my style. my life!

2006

2006-12-31T22:57:00.000+11:00

2006 - i can only divide it into 4 parts for the 4 seasons:

Jan - Mar : I started the year 2006 in Singapore with dad, mum, the kids and my brother. Jem and Theo celebrated their birthdays together because their birthdays in the different calendars coincided on the same day. I saw dad.

Apr - Jun : I ended this part of the season by returning to Singapore early June to celebrate mum's 70th birthday (and again with mum's and mine birthday coinciding on the same day in the different calendars) and spent time with my mum and dad during that precious 8 days I had. I saw dad.

Jul - Sep: I returned to Singapore towards the end of this season when dad suffered that fatal stroke. I saw dad although he was unconscious.

Oct - Dec : The last part of the year was spent in Singapore with dad leaving us towards the end. I saw dad and on 4 Dec, he was gone.

This was my year 2006. This is how I can conclude this year. I conclude this year with the loss of someone so close yet so distant through his hidden love for us.

In his wallet, he had his Identity Card, beneath his IC, was my brother's name card. On the other side of the wallet was 2 more pieces of again Jem's namecards, one with our current address written behind it and the other one, he scribbled with his handwriting "SL Tan" at the back of it. It was my name. He wanted to bless us by carrying our names around I guess. His love for us was not expressed verbally nor did he expressed physically by means of hugs and kisses. He seldom spoke. We could not understand what and how he thinks. But I guess through these, he showed that despite what he had gone through in his life, he had gone through it for the sake of us, his kids. although there were many times we were mean to him, rude to him, disrespected him. selfless unconditional love of a man who was a good man who had all his life caught in between the lives of his parents and that of his wife and kids. And when he geared towards my grandparents, he neglected us and had affected us as a result. I dont know if I can blame him at all. Many times I did. I guess he didnt have a choice. I dont know.

Goodbye 2006. I guess I do not have much good memories to bring along with me this year. May 2007 heralds a good start.

In Memory of Father this Christmas 2006

2006-12-31T21:44:00.000+11:00

song chosen by Jem
video done by myself

December

2006-12-29T16:22:00.000+11:00

December is normally the month I favour most amongst the other months in Singapore. Maybe it is because Christmas falls on this month, but more so because this is generally the more cooler time in hot humid Singapore. The winds maybe not be wintry cold, but it lends a wintry feel to it with a dash of coolness in it, so to speak. The temperature still hovers around the high twenties to even the low thirties, but there are days when temperature is only 24- 25 degrees celcius indoors or at night. That I have to sleep with a blanket and without the air-conditioner.

However this is year is different. December brings to me a sense of void and emptiness - that dad is longer with us. Thus Christmas feels different too, not that we celebrate Christmas with my parents all these while, for they were not Christians, not until my father accepted the Lord while he was in ICU and not until my mum re-dedicated herself to the Lord during father''s wake.

Christmas time is about giving - all my years I have been giving - with whatever money I had, I would buy mum the washing machine, cooking pots and sets, to buy my brother his fav item for his christmas and his birthdays , buy my family their favourite food, buy my then bf the best gift i could ever afford etc etc. We have been told to be hospitable, (with kindness and warmth) , and therefore opened up my house to overseas visitors when they visited Melbourne, to friends over for meals. Giving is better than receiving we were told. Sometimes, when we give so much away, give, give and give BUT you dont receive. Know what, sometimes, you feel good to receive as well. That we have been taken for a ride. That we have been taken for granted. Things cannot merely be one-sided. And when some gets calculative about how much they should contribute and give. It gets all too much to bear.

Is Christmas all about giving?

golden advice

2006-12-19T15:59:00.000+11:00

the last advice said to me when father and I went back to 21 SMR, during the CNY period in Feb this year, was this "You are truly successful only through own efforts rather than through inheritance, greed or worse, deceit."

it will be deeply etched into my mind for the rest of my life.

a week

2006-12-15T16:02:00.000+11:00

to set the record straight - father's bday falls on 21 Nov and he was born in the year 1933. his passed away on 4 December 2006. he was 73 years old.

it's been week exactly since his body was cremated at Mandai Crematorium. it was a heart wrenching moment to see your own father being pushed into the burning furnace without having any more chance to see his physical body now.

the after trauma lingers on deep within me. did i not do enough in his living years? i neglected him esp his health. i didnt know i miss him so so much. it was only in the past 5 years he had been liberated from his duty as a filial son to grandma. it was only in the past few years he had the opportunity to travel to Japan for Jem's graduation, to Melbourne to visit us and then to Perth to visit my aunt & family, to China for a holiday, to HK with us to visit my in-laws. His wish to visit BKK has not been fulfilled. why cant he live for another 5 years. i dont ask for more - just 5 more years. why? why did he have to go when he was showing signs of recovery? we were pinning our hopes for him to recover completely and then i will bring him to BKK for a holiday. he's been wanting to visit Thailand coz grandpa settled in Thailand from China before migrating further south to Singapore. I know we have some relations in Phuket - from the same family village in Fujian, China.

i didnt expect the last time to see him alive and conscious was during my trip back in June. if i had known then, i would have simply just extended my stay further in spite of hubba's objection and booked a short trip to Thailand and myself. if only i was sensitive to my spirit.

this whole year there has been a lingering feeling, almost ominous, that i wanted more time to spend with mum and dad. which explians why i didnt wanna retun to Melbourne. which explains why i wanted a trip badly back to Singapore in June and another one in December.

there were many times, my spirit told me to say goodbye to dad, to talk to him, to hug him, to show concern for him etc but i neglected most of it. not being sensitive.

i didnt know it was gonna be dad. mum has existing health conditions. i focused on her so much i neglected him. why does things work the other way round? is there an answer to all these? why? why? why? i kept asking myself.

i didnt show enough respect to him. he was a good man. with a good heart. but a man of few words. and so soft he gets trampled all over by others. often misunderstood by others including us. even when he did try to utter something to us the few times we visited him prior to him passing away, he was mumbling sans his voice due to the tracheostomy. we couldnt even hear what he wanted to tell us.

i need answers. i want to know why. i will not give up. i dont undertand how this whole universe works. but i want to know more. why some got healed but why not my father? why? why? why?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Dad is with Jesus now

2006-12-05T02:57:00.000+11:00

It is with a heavy heart that I write about my dad's passing away this morning at the nursing home despite him showing signs of his recovery and consciousness.

But I have an assurance that Jesus forgave him of his sins and that Jesus loves him very much during last Thursday's healing session at Bethesda cathedral. This by itself, is the greatest comfort to hear.

Our life on earth is only temporary. Life with Jesus is eternal. and bliss.

I will miss you dad. We will see you in heaven one day.

Happy Bday Dad

2006-11-22T02:24:00.000+11:00

It is dad's 73rd birthday today.

I wish he can be home and conscious to cut his birthday cake like the time I did the same for mum back in June. I have not celebrated his birthday with him personally for the past many years.

I wish he can be home and conscious to enjoy the nice environment and watch is fav TV program on his plasma tv he had indicated he wanted.

I wish he can be with us enjoying a simple meal and slurping down his birthday mee sua at least , yes, at least being conscious and not bedridden and lying still.

I wish he can be mobile.

I wish he can be around to play with Tessa.

I wish he is still walking around so that we can plan a trip to BKK together. This time, it's okay if it's just him and me, father and daughter, if mum doesnt want to come along with us.

I wish him complete recovery at least he is now starting to move and able to shift his left leg according to the resident nurse.

I wish he could feel and respond to my kiss when i kissed him on his left cheek and forehead. And I am ashamed to say that this is my first time I have ever kissed him in my whole entire life although I have given him a hug before.

I wish him a happy 73rd birthday, at least he is still around to "celebrate" this day. Give thanks, always.

this is my blog

2006-11-14T01:49:00.000+11:00

...and so i deserve every right to do what deems fit. i do not and will not succumb to mounting pressures for me to eradicate certain entries i have posted unless i see fit.

i am a human with emotions and feelings too. i write what is within me - and feel the need to vent that energy and release it in the form of words. since verbal means was tainted useless. as if i purely do not exists in this world. yes, i know i am dimunitive. but still i need to make my presence felt. by voicing out. i cannot forever be bottling my emotions within me. i will explode one day, eventually. i feel helpless. very very helpless many many times. But i choose to insists and believe God did not leave me nor forsake me. He stands besides me. He comforts me.

i was peeved. i was vexed over many issues. i mulled over many other life's problems and got to where I am today. I have gone through much more than one would imagined. Life is tough. Indeed it is very much so. made even more miserable by someone so close yet the connection seems so very distant. like on the extreme opposite ends of the polar. different wavelengths. different frequencies.

i am apt to say that the distance seems to be widening. wavering through rough tides. what seems to be the norm doesnt seem so now. they have all but vaguely vanished into the mist.

but i am still me.

the baby that was not meant to be

2006-11-11T16:58:00.002+11:00

it was unplanned. and it was not meant to be. at 8 weeks, the fetal heartbeat could not be detected on ultrasound. and it had been so for quite a few weeks before and after the doc's appt. until the d&c was done. it went smoothly. i am okay. some people chipped "it must have been hard on you with so many things happening at the same time". I say "I am fine. I am coping well. God made me a strong woman"

and i have been treated well - dearest friend took urgent leave to help take care of my little girl, her mum made tonic food for me and food for Tessa, bought more fresh chicken and ginger for me to use later on, another friend took me out to drink tonic soup, took care of Tessa by bringing her out together with her twins, cousins dropping by with more tonic food and fresh food. i am so touched by their kind gestures. indeed i am.

story of a man and his cars

2006-11-04T19:36:00.000+11:00

Once upon a time, an employed man decided he needed a car for his new family. And so, he went out and bought a T brand C Model car despite the objection from his wife that the mileage was high and it was a manual car. "Manual cars are cheaper and is more fuel efficient" was his argument and he won.

A few years later, the same man, now a businessman, decided that he needed another car for business needs and went on to buy another car. This time round, it was yet again another T brand C model car ,however, this time it being a brand new model and an auto gear one at best. "Because I get a fleet discount was his argument" for getting the auto car despite what he had argued previously.

Why would you need 2 cars of the same make and model is what other people have frequently asked. "I like the brand and they are good cars" was his explanation this time.

And all these while, his wife was treated with a "deaf ear" and without considering her "existence".

