Jun Njan - BSM

It was right after we exited Trans Studio and looked for dinner. Too bad, all chairs have been filled up by customer at BSM foodcourt (I wanted to try some food that is quite difficult to find at Jkt) since it was due to the time for Moslem to open/break their fasting day (bad timing hehehe). We strolled around, looking for an empty table and finally we settled for Jun Njan (the only place that still had lots of vacant tables 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】)

cozy foodcourt @BSM during lunch time

Like any other chinese restaurant, the interior is classy with dominant gold and red. The wooden furnitures and partitions all have an oriental touch. It is quite big and has several vip rooms. The menus are also similar with others, therefore, we asked for the recommended ones, crab in oyster sauce and peking duck. We also ordered chicken corn soup, baby buncis with salted egg and steamed gurame fish.

As to be expected of the recommended items, the crab turned out to be so yummy. The crab was quite small (compared to the ones we normally have @Jkt) but the claws were so big and meaty (with thick shell as well...we were practically having a problem breaking it all). The oyster sauce was perfect with hints of spice. Then came the half pecking duck (but the portion was more than enough for 4persons). I was a bit sceptical at first (I removed the skin prior eating), however once I tried the skin, it was so crispy (not too fat and oily). The duck meat was quite tender and easy to chew (my girl loved it and had 5-6 big pieces - when she normally dislike poultry)


The steamed fish (definitely fresh fish with no fishy smell) and soup were good, however no special tastes that were distinguishable. I can't comment on the baby buncis since until we finished our dinner, the baby buncis was nowhere to be seen and tasted. I didn't complain though, we filled our stomaches full anyway and if the baby buncis were to make an appearance, we had decided to take-it-away.


Another thing that made our dinner so enjoyous was the discount of 15% by using BCA card or 30% by using Panin. If you don't have those cards, no worry, the half pecking duck is free if the bill is above 300k (it worthes of 110k++). And for bill more than 500k, you can get a whole duck free уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! Definitely a finger-licking benefit at your choice.

Bandung Trans Studio

Next week, my girls are having their 1st monthly exam for the new academic year. And normally, we always go somewhere out of the town for unwind weekend, just right before the exam. We normally choose in between Anyer, Bogor, Puncak, or Bandung. We use this weekend gateway to refresh the girls prior their exams.

Si Bolang dan Zoo crew show

That was what I discussed with my hubby at last Friday night, considering where to go and when. Thinking bout the time limitation and schedule conflict, sadly this time, we couldn't spend a nite (my girls were having their Yamaha exam last Sunday), so I suggested to go to Dufan since they offers 50%off of entrance fee during this fasting month. However, it was a spur of the moment decision of my hubby to choose Bandung Trans Studio instead of Dufan. Well, it was reasonable, Trans Studio can be considered new compared to the few decades old Dufan. Although most of the rides @Trans Studio can be found @Dufan (even @some malls in Jkt), I still find Trans Studio more attractive, especially it is indoor (no worry of sun burning my skin yay).

Legenda Putra Mahkota show

Suddenly I found myself busy preparing things for this sudden trip (at 10.30pm ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ)). So there we went last Saturday...enjoying our rides without much hassle and snake-long queue. I Ŀ♡√Ɛ travelling to Bdg during fasting month *grinning* The traffic from Jkt was very light (it took less than 2hours from our home - Ancol to pasteur) and we got 25% disc from the normal 200k weekend entrance fee уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! We entered the Trans Studio at 11.30 (we had our early lunch at Bandung Super Mall first) and before 3pm, we already rode all available rides, unless Dunia Lain LOL. We have entered and upon seeing the very first picture of girl without face (long black hair all over her face), my girl started to wail and we were rushed to find the emergency exit thru the zig-zag-ing pitch-dark small alleys.

The lost world section

Too bad, the Marvel Superheroes ride was under maintenance. I like this ride so much (found none 4D ride like this one elsewhere - none @USS, Genting, Ħªppy Valley, HK Ocean Park nor HK Disney). One thing that I like as well is the Science center. Well, it isn't as complete and fancy as Spore Science Center but it is still interesting (I felt I became smarter after spending an hour there LOL)

Playing stringless-magic harp @science center

I would recommend Legenda Putra Mahkota, a collosal show with special effects and circus attractions as well as the musical show of Si Bolang ϑa̐ñ zoo crew. Again, not as fancy as the similar musical shows @HK Disney nor as glamorous as the one @Phuketfantasea...however, the story is good and entertaining. The musics and songs can warm your heart (I'm getting a bit sentimentil here but it's true). I like the Bolang character, he kept smiling thru out the show.

The 5pm parade

The newest attraction offered (well, at least it wasn't available when we were there last Dec) is the laser show and the indoor firework. It started right after the grand parade at 5pm @central station (the place where they hold Legenda Putra Mahkota show). I felt like a dejavu since we sit and crouched with shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee, feet to feet, no space to move at all...all for the sake of getting the first frontseat (mind you, there were no chair/bench...so we basically sit on the floor. I got cramped legs after the show phewww). The laser show is about Mimpi si Monty (one of Trans Studio mascot). I was quite amazed, it was pretty awesome though you can catch the 'similar' laser show @Ancol Fantastique (totally recommended). After the show, they had firework for a minute (expect something less pls, afterall it was indoor fireworks).

