X'mas 2008

Cheese Platter, Prawns, Potato salad, Veggie Salad, Pasta Salad, Turkey, Ham, Stuffing Balls, Jayden in X'mas hat, My First Real X'mas Tree, Thomas & Jayden...Duh

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison

I like reading about people who are "different" if there is a politically correct way of saying it. I think it opens our minds to the world out there and encourages respect and tolerance. Have been fascinated ever since I watched a clip of Daniel Tammet on youtube. It's just incredible what they can do. This book is insightful and sometimes funny. You feel wronged for Robinson about how people treat him in his early years but at the same time feel so proud of what he has been able to achieved.

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Robison's thoughtful and thoroughly memorable account of living with Asperger's syndrome is assured of media attention (and sales) due in part to his brother Augusten Burroughs's brief but fascinating description of Robison in Running with Scissors. But Robison's story is much more fully detailed in this moving memoir, beginning with his painful childhood, his abusive alcoholic father and his mentally disturbed mother. Robison describes how from nursery school on he could not communicate effectively with others, something his brain is not wired to do, since kids with Asperger's don't recognize common social cues and body language or facial expressions. Failing in junior high, Robison was encouraged by some audiovisual teachers to fix their broken equipment, and he discovered a more comfortable world of machines and circuits, of muted colors, soft light, and mechanical perfection. This led to jobs (and many hilarious events) in worlds where strange behavior is seen as normal: developing intricate rocket-shooting guitars for the rock band Kiss and computerized toys for the Milton Bradley company. Finally, at age 40, while Robison was running a successful business repairing high-end cars, a therapist correctly diagnosed him as having Asperger's. In the end, Robison succeeds in his goal of helping those who are struggling to grow up or live with Asperger's to see how it is not a disease but a way of being that needs no cure except understanding and encouragement from others. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Jayden pulling himself up

Video of Jayden pulling himself up (with the help of our sofa bed)....

Jayden playing with water

Beware!! Slightly longer vid....then again...it's more cuteness..heee

Jayden's first painting

This is the first painting, which Jayden did in daycare...it's amazing what kids can do...just so surprising..though I am pretty sure the bulk of it is done by his carer...nonetheless....I reckon he is a genius...mwhahahaaha...it's all about being modest isn't it...

Jayden Sitting Up on his own

Jayden started sitting up from his crawling position about a week or so ago...

Jayden after having is first taste of ice-cream

This picture was taken at The Age Spring Harvest Picnic on the 30th November. Great day for a picnic and loads of yummy stuff to eat...Yabbie and Scallop pie....Brown Brothers wine....Paella...they even have BABBA (you know...ABBA impersonators) performing...this is Jayden after having his first taste of chocolate ice-cream... http://www.harvestpicnic.com.au/

Jayden Crawling (faster)

Video of Jayden crawling faster...I think the leopard crawl is it...don't think he will go on the normal crawl..if you know what I mean heeee

What a horrible day....

I must first start off this blog with a loud *WHINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*...and if you can take that whine...read on because this is what this blog is going to sound like....one big whine

The day started horrid with the weather forecast being 31 degrees...yes..I hate the scorching heat....told u this blog is going to be whiney...then J decides to have a fever(slight) and turned on the drippy nose tap(dropped him off at childcare anyway).....about 11ish...decided to go out for lunch with MIL and an aunt and uncle....was waiting for the car to be backed out of the garage...so I went to have a closer look at the new trees we had planted out front of the house...misstepped and twisted my ankle with a loud embarrassing HOWL...being the greedy person that I was...I insisted on forging ahead to the shopping mall..lest I be stuck at home with bread for lunch...halfway there...THE CAR BROKE DOWN...and the best part about it was ...we just sent it for servicing the day before(at the garage later...the mechanic told us that it was one of those weird things that doesn't happen at all..some spring thing broke or something..anyway..service was free)...soooo..called RACV for a tow truck...took 1 hour for the truck to come....and to add to the drama..a police petrol car stopped to help move the car to the side....one hour later.....tow truck came...along with a dodgy truck driver...because the tow truck can only ferry another 2 people...MIL and relatives decided to walk to the mall..while I sat in the tow truck to the garage...truck driver asked me if I was single..and if I was...whether I wanted to go somewhere with him...PLEASE...the size and the age(him of course)..some people just weird...anyway...got to the mechanics and lo and behold ...it's at some industrial area where there is nothing to do.....had to wait for Thomas for 2 freaking hours to come pick me up...it's now 5.30pm in Melbourne...hopefully it's the end of all the drama...I have had enough for the day and thanks to the sun(didn't want to use my brolly for shade while waiting for the tow truck...too ugly)....I am now a dozen shade darker..and a thousand freckles spottier...

