And besides, it’s been ageeeees since I did a meme!!

So here goes, my response to Skipps‘ meme :

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1. How many countries have you traveled to? ( Travel to means at least an overnight stay. Does not have to be exact.)
I had been through many countries and not stayed overnight, and stayed on border towns on a couple of others, so my list is probably wrong-ish. I stayed overnight in Japan, but probably saw more in Mexico even though I stayed in San Diego. And is China = Hong Kong? My list should be about 20 – 25-ish countries?

2. What is the best place you ever visited?
It depends. I sort of half-moved to San Francisco, and would love to move there permanently. Or Hong Kong. Or Sydney.

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3. What was the worst place you have ever been-and would you go back?
Egypt. Extremely rude, leering men, horrendous food, rip-off culture (even the coppers ask for money and offer camel rides) and total disrespect for the underwater world. I never thought I would ever on earth hate somewhere as much as I hate Egypt. The endless sunshine and rainless weather did not even help at all, I much rather had been stuck in the UK in the cold rain. Hated it so much so that I never even blogged about it – I took two weeks after that just recovering.

4. If you could change one thing, and only one thing, in the world to make it a better place, what would it be?
This is a hard one and oddly resembles a Miss Universe question. I don’t really know, but I would say more greenery to help combat the global warming thingy.

5. Who would you rather sleep with? Men: Tonya Harding or Nancy Kerrigan? (When they were in their figure skating battle). Women: Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert? Explain.
I don’t know either one, and I have a sneaky suspicion that I probably got myself off the hook lightly on this by not knowing!

6. What is the worst thing to happen to the country you hold a passport for in the last 50 years?
Political turnmoil, affimitive bloody action and blatant disrespect for natural resources.

7. Do you view someone that you know, or know of as a “hero”? If so, what makes this individual so special?
Not really. If we’re talking make-believe then I would say Edward from Twilight just based on his endless need to save the world and himself. Yes you can start laughing now.

8. If you could be born again would choose to be a different sex to what you are?
Hmm. Another hard one. I would probably want to be born male just for the heck of it.

9. What is your favorite alcoholic drink? If you say, ”I don’t drink”-STOP NOW. Just hang your head in shame.
I DONT DRINK. Hahaha . I’m a whiskey sort of girl – I can drink it neat, dilluted with water, with green tea or diet coke. I’m also partial to champagne and a good cool glass of Semillion. Yums.

10. What is your favorite magazine?
I don’t particularly read magazines, I find the mindless chatter annoying and much prefer to spend on a good book. And in terms of book, my answer to no.7 would probably give it away – I am addicted to the phenomenan that is Stephenie Meyer.

Wow, that was much harder than I thought it would be!

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Plus the fact that I’m off to NYC this weekend of course..

Heehee

*crossposted from http://notabrownbag.wordpress.com

I’ve been slacking off the bento making front (edit: and most definately blogging front too!) , only producing super-quick bentos that consists of slopped together leftovers with some pieces of fruit. Work have been snowing me under mindlessly and I’ve been doing long hours = tiredness setting in = no brainpower left for creative endevours. However, last Friday I did it at last … I QUIT!!

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It was exhillirating to say it out loud. I’ve been plotting my departure since before Easter, and last Friday I did it at last. I rang my boss (she was working from home) to inform her that I was leaving, and she asked for something officially written. Fair enough. I had never written a resignation letter before, having always just sat down with my ex bosses and told them that I was leaving. So I initially wrote her an email, but it strike me that she would probably want something in a proper letter because *she is just like that*. So I started again, and googled for a resignation letter – seeing that the last one I wrote was in uni during Business Communications 110. Sigh. So yeah, there I go, ripping off a template from google and filling it in with all my details…including her full name and business address…everything. I sent it off as an attachment in an email, and then went to the washroom.

