Island Thoughts

A "New" House

2012-02-01T15:42:00.001+10:00

We moved in to our first and own house some 4 years ago. I didn't quite like the colours of the walls of all the rooms but in the interest of time and cost, I thought I shall bear with it. Hubby didn't mind the colours (as with most other things). He is a practical man. To quote one of my SIL - "what were the previous owners thinking when they chose these colours?". The paint job itself was also quite badly done. You could easily tell that it was a rush job.

After watching "The Renovators" TV series, hubby and I learnt a little more about DIYing at home, so we thought we will have a go at it. The 2 main jobs I had in mind was to paint the walls, or paint the kitchen cabinets (a cheaper option than to renovate the entire kitchen, or change its cabinets). We also want to do something that will add value to the house, just in case we ever were to sell it one day. We chose painting the walls, or rather, just to get rid of the colours of the various walls and not touch the white walls. To date, we have changed our feature wall in our living room and also painted our bedroom. There are 2 other bedrooms to paint.

Living room - original army green colour when we moved in

Getting ready to paint

Painting the first coat after 2 coats of undercoat

The new (not quite a) feature wall after painting

I'm so happy now that the wall is nicely painted in a much lighter, neutral colour. This lighter colour brightens up the room (living and dining area) and enlarge the small space that we already have. We are thankful for the help of some friends to help paint over the New Year weekend. Painting is not as easy as it looks. We have to clean the walls, fill holes with filler, sand the wall to ensure it is even, before painting 2 undercoats and then 2 coats of colour and cleaning up after. I quite enjoy the painting bit (although it can be really tiring) and I am extremely thankful for hubby who did most of the other work, especially cleaning the brushes and tools we used. The paint job looks much more decent now because it was done with love!

Before - the 'interesting' blue in our master bedroom which is now in a neutral colour

Our guestroom's 'interesting' wall colours

The guestroom and the currently known as the study room (which we don't use it for that purpose other than storage) are next to be painted. The study is donned with walls of pink and purple (previously use to room a 2yo girl). I cannot wait for all the painting to be completed!

Wedding Coordination Déjà vu

2012-01-08T01:43:00.002+10:00

Today I attended a wedding where I don't quite know anyone else other than hubby and (to my surprise) the wedding photographer (who is our friend and also our wedding photographer). The bride was hubby's friend in uni and I have only met her once before. There were other guests at the wedding whom hubby knew from church or high school and I kinda know who they are but I really don't know them beyond a greeting and a smile. If you know me, it is a little unusual that I am at a wedding where I don't really have anyone to talk to. (Actually, I just remembered another one but that was a very good friend's wedding in Jakarta where I was her only bridesmaid and almost every guest was an Indonesian) Anyway, maybe because I had no one to distract me, I had the chance to be an observer. It makes me recall the days when I was a wedding coordinator.

Between 2002 to 2005, I had the privilege of coordinating the wedding of a number of friends (when I was single). I have organised and coordinated 6 weddings of close friends and 1 of a couple I barely knew (I was approached by a church staff worker to help a couple who were new to church). On top of that, I have served in many weddings where I was either a singer, song leader, usher, bridesmaid, "bride-helper", receptionist, food organiser. Hence I'd say that I was rather experienced in weddings (at least in Singapore) before my own wedding.

At the wedding this afternoon, I picked out some things which I would usually look out for and I suppose, little things which a married-couple-to-be could take note:

1. Make sure that your wedding gown is not too big that you have difficulty walking down the width of the aisle with the person who walks you down the aisle.
2. When you (the bride) walk down the aisle, enjoy the moment (other than counting the steps and wondering if you are walking too fast/slow), SMILE. Do not look down (unknowingly) because your long eye lashes is brushing against your veil or when you have difficulty walking in your shoes/gown. Look and smile at your groom (if you can see him), and/or your guests.
3. When posing for group shots with guests, the bride and groom must/should be either holding hands or bride's arm around groom's arm. It will look better in the photos.
4. When you are walking down the aisle as Mr and Mrs, it is alright not to hold your bridal bouquet. Just relax because you are married! Yay! I realised sometimes the couple is not sure how to hold the bouquet at this point and look very awkward in doing so.
5. When you are saying your vows, hold each other's hands and look at each other to say the vows/declaration when exchange rings. Some couples are too nervous to look at each other.
6. [Very important for the groom] Ensure that when you unveil your bride, place the veil properly down towards the back of her head (not on top of her head). Many grooms don't know this and are too anxious to kiss their brides :p At the very least, the bride or bridesmaid must know this so that she is able to put the veil back in its place or cue the groom to do so.

There are many more tips which I could share but there are just too many. I look into little details as such so that the couple will 'look good' and also to ensure that the couple and their guests enjoy the day. Having said that I don't subscribe to the idea of having a "perfect wedding" (hence I won't make a good professional wedding planner). I won't guarantee the couple a wedding of their dreams and that everything will go smoothly. I always tell my friends that there will be things that can go wrong although I will try my best to ensure things go on smoothly. They should enjoy the first day of their marriage and learn to laugh when things don't go according to plan for this is the reality of marriage! ;)

Now that I am married, I have 'retired' from coordinating weddings. In Brisbane, hubby and I have served in various areas at different weddings. I have also since coordinated one wedding and another with hubby (where he did most of the work because he is more organised than me :p). At this stage of my life, I think I prefer to be a wedding consultant (not a coordinator) and to advise couples about their weddings. It is time for me to enjoy being a guest at weddings ;)

Birthday Eulogy

2011-11-02T15:56:00.000+10:00

A birthday eulogy sounds wrong? A eulogy is a speech that speaks well and praises of someone who is recently deceased, usually at his/her funeral. Although most dictionaries define it as it being used usually on people who have passed away, wikipedia mentioned that it can be used to praise a living person too, which normally takes place on special occasions like birthdays, etc.

A few days ago, I decided to not reveal my birthday on my facebook profile page. Basically, I wanted to prevent the many wall messages that people will write because all my facebook contacts will be informed that it is my birthday. It was quite cute to know that the first person who send my birthday greetings via facebook, was an ex-colleague who remembered my birthday. He sent me a facebook message (as supposed to a wall post) to wish me happy birthday because he did not see any birthday greetings on my wall. At the end of the day, I still had about 30 birthday postings on my wall but that was way better than having 50 to 100 postings ;)

As I was reading the messages left on my wall (and the 2 birthday cards I received), I noticed that some people spoke well and kindly of me. I begin to wonder if these would be what people will say at my funeral, hence I thought of "birthday eulogy". These messages also reflect how people think of me. Strangely, I didn't feel proud of myself nor delight excessively at the nice comments like I used to... I mean, who doesn't like to be praised and appreciated?

These are the 'eulogies' I received on my wall -

Your joy in Him is contagious and beautiful.
You are a happy, positive person to be around.
You have a generous heart to serve God and His people, especially in your adventures in baking and cooking.
You have been a great blessing with your love for life. Continue serving Him with great great joy.
Stay happy, cheerful and healthy for you are blessed.

This is not quite a eulogy but I like what one said - to rejoice in the physical and eternal life God has given me. Indeed there is much to be thankful and rejoice in, despite many things in my life that are less than ideal. The biggest thing I can rejoice is living this new life that my Lord Jesus has given me, through the sacrifice that He has done for me. The next best thing is the family (blood family and the extended church family) and friends whom I have been blessed with :)

I quote this last sentence of a book I recently finished reading - So the end of the matter is this: Live for God. Obey the scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. May this truly be what people say about me at every birthday and at my funeral.

My Birthday Cake

2011-11-01T15:27:00.000+10:00

I have been baking birthday cakes for people in church... Last night, I baked my own birthday cake and had it with hubby this morning. It does not look pretty, glamourous nor appetizing, but I like its flavour. It has some of my favourite fruit and nut - mango and macadamia. The recipe is found here.

Praise the Lord, my God for another year of His goodness and faithfulness. May I dwell in His word all my days long.

A Surprise

2011-11-01T11:13:00.001+10:00

Every morning, I give hubby various types of pills to eat. This morning, he gave me a tablet :)

Thanks dear!

Great with Chopsticks

2011-10-12T09:53:00.000+10:00

Isn't she cute? C may be a 33mo ABC (Australia born Chinese) but is definitely able to hold her chopsticks well enough to feed herself. I like how she tilts her head to eat the noodles :)

Jakey's First Birthday

2011-10-12T09:39:00.000+10:00

It was J's first birthday and we had a dedication for him at his local park. We brought B & C along since we were babysitting them (while their parents celebrate their wedding anniversary).

J just started to take his first steps and was rather unstable at that time (more than a month ago). This was the first time B & C got to hold his hands and walk him and they were so thrilled to do so. Even though they do not see J much nor have much interaction with him, they love hanging out with him. C fondly remembers J and often, at the mention of J's name, would excitedly recall "I hold Jakey's hand!!". I am pretty sure J won't remember them much but hopefully this photo would help him a little some time down the road...

Peace

2011-05-20T16:24:00.001+10:00

Peace, you give me peace

When the storm comes and I'm afraid

Peace, you give me peace

When I trust in the words you say

You give me peace

If you can calm the sea

Then you can comfort me

If winds obey your voice

Why should I fear their noise

And though my eyes can't see

I know you're with me

When someone starts to fight

And does things I don't like

I hear your gentle voice

Saying I have a choice

To make an enemy

Or to spread your peace

This song is in Sovereign Grace's kids album "To Be Like Jesus". I bought this audio cd to have it available to play in our car when our niece(s) are travelling with us. It was only a long while later that I realised my SIL has this cd too and she plays it for her girls (2 of our nieces) in their car.

However, it was only quite recently that I grew to like the songs in this cd and appreciate the lyrics of most of the songs. They teach simple biblical truths and could relate it to children's behaviour. I used this song to encourage my niece B, who has been afraid when she goes to bed at night. I think she often has nightmares.

Of late, this song is encouraging me and reminding me to place my hope in Christ and He will give me peace... in times where I don't know what is happening and fearing the worst, in times when I am lost and feeling depressed because of news of others which I should be happy about but I am not, when I feel like I am all alone in my struggles - I know that the Lord will calm my heart and give me peace.

I Made Butter!

2011-04-09T13:36:00.000+10:00

Pure cream and commercially bought butter

I'd never thought I would bother to make my own butter. Now that I have tried, I don't think I will look back :) I was watching a Thermomix demo on youtube and realised I could make my own butter easily. As I searched for more videos, you can easily find a few that demonstrates how easily butter can be made. It all starts with cream - that only 1 ingredient (make it 2 ingredients if you include salt, which I forgot this time).

Place cream in your mixing bowl and turn on your electric whisk (or mixer or food processor). Be careful that the liquid might splash out of the bowl! This is the only time you can and should over whisk (if there is such a word) your cream . Just whisk and whisk and whisk.... until you watch it turn into whipped cream and later into clumps and then pale yellow and finally, yellow butter with some milky liquid at the bottom of the fluffy yellow solids. Strain the yellow solids from the milky liquid. DO NOT discard the liquid. That is buttermilk which you can use it for baking. All it took was 7+ minutes, which includes a couple of stops to wipe down the sides of the bowl and taking photos with my other hand.

I am impressed that the butter naturally turned yellow and not remained white, since the cream I started out with was milky white. For the record, I started with 300ml of liquid cream in a carton and it yield 184g of butter and just under 4oz (1/2 cup) of buttermilk.

Comparing the cost,
300ml pure cream - A$2.29
250g commercially sold homebrand unsalted butter - A$1.49
300ml commercially sold Paul brand buttermilk - ~A$2.50

I am not good with Math. But I reckon it will cost a little more to make my own butter, not unless I usually buy branded butter. If you usually spend A$4+ to buy a 250g block of branded butter, making your own will be cheaper and plus, you get some extra buttermilk on the side.

If you want to give this a go, I find it helpful to plan to bake something after you make the butter. I had planned to make some banana oat hotcakes. After I am done with the butter, I did not need to wash my mixing bowl and whisk. I used them to make my batter. Instead of using the full amount of milk that the recipe calls for, I used mostly the fresh buttermilk and topped up the rest of the required quantity with milk. However, since I had earlier took out some commercially bought butter to allow it to soften, I used that instead of my fresh butter. Right now, the fragrance of the banana hotcakes is filling the entire house. Excuse me while I go check it out ;)

Southbank with Nieces

2011-04-09T00:59:00.000+10:00

Clockwise from top left - walking along Southbank, on the bridge looking down at buses and cars, C in comparison with the shortest human on earth, B and I looking into the display of real size animals.

2 weeks ago, hubby and I spent almost an entire Saturday with our B&C nieces. Their parents were in church for a training session and some work so they asked if we were free to take them for most of the day. Since we were free, we were happy to do so. We had C stayed over with us the night before - her 2nd time. Like her 1st stayover, she woke up 2-3 times at night but this time, it took longer for her to get back to bed because she is weaned off the milk bottle which helped her to go back to bed quickly. But in the same way, she continued to sleep when I brought her onto my bed at around 6am when she woke up. In fact, I woke up earlier than her, leaving her on the bed with hubby.

After picking B up from her home, we drove to Southbank. The girls were really excited to spend the day with us. We walked quite a distance, stopping by every now and then for toilet break, drinks and morning tea, on our way to the Queensland Museum. The girls were fascinated and wow-ed by almost everything they see - birds, flowers, water fountains, Brisbane 'eye', the top of buses and cars when we were on the bridge to the Musuem, the egg tarts I made for them, statues, displays and the promise of visiting the museum and a picnic lunch thereafter.

The trip to the museum was both educational for the girls and us. There were exhibits on the modes of transport available in the old days - carriages, boats, cars. The most interesting was the "Animals and Man" exhibit where many real sizes of animals and insects were exhibited for us to compare how the real thing looked like. It was quite cool to be able to walk beneath a live size 'whale' which feels like you are underwater and looking up in awe of the size of the big whale. The girls were quite afraid of the sound that whales make, which was played along the public corridor. We had to carry them and assure them that it was alright. B was also afraid of some animals that looked big and threatening and refuse to go anywhere near it, e.g. an angry-looking big brown bear. She was not afraid of snakes and spiders (I wonder if she will be if they were real) and she was happily looking out for kangaroo, sea lion, penguin, koala, fishes, crabs, jellyfish, turtles. C was a little more brave but by then, she was a little tired and so hubby had to carry her quite a bit (he had sore biceps the next day :p).

After the time in the museum, B finally had her long-awaited picnic. At the beginning of the day, I told her that we will have a lunch picnic. We chanced upon a playground along the river and decided to find a nice spot there. There were many children running and playing. I watched the girls at the playground while hubby went to the car to get the mat and grab some lunch from the nearby food stalls. The girls had a ball of time at the playground before we had a seafood platter hubby bought, along with some fruits and egg tarts I brought along.

I was thankful that the girls held up and not sleep in the car on our way home, even though I know they were quite tired out. B usually has more energy and able to stick out for a bit more since she is older. You know when she is really tired when she has been walking the entire morning and suddenly ask to be carried. I told them to not sleep in the car and wait until they get back to our place for a nap and they did :) Back at home, it was really sweet to see them waiting to sleep with each other on a small little mattress on the ground. I instructed them to sleep and left them alone, which they did for around 1.5 hours. I promised B that I will make some jelly with her for dessert. C also got involved and they were rather thrilled to make jelly out of oranges (I figure this was one way I could get B to eat a fruit that she does not usually like to eat). After we were done, I felt tired and needed a nap. So I left them by themselves to play, while hubby was fixing something nearby. I am thankful for the girls to be quite good to keep themselves occupied with the limited toys we have at home.

By the end of the day, I know they do miss their parents but I know they also had a lovely time with us too. Their parents were also happy, having a day of 'freedom' without kids and busy at home. They popped over for dinner and pick up their girls. I had a good day and time with the girls. I know hubby did too. :)

To Be Like Jesus

2011-04-08T11:01:00.007+10:00

This song has been ringing in my mind the past week. I bought a Sovereign Grace children's cd last year, to have it available in our car so that when our nieces ride with us, they could listen to some songs. I was glad that they love this cd. When my friend visited and used our car, their 2 kids loved it too, because they have this exact cd back in Singapore.

Sing along to this upbeat tune! Listen to the song here.

