Sunday, June 14, 2009

Are You A Lost Generation? You Can Still Reverse This

A friend of mine just share this video with me which I think it is a must seen for all. It is simple yet it says so much. Enjoy

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Pineapple Roll Tarts

Today I made pineapple roll tarts for Chloe's teacher who has been so patience in teaching her to do art work. Did you notice the picture that I attached in my previous post Chloe's Preschool First Day? That is a cloth's version of Humpty Dumpy. She is feeling better now when we talk about school. Whenever I fetch her, she will sing song (unlike the sobbing face when I send her to school in the morning). She will help the teacher in art work, dance around at school, hop hop hop like a kangaroo. I guess she starts to enjoy it. Below is the recipe that I use to make the roll tarts. Enjoy.

Ingredients

Pineapple Jam (Filling)

500gm rock sugar

3 big pineapples

2 cm cinnamon sticks

 

Pastry

250gm Butter

60gm French Sugar

1 whole egg

1 egg yolk

400gm plain flour

40gm castor powder

 

Preparation

Pineapple jam

1. Cook grated pineapples together with cinnamon in a pot with sugar for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally

2. Cook until the pineapple jam become brown. Remove from stove and set aside to cool.

3. Roll jam into small balls.

 

Pastry

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C

2. Cream butter with fine sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

3. Add egg and beat well

4. Sift flour and custard powder into the mixture. Fold to incorporate all ingredients to form a smooth pastry dough

 

For pineapple rolls

1. Beat 1 egg in bowl for glazing

2. Place some pastry dough into mould. Using your thumbs, pipe dough of about 5cm in length. Place a pineapple jam ball on it and roll the pastry up to enclose the pineapple jam

3. Brush tarts with egg wash. Bake in a greased, lined tin for 15 minutes or until golden brown

4. Cool the tarts on wire rack.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Preschool: First Day

Chloe was so excited to know that she is going to school. I had talked about how fun school is, how she can play and learn at school.... I am new when it comes to bringing a child to school. Well, there is always first time right. I browse through the web to make sure that I get this right... trying to make sure that it will be an easy transitioning for Chloe. P6050282

I woke up early in the morning to prepare snacks for her, I packed her bags and make sure she got all her things ready and she was all excited as she watch me. I drove her to school on that day. Talked to her again about the expectation and sang with her so that she will be at ease. When we reached there, suddenly she cried very loud saying that she needs mommy. She asked me to carry her and bring her home.

OMG, I panicked. She cried so loud that my heart broke down. I told her that mommy will be back after her playgroup and teacher will take care of her. However she wouldn't let me go. The teacher advice me to leave the room so that they can take over and I had to leave her crying :(

When I picked her up from her playgroup, she cried again and hang on to me. The teacher told me that she had been keeping an eye on the door the moment I left. She told her teacher that she wanted mommy and home....

That was her first day. How about yours?

Friday, June 5, 2009

I am back!

Sorry to all my follower for missing in action for the past months. No excuse for me being MIA (Missing in Action). We just moved back to Asia and for the past months I had been left with no Internet connection. There had been series of events happened along the way and everyday is just like fire-fighting.

But the good news is I am back in the cyberspace and I am so happy. Happy to meet up with my online friends. Happy that Chloe finally settled down... (and she just started her preschool).

Do stay tune for more update.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Parent's Wish

This is a beautiful video about a parent's wish. I cried when I saw this video and it reminded me to call my parents every now and then.

http://parentswish.com/site02/big.html

Being a mom, I can understand how hurt it is for all parents when your child is not there for you. To all my fellow blogger, please send this beautiful link to across.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Employment Tips

Unemployment or employed.... This is totally nuts.

Dress Code:
1) You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary.
2) If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well   Financially and therefore do not need a raise.
3) If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.
4) If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturdays & Sundays.

Bereavement Leave:
This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend the funeral arrangements in your place. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.

Bathroom Breaks:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet.   There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the 'Chronic Offenders'   category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be   sectioned under the company's mental health policy.

Lunch Break:
* Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy.
* Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
* Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.

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Baby Shower

My friend, Shim's baby shower is this weekend! I wanted to give something different to her and for the past week, I had been learning how to make a diaper cake. Well, I don't want a traditional 1,2 or 3 tiers cake like the one I found from youtube.

