My Journal

Shifted

2011-04-11T22:54:00.001+08:00

Hi guys!
I have shifted to http://alfgee.wordpress.com

The waiting game

2010-10-15T03:19:00.019+08:00

I am still playing the waiting game - boy, it's nerve-wrekking! When I first felt the Braxton-Hicks contractions (false alarm) which was quite painful, I thought labor day is near. That contractions-scare sent me on a cleaning and organizing frenzy at 37-week of pregnancy. The following week (38 weeks), I didn't feel any painful Braxton-Hicks contractions.

When I went for checkup last week Friday (week 38 of pregnancy), the doctor ordered that I go for the CTG (cardiotocographics) test to monitor the baby's heartbeat and to record any contractions. From the CTG report, I was having mild contractions 10 minutes apart. From the ultrasound test, the doctor mentioned that there's still long time for labor to start since my cervix has yet to ripen or efface. The baby's position is still not engaged. Now I am 39 weeks into pregnancy and my cervix is still not showing any signs of thinning. I felt disappointed.

I am feeling very exited to meet my little one but looks like there'll be no sign of labor anytime soon. My due date is given on 18th October, which is next Monday. By the way things are looking right now, I might have to go through induced labor. Crossing my fingers and pleading the cooperation from my body so that labor will come naturally before next Wednesday.

Celebrating the simple things in life

2010-10-11T23:06:00.017+08:00

This year for my birthday, I wanted to do something different. I told my husband that I didn't want to cut a cake. I just wanted to sit down and count my blessings. This year, my best birthday present is the baby I am carrying in my womb; I am eagerly anticipating for the arrival of my little angel - to make his/her special appearance into this world.

I am thankful for the gift of life and for having all the wonderful people in my life. I am thankful for both my parents who gave me good health and sowed the seeds of good values within me; and to all my friends who have enriched my life. I am thankful for all the simple things in life. I am grateful to breathe in fresh air, to walk on this green earth, to admire the beauty of all God's creations, to be able to utter kind and loving words to everyone, to feel the warm embrace of my husband, to be tickled by my dogs' antics, to feel another life growing within me, to smell the roses and to be alive. Reflecting on these blessings in my life brings joy to me on my birthday - I feel contented. That's all I need to be happy today.

My 31st Pre-Birthday Celebration

2010-10-10T23:04:00.092+08:00

Since Alfred had to go back to KL on Monday for work (I told him to save his annual leaves when the baby arrives), we celebrated my 31st birthday one day prior to my actual birthday. We decided to go for the Malacca River Cruise - it's so cool to be a tourist in my own hometown. It was an awesome 45-minute boat ride along the historical Malacca river - felt like traveling back to the 15th century - the era where the Malacca river was an important conduit for trade. With the some old Malay songs playing in the background, the river cruise exuded a nostalgic and romantic feel to it.

Inside the boat

Along the river bank, we passed by Kampung Morten Malay Village which houses some unique and traditional Malay wooden houses (rumah kampong) - which was preserved as a historical site. We were captivated by some of the murals on the buildings located along the river bank. The Malacca state government has done an excellent job in cleaning up and beautifying the river banks and the surrounding buildings and houses along the river bank. A few years back, I remembered the river being filthy and murky - a former colleague of mine from India even remarked that he thought it was a drain and not a river - how insulting it is to the river which was once the main artery of trade bustling with traders from all around the world.

Costing only RM10 for adult and RM5 for children, this is a unique and nostalgic tour which visitors must not miss when you are in Malacca and of course Malaccans should list it in the list-of-places-to-see. The best time to go is at night when the lights are switched on to illuminate both sides of the river bank - simply beautiful!

Ferris wheel

Us after a nostalgic cruise along the historical river

The boat

After the cruise, we dined at the Harpers Cafe. Situated by the side of the riverbank, it certainly promises a romantic dining experience. We just sat there enjoying the night view of the river while enjoying our dinner. I truly enjoyed the whole experience and am looking forward to going for the nostalgic ride again along the Malacca river. Sometimes, the best things are found just at our backyard :)

A beautiful view while dining at the Harpers Cafe

Roses and Lilies

2010-10-08T23:35:00.023+08:00

Thanks, dear hubby for this gorgeous bouquet of fresh roses and lilies - it certainly brightened up my day! I couldn't stop admiring the beauty of these flowers arranged meticulously into a beautiful bouquet; and the floral scent is so uplifting to the soul.

My Prince

2010-10-06T13:21:00.001+08:00

My darling prince - never failed to put a smile on my face. Love you to bits!

Eat Pray Love

2010-10-03T23:48:00.059+08:00

I am taking all the opportunity I have to watch as many movies in the theater as I can before I deliver. I am a diligent movie-goer but if you ask me to catch movies on the DVD, I'd most likely never end up watching it. I love going to the cinemas and watching movies with a group of people - it just makes the experience special.

With 3 more weeks before my due date, Eat Pray Love is at the top of my must-watch movies. Alfred and I enjoyed the movie. It's full of meaning and forced us to reflect on our own journey in life. The message from the movie reminded us of some of the spiritual lessons learned over the past few months. - the liberating power of forgiveness, letting go and surrendering yourself. I love Ketut's (one of the characters in the movie) easy-going nature and his advice on meditation - 'meditate with a smile on your face and imagine your heart is smiling too'.

Being a typical book hoarder, I have yet to read the Eat Pray Love book that has been sitting on my bookshelf for almost a year now. I am definitely looking forward to reading the book after watching this movie. A beautiful movie with a beautiful message, I would give a rating of 5/5.

Nesting bug has hit me

2010-09-29T23:57:00.009+08:00

Today is a spring cleaning day for me. The nesting bug has hit me - I woke up with a sudden burst of energy with a sudden urge to clean and organize. Last night I dreamt that I was about to deliver and in the dream I panicked that I have not packed my hospital bag yet. I woke up feeling anxious. I know I have been procastinating alot lately.

Today I woke up at 5.30 a.m. despite the usual unable-to-sleep-nights. Most of the time I could only wake up at half past nine. I woke up this morning and brought the dogs for a walk. Then, I went to Mydin hypermarket to buy mild detergent soap to wash all the baby clothes and napkins. I came back home and washed everything my baby will be using - playpen bedsheet, pillowcases, booties, mittens, baby hat, shirts, pants, hankerchiefs and napkins. Then I cleaned every nook and corner of my room; I wiped and disinfected the storage space for all the baby items. I used up every bit of my energy for today and it felt so good to have everything cleaned and ready for the arrival of our new bundle of joy. Finally, I've packed the hospital bags *a huge sigh of relief*

5-Day Mindfulness Retreat "The Walk of Peace and Joy"

2010-09-20T11:54:00.006+08:00

A few weeks or so after reading The Power of Now, Alfred mentioned about this 5-day mindfulness retreat led by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (pronounced "tik nyat hawn") and the Plum Village monastery from France. We signed up for the retreat the very next day. The retreat is held from 15th to 19th September 2010 in Tiara Beach Resort, Port Dickson. The main purpose of the retreat is to help weave mindfulness into all our daily activities. In this way, we can practice meditation throughout the day - while eating, walking, working mindfully, and sitting in meditation.

A brief introduction of Thich Nhat Hanh (or commonly known as Thay by his students, which means 'teacher' in Vietnamese):

Zen Master, poet, peace and human rights activist, Thay was born in central Vietnam on 11th October 1926 and joined the monkhood at the age of 16. His lifelong efforts to generate peace moved Martin Luther King, Jr. to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. Exiled from his native Vietnam because of his antiwar activities, he lives in a southwestern France where he founded a retreat center. At the centre, Plum Village, he continues to teach, write, garden, and work to alleviate the suffering of refugees, boat people, political prisoners, and hungry families in Vietnam and throughout the Third World countries. His philosophy is not limited to preexistent religious structures, but speaks to the individual's desire for wholeness and inner calm. Thay's teachings and practices appeal to people from various religious, spiritual, and political backgrounds. Thay offers a practice of "mindfulness" that is beneficial for people of all faiths, by helping us to resist and transform the speed and violence of our modern society. His key teachings is that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live in the present moment instead of in the past and in the future. Dwelling in the present moment is, according to Thay, the only way to truly develop peace, both in one's self and in the world.

Here is an inspiring poem "Kiss the Earth" by Thay:

Walk and touch peace every moment.

Walk and touch happiness every moment.

Each step brings a fresh breeze.

Each steps makes a flower bloom.

Kiss the Earth with your feet.

Bring the Earth your love and happiness.

The Earth will be safe

when we feel safe in ourselves.

The following are the details of our program during the 5-day retreat.

Day 1 (15th September 2010):

Arrival at about 12.30 p.m. at Tiara Beach Resort.
Registration and room check-in.
Buffet lunch at 1 p.m.

A vegetarian fare throughout the 5-day retreat was instrumental in realizing the way towards compassionate eating.

3.00 p.m. - Total relaxation

This is where all of us lied down comfortably on the floor and a Venerable nun spoke to us with a gentle and soothing voice and sang us beautiful songs - it's so relaxing and therapeutic - most of us actually drifted into a deep and peaceful slumber - it felt so rejuvenating :) We were definitely looking forward for this session for the next 3 days!

5.00 p.m. - Exercise

Some light stick Qigong and Yoga exercises.

Stick Qigong exercise

6.00 p.m. - Dinner
8.00 p.m. - Orientation

A briefing of the purpose of the retreat and the program for the next few days and the dos and don'ts during the course of retreat.

9.30 p.m. - Bedtime/ Noble silence

We were asked to maintain noble silence throughout the night until after breakfast the next morning.
Maintaining noble silence is indeed very therapeutic. It allows us to be mindful of our thoughts and reflect on the lessons learned during the day.

Day 2 (16th September 2010):

5.15 a.m. - Wake up.
6.00 a.m. - Guided meditation and chanting

Even though it's very early in the morning, the moment we entered the meditation hall, we felt peace and calmness permeate us. And even with my pregnant belly, I managed to sit down on the floor and meditate effectively - it must be the collective energy from Thay and all the monks and nuns in the hall - I felt the energy strongly within the hall. The whole hall exuded a sense of peace, calmness and serenity.

Meditation Hall

7.00 a.m. - Walking meditation

The practice of walking mindfully - be mindful of every step that you take. Thay said: "The miracle is not walking on water; but the miracle in life is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive". How beautifully said!
We walked with Thay in a big group - inhaling the fresh morning breeze, watching the birds flying freely, and be mindful of every step we take - I felt so liberated and free! The whole atmosphere in the morning was filled with peace, calmness, and joy. It feels good to find joy in a simple act such as walking.

Walking meditation with Thay

8.00 a.m. - Breakfast
10 a.m. - Dharma talk given by Thay

The moment Thay enters the hall, I could immediately sense calmness and tranquility radiating around him. Every step he takes evoked peace, tranquility and joy within me. His tranquil presence is felt very strongly.
Thay's message is deep and profound, penetrating straight into my heart. His Dharma talk is filled with love and peace. Every word he utters brought about a deep insight and revelation within me. His message rang so true and deep - and the way he says it with love makes it even more special. I feel so connected with him - a deep level of connection.

During the Dharma talk

Thay during one of the Dharma talks

12.00 p.m. - Lunch
1.30 p.m. - Total relaxation - time to unwind and relax and rejuvenate!
3.00 p.m. - Dharma sharing

This is a session where a smaller group of participants (around 20 participants in a group) gather and share their thoughts, feelings, and insights gained from the retreat. We were accompanied by a nun and a monk from the Plum Village monastery.
Our Dharma group's name is Mother Earth.
It feels wonderful to open our hearts to total strangers and feel utterly comfortable in their presence. Everyone shared their thoughts and what they have learnt throughout the retreat. Some shed tears when sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings. There is a strong connection with each and every person in our group.

5.00 p.m. - Exercise
6.00 p.m. - Dinner
8.00 p.m. - 5 mindfulness trainings presentation

"Two thousand five hundred years ago, the Buddha offered certain guidelines to his lay students to help them live peaceful, wholesome and happy lives. They were the 5 Mindfulness Trainings, and at the foundation of each of these mindfulness trainings is mindfulness. With mindfulness, we are aware of what is going on in our bodies, our feelings, our minds, and the world, and we avoid doing harm to ourselves and others".
1st Mindfulness Training: Reverence for life

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals.

2nd Mindfulness Training: True happiness

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.

3rd Mindfulness Training: True love

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without true love and a deep, long-term commitment made known to my family and friends.

4th Mindfulness Training: Loving speech and deep listening

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations.

5th Mindfulness Training: Nourishment and healing

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am commited to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am determined not to gamble, or to use alcohol, drugs, or any other products which contain toxins, such as certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines, books, and conversations.

After reading through the 5 mindfulness trainings, we decided to undertake and incorporate the 5 mindfulness precepts into our daily life. The 5 mindfulness training transmission ceremony will be held on the last day of the retreat, i.e., on the 19th September.

