Posts
Have been MIA for a while...but want to post this to end the year 2008, some photos of the trip to Tokyo, taken few weeks back. Had a great time there...and didn't really want to come back at all .. ;)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Finally, It's time for coffee
I have got my life back... yes, indeed God is good and he sent me a new helper last Friday. What a relief! After handling over some of my 'duties' in the house to her , now i have time to sit and sip my cup of coffee. ;)
Been busy for the past weeks (not really sure on what) but i managed to find time to continue my baking journey, this time, like everybody else, 'mooncake'. My pingpei mooncake turned out quite well, and recipe was simple, except that i wasnt very sure of the proportion between the filling and the skin. Anyway, auntie elisa told me later that the skin is a bit too thick.. it should be 30:70. Made the second batch, due to "request"... so i guess it is not bad afterall!
Zach had plenty of fun during the one week break. As usual, he will dig out all his toys and can spend hours playing them. Recent 'in' toys are..stickers and card game. He managed to "con" some of his girlfriends for the stickers and trade the cards with the neighbour by letting the other boy play his playstation! Gosh..i wonder where he learnt that from!
Been busy for the past weeks (not really sure on what) but i managed to find time to continue my baking journey, this time, like everybody else, 'mooncake'. My pingpei mooncake turned out quite well, and recipe was simple, except that i wasnt very sure of the proportion between the filling and the skin. Anyway, auntie elisa told me later that the skin is a bit too thick.. it should be 30:70. Made the second batch, due to "request"... so i guess it is not bad afterall!
Zach had plenty of fun during the one week break. As usual, he will dig out all his toys and can spend hours playing them. Recent 'in' toys are..stickers and card game. He managed to "con" some of his girlfriends for the stickers and trade the cards with the neighbour by letting the other boy play his playstation! Gosh..i wonder where he learnt that from!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Mouse Hunting
Three days back while chatting on the phone, somehow i saw this lil' mouse crawling slowly into my kitchen... and for those that know me well enough, you can surely imagine how loud i was screaming away! And lucky i have these two heroes that was quick enough to shoo it out from the kitchen and into the laundry area. Couldn't find it after that for sure, after the loud scream. It must have came in through the drain hole for the washing machine's water outlet!
That night itself, we went out to town to look for the mouse trap. Couldn't find the trap but manage to get this A3 cardboard with the very sticky glue instead. Not sure if it will work but what the heck, better than nothing! Asked hubby to put the trap at the washing machine area that night...and guess what i caught in the morning...a lizard!! hahaha. Nevermind, so i chucked the piece of cardboard outside the house. And when i got home for lunch, there was another lizard stuck to it and the lil' mouse..all glued to the cardboard like spiderman! Not a bad catch for only RM3.50 /cardboard.. I think it works better than the normal mouse trap and cheaper too!! Actually hubby later laughed and commented that he actually didn't expect that the cheap thing can actually catch anything when i first bought it!!! Dah! Forgot to take a photo of the catch to post it here... ;)
Anyway i guess there will be more mouse hunting coming along as now i know that it is so easy to get rid of those annoying pests!!
That night itself, we went out to town to look for the mouse trap. Couldn't find the trap but manage to get this A3 cardboard with the very sticky glue instead. Not sure if it will work but what the heck, better than nothing! Asked hubby to put the trap at the washing machine area that night...and guess what i caught in the morning...a lizard!! hahaha. Nevermind, so i chucked the piece of cardboard outside the house. And when i got home for lunch, there was another lizard stuck to it and the lil' mouse..all glued to the cardboard like spiderman! Not a bad catch for only RM3.50 /cardboard.. I think it works better than the normal mouse trap and cheaper too!! Actually hubby later laughed and commented that he actually didn't expect that the cheap thing can actually catch anything when i first bought it!!! Dah! Forgot to take a photo of the catch to post it here... ;)
Anyway i guess there will be more mouse hunting coming along as now i know that it is so easy to get rid of those annoying pests!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Sleepy and tired!
Yes, i am exhausted. Dead-tired! Sleepy! I need a break. TGIF!
Each week passed so quickly. Everything seems so routine these days. With additional housework to do (since my helper never come back from her 2 weeks' vacation!!!), there is just so much to finish up each day. Even at this moment, i am actually thinking what i'd need to do tomorrow. I think the window need some cleaning, hmm..and the mosquito nettings too.. and most of all my two doggies really need a good bath. I have promised them 2 weeks ago or was it 3 .....but anyway, until today, the promise has not been fulfilled!! Poor doggies! Not only that, these days we always have lotsa leftovers. So these lucky dogs get quite a number of varieties too...from mee to bihun to kuay teow to fried rice... And each time i feed them, they will look at the food and then my face! Must be thinking what is this crazy owner doing... Sometimes i have to assure them that they are safe to eat!! Anyway, i think they really do need a good bath this weekend!
Zach's finger is okay now. He says the new skin has come out! So godma, don't worry..... don't sue me!
Sometimes i wonder what does a 4-year old has in their mind. Compare to Zach, i believe that my world was pretty small at that age. I guess all i cared was play. But not the child of modern age. He was just asking me this question the other night. A friends' mom passed away and i explained to Zach about death, heaven etc. before letting him take a peek of the coffin. And that night, after his usual bedtime stories, he suddenly tell me, why not ask Jesus to bring heaven down. I asked him why and he continued to say that he doesn't want to die and be put in the coffin because then he cannot breath!! Nor he wants to be buried in the cemetary...since according to him, we have a house...so just continue to stay in the house!
The other question that surprises me was 'if all of you become old and die, then what happens to me?' Hm...to be honest, i do not have any answer for that....
Well..kids these days!!
