LERK YUAN 乐园

A visit to Ong Kongsi

2012-02-13T13:36:00.000+08:00

This year since my Bro was not around, we have to followed my parents to the Clan Temple to pay respect to my grandparents after we came back from Kelantan. Since I am a Catholic, I treated it as All Souls Day. :P

This is my screensaver currently.

All the Datuks.

The only place that my graduation photo is still hanging on the wall.

I am at the top left.

A happy man.

My grandparents.

Finally a group photo.

Time to say Goodbye

2012-02-10T15:36:00.002+08:00

It was never easy for the boys to say Goodbye to their cousins, uncles and aunties. The night before we left, HL burst into tears before he slept. HY was too tired & knocked off once he lie down.

This boy started to weep once we were in the car.

But not for long .................

Hehe!!!

As usual we stopped by Belum Rainforest Resort for lunch. The restaurant at the downhill that was normally opened for lunch was closed for renovation so we had got the chance to visit the restaurant at the top, which was actually just ~~one minute~~ 2 minutes drive up.

Even the toilet was with green scenery.

The view from the restaurant.

~~Felt like in Cameron.~~ Rainforest.

Exploring near the restaurant.

This is the restaurant.

Hotel rooms.

As usual, the serving size for Western Food such as spaghetti was small but if you order Asian Delight such as Mee Goreng Mamak, the portion was reasonable. However, we felt that the food quality there was kind of erratic.

First day of Dragon Year

2012-02-02T11:29:00.000+08:00

It is a tradition that hubby's family visit to the temple on the 1st day of CNY. We just tagged along.

HY with Cousin SJ.

Hubby with 2nd BIL.

A group photo.

Hubby and me.

2nd BIL & SIL.

Hubby's youngest brother with his family.

The poor boy had a fall and knocked his head just before CNY.

Elder BIL and family.

Later we went for brunch at Hubby's uncle house.

The steamed pumpkin cake that I brought from Penang. I made 2 types.

This is the one with grated pumpkin.

This is the one with cubed pumpkin.
Hubby pan-fried the cakes in the morning.

Everyone said the cubed pumpkin tasted better.

But I think the grated one look better in appearance.

My chocolate ~~cake~~ brownies.

Besides Pumpkin Cakes and Brownies, BIL tapao Nasi Dagang and Nasi Kerabu which were Kelantan specialty.

During our stay there, whenever we scolded HY or when he was sad because bullied by other bigger kids, he would koala bear to his uncle.

Still holding his uncle hand while HY played with Cousin SJ.

Followed his uncle whenever he went.

Line up for ang pows.

Playing with games again.

Peaceful brunch after the kids settled down with games.

Cousin Soon and his family.

Me with lil princess.

Time for TV.

Cousin XN and Cousin SW.

At night we had Lou Shang for dinner.

Hubby's granny and me.

Huat ah!!!

年二九

2012-01-31T14:33:00.001+08:00

The next day we woke up to a misty morning.

We spent the day by watching TV.

Swinging the kid.

Running around.

Cycling in the house.

Finally MIL got a chance to sit down.

Cousin XN who is just a few weeks younger than HY.

Later that evening we went to hubby's uncle house for reunion dinner.
Look at the number of dishes on the table.

Cooked by 2nd SIL.

Cooked by Hubby.

Cooked by 2nd BIL.

Children had their own reunion dinner at the corner.

Hubby's granny.

Iphone to keep the children occupied after dinner.

Cousin XY entertained HY with her sketches.

年二八

2012-01-30T13:28:00.001+08:00

This year we went back to Kelantan early, 2 days before CNY which was 年二八.

We have to pass by Pulau Banding.

In upbeat mood.

MIL's mini market was still in business on that day.

The boys were so happy because they can eat anything in the store.

Jumping over the deep drain.

Pre-reunion dinner.

FIL's freeze one bowl of his famous 扣肉 before the accident.

MIL saved it until now when all of us were back.

Gong Xi Fatt Chai

2012-01-20T15:28:00.001+08:00

Last Friday, I bought a packet of Yee Sang from Sake Sushi to enjoy with my parents.

Haut ah!

Yummy!

Gong Xi Fatt Chai to all my friends and especially to my Bro. Hopes that we can do this together again next year. We are heading back to Kelantan tomorrow. Happy Dragon Year.

Last Saturday before CNY

2012-01-19T14:29:00.001+08:00

We are going back to Kelantan this Saturday so last Saturday was the last Saturday that we were in Penang.

In our house, we hubby collects all recyclable items and send them to recycle centre once a month. Normally he will get RM5 to RM8 per visit. Last Saturday, he hit the records of RM10 from the below piles of treasures.

The boys washed HL's white shoes after breakfast.

After that HL washed the toilet. Can you spot me in the mirror?

Brushing the tiles.

Later we went down town to get some dry seafood for my mom as CNY's gifts. First time in my life that I bought such thing, hubby joked that age is catching up.

Then we went to Dome at 1st Avenue for lunch.

The boys had spaghetti.

Hubby had sandwiches and chips while I had chicken pie.

Regret going there for lunch. The food was not fresh and felt that it was coming from Microwave. It just doesn't matched with the price that we paid. I think food at Dome Gurney Plaze has better quality.

Preparation for CNY

2012-01-18T16:09:00.001+08:00

All these years I have been very lucky that I don't have to prepare Chinese New Year's dishes. Normally FIL would do all the cooking and I only have to clean up the dishes after meals. This year since FIL had left us, I try to contribute one simple dish for every meal with hubby's help. This weekend we are going back with our non-stick pan.

We are going to contribute grilled porks for reunion dinner.

I have made 2 pans of steamed pumpkin cake over the past 2 weekends and they are in my freezer now.

This will be the breakfast for 1st day of CNY.

I baked 2 chocolate cakes for breakfast on 1st day of CNY. Also in my freezer now.

Hubby is going to grilled salmon on 1st day of CNY for dinner.

Besides that, I have baked 2 types of cookies to bring along which I bake in a rush at last minute.

Vanilla Wafer.

Chocolate cookies.

Finally not forgetting the Rum Fruits Cake that I baked for my mum since she was craving for Fruits Cake.

Home Alone

2012-01-16T14:18:00.003+08:00

I go to market every Sunday to buy fruits. I prefer to go early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Yesterday papa needed to get some veggie so we decided to go together before the boys woke up. Yeah, they were home alone for the first time. :P

We switched off all the lights except the light at the staircase because we knew that HY won't come downstairs if there is no light.

When we came back, all the lights in the living room were on and the 2 two boys were both playing downstairs. It was merely 7am. HL told me that he was not afraid as he knew that we went to market and will be home shortly. However Didi wanted mummy so HL wanted to call us. I asked him how can he call us when he didn't have our numbers. He told me that he has it. By the way, Ah Mah forgot to fetch him on the 4th days of school, the teacher called papa. :( So we gave him a card with our contact. He still remember that card. But he did not make the call. Why? Because he found both our handphones in the drawer. We forgot to bring our handphones along. :P This boy is smarter than we thought.

But Didi complaint and didn't want to be home alone again, even for a short while, even when Kor Kor was around.

Lets play Horsi Horse

2012-01-11T16:43:00.002+08:00

Lately the boys enjoyed playing a game. Its called Horsi Horse and its only involved two of them. I have no idea how was the name came from. They played it almost everyday just before bedtime.

I don't understand why Kor Kor loves to play this game because he is always the horse. Maybe he loves it when Didi giggles non-stop? Whenever Didi is naughty, Kor kor will threaten not to play horsi horse with him and Didi will start whining. :P

Separation Anxiety

2012-01-06T13:06:00.001+08:00

No, not the Std 1 but the 3yrs+.

I have checked to my previously posting and realised that HY had been attending nursery for 2 years. Every morning we dropped a happy boy to school. He normally run happily inside with or without Kor Kor (when Kor Kor was sick and have to rest at home). We thought that we have an outgoing and independent boy until last week.

When we started preparing Kor Kor for Primary, when we talked about new school, when we bought new uniforms and new shoes, when we gave Kor Kor new bag and stationery, HY started showing anxiety.

On the Orientation Day (Friday), we planned to drop HY to his kindy before we headed to the Primary. But he wanted to tag along. So I let him. He was shocked. The school was big, the staircase was huge and the classroom was enormous to him. He was nervous.

