Carrot cake done right

What do you do when it's not mandarin season but it's definitely Chinese New Year visitation time??

Substitute the mandarins for another orange thing - carrots!

Of course you can't have just one carrot, that would be rather rude, so I made two. These carrots also doubled (ha!) as a birthday cake for a new friend I made in Connect Group!

So here, I present my carrot cake, in the shape of - carrots!




I followed this carrot cake recipe: http://happyhooligans.ca/carrot-cake-with-cream-cheese-icing/

I baked the cake in a heart-shaped springform pan, and cut the finished cake in half. I then had to do a bit of carving to taper the sides like a carrot. Note: I found that I had to bake mine for 80 minutes (at 160 Celsius) all up because that's when the toothpick I inserted came out clean.

I also added some orange gel colouring to the cream cheese mixture, and tripled the cream cheese recipe in the link because I wanted to cover the entire cake - and I mean slather it - in cream cheese frosting. Yum.

I added some homegrown organic parsley to "top" it off!


   

The cake went down really well. Everyone at the dinner gathering loved it! It was moist and not too sweet, in fact, you really needed the cream cheese frosting to sweeten it up! The cake had a cinnamon-y, spice-like taste. And I couldn't taste the carrots, but I could certainly taste the texture of the grated carrots.

Someone commented - I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish this piece but I'm going to need another piece!  The birthday girl was more than happy to take home the remaining cake! (So thank you happyhooligans for the recipe!)




The recipe is definitely a goer for the next carrot cake craving I have!

Dancing the night away

Today my Fiance and I had our 12th dance lesson, but our 7th one on the Waltz. Both of us don't dance (don't know how to) and we wanted to get some professional help for our first dance. Because otherwise we'll just be staring at each other and moving in circles awkwardly on the wedding night. Not good.

I gave him the job of looking for and booking a dance studio (best idea ever - because now he thinks it's his idea and is committed). Initially we started off learning the foxtrot - which was a lot of fun and pretty easy to master - but then I decided that I wanted something more romantic, more spin-y, more graceful. And then we decided on the Waltz. Well, I did anyway. The guy just had to listen.

Our dance instructor just said yep, no problem and just like that we switched from the basics of a Foxtrot into a Waltz. I have to say, learning the Waltz was a lot harder than the Foxtrot. Simply because it's all about positioning and spins (to me anyway). As a beginner, I got pretty confused with where we were supposed to end up after a turn, and the first 10 lessons were really all about placements and where we are supposed to end up.  I heard a lot of "walk through him!" Uh ok, I may often joke that he walks through walks because he's so quiet, but walking through him is a different story altogether!!

So anyway, 12th lesson in, here we are dancing and I might say we're coming along beautifully, when there it goes again "push through him!". So then I give him the littlest (just an eensy, teensy little) shove. And yay, the instructor's happy, everyone's happy, except the shoves keep getting bigger and bigger and suddenly he's flung me way beyond my dangerously tottery high heels can handle and I go flying. *cue: A Whole New World and a glare at him*

I also get the idea of getting our instructor to teach us a new step - something to break up the routine of basic, whisk and shassay (however it's spelt), spin turn, outside change, spin turn and repeat. So we  learnt to do a dip and a super cool move called the impetus. I already like the move just from its name. It sounds so... impetuous.

Anyway my Fiance here is complaining about having to learn hard moves when it's hard enough walking across the dance floor. I think each time the instructor tries to demonstrate the step, I can see his face grow correspondingly paler. But it's okay. We try and we try and eventually it's not halfway bad. Not too shabby at all for our 12th lesson of dance ever.

All this effort for one dance of the most important night to come. I hope it pays off.

New Adventures

2011 to 2017 was a long void. Work happened and I was also trying to write another blog with a colleague of mine - an energy drinks trial blog! But that is a story for another day. Now, I have moved cities. I have a new job. I am engaged to be married in a couple of months. Life has moved on and I cannot wait to see what adventures it brings!

Jerusalem Part 2 - Day 6

DAY 6

So today we made it to the most sacred and controversial site in the whole of Jerusalem - Temple Mount! Woohoo!

Dan Hotel in Jerusalem - just the driveway.

(On a completely different tangent - have you seen the videos of the supposed 'UFO' descending and then ascending on Temple Mount? I'm pretty sure it's a hoax.)

But anyway, back to the topic here.

