Iced Gems
One of my childhood snacks were these tiny biscuits that I used to eat all the time.
I looked it up online and turns out that it has been around since the 1890s. Pretty impressive. Haven't seen any around here though.
I miss them.
Friday, June 30, 2006
I looked it up online and turns out that it has been around since the 1890s. Pretty impressive. Haven't seen any around here though.
I miss them.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Decisions Decisions
Returned the pair of Diors today after all. Decided having 2 pairs of Diors was a waste of resources that could be better spent elsewhere. Therefore, now trying to decide what to spend on instead:
Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Change Purse - Again, Epi leather. I know you guys are all sick of it. I'm intending to use it as a small wallet rather than a change purse though. There's actually an extra slot for cards and cash.
Louis Vuitton Multicolore Porte-Monnale Plat - I'm inclined to get this one because I'm determined to get something Multicolore before it goes out of fashion. I'm in perpetual fear that it's going to happen anyday - although many people insist it's now a classic.
Canon PowerShot SD630 6MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom - Always wanted Canon too.
Sony Cybershot DSCW50 6MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom - Don't really care which one I get actually. Is one supposed to be better than the other?
Sigh. Decisions.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Scrambled Eggs and Pink Checks
Spent the entire day in the city. Woke up bright and early (by bright and early I mean something like 10 a.m.) and went down to Manchester Lane to eat a nice, fattening atherosclerotic-plaque inducing breakfast. Yummy.
I love scrambled eggs. And mushrooms.
Jo's sunny side up eggs with hash browns.
While I was at Crown I passed by Greco and took pictures of their cakes on display. Always wanted to do it but my camera somehow was never with me.
After my dismally depressing shopping trip on Saturday I went to the city today with no expectations at all. However, managed to find a couple of things. I found my much coveted sweater (angora, not cashmere. They didn't have a v-neck sweater in the cashmere *sob*) as well as:
Dior Titan Sunglasses - I love the dimantes...I'm a sucker for them. However, I'm still questioning this purchase since I already have a pair of Dior sunglasses sitting at home. Wondering if the money would be better spent on a pair of Prada or Chanel instead. But it was on sale!! Still indecisive.
Burberry Key Holder - Yup, after all my indecision and depression I finally settled for Burberry. Love the pink. This design is discontinued so to all the girls out there who got their pink Burberry checks before it happened, congrats!
P/S: I've changed my blog settings. Now everybody can comment.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Failure
I had a horrible dream last night about my violin at home getting dismantled to pieces by my ex-music teacher because she thought it sounded horrible and in the midst of it, my phone rang.Me: Hello?
Person: Ini Evelyn kah? (Is this Evelyn?)
Me: Ya?
Person: Saya dari Universiti Melbourne. Ujian Farmasi kamu tak lulus. (I'm from the University of Melbourne. You failed your Pharmacology test).
Me: Huh?? *panicked*
Person: Kena uji lagi. Hantar AUD4750 secepat mungkin. Ujian esok tau. (You have to resit your paper and pay an extra AUD4750. The sup is tomorrow, by the way.)
Me: ARGH!!!!!!!!!!
Strange thing was that the conversation was in Malay. After that I panicked, couldn't think of a way to tell my parents and mercifully woke up.
Traumatized.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
White or Steel Dishwasher?
I went out with my friends on Friday night to celebrate the end of our exams. After dinner we decided to head off for some cakes and hot chocolate.Friend: Shall we go to Koko Black?
Me: Yeah, let's go there!! There's this really cute dishwasher there. *wink wink*
Friend: Cute dishwasher? Is it the white kind or the stainless steel kind?
Everybody: ???????????
I was referring to a person, not an object. My friend thought I was referring to a machine.
Am I that merchandise orientated?
Saturday, June 24, 2006
All Dressed Up, Nowhere To Go
Saturday - 24th June 2006. The only thing that kept me going during the exam period."Never mind, on Saturday you can shop".
So I got up bright and early even though I slept at 4am due to a late mahjong session and went shopping. And came home with : blisters.
