tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12693274826276077542012-01-30T17:57:02.714+08:00Where East meets West ...Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.comBlogger1211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-83610676830164143442012-01-15T23:38:00.000+08:002012-01-16T09:24:20.283+08:00

Holy moly. We’re already at the FIFTEENTH day of a brand new year?! Where was I over the last 28 days? Hi. A happy 2012 to you. I’ve been slogging away to meet deadlines at work. Plus, I was down with migraine and a cold about a week ago. But this blog has been a part of my life for almost THREE(!!) years. All that makes it even harder to let go of writing and blogging. Now I’m sneaking

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-90810976592347803222011-12-18T23:41:00.000+08:002011-12-20T23:20:09.561+08:00

My dear Reader, I’ve been a terrible blogger this year. By the time you read this post, Thanksgiving frenzy has already died down and hence marks the midst of Christmas rush. Does that say a lot to you about me? In this part of the world, where Thanksgiving is often unheard of (and so it’s not a public holiday, apparently), I was out on the streets, filling in as an adjunct “reporter” (or

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-74245811217833828342011-11-16T00:24:00.001+08:002011-11-26T17:50:09.813+08:00

Recently, I’d found myself lost in the thought of living the life I once enjoyed in America. College life, to be exact. I think this is due to the work pressure I was recently subjected to and then had finally got out of (that was short-lived, just so you know — yesterday was my second day at my new job as a writer for healthcare communication). In retrospect, while many of my peers seemed to be

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-40354676879303992552011-10-30T15:46:00.000+08:002011-10-31T13:26:27.420+08:00

Stroll through the woods in the twilight so serene. There’s a stream that sounds so busy. Cross the bridge above it and I see The water underneath that's made me laugh and cry within. There, that’s one of my maiden attempts at writing poems. (Oh well, if you’d even consider that a poem.) The idea and the urge to write that down struck me while I was at work (impeccable timing!), which was

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-25485492818148279132011-10-27T21:19:00.000+08:002011-10-30T16:01:01.988+08:00

Hello, Friend. It’s been more than six weeks, of what seems like forever for me to update this blog (FINALLY)! In fact, there will be a new post and a recipe here in about two days, before we say goodbye to October and to fall and embrace winter. Oh, time flees! On the other hand, I’m happy to announce that I survived possibly one of the roughest patches of my entire life. So, please allow me

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-44814984165779939592011-09-19T00:26:00.001+08:002011-10-04T00:04:48.582+08:00

My dear Reader, I haven’t been able to attend to this blog as often as I used to. I haven’t been able to write for this blog as often as I’d like to, but there are so many things that I’d love telling you about. On top of that, I haven’t been able to reply to all the comments and emails I recently received from you, my reader. For that, I apologize. On my end, work has really gotten in my

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-89699015889298183212011-08-31T17:18:00.001+08:002011-09-01T00:32:39.425+08:00

When I saw the email from Pick Shan, a.k.a. Babe_KL, more than two weeks of ago, I rubbed my eyes and said to myself in disbelief, “Gosh, it’s that time of year again.” Time to say merdeka! In Malay, merdeka means independence. In other words, happy 54th birthday, Malaysia! This year, because Merdeka Day, which falls on Aug. 31, coincides with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, here in Malaysia, everyone

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-27537201495049226902011-08-17T22:21:00.002+08:002011-08-27T20:31:20.456+08:00

Here I am, sitting before the laptop, alone in the hotel room somewhere in Ipoh for official duty. My strained eyes are staring at a blank sheet of Word document, my fingers poise themselves with uncertainty on the keyboard, my mind burned out and feeling dazed. Words are at the tip of my tongue. I know I want to write, but I don’t know where to begin with. I may not even be clear about my

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-82065460216186833642011-07-28T00:16:00.013+08:002011-10-06T22:20:34.913+08:00

Irish writer Oscar Wilde once said, “True friends stab you in the front.” And after stabbing you in the front, they also, for the most part, let you stand up and heal on your own. The wound is deep enough to inflict pain, to make you think twice and reflect upon yourself. The wound is also, however, shallow enough to induce self recovery in you. They’re skilled stabbers, I must say. They’re

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-71039062170276678372011-07-25T02:36:00.007+08:002011-07-25T06:49:55.254+08:00

I, Pei-Lin, had temporarily jilted this blog. It was left in the lurch, remained stuck at the Fourth, when in reality, the world has moved on, and that now it’s already July 25. It’s the end of July! There’s a three weeks’ gap in between! People, I’ve deserted this blog for a good three weeks! Ouch. I’m sorry if I’ve kept you waiting. I know exactly how it feels, that the wait sucks, that

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-78920779506863415312011-07-04T00:04:00.010+08:002011-07-30T11:05:53.259+08:00

Boy, am I glad I didn’t have to celebrate the Fourth this year alone, literally, or what. Hello, Pei-Lin. You’re Malaysian — not American! I know. If you’ve been following my blog, by now you should be able to tell I’m a downright frank gal. And I may be one of the most stubborn persistent fellas you’ve ever come across, because I’ve not had qualms with anyone uttering that sort of remark

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-60793617251214629642011-06-21T00:43:00.005+08:002011-07-30T11:07:43.467+08:00

Minnesota reminds me of the freezer, since this U.S. state freezes up well for half the year. The coldest I’d had, back then, was -35°C (-31°F). Its summer, however, comes by too briefly, lasting from June to August every year. It’s no wonder, then, at the summertime I’d turn into a jolly girl who longed to be in the great outdoors. I was thrilled to put on flip-flops again, to unearth all my

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-55370041259995604722011-06-10T17:26:00.010+08:002011-07-02T02:34:14.802+08:00