On day 6, we visited Temple Mount and the Western Wall in Jerusalem. It was freezing that day and everyone was huddled in layers of clothing. I was in a dilemma as to whether to keep my hands in my pockets where it was infinitely warmer or bring out out into the wind and cold to take pictures! I think in the end pictures won out though, since it was sort of once in a blue moon trip! My fingers were frozen stiff after though!

Yep, mine is the only one with gloves - although I bet everyone else was wishing it was theirs instead! ;)
Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.

Red Riding Hoods visit Jerusalem - look out, wolf!
Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.

Yup. Hair all mussed up from the wind!

The Temple Mount is is one of the most controversial sites in the world. It is special to many Jews because it was the site of the first and second Temple. Some also believe that it will be the site of the final Temple. The Temple is however also special to the Muslims because the Dome of the Rock is built there. The Dome of the Rock is believed to be the spot from which their prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.

Must be a Qur'an study?

A little further out, there were a lot of excavated findings. This is just one of the door entrances that must have belonged to the wall? It's actually quite a small archway. I don't think the typical Aussie would be able to walk through without stooping. I can of course because I'm not a typical Aussie. :D

Guess what? You're right. It's a toilet... no really, it is.

The Temple Mount is built on Mount Moriah (where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac and also where Jesus stayed behind to talk with the elders and priests of the Temple after his parents had left the Temple)

Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.

We also visited the Western Wall (aka Wailing Wall) on that same day. The Wall is divided into 2 sections. Only men were allowed in the left part of the wall, and only women were allowed to pray at the right end of the Western Wall. There were bits of paper stuck all over the wall - in every nook, cranny and crevice. White bits, yellow pieces, pink slips and what not. You name it. There were also white plastic chairs placed just in front of the wall for women to sit on and pray in front of the wall (those not able to stand for long periods of time). Silence was observed when one was standing in front of the wall - everyone prayed fervently but quietly. Also, after prayer, it is tradition and etiquette (I suppose) to back away from the wall. One was not allowed to turn their back to the Wall. I guess it was sort of like bowing out of a Chinese Emperor's presence - one didn't just turn and walk away. Well, I had to learn that the hard way. I didn't know about that until I had walked about 4-5 meters away from the wall, and there was this middle-aged lady who keep signalling a circle to me. She didn't say a word! I just stared at her blankly, like - are you talking to me? what are you saying? SPEAK! Yeah well, I eventually got the message that I was meant to walk backwards. Awkward.

I really like this picture. I think it's very touching - especially when you think about how much this Wall means to the Jews - and the reality of war in their lives. Any day, any moment could be their last - or that of a loved one.

Adam and John Tay at the Wailing Wall.

Subsequently, later in the afternoon, we visited the Jewish Quarters. I guess this was more like the suburbian area for the Jews? There still were tourist shops in that area, but the stuff there were sold at much cheaper prices than those in the more 'touristy' areas.

Houses in the Jewish Quarter
Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.

Shops
Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.


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While at the Jewish Quarters, we were taken to visit the Burnt House Museum. This is the remains of a house in Jerusalem, probably belonging to a rich Jewish family before it was destroyed by the Roman soldiers in 70 AD. Archaeologists found a kitchen, work rooms and a small ritual bath. There were also some interesting other remains dug up at the site.





A picture of archaeological findings at this site. In the bottom right picture you can see a girl's arm and a broken spear head. Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.

The basement of the Burnt House - where the girl's arm bone and spear head were found.

RANDOM PICTURE OF THE DAY AGAIN:

Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.

First Grade Logic

This was emailed to me from someone at work and I thought it was pretty good for laughs. I personally didn't really get the last one, but oh well - some of the others are good!


F1RST GRADE LOGIC

A first grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. Keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!



 ocregister.com



1. Don't change horses ---- until they stop running.

2. Strike while ---- the bug is close.

3. It's always darkest before ---- Daylight Saving Time.

4. Never underestimate ----- the power of termites.

5. You can lead a horse to water ---- but how?

6. Don't bite the hand ----- that looks dirty.

7. No news ----- is impossible

8. A miss is as good as ---- a Mr.

9. You can't teach an old dog ----- new Math

10. If you lie down with dogs ----- you'll stink in the morning.

11. Love all ---- trust Me.

12. The pen is mightier than ----- the pigs.

13. An idle mind is ----- the best way to relax.

14.. Where there's smoke ----- there's pollution.

