Kimchi

I always go to the supermarket cum medical hall nearby the house to buy Bb-G’s milk powder. Months ago, another mini-market look-alike shop was opened few stores away from the medical hall. From outside, this new shop looks like 7-11. So I never went in,  thinking that I can get my groceries from the usual supermarket/medical hall I always patron.



But 2 days ago, when I drove to the medical hall again to grab Bb-G’s milk powder, my mind had spontaneously directed me to the new shop. Once I opened the glass door, I was surprised and amazed. I had always thought that it is just an ordinary mini-market, but it turns up to be a mini “Jaya Jusco”… ! Well, I know it is a bit exaggerated here, but it indeed sell something which I never think of.


The shop has varieties of imported food. And there is a corner for butchery at the back part of the shop, while a mini kiosk was placed in front of the shop to sell BBQ pork (bak gua). Besides they have a section selling Taiwanese imported frozen food – dumplings and sausages. Another section selling Korean imported packed food – kimchi, sticky rice cake and sauces. Local items are included too. In addition, it has fresh vegetables, poultry, dairy products, rice, cooking oil, instant noodles (imported too) and snacks (local & imported), etc...


Because I was in a hurry, I only spent a very short time in the shop. I bought pack of kimchi and seaweed. When I paid at the counter, the cashier even gave me a can of baked beans as free gift. Not bad huh…


After knowing MNHL went to Korea and came back feeling very happy, liked the food and full of satisfaction, she had made me yearn for Korean food. So last night, I made my dinner “Korean stylo” abit ^_^

I pan fried some chicken fillets (previously marinated). I tried to grill them on the non-stick pan just like the Chicken Bulgogi Korean BBQ. Put the chicken fillets on top of this dish-away-plate that is meant to drain away excess oil.

















I cooked a small portion of white rice with my mini rice cooker. Once the cooking time left about 10 minutes, I put some kimchi into the rice and then let cook together. Once the rice was fully cook, sprinkled a little bit of salt, added some soy sauce and the seaweed flakes. Mixed well. I was trying to make my own Korean Bibimbap.

The dinner I had for last night. It came with a bull eye egg too.

I dust some pre-toasted sesame seeds on my chicken fillets.
















Bb-G liked to rice very much. Initially she told me it was spicy (due to the kimchi), but after a while she loved the taste so much and asked for more. Luckily I had the enough rice to share with her…


(MNHL, did I make you drool and crave for some Korean food too? heheheheheh)

After that, I had a bowl of green bean soup for dessert. It was packed during my lunch time. I just reheated and added some sweet potato cubes.

Habit

To me, doing toilet business is a way to detox. It should be done early in the morning to get rid of the body toxins. Unless I have constipation (where I never get enough fibre from food, or ate too much heaty stuffs) , the process should be fast and quick. I never had the habit to stay in the toilet/sit on the toilet bowl. I like to settle it as fast as possible, and I like the feeling of “emptying” my bowel.


Sometimes I cannot imagine why some people just enjoy reading while doing their toilet business. I remember my dad used to do it, not sure if he is still doing it now. Isn’t that smelly…..since the air ventilation is usually poor in the toilet…..Luckily Papa-M does not have this habit.

Eversince Bb-G is fully toilet trained, her potty is just placed outside the toilet. Whenever she has any urge , be it pee pee or poo poo, she will settle on her own, without me helping her. I only need to wash her butts after she did her big business. She always finished her job fast when she poop (unless it was a constipation). However recently she has a habit , and I feel that is a bad one ..

Instead of doing her big business at the usual place (outside the toilet) ................

Take her potty out to the living hall, in front of the tv (switched on). Put her mini chair in front of the potty. Place a book on the chair. Read & watch TV while PAAAAANG SAAAAAI !!

Imagine I was just next to her, and the air was not good…. I even told her to settle asap, once finished shitting, straight to the bathroom and I washed her up, but she just refused! She even told me she wanted to shit somemore (but nothing more has to come out).

OMG, I wonder where she learned this from?? Definitely not from me nor Papa-M…. the genes come from my DAD????!!!