Each week passed so quickly. Everything seems so routine these days. With additional housework to do (since my helper never come back from her 2 weeks' vacation!!!), there is just so much to finish up each day. Even at this moment, i am actually thinking what i'd need to do tomorrow. I think the window need some cleaning, hmm..and the mosquito nettings too.. and most of all my two doggies really need a good bath. I have promised them 2 weeks ago or was it 3 .....but anyway, until today, the promise has not been fulfilled!! Poor doggies! Not only that, these days we always have lotsa leftovers. So these lucky dogs get quite a number of varieties too...from mee to bihun to kuay teow to fried rice... And each time i feed them, they will look at the food and then my face! Must be thinking what is this crazy owner doing... Sometimes i have to assure them that they are safe to eat!! Anyway, i think they really do need a good bath this weekend!
Zach's finger is okay now. He says the new skin has come out! So godma, don't worry..... don't sue me!
Sometimes i wonder what does a 4-year old has in their mind. Compare to Zach, i believe that my world was pretty small at that age. I guess all i cared was play. But not the child of modern age. He was just asking me this question the other night. A friends' mom passed away and i explained to Zach about death, heaven etc. before letting him take a peek of the coffin. And that night, after his usual bedtime stories, he suddenly tell me, why not ask Jesus to bring heaven down. I asked him why and he continued to say that he doesn't want to die and be put in the coffin because then he cannot breath!! Nor he wants to be buried in the cemetary...since according to him, we have a house...so just continue to stay in the house!
The other question that surprises me was 'if all of you become old and die, then what happens to me?' Hm...to be honest, i do not have any answer for that....
Well..kids these days!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ouch! I hurt his finger!
Terrible day last Friday. My lil' boi woke up early at 6am telling me he wanted to help me with the housework and told me he will do so every morning so that we can finished all the work faster. Oh what a good boy I have here, I told myself. Indeed we got a lot of things done and since it was still early, I decided to bake some muffins for breakfast!
As usual, he wants to help..We were almost done with the mixer..when suddenly i heard him scream. He has poked his finger in between the mixing bowl and the mixer holder. Aiyo..i nearly pengsan. Checked on his finger and it was bleeding a bit..(Yes...i feel terribly guilty already, so Zach's Godma, please don't scold me!) "Fixed" him up and he stopped crying but continued to grumble for another 30 minutes...
Well, he is much better now and I have got enough scolding for that..
An expensive lesson learnt...but this is a much more important lesson i learnt from him.. That night while tucking him to sleep, i told him i am sorry i hurt his finger and this was his reply "Mummy, you hurt my finger, nevermind, I still love you. It is okay.."
Wah...hearing it from a 4 year old, so forgiving, I sure have a lot more things to learn from him!
As usual, he wants to help..We were almost done with the mixer..when suddenly i heard him scream. He has poked his finger in between the mixing bowl and the mixer holder. Aiyo..i nearly pengsan. Checked on his finger and it was bleeding a bit..(Yes...i feel terribly guilty already, so Zach's Godma, please don't scold me!) "Fixed" him up and he stopped crying but continued to grumble for another 30 minutes...
Well, he is much better now and I have got enough scolding for that..
An expensive lesson learnt...but this is a much more important lesson i learnt from him.. That night while tucking him to sleep, i told him i am sorry i hurt his finger and this was his reply "Mummy, you hurt my finger, nevermind, I still love you. It is okay.."
Wah...hearing it from a 4 year old, so forgiving, I sure have a lot more things to learn from him!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Boyzone - Everyday I Love You
Love their songs...! Reminds me so much of Year 2001 ... ;) ..Wah.. i miss KL and my friends!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Mom is back!
Oh..how glad i am that my mom is back. Did the 'handover' of the kitchen to her last Friday!!! But my new position now in the house is 'kakak' becos *sob* *sob*, the helper didn't come back after her two weeks' vacation. So gone are the days where i can relax and sip coffee after dinner (i know you must be laughing joyce!!). Anyway, we will wait for another week or so.. in case she decides to come back...else i will now have 3 jobs in a day, as how Zach puts it.
My new schedule remains but now with additional tasks... sweeping and mopping the floor, watering the plants, cleaning the toilets... wah.. i am glad i work 8 hours in the office!
Thus to release tension, i indulged myself into baking. More bread this time round... you name it, you get it ... mom wanted high fibre bread...zach, the usual sausage, hubby, doesn't matter. So i put all the ingredients for the bread into the bread machine and select the dough mode. Spent the whole hour to come up with the HFiber bread, cheese sticks, sausage and buttermilk buns! The whole house smells amazing during the baking!!! hahaha... And me, dead tired... after all the cleanup!
My new schedule remains but now with additional tasks... sweeping and mopping the floor, watering the plants, cleaning the toilets... wah.. i am glad i work 8 hours in the office!
Thus to release tension, i indulged myself into baking. More bread this time round... you name it, you get it ... mom wanted high fibre bread...zach, the usual sausage, hubby, doesn't matter. So i put all the ingredients for the bread into the bread machine and select the dough mode. Spent the whole hour to come up with the HFiber bread, cheese sticks, sausage and buttermilk buns! The whole house smells amazing during the baking!!! hahaha... And me, dead tired... after all the cleanup!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I want peanut butter!
Didn't know what should i give them for breakfast the next day...so i told myself...let them have bread!!! I was too lazy to bake anything so i just grabbed a loaf of bread from the supermarket counter.... and while in the car, i told Zach, we will have bread tomorrow...and he commented "with peanut butter?" Argh..forgot about that. The last time we had bread, he was already asking for it, but i told him strawberry jam is equally as nice as peanut butter!!!
So we went to the nearby bakery shop...but it was already closed, tried the petrol kiosk mart, "no peanut butter". Went round a bit...OMG, all the sundry shops are closed and it is only 9:15pm!!! Told him, don't worry, i will make sure there is peanut butter for your bread tomorrow! And his reply was "I will never give up"!!!