Love, joy, peace, and patience too
Grow in those who trust in You
All who put their hope in Christ
Kindness, goodness, faithfulness
Self-control and gentleness
Live in those who have new life

CHORUS
I want to be like Jesus
To walk and talk like Jesus
I want to live like one who follows Him
I want to love like Jesus
To give my all like Jesus
I want to live like one who follows Him

I don’t always do what’s right
Jesus lived a perfect life
And for sins like mine He died
Teach me to obey Your Word
Help me to put others first
Holy Spirit, change my life

Cushions For My Beddinge

2011-04-05T14:54:00.002+10:00

Late last year, we bought a 2nd hand Ikea Beddinge to replace a 2-seater couch which was a hand-me-down from my SIL. We gave the couch to our friends, who are overseas students studying in Brisbane. We have been eyeing this Beddinge for a while. We have been looking out for a sofa bed (so that we have another option of guests stay over other than our guest room). We know Beddinge is a good and comfortable choice - one of our friends has this and we are able to attest to its comfort. The 2-metre Beddinge is able to sleep 2 (tall) people or comfortably sit 4-5 women or 3 men :)

For the price tag of about A$400 brand new, it is a good price but not a price we wanted to spend on a sofa bed. Hence we have been looking out for a 2nd hand piece. The chance came up when a friend's housemate is leaving Brisbane for good and is looking to sell his Beddinge. We were happy to buy it for A$160 (or was it A$180?) and it came in the red colour cover which I love! With a good clean of the cover and the rectangular cushion covers and the mattress and frame, it was almost as good as new.

As a bed, we sleep on the Beddinge when we (usually me) have arvo naps. We also had a guest sleep on it for 1 night because we have 3 other guests sleeping in 2 bedrooms.

I have always wanted to sew some matching covers for the 3 square cushions we have on the couch. I finally had the chance to and here are the final products -

Similar designs but using different fabrics and buttons

We have 3 square cushions - we bought 2 and 1 was a gift from a friend. I could not find 3 different fabric that I like to make 3 cushions. I decided on 2 fabric and used the red with white polka dot fabric on 2 cushions. I really like the end product and how it matches the Beddinge :)

The 3rd cushion is missing because I have not completed the 3rd cushion cover

I have also recently made 3 cushion covers for our friends as a thank you gift for letting us stay with them in our upcoming trip to Sydney. I shall share this in another entry :)

A Beautiful Day Out

2011-03-24T16:51:00.000+10:00

Last month, hubby found a good deal on Spreets - $39 for entry to Seaworld and a sunset cruise on a luxury boat. This was quite a bargain as the usual price of such a package would be almost $70.

I have not been to Seaworld and hence I was quite excited about this trip. We thought of bringing one of our nieces along but on hindsight, it was good that we did not so we could enjoy this 'date'. We were so thankful for the beautiful weather - sunny but not too hot. We brought along food and water that lasts us for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea (which brought us lots of savings as the food sold at the park was exorbitantly priced.) We also maximised our time by planning to attend most of the shows and feeding times that were available.

There were some rides, for kids and adults, if you want some adrenaline rush. We ride on the slower monorail and cable cars and the faster Jet Rescue and Viking's Revenge water flume ride. I have not gone for any adrenaline-pumping rides for ages and these adventure made me feel both young (screaming in excitement) and old (body reflexes have declined and more tensed muscles).

I get to see my favourite penguins and dolphins. I love to see the docile bottlenose dolphins swimming and jumping at the show. I took a number of videos on my mobile phone, excited to play back to show my nieces. With the penguins, that was the first that I got to see them much closer to me, even though they are behind the glass that separates us. The king penguins live in a cold climate and hence had to be in the cold enclosure at the newish Penguin Encounter exhibit. We got to see another species of smaller fairy penguins which is able to live in the atmospheric temperature of the park and found along the shorelines of Australia and New Zealand. We saw the park rangers fed these little ones with little fishes.

Another interesting animal was the polar bear. We walked pass the above ground exhibit once and did not see any bear. On our second time through, we realised we could walk down to the ground level and underwater platforms. We finally got to see the big fuzzy polar bear walking around and eventually jumping into the water from a huge high rock. At the underwater platform, we saw it swim around and at one stage, picked up a plastic bottle floating on the water and putting it onto its mouth with its 2 paws, just like a baby holding a bottle to drink milk. That was a treat to be able to view the bear in action. Sometimes, I wonder if the bear knew that many people are observing it and hence was 'showing off' and posing for photos (You can see in one of the photos above, the bear was lying half in water and above water after its swim).

The 1.5-hour sunset cruise was a great bonus to end our time at Seaworld. We went on board a 3-storey boat, laden with luxurious leather cushion seats. I felt like sitting indoor and sleep in the comfort of the cosy place but it would be a waste of my time :p All guests were served with a glass of champagne or orange juice. You guessed it, this was a great photo opportunity for many as we cruise towards the end of the spit and a little of South Stradbroke Island. A unexpected treat awaits us when the captain of the boat told us that dolphins were sighted a short distance away. As you can imagine the excitement of everyone on board, many streamed towards one side of the boat to look out for them. For a good 20 minutes or so, we sighted many occasions of their tails and water squirts. Sometimes, we would see a mother and child team (2 tails are sighted together). It was a really relaxing time as the sun sets and the night draws closer.

We had no concrete plans for dinner. Thanks to hubby's Urban Spoon application on his phone, we found Maruya, a Japanese eatery at Southport which serves fairly good Japanese food for quite a good affordable price. I love Japanese food and would gladly eat it anytime. Maruya did not disappoint us. Their food was really decent, both in quality and cost. We were so glad to find this place and were thankful as that rounded up the entire day of the little blessings and enjoyment for the day. I reckon this is one of our best date - thank God for such a blessing :)

The Day She Calls Me 舅妈

2011-03-10T16:59:00.001+10:00

My youngest niece "A" has been addressing me "umh ma", when she is supposed to say "jiu ma" for 舅妈，which is the term to address the wife of her mother's brother. For some reason, she has no problems saying "jiu" when she addresses Quop as 大舅 "da jiu". But when it comes to me, she could not put the "jiu" and "ma" together. Her mum and I have tried many times to get her to say it right but she'd innocently still say "umh ma".

It was a Friday morning in February when I was caring for her while her mum went to work. "A" is in the clingy phase where she'd miss her mum a lot, even though she has been prepped that she will be spending the morning with me and she loves me. Whenever she thinks of her mum, she'd cry for her and I found it difficult to distract her mind away from it. Hence that Friday, I made a last minute decision to bring her out even though I did not have any errands to run. I brought her to Ikea where I think we could walk around and spend 1-2 hours and not be bored.

At the carpark of Ikea, I got "A" to say 舅妈. She surprised me by being able to say "jiu" properly for the first time when she addressed me! Nothing has changed in the way we have been getting her to say it right. For the rest of the day, I noticed that she will still address me as "umh ma" when she needed my attention but when I say "Say 舅妈", she'd be able to pronounce it correctly. I felt like it was an achievement that I made for teaching her to say it right :)

"A" enjoyed her time at Ikea. There was no mention of "ma ma" (mum) nor crying. But there were moments that she just got lazy and wanted me to carry her. Generally, she was quite good. She ate a fair bit of morning tea I brought along and befriended a little aussie girl (2 months younger than her) who shared the same name as her mum. She is quite a darling in befriending little children (not so much for adults).

Incidentally, I learnt later that my sister-in-law has not been daring/comfortable to bring "A" to Ikea to shop. I guess she realised that it was not that difficult to manage after all. Or again, it might be the case that "A" would make things more difficult for her mum and be more well behaved with me (not her mum).

Yummy Food, Happy Faces

2011-03-10T16:37:00.001+10:00

4yo niece B (above) and 2yo niece C (below)

We had B stayed over at our place some time last year. This time, we figure it is time to have C over. C came over and stay on a Friday night. We were prepared for a possibly bad night with C waking up a few times at night, like her sister B. C would generally wake up in the night (on most nights), sneak into her parents' room and sleep with them on their bed!

We put C to bed around 9pm on the same mattress her sister slept on when she was over, on the ground just beside our bed. She'd usually have some milk in a bottle and by the time she's done, she will be asleep. Water has since replaced milk and that was exactly what I gave her - water in a bottle and she soothed herself to sleep. I was so thankful that she was easy to put back to sleep, even though she woke up 2 times through the night. All I needed to do is to give her water in the bottle. I need not pat her nor carry her to sleep, which was what I have to do with B. C did not cry for mummy too. She was contented with seeing me and knowing that it was a familiar face with her in the dark. When she woke up at 6am (her usual time) in the morning, I carried her and brought her onto our bed. Because I was still tired, I lay her beside me and went back to sleep, with my arm on her so that I will know if she moves or leaves the bed. Surprisingly, she went back to sleep and we all slept for another 2 hours, i.e. she slept for a total of 11 hours that night! Apparently, this was so so rare for her to sleep that long. Her parents tried similarly at home but C would not go back to sleep.

Later that morning, we brought C to attend a friend's daughter's 2nd birthday party. With a few other children there, C had a great time. When we got home, she napped for 2 hours, which again, was atypical of her. Her sister B came to join us in the afternoon while their parents went out on a date. I cooked us a simple dinner of rice with prawns and zucchini stir fry and baked fish fingers. (Photo above) B & C loved the food! Both of them ate most of what was given to them and fed themselves to enjoy the meal. B was complimented for eating more than she usually does (she is quite a picky eater). Well, I guess I have fulfilled a few of their favourites - prawns and crispy something (fish fingers in this case) and made it a balanced meal too. Now, I shall think of a way to get B to eat her fruits. That will be another story.

At the end of the day, Quop and I are happy our nieces had a great time of fun, rest and meal with us. Their parents are also happy that they get some alone time, plus their girls enjoyed themselves with us too. Hmm, they were a little envious that the girls ate well with us and C slept generally well too. Hmm, I think the girls take their parents for granted.

A Special Christmas & New Year

2011-03-09T16:40:00.001+10:00

With R and the kids (our men not in the photo) at our 'outing' to the laundromat

(overdue post)

R and family has come and gone. They spent 8 days between Christmas Eve and New Year in 'Aussieland'. It was so good that J (R's husband) was able to take 1 week leave for a break. They had originally wanted to holiday as a couple but there was no one to care for their kids. Hence they decided to bring forward their (future) plans of visiting us. They deliberately chose the dates when Quop and I had the one week off work in that same period.

It happened that it has been raining in Brisbane and its surrounds, due to the La Nina weather pattern. Pretty much from the time they arrived (and the days before), it was raining, and raining, and raining.... It rained so much that all we did was spending time at home and at big shopping malls (which was also partly because of the good post-Christmas sales). The rain almost caused our friends to change their minds NOT to spend 3 days 2 nights at the Gold Coast. Praise God He answered our prayers, the rain stopped just at the day that they decided to go ahead with their plans. With that, they were able to spend 3 days at Sea World, Movie World and Paradise Country Farm, while Quop and I could spend that time to chill out, shop and getting a break from a fairly energy-demanding time with young kids living in the house...

I am really thankful for the time that we spent together. R reckons that even though we spent most of it doing the everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning up after meals, putting the kids to bed, bathing the kids, feeding the kids, getting the kids ready to go out, it was good to have a glimpse of how each other's lives are on a daily basis (even though it is not a totally true picture of reality because they are holidaying whilst we don't work). Spending 24-7 with each other in the same house would allow us to see some good (and bad) habits and routines, interactions within each family and how we respond when our limits are tested (oh yes, we saw lots of it with young children who test your patience). Similarly, I am sure they got to see how we behave, interact, etc.

R and I really cherished the girl chat times we had, especially now when she has young kids and she hardly has time for herself. Between us, we have the privilege of seeing each other face to face for 3 times in 2010 - I went back to Singapore twice and she visited me this time. R & family has been a blessing to Quop and I even when they are our guests. She (they) showered us with so much thoughtful gifts, more than I imagined, on top of the things that I have requested her to bring over for me from my family. She has also paid for some of my shopping when we went shopping. I hope we have been good hosts to them by sharing our house, our car (they took our car to Gold Coast) and many little things we made it special/kid-friendly for them. They have also allow us to see how we have a lot to learn about patience - the way they parent and deal with their 2 active and energetic young children and with your spouse when your children press for your constant attention, I think, has given us some food-for-thought in our relationship with each other and how we might (God-willing) be parents in future.

We spent the countdown into the new year near the airport sending them off. I miss R but I sure look forward to our future catching up sessions, hopefully with some of our other girl friends (and their families) in Singapore or maybe another part of Oz! :)

First Babyccino

2011-02-07T13:25:00.001+10:00

This is "C" aka "Tin, Tin" on her first babycinno.

(Left to right)

1. "Ooo, this is interesting. What is a babycinno?"

2. "Hmm, 舅妈 's coffee looks larger and more interesting".

3. "舅妈, I don't know what is this foamy thing. Is it for me to drink or play?"

4. (after the first sip) "Heh heh, it has a funny texture (which I am not used to)..."

Me thinks she is one of the cutest :)

Growing Girl

2011-02-07T00:53:00.002+10:00

Our youngest niece, "A" is coming 20 months soon. She has grown quite a bit... not fat and chubby but in her height and her development. Amongst our 3 nieces, she is probably the easiest with feeding - eats almost everything, no known allergies and generally eats well. Hmm, except when she is over at our place, she'd insist of sitting on my lap while I feed her. With the yummy and healthy food she's eaten, it is no wonder that she is growing well and tall (that is partly in her genes with a tall daddy).

In the past month, hubby brought her swimming in the pool in our complex. Other than her mum, hubby was probably the first person who brings her into the water. Usually, she is not too willing to be carried or interact with hubby (her 大舅). She would cry/whinge in protest whenever hubby attempts to carry her. However she would hug and kiss him goodbye when we part. Hence, it was quite a little milestone for hubby to carry her into the pool to swim. We started out by getting hubby to carry her and/or hold her hand as we walk to the pool. She whinged a little but was okay quite soon after. She likes swimming and was excited to enter the pool. However, when we got to the pool, she seemed to have second thoughts and wanted out. After a bit of coaxing and assurance, she finally was able to enjoy the dip. I don't blame her for being a bit cautious and scared since it has been her mummy who brings her into the pool for a dip. I am glad she enjoyed it after all... but I had some trouble bathing her (crying in protest and refusing to be bathed) after the swim.

"A" loves the swing in the playground. She is rather cautious with other play things in the playground but with the swing, she almost has no qualms about getting on. The swing at playground we went to, its safety chain (to secure the child) was broken. But she was careful about it. I pushed just a little for her to enjoy some swinging motion and watching to make sure that she does not fall out of the seat. I think she was happy. She'd know when to say "come down", meaning she's had enough.

In general, I have to say that "A" is not the easiest of our nieces. She often expresses her displeasure/discomfort/unhappiness by crying (as with all other kids), but sometimes you know that she will be ok but she is just not happy. However, she is generally not difficult to care for, compared with many others I have seen. "A" is very cute though. I think she is the most extroverted of our nieces. I am sure many things await her as she will soon be 'upgraded' to being a 姐姐 (older sister) :)

Helpless Children

2011-01-19T16:55:00.000+10:00

With all the recent floods in Queensland and its news, I read about possibly, the youngest victim - 23mo little girl who was swept off her 6-month pregnant mum. This little girl's 2 grandmothers - 1 was found dead and the other is among the missing. This is just one of the many horroring, sad stories from the many who are affected by the floods. As I was reading this news, I was waiting for hubby (who was helping our friends to clean up their flooded home) and my SIL and her family to join us for dinner. When my 2 nieces arrived, tears just swell up in my eyes when I see the almost-24mo C and 4yo B, ... I really felt the loss for that mum of her innocent 23mo daughter and for another man who lost his wife and 2 children.

In a totally different story, during the same weekend, we heard news of a friend's 15mo boy found to have a 5cm tumour in his brain. Words cannot describe how devastating it is for his parents and his loved ones to know this and bear to see this little one undergo surgeries and seeing little tubes poked into him. Looking at the photos of this boy growing up - his smiles and all, makes me wonder why does this have to happen to such a young, bubbly and joyful child. I could only but pray for him... I pray God will spare this little life that he may grow up knowing and loving Him and to serve our Lord with his life. I pray that his parents will continue to stand firm in the Lord and trust in Him during this difficult time.

Sometimes, some parts of our lives just simply do not make sense. But we can be assured that God knows what He is doing and He has the power and ability to do the impossible - just because He is God. When things seemed out of control, we can be assured that He is in control - of the world, of the winds and the rain, of the flowers and the animals and of our lives. Our Lord God is the creator, the beginning and the end. When life do not make sense, we can only but trust in our Saviour Jesus, who has shed His blood in exchange for our lives so that we have hope and an eternity to look forward to.

In another story which happened many years ago in a rural, remote part of Malaysia, a 4yo boy had an unknown cause of high fever which did not go away. After travelling a long time (hours?) to get to the nearest hospital (cars were not common then), the boy survived. The doctor told his parents that should the boy arrive at the hospital any later, he would lose his life. You would often hear that it is dangerous for children to have prolonged high temperatures. It will affect their brains. That little boy is well surviving today and by God's grace, his intelligence, his health, his development were not compromised through that illness. This boy is now my husband, who by God's grace (his parents said) grew up to be the most intelligent amongst his siblings.

