Hello, I blog!

I’ve been busy recently, working on a farewell gift for one of my favourite cousins – David.

This young fella’ would be heading to Vancouver for the next two years or so to pursue his Junior College education. (Singapore’s Education System has once again, proven to be too much of a struggle.)

It was a rather sudden, I must say. He only made his decision slightly more than a month ago and he’s leaving in … three days.

I’d feel really odd without David around – the cousin I practically grew up with. Those little gossip sessions and heart-to-heart talks in my grandmother’s house, all those times going crazy in public, our families having dinner, lunch or shopping sessions together, how he’d always drop me a message or ask how I am (about my health) and of course, our thrice-annually overseas trips together.

He’s my little buddy. How can I cope for two years without him? :(

Ah well, no time to grovel about it. I wish him the best of luck, to work hard and play hard at the same time. Also, I wish a pretty Canadian girlfriend upon him. (Oh, and I’ve asked him to find me a cute Canadian girl too. ;))

Anyway, back to the gift I’ve prepared for him.

Basically, it comprises two posters – which I’m going to demand he displays on the wall of his new room – one comprising photographs depicting our past happenings together with the family and extended family, and the other comprising messages from various family members and friends (bordered with even more photos).

At least in a way, he’d be taking all of us with him to Canada.

Thus, BEHOLD!

David’s farewell gift bundle.

It took several pieces of coloured paper, two black plastic boards, three tubes of glue, several photos, scissors and a very tired pair of hands to create this.

It was made with love, David dear. I hope you like it.

Board 1 – Photographic memories.

This is the first board I’ve mentioned about, supposedly depicting David’s life with his family here in Singapore, all thanks to my vast collection of photos from family outings and travels throughout the years. Not to mention some rather err … unglam pictures of David himself too.

Now, presenting the other board.

Board 2 – Sweet farewell messages.

I’ve started soliciting messages from family and friends (and those who know David) via Facebook slightly more than a week ago. It wasn’t easy, since some rarely log into Facebook (and I have no other means to contact them), so it was a crazy waiting game until I’ve more or less received all the messages I needed.

The messages were nicely formatted on Microsoft Powerpoint, printed and cut into little speech or thought bubbles (or plain ol’ squares) for the board.

I’m quite pleased with the overall outcome.

Continue reading for more in-depth pictures of the farewell gift bundle.
WARNING: Image intensive!

Well, it’s no secret by now that I’m crazy over cupcakes.

Been baking them since five months ago, and slowly perfecting them – first working on the taste, then the texture and finally, the shape. I guess I’ve more or less mastered the art of ‘removing the cupcakes from the oven at the correct time so that they don’t collapse‘ since I obtain cupcakes with nicely rounded surfaces almost 100% of the time these days.

Decided to bake a batch of cupcakes for my close friends who are still in the midst of their exams, as a way to cheer them on. Because this batch was special, I decided to go one step further and attempted making some frosting.

A nice fluffy mixture of dark chocolate and melted butter did the trick just fine. Heck to all those elaborate frosting recipes I’ve seen lurking around the internet. Mine tastes just as good, if not better. Rich and creamy. Mmmmm.

And … TA-DAAH!

These are Oreo cookies and cream cupcakes topped with dark chocolate butter frosting and rainbow sprinkles, less then five minutes after they were completed.

I’ve placed them in the refrigerator, and the frosting has hardened to form a crisp chocolate shell. Now, that is what I call yummy!