Hm...suddenly remembered that i have this peanut butter recipe somewhere. It was a recipe that came together with the Mistral Processor i bought a while back because i was impressed on how they demo on making "ice blended mango", "ice blended coffee", "hot barley", "ice cream", "soya bean milk"...and of course "peanut butter". Digged out the recipe book, and was happy that i have all the ingredients.
Toasted the peanut, mix all the ingredients together, chopped them...and YES...I do have peanut butter for his bread tomorrow .... :)
So we went to the nearby bakery shop...but it was already closed, tried the petrol kiosk mart, "no peanut butter". Went round a bit...OMG, all the sundry shops are closed and it is only 9:15pm!!! Told him, don't worry, i will make sure there is peanut butter for your bread tomorrow! And his reply was "I will never give up"!!!
Hm...suddenly remembered that i have this peanut butter recipe somewhere. It was a recipe that came together with the Mistral Processor i bought a while back because i was impressed on how they demo on making "ice blended mango", "ice blended coffee", "hot barley", "ice cream", "soya bean milk"...and of course "peanut butter". Digged out the recipe book, and was happy that i have all the ingredients.
Toasted the peanut, mix all the ingredients together, chopped them...and YES...I do have peanut butter for his bread tomorrow .... :)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Got time for a hike?
Another week has passed since i took over the kitchen.....and i am still surviving! hahaha...with a little help from here and there (God sent angels!!). Zach gets to stay for a few hours each afternoon somewhere while i am off to my "2nd job". This is how Zach puts it, always telling me only to "work 1 job, not 2 jobs".
Working in Miri, i have the luxury to come back for lunch almost everyday (yes, my house is only 10 minutes away from the office and there is NO traffic jam here!) but to this lil' boy, he thinks i have 2 jobs - one in the morning and another different one in the afternoon!! how innocent! How i wish i get double pay too!
Anyway, for the past weeks, he was sent to
1) an auntie's place (1st week),
2) few days at home (becos another auntie came over the house) and
3) this week, at another friend's place...
4) next week, i don't know!
Despite the busy schedule, we decided to show him a bit of the other side of the world last weekend. Back to the nature.....was the theme for the weekend. Packed some picnic stuff and we headed off to Lambir Hills National Park which is about 30km south of Miri town. Entrance fee is RM10 each. It's been a while since i went jungle trekking. Zach was excited and after 10 minutes walk we reached the waterfall. The water was cold and nice. Saw some fresh-water prawns and huge ants!!!
Working in Miri, i have the luxury to come back for lunch almost everyday (yes, my house is only 10 minutes away from the office and there is NO traffic jam here!) but to this lil' boy, he thinks i have 2 jobs - one in the morning and another different one in the afternoon!! how innocent! How i wish i get double pay too!
Anyway, for the past weeks, he was sent to
1) an auntie's place (1st week),
2) few days at home (becos another auntie came over the house) and
3) this week, at another friend's place...
4) next week, i don't know!
Despite the busy schedule, we decided to show him a bit of the other side of the world last weekend. Back to the nature.....was the theme for the weekend. Packed some picnic stuff and we headed off to Lambir Hills National Park which is about 30km south of Miri town. Entrance fee is RM10 each. It's been a while since i went jungle trekking. Zach was excited and after 10 minutes walk we reached the waterfall. The water was cold and nice. Saw some fresh-water prawns and huge ants!!!
Zach had a great time with his bucket and spade....and even forgot that he was hungry until when we were on the way back to the house...only then, he asked for food!
We all had a good night sleep after that!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Working Mum..
Now i realise it is not easy being a working mum when you have to juggle between work, cook and taking care of the household!. I have been the lucky gal to have my mom helping me to take care of Zach for the past years, until a week back where she had to go for the eye surgery in KK and will not be back for the next couple of weeks, wah..... my daily schedule suddenly went havoc especially during the first couple of days.
And this is my new schedule:
5:30am - Wake up...or laze in bed for another 5 minutes to think what to cook for lunch
5:45am - In the kitchen, digging stuff out from the fridge..what should i cook?
6:00am - Defrost meat/prawn/fish cake if lunch menu is noodle.
6:20am - The aroma of fried noodles now fills the kitchen...
6:40am - All done. Check what is there to pack for Zach to school...
6:50am - Wake up that lil' gremlin and get him his juice/milk
7:30am - Send my lil' gremlin off to school and make sure i reach office by 8!
11:45pm - Pick Zach from school, bath him, get him his lunch. Hm...wat is for dinner?
12:45pm - Transport him off to my auntie's place...and I go back to office
5:30pm - Pick him up from auntie's place.
5:45pm - Start preparing dinner
6:45pm - Voila..Dinner is ready
By 9:30pm Zach is off to bed...and i finally find time to update my blog....
Well, with the helper at home, things are not that bad as i do not have to worry about cleaning the house, putting the clothes to wash, etc.. but now that she is be going back to her hometown for 2 weeks...wah...maybe i will need a new schedule!!!
Not sure if i would have time to bake after this........*sob*
And this is my new schedule:
5:30am - Wake up...or laze in bed for another 5 minutes to think what to cook for lunch
5:45am - In the kitchen, digging stuff out from the fridge..what should i cook?
6:00am - Defrost meat/prawn/fish cake if lunch menu is noodle.
6:20am - The aroma of fried noodles now fills the kitchen...
6:40am - All done. Check what is there to pack for Zach to school...
6:50am - Wake up that lil' gremlin and get him his juice/milk
7:30am - Send my lil' gremlin off to school and make sure i reach office by 8!
11:45pm - Pick Zach from school, bath him, get him his lunch. Hm...wat is for dinner?
12:45pm - Transport him off to my auntie's place...and I go back to office
5:30pm - Pick him up from auntie's place.
