My cup of tea

Didi brought home some tea leaves (was it pu-er or tie guan yin?) from China and a tea set, he made tea for us after dinner. I feel that Chinese tea is not really my cup of tea. It is very good at keeping me wide awake at night especially if I were to drink it near bedtime. Hmm, it occasionally gives me slight gastric problems too. I guess I will just stick to ginger and peppermint tea :P

Popiah...filled with cabbage

The finished product...Hmm, maybe the skin for some parts of the popiah skin was too thin hence a little of the cabbage and the dried shrimps inside some of the popiah turned brown after deep frying (luckily not charred :P). Or could it be the way I have wrapped them? Hee, anyway, if you are not fussy and particular, then I think this is still quite an alright dish :P It's always about trying, isn't it? My family finished the whole plate of popiah for dinner.

For the first batch, I think the oil was not hot enough. But the subsequent batch, the heat of the oil was just right.

All wrapped and ready to be deep fried. Silly XF thought I bought these from the supermarket, not realising the effort to wrap twenty popiah :P

The filling...cabbage, vermicelli, carrot and dried shrimps

Decided to try something new today...popiah. But I wasn't going to use turnip, I used cabbage instead. Mummy advised that I should use turnip but I thought I wanted something different, wanted to try using cabbage as the filling for the popiah. So, stubborn silly gal went ahead to experiment :P Got all the ingredients ready and stir fried them all. Waited for the ingredients to cool before I started making those popiah. I thought a sauce for the popiah would be interesting, so mixed sweet and sour sauce, lime juice, soya sauce and chopped chilli padi and heated it in a pan. Hmm, not really the perfect sauce but I thought it was kinda spicy and sourish enough. But maybe there was too much sweetness in it, it could coz I had put in too much sweet and sour sauce :P

A review of my fried rice

It's all about my fried rice again :P In the mood to cook...Mummy said that I am always so generous with my ingredients in my fried rice. Well, that's the way I like it, equal proportion of rice and ingredients. Didi said that my cooking always tasted kinda the same and lacked the wok taste (nothing's new, always the same comments from him). Told him to demonstrate to me the way to get that wok taste, ha. Ahem, he ate two plates of my fried rice :P XF was in dreamland the whole afternoon, tired from the long flight so she missed lunch.

He's back!

Who's back? Didi is back! He's back for Chinese New Year. We sent reminders to make sure he didn't miss his flight, we did not want history to repeat :P ...Didi and I couldn't stop snapping shots of this really cool cat that we saw outside the restaurant where we had dinner. Our father nearly shouted at us :P That kitty showed absolute indifference and it's certainly oblivious to our presence. Cool...a real icy queen. The photo was taken by Didi, I thought I didn't really get any good shots. But I think if we could go nearer, it would be great!

Sunny's diary

Occasionally, there's this bespectacled lady who will come through the entrance of where I stay. She keeps calling me "Baby", I thought I was Sunny. Anyway, I always try hard to vie for attention, I jump with all my mighty might, I bark with all of my lungs, I pounce with every ounce of my strength...I simply need that attention! But she would always start clearing my poo on the floor first. Can't she just lay her eyes on me first?! But I persevered, following wherever she's going, kitchen to living room and then to kitchen again, dun want her to lose sight of me. Phew, she finally carried me, placed me on her lap and hold me tight, well, maybe that's what they call a hug. Look at her in her eyes and wonder what's she's gonna do next. Sometimes, she says things to me which I dun really understand, look at her nevertheless. Oh yes, love it when she picks up one of my toys and I am always proud to show off the power of my teeth when we play tug of war. Not forgetting to also mention, I may not fetch but I catch, I am simply good at that! Oh my gosh, love it most when she gets the harness and leash out, I simply go crazy...but I try to behave so I could go out. Wow, there are so many things that amaze me out there, the smell of every step I tread on brings great excitement! I am simply thrilled, even more excited when I see strangers or maybe friends who somewhat look like me. ...Dead beat when I am home but never forget to get my feet wiped and a drink from my dish bowl. "Bye bye" seems to be the words she uses when she is about to leave, dun really understand the rest of the words that she mumbles. I am usually silent at the door when she opens the door and stands at the lift lobby waiting for the lift...I look at her as she enters the lift and the lift door finally closes... Hmm, not sure when the lift door will open again...