Cough

After my bad throat and flu recovered, I started to cough. And it continued for almost 2 weeks.
I had phlegm and this made my throat itched. I cough mostly at day time in the office. I didn't take the cough syrup doctor gave because it was very strong and made me drowsy. So I drank warm water to sooth my throat.
But my cough was better at night. I did cough a little, but it was mild...

I bought a non-drowsy cough syrup from the pharmacy, but it does not seem to work.

The cough was very irritating until I tried some alternatives. I took warm lemon+honey. It worked for about few hours before the cough relapsed. Colg asked me to drink some warm vinegar, I tried that too. It helped a while. Then, I remember there was an email sent to me long time ago. Someone said that baking an orange and eat it warm can help to stop cough. I googled, then followed the instruction and I tried at home.









Oh well.... the orange really tasted good when it was baked. It had a very nice citrusy aroma when I took out from the oven. And the warm orange tasted good too. It was advisable to dip the orange with some salt, so I did follow. Bb-G also like it too. I am not sure what is the secret behind this baked warm orange that can cure the cough, and I don't think it was the Vit C that helped, since Vit C evaporated in hot temperature. Bout the salt thingy, maybe it has anti-viral property. Hmm..anyway no harm trying… Indeed, my cough became milder. I still coughed at the day time in the office but controllable.


Then….one day after I took the warm orange, my Malay colg packed Nasi Bryani for her lunch from a nearby stall and she ate in the office. It was very fragrant and the chicken made me drooled. I had the bryani on the next day. I was thinking to eat the nasi bryani with chicken, but I always heard some hints that chicken will induce cough, so I took mutton bryani. Oooooo it was so good, the curry mutton tasted just right. Some people may not like mutton due to the smell, but I particularly love the mutton smell… heheheh

Guess what ~ After I had the mutton, my cough suddenly stop! It happened so quick like miracles!

So now… I am not sure if the baked orange had helped me, or the mutton curry took the credit. I had both of them within 2 days, and I don’t cough anymore (a bit of phlegm left but it was not disturbing).

Well, guess I am fully prepared for my next week gateway for food & relaxation!

Ashasha

Bb-G has 2 best friends, Meh Meh (a lamb) and Ashasha (a dragon). Whenever she goes out, she will always remember to bring Meh Meh, and leaves Ashasha at home.

But when it comes to photo taking or other home activities, she will forget about Meh Meh and only remembers Ashasha.  Hahaha...

Yup, she named her dragon on her own. I wonder where she've got this name from. Papa-M told me it was from Barney, but I thought Barney only has 2 friends, Baby Bop and BJ.... hmmmm...weird though..

After drinking her own milk, Bb-G will never forget to feed Ashasha ..........(with empty toy milk bottle)

Poor Meh Meh, was abandoned on the cushion..........................



Both Hands!!

It happened this morning...

Bb-G : Both hands...
Me : (quiet..)
Bb-G : Both hands ...
Me : (Still quiet)...
Bb-G: Both hands ar....
Me : HUh??
Bb-G: I say BOTH HANDS ARRRRR!!

Want to know what's going on? I was driving Bb-G to nanny's place. I used one hand to drive the steerling wheel, and the other hand was resting on my gear stick. Miss Bb-G COMMANDED me to use both of my hands to drive the car! Arrrrrggggg!! I have a controller child !

mummy....I'll make your life suffer man....heh heh heh....

Bb-G, 2 years - 6 months - 20 days old.

My Hobby

The other day when I read SP blogged about her non-interest to cook, maybe I can share with her why and how I develop the hobby of cooking.


My mom is the the “cook” of the house. Since young, I do not need, or I never even cook at home, except instant noodles. I also seldom helped my mom in the kitchen. Because my mom is an early bird. She wakes up early in the morning, and she can prepare to cook as early as 9am. By the time of 10am, lunch would be ready. Usually I was in the school when she cooked, not possible to help her at all. Even if mom cooked during weekends, by the time I woke up, the food was served on the table. Hence, my breakfast was actually my lunch.

Even though I never cook, I enjoyed watching cooking programs . I still remember mom always watched this “Mrs Fang” – 方太 cooking show every evening. And I always liked to join her and we talked about how nice the food Mrs Fang cooked. Mom always said she wanted to try her recipes, but I just couldn’t recall if she did.

