time after time

Post Candidacy…

2008-06-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

The presentation goes well as plan though some questions raised makes me blundering a bit. My super “v” Prof Greg Tower was there but stick with the rule “..silence..no words can be uttered by supervisor to assist or uphold supervisee during that session.” I might say that they love my power point presentation …a bit catchy thanx to my hubby for his endless support and assistance. The presentation took approximately 18 minutes…whilst Q&A session ended up 35 minutes later. After presentation, most of the committee decided that the topic is a very interesting one – there’s a twist in it - though I need to enforce and strengthen on certain parts of the studies. I received comments from the committee – got to response and resubmit my proposal within two weeks. Ahhh….more works – never ending story.

Pre Candidacy...

2008-06-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

Today is the day to defend my honorable proposal...the day I have to show inside out that my initiation of study is worthwhile to proceed. Eat proposal...sleep proposal....drink proposal....hmmI guess...in Australia this is the peak of time ...as "viva" in the UK...I am less worried about the presentation rather than the Q&A session...never know what are their curiousity....just pray to God hope my exertions all this while are fruitful....tawakkal to Allah s.w.t.

Lasagna

2008-06-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

Today, I’ve spent my whole day doing my power point slide presentation. Still haven’t finished. A bit exhausted. Why not taking a break….Hmmm…I grabbed a receipe book that I’ve bought at a charity shop for 50 cents two weeks ago. Suddenly my stomach started grumbling, no wonder people get fatter in winter. I can’t believe the adrenaline struck so fast from my brain to my stomach….ahh lasagna it is… Went to the kitchen…This is where the story begins.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
500 g beef mince
2 tablespoon oil, extra
2 onions, chopped
2 medium zucchini, chopped
150 g baby mushrooms, sliced
500 g bottle ready-made tomato pasta sauce
250 g can tomato pieces
140 g can tomato paste
1 tablespoon caster sugar
Salt and pepper
250 g instant lasagna sheets.

Cream sauce

125g butter
2/3 cup plain flour
3 cups milk
Salt and pepper
150 g cheddar cheese grated
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 7.5cm deep, 18cm x 22cm (base), 12-cup capacity baking dish.
Heat oil in large pan, cook mince in batches until browned. Transfer to bowl. Heat extra oil in the same pan, cook onion until soft. Add zucchini and mushrooms, cook until just tender. Return meat to onion mixture, add pasta sauce, undrained tomato pieces, tomato paste, sugar, salt and pepper. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make cream sauce: Melt butter in a heavy-based saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes or until bubbling. Remove from heat. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until smooth. Return to heat. Cook, stirring, for 8 to 10 minutes or until sauce comes to the boil. Add salt, pepper and cheese. Mix until smooth and cheese has melted.
Spoon a little tomato mixture over base of baking dish. Top with 1 layer pasta. Spoon over half the remaining tomato mixture. Spoon over half the cream sauce. Repeat pasta and tomato sauce layers finishing with a layer of pasta. Spoon remaining white sauce over pasta. Combine mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle over pasta. Cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes or until pasta is tender. Uncover and cook for a further 10 minutes or until top is golden and edges bubbling. Stand for 10 minutes. Serve.

And guess what? My very first lasagna that I've ever made in my life. Anybody care for a takeaway? he...he...he...

Thanks a zillion

2008-06-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Greg and Mitch,

Thank you so much for the valuable insights, advice and commentary. I really appreciate it. I'm really glad having both of you as my supervisors...

To Greg, sorry for taking your weekends…
To Mitch, sorry for urging you with my proposal right after you came back from Brazil….

Thanks a zillion.

Best wishes,
Adzrin

Proposal

2008-06-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

I have to submit my candidacy proposal by Tuesday (10 June 2008). I gave my proposal for review only last Friday and left my supervisor (Prof Greg) with only two days to review, definitely over the weekend. Actually we have decided to go for this candidacy at the very last minute (about 1.5 week ago) - due to certain unforeseen circumstances. And today as early as 5 o’clock in the morning I’ve waited in front of my notebook waiting for his reply. Waiting…and waiting…finally at 3.15 p.m. I received the edited version of my candidacy proposal from him. In addition, I also received very useful insights from my second supervisor (Prof Mitch). (He was on a holiday in Brazil – no internet access for the last three weeks and only today he starts to work again) - I am really thankful to both of them. A short note was sent to them.

Sunday Market

2008-06-08T04:18:00.000-07:00

Wake up early in the morning. Sunday market. That’s my normal activity every sunny Sunday. It’s a shopping heaven for me…I guess…. he..he..he…somehow or rather I still remember the captivating environment at Cross Green Car Boot Sale in Leeds…how I miss that…..There’re a few Sunday markets around Perth…Melville, Canning Vale but I found Belmont is the best. Although most of the goods are used or 2^nd hand items but its still worth it especially clothing items for kids. It can goes as low as 20 cents for children’s winter attire…so tempting huh…. Well like they always said…there’s something for everyone!

Progress report

2008-06-06T01:38:00.000-07:00

I’ve just finished presenting my progress report to a HDR (Higher Degree by Research) committee. Alhamdulillah, everything was fine. Currently, I’m struggling with my candidacy proposal. Still not yet finished although my candidacy is just around the corner – next Friday (13 June 2008). Knowing me – always working at the eleventh hour. "You cannot dream yourself into a character: you must hammer and forge yourself into one". Henry D. Thoreau.

Spices of life

2008-06-06T01:28:00.000-07:00

Today it’s been almost 4 months I’ve been in Perth. Lots of things have happened so far, especially the unexpected ones. Well….life is like a box of chocolate, you’ll never know what you're gonna get. (Forrest Gump)