Jaffa Cakes

 My 7th piece of Jaffa before it was eaten... XD

My tongue always demands for titbits whenever mind is working on pieces of work... oh, actually neither nor not I'm working on assignment, probably it's just an excuse to satisfy the lovely nibbler inside me... my favo food brings lots of happiness to me, every day and moment they do...

Some minutes before I started here, I opened my very first pack of Jaffa Cakes bought from 99 pence shop. There are 24 Jaffa Cakes inside two separate packages. Ha... it surprised me at the first bite. Chocolate coating, soft sour jelly of orange flavour.. then the next was a biscuit-like texture 'cake' at bottom. I paused for a moment to examine the half-bitten cake, it looks fine, tastes.... abit weird... hahaha.. cause I'm sort of doubting the comby of orange jelly in chocolate coated cake. After a little searching from Google, the background story of Jaffa seems more interesting than just knowing what it is called.

Some information to share about:

Source: Adapted from Wikipedia

Description:

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  Jaffa Cakes are circular (found match with purchased!)
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  54 mm (2+1⁄2 inches) in diameter (found match with purchased!)
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  Have three layers: a fatless sponge cake base, a layer of orange flavoured jelly and a coating of dark chocolate. (found match with purchased!)

*Although Jaffa Cakes are mainly orange flavour, various limited edition flavours have been available, such as lemon-lime, strawberry and blackcurrant.

Origins:

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  Jaffa Cakes are a biscuit-like cake in the United Kingdom and Ireland. McVitie and Price introduced the Jaffa Cake in 1927. (no wonder it's sold EVERYWHERE here in Liverpool!)
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  Its creation is largely credited to John Langlands, a director of McVitie and Price.

Cakes or Biscuit?

Confusion between CAKE and BISCUIT

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  Under UK law, no Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on biscuits and cakes — they are "zero rated".
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  Chocolate covered biscuits, however, are subject to VAT.
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  McVities classed its Jaffa Cakes as cakes.
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  But in 1991, this was challenged by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the case ended up before the courts.
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  This may have been because Jaffa Cakes are about the same size and shape as some types of biscuit, and particularly because they are commonly eaten alongside, or instead of, traditional biscuits. The court asked "What criteria should be used to class something as a cake?"

Criteria to classify as CAKE or BISCUIT

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  McVities defended its classification of Jaffa Cakes as cakes, producing a 12" (30 cm) Jaffa Cake to illustrate that its Jaffa Cakes were simply miniature cakes.
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  McVities argued that a distinction between cakes and biscuits is, among other things, that biscuits would normally be expected to go soft when stale, whereas cakes would normally be expected to go hard.
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  It was demonstrated to the Tribunal that Jaffa Cakes become hard when stale.
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  Other factors taken into account by the Chairman, Potter QC, included the name, ingredients, texture, size, packaging, marketing, presentation, appeal to children, and manufacturing process.
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  Potter ruled that the Jaffa Cake is a cake.
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  McVities therefore won the case and VAT is not paid on Jaffa Cakes.

Is it interesting to follow the story behind which Jaffa is pronounced as CAKE officially?! It tooks the McVities to go through such a dangerous yet challenging process to proudly make JAFFA something memorable and valuable to the company. It's not only about the tax issue, JAFFA will always be the motivator to remind people about how endeavour will make life remarkable.

Overall, it tastes better and better for every next Jaffa...credits for its story probably! =D

WoW - Week 1

Being listed in Group C, this was the first week I attended the WoW Pilot Programme. It is really a useful and productive programme organised by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) specially designed for undergraduates who will soon step out to the real world of work.

Before going further to an interesting piece of information I experienced from today workshop, just a brief introduction of what WoW is all about. WoW stands for 'World of Work'. The WoW Programme is all about giving students a 'value added' higher education experience. All undergraduates have actually acquired the core of knowledge which the course required, and that probably could just satisfy the academic degree. Besides knowledge from the books, the WoW skills are equally important for undergraduates who will soon fight for a placement in their chosen industry. To stand out from the others, or at least being capable to handle job more competently, essential WoW skills are needed, for instances, analysing and problem solving, team working, interpersonal skills, verbal communication, initiative, ICT skills, etc..

What is really matter in the first place to a graduate is actually to understand himself or herself in term of his strength, weaknesses, values, motivators. Though these four aspects seems easily understandable, but they are the fields where most of job seekers found difficulty to fill in the CV. And I'm experiencing it today, really a bit hard to squeeze some words for praising myself... hahaha..so there was this friendly lady who coached us through the process with leading questionnaire and games to find out more about ourselves.

The below is piece of information I found interesting and would like to share for raising criteria out of Self-awareness:

 Figure 1

From Figure 1, choose a shape which you find most appealing. Please take some time to choose the one most appealing to you without referring to the explanation below. 

