"I hope you continue to age gracefully" What the Frick?

This guy makes me so tired sometimes, physically and mentally. I hate that he never argues with me. I hate that he never picks up the phone when I need him. I hate that he's always late to see me but always early for work. I hate that when I want to stay mad at him, he smiles and I cant help but smile as well, frick.

Anyhows. I'm exhausted. I am going to sleep in tomorrow. I've been waking up early on my days off. First christmas, planning and cooking lunch and dinner for the family. Thankgoodness the asian grocery stores were still open or I would have been screwed. All week I had no time to buy ingredients for christmas because every damn day and night I was working, even when I wasnt suppose to (frickn' boss). Spent the whole day cooking. Made the sibs clean. it's the least they could do.

Boxing day I spent with Pipe, got all dolled up. We watched Avatar, was a really good film (but both Pipe and I were starving and I couldnt pay much attention, since my stomach was growling all through the film). Finally had some lunch at a Korean restaurant. We had to go back to my house so I could take my mum to the temple and after we had Korean BBQ for dinner because apparently the boy was craving it. It was nealry midnight by the time I got home, that boy is so lucky I can drive. Speaking of which, I let him drive my car last night around the parking lot, it was fun and scary since he almost scratched someone's car.

Time to cook dinner...and then sleep.

Somebody please tell me I look older than this girl by 9 years. So tired of people asking for my ID when I'm with her.

"Nhi, can you work tonight?" Frick.

I highly doubt John, the owner of the bar knows who the hell I am, with the thousands of staff in the associations of bars and hotel that his family owns, but it's nice to know that someone at my bar acknowledges me. $50 bonus, better than nothing. boss/chef "if you want more money, work more" heck no.

I'm dying at work, I didnt realise I would be so busy, Pizza Pizza pizza every gosh damn day. People let me go home. Another double today. I havnt had time to wrap my christmas prezzies (thank goodness I bought them all ) and buy ingredients for christmas lunch and dinner. Shites. I need a massage or a hot bath because my muscles and feet are still killing me. I've lost heaps of weight over just these past two days from having no time to eat. frick.

Time for work. Peace.

I can't decide between this one, this one and this one. hmmm...

If anyone is stuck on what to get me for xmas, that book would be a perfect gift (hint HINT).

Today is the only day I'm free until Christmas day so I did all my christmas shopping today. I am completely wiped out. Also had to buy new sneakers but I couldnt decide between three pairs, tried to call Pipe (the guy is obsessed with shoes) but he didnt pick up my phone calls, so annoying and in the end I didnt buy any. I think I have to wait til next year to buy new shoes (I know Boxing Day sales and junk, but I doubt the ones I want will be on sale). Bumped into some of Julius's church friends in the shoe store, asked for his opinion, was a no brainer apparently "get the Vans, they're cool"..I'm still iffy.

Working all week until Christmas and then until New Years Eve (and hopefully not into New Years). It's been fun though, with all the guys are working we all laugh and make fun of each other, so the extra long hours of work dont seem so bad. The new manager is beginning to be more relaxed around me, he was pretty shy at the beginning, didnt talk much to anyone in the kicthen, now he's all cheeky. It's cute (shhh don't tell Pipe :P). Also getting Christmas bonuses this week, boo ya!

I want to run away...from everything

I dont know how I feel...these past two days have been a bit of a disappointment...I want life less serious with those that I love...

laugh and play with me like no one is looking even when they are...

Boss is giving me more shifts, I appreciate it, but I'm getting bored with this job, I want a change, I want to start my career. I started looking for a Patisserie job on Monday, it's scary walking in and asking, when I'm sure most of them arent looking for new employees. Though most took the time and gave me a chance to talk and tell them my story. I was going to continue this morning before I had to go to work this arvo...but boss called me in early, and so there goes that out the window. Starting again early tomorrow morning. hopefully by the new year I've got something new to look forward too (I'm still keeping my current job, pay's good ;)).