Yup. After 2 months of wearing closed patent leather shoes to clinic because that was the only kind of shoes allowed and 1 month of sitting in front of the computer walking an average of 100m a day, my feet couldn't stand the strain of walking around for 3 hours in the city in 3 inch heels. Couldn't.
How can I express my disappointment? I went to Ralph Lauren and my beloved cashmere was on sale. Not that it mattered - they didn't have my size. I went to Prada to get my long coveted key holder only to be informed that they didn't have the colors I wanted. I went to Burberry who promptly told me the bag I wanted was sold out 2 days ago. Went to Gucci and found nothing.
Nothing...nothing...nothing...
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Evelyn Is Going Crazy
Don't think I'll be updating for the next few days. I have to have no life or else I'm going to fail.I don't want to fail!!
S.T.R.E.S.S.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Clue 3
After a large gap in clues, I've finally come up with another one. This happened quite a few weeks ago at a party I went to.I got introduced to this guy and he started talking to me. I could immediately tell that he was the kind of guy who randomly flirts with anything with a skirt on. Fine - I continued to be polite. He had a couple of drinks and soon he was talking to me with his face like...6 inches away from me. I was continually stepping back to get more space in between.
If you don't know a person well, stay a good 2 feet away at least - preferably four. It's an invasion of space and unless the girl is really in to you, I don't think it's a wise move.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Evelyn Mumbles
I am just somebody who wants to pass my exams.I just ate a lasagna.
I said I never want to be taken advantage of ever again.
I wish we could turn back time.
I hate people squeezing my toothpaste from the middle. Stop it. Squeeze from the bottom up!
I miss my room.
I fear dying alone and found 3 weeks later, eaten by wild dogs. (quote Bridget Jones)
I hear the sound of rain falling and think of the song "All Cried Out" by Allure.
I wonder if everything is predestined or you hold the key to your own fate.
I regret not being a stronger person when I was younger.
I am glad that I have parents as great as the ones I have.
I sing only when I'm alone.
I cry only when the depths of my soul has been stirred.
I am not always someone who is patient.
I made sure I took my keys with me before I left the house today.
I write when I need to express myself.
I confused happiness with instant gratification.
I need more time.
I should study more.
I start my days running through the things I have to complete by the end of it.
I finish my days lying in bed, reading a book before I go to sleep.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Evelyn's Baking Frenzy
Right now I'm supposed to be studying frantically so that I don't fail and pass with some reasonably decent marks. The nicer the marks I get, the more I get to shop. Which means I should be motivated to study. But I'm not. Instead I've been pottering around the kitchen trying out new recipes and re-attempting my previous failed trial bakings. I even had time to teach my friend to bake a cake for his girlfriend today. Imagine that. What. Am. I. Doing?!??!
Mixed Berry Muffins - Turned out a bit bland due a surprisingly small amount of sugar in the recipe. I should have known. Sugar makes the muffins go round.
Capuccino Chocolate Chip Muffins - These muffins are by far the most successful batch of muffins I've ever made in my life. I think I'm going to make this one of my signature recipes.
Jam Drops - The last time I baked these, I shoved 32 of them onto one tray. As a result, I got a gigantic slab of biscuit with spots of jam on it. This time however, they actually turned out as Jam Drops, having reduced the number of cookies on the tray to 16. Yay!
I rarely show the process of baking mainly because I'm the only one in the kitchen and I don't have time to put down what I'm doing (flour-y, greasy hands and all) to take photos. However, since this time all I really did was stand around and instruct my friend about what to do, I have pictures of the cake assembly process.
Spreading Icing
Putting the top layer on - My friend commented that it looked like a gigantic Oreo cookie.
Completed Devil's Food Cake - Such a wicked name for a rich, chocolate-y yummy cake. Filled with fresh whipped cream and topped with chocolate icing. Not bad for my friend's first cake, no?
Number of lectures to complete = 70
Number of lectures completed = 19
Number of lectures left to complete = 51
Days to end of exam = 10
Monday, June 12, 2006
Stationery In The Dating Game
Was getting my daily dose of Questionable Content and readI would first like to state that I have never used them and they were given to me for my 21st birthday from a friend as a joke.