When I came to Kl for uni, it was by chance I met my roommate who can cook well. Both of us stayed in the hostel for a year, and decided to move out and stayed with some other uni-mates. I had a large group of housemates, a total of 13 people. Some of them like to cook too. Usually I was the kitchen helper. Having stayed with them for 2 years, I had eventually began to fall in love with cooking. During semester breaks which I was back at home, I started to help mom in the kitchen. I also shared with her what my housemates cooked when I stayed with them.

Uni years ended, and I entered my career phase. I stayed with PL, my childhood friend. I started to cook at home, and enjoyed cooking for PL. I would constantly exploring new recipes, and she was the one who always delighted to try for me. Each time she had good comments. Furthermore, the Korean drama Da Chang Jin had really inspired me to go further into culinary. Even until now I like the quote from Chang Jin – “I like to see the happy faces when they eat my food” !

Soon, I was involved with many occasions of pot luck parties and gatherings. I would cook and bring over to the parties and shared with my friends. Eventually my food would be the “laku” one. I was so flattered and this had double boosted my confidence.

Now, I enjoy my time in the kitchen. I like to watch cooking shows . I enjoy eating outside food and then think how to make them at home. I like to explore with new ingredients and play with the taste. Well, I am not an expert, and believe I still have lots to learn…..

Growing Up Stage by Stage

Bb-G is going through another stage of growing phase. A month ago I can still remember I blogged about her drawing and colouring on her own while I am having my own me time. Recently I noticed she no longer has any interest with her colour pencils and drawing block. Now, she is enjoying books on her bed like this…..

She likes the puzzles too.

I asked if she wants the doll house and masak masak toys like what she used to play, her answer is NOOOO..

I wonder what’s next?????

He Does Not Like FRUITS

Was not feeling well last week, hence didn’t write much in the blog....
There are always fruits in the house. Usually I am the one who buy the fruits, or sometimes they are from parents. However, I have a husband who is never interested with fruits, even if I have sliced the fruits nicely and presented in front of him, he will always think that I am forcing him to swallow the fruits. Haiz....

So the only person that I can offer fruits to is Bb-G...

There are certain times when some of the fruits were kept in the fridge for too long, and lost the freshness/crunchiness. I dislike the soggy sensation when I bite soft apples or pears. If there were too many leftover soften apples, I cooked the apples and make into apple pies. If I have leftover soften pears, I’ll make them into nourishing sweet dessert.

I made this before a week before I fell sick – Chinese pears with honey dates.


I used 2 soften pears. Put them into a big bowl, added some water, honey dates and some wolfberry. Cooked it by steaming the whole bowl in the slow cooker. And again, only Bb-G and me savoured this nutritious sweet soup to the end. Papa-M...? I did offer him, but he was not interested at all..Hmmmmpff….

Next, my last week down with bad throats, flu and cough – I shall thank to my weak resistance to bak kua...


After I finished Zoe Tay’s Devotion, AH DI, I follow-up another drama of hers – Double Bonus. She was the daughter-in-law of a family run bak kua shop, and the bak kua scenes always appeared mostly on every episode. Each night I was salivating away while watching the people in the drama grilling the bak kua. Hence, I reheated some bak kua in the oven (CNY leftovers which kept in the fridge) and enjoyed each slices when I watched the show. Yummm Yummmm.
Consequences – I had dry throat the next morning.. followed by sore throat the day after, and finally followed by running nose, fever and cough on next next day…..

Went for a doctor, took some medications and rested at home for 2 days. What I had was noodles soup, or porridge, or some bread. With antibiotics, I don’t really have much appetite.

Having so much plain food for a week, yesterday I craved for a flavourful Italian pasta. Was thinking to ajak Papa-M out for a nice dinner but Bb-G who didn’t had her noon nap slept at 6pm. It was impossible to go out for a nice dinner. Thus, with whatever I have in the kitchen, I baked macaroni with cheese.

