May You Rest In Peace

Ah Ma passed away this evening while she was being sent home from the hospital. I am sad. I broke into tears when I heard the news from Papa. None of us get to see her for the last time except for Mommy. Thank God Mommy made it to S’pore on time. I believe Ah Ma was waiting to see Mommy before she left. And now she rests in peace. This is the latest picture we took with her 3 years ago.

We miss you, Ah Ma. May the Lord be with you and may you rest in peace.

Graduated!

July Intake 2008 Graduation Ceremony at G-Hotel

All the best to all my fellow chefs!

In A Blink of An Eye

Two weeks have passed in just a blink of an eye. Many things happened and many errands to run. After my practical training at EQ, Papa was admitted to hospital to remove a lump on his left thigh. He went for MRI and doctor saw he big stones impacting his pancreatic duct. He failed ERCP and had to go through a major operation the following day. After his operation, Papa was in pain for almost 1 week. Tiubs were all over him and he couldn’t sit up and talk clearly. My heart broke when I saw him suffering but I know for sure he was going through the process of healing. Mommy, Xian and myself have been running up and down the hospital to console, pray and comfort Papa. It was a tough time. However I thank God for the instant recovery 2 days ago and I believed God has touched Him and healed him on the spot. Looking at his condition 3 days ago, we never expect he could get up from bed so fast but God proved us wrong. He is our strength and our healer. Anything can be done through Him and I am so thankful for His power that flows through Papa. Papa is discharged today. Finally, home sweet home for him *grins*

Not only Papa was admitted to hospital, my purse was stolen last Tuesday night when I was exercising in a dancing studio at Kulim. Do you believe an aunty in her 50’s actually stole my purse? It was too late when I couldn’t find my purse anywhere. Sadly, my cash, credit cards, ATM card, IC, driving license, Touch-and-Go card, a 4GB pendrive and photos were gone!! More errands to run. Went to make new IC, driving license, bank cards and etc.

At the same time, I had to prepare for my final exam. Last Monday, I sat for my theory exam and it went well as for my practical exam, I am satisfied with my result. I know I have done my  best and for the first time I cooked something nice and presentable *haha*. Here’s what I cooked:

Pan-Seared Fish Fillet served with Pineapple Sauce, Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Sauteed Vegetables

Our graduation will be held at G Hotel tomorrow. I am getting my Diploma in Professional Chef Training. Yay! Who wants me to cook? Come… come…! *wide grin*

Finally everything is over and guess what? I am starting my new job next week! I am so excited and for sure, I will get to attend Sunday service every week. Haha! Lord, thank You for Your wonderful blessings and unmerited favors. I am going to serve You with all my heart. May You transform me into a better person. Grant me Your wisdom to do what is right and pleasing to You. Open up my eyes to see what You want me to see. Open up my ears as You speak to me. And may the words that I speak are Your words. Let there be breakthrough after breakthrough and may Your Holy Spirit continue to guide me and lead me.

Another Chapter of Life

Five months have passed. My training at Equatorial Hotel, officially ended at 4pm today. As I was clearing my locker, my heart suddenly felt so heavy, reflecting on the good and bad times here. Tears welled my eyes as I walked out from the hotel. I missed my friends especially those who have helped me and guided me. Although I used to complain  alot, this place has brought me wonderful memories. I am going to miss those who called me Ah Moi, Cha Boh and etc. I did not manage to say thank you and good bye to some of them. Here is the list of people whom I wanna thank and may God bless you all:

From The View

Chef Looi, Chef Palani, Chef Fahmy, Dwayne, Chan, Jimmy, Warren, ‘Papa’, Zul

From Pastry & Bakery

Chef Khor, Kak Azira, Kak Su, Kak Rena, Abang Idris, Abang Eddie, Anthony, Abang Fazlee, Abang Ezri

