Pineapple Crab

Mum' s here. And it's tomato/pineapple crab. Youngest's favourite. Singapore's chilli crab is just too spicy for youngest. Sweet pineapple and tangy tomato paste with an egg to thicken the gravy is just finger lickin delicious.

Perhaps Love

Perhaps love is like a resting place

A shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort

It is there to keep you warm

And in those times of trouble

When you are most alone

The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window

Perhaps an open door

It invites you to come closer

It wants to show you more

And even if you lose yourself

And don't know what to do

The memory of love will see you through

Oh, Love to some is like a cloud

To some as strong as steel
For some a way of living
For some a way to feel

And some say love is holding on

And some say letting go

And some say love is everything

And some say they don't know

Perhaps love is like the ocean

Full of conflict, full of pain

Like a fire when it's cold outside

Thunder when it rains

If I should live forever

And all my dreams come true

My memories of love will be of you

And some say love is holding on

And some say letting go

And some say love is everything

Some say they don't know

Perhaps love is like the ocean

Full of conflict, full of pain

Like a fire when it's cold outside

Or thunder when it rains

If I should live forever

And all my dreams come true

My memories of love will be of you

Introduce this piece to youngest today. From John Denver & Domingo Placido

Have a listen on this link to youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TMAGYKdnqM

The Runaway

When a four legged shell pet escape, the first thing to do is watch your steps. Next, look into every crevasses, nooks & crannies of flower pots, just to be sure it's not trapped and waiting to be rescued. Failing all these steps, take a break. Do nothing.
Spent the whole evening searching for youngest 3 week old tortoise when it was discovered missing. After much assurance that she won't get nightmares, she when to bed. The rest of us would peer into the balcony once a while hoping. This morning it appeared right in the open. On the rack where it's home is. After a night of adventure, it must be tired, thirsty and hungry.

Teh Halia

Girlfriend swears by it. A good cup of Ginger tea/teh halia will rejuvenate/revitalize any weary bone/body. Been under the weather lately. In Asia, this means a mean cup of freshly brewed sweeten milk tea with 3 tablespoon of freshly squeezed ginger juice. And the best cuppa, using the freshiest ginger, is from the corner indian drink stall in Tekka Market. Been residing here for the last 20 years and yesterday's visit to Tekka market was my 3rd. A sip of hot and spicy beverage sure was an experience and indeed a pick-me-up. The Indian Thosai with the sweet& sour condiments just the right savory breakfast with that cuppa.

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.