The 5 Mindfulness Trainings presentation: where some of the participants shared their experiences

9.30 p.m. - Bedtime/Noble silence

Day 3 (17th September 2010):

5.15 a.m. - Wake up.
6.00 a.m. - Guided meditation and chanting
7.00 a.m. - Walking meditation
8.00 a.m. - Breakfast

At the dining area

10.00 a.m. - Dharma talk
12.00 p.m. - Lunch
1.30 p.m. - Total relaxation/ Touching the earth
3.00 p.m. - Dharma sharing
5.00 p.m. - Exercise
6.00 p.m. - Dinner
8.00 p.m. - Beginning anew presentation

The power of forgiveness and surrender is discussed.

9.30 p.m. - Bedtime/Noble silence

Day 4 (18th September 2010):

5.15 a.m. - Wake up
6.00 a.m. - Guided meditation and chanting
7.00 a.m. - Walking meditation
8.00 a.m. - Breakfast
10 a.m. - Questions and answers
12.00 p.m. - Lunch
1.30 p.m. - Total relaxation
3.00 p.m. - Dharma sharing
5.00 p.m. - Exercise
6.00 p.m. - Dinner
8.00 p.m. - Sitting and chanting
9.30 a.m. - Bedtime/Noble silence

Day 5 (19th September 2010):

5.15 a.m. - Wake up
6.00 a.m. - 5 mindfulness trainings transmission ceremony

Alfred and I decided to undertake the 5 mindfulness trainings. One of the Buddhist precepts is not to kill or cause suffering to other sentient beings. I have stopped consuming meat (chicken, lamb, and pork) for almost a year now. I was consuming seafood now and then but ever since I got pregnant, I have drastically reduced seafood from my diet. I don't call myself a true vegetarian since I still consume the gravy from a meat dish. I call myself a flexitarian; which is basically no consumption of animal flesh. I've stopped consuming meat ever since I became aware of their suffering and the way they are killed - it's just inhumane. After knowing these facts, how could I still continue consuming chicken and mutton, especially? In today's world of mass production of meat, the sufferings of these poor animals have alleviated to incomprehensible degree. There are so many video clips and articles that create awareness on the source of food that we are consuming. Knowledge is power and it's in my prerogative to decide what to consume and what not to consume and to know where and how my source of food comes from. Alfred has always been a meat-eater and I have never questioned his choice of food and neither have I told him to stop eating meat. It came as a big surprise for me when he told me that he has now decided to stop consuming meat. This retreat has brought about a huge change within him - he is mindful of his eating habits now.
The transmission ceremony involves bowing and touching the earth. With my 9-month pregnant belly, I was initially struggling to kneel and bow and touch the earth with my forehead - but eventually I managed to complete the whole transmission ceremony. During this transmission ceremony, we basically make a public vow to accept and incorporate the 5 mindfulness trainings into our daily life; this choice is left entirely to the individual. That's what I love about the practice; there is no coercion involved; everything is done with our own free will and choice. Around 3/4 of the participants who attended the retreat decided to undertake the 5 mindfulness trainings.

During the 5 Mindfulness Trainings Transmission Ceremony

8.00 a.m. - Breakfast
10.00 a.m. - Dharma talk

Thay spoke about the oneness of all beings and how everything originates from the same source. He reminded us that Buddha is within us - and not to search for Buddha outside in the temple. When we become mindful and aware of our being, we are following the path to enlightenment - that is the teaching of Buddha.

Thay during the Dharma talk

12.00 p.m. - Lunch/ Farewell

This retreat brought about many changes within us. It made us reflect on the beauty of the present moment and to be grateful for every breath and step that we take. And to realize the freedom and happiness to be found in a simple act such as breathing and walking. The sound of the bell at every interval to bring us back into the present moment was a good mindfulness practice for us - where we will stop whatever we are doing, stop thinking and be totally present upon hearing the bell.

We loved the songs sang together throughout the retreat - it brought back the joy of music in our soul. Two of our favorite songs are as follows:

1st song: Breathing in, Breathing out

Breathing in, breathing out; breathing in, breathing out;

I am blooming as a flower; I am fresh as the dew.

I am solid as a mountain; I am firm as the earth; I am free.

Breathing in, breathing out; breathing in, breathing out;

I am water, reflecting what is real, what is true,

and I feel there is space deep inside of me;

I am free, I am free, I am free.

2nd song: Happiness is Here and Now

Happiness is here and now, I have dropped my worries.
Nowhere to go, nothing to do, no longer in a hurry.
Happiness is here and now, I have dropped my worries.
Somewhere to go, something to do, but I don't need to hurry.

My favorite quotes from Thay:

"Happiness is here and now"

"This is a happy moment; smile, breathe and go slowly"

Short meditation quotes from Thay:
To meditate does not mean to fight with a problem.
To meditate means to observe.
Your smile proves it.
It proves that you are being gentle with yourself,
that the sun of awareness is shining in you,
that you have control of your situation.
You are yourself,
and you have acquired some peace.

Some pictures taken on the last day of the retreat:

Children singing session

With one of the monks in our Dharma group

Our Dharma group members: Mother Earth

With the participants in the retreat

Receiving the dried Bodhgaya leaf from Shantum Seth (Shantum Seth is a Buddhist scholar and practitioner and an ordained teacher in the Zen lineage of the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh)

The Finale

Outing with Best buddies

2010-09-11T23:29:00.040+08:00

We finally managed to meet up with Ai Lin during the Hari Raya holidays. It seemed like ages back since I last met up with her. It was good to see her - and the tiga sekawan met up and chit-chatted - just like the good ol' days.

We had lunch in Sizzling Stone Grill in Jusco AEON. Had a great time bonding and catching up. It was the first time we are going out with Renee and Ai Lin as a couple - and we had a great time together. Renee especially seemed to know alot about pregnancy-related symptoms - I was impressed! He asked me questions about my pregnancy symptoms - I never knew a man would be interested to be equipped with such knowledge. He is definitely more than prepared to be a dad soon - HINT HINT to Ai Lin, hehe.

Tiga sekawan at the Sizzling Stone Grill restaurant

After lunch, we walked around the shopping complex and as a finale had some coffee and cake at Coffee Beans. I know with our busy schedules (except for me; hehe, I have been having just too much free time on my hand this year), it's hard to find a common time for all of us to meet up. So this outing was something to be tressured :)

The Power of Now: My guide to spiritual enlightenment

2010-09-09T11:40:00.094+08:00

The past few months had been an awakening spiritual journey for me. First a book and then the meditation retreat.

My spiritual quest started when I was 18 years old. That's when I attended the 7-day awareness program which thought me about positive thinking, the power of unconditional love, and guided meditation. Ever since that, I've practiced meditation on and off, attended courses on self-awareness, read books on spirituality and meditation, and tried different meditation techniques. I've always been searching for the right answer. And I finally found it from Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now. This book contains the ultimate truth - the simple truth; something that my soul resonated right away. I first read his book The New Earth sometime last year. However, that book didn't have the same transformative effect on me as the The Power of Now had. Probably I wasn't ready to accept the truth then.

This year has been a tough journey for me emotionally. I felt depressed on some days; and then I'll pick myself up by doing whatever I enjoy doing; and then I'd feel empty again; and the cycle repeated. The fact that I'd left my job and felt lonely was aggravated by my pregnancy hormones. I felt lost and empty. I didn't realize what I was doing to myself and to my husband. Some days I will lie on bed the whole day not having mood to do anything; feeling sorry for myself. I found that it became increasingly difficult to control my negative thoughts - it was spiraling beyond my control; and I was constantly battling against my thoughts - it was mentally and emotionally draining. I felt that I've fallen into a dungeon and there's no one to help me to get out. My husband just didn't know how to help me. I blamed my husband for the way I felt - I didn't realize that my misery was contagious - and he's only human. There's limit to how much he could take - and I continued blaming him for not understanding my feelings.

It was at this point in time during my emotional downturn that I picked up The Power of Now which has been sitting on the bookshelf for quite some time. Every word, every message in the book pierced straight into my heart - my heart knew that the message is true. Rather than playing the blaming game, I started embracing the way I felt; and that felt so liberating. I could immediately sense the deep-seated peace and joy within me - it's truly amazing. I learned to still my mind and be the silent observer of my thoughts and emotions. It's so powerful I started noticing change deep within me; I started understanding my actions and emotions; I started embracing everything around and within me with love. It's truly liberating, I suddenly felt so alive. And this wasn't the same kind of short-lived euphoria I felt when I read other self-help books.

Reading the Power of Now felt like going straight to the core of my Being; my being became instantaneously connected with the author's message; the message rang so true to my soul. Probably it's because I was in intense emotional pain; the suffering catapulted me to a new level of consciousness upon reading this book. Rather than dwelling in pain, I became aware/conscious of my pain and began to embrace it unconditionally. And I felt FREE. It also helped me to understand my relationship with my husband better.

However, as Eckhart Tolle pointed out, not all readers might feel the same transformative effects after reading the book. Sometimes, the message from the book will act as the seed of enlightenment/consciousness sometime later in a person's life. After reading the book, I realized that all the spiritual teachers in my life have pointed to the same message (only the way of imparting the message was different) - and I begin to appreciate the unison of message in all the religions and spiritual practices in the world - the message/lesson imparted points to the SAME SOURCE.

I accept that some days are good and there are some not-so-good days. Rather than brooding over the not-so-good days, I've learnt to accept it as it is and it feels liberating. As with all conditioned thought processes and mental habits, change is about taking one step at a time. Whenever I find myself dwelling in the past or anxious about the future, I remind myself to come back to the present moment; the here and now - that's the secret of being.

Vegetarian Butter Cake

2010-09-07T23:28:00.045+08:00

I was in the mood for baking and this time around I wanted to bake without using eggs. Ever since Mages introduced me to the eggless butter marble cake that she orders from a home bakery in Brickfields, I was hooked to vegetarian cakes. It was difficult to find a good recipe on vegetarian butter cake and when I finally found one, I decided to give it a try.

Herewith is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/3 cups of unsalted butter

1/2 to 3/4 cup of sugar (depending on how sweet you want the cake to be)

1 1/4 cups of evaporated milk

1 1/2 tsp of vanilla essence

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celcius.

2. Grease and line a round cake pan.

3. Sift together flour and baking powder.

4. In a medium-sized bowl, beat butter and sugar until the mixture doubles and turns pale yellow. (It's important at this stage not to overbeat the butter - otherwise the butter will separate. When the butter separates due to overbeating, you can store the mixture in the fridge for a while before creaming it again).

5. After creaming the butter and sugar until it turns pale yellow, mix evaporated milk and vanilla slowly into the creamed mixture.

6. Mix in flour one spoonful at a time until well blended.

7. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan.

8. Bake at 190 degrees Celcius for 40 minutes to an hour, or until a tester is inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Atlantic 1 Cafe

2010-09-04T23:16:00.032+08:00

I used to love the pineapple rice served at the Atlantic 1 cafe. It's situated next to the Shell station in Jalan Portugis (Jalan Kubu), Melaka. I used to go there for lunch when I was teaching in Ranger College back in 2003. After so many years, I had been having this craving for a good pineapple rice. So, we went there for dinner and it was packed with tourists.

A framed newspaper article of Jonker Street in 1890 at the Atlantic Cafe, Melaka

Pictures taken using our new compact camera - LUMIX Panasonic DMC-ZR3.

After waiting for quite some time, I finally got to savor the pineapple rice which I had been craving for so long. But, I was a little dissapointed with the quality now - I remember it had much more ingredients and tasted much better back in 2003. Probably that's the price of over-commercialization - the quality of the food is compromised.

Grown Ups

2010-09-03T23:30:00.019+08:00

This is the funniest movie I've watched this year! We laughed uncontrollably throughout the movie - my pregnant belly almost couldn't take it! We got so addicted to its good humor, we watched it for the second time - and laughed just as loud as the first time. A great movie about friendship, family and the importance of having humor in our lives; I would rate this movie 5/5. I'd consider watching it for the third time.

Merdeka at Balok Beach

2010-08-30T23:12:00.062+08:00

It has been a long time since I went to the beach. The last time I went to Balok beach was sometime last year before I was pregnant. Balok beach is Alfred's favorite spot to learn kite-surfing. He is addicted to the new sport and he is always dreaming to go back to Balok beach to polish his kite-surfing skills. I love the beach for its tranquility and peace - there are usually not many people around that part of the beach as compared to Cherating.

We took the opportunity of the long Merdeka weekend to drive down to Balok beach. At 33 weeks of pregnancy, the car ride from KL to Balok was excruciating on my back and hips. However, I survived the journey and it felt so good to lie down on the bed once we reached the chalet. It felt so good to inhale the fresh ocean breeze.

Balok beach

Alfred kite-surfing

Kite-surfing is dependent on the wind strength and we were lucky that there was sufficient wind for Alfred to polish his kite-surfing skills during the 2 days we were there. He was gleaming with pride when he managed to get on the board and kite-surf for a while before he dropped in the water again. It needs lots of practice - definitely not an easy sport. It's about learning to control the kite according to the wind direction and balance yourself on the surfing board at the same time. And if the waves are strong, it's difficult to maintain balance on the board while controlling the kite at the same time - it requires lots of skill. That's what Alfred is trying to learn - and he's happy that he is getting better at it.

