Successful Failed Sponge + Macaron Class + Contact Lens + A Meaningful Evening

Hehe... I have a few interesting (and happy) things to share today. Gonna blog this before heading out again till night.

The first would be my supposedly failed sponge cake with mousse that actually turned out pretty okay and nice. Mousse is one of my favourite desserts, and it comes to no surprise that it is a popular favourite among my friends. In fact, Jimmy has already told me twice to learn to make mousse!!! Lol. But I never really knew how to achieve the creamy thick consistency of mousse. My first attempt of Lemon mousse was okay but the second time I tried, it became more like jelly. Zzz. End of story. Swore to myself never to ever try a mousse recipe with gelatin.

Then came Dad ~ Baker & Chef, with his Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake, and guess what? With no gelatin in mousse!!! hehe. It looked pretty simple so I relented to trying it out one more time. I only used their mousse recipe. As for the sponge, I just did a simple whip up of eggs (many thanks to my mom for sharing the secret of maing successful sponges with me).

Picture below: I have finally mastered the secret of making sponges. :)

My first failed attempt is here (below), before my mom showed me the correct way. Haha. Difference of only one egg in the recipe and the size of the cake is more than double! Amazing or not?

But when I poured the mousse liquid into the pan, it seemed very watery and I thought that for sure, it would be a failure this time. Didnt even bother to check the cake out this morning before rushing off for macaron class... and when I came back, there were only two slices left! Kewl... or not? hehe. So glad. Was even gladder when I tried the cake and realised it wasnt that bad. Enjoyed the mousse consistency although I do have to do something with the extreme sweetness of the chocolate in future.

Another highlight of my day today was the macaron class, organised by Big Boys Oven. These two fellas, Sidney and Sunny are awesome. They taught us how to make macarons. In case you are not aware, macarons are not easy to make. Each attempt can just lead you to another type of different failure. So it's better to just employ the help of the experts to avoid all that wastage. They were genuine in teaching the tricks around making macarons and at the end of it all, Sunny even served a delicious slice of moist chocolate cake for us. All of us took back a box of delightfully coloured macarons as well as one cupcake decorated with fondant and one heart-shaped macaron. Really, really satisfied with the class. Now... for me to recall the steps taught and to actually reproduce an equally beautiful and successful batch at home!

Wore contact lens the whole day today. Once again, broke my record of putting the lens on my eyeballs/cornea/whatever you call it. 30 minutes! Woots. It might not be much for some of y'll but do take note that the first time I put it on, I took about 3 hours in total. Lol. So I consider this an achievement. Wonder if i should continue wearing it when I go out later or should I just remove it now? Hmm....

Okay, enough with the yapping. Just that I have so many happy things to share today. I feel that I can blog non-stop about it.

[Edited] at 10pm, 20 August

Just back from the temple. The Buka Puasa event organised for the visually and hearing impaired was amazing. I never imagined that of all places, this would be the place that I am able to seek the most joy in the past few months. I am particularly taken by those who cannot see the world at all, and yet can still be brave enough to step out into this world.. coming out and having dinner tonight proves it. There was one particular guy (maybe about 20 something years old) whom I was quite attracted to. From his behavior, I can safely say that he isnt able to see much. At the most, just some shadow images. And yet, he seemed very confident and happy with himself. I really enjoyed watching how he behaved, he seemed so comfortable in his own skin that it made him ever so likable. Although he wasnt able to see the people around him and his friends, he still showed he cared for them.. and when they were walking in a single file and he lost his friend walking behind him, he was very worried, not for himself but for his friend. Just one of the many incredible people I met today. :)

Mille Crepe Cake

Just back from the temple. Will be going back there again on Saturday for the Buka Puasa event organised for the Visually and Hearing Impaired. Grateful to my friend who asked me to join them in their volunteer work. You'ld be amazed at how many people who are actually so willing to get out there and volunteer, regardless at the animal shelter, temple or the orphanage. It gives me that satisfaction to know that not all hope is lost with this world. :)

Anyway, I want to share another cake that I made today. The maid is gone, so I had to do all the washing up and trust me, it aint easy. Ugh, reminder not to use so much butter and oil in future 'cause it's such a pain to wash stuff with oil and grease!!! haha. I made a Mille Crepe Cake. Have loved this cake from the first time I ever tried it at Kafe Indulge. Thus far, I know of three places that offer this delightful cake.

