Stressed Out Mother’s Life

Had a fun day baking chocolate cake for my kids. Started off late (around 4+ in the evening), and it dragged until dinner time. With the preparation and baking and cooling down, we had a late dinner with my parents. Anyway, watching the anticipation on my girls’ face made me feel wonderful.

This chocolate cake recipe was given by my MIL. Though not perfect, at least it turned out quite good, with praises all around (hehe)…

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 250g melted butter
• 250g sifted plain flour
• 250g sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 tsp sifted baking powder
• 6 eggs
• 100g cooking chocolate
• 100g roasted cashew nuts (can put in other types of nuts)

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 200°C.
2. Grease and line the base of a round pan.
3. Place cooking chocolate in a bowl, over a pan of simmering water. Allow to melt. Remove the bowl and set aside to cool.
4. Beat sugar and butter until creamy.
5. Put in the eggs one at a time into the sugar and butter mixture.
6. Mix them well.
7. Sift the flour and baking powder (again) into the above mixture.
8. Pour in the cooking chocolate.
9. Place the cashew nuts at the bottom of the pan.
10. Pour the cake mixture into the pan.
11. To make it more interesting, put the cashew nuts at the top of the cake.
12. Bake it for 1 hour 20 minutes at 190°C, or until cooked through when tested with a skewer.
13. Cool the cake for about 10 - 15 minutes.

CNY came and went… yesterday was the last day of CNY… hence it’s time for my compilation of what I did during CNY (in other words, I was too lazy to write during the CNY period… now that it’s over, it’s either I do it now, or be gone forever with the wind)…

I started with the ‘Scrumptious Start‘ in the previous posts… will continue here with Day 1 then.

Day 1
Starts with a twist. Was supposed to wake up early to help MIL cook vegetarian dish (1 big pot for the entire day and entire family); however Pea needed me to pat her back to sleep… in other words, I woke up late and didn’t help much. Hubby’s brothers came over at about 10am, and we had our brunch. After that, it was photo taking session, before continuing with the tea ceremony (a tradition whereby the younger ones have to offer tea to the elder ones… in this case my in-laws). We each get ang pows from them after each round of tea.

Nothing much was done during the afternoons, as we had to stay at home and wait for relatives to come and visit my in-laws. Evening though (something different) we went to MV for dinner and ronda-ronda. It was a total feeling from usual, as there weren’t many cars around, and not many people either (coz quite a number of shops were closed).

Day 2
Same thing happened like Day 1. I couldn’t wake up early to help MIL… she single handedly cooked 5 dishes to feed a family of 9 adults and 2 kids.

Pie enjoyed the feast that she gave thumbs-up during the photo taking.

After lunch, we packed our bags into the 1 year old car, and headed straight for the hills, to meet up with my family. One of those rare occasions of Pea going out for holiday. Had an interrupted dinner with the family… Pea couldn’t sit still and for long, hence both hubby and I took turns to eat and take care of her. After that, we went back to the apartment for cake cutting… my grandma’s b’day falls on the 2nd day of CNY (chinese date)… Bought a pandan layered cake, and for the first time, she kept saying the cake is good… she likes it so much coz it’s not sweet… Usually we would buy cakes from Secret Recipe, but she don’t really like them… it’s much too sweet and rich for her taste… luckily this time around, I made the correct choice (thx to someone who reminded me).

Day 3
We stay put at the apartment until dinner time… Dinner was at Imperial Rama (Highland’s Hotel). Food was so so only… however it was a tad expensive. Among all, I liked the chicken best… tastes totally different from KL. However, Pea seemed to be acting up again… we had to take turns to take care of her and Pie.

After dinner, Pie wasn’t feeling too well… So we left early and headed back to the apartment. Pie was totally off… she coughed and coughed the whole night… most of us couldn’t really catch a wink!

Day 4
Cause Pie wasn’t feeling too well, we went back to KL around lunch time, and immediately went straight to our usual clinic. Though she wasn’t familiar with the doctor (our GP wasn’t around), she still managed to whisper out what was wrong with her. The doc was quite a nice chap… even spent the time explaining why was she coughing so badly and esp. at night. Gave her 1 med and 1 drop (Update: after taking the med for about 1+ week, she’s now feeling much better. However, whenever she sneezes, thick mucus will come dripping by).