From Muslim Kitchen

Chef Rais

From Cold Kitchen

Chef Wan, Chef Khor

From Butchery

Chef Haizar

From Main Kitchen

Chef Jeffrey, Chef Zairi, Kupang, Mr. Renny

From Kampachi

Chef Teh, Chef Kok, Chef Azlan, Chef Laurence, Abang Miron, Clemence, Abang Wan, Sham, Abang Taqiu

Stewards

Aunty Suria, Chow Loon

and not to forget my fellow trainee friends too,

Yeok Fong, Tong Leong, Tony Bok, Lauren Kam, Jia Ling, Yeap, Kwan, Lim

Lord,

Thank You for this journey which You have brought me through. Forgive me, O Lord, for the times when I fell back and for not putting my trust fully on You but You are a loving God who forgives. Thank You for standing with me all these while. Lord, I ask in Jesus name that You bless the list of people stated above. May Your angels guide them and lead them to where they shall be. And may my next chapter of life bring You more glory. This, I ask in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Confused

Time is moving. People are busy. Schedules are tight. Confused thoughts and decisions to make. People are near yet seems so far. Sometimes I wonder why…

God has made a way for a reason but I still do not know why and how…  What shall I do? This reminds me of what Ps. Sam has preached a while back. He said, “Don’t tell God how BIG your problem is, but tell your problem HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS!” Amen. I totally agree with that statement. And he also mentioned, “Don’t ask HOW, but said WOW (because my God is great) to your problems.” I do not know what my future holds but I believe what I am going through now will help me to accomplish God’s work for me and all I need is strong faith in Him while waiting for His answers. When there is faith, there is hope. But most importantly, I got to learn to love myself more and not to give myself so much pressure. Hardships and sufferings are just temporary but His promises are eternal!

Lord, I commit this time and my life into Your loving hands. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bring me back to You

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

Father,

Sometimes I don’t know what’s going on around me. My mind is distracted. I often find my thoughts are not right when I am alone and I don’t understand this problem. Lord, I know only You can help me to eliminate these thoughts and have the right remedy for me. Lord, bring me back to You. I need You more than anything else. Guide me and show me Your ways that leads to a fullness life. In Jesus name. Amen.

Vote for me!

Dear Readers,

I have submitted a photo of my Mom with my eldest sister and Avery a couple days ago for a Mother’s Day contest organized by Food Promotions. Surprisingly, I am one of the top ten finalists *grins* I do really appreciate it if you could help me to cast your vote here: http://foodpromotions.blogspot.com/2009/04/mothers-day-contest-finalist.html. The date line is till 30th of April. So let’s start voting!

Here is the photo I have submitted,

Thanks to all and have a blessed day!

Blessed Belated Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me…

Happy Birthday to Me…

Happy Birthday to Me…….

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, I am officially 25 now. Getting older and wiser. Haha! I just came back from work about 30 mins ago and yeah, I had a good day at work in pastry kitchen (my 2nd day). I’ve learned to make cheese cake, cream puff fillings, tiramisu, cream cheese frosting and red bean mousse. I also get to decorate and dip fortnue cookies into chocolate sauce.

Last night, Xian, HJ and Kim treated me a dinner at Chilis. Believe it or not, this is my first time there. Xian was keen about this place and since we have never been there and I also couldn’t decide where to go so, it’s worth trying. I am satisfied even though it’s just a simple dinner. Four of us had a great time together and yeah, the food portion is HUGE! We took alot of photos but I have not uploaded them yet. I will post them up soon.

Before I go to bed, I just wanna say many thanks for all the birthday wishes and gifts. I really appreciate every single one of them. And thank You Lord for Your wonderful blessings *grin*

Hear me.. Answer me.. Teach me.. Revive me.

Psalm 143 (NIV)

¹ O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.

² Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.

³ The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.

⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.

⁵ I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.

⁶ I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Selah

⁷ Answer me quickly, O LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,
for I hide myself in you.

¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

¹¹ For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

¹² In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.

