Pharm Shirts

A shirt for sale by a pharmacist at US$31.45

Spending crisis

2011's resolution: Stinge!

As of midnight tonight, VAT increases from 17.5% to 20%. Previously I was penny pinching. As of tomorrow, I'm gonna be Pound pinching extra hard!
Price increament for everything from phone bills, electrical goods, meals, train tickets etc....
Stinge.. stinge.. stinge.... aih...
Looks like the GREAT SALES will never be a good as previous ones ever again....

Whats worse is when retailers are allowed to do this:
"And until February 1, stores are being allowed by the Government to apply the 20 per cent rate by marking up the price paid at the till, rather than on shelf labels."
"It means shoppers will not know the true cost of items until they go through the checkout, raising the prospect of disputes and queues as they come to terms with being asked to pay more."

Need to stinge and...do the math when reading shelf labels.

Scottish food

The one thing I've always wanted to know was, "What is Scottish's food?" Every Scot I have asked could only name me one - Haggis. Some say soup! Before coming to Glasgow, I've been told to try Haggis too. SOURCE

So, I found a couple more Scottish food.. I could make one of my new year resolution as "To try all the Scottish food!"

Haggis - A Scottish Staple. A bag stuffed with minced heart, liver and lung boiled in lamb stomach.

Roasted Grouse

Abroath Smokie - Scotland's version of salted fish

Scotch eggs - Hardboiled eggs wrapped in minced sausage and coated with breadcrumbs.
This doesn't sound too hard to be eaten or made.

Black pudding - Congealed blood wrapped in intestine, battered and deep fried.

010111

2010 wasn't too bad. Almost everything I wanted to be done was done. Hoping 2011 will be a better year. Feng Shui master said it will be a good year for those with the Virgo sign. I'd like to believe that :)

I'm not even done with the Christmas posts and New Year is here.
We had a small do at the halls.

Tortilla filled with peanut butter and chocolate spread

neighbours

The ones who helped out with the words :)

The anticipation to look out for fireworks that goes BANG!

A nice finale to 2010 and a great start to 2011!

Salad- The best meal for a busy person

Easy to prepare, yet delicious, crunchy, juicy and satisfying

The Face of Anorexia

The latest news is about the death of Isabelle Caro, a french model for anti-aneroxia ads. She was 28 years old. SOURCE

Even a whole cup of tea for her was too much!

It is sad to have a eating disorder. To me, it is almost unfathomable given the unsurmountable feast I have had.

RIP

A youtube video about Isabelle.

Pre-Christmas lunch at Mussel Inn, Glasgow

Many weeks before Christmas Day, it was decided that the people who were not going to London should have a meal together somewhere fancy and also try something out of the ordinary. Hence, with some scouting and researching, we came to an agreement to give Mussel Inn a try. Their Christmas Menu managed to tantalise our tastebuds and thus, attracting us to said restaurant.

However, we were not able to dine at Mussel Inn on Christmas Day or the Eve of Christmas because Mussel Inn was not open on those days. Therefore, 23rd Dec 2010 marked the day we planned to satisfy our cravings. With the change of plans, some who were going to London the day after were able to dine with us.

Mussel Inn was just a 15 minute walk from the halls. Pretty chilly day to be out walking.

When we arrived at Mussel Inn, the table reserved for us was set up with a present for each person. Inside the wrapper were tiny gifts like mini book keychain, cards, screwdrivers and others.

Ambience wise, I'd say its a great place to wine and dine. It wasn't noisy when the lunch crowd came in. Service was not too shabby either.

Some of us ordered the 2 course meal. A basket of bread and butter was served to us on the house. The bread was refillable which complemented the the Seafood Platter main course.

Appetizers:



TOASTED GOATS CHEESE ON BAGUETTE SLICES WITH CAPER AND BELL PEPPER RELISH



CREAMY SEAFOOD CHOWDER

TEMPURA TIGER PRAWNS SERVED WITH SWEET CHILLI JAM AND CREM FRAICHE

Main Course:

GRILLED SMOKED CHICKEN WITH MELTED MOZZARELLA ON PENNE PASTA, COOKED IN ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

SEAFOOD PLATTER: QUEEN SCALLOPS, SCOTTISH SALMON, COLEY, TIGER PRAWNS AND MUSSELS ALL POACHED IN A RICH SEAFOOD BISQUE TOPPED WITH CHIVE CREME FRAICHE

A third choice which none of us ordered was Grilled Seabass on Lemon and parsley mash with sweet shallot, tomato and crayfish sauce. It didnt sound too bad, but Mussels were definitely the main choice on most of our minds.

We skipped the dessert. The choices were:
Apple cinnamon strudel with vanilla cream and honey
Warm sticky date pudding served with toffee sauce and ice cream
Affogato- Coffee, Ice Cream and a Liquer of your choice.
Coffee or Tea.

The meal was great. A tad bit too rich for some of us who had the chowder and the platter. Nevertheless, it was a good experience which I don't mind repeating if I were to earn in pounds ;)