The indoor fireworks

A visit isn't complete without spending some times at the merchandise store. They now have quite lots of stuff there compared to last time (some are totally cute), so we basically had our time choosing the goodies for the girls. After paying their share, we went home happily (though the traffic was unbearable - an hour from Trans Studio to Pasteur)


Hm, on the way home...we agreed that out next amusement park visit will be Jatim's Park (heard that it was pretty awesome) уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! ...time to check our calender :-)

Can i have these mommy?

The Mega Cash card (touch and go)

PS. For more information about Bandung Trans Studio, can be found at http://www.transstudiobandung.com/bahasa/index.php. For entrance and any purchase inside the park, we have to use Mega Cash. Mega Cash can be purchased at the ticketing booths for 10k with max balance of 1mio. There are lots of place inside the park to top-up the balance of your Mega Cash. Mega cash can also be used at BSM foodcourt or on selected merchants. Refund is available with a min balance of 1k.

Sweet potatoes cake

Tonight, suddenly I had the urge to bake something. I thought if it turns out good, then we will have something for supper snack and breakfast. Since I had Japanese sweet potatoes around so I looked for the suitable recipe. TADA...I found this sweet potatoes cake recipe from 'Yuk Masak' application on my tab (please download it from Google Playstore). It tastes good (not too sweet - just right for my tongue) but eating a slice is quite full (mind you, it has lots of carbo). So here it is, my night-baking *grinning*

Ingredients:
500g sweet potatoes
200g sugar
250ml cooking oil
4 eggs
1/2 tsp vanili powder
350g flour
1 tsp ginger powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Topping

Steps:
1. Prepare the pan. Grease and sprinkle the pan with flour
2. Pre-heat the oven until 180degree
3. Steam the sweet potatoes until soft.
4. While it's still hot, quickly peel the skin of sweet potatoes and make a puree of it.
5. Sift together the flour, ginger powder, cinnamon powder, baking soda and salt
6. Mix sweet potatoes with sugar
7. Add cooking oil and mix until creamy
8. Add egg one by one and mix until smooth
9. Add vanila powder, mix well
10. Gradually add the flour and mix well
11. Put the dough into the prepared pan
12. You can add grated cheese, chopped nuts, raisin or choc chips (according to your preference) as the topping
13. Bake for 45mins until the surface is dry (the skewer stick comes out clean)
14. Take out and let it cool

Oh ya, I experimented by covering half of the surface with grated cheese and left another half plain as it is. And pls be kindly informed that the portion is quite big (i was surprised myself), maybe you could try half the ingredient for the first try   :-)

Ħªppy baking  (>.<)

Top Secret Bride by Nina Bruhns

Top Secret Bride by Nina Bruhns

Awarded with Daphne du Maurier award, this e-book was pretty exhilarating and I enjoyed reading it on my tab. It is about SIS (Secret Intelligent Service of Britain, aka MI6 – remember mission impossible movies?) female agent, sexy but single Marina bond (yes, I noticed the name too he he) who was working undercover in Paris, at a high-end jewelry store. She was investigating the blood diamonds smuggle from South Africa, when she stumbled upon the info about someone who had been trying to eliminate the Lazlo group. Lazlo group was the most elite private investigation agencies which normally work together with SIS, whom the owner and founder (Corbett Lazlo) was Marina’s benefactor (he saved Marina in the past).

Feeling indebted, Marina was trying to tip off the news to Corbett thru his trusted right hand man, DeWitt von Kreus, who wasn’t only sexy and gorgeous but also a top notch agent. Sexual friction was sparked right from the first minute they met each other, along with the sniper’s gunning. Working together as pretended-lover, they were trying to bring down the smuggler and uncover the mastermind of the whole operation, with their lives as the stake.

Even though they were working perfectly on their undercover, however, Marina was fully aware of her occupation hazard and loved her job too much to be involved in steady relationship. DeWitt also had an unforgettable past which unconsciously built the wall between him and Marina. He couldn’t offer something more than being a lover, until Marina was captured and held being a hostage. How the thought of losing Marina changed DeWitt and how Marina could choose correctly this time? You better read it by yourself.

Malay Village

Last Sunday, suddenly my hubby took us all to one of the mall @Alam Sutra. It's been a while since we came here and the traffic was light, so we don't really mind the distance. We arrived right on time for lunch, so we strolled around and thought what should we had.


Finally, we chose Malay Village, with the tagline of 'my best Malay hawker food'. My girls are quite picky eaters but they like msia' roti canai. I like msia' food as well, since I spent few years back there so enjoying msia' food normally can bring the reminiscence of the old time (geez...I sounded like a middle age woman). The resto, simply decorated with 'peranakan' style, was crowded, only 2tables were empty and we quickly filled up the chairs. Perhaps due to the lunch time and the lack of staff, the service there was poor. We have to wait few mins just to get a menu books. The dishes came after more than 30mins of waiting and the waiter told me that my selected dish was run-out (geez...it took them half an hour to tell me that...poor kitchen management). The beverages took ages as well, 45mins to be served ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ)

But at least, the dishes were good. I chose mango salad for appetizer. It was so sour (and I liked it). Thinly sliced mango with peanut and chopped chillies sauce, plus black sesame topping. Too bad, they put the raw sliced onion that I dislike...took me some time to seperate those. My hubby chose fried tofu to start with, triangle shaped tofu cuts with breadcrumbs. He also ordered 'tahu telor' (tofu fried with egg) which was piled up high with chopped peanuts as the topping. Tasted pretty good too (I'm not tofu lover unlike my hubby).