However, due to family circumstances, the wife had to leave the country and the man was left with 2 cars. The wife told him to sell 1 of the car as it was not going to be used for the next few years. The man agreed.

A few weeks later, the man could not decide which car to sell. He reasoned that if he were to sell the new car, he would get more returns than selling the older car. However, he would then make huge losses either way on both cars than what he had originally paid for.

He then decided to keep the both cars instead of selling them because he could not bear to suffer the huge losses.

The wife's reasoning was to put to deaf ears again this time. The wife had said that the money could be channeled to the mortgage account to help reduce the mortgage loan and interests.

The man decided on his stand still that he would not buy anymore new cars in the future because of the depreciation factor of owning and buying a car. He would keep both cars for the next few years until the wife returns at the expense of his wife's objections. She had also reasoned that the interest rates on home loans were rising again and there was no point in keeping a car and not using it while still having to pay car insurance and registration fees amounting to over a thousand dollar per year.

Moral of the story ? -

"Dont be penny wise but pound foolish"

"if you dont want to listen to your wife, dont marry"

"if you cannot afford a car, dont buy one"

"if you cannot afford a car, you cannot afford anything else"

"even if you can afford a car, dont by one. buy a diamond instead"

Unfair

2006-11-02T01:12:00.000+11:00

It is grossly unfair to bear the brunt of one's anger & frustration because the electricity bill was a whopping $501 for the period from 2 August to 28 Oct 2006.

First - we had visitors who came to stay with us and I assumed the column heater (which apparently uses more energy) was turned on the whole night for that 5 nights while they staying with us.

Secondly, I dont sleep with the heater on as my quilt is warm enough to keep us warm during that chilly winter period AND I left Melbourne on 17 September.

And so, I was not even around to use any electricity after that period until 28 Oct.

Enough is enough.

Praise God II

2006-10-30T11:04:00.000+11:00

Did I share this with you guys? My dad opened his left eye - that one that was still reflective to light - many times over. And he stared at Tessa the longest time he could. That was Satuday when we all visited him at the nursing home. Praise God for that. Now we will continue to uphold him in prayers for him to open his right eye, talk, even move his limbs!!!

My mum is going for the check-up with the oncologist at TTSH this morning. Pray that the spirit goes before us and seal the protection upon her, be with her and clear her of all cancer cells. I have heard of many testimonies whereby the cancer cells simply disappeared - mum is going to be one of them. Amen.

Praise God

2006-10-26T10:56:00.000+10:00

Praise God for mum's complete healing of pneumonia. It's been resolved! We sent her to Tan Tock Seng A&E for a follow up and Xray revealed all is clear. However, an appointment has been made to see the oncologist on Monday for a CT Scan just to be sure that the cancer cells did not spread to the lung.

We want to continue to uphold her condition to be healed of cancer and given a new heart (for she hsa a weak, enlarged heart) and claim the promise prohesised 6 years ago that God will raise her up in His ways. Amen.

p.s sorry for some of the typo errors made in the past few entries. couldn't be bothered to edit them.

talking about hospital, nursing home, Hari Raya and Malay food

2006-10-25T01:31:00.000+10:00

so, my dad was finally discharged from the hospital and being transferred over to the nursing home. the discharge procedure was hurried and the ambulance personnel had to rush. in the end, we left the hospital without having the chance to even say thank you to the staff nurse.

on the way to the nursing home,, whilst being seated in the ambulance, next to my father, I looked out at the many unfamiliar environment and surroundings in which I have never been to before all these years growing up in Singapore.

today, being Hari Raya, I witnessed the many Malay families who were dressed up in their festive best. In fact, I was really impressed how they colour coordinate amongst the family members - I saw this 3 generation family all dressed in baby pink with 1 particular lady who had a svelte figure, and who combined the best of east-west dressing with a pair of slim black pants and a pink kebaya-style top - i thought it was absolutely stunning. Then I saw another family in black and gold combi as well as one other family in all white.

I have always been amazed at the unity and bond the Malays bear and share. I remember when my dad was still in SICU, this Malay family will have the whole gang of their family members plus relatives as well as family friends, who would gather and sit around occupying 2 different sections of the 4 part visitors area. They would often greet one another in their traditional way - shaking hands, kissing their hands, bringing it to their hearts or even hugging each other among members of the same gender.

We would be amazed and often than not, secretly admire this traits they so very possess. how wonderful and how great a community they are.

talking about Malays, I have been eating lots of Malay food I have been so badly deprived while living in Melbourne - changi village nasi lemak, mee rebus, lontong, mee siam, mee soto, bergedel, tauhu telur, ikan goreng, vegetable curry, sardine puffs, putu piring etc. I remember my friends and I used to patronise the 2 Malay cook food stalls in secondary school nearly everyday despite the long queues and our favourite dish - kway teow goreng!! Hmm, I shall also hunt down that Nasi Padang stall i used to patronise many years back and eat to my hearts content. one day.

Jesus calmed a storm

2006-10-24T12:22:00.000+10:00

It is 10.20am and Chong Swee from Lighthouse Evagelism just called to say a word of prayer for me when he said the word "STORM" again.

This is the 3rd time I hear/read this word since i woke up.

Jesus calmed a storm Mark 4:35-41:

Jesus cared for the safety of His disciples. Mark 4:38-39.
Jesus showed His authority as God by calming the storm. Mark 4:39.
Jesus wanted the disciples to trust in the saving powers of God which were made known through Jesus. Mark 4:40.

This storm I will ride through with Jesus by my side.

Storms of Life

2006-10-24T11:55:00.000+10:00

This is another article on STORMS sent forth by sister Elsie i have just received through email:

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.

"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.

We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.

Storms Bring Out The Eagles

2006-10-24T11:01:00.000+10:00

My brother's friend gave him this on a printed paper and I thought it'd be good that I post it here so that I can read it through over and over again:

"Storms Bring Out The Eagles, But the Little Birds Take Cover"

When the "storms of life"
Gather darkly ahead,
I think of these wonderful words
I once read.

And I say to myself
As "threatening clouds" hover,
Don't "fold up your wings"
And "run for cover".

But like the eagle,
"Spread wide your wings"
And "soar far above"
The troubles life brings.

For the eagle knows
That the higher he flies,
The more tranquil and brighter
Become the skies.

And there is nothing in life
God ever asks us to bear
That we can't soar above
"On the wings of prayer".

And in looking back over
The "storm you passed through",
You'll find you gained strangth
And new courage, too.

For in facing "life's storms"
With an eagle's wings,
You can fly far above
Earth's small, petty things.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

busy

2006-10-23T16:46:00.000+10:00

Tessa and I were due to leave Singapore tonightwith SQ. I had contacted SQ to cancel my seats on the flight. It's been 35 days exactly today being back here. Well, at least, the good thing about it being here is that my hayfever is gone and Tessa's incessant runy nose has stopped.

Settled the nursing home part and dad will be discharged tomorrow from the hospital and will be transferred there with the ambulance the nursing home provides.

Now, I have to find ways and means to get mum to do a follow up with the doctor. The hospital had wanted her to be admitted into A&E but she had vehemently opposed to it and even gave me a big lashing out. sigh. sometimes, it is difficult being her daughter.

Dear Lord, give me more strength and patience and love. Your grace and mercy endures forever. Amen.

why?

2006-10-19T15:18:00.000+10:00

why - i was asked, have I not been blogging.

why - i ask myself, did my father had a stroke out of the blue and had remained in coma since?

why - i ask myself, did my mum at the same time developed pneumonia and that the doc suggested it could be that the cancer had spread to her right lung (x-ray revealed that fluids were in the lungs)?

why - are things all happening all at once ?

why - am i on this earth ?

why ??? because i am to serve a purpose?

too many whys but no answers is that why???

1 month

2006-10-16T01:11:00.000+10:00

It's been 4 Sundays and that makes it a month since my dad went into coma. and it's been a month since I've been back here in hot, humid and hazy Singapore (all thanks to our neighbour who labelled this tiny island nation The Little Red Dot).

I have not been in the mood to blog simply because I dont feel like doing it. Everything is wearing me down. Even with VivoCity's opening, I dont seem to feel the excitement at all even though I love shopping. I wonder if I can ever feel the pulse of life anymore. I am just deadbeat.

Neverthless, life still goes on. And i decidedly want to enjoy every full minute of it all. Life is short - enjoy while you can.

To digress, the Goldheart TV ad never cease to enthrall my attention. Julie London's rendition of Fly Me To The Moon and the depicted scenes of the ad with fast car, starry skies, handsome man, beautiful lady and needless to say, the huge diamond she was wearing seems a potent combination for a sucker like myself. And now Tessa too. ha. Celestial. I remember. Always. Excellent ad. wonder who did the ad. see, the marketing part of me is now scrawling its way out.

Mid Autumns Festival

2006-10-07T00:51:00.000+10:00

It is Mid Autumn Festival, rather commonly known as the Mooncake Festival, today.

As Theo had to return to Melbourne to start his new school term, Tessa and him had the opportunity to light up their lanterns, in the formof a car (for Theo) and a butterfly (for Terssa), courtesy of my cousin May, on Wednesday, just before hubba and him boarded their flight out of Singapore at 2340 hours.

But as for today, we took to the streets when my dear brother Jem, suggested that we eat out at Chinatown and then walk around the vicinity to soak in the atmosphere of the festivity. I thought it was Chinese New Year - with the buzz, the crowds, the bazaar, the lights, lanterns and all that.

However, I wish hubba and Theo was around and of course, dad to be amongst us. As the saying goes, when the moon is round, it is time for a reunion for family members.

Dad was transferred out of his usual bed to a single air-con ward, which is good because he had developed a slight fever again and the 8 beds ward is usually crowded with visitirs who might bring with them various virus which might pass on to him.

The nurses there have so far been extremely helpful and accomodative. I would not say so for the doctors. And that is the reason why they are there - a nicely termed Restructured Hospital - when in fact, it's a government hospital.

Okay, I'd better go help myself to a small piece of mooncake - Black Sesame Pandan and a snowskin lotus paste with olive seeds one, again courtesy of cousin May. She's been really sweet, visitng my dad whenever she could possibly could and praying for dad and inviting me over to her church for a special meeting with Ps Paul Roulet of Internal Church Las Vegas.

