Month of Love

If most people chooses February as their month of love, me, in the other hand feel that July is more like it. Just simply because my husband's birthday and our wedding anniversary fall in this month. So we're going to celebrate a double-bash.

We planned (well, I was the one who suggested) that we should go somewhere to celebrate our 5th year anniversary (for me, 5 years is as important as 10 years together). I was so happy when were thinking of somewhere romantic this year. I've never been to any 'honeymoon' before...sob..sob..sob.. people always says "you're in honeymoon here in holland.." In MY dictionary, honeymoon is when u go somewhere and stay in other place (definitely not a place you call 'home') that we could withdraw ourselves into solitude, relaxing while having fun at the same time, enjoying the intimacy without having to think of what's cooking? what in the washing machine? what's to clean? etc. But still, unfortunately we can't go anywhere because my passport is being renewed and my husband has to save his 'leave' because we're going back to Malaysia this Raya.

I feel a little frustrated because it's something I always been dreaming of, since I 've become a wife nearly 5 years ago... I know my husband couldn't care less about all this thing... Men.. they only think about sports, their Xbox, Xbox stickers, games, football and "what's cooking today sayang?". Bof!

Series of events

My last post dated 27th May. Today is 26th June. Yes... a month...and no, i didn't wait for a month to update this blog. Just a coincident. There were so much things happening that kept me busy. I drafted a few post before but still I couldn't manage to publish them.

WHAT HAD KEPT ME OCCUPIED:

1. Curry-puff making by the Malaysian Ladies Association in The Hague.
We planned to make 1000 pieces of curry-puff but we managed to produce


2.Keputeraan Agong Reception and Pantomime Show by Malay Class Children

for these two events I had to make another 300 pieces of curry-puffs.


3. Malaysian Food Fair 2009 (also by Malaysian Ladies Association of The Hague with the help of Embassy of Malaysia in The hague)

The preparation was one thing. The events itself was another thing and the after-event thingy was a different thing. Before the events, series of meetings, coupons making (I was in charge of the coupons making) and what made I had extra work was I myself selling food on that 2 days. I've sell 3 types of laksas... Asam Laksa, Kelantan Laksa/Laksam and Nyonya Laksa. and after the events I (alongside with the committees) had to settle all the money collected and give the percentage to all seller, as I am the treasurer of the association.


4. Claims and claims and claims.


5. Visitors and some will arrive again next week


6. French course and its homeworks.


7.Babysit a boy of 3 and a half year-old. (but it was only one day)


Another big thing that is coming will be this Monday. My french test that is. So I still can't spend my time bloghopping or surfing. I do surf but only french exercise. Wish me luck!!!

Sweet Bun Recipe

I dedicate this entry especially for a freind, YANA . She has requested this recipe sometimes ago..(but anybody can try out this recipe though)

This is only a simple sweet bun recipe but it taste soooo good. I got the recipe from a friend over here.

SWEET BUN

Ingredients:
1. 500gm flour (if you want the bun to be REALLY nice, use superfine flour. Otherwise it will turn out so-so)
2. 1 tablespoon yeast
3. 50gm butter (you may need more later for kneading)
4. 1 egg (the original recipe use 2 eggs but I only use one because with 2 eggs it didn't turn out really nice)
5. 1 teaspoon bread improver
6. 1 teaspoon dough softener
7. 2 tbsp milk powder (DO NOT put more milk powder, i thought by putting it more would make my bun more tasty but NO, the texture was different before.)
8. 150gm sugar (I usuallu use castor sugar)
9. About 250ml water (depends on your flour. Some flour needs more water, some needs less)

Preparation:
1. Sift flour at least 2 times.
2. Mix sifted flour with yeast and bread improver then crumble them with butter and dough softener
3. Put the egg and sugar, then start kneading (by switching on your mixer/food processor)
4. Add water little by little until the dough is ready (no more excessive flour on the mixing bowl. This recipe produce a really soft and sticky dough, DO NOT add extra flour)
5. Continue kneading with you hand until the dough really elastic.
6. Cover the mixing bowl with a damp towel and let raise until double in size.
7. Knead again to let the gas inside the dough out.
8. Shape the bun into your desired shape and bake (This dough is really soft and sticky. so you need to apply some butter on your hands before start shaping the dough)
9. When the buns is almost done, glaze them with butter.


After a few trial, I knew that the initial key to a perfect soft buns in KNEADING. Baking a bun is not as easy as eating one, but with practice, it'll eventually come to you.

Rants

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz bzzzzzzzzzz...

You heard that sound? That's busy bee me..LOL!

