When Exam is over~! So...

Spring is gone and summer is here
Exam is gone and FYP* is here
Thursday, the 24th, The double shot
And Monday, the 28th, Started my FYP.

When others are on Holidays,
I'm more like a slave,
but i enjoy being one,
who is guided by a very good one.

Two weeks had passed,
more work to be done.
Computer is down and i haven't blog for a while.
Long hours in lab drains Jojo away.

Chemicals are dangerous so i practise GLP*.
Hair is tied, labcoat is put on,
Gloves in the pocket you can never go wrong,
Wearing Safety google is a norm.

Biohazard waste in biohazard bin,
Chemical-saturated lab is not a good thing.
Wash your hands before you leave,
You wouldn't want to bring back unwanted things.

So far so good, i would say,
Hope i can get result in the end.
Research is not as easy as i thought it would be,
But i want to give my best shot, none the less.

Pardon me for my lack of posting,
But my FYP is of 15 credits,
"Buang'ing" it is not in my dictionary,
For all the effort that i've put in.

So Thank YOU for your kind encouragement,
It keeps my research momentum,
11 weeks before my thesis submission,
Many late nights is in my prediction.

So, for now i'll slow down in my "Blog Spying" mission,
As well as for "Eye-looking, Mouth-drooling" reaction,
As i embark on my FYP mission,
Encouragement is much apprecitated.

So Thank You, Thank You, Thank You,
For i know i got your recognition,
I'm not gone, just missing for a moment,
So WATCH OUT, cos I'LL BE BACK!!!

It's a random post while waiting to check on my HPLC run. I'll be back in action real soon, when my pc is back. I'm actually using my phD mentor's laptop in the lab now *bleah* So back to work, tata for now~

HPLC: High-performance Liquid Chromatography

FYP: Final Year Project

GLP: Good Laboratory Practice

What Have I been Doing lately?

What have i been doing lately ???

If there is somebody out there wondering......
Yes, I know you are.... Curious right?
Don't bluff, i know someone out is pretty concerned, about me.
Own up! Or else....

"I'll drown you with my M&M's Minis"

"And I'll get As Bitter As the Dark Choc..."

It is exam period... NOW!!!

And everybody should... *ahem* Listen to future sinseh-to-be and...

IMPT: "Chew On Vit C to get Healthy..."

"Get some dose of Caffeine in a form or another..."

"Have a cookie when you are hungry..."

"Be it Rich & Soft......"

"Or Crunchy & Nutty..."

Just Make Sure you get your staple food, every meal...
Meal Skipping is NOT ALLOWED during exam period...

"Be it Char Kwey Tiaw with Fish Slices...Called Sam Lou~"

"Or Sandwich called Italian B.M.T in Subway..."

Everybody needs their carb~ Mind you, your brain only uses glucose, the only source of energy consume by your brain cells.

"We need our sweet treats sometimes...to stay cool..."

And My friends...

"It's going to be a piece of cake..."

No one says it is going to be easy, but you reap what you sow.
Second week into exam, hang in there.
Everything is gonna be alright.

and Yes,
If you are wondering, did i took all that?
YES! YES! YES! And that's not all,
I had Loacker and more Meiji~ Matcha Fran And Banana Fran.
Too bad, my hp no batt and photos taken ended in Taz's hp.

Yes, exam period is a period to have more Meiji Collection.
Everybody needs their exam boost.

Calories? Who cares when it is exam time?
*Me!* *Me!* The inner me shouting.
Ok, if i'm gaining weight, i'm all prepared, for the weight gain. *grin*

And i forgot to mention Brand's Chicken Essence & Gingko Biloba extract capsule for the extra boost. Hope it did help in my memory and letting me staying awake in the wee hour in the morning.

Two more paper, on the same day. One hour apart. I need grace.

"He shall be like a tree,
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3"

J.CO Donuts & Coffee @ Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore

"The Heart of donut lies in its hole. Nonetheless, taste is equally important. Here in J.CO Donuts & Coffee, we value both of them. The making process engages the unbeatable collaboration between high technology machines that create the blissfull, and full-of-art human hands that create the precious holes. It's always the same hole, same taste, same quality... "

And so i was led here...

After attending Sunday service at Suntec, I decided to drop by Raffles City Shopping Centre with only one intention. VISIT J.CO Donuts ! It had been on my mind lately and i really wanted to try its donuts after reading many reviews regarding this Donut Chain that created a rave in KL. Good, now i don't need to join in the never-ending-horrendous queue @ Pavillion, KL to enjoy the highly-sought-after donuts.