5:45pm - Start preparing dinner
6:45pm - Voila..Dinner is ready
By 9:30pm Zach is off to bed...and i finally find time to update my blog....
Well, with the helper at home, things are not that bad as i do not have to worry about cleaning the house, putting the clothes to wash, etc.. but now that she is be going back to her hometown for 2 weeks...wah...maybe i will need a new schedule!!!
Not sure if i would have time to bake after this........*sob*
What happened to all the bananas?
This is what happened when my auntie Elisa made me bring back all the bananas from KK.. Had to dig out and surf for recipes that say "BANANA" as part of the ingredients... So, here's what we had for the whole week after the trip!!! Banana and Oat Muffin, Banana Crumble Muffin, Banana and Sunflower Seed Cake, Chocolate Banana Cake, Banana ShortBread until we all went bananas!
No more bananas for at least a month!!!
No more bananas for at least a month!!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Where should i start?
Wah...ages since my last post. Wanted to update something several times ..but ..buts.... Anyway,
the Gawai holidays is over. We had a one week off at my workplace ...yes..one whole week....best time to go somewhere usually.. and this time, my dear hubby and my SIL made plans for the trip. We had a few destination to choose from initially...but finally we (they) decided to go to Kota Kinabalu, afterall this is their first time planning for a family trip ...so give them simple assignment lah...bagi chance..hahaha.
On and off i will check on them..whether the accomodation has been booked etc... actually also making sure that the holiday is still on!! hahaha.. well...they did well..with a little help from my auntie/uncle and cousin in KK. We took the early flight there and arrived at terminal 2 airport. Wah..very impressed leh with the airport...big, clean...thumbs up for Air Asia!!!
Arrived just in time for a good breakfast at the famous fish shop, Wan Wan Cafe. When it comes to food...wah..KK is a food paradize...Anyway, we had this fish kon lo mee (dried noodles). The noodle came with a big bowl of soup - fish slices, fish noodle etc - nothing but fish!
Then we checked into the Marina Court Apartment. We had the 3-bedroom apartment with a nice swimming pool view just outside the window ..that is what i thought at first until the next morning...when people start coming to the pool by 6:00am in their long pants, sari and baju kurung!
Visited the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park during noon!!! Wah...we were all very tanned after that...all because of Lil' Zach! He enjoyed himself a lot..especially having a close view of the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Orang Utan, monkey, Malayan tiger but somehow i wonder how we missed out the snakes.
Only realise that when Zach asked us how about the snakes? We sort of answer him ' no snake' but he pointed out to us the picture of snakes on the leaflet. Left all of us dumbfounded.. poor Zach.
Got the chance to sneak out in the afternoon, leaving the rest at the apartment, my SIL and myself volunteered to go and get some snacks. And guess what, we ended up shopping...and tricking each other to spend more $$$. Well, bought a few stuff..and by the time we are done with shopping, my cousin called up and told us that he is at the apartment gate waiting to bring us out for dinner...and i was there queueing at Burger King, supposing to buy the others their afternoon snack!! Well..i did buy them food...from Dotts Egg Tart - pretty expensive small-size tart but the crust is soft and crispy... and also lotsa burger from Burger King!
More food for dinner. Went to this seafood place called 'Welcome' at Penampang. Couldn't resist not trying all the shell fish, so ended up ordering at least 10 dishes!!! (I think). We had some sea snails, baby geoduck clams, crabs, prawns, fish, soup, veg... hehehe dunno how much the bill was.. my boss paid! and he only commented "CHEAP"
2nd day. Plan was to go island-hopping but were a bit lazy after the previous day long walk at the wildlife park and half of the "participants" were afraid of getting seasick!! So ended up walking to the nearby shopping mall, Centrepoint and Warisan Square. We had some breakfast at Olde Station kopitiam - nasi lemak, beef rendang, roti kahwin with egg.. (introduced my style of eating this to Zach...dip the roti into the egg...yummy).
Waited for the Big Apple Donuts to be ready. We grabbed 12 pieces at one go as soon as they are out of the oven and finished 10 within 15 minutes! (and that was after breakfast!!!) Though a bit sweet, but it is soft and nice...especially the mango and durian ones..oh..and the pink one, for Zach. He adores pink, don't ask me why.. Anyway, he took finished one whole donut by himself even after the roti kahwin + egg! We must be all on food spree!!!
And cousin called right after we finished the donuts - time for lunch... hahaha... Char Siew Rice and beef soup (ngau chap) from a famous shop...aiya. ..cannot remember what was the name (will update once i have it)
After lunch was shopping spree for me. Auntie took me to a number of shops selling baking things ...and wah...shop till drop. Bought this donut tray, hahaha, you are right...will try to make donuts as nice as Big Apple!!!!
Had the best lamb chop that night at Archie De Corner@ Taman Cantek - cheap and huge portion Lamb chops (RM14) and chicken chops (RM12) are the must tries. No other western food shop can beat this shop...no kidding. After dinner, went to the City Mall. Actually my intention to go there is to get some recipe book at Popular. Ended up buying 3 recipe books by Alex Goh!!!
3rd day. While having dim sum at Foo Phing , auntie Elisa quickly ran to get some nice buns (the ones with luncheon meat was yummy) from some nearby shop to 'tapau' up to the mountain. On the way, we stopped at the roadside stalls that mainly sell handicrafts... i remembered the last time i went, i "sapu" a lot of the necklaces and bracelets... but this time, i only bought myself a bag!!! Even uncle James was surprised.. haha
the Gawai holidays is over. We had a one week off at my workplace ...yes..one whole week....best time to go somewhere usually.. and this time, my dear hubby and my SIL made plans for the trip. We had a few destination to choose from initially...but finally we (they) decided to go to Kota Kinabalu, afterall this is their first time planning for a family trip ...so give them simple assignment lah...bagi chance..hahaha.
