Hi, it's me again for the nth time

If my blog could talk, I imagined it will go "Well well well, look who decides to pop in after half a decade". For my own record, I have 88 posts (lol only 72 published and SIXTEEN drafts) to date since I started this in 2012, which averages to less than 10 post each year which heeeeyyyyy doesn't sound too bad? :D hahhaha lol but for real, I abandoned this blog for far too long. It's true what they say, working life sucks the life out of you. 

Let me try to rationalise my disappearance this chart graph list here. AHEM here we go! 

[2012] I was inspired to start writing down my thoughts again after watching the Meme Proposal and was in Form 6 at that time. 

[2013] Was still in Form 6 (3 semester, 1½ years) and looking back now, I'm impressed that I published 41 blog posts in that year alone what the heck!

[2014] Done and dusted Form 6 (last exam was in November 2013) so I guess I was just free and unemployed before I started uni in August? Scratch that, maybe I worked in Kumon for a couple of months and then resigned, and I faintly remembered that we went to Penang to attend the first wedding (amongst cousins!). Oh wait, I just skimmed through my blog and found that I was working in Switch and then switched to work at Don Kaiton! Hur hur hur, see what I did there? So I guess I worked in Kumon after SPM hmmm... ok! Now I'm half disappointed that I didn't blog more during those unemployed months! What was I doing? And for the later part, I understand why I was MIA because it's a lot to get used to in uni - new room/housemates, course mates, activities, friends, dorm life, classes, academic writing urghhhh, etc etc.

[2015] Only 3 measly posts that entire year. And one of it was a throwback, continuation of a trip back in August 2014 oh my lord. 

[2016] 1 long ass post hahaha I am a joke. This was a late entry about my entire year in 2015, with empty promises to dedicate individual posts to some experiences that I deemed deserving of their own posts. But to be fair, I did take the effort to make drafts for some of time even tho the drafts only have the simple title to indicate what posts are pending. Usually people do a summary review of their year and get them published/posted before the new year starts but sighhh I guess this is not surprising since I crowned myself as the queen of procrastination > Link here. I recently also updated my Instagram profile to add that title:

Nevertheless, I am most proud of the 2015 post because I rather quite enjoy reading through what I experienced and learnt that year *sniff sniff. Oh! And in the summer of 2016, I went to the US for the Work and Travel (WAT) cultural exchange program! I started taking short video clips so that I could edit and make a video out of it but of course I haven't done that, and haven't even posted the pictures in Instagram lol. Returned home with dark clouds over my head and lost joy in everything for a while there.

While we're at it, lemme just pen down a quick update for my future reference too! Because as usual, I hope to be able to dedicate a post for each major event/experience but we'll see about that since I'm overly ambitious - writing blogposts, editing and uploading videos on Youtube and coordinating my Instagram feed lol.

[2017] Pushed through and even participated in a Cheer competition in Singapore! Attended my first and last prom with my now-ex. Joined a colour fun run! Did my 8 month practicum (August 2017 to March 2018) in an international school in KL during my 4th year of my TESOL degree. 

[2018] Attended second cousin's wedding in January! Ended practicum in March and then potate at home until I joined WAT again during the summer (June-September)! Short and budget trip to Singapore with my now-ex. Joined the workforce in Agoda for a short 3 weeks in training.

[2019] Went to HK & Disneyland! Hopped over to work in Shell. Finally graduated! (missed my ceremony with course mates in July 2018 when I was in US). Broke free from my shackles!

[2020] Covid hit in March, WFH. Upgraded from SE to SE2! Joined SEATRU (turtle conservation program in Chagar Hutang, Pulau Redang) in July! Attended crochet workshop. Went to Penang with my SO. Edited and posted videos for SEATRU, Penang trip and WAT 2018 on Youtube! 

[2021] Went Dining in the Dark! Got vaccinated! Edited and posted video for HK trip (2019). Resigned from Shell. Au pair adventure starts - application to interviews, matching, rematching, going to the airport, applying, flying, arriving and adjusting. Finished reading A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren after a couple of attempts. 