Christmas Tree Headache

It's the time of the year to put up a Christmas Tree...and now that I have the option...the big question is REAL vs FAKE....have been thinking about it for awhile and am having a headache....I really really want to have a real tree...but Thomas reckons that a fake one is more economical.....sigh...but Christmas isn't really about the money is it....I mean why wouldn't we want a real tree....the smell of pine(read about it) in the house ...etc......I think I shall insist on a real tree...at least for my very first year in a house, which I can afford the space....even found a website, which delivers.....and collects it for dumping..hmmm...too easy...

http://www.christmastreesdeliveryplease.com.au/index.html

Jayden's first fall...off the bed

This is such a dumb blog..but I feel that it is such a huge milestone..simply because I think at the back of my mind I was just waiting for something like this to happen...since everyone tells u it would...I left J on my bed for his afternoon nap(as usual) and next thing know I heard this "BOM" sound and then a wail....it's weird because usually when he wakes up...he will cry for someone to pick him up...so I reckon he probably got distracted by something and was crawling to get it....and to think I took so much effort to build a fortress of blankets and pillows around him to prevent it.....I guess it is time to move him to his cot for his afternoon naps...especially when I am busy playing mahjong(which if you are my mum...I swear I wasn't doing yesterday)....

Red Hill Craft Market

I LURVEEEEEEEEEE going to famers' and craft markets because of the unique stuff they sell there...went to the Red Hill Craft Market...they sell the most amazing pop corn and there was this stall that sells amazing home made ginger beer and lemonade...but this is what I really like...bought Overalls/Dungarees( I guess it depends on which part of the world you are from) for Jayden.....they did not have his size at the stall...so the lady made this and sent it to me..took about two weeks..but worth the wait...isn't it so cuteeeeeeeeeee..oh..by the way...the lady has a website..it's www.blueracoon.com.au...

Spana Crabs Weekend

Had grilled spana Crabs once in a Japanese restaurant in Sydney and was craving for it ever since...so on Sat..we saw these live crabs in Footscray and had to buy them. Cheaper than mud crabs at 24 bucks a kg and I reckon they are nicer than mud crabs...on the bbq anywayz...aren't they gorgeous...meaty and sweet...and all we had to do was cut them in half...discard the innards pop them on the bbq (charcoal of course)...hee

ARRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHH... *faint*

Stepped on the weighing scale today...put on 4 freaking kilos in two weeks...man...and I was under the impression that when you are breastfeeding you somehow will not gain weight....MYTH MYTH MYTH I tell you...I am so swearing off weighing scales...yes....you heard me right...the dreaded scales....I bet my weight which equates to one of a baby elephant (yes baby..I don't care what anyone says) has to do with:

1. Australia being away from equator and therefore has more gravity and makes you heavier (somehow I think that it should be less gravity...so lighter....but I don't care..it's my Blog)
2. Water retention
3. "Heavy bones" syndrome

Or I could snap out of my denial and just admit that I have been really busy stuffing my face with leftover

1. Chips (so that they don't go soft)....
2. Soft Drinks (so that they don't go flat..you know..no gas)...
3. Chocolate (summer's coming...will melt)...
4. Food (too long will have "wind")..

*sigh*

Jayden's 8th month health check

Just came back from the maternal health nurse for Jayden's 8th routine health check....my boy is 9.48kg to be exact and 72cm long..hee heee...apparently that's quite long so it's really quite cool considering that he has two shorty-pants for his parents...lurve going for these routine checks...just makes u feel like u have done such a fantastic job...hee hee..and it's always so exciting to see such progress...amazing stuff

Shopping for Kids

X'mas is fast approaching and I have been on the lookout for pressie's for kids since my laws are coming and will be spending X'mas here...problem is though..I am so out of touch with what kids like nowadays....the kids ranges from ages 3(girl), 4(boy), 7(boy), 8(girl)....any suggestions are greatly welcomed...there is the problem of transportation since they will have to bring the presents back home..so big and bulky are no nos...you would think that books and "practical" stuff like clothes are ideal...but when you are 3 , I don't think that u care much about reading or fashion but as I mentioned, I am so out of touch that maybe kids really do like books and "practical" stuff nowadays...

Update: I have found the most gorgeous website...I think I will get them stuff from there... http://www.peanutgallery.com.au/ and http://www.sendatoy.com.au/

Jayden playing Peek-a-Boo

Here's a clip of Jayden playing Peek-a-Boo...at least that's what I think it is....then again it could be a clip of WHY-ARE-PEOPLE-ASKING-ME-TO-PEEK-A-BOO-
WHEN-IT-OBVIOUSLY-IS-A-STUPID-PLATE-GETTING-CAUGHT-IN-MY-FACE....

Jayden crawling...