On and off i will check on them..whether the accomodation has been booked etc... actually also making sure that the holiday is still on!! hahaha.. well...they did well..with a little help from my auntie/uncle and cousin in KK. We took the early flight there and arrived at terminal 2 airport. Wah..very impressed leh with the airport...big, clean...thumbs up for Air Asia!!!
Arrived just in time for a good breakfast at the famous fish shop, Wan Wan Cafe. When it comes to food...wah..KK is a food paradize...Anyway, we had this fish kon lo mee (dried noodles). The noodle came with a big bowl of soup - fish slices, fish noodle etc - nothing but fish!
Then we checked into the Marina Court Apartment. We had the 3-bedroom apartment with a nice swimming pool view just outside the window ..that is what i thought at first until the next morning...when people start coming to the pool by 6:00am in their long pants, sari and baju kurung!
Visited the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park during noon!!! Wah...we were all very tanned after that...all because of Lil' Zach! He enjoyed himself a lot..especially having a close view of the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Orang Utan, monkey, Malayan tiger but somehow i wonder how we missed out the snakes.
Only realise that when Zach asked us how about the snakes? We sort of answer him ' no snake' but he pointed out to us the picture of snakes on the leaflet. Left all of us dumbfounded.. poor Zach.
Got the chance to sneak out in the afternoon, leaving the rest at the apartment, my SIL and myself volunteered to go and get some snacks. And guess what, we ended up shopping...and tricking each other to spend more $$$. Well, bought a few stuff..and by the time we are done with shopping, my cousin called up and told us that he is at the apartment gate waiting to bring us out for dinner...and i was there queueing at Burger King, supposing to buy the others their afternoon snack!! Well..i did buy them food...from Dotts Egg Tart - pretty expensive small-size tart but the crust is soft and crispy... and also lotsa burger from Burger King!
More food for dinner. Went to this seafood place called 'Welcome' at Penampang. Couldn't resist not trying all the shell fish, so ended up ordering at least 10 dishes!!! (I think). We had some sea snails, baby geoduck clams, crabs, prawns, fish, soup, veg... hehehe dunno how much the bill was.. my boss paid! and he only commented "CHEAP"
2nd day. Plan was to go island-hopping but were a bit lazy after the previous day long walk at the wildlife park and half of the "participants" were afraid of getting seasick!! So ended up walking to the nearby shopping mall, Centrepoint and Warisan Square. We had some breakfast at Olde Station kopitiam - nasi lemak, beef rendang, roti kahwin with egg.. (introduced my style of eating this to Zach...dip the roti into the egg...yummy).
Waited for the Big Apple Donuts to be ready. We grabbed 12 pieces at one go as soon as they are out of the oven and finished 10 within 15 minutes! (and that was after breakfast!!!) Though a bit sweet, but it is soft and nice...especially the mango and durian ones..oh..and the pink one, for Zach. He adores pink, don't ask me why.. Anyway, he took finished one whole donut by himself even after the roti kahwin + egg! We must be all on food spree!!!
And cousin called right after we finished the donuts - time for lunch... hahaha... Char Siew Rice and beef soup (ngau chap) from a famous shop...aiya. ..cannot remember what was the name (will update once i have it)
After lunch was shopping spree for me. Auntie took me to a number of shops selling baking things ...and wah...shop till drop. Bought this donut tray, hahaha, you are right...will try to make donuts as nice as Big Apple!!!!
Had the best lamb chop that night at Archie De Corner@ Taman Cantek - cheap and huge portion Lamb chops (RM14) and chicken chops (RM12) are the must tries. No other western food shop can beat this shop...no kidding. After dinner, went to the City Mall. Actually my intention to go there is to get some recipe book at Popular. Ended up buying 3 recipe books by Alex Goh!!!
3rd day. While having dim sum at Foo Phing , auntie Elisa quickly ran to get some nice buns (the ones with luncheon meat was yummy) from some nearby shop to 'tapau' up to the mountain. On the way, we stopped at the roadside stalls that mainly sell handicrafts... i remembered the last time i went, i "sapu" a lot of the necklaces and bracelets... but this time, i only bought myself a bag!!! Even uncle James was surprised.. haha
By the time we reached Kinabalu Park and checked into Peak Lodge, we were all famished, despite having heavy breakfast. Had some of the buns and head off to Poring Hot Spring. The place was crowded and by the time we managed to fill up the water in one of the lil' personal square toilet-cubicle looking tub and soaked ourselves in, it was late evening. Suddenly sms came in - "pump petrol. Price will go up the next day". Tried to pump at the station at Kundasang..but reached there 10 minutes after it has closed. Darn!
Anyway, went back to the park and it started to rain. Packed some dinner (fried noodles, rice) from Liwagu Restaurant and watched the news. Wah, petrol price, go up by 78cents/litre. How leh? Aiyo, one car got no 'minyak' some more...
The guys tried to start up the fire at the fireplace but after several attempts, they gave up. (haha, if only Juha was around, we never had any problem starting the fire during our NZ trip!!!) Called for help instead and within minutes, we had a nice fire burning at the fireplace.
Woke up to the superb view of the peaks. Wah, amazing sight. Packed up and went over to the Visitor Centre Building's Exhibit Hall to let Zach peep at the display of the huge snake. Actually all of us felt guilty about missing out the reptiles area at the wildlife park. Breakfast was at the Balsam Cafeteria. Not much variety of food but enough to make us happy :)
Drove to Kundasang to get petrol for the car but was redirected to Ranau instead. A few of us got down to stroll around the market place. Took lotsa photos with hubby's new camera until the local folks thought that i am a reporter!
