My new pair of sunny

Yippie! I got myself a new pair of sunny yesterday at Paris Miki. It's a Burberry!

Tokyo Walker... 風行東京

I bought this book at Kinokuniya yesterday. Am I crazy, since I cannot even read a single word inside this book??? How I wish that there is a similar book but in English version?? And more I wish I could read Chinese. I hope Helen To (杜如風) will publish one in English in the near future.

It's June...

2 more days, it will be month of June. Wow! Almost half a year has passed by so swiftly. Looking back, what have I done this past 5 months?? What have I achieved? What important task has been undertaken? This is making me feel very pressured.

2 days ago I managed to tell one of my BFF about the something missing inside me. Oh well! I did not directly expressed it out, just hinted to her that we kinda like sit in the same boat. Well! 2 more years, and I getting a little worried, yet I am not doing much about it. Why? What am I waiting for? Or is there anything that I am worried of? Why am I spending more time worrying about the matter, than putting those worries into action? Perhaps, it may turn out better than it is supposed to be... *Sigh*

Actually this BFF of mine went through a lot in life. She is indeed a good person who deserves wonderful things in life. I hope she will pull through this phase that she is currently in, and everything will turn out well for her in October.

June also marks the 6th year of me climbing to the peak of Mount Kinabalu! It is also the 6th year of knowing my lou kung. How time flies... I can still remember much of the event during that demanding climb. Nonetheless, it was indeed a priceless adventure; more so because I met my lou kung there. I bet I am not able to do it again. Hahah...

Here's a tribute to Low's Peak @ Mount Kinabalu.

Bak Kut Teh for dinner tonight

It's been a long while since I last cooked Bak Kut Teh (BKT) at home. Hence, despite such hot weather lately (including the ugly haze), I still went ahead with my original plans of cooking BKT. Lou kung loves it a lot! He said I should cook BKT more often not only because it is delicious but in addition the stock market would progress well too. Hahah... Very funny - no correlation at all!

Home cook Bak Kut Teh Dinner

Just a brief summary of the ingredients for today's BKT

1. Pork (12 pieces of nicely cut pork ribs)
2. 1 packet of BKT's spices
3. 4 1/2 cloves garlic
4. 1 tbsp thick dark sauce
5. 1 tbsp oyster sauce
6. Soy sauce
7. Salt
8. Vegetable - Lettuce

Bak Kut Teh

Happy Dumpling Festival

Yesterday was my favourite "Bak Chang" Day! As usual, I have the blessing of homemade bak chang from mum. It was off course delicious. There will be 2 Lunar calendar 5th month this year, and thus there is supposedly twice of this festival, but off course we would normally only celebrate the first one. Happy Dumpling Festival!

Homemade "Bak Chang" (Dumpling)

Weekend Dinner

I thought I would start posting photos of our regular weekend family eating outings/ adventure around the city. Last weekend, we had our eating escapade @ Pandan Lake Restaurant.

Steamed River Fish

Lo Hon Chai Vegetable

Claypot Chicken (Free Range a.k.a. Kampung Chicken)

Claypot Pork Belly with Salted Fish

Pork Knuckle

Variety of Fish

• Overall Rating :- (2.5/5)

Something missing...

Is something really missing in me? Yeah! Maybe, perhaps... I kinda felt something is missing within me, inside me and in ME lately. Oh why?? Perhaps I already knew the answer, but I am trying to ignore it, disregard it, overlook it and trying not to let the matter bothers me... Hmm... when will I ever face reality, or the truth I must say.

And the dinner's dishes for today... Taa dah...

Tang Hoon Soup (Vermicelli)

Pork Dish

Basmati Rice with Nori & Komi (Seaweed & Sesame Seasoning)

I took off the edamame because I thought it may be a little too much for the tummy to handle. And it turned out to be true. Thank goodness.

Dishes for this week

I have already planned my cooking for this week. Oh well! I do always make plans well in advance. Me being me... an organized person as always. Hahah...

• Meat - Stewed sliced lean pork cooked with sweet & salty sauce spice with white pepper
• Soup - Vermicelli + minced pork meat + anchovies + lettuce
• Vegetable - Edamame
• Bak Kut Teh
• Porridge with dried scallop
• Steam egg with minced pork meat
• Sardines
• Japanese & Taiwanese pickles
• Porridge with minced pork meat & Tianjin salted vegetable

I know they are simple dishes, but they are delicious and my husband loves them (hopefully).I will post the pictures of the above dishes next week. Wish me luck!