I like to imagine the moments from each year lived written into a chapter, and, at my last breath, the chapters bound into a book. More of an autobiography, I would say. Now I’m almost through the 24th chapter. During this stage, the roaring rocky mid-20s, I have millions of questions to answer and pages of stories to write. My life at this point, as I’d like to imagine, is a large sheet of

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-36672793386223993002011-05-31T22:43:00.004+08:002011-05-31T23:42:12.945+08:00

People, I feel thankful for the support you’d given me in my last post. I’ve been going through a rough time, unfortunately, and to be honest, but reading your comments did cheer me up. There are a few mornings on which I woke up to your encouraging words, and, you know what, I smiled. For all that, THANK YOU! One of the things I’ve learned, besides being grateful for all that I’ve been blessed

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-38708585620808176522011-05-24T00:00:00.043+08:002011-06-16T13:03:47.210+08:00

My heart is throbbing, and my head feels giddy. I don’t know where to begin with. I dread writing this, and, in all honesty, I never thought I’d be writing this. People, this blog turns two today! A year ago, due to a tight schedule, I was late to mark this big day down on here, for this tiny space I’d carved for myself two years ago in the boundless, expanding cyber world. When I started

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-89689481516292675592011-05-15T00:36:00.020+08:002011-06-10T12:46:07.297+08:00

I compare book with book. I compare recipe with recipe. I compare guy with guy (which, for a single lady, and to her benefit, is a legitimate thing to do — at least that’s what I think). Anyway, I love to compare. I compare myself with others (this isn’t self denial; this is self improvement). I even compare mother with mother. It irks me to know that, about this quirk of mine, but I do compare

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-21725944775449976572011-05-06T04:24:00.017+08:002011-06-14T10:02:18.239+08:00

This was taken a few hours ago, at 10:25 p.m. yesterday, while I was trying to catch a ride at a downtown LRT station, to get home after slogging for 12 hours in the office. It was one of the longest days I’ve ever had. A rather awful one at work, too. Sitting in the passenger coach, I imagined myself shaking off the repressed anger and frustration, and, after that, I stared into the middle

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-71672632247611937942011-04-30T00:19:00.014+08:002011-05-01T01:55:17.198+08:00

Oh, dear. Here I go … I’m gripping a ball pen and scribbling on paper. I am writing a blog post on paper! Thanks to Trojans and computer viruses, for crippling my computer (or maybe I should be blamed for?). It’s now fastened inside the laptop bag, waiting to be reborn. I’m living without a personal computer. I am surviving through this! But by the time you’re reading this, I’m sure I’ve

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-21662554259089963732011-04-19T07:15:00.003+08:002011-05-03T15:08:16.159+08:00

Hey, I have a new friend. I never knew of Lynn until a few Sundays ago. On that fateful Sunday, I was caught slurping on sinfully creamy pâtes au citron for a late lunch. (Just so you wonder, that’s something I’ve yet to blog brag about. Lately I’ve been reading up too much of Laura Calder’s, but nothing shall stop me, there’s this pâtes au bleu recipe of hers I’m tempted to try. Sounds

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-25112743208846210242011-04-05T10:07:00.008+08:002011-04-05T21:42:08.971+08:00

At one point in my life this desire was held so high. I was a senior in college, and I was juggling with my thesis paper, an obsession with baking, and a desire to enroll myself in a pastry school, with which I hoped to make a career out of. Well, anything that has to do with food, I’d be in! Two years had passed, that desire of mine, however, has faded. Thank goodness, though the obsession is

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-36377089533450776022011-03-24T00:25:00.006+08:002011-04-02T01:06:41.392+08:00

There’s this urging voice in me. “Pen them down,” she whispers. “They may slip out of your hands.” No. I don’t want my friends to slip out of my hands. But I do want to get these off my chest, they’ve had me suffocated for days. It’s time, if you may. For almost one week, I worked overtime, which amounted to about 10 hours of work a day. I left the office by nine at night, and only reached home a

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-86449465556641441622011-03-17T00:49:00.012+08:002011-03-27T00:23:48.416+08:00

When I think of March, I think of them; their birthdays; St. Paddy’s Day and the color green. To my high school best friend, when I was that quirky nerd (I still am actually, have been more of an artistic person, which explains my eccentric personality), I was a target among the bullies inside the classroom. But, she’d erase the stigma surrounding me and approach me as a friend. That

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-83537884876623901682011-03-09T12:43:00.001+08:002011-03-09T12:54:43.298+08:00

A muffin, mini or jumbo, is handy enough to be held in your hand. On its own, it makes a delicious and filling snack. Needless to say, muffin making, by itself, is easier than a piece of cake (pun intended). A grab-and-go charmer, how can a busy working lady like me not be enamored of muffins! Muffins are such straightforward affairs — more than three years ago, when I was still a college

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-43356486804156972352011-03-07T16:33:00.011+08:002011-03-08T22:01:35.417+08:00

This blog has been quiet. It’s been close to two weeks since I last spoke here. Hi. How are you? A few days ago when I looked into the calendar, I couldn’t put myself in the position to actually believe that we’ve marched our way into March! (And now it’s already the second week of this month! *Gasp*) The year 2011 has been nice to me so far. A couple of weeks ago, it was all about running

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-24219112129730832152011-02-22T23:23:00.013+08:002011-02-27T13:46:11.545+08:00

Psst … Did you get all messy and sticky on Monday? The truth is, I did and instead of Monday, I was leaps ahead of everyone else. Unless you were also far ahead in this game, well, then, I’d been exaggerating. But the fact is, for me, everything seemed to happen by chance. If it weren’t for Good Eats, if it weren’t for Alton Brown, I wouldn’t have known that Monday, Feb 21, was National Sticky

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-74245998580793074622011-02-17T00:10:00.007+08:002011-02-27T13:48:04.744+08:00

