Today I went to California Raisin seminar at the Sheraton Grand Bangkok, Thailand. They have demonstrated us a few pastry recipes that we can take it as inspiration to our bakery shop. They also provided us with information about the Raisin specification, how the grape was grown, trained, harvested, processed, packed and delivered.
There were so many pastry shops representatives, approximately 100 of them were there at the seminar. Yet this seminar has reminded me of the theatre performance just a few weeks ago. Because we were all focusing on the chef whom were showing us how to… this and that.
It was fun participating the seminar, got to learn so many things, and enjoy the food samples. I also got some new ideas/recipes that I would like to try sometime this week. I will then post the result of the recipe that I tried later.
Anyway, it must be interesting to be in the spotlight during the entire performance, while everyone is watching. Knowing that every move that was made cannot be redone. As I have learn from the Chef and the Dance was that… improvisation is the key. The dancer must improvise when some of the props don’t go according to plan, they must improvise in such a way that the audience doesn’t notice it. The chef, as well, must improvise on the recipe because each ingredient is different thru out the world. Being an international chef, he understood that… we cannot blindly follow the “instruction” on the recipe.
We must use our experience and our understand of the circumstance to make the best of whatever we were set out to do.
There’s no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepiatone loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it’s so hard?
It’s not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I’ll tell you one thing it’s always better when we’re together
[Chorus:]
MMM it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah, we’ll look at the stars when we’re together
Well, it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah, it’s always better when we’re together
And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they’ll be gone
When the morning light sings
And brings new things
For tomorrow night you see
That they’ll be gone too
Too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way
Into my day to day scene
I’d be under the impression
I was somewhere in between
With only two
Just me and you
Not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be
We’ll Sit beneath the mango tree now
It’s always better when we’re together
Mmmm, we’re somewhere in between together
Well, it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah, it’s always better when we’re together
MMmmmm MMMmmmm Mmmmmm
I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no, combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We’re better together.
Tonight, I would like to dedicate this photo to the one and only “Matilde Paixão Morgado” with the song “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. I’ll let the lyrics speak for itself.
Today activities were quite busy and a bit messy. I got to teach a friend how to make Madeleines, Chocolate and Vanilla. Also, I myself, tried a new Pasteis de Nata recipe, I have yet to stabilize the recipe of Pasteis de Nata. Must practice more, practice makes perfect!
Later in the afternoon, I drove to visit an old friend in Chonburi, a city where I spent 5 years there in Assumption College Sriracha, a boarding school. That was a long drive, almost 2 hours but it was nothing compare to 10 years ago, during the construction of the highway, when going there would take at least 6 hours due to traffic.
One long day indeed! Today’s photo was taken in Berlin, Germany during a 4 hour transit wait. I noticed this interesting sign next to the miniature airplane. So I was there thinking curiously that, if I were to really walk, swim, run, jump, go hopping, etc… straight that way for 8599 Km the direction it is pointing I would probably reach Bangkok by the time I turn 50? That would interesting to find out!
But before I jump into something big, let me see if I can find the WC to see the accuracy of the sign
I just took this photo about 2 hours ago during the family gathering. About 15 of us were there, just a few of us were missing. Well, it wasn’t easy to actually have everyone to be ready and come at the same time. Why were we gathering at a temple? Because it is part of a Thai culture to, once in a while, come to service at the temple to build good merit for the family and our ancestors.
Most Thai gatherings involve large amounts of food, which is why I am having a food coma. Time for a ciesta!
Really, I just love it anyway! Would the name of the mountain really going to change the way I feel about it?
This shot was taken during the west coast trip from Los Angeles, U.S.A. to Vancouver B.C., Canada. After being in Bangkok for the past few weeks, I started to miss the view of mountains because they are everywhere in California and Spain, while there are none in Bangkok!
I think that is a sign saying that… I should take a trip and take some more photos of Thailand’s landscape! How about that? Great idea. Right, I just had a conversation with myself. Interesting huh?
This pile of rocks and the big stone represents the START of a NEW beginning for a path. Apparently, from the view, the path seems to be rough to walk thru. Why would someone want to walk down this path anyway? Perhaps because they know that at the end of the path is the Beach*, where they can rest happily in front of the eternal ocean.
