The weather is warming up and spring is here! It is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoor as temperature in summer will be too scorching hot and unbearable to stay outdoor. Have been drooling over some of the swimwear from VS . Time to shed those fat and tone up those flabs so as to fit into those yummy bikinis…but then, it may take more then just shedding fat to look as yummy as these models!

Many of us who hardly cook and never bake when we were back home were forced by circumstances to learn how to cook when we came here, and I don’t mean just normal home cooked food but serious Singapore hawker food, tarts and kueh and what have you. We craved for Singapore food so much that recipes of local delight are treated as ‘treasures’. Back home, I think I won’t even bother to take a second look at these books and when ?? was busy making all the tarts and kueh for chinese new year, I would rather be doing something else. Such kueh and tarts can be found from shops just a stone throw from every houses, and I guess alot of us would rather buy then to spend time making them ourselves.

But when we are here, we have no choice. You either spent nights craving and dreaming about your favourite food or just take up the challenge and JUST DO IT! So my latest endeavour was to make Png Kueh which I had been craving for quite a while now. Did not have the Png Kueh mould so I used the Ang Ku Kueh mould instead to make them. Brought over to Daddy’s office the other day while they had Lo Hei and the feedback I gained so far was quite good. I was quite pleased myself for a 1st attempt. Then again, beggars ain’t choosers…maybe we are just too desperate, who knows, if we are back in Singapore, the response might turn out very different!

p/s: Remember to show these pictures to ??!!! maybe she will want the recipe too


Here’s Auntie Jessica’s Teochew Png Kueh recipe

Filling
60g raw peanuts, boiled till soft
1-1/4 cup glutinous rice (sweet rice)
420ml water
1/4 tsp salt
10 tbsp cooking oil
100g dried shrimps, soaked & drained
10 pcs dried mushrooms, soaked, drained & diced
1/2 cup shallots, thinly sliced

1 tbsp light soya sauce
1 tsp ground white pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Method:
1. Wash and soak rice in water for about 1 hr. Cook with water and salt.
2. Fry shallots in oil till golden brown. Remove shallots and leave 2tbsp of oil. Remove the rest.
3. Add dried shrimps and stir-fry till fragrant; Add mushrooms, peanuts, seasoning and fried shallots, combine well.
4. Add mixture into the cooked rice and mix well. Leave rice uncovered to cool.

Dough
300 g rice flour
75 g tapioca flour
40 g wheat starch (tang mien fen)
520 ml boiling water
4 tbsp cooking oil

Method:
1. Sift flours into a mixing bowl; Add boiling water and oil; Form a pliable dough.
2. Divide dough into small portions. Keep dough covered with a damp cloth.
3. Roll each portion into ball and roll out into a circle. Wrap some filling in the centre; fold up the side and put dough into the mould; Press the dough with your palm and finger to ensure the mould is filled. Remove kueh from mould.
4. Steam for 10 - 12 minutes.
5. Brush with fried shallot oil.

Mal had a new hair cut for the new year. Wanted to do that before 1st day of new year but…firstly, Mal wasn’t very keen and secondly, I screwed up, busy with other things instead of making a point to cut his hair. Ever since we came over here, I was the one who cut Mal’s hair as he refused to go to a barber. This time round, Daddy decided to take up the challenge. I think I was more nervous than Mal to have Daddy cut his hair! Sure enough, it turns out quite horrendous! Thanks to Daddy, now Mal has a hairstyle that resembles his favoutite food! MUSHROOM! and it makes his big ba loogu even more obvious!

We are back from our short Las Vegas trip. It was a very last minute trip. We booked the room just 1 night prior to departure. This time round, we did not bother to book the timeshare condo that comes with full kitchen and living area. We stayed in MGM grand instead as we found a pretty good last minute deal.

I have always been not very keen in staying hotels along the strip as I think a lot of them are overated. I normally do the research on the net, read reviews and scrutinized at pictures of hotel rooms. I must confess that I am very particular when it comes to cleanliness and comfort of the room and bed. I think the rule of thumb is NO DARK MULTICOLOURS for the carpet and bed sheets! as that will usually means filthy carpet and bed sheets as the dark colours act as good camouflage! Sad to say, I don’t always have a choice, as budget is always a constraint.

As for MGM, I was initially not very keen in staying there as I think the exterior of the hotel looks old with its dark and old green paint. I was thinking, how new or clean will the rooms be when the exterior already look so worn. I do know that they have a new wing which was newly renovated but that will mean paying a higher rate. Anyway, with such a good rate on the net this time, we decided to give it a try. My worries were soon proven to be unfounded.