I’m never alone. I wasn’t alone on Valentine’s. And I ain’t gonna be alone on Chap Goh Meh (元宵節), a.k.a. Chinese Valentine’s. (The latter is the 15th day of Chinese New Year, which marks the end of the two-week-long celebration.) In the office, sitting on my desk, was and has always been this bag of familiarity—a bag of loose, coarse flecks. It goes through the thick and thin with me. It never

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-60770914732652539852011-02-10T01:09:00.007+08:002011-02-25T01:24:26.146+08:00

I woke up. I ate. I yakked. I then ate. And I yakked again. That was how my Chinese New Year had been, until earlier this week, when I dragged myself back to the office, and this vicious cycle was forcibly put to a stop. Home sweet home ... Oh, wait! I did more than that, didn’t I? (Pei-Lin isn’t that pathetic, anyway.) Let me recount the first days of my Chinese New Year: I woke up. I ate. I

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-81518372730692074152011-01-29T21:05:00.014+08:002012-01-28T12:06:56.852+08:00

At this time of year, I’ve been juggling with career on one hand and the mad Chinese New Year rush on the other. Sometimes, I wish I was born a multitasker, an outstanding one. Weary days like these have had my brain going nuts, and so are my taste buds (literally). All that crunch and nutty tone seem appealing! In 24 hours or so, I can gobble up one whole jar of toasted cashew nuts my mom

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-84534882372168867252011-01-19T23:37:00.011+08:002011-04-30T23:30:32.192+08:00

My childhood may not be the world’s happiest. But every so often, I still can’t help but to yearn for those innocent days bygone. Lately, the pang of nostalgia has grappled a good part of me even more. It must have been the painful struggles this transitional phase has put me into. It feels as if I’m standing stranded at a major crossroads, not knowing where I’m heading for. Really. Which may

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-64387849718728135072011-01-11T00:24:00.006+08:002011-01-11T07:21:24.763+08:00

Dearest reader/visitor: Have I been MIA? Probably. But, I believe I'm at a turning point in my career. Having said that, I've been very tied down by things outside of this blogging world. At the moment, I barely have the time to even bake and cook and photograph. Needless to say, I've been unable to sit down and brainstorm in peace ... to pen down my thoughts on life and food on this journal of

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-17289333799494023322011-01-01T17:28:00.012+08:002011-01-15T00:12:37.871+08:00

Oh, December 2010! Thou must have kept me on the brink of insanity! I shall keep this post relevant in the sense of being a blogger. A bad blogger as a matter of fact. I’ve not been able to write as frequently as I did. So, will you be spammed with stale news? I suppose. Pardon me if that sounds like a bad idea. Allow me to ramble on before I can shut up and move on in a spanking new year … Dec

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-35105411300411409982010-12-24T23:36:00.009+08:002010-12-29T14:56:55.676+08:00

My days in the U.S. were marked by both the sweet and the bitter. I remember this particular episode vividly. It was in the late summer of 2007. The university ground saw a sudden influx of students; there were the new and the returning ones. After a 3-month-long summer break, the campus came to life with all the hustles and bustles rolling around. It was the first week of a brand new term.

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-51992421382579410222010-12-13T20:44:00.005+08:002010-12-24T17:26:32.310+08:00

It was one of those tiring weekday evenings after work. The moment I finished reading Ivy’s email, excitement gushed through within me. Memories flashed back, as if I was hiding in one corner of the dining area, witnessing my mom packing food into her tiffins the night before so she could bring to work the next day. I could faintly recall how old I was, though. One thing for sure: For lunch, my

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-22309941973405547332010-12-07T22:50:00.015+08:002010-12-10T09:46:32.670+08:00

Yesterday afternoon, Pei-Lin had a hard time making up her mind. There were voices inside her head … Tiffins: Yo! Whassup? Dorayaki: Konnichiwa! I’m as sweet as I’ve always been. Doraemon is doing great, too. Tiffins: Nice to hear that! Hey! I have a suggestion here. Dorayaki: (Looking anxious like how a small kid would behave) Oh! Oh! What would that be? Tiffins: (Giving an indecisive look) Erm

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-91010756911279612632010-12-01T13:25:00.001+08:002010-12-01T18:05:32.655+08:00

I have something to confess. I created an unprecedented record on Nov 27, 2010. I was about 2 hours late for a girls’ night out! Seated cozily in an American-themed restaurant at the Curve, a shopping mall just outside of Kuala Lumpur (K.L.), eight gorgeous ladies were enjoying dinner while chatting away. And, I showed up toward the end of the dinner — just in time for dessert! Well, I didn’t

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-20706409169258437822010-11-24T23:42:00.010+08:002010-11-25T08:18:15.670+08:00

How funny things can be oftentimes. In January 2007, I mustered up my courage, waved goodbye to Malaysia, and boarded the plane for a 2 day-long journey to America — to a country I’d been dreaming of living in since I was in junior high. During my 32 months in the land far away, I didn’t get to visit home once. For someone who had never traveled that far and been on her own for that long, I found

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-46812177409454733552010-11-13T01:37:00.019+08:002010-12-07T23:03:56.044+08:00

Flavors. Colors. Memories. Tender Loving Care. They are all stacked in tiffin carriers, which have come to mean a whole lot to most Asians.“Long before there were plastic bags and disposable containers, tiffin carriers were used to store and carry food. Tiffin carriers are stackable, multi-tiered containers that are looped to a handle with latches on the side. The separate containers allowed for

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-71558934138689733632010-11-10T23:19:00.008+08:002010-11-15T21:08:52.919+08:00