We may never know why some things happened the way it did. But you and I can be certain that they happened within the Lord's control and most of all, they happened so that God will ultimately be given all the glory that He deserves.

Floods in Queensland

2011-01-05T13:28:00.000+10:00

Family and friends in Singapore have asked me if I am affected by the recent floods in Queensland. Thank God for His protection, we are not affected here in Brisbane. But many have been evacuated, many lost their homes, many animals died, much crops destroyed, increasing threat of crocodiles and snakes, etc and it saddens anyone reading about it... just as the bushfires in Victoria some 2 years ago.

The truth is, the floods are pretty far away from Brisbane. The badly affected areas are north and west of Brisbane. See the map below. Bundaberg is about 5 hours drive away. Rockhampton is about 8 hours drive away, 500km from Brisbane (For comparison, driving from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur takes about 4 hours. The distance from Singapore to the Peninsula Malaysia/Thailand border is between 800-900km.)

These floods are also costing a lot to repair and it would take a while to get 'back to normal'. Singapore will also feel the effects of this by increased food prices. The Singapore Armed Forces has also offered help to the flood-hit areas.

Read about how did the flood happen and how you can pray.

It rained so much in the last 2 weeks of 2010 and accompanied with the warmer temperatures, we are seeing more incidences of snakes in our backyard. Beyond the fences of our backyard, is a creek area. When a lot of rain falls, little puddles/ponds can form. We can see them, just a few metres away from our fence. This prompts the snakes in the area to want to go drier land (e.g. our backyard). So far, it has not been too dangerous for us but it certainly deters (especially) me from stepping out into my backyard to do things like throwing the rubbish (into the bins), gardening and even putting out our laundry. Thank God for a husband who would sacrificially do all that. Where possible, I will not step into the backyard if husband is not at home.

Thank God for His protection over us but may we be sensitive to those who are and pray for those who are. This can happen to us too - we are not spared from storms and hailstorms. Remember those affected by the floods in your prayers...

2 More Sleeps...

2010-12-21T16:47:00.000+10:00

... to seeing my very good friend - R. With hubby and 2 kids, they are out on their first family holiday by themselves and flying with the kids. I am looking forward to our endless girl conversations and laughters for the entire week...

I met R almost a decade ago when her husband (then boyfriend) brought her to join us in our bible study group. After she got married, we met up to do 1-2-1 and later signed up for a gym membership together. We would meet up sometimes for gym classes, exercises, thereafter with some shopping for groceries, etc. We got closer during that time...

To me, R is a faithful friend, readily available for me when I needed a friend. She is very objective but yet personal when you go to her with your problems. She would pray for me faithfully. She encourages me when I am down. She cooks me yummy food whenever I visited her. She remembers what I like and knows my taste. She is loads of fun to be with. She has one of the strongest, determined, woman/wife/mother that I know, coupled with femininity and gentleness.

The last time R travelled to Australia was with me, when we went to Sydney for another close friend's wedding 4 years ago. I remembered it was so hard for her to leave her 7mo baby then to go overseas just for her good friend's wedding. This time, she is able to travel to Australia with both her kids (yay!).

God-willing, maybe sometime next year, R and family and 3 (or more) of our other girlfriends and their husbands and kids will be able to congregate in another part of Australia. All of us knew each other from the same bible study group then but are in 4 different countries at the moment. Thinking about this makes me so thankful for how the Lord has kept, grew and mould us to where and what we are today :)

A Wedding Gift for a Lovely Couple

2010-12-14T13:37:00.000+10:00

A year ago, I knitted a pair of vests for my dearest sister and my (then) brother-in-law-to-be. After all this while, they now have a chance to wear it during their recent holiday in Japan.

Now, I am waiting for them to use the pair of personalised aprons I sewed for them... ;)

Dreaming, Thinking, Missing...

2010-12-08T16:20:00.001+10:00

I have been watching an old 2005 HK drama series, Healing Hands 3. About 4 years ago, I have seen 2nd half of the 40 episode series but did not manage to catch the 1st 20 episodes. I have seen Healing Hands 1 and 2 many years ago. I like to watch hospital drama series, in particular those from HK or Singapore. It brings back fond memories of my 6+ years working in a hospital which ended more than 3 years ago. Although my area of work did not involve patients but mainly specialist doctors and the hospital management, I like working in the hospital environment and hence I am able to identify with hospital drama and the operational aspect of a hospital.

Recently, I also caught up on news relating to the hospital/healthcare scene in the country that I grew up in...

Hospital 1
In the west part of Singapore where I used to live with my parents (my parents are still there), a 700-bed acute hospital and a 280-bed community hospital will be built and completed in 4 years' time. I saw the plans for this project and they are impressive. The best part is, it is literally a stone's throw away from my parents'. I wish I could work there...

Hospital 2
Last month, a hospital in the north of Singapore was officially opened. This is too far for me to work but it was another good option to consider.

Hospital 3
I also found out that the private healthcare group that I was working for, is having a new hospital built by 2012. If I were still working that that private healthcare group, I might seize the opportunity to get myself transferred to this new place to lead the department that I was heading. The blueprint of the hospital looks really nice and I could imagine myself working there...

Hmm, I sometimes do miss the working environment I was in... and my colleagues and doctors, and being in the hospital wards, the operating theatre, the ER, the ICU, the boardroom, the laboratory, the clinics, the doctors' lounge, etc...

Oh well, enough dreaming... I know that I probably will not go back, not to mention work in a hospital in Singapore... Not unless something happens and the Lord guides me and my family in that direction. Back to reality now, I am a part-time administrative secretary and a full-time homemaker, dressed in a casual top and jeans to work or the apron at home - no more 'power' skirt suit and heels :)

A Tale of 2 Nieces

2010-12-02T22:37:00.000+10:00

I brought 2 of my nieces, 17mo A and 22mo C to shop for groceries on Monday. My in-laws are away and so I cared for A while her parents worked. C's sister, B has her regular swimming lessons in the morning and my MIL is not around to care for C. I reckon they both will love it if I bring them out on my regular Monday morning shopping, instead of just staying at home with them. This is the first time for them that they come out with me (have never brought C without B coming along, and it is my first with A) and the first time that both of them are out together (without B).

I told A and C they have to be good and obedient so that we all can enjoy this 街街 'kai kai' (cantonese slang which refers to "shopping") session. The girls were so happy and excited in the car, as I think that was the first time they were both in the same car together. A was especially thrilled to have C sitting beside her in the car, since she has been the only child passenger in any (her parents') car. She would giggle every now and then and grins when C hums and sings along to Colin Buchanan's songs played in the car.

On arrival at the shopping centre, I was very surprised and pleased to see a duo shopping trolley available. I could have both and infant and a toddler sit together, side by side with each other. I sat the younger A on the baby compartment (a little unsafe because I could not strap her in with her sitting up most of the time. I have to keep a constant eye on her) and the older C in the normal seat compartment.

Our first stop: the newly opened Aldi at the shopping centre. I told the girls that I would not let either of them down because I only intend to spend a short time there. They were quite good, just looking around curiously and I would engage them to help me choose fruits and veggies to buy.

At Woolies, they were allowed to take turns to come down the trolley. A was first given the chance to help push the shopping trolley - something which her mum said she love to do and would tire her out.

Within 5 mins, A is tired and she comes to me and signals for me to carry her (that was cute! - because A used to not want me to carry her :)) When it was C's turn to push the trolley, she gave all her energy into it! She alone could push the trolley without me! And when she hits an obstacle, she is able to turn the trolley by herself and continue to push. Often, I have to say "妹妹, stop pushing. Wait, I need to pick up something." She has energy like a bull for her age! (cute :))

They were very cooperative, helpful, obedient and well behaved. I'd enlist their help to put my purchases in the trolley. I think they really love this new experience of shopping with their 舅妈 :)

'Reward' of morning tea at the end of shopping

I had about 3 to 4 Aussie ladies asked me if A and C were twins. The truth is that they are 5 months apart :)

Would I bring them out again? I think so. Don't you think they are super cute? ;)

Shepherding A Child's Heart

2010-11-16T16:05:00.000+10:00

At mum's group 2 Fridays ago, 3/4yo S and J 'fought' over a star-shaped card for their craft. Both of them insisted that they wanted the only one star-shaped card. I told them that one of them has to give in and let the other person have it but both of them still insisted that they want it. At one point, I thought to keep it and not give it to any of them. However I figured that they need to learn that sometimes you have to sacrifice and give in to your friend.

I guess I could have done better... I decided to get both of them to play "scissors, paper, stone" and the winner will get to guess which of my hand contains the star-shaped card (the other hand has a maple leaf-shaped card). J won the game and she chose my right hand which contains the star-shaped card. At the moment S realised that she lost and could not have the card, silent tears streamed down her cheeks. I felt so sorry for her but prayed in my heart that she will understand. I wanted to give her a hug and speak with her but she did not want to. Maybe she was upset with me... I found it difficult to be sensitive to S's feelings and at the same time, trying to tell J nicely (and firmly) not to rub it in. J made a few sentences, like "I told you I wanted the star..", etc. I know S must have felt really bad. All of a sudden, B fished out another star (I am not sure from where and how)! As soon as S saw this star, she collected herself from her sad feelings to a smile on her face. At that moment, I felt like God has suddenly gave me/us some hope - that I need not feel bad about it and both J and S could be happy to have a star each for their craft.

I had a quick word with S's mum after as to what she would do in my situation. She shared that she would not give the item to both and would tell S and her younger sister (almost 2yo) M, to work it out amongst themselves, as to who will give in. If they cannot work it out, non of them will have the item. I thought this is a good way of handling it, especially since J and S are of a similar age (hence maturity) to be able to work out amongst themselves. The first thought I had to resolve the conflict was that none of them would have the star since both of them do not want to give in. But I decided to do what I did. I admit and realise that I must be more prepared for such situations when I mind the children at mum's group. Most of the them, we play with them but I felt (personally especially since I have been minding these kids for almost 2 years) that I have to be a good Christian witness to them too and to be firm and strict whenever I have to. Being the main carer (with 1-2 other volunteer carers) for 7 to 8 children from age 1.5 to 4yo, I have to instill some order so that I can get them organised. I cannot give my attention to all of them at the same time.

I do realise I have to put in more thinking in the way I care for the kids (2 of which are my nieces). I recall the recommended book by my mummy friends in SG, "Shepherding a child's heart" and decided to get a copy for myself. Even though I am not a parent, I am in a position to care for some children for 2 hours every fortnight while their mummies study the Bible.

From the book, I was reminded that the situation between J and S was a problem of the heart:

Now you have 2 offenders. Both children are displaying a hardness of heart toward the other. Both are being selfish. Both children are saying "I don't care about you or your happiness. I am only concerned about myself. I want this toy. My happiness depends on possessing it. I will have it and be happy regardless of what that means to you."

In terms of issues of the heart, you have 2 sinning children. 2 children are preferring themselves before the other. 2 children are breaking God's law. Sure, the circumstances are different. 1 is taking the toy that the other has. The other is keeping the same - "I want my happiness, even at your expense."

You see, then, how heart attitudes of the heart. This is always true. All behaviour is linked to attitudes of the heart. Therefore, discipline must address attitudes of the heart.

By reading this book, I pray that it will help me to be purposeful in the things I say to children and how I choose to respond to situations when I am with them, so that they will be learning more about God and choosing to obey and love Him.

Operation Christmas Child

2010-11-09T16:23:00.000+10:00

A couple of Saturdays ago, hubby and I went along to volunteer at the Samaritian's Purse Operation Christmas Child packing centre. It was "serving night" at our CG and we decided to tag along with a group from our sister church who has already organised that evening's volunteer experience.

In all honesty, I was very attempted to back out after a hot and tiring day at church's bbq lunch at the park. But in all submission to hubby, I went ahead. (I am thankful for hubby's attitude of service despite his tiredness) There were about 20 of us that evening, of which 3 (including hubby and I) were from my CG. I thank God for renewed energy to be able to get through 3-4 hours of standing and packing the shoe boxes. We have to open each box and check its contents to make sure that they fit the criteria and regulations. E.g. liquid and gels should not be in there. We also have to remove all the packaging of the items (so that the kids need not dispose the packaging and increase landfill in their country). It was really nice to see the items from many thoughtful families and individuals. It felt like all those presents were for me, since I had to open up and look through them :p (I did not keep anything for myself).

Some of the many shoe boxes queuing for us to pick up to sort.

(Tired but) Happily sorting through each box.

I'd love to do this again next year. This is a meaningful way to spend some time to pack gift boxes for the less fortunate children in the world :)

Some Bits of Hometown

2010-09-15T16:18:00.000+10:00

I grew up watching the local Chinese tv drama series. Now that I am living away from hometown, I rarely get to watch them, unless I watch them through youtube.

I am glad to watch the 36-episode "Together" last week. This drama was set in the 1960s, in my parents' generation. From here, I learnt about some history of Singapore, e.g. when National Service became mandatory for all young men (and realised that my dad barely missed out because he was born 2 weeks shy of the age range) and when Singapore issued its own currency. It also reminded me how fortunate we are now when our parents daily meals were mainly vegetables and rice. Most of the common people only get to eat meat and eggs during very special occasions. In those days, fake eyelashes were rented for $4 a day, jeans and bell bottoms were strange and out of the world, driving tests were conducted using car models, education was uncommon, tertiary education was for the rich or very smart (with a scholarship) and corruption and illegitimate income were common because that is the only way the common person gets his wealth. This drama is not dramatic enough (pardon the pun) to captivate hubby's interest but I liked it mostly because it brings back certain memories I have and reminds me of the roots and history of where I was born. I like how it reminded me of the way of life and the culture at that time, some of which do not occur now but it is good for the future generation to know and realise how fortunate we are now.

Suddenly I recall how it was like at my grandparents' - a food storage cupboard with wire mesh to keep flies away instead of a fridge, bathing from cold water in a huge porcelain tank instead of fresh water through the pipes, using hand held fans and sometimes electrical fans instead of electricial fans and airconditioners, telephone that you have to dial one digit by one digit instead of mobile phones and digital telephones, typewriters instead of computers. There were no microwave ovens, mobile phones, ipad, computers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers. I am thankful that I live in this generation with the comforts of life.

Wikipedia's write-up on "Together"

CG Serving Night

2010-09-15T14:31:00.001+10:00

Pastor S & KY just became new parents to baby J 2 weeks ago. 4 weeks ago, our CG decided to come together to cook them some food which they are able to freeze away for their meals, so that they need not worry about their meals while having to care for bub and being new parents.

The menu:
- beef meat balls in spaghetti sauce (3 meals)
- dumplings with pork mince (3 meals + another 2 meals of pork balls)
- stir fried pork with veggies (3 meals)
- stir fried chicken with DOM liquer and mushrooms (2 meals)
- tuna and mixed veggies pasta bake (3 meals)

5 of us together, put up the above dishes in 20 takeaway containers, which is sufficient to provide the main dish for both of them for around 16 meals. All that were done in 2 hours. It was a fun time putting everything together and chatting at the same time. What a good way to fellowship and be able to serve others at the same time :)

The girls in preparation - meat balls and dumplings

Hubby cooking the pasta sauce with meatballs

All the food, packed, labelled and ready to go!

A Tower of Profiteroles

2010-09-14T16:06:00.000+10:00

This is a little (and slightly embarrassing) croquembouche that I attempted a month ago. This was the birthday cake for hubby and my FIL. It was not easy putting something like that together. The photo only represent about 50% of the number of profiteroles that I made. The rest were either too big or too small or not presentable.

Martha Stewart has the simpler version. If you are ambitious, then give the original Adriano Zumbo's version or the chocolate version a try :)

Smart (?) Shopping

2010-09-02T17:07:00.000+10:00

For 2 consecutive weeks in July, I was overcharged for my groceries from Woolies. This is not the first time I was overcharged by a supermarket. I am glad I noticed it when I checked my receipt after I paid. Generally, if the product you buy was scanned at the wrong price (usually more than what is supposed to be), the store will refund you the amount of the product, which means you get the product for free.

Today, I bought some mountain bread. It was on sale, buy one get one free for A$3.79 each. After I paid for it, I checked the receipt and realise that I was overcharged for the bread. After the supermarket staff checked the price, I was refunded the amount of both the mountain bread charged A$7.58 (A$7.60 in cash).

It pays to know the price of the products you buy. After you pay, have a look at your receipt to ensure that you are correctly billed. I do notice that the wrong billing usually occurs on the first day of sale. Woolies' sale begins on Monday and Coles' on Thursday. I guess that is when they might not have time to correctly program the sale price into their system.

Well, I guess I have saved quite a bit of money from their mistakes :)

It Has Been A While...