Macaroni with cheese & prawns is one of my favourite food which I always order when I go to Secret Recipe. Didn’t know it is so easy to make at home. Just cooked the macaroni with boiling water, lay them nicely on the oven proof casserole, pour a can of white sauce and mixed some meats in between the pasta. Spread generously a layer of mozzarella cheese. Baked until the cheese melted. And this time, Papa-M likes it! (maybe one day I should put fruits in my cheeese macaroni...nyek nyek nyekk...)

Bossy?

Most of the time, I have my chats with Bb-G in the car when I pick her home from the nanny. Usually it would be a 2 way conversation, but until recently, the traffics back home from my office are terrible, and when I reach nanny’s place, I am tired and a bit lazy to talk. In certain occasions when the bubbly Bb-G was talking non-stop in the car…
Case 1: Bb-G : talk….talk….talkk…mi, u see aeroplane
Me: Mmmm
Bb-G: Mi aeroplane, u see
Me: Mmm B
b-G: Mi, cannot say Mmmm
Me: Mmm
Bb-G: NO Mmmm LAH!
Me: Oh…aeroplane there
Bb-G: Mmm…aeroplane hor…

Case 2: Bb-G: talk….talk….talk… wah u see so many birds flying
Me: Mmm
 Bb-G: Many birds hor..
Me: Mmm
Bb-G: Mi, cannot say Mmm !
Me: Ohhh many birds flying…
Bb-G: (happy face & smile)

And this happened this morning…

Bb-G: talk.talk…talk…. mi you go infront ar…go Lele’s house ar… no fighting ar, must share toys ar… talk…talk….(actually, all this while before I drop her at the nanny, I always tell her to share her toys with the rest of kids at home, and also tell her not to fight with the kids)
Me: Mmm
Bb-G: cannot fight ar….must play together ar…. (she actually remembers my words and quotes me well) Me: Mmm
Bb-G: CANNOT FIGHT , PLAY TOGETHER !
Me: Mmmm
Bb-G: MUMMY, CANNOT MMMM !!
Me: Oooo…okok, baby , you guai guai ar… share your toys, no fighting ar…
Bb-G: (Happy face & chuckled)

Wah…. now my daughter controls the way I talk pulak….BOSSY-nya….sob sob sob……

Oh yah, there is anotherepisode I want to pen down here. Next time when Bb-G reads, I want to let her know how BOSSY she was !
Besides Bb-G, nanny is taking care of another boy toddler. And usually the boy’s parent will reach before me. But there were few times where I was earlier and I saw this :

Both Bb-G and the boy was standing at the gate, and the boy thought that I am his mother who come to pick him up. So the boy called out “ mummy mummy…”

 Bb-G: that is my mummy, not your mummy!! (pushed & slapped the boy away – the way she did was like a hooligan !)
Boy: waa…waa…waa…..waaaaaaa !!! (cry out loud)

I was stunt, I lectured her and told her it was very rude to push her friend down.

But then, 2 days ago when I came earlier than the boy’s parent (both Bb-G and boy were standing at the gate)…

Bb-G talking to the boy: Oh my mummy here… u wait ar, your mummy haven come… u wait ar… bye bye….(she talked gently)

Clap clap clap…. Good girl good girl…. This is how a girl should be ....

Shan Shan

Yesterday night I just finished watching a  25-episodes of Singaporean drama – Ah Di (Devotion).

This show caught my interest because I get to know that it was Zoe Tay’s comeback show after she gave birth to her 3^rd baby.

Chen Han Wei played Zoe’s lover, and this is the 2^nd drama which I saw both of them acted as a couple. The previous drama I saw them together was in the Aids series whereby Chen Hanwei played the role of an HIV+ sufferer.

Anyway, in this Ah DI drama, Zoe had adopted 5 children, and one of them was named “Shan Shan – 珊珊” . And the actress who played Shanshan’s role is a sweet and beautiful Taiwanese actress.

Her acting was natural and I feel very comfortable with her acting skills. I start to like “ShanShan”  very much and also start to call my Bb-G Shanshan…..shanshan…..shanshan…..

Oh well, Bb-G ‘s Chinese name has Shan(珊) too.  So, whenever I feel syiok sendiri, I will call out Shan shan ….shan shan….shan shan…..