In God I Trust.

more updates

2006-09-25T00:59:00.000+10:00

It's been a week since my dad fell into coma caused by Intercranial Hemorrhage Acute Stroke. It is rare and the more srious of the few types of strokes.

No, we are not giving up hope. We visit him, talk to him, pray for him and make him feel loved for we love because He first loved us.

Many Christian brothers and sisters came to visit and said a word of prayers - cousins, relatives, friends, colleagues and ex-colleagues alike. We are encouraged and supported thoroughly in Christ.

Dad was transferred out of Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) to a high dependency ward this evening. After that tracheotomy procedure performed yesterday, he is now breathing on his own. But it pains me to see a hole in his throat and to see the feeding tubes being inserted into his nostrils, causing hiccups beacuse it irrates his diaphragm.

I have heard of many miracles and I am going to trust my dad's case is one of the many God can do in His mighty powerful and miraculous way. What an awesome God we serve.

Update

2006-09-21T08:34:00.000+10:00

Tessa and I travelled back to Singapore the very night we heard the news of my father's fall. Made a few calls to various parties and after speaking to the doctor who told me to get back soonest possible, I went onto the internet and checked that there was flight out from Melbourne by SQ departing at 0050am. We packed our bags and proceeded to the airport with help from church friends who popped by to help us with some packing and praying and sending us to the airport. Initially, I was told that the flight was overbooked but after I told them what happened, they immediately released 4 seats for us.

I do not have to say this, but Singapore Airlines is indeed exceptional in its service all the way from the airport (Biju and Steven Bajany) to the inflight service. We have been constantly taken cared of, consoled by the stewards (Mr R Sathia and Mr Ong Kian Seng), offered special food like porridge and seafood kway teow soup, given a whole bagful of lollies and toys for Tessa and even transferred us to First Class at the last leg of the flight so that we could get off the flight first. I endeavour to write a letter of compliments when time permits.

However, Hubba and Theodore had to stay back because there was in issue with Theo's expired passport. They eventually arrived late Tuesday night.

My brother Jeremy arrived on Monday evening.

Dad is still in a comatose condition since Sunday morning after the fall. The prognosis by the doctors are all negative but we choose to rebuke all negative things said by men and trust in the hands of our Lord God. The doctors told us to make a decision by today as they had to remove the ventilator and perform a surgery for him to breathe on his own instead of relying on the machine to help him breathe.

His condition is rare because he had internal brain bleeding in the brain stem. According to the doctor, the brain stem is the vital part of the brain that controls some vital organs like the lungs and it is such a tight area they could not operate on him. The doctors could not determine the cause of it as it could be due to his undiagnosed high blood pressure or was the result of the impact of the fall onto the ground when he felt giddy.

Prayer warriors from Lighthouse Evangelism came to pray for him and even Pastor Betty Lin, a Taiwanese pastor who spoke excellent English, Mandarin and Hokkien came to pray the prayer of salvation for him. We witnessed that he clasp his right palm tightly when she held onto his hand when praying the sinner's prayer to accept Jesus into his life.

I could not believe how many people have prayed for him - my aunts, uncles, cousins, friends even Jeremy's coleagues from MFA.

I will continue to solicit prayers for miracles to work upon dad's fragile life. Please, if you believe in Jesus and his powers, please pray for him right now when you read this.

Thank you.

PRAYER REQUEST

2006-09-17T19:21:00.000+10:00

I've just received a call from my aunt in Perth to tell me that my dad had a fall in the market this morning and had suffered a stroke. He is now hospitalised at Changi General Hospital.

Please pray for competent doctors to treat him and help him regain consciousness. Pray for his heart to be softened to receive Jesus into his life.

Thanks

school holidays

2006-09-16T12:03:00.000+10:00

How time flies. It's the start of another 2 weeks of school holidays for the kids. 10 mor or so weeks and it will the end of school term.

Theodore started his hols earlier than most being Wed his last school term day. The school organised a worship concert and a Aussie sausage sizzle for lunch.

Tessa missed Wednesday as well as Thursday's class but went back to kinder for the last term class on Friday. She's been missing so much school by falling sick here and there, on and off - and you know, her fees are expensive!

Trying to book them into swimming classes as summer draws near. But was told by a friend not to let Tessa swim because of the fluids in her ears. But hubba insists it is okay.

Now, it will be the start of yet another non-stop buzz.

write

2006-09-13T21:27:00.000+10:00

I did not want to put this down but I have to say it - yes, my tiny puny scrawny little princess Tessa has fallen ill again since Monday.

Our GP Dr G is getting very worried and has ordered a urine test as well as a blood test for her. So, I have to make 3 appointments with the Royal Childrens' Hospital - both Theodore and Tessa has to see a ENT specialist (yes, I have been advised to send Theo to the ENT specialist coz the school nurse found his waxy ears affecting his hearing and as for Tessa, to have her ears re-examined and arrange for a surgey date) and as well, a blood test for Tessa.

Besides having a temperature, she was again complaining of a tummy ache and the doc found her to have sinus and even prescribed antibiotic for her this time (again!!!)as well as a nasal spray for the sinus condition.

I dont' know what to say, but I feel fatigued and worndown. My bedtime retreat has now been brought forwarded to 10ish. Anything later than that hour and I cannot function. And that is one reason why I have not been blogging much.

The other reason is because I have a whole pile of books and magazines to devour. All the way from the US, I have Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair and Gourmet magazines to read in addition to the New Idea magazine I bought this week which featured Steve Irwin on their front cover. And then I have 3 more chapters to read in The Spirit Filled Temperament.

I cant believe it, I am dozing off as I am writing this. I'd better tuck to bed now. Sweet Dreams.

9/11

2006-09-11T10:43:00.000+10:00

It's September 11 today - and my in-laws are flying off from Honolulu to Philadelphia to visit and stay with Ben and Emily at their very pretty white-washed American cottage 'urb house this very day.

I wonder why of all days they have been booked on this day to fly.

Pray for safe journey for them.

blog glog

2006-09-10T22:44:00.000+10:00

I really wish I could blog more.

Like last Sunday's sermon topic for Fathers' Day (yeah...was titled Diamonds Are Forever...hehe), the trip to the Botanical Gardens after church last Sunday as well for some coffee and cakes and a short walk before the rain started to pour, about Theo's Creative Arts performance in school, about how the kids spent time sans daddy's presence, about the books I bought, about the weather, about friends.

Somehow, my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak (力不从心).

Even right now.

I survived!!!

2006-09-09T22:13:00.000+10:00

...yeah...*signs of victory* - I survived that 1 week all by myself with 2 kids!!! I wasn't as stressed out as I thought it would be. All so because that extra big kid was not around to add to the stress.

Before we proceeded to the airport last night, kids and I popped over the Reid's residence for a cook-a-storm dinner session. Happy made a Korean spicy all-in-one yummy hotpot while I cooked my own version of Kueh Pie-tee (using deep fried won-ton skins shaped into a star shaped shallow bowl for the casing and stewed turnips with dried shrimps, chinese mushrooms, carrots and shrimps for the fillings), deep fried fish paste and pork seaweed with carrots and cucumbers rolls and blanched bok-choy with deep fried garlic, shallots and dried shrimps. And of course, they rounded up the good time with cookies and cream ice cream served with portions of golden syrup pudding. *Ok, I tell myself, that was going to be the last time, I gotta cut down on sugar badly but I simply couldn't resist trying that irresistible but sinful pudding*

Well, I dont know if I have been so influenced by Happy or Korean culture for that matter, I have been eating my foods and dipping them in Korean Hot Pepper Sauce for that extra oomph and as well, eating my Fried Shanghai Noodles accompanied with Kim-Chi (in the restaurant), munching on Kim-Chi as snacks, slurping Korean instant potato noodles with Kim-Chi, and making and eating kim-chi sushi. Next time, you'll probably find me using all Korean cosmetics, skin-care (of which some things I already do) and donning Korean fashion (yeah, already saw one copy of that Korean fashion magazine loaned by Happy and I found it so interesting - Korean haute couture). One thing though, is that, I have not yet catch up on the Korean drama craze. Well, at least not yet. And I'd better hope it will not although I saw myself glued to the Korean cable channel when at Florence's place. But one thing for sure, there's only 24 hours a day and I can only stretch this much and no more.

good night!

p.s I thought I have to mention this. Tessa being the sweet girl as she is, tried very very very hard to stay awake on the way to the airport last night , because as she said in her own words, "wants to see daddy come back to Melbourne". She did dozed off for a little while but fought back just to stay awake and even nagged me to drive faster. Girls are just so different. sweet as.

what's wrong?

2006-09-07T21:34:00.000+10:00

I cant use Picasa

I cant listen to Podcasts using Quicktime

I get error messages everytime and had to close Firefox

The media detector is not working

My house is in a mess

I managed to finish only 1 and a half out of the 3 books I had set myself to finish by tomorrow and I have acquired 3 additional ones to read

I forgot to bring my camera along to Theo school's Creative Arts Performance tonight - he did a great job performing his gymnastics though!!!

I am deadbeat

Crikey, Steve's gone!

2006-09-06T08:38:00.000+10:00

I am deeply saddened by Steve Irwin's sudden and bizarre death.

Theo loved to watch him on TV. Ironically, the most times we watched him was when we were holidaying in Singapore, which was shown on Discovery Channel on Cable TV. My dad loved it too.

He portrays himself as a very devoted family man and as well, contrastingly, as a typical Aussie larrikin. But a good man indeed with a very infectious persona.

"What you see is what you get" is what's been generally described of him.

God Bless Your Soul Steve.

Languages for Thought

2006-09-04T11:00:00.000+10:00

Read this article in The Straits Times Interactive today titled "Passing on the Chinese Language" which is actually a speech made by Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew last Saturday. Full article can be viewed here.

Anyway, here is an excerpt of the speech : "Nevertheless we have succeeded in creating an English-speaking younger generation who can speak Mandarin as a second language, though not at the standard of English or Mandarin that we are aiming for." - referring to how Singlish and Chinglish came about?

So, that brings me to ask this question : Are Singaporeans generally 东不成西不就?