Since they don't have my firstly chosen martabak, I opted for prawn mee soup (thank goodness it came within 10mins). Looked and tasted good, noodle and beehoon with few big prawns, crabstick, half boiled egg and chicken chunks, mixed with sprout beans and kangkung. The red and thick seafood soup was so tasty. But the chicken was a bit tasteless and the prawns weren't fresh (it tasted like something from the freezer). And my hubby had nasi lemak with this tender and juicy chicken curry. Absolutely yummy.


I would like to dine in again sometimes in the future, but absolutely not during the meal time.

The Dark Knight Rises

Last Saturday night, I had our-movie-date with my hubby @MKG, watching the last movie-must-watch this month, The Dark Knight Rises. Unlike the normal saturday night, the traffic was light (maybe it was due to the time when most Moslems opened/broke their fasting period), however, it took more than 15mins just to find a parking spot.


I'm not a fan of superheroes movie, including this Batman. However, my hubby was quite keen with superheroes, so there I was in the cinema, with eyes barely opened (well, mind you, it was past my bed time). However, I found myself being engrossed on the movie. The story flows smoothly even though a bit too long - almost 3hours (I felt like a delayed climax at certain point). And I was taken a back with a surprise outturn of the story at the end (‎​‎​⊙.◎ ‎​‎​w(°ｏ°)w ⊙.◎ never expected the mastermind will be ...better not spoilt it).


At the end, I decided to like Batman for his human strength, not some superhero with superpower. It was downright humble, seeing Batman lost a fight toward Bane, broken, black and blue. And some scenes indeed show the human side of Batman, his fear and desperation, his hope and passion. We clearly being told that not being afraid of the death is a weakness, not a strength as some people believe so. And the most important thing is hope and the will to live. A quote that I like a lot from Batman is that everybody can be a hero. Even believe in the hope itself is an act of heroism.

At the end, I don't really know whether the ex-detective Blake will be Robin (on the next sequel?). But it seems like the disappearing act of Batman afterward, was sort of giving the reign toward Blake. Oh, and I like Anne H (as the infamous thief - Kyle) so much. She was cool - reminded me of catwoman a bit. Even though not much fighting act unless several legs swinging, but I believed she enticed everyone inside the cinema (boys and men for lusting for her, girls and women for envying her sexyness). Donned in the skin-tight-black-suit with flirtatious hips swinging, I almost could see her red lips saying...meeooow!

Good Friday

Whewww...it is Friday night...how's your day going? Mine was such a tiring day (as always - Friday is the busiest one). My girls got 2 classes outside school so I have to manage the time properly. I can't afford to miss those pricey classes, so we basically were running here and there (literally, Friday is the only day when I exercise *grinning*). Sometime, I have this wistful thought of clonning myself (っˆヮˆ)っ нa헤нa헤нa헤 but since 'one me' is quite handful already...I guessed my hubby wouldn't fancy the thought of having 3 clones of me at the same time LOL


Despite my rushing in between of my girls' classes, today is still another lovely day indeed. Many good things happened today and I'm grateful for it. First, the whether was quite perfect all day, not scorching hot and we even got little summer rain. Second, my friend (tx u Yan) treated me breakfast уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! I Ŀ♡√Ɛ eating...especially if the meals come free along with a good companion. Well, it was a simple noodle @street stall but the home-made healthy noodle tasted good. And I enjoyed spending my morning with her, just talking bout anything (from Korean movies, the gossip @school until the trend of the current stock exchange...geez).


Another good thing was that finally, I was able to fix my girl' new nJAC class for August (it was conflicting with her mandarin class). It was such a pain, I questioned and surveyed 13Yamaha schools within north, west, and central Jakarta, and only 5 of them have this class open in August. 3 are on weekend, so I only got one @PV and another one @Pulomas (still tentative) which have the class on weekday. I was wondering which one should I drop when one mom (my girl' classmate from her mandarin class) suggested to reschedule our mandarin class to Monday. I was so relieved to find out that all were agree to it. Thank you moms *kisses and hugs*


Next good thing, finally I was freed of my guilt (more to my conscience part). Let's move back to several months ago, to start with. Around April, there was a driver @school (I didn't know who he was or who was his employer, I only recognized him as a driver of a student - apparently not my girls' classmates) chatted me up. He kept asking me to buy his house which after few weeks, he started asking for donation/money (he had lots of excuse, from his son was in hospital due to dengue until car accidents). But I never gave him any (well, I trusted my judgement and my heart + mind definitely telling me that he was lying).


