work-out with mom and dad

I’ve always wanted to work-out, maybe everyday or possibly few times a week, but I’m also always too lazy to drag myself out either to the gym or the park. So when dad offered we go together, I grabbed the chance. So off we went: me, dad and mom. We go on weekdays, in the evenings.

The exercise feels great, and I feel super though not quite fit yet *chuckle* The adrenaline rush you get while running that last mile on the treadmill, lifting that dumbbell with all the strength you can muster, doing that 50^th sit-up without giving up, pushing the lever with all your might to lift that 100lbs weight, willing your legs to move that peddle on the bike...whew...adrenaline indeed!

Mom on the weight machines. She might look like she’s about to drop it but oh no, don’t underestimate her, she’s one tough cookie; lifted the weights just fine and dandy...hihi.

There’s dad on the abs-cruncher. Believe me, that thing is a cruel punisher; made my abs go all jelly cause of the strain and to top it off, I had awful cramps on our first day of work-out! :(

Mom and Dad together :)

And there’s me, running on the treadmill!! I was sweating loads, good thing mom didn’t take this shot up close hahah.

There you have it, hope you’re now inspired to get on off your couch, stash that big bag of chips, swear your unhealthy lifestyle away and hit the gym or the park if you’re a nature lover. But hey...I’m not saying I’ll do this forever or anything…it’s hard work you know :-/

A day-out with mom: Anthurium exhibit

Went out the other day with mom and we visited this really neat Anthurium Exhibition organised by Mizoram Anthurium Growers Association. Took some pictures and just wanted to share them :D

Beautiful and vibrant, aren’t they?

There's mom right there hihi...

miracles do happen

God works in mysterious ways indeed. Tonight, I went to church to attend a service where our church was visited by members of another church; it was a program for youths (ie, excluding Mom’s and Dad’s). I went not because I wanted to; my parents insisted that I go. I prayed beforehand as usual so that I could concentrate during the service and not dream like I always do. This prayer of mine I always perform, but never really worked. But tonight it did! I sat through the service without drifting away into my world of useless numbness.

Afterwards there was a fellowship filled with various items. There too I was amazed yet again; I was touched. The songs sung, the drama being played out, the solo performed…they were all so wonderful and most of all, praising.

It’s like I was redeemed..saved..rediscovered. Suddenly the world seemed bright for me again, and my God is the most beautiful of all, again. And I can honestly say that I love Him more than anyone or anything. Period.

I got home late. As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, I got a call from one of my friends. He sounded like he was breaking down. Then he told me he’s going to the gospel camp in his church. My reactions were mixed; I was happy for him yet surprised because I had never or almost never received such clear answers of my prayers from God this way (excluding previous events of tonight).

I wanted to listen to some gospel songs and checked my phone. Out of all the songs I’ve been piling into my phone’s memory I was very saddened to find I had none loaded. They were all rock, metal, various newbies trying to make it, oldies, etc., all kinds of genre/artiste you can think of. I immediately booted my computer and transferred the songs to my phone; it’s been so long since I’ve listened to them.

My boyfriend called up. I had so many things going on in my head I couldn’t talk at first. Then slowly I poured it out, he listened patiently. After I’ve stopped talking, he told me to pray a lot and I answered in a snappish way, “Of course I know that!” Yeah I know, I’m like that…but he understands :)

So many works of God in one night, I am awed. Now I pray that my friend comes out well from the camp and be a good person. And that I too won’t stray too far again.

cake-custard-jelly pudding

Lots of posts about cooking these days haha..

I had an opportunity to concoct another one of my witch’s brew *cackle cackle* Alryt ahemm…well, mom had a get-together with her old school buddies. So made this for them...I suppose they enjoyed it since they kept askin how I made it; lil great moment for lil o’ me *sigh*

The Eaters :D

Ingredients:

Cake base- Should be enough for making 2 layers

Custard powder- 2 tablespoons

Milk- ½(half) litre

Sugar- 2 tablespoons

Jelly mix- 1 packet(pick any flavor you want; I picked Raspberry)

Preparation:

1. Make the jelly first with hot water, and keep it aside to set, maybe in the freezer.
2. Put the custard powder in a bowl and mix it with ¼ of a cup of milk(milk taken from the half litre), stir it to make a paste.
3. Then boil the remaining milk with sugar and stir till it becomes hot.
4. Remove milk from heat, then add the custard paste.
5. Boil it again for about 2 or 3 minutes stirring it all the while so that the custard doesn’t stick to the bottom of the boiler. Remove from flame and keep aside.
6. Now take a pudding bowl with a deep base. Put the cake inside the dish in a thin layer and let it cover the whole base.
7. Pour half of the custard over the cake layer, and smoothen.
8. Put the bowl inside the freezer to set the custard. Wait for about 10 minutes.
9. Then add another thin layer of cake above the custard, but not too thin; it should cover the whole custard.
10. On top of the 2^nd layer of cake, pour the other half of the remaining custard and smoothen it again.
11. Repeat step no. 8
12. Now take out the jelly which would’ve set by now. With a fork, stir it so that it can flow a bit.
13. Pour the whole jelly on top of the 2^nd layer of custard and smoothen it.
14. Now keep the bowl in the freezer for about 3 to 4 hours, or maybe less if it has set.
15. After the jelly has set again, it’s ready to be served.
    
    
    

rice pudding

Today started off with my rising kinda late; mom woke me up just in time for breakfast. After breakfast, members of my family went out one by one to their respective workplaces. And me, I’m left at home to prepare for my IELTS! Studied all day, and by evening I was positively bored plus a headache was on its way.

So, to revive myself from my stupor, I decided to make/cook some dessert; I love making desserts the most of all dishes :D

Ingredients:

Rice- 4 tablespoons

Sugar- 1 or 2 tablespoons (to be added according to tolerance for sweet tastes, I don’t like too sweet a dish)

Ghee- 1 teaspoon

Milk- 4 cups

Nuts(to be crushed)-1 teaspoon each of Almonds and Cashews

Raisins(cut in small pieces)- 1 teaspoon

Elaichi(to be crushed)- ½(half) teaspoon

Preparation:

1. Soak the rice in water(room temperature) for 20 minutes.

2. Then fry the rice in ghee for about 5 minutes.

3. Add sugar and milk. Let it boil for a while till the milk comes down to half.

4. Add the nuts, raisins and elaichi. Let it boil for another 10 or 15 minutes.

5. It should be sticky, not gravy.

6. Add some more nuts(not crushed) for decoration (optional).

It can be served warm or cold. But personally, I liked it when I ate it while it’s warm :)