And here we are. This time, I'm inspired to start writing again because it helps me think and reflect, and it's encouraged from the book by Warren to pen them down for our future reference. I agree with that because my memory is not great at all (proof from when I visit my blog and feel amazed and go "Oooohhh really? Oh wow I forgot that happened" every time I reread the 2015 post). Also, because I wanna be able to look back and see how I've grown over the months/years, and especially from this au pair experience. Besides, it's less time consuming (maybe) to write than to edit a video. And maybe I might need to compile footage over months before editing and publishing a video. We'll see!

Oh and here's to surviving 2 solid months here as an au pair (arrival date: 19 September 2021). Well, technically, it's 2 months tomorrow (MY* time as it's only 10.51pm on 18 September in US time). And at this point, I haven't posted much pictures of my US adventures in Instagram (apple picking, Asian Market, Halloween, autumn, etc.) while Thanksgiving is just next week! >.< 

*MY = Malaysia

Justification of handmade and homemade items!

First of all, if you're close to me or if you know me very well, you might know that I have a fetish for non-factory made products. Well... some things only la. Like bags and purses and wallets. And also because it has meaning to it. You know that if you receive something handmade/homemade, the person spend lots of time and effort and sometimes money because one-of-a-kind things doesn't come cheap. That is if they reaaaally made those things themselves. If they cheat and buy handmade/homemade stuff from other people and then pass of as their own masterpieces, f you. 

I just feel like it's more sincere because they take the time to think of what to make for you, how to make it, buy necessary things, spend their precious time making it, wrapping it and also passing them to you. Handmade/homemade stuff is a chore especially when you *I* have no talent in drawing and/or designing. [NOTE] I usually spend hours scrolling though the internet to look for inspiration. Sometimes I try to copy 100% from the original but then because I don't have the materials I often improvise and there I have it! Brand new design originally from me lol.

During the past 2 years, I have been making cards and mini scrapbooks for friends and family. In return, I was hoping for receive handmade stuff from my friends as well. So far I've received a nice felt cookie (very thoughtful because that friend used to call me cookie monster because I love biscuits and cookies) and also a dreamcatcher. Both gifts are very thoughtful, time consuming, and also very sweet :') And not forgetting my mega sized birthday card from my honey <3 <3 <3 That is a very touching gift. Beyond words :')

Oh, and I forgot to take picture of some of them because I tend to make them at the very last minute >< And so, I was mostly always rushing and just forgot/didn't have the time to take pictures. Whatever I have pictures of, I will post them here and also will learn how to put it in my Pinterest page. There probably won't be any tutorials because whatever I make is really simple, do-able in 30mins but somehow it took me the whole day to finish. Procrastinating wtf. http://www.pinterest.com/smallminitiny/ this is my link if you wanna follow me :D 

Here's some preview of what I've accomplished so far! :D

 

Intwerbiew *sobs*

This is the surge of emotions coming from the aftermath of the interview talking. Does that even makes sense? Anyhow, it's the second time I went for the almost same interview and again, I felt like I got nailed by the panels. The first time because... Well, it was my first time, I didn't know what to expect and then this time... It's because I prepared the answers for the past interview, thinking that they'll ask the same questions. I know, silly me, should've prepared better blah blah blah. 

The fact that the interview is over and presumably that they have had already made up their mind, I am still mentally slamming my head on the wall because now I can think of better answers. More elaborate answers instead of a mere 2 to 3 words I said. [Note to self : should've warned them that I'm a little slow when if comes to thinking of brilliant replies. Although I did tell them that I was not the faster learner *shrug*] 

Also, I made it sound like the past 2 years was hell when actually, it wasn't that bad! I guess I just panicked and didn't really get that part of my thoughts and feelings out. And so I sounded like a whiny little bitch (in which I might have to agree ><) but actually when I was preparing the whole conversation of the interview in my head, I had planned to make it sound like I've learned from that 2 years.

The whole journey home was like hell. Both times. I kept getting bright answers that came a little too late. *not good being pressured* The interviewers asked a question and expect you to answer them immediately and for the record, having 3 people stare at you (although they try to assure you that this is a friendly interview to get to you know. Sorry honey, doesn't work! Being in a room that's too cold doesn't help too. More blood is used to warm my body thus lesser blood goes to my brain to think of better answers. My my, I did well in bio) I'm no good being pressured like that!  

