Condolences...

Every year, christmas used to be a celebration when a whole family members, or perhaps big family members would gather, communicate, or have fun together...

And every year when it comes to christmas, it seems to be a "warmth occasion" for everyone...so do i, my family, my big family as well...

In children's heart, santa is always someone who grants them their wishes..thus they usually tell santa their wishes and it comes true when they show their sinceres..

However...christmas reflects a different meaning this year...

To me...or probably my big family...this christmas seems to be the darkest christmas ever...

My beloved cousins and uncle wished to have their mum and wife to recover as soon as possible and santa seems to be away from them...or somehow missed their wishes

Today...they lost their mum, he lost his wife, our parents lost a sister...and we lost our aunt...

Thus...It is no longer a warmth christmas for everyone...

What is life?

No one responds to this question...

Sometimes, it could be so unbelieveable fragile when it comes to the reality...

REST IN PEACE, AUNT CAROL...

Monthly Updates!!

Part 1

Recently i have just finished my final exam for the 1st semester...honestly, this subject is truely hard that i nearly could not make it through...Haha...But luckily i was able to make through this "struggling" period in the end...omg...That afternoon after the exam, i was relieved thoroughly and one of my classmate brought us for a lunch..we went to a restaurant that served malaysia & singapore cuisines...at the moment, we were wondering whether to order our own plate of lunch or to share few plates together...at last we ordered few dishes to be plated in the center of the table so that everyone of us could try every single dishes of food that we ordered...so then, each of us ordered a dish...but someting funny about this lunch was that, all of us ordered different kinds of noodles..AND NOODLES HAD ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVOURITE!!!!OMG...Wuahahaha...look at the conversation below...

Friend A: Wow, kelvin!i think you gonna enjoy this meal very much!Haha...
Me: Hahaha...(wondering in mind - YOU ARE RIGHT!!)
Friend B: Why is that so?(with sort of curiousity in eyes)
Me: Because...(still smiling in heart)...
Friend C: Oh ya!Hold on, If i am not mistaken, kelvin ever told me something about this...
Me: Have i?let's see what you bear in mind is the correct spot or not...
Friend A: Yaya, tell us now, let' s see whether our thoughts are the same...
Friend D: Oh common!do you guys have to be so protective?just tell us what's going on here...
Friend B: Lolz...what is there so hard to tell?kinda secret?hehe...
Me: Secret?Erm..not really...
Friend C: I think i have got it...Kelvin ever said this phrase to me...(Noodles is all what my world's about and I am the King of Noodles)
Friend A: Gotcha!!You have spotted the right one!
Me: Hahaha...your memory is damn good sometimes, able to remember every single words!!My gosh..
Friend B: Hehe...then you must be smiling secretly in heart when we are making order just now...
Friend C: Yea, he is not just smiling in heart, even on his face!!
Friend D: No wonder there is sort of "exciting expression" showing on your face just now!Now i got the point...Haha...
Me: Yaya, so you guys just have to buy me a dish of noodles in order to cheer me up..or when you need my help..Hehehe

Then, we continued with our meals and chit-chatting...That meal had really made me relieved through-out my body..So so so relaxed!!!Wuahahaha....

Part 2

Okie, part 2 of the post is about one of my friend who paid me a visit in Perth...Her name is Siao Jia...i actually get to know this girl when i took part in sunday class at Kch Tze Yin Buddhist Orthodox, about 4 or 5 yrs ago if not mistaken..but not really keep in touch with each other because of some reason...She actually came to perth last month and stayed here for about 1 month...and her purposes of coming to perth are attending her sister's graduation ceremony and travelling...

So then she contacted me about two weeks ago and we had a drink at Utopia(bubble tea shop)...I was shocked that we actually chit-chatting at the Utopia for about 2 and a half hours...Haha...Probably didnt see each other for quite some time and got lots of things to share...this girl is sort "playful and sot sot" sometimes...haha..or "charming" is a better word to use to describe her...but still, a friendly girl...could be a nice friend "sometimes"only...jkjk..no offence...