1. Kafe Indulge, Kuchai Lama

2. Nadeje, Melaka

3. Food Foundry, S17

I would say Nadeje is the best among the three because of it's wide selection of Mille Crepe cakes. They specialise only in Mille Crepe cakes, and that only. Will definitely go back there the next time I am in Malacca. I was in awe with how creative they were.. there was even a Mille Crepe cake covered with meringue or something?! Second would go to Food Foundry, only because I havent been to Kafe Indulge for a long time. Cant really compare between these two. Kafe Indulge will always have a sentimental value to me, and well, Food Foundry is much more convenient for me since it's just 10 minutes away from home. So yea, both are equally good.

And now, for MY Mille Crepe cake. Wait for it.... hehe. But dont laugh!

Tadaaa...! Homemade Mille Crepe cake, by me. I feel so proud because this is the second time I am making this and it can be considered a success. Only mistake I made was that I was too generous with the cream so some of the crepes were sliding off. But that asides, the taste of the cream, and thickness (or rather, thinness) of the crepe was just right.

Anyone who wants to try making this special cake should try the recipe from DESSaRTS. It definitely did not let me down. I cant recall where I got my first recipe attempt for this cake but the crepe that time was disappointing. It was too thick in the centre and when the thickness accumulated it resulted in a dome shaped cake. *Disappointed much* This time round, I perfected the crepe part!! :D This is an awesome cake.. I'm going to try to make this cake again pretty soon.

Never Give Up

If I am ever asked what is the most difficult cake in the world to bake, my answer without hesitating would be a sponge cake.

I never thought it would be that difficult. It has always been a simple affair between me and the cakes I bake. You prepare the ingredients, beat or mix the necessary ingredients, pour them out into a pan, bake and presto! You have lovely cake, muffins, cupcakes, or cookies. But sponge cake really REALLY tested my determination, dedication, and skill, not to forget having to sacrifice at least eight eggs wasted in the failed attempts.

Last night, I lay in bed wondering whether to proceed with my half failed cake or to bake a new one the next day. To fail again (and have more than enough failed cakes sitting in the fridge) was one thing, to have to face the music (grumbles and lectures from parents, siblings, aunts) is another. I can stare failure in the face, but I dont take criticism too well, especially when it isnt constructive. But a friend told me that I should go ahead. That I shouldnt be demotivated by failure. And that if my family were really my family, they would be supportive of me.

And guess what..? It worked! Of course, I did my research thoroughly and was very determined to ensure that my third time would prove to be a success. But even then, the cake turned out really better than I had imagined. I give credit to The Little Teochew for being my lifesaver! Awesome chocolate cake recipe you have there! :)

This may look simple but personally for me, I will never EVER take a sponge cake for granted again. Anyone who can bake a successful sponge cake will have my respect, hands down.

Happy Birthday to my dad. Everyone enjoyed the cake. *phew* I shall call this the M&M cake for easy reference. I got the inspiration from a blog with the M&M but I adapted it to my liking. Since I have extra fondant at home, I designed the fondant pieces at the side of the cake instead of pasting kit-kat like the original cake. Simpler, I guess. The cake is a simple one too.. chocolate sponge with a middle layer of vanilla sponge. Bottom layer has blackcurrant fruit filling while top layer has butter cream. And of course the top is sprinkled with a generous topping of M&M.

Anyway, the lesson here is... never to give up. Especially if it is something that you really like or if you have a point to prove. Sometimes it bruises your pride to have to fall on the ground, but what we need to realise is that falling down is a humbling experience that not only allows us to realise where we went wrong, but for us to appreciate our achievements better when they are finally in our hands. A quote from a friend, "you never know what you have till it's gone", why cant we humans just realise what we have before it's too late?

It is easy to take the things nearest to us for granted.. friends, family, loved ones, relationships, physical belongings, and in this case, the ability to bake. I feel silly for having taken so many blessings in my life for granted. And only when it's lost, we weep and mourn over our losses.