Me chilling out by the beach

I just sat back and relaxed by the beach watching the guys kite-surfing. Though I feel tired so fast, it was certainly rejuvenating just to sit by the beach and hear the waves crash by the shore and enjoy the cool breeze.

8 months pregnant

2010-08-29T23:10:00.009+08:00

8 months preggie - starting to feel heavy and sluggish. Little one is having a gala time inside my womb - practicing all his/her movements before the big day arrives. Looking forward to seeing you, little one!

Thirusshen's 1st year Birthday Party @ Lukut

2010-08-28T23:08:00.026+08:00

My former colleague's son just turned 1 a few days back and his parents celebrated his 1-year-old birthday at their house in Lukut. It seemed like it was just yesterday that Kavi gave birth to Thirusshen and now 1 year as passed - and the little hero has grown-up so fast.

Us with Kavi and Thirusshen Kumar

We met up with Mages and Selvam there and they brought a delicious vegetarian butter marbled cake.

Kavi and the vegetarian butter marbled cake :)

Mages and I

Group picture (Thirusshen was already asleep by the time we left the house)

Naan Mahaan Alla

2010-08-25T23:29:00.034+08:00

I have been hanging out with Mages for the past week or so. It was a good change for me - rather than being cooped up in the house alone, it was fun venturing out to new vegetarian eating places with Mages. Mages introduced me to 2 organic vegetarian restaurants; one in Damansara Utama and the other one in Bangsar. Both have excellent and a tantalizing variety of vegetarian fare. I appreciated her company a lot especially since I spend most of the days alone at home while my husband is away at work. During times like these, when I am out with Mages trying out new vegetarian places to dine in, I value the amount of free time that we both have. And having a good company is certainly an icing on the cake. I have to thank Mages for being such a wonderful company and for feeding me delicious vegetarian dishes :)

One of the days after having a delectable vegetarian cuisine for lunch, we decided to catch a matinee show in PJ. We decided to watch the latest movie showing at that time which was Naan Mahaan Alla. Our mistake was that we didn't know the storyline nor did we read the review of the movie. The movie turned out to be very VIOLENT and I was traumatized by some of the scenes so much so that everytime I think about the movie, I'd rather not talk about it. My rating: 0/5!

Delicious Classic Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice-cream

2010-08-20T23:36:00.020+08:00

This is the best-ever chocolate cake! The warm-moist-cake-with-melting-chocolate-ganache with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the top is simply irresistible! It's so rich, it might be a good idea to share it - although it's so tempting to have the cake to yourself. This cake was recommended by my friend Gaya's husband, Aaron when we met up for dinner at Delicious, Bangsar a few months back. When I took the first bite, I fell instantly in love with the cake - the best part about the cake is that it is served warm with the ganache melting on its sides - mmmmmmm!

Marbled Cheesecake

2010-08-16T23:33:00.134+08:00

Ever since I got pregnant, I had pretty much been lazy in baking. But, I do miss the euphoria I get when I bake - the satisfaction in my heart when I see my loved ones devour the cakes I bake and the joy of sharing the cake with my family members and friends. When I moved to KL after marriage, it was just the two of us - and baking became less exciting because I couldn't share it with my sisters and cousins who have always been the ever-ready 'testers' of my baking outputs.

This time around, my sister made a special request for a chocolate cheesecake. Cheesecake had always been a popular request from my family members. I have baked chocolate cheesecake before, so I decided that I should try baking marbled cheesecake. It turned out very creamy and nice and it's so easy to make because this cheesecake does not need to be baked in a water bath as my previous cheesecake recipes required.

Marbled cheesecake

Recipes as follows:

Ingredients:

For the crust:

2 cups of graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

For the filling:

2 blocks of 250 gm Philadelphia cream cheese

1 cup of sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs, room temperature

120 gm bittersweet chocolate

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celcius.

2. To prepare the cheesecake crust, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until the crumbs clump together.

3. Spread the mixture evenly into the bottom of the cake pan and press down firmly to make an even base. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Set aside.

4. Reduce oven temperature to 150 degrees Celcius.

5. Melt chocolate over a double boiler. Set aside to cool slightly.

6. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.

7. Add condensed milk and beat until smooth.

8. Add eggs, one by one, beating each until fully incorporated.

9. Pour 1/2 of the batter into the bowl with the melted chocolate and stir well.

10. Pour chocolate and plain cheese batters into the prepared pan, evenly distributing and alternating batters. Swirl with a clean knife.

11. Bake cheesecake for 50-55 minutes. The top of the cheesecake should be set, but the underneath should still have a wobble/jiggle to it.

12. Cool the cheesecake in a fairly warm place after removing it from the oven to allow it to set without cracking.

13. Chill the cheesecake overnight before serving.

Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant @ Melaka Raya

2010-08-12T23:19:00.058+08:00

I am a big fan of Japanese food. But ever since I got pregnant, I had to stop consuming raw seafood. Nonetheless, I still dine at Japanese restaurants and order mainly sushi dishes without any raw seafood on it and edamami. I love the simplicity in Japanese food.

Chin Lay and I have been regular customers in Sushi King for the past few years. As a change, Chin Lay brought me to this cosy Japanese restaurant in Melaka Raya. The ambiance is warm and cozy with its warm lighting - it's perfect for romantic dinners. You have to make booking in advance due to the limited seats in the restaurant. The food is superb and authentic - a big difference to what we are used to having in Sushi King. The pricing is very reasonable as well. The only thing that turned me off about this place was the strong fishy smell that greeted us upon entering the restaurant. It took me a while to recover from the strong smell - it must have been aggravated by my pregnancy hormones. Eventually, I got used to the smell and enjoyed the dishes we ordered.

We ordered the unagi set which comes with a bowl of rice, two slices of unagi, chawanmushi and few slices of watermelon. We also ordered edamami (my favorite) and potato salad (YUM!).

Unagi set

For dessert, we had green tea ice cream with red bean paste. It was very good.

Green tea ice cream dessert

I would strongly recommend this place to all Japanese food lovers.

Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant
38, Jalan Melaka Raya 15,
Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka.
Tel: 06-2823882

Valaikappu (Indian Baby Shower) ~7th August 2010~

2010-08-07T23:10:00.010+08:00

My Valaikappu (traditional Indian baby shower) was held on 7th August 2010. I was 29 weeks pregnant at that time.

This ceremony is performed during the odd months of pregnancy mostly during the seventh month for the expectant mother in her mother's house. Prayers are invoked for the well-being of the mother-to -be and the foetus. Mostly women are invited for this function. The expectant mother is made to wear a lot of bangles mostly glass ones of red and green colors and the sound of these bangles are supposed to reach the womb.

My mom insisted that she wants to do all the cooking by herself - she refused to cater. So, it was a merry occasion with all my relatives helping to bring their own home-made dishes to the ceremony.

Tairu (yogurt) rice made by my mom

Pulli (tamarind) rice courtesy by Aunty Seetha

Tomato chutney made by my mom

Ponggal (sweet) rice made by Bala Sinamma

I made this vegetarian butter cake

Idli by my mom

My husband and I

We started the ceremony at about 6 p.m. All my aunties were there by the time. The ceremony starts by Alfred having to break a coconut and put the garland around me.

Next is the bangles ceremony. 9 married ladies blessed me by adorning the bangles on me and prayed for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

Next, I was asked to pick one of the three bundles of rice tied in a white muslin cloth. The three bundles being ponggal (sweet) rice, pulli (tamarind) rice, and tairu (yogurt) rice. It's a old wives' tale that if you pick the tamarind or the yogurt rice (both of which are sour), you will be having a baby boy and if you pick the sweet rice, it's predicted that it's a baby girl. Back in those days without the modern-state-of-the-art ultrasound device, they relied on this method to guess the baby's gender. It was fun for us as well since we don't know our baby's gender - we are leaving it as a surprise until the big day arrives.

I picked the sour rice - so everyone is guessing a baby boy :) Let's wait and see!

My husband feeding me the rice

My mom feeding me

A shot with my sisters and cousins

With my uncle, aunties and grandpa

Chin Lay, Me, Shuba, Durai and cute Nithish

I was so happy to see my good friends Chin Lay and Shuba and Shuba's family. It was a great celebration filled with love and joy. I feel so blessed.

The Last Airbender

2010-08-05T23:28:00.048+08:00

I have been a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan ever since I watched his movie The Sixth Sense and I haven't missed any of his movies since then. But I presume that there is usually only one masterpiece created in most forms of art. This seemed to be true in M. Night Shyamalan's subsequent movies - his masterpiece being The Sixth Sense where he gained international recognition. Some of his other movies which I would give good ratings are: Lady in the Water and The Happening.

His recent movie, The Last Airbender has received largely negative reviews; but that didn't stop us from watching it. Contrary to the newspaper reviews about the movie, I enjoyed the movie. I appreciated the moral message behind the story. The movie showcased the disastrous effects when the Fire Nation waged war against all the other nations to gain more power. I liked the message imparted in the movie regarding the importance of living in harmony with each other - the whole message seemed to point towards the reality of our current world. The little boy's acting was just awesome. I would give this movie a rating of 4/5.

Salt

2010-07-30T23:27:00.015+08:00

Chin Lay and I hardly miss any of Angeline Jolie's movie. And this is one of it. Action-packed with superb acting by Angeline Jolie, this movie lived up to our expectation except for its ending. The ending of the movie was abrupt - leaving us wondering "Is that all?" That was the biggest letdown of this movie. I think that's why I could never convince Alfred to watch any of Angelina Jolie's movie; he said it is just too predictable with the same kind of plot. He is right to some extent. But I just love to watch her movie for her hot-action-star role :) Rating for this movie: 3/5.

Shanghai

2010-07-26T23:25:00.027+08:00

Set in a gloomy setting, this is definitely not a must-watch movie in our list. We've been maximizing our movie-going time before the baby arrives. We randomly went for this movie since it seemed like the only one worth watching at that time. Alfred enjoyed the movie; but I had mixed reviews about it. I felt that the movie was a little too draggy and I came out of the cinema theatre not feeling so good - must be due to the gloomy setting of the movie.

The plot: An American man (John Cusack) returns to a corrupt, Japanese-occupied Shanghai four months before Pearl Harbor and discovers his friend (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) has been killed. While he unravels the mysteries of the death, he falls in love with a Chinese woman (Gong Li) and discovers a much larger secret that his own government is hiding. There is a twist at the end of the movie - that made up for its other weaknesses. With prominent actors on the line-up - John Cusack, Ken Watanabe, Chow Yun-Fat, and Gong Li, I would rate this movie 3/5.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

2010-07-20T23:24:00.024+08:00

The plot - nothing to shout about. A purely entertainment-type-with-no-thinking-required type of movie. I enjoyed Jay Baruchel's (the apprentice) acting - he was more like a comedian in the movie rather than an apprentice - hilarious fellow! Rather than being impressed with the whole magic thingy, we sat there laughing at Jay Baruchel's antics. Nicholas Cage's acting was dull and expressionless. Overall rating: 3/5.

Inception

2010-07-17T23:23:00.053+08:00

After hearing mostly good reviews about this movie, we decided to go and watch it. I realized that suddenly everyone was talking about Inception - sort of a hype. Usually, from my experience, when something is really hyped up, the expectation tends to be very high and most of the time I'll end up disappointed with the outcome. But, I must say that this movie lived up to my expectation.

The plot is very intelligent; it leaves you thinking deeply. It took me two-days to recover from the movie, LOL. Many people said they watched it twice to understand and conclude the ending - the ending in the movie is the icing on the cake - it leaves you wondering about what is reality and what is not. We didn't watch it twice - the effect of watching the movie for the first time itself had a lingering effect in me - I was in a dream-like state for a few days. Very intelligent plot - kudos to the director; and good casting;- however, there's nothing to shout about Leonardo's acting (I preferred his acting in Shutter Island - that was superb!). I would rate this movie 5/5. This type of intelligent-think-outside-the-box-type-of-movie is difficult to come by nowadays. Definitely worth the watch!

Mamil Mama Pregnancy Talk

2010-07-17T22:24:00.048+08:00

We attended the pregnancy forum organized by Mamil Mama Gold Club at the Grand Dorsett Subang hotel on the 17th of July. The talk was from 12.30 - 6 pm and the registration fee was only RM 10. As it was our first time attending a talk on pregnancy, we didn't know what to expect. So, we agreed that we would leave earlier if it's boring. But the whole event turned to be so interesting and well organized.

We were served some light refreshments upon arrival and then we were escorted into the grand ballroom where there was a violin group performing all the classic pieces from Beethoven and Mozart - absolutely beautiful.

The first session was a general talk on optimal nourishment during pregnancy and pregnancy development and the origins of health. Both the speakers gave excellent talk on pregnancy-related topics. We definitely learned new things.

The next session was divided into 3 topics of which you can choose to attend any one of the talks. We chose to attend the "Preparing mothers for breastfeeding" talk. I was told many horror stories of the difficulties of breastfeeding and attending the talk definitely prepared me mentally on what to expect and how to be prepared to effectively breastfeed. Before the talk, I couldn't understand why so many mothers give up on breastfeeding and switch to formula milk. This talk helped us to understand the potential problems and how to overcome some of the breastfeeding hurdles that most first-time-mothers face.