Love them even if they have no words

We call them dumb animals and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words. ~ Anna Sewell

Twinkle twinkle little star...

How I wonder how you are...

Random thoughts

Do we ever question ourselves what we are doing or why we are doing certain things? ...Or do we just do without putting in some thoughts into what we are doing?

How many lenses are there in our lives, in your/my life? ...Or rather, how many lenses do we see in our lives, in your/my life? ...Or do we only own a pair of lenses? ...Do you have a pair of rose-tinted lenses that you put on once in a while?

Why do I always have so many questions? Irritating freak...

A family of ingredients

My father said we could put in any kinda ingredients we like when we fry bee hoon, creativity and experimentation are needed in the art of cooking. So, I opened the refrigerator to take a peek at what's in there...french beans, fishcake, tau kwa, carrot, eggs, onions. They all became the family of ingredients for my fried bee hoon. Well, not forgetting the very important visiting relative - chilli padi :P

Meet the drama queen

Happy happy birthday...dear Kat, dun ever let me lose sight of that smile k :)

I huff and I puff! ...Sorry Wolffy, try harder!

I have never seen anyone making birthday wishes like this :P

Are you really listening when I need you to?

When I ask you to listen and you start giving advice, you have not done what I have asked. When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way, you are trampling on my feelings. When I ask you to listen and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem, you have failed me, strange as it may seem.

Listen! All I ask was that you listen; not talk or do - just hear me...I can do for myself. I'm not helpless. Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless. When you do something for me that I can and need to do for myself, you contribute to my fear and feeling of inadequacy. But when you accept as fact that I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational, then I can quit trying to convince you and can get about the business of understanding what's behind this irrational feeling. And when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I don't need advice.

~ Ralph Roughton, M. D.

Am I really listening when you need me to?...

Eat your vegetables!

The colour of both the nai bai and the carrots together simply got me scrambling for my camera.

Came across another recipe about this yellowish orange tau kwa...it can also be one of the ingredients for a Thai salad. Shall I try that too?

I think I would perish if there's no vegetables on earth. Sometimes, their colours seem to be able to bring a smile on your face especially after you have made a great dish out of them. I remember seeing people stir fry bean sprouts with this yellowish orange tau kwa. So I was kinda curious to try that out too, got a piece of that in the supermarket. Mummy was telling me that nowadays young people don't really eat this kinda traditional tau kwa anymore. But why? I would certainly like to cook that with the bean sprouts. I did and it was one of our dishes tonight. Well, but I must admit that I love bean sprouts, it doesn't matter what it goes with :P

My art folio

I used crayons for these...Ha, I was kinda excited when I got the chance to draw dogs - Lassie! I thought I didn't really do a good job for his pair of eyes, not exactly like those in the picture that my art teacher gave me. I thought the pair of eyes for the fox was much better.

I used crayons for this, love to blend...drawing and colouring flowers was kinda one of my favourites when I was still a student.

The very loud and fierce art teacher taught me the importance of lines. This was tough coz I didn't really fancy drawing animals, never seemed to get the proportion right at times. But I remember I was really engrossed drawing these, paying much attention to every line.

The packing continued...I was trying to tidy up and pack some of my primary and secondary school stuff, hoping to throw most away. Yes, yes, yes, you must be wondering why those ancient stuff are still around...I guess some memories are hard to discard. Found an art file containing all my art pieces during my primary and secondary school days, laid them out on the floor and was having a good look at each. I remember when I was in primary school, my parents signed me up for art lessons at a RC in Ang Mo Kio. Frankly speaking, I kinda dreaded going for art lessons every Saturday evening, hmm, coz the art teacher was always so loud and fierce. She always had high expectations of us, giving us samples of art pieces and asking us to draw like those. But I did try and I remember for those times that I was drawing, colouring or shading, I was kinda engrossed and before I knew it, art lesson was over. It wasn't so bad afterall :P ....You know, as one ages, I think he or she should be reminded more of his or her childhood... I kept all the pieces of drawings neatly in an art file, hoping to keep and treasure them for as long as I live... :)

Art...under the spotlight

I think much patience and perseverance, not forgetting fiery passion, would be necessary in art...What about pain?

