Study & Spread

Pulut Ayam (Steamed Glutinous Rice topped with Fried Onions and served with Baked Chicken and Sweet Chilli Sauce)

Pau Kaya (Steamed Kaya Buns)

Kaya Cupcakes

Apple Pie baked for a wedding

A 3–day Postgraduate Colloquium. Photo collage by the Postgraduate Studies & Research Office.

Attended a meeting of minds recently and came home to some homemade goodies.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

Queen Lucy (Georgie Henley) on the Dawn Treader

King Caspian (Ben Barnes), Queen Lucy and King Edmund (Skandar Keynes) on Lone Islands

The Queen and Kings of Narnia with Lilliandil (Laura Brent), daughter of the retired star Ramandu

Pictures: www.rottentomatoes.com

Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace Scrubb where they meet up with King Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship, The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragon, dwarfs and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.

There were some good moments and some bad ones, but this film was definitely more entertaining than Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1. The CGI and cinematography were rather disappointing. Still prefer The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Rating: 3/5.

School's Over

After many months of hard work and some fun in between, I'm pleased to tell you that I've completed my postgraduate degree with flying colours. The journey certainly hadn't been plain sailing, but it was an interesting, joyful and memorable one nevertheless. I've no regrets.

Pursuing my postgraduate degree was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. Being a full–time sponsored student again had its ups and downs, but I wouldn't have traded it for anything. I've gained invaluable knowledge from my former lecturers and peers and hope I've grown academically as well as professionally. The bonds and seeds of friendships were forged and sown for life.

Would I do it again some time in the future? Only time will tell, but never say never, they say. So, what's next? Working abroad, God willing. Wish me luck!

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) at Shell Cottage

Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) and Harry in a diversion

Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy) presenting Professor Albus Dumbledore's will to Harry, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson)

Harry and Hermione

The Death Eaters listening to Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes)

Pictures: www.rottentomatoes.com

In this seventh and final instalment of the beloved Harry Potter series, Harry faces new troubles; he must collect all of the Horcruxes that the evil Lord Voldemort has left behind. He has no idea where these are and he has to destroy them all, even without the faintest idea how to do so.

Another letdown. Look forward to the Battle of Hogwarts in the final instalment next year.

Rating: 2.5/5.

Treats

Pretty Ladurée macarons from Paris

Gifts from a dear friend, all the way from London.

Sweet treats from Ladurée

Ladurée macarons from Paris

For the uninitiated, Ladurée is a renowned luxury cake and pastry shop with boutique shops in Paris, Beirut, Dublin, Geneva, Lausanne, London, Milan, Monaco, Nagoya, Tokyo and Zurich. It is known as the inventor of the double–decker macaron – 15,000 of which are sold daily. Ladurée is said to be the best macaron shop in the world.

The history of Parisian tea salons is intimately tied to the history of the Ladurée family. It began in 1862, when Louis Ernest Ladurée, a miller from France’s southwest, opened a bakery at 16 rue Royale in Paris.

See all the flavours here: www.laduree.fr

Guess what's inside?

None other than my favourite Thorntons chocolates!

Tea

BOH Cameronian Gold Blend + Dried Meramiyeh (Sage) Tea and Rose Tea served with Pitta Bread and Pistachio Halwa

The British Tourist Authority has declared 28 November 2010 as the International A Nice Cup of Tea Day, an online event on Facebook, in celebration of the world's perfect cup of tea. Find out the world's perfect cup of tea here: Smitten by Britain.

Happy International A Nice Cup of Tea Day, peeps!

Sky & Spread

Ais kacang or ais batu campur (ABC) – shaved ice topped with syrup, sweet corn, red beans and jellies.

Chicken and Mushroom Lasagna

Vermicelli Stir–fry

Butter Prawns

Baby Kailan Stir–fry

Bamboo Shoot, Prawn and Papaya Soup

Free–range Chicken Soup

A wedding cake

Miang Kam, a Thai appetiser.

Tempura Mushrooms

Pandan Chicken

Fried Catfish

Tomyam

Cempedak

Hawaiian Chicken Pizza

Kraizeh, a Jordanian dessert.

Chocolate Cheese Mousse Cake

The views from the lookout point near the border town of Wang Kelian

Dusk in the neighbourhood

Sunset over the main island of Langkawi from Kuala Perlis

Tasoh Lake Resort & Retreat (2010)

Mixed Fruit Juice

Cantonese Noodles

Asam Pedas Tulang

Anjung Tasik, the lakeside restaurant which opens from 6p.m. onwards

Some of the lake–edge cabanas

Captured during two separate visits with friends this year. See my previous visit here: Tasoh Lake Resort & Retreat (2008). For more information about this beautiful resort, please see: www.tasohlakeresort.com.my.