Monsters University.

This year started out pretty good for us, the newlyweds. In catching up on movies that is.

Le hubs knew this was one of the most anticipated show that I am looking forward to, hence the moment it hits our shore, he said, "Let's go for this!"

Of course, who would refused an invitation like that right? Heh..

So once I came back from the office, we quickly get ready and went out to eat nearby the cinema. Lemme tell you, we are beginning to love the new TGV at Setiawalk. Its awesome!!! I especially love the cleanliness of *almost* brand new cinema seats, the different variety of popcorn that alternate often and the not-so-big crowd... Yet. So far, whenever we felt like watching a movie, almost always we can get good seats no matter how early or how late we bought them. Please please don't turn into the overcrowded cinemasssss pleasssseeeeeeee........

However, once we reached, I went off to get a place and to secure our happy hour drinks, the car broke down. What an incident.

I of course didn't know about it until around an hour later when the hubs finally appear at our table. I asked him what took him so long and he told me that the car broke down. Then, he looked worried, I looked worried, the food tasted like sand paper, he got no mood to eat, bla bla bla...

In the end, I calmed down and told him that I am grateful. He should be too.

I'm grateful that it happened at the right time as I was off work and are back home safely as I drove the car to work that day. I cannot imagine what I will do if the car broke down on me while I am driving back to or from work. *shudders*

Most probably panicking and frantically calling the hubs.

I'm grateful that it happened when we just reached the dinner-and-cinema place as we are actually nearer in distance to the hubs most frequented workshop. Imagine the car broke down when it was at home, I think we will need to hire tow trucks as that is easily another 10-15 kilometers away.

I'm grateful it happened on Friday night as I will not be working on the weekend as we will need to send the car to the workshop and follow-up on what is wrong with the car.

I'm grateful that it happened on the hubs off days, which were Friday and Saturday. That means that he will be readily available to accompany me to see the mechanic and to discuss with him on what steps to take to repair the car.

I'm grateful that it happened on the day where the hubs cousin was around town, so he can come to fetch us after we drop off the car at the workshop after our movie, approximately 11 plus. The hubs decided that we should try to drive the car and park it in front of the workshop so that the mechanic can see it first thing when he came to work. I think that's a brilliant idea, no?

I think this post have turned into 'thank you' note already with all the gratefulness and yada yada..

Back to the movie, somehow I didn't expect that Sulley was such a meanie. And Mike was such a nerd!!! And hurm.. Sulley was like keep banking on his last name to get by irks me! Urgh..

Somehow, I missed Boo.

Man of Steel.

I am the kind of person who refused to watch a movie/show if I am late for it. Somehow this year, we kept narrowly being late for one and it irks me so much! For this show, we walked practically ran into the cinema, frantically looking for our twin seats, and plonked ourselves down.

The first thing I saw from the big screen was a woman giving birth.

#$%^&@*$(#)(@^#$&@^!

What happened before that?????

Sigh.

Guess I gotta wait for Bluray and re-watch the show again.

Epic.

The most memorable figure in this animation is the Queen.

And the slug. A smooth-talker slug.

An overall entertaining show with le hubs.

Happyness.

Happy 1st Anniversary Babs!

 

May we have many more happyness and many more years to come!

Remember Babs, the best is yet to come!

Fast 6.

Tbh, I am not really a fan of the fast and furious series. The only sequel that I have watched was the Tokyo Drift and I vaguely remember there were many pretty Fairladys' in it.

Oh. And also that catchy teriyaki boyz song. Now don't start okay? It took me long enough to *try* to forget that.

Sunday movie date night. The hubs. Fast cars. Delectable popcorn and freezing temperature.

A fun and enjoyable combination.

The Great Gatsby.

According to a dear friend of mine, he recommended that I should watch the movie first before reading the book.

Why?

That's because I kept telling him that every time I read the book first, I will end up being disappointed by the movie.

Since his reasoning were sound (enough), I'd thought that I will try that with this one.

The most memorable scenes in the movie were the elaborated, luxurious and extravagant parties! Omg. So pretty! Colorful! Oh so fun!

