Happy New Year

Another new year is here. Hopefully, this year is better than the last one. New year resolution: THIS and THAT, especially to be more patient with the mixing during baking. Happy New Year everybody.

Chocolate Cake 2

Got a new spoon rest to add to my collection.

This is another version of chocolate cake. I like this one better because it has less chocolate in it.

Chocolate Cake

My second attempt to baking this chocolate cake. It worked, but too 'chocolatey' for me.

My present

I am so excited in finally getting these measuring cups and spoons . I hope they will serve me well in my baking adventures. I baked 2 cakes today, a honeycomb cake and a chocolate moist cake. However the chocolate moist did not rise because I used the wrong flour. I know better in the future to double check the flour. I am slowly collecting these stainless steel containers and kitchen appliances. My new interest.

Honeycomb cake

I finally found the recipe for one of my favorite cake. Baked it the first time and it came out perfect.

One tiny step to the real Safari

Went to a Safari tour in NJ. First picture ... had trouble keeping the animal (below) in focus, can't remember what was it.

Whiskey Lullaby

She put him out like the burnin' end of a midnight cigarette
She broke his heart he spent his whole life tryin' to forget
We watched him drink his pain away a little at a time
But he never could get drunk enough to get her off his mind
Until the night

He put that bottle to his head and pulled the trigger
And finally drank away her memory
Life is short but this time it was bigger
Than the strength he had to get up off his knees
We found him with his face down in the pillow
With a note that said I'll love her till I die
And when we buried him beneath the willow
The angels sang a whiskey lullaby

The rumors flew but nobody knew how much she blamed herself
For years and years she tried to hide the whiskey on her breath
She finally drank her pain away a little at a time
But she never could get drunk enough to get him off her mind
Until the night

She put that bottle to her head and pulled the trigger
And finally drank away his memory
Life is short but this time it was bigger
Than the strength she had to get up off her knees
We found her with her face down in the pillow
Clinging to his picture for dear life
We laid her next to him beneath the willow
While the angels sang a whiskey lullaby

-BP/AK

This love

This love
This love is a strange love
In that it can lift a love
This love

This love
I think I'm gonna fall again
And ever when you held the hand
And turn 'em in your fingers, love

This love
Now rehearsed we stay, love
Doesn't know it is love
This love

This love
Doesn't have to feel love
Doesn't care to be love
It doesn't mean a thing
This love

This love loves love
It's a strange love, strange love
This love

This love
This love is a strange love, strange love
I'm gonna fall again love
Doesn't mean a thing
Think I'm gonna fall again
This Love

-CA

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

It's so perfect ... Hermione and Ron, Harry with Ginny ... kind of expecting the latter after watching HP and the Order of the Phoenix. The children they have __

Come and I'll bring you

To the drive-in theatre where we will be watching movies till wee hours of the morning

The Promise

If you wait for me then I'll come for you
Although I've traveled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart

If you think of me
If you miss me once in awhile
Then I'll return to you
I'll return and fill that space in your heart

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting

If you dream of me like I dream of you
In a place that's warm and dark
In a place where I can feel the beating of your heart

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting

I've longed for you and I have desired
To see your face your smile
To be with you wherever you are

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
Please say you'll be waiting

Together again
It would feel so good to be
In your arms
Where all my journeys end
If you can make a promise
If it's one that you can keep,
I vow to come for you
If you wait for me and say you'll hold
A place for me in your heart.

-TC

A sense of you

One step away from all I want and I know it's all here
Afraid to move Afraid to choose Afraid of my own fear
Of times when I may not be strong
Places where I may not belong
But I hold onto this feeling
That stands above all feelings
Tellin' me not to let go
And I live on this feeling
The greatest of all feelings
Tellin' me not to grow cold
Please help me get through and let me in you

-E

HOT!!!

It was so hot and stifling today. The termometer was pointing to around upper 90s, but it seemed more than 100 degrees. I was hot and cold from going out and working in the hood with the flame going. I am so glad it's Friday. I am looking forward for the weekend doing absolutely nothing or everything after vet visit for Sofia.

Eppure Sentire (Un Senso Di Te)

A un passo dal possibile
A un passo da te
Paura di decidere
Paura di me

Di tutto quello che non so
Di tutto quello che non ho

Eppure sentire
Nei fiori tra l'asfalto
Nei cieli di cobalto - c'è

Eppure sentire
Nei sogni in fondo a un pianto
Nei giorni di silenzio - c'è

un senso di te
mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm...
C'è un senso di te
mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm...