Address Book - Presumably for all the contact details of my conquests. It actually gives you advice on what to do, ranging from what to do when you date a serial killer to how to unhook a bra. They should come up with an address book of worst case housemate scenarios. maybe that would be marginally more useful for me.
Be My Valentine - This came in a stack of 50. I can't imagine why I would need even one, let alone 50 of these. My friend obviously has a high opinion of my prowess.
Somebody Likes You - I guess this is the milder one of the 3 items. Also came in a pack of 50 but I've given a few to my friends who wanted to shower some love to their significant others.
Needless to say all 3 of these items are lying under my bed collecting dust. Until I met a Sven.
Days to end of exam = 11
Number of lectures to finish = 70
Number of lectures finished = 4
Current state of mind = Hysterical
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Phantom of the Bathroom
This is almost becoming a series in my blog. But now, not only is there aI went to brush my teeth in the middle of the night and absent mindedly picked up my toothbrush from the holder and was about to squeeze my toothpaste on when I realised something was wrong.
The toothbrush was blue.
I had been using a red toothbrush for the past 2 months. What on earth was a blue toothbrush doing in my toothbrush slot? I searched the entire bathroom and couldn't find my toothbrush anywhere. Just a ratty old blue toothbrush in its rightful place.
When things move into the oral hygiene side of things, forgive me if I start getting a little bit worried.
I dont' even want to think what's in store for me in the future.
Scattered Beads, Broken Chain
I came home yesterday and took my keys to open the front door. One second later beads of my keychain were bouncing on the floor and for a moment I didn't even register what was going on. Then I realized that my trusty keychain had finally given way.
Trusty Old Keychain - Remnants of my name with the Aquarius sign - an urn of water.
While I was on my knees on the floor trying to find all the beads, I was trying to figure out how long I've been using the same keychain and concluded that I've been using it for 5 years. It had been holding my keys for 3 apartments and my own home back home. Sigh, sentimental me.
Then the other side of me concluded that I needed a new keychain. So I spent the rest of the night surfing around for nice stuff and here's what I found!
1. Tiffany & Co Star Key Ring - My current favourite. Even the hole is in the shape of a star *Sigh* My only concern is that it would scratch horribly and I'll be left with something that resembles scrap metal.
2. Gucci Key Holder - My second current favourite. Just not sure if i want to get another Gucci item.
3. Chloe Padlock Keychain - Threw this in for fun. It's quite a whimsical idea - having a padlock as your keychain.
4. Louis Vuitton 4 Key Holder - Again, my love for Epi Leather is rearing its head. I can't help it - the colors are so vibrant. I think this one looks the classiest as well.
5. Prada Triangle Key Ring - I like the simplicity of it. Looks less likely to scratch as well.
Sigh, the dilemma. 12 more days to liberation and serious shopping.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Evelyn Eats Dessert Pizza
I haven't been eating out all that much lately because of my attempt to save money (it seems as if I'm forever saving up for something) and exams. However, we went to Blue Fire in Melbourne Central to celebrate my friend's birthday yesterday.
I've heard a lot about that place but never had the opportunity to go, mainly because ever since I moved from Southbank back to Carlton I hardly venture into the city nowadays. Firstly, I have to buy a tram ticket - that's usually what hinders me the most. After 2 years of having a monthly tram ticket buying tickets every time I take a ride hurts - a lot. Secondly, there's just no reason for me to go into the city anymore since I study in Carlton, do my grocery shopping in Carlton, eat in Carlton and stay in Carlton. Sad but true fact.
Back to Blue Fire. I heard a lot about it and many people told me that it was a nice place to go so I had pretty high expectations. We ordered 4 pizzas between the 6 of us - 3 savoury and one dessert.
Pork & Pancetta
Roast Lamb
Aussie
Strawberry - Pizza with mascarpone cheese and white chocolate, topped with pecan ice cream.