The worst came when we just arrived @home from our overseas trip (tired, broke, and sleepy) and I found him in front of my door step, asking for money. He said, he lost his son and he needed the money for an ambulance for burial process. I was SHOCKED...not because of his news (yes, I was a bit shocked and felt sorry for him) but more because I never tell him my address and yet he was standing in front of me. Gosh! I wouldn't mind if my stalker (yes, he admitted that he was following me home one day in the past) was somebody as cool as Edward Cullen (from Twilight saga) but a BIG no no for this old-wrinkling-bony-black-man with big-scary eyes (I was reminded of Freddy Krugger - friday the 13th). I didn't give him any, since I had no cash on hand (well, I just arrived for goodness sake and I hadn't been to any ATM machine). He was angry and left.


Since his abrupt departure, I was feeling a bit guilty for not helping him (if his story was true even though I kept thinking that it was a scheme). Until today, accidentally I met with his employer. Finally, I could get some true out. After talking for a while, I found out that he was lying and all those sad events that he told me were all bullsh*t. ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) lucky me...for not falling into his tricks (made me wondering...do I look like an easy prey to be deceived?).


Anyway, I'm grateful of it. I can learn to be more careful and trust my-own judgement. Hoping another good thing will come around...soon...pretty soon (ehm...wondering what my hubby will brought for my supper snack tonite...an infamous rainbow cake perhaps?).


Ħªppy weekend guys and wish you have a good night

Cookies time

Hi…I am afraid I don’t have enough time to write (I barely have time for myself). The school has started and that means, I am back to my old routine, between a driver, amateur chef and private tutor (yay...praise me…I’m trying my hardest to be a supermom). As usual, the first day of school is always chaotic. Trying to get up at dawn (when I was so used to sleep late at 11pm and wake up after 7am) and rush to drop the girls at school (not to mention the traffic on the first day…definitely induced a big shoot to my headache…pheww a nightmare). But I guess, I will get use to it after a week, beside I have the morning free for myself (what a pleasure).

Since I have all the morning to myself, so I was wondering what should I do this morning. Normally, I spend my morning in between of my house chores, some reading (just finished 3 ebooks he he he) and my girls' exam preparation (you wouldn't believe it...they are going to have their first exam exactly on the 4th week of school phewww). The school is trying to fit the materials into these 3weeks and having the exam before another 10days of holiday. Well, I prefer to have the exam after the holiday so we can make use of the holiday for study...we are not going anywhere anyway.

So, this morning, I baked some cookies (yes, with a hint of green tea flavor). I thought it would be great to have some cookies for me to nibble on it while reading. Surprisingly, it turned out pretty good (well, some were crispy-burnt but my hubby likes the burnt ones). Tasted good and crunchy. Now, I have cookies for my tea time  *grinning*

For those who would like to try to make the cookies, here is the recipe

You need:

200g all purpose flour

50g green tea powder

150g butter – softened. If you are using the unsalted one, add a pinch of salt.

100g powder sugar

2 big egg yolks

How to:

1. Shift the flour and green tea powder together. Set aside
2. Mix the butter and sugar until it is creamy
3. Add egg yolks and beat until even
4. Gradually add the flour and mix well
5. If you want, add chopped nuts/small choco chips/pumpkin seeds then fold together
6. Shape the dough into a log with diameter of 3-5cm (using plastic wrap)
7. Put into the fridge for an hour or so (until it is hard enough to be cut – not crumbling)
8. Preheat the oven
9. Take out the dough from the fridge and slice to 5-7mm thickness
10. Grease the pan or you could use the cookie paper
11. Bake for 20mins
12. Take out and let it cool

Roller-coaster Monday

Well, I’ve never ridden any yet but just seeing how the rollercoaster goes and thinking of headache and upset stomach that I get when I ride an easy circling carrousel…it lefts me beyond doubt about how I would feel if I have been in one. The excitement, anticipated climax, nervous, regret and scared, all blended well. And yes, that was how I felt last Monday.

It started at Sunday afternoon, when my hubby bought me Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 (well, I kept nagging him actually). Since he left behind my Asus Transformer tab on our flight home (early June) so it was fair if he replaced it and I was being so kind to give him choices to choose (he could replace my tab with tab, or the new Samsung S3 – oooh I love it, or the Coach handbag on my pick he he he). Obviously he chose tab since the tab can be used by the whole family (since he normally monopolizes the tab all nite playing Jelly Defense). And I love my new tab (thank you dear muach (>.<)). It is lighter (but smaller - so reading some mangas/ebook will need lots of zoom in). And what I love the most is the screen, yes - the Amoled one (too bad, it isn't come with the gorilla strength). It is so bright (even when i set the brightness to 0), clear with sparkling colours. After getting used to this amoled screen, I see every other screens (either on my Ipod, BB, laptop, or even another tab) are dimmed and dark...phewww my eye-sight can't get any better with this frequent adjustment. 

yay...my brand new tab

So when I was on high on Monday morning, getting my new tab ready and thinking bout all the mangas (and games for my girls), and thought which mobile provider should I choose and all…Incidentally I dropped my bb in a toilet (gosh!). I didn’t realize that my bb fell until I heard the ‘blep…blep’ sound and I took few sec to ponder whether I should grab it (it was inside the toilet bowl for goodness sake – ok, at least it was the toilet at my home – I might flush it down if it happens on public toilet) or flush it (meaning buying new bb – unlikely my hubby will approve and finance this). A bit late but yet I managed to dip my hand to save my bb…phewww!