2010-08-23T13:13:00.001+10:00

(overdue post)

I blogged about my recent trip to Singapore/Malaysia some weeks ago. Something else that I have not done for a while is leading songs in church. I think it has been 3 years or so. My previous music team knew I was coming back and asked if I could lead at church camp. It was a privilege for me as it has really been a while and I was not sure if I am up to it and if I will be able to work the team. I told the organiser if she cannot find enough song leaders (they needed 8), I will be happy to lead 1 session and back up sing for another session.

The time leading up to church camp was a little stressful. I usually select my songs in advance, having known the sermon title and Bible passage and would prepare my script the day before. For this church camp, our dearest pastor did not have his sermon outlines until rather late. I selected about 8 songs for me to practise with my team prior to church camp and I will shortlist to 5-6 songs when the sermon outlines were out.

These were the songs I chose:
We are God's people
How great is our God (How great thou art)
Praise the Father, Praise the Son
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
Brother, let me be your servant

I was really happy and felt so privileged to be working with a team of talented, gracious and loving brothers and sisters in Christ. Our bassist B, also went back specially for church camp when he and his family are living in NZ now. I had fun and also felt blessed to see how God guide and led us to lead the church in singing. In particular, I was humbled to see how God led to choose the appropriate songs that flowed well and people were ministered by the session. About 6 hours before the session, the chairing pastor for my session told me that someone will be sharing a testimony and asked for me to lead another song after the testimony was shared. I conveniently slotted him to share before the song "Amazing Grace", which I hoped will fit in well. Moments before we started, I then learnt that it was C who was going to share his testimony. After we completed the session and after his testimony, I thanked C for his testimony which encouraged me to know what God had done in his and his wife's lives to lead them to Jesus. To my surprise, C thanked me for the songs that were chosen. Before we began, he was thinking about us being saved by grace, through faith and those exact words came out in the first song we sang "We are God's people" and "Amazing Grace" fitted in really well after his testimony. I was so amazed and could only praise God and give Him the glory for the 'coincidences', for we all knew that it was only Him, who is able to do this. (Incidentally, C was picked to share his testimony because he was one of the first ones listed on our pastor's wife's mobile contact list.)

5 singers (1 guy is hidden) and keyboardist

Drummer, bassist and guitarist

No words could express the joy I felt, being able to serve the Lord in this way. I have never failed to be humbled and encouraged whenever I lead songs because each time I see His grace and working through me, even during the times when I was either physically or emotionally not up to it. This time at church camp was the same, I was not emotionally up to it at the start of church camp but had to lead songs the next day. But the Lord enabled me. I was also very encouraged when some people in church came up to me to thank me for leading and some (particularly the older folks) did not know that I have migrated to Oz. I knew I could easily feel proud about myself but I reminded myself that all praise and glory is the Lord's and I am merely an instrument. It would be some time before I could be back to be able to serve... A brother-in-Christ joked that he will gather a few people to contribute some money to fly me back next year to lead songs for church camp. Hmm, I wonder if he was serious :p

Meal Planner 16/8/10 - 20/8/10

2010-08-15T23:22:00.002+10:00

This is the last time I will be sharing the meals that I have planned for the coming week. About a month ago, I acquired a touch screen mobile phone and it allows me to plan my meals and store the data in my phone. In that way, I could refer to it whenever I wanted to.

What I am most excited is the shopping list software which allows me to list the things I needed to buy. It has a column for me to check off when I have picked up the items, which is really handy for me. I used to use a piece of paper and have to use a pen to cross out the items or mentally remember that I have picked up the items. With my mobile phone, I can hold the list and check off the items using one hand. I could also have a few shopping lists, so I have lists like Coles, Woolies, Aldi, Anywhere cheapest, Christmas, Things to buy to Singapore, Things I want from Singapore, etc. This beats writing all of them on one piece of paper or having different pieces of paper for different shopping list. It allows me to record prices of items too. E.g. In the "milk" entry, I could enter the price of A$3.59 for a 3L bottle and keep it for future reference or comparing prices between the supermarkets. It has been almost 3 years since I use a PDA (my old one drowned). I am thankful that the HTC Desire (smart phone, android phone) was so affordable, thanks to hubby who found this great deal. For once, both of us are carrying the same phone. How romantic?!!? :p

Monday - beef casserole with tomatoes and eggplant
Tuesday - pumpkin soup with bread rolls
Wednesday - (Subway dinner)
Thursday - steak and chips
Friday - butter chicken (family dinner)
Saturday - satay chicken and dessert
Sunday - ondeh ondeh

Meal Planner 9/8/10 - 13/8/10

2010-08-08T23:57:00.000+10:00

Monday - stewed pork ribs in orange juice
Tuesday - stir fried udon with sliced beef and veggies
Wednesday - pumpkin soup (lunch) and butter chicken (dinner)
Thursday - pasta with beef mince
Friday - (Eating out enroute to BLT+)

Afternoon Treats

2010-08-04T13:13:00.000+10:00

D visited Brisbane last weekend and so we had her and L come over for afternoon tea on Saturday to catch up. Here are the treats I made -

Mini scones with blackcurrent jam and whipped cream

Heart-shaped tuna mayonnaise wholemeal sandwiches (foreground) and sun-dried tomatoes mini muffins (background)

Lemon tartlets (foreground) and blueberry and white chocolate tartlets (background)

D & I figured out that this afternoon tea (a.k.a. high tea) is definitely mostly a girl thing. In my dream pastry cafe, I reckon we could have a "low tea" for the boys whose menu will be predominantly meat ;)

Cooking for 20

2010-08-03T14:38:00.001+10:00

It was really good to have home-cooked dinner in church after service. Since the start of winter in June, various people have took turns to cook and we just contribute a minimum of a "gold coin" (i.e. either A$1 or A$2) to cover the cost of the ingredients. This casual dinner has created more opportunities to fellowship and is inexpensive for students and all to sit down to enjoy some warm home-cooked food.

2 weekends ago, I cooked chicken macaroni soup (the real stuff and not with store-bought chicken stock) with celery and carrot and served with bread. This was relatively easy to make and I know that this will be really healthy. I had also made a chocolate mud cake (the not so healthy bit) for dessert and to celebrate birthdays of 2 brothers-in-Christ and 1 sister-in-Christ.

Don't you love the colourful plastic bowls?

Chocolate mud cake with chocolate ganache, strawberries and kit kat

The cooking involved quite some coordination and organisation on my part, having to think through when I should start prepping, cooking and which pots/containers I should store them in for transportation. Meanwhile, hubby's role is to think about how we transport the cooked food and not spill in the car. In 3 pots, 3 plastic containers and a cake carrier, we brought all the food to church.

I am just really thankful that my prayers were answered - spend the afternoon cooking without fuss/trouble, cook everything in time and for people to enjoy them. I was especially thankful about the part of "cooking without fuss". I had imagine myself not getting some things organised and end up feeling stressed about the entire process. The only bit of fuss I had was when the glass mixing bowl slipped out of my fingers and landed into the pot of soup. You can imagine the mess of having to clean up the area around the stove, etc. Thankfully, with (the rational) hubby's help, the mess was quickly cleaned up. So when people thanked me for cooking or that the food tasted good, all I can say or think of is "Praise God!" and I really give all the glory to Him.

Meal Planner 2/8/10 - 6/8/10

2010-08-01T13:29:00.000+10:00

Monday - caramelised pork belly
Tuesday - pasta with wagyu sausages
Wednesday - cola glazed wings
Thursday - prawn risotto
Friday - steamboat dinner with family, celebrating hubby's and FIL's birthdays

Friends and Church Camp

2010-07-28T15:02:00.000+10:00

(Overdue post)

J, M and I made a date some 1.5 years to be back in Singapore this year for church camp. The 3 of us and our spouses reside outside Singapore and we miss church camp. The last time 3 of us (and another M) met together was at my wedding in Brisbane. They flew from where they were in the world then to witness my holy matrimony. Unfortunately, as things pen out, M cannot make the trip back (M, you better start to feel guilty again :p).

Together with R and MQ, J and I had 2 great nights at church camp having girl chats about our marriages and children in my room. Hubby kindly sacrificed by spending time by himself and walking around the hotel premises late at night (all other husbands were either sleeping (because they are sick) or minding the children). How I really miss precious moments like these where we catch up on the smaller details of our lives, our struggles, laughing and giggling (usually, MQ's ignorance for certain things). Most of all, we spent some time praying for each other. I felt so strongly and prayed that God will protect all our marriages in Christ. Satan loves to destroy marriages and our lives and faith in Jesus. The other 'threat' is how having children will significantly reduce couple time and the building of the marital relationship. I prayed that we will always put our marriages before our children and of course, Christ above all else.

I am looking forward to our next 'date', probably in 2012 where we shall be heading to karaoke to sing oldies :) and of course, more girl time.

R, MQ and I having durian at the largest durian party ever!

With A & J at yum cha (dim sum) until midnight. Looking forward to see you guys in Oz next year!!

Hubby with little J, who, for some reason, loves hubby more than me! Children usually prefers me to hubby :p

(There was a video on facebook of them conversing with each other in baby talk)

Last of all, the now grown up Cha Cha, whom I used to blog a lot about. She is now a fine little lady, no longer the little girl I used to know. She is really a dear... and probably the only child in SG who misses me.

My Grandpa

2010-07-28T14:12:00.000+10:00

My 95-yo grandpa is a jack of many trades. He was really hardworking when he was young - his past occupations included chef, tailor, carpenter and for as far as I know him, he has been a 'house-husband', while grandma goes out to work. He has made me a study desk that I personally designed. I almost wanted to ask him to make a Barbie house for me back in my little girl days (to fulfil my dream of owning one. It was expensive to buy a doll house in those days). He has also sewn me my school uniform - my mum would purchase the fabric, give him a sample and he would take my measurements and then make my uniforms. Those uniforms lasted me for quite a couple of years before I outgrew them. Grandpa takes care of grandma, my unmarried uncle (his son) with chronic kidney failure, my divorced aunt and her 2 kids. For a good number of years, they live under one roof... until 3 years ago, my uncle and grandma passed on suddenly.

Maybe being his eldest internal grandchild (i.e. his sons' children as supposed to his daughters' children) has its privileges. He has not done any wood work nor sewn any uniforms for his other grandchildren. In fact, because I was the first in the family to enter a university and graduate, I was given $500 when I completed university (or was it when I was successfully accepted into the university?). That is not a huge sum of money but I think to my grandpa, it was. The idea of rewarding me with a gift was big deal enough. I think it would have taken him quite a while to save that $500 when he was working. Again, this was something which no other grandchildren had.

When we were younger and on the occasional times when my parents went overseas, grandpa would take care of my siblings and I. He will cook our meals and iron our clothes. He is a strong man - up until he was in his early 90's, he would still walk to the nearby (a good 10 mins walk) supermarket to buy groceries, including 10kg sack of rice (despite constant discouragement from the family).

Grandpa not only cooks, he bakes too. He bakes in his free time. The cake that I fondly remember was his butter cake. He has made that many many times. On grandma's death anniversary, he baked a heart-shaped cake for me... it was so sweet of him, being about 92yo then, showing his love for his deceased wife. Then, we worried that grandpa might not overcome his grief of having to cope with the loss of 2 of his loved ones within 1 month. But he stood on strong... in fact, he knows that he needs to be healthy and he is healthier now than before.

Amongst my cousins and siblings, I probably am the only one who 'inherited' his love and ability to bake. At my recent trip back to Singapore, he saw me baked egg tarts and he commented quite a fair bit about the ingredients and portions that I used, etc, but all in a chinese dialect that I hardly understood. When I went to his house to visit him on the day before I flew off, he was making some buns with minced meat (photo above) and he again tried to teach me how I should bake my egg tarts. He spoke with so much passion and experience and he showed me his little notebook of his recipes (all written in chinese) :)

Despite his constant nagging of me when I get back, grandpa is a nice old man. I don't even think I will live to an ripe old age like him... My greatest prayer for him is that he will be able to hear (in Hainanese) and accept Jesus into his life.

Meal Planner 26/7/10 - 31/7/10

2010-07-28T13:50:00.001+10:00

Monday - coa qu vin
Tuesday - mushroom soup

Wednesday - oven baked hoki fish

Thursday - seafood paella

Friday - soya chicken with potatoes and mushrooms

Saturday - sandwiches, savoury mini muffins, lemon tartlets and scones (L&D for afternoon tea)

The Airport

2010-07-23T12:21:00.000+10:00

I love the feeling of being at the airport - particularly at Singapore Changi Airport. It just makes me feel happy... maybe it gives me the impression that I am flying away to a holiday. Unfortunately, I used to live on the other end of the island and makes it far to travel. Other than sending off people, picking up people and flying off overseas myself, I have specially made the trip to the airport on 2-3 other occasions, just to study or have a personal retreat by myself.

At SCA, there are many food joints that I can sit down to eat and watch people and/or read a book. There used to be a study corner just for students near the gallery area where people watch the planes fly off. I also love to stand at the gallery area to watch the planes... and for those times I did that, I usually would tear as I miss the person who is about fly off...

I am also proud that Singapore has one of the best airports in the world! I wouldn't mind spending a long transit time in the transit area. If you have been there before, you will know why :)

Anyway, I really like being in the airport, not just any airport but Singapore Changi Airport Sometimes I think that I want to be an air stewardess or be part of the airport ground crew so that I can go to the airport often.

Meal Planner 19/7/10 - 25/7/10

2010-07-18T16:11:00.000+10:00

Monday - siew yok or shuo bak or roast pork

Tuesday - pork soup

Wednesday - (dinner out)

Thursday - pumpkin with chicken risotto

Friday - chicken curry
Sunday - chicken and cream corn soup (dinner for 20 at church)

God Is Good All The Time

2010-07-12T16:25:00.001+10:00

This song rings in my head today... a simple old song which has simple words and truth.

This song reminded me of:
- God's goodness during the many times that I am so tempted to doubt
- God's promise that He will not forsake me and I need not fear
- His everlasting love and mercies
- His sacrifice for us
- My life being in His hands even though I don't understand His plans for me

God is good all the time

He puts a song of praise in this heart of mine

God is good all the time

Through the darkest night, His light will shine

God is good, God is good all the time

If you're walking in the valley

And there are shadows all around

Do not fear, He will guild you

He will keep you safe and sound

He has promised to never leave you, nor forsake you

And His word is true

We were sinners - so unworthy

Still for us He chose to die

Filled us with His Holy Spirit

Now we can stand and testify

That His love is everlasting

And His mercies - they will never end

Though I may not understand

All the plans He left for me

My life is in Your hands

And through the eyes of Him

I can clearly see

Meal Planner 12/7/10 - 16/7/10

2010-07-11T15:54:00.002+10:00

Monday - chicken diane

Tuesday - hearty beef minestrone soup

Wednesday - crumbled fish

Thursday - 'bak kut teh' (pork rib soup)

Friday - tau you bak (braised pork belly)
Saturday lunch - chicken laksa

Meal Planner 5/7/10 - 10/7/10

2010-07-04T12:00:00.001+10:00

Monday - beef and red wine casserole with rice and veggies
Tuesday - chicken with creamed corn soup
Wednesday - 'wah dan' hor fun (flat rice noodles) with chicken and veggies
Thursday - fusilli with bacon, peas and ricotta
Friday - pork roast with pomme puree (potato mash)
Saturday - corn fritters (friend's birthday party)

Meal Planner 28/6/10 - 2/7/10

2010-06-28T00:00:00.001+10:00

I'm back! It has taken a while to get back on my routine and planning what to cook. Last week's 3 dinners were random dishes that I could put together. I am looking forward to starting well on my "post-holiday life" :)

Monday - beef rendang (prima mix), stir fry veggies and rice
Tuesday - pumpkin soup with bread and coopers ale wagyu beef sausages (compliments from D&G)
Wednesday - sesame oil chicken, mixed veggies and rice
Thursday - macaroni, cauliflower and cheese bake
Friday - cream chicken casserole, mixed veggies and rice

Feeling the Difference

2010-06-25T16:42:00.000+10:00

It is day 4 since hubby and I came back from our 3.5-week break to S.E. Asia. From the moment I step out of the Brisbane domestic terminal (we flew Jetstar and transited at Darwin), the cool-cold air in the environment and breathing it, reminds me of the similar smells and environment that I encountered during all those times when I visited Australia for vacation - from the hot and humid Singapore to the cool weather of winter in Australia. Breathing in (accidentally) the combination of car fumes and cool air also reminded me of that!

I cannot fully explain that feeling... but as I was thinking why I felt so (this being my 4th trip to Singapore ever since I moved to Australia), I realised that it was summer in Australia when we made the first 3 trips. Hence the weather between the 2 countries did not differ too much. I think another reason was the duration of my time away - we went away for close to 4 weeks when the previous trips range from 10 to 16 days.

So much for this discovery...