Day 5
I started work today. Didn’t want to take any days off… had to leave them for holidays and also taking care of kids! Leaves doesn’t come by easily these days…

Day 7
Yan Yat Day (Everyone’s b’day). Bought ‘yee sang’ from Overseas… My mum loves yee sang, and esp. when it is only found during CNY, obviously she would like to eat more and more of it. Eating yee sang on this auspicious day is just heavenly… haha… truthfully speaking, the yee sang is seriously good and value for its money (RM 63 incl. tax). Salmon was fresh and a lot, and (my fav) lots and lots of nuts.

Day 10
Celebrated sis’s b’day early (since it’s the weekend, and her b’day falls on a weekday). We went to SOHO for dinner… I ordered the dishes and I guess my family wasn’t too happy with the choices… actually neither was I. Except for the fish, nothing was that good (anymore). In fact, it was quite expensive for 4 dishes and 1 porridge (hubby was not feeling too well then) - damaged my pocket about RM 200.

vs
(Wanted to show what the girls were having in their hands. Pie was eating deep fried stuff, which is totally not healthy for her. On the other hand, Pea was enjoying her raw carrot very much. I quickly took the chance to also let Pie eat a carrot stick… telling her that ‘mui mui’ likes it so much. Both Pie and Pea likes to mimic what each other is doing and eating… so good for me, esp. when I want either one of them to do something or something that is supposingly to be good for them).

Day 12
Another rare occasion of having a gathering with the colleagues… esp. when most of them are based at customer’s site now. Managed to gather them around for dinner at La La Chong. Don’t know whether it’s my taste bud that have gone wrong, coz the food wasn’t that good (for my taste). Yee Sang too dry, La La got a lot of sand, Crab a bit too wet, Sotong too rubbery, not the crunchy ones that I like. The only ones that I do enjoy very much is the vege and the soup. Another round of damage to the pocket… however this time around shared the cost with another colleague.

That’s the end of my CNY. CNY to me is just another day… only difference is the art of giving and receiving… Me giving out ang pows and go pai lin… my girls receiving loads of ang pows from friends and relatives.

Credits to:
Paper, Flower Sticker & Tag: Mary_Cherries
Brackets: RockSkyEP

It’s Chinese New Year tomorrow… the starting Year of the Rat. My family started the celebration with a big lunch at my grandma’s place… she single handedly cooked the yummy delicious food you see above (from top to right: Fragrant Oil Prawn, Mixed Vegetables, Chicken in Red Wine, Home-made Fried Fish Balls, Celery with Prawns & Vegetarian Duck with Taufu).

I guess all would have gone back to their hometown, preparing for CNY eve’s dinner with the whole family, getting new dresses out for the big day… Here’s wishing all Chinese readers … Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Haha… it’s the usual me. I’m always late at wishing people… hence this post. It’s a brand new year… the past year has been different for me, coz it was my first time blogging. How did I come across to do this ? Well, it started with me reading people’s blog for information on breastfeeding (I was 8 months pregnant then), and then during my maternity leave, I had lots of on-and-off free time around… more over, it was also a start for me to do digital scrapbooking (most of them of my 2 lovely kids)…

Things I did the last year:

• Went to Australia (Adelaide - my first time) & Hong Kong (Pie’s first time)
• Went to Singapore for conference (never did this b4); Usually to S’pore is to visit my aunt
• My first year as the Team Leader, hence a lot of things to learn (in terms of resource assignment, project problem, blah blah blah)

Now, too much things on hand, cannot think what else I did last year already. Anyway, more posts to come in the future!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

p/s: Chinese New Year is coming… Can’t wait to collect ang paus!!!

Yesterday went to 1 Utama to get another blanket for Pea (as well as quenching my thirst for Starbucks Java Chip). On the way back from old wing to new wing, passed by Big Apple Donut shop… remembered that a colleague mentioned it was quite nice, hence thought of giving it a try. The queue wasn’t that bad… think it was merely 10 people in front of me.