In spite of the fact that I’m abjectly slow at blogging – and hardly brag about my love for chocolate, I’m actually a full-time chocoholic. A dark one to be exact: Only those that come with 70- to 85-percent cocoa content would please me inside out. What’s more, I just realized that muffins and quick breads had never made their way to this journal of mine – even though they have been part of my

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-6009068100729834062010-10-31T02:55:00.008+08:002010-11-01T13:08:48.125+08:00

I love the tactile nature of kneading and shaping bread dough. I love watching how the dough grows and browns in the oven. I love the aroma of freshly baked bread. I love eating bread – even more so for whole-wheat bread. As I’m in my early years of bread making, I can tell you that in comparison to other more skilled and experienced bread bakers, I’ve tried just a small handful of methods –

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-22859300347230402202010-10-24T15:35:00.014+08:002010-10-27T20:39:36.954+08:00

Albeit having entered early adulthood, sometimes, this 23-year-old needs to unmask the pensive and often stern look on her face. Every so often, she loves acting silly in front of the people she trusts the most. It feels good to just open herself up and be a little girl again. (On a Thursday evening, in the family hall, with the television turned on. The daughter seated herself next to her father

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-35978740747194026542010-10-17T11:03:00.015+08:002010-10-20T13:17:14.353+08:00

Something happened during the same week in which I published a blog entry about my birthday. It may seem insignificant to others. But to me, it carried significant weight. I checked my mails one morning before leaving for work … just to find myself getting surprised by the birthday message from Siukwan, a fellow food blogger from Hong Kong. Surprised!? Yes, as that was totally unexpected! I was

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-14771296678596863612010-10-10T14:15:00.006+08:002010-10-17T10:10:46.968+08:00

Dear Reader: If you've noticed, I’ve not been writing on this journal of mine as regularly as I did on my first days of blogging. Now, bear with me and let me grumble for a little before I can shut up … On weekdays, work takes up three-fourths of my waking hours. And by the time I reach home, I’d allocate some of my remaining waking hours to complete other tasks I don’t get around to work on

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-8287097157394468822010-10-03T00:02:00.002+08:002010-10-03T16:54:01.531+08:00

It was 9 in the morning when I reached my desk in the office. The phone on my desk rang immediately. After exchanging a few lines on the phone, my heart sank. I could barely lift up my feet. Still, I trudged my way through and clambered up the staircase to the floor above. Something wasn’t right, I could sense that. My heart stomped for quite a bit. Twenty minutes thereafter, both frustration

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-4436145748493196422010-09-22T23:53:00.004+08:002010-09-23T08:04:06.033+08:00

人有悲歡離合，  People experience grief and joy, separations and togetherness, 月有陰晴圓缺，  the Moon waxes and wanes, and sometimes appears clear or cloudy 此事古難全。      it has never been an ideal picture all along. 但願人長久，      I hope that we are long-lived 千里共嬋娟。    so that we can share the beauty of the moon despite being miles apart. Gazing at the moon often reminds me of the sentiments embedded in these

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-12282001980386212572010-09-17T23:47:00.011+08:002010-09-18T22:37:47.074+08:00

I thought I almost couldn’t make it. Really. Because of Eid ul-Fitr, it was a long weekend in Malaysia. I nearly gave up on the idea of meeting up with good pals Swee San and Wendy. Why? There were too many things around me taking place that weekend, including my cousin’s wedding, job relocation, and the ongoing relocation work within my family. A Memorable Weekend “Go first, think later,” I

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-8176781905885795662010-09-09T16:02:00.019+08:002010-09-25T22:25:53.719+08:00

These days, I have to struggle to even get my butt down and start writing away on the computer. That’s simply because I’m jaded – and lazy! I wonder if it’s a sign of the blogging momentum in me waning … Yikes! And, that’s not it! Late last week, I planned on publishing another entry here. Alas, it never happens. Well, some bug held hostage of me, which had me fall sick and gave me a throat

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-62831873770434297142010-08-28T15:38:00.021+08:002010-09-16T16:09:39.304+08:00

(WARNING: a VERY long post ahead. Read it at your own risk.) National Flower of Malaysia: Hibiscus I love Her, but She doesn’t love me. Albeit vaguely expressed, this is a dilemma I have for the place I call home. On Aug 31, it is when my fellow compatriots and I would commemorate Her 53 years of independence. Among the Malaysians, the National Day is affectionately known as the “Merdeka Day

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-86746413058362822452010-08-20T00:12:00.010+08:002010-08-22T02:35:21.115+08:00

Yesterday, something got me worried at work. A.K., a colleague of mine whom I’ve barely known for about 5 months, has sworn me with her professionalism, mature thinking, independent personality, and life experiences. I always bring my lunch to work, while she often has take-outs and spends her lunch break with me. We enjoy exchanging views about so many things, be it work-related, family and

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-59438579713026609232010-08-11T10:13:00.009+08:002010-08-13T19:42:50.107+08:00

Amazing food, real talents, lovely company – from blogs I admire deep down my heart. Aug 08, 2010, it was, on a gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon. Eleven bloggers made it to the potluck at Edith’s – with some family members, too. After close to a month of planning, I’m glad things worked out. It was worth all the efforts and time put forth to make the event a reality! The assemblage was

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-8839741928474848712010-07-29T19:05:00.008+08:002010-08-01T19:11:02.230+08:00

Since I last blogged here about a week ago, life has been pretty terribly interesting for me. When I say “terribly,” I mean it. It’s been terrible. I feel fatigued after working overtime to catch up with assignments in the past couple of days. And, that’s not it. After a swollen pink eye, I was bugged by an achy tooth. Double whammy! A few hours ago, I was still sitting at the clinic –

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-50015342810596852892010-07-23T20:23:00.031+08:002010-07-28T21:45:27.571+08:00