双语政策一直是我们教育制度的一大卖点。有时竟觉得是一种反讽。身为双语政策下的产物，中英语言的表达能力与掌握两语的深奥度有限,并时更觉得自己是文化上的浮萍。语言毕竟不是文化的全部,单凭掌握东西方语不足以掌握深度的文化，结果只是东西方都不着边。这该是新加坡人的荣耀还是尴尬呢？

Lessons in Logic

2006-09-04T10:28:00.000+10:00

Lessons in Logic

If your father is a poor man,
it is your fate but,
if your father-in-law is a poor man,
it's your stupidity.

........................................................................

I was born intelligent -
education ruined me.

........................................................................

Practice makes perfect.....
But nobody's perfect......
so why practice?

........................................................................

If it's true that we are here to help others,
then what exactly are the others here for?

........................................................................

Since light travels faster than sound,
people appear bright until you hear them speak.

........................................................................

How come "abbreviated" is such a long word?

........................................................................

Money is not everything.
There's Mastercard & Visa.

........................................................................

One should love animals.
They are so tasty.

........................................................................

Behind every successful man, there is a woman
And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.

........................................................................

Every man should marry.
After all, happiness is not the only thing in
life.

........................................................................

The wise never marry.
and when they marry they become otherwise.

........................................................................

Success is a relative term.
It brings so many relatives.

........................................................................

Never put off the work till tomorrow
what you can put off today.

........................................................................

"Your future depends on your dreams"
So go to sleep

........................................................................

There should be a better way to start a day
Than waking up every morning

........................................................................

"Hard work never killed anybody"
But why take the risk

........................................................................

"Work fascinates me"
I can look at it for hours

........................................................................

God made relatives;
Thank God we can choose our friends.

........................................................................

The more you learn, the more you know,
The more you know, the more you forget
The more you forget, the less you know
So.. why learn.

........................................................................

A bus station is where a bus stops.

A train station is where a train stops.

On my desk, I have a work station....
what more can I say........

Happy Fathers' Day

2006-09-03T23:27:00.000+10:00

Talking Cock in Parliament 2006

2006-09-03T23:02:00.000+10:00

This was the one Ivan was trying to show us with his MacBook at the Botanical Gardens this afternoon.

Hahaha...I had a good time laughing my heart out...but hey, this shows the versatility of Singaporeans in handling languages - being able to switch between American, British, Australian and Singlish or even Chinglish! Or as she said it "We all speak English but some English is more English than others"....But credits goes really to Ruby herself - a very talented lady indeed!

humming out loud

2006-09-03T22:39:00.000+10:00

...hahaha...humpalang means everything in Cantonese dialect ...and a spoof to the famed mee siam "mai hum" (without cockles) or "mai hiam" (without chilli)...whichever. Photo courtesy of Talkingcock or visit here.

Ivan is a BIG fan of Talking Cock - he's reliving his life back in Singapore though them and Mr Brown. Talk about lost childhood (isn't it?) haha... thanks to his ex-SMR as well current neighbour moi here huh?

my princess's joke

2006-09-03T17:28:00.000+10:00

Tessa was complimented today for being a pretty girl.

And so I reveberated the message to her, saying to her "Tessa is a pretty girl?"

Thinking I should get a very happy response, I was shocked when she gave me a grumpy, grouchy look and her "famous" frown (yeah right, from me huh?), crossed her arms, turned to her side and said to me loudly "NO".

I was puzzled. You would be happy if you receive compliments from someone wouldn't you? And so, I pressed on to ask "Why Tessa, what's wrong? Aren't you a pretty girl?"

And guessed what her reply was ? - "I'm a PRINCESS!!!"...haha..I am Her Majesty The Queen then.

Relaxing Saturday

2006-09-02T15:45:00.000+10:00

It's been a pretty relaxing Saturday for me.

Despite tucking into bed after midnight, I woke up slightly before 7am this morning to the gentle morning glow of light that has seeped in through the curtains. With Spring's arrival, the sun wakes up earlier too.

Did 2 loads of laundry and hung them up to dry. But the weather forecast for today is rain, rain for tomorrow, rain for day after. And the temperature will be back to winter like after today.

Had a lazy Saturday morning brekkie with the kids and then we all spoke to hubba, yeh-yeh (lo-yeh) and mah-mah (lai-lai) via Skype. Mah-mah (as the kids calls her) bought so much foodstuff for us and the kids. I even got see to see my gifts from Candy and her - can u imagine 2 watches!!! (How I wish I can tell them I do not need another watch and definitely not 2 more). AND how I wish the Coach watch be turned into a Coach bag because my Prada has been sent for repair. yes, all the way to Hong Kong. and it'll take 5-6 weeks. I vouched never to buy another Prada. Cant believe it lasted only 6 months and the were tears inside, broken stitches and peeling leather. (However, I did see another new design which fancied my eyes)...

had a simple lunch - fish fingers for the kids, cos lettuce and tomato salad with extra virgin oilve oil and lemon juice for myself and a ham, cheese, tomato paste and parsley pizza toast for us all.

the music that has been playing this morning must have helped create the relaxed mood too - it's Baroque.

Lunch @ Nandos 01 Sep 2006

2006-09-02T13:13:00.000+10:00

spring is here!!!

2006-09-01T17:28:00.000+10:00

Spring is finally here.

Today being the 1st of September 2006. And it was a glorious 23 degrees weather day. And I still vividly remembered whining about skipping the month of August and jumping straight to September and, can you believe it, it is here. It is finally here. I'm sorry August - you didnt fare too badly though. Thousand apologies.

But with Spring weather comes hayfever, with which comes non-stop sneezing and an itchy palette. AND with it comes blotchy skin and a sore nose. Plus downright irritability. And I had but to pop Telfast this morning and hey, the sneezing and the itchy palette has all but disappeared. Gone. Just because I took a pill. Right, I am toxing my body with chemicals. What else can I do? I don't know.

And so, hubba has gone to Aloha Land. Yes, again ! I can imagine him sipping Mai Tai under swaying coconut trees and dancing to the rhythmic bodily movements of the Hula dancers. nah..he's probably tucking into THAT Japanese food in THAT popular and famous Japanese restaurant in Honolulu where bumping into dignitaries and celebrities are the norm rather than the exception. I could not help but recall from my memory bank that I remembered I COULD NOT tuck into any of the tantalising and very appealing sashimis laid right in front of my very own eyes, stirring my temptation, but could not eat them because I was pregnant then. 6 years ago. I should have insisted on going with him this time. well, too late. there's always a next time isnt it?

Anyway, he's there for Candy's wedding (Good on ya, Candy) who is, of course, my sister-in-law and his sister. Date set is this Sunday and it's a beachside Hawaiian wedding. how romantic. and to think her 4th finger is wearing that 1.5 carat diamond ring set in platinum and that will glitter and shimmer under that Hawaiian sun ray to the extent it might bounce you off your feet and cause instant blindness to those eyes that are so seethed with envy (like mine?). Dont ask why her name is called Candy and not lolly, polly or dolly. Candy is fine and dandy.

Oh yes, on this first spring day, I went to the dentist. Dr John Chen - he's from Singapore. And had 2 fillings done. and I hope not more to come. but which is very unlikely because I dont know what has happened to me - since coming to Australia, I have taken to the liking of sweet food - chocolates, lollies, ice creams, gelatos, cakes and what have you. I have developed the sweet tooth. (maybe there were other better things to eat in Singapore than such things aforementioned like Japanese cheesecake, takoyaki, nonya kuihs, kuih tutu (mmmmmmmm), soon kueh, crystal dumplings, tau huay and the list goes on. anyway, today, I went to Coles and I bought 3 bars of the newly launched Heaven chocolates that was on special. It was available in honeycomb, hazelnut caramel and almond nougat. AND I had to have them all. Because. Because I like them all. Look out Elaine - your tummy is bearing the brunt of all these snacks and cravings. Call it gluttony. AND IT IS A SIN.

Free & Easy

2006-08-31T22:23:00.000+10:00

I've just started a free & easy week...yay yay yay...for those who knows me, you all know that.

I'm gonna feed my voracious appetite with books & magazines - yay yay yay...read, read and read.

I like. I like.

I dont know though, if I am patient enough to handle the stresses of looking after 2 kids all by myself.

I wonder. I wonder.

I will keep posted.

Blah!

at the airport

2006-08-31T22:05:00.000+10:00

R+R

2006-08-30T22:24:00.000+10:00

endless housechores + restless kids + rush jobs = BUSY = weary ME.

thus, needed another SPA treatment for MEself - hot shower + face scrub + "astronaut" thermal heat hair treatment + honey mask + OSIM zap zap + Harpers Bazaar = relax ME.

photoshot courtesy of sneaky hubba who took the camera and started pointing and shooting with it. This was the best of the worst shots amongst the few he took and that can be published and shared. dont bother about even looking at the rest - I look like an alien - especially the close up ones.

we are one

2006-08-28T23:24:00.000+10:00

Elaine in MooMoo Land

2006-08-28T16:41:00.000+10:00

Today, as I said before, I run errands for hubba's business, I took to the wheels and drove to, yeap, where else, yes Park Orchards again!!!

Since I had Jewel's latest CD aptly titled Goodbye Alice in Wonderland (that's right, after that fairytale) - in the CD player, I decided to play it rather than just listening in to 774AM ABC Melbourne, which is usually what I do each morning.

However, the more I listened to the songs and the more I drove, I felt that I had literally been transported into the realm of the famed fairytale.

I saw horses, I saw trees (okay, bushes, we are in Australia), I saw creeks, I saw hills and valleys, I curved according to the turns, and I saw white cows (I swear), wait a minute, pardon my ignorance, it could very well, be a white horse. Alright, because I was in fairytale realm, the cow morphed itself into a horse. or vice versa. I cant even tell the difference between the two. please excuse me, I'm after all, from Singapore.

the drive was scenic, the views panoramic. oh, anyway, I think the CD should be titled Hello Elaine in Moo Moo Land. hee...

rah rah rah...

