Official First Day

Our daughter starts her official first day at PTEK today - 28th February 2011 after 2 weeks in a limbo and restless waiting.  After her result was announced and followed by the registration 2 weeks ago she actually couldnt wait to get back to school (or college now!), which was so funny.  I mean all this time, when she went to school she always talked about being away from school and had a long holiday.  And now that she was on a long off school days, she missed school so much. 

Her registration to PTEK was confirmed last week when she received the offer letter and she was informed her first day will be today.  So today she was excited to go back and meet her friends at the new college.  Although as we would have thought and anticipated she wont be in the same class as everyone I guess being with them and seeing them again was good enough.  I cant wait to hear her news later and tell me how her day went.

She has done alot of help around the house since our amah left so its good to see her back to her usual school routine and be a normal-school-crazy-with-lots-of-homework teen again, lol.

Its still there!

Still on Christchurch earthquake!  I was looking for this metal structure all over and found the picture of it just now.  So yay... its still standing.  Look!

We were at the same place more than a year ago.

Christchurch in ruins

I was sad to note about the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch last tuesday.  Its the 2nd one in less than 9 months.  It was so shallow that it ruined so many buildings in Christchurch and shortened alot of lives too.  We were there in the city in 2009 and had a wonderful time.  We all love the place.  Its very nice and the people were equally friendly and respectful.  My heart goes out to everyone in Christchurch.  We always wanted to go back but after the earthquake I am not sure if its a good idea to visit again.  I mean, what is left there after the ruins?

I wonder if that beautiful metal structure survives.  I was looking all over the internet for it if the picture of it but to no avail.



More memorable picture, at the Cathedral Square where there were stalls selling stuff.



I am sure this building no longer there.

A building no more.

Happy 27th National Day, Brunei!

Its Brunei 27th National Day on 23rd February 2011.  Its been 27 years since Brunei independence from the British rules.  Whats best for today is, apart from Brunei being on its own, its a public holiday.  Its so nice to spend easy day at home and just chill.  So nice.  Although its still good to reflect on whats been going on for the last 27 years.  Brunei still have alot to accomplish and to develop.

As per His Majesty titah (speech), His Majesty emphasised on the importance of public sector to act and develop their own potential, and emphasised how important education is.  Its time people!  To compete and to stand up with the rest of the world!

I didnt join the mass gathering.  But I managed to take some photos while the participants on their final rehersal on monday.  Took these from our office balcony.  Nice right?

Kek Lapis Marie Cheese (Recipe)

I found this delicious and so simple cheese cake from the internet.  And very easy to make too, its very similar to the truffle or tiramisu but without the coffee taste.  Its devine and its preparation can be done in less than half an hour.  No baking is necessary but have to be chilled over night to get the best outcome. 

I tried it out yesterday and enjoyed eating it today with hubby and our daughter.  They love it and so do I.  The recipe is below so thanks to the blogger who shared this recipe. 

Ingredients

1 packet Marie biscuit

1 packet Chocolate Marie biscuit

300ml whipping cream

250g Philadelphia Cheese, at room temperature

250g condensed milk....or you can add to your liking

shreaded Kraft Cheddar Cheese

A loose bottom cake tin/ 7 inch square cake tin

Method

1. Whisk cheese, until creamy, add whipping cream and condensed milk, continue to whisk until well incorporated and creamy.

2.Pour a cup of cream and cheese mix, even out at the bottom of cake tin.

3.Arrange Marie Biscuit, and cover those parts entirely by breaking the biscuits.

4.Next pour cream and cheese mix.

5.Arrange Chocolate Marie Biscuit, and cover parts not covered entirely by breaking the biscuits...

6. do that and so on and so forth, but make sure that the last party is the cheese cream mix, and before you chill the cake, shread some Kraft Cheddar Cheese on top of the cake.

7.Chill overnight.....

Yummm....

Each a cup

This was our 2nd attempt to look for that damn bubble tea shop at the Time Square.  The last time was about 2 weeks ago when we went to check for it, but we didnt find it at all.  So hubby being a resourceful person hehe, check it out from the internet and got some ideas on where it was from other people's blogs who had visited the place.  So off we went again and this time we did manage to find it, yay.........

We found it quite easily this time since when we arrived, there was already a small sign installed at the entrance of the corridor leading up to the kiosk.  So it was easy.  I guess so many people went looking for it but to no avail.  It was really tucked away from the main entrance, no wonder we didnt see it when we went here the other day.

The place was dazzled with orange (my favourite colour) so it was really eye catching for me.  There were not so many customers at all, then we decided to have dinner first at Excapade and we would get some bubble tea later as dessert.  When we were back, the place was still deserted, so I was a bit sceptical, maybe the tea was not as nice as people thought.  But since we were already here, we might as well get some and have a taste.

There were so many flavours and type of drinks to choose from and we were not sure on what to get.  So for me, I just picked my usual favourite flavour and went with that (I am not that adventerous when it comes to food or drinks and prefer to stick to the same old thing all the time).  So its caramel then.  Our daughter picked hazelnut and hubby didnt want any.  He was having some reservations with the salesgirl who entertained us, not going to go into that hehehe...

Now the verdict.  The taste was so so...  A bit bland or should I say.. too liquidy... (is that a word??? lol.. I just love to invent my own words), meaning.. maybe.. too much water instead of flavour!  I stil prefer the bubble tea in Miri.  For me, thats the best bubble tea as far as I am concerned.  But it was good for us to try, at least thats out of the way now.  And I am not gonna talk and mention it to hubby and ask him to take me there again if I have craving for bubble tea.  We could just go to Foodzone, there are bubble tea there too!

The sign which shows the way to Each A Cup



The counter



The long list of menu on type of drinks and flavours

The place was lacked of customers, maybe we came at the wrong time of the week?  But its friday night!

A small sitting area at one corner



While waiting for our order



I was paying for my purchases

Our order - Caramel and Hazelnut drinks

My caramel bubble tea.

Then we went for a bit of a stroll at the Time Square and came across the wish wall again.  We did have a good time reading all people wishes last time!

At the wish wall

Hubby went shopping for honey.

The receipt from our dinner at Excapade can be used as a ticket for a lucky draw.  So wish me luck to get that grand prize - a new house!

Love reading all these wishes lol.....

More wishes

And more!

Favourite restaurant

We never get tired of having a meal at Excapada Sushi, no matter where we are or where the restaurant is.  We went looking for the bubble tea shop again at Time Square and ended up having dinner at Excapade in Time Square.  This was our first time here and the place was not that big but it was ok, the one in Kiulap, Gadong or even KB are way bigger, this place was equivalent to their branch in Bunut or their old branch in Kiulap.  But the food was as usual ravishing.  Love them to bits!

What follows were all the food we never failed to order, our very own favourites dishes of Excapade Sushi.



How to make green tea, free flow hot water from the tap on the table.



My favourite old time drink - Green tea.

Never tired of this - Mini California Mayo

Decoration at the restaurant

Wantan Ramen - our daughter opted for this for her main course.

Cant remember the japanese name for this - but this is mushroom with scallop - very yummy.

Hubby's favourite - the eel!

Prawn tampura

Salmon Aspharagus

Cant remember the name also - but this is chicken

There was definitely alot to eat.

Yummmmmm....

Our order