This week, the muse must have left me for a vacation elsewhere. Been having a mental block, I think. Worse comes worst, I woke up with a swollen pink eye yesterday morning; therefore, I’ve been on a medical leave. However, I can’t guarantee you of a short post. I’ll try to keep it concisely short as I should not be staring at the computer screen for too long anyway. This would be an opportunity

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-80275132010023328472010-07-14T23:26:00.017+08:002010-07-22T19:38:52.898+08:00

I abandoned my little journal for more than a week! (It ain’t the first time you know.) How I wish I have the power to process information every evening after work. I just don’t. Taking public transportation in Kuala Lumpur is enough to tire me out. (Those reckless bus drivers and conductors are nuts!) Not to mention about those overly aggressive, cunning "comrades" I have to deal with for 8

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-10087647271765080242010-07-02T21:55:00.014+08:002010-07-22T19:42:44.730+08:00

Warning: a SUPER-LONG post ahead. Read it at your own risk. Since late last week, I’ve been all geared up for the Fourth of July! In fact, during my stay in the States, my favorite holiday was and still is the Fourth of July. It’s all about family, friends, fun and merriness. It’s all about summer. It’s THE only time of the year to get out, get real and have fun – with short pants, T-shirt and

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-40534903591259197462010-06-25T02:25:00.017+08:002010-07-22T21:26:45.948+08:00

The turtle is back! And, she’s late for … But, hey! Before I delve deeper into my thoughts, I’d like to let you know that I’m trying to catch up with all my fellow floggers and reply to all the comments and emails received. In the meantime, I’ve been plagued by migraine and hearing problem with my right ear. The latter pounced on me as a surprise, and I don’t know how it came about. As much as I

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-53688902285812650282010-06-17T23:38:00.019+08:002010-07-22T19:51:05.209+08:00

I’ve been suffering from mild migraine this evening after work. But, I don’t simply bow down to that. Coming home, seeing my beloved family again, and being able to visit fellow bloggers can be such a blessing to life. I’m tired. Still, I feel motivated enough to march on with all the love and support I’ve been receiving. On the Chinese calendar (農曆), the Fifth Day of the Fifth Month (五月初五) is

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-38843219593933303162010-06-12T19:21:00.014+08:002010-07-22T19:51:28.895+08:00

A lot of times, things just happen when you least expect them to – including friendships. Like I said, I never thought blogging would be part of me. I never even thought blogging would bring me friends. REAL friends. Friends who share similar interest and passion. We don’t just interact in the cyber world. It was a last-minute decision, after an exchange of emails. Last Saturday, we converged at

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-16596553341484008212010-06-04T02:58:00.027+08:002011-04-14T21:49:38.098+08:00

Since I was child, I’ve been a late bloomer in so many things. I’m always slow. So slow that I was supposed to wish my little journal a happy first birthday last Monday. Heck! That didn’t happen. If you’ve been reading up my ramblings here, you know what excuses reasons I’ll be citing, eh? (Here she goes again … Jam your ears if you wish to …) Yes. I’ve been worn out by job. I need to catch up

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-62182936547179804932010-05-26T00:13:00.020+08:002010-07-22T20:00:27.233+08:00

May has always been one of the busiest months for my family. There are myriad excuses reasons for all the flurries. To cut the story short, besides celebrating my mom’s birthday, which often coincides with Mother’s Day, my youngest brother’s birthday also falls in May. Being the youngest in the family, DS has been showered with lots of TLC since his first day on earth. Of course, I don’t deny

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-65137046216843332232010-05-15T03:35:00.020+08:002010-07-22T19:56:06.896+08:00

I’ve been back to Malaysia for close to 9 months. Whenever I reminisce about those good ol’ college days in northern Minnesota, an overwhelming sensation pounces on me. Memories flash back. I skim through the photo album that’s been stored on my mental back burner. I know it’ll come in handy. Amidst the clutters and stress in life, I find warmth and happiness in this nostalgia. I feel consoled.

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-38932706855483131242010-05-06T02:58:00.022+08:002010-07-22T19:57:54.422+08:00

To the two greatest ladies of my life: My dearest Mama, here you're ... You’ve turned 54! Hard to believe but it’s true! I grabbed the calculator, re-entered and recomputed the figures, rubbed my eyes again and again … I was still getting “54!” Time has been cold and cruel – it is where the wrinkles on your face and hands are conceived. But, my love and gratitude for you withstand the test of

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-67169352021908381612010-04-29T02:38:00.020+08:002010-07-22T19:59:33.266+08:00

Pei-Lin has been having a headache all day. There was this little fight debate in her.Ego: Dude! You’ve abandoned your journal for 13 solid days!? Ugh … What’s wrong with you? Now, move your butt and get the words flowing! Id: I’m tired … I’m tired … Gimme my bed and pillows … I want sleep … I want at least 8 hours of sleep! Ego: But, but … if she's really giving in to you, she will lose her

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-22254124655701236332010-04-16T04:16:00.022+08:002010-07-22T20:01:11.952+08:00

It’s been pretty bumpy this week. There are so many things going on, and for the most part, they’re pretty disappointing. Didn’t mean to let the pessimist in me bug you, but I’ve been haunted by technical issues with my darling laptop. The situation is kind of funny, which isn’t making any sense to me. Or, am I too retarded to grasp it!? (Oh, dammit!) Plain oxymora. First, I can use neither

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-1812141978871530642010-04-13T03:09:00.006+08:002011-04-10T22:04:30.107+08:00

Recipe, courtesy of SeaDragon, for classic Malaysian-Chinese pastry Tambun biscuit (淡汶豆沙餅), is featured on Baking is Hot (April 10, 2010). Pei-Lin, the owner-cum-author of Dodol & Mochi, is one of the three winners of the "My Tiffin Moment" Contest, which was organized by The Star's Don't Call Me Chef and Tupperware. Her work was featured in the December 2010 issue of the monthly food column (