I wanted to see what's the rave is all about...

Roommie told me during her previous visit to Raffles City Shopping Centre a couple of weeks ago, she didn't have a chance to savour J.Co Donuts. The perpetual line never seems to dry up! Phew~ I was early, wasn't I ? There was only two guys Queueing in front of me and a few more customers behind me. Meanwhile, there were quite a number of tables seated with families and couple savouring their coffee and donuts. It was 11.30am. Snack before lunch? I reckoned.

Left: Why Nut? Right: Don Mochino @ $1.30 each

I bet the waitress disliked me. First, I told her i'll have 1 Green Tea dine-in. Then i requested it to be changed to Don Mochino. When i reached the cashier, I told her that I would like to have one more donut, Why Nut?, and would like it to be taken it away. Ain't i troublesome? I just couldn't make up my mind whether i want to stay out to study or should i head straight back after the purchase. *speechless*

I didn't purchase their Signature Donut, Al capone, as i was craving for some donuts infused with filling.

Let's see what it is all about...

Don Mochino. I felt in love at the first sight i laid my eyes on thee. Not your appearance of the luscious chocolate coating, it was thy filling. On the tag, written "...filled with tiramisu cream...".

Yes, i knew it was you that i wanted.

You didn't disappoint. Coated with mild bitter sweet dark chocolate with coffee-flavoured cream. The cream is very light and not as sweet as those served in Dunkin or Donut Factory. You will not feel a bit of heaviness after eating.

One thing to note. You might not want to attempt to bite this in front of the girl you are interested in. As you sunk your teeth into this, you might ended up with chocolate-coated-brown-teeth unknowingly.

A surprise that delighted the little heart of mine....

Why Nut? My very last minute order. Just because i wanted to take away so i needed to purchase at least two to get it packed in a box.

Premium white chocolate topping with American peanut butter filling. Ooo.. So rich, so satisfying... The white chocolate was a great combination with the peanut butter. The taste of white chocolate was not over-powering and it was a well-balanced taste. Interestingly, the peanut butter filling was not sweet (Dunkin's was sweet and you get sick of it after one or two bites) and the sight of it oozing out of the donut was Soo.... Inviting!!!

Just when i was thinking of Jollibean's crispy peanut pancake...

J.Co Donuts & Coffee
Raffles City Shopping Centre
#B1-44
Tel: +65-63334258
HP: +65-97707770

Note: I seriously think i would lost my way at Raffles City B1, a place i'm so not familiar with *sigh*

Malay Delights @ Pioneer Mall,Singapore

I promise, this is going to be real short. Exam ar...

Despite tight schedule, one still gotta eat right? and so this marked the first visit of mine to Pioneer Mall after studying in NTU for 3 years... (For those who don't know, Pioneer Mall is just a bus away from NTU, a common eating place for most NTU'ers).

It was raining, QQ (my best'ies in Hall) was in class. After some whining over the phone to my friend, we decided to go Holland V area to eat XO Fish Beehoon.

But... But...

The moment i hopped onto his car, i changed my mind due to the traffic and the rain. Sorry... Sorry... Always change my mind not too long after i make up my mind. (-__-)" Sumimasei...

So we ended up with these...At Pioneer Mall... The destination my friend suggested since i never step foot in it before. Better do so before i'm gone for good from NTU. Haha...

The Chille is SUPERB!!! Wonderful... Glorious... Leaving my tongue numb yet my stomach calling out for more.

The ladies fingers looked old and overfried but surprisingly it tasted good! None of the overfried taste neither is it too "old" and with strands of fiber.

No oysters, got mussels. Not the big big mussels, but good enought to satisfy. Not too spicy and very sweet, full of flavour from the sea. Fried mussels remains as one of my favourite dish at any Malay stalls. Who cares about hygiene? Hee...

I must say, this picture doesn't give justice to the taste of this yummy-licious piece of chicken. I seriously didn't what style of cooking when i ordered it. I thought it was rendan initially judging from the display but when it was served, it definitely didn't look like it was rendang *faintz* But it was Aww...Sooo... Soo.. Good! Even my friend who doesn't really take spicy was asking me for the "Kua" to go with his meal. It was sweet than spicy, i can see bits of tomatoes and dhal in the "kua" and the chicken was really tender despite it was fried before cooking with sauce. Sedapnya...

Time to head back to my books. I really can't waste anymore time. Time is running short.

