Goodbye Granddad. I'll miss you.

Today is Father's Day so I phoned home and spoke to my parents.

Got a bad new from my mum. Granddad has passed away. He spent most of last two months in the hospital and on Thursday 14 June he left us.

阿公你好好安息。我會永遠懷念你。我愛你。

Links to our other postings:
I'm Not a Plastic Bag from Anya Hindmarch
Steamed Rice Pudding in Bowl砵仔糕
Rape Seed Field, South Downs, Brighton

BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride 2007

British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride 2007

This is UK's largest cycle event which takes place every June on Father's Day. This year there were 27000 people participated and raised money for British Heart Foundation. It was a 54 miles (87km) long ride started at London Clapham Common and finished at Brighton Madeira Drive.

This is the second time Fat Bear took part in the bike ride. The bike ride last year got him started cycling. Last year he finished in 5 hours and 45 minutes which was not bad for someone who just started cycling two months prior. This year he finished in 4 hours and 40 minutes. He was much more prepared than last year. And he really enjoyed it.

The bike ride was not a race as such. The weather was nice just some rain at the beginning. Fat Bear took some water, energy drinks, bananas and energy food bars with him so he could refuel whenever he needed. He took some photos during the ride.

This year I waited for him at the finish line. I was so glad to see him cross the finish line. I am so proud of him. Well done my Fat Bear. I have to say. I felt so bad that I was not there for him when he crossed the finish line last year. And I still feel bad about it.

At the finish line, I felt quite emotional. Thousands turned up to cheer the rider as they cross the finish line. I was watching all the riders had done so so well to be able to finish the ride. And they were also doing it for a good cause, for British Heart Foundation. I can never done it myself. Well done everyone.

Fat Bear's company had organised a BBQ at the end of Madeira Drive. After we had something to eat and relaxed at the beach. We headed home.

Come on guys. Lets go to the starting point.

At starting point, waiting.

This the the 7:00am group. Look how many of them!

Cycled pass a lavender field.

Up the hill.

Look! Is Fat Bear.

The Finish Line

Check in and get the medal

Fat Bear has done it. Yeah!

BBQ organised by Fat Bear's company.

Everybody can relax now and have some food.

He looked so proud.

Well done guys! You've done great.

Madeira Drive was very busy.

Fat Bear will be back next year.

Click here for more photos.

Links to our other postings:
Skybridge, Petronas Twin Towers KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I'm Not a Plastic Bag from Anya Hindmarch
Hooray! Smoke Free England - 1st July

Mineral Make Up

Have you heard of mineral make up? It is the latest trend in cosmetics toward simple and natural. It is already very popular in the US and UK is now catching up quickly.

I started using mineral make up since September last year. I love it. Mineral make up is made with pure crashed minerals. It blends into skin giving a very natural look and feel of bare skin, while covering problem areas like blemishes and under-eye circles. And very very importantly that mineral make up offers natural, broad-spectrum sun protection, usually at least SPF 15, from crashed titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Mineral sun screen is much safer then chemical sun screen (I will talk about this in another post). It should not have any artificial fragrances, color and preservatives that would irritate skin. It is good for sensitive skin and acne prone skin.

I have only tried mineral make up in powder form. It is very easy to use. For foundation, it is applied with a big fluffy brush. The brush is dabbed into the powder, swirl the brush in the lid then tap off the excess. The brush is then buff/applied gently to the face. Start by putting on less than you think than you can build up if you need more. There are different brushes for concealer and eye shadows, etc. Just like normal make ups.

I never like the heavy make up look. Before discovering mineral make up, I used tined moisturiser. I really like the look that mineral make up gives. It gives a natural airbrushed look. It also improves my skin, smaller pores and less acne, etc. I don't think I will go back to ordinary make up now.

More and more cosmetic companies are now starting to get into the mineral make up market. i.e. L'Oreal. Make sure you choose carefully, the ingredients may not be as pure as you think. They may contain preservatives etc.

The Brands I am using:-

• Bare Escentuals / Bare Minerals - They are one of the first and most well know in the mineral make up market. They are very propular in the US. I started with their Introductory kit.
  
• Everyday Mineral - I ordered the Free Sample Make Up Kit and some other stuff. And I prefer their foundation than Bare Escentuals.
• Pure Luxe Cosmetics - They do not have the best website in the world, but they have lots of eye colours.

You can find out more about mineral make up and brands from Google.