P3040103Decided to go against the odd by preparing a square one. This is the incomplete version trying on leftover diaper from Chloe. Well, I wanted to test out to see how crafty I am but I guess I can only know after I have put a final touch to it. What do you think? Should I go for this diaper cake or I should buy a ready made gift?

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Left On Their Own

Today I received a very sad story from one of my friend.

Her friend, an officer and his wife lost one of their two daughters to neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, in August 2007. Just a year later - almost to the day - the officer died unexpectedly in his home. His wife and living daughter came home to find him deceased in their basement.

The wife is now left in devastation and financial hardship, and the police department is holding a fundraiser for her and her daughter, which will hopefully change their lives. Check out The Laci Swift Fund.

When I saw this post, I was devastated because the two daughters are so cute and adorable. It breaks my heart to see the suffering of an innocent child. I am posting this here because I know that some fellow blogger would do anything to help others in need, even if that just means spreading the word.

I am asking that we do all that we can do bring attention to this family and help in whatever way possible.

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Magnet Hide and Seek

Chloe has been asking me to let her play with some of the magnets that my hubby stick on the refrigerator. Her favourites are mainly New York yellow cabbie and Holland windmill. I always refused because she might break the magnet and cut herself as it was made from ceramic.

MPj03854650000[1]Today I allow her to play the magnet but in a different way. I take out 3 of my metal pots with lids and the cute New York yellow cabbie magnet and put them on the floor. I put it inside one of the pots or under a lid. Then I ask Chloe to look in each pot to find the magnet. She was having fun because she is so eager to find the magnet. After a few rounds, I let her take a turn hiding the magnet while I look for it.

Guess what, she hides the magnet behind her and I am not able to find the magnet. How can a 2 years old girl cheat in a hide and seek game?

Supplies Needed-
- pots with lids
- a colorful magnet

Tips/Suggestions-
- If you have three pots, then count the pots!
- If you have different colored pots, then talk about the colors
- Talk about the different sizes of the pots too!

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Friday, February 20, 2009

Crocs Shoe Incident

If you are wearing a Crocs shoes, you need to view the following slides.

Crocs Shoe Incident

Below is one of the photo taken from the incident. Luckily the girl that wear the shoe managed to escape from injury.

image

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Valentine Girl

Valentine's Day is about expressing love for your love one. This year I celebrated with two greatest person. The first will be my beloved hubby. For the past 4 years, he has been there for me through ups and downs. On Sat morning, I baked a love shape chocolate cake to show how much I love him.P1260039

Secondly is my precious Little Chloe. She has bring spark to my life with her funny character and cute little faces. To show my love for Little Chloe this Valentine’s Day.

  1. I hold her tightly when I read to her.
  2. I spend time playing with her.
  3. Whenever she is angry, I will hug her and kiss her on the cheek.
  4. Make sure she has a nutritious diet so that she can grow healthily.
  5. Get her a play date so that she foster positive relationship with friends.
  6. Always believe in her as she learns.
  7. Getting her to participate in my conversation with my hubby.
  8. Encourage her to do what she is interested to do.
  9. Always make sure she has a lot of fun as a toddler.
  10. "I love you, Baby Chloe"
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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Chocoholics Dropout

I can never agree with this statement 'Life is like a box of chocolates - it is full of nuts!' For the past 2 weeks I have been occupying myself with chocolates trying to lift myself up after Chloe consistently said NO to everything that I said.

10 things about chocolate

1) Chocolate isn't a food, it's a medicine - an anti-depressant.

2) Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite, and you'll eat less.

3) Chocolate is far more reliable than a man

4) Men always leave... but chocolate is forever!

5) Chocolate is nature's way of making up for Mondays.

6) If it ain't chocolate, it ain't breakfast!

7) Given enough chocolate and coffee, I could rule the world.

8) When no one understands you, chocolate is there.

9) Stress wouldn't be so hard to take if it were chocolate covered.

10) Hollow chocolate has no calories.

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Makes A Difference

I love this video! I am passing the blue ribbons to all... Without all the blogger's support, Activities@home won't exist. You guys have make a difference. 