After the talk, we were served scrumptious lunch with the live violin performance in the background. We were so impressed by the whole organizing committee of this talk - it was certainly worth our time!

Anniversary Holiday @ Bali - 8th-11th July 2010

2010-07-12T11:44:00.072+08:00

After hearing much raves about Bali being a fantastic destination for a romantic getaway, we were excited in planning this trip. As we traveled quite a bit last year, it wasn't possible for us to slot in a holiday to Bali. What better way to celebrate our 1st year wedding anniversary than to plan a holiday to relax and rejuvenate in Bali. I was into my 25 weeks pregnancy (6 months) that time; and of course my body feels different when traveling during pregnancy - fatigue, cranky and aches here and there; but I couldn't resist the temptation. When else if not now! Seize the moment :)

Upon arrival at the Denpasar airport

We arrived Bali at about 11 a.m. and bought the traditional Balinese nasi bungkus (packed rice with chicken or pork and some veggies). It was so tasty - authentic local Balinese food. We stayed in Bali Hyatt for the 4 days 3 nights we were there. It is a lovely resort with excellent service.

At the resort

We went to a nice restaurant nearby our hotel on our first night in Bali. We were served scrumptious Balinese food - and our dining experience was enriched by the traditional Balinese dance.

The next morning, we rented a car to go around Bali.

Scenery along the way

We drove up north heading towards Kintamani - where the active volcano of Mount Batur and the Kitamani Batur Lake is situated. The scenic drive towards Kintamani is breathtaking - with green view and cool mountain air.

The active volcano - Mount Batur

We had lunch in one of the local restaurants with a beautiful view of the volcanic mountain and the lake. Although we didn't really enjoy the buffet spread, the panoramic view made up for it. It was just so refreshing sitting and enjoying the beautiful spread of nature and the mountain breeze.

The next day we drove around Bali and tried most of the local delicacies. We enjoyed the gado-gado and the Balinese mixed rice. In the evening, we drove to Tanah Lot for its spectacular sunset view. The place was crowded with tourists. It was a memorable experience for us to stand at the edge of the land and witness the vastness of the ocean - it was a spiritual awakening moment - I am unable to describe it in words.

At Tanah Lot Sunset

The next morning, we just relaxed and chilled by the beach.

Beachside at Bali Hyatt

The lobby of Bali Hyatt

Since our flight was only at 6 p.m., we decided to drop by the infamous shopping area at Kuta to have lunch. Kuta is the happening place in Bali - full of hustle-bustle - and filled with tourists. We bought back some souvenirs at Kuta.

A memorable 1st year wedding anniversary at Bali. A toast to us for more travels to come!

1st Year Wedding Anniversary

2010-07-07T23:33:00.034+08:00

7/7/10 - it has been a year since we tied the knot - legally. We went to Alexis at Bangsar Shopping Centre to celebrate our 1st year wedding anniversary. Last year it was the two us, now we have a baby on board - it was a double celebration for us.

Some people say marriage is hard work. To a certain extent I think it's true. We had our fair shares of ups and downs for the past 1 year as husband and wife. I would call it the year of adjustment. Now when I look back, I realize that we understand each other better now and our love grew deeper with each passing day. To my beloved husband: Here's a toast to a wonderful journey together.

Nicoise salad - Alfred loved it!

Hubby

Us on our 1st year wedding anniversary

24 weeks

2010-07-03T14:29:00.004+08:00

24 weeks preggie

Our New Home

2010-07-01T14:45:00.041+08:00

After searching for a landed property to rent around Bangsar and Sri Hartamas areas, we finally found a house that felt like home the moment we entered inside to view it. The house is in Medan Damansara - a double-storey-linked terrace house. The family occupied this house for more than 20 years. They decided to rent it out after the kids moved out; the landlady was relating how bored she feels staying alone in the house when the husband goes for work trips - so they decided to move into a condo. The exact opposite of what we are doing ;) Moved out of our condo to stay in a landed property with some greneries.

Initially we were reluctant to rent the house since we felt that it's quite big for just the two of us. We asked the agent to give us some time to think over it. And finally, we decided to rent this house because:

it truly felt like home;
the house faces the forest - with beautiful view and the sounds of the birds and insects - a total contrast to the hustle-bustle-city-centre where we lived earlier;
the house comes in fully furnished, so moving in was not that big a hassle; and
it's just a 10 minutes drive away from Alfred's office - so no more stuck-in-traffic-jam stress!

We are happy with the choice we made. This will be our love nest for the time to come and the home where our baby will grow :)

@ Mages's House

2010-06-16T23:15:00.025+08:00

A day at Mages's condo in Shah Alam with the kids during their school break - the kids are her family friend's children. Though it was chaotic - Mages having to manage 3 kids - it was a fun-filled day.

The Karate Kid

2010-06-12T16:46:00.009+08:00

Of course this wasn't as good as the original Karate Kid. However, Jaden Smith's acting was outstanding and the scenes from the Chinese temple situated on top of the hill was breathtaking. My rating for this movie: 4/5.

21 weeks

2010-06-11T22:42:00.001+08:00

21 weeks

Last Day at Idaman Residence

2010-06-09T13:39:00.081+08:00

Today, is the key-hand-over day. The cleaner came in the morning to do the final cleaning and the place looked spic-and-span and beautiful. I can't believe we are leaving our first home where we stayed for 1 year 3 months. But, it's time to move on.

The amenities that we enjoyed during our stay there which we will definitely be missing alot:

1. The KLCC park. We love going for a walk there early in the morning.

2. The pool.

3. A stone's throw away from Suria KLCC. We always enjoy the convenience of not having to be trapped in the traffic to go out for dinner or catch a movie. We will take a short walk to Suria KLCC and dine in the foodcourt at Level 2; and hop over to TGV to catch a movie. It was darn convenient - all in a stone's throw away. A walk to Pavillion only takes about 10 minutes. Pudu is so nearby. Convenience.

Things that we will not be missing:
1. The noise from the construction sites near our condo.
2. The cooped-up-with-no-garden-view feeling.
3. Not being able to keep a dog.

I took this pictures just before the tenant dropped by to collect the keys.

The living room:

The kitchen:

Master bedroom:

Master bathroom:

The guest bedroom and bathroom:

Us:

Bye bye Idaman Residence. Thanks for giving us shelter and comfort throughout our stay there.

Pack-up

2010-06-08T22:37:00.021+08:00

Alfred took leave today to settle all the remaining stuffs. The lorry and the movers arrived around 9.30 a.m. and they helped to transport all the boxes to John's sister's place in Melawati. It was very kind of John to let us store our boxes there for the meantime. All in all, we had about 17 boxes to be stored there; a working table; two working chairs; and a iron-rod display shelf.

The dining set arrived around 5 p.m. And after that, we went to Wangsa Maju and Sri Hartamas to look for a house to rent and to survey the neighborhood there. Had dinner at Ikea restaurant - I really enjoyed the tomatoe pasta - delicious!

The first hard kick!

2010-06-07T22:27:00.012+08:00

I felt the first hard kick of the baby today! It was so hard, I was stunned. All these while I was feeling flutters and nudges and twists; and now to feel a real hard kick is truly momentous. Alfred felt the kick on my tummy and he was speechless. It's priceless! My little baby, I love you to bits and am looking forward to seeing you soon, darling! Meanwhile, keep on kicking and punching as hard as you want- I am more than glad to feel you practice martial arts in my tummy.

Packing Day

2010-06-06T23:35:00.038+08:00

Today is a day dedicated to packing - boxes and boxes of stuffs - it seemed neverending. I thought we didn't have much stuff to pack since we are leaving behind most of the furniture. But, once we start packing, more and more things appear. Alfred has already started packing last Friday - all my files and books - which took up lots of space.

Today, we were packing and sealing the box; packing and sealing; after about 6 hours, we were almost 3/4 done. Then, we headed to Courts Mammoth to purhase the dining set. We found a nice piece which matched the motive on the curtain that we chose - and the dining set was on sale. After that, we headed to Bianco at Damansara for a late lunch. It was a long and tiring day - but we managed to get most of the things packed. Packing is one of the things I dreaded when it comes to moving out; but we don't have much time to even think about it - but to just do it!

A long day

2010-06-05T23:33:00.003+08:00

My mom and sister arrived safely from India last night. Alfred picked them up from the airport and by the time they reached home it was past midnight. Had a good night rest - there's a long list of things to do the next day.

- In the morning, Alfred went to the workshop to change the tyres - took a long time. He was back almost lunch time.
- After lunch, went to Nilai to have the night-curtain sewn.
- Then, drove to Kota Damansara to Anwar's place to have a feel of the neighbourhood there - hunting for a nice house to rent since we'll have to move out soon.
- Went to Ikea to buy some furnishings for the condo - cushion cover (since the tenant didn't like the red sofa cover that we have now), linen and towel, wall lighting, cutleries, and blinds for the bathrooms.

Moving out

2010-06-01T22:30:00.068+08:00

Today I was lamenting to Alfred on how I wish we could find a nice landed house with a nice cute garden. Although staying right smack in the middle of the city centre has its advantages, I never liked being cooped up in a condominium. It was not in our original plan to stay at the Idaman Residence condo unit; Alfred purchased the condo unit mainly for investment purpose - either sell it when there's a good price for it or rent it out.

We've been trying to find for a tenant for quite some time now. But I have to admit we were not actively looking to rent our place out since day-by-day we grew comfortable in the place and we've made it our home. It took us lots of effort and time in getting the condo unit furnished - from lighting and other fixtures, to the other soft furnishings to make the place a comfy home. But we both knew that we've always wanted to live in a landed home with a garden.

So, I was telling Alfred on the phone today that it's high time that we seriously look to rent out the place and move into a nice-cozy-home-with-a-garden and keep a dog. But, I didn't expect things to fall in place this quickly! Soon after the conversation today, Alfred made few calls to real estate agents and found an expat looking for a place to stay near KLCC area. The guy was immediately free to come and have a look at our place and he liked our place - and they negotiated the rental - and before I knew it, both parties agreed on the terms and conditions. The tenant was keen to grab the opportunity to rent the place since we offered a much lower rental rate compared to the going market rate for a fully furnished unit. We decided not to be greedy and to be realistic instead. The rental agreement is for 1-year. And the tenant wants to move in immediately. Wow, it's all happening too fast. We requested for a week to pack up our belongings and agreed to hand over the keys next Wednesday evening, 9th June.

Although, initially we both experienced a separation-syndrome after realizing that we will be moving out soon, -all the oh-i-am-gonna-miss-this-and-that- but we know that this is what we wanted and now it's time to act on it when the opportunity presents itself.

A Great Weekend

2010-05-31T16:35:00.033+08:00

Alfred came down to Melaka for the weekend and we had a great time together. We went for long walks together and realized how therapeutic it is - to be walking hand-in-hand and sharing a serene moment together with nature. I love walking - whenever we want to have breakfast or dinner, I prefer walking rather than driving a short distance. I especially love walking early in the morning and in the evenings - those are the most beautiful parts of the day to be wasted sitting indoors.

This weekend stays fresh in my mind because of all the walking we did - it makes a difference - it gives quality to the moments spent with each other. We both are nature-loving person and it's truly wonderful that we both love walking. The beautiful moments seem to last longer when we take things a little slower and go for a long walk together.

Send-Off

2010-05-24T23:32:00.015+08:00

My mom and sister, Suhashini left to India today at 2.30 p.m. for 12 days. Before leaving to the airport, we had a scrumptious vegetarian lunch near a Buddhist temple nearby our place. This is my sister's first time flying and neither of them were looking forward for the trip. The main reason they are going there is for my sister's medication and treatment. They will be staying at my cousin Kumar's place in Coimbatore. Have a safe trip! We'll be missing you; the dogs especially.

Muthukumar weds Manggai

2010-05-23T23:29:00.034+08:00

Today is my cousin, Manggai's big day. We are very excited to attend the wedding and to meet up with all our relatives.

Pictures taken in our condo:

The beautiful and glowing bride:

The beautiful mannavarai setting:

Nanthakumar and I

After the wedding, we went over to my cousins, Umapathy's and Devi's place in Puchong to visit their new home co-shared by the two couples and to visit Devi's newborn baby. After that, we went over to my grandma's house at Old Klang Road and spent a couple of hours there. Though I was dead tired at the end of the day, I felt happy meeting up with everyone.

Family Gathering - the eve of Manggai's wedding

2010-05-22T23:22:00.036+08:00

Tomorrow is my cousin, Manggai's wedding and my mom and sister will be coming to KL today. We picked my mom, Suhashini and Pravin from the Bukit Jalil bus station and headed to my uncle Muthu's condo in Seri Kembangan for a small gathering on the eve of his daughter's wedding. We had a great time there and was entertained by the greatest ever humorist, my cousin, Mr. Nantha Kumar. He is the best! Hahaha.

