Joyeux Anniversaire

Joyeux Anniversaire.. to me.

Another fleeting year..
I know what you're thinking. Probably expecting one of those 'emo' posts again in continous rumbling of how time has no mercy and blah blah blah. But neh.. I'll give it a miss this time. Instead, I should be bowing my head humbling, giving thanks to the Lord for allowing me to see this day. 22 years.. alas...

The day began with a slight degree of automation in the work process. Churning out the final products for the corporate order I had recieved. A major thanks going out to Babe who had stayed faithfully by my side the entire night and morning ( he took the day off just for me!) . Needless to say, I would have been more than a little overwhelmed if not for him. After the delivering the order, Babe and I headed for a quick lunch over at Miss Clarity's Cafe before heading back to his place to catch some eye shut. So much for an exciting birthday... But well, for me, birthdays are nothing but a reminder of how you've aged over the years rather than anything worth being happy about. Celebrations seem a bit meaningless.

The day was rounded up by a the movie 'Twilight' at Bishan. This is a MUST watch movie of the year. Featuring an easy-going storyline about a fatal attraction between a human and a vampire. Despite the cliched phrases (which proved to be ultra sexy still when recited by a vampire), the movie succeeded in potraying the characters in full glory with a true emotions; hunger, desperation, lust, confusion and many more to speak of. It's dark and grim settings very alike those in staging such as 'Ghost-whisperer' and 'Charmed' just made it all the more appealing for me.

Last but not least, Babe and I grabbed some pub grub and beer at Smok'Inn Frogz Kitchen. (sorry Brad! I made a move first!) Enjoyed good and affordable food under the surreal surroundings of stringed lights and rotating fans under the stars. Did I mention the German beer was excellent? and so was the beef burger!!! Certainly be heading down there again!

And what's a birthday post without cake? okay.. maybe not exactly cake in it's purist state but a dessert instead. Cherry Clafouti served up warm for the lovely guests, Uncle Jo, Er-yi and Popo after dinner last night. Using the remenants of the rain-damaged cherries brought back by my Brother from Australia, a lovely warm custard cake like dessert was born. Recipe as follows...

Julia Child’s Clafouti
serves 6-8
1 1/4 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla (my note: you can substitute, or add 1 Tablespoon of almond extract)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour
3 cups cherries, pitted
1/3 cup sugar
powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a blender blend the milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt and flour.
3. Pour a 1/4 inch layer of the batter in a buttered 7 or 8 cup lightly buttered fireproof baking dish. Place in the oven until a film of batter sets in the pan. Remove from the heat and spread the cherries over the batter. Sprinkle on the 1/3 cup of sugar. Pour on the rest of the batter.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about for about 45 minutes to an hour. The clafouti is done when puffed and brown and and a knife plunged in the center comes out clean.
5. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, serve warm.

On a final note, I would like to thank all your guys out there for your lovely messages! I'm just thrilled that there are actually people out there who remember my birthday! Jiemin, Melvin, Gaseng, Velda, Xuen, Brad, Yumunah, Min, Weili, Rina, Felix ( from Indonesia even! haha), Chee Siang, Pingting, Hongyu, Regina, Lihui, Lynn and Winnie (all 3 gurls having fun in Peru/ Argentina!) as well as my lovely family members. Thank you all for remembering!!!