pre wedding birthday jitters... NAH!!!

its my birthday tomorrow. so far, i've received well wishes through emails and cards. both e-cards as well as cards through the mail.

one card that stood out among the rest was one self-made card from home, from my family. at first sight, it was the fugliest card i've ever seen (in terms of design. it is some cut and paste concept. for u who dont know, i can be quite a design guru sometimes) but it's also the most touching thing i've ever received. tis self-made effort with everyone's well wishes in their own handwritings, which i havent seen for ages, somewhat lifted the homesickness (esp my brothers whom i havent spoken to for so long. only exchanged emails) in me. no wonder i was so chirpy and happy in the afternoon preparing lunch. i guess tis says that anything from home is like a sparkling star in the dark. looking at the card now, it no longer looks like the fugliest card i thought at first. the thoughts and efforts (of finding pics of strawberry smoothie, a birthday cake, a bear and nice lush greenery....things i adore) made it the most beautiful card i've ever received.

i'll like to thank dad, mom, 2 brothers, ivy (brother's girlfriend), SC (ex-quintilian), WY (or lao dou), WL (sec sch buddy), CT (from OCBC) and GeL for their early birthday greetings.

sorry that i've to address some of u including your surname's initial. i've too many friends with christian names starting with the same alphabet, so i gotto rope in the surname too. no offence.

its winter. its cold. so windows are basically shut, probably only a 5mm opening for fresh air. air within the room is pretty still, so as to say, farts are to be forewarned. however, other half releases as he likes. no warning whatsoever. i've a sense of smell that can be compared to pooches. GeL can vouch for me. his farts never go without unnoticed as much as he hopes for.

swissroll: *sniff sniff* *turning my head to look at other half* did u break wind?

other half: *other half turned his attention from his magazine to look at me then pondered for 3 secs* jus alil.

swissroll: *screaming* WHY U NEVER SAY A THING???? *smell becoming more intense* *stood up, opened the window and stuck my head out* alil or alot also must tell what. very smelly u know. (btw, if i fart, i take the initiative to open the window).

other half: *continue looking at me* *not showing any sense of guilt or disgust*

swissroll: thinking tis is what happened when u get too comfortable with someone. *sigh* okay, not complaining though, jus wanna embarrass other half. haha! no lah no lah, tis is nature, tis is life, isnt it? nothing to embarrass or laugh about.

from fart to food. tis is lunch today. vietnamese chicken & rice noodle salad with lime dressing. simple and refreshing. ideal for summer. got the recipe (but i altered to suit our tastebuds) off newwoman magazine.

here's the recipe... very easy to prepare.

1. pour boiling water over rice noodle or bee hoon for 4-5mins
2. drain the water and rinse the noodle in cold water.
3. dry the noodle on a paper towel. (crucial!)
4. dish the desired quantity in a bowl. top it off with shredded carrots, a handful of fresh coriander leaves, 2 spring onions, boiled chicken breast meat and fried crispy garlic and onions (not in recipe. i skipped the fried onions cos i hate them but fried onions are common sights in viet dry noodles here).

note: u can replace chicken with seafood or beef slices.

now the sauce

1. 1 tbs of honey (i downsized 1 tbs. its 2 tbs in recipe)
2. 3 tbs of fish sauce (i upsized 1 tbs. its 2 tbs in recipe)
3. juice of 1 lime (about size of pingpong ball)
4. about 2 tsp of water (i added tis step. u can skip it if u wanna)
5. fresh chilli (not in recipe but viet food cant do without them)

to eat

1. pour the sauce over the bowl of contents
2. toss the contents

have fun cooking. actually no cooking is involved at all. jus boiling and tossing.