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When I came back less than 5 mins later, there was a missed call on my phone. It was my boss, telling me that my resignation letter was “not good enough”. Then I checked my email. It was my boss again, telling me that my letter was not good enough, and I need to specify exactly how many days holidays would they need to pay me. All within the time it took for me to walk to the washroom and back. Seriously…like say what?? I’ve quit, and a good use of my time would be to get me to REWRITE my resignation letter?? So I googled some more, and came up with a better ‘example’….which passed her quality test.

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I’ve been thinking about that whole incident all weekend, and really wished that I could’ve resigned in style – and what better way to resign that via a bento!!! I would have loved to resign with this bento – can you imagine the boss’ face if I present her with this bento during lunch? Heehee…Today’s bento contain some mock-risotto made from orzo that I copied from Sheri - utterly delicious! I substituted the veggie stock with chicken, and popped in some peas once it’s cooked. Yum yum. I’ve used my two sectioned bento box so I can microwave it separately from the other half.

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Mock mushroom orzo risotto with cut-out cheese letters (I used alphabet cutters for the words and cut out the smiley face features freehand using the toothpick method) , strawberries and tomatoes on a bed of mixed salad leaves – strawberries eaten with rocket leaves is so beautiful! Padded out with snap peas. And a smiley quitting giraffe too; hiding in the forest of the peas

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Oh, and I found out something amazing…if you freeze cheese cut outs before placing them on the bento, it is just so much easier to handle! Well, most people probably already know this..hehe.

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I have been running this blog for longer than I care to remember, and what I enjoy the most is the interaction with my readers, from real-life friends to blog readers turned friends. I am a comment-whore not for fame or fortune, but the engagement from my blog readers whom I consider my friends.

I had tried to put this off as long as I possibly can…but I will be moderating comments from now onwards. You will notice that there have been a stupidly huge amount of spam comments on this blog for the past year or two, which I had been actively combating by deleting them as and when I came across them. It had come to a point where this is no longer feasible; I am getting spam comments from bloody idiots that cannot spell to save their goddamed life a few times a day.

So yes. I am sorry. But I will NOT have spammers in my blog!

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hints: its yummy,its tiny and its all about loving!!! Apologies to those not working/living in Leeds; Its restricted to Leeds only as its a)perishable and b)hand-delivered by ME!!

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I have also been furiously planning for my trip down under in 3 weeks and counting! I have had to slash a few good many recommendations from people out, but basically it seemed to have turned into an eating trip rather than regular tourism. Weird. I still need to decide what I want to do in Gold Coast – it will be a trip of Melbourne-Gold Coast- Sydney. Unfortunately Perth proved to be too expensive for me to fly out and in again – with prices reaching about £200 – £300 each way. I would have had to fly into Sydney again, doubling the airtickets and effectively costing nearly as much as it would have if I were to just fly to Perth and back direct!

OH, by the way, do you like my new header? It looks more like a proper picture made for a header rather than my previously half-baked attempts. Thanks to moo who is always helping me sort out blog related stuff

So I thought I wouldn’t bother him any more than I already am as I start a new blog. WHAT?!? NEW BLOG? YOU HARDLY UPDATE THIS ONE AS IT IS!!

Erm, yes. Sorry. I thought it wouldn’t be fair to you my dear readers to have to put up with my new obsession with producing healthy lunch for myself and bacon. The only reason I blog about it is so I continue to be motivated under the watchful eyes of fellow bento-making crazies. If you think my lunches are crazy, you should REALLY click on some of the links that are on my new blog, not another brown bag lunch . Extremely impressive. For me, I just want to make sure I eat healthily, with a splash of cuteness when time and inspiration permits. I also eat far too much rice for my own good, so this allows me to strictly portion myself to 1 cup of cooked rice at any one time.

Okay, back to work before my boss arrives..shh…don’t tell her I’ve been secretly blogging…

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I wanted the book to be a complete suprise, so I ignored the summary that is so often available on the back jacket of the book. It started off with a letter from the heroine’s bank, demanding repayment for her outstanding business overdraft. In fact, all the chapters start with letters addressed to the heroine, Jools. I actually looked forward to the start of chapters because of the often hilarious letters, especially those where the author seem extremely preplexed at her mostly unreasonable behaviour.

