the week I turned 30

I call it the lucky pasta pot - got it free from sending in some forms from Malaysian Women's Weekly =)

Thank you to a bunch of colleagues who celebrated my birthday with me at Pizza Hut plus a 'get a taste of everything' cake =)

A special luncheon meat sandwich from Grace sitting next to me a day before... she definately settled my cravings for luncheon meat ... haha =)

A simple treat for myself, ah bi & dear - one of my favourite - red bean desert =)

My birthday present from ah dear ... plus the assembling work =)

The wallpaper on my workstation that never fail to sort of 'motivate' me every morning (on the reason why I still need to come to office tomorrow) ...hehe =)

The lucky bamboo (some call it Guan Yin bamboo) which I saved from the 'dustbin' outside my office ... originally those CNY lucky bamboo type but I dismantled it to let the plant have more growing room.

Have always wanted to bring some lucky bamboo from home but never got to doing it... finally it came itself to me and a bunch of them some more =)

and of course last but not least, thank you for all those warm birthday wishes that flow in =)

my loots for the day

my loots for the day :

(a) a bag I really like for myself (have been known as 'recycle bag aunty' for too long)

(b) some recipe books (because this mama seriously want to learn to cook proper edible food)

(c) pregnancy nutrition & confinement recipe (she suddenly realised the importance of health)

(d) sand play & 2 folders (to keep 'pink booklet' dry)

(e) 2 mini back pack (for training kiddies to carry their own stuff)

(f) 4 water proof paper bag (for carrying kiddies' stuff)

(g) 2 boxes of puzzles

(h) glow in the dark playset (ah bi's favourite night time activity)

(i) 4 pair of children scissors (for training kiddies to use scissors, 4 colours because I can't decide what colour to choose)

(j) hairbands

(k) some bird-motives clips (for 骗小孩子...haha)

If you are interested to get stuffs like these, can go for Mr DIY shop ... I must say they sell almost everything ranging from kitchenware to hardware to women's items to children toys.

ABC...123

the other day, I went on a shopping spree again ... after attending a 2 day training about positive attitude@work.

These are among the many things I bought (some useful, some not-so-useful)

Since the fridge is one of my little one's favourite place while waiting for me to prepare food/drink, cut fruit, do washing, so I decided to make full use of the space.

Moreover, both the sets together doesn't even cost me more than 8 bucks (and it's made of wood).

Previously, what he has is just some smileys and some advertising magnets ... now he has very colourful play set =D

weekend nourishment

I realised I've changed a little .. I used to be very lazy and 'tidak apa' when it comes to nourishing (补) my body.

Nowadays, if possible, I take initiative to prepare or eat something nourishing / nutritious for myself. Perhaps age is catching up and 'engine' already start to need maintenance.

Last weekend, out of nowhere, I miraculously prepare this ...

the white fungus - they say it poor people bird nest, so since I could not afford bird nest .. I settled for 2nd best =)

Not bad ya...since after cook can use to 'buy' my mother in law & ku po's heart =p hehe

a day being selfish

This a day ... I don't care about anything except me, me and me.

never mind there's a urgent testing @ work (since we were told no one is indispensable)

never mind that there's my mid year appraisal to submit (it doesn't make a difference anyway)

woke up 6.30am to be among the 1st few @ KKIA (Klinik Ibu & Anak).

Got myself a no.4 and checkup done in almost 1 hour 10 minute ... still very early 8.40am.

Posted parcels for ah dear @ post office and time is still before 9am.

So early that I've no where to go but didn't want to go home ... so I went to Tesco.

So I did a 'survey' of prices @ Tesco and grabbed some stuffs which I was not allowed to buy earlier =p (hint : see pic 1)

Walk until the perishable section, I saw lots of fresh fruits & vegetables.

Suddenly I had crazy thoughts : I'm going to pamper myself...cook some good nutritious food for myself instead of eating tapao'ed food.

Couldn't remember when was the last time I cooked for myself. Not that I can cook anyway.

I had cravings for so many types of foods...look like someone who has not eaten for a week.

Finally I settled for spinach, sweet peas, tomatoes, oyster mushroom and baked bean.

Fruits : bought mango as still have guava, kiwi, orange, apple @ home.

I had the urge to cook everything I bought but only 1 person eating and I can't finish all.

So I only ended up with sweet pea, tomatoes and oyster mushroom (pic 2).

No rice @ home so I ended up cooking some 5 grain rice leftovers and scallop meant for ah bi.

Although everything was just boiled but I felt I had the best lunch ever (ok la I exaggerate abit)..haha

spent the rest of time revamping the store room to 'mini library'

some time catching up on my reading, some time watching movie, some time resting & sleeping, some time thinking about my future and re-organising my plans.

after ah bi slept, cut some mangoes & guavas to cubes for tomorrow cereal breakfast activity@ office.

Although I enjoy today very much but I couldn't seem to get enough of it ...

what can I do to get more 'today'???

something I don't get to buy if I didn't go shopping alone...hahaha

my simple 'no even 1 drop oil' lunch ... which I doubt anyone will eat except me...haha

Not sure whether people aka colleagues put mango / guava into cereal breakfast? Aiya, don't care so much la...since today is being selfish day..so sorry la..