Ganbatte~

Ok folks, after this, i might be away for one to two weeks. I'm trying not to log in at all, it's being very distracting especially when now, i'm being food deprived. *help*

Wish me all the best~

IT ROO Cafe @ Kotaraya, JB

An impromptu lunch date on the last day of 2007 with my dearest brother who started working in Johor Bahru (JB) on 22nd November.

I hadn't been seeing my brother for quite some time for now. Our timing are so different. I once mentioned that we always take turn to go home. Hah.

Dear brother picked me up at city square. I was famished while waiting for his arrival. He promised to bring me to the best Chicken Chop served in JB voted by The Star. We parked at the side of the road (mind you, is yellow line) after making two rounds at the place looking for a parking.

Located at Jalan Dhoby. I started to wonder was there a lot of Dhoby shops here last time.

The humble looking shop didn't appear to be any award-winning cafe. A narrow & small shop. Simple chairs and tables. Nothing fanciful. Nothing extra. Very simple deco with old pics and old posters hanging on the wall. Just a very plain shop operated by 3 Malay lady. Did i mention that its kitchen is very small too?

But the dining crowd at almost 3pm justified its popularity.

A simple menu was presented to us upon our arrival. The Award-winning chicken chop was the first item on the menu. The menu is quite extensive (consider the shop is really quite small) ranging from Western dishes, Chinese dishes, Varity of Noodles, Soups and Sandwiches, drinks & dessert. For fried rice, you can opt for spicy and non-spicy. They offer fresh juices, local kopi, tea etc, "westernised" coffee like coffeecino and canned drinks for their drinks menu. They also have ice-cream for dessert. The price is pretty cheap, but of course it's higher than dining at a roadside coffee shop.

IT ROO Fried Rice spicy style @ RM 5.50 & Watermelon Juice @ RM 3.00

Grilled Chicken Chop with Black Pepper Sauce topped with fried egg (extra cost) @ RM 11.50

The fried rice is just a plate of very normal fried rice. Not spicy enough to give the kick. My brother even ate with chilli sauce. The famous chicken chop didn't earn my praise. Nothing to shout about. Or maybe it's just me. Maybe i'm not cut for chicken chop. Or maybe i didn't choose the fried chicken chop which is the original version. But overall, it was not that bad. It tasted alright. It was just me wondering what made it to be voted as the Best Chicken Chop by The Star in 2003. Or was it then in 2003 was its glorious moment and it went downhill? The chicken chop was served with green beans and slices of fried potatoes. The fried potatoes was nice. The green beans tasted like canned beans.

The watermelon juice is a little bit too sweet. But it complemented the fried rice and chicken chop well.

Overall, the ambience is pretty good. A nice place to have a meal with your friends and family.

IT Roo Cafe
17, Jalan Dhoby,
Johor Bahru, Johor.
Malaysia.

Chicken Udon @ Cafe by The Quad, NTU

Know as The Quad, a cafe establised in 2005.

Located at the heart of Nanyang Technological University, where the two major academic spines meet. This centrally located cafe can seat up to 450 people, it is the latest hip eating place in NTU.

Offering international cuisines, from Western cuisine, Japanese cuisine to local and vegetarian delights, one will be spoilt for choices. Baked rice, spaghetti, roast chicken, laksa, beef noodles, mixed rice, udon and bento. You name it, they have it! A special salad counter that offers self-service salad @ $1.50/small bowl or $5/big bowl, everyone needs their serving of veg *wink*

By the way, it is also located at Basement 1 of School of Biological Sciences, the school i am studying currently. It has become a norm for us to dine there when we do not have sufficient time to travel (by walking of course!) to other canteens.

This serving of udon is definitely able to filled up an adult man. Generous in their serving, they are also very generous in their condiments. Topped with Japanese fish cake and 3 different types of mushroom ie: Straw Mushroom, Button Mushroom and Abalone Mushroom, i am well pleased. Sprinkle of Japanese red chille pepper, it is ready to go~ Into my mouth down to my oesophagus, dive right into my stomach of course! *grin*

Chicken-thigh, roasted yet tender and juicy. Served together with some brocolli and Ya-Chai (fried yam and brinjal tempura style), a wholesome and delicious meal. At $3.50 only, you can only get it in NTU.

So what are you waiting for? Come visit me in NTU and i'll bring you there~

Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant @ Bugis Junction

Bugis, located at the central of Singapore. Besides the buzz during weekends which is a killer, i still couldn't find another reason why i would choose to go here.