Busy like a Bee

I had been very busy since the trip to Manila last weekend. To cut the long story short, overall the trip was good especially with the warm hospitality from the Tiu Lim's family.

Sometimes I just cannot stand my mum on the way she treated my brother who is already 31 years old this year! I think she still thinks that he is a college going teenager, or even a small boy. I mean I do understand that our parents always treat us as their babies even when we are all grown up. But I think she is doing it too much to the extent that it is no longer called pampering, more like babysitting (and intolerable)! Perhaps, I am badly influence by my lou kung on how I looked at them. But these are all true... the way she is acting towards him, thus making him not ever growing up, older and wiser. It is all her fault, yet she sometimes blame it on God knows what??!! I know, I am getting very frustrated. It is not jealous nor any siblings rivalry here, but I think she is over protecting him till he is always acting so childish, and immature.

Why? I wish God will help her change. She is going to be a true Christian this Sunday, and I hope she will change, and accept the fact that certain characteristic of her that is in dire need of change. Otherwise, I think she is only jeopardizing his life. But then again, he is also one hell of a person... but somehow I still think he can be a much better person, if not for the protection, pampering, sheltering etc. that he is getting from her.

I know no matter what, she is still my mum; and off course I love her and care for her very much. I felt so hurt whenever my lou kung says hurtful things about her. Both are persons closest to me, so naturally when either party says hurtful things about one another; I am the one who is feeling the saddest. I wonder whether will they ever realize this fact. Lou kung... I think you have said the word "your mum is a very 'lan kau' person" for more than 10 times in these few days. I wonder whether you knew how sad, and angry I am when hearing this sentence coming out from your mouth each time!

Mum... I know you care and love us dearly, but not all the times, your approach is correct, and acceptable. We are human, and we do make mistakes; I know I am very stubborn at times, but if we realize and change, I think we can all live happier and healthier.

Hui... I think you need a serious booster to show off all that is inside you all these years. Be yourself, do not live behind the shadow of anyone; be brave to face the outside world, no one will laugh at you, we are people who will only help and guide you through thick and thin. Tell mum that you no longer need her to cover, and umbrella you; you can do it, and just do it!

Lou kung... Whilst I know a lot of times you do mean good in most of the things you do and say, however I regret to say that the way you present your thoughts is always not so polite, and decent. I just hope that you can learn to say things in a better manner.

And over to myself... I just pray, and hope for the BEST.

Mixture of strange dreams

I have been having all sorts of dreams (maybe nightmares too) these couple of nights. I can't really remember much of them but last night's was rather severe. It is about killings, murders in a house which look so similar to my PIL's in TPL. Oh dear! Let's hope it will just stay as a dream ONLY. The night before it was some 2 men (young guys) cooking and messing up in my kitchen; a kitchen which looks like my parent's home in TMGH, but yet the position of its refrigerator is like the one in my own home! Strange! Strange! And scary too...

The funny thing is my lou kung told me that if you dream of getting chase, and that you are constantly running non-stop (something I usually dreamt off), it actually means "money" or wealth is chasing after you. Hahah! And just few nights ago, I was swimming and escaping my life away from sharks! And he said it meant even greater and bigger wealth is awaiting for me. I wish it is true :-)

Somehow I was dream of "something" and "anything" in my sleep! Wonder why? My lou kung said he hardly has any dreams nor nightmares. Hmm... perhaps I am a thinker, perhaps I tend to burden myself with lots of responsibilities, or perhaps I am always bothered with so many issues in life even those teeny weeny ones. Oh well!

Thursday is always a tiring day

Thursday is cleaning day, making me so tired as always. Thus, no cooking today! Anyway, I will be off to MNL tomorrow for the weekend. A short weekend getaway for me??? Nahh... I will be attending some trade fair again with lou kung dearest. Lou Kung seems to recover from his sickness. It has been a long long while since he got this sick. He is still complaining about the phlegm getting stuck inside; nonetheless at least he is back to the office today after staying home for 3 days!

A childhood friend whom I have never seen nor gotten in touch the past 17 years is leaving for New Zealand tomorrow. Yup! She is migrating to Auckland with her young family. It seems funny that we have just gotten in touch last year through Facebook, and manage to meet up with her last month for lunch; and now I do not know when will I see her again. Perhaps another 17 years later??? Wow! I cannot imagine how we would be looking like, or even what we will be doing then... Anyway, I am wishing her all the best in her new start of life in NZ. Facebook reconnects myself with many many of my long lost friends... mostly from primary school, secondary school as well as college and university. It's amazing how we manage to find one another, and getting to know what each other is doing etc. Never did I dare imagine I would find back many of these friends. Facebook is indeed amazing, and off course an addiction!