Jayden started crawling (sort of) today..hee hee...

Boo Hoo...Sad sad day

I cannot believe that one of my all time favorite author has passed away....Michael Crichton...his book brought not only me...my dad and my sister hours of enjoyment...brilliant brilliant writer....I have always waited in anticipation for his new releases...I cannot believe it is all over...what a sad horrible day for avid readers...such a shock as well...*sniffle*...*wail*...I am sure many have read his books if not watch movies based on his book like Congo and Jurassic Park and what about the TV series he produced...ER...he will be greatly missed I am sure by many...

Jayden enjoying his biscuit

Jayden having his snack...some Japanese rice crackers for muchkins...

DA DA DA DA DA DA ...WHAT

Now that Jayden is sleeping rather well at night, he has decided that he likes the idea of waking up at 5am every morning to the sound of his own voice...DA DA DA DA DA...*squeal*...DA DA DA DA DA ....it's actually quite hilarious...if I am not so sleep deprived and actually understands what he is raving on about...I shall try to take a video and post it and maybe other babies can actually decipher and tell me why in the world J feels like he needs to tell me stuff at 5am...see...it's the sleep deprivation talking...what makes me think that i will understand other babies...sheesh...the DUH saga continues.....

My Baby is no longer DUH

This is a really weird and fascinating week for me....Jayden is doing stuff, which i have no idea he could do...he now understands stuff...like every week i would bring him to my friend's place and she has a collection of teddy bear and we would bring him to the bears and go "BEAR BEAR"..on Sun, i brought him over again and my friend asked him "Where is bear bear" and he actually turned towards the direction of the bear...i of course thought it was a coincidence and after testing him multiple times...came to the conclusion that HE ACTUALLY KNOWS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT....it's a HUGE shock to me because i have always tot of him as a little baby...u know...innocent and DUH....

Now..thinking that my son is a genius and ready for bigger stuff...i decided to buy him a stacking toy to keep him amuse...on the box it says 6m+ ...now J being 7m+...i thought it would be an easy toy for him...but NOoooooooo...he does not know how to stack...all he does is hit two stacking components against each other...and i thought my baby is a genius...brought that up to a friend...and she said...HARLOW FIRST TIME MUM...6m+ just means tat at 6m+ he would not choke or injure himself with the toy...not stack and count just because that's what he is suppose to do..i am telling u...toy makers should be more specific.....then again...maybe J isn't DUH...his mum is...

Jayden loving his Farex...

Here's a picture of Jayden, which I really like...with his favorite banana and apricot breakfast cereal all over his chubby face...heee

Bald...So What...

Whenever people see Jayden, the first thing that comes to mind is ohhhhhhhh...Bald...like grandpa or like when your mum was a kid...and I could never think of a clever retort...then..I saw on my friend's blog what a priest said about being bald...he said, "When God made us, we were all bald. Then he looked around and decided to cover the ugly ones with hair." Now...how clever is that? I guess this is a good a retort as any until Jayden grows hair and then I might have to remove this blog entry and pretend that this entry never existed...after all...my muchkin can't be ugly can he.....heeeee

Jayden gets Baptised!!

Jayden (Jude) got baptised on the 19th October at 12.15pm at Queen of Peace church. It was fantastic. Weather was great, Dad and Aunts were around to witness the whole thing. Here are some pictures....

(Jayden just before the christening....heee..having a nap in the car)


(Jayden just inside the church before the christening..looking refreshed after his nap)


(Jayden getting baptised)


(Jayden taking a breather after the baptism in his tuxedo printed romper..heee..shoes courtesy of Auntie Tina!)


(Makan after the baptism..heee..we had sweet 'n' sour pork, winter melon soup, curry chicken, fried rice, stewed pork belly, cashew nut chicken....all cooked by my Aunt... YUM YUM YUM)

Teeth!!

For the past 4 days, Jayden has been having very bad nights. He would wake up screaming and not settle down. He would also wake up just about every hour. The days are not much better. He would be clingy, would not play on his own and would cry everytime I put him down. Not eating well too. Was wondering what happened..if he had suddenly developed a bad case of stranger anxiety. Then the root of all that became apparent when I saw TEETH!!!!! 2 of them...little bubba has TEETH!!!!!!! heee..today..he is feeling so much better..smiling and happy to be alone...hee hee...Thank goodness that was just a short thing...I am hoping I don't have to go through every time he sprouts new tooth though..and no chance of a pic..wouldnt open his mouth at all for me to see....