I think there may be through roads and dead ends in the journey of art...

I think there is much simplicity in art if you see it simply...

I think there are connections, linkages and relationships in art...

From a kind stranger while I was queueing to get my ticket...Thank you :)

What is contemporary art? Have we ever asked ourselves enough of this question? Most of us seem to assume that everyone knows what this is all about...What is the difference between contemporary art and modern art? Well, some might wonder if this question does matter in our lives? Googled about them and learnt more, there are definitely definitions to these. Would you be interested to know?

I feel that efforts have definitely been made in our country to make art more accessible to us. I was at Art Stage Singapore today, wanting to know more about contemporary art. There're so many kinds and so many forms from other countries...I felt like I have just opened a door that I had not tried opening and beyond that door, creativity was really unleashed. As I entered each gallery, there seemed to be a presence of a different feel and mood to each. I wouldn't say I like all of them, well, appreciation to me does not mean having to like all pieces. It's always interesting to know what's going through the artists' minds as they create their pieces.

Is there a value to every piece of art? Who decides the value and what would it be based on? Does everyone appreciate a valuable piece of art? What is appreciation? Is there a relationship between value and appreciation? As I was thinking about these questions in the exhibition hall...one little boy who was just right beside me said loudly to his parent, "I am bored! Can we go now?" He sure had impatience written all over his face...Well, hmm...What do you think? Do you think we still have a long way to go?

Quiet moments with Baby

He sure knows how to laze...but wondering what's going through his mind

Was looking at him fall asleep in his little bed...snore...snore...sweet little thing

His bed...so cosy that I feel like snuggling in it too, I think he loves the comfort of it...zzZ

The unfinished stuff... Sometimes, he likes to take his own sweet time to finish his food.

My really good friend's Charlotte

Ha, trying to give me her sweetest smile...Oh my, I realised today that she has grown taller :)

More drawings?

Satisfaction with a smile :)

Drawing her favourite Christmas tree on her little whiteboard...Christmas is over, my dear :P

My really good friend's...

Dinner...it has been quite some time since we had fishhead curry together.

Giving it a shot...numerous shots I must say, but no worries, keep trying k!

Meet Doni...I have never carried a dog who's so still...and frightened of strangers :P See that fear in his eyes?

Do you see it?

The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Spending time with Mummy

For a sweet and lovely mother...

That Friday, my father was out for his game of golf and Mummy needed a trip to the supermarket to buy groceries. So there I was, coming in handy :P Mummy needed to go to two places to get her stuff. She always loves going to the friendly neighbourhood Ang Mo (Hong Mao) supermart as she feels she can get the cheapest stuff there. Our next destination was the mega NTUC at Nex. Basically, my role and duties: chauffeur, push trolley, help read some labels, carry bags of groceries :P Occasionally, we would talk and discuss the types of vegetables and fruits to purchase for our meals. Mummy always lets me choose the kinda vegetables and fruits I want to eat :) Well, she still insists on getting fish and prawns from the wet market though, from her friendly fishmonger at the wet market despite me asking if we wanna try cook squid for dinner :P Cheap and fresh are simple reasons for her choice. Forget about buying chips and crackers when doing grocery shopping with her, ha, you would probably have those packets of chips taken from the trolley and returned to the shelves :P After almost an hour in the supermarket, we had a big trolley of stuff. Lunch was at the food court. Over a cup of kopi and for me, orange juice, Mummy shared so much about the past, our relatives and how she felt about things. Oh yes, we bought ah balling for tea that afternoon too. Yummy! That day, I realised that it's been quite some time since I had spent a day like that with Mummy. I realised that I enjoyed that day with Mummy :) As I was driving, on our way home, Mummy reminded me to slow down. She said that given the chance to relax a little, learn to relax and slow down, don't rush through life every day, that's not good for our health...