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Soup Of The Day

Can you imagine a 2 year old toddler making her own dishes? All this while when I cook, I will ask Chloe to participate. Teaching her different type of vegetables, letting her playing with dough while I made bread or cake, allowing her to dirty the kitchen while I am busy. This time, she made her own dishes, her own way at a barbeque party.

One of my friend invited us to her house for barbeque. She has a lovely twins who are 3 months younger than Chloe. Chloe sat with the twins on a small table while I helped to prepare pasta and salad. SC (my friend) try to break the ice between 3 of them by placing some food in the middle so that they can eat together.

Chloe was very shy at first so I walked over to see how she is doing:

Me: Chloe, do you want some pasta?

Chloe: Yes

Me: What about bananas?

Chloe: Yes

Me: Salad?

Chloe: Yes

I put everything on her bowl hoping that she will not mess around the place.... 5 minutes later

Me: Chloe why aren't you eating at all?

Chloe: Mom, I am cooking.

Me: What is that?

Chloe: Soup. I put water in the pasta, bananas and vegetables. Pasta Soup! (stirring all the ingredient in the bowl). Ok, I can eat now (putting a spoonful of the 'pasta soup' in her mouth). mmm... yummy. Mommy, want to try some?

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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Lovely Magnet

My hubby travels a lot and each time he travels, he will buy magnet that represents these countries. He will then stick it on the fridge as decoration. He loves the magnet very much (huh? talking about a guy's passion). The magnet is the only thing in the house that he will not allow Chloe to play with (of course besides dangerous stuff).

As Valentine's Day is approaching, I am cracking my head now to see what are the things I can made or buy for him. I find that it is more difficult to buy a Valentine's Day present to a guy than woman. I always advice male friends the following:

What NOT to give her for Valentine's Day

1) A box of chocolates, clumsily rearranged in an attempt to hide the fact you ate all the caramel inside

2) Lingerie that you think will look almost as good on her as on Victoria's Secret model

3) Any clothing item with the words "bitch", "push-up" or "slim-down" on the label

4) Any food item with the words "diet, "light" or "high fiber" on the label

5) Any video starring Sylvester Stallone or Jim Carrey

6) Flowers from a hospital's gift shop or mortuary

7) Poetry no matter how heartfelt, that starts out "There was once a girl from Nantucket...."

8) Anything you ever gave another woman, including your mother.

9) A gift certificate

10) An apologetic look and the words "That was today?"

As for me, I guess I will be buying a beautiful handmade magnet and say, "This is handmade just for you. Hope you love it" What do you think?

Check this out....

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Chinese Sticky Cake

I am back to the west! Miss home and blog very much. Haven't been able to work at all because we had been busy cooking, eating and catching up with each other. The eve and first day of New Year was spent at my in-laws house. On the second day we drive back to my mom's place for dinner and visited couple of my relatives. Ops, not to forget barbeque in hot and humid weather.

In my previous post, I shared about tradition or believe during Spring Festival. These are only a few which is popular. Another tradition that I would like to share is about the Kitchen God. According to legend, one week before the Spring Festival begins, the Kitchen God returns to heaven to report on a family's behavior during the previous year. A negative report by the Kitchen God means a family will suffer from bad luck during the year to come.

To ensure a favourable report from Kitchen God, the custom evolved of feeding him Sticky Cake. This bribe is to make sure that the Kitchen God's mouth was too stick or too sweet to report unfavourable comment about the family. Traditionally, Sticky Cake is made with brown sugar (to make it sweet) and glutinous rice flour (to make it sticky).

What You NeedP1300044

3/4 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups glutinous rice flour
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup chopped dates (preserved plums, jujubes or candied orange peel can be used instead)

What You Do

1. In a small pan, boil water.
2. In a mixing bowl, add brown sugar and stir in boiling water to make a syrup. Let cool.
3. Add flour, egg and milk and stir to blend.
4. Knead the dough until smooth, then mix in chopped sweets.
5. Pour batter into a lightly greased 7" shallow cake pan.
6. Steam for about 45 minutes, or until edges move away from the pan.
7. Let cool before unmolding.