It seemed a while before they came back with a full tank car, face very "masam" due to the price hike in the petrol. Anyway, thought we will pop by Nexus Karambunai on the way down to have a look at what a lot of people consider a "heavenly" resort to stay. Walk around a bit and after a few "WAHs", the two travel planner went to check out the price. Came back confirming that we are staying there...haha.. What happened to the booking for Sutera Harbour in KK city? Dah..who cares... Anyway, while we waited for the Deluxe Ocean View rooms to be ready, we "lepak" around the hotel lobby, and to keep Zach occupied.. i took him up and down the lift, and each time the lift door close he will sing "nga inseng mata kaji, nga insung..." depicted from P.Ramlee Ali Baba Bujang Lapuk song and was so amazed when the door actually opens!!! After a few rounds, wew...i was glad the room is ready. And guess what, since we asked for adjacent rooms, they only had one..right at the end of the building, the last two rooms!! Wah..so far to walk..was about to complain and called the front desk..but when i stepped into the room, i told hubby, "nevermind". why? becos the room was big and nice and Zach had a good time soaking himself in the bubble bath that afternoon.
Took him for a horse ride after that and surprisingly he was not even afraid. Usually he would want to take his smelly lil cloth with him but not this time.. but me, i was a bit worried after finding out that it was only the second day of work for the "horse trainer"!!! OMG! cold sweat all the way!
Later in the evening we tried driving down to my aunt's place on our own. Though we missed a few turnings here and there (actually we took a very long way, passed by the new hypermall, 1 Borneo , Tune Hotel and all the way down to the city before driving back to Luyang because that is the only way we know how to get to my auntie's place!! haha) She was surprised when we told her that we are about to reach her house!! So what is for dinner? Food again?
Well, at first we wanted to go to Supertanker but were told that they are closed, so how leh my uncle asked? Want to try the famous pork leg at Ang's Hotel? But have to drive down to the city.. and of course my answer was "GO". Fatt Kee Coffee Shop (Ang's Hotel Restaurant) is located opposite Wisma Merdeka. They serve good Chinese dishes especially the "not to be missed dish" pork leg, honey roasted chicken wings. Oh one thing, the menu on the wall board is all in Chinese... and people like me.."Banana Chinese" cannot understand a single word.
Lucky for me. My auntie frequents this place pretty often, and knows this lady that takes the order very well (btw, this lady talks very loud...and she can sing to you what is on the menu, yes.. "Sing". for she continues line after line and you are not suppose to stop her in between, else she will start from the beginning!!!) Being very greedy, i requested for two pork legs besides other things on the menu. Wah..pants felt so tight after all these food.
Stopped by at City Mall on the way back. SIL says must try the "Veda Blu" ice cream.. it is in her "Must try" food list. So another round of ice cream before we head back to the hotel. How is the ice cream? so so only lah...hehehe
Early next morning, took a stroll by the beach before heading for a quick swim. Breakfast was at the "The Penyu". More food... aiyo....stomache also want to burst liao!! After checking out, drove to my auntie's place (this time round, we got it right! no more detour to town), and head for the airport, on the way, stopped by my cousin's new house... and finally, at the terminal taking the next flight back to Miri...
I had a great time, thanks to both the holiday planner, my SIL and hubby.. you both have done well...... can i leave it to you guys for our next trip??? *grin*
Sunday, May 25, 2008
When Mom is also into blogging!
Yes, mom is also into blogging....it was last week i think that she suddenly popped up the question "how come you only take pictures of your baking and not my cooking?"..hmm..i thot i heard wrongly...but i replied.."oh..you never say you want me to take the photos mah".
So now i have 3 blogs to maintain...zach, mom and myself. And mom is cooking faster than i am publishing..hahaha..and also that i have to pick up photography as well...cannot harap my hubby...have to get every angle right, light right etc before snapping one photo..aiyo..headache.
And talking bout that, i find it pretty interesting actually...i mean food photography..how you can actually bring out the 'taste' of the food in a photo. Amazing...well to do that, i actually have to snap almost 10-15 pictures all the time..and choose the best one to publish. Well, i find it easier that way than to spend 5 minutes just getting the right angle/light/etc before snapping!!!
And for that i remembered during my family trip to NZ, my brother, Darrell, Gladys and myself went out one early morning to catch the glimpse of sunrise on the beach... While Darrell find his spot to take the photo (see ..it is without a s), Gladys and I took a stroll on the beach where we were "chased" by dogs and sea gulls... but Darrell...he was the whole time at the same spot that we left him earlier on...only now the sun has already came up, tide had came in a bit and he was almost in the water!!...He said...waiting for the right time to take the photo!!! i really admire his patience! Care to see his work? Pop by his website.
So now i have 3 blogs to maintain...zach, mom and myself. And mom is cooking faster than i am publishing..hahaha..and also that i have to pick up photography as well...cannot harap my hubby...have to get every angle right, light right etc before snapping one photo..aiyo..headache.
And talking bout that, i find it pretty interesting actually...i mean food photography..how you can actually bring out the 'taste' of the food in a photo. Amazing...well to do that, i actually have to snap almost 10-15 pictures all the time..and choose the best one to publish. Well, i find it easier that way than to spend 5 minutes just getting the right angle/light/etc before snapping!!!
And for that i remembered during my family trip to NZ, my brother, Darrell, Gladys and myself went out one early morning to catch the glimpse of sunrise on the beach... While Darrell find his spot to take the photo (see ..it is without a s), Gladys and I took a stroll on the beach where we were "chased" by dogs and sea gulls... but Darrell...he was the whole time at the same spot that we left him earlier on...only now the sun has already came up, tide had came in a bit and he was almost in the water!!...He said...waiting for the right time to take the photo!!! i really admire his patience! Care to see his work? Pop by his website.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Bread, muffin or cake?