*zoom-in on the original file and you would see the sea at the end of the road. Yes that little blue pool of water is the sea
I guess that is the best way to reach our destination by fixing our eye on our GOAL in life and do work hard with a POSITIVE mind and everything will become much easier.
This post is related to back to the previous posted as it was the resulted from the “STONE” that marked the new beginning. The question that was mentioned in the previous post… was asked and has been answered.
The ROAD to take was chosen… and now? Keep going FORWARD, “together”.
“Two things I learned in life, kid: find someone to love and live everyday as though it were your last.– Joe.” Alfie 2004.
And to live everyday as it though it were your last, sometime we must put ourselves in the position that there is no turning back, just keep going forward. And to never regret any moment in life.
This is the view of City Center, Valencia, Spain. What a fun, risky, crazy, spot to take the photo, yet…it was worth it.
One more exam to go, One more week until graduation… and one more question to be answer.
This is the result of another drive by shot while Simon was driving us to Madrid, Spain. No, he wouldn’t stop the car because he believed that if he do stop at every place I wanted to take picture, then we would never make it to Madrid. Silly but I think that he may be right.
The image is a bit blurry, yet I love it. I wonder what this building was once before, a warehouse was my wild guess. Whatever it was, it has such a nice location and view for the entire valley below and that it refuses to collapse. Just stood there, perhaps one day someone will see its true value and come back to renovate it? Well, I would if I could… renovate, recreate and fill it with joy and life as it should be the same as when it was created.
Ahh yes… today post is a bit different from the norm. After I have the picture ready to upload, I felt the urge to edit it which resulted in the black and white picture. You still have access to the original color version.
It was during the 48 hour 4 city trip with my colleagues. As we were resting from the walk… I noticed that the majority of the tourists are walking in pairs and as I keep searching for that perfect pair… left and right, I couldn’t find any.
In the end, as I looked up… straight right in front of me is this lovely couple that I only had a split second to capture it.
There, at the moment… it was so sweet that I wish to know who they are so that I can share this picture with them!
So then… I asked and believed.
Now?… Received.
Don’t know what am I talking about? Well… it’s part of “the secret”. ^_^
Nothing could have made this breakfast any better. Fresh orange juice, toast, coffee and local music… to not worrying about anything and just enjoy the moment. Miss the day, the moment, the view, the color, the freshness, and the morning.
*everyone seem to be chillaxing… but what was that lady in the photo rushing to? Just relax!
That temple is really tall! I remember climbing it to the top last year, the view from above is amazing. I will try to find the photo taken last year to post it here.
Any story behind this photo today? Not really. I just love how it look and feel in the night by the river. Those light kinda remind me of fire-flies! What do you think?
I think the picture is tilted a little bit, or is it just my eye?
I took this photo 2 weeks ago, the afternoon of the graduation ceremony. Knowing that it was going to be the last afternoon I spent at Les Roches Marbella, I took the photo just to remember it. I am sure many of the 28# share this same view! Great view isn’t it?
The walk / run today at the park in the neighbourhood reminded me of the school as I sometime go for a walk / run to Puerto Banus. I came to find out how exhausted it was to run! After barely making 3 laps without collasping, I was soaking with sweat… and it was 8:00PM !
Anyways, it feels good to run! Next time I’ll be sure to bring my camera to take photo of the park to share it here. ^_^
As we were walking in the Granada city center in Spain, I smelled the fragrance of dry herbs from far away. After 5 minutes of turning around, spinning around, and walking around… we found the source of the smell. Presented before us, are a range of herb varieties for “SMOKING”. Amazing!
The aromas of the herbs helped rejuvenate us from hours of walking in the city. We stoped there only to spend a few mintues at the shop before we marched forward to explore the rest of the city.
That is one long bridge! To be able to hold my breath all the way from beginning to the end of the bridge was a real challenge. When I was young, my parents told me that if we make a wish while crossing a BIG river with a very long bridge then the wish will come true!
I really don’t know how true that tale is, however… after all these time, I still hold my breath and make a wish every time I cross a BIG BIG Bridge. I did the same with the Golden Gate bridge when I visited in December 2008. I don’t quite remember what did I wish for… whatever it is, I think it came true because now I am happy. And don’t we all make a wish for something or someone to make us fully and truly happy.