As it was our first time trying (and also coz there weren’t a lot of ppl at home), I bought 1/2 dozens to try. To our surprise, it was much nicer and softer than Dunkin Donut. Even my kids enjoyed it!

This 2 days, I’m attending a training called Character First! For developers, no, this is not the characters as in ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’. It’s character in the sense of your action, attitude and behavior.

I would deem this as a motivational kind of course, as the messages passed in is towards building good character, good qualities in your inner self. Characters cannot be learned as a trait / skills; it has to be built and nurtured (just like how you plant fruit trees), preferably from young. But that doesn’t mean that you are older, you cannot build or change your character for the better.

The course started from identifying why people have some bad qualities in them (eg. late for meetings, lack of commitment, personal problems, etc) and what is the root cause of it (eg. disrespectful, unreliability, anger, etc). From identifying the “headache” (bad qualities) and providing what was the “panadol” (root cause), we went to identifying what are the good characters that a person should have to overcome such things. We were given a pocket booklet, identifying 49 good characters vs the bad, each with a meaning to it (eg. Responsibility vs Unrealibility).

It continues to how to give sincere praise to people, how to show appreciation to your peers and colleagues and how to widen my views to see people’s good character rather than always harp on the bad things (be it work place or at home).

This course enlightened me to think that I’ve been seeing things from the wrong perspective… Instead of focusing and harping on a person’s bad attitude / behavior, I should instead focus on their good qualities. This will in turn make the person more confident and be more successful in life.

Courtesy of:
Paper & Ribbon: Shabby Princess Designs
Tab: Akiloune Digi’Scrapouille ©

It’s a pancake weekend! We went to Paddington House of Pancakes @ The Curve for lunch on Sat. It was unintentional, as we actually brought Pie to play at Ikano (the Playland there costing RM 5 for multiple entries). It was our 2nd time there… food was good, a different touch.

Today, I make pancakes (my first time). Initially was supposed to get my hubby to help out (I have no idea what’s the recipe for it), but he was busy letting Pea to sleep. Hence I browsed the net for ideas. Found this really easy and simple Banana Pancake recipe. When I initially browsed the net, I wanted to make pancakes and muffin. Didn’t know what other fruits house might have, I went with the all-time usual - bananas.

After getting the recipe, I found some mangoes around, thus changing it to be Mango Pancake. The end result got praised all round, but I felt that things could have been better. Will improvise the recipe in the near future (we shall see when).

Got this article from BabyCenter on signs showing how much your child loves you.

When I read the article, it makes me feel so special, coz I know what it meant now, esp. when the young one cannot talk to me… but the fact that she waits for me when I come back from work, the way that she reacts when she sees me and don’t see me, I know that she has a special place for me.

1. Your newborn stares into your eyes — he’s actually working hard to memorize your face. He doesn’t understand anything else about the world, but he knows you’re important. [Pea stares and stares non-stop. Whenever I put her down and get her to crawl, 90% she'll come crawling back to me, and wanting me to carry her.]
2. Your baby thinks about you even when you’re not around. Between 8 and 12 months old, he’ll start to scrunch his face and look around when you leave the room — and he’ll smile when you return. [Boy does Pea do it good. She's starting to cry when I leave for work, or even when I leave the room, and a great big smile (and hug coz it means I will carry her) will be given out. Same goes for Pie when she was young.]
3. Your toddler throws wicked tantrums. Nope, those screaming fits don’t mean he’s stopped loving you. He wouldn’t be so hurt and angry if he didn’t trust you so deeply. [Haha... Pie is starting to fall into this category. She don't really throw tantrums much, but she's starting to say "no" she don't want to do this or "no" she don't want to eat that. But it doesn't end there. She'll follow up with an excuse that you'll find it... how much have my kid grow ? How does she know to give such good excuses ?]
4. Your toddler runs to you for comfort when he falls down or feels sad. Kids this age may not truly understand the meaning of “I love you,” but their actions speak louder than words. [Haha... point proved. Both Pie and Pea looks for their comfort zone (person)... their Mummy!]
5. Your preschooler gives you a flower picked from the garden, a finger-painted heart, a sparkly rock, or another gift. [Pie has been giving me flowers, ever since he grandparents introduced her to the garden. It will not be long b4 Pea's turn to do so. I wonder if the garden will still have so many more flowers ? Their growing might not be as fast as the girl's picking.]
6. Your preschooler wants your approval. He’ll start to be more cooperative around the house, and he’ll look for chances to impress. “Look at me!” will become a catchphrase. [Hehe... Both girls do this. Now that Pea knows how to clap hands, wave bye-bye and move to the word "music", we've been non-stopping asking her to do so, and she obliges.]
7. Your grade-schooler trusts you with secrets, like his first crush or his most embarrassing moment. You’re his confidante, even if he shies away from your hugs in public. [Well, I'm hoping that both girls will treat me as their friend (not only Mummy), and tells me everything. Hopefully they won't keep secrets away from me (not like their Mummy when young) :)]