We were given a deluxe room in the Grand Tower (not the new wing). The room was clean and spacious. The bed sheets and pillow case were WHITE in colour! The carpet was CREAM colour! and the bathroom was in WHITE marble!!! Everything looks so clean! Furthermore, we had our room on the 16th floor, considered quite high and we had great views! Could see the plane take off and land from our almost full glass window. Mal loves the room too!



So much for the hotel. It had been 4 months or so since we last visited Vegas and as usual we never fail to visit Mummy’s dream hotel, Bellagio The chinese new year decoration this year was so so and the musical fountain was quite a disappointment this time. Firstly, we missed the 3pm display as it was changed to 4 pm instead. Secondly, when we finally catch the display, it was a brief 5 minutes with slow classical music that didn’t go very well with the display. I guess we were not very fated to watch the display that day.

At around 3 pm, instead of waiting for the display to start, we crossed over to Paris Paris for some afternoon tea. Mal fell asleep in his stroller and the 2 of us had a long afternoon tea at a french cafeteria, Lenotre, inside Paris Paris. The pastries were so nicely made. It looked too good to be eaten! I think we spent a good 10 minutes or so admiring the pastries, trying to decide which one to get. The nice and intricate presentation comes with a price too. Most of their pastries which were around a bite size cost around 5 bucks, which was no surprise to me as the French unlike the American ain’t really into sizes! We finally settled for something not very adventurous, the Tiramisu. Daddy was commenting that we will get plenty of chance to try such pastries if we go France. I guess that also means plenty of chance to put on weight!

Whenever we were in Vegas, it will be plenty of shopping and good asian/chinese food for us! We love Vegas not for the casinos and pubs, but for the food and shopping! There was no exception this time. Actually shopping wasn’t at all fun for Daddy and Mal but I find it too good to miss. So poor Daddy and Mal had to entertained themselves while I shopped. Having some good buys for all of us and not coming back empty handed, I think, was a consolation.

It was a short 2 night trip this time but I think Mal didn’t really enjoy as he started having runny nose and cough on the 1st day of the trip. Furthermore, he fell down twice during the trip and bump on the same spot on his forehead. Once while going down a flight of carpeted stairs in the hotel and another in the hotel food court while having MacDonald breakfast. Immediately after the 2nd fall, he had a big colourful (green, red and blue) bump on his forehead. I guess it was because the impact was on the same spot as the 1st fall thus the bump showed up almost immediately. This will be his 1st big ba loogu.

When we were finally home last night, he was so glad to see his toys and his flu seem to get better too.

?? and family stayed over the night after reunion dinner. On the first day of new year, the kids and I woke up early. Went for a jog while Mal was entertained by Qing Qing. After a good jog, I brought the kids out for a walk and went to the playground while Daddy had his turn to jog. Both of us need that to burn off the extra calories from the night before! Before we headed for the playground, I brought the kids to say Hi to the old man. This time I brought along my camera and was so happy that Daddy could help us take a picture. Passed him some snacks I baked, a small token of Ang Pow and explained to him briefly about our chinese new year. Felt so happy and satisfied as by noon time, so much had been accomplished

morning walk on 1st day of Chinese New Yearthe kids with Mr Lopez

at the playground…hanging on to the barone of Mal’s favourite … the scoop which is similar to the one in Bob the Builder

We invited some friends over our place for reunion dinner. ?? and family were here to celebrate new year with us too. Each family brought some food over and we ended up with a really sumptuous spread. I contributed Lor Bak, fried spring rolls, pig’s stomach soup and steam boat. The highlight for the evening was actually Auntie June and Uncle Raptor’s YuSheng. I was so impressed by their yusheng. The presentation was so pro and I seriously think they can start taking orders to sell yusheng for chinese new year. It looks and taste as good or even better than those I had back home. It was Mal’s 1st time to Lo Hei.

lor bakfried oyster…yum yum!!!wine and cheese anyone??

da da…highlight of the evening…

Auntie June and Uncle Raptor’s super impressive YuShenggetting ready for Lo Hei

Auntie Jane in her very pretty dress

Auntie Jessica, my baking inspiration has all the yummy yummy recipes

finally…time for a snapshot

Think Mal had the most fun and he ate the MOST!

It was Valentine’s Day morning. Decided to bring Mal for a stroll in the morning since he had been quite restless at home. Mal rode his bike this time. By now, he can cycle pretty well in his little bicycle. There is almost no need for me to use the rope to pull him along or to help him steer except while we were crossing the streets. It was 9 plus in the morning and I was actually hoping to catch the old man that sweeps the pavement. I was right, he was there, on his returning way sweeping the pavement and Mal was shouting Hi to him from across the street, but as usual, he was too engrossed sweeping.

