%&#$ you

Today I had experienced my first time as a restaurant manager...and boy do I suck. All the mental preparation came to naught as things change and you have adapt.

However I have much to thank my friends and also my co-worker/ classmates for their support. Now I need to analyse my mistake to see where have I gone wrong.

There was so many things that could've been done better. I was frantic when we had a last minute walk in of 8 VIP guest. I've also forgotten to prepare a soundtrack...and during the course of lunch, we did not do crumbing, change cutleries. I also felt like we were too slow and guests were kept waiting for too long.

But my biggest pet peeve today was the b*tch who ffk-ed me. Imagine if I did not have the additional walk in...what am I going to tell the lecturer? The whole world could ffk me buy never her. I hate the fact that I just got manipulated/ threatened by her. 

"Next time you guys also have commercial, also need people to help you, so help us this time, next time we can help you." 

This is her direct quote. I wasn't happy with the manner and tone she said this. I felt like she was threatening that If I did not attend hers, she wouldn't attend mine. So FINE I attend but in return she must attend mine. 

Even though we're suppose to collect payment first, I trusted you as a friend that you would come when you said you would. She didn't even have the decency to inform me. Don't promise if you can't because you;ll just be ruining people's life. She should know better as our course is 100% coursework s every single mark is important. 

Butterflies in the WInd

Have you ever felt how quick the time flies?

Time flies, I've always agreed with that. However, In recent years I felt it pass the quickest....16, 17, 18 and now 19. I felt like in no time, if I'm not watchful, I'll be an old lady before I achieved anything. =/

This semester is very stressful since I have the 'good fortune' for the Dean as my lecturer. Our practical class is where each of us take turns every week to be the manager and in turn manage an actual restaurant of 30+ pax. 

I am the first MOD (manager on duty) and the problem is that he expects things to go smoothly but he hasn't even met us - his students yet (for briefing..tutorials). 

I am hoping that things can go smoothly as this subject is  100% coursework which means we have to do well each and every week. With him...I somehow doubt it. Pray that I will manage well...

--------------------------------------------------------------

On another topic...today I made French Onion Soup with Garlic Bread (serves 4) for breakfast. Just so you know...don't be intimidated by this recipe. Its one of the easiest to prepare and it is a personal favourite of mine. As usual, I didn't manage to get a picture again as it was gone is a split second.

Ingredient

1/4 cup butter

3-4 nos onions, sliced thinly

1 tsp sugar

1tbsp flour

2 1/2 cup of chicken stock

1 tbsp of white vinegar

Basil leaves

Method

Melt butter and sauté onions for about 10 minutes or until soft and brownish (not burned). While sauté-ing, add sugar. After that, stir in flour until it blended. Add water, stock and vinegar (Can be substituted with white wine if you have any). Reduce for about 10minutes and it should be ready to serve. 

In the meantime, garlic bread is a simple process of crushed/ chopped garlic + butter + basil leaves spread on normal everyday bread. It is then toasted in the microwave oven till brown =] Be careful as it is brown not black. 

P/S: Do be advised that each serving is western sized portion.

Challenges Ahead

Its the time again where semester begins and you are constantly feeling like sh*t and yet excited all the same

Throughout the holidays, I spent my time catching up with my various interests be it catching up with my novels, mangas, drama, trying out new recipes and of course my recurring addiction of Pet Society. Needless to say, my love for it is still as strong as ever. 

Today had been a fairly interesting day. I travelled back to my campus at Nilai to register for the new semester and I find it extremely annoying that the lady managing the Hospitality Counter isn't even from this department. I don't know whether to pity her or to get pissed with her. She is slow... inefficient and she doesn't even understand what I'm talking about. Things went downhill from here

bla bla bla I went back to my accomodation to find it sort of ransacked. They apparently have mistakenly assumed that my room is empty and proceeded to clear my room EVENTHOUGH the cupboard was padlocked and there was OBVIOUSLY signs of people living there. My bed was overturned, my bed sheets gone, items in my drawers cleared and dumped aside. 

This is a sign of the incompetence. How can you NOT know that someone is living there when I already PAID two months earlier. 

On a brighter note I have a GPA of 3.80 last semester with a result of 1 A and 2 A-....I'm happy but I am also disapointed as a classmate has managed to obtain a higher score than mine. This is brought my CGPA to 3.63...Not bad...I guess but I have to keep up.

---------------------------------------------------

On another topic, I'd like to share a recipe thanks to a great friend of mine (who has also 'persuaded' me to continue blogging) 

Herb Marinade CHicken (serves 4)

4 chicken legs
1/2 cup chicken stock

1/3 cup olive oil 

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp garlic

basil leaves

Combine all ingredients (amount is estimate) in a bowl

Marinade chicken legs

Preheat and Bake in oven at 180C for about 45 minutes

Its a really easy recipe that is currently a family favourite and so I'd like to share it in light of the soon to come festive season. I;d post a picture but its gone before I could so yeah...try it. 