You know what can ruin your perfect and tranquil day in Holland?

1. Unpredictable weather.
It rained heavily last night (and still pouring until now). I mean really really heavy last night, big tree's branches were everywhere to be found on the ground, in some area this morning. I was told that some branches had fallen on a beemer (not ours luckily) and some had fallen on a house..

2. Road construction.
Anybody who lives or ever lived in Holland would know what I'm talking about. Dutch lovessss to repair their roads. All over the year...hmmm mabe less during winter time... Don't ask me why, because I don't have the answer.. Those roads are perfect for me, but maybe they have a standard for their roads. It could be obnoxious, really...when you are just 50 meters to reach your house but yet you have to drive around and round your neighborhood, like 1km before you really get there.... oh, I felt like transforming to an incredible hulk sometimes.

3.Bad bank service.
This thing is seldom happens, but now more frequent, I think after they wanted to change (in fact they already changed) the procedure of the transaction...oh, before forgotten, I'm not talking about the bank staff. I'm not talking abot the people. I'm talking about the "geldautomaat" or the automatic teller machine (the ATM machine)as they say in english. The bank avoids any cash transaction at the counter, as they tried to promote the use of the ATM all the time but you know, as a machine, they would be out of order, out of money...sometimes...too bad, there were more than 1 ATM in a branch but all of them couldn't be used (just now!!!!). So I have to go the counter inside the bank instead. To my surprise, the computer system was slower than a snail. I've waited for about 15 minutes but the transaction was still failed. Luckily the bank representative was very nice and warm in the middle of a cold day. So I couldn't care less...

4. PMS



It is VERY NICE of me, ranting in my blog after a long idle. LOL

A Quick One

It's been soooo long huh? Many many thanks to you guys who keep on coming and checking my blog out while I'm idle. Now I'm back!! But I'm still a busy bee..there's minister visit this week and there will be a "Malaysia Truly Asia" Reception for the dutch to attend, hosting by Ministry of XXXX. I'm still tired, I wish I don't have to be in the big event...due to lack of people (and time) I have to be part of it. Dancing again..what else..but this time not those little kids...I myself will perform..LOL...what on earth!!?!!! If the dance is Joget, I won't find myself freaking out but it's ZAPIN this time... Why Zapin? Why? Why??? WAAAAA!! This is my first time dancing Zapin and I hope this is the last time..LOL...No offense Johorian, this dance is not easy for me..uhuk!

Ok, time is ticking, I can't write much things at this moment...I have to prepare dinner for my husband and get myself ready for the dance practice...Oh, I have toI wish I could write more to you guys...

Before I hit the "PUBLISH" button, check this 2 photos out:


It's so-called professional footballer's (my husband's) upper leg. He got this injury last week while playing football (what else). Horrific isn't it?




My biggest achievement in baking..my sweet bun is perfect now!!!Yippie!!!

A short One

Just a very short and quick one... My guest is already here. I fetched him from the airport this morning because my husband had a football match at same time. A few more will arrive this late evening (but they will catch a very early flight tomorrow). Another troop will arrive on the 13th, while Mekda & Yazed will come on the 14th. My family (including my mother in law) will arrive from Malaysia the next day in the morning and Mekda will fly back to Ireland later in the evening. My family will stay until the 25th. Only my MIL will stay until 10th of May. I'll be quite busy then! So you wouldn't want to wonder why I don't update this blog.

Leave me a message okay!

Gonna miss you guys!!!

Goodie Goodie Good News!

Helloooooo everybody!!!
I'm sooo excited to tell you a good news! This is one of my hopes, my dreams and my wishes..Praise to God almighty for letting this happens. Physically I look laid-back but my heart is jumping with intoxication!

Remember that I mentioned about my hope to continue my french lesson? It's happening now!! I just got back from registering at the institute that offers french courses. Alliance Francaise that is.







The first session (the one that I choose) will be started on this coming 20th. But sadly I won't be able to attend. We're going for a trip...our family will be here (including my mother in law) at that time...so we're planning to bring them to Brussels (again???) and Paris (I don't mind going there again!!)

Another good news is, my husband also registered and he's gonna have a proper lesson too. He also has the basic of French language but he never sit for any test, let alone to have a certificate. Me on the other hand had passed the first level with fairly valuable credential. Whilst I just continue to level 2, my husband had to take a placement test in order to know which level he is in. To my surprise (to his as well, I bet) he is in my level! I'm soo proud him! And we're going to be in the same class! Haha..so he won't have a chance to flirt with any girl in the class..hahaha!

Wish us luck friends!!!