For the past weeks, I have been doing so much of baking until i have lost track of what i have been baking. Tried the 'pak tong ko' since it is my auntie's favourite. Thought that i will surprise her before she came from KK for the week. Anyway, first try, turn out ok.. the taste is there but no honeycomb!!! *sigh* Asked my online help, yozoranitesky. My second attempt turned out better, now lotsa honeycomb but a bit hard in the middle..not sure why. So auntie didn't look very satisfied...hehehe..but still it was also gone by the following day!! So i guess it is not that bad..
Then there was carrot cake, apple cake and yesterday, assorted buns. Thumbs up for apple cake from mom and the big bunny. He finished nearly half the cake in just one eating. Nowadays, lil bunny is not so eager in mummy's experiment anymore. He will pop by in the kitchen and say 'I stir?' or 'cake ready?' but a bit skeptical on trying them, unless he got no choice when the mummy feeds him!!
Anyway, bake some buns too and surprisingly it came out soft and fluffy. Taste good but outlook...hehehe..i don't even dare to take photo of them. Maybe next time!! Was trying to be more adventurous by following the shaping of buns published in some of the websites. Some came out looking ok..but the sausage bun looked eeeee.... Anyway, mom took the tuna bun and commented..'please don't change recipe ah...this one very nice already'. Wah..nearly fell off the chair. And she says she will cook curry chicken the next time so that i can make curry chicken bun!! So this bun recipe is definately a keeper.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
You mean it is not danish pastry?
Another baking day on Sunday. This time, thought i will try the Cinnamon Roll Recipe from my breadmaker recipe book. Now that i bake pretty often, grandma is into baking as well. She will ask me "What are we doing today". So i told her that instead of just the normal loaf, i will try Cinnamon Roll. Explained to her a bit and we both waited for the dough to be ready.
She can't wait to roll the dough actually....haha. She did most of the stuff actually. After cutting the roll and instead of putting them in rows onto a greased baking tin, we decided to put them onto the normal baking tray, leaving some gap in between for them to rise..First mistake! They doubled up but side ways too! Anyway, continue to bake them until golden brown...a bit too brown thus end up a bit dry actually.
Well, took them out...and hmmmm not bad..taste okay, just a bit hard.
Next day, my hubby asked "anymore of those danish pastry?" i replied "what danish pastry"?
Hmm....danish pastry it is then! Don't know whether to be disappointed or smile!
She can't wait to roll the dough actually....haha. She did most of the stuff actually. After cutting the roll and instead of putting them in rows onto a greased baking tin, we decided to put them onto the normal baking tray, leaving some gap in between for them to rise..First mistake! They doubled up but side ways too! Anyway, continue to bake them until golden brown...a bit too brown thus end up a bit dry actually.
Well, took them out...and hmmmm not bad..taste okay, just a bit hard.
Next day, my hubby asked "anymore of those danish pastry?" i replied "what danish pastry"?
Hmm....danish pastry it is then! Don't know whether to be disappointed or smile!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Insane or ?
Came back from work yesterday and suddenly have the urge to try out another recipe of muffin. Muffin again? Well, mom loves the blueberry muffin when she went over to States for the holiday last year and ever since then, she has been talking about muffin each time i bake. And my previous two attempts of muffin didn't turn out very well.
My first raisin muffin came out ok, just that they say it is a bit hard..found out the problem, Aiya, the recipe says 'melted' butter, but instead i just used the butter left melted in the room temperature (well to me, that is already melted wat...) n kena marah from mom - don't understand English ah...some more come out from 'big' school!!! haha. But anyway, grandma was willing to take back for breakfast. So that means, not too bad, i think can rate 3/5
My second cheese muffin was rated 1/5! hahaha. Again, kena marah. This time more teruk, from almost the whole household except the 'kakak' at home. 'Why? Not even perfect the first recipe already try a different one?' Anyway, made my poor son and hubby have some, but the rest, my good ole kakak has to help me eat. Actually, personally i don't think that it is that bad....tasted better the next day...it is just cheddar cheese..but come to think of it, maybe it is very bad, cos imagine a person who eats everything without complaining also say 'no taste one your muffin'. haha
So this 3rd attempt, the chocolate chip nut muffin was much better. Mom approves, though she says a bit sweet, but at least the texture is alright. No longer can throw at the wall!! And my little test bunny is the best..he says 'mommy, the muffin can bounce one...' hahaha. So thumbs up!!!
Phew...finally!!!
My first raisin muffin came out ok, just that they say it is a bit hard..found out the problem, Aiya, the recipe says 'melted' butter, but instead i just used the butter left melted in the room temperature (well to me, that is already melted wat...) n kena marah from mom - don't understand English ah...some more come out from 'big' school!!! haha. But anyway, grandma was willing to take back for breakfast. So that means, not too bad, i think can rate 3/5
My second cheese muffin was rated 1/5! hahaha. Again, kena marah. This time more teruk, from almost the whole household except the 'kakak' at home. 'Why? Not even perfect the first recipe already try a different one?' Anyway, made my poor son and hubby have some, but the rest, my good ole kakak has to help me eat. Actually, personally i don't think that it is that bad....tasted better the next day...it is just cheddar cheese..but come to think of it, maybe it is very bad, cos imagine a person who eats everything without complaining also say 'no taste one your muffin'. haha
So this 3rd attempt, the chocolate chip nut muffin was much better. Mom approves, though she says a bit sweet, but at least the texture is alright. No longer can throw at the wall!! And my little test bunny is the best..he says 'mommy, the muffin can bounce one...' hahaha. So thumbs up!!!
Phew...finally!!!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Holiday is already over!