Square

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  Squares are organised, logical, conservative, loyal, analytical, task-oriented. and knowledgeable.
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  Squares will not tolerate sloppy work and need structured settings.
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  Squares believe in following the manual.
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  They live by the 3 Ps: Policies, practices, and procedures.
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  They are data collectors and will not make decisions without a thorough analysis of the data. If your boss is a square, be specific. They need things in writing, preferably with numbers!
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  They have calenders and lists everywhere.
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  They have plan for everyday.
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  They plan A, B, C, D. Why, because they are the most linear thinkers.
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  However, they are not the strongest team players because a square tends to be a loner. Meetingsjust mess up their day.
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  One the positive side, squares are loyal. Squares are loyal.
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  Squares are totally committed to friends and spouses.
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  The motto squares live by is if you want a job done right, then do it yourself.
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  A square is a very left brained and tactical thinker.
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  Sqaures are the most likely shape to work late at the office because they are the hardest workers in the group.
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  But, despite all their work, squares are the slowest to make decisions, because they always need more information.

Triangle

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  The triangle is rooted in thousands of years of history. The symbol itself focuses upward to the sun, to the deity. It is the pyramids. In current times it is the hierarchy in management.
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  Triangles are the ultimate symbol of leadership.
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  Triangles are strong,, decisive people.
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  Triangles are the power shape.
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  Triangles love to tell other shapes what to do.
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  The triangle is a strategic thinker with long-term plan.
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  Male triangles are delegators; female triangles still do everything themselves.
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  The triangle is a left brain linear thinker; however the triangle processes information very quickly. Triangles do everything faster because they wish to get to the point. Triangles are the snap decision makers.
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  Triangles are generally smart people.
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  On the Downside, they tend to be egotistical, into status symbols, and highly opinionated.
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  They are focused and smart.
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  Triangles are the classic leadership type and most likely to be found in the boardroom.
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  However, they are not broad thinkers and tend to be self-oriented instead of open.
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  Motto of the triangleis "I did it my way".

Circle

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  The circle is an ancient symbol. It is the most used shape in religions. Circles are the people who seek harmony.
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  Circles are caretakers, the peacemakers, and the nurtures of the world.
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  Circles simply need to help. They love people with problems!
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  They are the huggers and the smilers.
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  The circles motto is "forget your troubles and just get happy!"
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  Circles are the teachers and office workers who put smiley faces on things.
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  Circles are talkative, self-critical, warm, caring, sensitive people.
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  Circles are real people personsm with lots of friends.
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  Circles love to gossip, but generally not maliciously. It is just that everybody tells them everything!
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  Circles cannot stand conflict.
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  Circles are joiners and often belong to many clubs or organisations.
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  If we consider how circles think, they are both linear and non-linear, left brained and right brained; they can think both styles and are the only shape that is capable of this.
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  Circles combine their thinking styles in a unique way that makes them somewhat intuitive.
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  They have sixth sense when it comes to communicating. Why? Because they can read people. They are the best communicators of all the shapes.

Squiggle

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  Squiggles are creative, witty and impulsive.
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  Squiggles are eccentric. Squiggles don't do well in routine.
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  The squiggle is the only pure right-brained thinker.
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  Brain research states that only 12-15% of people are right brained thinkers, so fewer people are true squiggles that what is claimed.
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  Squiggles get bored easily. They need challenges and freedom. Squiggles love to meet challenges because they enjoy peak experiences.
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  Squiggles are random holistic. They do not like to bother with details.
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  Squiggles are the ones who ask why. They need to know reasons for things.
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  They are strong shape along with the triangles.
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  Lots of the squares are what squiggles want to be.
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  At work, you can recognise the squiggles as the person with the messy office.
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  The squiggle lives in the future.
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  A pure squiggles is as spontaneous as they are fickle.
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  Squiggles are bright and having big ideas and big dreams to match.
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  The squiggles motto is "To dream the impossible dream".
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  Squiggles are the most likely shape to be in a supermarket at midnight.
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  Squiggles are great to have as friends because they are so interesting, however don't count on squiggle.
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  Squiggles are dramatic and flamboyant.

Rectangle

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  First of all, if you are a rectangle, bless you.
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  Secondly, if your spouse is a rectangle, bless you more!
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  The good news is rectangles are generally just passing through on their way to another shape.
• Rectangles represent a period in life, a changing growing, questioning and unpredictable.
• Two well documented periods of rectanglism are adolescence and the middle age crisis.
• Firsts in life will pull out rectangles in us - a first marriage, first child, first job and retirement.
• A rectangle rarely recognises that they are rectangles. However, you can recognise them by their changes.
• One day they are rectangle, the next a circle.
• They try on all shapes.
• If you have a rectangle boss, you are constantly on your toes trying to figure out which shape they are taking that day.
• The motto of the rectangle is "I know you think that you understood what I said, but is what I said, what I really meant?"
• Rectangles are the shape most likely to lose their car in a parking lot.
• However, rectangles are truly a great shape to be because they will learn more any given situation than any of the other shapes. Why? Because they are so open and searching!

 

Blessing or Curse

Projecting our thoughts far ahead of us, instead of adapting ourselves to the present, is cause of fear. Foresight, the greatest blessing humanity has been given, is also a curse.