Cookies...hmmmmmmmmmm

heee...my friend Tina...she send me cookies from Singapore from this place called The Cookie Museum...they have all these cool local flavors like ikan bilis, laksa, nasi lemak etc and they come in a pretty box...heard from her they have like american brekkie flavor also..hee hee...tried to access their website... #^%$^$##^$^...horrid horrid website...http://www.thecookiemuseum.com/...please la...this kind of website just IRKS me...what is the point of the website..NOTHING on it..NADA..cannot even click to get in...then again..if I got it wrong..I apologize before I get a call from their laywer..but seriously...U COOKIE MUSEUM PEOPLE...CAN U HEAR ME????!?!?!!!!!...


Tried the Laksa one...not too bad..but I do not think I can eat too much....Abit jelat after awhile...heee..when I go back..I want to try their Cran Lychee flavour since I loved Lychee...but at 30 - 50 sg a tin..I better eat all the sample worth and consider seriously which flavors to buy..hee hee...actually just greedy want to try everything..heee..

Popiah

Made Popiah over the weekend..my mum's recipe....really isn't hard to make...but a lot a lot of work..all the chopping and cutting..sheesh..woke up at 6am to do..and only completed making at around 12ish...the taste....simply divine..if I may say so myself..hee

Ingredients for Popiah:
7 big turnips (bang guang), peeled and shredded
8 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
2kg prawns
1 1/5 cups of dried shrimps, soaked and chopped up
4 tbsp of heaped garlic
1 cup oil
12 chinese sausages (lap cheong), steamed and cut into small thin strips
1 dozen eggs, hard boiled and chopped into small pieces
1 iceburg lettuce, peeled and washed
half kg bean sprouts, tail removed and blanched in hot water
ground roasted peanuts
sweet Popiah sauce
Popiah chilli (see below for recipe)
60 Popiah wrappers
dark soy sauce
light soy sauce

1. Add prawns to pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and once prawns are cooked, off the fire. Shell prawns and remove vein. Chop into small pieces. Put liquid through strainer, retaining the liquid.
   
2. Add oil and garlic to wok. Fry till fragrant.
3. Add dried shrimps. Fry till fragrant.
4. Alternate between adding the turnips, carrots and liquid from the prawns. Keep frying until vegetables are tender.
5. Add dark soy sauce and light soy sauce to taste.
6. Using the Popiah wrappers, add lettuce, bean sprouts, ground peanuts, chinese sausages, prawns, eggs, sweet Popiah sauce, Popiah chilli and turnip and carrot mixture (don't forget to drain the mixture) to it and roll it up as you would a spring roll.

Popiah chilli Ingredients:
10 red chilli
4 chilli padi
8 cloves of garlic
sugar to taste
oil

1. Put chilli, chilli padi and garlic in food processor and blend. Add sugar to taste and oil to make a smooth paste.
   

The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad

I like the way this book is written. It's easy to read and the characters are interesting. The main character in the book - Sultan...despite all the knowledge he gained by reading, I feel that he learned nothing from them. He rules his household with an iron fist and yet it seems that everything is still out of his control. A good view of how the Afghan people live. A society caught in between the modern world and it's tradition is how I feel.

From Publishers Weekly
After living for three months with the Kabul bookseller Sultan Khan in the spring of 2002, Norwegian journalist Seierstad penned this astounding portrait of a nation recovering from war, undergoing political flux and mired in misogyny and poverty. As a Westerner, she has the privilege of traveling between the worlds of men and women, and though the book is ostensibly a portrait of Khan, its real strength is the intimacy and brutal honesty with which it portrays the lives of Afghani living under fundamentalist Islam. Seierstad also expertly outlines Sultan's fight to preserve whatever he can of the literary life of the capital during its numerous decades of warfare (he stashed some 10,000 books in attics around town). Seierstad, though only 31, is a veteran war reporter and a skilled observer; as she hides behind her burqa, the men in the Sultan's family become so comfortable with her presence that she accompanies one of Sultan's sons on a religious pilgrimage and witnesses another buy sex from a beggar girl-then offer her to his brother. This is only one of many equally shocking stories Seierstad uncovers. In another, an adulteress is suffocated by her three brothers as ordered by their mother. Seierstad's visceral account is equally seductive and repulsive and resembles the work of Martha Gellhorn. An international bestseller, it will likely stand as one of the best books of reportage of Afghan life after the fall of the Taliban.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Little Smart Jayden

I was concern about Jayden not pooping for the past 8 days and so I called the maternal health nurse and post my concern to her...apparently they can go without pooping for up to 3 weeks....but he was farting alot and I was so sure that it was going be pretty soon...and when he does poop..it's going to be something not unlike the Olympic fireworks....I wasn't too far off with my prediction...

At childcare today, Jayden actually had...according to the childcare worker...an "EXPLOSION" hahahahahahahaha....apparently it was so much that she had to bathe him...hahahahaa...poor gal...I hope she did not have to go for a shower as well....but how smart is he...knowing that mummy just dread the thought of cleaning his 8 days worth of poop....he left it for someone else to do it...hahaha... :)

Ski Trip at Falls Creek

Went for Ski Trip last weekend with a couple of friends at Falls Creek....we stayed in Bright at this place called The Odd Frog...