But I guess that's the kind of scholars they want. Students who can answer confidently right after you shoot them because they have a reputation to uphold. It's a damn well prestigious university! No wonder everybody goes "ohhhhhh" when you say you want to study there. I guess I won't be too wrong to say I didn't make the cut :( don't dare to dream of getting the scholarship no more

One thing I should also say is that I am like a book. On the surface I might look boring and just 'meh' but if they hang in there and get to know me, I'm one heck of a person. Then I should finish by saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' OMG that will be one heck of an answer to say during interview right? Okay. Too bad this fantastic idea came when I'm on the way home. 

Another thing... In the first interview, they asked, "who is your idol and why?" That time I blanked. For the gazillionth time. No kidding. I replied, "well, I have no idol in particular because I learn from the people around me. There's a friend who I learned from, to be happy-go-lucky all the time, and also to try look for the silver lining no matter what and from another friend, I learn how to be hardworking and also another friend who I learn how to be patient. I believe we can learn something from anyone we meet" they asked and insisted again "name us an idol, and influential figure" *me thinking omgggg this is deep shit man. I don't idolize Obama or Nicol David or Tony Fernandez* So I insisted that I really don't have anyone in particular that I idolize. I could've said my mum but I didn't because that's so cliché. That's what people write in essays! The tearful heart jerking story about a fake sob story to impress the markers. I believe most of the time markers fall for it and forget that it's an English test and then evaluates it for the good storyline wtf. But seriously. We learn something from anyone and everyone everyday! No matter who you talk to, be it your grandparents, your parents, your kids, the postman, the gardener, etc. We just don't realize it because we're too busy doing something else. But if we just sit down and think of it, I'm pretty sure we can think of something. 

I was definitely nailed in the interview. Get it right. I DID NOT NAIL THE INTERVIEW. IT NAILED ME. HARD. I felt so defeated even before it was over wtf. They asked me things that I thought I would eventually learn or pick up during my time in uni. But it seems like I have to know all that before I even start studying. On top of that, I was very underconfident? I thought uni was the place where people grow and develop self confidence and also learn more about their strengths and weaknesses. If I have had already know all that, wouldn't I leave uni being pretty much the same person? Except that I have a degree in my hands. Strangely, I've always thought that we leave uni with a cert in our hands, experience in our respective fields, wisdom and knowledge not only of wider aspects and topics but also of ourselves besides gaining confidence. And of course, I tried to sound like I am confident and know myself very well. Should've be more truthful and just admit to them that I have very low self esteem and maybe used some reverse psychology to convince them into offering me the scholarship :( IDIOT Now that I think of it, I should've asked them "isn't uni the place where people learn more about themselves and also gain confidence?" God knows what they will reply me, but I'm curious... Hmmmm

Oh wells, what I learned from this is that... No matter how long and how much you think you have prepared for an interview, it ain't gonna be enough yo. Don't be overconfident (not that I ever was) and also, don't be underconfident (that was certainly me! Sadly) Hmmmm this is the first post in my blog that's all words and no pictures. I had actually started blogging again right after the interview 2 years ago in hopes of improving my English vocab. Yeeap! Not really helping. But it's really something! The feeling when you pour your soul out in writing. It's indescribable and not to mention, surprisingly soothing I guess it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Jotting down how I felt about the whole experience, good or bad and what I learned from it.

Anyways, this post might be a boring one which most all of you will just scan though or not read at all, but this is by me, for me, and to me. Future me's. For the future me to read through the thoughts of a 20 year old me. To reflect on the person I used to be and also to think about the kind of person I have become. Hello future me :D I'm not making much sense now, but hopefully I will. Kthanksbye

Pre order.... More like pre dying

Errrr hi! Actually the main subject for this blog post is the Instax mini polaroid photo album. Not about the camera itself. As you... couldn't tell....

Okay, so the story is, I got a Fujifilm Instax mini 8 camera as a Valentine's present. By who you know la. More on my boyfriend in another post! Because he deserves a whole lengthy post of himself. Okay. Maybe 2. Or 5. Or 10 :P Going back on track! I took many pictures with the camera, hence ending up with lots of polaroid films which are credit-card sized. And so obviously I need a photo album la! But of course, the "special" kind one, not for those normal 4R sized photos. And I saw one design that I loveeee on Groupon!