The Mineral Makeup Blog

Mineral Makeup Ingredients: The Good & Not So Good

Everyday Mineral Ingredients VS Other Brands

Mineral Makeup and Bismuth Oxychloride

Steamed Rice Pudding in Bowl 砵仔糕

I made another Chinese traditional dessert this weekend, Steamed Rice Pudding in Bowls 砵仔糕. Usually they are available in two colours, white or yellow and a choice of with red beans or plain.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients (Yellow):

• 1 cup rice flour
• 2 tbsps glutinous rice flour
• 1 1/2 tbsps Tang flour
• 2 cups water
• 120g brown sugar
• 1/2 cup red beans (cooked until tender)

Ingredients (White):

• 1 cup rice flour
• 2 tbsps glutinous rice flour
• 1 1/2 tbsps Tang flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/8 cups coconut milk
• 120g sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt

Method:

Yellow:

1. Mix rice flour, Tang flour and glutinous rice flour. Add 1 cup of water and mix into batter.
2. Cook brown sugar in 1 cup of water until it dissolves. Add 2 tbsps of the batter and mix well. Set aside to let cool. Add the remaining batter and mix well.
3. Grease small bowls, Steam for about 5 minutes. Pour in the batter and add red beans. Steam for 15 minutes.
4. Run a bamboo stick around the inner side of the bowl and then put the bamboo stick through the centre of the rice pudding. Serve.

White:

1. Mix rice flour, Tang flour, glutinous rice flour and salt. Add coconut milk and mix into batter.
2. Cook sugar in 1 cup of water until it dissolves. Add 2 tbsps of the batter and mix well. Set aside to let cool. Add the remaining batter and mix well.
3. Refer to the step (3) and (4) of the previous recipe.
   

Cooking Tips:

Steam the small bowl in advance can emit out the steam and produce navel-shape at the centre.

I made these!

Wheat........ Where has it come from?

Suddenly, I really mean suddenly. We have a wheat plant in our front garden. It looks quite nice actually.

Rape Seed Field, South Downs, Brighton

Every year, we see these beautiful yellow fields everywhere in the UK. They are always next to motorways and country roads. Never had a chance to take photo which we always wants to do.

This year, when we went for a walk at the South Downs, we saw this field. Luckily I had my mobile with me and we managed to take some photos finally. I am so happy.

So beautiful

My Brother and I

15/04/2007

Pineapple Plant

In case you have never seen it before.



Malaysia, 25/03/2007

Skybridge, Petronas Twin Towers KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I go to Kuala Lumpur every year since I met Fat Bear. However I have never been to the Skybridge. I finally fullfill this dream this year.

We always know that they only give out limited number of ticket everday to go up to the Skybridge. So we picked a week day and got up early to go to KLCC. Tickets start to be given out at 8:30. Tickets are free but only 1300 tickets daily.

The Skybridge connects level 41 & 42 of both towers. It is 170m above the ground. Visitors are divided into groups of 10 - 15 and only allowed to stay for 10 minutes. It was a good day when we went so the view was very nice.

Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC

Only allow 15 people on the bridge at one time

Fat Bear is taking my picture

My brother and I

View from the bridge

View from the bridge

View from the bridge

View from the bridge - KLCC Tower close up view

View from the bridge - KLCC Tower close up view

View from the bridge - KLCC Tower close up view

View from the bridge - Ground

View from the bridge - Ground

View from the bridge - Ground

23/03/2007

White Sugar Steamed Cake 白糖糕

I bought this cook book in Hong Kong, called 100 Chinese Desserts by Winnie .

It was my first time making this traditional Chinese dessert. It was quite easy to make but it took about 9 hours in total.

Ingredients:

• 150g rice flour
• 360ml water
• 3/4 tsp yeast
• 1/3 tsp baking powder
• 140g sugar

Method:

1. Mix rice flour, water and sugar. Cook over low heat and stir continuously until it thickens. Sieve and set aside to let cool.
2. Mix in yeast and baking powder. Set aside for 8 hours. Pour into a greased round 20com cake tray. Steam over high heat for 25 minutes. Cut into pieces and serve.

22:07, added yeast to the mixture

22:08, leave the mixture for 6-8 hours

01:49, you can see the bubbles

01:48, it grew a bit

01:53, transfer to an aluminum dish

05:02, just before steaming, you can see it grew bigger

10:35, Fat Bear already had a piece

Note:

• I was stupidly prepared the mixture at 22:07. I thought I could just left the yeast to do their job and just get up whenever to steam it. Then I find out that if I left the yeast for more then 8 hours, the cake will have a sour taste. Also, do not put too much yeast. So I had to get up at 5:00 to steam the cake. It took 25 minutes then I went back to bed. Next time I will prepare it in the morning.

• Also, should have transfered the yeast mixture to the final container (i.e., the greased aluminum dish) at the beginning and do not stirred or touch any further. It is because I transfered the mixture about 2 hours later and I lost the air bubbles.

• I will use less sugar next time.