"3 years, 5 visits. I considered this as a record. "

So when it comes to food, the overwork auditor who works around the area recommended this place. We, a bunch of innocent-looking, stomach-growling young adults headed to this place after quite a while of you-know-what-reason-that-make-one-late waiting.

Located at level 2 of Bugis Junction, the escalator besides swenson sends you to the doorstep of the restaurant. Walking into Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, i felt as if i have walked into another Crystal Jade branch with better lighting (some CJ's branches have poor lighting which affect my pics). With the familiar wooden chairs and tables, we were comfortably sitted at the far end of the restaurant.

Pickles were served while we were flipping through the menu. The pickles were sour and pungent yet delicious. The cabbage and carrot were crunchy and full of flavour, a very refreshing starter.

Steamed Bun with Glutinous Rice 糯米烧卖 (3pcs) @ $4.20

It looks great on the menu, but the taste was just so-so. Nothing special and i didn't want to waste my calorie on it. Comment was based on JimJIm's feedback.

Abalone Mushroom Noodle 鲍汁菌菇面 @ $7.50

The noodle got nothing to shout about except for its soup. The soup was a very clear, subtly flavoured abalone soup with a hint of flavour derived from the thinly sliced leeks. Served with sliced abalone mushroom, it was the carb-source when your meal was protein laden, or should i say, pork-filled? *bleah*

Golden Fried Rice 黄金炒饭 @ $8.50

They said, " Name reflects one's appearance & personality".

Served with generous amount of pork floss topping, each grain of rice was coated with reddish-golden colour. From the cooking oil, i supposed??? It remained as an unknown. I love fried rice served in such a way. Grains of rice separated. I couldn't stand sticky-clumpy-sore-to-the-eye fried rice. This is good stuff! The first mouth burst into sweet & spicy flavour before the taste of eggs and dried shrimp surfaced to the taste bud.

"What comes to your mind when you see a saucer or vinegar with shredded ginger?"

Steamed Soup Bun with Pork Filling 鲜肉小笼 (6pcs) @ $6.00

"YES, You're right! It's Xiu Long Bao!!!"

Steamed Soup Bun with Crab Roe and Pork Filling 蟹黄小笼 (6pcs) @ $11.80

Did i mentioned that i was fascinated by the menu? especially the xiu long bao or steamed bun section? They serve not one, not two, not even three, but NINE TYPES of xiu long bao!!!!!!

From pork filling, crab meat with pork to mushroom, vegetables to SHARK FIN CRAB ROE WITH PORK filling~ Talk about looks can be deceiving. If they try serving the whole range of xiu long bao, i wouldn't be able to differentiate what is what by its appearance.

There are two categories of Xiu Long Bao, and by the way, they call their xiu long bao as steamed bun here. Special steamed bun and superior grade steamed bun. Price ranges from $6.00-$12.00 for 6pcs. It's pretty reasonable.

Up till now, i've only tried Crystal Jade's xiu long bao. If i am given a choice, i probably will choose here? *uncertain* First of all, i'm not a pork person. When it comes to pork, unless it is sweet and sour pork by my aunty and stewed pork ribs by my dearest ma-ma, i normally would turn it down. I still couldn't get used to the taste and smell of pork though my grandpa was a butcher and my uncle still is one...

Secondly, i don't chew on pork dish. Again, back to reason No.1. Cos i couldn't take the smell. So i couldn't really recall the taste of the filling of the xiu long bao. One thing for sure is, its skin is thin yet able to hold the flavourful soup.

Spicy Steamed Soup Bun with Crab Meat and Pork Filling 香辣蟹肉小笼 @ $9.80

This gigantic steamed bun occupied the whole small bamboo steaming tray. A straw was served together and it was meant to eat, or better known as drink the "gems" using the straw.

"Be careful, it's very hot" said the waiter.

We heeded his advice. There were so much xiu long bao on the table so we didn't mind to save it for the last. Didn't they say "save the best for last"? Yea, this was what we meant.

No one eats the bao here. The whole bao was left intact for almost all of us, except for the two with high level of curiousity (me inclusive).*haha*

I'm glad i opened it up cos it revealed the gems: dried scallop, shredded crab meat etc which made the soup luscious and extremely sweet and rich. Full of flavour!!! It is like having a bowl of superior soup in the form of xiu long bao. Erm...It shouldn't be called xiu long bao, it should be Big Long Bao~ *grin*

Now i know where i would head to when i want some xiu long bao.

Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant
200 Victoria Street
#02-53 Bugis Junction
Singapore 188024
Tel: 65-68357577
Fax: 65-68357877