And it's a good deal you know? RM28 for 2 units!!! Like wtf??!!! And down there it says RM38 for 4 units! That's like RM9.50 per unit!!! *died and gone to heaven* And then I went and read the terms and conditions because it's too good to be true lol *Reads terms and conditions* Dumm dumb dumm*  the big great deal ended back in February. I should've gone looking for photo albums as soon as I got the awesome present from my awesome boyfriend. Oh wells, too bad. 

And then! A few weeks later, I saw the exact same photo album offered by one of the blogshops I follow on Instagram. But of course, this is much more expensive la wtf. And also it's pre order  basis. Which means you have to waitttt. Excited but also kinda sad. Leason learned! Don't buy if you need it right away or if you don't have patience.

It's RM24 for one, and since I have a lotttt of films already and I'm not exaggerating this time round, I decided to get 2 and another one for a friend who has an Instax mini as well. RM24 x3 = RM72. That's excluding postage. And since I was buying 3 items, I asked if I could get some discounts #somalaysianwtf They obliged (yay) and said that I don't have to pay for postage!

 

Batch closes on Sunday (16th March) which means I'll be getting my items on 30th March or 6th April

 2 weeks ago, they received the items from their supplier and are packing them to send it out to customers (me included)

*waited a few days after that before I approached them about my items*

And then I sent this :

 Today means 2nd April and tomorrow means 3th April

*if you noticed, I apologized to them because I kept following up about my items and apparently they got frustrated and posted a picture (probably aimed at me)

*waited and waited for my Mr Postman to arrive*

....................nothingggg......................

Next day, 4th April I messaged them again

 And they replied my 2 days later, on the 6th. You hebat! They were probably fed up with an annoying little kid. But I was afraid that they'll just take my money and run hahahh wtf

 4 days later (without my disturbance) they forgot who am I already wtf

Mr Postman came and delivered my items the next day (Friday) but nobody was home -_-

I couldn't get my stuffs the nest day (Saturday) because they don't open on the first 

Saturday of the month. Which it was. Wtffffffff so suay one

Finally went to collect my babies on Monday after work. Luckily they still haven't close or else imma kill a pillow. It took them awfully long to look for my stuff somemore leh. Make me heart attack. But seriously, I don't have patience issues. It took 2 staffs there at Poslaju to look for my stuff T__T why is this happening???

The contents! Albums are not inside the bubble wrap and they gave me coins worth RM1. Dunno it's their sick joke because they got really annoyed by all my questionings  or they just really have no RM1 notes already la.

 No more smiley faces for you

So! Their story went from posted today >>> overweight, have to post again on Monday >>> having exam, haven't post >>> "Not I delayed ya. Is the airplane delayed"

WTFFFFFFFFFFF

This is my buying pre order experience with Vogue Apparels (Malaysia)

 

At least my stuff came with bubble wrap. Popped them vigorously to release stress thank you ar Vogue Apparels (Malaysia)

*developed phobia towards buying pre order stuff online* So how? You want to buy photo album for polaroid photos also? Neeerrrmindddd! I found a substitute for you already!

 Things here are cheaper than any other places. Feel like kicking myself for not finding this blogshop sooner!

See this!!! Freaking RM15 only! (also excluding postage) But the owner types in Mandarin, and obviously I don't understand anything there la. But I can understand pictures and prices/numbers la

If you don't like the Pieces of Moment, you can get this which is not that bad also la

 Oh, there's also sticker frames! :D I wouldn't really buy them myself because I like the classic white frame on the normal polaroids

I made this little picture collection of pictures of items which I find cute on their insta page. I haven't try ordering anything from them, but I think they're okay laaa... Because I saw a friend post a picture of the things she got from them

 

Here it is guyssss! My big messy collection of polaroid photos. I kept most of them in an empty polaroid box until it's about to burst, and then some more in the empty film box and then the rest I just stacked them up and put it in a corner of my wardrobe.