2006-08-26T23:49:00.000+10:00

what can I say?

first, I had my son dropping his lunch for 2 consecutive days.

then, yesterday, he came home with his thermal lunch box sans the lid - the top cover. but this crime is worse than dropping his lunch coz this one is expensive. it is a zojirushi one and it was bought in Hong Kong. (actually, he lost the plug on the lid last year when he was in kinder but that was still okay). but now the whole lid is gone.

however, he was still proud that he had finished his baby spinach and tuna spaghetti with cream of mushroom lunch. because it is a rarity he finishes his food (lunch). because playing is more important than anything else (like lunch). no wonder he keeps pestering me for sandwiches for lunch and only sandwiches. just so he can eat and play at the same time. and that was the very same reason why he could lose his lunch. playing is more important. than anything else.

just for fun - the lovebirds

2006-08-24T22:29:00.000+10:00

a mum's ranting

2006-08-23T19:23:00.000+10:00

How would you feel if you had woken up at 6am this morning, went to the freezer, took out the puff pastry from it to have it defrosted and went back to bed to catch a few more winks and then promptly waking up again at 7am, proceeded to

gently retrieve the tomato paste in the fridge,
patiently spread a layer of it on the thawed pastry,
carefully grated that chunk of tasty cheese onto it,
meticulously scattered some dried pastry flakes on it,
punctiliously opened a tin of tuna (must be sirena and only sirena's) and strew it on the pile,
tenderly squeezed some extra virgin olive oil mayonnaise,
then painstakingly rolling it into a roll to be topped with sesame seeds,
lovingly placing it in the pre-heated oven to be baked, and
delicately wrapped it with foil for your son's lunch

ONLY to have your son come home to tell you that he dropped his lunch a 2nd time in a row (and that was only yesterday) ??? and that he was left without lunch to fill his sometimes growling BUT most times not hungry little stomach???

Oh yes, I am greatly pissed. In fact, I am pissed like a pisang. *boohoohoo.*

Something NEW About Me

2006-08-23T10:49:00.000+10:00

Maybe I should change my profile ABOUT ME to the following:

About Me
Name:
Elaine

Location:
Melbourne, AU

"I am a stay home mum (who DOES NOT like to stay at home) and I love to cook but my kids (& hubba too) DO NOT appreciate it. I love good food but my kids (& hubba too) DO NOT like to eat. I LOVE to shop but I live in Australia where the tax rate is so high and things are so expensive, I CANNOT AFFORD to shop.

Besides running a family and home, I dabble in a little bit of graphics (and enjoying it), I blog (and enjoying it too), I run errands for hubba’s business (like making a trip to ulu Park Orchards to collect payment & banking), being an English tutor (correcting the grammar & spelling in hubba's reports because I'm from Singapore and he's from HK - every single pun intended) and as well, being the receptionist to all incoming calls for the business - "Hello. Good morning/afternoon. Rptecture" (not just with a flat tone, must be with intonations!)

I hail from Singapore (as I already said) and I like to be surrounded by good people still.

This is my style. my life!
maybe my style. no life!
or no style.mylife!
...ok, ok there you have it - no style. no life!"

This is my acerbic wit, everything else remains the same.

dinner!!!

2006-08-22T21:17:00.000+10:00

This was the dinner I cooked tonight - deep fried pipa tofu (from yesterday's unused portion of the fish paste and tofu) with cucumbers and stir fried snow peas, carrots and fresh shiitake mushrooms on a bed of crispy noodles.

but look at Tessa:

and look at Theodore :

my dinner must be pathetic? or should I say they are pathetic? or is it both ways?

why should I even bother cooking dinner??? *sigh sigh*

spring art

2006-08-22T14:55:00.000+10:00

The photo above was taken when we went to Carlton Gardens on Sunday after church as the weather was perfect. I took a shot of the tree branches sprouting some leaves and flowers as spring draws near. The "sun" was actually an effect I used in Illustrator.

food talk

2006-08-22T11:07:00.000+10:00

yesterday's lunch was bread at Brumby's - 2 Turkish bread, a vegie scroll and a chicken and vegetable pie. and i popped over a Greek deli and bought a bottle of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil to dip the breads in. 3 of us enjoyed it alfresco style as it was a perfect weather day. (not now, as I am writing this, rains have started to pour and the skies turned a dark grey and the gloominess has set back in again - I thought Spring has arrived???).

anyway, since lunch was so pathetic, I decided to make it all up for dinner by cooking a storm then to have the hubba complaining that I spent too much time in the kitchen when there were other things to do. (Men!!!)

but, when I saw Theo and Tessa enjoying the food immensely, it all but put me back at ease. Both Theo and Tessa had 2 pork ribs each and boy, did they, chewed it all down to the bare bones.

i took some pictures of the dishes - deep fried lemon grass spareribs (香茅金沙排骨）with a onion and lemon grass sauce and a dish of fish paste mixed with japanese tofu topped with green soy beans and wooden fungus.

cereals and brekkie

2006-08-19T10:04:00.000+10:00

recently, i discovered the world's best breakfast cereal - it's called Granola Clusters and it's available in 2 different flavours - vanilla and almond as well as maple and raisin. because i could not decide which i like better, i bought both. what the heck. just coz it was on special at Safeway.

I was and have never been a great fan of breakfast cereals my whole life. Back in Singapore, I have a whole choice of chee cheong fan, tou-huay (beancurd dessert), char bee hoon (fried rice vermicelli), fried chinese critters, mee rebus and char tow kuay (fried radish cakes) or when not given a choice, just bread, (not the normal plain ones - must be exotic ones or different flavoured ones like milk bread, pandan flavoured bread, corn bread or even better, the ones from the Australian part of Singapore - the bakery in Tanglin Mall) are my preferred mode anytime.

however, since, we live in Melbourne, and the classic ang-moh breakfast here would be bacon, sausages, eggs, grilled tomatoes and toast . and at times, throw in baked beans. but who has the time to make these brekkie everyday anyway? so, bread with vegemite is good enough for me. (Tessa loves vegemite too!!!)

today, i decided that i want to TRY breakfast cereals with milk (okay, for me soy milk as I dont drink cow's milk). Excitedly as I was, I warmed the milk in the microwave. and then scooped 4 spoonfuls of the 2 different falvoured cereals into the milk. IT WAS A MISTAKE. a huge one!

all the crunchiness of the granola clusters were gone. it was soggy and yucky. i wonder why people even enjoy eating them all soaked up? yucks.

no more cereals with milk for me anymore. i would rather have a bowl of the cereal and a separate glass of milk (soy milk). and yes, eat them separately. but still given a choice. no more cereals at breakfast for me. that granola clusters would just be my snack. a healthy one at least!

pampering

2006-08-18T21:27:00.000+10:00

since Tessa is sick, I decided to stay home and away from cell group since the bug is highly contagious and I dont wish to spread it to the Ngu's family who has a little baby at home.

Tessa retched again - her dinner, medicines, vitamins and all. brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth and off she went to bed.

so, i needed to clean myself too. with all that putrid smell, I'd better give myself a good scrub too.

then I thought, it's time I pamper myself with some SPA treatment. hmm, good idea. i shampooed and conditioned my hair. and yes, there was this pearl protein treatment (which Pauline dutifully brought back from Singapore from mum's place). so i applied on my mane a thick layer of it.

after which i gave myself a good facial scrub and a hand scrub, foot and leg scrub and body scrub before the wash.

my skin feels so baby smooth and soft now. then i moisturised and applied that tummy firming cream on that wrinkled fat piece of flab - *yikes*

right now, I put on that Korean thermal treatment hat on loan from Happy and as I am writing this post, is working its heating effect on my head now. hmm...my hair had better turn out shiny like pearl and soft like silk. but i feel like an astronaut (imagine it). maybe I am? coz I am now feeling high and over the moon.

the next thing in my mind is to give myself a facial mask and then do something to my ugly soft & brittle nails. i hate my nails. they are just so ugly. which is why i dont bother much about painting my nails. a natural tint is alright for me.

my toe nails too - time to trim and give it a new coat of colour.

whoahoa - i dare say, I feel relaxed totally. music please.

Tessa sick again!

2006-08-18T14:12:00.000+10:00

no wonder Tessa made a fuss last night although it has been the same two nights before. she wasnt feeling well again. the bug didnt leave her. we thought it had already did when we visited Dr Goh yesterday afternoon for a review because she was found to have this particular bug (picked up from the stool test) which made her so sick last week.

so, this morning when she claimed she has tummy ache, i took it that she was actually playing up again and wanting attention. and that was, until, she was in kinder and I was at the bank when the kinder called up to say Tessa was complaning about tummy ache and that she did not want to join the rest for a play in the small graden play area.

when i went to pick her up, she was seated on a little chair and i could feel her with a temperature.

without hesiation, i sent her straight to Dr Goh again.

doc had no choice but to prescribe a very strong anti-biotic for her. her body is very low in immunity and could not fight the bug by itself. Which explains why, Bactrim, which contains sulphur, has to be dispensed for her. I have to test her with 1ml to see if she is allergic to it.

and at the same time while awaiting for the prescription, I picked up the Centrium multi-vitamins for kids as recommeneded by the doc, Incremin Iron mixture as well Demazin for her incessant runny nose.

when we came home, she threw up. This aside, I made steamed japanese tofu rounds with green soy beans, carrots and shiitake mushrooms with different soy sauces, oyster sauce, abalone & chicken stock and sesame oil for her lunch. she had 1 teaspoonful and decided she wanted a rest.

so her lunch is still sitting in the wok and as well, her medications.

God, I really need your almighty power to heal Tessa of her many ailments.

just a pic

2006-08-17T11:44:00.000+10:00

Tessa and hearing.

2006-08-16T23:42:00.000+10:00

on Rani's (Tessa's Montessori director) persistent advice, I took Tessa to the GP during the time she was ill and got a referral letter to see an audiologist. I managed to secure a last minute booking for her last evening, which was a good thing.

We arrived at Taralye in Blackburn into a vast ground surrounded with a lush garden. Theo thought we were going for another easter camp. I quite agree. beautiful place.

Anyway, tests revealed that she (Tessa) has a "conductive" hearing problem due to the accumulated fluids in her ears and is affecting her listening skills which will then escalate to affect her speech development.

Some kind of surgery has to be performed and at this stage, I have to speak to the GP as well as an ENT specialist. Before that, 1 ENT specialist (which coincidentally bears her brothers name sake) had recommended her to remove her enlarged adenoids behind her nose. and now this. we were trying very hard to avoid any surgery for her at this stage. We feel she is still a tad too young for such things.

She was also found to be generally weaker too - in her immune system as well as lacking in some nutrients and vitamins.

Please pray for my little angel. pictures taken at Taralye, Blackburn. the kids found the place beautiful - like in the country, away for easter camp.

bits and pieces. here and there.