15. Happy the bride ----- who gets all the presents.

16. A penny saved is ----- not much.

17. Two's company ----- three's the Musketeers.

18. Don't put off till tomorrow ----- what you put on to go to bed.

19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and ----- you have to blow your nose.

20. There are none so blind as ----- Stevie Wonder.

21. Children should be seen and not ------ spanked or grounded.

22. If at first you don't succeed ----- get new batteries.

23. You get out of something only what you ------ see in the picture on the box

24.. When the blind lead the blind ----- get out of the way.

25. A bird in the hand ------ is going to poop on you.





The WINNER and last one!


 gettyimages.com











26 Better late than ----- Pregnant

Jerusalem Part 1 - Day 5

DAY 5

The Church of St Peter in Gallicantu



The Church of St Peter in Gallicantu is a remembrance of Peter denying Christ, but also of Christ being led to torture and crucifixion for the sins of the world. Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.



                                                                Pictures by Zhu Ping Loh.




If you look closely enough, you will be able to see the faint scratchings of the middle cross on the layer just above the dark hole. Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.



This is the Dungeon area of Caiaphas's house - where Jesus would have been tortured and beaten before being crucified. It is probably also where both Peter and John would have been beaten for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.



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Next we visited the Upper Room. The Upper Room actually means a guest room - it was a spare room used for guests. It doesn't really have special connotations.

In the Bible, the Upper Room is also known as the room where the last supper of Jesus and His disciples took place (Matthew 26:26-35). This is also where the disciples were gathered together praying when the Holy Spirit descended upon them on Pentecost after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:13-16).

The Upper Room is located just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in Mount Zion. It was rebuilt by the Crusaders after it was razed to the ground by the Muslims. Therefore you will be able to see quite a bit of the Crusader influence in the architecture of the building. The floor below the Upper Room is the traditional burial place of King David (Tomb of King David).



Upper Room. Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.




The Olive branch is used as a symbol of faith in that room because it was non-offensive to all religions - Muslim, Jews and Christians.



Upper Room entrance/exit


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After visiting King David's tomb downstairs of the Upper Room (we weren't allowed near the actual coffin because it was barred away but we could see it), we visited the Tower of David Museum. This museum features the history of Jerusalem from its first Canaanite inhabitants to the current Middle Eastern populace in it today. Pictures are by Zhu Ping Loh.





Scaled life-sized model of Jerusalem in the 2nd Temple Period.



Tower of David Museum - gorgeous isn't it? It's magnificient. I would really have like to have seen King David/Solomon's palace in those days and what the splendour of that place would have been like!





Statue of David after cutting off the head of the giant Goliath




Map of Jerusalem in the Byzantine empire


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SO NOW WE COME TO THE GARDEN TOMB!

The Garden Tomb is believed to be the tomb and site of Jesus Christ's resurrection. There are several sites proposed to be possible sites of Christ's tomb, but this one seems the most likely for several reasons. Firstly, there is a large cistern located underneath the garden which indicates that this could be the garden of Joseph of Arimathea. Secondly, there is a very strong resemblance of the rock face on which the tomb is built to resemble a skull. The Biblical account tells that Jesus was crucified in 'Golgotha' (translated literally, it means 'place of skull'). Also, the Biblical account tells us that Jesus was crucified by a wayside (those who passed by wagged their heads and blasphemed Jesus). The Romans crucified people at the wayside as a message/deterrance to others, and this place is located by the main roadside where many would have passed by. In fact, the place has been converted to a busport today! Again, pictures were taken and shared by Zhu Ping Loh.



Our tour guide through the Garden Tomb. I believe his name is Phillip.




There was a group of people from Congo there making a joyful shout and song to God - rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was pretty hilarious really, because our tour guide could barely be heard over them. He tried unsuccessfully to quieten them down several times - all to no avail! And there was even someone who looked like a cameraman for a news station there. You can see him in this picture carrying a clunky camera around with him!



That small hole in the rock is the entrance to the tomb.



The place where Jesus would have been buried if this was His tomb.



This is the interior of the tomb. It was very small. As you can see, it's EMPTY!


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RANDOM PICTURES OF THE DAY AGAIN:



Just a random window in Jerusalem that I really liked. Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.



Both my right and subsequently my left sole fell off halfway in the trip!! So I had to make do with rubber band until I found super glue to glue it back together! I'm SO glad for super glue - it's one of the BEST things man invented. Picture by Zhu Ping Loh.