I want to have some fun! Maybe I'll buy a ticket to Melbourne to do a bit of shopping therapy, I need a new scene, I need to go somewhere I can think and know that those I want to run away from can't find me. I feel trapped and I cant do anything...I need to escape...

I love being with him...

Hung out with Pipe yesterday. We spent most of the time at his home...bore. I dont like being stuck inside. So after  2hours, I finally convinced him to take me out. Though it was almost time for him to go to work, bleh. So the hour left that we had, I spent with him at the Cupcake Bakery (where he made that lil piece above), taking photos and laughing at each other. I also got to see where he worked for the first time, at this fancy "hatted" restaurant. I spent the last 10minutes messing with him, since it was a such a prestige restaurant I wanted to embarass him, but ended up embarassing myself as well when the chef came out..oops. Lots of fun.

"This Macaroon tastes gross..."

I bought this wicked robot necklace on Friday at the China Town market thing they were having. I love this thing, new fave toy. Patrick was trying to haggle a cheaper price for me but failed...boo but thanks for trying :).

Caught up with Catherine (my best from high school) last Tuesday after work. Since we both werent hungry at 4pm I decided to take Catherine to Surry Hills in search for the Sparkle Cupcakey...that failed, and I didnt realise it had been 2 hours :S whoops...did work up an appetite though. We had Thai and talked a lot about what had been going on in lives. It has been so long since I saw her last.

I also bought a new camera! Still bummed out that I had lost (or worse, someone had stolen it, which is really not cool) my old one, I did really love that one, I had taken so many memories with that one. Not to dwell on what has been, I'm gonna capture new moments with this one. (and mum doesnt suspect a thing, phew!).

Today I spent the whole day dress shopping, for my sister this time, thankgoodness. No luck with her too, but it's been fun. I bought a new book "Matchless, A Christmas Story" by Gregory Maguire. Going to have to continue shopping with her later this week.

I'm wiped out, time to make dinner and watch Seven Pounds.

I have half a mind to just do a mechanic's course myself.

I'm getting sick and I'm going to head to bed soon. I'm sick from driving all day, running errands and trying to find a car repair shop who will just find a glass to fit my VW, no flipping luck. I'm so tired.

On the flip side; I'm excited this week, meeting up with friends, new and old. Starting with tomorrow, catching up with my dear best friend from high school after work. Hopefully it doesnt rain and I feel a whole lot better by then.

I also have drop by college tomorrow to pay my school fees. Dread. Plus I have to buy a new digital camera this week, before my mum finds out I've actually lost my other one... :S. Dammit.

Must head to bed. Must get well. gnight.

"Thinking about what to do wont get things done"

I took this photo a while back...of an elderly woman trying to sell chilli plants infront of a Vietnamese bakery in Bankstown.

I am bored...already...it's only been 3 days since college finished and I'm bored...

My plans were to:

• Fix my garden, I want to plant heaps of veg and herbs.
• Find a second job in a patisserie.
• Get my car windows fixed. I have 3 windows in total that are now screwed
• Wake up early everyday-try not to waste my days away sleeping so much
• Try and bake...so far this week I've only made mini cheesecakes for Pipe and Jenn.

Tomorrow...I have work...12hs of work and I wont be home until 4am the following morning because the trains finish two minutes before I finish work, so night ride for me...(I hate night ride...). I'm trying to think of what to do during my break tomorrow...no one to play with me. Probably buy a magazine and sit at a cafe somewhere...drink heaps and heaps of caffeine. The last time I went home that late I was so sleepy it was hard to keep my eyes open just in case I missed my stop..then a hooker had to ask me if I was ok because apparently, I looked drunk...great...definatly avoiding that situation again. Dammit just realised I have to walk home too...shoot me now...

I fell asleep watching the Martha Stewart Show

One more week and fin! Just need to survive one more week.

Baked for three days straight this week, all in the middle of the night mind you and in between work and college too.