....did not look impressive from the outside..but was pleasantly surprised at how cosy it was inside....

now..this place does not have central heating...only a wood fireplace...all was fine and dandy while we were still awake...but imagine how cold it got at night when the fire died out...hahahaha...poor Thomas was trying to light the fireplace at 2am with frozen fingers......

Went up to the mountains the next day....Thomas tried snowboarding(failed miserably...MWHAHAHAHA...he said his body went into spasm everytime he stood up) and I just hung around with Jayden waiting for them to finish skiing...all because I did not do my research...they actually have childcare there....I could have gone skiing..but who am I kidding..I hate to ski....I have more fun watching my toenails grow...which I did....but it was not a totally boring trip for me...heee...had my first try at tobogganing...screamed so much...that I lost my voice...contrary to what Thomas would have told you about the amount of chocolate I ate....heee...

But I have to admit that the best part of the trip was playing dress up with Jayden..hahahahahaha..I have NEVER seen such a small snow suit and snow boots for babies.....

Cheesy Weekend

Just how much cheese can one eat during a weekend? This was how much a couple of friends and myself had....

Saturday
Cheese fondue - Gruyere, Cheddar and Emmentaler
Lasagna - store bought..but I presume it's Mozzarella and Parmesan
Sunday
Quiche - Cheddar and Feta
Tea - Haloumi
Alfredo - Romano and Parmesan

so...I would say a grand total of 8...that was how much before I feel really icky...not to mention tons of alcohol, butter and cream.....hahahahaa...I am pretty sure I woke up this morning with thighs the size of tree trunks.....so this week...I am going to be good...it's gonna be porridge porridge porridge before the weekend comes again....

Wouldn't have it any other way...

Lack of freedom and being sleep deprive comes with having a bubba...but guess what...I would not have it any other way....I love being the first person to see my little one roll.....be the one to prepare his food and see his face cringe when it's something he doesn't like....I am starting to really enjoy myself.....I was brought up to be modest and not think about how good you have been doing...but recently I have allowed myself to think about it...even if it is just a tad...heee....and I do feel proud of what I have achieved...I see no reason why I should not be...as the nurse in the hospital said...she felt like a legend just by giving birth....

Do I wish I was back home in Singapore so that I can leave my baby with a maid or even his grandparents to do the daily cleaning up of poo and making his bottle? No. ABSOLUTELY NOT....it's the best part of being a parent.....to rely on my own...stand on my own two feet and be the first to see what my little one has to offer each and every day....of course I have the privilege of being on a long maternity leave to see it all.....I love what my life in Australia has to offer....and at this present moment...even though I am so tired from the lack of sleep...maybe it's because I am so tired from the lack of sleep....I feel humbled and privileged by the whole experience of being a mum....and at the risk of sounding cliche...it is all worth it...

One small step for a man.....

I guess anyone who reads my blog will by now be very familiar with Jayden's sleeping(or not) habits. He is not a very good sleeper except for when he is in childcare...so it is with great joy that I write this blog... .....

Jayden currently co-sleeps with me...so Thomas was a little concern about how kids will not sleep in their own room and cot when they are bigger....so yesterday, I decided to start putting him in his cot in his room for his afternoon naps....lo and behold...he took to it like fish to water...left him there with his dummy and 5 minutes later...he was asleep..no fussing..no nothing...for only 20 mins though...of course I had to take a picture to prove it....then again..with kids...it could be a fluke...

So today at childcare, I was pleasantly surprise when I was told that Jayden slept on his own again...in the cot with his dummy...no fussing..no nothing...for..tada...2 hours...what can I say...isn't he such a darling...heee heee

The Front by Patricia Cornwell

Just finished reading Patricia Cornwell's latest book - The Front....verdict..I really really don't like it. I have always been a big fan of Patricia Cornwell, but somehow this book just does not do it for me. There is not much of a plot...if there is, I am missing most of it. The characters are bleh and just not into each other.
I would not waste good money on this book. One of the worst book I have read so far. So boring =0(.