But anyway, i was quite happy that my friend would look for me when coming to perth..It is actually quite warmth to be able to meet someone from the same hometown at this "stranger's country"...Thanks, Siao Jia!...after that we took some photos before sending her back to her meet her family...

Pai sei, i knew i looked sleepy in the photos...i slept quite late the night before and still working that morning...Haha...

That's all for now...

ButCh3ring Course,go go go!!

Alright, i have started last subject for 1st semester...and its gonna last for one month, then i am free to go on with my holidays...How great is that!!by the way, this particular last subject is kinda tough one...i mean like its the toughest subject in this semester...but is certainly an interesting subject that i would not want to miss...its the BUTCHERING COURSE...but please do not get to the wrong point, i am not doing slaughtering, just some de-boning operation and choppings in order to achieve the desired size or serving portion...okie, last week i was doing some butchering work on a big piece of beef(neck part to rib), about a length of 60cm long, width of 30 cm, and about 8cm thick..we called it "Chunk of Beef"...weighed about 7Kg...I am showing some process photos below...

Before Butchering: -

Chunk of Beef

After Butchering: -

Saleable Beef
From this, we made into cubes and mince beef

Unsaleable Beef(Well, looks disgusting!)
Certainly, this goes into the bins...

And The Products: -
Red Wine Beef

Guinness Beef Pie
(Used lots of Guinness in cooking this)

The rest of them have been packaged for sale in campus butchering shop...Guess what, originally, my campus bought these beefs at a price of $4.75 per Kg..After some butchering work, then these are sold at a price of $9.50 per Kg...As for student chefs, because we are the one doing those work, so we actually can purchase them with original price..So i bought a Kg of beef home..Brother, i helped us to save some living expenses..Haha...

This week, I am doing butchering on a quarter of lamb...the size is slightly bigger than the Beef last week...but got a lot more work to do with this...As for lamb, there are a lot more fatty layers or should i say, "excess fats"...haha...so this actually took us a longer time to finish up everything...Okie then, no more craps, some pictures for you guys below...

Before Butchering: -

Quarter of Lamb(about a weight of 5Kg)

Butchering Process: -
Stage 1
Neck and Front Leg

Ribs and Skins

Stage 2
Usable and Saleable Parts

Mount of Lamb's Excess Fats
(Unusable Parts)
Also, this goes into the bins..

The Products: -
Lamb Shank
(front leg muscle area)

Curry Marsala Lamb

Roasted Lamb Flat
(Part of meat and skin from Ribs)

Alright then...as for the price...this is a lot more expensive than beef...Originally, my campus bought the lamb at a price of $7.25 per Kg..after some work on it, these lambs can be sold up to a price of $24.60 per Kg...Now that i know the reason of why lamb is always a lot more expensive than beef...For student chefs, still the same, an purchase them at original price, but i did not do so, because...i still think that its quite expensive...i mean like its not expensive if we were to compare it with market price..but it is expensive when i have to spend such money on piece of poultry...Hehe...I guess that's all for now...

Specials of the Day

Okie...here i have got few dishes to share with you guys...its all the photos taken recently at school...i made them and i tried them...Haha..but i didnt bring any home for my brother, because it is limited for student chefs, chefs and customer only...Alright, i shall start with Appetisers...First of all, we have "Antipasto Plate"...Follow with "Mini Quiche"... Last dish would be "Tempura Prawn & Mushroom",served with own-made dipping sauce...
Next, I have got some dessert plates for those "sweet-lovers", i knew one of them would be my brother...Haha...First dish, "Chocolate Sponge Pudding", served with dark chocolate sauce..its named after "pudding", but for me, more or less like a cake...I brought this home to my brother before...Next, this is "Strawberry Gateau"...Guess what, we actually make our own fresh cream to be set on top of the sponge cake in order to produce this dessert...the sauce beside is formed from "creme caramel & strawberry sauce", served with fresh mints that are picked from school compound...Last one, "Baked Apple Tartlet"...we used the best quality apple in Western Australia, obviously, the most expensive ones, Granny Smith Brand...For this, we just serve it with strawberry wedges, fresh mints & castor sugar...

