Silence is Golden

Hello, people.
Sorry about the long silence. Isk isk isk...penyakit malas tahap gaban melanda :P.

Come What May

This year , I turned 34 years old. Wow, it feels like I have just finished Form Five yesterday. How time flies! Look how big my darling Sofiya has grown now ...

I hope this year to achieve many things ie

1. to be debt free (hopefully)
2. to buy an iPhone (i know, but I mau jugak)
3. to install a white picket fence & a brand new porch
4. to read more books (i promise)
5. to visit (Japan, Korea or Hong Kong(Disneyland!))
6. to learn a new skill (SAP ~ huh?)
7. to start an online biz

and lastly .....to embark on a new job ~ fingers cross

Come What May  InsyaAllah

Books Warehouse sale

I love books!

Just the sight of it makes me go crazy.

The Big Bad Wolf  Book warehouse sale is back @ Amcorp Mall from 26 Nov 09 - 2 Dec 09.

They are selling dirt cheap brand new books. Well known authors paperbacks mostly at RM8.00 each, hard covers RM10-RM25. You cant get these prices at the major bookstores or even at their warehouse sales. But, be prepare to queue up in the BBWB sale and probably elbow your way around as the place are quite small (probably because they are putting about 200,000 titles?), with people carrying boxes and big Ikea bags. Anyway, I bought only 5 books plus 1 for dear hubby and cost me only RM39 (which normally would cost RM200 - RM300 in total) due to the crowd and Sofia was sleeping on my shoulder. Sigh!


There were also tons of childrens book but didnt get one for Sofia as I could find suitable ones for her age and I have already bought alot of books for her during the Payless Books warehouse sale last month. Though, Payless Books sells pre loved books but it doesnt matter as most of the books are still in good condidtion. Besides, can you argue when they are offering 3 paperbooks for RM15? Went crazy on that one too. wink wink

The best part is, while waiting for the queue to be shorter a wee bit before going into the BBWB, we stumbled upon a bookstore @ amcorp mall called BookXcess. They sell brand new books but very very cheap. Popular paperbacks selling from RM9.90 to RM19.90. I think the most expensive ones was at RM29.90! Though, not all current latest titles are available.

Yeay, no more waiting for warehouse sales to buy books.....ladida

Will wait for Stephenie Meyer's books and Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Games to arrive ...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha

Ketulusan Hati ~ Anuar Zain

Cinta ku tak berdusta

Tak mengenal lingkar

Tak kenal nustapa

cinta ku hanya indah

Hanya bahagia

Untuk selamanya

Apa yang kurasakan ini

Persembahan untuk diriMu

Kau dengarkan kasih ku

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal waktu

Tak mengenal puitis

Hanya tulusnya hati

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal lagu

Keyakinan hati ku

Hanya untuk diriMu

Selalu...

Cinta ku tak berdusta

Tak mengenal lingkar

Tak kenal nustapa

Tak ada seribu janji

Hanya bahagia

Untuk selamanya

Apa yang kurasakan ini

Persembahan untuk dirimu

Kau dengarkan kasih mu

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal waktu

Tak mengenal puitis

Hanya tulusnya hati

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal lagu

Keyakinan hati ku

Hanya untuk diri Mu

Selalu...

Of Peacocks and Doves

Did you know that Malaysia has the world's largest flight -in walk in aviary, right here in KL? Surprise, surprise !

Yes, its called KL Bird Park which is in Lake Gardens (I love going to Lake Gardens coz you can do alot there (ikan bakar, there are also butterfly park, orchid garden and has a superb view for picture shots ~ many wedding pictures where shot here). Entrance fee to the KL Bird Park is M15.00 per person for Malaysian. It was worth your money coz the place is hugeeee .... roughly like 20.9 acres that you can walk around, we I was panting and sweating by the time we finished.

Once inside, you will be able to see the the birds like Blue Peacocks, Doves etc close enough walk in around. You will also be able to feed the parrots in the World of Parrots area and let them sings by your ear!!! There's also ostriches land, eagles land, flaming pond, hornbill park to name a few.  

All in all, we all had fun!

Red Velvet

Let's bake a cake ....

Saw a friend posted a picture of this cake in her fb and decided to goggled the recipe.

p.s. The cake looks nice gorgeous but can you stomach in after knowing that one of the ingredient is food colouring? (btw, my spell checker is gone or is this a new format? nampak sangat lama ndak mem'blog')

Red Velvet Cake (a.k.a. Waldorf Astoria Cake) Credit to red velvet cake

1/2 cups sifted cake flour*

1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
2 oz. red food coloring
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or three 8-inch round cake pans.

2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, mix food coloring and cocoa powder to form a thin paste without lumps; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla and the red cocoa paste, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as you go. Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beat well, then beat in half of the buttermilk. Beat in another third of flour mixture, then second half of buttermilk. End with the last third of the flour mixture, beat until well combined, making sure to scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

4. Make sure you have cake pans buttered, floured, and nearby. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda. Yes, it will fizz! Add it to the cake batter and stir well to combine. Working quickly, divide batter evenly between the cake pans and place them in a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check early, cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. To remove the cakes from the pan, place a wire rack on top of the cake pan and invert, then gently lift the pan. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting. Frost with buttercream or cream cheese icing (recipe below).