When we dropped the boys off to the kindy after Orientation, HY refused to go. He cried and wanted to go home for the first time after 2 years of attending kindy.

That night I talked to him. He didn't want to go to neither his school nor Kor kor's new school but to my office. :P He mumbled in his dream that he doesn't want to go to school.

I talked to him again on Saturday and he cried to sleep and woke up several times crying.

On Sunday we decided to drop the topic. But he was still sad because Kor Kor had started Catechism Class on that day. Kor kor have to leave home early at 9am to attend Children Praise and Worship followed by Catechism Class and worst still he has to seat with his class for the Sunday Mass. HY was lost without company.

Luckily School only started on Tuesday so Monday both boys still went to the kindy together. But it didn't help much. He woke up, took his bath and breakfast as usual but when we reached school. He asked me, "Mummy 我 leh?" (What about me?) Again he refused to let go and cried. We have to left him behind in tears while we went to office.

At night, I postponed all my daily chores and accompanied the lil boy. And we asked Jesus to accompany him to school during our night prayer.

The next day, while we expected more chaos, the lil boy told me, "Mummy 你去office. 我去school. Ah Mah 来找我." What he means is Ah Mah will come and fetch me. Finally he understand and went to school happily. Phew!

2011 Christmas and New Year

2012-01-04T15:38:00.002+08:00

Yes, I have not finished my Christmas post yet.

On the 7 days of Christmas which was also the last day of 2011, I woke up pretty early, around 6am because I have to prepare the door gift for our BEC Christmas and New Year Party. I have to prepare 25 pax of door gifts for children. We bought some biscuits, butterscotch candy and kit kat to fill up the goodies bag.

I printed greetings and stick to the paper bags.

HL woke up early and helped me.

He sneaked some when he noticed that the biscuits were almost gone. :P

Luckily HY only woke up when we were almost done.

After breakfast, papa asked HL painted his white shoes since school starts this week.
HY was fooling with another bottle of white paint at the back.

Later we went to Queensbay Mall for shopping because Ah Mah wanted to get some new clothes for the coming CNY.

We had lunch at Canton-I because.............

................. they were serving Angry Bird Steamed Bun.

I decided to pamper the boys on the last day of the year.

Because this Ugly Bird costed me RM8 for a pair.

The chef definitely needs to improve his skills because it looked different from the poster.

HL didn't mind at all and played happily with his Angry Bird Bun before it ended in his stomach.

Me with the younger boy who looked cheeky in this photo.

He always have better appetite with we dined outside.

But still a picky boy.
He nibbled the bun and declared that it was not edible. :P

We headed home empty handed, took a nap and I baked pizza for the party in the evening.

Tuna and pineapples pizza.

We had pot luck that night at Aunty Susan's house.

Hubby did the opening prayer before we start.

After dinner we did some carolling with the children.

We even had a Santa Clause.

And a game before we parted.
We had a great evening with great company.

This is my last post on Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 to you all. May all our wishes come true.

2011 Christmas at Workplace

2011-12-31T05:00:00.000+08:00

Every year we have gift exchange at the office. Normally we will buy gift for the name that we drawn.

Gift gathered at the office.

Normally rules were set that food was not allowed.

But not this year. So I took the opportunity and baked Almond Chocolate Chip cookies.

The actual celebration was held at E&O Hotel one week before Christmas. The dress code were either angel (white & blue), santa (red & white) or devil (black). In my department there was dress code for every single event and normally majority will come in the dress code with lots and accessories.

So I was a devil (head band) dress in red (santa?), wrong dress code.

I saw nice display on the table done by my colleague.

Door gift prepared by my collegue, a Christmas CD.

Seat had been arranged, our names were on the blue tag placed on the bread plate.

Presents were arranged on the respective table. :)

I found my present.

Since I arrived early, I went to explore the Christmas decoration at the hotel.

A huge Christmas tree at the lobby.

Christmas wreath.

Arch at the entrance of the restaurant.

Fresh bread.

We played games before lunch started.

There were 2 devil (in black) with santa hat in my group, so not only me in wrong dress code that day.

Our creation. But we lost the game.

All the santa (in red) lined up for picture.

I enjoyed myself very much and I am thankful that I can work with all these nice people.

First day to Primary

2011-12-30T11:43:00.000+08:00

A short break from my Christmas posting. Today marked a new chapter of life for HL as he went to his primary for Orientation.

As usual, the 2 brothers have breakfast with papa in the morning before they leave for school.

Kor kor shared his biscuits with Didi when the younger one demand for more.

Next week onwards, HL has to have breakfast on his own because we will still busy in the kitchen at that hour.

A photo with Papa before we left our house.

HL in his classroom.

A trespasser dashed in.

Time to go home.

We wished you all the best throughout your study. Remember that marks or results are not the most important thing. Do enjoy the process of learning. Only knowledge will carry with you for the rest of your life.

2011 Christmas-Part 3

2011-12-29T08:30:00.000+08:00

On the second day of Christmas my 4th Auntie invited us to her house for lunch. She has a big garden with pond and the boys love it.

HY was busy checking out the surrounding.

HL dipped his feet inside the pond with his slipper.

Checking out the fish in the pond.

Finally rest for a moment on the deck.

Do you know what was he up to?

Papa asked him to jump across.

"I don't think I can make it."

"My leg was not long enough."

Did he make it? Yes, he did it after Lil Uncle show him how easy it was.

HY kept throwing pebbles into the pond that Ee Poh wanted to throw him inside too.

HY with Lil Auntie.

The boys with their Lil Uncle.

My mom with her younger sister who went back to KL after we left.

2011 Christmas-Part 2

2011-12-28T08:30:00.000+08:00

Every year Christmas my mom's family will gathered for Christmas cum my grandma's birthday celebration.

The birthday girl.

Potluck.

My mom and my 4th Auntie.

My youngest cousin, only 2 years older than HL.

Nativity set at my uncle's house.

My grandma with her youngest great grandchild, as at now.

My youngest Auntie makes the birthday cake every year.

HY could not keep his hands off the angry birds.

Obviously I had to covered up his mouth when we sang birthday song.

Finally I have to pull him away.

But everyone wanted him to blow the candle.

Just as he wished.

He had a great time playing with the Angry Birds.

2011 Christmas-Part 1

2011-12-27T13:34:00.016+08:00

This year Christmas fell on Sunday but our Christmas celebration started really early on Friday night. The boys went to the Children Christmas Party organised by our church. It was a simple party with some games, carolling and light refreshment. The boys got their first presents there from the Santa Claus.

On Christmas Eve, my mom invited her 2 sisters and family over for lunch. We had a great catch-up. However I was too busy to snap any photos.

On Christmas morning, I baked some Banan Caramel Bread Pudding from leftover bread for breakfast.

My mom also brought over some freshly baked bread for us. The benefit of staying nearby.

Some leftover mee hoon.

We had breakfast in pyjamas. :P

After that we went for Morning Mass.

This year Nativity decoration in church.

After mass, the Youth Group set up a Carolling Choir at the church foyer.

They have guitars, drum and Santa Claus.

Santa Claus giving out sweets.

HL counting his sweets from Santa.

Little Angel.

Later we went home for lunch.

Roast chicken.

Roast Veggie.

Yellow Raisin Rice.

Grilled Garlic Bread.

And Lentil Soup.

Our guest of honour, my parents.

Hubby and mom.

Angry bird.

HY with Ah Kong.

Me and my lil boy.

HL, me and his drumstick.

With my lovely parents.

Dessert was Chocolate Banana Pie.

Then it was opening of presents.

Pageboy in action

2011-12-22T17:23:00.017+08:00

Finally last Sunday was the day. We didn't know what was his responsibilities until the actual day because there was no rehersal. :( So all we could tell him was to listen carefully and follow whatever instruction given.

Yes, HL was not the only pageboy. He was quite nervous in the beginning.

Began to relax.

Hey, in his ownself now.

Posing with my boy.

Why everyone was so serious except my boy?

Ok, finally everyone was ready. :P

There were a ring bearer, 3 pageboys and 3 flower girls.

HL's partner is a cute girl. Later I was told that she is from his Kindy and her name is Angie.

Walking down the aisle.

Mission accomplished.

Posing with papa and HY.

HY had a bow tie too.