• Sunday night baked a layered Chocolate mud and Red velvet cake with Cream cheese frosting for dear Reenie's birthday. Tasted quite nice, unfortunately with the assignments due on the same day I couldnt frost the cake :(.
• Monday night baked for my sister's bake fair. I made cupcake ice cream. So the cupcakes were baked in kiddie cup cones and when the cupcakes rose they looked like scoops of ice cream. with a bit of icing and creativity they would have looked rad. But unfortunately mine didnt. (note to self: next time, use a basic chocolate cupcake mix not Mud).
• and finally Tuesday night, I baked adzuki bean filled chocolate cupcakes with green tea cream cheese frosting for Pipe's aunts bday.

Mum wasnt too happy about me baking so much and leaving such a mess. Also she's complaining that I'm wasting a lot of electricity, which I am, but muuuuuuuuuuuuuuum how am I going to practice if I dont bake?
Ok getting back to my assignment. The photo above is of a little scribble Marcella drew in my book a few months back in class, I spotted it last night while I was struggling through my Accomadation assignment, it made me smile.

More cupcake obsessions by me

Via Bakerella

Too funny, its a mini burger made out of cupcakes and cookie French Fries. I'm not so into the whole theme cooking, though I commend those with the skills and imagination who come up with these cute creations. I'm more into the elegant, classic, simple sort of desserts.

Ok I'm going a lil crAzY with this whole Patisserier idea, I really want to do it. I should get back to doing my assignments though (yeah sure, "get back to", as if I started any...).

I cant believe it's November already, it's almost the end of the year. It's almost a new year. so much to do, so little time. I'm going to go out and buy a planner, so much I want to accomplish before the year is out.

Wish I had thought of that!

From Bakerella

Osh. my. Gosh. I so wish I had thought of this. They're cake pops! Simply too cute. I'm definitely gonna try and make these soon. and the photo (and all the photos on the website look so damn good. Makes me wish I hadnt lost my camera all over again....)

There are so many recipes and experiments I want to try. I cant wait until college is over! All these ideas running through my mind, I just want to start baking now!

Baking List:

• Cup Pies: this idea from my fave tv show Pushing Daises.
• Red Velvet Cupcake
• A successful Black Bottom Cupcake (i've failed twice so far)
• a variety of breads
• and more I just cant unjungle in my brain...
  

hmm I just came across this interesting dessert...Chocolate Bacon Ice Cream. I would have never imagined. That reminds me, I still need to make ice cream to sell at the Vegetarian restaurant the temple just opened. I promised them. Though I need an ice cream machine...money money money....

I'm Happy*

*It might be because of the gorgeous sunny weather today or listening to Michael Buble that's making me all giddy inside. But I dont care, I like it.

I'm happy.

Only 3 more weeks of college left and I'm free to do what I love most and that's COOK. No more wasting my time in lectures where I sleep more than I learn. No more damn assignments that stress everyone out so they dont come out and play with me. I dont care anymore! I dont want to be cooped inside a building 20+ hours a week. I want to be outside, enjoying the sunshine on my days off and not be stuck inside trying to start my assignment. I want to find a new job where I can bake and have fun. I dont need to worry, I just need a little bit of confidence, I dont need someone telling me what I can and cannot do. Let me try, let me fail, let me succeed.

Everyone is so stressed out right now, everyone is a lil disappointed in me, I dont do it on purpose, I just dont understand the point. But I am happy, why not let me be? Everyone just needs to relax a little bit, grades dont matter in this profession-it's your will and passion to succeed that do.

I'm going to enjoy these last few weeks. I will finish my assignments and I will do fine. I will find a new job, I will enjoy it. Then when college is all over, I will help change my brother's life and I will spend more time with my baby sister (who is growing up so damn fast, I cant believe she is in high school already). I will catch up with old friends. I will just roll with what comes at me.

There is so more much more to life, and life isnt forever. I will live today.

I am so Excited. I am so Loved. I am so Happy.

Must study...gah...