Lets not worry bout the germs while I tried to press a button…it was dripping wet with flickering screen…and as expected, it wasn’t working at all. So I quickly took out the SIM card, the SD card and the battery. I wiped it furiously with tissues (I even considered to rinse and wash it with a soap – well – it was already wet…nothing could get worse right – but I didn’t). And I put those under the sun (hoping the heat could dry all the dirty water inside – along with the germs please).

I started to think…perhaps I wasn’t destined to have more than 1 mobile phone at a time. I recalled several occasions such as when I bought a pair of new glasses and suddenly my old one was broken. Anyway, in the afternoon and obviously after praying so hard, I tried to put my bb together (thank goodness, it was such a scorching hot day) and I switched it on. Lucky me, it works well, everything is perfect and I didn’t lost a single data at all (said my thank you in sotto voce). And before you ask, I have wiped those parts with antiseptic wet tissue. My, I should be grateful for this…not a fancy bb but it proves itself for being a tough one (consider I often drop it) and water resistance too…bet yours don’t LOL

Lesson learnt: don’t bring your bb to the toilet he he he

The Sin of Sarah

The Sins of Sarah by Anne Styles


Synopsis
'Rumours are circulating in London that notorious Nicholas Grey is secretly romancing sinfully sexy Sarah Campbell. What, we wonder, will Mrs Diana Grey make of these rumours?' - report from today's edition of the Unicorn newspaper.


Sarah Campbell (the sinner) responds: 'How can it be wrong for me to want to make the man I Ŀ♡√Ɛ Ħªppy?'


Nick Grey (the married man) says: 'I know I shouldn't be seeing Sarah...but she's the only woman I've ever truly loved!'


Charlie Hastings (the friend) thinks: 'I might be Nick's best friend, but I want Sarah more than I've wanted any other woman - and I'm going to get her!'


Diana Grey (the wife) announces: 'I've got Nick...and I'm never going to let him go!'


But Sarah has one very important ace card to play...and she doesn't show her hand until the moment is exactly right!


I say...
Wheww...too many words. With single spacing, it was difficult to read. I had to take many break of it but regardless the length of the story, I was simply captivated. Sarah and Nick, despite him being married with a daughter in between, was in Ŀ♡√Ɛ with each other. Each of them have terrible pasts and they should overcome it in order to gain some happiness. Beside the wife of Nick who sticked around, there was Charlie who always there ready to snatch Sarah away as a revenge for Nick, for something that had happened in between them in the past.


Once they have settled, another storm came around and tore them apart. But still (as predictable) it was ended happily ever after. I gave 3.5 out of 5 for this one. Although I wasn't into the idea of the third person within a marriage, I found myself approved and cheered for Sarah and Nick (since Nick obviously wasn't in a lovey-dovey state with his wife and it was a loveless marriage). Well, everybody deserve a little bit of happiness and being a little bit selfish in the name of Ŀ♡√Ɛ.

Icy weekend

We had a special theme for last weekend...icy ice уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! Finally, for the 1st time, I took my girls to Sky Rink MTA for their ice skating lesson. It was last year plan (geez...) but due to one and another, just realized it last saturday. We had an early day, arrived at 9.30am and yet we still had to wait for an hour before the girls' coaching turn. Well, we were allowed to enter the rink but I decided to wait patiently with the skate shoes on in the lounge rather than risked my bottom flat on the slippery ice.

With the coaches

As walk-in guests, we couldn't make an appointment/booking, unless we registered as a package student. There are 5times and 10times packages, however, these classes are open only from July 20th. Since the price difference between private package and walk-in isn't significant, we are going to choose for another walk-in classes for the near future (next week?). We intend to have another 3-5classes until my girls (and me - hopefully) can slide gracefully on ice and stop elegantly LOL (rather than hit the glass - or is it polycarbonate? - wall like those amateurs). Beside, I don't expect my girls to be a figure skater *grinning*


Each coaching is last for 30mins, however, I saw my oldest girl spent roughly 10mins on learning how to get up when she fell. But it was paid off, she can glide (not slide hehehe) along the way without holding hand with her coach...hurray for cc уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! While for my youngest girl, she definitely need more time.


After ice skate, we watched the anticipated Ice Age 4 in 3D. It was good, the movie offers another adventure and action, with lots of laugh and good moral stories at the end. 
Manny, the mammoth got separates from his wife - Elly and his daughter - Peaches during the big earthquake that splitted the region. Flanked by Diego (the tiger) and Sid (actually I didn't know what animal is Sid LOL), with Sid' forgetful granny in tow, Manny was trying to get back to his home while being drifted in the vast ocean. Manny with his strength, Diego with his agility, and Sid with his silliness (?) were working hand in hand to tackle the storm and tsunami, even brought down the fierce gank of pirate. Diego even managed to get Shira (the tigress from the pirate group) to his side. All ended nicely with an enormous surprise help from the Sid' granny (don't уσυ underestimate an old woman! Never!). They were home, together again with the big family and were going to a new paradise...oh so sweet :-)

Pretty awesome rite

Lovely isn't it? As sweet as the offers from Chocokid Little town (MOI - GF). It is the first ever choc playland. They have class decoration for decorating the choc, Betsy cow milking with choc milk, ice cream van for decorating the ice cream, as well as having fun with dipping the marsmallow on the choc fountain at lollypop tree garden. The best part : all choc are edible. They have a package price for all those 4activities, or you can choose and pay as уσυ like. What's more exciting? They lend you a bakery hat and don an appron in eye-catching-orange-color-ones...awesome! And for the moms and dads, they have little cafe where the parent can sit and wait while nibbling on some choc cakes and beverages, with affordable price from 7k - 25k. Perfect for family time isn't it?