From Publishers Weekly
At the start of this weak sequel to 2006's At Risk from bestseller Cornwell, Monique Lamont, a politically ambitious D.A., uses a speech at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Mass., to launch an implausible anticrime initiative she's labeled No Neighbor Left Behind ("The decline of neighborhoods is potentially as destructive as global warming"). Lamont orders her main investigator, Win Garano, to reopen the case of a blind English woman, Janie Brolin, murdered in Watertown in 1962. Lamont suspects Brolin may have been the first victim of the notorious Boston Strangler. For reasons that Lamont fails to coherently articulate, solving this crime will galvanize the public into caring about crime in general. Not incidentally, it will also bolster her chances of ascending to greater power. Lamont's irresponsible approach to her job may strike some readers as bizarre, while Garano's ambivalence about his boss adds little to his appeal. The unsophisticated depiction of power politics (e.g., Lamont suggests to the governor of Massachusetts that solving Brolin's murder will make him Time magazine's man of the year) is not what the legions of Kay Scarpetta fans have come to expect.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spinach and Feta Quiche

Ingredients:
1 shortcrust pastry sheet
1 cup fresh spinach
1/2 cup mushroom, sliced
3/4 cup herb and garlic feta cheese
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
3/4 cup cream
3 eggs
pepper to taste

1. Pre-heat conventional oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
   
2. Place shortcrust pastry sheet into quiche dish and cover with baking paper. Add weights or rice on top of the baking paper.
3. Bake in oven for 10 mins. Remove the baking paper and weights and bake for another 5 - 10 mins until the crust is golden brown.
   
4. Remove stem from spinach leaves. Blanch in boiling water, then cool in cold water. Drain and squeeze dry. Roughly chop up the leaves.
   
5. Mix the spinach and all other ingredients together.
6. Pour the filling into the pre-baked shell and bake for another 25 - 30 mins until golden brown.
   

Panda King

Oh gawd...I need to sleep so badly....Jayden is teething and for the past 2 days...he has been waking up every hour at night SCREAMING....apparently that's when teeth grows...fantastic...whoever made teeth grow at night has a really bad sense of humor...trust me(someone who looks like the pack leader of all pandas)...and anyone who tells me they are solitary animals will get smacked....hopefully this baby bonjela gel will help.....me

Proud Singaporean

Haha..for the first time since coming to Melbourne, I actually feel so Singaporean....there is a diaper sale going on at BIG W...huggies diapers...each box is about 10 bucks cheaper...so Thomas and I went to BIG W to check it out...wanted to go during lunch but after dilly dallying a bit, reached there about 3 something...imagine my horror when there is like only a few boxes of infant size left...my son..taking after his jumbo mum is actually wearing the crawler size now..even though he can hardly turn..let alone crawl....so of course I started whinging about not going there earlier and to my pleasant surprise..Thomas found a few boxes of crawler and toddler diaper left...being like a total kiasu Singaporean...hee hee...I bought 1 box of crawler (still have 2 boxes at home) and 2 boxes of toddler diapers knowing full well that he will only get to wear them when he is one...but so scared that there will NEVER be such a deal again..hahahahahaha....so Singaporean..so proud of my buy...

Bloody People who Scams

Just last week I received a call from this Chinese sounding girl inviting me to some event held in Sydney's Hyde Park and since I reside in Melbourne, it was hardly possible that I attend the event, which was held in the evening of that call. She asked if it was alright for me to enter my name in some lucky draw for that evening, thinking nothing of it, I gave her my name. Lo and behold, the next day, she called to tell me that I have won second prize in the lucky draw, big prize of 1,000,000 Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to aussie 135,000 there about. So, she went about reading the "rights" to claiming the prize and asked me for my bank account number and drivers' license number. Being totally gullible, I gave it to her.

About an hour later, she called back telling me that since I am not a resident of Hong Kong and the law stipulates that anything more than $100,000 has to be taxed and so I will need to send over about $5K to claim that prize money. Thank god for Thomas, he thought something does not sound quite right so we went about checking up on the company and stuff. They, of course provided a website of the company that does not work and a check with Hyde Park confirmed his suspicions that it's all just a farce. So we told her straight up that we do not want the prize money. She even provided a phone number of the other second prize winner for us to verify that it actually happened (but that was 3 days after we asked for it and we did not bother - too fishy).
But boy, these people are very very persistent. They call every other day and whenever you tell them you are not interested or whatever, a phone call in the background could be heard. For instance, when they are telling you that you have won and there is another prize winner, she will put you on hold and pick up another call - supposedly from the other prize winner claiming to have received the money blah blah.

Like what my colleague said, there is nothing like free money and what probably is too good to be true is usually not true. Thank goodness I did not have to part with 5K to learn a lesson. So beware people who scam, the next time I won't be as nice or stupid! HMPH!

Rock Sugar Ribs

Lurve this tasty easy peasy recipe...


Ingredients:
600g of pork ribs
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp rock sugar
1 tbsp shaoxing wine
3 tbsp of white vinegar
a dash of sesame oil

1. Put all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.
2. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.
3. Remove lid, turn heat to high and stir until all the liquid has evaporated.
   

Jayden Turning!

Little baby actually turned a week ago....but every time when I want to catch him on video, he refuses to turn...so I made Thomas film him today...finally got it on film...heee....

