Lobster tastes like Crab Meat & Potatoes taste like Chips

We've been wanting to try some lobster in Boston for some time now because everyone has been telling us about how ridiculously cheap it was.

It wasn't really a craving or anything. Neither of us is crazy about lobster in particular or even seafood in general. We just thought we should give it a try since everyone has been recommending it so much.

However, we were reluctant to spend the 30+ USD or so just to try some lobster and decided to go down to Shaw's to see if we could just buy some from the Supermart and cook it ourselves!

We went to Shaw's yesterday and found live lobster!! And had no idea how to cook live lobster!!
So we saved that adventure for another day, ended up buying lobster chunks and headed home to prepare lobster rolls!

And that was what we had today for lunch. Lobster rolls and chips!
Even the chips are self made since we decided to buy some potatoes with the lobster rolls and fry them ourselves.

Hence the conclusion. Lobster tastes like crab meat and potatoes taste like chips.

Tonight we find out what chicken tastes like!

Lynn's account is here.

Orientation

"Hi, I'm Lynn from Singapore. I'm not under any programme. I'm just accompanying my spouse."

Applause given at my introduction. I was perhaps the only one (if not, another) who was not studying but was present at yesterday's International Students' Orientation. It was an informal session in which we had existing students in an panel giving advice to the new ones.

Of the turnout, almost 1/2 of them were from China. The rest of the students were from HK, S. Korea, Kenya, NZ, and some S. American countries. Singapore got her respresentatives from Ken and another fellowman, Matthew, who will be studying Theology (how's that?!). We were actually quite surprised to see another Singaporean and of course we immediately made contact with him after the session.

The BBQ was All-American buffet style, complete with buns, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, pasta and cookies. I must say it was a good change from the Asian food that we have been having. We managed to catch up more with Matthew who just came over 2 days ago and looked seriously jet-lagged. =p

Back home, I have decided to enter this challenge on foodblog. Not that I wanted to win desperately but since I am already learning and experimenting with cooking, it is a might-as-well kinda thing. The challenges are also interesting; I would still attempt even if I don't sign up for it! Stay tuned for more updates in my foodblog!

Blessed Sunday!

Blessed is the one who picked up furniture during a run and had a cupcake after that.

I was due for my 12-15km run today (which is running late for my marathon training but what the heck) and it was a fruitful run indeed!

beautiful scenery along the way

Into my 11km, I ran into the nearby neighbourhood and guess what I saw? A trash bin and a coffee table which I knew the hubs would need. We have been scouting for a table from the thriftstore but could not find anything suitable and there before my eyes was the table. So I ran back to our apartment and got him to go back to the exact location again, half crossing my fingers that no one would be there before us.

And so, we had our bin and table and they saved us a bit. Sorry that I sound very auntie-ish but we are very much conscious of the fact that we would not be staying here forever and thus we shouldn't buy unnecessarily. A colleague who had been here before us had told us that she had done so and such incidents had saved her heaps.

So you see, running is good for health and for your pockets, if you do not mind second-hand stuff!

We are blessed by such provision. Indeed the Lord is good!

Minced meat congee for lunch

Park Street Church

satisfied!

The secret to a woman's heart, according to yours truly, is a good kitchen because in this sacred place, she finds both joy and pain but most importantly, fulfilment in her toils.

And today, satisfied was I. I was to go for my cake decorating class at Le Cordon Bleu, Boston and had an enjoyable and enriching time (read the entry here). The hubs went with me to look for the place and waited for me till my class was over. Touched! In exchange, I gave him some leftover cheesecake and cupcake for him to savour (definitely a bad barter trade).

On to the Goodwill store and HK supermarket again. I have been visiting these 2 outlets for consecutive days; I think they should give me some best supporter's award =p. I was constantly on the lookout for baking stuff and I am proud to announce that I have added measuring cup, ramekins, vegetable peeler and mixing bowls to my growing collection. In no time at all, the kitchen would be adequately equipped!

What made me happiest was that the hubs showed his support for the Kuali/wok by agreeing to the purchase of it and it looks (almost) and feels just like the one what I used at home! (Be warned. Constant use of it could lead to probable wrist injury =p). It's difficult to stir-fry in non-stick skillet; something is just amiss. Of course, the wok saw its opening with a dish from me and I must say the sound made when the metallic spatula interacted with the wok made one think of home. Hmm....and with stir-frying, you have to clean up the whole kitchen once you are done with the cooking. It's a good workout if you want to eat and at the same time, stay trim. Join the wok club!

The kitchen

This entry is dedicated to marmie whom I have learnt so much over the years when she worked about in the kitchen. The kitchen has always been her territory and she will watch you like a hawk when you cook in that area. Then she will point out what could be improved and gave some advice (or nagging, if that could really express the state of what she was doing).

Nearer to the period when we were to set off to this ang mo country, she would ask me to watch when she was cooking, scrubbing the toilet bowls, washing and bleaching clothes and of course, cleaning the whole kitchen. And today, I have my own little kitchen and many of her words stay with me.

I am thankful to have a mother who can work in the kitchen and that would definitely include cooking. The kitchen that we have back home is still very new because of how she cleans it (too bad for the many items that clutter). Before we left, she set aside a few set of cloth for us, saying, "You wil need them to clean up!" I had to force myself then to put them into the luggage but you know what? They were the first few things I used when we got hold of our house key. CLEAN UP time! Mom is always so picky about spick and span kitchen that the first few things she did when she went over to my sis' place or my bro's place in SH was to pick up the cloth and clean them! Oh no...it should be before that she examined the area. My sis could vouch for it.

So, dear sis, please translate the above to her when you next see her. Tell her also that:
1) I try to save whenever I can now and recycle any materials, just like what she has always done.
2) I make it a point to buy fresh produce and only those that I want to cook for the day.
3) I can cook gourmet not 'chapalan' food. I can do it because she has done so throughout our growing-up years and in some ways, she has motivated me to cook as well.
4) I may not care a lot at home but now having a home of my own, I am very particular about cleanliness in my home.
5) I washed the toilet bowl this morning, with my bare hands but I will follow her way soon (forgot to buy scrub).
6) Tell her this kitchen is my territory! =p
7) I appreciate her giving me of the cloth cos they were really great help.
8) Oh! Show her the food that I have cooked/baked from my food blog. She would be surprised how far I have gone! =)

Show her the pics too.

Overview of my kitchen, even got pink bin man!

Tell mom that it's not my fault that the sink looks dirty. I scrubbed but the dirt didn't come off. Maybe I should use bleach.

These are what I work with now..but can you ask her to send the chinese wok to me! =p

My library

Dinner for today: Teriyaki Chicken Rice with Egg & Onion.

(Z.Z)

I must be still suffering from jet-lag. Been waking up at around 3 to 4am in the morning and this day, it was even worse...2am!

By the time we completed our morning jog and proceeded to Boston Public Library, I was already on the way to la-la-land. Coffee was my solution and the hubs quickly guided me to 225 Newbury Street. What's that? It was Sweet, the cupcake store! I woke up all of a sudden upon seeing the store and came out of it satisfied with 4 minature cupcakes in our stomach and a mug of coffee each on hand. Bliss!

Came home after more purchases and was excited to make Begedil. I remember one recipe which I have read from a magazine and was pleased to be able to find it online. Made them and I was satisfied with the products! Actually I think cooking is more fun than baking since the former would require one to taste and see if it is ok and definitely allows for more creativity whereas baking does not allow for a lot of room for changes in terms of measurement. The latter is more of science than arts. So, yes, I would be cooking more now since I am in charge of health and nutrition in the household. =)

Zzzzzz...