However, this was a sad tale. Human nature. The good not necessarily are the best nor the bad aren't exactly evil. How sad. How sad...

Time flies!

Keeping up with my vow to read more this year, here is another book that I have completed. As of now, I have completed a total of 14 books! Wow... I amaze myself sometimes..

* Of course, the 14 books is inclusive of comics and graphic novels...

I keep track of my reading through Goodreads. This is a good website if you have finished reading a book and have no idea of what's next. They got good recommendations an also a challenge for you to keep track of your readings.

You know, sometimes you just keep reading and reading books throughout the year and then when you talk about a certain book with your friends, you have no idea when you have read that. So for those short term memory loss patients (such as me), this is a good tool to remember.

This book talks about an ancient man named Dor. In the story, he is the first man to start counting time.

A fairly interesting way to look into Life and a reminder that we shall not always emphasized on time rather than enjoy every moment that is more valuable.

Do read the book and find it out yourself.

Iron Man 3.

I have finally, finally completed all eight assignments for this semester! Hopefully this is my last semester and will be graduating soooooooooooooonnnn. *fingerscrossed*

As a reward for completing my assignments on due date AND earlier than 11.59.59pm *coughcough* the hubs brought me to watch Iron Man 3. wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....

The Croods.

We went for an impromptu movie date yesterday. This year is beginning to look pretty awesome already with all these movie watching sessions with the hubs. *grins*

Yesterday I completed one of the assignments for the last batch of four. I was pretty tired as I slept at 1am the night before and I thought that when I reach home from work, I am totally going to plonked on the sofa and sleeeeeeeppp to the next morning.

However.

The moment I reached home, the hubs surprised me by telling me, "Ok. We are going for a movie."

And I of course said, "Yay!"

Despite feeling totally exhausted and sleepy, I was cheerful and did not blink an eye during the movie. Okla.. The movie was really funny also. Which helps in keeping me awake with all those laughter..

We watched this:

The movie was really funny. I think I cannot stress enough of that. Lol.

From now on, I want to be a cat-person.

"Hubs. I want this cat as my birthday pressie this year. Thanks luv!"

This couple is so cute in the movie. They are from totally different background. One from the most traditional caveman family and the other, well modern caveman. Sort of. Sort of because he came up with weird inventions in that time and era, thus make him slightly more modern compared to the rest? Do you get me?

And throughout the whole movie, my mostest favorite character is this!

Belt!

Why?

Because of this :

忠烈杨家将

Last weekend when we were at the hubs hometown, we went to watch another movie. You know lah, small town, night time are quite bare. Lol. Like nothing much to do lah..

So the hubs and I joined his cousins for a movie at 10.45pm.

Guess what movie we watch?

Chinese movie! Another one! Lol.

I am srsly thinking of eating my own words saying that the hubs are such a bananaman.

This time the four of us catch 忠烈杨家将 (Saving General Yang). Prior to watching this, I have no idea what the story is about. I don't know about the casts, the storyline, the everything lah..

Then when I sat down and started watching, I was like, "Eh! Wu Chun! Eh! Raymond Lam! Eh eh eh!! Ekin!!!"

Lol.

I was starstruck. Or prolly more like male starstruck. All pretty boysssss...

Overall, I think this story emphasized on love, filial piety, brotherhood and the love for your country.

The person that I salute the most is actually Mother Yang. She is the quiet reserved woman behind the successful husband. You know, those woman that are quiet most of the time in the presence of her husband and public. She will only voice out her opinion when the husband permits her to. She is also the person to give birth to their children without a single complain of pain, endured all the tedious housework and also to wash the husband's feet. Okla.. The wash feet is just an example.

The movie was not as gory as 300, but the bloodshed, cruelly-killed-soldiers-then-hang-their-bodies-on-their-spears are okayy.. Blood flowing like river, or not. Prolly nearer to rain puddles. But those flies hovering those supposedly dead bodies are major ewwwww factor for me.