Jayden's Second Day at Childcare

heee...i promise this will not be a weekly occurrence..me reporting on what Jayden did in childcare...but so proud of him..had 2 bottle of 120ml formula without CHOKING or kicking a big fuss..and he went to sleep right after that without the dummy...*big cheer*...guess he is one of those that does really well in childcare but refuses to be put to sleep at home......

Honey Lemon Chicken

heee..inspired by my favorite karaoke drink - lemon honey....

Ingredients:
1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp shaoxing wine
5 tbsp warm water
5 tbsp honey
1 tsp sesame oil
wedge of lemon
oil

1. Marinate chicken with light soy sauce and shaoxing wine for at least an hour.
2. Deep-fry chicken until golden brown and cooked. Dish and drain.
   
3. Cook water, honey and sesame oil until thick and bubbly. Put in chicken and mix well. Dish up.
4. Squeeze lemon on chicken.
   

Stew Soy Pork

My aunt used to make this dish when I was little...easy and I keep the leftover sauce in the freezer to reuse... =0)...pork belly will of course be nicer...but trying to cut back on the fat...hee

Ingredients:
300g pork fillet or pork belly, sliced
1 tbsp garlic
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp sugar
2 cups of water
oil

1. Saute garlic in oil until fragrant.
2. Add pork and fry till pork is almost cooked.
3. Add dark soy sauce, light soy sauce and sugar and fry until pork is cooked.
4. Add water and bring it to a boil.
5. Simmer until pork is tender, about an hour.
   

Jayden's 4 Month Health Check

Brought little one for his routine health check...it is always exciting to go...just to see how much he has grown...amazing how much breast milk one can produce for the little one to be a whopping 7.5kg....and 63.5cm long.... =0)....he apparently is teething, according to the nurse..but it's on the top gum...i wonder if it could be Bohn's nodule....can't find a decent picture of it on the internet to compare.....hmmmm

Jayden after a Feed

heee...check out Jayden's tummy...emphasized by the stripes..heee

Easy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

Lazy to cook yesterday so just made this simple dish with leftovers....lurve the taste of mushrooms

Ingredients:
250g penne pasta
8 mushrooms, sliced
1/2 roast chicken, shredded
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to packet instructions till al dente, drain and put aside.
   
2. Saute 2 tbsp butter, olive oil and mushrooms until mushrooms juices are released.
   
3. Add roast chicken, pasta and stir evenly.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Remove pasta from heat, stir the last tbsp of butter through the pasta.
6. Add parmesan cheese if desired.
   

First Drive in 3 Years...PHEW

heee..i drove around the estate yesterday for the first time in 3 years...hee heee...amazing that i did not kill anyone or anything...so uneventful that even Jayden fell asleep....i take it as a really good sign..so happy...now i have to venture out into the big roads where there are cars.....*shudder*

Poor Thomas

Thomas extracted 3 wisdom tooth yesterday and has to eat plain porridge for the next few days...MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Jayden's First Day at Childcare

Today is Jayden's first day at childcare without me.....left him there for 4 hours...i reckon i have more of a separation issue than my little one....it's just weird to be going for lunch or shopping without him....so used to him.....but he did really really well...heee..took 2 bottles of 70ml...i need to look for a teat that has a slower flow.....he chokes on the flow...even though it's the one with the smallest hole...hmmmm......and he actually went to sleep for an hour..gosh...i need to know how they got him to go to bed..whenever i try to put him down..he does not go down without a fight or i have to nurse him to sleep....and yes...i tried the dummy...little one hates it....but i am so happy...he did really well...hee heee....so hopefully mummy will get used to being away from babeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and not wanting to pop into the childcare every 5 mins to see how he is doing....

Yering Station Farmer's Market

Was so glad that I made the trip down to the farmer's market at Yering Station Winery on Sunday. The weather was beeeeeeeeautiful and the stalls there were delightful....not many stalls though...I would think there was only about 20 - 30 stalls maximum..but they were great..heee...bought loads of stuff as seen in my stash below..hee heee....they had beautiful almond meringues and this YUM YUM YUM turkish bread in cinnamon sugar...YUM YUM YUM....heard a customer raving about it...and the owner was saying there was only one packet left..so being the glutton that I am....I HOVERED around the stall until the other customer left and grabbed the last packet..of course I was sorely disappointed when I realized that they were actually selling them in most of the shops around the area....made all my hovering seem dumb....ahem..not to say that to hover over food is not dumb anywayz

Char Siew

I used pork loin for leaner char siew...pork belly would give a fattier and more fragrant char siew...I also like my char siew a little charred...so I pan fry it slight longer....