Try it for yourself the next time you are on a bridge… MUSH A WISH!
This view of Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain reminded me of the quote “stand for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone.” Well, obviously because there is one statue standing in the center, however I don’t know why is he/she is standing there. Another interesting part of the statue is that he/she is holding a mask that has different expression from his/her real face expression.
Why would he/she standing there? And why would he/she wear a mask?
In my opinion, if you are truly standing for something you believe in… you wouldn’t need a mask to hide yourself. Instead you should throw away the mask with no regrets, no remorse, and no sadness while “standing for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone” and be strong, confident, and happy!
During the walk to buy some daily products in the neighborhood today, it reminded me of the walk to Puerto Banus and there is this moment that the wall is just full of this pinkish / reddish flower that I would just stare at while walking pass them. For some reason… they are so fun too look at. So, on the last day of school, I had to go there just to take the picture of this wall that I must have walked past so many time during my stay in Marbella, Spain.
Here it is… the eye candy wall that tickled my eye!
After many hours of not knowing where to go next, we decided to walk west of Plaza Mayor. Minutes later, we found ourselves standing in front of a humongous cathedral. Not knowing where we were and what it was, we just followed a group of people and foot traffic into the cathedral.
Amazingly beautiful, elegant and serene. There were numerous people inside yet it was so quiet and calm. Half of the time we sat and enjoyed just being present, and the rest of the time we walked and explore the cathedral. We also got to light a candle, an electronic candle…
Looking up, that is how I found the shot of the day. Simply beautiful.
Take a moment to examine the picture, can you tell where is this?
The answer is… BERLIN-TEGEL airport. Yup, it said right on the top at the tower. Kindna obvious isn’t it?
To me, this is a totally new experience to see so many Mercedes-Benz as “TAXI” because in Thailand and U.S.A, speaking from my experience, we value Mercedes-Benz as a high luxury car that only those that who can afford it, buy it. At first I thought they were making a commercial advertisement for Mercedes-Benz and these are just for show but to find out later that they are really taxi drivers waiting for passengers.
Because we were at the show 1 hour early, so I had the time to walk around the theater. It came to my surprise that the theater is only a blog away from the wedding banquet room that I attended 2 nights ago. However, I wasn’t able to take the picture of this bridge here that night because the angle different and I told to myself that I must come back later to capture the bridge. But that “later” came just a few nights after.
What was I waiting for? I was waiting for the Hip-Hop dance Accrorap Company: “Short stories.com”. It is part of the La Fête 2009. The show was amazing. It is part modern-contemporary art dance, hip-hop dance, story telling and musical performance with a touch of comedy.
The show was amazing in that it got my body moving, my head shaking, and my feet tapping along with the music!
*As promised, the blog is back up with in a week! After just about 36 hours… it is alive!!! again!!! Yah!!! Things just keep happening sooner than expect. I take that as a good thing. ^_^
First of all… my website www.TwoStepsBehind.com is having technical problems right now after trying to update it… and then it just gives an ERROR! sooo sigh…..
But that is not going to stop me! Here I am, blogging on Flickr!!! muahahahaha. I’ll fix TSB later. Hey if it doesn’t work? Just be patient and slowly fix it… how? I really don’t know yet, but… I’ll have it fixed in a week.
And if it can’t be fix? I’ll make a new one! Just like that ^_^ If I had one before, this time I know how to make the next one… much better
So the picture… that bright shine is the lovely moon of ours that we all share. Due to the double or triple glass of the airplane, it produce the image as you see it before your eyes.
I LOVE IT!
Just about 3 hours ago, I took this picture at my relative’s wedding banquet in Bangkok, Thailand. The banquet room has a glass wall that is open to this view… an amazing view of historical buildings in Bangkok and the Chao Phra Ya river.
I haven’t met so many of my relatives in such a long time and tonight I must have met at least 50 of them, telling them the same story to each of them. Funny thing is the one question they all ask me, beside where haveI been the past 10 years, is when is my turn to hold the banquet!
When? One step at a time and the time will come! When? I wonder about that myself, too.