I am not a Sticky Cake lover but my in-law and mom will remind me to bring home a couple to put it in the kitchen till the 15th day of the Spring Festival. After the Kitchen God had its feast, I would normally fried it with egg and flour and served it as fritters. Hope that I will get an excellent appraisal this year :-)

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Spring Festival

This Sat, we will be leaving far to the east for another New Year celebration. Don't worry, I am free from Alzheimer. Just that this New Year celebration are rather unique for Chinese. As a Chinese born in Singapore, I will celebrate a number of traditional celebration around the globe from Christmas, Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival), Deepavali (an Indian celebration), Aidilfitri (a Muslim celebration), Easter etc... This is what I called multiracial.

I missed Spring Festival dearly. Not much about all the tradition but rather the opportunity to meet up with my close families. Ops not to forget my in-laws.

Taking about tradition. There are so many superstitions during the New Year period that can drive you crazy. Just name a few:

1) Sweets are eaten to ensure a "sweet" year. If you are diabetic, don't forget to pop in extra pill on that day.

2) Getting a hair-cut in the first lunar month puts a curse on maternal uncles. If you don't like your uncles, get a hair cut.

3) Washing your hair on the first day is considered to be washing away your luck. Hang on to the dirty scalp.

4) Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. Go barefoot when your shoes are spoilt.

5) Avoid clothes in black and white as black is a symbol of bad luck and white is a traditional Chinese funeral colour. No wonder Michael Jackson have been surrounded by so many problems. Bad luck for the black and white guy.

6) Buying books is bad luck. Don't read!

Did I mentioned that this festival ends on the 15th day? Yes, 2 weeks of crazy believes.

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Monday, January 19, 2009

Stop War

Lately in the international front, Israel war against Hamas has been frontline. More than a thousand residents had been killed in the war which include children. I am very dishearten seeing how this barbaric action can still exist in today's world.

P1190079I teach Chloe in a way that she will loves others like the way she loves her teddy bear. Today when she saw the news about the war and children who are injured, she asked "Mommy, what is wrong with the baby?"

"They are injured, baby. Painful."

"Why are they injured? What is that? Very loud sound" she asked about the rocket fire shown in the TV

"It is the sound of war. Everyone is unique and sometimes people may disagree. When this disagreement involved a nation, sometimes they fight in a war and causes the children to be hurt."

"Why do they want to fight? Don't they love each other? Why didn't they say sorry and forgive each other"

"I don't know dear. Why don't we just lend a hand by donating to the children? What do you think?" trying to divert Chloe's attention from this complicated world.

"Mommy can I give them my teddy bear? Teddy will make them happy and painless"

"That's a great idea"

"Mommy, can I build a big car for them? They can drive here and play with me" starting to pack her teddy bear and Lego.

"Sure baby"

"Can they sleep with me then?"

..... I am speechless. I just wish that the real world is as simple as a child's world. What is your take in this situation?

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Healthy Lunch

Today I hired a little sous chef to help me in the kitchen. I was preparing lunch when Chloe requested to become my sous chef (a word she learned from Jamie Oliver). Since I was making burger with fried and coleslaw, I thought it may be a good idea for her to help me put the finishing touch on the dish rather than playing with the hot pan and oil.

On the first touch, she just put the fries in her mouth rather than putting it on the plate. The moment she bite the fries, she cried loudly because it hot (just out from the fryer, my dear). Oh God, finally she realized why I ask her to arrange it in the plate rather than in her mouth.

P1010113 PA260057

The next serving that she put in the plate was chicken burger which I had just cooked. I get her to put the patties on top of the bun that I had half with some Cheddar cheese, onion and lettuce topping.

Immediately after the burger she got annoyed because the serving is not ready yet (my hubby was still preparing the coleslaw). She got angry and start to protest with attitude (picture above). HUNGRY ANGEL, that is what my hubby called her.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Rabbit Farm

Chloe's first rabbit experience came as a surprise. One of my close friend had just invited us to her rabbit farm.

I loves rabbit very much. When I was young I used to care for a couple of rabbits. I will bath them (even when they hate it very much), I will feed them until they are too full to move and I will talk to them as if they will listen.

OK, admittedly I don't have gentle caring style towards rabbit when I was young but nevertheless they managed to survive a few birthday before they said farewell.