Finally a family photo.

After the wedding, I asked HL whether he enjoyed his role as a pageboy. The answer is "No" because he has to walked really really slow. :P

Our vacant veggie patch

2011-12-19T16:58:00.001+08:00

It was 3 months ago since the last time our veggie patch was covered by edible greens. We were quite exhausted since Joy, our temporary helper went home and my mom went abroad. In addition, the soil was infertile after few rounds on harvest and trespass of roots from next door's bushes. It may look abandoned apparently, however underneath the soil are buried with nutritious compost that will feed the edible greens. The greens will be back soon after the much needed rest. Stay tune.

Today's lunch

2011-12-14T14:10:00.001+08:00

From top clockwise, plain chickpeas that I cooked on Sunday, the 2 big ones are olives. Have I ever mentioned that I love olives?

The slightly burnt was Korean style Carrot Pancake, hubby altered the recipe from here. He substitued all those veggie with one carrot because we only have that in the fridge this morning He omitted the egg, added 1tsp of sugar, 1/2 tsp of baking soda and 1 tbs of vinegar. Previously we always felt that something was missing from his pancake compared to the complimentary pancake from a Korean restaurant that we frequent. Now we know that it was due to the baking soda and vinegar.

Followed by Kimchi made by my mom and some steamed broccoli. At the bottom were home cooked sweet and sour tomato sauce and some noodles.

Not in the picture were leftover green bean soup and coffee.

Preparing for Chirstmas at home

2011-12-13T11:12:00.001+08:00

We started preparing for Chirstmas over the weekend. Hubby was busy decorating the cabinet in front of our living room while I were busy baking cookies for the Chirstmas gift exchange at the workplace.

Our DIY Nativity set. :)

It was all made from recycle boxes. Hubby decorated the roof with dried palm that we have kept since Palm Sunday. Laid some hays made of hamster wood shaving and dried palm leaves. After that he printed the pictures of the Holy Family and the 3 Kings and glued them on a card board. Cut them out and made a stand at the back. There you are, they just look marvelous in the stable with the glittering light.

The full decoration.

As for me, I were too lazy to snap a photo of my cookies after I packed and decorated the container. :( But I still have some extra dough left in the freezer which I am going to bake this weekend as the church carolling team is coming over this Saturday. Hopefully I will snap some photos then. Hohoho!!!

Second encounter with Robots

2011-12-12T14:42:00.036+08:00

Last Friday night,

Me: Guess where are we going tomorrow?

HL: Where? (Did not even look up and continue playing with his toy.)

Me: There is a science fair at PISA and you will see robot there.

He turned, looked at me and I saw sparkle in his eyes.

HL: You mean real robot that can move, like the ones in TV?

Me: Yes, just likes the one in TV.

Looking at my enthusiastic boy, I wasn't so sure now and I prayed that we would see the robot in the below banner the next day.

We were really excited when we saw the first robot displayed at one of the college booth. We asked a lot of question. Later we realised that there were more complicated robots constructed by secondary students. All the robots were constructed using off-the shelf Lego Mindstorm kits to make their specific function robots. Most schools, even primary have set up Robotics Club and let children explore on the application. It was not build from scratch. :( Although they stressed that students have to plan, design, construct and improve to make the robots worked, I was a little bit disappointed at the end. I thought those robots were designed and created by students. I think my expectation was set too high. I should be happy that children have the opportunity learning to program and innovate using the kits to make a robot with specific functions. It was like making a "moving" Lego model, there were robotic wheel chair, blind guide, boxing robots, goal keeper and etc.

HY was so excited.

HY checking on the robot from National Instruments.

The last counter we visited was solar-powered project funded by Mini Circuit. HL enjoyed shinning the sport light to the solar panel to move the car on a track. When we reached home, the first thing that HL wanted to do was making a robot with his immobile lego set. When he woke up from his nap, he asked papa to find his solar powered science kit that had long been frozen in the cabinet.

HL's Morning Prayer

2011-12-09T14:29:00.000+08:00

Last night while lying on bed, HL started the below conversation.

HL: Mummy, 我早上也有祈祷的.

Me: 可以讲给我听吗?

HL: 我讲English的. (We usually said our night prayer in Mandarin.)

"Good morning God. ......................................... (I forgot what he said, somthing common like thank you for a good sleep and please bless us.) .................. Please help the poor and the sick. (Suddenly I was awake. Not bad. Not sure where he learnt this phrase from, the poor and the sick. Must be from one of the story books that I bought from church recently) Please bring my papa and mummy to heaven when they died. (Wow, I am touched.) Amen."

Graduation 2011

2011-12-06T13:49:00.002+08:00

HL is going to primary in less than a month. He had his graduation at USM two weeks ago before holiday started.

Getting his certificate from Teacher Leana, his principal.

My big boy was really happy throughout the ceremony.

Although there was a sad incident incurred during his 3 years in kindy, overall I am still satisfy with his progress on both academic and personal development. He is able to read story book on his own, shown interest in Science, very environmental friendly and have good manners (most of the time). I hope that he enjoys his primary as much as his kindy and will not be overloaded with homework next year.

我可以洗吗?

2011-12-02T14:00:00.000+08:00

HY watched Ah Mah cleaning the dishes.

Ah Mah: 为什么不去玩?

HY: 我在学嘛. 我可以洗吗? 我吃菜多多，有力了。可以洗吗? Papa 在家有给Kor kor 洗的。可以吗?

So my 3yrs old baby was trying to convince Ah Mah letting him washing the dishes. LOL!

Will you take care of me?

2011-11-25T09:04:00.000+08:00

We love to ask HL this question. "Will you take take care of me when I am old?" And this comes hand by hand with "Will you wash my buttock when I am old?". A bit disgsting I know but we just love to hear the answer.

Last night hubby was into this topic again.

Hubby: Will you take care of me when I am old?

HL: Yes.

Hubby: Will you wash my buttock when I am old?

HL: Yes.

Silence. Thinking.

HL: But how do I take care of both papa and mummy? Oh, when I get marry my wife will take care of mummy.

Silence. Thinking.

HL: But what happen when I have baby? Baby is very noisy. I have to take care of baby and cannot take care of you already.

Me: Can. When Ah Mah is old, I will take care of you and Ah Mah also. Ah Mah also take care of Ah Chor when she comes.

Happy ending.

Same recipe but different results

2011-11-24T15:54:00.003+08:00

Last Friday I made some Chocolate Banana Cupcakes for the boys to bring to school for their Prize Giving Party. I would not blog about it if I didn't read this post this morning. What a coincident that my friend choose the same recipe for her son's school party which was held last week too.

I didn't feel like posting because my frosting looks gross although it tasted great.

Joyce, how come yours look so nice? What tips that you used?

The original recipe was from here. I found the blog through Giddy Tiger and I love cupcakes recipe from Love & Olive Oil because all of her cupcake recipes were without eggs.

BEC Sharing-Be a wise bridesmaid

2011-11-17T11:17:00.000+08:00

玛25：1-13

那時，天國好比十個童女，拿著自己的燈，出去迎接新郎。她們中五個是糊塗的，五個是明智的。糊塗的拿了燈，卻沒有隨身帶油；而明智的拿了燈，並且在壺裏帶了油。因為新郎遲延，她們都打盹睡著了。半夜有人喊說：新郎來了，你們出來迎接吧!那些童女遂都起來，裝備她們的燈。糊塗的對明智的說：把妳們的油，分些給我們吧! 因為我們的燈快要滅了!明智的答說：怕為我們和妳們都不夠，更好妳們到賣油的那裏去，為自己買吧!她們去買的時候，新郎到了，那準備好了的，就同他進去，共赴婚宴；門遂關上了。末後，其餘的童女也來了，說：主啊! 主啊! 給我們開門吧!他卻答說：我實在告訴妳們：我不認識妳們。所以，你們該醒寤，因為你們不知道那日子，也不知道那時辰。

BEC 聚会福音分享

这段福音里，耶稣在次提醒我们必需时时刻刻作好准备以迎接他再次的来临。耶稣也曾讲过：“不是凡向我說『主啊! 主啊!』的人，就能進入天國；而是那承行我在天之父旨意的人，才能進天國。（玛7：21）。