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-70061262762441418262010-04-09T04:58:00.025+08:002010-07-22T20:08:15.621+08:00

Congratulations to myself! I finally found a time to actually sit down in front of my computer; read, think through and analyze with my brain; speak and write from my heart and with my guts. Such precious moments! But before I initiate flame on the cannon and begin to fire projectiles of my thought (at you), I would like to thank my lovely fellow bloggers-cum-friends Anncoo, Bee Bee, Joslynn and

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-36856699066605354722010-03-30T04:34:00.022+08:002010-07-22T20:11:27.731+08:00

Looking back at my last post, I realized it’s been more than a week since I last spoke to this little journal of mine. Phew! I’ve been swarmed by unfinished business in the past couple of weeks. As a self-proclaimed “tomato-canning feminist,” my body and mind are a union of a kitchen goddess and career woman (Orenstein, 2010). And good news: These deities in me are working hard to get along! It’s

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-73994705395309561812010-03-19T04:03:00.024+08:002010-07-22T20:12:12.851+08:00

Well, I don’t really have the luxury to blog several times each week. The most I can go is two. Period. Thanks to my 8-hour workdays! Argh …! But, this post is a last-minute thing because I just realized March is a birthdays-packed month for me! So, I think I’ll keep the sequel to my Disney World story till the next post. Extremely sorry for this sudden change of plan! Image courtesy of

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-52091249988118070532010-03-13T04:41:00.012+08:002010-07-22T20:14:22.873+08:00

Exactly 1 year ago, I was still an undergraduate who was in her final term. As I was about to graduate, I kept myself overly busy with a 24-page senior thesis paper, exams and quizzes, homework, news assignments and interviews. And when I wasn’t working on these tasks, you could almost always find me nosing around in the kitchen, with the camera and reading my favorite food blogs. So, I was (and

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-22753823284551996532010-03-04T01:15:00.013+08:002010-07-22T20:15:51.622+08:00

I came back from work on the evening of Jan 11. After going through all the mundane routines, I finally settled myself down before the computer checking emails, as usual. My heart skipped a beat when I saw this: Pei Lin, Are you in Malaysia now or in the States? I'll be back in KL for holiday from 7 feb till 7 march. This sound crazy but are you interested in meeting up? I know we're both

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-33260837985612202852010-02-26T21:52:00.016+08:002010-07-22T20:18:28.288+08:00

Time flies by. The 15-day long Lunar New Year celebrations will come to a conclusion this Sunday. The 15th day of the first month of Lunar New Year (農歷新年) is known as “Chap Goh Mei” (十五暝 or 元宵節) locally, which is a name derived from the southeastern Chinese dialect of Hokkien (福建話). (There are many Chinese descendants here who can trace their roots to the Hokkien-speaking Chinese province of

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-84655602767798182272010-02-20T00:05:00.015+08:002010-07-22T20:25:00.665+08:00

The Lunar New Year (農歷新年) of 2010 is rather unique to me. It’s my first Lunar New Year  celebrated back in Malaysia in 3 years. But, it’s also my first Lunar New Year celebrated with the loss of a loved one in 15 years. It just feels different this time; it’s a rather short one. Under the influence of Confucianism (儒家思想), my family has been observing 1-year mourning over the loss of my grandpa

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-73560617621585287452010-02-13T01:39:00.017+08:002010-07-22T20:20:52.620+08:00

In these past few days, I’ve been trying to squeeze a bit of time to write here. It seems like with Lunar New Year coming tomorrow, I find myself juggling with multiple tasks with real short time. I’ve got to agree with You Fei that work taxes ¾ of our waking hours. This is especially true for those whose jobs are sedentary, including mine, in which sitting on the same office armchair and staring

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-77210818278459188792010-02-04T00:00:00.007+08:002010-07-22T20:25:15.029+08:00

Time sure travels by at the speed of light! As much as to my disbelief, we've waved goodbye to the first month of 2010. And, here we're embracing February. For Chinese all over the world, be it in China, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, Argentina, France or South Africa, we're only less than 2 weeks from Lunar New Year. Many of us simply call it "Chinese New Year" (CNY) in English. Coincidentally,

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-53019574408320545842010-01-27T00:38:00.008+08:002011-01-31T08:31:57.816+08:00

It’s been a bit different these few days. My beloved dad would drop me to work in the morning. He would come pick me up once I’ve reached the light rail station close by after work in the evening. But, he has gone on a trip abroad. So, I’ve got to trust and rely on my good ol’ chubby feet while commuting between home and work, besides taking public transportation. No, and no. It’s never been

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-58398543145825062042010-01-20T01:34:00.014+08:002010-07-22T22:05:40.748+08:00

Having been suffering from misery at work, I'm glad that the day is over! Argh ...! I now understand why on most working days, my dad would come back preferring silence to hullabaloo. (Well, who else would make all the noise besides us kids? LOL!) Sigh ... I've been feeling overwhelmed with indignation! It's just unfair to be indirectly blamed for something (potentially wrong) that I never do.