-------------------------------------------------------

And also in light of the year of the dragon may your family be blessed with good health, peace and prosperity

W00t~ Semester Break is Here

The last few weeks have been very hectic with due dates flinging around, coursework grades and also *drumrolls* EXAM.

Today is the final paper (English) and I finished it with break neck speed (1 hour) just because I wanted to go home. Reckless aren't I?

Anyway, I think I did best in Workplace Communication. I scored the highest coursework grades from all the students taking it this semester with a brilliant 55/60~!! I'm trilled that I've beat Darren by one mark but I think he will soon catch up in the written test as he has always done.

I am however, honestly quite unprepared for my Food Safety exam. I hope I did well enough to score a B+. *praying* I am aiming to increase my CGPA this semester...hopefully.

I'm glad that I'm finally home. 

Pandora's Box

"Suicide is it worth it?"

I've always read about suicides in the newspapers but I never thought that one would actually happen within reachable distance. This is the second time it proved me wrong.

When a mother has a child, all she thinks about is the health of her child. I'm sure all those who were sickly as a child would understand this. And every year is a step into adulthood and safety. 

"The crime of suicide lies rather in its disregard for the feelings of those whom we leave behind"

I may sound harsh but I really think that it was really inconsiderate of her. She should stop and think about other people. Not to mention the inconvenience she caused. Parents should never have to see themselves outlive their child.

"Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem" 

I mean no disrespect but I believe that there isn't anything worth dying for. Suicide isn't the only solution. Sometimes, you need to see things in a different perspective. Life is not all bad all the time. Choose to believe -  that there will always be light at the end of the tunnel, the silver in the cloud. 

But now, we will not question her for what's done is done. Always remember there is always Hope. Guard it well against your heart so that you won't be tempted to give it up. May she rest in peace - Lalitha

Mid-Term Crisis

I don't think that I've ever been this tired stressed.
I H-A-T-E short semester~!! On top of mid-term test - I still have assignments. I was supposed to blog about my recent but not so recent Hollywood night event but I'll leave that tale for another day.

However, weirdly I still have time to read Inheritance by Chistopher Paolini. Its the final book of the Inheritance Cycle that just came out 3 days ago I think. I L-O-V-E it.

This week, I quite pleased with the results of my oral presentation. I managed to score an A- on individual and B+ for group work. Thats a fairly good score considering the person I believe will do better than me only scored a B+ for individual. Infact, I think I did quite well for my midterm (Workplace Communication) 
Lets hope that it turned out that way.

Now moving on...I love Melanie Amaro in X-Factor USA. I think she has an extraordinary voice. Every week is just amazing. She used to be the invisible girl with the big voice but after her make over, she looked stunning.

Oh and I hate Astro. That arrogant, self-centered, egoistic runt. He's so irritating. I hope he gets voted out soon. How did he even managed to get so far I don't know.

Anyway this is Melanie's Top12 performance>>> Desperado. Enjoy.

MotoGP

Never in my wildest dream that I would be spending my 18th birthday at MotoGP - in a VIP suite complete with a fabulous view of the race track. So much happened...till I'm not even sure where to start.

My job there was to serve a free flow of beverages to the guest and to also clear the dishes. I am really thankful that they were so forgiving and nice - all of them- even after a few of my 'accidents'. I'm starting to understand why some service staff prefer to serve foreigners.

I'm sorry to say that some Malaysians have some attitude problem. After all, we are also human and we have emotions too. It was deadly tiring but it was well worth it....after a whole day's worth of sleep of course. It was so exhausting that I'm even still feeling it now. And by the end we became this>>>>>

However what that was supposed to be an exciting day changed for the worst with the death of a racer. Even though I've only heard of you but RIP no.58 Marco Simoncelli.

I won't say more about the day because towards the end of work - I wasn't really in my best mood. You would be moody too if you were stuck there for an additional two hours. It was almost 10pm and most of us haven't eaten yet.

The day wasn't over yet as I'm surprised by my friends - Aeny, Thurga and Winnie. In the end I still did properly celebrate my birthday complete with a cake and a McD dinner. I don't know how you guys pulled it off but thank you soo much.

This is truly be a birthday to remember - after all, my 18th birthday will only come once. =))

Nilai 2011 Fun Run

Yesterday was NILAI UNIVERSITY 11th Fun Run. It was the first time I saw the entire campus abuzz with activites - lecturers and students alike - coupled with rumours of the the 'officially unconfirmed' Deepavali holidays. It was quite exciting actually.