Recipe Notes: *Sift cake flour once before measuring, then sift again with the other dry ingredients per recipe instructions. Wear an apron and be careful with the red food coloring–no matter how hard I try, I always end up staining something! As you’re mixing the cake batter, use a spatula to scrape down the bowl frequently throughout the entire process.

Cream Cheese Frosting
16 oz. cream cheese (2 packages), softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt

With an electric mixer, blend together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Turn mixer to low speed and blend in powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Turn mixer on high and beat until light and fluffy. Use immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to use. If refrigerated, the frosting will need to be brought to room temperature before using (after frosting softens up, beat with mixer until smooth).

Recipe Notes: If you prefer a sweeter and/or stiffer frosting, more powdered sugar can be added (up to four cups). But remember, the more sugar you add, the less you’ll be able to taste the tangy cream cheese

Grandma & Grandpa's Day out

Mom & Dad came for a visit on the 17th through 22 Oct 2009. Arrived at 12.15pm, Hubby was sicked so I had to drive the big car to fetch them. Along with Sis, Bro-in-Law and Baby, off we went to the airport with me driving. Ishk takut jugak nie coz I have never drove the big car jauh2. Bismillahirrahmanirrahim and alhamdulillah sampai jugak

Had our family dinner @ our ever favourite restaurant, Johnny's Steamboat. Had tomyam & chicken soup , luckily Dad & Mom like it although Dad was sniffing runny nose coz Dad cant really take hot stuffs. Heheheh

On the second day, went up and stayed overnight at Genting. ~ As it was after Deepavali and its a Sunday, it was chaotic up there, especially during the check in @ First World Hotel (Yeah, that will be the 1st and the last that we will stayed there). First of all, mau check in pun mau ambil number (what???!! buruk oh this hotel) And then, we have to wait for like almost 3 hours for our number to be call !!! Sudah lah tu, there was no comfortable waiting area, instead they had chairs like the one at the hospitals, banks etc (I thought we were at the wrong place nasib baik lah ada sign board nama hotel). Nasib baik lah the rooms was kinda acceptable. As we have lost quite some hours waiting for the blardly room, didn't managed to go for the rides. Just took 2 rides at the urm twice..i forgot wat its call but Baby was so excited looking at the lights especially the big swan..

On the 3rd day, Hubby had to go for outstation~darn :(

Mom wanted to stayed at Bukit Bintang area so that will be able to done some shopping! So we've booked 2 rooms with a view @ Capital Hotel. A very nice hotel indeed. Not bad for a 3 star hotel. Planned to go for the Lake Garden sightseeing but due to some reasons, was diverted to another shopping spree @ Midvalley instead.

All good things must come to an end, with a sad heart, our last breakfast before departing for airport. Felt that the trip should be at least 2 weeks. So many places, so little time.

View from Capitol Hotel! Nice. The nite shot at top.

Our breakfast at First World Hotel. Noticed the plastics cutlery. Food was 2 thumbs down

The ride that Baby was excited about. Went on it twice

Mom & Dad / Grandma & Grandpa ~ we love you!

Long leave

Yeah, currently am on a long leave, for 1 week only that is
.....because our parents are here for the week. So being the dutiful daughter(s), me & sis took 1 week leave to entertain them.

Will blog on the expedition/sightseeing/jalan2 cari makan again...c ya!

Discontinued

Yesterday had a girly day with Sis and Baby Sofiya at the Midvalley Megamall. Done the usual stuffs; ie had lunch @ Madam Kwan's, teatime @ Starbucks (thanks for the Voucher, Tot) & dinner @ Sushi King. (Sorry, if I sounded anal here)

Yes! I was in luck, the Mall was having a SALE. So, done shopping for some inner wears and bought a shoe. Then, I was thinking, maybe I should be getting my favourite perfume Ralph Lauren Blue for Women since mine was almost finish and the one that I have bought recently from Langkawi, dkny pink be delicious wasn't up to my liking after a few spritz time, after all ! Darn, mahal lagi tu..

Sooo, we went around the 3 major departmental stores in MV looking for it. First, went to JJ, browse through the RL counter, I don't see it...that's weird. Then, walked all the way to the Isetan @ Gardens, nope, not there. The Sales Lady was giving me this look like I have just dropped from outer space. One last try, we walked over again to MJ, went to the RL counter. I was told by this nice sales man that it has been discontinued for Malaysia market. What! NOOOOOO. How can RL discontinued it , how? Sob sob sob

Sigh , there goes one of my wish lists. On well, maybe I should try onedrop perfumes . Cheap and I get to try all sort of scents. (No, am not doing a promotion here but heck why not)

Eid Mubarak

"Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir & Batin to everyone"