A new chapter in life

To some, this chapter comes early, but to others like me… It just came late… It might not even have reached, if not for an opportunity that cropped up… after series of ups and downs…

14 years with the same company, it’s finally sayonara time. Obviously there are a lot of mixed emotions… Throughout the years, I’ve made a lot of good friends, some of them are my customers that is currently part of my FB list… Other times are those down-sides whereby I wished that the day hadn’t come, or that it would have gone like the wind…

But the best of all was receiving my parting present from the customer that I’ve only known for 4 months… If I didn’t make this move, I wouldn’t have confirmed it 100% that I did made the difference… and I am really proud of the achievement…

I know I’m doing the right thing, to move on… and I am excited on the new venture. However, it’s sad to think that sooner or later, I might lose some good friends along the way… I need to make more effort in keeping those promises to keep in touch…

 

Chinese New Year’ 2010

Gong Xi Fa Cai to all Chinese friends out there! Wishing all Good Health & Good Wealth in the Year of Tiger!

Helped my MIL to baked cake this year, as she wasn’t good with the new oven. It was a tiring process, esp. baking the Indonesian Layered Cake, as that itself takes about 2 hours… just to pour in lil’ batter and bake, pour and bake, until finished all the batter…

Though the cake was a bit on the hard side, however I got totally thumbs up from my girls (*grin*) and MIL was quite impressed as well… though she felt that it could be better (who wouldn’t ?) Anyway, will attempt again… when I feel like it … hehe 🙂

Raya Hols: Baking & Cooking @ Home

With the long weekend ahead, I planned to try out some new dishes for the family. Below are some of the food that we had during the weekend:

Banana Pancake – Hubby made this

Tri-Color Ham & Cheese on Toast Bread (Layers of Ham & Cheese)

Sausage Puff (for the Kids) – Recipe from Seasaltwithfood

Tuna Puff (for the Adults)

Yam Rice – Recipe from Delicious Asian Food

Time at the new house

Ever since we’ve moved to the new house (so called moved in, though we only sleep there during weekends), I could be constantly found in the kitchen (something that is a rare sight at my current place)… I guess now that I have my own house (and kitchen), I would want to cook something nice for my family to eat… it might not be something elaborate and grand, neither complex… just a simple one dish meal to 3 dishes meal will satisfy the entire lot…

I do have the intention to explore and expand my culinary skills, however that will take time. Obviously I’ve been telling my friends about this and that recipes, and mind you, I did have my fair share of trying them out… however with young children at home and needy at some stage, certain recipes will have to be put aside… will try them out when I have the time or when my kids grow older… haha… and of coz when I do get around the buy the oven…

Reminiscing the Year 2008

* Super backdated post 🙂 *

The Year 2008 has been quite eventful for me. I got to travel to a lot of places, had loads of fun, had my share of cooking and baking though not much) and hordes of strength to take care of the 2 girls (you’ll be surprised that the 2 girls are able to bring the house down)…

January

• Pie’s first year in kindergarten – surprisingly she didn’t kicked a fuss in the 1st week; 1st day was just crying and not letting go of us, 2nd day was having red eye but not much tears, 3rd day was happy to be sitting there and learning 🙂

April

• Few of my firsts – went to Bandung with my colleagues (not so closed ones)
• Went to Langkawi (if not mistaken, the last time I was there, I was just a baby, even younger than Pea) with Hubby’s family
• Pie’s first time school sports day. Each class had to attempt 2 games. At the end of the day, all children gets a gift, as an encouragement and appreciation to them

May

• For the 1st time, my company had a team building session. Thought it was held somewhere nearby (Port Dickson), it didn’t dampen our team spirits. Splitting me and flatmates into different groups, we had to go through a few challenges and trying to emerge as the 1st one so that we get additional points / items for the next round. I thoroughly enjoyed this session, eventhough it was hot and sweaty, eventhough I had to miss Mother’s Day celebration, no doubt… I had a good time and it was totally fun!!!
• Though Pie wasn’t feeling well the day before, we brought her to her kindy for her early b’day celebration, just before the school hols. It was just a quite 10 mins of singing b’day song, cutting cake and eating it, I can see that she thoroughly enjoyed her day with her friends. Every single day, she’ll come back and tell us who is her best friend and who are her classmates.

June

• Another 1st time, I got to travel out of the country, on my company’s expense (oops… ok it was not the first – the 1st time was to Singapore), but then this time around it was even farther than Singapore… it was to Netherlands… and for a whole 2 weeks!!! Initially was quite excited, but after the 1st week, I missed my home super lots… esp. my 2 girls. Nevertheless, Netherlands was fun… and I went to Amsterdam!!! Had regrets not going there during my studies last time and thought that I would never ever get to go Europe anymore… Just my luck I guess, that this time around I was selected to go there… However, I missed out Father’s Day celebration (also!)