I'm not going to bother reviewing them one by one because personally I felt that they were all mediocre. I had great expectations for the dessert pizza but the only thing I liked about it was the pecan ice cream. I felt that the base of the pizza didn't go that great with the topping. Not that their topping was that great in the first place. Their savoury pizzas were average as well. Didn't blow my mind. Waste of my calories, if you ask me.
And their service, I don't even know where to begin. They seated us at the a la carte side of the restaurant for some unknown reason and then made us shift when we told them that were actually interested in pizzas. Okay, still acceptable. Then we ordered and waited 45 minutes for the savoury pizzas to come.
I'm not sure if you readers know this but I actually time restaurants. On average food will come between 12-20 minutes - 20 minutes being the upper limit of my patience. 45 minutes for pizza is just ridiculous.
Then we had to wait for another 45 minutes after we had finished for the dessert pizza to come.
There were only two good points about the place:
1. They didn't charge cake-age (not sure if that's the correct term). I've been to restaurants that charge 5 dollars per person when you bring your own cake. Preposterous.
2. You get 20% discount if you use the Melbourne University Student Advantage Card.
Don't think I'll go there again.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Evelyn Bakes A Birthday Cake 2
I had my first written paper today and my housemate advised me to wrap up for the exams because the exam hall is supposed to be really cold.I listened to her advice and wore 4 layers and a scarf. For the first half of the exam I was fine... having practically ran all 6 blocks from my apartment to the exam hall because my friend was late. Then I started to get cold and by the end of the paper, my lips were blue (literally) and my teeth were chattering.
Went for a nice hot bowl of tom yum soup after that and came home to bake a pineapple upside down cake for my friend's birthday. Wanted to bake something more elaborate but just didn't have the time.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake - A little bit pale because I didn't put in enough brown sugar. Oh well - at least I tried. I'm not even sure if my friend likes pineapple.
Can't believe I still have 4 more papers to go. I'm exhausted.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Kacang Lupakan Kulit
Here's a post to all international students who have been looked down upon just because we don't talk, act or enjoy the same things that local Asians do.There's nothing more annoying than somebody insulting people directly and matter-of-factly without even considering that perhaps it is a little bit offensive to the person right in front of them.
Kacang lupakan kulit is a Malay proverb which translates to "A nut forgetting it's shell". I guess it means something along the lines of someone who forgets their roots or origin. Who you are.
I know somebody who openly disdains anything and anybody remotely Asian... especially international students. Forgetting that the person he is bitching to is international and doesn't take kindly to direct insults. Forgetting that he himself is Asian, try as he might to act, think, talk like someone who isn't.
If you think Asians are superficial, unrefined, vulgar, elitist, of bad taste, I guess that means I am too. That is my identity and I do not choose to reject my roots - even if you do. What I believe is that no matter who a person is they deserve to be treated with respect. And at least have the grace to bitch behind my back instead of openly insulting my own race in my face.
Note: This post does not apply to all local Asians that I know - most of them are fine. I am good friends with many of them. Just a couple who think they are better than the average person.
Unwanted Physical Contact
It may be interesting to know that I hate people who are very touchy-feely.I think it's unnecessary - especially if I don't even know you that well. Sure, I still hug people when I meet them and shake hands when I'm introduced to someone new, but that's where I draw the line.
My friend wrote a Friendster testimonial recently and she mentioned that I do not like my face to be touched. I read it and I suddenly remembered that it was true - it was almost a defining characteristic. In dental school my friend was examining me and she was using her hands to move my face left and right so that she could get better access to what she was looking at and I was so close to getting out of the chair and screaming at her to stop it. Not that it was her fault - it's just me. Anything on my face just grates my nerves to shreds.
Of course there must be something along the way when I grew up that made me this way. And I know what it is.
When I was about 7 I went to school and we were supposed to hand in our homework of assigned to us on the previous day. I suddenly realized that I forgot to bring it. I explained it to my teacher and she in turned didn't believe me and pinched me so hard on my cheek that when I went home, even though I didn't tell my mom about the episode, my mom noticed the bruise on my face and demanded to know what had happened to me.