From left: My sisters, aunt, mom, Nanthakumar, and us

After that, we went over to Alfred's parents' house and had a great Chinese dinner with them. Both grandparents-to-be are so excited over the tiny little angle growing inside me. It was a great day shared with the people we love. Looking forward for more gatherings to come.

18 weeks

2010-05-22T21:24:00.005+08:00

18 weeks pregnant.

Letters to Juliet

2010-05-21T22:04:00.045+08:00

It has been a long time since I last watched a good romantic movie. We enjoyed the storyline of Letters to Juliet - a beautiful love story about an elderly English woman finding her long lost flame in Rome with the help of a young woman who replied her letter to Juliet written 20 years ago- much to the dismay to the elderly lady's cold and serius-looking grandson. Eventually, romance blossoms between the young lady and the elderly lady's grandson. The sceneries around Rome shot throughout the movie is so breathtaking. The only letdown to this movie is the performance by the grandson and the heroine - the chemistry between them is totally lacking compared to the spark displayed by the reunited-after-so-long elderly couple. Overall, I would rate this movie 4/5. It's worth watching for the undying love professed between the two elderly couple. It's never too late to find your true love!

Random Pics

2010-05-20T12:48:00.025+08:00

Some random pictures taken after shaving my head bald a couple of months ago.

Making banana pancake

Pilot for a Day

2010-05-18T12:08:00.027+08:00

In my blog entry sometime November last year, A surprise for Alfred, I wrote about the surprise gift voucher - Pilot for a Day - that I presented to my dear husband for his birthday. Sometime this year February, he activated the voucher and had a blast experiencing the pilot-for-a-day adventure. It was his dream come true - as he once mentioned to me that he would love to sit at the cockpit area and experience the entire thrill of flying. I was so happy that he truly enjoyed this experience. The contented and excited smile on his face was priceless!

Wedding @ Melaka

2010-05-16T22:55:00.026+08:00

Today was one of my mom's close friend's son's wedding in Melaka. It was a nice and simple wedding and the food was awesome - I had a hearty vegetarian meal. Met some of our relatives and friends there and had a good time catching up. I forgot to bring my camera to the wedding - so missed out the photos of the bride and groom.

Photos taken at home just before leaving for the wedding.

17 weeks preggie

Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel

2010-05-15T15:36:00.049+08:00

After reading Yann Martel's Life of Pi, I had been eagerly anticipating for his next book. Finally, after a few years of waiting, I was exhilarated when I heard of his new release: Beatrice and Virgil. His first book, Life of Pi left me dumbfounded at the end of the story. I recommended Life of Pi to my best friend, Chin Lay and she too gave an excellent review about the story. So did my other friends whom I lent the book to. We eagerly awaited for his next masterpiece. And finally it came.

I devoured Beatrice and Virgil within 3 days. I was hooked to the story - and more than that I was possessed to read till the end to find out the twist to the story - the kind of twist to the story that Yann Martel had for Life of Pi. But, honestly, I concluded that there can be only one masterpiece created by an artist. For M. Night Syamalan it was the movie Sixth Sense, for Leonardo da Vinci it was the Mona Lisa portrait, and for Yann Martel it is the Life of Pi.

Beatrice and Virgil revolves around the story's two characters, i.e., Beatrice the donkey and Virgil the howler monkey - and I am not going to disclose any more information - that would really spoil the suspense. My personal opinion is that the synopsis on the book's cover gave away too much information - thus, spoiling the suspense. I kind of expected the suspense to 'pop' out from the story at the end - but I ended up disappointed. Probably my expectation was too high - but I would still blame it on the too-much-information-revealed in the synopsis of the book. However, the characters in the book and its plot and the story's ending was fantastic; but it doesn't resemble the same effect that Life of Pi had - which was hands down the author's masterpiece.

If you want a real suspense, don't read the synopsis. Read this book with an open mind and expect the unexpected - then you would really appreciate the story and you would really be taken aback with the ending of the story - the twist to the story. Basically, in both his books, Yann Martel's way of writing revolves around using animals to examine our humanity. He has an ingenious way of writing that ruptures the division between the real and the imagined.

Nahleen's Birthday

2010-05-14T23:49:00.022+08:00

Today Alfred surprised me by taking emergency leave. I was so elated at the thought of having the whole day together. For the past few weeks, I was staying alone in the condo while he is away at work - and it has been depressing for me - I thought I was going to go crazy and I didn't have mood to do anything except to lie on bed. All sorts of unnecessary thoughts come to my mind - and I can't seem to control it. I presume my loneliness is exacerbated by the raging hormones within me.

Well, anyway, it was a happy day today. Instead of driving, we decided to take the commuter to his parent's place to have breakfast with them. The break from the routine was exciting for me. We had a nice Indian breakfast with his parents - talked about our baby-on-the-way - everyone is so excited for the big day! After breakfast, we ran some errands and then headed home.

When deciding what to do tonight, I reminded Alfred that it was Nahleen's birthday today. We called to wish her and she invited us to join them for a dinner at a Thai restaurant near Jalan Gasing. It was great meeting up with all of them. All in all, it was a great day - and I wish for more days like these - when I feel upbeat and driven and happy.

It was Nahleen's and her cousin's birthday

Nahleen and I

@ Delicious Cafe

2010-05-13T23:13:00.015+08:00

Some random shots taken while dining at Delicious cafe @ Mark's Residence. I prefer to dine at Delicious, Bangsar though. I find the food prepared there is tastier compared to the Delicious cafe at Mark's Residence, KLCC. I especially love their tomato spaghetti and their warm-and-melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake - heavenly!

Ironman 2

2010-05-12T23:48:00.045+08:00

I didn't expect to enjoy watching Iron Man 2 because it's not my type of genre. My preference has always been thrillers, horror and adventure-related movies. Lately, I've stopped watching horror movies - all the fake-horror-flicks have failed to retain my interest.

But, Alfred loves to watch sci-fi and superhero films; so, this time I relented to watching Iron Man 2 with him. Contrary to what I had expected, I enjoyed Iron Man 2 to its last bit. It's engaging, entertaining for all its high-technology flicks and has bits of drama and humor included. I would rate this movie 4/5.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-10T12:59:00.002+08:00

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and mothers-to-be! I am blessed with a great woman in my life - who inspires me, motivates me and nurtures me from birth. She is the most hardworking woman I have ever met - and she is full with energy and perseverance in whatever she does. She brought her 5 children into this world - and each of us are thankful to be born to her. She has been always an enterprising lady ever since I could remember. I remember her venturing into various types of business to earn the extra money to support the family. I recall spending time in the video rental business premise which she was running back when I was still in primary school. When that business slowly loses its popularity after the advent of other forms of entertainment, she tried her hand in catering, baby-sitting and tuition to help keep herself occupied and earn the extra buck. I still remember joining the other kids in the tuition classes she conducted every night. I also received private tuition lesson from her since primary school.

I owe most of my academic accomplishments to her effort in educating and inculcating the value of education in me. Back when I was in primary school, my class teachers used to complain to my parents that I might be having a learning disability - I tend to day-dream most of the time in the class - and nothing the teacher delivers will register in my head. My mother got very worried and she started her tutoring and coaching lessons with me - showing me the fun way to learning. I picked up maths very well and started scoring excellent grades. From then on, my results have always been great until I completed my secondary school with 8 As for SPM. I owe all this to her - her unwavering faith in me and the hard work she put in to educate me.

Not only in academics, she has educated me greatly in being a better, kinder and more compassionate human being. All the values that I hold closely to my heart now is from her teachings. She always advise me to treat people with love and respect no matter how they treat you - her patience towards everyone - regardless how they treated her- has always marveled me. She rarely says no to any favor asked by anyone - she will do it sincerely and with love - that has always been her greatest virtues. Although it may seem that she is sometimes taken advantage of because of her kindness, she always tell me that "When you do good, only good things will come to you - in whatever form that may be; it might not be today, but one day you will reap the benefits from all your kind words and actions".

Even though it's a tough game for me to emulate a great woman with great qualities like her, I've grown to appreciate the wisdom of her words and beginning to walk her talk. I am so blessed to have you as my mother, Amma. I count that blessing every day. I love you with all my heart. I wish you good health and joy and abundance in everything you do. My greatest gift to you will be a grandchild to fill you with joy and happiness :)

Family Reunion

2010-05-01T17:37:00.035+08:00

It was a great gathering with our family members - my parents and siblings; my maternal uncle Ravi, his wife Chelvi, cousin Sharveen; my maternal aunt Usha, cousins Natasha and Hans; and Swadhini. We wanted to give them a treat to thank each and everyone of them for being in our life and making our life richer. The reunion was also in conjunction of Mother's Day. It was also a sort of thanksgiving dinner - for all the blessings God has bestowed on us. There were 14 of us and the restaurant was filled with our laughter. My uncle Ravi is a great humorist - made us all laugh out loud. I love all of them and I wish them good health, happiness and abundance in their life. God bless.

A Long-Overdue Reunion

2010-04-29T15:50:00.000+08:00

Aaron (Gaya's hubby), Gaya, and Us

The last we met was back in 1998. After almost 12 years, we made this reunion come true at Delicious, Bangsar. Gaya was my high school mate back in IJC, Melaka. Back then, we were a bunch of hyper-excited high school girls - I certainly had the best times during my primary and secondary schooling years. Now, we are married and carry many responsibilities on our shoulders - but we still haven't lost the giggly-convent-schoolgirls charm :)

We reminisced on the good ol' days and laughed about it. Gaya refreshed my memory on some of the things we used to do - it's so heart-warming to be able to remember all that. Gaya is such a sweet and caring soul - I enjoy her company and her bubbly-ness. And Aaron's sense of humor entertained us throughout the night :) It was a great night accompanied by great company and great food. Gaya and Aaron will be leaving to the US for good in September; we will surely miss them and their laughter :) See you soon, guys!

Shutter Island

2010-04-27T09:52:00.046+08:00

We didn't have any clue about the movie that we were about to watch. It so happens Shutter Island was screening at the hour when we decided to catch a movie. The movie's poster potrayed a grim and thrilling image of the scenes that were about to unfold. So, I told Alfred, if it is a chronically chronic movie, I am walking out of the cinema theatre. Gone were the days when I used to love watching horror and manic-chronic movies.

Almost halfway through the movie, I was almost tempted to leave the cinema - there were some disturbing scenes that I wouldn't want to be watching at this point in time. However, something inside told me to stay - as I was partially curious about the movie's ending. After the movie ended, we took sometime to digest the ending and the whole plot - the movie left us thinking and reviewing all the scenes.

I would say this is the BEST movie I've watched this year in terms of its story and plot. Extremely thrilling and filled with suspense till the end. Even the ending has a twist to it - the plot is genius. Leonardo di Caprio and Ben Kingsley gave a superb performance in this movie. This movie gives us a glimpse of what goes on in the mind of the criminally insane. Although there are some disturbing scenes, the plot of this movie makes it worthwhile to watch.

I was glad that we didn't read the movie's review - it would have spoilt the suspense. Go with an open mind and keep guessing until the end. Pay attention to the last line by the lead cast at the end of the movie - that's the punchline - but then, it's open for discussion as different people may interpret it in different ways. How you interpret the ending determines the movie's success in delivering its message. I would rate Shutter Island 5/5.

Ramli Ibrahim's Vision of Forever: Sneak Preview

2010-04-26T14:04:00.004+08:00

We went for a special preview of Ramli Ibrahim's Vision of Forever performance concert at the Sutra Dance theatre in Pesiaran Titiwangsa on Friday, 16th April. The special event was only for invited guests - it is sort of like a sneak preview to the actual concert to be held from April 22-25 at the Istana Budaya. Since Alfred's cousin, Chin Hock does accounts for the Sutra House under Ramli Ibrahim, we had the privilege to go for the special preview at the Sutra House - Ramli Ibrahim's haven for the arts. We were spell-bounded by the design of the house - a simple spacious wooden-floored studio opens out onto the lawn and trees - the whole place exudes an air of peace and tranquility. Paintings were displayed on the wall spaces in the studio space. We were transfixed by the paintings - full of mystery and creativity.

After the mingling session, we were invited to the amphitheatre in the garden to watch the performance. The amphitheatre provides a mystical setting - a great design. We were spell-bounded by the performance- so full of energy and life. I was overwhelmed with emotions - it truly moved me to my core. We decided to buy the tickets for the gala dinner performance of Vision of Forever on the 24th April at the Istana Budaya.

After the preview performance, we were served a wonderful dinner. We had a great time chatting and mingling with everyone there. We felt lucky to attend this private gathering at the comfort of the Sutra House. Since it was a private event, we got to meet and chat with Ramli Ibrahim. He stricked to me as a soft-spoken and humble man. He even came and served us some cheesecake :)

After spending 2 1/2 months cooped up at home in Melaka, I truly enjoyed myself that night. A great and memorable evening. Although we were unable to attend the Vision of Forever concert at the Istana Budaya last Saturday because I was down with cold, we were still contented that we got to attend the private party and watched one of the preview performances at a close-up distance and having met Ramli Ibrahim in person.