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-53229828722675051822010-01-13T00:32:00.012+08:002010-07-22T20:29:48.287+08:00

It's been exactly a week since I last wrote here. I've been simply too busy and now, exhausted both physically and mentally. However, all those haven't stopped me from nosing around in the kitchen and behind the camera. It's me, Pei-Lin! LOL! I almost felt like bursting into tears at work today. Finally, I realized copywriting is not my cup of tea. It's not to say that I can't do it -- I can,

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-75536795542022915832010-01-06T01:52:00.009+08:002010-07-22T20:33:52.631+08:00

Here, we'd had quite a warm and drier Christmas week. But now, Mother Nature must've had shed away Her festive mood--we've been having pouring rain almost every morning and evening for the past few days. Commuting from work to home by public transportation and on foot, constant downpour such as this isn't fun at all. Nonetheless, something unusual has gotten a hold of me today. I felt usually

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-24625972203416920592010-01-03T22:35:00.009+08:002010-06-06T21:47:07.024+08:00

AA Demo on How to Prepare Vanilla Beans About Sugars, by Joy of Baking  All recipes [U.S. and Canada] All recipes [U.K. and Ireland] All recipes [Australia and New Zealand] All recipes [Asia] All recipes 十全菜譜 [China 中國] (Chinese) All recipes [France] (French) AM730 廚神 (Chinese) B Baking Ingredient Substitution Table baking911.com BBC GoodFood C Cake Pan Size Conversion Candy Making 101 

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-49554562316839247492010-01-03T03:57:00.256+08:002012-01-29T21:33:21.784+08:00

Asia : Becky and Ryan's blog on their experience with teaching and the culture in Thailand Bitter Sweet Flavours Chubby Hubby EatingAsia  Food-4Tots | Recipes for Toddlers Foodies' Kitchen Happy Home Baking køkken69  Life is Great MegCheah Messy Witchen Mrs. Ergül's Kitchen Haven Quay Po Cooks she who eats Siukwan's Kitchen一家之煮 (Chinese) Tokyo Terrace Towngas Cooking Center TPC 復活日記 (Chinese)

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-23885789811919852092010-01-02T21:04:00.080+08:002011-12-18T23:51:07.376+08:00

American Andy's Fairfield Granola: Original and Chocolate-and-Peanut Flavors Blondies Boston Baked Beans Chockablock Cookies Chocolate Chip-Walnut/M&M Cookies -- Chewy American-Style Cinnamon Rolls (肉桂麵包) -- 65C Tangzhong Method (65C 湯種法)  Cinnamon Swirl Loaf (肉桂吐司) -- 65C Tangzhong Method (65C 湯種法) Classic Meatloaf Flourless Peanut Butter Crisscrosses -- Gluten-Free Lemon Bars  Peanut

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-21044565547066739442009-12-31T00:45:00.008+08:002010-07-22T20:31:21.309+08:00

Wow! Can you believe we only have less than 24 hours before we bid farewell to 2009!? HELLO, 2010! I'm all up and ready for you! I know there'll be ups and downs along the road. Oh, well! Aren't those part of learning? Late spring on my family friends' farm in Bemidji, Minnesota (U.S.A.) To date, 2009 has been the most capricious year for me. For the first four months of the year, I was barely

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-74202024863216928432009-12-25T01:29:00.006+08:002010-07-22T20:32:21.717+08:00

Because of some policy within the company, a four-day compulsory leave is mandated. Love it or hate it, every staff has to "go on vacation." That means, I'm now officially on my nine-day break in conjunction with Christmas and New Year's holidays. Boohoo ... ='( ... Seems I can finally settle down doing what I enjoy dearly. The office closed two hours earlier than usual on Christmas Eve. So, I

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-52629593827466785472009-12-22T02:13:00.011+08:002010-07-22T20:33:30.657+08:00

This week is officially the Christmas week. But, I ain't going to talk about Christmas for now. Some of you may know what this is all about. For some reasons that I still haven't figured out, the Chinese Winter Solstice Festival always falls on Dec 22 of the Gregorian calendar (陽歷) each year. We Chinese call this day 冬至 (pronounced in Mandarin as dong zhi, or in Cantonese as doo-NG jee), which

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-60287168571981224352009-12-16T00:51:00.012+08:002010-07-22T20:36:56.832+08:00

Since my elementary school days, I've always felt a strong connection between me and languages, especially English. I can tell you for sure that though it's been fun and meaningful, the road of learning that's led me to what I'm today doesn't come easy and "on its own." The environment I've been living in (minus the days I spent in the U.S.), doesn't give me much opportunity to practice English.

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-74855187351900191562009-12-10T00:06:00.013+08:002010-07-22T22:08:06.205+08:00

We are still in the midst of the week--just two more days to go till we get another weekend off!! So, I'm going to keep this concisely interesting (or so I think ...) Growing up as a typical Malaysian-Chinese (馬來西亞華人), the good old (overused) saying "live to eat" holds true. My everyday food can be Chinese (duh!), Nyonya, Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Filipino (oh, boy ... loving

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-84419508160710754212009-12-06T00:05:00.012+08:002010-07-22T20:38:04.913+08:00

First of all, before I dive deeper into my rambling again, I'd like to say, "It's weekend FINALLY!" I can do what I love again, hurray! But, it's always amazed me how fast time can pass us by before we even start to take note of it. Whenever I took a quick stroll down my memory lane lately, I kept telling myself: "Geez, you were still a university student in March ... You were still a slow poke

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-73364664312346378562009-12-03T02:04:00.020+08:002010-07-22T20:40:17.085+08:00

It's almost one week since my last entry here. Most of the time, it's not that I'm taken over by lazy bones; Oftentimes, I am too occupied with other things in life. Here's to thank you and whoever out there who take the time and read my every single word! You've made my day and I cherish every bit of it! Thank you! And if you've got any questions--or just about anything--that you'd like answered

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-53997603743303757992009-11-25T01:36:00.017+08:002010-07-22T20:48:18.423+08:00

I normally don't have time to write something here on weekdays. I almost gave up on this post as I'll have another commitment to be taken care of this weekend. But, I've found a good excuse for me to do so this time. "It's gonna be Thanksgiving in less than two days," I told myself, "Heck! Just do something about it!" Well, is it that hard? NO. You may wonder because I'm Malaysian and not

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-35324448740604688442009-11-21T23:55:00.030+08:002010-07-22T20:45:56.175+08:00