Hehe… When I wrote the previous post, I was using my hubby’s machine… all my pix are in my own notebook, hence no pix could be attached.

Here are some, based on the pro’s photographer’s recommendation:

View opp. Esplanade

View of Merlion

View of Clarke Quay

The following week from Hong Kong, I had to go to Singapore for a technical conference with a colleague. The conference lasted for 4 days, but since we’ve got relatives in Singapore, we decided to extend till Sunday (Hari Raya’s 2nd day).

Conference usually starts early in the morning, hence we were in Singapore the evening b4 - which meant we were not in the office for one whole week. In total for me, that meant I was not in the office for 12 days (2D for Aussie, 5D for HK & 5D for S’pore). Hmm… come to think of it, it’s not a lot. Should have gone further / more days. Haha… ppl will start killing for that then, esp. when it was the peak of the super peak season!

Singapore, oh well, what can I say ? Lots! For one, I don’t stay in any posh hotels; usually bunk in at my aunt’s place in Choa Chu Kang (CCK). This time around, got to stay in a 5-star hotel (Pan Pac)… it’s 5-star right ? Secondly, this means it’s at the heart of the shopping area… with Marina Square, Suntec City Mall, Millenia Walk & City Link Mall… it was a shopper’s paradise. C, my first photography session with a pro - hehehe (for moi, whoever can teach me good stuffs, of course pro lar) - who thought me how to take good pix at night, esp. with water surroundings. IV, never did realized that S’pore is that big; ok it’s definitely not as big as KL, but taking an hour in the MRT is definitely the longest thing that I’ve ever done here. Or it’s just that with the many stops, it makes times goes by slowly…

In a way, with all the shopping complexes around, for a 100% shopper, it’s never enough. For me, 1 is enough to cover all. Oh, I do enjoy shopping, when I need to buy something, or when I see something I like and just couldn’t resist. But I’m not the type who can shop and shop and shop till you drop. I’ve tried 6 hrs of shopping, but it’s not a daily thing that I would want to do. Hence, I only go to the shopping complexes for food and window-shop, but more importantly, for books. Moi cannot don’t have books to read… I’ll die without it!

The 4 days session was a fruitful one, banging my head with SOA from left to right, up to down; stuffing myself with the food they serve… wasn’t that great, just that everyday they would serve different variety… but I do like their uniqueness and creativity in some of the food, esp. those yummy desserts. Off hand and at this ungodly hour, couldn’t remember them… need to refer to my colleague later in the morning.

Most nights, was alone in the hotel room, which was ok with me, as I got to catch up with my tv-watching. Had a marathon of 5 - 6 hours to watch some TV series between 2 days. Wed night, I went back to CCK, as my family came down… hence got to play with Pie. She was excited to see me, but sad to see me go back to the hotel. Couldn’t help but asked me “How ’bout you stay here with me tonight ?” Looking at the way she asked, my heart also melted away, and wanted to just jumped onto the bed with her… but then thinking of the 1-hour journey back to Suntec City the next morning in the wee hours didn’t tempt me at all. We also had great times video conferencing back to KL, talking to my hubby and Pea, whom was just looking at the microphone the entire time. There was this one time she saw me through the monitor and started crying for me… poor lil’ thing, missed me so much (haha… perasan).