一位弟兄的分享：我们好比一盏油灯，灯芯需要油来继续燃烧发光。我们怎么确保我们的油继续得到补充？每当我们奉献给天主，天主就赐下油给我们。只是每个星期日参加主日弥撒并不能“赚得“ 足够的油，我们还得为教会服务，这样我们的油才会常用常满，至到我们的“新郎”的到来。

我非常认同这位弟兄的分享。只是每个星期日参加主日弥撒并不足以坚强我的信德。当我们的油用尽了，我们的信仰也变得不坚定。感谢天主的召叫，让我有机会为基信团奉献。在这五个月的基信团聚会中我看到了我和弟兄姐妹们的成长。团员们不畏地分享他们信仰的经验，为主作见证。团员的分享让我们的信仰活跃了起来。对福音的反思让我们把福音运用在我们的生活当中。而我从在基信团聚会中赚了不少的油。

我对福音里其中一段，开始时很困惑“怕為我們和妳們都不夠，更好妳們到賣油的那裏去，為自己買吧!“。为何那五个明智的童女这么自私？为何不同舟共济，把油分给愚蠢的呢？思考后我意识这段福音告诉我们，我们的油必须由自己赚取，并不能靠别人施舍，别人也不能为你施舍。我们必须时时刻刻作好准备，为天主的旨意生活。

太太的分享：新郎为何半夜才来，为何要童女等到打盹了也迟迟不来？这就如天主在我们的生命当中遇到挫折时试探我们的信德，我们如不坚定，可能因此埋怨，渐渐远离了天主。当我们遇到挫折时更应该投靠他，求他继续赐我们油，不让我们的灯半途熄灭。

Family time

2011-11-15T11:19:00.001+08:00

During the recent Raya Haji holidays, 2nd BIL and his family together with MIL came to visit. It was a last minute arrangement. When we told HL that we had visitors over the weekend and asked him to guess with a clue, 'He is 7 years old'. He knew that his favourite cousin SJ was coming.

With MIL & cousin SJ on the way up to Penang Hill.

We went up early to enjoy the cool breeze.

Taking photos on the cannon is mandatory for me.

Having coconut water at the roadsides while waiting for MIL doing some shopping.

Look at the 3 heads.

The boys enjoyed the company so much so that when it's time to bid Goodbye, HY cried and refused to let them leave.

Helping those in need

2011-11-14T14:48:00.003+08:00

Last Saturday a church member asked me whether HL can be the pageboy for her daughter's wedding in December. When I checked with HL, the answer was 'No'. Hubby thinks that he was scared because he was not comfortable with the responsibilities of a pageboy. Hubby then explained to him that he was asked to be a pageboy because he is 6 years old, tall and obedient and the most important is he can follow instruction. All these are the gifts from God and he has to use his gifts to help others. But the answer was still 'No'.

On Sunday morning, hubby asked him to pay attention to the Children Liturgy and he has to tell papa what has he learned when he returned. Finally the answer is 'Yes' because he must use his talent gifted by God to help people in need.

It is amazing how God's plan for all these to happen on the same weekend. This week Gospel was Mt. 25:14-30.

Exploring neighbourhood with bike

2011-11-10T14:11:00.003+08:00

Recently we were bored with our normal cycling route and decided to be more adventurous. So we went to explore our neighbourhood over the weekend.

Which way to go?

Sometimes we have to push our bike because the road was too steep. Is it time to get a mountain bike?

Passed by a creek.

An abandoned house.

Does people here still use log for fire?

A nice house.

An unique red house.

When we went nearer, I realised that it was an Ancestral hall 宗祠.

A new challenge-We fed 20 person

2011-11-03T15:38:00.003+08:00

Two weeks ago a church member approached me to sponsor lunch for 20 volunteers on last Sunday. Sponsoring not in terms of monetary but I have to get lunch ready for them. Initially I thought of preparing sandwiches but hubby decided to take up the responsibility and cooked his one-pot dish. So I became the Sous Chef instead.

Did some calculation and started measuring the rice on Sunday morning.

Busy preparing in the kitchen, cooked in 2 pots. One pot feeds 10 person.

HL shouted with excitement, "Wow, mummy come and see, so much rice."

Packing on the dining table.

Sous Chef in action.

The Sous Chef prepared some Chocolate Cupcakes as dessert. Recipe from here.

Mission accomplised. All packed and ready to be delivered.

So now we have experience catering for 20 person, any more orders coming? As complimentary, food will be delivered by the below 2 Ghostbusters for the first order.

A dream (nearly) comes true!

2011-10-31T15:50:00.002+08:00

The boys were crazy over fireman. They watched Fireman Sam. They were excited when we passed by a fire station. We even bought Burning Frame III, a TVB cantonese drama and watched together. They love the 3 main character, Cheuk Sir, Ah Seng and Encore. By the way, they only watched the parts with fire scene.

They love to go to playground which has pole for them to slide down just like fireman. But when asked, they don't want to be a Fireman because they were afraid of FIRE. LOL!

A few weeks ago, we spotted a fire engine parked by the roadside with no Fireman. :( Although not able to meet a real fireman, the boys still had a great time cheking out the fire engine and posing for photos.

BEC Sharing-Greatest love of all

2011-10-28T14:49:00.005+08:00

Early this year we were approached by our church Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) 's leader. They were facing bottleneck as lesser & lesser people participating in their BEC's prayer and gathering. Hubby joined their brainstorming meeting to come out with ideas to made the gathering more lively. Since then we have actively particapated in their gathering and enjoyed every session of it especially on sharing of Gospel. The meeting was bi-weekly on Sunday night and we shared our thought on that day Gospel after hearing the Priest sermon in the morning.

Hubby wanted to record down on his thought and our sharing. I suggested on this blog and he agree. So this is the first post of sharing. Hopefully few years down the road, we can see our faith growth on this blog.

Hubby had written the post in Mandarin.

玛22:34-40

法利塞人聽說耶穌使撒杜塞人閉口無言，就聚在一起；他們中有一個法學士試探他，發問說「師傅，法律中那條誡命是最大的?」耶穌對他說：「『你應全心，全靈，全意，愛上主你的天主。』這是最大也是第一條誡命。第二條與此相似：你應當愛近人如你自己。全部法律和先知，都繫於這兩條誡命。」

BEC 聚会福音分享

耶稣告诉我们应当全心，全灵，全意，爱上主你的天主。(Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind).

这段福音让我想起耶稣也曾说过“沒有人能事奉兩個主人：他或是要恨這一個，而愛那一個，或是依附這一個而輕忽那一個。你們不能事奉天主而又事奉錢財。“（玛6:24). 我们都忙着赚钱，有了更多的金钱就买更多的物品来满足自己。每当我们在压力中工作后，都会以物质来奖励自己，例如买名贵车，吃大餐，到国外旅游等等。于是，越是赚更多越是花费更多。因此我们的心已被金钱及物质享受所牵引。拥有更多的钱却需付更多的钱来填满生活的空虚。已被物质财富填满的心，那里还有空间让天主居住？

时下科技的发达，创造了诱人的产品例如平面电脑及智能手机。这些科技的发明固然带给人类许多方便。除了让人类方便联系，这些科技产品也附加了诱人的电玩功能，连大人也无法抗拒，更别说小孩。以为可以怡情的玩一玩，却让人沉迷，就连睡觉及与家人沟通的时间也牺牲了。更糟的是因为孩子闹着要玩，没办法也只好让孩子沉迷。最近我用了七年的手机坏了，就买了一台新的，售货员好心安装了许多的电子游戏。我开始玩手机里的电子游戏，不知不觉中我沉迷了，临睡前，上厕所时都会玩一玩。因此睡觉的时间短了，上厕所的时间长了，精神也差了。还好我悬崖勒马，把说有的游戏删除。没有被电玩牵引，我觉得生活轻松多了。

我们的生活脱离不了金钱与物质。金钱与物质可让我们生活过得舒适，但一意追求只会让我们与天主的距离越来越远。我们要多少钱足够？让我们停下脚步向仁慈的天主祷告，邀请天主常主在我们的心中，你会发觉快乐并不贵。耶稣也说“你們仰觀天空的飛鳥，牠們不播種，也不收穫，也不在糧倉裏屯積，你們的天父還是養活牠們；你們不比牠們更貴重嗎﹖你們先該尋求天主的國和它的義德，這一切自會加給你們”