Each kick, punch, duck, swish swosh blade, cling-clang swords and spears are duly felt by yours truly. By the end of the show, I felt that my whole body were bruised (or am glad that I survived the whole war ordeal). Literally.

This sums the second movie that we have watched for the year.

百星酒店

The hubs and I are not frequent movie-goers like any other couples out there. It is usually either there is an occasion or that particular movie is what he or I had waited to watch.

The funny thing is that although I married a chinese, he really is a Westerner in an Asian body, srsly. His cantonese is horrendous, mandarin is neither here nor there and don't even start on other chinese dialects such as hakka, hokkien or whatnots. However all these applied to his speaking skills only. His listening skills passed with flying colors. Lol.

Throughout all the years I have known, dated and eventually married him, we have never watch a single chinese movie in the cinema. Srsly.

We mainly watch animations and english shows. Mostly action-packed english movies. Hmn.. Worth more meh?

But!

This year in February, we went out with my family for dinner because it was my mum's birthday. We went to Morganfield's in Pavilion and after that catch a movie there.

The brother wanted to watch Hotel Deluxe (百星酒店) and I asked him to ask the hubs if he wanted to join. Manatau this brother of mine just go ahead and purchase the tickets without asking the hubs.

Oh well. Luckily the hubs just went along with the plan. I was afraid that the hubs may not want to watch as the movie was a chinese show.

The show was quite funny. However all the funny parts are easily forgotten right after you step a foot out of the cinema. I think it is quite hard to find good chinese movies already these days. Mostly all are entertaining but doesn't leave any lasting memories.

I hope that there will be more good quality chinese shows out there please. So that I will feel it is worthwhile to travel to the nearest cinema...

This sums up our first movie for the 2013 year.

An appointment with the Gynae.

Yesterday we drove back hometown and reached around midnight. One of the reason we gone back was because we got to do qingming for the hub's side of family.

The second reason was because I need to do health check-up. For all my life, apart from the time when I had dengue in 2005, I did not do any health related check-ups. And I'm still healthy. Thank God!

Erm. This time, the check-up is on the erm womanly side. I need to see a gynae. This gynae was recommended by the SIL. She went to him many years back and she said that he is good at what he is doing.

And so I went today. Together with butterflies in my stomach, anxiety nagging on my brains and I could not stop fidgeting! Damn kancheongs. Owh, whereabout the hubs who is supposed to be there temaning me?

Right. I kena ffk-ed.

So, I reached the hospital around 2.30pm but I waited until 3.30pm before I was being called in. My first impression was that the doctor does not look like some serial rapist. Lol.

I did the ultrasound thing as well and the machine looks like this.

Overall the process was quick and efficient, hence less awkwardness. He was very thorough in his explanation and detailed on the subject matter. Well, I guess I will be seeing more of him soon.

Moist Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting.

My favorite colleague left the company on the last day of March.

I was devastated.

Firstly, it was due to the fact that I now will be #foreveralone.jpg in whatever and wherever I will be doing in the office. Oh! And I will also be eating alone. Saaaaaddddddddddd...

The second, and most important reason of all, is THIS!

Moist chocolatey cake layer with chocolate ganache frosting.

Let me backtrack a bit here. This girl ah, baked a cake for me a few days before she was about to leave the company.

And the problem is.. The cake is damn good wei!

Soft and moist chocolate cake layer. Sinfully rich chocolate ganache in-between the cake layers with a hint of bitterness.

So what happened after that?

The hubs and I finished the whole cake in 3 days.

Don't even think about mentioning the word 'weight'.

So on her last day, I practically begged her for the recipe. Just so that I can recreate the same chocolatey goodness in my own kitchen.

And so she did.

Since I am generous like that, I am going to share it with all of you here.

Moist Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting.

INGREDIENTS :

For the Frosting
180 grams dark chocolate coins
250 ml heavy cream
1 teaspoon light corn syrup (optional)

For the Cake
2 large eggs
1 cup corn oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar

A :
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup chocolate milk

B :
2 teaspoons sodium bicarbonate
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 cups flour

DIRECTIONS :

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees C. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with rounds of parchment paper, grease the parchment, then flour the insides of the pans, tapping out excess, and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together sodium bicarbonate, baking powder, cocoa powder and flour.

