カレーライス

私は大好き簡単の日本料理。カレーライスです。My favourite simple japanese curry.
A packet of the japanese curry cubes
500 g of chicken cube
1 Large onion chopped
1 large carrot chunk
2 large potato chunk
2 1/2 cup water
Marinate the chicken cube with
2 Tsp sake,
1 Tsp of corn flour,
1 Tsp of curry powder for a local flavour(optional)

Brown the chicken cube till cooked. Set aside.
In a deep skillet, saute the onions, potato for 10 min.
Add in the carrots.
Add water and simmer for 20 min or until potatoes are soft.
Put in the chicken cubes turn off the heat once it simmers
Cut the curry cubes into small pieces and add into the skillet stirring all the time till gravy thicken.
Serve up immediately onto steaming hot rice. A bowl of salad with japanese dressing to complete the meal
Enjoy!

Remember the Bag!

Yes, I too, am guilty. Collecting reusable bags and Forgetting to take them out to be reused. Some well organised mothers have a day/days delicated to supermarketing/knick knack shopping/serious shopping. At supermarket checkout counter, all the R/bags, cooler bags neatly open up to be filled. The rest of us, it's unplan purchases as and when/in a hurry/while waiting. Have been making great effort to sling it out but youngest think it's so auntie with the huge orange coldstorage reusable. Have to admit, in my household, disposable bags are reused one last time as trash bags. And while we are making effort, the H1N1 bug is definately not helping. The amount of disposable dump very day from all the various health institutions is sure defeating this cause.

Giving Not Giving?

Topic of discussion of the airwave this week. Are we still donating/giving? Especially in these trying times. The on going media coverage on the trial of YellowClothed One for mismanagement of charity funds. Do we, stop giving for it'll eventually go to another pet horse in Australia. Give and let the higher being deal with the cad. Hope that some will eventually trickle down to the deserving? This has been at the back of most mind when it comes to giving. Losing trust of the people running the cause. Have been selective in donating my notes. For now, it's the Yellow Ribbon Project. I believe these repented people should be given a 2nd chance & not be force into the back alley again.

Human chemistry

Imparting knowledge to youngsters today is both trying and challenging. The educator must be able to keep the students interested at the same time getting the knowedge throught in the language they understand, all within 20 minutes. That's how long their span of concentration is. However, most important, good rapport between the educator and student.

One student refuse to do homework, all because, she did not like the teacher picking on her. A vicious circle. Another, would try her very best to earn a 20/20 听写 sticker from her favourite teacher.

Youngest has been having a hard time with the chinese tutor as the tutor is going through some personal crisis. There is just no chemistry between the two. I had no choice today but to end the session permanently when she ranted and ranted at youngest all because she had a bad day.

Shining Cause

Of late, walking around, I can't help but notice more clean shaven heads around. Some actually looks good without the crowning glory. Went for my usual cardio class when I saw her. Dumbfounded. She assured me she was not in any life threatening situation then, explained. After her 5 year old son gave his acceptance, she shaved. Something she had wanted to do for a long time. Shaving for a cause. The Children's Cancer Foundation. This year 156 brave women came forward to have their tresses snipped off. To create awareness of this disease, build self-esteem for these young patients and most of all to raise funds.

My respect for these women.

Music at the Botanic

SingaporeYouthFestival showcase at the Botanical Garden. Yesterday 4 of the bands from various secondary schools and Junior colleges entertained the joggers and visitors to a rendition ranging from Ponyo/Doreamon to Saturday Night Fever. Youngest and I spent the evening laying on the maps of the botanic garden upon the grassy slope. Next week another 4 schools will be performing. This time I must remember the picnic basket and mat.

Anchovy Fresh

Stumble upon fresh anchovies while wet marketing on tuesday. Why not, after all, fresh is better than dried ikan bilis. Not knowing what to do with it, I purchased 1/2 kg. Trawled the web for some recipe but all unsuitable. Most recipes are for palm size anchovies to be fillet. Mine are pinky size!!!

Finally, since a cake just came, decided to rub the tiny fresh anchovies with salt and olive oil, and popped it into the oven at 150C. After two hours, cooled it and paste it with a fork. Anchovy paste for cooking pasta or flavouring soup. Haven't used it yet.

Trigger Finger

Awoken at 3 this morning with an excruciating pain on my right hand. Must have slept on hand. This morning upon wakening, still the nagging pain. Spent the morning massaging. Finally found the spot, on the palm, mound of the middle finger. This is the beginning of arthritis?Argh.......Then, A dear friend assured me, it's not. It's worst. TriggerFinger.