Best be fully awake if planning a trip for tomrrow

Problems start when you're not awake and you book tickets while been nagged at constantly by your mum, you find out tix cost $550 one way for just three people, you book it for 7am in the morning and it's already 12am and you've only had 1hour sleep in two days. You also book a flight home thinking about your boyfriend's birthday, confirm tickets for that night and realised you were suppose to go home the night before. therefore. stuck in Melbourne for another night. On the night you were suppose to go home, you dont tell your host family you were suppose to be at Avalon Airport and not Melbourne airport, so you miss your flight because Avalon is an $80 taxi trip and an hour away, the plane leaves in 30mins, therefore. stuck in Melbourne another night. It's late, Next flight is at 6am in the morning and you need to wake up at 4am to drive to Avalon in time. Your host family doesnt sleep until 12am, and you cant sleep until they can. It's cold, it's wet, it sucks. A one day trip to Melbourne turned into two nights of unpleasantness.

Trip to Melbourne two weeks ago...

In other news: I went to see Julius play drums today at his church today, after getting lost on the way there (I'm hopeless). I finally got to see what he has been going on about for so long. I expected something more..erm..I don't know, "believe in god, or be punished" sort of thing, but I experienced a fun, light hearted service. Everyone was laughing, friendly, natural, and there was rock music, heck yeah! I would totally go back any day, though I'm still a Buddhist and I dont really want to be "saved" as the group put it today when they were converted to Christianity. I'm still totally cool with what other's believe and I respect that and I know other respect me too. I had loads of fun, watching Julius play with the band, met his friends and leader and chowed down on some delish lamb curry. Ace.

In more news: I've got this bummer skin allergy every time I get in contact with raw shellfish, I can eat the stuff but I can't touch it. What the frick? Not cool at all, how am I suppose to work when I cant touch shellfish with my bare hands? It's embarrassing. The other night at work, I wore gloves just to cut a kilo of prawns and yet the water they were defrosting in, got into my gloves, and I spent the rest of the night with blotchy itchy red hands. Very unpleasant.

Must get back to my study/assignments, pulling yet another all-nighter, very unhealthy, but i'm very lazy, there is no other way that I will finish my assignments if I dont finish it in one go.

"Swirl me around your room with feeling

And as we twirl

The glow in the dark stars on your ceiling

Will shine for us

As love sweeps over the room "

The bird and the Worm, Owl City

A kitchen so bad, it made me cry.

Its raining..in the middle of Spring...boo...

Upside, the bar did close early last night due to it, though it really poured down when I left the bar :( wet wet wet was the result.

Got to see Luke Nguyen cook at Cabra today!!! Though I'm really dissappointed with myself that I didnt raise my hand when he asked for volunteers, totally regret it. The whole time watching that blondie up there with Luke I kept wishing it was me :(. My sister was with me and she wanted me to go up too. oh oh!! He is so cool, there were a bunch of tiny kids running around the stage playing and laughing and growling at each other and he didnt do anything, he wasnt bothered, just smiled. He picked up one of the kids and held him over the pan playfully. So cute.

So Kristine and I got to talk to him, had our copies of "Songs of Sapa" signed and we also had a photo taken with him (will be posted up when I can get it off her).

Whilst enjoying her quail made by Red Latern's Sous chef.
Sister: Are Quails, ducks?

I've just gotten home from helping the temple with their new Vegetarian restaurant that's only been open for a week. I get that they're inexperience and all but ... oh my god!!! the kitchen, the state of it, I was crying. So bad. I definitely need to do something about it, I've already given them tips, I sounded like a pain the old behind. But they've worked so hard to get a restaurant going so they can raise funds to build a new temple, I dont want it going to waste just because they dont know how to organise themself and get huge fines from council. What a waste. Also I'm planning to make real ice cream for them to sell instead of them selling store bought crap.

I'm really proud of them though, They're doing so well, people love the food as do I. I had Veggie Duck Noodle soup today. Yummerz.

"it's So.... Chinese-y"

So apparently there was a fire in the building I was having class at today at 2.30pm. We all thought it was a drill and took our sweet time to get out of the building from the 5th floor. Er...yeah wasnt funny when we finally got outside the building and saw the fire brigade, damn.

What happened to meeting at the emergency gathering area in case of fire? The class just stood in front of the building, Kristine and I were the only two who walked all the way to the park.... bleh.