[Seneca]

 

Great words. It hits my feelings right now. It is called fear. When assignments issued, I always been too anxious about the process of completing it by due date. Not to say lack of confidence in doing it, but I'm not a steady person who can really sit down and lay back during my leisure hours, even though preparations are done enough for the day. Recalled a memory during my secondary school days, dad suddenly told me not to think too much and be relax when at the dining table... hah... then only I realised I'd not been paying attention for the whole dinner because of school works and curriculum activities.

 

Life is short. The brevity of life make it a point for us to cherish everyday. I've been living in tense putting by myself for the past twenty years, and I think it's now time to release it. Not to be completed lay back, as that is the extreme which I think myself couldn't cope with it, but I'm sure there are always an optimum point where it balances. Foresight - blessing or curse, I'll find it out.

 

Believe each day that has dawned is your last, and some hour for which you haven’t been expecting will prove lovely.

[Horace]

I love this phrase.

思念是一种病

反正睡不着，躺着也没用吧。。。

原来踏入第三星期了，时间真的能冲淡很多事情，再看回，憧憬已不浓郁了。也好，知道不可能的事，我没逞强，给时间自己慢慢做调试。我可以的，也可以了。相信这个句点已经完全的画上，收拾心情然后再出发！

在闷着的时候，我总会想起你们。记得出门前你拉着我去喝茶，说了很多你憋在心里的话，要我好好照顾自己，还说不用担心你，这些话现在一段段地涌出来，心很酸~ 老爸，你的话很感性叻，害我那么地想你...

老妈现在应该呼呼大睡吧，姐你们肯定抱着brahmi，在梦中期待闹钟失灵，然后不用上班去，哈哈哈~

虽然隔着一大片海，但距离却加剧了思念。思念是一种病，在人脆弱意志时防不胜防地侵略。我也该睡了，好好让病毒慢慢侵略，好好的想你们，好好地珍惜所拥有的。。。明天是个全新美好的！

思念，你也算是个益菌咯！=）

Chilly

He was trembling...

Laying naked in a box outside the telephone booth, there he was, shaking for some warmth he needed desperately. People passing by the street could easily spotted him, patches of black in white, with a tag on his neck. Sometimes he squeezed his head in between the forelegs for keeping the heat that would last for only seconds, which then gone in the rainy and extremely cold day. I am wearing thick clothe and jacket, yet feeling I'd been mistakenly placed inside the freezer. How does he feel right now? Couldn't imagine.

Passing by without him getting out of my mind, I waited my friends buying fruits at stalls, eyes on him. He was still trembling in cold. If not mistaken, the man inside the telephone booth is his owner. I'm thankful at that moment... Just that moment. When I turned around again, the man came out and asked passer by for something, I couldn't hear him. But as he asked one by one passing by him, people ignored his requests. He asked the newspaper vendor for a plastic sheet as shelter, yet being rejected. I sensed something amissed and his eyes on me now. I was afraid to keep staring at him, turned around pretending I was busy with other scenery. If he is asking passer by for money, I am pretty sure now that he is not someone who could afford to give food and warmth to that dog. Messy thought. I am not someone good and brave enough to give a hand to that dog at that moment. I could just think that he is pity, but no action from me... how bad I'm.

Chilly, hope my guess is wrong, you may be the lovely dog of other, with a warm home after I turn my way home.

btw, Chilly would be the dog's name if I afford to take it home today... too bad~

Distance

Finally I got my cable and can online in my comfy room. It's now 1.33am in Liverpool. Sitting in front of my new laptop in my very own room for 14 weeks, feel extremely 'home alone'. When far away from home in a new place, I start to realise the so-called homesick could be seriously meant, especially when you know you couldn't get home that easily.
Distance, the source of all this messy feeling...

It's rather cold starting from the day we stepped out from the Manchester International Airport. Around 10-12 degree celcius. Never live in the freezer before, I was like frozen by the cold and dry wind stamping me without warning, plus the cooling effect of rain, gosh, couldn't speak properly as body shaked from the freezing heart. Now the air still around that low temparature, but when start adapting, it feels 'just fresh', as what Lawrence and Man Yau said to me when my palms turn amphibian cold in a lecture room with mulfunction thermostat, such a nice irony~

Distance, again the source of all this messy sensors...

Should there be lots and lots of distances in our life, now I realise. Physically, virtually, phychologically. It happens day by day, increases day by day when we get into contact with different people at different places, doing different things. These distances implicate a alot of changes in our life. It influences how you feel about contradicted opinions, how you react to those contradictions, and what the situation finally you will be landed in. Before the least, you might find yourself upset when situation couldn't be resolved due to inappropriate manner or attitude. When this happen, realising the distance between thoughts of different individuals is important. We need to understand unique thinking between each and single human, and we need to thoroughly understand that we couldn't control how others think and act, though sometimes it's really awful to stand the situation. We need to understand, and that's will keep forgiveness far away, as you have an open heart which see things in other perspective that often lead you to positive thinking. So, just evaluate before really start to be bad to others, understand the distances that you feel of others might also be the distance others feel about you.

Accept the distance, and you will learn more.