Eppure sentire
Nei fiori tra l'asfalto
Nei cieli di cobalto - c'è

Eppure sentire
Nei sogni in fondo a un pianto
Nei giorni di silenzio - c'è

Un senso di te
mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm...
C'è un senso di te
mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm...
Un senso di te
mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm...
C'è un senso di te

-Elisa

Look both way

In the pursuit of fulfilling one or another person's happiness, people tend to overlook the practicality and ignore others feelings. Some will pursue blindly without weighing the consequences while others will ponder on the outcomes of their choices. Most of the time, these outcomes are something that most do not want to hear. But they are necessary because one would be prepared if they do arise. When you make a decision to do something, think about others' conundrums. Not everyone has a life as yours. Most of us have legal, financial and professional matters to worry. Do not assume you know what is going on in our life. Whatever we do, we do it for a reason, not out of indolence or troublesomeness. You do not know our living condition, or the difficulty we have to go through to have a normal life. When you have a problem, help is always there. When we have a problem, we have to figure it ourselves. Our lives do not revolve around one matter. Unlike yours, we cannot afford to drop everything, or lose a job or even a car. Look both way. Think carefully before you start hurling the words out.

Shopping Spree

Beef Jerky : $50.00
Marshmallows : $5.00
Kool-aid : $3.00
Clothes : $100.00
Chocolates : $25.00
Heading home : Priceless

For others : head-on, paper signed, this and that.
Don't forget : online application, more photos
For right now : concentrate on exams ...
At this exact moment : just want to sleep like Sophia, except no whiskers or legs twitching
Other than that : peace to Earth

My Journey - Amelia's tale

Today marks the 2999th day, the day still fresh in my mind as though it happened just yesterday. It is also the eve of my pledge, if I may say so. I still count each day as it moves further and further from our final encounter. I grasp the memory tighter as it advances. I refuse to put it in writing for fear of being known to others. I do not remember what I ate three days ago, but I make sure that I do not let the only souvenir of you slip from me. My journey, though arduous, seemed minute compare to our goodbye. I sometimes wished that you would have understood and stayed, but reality forced me to accept otherwise. It was unfair to anyone, especially to the one you gave your all. The uncertainties were overbearing, the future was bleak, I may not even made it considering the situation at that time. Miraculously, we won ... and everything were put in order, and I was free to go. I went back to our city, found a job, work hard, but always have time for you before I close my eyes, no matter how weary it gets. Once in blue moon, I thought I saw a glimpse of you, but it was the ray or the flare playing tricks on me. I told myself I would let you go, uncage the memory; you may have found another and be a father to little version of you and her. And so I have decided, on the 3000th day, I would say my final farewell.

What language are you speaking/writing?

The English language is being abused more than ever before. I can read a blog and have no idea what the person is trying to convey. Do they ever proof read his/her blog? Sometimes you can tell that a sentence was translated directly from another language, other time it is just plain bad. For those who has been speaking the language since they are young, for the love of God, do not torture it. I am pretty sure you do not wish anyone to abuse your native language either, given that English is not your native language.
Be sophisticated, but be realistic.

What will the future hold?

Last week was an aberrant week, mentally. I commenced in my permanent lab, with a august determination. Then on second day came the news. It gave me mixed feeling about going home or staying here. I wanted to go home but I will have problem with paperworks. Staying here meant I missed paying my last respect. Mum said it was no point since it'd take about 2 days plus more with the seat availability. So I can only ask the wind the deliver the message. It will be strange to go home to an empty house. I know a lot of people will feel different too.
I hope I will be able to go home come summer. It will be a busy and crazy trip, but a good one. I'm still in the nonchalant mood, but it will be different once I got the ticket. Then come the paperwork.
The weather had been queer too. One day it was spring like, next it was freezing, then it warmed up. I hope it stays warm from now on. It tends to make everyone happy. That's what one needs over here among the darkness. The daffodils are almost blooming, the buds are getting bigger. I can't wait to start my new flower garden, just hope the squirrels do not get to them first.
Finally, time to let go. Birds of a feather flock together. What more can be said about that?

Sophia's dream time

Sophia other favorite spot when she is not under the bed. Sleeping and dreaming about flying.

This is Sophia Savannah

My new pet. Got her today. She's a persian, pure bred according to her previous owner. She's really shy. I wiped her and cleaned her ear a bit, which ticked her off. But she needed it. Hope she will adjust to her new home. Welcome Sophia. It will be fun to shop for her stuffs tomorrow.

Elephant Woman

Angel I can see myself in your eyes
Angel won’t you feel for me from your heart
Do return my heart to me
No don’t insist
I’m already hurt

Elephant girl
It was an accident unfortunate
Angel threw me like a rubber man
Aiming for the ground
Why amuse yourself in such way
No don’t insist
I’m already hurt

Lay me down on the ground softly softly
Don’t remove my head hurts much too much

You never return it
Well I wouldn’t miss it
I shed no tears for broken me
You never know it my peace of mind
Now inside and outside are matching

Why amuse yourself in such a way
No don’t insist I’m already hurt
If you never return it
Will it break your wings
Will you shed no tear for broken me

BR