Portobello Market

London - 2nd day

The shop behind me is AllSaints. This amazing shop put on display, thousands and thousands of Singer sewing machines. I've never seen so many old school sewing machine in my life. Makes you wanna just go in, buy one and go straight home and sew pretty dresses and tableclothes... (like, really??!!)

Window Display of the infamous Hummingbird bakery in Portobello Road. Wow!! So many people inside lining up to get their hands on the gorgeous little cupcakes. I bought myself a carrot cupcake with creamcheese topping...oh my!! absolutely delicious! so moist and yummy and not too sweet at all. I'm going back there next week for seconds...and thirds...

Cake display in the Hummingbird bakery.
Portobello Street Market. Wow!
The colors in Portobello

Even the cafe' upstairs was adorned with beautiful colors of spring...I'm going crazy looking at all the gorgeous flowers blooming and bursting with colors...

Nothing like starting the day with a good breakfast - nasi lemak and Nescafe tarik kurang manis. I know it's bad for the waist line and health, but I 'm quite sure I'll burn some of it off later going up and down the buses and also walking down the Portobello Street Market. Plus I need the fat to fight the cold up here.

As I get off the bus, I was half expecting Hugh Grant to walk pass me, stop, and staring me deeply with his droopy eyes, and open up into his silly uncertain trademark smile. Instead, I ran ran into a bunch of blokes, running in a straight line through the cold spring morning, clad in only flourescent colored undies, through the Portobello market...I was screaming to Sidah, who was already on the other side of the road "Sidah, where's the camera?" but she just stood there, frozen and unable to response. I ask her "What happen to you". She said sheepishly "I got shocked when something almost said hi to me behind those small flourescent thingy"....hahahaha...dang!! Well...there goes Hugh and his Grant thing...hahahaha....(kids -please skip these para) hahahaha....

Walking ahead, we were met by thousands of people, thronging to the market, in search of something that could probably change their life, just like it did Hugh...it was really a slow walk. I can only see hairs, and lots of it, in front of me. Blond, black, green, red, short, long, spiky, varying in shades and designs, just like the blooming flowers responding to the spring season...

Then, there it was....Hummingbird Bakery. The smell of vanilla and butter wasp through the air, beckoning me to go inside. The line was long so I took pictures, risking eviction from the staff. But I didn't care. I ask for a copy of their cookbook and bought a carrot cupcake. Oh man....it was delicious. Truly! There has a hint of ginger and reminded me of a friend's carrot cake. The cake was moist, flavourful, not too sweet and not enough!! Sheeshh..I should've bought 2. Gave me a reason to go there again...

We made our way through the market quickly after that, as I had really nothing to buy, neither has Sidah. Then there was another smell, something is roasting together with onions...Hhhmmmm...Sidah what's this nice smell? I forgot!! Ya la tu..cium lah sampai konyang..said Sidah laughing. Turn to your left...Yikes!! Succulent and all, roasting away at a nearby shop...hahahah...tutup hidung!!! Tak guna betul!!

After that we took buses to Covent Garden coz I wanted to find the Primrose Cafe. It was then that this scary incident happened. As I was boarding another bus somewhere near Oxford Street, I saw the hand of a black dude reaching into the handbag of a classy old lady in front of me. Oh gosh! I looked up and the red eyes that belonged to that dude, stared back at me. Deeply, and threateningly. I walked pass him and followed the lady to the back of the bus. We sat on the same row, and I was hoping to alert the woman of the incident. As I sat down, our eyes met again. Oh no!! I thought he got scared and got off the bus. He didn't. His friend, sat beside me, with both hands covered by his jacket.

This is scary. He could have a knife or a gun under that jacket. I was shifting uncomfortably while the dude kept staring at me. I got up and changed seat, my back facing him but my face facing his friend. I cant tell Sidah yet coz then she'll be looking at these guys and they'll know I spill.