愛愛愛

方大同 - 愛愛愛
currently obsessed with this song

hot soup

I want to drink soup now!!!
simply delicious ... feel like having soup with rice also enough liao.
I'll finish everything in the soup =D


莲藕花生汤 lotus root peanut soup
(pic from food4four)














老黄瓜汤 old cucumber soup
(pic from blessedhomemaker.blogspot.com)


















西洋菜红枣汤 watercress red dates soup
(pic from foodsite.net)














ABC soup
(pic from food4tots)
















中药鸡汤 chinese herbal chicken soup

(pic from myasiankitchenny)

making fun of little fella

mama having fun making fun =p

satu 'style' not enough, more fun making ways...

papa's turn ... nyek nyek nyek =p (and little fella seem still not aware what's happening)

another 'stylo' ... yet little fella still busy pouring drinks for papa mama =D

at last beh tahan liao ... shampoo go inside eyes although the bottle says "No tears" formula.... hehe...

感动

Yesterday night, when I was about to sing lullaby for ah bi to sleep,
many someone came to visit.
They were my father & my sisters and brother in law.
I didn't expect them to come visit me at night after such a tiring day for them.
My father just got to know I was on MC that morning.
I was touched beyond words. I feel like hugging them and tell them I love them (which I didn't).
It's true that when everything else give up on us, our family will be with us no matter what.
I've learnt that work - we can let go. Families - we must always hold ours together.

in case I grow old & forgotful, at least here i can treasure my 感动'ness

my childhood song

only caught this song in radio last time ... don't know who sing, don't know what is the song's name but I remember the lyrics.
there were many version by various singers by I love this original one best.

累

feeling very tired lately ...

physically tired, mentally tired, emotionally tired ... basically a 'everything' tired soul.

tired of having to solve so many other people's problem except my own.

tired of unfair treatment @ work ... after all we all just want to 'find 2 meals eat'

tired of having to be nice to people who gives you sh**

tired of everytime have to find ways to get more money

tired of being tired...

If only I ...

If only I can appreciate my every day with childlike innoncence ...
Sometimes I really marvel how children can be so happy, so appreciative of even the simplest thing ...

And their never give up attitude ..

Like being in some cool water with same cups & bowls & balls.

Like trying to move a huge metal cloth hanger that doesn't budge ... yet they try & try & try & try

Like laughing & carrying a mini recyclable bag for a few hours without letting go as though there were gold inside (the bag was empty, btw)

If someone ask me who makes the best teacher, I'll say children =)

我的另一半 a.k.a my other half

Peek-a-boo'k

http://pickabookpeekabook.blogspot.com/

** only for those who dare to peek

有故事的锁匙

Last friday, my day took 180 degree turn in just a matter of few hours.

8.30am - reached office only to find that the key to access my breastfeeding room is not hanging where it's supposed to be.

8.45am - still searching frantically every possible nook & cranny, asking people around if they had seen it?

9.00am - found out that the key which I'm holding might be the one & only key the whole office has to the room(which use to house another 8 person team last time).
Had asked the big boss secretary who use to keep spare key, another department head who's supposed to have spare key and even the previous team which has been realigning to another division and shifted.

9.15am - asked another taller colleague to help me look inside the room through the glass panel. Guess what, he saw something positively a key on the table inside the room. SH**
By then, I've almost ask all guy colleague whether they know how to open this kind of wooden door knob with card (like what they always do in movies).

9.30am - no choice but to tell my immediate supervisor of the big silly blunder I made and that the whole office doesn't seem to have a spare key.
She suggested I check with another colleague if still don't have to get big boss secretary to call our regular locksmith.

9.35am - the ironic thing is, I was told why call locksmith when there are plans to tear down the partition the very next day (Saturday).
But I was also told that the renovation workers may need to remove the furniture / items inside 1st today before tearing down the partition tomorrow.
I thought since I was responsible for the 'locking of the key inside the locked room' mystery, I'll have to bear the cost of 'locksmithing' but the secretary say 'let the bank pay lah'

9.40 - I gather from the secretary that "someone" should have the spare key. Someone who had earlier just told me she doesn't have one.
I gather my courage and thicken my face to go ask 'her-another deparment head' about spare key again. At last she gave me a bunch of 30 over keys and said "You can try this whole bunch but as far as I remember we couldn't find the key to open that door last time".
I remembered praying in my heart.

9.45 - tried with another colleague, we are very lucky. Managed to open the door with the 2nd attempt from the bunch of 30 over keys. I dashed in to grab the 有故事的锁匙.
I felt very relieved.

This incident has taught me 4 things :
1. Always make duplicate keys especially if you found that the key is the only one key the whole office has.
2. How big a problem is depend on how you look at it. A problem that can be solved may not be a problem afterall.
3. Always stay calm, things may eventually turn out well. 万事都有解决方案.
4. In life we lost some and gain some... continue reading to find out why I say so..