I did not mind watching them as running/ walking/ anything that requires stamina and endurance as it was never my forte anyway. With my size, people might think I am quite a decent runner but quite unfortunately I suck.

But watching the performances I was literally awestruck. It was exciting and it gave me a feeling that I've never felt in a long time.  A long time ago, everyone in school knew me. Now here in university for once I felt invisible. I wan't to be noticed - a performer - I want to be on the stage.

By next semester, I'll take part as a student helper or a performer. I've already been here 5 month. I can't wait forever. I refuse to spend my entire life doing nothing. I'll start with the upcoming motor GP. It'll be fun. I'm sure of it...or perhaps not?

"The best thing you can do in your life is to follow your heart. Take risks, live life. Don't have any regrets and know that everything happens for a reason."

Uncertainty of the Heart

"It sucks when you know that you need to let go, but you can't because you're still waiting for the impossible to happen."

You were my first friend in a strange place. I wondered if things did change that much. Saying hello to you and yet you won't even meet my eye. Was it me? I want to know - I really do - your reason.

Even though knowing will put me at ease. Yet a part of me doesn't want to ask. It feels like by confronting you -  my fears will somehow be realised. Is it really al right to allow everything to just drift away?

"Moving on is hard. Knowing when to move on is harder."

Yesterday we were best friends, Today I was suddenly a nobody. As far as I'm concerned, I haven't even done anything. Why? I really didn't think you were that sort of a person...but maybe you were. I just never realised.

I'm tired. I really feel tired - anticipating your feelings, trying hard to maintain something that was already falling apart. Do you know that? You were an important part of my life. I won't deny that but I also won't deny that it was also you who single handedly took everything apart.

"If someone came into your life but for some reason couldn't stay...just be glad that your paths crossed and somehow even for a moment you were happy."

This is how I choose to remember you by - friend, sisters, group mates, my first friend here.

Sister Before, Now but Nevermore

"Letting go doesn't means giving up, it means accepting some thing that were never meant to be."

We used to be sisters - you said we'll be sisters forever. What a joke. I should have listened to my heart and yet I choose to trust you. Yet I somehow knew that this wouldn't last.

We used to speak of anything and everything under the sky. We spoke easily without reservation. The friendship we've built...it felt like it'll last forever. I guess you're no different.

I was happy for you when you've found your partner - truly happy and you assured me that you'll always be there. Things will not have changed so much that no matter what happens we'll always be sisters. Or so you said.

As the gap widened I tried to prevail against it but who am I to fight against nature. Does having someone special means forgoing everything you once had? It is inevitable but I feel like I don't know who you are anymore.

She was a strong, brave and so I thought she'd be different - different from other love struck girls. And yet day by day, slowly she was starting to lose a little of herself to him. I fear, one day there'll be none of herself left.

It occurred to me how far apart we've grown. I know that I should talk to you and ask you how you've been. I tried once, twice but I'm not going to ask for a third time. This time I've decided to let you go. You'll hardly notice. But one day, if you're in need of a friend, a shoulder - I'll always be here.

You don't know me anymore and its okay. I understand things are different now. I wish you all the best in love, luck and dreams - Sisters now and always.

"I've learned that things change, people change and it doesn't mean that you're forgetting the past of covering up. It simply means that you've learned to treasure the memories and move on." 

Thats the Way it is~

The song currently in my mind~ =))

Second Semester

Today was quite a whirlwind. Being the first day of the second semester and everything...It was great meeting and getting reacquainted with old friends. Even though we've only met about four months ago, it feels like it has been forever.

It felt great, although I didn't get to go swimming - It was raining plus we had class till 5pm. *sigh* So much for early dismissal. It seems that short semesters are really jam packed. Luckily my subjects aren't that harsh...I think.

In a twist, I'm glad that I had classes with Chef Adi this semester. He is one of the awesome lecturers. Anyway enough of my mindless writing. Just needed to write something. If I don't sometimes I feel like my writing skills might just disappear. Its one of the skills I need most this semester - with two English class. Wish me luck =))

Its a little early for a new year resolution, but I must reduce the amount of junk I'm eating. I'm racking up a dental bill and you don't want to see it.

Identities

As of now, I believe that I have a serious identity problem - Often changing my pen name...which leads to the trouble of changing my username, re-register etc.. you get the point. It is somewhat irritating and yet I can't help it~!!

A certain friend of mine has the same tendency to change her pen names but unlike her I can't stand to have a different name on each account. Its my OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I like to have things - everything in an orderly fashion. Friends can attest to it.