 

See? Gathering dust already

From all that mess on the left to a neat album on the right :) 

Here I have 2 colours, sky blue and ivory. And coincidently, the interior of the sky blue one is yellow stripes and the ivory one has blue stripes.

Had a little photoshoot at home the next day because I'm just so in loveee with them. And also because I'm crazy lol. Actually it doesn't look as nice one la. I photoshopped it a little heheheh

This is how the photo album will look like when it's all filled up

Insides of a new sky blue Pieces of Moment

This is the original picture. The background is so much bluer here

Tadahhhhh!!! My amateur photoshop skills

I used a white background, and because I don't have any white table or board, I used the back of my Super Junior poster (죄송해요 오빠!!!) And since it's poster paper, it's glossy and in some pictures, you can see the reflection. 

Behind the scenes lol

And then I also photoshopped the pictures on my phone using the moreBeaute2 app

For these, I pulled smoothing back to zero

Adjusted detail to the max because I want sharp crisp images

 Left tone untouched because I got too lazy to adjust already

 I drag brightness to just below the corner of tone. Do you get what I mean?

 And I also dragged it all the way to the end. But I find that this makes the photos a little orange

Okayyyy the end

Chef for a day

 

 Calling ourselves chef just because we got to wear a chef's tall hat

Courtesy of Berjaya University College of Hospitality! On Wednesday, Shirley and me went there for 2 workshops, Culinary and Patisserie! I got to know about this workshop when I went for the Star Education Fair in KLCC last Sunday. More on that on another post. Omaigoddd there's so many things I want to blog about!!! 24 hours is not enough

Culinary is from 10am to 12pm. We barely made it in time. Left the house at 8am, reach KTM station, went to KL Sentral, took the LRT to Imbi. I think. And Shirley mentioned something about taking the Monorail also. .................. or is it the same thing? I'll be so lost without her. Thank god for her or else I wouldn't be able to reach Times Square at all and I'll probably have to spend the night in KL. Anyways! Only the staff entrance was opened when we reach Times Square. At 9.50am. We sneaked in through that door when the guard was too busy stopping a big group of people who wanted to go inside the building. 

Next problem! Berjaya UCH is on the 11th floor of the West Wing building and we were so lucky that the entrance you come in from after you come out from the LRT or monorail is the West Wing! And then we looked up to see if we can spot the 11th floor but noooo, the glass elevator only brings up to the 9th floor? Luckily Shirley with her big eyes spotted another elevator and thankfully it brings us up to the 11th floor. We got there early with 5 minutes to spare! 아싸!!!

Hahahahaha sound so dramatic right? It is okay? Heart pounding because we were afraid that we'll be late.  

I'm using a lot of thankfully and thank god and luckily in this post. Because I am. Thankful and lucky.

First session. Culinary! Sooooo many people. Even the organizers were surprised. Because parents and siblings of potential students attended the workshop. Luckily they have extra ingredients. Chef begin with a short introduction about pasta. 

DID YOU KNOW that pasta, although originated from Italy, it was copied from China? And, there are over 400 types of noodles in China and 200 types of pasta in Italy. Noodles in China are made with different dough/flour while pasta are all made with only one type of flour, the durum wheat flour. They have different names for different shapes.

And the chef demonstrated how to cook macaroni! Macaroni is the short hollow tube looking pasta. There's the straight one and the elbow kind. Pasta that looks like your normal kuey teow is called fettuccine btw.


[TIP] 
Blast your macaroni with boiling hot water (add salt into the water for flavouring). Take note that each pasta take different amount of time to cook

And you should cook your pasta to al dente that means to cook it so that it still leaves a bite. Think chewy instead of soggy.

At the beginning, you have to stir the the pot so that the macaroni doesn't stick at the bottom. And once it's al dente, pour the water out and run it under cold water so that it stops cooking because even if you drain the water, the pasta will still continue to cook. After the water is all drained out, pour olive oil and stir well so that the pasta doesn't stick to each other. (I begin to think that being a chef, you need to be strong and have good stamina and great heat tolerance - as in dead heat receptors on hands)

[NOTE] 
Notice how your instant noodle doesn't stick to each other? That's because they're coated with wax/chemicals to prevent them from sticking. 