I guess that's how it started. Even a pinch on my arm now drives me crazy. Incidentally, I don't know what's up with teachers like this. Do they really think that by doing that I would be more compliant and willing to please her? Does she really think that doing something like leaves a positive impact on a young and tender mind? Did she really want to be remembered fondly as the teacher who scarred me for life? (okay, a little bit dramatic here, but you get the point).
My first written paper is tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Monsieur Truffe Chocolate Truffles
My friend was telling me that Koko Black was so yesterday and Monsieur Truffe truffles were the chocolates to eat right now. Skeptical me decided to just try it out to see what the fuss was all about.
I got 3 praline truffles, one plain, one raspberry and one passionfruit.
The verdict:
1. Praline - These truffles kind of remind me of Ferrero Rocher, so I think it's just a glorified version of it. It's yummy, but not particularly out of ordinary.
2. Plain - It was a dark chocolate plain and I swear could actually feel the chocolate molecules going straight to my brain to send me to happy land. Very very good - one of the best plain chocolate truffles I've ever eaten.
3. Raspberry - This was my favourite of out the 4. I usually don't really enjoy fruit in chocolate but I guess this is an exception to the rule. The flavour was just right - not too fruity the way many of the fruit chocolates tend to be. Delish!
4. Passionfruit - Nice but didn't leave much of an impression on me.
My only complaints is that the truffles are a little bit on the small side (definitely smaller than the ones in Koko Black) but that's good in a sense - because they're only 40 calories each.
Watches To Die For
When I was around 8 I'd sit in the living room of my home poring over a watch collector's book and talk to my dad about them.Me: Dad, how much do one of these cost? *point at picture*
Dad: *amused at my still naive nature* Why, I don't know.
Me: Can I have one?
Dad: Maybe when you're older. *another amused smile exchanged with my mom*
Hah. Now I'm older, aren't I?!?! Also not as naive. I've realized that if I want any of those watches in that book, I'll have to work for it myself considering they're not stuff you go to your local marketplace to buy. So I'm just going to put these pictures up to remind myself why I'm studying.
Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso Duetto - This is by far my favourite watch to date. In case the picture doesn't make sense, it actually has two working faces...front and back and you can flip it according to which face you prefer. *Sigh*
Patek Phillipe Twenty Four - "Where will you be in the next 24 hours?"
I actually had 10 originally but decided to crop it down to 2 because I suddenly felt they didn't look as good as I thought they did anymore. Strange. Must be the
Back to books.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Martina Hingis' Choice
Been following the French Open obsessively and happy that Martina Hingis is in the quarter finals. She's probably my favourite tennis player, even though when she was younger she used to throw tantrums on court. However, I believe that she is truly talented and her comeback has been very successful. She's currently World No. 12 after only about 6 months since Australian Open. Impressive.When I was about 15 my mother made a big mistake of showing me an advertisement in the newspaper about the Omega Constellation - Martina Hingis' Choice. I mean, seriously:
1. Constellation - I'm obsessed about stars.
2. Bored and Watchless
Needless to say it sparked off my campaign to get hold of that watch. It wasn't easy - this was when I was only 15. My mom thought it was insane. My dad, an avid watch collector - was wavering but suffice it to say that even my will could not induce them into getting it for me.
Mom: You're a schoolgirl not some socialite.
Until my 18th birthday when they caved and told me that one does not turn 18 every day and I deserved it.
Omega Constellation - Half gold mother-of-peral dial. Not many people like it. Generally seen as too mature for a girl this young.
Strange how I'm thinking about my 18th birthday a lot lately.
Next post: More watches.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Daddy's Plastic vs Cold Hard Cash
I've been trying to save more money lately so that after the exams I can go for a good long well deserved session of retail therapy. Because of that I've been eating in and spending cash instead of using my card. Cash tends to make you more aware of the fact that money is going out.I still remember when I got my first credit cards. It was my 18th birthday and my parents gave me and envelope and told me that I was now an adult and they believed that I was responsible enough to be awarded them. I got two (one Mastercard and one Visa) but I only use one generally because it's my favourite.
