21st Birthday

Turning 21 isn't really a big deal really. Everyone goes through the same thing, everyone has got their own way of celebrating. Perhaps it is so common that people usually just have the thinking that this is something that you just gotta do it and be done with, and of course those who think whats the point of celebrating then.

For me it wasn't exactly the idea of celebrating my birthday, but more of celebrating the fact that I was surrounded by the people who have been loving me for the past 21 years unconditionally and thanking them. I celebrate not just my passing of 21 years, but also how lucky I am for all the love I've gotten.

It was just a very simple birthday get together under my house where I grew up, with all my relatives and good friends. Bits and pieces of here and there, good food and good wine and of course, the after party with friends at a hotel. All in all, I truly appreciate the fact that life has been great so far.

The initial cake in mind was a simple strawberry shortcake. But due to the fear of not having enough food to go around, the simple Victoria sponge with strawberries and cream idea blossom into a 2 tier Butter sponge with almond and dark chocolate filling, frosted in Swiss meringue butter cream and finished with fresh cherries and strawberries. A little extravagant really, but hey it's my birthday. Also, I really love how the vines stick out in their own ways.

Anyway, it has been a great birthday and I just gotta learn to embrace the adult life. Insurance, tax, bonus, career whatever. They'll come when they come :)

Engagement, Excitement and a brownie so Extraordinary

So again, another hiatus. Not only would I not want to give you the excuse of me being really busy with school and exam and of course, Yours truly 21st birthday party, but also I would not continue to talk crap and just update you with the little things I've been cooking up.

First and for most, in every baker's diary, there will be one particular incident that really becomes the front page of their lives. I wouldn't say the cake that I'm about to talk bout to be one of those incident, but heck I sure will have it as the background of the content page.

No hell idea what it really means but I suppose it must be something like Happy Engagement. If you watch Cake Boss on Youtube, you might not believe that a life of a baker could actually get as far to meeting the state mayor or going to a Sesame street set. However when I got to Sara's engagement day, I truly believe that delivering cakes DO open up your eyes.

Other than feeling all mighty proud of my cake being the centerpiece, there are many other cakes and sweets from other bakers too. I wish the couple my deepest best of wishes and may their love life be as sweet as this whole bed is. Just make sure there's Bagon spray near the bedsides though.

Next, would be these little morsels of sweet and tangy chocolaty squares coming from the delightful Nigella Lawson. Her first book, How to be a domestic kitchen Goddess is truly a book written by the Goddess herself. For those of you who think you can't bake, please just go get that book and get ready to be proven wrong. It's not the sophisticated stuff that makes you a great baker, is those simple little life pleasures that you mix in little surprises that makes you a true baker. Or you know, at least a clever kitchen minx.

Next up, my 21st birthday post :)