We crossed the street to get to the pavement where he was sweeping. He wasn’t aware until we were right behind him. It was easy with Mal around to start a conversation. Prior to meeting him, Mal was all excited to cycle fast so that we could catch up with this old man to say Hi. But as we were standing right in front of him, he was so shy and could only whisper a soft Hi. The old man commented on what a pretty boy he is, hmmm, at least he could tell that Mal is a boy! There were so many occasions that people mistook him as a girl! and these people justify by saying ‘oh, he had such a pretty face!’ oh my! wonder whether I should take that as a compliment.

The old man was eager to show me a plaque that was awarded to him in November 2006 by the Mayor of the city to show recognition and appreciation for his effort in keeping the neighbourhood clean. If you had seen the picture I took previously, you would have notice a small white paper bag that he hung to his walker. He kept the plaque in that little paper bag. He is 91 year old this year and had been doing this for the last 5 years! He had a bad fall 8 years ago and hurt his back. Thus now needs a walker to help him along as he has problem straightening his back. I must say he still looks pretty healthy and strong for an old man who is close to a century old! Currently he is staying with his retired daughter and his 2 grandsons who were in their 30s. He was aware that it’s Valentine’s day and went on telling me about the time when he first met his wife who unfortunately had passed away.

He commented that he loves to eat sweet stuff and loves candy! I was actually planning to pass him some snacks that I baked but was worried that it might be too sweet for him. My worries seem unfounded and it was strange how his short comment had helped clear my doubt. We seem to have the same thoughts in mind.

He walked and chatted with us all the way. Before we part, we hugged and I even gave him a kiss, not just on his face but on his lips as well!!! My goodness!!! That was totally unplanned and unintentional. I was not used to kissing and hugging strangers. So I kind of fumbled when he gently ask whether I could give him a hug, which was followed by a kiss very naturally. It’s a habitual thing to plant a peck on the lips as that was usually what I did to Mal.

So, there was Malcolm, sitting in his bike, watching Mummy hugging and kissing a 91 year old stranger on Valentine’s Day! and when it was his turn to give a goodbye hug and kiss, he was quick to say…NO!!! I guess next time, when he gets more comfortable with this old man who has been quite an inspiration and motivation to Mummy.

Harmonizing heart and brain through love is what can establish a complete intelligence, a complete self, where a child can look at life and realize there are no dead ends, there are always possibilities.
The greatest gift a parent can give a child during all the ups and downs of life is love. ~ by Doc Childre, Teaching Children to Love

I finally managed to capture the picture of this old man. I managed to take these few shots of him last week while I was driving Mal to the library which we had been missing for quite a while now. When Mal asked, I explained to him what the old man was doing. I am quite sure that he helps to sweep a small section of the pavement by the roadside every morning. Maybe that section of the pavement is just outside his house. He will usually sweep to and fro the same stretch of pavement. Usually I will bump into him during my morning jog and once in a while I will say Hi to him from across the road, but most of the time he did not notice me as he was always very engrossed sweeping and I think he also has some difficulty with his hearing.

Morning jog for me is becoming scarce nowadays, if you ask me why…I may tell you, oh…it’s Malcolm, it’s the weather…too hot…too cold, blah blah blah. Deep down inside, I know these are just excuses. There can be 101 reasons why we don’t exercise, to put it plain and blatant, I am just lazy! It makes me feel guilty and ashame when I see this old man every time I jog. He is old, he has quite a bad hunch back, very poor hearing, he probably has difficulty walking as he is always seen with his walker. During summer, when it was scorching hot, you can see him as early as 7 plus maybe to avoid the sun and during winter, I have seen him around 9 plus in the morning when it was warmer. He sweeps the pavement, out of free will, every morning, without fail. His determination, perseverance, hard work and selflessness put me to shame. I wish that before I leave this place, I will muster enough courage to let him know how much I admire and respect what he had done and let Mal have a chance to say Hi to him face to face.

We had been snacking from the cookie jar faster than I could bake. Mal would usually ask for a cookie after his meal. He called that his dessert! He is entitled to have his dessert if he finished his food. The corn flakes rumbles were so easily to eat and addictive. Daddy almost finished all the rumbles over night! A few days ago, I decided to bake the challenging Pandan Chiffon Cake, both Daddy’s and Mal’s favourite! It will be my second attempt to bake a pandan chiffon cake. The 1st time was quite a disaster as firstly, the recipe wasn’t very good (ya..easiest to just blame it on the recipe :D) and secondly, I did not have the appropriate baking tin. After searching for a long while, I finally found the angle food cake tin, those ring baking tin with a hole in the middle, it was exactly what I need for the pandan cake. With Auntie Jessica’s new recipe in hand and the appropriate baking tin, I was so excited to try again.