Baby Bump at 12 weeks

2010-04-25T13:03:00.002+08:00

My little pregnancy bump started showing from week 11 onwards. During the first trimester - from week 6 until week 13, I was experiencing nausea with no vomitting. Other symptoms are fatigue, loss of appetite; and an enlargement of the breasts (I look at myself at the mirror and wonder at times when my breast will stop growing - it is darn huge for me!). Other than that, I have been enjoying my first trimester at the comfort of my home back in Melaka under my mom's nurturing care and love. Although I have no appetite, I feel constantly hungry every 2 hours or so; and my wonderful mother will prepare some food for me.

At times, I wonder whether there is really a baby growing inside me - it feels so surreal. I will eagerly wait for the next scan - I've seen the gynae more times that he reckoned, hehe. But he is a very patient and kind gentleman - I love him! Everytime after seeing my little miracle from the scan, I feel so alive and assured. And I will go home feeling contented and blessed. I started feeling some flutters in my tummy during the 14th week; at first I thought must be gas; but after several times, I was convinced it was the baby moving! It is such a subtle sensation. I can't wait to feel the real hard kick ;)

After the 12th week scan, we booked a room at Holiday Inn, Melaka to celebrate. I really loved the stay at Holiday Inn, Melaka - great service, great food, and great ambience. Here are some shots during my 12th week of pregnancy.

We are Having a Baby!

2010-04-24T12:35:00.001+08:00

I am so excited to break this news, finally :) I am pregnant; coming into the 14th week this week. It feels great and amazing! I feel so honored and blessed to be conceiving a life until its full form and to bring it into this world. Pregnancy is the privilege of experiencing God's miracles on earth - the greatest joy in life. It feels so wonderful at the thought of a life that is growing within me - I feel so humbled and blessed. Week after week, watching this tiny miracle growing inside me from the ultrasound scans; and knowing that one day we will hold this child in our hands is one of the greatest gifts that can be experienced. From a cluster of cells to a full human-form - I am truly awed at the wonderment of God's work.

My beloved little angle, your daddy and I planned you from the start; and when you were conceived; you, our dear child, were made straight from our hearts. It really doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl; I started loving you even before you were conceived; and I carry you in my dreams every day. Everyday the moment I wake up, I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone; little tiny hands and legs and body pushing and bouncing in a warm watery home within me; my beloved darling kicking up your heels; it is our little secret that only I can feel; oh, how blessed I am to have you inside me.

Movie Reviews

2010-04-04T11:21:00.053+08:00

Alice in the Wonderland:

Since I have watched this story ever since I was a child (both animation and movie), there was nothing new that the movie could offer. However, the effects are great and the two fat boys are so lovable. Overall rating is 3/5.

How to Train a Dragon:

I never thought I would absolutely love this computer-animated fantasy film! It has a great storyline - combining love, passion and adventure- and great effects. And it is such a heart-warming story. The story revolves around a young Viking teenager named "Hiccup" who was under the pressure to follow his tribe's tradition of becoming a dragon slayer. He was often ridiculed of being too timid to become a real Viking like his ancestors.

He goes around looking for a dragon and found one that is unable to fly. He had all the opportunity to kill the dragon but has no heart to do it. He eventually befriends the dragon and 'fixes' the dragon's tail so that it can fly. The moral of the story is that he proved to his father and his tribe that dragons are only dangerous if we treat them as an enemy. When they are treated like a friend, the soft side of them surfaces. I think this can be applied as a life lesson - often, when we perceive someone as an enemy, we fail to appreciate their true good nature. I would rate this film 5/5. I am looking forward to watching this movie again in 3D format - it'd be totally mind-blowing.

Everyday Greatness by Steven Covey

2010-04-02T12:19:00.029+08:00

A great book with many inspirational stories which highlights the human spirit and the power of the mind. The stories featured in this book exemplifies people overcoming adversity and challenges in their daily lives. The collection of inspiring stories are compiled from the Reader's Digest archives. Most of the stories focus on various aspects of living a fulfilling life - searching for meaning, taking charge, starting within, creating the dream, teaming with others and overcoming adversity. Many of the stories touched my heart deeply and inspires me to lead a more purposeful life. Lately, I've been really slacking and have been lazing around alot. Reading these types of books gives me the push to strive harder. But then, like all things, even motivation can fade off - and the best thing to do for yourself is keep perservering.

The Nestlings

2010-04-01T12:13:00.063+08:00

This was an amazing and educational experience for us. First, we watched a pair of birds build its nest on one of the potted plants situated at the corner of our porch in Melaka - they laboriously collected twigs, tissue papers, and recycled other materials found nearby the compound of our house and carefully built a cosy nest for its nestlings. After a week or so, we found 2 eggs in the nest; and after a couple of weeks we spied into the nest while the parents were away to find food and saw two cute little hatchlings halfway out from the egg-shell.

And after a week, the first hatchling flew off from its nest - it was so heartwarming to watch. But the other hatchling had trouble flying and ended up hoping on the floor. Fearing that it might be harmed by our dogs or the crows, my mom had to be the little birdie's 'parent' - by placing it back on its nest everytime it drops on the ground; much to the dismay of the the hatchling's real parents. They were always flying around the hatchling when it's on the ground; and it seemed as though they were teaching it to fly. It is so heart-warming to watch them protect and guard the hatchling from any potential danger; and feeding it as the little fellow hops on the ground. They even tried to attack my mother when she picked the little fellow up to place it in the safety of its nest. Eventually, the little fellow managed to fly :) The whole experience of watching the parent and the hatchlings was very special for us :)

The hatchling that had trouble flying - such a cutie pie

Buffet dinner @ Melting Pot Cafe, Concorde Hotel ~21st January 2010~

2010-03-31T12:05:00.000+08:00

We received a free voucher at Delcom's annual dinner which we attended last year December - dinner for two at the Melting Pot Cafe, Concorde Hotel. We went there for dinner on the 21st January 2010 and had a wonderful time together. It felt as if it has been a long time since we had a good buffet dinner like this. I especially enjoyed the chocolate cake - it was decadent. The buffet spread at the Melting Pot Cafe was excellent and we really enjoyed the ambience with a band performing from table to table.

Cousin's Engagement ~22nd January 2010~

2010-03-30T11:44:00.032+08:00

We went for my cousin, Manggai's engagement ceremony on the 22nd January 2010 at a temple situated just opposite UNITEN. It is a beautiful ceremony with only close friends and relatives invited. We caught up with some of my cousins and had a good time. Manggai's wedding is on the 23rd of May - I am looking forward for it.

Amma and I

Alfred and I

The lovely couple

Fulfilling Vow ~Thaipusam 2010~

2010-03-28T11:35:00.024+08:00

I made a vow last year to shave my head bald for Thaipusam this year. We went to Batu Caves to fulfill our vow before the actual Thaipusam day, which falls on the 30th of January. On January 20th, we fulfilled our vow and felt grateful for the gift of health and blessings that God has granted us.

Herewith is the before and after pictures:

Before:

After:

Cousin's Wedding ~17th January 2010~

2010-03-27T11:23:00.019+08:00

This is a long overdue post. Some pictures from my eldest cousin, Umapathy's wedding on 17th January 2010.

Reminiscing my last day at MMU: January 2010

2010-03-26T17:14:00.006+08:00

January 22 was my last day at MMU. I decided to tender my resignation from MMU on October 2009 (a 3-month notice) after much deliberation. Although I was so comfortable teaching in MMU and enjoyed the flexible work hours, I decided that I was no longer up to the idea of travelling from Melaka to KL on a weekly basis. I am so done living a so-called nomadic life. I just wanted to take a break and settle down. Before marriage, Alfred and I have been on a long distance relationship for several years ever since he was working in Africa. After our marriage, I felt that this is the time for me to spend more time with my husband – to enjoy our personal time together – and cherish every moment.

After 5 years in FBL, it was a tough decision for me – I know I’d be missing my wonderful colleagues and the wonderful times we had together – all the chattering and the potlucks parties that we organized. I realize that a significant part of my life will be missing once I stop working. But I felt it was the right thing to do and I went ahead. I am the kind of person who does whatever that feels right at the moment and I have no regrets. On the hindsight it feels great to take a break from working! Though I enjoy lecturing, I dread all the paper works and the administrative duties – and I am so glad to be free from it.

On January 10^th, I went to clear out everything from my office. There were just too many books and stuffs. My mom and sister helped me out – great helping hands. The next day, I went to the office again to get the clearance from the library, finance, research management centre and HR. Finally, all the paperwork was completed and I checked my office room once again before handing over the room keys. Finally, it was time for me to leave. Adios MMU...

River Dog: A Journey Down the Brahmaputra by Mark Shand

2010-03-11T18:05:00.000+08:00

I recently finished reading Mark Shand's River Dog and it was an excellent book. This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for a very LONG time - I got this book as a present back in 1993 - and it has collected dust ever since. I don't know why I didn't read it until now - it is one of the best non-fiction adventure books I've ever read. It's filled with adventure, humor and the antics of a dog - which turns out to my best combination of genre in a book.

Mark Shand tells the story of his journey down one of India's sacred rivers, the Brahmaputra in a touching, eloquent and entertaining way. His journey starts from Tibet across Arunachal Pradesh to the Bay of Bengal on the mighty Brahmaputra in the company of his Indian hunting dog Bhaiti. His attempt was to trace the source of the sacred river - and boy, what an adventure it was - all of it told with humor.

In this book, he gave many historical accounts of India and the beauty of tribal cultures in some of the rural areas in India. It is interesting to learn the tribal culture and their way of living - and the importance of regulations to preserve their culture. The last part of his journey ends in Bangladesh - and it was a poignant account of the sufferings of the people there after being hit by a massive flood, brought on by the river. Despite the devastation brought on by the river, the people there did not blame the Brahmaputra - instead they blamed the government for not providing immediate relief and support. They described the river as sacred and that we should never blame nature.

Next, I am looking forward to reading his earlier book - 'Travels on My Elephant' in India - should be fun!

I AM BACK!

2010-03-08T14:40:00.002+08:00

It's been exactly 2 months since I last updated my blog. I've really missed blogging - missed sharing values and lessons I learn everyday, the everyday experiences I encounter no matter how trivial it is, and all my cooking and baking adventures (it has always been my pleasure in sharing recipes and tips).

Some of my dear friends who read my blog regularly messaged me asking if everything is okay. I am grateful for having wonderful friends who truly care. I take delight in knowing that my friends enjoy reading my everyday posts on the blog. The blog has been my avenue to channel my thoughts and experiences. It also gives me a purpose to live out everyday to its fullest and this always pushes me to try out new things - the incentive being that at the end of the day, I get to sit down and record all my experiences - which means alot to me - I strive to treasure everyday by jotting down all the miracles and experiences in my daily life.

A lot of things have been happening lately which I will update in due course. Some days I really don't have the mood to blog but a more valid reason for not updating the blog is that I was internet-less for some time. Some back-dated entries soon! Cheers!

The Shark and the Goldfish

2010-01-08T16:34:00.000+08:00

The shark and the goldfish: Positive ways to thrive during waves of change by Jon Gordon is a good read. This interesting fable about a goldfish who has always been fed and the shark who looks for his food teaches an invaluable lesson that in the face of adversity, the difference between a full belly and an empty stomach depends solely on your faith, beliefs and action. A recipe to attain the life you dream of consists of taking the following actions:

Embrace and ride the waves of change.
Have positive thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
To thrive, work hard.
Focus ---> tune out distractions. Ask "What do I want in life?" and maintain focus.
Always improve yourself ----> don't settle for being average.

A delightfully simple and easy read with powerful lessons in life.

So, it's important to pause and ask: "Are you a shark or a goldfish?" and assess the quality of our life.

Sherlock Holmes

2010-01-07T23:19:00.039+08:00

I thought the movie was a little bit draggy - filled with the gloomy aura captured by the cinematography - it wasn't the type of aura I wanted to be in. That said, I must say Robert Downey Jr. carried his role very well - with the air of arrogance around him. I loved his wits, humor and his sharpness at solving crimes. His remarks, eccentricity and experimental nature was comical. His observation of all the little details and his ability to connect the details to the bigger picture was awesome. The mystery kept me watching the movie till the end.

Farewell to cousin Kumar and family

2010-01-04T23:14:00.025+08:00

My cousin, Kumar and his wife, Padma akka, children, Anirudh and Adhithi left to India today at 2 p.m. My father-in-law and I sent them off at the airport with a heavy heart. We had great time with them and we are going to miss them dearly. I especially grew very close to Padma akka as we had similar stories to share. She and her husband are very caring people and I adore them very much. We are definitely looking forward to visiting them in India soon.

After the airport, as soon as I came back home, I saw a lady standing at the guard house holding a bouquet of roses. And the moment she saw me, she asked "Are you Geeta? This is for you". I was surprised and knew instantly it was from my dear husband. What a pleasant surprise - the roses brought a smile on my face and made my day :) Thank you, love!

Family Trip to Port Dickson ~2nd - 3rd January 2010~

2010-01-03T22:35:00.006+08:00

Devan and Tasha organized a family trip to Port Dickson on 2nd January and all our family members gathered under one roof and spent some quality time together. All my siblings, Usha aunty (my mom's sister) and family, Ravi uncle (mom's brother) and family, and cousin Kumar and family from India came for the gathering. We stayed one night at one of the bungalows which Devan and Tasha booked earlier last year.