Now that I am back, my thoughts are still very much with my friends and family in Singapore and all the things that have happened in their lives. But at the same time, I have to get accustomed back to my routine and also enjoying the cool weather here. God also provided me with family and friends in Australia that I care for (or should care for). Hence I should be thankful and not be 'stressed', thinking how to manage keeping up with all (most of) my friends in both countries and praying for them actively at the same time.

Friendly Thais?

2010-05-30T01:41:00.000+10:00

I arrived at Phuket International Airport today and my first experience of a Thai was very unwelcoming. The Thai people are known to be very hospitable and friendly. That is also why they are known to be the “Land of Smiles”.

At the immigration, hubby and I walked and approach the counter together. Now, so far, most other countries allow you to get through immigration together, especially if you are travelling together as a family. The lady immigration officer at the counter immediately asked hubby (who was just a little behind but beside me) to step back and only 1 person could be there at one time. Next, she gave me a very unhappy look and stare and a few seconds later, asked me to step back and stand on the red square indicated on the ground and look into the little camera at the counter. Apparently, everyone is supposed to do that. I stood there and stared into the camera for about 3-5 seconds and then turned around and kinda made a facial expression to hubby that she was quite rude. When I turned back, I saw my passport left on the counter. I stepped ahead and asked her if I could take my passport and go. She did not look at me in the eye but held a very impatient and frustrated look on her face for 2-3 seconds and then she waved and signalled for me to go. Gosh! I was quite surprised at what ‘greeted’ me when I arrive at the airport for my holidays! There was no “sawadeeka” or a single smile from the lady. I hope she doesn’t ‘greet’ all the tourists like that. Phuket is a place where every economic dollar comes from tourists and I didn’t expect airport crew to be not understanding of an innocent me who have not gone to Thailand before and did not see the little sign they put on the counter to step on the red square and look into the camera. I thought she could have kindly asked hubby to step back and wait and also kindly asked me to step back and stand into the red square and look into the camera, or even point to me the sign about the regulation.

Most other Thais are still quite friendly... and even though this spoils my first impression, I will try not be bias with the Thais we will meet for the coming week...

Meal Planner 17/5/10 - 21/5/10

2010-05-13T15:02:00.000+10:00

Monday - dinner out (30th month wedding anniversary) and cooking steak and red wine casserole for Wed

Tuesday - omurice with extra steamed veggies

Wednesday - steak and red wine casserole made on Mon, rice and steamed veggies and dong guai chicken soup for supper

Thursday - creamy fish pasta

Friday - coca cola chicken wings (dinner at in-law's)

Lost My Patience

2010-05-13T14:58:00.001+10:00

B with traces of chocolate moouse all over her mouth

Last week, Ikea had a "eat your discount" promotion. It means that, e.g. when you spend $20 dining at the Ikea cafe, Ikea will take $20 off your purchases. Hubby and I have a couple of things to buy and so we head there on Thursday (late night shopping until 9pm).

I had to drop something at my SIL's before heading to Ikea. I thought I will offer B to come along with us, if she has had a good afternoon nap (otherwise we will have a cranky kid while we shop) and her parents permits her to come out with us. It turned out that B has been asking her mum when she will be able to go to my house again, when I will go pick her up, etc, since the last time she stayed over. B loves to go out. Every morning when she wakes up, she will ask her mum "Mummy, where are we going today?". The answer that she often gets is "Nowhere. We are staying at home" and B is disappointed. So when B heard that she can go out with us, she was so excited and granted that she had a 2.5 hr nap (which was unusual for her), it was ideal to get her out, wear off her energy so that she can sleep at night.

The moment I arrive at B's place, she and C were so delighted to see me. The smiles (especially C's) that greet me at the door make my day. They are priceless! Unfortunately we will not bring both B and C out. Since B is the older child, she gets more privilege to hang out with us, just because it is easier to handle a toddler. I'd love to bring C out one day though... but B will not be happy if she cannot come along too. And so, the car seat is set up, B pops into our car and I proceed to pick hubby up from his work. B was quiet in the car (which was usual).

At Ikea, there was a long line of people waiting to buy their food/dinner. Hubby stood in the line while I brought B to the front to see what food was available and what she wanted to eat. B kept quiet, refused to talk nor even point out to me what she wants to eat. Everything I asked and everything I said had no response from her. Hubby also could not make her talk and both of us could not understand her sudden change of temperament. I tried to be patient nevertheless and since I know she likes fish and chips, we ordered one for her, complete with her favourite "funny drink" (soft drink, carbonated drink). At the dining table, we cut up the food for her and put it in her hands. She held the piece of fish for a while and just looked at us and refused to eat nor drink her "funny drink". Hubby and I tried everything we could but she remained silent. I have also asked her what was wrong and to tell me but she kept quiet. At that moment, I wanted to scream and scold B. There we are, brought her out to spend some time and enjoy with her, complete with treats that she usually don't get. Before we could begin the 'fun', she turned up in her mood. In fact, I told hubby that if she were my own daughter, I would have scolded her and be more firm. But because she is my niece and I know that scolding B will not help her to open up, I kept my frustrations and B could probably sense it too.

We decided to sms B's parents to let them know that she is not eating. We don't want B to wake up in the middle of the night asking for food because she didn't eat her dinner. Just before my SIL rang me, B started to eat a tiny bit and slowly... B's mum spoke to her on the phone but B remained silent and just listened without any response. Eventually she managed to eat quite an amount of fish (and not just the fried batter) and chips, complete with her "funny drink" (which was actually lemonade) and another treat was the chocolate moouse (which she knows it as ice cream). She ate about half the cup of moouse. Does B realise she is getting such a treat that her sister don't get? Sigh...

The rest of our time together shopping was quite alright. B still didn't talk much but she was more responsive (and she definitely was not tired). Having said that (like I always say), B is still a pretty easy kid to handle. I have seen some others which I think would have made me lose my patience many times over. On hindsight, I am not sure how I could better deal with B. I think I have tried both the soft and hard way for her but not sure which one works. I think I should have 'debriefed' with her, letting her understand why I was frustrated and say sorry, and try to suss out something from her. Even if she does not tell me what was happening with her, at least I know that she has heard me. At the end of the night, I still made a point to tell B that I love her.

We returned B to my in-law's place where her parents are. Soon after, the talkative part of her came back. Was it something that we did? It would be interesting to know what is B thinking in her mind when she doesn't talk. Her parents don't know most of the time either.

It is not easy to discipline kids as they get older, isn't it? There are still so much to learn how to discipline them in the godly way...

Meal Planner 10/5/10 - 15/5/10

2010-05-10T00:08:00.000+10:00

Monday - beef rendang with rice
Tuesday - pad thai noodles, chicken wings (CG dinner)
Wednesday - creamy seafood chowder with bread
Thursday - pasta with minced beef and Bertolli pasta sauce
Friday - chicken curry with rice
Saturday - hainanese chicken rice and egg tarts (D, D and W over for dinner)

Niece-sitting

2010-05-04T16:57:00.000+10:00

For the first time, B stayed overnight at our place. It was an attempt to see how we can cope with a sleepless night with a todd and also some fun for her to stay over. From here, we could possibly help care for her should her parents need a break. Before this, B has stayed over with her sister C at their grandparents' but not with anyone else. Prior to this B did not want to sleep over at our place. She only wanted to come and play at our place, saying "I need to come to your place to play with the puzzles". I think it was only one time when I asked her if she wants to come and stay, otherwise her 14mo sister will gladly want to come.

It was quite a tiring night... B slept around 9pm in my arms while we were watching tv. I put her down on the mattress on the floor beside our bed soon after. When I got into bed around 12.30am, she started to cry, as if she had a nightmare. I patted her but could not get her to stop. I picked her up and only then did she stop and continued to sleep soundly on my shoulder. I waited until she fell back to sleep soundly before attempting to put her down. However, her disturbed sleep kept coming back throughout the night. At some points, she cries out "ma ma" or "mummy". There were 2 times when she cried waking up and opened her eyes and realised that she is not at home but staying with us. With that, she will go back to sleep for a longer period of time before crying out for her mum in her sleep again. I do not know how many times we had to wake up because she cried. But I could not fall into deep sleep (I am usually a very deep sleeper) the entire night. Finally at one time, we brought her to bed with us. B slept in between us but her head and half of her body was next to hubby and her legs were next to my face. In an attempt to keep her feeling secure, we knew she had to have her body being close with one of us and hubby place his hand on her, as if hugging her, but really it was to show her security and give her assurance. In our bed, she stirred a few times too... and we knew the morning was here when she woke up (around 6.30pm). Hubby was nice enough to let me continue to sleep while he kept B entertained, fed her breakfast and brought her to the toilet. I slept for another 2+ hours, undisturbed.

When I woke up, I notice the active and happy B playing in the lounge. It was as if we were the only ones who did not sleep through the night but B slept through soundly. She was happy as, playing and talking heaps (most people thought she could not speak as she does not open up much to people). After a while, it was hubby's turn to take a snooze before our family comes over for lunch.

For the record, this is what B puts her parents through every night. She will start to cry around midnight and her parents will bring her to their bed to sleep with them (so that she will cry less). And they will have to be careful of her arms and legs as she spreads them everywhere when she sleeps :)

This was what B did on our stairs in the morning, using our couch pillows and some toys in our special toy box (second hand toys that we bought so that our nieces have toys to play with when they come) to form her imaginary "bus" where she is one of the passengers. I'd say her imagination is quite good! Or perhaps it is also this 'good imagination' that causes her disturbed sleep in the night? Hmm...

Meal Planner 3/5/10 - 7/5/10

2010-05-02T22:43:00.000+10:00

Labour Day Monday - egg tarts, fried bee hoon-mee siam style (family lunch for MIL's birthday and mother's day), ngoh hiang (made on Sat) and making a chocolate tart for dinner at L's.
Tuesday - cream of carrot soup with bread

Wednesday - foo yong egg, grilled fish with banana leaf with rice

Thursday - dinner out at Ikea (yay!)

Friday - scones (arvo tea with T and Y), dinner at D's

Meal Planner 26/4/10 - 30/4/10

2010-04-22T14:00:00.000+10:00

Monday - Moroccan beef skewers with basmati rice and cooking chicken soup in advance
Tuesday - chicken soup with corn, carrot, choko and pasta
Wednesday - steamed egg with dried scallops, salt & pepper pork chops with rice
Thursday - prawns with Prima pre-mix nyonya sambal sauce and rice
Friday - dinner at D's? otherwise, braised assorted mushrooms with beancurd, grilled barramundi and rice
Saturday - teochew ngoh hiang (pork rolls) (in prep for MIL's birthday lunch on Monday)

Recipes that are on my "To Try" List

2010-04-18T10:50:00.000+10:00

I have a list of recipes to try out... Maybe you want to attempt them before I do :)

Foo Yong Egg
Sesame prawn toast
Steamed eggs with dried scallops
Cantonese egg tarts
Chinese steamed cake
Flower pot dessert
Cornflake cookies
Baby mocha cakes
Chocolate hazelnut friands

I have more on the list in my recipe file :)

The Battle With Generosity

2010-04-18T00:40:00.000+10:00

I battle with being generous. It is a battle because there are times when I know I should be generous or more generous with people and things.

I struggle with being generous and gracious to people if things in my house (or in my territorial space) were not put back in the original place of storage, especially in my kitchen. I struggle when the kitchen is messy and wet. Sometimes I get unhappy with the person behind it. Other times, I am unhappy that I have to bear the inconvenience of placing the things back in the 'right' place or having to pick up the mess after people.

We are not well off. In fact, we only have just enough income to get by. We are thankful not to be in the red, which we were at one time. When something happen and a charity cause or special ministry needs require people's generosity to give financially, I do stinge a bit but will consider giving a small amount. But sometimes I will use extra money to give myself in to some luxury spending or a treat.

I suppose this stems from me being selfish... which is very much a sinful nature of me. I have much to learn about being selfless. God graciously provided this house I live in and the money that we earn from working. Most of all, God gave me His only Son, Jesus to be born, live on earth and die for all of us. Now that is a very generous and unconditional act of love. This compels me to act the same to others as what Jesus did for me. Generosity is a kind act. Kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. I am thankful that God not only sent Jesus to be that perfect model, He also gave me a generous hubby who is a live earthly example in demonstrating kindness to others in inconveniencing himself and also giving to those in need when he is also concerned with his bank account at the same time.

Every time I feel the urge to be selfish, I must think of what Jesus has done for me... Lord, may the Spirit living in me help me grow in being generous with all that You have given me.

My Dream Kitchen

2010-04-17T23:05:00.000+10:00

I probably spend half of my time (if not more) at home, in the kitchen. My folks could not believe that as I did not really want to, or like to cook when I was still living with them when I was single. I proved them wrong after I got married. Anyone will tell you that it makes a lot of difference when you have you own kitchen. You will tend to enjoy cooking a lot more. I am one example ;)

Let me mention what I am very thankful with my current kitchen. It is good-enough size (a townhouse's kitchen is a rather standard anyway), enough bench top space, storage is not too bad (not enough for me but good compared with other townhouses' kitchen I have seen), has a stainless steel stove top, oven (replaced by previous owner) and rangehood (we replaced it 2 years ago). My biggest gripe is probably the green colour. I know it is a superficial concern but green is one of the colours I dislike.

Kitchen in the foreground and dining area in the background

From watching Better Homes and Gardens tv show, I learnt that I could change the colour from green to white by just painting it and easily replace the cabinet and drawer handles to stainless steel. I might be able to paint over the green splash back too. I reckon it will cost us about A$300-400 and one weekend to do that ourselves. However the green laminate benchtop will have to stay. Replacing that will set us back another few hundred dollars. Oh and to complete the stainless steel appliances, the dishwasher should be replaced too (it is rather old already but functionable) and a larger stainless steel fridge/freezer :p Hmm.., but I cannot justify spending the money just to change the look of my kitchen so that I will be happier working there.

Allow me to indulge in my dream kitchen (it is, at least for now)... I gathered some photos from magazines and I want to keep them so that I might be able to fulfil this, SHOULD one day we might move to a house and I get to design my kitchen.

I like white kitchens. White reads simple, pure, clean to me. It will require maintenance and cleaning though, otherwise it might turn to 'cream colour' years down the track.

In the photo above, I love how there is a lot of storage on the right and it is glossy red which contrasts the white kitchen! I like how the oven and griller are my height and of course, the stainless steel appliances. Basically, I will be one happy woman if I could have this exact kitchen!

I have a soft spot for kitchen islands as well. An island gives me extra benchtop space and I love how this island is big enough and great for the family to sit around to have a light meal. I feel that an island makes it comfortable for guests to stand around for conversations and drinks.

There is also a big gas stovetop with a big rangehood in the background. The rangehood is ideally placed on a wall of the house in which is easy to duct out the cooking oily smells out of the house when I cook stir-fry dishes.

Lastly, this kitchen above is 'ok' for me. I don't prefer timber benchtop. I like solid stone ones. I like the many drawers on the island which is great to fish out utensils that I need as I prepare food. The greatest thing that caught my attention is the little desk / workstation on the left. It is just a narrow table with some drawers, a large screen for me to watch tv while cooking, or follow a recipe off the internet (which I often do). I can picture my collection of recipe books on that table too... or who knows, I might be able to go paperless on my recipe book and have them all on the computer screen with enlarged fonts for me to read.

And while I am recording my kitchen preferences, I stress again that I'd like the electrical appliances to be either stainless steel or red :) I'd like to have a separate big freezer and big fridge placed side by side, a canopy rangehood, a double deep sink of equal size and a pantry in a little room or many cabinets for storage.

Sounds like I am demanding a great deal? But I think I managed to combine practicality and the aesthetics that I like. As for now, I am quite happy putting my preferences down. Hopefully one day, I will get the chance to paint my green kitchen to white :)

Meal Planner 19/4/10 - 23/4/10

2010-04-15T17:05:00.000+10:00

Monday - "mee siam" (from Prima Deli pack)
Tuesday - MIY vietnamese spring rolls and dong guai chicken soup (supper)
Wednesday - "A1" brand curry chicken with potatoes with rice
Thursday - seafood chowder with bread rolls
Friday - (not cooking! Yay!)

Pickling Gherkins

2010-04-10T09:41:00.001+10:00

My MIL's garden has been giving her quite a number of cucumbers. These are cute little ones that can be either eaten raw, or pickled into gherkins. I love these crunchy cucumbers when they are eaten raw. However, I also like the pickled stuff. With the 'collection' of cucumbers we were given (We consume less then what is given to us), I decided to pickle a jar of gherkins myself. It was rather fun and easy!

I used this recipe.

Meal Planner 12/4/10 - 16/4/10

2010-04-08T16:27:00.000+10:00

I will be quite busy this weekend and hence I thought I shall plan next week's meals further in advance.