I was so excited when my friend invited Chloe to her farm. Chloe who had never seen rabbit before keep on hopping around the house when I packed her things. Hopefully she will be very gentle towards the rabbit.

When we reached her house, Chloe as always show a cute little girl character towards my friend. Her seems shy and quiet style amazed my friend. "Wait till she shows her true colour", my little heart said.

We had tea and scone which I made, chat over the coffee table while Chloe sat quietly beside me. Then the interesting or rather embarrassing moment began. We walked over to the rabbit farm and Chloe started to become while. She was squatting near the friendly rabbit looking at the strange creature and started to pat its back. Suddenly she hit the rabbit so hard that the rabbit started to hop away.

Chloe as mischievous as always started to run after the rabbit and tried her soccer practice by kicking the rabbit. I was shock and speechless. At that time, my friend was away and I had a good talk with Chloe to make sure she understand the rules or else it was the end of the trip.

When my friend came back with a few more rabbits, Chloe gentlely stroke their back and start to behave like an angel. What a child!

P1010122 

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sick Spell

Lord Voldemort had return with great revenge. Being a great muggle fan of Harry Potter, I had hide the Philosopher's Stone which I found in Chloe's toy box.

Evil  Voldemort found about my secret from his Death Eater and cast a sick spell to me and Little Chloe during Christmas. Initially he just cast fever spell on me but after I recovered, he took revenge on Chloe.

Harry tried to protect me by counter attack his spell but unfortunately Voldemort is too powerful and cast a food poisoning spell on me until I was too weak and had to be hospitalized.

In an effort to save me and other muggles from Voldemort sick spell, Harry surrendered himself to Voldemort. I feel so guilty and helpless.

SOS to Ron, Hermione! Can you guys please help Harry and all the muggles from the sick spell?

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Tea Garden

It has not been a good start for me in a new year. First I was sick and now Chloe was down with severe mouth ulcer. She has not been eating anything for the past couple of days and I feel so helpless as I am not able to share with her the pain she has been going through.

Feeling sad, I decided to look back the time she was healthy running around until I saw this photo. It was summer last year when we went to Charleston Tea Plantation, America's only commercial tea garden. At that time, Chloe had fabulous time because she can walk around and picked the tea leave.

After I came back from Charleston, I tried to bake some scone because my father used to tell me that tea with scone makes life perfect. I just wish it is that simple....

 

Gingerbread-Raisin Scones

2 cups Flour
1/3 cup Dark brown sugar -- packed
1 tablespoon Baking powdergingerbreadsconesfront
3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ginger
1/8 teaspoon Cloves
6 tablespoons Chilled butter -- cut pieces
1/4 cup Milk
1 large Egg
3 tablespoons Light unsulfured molasses
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
2/3 cup Raisins
Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease baking sheet.

Blend first 6 ingredients in processor. Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Beat milk, egg, molasses, and vanilla to blend in large bowl.

Add flour mixture and raisins; gently stir until dough forms. Gather dough into ball.

On lightly floured surface, press dough into 1-inch thick round. Cut into 8 wedges. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 min. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Sunday, January 4, 2009

A Father's Love

I am back after a series of sore throat, high fever and nausea. I guess too much turkey makes you sick. Luckily my hubby is on vacation due to company shutdown and he had been helping me with all the household chores and the most important is taking care of Little Chloe.

For the past weeks I was impressed by the patience that my hubby showed towards Chloe. He bath her, feed her, cook for us and did all the cleaning. I felt so bad because I was in the bed and he had been taking my role at home.

Most of the time, we will keep telling ourselves that a mother's love is unconditional. In this case, I will say that a father's love is irreplaceable. From my hubby, Chloe learned to be tough and independent. He taught her the meaning of family, standing by our side during shine and rain.

I would like to share this touching story about a father's love with all. Enjoy.

"One day, a son asks his dad "Daddy, would you like to run a marathon with me?". The father says "yes".
And they run their first marathon together.
Another time, the son asks his dad again "Daddy, would you like to run a marathon with me?". The father says "yes son".
One day, the son asks his father " Daddy, would you run the Ironman with me?"
The Ironman is the most difficult triathlon ever ( 4 kms swimming, 180 kms bikin, 42 km running? )
And the dad says "yes".

Check this out"

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