In JESUS name. Amen.

A Visit to Cameron Highlands

It’s my first trip to somewhere a little further with HJ this year. We had a one-day-trip to Cameron Highlands last week. It was a last minute decision. We planned a night before and off we go the next morning. Haha, isn’t it amazing! I guess the last time I visited Cameron was about 10 years ago. I went there when I was just a little kid and I remembered it was a cool place to visit. However, today’s Cameron is no longer cooling anymore. It’s only chilling in the morning and at night but it’s hot in the afternoon.

We stayed at Rainbow Hotel in Brinchang whereby the rate for one standard room is RM75 nett, not inclusive breakfast. I think the rate is reasonable. Brinchang is a small town filled with colourful buildings which are mostly hotels, groceries and eating outlets. This is the place where you can find petrol station and it’s just 5 to 10 minutes drive to Tanah Rata.

We started our journey from Penang at 10.30am. HJ drive all the way while I slept half way through. Haha!

Taking pictures just for fun while waiting for his GPS to load.

By 2.30pm, we arrived at Brinchang and checked into Rainbow Hotel. Then we went detour the small town.

We had our tea break at  T-Cafe which is located at Tanah Rata. I insisted to visit this cafe coz I have come across many good reviews about this place especially for their homemade desserts.

T-Cafe is situated above Marrybrown (opposite Frreesia bus terminal).

The staircase to the cafe

It is selected as one of the top restaurant in year 2006

The interior

We ordered their home specialty; chicken pie, apple pie and strwberry fruity scone

Chicken pie

Small portion but it’s tasty

Apple pie served with vanilla ice cream

The apple filling is soft and the sweetness is just right. It goes well with the cold vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Strawberry fruity scone

Ah… I like desserts!

After that, we visited a strawberry farm nearby, Healthy Strawberry Farm. There wasn’t much strawberries but we enjoyed taking pictures of their beautiful flowers and variety of cactus.

Healthy Strawberry Farm (Tanah Rata)

My purple shirt matched with the purple flowers. HJ admiring the pointy cactus

Going round the farm taking flower shots

Fresh hand picked strawberried. RM10 for 3 boxes. RM4 per box. Isn’t that cheap? *grins*

After that, we went to another place where there were more beautiful flowers, cactus and souvenirs! (Sorry, I can’t recall what is it called).

From top left (clockwise): Strawberry fridge magnets, Cameron Highlands strawberry jam, strawberry clock and me

More strawberry products

The flowers are plentiful and they are all very colourful. I like our national flower, the hibiscus which stands out among the rest.

Beautiful garden and beautiful couple.. lol..

Don’t you think ‘it’ looks like him *tee-hee-hee*

A huge cup of tea for me

Kea Farm (opens from morning till late evening). You can get cheap and fresh vegetables and fruits here.

My favourite corn. Sweet and juicy when eaten fresh!

After checking out the next morning, we went to Big Red Strawberry Farm at Brinchang. I like this place. It’s huge and there were lots of strawberries. You can find strawberry desserts here too.

Even the stairs have strawberry carvings. Cute huh?

Japanese fish

Strawberry plantation

Lettuce

Who is the scarecrow?

As we went up higher, we saw a strawberry shop which sells all strawberry food  and souvenirs.

There is a wide range of strawberry desserts. Muffins, smoothies, huice, waffle, salad, yogurt, ice cream and etc.

Here, they planted cactus and flowers as well. The bright colour flowers above are called Impatiens. Sounds like impatient to me. Haha.

Who wants a ride? The car is too small for me.

Strawberries anyone?

Last but not least, we stopped at Cameron Tea Valley before we left for Penang. We were both quite tired by then. I slept in the car once again as he drove down the hill.

Cameron Tea Valley

Although it was only a short vacation, we had lots of fun walking here and there and taking pictures. Thanks dear for this awesome trip! I am looking forward for another trip *wink*