The Lake House.

I love chick flicks. Really love them. Recently we managed to buy a coffee table cum TV table and hooked up the TV borrowed from my friend (Thanks Chique!) to a DVD player. The TV has actually been sitting on the floor for the past five months! We bought a new remote control and also a whatchamacalit cable that makes the visual much-much clearer.

After that my husband went on a DVD/VCD shopping spree. Of course no chick flicks...

So the first chance I get to go to the DVD shop I managed to buy 2 DVDs. 1 is 'The Good Year' (hubby paid for this one) and the other was 'The Lake House' (I paid for this one, it was on sale).

Two nights ago, I gave husband a choice to choose which movie he wanted to watch first and his answer was 'The Good Year' starring Russel Crowe. The reason why he chose that one was because he doesn't want to replace the image of NEO from Matrix with some soppy tear eyed chick flick hero. Hey! I love Russel Crowe, but he just doesn't cut it as a romance hero, especially when the story is told only with his perspective. We'll get into the details in another post.

Yesterday, while he was in JB (husband that is...not Russell!) I watched 'The Lake House'. I was blown away, can't help myself and watched it again this morning! In the Lake house, Keanu Reeves is no longer 'the pretty faced boy'. You can see the wrinkles et al and to me that gives more character to his 'deadpan' delivery. I actually like his 'deadpanness'. It creates a mysterious air about him, inscrutable. Yet in this movie he, as Alex Wyler, shows how much he actually understand his father more than his brother and helps make his brother understand their father better.

I also like Sandra Bullock as Dr Kate Forster. I prefer her better in this movie than all the comedy acting she has done before. I think she acts better when she takes it slow and easy. I think both Keanu and Sandra have good chemistry and it shows.

The plot has its twists, not unexpected but delivery was so well done that it came as a delight. First time watching you do get a little confused with the story and time line but when I watched it again it was not as confusing.

To me, one of the better chick flicks... no full nudity or sex scene required for a good movie and The Lake House proved this!

UPDATE: The Lake House will be screened by HBO (Channel 411) on the 7th October 9 pm. Other screening dates are on the 8,9,11,12,13 and 14th October, time varies,

Can't believe it...

I have been published! Actually this is not the first time I have been published. I wrote to the Sun once and I also did a book review for Flavours...but this is the first time a full length article.

September/October Issue

The Scoop on Rendang


Me sans makeup: au naturale

I would like to thank Julie Wong, Flavours Editor, for making me sound so good and to Yap Chee Hong for making me look good (better than realitylah!). I would also like to thank all my sisters and makciks who helped me with the information (K. Sal,you are a gem!)

There is a writeup on rendang and 10 recipes including 3 serundings. Feel free to try out and send me comments!

Nasi Goreng...Nasi Goreng!

Nasi goreng bukan sebarang nasi goreng! (Fried rice, not just any fried rice!) This is Nasi goreng Ala Man! Once you have it you would want more.

Poor Birthday boy! Instead of loving wife making him dinner for buka puasa, he had to cook! But this is his speciality: Nasi Goreng Ala Man!

Sautee the shallots until fragrant and lightly golden. (I just love men in uniform! *wink*)

The ingredients(from top left to right): Kicap Lemak Manis Cap Kipas Udang, dried shrimps (soaked in hot water, drained, and coarsely pounded), chopped spring onion, slices of lime (for the juice), reserved water from the soaked dried shrimps, pounded fresh chillies (you can use leftover sambal belacan), beef (cut thinly across the grain), shelled fresh shrimps and eggs. You also need yesterday's leftover rice and not to forget the sliced shallots are being sauteed (see 1st photo).

Shallots being sauteed with a little bit of oil in a very hot wok.

Add the dried shrimp and the reserved water. Stir fry and then add the beef and the fresh shrimps. Stir. Add the pounded chillies (or sambal belacan if using) and lime juice. Fry up till fragrant. Finally add the rice (make sure it is clumpless) and the soy sauce. Season to taste with salt and little bit of sugar.

Make a well in the middle and add the eggs. Once it is lightly set on the sides mix the rice to the eggs and continously stir on moderatley high heat. Add the spring onions last. Remove from fire and serve.

Viola! Nasi Goreng Ala Man...a tasty dish from the birthday boy (though he likes to add a dash of Lingham Cili Sauce on the side of a little bit more heat)

Bon Appetit!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!
You were born in the zoo!
With the monkeys and kangaroos !
we all do love you!

New wrinkle sighted! Happy 43rd Virgoman... *mwaaaah*