So far, it was the most tedious cake that I have baked, as there were lots of things to mix and every steps have to be fast so that the chiffon cake will rise and the texture will be soft and spongy. Mal was a great help when I multitasked. He helped me beat the egg white while I mixed the other ingredients. He had fun making the pandan paste mix as it was so green, just like those paints he plays with. It took us about 2 hours, including the baking time. Finally the cake was out, it looked almost perrrfect! and we finished it within a day!

Since Malcolm came along, it was rare or almost inexistence for Daddy and Mummy to go on a Saturday date. When we were back home, when Mal was younger, there were still times while ?? or ?? when helped to babysit Mal while the 2 of us sneaked out to have some time together alone. Over here, Daddy’s office functions seems like the only occasions for Mummy to dress up Last Saturday there was a farewell dinner for one of Daddy’s colleagues and here are some pictures we took.

Unlike back home, golf is a very common and inexpensive sport here. You can get branded golf club and glove, such as Nike, for less than 10 bucks during sales. 2 weeks ago, Mal and I had our 1st golfing fun on a rather windy and chilly day! Auntie Shirley was our coach for the day! Thanks to her, if not Mummy will probably wait till retirement age before I try my hands on golf! Our house is actually right next to a golf course and it is a pity that we don’t play golf. We had loads of fun sweating out at the driving range, hitting the turf more than the balls. hahaha! Seriously think we should invest on a set of cheap golfing set so that we can whack them to our hearts content for our remaining stay here

A friend wrote a letter to Straits Times on Child Safety on the Road. I was so glad that the letter was published.
In Singapore the law does state that it is compulsory for all children under 8 to be secured in an approved child restraint whether seated in the front or back of a vehicle. Drivers will be fined $120 & receive 3 demerit points if children in their cars are not secured in the child seats.. This law was however not enforced by the Traffic Police as you can often see adults carrying their kids in the rear passenger seats, sometimes even in the front passenger seat. It is no wonder when young Singapore parents came overseas, the 1st cultural shock we faced was, strapping our babies, toddlers or kids in car seats whenever we are on the road. Coming from a country where such law was not really enforced, we were not used to the idea when we first came overseas and it doesn’t help when your kids start to cry, scream, wail and throw fits whenever you try to strap them in. I guess many of us don’t understand the impact and danger of not using a car seats for our kids and it seem like everyone else back home are doing the same thing. I was guilty of being one of them.

I was however lucky in a way as when we were back home, most of the time I had to drive Mal out on my own and there was no way for me to drive without putting Mal in a car seat. There were still times when Daddy was the driver, and whenever Mal fussed in his car seat, I will pick him up to comfort him. It was definitely a very bad habit.

Another reason why parents back home did not bother to get car seats for their kids maybe is because they are so damn bloody expensive! Compare these 2 sites, one based in Singapore, a shop which I used to shop for baby’s stuff First Few Years and Amazon.com and you will know what I mean. The people in Singapore selling car seats were just trying to reap a hefty profit from the consumers, which I am not surprised. This is just one example of shops selling car seats at exorbitant prices in Singapore. With such prices, I am not surprised at all that people will just skip the car seats altogether, as it is simply too costly and maybe even unaffordable for the lower income group families.

For me, I had tried shopping for my Mal’s carseat at big departmental chain such as Robinson and had given up the idea when I found out that the price is so much cheaper in the US. After doing my research we settled on a Britax Roundabout and thanks to ?? who helped us bring back the car seat from States. Since then we have never looked back, it was by far, one of our best investment.

Having said all these, I think the bottomline is…Singaporeans need to be educated on the importance of strapping the children in car seats whenever they are on the road. It is the life of our precious little one that we are talking about here. The traffic police might have missed it, the law back home might be a bit lax on this, but the ultimate responsibility still lies with the parents. We should do it for the safety of our kids, not because, so that we don’t get caught and fine by the traffic police!

Since we are in the States now, we thought we should get Mal’s next car seat before going back. For older children, many parents had settled for booster seats which are more convenient and are easier to strap the kid in. We were about to follow suit until we came across Kyle’s tragic story some time back. After reading my friend’s letter to Straits Times, I thought I should not delay anymore in sharing this video. So the next car seat for Mal, will most likely be a Britax Regent!