My chef (one of the best chef lecturers I've had so far and who really believes in me) from last trimester, caught Pipe and I kissing (like peck) today. Should have seen the huge grin on his face when he came up from behind us and said "hello children", man I was embarrassed. But he continued on to say "No, It couldnt have happen to a better bunch of people" He was really happy for us, but frick, I was so red. I'm not usually so open. ha!

I caught up with dear Annie today. I havnt seen her in a while (though we still keep in contact via the interwebs). I took her out for afternoon tea and ice cream and took some sticker photos up at capitol (like back in the day). We chatted on about what we've been up too, Annie asked me about Pipe, some talk about Twilight ("K-Stu"?? when on earth? LoL me no likey Twilight, but whatevs, people have their own opinions and fantasy and I have no right to judge). It was great catching up with her, she hasnt changed much, still talks the same (XP). She loves her new Vans that's for sure. I'm still full from this afternoon and we didnt even eat much. I enjoyed myself today. She also got to see to my workplace, my boss and the Thai cleaner who still has a major crush on me even after I told him I had a boyfriend...(It's sad, I dont want to hurt him..but I wish he would move on...)and she got to know the City a tad better.^^

Annie with me at Passion Flower

Quote of the day:
Walking to China Town
Annie: Ah! China town! it's so Chinesey

Annie and I on halloween in year 12, 2007

I think I've found my inspiration

I bought Luke Nguyen's new book this arvo "The Songs of Sapa- Stories and Recipes from Vietnam" and while reading only the first 3 chapters on the train home, I'm reminded of my family back in Vietnam and how much I really miss them. I know I'm always mentioning this but I cant help it. All of the imagery that is written and photographed in this book just brings back all these memories of the time I was with my relatives.

From my trip when I was 11 years old, I still remember thinking "wow, they eat a lot" well actually they didnt eat a lot, just frequently through out the day, I think I would have had about 4-5 meals a day and at night my cousins would take me to these small shop fronts that sold creme caramels and yoghurt. Bliss (as Jenn would say it).

I will always remember my aunt waking me up early in the morning every single day to accompany her to the markets where we would buy ingredients for that day's breakfast and lunch. Seeing all the freshly caught fish still flipping around in an inch of water kept in woven baskets, the smell of freshly made soya bean milk and the sweaty fat butcher woman who blended in with all the the pork that was hung around her. I did get jaded after a while, but I'm glad she kept making me go, it was quite an experience seeing all the fresh produce (even if I didnt pay much attention at the time).

I didnt realise until I started reading this book, how much food tied my family together, the only time they were together and civilised was during meals. It's inspired me to start learning how to cook traditional Viet food and I cant wait to start. My uncle is still here so I can let him try, he already loves the food I cook so far (which means a lot to me) I hope he'll be proud of me and the rest of my family in Vietnam too. It's been hard, going through with my choice of being a chef, because I know that everyone wants me to go to uni so I can have a career where I wear a suit, but it keeps me going when I know they support me anyways and I really dont want to dissapoint them.

Focus girl.

I've been so distracted lately, I cant believe I let myself slack off. It's the final term before I'm off to Industry placement for 6 months, and I've lost confidence in my cooking skills, I dont know if it's because of me, my lack of study or my chef (but I couldnt blame another). It's got to be me, I've found myself losing my thoughts, sleep and even my belongings just because of him...

I need to prioritise, college, work, then romance. there's no other way, but it's so hard...I told myself not to do this, not to lose my way and I've found myself there. My boss told me the other day after I told him I couldnt work an extra shift "you used to always want to work..." *slap* focus! Starting from this week, study study study, while working working working. My boss has given me a load of extra shifts this week, before the long weekend, which means I've had to skips some classes and make up some classes. No time to see him. Must focus.

But it's his birthday this week...and he wants to spend it with me, damn it...I've started planning for it, stop! focus! ... i'll be ok, I know I will, I always am, I will not allow myself to fail, EVER.

Schedual for the next few weeks.

