My first cooking experience had taken place. By that, I mean the entire process, from grocery shopping, to the actual cooking.
Let me first reveal that I've listed 'Cooking' as one of the 2 new things I hope to pick up in 2010, after Driving (2006), Japanese (2007), Long Distance Running (2007), Windsurfing (2008) and Guitar (2009). Prior to today's experiment, I've watched Aunt cook a few nights, but had never got the chance to do it myself, and so, it was really based on vague memories and abit alot of trial-and-error.
The dishes churned up by everyone. But, I'll just be selfish and give the space in this blog to my OWN dishes. Hah.
#1: Chicken breast with potato cubes. The dish that I planned to cook. Aunt had mentioned about the possibilities of putting in onions/chilli sauce, which I didn't in the end. I think it tasted alright, and the potatoes were very soft and mashed--a little different from what I had wanted it to be. But I guess this is very suitable for young children and old people.
#2: Fries with egg. Didn't plan to cook this. But because I peeled more potatoes than required, I decided to do something to it. I remembered Aunt occasionally cook this Fries+Egg dish, and so decided to try it out. My fries weren't as crispy as hers, so this would be something I'd need to ask her about! Her eggs weren't as scrambled as mine either. Hmm.
#3: Kailan with carrots. Didn't plan to cook this, until we realised in NTUC, that there weren't vegetables in the food list. I bought Kailan, and thought carrots might go well with it. That's how this 3rd dish came, impromptu-ly. I remembered that Mama would sometimes cut flower-shaped carrots, so decided to do it too. Luckily I remebered that the vegetable stalks would have to go in first, and the leaves the last. With a bit of oyster sauce + soy sauce + salt + corn flour, it was done and I was quite satisfied with how it turned out. But I should have served the dish earlier, as the leaves were starting to be over-cooked.
----------------------------------------It was a fun experience, and I totally valued the experiment today. It's a great morale booster for a plan that I'm mooting, to be revealed in due time.
人生是黑白的.
1:35 AM <3
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As a continuation of a previous entry, here's the remaining half of the videos taken during the Kansai Japan Trip!
Enjoy!
人生是黑白的.
10:58 PM <3
>>>
This is my new New Balance shoe, MR92B! The shopping experience was superb, really!
I walked in to the store, saw this design and colour that I preferred, and requested for my shoe size from the uncle assistant. Then, I ended up with a very beneficial 'running' lesson from him for the next half hour!
1. He assessed my feet and confirmed that I suit this 'stabiliser'-type, as it would tend to correct my running, if it ever steered unbalancedly.
2. He taught me the 'secret' features of the shoe. I learnt about the 'N-lock' of the New Balance shoes, which really gripped my ankles well.
3. He taught me how to tie the "runner's knot", which when complemented with the 'N-lock', really gave me 10 times more comfort than my previous running shoes.
4. He got me to try running on the in-store threadmill, and gave me valuable advices on how to improve/correct my posture. I learnt about the merits of not having my hands swing past the 'centreline'; not moving my hands too much; keeping the wrists by the side; relaxing my shoulders; and tilting my posture slightly forward.
5. He praised my footwork, and said they were very straight, but cautioned me that usually this can only be maintained till the 30km-mark. As a seasoned marathoner himself (15 times!), he said he, too, has perfect footwork, but after 30km, he had to be very conscious about his feet. This is valuable advice, as the associated cramp areas that he pointed out, are what I usually experience.
6. He conducts running programmes free-of-charge for New Balance Customers weekly at Junction 8!
What was supposed to be just a simple shopping agenda for a new pair of running shoes, turned out to be one filled with professional advices. Had I went to any other stores, the assistants might just bring out the shoes to me without even telling me the right way to wear/tie the knots or even bother checking if it's really a good fit!
I'm glad I decided to make the trip today!
人生是黑白的.
5:47 PM <3
>>>
They say that "A picture paints a thousand words".
I think that, since a Video is a Dynamic Picture, it definitely worths tens of thousands of words.
The second half of the videos will be ready shortly. I welcome feedback and comments!
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On a side note, I've sent the Kansai Itinerary to 10 people to date. Thank you all for the positive feedback on that humble little work. I'm more than happy to share.
人生是黑白的.
1:07 AM <3
>>>
The dishes churned up by everyone. But, I'll just be selfish and give the space in this blog to my OWN dishes. Hah.
#2: Fries with egg. Didn't plan to cook this. But because I peeled more potatoes than required, I decided to do something to it. I remembered Aunt occasionally cook this Fries+Egg dish, and so decided to try it out. My fries weren't as crispy as hers, so this would be something I'd need to ask her about! Her eggs weren't as scrambled as mine either. Hmm.
#3: Kailan with carrots. Didn't plan to cook this, until we realised in NTUC, that there weren't vegetables in the food list. I bought Kailan, and thought carrots might go well with it. That's how this 3rd dish came, impromptu-ly. I remembered that Mama would sometimes cut flower-shaped carrots, so decided to do it too. Luckily I remebered that the vegetable stalks would have to go in first, and the leaves the last. With a bit of oyster sauce + soy sauce + salt + corn flour, it was done and I was quite satisfied with how it turned out. But I should have served the dish earlier, as the leaves were starting to be over-cooked.
As a continuation of a previous entry, here's the remaining half of the videos taken during the Kansai Japan Trip!
This is my new New Balance shoe, MR92B! The shopping experience was superb, really!
They say that "A picture paints a thousand words".