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs at high speed until frothy. Gradually add in both sugar and continue beating until the mixture doubles in size. Reduce the speed to medium and slowly pour in a steady stream of corn oil into the mixture.

4. In the medium speed add in chocolate milk and dry sifted ingredients from B alternately until all is combined in a slightly thicker batter.

5. Pour the cake batter into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cake (in the pan) inside the turned-off oven for about 2 hours (or overnight like me) until the cake is completely cool. Refrigerate the cake.

6. Weigh and pour the dark chocolate coins into a stainless steel bowl on top of a double boiler. Pour in the heavy cream. Stir the mixture on top of the double boiler until the chocolate coins are completely dissolved. The mixture will be runny. Cool the ganache until room temperature and chill it for about 30 minutes (or until it becomes slightly thicker consistency but still spreadable).

7. Carefully cut the cake in the middle (or into how many layers as you wish) so that it become 2 layers.

8. Position the top layer at the bottom of the cake tray and spread the ganache on top generously. Put the cake with the ganache into the fridge and refrigerate for about 15 minutes. Take it out and pile on the second layer of cake. Spread the remaining ganache on top and the sides of the whole cake until all is covered.

9. Keep the cake refrigerated until it is ready to be served.

How it looks inside.

Writing this post already makes me hungry. Alas, I'm on vegetarian today...

Readology.

One of the thing that I have resolved to do more this year is to read more.

Read anything; textbooks (which I think I have read enough at the moment, thank you), fictions, non-fictions, and even graphic novels! Oklah, graphic novel is just a more adult term only. Which in fact is the same category as comics.

Since January, I have gone through a few books (don't count university textbooks lah..).

The first book was The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian.

I don't know what is the genre of this book. Before I start, I knew this book have ghosts, psychological and thriller elements in the book.

#FYI, I never ever ever read or watch anything that associates with ghosts, thriller, scary-shit stuff.

BUT!

Seems like this year, it is my utmost favorite kind of books. I haven't venture into ghost-scary-shit movies yet ler.. (think Exorcism of Emily Rose) Courage did not grow in one day wtf.

Surprisingly, this book kept me plastered my face into it until I complete reading the whole book. It's very.. What's that word? Gripping? It was as if I'm chasing a train, right at the back of a moving train and within inches I can grab hold of the railing and jump onto the train.

The story was about this pilot, or should I say ex-pilot, Chip and his family moved to a rural area to avoid the media attention.

The reason why Chip becoming an ex-pilot and being sought after by those media people was because he tried to safely land his plane based on his own judgement after the plane's double engine failure. Note the 'his own judgement' and 'double engine failure'. Why he did that was because he hoped that he can pull it off and save everyone on board, just like the other pilot in that story.

Somehow now that I'm writing this out I felt that the book is very similar to this movie starring Denzel Washington. Similar in some parts, not quite the same in other parts. The most obvious difference is that Denzel Washington managed to pull it off while being in drugged and drunk state, but Chip did not.

The author also weaved in elements of witchcraft, ghost haunting the characters, and eerie hair-stand-up-at-the-back-of-your-neck thingamajig. Okayy.. To be honest, I completed the book in January and I don't really remember in detail. Somehow, what I remembered most is that my hair at the back of my neck are in a constant standing position. That was how freaked out I was.

So, go read it!

Coffee?

Which coffee are you?

P/s: I'm actually more of a Tea person.

Graphic novels.

I have came across this author Lucy Knisley from Joanna's blog. All my reading life, I have read all kinds of books out there. Self-help, motivational, children's, adult's, young adult's, fiction, non-fiction, comics and whatnots out there.

However, adult type of graphic novels I have not. Really. This is something new to me. However I think it should be something like those Shin Chan comics that I have read during my schooling days isn't it? (okayy.. I just googled crayon shin chan comics and it came up with loadsssss of 'em, in english. I am so left out!)