Monday - chicken-in-a-bag, stir-fry broccoli and rice
Tuesday - sweet potato and lentil soup with bread rolls

Wednesday - tomato with egg, grilled chicken wings, veggies and rice

Thursday - minced beef with Bertolli sauce pasta bake

Friday - pork rib with lotus root soup, steamed basa fillet, veggies and rice

Real Simple

2010-04-08T14:20:00.003+10:00

I followed a link that a friend shared on facebook and found some good ideas/tips that I like :)

Might give it a try soon!

10 Cheap Foods that Are Good For You

2010-04-08T14:15:00.001+10:00

Read the original article here. I expected some foods to make the list but there are a couple of surprises!

The 10 foods are:

Broccoli
Milk
Lentil soup
Carrot
White potato
Tomato juice
Banana
Beans
Yoghurt
Orange

Now, it is time to shop and eat wisely!

Meal Planner 5/4/10 - 9/4/10

2010-04-06T14:51:00.000+10:00

Easter Monday lunch - grilled chicken wings and bak kwa (celebrating BIL's birthday)
Monday dinner - leftovers from lunch
Tuesday - baked ling fish fillet, steam veggies and rice, onde onde (to bring to F's on Wednesday)

Wednesday - bacon and peas pasta (hubby's dinner while I eat at F's)

Thursday - leftover bacon and peas pasta (my dinner while hubby go for combined CG)

Friday - beef bourguignon (dinner at in-law's)

She is Now A Christian!

2010-04-01T16:57:00.000+10:00

I was pleasantly surprised and happy to read this piece of news about one of my favourite HK actress. Praise God for her public testimony. She has also publicly expresses her wish to marry a Christian. SC took a break from the entertainment circle and that was when she found the true meaning of life. Her new song album entitled "Faith" came about after she came back to the entertainment circle. She claimed that "faith has given her confidence". She is a changed person.

Another HK actress who has changed when she faced a down time in her life is this other pretty actress that I like. GL shared her testimony and how she became a Christian. (See video interview in Cantonese).

A 3rd popular actress has this to say about premarital sex.

I pray that their testimonies will continue to be strong and that they will bear good witnesses to their fans and supporters who do not yet know Jesus.

When I read this article, I wish I could tell JA that what she said about death is quite true but she will find meaning beyond death if she truly knows who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Tomorrow is Good Friday. Why is it "good"? It is because Jesus died on our behalf and He conquered death on Easter Sunday. That is why Christians celebrate - our Saviour Jesus Christ's death and His ultimate victory over death that He came alive! Amen!!

How Deep

2010-03-31T16:09:00.002+10:00

I have been thinking about and humming this song today...

Based on The Valley of Vision prayer “Love Lustres at Calvary”

(Words and Music by Stephen Altrogge)

You were broken that I might be healed

You were cast off that I might draw near

You were thirsty that I might come drink

Cried out in anguish that I might sing

How deep is Your love

How high and how wide is Your mercy

How deep is Your grace

Our hearts overflow with praise

To You

You knew darkness that I might know light

Wept great tears that mine might be dried

Stripped of glory that I might be clothed

Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own

Meal Planner 29/3/10 - 2/4/10

2010-03-29T14:28:00.001+10:00

Monday - tandoori chicken and baking tomato and cheese muffins

Tuesday - quick and easy creamy salmon pasta

Wednesday - veal scotch fillet

Thursday - pork soup with chinese herbs and (cooked in advance for Friday's dinner) corn and asparagus fritters

Good Friday - steamed veggies with creamy cilantro lemon dipping sauce and lemon rind tartlets (church's bbq lunch) moussaka and green tea tiramisu (meeting M and cousin) for dinner

Saturday lunch - rice porridge with condiments (if S and P are coming for lunch)

The Afflicted King

2010-03-24T16:34:00.000+10:00

Last Sunday at church, we covered Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 and God's Word was shared from the pulpit. G also shared a song that she wrote that ties in very well with the sermon .

As G sing the song, it reminds me of another song which watermelon girl wrote and I still remember the lyrics of the song...

Cheese & Tomato Savoury Muffins

2010-03-24T13:45:00.001+10:00

A few weeks ago, I spent a pretty afternoon at "Tea and Niceties". The two items that impressed me were a little savoury muffin and the little fluffy scones. They were the best that I have ever had!

I thought of trying to duplicate the savoury muffin, which everyone guessed had sun-dried tomatoes, and this recipe from Taste. It looked good and I gave it a try. It worked out really well and best of all, very simple to make :)

(makes 36 mini muffins)

2.5 cups self raising flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 and 1/4 cups milk

90g butter, melted (or 3 Tbsp olive oil)

1 cup grated tasty cheese (use light low-fat variety if you like)

1/2 cup marinated sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped

Place flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Make a well in the centre and add egg, milk and melted butter. Using a large metal spoon, stir until just combined. Add tomatoes and cheese and mix well.

Spoon about 2 tsp of batter into each hole of a lightly greased mini muffin tray. Bake at 180C for 15 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream (thickened cream whipped into soft peaks).

These muffins freeze well. I baked 2 batches over 2 days. After eating and sharing some with friends, I have now 2 bags (40 altogether) in the freezer, in storage for future consumption :) To eat, simply thaw them in the fridge or on your kitchen benchtop then heat them up in the microwave oven.

Try not to overcook it otherwise the exterior of the muffin will be golden brown and hard while the inside of the muffin is soft. You want the entire muffin to be soft and moist. I overcooked my last 12 muffins and they were not the texture that I wanted.

The bride-to-be F' tried it last night and confirmed that this (the soft ones) tastes and looks like the ones we had at 'Tea and Niceties'! Yum! I am gonna be sharing these little muffins (and hopefully some scones and a flourless chocolate cake) with E and G this Friday :)

Platter of savouries at high tea. I was trying to copy the muffin on the right

Learning to be A Woman of Purpose

2010-03-21T12:40:00.000+10:00

Last Saturday, together with about 200 other women, I attended the Women of Purpose conference. This is an annual women's training event to teach and encourage Christian women with God's Word. This is my 2nd time (the 1st was last year) and I was so glad I went. I left the conference spiritually encouraged, mentally challenged but physically tired.

Claire Smith (wife of Rob Smith, a talented Christian musician and song writer of many good contemporary Christian songs) spoke about the book the Jude in 2 talks in the morning. Tara Thornley (Dean of Women at Moore Theological College) spoke about discipleship and how we can care for the women in our midst, especially 1-to-1 discipleship in reading the Bible together.

Claire is a very clear and concise speaker as she taught the book of Jude. The book of Jude was presented so thoroughly and clearly, from the history of who is Jude, why did he write this book and his audience. I was reminded of the reason that I should contend for the faith that was once entrusted to the saints, as more and more false teachers are in our midst to distract us from our love and focus on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. The threat is not far away from us and many times we do not even realise the danger . Hence Jude writes to warn us and get our focus right.

The first thing that stood out for me was a reminder that Jesus is the ONLY Lord and Saviour. He is BOTH our Lord and Saviour. If He is only our saviour, our lives will remain unchanged post-salvation (quote: that is where we sing "Jesus is my boyfriend" type song). If Jesus is only our Lord, we only do good to obey Him but forgetting that we cannot do anything to gain salvation. Salvation is free and unconditional. We do not earn it. It is given with mercy and grace. Hence Jesus has to be both our Lord and Saviour. Does my life reflect this truth which I believe?

Time and history are important to help us press on. Time is not bigger than God. He does not change with time. It is the same Jesus who judged in the past and will judge our future. God does not change like we do. God rules over history (and the present and the future) and things happen for a reason. We must look at history in God's perspective. Everything we do on earth has an eternal consequence. With God in control over time and history, everything happens in His sovereign time and tomorrow holds no surprises for God. I must stop and think about God's sovereignity and control. All things must point to Jesus and that should dominate my life and the way I live.

Only the Lord can keep us from falling. Look out for dangers that draws us away from God. We are to keep ourselves with the love of Christ and keep on loving Him, growing in our knowledge of God's word and speak God's truth to each other. Live my life in eternity and be an active 'waiter', waiting for Jesus' promised return.

Tara spoke about discipleship which has encouraged and affirmed me why and how I disciple others. I realised that I felt it was an impossible task to disciple/read the Bible with someone ages ago. In the past 2 years, I am really privileged to be able to disciple 1-2 girls and see them grow in their love for Christ and being challenged in living out a life for Christ and not for themselves. Tara suggests that 1-to-1 discipleship really is not a difficult thing. Anyone can do it. It is just 2 persons coming together to read God's word together and learn and grow together. It has challenged me to do 1-to-1 discipleship with more than the 1 person I am doing with now... in particular, with a couple of international students whom I know of.

My life here on earth may be a long time, it may also be a short time. How and what am I doing that make things count towards the eternal Kingdom? Sometimes life may be tough, but knowing that God is sovereign and in control, whom and what shall I fear/worry?

Meal Planner 22/3/10 - 26/3/10

2010-03-20T12:31:00.001+10:00

Have been busy inviting people over for meals while we are able to have the chance to have good, (hopefully) quality time of catching up and ministry over these couple of weeks.

Monday baking - cheesy sun-dried tomatoes muffin (then to freeze for Sat's afternoon tea)
Tuesday - veal scotch fillet steak, steamed veggies and mashed potatoes
Wednesday - creamy prawn and fish pasta and salad (catching up with I and PY)
Thursday - chicken soup with chinese herbs, rice and stir-fry veggies
Friday - mince pork and eggplant with special meat seasoning (BIL's birthday @ in-law's) and baking flourless chocolate hazelnut cake (for Sat's afternoon tea with E and G)

Greek Moussaka

2010-03-20T12:04:00.002+10:00

I learnt the word "moussaka" while watching Masterchef Australia last year. It was served to 2 contestants as in a "taste test". They were asked to taste the dish and tell what ingredients were used in this dish. Moussaka is liken a lasagne without the pasta sheets. Eggplant is the most important ingredient in mousska (it replaces the pasta sheets in lagsane) and the best thing is that it is in season right now.

I had M and L over for dinner to catch up with them last night. They have requested for something not Asian. In fact, L requested for Spanish cuisine but I cannot find any good Spanish main course (I made a Spanish dessert - cherry flan). I saw this moussaka recipe on Better Homes and Gardens. It looked easy enough and hence I thought I give it a try :)

1.5 to 2 med-big eggplant, sliced to 1cm thick
1 finely chopped onion
6 cloves garlic
600g beef mince (replace with crushed chickpeas for vegetarian option)
400g can diced tomatoes
couple of tsp brown sugar
a pinch of all spice
bunch of chopped oregano
150g grated tasty cheese

Bechamel sauce:
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp plain flour
400ml hot milk (microwaved to warm it)
300ml cream
4 egg yolks
120g grated parmesan cheese
pinch of salt
pinch of ground nutmeg

Sprinkle a generous amount of salt over eggplant slices in a dish. Set aside for 30 mins and rinse with water. Pat dry and pan fry them with olive oil until they are soft and golden brown.

In a larger saucepan, put in some olive oil. Add onions, garlic and lamb mince. When the meat is nice and brown, chuck in diced tomatoes, sugar, allspice and chopped oregano. Cook for about 5 mins. Remove from heat.

Whisk butter and flour in saucepan until it resembles wet sand and then whisk in hot milk until it silky smooth. Once it is thick and goopy, stir in cream (to cool it down) and season with salt and nutmeg. Fold in egg yolks and grated parmesan cheese.

To assemble, spread 1/2 cup breadcrumbs on bottom of baking dish. Line dish with 1/3 of eggplant. Top it with 1/2 amount of meat sauce, then top with 1/2 amount of grated tasty cheese. Repeat the process and finish off with eggplant on top. Pour bechemel sauce on top and bake in the oven for 45mins at 190C until golden brown on top.

I used lamb mince instead of beef, mixed spice instead of allspice, dried oregano instead of fresh oregano and low fat versions of some diary ingredients.

Overall, I am very pleased to be able to make a Greek dish :p This turned out very tasty and delicious. For those who may not like eggplant (our guests were not big fans of them), fear not because you could hardly taste the eggplant because they were so soft and they blend in with the rest of the dish.

This dish looks healthy (meat with 2 serves of veggies - tomatoes and eggplant). However I am not sure how the bechamel sauce rates since there is quite an amount of cheese, cream, butter and milk (all diary!) added. I used light cream, low fat milk and low fat grated tasty cheese but normal parmesan cheese, butter and the 4 egg yolks! You know what? I reckon it is partly the sauce that makes the dish tasty and gives it the wow factor :p

Meal Planner 15/3/10 - 21/3/10

2010-03-14T09:00:00.002+10:00

Baking - berry ricotta muffins
Monday - chicken curry with potatoes with rice and veggies
Tuesday - beef and beer vegetable hotpot with rice
Wednesday - pan-fried salmon fillet (with crispy skin), veggies and couscous
Thursday - seafood marinara with store-bought Bertolli pasta sauce and linguine
Friday - roasted tomato soup with pesto toast, greek moussaka, cherry flan (catching up with M and L)
Baking on Sunday - macaroons (to use up the 4 egg whites I will have from making moussaka)

The Power of the Cross

2010-03-13T23:07:00.002+10:00

Sang this song twice at Women of Purpose conference (which I will blog my reflections later). The tune and some lyrics got stuck in my head for the rest of the weekend... what great and true words in the song to a nice melody tune.

Words & Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Oh, to see the dawn

Of the darkest day:

Christ on the road to Calvary.

Tried by sinful men,

Torn and beaten, then

Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow’r of the cross:

Christ became sin for us;

Took the blame, bore the wrath—

We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain

Written on Your face,

Bearing the awesome weight of sin.

Ev’ry bitter thought,

Ev’ry evil deed

Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;

Now the ground beneath

Quakes as its Maker bows His head.

Curtain torn in two,

Dead are raised to life;

“Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

Oh, to see my name

Written in the wounds,

For through Your suffering I am free.

Death is crushed to death;

Life is mine to live,

Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow’r of the cross:

Son of God—slain for us.

What a love! What a cost!

We stand forgiven at the cross.

Big Eggplants

2010-03-09T13:51:00.000+10:00

I harvested our 3rd and 4th eggplant yesterday. Our first was harvest 1.5 months ago and the 2nd, a bit over a month ago. I was extra excited about these ones because the rain from the past 2 weeks have certainly boost them to grow bigger faster. Sure enough, with hardly any work on our part, these 2 babies were twice the size of the first 2 we had.

After these 2, I know that 2 out of the 4 plants we have will soon die away (maybe because they have grown old>). There are another 2 (different stages of growth) on the remaining 2 plants. Anyhow, we are really thankful for such small providence. It is good to eat organic produce that comes out of your own garden :)

Both eggplants have a total weight of about 360g

Preeettty Afternoon

2010-03-07T00:03:00.003+10:00

I had a lovely girly afternoon tea today. It was FC's bridal shower and we were invited to Mt Tambourine to spend a pretty afternoon tea at "Tea and Niceties".

The maid of honour put in quite some effort in making it a pretty event - she made a really pretty recipe book for the bride-to-be with recipes contributed by us, a notebook with our messages to her. FC also ordered a pretty cake, made by my SIL W. The rest of the set-up was by T&N.

Look at all the pretty things.... don't they make you feel pretty? :)

Naturally, being very human :p the food was quite the highlight. The 3-tiered treats were so so delicious and too pretty to eat. All the table set-up, the entire place is filled with pretty things and European style high tea decor. I was just so thrilled... I think this is my first time having arvo tea in such a beautiful place. It was pure indulgence for me. Of course it was also a good time of girl chats and time with FC.

The bridal shower cake (chocolate cake with ganache in between) by my creative and talented SIL

Look at the details... so sweet...

I will definitely do this again... probably with other girls some time (it is not quite a place for men :p). Another suggestion was for a few of us to come together for such a treat at one of our place and we make one type of little pretty food each and put them together to share. What a great idea and I am so looking forward to it :)

Meal Planner 8/3/10 - 12/3/10

2010-03-06T23:39:00.002+10:00

Hoping to be able to harvest my big eggplant and have it on Monday :) So thankful to God for providing us with organically grown veggies!

Monday - moroccan minted beef and shanghai style eggplant with rice
Tuesday - mushroom soup with bread. Also chicken with dong guai soup to drink before bed.
Wednesday - chicken and creamed corn rice
Thursday - beef mince, veggies and Bertolli pasta sauce with farfalle pasta
Friday - prima taste chicken satay, home-grown changko manis veggies and fried rice (having J&M over)

Baking - easy scones recipe from RM.

The Loss of Someone... Promotion to Glory!

2010-03-03T16:19:00.003+10:00

Someone I know through work just went to be with the Lord yesterday - he was 92. I was a little surprised. OP and his wife are a very lovely old couple. I suppose I feel a bit sorry for his wife (about his age) being left behind and really, she is the weaker (physically) of the 2. In fact, I thought she would go ahead of him but I was wrong. God, in his old timing, chose to have OP first.