• See Luke Nguyen (co-owner of Red Lantern) at Cabra this weekend
• See David Thompson, Peter Gordon, Luke Nguyen and Pichet Ong at the International Food Fest the following weekend (which I still need to buy tickets for, so expensive though, but so worth it)
• Attend the Night Noodle Market in a few weeks at Hyde Park.

I do wish I had my camera to capture the whole experience, but I dont, sucks. It's a full few weeks coming up, including doing assignments that are all due at the same time and working heaps more, it is almost peek season after all. and my spare time will probably be spent with that dorky guy I call my boyfriend...

Suck-tastic week.

There's me, trying to help my uncle undent my car door today.

Why is it when one thing goes wrong, EVERYTHING seems to go wrong? What a sucky week.

This week:

• Monday: I lose my camera
• then I realise my USB is in the case that my camera is in
• Wednesday: I'm denied entry in my lecture just because my pants werent school bought (what the frick?)
• I lose my name tag (my third one this year (that's $75 in total))
• Friday: I forget my theory book
• I catch the last train home after work, fall asleep (from lack of sleep for the past two days) and miss my stop. I pay $20 for a 5min taxi drive (I swear, why arent there night rides in that area???) oh and it's 1.30 in the morning!
• Saturday: I wake up late to take my sister to tutoring.
• My car wont start, and sister is even more late
• Sunday: Sister forgets that the back window is broken and rolls down the window, which wont roll back up!!
• Car wont start again, Sis is in the driver's seat, car starts, car is in REVERSE, the car rolls backwards, with the driver's door open, Car does not fit through gates, Car door is now screwed. (it makes no sense, if gears are in Reverse, the car shouldnt be able to start-someone hates me).

Frick, Frick FRICCCCK!!!
In other news: My uncle from Vietnam arrived this morning. Really happy.

So Much Love

It's suppose to read "Happy death BRIGADE" one of my TADO stickers, but watevs

I've got such great friends. I lost my digital camera on Monday arvo, and I've been kinda hopeful that it would be found by the end of Wednesday...but it didnt. As the day grew nearer to the end, I began to realise that I may have lost my camera for good. I'm so sad. I bring that thing everywhere with me and now that I'm without it, it's just plain wrong. I got pretty upset today and all my friends have been trying to find it for the past two days, they're so sweet like that. Trying to recall when and where they saw it last, if I had accidentally put it into their convention bag (that we all went to on Monday). But nothing, and yesterday they made a notice for me to post around the college. They are so amazing, I really appreciate everything that they're doing for me, and it was entirely my fault that my camera is lost yet they still want to help me find it. I feel so lucky to have such loving friends around me.

"well we all can't come and go by bubble!"

Jenn and I went to the opening of Wicked last night, and it was, well wicked!

We've been waiting for this moment since I bought the tix for Jenn's birthday two months back and what happens? We're late!!! Stupid city and the lack of parking. So we missed the intro, dratz. Though as soon as we were able to get in, it was just "wow", an our seats were great -I was so worried our seats being so far back, we wouldnt be able to see jack, but it was perfect! almost.

The whole show was aaamazing, the actors, the costumes, the lighting, the props. Just astonishing. Jenn was on the edge of her seat the whole time. I enjoyed every minute of the show, except for...when Bert Newton (he played The Wonderful Wizard of OZ) had his solo, he was absolutely awful! and the song went for so loooooooooong :(. I hate to say it, but Rob Mills was actually good *gasp*. The whole show was just great great great.

The musical was different to the novel, some of the story changed (as they do, and the musical was lighter than the novel) but despite my expectations, the musical was wonderful as it's own.

I bought a whole bunch of merch after the show, well tried, we were first in line, but couldnt decide what to get and when we did finally decided, the computers die and they're only accepting cash and we had none! so we had to get out of line and find an ATM, bleh when we came back they were about to close, lucky the girl remembered us. I bought a CD, the program, a keyring (for my sister) and the Grimmerie (a book about the American musical, the actors, the props, just everything into making the musical).

After that we had ice cream, dinner, then maccas (in that order) and got home at about 4am. so much fun, back to what Jenn and I used to do in the old days (staying out super late for no reason).