Naked in Knightsbridge is about Jools, a single late-twenties woman that had always taken the easy way out of life. Stumbling into the cleaning business after finishing uni because she couldn’t really be bothered to look for a proper job, she actually achieved some success in it. However, like quite a few people, she spent all her profits- and more. Mostly on unsuitable items of clothings (i.e. 2 sizes too small)….and doughnuts. So when the business starts to go belly-up, she was left penniless and as close to homelessness as you can get, making meals out of hobnobs and expired alcohol.

What will resonate with readers is the reality that Jools live in. The spend now-pay later culture that is so prevalent in modern British society – I am very debt-adverse and am really terrified at the way people spend the money that they do not have. Coupled with references to eBay (everyone loves a bargin, right?) and sham marriages for illegal immigrants to stay in the country, this is definately intelligent chick-lit that makes itself very current and on the pulse. And of course, everyone has the one friend that you are slightly envious about right? So is the loneliness in modern society of having only a handful of friends – with everything falling apart once that small teensy support network collapses. This would not be a chick-lit without the knight in shining armour – and I do love the character development of the knight in this book. Trying not to give too much away, I must say that the eventual knight is most definately my favourite character in the book…I shall leave you to guess which one of them is the eventual saviour .

Bridget Jones meets credit crunch, I would say. Available here with FREE worldwide shipping, definately a must-have on your Christmas list for the chick-lit lover who appreciates a good laugh as well.

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Feeling slightly better today, I rushed out to purchase my New Moon tickets at last. OMG OMG OMG OMG. So excited like 14 year old girl. C’mon, chant with me…Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, Twilight….

I mean New Moon, New Moon, New Moon….

Fair enough, this book was probably my least favourite from the Twilight Saga, but seriously, who cares, I’ve been looking forward to November 20th since May! Yes, I am cool enough to not feel ashamed about my Twilight Obsession…..:D. I was even considering flying into Italy when they were filming the Voulturi scene…..yes I know. Me & dreybee spent many a month discussing every aspect of the 4 books…seriously, you’d think that since we already know the story inside out we wouldn’t be so looking forward to it right? Hah…SO WRONG. As you could tell by what dreybee bought me for my birthday…

So to compensate her, this is coming in her birthday package…I know it’s free and all, but it is serious bragging rights having an UNIQUE (in Malaysia anyway) New Moon calender…she’s already plotting the best angle to hang it up at work…

Droolz…..

And look who’s Mr. January….loads of people thinks that R. Pattz. is not that hot. And they are right. He’s not hot, he’s smokin’!

The rest of the calender

Do you now understand why for the first time in my life I bought tickets a week in advance of the actual movie? No? Well, you need to borrow my copy of Twilight. Better still, get your copy of Twilight here. Or you can get free WORLDWID delivery of New Moon Book (can’t believe you’ve not read it yet!!!) here…only £3.46! That’s why I buy all my books there. Obviously you gotta start with Twilight….

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I promise more blogs this week – I know, I know…I can see cobwebs growing at the corners of the blog. In the meantime, more pictures from Amsterdam to keep you entertained

Windmill taken from my moving bus

We can’t forget that my favourite beer was born in Amsterdam

Heehee….oh-so-cheesy….

I love love love their mini cars – it’s so small and slow it even uses the zebra crossing..lols. They also park themselves at the bicycle racks.

Flemish chips rock my world. Eaten with sausfrites; i.e. spiced mayo. It’s been nearly 10 years since I had this when I lived in Bruxelles. Ah, having Godiva for breakfast, belgium fries for lunch and belgium waffles for tea. Loved it.

I do love the double-cooked fries/chips. And the mayo is so sinful it ought to be outlawed.

Hmm. I thought it was made out of chocolate. I went to the Sex Museum. How cultural (it charged the cheapest entrance fee..hehe). Thought it would be something different…the last time bacon went to Amsterdam with his ‘other’ half, they apparently spent all the time away from Heineken, Coffeeshops, and FEBO bars…concentrating their time at the proper cultural museums i.e. Anne Frank.