I suppose I should not be surprised by OP's sudden demise. God said in the Bible that we do not know when He will bring us home. It will be very sudden and unexpected. This makes me think of my unsaved parents and family back in my hometown.... my paternal granddad is 97 this year. On my recent trip back, a thought occured to me "Why is God keeping his life until this age? (not that I am cursing him) Is there a reason... perhaps to have a chance to know Jesus?" I really pray so. Granddad is still very healthy but we would never know... we have a language barrier, which makes basic communication already difficult. I do not know but God is all powerful. If He wills, He will bring someone to share with granddad. I have to continue to pray for him... and the rest of my immediate family and my mid-80s maternal grandma.

I also felt for OP's widow. I heard that she is happy he has gone home. Praise the Lord! But I am certain she feels the loss and missing his presence. She is rather frail and one of her shoulder was injured and her movement is limited. He has been the one caring for her. I assume her children will take care of her too, but she will be alone living in the retirement village. However I am very encouraged to see her strong faith and perseverence in the Lord. There is another 97 yo lady I know through work (she is single all her life). Both of them show me how it is like to persevere in Christ even when you are lonely. Their bodies are weak but their spirit is strong. Praise God for examples such as these.

This reminds me of a book given to me from the mum's group last year. I only began to read it in the past week. In its first chapter the glory of a godly woman, it says:

Your future depends on God , not on fallen man. Your security lies with your caring Creator's providence, not with your husband's paycheck. Your acceptance as a person becomes secure when God adopted you, not when your husband proposed to you. If you truly want to love, motivate and influence your husband, your first step must be to connect - to stay connected - with God. Find your refuge, security, comfort, strength and hope in Him.

This line of thinking is neither academic nor theoretical. Statistics show that most women will die as widows. Women, by and large, live longer than men. Since most women marry men as old as or older than they are, the math isn't all that hard to figure out. If you die while still married to your spouse, you'll be in the minority. Sooner or later, you're probably going to have to live without your husband.

This means the day will likely come when you will need strength, courage and character like you've never had before. You'll have to stand on your own. So then, why not develop that strength, courage and character now, while your husband is still living and you're not beside yourself with grief? Why not bless this world with the example of a women defined by God, living a life that reveres God, twenty or thirty years sooner than widowhood forces it on you? ~ Sacred Influence (by Gary Thomas)

I know it sounds morbid but it is very true, isn't it? Even though hubby is only 1 year older than me, statistically there is still a high chance that God will call him home before me. Although I have had thoughts (and fears) that hubby may go before me (and anytime for that matter), those thoughts have never come so close until now. I suppose all the more I need to grow in strength, courage and character as Gary says, so that I can stand on my own when the time comes. I know God is still refining me for His good and His glory...

Thermal Magic Cooker - A Formal Introduction

2010-03-02T16:57:00.002+10:00

This is the thermal magic cooker that was recently added to my kitchen, compliments from SN who gave it to me as a gift to thank me for helping her buy silicon bakeware from Oz. This is such a good gift and I am loving it.

I have used this to make stews, rice porridge and soups. This is perfect when I need to cut down on time and just cook for 15 mins (not including prep time) and then leave it in this pot to continue cooking while I am out of the house or overnight as I sleep. This cooker does not require any energy fuel after the initial cooking on the stove. Hence you save on your electricity bills and need not keep an eye on your cooking when you are not in the kitchen or at work. I'd highly recommend for anyone with a busy lifestyle (which is almost everyone) - students, mums, working singles...

This is not very well known and used in this part of the world but very common in Asia. If you have friends and family in Asia, it is best to ask them to buy for you (I think something of similar size to mine cost about A$65). Mine also comes with a smaller insert pot that I can use when I do not have much quantity to cook. I have once used it to cook rice porridge for 2 persons - me and my niece.

Read these 2 articles about how it works and why it is soooo good -
Another Kitchen Must-Have: The Thermal Cooker
Thermal Cookware – Cooking Food in its Own Heat

Recipes that I have tried using this cooker:
- Braised Soy Sauce Pork Belly
- Chicken with Dong Guai Soup
- Simple rice porridge
- Red dates tea
- Beef casserole

I really love my magic cooker :)

Meal Planner 1/3/10 to 5/3/10

2010-02-27T15:17:00.006+10:00

Wow, it is March already! Yay! Autumn is here :)

Monday - Hand-me-down 4, 3, 2, 1 ribs with rice and veggies
Tuesday - Pumpkin, carrot and spinach soup with bread
Wednesday - Star-anise chicken with rice and veggies
Thursday - Bacon, Pea and Red Onion Pasta (hubby's cooking day)
Friday - Southern-style pork rashers (dinner at my in-laws)

I usually do not plan to cook on the weekends. We will either eat leftovers, eat out or plan what to cook at the last minute if we have guests.

Chicken with Dong Guai Soup

2010-02-24T14:58:00.003+10:00

I have not made any tonic soups for myself for quite some time (the last time I did was in August last year). When I was much younger, mum always make me tonic soups - of which some I like and some I really dislike (I will pinch my nose to drink it). I never really bother to ask what the soups are for. All I know is that they are good for me. If you ask me, I do believe somewhat that they do work. Traditional Chinese Mecidine (TCM) is something which amazes me when you see how the concoction does help improve your health.

Found this recipe in a book that I have. The original recipe calls for double boiling and using a black chicken. Other than that, there are 2 chinese herbs that you need, which is available at the local Asian grocery stores. I did not want to pay A$20 to buy a frozen black chicken and hence replaced it with free-range chicken drumsticks (@$5+ per kg, is easier to handle and eat. You can get a pack of 4, 560g from Woolies). Instead of double boiling (I do not have one a proper double boiler), I used my thermal cooker (a slow cooker should do the trick too) and after 3 hours, the soup was really flavoursome and I drink a big pot of it! I did not need to add salt, which was optional anyway.

This soup is very nutritious for women. Drink it 1 to 2 times per month. It was quite effortless for me to prepare - boil water, measure out the herbs and put everything in the thermal cooker. It is ideal to drink this soup just before you sleep. I had a big bowl before I sleep last night and gladly had the rest (with the chicken) for my lunch today.

500g black chicken (I used 4 free-range chicken drumsticks)
20g Chinese Angelica, aka 'dong guai' or 'dang gui'
20g Astragalus propinquus, aka 'puk kay' or 'bei qi'
600ml or 3 cups of boiling water
salt to taste (optional)

Place chicken and herbs in a double broiler and cook it for 3 hours. Add some salt to taste.

If you want to use a thermal cooker like me, place all the ingredients into the pot in the cooker and bring it to the boil. In this case, start off with another 1/2 cup of boiling water as some will evaporate when it boils. Give it a stir and if the boiling still continues, that is when you remove the pot from heat and place the pot into the thermal cooker. Let it cook for 3 hours.

If you use a slow cooker, bring the soup to the boil as above but using a normal soup pot that you have. When it is ready (as above), pour the soup into the slow cooker and set it on "high". After 30 mins, you may turn it down to "low" and let it cook for another 2.5-3 hours.

Try it! It is so easy that I will definitely be making more of this for myself more often.

A God Who Provides - Encouragement

2010-02-23T15:44:00.001+10:00

2 encouraging emails - 1 in the past week, 1 was a long time ago. Both are from different people. It is not the first time I have heard of this but the sinful me needs a constant reminder...
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It is sometimes not easy to trust God, but if we really believe that God is good, we will trust him more fully. Here are some versus to help you to trust and believe God is good, and that He knows our needs and will provide for us:

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Rom 8:32

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matt 6:26

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Matt 7:9

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? Matt 7:10

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matt 7:11

There are many other passages in the bible that assure us of God will provide for us, knowing our needs. But it will be in His timing, as He has His reasons, good and wise reasons why now might not be the time. So, I trust Him fully, and you can too. In His time, and for reasons which we usually will see later, I have faith He will provide. If He has not given what we has asked for, it is for our benefit, reasons which we might not know or see now, but as our Father who did not spare His son for us, I can only believe that it is out of love and nothing else.

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Every season of life is beautiful because it is in the will of God. And we know God only wills things to happen if they glorify Him. I am thankful that God enabled you to take a long hard look at yourself and that He gave you the teachability to listen and repent. Hold fast to what you know about God, His faithfulness, His character and His love for us. Even when you feel down, I pray that you can take joy in knowing that God has 'selected' you to go through this trying time for His purposes. Maybe He is teaching you how to encourage others who may be like you.

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My Child Helper

2010-02-17T15:04:00.002+10:00

B did not smile but she wanted to have her photo taken

Spent the arvo with B last Friday. That gave me a chance to spend time with B and also allow her mum, my SIL to have an alone time with B's sister C.

B was rather quiet all the time she had lunch, until she got the chance to be my helper in baking. She was so excited to be my helper. She asked that I scoop the flour/sugar, etc and she pours it into the mixing bowl. I got her to hold my egg separator while I crack the egg and pour it into the separator to separate the egg white and egg yolk. B is especially thrilled with watching how the egg white runs through the separator and into the bowl. She kept on wow-ing and talking to herself, describing what she is seeing with a really excited tone of speech. On confirming with her mum, I learnt that she is thrilled because she has not seen an egg separator before. My SIL does not use one.

However when it comes to watching me use the electric egg beater, she did not want to come close to me. She said "You beat it there and I watch from here. I don't like the sound". She stood 2m away from me because she is afraid of the sound that the egg beater makes.

We also made some 'pearls' to put into our iced milk tea. That is her favourite beverage! Consider it as a treat for her... and of course we also made some pikelets which was also a treat for her.

One problem I faced was how to teach B to be more thankful and express it. After a few times of giving her some food, I reminded her that when someone gives her something, she should be saying ___? She simply refuses to say "thank you" even though I had a talk with her. I also gathered that she could be tired and hence did not want to speak. She took a nap soon after.

Thinking back, I wonder what I could have done better... how do I get her to express what she wants, what she is thinking/feeling? How do I teach her in the ways of the Lord in this case? When she is not in the mood, B will keep very silent. She only talks non-stop when she is happy. Maybe only her parents can get her to express herself... maybe I should learn to be less strict with her and so that she feels comfortable enough to share/express. But after all, she is still quite young (3 yo) and still learning how to express herself well.

Meal Planner 22/2/10 to 26/2/10

2010-02-17T12:37:00.013+10:00

Monday - soy poached chicken with rice and veggies
Tuesday - fried bee boon (rice vemicilli) with chicken
Wednesday - pan-fried basa fillets, steamed minced pork with salted egg with rice
Thursday - salmon and corn tart
Friday - beef with plum sauce with veggies and rice

Meal Planner 15/2/10 to 19/2/10

2010-02-14T00:24:00.002+10:00

Monday - beef stew (cooked over 10 hours in magic thermal cooker), rice and veggies
Tuesday - mushroom stroganoff with rice
Wednesday - Japanese cuisine (overseas guest C is cooking!)
Thursday - tuna, lemon and caper pasta (hubby's cooking day)
Friday - store-bought bbq chicken and fried bee hoon (rice vemicelli)

Hungry Student Cooks

2010-02-11T15:51:00.002+10:00

Announcing the lanuch of a new blog for overseas asian students who cannot cook for themselves - The hungry student cooks.

How did this blog come about?

God's Precious Blood

2010-02-11T13:35:00.003+10:00

Liking this song more and more... not just the music and how it is sung, but the words that makes me reflect and able to sing this as a personal response to God.

The Precious Blood

Before the cross I kneel and see the measure of my sin

How you became a curse for me though you were innocent

The magnitude of your great love was shown in full degree

The righteous blood, the crimson spill

Rained down on calvary

Chorus

Oh, the precious blood that flowed from mercy's side

Washed away my sin when Christ my Saviour die

Oh, the precious blood of Christ the crucified

It speaks for me before your throne, where I stand justified

And who am I that I should know, this treasure of such worth

My Savior’s pure atoning blood shed for the wrath I’d earned

For sin has stained my every deed, my every word and thought

What wondrous love that makes me one

Your priceless blood has bought

Bridge
A crown of thorns, pierced hands and feet

A body bruised, and Mercy’s plea

Waiting Upon The Lord

2010-02-09T16:17:00.001+10:00

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!

O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD!

For with the LORD there is steadfast love,

and with him is plentiful redemption.

And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

PC did this with us for devotion last week... Sometimes I cry out to the Lord like the Psalmist. Sometimes I wonder if the Lord hears me. My head tells me that He does but my heart sometimes waiver... But I rejoice and thankful that I have His Word to hope in... and the hope that He is with me and He is in total control. I may not understand why I have to wait and how long I have to wait but I trust that my good Lord knows my deepest thoughts and needs. Like how the Lord fulfilled His promises to the Israelites, so am I reminded that He is a faithful God and His love for me is steadfast and never-ending.

The Lord is good. Be joyful in all circumstances, giving thanks to our Lord. Be contented with what the Lord has given me now for this is what He reckons is good for me for now. What else can I ask for or hope for, except for spending eternity with our Father? Lord, I await for your return to bring me to a place where pain and tears are no more...

My First Fondant Cake

2010-02-09T14:02:00.003+10:00

Our new church plant (now no longer so new) has just celebrated our first anniversary last weekend. I volunteered to make the anniversary cake so that I had the opportunity to try making something different and unusual to what I normally do. This is not really the first time I played with fondant but the first time that I used it to decorate the entire cake. Decorating cupcakes was much easier!

I spent 3 days, a total of about 6-7 hours in all making this cake(s). I also had the advice of my SIL W who has much more experience in making beautiful cakes for weddings and birthdays. Day 1 was spent colouring the fondant and cutting out the numbers (1 hour). Day 2 was spent baking the cake and cupcakes, making the buttercream and chocolate ganache (2-3 hours) and covering the cake with ganache. The final day was spent on purely decorating the cake to something that was in my mind (3 hours).

The final cake

The picture on the main cake was inspired by this picture. When I was thinking what to have on the cake, this picture came to my mind and I thought that it was really appropriate - Jesus, king over the world and of 5:17 church.

I made a 'ribbon tag' for the side of the cake, which was not really successful as 2 of the letters kinda slipped down. You can tell that it is not a great job. It was difficult to put the red fondant tag onto the side of the cake. It almost broke into 2!

The anniversary cupcakes. I figure that cupcakes are easier to eat and they are cute!

There is so much knowledge and tricks when it comes to ganaching a cake and putting the fondant on. It was not an easy thing to do but I do certainly enjoyed the entire process of making it. Baking the cake(s) was the easiest part. It was just my trusty chocolate cake recipe but I added some Kahlua into the cake and also a little of it in the chocolate ganache.

Some commented that the cake tasted nice (I think the kahlua gave it a different but nice flavour as supposed to the normal chocolate cake), sufficiently moist (I am glad because I added less butter but it was still nicely moist). I am glad it tasted good even though it did not look the way that I imagined in my mind. I have a long long way to go when it comes to cake decorating.

At the same time, I also made some cupcakes for E, whose birthday fell on the same Sunday. It was the same cupcake base with different decorations. I am glad that these cute cupcake boxes that I bought from Phoon Huat came in handy. I shall buy more of such boxes on my next trip... and possibly to sell some of them ;)

Birthday cupcakes for E

I shall attempt more cake decorating in future... when I have the mood and motivation to do so :)

Meal Planner 8/2/10 to 13/2/10

2010-02-07T00:46:00.001+10:00

Finally back to my usual routine back being back from SG for almost a week...

Monday - honey, soy and sesame chicken wings, veggies and rice
Tuesday - chicken pesto and hawaiian pizzas
Wednesday - beef porterhouse steak with steamed veggies and couscous
Thursday - chilli prawn pasta (hubby's cooking day)
Friday - herbal whole chicken (to bring to family dinner gathering)
Saturday lunch - shepherd's pie (overseas guests)

Playing with Butter, Cream and Chocolate

2010-02-06T00:30:00.000+10:00

24 cupcakes in the cupcake carrier, cut fondant, round cake container

I did not manage to do any prep last night. This arvo, I spent about 2-3 hours baking 24 cupcakes and a 7.5 inch round cake, making my blue buttercream and chocolate ganache.

Blue buttercream to ice the cupcakes

The 'ganached' cake - had to finish it smoothly which is an important step before I ice it with fondant tomorrow. Have to allow time to let the ganache set so that the fondant will sit better over the cake.

My 'gear' - colours, fondant (white icing), icing pen and apricot spread (a special trick my SIL taught me)

I shall be icing all the cakes tomorrow morning and hopefully try to complete all of them! This is the fun but time-consuming part...

Myer Briggs/Jung Personality Test

2010-02-04T14:19:00.000+10:00

I took the (free) test again and once again proved that I am an ESFJ.