Daddy's Plastic - My shopping companion. Which I should prepare to part with end of 2008 when I graduate. *sob*
Incidentally, having a card makes a lot of difference to how you're served. I still remember I went to Sakae Sushi in Singapore once during a shopping trip and when I went up to the counter to pay, the cashier petulantly printed out the receipt.
Cashier: $19.80. *slapped down the receipt*
Me: *slides the card over*
Cashier: *mollified expression* Oh, thank you, Miss *surname*
Me: .....
Suddenly I was viewed as a serious customer and deserved to be called by name.
No, I have never psychotically charged a few thousand dollars for fun before and I don't intend to. My parent's trust is worth more than that. And I've never bought things that are not um... approved by my parents using it either. That's what cash is for.
18 more days to go....
Mindless Grocery Shopping
Went to Safeway and bought a ton of groceries back, only to realise that I did not buy1. Milk
2. Sugar
3. Pasta
which are staples, but managed to lug home pineapple slices, more mushrooms and more vanilla soy milk.
What am I doing??!!??!
*dragging self out again*
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Tall Glass Short Glass
So, lately I've taken to drinking soy milk for breakfast and just before I go to bed. I like the taste and I like to think that it helps me make healthier decisions during the day. In short, this is my latest addiction.Anyway, here's my favourite soy milk for now. Some people have been informing me that it's not exactly the healthiest drink in the market because supposedly there's sugar in it (8%), but as far as I'm concerned it's better to drink soy milk than to eat a bar of chocolate so shut up. I'll drink what I want to drink.
Vitasoy's Vanilla Flavoured Soy Milk - So good that the Phantom of the Kitchen victimised it. Yup. There is still a rat capable of opening the fridge and the cap of the milk carton living in this house, even after my
Incidentally, since I'm drinking so much milk I found out that it's actually better to drink milk from a tall slim glass than a short fat one because of our perception of volume. People have been known to pour 50% more milk into a fat short glass and think that it's the same amount as what's in the tall slim glass.
Tomorrow is my conservative dentistry exam and I only have one prayer - that I pass and graduate from plastic teeth forever and ever.
Two handfulls of raisins = 150 calories
2 plates of fried noodles = 1400 calories
2 cups of milk = 200 calories
1 tablespoon of peanut butter = 100 calories
Total = 1850 calories (hey, I'm stressed)
Saturday, June 03, 2006
How To Be My Eighth World Wonder
Was happily still on my chocolate buzz when I saw that Chloe had tagged me to talk about the 8 things that encompasses my dream guy. The non-existent mortal made for me.*deep breath* Okay, here goes. I generally do not like to talk about this, but since I'm tagged, I'll do it.
1. Musically Inclined - By that I mean he should at least be able to sing in tune. Of course, if he can play several musical instruments and performed in Carnegie Hall when he was 12 I am not complaining.
2. Tactful - I cannot tolerate a person who does not have the ability to say something in a gentler, more positive tone. In my personal opinion, if I were to choose between a guy who said "Yeah, maybe that post you wrote was a little bit boring" and a critical idiot who says "That's one of the lousiest posts you've ever written", I'd definitely choose the former.
3. Willing To Take Out The Trash - Definitely the most detestable chore for me.
4. Can Drive - I don't care if he has a car or not but he should at least have a driving license. I really don't think this is a very big demand. I could drive when I was 17 for goodness' sake. Can I imagine driving my boyfriend around? No. Point made.
5. Motivator - If I go out with a guy who consistently wants to make me rebel and do the exact opposite of what he wants me to do i.e. "You should stop shopping" and I go and shop immediately after that statement just out of sheer rebellion, I think that's just not going to work.
6. Someone I Can Talk To - I once went on this horrendous date with a guy who could not hold a decent conversation. It was basically me asking questions and getting monosyllabic answers. Worst lunch I ever had. I need somebody who can at least talk about something... anything.
7. Fulfills Promises - Nothing pisses me off more than expectations that are not met. If you tell me you're going to be there at 8pm, I expect you to be there, not still napping at home. Especially if you were the one who asked me out in the first place.