Home cook lunch & dinner today!

I think it is a rare day that I cooked for both lunch and dinner. Using the same soup stock; I managed to cook both organic soy noodles, and organic fine thread noodles both for lunch and dinner respectively. My lou kung who is still recovering from his illness enjoyed both meals greatly. I am glad to see him finished both his bowls of noodles.

Freshly prepared ingredients

Fresh organic green (Lettuce)

Ta daa... End Result!!!

Beautiful isn't it??? Tasted even better... Hahah... Self praise *blush*blush*

That is for lunch, dinner's photo is similar to that of previous posting for organic mi suah.

Lou Kung is sick

My lou kung who is hardly sick is feeling very sickly now. Feverish, cough, flu, sore throat, chills etc. I really pray that he will "Get Well Soon".

Birthdays

Year 2009 sees my family celebrating birthdays for 2 very important people in our life. My maternal grandfather celebrated his 90th birthday in early February in which also coincides with the "CNY's Chap Goh Mei" festival. It was a simple dinner gathering at a nearby Chinese restaurant back in my hometown a.k.a. Pearl of the Orient; with most of my "Ah Gong's" children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was indeed a modest celebration instilling much family values, and I believe everyone of us had a good time together.

My prayers for "Ah Gong, wishing that you will continue to stay healthy, live happily and cheery". I pray to God that I wish to be a little greedy, I really wish that we are able to celebrate his 100th birthday in time to come.

Group photo of the family members present for

"Ah Gong's" 90th Birthday Dinner on 8th February 2009

Yesterday night, we celebrated my daddy's 60th birthday, in which coincidentally is Mother's Day! In fact, this is not actually any big coincidence since his birthday clashes with Mother's Day almost every single year :-) However, daddy's actual birthday is on 14th May, it is just our practice of celebrating birthdays on the weekend before the actual date. My dad loves to push the boat out, and be merry. In fact, he loves birthday bashes, social gatherings, festivities etc. and has been longing to have a good one. I can clearly see in his eyes tonight that he is pleased, blissful and contented to have a simple birthday dinner with his immediate family.

"Papa, I love you... and I sincerely wish you best in health, longevity, prosperity and most importantly happiness. I am so glad to have you as my dad, and thanks for loving me, and most imperatively being there for me; going through with me through my ups & downs in life. I know that it is not a common practice in our household to declare our love outright openly, but deep inside me, I hope that I will always be your daddy's little girl."

Papa's 60th Birthday Dinner

I love 日本!

I have always like Japan. From those porcelain to kokeshi to furoshiki to kimono to it's cuisines to it's electronic products, it's cars, it's country, it's language etc. etc. One word - I love all things Japanese! TVB Tokyo Walker recently retired its 2 seasons from the pay channel, much to my disappointment. Host Helen To Yu Fung is indeed the best, very spontaneous, jovial and lively. Watching this travel show has been extremely entertaining. I wish they will continue to shoot the 3rd season though I am sorry to say that Helen gotta start walking again... :-)

Since young I was very much exposed to all things Japanese... My dad studied in Japan; and thus I look up upon Japan as a very advanced, civilized and developed country. I noticed our electrical appliances were all Japanese brand; from National (back in those good old days), Sanyo, Toshiba as well as cars like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Honda. Even when I was in primary school, my mum bought me Hello Kitty's water tumbler, Little Twin Star's coin pouch, then we have My Melody etc. They were all so attractive and lovely. To be honest, I still adores them till to date. One thing for sure, if I am blessed with a daughter (God's Will) she will surely enjoy these Japanese cuties. I am pretty sure they even have those boy's version like Tare Panda, Badz Maru etc.

Japanese cuisine is one of my personal favourite! From sashimi to sushi, tempura, unagi kabayaki, saba shioyaki, teppanyaki, shabu-shabu, miso shiru, karage, chawan mushi, macha ice cream etc. You name it I love it! My lou kung and I love exploring Japanese food in the many Japanese restaurants we have in this city. Depending on quality, and type of food served; prices ranged from medium to high. Off course, for budget diners, there is always those Japanese fast food chain type i.e. Yoshinoya, Sakae Sushi, Sushi King, Sushi-tei, Yo-sushi etc. or you can get those takeaways from Isetan or Jusco supermarkets.

You see, I can name at one off all the Japanese restaurants (recommended one off course in no particular order) we frequent - Yuzu, Rakuzen (the main outlet), Fukuya, Sushi Dokoro Maeshima, Wa-raku, Kampachi, Jogoya, Zipangu, Gonbei, Unkaizan (@ Red Eagles Island), Inagiku, Wasabi Bistro, Sagano, Iketeru, Benkay, Kogetsu... Cool! I managed to type all these names in one long breath! Voila!

In fact, I almost further my studies in Japan - almost; indeed so near yet so far. I took Japanese language (beginner) as an elective subject during my university days, and this is one of my favourite class. Without a single doubt, I scored a High Distinction for this subject. Almost neglected my main core subjects, and my major - the reason why I went to university. Hahah..

And off course when my ex-boss conveyed the message that he is sending me off to Tokyo for a business trip, I was jumping with joy! It's magnificent! Imagine going to Tokyo on a business trip means I get to travel to my favourite country in business class, and under all expense paid for by the company. Not forgetting the meagre daily allowance provided but it does not matter at all because the fact I am going to the "land of the rising sun"!

You see overall, I am so associated with Japan!

Hatha Yoga

I just got back from yoga class, and today's class seems not too bad. We have 2 new practitioners today (both are Westerners), and both are living in the same area but different housing parcels i.e. Le'venue & Adiva respectively. I do enjoy yoga classes since the day I've started practising back in mid-2006. However, my classes were never permanent. Either the class shuts itself due to poor response or I am simply not happy with the way the class was conducted. Either way, there is off course "laziness" being one of the major contribution to the halt. BINGO! Nonetheless, this is my longest attachment to the current class, and instructor. And off course, I've moved on from beginner's class to elementary even though there are still some poses in which I am not able to do in the correct manner.

A brief summary on yoga. What most people refer to as simply "yoga" is actually Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is a system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a yogic sage in the 15th century in India. This particular system of yoga is the most popular one, and it is from which several other Styles of Yoga originated including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga. The word "hatha" comes from the Sanskrit terms "ha" meaning "sun" and "tha" meaning "moon". Thus, Hatha Yoga is known as the branch of Yoga that unites pairs of opposites referring to the positive (sun) and negative (moon) currents in the system. It concentrates on the third (Asana) and fourth (Pranayama) steps in the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

Hatha Yoga tries to achieve balance between body and mind, as well as attempts to free the more subtle spiritual elements of the mind through physical poses or Asanas, Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, and Meditation.

Try yoga, and you'll learn to appreciate it!

More cooking attempt

I simply love making fried rice. I like adding all sorts of ingredients to the rice, to add colours and making them look somewhat interesting. Even though my lou kung loves it but he always have this perception that it won't be enough for him since there is no other dishes served. Alas... he is a typical "China Man"... Hahah... Nonetheless, I always made sure I cooked more MORE & MORE rice, to fill up his big fat tummy. Kekeke...

Fried rice in the wok

Home style Chinese fried rice

My cooking attempt

I do enjoy cooking especially for my lou kung, but I actually dread the cleaning part. It has always been the cleaning part that I find it toughest, and prohibited myself from cooking. My lou kung always says that I can cook, just lazy to cook blah blah blah...

Organic Mi Suah (Organic Fine Thread Noodles)

Simple recipe & ingredients:-

For broth (cook & boil for 45-60 minutes)

1. Anchovies
2. Tianjin dried vegetables

Ingredients

1. Organic Mi Suah
2. Minced meat (pork or chicken)
3. Sliced meat pork (pork or chicken breast)
4. Seaweed (Korean or Japanese)
5. Vegetable
6. Egg (optional)

No MSG nor a pint of salt.

My lou kung loves this bowl of noodle so much that he has been asking for it almost every week!!!

I am an avid traveller...

For the past 10 years, I have been travelling / visiting to as many countries as possible. I am glad and proud to say that I have been to (% countries)

• 100% countries in Australasia
• 75% countries in Eastern Asia
• 45% countries in South Eastern Asia
• 3 countries in Europe

I love travelling... and I love seeing, experiencing and tasting new things. Who wouldn't anyway??? I am planning for a holiday to Europe this autumn if budget permits, and perhaps to "North Sea Circuit" in December.

But one thing for sure, I pray and hope that the swine flu (H1N1) outbreak will end soonest possible.

Guess what?? This July/ August I will be visiting a city I once lived and spent some significant and memorable times... both ups & downs off course... It's been more than 10 years; 13 years to be exact, and I am indeed looking forward. S-Y-D-N-E-Y Here I Come!!!

Marriage

I guess my first blog will be on "Marriage".

Marriage is a social, religious, spiritual or legal union of individuals that creates kinship. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding and the married status created is sometimes called wedlock. (Source : Wikipedia)

I would say that I am very lucky to be married to my husband (lou kung). We have been married for 4 years + 4 days since 1st May is our 4th wedding anniversary. We have really came a long long way. Our early days, weeks, months and year of marriage were not exactly as smooth sailing as we thought and wished it would be; nonetheless love conquers all, coupled with self determination, willpower and strong commitment; we indeed made it through. In fact, we love each other more every day. We learn about each other, and off course through each other!

I met my lou kung in the most memorable and unexpected manner (not forgetting the venue). We met at one of the most important biological sites in the world with over 600 species of ferns, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species. Among these are the gigantic Rafflesia plants and the orang utan. The place has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage status. :-) Any ideas? [Hint : 20th most prominent peaks in the world]

Off course, any relationships started off as a platonic friendship. But ours was indeed special since we were separated by a marginal sea which is a part of the Pacific Ocean. My lou kung used to joke that he will be a fisherman and catch his mermaid back to where he is. Back then, my lou kung live and work in an island, nicknamed " anchorage" whilst I live in this city, nicknamed "muddy confluence". We signed and pledged our love thanks to modern technology; and contributed a fair sum of commercial amount to the telcos. Nonetheless, we were very happy!

I guess we never actually dated. As we both have tough job commitments, we only managed to see each other during our business trips (we worked in the same industry, but different companies), and long weekends. Most of the time, our dates would be basically through the air... love is in the air........ :-)

Above all, we had a good holidays in Tokyo during Spring 2004!

Tokyo Disneyland

Sensō-ji (金龍山浅草寺) @ Asakusa, Tokyo

Off course, there was also a "cutely frustrating" incident even before the trip by my ever clumsy lou kung. He missed his flight to NRT simply because the air tickets states e.g. 12.05am and he took it as the very same day of a next day. Ahh! I am indeed speechless over this "incident"... What else can I say???

Also, I wish the earth would opened and ate me up when I met HIM at the capital city of Kanagawa prefecture. It was a "nauseating" day for me... Such a big place in such a highly populated city; and I bumped into HIM!!! My lou kung was shocked too but as usual "mEn being MeN, he acted really cool about it. Hahah...

Overall, we had a good time together in Tokyo!

Half year through after our trip to Japan, my lou kung proposed! In fact, he did not actually proposed in those traditional and romantic ways... more like bugging, and nagging me "When will you be my wife?" kinda stuff; almost every night. Huh! My lou kung can really nagged and bugged but in the cutest possible way. Though it may be annoying at times but it's irritatingly sweet. :-)

One year plus past the holiday trip; We got MARRIED! A wedding was held... and this is the beginning of a new life for the both of us (in fact, in all aspects).

New place, new environment and away from the corporate world plus urban way of life. It was so different. Like I said earlier, my early marriage life was not exactly brilliant. This phase has indeed created a deep impact in ME - especially on the way I react, think, feels and everything else. At times, and many times I wondered whether it is for the good or otherwise.

I could use few words to describe the life then - dishearten, discourage, anger, meaningless, lost of directions, distress, dismay, pain and off course "ANTS". Yikes! Thinking of it made me wonder "How did I even make it through?" There were so many episodes; from throwing tantrums, shouting, arguments, endless cries, flowing tears and emergency room experience. Wow! I've been through it!! ???

Despite all, we still managed to go for our honeymoon; that is to Italy. But we have unsightly and awful times too - some of the days i.e. in Sorrento, Verona & Milan. Oh well! We survived through it anyway...

2 years later, we decided that we have to change for the better. We moved! Moving to where I feel I should belong... A move for the better; not only for me, for my lou kung, and for "US" most importantly. My lou kung's career in land below the winds had turned sour. Too many unscrupulous incidents and corrupted crooks surrounding my lou kung, making life indeed difficult both for him as well as for his own family. It was indeed a good move... I must say...

Life for us improved dramatically after the move. Though we do face many obstacles but overall, I must say things are looking much much better than before. And they are sailing in the right directions... Thank God!

Lou kung... this post is specially dedicated to you. I love you with all my heart; and you are indeed the most important person in my life. Thanks for everything!

"A Warm Welcome To Myself"

I have decided...

Decided what??? Decided to write... yeah... decided to write... been wanting to, and been reading others but hadn't actually put those thoughts into action. Oh well! It's never too late, and here it is now... Taa daa...