Easy Picking

In the papers this week. Most singaporeans are comfortable leaving their bags/ hphones/ wallets on the tables/on or under chairs/supermarket trolleys while they chat/eat/queue/shop. Many a times oblivion to the surroundings. It's easy picking especially by foreign professional pickpockets. Growing up, we were taught & from observation, anything that is of importance Must be kept in one's clutch. At all times. Regardless. Even in the toilet. Be aware of quiet surroundings. Both eldest and son have learnt the painful way. Nonchalantly eldest would leave the purse on the clothes stack while browsing. Son left his hphone on the table to go to the gents. Is this safe place making us complacent?

Life Battle

Sadden by the news in the papers today on Dr William Tan A person with such hercules determination. Never once let his paraplegic condition stop him from achieving feats any able body could and more.The next battle of his life, myelogenous leukemia.

SmallBlessing

Looking around, I know, I should be. Thankful for small blessing. Unless it's a dinner gathering with his friends, it's home for dinner, no matter how late. Unless, it's a class gathering/outing, she is mostly home. As for youngest, she never turns down a request for her company.

BodyCheck

When asked, she politely replied. Should have been done last year. Spent yesterday morning doing the needful. After 45yr mileage, these are the yearly checkup needed to keep this battery/ petrol/ electricity free machine in smooth working condition.

Pap smeara

ultra sounda

Blood testa

Urine testa

Mammogram

HereToStay

It has reached the One Thousand mark and still going. An aunt in Msia cringed when SIL told her that she was coming to Sg last week. When she arrived, she did not feel unsafe nor fearful. An air of confidence around, as everyone goes about with their daily lives. Heard from mum that when dad comes, in mid aug, it's going to be only for the duration of the consultation and blood test. Ironically, over here lives goes on unfrazzle except now, more cautious and aware. Constantly aware of the current body temperature.

Nest

Amongst the potted plants of next door neighbour, a little palm size nest with 3 little chicks sound asleep. Oblivion to the world around them

WalkingShoes

Argh..... I am a hopeless shopper. Walked from Wisma Atria all the way to Takashimaya and then to Isetan. Nothing. Nothing. Desperately need a pair of shoes. A nice comfortable leather kitten heel court. I found none. Eldest thinks I always end up with stylish ill fitting pair. One that does nothing but tortures the toes till they bleed. When I do find a really comfortable pair, it's worn till it snap/burst/rupture. Then it's the agony of looking for another pair. Husband thinks I should just buy half a dozen when I find one. Then there's no variety. And so my quest continues.

HeartBeat

When the heartbeat stops, that voice that brings down the house/ the smile that swoons many a heart/ the dance steps that send millions screaming/the charisma that the world worships/face that grace every magazine, Suddenly is no more.

Comings&Goings

Every so often we meet up with family members breezing in for overnight stay with us. Not for a quick get away but to seek medical consultation/opinion here. MIL & Dad spent 1 month with us when they had their surgery done. FIL travels over every so often to see the nephrologist while Mum&Dad would spent a week when he is here to see the nephrologist & Orthopedic surgeon. Aunts & uncles/family friends occasionally, for a second medical opnion. Of late, SIL has been shuttling in and out of spore for her pilate course & workout to ease her back spasm. It's a pleasure to have families over but would be even better if it was under different circumstances.

Hoya

First spotted this plant while on a trip to Bentong, Pahang 3 years ago. Heart shape succulent leaves. Later searching through the www, found that Hoya, are native plants of the tropical countries esp in Msia and Thailand. Need little care, minimal watering and shaded lightings. Given the proper patience of tender loving care it'll bloom. Little balls of sometimes fragrant flowers known as umbels. Fascinating. Finally found this at the local nursery. Wonder how long will mine take to bloom.

ThePreview

Tickets to preview the Opening performance this evening. For her hard work in assisting the 400 primary school children in preparing the opening performance for the Asian Youth Games come this monday.

OldTreasure

She proudly showed this to all. Her sec3 composition book. Dated 1955. I couldn't resist. Just had to read through. Curious to know what-was it like during her days/ language used/her thoughts and her maturity. Amazing she had kept this book for the last 50 years. Her aspiration to be an independant career woman was shattered when she had to Quit school after sec5 to care for her sickly mother. Married at the age of 21 to start a family. She never stepped into the kitchen. Instead she gave tuition from home. Today at 72 she still believe that a woman should earn her own keeps.















*Click on the picture to read the composition.