Until then, I’ll just keep working and do my best and enjoy the thing I do.
This photo was taken on the last evening that I would be in Marbella, Spain before I departed to Bangkok the following morning.
The day was cloudy and gloomy since the morning. However, in the evening I went out for a walk with a group of my friends one last time. I don’t want to let the weather ruin my last evening there so I just go anyway, hoping that it won’t rain!
It turned out to be a really great evening as the sun broke through the cloud a bit later after we started to walk to the port. Fortunately, I took the camera with me.
Fear… ? Fear, doesn’t really make much sense when it is the fear of something that doesn’t happen yet.
Just Do…? Do believe that everything will turn out as expect
And then…? And then anticipate of all the possible outcomes and be ready to improvise it ALL!
Sigh… why must I make a metaphor of everything that I write… SIGH… -_-’
Out of all the bench photos I have taken, only this one is facing forward at the camera. I didn’t notice about that until now. And yes the photo is the different and also the place I am taking the picture that is different from before. Usually I would be taking the picture while I was walking from here to there and most of the time it would be behind the bench.
However for this photo, I took it while I was sitting opposite from the bench itself. Resting and hoping that the day would never end. It was a great day to just walk around the city of Madrid, from the Plaza Mayor to Thyssen Museum to Retiro park then to Gran Via.
A simple photo that has so many stories behind it. One step at a time, there are times that we walk and time that run, but for now… we rest.
Looking out the window of an airplane, a view that most of the LRM’s students must have experienced in the past week. In this particular view… Bangkok. After 1 hours from Marbella to Malaga, 3 hours waiting for boarding time, 4 hours from Malaga to Berlin, 4 more hours for transit in Berlin, 11 hours from Berlin to Bangkok, and 1 hour from BKK’s airport to home, I have arrived, at one of the, “home”.
After all the countless hours, I am finally home!…. NOT. Because they have turned my room into storage room! sigh…. now I am roomless. Ahh well, as long as there is wifi internet, I AM HOME and CONNECTED with all my friends, families, and LOVED ONES! I think that is enough.
I dont’ have much time to type much, but all I can say is that, this is the view that I will be missing. So many memories here with such little time. I have always wanted for this day to come, but when it is here, I don’t think I want it anymore. sigh… weird ha?
For this photo today, there were two more steps in front of me, therefore, I didn’t take this picture directly. I was only there to pick the spot, the camera setting and let the magic happen.
Today is our graduation day at Les Roches Marbella. I will be there early to check the attendance list and make sure that everyone on the list is there on time.
Today is also a good day where I might have the chance to be part of the 180 degree life changing experience which I don’t know what is going to happen yet, can only wait until the ceremony is over.
I’m posting this quite early today, afraid that I might not have the chance to do later in the day.
Yesterday while I was walking to have lunch with Simon who was not quite sober, yet. He suddenly said “dude, walk faster! you are so slow!” and my answer was “dude!!! it is not like the first day you know me, remember Madrid?” And then we just keep laughing all the way to the cafe, Small World.
At Madrid, I am usually a block behind from him because I stop and take pictures of every thing at every angle… ALL THE TIME. I mean, if I were to go by myself, I would just stuck in one location forever. I think it is nice to have someone there to tell me to hurry up and just move along otherwise nothing I do would ever finish just because I like to spend a lot of time into detailing the work.
And because I hung back so very often, that is how I capture most of the picture you have seen here on the blog.
This was taken in Valencia, Spain at the Museum of Art and Science center, where everything doesn’t look as if it is from its “time”. Is this how all futuristic cities would look like? AWESOME! Just keep walking at the center and be amazed by the architecture, the space and the environment. The most interesting part of this is that everything were built on a dry river bed. The landscape design that turns a dead space into a dynamic and lively space with activities from the city center to the port.
The only thing that is missing from this picture is… flying cars!
Yup… was gone for a few days, but now I am back! Where? to a place like this… at Alhambra de Granada, so much mystery, history and memory. Aude, Max and Maria were waiting outside while I was lost in this little plaza. While I was lost, I did my best to be productive and took so many photos there. And this is one of them. Hope you enjoy it!
to see the accuracy of the sign 