The bus stopped. And as the friend got up, I felt relieved. Now for sure they're getting off. I asked Sidah whether the guys are off the bus. No, she said. What? Where are they now? Ohh they're sitting behind you, why?. I had to tell her. We spoke in Bahasa and then contemplating to get off the bus ourselves. But, what if they then follow us, she asked. Ha'ah kan...alamak!! Camana ni Sidah? Makcik yg kena tu rileks je borak, kita yang saspen ni...

The bus made a few more stops and the dudes just got up, and changed seats a few more times. I prayed really hard that the dudes was convinced that I'm never gonna talk and just leave us alone. And then, at the next stop, Haa..diorang dah turun dah, said Sidah, as I can't see coz I had my back towards them.

Pheww!! That was the longest bus ride in my life. After 2 stops, I asked the lady to check her bag for missing items and told her what happened. Luckily, nothing was missing. The dude must've seen me almost immediately as he put his hands into the bag.

I was in no mood to look for Primrose Cafe anymore. Though we did make it to Covent Garden, I can't seem to be excited. I just want to go back to my place. And we did.

I miss my family.

Spring in my step

1st day in London

My home away from home for the next almost 3 weeks. And no, that's not my merc...

Hilton Paddington (want to but can't afford to)
the very friendly En. Salahudin Yaakob, director of Station Hotel Scotland and I think also the owner of the company that runs MARA house.
taking a breather from carrying these awfully heavy luggage, on Sussex Gardens Road leading towards the MARA house.

my long lost friend who now stays in London (lucky me!!)

Heathrow arrival Terminal 4

Whoooaaaaa......after 13 hours of flying, 3 on-board movies, 2 very ordinary meals, and a few bouts of ass-numbing from sitting too long cramps and tube hauling luggage experience later, here I am, nice and cosy in one of MARA house's room.

It's 11 pm local time. Isya' here is at around 10.40ish pm and Subuh tomorrow will at three-ish am. Sunrise is at 5 am. Yeah I know, it's very early. But that means more daylight and I love it!! The weather earlier was gorgeous, totally disregards forecast about it being rainy and cloudy today. I don't know the temperature but I would say it was around 16C and the soft wind blowing, adds to the coolness of the spring weather. Totally loved it.

Am sitting in my small room, which is not like the normal hotel rooms that you're used to, but it's like what Yusuf of Mara House described to me in his email - a quiet comfort, and my butt is not kissing the walls. The room is facing another small hotel across the road, from which you can hear the occasional sounds of cars, ambulance and people laughing from the street down below.

Staying in this dorm-like facility brings back the memory of staying in UPM, the room is basic and we have to share the common bathroom outside. Yes, you read right. common but Co-ed bathroom. I have to wear tudung all the time to go to the loo, which is quite often coz my bladder is still adjusting to the cold weather here.

The place is really charming, it's like one of those old rest house back home. The elevator can fit about 3 people, which according to Yusof, is very big. You have to swing open the heavy door, then you push aside the pre-war like door grill, in order to use it. But I love it. It's so different from the modern stuff that I'm used to. And of course, it's cheap. Don't think Hubbs will like it here, but hey, am alone and don't need all those extras.

This is why I love London. I know it's over-rated, like my plane seat mate said. Totally overrated but I still love it. The old buildings still preserved, gives London a character, is what I often said to my Hubbs. He likes the convenience of a modern life in the US better.

I load up on a weekly oyster top-up for zones 1-5. It cost me a whopping 44 pound!! But I think it's quite fair coz i can use it for tube travel and bus rides for a week. Sidah took me around Church Street, which is something like our pasar malam in Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Then we took to Oxford Street and went straight into Primark. I bought a nice sweater for 5 pound. Dang!! That was cheap. You can't even get that price at FOS Malaysia.

My dinner was at Bonda Cafe downstairs. Quaint little place, but was pretty full. They have some cakes, a selection of Malay kuihs like serimuka, bengkang ubi, maybe cucur udang and the likes. The menu, pretty extensive, with dishes like nasi goreng kampung, noodles, etc. Price for main dish starts from BP2.50. Hmmm, not bad.