2006-08-15T21:01:00.000+10:00

despite feeling a bit queasy, i went to church on sunday together with Pauline and Steven, who was due to leave that very same day back to Singapore.

i even introduced Ivan to them coz both Ivan and Steven went to ACS, who at their era, was school on a hilltop - Fort Canning Hill. very atas.

then it was off to Ikea again after church. this time, besides the usual 5 families, we had the Oens in the midst.

dinner was at HaLong in Richmond. we were jokingly saying that, this time, no LongHa (Lobster in Cantonese dialect) unlike the night before. Which brings to remind me that there was a dish I had totally forgotten to mention in my previous post - and that was the juicy ginger and spring onion crab on a bed of egg noodles. how could I ? so sinful.

at the restaurant, Theo threw up twice. Thank God for kind waiters and waitresses. and he retched again upon reaching home. the bugs must be flying!!! they are everywhere. go get lost bugs. anyway, he turned out alright the next day for school.

well, i am proud to annouce we are in a clean bill of health with the exception of my hayfever. spring is early this year coz i think winter arrived equally early too.

on a side note - was over at Happy's place yesterday for leftover Korean food. This was the 2nd time I had her leftover food Korean style - hmm, leftovers has never tasted so yum. and right after lunch, we decided to make some Korean side dishes - the sweet potatoes in syrup and the pumpkin cake. we did not succeed in making the first one but the second one was yum. i even warmed it up today and served it with extra creamy vanilla ice cream. heaven!

free dinner???

2006-08-12T22:11:00.000+10:00

no such thing as a free lunch/dinner/meal in the world? u bet.

we've just returned from a jam packed popular seafood restaurant in trendy South Yarra. dinner comprised of a roast duck, steamed green lip ABALONE for each person including kids, stir-fried vegetables, egg tofu and mushroom claypot, steamed 3pound barramundi fish, pipa tofu, salty and spicy deep fried calamari and of course, the free winter melon soup which comes as part of the meal.

for free? it sure is. thanks to the owner of the restaurant and of course, Florence for her connections.

but i am little worried about about my tummy. in fact, i've just returned from the bathroom. *sigh* when will it stop? although i would have to admit that i didnt regret stepping out of the house for this rare opportunity. *gleam gleam*

update: PICTURES to tell!!!
- forgot to mention the spring onion and ginger CRAB on egg noodles
and that bottle of Penfolds vino

worst.night.ever.

2006-08-12T13:32:00.000+10:00

worst.night.ever. - i felt embarassed to have 2 guests in the house and having to endure a sleepless night. last night, in the wee morning, to be precise. Tessa needs to have the Supernanny tactics imposed ("The naughty step/corner/chair", "Your behaviour is very naughty"). And truly, our guests Pauline and Steven, are superfans of Jo Frost. We have to heed their parenting skills as they have devoured themselves with loads of parenting tips from books and, needless to say, including this book titled Supernanny - How to get the best from your children.

Althought they (Pauline & Steven), are parents to only a 7 month old Tim, they exude such an airy confidence in disciplining kids which, really, puts us to shame, and of course, embarassment. I thought we have been parents for nearly 6 years already???

and i am still sick. all these blubbering made me developed headaches instantly. and i had to gulp 2 pills right away. my tummy ache too. and, as an accompaniment, frequents trips to the loo. even right NOW. it's damn right irritating.

Docklands Winter Wonderland

2006-08-11T20:28:00.000+10:00

phone call, flowers and card

2006-08-10T22:40:00.000+10:00

just as you were feeling sorry for yourself, indulging in a little pity party, thinking about how good to have families around or even better, a maid to help around with the endless housechores to do and at the same time, feeling ill - you received these in the space of a day:

- a telephone call to ask about your well-being and offering support and solutions to the problems and difficulties I have to face

- a bunch of sweet lilies (I think?) with a card and a message to cheer up

- a get well soon card with a encouraging message written in it

Thanks Sharon for your call, Happy for the flowers and Pauline for the card. You all lifted my spirits.

this week

2006-08-10T16:48:00.000+10:00

things took a 180 degrees turn this week.

Pauline and Steven left for their trip on Monday. and it was good thing. while they were away, we have been having sleepless nights. Tessa caught the bug from Theo and developed a fever, tummy ache and diarrhoea while in the meantime, Theo got over his bout of the virus. Tessa, being as she is (read: spoilt), whinged and cringed over the slightest little ache she had. and every night withouit fail, she would whine.

and last evening, my health had taken the toll, a thumping headache developed and as much as I would like to avoid it, I sought the help of Nurofen to relief it. that means Theo was unbathed (read: dirty) - he had come home from art class with paint on his nose amd mouth (resembling a 小花猫）. i told him to be a good boy as mummy's sick and he duly got changed and brushed his teeth and went to bed by 8pm. oh, he's such a darling.

but Tessa had in the middle of the night, poohed in her pants, cried non-stop about her physical woes and retched. and hubba had to attend to her as i was too sick to do anymore.

this morning i woke up feeling shivery cold. it's official - i caught the bug from the kids. damn.

Happy Birthday Singapore

2006-08-09T11:14:00.000+10:00

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

last week

2006-08-08T23:25:00.000+10:00

The highlights of last week:

i attended a funeral

i cooked Japanese - edamame, sushi, soup, chawan-mushi (Theo loved it so much he had 2 bowls of it - OISHII!!!)

i had friends over for dinner - and i cooked curry spanish mackerel for adults, pan fried spanish mackerel for the kids, plain boiled caulis,broccolis and carrots WITH deep fried garlic and dried shrimps coz it's boring (read: tasteless) without it, minced pork with water chestnuts and mixed vegetables steamed with tofu

i baked buns - sweet ones, savoury ones and interesting looking ones and enough for neighbour, cell group and visitors this one looks like a lolly
this one resembles a cute teddy
one plateful each for neighbour, cell group and visitors

i made pipa tofu served on a bed of blanced broccolis for cell group dinner

i made a big mess in my kitchen

i was tired - sleeping late and waking up super duper early and baking the buns a whole day plus preparing a dish for cell group dinner on the same day

no wonder InChyi says no to setting up a bakery - it's tiring.

I AM STILL TIRED. *yawn*

one winter friday night...

2006-08-08T20:33:00.000+10:00

and it was past Tessa's bedtime, we drove past bohemian chic Brunswick Street and stopped by Trampoline for some good old ice cream. she was ecstatic and was busy playing hopscotch in the shop while her poor exhausted brother was asleep in the car. nevertheless, daddy, mummy and her had a good time trying to keep warm while licking the jumbo sized ice cream in various flavours. we even enjoyed the music performed by 2 buskers and daddy gave them a donation in appreciation of their music and performance. by the time we finished, it was 11pm and we had to head home. Tessa was done in. it was a memorable winter night.

Gloomy winter - on the way out

2006-08-08T14:10:00.000+10:00

yay...the cold is finding itself out of the way...

today's maximumn temperature is 19 degrees...

flowers are blooming...

WHICH MEANS...

...MY HAYFEVER IS BACK!!!

RCC 4th Anniversary Sunday School Videoshow Presentation

2006-08-06T11:51:00.000+10:00

This was the video I made for the Sunday School presentation. In between the videoshow halfway through, until the part where the audience were told to clap, the kids performed in their various fruits/vegetables/flowers/grasses/trees costumes and sang the song "The Tree Song". The kids looked so cute in their outfits!!!

Welcome Friends from Singapore

2006-08-05T13:06:00.000+10:00

we welcome our friends Pauline & Steven, who had flown overnight from Singapore, in our midst as they will be staying with us during their trip here except when they venture to the regional attractions in the next few days.

It's funny how our friendship developed between Pauline and myself. I got to know her through Keren. When the both of them came to Melbourne in 2003, they stayed over with us for a few nights. At that time, mum was here to help with my confinement after Tessa's birth. And so I took the opportunity to go shopping, had a all girls outing and as well, a dinner at Nam Fong in the city. Funnily enough though, Keren and I have sort of lost much contact whilst I still keep in constant contact with Pauline first through her many encouraging emails and later her blog. And it was her who started me blogging too. I can say, it's one of the best things I have ever undertaken. Thanks Pauline.

We decided to do Vietnamese tonight and settled well and truly at Tien Dat in BoxHill. All of us enjoyed the fellowship and meal together and it was definitely a great bonding time for us all, including the kids.

*on a side note* - when Keren came to visit us in 2000, we brought her along to Jonathan Ngu's to pick up some sleeping bags because we were all going to the easter camp. right there at the doorstep, they (Jonathand and Keren) were shocked to see each other coz they had been close ex-colleagues before in the their heydays at Compaq. Amazing, in a bizarre sense, of these webs of friendship being weaved and formed.

Tessa. Love. Marriage.

2006-08-03T12:33:00.000+10:00

I have a daughter. Her name is Tessa. She is 3 and a half years old. And, erherm, I am shy to say it, but she is in LOVE. not only that, she already has a marriage proposal. today. at 12 noon after kinder. proposal venue? my car. however, i have to profess that no bling bling (read: diamond ring) was in sight though.

you see, everytime, when they meet, she would get so mushy and she would hold his hands. and, my my, even lay her head on his shoulders and worse, openly hug him in view of the many prying eyes that are around them. and she wants to sit only next to him in the car or anywhere else for that matter. and he, would be sweet-talking to her in his ever caring, lovey-dovey nature that is just so him.

and they are entangled in a sort of a love triangle already. just yesterday, over at Crystal's place, we had Kristen peeling mandarins and fed him WHILE he fed Tessa her lunch of fried rice.

and just earlier on, Joseph had said that Tessa is his best friend. but Yishuen quickly interrupted to say that Tessa is his best friend and THAT he will MARRY her. and he was quick to tell off his "rival" to marry Caitlyn instead. and even proclaimed that he has the right to choose who he wants to marry. after which he promised that he would send us a card very soon.

erhem ...*clearing my throat* I now announce that I am ready to marry my daughter off. or so I say...hurhur...

Please listen to this song. Thank You.