*ehem*

Pardon the jakunness.

So the first graphic novel that I am interested in by Lucy is this French Milk. Alas, it is out of print at the moment and all, I repeat, ALL bookstores in Malaysia do not have them. *wails*

French Milk is a memoir of Lucy when she traveled to Paris with her mother. I have googled snippets of the comic strips and I find that I quite like the way she portray herself in the memoir.

Well, basically I like reading memoirs and graphic form of memoirs makes the reading much more interesting.

I think.

Update: YES!!! I have found a local bookstore that can order the novel for me and it will take approximately 3-4 weeks to arrive from the US of A.

Then, the same author have come out with her new graphic novel, Relish on 3rd April. *squeeeelllllllllllllllll*

Of course I have to get them both. What nonsense are you talking?

Qingming.

It was a cloudless, gloomy morning. I woken slightly earlier on a Saturday just for this. It is as if I will be going on a field trip with my family. Or perhaps on a road trip to the other state to visit a distant relative.

I started the day with normal activities and enjoyed breakfast alone at the local kopitiam.

Everything is serene. Calm. Including me.

This year I did not particularly felt anxious going where I am going. Nor slight excitement. Not indifferent either. Just the thought that I am doing what I am supposed to do.

Paying respect. Filial piety.

As I have lots of time to kill, I drove rather slowly, just to enjoy the scenery and views on the way there.

The place was packed to the brim when I arrived. However, I parked my car and walked aimlessly around, soaking in the views, the people, the trees and lakes.

Then I caught glimpses of lotus flowers (also known as Nelumbo nucifera) overgrown on a man-made lake.

I walked over to be nearer to the pond and took pictures of 'em. As many pictures that I have taken, all turned out the same. I cannot possibly get a clear picture of the center of the lotus. It is a little frustrating really.

On the other hand, the "glow" in the center of the flower does look captivating.. Perhaps the flowers are shy.. They don't want to show what is inside of them..

I will miss yous. Both of you. You will always be in my heart.

A little getting used to.

There were many things that you have gotten used to when you were in a relationship, but changes occurred and you will need time to re-adjust and get to use to again after marriage.

Right.

What's with the confusing and long-winded opening.

I wasn't in a very longggggggg relationship with the hubs before we decided to get hitched. But like the i-have-totally-forgotten-where-i-have-read-this-from article said that human beings are able to adapt to new things if done repetitively for a full 7 days routine. Don't quote me, I don't even remember where I read that!

So.

There are still a few things that I may need (more) time to adjust myself to after saying said "I do".

#1 - Addressing the bf as hubs

This is uber difficult!!!

It used to be "my bf" this and "my bf" that. Now whenever I wanted to say something that he have done or whatever that is related to him, I always, always(!!) says "my b... err.. hubs.."

Hey brains! Remember that!

#2 - Addressing the elderlies

If calling your husband as husband hard, you wouldn't want to go thereee with the in-laws.

Imagine:

You were back in hometown and upon arriving at the doorstep of your husband's parents' house, they were there standing at the front door welcoming your hubs and you.

Being Asians, we were required to greet the elderlies first.

So.

The first word you uttered was, "Hello au.. mum. Hello di."

Srsly?

I rest my case.

#3 - Rings

You know? Those small little trinkets that costs a bomb? Some plain donut looking, some encrusted with so many blings it may blind your eyes or even some squared-shaped? Yea. Those were rings.

Being married, you are required to wear one (or two for the ladies) on your left hand, ring finger.

The thing is, I'm almost always so forgetful that I kept forgetting to wear em'!

As for the hubs, well his ring is practically living in the box wtf.

No, we have no intention to mislead anyone in the process of giving false sense of singlehood.

Proof that I DO wear my rings. *if I ever remembers them*

So.

If you don't know already, HEY I'M MARRIED!!

Bedroom Ideas.

I have been obsessed with reading this particular blog since like foreverrrrr and I still have not reach her first post! *gulp*

I think she must have been blogging for quite some time. Yeap. She has. Just found her old blog here. Yay for more readings.

