Brunei Darussalam National Day Run 2013

Some years back my daughter Jewel ran her first long distance event — a 6 km run starting from and finishing at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in the Brunei capital, an event she was neither trained nor had much preparation for other than the occasional school practice. Back then I wasn’t very much involved with her running as I am today in her athletic training and competition. Cut a long story short, she completed the event and was among the top 30-something students out of what appeared to be a large number of participants from all schools in the country.

Last Sunday, Jewel participated in her second run this time a kilometer shorter which was held right in our home town, Seria. The difference this time she has had eleven months of athletic coaching, having earned several medals in 400m, 200m and 4x100m events, she’s in way better shape than she ever was. The transformation from the weak, migraine-prone asthmatic little girl to the determined athlete she is today, is nothing short of amazing. She is 13, and finished 5th in the Under 17 category.

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July 25, 2011: Overcoming all odds to triumph: Jewel’s first 400m event.
Feb 23, 2009: Growing Up With Asthma and Allergies

Jewel stretching before her 5 km run.

All images: Canon PowerShot G11

The View From My Kitchen Balcony

My kitchen balcony has all the elements of good feng shui. How do I know this? Quite simply, the term feng shui literally translates as “wind-water” in English and in that respect, the balcony gets plenty of wind, and rain water, sometimes both :). I’m an early riser, a habit that has followed me since school days and on more than a few occasions I had been blessed with picturesque sunrises especially when you factor in addition of the seasonal flock of white egrets flying in formation over my house.

Pay attention to where the sun is at the bottom of the picture in between the roofs and you’ll see where the following photo was photographed. I donated this framed and mounted piece to help raise money for the earthquake victims of Haiti and Chile.

“SHEET” – The Empire Hotel and Country Club’s First Edition Recipe Booklet

Foreword by Executive Chef Torsten Schubert: It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the first edition of the Empire Hotel’s recipe booklet. The word “SHEET” defines to cover or layer an object with a sheet. In the following recipes, you will discover the various methods in covering or layering food. Throughout the hotel, 12 Chefs from various outlets and nationalities have created their very own signature dishes with the use of “SHEET”. Photographing these dishes for the Empire Hotel has connected me to the interesting personalities of the 12 Chefs whose outstanding efforts made this recipe booklet possible.

“SHEET” is the Empire Hotel’s first recipe booklet as much as it’s also my first published recipe booklet and is available in a limited run of only 250 copies. The copy I have is serial numbered “88″ and you can grab a copy at Spaghettini Restaurant for only B$15.

The word “SHEET” defines to cover or layer an object with a sheet. In the following recipes, you will discover the various methods in covering or layering food.

Throughout the hotel, 12 Chefs from various outlets and nationalities have created their very own
signature dishes with the use of “SHEET”

Executive Chef Torsten styles the Bakes Blue Swimmer Crab Parcel for the shoot.

French Chef Benjamin lending a hand to Indian Chef Raj’s creation Tandoori Chicken Lasagna.

Indonesian Chef Deddy’s Beef Rendang Ravioli

Malaysian Chef Azizi’s Poached Salmon in Roti Jala Cannelloni

Singaporean Chef Henry’s Oriental Marinated Chicken Tortilla

Bruneian Chef Fairuz’s Blackcurrant Leather

In the booklet, you’ll find 12 recipes namely: Thai Spring Roll & Chili Dip, Baked Blue Swimmer Crab Parcel, Seafood Crepes & Balinese Sauce, Poached Salmon in Roti Jala Cannelloni, Slipper Lobster Wrap, Lamb Satay Roulade, Pan Seared Cod Fillets in Hot Black Bean Sauce, Beef Rendang Ravioli, Oriental Marinated Chicken Tortilla, Tandoori Chicken Lasagna, Blackcurrant Leather and Nougatine “Mille Feuille” Chocolate-Nougat Sauce.