2006-08-01T21:34:00.000+10:00

Thank You

Listen To Song :

Words and Music by Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came

And he said, Friend
You may not know me now
And then he said, But wait
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart

CHORUS:
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I am here today

CHORUS:
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, My child look around you
Great is your reward

CHORUS (repeat)

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave

©1988 Gaither Music/ASCAP. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

Life is short especially after yesterday's funeral that of sister Siok Wah's. This song delivers a very powerful message. I hope you will be touched by the message in the lyrics itself and be totally engrossed in the music too.

in remembrance

2006-07-31T21:17:00.000+10:00

this was my first time attending a friend's funeral. and also a first in Australia.

the service started at 11am at ICCC in Glen Waverley. there were tears of sorrow and as well, tears of joy, for as we all know, she is in a better place now.

she slept so peacefully in her casket. the same look we saw when we visited her at the hospital, except that this time, we could no longer hear her heavy breathing while she was stil alive and in a state of sedation.

the eulogy was exceptionally well said. as indeed, she was an influencer, for she had been an English teacher, and touched many lives and remembered by many.

we will remember always remember you sister Siok Wah. you fought a good battle - managing even to celebrate your 50th birthday on 24 July and departed only after that on 29 July. and of course, we will remember your signature dish - fried dace with black beans noodles.

RCC 4th Anniversary

2006-07-30T21:37:00.000+10:00

The church we attend celebrated its 4th anniversary today with programs of multi-media presentations, singing, exhortations, dancing and Indian food (papadums, naans, curries, tandoori chicken, pilaf rice, dhall). the food errs towards the spicier side for my tastebuds to handle, but nevertheless, hey the food was good. the fellowship was even better. and the presentations? - superb!

i can now heave a sigh of relief for i had been working till the wee hours for the past weeks on the video slideshow i had to do. few weeks of hard work and it was over in a sheer 8 minutes.

i am now totally floored and it's time i flop to bed. gee, will probably sleep like a log tonight.

passing of a dear sister-in-Christ

2006-07-29T20:35:00.000+10:00

upon receiving the email that sister SW would not be able to make it for long after battling with cancer for the past 7 months, we went to visit her at St. Vincent's Hospital last night. She was deeply sedated and unconcious after a bad agitation in the day due to the pain in her body and head. however, she passed on in her asleep this morning at 3.28am to be with the Lord. she was only in her 40s. with the deepest condolence I write this.

her funeral will be held this Monday.

Life is short.

The Lemon Trees. And Kiwi Fruits Too

2006-07-28T09:07:00.000+10:00

my lemon tree is very unproductive this year - not much lemons from it. we had to get our supply of lemons, not from the markets, but from our friends who have them in their backyards and there are quite a few of them who does.

I would say, the best lemons are the ones from my neighbour's - Nigel's family's. they look yellow on the outside but it's actually greenish on the inside. and very sweet too (as you would already know, lemons are sour but this sourness is laced with a sweet aftertaste). very good - i made my honey lemon drink with it and it's never tasted so yum before. oh, plus the honey is an organic produce from Kangaroo Island.

(see the difference between the "normal" ones (left) as compared to theirs (on the right)- it's green inside)

The Lin's also had kiwi fruits in their backyard which are equally sweet too. althought the fruits itself looks too furry for my liking but hey, it's organic, who cares. and it's free. i get my supply of vitamin c - and a good anti-oxidant boost too. anyway, my kids love kiws fruits too. but they like the NZ Zespri's Gold variety ones better. actually me too. so sweet.

(the Lin's fruits - small, furry but organic as compared to Zespri's Gold kiwifruit)

WMM = crap

2006-07-27T23:16:00.000+10:00

free things are no good things - that goes the same with Windows Movie Maker. darn.

chop chop

2006-07-27T21:31:00.000+10:00

woo hoo...i finally made up my mind to chop off my unkempt tresses today. i will grow it all over again as I find my hair really dry and damaged since that ceramic/digital perm I did in HK way back in Jan 2005. i feel lighter too!!!

today

2006-07-26T22:27:00.000+10:00

i decided today, after picking Tessa up from kinder, that I want to go shopping. and I called Sharon along. but before, we decided to do lunch. yum-cha was something i havent done for a while since Jessie and Godfrey came and left. and i have been craving for yummy egg tarts. so, Golden Dragon Palace seems the right choice since it is the nearest one from kinder as well as from Sharons's abode (well actually, they are both in the same suburb and just a few streets away from each other).

upon arriving, i actually got to meet Dina, the American mum of Ben, who happens to be Theo's ex-classmate and Tessa's current friend, who was there with their extended family members. also, we sat next to Jo and Alan, the lovey dovey parents of James & Justin, again friends from kinder.

anyway, food was good, the ambience even nicer - one of the best Chinese restaurants with grandeur, style and good food. heard that the owner is a filthy rich Indonesian Chinese dealing with timber and which explains the intricately and exquisitely carved timber sculptures and wall hangings in the restaurant. and yes, the egg tarts melted like butter in my mouth although it tasted a tad milky (read: fishy) for my liking.

right after that we hit the mall - yes, we made the dash to, no, not Myer, but to the supermarkets - Aldi, Safeway and Coles!!! Yes, yes, that is what shopping is about for me. I buy food since I cant afford to buy anything else here. *so sad*

can you believe it? we spent the whole afternoon at the 3 supermarkets scouring the best bargains and offers and i came back a full trolley load and a damage on the credit card bills of $150 with no small change left.

and we went in there bright and came out dark - the skies i mean.

*side note* - Tessa is now kicking a fuss again. I dont know what has been wrong with her. anyway, hubba is trying to settle her. I'd better go hide myself under the quilt. nite.

i'm fed-up and tired

2006-07-26T10:13:00.000+10:00

last night, was one of my worst ever nights since the kids outgrew their nightime waking yonks ago. this time, Tessa played up big time - she wouldnt go to sleep, screaming her heads off for daddy, claiming she has tummy ache, wanted to sleep on my bed, wanted her milk and gummy bear vitamins, woke up crying, didnt want her quilt over her, complaint she was feeling hot, cried again when she wanted to do a wee in the middle of the night (thank God it wasnt freezing cold last night). she wasnt running a temperature although she did the night before.

and again at 6 am this morning she squalled, i was too bleary weary to settle her any longer, so I just carried her over to my bedroom and had her slept on my bed. AND she slept like a log!!! when it was time, she wouldnt want to wake up to get ready for kinder. hubba had to send the boys to school instead.

I'm tired. please resume the topsy turvy, the helter-skelter and the higgeldy-piggeldy to order. I pray pray.

emails

2006-07-25T14:26:00.000+10:00

i popped my mail browser open and found an email from my friend HJ, living in Perth. gee, she took the initiative to write to me although I had indicated for yonks that I had to contact them. in her mail, she even apologised for her sporadic emails. oh friend, there is no need to as I am not any better.

but anyway, I was just too happy to receive emails from friends, especially now that we are all so far apart. (ironical thing is - HJ & I are living in the same country. just that i'm in the east and she's in the west).

okey doke, i am getting some motivation now to write some mails to friends whom i have not contacted for a while. just so catch up on the missing pieces in our lives - time to indulge in some tittle tattle (however stopping short of being a gossipmonger) :)))

Theo had a new haircut

2006-07-23T23:30:00.000+10:00

wool

2006-07-23T21:02:00.000+10:00

after much deliberation and hesitation and after scouring though the rest of my wardobe, i reluctantly put on my green woollen jumper of which i have not worn for a good few years. boy, i think this was the best choice i have ever made this winter. it kept me warm and comfortable. i had avoided wool for the most part because it makes my skin itchy and i hated that prickly feel on my skin. erghh...eeeks.

anyway, i then also decided to top it up with my black woollen coat. hmmm, was envisioning the look of a long (well, 3/4 length actually) black, straight-cut coat, over a turtleneck jumper and a pair of old navy jeans and boots. very chic. certainly not demode at all.

but very well the jumper kept me warm enough i neednt have to wear the coat at all. so much for trying to look good.

cold, colder, coldest

2006-07-21T11:11:00.000+10:00

I now have to practise my early to sleep early to rise principle by going the bed at 10ish last night. and true enough, i could even hop out of bed by the 2nd snooze on my alarm clock at precisely 6.52am this morning. although it was freezing cold this monring - i overheard over the radio that it was a minus 2 degrees to 0 degrees in most suburbs in Melbourne this morning. no wonder, i feel cold cold cold all the time and I keep looking for food to eat and eat and eat. boy, something must be wrong with me.

really, i am eating too much. just yesterday for example, i had many bowls of the black glutinous rice mixed with white glutinous rice and cooked with red beans, sago, tangerine peel and longan porridge, sausage rolls in puff pastry, i had fried rice, then a bowl of vermicelli in fish soup, then i baked some cookies for the kids and fruits, and peanuts, addictive Korean seaweed (yum) and fruits (which is healthy, so it's okay).

anyway, i digress. back to today. i thought i had plenty of time since i woke up this early to get the kids ready for school, but still by the time I left home, it was past 9am. what a failure! to add to it, the car windscreen was layered with a thick frost and my hand was numb due to the cold.

i am now seated right next to the heater full on as it is too cold to step anywhere else in the house.

seriously, how i wish August will just skip by itself and just SPRING to September - yes, for spring.

drive

2006-07-19T23:19:00.000+10:00

it was a freezing 4 degrees this morning when i had to shove 3 kids into the car to send them to school. we left home promtly at 8.14am and had first to make my way to DCC.

the road to DCC upon reaching Old Warrandyte Road is a winding affair and offers a beautiful scenic drive all the way. While Melbourne is known for its beautiful parks and lush green gardens, this one offers you more - that states the beauty of the drive. and you have to take into the effect of the wintry fog that blanketed the skies giving it all the more a misty look to it all.

*sorry - cant write anymore. gotta get some sleep* nite.

pic of Tessa

2006-07-19T16:12:00.000+10:00

Tessa @ Rare Bears Eltham

2006-07-19T14:49:00.000+10:00

And so we were invited to Aramis's 5th Birthday party at Rare Bears in Eltham yesterday straight after kinder (well not really, it starts at 1pm but by the time you dilly dally a bit here and there, and driving there takes about 20 minutes). This place seems pretty popular coz we have been there upteem times for kids parties.

