special treats

I was on the phone to my colleague in Lux the other day. She's French, and she was telling me about her recent trip to Paris. Suddenly my very boring day at work sort of lit up, as she was said words like 'Christian Louboutins' and 'Manolo Blahniks'... From shoes, we spoke about Dyptique candles.. and she said to me "Have you heard of Nuxe?" I said no. How do you spell it? N-U-X-E. Nope. I have never heard of it. She goes "Ahhh you must try this oil! It is amazing!!! You must get Belgian Truffles (my Belgian boss here in Australia, who was back in Belgium for holidays) to get a bottle for you! Its SO nice.. everyone here in France is talking about this!"

And today, Belgian Truffles came back, and he got me a bottle! Its really nice. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. You can use it on your face, body or even your hair. Its an oil, but it doesn't make you feel like you just stepped out of the Shanghai dumpling restaurant here on Tattersalls Lane. Its not greasy. And it smells so nice.

Its about 25 euros for a 100ml bottle, I think.

And of course, he did not forget my customary French copy of Vogue magazine. I have plenty of these, anyone who goes to France usually brings a copy back for me. You don't need to read French to appreciate a Vogue magazine.. I subscribe to the Vogue UK and it gets delivered to me in the post each month, but these French Vogues are a special treat for me..

salad

In recent months, Grumpy has been an avid golfer. If he could, he would play every day. Boys can become quite delusional, forgetting commitments and responsibilities, all in the name of golf.

Anyway, while he occupies himself with golf related activities on weekends, I do other things like going to the gym or just spending quality time by myself at home. I have also started taking over in the kitchen, making dinner on Sunday evenings.

Last night, I was reading Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop website, and her latest post is about making roast chicken with potatoes. There is a video of her making this dish as well, which I think is brilliant. I have always loved Gwyneth Paltrow. And she is also married to the lead singer of one of my favourite bands. Many critics have said that her website is a bit 'Miss Goody Two Shoes' or.. some say its a way of her showing others how perfect her life is, blah blah blah. But I like it. She talks a lot of about eating organic. I said to Grumpy, "we should start eating organic". He says to me "No, you don't make enough money to eat organic" Hehehe its true. Organic food is very trendy and very expensive. But we should still cut down on eating processed food. Its bad for you.

Okay I'm getting a bit sidetracked here. Back to the roast chicken with potatoes. She makes dinner in 7 minutes and 40 seconds. Me? I take two hours. Yah its just me. Which is why I never cook on weekdays. I am too slow in the kitchen.

The chicken was delicious. Did not require too many ingredients, it was simple and full of flavour.

But wait, my favourite part was the Farmers Market Salad. She uses many different veggies, which is great. One of them called Arugula, which I have no idea what it is.. But I just used fresh mixed salad I got from the green grocers and some baby carrots.

Now, family and friends have always known that I make a really nice crispy noodle salad. But I can't be making the same salad over and over again. I've tried making many other types of salad, but none proving to be as popular as my crispy noodle salad. However, I think I have found a new one now. I think its all comes down to the dressing.

So here's the dressing I made today from Goop:

1. 1 small shallot, chopped
   
2. 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
3. 1 and a 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup (the most expensive ingredient from tonight's dinner)
4. 1 teaspoon of white vinegar (Goop uses champagne vinegar, but again, I probably don't make enough money to use champagne vinegar)
5. 3 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
   
6. sprinkle of salt
7. freshly ground pepper
   

I can picture myself making this salad when we have family or friends over for dinner now. It is delicious!

Remember the moment

In five days from today, it would be exactly one year from the time when Grumpy proposed. I still remember the moment vividly. It was in Venice and it was amazing.

In eight days from today, it would be exactly eleven years from the time when Grumpy and I officially started dating. I still remember the moment vividly. We were back in Malaysia, we were talking on the phone, and I could not sleep that night, I was very happy.

Over the years, there were many highs, and many lows. Many challenges. Compromise. Sacrifices. Understanding each other. Accepting each other. Learning about each other. Loving each other.

Am I terrified of marriage? A little, yes. Am I scared that it will change things? A little, yes. Am I scared that it will change us? Yes. 

No, its not cold feet. I am just preparing myself for the next chapter. I know I want to be married to him. I love him.

Six years ago..

D4

Every once in a while, I like to reflect and reminisce of my time back in Dublin. 

These are pictures of where I used to stay during my six months there. 