 [TIP] 
Another thing I learned. OIL

Chef : You don't have to waste your money to buy expensive oil i.e extra virgin oil. It's not suitable for cooking because extra virgin oil is the product of the first filtering and has a lot of small particles and these will cook/burn and chance the flavour of the oil. (WARNING : Some information might be a little off due to the author's bad memory. Thank you)

Cooking the sauce! Chef demonstrated 2 styles of cooking, cheese and chilli padi. He chopped the onion and garlic at an amazing speed and he said to cut the onion partially through so that the juice doesn't come out. His cutting board remained dry and he didn't tear up because of the onion unlike when I chop onion and garlic for my mum at home. I always tear up. :'( 

Lack of photos because I didn't want to appear so suaku. But deep inside, I wanted very much to take thousands of photos wtf. 

After the cooking demonstration, which only took an hour instead of the estimated 2 hours, we got the chance to tour around the campus, i.e the 14th floor

1. Pastry Lab 1, 2 and Bakery Lab

First group at the Patisserie session

We got pretty much left behind from the group taking all these photos and peeking through the round glass window of the door. Panicked too much and ended up running in the hallways and I banged my arm on the door handle. It made a loud sound (Shirley claimed that the students inside even looked out the glass) My left arm is nao a little bruised. Naiseeeee

2. Coffee and Tea Academy (Coffee, tea or me? Hahhahaha)

Different types of beans being displayed

Various flavoured syrup

3. Samplings on the Fourteenth

This place has a panoramic view and also the Twin tower and KL Tower

And not to mention, behold the KL traffic jam
 

Picture of the open kitchen (stole from google because I forgot to take a picture)

Camwhoring with ze Christmas tree. An insider informed us that there's many Christmas tree of many colours on campus (11 to 14th floor)

With my partner in crime, Shirley!

Ootd. A very girly.... and sloppy look

4. Upper East Side Deli

We camwhored in front of every mirror we see shamelessly

Gingerbread house for sale! Made by students from Patisserie class

All the Christmas themed cookies for the upcoming holiday

5. Upper East Side cafe (just next to the Upper East Side Deli)

The short tour ended at the Upper East Side Cafe and we had lunch there (buffet style)

This is what I took. No need for me to list them one by one right? But I have to say that the macaroni was too cooked i.e not al dente and the chicken was too dry or maybe it's just that part of the chicken that was too dry.

Dessert! Had bread pudding for the first time, it's not bad. Then there's banana cake or is it poppy seeds? Nice fragrance and texture and then cream puff. I usually loveeee cream puffs but not this one because the cream they used was like the normal creamy and fatty cream. I prefer something a little more on the sweet and less creamy and fatty side. Lastly, pudding! Not bad also :)

After that, we had about 45 minutes before our next session start so we went down to the shopping mall

Christmas deco in Berjaya Times Square

Andddddd we're back to the Lecture Theatre. Took out my phone and snap a few pictures while waiting to go for Patisserie.

First try using the Panorama mode since updating to iOS 7. Damn fail

Second try and it's purrrfect! :D

We're finally in the Bakery Lab! Look at all these amazing cakes! :D

Today we are going to be decorating gingerbread using marzipan so said Chef Roizz who is the Head Chef of Patisserie of Berjaya UCH

*Marzipan is made out of powdered almond (aka almond meal) and icing sugar. It's almost like fondant but the big difference is that fondant does not use powdered almond

First, Chef Roizz demonstrated how to do it and then off we go. We were divided into 4 groups into groups of 2, and of course me and Shirley stuck together. Each group are to make a specific part and our team, Team 1 was to make hats using red marzipan and also the round white pompom ball that goes at the end of the hat.

Ding dong ding dong ding dong ding dong and we're done!

This is mine! Not bad right? Actually my mustache copy Shirley's idea one

This is Shirley's! I like how she personalize hers

One with Chef Roizz. He's quite a funny person

 

Wearing mah plastic apron and a chef's tall hat

Camwhoring session marks the end of the Patisserie session!