Also, I like the drive up there. so picturesque. so pretty. with all these giant century old trees lined up and the creek and the bridge and all. plus the quaint looking town as we drive past too. there's this park (Lower Eltham Park) which we should visit one day - there's a miniature railway which will be great for kids to enjoy. Caroline (Flynn's mum) told us her family frequents the park very often.

singapore

2006-07-18T11:44:00.000+10:00

it seems the trend that non-singaporeans are heading there to work ( my many friends originally here and who are all non-singaporeans are there working now) and then there are more Singaporeans packing up and leaving the place and coming here. what's going on? the grass is always greener on the other side. fair dinkum.

tough & flop

2006-07-17T22:06:00.000+10:00

it was 3.10pm, the weather was cloudy, drizzly and max temp today was i think 12 or 13 degrees and there I was at DCC picking the boys up from school. I was draped in 3 layers of tees under my thick 3/4 length coat and there you have - these boys and girls, in just their sports uniform - short-sleeve polo shirts and shorts! OMG, I salute these tough aussie kids. boy, they are really tough.

on a side note - the silver whiting fish with black bean sauce was a flop. Big time flop!!! no one enjoyed the dinner tonight - too many bones quipped one, too much oil in tonight's food lamented the other. there were so much left-overs. thank God I cooked only 7 out of the 13 fishes, I have 6 more left for the soup tomorrow - better remind myself to buy the salted preserved vegetables and tomatoes.

did I hear a cat somewhere ??? pls come here. I have food for you.

thoughts

2006-07-16T22:11:00.000+10:00

it's been a week since I last talked to mum and I felt the need to call her today to see all's well with dad and mum. and so, right after i got thru to them, mum told me she was just about to call us at that point in time. I normally call them once every alternate days either by phone or via Skype. Thanks to Skype, we can talk for free. Not only that, I can see them, look at them and vice versa.

so, when i was talking to her via Skype, I was cleaning and gutting the fishes I bought and even showed her what fish it is - Silver Whiting. she told me how to cook it - with salted black beans!. sounds yum, might wanna try them out tomorrow. I was thinking of cooking them to make soup instead but I lack the salted vegetables and tomatoes. hmmmm...

Theo and Tessa has been growing up rather quickly. Theo is enjoying every minute in prep just coz he has many friends there including our neighbour's son! He is still struggling a fair bit with certain multiple phonograms and recognising and pronouncing the words. Whilst Tessa is also enjoying kinder, she's been a tad more demanding in her behaviour. We are teaching her to verbalize her needs and wants rather than by oohing and ahhing which she has been so used to. Ironically, most people thinks she is more intelligent than her brother. oh well, we'll see.

How times flies. It's now July. So, what are the plans for the next 6 months? Let's see. have to apply a special visa for mum so that she can come here to visit us. dont know if this works but I'll give it a go. If I can get mum to come over, then I guess no more trips back to Singapore this year. Then we just have to start planning for the Japan trip next year so that the kids can get to see ah-gu and visit Disneyland. Before I get to this far, what about Christmas? I dont mind Jamieson Valley again. We had the bestest of times last X'mas. I call that place heaven on earth.

now my thoughts brings me to that of my cousin's life. wonder how she is coping. I'd better email her. and that of my friends too - Jas, Jenn, HJ - it's been sometime since I last spoke or emailed them. really have to squeeze some time out to contact them. but there are simply a million things to do and too little hours in a day. ok, blame it on time. so lame. blame myself for the lack of it - time management. *sigh*

나는 한국어 이다? (I'm Korean?)

2006-07-15T23:49:00.000+10:00

ahn yong ha sae yo (hello)

my hairdresser is Korean, the lastest fashion and make-up is Korean, watch the latest Korean dramas, eat Korean food at 7&7, shop at Korean grocery shops, fav noodle dish is Korean sweet potato noodle chapchae, my best neighbour friend is Korean, people speak to me in Korean or even more, in Japanese - maybe, just maybe, I am Korean???!!!...

ahn yong he gae say yo (good bye)

ok..ok...must first learn how to roll my tongue well

*please note - this entry was written in jest- not to be taken too seriously*

food addict

2006-07-15T09:52:00.000+10:00

i couldnt believe how much food I have bought so far and that are either sitting in the fridge, cupboards or on the benchtop and table. i wonder if we can really finish them up. but then again, we seems to have loads of guests over for meals, oh well, might as well.

just yesterday I was at Coles and chalked up a whopping bill of 80 bucks. unbelievable. a mental count reveals a bag of crimson seedless grapes, a box of gold kiwi fruits, different varieties of processed meats (franks, sausages, choruzos, sliced ham and ham sticks and bacon), chocolate whipped cream mousse, 2 cans of 1.25kg milo which was on special, a box of alphabet chocolate biscuits and a bag of 99% fat free made-with-real-fruit-juice snake lollies for the kids, mayo, salad dressing and a can of creamed corn.

as well, for the past few days, I've also been to the market for some fish, fruits, bread, to Aldi for some milk, more vegies and fruits, some party supplies from cheaper party supplies as well as household stuff and gifts from this corner shop which simply sells great stuff. went to the green grocer for more eggs, vegies and fruits. got a friend to buy more stuff from Asian grocery stores.

just fruits alone, I have a rockmelon, honeydew, strawberries, grapes (white, dark, red), green and gold kiwi fruits, mandarins, oranges and sitting together in the fruit bowl, avocadoes.

what am i up to? I'm a food addict. help me please.

quote of today

2006-07-12T23:54:00.000+10:00

"We must not
allow
other people's
limited perceptions
to
define us."
- Virginia Satir

2006-07-12T23:24:00.000+10:00

The painstaking process of mixing, kneading, and baking bread may not seem an apt pastime for a woman as acerbic and impulsive like myself. Lately however, I find myself wanting to dwell in the art of making them and munching them much to my own self-destruction as breads are carbo, and carbo means more energy, which converts to mean that unused energy turns into fatty deposits on my body.

but look at the harvest after today's hard work, together with In Chyi & Sharon. Really, now I know why some women would rather wear their aprons than their corporate suits.

we produced mainly savoury ones - double sausage and franks twists, cheese sticks buns, tuna buns, seafood stix buns (with and without sesame seeds coating), tuna swirls with mayo and parsley, seafood stix swirls with mayo, and 1 sweet raisin buns variety.

we are ready to take orders now.

thanks In Chyi.

more bread making

2006-07-12T11:25:00.000+10:00

ok...on the way now to In Chyi's place for more bread making session. gee, I'm getting into this bread making thing now.

planning to make sweet and savoury buns - tuna, franks, crab mayo and seaweed, almond, custard...cant wait to eat them.

bye

"The Strongest Men In The World"

2006-07-11T16:26:00.000+10:00

A Word from Ron Hutchcraft:

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Colossians 3:19.

Listen to what God says here: "Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them." This really brings love for your wife out of the clouds. You say, "Oh, yes, I love my wife." Do not be harsh with her then. That's a very practical way to measure how much you love her. Are you harsh with her?

God expands our orders as men in our treatment of women by saying this, "Husbands be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner so that nothing will hinder your prayers." That's 1 Peter 3. It goes beyond even marriage in 1 Timothy5:2. It says, "Tell the younger men to treat the younger women as sisters with absolute purity." In each case, God talks about showing
your love by treating that woman like a sister; protecting a woman from anything that could hurt her - including you.

Unfortunately some of us have grown up with a twisted view of what makes a man a man. We have to win, so we have to cut her down so we can win. We have to be strong, so we stand on her to prove we are. We can't be wrong, so we make sure we level her. We can't show tender feelings, so we treat her with macho toughness and we keep her at a distance. But none of that is real manhood! It's insecurity. It's lack of self-control. It's insensitivity.

Even society has known the real secret of male greatness for years.They talk about being a gentleman, a gentle-man! Like the ultimate man,Jesus Christ. For example, when an entire crowd of men was ready to stone a guilty woman, Jesus alone treated her with compassion and
gentleness. Another woman was cut down by Jesus' friends for a choice she made about her most expensive possession. Again, Jesus protected her honor. So the measure of your manhood is how safe the women around you feel, how listened to they feel, how protected they feel - physically and emotionally, how respected they feel by you.

For some of us this kind of tenderness just does not come naturally,but it can come supernaturally as you let Jesus Christ convict you of your sins of harshness; the words, the actions that have hurt a woman you care about. And then you begin to let Jesus plant His gentle
strength in your heart to replace all those twisted ideas of what it means to be a man. The chainsaw in your mouth that has inflicted so many wounds on a woman you love; it's time you unplug that. Enough damage has been done. A real man does not wound a woman. Love her and do not treat her harshly.

The love of a brother for a sister, especially a spiritual sister,is not just some official emotion, "I love you." Real love, real manhood says, "No one is going to hurt this woman! Especially me."

This article was sent to me by email from my dear sister-in-christ Elsie and I want to share it with here in my blog. Words of truth and power - they can be found in the Bible. If only all men read and practise it at the same time.

bread + curry

2006-07-11T14:50:00.000+10:00

freshly baked home-made bread rolls with leftover chicken curry for lunch. how's that?

yummy mummy is the word.

busy feasting

2006-07-10T23:43:00.000+10:00

last Friday was cell group dinner at Julia's place. everyone's fav was the seafood mix fried noodles by the Yuans and the stir-fried Pipis by Julia.

Sat was dinner at Brian & Sheila's - the Ipoh stuffed tofu pok was good
.
Sunday had dinner at Richmond 勇记 for some good old fashion beef & chicken pho and crispy chicken rice and the vietnamese spring rolls.

today - celebrated Alan's birthday with another feast comlete with stir-fried bean shoots with salted fish, curry chicken, stir-fried ginger and spring onion beef, sweet and sour fish and potato and minced beef stew. AND 2 cakes - a chocolate one and another mango mousse cake from Cakeworld I had earlier bought in the day.

boy, everyday is about eating, feasting, munching, partaking, chowing, chomping, digesting.

I wonder what of my future figure is gonna be like? *shudders at the very thought of it* - already my tummy fat is bulging out *yikes*

Ok remember - must zap zap everyday.

however, one wise man said this :

"One should eat to live, not live to eat."
— Benjamin Franklin, (1706-1790),
American entrepreneur, statesman, scientist and philosopher.

agree???

I baked a BREAD today

2006-07-08T00:54:00.000+10:00

My first attempt at baking bread today. And I succeeded at it although I admit it was a bit burnt as I had to rush off to pick up the boys from prep and had to rely on hubba to turn off the oven. However, nothing beats the aroma, taste and texture of freshly baked bread (topped with sunflower seeds some more)!!!

quote of the day

2006-07-07T15:01:00.000+10:00

project under construction

2006-07-07T14:22:00.000+10:00