Today is Mummy's birthday. She never fails to remind me the meaning of frugality. She has made me see happiness and contentment in simple things in life. She has made me realise her great love for every one of us in our family...Happy Birthday Mummy :)

Rough the tough

I was in an MRT station, on my way to catch a train when I saw this poster.

Are you an idiot?

A few years ago, I was asked what my passion was. I was kinda a little taken aback and stumped by this question. I probably had not been asked this question before for those years that I have existed in this world, yup, never did. To some, it may seem like a question to be brushed aside and maybe forgotten in the midst of the hustle and bustle of our lives. You know, it's just not necessary to talk about this. To some, it may not even be a valid question in the practicality of life. To some, you would hear things like..."What passion?! Do you mean having lotsa money? Wake up, my dear! Stop dreaming, silly!" ...What is your passion? I do not detest this question, I thought about this question, I really did...but I still don't seem to be able to find an answer to this question. How do you see and define passion? I see it as something you would give your life to, it's such a powerful word to me, with so much intensity and beyond love. But I realised that I enjoy seeing passion in others, in their eyes, in their faces, in every cell of that person. Seeing this passion in them makes me wanna support this passion of theirs. Well, how many of us asked ourselves or our hearts what our passion and dream is? Most importantly, how many of us are courageous enough to pursue our dream and live our passion?

Watched a Hindi movie "3 Idiots" on a DVD...I laughed lots and cried lots. At times, I did not know if I was laughing or crying. Moments after watching that, I felt it had added a couple of sunflowers in my life. At certain points of the story, it set me thinking about what I do, how I do things and how I see things in life. Environment and culture shape the mind of a person. At times, in a society, majority follows the 'trend' or what is deemed as the right path. As the majority, people would define what success really is. Not many may want to check out the off beaten track where no footsteps were ever found or traced for fear of being lost and for fear of how the majority of the society would see or view them. There is probably no guaranteed success (as defined by the society) in this foreign path that one brave soul has chosen. Hmm, is it the success or is it more of taking that first step? Well, not to forget, how many of us are in a way 'handicapped' by the reality and practicality of life? Afterall, my dear, how would I be able to pursue my dream or passion when I cannot even meet my basic needs? Don't be an idiot! Oops, harsh reality...

Spoke with and chatted with a couple of friends for the past week...If I could have a Venn diagram to group those common words being mentioned by them in our conversations, these words will come under this category...busy, tired, drained, overwhelmed, no time, deadlines. To a certain point, I wonder if I should be like the rest, it kinda felt more normal and fitted to be like the rest...busy, busy and busy with work. But then, nah, the path that I have chosen this year is different from theirs, I need to be busy with what I have chosen. We make choices and decisions about the direction that we wanna head towards in life and we bear the consequences. ...Does telling our hearts and saying "All is well" help us to eliminate fear and face challenges as we move on in this path that we have chosen? Ha, don't be such an idiot! But you know what, idiots have dreams too (small dreams, big dreams) and you know what, idiots may choose idiotic paths in their lives but maybe in their hearts, they love it. You never know, idiots are happy people :) Are you an idiot?

Back there again...

Wonder what's the thing that makes me keep going back there...is it the friendly staff or could it be the tea? Is it the quiet environment that's conducive for me to read?...Or could it be the music?...

Being a student all over again

Bought a couple of books for my programme. Oh boy, a few are quite thick, I guess I have got some reading to catch up. Hope that those procrastinating cells which seemed to be lurking in my body will be slowly destroyed. And well, guess what, that destroyer happens to me and myself :P There's certainly excitement to be a student again. Hmm, I guess one is considered old only if he or she has stopped learning. I am sure there's certainly much to learn in this road called Life even if you are not a student. However, I can't deny the fact that I do feel anxiety and fear within myself at times, wondering if I can manage the challenges ahead. But I told myself that I just wanna focus on the process, I am sure there's much learning from the process even though the road ahead might be bumpy. Wish this silly gal lotsa luck :P

A new beginning...