August

• Took a day off to celebrate hubby’s b’day… spent the day with him without the kids… such long time we’ve never had a couple’s day out…
• For the 1st time, he went out dating with a pretty girl… Pie 🙂 He brought her to watch Wall-E… she was so excited that her Daddy was bringing her out to watch a movie…

November

• Pie’s school concert – Not too sure who enjoyed this more, Pie / Pea. Pie could be enjoying coz she got to dance in front of everyone with her class; Pea also equally enjoying it as she was dancing to the tune (practically every tune) below the stage. Till date, she would request to watch Pie’s concert CD, so that she get to dance every night. And… she can memorize all the dances now… she even danced all of them during our pre-CNY dinner, an entertainment that couldn’t be found elsewhere 🙂

December

• A full month of non-stop action (esp. for hubby) to get the house up and ready for the big day. After putting up grilles and lights and fans, hubby had to paint the entire house (incl. ceiling) during the weekends and any other public holidays, just in time for our January’s ‘yup foh’ (moving in).

Here’s hoping that 2009 will have equal or more memories…

Am I wrong or Am I being wronged ? (Part II)

The problem has been resolved… I thought my boss would lecture us (esp. me) for preparing such brief minutes, and that he would take a step back and review the entire thing with our customer. However, instead of doing that, he made his stand for the entire team, stating that we are only putting in facts – facts are facts, that none of it is untrue.

Though I feel that my boss have made his stand, the way my customer replied was too soft. I guess they would just want to settle the issue once and for all, so that things can move again.

We are trying to move on, but not too sure how the other party will act. For these few days, they have been providing information / resources as requested. So we shall see how long the thing can last…

Am I wrong or Am I being wronged ?

I was supposed to be up early to prepare for one of the tender… I promised my boss that I’ll give him some information by morning… however I can only concentrate half-heartedly…

I have no idea if this year is totally not a good year for me… Initially, things were quite smooth… making me think that the title of this web site doesn’t suit me anymore… however events that started to happen in the past few months made me think twice… even to the fact of whether am I still suited in this working environment.

Just last week, I’ve tried my best to put in all my effort and even tried to change for the better. However, if the events were to happen one after another, I wouldn’t know how long I can withstand them.

Obviously I wouldn’t mention the reason I put such title, else I might face with another comment of ‘tarnishing ppl’s reputation’! Though I wouldn’t say I’m feeling so much better, but expressing these things out made me released some tension out…

I have a totally long day to go today… and to face the person who thinks I am wrong, but me thinking otherwise… *sigh* it’ll be a total long day!!!

A Father’s love for his Family

Yesterday was a big moment for Pie… it was her first year-end kindergarten concert. Daddy had to purposely take a day off, coz it was supposingly to be a working day for him (he works on alternate Saturdays). In addition to that, we were to have a family dinner to celebrate my father’s birthday.

On Wed aft, Daddy called to let me know that he needs to go outstation for work, and should be back the next day. However, the next day, Daddy said work isn’t complete yet, hence had to extend his stay there. I asked him if he remembers that it’s Pie’s concert the next day and whether he really would be back by Friday night ? He answered, yes, he’ll be back then. Friday evening, he sms-ed me to say that he’ll be late… it was about 10+ pm when he sms-ed me informing me he has started his journey and it’ll take about 6 hours to reach home. I was worried of 2 things: the first one is of his safety coz he’ll be driving at night, the second one whether he will attend Pie’s concert or not.

However, from his actions, I truely believe that Pie is at the top priority, else he wouldn’t have had the late drive (after a long day); instead he could have just told me that it’s been a long day and he needs his rest, hence he’ll skipped Pie’s concert.

He reached home around 4am, and went to bed immediately. I pitied him, as I know I’ll have to wake him up by 7.30 am at most… which he willing obliged…

I asked him on the way to my Mum’s place if he had thoughts of not driving home that late… he said nope… Pie’s concert is important to him. Hearing his words made me wanna cry… now I know how important family is to him (coz previously we had talks about his priorities 🙂 ) * going to take a tissue soon *

In fact, after Pie’s concert, he had to drive up all the way to Genting for the birthday dinner… Though he is tired, he is also willing to sacrifice for his family… thus I wanna tell him… I love you Daddy!!!

What a Chocolatey Day… and I’ve failed :(

Pictures of the chocolate chip cookies… or so called…

1st & 2nd batch (Chocolate Chip Cookie Squares)

3rd batch (Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes)

4th batch (Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie)

As the post subject goes, I totally failed in baking a good chocolate chip cookie (in an actual cookie size). Will have to think of how to make them in a good cookie shape. Anyone wanna share any tips ?

What a Chocolatey Day

While I’m writing this post away, I have 2 trays of chocolate chip “cookies” in the oven baking away. You must be wondering why did I put inverted commas at the cookies…

When I initially started this, I did intend to bake chocolate chip cookies… however my 1st and 2nd batch were ruined (in a way). The taste was superb (cheh wah!) but the looks were totally out… not any ordinary cookie shapes you would have seen. They were all glued together like baking a cake or pastry or something. Will put up the pix later on to show you what I meant.

Hence, I’m currently trying to separate them by putting them into cups (something like cupcakes). Maybe I can turn the recipe to be called Chocolate Chip Cupcakes 🙂

Am crossing my fingers that it would turn out better than the 1st and 2nd batch… Will upload pix to show you at the end of the day 🙂

Meanwhile, enjoy this simple recipe that I got from Nigella’s website.