The lollypop tree

Another perfect thing for the whole family is Tous les Jours. A french south korean bakery which emphasizes on using the best ingredients and offers the fresh baked breads. I'm not a big fan of bread but my hubby does and he said, the breads are yummy. The variety of breads are different compared to other existing bakery, it teases our tongue as well as feasts our eyes from the perfect look. Beside bread, Tous les Jours also has selected variance of cold dessert. I tasted the tiramisu, not to my liking (apparent they don't use kahlua). However, in term of sweetness, I like it (not too sweet) and almost all of the other breads use less sugar...perfect!

Treasons of the Heart by Charlotte Lamb

Treasons of the Heart by Charlotte Lamb


Synopsis
When Claudia and Ben meet in Paris, the sexual frisson between them is powerful, instantaneous - and mutual, until Claudia's home is burgled and she is violently attacked. She begins to suspect Ben is less interested in her than in Hugh, the enigmatic Englishman who owns her apartment. Hugh had been her father's best friend, and took care of her when her parents died. When she tells him Ben is in Paris, Hugh is obviously troubled.


Fleeing in terror to Hugh's villa on the beautiful Cap d'Antibes, Claudia is pursued by Ben and other sinister figures - including the ghosts of the past. What secret does Hugh know about the long-dead Duke of Windsor and why does it treaten their lives?


As she strunggles in a web of treason and old lies, Claudia has to decide whether Ben is lover or deadly enemy.


I say...
I Ŀ♡√Ɛ Charlotte Lamb' books, I have read lots of them, all offer irrestible mystery and romance. And who could guess that the second book that I picked after Destinies had the same prologue at the same era and places.


It was about some British higher-up' past during the 2nd WW. It didn't tell clearly who and what treason had made at that time but clearly, upon discovering, this could shake the history and unwanted scandal. Therefore, the decendant was trying to get hold of the written proof, by mistakenly asking a bad thugs to do the dirty job, from burglary, attemption for raping and abduction.


However, all ended well. Past was forgiven, Ŀ♡√Ɛ was embraced. Charlotte Lamb sure has a gig in mixing the suspense with romance, at the perfect time and dose as well. I gave this 3.5 out of 5.

Mariki - Raja Konro

I like ribs, either cooked in western style or locallized (in Indon, it is well-known as iga/konro). My fav one is Warung Tekko, famous for its grilled ribs with finger-licking chilli sauce (iga bakar penyet) and yesterday, I happened to visit Mariki - Raja Konro @Ruko Crown Golf PIK.

the interior

The location is pretty easy to find, just drive along toward the Waterbom PIK (PIK marketing office) and you can spot it easily among other eatery spots scaterred around that complex. It's not big, a size of one unit of ruko (house-cum-store) with minimal interior.

the menu with price range from 20k above

However, the menu offers extensive options. We started with es pisang ijo (wrapped banana cuts, served with ice and coconut milk). I know, it is supposed to be a dessert but the sun was unfriendly and we needed something cool before we have our main dishes. Among lots of variance of iga bakar, I chose Iga bakar with Thai sauce (the most fav one), a fresh and sour pineapple small-cut mixed with brightly coloured chilli and a hints of honey...ehm...it was perfect. It was spicy enough without being overly-spicy (not the one that burns your tongue, water your eyes and steam your ears) though I recommend not bite the chilli. It was tempting though *grinning*

Iga bakar with Thai sauce

My husband picked sup iga, which turned out just like the ones we normally had at other place (nothing special here). We also had ikan goreng ala mariki (a sour and spicy sauce over deep-fried-fish). The sauce was pretty similar with the thai sauce that I had with my iga, but for the fish, it was clear starchy (I thought they didn't use honey for this one) and it tasted great.

Ikan goreng Mariki

Each iga dishes have 2 different portions, you can choose the small with a single bone or big portion with 2bones. It was huge (I might as well skip the rice) and unexpectedly tender (since it was quite bulky, I thought the meat would be a little bit hard to chew). And the best, it has less fat compare to other place (even my husband commented that the ribs served here was much better than the ones served next door). Overall, it was great taste with great price too (especially when we used our living social vouchers)...but be aware of your cholesterol level   *winking*

Pound cake

Since I still have some green tea powder left on my fridge, so I made this pound cake. Too bad, I was too lazy to wash my pound cake pan (it was so dirty and dusty, stored at the most corner of my cupboard - another proof that I haven't baked for a long time and I wasn't sure I could clean it up with a brush or two). So I used the disposable pan that I normally use for macaroni schotel and it turned out to be a failure hiks hiks (TT...TT). The pan that I used was too short so during the baking process, the dough was spilling all over. Well, I didn't say it was a failure...it just looked un-appetizing. So, if you wanna try this recipe out, stick to pound cake pan!