This is at the Grand Canal Quay in Dublin 4. On weekends, I would go for a run here, along the canal. Before I go home and make myself some pancakes for breakfast!

There were swans in the canal. They were friendly, they would come up to me as I took photos of them. There's something about swans that I absolutely love. Hmm.. I think it would be their grace. They are such graceful creatures. 

This is Dublin's O2 stadium, it would house concerts of the biggest stars. It was not completed yet during my time there. They get more rockstars, popstars over there than we normally do here in Australia. All we get is Pink over here. Seriously, she has a concert here like nearly every 3 months. Enough of Pink already...!

These are the little bridges I would normally have to cross during my runs. The big black wheel would be what you would have to turn (in circular motion) to open up the crossing to allow boats to go through. 

I will post more pictures of Dublin soon. Good night. 

most money

Do you know the 3 jobs that make the most money here in Melbourne?

1. oral maxillofacial surgeons

2. dog groomers

3. wedding photographers

Well, number one.. is the surgeon that will be taking out my three remaining wisdom teeth. I can't believe I've locked that in already, amongst all the wedding preps. I'm nervous as hell. The surgeon spoke about worst case scenarios that scared the living daylights out of me. Not only will I be in a lot of pain after the procedure, I will be very poor too. I'm getting it done at a hospital on the 21st of August. I will need a week to recover, so I won't be able to go to work. And I hope I will be in good form on the 27th, which is my birthday. 

Number two, each time I ring her, she's already booked out for the next 8 weeks. Its winter, for crying out loud! Who sends their dogs for a haircut when it is bloody freezing (apart from me)? Well, many many other people, Jules! But it is worth it. She does a great job on Emm. He smells nice now. He looks less of a mop, and more of a dog.

Number three... I took a long time to decide on some wedding photographers, because they were so expensive. And just when I've made up my mind, that I am willing to lose an arm and maybe a leg for these photographers, I have been receiving 'I'm sorry' responses as they are already all booked out on the day of my wedding.  That can't be true, I tell myself... but it is! Although, I must admit, as these popular photographers are booked out, I do more and more research for others. Looking at their work, I am now trying to steer away from cheesy cliche wedding photography, and instead finding some others that are more unique.

Maybe it is time for a change in my career!

him

I bought two tickets this week. Both very expensive tickets. Therefore, I think I should just eat beans and mi goreng from today onwards.

The first ticket is for Britney, bitch! Haha. People tell me she lip-synchs. Well so does Madonna! You don't go for a Britney concert to hear her sing.. no.. you go to see her show! And since Michael Jackson is gone now, I have decided I will appreciate my current popstars more! I am very excited, indeed!

My second ticket.. is to go back to KL in November! Before my trip in May, I have not been home in more than 3 years, and now I find myself going home twice in the same year! Well, this one is wedding related. I'm going to collect my wedding dress, made by Grumpy's very talented mum. I am quite excited. 

I get to see him!

As he grows old gracefully, he becomes more camera shy.. and more stubborn too. Despite that, he is still an angel to me. He is loyal, loving and gentle. 

pineapple

Helloo..

The past week went by quite quick, yet slow in some ways. I know, doesn't make any sense. On Monday night a bunch of us went to watch Transformers in the city after work. Sorry, say what you want, but it did not impress me at all, especially on a Monday night after a longgg day in the office. In fact, I am more excited about Bruno than anything else. Sacha Baron Cohen is absolutely brilliant. I watched the trailer of the movie, and then I youtubed his Rove appearance, and also heard him on the radio. I said to Grumpy, "He might have revealed way too much of his movie already!" Despite that, I still want to catch it when it comes out.

On Thursday night, Grumpy and I went for a drink and dinner after work. Just the two of us. I had a massive chicken parma, and a pint of Kilkenny. Felt so much like a bloke.

Yesterday, we ended up at a Korean restaurant with one of our close friends, Mr Happy and his girlfriend. It was a new restaurant at Boxhill called Su:T and Wine. The food was not too bad, but this was my favourite, check this out. Pineapple soju. To be honest, I'm not a fan of soju, I think its revolting, but this had pineapple juice with it, and it was soo yummy..


By the way, I've also put this up on twitter, if you have twitter, follow me here http://twitter.com/julee_ng

This morning we met up with a celebrant. He was decent, easy to talk to and we like him. Haha I don't wanna go down the path whereby we take all the first ones we talk to, but he was nice! So I'm kinda glad that bit is sorted.

I have to run now, out to lunch.