I have already fallen. Fallen so hard to the ground that for a few days, I wasnt sure if i could get back up and walk like normal again. I still am not walking like normal yet, and not sure how long it will take. But I'm making progress. I dont regret falling down, but I wouldnt want to fall so hard again. Failure doesnt necessarily lead to failure if you know what went wrong the first time. And it's only when you make that leap of faith, then you will know what is in store for you.

Crazy over Cakes

Here I am wide awake in the wee hours of the morning.. ironically, dreaming about cakes.

It's funny how one cake decoration class has transformed my dreams and have given me motivation. All of a sudden, I realise where my passion lies. It isnt in reading heavy tomes of law books nor crunching numbers. I must always have known that baking and food is my first love but have always denied its rightful place in my heart. But the class has given me strength to believe that it is possible. I can still continue my law degree but would it be possible to pursue baking and the like, part-time?

It has been keeping me wide awake. There is this course I would really like to take. Two or three actually... all involving baking or cakes. But if I take these courses, it would mean less me time and it might even affect my university life in the law faculty. But until when do I live my life for others and when do I start living my life according to my passions. I was thinking... if I dont pursue it now, when will I ever have the opportunity? I missed the opportunity once, twice even. Am I willing to let the third chance slip away too?

A Day with Opticians

Ever came across with someone who has sensitive eyes? Maybe... you blink really easily every time something flies into your eyes? It's one of the reasons why until this day, I wear glasses.

The first optician turned me down saying that my eyes are too sensitive. I've been going to him since I had my first pair of glasses. I failed to wear lens a few years back and he decides now that I just have to come to terms with wearing glasses for the rest of my life?! I cant take this kind of answer. He also told me that it's up to my will to do it, that I believe. But he did not believe that I could do it.

I'm grateful that my mom has finally begun to take my wishes more seriously. She offered to take me to a second optician. I might not be able to proudly say that I can wear my own contact lens from this day forth... yet; but tomorrow, with renewed spirits and a burning wish to be rid of my old glasses, I will not give up.

I actually made progress today, under the gentle guidance of the second optician. I learnt how to keep my eyes open, and I think I touched my eyeballs too. Just that I still havent gathered enough courage to touch the cornea. She managed to put on the lens on my right eye and it felt really comfortable. I truly believe once I leap over this hurdle, I will be able to take to wearing contact lens as easily as brushing my teeth.

Wearing lens might not be easy for everyone. Some people do struggle more than others in making that first step. But now I have every more reason to learn to wear them. Because now, it isnt just the case of wearing lens in the name of vanity.. but it is also for the sake of overcoming one of many of my fears.

Quizbox.com

Many years ago, I did a quiz similar to this and I redid it just for the fun of it. And the results are slightly different. Well since it is a personality test, I guess that means that I have kinda changed a little, no? If you have nothing to do, drop by quizbox.com. Lots of cool quizzes that makes you wonder how on earth do they make it so accurate. Haha. Or maybe it's just the quizzes i've come across so far.

Your view on yourself:

Other people find you very interesting, but you are really hiding your true self. Your friends love you because you are a good listener. They'll probably still love you if you learn to be yourself with them.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You prefer to get to know a person very well before deciding whether you will commit to the relationship.

The seriousness of your love:

Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive.

Your views on education
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:
Success in your career is not the most important thing in life. You are content with what you have and think that being with someone you love is more than spending all of your precious time just working.

What are you most afraid of:
You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

Is this the necklace working its magic? Or pure coincidence?

I hope it lasts. :)

Balance

At times, I seem to know what to do. But other times, I am simply plain lost.

Life is all about striking the perfect balance. Once you know how to balance a bike, the ride will be a breeze. Beautiful even. The struggle is in learning how to balance the bike without scraping your knee.

Funny thing is, my grandmother always said that I was such a natural at riding a bike. Nobody ever taught me. I just got onto one and learned to ride it myself, as a small kid.

Wish I could say the same thing for life. That I'm a natural at this thing called life. But I guess living life is more challenging than just riding a bike. Not only do you need to strike the perfect balance, you need to find that balance that is acceptable by everyone around you.

As usual, many things on my mind. Keeping me awake at this ungodly hour. heh.