你應當愛近人如你自己。我们怎样去爱我们的近人？愛是含忍的，愛是慈祥的，愛不嫉妒，不誇張，不自大（格13：4）。我们是不是嫉妒别人拥有的比自己多？要知道每个人都是天主创造的，因此彼此妒嫉只会伤了天主的心，就好像兄弟反目，只会伤了父母的心一样。凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐（格13：7）。与人相处难免会产生磨擦，我们不可能要求别人认同你的意见，过分苛求别人认同只会造成关系恶劣。只有彼此包容分歧，我们的生活才会快乐。

太太分享了他对“爱近人如你自己”的看法。我们家里的女佣也是我们的近人。她不是离我们很近吗？我们如何去爱她们呢？因为家境贫困，离开自己的家人是件痛苦的事情。如果不是情势所逼，也不会千里迢迢的来到异乡工作。如果我们明白这一点就不会对他们太过苛求。我们不该因每一个月付了薪水就要求女佣从清晨到夜深不停的工作，只要他能帮轻我们的家务就够了。耶稣说“凡你們對我這些最小兄弟中的一個所做的，就是對我做的。（玛25: 40）”。更何况她们还帮忙了我们做家务。

Cardboard Armours

2011-10-24T13:04:00.002+08:00

The other day hubby made armours with the boys using cardboard. They had a great night doing their project while I had a peaceful night folding clothes.

Some updates on HL

2011-10-20T16:09:00.012+08:00

I haven't been updating for a month now as I was still busy with work and also family.

HL had been suffering from allergic for about a month now. He was suffering from allergic together with HY last month. But it was on his eyes. :( His eyes got itchy, then he started rubbing and its get inflamed. I have been working from home on and off to take care of him and also rushing to meet deadlines at the same time. :(

This is not the first time he was suffering allergic on his eyes. The first eyes specialist prescribed Patanol Eye Drops which will develop cataract if prolong using. He had been on that medication for 3 times which we are really not comfortable with. So we switched to the second eyes specialist who prescribed Tears Naturale which is actually artificial eyes drops. According to him, this has no side effects on the eyes.

Whenever we thought he was about to be recovered, it came back for another round and another round and another round. The problem was we knew that it was due to allergic but the Paed won't gave any treatment but referred us to eyes specialist and the eyes specialist only treat his EYES. They only prescribed eyes drops. So the last round we were really fed up and decided that no more doctors for him. We let him took HY's medicine just like the Paed prescribed. We let him took Antamin until his allergic subsided and then continue with Clarityn. When we switched to Clarityn, the itchiness came back and we realised that besides eggs and seafood, he was allergic to Mushroom too. No wonder he never recovered because we consumed a lot of mushroom. Since he stopped eating mushroom, he had been recovering very well. It was God's blessing to let HY had the rashes so that we had the medicine to treat Kor Kor and subsequently discoverd that he was allergic to mushroom.

Last week a friend recommeneded us to see a Homeopathy. During the visit, the Dr checked on the family medical background and concluded that HL's allergic was passed down from hubby. He had eczema since young and the operation had worsen the conditions. The Dr prescrbied some medicine to trigger his body natural system of healing. The logic of the treatment was "treat like with like" 以毒攻毒. After taking the medicine, he will be very itchy. We have to mix some apple cider vinegar with sea salt and hot water and apply on the affected area. Previouly we always apply Aqueous cream which according to the Dr only supress the conditions.

We went home and could not decide whether we want to try. That night, HL had some rashes again on his forehead and his eyes were itchy again. We haven't even started the medicine yet. We applied the apple cider vinegar mixture at the rashes. Miraculously the rashes went away after 15-20min. :) And he was OK on the next day. We were more confident now but still not yet stared the medicine yet. :P We are still hesitating because the first course of medicine took a month to finish which means that HL might be suffering from all those itchiness for a month.

Give us more time to think about it.

Homemade Playdough

2011-09-23T11:36:00.004+08:00

I know that the boys love to play playdough but I tried to avoid as much as possible becuase I hate the leftover smell and feeling on the hand and its difficult to clean.

Two months ago I saw Giddy Tiger's post on homemade playdough. It looked easy to prepare and I had all the ingredients on hand. So one fine afternoon while the boys took their nap, I started preparing the dough. After they woke up, they started playing............... with my baking tools and had a great time. :)

The dough smells good. I kept the dough in an air-tight container and it smells even better when we played again. HL even asked whether it was edible.

The only problem that I had when preparing the dough was salt could not dissolve in the flour no matter how long I knead the dough. Salt kept on falling out the first time we played. Salt was everywhere when we played. So if I need to do it again, I will dissolve salt in water first before mixing into the flour.

Spinach Tofu Lasagna

2011-09-22T14:41:00.003+08:00

I bought a box of Lasagna a few months back after seeing a very interesting recipe online. However everytime I wanted to prepared the dish, I pondered looking at the amount of butter, milk and cheese used. One day I came across this recipe and I know that its time for me to use up my lasagna.

This recipe used firm tofu to replace the dairy and olive oil instead of butter. I added in the spinach before blending so that it was blended well together.

I have put in too much spinach until the lasagna tasted really green and raw.

Looking back at the recipe, I realised where did I went wrong. 10oz of frozen spinach shouldn't weight 10oz afer defrosted because I used 10oz of fresh spinach. *Bang head.*

Next time I will halves the amount of spinach.

HL likes it but HY didn't even bother to try and only eaten the spaghetti.

p/s Hubby said frozen and fresh spinach should weight the same. It might due to different types of spinach used.

Back to Kelantan

2011-09-21T11:44:00.002+08:00

During the recent Malaysia Day Holiday, we went back to Kelantan despite both boys were still on medication. The boys insisted to proceed with the plan as they couldn't wait to meet up with their favourite cousin, SJ who had now relocated back to Kelantan with his dad for good.

I bought 3 pairs of pajamas for the boys and they were so excited to wear it on the same night.

When we depart, HL cried in the car on the way home because he said he missed SJ already and he missed his Dada too.

Latest harvest

2011-09-20T13:51:00.000+08:00

Spinach

"Will you marry me with this bouquet of spinach?"

HL only wanted to join in the fun after the sun came out.

Coming up next is bitter gourd.

2011 School Concert

2011-09-19T13:45:00.000+08:00

Its great to see the boys on stage. HL danced so well that after the concert we did discuss whether we should send him to Dance Class. :P

HY participated in the concert too but we could not get a goot shot as he was standing behind. As a 3years old, he danced quite well too.

Can you spot him?

Another allergic boy

2011-09-15T16:49:00.000+08:00

I worked until very late on Mon and Tue night. When I reached home on Tue night, I found red, bumpy rashes all over HY.

The Paed diagnosed it was due to food allergy. He had recovered after taking medication. For the moment, we suspected the root cause was either Egg or Kiwi. This was the 2 food that he had taken before the rashes developed.

Raya Holiday

2011-09-15T09:00:00.001+08:00

Its been awhile since we last went for vacation. During the recent Raya Holiday, we decided to go for a short holiday. Since both of us were really lazy, we only went to Parkroyal Hotel on the island for an overnight stay.

I have booked the Deluxe Coastal Twin Room. To our delight, when we checked in they upgraded our room to Family Room because our room was not ready yet. The Family Room came with a full sea view, a balcony and 2 queen size bed which was a blast to us.

The view from the balcony.

Complimentary fruits from the hotel.

Our messy room.

The boys love playing on the beach.

Waiting for the waves.

Pretended that he was hit by the wave.

Obviously the younger one drank some sea water.

Papa was busy building sand castle for the boys.

Placed some seashells on the castle which looked like a block of wall.

Back to the pool.

A hotel guest lent HY a crocodile float for some rides.

Mid Autumn Festival Celebration and Papa's birthday

2011-09-12T11:22:00.004+08:00

On Saturday we attended the Mid Autumn Festival Celebration organised by our Church. This is the second year we particitipated and the boys enjoyed the Lantern Procession around the Church compound.

Blowing off the candles after the procession.

After we reached home, the boys couldn't resist the temptation of having the fried noodles from the party.

For the first time, they ate at the front porch.