Uh.. Gotta hide the links so that I will start that last batch of assignments buried somewhere.

Reading these blogs by bloggers for more than three years are so inspiring. I have always wanted to blog more often, but I kept thinking that my life is not as interesting and that I do not have thaaattt much to blog about.

Man.. I was wrong.

I guess I have many things to blog about. Just one word.

L.A.Z.Y.

Back on 1st January 2013, I made a vow to blog more. To date, I can really count all the posts by one hand. *cries*

So, humph. Here, I will restart the blog engine. Wooosaaaahh!

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Today I'm going to blog about bedroom ideas.

The year started out really well for us, the hubs and I. Personally, I felt that each of us have achieved many many little milestones so far. For one, I'm going to be graduating soon. It has been a very long, tiring, tedious, challenging and fruitful seven years. Yeap. I am finally graduating from a seven years period study for my degree. As far as I am concern, I don't think I want to relive that experience again. Too much drama and unhappiness. This year I vowed to be a happier person too. So, out you go unhappy!

Why bedroom ideas?

That's because... It will be my reference to create my own bedroom in the near future!

The Zen Bedroom is our mostest favorite of the millions of bedroom themed pictures available on blogs and whatnots. Obviously there are no such thing as mostest, as there isn't much at all in favorite too.

Mostest favorite is only a temporary word, until another themed bedroom idea took over. Heh..

The Zen Bedroom

We both like the warm fuzzy feeling whenever we look at the Zen bedroom. It has elegant contemporary written all over. I am no interior designer nor architect but the term is quite popular of late.

Both of us prefer the minimalist theme in home designs as we both felt claustrophobic when there are too many things around.

Dreamed Bedroom

This bedroom style fits the minimalist bill. Really, other than the two colors, I felt that it is okayy. However I will get bored of it prolly after 2 minutes.

L5 Master Bedroom

The L5 Master bedroom is just mediocre. The reason for me posting the picture here is because I super super loveeeee the in-built shelving. Perfect for photos and a few favorite bedtime readings perhaps?

Avant-Garde Bedroom Modern Version

The Avant-Garde bedroom have nice color hues to it. However I am really not keen on having chandelier or any form of lighting right on top of my bed. I have this naggy OCD that the whatever hanging on top of me sleeping will somehow drop on me and kill me.

I know that sound silly. But I'm not taking chances.

Weathered Elegance

The walls behind the bed gives out the exact feeling as how the designer named it, weathered elegance. The weathered motives on the tiles? Real wood planks? I'm not really sure but it does give out cultured elegance to it.

However due to the same OCD, I won't be putting the lamp there though.

India

This bedroom would be good if I have a mansion or big-assed house though. With lots of natural light and surrounded by lush greenery.

A woman can dream right?

Kuikawa 1 Master Bedroom

In the last picture, as usual I'm a sucker for the wall decor. This has a 3D effect of mismatch big and small tile-like items. I wonder if it is a big portrait or individually paste-together artifact.

IDK.

You tell me?

All photos are from here.

Beary Good!

As I looked forward to my graduation, erm. Well, technically I have one more semester to go and the final exams will be in June 2013. Nonetheless, my university's graduation ceremony is usually around middle or end of November. I CAN HARDLY WAIT! So excited OMG!

Ehem.

Pardon the over-enthusiasm.

I have requested from the hubs for a graduation bear. He was like, what was the bear for? Any symbolic meaning behind 'em?

I told him, well technically the bear symbolizes nothing. Just that girls (ehem) like soft toys and who in their right mind don't want a forever friends bear? OMG! it is always a nice gesture to give diamonds, cars, property, gold, platinum a small token of appreciation in forms of bears, flowers and knick knacks as encouragements and support.

So.

The hubs asked what kind of bears I like?

Of course the Forever Friends bear(s)!!! Erm. Actually, I liked that Me to You bears too...

Back to our conversation, he was like, what's Forever Friends bear???

And this are what I showed him.