Ingredients:
800g pork loin fillet
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
500 ml water
3 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
3 tbsp sugar
dash of sesame seed oil

1. Marinate all the ingredients (except the water) together for at least an hour.
2. Bring water to the boil, add the pork loin fillet and cook until water has dried up. If pork is still not cooked through, add more water and continue cooking. Lower heat and pan-fry until the meat is coated thoroughly with the caramelized sauce and slightly charred.
   

Undies for Travelling...

I am constantly amazed at the things that my parents or rather my mum can find during her shopping trips around town...heee...isn't this the most hilarious thing you have ever seen.....an underwear with a zipper to store your passport and cash while travelling..... PWHAHAHAHHAHAA.....imagine paying for something...no no...imagine being stopped at customs in airport because the scanner won't stop beeping....or how about keeping all the change accumulated while shopping....jingle..jangle....HILARIOUS

The Two "Japanese" Men in my life

heee......Thomas's first Father's Day gift, which my sis sent from Japan...a jinbei...and a little jinbei for Jayden from her colleague...as they would say in Japan...KAWAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Bottle Refusal - HELP!!!

ARGHHHHHHHHH....Jayden chose this week of all weeks to get that bottle refusal thingy....the little one has been drinking from the bottle on and off without any problems until this week...and what makes us anxious is that we have bought tickets for Michael Buble concert and arranged for a babysitter...seems like there is no chance of us going now...BOO HOO...or at least mummy of going ANYWHERE...double BOO HOO..does anyone have any any any quick solution to this problem?

How Time Flies

Just got off the phone with my cousin....I cannot believe that her eldest son is now 16...feels like it was just yesterday that I attended her wedding...oh my goodness...where did all those years go? Pretty soon I will be sitting on my front porch(I will need to get one to fulfill my fantasy) on a swing(need to get that too)...knitting (if arteritis does not get to me first) for Jayden's kids...how scary

I do think about life quite abit....I like to think that I live a full life surrounded with good friends and good food.....I think about death quite abit as well....more like how I am going to die rather than death itself....thought of dying in a car crash or something painful like cancer...scares me mindless....heee...morbid but true....but I guess it's thinking about these things that makes me understand and treasure life abit more...can't be all bad can it?

Chubby Baby

Took this picture of little Jayden yesterday....ever wondered why every picture taken, which you think is an absolutely gorgeous picture has to be tarnish by something stupid? LIKE THE SNOUT-LIKE THING I CALL A NOSE in the background...just a testimonial of the skill of the photographer..aka baby's dad...and then you think....Photoshop or cropping the picture is a good idea..like I can be bothered..so go ahead look for snot..like I care..BAH

Chicken Pot Pie

My first recipe entry....as you can see...i ran out of pastry to finish up the lattice design for the pie..hee heee...typical...hahaha...I love making this..basically I just use whatever vegetables I have left....




Ingredients:
2 pieces of chicken thigh fillet, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 carrots, diced
4 new potatoes, diced
half an onion, diced
half a cup of mushrooms, sliced
half a cup of peas
1 tsp of garlic, minced
1 can of condense cream of mushroom/chicken soup
1 cup water
1 cup milk
2 sheets of puff pastry for a 9 inch pie dish
1 egg, beaten
salt and pepper to taste

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees celsius.
2. Stir fry chicken fillet with some oil until cooked. Remove from wok.
3. Stir fry garlic, carrots, celery and onions until slightly tender.
4. Add peas, mushrooms and potatoes and cook until sauce has thicken considerably.
   
5. Remove from heat and let cool.
6. Place a sheet of puff pastry in pie dish, pressing into the dish.
7. Pour cooled filling into the dish.
8. Cover with the other sheet of puff pastry, seal the edges and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
9. Brush the top pastry with egg.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

Verbal Diarrhea

Ok...now that I have started..I seem to have loads of stuff to type about...try stopping me....argh...i seem to have lost all sense of grammer...spelling and punctuation...my blog..it's going to be all about my little bub...Jayden...my life in Melbourne..oh..did I mention I was originally from Singapore?...and my greatest lurve of all...FOOD...just ask anyone who knows me...heee...

Currently on maternity leave....before having Jayden...I had grand plans..to cook...bake...go out and not let the little one stop me from doing the things I want to do...PLEASE...none of the above happened...I am a slave to the little one..how can something so small demand so much time and energy..gosh..it's amazing...and do I want to talk about how much poo there is? sigh..don't get me started...

Just thinking of going out of the house...makes me shudder...what takes 5 mins now takes an hour...

I have to admit he is cute though..if I may say so myself...hmmmm....let me insert a pic of him....bugger..how do I do it....aha

First Blog Entry

Never thought I would start a blog. But I guess I am a slow starter..=0)....I wonder if I will keep up with the blog entries...hmmmmm....