I had nasi goreng Daging which cost BP5.50 (almost RM27). U don't want to convert everything, otherwise you'll have high blood pressure everytime you want to pay for something. I met this bloke (who, for the life of me I wanted to knock his head a bit, just can't be bothered to get his butt off to help us hauled the luggage up a flight of stairs) from Malaysia who is attending a training in Glasgow, he compared everything to Euro and ringgit. Of course, it's more expensive. This is a metropolitan and it has one of the highest cost of living rate in the world. Duhh!! You want cheap you go to Teluk Intan la...

Before I retired into my cosy retreat, I had a nice chat with the guys here at MARA house. Salahudin, Yusuf and another guy who used to work here before. The staff here are fantastic.

This is not my first time here in London. I've been here twice, with hubby, maybe 12 years ago. But today is my 1st day in London, alone, and I'm loving it. I can't stop giggling like a kid with candies...

Dear Hubbs, if you're reading this, I do miss you and Zaim, a lot. Perhaps even more tomorrow and after that. But like what they say, absence makes the hearts grow fonder, right? But I think our phone bills will be hefty this month.

Tomorrow is another day of adventure for me.

Packing the Bags

My version of fake Gucci handbag.

The class acts.

Trying to figure out what goes where and how...

The finished product.

3 more days to go. InsyaAllah by Friday, I'll be in London. Am still here and Shidah, my friend in London is already coaxing me into extending my stay there...and to tell you the truth, I'm tempted. We'll see how it goes, plus need to get permission from Mr. Hubby.

Sitting amidst open suitcases and a pile of clothes, I'm stealing time to post this entry.

Since morning I've been running around doing the necessary things that I should have done from last week. Now all is left for me to do is get the dirty clothes to the laundrette, pack my stuff and pack my two other halves stuff.

Apparently, Mr. Hubby needs to take Friday off, plus weekends to go to his mom's and figure out how to deal with my 3 weeks' absence. I think he'll start missing me on the second day, or perhaps a wee bit earlier, maybe at breakfast the next morning...hahaha... Anyway, dear, you're on your own. I'll put aside weekly clothes sets for you and Zaim, but that's about it.

I'm so looking forward to spend my next 3 weeks there. Away from daily chores and responsibility. Not that I mind those but I think it's nice to reclaim a little bit of your space amidst the chaotic daily routine... I think women, after marriage, seem to lose themselves and their identity to their family. Especially homemakers. They ended up being so and so's mother, or Mrs so and so... and doing this and that.

So, my trip, apart from attending classes, which is excellent, will sort of give me a breathing space I need to do exactly that. Breath.

I need to bury the past. I need to dump all the extra baggage that I have been collecting all my life.

I need fresh ideas for my future. I need to reconnect with myself. I need a new perspective on my life.

When we went for umrah, I prayed hard to Allah, to let the trip to Mecca & Madina be the starting point for the better for everyone involved. And Allah has answered my prayers. All praise be to you dear Allah Al-mighty. And I pray that this short trip will another starting point for a positive outcome for me. Allah has made it possible for me to go on this trip, when earlier it was cancelled and I had very little means myself. Now all is in it's place.

So, in a while, I'll start packing some of the things I need for my trip. It's a short journey, I know, but it's a journey that I pray will help me flourish. I want to return fresh, vibrant, full of energy and have loads of ideas for the future. Who knows?

p/s

I hope you like the Gucci Handbag Cake. Thanks to Miss Man Kwan for the class ( though I only did half way with you). Ladies, Chomel of ChomelCupcakes, Liyana of Loveliana, Ms Ila from Perak, and Angeline of Heavenly Cakes, it was a fun Saturday Nite Live session, though I didn't stay till 2 am to finish the cake. I salute you for your dedications. May we meet again sometimes.

Dirgahayu Tuanku

(Sorry I tried to rotate, but failed..:))

(In front of the Banquet Hall building)

Salam and hi all,

This was my latest project. It was a collaboration between Pn Anizah of Scrumptuous Cakes and myself . The 9-tier cake was ordered for the 62nd birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir , on the 14th January 2010, a day ahead of my birthday. The cake cutting ceremony was featured in the local newspaper but I can't seem to upload it at the moment. I'll try to get the picture later and upload it.