20...at last

I had a really wonderful birthday. and I'm finally 20! finally... So much love from my family and friends today, really over whelming.

My college friends bought me a new school bag, they're sick of seeing my doggy bag from high school. LoL, so sweet. Also Pipe baked me a *cough* delicious birthday cake for me (which was totally awesome of him to try).

After a long day of college, I finally got changed into my dress (for dinner with Jenn), all of my college friends were so amazed that I could be so girly (yeah so shocking), they all gave me that "aw, she's finally growing up" look, I was blushing so much. They were all taking photos like it was a moment that would never come again. LoL

I was dressing up to go to Mad Cow restaurant (picture above) with Jenn, it was a last minute decision and I had actually wanted to go to this restaurant about two years ago and had forgotten about it until a few days ago. I just love the decor, all bright and spring like (what I so love). The food was just yummerlicious and I had a surprise in store for me at the end. When it was time for dessert, the waiter brought out my desert with a candle in it, I was so surprised and had thought they were just being hospitable. But Jenn revealed that she had arranged the restaurant to put a candle in my dessert so that I had something to blow out to signify my birthday (plus she wanted the candle smell...heh LoL). I was completely shocked that she could pull the whole thing off (I was the one who had made the reservations for the restuarant, not her). It was so nice of her and it made my evening. She has been so busy lately and that she had the time to do something like that, means so much.

Jenn bought me a chef's knife for my birthday(really unexpected). It had "true friends stab you in the front" engraved on it, awesomeness!! I love it, and I cant wait to start using it. no doubt, that knife will stick with me throughout my cooking career.

I had a grand birthday this year and I'm so happy that I'm surrounded by so many people who love me and take care of me, it means so much that you dont understand, with all the things that has happened to me over these past 20 years, good, bad and the terribly ugly, I've made it through with the love of those around me. I'm stronger, I'm more confident and I'm a better person. I thank all of you.

Here we go again...

Going back to college on Monday- The break just went by. I didnt exactly have a day to myself until Thursday and I realised how boring it was to be by myself. gah, I was so bored I was in agony. Though I drove my sister and her lil friend to high school (an induction program for year 6 students to high school so they dont freak when they realise incredibly lame high school really is-I hated high school). I swear kids these days have no manners, I remember every time my friend's parents would drive me anywhere I would always thank them, my sister's friends- nothing. Bleh.

My back car window decided to stuff up today lucky the weatherman was wrong and it didnt rain, phew! My car-sucks. Also went dress shopping for the upcoming WICKED opening next week! Me and dress shopping, never good. I didnt find anything I wanted and every shop I went into had the same looking dresses just in different colours-bleh. Continue hunting tomorrow. cant wait..not. Hopefully weather will be good.

I've been getting up really early and heading to bed really late lately, totally sucks cuz I'm tired and there wasnt really any need to be getting up so early. Plus looking at my new college timetable I gotta be waking up early nearly every day-I should have slept in this break-but didnt, what a waste, fool.

and my Birthday coming soon-gonna be 20 finally! no clue to what to do though...hopefully not working, should probably advise my boss first eh?

Snowy Mountains

Kristine invited me to go to Snowy Mountains with her and her friends over the weekend. Had major fun, wish it didnt end. I'm so exhausted right now though, had to go to work this morning after arriving back home last night at about 9pm (after a 5hour drive).

I want to blog about the whole weekend, but I'm tired. Here's the cliff note version

• fell face first in the snow quite a number of times- frost bites on the face
• many innocent kids got mowed down by us big kids (accident of course)
• sliding down the snow hill really fast is fun
• climbing back up the hill is a killer
• stayed at a nice 3 bedroom house - I got my own room away from the couples ^^
• I forgot my sleeping gear, so was freezing wearing my shorts and stockings to bed
• Kristine and I make a great team (making dinner)
• 5 hour car ride-singing, talking, sleeping, watching out for a maccas to use toilet
• too many roadkill to witness for one trip
• built an awesome snowman with the help of a fab 8 year old boy

Many thanks to Kristine and her boyfriend for taking me along, was tonnes of fun.