That day, I declined going for lunch with another colleague because I thought I need to spend time looking for the key/ waiting for the locksmith to come/ finish up my work since I spend the whole morning like a crazy women looking for golden key.

However, life is really like a box of chocolate. You never know what you'll get ..
After lunch time, another department head actually come to my place and gave me a big paper bag filled with 'children books'. Apparently she was doing spring cleaning and wanted to throw the books away but suddenly thought of me (out of so many other colleagues with young children in my department).

At that point of time, I felt very thankful ... head from other department actually thought of giving her now grown-childrens' books to me. Those books are good books & are still in good condition.

I started my day miserably but I ended my day happily ... happy that not only I found the key, not only that I received a bag of goodies but also because incident that happened that day is an 'eye opener' to me.

I love my life despite the ups and downs.

ps : when I came back to office last Monday, guess what ... my 'sillyness' story has gone down together with the partition wall. That wall that initially covered me while I was performing 'motherly duties' and later kept me from reaching my 有故事的锁匙 has now come down .. along with it bringing a story .. a story worth remembering in this blog =)

we ---> getting old

Yesterday, on a Valentine day..
It dawned upon me that we both are getting old.
Off late, both of us have been feeling a little off weather.
I was always feeling faint & weak ... like having all my blood & energy being drained out of me. Sometimes I dare not even squat down because when I stand up again, I feel like fainting.
He on the other hand, have been having upset tummy on & off and told me he's having joint pain when it rains.

So yesterday, on a Valentine day..
We walked together like the day we 1st met each other after leaving school ..
But this time we headed to 'Guardian' pharmacy ..
Perhaps we both know to continue this journey together, we really need a 'guardian' to our health.
So there we are choosing for something that we hope is able to help us regain our health. Actually more like ah dear selecting what's best for me because he says I need it more wo.
That's how I got my Valentine's day present .. 2 bottles of health supplement - practical & thoughtful =p
To sweeten the deal, we receive RM10 voucher for every RM40 spent.

I felt guilty because ah dear gave me so much, yet I've given him nothing in return .. that's how bad a lover I can be =p

the reunion revolution

Some 20+ years ago, my family & I used to have very delicious reunion dinners ...
1st @ my 'mah mah' & 'ye ye' low cost flat in JB
2nd round @ my 'poh poh' & 'gong gong' rumah 'bawah bata atas papan' in Pusing

Then as we grow up ... and due to my mum's condition, we started applying leave from reunion dinner from my parents' hometown.
For that few years (before I got married), as far as I remembered, most of our reunion dinners were 一锅熟 steamboat type.
The only exception was this time & this time
Somehow I regret not being able to prepare a decent reunion dinner for my family especially my parents.

One of the 'plus' sign after getting married was that I get to enjoy 'good food' and I mean really good foods especially on 大日子 ... This I feel so blessed.

After so many years, only ONE thing that has never changed.. the fact that I'm still not capable of preparing a decent reunion dinner .. (and the fact that somehow the food I cook only I feel ok & that is also sometimes only)

2011 ... our reunion dinner with ku po family.. thank you everyone for the delicious reunion dinner.

I love every single dishes on the table =D including the rice.












sweet & nice : my fav asparagus with black fungus, gingko, chinese wolfberries & 'bak hap'











Fresh Fish - ginger steamed with tomato













Tender steam kampung chicken : just right...not too cooked.

Asam Pedas / Rendang prawn : succulent prawns in heavenly gravy. I couldn't not have one more and one more and one more despite ah dear giving me the 'note your cholesterol' look

Some more got different type of sauce.

Heavenly indulgence : this is like a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.

my little bean project

For the past 2 weeks, I've been going through some rough patches and I've also been very occupied not only with work but also 'work outside work'. I've been doing alot of thinking as well.

Each time when I'm going through rough patches in life, I'll always do things that will help to 'heal' me.

This time round, I embark on a little beanie project ... trying to kill 3 birds with a stone.
1st - to 'heal' myself
2nd - to show my little one how little beans grow just like him
3rd - to symbolise the growing of something my family is working on.


Day 1 - just beans - 2 black, 2 soya, few red ones. Just like all of us ... being in the same place but each occupy a different soil.

Day 2 - some cracks in the beanies' skin. Just like us, some things we need to break the shell and try before we know whether we can do it or not.


Day 3 - little roots emerging, but also realised that some beans are not meant to be grown ... the soyas ... they basically rot.
Like us, some know we must work hard to build a good foundation. Somethings are not meant to be, we had no choice but to accept that it won't work.

Day 4 - little sprouts coming out with fresh new leaves. Like us, as long as we never give up, there's always new beginning, new hope. If we work hard everyday, someday our effort will pay off.




Day 4 - side view








Day 5 - sprouts growing longer, leave bigger and roots deeper.


















Day 6 - beanie sprouts have grown taller, roots grown deeper into the cotton bed.
















Day 7 - bigger & stronger








Here, my little one admiring my little beans ... every morning when my little one wakes up... he'll look for bean bean.









Little beans came just in time to celebrate Chinese New Year..
Here, bean papa, bean mama & bean babies wishing everyone a new great beginning for this rabbit year =)