back too. T has been letting Poppy go up sofa without the throw! I was scared it'll dirty L's WHITE cushion lor..even the dining chairs..he asks her to climb up and on table so she can jump on him!!! While I always chase Poppy off the table (think L does too!). Guess she has to be retrained when they come back! But it's been quite good being alone with Poppy and T coming by a few times a day..but prob better if really alone then can do what I like or have friends over one day or something! Anyway T coming a few times a day can be quite disruptive too cos sometimes I'll be watching my show and I can't "ignore" him unless I'm upstairs..and sometimes have to "entertain" him also. But he's quite nice la.

Spent most of today trying to read more articles. Next step is to pick up the relevant ones to go into my systematic review then I have to assess their quality and start writing my thesis. Hope it's ok.

Oh btw the After Eight dessert is super good!! Had it after dinner last night. I bought cos it was on half price offer at Tesco..else a bit bo hua cos it's v small only (70g)..usual price is £1.29...considering I can get 4 yoghurt cups for £1 and this is not as "healthy" as yoghurt. But good tt I tried it since I'm here cos I dun think SG has! Here has loads of this kind of desserts..got to resist else sure grow fat.

But I just saw something I might be vv keen to buy! This looks like the cake I like from IKEA!

Or this!

Both are 400g and going for £2 offer at ASDA and Tesco respectively. OH MY!! I dunno if there'll be offer when my parents are here...to share the fats..hahaah! But my dad also don't really go for it and my mum also trying to cut down on desserts :X

Anyway it's quite cool here in the shops cos really can tell the season we're in...like in Primark, I think they purposely turn up the heater..so feel like summer, make u buy flip flops, bikinis, tshirts etc. Then in supermarkets, stuff for BBQ are on offer and sold..and Aldi always sells random stuff or have seasonal offers..so now is gardening equipment and plants. So it's kinda a good way for us to know what people do in the different seasons..haha!

Oh yes, C sent me some photos of L and them tog via whatsapp yesterday evening. I must say L really maintain her body well..haha...she really looks much younger than her actual age!

Tonight baking chicken thighs and wedges and grilling my bratwurst! Salad will be my red cabbage and bacon. Looking forward!