After burning about 200 calories at the gym (ha, really nothing to shout about but better than nothing)...this was my lunch :P

The air was real fresh and nice when I woke up early in the morning...With the cup of hot milk tea and mini mutli-grain croissants, how I really enjoy the new beginning...

A new year...a new beginning... Woke up early in the morning yesterday hearing the sounds of traffic outside my house. People were all getting ready to go to school and work. Felt a little strange not rushing like what everyone was doing. No jumping out of bed, no brushing of teeth with my eyes half opened, no quick shower (sometimes even forgetting if I had used my hair conditioner, funny things do happen if half of my body is still in dreamland :P), no sound from the hair dryer, no grabbing of my handbag, no starting of the car engine in the wee hours of the morning...Well, it's just so different from the usual days. It's a brand new beginning that I should get used to and maybe I am getting used to it.

As I was having my breakfast, was thinking of what an eleven year old girl whom I knew quite a number of years ago wrote in her journal that she shared with me. She must be a big girl now. In her journal, she shared that she wanted to make good use of every minute that she had in her life, not gonna waste it. She said that she wanted to learn more, she wanted to do her best in her studies as she had already missed almost a year of school. ...She had cancer, went through a major operation, went through chemo treatment, must have had many needles poking through her I guess. She was so glad when she was able to go back to school. She did not disappoint people around her who loved her...she did well in her studies, in fact, excellent job!

She has just gone back to Basel

Spending time with her ...shopping ...Which top goes well with that bottom? ...Is that mascara good? ...bubble tea at Nex (still misses that brand of bubble tea :P) ...watching movies ...snacking ...Japanese food ...teh and teh si ...spa at Aramsa ...psst, wanna hear gossips ...Generation Y and the Strawberry Generation, did we just spot one? :P ...Macbook ...apps ...favourite blogs ...running errands (like going Bengawan Solo to get goodies for her Swiss colleagues :P) ...silly moments with purple elephant and bing bong bunny but oops, what about the hippos and the two freaky cats? ...Well, she has just gone back to Basel but she will be back home again....See ya in one month's time, hugz!

Minutes before 2011...

Jakki's green apple smoothie?

The ring or the fries? :P

My ice mocha with gelato (absolutely sinful!) ...Hee, come on Kat, it's an interesting shot, you looked good :)

Minutes before 2011...minutes before Rachel's birthday too :) We spent minutes before the new year at Dome, just a few lanes down from Tawandang. When it was twelve midnight, the little birthday cake for Rachel was brought in and we sang a birthday song for dear Rachel. The whole crowd at Dome actually sang with us! Awww...that's so sweet of them! ...Happy happy birthday Rachel...with lotsa love from Aunty Siew Boon :)

New Year's Eve...dinner

Miss Tan was the only one amongst us who was keen to try a glass of beer :P

Fresh catch...the soup was tasty, spicy but mostly sourish. More...we also had cabbage, tom yum soup, chicken wings and pineapple rice :P

Appetizer...we were discussing how we could prepare this at home. Peanut sauce for the wrap was something we may need some time to work on :P

Hmm, dun think I have really tasted authentic pork knuckle but this one that I have tried seemed to fall below my expectation. The one I tried at Marche seemed to taste better. But the Asian spicy sauce Tawandang served with the pork knuckle was shiok, real spicy!

Thai iced tea (I liked the taste!) and Singapore lime juice :P

We all felt like we were in Thailand :) They have got quite friendly staff in that restaurant.

Saw my name on the reservation board? Ha, interesting! We were pretty impressed by the handwriting :P

It's a new year's eve at Dempsey. I was expecting a big crowd and alot of partying in that area but when we reached the place, it was not really that noisy. It's the same old Dempsey with a number of interesting restaurants. We made a reservation for a group of six at Tawandang, it's supposed to be a brewery serving also Thai-German cuisine. The place was kinda big and it was a good choice to sit outdoor as it was a real cooling evening. We were pretty entertained by the live band whose singers were able to sing a great variety of songs of different languages!