Sunday was Papa's birthday. Knowing that he loves Green Tea Chiffon Cake and I haven't bake any since we discovered that HL is allergic to egg, I baked one for him. Since Chiffon Cake used egg as a major ingredient , I baked some chocolate banana cakes for HL separately which I were too busy to snap any photo to share here. :(

We were too lazy to cook and went out for dinner. After dinner, we came home for the cake.

After that we played with lantern again. :)

And lighting up of candles!

Super Busy!

2011-09-06T16:32:00.001+08:00

Lately I have been very busy juggling with both work and family. A colleague went for maternity leave 2 months ago and I thought I can pass back the work to her when she returned a week ago. However it was announced that I need to back-up for another half year as she needs to support other function for the next six months. And not forgetting now is the busiest month of the year where we are preparing for next year operating plans. So I have a long list of deadlines to meet.

On the other end, my brother's maid had finished her contract and returned home 3 weeks ago. She came to help us after my mom and my brother's family left the country. She prepared meals for us on weekdays. So now we have to prepare our own dinner every night plus all the house work.

Luckily we found the new way of reducing stress.

Every evening 15 minutes of cycling have saved my sanity.

HL's first letter

2011-08-18T14:39:00.000+08:00

A month ago Ee Shuen sent a letter to HL and she requested him to do the same. One night, I sat down with him and we came out with this letter.

Cannot read? Click on the image.

Isn't him cute?

All was his thought. I only helped on the grammer and spelling. I felt that it was a very good exercise both for his English and our bonding. However after that, I could not get him to write the second letter. He just wrote 2 sentences and lost interest. How I wish we can do this more often.

One Saturday morning

2011-08-17T13:22:00.003+08:00

Two weeks ago I decided to visit my 82 years old maternal grandmother. I haven't seen her since last Christmas. She is staying with my youngest uncle and since he had 3 teenage boys, I made a chocolate cake for them.

This is the same chocolate cake that I made for HL on his birthday.

I love that the cake had 2 color tone. Since I did not captured any photos before frosting on HL's birthday, I decided to make it again for my cousins.

I baked some doughnuts for our breakfast.

I did not follow the recipe exactly, omitted nutmeg and substitute graham crackers with wholemeal crackers. It tasted great. Never ate doughnuts made from crackers before.

The highlight of this post should be the below dragon fruits that we bought from a local farmer. When we saw the dragon fruits at the road sides, we hesitated because they were so tiny and the color were not attracting at all. But look at the color of the fruits now, totally different. So don't judge a book by its cover.

This is the sweetest dragon fruits that I have ever had.

I snaped the food photos by my garden. See hubby's lettuce behind?

After the food photos, I continue snapping on hubby's lettuce.

Our cucumbers were sick

2011-08-16T14:50:00.002+08:00

We planted 4 cucumber plant. They grown and grown.

Then we noticed that the leaves turned a bit yellowish.

Some flowers do get pollinerated.

But we know that our cucumber plants were sick.

The cucumber won't grown in size.

They were just slightly longer than my fingers, no doubt they were as juicy as normal cucumbers.

Hubby had chopped off all four plants. We were not sure what was the root cause, maybe our soil was not fertile enough?

Okara Burger

2011-08-15T14:35:00.002+08:00

I made some veggie burger from okara on Saturday. Okara/Soy pulp is the leftover pulp from soya bean after making soya milk. I tired to utilised my organic soya bean pulp.

After making veggie burger for 2 times, I am confident to create my own okara burger based on this recipe.

I used the same amount of quinoa and pasta and substitute 2 cup of Black beans with Okara. I added in 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1/2 cup of minced onion, 1/2 cup of cube carrot and 1/2 cup of capsicum. I sauteed the mixed veggie until tender and seasoned with 1 tsp of salt and some mixed herbs. Then mixed the cooked veggie together with the cooked pasta and 2 tsp of lemon juice in the food processor. After that, folded in the cooked quinoa by hand. Finally I coated the patties with some cornmeal to gives a crispier coating.

This was part of my lunch for today.

Lil veggie juice drinker

2011-08-12T15:43:00.003+08:00

Will you drink this?

Hubby was very skeptical when I introduced veggie juice to him. He asked a lot of questions and if he didn't feel good that day, it must be the juice fault. Luckily he appreciates the benefit of green juice now.

Now look at my lil green juice drinker.

Last night we told HL that today we would bring him to his primary to confirm on his placing. He was over excited that he woke up at 6.15am this morning. So he helped me to prepare our veggie juice. I prepared the fruits and veggie and he helped me by dumping everything into the blender. After that he told me that he wanted a cup too. He said it tasted great. :)

Look at the leftover juice all over his lips.

What can I asked more? I have a boy who love veggie juice.

Finally diaperless at night

2011-08-11T13:44:00.001+08:00

I am a very persistent mother. I have been trying a few rounds training HY to go diaperless at night. It all started when he refused wearing diaper at night. I tried to get him to pee 2 times middle of the night. Then accident always happened, especially during weekend when we were both too tired. After a week or two, I would be too tired to continue and then declared that he was not ready yet. I will put his diaper on after he knocked off. After a few days of rest and when mummy regained the energy, the training will start all over again.

Finally about 2 to 3 weeks ago, I realised that accident no longer happen. My baby will even call me whenever he needed to pee. Hooray!!! Now he only pees once per night. I am looking forward to the day that he can sleep through without peeing. Then I can move back to my room. :P

On TWO wheels now!

2011-08-10T14:02:00.001+08:00

There are 2 things that I want HL to learn before he goes to Std 1 next year. He had accomplished one last Saturday. :)

Finally after a few attemps, he can now cycle with 2 wheels.

Suddenly I felt that my boy is so grown up now. Let see when will he request to cycle to school or to friend's house. Then papa will said, "Who asked you to teach him to cycle? I thought that is want you want, to be independent." :(

The lil bro is very sad because whenever we talked about cycling, he will said, "我不会." (I don't know) with a frown face. :)

HY was trying hard to master his four wheels with my help.

Next thing to tackle is no other than Swimming.

This week lunch

2011-08-05T17:14:00.005+08:00

Last Sunday I made a big bowl of Mixed Quinoa and Red Kidney Bean salad, recipe idea from here. I just finished it today.

Every morning, I just topped the salad with some steamed sweet potatoes (at the bottom), fresh lettuce, tomatoes and raisin. In this photo I had a lady finger from my mom's garden. Yummy, tasted super good if compared to market bought lady finger.

Here is my Mixed Quinoa and Red Kidney Bean Salad.

Extra spaghetti from the children's lunch.

My not so stable sandwich.

From the last post, I mentioned that I did not bake anything over the weekend, actually I did. :P I had forgotten. Because it was a failure. I were too tired to make the routine bread but tried a new recipe instead, bagel. I think I followed a bad recipe. The dough did not rise much. It sticked to the pan after baked. Luckily the bagels were still edible. It was so small that I used 2 bagels to make a sandwich.

Bottom was fried egg with mixed herbs.

Second layer was cheese and avocado.

Third layer was more avocado and tabasco sauce.

Top view.

This was how I ate it.

Pushed everything inside because it was too tall and created such a mess.

After all the celebration

2011-08-04T13:41:00.003+08:00

I were tired. I were reluctant to bake anything over the weekend. My oven was put to a rest. Only managed to make some yogurt and salad for this week consumption.

I bought some strawberries for HL's birthday, just in case I need it to decorate the cakes but did not use up any. So last Saturday, we had it for breakfast. :P

I don't really like strawberries becuase it was too luxurious for me to enjoy. In other word, too expensive for me, but eating durian was different. :P

Bought some fresh nangka from the market.

The supply of home-grown bak choy is nearly coming to an end.

We had Cintan mee and some leftover chocolate bars.

Everyone loves Cintan mee.

Surprisingly, nowadays HY loves spring onion. He will request for it everytime he sees it on the dining table.

Me after my morning jog.

On Sunday night, we had sushi for dinner because we don't have enough for the birthday party, still craving for sushi.

Turning Six

2011-08-03T13:32:00.003+08:00

HL went to school happily on his birthday because he knew that mummy and daddy would be staying at home working on his birthday cakes and birthday celebration. He was excited too because he took his graduation photos on the same day.

While I was busy baking in the kitchen, hubby blown the balloons and set-up the banner. After I was done, hubby took over the kitchen and started preparing for the birthday dinner. We need team work here.

Simple decoration.