Also from the sex museum. I thought it was very adorably cute.

A hot-dog…hehe…geddit? Made out of chocolate. Adorable.

Running out of names to call cheeses. Heh.

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There was about 10 of us there, a gathering of blog owners and writers as such. Mostly localised content, it was a chance for me to meet other local people who blogs. It was definately interesting meeting some whose blogs I’ve been visiting (like Michelle of the Culture Vultures) and getting to know other transplanted expats as such like Reinhold and online farmer market owner Chris.

After downing numerous Cuban Libre and Mojitos, the tapas selection was served…and oh my, were they ever so lovely.

Missed out on a pic of the best calamari rings ever. It was so yummy I just scoffed it down, completely forgetting about a picture. And not to mention jalapeno poppers – omg, I do miss my jalapeno poppers from my days in the Central Valley…
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Ginormous meatballs. Each of them felt like a quarter pounder

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I believe this is Xin Xim, Pele’s favourite dish. I’ve ordered it before somewhere else, and even though this tasted very similar, it was nicer. Goes very well with rice.Mm

Nachos with chilli con carne with sliced jalapenos & melted cheese. Mmm..

Shot of the bar, with the camera propped up on the straw holder. The very funny barman was chucking around all the fixings for the cocktails all over the place that I was sprinkled with rum, ice and a squeeze of lime. The bloke eating at the bar had to move a couple of barstools down – the barman just had such a serious look on his face and he even ‘tasted’ the mojito with a straw(threw it away and gave me a new one tho) before serving it to me! OMG! It’s so weird, but in a good way as I thought it was hilarious – never seen a barman taste my cocktail before!

After the food & drink, the big secret of what were we doing there was finally revealed. Krista & David are organising a twitter treasure hunt-a-long later this month in conjunction with Havana Cultura and Havana Club. There is more to Cuba than package holidays and cigars, and the objective of the project is to introduce the world to the fabulous Cuban culture that Havana (and more) offers. I must admit though, for me Cuba had always been about cigars, almendrones (the term used for old cars in Cuba) and of course, Buena Vista Social Club. The images of packaged all-inclusive holiday only came to me when I moved to Leeds – no one ever talks about holidaying in Cuba in the States with the ongoing troubles between the two government, this wasn’t a huge suprise.

Before the night was over, there were some prize draws, and I got myself the fab coffee table book journeying through modern Cuban culture – the H, Havana’s Essential Lifestyle Guide . I love it, I love it – the beautiful emotive pictures and the stories it tells, bringing the core of Havana to life. I know most people (well, everyone actually!) were gagging for the bottles of Havana Club (we manage to get Katie one!) but me being a geek wanted the book – so I got it . Thanks Krista!

And of course not forgetting the baby bottle of Havana Club for being there early , complete with a bouquet of fresh mint and a whole lime for us to make up our own Mojito.

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The icing on the cake on that night for me was the CD that we were given of Gilles Peterson’s yet-to-be-released Havana Cultura New Cuba Sound album. Coming out on 26th October (preorders currently taken here) it was a excellent mix of traditional Cuban sounds like I’m used to from Buena Vista Social Club and the modern intrepretation of urban hiphop and rap in Spanish. Nice. Definately earned its space in my pod for looping during work hours. There’s even a sampling of Informer (omg, I so remember the rage that was Snow back in the mid-90s!!) in CD 2…which actually started out with the intro of Back to Black by Amy Winehouse! Brilliant stuff.

Launching on 17th October, I will of course be participating in the Twitter-hunt that will be lasting for two weeks – so watch this space! In the meantime, do have a peep at Havana Cultura’s fab website for a peek into the Havana that you never knew existed.

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Meeting up with the good people of NSW Tourism board this weekend … hopefully the next few weeks will be extremely interesting around here, and with any luck – me and one of you reading this right now would be heading towards Sydney before the end of the year! At the moment all is still hush-hush, but hopefully I’ll be involved in some very exciting ‘Hidden Sydney’ activicty with them from next week!

So exciteddd!!

Woo!

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