amandamoey: baking

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Hello 2015!

Have been pretty busy the past week — celebrating Christmas and New Year's, and even catching up with my ACJC classmates, as well as Clare & Faith. It has been a while since I have went out with friends, so I was abit apprehensive at first (what if my heart rate goes up? what if it's too crowded?)... But I'm glad I did! Always great to spend time with friends that I hold dearly to my heart. On another happy note, Joel is home from his exchange in Copenhagen!!!

2014 was a rollercoaster ride for me — I graduated with a BA in Sociology, went on an ultimate grad trip to Korea, Cambodia and Europe, started work at a PR firm... but it was also the year that I was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was unexpected, shocking, and a blow to what I deem as my smooth-sailing life. Rather than a 'battle', I would like to call the past 4 months a learning journey. Looking back, I've so much to be thankful for. There has been progress in my treatment, and I'll be ending my last chemotherapy the following week (probably 13th Jan!). A great start to the new year!

I don't know what 2015 holds, but that's what's exciting isn't it? That way, we'll make the most out of it.

Happy New Year!

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Here are some happy food photos to end 2014:

Our Christmas roasted duck stuffed with orange turned out pretty awesome!

Linguini with mackerel at Spathe Public House

Spaghetti in organic tomato sauce, with spinach and feta cheese at Real Food (Clarke Quay)

Strawberry cheesecake for New Year's Eve

Saturday, November 1, 2014

"What do you do in your free time?"

I hardly leave the house nowadays because it's important that I stay away from crowded places as my immune system is down and I don't wanna get sick. Anyway I'm the kind that normally loves staying home all day long so it doesn't really matter... I know some people feel 'trapped' in their own home but not me!! I love my home! To get fresh air, I'll stand at the balcony for some sunlight (vitamin D!) and enjoy the pool view. Lol when I typed that out it sounds quite sad... But it really isn't!

I used to take walks downstairs by the pool but I'm trying to avoid any activity that will make my heart pump faster. I don't want it to start racing again because I don't wanna head back to the hospital anytime soon! My 3rd cycle of chemo starts this coming Monday, and I'll be in hospital till the next weekend so it's best that I don't check myself in any earlier. (Sidetrack: my heart rate decided to go up to 160 one day after I returned home from hospital on Tuesday. Thank god it went down after I took the medication!)

Anyway... I've been getting this a lot — "What do you do in your free time?"

Well, it's true — I have LOADS of free time on my hands now. Most of the time I'm sleeping, and eating... definitely my kind of recuperation.

Before I started chemotherapy I was talking to Joel about it, there are so many exciting things that I could do to keep myself busy these few months that I'm off work (and also to keep those brain cells working) — continue learning French, do online courses that will up my PR game, equipping myself with new skills (e.g. art, photoshop, Microsoft excel) etc.

But when I really got home after my first round of chemotherapy... I was feeling so lethargic and simply nua. I decided that these few months I only needed to do one thing — rest well!! But during the past few weeks I realized that "hey, baking is actually quite fun and therapeutic ah". So... that's my new skill. #domesticated

So far my first attempts have been successful - except for flourless peanut butter choc chip cookies. Not sure why the cookie refused to stick together?! Like the peanut butter continued to crumble :( perhaps I was abit too excited and scooped too much peanut butter.

But yes, for someone who NEVER steps into the kitchen (except to grab food to eat)... I must say I have leveled up!! The recipes I've used are generally fuss-free and do not need a lot of equipment/utensils (post-baking, i.e. cleaning, ughh). I'd be more than glad to share, just let me know :)