A long long time ago I used to be stichgirl11 then for the longest time it was sweetvalley27, then Amaryllis and now I have settled for JuliaAiredes. *Sigh* Perhaps...I haven't found it - a name that you can all your own. And pray tell this time I actually keep it. =))

"Words have meanings, Names have powers" ~Unknown

Musing

Just posting my results:

B+..........Basic Food Production 1 (Practical & Theory)
B+..........Basic Pastry & Bakery (Practical & Theory )  
B+..........Restaurant Service 1 (Practical & Theory)      
A-...........Menu Design & Planning                                  
A-...........Introduction to Hospitality                              

CGPA 3.52

My first semester...nothing spectacular in my opinion. It just only barely passed CGPA 3.5. *Sigh* I really must do better if I want to apply for full scholarship.

Expectations

"I strive to take life one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me all at once"

What does expectation means to you?

Its OK if you tell me that you can't complete your task. As the team leader, I will pick up the slack because that is my job. But not when I'm not given anything to work on. Its not enough to say "I don't know" ~ because everyone is doing it under the same condition.

I get pissed when I ask you, you'd rather slack off even when you haven't started anything, even when the dateline is only hours away, even when you are the only one to not complete your task.

Somehow we managed due to sheer luck.

Sometimes we trust them to be who we want them to be and when they don't, we cry.

Of sandwiches and muffins

Yesterday was my brother's PKIK carnival. We were supposed to sell 100 egg sandwiches and 300+ muffins (carrot walnut & banana anyone~?) made by yours truly.

The sandwiches. 

The day was quite a flop.  I mean yeah the volunteers were great. They've prepared our stall, helped carry our stuffs and on the whole were quite organised. But isn't it unfair that they've set the price for our muffins at 3 for 9 coupons but other stall's were priced lower.

So yeah~ The muffins didn't sell well. Even after all the hard work involved in making that much. Next time if they ask us to make 100 we'll make 50 (Advice from the experienced)  After all, other stalls did the same. Only us n00bs were fooled.

The only great thing that happened to me was this...

Tada~

Can you believe that these books, especially the last one~ Eragon & Eldest combined. The whole stack only cost a total of 13 coupons. Whatabargain!! To me at least.

I can't wait to start readin' em

PS:// Many thanks to my dear friend Ashi for helping me make muffins =)

Memoir

1 Litre of Tears

It had been almost a year since I'd last blogged. A lot has passed since then. The then, long awaited SPM examinations...results days...college... Everything that seemed miles away passed within a blink of an eye.

I've just finished my first semester in Nilai University College. Its amazing that somehow I ended up taking Culinary Arts. I mean, I'd always wanted to be a fashion designer...then mass communications... you get the idea.

To all my friends, past, present & future ~ I'm glad to have a chance to get to know you guys. I'll try to write more regularly but who knows (^^)

Anyway~ as for the title, It's a heart warming Japanese drama based on the true story of a Japanese girl named Kito Aya who was diagnosed with an incurable degenerative disease "Spinocerebellar Degeneration" aged 15. Its a cruel disease which the victim will slowly lose all ability to walk, talk, eat and yet it doesn't affect the mind

Ikeuchi Aya had everything~ she had friends and family, excelled in her studies, talented in basketball and secretly has a crush for her senior. However, when she was diagnosed, her whole world came crashing down. She said this "Why did the disease choose me? I cannot carry it, if it’s just for the word “fate”.

On a date, her senior became a perfect coward. She often wondered if she had not had this illness, she would have the chance to experience love?

She tried her best, trying hard to live, finding a purpose in her life. Only to Haruto Asou she could express her feelings of hope, disappointment and pain. He was the light as she fought despair that threatened to overwhelm her.

But she knew that one day they will part ways. It would've been easier. When asked why, she would say "Would I've be able to get married?"


"To be able to smile and tell everyone this~ I have at least cried 1 litre of tears"

Of all her inspiring and courageous messages. One that stood out was this :

“Just being alive is such a wonderful thing.”

17th

It occured to me - I’m finally 17.

One month from now we’ll all be taking our finals that will mark the end of our high school years. From there we’ll go our separate ways and would probably never meet again.

The fact that this familiarity will finally reach its conclussion is a little daunting. I mean I’ve spent my entire life wishing it to end but now… Its exciting - the unknown that is.

Anyway Thank You to all who remembered my birthday. I was really happy. I didn’t think there would be this many but then again I guess facebook helped too. A gift really isn’t necessary.

“Even though we’ve changed and we’re all finding our own place in this world, We know that when the tears fall or the smile spread across our face, we’ll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we’re all not still friends”

Moving On~

Hey People~

Its been a long time since I've updated. I've just been past a turbulent part of my life. I'm moving on right now literally to Wordpress Tumblr (sorry to Wordpress fans but I really dislike it ;P) where I hope I could begin blogging there afresh.

Here's the link>>>> http://amaryllisbella.tumblr.com/

This is a quote I stumbled upon that I find quite relevant to my current predicament

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending"