5 Shoes Every Woman Should Own

Hey ya ladies! I know, we can never have enough shoes, but here's what I think we all should at least have. If you are just starting to work, or if you are thinking of a shoe overhaul, this list should be able to fulfill your basic needs.

* Shoes are created from the ipad apps: DreamApp and ShoesMe.

1. The Everyday Shoe - This shoe should be versatile enough for both formal and casual wear. Think Friday pant-suit combo, jeans and even your little black dress. It is easier to match if it is in a darker and neutral colour like brown and black. Or you can try off-white or taupe (shown above) for a fresher look. I have a black mid-heeled shoe which I can wear with almost anything. For me, this everyday shoe doubles up as my dressy shoe too (see below).

My trusty, comfy, everyday and everywhere heels.
The only heels I have which does not 'bite' me. From Clarks.

2. The Dressy Shoe - Often reserved for the occasional wedding dinner, that year-end party, or that big night out, this is like your Cinderella shoe. Either in silver, gold, bronze, champagne or anything glittery, wear it with your grandest dresses or other party outfits. Don't forget to pair it with a flashy clutch or minaudière!

3. The Booty - A more comfy and cosy alternative to the everyday shoe, this can be worn with just about everything. Especially suitable for freezing-cold offices or for that overseas winter work-trip. Wear socks underneath to keep yourself warm. It'll be good to buy it in a slightly bigger/broader size to make leeway for thicker socks. Height of boots depends on your liking. I used to have a mid-calf brown booty which I wear to work, to overseas trips, and even to parties! It was my best friend :)

4. Sporty Chic - Give your feet a break every now and then by going sporty-chic. Wear sneakers, brogues, loafers or sports shoes, preferably one with a good arch and ankle support (sports shoes are the best for this category). Match them with basics like shorts, pants or jeans topped with smart-casual blouse or polo tee. Also, carry a leather sling bag to smarten up the whole look. By the way, I'll always wear sports shoes for my grocery runs. They give me good support and ample cushion so that I can lug my bulky buys home comfortably without hurting my feet.

5. Comfort Casual - Going to the beach or swimming pool? A picnic in the garden? Bringing your kids to the playground? Or just need to run an errand nearby, in the rain, no less? Needless to say, comfy low-heeled sandals or flats/slippers are your best choice. Do buy them in your favourite colour if you like. Orange? No hay problema! Cobalt blue? Yes, please! White? Bring it on! PS: Be sure that it is non-slip and is not too flat (buy one that has at least a little cushion and arch support) - be safe and sound!



My comfort causal shoe (left) and sporty (but not so) chic shoe (right).
Both are so comfortable! From Fitflop and Mizuno respectively.

Solo In Bali

I was back almost a month ago and was instantly sucked into the whirlpool of daily frenzy the moment I got home. The never-ending chores! Now that I finally have the chance to sit down and do my personal things (my son is at the in-law's), it is time to do some digital housekeeping - photo sorting. Not much, just a thousand of them (!).

I know how tedious photo organizing is. But, it is totally worth the effort - it will be a huge boulder off your shoulders. Imagine all your beautiful and meaningful photos nicely sorted in their categorical order and date (baby, travels, food, etc) and ready for your future pleasure viewing. If you do not know where to start, here are some tips.

Firstly, you should allocate one block of time to do this job. Next, browse through your photos, and delete the unflattering, blurry and duplicated ones. At the same time, decide how many categories you want them to be in. Example: Bali 2013; Baby 12-24 months; or Random Pics May 2012. Make a folder for each of them. Then, select all photos belonging to one category, let us say, Bali. 

Now, if the Bali photos are not nicely bundled together, preventing you from selecting them all at once using the shift button, you should try this trick which is really helpful: hold down the control button (Ctrl) and click on the desired photos. If there is a huge stack of desired photos you come across, just do the normal shift and select - all this while holding down the control button. After selection, right click to copy or cut your photos and paste them into your newly created folders. You may need some practice, and it will only get easier ;)

You can also use this trick to select the photos that is needed to be rotated (clockwise/anticlockwise) in order to be upright. Special thanks to hubby for teaching me this - it saved me so much hassle. Now, digital housekeeping seems to be such a breeze :)

Ok, I shall not stray any further. Now. To my Bali trip.

It will be really boring to read through my itinerary in chronological order, thus, I shall just highlight some worthy events coupled with photos.

I bade goodbye to hazy Singapore. And, of course, my dearest son and hubby. It felt as though someone is digging a hole in my heart at the thought of leaving them. How sentimental, ah? Then, an advert in the flight magazine distracted me:

This, this, THIS restaurant. Over the last decade, I have been meaning to go back and order its minestrone soup again. It was the best I ever had. So, a trip down there is compulsory. I am not sure whether I can find it though.

By the time I reached Bali and checked into the hotel, it was almost midnight. But hey, as my taxi whizzed through the Legian Street, it was still bustling full of traffic and people in their tank tops and slippers. The whole street is lined up with rows and rows of shops, restaurants, convenient stores, discos and bars pumping the loudest music and, combined with the continuous blaring of traffic horns, this is such a happening spot to be in.

For the first night, I was too excited to fall asleep - I cannot wait to make a rocketline towards the beach the very next day when the dawn breaks, just as I planned. And I did. What I did not know is that a huge surprise awaits me - as I approached the beach I was wholly awed by the sight I saw.

Between these majestic stone structures, I could see and hear the thunderous crashing waves beneath, I felt so tiny and it was as if nature took over me. What a sight to behold! Note: Can you spot the moon?

The Indian Ocean. At long last, I am here again. As I enter the beach area, I took a truly deep breath and exhaled completely. AH... FRESH AIR!

And, as expected, the beach touters closed in on me, asking to engage their services. I gave in to some. Bought a handmade bracelet, had my toenails painted, and got a henna tattoo.

And I ate. Really sat down and ate, at my own pace, bitten every mouthful, savoured every taste, with no burden and with nowhere and nothing to rush to. And yes, I am so lucky - I stumbled upon Kopi Pot. Found it, yay! Ordered minestrone soup immediately. The next day, went back to have another hearty meal. Heaven's oh... I ate so slowly and mindfully, it felt so good.

I thought someone should be missing me by now, so I face-timed my boys (one young, one elderly). I was so wrong. They were practically having a party - eating whatever and whenever they want, unlimited ipad playtime and TV, late, late nights... in short, I have two happy campers back home. Arghh...

And so, I continued my peace, and ate and walked about, and relaxed. This is one of my alfresco breakfasts at the hotel.

One thing I must shout out: I see rainbows everyday, either on the beach, or over the buildings! Even better, I saw a double rainbow once, from my hotel balcony. Note: Pardon my naïve reactions over a natural phenomenon, hee.. Anyway, my ipod camera didn't do the rainbows enough justice. Trust me, it was way more beautiful than what you see here :)

I believe there are many professional photos of the Bali streets online so I shall not post my mediocre ones here.

So. Did I sleep? Yes, but only on the third night. I slept uninterrupted for 12 hours! Yes, from 9pm till 9am. And yap, I body-surfed in that crashing waves like a crazy little teenage girl for as long as I desired - I sprained my ankle (which is still slightly swollen now after a month, but I don't care. Haha) and my whole body hurts from the over-exertion even one week after I returned home. Also, I could literally feel my muscles burning warmly for a good three days after that. And so, I emerged from the sea with a fitter bod, a bronze tan, and a swollen ankle. Good job, girl! This is the most delightful part of the whole trip!

What else did I do?

Finally, I get the time to learn how to manage my anger. Since I need to know when, I have gotten so ansty, sensitive and short-fused, and I flare up over the slightest things. I was especially guilty whenever I snapped at my puny son.

Armed with the iDharmaBook app in my ipod, I read Working With Anger, en route to Bali. This is not the first time I'd read this book, and as with many other books, each time I read it, I always digested its contents in a different way. And this time, it is really, really different. At last, I began to have a deep understanding of its contents, and surely, it was liberating - it feels great to have a taste of emotional freedom.

As with all parties that will eventually come to an end, it is time to head home. I donned on my flight pants and shoes and took a final look at the charming island before boarding the return flight. I am going home happier, a little more wiser, and fully recharged - ready for another round of daily grind!

My Kampong Childhood - The Village Life

Clockwise from top left: My cousins here to celebrate my brother's and my birthday. Me, Papa, and brother. My parent's wedding photo, classic! Mummy, Papa and me beside a paper money pagoda burner - Papa used to be part of a temple 'organization'. The place where the bubble-blowing uncle works - check out that vintage blue van! My aunties preparing food in the super-rustic kitchen. Also, check out the beautiful forested backdrop behind these pictures. It is indeed a blessing to live within such vast nature :) Ah... all that crisp, fresh, oxygen-filled forest air!

From birth till the age of nine, I had the privilege of staying in a kampong (village) in Singapore. My old wooden house topped with metal roof is situated amidst the Bukit Timah Hill, the highest hill in Singapore, no less!

Suddenly, a mental time travel transported me many years back to a scene in my kampong house nestled in the forested area. I was barely 5 then.

During the festive season, especially Chinese New Year, all the extended family members will turn up at our house to catch up on each others' lives over the endless supply of food churned out from the kitchen. I remember how grandma, who is the main cook herself, would give out culinary instructions to my aunties who were helping out in the kitchen, in authentic Hokkien. The rest of the adults will either play mahjong or just sit around and chat merrily.

And the kids? Oh yes, I was one of the kids! We had a whole lot of kampong fun, of course. HEE.

After the adults all sort of settled down and got too 'busy' for us, the whole gang of kids, (more than 10 of us) would run off and often first head towards the little stream, which is a few hundred metres from the front of our house, to catch fishes. On the way there, we'll have to pass by a chicken farm which stinks horribly! My two big dogs, one in orange and the other in black, and which I call both 'Kopi' (which means 'Coffee' in Hokkien), will always escort us. They'll sort of keep a lookout for us, tumble with us, and we have this weird practice of cajoling them to lick our wounds if we got hurt.

It was real fun in the nature.

Or we'll dig the earth and bury something, play with sand, throw stones, pick up sticks and branches, collect durian, papaya, and lime, climb trees to pluck out rambutans and jackfruit, chase the monkeys and squirrels, yelled and laughed about - all with nary a care in the world.

Once, there was this gigantic python twirled around and resting magnificently on a sturdy old tree, at a crossroads of the village tracks. I swear it could swallow me whole in minutes! For the entire time, it probably slithered only an inch, while the villagers gathered in a big circle and looked on. It was a frightening sight. I mean, snakes are scary enough, ya? And an enormous one at that will only amplify the fear factor! But still, I can't resist to stay and stare.

There was also this tall, balding uncle with sun-drenched skin and the kindest smile who worked near my place, fixing cars. He used to amuse us kids by blowing out tiny bubbles using his tongue. I can still recall that scene vividly where I'll look up at his stunt from a short height (hey, I'm only 5 okay?) gasping in awe.

So, this is kampong life... we were living for the moment, enjoying the present and not worrying about the future - the epitome of carpe diem!

Life's Punctuation (31 Years Old)

It has been very hazy here in Singapore lately. With the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hitting as high as 400, it is the highest and most hazardous PSI ever recorded. And people are looking for N95 masks which is almost sold out.

No doubt, what we are facing seems minute compared to the earthquakes and floods occurring in other parts of the world. Right now in the Himalayan hills, for example, thousands of villagers and pilgrims are stranded in the flood-hit area inundated by heavy rains. Hundreds are dead and thousands missing, buildings washed away. A consequence of hydropower development in the region. This is something I cannot imagine facing.

Still, back here in our tiny city-state, while we fight the worse dengue epidemic, I do hope that the forest fires in Indonesia will subside soon. The pregnant, the elderly, the sick, the children and the rest are all suffering. Like many others, I am having teary eyes and a numbing headache.



Haze over Singapore shaded in red and orange. Blue dot (Bali), I'm coming!

What a gloomy way to begin a post that serves to punctuate my life. C'est la vie, non?

Nonetheless...

With so much going on at home recently, I have now come to a point in my life where I think I should pause, mark my life with a big comma, and take stock of everything before I move on again - hence this post.

First up, I am unwittingly beating the haze by hopping out of town, southwards. A 3 days, 3 nights trip to my favourite place, Bali - alone, no less (ticket was booked way before the haze came).

I remember announcing this to Hubby a few months back:

I am going to sleep for 3 days and 3 nights(!) the day our boy can take care of himself.

Meaning that he can eat, sleep and bathe on his own and he does not wet himself at night. I estimated that that will be about 3-5 years later. Apparently, Hubby brought that much needed break forward - I have not slept throughout the night for more than 2 years! And I desperately need my 'me' time too. Note: My son is practically crawling all over and under me while I'm trying to type this post. 

In a random messaging session, Hubby abruptly asked,"... I can take 1 week leave. See whether you wanna take a break abroad". Three hours later, I'd decided on the place, got a return air ticket and accommodation, and is bound for Bali in a month's time.

And so, for the first time, I am going to travel alone for leisure - alone but definitely not lonely ;) If Singapore is a little red dot, then, Bali is my little blue dot. My little piece of heaven where I had spent one of the happiest moments of my life doing my favourite sport - body surfing. Of course, Bali is a much, much bigger dot (see map above).

Anyway, I am not going to sleep for 3 days. My baby sister (she's 24, 7 years younger than I am. But to me, she'll always be a baby in my eyes) was asking me what I am going to do alone. Well, I am going to surf myself silly! In fact, with my hotel just minutes from the sea, I will be making a rocketline for the beach as soon as I can. 

I will slip on my swim suit and a kaftan, slip on my slippers, get some money for the surfboard, gallop towards the beach, get the surfboard, throw away my kaftan and slippers, and jump into the Indian Ocean - in that order. I will surf till the sun sets, or till the surfboard stall closes, whichever comes later, and then repeat everything for the next day. We shall see how much my much older body can take compared to my salad days - especially so after giving birth.

So much for travelling alone. Will update when I'm back.

Next, as if travelling to my piece of heaven wasn't enough, Hubby literally bought me another piece of heaven - an ipod touch, 5th generation. To others, this might not be much of a thing, but to me, it is a nice boost to my everydays ahead. For a music lover like me, this is essential. After almost 10 years, I am finally going to bid farewell to my old mini ipod where its screen has almost fade out, and say hello to my new buddy, in the same colour hee...



I sincerely want to thank my friend who bought the mini ipod (left) in 2004 as a farewell gift for my 4 months work trip. It was, and will always be my precious gift. Thanks Hubby too - you just bought me a little piece of heaven (right) :)

Side note: Goodbye to my VGA camera phone too, which has just died off after 7 years usage - it's time you go my old friend, thanks for your service. Hello to Nokia Asha, a non-3G, nothing-much phone. To me, a phone should be just a phone. Excuse my radical opinion :)

The third and last affair that warrants this post is that - lo and behold (takes a deep breath) - we have gotten the apartment we were eyeing! So, in 5 years time, our little family of three will be bidding farewell to our first home of 12 years and will be moving into our tiny and cosy dream home on the 35th floor. We absolutely can't wait.

The interior designing will be all up to me and I do not want our home to be another beautiful home - I want something weirder, something unexpectable - so that I won't be bored too quickly. You know, Aries do get bored rather easily. Right now, I am aiming for a masculine, practical and simple decor. The first and foremost priority is that it must be easy to clean and maintain. 

You know what is the best part? Our new place will just be one street away from the village where I had spent the first nine years of my life. How lucky. Feels like going back home, literally. I am feeling so nostalgic! *silent squeals of delightment - Yiieeyy!!* You bet, one fine day, I will take a walk back to my village when we finally move there and when my son attends full-day school.

Artist's impression of the SkyPeak

On a different note, after the passing of some unpleasant events, life has been better overall now: I totally adore my baby boy and my man; my boy, at 30 months old, is finally speaking (alot!); and there are some good news for Hubby, work-wise. I am just truly grateful for all I have now and I am not going to focus on what I do not have.

To round it all up, I have an advanced solo trip, a new music player (ipod) with a camera to boot, a new handphone, a spanking new apartment, and things are now fine and dandy at home - all after a bout of dreary days. And as I let out a huge sigh of relief and give out a wide and wistful smile, I know I am now in a very cosy spot in my life. I am thankful for everything. 

Till the next life comma, stay upbeat and perhaps you should count your blessings right now. Also, do not covet for others' lifestyle - live your own unique life, at your own pace, befitting with your own personality. If you can afford, walk the unbeaten path. Do do something useful to the society, and you can't be wrong. And, like I always do, when the going gets really tough, bite your teeth and tell yourself, "No-thing lasts forever - everything is transient. Therefore, this will pass".

Meantime, my boy and me will be evading the haze and the unbearable dry heat by trawling the malls and lingering in the Jurong Regional Library (the largest public library in Singapore) - before Hubby takes over when I leave for Bali. That's when I shall finally break free from the never-ending chores, exhale and let go COMPLETELY. Hopefully, by the time I return, my dwindling batteries will be fully recharged. :)

People-looking at the skating rink at Jcube shopping centre, Jurong East



Cultural show at the library





Grilled Portobello Mushroom

Today, I would like to talk about a dish which I prepared, quite by chance. A whole stack of these large portobello mushrooms caught my eye the other day while I was at the supermarket, with my son in tow. I could add this to my cooking repertoire, I thought. I grabbed a packet and moved along.

Then, further down the lane, we came to a promotional stall which gave out free cheese samples. These stalls really work for me - No Try. No Buy. I always try to stick to this policy if possible. Too many past wasted buys made me a present shy buyer. Even when the lemon law was passed, I do not have that extra energy and time to go through the hassle of negotiation.

And so, the kind lady tending to the stall gave out pieces and pieces of this so called emmental cheese which my son heartily wolfed down and eagerly asked for seconds and thirds. I caved in and bought two packets and fled the scene before my son finishes up all the samples. For one, I tasted the cheese and thought it was softer and milder than the ones we usually consume, which is a yes for my recently toned-down palate. But more so, it felt uneasy not buying after my son's little 'meal' and that there was an attractive promotional price of buying two instead of one. That's Psychology of Sales in action - guilt after tasting/using product for free (but, I think they're good usually) and the attractive discount of buying more.

These (cheese) could go with the mushrooms, I decided.

Before I move on to the recipe, let me introduce you to my new best friend.

Tada~



Isn't she sexy? Gotta take shots of her glorious days before she gets abused and bruised from my cooking.

We have decided that this will be our family's do-it-all pot. Be it breakfast, lunch, dinner; omelette, stir-fries or even instant noodles, she'll bear all the brunt (sorry, but thanks pretty). There is no more need to search for the 'right pot' anymore - she does it all. How easy is that? Heh heh...

Okay, that's her for now, back to the dish I was talking about...

For the ingredients, it is pretty clear-cut. The usual suspects with amounts that are decided by my guesswork. I am indeed lucky to have got it right - the way my son goes Mmmm at his first ever bite of portobello mushrooms is so amazing. Truly, the mushrooms are fresh and juicy in every bite and that heavenly sauce! The oyster sauce I used in the recipe simply brought out and enhanced the mushroom flavour beautifully. I shall pair this with white fluffy rice at another time. You should too :)

Before I go, I just want to share a little news with you: Hubby and I are getting a new apartment soon. Particularly, we are eyeing a top-floor unit at SkyPeak. This is a neighbourhood development in Bukit Batok, Singapore with several blocks of public housing ranging between 26 to 40 storeys high. According to our queue number, we will only be able to select our unit on 17th June 2013, which is just three days away. As the better units are taken up and crossed off the list every single day, we could only await anxiously for the day to arrive and hope that that unit will be ours. If not, we shall have to settle for the second best, I guess. So, wish us luck, ok? Updates later! 

For now, do enjoy your meal :)

Recipe

2 medium portobello mushrooms, de-stemmed

1 cup mixed vegetables

2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp minced garlic

Sauce: (mix well together)

1 tsp cooking wine (I use chinese cooking wine)

1 tsp oyster sauce

dash of black pepper

3 tbs water

1 piece of emmental cheese, grated

dash of mixed Italian herbs, finely chopped (I use a ready-made one which includes: Basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, etc. You can use chives too. This is optional)

1. Heat olive oil and sauteed the garlic till fragrant. Then, grill mushrooms for about 4 mins on each side till cooked. Add in mixed vegetables and fry for a few minutes.

2. Next, add in sauce and continue frying for 1 to 2 minutes, mixing everything well.

3. Dish out and sprinkle on grated cheese and mixed herbs. Serve warm.



MY MR. SUNSHINE

That's me with fake hair and husband with flat hair.
Wedding shot taken in Desaru, Malaysia, in 2005

At times, when I see my husband, a ray of sunlight seems to be emitting from his head as in this picture.

This sun ray - this RAY of HAPPINESS - lights up my world, instantly.

You see, sometimes when he reaches home, he'll parade around the house exhibiting a laissez-faire behaviour, together with a cheery and cheeky disposition, bantering and teasing whoever (me or son) is in his path.

Our son is fully entertained - parading after him, blushing and giggling at his silliness. For me, I can't deny that I'm really delighted to see him home. Then did I realise how much I miss him! And he insists that we're the only ones in the world to see this side of him. Otherwise, he looks serious and solemn.

Thing is, he always seems to be there for me in both my life's small (but notable) and big events. Like the sunrays, he's shining at me as if rooting for me - giving me warmth, security, and strength. And this post is a list to commemorate those moments and events, so that we can look back and have a smile.

1. My riding practical test - I failed this test thrice! And each time I retake the test, he just sat there and waited for 2-3 hours with a newspaper and several cups of tea. It's such a pleasing joy watching the minute him from a distance, as I took my tests in the circuit with trembling legs. Deep down, I know that he was rooting for me.

2. My final-year exams - All exams end at the same time and there'll be a massive student-jam on the campus. Buses will be jam-packed to the door and taxis will somehow cease to exist. Usually, my sweet husband will come and pick me up with the reason that he wants to see my after-exam reactions (which is either Yippie, I nailed it! or Oh s**t, this paper is a killer). He'll wait gingerly in his car looking out for me as I wouldn't know exactly where he parked and I usually submit my exam script before the stipulated time. He's done that for most of my exams.

3. The day he sent me off to the Middle East for a 4-month peace-keeping mission on a Navy vessel. He did something that totally stole my heart away! Together with my sister, he sent me off by 'following' my vessel, driving along the southern borders of Singapore from the eastern tip of Changi to the western tip of Tuas until my vessel disappeared. Isn't that romantic? My sister even told me that she saw tears streaming down his face (he was wearing sunglasses). Note: This is one of the reasons I marry him. One other being his bedsheets. Yes, really. It's just some common cotton sheets but I've never slept in such a comfortable one before and I was hooked till today, 10 years later! Told him about it back then but he just gave a feeble acknowledgement.

4. Once, we almost fell off a cliff in Cameron Highlands! We were venturing into the hilly roads on a car and when the roads got narrower and muddier, I insisted to continue moving upwards (that's the immature, wilful me). Halfway through, our car got stuck in a muddy puddle and couldn't move, both forwards and backwards. To make the situation worse, it was drizzling, the ground is getting softer, on our left is the high mountain wall less than a metre away and on our right is the edge of the cliff barely 2 metres away! If we want to turn back, we'll have to make a 10-point turn. We got off the car, went into the rain, and sized up the situation before we decided to find stones and logs to shove into the back of the wheels so that the car can get out of the mud. We tried to drive backwards but the car wouldn't move.

Luckily, a local man who came in the opposite direction driving a tractor came to help us. Hubby and the man then put larger stones behind the wheel. This time, I took over the wheel. As the two men try to push the car manually, I ramp the accelerator cautiously - if I'm too slow, the car won't move. But if I'm too fast, I may fly off the cliff with my car! At this time, I saw hubby grabbing the car by the side of a door with all his might and I thought, Isn't he supposed to push or pull the car instead of grabbing it?? Came to know later, he said he was pushing but at the same time, he held the car tightly so that if the car is really going to fall off the cliff, he would be able to hang on to it with ample time for me to escape out.

From that, two thoughts came to my mind. Firstly, did he think he was Hercules (?!) and had enough strength to hold on to a sedan car? Secondly, he had watched too much action-packed movies, thinking about me escaping and jumping off the car just before it falls off the cliff. Isn't he silly yet sweet? Haha! Of course, we managed to get the car going, did a many-point turn and went back safe and sound. But that was really scary! PS: A big thank you to the helpful man. God bless you!

5. He sold his beloved '1st wife', a large bike (BMW R1200C) and some insurance to get me through university.

6. He kissed me - even though I have just given birth and is fat, bloating, out of shape, and foul-smelling. 

7. When I am sad, depressed, stressed, anxious, shocked, afraid, crying, grieving, angry, cranky, lost, successful, delighted, blissful, happy, joyous, excited, wilful, crazy or mellow, he seems to always be right there. Just right there at the same spot beside me. I wonder how he takes in all of my nonsense! He's such a poor thing. In fact, he seems to be singing a Jackson 5's number:

I'll be there,

I'll be there,

Just when you call,

I'll be there. 

...I'll be there to comfort you,

Build my world of dreams around you,

I'm so glad that I found you

I'll be there with a love that's strong

I'll be your strength, I'll keep holding on -

(Yes I will, yes I will)

[PS: RIP Mr. MJ (1958-2009), I'll miss you forever]

Infant Envy

I was reading someone's blog who is a newly-minted mom. And this feeling took over.

 

That chummy baby scent,

That comforting heat from the head,

That instinctual hand grip around my little finger,

That curious gaze and heart-melting eye blinks,

That little harmless cub with a head that's just the size of my palm,

Those tiny feet and toes wrapped in those tiny mittens and booties,

That lovely bodysuit that I have decided to keep as a memento,

That cutest cry I have ever heard,

That finest soft hair,

That translucent nose and skin,

That kite-like 'soft spot' pulsating on the top of your head which made you so vulnerable,

Those precious moments when you rooted to latch on me and your cheeks pumped and pumped in milk from my body all-day coupled with that warm and fuzzy let-down sensation,

That silly facial expression and hilarious sleeping position that snaps me into the picture/video-taking mode in hopes of capturing all those moments,

That all-day cradling, rocking, and snuggling,

That mini-me who is completely defenseless and yet dictates when I eat and sleep,

That wrapped up bundle of love that has totally changed my life the instant he left my womb,

For better or worse, it doesn't matter,

As long as he is.

 

Thankfully, twenty teeth later (my son's), both of us are still intact!

We've come so far, son. And this is just the beginning of our wonderful journey. My naughty, silly rascal, mommy loves you so dearly. Baby, I miss your infant days so much that I'm envious of other new moms already. Makes me want to treasure our everydays even more, as they come, go, and be gone.

And so, a quick recall made me realised that I'd been missing from this world for months. Yes, yes. It's that horrible experience of potty training. It's so scary that I wouldn't go through it again at any cost. Once is enough. Even told one of my friend to seriously consider outsourcing potty training. Unless, of course, if she has many helping hands. 

Now that this messy job is over (it took me us 5 months), I can finally pop up and take a deeeep breather... for many more exciting events ahead. Below are pics of him at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, looking worn out after all the bouncing about. You do get tired my child, don't you?

P.S. to child: BTW, your pre-nursery teacher didn't described you as very hyperactive in your report card for nothing. Report card for Jovie aged 2+, filed.



Boy and Swan



Son: Heh heh... my idea of heaven

Mommeee, I'm scared of grass... I can't move

Hospital Bag Checklist

In a sturdy, roomy bag, you can pack the following.

1. Disposable Panties - I used my old and unwanted underwear and discard after use

2. Maternity Pads - for after birth Lochia or 'menses'

3. Pyjamas - 2 sets. Double this up as going home clothes. I wear zip-up sporty sweater and pants.

4. Large Jacket and Socks - to keep you warm in the freezing air-con room

5. Slippers - double this up as a going-home shoe or wear disposable slippers 

6. Toiletries - shampoo, shower gel, facial wash, toothbrush/paste, lip balm, body/hand lotion, pimple cream, make up, sunblock, insect repellant, comb, hairclip/band etc

7. Towel - if you prefer to use your own

8. Tissue Paper and Wet Wipes 

9. Nursing Bra/Pads - for breastfeeding

10. Baby's Diapers and Going-home Clothes - just in case, although this is usually provided by hospital

11. Camera, Phone and Chargers

12. A Few Big Plastic Bags - to store used clothings/towels or to store things given by hospitals/visitors or even rubbish

13. Important Documents - Identity cards of both spouses, marriage certificate, doctor's/hospital/government documents, and phone list for confinement nanny, tingkat/meal delivery, massage lady, etc. As usual, I'll also bring a small notebook with a pen to list down the things that I need to do or buy.

Note: I wore old clothings to the hospital to give birth, so that I can chuck them after giving birth if they're soiled. And I brought some magazines and a book for leisure reading but they went home untouched. Instead, I pored over the mini guidebooks (I love this one) that is given to us packed within the complimentary hospital bag.

Other items in the bag include: product samples (nursing pad, newborn diapers, etc), brochures and catalogues of products or services you may need (nanny hiring, full-month celebrations, confinement tingkat or meal delivery, etc).

Have a wonderful home-going experience!

Essential Baby Items (Checklist)

1. Hair clipper/cutter - to cut baby's straying hair.

2. Nail cutter

3. Pacifier - if needed. Update in 2017: My first child (in 2010) suck it like a pro the very first time I introduced it to him but my second child (in 2017) flatly refused it.

4. Toys - Buy toys that stimulate the baby's senses. E.g. toys that are colourful and has subtle movements (for sight) and toys that produces sound and music (for audio). I also play baby's classical music at a soft volume. Make sure all toys are clean, do not have sharp corners and are not painted with toxic paint. I particularly love buying stimulating toys that doubles up as a teether - it's so baby-friendly! You know, babies really put everything into their mouths

5. Digital ear/forehead thermometer - Oftenly used. Buy a good one

6. Bodysuits/Shirt and pants set - for cold and hot weather (or air-con and outdoors), 3-5 sets each

7. Mitten, booty, cap, and bib - 5 sets each

8. Baby wrap - cotton cloth to wrap baby, 3 sets, buy really soft ones for more comfort

9. Disposable diapers - or nappy with nappy liner, safety pin and nappy pants

10. Changing mat - for the endless diaper changes. Placed on floor or bed. Note: my baby cot comes with a changing table - its appropriate height is a back saver! Lesser backaches than if you change on the floor or bed. See no. 26

11. Wet wipes - for feeding spills and diaper changes

12. Tissue - lots of it

13. Cotton wipes - to clean face and eyes with warm water (also called cosmetic wipes)

14. Cotton swap - to clean nose, outer ear and belly button with warm water. (also called Q-tips)

15. Nappy cream - only Pureen cream works for my boy

16. Baby powder and lotion - if using

17. Hand sanitizer - can sterilize hands after changing diapers and I also use it to clean stool-stained areas with tissue on changing mat immediately

18. Baby shower gel - head-to-toe, tear-free

19. Several small cotton cloth - to wrap around index finger wet with warm water and clean baby's gums, tongue and teeth - instant toothbrush.

20. Towels x 2

21. Bath tub - mine's given by the hospital, reuse for subsequent child.

22. Bath non-slip mat - to put in bath tub to prevent baby slipping off

23. Bath toys

24. Baby bath thermometer - I was given one which is like a card and it's really helpful in making sure water is not too hot or cold, no guessing required

25. Baby carrier, pram and car seat - for travelling with baby

26. Baby cot - with mattress and sheets, side bumper, pillow, bolster, blanket, mosquito net, soft toys. To save space, I bought an all-in-one that is a playpen, changing table and baby cot. 

27. Baby hammock - if using

28. Milk bottle - 3-5 sets

29. Water bottle

30. Bottle sponge cleaner (see pic below)

31. Bottle sterilizer - omit this if you are sterilizing the milk bottles in a pot of hot water

32. Baby utensils liquid cleanser - to wash milk bottles, pacifiers, teething toys, nose cleaner etc. Buy those that can also be used to wash vegetables too. My fav brand is Pigeon (see pic below)

33. Milk powder

34. Milk powder dispenser/container

35. Breast pump

36. Nursing pad

37. Diaper Bag - with changing mat and milk bottle holders/bag. Mine's given by the hospital

38. Plates, bowl, fork and small spoon with long handle - to stir milk in bottle and to feed the baby mashed food

39. Blender/masher and steamer/boiler - to cut/mash and cook food respectively

40. Play mat - for tummy time or learning to crawl. I bought a thick mattress protector from Ikea and used it as a mat

41. Baby seat/high chair - for feeding time and playtime. I used the baby pram for this. It made the baby so mobile around the house and can even be tilted down for baby to take a nap. Makes things so much easier and less back-breaking. Thumbs up!

42. Baby detergent - use this esp. if baby has very sensitive skin

43. Baby nose suction/cleaner - I buy the Pigeon brand. As advised by many fellow parents, the non-tube type is better

44. Fabric Freshener - antibacterial, clears odours and germs, eg. febreze. I used it to clean baby's bedding/mattress, seats, cushions of pram, and other difficult-to-wash stuff that is stained by baby's urine or beverage/food spills. Warning: After spraying on fabric, air completely before use! In addition, I've read you can actually make your own fabric spray and they're said to be safer for your baby. Just goggle it :)

45. Storage for baby stuff - I store baby toys in a large reusable carrier bag. His clothings, folded in half and sorted in small boxes in cupboards and drawers. And his ironed clothes on small hangers for children. All from IKEA. Don't forget drying racks and clothes pin too.





Milk bottle sponge on the left and the Pigeon liquid cleanser to wash my baby's milk bottles, pacifier and teething toys. My boy is no longer a baby already but I'm still using both. I use them to wash the whole family's water bottles and to wash fruits and vegetables to get rid of pesticides and bacteria. It's also great for removing the fishy, onion and garlic odour from my hands after I cook. And it removes the sticky and oily residue on the hands after my boy and I played the Plasticine or Play-Doh.

My Ikea loot! Courtesy of my ex-colleagues ;)

Pineapple Cornflake Cookies (with Baking Details)

I'm such a scatterbrain when it comes to the kitchen. Imagine this scene:

Oh gosh! What's next? Where's my note? Quick! The egg's gonna... Oh dear, it's overcooked already... Ouch!*burns hands*...Or should it look like this? Quickly... Ahh!

Totally unglamorous.

This is what happened that day when I was making pineapple cookies - which ended up charred on the outside and brittle on the inside. I'm, therefore, vehemently compelled by my own dogged will, to post this recipe completed with pictures, and with a much more detailed instruction. 

I have to make at least one decent cookie... *hands on hips with angry brows and nose*

In retrospection, I wonder how my grandma could whip up all those countless dishes through sheer memory. During the Chinese New Year, more than 20 years ago, I remember...

When the extended family came to visit us at our kampong hut, grandma would prepare dish after dish of glorious food which practically filled the dining table to the brim. And with all that 'mountains' (as I see them) of food presented, I'm sure there wasn't a single note or recipe that grandma hid in the kitchen. I supposed, she cooked everything by means of 'agak'ration, or estimation by experience.

Amazing lady, I say. *salutes!

Hmm, guess I simply lacked the faculty to be a bona fide cook like my grandma and is destined to be a 'textbook' cook. Well, I'm pretty fine with this and will continue to fumble myself silly over the stove. At the very least, I know I'm giving my heart and soul, and that my food is usually edible. ;)

Anyway.

I've previously made sultana cornflake cookies but for variation, I'd tried this same recipe with pineapple paste instead and it was a hit for my hubby! He loves this pineapple version more because of its sweet and tangy zing. Likened to pineapple tarts, which is one of the main festive snacks of Chinese New Year, I find this variation less sugary and more healthy.

And look at them in that auspicious golden hue, somewhat resembling the ancient chinese gold ingots - an archetypal symbol of wealth. I'm so definitely gonna make these for every Chinese New Year!

To my dear grandma, who may be looking down on me from heaven, how I wish that you could sample my cookies and perhaps suggest some amendments via 'agak'ration.

And to you still reading this, thanks for sticking around :) and may you enjoy making and sharing these (what I call) Bonding Cookies with your loved ones. Till the next post, take good care!

PS: These cookies were much more presentable compared to the earlier hideous versions - although they tasted the same. Do try your hands here in the æsthetics department. Good luck :)

Pineapple (left) and sultana (right) cornflake cookies.
Don't they look Chinese New Year ready??

Recipe

Makes about 50 cookies, each cookie 30kcal

40g Salted Butter, softened/room temperature

40g Fine Sugar

1 Egg (53g, w/o shell)

100g Self-Raising Flour (SRF)

3Tbsp Cornflour (mixed into SRF)

1.5 cup/50g of Cornflakes, coarsely crushed

1 cup/100g of Pineapple paste/filling (or other fruit paste/small dried fruit that you like)

1. Whisk soft butter and sugar till batter turns white.

2. Mix in egg. And then fold in cornflour and SRF to acquire a sticky batter.

3. Next, mix in pineapple paste which is pre-moulded into little portions.

4. Using a teaspoon, scoop some batter with 1 to 3 portions of pineapple paste and drop them onto a plate of crushed cornflakes. Roll them and mould them into little balls. Then, line them on baking pan and flatten them a bit with a fork.



5. Using low to medium fire, heat them on a stove for about 8 minutes on each side. If using oven, try baking for 15 mins at 170 degree C. Enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Harvested raw cookies waiting in the 'oven' line







Finally found rosehip tea (hibiscus not intended).
Tastes like warm red wine.
Flowery and aromatic. Mmm! Goes well with the cookies :)