Sushi

Spaghetti

Macaroni

Grilled prawns

Grilled pork

I made 2 pizza on my birthday, baked one and frozen the other one for this celebration.

Hubby's Thai style tomatoes soup

After dinner HL was requested to choose his favourite 3 dishes. Second runner-up was pizza, first runner-up was sushi and the winner was ........................ Macaroni.

Special guest, Aunty Su Yan, SIL's sister who stayed at my Bro's house for her industrial training. She came for dinner every night during her stay and both boys adored her.

Finally a group photo.

A piece of the birthday cake.

This round, HY insisted one piece on his own. Ah Kong no longer gets to feed him.

Yummy.

Exciting moment for the kids, openning of present.

Another new watch!

Six years! (28 July 2011)

2011-08-01T11:16:00.004+08:00

It is unbelievable that Six years had passed.

On this day, six years ago, 4 days after my birthday, the overdue baby finally put me on labor.

Now Six years later, I was busy baking in the kitchen on the day I was in pain Six years ago. And for the next few years, I believe it will still be the same, the way we celebrate it until HL has his own request.

Initially I plan to bake some cupcakes and arrange into Number Six. But the cupcakes refused to rise to the rim. :( As I baked this ahead, on my birthday weekend, I decided to drop the idea and baked another cake on the actual day.

I still decorated the cupcakes with the leftover cream from the birthday cake and topped the cake with No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.

I shared these with my colleagues instead.

Then I baked these fruit filled lemony cupcakes for HL to bring to school on the next day. Instead of putting in the filling after baking, I added the filling before baking. I piped frosting for the first time, tested on a few cupcakes and finally decided on these easy shape.

Nicely packed for him to bring to school.

Besides the cupcakes, I also baked some chocolate chip granola bars for him to bring along.

Finally the birthday cake, HL had requested for Chocolate Cake but I baked a Brownies for him. I baked this before and love this recipe as oil was replaced by applesauce.

Basically whole day baking for me.

6 years old!

2011-07-29T14:18:00.001+08:00

Yesterday was HL's 6 years old birthday. As usual his school had requested me to provide some photos and a write-up for HL to share with his teachers and friends.

Mummy is 8 months pregnant.

HL was born on 28 July 2005 at 5.35am.

One month old

6 months old

One year & 3 months old

One year & 6 months old

2 years old

2 years & 2 months old

3 years old

3 years & 11 months old

4 years & 2 months old

4 years & 8 months old

5 years & 1 month old

5 years & 9 months old

5 years & 10 months old

The write-up:

HL was born on 28 Jul 2005 at 5.35am. He was 3.2kg.

As a firstborn, he had all the attention, love and care. Nevertheless we were very strict on him making sure that he did not turn into a spoilt brat.

He is a very self-discipline boy. At five years old, we don’t have to wake him up in the morning. If it is a school day, he will get up by himself, does his business and brushes his teeth before he asks for help in bathing. If he has homework, he will do it on his own without us reminding him.

He is enthusiastic in learning. He loves to read and learn from books. Every alternate week we will borrow books from library for him. He loves geography and science. He is now into Earthquakes and Volcano.

He enjoys food very much. Since young he enjoys all types of food. His favorite is pasta and noodles. He had a very good taste bud and he should be good in cooking like his father when he grown up.

Since this is the last year of his kindy, we hope that he enjoys and cherishes every moment that he has with his teachers and friends before he moved on to primary. We also hope that he grows up healthily and happily.

My birthday weekend (Part2)

2011-07-27T10:52:00.004+08:00

On Sunday morning we had some bread with butter and jam and half boiled eggs. Yum! Yum!

I guess I am 'the easy to maintain wife' because when hubby asked me what I wanted to have for lunch. Porridge is the answer. And the expert of cooking porridge in the family is ME. So the birthday girl cooked LUNCH for everyone.

I cooked a big pot of porridge with carrots, tomatoes, broccoli and meatballs.

Joy, our helper fried the fish, on the top was the last portion of my Kimchi stock, spring onions and cilantro. At the bottom was my pickled Jalapeno & garlic and some fresh cili padi from my mom's garden and fermented bean curd (tau joo).

We finished the whole pot. Even my dad who was not so keen into porridge also said it was good.

In the afternoon, I made pizza for my birthday celebration. :P

Tuna, mushroom and tomatoes pizza.

My birthday cake which I made the day before. :P

Tofu Cheesecake, same with the one that I made for my mom on her birthday.

This round we bought some cherries from Carefour as decoration.

The cherries were so sweet.

Salad contributed by hubby.

And grilled pork and squid.

On the dining table, Spaghetti Marinara.

Hubby even cooked up a soup by himself which was not captured in the photos. Soup made up of potatoes, onion, tomatoes and lemon juice. It was very refreshing. The dinner was a success as we finished everything at the night itself, no leftover at all.

This year I have present from hubby.

The boys were excited.

It's a sport watch. The boys wanted to check it out too.

I have been using hubby sport watch as alarm clock for awhile. Finally I have one too.

My birthday weekend (Part1)

2011-07-26T15:43:00.001+08:00

My birthday was on Sunday. On Saturday morning, I baked some donuts for breakfast and I took the photos in the car porch.

Brown color because I use brown sugar.

Before dipping into chocolate.

Actually I do bake every weekend. However as I snapped photos only indoor, the food did not look appetizing due to low light so I don't feel like posting.

This year birthday resolution is to bring food outside to snap photos more often in order to share in this blog. Afterall we had all the sunshine to snap good photos.

Hubby made some tomatoes cheese toast which the boys love.

We finished all, what a big appetite.

On the dining table.

Toast, donuts, green beans and oranges.

This is our breakfast. :P

No wonder my weight keep going up lately.

While we busy preparing for breakfast, the boys played with HL's Thomas train set.

As one of the train could not function properly, HY had to help on collecting the beads.

It is actually good that he gets to take part. How can you let a 3yrs old just sit still and watch the train in action? He just have to involve.

Yeah, dropping the beads into the designated area.

See, the donuts was good.

Hey, why you takes my photos without permission?

After breakfast, we went to 1st Avenue because papa promised to get a present for HY. Why? Because he behaves so well lately and eat variety of food which includes vegetables. We see the light and hope, a total transform for HY. This is the best birthday present to me.

When we reached 1st Avenue, we realised that it was the grand openning of Carrefour. There was a clown making twisted ballons upon request for free. HY requested for a gun while HL wanted a sword.

Another portable train set which can be connected to their previous train set.

The boys were occupied with this new toys for the whole Saturday and Sunday morning. :)

First science experiment at home

2011-07-25T16:02:00.003+08:00

A few weeks ago HL brought back a packet of baking soda from school for a science experiment at home. It was written with instruction to light a candle. Then mix the baking soda with vinegar, the mixture will create carbon dioxide which will then blow off the candles. HL had been urging papa to do the experiment for weeks. Finally they made it last week.

Please focus at HL's face expression in the following photos.

Paying full attention.

Anticipation.

It's coming, it's coming.

Yeah, we made it.

HY was proud too because he gets to participate.

A great way to start a day

2011-07-22T10:00:00.004+08:00

What can be a better way to start a day other that having a nutritious breakfast?

This is HL's breakfast. 1/4 cup of Rolled Oat, 1/4 cup of milk & 1/2 cup of water cooked for 10mins. After done, add in 1/2 tsp of sugar, topped with popped Amaranth, rambutan that we plucked from the orchard and some chocolate chips. Yum yum.

Time to enjoy

2011-07-21T15:31:00.001+08:00

Second harvest of Bak Choy.

Another harvest.

If you noticed, we harvest our Bak Choy by cutting off the outer stem. This way the Bak Choy will still continue to grow and we continue to have unlimited supply of Bak Choy.

See the cut-off stem?

How do we consume the Bak Choy, you might asked.

This way.

It had been awhile since I started blending veggie juice every morning. This is one of the main reason hubby planting Bak Choy, for my veggie juice. Normally I put 1 1/2 cup of water, 1Tbs lemon juice, an orange, a green apple and 6 stem of Bak Choy.

Every morning hubby will cut 6 stem of Bak Choy from here. These can still last for awhile.

That doesn't mean that all our veggie planting are all in success, the failure will be shared in next coming post.

Orchid is blooming

2011-07-20T15:52:00.001+08:00

Hi Mom,

The orchid that you plant is blooming at home now. Dad asked me to snap some photos for you.