Too Cute

While waiting to pick up my sister from school this arvo, I was reading some of the work that was hanging in the office "writer's corner". This automatically made me smile, it's so adorable. It was written by a kindergartner.

For a home of Christians it sure is dark

More of the BBQ photos here

Another End of Term BBQ, this time at Julius's house. That guy was really relaxed that day-made me smile a lot-might have been the booze not quite sure...

My day started at 5.45am :( so damn early...I dont even wake up that early for college. The BBQ started at 12pm.. heh heh. Before you all call me insane, I went to Pipe's house to help him unpack his junk from moving house. So naturally, with my lack of sleep and waking up extra early, I was exhausted...

Julius lives at this water front, gorgeous views-but the water was a lil brown :S. Weather was fabulous, bright sunny day-signs of spring. We cooked, we ate, we laughed and I took heaps of photos. Near the end of the day I was so exhausted I almost fell asleep on Julius's guest bed up at his house...but no one would let me sleep! bleh! I took some final photos of everyone as the sun was setting before we all started heading home. Fun fun filled day... Crazy bunch of people...more crazy when they're drinking-love them all the same though.

My table is there, somewhere

I've been busy baking baking baking since I had my oven fixed. Loving it, also getting sick of eating them, but the end product always tastes so yum. I've been giving away most of what I bake, I bake waaaaaaaaaay too much food. Mostly sweets :S. (Choc chip and Hazelnut cookies and White choc and Macadamia cookies pictured above).

This is the last week of term 3! I've almost completed my first year, yay. and pictured above is my "study" table, under piles of books, food magazines, bags of work uniform that need to be clean, CDs that keep me through the late nights of "studying". I've got no time to clean it up, and when I do it gets messed up again when I cant find my work books.


Yesterday I spent all of my Sunday shopping! for kitchen equipment ^^. There was a sale, cant pass that up, heh heh. I wanted to by crockery, there were so many beautiful plates and bowls, but I couldnt afford. Spent heaps yesterday on equipment and ingredients. I'm satisfied ;D.

Ok must get through this week..exams exams exams. My final prac test this week too, can't wait!

1 down, 1 more to go

Last night was my first practical exam (one more to go, then term break!). We worked in pairs and we had to design a 3 course meal for a special dietary need (Vegan, Low GI, Lactose intolerant or Diabetic) allocated to each partner. My partner and I had to design a menu for DIABETICS. Difficult task trying to find suitable dishes that still had flavour and presented well.

Came out quite nicely I might say. Not only my dishes but everyone elses. I was truly amazed at how everyone's looked so gorgeous and tasted delicious. I'm very proud of my class. We produced dishes that we could honestly say were restaurant worthy. All because we had such great chefs over the past 3 terms to show us the way (by shouting at us, stressing us out, making fun of us with other chefs right in front of us (telling them how hopeless we all were). Good times. LoL).

The night went well, only thing to complain about, I forgot my knife kit at work so I had to borrow my friend's knives and they weren as sharp as mine :(. i sharpened my knife especially for last night, though I'm very lucky that I have friends who lend me knives :).

I can't wait for next week. This time 6 dishes, and no restrictions! info to come on the menu nxt week. Excited XD (hint: one of the dessert is chocolate. yum!)

Entree: Calamari and Chilli Salad

Main: Spiced Lamb cutlets w/ Blanched Asparagus Spears and Jus
Dessert: Fruit Salad w/ Mascarpone and Mint

***there's my chef- he's giving us the verdict of our dishes (that's during the MAIN course)***
***Desserts of other pairs. All of them look magnificent***

In other news: I lost my woollen college jumper on the bus to the train station after class last night. eh no big loss, it was itchy anyways. Plus I wont be buying a new one, 'cause they changed the jumpers to sloppy joes with a bright blue logo on the front. erk.

In more news: not really news. Exams all week tomorrow and next week and then two week break. hopefully 14 glorious sunny days. I am going to live it up before I resume for my final term (before my industry placement that is).