We played football, cards, games and had a ball of a time at the beach. We had barbecue that night accompanied by lots of chattering, teasing and giggling. That's the first time I've seen my uncle (Ravi mamma) so jovial and sporting - he was so fun to be with! And of course the main entertainer of the lot was Uncle John with all his antics.

We had some desserts later - I baked chocolate cake with frosting and blueberry cheesecake the night before to bring for the gathering and all of them enjoyed it. After dinner, we played football at the field and then proceeded to play some cards and board games. Some of them didn't sleep until about 5.30 a.m. but still managed to get up the next morning to go to the beach for a second round of dip and fun.

A game of football - shirtless team against the team with shirts on

At the barbecue corner

The gambling corner

Vasco

The next morning during breakfast

The gang walking towards the beach

The antics at the beach

The family gathering was a splendid idea and we should have it more often. Everyone had a blast - and we are looking forward for more reunions! Thank you Devan and Tasha for organizing this outing and for bringing us closer.

New Year's Eve Party

2009-12-31T23:50:00.052+08:00

Today is the New Year's Eve party at our place. We've invited family and friends over for dinner and then to watch the fireworks display at the KLCC park. We are so fortunate to be staying at the most strategic location during celebrations like this - there is no need to be trapped in traffic jam; we could just take a lift down and join in the celebrations - or we could just stand on our balcony and watch the fireworks display comfortably.

For the party, I cooked and baked the following items:

Cakes

Chocolate cake with frosting
Blueberry cheesecake
Orange almond cake

Pizza - with an assortment of toppings of pineapples, button mushroom, capsicum, brinjal, minced chicken, chicken ham, sliced tomatoes, stuffed olives, tuna, crab - topped with mozarella and cream cheese. I prepared the pizza dough in the afternoon; by the time I finished kneading the dough, I was worn out. But, it was all worth it!
Vegetarian ikan bilis sambal
Idli
Fried lady's finger in yogurt
My in-laws brought some pasta and pie.

The spread of food

Ingredients for the pizza

Everyone had a great time - chatting, joking and giggling. And watched all the funny movies - Proposal and Kung Fu Panda - it was merry and fun.

The beautiful view of KLCC's tip accompanied by the moon - a perfect sight.

At sharp 12.00 a.m. - 01.01.10 - we popped the champagne and gave a toast to great health, happiness and abundance for the brand new year. We enjoyed the fireworks display - it was so exhilarating to usher the new year with our loved ones accompanied by an array of fireworks and baloons on the sky. HAPPY 2010!

Reflecting 2009

2009-12-31T06:56:00.045+08:00

Today is the day for me to sit back and reflect on the memories of 2009 - the time of the year to look back at all my accomplishments and setbacks for the year that is almost coming to an end. It is equally important to spend some quiet moment reflecting on how I've spent each second of all the last 12 months.

Accomplishments:

1. Getting married to a wonderful and loving husband.

2. Traveling experiences:

Honeymoon @ Mauritius and Reunion islands - absolutely the most wonderful experience.
My 30th Birthday @ Phuket - mind-blasting experience.
Perth visit - informational and inspirational - learnt many tips of managing and raising a family.

3. Resignation from my job. I decided to resign from my job at Multimedia University since I couldn't rationalize being away from my husband and travelling to and fro from Melaka. Despite letting go of a job which I was so comfortable in, it was the best decision I made for myself. Now, I have more time and flexibility to do anything I wanted with my time - a sort of liberation from the monotonous life I had before. That said, I am definitely missing my colleagues. The 5-month leave I took gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted with my time - and I had more time to relax, breathe and enjoy life at a quieter pace. However, like all things in life, anything done excessively is not good for you. So, I guess I have rested and traveled a lot during the past 5 months and I guess it's time for me to gear-up for some serious goal-setting next year. Though I am ashamed to admit that I have been slacking in my PhD studies recently, I am still glad that I have gone to places which I have never been and experienced new and exciting things with my husband. We've maximized the time spent together.

I realized how the first half of the year had been a very hectic one for me - classes, marking, administration work and the preparations for our wedding and reception; I was basically juggling everything and hardly had anytime to breathe. On the other hand, the second half of the year had been going on a totally relaxing pace - I had so much time for myself and for my loved ones. I learned that in everything that we do, moderation is the key. I have to learn to balance my time - I believe that the best way to know if you have utilized your time to the best is to gauge how accomplished and contented you feel at the end of the day.

4. Discovery of a new passion - hiking. This year, especially the last 5 months, I discovered how much I love hiking and trekking - something that I look forward to doing more in the future.

5. Conquered Mount Kinabalu. It was certainly an important milestone for us this year. It has taught us some invaluable lessons.

6. Incorporated some healthy eating habits. Now, juicing has become a daily morning routine which we look forward to so much - savoring the freshly squeezed vegetables and fruits is the most rewarding experience at the break of dawn.

7. Physical activities. We have made it a routine to walk around the KLCC park almost every morning. Although sometimes I have to drag myself out of bed, the morning walk is absolutely revitalizing.

8. Learnt to cook many new dishes and received compliments from family and friends, especially my husband :)

Setbacks:
The year has thrown an equal share of setbacks to us - Alfred's surgery and the ensuing chemotheraphy; the demise of his beloved paternal aunt and grandmother - a great loss to his family. As the saying goes, 'Behind every cloud there is a silver lining", the most important thing for us to remember is to learn and grow stonger whenever life throws challenges at us; and be very grateful for all the wonderful things we have.

My GOALS for 2010:

Complete my PhD thesis
Bring a new life into this beautiful world
Be more patient and loving to my wonderful husband
Religiously indulge in activities which I am passionate in
Meditate religiously
Maintain a closer connection with my friends
Find new friends
Find new passion and indulge in it
Lead a healthy living - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Instill good habits and practice it as a ritual
Be more hardworking, disciplined, and focused.
Live the motto of 'Do it now or never'.
Be more kind and patient to others.
Participate in charitable acts.
Live in the NOW - present and aware.
Read more - especially inspirational books.
Learn a new language.
Learn new dance steps
Write a short story
Practice Yoga and Pilates religiously

As the year is drawing to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year - may the coming year bless you with all the good things life has to offer. Be joyful!

Baking Spree

2009-12-30T18:01:00.007+08:00

Today is a baking-spree-day for me. I baked chocolate cake with frosting, blueberry cheesecake, and orange almond flourless cake - all-in-a-day's work. Despite the tiredness, it puts off huge amount of stress of having to do it all on the day of the party - it's just impossible. Tomorrow will be all the cooking and pizza-dough-preparation day.

Planning and Organizing

2009-12-29T17:56:00.000+08:00

28th - 30th - basically busy days organizing, arranging, and preparing for the New Year's Eve party on Thursday. With a list of to-dos and proper planning, it takes lots of stress out of the equation. I am getting better at planning and executing - and am aware at how effective planning helps to alleviate huge amount of tensions.

Xmas @ Singapore

2009-12-27T17:11:00.011+08:00

On the 24th December, after dropping my cousin and his family at my grandpa's place in Seremban, we headed straight back to Melaka. The plan is to drive down to Singapore on Christmas day - partly because we had to pick my cousin up at the airport on Christmas eve and partly to avoid the Christmas eve traffic jam.

We left Melaka at about 10.30 a.m. on 25th December and decided to take the 2nd link to Singapore. There were practically no cars at the checkpoint - so it was a smooth and relaxing journey for us. We joined Aaron and his former colleagues for lunch at one of the eateries and then headed back to his apartment with his girlfriend, Jocelyn. Since he had to attend a family gathering that night, we both decided to stroll along Orchard Road to bask in the Xmas mood with all the lights and decorations. The road to Orchard was closed due to the concert and celebrations, so we took the MRT to town. We had dinner in one of the food courts there - it was jam-packed and there were no vacant tables- so we decided to just stand and relish the best-ever-rojak we've ever tasted - I am practically drooling at the thought of it while typing this - it was damn good! Then once we found a place to sit, we ordered some Chinese dishes - which was so mediocre compared to the ROJAK.

At the food court

After dinner, we walked around the beautifully-lit and decorated Orchard road. It was just too crowded and we had to shove ourselves around. Despite the crowd, we enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere with all the brightly lit lights and ornaments - it was just so Christmas-ty.

At the Orchard Road

The next day (26th Dec), we had dim sum breakfast with Aaron and Jocelyn - we ordered the steamed dumplings - it was a hearty breakfast. At noon, we went over for a Christmas lunch at Uncle John 's sister's place in Marsiling Road - it was so merry with the house full of relatives - and delectable food! There were abundant food everywhere. We had great fun there and left in the evening.

We hung out with Aaron for dinner that night. Went back to his place and watched Inglorious Basterds over some wine. The company was good but the movie - a chronically violent and funny movie - I didn't like it.

The next morning (27th Dec), Aaron brought us to the famous curry laksa place for breakfast. Then, we had the best ever coffee (I was never a coffee person - but at the first sip of the coffee, I fell in love with the smooth and aromatic flavor). We left Singapore at about 1 p.m. and stopped over Tangkak to indulge in some durians! Reached home around 7.30 p.m. and brought my parents and sister out for a Chinese dinner. A great and eventful Christmas weekend - thank you God.

Relatives from India

2009-12-24T17:08:00.000+08:00

My cousin and his family from India will be arriving at LCCT at 11.40 p.m. today. They are coming down to experience the Christmas and New Year's celebrations here. We are so excited to see them since after our wedding. They are a bunch of sporting and exciting people to be with and we are looking forward for all the fun in store for the end-of-2009 celebrations. Let's celebrate like there's no tomorrow!

Kesari

2009-12-24T08:13:00.063+08:00

Yesterday was Alfred's grandmother's 16th day death prayers. I made kesari and chocolate-fudged marie biscuit to bring for the prayers. Kesari is a type of Indian sweet made from semolina flour and it is popularly made for parties or prayers. It is relatively easier to make as compared to the other Indian sweets like mysorepaaku or ladoo. An interesting fact - Kesari literally means "lion" in Sanskrit and it commonly refers to the saffron color used as a natural food color. Since saffron is relatively more difficult to obtain and it is more expensive, artificial colorings are used.

Herewith is the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 cup of sugi flour (semolina / rava flour) -roasted
Cashew nuts (broken)
Raisins
Cardamom pods (3-4)
2 cups of milk
1 cup of water
5 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
3/4 cup of sugar

Orange food coloring

Steps:

1. Heat a wok and dry roast the sugi flour till pale yellow and aromatic. Transfer it to a dry plate once done.

2. Then heat 1 tbsp of ghee and fry the broken cashews, raisins (fry until the raisins turn plump and juicy) and the crushed cardamom pods. Set aside.
3. Add 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of water in the same pan and let it come to a boil.

4. Then add the food color and mix well.

5. As the water starts bubbling, reduce the flame.

6. Now add the sugi flour in a wide spread manner . Do not put as lump in one place . Add it slowly without stirring and cover it tightly with a lid.
7. Allow the sugi to be cooked at very low heat .
8. Do not stir the kesari now, as it may create lumps.

9. Check often to see if all the water has been absorbed.

10. When it is fully cooked and there is no water, add the sugar and stir well.

11. When the sugar is fully dissolved, add the remaining ghee and stir until the kesari starts leaving the sides of the wok. Garnish with the fried cashews and raisins.

I've always loved rich and moist kesari and the trick to this lies in adding the milk and generous amounts of ghee. Love it!

Almond Orange Flourless Cake

2009-12-22T18:01:00.002+08:00

Almond and orange - my all-time favorite - and the combination of both in a cake is simply delectable. This recipe doesn't call for any flour - the ground almond act as the binding ingredient for this cake. This is a rich and moist cake - absolutely scrumptious to the last bit! The syrup poured on the cake gives it a super-moist texture. It's perfect for a tea party.

Herewith is the recipe (Note: This is the less-sweet version):

Ingredients for the cake:

6 eggs (the white and the yolk separated)

1/2 cup sugar

Zest of 3 oranges

1 1/2 cups of ground almond

Steps:

1. Heat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius.

2. Separate the eggs into two bowls.

3. Beat the yolks with the sugar and orange zests until the mixture turns into pale yellow.

4. Then, stir in the ground almonds. Set aside.

5. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to peaks.

Tips to beating egg whites to peaks:

a) The bowl in which you whip the egg whites should be immaculately clean and completely grease-free. Even the tiniest bit of grease or egg yolk will cause them to break down into a pathetic soup.

b) You will get more volume when beating egg whites if you first bring them to room temperature.

c) It's best to begin with a slow speed and gradually move up to high when beating egg whites.

d) When your egg whites get fluffy, STOP! If you overbeat them, they will liquify again.

e) Use beaten egg whites straight away. Don't let them sit.

6. After beating the egg whites to peaks, stir a spoonful of it into the yolk-almond mixture. Then, fold in the rest of it gently to the mixture.

7. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 45 minutes.