A saturday morning

2011-07-19T13:51:00.001+08:00

Two weeks ago, we brought the 2 boys to visit a close friend cum colleague that just gave birth to a baby boy at a confinement center. Unexpectedly the boys had a great time there and they requested us to stay longer than planned. This is because the confinement center had a huge compound and there are a lot of activities set up for ~~children~~ older siblings. When I was busy chatting with my friend, they were busy playing with toys and watching TV. When we were about to leave, the boys continue to play outside.

After looking at the four photos above, do you know what they are up to? They are trying to climb an ~~old~~ antic lamp pole infront of the building.

After that, they played soccer at the field in front.

I love these shot, like soccer player walking back.

After sweating themselves with soccer, they had a ride at the backyard. I think this is a badminton court or maybe tennis.

We also had a fun time peeping to the neighbour. The neighbour had a mini zoo in their garden. :P They had a big monkey in a big cage which looked like Orang Utan to me but I forgot to snap a photo.

Blue parrot.

Red parrot.

Some black and white pigeons.

A short visit to a friend turned out to be a fun outing for the boys.

Tillamook Cheese

2011-07-18T10:30:00.001+08:00

Hi Bro,

We have Tillamook Cheese here also. :)

The new banglow

2011-07-15T15:46:00.000+08:00

It has been more than a year since I last updated on our 2 little pets. Yes, they are still around. :)

Two days ago, hubby decided to build a banglow for them with the boys.

"Papa one more partition here."

"Ok, I am working on it."

They have 2 bedrooms, a playroom and a dining room.

They have doors connecting to each room.

There is a photo in the dining room just like our dining room. :P

There is a fly over connecting the 2 bedrooms.

Finally our 2 little cutie.

"Aren't they lovely?"

Update on our garden and harvest

2011-07-06T16:29:00.001+08:00

Finally we harvested our Chineses Raddish. It was so short and small, looks like ginseng. We wonder why the organic raddishes sold in the supermarket were so big?

Last night Joy, our helper cooked raddish soup for us. We asked her to include the leaves. It tasted so so good. HL exclaimed that he loves the leaves. Hubby was requested to plant more raddishes.

On the other hand, bak choy is getting bigger and bigger too and we started harvesting since last week.

It tasted so different from the one we bought, 很甘甜.

For the last 2 days, I have been using the bak choy for my morning veggie blend/smoothies. I can feel the crisp when I put them into the blender, just feel like putting lettuce.

Plucking rambutan

2011-07-05T11:15:00.009+08:00

Last week we did something different from our usual weekend routine. We went to our church member's orchard.

Nice scenery.

Durian

More durians.

And we plucked the rambutans, not durian.

The good new was there were plenty within the boys height.

"HL, only the red ones."

"Why?"

"Because the green ones not yet ripe."

HY however was afraid of the black ants. So he only helped in collecting the rambutans.

Looked like a big boy now.

We only attacked a tree.

Until we saw another tree with yellow rambutan. See, so low which was within their reach.

HL concluded that he prefer the yellow ones.

Our harvest.

Today's lunch

2011-07-01T13:52:00.004+08:00

Today lunch is simple, only salad. I did not pack any sandwich because we are going to have Durian Party at the Company's car park in the afternoon. It is an anuual event and we had been doing it for 3 years now. Yippee, I love durian.

We have hard boiled egg on top of the sandwich.

Hubby cooked extra pasta to add to our lunch today.

I am so full now. :( Need to be hungry by 3.30pm. :P

Happiness is

2011-06-30T17:15:00.003+08:00

when I open my lunch box, the salad is so colorful.

when the church member gave us some durians from their farm after a meeting.

when another church member gave us some durians when we fetched the boys from school.

when the cucumber plant growing taller and stronger everyday.

when the raddish started booming out from the soil.

when the bak choy is about to be harvest.

Happiness is simple if you feel contented all the time.

Buffet breakfast at home

2011-06-29T15:07:00.001+08:00

Last Saturday morning, I was too greedy that I prepared too much food for breakfast. So it was sort of buffet breakfast at home.

Dumplings that my mom made before she left for US. Yum yum, my favourite.

On the left was ki chang from Ipon's in-law (bro's). We oversteamed it, that was why it was a bit out of shape. But still tasted as good. On the right was leftover bread that hubby brought to work on Friday but did not consume.

Orange juice for the boys.

Every Friday night, I put some green beans in the slow cooker, set the timer and it will be ready in the morning. This is the standard breakfast and dessert that last us for the whole day.

Hubby cooked some mee sua using some leftover soup from Fiday night.

The boys at the dining table. HY was standing, not in his highchair yet.

The cat and the rat

2011-06-27T14:25:00.000+08:00

Don't be fool by this photo, he is indeed a joker.

Last night we went for the BEC meeting at our area. After the meeting, an aunty asked HL what was his name infront of her 4 yrs old son.

Guess what was HL's reply?

"Felix the Cat."

Everyone burst into laughter.

This morning on the way to school, we were still on the same joke. Then HY asked, "Me?"

I think for a second, "Dominic the Rat." (It was his Chinese Zodiac Animals.) Another round of laughter.

A letter to Ee Shuen

2011-06-24T17:26:00.000+08:00

Hi Ee Shuen,

Its been a month since you left for Bi Kok. I miss you very much. I miss the TV programme that we watched together after dinner. I miss your company.

But I do enjoy playing with your toys everyday. Thanks for leaving the toys behind. Do ask your daddy to buy more toys for you so that I can have more toys to play with when you come back.

Love,
Ah Lerk表哥

Fathers' Day

2011-06-23T13:50:00.002+08:00

HY fancy over trains. I wanted to bring him to Victoria Station for awhile but kept on postponing the plan because hubby & I was not so keen on the food they served. Finally last Saturday, we went as we wanted to go to somewhere not so crowded to celebrate Fathers' Day.

Ah Kong joined us.

Now the boys love to take photos with their eyes rolled on top. :(

HL's Chicken Maryland was too dry from over frying.

We had our dinner inside these train which 'didn't move'.

As expected hubby complaint that there was too much MSG. Luckily Ah Kong like it there because the serving was not too huge. For me, I think it is ok to go once awhile.

Last night, HL told me he wants to go again this weekend. My reply is, "Go and ask your dad."

An unplanned outing

2011-06-22T09:10:00.011+08:00

Last Sunday the boys woke up pretty early from their afternoon nap. We were bored and wanted to go somewhere but so lazy to go to town or shopping mall. After celebrating Fathers' Day the night before, I don't feel like dining out again. Finally hubby gave a good suggestion, why not we went for an evening picnic at Penang Hill. What a great suggestion. Immediately hubby and I packed all the leftover food in our house, yes leftover food and we left happily.

We reached the Train Station at 6pm.

There was no queue and we went straight to the waiting area after buying the tickets.

The boys were excited.

The cable car went up pretty fast.

HY checking out the first generation of cable car.

Hubby with the boys.

I posed on the same cannon when I was a little girl.

Playing at the playground under breeze weather was fun.

After that, we were ready for dinner.

Crazy Papa brought along some packet drinks, so heavy.

HL having the leftover pumpkin cakes that I made on Saturday.

HY was so happy when he saw the leftover rice from lunch.
"有饭啊!"

Leftover Mang Kuang Cha from Friday's dinner with Lettuce for me and hubby.

This is the pumpkin cakes and spring onion from our garden.

Dessert was the Zucchini Bread that I made in the morning which turned out more like kuih. :(
Luckily everyone finished their share without a complaint.

We brought along a table cloth to cover the table.

After these picnic, we managed to clear most of the leftover in the fridge.

Nice sunset but a bit hazy.

After seeing a 6 years old trying his best snapping some photos for us, a tourist offered to capture a family photo for us.

This was taken by the 6 years old.

They are growing

2011-06-17T17:25:00.000+08:00

Every morning we wake up and saw our veggie getting bigger and bigger.

We have bought some zucchini and this weekend we are going to make zucchini pancake with this spring onion.

As the chinese raddishes are so packed, yesterday hubby picked the unfruitful one to make soup. I mean we ate the leaf and it was good. :)

The cucumber leaves are so big now. I hope they are fruitful.

Lettuce sprout

Two crazy boys.