Pardon me for this ultra-long post. This week has been very interesting to me, in both good and bad ways. I always pick up good things when the bad ones come along LOL! For instance, I've been a really careless gal lately. (Or, have I always been that way? Hmm ... I have to re-evaluate myself thoroughly ...) Not too long ago, I almost dropped my ATM card into a huge drain ... A few days later, I

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-30208860828353096912009-11-14T02:47:00.011+08:002009-12-25T11:03:06.381+08:00

Well, well ... This is a long overdue post. And, I'd never expect myself to write this late--at 1 a.m. LOL! This is what happens whenever I work overtime. Yes, I only reached home from work at 10 p.m. All I can say is that this week has been a black (i.e. unfortunate) week for me, and I am ABSOLUTELY tired with all those ridiculous things I was thrown at by some people! But, it's weekend now! So,

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-91164822431955668642009-11-06T22:15:00.027+08:002010-07-22T20:46:07.281+08:00

I've been asking myself for quite a while, "Should I generously share what I've made with my own hard work and efforts with others?" I feel so ridiculously stupid and naïve when I gave out the rest of my food for free to someone else today ... while I myself only had one portion and am on a tight budget. During my 2.8 years in the U.S., I'd met people who willingly helped me and other

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-62238896465202035172009-11-03T21:30:00.030+08:002010-07-22T20:44:04.270+08:00

Exactly just a month away from mine, it's my elder baby brother's turn to celebrate his 20th birthday on Nov 03. Since young, both of us have been taking pride in the number "3." Well, it isn't for no reason. We found that almost anywhere and anything that we happen to bump into, there's got to be "3." But, this isn't the point here LOL! Let's leave it aside; otherwise, it's going to be another

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-64724807881839013052009-11-01T19:09:00.015+08:002010-07-22T20:47:28.028+08:00

Oh, my gosh! When I looked at my last entry here, I could hardly believe that it's been more than two weeks since I last wrote about something edible here. Well, what happened? All I can say is I'm on the verge of getting burned out! In the past couple of weeks, I've been extremely occupied. I'm working on something very important that has made me sit for exams back-to-back on the past two

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-65562160269158188652009-10-16T22:17:00.048+08:002010-07-22T20:48:11.006+08:00

Hahaha ...! I can't believe it's already weekend! Yes, yes! I've got so many things that I'd like to do within two days ... Yet, there is so much distraction around me ... We'll just see how things will turn out for me and whether I can realize my goals this weekend. Anyhow, I really want to share this amazing method of making bread with you! I know it's not that new anymore, but it really is a

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-55433614941292982932009-10-14T22:18:00.027+08:002010-07-22T20:47:38.972+08:00

It's been a week since I last updated my blog. Have been super busy lately with the so many things that are going on in my life. Phew! I feel stressed out and my skin has grown thicker because of work. True, true ... Now, I start to see the different facets of human personalities, be it good or bad. Getting into the workforce and interacting with so many strangers have been an eye-opener! In the

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-3582470791542442242009-10-07T22:45:00.014+08:002010-07-22T20:51:10.648+08:00

Tomorrow is still a working day! That means I'll have to get to bed as soon as I'm done blogging here about my orange-browned butter madeleines. (OMG! It's past midnight again!!) Speaking of these madeleines, I actually made them quite a while back--well before I started working. Gosh! About a month ago!? Yea, now that you know I'm a darn slow blogger with tons of back logs to clear ... =.=

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-59546496497647387622009-10-03T15:21:00.032+08:002010-07-22T20:50:06.848+08:00

I've planned so many things for myself this weekend. What's a girl to do when there isn't anytime for her to do what she really loves on weekdays? The result is a FULLY SCHEDULED WEEKEND! About three weeks ago, I actually spent a couple of days at my Aunt's learning how to make mooncakes (月餅). My Aunt (二姨媽) has been baking and selling her traditional baked Cantonese mooncakes, snow skin

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-30561738864325613472009-09-25T00:21:00.038+08:002010-07-22T20:50:28.624+08:00

I can't believe that this blog has really been abandoned for more than a week! It'll be real hard for me to update it every so often from now on. Everyday, I go out at 8-ish in the morning and am only back home by 8-ish to 9-ish at night! Have been very worn out. LOL! As you can see here, it's already past midnight and I'm still here blogging. Sigh ... For sure though, I've been enjoying every

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-42537032779079807682009-09-13T10:13:00.015+08:002010-07-22T20:50:48.683+08:00

Besides busy looking for a job, I've also been occupying myself in many other things--AND--learning how to use my new camera and lens hahaha ... These explain my lack of presence in the food-blogging world! Anyhow, back to the business. As a Cantonese (廣東人), mantou (饅頭) isn't a staple for us on our table. Differing from the Northern Chinese, we almost have to have rice as the main source of our

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-67118313424084683352009-09-05T23:32:00.020+08:002010-07-22T20:53:34.315+08:00

It's been very tiring since I got home from the States. In the past week, I'd put myself to the test by attending interviews in a hope that I'll find a job and work for things that I'm truly passionate about, i.e. writing and food. And I believe it's because of that and in the future, work and other commitment in life, baking, cooking, food photography and styling as well as blogging will be an

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269327482627607754.post-85460286141537722912009-08-28T11:55:00.021+08:002010-08-28T16:30:24.647+08:00

I'm happy and proud to be a part of the Merdeka Open House this year. (By the way, merdeka means independence in Malay.) It is an annual food-blogging event that's held in conjunction with Malaysia's Independence Day. This year, our country will turn 52. Thanks, Babe in the City - KL for hosting this virtual open house for us all Malaysians out there! Very, very meaningful indeed! I've been

Pei-Linhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08822262778417710649noreply@blogger.com32