That's all for now...until next time then...Thanks to those who view my post...See yea...

Chinese Combination Trip

Here comes the news from Perth..As stated in previous post, i was having one week holidays last week..For some reason, we planned for a day trip to Fremantle...Fremantle is well-known for its market, museum, beaches & some more other places for visitors...There are five of us taking part in the trip..Sean(our driver of the day),a Malaysian from the state of Kedah,also a close friend of mine at Perth..Daisy, originated from China(Fuchou Divisions)..Mandy, also from China(Fuchou Divisions)..Yen, a Malaysian from the state of Sabah..1st Destination, straight away, we went to the Fremantle Town Hall where we got some informations about that area...After that, we enjoyed our lunch at Fremantle Riverside where you can get the famous,fresh fish & chips and chilli muscles..Haha, tasty & delicious!!

Photo taken with Sean at Fremantle Riverside
Statue of Fishmonger

Next destination would certainly be the beach of fremantle...Standing on the beach side & sense yourself being blown by the strong winds & the feeling of relaxation!How Great is that!..Hehe...You could even see birds having hard times flying around because of the strong winds...

Talking & sharing at beachside

From the left>Yen, Sean, Daisy & Mandy

If you look at the photo carefully,
there are two little guy playing along the beachside...
That would be me & Sean!!
The girls don't wanna get their feet on the sand..

New Hp~~

Alright, i just got a new phone recently...i used my brother's identity to apply for a cap phone...its LG Viewty(U990)...i just discovered the occurance of this phone recently...hehe...seems not bad...its a touch screen phone...with 5MP camera...something strange about this phone is that do not have a WLAN features but...i can go online like hotmail or friendster..haha...below is the photo...the stick-like item on the left is the pen for messaging & etc..

So far, i havent got any sample picture taken using the camera yet...dont worry...i am currently having one week holiday..so will go to Fremantle for day trip with my college's friends...we called it a "Chinese Combination Trip"..haha...we have got 6 or 7 people,all chinese...but then its a combination group of chinese from China, Hong Kong & Malaysia...so i gonna take some photos with my hp and make posting "as soon as possible"...till next time...oh ya...sorry for this late posting...i have been kinda busy working & studying recently,until yesterday...

New Dishes ^^

By the way, this is my second post today...haha...i got lots of dishes which i just learnt recently...have a look & give me some comments please...Beginner like me needs comments to improve...hehe...

Capsicum Coulis Sauce with Bread-roll

Spicy Tomato Sauce Spaghetti

Basmati Rice with Saffron & Pea

Roasted Spatchcock with Lemon & Thyme

Grill Plate : Chicken thigh, Chorizo Sausage, Bacon, Sweet Potato, Pineapple & Tomato Berry

Crumbed & Battered Fish Fillets

Salted Calamari with Lemon

Pastry Puff Sausage Roll

Navarin Lamb with Turned Potato

~Recently, about me~

Sorry for my late posting...quite busy with exam & presentation recently...
By the way, i just a part-time job at one of the hotel in Perth city, Mercure Hotel Perth...Haha...gonna work hard to earn more money now...

Indeed, i got a casual work on WA Election Day...the Election Day was held yesterday...Its terribly tired...i worked from 7 o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock at night after we have done all the votes counting, recorded all the results & seal all those official document...But its worth...guess what...i got a high pay for that...haha...