8. Let the cake cool slightly.

Ingredients for the orange syrup:

Juice of 3 oranges

1/4 cup sugar

Steps:

9. Heat the orange juice and sugar together in a saucepan and boil for 5 minutes until it slightly thickens.

10. Spoon evenly over the cake, letting the syrup soak in as you go. The cake will absorb all of the syrup.

11. Bon Appetit!

Sassorosso Italian Restaurant

2009-12-21T23:00:00.063+08:00

Tucked away from the city's hustle-bustle, this place leaves a warm and contented feeling for those who come to dine- making them return the next time. We chose to dine at the alfresco area surrounded with a beautiful garden and with a view of KLCC. We loved the quaint and romantic ambience.

Sassorosso is situated in a quaint neighborhood along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng; with a great view of KLCC; extensive menu; and superb service. And the food is absolutely delectable. So far, this is one of our best dining experience. We ordered fresh and succulent oysters, pan-fried scallops, and wild mushroom soup with rosemary crouton for starters. And for the main course, we shared a wood -fired Italian pizza - Siciliana (with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, eggplant, ricotta and parmesan cheese) - delicious!

It's a perfect place to go to celebrate wedding aniverssaries or during Valentine's Day - this place is highly recommended for romantic dinners if you wish to have some quiet time with your partner.

Our 'Fying' Project

2009-12-20T22:35:00.002+08:00

A perfect Sunday night designing and flying paper planes and enthusing and giggling over its 'flying 'performance from the balcony. The first attempt flew straight down - pulled down by gravitational force; the second one flew some distance then just propelled downwards; and the last attempt was the coolest - it traveled some distance moving with the wind with its aerodynamic design and finally propelling downwards - so cool! But on the hindsight, we know we are causing some paper-plane litters out there, haha!

Our New Baby - Kenwood Juice Extractor

2009-12-20T22:21:00.002+08:00

Today we bought a new juicer - Kenwood Juice Extractor Model JE 660. The current one that we have has a very small feeder - so it takes more laborious time to cut the fruits and vegetables into smaller sizes to fit into the feeder. Since we are using the juicer everyday, we thought it'd be great to invest in a better juicer. So, we were just looking around at Best Denki, Suria KLCC and we spotted this baby - and it was sold at a very good discount - RM 199! Wow, we thought that is a great bargain for a Kenwood Juicer and bought it straight away. This one has a big feeder which can fit an entire apple - which will save me so much time early in the morning! It feels great to start a brand new year with a new juicer :)

AVATAR

2009-12-17T23:13:00.003+08:00

Alfred received an invitation from GE Energy for the premier screening of the movie, Avatar at TGV, Suria KLCC. On Thursday night, Alfred, John, and myself went for the screening. Although the movie was a tad draggy (2 hours 43 minutes - almost the same running time as Tamil movies), it highlights the epidemic that is ruling mankind - Greed - the greed for more land, more money, more power, and so on. And in the quest for more of everything, the weak are oppressed - animals, the poor, and the less powerful.

This movie highlights the plight of the indigeneous population (known as the Na'vi) inhabiting a planet called Pandora when humans begin to attack their peaceful sanctuary in order to acquire the precious stones located around the area where this population live. When the indigeneous population refused to move from their sacred sanctuary, the humans waged a war against them to force them out of their own land - a classic tale of greed. In between of all these, love blossoms between the lead cast (Jack Sully who was chosen to inhabit the body of a genetically-engineered Na'vi hybrid known as an Avatar to gain the trust of the indigeneous population and convince them to move) and the indigeneous girl; and along the story important lessons are imparted - how every living being is connected to the same source - the oneness of energy that binds every soul and the purity of that energy. It has a deep meaning if you choose to look beyond.

I would rate this movie 5/5 for it's visual effects and the depth in the story.

Today's Lunch

2009-12-17T12:54:00.000+08:00

Idli with sambal tempeh - my two most favorite dishes.

Refreshing Green Juice

2009-12-17T07:00:00.000+08:00

This time, the green juice tasted much better - with cucumber, celery, and green apples in it - so refreshing and has a mood-boosting effect early in the morning.

An Evening Drive to Bukit Permai

2009-12-16T22:00:00.000+08:00

The view of KL city from Bukit Permai lookout point

It was a lovely evening today - it just rained heavily and the cool breeze was luring us to go out. We spontaneously decided to go for a drive to Bukit Permai lookout point to admire the city's skyline. There's something very romantic in sitting in the dark with your loved one with absolute silence around you while marveling at man-made wonders. The best part of the evening was the sight of a fire-fly flying over us at the lookout point - absolutely miraculous. I wish for many evenings like this :)

Sambal Tempeh

2009-12-16T17:51:00.001+08:00

Today's lunch: Sambal tempeh with rice and stir-fried cauliflower in oyster sauce. I love the hot sambal and tempeh and the combination of both is explosive! Herewith is the recipe for sambal tempeh.

Ingredients:

Dried chilies (the amount depends on how hot your want it) (soak it in hot water)

Red chilies (the amount depends on how hot your want it)

1 red onion

2 big onions

Dried anchovies (soak it in hot water to remove all the impurities)

3 cloves garlic

3 tomatoes (diced)

2 tomatoes (blended)

Tamarind juice

Diced tempeh

Sugar to taste

Salt to taste

Steps:

1. Blend the dry and red chilies, dried anchovies, 2 tomatoes, and 1 big onion into a paste. Add some oil to the mixture while blending.

2. Slice the remaining big onion and red onion and garlic.

3. Heat some oil in a wok. When the oil is moderately hot, saute onions and garlic until golden brown. Then, add the chili paste and saute until it is fragrant. This should take about 15 minutes (until the oil and chili separates and is cooked thoroughly - it is ready when oil from paste floats to the top). Use only low heat and stir constantly.

4. Add the tamarind juice, sugar and salt to taste.

5. Add the diced tomatoes and tempeh.

6. Cook for another 5-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. Before serving, remove the excess oil.

7. Serve with rice, idli or bread.

Multi-Fruit Smoothie

2009-12-16T07:42:00.004+08:00

Today morning's smoothie: 2 kiwis, 1 mango, watermelon, and 1 dragonfruit. Refreshingly delicious!

Mashed Potatoes with Tomatoes and Basil

2009-12-15T21:24:00.001+08:00

It was raining here in the evening - and the first thing that came to my mind was a warm bowl of mashed potato - my perfect comfort food. To add some nutritional values to the meal, I added some tomatoes and basil leaves.

Herewith is the recipe:

- Baby potatoes

- Garlic

- Diced tomatoes

- Chopped basil leaves (from our mini-garden)

- Some butter

- Cheddar cheese

- Mayonnaise

- Salt and pepper to taste

1. Boil potatoes and garlic.

2. Drain and peel the skins of the potatoes and the garlic.

3. Mash the potatoes and garlic.

4. Add some butter, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Finally, add in the chopped tomatoes and basil leaves.

6. Serve warm.

The Princess and the Frog

2009-12-15T10:34:00.001+08:00

We watched this movie with my sisters and cousin, Natasha in Melaka. Maybe since we were freezing in the cinema theatre, we didn't really enjoy the movie. Or maybe, I am comparing it with the movie UP - which is of course unbeatable.

However, there are some important lessons to be learned from this movie. The essence of the story highlights the importance of having dreams and believe with all your heart that the dream that you are so passionate about will come true, one day. Accompanied with a great degree of faith and perseverance - dreams do come true.

Delcom PD Breakaway ~11-13th December 2009~

2009-12-15T10:22:00.003+08:00

Last weekend was Alfred's company's annual trip to Port Dickson. Since Alfred is the vice-president of the Delcom Sports and Recreation Club, we decided to go for the trip to give support. After watching a movie at MBO Melaka, we drove to PD and reached Thistle Resort around 11 p.m..on Friday. We checked in and had a good night sleep.

The room comes with a lovely view of the beach and the swimming pool. I love the interior of the room as well. The place has been recently renovated and refurbished.

We had a lovely breakfast while mingling with his colleagues and their families. After that, there were some activities organized in the afternoon at the Eagle Ranch - paintball, abseiling and archery.

Saturday night was the much anticipated annual dinner with the theme Twilight Masquerade.

The theme for the annual dinner

Us in mask

The dining hall

The emcee, Alvin, organized some fun stuffs which enticed everyone to participate. He managed to get everyone on the stage to have fun - I must say it was such a fun night filled with laughter and fun! Alfred was one of them who got picked by his boss to the stage, haha. And they were asked to go to another room to get changed. And when they made their special entrance to the stage, this is what they looked like:

Alfred with his goggles, wig, and his furry wraps - haha, he looked so funny, I couldn't stop laughing.

Another team dressed funnily

Shrek, George Bush and Saddam Hussein and the Emcee

The last bit of the fun-filled night

Fresh Fruit Juice

2009-12-14T08:26:00.001+08:00

Freshly squeezed carrots, red apples, green apples, yellow pears and oranges - sweet and refreshing - a perfect way to start the day.

A lost

2009-12-09T19:55:00.004+08:00

Today morning we received the dreaded phone call from my father-in-law - the news of Alfred's grandma's passing. Although we were pretty much prepared for this news (she was unconscious since last Thursday), it was still hard to accept. She lived to a ripe-old-age of 90 - and she has been blessed to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren growing up.

I still remember the first time I met her - she was so elated of hearing that Alfred and I are getting married. We've always made it a point to visit her as frequently as we could since she lived alone (it was her choice to live alone in her old-wooden-home-sweet-home. She has always said that we should take care of our wife/husband and children). I've never met an old lady as strong-willed as her. Even during her daughter's funeral earlier this year, she was calm and collected - and she was the one who consoled us saying there's no point of crying and feeling remorseful - saying that her daughter's time has come and she had to go - as simple as that - she understood and accepted the fate. One of her favorite quotes is "You shouldn't worry and you should be strong and be willing to face anything". Her advices are still ringing loud and clear on my mind.

She has never cared much about herself - and never felt sorry for herself. She is an extremely independent woman - she is so adamant of doing everything herself despite having trouble to walk. As her legs gave way over time, she insists on walking to the bathroom without assistance (she dislikes it when anyone holds her - and she will slowly walk from her room to the bathroom by holding the walls for support). She fell many times, but to her that's nothing. She has gone through many hardships in her life - and yet she stood mightily against all the challenges life threw to her.

It was a great honor for me to have known her - a great inspiration to everyone whose life she has touched. After her passing, I can hear everyone talking about her greatest qualities - high-degree of discipline and the strongest will-power. She has indeed lived a good life and set many good examples - one which everyone around her will cherish and remember for the rest of our lives. We love you, Grandma. Rest in Peace.

Freshly Squeezed Green Juice

2009-12-09T19:34:00.001+08:00

Today's morning juicing: Freshly squeezed green juice comprising of: cucumber, brocolli, spinach, organic Chinese cabbage, kacang botol (winged bean) and kailan (Chinese kale). To be honest, unlike most of the other fruit and carrot juices I have made, this one was pretty hard to ingest. The first time I sipped it, it tasted like a glass of freshly-mown grass juice - YUCKS. I had to hold my breath and force myself to gulp the juice down. Alfred almost gagged after having the first sip. I think it takes some time to get use to the taste. But the immense health benefits of alkaline green juice far outweights the taste.

Mango-Soursop-Pear Smoothie

2009-12-08T09:56:00.002+08:00

Today's breakfast booster is Mango-Soursop-Pear smoothie. It's packed with nutrition and fibre and fills the stomach for the morning.

Sambar (Indian Dhal Curry)

2009-12-07T13:58:00.008+08:00

Today's lunch is sambar (Indian dhal curry). It's a perfect vegetarian dish since you can add any vegetables you want - and my favorite is of course the potatoes! Herewith is the recipe:

Step A. Ingredients:

1 cup red dhal (lentils) (these are small lentils which take quicker to cook)

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

Step A:

1. Wash and clean the dhal.

2. In a heavy cooking pot, boil 2 cups of water and add the dhal, turmeric powder and 1 tsp of oil.

3. Boil until the dhal is soft and then mash it coarsely.

4. If needed, add more water as it is boiling but do not let it get too watery.

Step B Ingredients:

5 small dry red chilies

8 curry leaves

5 shallots

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds

Step B:
1. Heat a frying pan under medium flame and add 1 tsp of oil.

2. Once the oil is hot, add the dry chilies, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and curry leaves and sautee for 2 minutes.

3. Add the shallots and brown lightly.

Step C Ingredients:

3 tomatoes

2 round brinjals

4 drumsticks

5 baby potatoes (boil separately)

3 cloves of garlic

1/4 tsp asafoetida (is an antiflatulent agent - normally used with dhal dishes)

2 tbsp sambar powder (you can get it from Indian grocery shops)

Step C:

1. Add the sauteed ingredients from step B to the cooked dhal.
2. Stir well and add the asafoetida and the sambar powder.
3. Add the brinjals and drumsticks to the mixture and let it cook. Add some water if the mixture is too thick.
4. Season with salt.
5. Once the brinjals and drumsticks are cooked, add in the tomatoes, cooked baby potatoes and garlic.
6. Let the mixture boil over medium heat.
7. Remove from heat and serve with rice or thosai.