8. Loves Me For Me - A guy who can accept Evelyn as she is - bags, shoes, dog and chocolates. Someone who understands that in my twisted mind, spending a few thousand dollars on a bag is perfectly reasonable. Someone who does not ridicule my dreams but at least tries to support them. Someone who knows my faults and makes me want to be a better person. I guess this kind of overwrites everything else. Such a person is worth waiting for.
There we go - 8 things. I noticed it sort of became a rant session somewhere along the way. Couldn't help it. So much easier to think of what I don't want from past experiences than thinking of what I want.
Tag Victims = Mayne, Jason, Jo, Ruth, Angela, Lisa, Shaun and Ruth. Suddenly realize I don't know that many people who blog.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Evelyn Loves Koko Black
When the first half of my day was obviously not going well, my friend suggested that we go for a drink in Koko Black so that I could 'chill' and calm down to face the coming onslought of more nightmarish scenarios.Koko Black is a chocolate boutique born in Melbourne. I still remember the first time I walked past their city store about 3 years ago. I thought it looked nice, went in and discovered one piece of chocolate costs AUD1.40 (about RM4). Although I now know that AUD1.40 is peanuts compared to other chocolates out there, my then innocent mind (not so innocent anymore) couldn't digest it.
Anyway, I only started eating it regularly about 1-2 years ago. Yes, it is a luxury (in both a financial and caloric sense) but it is well worth it. A strange thing to note is that to date, I have never actually bought Koko Black chocolates for myself. I've either
1. Gotten them as gifts.
2. Gone with friends who choose to treat me at the spur of the moment.
3. Won them.
Of course, now that I've said it out loud I'm probably going to be footing the bill for the rest of my life now.
Display case of Koko Black - almost as dazzling as the display case of Tiffany & Co. Almost.
Koko Black Gift Boxes - Koko Black gift boxes come in a few sizes, from a tiny box containing just 2 pieces to the magical, sublime 64 piece box. I have received all sizes except the elusive unattainable 64. I don't blame anybody - it costs AUD90.
Koko Black also specializes in drinks and other chocolate based desserts, but what impresses me the most about this store is definitely their hand-made chocolates. I choose to review 6 pieces today - graciously given to me by my friend yesterday to cheer me up. It's a little bit banged up because I carried it to the city and back in a paperbag.
Clockwise from top:
Hazelnut Cluster - My favourite chocolate of all time. Hands down. 3 candied hazelnuts coated in milk/dark chocolate. I could eat them on a daily basis.
Chai Tea - Slightly tea-flavoured. Yummy.
Caramelized Coconut - Exactly what it says, coated with white chocolate.
Almond Praline - I'm having mixed sentiments about almonds right now. I used to like them a lot, but lately almonds have been tasting... too almond-y.
Nougat - Another one of my favourites.
Strawberry Something - I can't remember the exact name, only that I know it's definitely strawberry flavoured and the texture inside is mousse-like.
Sigh. It's all gone now. The only thing for me to do now is to find a four-leafed clover, get lucky and discover tomorrow that there's a bottomless box of Koko Black chocolates outside my front door. Addressed to me. Me me me...
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Evelyn's Cake Was Violated
I love it how when I plan a day perfectly in my mind only to wake up and realise that everything... E.Ve.Ry.Thing is against me.First I wake up and my internet isn't working. Okay, that's fine no big deal. I can live without it.
Next, I go to the fridge to take a slice of cake. And then I notice something isn't quite right.
.....
The cake icing has been scraped/licked off and the corners of the cake were gone. I tried to calm down and left a note on top of the box.
"Please do NOT eat".
As you can see, I was still polite.
Went to church, came back and found more cake slices were victimised. Saw red, took the cake box out of the fridge and left it on the kitchen counter with another note.
"Cake has been crumbed/licked/scraped. No desire to eat it. Whoever who did it can just HAVE it!"
Yes, I am
1. Passive agressive.
2. A very angry person right now.
3. ready to spike my next batch of baking with laxatives.