Second Day @ Cardiff, Wales

Arrived at Cardiff yesterday.... got a 'rude' shock. It's cold! The weather has just turned from summer hot, to summer cold as it's been raining for a few days. When the wind blows, it can be real chilling!

It's kind of interesting to see that most people around you are caucasians, when it used to be Chinese more than any other ethnic groups in Singapore, let alone comparing it to expats at home. They people here are generally friendly and polite. The food here is, ahem, mainly western cuisine. We've been having fries (chips) on most meals! Not a lot of meat stufff tho, so it's still alrite.

The buildings here are beautiful... tho some are built more recently while some are decades or even centuries old! Here's a photo of the home of the famous author, Roald Dahl.

The things here are actually reasonable for the locals.... it's same as Singapore price tag... just that it's in pounds. Comparatively, it's definitely more expensive if you were to convert to the Singapore dollar. Like what my bro said... don't compare it in Singapore dollar... see it as how the locals see it. Still, I must say multiplying the price by 3 comes almost naturally :)

4 More Days to Go....

4 more days and I'll be flying over to Cardiff, Wales, to attend my bro's wedding. Have never travelled that far before, so it's kind of exciting for me. Moreover, this's the next "ang-moh" country I'll be going to, other than Australia. I wonder how is their culture like. I also can't imagine taking such long flight! What shall I do while in the air? I sure hope that flight will be a pleasant one.
Well, that also means that I'd be leaving my Darling behind for 12 days! I've never been that long apart from him before (tho he had been that long apart from me...erm.. is there a difference? Which ever way, we're still apart! Ha!)
Stay tune while I blog from UK (if there's a chance)!

Rice Dumplings!

Today is my first time trying my hands at making rice dumplings. Was quite nervous that I even dreamt about it last night!

Went over to my Darling's house early this morning (I requested to learn from his mum, you see). His mum had got all ingredients ready and was waiting for me! (oops!)

I watched as she fried the meat, mushrooms, nuts and dried shrimps. The aroma was great! Next was frying the rice. It requires a lot of arm muscles, mind you. Not an easy thing mixing all ingredients together in a wok without spilling any. Quite a skill...

Finally the moment of anxiety was here! Time to work my hands! First aunty (future mum-in-law) showed me how to choose the leaves and fold them. It's an art holding them at the right angle before putting in the rice, otherwise you risk the dumpling coming apart while tying it. Then in went the almost cooked ingredients. You must ensure you've put in each kind before covering them with more rice. Here comes the tricky part. Packing in all ingredients to make the triangular dumpling is a skill that needs lots of practice! Well, the dumplings I made are still presentable but perhaps not of sellable standard yet. At least, it didnt split open after I tied it!

I'm pretty pleased with my effort, tho I'm not sure what the great master chef has to say about those odd-shaped dumplings I made ;p

Bon Appétit!

China Art Trip Exhibition

Today is the opening ceremony of the art exhibition which showcases the artworks done by students and teachers who went for the art trip to China earlier this year.

It's truly amazing how the exhibition was put together. The entire process of attending workshops to hone our art skills, the trip to China to sketch, the workshops after the trip to paint... It was a lot of hard work. It's a pity that I didn't get the chance to do any canvas painting due to time constraint. Looking at all the artworks... it's really impressive! I'm awed by what can be attained through one single art trip. Ties and friendships fostered, collaboration among counterparts and appreciation of nature and creative individual artworks.... amazing, isn't it?

p/s: Exhibition is @ Bishan Library from 7th-14th June 2007.

Finally the Day has come!!

Hey, before you're mistaken... nope, it's not the BIG day..yet. It's just the long-awaited photoshoot day. Yup, been waiting for it since the time we chose the gowns (& suits). Was wondering how the gowns (& suits) will turn out. (They were too big for me, remember?) Went for fitting last week and they turned out...well, fitting ;b

My Daring and I were excited about being the only models for the photoshoot (ahem...we're of modelling calibre). We had been considering several locations for photo-taking and the picture style we prefer. In the end, it was our co-ordinator who suggested the locations.

On THE day, the weather was perfect... exactly what I prayed for! Not too bright, clouds to shield the sun (just enough light for the photos to turn out well), some breeze (not too hot for me to be in the gowns, pls). Sounds demanding? Well, God delivered it!

Initially, I was a little jittery. "You mean the make-up is done?!".... "I've to change into my gown now? You mean, NOW?!".... "All ready....huh, you mean we're going out NOW?!".... "Darling, can I not take any photos, pls?"

Thank God that my Darling was very patient with me. As it turned out (to be what my Darling said), everything went on well.... and we both enjoyed it very much!

Darling and I had good chemistry with the photographer. We were fast in posing and "acting" whatever the photographer had in mind. He was also quick to catch our candid moments too! I was hooked being photographed...so much that I felt it ended too soon... ;(

Well, perhaps, we can have couple photoshoot again... soon... Darling???