After that, we got a private tour to the entire 14th floor, a more thorough tour and we were brought to the Coffee and Tea Academy where we were offered a cuppa

An almost heart shaped latte art by our tour guide, Jason who lack practice (so he says) and the scribblings at the back is my work of art! Muahahahaha

His second try at it! Not bad not bad

After drinking, he took out a black box (Le Nex Du Cafe) which contained tiny glasses of smell that exists in coffee ranging from Earth, Potato, Cucumber, Apple, Butter, Lemon, Peach, Roasted hazelnuts, Smoke, Rubber, Tobacco, Clove, Cooked Beef, Medicinal. No kidding. Everyone of these smell exist in that black box! Smelling is believing!

Le Nex Du Cafe is used to identify the most typical aromas in the world's finest coffees. It's place of origins, it's blend and even how well it is roasted.

Sound so pro, but actually all bluff one. I was asking Shirley for other smells she remembered from the box and she told me the name of the box, Le Nex Du Cafe. She seriously have an amazing brain power! And then she sent a picture of the whole list of smell or else I could have only managed to vomit out 3 examples, Earth, Lemon and Rubber and Roasted... meat. I forgot that it was beef. Specifically.

I managed to guess all of them wrongly. And despite having flu and very little sense of smell, Shirley got like 8 over 10 correctly wtf. 

Almost all the chefs we saw that day also came into the Coffee and Tea Academy. And they were promoting their course la. One said, do you know what is the difference between culinary and patisserie? Answer : Culinary is all about agak-agak and tasting - that's why you see all our chefs are bulat bulat *he proceeds to patting another chef's tummy* But in Patisserie, you cannot agak-agak! All must be measured accurately! Or else tak jadilah! In culinary, if you buat mistake pun, tak kira mistake, because it becomes a new recipe! Hahahahah!!! Okay. They're so funny

Next! To the Oenology Lab where Tourism students have to create a new drink as part of their test.

Jason being a Tourism student, (hopefully I remember this info correctly) explained to us about the differences between mocktail and cocktail.

Mocktail contains no alcohol while cocktail is all alcohol. So if you want a non-alcoholic strawberry drink, they use flavouring which doesn't contain alcohol. Meanwhile if you want an alcoholic strawberry drink, a flavouring with alcohol is used. As simple as ABC! 

Shirley's eyes were all big and sparkly because she loves alcohol. Like this is her favourite room in the whole 14th floor. And after that, we went down for some shopping. Omaigod I tell you, Times Square is like the shopping heaven. Cheap (in terms of price but there's also a lot of cheap looking ones) clothes although you can't try them on. Blah blah blah shopping shopping shopping and then it's time to go home. 

In the train on the way home!

Shirley's gingerbread in bad condition after all that shopping

Mine's still in good shape even when I reach home. Chef gave me his and another extra one from the previous session (they decorated with royal icing instead of marzipan) He wished me Merry Christmas along with all these gingerbread. Omg I'm so touched I can cry *drama-ing*

Camwhoring in the train *so nostalgic because we came to KL together last year around the same time. Read it here if you haven't!

And with our gingerbread!

Okay. I didn't remember making that face

Ending with another selfie with my very own decorated gingerbread! I'm so proud of myself. 
Can you tell? Hhahahha *pats own head*

I want to thank Berjaya UCH very very much for having us. (Not that they will read this anyway, but I need to express my gratitude somewhere) We had a good time and I remembered Shirley telling me this  

"Thank god today's workshop is not the typical boring type of seminar whereby we have to sit and face the screen for hours. If it is, I'm going to kill you."  

She's a little tired because she's been sick for a while now and I dragged her out to accompany me. All in all, we've learned a lot of new things and me, particularly want very much to come back - as a student next year >< someone please sponsor me. TQVM!!!

And to anyone who are interested in studying Culinary and Patisserie, please enquire at Berjaya UCH! Small classes and 2 person per station sounds very pleasant! And also internships and job opportunities at so many different companies under Berjaya sounds very promising right? Discounts for students who sign up early and for the January intake! For more information, you can visit their website >>> http://www.berjaya.edu.my/ and/or call KC Wong, Marketing & Student Recruitment. Talk to him and visit the campus and see how classes are conducted and you'll be brainwashed and wanting to study there :D