So today, i have to prepare for presentation on coming thurs...this whole day i have been surfing the internet, making some research on mexican cuisine & culture...but it is quite interesting...there are lots of different tasty mexican dishes...mexican food is well-known for its intense, varied flavour, colourful decoration & variety of spices..besides that, mexican are also known as "wines lover"...Varieties of wine are widely produced & won lots of international award for the wines are fresh in flavours...below are some photos of my research's product...

Appetizer: Guacamole

Main Course: Enchiladas

Main Course: Tacos

Dessert: Margaritas

Alright...that's all about me recently...i will post my newly learnt dishes on next posting..Haha

No longer a pressure cooker^^

Alright, just got my cookery exam done yesterday...2 weeks before, when the chef told us that we gonna have our exam soon, my classmates or perhaps my colleagues (in kitchen) were quite excited yet worried since this is our 1st exam in cookery course...what really threaten us is that, our passing mark is 70%...oh my god...we don't even know the format or anything...since then, i was like kinda "pressure cooker", thinking about the exam every day & night, too bad...

Here's something about my exam...Usually, we would have 3 different tests in each exam...

1. Theory Paper 1 (Kitchen Operation)
2. Theory Paper 2 (Work with Colleagues)
3. Practical (Preparing Dishes)

In theory paper 1, we had been tested on Sauces, Soups & Stocks...Some of the sauces are mayonnaise, veloute, cream, bechamel & etc...For the soup, its called "minestrone" soup..this soup is truly nice..Whereas for the stocks, few examples are chicken stock, beef stock, vegetable stock & fish stock..

In theory paper 2, we had been tested on something related to services in restaurant, how to work with colleagues & something about how to deal with complaints and all this stuff...

Lastly, in the practical, we need to prepare 9 different dishes in 4 & a half hours...quite a exciting and interesting practical that i preferred...haha...but many of us only need about 3 & a half hours to finish all the dishes...which is "not quite hard"...^^

After the tests, all of us are actually quite relax & "relieved"...now that we knew all the format and found out that...the level is not that high actually...haha...but till, we have to work for it...for those who don't work for it, they probably have second attempt or perhaps need to re-enrol...so glad that my parents & family don't have to waste more money on me, since i passed the exam nicely...but please don't misunterstood, i am not trying to show off..just to share, no offend...

In fact, i would like to post some photos of new dishes, but too bad that i left my bluetooth device in my bag, which my bro brought along to taipei...I will post those photos as soon as i got my device..^^

Till next time, thanks...

Dishes of the Week

Hmm...
This whole week..
I learnt quite a couple of nice dishes...
Perhaps..
Those who are interested..
Can try have a look at them...
Below are fews dishes which i preferred..
Haha...

Alright, here comes the 1st dish...

~Crab Bisque~
It is actually a crab being cut into few parts..
Then prepared with cream & tomato paste..
Doesn't looked so nice though..
But tasted quite creamy...

Comment From Chef:
Nice..
But not enough Brandy..

Chicken and Mushroom Emincer
Hmm..this dish..
Simple Ingredients..
Simple Cooking method..
But taste great..
Just chicken, mushroom & onions
Hard to believe?
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!

Comment From Chef:
Not bad..
Onion needs to be softer..

3rd Dish..
Gosh! this is great!
Fillet with Veronique Sauce
Fillet is being cut off from
"Flat Fish"

Comment From Chef:
Well done, kelvin..
The fish is well cooked..
The sauce is just nice
And not too creamy..















4th Dish..
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Its a little bit..
Creamy for me..
But chef like it... =.=

Comment From Chef:
Excellent!!
The mushroom is not too soft..
The soup is very tasty..
Keep up your good work, kelvin!

Well then..
That's all for this week..
I am looking forward..
To share some more nice dishes..
With all of you.. ^^

First Week of My Life in TAFE

Here comes my updates

i went to the campus myself on the first day..
i showed my COE to the officer, got myself enrolled into "Retail Baking"..
my bro brought me out to buy my uniform & equipments..