It was an honor for me to have been invited by Pn Anizah to co-decorate the cake and making it together with her and her team was really joyous. To have seen it in the newspaper the next day was indeed the best birthday present for me.

Thousand apologies for the long silence. Transition to new place and neighborhood had not been easy. For me to start anew was very hard. I'm still adjusting and re-arranging my life around new schedule and routines, and still looking for new friends to hang out with...

In the midst of the chaos, we had the chance to fly down to Gold Coast for a week of holiday, to wind down. I've plenty of pictures but unfortunately my computer was infected by virus and had to re-format the whole thing. I couldnt find any of those pix...sheesshhh... anyways, i shall try to upload what little i have later...

Insyaallah i'll be going for umrah from 1-14th Feb, and am hoping for your prayers for the journey and ibadah to be accepted by Allah SWT.

I'll be back after that and looking forward to start something new at a dear friend's place...will keep you posted on the news. And oh, btw, my beloved Chef Fatima will be here in Feb and am looking forward to meet up with her...lots to ask and tell...

Take care for now. Love,

Farida Ismail

SK Wedding Cake Diploma Course

Salam and hi friends,

It's was a 3 days' of adrenaline rush, of hot mama's hands, symptoms of diarrhea and a whole lot of fun and learning.

I'm talking about the Squire's Kitchen first ever Diploma course in Asia which were held from 6-8th May 2009 at the ICCA Kota Damansara. Our Instructor is non other than the wonderful Rosalind Chan, an International Sugar Artist Instructor and owner of the ICCA chains.

The Squire's Kitchen 3 day Professional Wedding Cake Diploma Course.

I had signed up for this class much soon as I heard about it, but was a bit weary and not expecting anything new, other than learning how to make use of some new tools etc. I had also just completed my Wilton 3 earlier in the week, so the lag from that was also still there. So I drag myself to the class, wondering whether I'd made the right decision. Little did I know it was going to be a 3 days full of fun, friendships, laughter, and surprise and plenty of nervousness and stress...

During the introduction process, I'd already feel scared. Why not? Apparently, everyone's an expert. Among them were Chef Yom (quite famous especially at Bagus and she's a WMI), Calvin of Blackforest Tavern (also another expert, that he said that he doesn't need to introduce himself. Sorry Calvin, i know only your work, not your face, so u still need to do a bit of intro.hahaha)

There's also Norizan, Azie, Kanaga, Lai Peng, Angeline (all WMIs), Aniza of TrulyScrumptioustreats (Niza, I cant open your site!), Renuka, and these that the names (for the life of me I cant remember) Chef Yom's friend, Azie's friend (from Johor), Norizan's friend (from Penang) and Angeline's friends (if you gals are reading this post, please tell me their names!!)

I'm honored to have been in you gals and guy's company...

We were provided with a box of tools, and Rosalind taught us how to use them creatively, also we learnt some dusting and how to better decorate our cakes (Rosalind, if you ever conduct a class on Acquiring Creativity, let me know please!!)

Here's our famous instructor, Rosalind.

1st day she was Canadian slang and all, but by the 3rd day, we managed to turn back to her Malaysian roots, with the lahs and mahs..hehehe..sorry Rosalind! The girls were so naughty and cheeky that at one point I heard Rosalind said " I give up lah with u people" and it's was only the 2nd half of 1st day!!

Rosalind saying something funny (which I cant remember coz i was operating on a zombie mode, from lack of sleep and whole lotta of other things)

We learnt a new rose specie. it's the climber's rose. Not the usual 5 petals rose.

Even had the time to peek at this pakcik on a scooter. It was a birthday cake ordered for the YAB DPM for his birthday. Cute!! Happy birthday Datuk Muhyiddin Yasin !! (apology if I had this spelled wrongly). Hope you'll lead our beloved country into greatness!!

I've already had 2 sleepless nights coz I was still thinking of how I want to decorate my cake. Rosalind had advised us to bring about a picture so that we can at least follow that. But I was determined to use my own imagination (which I'm pretty sure now I lack) and thus the sleepless nights. I still cant imagine how my cake will turn out. I'm a pretty simple person. I like my cakes to be simple but looks delicious. I like it sophisticated yet stunning. Simple but gorgeous!! How ahhh??