Wrong pan definitely

You need:
2 big egg (beaten)
100g all purpose flour
3 tbsp of green tea powder
1/2 tsp of baking powder
150g of sugar
115g of butter - room temperature and mash with a fork


How to:
1. Mix flour, green tea and baking powder with wooden spoon. Put aside.
2. Mix butter until smooth. Slowly add sugar and mix well.
3. Add beaten egg and mix until the dough is creamy.
4. Slowly add the flour and mix until even and smooth.
5. Preheat the oven.
6. Grease the pound cake pan and pour the dough into it (not more than 3/4 of the pan).
7. Bake for 40mins (use skewer stick and ensure that no dough sticks to the skewer when you pull the stick out).
8. Take out and let it cool before cutting.

Hiks hiks...looked like unsuccessful omelette 

If you like, you could add chopped almonds or choc chips or even grated cheese as the topping prior baking. And you could serve it with a whipped cream (perfect to cover my failure cake he he he yum...).

Destinies by Maxine Barry

Destinies by Maxine Barry


Synopsis
'Through the open door Kier watched Oriel's face firm into stubborn lines. He let out a long, relieved breath, only then realising how tense he had been. For one awful moment he'd wondered if Oriel would bow to the pressure her mother was certainly about to put on her and now he felt ashamed for ever doubting she would come through for him...'


Destiny: would it bring Oriel and Kier together or drive them apart? Whatever the future held...only they destinies held the answer.


I say...
‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) Well, this was the third book that I read on a single day (yes, I did nothing than read all day and nite 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 ). And apparently, it was the first book in All His Prey series (too bad, I didn't have the continuing one).
To my surprise, the story was taken at the Nazi era, around second WW @Germany, Europe and USA. Ehm, I have always loved story with some historical background. While I was reading, I wondered what kind of surprise would I get after turning the page.


However, I hated the Germany names and titles, couldn't clearly distinguish them ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) ...my...I never learn any Germany @school. I dislike the flow of the story too, jumped here and there (with so many places and names...European ones, to remember, maybe I would do better if I jot it down somewhere).


Overall, it was number of stories blended into a single book, in a good way. Each with their own characters and background, with their own problem and intriques presented, yet you could see the red string between those mini stories, linked together. I liked the well created characters, each with his/her distinctive features played an important part within the story regardless how small it was. It had more sex scenes than the normal fiction I had, unexpected brutaly in the actions and smooth literacy of the story background.


I gave 3.5 out of 5 for this one. It's worth the time, reading bout how a person trying so hard, struggle to find his piece of happiness, to grab and hold his share of Ŀ♡√Ɛ, torn by it and deceived by the love in another form. It was a story of life, a journey to know that he loved and was loved. It was a story about destinies.

Asian Geographic Junior Indonesia

This edition cover, an eye opener for our currency

Finally, after a week of waiting, we got our mag delivered (why, we wonder, the subscriber always get our copy later than the mag stand?). I even dropped my current fiction and went to open the package (it was quite big) in big brown envelope. Surprise...surprise...surprise, we got the newly published mag (#9 edition), a present for my oldest girl and a goodie for continuing our yearly subscription (I just renewed it). My oldest girl' eyes were big with wonder, asking me how they managed to know her address LOL. It was a participation goodie since she answered the last edition' quiz. While my oldest girl took a show in opening the goodie, I eyed my youngest girl (I know she was a bit jealous). I quickly gave her the subscription goodie, telling her that this one was meant for her. Wow...she was quick in casting aside the jealousy and grabbed and tore the plastic wrapper (obviously, trying to compete with her sis). ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) it's tough to deal sibling rivalry.

Quiz participation goodie

While me, I got the mag. It was an unspoken rule @the home that I always be the one reading the mag. Well, hardly can blame me, if I give the mag first for them to read, they will draw/write/cut anything that attrack their attention. So, what's so special bout this mag? I was wondering the same too when I picked the second edition last year from the mag stand @gramed. Well, my girls can be considered lucky, since I Ŀ♡√Ɛ reading and I want to encourage and nurture their Ŀ♡√Ɛ for literature too. So I've been buying all sort of story books, puzzles, art and crafts, as well as mags. Last year I was kinda sick of other children mags. Well it was pretty eye catching with those famous characters on the cover, sometime with blink2 ornament and free goodie, which surely loved by kids. However, there were practically nothing on the inside, beside colouring, simple math and brain teaser, mini games, a story or two (practically you can find all these on any other mag too).