First theory class..
half way..
MY LECTURER TOLD ME THAT I GOT MYSELF ENROLLED THE WRONG COURSE!!
My Gosh!

Once again i showed them my COE ( written as RETAIL BAKING )...
guess what the officer told me...?

Me: Excuse me, what's going on?

Officer: Sorry, you got yourself enrolled into the wrong course..

Me: Really?but how come "Retail Baking" is written in my COE?

Officer: I am not quite sure, but in our system, your name is registered under "Commercial
Cookery"..

Me: zzz...(sigh)

Officer: I'm sorry, i think this is the "TYPING MISTAKE" made by the officer in-charged...

Me: so, what should i do now?

Officer: I think you probably have to re-enroll into "commercial cookery" course...

I probably made my brother pissed off a bit..
got my family worried for me..
but its not what i hoped also..
to brother..
sorry for all the inconveniences caused..
and thanks for giving me a hand when i need it the most..
to mum, dad and sister..
sorry for making you guys worried about me..

There i go, enrolled into commercial cookery course..
then i got my stuff refund, got another set of..
new stuff and uniform for commercial cookery..

For now..
i have 3 day of classes every week..

Mon - theory class in the afternoon & practical class at night

Wed - practical class from afternoon till night time

Fri - LSK ( Large Scale Kitchen ), early in the morning till afternoon

In practical class, i used to have my own

1. workplace
2. chopping board
3. stoves & oven
   
4. basin
5. pots & pans
6. wooden spoon
7. spice ( salt & pepper )
8. big bottle of detergent
   

not bad actually, its kind of "professional workplace"..
i learnt to make sauces ( eg. mayonaise & cocktail sauce )
my advice, dont take too much mayonaise..
i know its nice..
but erm...you are actually "drinking" oil when you take lots of mayonaise!!

Personally, i like LSK very much..
guess what?
we actually prepare different types of food according to customers' orders..
its kinda fun for me..
indeed, good experiences for me..
today, together with 2 seniors and 1 classmate..
we prepared "potato soup" for 50 servings...
its GREAT!!haha..

Alright, i guess that's all for now...
the following photos are my "weapons" in kitchen..
dont worry, have a look, wont bite you anyway..

Series of knives used in kitchen
I guess my bro do not have a good night sleep
Probably because of these knives
"They" are with me in our bedroom at night

Additional equipments
But, certainly cant go into class without these

The Day Before

Today is the last day before i go to perth...It is my ambition to become a chef...i never thought that i have the chance to study chef, furthermore, at Perth (i mean overseas)...Greatest thanks to my parents and bro ( Victor ) for supporting my school fees...its a hard decision to be made though...thinking about leaving kuching tomorrow,it is indeed a hard feeling...but since i have made this decision,i will ignore all those hard feelings and face it bravely...miss my sis ( vivien ) and eleen so much because they are not at kuching currently...Thanks to everyone who supports me and cares for me, especially my family & eleen...i love you all very much...To my cousins, old friends, buddies from KHS and "the gang", take care always and keep in touch...Bro, i am going to look for you tomorrow..haha...dont forget to fetch me up at perth airport...

" My FaReWell PaRTy "

I had my farewell party last night and it was really great...thanks to everyone who made this farewell party a success..though it was a bit reluctant to leave kuching,still i have to do so for my own future..i wont let you guys down,i will face every challenges bravely...

Greatest thanks to the following people :-

1. My parents & sister,for granting me a farewell party.
2. My cousin bro( Jonathan ),for sponsoring me a BBQ Pork and helping me with BBQ stuff.
3. Ah boy and Ah Tay, for helping me with BBQ stuff.
4. Eleen, for celebrating this important event with me.
5. Relatives, for spending their " family hours " on me.
6. Friends, for willing to attend my farewell party.
7. Uncle & Aunts, for your " Ang Pau ".

Here are some Of the photos taken with friends..






Once again, thank you everyone...I appreciated this farewell party a lot...