So, on the 3rd day, while I was busy eating my nasi lemak (so glad I had that coz I didnt have anything else after that!! My next meal was to be at 10 pm) Rosalind wrote down the timetable for the day, where we had to finish by 4.30pm and the cakes will be put on display etc.

"I also have a surprise for you..." she announced sweetly. I thought she's going to give us presents of something. "It's going to be a Competition. Your cakes will be judged by the end of the day, not onl by me, but also by 2 other external judges. Madam Amy Beh and Mr Michael, an x Malaysian Institute of Baking Chef. Be ready!! And that my dears, is your surprise..."

My nasi lemak nearly dropped to the floor!! What?? Competition?? What competition? I signed up for a class, where we lazily do our work and assembly our cakes messily and the end. I didnt sign up for no competition.

Ohh...gosh!! I'm in trouble for sure. Everyone else's cake looks pretty set to me. They know what they're doing. Seemed like I'm the only lost soul here.

My hands and knees were shaking that I cant hardly hold anything or stand-up straight. I feel like peeing but I cant't coz i'll lose 5 minutes. I dont even know where to start.

By 11 am, I had to take that 5 minute break coz my palms were sweating and I cant hold the fondant properly. It got wet and sticky!!! ARGGGHHHH...

So, while sitting in the small confined area, I was contemplating a quit plan. Should I say I'm having diarrhea or period pain (the famous school time excuse)...but my posItive side is saying, don't quit. just do what u can. Try!!...Ayoyoyoyo....stress level very high at this point.

The whole class was very quiet, we could shatter glass with the silence. Nobody paid any attention to Rosalind anymore, even though she tried to crack jokes. The silence made me more nervous...

But in the end, I managed to finish my cake. I did it!! Though it was a bit plain and pale in comparison to others, I proud to say it's 100% mine. Didnt get any help from nobody.

Everyone else's cake was stunning and very complicated. I must say salute to you people for managing to do a very difficult looking cake.

Here. the judges were busy judging our cakes.

We managed to finish before midnite...that's an accomplishment!!

We sat down waiting for the judges verdicts on our creations. We were to be judged on the following criteria : Creativity, Degree of Difficulty, Color coordination, Sugar Flowers, Interpretation of the Theme (which is wedding cake), and Overall Appearance and Presentation.

The passing categories would be Novice, Meet Requirements, or Competition Level ( highest mark).

I prayed hard I wouldn't be in the novice category. If I did, I would probably be the only one..Malunyaaaaa!!!!

The judges had plenty to say about each cake, but all in all, we all fell in the Meet the Requirement Standards. The experts must have felt a blow. They didnt look very happy (Geng..you cakes all look outstanding to me, I would never, in the near future, be able to one like yours).

But me? I'm pretty happy to meet the requirements...hahahaha...At least I'm not embarrassing myself...

Chef Yom, I didnt get your cake pix. Missed it in the midst of chaos!!

Here's looking at the finished products. Congrats everyone!!

Rosalind said that ICCA is going to hold a Cake Decorating Competition next year. I'm going to enter that!! In the meantime, anyone knows where I can take a creativity class?

It had been a lovely course. I learnt a lot from Rosalind and others. I'm hoping to go another class of hers, but this time I'm gonna be ready!! No more easy peasy pace for me.

Here's a BIG THANK YOU TO ROSALIND AND THE REST OF ICCA STAFF, EDLINA, VIVIAN, DORIS, SHIKIN, MOK, AND OTHERS (sorry didnt get your names)

TO MY NEW FRIENDS, WAS NICE TO BE IN YOUR COMPANIES. PLEASE DO KEEP IN TOUCH!! WE'LL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY, InsyaAllah.

To myself, I'M CHALLENGING ME TO ENTER A COMPETITION NEXT YEAR...

Proudly mine!!

Have nice and wonderfuls days ahead...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU LOVELY MOMS OUT THERE!!

Cheers and wasalam

Farida Ismail.