Yesterday when I picked Bb-G from nanny’s place….

In the car,

Me: Helo G, how are you, what you did in pohpoh’s house?

Bb-G: (no answer, and I didn’t look at her cos I was driving)

Me: Eh G, answer mummy, what you do at pohpoh’s house today?

Bb-G: (still silent)

Me: Oi, why you never talk to mummy?

Bb-G: Call me Shan Shan lar….

Me: (speechless)…….!!!!

Bb-G, at 2 years 6 months old.

Few days ago when I read my Sporean gf shared about her recent shopping episodes, I also wish to share my most recent shopping trip which I did - yesterday.

Well, whenever I can feel my mood is not right, I like to do 2 things – number one is to eat, I will spend myself very good food, and I like to eat in the restaurant/eating place ALONE. And number two is to buy things, I will go to buy things and shop ON MY OWN. After finishing these 2 tasks, I will immediately feel refreshed and whatever negative events that happened will no longer linger in my mind…(oh btw, those are cheerless work related stuffs) So, yesterday morning, I went to Jusco nearby the house. Most of the shops were not opened yet. Yah… I was a bit kiasu , I reached before 10am.Since those “nice food restaurants” had not opened, I just settled my hungry tummy with Mc Breakfast. So after 2 hours in Jusco, I’ve got these back at home.

These are for Bb-G....

Her existing sleeping long pants were too short and had become ¾ pants. I have been searching for her long pants for quite some time but I just couldn’t find the right size. When I managed to get the right waist size, the pants would be extremely long, and if I managed to get the correct length, the waist part is too big. But these 3 pants that I bought were quite ok, the length could be a little bit long, but Bb-G ‘s “vertically growth” speed is fast and made me worry less. A pack of wet wipes , and set of toys for her to play when she goes to the swimming pool.

I saw this cute Pooh Bear CD holder and bought it immediately. This is to organize Bb-g’s messy CDs in my wardrobe.

Yogurt and cheese for Bb-G, fruit juice for myself & Papa-M.













These are for the kitchen....

 I have long to get a new frying wok. My current 32cm black wok was not in a good condition, and rusted, hence I stopped using it and have been cooking my dishes with a spare iron wok. But I don’t like the iron wok because it is quite small, and it is very heavy. I always find it difficult when it comes to the washing part. So yesterday when I found this German brand non-stick 40cm wok which is light weight, I just put into my trolley without any second thought. Since I have non-stick wok, I also bought silicone tong and silicone ladle.

A new can opener is to replace my old rusted one which I just threw away few days ago.

 A dark purple table cloth to match my light purple wall.

A washable microfiber cloth to replace my current disposable floor wiper.

I bought a cellophane tape dispenser , because I don't like to tear the sticky tape with my fingers.

















These are the food.....

When I saw the fresh salmon at the counter, I immediately picked 4 slices. I always buy salmon from another hypermarket, but Jusco salmons look fresher.

A pack of corns for me to make steamed butter sweet corns for the family during the weekend, chicken Frankfurt and crab filaments for emergency use when the fridge has run out of fresh meat, and a pack of mozzarella cheese may come handy when I have the mood to bake.

Corn kernels and planta margarine to standby in the kitchen cabinet when I feel like eating pop corns which watching TV.

I finally spotted this sprayable oil. When I saw the celebrity chefs using such sprayable cooking oil in their cooking show, I find it very interesting and had imagining me using it when I cook. Without even thinking much, I just grabbed a bottle back home. Then I also discovered that there is flounder fish powder available. This can save much of my time, so I just bought one too. Bought a bottle of white pepper powder too.

Few weeks ago, I bought AI brand kueh tiau. Yesterday I saw AI has misuah. So I put one pack to the trolley. And a pack of eggs for my daily breakfast.

Fresh shitake and lettuce for the weekend.

 I did pamper Papa-M with 2 bottles of Lays Potato Chips – original and sour cream. Not sure Lays/Jusco were having promotion but these 2 bottles were cheap!

As for myself… I bought a pair new shades. Yeh! I will wear this during my beach holiday next month!












 Conclusion – I am back to normal happy mood again!