27th April 2007. Money spent: 1.40 - I succumbed and bought a Magnum classic from the ice-cream truck wilfully parked outside my office window. Calories burned: to be updated.

My tummy hurts.

26th April 2007. Money spent: 0 (keeping it on the up and up!). Calories burnt: 180 (6 laps/15.17mins on the treadmill). Still having trouble sleeping, though tired.

It's surprisingly easy not to spend money. Yesterday's meals were provided by a conference, and then a friend cooked dinner. I just have to resist and walk past Starbucks with my eyes closed.

Birthday's coming up this weekend! I really just want one entire block of quiet time, so not really sure why I invited people over... But birthdays a good opp to get everyone together and I don't see my friends often. Mum&dad sent me a huge ang pow (red packet, usually contains $$$). Thank you!! The Boy has also booked a massage for me tonight, to inaugurate weekend birthday celebrations. xxx

Have uploaded my American photos now. Will post after edit.

On another note, time to get serious about thesis. That's my priority now. 5 more months to go!

Recipe: Chawan-mushi

24th April 2007. Money spent: £0 (hooray!). Calories burnt: 0 (not hooray).

Being broke, I decided to make my bento box for today out of ingredients in my fridge/pantry. This was the result:

Picture by www.ravintolaopas.net
Sorry, we ate it before a pic could be taken!

Chawan-mushi, or Japanese Egg Custard

5 Ramekin cups

A- CUSTARD
4 eggs
2 1/2 cup dashi (substituted with miso soup, which I had - my last pack)
1tbsp mirin (substituted with Thai fish sauce, which I also had)
1 tbsp light soya sauce
1/2 tsp salt

B- INGREDIENTS
(can be substituted with any meat you have really... I considered using chinese sausages (lap cheong) and SPAM)
1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
5 chinese mushrooms, soaked in hot water

A- Beat eggs. Mix rest of ingredients and stir gently into egg mixture. Strain to ensure there are no air bubbles.
B- Divide ingredients equally between ramekin cups. Pour A equally into each cup. Cover and steam for 20 minutes.

Eaten with some rice, a banana and DARK chocolate KitKat!

I am sooooo broke after my trips that it will be rice and beansprouts (or whatever 178pounds per month will buy me) from now till September. And I'm cutting up my credit card as this post goes live!

Lost Roads: Singapore

book cover

Just a quick promo: My oldest and best friend, eszet, has just published her first book, Lost Roads: Singapore (which ironically came out before her PhD thesis... but that's another story). I'll try to get some inside words from her very soon, maybe a guest post. But this blog can reveal that the author conducted extensive explorations into ulu and muddy terrains, made earth-changing (literally) discoveries of untold local treasure, and tortured many a taxi driver with hitherto unheard of destinations as well as, did I mention?, muddy roads - in the name of art and science and truth. You wouldn't have imagined any more surprises on an island as small as such, which only adds to her genius, and the book's. Check it out!

Available: Select Book Store, Singapore

Price: US$11.25 (S$18.00*)
Format: Paperback, 159 pages
Published: 2006, Singapore, 1st Edition
ISBN: 9812480420SB#: 036172

Back on the sacred soil of my second home

Adventures of adventures in America to be told - check back soon!

For example:
- Who's coming for dinner tonight? Meeting the family I
- Easter Egg hunt - Meeting the family II
- Uncle John
- Houston, land of the big and unseen (and shopping paradiso)
- What it means to be Christian in America
- Friends
- Our anniversary, and...?

Also:
- The Boy's birthday
- Recipes recipes recipes!
(in reverse order: chilli okra, Singapore chicken curry, Sichuan string beans, Auntie Bettie's peanut butter frosting, CNY recipes)