Thursday night, we had dinner that was held by the conference organizer at a nearby another posh hotel. After dinner, was supposed to be back early to pack, as the next day we were supposed to check out, but my colleague had other plans. She wanted to go to the Esplanade and Clarke Quay - to see the Dance Festival and Octoberfest. Via bus “11″, we reached Makansutra 10 minutes later. Music was on the roll, instructors shouting the dance steps and people dancing away. Neh, didn’t take any photos, knowingly it will never turn out right. Just enjoyed the music… tempted to follow the steps, but then, not in public man. Found a spot to take numerous of photos of the bay - attempted to take the Merlion nearer, but pix turned out blurry.

Via bus “11″ again, Clarke Quay was our next stop. Entrusting my legs to my colleague, we set off … and got lost in Singapore. Haha It was supposingly to be a nearby stop… about 15 mins away from Marina Bay, but we didn’t go to the correct road, hence walking further and further away, until after stopping 4 people for directions, we ended taking the MRT there. View at Clarke Quay was also amazing - different colours of lights glittering in the water. There’s this bungy ride called G-Max - a nerve wrecking, heart stopping experience for me (even from the ground, not even stepping and experience the ride yet). It’s actually a ride whereby people sitting inside the capsule will be thrown in the air (literally) tied to 2 towers… imagine playing a yo-yo, but this time it’s much bigger and much higher in the air… and you’ll be hanging in the air for ages (which I think it’s actually a minute or less)… If you’re those who are up to the challenge, like adrenaline activities, then you should try this one…

After an adrenaline rush (from down below), we headed back to the hotel. It was past midnight, and we had a long walk back (almost 1/4 the time it took us there), taking in the silent night of Singapore. Legs were killing me, body was tired… but couldn’t sleep at all that night (or rather morning). By the time I had my shut eye, it was close to 3, and for the first time that week, I was too lazy to wake up in the morning. * yawn * No mood to even attend the conference, quite tempted to just skip the class.

After lasting 4 days session, enough was enough… the conference ended, brain full of SOA - which is now 70% given back to them. It was time to go back to my daughter She’s definitely in high spirits seeing me, keep telling me she got new friends during play time and swimming time. My aunt was telling her “I stay here for few years also never make new friends, you are here just for 3 days only already got so many friends”. Haha… Pie’s friends are like hi and bye kind of thing. Like she’s going to keep in touch with them.

Sat was my aunt’s birthday, so we had early dinner @ Soup Restaurant, Causeway Point (my fav rest in S’pore). Their all-time favourite, Sam Sui Kai, is actually steamed chicken which is tender, served with ginger sauce and lettuce. How to eat it ? Go the Jo’s way - take 1 piece of chicken, put onto the lettuce, put some ginger sauce, wrap the lettuce, and bit into it. You’ll have the crunchiness of the lettuce, the tenderness of the chicken and the gingerness of the ginger sauce - all in that 1 bit. Check out some of the reviews of the restaurant:

• http://makankings.blogspot.com/2007/01/singapore-soup-restaurant.html
• http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2889945-soup_restaurant_singapore-i
• http://www.foodtourist.com/ftguide/Content/I425.htm

Lastly, we bought a cake from Bengawan Solo. Surprisingly, the cake was quite nice… it was Fruit Gateau, which was a vanilla sponge cake with fruits (i.e. peaches, grapes and kiwis) on the top and white choc pieces at the side. The cake was light and the white choc was good. Couldn’t resist 2 pieces myself… haha…

As usual, Pie enjoyed the time most… she went swimming 3 times, imagine just about 1 week stay in Singapore and went 3 times swimming, whereas in KL, we don’t bring her anywhere to swim. Reason ? I guess the pool at my aunt’s condo is much cleaner than the ones in KL.