The Culinary Master is at Work Again

On account of it being Raya soon and also based on the fact that I love baking, I decided to make lots of lovely thingies for my lucky relatives.

Item # 1

Chocolate chip cupcakes with fudge icing and white chocolate sprinkles

Item # 2

Oat and almond cookies

Item # 3

Chocolate fudge macadamia brownie

Item # 4

Almond biscotti

My maid is really pissed because she has so much washing up to do :P If any one wants the recipes, let me know.

Today the air was cool, the morning fresh and crisp. I had a really slow pathetic 10km run and then went for a super short hike. My hamstrings still ache (the really nice kind of ache) from doing deadlifts yesterday and the day before. I love doing deadlifts. The slight ache in the back and the legs is so nice. And then a long stretch after is just sublime. I know I am a masochist.

I've packed my bags for KL, leaving tomorrow. Trying to get parents to leave after 12 noon so at least I can go to the gym for a bit. I'll be gone for quite a while, o Lordy all those lovely gym classes missed! :( And I don't know the distances in Tropicana Golf Resort which is where my uncle's house is and where I'll be staying. And considering the fact that I am way off normal pace I won't be able to tell how far I've really run! Belardy hell. Must get Dad to measure using the car. I hope I don't get lost or chased by dogs. That area is pretty quiet. Full of huge houses and perfectly manicured lawns. They don't even have gates or fences. The guards at the guardhouse have like, guns.

Sigh. Time to build back everything that I have lost, weight-wise and pace-wise. This is a long and arduous task ahead of me. My five remaining toenails have become four again. I told you I am a masochist. My eyes are tired but sleep won't come. I've been watching lectures on anatomy by Marian Diamond on YouTube. Starting to take notes and reading intellectual material again is a welcome relief. I have degenerated into stagnancy over the past few months.

I've discovered a new love for trance music. Odd, I know. I really don't seem like the kind. But there's something so comforting about the regularity of the beat, the way it's so consistent and the repetitive pounding. I can just lose myself in the music sometimes. And it calms me down when I am angry, which is a lot of the time. So much of all this anger is really not healthy.

Currently I am reading The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk. I've read almost a book a day for the past two months. I have 16 unread books left (i.e. time to go buy more). I hate library books. I like to own the books I read. I can't enjoy a dog-eared and curry-stained and spine-cracked book. No, no and no! Did I ever mention I have this weird habit of smelling every new book I buy? I love the smell of books. It's even better than the aroma of French Roast, and that's saying something.

4.21 p.m.

3 more hours to go, and then tomorrow is the last day. Am I relieved? Yes, to be honest - even though that may be blasphemous. I'm sorry that I fail you, God.