Countless Good byes

Lately I have been touched by songs about leaving and good byes. I think maybe the reason is seeing some of the SMSO students leaving for overseas studies. I also begin to reminiscing the time when I left Brunei for my overseas studies. I was away for almost 7 years.

Last Sunday this Chinese oldie song from the 80s was played on Wa! TV. The lyrics are cool (like in winter) and it has always been a classic.
大約在冬季 - 齊秦

轻轻的我将离开你 请将眼角的泪拭去
漫漫长夜里 未来日子里 亲爱的你别为我哭泣
前方的路虽然太凄迷 请在笑容里为我祝福
虽然迎著风 虽然下著雨 我在风雨之中念著你

没有你的日子里 我会更加珍惜自己
没有我的岁月里 你要保重你自己
你问我何时归故里 我也轻声地问自己
不是在此时 不知在何时
我想大约会是在冬季

Let me translate this into English:

The title of the song is:

Maybe during the winter by Chyi Chin (Qi Qin).

Silently I am going to leave you. Please wipe away your tears.
In the long nights and days to come. Please don't cry for me, my love
The road ahead is long and winding. Please wish me well in your smile
Although it is rainy and windy, I will be thinking of you.

The days without you, I will look after myself
The days without me, please take good care of yourself
You asked me when I would return home. I also asked myself the same question
Not now, and I dont know when
I think may be during the winter

Again, it sounds a bit lame when it is translated from Chinese to English :)

I have attahed the video from you tube. Gosh, the 80s fashion and hairstyle!!!!

Song for SMSO Alumni

Someone was asking me if I would dedicate this song in my blog, to the SMSOnians who are leaving for the UK, starting from 12 September 2008. At first, I was thinking to put this in the SMSO career blog, but again the career blog is supposed to be a formal blog for the school. With lyrics and songs dedication may create somewhat strange...lol...so here it is ...

I find the lyrics are very "relevant" :)

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stared out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I would pray I could break away

[Chorus:]
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get on a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)
And breakaway

[Chorus]

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway

I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

p.s. Don't Cry :)

My Italian Dream

This is one of my all time favourites - Tiramisu

Tiramisu in Italian, means "pick-me-up" (Tirami su), a reference to the effects of the sugar and espresso, but can be translated figuratively as "cheer me up".

In order to prepare it, the following ingredients are needed: Savoiardi biscuits, eggs, sugar, rum and cocoa. In the original recipe, no liquor is added as it is mainly eaten by children and the elderly.

I have come up with my own version of recipe.

Ingredients:

3 Eggs (Separate yolks from whites)

300 ml strong black coffee with 100 ml rum (optional)

1 packet (250g) Cream Cheese in room temperature

3 Tablespoon sugar

250g Thick Double Cream

1 packet (175g) sponge fingers

Cocoa powder (for sprinkle)

Methods:

- Beat yolks and sugar for about 3 minutes till pale in colour

- Add cream cheese and beat for 1 minute

- Fold in double cream into the mixture

- Beat egg white till foamy and add into the mixture

- Soak sponge fingers quickly in the coffee and line at the base of the tray

- Layer the sponge fingers with cream cheese mixture, and add another layer of coffee soaked sponge fingers. Top with another layer of cream cheese

- Put tiramisu in fridge for 4 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with cocoa powder before serving.

Note:

Since eggs are not cooked in this recipe, the eggs must be fresh or liquor to be added. If eggs are not used, you can substitute with another packet (250g) of cream cheese with 200ml of warm water to beat with sugar.