Since my last post, i have been in the kitchen most of the time. And yes, Zach and I did make our gingerbreadman cookie and he was proud enough to bring those cookies to his pre-school and share them with his friends. And not only that, he also gave some to his auntie and his auntie proudly showed off to her friends...saying..'my nephew is only 3 plus and he bakes these cookies'!!!! haha
Anyway, it is indeed a good way to spend time with him, especially when i can hardly cope with all his other super-active activities - ball kicking, water gun shooting etc... and it is only during baking that he slows down his pace. But still half of the time, i am not able to keep my eyes off him, even for 1 minute, just in case he decides to add something extra to the mixture....
Some cakes did turn out well, some didn't...but to Zach, he is always nice enough to tell the mummy, 'everything tastes nice'.... *meltz my heart*...ohhhhhh
Well...the baking journey continues.....
Anyway, it is indeed a good way to spend time with him, especially when i can hardly cope with all his other super-active activities - ball kicking, water gun shooting etc... and it is only during baking that he slows down his pace. But still half of the time, i am not able to keep my eyes off him, even for 1 minute, just in case he decides to add something extra to the mixture....
Some cakes did turn out well, some didn't...but to Zach, he is always nice enough to tell the mummy, 'everything tastes nice'.... *meltz my heart*...ohhhhhh
Well...the baking journey continues.....
Thursday, March 6, 2008
It's March already!!!
How time flies...tried to update this blog a couple of times....but my biggest excuse is my laziness!
But i did do some baking...that is becos i have my baking 'sifu' with me, my auntie. We baked 2 cakes in two days and never get the chance to snap any pics...since all the 'greedy' bunnies will not let me do that...in the first place, they cannot even wait for the cake to cool down!!
Anyway, since next week is school holiday, i have already promised Zach that 'we' will make some gingerbread man together...and he is looking forward to that...but actually i, myself am a bit nervous... shud attempt something simpler.... we'll see the results!!! And hopefully i will get a chance to snap some pics this time!!
But i did do some baking...that is becos i have my baking 'sifu' with me, my auntie. We baked 2 cakes in two days and never get the chance to snap any pics...since all the 'greedy' bunnies will not let me do that...in the first place, they cannot even wait for the cake to cool down!!
Anyway, since next week is school holiday, i have already promised Zach that 'we' will make some gingerbread man together...and he is looking forward to that...but actually i, myself am a bit nervous... shud attempt something simpler.... we'll see the results!!! And hopefully i will get a chance to snap some pics this time!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
What have i been up to?
It has been a hectic week since my last post. I can vaguely remember what i have been doing though... Guess, when your age is catching up, every week seems to pass extremely fast, one week after another. Weekends are even worst! I can still remember when i was very much younger...hm..like 20 years back..wah..i have to wait for so long for the school holidays. But now..with a blink of an eye, it is already 2008!!!!
Anyway, for the past few days, i was hooked on surfing for recipes..RECIPES?? what recipes? Well, any recipes that
1) easy to follow
2) has very little ingredients
3) takes very short time to prepare.
I bumped into few blogs and WOW...amazing...incredible how some people really have the passion for baking and cooking! I have included those links in the "Recipe Corner" in hoping that i will try out some of the recipes myself... Nance, if you are reading this, don't laugh cos i know my attempted siew mai years back didn't turn out very well....but thank you for being very supportive...i know that swallowing it down was not very easy either....hahaha
We will see this time round.... ;) Wish me luck
Anyway, for the past few days, i was hooked on surfing for recipes..RECIPES?? what recipes? Well, any recipes that
1) easy to follow
2) has very little ingredients
3) takes very short time to prepare.
I bumped into few blogs and WOW...amazing...incredible how some people really have the passion for baking and cooking! I have included those links in the "Recipe Corner" in hoping that i will try out some of the recipes myself... Nance, if you are reading this, don't laugh cos i know my attempted siew mai years back didn't turn out very well....but thank you for being very supportive...i know that swallowing it down was not very easy either....hahaha
We will see this time round.... ;) Wish me luck
Thursday, January 3, 2008
My 2nd Attempt
My 2nd attempt to send Zach to school today turns out equally embarrassing as the day before.
Got him ready for school despite some slight "raindrops" earlier in the morning..but anyway, packed him in the car and drove him to his previous playschool.
Walked him to the gate..and the teachers stared at me...i sense something must be wrong...and indeed true...Zach is suppose to be in another school already..Level 1 for Tadika. *blush* *blush*
What a mom....don't even know where to send his son!!!
Anyway, trying not to look silly...quickly walk back to the car...and even my son asked me.."What happen? Not this school? Go to the big school?"
Finally managed to get him to the correct school and settled him in. Thank goodness. Actually I am very proud of my lil' boy for being so brave at school today...keep it up boy!
Got him ready for school despite some slight "raindrops" earlier in the morning..but anyway, packed him in the car and drove him to his previous playschool.
Walked him to the gate..and the teachers stared at me...i sense something must be wrong...and indeed true...Zach is suppose to be in another school already..Level 1 for Tadika. *blush* *blush*
What a mom....don't even know where to send his son!!!
Anyway, trying not to look silly...quickly walk back to the car...and even my son asked me.."What happen? Not this school? Go to the big school?"
Finally managed to get him to the correct school and settled him in. Thank goodness. Actually I am very proud of my lil' boy for being so brave at school today...keep it up boy!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
My very own blog - finally!
I've done blogs for my son, my mom...and everyone else except myself. Guess it is about time i do that....well at least it helps to keep track of my thoughts!! (seem to be pretty forgetful these days... as they say...aiya...sign of old age!! )
Anyway, i am suppose to be on leave today. Hoping to be a "superb" mom for a change, i want to be there for Zach's first day back to school. And argh..only realise this morning that the school is still close till tomorrow!!! gosh what an embarassment...call myself a mother, and don't even know when does school start! Thank goodness the school is just eye-view from my house.So i let him sleep in, and have another day of holiday..while i go back to work! Hopefully tomorrow, things are better...
What a start to a new year.. and anyway Happy New Year 2008.
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