So apparently I:
does not like being alone, thinks life has purpose/meaning, organized, values organized religion, outgoing, social, does not like strange people/things - likely intolerant of differences, open, easy to read, dislikes science fiction, values relationships and families over intellectual pursuits, group oriented, follows the rules, affectionate, planner, regular, orderly, clean, finisher, religious, consults others before acting, content, positive, loves getting massages, complimentary, dutiful, loving, considerate, altruistic

Favoured careers:
wedding planner, social worker, pediatrician, public health employee, kindergarten teacher, business consultant, nurse, human resources manager, office manager, executive assistant, public relations specialist, medical employee, human resources, office worker, social services, child care worker

Disfavoured careers:
artist, author, filmmaker, philosopher, video editor, musician, poet, tattoo artist, game designer, philosophy professor, international spy, film director, astronaut, art curator, scientist, computer consultant, cartoonist, graphics designer

I reckon it is fairly accurate. I raised my eyebrow at 1-2 traits that I am supposed to have. The underlined careers were either something that I have considered but not done, consider and done or are doing now. And yes I cannot imagine myself having a career in the list of the "disfavoured".

Playing With Fondant & Colours

2010-02-04T12:47:00.000+10:00

Baking/making a special cake for this Sunday... After consulting the expertise of my SIL, I realise I had to begin prep last night.

It was fun playing with fondant and colours with shapes and numbers. I made 3 layers of fondant well ahead of time so that they have time to dry up and harden and (cross my fingers) they can stand up as 3D on the cake(s) :)

Tonight's prep - butter cream and chocolate ganache.

Braised Soy Sauce Pork Belly (Tau Yew Bak)

2010-02-03T16:31:00.002+10:00

We now own a thermal pot (aka magic cooker), a kind and generous gift from S because I helped her buy siliconware from Oz. I thought I will try out making this braised pork belly again. With about 10 mins of preparation, I cooked this on the stove with the inner pot of the thermal cooker. Overall, I probably cooked this for 15-20 mins on the stove and I just chucked it into the thermal pot and went to work. By the evening (more than 8 hours later), the pot was still rather warm. I added some salt, hard-boiled eggs and reboiled the pork mixture again. The result was good but not salty enough (which I was ok with). I think I have also added a little too much water...

I tried this recipe but may try this other one the next time.

Mrs Lee's Cookbook

2010-02-03T14:52:00.006+10:00

What a uninnovative name for a cookbook! This book is given to me by a secondary school friend R. She saw my facebook status that I am learning/wanting to learn how to cook peranakan food. Since we have some peranakan roots purely from the school that we studied, R got me this cookbook, apparently a "bible of peranakan cooking".

This book was published about 36 years ago and written by Mrs Lee CK when she was 70 years old. The late Mrs Lee is the mother of SG's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (also SG's first prime minister). You can tell from the cover of the book and the layout of the contents that this is a relatively old book. There are few photos and if there were, the photos were not taken well nor of good quality. It looks authentic enough and there is a good explanation of the type of ingredients/methods of cooking as introduction. However, there are many spelling and grammical errors which I spotted.

I reckon peranakan cooking is not really difficult. It is the spices that makes it unique and fragrant. Most of them are dependent on the rempah, which is the paste of various spices pounded in a mortar and pestle. On my recent trip to SG, I managed to bring through a packet of candlenuts, of which I was pleased that it cleared customs. A 100g pack only costs me S$0.99 and so I thought I will buy 1 packet to risk and see if it will clear Oz customs. It did and I was so happy... Candlenut is one of the 'special' ingredient in some rempah of peranakan (and some Indonesian) dishes and I cannot find them in the Asian grocery stores here in Oz.

Sample of recipe - beef rendang

An index of common ingredients and their alias names used in peranakan cooking

A google of this book revealed that there are newer versions of this cookbook, updated by Mrs Lee's granddaughter Shermay Lee. Shermay has her own cooking school too - WOW! I have not tried any recipes from this book yet. But certainly I want to get started on this... Watch this page!

Mysterious Plant

2010-02-03T14:04:00.000+10:00

Found this plant growing next to my basil in a styrofoam box in my backyard. I have planted a couple of different seeds there but none looking like this at all. Now I cannot even tell what berry plant is this - blueberries? Or the berries that are growing on a tree at my in-laws? The plant has a cluster of white flowers and then to a green fruit and ripens to a dark purple berry-like fruit.

Anyone knows?

Welcome greetings

2010-02-03T13:39:00.001+10:00

This is what I harvested from my garden on the day that we return from SG - 1 egg plant (this is slightly bigger than our first eggplant), 3 cherry tomatoes and 1 (complete and hole-less) strawberry. We thank God for little reminders like these of his creation and His provision. :)

Singapore Trip

2010-02-03T13:33:00.002+10:00

Now that I live in Oz, going back to SG is a holiday to me... especially when my 11-day trip is jam-packed with appointments and meetings, mostly over food.

This trip was specially made to attend my sister's wedding. Thank God that she is now married to a very decent, honest, down-to-earth, steady and reliable man (just like hubby too ;p) When he said his vows to her (with a really sincere and earnest look), I had to hold back my tears. (not vice versa though... because my sister was probably nervous and was kinda half giggling/smiling away. That is the usual her...) The wedding was nice and went through smoothly. Had the entire day to catch up with my extended family as well... which made me pretty tired (emotionally and physically), especially when some of them said some unhelpful words to me.

A few "firsts" during this trip:

Going to Orchard Road to see the new big (and decadent) shopping malls - Ion Orchard and 313@Somerset. It has changed the 'feel' of Orchard shopping. 313@Somerset has taken over/changed the familiar buildings and landscape I have known when I was studying nearby and had to walk through that area to take a bus home everyday. I realised as much as more luxury goods were available and all the new shops for shopping (which I like), but I do not like my familiar buildings removed and ruined my childhood memories...
Colouring my hair - I have highlighted my hair before but not coloured it. I figure out that colouring takes a shorter time and costs a bit less... and this time, I decided to be bold and try some reddish tone (instead of previously brownish tones) which will become brown when the red wears off. I think the colour went down really well on me :)
Painting nail art on my big toes - I used to go for pedicure every 2-3 months when I was single. It helped improve my in-grown toe nails condition. I have not done it in Oz because it is more expensive and also because people here are more simple and cannot care about beautifying themselves :p I went with my sister on the eve of her wedding and the nail art was included in the package that she bought. My manicure costs S$15 (under A$12).

Fuschia pink to match my dress :)

Flying with Emirates - we were intending to fly budget Jetstar but dad kindly offered to pay the difference for us to fly Emirates so that we could be more comfortable and able to carry more baggage (standard allowance is 30kg per person). The inflight entertainment was fantastic with VOD and touch-screen selection. I could watch 3-4 movies with the time I had because I can start watching the moment I sat down (before the flight takes off). My only complaint was that the service provided by the stewardesses were not consistent and the pocket in front of the seats were not exactly cleaned and tidied up for the next flight.

Impressive inflight entertainment system (notice that it even tells you that you are at seat 19E)

I really had a good time catching up with friends. I have mixed feelings knowing various good and not-so-good experiences that my friends went through... especially those whom I am closer to. I rejoice with thanksgiving to the Lord with news of pregnancies, kids, improved health conditions and those who persevere in the Lord during tough times. I wish I had more time/chance to talk to and pray with those going through major life decision-making, borderline breaking up of a relationship, marital problems, parenting trials, health issues. I shall be making some phone calls to 3 of them (that I have committed to) to do a little more in-depth catch-up. Knowing these issues that my friends are going through, helps me to pray for them. In some way, I feel burden-some but also privileged to have 2 sets of people - in SG and Oz to minister to and pray for. Maybe God is teaching me to pray... and I must when I tell people that I will pray for them.

Many people!

My favourite food during this trip?

Cumi Bali Indonesian
Spice Peranakan
Kuru Kuru Japanese (buffet is really good price and good quality! Children below height of 1.1m eats for free)
Bali Seafood Village (sells 'zi char' (stir-fry) Chinese food)

To my friends in Singapore: see you again in June!

Mango-misu

2010-01-27T02:03:00.001+10:00

So "what is a mango-misu?", you may ask... You know what is a tiramisu right? A mango-misu is the mango version instead of coffee and coffee liquer. My SIL made this for my niece and other SIL's birthday last week. The recipe is taken from Delicious magazine. I am so gonna make this one day :)

500g mascarpone cheese
600ml thickened cream
1/3 cup icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup Cointreau or Grand Marnier
juice of two oranges
300g sponge finger biscuits
3 mangoes, sliced 1cm thick

Line the base of a 22cm springform cake pan with plastic wrap or baking paper, or use a glass (Pyrex) dish as in photo.

Beat cheese, cream, sugar and vanilla in a bowl until thick and well combined.

Combine the liquer and orange juice in a separate bowl. Dip half the sponge fingers into the juice, and create a layer in the base of the cake pan/dish. Spread 1/3 of the cream mixture, top with 1/3 of mango slices and repeat the process. Top with remaining cream mixture and top with mango slices. Cover and chill overnight or for 3 hours. Enjoy!

Postscript: Tried making it today. I reckon HALF of the above ingredients is sufficient to make up an average dish/container for 6-8 people. So you may adjust your portions according to the size of container that you are using :)

A Better Babysitting Experience

2010-01-20T22:07:00.001+10:00

Last Friday, I babysitted my youngest niece, A for 2-3 hours in the morning while her mummy runs some errands and shopping. The first and last time I babysitted her (with hubby then) was when she was only 6 weeks old. Her parents had gone out for about 3 hours for dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

A, when she was a couple of days old. She already knew how to pose when she sleeps!

Our first experience with babysitting A was not a totally easy and good one. Her routine was disrupted earlier that day that by the evening, she was tired and not fully fed even though mummy has fed her. Read the encounter here.

This time, my SIL made sure I came at a time that A is having her morning nap. It happened that she did not sleep well the day before and hence she is a bit knocked out by that Friday morning. Since she is sleeping, I happily used and exercise on the Wii with Wii Fit :) Had a really good workout (was perspiring and all) for about 30 minutes when I heard A talking to herself via the baby monitor. The cute thing about A is that when she wakes up, she will not cry/winge to get attention (like her cousins) but she will talk to herself... I certainly do not understand what she says :p About 10 mins of talking, she decided to winge/kinda cry and then I know it is time to go carry her out.

A was a little surprised to see me but I think she does recognise me (even though I have not really carried her for a while because I was a little afraid of her sudden cries and I don't know why and I cannot humour/calm her down). I carried her to the rumpus to be with me. I was feeling quite sleepy then. I thought I will put her down and she can play by herself while I take a cat nap nearby. But the moment I put her down, she starts to cry. So I picked her up and feeling really tired, I sat on the couch, with my left arm holding her and my fingers holding onto the toy that she is playing to amuse herself and my right hand nearby in case I need to catch her from falling off me. I really was able to have about 10 mins of cat nap where I was semi-conscious and A was still happily amusing herself :) I must say this 'skill' was probably attained through my naps on the bus on my way to work and I was still able to know what is happening around me and when I have to alight the bus.

A at 7 months old, looking a little more like mummy in this photo

A is quite clever now. She is able to listen and seem to understand you. Her mum forgot to tell her that I was coming and hence she was surprised to see me. A was a little impatient when she was hungry but I had to heat up her milk. Carrying her in my left hand and trying to heat up the milk with my right hand, she is quietly observing what I was doing. When I told her to be a bit patient to wait for me to heat up the milk, she seems like she understands. At one point, I have to put her down on the rocker for a few seconds while I need both my hands to take out the hot water from the microwave. Telling her "you wait here for a little while while I prepare your milk" seems to keep her from her little winges of wanting to start to cry because I am not carrying her.

She drank 30ml of her milk from the bottle, which was quite a feat. She has not been wanting to take milk from the bottle. Her dad, grandma, mum tried but also in vain. This time, she drank half of the quantity before rejecting it. I tried a few more times but she is still adament of not wanting the bottle. Well, at least she drinks some! Her mum was surprised but happy that she drank 30ml on the bottle.

Now that it isn't so bad, I do not mind babysitting her more often. Saw her for a bit today at my in-law's and she waved bye bye to me (she looked like she was gesturing "come here" with her fingers opening and closing) a few times. That felt nice :)

You Are One!

2010-01-20T12:59:00.001+10:00

Mei mei 妹妹 C, you are one year old today! :) It feels so quick that it has been a year since you are born. I remember that when you were born, I don't really have much affections for you... I think it is because I have a 2-year relationship with your sister and I needed time to bond with you.

You are rather big from the day you were born.... and people describe you as "chubby", "cute", "michelin tyres". However, as your grow to be more active, you are losing more of your baby fat. You are still cute to me :)

Your sister's personality and looks generally takes after your daddy, while yours generally take after your mummy. You apparently look like mummy when she was a baby. I used to say that your sister is the easiest baby to look after. But you know what? I think you beat the record. You are really an easy baby! Except, sometimes you are a little fussy about eating and we have to humour you to eat. But most times, you eat anything and everything and you definitely eat more than your sister! At this age now, you no longer eat pureed food and is eating what we adults are eating.

You simply adore your sister and unknowingly copies her in her ways and gestures. Eg. she sits in the car with her legs wide open or hanging out that does not look very girl-like. In that way, you are also very similar! About 2 weeks ago, I went shopping with you, mummy and sister. You were sitting in the pram and you actually managed to turn your whole body around (despite being strapped down) because you are curious and want to participate in what mummy and I are doing - shopping. You also sit in the pram with one leg hanging out of the pram, looking just like how your sister sits!

Since about 3 months back, I realise that you do recognise me... such that whenever you see me, I can tell from the look on your face that you know me and you want me to carry you. It does feel good being wanted :p whilst sometimes your sister has 'the mood' and is not happy to see me. You are always happy and smiley! :) You bring a smile on my face and you know what? You are so cute that when you cry, your face looked really cute too and I want to laugh when I see you cry. Not because I am mean but you are simply too cute with your facial expressions!

Curiously examining sister's birthday present

You sleep easy, eat easy and play easy. These days, you try to mimic the adults talking. But really, you only go "bah bah, gah gah" or give out sounds like humph, arrhh, in which I know you are attempting to talk or express yourself... but we cannot understand you, you know? I wonder if you are fustrated with us sometimes... heheh. When we say hello, you seem to be able to repeat that.

Another new thing recently is seeing you walk. You have been cruising for a couple of months and crawling everywhere you can go to. When you finally walked by yourself, you walked a few steps in front of your parents and then dropped onto the floor and you clapped, as if expressing that you are happy that you finally made it! Since then, I have been trying to get you to walk... (see video below)

Just last week, at your grandparents' place, no one was watching you... and when I found you, I saw you on the 3rd/4th step on the stairs and standing up with your left hand holding the rail. Boy, you are so brave to climb the stairs yourself and being able to pull yourself up to stand! Your sister is much more careful and she will not take the stairs unless she is accompanied by adults. I can tell that you are more 'gang hoh' (daring) than your sister. You had a surprise look on your face when I found you on the stairs but I know you are happy with your achievement. Mind you, that was a dangerous stunt though. What if you fall from the stairs?

Happy birthday, my 妹妹. "妹妹" has become your 'name' already... everyone in the family calls you that and you also respond to that 'name'. I am looking forward to see what little girl you will grow into :)

Our First Eggplant!

2010-01-20T00:25:00.000+10:00

It is small but the purple is so bright and pretty! This is about the height of my palm

From my kitchen, standing at the sink washing up, I look out into the garden and saw something purple/black hanging from the eggplant plant. The thought that our eggplant plant is finally bearing fruit excites me so much! I quickly screamed for hubby, grab the camera and went outside to have a real look if it was true. Even before I go close to the plant, I knew that my excitement was not in vain. It really is a real eggplant!!

I bought the punnet of 4 seedlings from Bunnings 2 months ago. The plants were growing quite slowly at first (an we hardly really water our garden anyway :p). The 2-3 weeks of rain about 2 weeks ago really help to grow all our plants (and our weeds too!) Only after we (mostly hubby) cleared the weeds 1-2 weeks ago, could we see how big these plants have grown (amidst the jungle of weeds). At that time, I only saw 1 budding flower and was happy that that was a sign of potential fruit. The leaves of the plants were badly punched with holes by bugs but the plants still grew and flowered.

Now I really hope that the fruit will mature slowly... we will be out of town from tomorrow and it may be too late to eat it fresh! :( I am so wanting to eat our first fruit... hopefully our boarder/housesitter will be able to keep and store it for us until we come back.

There is a mysterious plant growing in one of our styrofoam boxes alongside my basil. I knew that it is not a weed and did not remove it. I did throw in some seeds to grow. It could be a chilli, wombok, lettuce, spinach (because I had those seeds). But it seems like it may not be. It doesn't look like any of them. The plant has recently flowered - little clusters of 5 white flowers. Today, I saw some green little berry-like 'fruits' in a cluster. I still cannot figure out what it is... Blueberry was what came to my mind but I doubt it. The mystery should be unraveled soon...