Subscription goodie, and my girls just made a cute hen using this book, perfect for holiday

So I stumbled upon Asian Geographic Junior Indonesia (AGJI in short) while browsing the mag stand. The cover at that time cought my eyes, it was clearly children' mag and yet, I found no similarlity with the other look-a-like-mags. It piqued my interest and I bought it, and I was hooked ha ha ha. It is a bymontly mag with dual language (yes, in English and Indonesia, with a page dedicated for learning Mandarin). And it is rich on the inside, full of knowledge about our surrounding (believe me, I enjoy reading page by page, discovering a little trivial or fact that wasn't being tought @school). I like the 'attention grabber' part a lot, and while skimming thru, I could see that this edition has so much more to offer than the previous ones. There are new corner for recipes, too bad, some steps in making the dishes were omitted. My girls Ŀ♡√Ɛ the pictures of strange creature featured on 'animal magnetism' and this mag helped us a lot for my girls' school projects.


Simply said, the reading itself is another sort of adventure. And AGJI has lots of free goodie (participation is required), not the ordinary stuff given by other look-a-like-mags, but entertaining-yet-educating goodie. Bravo AGJI and keep the good work.

Counting blessing

During this weekend, I was so Ħªppy...many good things came on our way. The foremost news was that I finally found a continuing yamaha class for my oldest girl. The school that my girls go right now (Sincere M2S) doesn't open a new class for nJAC this August, therefore, I'd spent roughly 3weeks browsing yamaha music schools in Jak-ut area. Apparently nJAC was quite rare, most of nJXC4 graduates continue to the newly-introduced nJNC (which costs only half the tuition fee with single group class). Some schools have the class runs on weekend and I hate class on weekend (it's more pricey and we basically can't go anywhere). I was almost hopeless until I broadened my search to Jak-bar area and found a school @PV which has the weekday class up and run in this August.уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! Can't wait to enroll my girl there (well, I still have to work out the conflicting schedule but I still have more or less a month to arrange it).


I am watching Spiderman 3 on tele while I am writing this (I normally write stuff on my mobile - so I can write anywhere and anytime, which I transfer to my laptop every 1-2days), made me remember the new movie of Peter Parker, The Amazing of Spiderman that I watched with my husband a nite before @the nearest cineplex. Another blessing for a mom of two, to have this rare moment to spend with my dear hubby (with no girls tagging along). It's priviledge, considering some of my friends envy me (they keep telling me that I am so lucky "̮ wk°wk (′▽`) wk°wk "̮)...guessed I have them to thank for keep reminding me.


Talking bout the movie, I liked the new Spidey, he was cool, smart (with photographic memory?) but not being a nerd, simple college guy who tried to impress the girl he set his eyes on, and had a good heart too (awesome wasn't he? I would love to have one he he he). I happened to like the girl too (Gwen). She was so sweet, effortlessly charming (than MJ) and apparently both of them had a pretty good chemistry on the movie.


I loved the scene where Spidey (in his unitard) standing on the top of a building, carrying a backpack. I was laughing so hard...it was so human...and yet made sense. Well he needed his backpack to keep his suit and mobile. And I laughed harder when he was ransacking his backpack, finding his ringing mobile. Who knows on the next sequel (yes, it is a trilogy), they will attach a belt on the spidey suit for a mobile phone. Bet you, never seen a superhero saved the world while running an errand 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】


Beside the actors, the story itself was a typical hero movie, which saved the world @the very last seconds. Big difference was this movie had this cute and witty side (I laughed a lot...really enjoyed it). I considered this spidey much better than the previous 3spidey movies. And made me wondering, what will be on the next sequel. Bet it is a secret...as I recalled the sentences told by the aunt to Peter in the movie - "Secret always has its price. It is never free, not now and not in the future"


Another blessing in the row that starting from July, my hubby is off-work on Saturday (on call basis only) уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! Another reason calls for celebration...I could feel my brain has been ticking, planning some out-of-town weekend. But no plan for this weekend, since I need to put my car for the routine service. But I managed to get my dear hubby to do it, saved my face 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】. I still remembered my embarrashment when the last time I went, the service advisor scrutinized my car and marked the paper for all scratches on the body...basically all side "̮ wk°wk (′▽`) wk°wk "̮ . Apparently, he was amazed by my ability to scratch the car LOL. But now, the service advisor didn't take a look at all when my hubby dropped it. Ehm...does he consider men to be a better driver than women do? Eventhough my hubby was responsible for half of the scratches on my car.


Whatever, I wouldn't brood over it anyway. I learnt this from my 6yo girl (geez...is she more mature than me?). If she was upset/angry/badmood...she goes beserk for few mins then afterward, she forgets it. She is back to her-good-self. Man...I envy her (^.^) and I love her.


And I thank уσυ all, who frequent my blog and give me input and motivation to keep writing. Love you all and wish you guys have a wonderful weekend and ready for Monday   :-)



Uuppsss...I forgot. Our precious handycam (believe me, you don't need touch up with Adobe using this) was fixed - finally. It was broken down in the middle of our last trip, incidentally fell and blank on the lcd screen hiks...How bout the pics that we had been taken during the last week? We went to Panasonic service center and was told that ours is considered a new model (even though we bought it last year) and apparently is not sold here. Therefore, we should wait for another 2 months for the sparepart, not to mention min a million for the fee...Wheeww! Lucky, my hubby brought it to some shop @Salemba and within 2 days, it was fixed just like a brand new, only with 250k   :-)   So, check it out our holiday pics @my fb account   *grinning ear to ear*